💍💻Alright, buckle up, buttercups! Let’s talk Revit file maintenance. Now, I know what you’re thinking: file maintenance? Sounds about as glamorous as… well, let’s just say it’s no Rodeo Drive shopping spree. But trust me, darlings, neglecting your Revit models is a big mistake. HUGE! It can lead to slowdowns, crashes, corrupted files, and a general state of digital disarray that even Vivian Ward couldn’t charm her way out of.

Think of your Revit model as that gorgeous Beverly Wilshire hotel suite. At first, it’s pristine, organized, and a joy to be in. But over time, if you don’t tidy up, delete old takeout containers (unused views!), and handle the comings and goings of various occupants (linked files!), things can get a little… chaotic.

So, grab a glass of champagne (or your beverage of choice), put on your most fabulous virtual outfit, and let’s dive into the process of keeping your Revit models as polished as Julia Roberts after a montage!

Local Models: Keeping Your Personal Suite Sparkling ✨

 

Your local Revit model is like your individual hotel room – your personal workspace. Here’s how to keep it in tip-top shape:

  • Regularly Save (You Gotta Want To!): This one’s a no-brainer, but it’s the foundation of all maintenance. Save frequently to avoid losing precious work if the unexpected happens (like Edward Lewis showing up unannounced!).
  • Audit Your Model (Taking Stock of Your Wardrobe): Use the “Audit” checkbox when opening your Revit model periodically. This tells Revit to do a thorough check for any inconsistencies or errors. It’s like Vivian checking her wardrobe to make sure she’s got the right outfit for every occasion.
  • Purge Unused (Goodbye, Old Habits!): Go to Manage > Purge Unused. This tool helps you remove families, views, materials, and other elements that are no longer present in your model. It’s like getting rid of those impulse buys you never actually wear. Be careful though, make sure you really don’t need them anymore!
  • Compact File Size (Fitting Into That Hervé Léger Dress): Regularly saving and purging helps keep your local file size manageable, improving performance. A lean model is a happy model (and a faster one to sync!).

 

Central Models in the Cloud (Our Shared Penthouse Suite in ACC!) 🏢☁️

 

When you’re working on a team, your central model on the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) is like that shared penthouse suite – everyone’s contributing, and it needs extra care to stay harmonious.

  • Worksharing Best Practices (Sharing the Closet Space): Establish clear guidelines for worksharing, including workset ownership, borrowing elements, and synchronizing frequency. Good communication is key to avoiding digital clutter.
  • Synchronize with Central Regularly (Checking In with Your Roommates): Synchronizing your local model with the central model is crucial for sharing your changes and getting updates from the rest of the team. Do it frequently to avoid conflicts. It’s like Vivian letting Kit know her whereabouts (digitally, of course!).
  • Relinquish Elements (Sharing the Good Stuff): When you’re done working on specific elements, relinquish them so others can access and modify them. Don’t hog all the fun (or the model elements)!
  • Regular Model Health Checks (Hiring a Digital Cleaning Crew): Project administrators should periodically review the health of the central model, looking for warnings, errors, and overall performance.

 

The Autodesk Desktop Connector: Your Limo Service to the Cloud 🚗💨

 

Now, where does our trusty Autodesk Desktop Connector fit into this Beverly Hills of BIM?

Think of the Desktop Connector as your sleek limousine service between your local machine and the cloud-based ACC. It creates a virtual drive on your computer that mirrors your ACC project files.

  • Linking with Ease (Effortless Arrivals): When linking Revit models or other files from ACC into your project, the Desktop Connector makes it feel like those files are just another local drive. No need to download and manage copies – it streams the data as needed. It’s like Vivian effortlessly arriving at any high-end establishment.
  • Seamless Saving and Syncing (Smooth Transactions): When you save and synchronize your local model, the Desktop Connector handles the background communication with ACC, ensuring your changes are uploaded and you receive the latest updates. It’s like a discreet assistant handling all the logistics.

 

Cache Clearing: Sweeping Out the Leftovers (After a Big Party!) 🎉🧹

 

This is where the “morning after” cleaning crew comes in. Revit (and the Desktop Connector) uses cached files to speed up access to frequently used data. Over time, this cache can become large and potentially cause performance issues – like finding empty champagne bottles under the sofa weeks after the party.

  • Why Clear Cache? (Freshening Up the Suite): Clearing your Revit and Desktop Connector cache can resolve issues like outdated linked files not updating correctly, slow performance when accessing cloud models, or even unexpected errors.
  • How Does Desktop Connector Cache Work? The Desktop Connector keeps local copies of cloud files for faster access. Sometimes these local copies can become out of sync or corrupted.
  • How to Clear Desktop Connector Cache (The Digital Maid Service):
    1. Close all Autodesk applications.
    2. Exit the Autodesk Desktop Connector from your system tray (right-click the icon and select “Exit”).
    3. Open File Explorer and navigate to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Autodesk\Desktop Connector.
    4. Delete the contents of the “ACCloudCache” folder.
    5. Restart the Autodesk Desktop Connector.
  • How to Clear Revit Cache (The Internal Tidy-Up): Revit also maintains a cache. While you don’t manually clear it as often, periodically closing and reopening Revit can help. In more advanced troubleshooting scenarios, you might need to clear the Collaboration Cache.

 

The Happy Ending (A Well-Maintained Model is a Beautiful Thing!): 💖

 

Just like Vivian found her fairy tale ending with a little effort and a lot of heart, you can achieve Revit nirvana by implementing good file maintenance practices. Regular upkeep, understanding how the Desktop Connector streamlines your cloud workflow, and knowing when to clear that cache will keep your models running smoothly, your team collaborating effectively, and your projects looking as stunning as a red dress on Rodeo Drive!

So go forth, maintain those models, and remember: you’ve got to treat your Revit files right. They deserve it! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I hear a Roy Orbison song playing… avnd it’s time for a sync with central! 😉