Set up Revit for AEC projects

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[MUSIC PLAYING]

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Hello, everyone, and welcome to this presentation

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about setting up Revit for AEC project.

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Thank you for joining.

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My name is Daniel.

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I'm working as a designated support specialist in Autodesk

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and I'll be presenting today.

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By the end of today's session, you'll

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learn about what you need to do before starting

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the project in Revit.

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We will talk about coordinate system,

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we will see what take into account in the model strategy,

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how to know the best of the model maintenance,

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how to work with different links in Revit.

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And we will need some good practice about performance.

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Before starting, I want to share the safe harbor statement.

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Essentially, it says the product and service and features are

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subject to change and purchasing decisions should not be made

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based on this presentation.

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And let's move to the first section,

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what these recommend doing before to start the project.

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In general, companies working with Revit

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invest time and effort in developing templates

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according to their own standards because they

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know the template help to maintain

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quality and consistency across everyone within a field.

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They also save users a lot of time

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by setting up the necessary standards in advance

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so people don't have to start everything from scratch.

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This is especially important for some discipline,

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the structural design and they MEP discipline

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because they have to accomplish in general very

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complex calculation.

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And there are very specific settings

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that they are only specific to this discipline.

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I'm thinking, for example, about reinforcement parameter,

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this is only important for structural engineers

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in general.

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MEP or architects don't need to have

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all these setting correctly set up in the template.

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Is the same with other setting for MEP

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or structural engineers.

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So where can you find the various project templates

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in Revit?

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When Revit is installed, default Revit templates

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generate Autodesk has been saved in the following path.

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So you have in C, program data, then from the Autodesk, Revit

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and the version of Revit and then templates.

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Please note that the file extension for Revit templates

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is not rvt coming from the right [INAUDIBLE],,

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but this rte from Revit template.

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There is a different one for Revit

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families and Revit family templates.

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As we said before, you can create new project templates

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and save them in the same location or a different one.

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In Revit, through file, option and file location,

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you can specify the default location of the one Revit

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will show up when creating a new project.

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To facilitate the selection of the template,

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when do you want to create a new project?

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If you do not see in there the specific template

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you want to bring it to your new project,

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then you can always browse for it.

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So you see it here.

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By Browse, you can select the template

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that it's maybe [INAUDIBLE] and all that.

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Finally, all these setting definition path

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and other variables can be managed through a simple txt

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file.

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It's the Revit.ini file.

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As I say, it's a simple txt file and very

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useful to distribute across the whole organization

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and make sure that all user get the right path to the company

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templates and to other variables that you want to standardize

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What could be included in project templates?

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Anything included in project template

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is subject to customization.

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We can even divide in 3D groups or you can include it

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in project templates.

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We are grouping by visibility, content and setting.

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In this slide and the following one,

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you see a list of the main topics included in each group.

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In relation with visibility, you can include viewport types,

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you can bring views, already defined views, schedules,

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sheets and legends.

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You can include view types, you can prepare the browser

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organanization as you desire.

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You can include filter.

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And what is very important, you can put view templates or color

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schemes.

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We will talk about view templates.

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About content, you can include the naming standard

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you are used to work in the company,

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you can bring annotation family, title blocks,

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any kind of family outlook, loadable

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and system family can be already included in the templates.

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All type of parameter, project parameters, shared parameter

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and global parameter can be included as well.

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And you can prepare some placeholder links

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that you will lead that change by the right model.

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Related to Settings, we can include many points.

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Here, a list of the main ones.

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So we can bring material libraries, object style.

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We can define the settings to export the DWG.

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We can have the line of style, and you see here

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in the screenshot.

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Line wave, line pattern, we also include it,

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hatch pattern as well, MEP setting

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and the structural settings, revisions,

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the units of the project.

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You can predefine worksets and phases.

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There are other templates very important to take into account

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to assure a standardization and maintain

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the quality and consistency of your project.

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These are the view templates we talk about before.

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All these are view template.

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So a view template is a collection of view properties.

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As the scale, the detail level, some visibility

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settings and so on.

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View templates are used to a standardized project views.

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You can in View Templates, you can create templates

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from Current View, then you can apply the template

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to the current view or to a different one.

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And you can manage the view templates

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and change the visibility settings.

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View template as best practice, prepare them

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before starting a project.

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Even if you will define and [INAUDIBLE] step by

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step building the project life.

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Many of them view templates have been improved

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during the project life of our Revit project,

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therefore we decide to recover them from different projects

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to the current one.

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There is a very useful tool allowing you to transfer them

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between two Revit client or between a family and a project.

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It is called the transfer project standard tool.

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Actually, there are multiple combinations

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you can transfer projects standard between doing

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Revit project, Revit template or Revit families.

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Any combination that you want between all these type.

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So let's see how to transfer project standard.

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To transfer projects standard, first of all,

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we need to open in the same Revit session

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both of the files.

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In the target file, you have to be active in the target file

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and then go to Manage tab, Settings panel and Transfer

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Project Standards.

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Select the source project for Copy from in case

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that you have different files open there.

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And then to select the desired project standard

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that you want to bring, there are different categories

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that you can select.

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We will see in the next slide, which one and you will bring

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into your current project or the families

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that they are included in this category.

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If there are duplicate types, a duplicate type dialogue

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will be displayed.

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You will have the possibility to select the option

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to override the family that you have in your current project

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to bring only the one that they are new

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or to cancel the whole operation.

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So what can we include when transferring project standards.

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There is a long list of categories

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we can recover from one project to another.

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As you can see in this slide that actually is not

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showing all of them but you can get

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an overview of the different topic you can include.

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In the right, you can see a screenshot

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of the different categories that you can get

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and you can select all of them, you

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can just select the one that you decide to transfer

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from one project to another.

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When transferring project standards,

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there are a few good practice to take into account.

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In the out of the box solution, there

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are some limitations to transfer a specific family or type.

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It is just not possible to select which type

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or which family from specific categories

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you want to transfer.

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It is only possible to select the whole category.

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If the idea is to get back in your project specific families,

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you always have the possibility to copy paste

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or to save in your window folder and log it again

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in your project.

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Keep in mind that you can also use Dynamo to load

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multiple families at once.

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It can be very useful to automate the process

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at the beginning of the project or when

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changing to a new phase.

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It is convenient to transfer system families that

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rely in other system families at once

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because you will make sure that their relationship is correctly

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maintained.

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We can repeat the same tip for view template and filter.

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They should be transferred together not

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to lose the relationship of the filter that are included

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in each specific view template.

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Be careful, if the target project contains already viewed

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templates and filter with the same name, in that case,

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you might want to rename or delete them before.

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There are some items in Revit not subject to be transferred

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between projects.

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These are elevation or section types and the visibility

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setting for Revit links.

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As you might be aware, it is not possible to store system family

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out of the Revit project.

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System family rely are safe within the session of the Revit

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project.

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It is a good practice then to save

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system family as wall, floor, ceilings, stairs, pipes

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or ducts, et cetera of the system family

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within a Revit project.

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And every time you need them, get the family type

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back from this project by copy pasting it.

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Consider to have then in that case

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a specific project for each specific category.

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For example or by discipline you can

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get one project for architectural system

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family, one project for MEP system family

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or you can do it by categories.

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So let's surely talk about the coordinate system.

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Actually, coordinate system represent

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by themself a big topic.

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A whole presentation would be needed to address and explain

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it properly.

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However, I want to include in this presentation

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a short statement on this because it's really

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important that when sending out your project,

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you position correctly your project.

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In where you have the possibility

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to specify the geographic location using

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the address or the near city or the latitude and longitude.

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This is very helpful for solar studies weather analyse,

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et cetera.

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But please, know this is not georeferencing your model.

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Usually, we need to do georeference our new model

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and therefore we need to define the survey

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point to match with a known point in the world.

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We can use survey coordinates from the civil engineer

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for example or we can determine the coordinates of a known

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location, such as the intersection of the property

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line or a geodetic survey marker.

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Very probably, it will be needed to protect the project North,

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to define it correctly that epsilon axis of the survey

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point.

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Or maybe is the countrary and you

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can rotate the project North before starting

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to model anything.

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The project based point will be automatically updated

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with the right coordinate as soon as you have correctly

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defined the survey point.

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However, it will be convenient that you define properly

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the project based point in a specific location

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in your project, maybe the corner of the project

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to establish a reference for the [INAUDIBLE]..

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Once we have accomplished that, we

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can start importing or linking other models or other CAD files

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And we can use the appropriate positioning option.

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So maybe you want to link auto by share coordinates, Auto

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origin to origin or automatically

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project based point to project based point.

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If we need to coordinate the location of multiple building

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or different parts of the same building.

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It is very common to use them, the shared coordinates.

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All the shared coordinates, why we will use?

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Shared coordinate are used for remembering

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the multiple position of different interlinked files.

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Those interlinked files can be ultra [INAUDIBLE] file

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or it can be a combination from Revit DWGs or the [INAUDIBLE]

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files.

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As I say, and that is a very short overview

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of the possibility to position and to your reference

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[INAUDIBLE] models.

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Let's move then now to the next section about model strategy.

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What is LOD?

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LOD stands for Level Of Development.

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Data specification combines how an element geometry is defined.

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They associate information attached

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to it and the evolution through the different phases

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of the project.

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So actually, three topics.

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Remember, geometry, information, associate

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to the element and the evelotion through the phase,

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different phases.

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LOD start at level 100, at the very beginning of the project

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doing the conceptual design phase

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and reaches 500 when it's in operational phase.

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During different LOD steps, the geometry representation

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of the element is getting more and more accurate

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but at the same time we are adding

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more and more information to that specific element.

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On the table on the right, you can

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see an example of the proposed geometry

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level that is associate to each specific level of development.

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And you can see also different information

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that is recommended to have on each specific LOD.

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In reality there is not a clear maximum size of the model.

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Actually, performance is not only dependent on the size

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but is really dependent on the complexity of the model, which

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is much more difficult to identify that the size

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of [INAUDIBLE].

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The experience will let you know and to understand

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ideal the size of the project depending on the use case

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you are handling.

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Sometimes we hear 400 megawatt is something ideal maximum

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size, but again it does not apply to every model.

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Very often, we will need to break up

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then the project in different model

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to avoid working with a very heavy file.

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For example, in architecture and that's

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the screenshot that you can see there,

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a good practice is to break up the model in different part

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like this one.

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In the bottom we have the basement

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then we have the commercial part, the office level

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and the residential level.

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That will be a good practice to divide architectural model

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for example.

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Actually, we can also have the facade in a different model

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and multiple combination.

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Another good practice when a splitting model

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will be to split it by different disciplines model.

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You will have one model for architecture,

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one model for MEP, one model for a structure and so on.

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Another solution is to prepare and define

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many modeling zones defined by your scope box for example

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and then start splitting from there.

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So typically, in architecture, we are split by external shell,

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vertical communication stair, an elevation shaft interior spaces

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for example or zone in as we saw before for residential,

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commercial, and office.

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In a structural design is not the same,

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we often split by dilatation or construction joints.

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In MEP is, again, different and we are split by system

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independently if the system is 30 meters high.

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It is important, of course, in MEP

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to have closed system in the same model.

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As you can imagine, the process is not

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easy to achieve but you will find

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that this a big improvement in the performance

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once you do the correct split of the model.

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We've just seen how to split models.

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Views, sheets, and schedules are also

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impacting the performance of the Revit file.

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You can think as well to minimize splitting the model

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and creating a container file to link your model

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and create there all the views, sheets, and schedule.

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This is particularly useful for architects

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that very often need to deliver many, many views

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from the same floorplan.

