Is it faster to read/write files in BIM 360 compared to a Local File Server?

[mark_tampis]

We are currently using a Local File Server Setup in our office. last week, we tried the Trial Version of BIM 360 Collaborate Pro in our live project. We felt a huge difference in terms of opening the files and synchronization.

We also noticed that the models are a bit lighter/easier to handle in BIM 360 compared to when it was in our local server. Is there any reason for this? Does BIM 360 optimize the Revit files once uploaded to BIM 360 server?

Thanks!

[DeepakMaini · Accepted solution]

Hi @mark_tampis, yes, while working with Revit Cloud workshared models, the performance (opening, syncing, and working) is a lot better. There are several factors that contribute to this improved performance. The two main ones are:

1. When you initiate cloud worksharing on a machine or when you open a cloud workshared model on a machine for the first time, there is a local cached version created. The next time when you open the model, Revit only needs to download the changes. As a result, the file open process takes a lot lesser time.
2. There is a process that works in the background called Revit Accelerator. It looks at the model you have opened and it pre-fetches and delta-transfer the changes with the Cloud Central model. As a result, the Sync to Cloud Central takes a lot lesser time. 

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[mark_tampis]

Thanks, Deepak!

Makes sense!

I really appreciate your response.

[J___M___]

Why is not possible to make Revit function the same way for both Revit Cloud workshared models and Revit Server workshared models? We work on a lot of projects that cannot go in the cloud. 

I can transfer files to the server from home (connected to VPN) at 200 Mbps. I also can receive files at the same speed. For the test I placed the 1.6 gb file in the same folder where the central files are at.

For some reason when syncing Revit though the speed shown on task manager slows to an average 1-5 Mbps / 20Mbps brief peaks. Is this because it is processing (sending/receiving) the complete Revit file each time? I know that Autodesk want us to use ACC and we do when possible and would for these projects if we could.

Autodesk. Please consider updating Revit to be more efficient over a WAN. There are so many users that have spent so much time dealing with slow models, element borrowing lag and long sync times. It seriously has been an issue that has taken hundreds (may have crossed thousand) of hours of my life that I will never get back. That all in exchange for users to be forced to use ACC as the only efficient option. Not all projects (for security reasons) can use this option to drive your revenue. I am begging here if you can't tell.