If you are working on a Revit project that contains multiple buildings or models, you may have encountered the challenge of coordinating them on the same site plan.
How do you make sure that they are placed and oriented correctly with each other in each of the linked model files?
The answer is shared coordinates!
Shared Coordinates allows you to create a common coordinate system for different Revit models so that they can be aligned and integrated consistently.
They are essential for accurate project collaboration. In this blog post, you’ll learn how they work, what their benefits are, and how they compare to other types of coordinates in Revit.
Setup Shared Coordinates
Select a base project that defines the shared coordinate system, then publish and acquire the coordinates of the linked models that need to be coordinated with each other.
In short, to set up Revit shared coordinates:
- Define the survey point and the project base point in the host model.
- Link models to the host model > move linked models into place.
- Publish coordinates to linked models.
Here are the detailed steps using an example of three buildings (A, B, and C) that need to be matched in each of the project files.
Step 1 – Open the base project (A)
That main building project will define the shared coordinate system. In our example, this is building A.
This project should have a survey point and a project base point that are located and can be oriented according to the real world coordinates.
You can go to the Manage tab > Project Location panel > click Location, to set the geolocation for your project.
Step 2 – Link other models (B and C)
Add projects that need to be coordinated to the base project:
- Go to the Insert tab > Link panel > click Link Revit.
- Select a RVT model.
- Select the Center to Center positioning option.
- Click Open.
This places the linked models in the center of the host model, but they may not yet be properly aligned or oriented.
Step 3 – Acquire coordinates (optional)
If a linked project (Model B in our example) has coordinates that you want to use as a base, acquire its settings:
- Go to the Manage tab > Project Location panel.
- Drop-down Coordinates menu > click Acquire Coordinates.
- Click on a linked model.
Host model now shares coordinates with linked model.
Step 4 – Relocate projects
For each linked project, make sure you have moved the project base point to the most appropriate location, such as a corner of the building or a grid intersection.
To relocate projects, drag each project to place it in the correct location within the host project.
Step 5 – Set Up the Shared Coordinates
Publish the shared coordinates from the base project to the linked models:
- Select a linked project.
- Go to the Properties palette > Other panel > Shared Site.
- Click “Not Shared”.
- Select “Record current position”.
- Click OK.
Linked models now share their coordinates with the host model.
Repeat steps 2-5 to add and coordinate additional projects.
Step 6 – Save Positions
Go to the Insert tab > Link panel > click Manage Links, select the linked in model, and then click Save Positions.
If you try to close the project without saving it, the “Location Position Changed” window appears, choose Save. Either way works.
If the “The host model and the link do not share the same coordinate system” loading error does not occur when the host project is started, the positions are verified.
Now you can open the other projects to see the shared coordinates in action:
- Go to the File tab > drop-down Open menu.
- Click Project.
- Open one of the previously linked projects.
- Go to the Insert tab > Link panel > click Link Revit.
- Select the previous hosting model.
- Select “Auto – By Shared Coordinates” for Positioning.
- Click Open.
Benefits
Revit shared coordinates are useful for:
1- Link multiple Revit models that have different project coordinates or internal coordinates, such as architectural, structural, and MEP models.
2- Link Revit models to external files, such as CAD drawings, point clouds, or GIS data, that have different coordinate systems or units.
3- Export Revit models to other software, such as Navisworks, that requires a consistent coordinate system for clash detection and coordination.
4- Import Revit models from other software, such as SketchUp, that have different origin points or orientations.
Learn how to coordinate elements using the Copy Monitor tools
Shared vs Project vs Internal Coordinates
Knowing the difference between these three terms (Table 1) makes it easier to communicate when working with others on a site model.
| Coordinates | What they are | What they do | How to see them |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared | A common coordinate system for different files | They link and position different files in a consistent way | You can see them in the properties of a linked file |
| Project | A coordinate system for your current file | They measure and position objects in your file | You can see them in the project base point |
| Internal | A fixed coordinate system for your file | They are the basis for the other coordinate systems | You can see them in the internal origin |
Mohamed Fakhry has helped thousands of architects and designers find their next project with step-by-step guidance on his blog, mashyo.com. About Mohamed
His journey began during his university years when he recognized the need for information-rich 3D models to accelerate learning and improve production processes. Now, Mohamed shares his expertise through Revit tutorials that are accessible to all.
