How to update link for all users?

[Anonymous]

When I consume a package how can I make sure all users get their linked files updated? Will it update if they close and reopen the model or do they need to manually reload these models?

Some background information:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-architecture-forum/workshared-project-what-happens-if-you-just-...

Another question, when I consume a package, how do I know it`s actually updated and ready for me to reload? Is it immediate? If not, how long should I wait and how to confirm link is ready for reload?

[jayson.sterba · Accepted solution]

hey @Anonymous ,

Lets say for instance you are on the "Architecture" team. If you go ahead and consume the "Structural" teams model package, it will put a copy of the model in this location: 

Project Files > Architecture > Consumed > Structural > (.rvt) file. 

it should be pretty quick after you consume the model, and you can verify it is complete by going to the consumed folder as stated above, it will show the date. 

As for getting the links updated, they should update the next time the file is opened, or if you reload the links in manage links. Again, this is going by the assumption that you linked your structural file to pull data from this folder: 

Project Files > Architecture > Consumed > Structural > (.rvt) file. 

(teams names above are generic and can be replaced for actual company / team names)

Please let me know if you have any questions or if this answers it!

[Anonymous]

Hi @jayson.sterba,

Thank you for the answer. This clarifies that Revit BIM 360 works similarly to regular collaboration Revit. When you open the model, it will update the links, even if you are no longer creating a local file.

Regarding how fast it will update on user stations. Assuming all links are properly done and pointing to the consumed files, I am wondering about the exact timing or a way to verify it.

Example: I consume a package on a 500MB file. I click the button. I imagine it is not immediately downloaded  to my local computer. I`m wondering if there is something I can check locally to confirm my ocal version will work. Or maybe it is immediate.

I`m asking because I usually inform everyone that the link is ready to reload when I get the update. We use Microsoft Teams, so it is immediate. So really, my question is, should I send the update message to my team immediately when I click consume (once it says the updated date online on the BIM 360 portal) or is there something I should be waiting for locally?

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I'm also asking because in BIM 360 Teams (the old version), when you open a model, it does not synchronize it. You have to do it manually, so I wanted to double check that it does indeed update the links when opening the file, in the new BIM 360 Design.

[jayson.sterba · Accepted solution]

hi @Anonymous ,

Right, so when you click the "Consume" it translates a copy of the model to the consumed folder in BIM 360 docs. Length of timing on that could vary, it should be pretty quick. Again, you could verify that the link is "available" by checking the consumed folder. 

Correct, the links need to be pulled down to local in order for them to appear changed within Revit. There are two ways to force this:

• Close and Reopen the central model (forces it to pull a new copy of all the links)
• Manually reload all your links. 

Afterwards, you could ensure that the links are updated by looking in the collaboration log. Local copies of files are stored and overwritten in the collaboration cache every time the model is opened / synched / published. 

• C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Autodesk\Revit\<Autodesk Revit Version>\CollaborationCache 

[Anonymous]

Interesting. After having a look at the collaboration log, I would not want to tell my users to go into tht folder, it seems unreadable on top of the chance they could accidentally delete something.

If there is any way for ou to inform the team: I would suggest an easier way to tell users that a model has a new version that can be reloaded. Either directly in Revit or in Autodesk Desktop Connector.

Ideally I would do a popup that gives the user the option to reload the updateable model or ignore it. It could also be more subtle with an icon in the Link Manager that tells you a newer version is available, but I would prefer a popup.

Thank you for your help!

[jayson.sterba]

hi @Anonymous ,

Yeah, its typically a hidden folder in windows by Default (App Data) the collaboration cache is usually used more for file recovery or tracking issues via journals. Currently, there isn't an push notification to let users know there are updated links available for reloading but I could see that be useful. This would be one for the BIM 360 Ideas Board.

Thanks!