1. Purpose
Opens the source DWG file linked into the project and reloads it after the external file changes, without digging through Manage Links. Use it when architecture sends a revised background: one reload and every view sitting on that DWG updates.
2. Quick video (≤ 2 minutes)
[Video in production — follow the steps below for now.]
3. Steps
- In the open view, select exactly 1 linked DWG object (ImportInstance), not an imported (non-linked) DWG. [image 01: linked DWG selected in the view]
- Click DWG in the VP_LAYOUT tab, Layout panel.
- The dialog shows the linked DWG path. Every button closes the dialog as soon as you press it, so press Open Folder, overwrite the file with the new revision, then run the command again on the same DWG and press Reload DWG (or press Reload DWG straight away when the file is already overwritten). [image 02: DWG dialog with path and Reload button]
- Revit reloads the link and every view on this background updates.
4. Real-world example
Architecture emails a new level-3 plan. Open the level-3 view, select the DWG background, run DWG, press Open Folder and overwrite the file with the new revision — the dialog closes by itself; run DWG again and press Reload DWG — 5 structural views on this background all update without relinking each one.
5. Common errors
| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| "Select a DWG ImportInstance and run the command again." | Nothing is selected — select exactly 1 DWG object in the view, then rerun |
| "Selected DWG instance is not linked." | This DWG is an import, not a link — the command only works with linked DWGs |
| "Could not resolve CAD link type from the selected DWG instance." | The selection cannot be read as a link — reselect the DWG instance in the view |
| "Could not resolve DWG file path from the selected link." | The link lost its file path (file deleted or moved) — restore the DWG to its old path first |
6. See also
- Set crop view — fence the display area of a view sitting on a DWG background.
- Copy crop view — copy that crop fence to another view.
- Print sheets — bulk-print sheets once the DWG background is current.