Collaborating with multiple project stakeholders can be a challenging task, but with the right tools in Revit, the process can be optimized and made more efficient. When it comes to managing and coordinating work, the Revit Copy and Monitor is an essential feature that can help to reduce the risk of making mistakes and unnecessary costs.
With the Copy and Monitor feature, we are able to monitor and replicate different categories of elements between various Revit models. The tool is mostly used for Copy and Monitoring categories such as Grids and Levels, between an Architectural and Structural model, for example.
Table of Contents
In this article, we are going to take a look at how to use the Revit Copy Monitor tool to coordinate models. What options do we have when we Copy and Monitor the models and how to use the Coordination Review?
Overview
When you start working on a model with different project members or disciplines, such as a Structural Engineer, Architect, or Mechanical Engineer (MEP), it is a good idea to coordinate models. When, for example, the architect changes the levels for the first floor, you want to be sure that also the other disciplines are notified.
With the Revit Copy Monitor tool, we can use different workflows to track those changes. For example, you can think about a structural model with Levels and Grids, linked in by the architect. The architect can now use the Copy/Monitor tool to copy the levels and grids from the linked model.
Vice versa, the structural engineer can monitor the grids and levels from the architect. When one of both disciplines changes a level or grid the other discipline will get a notification of the changes.
In Revit, we can find the Copy/Monitor tool in the Coordinate panel of the Collaborate tab. This panel contains five tools to help with the coordination of your models.
- Copy/Monitor
- Coordination Review
- Coordination Settings
- Reconcile Hosting
- Interference Check
The Copy/Monitor tool allows us to either copy or monitor different Revit categories. The categories included are:
- Levels
- Grids (multi-segment grids are excluded)
- Columns (slanted columns are excluded)
- Walls
- Floors
- Openings
- MEP fixtures
Note
Use the Copy/ Monitor tool only when all disciplines work in Autodesk Revit, and when teams must be informed of changes like levels, grids, etc.
Revit Copy/Monitor
We will focus on a Linked model to Copy/Monitor elements. Besides that, it is possible to use this tool in your own model with: Use Current Project.
To open the tool for a Linked model, first link a model (Insert tab > Link panel > Link Revit > Position model to the host) and then follow the steps below:
- Open the Collaborate tab
- Click on Copy/Monitor in the Coordinate panel
- Select Link > Click on the linked model in your project
Copy/Monitor Tools are available now, so let’s take a look at the different features we can use from here.
You can select between:
- Copy [A]: You can create a copy of a selected element and establishes a monitoring relationship between the copied and original element.
- Monitor [B]: This will establish a monitoring relationship between two elements of the same type without copying.
With both of these tools, whenever a modification is made to the original element, a warning will be triggered. These warnings will only appear upon reloading the linked model or reopening the model after it has been closed.
Note
The Copy tool in the Copy/Monitor panel is different from the other Copy tools in the modify panel, which are used for copy and pasting.
When collaborating with a Mechanical Engineer (MEP) there are some additional tools at your disposal:
Coordination Settings: This option allows you to map behavior when copying MEP fixtures from a linked model. Each category can be specified with a copy behavior, such as: batch, manual, or ignore. Additionally, you can assign a family type to each fixture you copy from the linked model.
Batch Copy: We can use this tool to copy all fixtures that have not yet been copied from the linked model. The settings for this can be found in the Coordination Settings.
A. Copy
Start from the Copy/Monitor mode:
- Click on Copy
- Select an element one by one to Copy and establish a connection (in this case a grid line)
- Click on Finish
Optional: To Copy multiple elements click on Multiple in the ribbon > Drag selection elements > Click on the Filter button to choose elements > Press OK > Click on Finish to Copy and establish the relationship between elements.
Notice that, the elements that we have copied now have a Monitor symbol [A] which indicates it is connected to the element in the linked model. After you have finished the Copy/Monitor mode, you are able to Hide the linked model and change the position of the Grid Bubbles, for example.
B. Monitor
When you already have set Grid and Levels in your own model, for example, you can also establish a connection by monitoring the same elements with each other.
Start from the Copy/Monitor mode:
- Click on Monitor
- Select an element from your model
- Select an element of the same type from the linked model to establish a connection
- Click on Finish
Stop Monitoring
If you like to stop monitoring an element follow the steps below:
- Select the element you wish to stop monitoring
- Go to the Modify tab > Monitor panel
- Click on Stop Monitoring
Options
Before selecting elements to copy for monitoring, specify options for the element type as the Copy/Monitor options only apply to elements selected after these options have been set. We also have the ability to customize additional parameters of elements while copying from the linked model.
