Merging two Revit Files

[Anonymous]

Hi,

We've worked a Revit project collaborating A360 BIM Team. Then another Group Just Downloaded the file from A360, Detach it and made their own Central file (Not a cloud model) and started working on it. during their process we also worked on our Cloud file.

My question is that, Is there any way that now that we received the file from another team, we can merge their file to our model? 

Since we both worked on the same project and same discipline but not a same central file is it possible to merge these two file?

I know that there is possible to link their file and bind it in our model, But, Since most of the parts are common and exist in both models, I do not think it helps us.

[ennujozlagam · Accepted solution]

Since you don't want to bind the file just use copy monitor to see what are the changes they made. No other way I think. Thanks

[m.voss.alvine · Accepted solution]

two options.  

#1 - have the other team delete your information out of their model.  then you can link in their model separately.

#2 - have the other team use different worksets.  then you can open both models in the same instance of revit, isolate their information, and paste it into your model.  I have had to do this when the central get corrupted and i dont want to lose my work.  i have had nothing but bad luck with copy monitor for anything other than grids.

[ToanDN]

@Anonymous

I am with @m.voss.alvine on this one.  It sounds like the other team screwed up and it should be their responsibility to fix it.  What is the BIM guidelines for your project?  Sharing the same central file or multiple link files?  It will depict the option to solve the issue.

[Anonymous]

@ToanDNToanDN the fact is that the other team was supposed to complete the modeling, But during their process we were also working on the model the same area, making some changes and adding sheets ti the model because we should release documents to our clients.

Since we did not work on the same central model know I have two model Which each one has some correct parts.I was wondering that if there is any way that I can merge these two file.

Could you help me with the @mvoss idea, He mentioned copy monitoring. How can I find out which elements are different in the two model to just replace those? Is the only way copy, paste to clipboard?

How about in the future?

For example if we have an architectural model, and we want to give this model to three different design teams to design the interior design. for example restaurants to one group, the lobby to another and the rooms to the other one. Is there any way that they can work on the separate central files and then we merge all the three groups in one model? Or the only way is that they all work on A360 BIM Team?

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous

You can link the other model in and copy monitor new elements to you file.  But not all categories can be copied monitored. See list here.  After it's done, you can stop monitoring these elements so they become residents in your file.

For categories excluded from copy monitor, you can bring them in via group:  Open the other file, group the elements, save groups to files, link these files to your model and bind them.

For elements cannot be grouped (hosted by walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, etc...), you need to manually place them in your model while using the other model as a link background for location reference.  (Use copyclip pasteclip to bring in the Family types).

For the future, you need to establish a clear BIM Execution Plan so that every team follows a set collaboration workflow.  If the intent is to have a single shared central file on a Revit server then everyone has the responsibility to create and update their scope of content to that file.  If it is going to be a composite model from multiple link files, then setup a base link for everyone to use as the background to model their portion on.  There should not be anything modeled twice.

[Anonymous]

@ToanDNToanDN

Thanks. Just another question, Is there any way that I can compare these two models and find out what are the new elements or changed?

I mean You just told me to copy monitor the new elements, How can I find the new elements? 

Like the compare version that we have in A360?

[Anonymous]

Hello negin

This is what you can use copy/monitor for.

If the element already exists in both your file and the linked file, you can "monitor" the elements by clicking manage -> copy/monitor dropdown -> and select either the current project or the linked project as the "basis" of your monitoring.

If the element only exists in one of the files, you can "copy/monitor" it instead, using the same process. 

Generally speaking (and as you probably have found out), having two separate files working on the same part of a project is not ideal - this is what central models are for 🙂

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

@ToanDN@ToanDN

Thanks. Just another question, Is there any way that I can compare these two models and find out what are the new elements or changed?

I mean You just told me to copy monitor the new elements, How can I find the new elements? 

Like the compare version that we have in A360?

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Example: compare lighting fixture between host and link.

- create a view showing all and only lighting fixture category for both host and link

- override link model graphic to have a different color and that should give you enough visual cue to select the right fixture to copy monitor

There is also Interference Check tool that you can try but I have not used it to any extent that I can have a say.

- 

[Anonymous]

Thank you all, You helps a lot.

I know not working on the same central file cause so many problems but we had no more choice since we were not at the same office and the other group was not able to use BIM 360 team.