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Thread: New to Worksharing

  1. #1
    All AUGI, all the time mmiles's Avatar
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    Unhappy New to Worksharing

    Hi all,

    I have, with reluctance, shared one of my projects. The leader in me understands the necessity, but the until-recently-sole-revit-user in me did not want to do it. Now, with a newbie (to Revit, not profession) helping me we are struggling with how to use worksets effectively.

    FACTS:
    1.project is in CD phase, 80 percent complete prior to work sharing.
    2.only one workset was created initially, but have since added new information to model on new worksets created specifically for those new items.
    3. two users, two "local" files; one central file- all stored in same network folder.
    4. I have taken work home to work remotely, and saved to central prior to 2nd user opening his file, and had no noticable problems- except not being able to select multiple worksets to check out before leaving office (had to select each manually)
    5. Both users have ability to check out all worksets unless already checked-out.
    6. If workset is not checked out, and not "editable" both users can modify model with out warning, or needing to check out items.
    etc...

    QUESTIONS / CONCERNS / MISUNDERSTANDINGS:
    1. is there a way to prevent a user from modifying model on a workset that is not checked-out by another user?
    2. is "checked-out" the right terminology?
    3. I thought a purpose of worksets was to assign users specific tasks, and therefore, specfic rights to specific worksets. Is that true, or not?
    4. If #3 is true, how do I assign privleges to worksets?
    5. If a user accidentally deletes something, like a toposurface, from a workset that is not editable, and then saves file to central, how do I recover the deleted object?

    this is just the beginning...yet I am hopeful, still.
    thanks in advance!

  2. #2
    Revit Technical Specialist - Autodesk Scott D Davis's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Worksharing

    First: Local files should be local, on the local computers, and not on the network. Things will work faster this way.

    Second: You don't have to create any worksets if you don't want to. You can simply use the defalt "Workset 1" and 'Sahred Levels and Grids". You can, however, create additional worksets and break the model up into pieces if you'd like to. Especially help on larger projects, because you can doa "selective open" whihc will only load the geometry in that workset, saving computing power. If you don't "check out" a workset so that you have control of it, you simply open your local copy, and now are "worksharing" which allows you to check out individual elements just by manipulating them.
    Imagine you are at a library....you can go to the library, and check out a whole stack of books and take them home. No one else can look at them until you bring them back (worksets). You could also go to the library, grab single book off the shelve, go to a cubicle, and browse the single book for a while, then go put it back on the shelf (worksharing). Others might be waiting for that book, and maybe even tap you on the shoulder and ask "Hey, can I take a look at that when you are done?" Thats an Editing Request. You grant the request when you put the book back on the shelf (Reliquish).

    So now for some of your questions:
    1. There is a way to prevent users from working on something, but it must be on a workset and that workset must be checked out. So specifically to answer your question, there is way to prevent a user from modifying model on a workset that is not checked-out by another user. It must be checked out by another user to prevent modification.
    2. Checked out is a good terminolgy, and the one that seems to be used the most.
    3. The purpose of worksets is to break a model up into more managable pieces. You might make a workset for 1st floor, 2nd floor, etc. or maybe one for Exterior, and one for interior. Its up to you. Then its up to the user to check out the right workset to work on at that particular time, if that user wants exclusive rights to all in a workset. Otherwise, don't check out a workset, simply open a local copy and begin working...in "worksharing" mode where each element is "checked out" when it is manipulated in some way.
    4. You don't assign privleges, you just check out and go
    5. A user can't delete a topo from a workset that is not editable. If its not editable, its been checked out by someone else, and is not editable by other users. Items deleted accidently in editable worksets may be "recovered" by going to File>Backups and rolling back the current model to a previous one. All work "in between" will be lost.
    Hope that helps....i recently wrote another response on worksets that you might read as well.

  3. #3
    I could stop if I wanted to TroyGates's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Worksharing

    Quote Originally Posted by Scott Davis
    [*]A user can't delete a topo from a workset that is not editable. If its not editable, its been checked out by someone else, and is not editable by other users. Items deleted accidently in editable worksets may be "recovered" by going to File>Backups and rolling back the current model to a previous one. All work "in between" will be lost.
    Just to add on to the deleted elements. Once you go to the Backups, you can save a backup to a new file. This allows you to open the file and look at the state of the project. If all you want to do is recover one or a few deleted elements, you can copy from the file that was saved from the backups and paste it into your current central file. This helps to avoid lost work by rolling back a project.

    The best method for pasting, is to use paste aligned -> same place (or current view). Try to copy and paste from the same view/level for best results.

  4. #4
    All AUGI, all the time Alex Page's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Worksharing

    To stop users from changing things which are set-in-place (example: existing buildings ) I change my user name to be something like 'EXISTING BUILDING MANAGER", make the workset editable and then dont relinguish when I save. (then I change my username back to the 'real' one). Then the only way you can delete/change that workset is by changing your username......ie: You cant move/ change/ delete anything on that workset by a mistake
    Last edited by Alex Page; 2007-08-14 at 12:18 AM.

  5. #5
    All AUGI, all the time mmiles's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Worksharing

    Hey guys, thanks.

