Forums >> General Discussion >> Revit Project Management >> Hi-Rise projects best practice!

neomaxmaya

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Joined: Sat, Aug 11, 2012
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Dear all,

I was wondering if any of you have experience with Hi-Rise projects, and if so, What do you think is the best practice in modeling such a big scale project.

Are links better than groups? Worksets are more preferable? 

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Here is a link of a hi-rise project I’ve done myself (using Revit), but it took lots of time, memory and modifications became very hard at the end!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDmGOkmBt4A

As of all of you know, a Hi-Rise building contains multiple condo types which might be similar in plan, but would definitely defer from the elevations!

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coreed

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Joined: Fri, Feb 10, 2006
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Look like you should be giving us the the benefit of what you have learned about these matters.

-----------------------------------

best regards,

coreed,aia

bmpArchitects,Inc.

"Revit has to be implemented, Not installed." 

Long Live Revit

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neomaxmaya

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Thanks for your reply.

Well, if you are referring about my experience from doing that animation, then i can say the following:

the project was my first project using revit, so I had lots of issues like:

I have built that project piece per piece with no groups or links what so ever. 

the file size exceeded 800MB and my workstation dies every time I try to open a different sheet/view

lots of error messages with no idea why or how to fix them

Schedules are mess since no proper referencing plan were made at the beginning of the project

ROOMS ROOMS ROOMS !!!! This word killed me in the project as I couldn’t figure out a way to schedule them with the proper way to show other data like finishes, etc.

changing anything became so painful since there were lots of constrains errors.

so basically I exported the model to a third party software to do the animation, and this is all the benefit I got from Revit!!!!!!! where I could’ve used 3DsMax in one week to do what revit did in 45 days!!!!!

My problem obviously is Revit project management, i know that! this is why I need the best practice tips on creating Hi-Rise Projects in an efficient way.

Thanks.

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teafoe5

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This is a very good link to get you started... http://www.dccadd.com/papers/Best%20Practices%20for%20Revit%20Model%20Management.pdf

You will need to take advantage of worksets and linking disciplines to keep your file size down and your computer speed up.  It sounds like you don't have much experience at all with Revit and I would have to say a Hi-Rise is not a good place to start if your not familiar with the program. 

"lots of error messages with no idea why or how to fix them

Schedules are mess since no proper referencing plan were made at the beginning of the project

ROOMS ROOMS ROOMS !!!! This word killed me in the project as I couldn’t figure out a way to schedule them with the proper way to show other data like finishes, etc.

changing anything became so painful since there were lots of constrains errors."

All of these problems are very basic Revit procedures. Error messages stem from how things are created, some errors can be ignored while others will affect the project and need to be resolved.  Look up Schedules in your help and review the correct way of using them, the are a VERY powerful tool in Revit when utilized correctly.  You shouldn't have constant errors from changing things in a project, you need to review your process with yourself and your office.  Having a Template created will save a lot of time when creating a project.

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WWHub

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It sounds like you should have asked before you started that project.

1. Enable worksets and use limited loads on projects like this.  The shell should be seperate from interior.  
2. If condo types can be considered as seperate projects (and I would) then these would be done in seperate models.  InYou probably don't need to link in every instance - I would not.  The condo projects would have the main file linked in.
3. Groups will kill you on projects like this.  Be careful.

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neomaxmaya

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Wow, these are great info, and could definately use them over my next project.

Thank you guys for your support.

if anyone have more thoughts please feel free to share them as we are always looking for new ways to improve ourselves.

Cheers

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neomaxmaya

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Alright folks,

To recap our thoughts, the steps in managing a Hi-Rise project are as below:

1- A main file contains worksets (building’s envelop, grids and levels, floors, shafts and stairs, and site).

2- Create units in individual files (without the envelop, only interior contents).

3- Link the units into the main file.

Now here some more questions show up!

1- Dimensions. Should i dimension the entire project from the main file after i link the units, or dimension every unit separately then link them to the main file?

2- Rooms. Should i create rooms on the main file or on the units?

3- Workstes inside links. When i build a unit, should i create worksets inside the unit? i.e. interior partition, doors, furniture, etc..

4- Files location. As we all know, a central file will be placed on the server and i will open a copy everyday (with a local check marked) from my pc, the question is: should the units rvt files location be on the server or on my pc? or what is the best way to manage this manner??

If you have any addition to the steps mentioned at the beginning, please feel free to add.

If you know any idea on the questions after, please feel free to benefit everyone from your experience.

Thank you all.

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WWHub

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You did not answer this:  "...If condo types can be considered as separate projects (and I would) then these would be done in seperate models...".  << This is important.  You want to annotate where you model - otherwise you will have real headaches.

So - all the views and sheets for the condo units will be in those linked, condo models and they will have their rooms, schedules - etc.

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neomaxmaya

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Great WWHub, this clarified two questions (#1 & #2).

How about the rest.

Do you suggest any other tips for the procedure?

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WWHub

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first part - #3 - Link the condo units in only is you need to see them or if you want thier sheets to show up in your sheet directory.

second part #3 - Don't go crazy on worksets.  We always put linked files in their own worksets.  Then we have a Shell, Workset1 (default) and levels and grids (Default).  That is all we have for almost all of our projects.  You need a really good reason to do any more than that.

#4 - ALL PROJECT FILES SHOULD BE ON YOUR SERVER! That's all of the Revit files, linked files, keynote file...... You keep your locals on your system.

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neomaxmaya

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Thanks WWHub, this helps a lot.

i've found on Autodesk university website a class, where they explain practice tips and give further information on project management. just serch for 

• Class ID:AB223-2P

It's 1 hour filled of cool tips and stratigies.

one last idea still runnung through my head; does anyone have a full model used in it worksets and links/groups,  available to download so we can see how thigs have been put together?

if anyone knows where to find such a file, please help!

Thanks everyone for your collaborations

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teafoe5

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CADClips.com has some great tutorials that walk you through worksets.  They are not all free but it is well worth the little cost.

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neomaxmaya

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teafoe5, yes i know they have them. In fact, I have an account with them and I've seen almost all of their clips.

However, they are really missing topics like model management, and best practices, etc.

And this is why I'm asking you guys

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alabaster2513

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ive seen the best and worst of model management. I like to model by design package, size management can be handled by worksets easily. i hate overlapping linked files, common sense can break them up into towers, low-rise, site and accessory buildings. heres the autodesk white paper on model performance. plus if you are leveraging real metadata for your BIM workflow you can use a software like Codebook to manage the parameter data to lighten the load the Revit database has to endure.

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