Revit Tip: CAD Link Management for Revit Performance

Today’s tip: manage CAD links with care to keep Revit fast, clean, and coordinated.

Before you link: clean the DWG

• Purge aggressively: remove unused blocks, layers, linetypes, and regapps. Eliminate nested xrefs.
• Simplify geometry: flatten to 2D where possible, convert splines to polylines, reduce hatch density, and delete stray points far from the origin.
• Standardize: set units correctly, move the model near 0,0,0, ensure linework is ByLayer, and WBLOCK just the necessary scope.

Link, don’t import

• Use Insert > Link CAD. Avoid Import CAD and never explode—this inflates file size and introduces unmanaged categories.
• Positioning:
  • Use Shared Coordinates only after you’ve published/received coordinates.
  • Otherwise, prefer Origin-to-Origin for predictable alignment over Center-to-Center.
• For 2D details, enable “Current view only.” Keep 3D/site DWGs as model-wide only when truly needed.
• Import settings:
  • Units: set explicitly (don’t rely on Auto-Detect if unsure).
  • Colors: Black and White to improve readability and print consistency.
  • Layers: Specify and include only the layers you need; exclude hatches and annotations when possible.
  • Correct lines that are slightly off-axis to tame messy drafting.

Governance and performance

• Worksets: place all CAD links on a dedicated “CAD_Links” workset. Keep it non-printing by default and turn it on only in coordination views.
• Naming: discipline_project_scope_version (e.g., CIV_Survey_Topo_2025-10-15). Date-stamped names help track updates.
• Pin and protect: pin linked DWGs and restrict edits to reduce accidental moves.
• Manage Links: use relative paths, unload when not needed, and reload on demand for coordination sessions.
• View Templates: create a “CAD Coordination” template with:
  • Imported Categories overrides for lineweights/halftone/transparency.
  • Filters to mute busy layers and emphasize control lines, grids, and key references.

Coordination best practices

• Prefer Revit links for ongoing multidiscipline coordination; reserve CAD for legacy details, survey, or manufacturer diagrams.
• For survey/ civil, establish shared coordinates early; verify northings/eastings and elevation benchmarks before authorizing model alignment.
• Scope control: keep DWG extents tight to your project area to avoid massive view ranges and sluggish navigation.
• Never Bind/Explode to “convert” CAD into model lines in a live project. If conversion is unavoidable, do it in a throwaway file and replace with native Revit detail or model elements.

Quality assurance checklist

• Run regular audits on the Revit model; watch for warnings tied to large imports or excessive imported categories.
• Confirm plot results early: black/white, lineweights, and hatches behave as expected across sheets.
• Document the link workflow in your project BIM Execution Plan, including update cadence and responsibilities.

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