1. Download the Revit model files for this exercise here:
2. Open the Revit application.
3. Open the Revit application menu and choose Open>Project, then navigate to the folder containing the exercise files.
4. Open this Revit model file: MixedUse-Architectural.rvt
In this model, you can edit any of the architectural elements in the main model. You can also view (but not edit) the structural elements in the linked model.
5. Open the Site floor plan
Upon accessing the Site floor plan, you'll observe that the Project Base Point and the Survey Point are in alignment. Moreover, you'll find that the Orientation in the properties tab is preset to "Project North." If you adjust this to "True North," the building's orientation will remain unchanged.
Project Base Point: The Project Base Point (PBP) is the internal origin of the Revit model. It is used to locate and position the model within a project site. The PBP is used for coordinating objects within the building model itself, such as levels, grids, and objects placed in relation to these items.
Survey Point: The Survey Point (SP) is the external origin of the Revit model. It is used to position the model within the real world, based on a surveyed coordinate system. The SP is used for coordinating the building model with other external elements, such as site boundaries, existing buildings, and infrastructure.
Typically, we start the schematic design of our project using an orientation convention that simplifies our modeling or makes drawing in Revit more straightforward. However, it's crucial to establish the Orientation based on the actual site. To accomplish this, we will need to import these coordinates from a topographic document.
6. Close the Mixed Use-Architectural project.
7. Open this Revit model file: Site-Model.rvt
In this site model file, you'll notice that the Project Base Point and the Survey Point are not aligned. Additionally, the project orientation deviates by a certain degree from true north. Now, it's the right moment to link our architectural and structural files with the site, thereby ensuring shared coordinates.
8. Link the architectural model to this Site model:
- Switch to the Insert tab in the ribbon near the top of the Revit window and open the Link Revit tool.
- Navigate to the folder containing the testing files.
- Select the MixedUse-Architectural project file.
- Choose the Auto - Origin to Origin positioning option.
- Click Open.
The linked files may not align correctly initially due to their different coordinate systems.
f. Utilize the rotation tool to adjust your building's orientation by 90 degrees to align with the construction pad. Then, open the Building First Floor plan and use the align tool to ensure the corners are aligned properly.
g. Next, it's time to handle vertical alignment. Open the East Elevation and use the align tool to line up the "Building First Floor" level of the Site with "Level 1" from the architectural file.
h. After everything is correctly positioned, it's time to share the coordinates. Access the site plan. In the Manage tab, navigate to Project Location, then under the Coordinates option, select Publish Coordinates and choose the architectural link file. You'll observe that while the Project Base Point stays in the same position, the Survey Point now aligns with the Survey Point of the site file.
9. Exit the Site-Model.rvt file and open the Mixed Use-Architectural project.
You will observe that True North has been updated to align with the true north of our site model. When you publish shared coordinates from a host model to a linked model, the linked model is updated with the new coordinates.
