How to export Linked rooms to compute spaces within BlueBeam

[Anonymous]

Revit 2016, 2017 & 2018

I have a linked Arch model with Room Names.

I am working in a MEP model with the Arch model linked into it.

I can create spaces and match them to the linked Arch Room Names.

To BlueBeam PDF, there is an option to export Rooms to Spaces.

The Issue: I can only export rooms to spaces via BlueBeam if it is within the working file in which I am creating the pdfs. It does not work with linked models.

Example: In my MEP model, yes, it shows the room names from the linked model & also successfully created spaces which match the names of the rooms from the linked model. BUT what I am wanting is for the capability of the linked Room Names to export to spaces in BlueBeam pdf. If I can successfully do this, it will make mark-ups very organized and simple.

Another work-around option I am looking for is to make rooms within my MEP model. But I run into a different issue because I cannot get room names in the MEP model to match what is shown in the linked Arch model.

Let me know if you have any ideas,

Thanks!

-Virginia

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @Anonymous

Can you share the model to test further?

Regards,

[Anonymous]

Sure thing. I was using a test file to try and figure it out.

The main / working file is "Test Project_Bluebeam Rooms"

The one I had linked is "Test_Link"

Thanks,

-Virginia

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @Anonymous

Print the Revit file as a PDF and open it in Bluebeam 

Adding Spaces to a Drawing

Adding a rectangular space to a drawing

1. On the Spaces tab, click   Add Space.
2. Click and drag a rectangle to define the space. The Add Space dialog box appears.
3. Enter a name for space and click OK.

Creating an Area Markup From a Space

Spaces can be used to create Area markups to minimize the amount of outlining required for a job when both Takeoffs and Spaces are required. An Area markup created from a Space will automatically be placed directly over the Space, but once created, it is separate from the Space and, for example, can be moved independently of the Space or have different Properties.

To create an Area markup from a Space:

1. Select the Space by doing either of the following:

   • Click the name of the Space in the Spaces tab.
     • Hold down CTRL or SHIFT to select multiple Spaces.
   • Click  Edit Spaces on the Spaces tab, then click the desired Space in the workspace.
     • Hold down SHIFT to select multiple Spaces.
2. There are two ways to create an Area markup from a Space:
   • Right-click the name of the Space in the Spaces tab and select Create Area Markup.
   • Right-click the Space in the workspace and select Create Area Markup.

I hope that helps!

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question. Likes welcome!

Regards,

[Anonymous]

Hey @Viveka_CD, Thanks for the response!

Yea, there is a way to make spaces in BlueBeam & then those can be used for mark-ups. Your walk-through below explains exactly how it works. But when it comes to a large building like for example, a hotel with several rooms, it would be much more convenient if those spaces would automatically compute in BlueBeam without having to recreate them ourselves.

I'm wanting Revit to have the capabilities to do this in linked models -just as it does with a regular file so we wouldn't need to recreate the spaces every time.

I'll keep this on my wish list for future Revit Versions & Updates.

Thanks,

-Virginia

[Viveka_CD]

Thank you, @Anonymous

I see what you are saying!

You are welcome to post to the Revit Ideas forum

Regards,

[jonathanroy8676]

Hi Virginia,

I want to do the same thing but I'm pretty sure this is something you have to put on Bluebeam forums since it's a feature that comes with Bluebeam Revit addin.

Regards,

Jonathan

[ToanDN]

Save the link to a new file, open it and change all rooms to a new workset. Link that file in your model and close all worksets except for the room workset. Bind it. Now you have all the rooms with the correct names and numbers.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, this sounds like it would work but maybe not for everything.

I think this sounds like a temporary solution because if we are receiving weekly updates from the Architect and they keep editing the room locations & names, we would have to do this on a weekly basis. (This happens a lot). Then I would also worry how much my file size would increase if i binded their model into mine. I think a smaller project this would be okay but as we are working through the DD & CD Phase, our files can get up to 200MB even after a Model Maintenance Clean Up. The Architect file will always be larger too.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, yea that is also something I didn't consider. I can try posting in BlueBeam too.