Worksharing in REVIT

In this post, I am focusing on one of the tools in Autodesk Revit. One of the key features of using BIM process is collaboration and coordination with Project members, and work-sharing in REVIT is one of the best practice to work on the same BIM model with a number of project participants (Modellers) depending on the size and complexity of the model. One of the most widely used practices for work sharing is by using a tool "Worksets" in Revit. Major features of using Worksets are:

CENTRAL MODEL/FILE

• We create one master file also called as "Central Model" which can be accessed by all the modellers.
• This file is saved on the Network Server
• Most important part about using Central Model is that "No user should work on this master file directly" so that if any errors or mistakes are done by one user, it will not affect the work done by other users.

LOCAL MODEL/FILE

• Local model or local file is an individual file owned by each team member and the file is saved to their local hard drive so in case one user makes any error, he can re-do his work once again by reopening the Central Model and creating a new local.
• Local files are temporary files which are created each day whenever a user opens the central model and creates a new local resulting in backups of everyday work done by them.

Advantages of using work sharing are unlimited. The best one which I personally like is that no user can modify or edit your work once you become the owner of a particular workset which means if you are the owner of the workset, “Doors” then only you can edit/modify doors throughout the project. If your project mate wants to access your workset he/she can easily request for access enabling a pop up on your screen and you’ll know that X user is requesting access to Y element.

Another key feature of Worksharing in Revit is “Worksharing Display” i.e. all the users involved in creating a BIM model can assign a colour to their individual worksets enabling other users to identify that which user is working on which workset although it can also be identified by looking at the username but it is really helpful when you want to identify in any view just by clicking on “check out status”, “owners” or the last time the model has been updated using “model updates”. All these settings are visible in “Worksharing Display”

However, recently Autodesk launched an amazing software “Collaboration for Revit or C4R” which enables project teams or participants to work on the model sitting on 5 different countries or project offices. Instead of using a local network server this service used Autodesk Server i.e. your BIM model will be uploaded to the cloud. By uploading the model on BIM 360 even non-Revit users (contractors, site engineers) can access and the model and create markup and comment. It is yet to be seen that how good a software this proves to be. Although I have not used this on a live project, recent WannaCry Ransomware attack made companies more alert of using a cloud service and cyber security might be an issue but I’m sure with updated operating systems and by taking precautions such attacks can be avoided.

Dimensions or Detail?

Most of the time we get confused when people talk about 4D, 5D, 6D or 7D BIM. Some people talk about nD BIM (n can be any number) or that very popular Elephant picture. Let's not get into deep and try to understand very simple basics. 4D, 5D terms gained popularity coming from 3D, Three-dimensional i.e. X Y and Z axis in a Cartesian plane, which can be Length/Distance, Width/Area and Depth/Volume as we all know so what is 4D, 5D and so on?

4D: This is a notion that can be said to go back before Einstein, as physicists had already been representing time in formulas as a one-dimensional variable, t. After Einstein, the concept of time became inextricably linked with space, resulting in spacetime.

In Films, 4D film or 4-D film is a marketing term for an entertainment presentation system combining a 3D film with physical effects that occur in the theatre in synchronisation with the film. Effects simulated in a 4D film may include rain, the wind, strobe lights, and vibration.

Similarly, 4D BIM (time model) provides for Construction planning and management and Schedule visualisation. In Simple words, utilisation of the site space throughout the construction project including temporary components such as cranes, lorries and fencing. In Schedule, visualisation project members can see a chart within the BIM Model which shows the critical path and visually show the dependency of some sequences on others.

5D: It has nothing to do with Physics but it's rather a term often being used where more information can be integrated with 4D BIM i.e. Quantity, real-time cost estimating and life cycle cost i.e. cost of an asset throughout its life while fulfilling the performance requirements. I would rather call D, in 5D as Detail rather than Dimension.

Similarly, in Cinema,  5D Cinema is one step above 4D- using motion as well as other sensory experiences like smoke effects, water droplets etc. But it's false.

6D: Addition of more information in the BIM Model for improved space management, Streamlined Maintainance, Energy Analysis and updated information in BIM Model according to the life of the project. 

In my opinion, we can keep adding the number of D's with time and as per requirement but calling it a Dimension would be vague. It's interesting when people talk about 7D, 8D or nD because if we are able to achieve a Quality BIM Model 4D (Which we are still learning and developing) all the other so called "D's" can be achieved.

Please do give your opinion in the comment section.