1. Mastering Autodesk Revit MEP 2016 CHAPTER 3: Worksets and Worksharing

2. Understanding Central Files
File Creation
Central file created by enabling worksharing, which is done by clicking the Worksets button
File Locations
Central file on network
Local copies on workstations
Central file on network server
Local file on workstation
Local file on workstation
Local file on workstation
It can be difficult to grasp the idea that several users can work in the same file at the same time. When worksharing has been enabled in a Revit MEP file, the file is “transformed” into a central file. This file is the repository for the model and all of its associated components. In truth, each user will not be opening and working in this specific file but rather in a copy of this file that communicates the actions and model changes of each user back to the central file. A copy of a central file is called a local file.

3. Worksets Worksets Dialog Box Active workset Editable column Borrowers
Objects placed in model will be part of the active workset
Editable column
Yes means that the current user has ownership of the workset
Borrowers
Users listed here are “borrowing” elements in the model
Opened column
Indicates that the elements on the workset are visible and available in the project
Once worksharing has been enabled, you have access to the Worksets dialog box.
When a workset is set to active, any components that are placed into the model are part of that workset.
The Editable column in the dialog has two options: Yes or No. When a workset is set to Editable (Yes), then the user has what is known as ownership of that workset. Having ownership of a workset means you are the only person who can modify the model elements that belong to that workset.
The Borrowers column will display the username of anyone who has worked on elements in the model that belong to that particular workset.
If a workset is not open, then the items that are in that workset are not displayed in the model and are not able to be modified. When you open a Revit project that has worksharing enabled, you have the option in the Open dialog box to set which worksets will be open with the file. This can save file opening time and improve file performance.

4. Worksets Borrowed Elements
When you edit or manipulate an element, you are “borrowing” that element
Only one user can borrow an element at a time
Synchronizing with Central relinquishes the element from your control
This is the core functionality of worksharing. Revit is keeping track at all times of who is manipulating the model and what parts of the model they are working on. The central file is keeping track of the work done in the local files. Two users cannot “borrow” the same model element at the same time. This is how multiple users can work on the same model at the same time. If you select a model element such as a light fixture and some other user has already selected and modified that light fixture, Revit will warn you with a dialog box that you cannot modify that model element until the other user relinquishes their control of it.

5. Worksets Creating New Worksets
User is the owner of any new worksets they create
Visible by default in all views setting
Must synchronize with central file to release ownership
To create a new workset, click the New button in the upper-right corner of the dialog box. This will display the New Workset dialog box that allows you to name your new workset.
When you give the new workset a name and click OK, it is added to the list of user-created worksets. Whoever creates a workset is the owner of that workset by default. Once you have created the worksets necessary for your project and you click OK on the Worksets dialog box, you must save the file to complete the creation of a central file.

6. Local Files Creating a Local File
Created automatically in Open dialog box when opening a central file
Location of local files is set in Revit Options
Local filenames are appended with username to keep track of ownership
Each person who will work on the project must create a local file copy of the project. This local file can reside on the users’ local workstations or on the network, although local C: drives are generally the best location. The important thing is that the local file copies must be connected to the central file via the network in order to maintain the ability to synchronize them and for Revit to manage borrowing of elements.
The Create New Local option in the File Open dialog box is checked by default when you attempt to open a central file. Using this method will create a local file copy of the central file in the folder specified in your Revit settings. The filename will be the same as the central file with _username added to the end.

7. Local Files Synchronizing with Central
Changes made to local file can be saved locally via the Save button
Synchronize with Central button saves changes in local file to the central file
Changes made by other users are written from central file to your local
Borrowed elements and owned worksets released
Options for relinquishing borrowed elements
The central file is in constant communication with all of its local file copies in order to maintain coordination of the model elements. As you are working in the model, it is aware of what elements you have control of. You have two options for saving your work. The first option is to save your local file by simply clicking the Save button or selecting Save from the application menu.
The second option for saving changes is to synchronize with the central file. Synchronization occurs when a user wants to save their work to the project. Clicking the Synchronize with Central button saves any changes made in the local file to the central file. It also updates the local file with any changes that have been synchronized to the central file by other users. So when you click this button, you are updating your local file to the most current status of the project.

8. Managing Worksets Model Elements Managing Worksets
Belong to the workset that is active when they are placed into the model
Cursor tooltip indication of an element’s workset
Elements must be made editable to change their workset
Managing Worksets
Items on a deleted workset are not deleted by default
Dialog prompt for action
You do not have to access the worksets dialog in order to set a workset as current. The Workset panel of the Collaborate tab contains a drop-down with a list of all the worksets in the project. The workset visible in the drop-down window is the one that is set current. The words (Not Editable) next to the workset do not mean that changes cannot be made to the workset; they simply indicate that the workset is not owned by anyone. The current workset drop-down list is also available on the status bar, so it is visible at all times in the UI.
When a workset is set to be the active workset, any component placed into the model will be part of that workset. Annotative elements such as text, tags, or dimensions do not become part of a user-created workset but rather the workset of the model view that they are drawn in.
When a workset is deleted, Revit prompts you for an action to take for the elements that were part of that workset. The elements can be deleted or moved to another workset.

9. Managing Worksets Other Workset Types Views and Sheets Families
Each view/sheet has a workset
Prevents multiple users from changing properties at same time
Families
Each family has a workset
Changing properties of a family borrows that workset
Project Standards
Settings such as line weights and object styles have a workset
User-created worksets are not the only types of worksets. When you make a central file, Revit creates a workset for every family that is loaded. It also makes a workset for each view and sheet. Project Standards settings, such as line styles, are also worksets. So if you are changing the properties of a view, you are borrowing that workset, which prevents others from making changes to the same view’s properties until you synchronize.
You can switch between the different types of worksets in the Worksets dialog box by using the check boxes at the bottom.

10. Managing Worksets Visibility
Workset visibility is controlled via the Visibility/Graphics Overrides dialog box
Worksets can be shown, hidden, or their Global setting used
All items on a workset react to the setting, regardless of their category
Worksets can be opened or closed at file open
The first feature of visibility control is simply turning items on or off. This applies not only to model categories but worksets as well. When worksharing has been enabled in a project, an additional tab appears in the Visibility/Graphics Overrides dialog box that allows for showing or hiding worksets. When a workset is hidden, all items on that workset are no longer visible in the view, regardless of their category. The Use Global Setting option means that the visibility of the workset is determined by the Visible In All Views setting established when the workset was created or the status of that setting in the Worksets dialog box.
The visibility of worksets can also be controlled globally by choosing which worksets to open when you open the file. The option to specify worksets at Open gives you the ability to show only the worksets you need to see. This can greatly improve file performance on large projects. The worksets can be later opened via the Worksets dialog box if necessary.