About levels in a Linked project

[geteway2digitalindia]

I have created a project in say Structural template wherein I have created different levels as per requirement.

Subsequently I have imported this file into a newly started project in Architectural template. What should I do with the default Levels of the Architectural template.....?

Also, if any of the levels in the structural template coincides with the architectural template what is to be done with the Levels of the host template as well as the imported project.

[RDAOU · Accepted solution]

@geteway2digitalindia 

If you are supposed to follow the level datum from the structural you can 

• Option A: either align the ones in the architectural model to those in the structural manually and use visibility graphics to switch either of them off and add that to the view template. downside: you would need to watch out and re-align again in case of any changes)
• Option B: Or get ride of the level datum in question from the architectural model, and copy monitor the levels from the structural. usually those are the top and bottom of the structural slab or top of foundations…etc. this way you will be notified of any changes the structural engineers introduce to the levels in their model with the option to accept/reject the change or ignore it temporarily until you resolve level change issues if any

[geteway2digitalindia]

Going by Option A : After aligning the levels which name should I retain - two levels having same value overlapping with each other. Which name will appear in the project browser

Going by Option B : How to delete the default levels of a specific template....? Will there be deeper technical complicacies..?

[SteveKStafford · Accepted solution]

Each Revit project needs its own levels to host elements and create views. Your levels and theirs don't have to match naming convention but it isn't unusual to match them either. A typical template should have a minimum number of levels that corresponds well with the kinds of work a company does. When you delete levels you don't need Revit will also delete elements that have been hosted by it and any views associated with it. You'll need to check to make sure there aren't any elements you meant to be based on a level you're keeping.

The Copy/Monitor tool is intended to let us create levels from a linked model and let Revit "watch" them for future changes (name/elevation/deletion). If we already have enough levels then the "monitor" half of the toolset will let us select theirs and then ours to create a monitored relationship without the "copy" task.

Managing the visibility of their levels (and grids) can be done with a View Filter. I name my levels and grids with a unique prefix for the type name and then my level filter looks for any levels (or grids) that don't have that prefix and then I turn off the visibility for those. That puts all the control of their level and grids visibility in my hands. I won't have to ask them to assign them to the correct workset or rename their types...I just use a unique name in the file(s) I control.

[geteway2digitalindia]

Your 3rd para is very interesting...

Can you pls throw some more light on "...I name my levels and grids with a unique prefix for the type name and then my level filter looks for any levels (or grids) that don't have that prefix and then I turn off the visibility for those. That puts all the control of their level and grids visibility in my hands. I won't have to ask them to assign them to the correct workset or rename their types...I just use a unique name in the file(s) I control....."

Some examples will be highly appreciated

[SteveKStafford · Accepted solution]

Okay, let's say all the companies using Revit for your project use the OOTB templates. That means they all have Level types that have the same name. If my company is the "Really Awesome Design Firm" I can change my Level types to RADF-Levels. Then I can create a View Filter that is focused on the Level category and the criteria used is that the Type Name does not contain RADF or does not begin with RADF. Then that filter applied to a view or view template will capture any Level category element that fits that criteria. When I uncheck the Visible option only my levels will be visible.

[geteway2digitalindia]

Great....!!!