It's a balancing act — keeping your DWG files in sync with your Revit models. We've got a free technology preview for you to try that might make your life easier.
This technology preview is primarily targeted at users that need to collaborate with stakeholders that are using DWG-based modeling applications. For example, the architect or structural engineer in Revit working with a process engineer that is using AutoCAD Plant 3D.
One issue with linking or importing DWG files into Revit today is that the imported DWG geometry will not respect the Revit view range. To overcome this, the typical workflow is to export the AutoCAD geometry as basic AutoCAD elements (such as using the ExportToAutoCAD command in AutoCAD Plant 3D), then embed the DWG geometry into a Family... Once in a family, the geometry will respect the view range settings.
Problem solved... almost. Once a DWG is embedded into a Family, there is no automated mechanism to update the imported geometry. This is where DWG Sync comes in.
The DWG Sync for Revit 2017/2016 is our technology preview of a utility that can help you manage DWG files imported into Revit families. Once the DWG is loaded into the family, the DWG Sync tool enables you to update modified DWGs into the current project's family definitions. The DWG Sync tool is composed of two commands: DWG Import and DWG Sync.
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The DWG Import command requires that the current Revit project is saved. When clicked, this command prompts with a file open window to enable you to select a DWG to load into a new family into the current project. The command creates a family, loads the DWG into the family, and then places an instance of the family at the current project's origin.
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The DWG Sync command enables you to update family definitions with embedded DWG files that were created with the DWG Import command. The DWG Sync command presents a grid view providing detail about the families created with the tool.
The first goal of this tool is to overcome the pain point related to manually creating a family and managing updating it as the DWG geometry iterates. The second goal is to get feedback on "So now what... What would you like to do with the DWG data once in Revit? Is it only about being able to see the geometry, or is there more to it?"
You can join the project, try this for yourself, and let us know "what else?"
We are eager to get your feedback on this technology at [email protected] or in the dedicated forum on the project. You have plenty of time — until September 1, 2017 to share your thoughts. Recall that trying something, liking it, but not telling us, is the same as not trying it. We need the affirmation for the technology to take the next step. Your experience shapes the future of our technology.
Synchronization is alive in the lab.