Many projects are carried out by several different designers, but some part of information is still required for all of them. In this case Autodesk® Revit® users can use the projects directly or use linked Revit files. Sometimes we, designers, work with different software products, so collaboration between them should be done using IFC file format. In many cases, designers use linked files to get the project “lighter”. We usually get a bunch of questions concerning this. The main question is “Do your tools work with linked files?” And my answer is in the affirmative.
After the duct, pipe or other MEP element was placed in the project, all the elements should be hanged with structural connections. You can simply distribute hanging elements on ducts, pipes, cable trays, conduits or other line based elements using Smart Hangers. After the distribution of hangers on line based elements, all the hangers should be connected to some structural or architectural elements, such as Roofs, Floors, and Structural Framings or Reference planes.
While choosing the rules of distribution, users should define what categories hangers should be connected to.
If users have forgotten to choose the connection category, they are able to choose another functionality:
Using Smart Hangers feature Attach Hangers/Supports Vertically you can choose the elements your hangers will be attached to.
While working with Supports for MEP elements – we should think about connection category from the very beginning of the work. Users should choose connection category at the same time when the rules are chosen:
There is no possibility to attach supports to walls after distribution. This is because we cannot select wall in a linked Revit file.
Basically the workflow of Smart Hangers application used in linked Revit file is the same as the one used in simple Revit project.
In the next article I will explain the workflow of Smart Hangers and IFC files.
