What to include in a CAD to Revit modelling brief
A usable quotation needs the drawings, the Revit version, and a clear note on what should be modelled.
Published 19 August 2026 · 3 min read
Most delays on CAD to Revit work come from an unclear brief, not from software. The modeller needs to know what the drawings show, which Revit release to use, and which parts of the building are in scope. The list below is what architectural practices should send with an enquiry. It is also a useful internal checklist if the conversion will be done in-house.
Source drawings
- Plans for each level
- Elevations and sections that belong to the same issue
- Roof information, stairs, and opening or door schedules where they exist
- Site or setting-out information if the model must sit on a known grid
DWG or DXF is preferable. PDF is acceptable when that is what exists. State the issue date or revision if several sets are in circulation. Heavy CAD files — unused layers, nested references, leftover blocks — take longer to read and make a poorer underlay. Cleaning the drawing in CAD first is worthwhile; it is not a substitute for coordinated design information.
Required Revit version
Name the Revit year the receiving practice uses (for example Revit 2023 or 2025). A model saved in a newer release cannot be opened in an older one — see the version note in this knowledge base. Agreeing the year after modelling is finished is too late.
Modelling requirements
- What must be modelled (for example external envelope, internal partitions, stairs)
- What can be omitted (for example furniture, generic interiors, undocumented services)
- Any template, shared parameters or naming conventions to follow
- Whether CAD underlays should remain in the file for checking
Avoid using “LOD 300” or similar labels unless you also say which LOD system you mean and what it requires on this job. Those systems are not interchangeable, and a conversion from drawings can only include what the drawings support.
Project context
Approximate building size, number of levels, and any programme date help a reviewer judge complexity. They do not replace the drawings. A useful quotation still depends on seeing the source information.
Questions
A useful quotation normally needs the drawing package, or at least representative plans and elevations, an approximate size, and the required Revit version.