Forums >> Revit Building >> Technical Support >> Best Practices in Linking multiple Architectural Files together

estough

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I am working in REVIT 2011

I have a project that is in DD and the file size is 126000 KB and growing. REVIT is requesting that I divide this thing up into multiple files and link together. I am finding lots of pros and cons for doing this, but as of yet can't find how people are divying up the models. Would someone please tell me if there are serious pitfalls in what I am contemplating?

This is a 2 storey building that includes 52,000sf of existing building with minimal sporadic alterations. Then it includes 32,000sf of existing building with major alteration to facade and interior layout. Third it has a 25,500sf addition located on the opposite side of the building from the alteration wing. There are also 3 new portecocheres, one in each area. This is what I am thinking about doing:

Model 1: 51,545 sft: Existing building with minimal alterations

Model 2: The proposed addition and the major alteration wing. Model 1 would be linked into model 2.

OR should I be doing three seperate models and then linking them in a common file that has all the sheets. How do drafting views work in this scenario?

 Thank you

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WWHub

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How is Revit recommending that you divide the model up?  I have never seen anything like that and our models regularly go into the 150,000 range. We had one at 250,000.  I don't think your project needs to be divided up at all.

Do you regularly audit and compact your file?

Do you review warnings?

Do you link rather than insert CAD drawings?

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estough

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There are no CAD drawings in this file. We used them as underlays and then got rid of them when we had all the information in the drawings.

I have been purging but confess that I have no idea how to audit. In CAD yes, but not in REVIT

Yes we have been reviewing the warnings.

Thank you

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estough

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I Audited and compacted the file which actually bumped it up to 160,000 and then purged any items that I knew were extra and that got it down to 86,000

Thank you for your help.

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brettgoodchild

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What disciplines are using Revit on this project?

If this is only for the architectural model, I think there may be some issues of concern regarding the file size in relation to the building size.

If this is 100% Revit accross all disciplines, then the file size is pretty good.

We have a project going on right now for 130,00sft and all disciplines

(Arch, Stru, Mech, Fire Pro, Plumb, Piping, ACS, Elec) combined are 142mb...the Arch. discipline accounts for only 47mb.

 Generally, the concept of model breakup  should be discussed prior to any work on the models occuring as it does need some thought and consideration as you are learning.

It is a lot easier to preset model files when there is nothing in the file as opposed to breaking a project up after a model is fairly developed.

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estough

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I am only working with the Architectural.

I suspect that part of the file size is simply that this is a Nursing home and I have a high number of plumbing fixtures, furniture, and specialities like oxygen and dialysis. I could be wrong and am open to trying to reduce the file size. 

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