Creating Detail Libraries (Updated)

 
Below is an example of how I took a CAD detail library and converted it to Revit. You might need to do a few things different depending on how your CAD detail library is set up but this should point you in the right direction.
 
Line Types & Text Style:

I started with a blank Revit project. First I created the Line Styles in the image below in Revit. I matched the colors with the layers in the AutoCAD files I will be taking the details from. Also note that I created a separate Line Style for dashed lines.
 
Line Styles

 
 
I created a text style in Revit for the detail text. This way it will not interfere with any text styles in my template and all the text in details can be isolated if needed.
 
Text Style

 
 

Converting Files from AutoCAD:
1) Create a Drafting View and set the scale to 12” = 1’=0”
2) Import CAD - Select CAD File
a. Everything in CAD has to be in the same place (Paper Space or Model Space)
3) Import CAD Format Settings
a. Colors: Black & White
b. Layers: Visible
c. Import Units: Auto-Detect
d. Positioning: Auto – Center to Center
4) Select the CAD element and Explode - Full Explode
a. Repeat this until it will not explode any further
5) Condense the Lines and Text to the Line Styles created.
a. Easiest way to condense lines is to draw a window around all the objects and filter out each Line Style individually.
b. Easiest way to condense text is to right click on it and select all instances in view.
6) Separate each individual detail into its own view. Easiest way to do this is to duplicate with detailing and delete the details except the one that needs to be isolated.
7) Name each view with the title needed when it’s inserted on a sheet.
NOTE: Leaders and Hatch Patterns will not convert to Revit. Lines shorter than 1/32” will not convert to Revit.
 
 
View Organization:

In order to get the details to organize in the project browser when inserted you will need to match the ‘Views’ properties in your company’s template.
Create two project parameters called ‘View Type’ and ‘View Usage’. Match the parameter data below for both. Also note that Views is checked under Categories.
 
Project Parameter Properties



You can get to the Browser Organization Properties by right clicking on ‘Views’ in the project browser. Then click on Edit Folders. I did not apply any filters.
 
View Organization

 
Based on how I setup the Browser Organization Properties above the following needs to be entered into each views instance properties:
View Type: Sheet Views (I separate Sheet Views and Working Views. Details are Sheet Views)
Sub-Discipline: The discipline that the detail pertains to (ex. Fire Protection, Plumbing, etc.)
View Usage: Type of detail within the discipline (ex. Hangers, Equipment, etc.)
 

 
Below is an image of the Project Browser after this is set up.
 

 
I set up a sheet for each ‘View Usage’ category and created a collated PDF with all the details. This gives non-Revit users the ability to view the details library. Also, it’s quicker to view them without opening Revit if needed.
 


Insert From File:

Now the details file is set up and you are ready to start inserting details into your project. Go to Insert from File under the Insert tab in the Ribbon and select Insert Views from File. Go to the location of the details file you set up.
 
Insert Views from File

 
The Insert Views window appears. You can then select the details you want to insert into your project. You can select multiple drafting views and sheets and insert them into your project.
 



*UPDATE 2-20-2013*
I recently added a numbering scheme to the details so they are easier to sort through when a user goes to insert from file. I added the sheet number/detail number to the begining of the detail name in the View Name property. Then I copied the detail name to Title on Sheet so this will not display on the view title when inserted.

Example: