How to Link One Revit Model to Another

Linking a Revit file to one another is a straight forward process. It is similar to xrefing in AutoCAD.
Follow the simple steps below to effortlessly link your Revit files:

1. While you have your Revit model open, go to the "Insert Tab" on the Revit ribbon and select "Manage Links".



2. When the "Manage Links" dialogue window pops up select the "Add.." button to browse to the linked file location.

3. Once you located the linked file, select "Auto - Internal Origin to Internal Origin" for positioning, which is the best option most of the time. Then click "Open" to link the file.

4. Click "Ok" on the "Manage Links" window to close the dialogue box.

5. Now the linked file should be located at the origin in your model. You can type "ZF" to zoom out to display all visible objects in your model.

6. To remove the linked file, go back to the "Insert Tab" and select "Manage Links". Select the linked file within the dialogue window and click "Remove". You can also click "Unload" to remove the file temporarily if you plan on reusing it later. It will unload the file from your model but will keep the location. That would save you time from having to re-browse for the file later. You will just have to select "Reload" to reuse the linked file.

In conclusion, linking Revit files together is an intuitive process that streamlines collaboration and data management within your project. By following these simple instructions, you can easily integrate design changes from external sources across multiple models.

How to Import a Navisworks file to Revit

Navisworks is a global leader in 3D visualization, providing solutions to customers in architecture, engineering and construction.

The Navisworks software suite allows users to import different file formats into one centralized system. It helps visualize and manage data, coordinate projects, and create detailed reports. This software is compatible with many other programs like Revit or AutoCAD. Navisworks provides an interactive environment for viewing and interacting with large models as well as the ability to use 3D views in order to visualize your design.

The Navisworks application can be integrated with Revit to import files from this program. To import a Navisworks file in Revit do the following:

1. Go to the Insert tab panel and select the Coordination Model button. 
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3. Click the Add... button In the Coordination Model dialogue, and browse for the file. It should be in the format of .wc or .nwd. and click Open.
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5. Select the desired positioning option and click Ok. 
6. The linked Navisworks model will display in your current active view.
7. To make sure you do not accidently move it, you should pin it in place right away.
8. Now the linked file should be ready to be viewed or navigated within Revit. You can cut sections, rotate etc.

The import process is a one-time thing, so once the file is imported in Revit, you can save it and it will be available for future use. However, it cannot be edited inside Revit, it can only be used for viewing purpose only.

Import Text, Notes or Specifications in Revit

 Follow the steps below to import text, notes or specifications from AutoCAD into Revit:

1. First, you need to create a Drafting view for the import. Go to your "View" tab and select the "Drafting View" button.

2. Name the drafting view to whatever you want. Select the appropriate scale below.

3. Now open AutoCAD and select the text, note or specification that you want to import and make a WBLOCK out of it. Save it wherever you want then go back to Revit. You might want to change your text font to a true font type for a better viewing experience, for example Arial or Verdana font etc.

4. Go to the insert tab and select the "Import CAD".

 5. Browse to the folder where the Wblock file is saved. Select the following: "Black and white" for colors. Positioning "Auto - Origin to Internal Origin". Layers/levels "All". Import units "Auto-Detect".

6. Select "Open".

7. The text, note or specifications should be imported into your Revit file. You might need to zoom extend a little by simply typing "ZX" and you are all set.

Creating Revit Sheets

Follow the steps below to create sheets for your project:

1.    In your Revit project browser,  click the View tab, then go to the Sheet Composition panel and select Sheet.

2.    When the New sheet menu pops up, select a title block if you already have one uploaded into your project. Otherwise, select Load to browse for a title block.. 

            a.   If you wish to create a new sheet without the title block just             select None. 

                          b.    Click OK.

3.    Enter the name and information in the title block for the sheet. 

4.    By default Revit assigns a sequence number to the sheet. You can do right click and rename it.

5.    From your project browser, right click on the sheet you just created and select Add view. 

6.    From the Add view dialogue, select your desired view and click Add view to sheet. Please refer to the adding views to a sheet in Revit tutorial.

Adding Insulation and Lining to Duct

To add insulation and lining to a duct in Revit MEP 2012 do the following:

1.  Select the duct.

2.  Go to the duct insulation panel and select "Add Insulation" and or "Add Lining".

3.  When the "Add Duct Insulation" menu pops up, select the Insulation Type and add the insulation  thickness.

 

4.  To edit a duct that already has insulation or lining, you select the duct and go again to the duct insulation panel and select "Edit Insulation" or "Edit Lining".

 5.  Then under the "Properties" panel change the insulation or lining thickness.

NB: You ca also edit the type of insulation or lining by selecting the "Edit Type" button on the top of the property panel.

Duct before Adding Insulation and Lining

Duct after Adding Insulation and Lining

Filled Region

Create a filled region in Revit that can be used to represent a material or a designated area of a detail. It is very useful.

1. Go to the Annotate tab and click the Filled Region button. 

     2. Select a Line style for the Filled region under the Line Style drop down menu. For example,   hidden lines, center lines etc...

    3.  Now draw the shape of the filled region.  The shape must form a closed loop, just like creating a hatch in AutoCAD.
    4.  When you are finished, select the green check mark button to accept the created filled region or click the red X button to discard it and select yes when Revit prompts "Quitting cannot be undone. Are you sure you want to discard filled region?".
    5.  Once finished creating the region, you can change the shape of it by selecting it. That will activate the grips. You simply have to drag and pull the edges to change the shape.

    6.  To change the pattern of the filled region go to its properties and select Edit type, and click on Fill pattern to change the pattern type.

   7.  To modify the boundary of the created Filled region select the edge of the region and click on the Edit boundary button. That will take you back to the sketch mode area where you first created the region. There you can modify the border line type of the region again.