Suppliing external families for project possible?

[dunnamin]

Howdy!

Please correct me where I am wrong in this!

In AutoCAD, architect's plans shoot off to all of the other disciplines such as Structural, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Millwork, Food Service (hospitality industry), ... and so on.

I understand Revit projects have fine-tuned control and the Architect, Structural, and Mechanical all can work on the same file (with good management), because the things they're not supposed to change they cannot, and they align all of their work with Datum Planes and Levels.

I usually draw plans for millwork contractors and general contractors.  In AutoCAD, my (shop) drawings are usually kept separate and just incorporated into the sheet set.  The parts of the drawings can be incorporated into the architect/designer's drawings if they wish though, because the layers all begin with X-, say X-MLWK-.

I am never drawing the building from scratch, and I am not involved in the main Architect/Structural/Mechanical phases.

Is there a way for me to use Revit so that I could supply some extra walls we are responsible for building, some low walls, bars and other fixed millwork, mobile millwork, cladding of walls and drop ceilings, etc., so that they could be incorporated into the (quite obviously) Revit files of the architects and designers?  With some sort of prefix like the 'X-' on AutoCAD layers so as not to interfere with theirs?

I do not get the Revit files and won't be able to.  Say for a wall covering, I would have to mass in the wall as drawn in the plans, and create a family that could fit into their file.

I know Revit is not AutoCAD and have read that it is best not to come to Revit thinking it's AutoCAD.  So am I completely on the right track or going off the rails?  (My 30 day trial of Revit just finished downloading.)

Thanks,

   -- Dunn

[L.Maas]

In Revit you can link files. This means other Revit files but also CAD files and others.

If you want to supply something to other departments/companies you could send your Revit file which they would be able to link in their own project. Of course it would be best if you work on the same grid. In that way when linking your file the things you have modelled will be placed on the right location

[alan.quinn · Accepted solution]

Just following up on our phone conversation. The sky the limit and what you put in is what you will get out. Revit is a great tool for doing what you need and I'm sure it will fit the bill. If you have any additional questions please reply to this post.

Thanks again