Autodesk’s Desktop Connector has a knack for making cloud-based collaboration easier—until it doesn’t. If you’ve hit the dreaded “Failed to open document” error when trying to open a cloud-hosted Revit model, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there’s a fix, and it’s surprisingly simple.
This issue often occurs when transferring data from one project to another via Desktop Connector. The files will copy across with the .rvt extension, but they will actually be zip files. This prevents Revit from recognising the model properly. You could waste time trying to troubleshoot permissions or connection settings, but the quickest way forward is to extract the model and re-upload it.
The Fix
- Make a Copy – Locate the problematic .rvt file in Desktop Connector and create a backup.
- Extract the Model – Rename the copied file from .rvt to .zip, then extract its contents.
- Re-Upload Corrected Model – Instead of relying on Desktop Connector, upload the extracted .rvt file directly through the BIM 360 or ACC web interface, replacing the old file.
- Open Revit – Your model should now open without errors.
Renaming and extracting the .rvt file clears up inconsistencies that may have crept in during sync. By uploading via the web interface, you avoid potential local sync issues that could cause the problem to resurface.
If you rely on Desktop Connector for cloud workflows, it’s worth keeping this trick in your back pocket. It’s a simple way to get back on track without wasting hours troubleshooting Autodesk’s quirks.
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