Forums >> General Discussion >> Revit Project Management >> Setting up a Multi Storey building best practice for beginners

Stevoparkes

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Hi all, Im new to revit and have been going through the forums but I seem to get conflicting ideas on the best practice for setting up a new project. 

This would be for setting up a building 6 floors and upwards? This is what ive seen in the forums and Im wondering if this is best practice?

Project files can get quite large and unmanageble if all kept in one file so its best to split it up and use revit links into a single master file. you should have links for the following items: site plans, grids & levels, structure (floorplates/columns/core), envelope and finally interior elements.

Annotations etc should be done in the file it was created in rather than the master file.

Generally links in favour of groups

So thats what Ive read although some people say just keep it all in one file. Im wondering what experienced users would suggest as best practice?

To note: this is just for architectural, no MEP or structural consultants going to be working in revit. Currently working in 2017 version. Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

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WWHub

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DO NOT SPIT UP A SINGLE DISCIPLINE FILE !   Revit is different than CAD on how you can work with files and file size is NOT your problem in 99% of all projects.  Learn how to use worksets and reduced file loadings to work with larger projects. 

What you have shown:   "... you should have links for the following items: site plans, grids & levels, structure (floorplates/columns/core), envelope and finally interior elements...."  Is a horrible idea.   A CAD thought process.   Only have seperate files for the disciplines Architecture, Structure, MEP and Civil.  Interior design if done in-house should be in the architectural file in its own workset.

Even though your consultants may be working in CAD, their files can be linked in, again in their own workset.

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Stevoparkes

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Thank you for the input and reply! I do still have much to learn and worksets is going to be first on my list. Do you have any additonal tips or advice on  working on a large building? It would just be me doing a building as opposed to an office that has multiple users.

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WWHub

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Even with one user, worksets are an important tool to use.  My advice about worksets also includes DON'T GO WORKSET CRAZY!  Other than the stock worksets, I typically only add the worksets for linked files, a shell workset and if we do interiors, a workset for that.  People that suggest worksets for each level are giving themselves problems.

My shell workset includes all exterior elements of the building such as exterior walls, windows, exterior doors, roof and exterior trims, canopies etc.  This allow you to set up perspectives and elevations with all interior elements off which improves performance and other things.  Using an interior workset that includes furniture an d other added amenities helps in the same way.  That workset allows you to make a distiction between elements that may be in the same Revit category like casework which may be building element or furniture.

Pay attention to what your views include.   I always set my elevation depth top include wall faces that should show but typically not the other side of the structure.   That reduces selection problems and also means revit doesn't have to hide those items.   The same goes for floor plans.  Typically plan depth is the floor and nothing below that.   If you have a canopy roof below that, you may add a plan region in that area to pick up that.

And finally, learn to create working views for plans, don't work in sheeted views except for annotations.  With working views, you can add notes to yourself, layout concerns etc (mine are always red).  And also learn to use schedules.   You can have as many schedules as you want.  With working schedules, you might sort all your rooms by room type and not display all so that you can change all of the properties in one parameter - all at once.   I do that with doors, room finishes, windows.  Don't be afraid to experiment with this.  Agian, don't mess with your sheeted schedule.

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Stevoparkes

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Thank you again for the input... Ive taken what you have suggested and started implementing it and its making much more sense now. The tips sound great and Ive been studying up on the visibility graphics, so thats the next step. I especially like the idea of notes to yourself in working views. Today I plan to explore all the options of schedules. Great input and so valuable to get expert advice for beginners like me.

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