Revit Tip: Worksets

Central files and local files

Revit files are the hub of all the information contained in a project. When users start a new file, this file is the only file all the information is contained there. If you move or copy the file on the server, there won’t be any warning messages or problems. Without worksets enabled, your Revit file will act like any other file type you know of; only one person can work on it at a time.

For multiple people to work on a Revit file at the same time, you need to create a central file. To create a central file, you need to enable worksets. This is done by clicking the toolbar button for worksets. This should be grayed out when you start a new project.

This action starts a whole process where Revit places all the created elements in your project onto a workset. Be careful, this can take awhile and it’s best to save a copy before running the process.

Once worksets are created, you have a central file. You will know worksets are on if the toolbar is in color.

Now multiple people can edit the file at the same time. First, everyone needs to make a copy of this file on their local drive to work on. To do this, just open the central file on the server. It should be named something similar to below.

This lets everyone know that this is the central file and not to mess with it. With it open, just click Save As and make a copy to your local D:\ drive. It’s a good idea to save this file with your initials in it to help differentiate it.

Now, when you work just open this file and make sure to Save to Central often.

This menu is good because it allows you to save both the local file and the central file at the same time. It also tells you what file you are linked to on the server in the Central Location heading.

In a future tips we will talk about several other topics related to central files including worksets and ownership. I will also tackle the dreaded creating a new project from an old project copy to new location or did I move it and did we screw up the last project or are we making a mistake by using this archaic form of file transfer method for starting a new central file from an old file and not using a template instead issue.

Revit Tip: Template

How to start a new project

Always start a new project from a template file! These files are different from Revit files because their file extension is .rte and not .rvt. They are specifically designed to be used as a starting point for a new project. You will also never run into a problem with central files, local files, and usernames.




This method prevents you from bringing along a bunch of stuff you don't need, want, or that might even be old or wrong.

That's it. No more tip for today. Never copy a project to start a new one, never ever do it.

Revit Tip: Levels

Levels

Blue dots vs. Black dots









Don't know what the difference between the blue level dot and the black level dot is? Don't worry, I will help enlighten you.

Anytime you create a new level, Revit will generate a floor plan and ceiling plan associated with this new level.









This new level will show up in every elevation and section you work in from now until forever. No way to fix this unless you delete the level. Wait! This will give you that nasty error about a level being deleted.










This ominous error warning means that Revit is going to do things you may not like. To avoid this problem when you want to add levels, copy them instead.










This will give you that Black dot level instead of a blue dot.












It will function just the same as a regular level, but without the error warnings and extra views. You can still set the base and top of a wall to this level.





And when you delete or rename the level, no warnings!

Renaming levels that are created also changes all the associated views.







Not so with copied levels.

This is a great tool for adding a constraint to the project without adding a lot of extra views, i.e. top of parapet, bottom of soffit, etc.

Revit Tip: Linework Tool

Linework tool















Problem

Sometimes an elevation needs a little tweaking to look 100% correct. Revit will show too much information sometimes, and we need to tone down the amount. For instance, these walls are all the same exterior finish, so they should show as one continuous material.










Solution

Use the linework tool to edit the way lines look. We just need to hide the common edges of these walls. Run the command and the first thing you should set is the lineweight you want to use.










This will give you the option of selecting any of line types that we already have loaded into our drawing. It also has several predefined settings for specific types. The one I want is in brackets < > and says Invisible lines.

Now I just hover over the line I want to hide and click on it. Use TAB to cycle through elements if needed.








Because there are two walls at this location, I have to select the edge for each one, which requires two clicks to completely hide the line.














Now my elevation looks the way I want it to. This technique will work for any of your drawings that have more information showing that you need to hide. It will also work the opposite way if you want a line to show up bolder than it normally will.














Or you can use it to show something as dashed.














The key point is that you are still working with modeled elements in your project. You don't need to draw filled regions to hide elements or linework. It also means that if anything shifts or changes in the drawing, it will require less work on your part to show it clearly.

Just remember Revit is here to help you move away from 2d drafting and into the BIM revolution!

Revit Tip: Project Browser

Sort Sheets in the Project Browser

Here is a quick tip on sorting your sheets in your Project browser.

First, we are going to use a setting already in place in our files the Discipline Order.

If you have set up your drawing list correctly, then this should already be set on every one of your sheets. If it isn’t, then fix it.

Now that we are straight on our sheets we are going to set up a filter for our sheets. Let’s head to the Settings menu and select Browser Organization.

In this menu we are going to select the Sheets tab and click New.

I named mine By Discipline. Then we set the parameters for the organization, just set it to group by the parameter we have already set for all our sheets, Discipline Order. Make sure the sort by is set to Sheet Number – Ascending, and you will be all set.

Hit OK and make sure on the previous screen you have your new filter checked. When you return to Revit the Project Browser should look similar to below.

You can see that any sheet left with blank information in the Discipline Order parameter is placed in a group named “???”. This is where you will find any sheets that have gone missing.

Revit Tip: Grid Lines

Grid Lines

Every wonder what that little 3d note next to your grid line means?





Problem

If you are like me, then you like your grid lines to match up across your page. Sometimes, Revit has a mind of its own and changes these on us.











I swear those were lined up that last time I looked at this sheet.

Solution

Use that little 2d notation to your advantage! If a grid line is moved in another location in the project with the 3d notation shown, then it may have affected other portions of the project. Before you move those grids, hit the 3d notation and change it to 2d.







This is also delineated by the closed or open circle at the end of the grid line. Open means 3d and closed means 2d. This may not save all your problems with grid lines, but it should help only affect the view you are looking at.

Revit Tip: Material Tags

Tag by Material

Save time by using even more tags!!!

Problem

You don't use tags to label stuff, even when you could. You love your text too much. Bad Revit user, bad.








Solution

Tag by material instead of by category.






Now on frame elevations, you can tag the glazing panel and all the panels of that type will have the same label.








Tagging is so easy, Revit will even let you fill in the text the first time.








This will work great for elevations as well, where you want to label the materials on the exterior.










Now go out there and tag it up!!