In Autodesk Revit, a drafting view is a 2D view that contains detail information not directly associated with the model. When an electrical designer needs to reuse a drafting view from another project (for example, standard details or symbols), the correct method is to use the Insert Views from File command under the Insert tab.
The Autodesk Revit MEP User’s Guide – Chapter 48 “Detailing” (page 1072) describes the process as follows:
“Inserting a Drafting View from Another Project
Click Insert tab ➤ Import panel ➤ Insert from File drop-down ➤ Insert Views from File.
In the Open dialog, select a project file, and click Open.
The Insert Views dialog opens, displaying all the views that are saved in that project.
Select the desired drafting views and click OK.”(Revit MEP User’s Guide, p. 1072)
This command imports the drafting view into the current Revit model while preserving annotations, filled regions, detail components, and text. It ensures that any standard electrical symbols, notes, or schematics created previously can be directly reused without rebuilding the detail from scratch.
If any duplicate type names exist, Revit automatically uses the types and properties from the current project, displaying a warning if necessary.
“Revit MEP creates a new drafting view with all the 2D components and text. If you have duplicate type names, the type name and properties from the current project are used.”
(Revit MEP User’s Guide, p. 1072)
Supporting Documentation Extracts:
“Saving Drafting Views to an External Project
Select a drafting view in the Project Browser.
Right-click the view name, and click Save to New File.”(Revit MEP User’s Guide, p. 1071)
“The saved project can then be used later to insert drafting views into another Revit project using Insert Views from File.”
(Revit MEP User’s Guide, p. 1072)
