topic Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change? in Revit MEP Forum

Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

stever66 — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 16:43:17 GMT

When you copy and paste an element, why does Revit change the Phase Created and Phase Demolished?

Then I have to switch to another view where the pasted elements are visible, and change the phases back just to get them to show up in the view I'm working in.

There should be a "copy and paste same phases" button somewhere.

And while I'm at it, it should copy and paste to the same workset the original element was on.

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

CoreyDaun — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 17:23:40 GMT

Revit cannot copy/paste elements' Phasing data. When you paste an element, its Phase Created and Phase Demolished parameters are established as if it is a newly created element, which means that it assumes the current View's Phase as Phase Created and sets Phase Demolished to "none". While I definitely agree with the usefulness of such a function, it would be kind of difficult to support because the Phases of the Paste-destination don't necessarily correlate with those of the Copy-destination.

My recommendation would be to Copy/Paste elements separately according to their Phase data into a View of the corresponding Phase. This will establish a correct Phase Created parameter, but the Phase Demolished parameter will still have to be set manually.

I agree with the Workset comment, too, but the same restriction (explain above) would apply to this, as well.

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

stever66 — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:04:10 GMT

Revit could copy and paste phasing data, but Autodesk has just chosen to not make it work that way. Even the "Create Similar" changes the phase.

That works pretty well for a new plan, but sucks for a demo plan. Copy and Paste a demolished element within the same view and the pasted element is placed on a new phase which makes it invisible. You have to switch to a new plan, and change it back to demo.

It wouldn't be hard to make or support another paste command that keeps the same workset and phases. Just call it something slightly different, like "Paste Same".

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

CoreyDaun — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:20:18 GMT

I absolutely agree that they could, provided they would put some effort into it; especially for copy/paste within the same project and with Create Similar, as you mentioned. Unfortunately, the effort in implementing this has to be worthwhile to them. Heck, there are significant bugs and whatnot that have not been addressed in many years! One example is regarding text blocks: if you change the zoom, activate the text block, and then deactivate it, the internal margins change and the text is shifted around. ~shakes head~

Anyway...

If you are pasting or creating elements that are intended to be demolished, create a specific "Existing" View set to, Phase: Existing and Phase Filter: Show All, for the purpose of placing these elements in that view. This way, all of the pasted elements will inherit the "Existing" Phase for Phase Created. This should alleviate some of the labor and annoyance from the process.

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

stever66 — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 19:17:47 GMT

Yes, I've seen the text alignment error.

I'm working on my own macro to do the copy and paste to the same phase.

Looks like its going to be pretty easy, with a little help from the API forum.

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

stever66 — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:59:52 GMT

I wrote an app to do this for Revit 2016 (copies elements and makes the phases and worksets the same as the original elements).

You can download and install a trial version from the autodesk app. store here:

https://apps.autodesk.com/RVT/en/Detail/Index?id=2987796679704267199&appLang=en&os=Win64

If you download it and install it, let me know what you think.

I'm working on a more permanent licensed version. I'm not sure if it will be free yet, or not. I'd like to be able to certify it as a trusted app. so it doesn't pop up warnings when someone installs it, but those are fairly expensive.

Steve

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 15:22:19 GMT

Hi all,

somebody has a solution for this theme? thank you. Steve: i dont find your script in the link...

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

stever66 — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 15:34:28 GMT

Sorry, I haven't updated it to Revit 2017 yet. I took the 2016 version off because Autodesk said Revit 2016 wasn't compatible with windows 10.

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

G.Mulderij — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 08:41:23 GMT

Is this app still available? It would really help me.

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 12:28:30 GMT

Revit could copy and paste phasing data, but Autodesk has just chosen to not make it work that way. Even the "Create Similar" changes the phase.

It would probably be possible to code something like that, but it would be a lot more complicated than you think. The reason for this is that all newly created elements automatically assume the phase created of the view in which they are placed. So they wouldn't just have to tell the copy command to retain phase data, they'd have to also make it override a fundamental function of the software. I'd be willing to be that someone at AD has already spent a few weeks' worth of man hours trying to make this work and gotten nothing but a bunch of software crashing errors as the program attempted to do two directly conflicting operations.

As a general rule, c/p in Revit should be used sparingly.

Also, why not just go to your existing view, c/p there, then demolish everything? It sounds like the complaint here is rooted in the desire not to change views, which is sort of counter to the entire way that Revit operates.

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

G.Mulderij — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 12:54:21 GMT

Thanks for the reply,

Now, i don't fully understand your interpretation of my "problem". So an explanation:

I have multiple groups with a couple of temporary items. 20x "group A" from phase 3 until 7 / 40x "group B" from phase 3 until 5 / 20x "group C". phase 5 until 7 / and further

It would be easy if the groups will keep there phase demolished when copying them.

But clicking with the demolish tool does work as well. (easier that i expected)

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

stever66 — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 18:33:58 GMT

I do still have it and I have been using it quite a bit, but I haven't tried to publish it on the Autodesk App Store since Windows 10 came along.

The app has developed a couple of quirks over the last 3 or 4 versions of Revit (or maybe they have always been there - I'm not sure).

The quirks have nothing to do with overriding the "phase" or "workset" of the pasted element. That is easy - and its not really any different than changing the phase or workset of any element that has been placed in the model.

Oddly enough, its the "paste" that gives the most difficulty. When you paste to a new host, you get a warning, and the element always winds up "unhosted". So I have typically been using a two step process - run the program to paste elements, and then re-host elements. Not ideal, but it still seems easier than having to change views.

I planned on trying to get it to work a little better. I've also just recently noticed it seems to have a problem pasting elements into some plan regions. I need to look into that a little more also.

I'll try to find a way to make it available again. But I can almost guarantee it won't be a "Digitally signed" app due to the expense of getting that.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/getting-started/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2017/ENU/Revit-API/files/GUID-6D11F443-AC95-4B5B-A896-DD745BA0A46D-htm.html

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

stever66 — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 21:43:19 GMT

If you were still interested in this, what version of revit are you using?

2019? Or earlier?

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

G.Mulderij — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 07:43:28 GMT

There is no big need of that application, but if it doesn't take too much effort, am i still interested.

On the project i am working now, do we use Revit 2017. The new projects are made in Revit 2019.

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

stever66 — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 13:18:52 GMT

Here is the version for 2017. Unzip it and the installation instructions are included in the readme file. Make sure you read those including how to enable the .dll file.

Of course, I encourage you to virus scan the attachment for your own peace of mind. You can even de-compile the .dll and check out the code if you want to.

By downloading and installing the attached file, you agree to the Autocad's standard terms of use and license agreement that applies to any app downloaded from the Autodesk App Store.

I hope I haven't gone astray of any of Autodesk's rules or regulations by posting this here.

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 23:19:02 GMT

Great job.

It copied both phase and workset. (Revit 2018)

Thank you.

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

stever66 — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 17:01:43 GMT

Gladim a little surprised it worked on 2018 - I think it looks in the 2017 directory for the ribbon tool button image file. Maybe you put a copy of the image file in the 2017 revit directory too?

i just remembered - I'm the one that started this thread. I guess I can give myself a solution.

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 22:22:42 GMT

No I didn't copy, and the button doesn't show the picture, only text.

And when I start Revit, I got an error message.

But it still working.

Before when I create existing model, I used to do set my current phase to "existing".

Now we don't need to.

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

RobDraw — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 22:28:24 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I used to do set my current phase to "existing".
Now we don't need to.

I think you broke Revit.

Re: Copy and Paste - Why does phase change?

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 16:37:12 GMT

Any ideas on how I can remedy this? (Revit 2019)