Revit MEP Network

[jlangner]

Our firm is in the process of completing our first Revit MEP project. We have run into many difficults and was hoping for your help in any way. We have 1 MEP model for all trades which is linking 2 architectural model. The central MEP model is located on the network and all local files on local computers. Each local is HP 4600, 64-bit system with 8GB of Ram. Each users is on a separate V-Lan network, but the central file is on the same server as all the company project. Each local file is taken over 20-30 minutes to load and additional 20-30 mintues to save to central (only 1 can save to central at a time). I know you will need more information but where do we start to fix this time. Any help will be appreciated.

[jlangner]

Additional information: Our network has multiple VLANs and the workstaiton and servers are connected via 1Gbps. The workstations and server are both in different VLAN. Below are the local computers being used:

PC TYPE: HP DC5800 Dual Core
RAM: 8GB
VIDEO CARD: PCI Express GEForce 9500GT 512MB
CPU SPEED: 2.20GHZ
NIC SPEED: Automatic (1.0Gbps)
OS: WinXP 64BIt, SP2

PC TYPE: HP XW4600 Core 2 Duo
RAM: 8GB
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA QUADRO FX 1700
CPU SPEED: 3.0GHZ
NIC SPEED: Automatic (1.0Gbps)
OS: WinXP 64BIt, SP2

PC TYPE: HP XW6600T Xeon
RAM: 8GB
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA QUADRO FX 4600
CPU SPEED: 2.83GHZ
NIC SPEED: Automatic (1.0Gbps)
OS: WinXP 64BIt, SP2

Software for all: Revit MEP 2009, 64-Bit. Appreciate any help.
Thanks
Jeanne

[sschwartz85916]

Have you read this post?
http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=84723

[truevis]

Try making the linked RVTs non-bounding. It kills Space functionalilty but may help you avoid the "STC hell" that you've been in.

[sgermano]

Theres definitely something wrong with your model setup. How large is this building? what file size is the arch rvt file? Have you purged the arc rvt file? Have you deleted their "user views" or not used views (these eat a lot of memory). I would go through this white paper with a fine toothed comb.

Have you read this post?
http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=84723

[jlangner]

The architect link model is 200MB. I removed all the drafting views, presentation views, detail views, 3D views, removed all sheets, schedules, reports, etc. We purged everything in the arch and MEP model. We went thru the white paper and fixed some items but it is still the same. We are now in the process of separate our MEP/FP model into 3 model Mechanical, electrical and Plumbing/Fire Protection.

If anyone else has any thoughts, that will be much appreciated.

I have another question regarding the white paper, it states we that our ram should be 20X of our central file. Right now our MEP model is 70MB, does that mean we need over 14GB of ram. Doesn't make since!

Thanks for help!
Jeanne

[kyle.bernhardt]

I suspect that the vast majority of your load times are related to the Architectural Model over on the network.

If you have a consistent process for taking a new version of the Architect's model, I would recommend using a Local Alias for your Architectural Model. That way you are loading both your MEP and Architectural models from the local hard drive rather than over the network.

Also, check your math. You need roughly 1.4GB of RAM based upon the recommendations of the White Paper. Take into account the size of the linked models, and you will be needing more than that. Sounds like your PCs are up to snuff, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Truevis does make a valid point about the Room Bounding setting. That can have a significant impact on load times if you have a lot of Spaces defined based upon your linked architectural model.

Cheers,
Kyle B

[DaveP]

I have another question regarding the white paper, it states we that our ram should be 20X of our central file. Right now our MEP model is 70MB, does that mean we need over 14GB of ram.

Check your math there.
70MB x 20 is 1.4Gig, not 14.

However, you should also add in that 200 Meg Arch model, so it's really more like
270 x 20 = 5400 = 5.4 Gig, so you should be OK with your 8 Gig

[jlangner]

Thanks for the input. I will test the local arch file and see if that helps.

1.45GB - Guess I missed the numer there must be slacking from the the holidays.

Again thanks for the help and will let you know how it works with the file on the local drive.

Jeanne

[sgermano]

A major contributor to large projects slowing down is not defining your systems. If you keep modeling and modeling without defining systems correctly as Revit likes you will get a system overload and your computer will self destruct... ok not really, but it just makes large models to slow to work on. Check your systems across all trades. If your "default" system in the system browser is where the majority of your systems are then that may be the culprit.