As an MEP firm, we are always bringing in arch models as a linked view. when we do this, any annotation that we need to show up in our backgrounds is turned off, and the rest that we do need is turned on. The issue is that if we need to place elements within the host model over the annotation within the linked model, the linked model annotation is taking precedence, thus causing the host element to disappear. This needs to be corrected to allow either the linked to take precedence or the host to take precedence, just as in autocad "push to back" feature. In Revit we have the option to make the linked model set to underlay, if this option is selected, then the host model elements and annotations should take precedence, otherwise, the linked model can take precedence. Please issue a patch to all Revit versions currently supported, to incorporate this feature immediately, as this is an incredibly frustrating item. other "workarounds" are too time consuming on large projects, and thus not a real viable option going forward.
