Forums >> General Discussion >> Revit Project Management >> Lock a Revit model down / Read Only for issue to Builder

WBWW

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Is there a way to make a Revit model read-only or lock it down in any other way for issue to a builder?Maybe it's exportable to some other Autodesk software?How do you go about this matter in your practice?The main concern is that when he starts looking at it and clicking on things to see what they are, he might move or delete them accidentally, and the resultant problems on site. We've written up a disclaimer just in case, but we're still worried about the headaches of resolving problems during construction.

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teafoe5

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No there is no way to lock it.  There are a couple export options you could look into depending on what you are trying to accomplish. 

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WWHub

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Does the builder really want it in Revit?  If so and if your contract requires this, then make an archived copy of what you provide as a record.  You might also request that the contractor can't use your model but only link it into his own model.   If contractiually you are not required to provide the model then that is another issue.

You always have the option of exporting all sheets to CAD.

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WBWW

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Yes, the builder was adamant he needed it. We'd discussed this kind of situation hypothetically many times at the office, but it's finally happened for real.

In the end I created a new central file by detaching from central, cleaning it up and saving to a new folder. Then I burned this file onto 2 CD's - one for the builder and one for us. So if he copies it to his desktop and starts clicking around and mucks something up we have an un-editable fallback copy of the file he should have been working from.

Of course I understand this will only work for as long as no changes are made during the course of construction. Give it a week..

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WWHub

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If the contractor uses your model and doesn't link it into one of his own then he will have to start over the first time you give him an updated model......  Perhaps you should point that out to him.  He should be only linking your model.

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fastjohnnyz

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You might want to take a look at this;

The AIA Digital Practice Documents address the issue of Digital Data Exchange.   Projects where the GC may request the model. 

These docs below can replace the previous single exhibit – E202-2008

• AIA Document E203 – 2013 – Building Information Modeling and Digital Data Exhibit

• AIA Document G201 – 2013 – Project Digital Data Protocol Form

• AIA Document G202 – 2013 – Project Building Information Modeling Protocol Form

The one which is most relevant is the new E203–2013, Building Information Modeling and Digital Data Exhibit:  Its purpose and intent is to set forth in an exhibit, to be attached to all project contracts, an established and agreed upon protocol for the development, use, transmission and exchange of digital data for a project (the “Protocol&rdquo.  If Building Information Modeling (“BIM&rdquo is to be utilized for a project, the E203 also provides for the establishment of Protocols necessary to implement the use of BIM on the project.  While the E203 is intended to be used as a contract document, it only sets forth the parties’ agreement to establish a Protocol. The actual details of such Protocols are to be included in AIA Document G201-2013 (“G201&rdquo and AIA Document G202-2013 (“G202&rdquo. 

The AIA Document E203-2013 is not a stand-alone document, but must be attached as an exhibit to an existing agreement, such as the AIA Document B101™–2007, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect, or A101–2007, Agreement Between Owner and Contractor. Its purpose is to establish the parties’ expectations for the use of digital data and building information modeling (BIM) on the project and provide a process for developing the detailed protocols and procedures that will govern the development, use, transmission and exchange of digital data and BIM on the project. Once agreed to, E203–2013 states that the relevant protocols and procedures will be set forth in AIA Documents G201–2013, Project Digital Data Protocol Form and G202–2013, Project Building Information Modeling Protocol Form. E203 does not create a separate license to use digital data because AIA documents for design or construction, to which E203 would be attached, already include those provisions. Parties not covered under such agreements should consider executing AIA Document C106–2013, Digital Data Licensing Agreement.

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ArchAddict

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"Maybe it's exportable to some other Autodesk software?"

You can export to Navisworks the Information is retained but is is more/less a read-only copy. One of the big GC's in our area uses it, and offers clash detection within navisworks.

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casquatch

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I posted something about this on the Revit Idea's page. It would be nice to get more options for some file restriction. Figured I would share.

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-ideas/digital-signature-on-revit-files/idi-p/6434000

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