Glossary

Central model

• The master project model for a workshared project. The central model stores the current ownership information for all elements in the project, and acts as the distribution point for all changes published to the file. All users save their own local copies of the central model, work locally, and then synchronize with central so that other users can see their work.

Local model

• A copy of the project model that resides on the computer system of the team member who is working on the model. When worksharing is used to distribute project work among team members, each member uses a local model to work on his or her workset (functional area). Team members periodically save their changes to the central model so that others can see the changes and update their local model with the latest project information.

Workset

• A collection of elements in a project. For architecture, worksets typically define discrete functional areas, such as interior, exterior, site, or parking. For building systems engineering, worksets can delineate functional areas such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or piping. When you enable worksharing, you can divide a project into worksets, with different team members responsible for each workset.

Worksharing

• Allows multiple team members to work in the same file at the same time by enabling worksets.

Workshared file

• A Revit project for which worksets have been enabled. Multiuser file.

Non-workshared file

• A Revit project for which worksets have not been enabled. One user at a time file.

Additional File Types

• Review the Naming Page for a full list of what files may exist and their names.

Parametric

• Refers to a characteristic or property that is determined by parameters, which are variables or factors that can be measured, assigned values, or adjusted. 

• In terms of tags and annotation symbols, parametric families pull data from the object being tagged and should not require manual data entry.

Non-Parametric

• The data in the object is not extracted from the object being tagged, but manually inputted.

Legacy Standard

• The standard prior to 2023. Changes were limited or not made to ensure ongoing projects dependent on the standard will not be effected.

Interim Standard

• Interim is a temporary standard created to avoid editing the Legacy standard. This receives only updates requested by Jeff, approved by the production committee. No Design Technology/ BIM Manager initiated changes ae made.

X Standard

Effective Date:

• Only used on New Autodesk Revit 2026 Projects as of 6.1.25

• Not backwards compatible with old standards, issued 2026

Responsibilities:

• Decisions regarding the aesthetic of the standard are made by the Jeff, approved by the production committee.

• Decisions regarding the Files structure and some process are made by the "REVIT - How to Make the Sausage" committee.

• Decisions regarding the Family creation Template are made by Andrew and the Design Technology team.

Measurable aspects of the standard:

• Consistent, in all ways. Naming, Syntax, Use, Repeatable

• Storage, could based.