Revit TIP: Draworder for linked files

Preface

This tip shows how to control display behavior if linked files overlap some objects in Revit. In some cases you might have met problems with correct display of linked objects located above other objects. You need to control display behavior of overlapping objects. If you know AutoCAD, you may remember command like DRAWORDER to solve the problem. How shall we do it in Revit. The answer is easy, just read this tip, please.

Example: You linked DWG with floor plan and created walls overlapping positions of doors and windows.

Tutorial:

1.    Link CAD file (eg. DWG file) via tab Insert – Link CAD

2.    Create walls (tab Home – Wall) using some methods (individual sketch or picking lines).

Situation: At this moment walls are overlapping sketch in imported symbol of CAD file and you don’t see positions of opening, windows, doors for insert objects in Revit model.

Workaround of control draworder in Revit:

3.    Select imported symbol and display palette Properties.

4.    Set Base Offset to value among Cut Plane – Top in View Range of Floor Plan.

5.    Now, you can see the difference:

Notice: Remember the value for Base Offset imported symbol must be among values for Cut Plane and Top in View Range for Floor Plan. To setup View Range parameter go to Properties palette if nothing in view is selected and click Edit.

In dialog View Range you can set the range of view.

Hope the tip helps you.

About Josef Remeš

Civil Engineer. Czech Republic.
Graduated at Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering. Actually is studying doctoral degree; specialty: roofs and waterproofing insulations. 9+ years experience with CAD engineering applications; Autodesk Certificate of Completion for AutoCAD and Revit Architecture; also has sufficient knowledge of ArchiCAD. Is interested in create CAD and BIM standards.