Showing changes in linked models--best practices

[cliff collins]

How are teams, who have Arch.,Struct., MEP, Civil, Interior Design, etc.
showing changes in models which are linked at each team's offices--

i.e. Arch. Office A
Struct. Office B
MEP Office C

Weekly posts of Revit models are uploaded/downloaded by each team
and then the linked models are reloaded--

What methods are being used to clearly show which items have changed in the models
since the last post? i.e. MEP engineer gets a new Arch. model and wants to know
immediately what has changed since the last post.

I think there is a "model compare" app. which may be in the Subscription Advantage Pack? Or Design Standards check?

i.e. is there an automated, BIM-way of monitoring changes to all if these models
as the project moves forward?

any examples appreciated

cheers

[twiceroadsfool]

We communicate, the old fashioned way. As much as i love BIM and Revit, its never going to take the place of intelligent conversation.

Even if it DID alert everyone to changes, i would still be calling my engineers to discuss those changes before i simply reacted to them. So in short, we sent the model weekly or bi-weekly, and we sent a running list of what was changed. Or what is ready for their attention...

[gvluisi]

When we receive an updated Arch model, the Architect sends an email stating a new model was uploaded and then highlites major changes to the model. This is really nice for an MEP firm. But not everyone is that nice.

We Copy /Monitor the Arch Grid (he C/M's the Struct) and Levels. At least we know if those items changed since last update (you can export the report). Before the project started we had a Revit Consultant Coordination meeting where each discipline voiced there opinion of best practices. I like the process and as long as everyone follows the rules no one gets hurt.

I am curious about the model compare app you mention and will look into it.

Don't get me wrong, on other projects the Architect sends an email announcing their update and that's it, not a word about what has changed and we are left with our usual devices to find out what has.

So, in closing, my thoughts about Revit's coordination between linked models will never replace good ole fashioned communication.

[Scott Womack]

How are teams, who have Arch.,Struct., MEP, Civil, Interior Design, etc. showing changes in models which are linked at each team's offices--

Cliff,

I've copy-clipped a portion of the email I send out when updating a model. This project is still in SD so the list is longer, which is better to illustrate. I've doing this for about 3 years without more than one or two issues in that time. I don't try to get too specific, unless it directly impacts the items I know my consultants are to be monitoring.

All,

I have just posted a new version of the Revit Model to the WTW FTP site for this project. It is in :

The following is a synopsis of the more major changes since the last posting:

Raised First Floor 1’-0”
Modified Second Floor Lounge, and Security Desk
Change which stair goes to penthouse
Eliminated some extra columns in penthouse
Eliminated Long narrow chase between Data and eastern stair
Had to change lowest level of eastern stair, due to increase in floor height
Added 2’-0” Deep Pit for Generator – Let me know actual size, and we’ll locate it properly.
Turned Bike storage 90 Deg, and made smaller. Added Fire pump Room in lower left corner of Mech Room
Shifted 1ST Flr Toilet Rooms to get Dbl door into Generator Room
Eliminated Outside stairs and exit from Generator Room
Eliminated Lower Entry Level entirely
Added Two Classrooms on Second Floor
Eliminated Mail Room
Moved RD Apartment down to first floor
Added second way out of Generator Room
Moved Toilet rooms over in the first floor.
Added Sidewalks at South and East sides to approximate grade.

Please provide an email back to me when it has been downloaded for your firm.


Scott womack

[m20roxxers]

Model Compare is a Revit extensions tool, which allows you track additions changes and deletions of model or detail items via ID numbers. It creates a report and you can select what you want included. Extremely useful and been around for a while.

I should add with large models you need them both open and it can take a while to build a report so depending what you after stripping them down can save you time in the long run.

Combine that with DWF compare from prints of views not sheets from Revit to dwf can be very welcome too, but there are conditions with that.

However these are to track the little things or those missed. The real way is good communications and project meetings, with the others teams involved.

[cliff collins]

Thanks for the replies--much appreciated.

We have always done the "communicate" thing, via phone, email, meetings, etc.
and continue that practice.

However, as m20roxxers points out, we are looking for a more automated system, such as Model Compare, dwfx, etc. Perhaps something with graphic "alerts" which show changes in a highlighted color, or even good old Revision Clouds, etc.

This issue becomes very critical when working on large, complex projects with many linked models and team members at remote locations/offices.

Does Navisworks or Solibri have any of these functions?

cheers..........

[twiceroadsfool]

Cliff-

Understand that the reason that many of us are still *defaulting* to the old hat way, is the following:

A lot of products on the market (Model compare comes to mind) check for differences between two models. IE, this weeks architectural and last weeks architectural. But that leaves a LOT to be desired, until it becomes something with more inteligence thats actually built in to the model itself. Things it is ambiguous about:

1. It checks for additions, alterations, and deletions. But mirroring something is an addition and a deletion (new element ID), yes?

2. Definitions of objects, such as families... Ive never used the tool, does it address families getting updated as well? Does it constitute a change if the origin is in the same place and the element ID is the same, and only the family definition has changed?

3. WAS IT INTENTIONAL?? Weve had trouble with MEP engineers who ASSUME everything in the model is DONE, LOCKED DOWN, and FINAL. So i accidentally move a wall 7 inches while working on something adjacent. Model review says the wall moved 7 inches. Everyone moves everything accordingly. Then i realize it moved, and move it back. Everyone gets upset. if i havent TOLD THEM its finalized, or an intentional move, they know to ignore it for the time being.

I ***DO*** agree that we need an intelligent *bim like* way to do this, but we should brainstorm what that is... Like "track changes" in microsfot word (of which i seem to recall there was a never functional tool in the "behind the scenes" toolbars of Revit called 'track changes." Current tools that simply compare A to B wont be sufficient, in my very humble opinion...

[m20roxxers]

Aaron

Model Compare tracks element ID's, geometric locations, and changes to properties of elements aswell.

It breaks this list down telling what the item is the ID number and whether it's a property changed, the items been moved or something else like that.

As for your scenario of accidently moving something. Unless Autodesk comes up with Revit Architecture Psychic that knows you didn't mean to move it, and by that time I would assume it would just be one button called create building and you think if up and it builds and documents the rest I doubt there is anything that can track mistakes vs intentional changes.

Navisworks is a nice review tool when comparing team models and highlighting issues, but not for revision comparison.
DWF markup is awesome we use this heaps it works between checkers, team leaders and drafties.
We have multiple markup files reflecting different updates, as they can only be controlled by the checker, though drafties can make comments, tag items and write all sorts of stuff. Even for updates to drawings we have has many as possible on DWF as it's free and has so many options as well as tracking all markups and revisions. For most internal updates, notes and changes we use DWF saves on licences and great way to archive all design and markup changes. Ofcourse we still have our paper guys who don't care but the majority of the team has seen the light.