How to locate linked cad

[marcbartolucci]

I am trying to insert a cad file of topographic lines to a site plan. When I go to link or insert it, I cant find it anywhere. I think the reason is that the cad file is a bit strange. I think it was made in a different software because the 0,0,0 point is miles away from the actual drawing... So I think when I go to insert it (either automatically or manually) the middle or origin points are too far away. Is there a way to locate the cad in my view? or is there a better way to insert a cad file into the view? Im still new to Revit, so please be descriptive. 

[dferreira-blackwell · Accepted solution]

open the plan and press ZA (zoom all), your window will now contain every element on that plan no matter the distance. now create a selection box for the whole window, now from modifying tab in the ribbon use Filter and only select the cad link. Now just zoom in manually through mouse roller.
For a better way to insert cad use manual while in insert cad dialogue box instead of origin to origin.

[ToanDN]

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@marcbartolucci wrote:

I am trying to insert a cad file of topographic lines to a site plan. When I go to link or insert it, I cant find it anywhere. I think the reason is that the cad file is a bit strange. I think it was made in a different software because the 0,0,0 point is miles away from the actual drawing... So I think when I go to insert it (either automatically or manually) the middle or origin points are too far away. Is there a way to locate the cad in my view? or is there a better way to insert a cad file into the view? Im still new to Revit, so please be descriptive. 

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Assuming you are able to locate the CAD link following the previous instruction, to answer you second question, when link a CAD file, choose Center to Center instead of Origin to Origin, then move the DWG afterward.

[s.borello]

Was going to chime in but I believe the suggestions by @ToanDN  & @dferreira-blackwell  will solve your issue.

[barthbradley]

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@marcbartolucci wrote:

origin points are too far away. 

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That's not unusual.  Center-to-Center might make it easier, but the best approach would be to position the Survey Point Origin at the same distance from the Project site in Revit as is the zero Origin from the building site in the CAD, and then Link the CAD via Shared Coordinates.  In other words, "ID" a spot at or near the building site in the CAD,  note its x, y  and z coordinates, and input those coordinates into the Survey Point in the Revit Project.  Then Link the CAD in via Shared Coordinates.  That make sense?  

...I better clarify.  Enter the ID coordinates into the Project Base Point to re-position the Survey Point Origin.  

[marcbartolucci]

Fantastic, that worked, thanks! 

I found the drawing, but for some reason it is showing in a very low resolution. By that I mean, rather than having smoth curves in the lines, they are jagged and stepping to compensate for the curves... my drawing is in millimeters, the cad is unitless (but looks like the lengths are meant to be in meters). I tried linking it in both meters and auto detect, which results in low resolution (meters) or a very small out of scale drawing (auto detect). Do you know what might cause that?

never mind, tried again and it worked properly this time for some reason

Thanks again 

[dferreira-blackwell]

I  am not sure what can cause that nonetheless, try the following thread:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-architecture-forum/linked-cad-poor-quality/td-p/7729777

[architectcharlesb]

I know this is a few years late, but none of you guys thought about the elevation of the cad file.  If you plop in a survey, it's probably drawn at the actual elevation.  Cut a section, look at the section, and make it big.