Download Print this page

Autodesk 235B1-05A761-1301 - AutoCAD MEP 2010 User Manual

User guide

Table Of Contents

Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual

AutoCAD MEP 2010

User's Guide

March 2009

Table of Contents

Advertisement

Table of Contents

Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the 235B1-05A761-1301 - AutoCAD MEP 2010 and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Summary of Contents for Autodesk 235B1-05A761-1301 - AutoCAD MEP 2010

Page 1 AutoCAD MEP 2010 User's Guide March 2009...
Page 2 © 2009 Autodesk, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Except as otherwise permitted by Autodesk, Inc., this publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, by any method, for any purpose. Certain materials included in this publication are reprinted with the permission of the copyright holder.
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Contents Chapter 1 New Features in This Release ........1 New Features for Getting Started .
Page 4 ........30 Contacting Autodesk .
Page 5 Static Ribbon Tabs ........43 Contextual Tabs .
Page 6 Modifying the Appearance of the Tool Palette Set ......89 Docking the Tool Palette Set ........89 Hiding the Tool Palette Set .
Page 7 Layer Key Styles and Layer Keys ....... 133 Layer Standards Drawing .
Page 8 Configuring Flexible Duct Preferences ......179 Specifying Default Parts for Layout ......180 Configuring Duct Connections .
Page 9 Modifying Duct ......... . . 232 Modifying the Size or Shape of a Duct .
Page 10 Configuring System Definitions for 1-Line, 2-Line, or Single Line Graphics ..282 Configuring Graphics for Single Line Pipe Display ......283 Configuring the Straight Centerline Display of Elbows .
Page 11 Chapter 8 Drawing Radiant Heating Systems ......335 Radiant Heating Systems Overview .
Page 12 Specifying the Slope for Cable Tray or Conduit ..... . . 377 Breaking Cable Tray or Conduit at Even Intervals .
Page 13 Flipping Tick Marks on Wires ....... . 443 Modifying Electrical Equipment .
Page 14 Creating a Plumbing Run from a Polyline ......488 Connecting Plumbing Lines at Different Elevations .
Page 15 Selecting Components ........535 Modifying the Properties of a Schematic Line .
Page 16 Copying a Schedule Table Style ........590 Purging AutoCAD MEP Objects .
Page 17 Workflow for Creating a Parametric Fitting with Content Builder ... . . 674 Creating a Parametric Fitting with Content Builder ..... 675 Building Parametric Parts Using the Wizard .
Page 18 Creating Part Catalogs in Catalog Editor ......779 Working with Part Data in Excel .
Page 19: Chapter 1 New Features In This Release
New Features in This Release ® NOTE AutoCAD MEP 2010 is built on AutoCAD and AutoCAD Architecture. See the Help systems for those products to learn about their new features and enhancements. New Features for Getting Started Improved Ribbon-Based User Interface Ribbon tabs group commands according to the current architectural task.
Page 20: New Features For Drawing Piping Systems
New Features for Drawing Piping Systems Drawing Sloped Piping Layouts Catalog content has been expanded to support gravity-based designs for sanitary drain, waste, vent, and sewer/storm drainage systems. Auto layout can generate routing solutions for sloped piping systems based on points you specify in the drawing. Sloped piping layouts model real-world piping requirements. For more information, see Sloped Piping on page 256 and...
Page 21: New Features For Customizing Catalogs
Converting MvBlocks to Block-Based Parts on page 743. Importing Manufacturer-Specific Parts from Autodesk Inventor Use the Building Component command to import manufacturer-specific content created by Autodesk Inventor or similar applications into AutoCAD MEP as block-based MvParts. No intermediate conversion to AutoCAD blocks is necessary.
Page 23: Chapter 2 Moving From Autocad To Autocad Mep
Moving from AutoCAD to AutoCAD MEP AutoCAD MEP, an AutoCAD-based building design solution, enhances AutoCAD functionality with tools designed for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineers, designers, and drafters. This section describes several features where AutoCAD MEP builds on AutoCAD capabilities for designing building systems. AutoCAD to AutoCAD MEP Task Comparisons The following table contrasts functionality that is available in AutoCAD and AutoCAD MEP.
Page 24: Creating Building Systems
Functionality In AutoCAD In AutoCAD MEP Automate many building system design tasks such as auto layout on page 12, interference detection on page 12, and connectivity checks on page 13 using domain-specific ribbons and palettes Create accurate construction documents on page 15 with tagging and annotation. Automatically add layout symbols on page 18, such as rise/drop, hidden lines,...
Page 25: Insertion Tools
your company’s engineering designs. For more information, see Working with Tool Palettes on page 87 and Customizing Tool Palettes on page 787. RELATED See also Workspace Components on page 38. Insertion Tools You can use add grips ( ) along with the domain-specific palettes in AutoCAD MEP to add components to your drawings.
Page 26: Grips
Moving pipe using location grip Dragging to new location Resulting layout NOTE Associative movement lets you move objects in the XY plane. You can also modify the elevation of connected parts relative to their top, centerline, or bottom orientation in side and isometric views. Grips You can use grips to make direct changes to a part segment in a drawing.
Page 27 Pipe segment Pipe fitting (elbow with flange connections) Base-mounted pump (MvPart) Location grips ( ) move a component in the current XY plane. Location grips appear at the insertion and connector points on a part. Plumbing MvPart Lengthen grips ( ) change the length of a part segment.
