Using Internal House Layouts as Linked Revit Files to The External Walls

[jasmin_dooley]

We do a lot of large housing schemes with repeat house types. We used to work in AutoCAD where we Xref'd in the internal house type layouts to each house block so that if there were any changes requested by building control or the client etc. we could update it once in the Xref and then just reload the Xref in each one and print. Simples.

However, having moved to Revit to make the general drawing quicker (because Revit is 3D elements instead of just drawing lines and hatching everywhere manually) we are now being less efficient in that we can't Xref in the internal layouts. Which means if there are changes to a layout we have to do the same changes over and over again if there are multiple house layouts on that site. 

My question is this: Is there a way of linking or Xrefing Revit files so we can have the internal layouts as one central file and having the external walls, windows and doors as individual house block files? 

We have tried linking the internal layout as a separate Revit file, however, the internal walls then don't attach to the external walls and the doors do not get picked up in the schedules.

We debated doing the internal layouts as CAD plans and then linking in the .dwg to the Revit file but that defeats the point of less drawing and moving over to Revit - also why should we have to use 2 different pieces of software?!

Please if anyone has any ideas of how to do this then please let me know. 

[Alan.johnson1970]

You could use groups

[kpatel2QWBH]

You can create groups for internal walls which are repetitive and hence the changes made in a group are updated in all the other groups.

Hope this might help you.

[martijn_pater]

Using groups is a good option.

If you develop the rooms seperately you could still work with an external file and bind the link if you want to, then it will become a new group. You could then select all existing room group in the project and select the newly created group to replace it. Mind annotations etc. though, I don't know if it will always keep those.

But you can also work on it within the (worksharing) project ofcourse and just edit the group there. Keep in mind that you can always create linked files from groups as well as bind linked files as groups vice versa.

[RDAOU]

@jasmin_dooley 

When you work with linked files on such projects, also when working with groups, you model the interiors differently. Example:

1. to avoid Geometry Join  issues and hosting problems, you model the finish layers of floor and walls as part of the group/link 
2.  Suspended ceilings in typical units are also modeled as part of the group/link ...otherwise same applies to floor element in terms of layering
3. Same applies for annotation and tagging 

Should you use Links or Groups...there are several pros and cons; however, if it is a large scale project (ie: there is a chance that you will end up with 50+ instances of each group) then you should definitely work with linked modules because Model Groups reside in the model and will greatly increase the file size of your model and reduce the overall performance

[RobDraw]

Here is a recent thread that was posted on RevitForum.org that says groups are the way to go and that there are several discussions about it on their forum.

[RDAOU]

Wow! You are better than google

Why not share with us your most recent experience and issues you faced in the past between groups and links 🙂

[RobDraw]

You're welcome.

[martijn_pater]

... or load as group:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016/EN...

I would agree with @RDAOU that the number of repetitive groups/linked elements in your project could be decisive in choosing to work with groups or linked files.

[RDAOU]

Also depends on the type of project … example a multipurpose high-rise with repetitive floors by function (residential/commercial/offices)

Worksharing in BM360:

• Model group units per floor/level
• Link Floor Levels to host (considering the complication with nested links and BOM360)

Otherwise I would go for nested links

[ToanDN]

Here is a similar topic:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-architecture-forum/model-groups-vs-linked-models-2019/m-p/92783...

If you familiar with XREFs and then using links is very similar.  What in the links and what in the main model are critical, read @RDAOU's break-down carefully, those are really good recommendations.