AutoCAD and Revit are the two most widely used design tools in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) sector, and in most real-world projects they are used alongside each other rather than in isolation. Architects may begin in AutoCAD and need to bring that geometry into Revit. Engineers may work in Revit and need to issue drawings in DWG format to contractors. Surveyors supply AutoCAD site plans that BIM teams need to reference. Understanding the file exchange workflow between these two applications is an essential practical skill.
Both AutoCAD and Revit are available from GetRenewedTech for €46.99 per year each, or together as part of the AEC Collection at €174.99.
The DWG Format: The Bridge Between the Two Applications
DWG (Drawing) is AutoCAD’s native file format and the industry standard for 2D CAD exchange. Revit can import DWG files, use them as linked references, and export views and sheets to DWG. Understanding what is preserved and what is lost in each direction is key to a smooth workflow.
When moving from AutoCAD to Revit, you are moving from a 2D (or 3D) line-based environment to a parametric, object-based BIM environment. Lines and polylines in AutoCAD do not automatically become walls, beams, or floors in Revit — they remain as imported linework. The value of bringing AutoCAD geometry into Revit is typically as a reference or starting point, not as the final BIM model.
Importing AutoCAD Files into Revit
There are two ways to bring a DWG into Revit: Import and Link. Understanding the difference is crucial.
Import (Insert > Import CAD) embeds the DWG content directly into the Revit project. It becomes a static element — it will not update if the original AutoCAD file changes. Use this only for one-off references that will not be revised.
Link (Insert > Link CAD) creates a live reference to the external DWG file. If the AutoCAD file is updated, you can reload the link in Revit (Manage > Manage Links > CAD Formats > Reload) and the Revit view will reflect the changes. This is the correct approach for site surveys, existing condition drawings, or drawings from other disciplines that will evolve during the project.
When importing or linking, pay attention to the Current View Only option. Untick this to make the CAD drawing visible across multiple views; tick it to limit it to the current view only. Also set the correct units (ensure the DWG’s units match Revit’s project units) and positioning method (Origin to Origin, or manually placed).
Managing Imported Layers in Revit
AutoCAD layers are preserved when a DWG is brought into Revit. You can control the visibility of individual layers via the linked CAD file’s override settings. In the Visibility/Graphics Overrides (shortcut VG), find the linked CAD file under the Imported Categories tab, expand it, and toggle individual layers on or off, or override their line colour and weight.
This is useful when a surveyor’s drawing contains dozens of layers but you only need the floor outline, column grid, and door positions. Turn off everything else to reduce visual clutter in your Revit views.
Tracing AutoCAD Geometry in Revit
Once an AutoCAD plan is linked into Revit at the correct position and scale, you can trace over it to create native Revit elements. Snap the wall tool to the AutoCAD wall lines, place columns at grid intersections, and draw floors by picking points along the room boundary. As the native Revit model develops, the CAD underlay becomes less important and can eventually be hidden or removed.
Exporting from Revit to AutoCAD
Exporting a Revit view or sheet to DWG is done via File > Export > CAD Formats > DWG. Before exporting, click the Options button to configure how Revit elements are translated:
- Layers and Properties — maps Revit categories to AutoCAD layer names. You can create custom export layer mapping tables aligned to your office’s CAD standards (or the BSI layer naming convention).
- Solids — choose whether 3D elements export as ACIS solids or polymesh. For 2D drawing exchange, this is less relevant.
- File Format — choose the DWG version (AutoCAD 2018, 2013, etc.) appropriate for the recipient. If in doubt, use AutoCAD 2013 for maximum compatibility.
One important caveat: Revit-generated DWG files often contain complex nested blocks and non-standard entities that can look odd or be difficult to edit in AutoCAD. It is worth agreeing a drawing exchange protocol with contractors and consultants at project start to set expectations about what the DWG exports will contain.
Using AutoCAD Architecture Drawings in Revit
AutoCAD Architecture files (previously known as ADT or Architectural Desktop) use intelligent objects — walls, doors, and windows defined as objects rather than lines. When imported into Revit, these objects are typically converted to generic Revit families or linework. The translation is imperfect but generally workable as an underlay reference.
The IFC Alternative
For complex multi-disciplinary BIM projects, IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is sometimes preferred over DWG for model exchange because it carries semantic information (what an object is, its properties and relationships) rather than just geometry. Revit can export and import IFC; AutoCAD can import IFC via the IFC for AutoCAD plugin available from Autodesk.
Mastering the exchange workflow between AutoCAD and Revit is one of the most practical skills an AEC professional can develop. With both tools from GetRenewedTech, you have everything you need to work fluidly across the two most dominant design platforms in the industry.
