Have you ever used the Drag ‘n Drop method of adding a file to Revit and wondered why it seemed to work differently than the last time you did that? Well, there are actually several variables involved in that process.
First off, you may ask what I mean by Drag ‘N Drop files. That is typically when you have a session of Windows Explorer open, pick on a file, and use the mouse to drag a file from Windows Explorer to Revit and release the mouse button when it is over Revit (drop). This method can be much faster than using one of the commands within Revit to add a file and is commonly used.
Ok, let’s look at what happens with various techniques of the Drag ‘n Drop method for different types of files.
Revit Families
- If a Revit family (.rfa) is dropped in the Graphics Window portion of Revit, it will be loaded into the project and put you in the command to place the family.
- If a family is dropped on the Project Browser, it will be loaded into the project but you will NOT be placed in a command to place the family.
- If a family is dropped onto the Ribbon, it will be opened in Revit in the Family Editor mode.
Revit Projects
- If a Revit project file (.rvt) is dropped anywhere in the current project, the file is opened as an additional project.
AutoCAD Files
- If an AutoCAD drawing file is dropped in the Graphics Window portion of Revit, it will imported in the Revit file and prompt for placement. It cannot be dropped anywhere else in Revit.
Image Files
- If an image file is dropped in the Graphics Window portion of Revit, it will imported in the Revit file and prompt for placement. It cannot be dropped anywhere else in Revit.
Applying Technology to Architecture 