Working with linked models

[m.montijano]

Hi, I was wondering if I can get some kind of advice from this forum

I am working on a project were I have several buildings in a campus or site plan. I am linking the models into a site model. 

All my sheets will be in the host model. And here are my questions:

1. What part in the annotation process should be done in the host model and what should be done in the linked model?
2. Do I dimension the buildings in the host  model, or in the linked model.?
3. What are the pros and cons of applying visibility settings by linked view, by host view, or custom?
4. When creating schedules, what is the most efficient workflow?, for example. creating door or window schedules in a host model for each of the buildings?
5. And sorry for the obvious question, but when is worth to link a model, instead of group it, and bind the building into the campus  project?

Thank you all for your help.

[ennujozlagam · Accepted solution]

you wrote:

here are my questions:

1.What part in the annotation process should be done in the host model and what should be done in the linked model?
annotation tag in linked model, view title in host model

2.Do I dimension the buildings in the host model, or in the linked model.?
dimension should be in the linked model

3.What are the pros and cons of applying visibility settings by linked view, by host view, or custom?
applying visibilty setting by custom then linked view

4.When creating schedules, what is the most efficient workflow?, for example. creating door or window schedules in a host model for each of the buildings?
you can create your schedules for each building and linked then in your host model

5.And sorry for the obvious question, but when is worth to link a model, instead of group it, and bind the building into the campus project?
don't ever bind model you will encounter a lots of issues. link model is a good practice. grouping tendency will slow regeneration of your project.

this is only my suggestion, wait for other's opinion maybe they have better opinion. thanks

[syman2000 · Accepted solution]

Question 1 & 2 - Always placed the annotation & dimension in the linked model. My experience is when user start tagging and dimension the linked model, there will be a day where all your work may disappear if user accidentally unload the link, the link is placed in the wrong place or link is renamed into new file name.

Question 3 - You can use Revit link to view and it will pick up tags and dimension from the link view. As well the view settings from link model will be independent from your main model unless you choose custom and override it

Question 4 - You can schedule door thru links. However you must set up the schedule in the main model and then copy and paste to the link model. That way you will have the same schedule and you can populate the info.

Question 5 - If the building has phasing and have different consultant team, I would definitely separate them as link. There is no point to giving consultant the entire model when their scope of work is only focus on smaller part of the building. Also think about future Tenant improvement. When you setup the model, you want to think about how your client will distribute the model to future contractor/consultant. They probably wouldn't want to give the entire campus model when they can only give them smaller part of the building.

[hmunsell · Accepted solution]

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@m.montijano wrote:

I am working on a project were I have several buildings in a campus or site plan....

I am linking the models into a site model....

All my sheets will be in the host model....

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Before i get to commenting on your questions, i have a couple of my own :-).

1. you mention "several buildings"
   • i'm assuming each having there own revit project model?
2. you mention a "Site Model"
   • what does this consist of and how are you planing on using it?
     • is it a project model that has the C3D surface linked in?
     • is it being used to link into the buildings for backgrounds?
     • is it being used in conjunction with the buildings to create a Master Plan?
3. what are you considering the "Host Model"
   • is that the Civil Site model?
   • is it the building models?
   • is there a 3rd model all of these are being brought into? 

[m.montijano]

Thank you for your reply. Here are my answers.

1.  Yes, each building has its own model

2. The site model is the model where all the buildings are placed. So we have a site plan with all the buildings, with topography,  and site elements.

3. The site model is the master plan. All my sheets, master schedules, and so on are in the master plan model.

4. Since all the linked models, are placed in the master plan, we can generate 3D views for the complete complex.

Any suggestion for an efficient workflow?

Thank you again for your feedback

[hmunsell · Accepted solution]

So it sounds like you do all your modeling in your Building models, then link them into your Site master plan model where you make all your sheets (and likewise Views) and schedules.

I would not do it as you explain in your questions. We handle large site project differently in my office. Depending on how big your site is and how many buildings are on it, doing it the way your questions suggest would result in a very large and potentially unmanageable model. Keeping it building focused will result in more manageable models for users to work in.  

• Each building would have all the sheets, schedules, details, annotation, etc… pertaining to that building in the building model. Each building would have the Site file linked into it. the site link would be placed on a “Link-Site” workset so it could be turned off per view easier when not needed. Site plans around that building can then be made in the model there needed.
• Each building would be linked into the Site model for coordination and exterior renderings. Any sheets that need multiple building coordination (electrical duct banks between building, site electric, etc…) and their associated annotation, would be in the Site model.

[m.montijano]

Thank you for your suggestions, Just one more question

If you have all your sheets per building, but you want to print a whole set of plans, including all the sheets for all individual buildings, how do you link all the sheets, and create a sheet list  with all the linked sheets?

[nmarcelis]

@m.montijano 
With this:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/R...

[hmunsell]

in a scenario like that, our sheet list would be in the Master Plan model (that has all the building linked in). then create a Sheet List schedule with the appropriate parameters for the schedule. in the Fields tab, bottom left, check the "Include element in links". this will included all elements of the same category, in this case Sheets, in the schedule.

in the building models that host the sheets, each sheet should have a check box in the properties to Appear in Sheet List. check this or uncheck this depending on if you want to to appear or not in the sheet list on in the Master Plan model.

i usually have 2 sheet list schedules, one for placing on the cover sheet and one for managing the "Appears in Sheet List" variable.

[nmarcelis · Accepted solution]

Good idea:

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i usually have 2 sheet list schedules, one for placing on the cover sheet and one for managing the "Appears in Sheet List" variable.

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[ToanDN]

Is that the built-in Included in sheet list? Because if that bix is
unchecked then the sheet never appear in any sheet schedules, filtered or
not.