How to insert an AutoCAD Plant 3D model into a Revit project

Autodesk Support

Oct 8, 2023

Products and versions covered

Issue:

How to insert an AutoCAD Plant 3D model into a Revit project.

Solution:

  1. Open an AutoCAD Plant 3D project and review the drawing you wish to bring into Plant 3D.
    • Notes:
      • It is recommended to match the AutoCAD Plant 3D Origin Point (0,0) to the Revit Project basepoint.
      • Don’t use large coordinates in AutoCAD Plant 3D.
      • Keep the origin point in AutoCAD Plant 3D on the Plant site, and close in.
  2. Save the drawing in AutoCAD Plant 3D as part of the AutoCAD Plant 3D project.
    • Note: You can leave the project open or save and close as desired.
  3. Open Revit and activate the corresponding Floor Plan view (where you want the AutoCAD Plant 3D model to go).
  4. In that view, you will use an “In-Place Family” - (Architecture Ribbon > Build panel  > Component > Model In-Place > Generic Models).
  5. This activates the In-Place Editor.
  6. Go to Insert tab > Link CAD.
  7. Locate and select the AutoCAD Plant 3D drawing > Set the insertion “Positioning” to Auto -Origin to Origin and select Open.
  8. Select “Finish Model”.
  9. Review results in the default 3D view.
  10. Save the Revit model.
Notes:
  • This should now be a live link between the Plant 3D drawing and this Revit in-place family.
  • However, all the intelligence from the Plant 3D elements cannot be viewed in Revit.
  • When the Plant 3D drawing is modified and saved, the "link" will be updated (similar to an AutoCAD external reference) when you reopen the Revit model.
  • If using Revit LT,  create a family and insert the Plant 3D file as Model In-Place families are not available.
User-added image
Important note: As an alternative to this, in AutoCAD Plant 3D you can use the EXPORTTOAUTOCAD command and link into Revit as an AutoCAD drawing. 

Adding the Model with coordination with Naviswork
  • Open the DWG in Navisworks Manage and save the model as an NWD file
  • In Revit in the Insert tab, from the coordination model menus, add the NWD file to Revit

Products:

AutoCAD Plant 3D; Revit Product Family;

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