Problem with Insert Link CAD DWG file with topography survey map

[Anonymous]

I tried many times to Insert Link CAD DWG file with topography survey map in new Project - Architectural templete to use as Site Plan and to create toposurface from and then link my completed House model project into this Site Plan. I do everything as on 2 YouTube training videos: uncheck - current view only; colors - invert; layers - all; Import units - Auto-Detect; Positioning - auto Origin to Origin (it transforms it to center); Level 1; Orient to View. And NOTING happens - blank view, empty.

CAD file itself is fine because I could open it and see it in CAD viewer app that I have installed (I do not have Auto CAD program). What do I do wrong ? Why I see nothing but blank view ? Thank you !

[barthbradley]

Try Center to Center.  Are you getting a Warning indicating that elements are placed too far away?

...might help if you post the CAD so we can take a look at it.  

[Anonymous]

I can not see that file when it opens. It is just nothing there or invisible. I have tried ''center to center'' - nothing and in ''feet''.   This is that file in attachment I am trying to insert. 

[Anonymous]

This is how it should look when open 

[barthbradley]

Your CAD's Zero Origin is too far from the CAD elements. I'm sure the CAD linked fine into your Revit Project -- it's just way too far away and consequently way to small to see on the screen when you zoom to fit.  You should have seen a Warning about this. 

.  

So, you need "find it" and move the CAD Elements closer to Revit's Internal Origin.  Zoom to Fit and then use a crossing window to try and locate it.   

[ToanDN]

Link it in Center to Center, Units = Feet, move and rotate it to align with your model if you already built some, then acquire coordinates.

[barthbradley]

….here's an easier way. Open CAD and draw a 2-point circle with the center at 0,0,0 and the end somewhere near the elements.   Save and Link this CAD into Revit Origin to Origin. Now you will be able to "see" the CAD in the View.   

[Anonymous]

I am getting no warnings at all when I try center to center. Nothing. I have never done that before (inserting files and topography).  If you can open and see that file in Revit somehow. Please tell me how can I do that in steps. I am new to Revit and not very technical, so every time I try something new in Revit I am hitting a brick wall while it seems so easy on training videos. Please HELP. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I do not have Auto CAD 

[ToanDN]

The CAD file s has two other CAD files xref'ed into it. Do you have them?

[barthbradley]

I described a workflow above. Draw the Circle in the CAD, and then Link it into Revit Origin to Origin. Then Zoom to Fit and locate your DWG's Site on the circumference of the circle. Once found, move it to the Internal Origin of the Project. Then Acquire Coordinates.  Are you familiar with setting up Shared Coordinates?  

[Anonymous]

I can not open it at all. I see blank - nothing. And it should look like this (in attachment). What you opened is just a small part of it. I have never done that before so I need detailed steps. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

These (attachments) are all 3 that was in a zip file. I do not know how to draw a circle in CAD. Sorry. 

[barthbradley]

Just to let you know, there is no 3D contour data in this DWG, so you are not going to be able to produce a Revit Toposurface from it.  

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

I can not open it at all. I see blank - nothing. And it should look like this (in attachment). What you opened is just a small part of it. I have never done that before so I need detailed steps. Thanks.

---

Of course you don;t see it because you do not have all the CAD files.  You need the two file below.

[barthbradley · Accepted solution]

I'll bet the XT-Hurtt is the 3D data you need. 

[Anonymous]

I have found them ! Please look in attachments

[Anonymous]

I think I have found them ! Sorry, I just have no idea what those files should be. Please look in attachment. So how can I open all together ? 

[Anonymous]

OMG ! Thanks you ! I have managed to open it and even dragged it to the approximate place where it should be. But it is way to high because it is above see level. How to bring it down ? My model that will be linked here is already done in another project. 

[barthbradley · Accepted solution]

Link away. Once placed, move closer to Internal Origin and Acquire Coordinates.  Then create your Toposurface from Link Instance. Only check the "SRF-FLT" box when prompted to select Layers.   

Note: Once you have Acquire Coordinates, the Survey Point is your Elevation Base for all your topo annotations, such as Contour Labels and Spot Elevations.  If you need to move the Topo again, be sure to re-Acquire Coordinates afterwards.