In Autodesk Revit, particularly for electrical and MEP design disciplines using a workshared model, the command “Reload Latest” allows a designer to see changes made by other users without saving or publishing their own work to the central model. This tool ensures that while the designer continues to work locally, their environment stays updated with the latest modifications made by colleagues.
According to the Autodesk Revit MEP User Guide (Chapter 54 – Working in a Team), under the section Loading Updates from the Central Model, it states:
“As you work, you can see the changes other team members have made to the project after they have been synchronized with the central model. You can load updates from the central model without publishing your changes to the central model.
In your local file, click Collaborate tab ➤ Synchronize panel ➤ (Reload Latest).”
This confirms that the Reload Latest command refreshes your local file with any modifications from the central file that others have synchronized, but it does not send your local changes back. It is a critical feature for coordination in a team environment, especially when multiple designers—such as electrical, mechanical, and structural engineers—are contributing simultaneously to a shared BIM model.
By contrast:
A. Relinquish All Mine only releases ownership of elements but doesn’t update the local model.
C. Manage Worksets is for controlling visibility and editability of worksets.
D. Worksharing Display visually identifies ownership and status but doesn’t refresh model data.
Therefore, when an electrical designer needs to review updates from others (for example, when a lighting layout needs coordination with architectural ceiling adjustments), the proper workflow is to use Reload Latest, ensuring all new information from the central model appears instantly without saving or affecting their current unsaved edits.
[References:, Autodesk Revit MEP 2011 User’s Guide, Chapter 54: Working in a Team, “Loading Updates from the Central Model,” pp. 1332–1333., Autodesk Revit Structure User’s Guide, Chapter 49: Working in a Team, “Loading Updates from the Central Model,” p. 1230., Smithsonian Revit Template Guide (2021), Section 6.3.1 How Worksharing Works, confirming synchronization and reloading behavior for shared Revit environments., ]
