How to unpin an imported CAD file in Revit?

Unpinning an imported CAD file in Revit is a straightforward process that allows you to move, rotate, or modify its position within your project. The quickest way is to select the CAD file and use the UnPin tool from the Modify tab or the keyboard shortcut "UP."

Step-by-Step Guide to Unpinning a CAD File in Revit

Imported CAD files are often pinned by default or intentionally by users to prevent accidental movement during the design process. To make changes to its position, you'll need to unpin it first.

Here’s how to unpin an imported CAD file:

1. Select the CAD File:

   • Navigate to the view where the imported CAD file is visible.
   • Click directly on the CAD file to select it. When selected, you'll see a blue bounding box around it.
   • Tip: If you are having trouble selecting the pinned element, ensure the "Select Pinned Elements" toggle (represented by a pushpin icon) in the bottom-right status bar of your Revit window is active. If it's greyed out with a red 'X', click it to enable selection of pinned elements.

2. Locate the UnPin Tool:

   • Once the CAD file is selected, the ribbon will automatically switch to the Modify | Imports tab (or Modify | Link CAD if it's a linked file).
   • In the Modify panel, you will see a pushpin icon. This is the UnPin tool.

3. Execute the UnPin Command:

   • Click on the UnPin tool icon.
   • Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut: type UP.

4. Verify Unpinned Status:

   • After executing the command, the pin icon on the selected CAD file will disappear, indicating it is no longer pinned. You can now move, rotate, or delete the CAD file as needed.

Understanding Pinning in Revit

Pinning is a fundamental feature in Revit designed to lock the position of elements, preventing them from being moved unintentionally. This is especially useful for crucial elements like imported CAD files, which often serve as underlays or base information for modeling.

Why CAD Files Are Pinned

• Stability: Pinning ensures that your reference CAD drawings stay in their intended location, providing a stable basis for your Revit model.
• Accidental Movement Prevention: It prevents common errors where users might inadvertently drag or shift a CAD file while working on other parts of the model.
• Collaboration: In a collaborative environment, pinning helps maintain consistency across different user workstations and prevents one user from accidentally moving a critical reference for another.

The Pin Icon: Your Visual Cue

When an element is pinned in Revit, a small pushpin icon appears next to it when you select it. This icon visually confirms that the element's position is locked. When you unpin it, this icon disappears.

Essential Tips for Managing Pinned Elements

Effectively managing pinned elements can significantly improve your workflow in Revit.

The "Select Pinned Elements" Toggle

One of the most common reasons users struggle to unpin an item is an inactive "Select Pinned Elements" toggle.

• Location: This toggle is found on the bottom-right corner of the Revit status bar.
• Function: When active (no red 'X' over the pin icon), you can select pinned elements directly. When inactive (red 'X' present), Revit prevents you from selecting any pinned element, even if you click directly on it, until you enable the toggle.
• Best Practice: Keep this toggle active if you frequently need to interact with pinned elements. If you find yourself accidentally selecting and moving pinned items, you can deactivate it temporarily.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Pinning and Unpinning

Revit offers efficient keyboard shortcuts for these common actions:

Action	Keyboard Shortcut	Description
Pin	PN	Locks the position of selected elements.
UnPin	UP	Unlocks the position of selected pinned elements.

• Note: These shortcuts work once an element is selected or when you're in an active command where pinning/unpinning is an option.

When to Unpin a CAD File

You will typically unpin a CAD file in these scenarios:

• Adjusting Position: When the imported CAD file needs to be precisely moved, rotated, or aligned with your Revit model.
• Scaling: If the CAD file was imported at the wrong scale and needs to be resized.
• Deleting: Before deleting a CAD file from your project, it must first be unpinned.
• Replacing: If you're linking in an updated version of a CAD file and need to remove the old one.

Re-pinning for Stability

After you've made the necessary adjustments to your CAD file's position, it's often a good practice to re-pin it. This restores its locked status and prevents further accidental movement. To re-pin, simply select the unpinned CAD file and click the Pin tool (or use the PN shortcut) on the Modify tab.

Troubleshooting Common Unpinning Issues

• "UnPin" tool is grayed out: This means no pinned element is currently selected. Ensure you have successfully selected the CAD file (and that "Select Pinned Elements" is active if needed).
• Cannot select the CAD file: Verify the "Select Pinned Elements" toggle on the status bar is active. Also, check if the CAD file is hidden in the view or on a workset that is currently not visible.

By following these steps and understanding the functionality of pinning, you can efficiently manage your imported CAD files within your Revit projects.