Transmitting a Revit Model

Use the Autodesk eTransmit for Revit add-in to package a Revit model, its linked files, and external files to send to another user.

Important: During the transmittal process, eTransmit copies the versions of the host model and linked files that are stored on disk. Make sure that you save any desired changes to your files before running eTransmit.

Select the Model and Dependencies

  1. Ensure that all models are closed. On the eTransmit panel of the Add-Ins tab, click Transmit a model.
  2. Choose a model to transmit:
    • Click Browse, and navigate to the location of the Revit model you want to transmit.
    • If you are connected to one or more Revit Servers and want to transmit a Revit Server model, click Browse Revit Server, and navigate to the location of the model you want to transmit.
  3. Select the model (.*rvt) file, and click OK.
  4. For Save transmitted model to, click Browse folders, and navigate to the location where you want to store the files for transmit.

    Autodesk eTransmit for Revit creates a subdirectory under the directory you choose. The subdirectory name is the model name plus the current date and time. For example if you choose My Documents/eTransmit as the save location for Revit model hospital_local, then files are stored in My Documents/eTransmit/hospital_local_2012-4-21_01.12.00.

  5. By default, the "Include transmittal and error reports" option is selected. Selecting this option produces 2 types of reports (depending on the transmittal options selected), and copies them to the same directory as the transmitted files:
    • A transmittal report lists
      • the host Revit model
      • dependent files that were successfully transmitted
      • dependent files that could not be located or included
      • any errors that occurred during the transmittal process
    • An error report for a Revit model lists the error messages and related model elements, if
      • you select to open and save the models in the active version of Revit (transmittal option), and
      • errors occurred during the upgrade process
    If you do not want to generate these reports, clear the option "Include transmittal and error reports."
    Important: If you clear this option, you will not have a record of any errors encountered during the eTransmit upgrade and transmittal processes.
  6. Specify the types of dependent files you would like to include in the transmittal process:
    If you select... Then...
    Linked Revit models Revit models that are linked to the host model, and all models linked into those files are repathed and copied to the save location.
    CAD links CAD files that are linked to the host model are repathed and copied to the save location.
    Note: XRefs linked to CAD models are not transmitted.

    Imported CAD files are not included as separate files because they are stored entirely in the Revit project.

    DWF Markups DWF markups that are linked to the host model are repathed and copied to the save location.
    Decal image files
    • Decal image files used in the model are copied to the save location.
    • Including these files maximizes rendering fidelity, but may increase overall zipped file size.
    • If not included, decal images will show as blank in the model.
    External keynote file The keynote table referenced in the model is copied to the save location. If not included, existing keynotes will display their last saved value.
    Important: Some file types are not currently saved with Autodesk eTransmit for Revit. See File Types Not Included When Transmitting a Model.
  7. Select the transmittal options:
    • Transmit without opening models (faster): Transmits any Revit (.rvt) model that has been upgraded to Revit Release 2012 or later and saved.
    • Open and save models in the active version of Revit: Upgrades the model and linked models to the current release. (Only Revit Release 2012 or later models can be upgraded.) Selecting this option will increase the transmittal time.
  8. If you select the transmittal option to open and save the models, you can also select Purge all unused.

    This option removes unused families, materials, and other objects from the model and linked models to reduce the file sizes.

  9. By default, the option "Save these settings for the next time I use eTransmit" is selected. Clear this option if you do not want to save the current model and dependency settings as the default settings.
  10. Click Transmit model.

    Autodesk eTransmit for Revit repaths and saves the files in the target directory. Depending on which transmittal options were selected, unused objects are purged from the models and the models are upgraded before they are saved to the target directory.

    Note: If you cancel during the process, Autodesk eTransmit for Revit deletes all copied files in the save directory, then deletes the directory.
  11. If the host model that you selected to transmit is open and has unsaved changes, you are prompted to select one of the following options:
    • Continue without unsaved changes: The model is transmitted without the current changes.
    • Cancel transmittal: The transmittal process is canceled.

      To transmit the model with the changes, click Cancel in the eTransmit dialog, save the changes to the open model, and select Transmit a model again.

  12. When the transmittal process completes, a confirmation dialog displays:
    • Click OK to close the dialog.
    • Click Open folder to view the transmitted files, the transmittal report, and any error reports (recommended).
    • If an error message displays, refer to Troubleshooting the eTransmit Process.
  13. Optional: Open the model from the saved folder to test that the files have been transmitted as expected.
    Note: If you selected to upgrade the models, you may see additional errors that were not detected during the upgrade process. Address the errors as you would during a manual upgrade. Resolving any warnings or errors now will make it easier for the recipient to open the models.
  14. Zip the directory, and send the files by e-mail, FTP, or another method.