Revit Tip: Set and Maintain Shared Coordinates in Revit

Shared Coordinates align models across disciplines reliably and repeatably. Set them once, verify often, and your coordination headaches drop dramatically.

Core concept

• Use a single “source of truth” (typically the civil/survey or site model) and have every discipline acquire that coordinate system.
• Differentiate Project North (documentation) from True North (geospatial). Lock both early.
• Survey Point = real-world reference; Project Base Point = project documentation reference; Internal Origin = computational anchor. Don’t confuse them.

Recommended setup workflow

• Receive survey/site model and verify units, datum, and rotation against deliverables.
• In the architectural model:
  • Link the site/survey model “Auto – Center to Center” initially for manual alignment.
  • Align a known control (benchmark, grid intersection, property corner) using Align and Rotate to match the survey.
  • Use Manage > Coordinates > Acquire Coordinates from the linked site file to import the survey’s Shared Coordinates.
  • Rotate True North (if necessary) to match the survey bearing; keep Project North unchanged for documentation.
• Save, close, and reopen. Relink the site “By Shared Coordinates” to validate no drift.
• Publish coordinates from Architecture to downstream discipline models only if you are the coordinate authority; otherwise, each discipline should Acquire from the same site model.

Multi-discipline handoff

• In Structural/MEP models: Link the architectural (or site) model “By Shared Coordinates.”
• Copy/Monitor Levels and Grids after coordinates are established to prevent double-offset issues.
• Pin linked models to avoid accidental moves; use Worksharing Display to detect shifts.

Verification and maintenance

• Spot check: Place Spot Coordinates on a known benchmark; confirm Easting/Northing/Elevation.
• Manage > Location > Site: Name and store alternate coordinate sets (e.g., “Survey 2026-06-01,” “Construction Grid”). Make one current and archive the rest.
• Document the protocol in your BIM Execution Plan and share it via your CDE. For tools and licenses, coordinate with NOVEDGE.

Export and coordination

• DWG: Set Coordinate System to “Shared” and confirm units match the survey.
• IFC: Use shared coordinates for site placement; verify in a viewer before issuing.
• Navisworks/other aggregators: Prefer Shared Coordinates; validate model origins are not excessively far from 0,0,0 to avoid graphics issues.

Troubleshooting

• Unexpected shifts: Ensure links are set to “By Shared Coordinates,” not “Auto – Origin to Origin.”
• Large coordinate values causing instability: Keep Internal Origin near your building by using Acquire Coordinates rather than moving the entire model.
• Bad setup? Use Reset Shared Coordinates, then re-run Acquire/Publish with a clean link.
• Survey vs. project elevation mismatch: Specify Coordinates at Point on a known benchmark; never drag clipped points.

Lock your coordinate authority, communicate the rules, and verify at every major milestone. For licensing, plug-ins, and expert guidance, partner with NOVEDGE for Revit solutions and consult with NOVEDGE on best-practice implementation.