Scott Schwartz, AIA

I've tried this and 10 units mean 10 uniquely names layers for buildings that are all the same assembly of identically named levels. All units are at different elevations.

Sorta. I tired to keep my question basic but it is a bit more complex than my first ask really. A conceptual model organization structure for multi-unit projects is what I need but here's some in-depth and hopefully more clear asks. I want a single site model and design layers that I can then draw all site items on once ALL my structures (maybe 2, maybe 50) are referenced in and set at a specific elevation and location. I need to draw walkways, drives, site walls, etc. up to each referenced in building and move my topography around. I would then create 2d and 3d views of that one "complied model". Should be super simple? Like an old school ACAD file with a slew of XREFs buildings in it then we drew in all the site elements. I can't even use the same layer names of even 2 buildings in the one file they are referenced to. And all of our model buildings use identical stories and level names with a different grade elevation. So what if I have a site with 10 identical units, each set onsite 4 times, with all 40 units at different grade elevations? All using stories and not 10 models requiring unique layer names per model? How does the organization of those design layers and stories even look so I can insert all these into one site plan? I thought I previously found a post @shorter has asked about accomplishing something similar with "grouped" stories but I can't find it again. @Jeff Prince you are super helpful, landscape man.

It's a VW issue. I can't manipulate ONE rendering of ALL rendered on ONE site at once. It's a single image rendering I'm looking for. I don't want duplicate viewports to try and render for one final image.

I get this. I can manipulate these two models through all kinds of viewports easy enough. What I can’t do one rendering and mess with it in Enscape as a nice single model. And it’s absolutely ridiculous that I need to have entirely different names for all these design layers for each of the buildings if I reference them into one file. What happens if I have a complex with 20 identical story-built building models at different pad elevations? It does not appear. Vectorworks has thought this one out very well.

Yes, I need it here. Chatter is easy to come by on forums but solutions, not so much.

Yes, I tried searching for hours. Search tool is pretty lame for refence files and detailed specifics. No one is using Benchmark Elevations from one model's stories and automating what I'm trying to do AND talking about it the way I'm looking to use it. Hence I asked for a specialist, not chatter from those that don't know. Sorry if that sounded like an ad. I'll make it work, just trying to save some wheel spinning trial and error.

Meaning? No one would share this knowledge in a forum but only for money? LOL I have to imagine there are lots of architects dealing with similar issues.

We have a site where there is one little 2-story duplex building (one model) that is repeated 2 times on the site. Building 1 and Building 2 shown below. It is identical but rotates in orientation 180 degrees. Simple enough to repeat in plan views for the architecture 2D sheets with viewport control. I am trying to do this all with ONE building model. The area I need help on is the elevation difference between the two buildings is going to be about 18 inches as the site slopes. This elevation information will show up automatically as the single model data when I use Elevation Benchmarks using my story names in 2D Elevations and Sections. In my stories, the model is set at the grade of the pad elevation (actual) for the ONE building (66'). Now when I set them in the site, the elevations numbers are off unless I manually override, not to mention making my terrain model correct. Same issue in the exterior elevations that I duplicate with relabeling the orientation but now Benchmarks are incorrect. (For our energy calculations here in California, I need the actual building orientation shown for all glazing.) Also, I need a way to render this. I can do overlapping viewports of perspective views but I can't do an Enscape render of all. I have tried using a site file and referencing the building in but the reference file doesn't want to duplicate itself properly when I copy all and paste, and the parts that do copy in are at the original 66' elevation. I think my referencing is where the solution lies? But I don't think my story elevations can follow the 2 building pad elevations from one model? The floor plans and site diagram shown are from the same model. Also I'm planning to reference in one set of dimensions and notes but looking for tips on best practices for that. The grid does a good job of following the building rotation for structural sameness in our calcs. Any help with repeated units that move up and down would be appreciated. I am willing to do the planning / layout work to make development and updates only needed to one building model.

I'm surprised not more of the users here have this as a concern. I can tell you the Construction side of the industry does, as they/we spend an inordinate amount of time going from our BIM to a Schedule of Values.

@jeff prince Thanks the reply. This integration around the simplicity with specifications and construction SOV’s is a big deal to address, especially in the mid range boutique world of $5mil - $25mil projects. Specs and SOVs need to take minimal effort in this range, not a full-time staffer and CM like on a $200mil project.

Has anyone used CSI Master Format keynotes throughout a set to then use that generate a comprehensive list of outline specifications in the CSI format to make a Schedule of Values and with quantities? This is the standard format for how all of our work is priced, and it's a manual process to go from the architecture side to the professional construction side of the business.

How are you placing pages of sheet specifications onto a D sheet? I’d like to be able to link to my editable Word file and have it update the contents of 4-5 D sheets in VW. I can’t find anywhere how to do this with a “live” text document, other than exporting the Word doc to a pdf then marking a slew of viewports to place, and then relocating them, when re-exporting after any updates to my original file.

We leave them as a separate footing and stemwall (2 layers) visually intentionally, as 97/100 times they are poured separately in custom work. Board formed or exposed form ties lends itself to a 2 step pour for precision of the finished wall.

Some funky work arounds for something that should be simple. I think I'll submit this to VW.

I got it to work with math, never would pick the Z of stair treads in any view for me, but it displays the rail above the above the break line in plan and is not a "smart rail". I'll do a polygon mask on the sheet view to hide that but what a silly workaround to get a decent, simple stair handrail with no extensions across landings.