How to scale PDF in Revit

By Terry Jiracek, CAD Designer – You are working in Revit on a project that is nearing the final deadline and time is of the essence. The final detail you want to include is in PDF format, but Revit generally does not support PDF files. What should you do?
You could redraw the detail, but you might miss your deadline. If only there was a way to import the PDF into Revit, you would not have to worry about missing your deadline.
Rest assured, there are ways to incorporate the desired system details and stay on deadline.

Software Versions Matter

If you are using Revit 2020 or newer, you are in luck as direct PDF import is supported in Revit. Follow these steps:

1. Select the 2D drawing view where you want the information to appear.
2. Browse to “Insert” > Import > “PDF.”
3. Select the PDF file you want to place on the drawing.
   • This file must be an un-locked version in order to be imported. If it is not unlocked, there are other solutions available that are used for pre-2020 Revit (see below).
   • If the PDF is a multi-sheet PDF, you have the choice to select the information desired – via thumbnail – in the previewer prior to placing it.

For the pre-2020 Revit users, a few solutions are available to support PDF-based data in Revit:

1. Convert the PDF into an image file as a BMP, JPG, JPEG, PNG, or TIF.
   • This solution typically requires the use of PDF creator software with features that support extension generation like Blue Beam or Adobe Acrobat Pro.
   • Image files can become grainy, though easily imported to Revit via Insert > Import panel and selection of the “Image Button.”
   
2. Convert the PDF into a DWG via AutoCAD:
   1) Use the “PDFIMPORT” command to convert your PDF into a DWG file that can be used in Revit.
   TIP: the PDF source file must be un-locked to allow importing
   2) Link the created file into your Revit job

One Size Does Not Fit All

As many engineering designers know, “one size fits all” does not necessarily apply when it comes to working in Revit. Importing issues are constant and end-users need to be savvy when it comes to the different pieces and requirements such as the PDF itself, the version of the software, and the desired look of the document prior to selecting an approach.

Since much of this work is artistic in nature, no one solution will produce the same desired output appearance every time. Nor are the presented solutions for daily problems the only available options.

All problems, as tedious as they may be, come with many forms of rewarding creative solutions! Take comfort knowing that by using this method, you can meet your project deadline while your desired design information is portrayed without the extra time and effort required to create the media from scratch.

Terry Jiracek is an electrical CAD designer in Morrison-Maierle’s Billings office Buildings Market Group. He specializes in design with Revit and enjoys seeing a building project transform from digital format to free standing solid form. When he is not in the office he likes getting outdoors, particularly camping with his family.

Technical review of this article provided by Jeff Kraft, PE, LEED AP, LC

2020-05-27