Printing host model with linked model

[IMCarter]

Hi all,

I've posted this question to AUGI as well as Autodesk, but so far have had no luck. I figured it was worth a shot here. We are accustomed to using an architectural in all of our framing plans. In AutoCAD this is not a problem; we simply xref the file and set all the layers to a grayscale, and with the 'draw order' tool, send it behind our drawing. In RST, we now link an architectural model to our model, and change all the necessary graphical settings so as to simulate a '.' For the most part, this works just fine.

The problem we're having is with printing. Because this is a 3 dimensional model, wherever my plan view is cut, if I cut through an architectural wall then that will print over any other objects that are in my structural model. The best example I have is at shaft openings. I cut through a floor, and want to see the slab edge, but there are architectural walls in line with that slab edge, which print (in grayscale) over my slab edge (in black).

I understand that Revit's initial intent was for building coordination, and it enables all trades to come together and work out any clashes before construction. But there is also a need for documentation. Shouldn't there be some way to de-prioritize the linked views when printing? As of right now, we have to draw 2D linework over these problem areas, which seems to defeat the purpose. :banghead: Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Isabella

[Parrotthead]

I have done two thing to try and work around this problem. First, in addition to halftone on the arch link, I override all the lineweights of all categories in the link files to "2". That way if things do line up over each other like a slab edge and wall, the slab edge's thicker lineweight will show beyond the thinner linked wall. It prints better than it looks on screen. Second, work with the architects to set up separate worksets for shared walls (arch and struct) and arch only walls (stud walls). That way, you can toggle off the walls that are aligned with your structural walls easily.

[IMCarter]

Thanks Parrothead. I've tried almost everything I can think of to fix this issue. You would think that a thinner lineweight, set to halftone, would indeed be overshadowed by a heavier black line, but no such luck. I'm attaching some screen shots for reference. Assigning walls to different worksets would be a bit complicated. The walls that are problematic are mostly stud walls or curtainwalls, and we want to see them. I think it would be overstepping our bounds to ask the client to place some walls in one workset, and some walls in another workset. The only difference would be those located on an edge. I just can't believe that Autodesk hasn't responded to this issue yet; is it just our office that's experiencing this?

[Parrotthead]

What is the relative difference in the lineweights of the link and your slab edges ( in inches, not just lineweight numbers)? They look to be the same to me in your screenshot, but I'm on my phone, so I might be missing something. Also, I usually make the walls and slabs in the linked files transparent. Your slab edge might also be hidden by the mullions in the curtain wall.

As far as the worksets go, most of our architects have been understanding. I keep the worksets turned on until I'm ready to print, then I turn them off.

[IMCarter]

The lineweights are not that different here, .0067". In other projects there is a greater difference. I find that lineweight is irrelevant, though. I've tried making my lines/objects much heavier, and they still are obscured by the linked model. Maybe obscured is the wrong word to use. My objects completely disappear upon printing. You know that "what you see is what you get" printing policy with Revit? Not so much. On the screen I can see both my model lines, and the linked model lines, sort of running together to make a fuzzy black/gray dashed line. When I print, I only get the gray linked model lines. My model lines don't even print. It's mind boggling, I know.

[Parrotthead]

My linked model vs slab edge usually has a line weight difference of 0.014" in 1/8" view scale. Did you try making the link transparent? What kind of plotter are you using?

[IMCarter]

Take a look at this PDF. It should better explain what's happening. I really don't think that lineweight has anything to do with it. Yes, everything in the link is set to transparent. The only positive outcome I've had is when printing with raster instead of vector. However, raster printing does not have the same crisp look that vector printing has, and it makes for a much larger PDF/slower print job.

[Parrotthead]

Anyone else had issues with this?

I agree that something needs to be fixed in the program. I always use raster printing, but the problem exists and I doubt it's isolated. I went back and checked some jobs and found that I had some instances of this behavior. It sea that the architectural model often lies on top of the structural model. I had issues most often with architectural stairs up against my structural walls.