3D VIEWS ARE BLANK

PROBLEM:

3D views are blank - have nothing in them, yet plans, sections etc are OK. Some 3D views may also be OK, but if you make a new 3D view it is blank.

CAUSE:

A CAD file with very large extents has been imported.

CAD files often have things very far away from their main content. This can happen when the CAD file insertion point is a long way away and objects (e.g. blocks or cells) have been insert at the insertion point.

This causes the default view extents in Revit to become so large the model is not visible. Also the 3D view's Crop Region may now miss the model (which may not be obvious because the crop box is normally hidden in 3D views).

SOLUTION:

If possible restore a backup copy of the Revit model. It is not certain that the fix below will fix the large extents problem permanently.

Remove the offending CAD file.

Go to an affected 3D view.

Turn Crop Box on, and set to Do not crop view.

Go to the View Cube;

[1] select the triangle bottom right of the view cube;

[2] select Orient to View;

[3] select Floor Plans;

[4] select a plan that shows whole of model.

If you still can't see the model repeat the view cube sequence above.

If you still can't try orientating it to different views.

This sequence sets the Section Box to match the view selected.

Note that both Crop Boxes and Section Boxes restrict what can be seen in a 3D view. If the model is outside of these (and they are turned on) the model will not be visible.

If this still doesn't work try selecting blank space until you select something (check the number found against Filter).

If you find only a few items they are probably rogue items you can delete (use Filter to see what they are).

If it is a large number it will be the model.

Edit the Crop Box, and Section Box if necessary, so they tightly enclose the model.

Note that untick Section Box and re-ticking it may cause it to revert back to its previous size and location.