Page 28 Piping Plumbing Flip grips ( ) switch the orientation of some parts (such as fittings or takeoffs) based on the direction of the grip. Takeoff selected Flip grip shown Orientation flipped Diamond-shaped rotate grips ( ) in isometric views rotate an object around its centerline to any angle, if that object has round connectors on opposite ends.
Page 29: Snaps
Elevation grips ( ) modify the elevation of part segments in side and isometric views relative to the top, centerline, or bottom of the segment. Elevation grips appear at the insertion and connector points on the specified part segment. Snaps AutoCAD MEP includes AutoCAD object snaps and AutoCAD MEP snaps.
Page 30: Automating Design Tasks
Electrical Wireways Automating Design Tasks In AutoCAD, design tasks are performed manually. AutoCAD does not automatically update the part specification data in construction documents. AutoCAD MEP includes features that automate many engineering tasks and provides immediate feedback as you perform those tasks. Domain-Specific Ribbons Out of the box, each engineering workspace in AutoCAD MEP includes a contextual ribbon with preferences and system definitions unique to the active domain.
Page 31: Connectivity Checks
an xref. AutoCAD MEP shows interferences as mass elements in the drawing. You can add tags to the mass element and insert opening symbols that get captured in a linked interference detection schedule. For more information, see Finding Interferences on page 582. Connectivity Checks The built-in connectivity tools ensure that objects are properly connected and that adjacent objects are updated accordingly.
Page 32: Electrical Circuit Manager
Electrical Circuit Manager You can configure circuits and panels for electrical systems. When you assign devices to a circuit, the device loads are automatically added to the circuit load. The Circuit Manager displays circuit load, circuit information, or a circuit report for one or more selected devices. The Circuit Manager also displays overloaded circuits in red.
Page 33: Solution Tips
prompted if you try to connect objects with different joint types. For more information, see Routing Preferences on page 250 and Choosing a Part on page 303. Solution Tips AutoCAD MEP displays optional solution tips that highlight where invalid connections exist between objects in the layout.
Page 34: Tagging
Specifies the parts of the drawing to include in the new section view You can regenerate section views after you change any aspects of the model. Because you view AutoCAD MEP systems in 3 dimensions, you can also create elevation and detail views. For more information, see Creating a Section View on page 570.
Page 35: Labeling And Annotation Scaling
Property set data for a ceiling diffuser Each tagged part contains a property set that you configure on the Properties palette based on the part specification. Part schedules linked to the drawing reflect the tagged data. For more information, see Defining Property Set Data on page 588 and...
Page 36: Layout Symbols
The annotation scaling feature lets you specify different annotation scales for model space and for individual viewports in paper space. The annotation scales and plots accurately even if different scales for the viewports in the layout are used. Layout Symbols AutoCAD MEP displays symbols that represent unique conditions in the layout.
Page 37: Project Management
Project Management AutoCAD MEP controls the management of project sheets and views through the use of the Project Navigator. As you design systems in AutoCAD MEP, you develop 3-dimensional models that are saved in construct drawings. Construction documents consist of views and sheets. A view references the model in the construct drawing, and it consists of one view of the model with a specific drawing scale.
Page 38: Working With Autocad Commands In Autocad Mep
Working with AutoCAD Commands in AutoCAD MEP Because AutoCAD MEP is built on the AutoCAD infrastructure, all of the commands in AutoCAD are available in AutoCAD MEP. However, some differences exist between the commands to modify basic AutoCAD objects, such as lines, polylines, and arcs, and the commands to modify intelligent building systems objects, such as parts, fittings, and segments of duct, pipe, or cable tray.
Page 39: Break
For more information, see “Create an Array of Objects” in the AutoCAD Help. BREAK The BREAK command breaks an object between 2 points that you specify and optionally creates a gap between the new objects that are created. In AutoCAD MEP, when you use BREAK to break segments of duct, pipe, cable tray, or conduit, or to break plumbing lines, the software connects the 2 new segments if the first and second specified break points are the same.
Page 40: Explode
software disconnects the remaining objects because it does not know how to join them. In these cases, you can connect or merge the disconnected objects to reflect the desired design. NOTE Erasing objects does not remove unused, named items from a drawing. You must purge them. For more information, see the following topics: Breaking and Merging Duct Segments on page 234...
Page 41: Join
In AutoCAD MEP, you can use FILLET to fillet not only AutoCAD objects, such as lines, polylines, and arcs, but also schematic lines and plumbing lines. By using FILLET with a fillet radius of zero (default), you can easily connect schematic lines or plumbing lines by extending or trimming them. You can use the command orthographic mode isometric mode.
Page 42: Matchprop
For more information, see the following topics: Modifying the Length of Ducts on page 225 Modifying the Length of a Pipe Segment on page 322 Modifying the Length of Cable Tray or Conduit Segments on page 446 Modifying the Length of Plumbing Lines on page 497 “Resize or Reshape Objects”...
Page 43: Offset
Moving Plumbing Lines and Fittings on page 497 Rotating Isometric Symbols on page 542 Moving Schematic Lines on page 538 “Move Objects” in the AutoCAD Help OFFSET The OFFSET command copies a selected object, giving the copy a shape that reflects the original. Because OFFSET offsets polylines, in AutoCAD MEP you can use it to offset schematic lines.
