Copy/Monitor and Structural Elements

[lee.imbimbo86EM4]

Because of circumstances on my current project me and the structural engineer worked together to resolve much of the foundation and structural steel design in my architectural model.  I seem to have incorrectly presumed that I could do what I do with my MEP engineer and just use the Copy/Monitor tools to import these structural elements from the Architectural into the Structural Model.

Firstly, why is Copy/Monitor limited to only MEP items?

Lastly, how can I in effect import the elements we worked so how to resolve in the architectural model into the structural one so that he can finalize it and prepare his documentation.  I mean we've got all the major steel, the complex foundation, and even the structural connections resolved. 

Any help is grealy appreciated.

[ToanDN]

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@lee.imbimbo86EM4 wrote:

Because of circumstances on my current project me and the structural engineer worked together to resolve much of the foundation and structural steel design in my architectural model.  I seem to have incorrectly presumed that I could do what I do with my MEP engineer and just use the Copy/Monitor tools to import these structural elements from the Architectural into the Structural Model.

Firstly, why is Copy/Monitor limited to only MEP items?

Lastly, how can I in effect import the elements we worked so how to resolve in the architectural model into the structural one so that he can finalize it and prepare his documentation.  I mean we've got all the major steel, the complex foundation, and even the structural connections resolved. 

Any help is grealy appreciated.

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You can copy monitor structural columns and walls.  Why don't you link the model in instead?

[lee.imbimbo86EM4]

I'm assuming by link you mean bind?  the biggest reason I wouldn't do that is because the structural engineer doesn't need all the architectural elements cluttering up his model.  he needs the foundation, the structural steel columns and framing, and the steel connections we worked out.

I've read that you can copy/monitor the columns but not the framing, and that's been my experience too.  But I guess I don't know why there is the limitation.  If I want to bring an element into a link model why can't I?

[ToanDN]

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@lee.imbimbo86EM4 wrote:

I'm assuming by link you mean bind?  the biggest reason I wouldn't do that is because the structural engineer doesn't need all the architectural elements cluttering up his model.  he needs the foundation, the structural steel columns and framing, and the steel connections we worked out.

I've read that you can copy/monitor the columns but not the framing, and that's been my experience too.  But I guess I don't know why there is the limitation.  If I want to bring an element into a link model why can't I?

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No I mean linking, not binding.  Linking is the best way to coordinate / collaborate with other disciplines long terms.  Binding other models should be avoided as much as possible because when you get the updated model you have to bind it again and again, not to mention phasing will be tossed, along with all the potential errors coming with it.

If you want to bring a few elements in, link the model in, TAB select the elements, copyclip and paste aligned in place.  But that is also should not be encouraged for your long term coordination.  Let's start with why you don't want to link the model in yours?

[lee.imbimbo86EM4]

I guess I am linking the model.  In the Copy/Monitor method for MEP you link the Architectural Model and then use the Copy/Monitor Tool to import the various plumbing, electrical and mechanical components.

I guess what you're saying is that I can use that this will work for the columns, but the framing, connections, and foundation he'll need to proceed with some kind of copy and paste method?

[ToanDN]

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@lee.imbimbo86EM4 wrote:

I guess I am linking the model.  In the Copy/Monitor method for MEP you link the Architectural Model and then use the Copy/Monitor Tool to import the various plumbing, electrical and mechanical components.

I guess what you're saying is that I can use that this will work for the columns, but the framing, connections, and foundation he'll need to proceed with some kind of copy and paste method?

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Still not what I mean.  I don't recommend bring in other disciplines' element in your model, even via copy-monitor.  You link their model in, set the view to show relevant elements, and that is it.

[barthbradley]

Why Copy/Monitor?  What's that supposed to accomplish?  

[lee.imbimbo86EM4]

The issue is reverse of what you say.  Me and the structural engineer worked together to resolve some tight structural constraints.  I'm really the better modeler of the two, so I just did the work in my Architectural Model.  This may have been a mistake, but it would really suck to have to redo all the effort just to bring one element from the Architectural Model to the Structural Model.

Bradley,  Copy/Monitor is just what I'm used to doing.  It's how I was taught to setup a MEP model, and I figured it would apply here, but it seems like it doesn't.

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

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@lee.imbimbo86EM4 wrote:

The issue is reverse of what you say.  Me and the structural engineer worked together to resolve some tight structural constraints.  I'm really the better modeler of the two, so I just did the work in my Architectural Model.  This may have been a mistake, but it would really suck to have to redo all the effort just to bring one element from the Architectural Model to the Structural Model.

Bradley,  Copy/Monitor is just what I'm used to doing.  It's how I was taught to setup a MEP model, and I figured it would apply here, but it seems like it doesn't.

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Again, you can TAB to select elements from a link and pasted aligned in place in case they are belong to categories don't accept copy-monitoring.

[barthbradley · Accepted solution]

So basically, what you just want to do is transfer Model content from one Project (the "sandbox") to the another?  Since the Projects share the same coordinates, that could easily be accomplished by Grouping all the model elements together and Saving that Model Group to its own RVT and then Linking (Origin to Origin) that Group RVT into the target Project - and then Binding and Ungrouping the Group RVT.  Clipboard Copy/Paste might suffice as well if there is only a handful of elements. The benefit of Grouping would be that you could Add/Remove elements to/from the Group.  

[lee.imbimbo86EM4]

Thank you gentlemen