Categories and Types to copy
when it comes to Types there are three options to choose from for copying in each category:
- Copy the Original type to your project (matches the same settings)
- Copy a different to the original
- Don’t copy this Type
You can select an option in the New type column for each Original type from the linked model.
Additional Copy Parameters
Each category has its own specific additional copy parameters to set. Let’s take a look at each category and what parameters are available.
Levels & Grids
- Offset Level (levels only): We can give the copied level a vertically offset from the original one. This can be used to compensate for finishing floor thickness, for example. Each discipline can use its own levels with the compensated distance monitored.
- Reuse Levels/Grids with the same name: This option moves existing levels or grids in the current model to match the linked model level/grid location, instead of creating a new one. Of course, this also will establish a monitored connection between the elements.
- Reuse matching Levels/Grids: You can select one of the options below.
- Don’t reuse: This will create a copy of a level/grid, even if there is already a level/grid in the current model at the same location (can’t be the same name).
- Reuse if Elements match exactly: If your current model already contains a level that is at the same elevation height as the linked model or grid at the same location, it will not copy the elevation/grid. Revit will establish a relationship between the elements in the current and linked model instead.
- Reuse if within offset (levels only): Use this option to establish a connection between the levels within the value of the Offset Level. The level will not be copied.
- Add suffix/prefix to Level/Grid Name: You can use this option to copy the levels/grids with a suffix/prefix to their name.
Columns
- Split Columns by Levels: This is a specific option to split columns into shorter columns at level lines when copying to your current model. Use case: When you are a structural engineer you preferably use columns from level to level to avoid problems with the analytical model. Architects can still continue to model the columns as one piece to save some time.
Walls
- Location line to align: You can change the location line of walls when copying from the linked model. For example, as a structural engineer, you can copy walls from the architect on the core centerline or face of the wall which is crucial for a structural engineer.
- Copy windows/doors/openings: When we select this option all hosted openings will be copied with the wall. This also includes openings such as doors and windows. The openings are instance based with their size and position controlled through instance properties.
Floors
- Copy openings/inserts: We can use this option to copy hosted openings with the floors. You can think of shaft openings, for example.
Coordination Review
Whenever you make a change to the host model or someone else is making a change in the Linked model, both will get notified about these changes. The notification you will see is: “Instance of link needs Coordination Review”, which only appears after reloading the link manually or when you reopen the project.
To initiate a Coordination Review of the linked model, follow the steps below:
- Open the Collaborate tab
- Click on Coordination Review in the Coordinate panel
- Select Link > Click on the linked model in your project
Alternative: Click on the Linked model > Go to the Modify | RVT Links tab > Monitor panel > Press on Coordination Review.
Now, you can review changes made to the linked project’s monitored elements. The Coordination Review dialog contains a list of Messages and Actions. You can decide which action you will take on each issue.
To handle the Coordination Review there are four types of Action:
- Postpone: When you choose Postpone, it will put the task on hold for now and allow you to address the issue at a later time.
- Reject: Use this action to point out that the change that is made in the project is not correct or acceptable. The correction should instead be made to the linked model’s corresponding monitored element.
- Accept difference: Selecting this option will indicate that the difference between the elements is acceptable. It will refresh the connection between the elements without altering the elements themselves.
- Modify “Element name”: When we choose this option it will modify the corresponding element. The modifications can come in various forms based on the changes made. For instance, grids or levels could be moved or renamed.
Tip
You can create a Report of the notifications in the Coordination Review dialog.
Wrapping Up
When collaborating with many project disciplines such as an Architect, Structural, and Mechanical Engineer, it can be a challenging task to coordinate model designs. With Revit Copy and Monitor tools, you can optimize the process and make modeling more efficient.
When you receive a notification of a monitored element in a linked model, use the Coordination Review feature to respond to these changes. It will help you to manage and make decisions about the updates. Keep in mind that you are not overusing the Copy and Monitor tools because it can cause performance issues. Use the tools for elements that are important to monitor such as grids and levels, for example.
I hope this article helped you how to use Revit copy monitor tools and how to review the changes. If you have any questions, just drop a comment below.