Page 44: Scale
SCALE The SCALE command makes an object uniformly larger or smaller. In AutoCAD MEP, SCALE properly resizes schematic symbols, electrical devices, electrical panels, plumbing fittings, and plumbing valves. You can also resize schematic symbols using their grips in Scale grip mode. For more information, see the following topics: Resizing Schematic Symbols on page 544...
Page 45: Chapter 3 Getting Started
Welcome to AutoCAD MEP 2010, an AutoCAD-based building design and construction documentation solution for Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing engineers, designers, and drafters. This section introduces you to the software and describes how to contact Autodesk, get help, navigate the user interface, and perform basic but important tasks.
Page 46: Autocad Mep Workflow
AutoCAD MEP Workflow AutoCAD MEP provides features that allow the creation of very complex designs. While the software has many intricacies, there is a basic workflow for using it. Use the following table to navigate to detailed workflows for designing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. General task View more information Define project standards, the look of the drawing...
Page 47: Location Of Part Catalogs
AutoCAD MEP objects are composed of lines, arcs and other standard AutoCAD objects, but they also contain information that allows them to function like the real-world components that they represent, to relate intelligently to one another, and to display in a 2-dimensional (2D) or 3-dimensional (3D) context. The objects have specially designed connection points called connectors that enable them to connect intelligently to appropriate objects and transfer information, such as shape, size, and system.
Page 48: Analysis Tools
For more information, see Working with Drawing Management Projects on page 129. Contacting Autodesk Use the following resources to contact Autodesk about AutoCAD MEP and other Autodesk products. Corporate Headquarters For general inquiries and information, contact Autodesk corporate headquarters: Autodesk, Inc.
Page 49: Getting Help
Sales Information To purchase additional Autodesk software, contact your local reseller. For the name of the authorized reseller nearest you, call 1-800-964-6432 or refer to the Reseller Center Web site: http://www.autodesk.com/resellers. Technical Support If you have a technical question, contact your local reseller or refer to the AutoCAD MEP Web site: http://www.autodesk.com/support.
Page 50: Tutorials
Courseware Autodesk publishes many courseware titles each year for users at all levels to improve their productivity with Autodesk software. The preferred training materials of Autodesk partners, these books are also well-suited for self-paced, standalone learning. All courseware simulates real-world projects with hands-on, job-related exercises.
Page 51: Certification
Gain a competitive edge with your career by obtaining Autodesk Certification, validating your knowledge and skills on Autodesk products. Autodesk provides an end-to-end solution for assessing your readiness for certification, preparing for certification, and obtaining certification. For more information on Autodesk Certification, visit http://www.autodesk.com/certification.
Page 52 Workspaces AutoCAD MEP is equipped with six workspaces (HVAC, Piping, Electrical, Plumbing, Schematic, and Architecture). The default workspace after initial installation is HVAC, but can be user-defined (see Workspace Settings on page 37). NOTE The tool palette groups associated with all the workspaces are available from the context menu of the tool palettes set.
Page 53: Workspace Fundamentals
Import design content into AutoCAD MEP 2010 You can also share your own content with others using Autodesk Seek. Upload drawings or blocks to Autodesk Seek to give your partners and customers ready access to your content.
Page 54: Default Workspaces In Autocad Mep
Example of Piping workspace Default Workspaces in AutoCAD MEP AutoCAD MEP includes pre-built workspaces for several building systems disciplines. Workspace Description HVAC Configured for the design of HVAC systems. Ribbon tabs are populated with HVAC tools and commands, and the HVAC tool palette group is displayed. Piping Configured for the design of piping systems.
Page 55: Creating Workspaces
Creating Workspaces You can create your own personal workspaces or, if your design organization requires more control over your drawing environment, your CAD manager can create read-only workspaces designed to be shared by many users. To create a personal workspace 1 Arrange the ribbon panels in the drawing environment as desired.
Page 56: Workspace Components
Workspace Components The workspace consists of a drawing window with ribbon, tool palettes, and other controls that you use to set up a M/E/P project, create your design, and generate construction documents. In the following sections, each component of the workspace is described in detail. Components can be turned off and on for different workspaces, depending on your requirements.
Page 57: Ribbon
Ribbon The ribbon is the central location for accessing commands in AutoCAD MEP 2010. The ribbon is organized into tabs that reflect common tasks in the drawing process. There are 2 types of tabs: Static tabs are available regardless of whether objects are selected in the drawing area. The commands on these tabs previously appeared on menus and toolbars.
Page 58 Some ribbon commands are grouped under a drop-down menu. You can access them by clicking the arrow next to the command. Example of drop-down menu Some panels have an expansion arrow to indicate that the panel can be expanded. The expanded part typically contains commands that are less frequently used.
Page 59: Locating Commands In The Workspace
The software automatically saves any changes you make to the workspace unless you changed the default workspace setting on page 37 for saving changes. To return a floating panel to the ribbon 7 Move the cursor over the floating panel, and click Return Panels to Ribbon. To hide and display tabs and panels 8 To hide or display tabs and panels: If you want to...
Page 60 Where is My Command? tool You can access the Where is my Command? tool from the Help menu Where is my Command, or from the landing page of the regular Online Help. Home Tab The Home tab contains the most frequently used commands within the software. Basic object and drawing tools can be found here, as well as frequently used utilities like modification tools, layers, and basic annotation.
Page 61: Static Ribbon Tabs
Duct context menu For example, on the context menu of a duct you can find the Add Selected command. On the contextual Duct tab, you can find the Add Selected command on the General panel. Finding More Information about the Ribbon Use the following resources to find out more about the ribbon: New Features Workshop Tutorials...
