Multiple users for one revit file

[KEOSTE]

Hi Im trying to set up a "Test" project within the Engineering consultancy I work for to see what problems we might encounter with  a live project.

I was wondering how multiple users can design in a Revit layout at the same time.   

I have an Arch plan linked into a Mech template with Heating , Ventilation, Plumbing & Fire Protection as subdiciplines.

Ideally another MEP Revit user and Myself would both like to work on this Revit file at the same time designing two subdiciplines each.

What would be the correct process to achieve this ultimately ending up with one complete mechanical file.

I have tried to achieve this using the central / local file process but each time I save & synchronized one of the local files (heating) with the central file it replaced the elements in the in the central file with what had been synchronizes from another local file (plumbing) earlier???

I am still new to Revit so any help would be greatly received

Cheers

[asommer]

Did you turn on "Worksharing"?  If you go to Collaborate tab, hit the Worksets button.  Otherwise, what the other person saves will save over your stuff, & vice versa.

[scott_d_davis · Accepted solution]

Worksets are the way we share projects in Revit.  (this is the Central file/local file setup).  To me, it sounds like in your testing, you created all the local files from the central in the same user name, so that you were essentially "saving over your own work."

Make sure the local files are created and/.or edited with a unique user name, which will automatically be the windows logon ID by default on different machines.  If testing from a single amchine, you can change the User Name in Options (Application Button "Big R">Options)

Doing this from a unique name will keep your changes from each local copy sync'd with the Central.  There is no way to overwrite elemetns using this method, because you would not be allowed to make changes to an object or workset that another user has checked out.

[KEOSTE]

Thank you for you replys.This has solved it for me. I was testing it from one pc (a single username)

Another problem ticked of the list.

Cheers Guys

[KEOSTE]

Hi sorry, back again. While this thread is still fresh could anyone help me with this

As I synchronize my local file with the central file, all the elements from the central file which where added by User 2 suddenly appear in my local file. Im not sure, is this the idea behind it.?Guess I assumed that each local file would remain as the user had designed and only the central file would contain all element from each local file and be used for the coordination.

Im just checking Im performing the process correctly and haven't forgotten to check any boxes??

Cheers

[CoreyDaun]

Each local file is still connected with the Central Model, and in fact, acts more like a "gateway" to access the information within the Central Model. The Local Files are not independent files, they are collaborative with the Central. The term "Synchronize with Central" infers that information is not only being saved back to the Central Model, but that the information with the Local file is being updated as well.

When you check out a Workset, you're not just copying those elements into your local. Instead, you are reserving ownership of those elements on that Workset, which would prevent anyone from making changes to them. If you were to go and move a single diffuser (or any other element) in your local file, your local file checks the Central File to see if anyone owns it. If some else does, you will be notified that you cannot modify it. Otherwise, you will be granted ownership. There is constant communication between all of the Local file and the Central file.

Is this making sense? Just ask if you need more info.

[KEOSTE]

Thanks yes makes perfect sense about the syncronization part, only thing I was unsure of was the ownership you mentioned. Does this refer to the user (username) that added the element?

[CoreyDaun · Accepted solution]

Yes. Each element has a parameter called "Edited by" which reports the current owner. And by "element" I don't just mean outlets, ducts, etc, but also Views, Sheets, and every other such aspect of Revit. This means that if you modify the setting for a View, you take ownership of that View (even though Views cannot belong to a Workset). No one else can change it until you relinquish ownership (synchronize), and that is intentional to prevent users from overwriting each other's work.

Our practice here is to create Worksets for our various trade, but we do NOT check out Worksets (we use them for visibility control). That is because you take ownership of every element you touch as you work, and when you Synchronize, the ownership is relinquished once the data is saved to the Central File. This type of ownership is called "Borrowed".

[KEOSTE]

Thats great . Thankyou for your replies, they have been very helpful

Cheers

[Richard_BIM360]

why th other user can create still open in workatation... can read as one file

[Richard_BIM360]

can not open in other user