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So let's have a look to this diagram.

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At the top, we start our project by choosing the correct project

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template as we were saying at the beginning

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of the presentation.

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Then once we have our project open and safe,

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let's call project model, we define on this file

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just the coordinate system properly.

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So we define the survey point and we

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positioned the project base point where we really need it.

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But we do not model anything complete one.

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We will keep this file, let's call, I clean

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file that we can use as many times as we want.

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So we will save this file one as model file.

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So the model project file is this one

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and we will save again this one as a layout.

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We link the model into the layout.

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So we will use the model 90% of our time to model everything

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from a project and the layout to create views, to create sheet,

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and to create a schedule if needed.

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Let's see a bit more in detail.

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What should these model file contain?

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It contains all valid model elements.

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We should create some views as working in progress views

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but we should minimize the number of views, sheets,

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and schedules.

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We minimize as well the number of annotation.

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I suggest we prepare one view by level, one section, and one

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elevation that usually we need it also lay layout.

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And we prepare one for each specific ready to be printed.

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They can be shown in the layout later on us by DMV

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we will see later on how we link it there in that the case.

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So actually because you are working in the model,

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then most of your time it's good to have

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from each specific level, elevation and section

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you are usually printing one Revit view but not

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What should be then included in the layout?

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We have linking the model Revit file into the layout.

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You can also consider having one layout for the normal plans

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and one for details.

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We can call it layout plans and lay out details.

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But in general, I would say minimize

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the number of layout file because it

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helps you to avoid numbering issues having

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a better control of the naming and numbering of the sheets.

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Create all views that you needed to be

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printed on these layout file.

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If needed, you can duplicate views

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and duplicate that's dependent and crop to fit in the sheet.

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For other needs, consider to create

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views for different concept as for material, ceiling

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plans, concept of door and so on, all these does not need

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to be created in the model.

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So we needed in layout file assign view template

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to control the visibility.

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You can override in visibility graphic by host view,

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by linked view and by custom.

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So it means by default when you are

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linking the model in the layout, views

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will appear s host to you.

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It means that the view template is

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controlled by the layout file.

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If you want for a specific view to be control

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the visibility setting from the model file,

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then you have to specify by link view

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and you just select the view from the model file

21:56

that you want to represent in the layout file.

21:59

Custom will be a mix solution where

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you will choose the view from the model file

22:04

that you want to bring in the layout.

22:07

But still, you can customize and do some changes in the layout.

22:12

If you are creating a schedules or quantities take off

22:16

in the layout, remember that you should include links.

22:20

If not, it will be empty of course.

22:22

Annotation is recommended to do it in the layout

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because then the model file will be more performant

22:29

and maybe you can consider to use a scope

22:32

box to control the crop region of multiple views.

22:36

And like this one, you are placing different floor plans

22:40

in the layout in the sheet.

22:41

They are all sitting in the same place

22:43

and they are not jumping out.

22:47

So here we find a very schematic overview of both Revit file.

22:53

On the left, you can see what we call before the model Revit

22:58

and on the right, the layout.

22:60

As you can see on the Revit, there

23:02

is one floor plan by level.

23:04

Actually, we create one floor plan by level

23:07

and there are no sheets.

23:09

In sheets, it's empty.

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But in the layout Revit file, we have duplicate [INAUDIBLE]

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each specific level because they are not fitting in the sheet.

23:23

So actually we have four different views

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for each specific level.

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And moreover, we are having some views

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that they are showing the concept, as we say,

23:36

circulation concept, door concept, floor finish

23:39

concept and so on.

23:41

So we are creating use floor plans

23:45

that they are not existing in the model.

23:48

We will create the schedules and quantity as well

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and we will do all the sheet, we will create it here

23:55

in the layout.

23:57

[INAUDIBLE] existing here.

23:58

As you can imagine, all these is increasing.

24:01

If we will combine both of model and view sheets

24:06

and quantity in the same file, the size

24:09

will be sometimes not easy to handle.

24:13

So therefore, it will be a solution to a split it

24:16

in model and layout file.

24:19

So now, let's move to a different topic, worksharing.

24:22

What is worksharing?

24:24

Work sharing is a design method that

24:26

allows multiple team members to work on the same project

24:30

model at the same time.

24:32

On work sharing project, team member

24:34

are assigned to a specific functional area to work

24:37

and that is managed by the worksets.

24:40

Non-worksharing private project [INAUDIBLE] or city neighbor,

24:44

you start using worksharing in the project

24:48

as soon as you create the first worksets.

24:52

A workset is a collection of elements in a project.

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They only exist in workshared projects as we said before.

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Revit use the technology of workset

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as a mechanism to enable multiple user to collaborate

25:07

on one central model.

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And they are taking the ownership of the element

25:12

when they are attached to one of these worksets.

25:16

So now that we define what is a workset,

25:19

you can create workset based on different functional areas

25:22

such as the following, so for example

25:24

for architectural and structural engineers,

25:26

often, we create workset for interior

25:29

or exterior for the site or the facade, our furniture

25:34

and so on or in MEP, we often create a workset for HVAC,

25:41

workset for electric car, workset for plumbing.

25:44

And if the project is very big and complex,

25:47

you can subdivide as many walls of that you want.

25:51

Maybe you want to create plumbing

25:53

for a specific system as cold water in one water,

26:00

hot water in another, and so on.

26:03

That is an important distinction between working

26:06

with ownership of a workset and borrowing from a workset.

26:10

In fact, when you make a workset editable in Revit,

26:14

you are taking exclusive ownership of all the objects

26:19

that they belong to these specific workset.

26:22

Only one user can at one point be the owner of one workset.

26:27

Two people cannot be owner of the same workset.

26:30

But however, all team member, even if somebody

26:33

is the owner of the specific workset,

26:35

all team member are able to see in the project all the workset

26:40

even if they are not owned by a different team member.

26:43

But there is also the possibility

26:45

that you are not taking ownership of a specific workset

26:48

but you are borrowing a specific workset.

26:53

First option is in general a more stricter and less risky

26:59

but the second one gives you more flexibility.

27:02

Of course you can use a combination of them

27:05

and take the ownership for a specific workset

27:07

and let the others to use their borrowing option.

27:11

So with that said, let's move to a different topic

27:14

about model maintenance.

27:16

There are a few regular work to do to keep a healthy

27:20

and perform a model.

27:22

So if you are familiar with AutoCAD, the audit command,

27:25

you can understand how audit can help you to keep up performing

27:29

model in Revit as well.

27:31

The audit function scans, detect and if it's possible,

27:37

it will fix corrupt element in the model.

27:40

But keep in mind that it does not

27:42

provide you a feedback of which element has been fixed.

27:46

You have the opportunity to audit model

27:49

when opening a Revit project.

27:51

If you want to audit, you have to close it and open it again.

27:54

For workshare model, make sure that all user close their work

27:59

and they do not open again.

28:01

They'll all save local file.

28:04

If I create new one from central, if they do not do so,

28:08

you'll get back the fix error in your central file.

28:12

Auditing a model can be time consuming.

28:14

If the model is healthy it should not be very significant,

28:18

but still it can be time consuming.

28:21

So therefore we recommend to do it weekly or even daily

28:25

because you make sure that it will not

28:27

take too much time the next time that you will audit it.

28:33

And be aware that you can audit Revit project files

28:36

but you can also audit Revit families

28:39

and audit Revit templates.

28:42

Purge is also a known command in AutoCAD.

28:45

You have it as well in Revit.

28:47

It remove unused element as views, families, groups, et

28:52

cetera from the project to improve the performance

28:55

and reduce the file size.

28:57

But before purging, it is recommended

28:60

that you create a backup project file in case you

29:02

want to get back some elements that were included in the model

29:07

library but they were not in use.

29:09

In general, it's recommend not to purge all

29:12

that you find in your project but to Check None at first

29:16

and select exactly what you decide to purge.

29:19

These actually should be done by somebody

29:23

with some responsibility in the project.

29:26

Keep in mind then that when you're

29:28

working with workshared project, all workshared should

29:32

be open to use these tools.

29:34

And models that contain elements load

29:38

for a future phase in the project

29:40

as it can be that you have views,

29:42

some families, materials, any content that you want

29:46

to use in a future has been load previously,

29:49

will be also purged if you do not control it.

29:52

So be careful to purge something you need later.

29:55

Therefore, it's recommended that is done by the BIM

29:59

manager or the BIM coordinator.

30:01

You can also compact central models when synchronizing.

30:05

What is compacting central models achieving?

30:09

This helps reduce file size when saving workshare project.

30:13

So it's just value for workshared project.

30:15

The process of compacting rewrite the entire file,

30:20

it remove part that they are no longer needed

30:24

and therefore it will save some space.

30:26

Actually what this is doing is it's readjusting the database

30:30

and readjusting how the information is

30:35

stored in a more efficient way.

30:38

It is recommended to periodically select

30:41

the option of compact central model

30:44

when synchronizing to central.

30:46

In general, it's not significant time consuming

30:49

but the process can sometimes take longer

30:53

than normal synchronize takes.

30:56

So it's recommended to do if you can interrupt

31:00

your workflow for a bit longer.

31:04

The benefit of a compacting central model

31:08

is just as we say, for version model,

31:12

is not affecting the local file from the central model,

31:18

that you extract from the central model.

31:20

And this is not possible to do it for normal none

31:24

workshare Revit project.

31:27

So therefore because it's not extended to local files,

31:31

it is recommend that you are creating new local file

31:35

at the beginning of your work day

31:36

and not to open your old local file

31:40

because you will lose the power of compacting a central model.

31:46

It is very usual for Revit model get very different warning

31:50

types.

31:51

So when working on a Revit project,

31:53

you can review a list of warning methods

31:56

to use and to find issues that might

31:59

require review and resolution.

32:02

Unlike error methods, warning methods

32:05

do not prohibit the current action.

32:09

You do not realize when a warning occurred.

32:12

You are modeling and modeling and suddenly you

32:14

realize that you have a couple of hundreds warning,

32:18

but the warning they just informed you

32:20

that a situation might not be your intention

32:24

and you can then decide if you want

32:26

to correct or to ignore it.

32:29

So it's recommend that you review

32:31

and you correct the warnings regularly not

32:35

to come at the end of your project

32:36

without enough warnings.

32:38

And you should know that you should prioritize the warning

32:41

that they are involved in geometry and calculation,

32:44

how they can affect your performance of your model

32:48

or the quality of the model.

32:50

So in general, there are warning that they do not

32:53

affect performance and there are warning they do affect.

32:57

But you should concentrate resolving the one

33:00

that they are giving some inaccuracies in the drawings

33:04

or the one that they are about duplicate element or clash

33:08

detection elements because all these error or warnings

33:12

actually have an effect of the cost estimation of the quantity

33:18

estimation, the quantity they got,

33:20

and the clash detection of your project.

33:23

So warnings can be exported in a HTML file.

33:29

This file will include the error message

33:32

and the ID of the element that they are impacting.

33:36

So we recommend that you use these ID

33:38

that you find on the HTML to find the element in Revit

33:43

and then check if you should repair or not

33:45

and understand where the problem is happening.

33:49

And finally for this section, is also

33:51

recommend to manually review your model.

33:54

There is a way to have automate the process.

33:57

You can use working in process schedules in Revit

34:00

to review the data and check if the parameter are populated

34:05

correctly.

34:06

So for example, you can use the grouping

34:09

and the conditional formatting in schedule

34:12

to identify elements with parameters

34:14

that are usually out of range.

34:17

It is a good practice to prepare some work in progress schedule

34:21

to continue monitoring the quality of the model.

