Linking BIM Elements to Specification Sections

Overview

One of the pillars of Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the digital representation of specifiable materials and assemblies as geometric objects within a model.  A Revit file is a collection of these BIM elements and contains information about the assembly such as manufacturer, dimensions, and model type.  This information can align very well with what the specifier is managing within the specifications. When a Revit file is synced with a SpecLink Cloud project, these elements become available for review and can be linked directly with the specifications enhancing coordination during the project.  Those BIM Elements within a synced Revit file can be linked to specification sections within the project.

Linking a BIM Element to a Specification Section

BIM Elements from synced from Revit files can be linked to specification sections within a SpecLink Cloud project.

Review and, if necessary, follow the steps to: 

• Sync a Revit file
• Review the BIM Elements within a Revit file
• Review Suggested Sections from a BIM Element 

Once a Revit file has been synced and its elements with their suggested sections have been reviewed, the elements can be linked to specific sections within the SpecLink Cloud project.

Follow the steps below to link a suggested specification section to a BIM element.

1. Click anywhere in the element box.
   
   
    
2. Review the suggested sections for the element. In the image below, Section 084413 is active in the project. If it was not, the user could click the selection box in the "Active" column to activate the section into the project.
   
   
    
3. Click the Revit "R" in the Suggested Sections window as pictured above. This will link the element to the section and will appear as below.
   
   

Linking an element to a specification section is the first step in the evolution of automating the specification selection process. After elements are linked to a specification section, it will make the updating steps a lot smoother when changes are made to the Revit model in the future. Syncing any Revit updates will allows users to compare past models to the current model showing the changes between them, and having the sections linked will be able to highlight those sections for quick adjustments. 

For more on Comparing Revit Models, please visit this guide article.