BIM Software Tip: Understanding the Difference Between Importing and Linking CAD in Revit
When using Revit to create models, we often rely on CAD files for reference and model alignment. Revit offers two methods for incorporating CAD drawings: importing CAD and linking CAD. But what exactly sets these two options apart? Let’s explore their differences below:
1. Importing CAD
2. Linking CAD
While both options provide similar functional capabilities, the most notable difference is that importing CAD includes an additional feature called decomposition, which is not available when linking CAD.
For example, by selecting partial decomposition during import, you can control how CAD layers are handled.
With partial decomposition, the lines in the CAD drawings become directly editable within Revit. This means that the linear elements from the CAD file are integrated and usable inside the Revit environment.
In practice, the difference between partial and full decomposition is not very significant. The main factor to consider is the size and complexity of the CAD file you are importing.
In summary, this distinction between importing and linking CAD files can impact your workflow depending on your project needs. I hope this explanation helps clarify the options for everyone!
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