Opening Linked Files to Edit or Copy Items

[stever66]

We normally have a MEP Revit file with the ARCH Revit file linked in.

Why can't I open both files at the same time? 

Sometimes I want to copy or edit stuff in the ARCH file.  But if I try to pen the ARCH file while I have the MEP file open, Revit always gives me an error message that the file is loaded into an open document.

I have never seen another program with this limitation (take Autocad for example).  

Prior to 2020, I could just open 2 instances of Revit, with the MEP file in one instance, and the ARCH file in the other instance.  That usually worked although sometimes it caused minor frustrations.  But with 2020 I can't even do this - I always get an error message saying the document is already open. 

I don't understand why revit doesn't fix this.  It seems like it should be simple.  Do they just not understand MEP workflow, and that we need to also edit linked files sometimes?

Does anyone have a workaround?

[RobDraw]

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@stever66 wrote:

We normally have a MEP Revit file with the ARCH Revit file linked in.

Why can't I open both files at the same time? 

Revit doesn't like it.

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@stever66 wrote:

I don't understand why revit doesn't fix this.  It seems like it should be simple.  Do they just not understand MEP workflow, and that we need to also edit linked files sometimes?

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Simple? How do you know? If I had a nickel for every time someone says this, I'd be rich. This is not exclusive to MEP.

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@stever66 wrote:

Does anyone have a workaround?

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One simple way is to have a copy of the arch model that is not linked into the MEP.

Another is to make the arch model a central model and open a local.

[Lev97]

YES....

Does opening the Arch Model in a different Revit session help?

Good Luck.. 

[RobDraw]

No, it doesn't. Did you not try it?

[s.borello]

Revit doesn't work like this... it's NOT AutoCAD and you should adjust your workflow accordingly.