Elements overlap

[Advent]

As a new Revit user I'm a litle bit confused.
Suppose the architect creates the model in RAC. As a structural engineer I'm supposed to open the same file with RST and start placing structural elements. At this point the elements overlap. The logical thing that someone would do would be to delete or resize certain architectural elements so that they don't overlap with the structural ones. In a multy story building it is easy to place the columns with restraints from top floor to foundation but then you would have to browse all floors and correct the overlapings. Is that the case? And if it is so, is there a not so time consuming way to do it?
Do I need to replace the floors with structural slabs?
Any help would be appreciated

[Alex Cunningham]

In regard to the colums. Build it like they will build it in the field. If your column spans multi floors do it that way. If they stop at each level then thats how it should be drawn. Columns snap to grids so you should have to be tracking down all the columns if stuff moves. If you are worried about the clash of a column at a floor.... try not to worry too much about it. I do not model all the column block out. This is taken care of in details.

As a rule of thumb we work closely with our Architects as to who owns what in the model. You dont need to both use one model you can link files. That depends on you and your firm.
In my firm, structural owns the structual elements (columns, slabs, roofs) If the Arch needs more then what we give them they place a floor on top of our slab. This goes for roofs as well. Walls are more important for Arch to own so we have several filters in place and a strict naming standard for the Arch walls.

I would be happy to answer anymore questions you may have. Ben-May might also have some more experience in this area.

[LeanneZ]

What we do is, start a new RST project. This way you're using all the built in items from your RST template.
Then we LINK the RAC model to our RST model. Use Insert > Link Revit > (choose the RAC file... but don't double click!) > Positioning: (Auto - Origin to Origin) > Open

Now you can Copy/Monitor Grids and Levels. You can place your columns and floors. And then tell the architects to Link your RST model to their RAC model and delete out their placeholder columns and floors.

You can work away in your RST file without having to worry about editing the architect's information. The structure needs to be where the structure needs to be... let the architects figure out what they need to cut away, delete and edit.

[Advent]

Thank you for your help.
@Alex: This is important information (about the columns) For sure the casting of the concrete columns stops at each floor. So you say that I should place the columns of each floor independently so that I will be able to monitor quantities better in the process of construction. Because we are a small firm we can discuss things with more elastic rules. Isn't it better (if you know you are building a concrete frame building ) for the architect to start with structural floor from the begining so that he doesn't have to delete it afterwards? And one last question Alex : I see you have rst12 and rac11 can you establish links both ways?
@ Leanne : O.K. So you say that opening the original file with Rst is not the right way to do it. I'm starting to get the picture. If the architects link to your file, they're able to see the structural elements but not edit them?
You make let's say concrete columns with plaster on the outside, and this plaster has to connect with the plaster of the wall next to the column (which is an architects element) to make a uniform face on the outside. Is that possible?

[Alex Cunningham]

You can open, and link, any revit model with any verticle(RST, RAC, MEP) of Revit as long as its the same year(2010, 2011, 2012) version. You can not link a 2011 model into a 2012 model. You can open the Arch model in RST. Just be sure that you are using the correct verson. 2011 model is opend in RST2011 or RAC2011, NOT in 2012. All people working on the project will have to use the same year version of Revit. Once you upgrade to the new version there is no going back.

Its really not that hard to delete stuff. I encourage you to test out new processes and workflows while working in Revit. Something will flow like in other drafting software and others wont. Find what works best for you and your firm. And always please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are all here to lend a helping hand.

[Advent]

That' nice to know Alex. Thanks for taking the time.