34:24

So for example, you see here on this image,

34:27

there is a scheduled for walls that we are controlling

34:32

the height of the wall.

34:34

So we know that this specific family type of wall,

34:38

there is [INAUDIBLE] basic wall interior

34:41

is usually room height.

34:43

So if suddenly it's not going to the--

34:47

it's just 1 meter or 1 meter

34:53

actually it's jump out in a different line

34:57

and you identify that.

34:58

It might be an currency.

35:00

So that's a way to check if the model is correct or not.

35:05

You can do it also to see the high position of the door

35:08

or of the window.

35:10

So if this specific family window are not

35:15

sitting 80 centimeter from the floor,

35:17

then it jumps out of the list and you can easily look for it.

35:23

So let's jump now to the next section

35:25

about how the work with links.

35:28

In Revit, we can link and we can as well

35:32

import different file format.

35:34

So we can link Revit models, we can link or open IFCs,

35:40

we can link or import CAD format as dwg, dxf, dgn, sat, SketchUp

35:49

or 3dn.

35:50

But actually, there are other type format

35:53

that we can bring as topographies from dwg

35:57

as well or from pixable, we can link

36:00

point cloud, coordination model from Naviswork, Nvidia NVS, VC.

36:06

We can link or import PDF and images.

36:10

Let's talk about Revit models link in driving model.

36:14

We are linking driving model into Revit model

36:17

for different purposes.

36:18

So usually we are going for putting together

36:22

different buildings such as a campus, where

36:25

we link different building into one file collecting

36:29

all the different building together.

36:31

We are doing as well to put together a different part

36:34

of a same large building.

36:36

So it can be that the facade is one Revit model,

36:42

the interior is a different one.

36:44

Maybe the side is another model and so on.

36:48

We are doing also to coordinate disciplines are

36:51

as the one we see in the image.

36:52

So on the top right, we have the architectural model

36:57

and on the bottom right, we have the structural model.

37:00

And finally, we can do it as well

37:03

from the workflow we saw before to bring the model

37:07

into our layout model.

37:08

So we do all the modeling in the model

37:13

and we define and we link this one in the layout

37:17

that we define.

37:19

Links model are listed in the Revit links

37:23

branch of the project browser.

37:25

So here, Revit automatically update the link

37:29

when you open the project.

37:31

That's why you can always have these links

37:34

if you go to Manage, Manage Links

37:36

and then just reload them [INAUDIBLE],,

37:39

if you want to reload the link model

37:41

during your private session.

37:43

Be aware that you should set up correctly the link reference

37:47

type.

37:48

You have the possibility to choose

37:50

between overlay and attachment.

37:52

Overlay does not load the link model

37:56

when its host is link into another model.

37:59

And by default, this is the setting

38:01

you get when you link the model.

38:03

So that would be the schema represented in this game.

38:08

So you will link the project A in the project B as overlap

38:12

and then you link the project B in project C.

38:15

In that case because the project A

38:18

is linked as overlay, the project A

38:21

is not shown in the project C.

38:24

If you link as attachment, it makes the link model visible

38:28

when its host is link into our third model.

38:32

That will be this image.

38:33

So you model A in Model B as attachment

38:37

and then you link the project B in project C and there

38:40

are all three visible in project C.

38:44

When you link a model in Revit, Revit, in the background

38:48

opens the link model and keep in memory.

38:53

The modeling a project contains, the longer it takes to open.

38:56

So here are sure tip, [INAUDIBLE]

38:58

the link in different worksets.

39:00

So maybe you create a workset, you

39:03

want to keep that and you have your model, architectural model

39:05

and you want to bring the structural model,

39:07

make a workset for the structure,

39:09

make a workset for MEP and place the model from this discipline

39:14

in specific workset.

39:16

And like this, you can decide if when

39:19

you are opening your project do you want to include the links

39:22

or not.

39:24

It's not deleting the link, it's just not

39:26

showing if you do not want to include something

39:30

during the private session, you can get back and include it.

39:34

But it will take less time to open if you do not need it.

39:38

Use workset for Revit links to control also the visibility.

39:42

So you can prepare three reviews, one 3D review

39:46

for each specific worksets.

39:47

And like this you make sure that in each specific review,

39:52

just the specific workset is shown and not the rest.

39:57

And like this, you can control easily

39:59

if each element is associated to the right workset

40:03

because you will see very easily if the elements belonged

40:07

to this especially workset that is shown in the 3D.

40:10

Actually, working with links implies different challenges

40:14

and you should be aware of them.

40:16

And you are working with links, there

40:18

is a limitation of the joining of the element.

40:22

There is a limitation in the interaction between them.

40:25

So you cannot be able to model a door in one model and have

40:31

the work in a different one because it will not cut out

40:34

the opening in the wall.

40:35

If you have two walls in different model,

40:39

they will have no [INAUDIBLE] problem.

40:40

So you have to be aware how did you divide it

40:43

into different Revit models.

40:45

You will get some challenges as well

40:47

when managing the elements names, the numbering,

40:51

the data that identify these elements between the host

40:56

and the link.

40:58

You have to be very careful that you are naming them properly.

41:01

And finally, have to pay special attention

41:04

to manage model standards, the workset, the visibility

41:07

settings, the phases.

41:09

Then once you do a change in one model,

41:12

it should be accordingly changing the different one.

41:17

A link model can be copied any number of times

41:20

that you decide on the host project.

41:22

We will copy link more than on the host

41:25

project for different purposes.

41:27

For example, when we are working and designing

41:30

an housing urban development and we are repeating the same house

41:35

design several times, then we can at the beginning

41:39

of the phase at least just have one house [INAUDIBLE]

41:43

project and copy paste on the host project.

41:46

We are using a [INAUDIBLE] when we

41:49

are working with high-rise towers

41:52

where every specific level are repeated very often.

41:55

So you can just model one level and copy

41:59

paste in the house model.

42:01

But we can do also at the room level.

42:03

So for hospital and hotel is very often where

42:06

rooms are very often repeated, just

42:09

model the room in one Revit project

42:12

and then you copy in the host.

42:14

So when you are copying in a link model

42:16

into your house model, automatically a new name

42:19

is generate.

42:20

You should name it correctly to have a better control of it.

42:24

And you should know as well that you can override in the display

42:27

settings for the whole link like we would have here and do

42:31

manage basically the settings.

42:34

So it will be for the whole Revit wallet

42:37

but also specifically for each of the copies.

42:41

And finally, you should procure to have

42:43

and to use the same faces names in both of the model.

42:47

If you are not using the same phase name in the host

42:51

and in the link, a recommendation

42:53

will be to use face mapping to make sure

42:56

that one phase of the link is of reference

42:60

to the phase of the host.

43:03

So when we are working with links,

43:06

there is something that we can bring into the work flow, that

43:09

is the copy monitor tool.

43:12

So this scheme is showing just a continuation

43:15

of the previous example we saw when

43:17

we were talking about the concept of model Revit file

43:21

and layout Revit file.

43:23

Even if we don't need to separate

43:25

the model and the layout into different file,

43:27

it can be a combination of both, we

43:29

can add a [INAUDIBLE] or a second Revit model

43:34

that we will call level grid Revit.

43:38

We will bring it from the model, but please

43:41

remember it's the positioning and geolocation of the project

43:47

is already currently set up.

43:48

We just save with a new name at this level grid

43:52

and we will link the level grid into the layout into the model

43:57

or in the combination of both.

43:59

We will have the model and the layout in the same Revit file.

44:03

In the level grid, we will create all levels and grid

44:08

and then we will link it on this file.

44:10

And then in the model or layout file,

44:13

we will use the tool of copy monitor

44:17

to coordinate the grids and the level

44:20

from one single source of truth.

44:22

That will be this level grid.

44:24

It will help us to reduce mistake.

44:27

And if there is any change on these level grid file,

44:31

it will be automatically update and notified

44:34

in our model and layout.

44:38

So how does a copy monitor work?

44:40

So in model and layout, we copy monitor all levels and grids

44:45

from the links.

44:45

So you find here in Collaborate tool, in the collaborate menu,

44:50

Copy monitor and then we select the links

44:52

and we start copy monitoring the level from the level

44:57

grid of Revit file to the layout or modify.

45:02

Once we have done this correctly,

45:04

we can share the level grid Revit

45:07

with all the partners and all the stakeholders

45:10

that they are collaborating.

45:11

And like this, we make sure that this model is the only source

45:16

of truth to assure us that we have the correct position

45:20

of the level and of the links.

45:23

If there are any change, we should send everyone

45:27

and give access to these level grid Revit.

45:32

Actually, yes.

45:33

For your information, there are other categories

45:35

that can be also copy monitored as column, wall, floor,

45:39

openings and MEP fixture.

45:42

This image shows how it will work.

45:45

In [INAUDIBLE] you see in the level grid Revit file,

45:50

and here we are in the model, in the Revit model.

45:54

So we see in black, parapet and roof level.

45:59

So once they are copy monitor the levels and the level

46:04

from the level grid is update, so you

46:09

have a new elevation of it, you will get a notification as soon

46:13

as the link is reloaded.

46:17

So you will get a notification and it will say you,

46:19

if you want to accept the difference

46:23

or if you want to move it or you want to postpone,

46:25

you have different solution.

46:28

If there are different levels that have been moved,

46:31

you can select all of them and tell them

46:35

to move to the right position.

46:38

With that said, let's talk now about linking IFC into Revit.

46:42

You can use the information from Industry Foundation Classes

46:46

files in Revit model when you want

46:48

to collaborate with other non-Revit models

46:51

in an open beam workflow.

46:53

To use IFC files in a Revit model,

46:56

you can either open the IFC you are importing into Revit

47:01

or you can link it.

47:02

You open the IFC file in Revit to create

47:05

a new model that use the IFC data as a starting point.

47:09

So if there are later changes on the IFC,

47:12

they will not be reflected on the Revit model,

47:15

is just imported open at once.

47:17

In that case, is usually recommend

47:20

to link the IFC file to an existing Revit model

47:23

to reference the information for additional design work.

47:27

And the model can be update, the IFC can be update

47:31

and then you just need to reload the IFC

47:33

and the change will be shown, the [INAUDIBLE] change

47:36

will be shown from the new IFC in your [INAUDIBLE]..

47:40

Revit support in different IFC format

47:43

based on the International Alliance for Interoperability.

47:47

These are IFC4, IFC2x3, 2x2 and 2x.

47:54

Before opening or linking an IFC file,

47:57

you can specify the template you want to use from another Revit

48:01

file, you can load a single txt file

48:05

that is used to map the IFC classes to the Revit category.

48:10

And you can manually override the Revit categories

48:13

for IFC classes.

48:15

If you have existing design create using AutoCAD,

48:20

you can import this AutoCAD or any other CAD format

48:24

to the [INAUDIBLE] model.

48:26

However, if the DWG or the CAD is update after [INAUDIBLE]

48:31

imported, now Revit will not automatically

48:34

reflect this change.

48:36

Import CAD files or DWGs, they affect negatively

48:41

to the Revit performance.

48:43

You will not be able to find them

48:45

because they can be copying different view,

48:48

they can even be hidden and you will not

48:50

have an easier way to find it.

48:53

If you import the file, you can always explode the DWG

48:58

to the Revit elements but we strongly

49:01

recommend not to explore DWG files in Revit.

49:04

It is possible but this is really not recommended

49:07

because it will really affect the negatively

49:09

to their performance.

49:10

Consider to import them.

49:12

In that case, if you really want to import an empty link,

49:15

consider the import that on an empty Revit model

49:19

and link it into your own model.

