DXF Import Manually

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The best way to utilize LAVA’s powerful interface is to import a DXF background. The drawing file is best imported with a little setup to get the best results.

Please note: LAVA will only import ‘Line’ elements in DXF files. If the background DXF contains Polyline, Arc, Circle, Text or Mtext, these elements will NOT be imported into LAVA. You can use various tools in CAD programs to convert these elements to ‘Line’ before importing. (e.g. Toos in AutoCAD such as ‘polygon’, ‘explode’, ‘TXTEXP’, etc.)

✅ DXF Preparations from DWG File

Here’s a step-by-step process to setup a drawing ready to be imported into LAVA. Begin with the architect drawing (.dwg file) to create the necessary .dxf file. If a Revit file (.rvt) is supplied, extract the views for each levels required to .dwg format.

Note:

  • Be sure to unlock all layers contained within a .dwg file to allow edit.

  • Thaw all layers that include door, glazing/window, plumbing, stairs, wall (full ht.) and rooflines. Freeze all else.

  • Use BURST command to retain integrity of layers before EXPLODE which can be used for nested blocks

One Story

In AutoCAD, follow these steps.

  1. Create a Roof layer, set it to a specific color.

  2. Set Layer to 0.

  3. Freeze everything except for the door, glazing/window, plumbing, wall (full ht.) and roofline layers.

  4. BURST/Explode all to make sure there on no blocks or P-Lines

  • You may be required to select a block and right-click “Block Editor” locked blocks.

  • “Allow exploding” if block will not BURST within the Properties dialogue box (Ctrl +1) and Close Block

Editor to save changes made to block definition once setting has been changed to “Yes”.

  1. Change the door, glazing/window, plumbing, wall (full ht.) and roofline layers to layer ROOF and change color to ByLayer.

  2. Create a Wblock “.dwg” and label saving it as the plan name.

  3. Open the Wblock “dwg” just created.

  4. Purge all layers and blocks. The only layers which should remain is:

    Layer: 0

    Layer: ROOF

  5. Verify INSBASE is set to 0,0 for drawing

  6. Move the building to where the lower left corner is at 0,0. (NOTE: draw a reference line at 0,0 to assist)

  7. Change limits to fit the building. Make your LIMITS just big enough to fit the building. Select from bottom left to upper right just outside the building linework constraints.

  8. Create a DXF by selecting Save As and select any of the DXF formats provided. All DXF versions will be compatible with LAVA.

Multiple Stories

In AutoCAD, follow these steps.

  1. Create a Roof layer, set a specific color.  Create a layer for each of the floors in your building and setup each with a different color.  

  2. Set Layer to 0.

  3. Freeze everything except for the door, glazing/window, plumbing, stairs, wall (full ht.) and roofline layers.

  4. BURST/Explode all to make sure there on no blocks or P-Lines.

    • You may be required to select a block and right-click “Block Editor” locked blocks.

    • “Allow exploding” if block will not BURST within the Properties dialogue box (Ctrl +1) and Close Block

    • Editor to save changes made to block definition once setting has been changed to “Yes”.

  5. Change the 1st floor door, glazing/window, plumbing, stairs, wall (full ht.) and any lower lever rooflines to layer FLOOR, and change color to ByLayer.

  6. Change the 2nd floor door, glazing/window, plumbing, stairs, wall (full ht.) and rooflines to Layer ROOF and change color to ByLayer.

    NOTE: If the Floor plan and the roof plan are on two different files, you will need to insert the roof

    plan into the floor plan and stack it.

  7. Create a Wblock and label saving it as the plan name.

  8. Open the Wblock just created.

  9. Purge all layers and blocks. The only layers which should remain is:

    Layer: 0

    Layer: FLOOR 1, etc.

    Layer: ROOF

  10. Verify INSBASE is set to 0,0 for drawing.

  11. Move the building to where the lower left corner is at 0,0. (NOTE: draw a reference line at 0,0 to assist)

  12. Change limits to fit the building. Make your LIMITS just big enough to fit the building. Select from bottom left to upper right just outside the building linework constraints.

  13. Create a DXF by selecting Save As and select any of the DXF formats provided. All DXF versions will be compatible with LAVA.]

✅ Steps to Export a Revit View to DXF

  1. Open the Revit Project (.RVT)

  2. Go to a 2D view or sheet that you want to export (e.g., floor plan, elevation, section, detail).

  3. Click the “File” menu (top left).

  4. Go to Export > CAD Formats > DXF.

  5. In the Export Setup dialog:

    • Choose layer mapping and line weight settings (or leave default).

    • Choose “Current View/Sheet Only” or “In session view/sheet set”.

  6. Choose a file location and name, then click OK.

📌 Notes:

  • Make sure the view is set up cleanly—Revit exports exactly what’s shown.

Import DXF into LAVA

📣📣📣 ALERT: Make sure your AutoCAD file is closed before importing into LAVA.  

Once your DXF file is created, it a quick step to bring it into LAVA as an underlay.  

Click on the Building Layout tab, and right click on the DXF option level. Click Add .DXF and it will open a file navigator to find the saved DXF file.

Once the DXF is opened, you can pick the floor level layer that matches the floor in LAVA. Repeat this process for each floor in LAVA.

Note: You can import more than one DXF files into the same floor. Just repeat the process shown above for each file.