Move the Central Model (File-Based Worksharing Only)

When managing file-based workshared models, you may need to move a central model in certain circumstances. This procedure is typically performed by a BIM manager, a team manager, or a Revit administrator.

Note: Team members cannot move the central model in Revit while working with server-based workshared files. Administrators must use the Revit Server Administrator to move central models hosted by Revit Servers. See Managing Models.

When working with file-based workshared models, you may need to move a central model in the following circumstances:

• Your office has a new file server, and you need to move the central model from the old server to the new server.
• The current location of the central model contains too many projects.
• Your office has a new naming convention for projects and needs to rename the central model. Revit considers renaming a file the same as moving it.
• One office works on the project, then ships it to another office. The new office wants to work on it locally, so they want to move the central model location from the first office to the second one.

Use caution when moving the central model. If team members are unaware of the new location, they will be unable to submit changes and could lose work. When team members submit changed elements to a central model, those elements must be editable in the team members' names at the central location they specify. Also, any changes to an element must be built on the last submission of that element to the central model, even though the file may now be in a different location.

Note: Moving or copying the file using Windows ® Explorer or DOS creates a local copy of the central model. Revit still looks for the central model in its original location. A central model is identified as having worksharing enabled and as residing in the central model location identified in the project. To view (or modify) this location, click Collaborate tabSynchronize panelSynchronize with Central drop-downSynchronize and Modify Settings.

To move the central model

1. Make sure all team members save their work to the current central model location by clicking Collaborate tabSynchronize panelSynchronize with Central drop-down (Synchronize Now).

   This step ensures that no work is lost as a result of changing the central model location. When saving, each team member should relinquish all elements.

2. Move the file to the new location using either Windows Explorer or DOS commands.

   If you move rather than copy the central model, you eliminate the risk of team members working with the old file.

3. Open the central model from its new location. A dialog displays telling you that the central model has been moved and that you must re-save it as the central model. Click OK to continue.
4. Click File tab Save As (Project).
5. In the Save As dialog, click Options.
6. In the File Save Options dialog, select Make this a Central Model after save, and click OK.
7. In the Save As dialog, click Save.
8. Ask each team member to create a new local copy of the central model.
   Note: If you discover that there is only one local file that was not saved to central, you can save it to the new location by clicking Collaborate tabSynchronize panelSynchronize with Central drop-downSynchronize and Modify Settings, and then navigating to the new central model location through the Browse option. The only time you can do this successfully is before any other changes are saved to the new central location.

   If an old version of the central model remains in the old location, you can prevent other team members from saving to this obsolete central model by deleting it or making it read-only.