49:21

This last [INAUDIBLE] model.

49:24

It makes [INAUDIBLE] model is clean

49:27

and you can easily handle the visibility of the DWG

49:31

by handling the visibility of the link Revit model.

49:35

So in general, to wrap up here, importing DWGs or CAD file

49:41

is not the recommended option.

49:44

If possible, always link the DWGs.

49:48

So if you have existing design created

49:50

using AutoCAD or other CAD product,

49:54

you can link that into our Revit models.

49:58

Linking CAD files is usually the right approach.

50:01

If you link in the DWG or the CAD file,

50:04

they can easily be updated to reflect

50:07

the changes from the CAD file.

50:10

However, keep in mind that in this case,

50:12

you cannot explode the nest in DWG links to Revit elements.

50:17

Why and when should we link that file in the Revit project?

50:22

Use the CAD file as a starting point for your desire.

50:25

It is common that the project team

50:27

receives documentation within DWDs or AutoCAD

50:31

format resulting from a competition or some

50:35

[INAUDIBLE].

50:36

So you can link these documents into your Revit

50:39

as a starting point to create journal.

50:42

You can use also DWGs or CAD format

50:45

to bring the site plan into your Revit project.

50:49

Civil engineers or landscape architect

50:52

often follow what one documentation in different CAD

50:54

format.

50:55

And this is very useful just to link and get it

50:57

in your [INAUDIBLE].

50:59

You can use CAD format to include 2D details in Revit

51:04

instead of doing the detailing in AutoCAD,

51:06

but you can do it in Revit just by bringing

51:09

these DWGs directly.

51:12

In this case, you can also consider to link PDFs.

51:15

Their appearance will be easier to manage if you bring

51:18

in the detail already as a PDF.

51:22

You can place these links from PDF or DWGs

51:25

on views or directly on drafting views.

51:29

In general, it's very useful to collaborate with partner

51:33

not just working without of color on a project like these.

51:37

You can keep working on Revit and collaborate

51:41

with other stakeholders that they are still working on CAD.

51:46

If you want to bring CAD file into private families,

51:50

you have just the option to import them not to link them

51:54

as you have in Revit file.

51:56

So you might want to clean [INAUDIBLE] CAD files in family

51:60

to include 2D information.

52:02

For example, you want to enrich their appearance

52:04

for the day link and the day component families.

52:07

But if possible, it is recommended always

52:09

to create the geometry in Revit not to import the DWGs.

52:12

You can import maybe the DWG, use it

52:15

as a reference to recreate the lines, the symbol lines,

52:19

and then delete it before loading

52:21

the family on the project.

52:23

That would be ideal.

52:25

So when linking DWG file into Revit project,

52:29

consider to create a specific workset if you are

52:33

working on a work-shared model.

52:35

But consider as well to create a Model-in-Place Family

52:39

and select the right category and link the DWG

52:42

inside this Model-in-Place.

52:44

It allows you to cut the geometry of the CAD file,

52:49

always, of course, if it's loading a category family.

52:52

If it's not linked inside the Model-in-Place family,

52:55

then the DWG will not be [INAUDIBLE]..

52:59

It also helps if you want to get the DWG in the Revit schedule

53:05

as a new element.

53:08

As I was saying in the beginning,

53:10

Revit project and DWG can share coordinates.

53:14

So consider to establish a coordinate between DWG

53:17

and Revit files to ensure a correct position.

53:21

Before linking the DWG file into Revit,

53:24

there are some recommended step you should take into account.

53:27

For example, remove any unnecessary data as layer

53:32

that you are not using, that you don't want

53:34

to bring directly in AutoCAD.

53:37

It will impact positively to the performance.

53:41

Keep the CAD drawing in a small area.

53:43

Do not bring and extend CAD if you cannot not need the whole

53:47

extension of it, also affecting to the performance.

53:51

It is recommend to purge and audit the DWG.

53:54

As we say for Revit before, change the proxy graphics

53:59

variable value to one and export proxy object

54:03

to native AutoCAD object.

54:05

Change all the text at font to a present Revit font.

54:11

Arial, for example, would be an example.

54:13

So make sure that the font that they are showing in AutoCAD

54:16

is included in Revit.

54:18

And finally, bind all XRefs if you

54:22

want them to show up in Revit.

54:25

With that said, we are actually at the last section,

54:27

where we will talk about performance best practices.

54:31

Let's talk about that next.

54:33

Updates provide fixes and new feature

54:36

within the same Revit version.

54:39

Revit user working on the same central model

54:42

must collaborate with in the same Revit version.

54:46

It is not possible otherwise.

54:49

But in addition, it is highly recommend to work in the same

54:52

build and hotfix.

54:54

Apparently, it is possible to work on the same central file

54:59

with different build and hotfix, but it

55:02

is a high potential risk you should not

55:05

take to avoid model corruption.

55:08

You can always have a look for new update your AutoDesk

55:11

Desktop app or go through your AutoDesk portal.

55:16

Let's talk about model groups.

55:17

Model groups are an important point

55:19

to pay special attention if we want to keep a high performance

55:23

model.

55:24

In fact, model groups slow file performance

55:27

and increase the file size considerably.

55:29

I understand we often need to work with model groups.

55:33

But they will advise to remove groups

55:36

as soon as they are no longer needed.

55:38

Do not include any Datum Object into a group

55:42

as levels or grids.

55:44

It is highly recommend as well to include elements

55:47

in a group within the same workset.

55:49

Host element and hosting element should

55:53

be always grouped together.

55:55

Remember that the groups should not

55:57

be a replacement of families.

55:59

Anything you can do with a family

56:01

should be done with family and not

56:03

by grouping different element.

56:05

Use groups only if they are at least

56:08

repeated a minimum of instance.

56:10

The news groups is they are just repeated once or twice.

56:15

It's not recommended to nest group within a group.

56:21

Even if you can think that in some situation

56:24

from preliminary design can be a quick solution and helpful,

56:28

it also generates frustration to access

56:30

to the right information.

56:32

And also, when you want to get out of the group,

56:35

again, difficult because you have to close the group,

56:39

close the next group, and so on.

56:41

Finally, do not mirror groups.

56:44

It might work, apparently, in Revit but not in real life.

56:48

So better always to create a right and a left version.

56:52

So for example in equipment usually,

56:54

they do not exist on a mirror version.

56:57

Or if you mirror a door or a group containing a door,

57:01

the swing information of the door will probably be false.

57:07

Let's talk about rooms and space.

57:10

Rooms and space are also affecting

57:12

to the model performance.

57:14

It's convenient only to check the Room Bounding

57:17

option for the link file if it's absolutely necessary.

57:21

If the file is not affected to the new bounding option,

57:25

it should not be selected.

57:27

So Select the link, Edit Type, uncheck the Room Bounding.

57:31

You see here.

57:33

That's by selecting the type and edit it.

57:36

You should unselect the Room Bounding

57:38

if the link is not affecting to the calculation of the room.

57:43

If your model has a warning about overlapping room

57:46

boundaries, this is one of the Warning

57:49

that you should resolve as soon as possible.

57:52

It is affecting the performance of the model,

57:54

but it's also affecting the accuracy of your model.

57:58

So consider to place a room separation

58:00

line on a specific workset for better control.

58:04

You can prepare, as we say before, a 3D view just

58:08

showing this specific workset.

58:10

Unlike this, you can control all the room

58:12

separation line if they are set in the right workset.

58:16

Try to avoid overlapping between room

58:19

or a space separation line between themselves, but as well

58:23

with walls.

58:24

You will get also warning about it

58:26

and is one of the priority one you should take out.

58:31

And finally, Volume Computation should be enabled just

58:35

when really is needed.

58:37

It's taking a lot of resources off the performance.

58:41

And you can see it here, Area and Volume Computation,

58:46

in general, if it's not needed, area, volumes,

58:50

I recommend that you are working only with areas and not

58:55

with volumes.

58:57

Configure project view to optimize Revit performance.

59:01

The setup of the view will also affect the performance

59:04

of your Revit model.

59:05

Specify a simple drafting view as a starting view

59:09

for your Revit project.

59:11

It will help you to improve the performance

59:13

when opening the project.

59:14

Revit will take less resources to open a simple view

59:19

than to recreate a 3D complex geometry that maybe you don't

59:23

need to access at that point.

59:25

You can also use section boxes to limit the visible geometry

59:29

in 3D views.

59:31

So Revit does not need to calculate the whole geometry

59:33

of your project if you are only working on a specific area.

59:37

Avoid to use the common permanently hiding

59:42

elements in view.

59:43

Turn off the categories that you don't need on the visibility

59:48

graphic or in the view templates and assign the right level

59:52

of detail to this view.

59:55

It will take less resources to calculate

59:58

the geometry and the view itself.

60:01

When working with many views that you are not using,

60:05

it's recommended that you close open views.

60:08

It will take less resources than having all views open

60:12

at the same time.

60:13

We often create work in progress view no longer needed.

60:18

It's convenient to minimize the number of them in your project.

60:21

So regularly, try to delete unused views.

60:25

When you use the Paste Aligned tool to views

60:27

that they are closed, the target views

60:30

will open and close automatically.

60:33

You can improve the performance of this common Paste Aligned

60:37

by opening first all the targeted views

60:40

before the operation of Pasting Aligned.

60:44

Minimize the view depth when it's possible in elevation,

60:49

in plans, or section views.

60:51

Revit will take less resource to recreate the geometry

60:54

since there is less quantity of object to calculate

60:58

in the background.

60:59

Even if they are hidden, this element by another element,

61:02

it takes less resources.

61:05

So for the same purpose, you can also

61:07

consider back clipping views to reduce the quantity of geometry

61:11

maintained on these view.

61:14

Thank you for joining.

61:16

I hope you find this session informative,

61:19

and you could take out some insight for your next project.

61:23

If you need any help from AutoDesk,

61:26

do not hesitate to contact your customer success

61:28

manager or your designated super specialist or in any case,

61:33

your AutoDesk partner.

61:36

They would be happy to help.

61:39

Thanks again for joining.

61:40

And thanks for watching.

Video transcript

00:00

[MUSIC PLAYING]

00:08

Hello, everyone, and welcome to this presentation

00:11

about setting up Revit for AEC project.

00:14

Thank you for joining.

00:16

My name is Daniel.

00:17

I'm working as a designated support specialist in Autodesk

00:21

and I'll be presenting today.

00:23

By the end of today's session, you'll

00:25

learn about what you need to do before starting

00:29

the project in Revit.

00:31

We will talk about coordinate system,

00:34

we will see what take into account in the model strategy,

00:39

how to know the best of the model maintenance,

00:43

how to work with different links in Revit.

00:47

And we will need some good practice about performance.

00:52

Before starting, I want to share the safe harbor statement.

00:56

Essentially, it says the product and service and features are

01:01

subject to change and purchasing decisions should not be made

01:04

based on this presentation.

01:06

And let's move to the first section,

01:08

what these recommend doing before to start the project.

01:12

In general, companies working with Revit

01:14

invest time and effort in developing templates

01:18

according to their own standards because they

01:21

know the template help to maintain

01:23

quality and consistency across everyone within a field.

01:28

They also save users a lot of time

01:31

by setting up the necessary standards in advance

01:35

so people don't have to start everything from scratch.

01:39

This is especially important for some discipline,

01:43

the structural design and they MEP discipline

01:46

because they have to accomplish in general very

01:49

complex calculation.

01:50

And there are very specific settings

01:52

that they are only specific to this discipline.

01:56

I'm thinking, for example, about reinforcement parameter,

02:00

this is only important for structural engineers

02:03

in general.

