Is my Revit file size too big?

[Anonymous]

Hi all, 

i am new to Revit. i am trying to import a Revit file that's  911,313KB in size (almost 1gig)  it is taking forever and seems like it's too large.   Can revit handle this file size?   any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

[barthbradley]

It's big. Break it up into manageable pieces. Additionally, perform some housekeeping chores like Purge Unused, Audit,  etc.  Got CAD imports? Them are hogs too.    

[Anonymous]

I've worked with 2-3gb files...and they ran like a champ because proper modeling habits were followed.  

Now if your 1gb file has lots of in place families, imported files (dwg plans and objects) that is another issue.

One thing you do need for large models is lots of Ram...

[aRcHiTeCt.JM]

... well ... depending on the project

... but @Anonymous is right ... get lots and lots of ram

... (and a good processor and good SSD)

[barthbradley]

So, I guess the Solution to your problem, @Anonymous, is to buy a new computer.  Bummer.  

[aRcHiTeCt.JM]

.... yes

[ToanDN]

Import? Can you just Link it in instead?

[barthbradley]

Actually, now I'm confused. Did the OP say "Import a Revit File"? What???  

[Anonymous]

Yep....missed that too.

It should be "LINK" not import!  No wonder why there are issues.

[jayhar]

Hi,

It's hard to answer the question without looking at the model, but here's few basics you can try -
1. Purge the model to remove unused families, materials, etc.
2. Try to look at used families' sizes. Take the biggest ones and purge them or even simplify them for your needs - ad load them back into model.
3. Get rid of any unnecessary imported or linked CAD files. While linked files are easy to remove from dialog box, imported files are a nightmare. But there are a few add-ins for this. Search 'reviTTools' on Google.
4. See if you can delete any redundant views or sheets.
5. If you have any 'In-Place' families, try to replace them with component (external) families.
6. At last, detach-audit the model.

If all this does not get you a fairly workable model, you might want to split the model into multiple Revit files - e.g. one for exterior, the other for interior etc.

[Karol_Piroska]

one thing that I see being missed most of the time is to compact file. Then the file is unnecessary big. I keep getting architectural models that need to be only half size. Purging itself is not enough.

(in a non-shared environment - save as project, option, compact)

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @Anonymous

I see that you are visiting for the first time! Welcome to the Autodesk community! 

Please see the article on how to minimize the size of your Revit® files in order to optimize project performance and options to reduce the file size of your Revit® projects

Also, see a thread on Best practice for Revit File size

If you find posts have solved your problem, please click on 'Accept as solution' to help others with similar questions. Likes welcome!

Thank you!

Regards,