Relative vs Absolute Path and Manage Link Issues

[bscott58D]

I am working to understand an issue with Relative vs Absolute paths for linked files in Revit 2014.  Projects are not updating the “Saved Path” file location when “Path Type” is changed from relative (default) to absolute. 

To determine what was going on I created a new site and two building models on my hard drive (worksets NOT enabled).  One link used a relative path, the other was changed to an absolute path after the initial insert.  When I cut and paste the three files onto our server and open the site with the linked models the files functions as expected.  The relative link loads without issue, while the absolute linked file breaks.  I “Reload From” for the link with the absolute path and shebang, there it is (as expected).  The weird thing is that now if I try to change the “Path Type” from absolute to relative the saved path location does not update.  The link that was inserted with a relative path prior to the move updates the saved path location when changed to absolute and back to relative (as it is supposed to!)

If go through the entire process above with Worksets enable prior to the file cut and paste operation the saved paths do not update when the path type is changed..  Does anyone know what the heck is going on and how to resolve? Is this issue related to something going on after links are inserted when Worksets are enabled?

[Lance.Coffey]

The Saved Path will not necessarily change based upon the Absolute or Relative setting.

For workshared files this should show the location of the central file, as described in the Manage Links Dialog help topic.

[bscott58D]

Sorry but that makes no sense and is incorrect.  As I state in my post, a file that was initially set up on my hard drive and the moved to our server with relative linked path updates the saved path all day long.

Why even show the saved path if it does not update based on relative vs absolute pathing?  If a path is relative shouldnt it only "reach back" to the central model.  There should be NO indication of drive letter or server id?

One would expect that an absolute path would show the ENTIRE path back to the drive letter (non-network) or server name (networked).  I should be able to change the drive letter all day with absolute path and there be no effect.  As of now a file that is linked with absolute path is showing a drive letter not our server id. 

As much as I dispise AutoCAD there are no such issues with that program...why is Revit different? 

[Lance.Coffey]

Are you finding the display of the Saved Path affecting the Absolute/Relative link behavior (i.e. if the Saved Path shows the full path, but the Path Type is set to Relative, is the link maintained when the model is moved to your server)?

[bscott58D]

Mr. Coffey, 

Here are screen shots of my test project.  I will write up a full explanation this weekend to describe the issues we have encountered and my testing to date. 

[Lance.Coffey]

Looking at the PDF, I can see that you have different Path Types specified for the RVT files, but I'm not clear if you have been able to verify that the Path Type is behaving as expected (as models are moved), regardless of what is displayed for the last Saved Path.

[jaeil.jeon]

Lance,

Before 'e-transmit' to send some rvt files to someone, Should I change 1)'Path type' into 'Relative' and 2)'Saved path' into a local folder at which all rvt files are located? 

I am using BIM360.

Jaeil