02:04

MEP or architects don't need to have

02:07

all these setting correctly set up in the template.

02:11

Is the same with other setting for MEP

02:14

or structural engineers.

02:16

So where can you find the various project templates

02:20

in Revit?

02:21

When Revit is installed, default Revit templates

02:26

generate Autodesk has been saved in the following path.

02:31

So you have in C, program data, then from the Autodesk, Revit

02:36

and the version of Revit and then templates.

02:40

Please note that the file extension for Revit templates

02:43

is not rvt coming from the right [INAUDIBLE],,

02:46

but this rte from Revit template.

02:49

There is a different one for Revit

02:50

families and Revit family templates.

02:54

As we said before, you can create new project templates

02:57

and save them in the same location or a different one.

03:01

In Revit, through file, option and file location,

03:05

you can specify the default location of the one Revit

03:09

will show up when creating a new project.

03:12

To facilitate the selection of the template,

03:14

when do you want to create a new project?

03:16

If you do not see in there the specific template

03:20

you want to bring it to your new project,

03:24

then you can always browse for it.

03:26

So you see it here.

03:30

By Browse, you can select the template

03:32

that it's maybe [INAUDIBLE] and all that.

03:35

Finally, all these setting definition path

03:38

and other variables can be managed through a simple txt

03:41

file.

03:42

It's the Revit.ini file.

03:44

As I say, it's a simple txt file and very

03:48

useful to distribute across the whole organization

03:51

and make sure that all user get the right path to the company

03:55

templates and to other variables that you want to standardize

03:60

What could be included in project templates?

04:03

Anything included in project template

04:05

is subject to customization.

04:08

We can even divide in 3D groups or you can include it

04:12

in project templates.

04:13

We are grouping by visibility, content and setting.

04:17

In this slide and the following one,

04:19

you see a list of the main topics included in each group.

04:24

In relation with visibility, you can include viewport types,

04:29

you can bring views, already defined views, schedules,

04:33

sheets and legends.

04:35

You can include view types, you can prepare the browser

04:40

organanization as you desire.

04:43

You can include filter.

04:44

And what is very important, you can put view templates or color

04:49

schemes.

04:49

We will talk about view templates.

04:52

About content, you can include the naming standard

04:56

you are used to work in the company,

04:60

you can bring annotation family, title blocks,

05:04

any kind of family outlook, loadable

05:05

and system family can be already included in the templates.

05:09

All type of parameter, project parameters, shared parameter

05:13

and global parameter can be included as well.

05:16

And you can prepare some placeholder links

05:18

that you will lead that change by the right model.

05:23

Related to Settings, we can include many points.

05:27

Here, a list of the main ones.

05:30

So we can bring material libraries, object style.

05:34

We can define the settings to export the DWG.

05:39

We can have the line of style, and you see here

05:43

in the screenshot.

05:44

Line wave, line pattern, we also include it,

05:48

hatch pattern as well, MEP setting

05:51

and the structural settings, revisions,

05:54

the units of the project.

05:57

You can predefine worksets and phases.

06:02

There are other templates very important to take into account

06:05

to assure a standardization and maintain

06:07

the quality and consistency of your project.

06:09

These are the view templates we talk about before.

06:12

All these are view template.

06:14

So a view template is a collection of view properties.

06:18

As the scale, the detail level, some visibility

06:21

settings and so on.

06:24

View templates are used to a standardized project views.

06:28

You can in View Templates, you can create templates

06:31

from Current View, then you can apply the template

06:35

to the current view or to a different one.

06:38

And you can manage the view templates

06:41

and change the visibility settings.

06:44

View template as best practice, prepare them

06:48

before starting a project.

06:50

Even if you will define and [INAUDIBLE] step by

06:53

step building the project life.

06:56

Many of them view templates have been improved

06:60

during the project life of our Revit project,

07:03

therefore we decide to recover them from different projects

07:06

to the current one.

07:08

There is a very useful tool allowing you to transfer them

07:11

between two Revit client or between a family and a project.

07:16

It is called the transfer project standard tool.

07:20

Actually, there are multiple combinations

07:21

you can transfer projects standard between doing

07:24

Revit project, Revit template or Revit families.

07:28

Any combination that you want between all these type.

07:31

So let's see how to transfer project standard.

07:34

To transfer projects standard, first of all,

07:36

we need to open in the same Revit session

07:39

both of the files.

07:41

In the target file, you have to be active in the target file

07:45

and then go to Manage tab, Settings panel and Transfer

07:48

Project Standards.

07:51

Select the source project for Copy from in case

07:54

that you have different files open there.

07:58

And then to select the desired project standard

08:01

that you want to bring, there are different categories

08:04

that you can select.

08:06

We will see in the next slide, which one and you will bring

08:09

into your current project or the families

08:12

that they are included in this category.

08:15

If there are duplicate types, a duplicate type dialogue

08:19

will be displayed.

08:20

You will have the possibility to select the option

08:23

to override the family that you have in your current project

08:27

to bring only the one that they are new

08:30

or to cancel the whole operation.

08:33

So what can we include when transferring project standards.

08:37

There is a long list of categories

08:39

we can recover from one project to another.

08:42

As you can see in this slide that actually is not

08:44

showing all of them but you can get

08:47

an overview of the different topic you can include.

08:50

In the right, you can see a screenshot

08:51

of the different categories that you can get

08:54

and you can select all of them, you

08:56

can just select the one that you decide to transfer

08:59

from one project to another.

09:02

When transferring project standards,

09:04

there are a few good practice to take into account.

09:08

In the out of the box solution, there

09:10

are some limitations to transfer a specific family or type.

09:14

It is just not possible to select which type

09:16

or which family from specific categories

09:19

you want to transfer.

09:20

It is only possible to select the whole category.

09:23

If the idea is to get back in your project specific families,

09:26

you always have the possibility to copy paste

09:30

or to save in your window folder and log it again

09:34

in your project.

09:35

Keep in mind that you can also use Dynamo to load

09:38

multiple families at once.

09:40

It can be very useful to automate the process

09:43

at the beginning of the project or when

09:46

changing to a new phase.

09:48

It is convenient to transfer system families that

09:51

rely in other system families at once

09:54

because you will make sure that their relationship is correctly

09:58

maintained.

09:59

We can repeat the same tip for view template and filter.

10:03

They should be transferred together not

10:04

to lose the relationship of the filter that are included

10:08

in each specific view template.

10:10

Be careful, if the target project contains already viewed

10:14

templates and filter with the same name, in that case,

10:18

you might want to rename or delete them before.

10:22

There are some items in Revit not subject to be transferred

10:26

between projects.

10:27

These are elevation or section types and the visibility

10:30

setting for Revit links.

10:33

As you might be aware, it is not possible to store system family

10:36

out of the Revit project.

10:39

System family rely are safe within the session of the Revit

10:43

project.

10:44

It is a good practice then to save

10:46

system family as wall, floor, ceilings, stairs, pipes

10:50

or ducts, et cetera of the system family

10:53

within a Revit project.

10:54

And every time you need them, get the family type

10:58

back from this project by copy pasting it.

11:01

Consider to have then in that case

11:04

a specific project for each specific category.

11:07

For example or by discipline you can

11:10

get one project for architectural system

11:14

family, one project for MEP system family

11:17

or you can do it by categories.

11:20

So let's surely talk about the coordinate system.

11:23

Actually, coordinate system represent

11:26

by themself a big topic.

11:27

A whole presentation would be needed to address and explain

11:31

it properly.

11:32

However, I want to include in this presentation

11:35

a short statement on this because it's really

11:38

important that when sending out your project,

11:41

you position correctly your project.

11:44

In where you have the possibility

11:45

to specify the geographic location using

11:48

the address or the near city or the latitude and longitude.

11:53

This is very helpful for solar studies weather analyse,

11:57

et cetera.

11:59

But please, know this is not georeferencing your model.

12:03

Usually, we need to do georeference our new model

12:06

and therefore we need to define the survey

12:08

point to match with a known point in the world.

12:11

We can use survey coordinates from the civil engineer

12:14

for example or we can determine the coordinates of a known

12:17

location, such as the intersection of the property

12:21

line or a geodetic survey marker.

12:24

Very probably, it will be needed to protect the project North,

12:29

to define it correctly that epsilon axis of the survey

12:33

point.

12:33

Or maybe is the countrary and you

12:36

can rotate the project North before starting

12:38

to model anything.

12:40

The project based point will be automatically updated

12:43

with the right coordinate as soon as you have correctly

12:46

defined the survey point.

12:47

However, it will be convenient that you define properly

12:52

the project based point in a specific location

12:54

in your project, maybe the corner of the project

12:57

to establish a reference for the [INAUDIBLE]..

13:01

Once we have accomplished that, we

13:03

can start importing or linking other models or other CAD files

13:08

And we can use the appropriate positioning option.

13:11

So maybe you want to link auto by share coordinates, Auto

13:17

origin to origin or automatically

13:20

project based point to project based point.

13:22

If we need to coordinate the location of multiple building

13:26

or different parts of the same building.

13:28

It is very common to use them, the shared coordinates.

13:31

All the shared coordinates, why we will use?

13:34

Shared coordinate are used for remembering

13:36

the multiple position of different interlinked files.

13:40

Those interlinked files can be ultra [INAUDIBLE] file

13:43

or it can be a combination from Revit DWGs or the [INAUDIBLE]

13:47

files.

13:48

As I say, and that is a very short overview

13:51

of the possibility to position and to your reference

13:54

[INAUDIBLE] models.

13:56

Let's move then now to the next section about model strategy.

14:00

What is LOD?

14:02

LOD stands for Level Of Development.

14:05

Data specification combines how an element geometry is defined.

14:10

They associate information attached

14:12

to it and the evolution through the different phases

14:16

of the project.

14:17

So actually, three topics.

14:19

Remember, geometry, information, associate

14:23

to the element and the evelotion through the phase,

14:26

different phases.

14:27

LOD start at level 100, at the very beginning of the project

14:32

doing the conceptual design phase

14:34

and reaches 500 when it's in operational phase.

14:40

During different LOD steps, the geometry representation

14:44

of the element is getting more and more accurate

14:48

but at the same time we are adding

14:49

more and more information to that specific element.

14:53

On the table on the right, you can

14:55

see an example of the proposed geometry

14:59

level that is associate to each specific level of development.

15:03

And you can see also different information

15:06

that is recommended to have on each specific LOD.

15:11

In reality there is not a clear maximum size of the model.

15:14

Actually, performance is not only dependent on the size

15:20

but is really dependent on the complexity of the model, which

15:24

is much more difficult to identify that the size

15:26

of [INAUDIBLE].

15:27

The experience will let you know and to understand

15:29

ideal the size of the project depending on the use case

15:34

you are handling.

15:35

Sometimes we hear 400 megawatt is something ideal maximum

15:39

size, but again it does not apply to every model.

15:44

Very often, we will need to break up

15:47

then the project in different model

15:49

to avoid working with a very heavy file.

15:53

For example, in architecture and that's

15:55

the screenshot that you can see there,

15:57

a good practice is to break up the model in different part

16:03

like this one.

16:05

In the bottom we have the basement

16:07

then we have the commercial part, the office level

16:13

and the residential level.

16:15

That will be a good practice to divide architectural model

16:19

for example.

16:20

Actually, we can also have the facade in a different model

16:24

and multiple combination.

16:26

Another good practice when a splitting model

16:29

will be to split it by different disciplines model.

16:32

You will have one model for architecture,

16:34

one model for MEP, one model for a structure and so on.

16:38

Another solution is to prepare and define

16:40

many modeling zones defined by your scope box for example

16:44

and then start splitting from there.

