Linked CAD Issues and Inconsistencies

[jmac]

I have a larger project with CAD Links being used to show furniture layouts and the site plans across the building. Somewhat recently, the links have started to become an issue and a huge number (hundreds, if not thousands) of "links" now appear through the Import categories filter under Visibility Graphics or View Template windows. Even opening these windows in a view causes Revit to hang and buffer. These hundreds of bogus links use the same kind of naming convention as the Local files Revit creates. The real linked CAD is embedded in there, but a PITA to access. Everyone else accessing the model has the issue. 

I'm using 2021.1.2, on a BIM360 hosted project, with the AutoCAD link path back to our office server, that people typically access via VPN, or locally if they're in the office. I have to imagine this is the cause of the issue, and that if BIM360 was a viable path for CAD links this wouldn't be an issue. All the paths are set to absolute. 

I'm opposed to unlinking and relinking, because all of the view template filters that have been applied will need to be redone. I want to fix this, because I can't imagine it's good for model performance/stability. Any thoughts on how to clean this up? 

[syman2000 · Accepted solution]

Normally I would create a new Revit file with all the CAD links on that file. Always use current view only for all the CAD. When you link the Revit CAD link into the project, you can link by view. Then you get rid of all the CAD from the main project. That way the CAD from the Revit link won't replicate themselves when user working on the project.

[jmac]

Oh, that's a clever idea. I think it may still require re-doing view template settings, but a part of me thinks that's inevitable. 

Does removing the CAD link remove the "local ghost duplicate" instances? 

Looks like it still gives me all the override options too, which isn't necessarily the case with model elements that are linked in. 

[syman2000 · Accepted solution]

When removing the CAD, it will remove those duplication. Often when you have CAD link into the project by current view, user may duplicate the view with those CAD embedded. Overtime when you have copies of those views, those CAD link will be duplicated. As well template will saved those CAD link setting. One way I usually clean them up is never include import categories into the template.

[jmac]

Is there any way to "clear" these duplicate instances from an existing model? Unfortunately this is a multi-year, multi-phase project with hundreds of sheets and corresponding view templates. I've been successful in migrating the links to an independent model, but I'm looking for a way now to remove the duplications that retains view template overrides. 

[syman2000 · Accepted solution]

Check this free master purge tools. I've used it couple of times and it works as intended.

https://apps.autodesk.com/RVT/en/Detail/Index?id=4471924429889097627&appLang=en&os=Win64&autostart=t...

[jmac]

I'm talking through this coworkers and we're curious as to what is causing the duplication/replication in the first place. Any thoughts? 

[RobDraw]

Message #4.