Revit users fall into two basic categories, firms that have been using Revit for months/years, and firms that are just starting to use Revit. This paper is for the long time users, but the new users may also want to keep reading.

I give demos of the Reed SmartBIM Library every week to architectural, engineering and construction companies using Revit. The SmartBIM Library allows firms to process their existing objects easily into the Library where they are organized and graphically displayed. On a regular basis the firms point out that their objects are a mess. Reed has come up with a concept to help firms clean up the “mess”. This paper discusses this concept, and like all concepts it may be a good concept, or a bad concept. You will decide.

What Does a Mess Look Like, and How Did It Happen

The “Mess” happened slowly so it did not get a lot of attention as it continued to grow, it came about several ways.

1. A Revit user needed a skylight and they could not find what they needed in the Imperial library so they learn how to create objects and they made there own, it was their first object, not quite right but good enough for the contract documents.
2. The object was found on a share ware site, unfortunately it was a simple conversion from an AutoCAD 3D model, it is a huge file in Revit and when you try to change the object if falls apart so you accept it as is.
3. The creator was not sure what to call the skylight; the firm has no naming conventions, so it is “John Smith Skylight 32.rfa”.
4. While working on a project you did not like the look of a drinking fountain so you created a better version and replaced the bad ones with the new ones, unfortunately you miss a few. The bad one still exists all over the office and someone keeps putting it in the projects.
5. Your firm has multiple offices, they all started using Revit at different times and they all created and gathered their own objects, you are now starting to share projects and you see the “mess” every day.
6. The owner of the project you are working on has several projects underway using several different firms and the company that is taking over their facilities management has told him it will costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring consistency to all the Revit models they are reviewing. They want you to get together with the other architects and come up with a consistent naming convention.
7. You are planning on using QTO software and now you see there are 5 different objects in the project all for the exact same drinking fountain, it is even worst because you are planning on using automated specification generation software and two of the drinking fountains that are the “same” have been assigned different CSI numbers, two specifications are being created for the same object.
8. When the firm started using Revit a couple of years ago someone in the firm thought it would be good to fill in the cost category in the properties area (don’t ever do this) and the owner wants to know why the prices are all wrong.
9. Every person in the office has their favorite objects on their workstation.

The list could go on for pages. I have yet to talk with a firm that has their objects under control. If you exist please contact me.

I am constantly asked if Reed can come in and clean up the “Object Mess” for the firm, the answer is yes, we have the knowledge to create or fix the bad objects, add the important missing objects and a consistent naming convention into the SmartBIM Library so they will be organized and accessible. However we are not in the one on one consulting business, and even if we were I suspect that in a year the mess may have reappeared.

Reed does have a solution; it is simple and will clean up your “mess” and keep it from coming back.

Member Comments