DDA Week 4 Practical - 11-02-2026

Digital Documentation for Architects 2026

Week 4 – Linking Site Plans and Using Shared Coordinates in Revit

1. Why Site Coordination Matters

This week’s session focused on one of the most important—and often misunderstood—aspects of Revit workflows: correctly linking a building model to its site using shared coordinates.

Sean began by explaining that proper model placement is essential for:

• Accurate site drawings

• Coordination between multiple project files

• Ensuring drawings align correctly across plans, elevations, and site documentation

This process becomes especially critical when each student is working with a unique site plan, requiring precise positioning and orientation.

2. Linking the Site Model into Your Project

The first step demonstrated was how to link the site model into an existing building model.

This workflow included:

• Locating the correct site file in the shared project folder

• Linking the file into the Revit model

• Ensuring the correct reference file is used—not modifying the base site file directly

• Maintaining proper file naming conventions in accordance with ISO 19650 standards

Students were reminded to always work on their own file and avoid overwriting shared reference files.

3. Positioning and Aligning the Building on the Site

Once the site file was linked, Sean demonstrated how to correctly position the building.

Key techniques included:

• Moving and rotating the building to match the assigned site layout

• Using the Align tool to ensure precise placement

• Verifying building orientation relative to the site boundaries

• Ensuring consistency with the north arrow and drawing orientation

This step is particularly important for students working with rotated or irregular site plans.

4. Acquiring Shared Coordinates in Revit

The core of the session focused on using Revit’s Acquire Coordinates function.

This allows the building model to inherit the coordinate system of the site model, ensuring:

• Accurate positioning in all views

• Proper alignment between linked files

• Consistent documentation across the entire drawing package

This step is essential for producing professional-standard site drawings and coordinated project files.

5. File Management and Cloud Collaboration Best Practices

Sean reinforced the importance of proper file management when working with Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Students were instructed to:

• Use Save As when creating new working files

• Save files in the correct ACC project folders

• Avoid saving over reference or base models

• Upload updated files regularly to maintain version control

Correct file management ensures both data integrity and smooth collaboration.

6. Troubleshooting Common Access and Linking Issues

During the live demonstration, some students experienced difficulty accessing and linking their site files.

Key troubleshooting steps included:

• Downloading the correct reference folders locally

• Verifying access permissions

• Uploading files via the web browser if Desktop Connector issues persist

• Ensuring correct folder structure and file locations

Sean also confirmed that reference images and PDFs of each student’s assigned site were uploaded to the shared folder for clarity.

7. Technical Difficulties and Supporting Resources

The session was briefly interrupted by technical issues with the Desktop Connector, requiring a system restart.

During this time, students were instructed to watch a pre-recorded lecture covering the same workflow, ensuring continuity and reinforcing the concepts demonstrated.

This reflects an important aspect of professional workflows: technical issues are common, and knowing how to recover and continue working is part of the process.

8. Site Plan Assignment Requirements

Students were reminded of the requirements for the upcoming site plan submission.

Each site plan must include:

• The building model correctly positioned on the site

• Pathways or roadways

• North arrow

• Dimensions

• Site contours

• Proper file naming and organisation

Parking layouts are not required at this stage.

9. Key Takeaways from Week 4

By the end of the session, students should understand how to:

• Link site models into their Revit project correctly

• Align and position buildings accurately on their assigned site

• Use shared coordinates to ensure proper project alignment

• Manage and save files correctly within Autodesk Construction Cloud

• Follow professional file naming and documentation standards

These skills form the foundation for producing coordinated architectural drawing packages.

10. Next Steps Before the Next Session

Students should now:

• Complete their site plan using their assigned site

• Ensure the building is correctly aligned using shared coordinates

• Upload their updated Revit model to Autodesk Construction Cloud

• Watch the Week 4 lecture video for reinforcement

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This work will directly support upcoming submissions and future documentation exercises.