Page 62: Insert Tab
Autodesk Inventor into your drawing. Seek Panel: The Seek panel lets you search online for prefabricated design content. For more information about Seek, see “Use Autodesk Seek to Share Drawings” in the AutoCAD Help. 44 | Chapter 3 Getting Started...
Page 63: View Tab
Annotate Tab The Annotate tab contains commands that help you to mark up your drawing files. Annotate tab Tools. Accesses the Document tool palettes set. Text. Contains all commands for text and text styles and accesses the Fields editor. Dimensions. Contains commands for inserting and editing both AEC and AutoCAD dimensions. Scheduling.
Page 64 NOTE The View tab contains a number of commands also found on the application status bar. Navigate. Contains the ViewCube and SteeringWheels, as well as the Pan, Zoom, and Orbit commands. Appearance. Here, you can select predefined views, create new views, open View Manager, select a visual style, open the Visual Styles Manager, and define Walk and Fly settings.
Page 65: Contextual Tabs
Applications. Contains commands for loading extra applications, like ARX, LSP, or VB applications, and running user-defined scripts and VBA macros. Also accesses the VBA Manager and the Visual Basic and Visual Lisp editors here. Customization. Accesses the User Interface Editor (CUI) and the tool palettes on page 87.
Page 66: Application Menu
Contextual Tab Name Unique Commands Conduit Fitting Modify Fitting, Fitting Properties Equipment Modify Equipment, Equipment Properties, Convert to Device, Update Flow Panel Convert to Other Panel, Remove Connec- tion, Circuit Manager, Panel Schedule Wire Circuit Manager Schematic Line Insert Symbol Schematic Symbol Show Connected Objects Multiple Objects...
Page 67: Accessing The Application Menu
Save drawings to the current file format, to AutoCAD 2007 file format, as DWT file, or as DWS file Export files to DGN, DWF, PDF, IFC, gBXML, and DuctXML formats, and previous versions of AutoCAD Plot drawings Publish drawings to Mapguide, DWF, Seek, and eTransmit Access drawing setup and drawing utilities Access the program options Close drawings and projects...
Page 68: Displaying Recently Opened Documents In The Application Menu
1 At the upper-left corner of the workspace, click to open the application menu. 2 In the text entry box at the top of the menu, enter the desired search term. A list of matches replaces the regular application menu display. 3 To select one of the found commands, click it.
Page 69: Displaying Currently Open Documents In The Application Menu
4 At the top right of the list of documents to specify whether to display file type icons or preview images next to the document names. 5 If you want to keep a document in the list, regardless of its last-saved date, click its pushpin so that the image changes from .
Page 70: Context Menus
To add a command from the ribbon 1 On the ribbon, locate the command you want to add. 2 Right-click the command, and click Add to Quick Access Toolbar. NOTE Not all commands can be added to the Quick Access toolbar. If a command is ineligible, the Add to Quick Access Toolbar command is not visible in the context menu.
Page 71: Tool Palettes
General drawing context menu Tool Palettes Tool palettes provide the main method for accessing tools to create objects in your model. You can have tools for standard objects as well as for objects with specific styles and properties. Tool palettes are organized by tool palette groups in a tool palettes set.
Page 72 (AEC Project Standards): When a project is loaded, click here to synchronize or configure standards for the current project. For more information, see Project Standards Overview. (Autodesk Trusted DWG): This icon indicates that you have opened a DWG, DWT, or DWS file that is created using Autodesk applications or RealDWG -based applications.
Page 73: Showing And Hiding Commands On The Drawing Status Bar
Missing Standards File(s): When applicable, this warning indicates that standards files are missing in the current drawing; you can then check settings for the standards and configure them as necessary. For more information, see Configuring Project Standards. Drawing Status Bar Menu: A drop-down list of the settings and commands available for display on the drawing status bar.
Page 74: Application Status Bar
Floating command line Application Status Bar The application status bar contains settings for the current drawing session. Some settings, such as options for different elevations, only display if you are working within a project. The group of commands on the left side of the application status bar can be displayed as icons or text labels. Commands displayed as icons Commands displayed as text labels To change the display of these commands right-click any of them, and select Use Icons.
Page 75 (Dynamic UCS): Lets you temporarily and automatically align the XY plane of the UCS with a plane on a solid model while creating objects. (Dynamic Input): Lets you enter values for objects directly onscreen near the cursor. Dynamic input can be turned on and off during creating or editing an object in the drawing area. (Lineweight): Lets you turn the lineweight display component on or off for objects in the drawing.
Page 76: Showing And Hiding Commands On The Application Status Bar
(Clean Screen): Click to switch between the standard screen and a full screen. In full-screen mode, all toolbars and palettes (except the tool palettes) are hidden. Hidden palettes retain their current state. Showing and Hiding Commands on the Application Status Bar You can show or hide individual commands on the application status bar menu.
Page 77: Finding Information In Autocad Mep
Project Navigator palette Finding Information in AutoCAD MEP In addition to online help and tutorials, AutoCAD MEP provides various ways to quickly access the information you need to be successful with new and existing features. Review the sections below to learn how you can get help quickly and with minimal disruption of your workflow.
Page 78: Help Menu
Help Menu With the removal of the menu bars, the commands to access Help features have been moved into the InfoCenter at the top right of the application window. Here, you can find the Help menu that lets you access Help, Tutorials, and other interactive resources.
