Software Required
ReCap Pro 2021
Revit 2021
BIM 360 Docs
Desktop Connector
**This workflow is depreciated with the release of Publishing in Recap Pro 2022. This workflow was developed unofficially by myself before ReCap files were fully supported in Autodesk Docs.**
In this article, we will review how to link a ReCap point cloud file stored on BIM 360 Docs in a Revit Cloud Workshared (RCW) model. This workflow will eliminate an error caused by linking a point cloud file with an absolute file path in Revit.
Note: This article assumes proficiency in ReCap and Revit and a RCW model has been Collaborated to BIM 360 Docs.
Export
- 1.1 Open and export your project in ReCap.
- 1.2 Choose either a Unified ReCap Project (RCP) or Unified ReCap Scan (RCS).
- 1.3 Save it to a local location on your computer.
- Example: Desktop Folder.
Upload
2.1 Drag and drop, to copy the RCS or RCP to the target folder on BIM 360 using Desktop Connector.
As an alternative, you can use Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste the file.
Options
Change the root path for point cloud files in Revit options. You will perform this for anyone accessing the point cloud file.
3.1 Open Revit, click Back on the Home page.
As an alternative, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+D.
3.2 From the ribbon, Click File tab > Options > File locations.
3.3 Change the value for Root path for point clouds to,
"C:\Users\%username%".
3.4 Click OK, to complete.
Link
The rest of the steps take place in Revit. Link the point cloud file on BIM 360 in Revit from Desktop Connector.
4.1 From the Revit Home screen open the RCW model you want to link the point cloud file to.
4.2 From the ribbon, click Insert tab > Point Cloud.
4.3 In the Open dialog, click My Computer in Places Bar > BIM 360 > BIM 360 Account > BIM 360 Project > ReCap file. Click Open.
4.4 Synchronize the changes to the central model.
Re-link
If another user opens the RCW model, it will not load the point cloud file in Revit. Any user who requires access to the point cloud file will perform this step.
5.1 From the Revit Home screen, open the same Revit model.
5.2 From the ribbon, click Insert tab > Manage Links.
5.3 From Manage Links, click Point Clouds tab > Select the ReCap file > Click Remove.
5.4 Click Add. In the Open dialog click My Computer in Places Bar > BIM 360 > BIM 360 Account > BIM 360 Project > ReCap file. Click Open.
5.5 Synchronize the changes to the central model.
Congratulations!
You have successfully linked a ReCap Point Cloud hosted on BIM 360 Docs in a Revit Cloud Workshared model. All of your users path should start at the Root path specified, the user folder.
I hope these step-by-step instructions helped you overcome a limitation found difficult during COVID-19.
