What is the difference between linking a CAD file and importing it?

What is the difference between import CAD and Link CAD?

What is the difference between “link CAD files” and “import CAD files” in Revit? Linked files retain the reference to the external files and will update when the Revit model is reopened or the linked file is reloaded. Imported files become a part of the Revit model and lose any connection to the source.

Is it better to link or import CAD into Revit?

You will notice that there is two options to bring the DWG file: Import and Link. Avoid using Import CAD. It makes your model heavier, causing performance issues. Link CAD is better: it loads the latest version of the DWG each time you open Revit and is more efficient to manage the files.

How do I link a CAD file?

Click Insert tab Link panel (Link CAD). In the dialog, for Files of type, select the desired file type. Navigate to the folder that contains the file to link, and select the file.

How do you tell if a CAD file is linked or imported in Revit?

To confirm that the file was linked and not imported, click Manage tab Manage Projects panel Manage Links. In the Manage Links dialog, the CAD Formats tab lists all linked files. It does not list files that are imported. Therefore, if the file is not listed here, then it was imported.

What is the difference between import and link in Revit?

If you import the file, you can explode the nested xrefs to Revit elements. However, if the xref file is updated after the import, Revit will not automatically reflect changes to the xref file. If you link the file, Revit automatically updates the geometry to reflect changes to the xref files.

Why is my linked CAD not showing in Revit?

Causes: The CAD file has values much higher than the 20 mile limit for geometry from internal origin that was applied for Revit. The values themselves are not a problem but the CAD file has reference blocks that refer to 0,0,0 which is the cause of not displaying the CAD link.

Can I import CAD file to Revit?

Open a Revit model, and use the Import CAD tool to import vector data from other CAD programs. If you want to import 3D geometry using SAT or 3DM files, see Import a 3D Shape. Click Insert tab Import panel (Import CAD). In the dialog, for Files of type, select the desired file type.

Can I open DWG file in Revit?

Revit supports the import of ACIS objects contained in DWG, DXF, DGN, and SAT files. You can incorporate a Trimble® SketchUp® design into a Revit project to provide a starting point for the building model.

Where are Revit imported CAD files?

Start Ideate Explorer. Expand the list underneath the CAD Imports or CAD Links category. Select the checkbox next to an individual CAD Import or CAD Link and right-click to select Show Elements. Ideate Explorer will attempt to find a View where the CAD file is visible.

How do I link a CAD file to Autocad?

Link a CAD File

1. Open the Revit model.
2. If you want the linked file to display only in a particular view, open that view.
3. Click Insert tab Link panel (Link CAD).
4. In the dialog, for Files of type, select the desired file type.
5. Navigate to the folder that contains the file to link, and select the file.

How do you explode a linked CAD file in Revit?

You can explode imported DWG 3D solid (not Polymesh) geometry in the Family Editor environment.

1. Select the import symbol.
2. Click Modify | Imports in Families tab Import Instance panel Explode drop-down (Partial Explode) or (Full Explode). The 3D solids are now preserved as free form elements.

How do you align a CAD file in Revit?

To manually align a DWG with a Revit model:

1. Open the Revit model.
2. Link the DWG: Click Insert tab Link panel (Link CAD).
3. Manually move the DWG to the correct place.
4. Use ‘Specify Coordinate at a Point,’ and specify the desired coordinate value.