ENGINEERING

[dsw98]

Two part queston, Okay so I'm about done with my first set of plans and about to send them off to the Engineer. E-mailing is the way we did it before. But with Revit the whole entire file gets sent. Is there a way to send the plans and get them back so that only the pages the engineer worked on will update the file on my computer instead of overwriting the entire file? Question 2, is there a way to lockout the floor plans so that when then engineer is doing his thing he doesn't accidently move walls or other items. Or is this where the "PIN" tool comes in?

[Scott D Davis]

With Revit Structures and (in the future) Systems, the engineer will get a copy of the Architects's file, which the engineer will link into their own project file to place their components. This way, they aren't actually changing the Arch's model.

[dsw98]

Can you give me a play by play if possible, if I was ready to send this to the Engineer. What do I need to do. Our Engineer isn't on our network. I have to e-mail the file to him.

[James.Lupton]

Devin

We have worked on projects where both the architect and ourselves (structural engineers) are working in Revit.

We have experimented with different ways of working such as copy paste aligned from one model to another but have found the method Scott describes of using linked models to be the most successful.

We receive the architects Revit model and link it into a new revit model of the structure (we would not always go for Revit Structure because there are sometimes advantages to stay in Revit Building).

Because we are creating our model within the architects model we can position objects more accurately.

At the sametime we have found it important to keep a log file of issues we identify which need to be updated in the architects model to keep it compatible with our own model.

An example of this would be that the base level of a wall may need to be set to say 300mm below floor level as that is where we have placed the top of foundation level.

Other points which we would log would be preferential changes which we would like to see but which need the architects agreement. e.g. can we move a window which is clashing with the position of diagonal bracing we have added in our model.

Because the Architects model is a linked model, we can receive a new version after any alterations have been made which means we keep our work coordinated with the latest Architects model. The new version simply reloads in place of the previous linked model.

Again it is useful to efer to the Architects notes about what has changed.

As our model becomes well enough developed we can send the Architect a copy of our model and log of issues. Our model will then be linked into the architects model in his office.

Because we are only using a copy of the Architects model it is not likely that we would move a wall or window or door since the Architect still holds the master copy of the Architectural model.

We hold only the master copy of the structural engineers model.

Both the Architect and ourselves have found the process works well and we can both achieve coordination between our 2 models without ever having produced a drawing.

Find yourself a local Engineer working in Revit (Building or Structures) and give it a go. I am sure you will find it works very well.

[kpaxton]

Scott -

I think James has a good method in place, and it sounds like when 'Structures' and 'Systems' gets rolling, that this might be a similar process.

I'm certainly no master of the Worksets... but could this not lend itself to a workset solution where the engineers could add to a set, but then not be "allowed" to make adjustments or modifications to the original 'background' building? I'm not sure how this would be coordinated over the distances of different offices/locations, let alone the whole 'Save To Central" (STC) situation.

Just wondering and asking....

-Kyle

[beegee]

My understanding is that the intended work flow between Engineer and Architect is to link one consultant's model into the other and use the Co-ordination Monitor ( new in 8.1 ) to track and monitor changes.

[aggockel50321]

Okay so I'm about done with my first set of plans and about to send them off to the Engineer. E-mailing is the way we did it before.

What I've found to work well here at the college is to set up a password protected ftp site (as opposed to the Buzzsaw solution), & keep all this stuff there. Makes my life a whole lot easier in making sure consultants & contractors all have acess to the same project documents, etc., and gives them a secure place to upload their current stuff.

Most of the published documents, drawings, and scanned paper drawings end up as pdf's.

I use Fastream's server software. The ftp sites can be accessed with IE, Mozilla, or any ftp client. Found it cheap & easy to set up & use for multiple projects.

[archjake]

Scott -

I think James has a good method in place, and it sounds like when 'Structures' and 'Systems' gets rolling, that this might be a similar process.

I'm certainly no master of the Worksets... but could this not lend itself to a workset solution where the engineers could add to a set, but then not be "allowed" to make adjustments or modifications to the original 'background' building? I'm not sure how this would be coordinated over the distances of different offices/locations, let alone the whole 'Save To Central" (STC) situation.

Just wondering and asking....

-Kyle

I've wondered this as well. I think the linking makes more sense for this reason:

The structural engineer is bound to have his own way that he wants to annotate and set up the sheets for his drawings. In fact, if he started from scratch for each and every architect that he works with he will loose money. If he is documenting the project he should have his own template. Then he could just import the architects title block and model before going to town on producing his documents.

I could just imagine an engineer working directly in our file and changing a font or view title. This could ripple all the way through the documents if the architect then started working on that file again to finish his documents.

Linking also allows for both architect and engineer to work on the project at the same time without setting something up to access the architects file on the architects server.

How does Revit Structure present this process to the architectural and engineering community?

[dsw98]

I guess now I'm a little confused on the difference bewtween Revit Building and Revit Structure. I guess I should have also mentioned that we are an office of 2 designers and we work with an off site Engineer. Our engineer will only be adding his structure notes, he won't need to move doors windows or anything.

[Steve_Stafford]

...I guess now I'm a little confused on the difference bewtween Revit Building and Revit Structure...

Devin,

Revit Building is for architects. Revit Structure is for structural engineers. What software is your structural consultant using? Unless they are using Revit Building or Structure you will need to export plans to dwg or dgn format (AutoCAD/Microstation).

If exporting is the route you have to take, check the help docs regarding exporting to dwg/dgn to see what is involved. If you still have questions, let us know.