Best method to integrate survey Topo into Model?

[fkumbre]

Hi,

I am new to revit and I can't get something straight. I designed the model (a simple residence) and it is almost done. Now I got the survey. Some people told me to model the survey in the same file. Some people told me to model the survey in a different file and link the 2 files together.

The issue I am having is that my house is modeled in the 00 level and topo is at sea level.
I need to move the level 00 to match the level 160.1 in the toposurface.
If i relocate the project, the topo also relocates.
I have spent countless hours trying to fix it and I can't find a solution.

Thank you.

[CAtDiva]

This is exactly why I like to model my topo in a separate file ... I can place the survey and model the topo at its own 00 and in a separate model have the building at 00 (or 100'-0" more typically for us). I can then link the two and move them independently ... kinda. My workflow is to link the building into the site, then Publish the Shared Coordinates back to the building model.

Rather than explain it step by step, I highly recommend reading Steve Stafford's take on Shared Coordinates. Check this out first: http://revitoped.blogspot.com/2013/06/coordinating-projects-using-shared.html.

He has bunch of Shared Coordinates blog posts that are worth a read as well: http://revitoped.blogspot.com/2012/05/shared-coordinate-post-summary.html

[fkumbre]

Thank you for the reply. But How do you change the topo to read the new hardscape or new buildings?

So, in my case, by having both (topo and model) in the same file, this can't be accomplished?

[wvanelderen]

Using 2 models is always the best way.
Split your model into 2 models. One with the topo and one with the building and use shared coordinates. See this article https://www.augi.com/articles/detail/shared-coordinates-help-achieve-project-success

[patricks]

Using 2 models is NOT always the best way. It's a major pain because you can't move back and forth between the models easily, or even have them both open at once (which is asinine on Revit's part).

For a relatively small/simple building model and site (single building, single site), I have found it much easier to use Jeff Hanson's method: http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?139601-I-am-still-having-trouble-with-the-project-elevation&p=1174457&viewfull=1#post1174457


Start a project from a brand new template.
In a section view select the level markers and move them to the sea level elevation where the first level of the building will be i.e. where you numbering starts from. Note DO NOT use relocate project for this.
Place points for contours using sea level heights.
In an elevation view select the project base point and unclip it.
Move the base point to establish where you want the elevation of the first floor to begin. For example if you want to start at 0'-0" move it the same distanceyou moved the level markers. If you want to start at 100'-0" then move the project base point 100' less than you moved the level markers.
Re-clip the project base point.


This method is easier to implement early in the project. If you have several section and elevation views completed, you'll have to move all those views up to the required elevation. But other than that it makes toposurface editing very easy, as the surface points will show your real world elevation.