Pirros has two core workflows that move content between Revit and the cloud: Sync and Download. They go in opposite directions, and confusing them is one of the most common mistakes new users make.
The short version:
• Sync = push content from Revit to Pirros (updates the cloud library)
• Download = pull content from Pirros into Revit (brings details into your project)
Downloading: Pulling Content into Your Revit Project
This is the workflow most members use daily. When you find a detail or family in Pirros that you want to use in your project, you download it.
Find the detail on the Pirros website using search or filters
Select the detail(s) and click Stage for Download
Open Revit with your project file active
In the Pirros plugin, click Download
Confirm the details in the dialog and click OK
Downloaded details appear under PIRROS IMPORTS in your Revit Project Browser. Pirros automatically upgrades them to match your current Revit version.
Who can download: Any member or admin (unless the detail is marked Reference Only — then you need to request permission).
Syncing: Pushing Updates from Revit to Pirros
Syncing is an admin-only workflow. It pushes content from your open Revit model up to the Pirros cloud library — either uploading new details for the first time or updating existing ones.
Open your container model or project model in Revit
Make edits to the details that need updating
In the Pirros plugin, click Upload then Sync
Select the views you want to sync (use Recently Changed Views to filter)
Add a change message describing what was updated
Click Submit
Pirros uses the Pirros ID parameter embedded in each detail to match it to the existing version in the cloud. If a match is found, the detail is updated (a new version is created under the same ID). If no match is found, a new detail is created.
Who can sync: Admins only. Members cannot push content to Pirros.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Download | Sync |
Direction | Pirros → Revit | Revit → Pirros |
Purpose | Get details into your project | Update the cloud library |
Who can do it | All users | Admins only |
Starts from | Pirros website (Stage for Download) | Revit plugin (Upload → Sync) |
What it affects | Your local Revit model | The shared Pirros library |
Version impact | Pulls latest version | Creates a new version |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't use Sync to update your project model. Sync pushes content to Pirros. If you want to bring updated details into your project, use Download.
Don't edit a local copy and then sync. If you edit a detail in a Revit file that wasn't downloaded from Pirros, the detail won't have a Pirros ID — and syncing it will create a duplicate instead of updating the existing one. Always work from the file you downloaded from Pirros.
Don't skip the change message. When syncing, the change message you enter becomes part of the detail's version history. Other users see it when they view the detail's History tab. Descriptive messages help your team understand what changed and why.
What Happens Next
After downloading: The details appear in your Revit Project Browser under PIRROS IMPORTS. You can place them on sheets, edit them, and use them in your project.
After syncing: The updated details are live on Pirros within minutes. Anyone at your firm who previously downloaded that detail will receive a notification that a new version is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I'm a regular member, not an admin. Do I need to know about Sync?
A: You don't need to sync anything yourself — that's your admin's job. But understanding that sync exists helps you know where updated details come from and why you might receive notifications about detail changes.
Q: I downloaded a detail and made changes in Revit. How do I get those changes back into Pirros?
A: If you're an admin, open the model containing the edited detail and use the Sync workflow. If you're a member, flag the detail for review and describe the changes you think should be made — your admin can then update the Pirros version.
Q: What is the Pirros ID and why does it matter?
A: The Pirros ID is a unique identifier embedded in every detail when it's first uploaded to Pirros. It's how Pirros knows whether to update an existing detail or create a new one during sync. If the ID is present, Pirros updates. If it's missing, Pirros creates a duplicate. This is why admins should always work from files downloaded from Pirros.
Q: Can syncing overwrite someone else's changes?
A: Sync creates a new version, not an overwrite. The previous version is preserved in the detail's History tab. You can always view and compare older versions.