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New Revit Model Setup

Model Setup Cheat Sheet:

  1. Put the arch model in Links folder, and investigate it (TB, phasing, scope boxes, dependent views, sheet views for linking, PBP/SP, Levels, Sheet Naming/Numbering Convention, Project Information)
  2. Copy the Template model to project location, rename it, and make it a Central Model. 
  3. Remap links, confirm location.
  4. Align and delete levels.
  5. Adjust and delete scope boxes, move sections to within scope box.
  6. Delete unnecessary views and sheets.
  7. Set and flash Rvt Default Settings VT -or- set and flash By Linked View VTs to all views.
  8. Add room tags.
  9. Check and adjust view ranges as necessary for Plumbing lower level and mezzanine levels.
  10. Update TB Family, Project Information, and arrange views on sheets using Guide Grids.
  11. Export to PDF.

 

How to Set Up a New Project

The splash screen in the Template has instructions for setup so your staff will never get lost in the process. The text is below. The text is meant as a quick-reference cheat sheet for users who already know how to set up a model but find the list handy as a checklist. See the How to Set Up a New Project workflow video for full instructions.

Suggested Folder Structure

  • \Project\BIM  <--MEP model goes here
  • \Project\BIM\_Archive
  • \Project\BIM\Links   <--Arch and Struct models go here
  • \Project\BIM\Exports ←PDF and model exports from the model go here first

 

Put the models in correct locations

  1. Copy received architectural and structural Revit Model(s) to \Project\BIM\Links folder.
  2. Copy the MEP Template model to the \Project\BIM folder.
  3. Rename the MEP Template model to 'MEP_[Project]_2xxx.rvt'

 

Inspect the Architectural Model for Important Information

  1. Open Revit and browse to the architectural model in \BIM\Links folder. Left click the model, check "Detach from Central" (if it is greyed out you don't need to check it, and can skip to step 3), and click Open.
  2. Save As > save over the existing Revit model. (This establishes the new location of the architectural central model).
  3. In the arch model, take note of the following elements. Take screenshots or notes as necessary.
    1. Titleblock (save as to the \BIM\Warehouse Models and Families folder for your use if you will re-use the architect's TB)
    2. Phasing and phase mapping - anything unique going on here?
    3. Scope Boxes
    4. Use of Dependent views (this is relevant to view template setup)
    5. Which views to point at in By Linked View settings.
    6. PBP/Survey Point/internal origin and relative position of building (so you can find their building quickly when remapping the Rvt links).
    7. Levels - which to copy, which to leave, etc.
    8. Sheet naming and numbering conventions.
    9. Project Information

When finished, you can close the architectural model without saving.

If worksharing on your local server, make the MEP project model a Central Model:

    1. From Revit, browse to the MEP_Project_2x.rvt model and open it.
    2. Collaborate Tab > Collaborate > On Local Network. 
    3. Save as > In the Save As dialogue, click "options" and verify that "save as central model" is checked. Select the MEP_Project_2x.rvt model to save as over the previous model, and hit Save.
    4. Close the Revit Model.
    5. The next time you open the model, “create new local” will be checked in the Open Model dialogue. 

It is best practice to always open Revit models from the Revit Open dialogue, never by double-clicking on models on your computer. 

 

If hosting your model on ACC, make the project model a Cloud-hosted model:

 1. From Revit, browse to the MEP_Project_2x.rvt model and open it.

2. Collaborate Tab > Collaborate > Collaborate in Cloud > Add to appropriate ACC project.

3. Archive the version of the model on your server or computer. The "live" model lives on ACC and you don't want to accidentally do work in the version on your computer/server.

4. Repeat this process for the linked Revit models.

 Note that if you are cloud-hosting your project internally to your firm, you will need to Cloud-host the linked models in this same fashion as well. You cannot simply upload the linked models to ACC. 

 Set Up the new Project Model:

1. Open _Setup View 01 - START HERE view in _Project Setup hierearchy at the top of the Project Browser.

2. Remap the placeholder Rvt links to project arch and structural models. Ensure position/origin matches what you saw in the arch model.

3. Align mep levels to desired arch levels, and delete unneeded mep levels.

4. Monitor levels (and grids if desired). We recommend that you keep the 'mep' prefix in front of the level names.

5. Align/rename Scope Boxes and delete uneeded ones.

6. Go to _Project Setup views "_Setup View 02 - ALL SECTIONS" and Move all Trade Specific Sections inside the Overall Scope Box so they are visible in floorplans.

7. Delete uneeded views (e.g. all 'parent' views if you don't have AREA X views, disciplines you won't need, etc).

8. In the Architectural Reference floor plans, update/create and apply By Linked View 0x view templates *if using the By Linked View Method*.

9. (If using the By Linked View method) Set the Browser Organization to Associated Level, multi-select floor plans per level, and right click > Apply View Template button to flash the By Linked View view templates to every view by level.

10. Set View Range on Lowest Levels

A. Remove View Range from all Plumbing Floorplan View Templates (all Floorplans, Overall, and Enlarged) and set the lowest level's view range Bottom and View Depth to Unlimited.

B. Or Set the View Depth Only to unlimited. This will use the "Beyond" Line Style to display piping below the level.

C. Set the architectural and structural view settings to "linked view" and use a foundation plan if included.

11. Set View Range for Level Below Mezzanine Levels. Remove View Range from all Floorplans View Templates if there is a Mezzanine Level. Set the Level Below the Mezzanine's Bottom and View Depth to that Level, and Set the Top to the Level above the Mezzanine.

A. Example: If there is a Mezzanine between 1st and 2nd Floor, Set 1st Floor's bottom to 1st floor, and 1st Floor Top to 2nd.

12. For room tags, EITHER:
A. Copy/Paste To Selected Views the room tags from architectural model, OR
B. Place Room Tags in a view in your model and Copy > Paste to Selected Views

13. Delete surplus sheets, swap in the correct TB, and align sheet views to sheets. Use the Guide Grid if necessary.

14. Plot to PDF to ensure the settings are correct and everything looks acceptable.