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.