Large Project Woes

[Sahay_R]

Currently we have a very large and complex workshared project in progress. Multiple team members are on this project at a time, and have mentioned that it takes a LONG time for the project to load. There are around 4-5 linked files as well. 

A thought that has been tossed around - could it be a Workset issue? Would there be any strategies that could streamline the Worksets to speed up the model? Would there be any other strategies that could help? My fear is the loss of productivity that could ensue.

Thank you,

Rina

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Worksets can help.  Make sure you are not using wireless...(should not use wireless at all working with Revit).

How much RAM are on the workstations?  Might check out the RAM calculator here to see if you have enough with all the linked models.

Hard drive space is another issue.  How much do you have left?  If it is under 20GB you have issues.

[FGPerraudin · Accepted solution]

Hi @Sahay_R,

You have worksets, it is a good start.

What you need to do now is that each collaborator needs to shut the worksets they do not use.

It is important to know that only the opened worksets will be loaded into the memory and synchronized.

It means that the virtual size of your file for sync and loading will be relative to the opened worksets.

Assign carefully planned parts of your building (according to your workflow) to different worksets (via the property panel)

Assign you linked models to worksets as well, so that each collaborator can choose to open/shut linked models via the Collaborate > Worksets dialog box!

It takes a bit of time to get accustomed to working that way, but it will boost your workstations!

Cheers,

François

[Sahay_R]

Thank you, François! Right now we have a mammoth project that is crawling ..... in spite of the worksets. Hence the mass panic.....

Would there be any other strategies that would be helpful?

[ToanDN]

Maybe you can clarify how big of a mammoth it is.  So, for a start:

- How many levels?

- Rough floor area of a typical level?

- How many RVT links?

- CAD links?  A few? A lot?  Are they linked to be Visible in one View only (detail lines) or in multiple views (model lines)?

- How are worksets divided up?

- General computer specs?

[Sahay_R]

Computer Specs - 

Worksets and Links

Project Area and Levels

[JasonKunkel · Accepted solution]

I want to reiterate / reinforce / remind /readjust what was stated above.  

Nothing to do with the model here, make sure your whole team is connected via 1.0 Gbps wired network connection.  No wireless, no 100 Mbps.  I have seen syncs go from 13 minutes to 30 seconds when that change was made.

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

- It's not 2007.  Get at least 32 GB of RAM for a workstation.  48-64 is recommended.

- Looks like you already have a comprehensive set of worksets.  Have you assigned which ones to be open to each user or each user group?  Because if everyone opens every workset like you show there, then it does not help with performance at all.

- It's not a mammoth.  I will give it a teenager elephant.  You can handle it just fine with the above improvements.

[Sahay_R]

@ToanDN

How can we assign worksets?

We are on a 1.0gig wired network.....

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

Tell them.

It can be via a Revit Model Operation Procedure document where you instruct which team/user should open which worksets among other things.  Hand out post-it notes to stick on  screen to whom are forgetful or some kind of procedure-hating edgy snowflakes.  You can also set a Starting View in Revit to say the same thing, so after someone accidentally opens all workset they see the instruction first hand and can proceed to close what are not for them.

If you have a lot of users then schedule different sync-to-central block of time for each group.  

[Sahay_R]

.....and we DO have a LOT of procedure hating edgy snowflakes......