Every detail, family, sheet, legend, and schedule in Pirros gets a permanent unique identifier called a Pirros ID the first time it enters the system. This ID tracks the concept of the asset — not a specific file version — so all future versions stay tied to the same ID. Understanding how Pirros ID works is essential for avoiding duplicates and maintaining clean version history.
Where to Find a Pirros ID
You can find an asset's Pirros ID in two places:
In Pirros: Open the full detail or family page. The Pirros ID appears in the URL of that page.
In Revit: After downloading a detail from Pirros, open the Properties panel for that view. The PirrosId parameter shows the ID.
The detail page URL with the Pirros ID visible at the end of the address.
How Pirros Creates an ID
When you upload a file for the first time — whether from the web app, ACC, or the Revit plugin — Pirros:
Analyzes the file.
Creates a new Pirros ID for each asset (detail, family, sheet, legend, schedule).
Extracts every asset inside the file.
Sends them into either your Project Library or Typical Library based on your project settings.
Generates thumbnails, metadata, and history.
After upload, each extracted asset has its own page in Pirros, linked to its unique Pirros ID.
What Happens When You Sync Again
When you sync a file that has already been uploaded, Pirros checks two things:
Does this asset match an existing Pirros ID?
Does the project location match the previous Pirros ID's project location?
If both match → Pirros updates the existing asset.
A new version is created under the same Pirros ID.
Tags, metadata, comments, and associations stay intact.
The thumbnail regenerates (unless you have set a custom thumbnail).
No duplicates appear in search results.
If either does not match → Pirros creates a new asset.
A brand-new Pirros ID is assigned.
The asset appears as a separate entry in the library.
The existing content is never overwritten unless Pirros is certain it matches.
The PirrosInSync Parameter
When you download a detail from Pirros into Revit, two parameters are added to the view:
PirrosId — the unique identifier linking this view to Pirros.
PirrosInSync — set to
Truewhen the Revit version matches the Pirros version.
Whenever you change anything in the view (line work, annotations, dimensions, parameters), PirrosInSync goes blank. This tells the Pirros plugin that the detail has been modified and is no longer in sync.
The Revit Properties panel showing the PirrosId and PirrosInSync parameters. PirrosInSync is blank, indicating the detail has been modified since download.
How to Sync Changes Back to Pirros
Open the Revit model containing your changes.
Open the Pirros plugin and click Sync.
The plugin uses the PirrosId parameter to locate the matching asset in your library.
Select the details you changed and add a descriptive change message.
Click Submit.
The Pirros plugin sync window in Revit showing a list of changed views with checkboxes and a change message field.
The new version appears on the detail's page in Pirros. You can view the full version history for any asset that has been updated.
[Screenshot: version_history_detail_page.png]
The detail page in Pirros showing the version history section with timestamps and change messages.
Typical vs Project Libraries
Pirros ID behavior is identical in both libraries:
| Typical Library | Project Library |
Purpose | Firm-wide standards | Project-specific content |
Syncing | Adds versions to the same Typical ID | Adds versions only within that project |
Relationships | Preserved across all linked projects | Local to the project |
The difference is where the asset lives, not how IDs work.
Downloads
When you download an asset or source file from Pirros, you always receive the latest version. All metadata and version history remain preserved in Pirros.
Quick Reference
When you sync an asset:
Same asset, same project → new version under the same ID
Different asset → brand-new ID
When you sync a source file (RVT model):
Pirros scans all details and families inside
Matches them to existing Pirros IDs when the project location is the same
Only true matches get versioned
Anything new gets a brand-new ID
When thumbnails change:
Pirros regenerates thumbnails based on your PIG settings
Custom thumbnails are preserved
FAQ
Q: Can two assets share the same Pirros ID?
A: No. Every Pirros ID is unique and permanent. It is created once and never reused.
Q: What happens to the Pirros ID if I rename a file or move it to a different folder?
A: Nothing. The Pirros ID is tied to the asset's internal identity, not its filename or folder location.
Q: Why did syncing create a duplicate instead of updating the existing detail?
A: This happens when the project assignment on the model changed. If you reassign a model to a different project, Pirros treats every detail inside as a new upload under the new project, creating new IDs. Do not change project assignments on models that have already been synced unless you intend to re-upload everything.
Q: Does deleting a detail in Pirros free up its Pirros ID for reuse?
A: No. Once a Pirros ID is created, it is permanently assigned. Deleted assets cannot reclaim or reassign their ID.
Q: How do I find which Pirros ID a detail has without opening Revit?
A: Open the detail's page in Pirros and check the URL. The Pirros ID is the identifier at the end of the address.