Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
File Cleanup
Before you import anything into Revit, consider taking a few minutes to
“sanitize” the file. This could be a simple task such as running an
AutoLISP® routine in AutoCAD to purge unnecessary objects such as
layers or blocks (named and unnamed). Change the Colors option to By
Layer and delete anything that isn't necessary for your project, such as
all those objects just outside the viewport that the architect was saving
for a rainy day. Sometimes these objects can affect the positioning of an
imported file: If an object is more than 20 miles (32.2 km) from the
origin, inaccuracies and position issues can occur. In this case, it is
necessary to open the file and delete those extraneous objects and
resave.
If you do not have access to AutoCAD, an alternative is to start a new
Revit project file, import the drawing, and fully explode it. Then export
that view back to AutoCAD and import it into your Revit project. This is
a bit circuitous, but it's a great way to clean a drawing as long as the
fidelity of data such as line patterns, hatches, and text is maintained.
The following exercise will take you through linking plans and elevations
into a new project file, creating levels and default views that any of the
project engineers can use to obtain the prints they require for markup.
Although this exercise uses a few of the more basic Revit commands, it is
mainly designed to show a best-practice workflow, especially when linking
this file into your services project files. At the end on the exercise, you will
end up with a 3D wireframe model as shown in
Figure 5.7
.
