Friday, October 16, 2009


We have been working on a biggish project (central file of around 90MB) and I have been experiencing memory issues. The worksharing monitor keeps telling me that my virtual memory is too low.

So after some searching I found an excellent post on the AUGI-forums by hypnox1. I'll shamelessly copy and paste one of the most interesting passages, as it deals directly with my problems and the post is a bit on the lengthy side:

1.Confirm you are on the latest build/update: Check the communications center of Revit to see if you are on the latest build. In 2010 it looks like the little satellite in the upper right area. It's in the lower right in 2009.

2.Purge the File: In Revit 2009: File => Purge Unused, in Revit 2010: Manage tab => Project Settings panel => Purge Unused

3.Audit the File: You can only audit the file when you open it. When opening the file there is a checkbox for Audit.

4.Compact the File: In Revit 2009: File => Save to Central => check the box at the top of the Save to Central dialog for Compact Central File, In Revit 2010: Collaborate tab => Synchronize panel => Synchronize with Central => check the box for Compact Central File)

5.Create a new Central File: If you are working in a work shared file, try opening your local file "detached from central". This gives you a new, unnamed central file. Save that to your network and have everyone on the project make new local files from that new central file. Note: before you do this make sure everyone has saved all their changes to the central file and that they are not actively working on the project as their local files will not be able to be synchronized with the new central file you are creating. This is best done on the weekend or when no one is in the office or working on the file.

6.Create a new Local File: My recommendation is to make a new local file every single day. If you are not currently do that we would recommend that you do so.

7.Hard Drive Space: Check available free space on your hard drive. To do this simply right click on your C:\ drive and go to Properties and see how much free space you have. If you are nearly out of hard drive space you'll have to delete files to free up more space.

8.Review Errors/Warning in the File: Your goal should be to have 0 errors/warnings in your Revit file. You may not be able to get the errors/warnings down to 0 but you essentially want as few as possible. In Revit 2009: Tools => Review Warnings, in Revit 2010: Modify tab => Inquiry panel => Warnings.

9.Defrag Your Hard Drives: XP computers: Start => Programs => System Tools => Defrag. Vista computers: Start => All Programs => Accessories => System Tools => Defrag
I'll go and work my way through these tips during the weekend, as I'll have unrestricted access to the central file then. I'll report my findings in the next post.

2 Comments:

  1. Anonymous said...
    Hi Oliver,

    Did you find anything which can speed up Revit? We now have a file of 250 mb and 4 people working on it, which is often a hassle.
    Already tried some stuff except purging (didn't dare yet fearing loosing stuff), but yet till no avail.
    Even looking at the network and switching PC's to a 1gb networkport didn't help, on the contrary it slowed things down.
    Also worksharing on a 64 bit slows things down (but speeds up Revit).

    Still curious for your experience.
    W.
    Oliver said...
    Hi W.,

    I have compiled a list here with a few tips and tricks. Hope they help.

    Cheers,
    Oliver

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