Importing PDFs

Any referenced datasets can be downloaded from "Module downloads" in the module overview.

Insert or Link a PDF File into Revit - Exercise

Another option for underlaying 2D information in Revit is via PDF files, as follows:

  1. Open your Revit project, if not already open.
  2. Go to your Level 1 CAD Background view.
  3. On the Insert tab>Import panel, select Import PDF, as shown below.



  4. In the Import PDF dialog box, browse to the project files Original Data folder and select the Architectural Sheets.pdf file. Note that you have no choice in terms of scale and placement in the dialog box. Click Open.
  5. This is a multi-page PDF file. Select Page 7, which is the first floor plan, and click OK.
  6. Place the PDF into the model to the left of the CAD underlay by picking a point.
  7. In the Modify | Raster Images contextual tab, do the following (as shown below):
    1. In the Options Bar, ensure that the PDF is set to Background so it lies underneath the Revit objects.
    2. In the Arrange panel, select Send to Back so it lies under the CAD file.
    3. In the Image panel, select Enable Snaps to you can select snap points and linework within the PDF file.



  8. Move the PDF into place. Use the Align command (AL keyboard shortcut) to line up the PDF file with the Revit file along gridline 1 and gridline A.
    The PDF is now aligned about the A/1 grid intersection, but the scale is wrong.
  9. Select the PDF underlay. In the contextual tab>Modify panel, click Scale. In the Options Bar, ensure Graphical is selected, as shown below.



  10. Pick points as follows to bring the scale back into range (as shown below):
    1. Pick a point along gridline 1.
    2. Pick a point on the PDF gridline 11.
    3. Pick a point on the CAD gridline 11.



      The PDF file scales itself to fit properly; however, rescaling it threw the alignment off.
  11. Align the PDF file with the A gridline again as done previously.
  12. Select the PDF file.
  13. In Properties, change the Horizontal Scale to 64, as shown below.



    • This also changes the Vertical Scale (because Lock Proportions is enabled).
  14. Since you don’t need the PDF underlay for future tasks, you can delete it and save the file.