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Forums >> General Discussion >> Revit Project Management >> Minimizing the architects model to use as our Central File - what a concept!
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Joined: Mon, Mar 9, 2009
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I was reading an article in AUGI, and read about Sharing models in Revit MEP. It stated that we can greatly reduce the file size of the Architects Model by deleting views and sheets, and purging unused items. I never thought of doing that. The architects file is 60mb, and our Central file is 80mb. Two questions arise about this. 1. What can I saftely get rid of from the architects model so it can help speed up our central files and ultimately reduce our file size, and how to actually do it? 2. Has anyone implemented this and what pro's and cons are there? We didn't know any better, and just used their file as is. I can see it taking up some time to delete and purge items from their file, but the speed and reduced file size, and save to centrals, should more than make up for it. The only drawback I see is if updating the Architects central file is done often, then the clean up process would need to be repeated each time. In therir model, can I safetly delete all the views like floor plan, ceiling, 3d, elevations, sections, drafting, walk throughs, etc? What about legends and schedules and sheets, can I delete those? And how do I purge Families and groups? Any other comments on this issue?
Edited on: Thu, Jul 23, 2009 at 2:13:56 PM
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Don't do this to make your central file!!!! You don't ever want to work directly with that file. You want to link in the architects model and control what you need through VG.
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I wouldn't make it the central file. What I was thinking was to open it, delete what I dont need, and save as a central file. The information going back to the architect doesnt include his portion of the central file, just the PME content. Does this make sense to do or should it never be done? See the article belowby: Jarrod Baumann Working in a consulting engineering firm will mean receiving the architectural plans from someone else. Linking Revit models is very analogous to xref ’s in AutoCAD. In AutoCAD we would receive the .dwg file, strip it of most of the data, leaving only the geometry we will directly reference and then link this reduced size file by means of the xref command. The process can be quite similar with Revit. After receiving the file, you can delete any or all of the views, I prefer to leave floor plan views for reference, and then purge the file. All of this is purely for reducing the file size and speeding up the software. Next you create a new Revit project file, using a template, and link the architectural file in to your project. The views that were deleted in the link, have no affect on the 3D geometry in the model leaving it as the reference for your Revit project file. You would then create views, insert equipment, model and annotate with much the same workflow as the architectural designers.
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We actually purge the file ourselves. We really don't want the engineering having our views to mess him up so we strip the file and give him PDF's or DWF's so we control this. We are also concerned about liability issues. As far as using this stripped version as your central, I still say use your template with what you need in it then copy monitor.... And the copy is important. I rteally don't care who copies who but I like the link.
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I would create a new Revit project file, using a template, and link the architectural file in to the project. I just did a test, and I was able to reduce the architects file size from 60mb to 40mb. I purge the file and deleted floor plan, ceiling, 3d, elevations, sections, drafting, walk throughs, etc. Is there a big benefit to this, and does anyone else perform these steps?
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I always purge (and sometimes even audit) the incoming architectural rvt. Depending on the architect, they may have 10 additional unused toilet room layouts, dozens of doors and windowsall sorts of additional clutter. Purge is quick and very helpful, 60mb down to 40mb can obviously be a huge difference. I've never taken the time to truly delete anything since I'd prefer their file to be pure but I suppose if there were a real performance issue there might be some things to CAREFULLY delete. If the architect is smart and has worksets or good filters in place, you could pick off all the landscaping, lighting etc that you would never need to see and get rid of it. Check it first though, a door could be in a door workset or a plumbing workset, you never know. If they're really really smart, they will have their worksets perfect and you don't have to import them into your model if you don't want them. Again, that's only if you trust their worksets. I actually do ADD my printer settings to their file in case I want a hard copy but that's the only thing.
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I am currently working in Revit MEP 2009, and I am working on a large project. The arch has a 320,000 KB file of which keeps growing. Their file size is due partially to how they have modeled certain things, and their use of in-place families. We have to use their file for a background as we are electrical, but their file is so large. We currently go through the process of.... - Unchecking all revisions so as to be able to delete views - removing all cad and model links - delete all unused familes using purge (as well as any electrical or lighting or mechanical families (because they should not be modeling those) - delete any tags of elements you do not need to see (you can delete - all legends and schedules or any view that you know you will not need for a background (i tend to keep all floor and ceiling plans as we use them for backgrounds) after this process the arch file size get to about 250,000 KB. Note: Always keep an original of the arch model that is unchanged incase you have deleted something that you later find out you need.
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