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ems.webmail967704
2012-09-17, 05:49 PM
We have an ongoing project that entails multiple renovations of an existing office building. Each renovation is it's own project. After doing some research in various forums, we had implemented a process where all geometry that is unique to each project is contained in the Revit file for that project, and files from other projects are linked in.

The issue that has arisen, however, is that some projects include modifications to work performed in a previous renovation. For instance, renovations from Phase 3 are due to be completed in late 2013 and will remain in place for a year, and then parts of Phase 3 will be demolished and a new elevator will be installed. Further complicating this is that we need to document the new elevator work before the work in Phase 3 is completed, and there is the possibility that ASI's will be issued and the as-built conditions will be different from what is in the Phase 3 model when we begin documenting the new elevator.

Some of the solutions that we have come up with are adding a future phase to Phase 3 and doing demo for the elevator in that project, but we have not found that doing demo in one file and new construction in another file is an efficient or intuitive way of working, especially where demo for a new project encompasses geometry from more than one previous project. Doing a save-as for Phase 3 is an option, but means that we will have to coordinate any changes in the Phase 3 model with the model for the new elevator project. This happens a number of times, and having to do all the coordination manually across multiple files, with multiple people working on different projects, is somewhat of a nightmare and not very BIM-ish at all.

This wouldn't be nearly as big of a problem if it was all part of one Revit file, but doing multiple projects in one file has it's own set of issues, like control of visibility of callouts, datums, etc., as well as the file performance of a file with so many views and sheets, as well as having to append our sheet numbering system to deal with having multiple sheet sets.

Our next step was to try to do the whole thing within one Revit file, but then link in the model to separate revit files and create views and annotations of the linked model for documentation, but I don't know if this is the best solution?

I was hoping that someone out there has a suggestion for how to deal with this situation? Any assistance is sorely needed and deeply appreciated.

Thanks.

gbrowne
2012-09-18, 09:22 AM
Welcome to the forum!

This sounds like a nightmare whatever way you do it! But intuitively it sounds like it should still be achievable using phases in the one project. Its a lot of complexity, but still phases after all. As for the datums, they should be consistent through the same building. Callouts could be created in a 'phase base plan' so they don't appear in other phase plans & perhaps additionally have a P1, P2 prefix or something to help identify where they belong?

Good luck with the project and let us know how you progress!

Mike L Sealander
2012-09-19, 12:50 AM
I think you need to design the project in the same sequence as the several projects will be constructed. Don't start to design future phases that are dependent on previous phases until those previous phases are completed. And in terms of supplemental instructions to phases that won't be issued until later, bite the bullet and resign yourself to some old-fashioned repetitive drafting. It's just what needs to be done.

neil.osher233088
2012-09-19, 03:30 PM
I also agree that it should be achievable using phases. But I don't think it would be a bad idea to do your "next step". For documentation, that would be the least amount of brain damage. You wouldn't need to append your sheet numbering system. No complex browser organization to separate multiple sheet sets. In the working model use a prefix in the name (as gbrowne suggested) of the floor plan views so it will be easier to find when you use "By Linked View" for all your sheet views in the "Sheet Model".

You may want to think about what annotation (dims, tags, notes, etc.) is located in which model. Maybe they're all in the working model....? Maybe they're all in the sheet model....?

Good luck.