Page 79: Controlling The Display Of Command Tooltips
Standard tooltip for command Extended tooltip for command Controlling the Display of Command Tooltips You can change the display of command tooltips. For extended tooltips, you can define a time interval between the display of the basic tooltip and the extended tooltip. 1 Click Options.
Page 80: Object Rollover Tooltips
Object Rollover Tooltips When you pause the cursor over an object in the drawing area, an informational tooltip displays basic information about the object. Unlike the rollover tooltips provided for AutoCAD objects, such as lines or polylines, this information is standardized and cannot be changed.
Page 81: Thumbnail (Preview) Tooltips
Thumbnail (Preview) Tooltips In the Project Navigator, you can display thumbnail previews of project drawings. The preview can be a graphic or a detail, or a combination of both. Displaying thumbnails can be helpful when you are navigating large projects with many drawings. To activate preview tooltips in Project Navigator 1 On the Quick Access toolbar, click (Project Navigator).
Page 82: Solution Tips
4 Click Tooltip style, and select one of these options: Tooltip Style Option Tooltip Display Name Displays only the name of the drawing file. Use this option if you want to maximize the file tree visibility. Preview Displays only a preview image of the file. You can specify the preview size (Small, Medium, or Large).
Page 83: Object Grip Tooltips
Move the cursor over the icon to display a message that describes the problem and provides one or more possible solutions. Some solution tips provide complete instructions for resolving the problem. Where more detailed instructions are required, you can press F1 to access the relevant topic in Help. Note that not all object configuration problems have an easily identifiable cause or a specific solution.
Page 84: Working In Model Space And Paper Space
For more information, see Direct Editing with Grips and Dynamic Dimensions. Working in Model Space and Paper Space There are 2 distinct working environments in which you can create objects in an M/E/P drawing: Model Space. This space is a limitless, 3D drawing area. In model space, you draw, view, and modify your building system designs.
Page 85: Using Custom Display
while placing equipment, such as electrical panels or base-mounted pumps, you might want to use a hidden line to indicate equipment pads or the access space required by the manufacturer around the equipment. NOTE You can edit duct, pipe, cable tray, conduit, Multi-View Parts, wires, devices, and panels using Custom Display.
Page 87: Chapter 4 Drawing Essentials
Drawing Essentials Default preferences, such as part catalogs and system layout settings, can be specified once and used repeatedly. Using one set of preferences for multiple drawings can help to maintain conformity to project standards, but designers can also draw systems without having to configure preferences first. Drawing Preferences Drawing preferences control the form and function of your designs.
Page 88: Initialization Preferences
2 In the Options dialog, click the MEP Catalogs tab. 3 Under Catalogs, expand a domain-specific category (for example, duct) and specify the catalogs you want available during layout. Part catalogs have an APC (Autodesk Part Catalog) file extension. If you Then ...
Page 89: Layout Rules
If you Then ... want to ... reorder select the catalog, and click Move Up or Move Down as needed. catalogs The order in which the catalogs are listed on the MEP Catalogs tab is also the order in which they are listed during part selection during layout.
Page 90 water systems. You could configure layout rules to either allow the connection automatically or prompt you before making the connection. For a connection to be valid, the connected parts must be assigned to the same system group and the connector style rules must be met.
Page 91: Defining System Elevations
If you want to… Then… always connect the parts and select Automatically match and make connection. change the part’s system to match NOTE If you select this, when you are connecting devices with the existing system wires, and the system of the wire does not match the system of the electrical connector on the device, you can add the wire.
Page 92: Configuring Tooltip Settings
3 Define the elevation: If you want to… then… add an elevation click and specify the name, elevation, and description. edit an elevation select an elevation. Click in the name, elevation, or description field and edit the text. delete an elevation select an elevation and click You can define elevations to use for your systems during layout.
Page 93: Autocad Mep Snaps
AutoCAD MEP Snaps AutoCAD MEP includes 2 kinds of snaps: ® Object Snaps. These are standard AutoCAD snaps that allow you to snap drawing points to geometric locations on other objects. For example, you can snap to the endpoint of a line, or snap to the intersection of 2 lines.
Page 94: Mechanical, Electrical, And Plumbing Equipment In Building Systems
1 On the application status bar, right-click (object snap), then choose Settings. 2 In the Drafting Settings dialog, click the Object Snap tab, and then scroll down to AutoCAD MEP. 3 Click to select the snaps you want to activate. You can also click the check box to the right of the AutoCAD MEP title bar to select all the snaps at one time.
Page 95 About Electrical Equipment Unlike devices, panels, and wires, electrical equipment does not work with circuits. You can only connect equipment to physical wireways such as conduit and cable tray. In some cases, such as a junction box, there are both devices and MvParts available in the electrical catalogs. The junction box device works with circuits and connects to wires.
Page 96 About Mechanical Equipment (HVAC) The software includes an HVAC part catalog that contains hundreds of parts in thousands of sizes. The part types range from large components, such as rooftop air conditioning units, to small components, such as grilles. For some HVAC parts, such as air terminals and VAV boxes, you can assign flow values; these values can be used to calculate duct sizes.
Page 97: Working With Catalog-Based Content
For more information, see Adding Plumbing Equipment and Fixtures on page 485 or Modifying Plumbing Equipment and Fixtures on page 494. Working with Catalog-Based Content Building systems are typically assembled from fabricated, off-the-shelf components. The part catalogs included with AutoCAD MEP offer an extensive collection of parts for use during design. You can query the part catalogs to assist with part selection, retrieve parts for integration into your designs, and store parts you create in a catalog for future use.
