Working in Revit question

[georgehobel]

Thanks for taking the time....  I've had my hand up to ask this question for a while, but nobody noticed...

This is sort of a general question about working in Revit. 

In the process of designing a structure, I may want to change a feature shape/size/orientation.  In AutoCAD I can quickly copy all of the lines in a model space sketch, and paste the sketch beside the original, and make my changes, leaving the original untouched as a reference drawing.  Sometimes I can have three or four versions of a project side by side as I move through the process.  When I draw in Revit, I'm working with one drawing.  When I make a change, it changes, and I lose the original reference drawing.  Is there a way that I have yet to uncover in Revit that will allow me to work like I was working in AutoCAD, with multiple drawings working simultaneously in model space?  Does any of this make sense?  Do I need to start over with Pencil and Parallel?

[RobDraw]

Design options, unless you are one of those people that just like to keep multiple versions "just in case". If these aren't really design options and more of a collection of things that you want to keep available "just in case", you might consider using a dummy project for copy/pasting into and out of.

[georgehobel]

Yeah Rob... I have tried that, and it does work, but it's a little bit cumbersome.  I'm a work in progress.  I like to keep the older versions because when I head down a new path... if it doesn't ultimately pan out well, I can quickly return to the earlier version without having to undo my steps.  It's sort of like the same reason a diver will take a cord with him as he explores a cave.

[RobDraw]

I understand the workflow, though I don't necessarily use it. I much prefer a cleaner file, but that's me. Working in Revit pretty much requires that you don't do this. It's okay as long as you're diligent about cleaning up after yourself but I think having a dummy project would be prudent going forward. After doing it for a while, you'll get used to it or even drop saving things "just in case".

[barthbradley]

@georgehobel: A "Sandbox" phase that pre-dates Existing is another workflow I use to do what you're describing.  

[bimscape]

Design Options should work well for what you describe.

You can keep all the versions (including the original) all in the same project- until you're sure of the direction you wish to go.

And then when you've decided- the "Accept Primary" tool incorporates your preferred solution and jettisons the rest.

[Sahay_R]

Create a Workset - call it Work In Progress (or whatever). You can have this workset visible in some views, hidden in the other.

Another way out would be to create a view template with a filter. You can filter out objects by category, family name, among other things.

PS - Design Options would be the grown up way of going about this....

[barthbradley]

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@rsahayUZMK9 wrote:

PS - Design Options would be the grown up way of going about this....

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Excuse me? "The grown up way"?  

[georgehobel]

Those are all terms I haven't gotten around to learning yet....always stretching...

I love you guys... It's always so much fun when I come to the studio and you guys are here...   😉

[RobDraw]

I like the idea of a phase the is before existing. It distinguishes those entities from actual design options. Do you demolish them, too?

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @georgehobel

Design options are the way to go. 

The main model is set by default as the primary option and we can set up views for each option.

Then set up the visibility graphics for Design options to show that particular option.

What's more is you can make an option as the primary once you've finalized the design.

See the following articles:

Best Practices: Design Options

View Multiple Design Options

If you find posts have solved your problem, please click on 'Accept as solution' to help others with similar questions.

Thank you,

[barthbradley]

@RobDraw: “Sandbox”, by definition, is an isolated testing environment. So, yes, this pre-“Existing” phase is demolished – before the project begins in the Revit world.  It’s just a “spelunking” phase, in which to explore and validate different designs – not “Options”, per se.  

[RobDraw]

I like it.

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

I sometimes use different phases for different design study options, exactly like @barthbradley described.  There are always two phases per option, one for creation, the other for demolition so that elements don't "bleed" to other options.

Another approach is use different sets of levels for different options.  This way requires abusing copy and paste aligned to levels to no end.  The benefit is that you can underlay one option floor plan on another option floor plan for direct comparison. 

[georgehobel]

Now that's a neat idea.  Everybody has been very helpful...insightful.  I knew this thread would generate some great feedback.  Often in CAD, I will do overlays as I work through a design.  I know in Revit, you can "see through" to the level below, and that's helpful.  But I was wondering how I could do layovers like you mentioned..

To heck with abusing copy and paste... what did they ever do for me?

[bimscape]

Just for clarity....

With Revit Underlays you can look through to the Level below OR a Level above- useful if you're doing a furniture layout based on a feature atrium that's overhead, etc,

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @georgehobel

I'm so glad to hear that you find this helpful.

It's also people like you who ask the right questions and set the community thinking to come up with expert workarounds!

Coming back to the 'copy and paste' tool, I'm wondering if you can post on the ideas forum and describe what you would like this tool to do in addition to the predefined function. I'm sure others here will chime in.

Regards,