16:46

So typically, in architecture, we are split by external shell,

16:52

vertical communication stair, an elevation shaft interior spaces

16:58

for example or zone in as we saw before for residential,

17:02

commercial, and office.

17:06

In a structural design is not the same,

17:09

we often split by dilatation or construction joints.

17:12

In MEP is, again, different and we are split by system

17:17

independently if the system is 30 meters high.

17:21

It is important, of course, in MEP

17:23

to have closed system in the same model.

17:26

As you can imagine, the process is not

17:29

easy to achieve but you will find

17:32

that this a big improvement in the performance

17:36

once you do the correct split of the model.

17:40

We've just seen how to split models.

17:42

Views, sheets, and schedules are also

17:46

impacting the performance of the Revit file.

17:49

You can think as well to minimize splitting the model

17:52

and creating a container file to link your model

17:56

and create there all the views, sheets, and schedule.

18:01

This is particularly useful for architects

18:04

that very often need to deliver many, many views

18:07

from the same floorplan.

18:08

So let's have a look to this diagram.

18:11

At the top, we start our project by choosing the correct project

18:15

template as we were saying at the beginning

18:17

of the presentation.

18:18

Then once we have our project open and safe,

18:22

let's call project model, we define on this file

18:27

just the coordinate system properly.

18:30

So we define the survey point and we

18:33

positioned the project base point where we really need it.

18:38

But we do not model anything complete one.

18:40

We will keep this file, let's call, I clean

18:45

file that we can use as many times as we want.

18:48

So we will save this file one as model file.

18:53

So the model project file is this one

18:56

and we will save again this one as a layout.

19:02

We link the model into the layout.

19:05

So we will use the model 90% of our time to model everything

19:12

from a project and the layout to create views, to create sheet,

19:18

and to create a schedule if needed.

19:21

Let's see a bit more in detail.

19:22

What should these model file contain?

19:26

It contains all valid model elements.

19:30

We should create some views as working in progress views

19:33

but we should minimize the number of views, sheets,

19:36

and schedules.

19:37

We minimize as well the number of annotation.

19:40

I suggest we prepare one view by level, one section, and one

19:45

elevation that usually we need it also lay layout.

19:49

And we prepare one for each specific ready to be printed.

19:54

They can be shown in the layout later on us by DMV

19:58

we will see later on how we link it there in that the case.

20:02

So actually because you are working in the model,

20:07

then most of your time it's good to have

20:09

from each specific level, elevation and section

20:13

you are usually printing one Revit view but not

20:19

What should be then included in the layout?

20:21

We have linking the model Revit file into the layout.

20:25

You can also consider having one layout for the normal plans

20:30

and one for details.

20:31

We can call it layout plans and lay out details.

20:34

But in general, I would say minimize

20:36

the number of layout file because it

20:38

helps you to avoid numbering issues having

20:42

a better control of the naming and numbering of the sheets.

20:46

Create all views that you needed to be

20:49

printed on these layout file.

20:52

If needed, you can duplicate views

20:54

and duplicate that's dependent and crop to fit in the sheet.

20:59

For other needs, consider to create

21:01

views for different concept as for material, ceiling

21:06

plans, concept of door and so on, all these does not need

21:11

to be created in the model.

21:13

So we needed in layout file assign view template

21:17

to control the visibility.

21:19

You can override in visibility graphic by host view,

21:24

by linked view and by custom.

21:26

So it means by default when you are

21:29

linking the model in the layout, views

21:32

will appear s host to you.

21:35

It means that the view template is

21:38

controlled by the layout file.

21:41

If you want for a specific view to be control

21:45

the visibility setting from the model file,

21:49

then you have to specify by link view

21:52

and you just select the view from the model file

21:56

that you want to represent in the layout file.

21:59

Custom will be a mix solution where

22:01

you will choose the view from the model file

22:04

that you want to bring in the layout.

22:07

But still, you can customize and do some changes in the layout.

22:12

If you are creating a schedules or quantities take off

22:16

in the layout, remember that you should include links.

22:20

If not, it will be empty of course.

22:22

Annotation is recommended to do it in the layout

22:25

because then the model file will be more performant

22:29

and maybe you can consider to use a scope

22:32

box to control the crop region of multiple views.

22:36

And like this one, you are placing different floor plans

22:40

in the layout in the sheet.

22:41

They are all sitting in the same place

22:43

and they are not jumping out.

22:47

So here we find a very schematic overview of both Revit file.

22:53

On the left, you can see what we call before the model Revit

22:58

and on the right, the layout.

22:60

As you can see on the Revit, there

23:02

is one floor plan by level.

23:04

Actually, we create one floor plan by level

23:07

and there are no sheets.

23:09

In sheets, it's empty.

23:12

But in the layout Revit file, we have duplicate [INAUDIBLE]

23:18

each specific level because they are not fitting in the sheet.

23:23

So actually we have four different views

23:27

for each specific level.

23:29

And moreover, we are having some views

23:32

that they are showing the concept, as we say,

23:36

circulation concept, door concept, floor finish

23:39

concept and so on.

23:41

So we are creating use floor plans

23:45

that they are not existing in the model.

23:48

We will create the schedules and quantity as well

23:51

and we will do all the sheet, we will create it here

23:55

in the layout.

23:57

[INAUDIBLE] existing here.

23:58

As you can imagine, all these is increasing.

24:01

If we will combine both of model and view sheets

24:06

and quantity in the same file, the size

24:09

will be sometimes not easy to handle.

24:13

So therefore, it will be a solution to a split it

24:16

in model and layout file.

24:19

So now, let's move to a different topic, worksharing.

24:22

What is worksharing?

24:24

Work sharing is a design method that

24:26

allows multiple team members to work on the same project

24:30

model at the same time.

24:32

On work sharing project, team member

24:34

are assigned to a specific functional area to work

24:37

and that is managed by the worksets.

24:40

Non-worksharing private project [INAUDIBLE] or city neighbor,

24:44

you start using worksharing in the project

24:48

as soon as you create the first worksets.

24:52

A workset is a collection of elements in a project.

24:56

They only exist in workshared projects as we said before.

24:60

Revit use the technology of workset

25:03

as a mechanism to enable multiple user to collaborate

25:07

on one central model.

25:09

And they are taking the ownership of the element

25:12

when they are attached to one of these worksets.

25:16

So now that we define what is a workset,

25:19

you can create workset based on different functional areas

25:22

such as the following, so for example

25:24

for architectural and structural engineers,

25:26

often, we create workset for interior

25:29

or exterior for the site or the facade, our furniture

25:34

and so on or in MEP, we often create a workset for HVAC,

25:41

workset for electric car, workset for plumbing.

25:44

And if the project is very big and complex,

25:47

you can subdivide as many walls of that you want.

25:51

Maybe you want to create plumbing

25:53

for a specific system as cold water in one water,

26:00

hot water in another, and so on.

26:03

That is an important distinction between working

26:06

with ownership of a workset and borrowing from a workset.

26:10

In fact, when you make a workset editable in Revit,

26:14

you are taking exclusive ownership of all the objects

26:19

that they belong to these specific workset.

26:22

Only one user can at one point be the owner of one workset.

26:27

Two people cannot be owner of the same workset.

26:30

But however, all team member, even if somebody

26:33

is the owner of the specific workset,

26:35

all team member are able to see in the project all the workset

26:40

even if they are not owned by a different team member.

26:43

But there is also the possibility

26:45

that you are not taking ownership of a specific workset

26:48

but you are borrowing a specific workset.

26:53

First option is in general a more stricter and less risky

26:59

but the second one gives you more flexibility.

27:02

Of course you can use a combination of them

27:05

and take the ownership for a specific workset

27:07

and let the others to use their borrowing option.

27:11

So with that said, let's move to a different topic

27:14

about model maintenance.

27:16

There are a few regular work to do to keep a healthy

27:20

and perform a model.

27:22

So if you are familiar with AutoCAD, the audit command,

27:25

you can understand how audit can help you to keep up performing

27:29

model in Revit as well.

27:31

The audit function scans, detect and if it's possible,

27:37

it will fix corrupt element in the model.

27:40

But keep in mind that it does not

27:42

provide you a feedback of which element has been fixed.

27:46

You have the opportunity to audit model

27:49

when opening a Revit project.

27:51

If you want to audit, you have to close it and open it again.

27:54

For workshare model, make sure that all user close their work

27:59

and they do not open again.

28:01

They'll all save local file.

28:04

If I create new one from central, if they do not do so,

28:08

you'll get back the fix error in your central file.

28:12

Auditing a model can be time consuming.

28:14

If the model is healthy it should not be very significant,

28:18

but still it can be time consuming.

28:21

So therefore we recommend to do it weekly or even daily

28:25

because you make sure that it will not

28:27

take too much time the next time that you will audit it.

28:33

And be aware that you can audit Revit project files

28:36

but you can also audit Revit families

28:39

and audit Revit templates.

28:42

Purge is also a known command in AutoCAD.

28:45

You have it as well in Revit.

28:47

It remove unused element as views, families, groups, et

28:52

cetera from the project to improve the performance

28:55

and reduce the file size.

28:57

But before purging, it is recommended

28:60

that you create a backup project file in case you

29:02

want to get back some elements that were included in the model

29:07

library but they were not in use.

29:09

In general, it's recommend not to purge all

29:12

that you find in your project but to Check None at first

29:16

and select exactly what you decide to purge.

29:19

These actually should be done by somebody

29:23

with some responsibility in the project.

29:26

Keep in mind then that when you're

29:28

working with workshared project, all workshared should

29:32

be open to use these tools.

29:34

And models that contain elements load

29:38

for a future phase in the project

29:40

as it can be that you have views,

29:42

some families, materials, any content that you want

29:46

to use in a future has been load previously,

29:49

will be also purged if you do not control it.

29:52

So be careful to purge something you need later.

29:55

Therefore, it's recommended that is done by the BIM

29:59

manager or the BIM coordinator.

30:01

You can also compact central models when synchronizing.

30:05

What is compacting central models achieving?

30:09

This helps reduce file size when saving workshare project.

30:13

So it's just value for workshared project.

30:15

The process of compacting rewrite the entire file,

30:20

it remove part that they are no longer needed

30:24

and therefore it will save some space.

30:26

Actually what this is doing is it's readjusting the database

30:30

and readjusting how the information is

30:35

stored in a more efficient way.

30:38

It is recommended to periodically select

30:41

the option of compact central model

30:44

when synchronizing to central.

30:46

In general, it's not significant time consuming

30:49

but the process can sometimes take longer

30:53

than normal synchronize takes.

30:56

So it's recommended to do if you can interrupt

31:00

your workflow for a bit longer.

31:04

The benefit of a compacting central model

31:08

is just as we say, for version model,

31:12

is not affecting the local file from the central model,

31:18

that you extract from the central model.

31:20

And this is not possible to do it for normal none

31:24

workshare Revit project.

31:27

So therefore because it's not extended to local files,

31:31

it is recommend that you are creating new local file

31:35

at the beginning of your work day

31:36

and not to open your old local file

31:40

because you will lose the power of compacting a central model.

31:46

It is very usual for Revit model get very different warning

31:50

types.

31:51

So when working on a Revit project,

31:53

you can review a list of warning methods

31:56

to use and to find issues that might

31:59

require review and resolution.

32:02

Unlike error methods, warning methods

32:05

do not prohibit the current action.

32:09

You do not realize when a warning occurred.

32:12

You are modeling and modeling and suddenly you

32:14

realize that you have a couple of hundreds warning,

32:18

but the warning they just informed you

32:20

that a situation might not be your intention

32:24

and you can then decide if you want

32:26

to correct or to ignore it.

