Revit files with 'overlay' linked files...becomes Huge file!

[zapatero.alfonso]

I'm wondering why Revit not behaving like AutoCAD in regards to Linked files (as Xrefs in AutoCAD environment). Our strategy is to have 1 central main file (called General Arrangement) with 5-6 linked model parts inserted/ referenced to it as 'overlay'.

This main file now is reaching to 2.8-3.0GB, as the totals is included with all the linked files! We experimented on detaching the linked models and the found out that the 'main file' is just only 600MB (0.6GB). This proves that all 6 linked models are adding to the main file.

Why Revit is not behaving like AutoCAD? Now, we are suffering opening the 2.8GB (and it keeps growing until we close-out the project) and so difficult to sync back to BIM360 project location and cloud-collaborating with other team members.

Can Revit API developers look into this? The linked files are C4Rs and why they're been added though we used overlay and not 'attached'. Point is, the linked files must 'NOT" add-up to total when linked-up into the 'main file'.

If this was intentionally programmed like this, this is not ideal and not good if you have very complex huge project. Autodesk, please consider checking on this.

Alfonso

[hmunsell]

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@zapatero.alfonso wrote:

Why Revit is not behaving like AutoCAD?

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Because its NOT AutoCAD, It is a completely different program. Only similarity is that Autodesk owns it. 

• Is the file size of the General Arrangement model growing by the same amount as the linked file size?
• Do the links your linking in have DWG, Images or other Non Revit links in them?

[zapatero.alfonso]

Thanks for the response, my answers below;

• Is the file size of the General Arrangement model growing by the same amount as the linked file size? - Ans. Yes
• Do the links your linking in have DWG, Images or other Non Revit links in them? Ans. Yes

So does it means the General Arrangement linked Revit file's DWG, jpgs, etc. it causing the file too big? Well, this should not result this way because we inserted and the Revit reference type is 'overlay', and as well as all DWG files.

That's my thought. If your linked file reference type is 'overlay' and not 'attached', the elements of the linked Revit file should not add-up to the Gen Arrangement main/master file. Just imagine you have 10-20 linked Revit files inserted to your master file, it will be a disaster.

I'll comeback to your phrase "Because its NOT AutoCAD, It is a completly different program". And yes, I know and everyone else who reading this idea. The idea i am posting here is a challenge to Autodesk API developers to look for improvement. If Revit cannot do ways like AutoCAD, then find ways and take this as a challenge. I just compared AutoCAD and Revit as this two is very common in AEC industry and in essence, referencing methods for files of this two is very similar!

We are the end-users and we are just elaborating here what we are experiencing, submit the idea, and seeking resolution from Autodesk not criticizing. Hope this is clear.

Alfonso

[hmunsell]

Unfortunately, what I have noticed over the years is the "Link" as "Overlay", for anything but other RVT files, act more like Attachments. at least that is how i have seen it work up to 2020. I have looked at it in 2022 yet. 

We don't usually have a lot of images, but I do have to get on my staff all the time to not to link a lot of DWG's. Mainly because the DWG's do not "Overlay". I will sometimes end up with 2-3 different disciplines, all linking the same Civil DWG for site plans, and before you know it there all cross linked and tangled up :-). 

[syman2000]

Question is what is in your CAD file? Typically I would create a separate Revit file and link all the CAD in that Revit file. That way your other Revit link with bloated CAD size won't effect your central file. I also put in image into the Revit link along with CAD.

[zapatero.alfonso]

@syman2000...thanks also for your comment.

"Question is what is in your CAD file?"

In our workflow, CAD files is to be just inserted (as link, not imported) to our Revit Link (ex. Tower Model C4R file), serves just reference only and to be removed once utilized.

Maybe you have a point on checking out if this CAD still exist on the Revit Links files. I'll inform my team and I will do my own checking too. Similar to images, if more is present as I understand this will affects file size.

[kadmonkee]

consider cleaning up the AutoCAD files to reduce the sizes prior to linking them into your Revit Project.

purge and Audit

if images are needed then bring those into revit and make them native to revit not through a link.

another option is if you are using AutoCAD to increase production rates, try recognizing updating your Revit Templates and families to eventually reduce the use of AutoCAD links

typically AutoCAD has been used as a reference (temporary) for Revit Modeling and converting blocks into families 

clutter in the AutoCAD files could be the problem. 

[s.borello]

What have you done to clean up your links?  Have you purged unused? 

[zapatero.alfonso]

hi @s.borello...thanks also for your suggestion, 

We're currently doing this now and working on cleaning up linked CAD files, images too.

Alfonso

[zapatero.alfonso]

I've downloaded the C4R files from B360 to evaluate, clean, and audit...then noticed when I've counted them all, the totals are tallied with Gen Arrangement (GA) models. The GA file (+elements in it) and all link models files seems sums all into GA model file. Pre-concluded that your theory @hmunsell  is right about 'overlay' files being attached t and being part of the master model.

To prove my theory/doubts, I downloaded the GA and link set to my local drive and linked them all. The GA model file size after downloading become less (from 2.4GB to 864MB), and then after re-linked all becomes more less (591MB). This means if you initiate a C4R files in B360 with a main/master file as your GA, all links+elements in GA will all add up. Somehow BIM360 docs/design collab has doing this summarization in the cloud.

See the screenshots I've added here for above. GA inside B360, GA after I downloaded and GA after I worked locally (all links are loaded). See the difference between files in local drives and B360 and this is my point, 'overlay'ed Revit Files (linked) must not be **added or being attached if being transformed to C4R and reside in B360 Docs.

**Above will happen also to any of Revit Linked files, all new added elements/entities will be added again to GA model (no sample image for this, but surely same happened to our GA). 

In due time GA or any master file (will all req. links in it) will become very huge and will be very difficult to open.

Just want to get attention of Autodesk Revit/BIM360/ACC API developers in regards to this issue. Please look into this matter at soonest.

Alfonso