Multi Discipline Model and how to organize it

[KD.Schmidt]

Hi there,

as the only BIM-Employe within our company I am managing stuff on my own.

Now we currently have the first site that I am currently modeling within Revit, having to model every discipline. So the architecture, the plumbing, the Hvac, electricity.

Now I am at the point where i start wondering how i should organize it.

I finished the architectural model and created another model for HVAC. I linked the architecture in it. That was mainly no problem to work with but i cannot cut the Walls for openings in the HVAC model. I just looked past that and was okay with it for now just passing through.

Now when i worked on plumbing i had a bigger issue:

The Sanitary objects which were placed within the architectural model couldnt connect to my pipes to create a system. So i went along and copied all these objects into the plumbing model, where i was able to connect them.

I find it quite suboptimal having them there ause if i change e.g. a wall then i would have to switch models to correct the sanitary object attached to that wall initially.

I have been teaching Revit myself so far and have read about worksets and design options. Already used design options for different options for our site.

Now what i wanted to ask:

How do you guys manage all your different disciplines? Worksets, linking, or another option?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[L.Maas · Accepted solution]

Linked files, worksets. All can be done. Depends on different factors (e.g. client, file sizes, teams) which route to follow.

As you are finding out there are pros and cons for the the different options.

If there are no special demands and you are working alone on the project and the project is relatively small than worksets might be your simplest and most flexible option.

It might help to get (additional) training to better weigh your options.

[jrobrador19 · Accepted solution]

Hi there,

It looks like your project is progressing well. Since, you are doing all the disciplines in your own, you really might find some instances suboptimal. In most projects, there will be a team for Architecture and for MEP, in which both communicate to optimize the best design for a particular instance.

It also seems that you are in the right path in terms of coordination. You did Copy/Monitor to bring the Architectural plumbing fixtures to your Plumbing project which is the normal workflow of MEP modelers. Creating worksets are good for collaboration so that people won't mess up other people's work.

Lastly, Navisworks can help coordinate your Revit projects. Here you can navigate and inspect your consolidated model. You can also perform Clash Detection and you can immediately resolve clashes using its interoperability with Revit.

All the best for you and your project!