32:29

So it's recommend that you review

32:31

and you correct the warnings regularly not

32:35

to come at the end of your project

32:36

without enough warnings.

32:38

And you should know that you should prioritize the warning

32:41

that they are involved in geometry and calculation,

32:44

how they can affect your performance of your model

32:48

or the quality of the model.

32:50

So in general, there are warning that they do not

32:53

affect performance and there are warning they do affect.

32:57

But you should concentrate resolving the one

33:00

that they are giving some inaccuracies in the drawings

33:04

or the one that they are about duplicate element or clash

33:08

detection elements because all these error or warnings

33:12

actually have an effect of the cost estimation of the quantity

33:18

estimation, the quantity they got,

33:20

and the clash detection of your project.

33:23

So warnings can be exported in a HTML file.

33:29

This file will include the error message

33:32

and the ID of the element that they are impacting.

33:36

So we recommend that you use these ID

33:38

that you find on the HTML to find the element in Revit

33:43

and then check if you should repair or not

33:45

and understand where the problem is happening.

33:49

And finally for this section, is also

33:51

recommend to manually review your model.

33:54

There is a way to have automate the process.

33:57

You can use working in process schedules in Revit

34:00

to review the data and check if the parameter are populated

34:05

correctly.

34:06

So for example, you can use the grouping

34:09

and the conditional formatting in schedule

34:12

to identify elements with parameters

34:14

that are usually out of range.

34:17

It is a good practice to prepare some work in progress schedule

34:21

to continue monitoring the quality of the model.

34:24

So for example, you see here on this image,

34:27

there is a scheduled for walls that we are controlling

34:32

the height of the wall.

34:34

So we know that this specific family type of wall,

34:38

there is [INAUDIBLE] basic wall interior

34:41

is usually room height.

34:43

So if suddenly it's not going to the--

34:47

it's just 1 meter or 1 meter

34:53

actually it's jump out in a different line

34:57

and you identify that.

34:58

It might be an currency.

35:00

So that's a way to check if the model is correct or not.

35:05

You can do it also to see the high position of the door

35:08

or of the window.

35:10

So if this specific family window are not

35:15

sitting 80 centimeter from the floor,

35:17

then it jumps out of the list and you can easily look for it.

35:23

So let's jump now to the next section

35:25

about how the work with links.

35:28

In Revit, we can link and we can as well

35:32

import different file format.

35:34

So we can link Revit models, we can link or open IFCs,

35:40

we can link or import CAD format as dwg, dxf, dgn, sat, SketchUp

35:49

or 3dn.

35:50

But actually, there are other type format

35:53

that we can bring as topographies from dwg

35:57

as well or from pixable, we can link

36:00

point cloud, coordination model from Naviswork, Nvidia NVS, VC.

36:06

We can link or import PDF and images.

36:10

Let's talk about Revit models link in driving model.

36:14

We are linking driving model into Revit model

36:17

for different purposes.

36:18

So usually we are going for putting together

36:22

different buildings such as a campus, where

36:25

we link different building into one file collecting

36:29

all the different building together.

36:31

We are doing as well to put together a different part

36:34

of a same large building.

36:36

So it can be that the facade is one Revit model,

36:42

the interior is a different one.

36:44

Maybe the side is another model and so on.

36:48

We are doing also to coordinate disciplines are

36:51

as the one we see in the image.

36:52

So on the top right, we have the architectural model

36:57

and on the bottom right, we have the structural model.

37:00

And finally, we can do it as well

37:03

from the workflow we saw before to bring the model

37:07

into our layout model.

37:08

So we do all the modeling in the model

37:13

and we define and we link this one in the layout

37:17

that we define.

37:19

Links model are listed in the Revit links

37:23

branch of the project browser.

37:25

So here, Revit automatically update the link

37:29

when you open the project.

37:31

That's why you can always have these links

37:34

if you go to Manage, Manage Links

37:36

and then just reload them [INAUDIBLE],,

37:39

if you want to reload the link model

37:41

during your private session.

37:43

Be aware that you should set up correctly the link reference

37:47

type.

37:48

You have the possibility to choose

37:50

between overlay and attachment.

37:52

Overlay does not load the link model

37:56

when its host is link into another model.

37:59

And by default, this is the setting

38:01

you get when you link the model.

38:03

So that would be the schema represented in this game.

38:08

So you will link the project A in the project B as overlap

38:12

and then you link the project B in project C.

38:15

In that case because the project A

38:18

is linked as overlay, the project A

38:21

is not shown in the project C.

38:24

If you link as attachment, it makes the link model visible

38:28

when its host is link into our third model.

38:32

That will be this image.

38:33

So you model A in Model B as attachment

38:37

and then you link the project B in project C and there

38:40

are all three visible in project C.

38:44

When you link a model in Revit, Revit, in the background

38:48

opens the link model and keep in memory.

38:53

The modeling a project contains, the longer it takes to open.

38:56

So here are sure tip, [INAUDIBLE]

38:58

the link in different worksets.

39:00

So maybe you create a workset, you

39:03

want to keep that and you have your model, architectural model

39:05

and you want to bring the structural model,

39:07

make a workset for the structure,

39:09

make a workset for MEP and place the model from this discipline

39:14

in specific workset.

39:16

And like this, you can decide if when

39:19

you are opening your project do you want to include the links

39:22

or not.

39:24

It's not deleting the link, it's just not

39:26

showing if you do not want to include something

39:30

during the private session, you can get back and include it.

39:34

But it will take less time to open if you do not need it.

39:38

Use workset for Revit links to control also the visibility.

39:42

So you can prepare three reviews, one 3D review

39:46

for each specific worksets.

39:47

And like this you make sure that in each specific review,

39:52

just the specific workset is shown and not the rest.

39:57

And like this, you can control easily

39:59

if each element is associated to the right workset

40:03

because you will see very easily if the elements belonged

40:07

to this especially workset that is shown in the 3D.

40:10

Actually, working with links implies different challenges

40:14

and you should be aware of them.

40:16

And you are working with links, there

40:18

is a limitation of the joining of the element.

40:22

There is a limitation in the interaction between them.

40:25

So you cannot be able to model a door in one model and have

40:31

the work in a different one because it will not cut out

40:34

the opening in the wall.

40:35

If you have two walls in different model,

40:39

they will have no [INAUDIBLE] problem.

40:40

So you have to be aware how did you divide it

40:43

into different Revit models.

40:45

You will get some challenges as well

40:47

when managing the elements names, the numbering,

40:51

the data that identify these elements between the host

40:56

and the link.

40:58

You have to be very careful that you are naming them properly.

41:01

And finally, have to pay special attention

41:04

to manage model standards, the workset, the visibility

41:07

settings, the phases.

41:09

Then once you do a change in one model,

41:12

it should be accordingly changing the different one.

41:17

A link model can be copied any number of times

41:20

that you decide on the host project.

41:22

We will copy link more than on the host

41:25

project for different purposes.

41:27

For example, when we are working and designing

41:30

an housing urban development and we are repeating the same house

41:35

design several times, then we can at the beginning

41:39

of the phase at least just have one house [INAUDIBLE]

41:43

project and copy paste on the host project.

41:46

We are using a [INAUDIBLE] when we

41:49

are working with high-rise towers

41:52

where every specific level are repeated very often.

41:55

So you can just model one level and copy

41:59

paste in the house model.

42:01

But we can do also at the room level.

42:03

So for hospital and hotel is very often where

42:06

rooms are very often repeated, just

42:09

model the room in one Revit project

42:12

and then you copy in the host.

42:14

So when you are copying in a link model

42:16

into your house model, automatically a new name

42:19

is generate.

42:20

You should name it correctly to have a better control of it.

42:24

And you should know as well that you can override in the display

42:27

settings for the whole link like we would have here and do

42:31

manage basically the settings.

42:34

So it will be for the whole Revit wallet

42:37

but also specifically for each of the copies.

42:41

And finally, you should procure to have

42:43

and to use the same faces names in both of the model.

42:47

If you are not using the same phase name in the host

42:51

and in the link, a recommendation

42:53

will be to use face mapping to make sure

42:56

that one phase of the link is of reference

42:60

to the phase of the host.

43:03

So when we are working with links,

43:06

there is something that we can bring into the work flow, that

43:09

is the copy monitor tool.

43:12

So this scheme is showing just a continuation

43:15

of the previous example we saw when

43:17

we were talking about the concept of model Revit file

43:21

and layout Revit file.

43:23

Even if we don't need to separate

43:25

the model and the layout into different file,

43:27

it can be a combination of both, we

43:29

can add a [INAUDIBLE] or a second Revit model

43:34

that we will call level grid Revit.

43:38

We will bring it from the model, but please

43:41

remember it's the positioning and geolocation of the project

43:47

is already currently set up.

43:48

We just save with a new name at this level grid

43:52

and we will link the level grid into the layout into the model

43:57

or in the combination of both.

43:59

We will have the model and the layout in the same Revit file.

44:03

In the level grid, we will create all levels and grid

44:08

and then we will link it on this file.

44:10

And then in the model or layout file,

44:13

we will use the tool of copy monitor

44:17

to coordinate the grids and the level

44:20

from one single source of truth.

44:22

That will be this level grid.

44:24

It will help us to reduce mistake.

44:27

And if there is any change on these level grid file,

44:31

it will be automatically update and notified

44:34

in our model and layout.

44:38

So how does a copy monitor work?

44:40

So in model and layout, we copy monitor all levels and grids

44:45

from the links.

44:45

So you find here in Collaborate tool, in the collaborate menu,

44:50

Copy monitor and then we select the links

44:52

and we start copy monitoring the level from the level

44:57

grid of Revit file to the layout or modify.

45:02

Once we have done this correctly,

45:04

we can share the level grid Revit

45:07

with all the partners and all the stakeholders

45:10

that they are collaborating.

45:11

And like this, we make sure that this model is the only source

45:16

of truth to assure us that we have the correct position

45:20

of the level and of the links.

45:23

If there are any change, we should send everyone

45:27

and give access to these level grid Revit.

45:32

Actually, yes.

45:33

For your information, there are other categories

45:35

that can be also copy monitored as column, wall, floor,

45:39

openings and MEP fixture.

45:42

This image shows how it will work.

45:45

In [INAUDIBLE] you see in the level grid Revit file,

45:50

and here we are in the model, in the Revit model.

45:54

So we see in black, parapet and roof level.

45:59

So once they are copy monitor the levels and the level

46:04

from the level grid is update, so you

46:09

have a new elevation of it, you will get a notification as soon

46:13

as the link is reloaded.

46:17

So you will get a notification and it will say you,

46:19

if you want to accept the difference

46:23

or if you want to move it or you want to postpone,

46:25

you have different solution.

46:28

If there are different levels that have been moved,

46:31

you can select all of them and tell them

46:35

to move to the right position.

46:38

With that said, let's talk now about linking IFC into Revit.

46:42

You can use the information from Industry Foundation Classes

46:46

files in Revit model when you want

46:48

to collaborate with other non-Revit models

46:51

in an open beam workflow.

46:53

To use IFC files in a Revit model,

46:56

you can either open the IFC you are importing into Revit

47:01

or you can link it.

47:02

You open the IFC file in Revit to create

47:05

a new model that use the IFC data as a starting point.

47:09

So if there are later changes on the IFC,

47:12

they will not be reflected on the Revit model,

47:15

is just imported open at once.

47:17

In that case, is usually recommend

47:20

to link the IFC file to an existing Revit model

47:23

to reference the information for additional design work.

