Sharing that Revit File

[cek]

One of our structural engineers is transitioning to Revit (thank God) and it brings up the question of sharing our Revit file.

Is there a descriptive methodology somewhere that outlines an effective way to do this?

I can see the process where we act as the prime and update the model according to input from the engineer but that seems inefficient. It does however avoid changes to the model by the consultant that would effect the architectural.

Is there a way to lock the project file before we send it to the consultant that would allow them to only add to the project file and not modify the primary model? They would periodically send us an update file for integration into our editable project file. The consultants should be able to password protect their work so that it cannot be modified and they can access it later with the new project file re-issue.

We would have the ability upon initiating integration to review their changes and “accept” or “hold for acceptance with comment” their updates. It would also be nice if their files, details, schedules, etc could be color coded by discipline in the “Project Bowser” for easy identification. This integration check while time consuming would at least require us to review their work.

Thanks in advance for any advice on this topic.

[dgreen.49364]

There is a tutorial on linking Revit files. It is pretty helpful.

We have done this twice so far. Here is how it went. We sent the structural consultant our model. They used that model as a base starting point for their structural and I believe they essentially deleted everything except the grid and levels. What we got back from them was model that contained only grids, levels and structural steel. Since they started with our model, we used origin-to-origin when linking their model into ours and...voila..it all worked.

[Dimitri Harvalias]

Also review Copy Monitoring in the help and tutorial files. It's all about sharing information and coordination of models.
Check out the White Papers on the Autodesk website as well
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=5790057

[archjake]

Carl,

It is good to have a Structural engineer in town who is playing with Revit. I'm still not sure how much of the model they are currently using or using to document with so the process may not be this in depth.

If they do model their structure in RS then it will help and it should go something like this:

Once you have your design finished or even earlier! Yes, I know this sends up the additional service flag - especially since this consultant just pulled this on me. But in the Revit world its not that big of a difference. None the less pick a point where you give the engineer a copy of your model. Disk, FTP, or whatever.

If they know what they are doing they will link it into their template and copy monitor the useful information. They would do this for levels and other elements like structural walls. Usually a structural level isn't at the same height as an architecture finished floor level. So they create their own at the required offset from your finished floor. If they used the copy monitor tools on this level and you move your level in an updated model they will get a message that brings this to their attention and to allow this change or not. If allowed their level will follow yours up or down accordingly.

At certain times you will want to give them an updated model and get models from them.

You too will link their model into yours but there will be less copy monitoring they they do. After all we're usually the ones making the big changes (or is it the clients?).

Because I've worked with you on some projects I know how you model every piece of structure. When collaborating with models you're not going to want to duplicate what they do. Instead you will leave room for a column, or give a general thickness to a framed roof / floor and their linked in model will fill in the gaps.

I think it may be rough until we get a chance to break in the consultants (break us too) but if they are as committed to Revit as we are it will help create better designs and buildings.

I'll email you a couple of Autodesk University documents that help explain the process a little more.

[cek]

Jake,

Thanks for those documents you sent me they were very helpful in understanding the process and that my propensity for modeling the structural elements to get a handle on the architecture is resulting in much of the SE's work being done. Well I'll have to either ask for a fee discount or bring them into the project much earlier and have them do it.

One question though: Do you share the entire project file or just the model?

I understand that linkng the model into Revit Structure is only going to bring in the model. However, I have some concerns with letting out the entire project file especially when It's not necessary and contains proprietary files.

I would rather just export the model. I just didn't see a "save as model only" or "export model only" operation in the Revit menus.

I should probably also draw up a non-disclosure / limited use agreement for the consultants to sign.

Thanks

[archjake]

After I posted my reply I too thought about "Architectural" structural elements like exposed porch joists. They are structural, but the architect will need to show them in the early stages of design. Its something to think about.

I don't think there is a clean way to share the model. It would be nice to have an export feature. Typically the consultant won't see your views when they link the model in. This however won't stop them from opening up the file and looking around and copying stuff if they wanted to. Your limited use agreement may work best, but that too won't stop them. It just holds them legally responsible.

You may want to put in a service request with Autodesk and see what they say about your concern for proprietary information and sharing.

I guess trust has to be part of the design process.

on a side note Is that a new hat in your avatar? ;)

[CADMama]

Could you email me those AU handouts? I have an issue coming up with two firms working on one project together.

Would you put a central file on a buzzsaw site?

[petervanko]

Not sure that link was working, Dimitri, after the site was re-orderd. This is maybe the same one...
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/coordination_between_revit_structure_and_revit_architecture.pdf