Adding information to rooms from linked files

[ruth.clayton728068]

I have a couple of projects where we are working with other consultants and we would like to each add information to rooms in the model to create a set of Room Data Sheets. So in one project we have produced the architecture model which includes the rooms and we want to keep ownership of the rooms and the FF&E information. The M&E consultant wants to add information to the room about number of data points, heating etc. and then we want to extract that to put it into one document. On another project we are working with another architect, they want ownership of the room numbering, names and locations and we are inputting all the information for the FF&E and finishes etc. Again this then needs to be exported into one document.

So is there anyway for us both to add information? Apart from us being physically able to access the same model and utilize worksharing.

I was thinking that if we both had the rooms in our model with the same number and name we could produce a schedule that includes elements from linked files and then just use the sorting and grouping so it doesn't itemize every instance which would get rid of the duplicate rooms, but if the information is blank in one file would this make then blank when merged. Also this would mean us manually updating the room names, numbers and locations for every change.

I also tried copy and pasting the rooms between files as a test but this appeared to renumber them.

Then I thought maybe I could add a component (Invisible cube) to each room that would carry the room data sheet information, and would read the room name, number and location by being placed in that room from the linked model. But again this would need to be manually moved as the design progresses.

Has anyone done this before or is there already some in built Revit way of doing this?

Advice would be much appreciated.

Regards

Ruth

[damon.sidel]

One thought I have is that you could use one of the Excel linking Add-Ins out there. You could create a Room Schedule and export and link it to an Excel spreadsheet. Then you should share and collaborate in the Excel spreadsheet and keep updating the link. Perhaps you could even create a Google Spreadsheet or another network solution. Here's one (free) Add-In that says it does it:
http://revitaddons.blogspot.com/2013/10/free-schedules-importerexporter-add-in.html

You're right that the sorting and grouping to remove duplicates wouldn't work the way you propose.

[jsteinhauer]

Ruth,

You can utilize 'Spaces' for linked models hosting the 'Rooms'. There is a download (Space Naming Utility) from AutoDesk to automatically coordinate the space names & numbers with the linked file. This should help with most of your issues.

Cheers,
Jeff S.