2023
Support for Revit 2023 added (v2.3.2)2022
Support for Revit 2022 added (v2.3.1)2021
Support for Revit 2021 added (v2.3.0)2020
Support for Revit 2020 added (v2.2.0)2019 Updates
Version Checker updates to notify user of new updates to the application2019 Updates
Version Checker updates to notify user of new updates to the application2018 Updates
The 2018 version of CADTracer is currently available in the Autodesk Appstore. Improvements include automated update checking and speed optimizations along with detection of content libraries. The app notifies users if content libraries are not available.Why?
CAD data is invaluable. Not only does it represent hours of labor put into describing an assembly, construction sequence, or manufacturing technique, it also represents the core of the intellectual property owned by an organization or individual. All Revit users know that it is close to impossible to eliminate CAD data from their individual workflows without devoting several hours to recreating the work in Revit.The CADTracer was purpose-built to ease this problem. Here is a powerful tool that not only traces CAD line work, but also makes families out of them places them in the project for you. The end result being faster, and more accurate details and graphics for your Revit Project.
New Improvements in v2.0.2
Version 2.0.2 incorporates a fix for a bug discovered by a customer when loading presets into the App. Also includes minor tweaks to improve speed of operation.New Improvements in v2.0.1
Version 2.0.1 has a brand new Line Length Correction Algorithm enabled by default on the panel to the right of the main Layer-Mapping Table. The algorithm checks each line or curve traced by the App to verify if the length is less than the minimum allowable length in Revit. If it is, the algorithm increases the line length such that the line length is just a little over the minimum allowable by Revit. Please note that the algorithm is not perfect and in our tests we have found that some lines just cannot be saved.Use Case Scenarios:
Tracing Directly In Projects
You can trace CAD after bringing it into Drafting/Legend (preferred) or plan views to then Trace them. Deleting the CAD object after tracing will ensure that it will not negatively impact your project by bringing in CAD LineStyles. The tool does not work for Text or Hatches however and these objects need to be recreated manually.Creating Custom Families From CAD Imports Using CADTracer
Nesting the Trace within a family is a perfect way to create custom families from existing CAD data. You can create both 2D and 3D linework within the family and then modify them if required to form 3D forms. You App gives you the flexibility to assign Family Sub-Categories to CAD Layers which in turn allows for finer control over the graphical quality of the output.Download:
You can download the app from the Autodesk App StoreInstallation:
The installer extracts the CADTracer.bundle folder and the CADTracer.addin file to the c:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Revit\Addins\2015 folder (for the 2015 version of the App). Please make sure that you have permissions to write to this folder. If the App fails to launch or is not seen in the 'Add-ins' tab, it is likely that you do not have permissions to write to this folder. Please contact your network Administrator or attempt to re-install this App using an Administrator account.Where To Find The Tool After Installation?
You will be able to find the tools within Revit in the Add-ins Tab>SPICETOOLS Panel>RUTILITIES Pulldown Button>CADTracerThe Tool utilizes family templates found in Options>File Locatons>Default Path for Family Template Files: (Typically Located in C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2015\Family Templates\English_I, for Imperial Templates). Failure to locate family templates will result in the user not being able to use this feature of the tool.
Warnings During Operation:
The app may generate warnings during the course of operation. You may have to baby-sit the app to respond to those warnings (generally harmless) as the app will not proceed without your response. The nature of the warnings are dependent on the CAD import being traced. The most common type of warning has to do with very short line segments in the original CAD import
Known Issues:
1. CADTracer does not trace Text objects. One will have to manually add text in Revit.2. Creating Families usually takes longer than direct tracing within the project. However, this is the simplest (and quickest) way to create Detail Component Families from CAD objects.
3. Creating Symbolic Lines within Model Category Families takes longer than creating Model Lines within the same families. You will be given a warning message to save your work before proceeding with this operation. If the application becomes unresponsive, you may have to terminate the application via the Windows Task Manager.
WORKAROUND: You can circumvent this issue by first creating Model Lines within Model Family Categories and then converting them Detail lines after the App has completed Tracing the lines within the Family.
4. Tracing within Elevation and Section Views is possible. However, placing Families within the same views is a little Tricky. We have observed that Detail component families are automatically placed in a mirrored location adjacent to the CAD Import. Hence, the user may have to 'Create Similar' to place them over the original Import. Model families are trickier since most model family Categories require a host and the CADTracer Tool traces on the Plan view of the Family by default. In these case, we suggest that you use the tool to create a detail family and then nest the detail family within the parent Model family.
