How to link Autocad files to Revit sheets?

[braicodavid]

Hi All. 

I haven't had any formal training with Revit, and am having difficulty using the sheets. So far, I have just been using AutoCAD and exporting elevations and layouts and finalising everything in AutoCAD. I there a way I can link an AutoCAD DWG to a Revit sheet and view parts of the model in a Revit sheet? Like a viewport.

I have tried importing and linking CAD but it inserts my title page block only which I don't understand. 

Thanks,
David 

[ennujozlagam]

@braicodavid hello, your autocad file must be in model space > go to view > drafting view (set your scale) > go insert > link cad > open your title block and drag your drafting view in your title block sheet. thanks

[ToanDN]

@braicodavid

Do not link cad when you have a Revit sheet open. Link it in a view: plan, elevation, or drafting.

[Corsten.Au]

you can remove " title page " " sheet layout " in the CAD file..

keep drawings only in the MODEL space.

check the unit " shortcut " " UN "

make sure its mm or meter whatever is correct.. 

switch on all the layers... zoon extent.. make sure file shows everything you need.

else fix it..

Purge the file.. ( multiple times... till you get zero elements to purge )

then close CAD file..

then link CAD ( not attached ) that file in Revit.. Current view only.. tick the correct scale..

hope that will help you.

Cheers

[RobDraw]

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@braicodavid wrote:

Hi All. 

I haven't had any formal training with Revit, and am having difficulty using the sheets. So far, I have just been using AutoCAD and exporting elevations and layouts and finalising everything in AutoCAD. I there a way I can link an AutoCAD DWG to a Revit sheet and view parts of the model in a Revit sheet? Like a viewport.

I have tried importing and linking CAD but it inserts my title page block only which I don't understand. 

Thanks,
David 

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Unless the project requires the use of AutoCAD, I would let go of that crutch and try to do everything in Revit. Not only will your model be much happier for that, but you will learn much more in Revit.

When linking AutoCAD, if you are in a sheet, then the default is to get paper space. Viewports in AutoCAD are not the same as viewports in Revit and as such are not recognized by Revit. When you link with a view active, you get model space.

[braicodavid]

Hi Rob,

Yes that's the overall plan yes. I want to have everything in Revit but as I am teaching myself o the job, I can't spend to much time on learning Revit as I need to produce drawings. 

Can you have a look at the attached PDF and tell me if it's possible to create views similar to this in Revit? 

This is just a gradual learning experience as I switch from AutoCAD to Revit. 

Thanks.

-david

[RobDraw]

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@braicodavid wrote:

Hi Rob,

Can you have a look at the attached PDF and tell me if it's possible to create views similar to this in Revit? 

Thanks.

-david

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The short answer is yes, but there is a lot of work to get there.

A slightly longer answer is that you will probably have to make some concessions in the way your drawings are presented.

[Sahay_R]

Revit can produce this and more. The biggest advantage to Revit is its intelligence - using AutoCAD as a crutch in Revit is counterproductive and frankly, a waste of time. Used correctly Revit can help boost your productivity.

I am also surprised that your workplace standards are not geared to production exclusively in Revit. Let me rephrase - that your workplace production standards do not seem to have adopted one approach or the other. 

Last but not least - Revit does NOT like AutoCAD. Bringing in AutoCAD content can only be counterproductive and bad for the health of the Revit model. If you are working too hard in Revit, then you are probably not doing it right.

Be guided by your CAD manager and workplace production standards. Treat this as a learning opportunity. All of us are still learning. None of us knew it all from Day 1. Feel free to post on this Forum with your questions and concerns - there is more than enough skill and experience in the Forum to help you out.

[braicodavid]

Hi Rina,

 Thank you very much for that answer. Unfortunately I am the only one in this company that uses CAD and is up to myself to learn Revit in the spare time I have. I fall into many problems using AutoCAD which is why i wish to transfer solely to Revit 

That being said, would you have any tips or useful tutorials that I could use to start using Revit sheets?

Either way, thank you for your reply

-David

[ennujozlagam]

@braicodavid hello, you can refer to this Tutorials- create sheets-etc go to intermediate folder. thanks

[Sahay_R · Accepted solution]

In the light of your working circumstances (you're the ONLY CAD user in your organization???) here is what I would suggest - 

1) Prioritize. In-progress projects, in-a-hurry projects - work with AutoCAD

2) Newer projects, where you have some breathing room - Revit

3) Please avoid mixing the two as far as possible

4) There are online resources aplenty (Lynda.com, Paul Aubin has some excellent material as have other bloggers like Revit Op Ed, the Revit Geek, etc). Also keeping a book as a handy resource would be helpful - Dan Stine has written some good stuff for beginners, as have the team Duell, Hathorn and Hathorn. For a more advanced desk resource I would recommend the books by Eric Wing, and by the team of Vanderzande and Krygiel.

5) It wouldn't hurt to audit a class at a local Community College

6) Learn by doing. When you run into a snag, post on this forum. Attaching a file and / or a screenshot will make it easier for the rest of us to formulate a (or many) solution

Good luck!

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @braicodavid

Thanks for posting on our forum!

I hope you have an idea from the recommendations from experts @ToanDN, @Sahay_R, @ennujozlagam, @RobDraw and @Corsten.Au

Here is more information in this regard:

• You can import a view from another CAD program and use it as a Revit drafting view. Then you can reference the drafting view for a callout or section, and place it on sheets in the construction documentation set. See HERE for more information.

• Check a similar thread discussion on linking CAD files to sheets

• Open a Revit project, and use the Import CAD or Link CAD tools to import or link vector data from other CAD programs.

As suggested, please feel free to post to the forums for any questions on projects that you may have from time to time. We are glad to help!

If you find posts have solved your problem, please click on 'Accept as solution' to help others with similar questions. Kudos welcome!

Regards,

[braicodavid]

Hi Rina,

Thanks for your answer and guidance, I appreciate it. I think I'll continue playing around with Revit and pushing to use it rather than reverting back to the comfort of AutoCAD.

I will definitely be posting more questions on here. Haha

-David 

[braicodavid]

Hello,

Thanks for guiding me to those tutorial, I will be going through those.

they look like a great starting point for me

-David 

[braicodavid]

Thank Viveka,

I have a general idea for a solution to my issue. I will continue to post here when I get into a problem, but I will check the existing trouble shoot solutions and forums for solutions first. 

Thank you,

David