Revit Tip: Align linked Revit models using Shared Coordinates

Position linked models using Shared Coordinates to align disciplines and site context with confidence, avoid drifting links, and deliver exports that land exactly where consultants expect.

Core concepts to keep straight

• Internal Origin: Revit’s numeric zero; keep your building modeled close to it for stability.
• Project Base Point (PBP): Local, project-centric coordinate readout for the building team.
• Survey Point (SP): Represents the real-world survey system; defines Shared Coordinates and True North.

When to use “Positioning: By Shared Coordinates”

• Anytime multiple Revit models must align to a common survey (architecture, structure, MEP, site).
• When exporting to DWG/IFC with real-world easting/northing/elevation and true azimuth.
• When the site model controls rotation, elevation, and location for campus/multi-building work.

Authoritative setup workflow (recommended)

• In the Site model:
  • Use Manage > Coordinates > Specify Coordinates at Point to set the SP to known survey values.
  • Set True North via Manage > Position > Rotate True North to match survey bearing.
  • Link the building model Origin to Origin; move/rotate the link into correct site position.
  • Publish Coordinates back to the building link (Manage > Coordinates > Publish Coordinates). Name the shared site meaningfully (e.g., “Campus_GNSS_2026-02-20”).
• In the Building model:
  • Open and confirm the newly published Shared Site is available (Manage > Location > Site).
  • Set Project North orthogonal to the building; keep True North aligned to survey.
  • When re-linking the site, choose Positioning: By Shared Coordinates (no manual nudging).

Daily practices that prevent drift

• Pin all linked models after coordinates are established.
• Never move the clipped Survey Point or Project Base Point; move them unclipped only when you know why.
• If a link’s position changes externally, use Reconcile Shared Coordinates to accept or reject updates.
• Validate with Spot Coordinates/Elevations set to Survey Point, and Report Coordinates at known benchmarks.

Export and coordination settings

• DWG/IFC exports: choose Shared Coordinates so files land correctly for civil and GIS teams.
• For very large coordinates, keep geometry near the Internal Origin; let Shared Coordinates carry the large survey values to avoid precision issues.
• Document in your BIM Execution Plan which model is authoritative for coordinates and who owns rotations/elevations.

Multi-building and alternatives

• Use multiple named Shared Sites for alternate placements or phased campus positions.
• For each Revit link instance, pick the correct Shared Site in its properties (Location > Shared Site).

Troubleshooting essentials

• Acquiring multiple times from differing sources causes conflicts—designate one source of truth.
• If things go wrong, Reset Shared Coordinates, re-establish True North in the site file, then Publish again.
• Don’t mix Origin to Origin and By Shared Coordinates in the same workflow unless you fully understand the transform chain.

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