Referencing details between files

[Chowdur]

I have a project that contains multiple Revit files for multiple locations throughout the site. One of the Revit files contains all of the details for the project. What’s the best way to reference details that are in one file into another?

[eric.piotrowicz]

Revit doesn't have the ability to reference views from other projects in the way that you are looking to do. The main reason is that it isn't able to coordinate itself if the views in the other project have their name or sheet number changed. There are a few messy and unadvisable ways to kludge it into doing what you want but I won't recommend any of them.

[wmullett]

If one file has detail views placed on sheets that will be printed as part of the set, you could create dummy sheets in your file and place callouts in same order.... but this is messy to coordinate.

[Chowdur]

I think that's what the architects are going to do with their files. I was hoping for a easier way that wouldn't require so much manual coordination, looks like there isn’t one.

[mgrauer]

There are a few ways to do this but they all have issues. You can divide your project into model space and paper space. Paper space would be an empty revit file that you link your models into and create all the sheets and details. You can link any view this way. Downside is you have to go back and forth between the model files and the detail files.

You can keep you exterior sheets in your shell file and your interior details in your core files. If plan callouts from the shell need to be viewed in a plan view in the core you just draft over the revit callout in the shell with the appropriate symbol and bubble. The callout will appear through the link- but the revit callout will not. You still need some dummy references for typical details.

[eric.piotrowicz]

Sorry but this is a ton of manual coordination busy work in a program that is clearly meant to eliminate such.

[cganiere]

If one file has detail views placed on sheets that will be printed as part of the set, you could create dummy sheets in your file and place callouts in same order.... but this is messy to coordinate.
I use this method.

[mgrauer]

I have found that using the shell and core model approach with exterior sheets in the shell works well with very little dummy callouts required. Exterior doors and windows can be scheduled through the links and the details for exterior really only need to reference each other- and not the interior details in the core model. Its only the plan callouts and a few references to general notes or, framing details that need dummied references- this is not alot of trouble if compared to CAD. Your still gaining alot of efficiency especially since your exterior team will have their own model to work on. I actually prefer this approach to a single model because the workflow is easier - interior and exterior are in seperate models. But you do need a system to make it efficient that may require changing your office standard to work with the separation.

On a campus project with many buildings it is more complicated. My advice is to call around and talk with BIM coordinators in your area. HOK is a good resource for large projects. BIM coordinators are usually willing to discuss workflow.

[twiceroadsfool]

You dont need dummy callouts AT ALL of youre doing it correctly. Linked Files and Linked Views are set up to do JUST THIS. You dont need dummy views or references.

[ksmith.207733]

Why not just insert the detail views into you're main model. That to me is the best scenario

[cdatechguy]

Why not just insert the detail views into you're main model. That to me is the best scenario

Folks don't want to have to edit a view multiple times....and while you can reinsert a drafting view, it doesn't replace it, it just adds an extra number. In our case I would have to modify a detail 8 times...

[david_peterson]

There's a View Reference tool from Revolution Design that kinda works. I'm not going to say it works, but it is functional if you're trying to create the same section cut in a core and shell model that was drawn in an interior model. I've used Type Based Generic annotation families for it in the past. This allows you to just update the type if the detail number changes.

The other hack work around I've seen if you're doing say a campus of buildings and you're trying to use one master set of drafting views is to create those on a floor plan view set to the desired scale an a "Detail LeveL" that's set to an elevation say 100' below the actual modeled building. Link the master detail model in to your building model. Create that same "Detail Level" at the same elevation and change the view settings to "By Linked View" for that master detail model. Then you can use call-outs to place those details on sheets. If you need to make a change to a detail, you make a change to the master detail file and it updates everywhere the next time it's loaded. I can't take created for the idea. Saw it a BIM After Dark webcast with I think Aaron Maller from Parallax.