Fire Protection Systems Custom Families File Size Issues

[Anonymous]

I am attempting to create an archive library of BIM files for various valves/trims (fire protection systems).  I am using different file types for this, but my specific question is for the Revit files.  (Actually, I have 2 questions):

1-  How do I decrease the Revit file size for the 3D model while retaining the shape/appearances?

(I brought the .stp file into CAD and made it a block then brought it into Revit.  The files are between 7 and 10mb)

2- How does Revit store these models in the project? Does it keep one for reference and place it into the views as needed while keeping a 2D stamp or tag elsewhere? Or is each instance being counted in the file size and stacking up? It does make a difference how the software uses the model. I want to design these most efficiently.  Some projects can use hundreds of files.

[Anonymous]

Apparently, Revit will use the 3D files/ families in as many instances as are shown in the views.  Otherwise, they are not adding to the file size.

Answer to question (2). 

[fabiosato · Accepted solution]

Hello,

The converted file from STP usually makes the family too big.

I suggest to create extrusions to replace the converted file, the size probably will drop below 1mb.

As long as I tested, having multiple instances does not increase the file size in the same amount, it seems it work more as a block with many insertion points. Instance parameters will impact in file size too.