OPEN A COPY OF A PROJECT REVIT FILE

If you want to look around a Revit project file but are afraid you might do some damage (a good attitude to take) you can create a copy of the project.

Revit stores its file name and path internally so you can't just create a copy in Windows Explorer.

You have to do it within Revit.

Start Revit.

Use the Open... command.

Browse to the main central file you want to make a copy of. (don't make a copy of the local file on your computer - it will be out of date).

1. find the file

2. Untick Create New Local.

3. Tick Detach from Central.

4. Hit Open button.

If the file is workshared (they usually are) you will be asked if you want to keep it workshared.

Pick Detach and preserve worksets even if you will be the only one in it. Retaining worksets can be useful.

Once the file has opened (it may take a whole if it is a large file) edit text in the start page to identify the file as a copy.

Then Save it on your computer - just in case.

1. from the R in top left corner

2. select Save As..

Save it on your computer (don't mess up the server with your crap), Give it a name so that anyone (including yourself in 6 months) will understand what it is.

A date always helps.

Done!

Now you can't damage the actual project file.