2 linked architectural models that need editing

[HVAC-Novice]

I usually don't link projects... but I have a lighting project in a building with relatively complex architecture (like a coffer ceiling etc.). I have the 2011 Revit files from a previous remodel and wonder how to best proceed. there are several issues that make this more complex:

- apparently they had a different model for the exterior inc. exterior walls and one for the interior (there also is one for MEP, but ignore this for now). Each of them have the levels (so I have duplicate of each level). Actually the interior model is structural only. So there are no doors, dropped ceilings etc. IIRC, they had two different architecture firms working on this (never a good idea!)

- their main level is at 100' and the lowest floor goes to 81'8"

- the 3rd floor is missing and I need to model that (the levels exist)  Correction: 3rd floor was a different phase

- There may have been other models (like interior architecture). but i don't have those. 

- some window and wall elements are broken or missing (maybe from upgrading..., or bad linking). At first glance, exterior doors are missing. 

- I don't know how sophisticated they were in 2011, so the models may have more surprises and pitfalls. 

For lighting I need to place spaces, place fixtures on ceilings and walls etc. Between the missing architectural interior, the third floor and the broken items, there still seems to be quite some modeling I have to do. but using what exists would give me a head start. 

What is my best strategy to get a usable model for my lighting design? 

- One idea is to "bind" the models and then just fix the rest of the building in this model. Basically do the same what I would do with a blank model (trace from PDF plans) except a lot is already there.

- keep the linked model and just copy the levels and other things to create my own views. then place the ceilings, doors etc. in this model. 

Ideally my final file doesn't rely on linked rvt files. But don't I always have to keep the linked files if I use the links? 

Edit: another issue will be that I will have duplicate levels. I tried to link the structural model into the exterior architectural model (reference type attachment) and that into my model (nested link). they both show up in my model. but they also show each of their levels. 

if I only use one of the linked models, the structural model would give me more value since I can relatively easily re-create the exterior walls. i also saw stairs, raised floor etc. are in none of the models I have. 

[barthbradley]

I favor the Bind and Ungroup Approach - except I'd upgrade 2011 to it's own 2024 RVT with Audit checked (or whatever version you're on) and Bind/Ungroup and clean it up in that Project as best you can (e.g. Purge, Resolve Warnings, etc.). Then Link it (with Audit Checked) into the Project you're working in and Bind/Ungroup it - since you don't really want or need it to be a Link.  

...BTW: I went through something similar a couple of years back and it was anything but smooth sailing upgrading 2011.  If you have the option, it would be better to upgrade sequentially.  

[HVAC-Novice]

Thanks, I'll try that. Those projects already are 2024 version. 

what is my best way to avoid having levels duplicated (from each of the linked files)? 

And I found the third floor and the windows are not messed up anymore! I turns out that all came in "new construction" phase. Should I make everything "existing "in the linked model? At this point it is existing... 

And I found out how to hide the linked Grids and levels:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCPD6WIw9jI&ab_channel=MarkSadler

Maybe this will work:

- I link both models (with levels and grids shown). 

- I create my own levels matching the ones in the linked model

- hide the linked levels.

- since the structural model grids probably are the most important, I may just leave them visible

But will this still work if I bind the linked models? it seems i can prevent the levels to be part of the binding:

[Alfredo_Medina]

I vote for using links. Use the other links as context, and model just your discipline, as in any other typical BIM project. If you're not familiar with that, it would be good to learn. You need to spend sometime setting up the views. Make sure everything is aligned in x, y, and z before modeling anything. Then, if necessary, copy grids and levels and then hide grids and levels from all the links.

[HVAC-Novice]

In this case , the architectural model is missing the entire interior (stairs, partition walls, doors etc.). So I will have to model "outside my discipline" (Lighting in this case) anyway. And wouldn't I have to keep the linked files for ever along with my model? and these linked files being from 2011, it isn't like they get updated and i need to maintain the updates. 

At the end of the project my hope is to only have a single rvt-file. 

I still want to take this opportunity to learn how to deal with linked models in case I use them as intended (i.e. an architect designing architecture and I link theirs in my model and reload the links when they make changes). Would I in that case copy/monitor their levels (in case they change them), or create my own levels at the same height they show? 

[HVAC-Novice]

I hope I can learn how to do this better the next time. Here is what I ended up doing and what I think needs improvement:

- I edited both models to bring all (now) existing items into existing phase and I deleted all demolished (back then in 2011). 

- I linked both and in an elevation i created my won levels matching the ones in the links. 

- I bound the two linked models. and started adding the grind lines I wanted. I disabled binding grids and levels. 

- it turned out, the original Revit model was NOT set to true north. I corrected that in my project. 

- Another issue is that their Plan North was at the bottom. This won't work with my North arrow, and I don't like it. I first tried to just rotate everything, which didn't work. and i tried to edit my north arrow family to accommodate plan north at the bottom. I contemplated to rotate the linked projects... But fortunately found out I can rotate project-north (under Project Location). that worked. 

What I think I should have done:

- I probably could have used the phase mapping make the linked files existing and new phases to appear as one existing phase. but I'm not sure if the items that were demolished back then also would still show up. 

- Set up true and project north correctly in the linked files. (but I'm not sure if that would have screwed things up if each linked file rotates around a different point they wouldn't align anymore?)

- Include levels and grids from ONE of the linked models when binding