Revit 2026: Import AutoCAD into a Revit Drafting View

By John Flanagan

Introduction: Importing CAD to Drafting Views:

Importing vector data (such as DWG, DXF, or vector PDFs) into a Revit drafting view is done using the Import CAD or Link CAD tools, which are specifically designed for 2D details and annotation. A drafting view is a 2D environment, making it ideal for hosting imported 2D CAD details, as it does not rely on the 3D model. 

You can import vector data to:

• Use as a reference for creating a 3D building model.
• Generate a site toposurface / toposolid.
• Use for 2D detailing.
• Query elements in the imported file and delete extraneous layers as well as explode and delete elements.
• Create a sheet and add a rendered raster image to the sheet.

Steps to Import Vector Data into a Drafting View:

• Setup: Go to View > Drafting View to create a new, blank detail view.
• Import: Click Insert > Import CAD.
• Settings:
  • Colours: Preserving colours or setting to Black & White.
  • Layers: Visible or All.
  • Import Units: Select the correct unit (e.g., millimetres, inches) rather than Auto-Detect to avoid scaling issues.
  • Positioning: Auto-Centre to Centre or Manual.
  • Current View Only: Ensure this is checked to keep the CAD file visible only in this drafting view.
  • Explode (Optional): To turn CAD lines into Revit elements, select the imported CAD file and choose Partial Explode or Full Explode. 

Creating a 2D Detail with AutoCAD Data

The detailing tools include Detail Lines, Insulation, Masking Region, Filled Region, Text, Symbol, Dimension, Detail Components, and Repeating Details.

Zoom in and select the detail. It is all one element.

In the Modify tab>Import Instance panel, expand (Explode) and click (Full Explode). You are now able to edit individual sections of the imported detail.

The Foundation shown here was drawn at a scale of 1: 20 in AutoCAD and then imported into a drafting view in Revit using the tools and settings listed above.

Create a View and Import it into a Project.

• In the application Menu, expand (Save As), expand (Library), and select View.
• In the Save Views dialogue box, verify that Drafting View: Foundation Detail is selected, click OK.
• Save the drafting view.
• Open any project.
• In the Insert tab>Import panel, (insert from File) and click (Insert Views from File).
• In the Open dialogue box, navigate to your Foundation-Detail.rvt.

Save the project.

Troubleshooting when Plotting to PDF Format

Drafting views in Revit appearing as solid black or grey boxes when plotting to PDF is a common issue often caused by transparency settings, graphics processing methods, or outdated PDF drivers. The most frequent cause is filled regions with transparency being printed in Vector mode. 

Solution

Revit’s default "Vector Processing" sometimes struggles with filled regions and transparency. Changing to "Raster" usually solves this issue.