Another post on the ins and outs of Copy/Monitor in Revit... this time with light fixtures.
But first, here are the categories the Copy/Monitor feature works with:
One of those "MEP Fixtures" is light fixtures. Let's take a look at...
how this works and what you need to know if you plan to use Copy/Monitor with light fixtures.
First, the image below is our MEP model. I know this can vary, but the electrical model typically takes control of the lighting fixtures as they specify them, circuit them in Revit and perform the point-by-point illuminance calcs (with something like ElumTools by the makers of AGI32). Notice two fixtures are existing and two are new.
Using the steps shown in a previous post, we can Copy/Monitor the fixtures. By default, the family is copied into the architectural model if not already loaded. Keep in mind, due to the linking, only Face-based families will work.
Problem: Revit changes the phase of all elements copied, using Copy/Monitor, to match the phase of the view you are working in. As with using the Bind Link option that has phasing, this is very unfortunate that all of that information is lost!
Back in the MEP model, we decide to change a 2x4 fixture to a smaller 2x2. We also have to move the fixture so it aligned with the 2x4 ceiling grid. Thus, we made two modifications.
Next time someone opens the architectural model, they get this warning...
Once in the model, from the Collaboration tab, selecting Coordination Revit --> Select Link, and then selecting the MEP model, you get this dialog...
We have the option to "Move" the monitored fixture to the same location as the relocated one in the MEP model.
Problem: New families and types are only copied the first time the Copy/Monitor command is used, not during updates (by default). Notice there is no "update" option in the image below. We have to manually load the family (if not already loaded) and then change it via the Type Selector.
Again, the type does not update, but the new position does (from the Coordination Review dialog).
When we pick a new Type, we also get a warning saying the Types do not match - which is not accurate.
Notice the types are the same and I just loaded then into each of these super simple test projects.
Back in the MEP model, we add a new light fixture. Just like with the grids, this default Copy/Monitor functionality will not alert us to any additions.
In a future post, I will talk about some of the batch/automation options related to Copy/Monitor and a few limitation there as well.
You can read more on the Copy/Monitor feature here: What Elements Can I Copy or Monitor?
But first, here are the categories the Copy/Monitor feature works with:
- Levels
- Grids
- Columns (but not slanted columns)
- Walls
- Floors
- Openings
- MEP fixtures
One of those "MEP Fixtures" is light fixtures. Let's take a look at...
how this works and what you need to know if you plan to use Copy/Monitor with light fixtures.
First, the image below is our MEP model. I know this can vary, but the electrical model typically takes control of the lighting fixtures as they specify them, circuit them in Revit and perform the point-by-point illuminance calcs (with something like ElumTools by the makers of AGI32). Notice two fixtures are existing and two are new.
Using the steps shown in a previous post, we can Copy/Monitor the fixtures. By default, the family is copied into the architectural model if not already loaded. Keep in mind, due to the linking, only Face-based families will work.
Problem: Revit changes the phase of all elements copied, using Copy/Monitor, to match the phase of the view you are working in. As with using the Bind Link option that has phasing, this is very unfortunate that all of that information is lost!
Back in the MEP model, we decide to change a 2x4 fixture to a smaller 2x2. We also have to move the fixture so it aligned with the 2x4 ceiling grid. Thus, we made two modifications.
Next time someone opens the architectural model, they get this warning...
Once in the model, from the Collaboration tab, selecting Coordination Revit --> Select Link, and then selecting the MEP model, you get this dialog...
We have the option to "Move" the monitored fixture to the same location as the relocated one in the MEP model.
Problem: New families and types are only copied the first time the Copy/Monitor command is used, not during updates (by default). Notice there is no "update" option in the image below. We have to manually load the family (if not already loaded) and then change it via the Type Selector.
Again, the type does not update, but the new position does (from the Coordination Review dialog).
When we pick a new Type, we also get a warning saying the Types do not match - which is not accurate.
Notice the types are the same and I just loaded then into each of these super simple test projects.
Back in the MEP model, we add a new light fixture. Just like with the grids, this default Copy/Monitor functionality will not alert us to any additions.
In a future post, I will talk about some of the batch/automation options related to Copy/Monitor and a few limitation there as well.
You can read more on the Copy/Monitor feature here: What Elements Can I Copy or Monitor?
