How to import CAD Files into Revit

Converting CAD to Revit is a great opportunity to discover best practices when it comes to project file performance and size.

Here are nine tips for a successful workflow:

1- Reduce CAD File Size

Details: Simplify the process by removing unnecessary elements to reduce file size before saving.

Type the following commands and then press “Enter” on the keyboard. Proceed to remove the extra load and keep only the important data.

Steps

1. “Purge” to remove unused elements.
2. “UNITS” to set default units.
3. “OVERKILL” to remove double lines.
4. “ProxyGraphics” and set the value to “1” to save images with the drawing.
5. “Layers” to delete or turn off unnecessary layers.

✨ Tip: If your drawing is 2D, select everything and then enter the “FLATTEN” command to ensure that no 3D objects conflict with other lines.

Learn more about compressing RVT projects

2- Manage External References

Details: “Import CAD” allows you to explode external references into individual elements, while “Link CAD” disables this feature.

Steps

6. “XREF” to bind (merge) external references.
7. “SaveAs” to save the new version of the revised drawing.

✨ Tip: If the CAD file contains multiple sheets or views, it may be helpful to save each one as a separate clean DWG file. This allows more flexibility when modeling based on drawings.

3- Import

Details: Use the “Link CAD” feature to import CAD files.

Steps

1. Go to the Insert tab > Link panel > click Link CAD.
2. Locate the file and select it.
3. Check “Current view only”.
4. Change Layers/Levels to “Visible”.
5. Change Positioning to “Manual – Center”.
6. Click Open.
7. Left-click to place drawing in view.

4- Find

Details: In the Manage Links window you will find the list of all imported CAD files. Here you can reload, unload, add and remove imported drawings.

Steps

1. Go to the Insert tab > Link panel > click Manage Links.
2. In the dialog box, open the CAD Formats tab.

5- Query

Details: This tool allows you to select a line and hide or remove its layer.

Steps

1. Select an imported drawing instance in the view.
2. Go to the Modify tab > Import Instance panel > click Query.
3. Click on a line.
4. In the Import Instance Query window, hide or delete layers on a view-specific basis.

To delete or hide layers of the imported drawing in all views:

1. Select the drawing in view.
2. Go to the Modify tab > Import Instance panel > click Delete Layers.
3. Select layers to delete.
4. Click OK.

Learn how to snap to imported geometry.

6- Edit

Details: Control the visibility of drawings and line graphics.

If the file is not visible in the view, make sure it is not disabled in the Visibility window.

Steps

1. Go to the View tab > Graphics panel > click Visibility/Graphics.
2. Open the “Imported Categories” tab.
3. Check your linked and imported instances in the list.

In this window you can change the styling and colors of the layer lines using visibility filters.

7- 3D DWG

Details: Import 3D models from CAD files.

Steps

1. Go to the File tab > drop-down New menu > click Conceptual Mass.
2. Select a Mass template file > Click Open.
3. Go to the Insert tab > Import panel > click Import CAD.
4. Select the model file > click Open.
5. Go to the Modify tab > Family Editor panel > click Load into Project.

✨ Tip: Use the Query tool to hide parts of your imported 3D model. After activating the tool, move the mouse pointer to a 3D element, press the TAB key to switch to its selection, and left-click to select it. In the Import Instance Query window, click Hide in View.

8- Explode

Details: Break down the drawing or model into its individual lines, arcs, and shapes.

Steps

1. Select the imported drawing.
2. Go to the Modify tab > Import Instance panel > click Partial Explode.

✨ Tip: Don’t explode unless absolutely necessary (use “Partial Explode” for solid models). In a previous post I mentioned how exploded DWG can affect performance and file size.

9- DXF Files

Details: Import vector lines into Revit profiles by inserting the drawing file in edit mode.

Steps

1. Double-click an element that represents a profile.
2. Go to the Modify tab > Mode panel > click Edit Profile.

3. In the edit mode, import a CAD file.
4. Click Finish Edit Mode.

Learn more about converting raster to vector.

Mohamed Fakhry

Mohamed Fakhry has helped thousands of architects and designers find their next project with step-by-step guidance on his blog, mashyo.com. About Mohamed

His journey began during his university years when he recognized the need for information-rich 3D models to accelerate learning and improve production processes. Now, Mohamed shares his expertise through Revit tutorials that are accessible to all.