Monday, April 15, 2019

Phasing Versus Design Options

Quick and simple post today... a reminder for some, and new information for others. The topic is defining the difference between phasing and design options. Read on if you want to learn more...
Here are the basic definitions:
Phases: Design changes over time 
Design Options: Design changes during the same time

More on phasing:
Example: A building built in 1978, an addition in 1994, and two separate remodels in 2019.

This is sometimes thought of as "the so-called 'fourth dimension' of CAD - time" (Pg. 131, Architecture Design Data by Phillip G. Bernstein). Revit will never show anything that occurs in the future, ever. Elements to be removed from a building are never deleted or manually hidden, rather they are set to be demolished in a specific future phase from when it was created.

Everything related to phasing is controlled with four simple parameters:

  • Views: Phase and Phase Filter
  • Elements: Phase Created and Phase Demolished


More on Design Options:
Example: Two or three different layouts for the administrative offices for a new school.

The primary design option appears is all views and sections. Secondary options only appear if specified in each view's visibility graphics dialog, or while in edit mode for that option.

I saw a project recently where the team got confused and started using design options rather than phasing. This was partly due to the fact that there were two large portions of future work, and to be bid separately. But, keeping to two basic definitions above in mind, will help select the correct path to take.

Not taking the correct path creates significant challenges in controlling visibility and coordinating with other disciplines (e.g. Phase Mapping dialog).

Students using my book can take a look at the included chapter on Phasing and Worksharing for more information on phasing in Autodesk Revit. This is a standalone exercise in the printed portion of most of my Revit books. Click here for more on my books.




For BIM Chapters updates, follow @DanStine_MN on Twitter or connect on LinkedIn

I also write blog posts for Enscape - a new paradigm in rendering, animation and VR for AEC.