Updating Autocad Link Causes Dimension Warning

[PhilvK]

I have an Autocad drawing linked into my project, and have added dimensions in the Revit file to some of the Autocad linework. When I update the Autocad drawing and reload in the Revit file, and even if the updates do not involve the linework I've already dimensioned, I get an error message and the dimensions are deleted. 

Is there a way to not have these dimensions affected when I reload, even if I haven't changed the specific linework, or does any change to the Autocad insert cause the error message?

[barthbradley]

No.  

[syman2000 · Accepted solution]

I run into this issue all the time. CAD doesn't have ID for each object. When you refresh the link, Revit treat the CAD as a fresh update and will remove any dimension reference to it. So to avoid this, I would use detail line and pick the line you want to dimension to and dimension using the detail line. That way when you refresh CAD link, your dimension will stay intact.

[ToanDN]

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@PhilvK wrote:

I have an Autocad drawing linked into my project, and have added dimensions in the Revit file to some of the Autocad linework. When I update the Autocad drawing and reload in the Revit file, and even if the updates do not involve the linework I've already dimensioned, I get an error message and the dimensions are deleted. 

Is there a way to not have these dimensions affected when I reload, even if I haven't changed the specific linework, or does any change to the Autocad insert cause the error message?

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Yes.  Create an in place model generic family, link the CAD file in, finish.  Now you can place dim to CAD linework, edit the CAD, reload, and no warnings.

[PhilvK]

ToanDN - I did it as you described but my dimensions still get deleted when I reload

[RDAOU]

@PhilvK 

So what you accepted as solution worked for one case but didnt for another? Or didnt work at all?

If the former then maybe the root cause is not in revit.  Can you share the cad?

[ToanDN]

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@PhilvK wrote:

ToanDN - I did it as you described but my dimensions still get deleted when I reload

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I just did a test and some of the dimensions did get deleted with that method, but not all.  If I linked the same CAD file directly then all dimensions got deleted.  Since it does not solve your problem in its entirety, feel free to unmark the solution.

As the last resort, you can place ref planes snapping (but not locked) to the CAD file geometry and place dimensions to ref planes instead.

[PhilvK]

SYMAN2000's solution worked, I thought ToanDN's did also, but was mistaken. I don't know how to unmark a post marked as solved. 

I can't share this particular file, but will do a test one and share if the issue persists.

[barthbradley]

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@PhilvK wrote:

SYMAN2000's solution worked, I thought ToanDN's did also, but was mistaken. I don't know how to unmark a post marked as solved. 

I can't share this particular file, but will do a test one and share if the issue persists.

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I'm sure it does work. The dimensions are being pulled between Revit elements - totally unrelated to the CAD Link.