Not sure about the centerline problem with a linked model, but---from recent experience I'd offer a word of caution dimensioning to Linked files.
If the link gets unloaded or moved (sometimes by accident ) the dimensions can get deleted.

Would it be possible to Copy/Monitor the grids from the Link and dimension to those?

Just a thought.

cheers

I just did an unload reload and dims came back but I do appreciate the warning. I have a separate model that I'm doing just the annotation in. The reason is that I'm in a different location from the person modeling the building and this is how we are attempting to share the work since we can't do Revit Server yet. I understand that this isn't a great way of handling it but with tagging being upgraded in 2011 & 2012 it makes this an option for us. It seams that the improvements in tagging are being made so that annotation of linked models can be done in one file rather than custom viewing linked views especially for those breaking up the models into linked portions.

Dimentioning to a linked model is not a best practice thing. You can get into trouble with not being able to even open your model because it cant delete dimentions. Cliff hit the nail on the head. Copy the elements into your model if you can. Also never associate elements to linked models, bad things can happen.

I understand concerns about best practices and have been using Revit for many years not doing this BUT why are we (Autodesk) adding all the tagging functionality to linked models if we are afraid to dimension to it? There are folks who religiously link and are using custom view overrides for annotation but I believe Revit is trying to give us the option to annotate links and this includes dims. I'd like to know why the centerline doesn't show up when dimensioning to a link.

Just because they are giving you the ability doesnt mean they have thought it through workflow wise. Cases in point:

The Import CAD Button.
The Explode CAD Button.
Allowing Overridding dimensions.
Right Click > Override.
Allowing people to use View Templates AND VG in the same view.

I could go on and on. Have they made improvements in tagging and links? Sort of. I still wont advocate using them. i present my project teams with the workflows for both, but at the end of the day i leave the decision up to them. I currently dont endorse tagging or annotating linked files anywhere BUT in the linked files, and using By Linked View. Workflow wise, it makes much more sense. When you dimension something, thats generally when you want to move or adjust it. Now you are in the wrong file. So unload the link, open the other file, REdimension it, move it, sync, switch files, etc. Or... Dimension it in the file its in, and move it at the same time.

Having said that: Yes, i can confirm that the CL functionality goes away through links. Just one more reason that workflow stinks. Its unfortunate that geographical limitations are in your way, but IMVHO the workflow still "isnt there" for annotating through Links. Many people here may disagree with me, but i have finished many massive projects, on far inferior hardware, with the tried and true By Linked View workflow. Its not the most convenient, but it works damn well when done correctly.

Thanks to all and I'd love to make Revit Server work for us and we might be able to accomplish this but for now I need to keep heading in this direction. The project is a single story supermarket, new building, large open main sales area with some backroom storage, prep areas and front end admin. Not complicated but I need to be doing the CD's while the architect models the building. The use of CL symbol is required and so I'll use a symbol (can you say Autocad). One advantage - the model that is being shared by consultants (structural and MEP is all Revit) is 1/4 the size of the file needed for CD's - no sheets, no anno, no Autocad details (sorry but that is how they have set up the set) just a clean model. Myself, I have found that modeling dims and dims in CD just aren't the same. Working views with constraint dims based on how the designer wants the buidling to layout and separate sheet views.

Hi,
I know this is an old thread, but has anyone been able to get the CL symbol to show up when dimensioning to a linked model?
Cheers.

Nearly TEN YEARS after the original post; and Linked Files are now The Way You Do Things - yet dims still don't recognise CL in links. If dims on links is bad m'kaaay, why even allow it in the first place? Why let us do half of what we need?

The lame solution, as always, is to revert to old-school text-by-hand just to get your drawings looking right. Not even the vaunted Dynamo (Fix it yourself! By writing the software yourself!) can save you now.

Thanks, Autodesk. Hope you're spending our subscription wisely by investing in the products you've locked us in to. :laugh:

I must have missed the memo that Linked Files were "the way we do things" now. Whoops.

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