How to Structure a New Project (Overview)
The effective and correct setup of a project is crucial to it’s long term success. The difference between a good setup and a bad setup can result in hundreds of hours of lost productivity. Every project has different requirements and as such, the process for structuring the files is not always the same. Below are some recommended guidelines for different styles of projects and their best practice setups. Following this is additional information about the exact steps to configure correct coordinates, datums, view extents and project information prior to commencing modelling.
NOTE: As a general rule, if there is a chance that the building may move on the site, either in plan or in elevation, then its best to keep the building and site in their own Revit files.
Contents
Building on Site/Campus Style Projects
Step by Step Guide:
Setup each building in its own Revit file.
Setup the site as its own Revit file.
Link the buildings into the site file.
Model connection elements such as covered walkways, paths, parking etc. in the Site file.
Document the buildings in their specific files.
Document site plans etc. in the site file.
If you have a reasonably large team you may also enable Worksets on the buildings to maximise efficiency (that is, more than one person can work on a file). You will only require the 2 default worksets; do not break them into any more...
INFO: It is acceptable to link the site into the buildings as well for the simplicity of making and coordinating changes to the building where they interact with the site.
Master Planning Projects (campus style with typical units)
Step by Step Guide:
Setup Typical Units in their own Revit files.
Setup individual Buildings in their own Revit files.
Link the Typical Units into the Building files as "attachments" as opposed to "overlay" so they persist when the buildings are linked into the Site.
Setup the Site as its own Revit file.
Link the Buildings into the Site file.
Model connection elements such as covered walkways, paths, parking etc. in the Site file.
Document the Typical Units in their specific files.
Document the Buildings in their specific files.
Document Site/Master Planning in the Site file.
If you have a reasonably large team you may also enable Worksets on the buildings to maximise efficiency (that is, more than one person can work on a file). You will only require the 2 default worksets; do not break them into any more...
INFO: Once the project progresses and the design becomes more resolved, and you need to go to more detail, it is recommended to bind the Typical Unit links as Groups so they can be manipulated to correctly interface with their surrounding elements.
NOTE: Groups are more prone to errors than links (inconsistent group errors may occur when making changes). As such, Links are used in preference to Groups for as long as possible.
10-20 Storey High Rise Developments
Step by Step Guide:
For Residential towers, Group Typical Units (if you experience abnormalities with the groups, convert them to links until the design is further resolved and then bind back to Groups).
For Commercial towers, Group Amenities/Core (if you experience abnormalities with the groups, convert them to links until the design is further resolved and then bind back to Groups).
If the Building fills the Site, model the Building and the Site in the same file.
If there is a chance that the building will move about the Site during design, then link the Building to a separate Site file (Most cases).
Use full discipline Worksets to better manage file sizes and efficiency.
Then when opening the file use "Specify Worksets" to choose which Worksets not to open. This reduces the amount of memory required to load the file and can dramatically improve performance.
20+ Storey High Rise Developments
Step by Step Guide:
For Residential towers, Group Typical Units (if you experience abnormalities with the groups, convert them to links until the design is further resolved and then bind back to Groups).
For Commercial towers, Group Amenities/Core (if you experience abnormalities with the groups, convert them to links until the design is further resolved and then bind back to Groups).
If the Building fills the Site, model the Building and the Site in the same file.
If there is a chance that the building will move about the Site during design, then link the Building to a separate Site file (Most cases).
Use full discipline Worksets to better manage file sizes and efficiency. You may also consider breaking sub-level, podium and tower into Worksets for very large buildings or even separate Links. EG: Architectural-Podium, Interiors-Podium etc.
Then when opening the file use "Specify Worksets" to choose which Worksets not to open. This reduces the amount of memory required to load the file and can dramatically improve performance.