http://blogs.rand.com/support/2012/10/revit-structure-getting-started-with-the-architects-file.

html

Revit MEP: How to properly start out using the Architects Revit Model
There are a lot of questions surrounding what is the best method of starting out a project in Revit MEP if the Architect or Structural engineer has sent you a Revit Model. When starting your project with another Revit Model, you will start out first with your own "New" project template within your software. Then you link in their file by going to the Insert Tab > Link Panel > Link Revit and link in their Revit model. Veryify that your position is set to "Origin to Origin".

From the Project Browser or from an Elevation view, you will delete all but the current view/level because you want to work from their levels not the default levels in your project. You will get a warning that other views related to the ones you are deleting will be deleted as well, this is ok so click on the OK button.

After linking in the model, go into an elevation view so you can see all of the levels. You will be able to tell which is your levels and which are the links levels, because when you select on the linked models levels the entire linked model will turn red.

Now you will need to copy and monitor the levels into your project. From the Collaborate Tab > Coordinate Panel > Copy/Monitor > Select Link. Select on the linked model.

From the ribbon click on Copy from the Tools Panel and put a check mark next to Multiple on the option bar.

Using a crossing window or holding down your control key select on all the levels. When you have selected on all of the linked models levels click the Finish button on the Options Bar.

Go into options and on the Levels Tab, set reuse matching levels to reuse if within offset. (that way you don't have to delete the original levels)

Click on the Copy/Monitor tab to be able to click on the green check mark to Finish. While you are selecting on the levels to copy into your project you can also select on the grids that you will need as well. NOTE: Do not copy monitor walls as this has caused a lot of issues with models and will give you an extreme headache.

Now that you have the levels copied into your project you will then need to create the plan views. From the ribbon you will go to the View Tab > Plan Views > Floor Plan. Select on all the levels and click the OK button.

Here is a WikiHelp video on linking models that covers how to Link Models in Revit.

Revit Structure: Getting started with the Architects file

Below are some guidelines to starting your structural project with the architect's Revit file. Before you start your project, determine a few things:

What units is this project being built in? What are the controlling elevations for Structure? o If this is steel framing: TOS will be the control point for Structure o If Concrete then Top of Floor is likely the control point for Structure Are you going to be using shared coordinates? o For example are you acquiring coordinates from Civil or does the architect have their floor elevations shared to read 100 rather than the project 0 Has the architect customized their pen weights? o If so, there will likely need to be some modifications done to object styles or visibility graphics. What elements do you intend to copy/monitor?

Now that you have some of the basics nailed down we can talk about specifics for using the Architects file as a basis for starting our project. Step 1: Starting your Structure project
1. Start a new project from either an imperial or metric template 2. Link in the architects file origin to origin. 1. (If this is a workshared project make sure that you create a workset for the Architectural Link and set it to not visible by default 3. Create coordination views by duplicating the existing views you want to set to a discipline of coordination. 4. In the coordination view, set the Architectural Link workset to Show 5. Turn on or off any items you do not want to see in these views.

Copy Monitor the Levels You will need to go to an elevation view to copy monitor the levels. For the structural model we want our levels at an elevation relevant to the structural framing. For steel framing we need the levels to be offset from the top of floor. Since the architectural levels are referencing top of floor we need to include the offset when copy monitoring the levels so they will be tied to the architects levels and change if the architects levels change. You can do this from the options in the copy monitor dialog box. Not all of the levels will have an offset so copy monitor the levels that are the same first and then go into the options dialog box and build in the offset as shown below. The offset will be determined by the floor thickness. Keep in mind that we want the level to be set at the elevation that the bulk of the top of framing will be placed at. You can also add a prefix or a suffix here also.

Copy Monitor Grids (if applicable) Go to a plan view and copy monitor the grids. Optional: Copy/monitor walls, floors and or columns Most find it frustrating to copy monitor these items if you need to change them. You can copy monitor them, and then stop monitoring them if needed. Keep in mind that if you unload the link you will not receive the coordination review warnings if something changes between the models until the link is reloaded.