Visibility of categories from a linked model

[JoelB]

I have Revit MEP 2010, and am linking the rvt file from the architect into our file. When I open their file directly, I see six or eight compound ceiling types displayed in their reflected ceiling plans. However, I don't see any of them in the RCPs in my file.

I have checked that worksets are set to All when linking; I've made sure that the phase, phase filter, and view range are the same as the linked view; I've made sure that all categories are enabed in both the view's VG settings and the link's display settings for the view; I also tried linking to a specific view in the architect's file, and then setting all of the Basics display settings to <By linked view>. The ceilings do not show if I choose Reveal Hidden Elements.

I know that entire articles have been written on visibility issues, but what I'd like to know is:

1. Is there any reason that it might be *impossible* to see those compound ceilings from my file; and,

2. If I should be able to make them visible, do you have any other suggestions for things I might try?

Thanks,
Joel

[matt__w]

Considering the fact that it's Monday and it's almost time to bail, the only thing that comes to mind is DETAIL LEVEL. I'm not sure if that would make a difference if you have the linked view set to a specific view from the architect's model though. :\

[JoelB]

Thanks for the prompt reply, Matt.

I just ran through the detail levels and the graphics styles, and the ceilings still didn't show up.

I'll be here tomorrow, in case you (or anyone else!) comes up with any ideas in the shower!

Joel

[Jrobker]

Since we never issue drawings with the RCP on we set up a view that is strictly for coordination and placement.

Do this:

Create a duplicate view (floor plan).
Set your view range cut plane to be the same height as your top plane.
Set your underlay orientation to reflected ceiling plan.

Hidden will not show walls because your cut plane.

Like i said this view should only be used for coordination.

This should be a wish list item.
Ceilings on/off any view anytime.

[JoelB]

My need is for coordination as well, not for producing drawings.

So, I copied an existing floorplan view for the first floor.

The top, cut plane, and bottom were set to 7' 6", 4' 0", and 0' 0" respectively. I changed the cut plane to 7' 6" and turned on Ceilings in VG.

Underlay was set to None, so I changed it to LEVEL 1, which enabled me to change the Underlay Orientation to Reflected Ceiling Plan.

There were some minor changes in the display, but still no ceilngs. I messed around with the 'top' and 'cut plane' values, plugging in 9.75' (the elevation of level 2), 8' 6", 8' 2", and 8' 0" (the offsets of various ceiling elements), but never any ceilings.

I performed the same steps in the architect's model, and it worked---the ceilings were displayed.

Suggestions?

Thanks,
Joel

Since we never issue drawings with the RCP on we set up a view that is strictly for coordination and placement.

Do this:

Create a duplicate view (floor plan).
Set your view range cut plane to be the same height as your top plane.
Set your underlay orientation to reflected ceiling plan.

Hidden will not show walls because your cut plane.

Like i said this view should only be used for coordination.

This should be a wish list item.
Ceilings on/off any view anytime.

[Jrobker]

So your top and cut plane were above the ceiling?
Phases?
Ceilings are always different with each project. They are never the same.
Sometimes creating an RCP plan works sometimes they don't.
Doing it the way I mentioned usually does.

Try setting you discipline to architectural in the view props with the aforementioned setup.

[JoelB]

Alas, changing the view's discipline to Architectural didn't help.

In the Architect's file, just setting the underlay causes the ceiling to display on the floor plan (i.e. - even w/o changing the top/cut planes).

In my file, I create a brand new project from the electrical template, copy over the levels, and create a plan view for level 1. I set the underlay to level 1/RCP, and the discipline to Architectural. In VG for the link, I set the view to the exact same view I was messing with in the arch's file, and set phase and phase filter to "By linked view". I verify that Ceilings are enabled under categories, both for the link and for the view.

Most of the ceiling elements appear to be between 8' and 8' 6"; Level 2 is at 9' 0.75"

- The top is set to 'Level Above', and the cut is set to 4' 0". No ceilings.
- I change the top to 9' . Nope.
- I change the cut to 8' 6". Nada.

The underlay seems like a neat trick, but for some reason it's not working in my linked file.

Any further suggestions are welcomed!

Joel

So your top and cut plane were above the ceiling?
Phases?
Ceilings are always different with each project. They are never the same.
Sometimes creating an RCP plan works sometimes they don't.
Doing it the way I mentioned usually does.

Try setting you discipline to architectural in the view props with the aforementioned setup.

[Jrobker]

well well.
I'm wondering if this is a workset issue.
Sometimes Architects when creating a workset de-select the box visible in all views.
Since we have no control over linked worksets, you will not be able to see it.

I'm stumped. The only way I do it is the way I have explained and it works everytime.
keep playing with the view ranges in floor and ceiling plans.
Instead of floor above do the related level and set it to 10' along with the cut plane.

Would you mind uploading the model so I can take a look at it?

[smcmillin]

Don't create floor plans and then try to make an RCP out of it. Go to View-->New-->Ceiling Plan and select the level (2nd floor for example), if you can't see the level you want listed, uncheck the box at the bottom; after it is created, go to the properties of that view and set the "Underlay Orientation" to "Reflected Ceiling Plan"

If that does not work, go into the Architectural model and delete all the worksets except Workset1 & Shared Levels and Grids.

[dmcnell]

I'll second the workset issue. If it is deselected in the architects view that you have set up in the linked view, you will never get the ability to control the visibility of the elements on that workset. We usually ask the architects to create a set of background views with everything on which allows us the most flexibility in our model. They still need to maintain this view on a somewhat regular basis to update the room tags and the like, but often it ends up being the same view that they export to ACAD for other consultants not yet in Revit.

Another odd visibility control issue that we had with a linked model was that the architect used "design options" in their model. The design options act a lot like phases and was causing all sorts of interesting things until we figured it out. That one took a few, frustrating hours to track down.

-Dave