Revit Links

Forgive me... I'm only a baseline Revit user... I pretty much use it to export my views from the architect's model into AC.

But I'm having a little trouble with the current model I'm working on. I open it up, and there's pretty much nothing there. Am I wrong in thinking that Links work like Xrefs in AC? Because I'm missing a lot of very important Links with names like West Valley SITE_CENTRAL.rvt. I feel like I might need that one.

Links do work like XREF's. Did you open up the Manage Links dialog to inspect there's missing RVT files? Also, Revit has a few "gotcha's" when it comes to model visibility. The best thing to do is open up a Default 3D View which by default turns everything currently in the model to a visible state. The only caveats would be possible Phasing and Design Options, in which you'd have to inspect to see if those options give you extra model elements.

I opened the Manage Links thing, and there were like 8 that were missing. They were definitely located on the architect's server with "relative path" (which is what made me think these things were a lot like Xrefs). I tried opening a default 3D view... nothing. The rest of what you said must have been mis-typed. It appears to be in Greek.

I would contact the necessary party and request the other Revit files then.

Yeah, that's what I'm trying to do. They're being less than forthcoming. And by that I mean they won't even return my phone calls. Grrr...

If you are only exporting, try this:

I've been able to export to AutoCAD without actually having the links. Revit automagically hangs on to the geometry of the links and is able to export it. Open the model and when prompted to manage the links, say "No".

@Rob: It's definitely not remembering geometry. I tried that the first time, and there were a few lines in there and some ghosts of some chairs... it was very weird.

Sorry to hear that. Here's hoping they get you the necessary files.

Yeah... me too. Thanks!

Ok... update on this issue. The GC gave me access to their BIM FTP site, and I started doing some digging. The only Revit files I could find were the same ones I already have, none of the linked files. So I started looking around some more, and I found some Navisworks files. I downloaded the viewer, and sure enough, the whole building appears in this thing. Grrrr...

Is there any way to get the CAD files I need out of NW? CAn I convert it to RVT? I have never seen nor worked with this program before.

No, you need the Revit models... Navisworks is an export that converts the geometry to highly compressed files meant for specific purposes. Are you sure you have all the files? What is the filesize of the Revit model? Can you post screenshots of the Manage Links dialog box? Have you downloaded absolutely everything? Are there any Sheets or Schedules or anything else that may tell you that "something" is in the model?

Ok. That's what I thought... but for a moment, I was hopeful. I've attached three pictures. The first one is ALL The Revit files on the FTP site. I've dug through all the folders, there's nothing else there. The second is the Manage Links dialog box when I open the SUPPORT file. The third is what the model looks like when go to one of the default 3D views. It's literally nothing but the structure.

Obviously, the pictures are in the wrong order... but you're smart... I'm sure you can figure it out.

Okay, I see the mechanical model. And the file named "SUPPORT" is the structural model. I also see an electrical model. Just no architectural from what I can tell. So it seems like all you'd have to do is download the files, put them in a folder, and use the Reload From tool to repath to the models and everything should be hunky-dory.

But where do I download the files? They're not there?!?! Unless I'm missing something. Here's the Manage Links tab from another one of the files (the electrical). I just really feel like I'm missing the base architecture here.

You are missing the architectural model from what I can tell. In your previous post, you had some screenshots, and a list of all the Revit models. I'm assuming this is a screenshot of the FTP directory. I see two electrical, two mechanical and three structural models, that's it. All the "West Valley CASINO" and "West Vally PG" should be the architectural building and parking garage based off naming conventions. You need these files to complete it.... you're still missing all of these. So, contact someone, or browse deeper in the FTP directories to see if the architectural are in other locations.

Ok. That's totally what I thought. My sales person is going straight to the architect today. Thanks!

Revit confuses me. I need a beer.

Well, this isn't a Revit issue, really. This part works just like AutoCAD. It's the exact same as if you're missing XREF's. Exact same. You're literally missing the *actual* files, that's it. Manage Links is synonymous with Reference Manager. No files, no models!

And I need a beer too. Confused or not. Good thing my company is throwing a Texas Rangers home opener party today at 2pm.... beer is already on ice. Whoo-hoo!

Yeah... I know that part's the same. It's just cloogy for me to use. I need to use it more, if truth be told. I went to a 3 day class on it a while ago, but just don't practice enough.

Ah you're fine... just stick to the forums. We're all here to help.