Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
what is going on, not only with your design but also with the project as a
whole. You may not have time to look over the model inch by inch, though,
so there are some items that you can monitor to see whether the design
changes in a way that affects your systems.
Monitoring Elements
Revit gives you the capability to monitor certain elements within a linked
file in order to be made aware of any changes. This functionality is limited
to a few categories because, after all, you wouldn't want to know every time
the architect moved a chair or changed the color of a door. The types of
components that can be monitored are items that, if changed, could have a
major effect on your design, especially late in the game. The architectural
categories that can be monitored for coordination are Levels, Grids,
Columns, Walls, and Floors. These items are often hosts for components in
your model, so being aware of changes to them provides you with a higher
level of coordination.
The Copy/Monitor function in Revit not only lets you monitor an element of
a linked file but also allows you to create a copy of that element within your
file. The use of face-hosted elements eliminates the need to copy items just
so that you can have something as a host. There are items, however, that are
important to coordinate, such as levels and grids.
Your template file may contain levels in order to have preset views, but your
levels will not likely be the same on every project. After pinning a linked file
in place, the next thing you should get into the habit of doing is monitoring
the levels. This mainly applies to the architectural link, because architects
are the ones who will determine floor-to-floor heights. If your file has fewer
levels than the linked file, you can copy the additional levels, and they will
then be monitored automatically.
To coordinate with the levels in the linked file, follow these steps:
1. Open an elevation or section view of the model to see the level locations.
2. Align your levels to the levels in the linked file.
3. Set your levels to monitor the levels in the link by clicking the Copy/
Monitor button on the Collaborate tab. Your two options for monitoring
are selecting items in your file and selecting a link.
