In this lesson I’ll show you how to access the features found in the section called Import Instance Panel. To that end, I have already started work on a new Revit project, and you can follow me if you open the corresponding file (Simple Building Project.rvt) from the folder with examples for the exercise.

To begin with, I need to transfer data from AutoCAD into the project, and this can be achieved by using the Link function. Before that, it wouldn’t hurt to check if I’m on the ground level (00-Ground) and since that’s fine, it won’t be difficult for me to click on the appropriate icon and select the file that contains the desired data. After that, I just need to check whether all the following parameters are set as they should be and complete this function by selecting the Open button.

As you can see, a new drawing immediately appeared on the screen, but its position does not match the current marker positions. To fix this, I will adjust the display scale a bit and then select one of the markers with a simple click and move it to a new location. I can do that completely freely, but I still have to take care that it is directed towards the appropriate facade. To move to the next element, it is necessary to first press the Esc key and then click on the appropriate position. This is followed by withdrawal, and if it turns out that the chosen position is not the best, the whole procedure can easily be repeated. I will move all four markers in this way and then check what I have achieved. As you can see, now all the elements are in their proper positions, so I can go ahead and show you how to make a selection.

The easiest way involves placing the cursor over the desired element and pressing the left mouse button. It will change color at that moment, which means that it is selected, and since in this case it is an inserted drawing, the Import Instance Panel will appear on the screen at the same time. The same result can be achieved by applying the so-called Crossing the frame, which means dragging the mouse from the right to the left. If you want to apply the so-called Window method, it is necessary to cover the entire plan in one move, because only in that case the selection will be successful. In any case, you will be able to access the functions found in the Import Instance Panel, which is the most important thing at this moment.

Before I finish this lesson, I’d like to show you one more way you can select the elements you want. To that end, I will first cover everything that is currently on the screen with one stroke and then click on the icon that represents the Filter function. As soon as a new frame appears on the screen, it won’t be difficult for me to remove redundant elements from the list and keep only what I really need for selection, which is the drawing I just inserted. If it turns out that I made a mistake, it is enough to click on the free area of the screen and cancel the current selection.