Page 98: How Catalog Parts Are Stored And Referenced
NOTE U.S. metric content is developed based on the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) standards for metric design. U.K. and Global metric content is developed based on the British Standards Institute (BSI) standards for metric design. As you design systems, the parts and style-based content available to you depends on the catalogs and content locations you have specified on the MEP Catalogs tab of the Options dialog.
Page 99: How Catalog Parts Are Defined
The definition files are saved in the associated catalog folder in the ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\AEC Content directory. NOTE AutoCAD MEP provides a catalog editor that a CAD manager or advanced user can use to browse, edit, or add part content to part catalogs.
Page 100: Part Sizes
Part Sizes To understand how individual part sizes relate to the definition files of a part, it is important to understand how the part data is defined in the XML file. Part data stored in the XML definition file consists of 2 types of properties: common parameters and size parameters.
Page 101: Default Parts
Size Parameter Attributes Parameter attributes are defined by both fixed and extensible lists of values. Attribute values are specified by AutoCAD MEP and cannot be changed; however, attribute values must be specified for custom data parameters that are added. Fixed data values cannot be edited. Extensible data values can be changed based on a list of predefined values, or extended to accommodate user-defined values.
Page 102: Importing A Building Component Into Autocad Mep 2010
In order for a building component to be correctly imported into AutoCAD MEP 2010, it must be prepared for export in Autodesk Inventor, and saved as a Bulding Component Autodesk Exchange file (*.adsk). For more information, consult the Inventor User Guide.
Page 103: Working With Style-Based Content
on page 747, and for multi-view blocks, see Multi-View Blocks. For information on blocks, see “Create and Use Blocks (Symbols)” in the AutoCAD Online help. Working with Style-Based Content Objects that use styles are referred to as style-based content. Styles are sets of parameters that you assign to objects to determine their appearance or function.
Page 104: Orthographic And Isometric Views Of Style-Based Content
eliminate the need to redraw objects or copy and paste objects between drawings. You can create style-based content and store related content in a single drawing file that acts as a library. You associate the drawing file, or library, with your drawing in the Options dialog, so it can then be accessed through the Add dialog, Modify dialog, and Select worksheet (accessed from the Properties palette).
Page 105: Working With Tool Palettes
Isometric view directions and orientations When creating or editing style-based content, you specify the mode on the Views tab in the Style Definition dialog. In Orthographic mode, you can assign view blocks to each orthographic view direction. In Isometric mode, you can assign view blocks to each iso rotation for each isoplane. For more information, see Defining the Views of a Style on page 604.
Page 106: Opening The Tool Palette Set
If the tool palette set contains a large number of tool palettes, you can create tool palette groups for the current profile and organize the palettes in the tool palette set inside the groups. This enables you to display either all of the palettes in the tool palette set or only those in a single group, switching between tool palette groups as needed.
Page 107: Modifying The Appearance Of The Tool Palette Set
Modifying the Appearance of the Tool Palette Set The tool palette set has several display options that you can set according to your design preferences. Docking the Tool Palette Set 1 On the title bar of the tool palette set, click (Properties), and then click Allow Docking.
Page 108: Modifying The Appearance Of Tools
To adjust the transparency of the tool palette set 1 On the title bar of the tool palette set, click (Properties), and then click Transparency. 2 In the Transparency dialog, adjust the transparency. If you want to… then… increase the transparency drag the slider to the right.
Page 109: Working With The Properties Palette
4 Select an appearance: If you want to view… then select… tool images only Icon only for View style. tool images and names Icon with text for View style. tool images and names in a single- List view for View style. column list 5 Select the scope for the changes: If you want to apply the changes...
Page 110: Modifying Display Properties Using The Properties Palette
Modifying Display Properties Using the Properties Palette You can use the Display tab on the Properties palette to control the graphical properties of an object by adjusting the settings for its individual display components, such as contours and center lines. The changes you make on this tab are immediately visible in the display representation currently in effect, such as Plan or Model, and you have the option of applying your changes to other display representations as well.
Page 111: Working With Systems
If you want to… then… turn off transparency select Turn off window transparency. Working with Systems In AutoCAD MEP, a system is a network of connected parts that represents a real-world building system. The connected parts act together by maintaining the same look and feel throughout the system. For example, a network of connected parts including duct, pipe, fittings, and equipment can represent an air supply system, or a network of connected parts including conduit, wiring, devices, and panels can represent a power supply system.
Page 112: About System Groups
Style Manager. Additional system definitions can be found in the System Definitions.dwg, which is located in a subfolder of the following folder: \ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\Styles. For more information about sharing system definitions between drawings, see Copying Systems Between Drawings on page 100.
Page 113: Creating Systems
you can connect the recirculating line to the supply line and still have a connected pipe system. The following pipe run shows how the recirculating line (HWC) is connected to the supply line (HWS). If 2 systems are not assigned to the same system group and you try to connect them, you are prompted to change the system of the connecting run to match the system of the receiving run.
Page 114 To create a system 1 Within a domain-specific workspace, open the Style Manager and access the system definitions by doing one of the following: Click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager drop-down HVAC System Definitions Click Manage tab Style &...
