I have been scouring the net and elsewhere to learn as much as possible about how to make a Revit file more "efficient" which in my case means faster (but also smoother/ cleaner). I have compiled a list that I would like to share. Any response would be appreciated. I hope to be helpful to others who are in my situation and also to be helped by those who have tried out some of these techniques. Maybe people can help me rank these issues with numbers or rate them as very important, important, or not important?

I will give an example project so that you can see where I am coming from: We have one project that is in the office now that is a slow monster! Eight story building on a plinth block with two stories of garage. 175 Megs; 8 person team; 6 standard worksets (core, shell, interior, grids, etc); several linked CAD files; several linked Revit files (Central, Structure, Existing, Site); 3 Gig switch; 3-8 min. STC times (sometimes more); 3-8 min. open times (local or central). There are many instances when the file is slow, but most especially when STC and usually when opening. So, without further delay, these are some of ideas about how to be more efficient in Revit. This list does not address hardware concerns, though it probably should.

  1. Compacting Central and local files regularly (maybe once a week)
  2. Making components instead of groups and in place familie
  3. Uncheck preview image box in save menu
  4. Opening specified worksets (not last viewed worksets)
  5. Removing/ unloading linked dwgs
  6. Only linking dwgs into necessary views
  7. Limit locking of objects (unless necessary)
  8. Turn on Open GL and overlay planes off
  9. Clean (purge) unused families regularly
  10. Save locally on your hard drive not on a server
  11. Keep a "lean and appropriate" template file
  12. Minimize the use of imported geometries (CAD or otherwise)
  13. Use only the detail that you need in families
  14. Don’t “over model” (don’t put in 100 unnecessary 3D toilets, for example)
  15. Put things on worksets that are not visible by default (example: finishes)
  16. When STC, have one open simple view
  17. When STC, turn off shadows and shading
  18. Staggering STC’s
  19. Avoid or use carefully groups, arrays, and unit types
  20. Start with generic types (walls, floors, etc.) and get more specific as necessary
  21. Turn off shadows (for all views, and especially during printing)
  22. Regularly review and fix warnings
  23. Don’t pour hot coffee on your machine when you are unhappy

Anyway, I’d love to hear what you all think. Have a good day.

Thanks,

Stephen