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Linked files and light fixtures

7 REPLIES 7
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Message 1 of 8
stever66
4317 Views, 7 Replies

Linked files and light fixtures

What is the best way to handle light fixtures when linking an architectural revit file into a MEP revit file?

We want the lights to be in the MEP file so we can circuit and schedule the lights.

So we have been using ceiling hosted fixture families. However, they wouldn't host to a linked ceiling, so we had to redraw all the ceilings in the MEP file, and we have to align them with the grids in the architectural file. And if any ceilings change, we have to change both files.

Then we tried using face based families. Works great in the MEP file, they host to linked ceilings, and they mask the grid when a 2x4 light is put in a2x2 ceiling. But if the MEP file is linked back into the architectural file, the grid isn't masked.

Should we be putting lights in the architectural file? Or maybe the only ceilings should be in the MEP file? Or should we be using the copy/monitor option for ceilings in the arch. File?

Thanks,
Steve
7 REPLIES 7
Message 2 of 8
Mehdi.Kardehi
in reply to: stever66

Hi Steve,

 

Best way I can think of is copy/monitor from the linked architectural model and using face based light fixtures.

 

Hope it works for you.

Cheers,

Mehdi

Message 3 of 8
L.Maas
in reply to: stever66

I used all three methods in the past. Especially in cooperation between different companies (or departments) it is a matter of project agreement and coordinatiuon between them.

Who is resposible for what and who does what? All solutions are viable.

 

As you already have seen there are some tradeoffs between the different options.

 

 

 

Louis

EESignature

Please mention Revit version, especially when uploading Revit files.

Message 4 of 8
jkarben
in reply to: stever66

When the face of two elements are at the same plane it's a coin toss on which will display. The grid wins in most cases.

 

Edit the family of your face based light fixture(s) so that the face is a smidge below the plane. Now when it is placed in the MEP model and linked to the Arch Model it will pierce the grid and should display properly.

Message 5 of 8
abulla
in reply to: jkarben

We've developed our own non-hosted light fixture family that consists of a few detail lines, a connector with instance-based voltage and load parameters, and a 3d clearance box. Then we place our family on top of the architects' lights in a working view with ceiling heights tagged. This method allows us the most flexibility and prevents circuits from breaking as they sometimes did with copy/monitored lights, and we don't have to modify any of the architects' families. If they have a crazy decorative fixture, we can use our family with no problems. It does require another level of coordination with ceiling heights and layout changes, but this method has worked far better than trying to copy/monitor (for us anyway).

 

Sparky.png

Message 6 of 8
stever66
in reply to: stever66

I just found out the face based families don't really cut the ceiling grid.  If the view is set for hidden line, they will hide part of the T bar, but not really cut it.

So the face based families aren't really helpful unless we are willing to keep all views in hidden line mode. 

 

Also, we can't copy and monitor a ceiling grid.   And if we try to just put the ceilings in the MEP model, the ceilings don't recognize the linked walls.  So every ceiling has to be drawn by hand.

 

Yes, there are drawbacks to any method.   But I don't see why there has to be - it seems like Revit has gone out of their way to put roadblocks into coordinating the ceiling plans.

 

 

Message 7 of 8

I agreed.
Message 8 of 8

Agreed

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