About Upgrading Workshared Projects

Before upgrading a workshared project to the current release of Revit, plan the process carefully to avoid issues with the model or with user access.

For server-based workshared projects, see Video: Model Upgrade Workflow for Revit Server for recommended workflows and best practices.

For file-based workshared projects, consider the following:

• As a best practice, create a backup copy of the central model before beginning the upgrade process.
• You only need to upgrade the central model. Local copies for individual users will be discarded.
• Before beginning to upgrade the central model, instruct all team members to do the following:
  • Synchronize with the central model, relinquishing all elements.
  • Close local copies of the central model.
    Note: Team members will not be able to make new local copies or work on the model until the upgrade process is complete.
• After the central model is upgraded, each user creates a new local copy using the same release of the software to which the central model was upgraded. Make sure that all users have access to the appropriate software release.
  Note: Depending on model size, the upgrade process may take a long time. Plan upgrades to minimize disruption.
• If the central model contains links to Revit models, upgrade the linked models before upgrading the central model. Links not upgraded will be temporarily upgraded, but the upgraded link will not be saved. Upgrading links first will save time upgrading the central model.
• Upgrade all models associated with the project at the same time. Coordinate with all extended team members accordingly.
• If you upgrade a local copy of the central model and save the upgrade changes, you will no longer be able to Sync with Central.
  Note: Before upgrading the central model, use Sync with Central to save all changes from a local copy to the central model.

When a Workshared Project Is a Link for Another Model

If you link a workshared project to another Revit model, upgrade the workshared (linked) project before upgrading the host model.

If the host model is linked to a local copy of the workshared project rather than to the central model, the best practice is as follows:

1. Unload the linked local copy from the host model.
2. Upgrade the central model of the workshared project, and create a new local copy.
3. Upgrade the host model.
4. In the host model, use Reload From to reload the linked local copy.