Revit Tip: CAD-to-Revit Import Workflow and Checklist

Importing CAD correctly prevents bloated models, misalignments, and view performance issues. Here is a concise, field-tested workflow you can turn into a repeatable office standard.

• Preflight the DWG in AutoCAD before it ever touches Revit:
  • Switch to World UCS; avoid custom UCS.
  • Set correct INSUNITS; avoid unitless files.
  • Clean with -PURGE (including regapps), AUDIT, and OVERKILL.
  • Flatten 2D details to Z=0; remove 3D solids you don’t need.
  • Freeze or delete nonessential layers; consider eTransmit to pack essentials.
  • Set all visible geometry to ByLayer for predictable lineweight mapping.
• In Revit, prefer Link CAD over Import:
  • Link keeps file size lean, allows reloading, and offers per-view control.
  • Use a dedicated “CAD Links” workset for visibility and quick unloading.
  • Pin the link immediately to prevent accidental moves.
• Use the right Link CAD options:
  • Positioning: By Shared Coordinates for site plans; Origin to Origin for details/trace.
  • Import Units: Manually set when in doubt; don’t rely on Auto-Detect.
  • Colors: Black and White; Layers: Visible; Correct lines that are slightly off axis.
  • Current view only for drafting views and sheet details.
• Control graphics and performance after linking:
  • Manage tab > Additional Settings > Import Line Weights to map color-to-weight by scale.
  • Visibility/Graphics > Imported Categories to toggle specific DWG layers by view.
  • Use Query on the CAD instance to delete noisy layers or blocks.
  • Consider disabling “Snaps to Imports” while modeling to avoid accidental snap points.
• Convert details to native Revit when appropriate:
  • Link the DWG into a Drafting View (Current view only), trace with Revit detail items/lines, then remove the link.
  • Replace hatch patterns with Revit fill patterns for scale-accurate printing.
• Topography and site coordination:
  • Acquire Shared Coordinates from a cleaned survey file before linking civil DWGs.
  • For contour creation, ensure polylines have proper elevations and are not splines.
• Avoid explode unless it’s a last resort:
  • If you must, do it in a blank family or isolated file, clean results, then bring in the native geometry. Full Explode can inject rogue line styles and hatch patterns.
• Quick diagnostics:
  • Unexpected scale? Verify DWG INSUNITS vs Link Units; drop a known dimension to confirm.
  • Elements far from origin? Check for large coordinates in the source and reset to a usable local origin or use Shared Coordinates correctly.
  • Slow views? Hide heavy layers per view or unload the link while modeling.

Standardize this as your “CAD Import Checklist” and share it with your team to reduce rework and printing surprises. For licensing, plug-ins, and expert guidance on Autodesk Revit workflows, connect with NOVEDGE. If you’re setting up office templates and lineweight mappings, the specialists at NOVEDGE can help you get it right the first time. Considering an upgrade or adding seats? Explore Autodesk solutions with NOVEDGE.

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