As soon as a novice modeler begins designing blocks of flats or other structures where the same design is repeated either horizontally or vertically, there is a question that arises. Should one not group elements together so that one can change all of them by changing one of them? The answer is most certainly yes.

There follows a time where the user is pleasantly surprised that they can designate properties per individual item (if the parameter has been correctly defined) and that schedules and so on are generated easily.

They typically carry on until they realize their models are growing large (in BIM terms, large is considered bigger than 300 MB). Some go on to model files that are around 1GB, placing strain on their own rigs as well as the resources of other teams. The commonly accepted method to follow is to split the models instead and then to combine them later in a federated model using Navisworks, Collaborate Pro, Infraworks, or some other platform.

We recognize that splitting the model now results in two separate group definitions. One way to handle this is to continuously update both. One can even copy a group from one project to another. However, the most used method is to start a 3-tier model system, where the groups are instead defined as links, and then the obvious conclusion is that the elements within groups can no longer have their properties defined individually. Instead, the assignation of information must wait until the end of the design phase before the links are bound, cleaned up and the relevant construction documentation annotations can be created.

Whichever methodology you decide to follow, please note you can always contact Micrographics so we may be of assistance.

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