Working with consultants that use Revit Server

[david_peterson]

On my current project, we're working with a MEP consultant that's using revit server. Problem is that they aren't removing links before they send us the file. This causes some issue for us. When loading the file, revit lags badly. So I started looking a little deeper into the consultants revit models. When opening the file I noticed that it seemed to take for ever. I believe this is due to it looking for the revit server box everywhere on our network before giving up. Then you get the error box that asked if you'd like to look at the link manager to correct the problem. If you pick yes, you're waiting again.
On average it's taking me about 45 mins, to open a 150mb file, open the link manager and remove the links then save as it's own central file on our network. Since removing the links from these files, my models seem to run a lot better. So I'm sure I've solved some kind of issue that revit was having.
My question is, Is there a better, easier way to remove these links and is this a known issue with revit server.
I've asked my consultant to remove them before he sends them, but frankly I don't remove mine before I send them. Mainly because of the process we use, and I've never had an issue with it in the past. I've never had an issue with consultant models having links that don't path. Just with these files that are using revit server.
Any ideas, suggestions or methods would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[dhurtubise]

So your files are on a Revit Server but the MEP files are linked in from a local drive?

[david_peterson]

My files are on my server. The MEP consultant sends us his files via a shared website. I wish they'd just use our ftp, but whatever.... They are using revit server and I think basically just copy and paste their central files from their revit server to this shared "Cloud" website. I then download them and place on our server.
We were having issues with Revit hanging on saves and opens and reloads of these MEP files. So I went to open one of them detached to investigate.
The links they have in their model are pointing to a revit server that isn't on our network. So I wanted to remove the links. When I did everything ran smoother. Problem is it takes me about 35-45 mins to open the file, and get to the link manager dialog box. Just wondering if there's an easier way to do this.
On my past projects I've followed the same process and never worried about the consultants files. But this is the first project I've worked on where my consultant is using revit server for their work and sends me files with missing links that are pointed to a revit server.

[dhurtubise]

Can you find out if they are using RevitServertool.exe to extract the model they send you?

[meng005]

Consider requesting to your MEP consultant to use the Autodesk eTransmit utility. However, they need to be on Autodesk Subscription to have access to eTransmit.
The RevitServerTool does not create detached models, whereas eTransmit will. Furthermore, eTransmit can include linked models, linked DWGs, etc.

eTransmit is very handy.

[MikeJarosz]

But this is the first project I've worked on where my consultant is using revit server for their work and sends me files with missing links that are pointed to a revit server.

We use consultants from all over the country, and it seems that everyone always posts their files with links to their F:\ drive or V drive or K drive or whatever still included. I've asked them to remove links before posting, but it never seems to happen. BTW: follow this advice I received from this forum: always link files directly to the central, not from a local. This means you will have to open the central when no one is working from a local, but we have fewer link problems since we started following this advice.

We use Revit server for five office locations, and I admit I have posted my architectural background with links included. I have never received a complaint from a consultant about leaving the links in. I have come to the conclusion that this is one of those bad habits that will never be broken, like working in layer 0 in Acad. Everyone does it, and everyone tolerates it.

[MikeJarosz]

I forgot to mention: My central file is on the revit server, but the links are linked from my local server. The links COULD be on the server too, but I find linking to the local network is faster.

[david_peterson]

I just find it odd that I've never had an issue before this project.
And while working in layer 0 is bad, working in Defpoints is a much harder one to break. It's also a lot more evil.

[MikeJarosz]

I just find it odd that I've never had an issue before this project.
And while working in layer 0 is bad, working in Defpoints is a much harder one to break. It's also a lot more evil.

There is a very sneaky way to fix this, if you are a computer nerd, and if you still use acad. Make a copy of the dwg file, then:

Make a dxf file. Not everyone is aware that a dxf file is a TEXT file, albeit 1 million lines long. (no exaggeration)

Get a streaming text editor. In-memory text editors like notepad cannot hold a million lines. I use the Unix SED editor.

Do a global search and replace from top to bottom. Search OLDLAYERNAME and replace with NEWLAYERNAME. I forget if this will work with DEFPOINTS, but I used it successfully with those stubborn layers that won't purge no matter what.

Load the dxf back as a dwg. Sometimes this results in a corrupt file, but you did this on a copy, right? Most of the time it fixes that stubborn layer. I earned the title of Acad Magician with this technique. I'm still waiting to be appointed Revit magician......

[david_peterson]

You'll just have to go down to Ollivander’s Wand Shop in South Side, Diagon Alley, London. I here they've got all kinds of wands.

[MikeJarosz]

There's a neat left-handed store I stumbled onto when I was in London. Do you think they might have left-handed wands?

[Dimitri Harvalias]

Just click on the flip arrow in the Revit wand family. Make sure it's a double headed arrow or you'll end up upside down instead of mirrored.