Coordination by Linking Cloud Views into Revit

Visually check Revit models against other 3D views created with another application or even with Revit, for coordination purposes.

Use this feature to visually cross-check various disciplines through 3D design and pre-construction of the project when different teams do not necessarily use Revit for modelling. It allows you to visually check Revit models against other 3D views created with another application or even with Revit, for coordination purposes. This minimizes the risk of clashes and reduces the need to make changes.

The Coordination feature applies to various file formats (about 80 formats) that are viewable in Autodesk Viewer. The Coordination feature is smoothly connected to the Autodesk Docs environment, allowing you to link 3D views directly in Revit, from a large variety of file formats. Linking a 3D view using the Coordination method does not download the referenced file on your local machine. The data is directly read from the cloud environment according to the Autodesk Docs account permissions.

If the folder permission is set on View Only in Autodesk Docs, the 3D views can be linked in Revit. Using this feature for View Only permission in Autodesk Docs enables IP protection in Autodesk Docs collaboration workflows. The 3D views linked in the Revit model are lightweight representations that provide context for your Revit model and allow you to crosscheck various disciplines with your design.

To Link a Coordination View

In the Manage tab Manage project panel, click (Manage Links).
In the Manage Links dialog Coordination tab, click the Add button.
In the Cloud Coordination Model dialog, navigate to the location where the file you want to link is located.
Note: If you are not already signed into your Autodesk account, then you will be prompted to do so.
Select the file.
Select the view and position it. Position the view in the Revit model using one of the position options available in the Positioning drop- down menu:
1. Origin to Internal Origin - this will align the origin of the model from where the view is linked to the Internal Origin of the host Revit model.
  Note: In case the linked view comes from a Revit model, the origin of that model is considered to be its Survey Point.
2. By Shared Coordinates - this will align the origin of the model from where the view is linked to the Survey Point of the host Revit model.
  Note: In case the linked view comes from a Revit model, its Survey Point will be aligned to the Survey Point of the host Revit model.
Click the Link button in the Cloud Coordination Model dialog to link the view in Revit. The view is automatically linked in the active Revit view.

Remember: A model view can be loadable and visible in the Preview only if that model view is viewable in the online Autodesk Docs viewer (when clicking on that model in the Autodesk Docs browser to see its content). If a file is not viewable in Autodesk Docs, views from that file cannot be linked using Coordination.

When you link a coordination 3D view into a Revit model, the 3D view is displayed in the current view. It is surrounded by a bounding box, which displays when you move the cursor over the coordination view. Once selected, the Properties palette displays the file path, name, and other properties for the coordination view.

In Revit, the 3D view linked for coordination is treated as a single item. Revit cannot distinguish individual elements within the 3D view. You cannot select items in the linked 3D view, nor can you see their properties.

Coordination View Visibility

After linking a coordination model into a Revit model, use the Visibility/Graphics dialog to set the visibility and transparency of the linked model. Use the transparency setting to distinguish the coordination model from the Revit model.

This dialog is organized in a tree structure. The parent nodes refer to separate files (unique coordination views). The child nodes refer to instances (copies) of a coordination view. Changing the parent node will affect all instances.

The Coordination Models tab in the Visibility/Graphics dialog contains the following settings:

Visibility: Select the check box to show the coordination view in the Revit view, or clear the check box to hide it. You can set the visibility of parent nodes (unique coordination view) or child nodes (individual instances).
Override: Select Override to set or change transparency settings for projection and surface displays. You can change transparency for parent nodes only.

Note: Visibility for linked Revit models is controlled by view. You can use a view template to save the visibility settings of a particular view and then apply it to other views.

Actions for Linked 3D Coordination Views

Display the coordination view in 3D views and 2D views, including plans, elevations, and sections.
Define transparency for the coordination view to distinguish it from the Revit model. Use the Visibility/Graphics dialog to set its visibility and define transparency.
Print the coordination model as part of a Revit view.
Remove the coordination model from the Revit model.
Link multiple views in the Revit model
Pin the coordination to lock it in place, so it does not inadvertently move in relation to the Revit model.
Define phasing for the coordination.
Export the coordination model to an image as part of a Revit view.

Note:

2D views and sheets cannot be referenced using Coordination.
Once a view was referenced in the Revit model, the graphics cannot be scaled using the Scale command .
Unload/Reload is not possible for linked 3D views.
Because textures are not included with the coordination model, it cannot be rendered as part of a Revit view.
Adding the coordination model to a workset is not available.

To Remove a Coordination View

To delete the coordination view from the Revit model, use Remove. To restore the coordination view, insert it as a new link.

In the Insert tab Link panel, click (Manage Links).
In the Manage Links dialog Coordination tab, select the coordination view.
Click the Remove button.