Transparent Hatch Pattern from Autocad Linked File

[MuirEng]

okay, here is what I am trying to do. I'm using some 2d autocad files in my Revit model. One is a floor plan and one is a ceiling plan. The ceiling plan has a hatch pattern where there are dropped bulkheads.

I've laid the two files on top of one another, with offset, so the floor plan is at 0' and the ceiling is at 8'. I can then lay down my lights and stuff (I do electrical). All of this works just fine, and it lets me use very similar processes when I have projects where I am supplied a Revit model and projects where I only get AutoCAD.

The only problem I am fighting is that I want this bulkhead hatch to be transparent, so that items on the floor plan show up. (so that I can show that a pot light is centered over a sink for example).

VG settings doesn't seem to give me any transparency options on the linked cad file. The only workaround I have so far is to change the hatch pattern away from solid but the plots are less than satisfying.

ideas?

thanks!

[JacobDSimpson]

Hi there,

I'm not sure if you've imported or linked your cad file but if you link your cad you should be able to use the halftone option which should make your CAD import fairly transparent as the image shows the option here.

Hope this helps 

[MuirEng]

It's linked file, but no, this is not a solution. I understand the feature
and use it often, but in this case I do not want to halftone the entire
linked file. It's only the hatched area I need to render transparent. Thanks
for the idea.

[JacobDSimpson]

Ok, well if you import instead of link, you can go into visibility graphics, imported categories and then hit the plus symbol to open up a list of all the layers from your AutoCAD file. From there you can edit the lines thickness and colour, making it whatever you wish. Hope this alternative helps. 

Cheers,

Jacob

[MuirEng]

Thanks Jacob, but I need to link it in. The architect changes it once in a
while. But are you sure importing it lets me take control of the hatch
pattern? For sure (and this is true with either linked vs import) I can
control layer properties but hatches are unique beasts. Keep in mind that my
objective is a solid yet transparent hatch.

[JacobDSimpson]

No problem, well I'm definitely getting that option in a model I'm currently working on in Revit, which is a imported CAD file. 

However, I recall answering a question a while ago in a test related to your question, I found the question and answer to it here in the jpeg. 

Apparently the same overrides work for changing the display of a linked revit file that they do for an inserted one. Do you get a similar option that lists all of your layers when you go in to the Manage > Manage Links dialog box? Do you get a similar list of layers and the option to edit their line styles/weights? 

[ToanDN]

What is your view configuration? RCP with underlay to show the floor plan below?

[JacobDSimpson]

Hey, just checking if you managed to get the problem solved? Hope some of my advice helped you out.

[MuirEng]

Hey ToanDN The view is a ceiling plan, so Revit understand that the hatch lives above the objects below.

You might be on to something with the underlay. I'm used to those settings with linked RVT file but I don't see them under manage CAD links...?

btw, I tried moving the 2d RCP layer to zero elevation but then floor plan 2d obscures it, even though there is no fill or hatch on that drawing. I don't understand that.

with VG settings I can control the layer the hatch lives on but not the hatch properties.

guys, the workaround is not all that bad - I just have to edit the hatch in the source AutoCAD file from a solid pattern to a linework based pattern and then the floor plan shows up in the pattern gaps. If anyone has any other ideas I'll try them out but i have other things to deal with that are more important. 

thanks

[MuirEng]

Hey ToanDN The view is a ceiling plan, so Revit understand that the hatch lives above the objects below.

You might be on to something with the underlay. I'm used to those settings with linked RVT file but I don't see them under manage CAD links...?

btw, I tried moving the 2d RCP layer to zero elevation but then floor plan 2d obscures it, even though there is no fill or hatch on that drawing. I don't understand that.

with VG settings I can control the layer the hatch lives on but not the hatch properties.

guys, the workaround is not all that bad - I just have to edit the hatch in the source AutoCAD file from a solid pattern to a linework based pattern and then the floor plan shows up in the pattern gaps. If anyone has any other ideas I'll try them out but i have other things to deal with that are more important. 

thanks

[JacobDSimpson]

Hey, it sounds like a good idea to change your lines in AutoCAD to linework based if you really want it to be a link. If not then I'd go for the import but its really up to how your practice want things done I guess. Glad your making some headway on it.

[ToanDN]

Can you select the RCP CAD link and override its transparency?  It seems to work in my test.

[MuirEng]

I don't see anywhere to make this setting. I've selected the linked file in
plan view and I don't see anything in the properties. Revit refers to it as
an "import symbol"



Under VG, imported categories there are options to override pattern and
lines on each layer, and to halftone the entire file.



Have I missed a setting somewhere?

[Sahay_R · Accepted solution]

Right click on the DWG. Click on Override Graphics in View. and then Element.

[MuirEng]

okay! That works. Thanks!

[MuirEng]

Hmm, I turns out that this solution works on screen but I cannot get this to translate to a matching PDF file.

I've attached a screen shot of my view and a the screen shot of PDF. I tried changing the colour of the hatch but that doesn't seem to help.

Ideas?

[ToanDN]

What are your PDF printing settings?  Mine comes out correctly.

[MuirEng]

pdf settings attached

[ToanDN]

I printed (via print command, not Bluebeam add-in button) with the settings below.  Attached is the PDF.  It looks okay.

[MuirEng]

Hi, I ran a test with all setting same as your second screen shot. No change in output. I don't find anywhere a screen like your first screenshot but I'll dig some more. But could this be some difference in my file vs your test file?

thanks again for the help

(I'm running Revit 2017 at the moment)