Page 115: Specifying The Design Rules Of A System
Specifying the Design Rules of a System The design rules of a system definition are properties that determine the behavior and display of the system. Property Description Abbreviation Identifies the system to which the parts are assigned. This is a short system name, typically two or three characters in length.
Page 116: Specifying The Rise/Drop Style Of A System
Design Rules tab for an electrical system definition 3 Configure the design rules: If you want to… then… specify a system abbreviation for Abbreviation, enter an abbreviation. specify a system group for System Group, select or enter a group name. New names are added to the list of existing names.
Page 117: Specifying The Display Properties Of A System
Click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager drop-down Electrical System Definitions Click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager drop-down Plumbing System Definitions Click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager drop-down Schematic System Definitions 2 In the left pane, select the system, and, in the right pane, click the Rise and Drop tab. 3 For Rise and Drop Style, select a style from the list.
Page 118: Attaching Notes And Files To A System
You can manage your systems more efficiently by storing them in a single drawing or template and then copying them into new drawings as you need them. NOTE Additional system definitions can be found in System Definitions.dwg, which is located in a subfolder of the following folder: \ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\Styles. To copy a system 1 Click Manage tab Style &...
Page 119: Purging Systems
2 Open the drawing into which to copy the system: If you want to… then in Style Manager… copy the system to a drawing that is not open in Style click File Open Drawing, select the drawing, and Manager click Open. copy the system to a new drawing click File New Drawing, enter a name for the...
Page 120: Selecting A Display Configuration
Click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager drop-down Electrical System Definitions Click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager drop-down Plumbing System Definitions Click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager drop-down Schematic System Definitions 2 Purge the system definitions: If you want to…...
Page 121: Essentials Of Objects
Default display configurations included in the Aecb Model drawing template 2 Select a display configuration from the list. For more information on the display configurations included in the Aecb Model drawing template, see Display Configurations on page 139. Essentials of Objects Building systems are typically assembled from fabricated, off-the-shelf parts.
Page 122: Object Types
Different views of a plumbing part A parametric part is dynamically generated based on predefined or user-defined properties, such as shape and size. The part properties determine how the part is generated. Parametric parts are generated as 3-dimensional model blocks; therefore, different appearances display in different view directions. For more information about parametric and block-based parts, see Understanding Parametric and Block-Based Parts on page 641.
Page 123 Object Description Duct A part dynamically generated based on predefined properties to which other parts can be connected. It is trimmed when fittings are connected and includes as components contour, connector, annotation, centerline, insulation, lining, and rise/drop. Flex Duct A part dynamically generated based on predefined properties and a single user-defined centerline to which other parts can be connected.
Page 124: Matching Object Properties
Object Description Schematic Symbol A block symbol used to specify real-world equipment or parts, such as fittings or valves, that works in conjunction with schematic lines. It connects to schematic lines by breaking into the line or attaching to the end of the line when added. The properties of a schematic symbol are system and ID.
Page 125: Working With Connectors
Object Types for Which Both Style and Display Object Types for Which Only Display Properties Are Properties Are Matched Matched Pipe Flex Plumbing Fitting Schematic Symbol Overrides When you use the match properties feature, any style or object overrides in effect for the source object are applied to all display representations of the destination object.
Page 126: Working With Anchors
Connecting wiring to a receptacle Connecting a plumbing line to a sink When a connection is made, the new object inherits the properties of the original object. These properties define the new object and can include system, elevation, and geometric properties, such as shape and size. The connectors of a style define the location of the connection points on the object and specify each connector’s domain.
Page 127: Attaching Objects With A Curve Anchor
Reference anchors. Attach objects by reference to other objects, such as attaching an end-of-line schematic symbol to a schematic line. When the symbol is moved, the line maintains connectivity and is stretched to the new location. Certain objects are, by default, anchored to other objects; however, their behavior can differ slightly depending on object type.
Page 128: Attaching Objects With A System Anchor
Attaching Objects with a System Anchor Use this procedure to attach objects with a system anchor. With system anchors, you can attach building systems objects to other building systems objects based on their assigned system. The movement of an object anchored with a system anchor is constrained by the object to which it is anchored.
Page 129: Releasing Anchored Objects
If you want to… Then right-click, and click… rotate the object around the X axis Curve Anchor Set Rotation X, enter the number of degrees, and press Enter. rotate the object around the Y axis Curve Anchor Set Rotation Y, enter the number of degrees, and press Enter.
Page 130: Using The Compass
Anchor worksheet An anchor links an AutoCAD MEP object to another object or to a layout curve or grid. In the Piping domain, this worksheet applies to fittings that use anchors (i.e., takeoffs). In the Schematic domain, it applies to symbols.
Page 131 Compass diameter changes When the Compass is enabled, you can switch the UCS plane you are drafting by using the Plane option. Each time you switch planes the UCS axis changes: The X axis switches to the Y axis. The Y axis switches to the Z axis. The Z axis switches to the X axis.
Page 132: Customizing The Compass Display
3 Enter p (plane), and draw 2 duct segments in the third UCS plane. 4 Enter p (plane) again to return the UCS place to its original orientation. Customizing the Compass Display Use this procedure to customize the Compass display. As you draw, the Compass guides the direction of your run.
Page 133: Dynamic Input
Mechanical drawing illustrating dynamic input and grips Together, dynamic input and grips enable you to make precise and accurate modifications to your mechanical, electrical, or plumbing design directly in the drawing area. Because you do not divert your attention to the command window and dialogs as frequently, you maintain focus on the design and increase your productivity.
