Reposition Revit data in local scenes

To reposition Revit datasets without adding control points, you can use Locate, Move to Display, Move, Rotate, and Elevate to Ground.

Set up a scene for a Revit file

The units of the scene's projection should match the units of the Revit file. If the Revit file was developed using metric units (meter, centimeter, or millimeter), the scene's projection should be UTM or another x,y projection in meters. The same applies if the Revit file was developed in feet or inches. Units in the Revit file used for this workflow are in Imperial units.

  1. Open a local or global scene in ArcGIS Pro.

    You can use a local or global scene, but this example assumes you're working with a local scene.

  2. In the Contents pane, right-click Scene and click Properties.
  3. On the General tab, set Display units and Elevation units to match the drawing units of your Revit file. For example, if the drawing units are feet, choose Feet.
  4. On the Coordinate System tab, choose a coordinate system that is appropriate for your study area with units that match those you chose in the previous step.

    For example, if your Revit file is in feet, and you chose feet in the previous step, you could choose a State Plane coordinate system in feet.

    To determine the units of the selected coordinate system, click Details and view Linear Units.

  5. Click OK.

Define the projection

To move a Revit model or CAD file, use the Define Projection tool on the Building tab. If the drawing was given coordinate system information when it was created in an AutoCAD product, assign the appropriate projection and the CAD file will draw in the expected location. If it was not created in Revit or another CAD package with a proper coordinate system, choose one of the options to define where the file should appear in the map.

When georeferencing a Revit file, add only a single feature class, such as Walls or Exterior Shell, and not the entire file. This speeds up the process, and you can add the entire file once the georeferencing is complete.

Locate

Use the Locate tool to search for an area using keywords related to the approximate location where the file should appear in the view. Once you have your area of interest, you can create a bookmark for that location.

Move to Display

The Move to Display tool shifts the target Revit or CAD feature layer to the current display extent and places it on the surface of the ground by default. In some cases, the file may float above the ground, so ensure you zoom out to determine it if that is the case.

Move

The Move tool allows you to move the file using coordinate or x,y,z values of the destination's location. The anchor point location can be moved to another location for more accurate placement. Press Ctrl while you click and drag the anchor point to modify its placement.

  1. Select a subset of the features you want to reposition.

    Selecting a subset is not required, but it reduces processing time.

  2. On the Georeferencing tab, in the Prepare group, click Move Move.

    The move in x,y,z directions control is shown, which allows you to move to the desired location.

  3. Move the selected CAD feature layer using one of the following methods:
    • Hover over the target Revit or CAD feature layer. The pointer changes to a move symbol Move. Drag the CAD feature layer to the new position. To choose different anchor points, press the Ctrl key. The pointer changes to an orange cone, and you can drag the anchor to a new location.
    • Press the A key and type the x-, y-, and z-coordinates of the move destination. Press Enter to apply the transformation.
  4. When you're finished, press the Esc key.

Elevate To Ground

The Elevate To Ground tool allows you to elevate the Revit layer on top of the elevation surface based on the location of an anchor point. The anchor point location can be moved to another location for more accurate placement.

To change the location, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Revit layer in the Contents pane.
  2. Click the Manage tab.
  3. Click the Georeference button Georeference.
  4. On the Georeferencing tab, in the Prepare group, click the Move button Move Plane.

    The location of the anchor point is highlighted.

  5. Press the Ctrl key while you drag the selection anchor.
  6. Click the Elevate To Ground button Elevate To Ground when the anchor point is at the correct location.

Rotate

The Rotate tool allows you to rotate a Revit or CAD dataset by dragging it or specifying the angle.

The rotation angle is measured beginning at zero degrees. Positive values rotate the dataset in a counterclockwise direction, while negative values rotate the dataset in a clockwise direction.

  1. On the Georeferencing tab, in the Prepare group, click Rotate Rotate.

    A selection anchor and a rotation disk are enabled on the map.

  2. Press the Ctrl key while you drag the selection anchor.
  3. Rotate the selected feature layer using one of the following methods:
    • Hover over the rotation disk. The pointer changes to a rotation symbol. Drag the rotation disk.
    • Press the A key and type the angular value on the dialog box. Press Enter to apply the transformation.
  4. When you're finished, press the Esc key.