Turning AutoCAD-based Lines into Revit Lines
Feb 25, 2009 AutoCAD, BIM, Revit, latest
Have you ever wanted to take like work created in AutoCAD and not only bring it into Revit, but also convert it into Revit lines? In a recent instance I was asked about the possibility of doing this in order to bring some original building footprints from AutoCAD to Revit. Here’s how to do it with some basic shapes. You’ll notice in the image below that each line is on a different layer, in a different color with a different lineweight.
AutoCAD Linework
1. Import your DWG file into Revit using the following settings (notice that the Link option is NOT selected):
Import Settings
Notice that, when you select the drawing inserted into Revit, the type selector says Import Symbol : Drawing1.dwg:
Type Selector
2. With the drawing still selected, click the Full Explode button on the Options Bar.
Now, when you select one, or more of the lines, and click the Type Selector pull-down menu you’ll see 4 new types of line styles called Layer1, Layer2, Layer3 and Layer4:
New Line Styles
If you take a look in the Element Properties, you’ll see that the imported, AutoCAD lines are now System Family : Model Lines:
Element Properties
Have you needed to go through this process? It what situations?
Turning on Linked DWG Files within Linked Revit Files
Feb 15, 2009 AutoCAD, BIM, Revit, latest
When projects get larger and larger, it often becomes necessary to break them up into multiple Revit files and then link them together. Also, large projects usually involve many consultants who don’t use Revit. If they’re using AutoCAD, you’re normal process will be to link those received files into Revit and use them as underlays. If the Revit file you’re linking them into, however, will be linked into another Revit file, those linked DWG’s will be hidden by default. This tutorial will show you how to turn them on. Below you’ll see an AutoCAD file linked into the West Wing file of a large building (fig. 1). The West Wing Revit file will then be linked into an East Wing Revit file.
Figure 1 – Linked DWG File
At this point, if you were to link one Revit file into the other, you would get what appears to be empty space. Here’s how to make the DWG file visible:
1. Type VG on your keyboard to open the Visibility/Graphics dialog box and switch to the Revit Links tab. Here you’ll see the West Wing Revit file linked in.
2. Under the Display Settings dialog box, click the By Host View button (fig. 2). This opens the RVT Link Display Settings dialog box.
Figure 2 – By Host View Button
3. On the Basics tab, By Host View is selected. This means that whatever visibility settings are set by the view in this actual file (the East Wing file), that is how the linked file (West Wing.rvt) will display. Click the Custom option (fig. 3).
Figure 3 – Custom Display Settings Option
4. Click the Import Categories tab.
5. Click the pull-down menu next to Import Categories (fig. 4) and choose <Custom>.
Figure 4 – Custom Display Settings for Imported Files
6. Click the check box next to the DWG file name. In this case A-FP01.dwg (fig. 5).
Figure 5 – Turn on DWG File
7. Click OK twice and you’ll return to the workspace where you’ll find the DWG file now visible.
The infrastructure of files (DWG, RVT, etc.) for large projects needs to be considered carefully. There are many factors to keep in mind such as file size, network speed and file sharing. What other factors do you keep in mind when starting a large project which will require multiple files?
My Reaction to, “Revit is Too Limiting for Conceptual Design Work.”
Feb 13, 2009 3DS MAX, AutoCAD, BIM, Commentary, Revit, SketchUp, latest
I was asked this question in my class last night as I delayed starting in an effort to convince my students that Revit was the most important next thing for them to learn. The quick answer is, “just wait until Revit Architecture 2010. Things are about to get a lot more interesting.” The long answer is this, however, “so don’t use it for conceptual design work.” Autodesk owns enough software that it won’t be insulted if you use one piece of its software for one thing and another of something else. That being said, if you want to use non-Autodesk software, use it! We need to remember that the end goal here is good design and not loyal software use. When I was in grad school we had several computer labs whose workstations has differing specs. My department’s IT staff would continually say, “the right tool for the right job.” In other words, don’t use the fastest, most powerful computer in the school to write a document in Microsoft Word. In a recent meeting of Revit specialists, this concept was agreed upon, but one other point was added: all data must end in Revit.“ The reason for this, which I also agree with, is that Revit can calculate, quantify, coordinate and document. It’s relatively easy to bring data from most other pieces of software into Revit. In fact, SketchUp, for example, can be brought into Revit in it’s native form (ie. it requires no conversion). When I’m working, I like to think of what I’m using as a simple piece of software called, “Design.” It happens to have all of the individual pieces of software I use within it (Revit, AutoCAD, 3DS MAX, SketchUp, etc.) and they all have their own windows and icons. As an example, I often tell my students that 3DS MAX is not a drafting program. If you need to draw a two-dimensional shape with a high level of accuracy, and you’re familiar with AutoCAD, draw the shape there and bring it in. With an end goal of good design, use software that does two specific things, (1) offers you sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, tools that stimulate your creative juices and help you advance your design process efficiently and, (2) allows you to organize, analyze and document your data for easy recall and presentation.
What do you think?
