This blog post discussed the workflow of Data Exchanges in the context of linked or federated Revit models, shedding light on existing challenges and offering practical solutions. It further demonstrates, through a detailed demo video, the process of leveraging Data Exchanges in Power BI to craft insightful dashboards.
Federated Revit Model
A federated model in Revit is a composite model that integrates multiple discipline-specific models (such as architectural, structural, and MEP models) into a single, cohesive model. This allows for better coordination, clash detection, and overall project management. Each discipline maintains its own model, but they are combined for coordination purposes.
Linked Revit Model
A linked model in Revit refers to a Revit file that is referenced within another Revit file. Linking models is a common practice for incorporating external discipline-specific models into a main model without merging them into a single file. Linked models retain their independence but are displayed and coordinated within the host model.
Data Exchange Created from Federated Revit Model
Creating a Data Exchange from a Federated Revit Model (incorporates linked models from various disciplines) is possible using Revit Connector and Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC). Individual elements from the linked Revit models remain distinct entities within the Data Exchange. If you're using the ACC to upload the Federated Revit Model, please ensure you have all the linked models visible in that Revit file.
Loading in PowerBI Data Connector
Data exchange created from a Federated Revit Model can be successfully loaded into PowerBI using the Autodesk Data Connector. A few key points are:
- Individual Elements: Elements from the linked Revit models are listed as separate rows in PowerBI.
- Parameters: Parameters from the linked Revit models are listed as individual columns in PowerBI.
- Pre-filtering: The "Filter By = category" option works on all the elements from the linked Revit models.
- Property Selection: The 'Select Properties' drop-down lists all properties from all elements of the linked Revit models.
- Unique Revit Element Id: Each element from the linked Revit models is identified by a unique Revit Element ID.
Known Limitations
- Coloring and cross-highlighting in the Autodesk Data Viewer may not work as expected due to the current implementation. In this implementation, an element from the viewer is represented by two things: the element itself and the RVT Link. This can result in incorrect coloring and highlighting, as the 'RVT Link' overrides the element's properties.
- No out-of-the-box property available 'Linked Revit Model' which can help to distinguish elements respective to each Linked Model.
Workaround
- To address coloring and Cross-highlighting limitations, follow these steps:
- Go to Transform Query Editor.
- Remove the rows corresponding to "Revit Category Type Id = RVT Links".
- Close and apply the changes.
- After performing these steps, coloring, and cross-highlighting should work as expected.
- To address the missing property 'Linked Revit Model' limitation, manually create a custom 'Project Parameter' in each of the linked models which can help to distinguish respective elements.
Demo Video