    I am still grappling with how worksets and worksharing are to be used. Until now I did not view them as two separate concepts. The library concept helps, but I still am not sure how to keep track of users independently working on the same elements. For example: I only created the default worksets and then started sharing my workload with the 2nd user. Currently, we are both working on different views (sections and details) and neither one of us has checked out workset 1. What if by necessity each of us manipulates an object from workset 1? Is that considered an "at risk" change? Or, is that a change that only gets reflected in the local copy but not synchronized in the central file once saved? An example of this might be related to a roof. Say I am working on one wall section on part of a house, and the 2nd user is working on a different wall section on the other side of the house. Independently, we are working out details related to the roof and its soffit, or something related, and neither of us have the workset with the roof checked out. Then, each of us makes a change to the roof in our local files, and saves to central. From what I gather from your comments, this is not possible. Is that true? If not, can I assume that whomever saves first then establishes the new change? (now I understand the obvious solution in this case is to coordinate tasks so that we are not doing similar things, but I hope it serves as an example of what could happen)

    Alex: I like your idea as a means for semi-permanately checking out a workset. I may try exploring that a bit.

    Scott and Troy: in my case I was able to recover missing elements from a copy of the project saved prior to sharing it. Fortunately, they were objects deemed fully developed and did not change since being archived.

    Scott: I will continue searching threads for your comments. thanks again.

  6. #6
    All AUGI, all the time Alex Page's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Worksharing

    If you make a change to the roof, then no, the other person wont beable to change it unill you have saved it to central and they have reloaded worksets....thats the whole point.

    When they try to change it, a box will pop up saying they cant, but they can make a request to the user who owns it (through Revit) - if that user accepts then they can change it ....Ive worded this very badly, try it and you will see what I mean

  7. #7
    All AUGI, all the time mmiles's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Worksharing

    Alex: thanks, I think I understand. Working from home late last night didn't allow me to experiment, but it is clearer to me now.

    Scott: It took me a while to realize there is a section dedicated to worksharing/worksets. I have found loads of answers to my questions.

    cheers!

  8. #8
    100 Club wbs69117950's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Worksharing

    I am new to Revit, and reading all I can with the time I have to gain greater knowledge. I have already worked through the Mastering Revit Building (Aubin) book. Am now working on the Implementation Revit (Fox) book. I just generally started reading through the Chapters in both books on Worksets. I have some general questions, apologize in advance for asking anything that has already been asked/answered. This looked like a good thread to ask these, rather than start a new thread.

    1. Save the Local File on the User CPU or Server? If on User CPU, is it important to back up that file daily, or just to ensure that "Save to Central" happens and the server is being backed up. Would a User then create a new Local File each day that they start on the project again, after restart of CPU, or can they open the previous day's Local File, and then login to the worksets they want to use on that day.

    2. When do people create worksets in the project? Beginning, After SD, After DD?

    3. My initial response to what I have read about Worksets is: "Isn't this a little bit like having Layers again? I mean you can create the majority of the model first by a designer, who in CAD would do this all on Layer 0, as they hate to change layers or ensure things are on the proper layer. Then, a PM would get frustrated, enable Worksets (as they now need 3 other people pushing it through DD/CD) and start sorting things into the proper Workset (or proper layers in CAD). Or you can set up all your Worksets from the beginning (CAD: Have proper layers defined in a template file that actually gets used), and then the designer must ensure the proper Workset is active while they are creating (not necessarily in a straight line fashion) in order for the 3 that join later to use the work-sharing concept properly. Either way, it doesn't seem too far removed from putting things on the proper layers in CAD."

    Tell me where I am wrong in this line of thought, and thanks for the cognitive input!
    Last edited by Wesley1969; 2007-10-20 at 07:34 PM.
    Wesley

  9. #9
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    Default Re: New to Worksharing

    Quote Originally Posted by Wesley1969 View Post

    1. Save the Local File on the User CPU or Server? If on User CPU, is it important to back up that file daily, or just to ensure that "Save to Central" happens and the server is being backed up.

    2. When do people create worksets in the project?

    3. My initial response to what I have read about Worksets is: "Isn't this a little bit like having Layers again?
    1. Local computer, no need to back-up. If that file is lost/damaged/whatever, simply save a new local file.

    2. As soon as there is a need for more than one person to work in the file. Doesn't matter what stage.

    3. We do not use worksets beyond what is defaulted. Our projects are in the 100-200,000 sf range and file sizes are 50-150MB in size. Our procedure is every Monday morning before anyone opens the file, create a new central with a new name and everybody makes a new local. This compresses the central file about 25-50% each week.

  10. #10
    100 Club wbs69117950's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Worksharing

    Quote Originally Posted by jeddafish View Post
    2. As soon as there is a need for more than one person to work in the file. Doesn't matter what stage.

    3. We do not use worksets beyond what is defaulted. Our projects are in the 100-200,000 sf range and file sizes are 50-150MB in size. Our procedure is every Monday morning before anyone opens the file, create a new central with a new name and everybody makes a new local. This compresses the central file about 25-50% each week.
    Couple of things to follow up on this, first: Thanks for your assistance. This may not apply to you, as you only use the default worksets. How long does it take on average to break things out into different worksets? I mean, I know it would depend on the project size, and how many worksets you create.

    But, this gets to my point of question 3, which I appreciate your response, but it does not seem to fully answer my question. I think this is mostly because you use the defaults only. What would you do if you have a large building with say 5 floors? The book answer is that at a minimum you have a workset for each level. And this may be simple to do, as you go to each level view, grab all components and set them to the proper workset.

    My point is when compared to CAD, which separates by layer, separating by worksets seems to be a similar concept. Now, if you have users, typically designers, who aren't interested in ensuring that they draw on the correct layer in CAD, then how do you make this work in Revit (worksets)? I could easily see someone drawing new components on Level 5 with the workset still set to Level 1, just as they at times draw all on 1 Layer instead of the proper layer. Hoping to get a wider response from this great audience.
    Wesley

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