REvit worksharing from an IT/CAD Manager perspective....

[mmonty1269]

With the mind-set of being able to use workshared files, how does this affect the managment of file folders?
For our office we typically have a folder for each phase of the project... schematic design, etc. thru C.A. Breakdown is typically as follows:

>project #
\ SD
\ SPA
\ DD
\ CD
\ Incoming
\ Outgoing
\ Photos

etc.....

each 'phase'..lets say SD (schematic design) might have the following folders within:

>SD
\ Orig
\ DWG
\\Xrefs
\ DOCS


Obviously there is a point in time when the dwgs need to be transfered to the next folder/phase. This usually coincides with the billing dept. ;) Thus we have a point of reference for the project
I assume this organization of the filing system can be kept... or SHOULD IT?? That is my question today. When working with Revit, SHOULD we also reorganize the servers' file folder(s) ??? Is there a better solution?????? OH! And this 'file organization' was here when I was hired, and as you all know; change is often not welcome; but now is a good time! ;)

[eric.piotrowicz]

You don't need to modify your folder structure but adding a Folder that would permanently house the model and links would go a long way in preventing headaches. At each phase of a project you can archive the project to the appropriate folder by saving dettached copies of the project and links. You'll need to re-link the archive links though. Moving the Central file can be done but you'll need to save a dettached copy to the new phase folder and then do the same with each link and re-link. Also after you have gotten the central file and links relocated you need to have each user create new local files and be certain they have deleted the previous local file. If not they could accidenty open a previous version and be working in a parallel world and then wondering why nobody else can see their work. Then its time to play the copy/paste game and hope for as little rework as possible, Personally (and I think most will agree) I would keep the project in a single location and inform the company that this is a small modification to the folder structure that will simplify things in the long run.

[bbeck]

The only changes that I've made to our folder organization since adopting Revit 6 years ago was to add a families folder above our design phase (sd, dd, cd, etc.) and then I also added a Revit folder within our design phase.

job ##

/ drawings..specifications..meetings..images

/ Architectural..Structural..Electrical...etc.

/ Families..Presentation..SD..DD..CD..CA..etc.

/ Revit..CAD..PDF..etc.

Detach CENTRAL as you move from phase to phase making a new CENTRAL each design phase.

[Gadget Man]

You don't need to modify your folder structure but adding a Folder that would permanently house the model and links would go a long way in preventing headaches. (...) I would keep the project in a single location and inform the company that this is a small modification to the folder structure that will simplify things in the long run.

That's in my opinion the best solution - in this case the project is ALWAYS in the same location - easily found by anybody and the copies archived to their corresponding folders need only to be re-linked as needed. It's possible that some of them would never be re-visited, so they wouldn't need to be re-linked at all.

I think that this method is the safest, as everybody keeps on working in their original files as if nothing happened, while only one person "messes around" with the archived copies of the project...

[mmonty1269]

That's in my opinion the best solution - in this case the project is ALWAYS in the same location - easily found by anybody and the copies archived to their corresponding folders need only to be re-linked as needed. It's possible that some of them would never be re-visited, so they wouldn't need to be re-linked at all.

I think that this method is the safest, as everybody keeps on working in their original files as if nothing happened, while only one person "messes around" with the archived copies of the project...

That makes sense... So structure would be as follows:
>project #
\ Revit Model (or whatever we want to call it (Central File, etc) ; where we keep the model)
\ SD
\ SPA
\ DD
\ CD
\ Incoming
\ Outgoing
\ Photos

Aaaand since I've been named the "IT-guy" (trying not to barf up my lunch) I guess I'm the one that will be doing the "archiving" to the respective folder at the conclusion of each phase of the project (i.e. SD's, DD's, etc)...

Note: I'm simpy obtaining as much information and plan this as best I can with a VERY limited use of Revit. Our office has NOT switched over yet... I wanna know what to expect, and how to prepare ahead of time....before we make this leap. So thank you all for your help...
As always, any advice is greatly appreciated........

[Scott Womack]

That makes sense... So structure would be as follows:
>project #
\ Revit Model (or whatever we want to call it (Central File, etc) ; where we keep the model)
\ SD
\ SPA
\ DD
\ CD
\ Incoming
\ Outgoing
\ Photos


Stronly suggest the following directories be accounted for:

\DWG (for dwg files linked in)
\Images (for rendering, logos, maps for cover sheets, etc.
\PDF's

Good lock!