Mass not working

[Sahay_R]

Hi all,

Recently we received a structural model from a consultant in a .dgn format. The best way to insert this into the architectural model was by inserting it into a blank Revit project as a mass, and then linking this file to the architectural model. It all worked beautifully until the MEP model was created and in this the structure is not visible. Racked my brains - turned on Mass in the view template as well as in the linked files, linked the files as Attachments instead of Overlays, tried to bring the .dgn in as a .dwg or .fbx - to no avail. And all the time it looks absolutely beautiful in the Architectural Model!!! Please help....

Rina

[Darin.Green]

Can you share the dgn model? or the rvt where the dgn model is loaded into?

[Sahay_R]

Hi Darrin,

Thanks for your note! Can't share the .DGN (since it is not recognized over here as a valid extension!). Here is the .RVT that it was inserted into as a Mass.

[Darin.Green]

The Revit model didn't contain the dgn content because it's linked in, not imported. I'm going to PM you my email, just email me your dgn file to review the issue.

[ToanDN]

Does the Mechanical host the Architectural model, which hosts the Structural model?  Or the Mechanical host the Structural model directly?

[Sahay_R]

You are right. The Mechanical hosts the Architectural, which hosts the Structural model

Thank you for your note!

[ToanDN]

For simplicity, I would change the Structural link in the Architectural model to Underlay, then link it to the Mechanical model directly, also as an underlay.

[Sahay_R]

With due respect. Underlay, Overlay, Attachment, Look up, Look Down - done it all.

[ToanDN]

But have you tried a direct link instead of a nested link?

P/S: I meant Overlay when I typed Underlay.

[Sahay_R]

Yup. Both. 

[ToanDN]

Wait. You initially said you linked Structural in Architectural, then linked Architectural in Mechanical (nested link). Then, you said you did both nested link and direct link (link Structural in Mechanical). Did you just do that and it did not work?

[Sahay_R]

Yes. A sequence of try and try again. Sigh.....

[Darin.Green]

Ok, I was able to get the visibility of the DGN content to show up in a Mechanical project, by doing the following:

1. From Visibility & Graphics, enable the visibility of Mass 
2. Because the DGN content is at an elevation of roughly 900', I changed the View Range to match as the following:
3. 

[Sahay_R · Accepted solution]

OK - I think that after all this excitement I owe it to everyone to share the solution furnished by AutoDesk Tech Support - PLAN REGIONS!!

1) The nested link was an Attachment

2) The View Templates / VG had Mass turned on 

3) In a plan view, a Plan Region was set up, with the View Range edited to cut through the structure

4) In Sections, again the View Template / VG had Mass turned on

I am SO glad that this is over......