Link CAD Error

[brett.holverstott]

This may be a genuine bug...

I am using Revit Architecture 2015, and linking in a CAD survey from the civil engineer (dwg format). When I link in the file, it places different layers of the file at different points in space, pretty far apart, about a million feet in fact. So when I zoom extents, I see three groups of layers separated out at the corners, barely visible as points. This is wreaking havoc on my ability to use the survey drawings to generate my site map. In the CAD file itself, all the layers are neatly stacked properly.

I tried back-converting to earlier CAD versions. I also tried "Audit." And tried resetting the UCS and base point (importing origin to origin brings in some of the layers at the proper location). Anything I am missing here?

thanks much

Brett

[david_peterson]

Where's the base point in the acad file in relation to the line work?
Revit can only handle files up to 20miles or something like that. I tend to keep them within a mile if possible.

[brett.holverstott]

Dave,

The original base point was pretty far away, but I reset it to the building site, using a property line corner - no change.

Brett

[david_peterson]

Did you set the point or move the geometry to the Origin.
ie is the property line corner at 0,0,0 in the WCS?
Just resetting the basepoint from 0,0,0 to the corner isn't going to help.
Also make sure there's nothing floating out in space on a frozen layer or something.
Just some more thoughts.

[brett.holverstott]

OK, some sleuthing has narrowed the problem. I am attaching three files:

1. Test-1 (with original base point) brings in layers at three different locations.
2. Test-2 (with new base point set on a line) does the same.
3. Test-3 has all the group geometry exploded, it brings in the layers properly stacked.

If the problem does have to do with the large distances, then perhaps a nested origin point in the tree block is messing things up?

B997129971399714

[david_peterson]

I don't seem to have any problems with the test 2 version linking in to revit 2014.
It seems to work fine.

[brett.holverstott]

Dave,

Some progress:

You are right - I played with the settings and found unchecking "Correct lines that are slightly off axis" does correct the problem, with this test file.

However, for my full survey, I am still working to get rid of the effect. Unlocking and unfreezing layers, setting the UCS and base point nearby, and deleting some of the errant linework all helped, so that eventually I could bring the file into a new project and it displays fine. However, EVEN matching the import settings, I am having trouble getting the survey to come into my active working project file without errors. Sigh.

Brett

[david_peterson]

I'm guessing the test files were much smaller and contained much less data.
Any chance you can post the full survey?
I'd love to help you out, but I'm not seeing the errors that you are.

[brett.holverstott]

Hi David,

Due to confidentiality I'd rather not. However, I did finally get it to import properly by unchecking all the boxes in the import options (including Orient to View, Current View only, and Correct lines off axis). Still a mystery, but reveals how finicky Revit is about reading CAD data. Thanks for your help.

Brett

[david_peterson]

Understandable.
Glad I could help.
I had one a few years back that was an overall site survey of about 10 sq miles.
The origin for the files was 480 miles away. Revit really didn't like it when I tried to link it in.