Ceiling In Linked Model

[Anonymous]

Why can't I attach a ceiling hosted lighting fixture to the ceiling in the linked model. Please don't reply to use face hosted family, as cutting in the host is not available in it. I need even to copy monitor the ceiling in the linked model, or to enable cutting in face hosted families.

Regards,

Karim Elmamlouk

[Anonymous]

Hi Karim,

In order to attach a 'hosted' element to a host, the host must reside in the same file as the hosted element.

If you are the 'owner' of the ceiling then I would place the hosted lighting fixture in the same files as the ceiling.

If you are not the owner of the ceiling and this file is linked in to your file (eg you are MEP, and the ceiling is Architecture or ID) your only option is to copy/monitor the ceiling(s) that require your lighting fixture to be hosted. This work flow enables the owner of the ceiling to make changes if they need to (eg height, ceiling type etc) and your light fitting can be coordinated with the changes.

If you are the owner of the ceiling and you want the light fittings in a separate file you will need to copy monitor the ceilings, from the linked file.

Hope this helps

[Anonymous]

Oops sorry, yes I don't believe you can copy/monitor the ceiling. You can use the coordinate the light fixture between files. Ask the ceiling owner to cut and paste your light fitting into their project. (you'll need to copy the ceiling into your project first to allow hosting.)

The use the collbaration ribbon and set coordination to 'Allow bulk copy' in the light fitting behaviour.

When you re-load the link with the light fitting Revit will ask if you want to bulk copy the fixture, say yes! you now have coordinated light fittings with the linked ceiling, you can make changes as required

Hope this is a better 😉

[robert.klempau · Accepted solution]

Hello Karim,

I have a solution for you using a certain workflow and using Dynamo to cut the openings in the ceilings for all Lighting Fixtures at once.

workflow:

1. Open de model whit the ceilings.
2. Create a 3D View and hide everything except all the ceilings.
3. Create a Group
4. Export that Group to a folder (Save As, Library, Group)
5. Link that Group to your MEP model (Revit Link)
6. Select the link and Bind it. Then remove the link. Now you have the Ceilings in your model.
7. Place your ceiling based Lighting Fixtures.
8. Create a 3D View and hide everything except all the Lighting Fixtures.
9. Create a Group
10. Export that Group to a folder (Save As, Library, Group)
11. Open de model whit the ceilings.
12. Link that Group to this model (Revit Link)
13. Select the link and Bind it. Then remove the link. Now you have the Lighting Fixtures in your model.
14. Use the Dynamo script to cut the holes in the ceilings using the Voides in de Lightings Fixtures.

Below you see the video how I do this and in the attachment you will find the Dynamo script I use.

[robert.klempau · Accepted solution]

Hello @Anonymous,

Below you see the video i promised.

[Anonymous]

It seems realy good solution but will that allow me to see any change in the ceiling in the main file???, as I need to know that also.

[robert.klempau · Accepted solution]

Hello @Anonymous,

The original ceilings remain in the main file.

Every time the ceilings in the main file are changed you have to export them and import them in your file.

but before that you have to mark your ceilings to be the old once so you can filter them and delete them after you linked the updated ceilings, bind the link and ungroup the ceilings.

you will have multiple ceilings in the same place.

filter the old once and delete them.

I did not tested this workflow.

Note:

you mentioned not to use Face Based families but if you did you saw directly the change of the ceilings even if the ceilings have a new elevation. The Face Based families follow the host.

The workflow I described in the earlier post will also work for Face Based families. Even better i think. Then you don't have to copy over the ceilings from the main model to your MEP model.

[Anonymous]

Hi Robert,

      Thank you for your help, looks like the best solution is to use face based family to be able to follow the host. Although It can't cut the ceiling grid, which I think it will affect the lux calculation and the rendering. Actually Autodesk should allow copy/monitoring of the ceiling.

Regards,

Karim

[robert.klempau]

Hello Karim,

If you have a void in your family and turn on the Type property 'Cut with Voids When Loaded' you will be able to use the Cut geometry functionality and the Dynamo script will work too.

I agree that Autodesk should allow copy/monitoring of the ceilings.

[fabiosato]

Hello,

Just a warning, a friend of mine called my attention regarding to lighting fixtures that cut the ceilings, on large projects, it will affect the model performance a lot, on older versions, until 2014, even caused the model to nearly freeze.

He removed the voids and the performance was recovered.

[Anonymous]

I have found an option that seems to convert any wall or ceiling hosted family to a face hosted family.  I have shared the workflow below.  Please let me know if this works for you.

Workflow:

Open linked model with ceilings.

Place ceiling hosted content on desired ceiling.

Save linked model and reload linked model within the host model.

"Copy/Monitor" the ceiling hosted content from the linked model to the host model.

This process will convert the ceiling/wall hosted content to face hosted.

I give credit to CTC (CAD Technology Center) for this solution.