How to back up Revit cloud models

Solution:

Here is a list of backup/recovery options and considerations for BIM Collaborate Pro models:

• If a cloud model was deleted by accident in Revit, the deleted models are accessible in the Manage Cloud Models "Trash" dialog box. Deleted files may be restored from there within 30 days of being deleted
  • Note: This is changed in the 2022 version. For more details, see: Recover Cloud Models with Autodesk Docs.
• When any Revit file is initially sent to the cloud from Revit, a copy of the file is automatically published to the corresponding Cloud account. It's automatic that first time. Thereafter, those cloud models are deliberately and selectively published by you as desired. Those published models residing on BIM 360 can serve as backups.
  • So, for backup purposes, publish your models frequently.
  • Using "Publish All" is a direct way to publish all cloud models at once (in Revit, in the Manage Cloud Models dialog box, the Actions icon on the top right).
  • Verify that the Publish Settings are set properly, to capture all the required views and sheets as needed in the published model.
• Published models on BIM 360 can be downloaded as offline* copies and stored, providing a second source for recovery.
  • Note: Whenever any backup is restored for use in a project, open the recovered model first and note what, if any work needs to be redone to get the model up-to-date before promoting it as the new, replacement cloud model.
  • Those same downloaded models can also be placed in a directory that your office’s normal automated backups can access, providing a third source of backup files.​ ​
    • If you do not have a regular, automated backup process/system in place for all your important local/network files, it is highly recommended that you implement one soon. ​
• Models can be rolled back to previous versions which are automatically saved online on the cloud servers, during each Synchronize with Central.
  • See Downloading previous copies of Revit cloud models hosted on BIM 360.
• The local Collaboration cache can be used to restore a local copy of a model and then that model can become the new central model in the cloud.
  • See How to find the local copies of Revit Cloud Workshared files.
• If available, any copies of the cloud model that have been saved offline to your local computer or network using Save As can be used to replace a missing or corrupt cloud model.
  • Doing a Save As on a cloud model makes the saved copy an offline model and is no longer part of the cloud collaboration.
• Keep in mind that other members of the team may have used some of the above methods, including downloading models themselves. So, they may have copies of cloud models that you can use if needed.

*Note: The term "offline" is being used here to refer to models not-in-the-cloud, but on your local computer or network.