47:27

And the model can be update, the IFC can be update

47:31

and then you just need to reload the IFC

47:33

and the change will be shown, the [INAUDIBLE] change

47:36

will be shown from the new IFC in your [INAUDIBLE]..

47:40

Revit support in different IFC format

47:43

based on the International Alliance for Interoperability.

47:47

These are IFC4, IFC2x3, 2x2 and 2x.

47:54

Before opening or linking an IFC file,

47:57

you can specify the template you want to use from another Revit

48:01

file, you can load a single txt file

48:05

that is used to map the IFC classes to the Revit category.

48:10

And you can manually override the Revit categories

48:13

for IFC classes.

48:15

If you have existing design create using AutoCAD,

48:20

you can import this AutoCAD or any other CAD format

48:24

to the [INAUDIBLE] model.

48:26

However, if the DWG or the CAD is update after [INAUDIBLE]

48:31

imported, now Revit will not automatically

48:34

reflect this change.

48:36

Import CAD files or DWGs, they affect negatively

48:41

to the Revit performance.

48:43

You will not be able to find them

48:45

because they can be copying different view,

48:48

they can even be hidden and you will not

48:50

have an easier way to find it.

48:53

If you import the file, you can always explode the DWG

48:58

to the Revit elements but we strongly

49:01

recommend not to explore DWG files in Revit.

49:04

It is possible but this is really not recommended

49:07

because it will really affect the negatively

49:09

to their performance.

49:10

Consider to import them.

49:12

In that case, if you really want to import an empty link,

49:15

consider the import that on an empty Revit model

49:19

and link it into your own model.

49:21

This last [INAUDIBLE] model.

49:24

It makes [INAUDIBLE] model is clean

49:27

and you can easily handle the visibility of the DWG

49:31

by handling the visibility of the link Revit model.

49:35

So in general, to wrap up here, importing DWGs or CAD file

49:41

is not the recommended option.

49:44

If possible, always link the DWGs.

49:48

So if you have existing design created

49:50

using AutoCAD or other CAD product,

49:54

you can link that into our Revit models.

49:58

Linking CAD files is usually the right approach.

50:01

If you link in the DWG or the CAD file,

50:04

they can easily be updated to reflect

50:07

the changes from the CAD file.

50:10

However, keep in mind that in this case,

50:12

you cannot explode the nest in DWG links to Revit elements.

50:17

Why and when should we link that file in the Revit project?

50:22

Use the CAD file as a starting point for your desire.

50:25

It is common that the project team

50:27

receives documentation within DWDs or AutoCAD

50:31

format resulting from a competition or some

50:35

[INAUDIBLE].

50:36

So you can link these documents into your Revit

50:39

as a starting point to create journal.

50:42

You can use also DWGs or CAD format

50:45

to bring the site plan into your Revit project.

50:49

Civil engineers or landscape architect

50:52

often follow what one documentation in different CAD

50:54

format.

50:55

And this is very useful just to link and get it

50:57

in your [INAUDIBLE].

50:59

You can use CAD format to include 2D details in Revit

51:04

instead of doing the detailing in AutoCAD,

51:06

but you can do it in Revit just by bringing

51:09

these DWGs directly.

51:12

In this case, you can also consider to link PDFs.

51:15

Their appearance will be easier to manage if you bring

51:18

in the detail already as a PDF.

51:22

You can place these links from PDF or DWGs

51:25

on views or directly on drafting views.

51:29

In general, it's very useful to collaborate with partner

51:33

not just working without of color on a project like these.

51:37

You can keep working on Revit and collaborate

51:41

with other stakeholders that they are still working on CAD.

51:46

If you want to bring CAD file into private families,

51:50

you have just the option to import them not to link them

51:54

as you have in Revit file.

51:56

So you might want to clean [INAUDIBLE] CAD files in family

51:60

to include 2D information.

52:02

For example, you want to enrich their appearance

52:04

for the day link and the day component families.

52:07

But if possible, it is recommended always

52:09

to create the geometry in Revit not to import the DWGs.

52:12

You can import maybe the DWG, use it

52:15

as a reference to recreate the lines, the symbol lines,

52:19

and then delete it before loading

52:21

the family on the project.

52:23

That would be ideal.

52:25

So when linking DWG file into Revit project,

52:29

consider to create a specific workset if you are

52:33

working on a work-shared model.

52:35

But consider as well to create a Model-in-Place Family

52:39

and select the right category and link the DWG

52:42

inside this Model-in-Place.

52:44

It allows you to cut the geometry of the CAD file,

52:49

always, of course, if it's loading a category family.

52:52

If it's not linked inside the Model-in-Place family,

52:55

then the DWG will not be [INAUDIBLE]..

52:59

It also helps if you want to get the DWG in the Revit schedule

53:05

as a new element.

53:08

As I was saying in the beginning,

53:10

Revit project and DWG can share coordinates.

53:14

So consider to establish a coordinate between DWG

53:17

and Revit files to ensure a correct position.

53:21

Before linking the DWG file into Revit,

53:24

there are some recommended step you should take into account.

53:27

For example, remove any unnecessary data as layer

53:32

that you are not using, that you don't want

53:34

to bring directly in AutoCAD.

53:37

It will impact positively to the performance.

53:41

Keep the CAD drawing in a small area.

53:43

Do not bring and extend CAD if you cannot not need the whole

53:47

extension of it, also affecting to the performance.

53:51

It is recommend to purge and audit the DWG.

53:54

As we say for Revit before, change the proxy graphics

53:59

variable value to one and export proxy object

54:03

to native AutoCAD object.

54:05

Change all the text at font to a present Revit font.

54:11

Arial, for example, would be an example.

54:13

So make sure that the font that they are showing in AutoCAD

54:16

is included in Revit.

54:18

And finally, bind all XRefs if you

54:22

want them to show up in Revit.

54:25

With that said, we are actually at the last section,

54:27

where we will talk about performance best practices.

54:31

Let's talk about that next.

54:33

Updates provide fixes and new feature

54:36

within the same Revit version.

54:39

Revit user working on the same central model

54:42

must collaborate with in the same Revit version.

54:46

It is not possible otherwise.

54:49

But in addition, it is highly recommend to work in the same

54:52

build and hotfix.

54:54

Apparently, it is possible to work on the same central file

54:59

with different build and hotfix, but it

55:02

is a high potential risk you should not

55:05

take to avoid model corruption.

55:08

You can always have a look for new update your AutoDesk

55:11

Desktop app or go through your AutoDesk portal.

55:16

Let's talk about model groups.

55:17

Model groups are an important point

55:19

to pay special attention if we want to keep a high performance

55:23

model.

55:24

In fact, model groups slow file performance

55:27

and increase the file size considerably.

55:29

I understand we often need to work with model groups.

55:33

But they will advise to remove groups

55:36

as soon as they are no longer needed.

55:38

Do not include any Datum Object into a group

55:42

as levels or grids.

55:44

It is highly recommend as well to include elements

55:47

in a group within the same workset.

55:49

Host element and hosting element should

55:53

be always grouped together.

55:55

Remember that the groups should not

55:57

be a replacement of families.

55:59

Anything you can do with a family

56:01

should be done with family and not

56:03

by grouping different element.

56:05

Use groups only if they are at least

56:08

repeated a minimum of instance.

56:10

The news groups is they are just repeated once or twice.

56:15

It's not recommended to nest group within a group.

56:21

Even if you can think that in some situation

56:24

from preliminary design can be a quick solution and helpful,

56:28

it also generates frustration to access

56:30

to the right information.

56:32

And also, when you want to get out of the group,

56:35

again, difficult because you have to close the group,

56:39

close the next group, and so on.

56:41

Finally, do not mirror groups.

56:44

It might work, apparently, in Revit but not in real life.

56:48

So better always to create a right and a left version.

56:52

So for example in equipment usually,

56:54

they do not exist on a mirror version.

56:57

Or if you mirror a door or a group containing a door,

57:01

the swing information of the door will probably be false.

57:07

Let's talk about rooms and space.

57:10

Rooms and space are also affecting

57:12

to the model performance.

57:14

It's convenient only to check the Room Bounding

57:17

option for the link file if it's absolutely necessary.

57:21

If the file is not affected to the new bounding option,

57:25

it should not be selected.

57:27

So Select the link, Edit Type, uncheck the Room Bounding.

57:31

You see here.

57:33

That's by selecting the type and edit it.

57:36

You should unselect the Room Bounding

57:38

if the link is not affecting to the calculation of the room.

57:43

If your model has a warning about overlapping room

57:46

boundaries, this is one of the Warning

57:49

that you should resolve as soon as possible.

57:52

It is affecting the performance of the model,

57:54

but it's also affecting the accuracy of your model.

57:58

So consider to place a room separation

58:00

line on a specific workset for better control.

58:04

You can prepare, as we say before, a 3D view just

58:08

showing this specific workset.

58:10

Unlike this, you can control all the room

58:12

separation line if they are set in the right workset.

58:16

Try to avoid overlapping between room

58:19

or a space separation line between themselves, but as well

58:23

with walls.

58:24

You will get also warning about it

58:26

and is one of the priority one you should take out.

58:31

And finally, Volume Computation should be enabled just

58:35

when really is needed.

58:37

It's taking a lot of resources off the performance.

58:41

And you can see it here, Area and Volume Computation,

58:46

in general, if it's not needed, area, volumes,

58:50

I recommend that you are working only with areas and not

58:55

with volumes.

58:57

Configure project view to optimize Revit performance.

59:01

The setup of the view will also affect the performance

59:04

of your Revit model.

59:05

Specify a simple drafting view as a starting view

59:09

for your Revit project.

59:11

It will help you to improve the performance

59:13

when opening the project.

59:14

Revit will take less resources to open a simple view

59:19

than to recreate a 3D complex geometry that maybe you don't

59:23

need to access at that point.

59:25

You can also use section boxes to limit the visible geometry

59:29

in 3D views.

59:31

So Revit does not need to calculate the whole geometry

59:33

of your project if you are only working on a specific area.

59:37

Avoid to use the common permanently hiding

59:42

elements in view.

59:43

Turn off the categories that you don't need on the visibility

59:48

graphic or in the view templates and assign the right level

59:52

of detail to this view.

59:55

It will take less resources to calculate

59:58

the geometry and the view itself.

60:01

When working with many views that you are not using,

60:05

it's recommended that you close open views.

60:08

It will take less resources than having all views open

60:12

at the same time.

60:13

We often create work in progress view no longer needed.

60:18

It's convenient to minimize the number of them in your project.

60:21

So regularly, try to delete unused views.

60:25

When you use the Paste Aligned tool to views

60:27

that they are closed, the target views

60:30

will open and close automatically.

60:33

You can improve the performance of this common Paste Aligned

60:37

by opening first all the targeted views

60:40

before the operation of Pasting Aligned.

60:44

Minimize the view depth when it's possible in elevation,

60:49

in plans, or section views.

60:51

Revit will take less resource to recreate the geometry

60:54

since there is less quantity of object to calculate

60:58

in the background.

60:59

Even if they are hidden, this element by another element,

61:02

it takes less resources.

61:05

So for the same purpose, you can also

61:07

consider back clipping views to reduce the quantity of geometry

61:11

maintained on these view.

61:14

Thank you for joining.

61:16

I hope you find this session informative,

61:19

and you could take out some insight for your next project.

61:23

If you need any help from AutoDesk,

61:26

do not hesitate to contact your customer success

61:28

manager or your designated super specialist or in any case,

61:33

your AutoDesk partner.

61:36

They would be happy to help.

61:39

Thanks again for joining.

61:40

And thanks for watching.

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