We have gotten from our consultants a nearly useless PDF of a topo map and have converted into AutoCAD polylines. But shocker its uselessly flat. All we have is numbers of where the points are flatly

[andrew8QEC8]

This is a joint AutoCAD and Revit Problem so I am posting in both to see which tool would be better for this problem. We have gotten from our consultants a nearly useless PDF of a topo map and have converted into AutoCAD polylines. But shocker its uselessly flat. We want to turn this into 3D point information for making topography. All we have is numbers of where the points are flatly listed next to where is should actually be in the Z axis. Currently all the points have an actual Z axis value of 0'. Is there a best and somewhat better way to turn this into useful 3D information besides clicking one polyline at a time and typing move. (In Revit this would require exploding the drawing file in Revit if you wanted to move each polyline 3D one at a time. A big no, no for file optimization.)

[barthbradley]

Why can't you change the elevation of the polylines? 

[Revit_Whisperer]

You can change the elevation of the plines to match what they are in the image.

[andrew8QEC8]

This is a theoretically correct solution. However, there are over a hundred polylines on the topography map. Maybe picking the points and typing them in each time in Revit is the way to go. (Albeit insanely tedious). What the real meat of the question is: is it better (as in more time efficient to do the 3D work in AutoCAD or in Revit?)

[barthbradley]

100 polylines representing 100 contour intervals?  What's the elevation difference between contours? 

[mhiserZFHXS · Accepted solution]

Tell your consultants to send you a better format?

[andrew8QEC8]

Best answer, but can't get a hold of them as they are on vacation.

[mhiserZFHXS · Accepted solution]

Then you'll have to do it manually if you're in a crunch. Either way, I'd have a blunt word with them about how that type of coordination isn't acceptable. You should probably have a look at your consultant contract as well to make sure you have standing on this, and modify it in the future to avoid this happening again.

[RSomppi]

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@andrew8QEC8 wrote:

This is a joint AutoCAD and Revit Problem so I am posting in both to see which tool would be better for this problem. 

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This is not a programatic problem. It's also possible that the drawing used to create the PDF is "flat" so contacting the consultant may not solve anything. 

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

A PDF site plan is flat. The DWG converted from the PDF will be flat.  They need to export the civil 3d dwg to AutoCAD dwg and send that to you.