Linking AutoCAD Files

Linking AutoCAD files will be useful when the architectural drawings are in AutoCAD.

Before you link a CAD background into a Revit model you will want to set up sheets that will be used only for coordination between the architectural drawings and the structural model. Typically these are called Coordination sheets.  The template file is set up with a basic set of plan views with corresponding coordination views. To change a view to a Coordination view change the discipline to Coordination in the view properties.

When linking a CAD background there will be a dialog box like the one shown above. At the bottom there are several options.  The most important setting is the positioning setting.  Always place the CAD file at Auto-Origin to Origin.  This will insure that the CAD drawing does not move when you re-link the file later.  Changing the Colors setting to preserve will keep the AutoCAD coloring scheme which allows you to distinguish the background from the model. Finally check the box marked "Current View Only" so that the CAD background will only show up on the coordination view you created.

Filters

This post will outline the basic procedure to create a visibility graphics filter.

To create a filter override:
     1. Go to Visibility Graphics (VG)
     2. Under the "Filter" Tab click "Add"
     3. An Add Filter Dialog box will appear, Click Edit/New
     4. Hit the new button ( Folded sheet with star) at the lower left side.
     5. Select the category you wish to filter
     6. Determine the Filter order.
     7. Once the Filter is created you can set visibility graphics overrides.

Creating a New Title Block

This post will outline the procedure for creating and editing a title block. You will typically have an architects AutoCAD title block to start with. This will make creating the title block much easier. A better option is to get a pdf of the title block and save it as a .jpeg file, See part D.
A. Starting a new Title Block:

1. Click "R" (top left)
2. Open - Family
3. In the "Revit" Folder find and open the "3. Title Blocks" folder 
4. Select and Open the "Title Block Template File - Apex" File

B. Re-Size the Sheet Extents:

1. Re-Size the Sheet Extents to Match the New Title Block Size

C. Save As:

1. Save As the new title block to the "Client Title Blocks" folder to avoid changing the template.
2. The "Client Title Blocks" folder is in the same folder as the template.
3. Create a new folder for the client if one doesn't already exist.

D. Import AutoCAD Title block (Optional, I prefer using a .jpeg file. You can just drag and drop it into the title block file you are working on)

1. Click on the Insert tab
2. Click on Import CAD
3. Select the following options on the dialog box, Colors to Preserve, Auto Center to Center
4. Select and Open the CAD File

E. Line Work

1. Use a combination of the available Line Weights in the template to match the Clients TB
2. To Create a New Line Type:
• Go to Visibility Graphics (VG)
• Click Object Styles...
• Expand the Title Blocks group
• Click "New"
• Name the Line Type, Click OK
• Set the Line Weight and Pattern

F. Add Labels/Text

1. Once the line work is set you can add text and Labels
2. Adding Labels:
• Home Tab
• Label
• Click The Screen
• Choose appropriate parameter
3. Re-size label text
4. Rotate and move to appropriate spot on sheet.
5. Labels have their own text styles/sizes separate from standard text.

Using Labels will save you time by allowing you to change information in the project rather than editing the title block family every time, so use labels for all input information.

- Text can be added for items that don't change.

Note: The Address Parameter is the only title block parameter that cannot be edited on the sheet itself.
To access the Address menu in the project click the "Manage" Tab, "Project Information", Then click Edit next to Project Address.

Printing in Revit

Printing in Revit is noticeably different from AutoCAD. First there isn't a print region box, Revit uses the real extents of the sheet as it appears in the view. What that means is, if you have a 24X36 title block in a sheet view and you print at 100% it will automatically determine the print area using the extents of the title block and center it on the printed sheet.

Trouble Shooting
At times this can get tricky/troublesome. If for instance, if you have a view on a sheet that hangs off the edge, outside the boundary of the title block, Revit will try take the full extents of the view and create a new center that it will place at the center of the printed sheet. What this will do is push your sheet off the edge of the printed page, causing a mess. To make sure everything prints nicely, make sure all the views are cropped if necessary and items placed on a sheet view fit within the extents of the title block.

Scaling Sheets
Often times its necessary to print a reduced size set of drawings. Scaling drawings down in Revit is a little different than CAD. Below I will provide a couple handy print setting that can be used for creating 11x17 scaled prints of 24x36 and 30x42 size sheets in order to maximize the sheet.

24x36 scaled to fit 11x17

Zoom factor: 46%
Offset from corner: User Defined
     0.500" = x   -0.020" = y

30x42 scaled to fit 11x17

Zoom factor: 37%
Offset from corner: User Defined
     1.500" = x   -0.050" = y

Revit File Locations

Before you start using Revit you first need to link the important template and Library folders. Below I have copied all the file paths that you will need to paste into the appropriate locations in the Revit properties.

Start by clicking on the "R" at the top left-hand corner of the Revit Start Up screen. Now click on Options at the bottom. Navigate to the File Locations tab and you will see the following window.


Structural Template:
Delete all the existing Template file paths by clicking the Red "-" sign. Rename the last one APEX Template and copy the following into the Path location:

G:\Master\REVIT\5. Template Files\1. Revit Templates\Apex Revit Template\Apex Revit Template.rte

Default Path for User Files:

C:\Users\[Your Name]\Documents\Revit Local Files
(You may need to create this file first)

Default path for family template files:

G:\Master\REVIT\5. Template Files\2. Family Templates\2015
Places...
When you click on the "Places..." button a new dialog box will appear. Rename the Imperial Library, Apex Library with the following path:

G:\Master\REVIT\1. Family Library

Next rename the Imperial Detail Library Apex Detail Library with the following path:

G:\Master\REVIT\2. Detail Library
 
Note: I have assumed that everyone will be using the G drive as the Apex Dropbox folder. For more information on this please speak with Clayton.