Help with Central/Linked models and Collaborative Local Network Modeling

[bpthomas]

I have a lot of linked models with a Central that I have to rebuild. Is the best practice to link all to the main after saving each as a central? or is the best Practice to link all models to the singular, main Central. Then, I assume, the local model is created on loading the central and that's what I work out of, checking out worksets as necessary from then on? In the screen cap below: C_M as Central model, then link all others as NON-Central(?) Then check out MECH (3rd party contractor) What I have been doing is saving each as a central then linking to main in each one. Is there any difference? 

I thought I had it figured out but with each as central but I've not been able to unlock individual objects to edit even while having the worksets checked out. Forgive my lack of formal education on the matter; any help is appreciated.

[iainsavage]

I'm maybe not the best person to answer this but no-one else has so I'll try.

"Is the best practice to link all to the main after saving each as a central?": this I think depends on whether you require users to have simultaneous access to these linked files to edit them. If so then they should be central files, if not then they can be stand-alone.

Then link each linked file to the "main" file. You can do this before or after saving the main file as Central.

"I assume, the local model is created on loading the central and that's what I work out of, checking out worksets as necessary from then on?": once you've saved the main file as the Central, you'll need to create your worksets and move any existing elements onto the appropriate workset. Save the Central again and close it.

Then re-open the Central again but with "create new local" selected. You will then be working in your local file on your local drive. Checkout worksets to lock access for other users and then do a sync.

You need to synchronise changes regularly to keep both your local file and the Central file up-to-date.

Generally I would advise that at the start of each new work session you again open from the Central but with "create new local" selected so that your local file is definitely up-to-date and synchronised with the Central at the start of the session (you'll get the choice of creating additional date-stamped local files or just overwriting the existing one). Even if you have worksets locked off when you close your local there are potential dangers in working in old local files and if there are too many differences between your local and the Central you might find that synchronisation fails and the models become corrupted.

That's my advice anyway but others may be be able to give you more tips.

[iainsavage]

..."I thought I had it figured out but with each as central but I've not been able to unlock individual objects to edit even while having the worksets checked out" : Not sure what you mean by this. If you are talking about model elements in the your main model then you first need to make sure that they are on the correct worksets so that you "own" them. If you are talking about editing the linked files or any elements in the linked files then you can't do that from the main "host" file - you need to open the linked file, edit it, save it, then return to the main host file and reload the link to see any changes.

[bpthomas]

When I hover over an item in a linked model to select it, it can select the whole model but not the item to modify, even with tab to focus it. If I try to work the plumbing model from within the mechanical model, for example, I can see the item I want to modify is on "Link_Plumbing" and can't select it individually even with all worksets opened and checked out, and select underlay elements enabled. If I load the plumbing drawing itself it's now on "Working_Plmb" or something like that. Why doesn't it carry over the Working_PLMB workset when linked to the Central so that I can enable it? Should activating "Link_Plumbing" be expected to activate all the linked worksets from the Plumbing model? And why can't I see all individual worksets from the plumbing model to activate them in the manage worksets window for the central model?

[RSomppi]

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@bpthomas wrote:

When I hover over an item in a linked model to select it, it can select the whole model but not the item to modify, even with tab to focus it. 

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The linked elements are selectable so you can get information from them or even tag them. You cannot edit them.

IMHO, everyone should do some sort of training. Bite the bullet, you will have answers to many upcoming questions. Without that training, you may even do something detrimental without even realizing it until a later time when it will be time consuming to fix.

[iainsavage]

I think you are fundamentally misunderstanding how linking files works.

The data from the linked models can be read and scheduled in the host model but CANNOT be edited.

In order to edit items in the linked model you need to open the linked model, edit it, save it and reload it.

Its basically similar to using xrefs in Autocad but there is no "edit in place" option, you have to open the linked model in order to edit.

[bpthomas]

I must be mis-remembering, I was sure that I'd unlocked models inside a central and done piping and duct from the same file. I guess I'll have to make suggestion because it doesn't make sense to me to have all those models linked + collaboration with check-out item capabilities and then have to load another trades model to affect them. I just got an error, in fact, trying to load the plumbing model for this while I was already working in mechanical. Something strange about this workflow and I was sure I'd done it before during my engineering days, when the model was set up by someone trained in it.

[RSomppi]

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@bpthomas wrote:

I must be mis-remembering, I was sure that I'd unlocked models inside a central and done piping and duct from the same file. 

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I've been setting up projects with linked models since day one with Revit over a decade ago. It's never been possible.

[tawilson]

You can copy duct or piping from the linked file and paste to the same place in your model and draw from that. Maybe that's what you were thinking of.

[bpthomas]

Have you tried Binding your links to edit? This is the answer I've been directed to but my Revit seems to crash when I make an attempt.

[RSomppi]

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@bpthomas wrote:

Have you tried Binding your links to edit? 

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No, and I wouldn't normally recommend it unless combining the models makes sense for the project. If you need to edit the link, edit the link.

Why was the project set-up with it as a link?

[bpthomas]

Yeah, but doesn't it do what I'm suggesting? So that's the answer to my question then if so right?

[RSomppi]

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@bpthomas wrote:

Yeah, but doesn't it do what I'm suggesting? So that's the answer to my question then if so right?

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Technically, no. You asked about editing linked models. If you bind it, it is no longer a link. Please refer to my question as binding a link may not be in the best interest of the project since it was set-up that way to begin with.

[bpthomas]

You do not deserve to have an advisor tag if you're on support forums doing gotcha's on technicalities, people are here for help.

[RSomppi]

I answered your question and I'm trying to help you avoid making a mistake. You can judge me if you it makes you feel better but it doesn't help with the discussion. I'm just being accurate.

Are you going to answer my question?

[iainsavage]

As @RSomppi says you will just end up with one large file with everything in one file - if that's what you want.

Binding MEP links also often leads to disconnection errors in systems during the binding process.

As @RSomppi said there presumably was some logic in having all the files separated and linked at the outset, otherwise you would just have had one file to start with?

Binding is not a two-way process - once bound there is no live link between the bound version and the original linked file. Its basically the same as binding an xref in Autocad.

We used to have separate files for M, E, architecture and structural and then we would link them to each other so that everyone could view other disciplines' work(**) but NOT edit them - we found this more reliable than locking off worksets especially with inexperienced users.

(** changes only appear if linked files are saved and then reloaded in the host file).

Bind the links if you want to and if that meets your needs.

[bpthomas]

The answer is actually to copy monitor and I believe you knew that and preferred to flex knowledge instead of actually help. No thanks

[bpthomas]

Looking like central model on the server with the team working out of copy monitored local copies is the way to go. Thanks all

[RSomppi]

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@bpthomas wrote:

The answer is actually to copy monitor and I believe you knew that and preferred to flex knowledge instead of actually help. No thanks

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If that answer is sufficient for you, okay, but it doesn't answer the question as stated. You asked about editing links. If you want to call sharing, flexing, that's on you. Don't know what you have against proper terminology and clearly stated questions but no need to get sensitive about it and turn it into an unjustified personal attack. We do live in a technical world and precise language is a must in it.