Smart Sync
Smart Sync coordinates sync-with-central operations across your team using a centralized queue. Instead of multiple users competing to sync at the same time (causing reloads, retries, and wasted hours), Smart Sync ensures everyone takes turns automatically. You join the queue, keep working, and sync starts on its own when your turn arrives.
Getting Started
Section titled “Getting Started”Find Smart Sync on the Amorphous ribbon tab in the Experimental panel.
Features
Section titled “Features”- Queue-based coordination - Prevents concurrent sync conflicts by ensuring only one user syncs at a time per model
- Continue working while waiting - The queue window is modeless, so you can keep editing in Revit
- Auto-sync on your turn - A 10-second countdown appears when you reach the front, then sync starts automatically
- Solo detection - If you’re the only one in the queue, sync starts immediately with no waiting
- Configurable sync settings - Control relinquish, save, and compact options before each sync
- Settings persistence - Save your preferred configuration across sessions
- Graceful fallback - If the queue service is unavailable, offers a direct sync option so you’re never blocked
How to Use
Section titled “How to Use”Basic Workflow
Section titled “Basic Workflow”- Click Smart Sync on the ribbon
- Configure your sync settings in the settings dialog
- Click Join Queue to enter the sync queue
- Keep working while the queue window tracks your position
- Sync starts automatically when you reach the front of the queue
If you’re the only user in the queue, steps 4-5 are skipped and sync starts right away.
Step 1: Configure Sync Settings
Section titled “Step 1: Configure Sync Settings”Before joining the queue, configure how the sync should behave:
Relinquish Options control what you release back to other users:
| Option | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Worksets you don’t own | Release ownership of worksets borrowed during editing | On |
| Elements you borrowed | Release individually borrowed elements | On |
| User-created worksets | Release worksets you created | Off |
Save Options control local file saves around the sync:
| Option | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Save local before sync | Save your local file before syncing with central | On |
| Save local after sync | Save your local file after syncing with central | On |
Other Options:
| Option | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Compact central model | Compact the central file during sync (use sparingly) | Off |
| Comment | Optional sync comment visible to other users (max 500 characters) | Empty |
| Remember my settings | Persist your settings for next time | Off |
Step 2: Wait in Queue
Section titled “Step 2: Wait in Queue”After joining the queue, a compact window shows your position and estimated wait time. The window stays on top but doesn’t block Revit, so you can continue editing.
The queue visualization uses colored indicators:
| Indicator | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Purple dot | Position #1 (currently syncing) |
| Green dot | Your position |
| Gray dots | Other users waiting |
For queues longer than 8 users, remaining positions are summarized as ”… and N more.”
Your position updates approximately every 30 seconds as the queue processes.
Step 3: Countdown and Sync
Section titled “Step 3: Countdown and Sync”When you reach position #1, a countdown window appears:
- 10-second countdown gives you time to finish what you’re doing
- Sync Now starts the sync immediately without waiting
- Cancel removes you from the queue (with a confirmation prompt)
When the countdown reaches zero, sync executes automatically using your configured settings.
Leaving the Queue
Section titled “Leaving the Queue”Click Leave Queue on the wait window at any time. A confirmation dialog warns that you’ll lose your position and must rejoin at the back of the queue.
User Interface
Section titled “User Interface”Settings Dialog
Section titled “Settings Dialog”| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Relinquish checkboxes | Control what ownership you release during sync |
| Save checkboxes | Control local file saves before and after sync |
| Compact checkbox | Enable central file compaction (increases sync time) |
| Comment field | Optional text included with the sync operation |
| Remember my settings | Saves your configuration for future sessions |
| Cancel button | Close the dialog without joining the queue |
| Join Queue button | Submit your settings and enter the queue |
Queue Wait Window
Section titled “Queue Wait Window”| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Model name | The workshared model you’re syncing |
| Position display | Your current place in the queue |
| Estimated wait | Approximate time until your turn |
| Queue dots | Visual representation of all users in the queue |
| Leave Queue button | Exit the queue (with confirmation) |
Countdown Window
Section titled “Countdown Window”| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Countdown circle | Large number counting down from 10 |
| Status message | ”Sync will start automatically” |
| Sync Now button | Skip the countdown and sync immediately |
| Cancel button | Leave the queue (with confirmation) |
Use Cases
Section titled “Use Cases”| Scenario | How Smart Sync Helps |
|---|---|
| Large team project (10+ users) | Eliminates sync conflicts where later attempts must reload and retry, saving significant time across the team |
| Peak collaboration periods | Enforces orderly syncing during deadlines or coordination windows when everyone syncs frequently |
| Compact central operations | Prevents multiple users from attempting compact simultaneously, which can corrupt the central file |
| Distributed teams | Coordinates sync across offices without needing verbal communication about who’s syncing |
Tips & Best Practices
Section titled “Tips & Best Practices”- Enable “Remember my settings” to skip configuration on repeat syncs
- Leave “Compact central” off unless specifically needed. Compaction adds significant time to the sync and holds up everyone else in the queue.
- Don’t close the queue window while waiting. The window manages your heartbeat to keep your position active.
- Solo syncs are instant. If no one else is in the queue, Smart Sync skips the wait entirely and syncs immediately.
- Coordinate with your team. Smart Sync works best when the whole team uses it. Users syncing through standard Revit sync are not coordinated by the queue.
Limitations
Section titled “Limitations”| Limitation | Details |
|---|---|
| Requires network connectivity | The queue is managed through a cloud service. If your network is down, Smart Sync falls back to offering a direct sync. |
| Position updates every ~30 seconds | Queue position is refreshed via periodic polling, not in real time. Your position may take a moment to update after the previous user finishes. |
| Does not block standard syncs | Users who sync through Revit’s built-in button bypass the queue entirely. Smart Sync only coordinates users who opt in. |
| One queue entry per machine | You cannot queue for the same model twice from the same computer. |
Troubleshooting
Section titled “Troubleshooting””Service unavailable” message
Section titled “”Service unavailable” message”The queue service could not be reached.
Possible causes:
- Network connectivity issue
- Service temporarily down for maintenance
Solution: Smart Sync offers a fallback to perform a standard direct sync. Click Sync Directly to proceed without the queue, or Cancel to try again later.
Queue position expired
Section titled “Queue position expired”Your entry was removed from the queue because the heartbeat timed out.
Possible causes:
- The queue wait window was closed
- Your computer went to sleep or lost network connectivity for more than 90 seconds
Solution: Rejoin the queue by clicking Smart Sync again. Keep the queue window open and your computer awake while waiting.
”Already in queue” error
Section titled “”Already in queue” error”You already have an active entry for this model.
Possible causes:
- A previous queue entry was not properly cleaned up (e.g., after a crash)
- You have another Revit session queued for the same model on this machine
Solution: Wait for the previous entry to expire (approximately 90 seconds without a heartbeat), then try again.
Sync failed after countdown
Section titled “Sync failed after countdown”The sync-with-central operation itself encountered an error.
Possible causes:
- Another user synced outside of Smart Sync at the same time
- Network interruption during the sync operation
- Central model is locked or corrupted
Solution: Check the error message for details. You can rejoin the queue and try again. If the central model is locked, contact your BIM manager.
Button is grayed out
Section titled “Button is grayed out”The Smart Sync button is disabled in the ribbon.
Possible causes:
- The current document is not workshared
- No document is open
- You’re in a family editor
Solution: Open or switch to a workshared project document.
Related Tools
Section titled “Related Tools”- QA Checker - Run quality checks on your model before syncing