I tired to import an AutoCAD 2D site plan into Revit. It seems pretty straight forward by going to File > Import/Link > CAD format to bring the CAD file into the model, until I realized the CAD site plan is located nowhere close to my model. Why is the CAD file living so far away from my model? Does Revit place the site plan randomly on the plan view or does it have an origin and the site plan is located correctly on the plan view?
The answer is YES! Revit does have an origin, if you try to draw a cross at the origin in AutoCAD and import the file into Revit (in the dialog box, check the box next to Link*, and under Positioning, select Auto – Origin to Origin), you will see where the origin is. Knowing the origin location is specially important if you are trying to import several levels of floor plans, site plan, etc., into the model.
Here are 2 useful articles if you want to learn more:
- Starting You Revit Model from a 2D AutoCAD Draiwng – Step by step instruction on how to import a dwg into Revit and model from it, from CADuzer
- Shared Coordinates in Revit (and AutoCAD) – import DWG file into Revit with Coordinate System, from CADuzer
Link*
Link box checked- Your CAD file in your Revit model will be updated every time you make changes to it. You can view your entire list of imported cad files under File > Link Manager
Link box unchecked – The CAD file is inserted into the model instead of linked. All changes you made to the CAD file will not be updated. You will have to remove and reinsert the file for the updates.