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1.  Getting around the 2 mile limitation when linking a CAD file

EDIT: As of Revit 2011, you will be allowed to import/link any size dwg. However if geometry is larger than 20 miles in diameter, you'll get a warning that this might reduce reliability and result in undesirable graphic behavior.

DISCLAIMER: Be very careful when doing this as you can see severe display issues. Use at your own risk!

In Revit 2010, if you import/link a CAD file with entities that are more than 2 miles apart (20 miles in 2011) at the extremes, you will receive a warning and Revit won't let you finish the process. Basically everything in the file needs to fit on a 2 mile diameter "platter" (20 miles in 2011). Sometimes you could have a text attribute that is outside this imaginary circle that causes the issue. This tip has two parts to it: how to get around the limitation and how to clean your file so it works without workarounds.

2. How to clean your file.

Assuming you have a DWG file & Autocad, and you're sure your geometry fits on the proverbial "platter", do the following:

1. With the file open, type the command "select" and at the prompt type "all"; Now type "r" to remove objects and window your geometry. By doing this we're creating a selection set of offending objects, which sometimes are invisible. Click/spacebar/enter to exit the command; Now type "erase" and then at the prompt, type "p" (for previous). This selects the selection set completed in

2. Click/spacebar/enter to exit the command; Nothing in your file should be outside of the area you windowed, so save the file and link/import again in Revit. No error or warning should show up.

EDIT: Thanks to a comment by "MrJackson" on my blog, here's an even faster way:

Hit CTRL-A to select all, then hold SHIFT while windowing the geometry you wish to keep. Then hit the DELETE key.

And an even FASTER way, take a look here: Just save your cad file to Acad 2000 format and it should allow you to load it in.

3. Revit 2011 Linked Project Tagging Q&A

1. Can I tag rooms through a linked file?

You cannot tag rooms in the host project residing in a linked project.  I have included the full list of elements you cannot tag below:
Cannot tag a room through a linked Revit 2011 project

2. What happens to the tags if the link is unloaded?

The tags will not be visible in the view until the link is reloaded.  After the link is reloaded, the tags will display in the previous locations.

3. What happens to the tags if the link is removed or deleted?

The tags will need to be reapplied to the linked elements.  When a link is removed from the host project all associations are lost and cannot be automatically reset.

4. I tagged elements in a link, unloaded or removed the link, however theReconcile Hosting dialog is blank?

Included is help documentation for the Reconcile Hosting dialog.  The Reconcile Hosting dialog will not list elements if the link was simply removed or unloaded.  Instead this dialog reports elements which cannot be reconciled [deleted from the linked file for example].

5. Can I change the default reconcile hosting tag override graphics?

Yes, under Collaborate > Reconcile Hosting > Graphics, you can specify the line weight, color, and line pattern for the elements which appear on the list.  This is how they will be represented in the project view until resolved.

4.  How to order Revit Parameters (see attached)