Increase performance during MEP modeling by working in smaller files.
While maintaining the entire design for a building service in one well connected model allows for full data propagation, the size of the connected network directly relates to its manipulation performance. Testing shows a linear decrease in manipulation performance as a connected network size grows. Because of this, the benefits of data propagation and connectivity may be outweighed by the need for better model manipulation performance.
For large, complex buildings, the aforementioned best practices may still not provide optimum model manipulation performance. In these cases, the model should be built across multiple Revit project files. There are two fundamental ways to structure multiple MEP project files: by MEP discipline or by region of the building. BIM/CAD managers should understand that both of these approaches have benefits and drawbacks.
To achieve optimal coordination between the MEP disciplines, each discipline must be within the same Revit project file. This organization allows disciplines to directly connect to other elements in different systems. For example, electrical connections and drain connections connecting with mechanical equipment. Additionally, product team testing has shows that separate connected networks do not have a significant impact on each other. For example, a duct network does not have a significant impact on model manipulation of a plumbing network in the same project file. Based on these considerations, it may be helpful to structure large projects by region of the building.