Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Working with Architectural Linked-in Plumbing
Models
When using Revit MEP for plumbing, you have two main options for
coordinating plumbing fixtures between architectural linked-in models and
plumbing models. The first option is to manually place the plumbing
designer'seditedplumbingfixturesoverthearchitecturalplumbingfixtures.
The second option is to use the Copy/Monitor feature.
UsingtheCopy/Monitorfeatureeitherplacesanexactcopyofthearchitect's
fixture family or allows you to select your family. You can use a family that
hasalreadybeeneditedwithproperconnectorsandschedulinginformation.
When you are placing fully modeled plumbing fixtures with connectors,
you will need to turn off the architectural plumbing fixtures. Otherwise,
any slight difference in graphical representation or location between your
plumbing fixtures and the architectural plumbing fixtures will be a disaster
for your final plot sheets. Using plumbing fixture assemblies or connector
placeholders is more forgiving. In this case, the architect is in control of the
graphical representation of the plumbing fixtures, and you are in control of
the plumbing fixture information and specifications. By fixture assemblies
or connector placeholders, we mean placing your own families, which could
be as simple as cylinders that are hosting the necessary connectors and
all parameters for scheduling purposes. When you place those, you can
decide where to put them and how to orient them, whereas with the Copy/
Monitor tool as mentioned earlier, you are dependent on the architect's
family building skills.
With either method, you have to take care that your fixtures remain
coordinated with any architectural plan changes. If you place your families
manually, you have to check locations visually. If you use the Copy/Monitor
function, Revit will notify you that there has been a change via the
Collaborate ribbon tab Coordination Review. Also, the Copy/Monitor
feature does not automatically update to show any new fixtures that the
architect may have added.
You should also consider how the architectural families and your families
are made. The two major points of consideration are the orientation and the
insertion point of the architectural families and your families. If they don't
match, Copy/Monitor most likely will create more work for you because you
will have to move and rotate every instance of a family that doesn't match
