If you’re having trouble with computer performance on large Revit projects, before trying to have new computer purchases approved, first try to clean up the incoming architectural models.

Simple as Manage Tab -> Purge Unused right? Wrong.

All the views, sheets, schedules and legends within a Revit model consume valuable space, which in turn increase load times, memory usage and processing power. This of course equates to reduction of overall performance and reduced efficiency of the modelling team.

The steps that need to be taken are:

1. Open the architectural model, detaching it from central
2. Remove all links. Revit, CAD and otherwise
3. From the View tab, select Revisions and uncheck all items in the ‘issued’ column
4. Delete all the unrequired views. Keep any views that you need to link into your model.
5. Delete all schedules and legends
6. From the Manage tab, select Purge unused. You may find that you need to purge 2-3 times before all unused items are purged.
7. Save the files and compact the file on saving

It will depend on just how much you were able to remove as to how far the file size will be reduced, but it is not unreasonable to expect reductions of nearly 50%

It is possible to save time on step 4 by changing the sorting method of the Project Browser, depending on how the architects have structured their Project Browser.