Importing wall sections

[DO-PRE]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone here imports details from cad into model views?

We are detailing 1" wall sections in cad and importing to revit but not to a drafting view but to a wall sections view after the details is keyed in the model. Then we go in and hide all the model elements and the cad details remains and gets dragged on to a sheet.

The reason I have started to do this is because it allows me to cartoon a set and replace the model details view with a cad view as it gets drawn. Does anyone see a problem with this? I am worried I might get to far and realize it wasnt the correct approach.

Thanks,

Dan

[Mike Sealander]

Dan:
I would say this is not the best approach in an ideal world. Cartooning a set in just Revit is incredibly easy. It seems like for one reason or another you haven't been able to just let go of AutoCAD, which is what I would recommend doing.

[DO-PRE]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for replying. The set is cartooned in just revit.

The wall sections are 1"=1' and have a a lot more detail then the model is generating. We are basically drafting the detailed wall sections in CAD and placing them in the wall section views and turning off all the model elements. This does a couple things for us; 1. it allows others in the office who are not on revit to draft 2. it eliminates all the drafting views 3. I have a deadline tomorrow and do not have the time to draft or create detail components in revit, I am new to revit as well.

But I agree with you I havent been able to let go of AutoCAD but I am working my way towards it.

[Mike Sealander]

When you get done with this current deadline, take a look at Revit's detail components more closely. I haven't used AutoCAD since version 2000, but I think Revit's OOTB drafting infrastructure is pretty good.
It would only take an hour or so to get ACAD people familiar with drafting in Revit. And, by the way, Revit understands the benefits of drafting in a model view (like a section) and then turning off the model. That's why you can show, hide, or use the model as an underlay.

[twiceroadsfool]

I would absolutely NOT do it the way youre doing it. As Mike mentioned, get comfortable with detail components, tagging, noting, etc. for complete detailing in Revit.

What youre doing now, is building a model, then removing the intelligent association to the drawings by *shutting it off* and using CAD in the details. then, when walls have to change thickness, or TOS heights have to change, or thing snudge this way or that... You have to change your model AND your CAD drawings... Making twice as much work.

The further you get, you can start to embed detail groups in to model groups of typical conditions, to save yourself time on rework for detailing standard items.

But, i would seriously look in to everything BUT pulling in DWG files and turning off the model...

[patricks]

Another plug for drafting in Revit, and pretty much doing everything in Revit, from me.

As the years have passed for me using Revit, I find that I try to use more model objects as part of my wall sections. Things like floor slabs and foundations, footings, and the site topo especially, were all part of my last complete project, and it worked out very well and saved me a TON of time drafting over building sections and things like that.

I also try to use detail components whenever possible and not just lines.