Shared coordinates in Revit give every linked model on a multi-building project the same position and orientation, so architecture, structure, MEP and site models always line up. This guide shows how to set up shared coordinates in Revit step by step, with Acquire Coordinates, Publish Coordinates, Record Current Position and Save Positions. The Acquire Coordinates steps are checked against Autodesk’s Revit 2027 help; the Publish and best-practice notes are checked against Autodesk’s 2024 and 2025 help pages.
If you are working on a Revit project that contains multiple buildings or models, you may have run into the challenge of coordinating them on the same site plan. How do you make sure each building is placed and oriented correctly in every linked model file?
The answer is shared coordinates!
Quick answer
To set up shared coordinates in Revit, pick one base model that defines the coordinate system, link the other models into it, then go to Manage > Project Location > Coordinates > Acquire Coordinates (or Publish Coordinates) so every file uses the same survey point and true north. Finish with Save Positions in Manage Links.
Link the files later with Positioning: Auto – By Shared Coordinates and they land in the same place every time.
Practice file · .RVT
Follow this guide on the same Revit files
The Revit project files (.rvt) from this tutorial and its reference files are on the Mashyo Patreon. Open them beside this page and set up shared coordinates between real linked models instead of starting from empty projects.
Get the shared coordinates practice file
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Shared coordinates let you create a common coordinate system for different Revit models so they can be aligned and integrated consistently.
They are essential for accurate project collaboration. In this guide, you’ll learn how Revit shared coordinates work, what their benefits are, and how they compare to project coordinates and internal coordinates.
How to Set Up Shared Coordinates in Revit
Select a base project that defines the shared coordinate system, then acquire or publish the coordinates so the linked models that need to be coordinated with each other all agree.
Autodesk’s guidance is to derive shared coordinates from only one file. That one file defines the coordinates for every other file in the project. 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 defines 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 real-world coordinates.
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 the 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) already has coordinates that you want to use as the base, acquire its settings. The linked model’s shared coordinates then become the host model’s shared coordinates, including its true north. The host model’s internal coordinates do not change.
- Go to the Manage tab > Project Location panel.
- Drop-down Coordinates menu > click Acquire Coordinates.
- Click on a linked model.
The host model now shares coordinates with the linked model. If the link has more than one shared site or instance, Revit opens the Location and Site dialog so you can choose which one to acquire.
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 – Publish 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.
The linked models now share their coordinates with the host model.
Repeat steps 2-5 to add and coordinate additional projects.
Working in the cloud?
Autodesk’s help notes that when you collaborate on Autodesk Construction Cloud, Publish Coordinates to linked models is not available. Use Acquire Coordinates in each file instead.
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 appear when the host project starts, 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.
The model now links in exactly where it belongs, with no manual moving or rotating.
Acquire vs Publish Coordinates in Revit
Both commands live under Manage > Project Location > Coordinates. The only difference is which file holds the coordinates you trust. Pick one source file for the whole project, then move its coordinates in the right direction.
| Command | Use it when | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Acquire Coordinates | The linked file holds the coordinates you want. The host takes them, plus true north. | Link a site model into a building model, then acquire from the site. |
| Publish Coordinates | The host file holds the coordinates. Linked models receive them. | A site model hosts several buildings, so publish from the site to each building. |
Benefits of Shared Coordinates in Revit
Revit shared coordinates are useful for:
1- Linking multiple Revit models that have different project coordinates or internal coordinates, such as architectural, structural, and MEP models.
2- Linking Revit models to external files, such as CAD drawings, point clouds, or GIS data, that have different coordinate systems or units.
3- Exporting Revit models to other software, such as Navisworks, that requires a consistent coordinate system for clash detection and coordination.
4- Importing 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 | Measured from the survey point; 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 |
Practice file · .RVT
Now do it once on real linked models
Shared coordinates take a few minutes to read and a few tries to get right, especially the Save Positions step. The practice files for this lesson give you the Revit projects from this tutorial, so you can run each step yourself and keep them for reference.
Download the shared coordinates practice file
$5.5/month on Patreon. One membership unlocks all 40 Mashyo practice files. Cancel anytime. See the full file library.
FAQs
What are shared coordinates in Revit?
Shared coordinates are a common coordinate system that establishes the positions of linked files in relation to each other. Each Revit file keeps its own internal coordinates, and shared coordinates let you link them together with consistent position and true north.
How do I acquire coordinates in Revit?
Link the model, then go to Manage > Project Location > Coordinates > Acquire Coordinates and click the link. The host takes the linked model’s shared coordinates and true north. Its internal coordinates do not change.
Should I acquire or publish coordinates?
Acquire when the linked file has the coordinates you want. Publish when the host file has them. Always derive shared coordinates from one file only, then use that file to define every other file.
Why do I get “The host model and the link do not share the same coordinate system”?
The positions were not saved after the coordinates were recorded. Open Insert > Manage Links, select the linked model, click Save Positions, and reload the host model.
Why is Publish Coordinates not available?
According to Autodesk, you cannot publish coordinates to linked models when collaborating on Autodesk Construction Cloud. Use Acquire Coordinates in each file instead.
Is there a Revit practice file for this tutorial?
Yes. The Revit project files for this lesson are available to Mashyo members on Patreon for $5.5/month, together with the practice files for the other Mashyo tutorials. You can cancel at any time. Open the shared coordinates practice file on Patreon.
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.
