LOCATING AND REMOVING CORRUPT FAMILIES IN REVIT

It is good practice to audit RVT files periodically as it scans, detects, and fixes corrupt elements in the model.

RVT files with corrupt families can appear to be functioning without immediate issue. As such, corrupt families may only become apparent when using the audit tool. These families must be dealt with immediately.

AUDITING THE MODEL

1. From the File > Open > Project dialogue navigate to the RVT file.
2. Tick the Audit button
   Select Open.
   
   
3. From the Audit Warning dialogue select Yes
   Note: This dialogue appears as default when Auditing models.
   
4. If there is a problem, the following dialogue will appear as the RVT file is opening and being audited.
   Select Close.
   Note: The RVT file will not open.
   

LOCATING THE CORRUPT FAMILY

The following steps will locate the corrupt RFA that needs to be removed from the RVT.

1. From the File > Open > Project dialogue create a new Local copy of the RVT.
   Note: Do not Audit the model.
2. From the File > Save As > Library options, click the Family button.
   
   
3. Within the Save Family dialogue, navigate to an appropriate network location. Create a folder to be the Save in destination for the exported Family Library.
   Note: This folder will be deleted at the end of this process.
4. From the Family to save dropdown, select <All Families>.
5. Select Save to start exporting RFA files to this network location.
   
6. As the task progresses, this folder will be populated by the individual RFA files. When Revit reaches the corrupt family, it will be unable to save the RFA and will provide the following Error dialogue.
   
   Note: The length of time for exporting the Family Library will depend on the location of the RFA in the alphabetic sequence and the number of loaded families.
7. Take a note of the Family name and click Close
   Note: Do not close the local RVT file.

REMOVING THE CORRUPT FAMILY

1. From the Project Browser, right-click Families and click Search.
   
2. Enter Family name In the Find box and click Next.
   
   
3. The Project Browser will expand and highlight the corrupt family.
   
4. Click Close on the Search dialogue.
5. Right-click on the Family and select The following Error dialogue will appear. This confirms that this is the corrupt RFA.
   
6. Select Close.
7. Expand the Family and right-click on the Type and click Select All Instances > In Entire Project.
8. From the Properties click on the Family dropdown and select an appropriate substitute for the corrupt family. All instances of the corrupt family have now been changed.
   Note: This may be a temporary placeholder, or a new version of the corrupt family.
   
9. From the Project Browser right-click on the corrupt family and select
10. Save and Synchronise the local RVT file.
11. Close the local RVT file.
12. Create a new local RVT file with the Audit button checked.
13. The RVT file will now be free of the corrupt RFA and can be worked with as normal.
    Note: Do not forget to delete the exported Family Library folder.

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE

1. If the RVT file has numerous corrupt families the steps for Locating and Deleting must be repeated as necessary.
2. Saving Family Library can also be accessed through the Project Browser. Right-click on Families and select