Using Worksets to Help Improve Large Model Performance in Revit

Christopher Alexander
Technical Consultant, CAD Technology Center, Inc.

One of the most common complaints we receive is regarding the speed at which large Revit files run.  It is true that as a file gets larger, it puts more demand on the computer system and takes longer to complete functions. However, this problem can be mitigated by incorporating worksets and using them to our advantage.  When I get a file with worksets that I am told is slow, the first thing I usually notice is that it has only the two basic worksets that are created by default when worksharing is activated in a project: Shared Levels and Grids and Workset 1.  This allows many users to work on the project simultaneously; however, it also means that worksets are not being properly leveraged to reduce the amount of model elements being refreshed onscreen.  Thus, as a model increases in size, more information is onscreen and it takes longer to refresh the model when changes are made.

Typical Worksets in Revit

The idea behind leveraging worksets to enhance performance is to break down a model into different categories and place elements of those categories into their respective worksets. In addition, every Revit link must have its own workset as well as a workset for all CAD links. This will require some forethought as to how the building will be broken down.  The possibilities for how to go about this are nearly limitless, so I have compiled a list of typical worksets used in a project environment and what is put on them in each of the disciplinary Revit applications.  I have also included common worksets that are helpful in all of the Revit applications.

Architectural

• Shell:  This will contain the exterior walls, floors, and roof.  Any elements that are hosted by them, such as exterior doors and windows, would also be on this workset.
  
  
• Interior: This contains all of the interior walls, interior doors, interior windows, ceilings, stairs, and shaft openings for stairs.
  
  
• Furniture: All furniture, if being placed, will end up in this workset.  This includes casework, plumbing and specialty equipment.

Revit MEP

Typically Revit MEP models are broken down by discipline.  This makes a workset layout look as shown below:

• Plumbing
• HVAC
• Electrical
• Fire Protection

Revit Structure

• Foundations: All foundations are placed in this workset. Any reinforcing that is detailed and is part of the foundation will also end up in this workset.

• Superstructure: This contains all of the structural steel elements that carry the building from roof down to foundations.

• Roof: This is the workset the entire roof structure is placed in.  This includes roof joists and the actual roof element itself.

Common Worksets

• Revit Links: Each Revit link should have its own workset. This is due to the large amount of information in a Revit model. The Structure link would have its own separate workset from the Revit MEP link, which gives the user control over showing linked models. If they are not needed (as is typical for the architect when not performing coordination reviews or detailing), then they do not need to be loaded.

• CAD Links: For CAD links, you will typically have a single workset that all older 2D drawings will end up on. This is done because 2D linework does not put nearly as much demand on a computer system as 3D models do. Most often, a CAD link is only shown in one view—and hopefully temporarily at that.

Controlling the Model with Worksets

Now that we reviewed the concept of worksets and the recommended workset list, let’s look at how to actually control the model using them. The first thing to do is correctly set the Active Workset. This can be done in Revit 2010 on the Collaborate tab on the ribbon, where you can find the worksets dropdown menu next to the Worksets manager button.  Most users in 2010 will right-click the dropdown menu and select the Add to Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) option to include it in the QAT at the top of the screen.  The QAT is found next to the Application menu, commonly referred to as “the big purple R”.  In the 2011 release, Autodesk added the Worksets dropdown to the Status bar at the very bottom of the screen, making it very easy to quickly change worksets in Revit.

When elements are created and modeled on the correct worksets, the model is easier to manage as you can simply close the worksets that are not needed. The elements on those worksets no longer appear on screen, making the model require less computing time and less demand on the graphics hardware to refresh the screen.  In addition to setting the Active Workset as shown above, the Worksets manager on the Collaborate tab is also used to open and close worksets. Here you can select a workset that is open and choose to close it, or select a closed workset and choose to open it to display the elements on it.

Helpful Tips on Using Worksets

It is always important to remember to be aware of what workset is currently active because any element that is created in Revit will automatically be added to the currently active workset. This does require some extra attention from users as it is somewhat easy to forget to check the active workset and set it appropriately. This can be corrected with occasional reminders if elements are ending up on incorrect worksets.

Typically as a project goes into a new phase of documentation, i.e., design documentation to construction documentation, it is best to do a bi-weekly review of the model to be sure that nothing is on the wrong workset. This can be done quickly in 3D by closing all worksets and turning on only one workset at a time.  For example, if the Shell workset is active and some furniture is showing on it, this should be corrected by checking out the items on the incorrect worksets, and using the Element Properties dialog to change the workset the elements are associated with.  When performing these workset checks, I typically do it using the Section Box tool in a 3D view as the section box can be aligned to floor plan views by right clicking on the View Cube to check level by level for model elements.

One very handy little trick with worksets is being able to require a user to choose which worksets they wish to open when a project file is opened. This can be done on the first Save after worksets have been enabled.  To access this, the central file creator should use the Save As command to access the options found in the Save As dialog.  In these options, the central file creator can force users to pick which worksets are opened when the project file is opened. This will improve opening performance for users, as they will only load the worksets they need to start working on at the beginning of the day.  Then, as the day moves on and other worksets are needed or currently open worksets are not, users can access the Worksets manager to open additional worksets or close unneeded ones.

Conclusions

Worksets are a very powerful tool when used to their full potential.  They can be used to organize a project and control exactly what is displayed, thus improving system performance as a direct result.  The use of worksets does require some pre-planning to have the desired worksets created at project inception.  Worksets will also require extra diligence from users and from project leaders to ensure that elements end up on correct worksets as a project moves forward.  Workset display can be controlled in a multitude of ways to help improve workflows and productivity in day-to-day modeling.  All in all, worksets are a great tool that we do not need to be afraid of.  In my opinion, we should embrace worksets and use them to their fullest potential for large scale projects to help us complete them more efficiently.

About the Author

Christopher Alexander works as a Technical Consultant for CAD Technology Center, Inc. (CTC), an Autodesk Gold Partner.  He has over 10 years experience in construction as a designer, cost estimator, and CAD/BIM Manager.  His experience ranges from small residential design to heavy industrial design for the agricultural industry.

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