Video: Use RVT File as a Library

Learn how a file can be used to import system families and 2d drafting views into a model.

This video demonstrates the following:

  1. Cut and Paste system families from one file to another.
  2. Transfer system families from one file to another using Transfer Project Standards.
  3. Insert drafting views from an external file.
Note: This video was recorded using Revit 2020. When using a newer software release, you may notice differences in functionality and user interface.

Transcript

When you are developing a design, you may want to use details or system family types from other projects. You can include some typical elements in your template file, or as an alternative, use RVT files as a "library" for typical elements you don't want to include or which may not be common enough to include in a template file.

To use a file as a library for system families, open your model and the file you are using as a library. In this example, a file containing many fire-rated walls is opened. You can see example instances of each wall type in the library file. Find the elements you want to use in your model and copy them to the clipboard. Now, switch to a view of the target model and paste the elements into the view. Now these system family types can be used in your model.

Another way you can get system families from one file to another is to open both files then, on the Manage tab, select Transfer Project Standards. Here you can select the categories you want to transfer. Keep in mind that transferring this way will transfer all of the families and types from a particular category. When the source library file has many types, the cut-and-paste method shown earlier is copies only specific families.

Typical detail s are other elements you can use a library file for. Open any 2D view in your model. In this case we will open a sheet view and on the insert tab, click Insert from File and then Insert Views from File. In the dialog, navigate to the file you are using for your 2d detail library.

In the Insert Views dialog, you can see the drafting views in the library file. Select the views you would like to import into your model and click OK. The views are added to the Project Browser and can be modified as required for this project and used in the construction document set.

Using Revit files as a library for other projects can save time and make projects consistent with your office standards.