Importing Aerial Data into Revit

These steps will rely on files created in the previous blog post Global Mapper to Revit Workflow for Aerial Data.

Importing Imagery

Since Revit does not support geolocated/scale image files, we will use a bounding box to represent the extents of the image.

Import the Bounding Box

1. Click the Insert tab > under the Import panel, click Import CAD.

2. In the popup window, use the Files of Type dropdown to select DXF.

3. Find your file, ensure Import Units is set correctly, and click Open.

There should be no need to adjust the position of this file.

Import the Image

1. Click the Insert tab > under the Link panel, click Link Image.

2. Find the JPG mosaic image file and click Open.

3. Click the centre of the site to set the initial position of the image.

4. Use the handles at each corner of the image to align it with the corners of the bounding box.

This will position and scale the image correctly.

Importing Toposolid/Toposurface

The DTM is provided in the form of a CSV file containing XYZ coordinates.

Note: Pre-2023 versions of Revit will use Toposurfaces, whereas versions from 2023 onwards will only allow Toposolids to be created. These instructions should work for both.

1. Click the Massing & Site tab > Toposolid dropdown > Create from Import.

2. The tab should automatically switch to Modify | Create Toposolid from Import. Go to the Toposolid panel > click Create from CSV.

3. In the Select File popup window, find the CSV file and select Open.

4. A Format window will pop up. Select Meters from the dropdown and click OK.

Once imported, the Toposolid should align perfectly with the imported mosaic image.