DWF File Size

[Bill McLees]

If I make a set of individual DWF files for distribution directly from Revit (one file per sheet), these files seem to average around 300 Kb per file.

However, if I export the individual drawing sheets to Autocad, then make the DWF files (presumably with the same DWF driver), the individual DWF files are significantly smaller - 30 to 50 Kb per file.

Does anyone know what information Revit includes in DWF that Autocad does not?

In each case, I'm talking 2D vector files. The files themselves are almost identical -- maybe there is a minor difference in the lineweights.

Thanks for the help!

[blads]

If I make a set of individual DWF files for distribution directly from Revit (one file per sheet), these files seem to average around 300 Kb per file.

However, if I export the individual drawing sheets to Autocad, then make the DWF files (presumably with the same DWF driver), the individual DWF files are significantly smaller - 30 to 50 Kb per file.

Does anyone know what information Revit includes in DWF that Autocad does not?

In each case, I'm talking 2D vector files. The files themselves are almost identical -- maybe there is a minor difference in the lineweights.

Thanks for the help!G'day Bill,

I'm only assuming that Revit brings in a portion of the 3d building model information into the DWF creation, whereas on the conversion to Autocad, all that additional info is removed and hence file sizes are smaller. That'd be my best guess, in any case. HTH

[Scott D Davis]

Revit will also export the "information" to the DWF file about the object. Click on a door in a Revit DWF, and in the browser in the DWF Viewer, you will see the parameters for the door listed.

[Chad Smith]

If I make a set of individual DWF files for distribution directly from Revit (one file per sheet), these files seem to average around 300 Kb per file.Does the resulting DWF file from Revit look as thought the view/s has been turned into a raster image? Zoom in and see if it becomes pixelated, and make sure you check all views on the sheet for this behaviour.

I find that certain views under certain conditions (3D's, when topo is on, shadows, etc.) when printed out to a DWF are converted to raster images and result in a larger file. It's a limitation of DWF's from Revit and has been an ongoing problem since they introduced DWF output from Revit.
One reason why I don't use DWF's.

[Bill McLees]

I don't think my files are becoming raster files.

Second issue: I am just plotting to the DWF plotter driver both from Revit and Autocad. If I use the "Export to DWF" command (2D only), then I really get a large file from Revit.

I am interested to know the difference in the two Revit only solutions. Does the DWF plotter driver include intelligence with the DWF file or does this happen only with the "export to DWF" option?