New Revit users find the method of creating reusable details from models a little daunting. Remember that walls, even in detail call-outs, export as 3D model elements into other projects.

While this may seem inefficient, keep in mind it is this same technology that allows one to create sections at will.

Here is the outline of the steps that need to be followed:

1. Create the detail call-out required.
2. Export the detail view to 2D CAD.
3. Import the CAD into a Drafting View.
4. Explode the 2D CAD
5. Change out the CAD generated line styles for generic Revit ones.
6. Delete the unused CAD generated line styles.
7. Create a new detail library or import the new drafting view into an existing detail library.

Specifically we need to focus on steps 2 and 3, as there are significant productivity gains one may realize if a little setup work is done initially, and incorporated into one’s templates.

By highlighting all the categories I am able to specify one layer name for them all, as well as the colors.

Within a custom DWG export setup one is allowed, for both projection and cut object styles, to map categories and sub-categories to CAD layers and colors. This DWG export setup is a system family and may be transferred between Revit projects and templates by transferring project standards. Create a custom setup for details export, mapping to CAD layers named the same as default Revit line styles.

The Line Styles in brackets can’t be deleted

Combine the two and there is a quick and foolproof way of quickly creating reusable details in project libraries.