Transmit a Revit Model

Use the eTransmit for Autodesk 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 the model(s) to transmit:
    • Click Browse Model, and navigate to the location of the Revit model you want to transmit.
    • Click Browse folders, and navigate to the folder that contains the Revit models 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 or folder, and click OK.
  4. For Save model to, click Browse folders, and navigate to the location where you want to store the files for transmittal.

    eTransmit for Autodesk 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_2018-4-21_01.12.00.

  5. Optional: Click Add files to select files such as supporting documents to include with the transmittal. The Add Additional Files to Transmit dialog displays.
    • To add a file: Click (Add), navigate to the location of the file to include, and click Open.
    • To remove a file: Select the file name, and click (Remove).
    Note: If you select to add Revit models with the Add files option, they are included in the transmittal, but are not checked for dependent files.
  6. 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
      • additional files that were successfully transmitted
      • additional 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.
  7. By default, the "Create output folder for each source model" is not selected. Selecting this option creates a separate output folder for each source model in the folder selected in step 2. Each output folder contains the source model and the related files specified in step 8.
  8. Specify the types of dependent files you would like to include in the transmittal process:
    If you select... Then...
    Linked Revit models Revit models and any IFC files 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.
    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.
    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.
    Systems analysis reports Systems analysis reports are included in the output folder.
    Important: Some file types are not currently saved with eTransmit for Autodesk Revit. See File Types Not Included When Transmitting a Model.
  9. Optional: Select Upgrade and Cleanup options:
    • Cleanup (pre-2015 models will upgrade, slower): 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.
  10. If you selected Cleanup, you can select the following customization options for the model and linked models. (These actions only affect the transmitted models, not the source models.)
    • Disable worksets - removes all worksets from the models so that the files are easier for the recipient to use. When you select this option, the transmitted models are non-workshared.
    • Purge unused - removes unused families, materials, and other objects to reduce the file sizes.
    • Include all sheets and - includes sheets and allows you to select which views transmit.
      • All views - all views and view types on and off sheets will transmit.
      • Only include views on sheets - view types not on sheets will be removed.
      • Views on sheets and selected view types (not on sheets) - Sheets will keep their views. Click Select to choose from a list of view types (not on sheets) to transmit.
    • Remove all sheets but include - removes sheets so that the model does not contain unnecessary data. Allows you to select which views transmit.
      • All views - all view and view types in the model, on and off sheets will transmit.
      • Selected view types - Click Select to choose from a list of view types (not on sheets) to transmit.
  11. 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.
  12. Click Transmit model.

    eTransmit for Autodesk Revit repaths and saves the files in the target directory. Depending on the specified transmittal options, selected elements are removed from the models, and the models are upgraded before they are saved to the target directory.

    Note: If you cancel during the process, eTransmit for Autodesk Revit deletes all copied files in the save directory, then deletes the directory.
  13. 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.

  14. 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: Autodesk eTransmit for Revit.
  15. Optional: Open the model from the saved folder to test that the files were 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.
  16. Zip the directory, and send the files by e-mail, FTP, or another method.