Page 134: Grip Tooltips
Grip Tooltips You can hover your pointing device over a grip to display a short description of its function. Depending on the grip and context, the tooltip might also contain information about the available grip editing modes. Tooltip for Show all insertion points grip on electrical panel Tooltip for Location grip on valve...
Page 135: Grip Editing Modes
Damper before clicking rotate grip Damper after clicking rotate grip Grip Editing Modes The grip editing mode determines how the action you perform using a grip is executed by AutoCAD MEP. If a grip has multiple editing modes, the software lists them in the grip tooltip, and you must specify the mode to use.
Page 136: Drafting With Flow Direction
Drafting with Flow Direction Flow direction is the forward movement of a material or fluid (such as air or water) through the components of a system. You can set or reverse the flow direction of a duct run or a pipe run between 2 branches. Once you set the flow direction, you can show it using flow markers, toggling the markers on and off as needed.
Page 137: Selecting Similar Objects
Enter n (no) to accept the indicated flow direction. The selected run between branches is assigned the indicated flow direction. Flow direction for a run stops at branch fittings (fittings with 3 or more connectors, such as tees and crosses) and MvParts.
Page 138: Selecting Mep Objects
For more information, see “Select Multiple Objects” or “Filter Selection Sets” in AutoCAD Help. Selecting MEP Objects AutoCAD MEP provides a way to select MEP objects by system, domain, or connected branch within an object’s contextual ribbon, General panel Select System drop down. To select similar objects by group, domain, or connected branches 1 Select an MEP object, such as a duct or pipe.
Page 139: Viewing Part Properties
the model, or if you are working with external reference (xref) files. Regenerating an AutoCAD MEP model steps through its objects and displays them based on current settings and preferences. You should also ® regenerate the model when objects do not display correctly, specifically after an AutoCAD Regen.
Page 140: System Assignments For Parts And Connectors
Property sets for Duct System Assignments for Parts and Connectors You can access the systems assigned to parts on the Design tab of the Properties palette. Expand Basic and make your selection for System from the list. Available assignments for plumbing systems You can select an object (such as a pipe, flex pipe, and pipe fitting) on the Piping Tool palette and add it to your drawing.
Page 141 Connection details for Pipe in Add mode You can view and modify additional details for pipe connections. Connection Details dialog in the Modify mode NOTE Changing a system assignment on a connection may change the system assignment of connecting parts, depending on the connector style rules in your drawing.
Page 142: Part Styles
Assigning a piping label style Part Styles You can access object styles from the Design tab on the Properties palette. Expand Basic General and choose a style from the list. Only the styles defined in your drawing are shown. 124 | Chapter 4 Drawing Essentials...
Page 143: Part Property Details
Plumbing Line style NOTE If you want to add new styles, modify existing styles, or delete unused styles, use Style Manager. For more information, see Configuring Styles on page 603. Part Property Details You can view and modify part property details on the Design tab of the Properties palette. For schematic lines, you can define the designation ID for labeling.
Page 144 Details on the Properties palette For other parts, such as plumbing lines, you can view and modify part properties including elevation, nominal size, and slope. You can view the read-only value for the calculated size of the pipe. When you change the part properties, the part is dynamically updated in your layout.
Page 145: Part Location
Plumbing line properties Part Location You can access part location information on the Properties palette. You can view and modify the X, Y, and Z insertion points relative to the current coordinate system and rotation angle of the part. Expand Basic Location on the Properties palette to specify elevation, start, mid, and end point values.
Page 147: Chapter 5 Working With Projects
Working with Projects This section describes how to create a project environment and establish standards for your projects. By using project standards, you can enhance efficiency, automate repetition, and maintain consistency across your project drawings and construction documents. Working with Drawing Management Projects The Drawing Management feature formalizes the processes related to building system design and documentation.
Page 148: Establishing Project Standards
The Drawing Management feature has two main components: Project Browser Project Browser creates projects and specify high-level project information and settings, such as the project number, project name, contact information, and the file locations of the drawing templates, tool palettes, and the project-specific Content Browser library to use.
Page 149 Dimension and text styles Layer structures Linetypes and lineweights You can also establish the following design-specific standards on a drawing-by-drawing basis or add them to a template: Design and drawing preferences Coordinate systems Design and plotting display layouts Title blocks and borders AutoCAD MEP, together with AutoCAD Architecture, provide several tools for establishing and managing standards.
Page 150: Autocad Mep Layer Standards
AutoCAD MEP Layer Standards The Layer Management feature in AutoCAD MEP lets you organize, sort, and group layers using layer standards, layer key styles, and layer overrides. Layer standards define the naming of new layers according to the structure defined in the standard. AutoCAD MEP includes a number of predefined layer standards and matching layer key styles based on common building system industry norms.
Page 151: Layer Key Styles And Layer Keys
The software includes several layer standards and several layer key styles in a layer standards drawing named AecbLayerStd. This drawing is located in \Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\ACD-MEP 2010\enu\Layers or in one of its subfolders, depending on the content you installed. The templates provided with the software are configured to load an appropriate AecbLayerStd drawing into new drawings that you create.
Page 152: Specifying A Layer Standard And A Layer Key Style
RELATED See Layer Management in the AutoCAD Architecture Help. Specifying a Layer Standard and a Layer Key Style 1 Click Home tab Layers panel Select Layer Standard 2 In the Drawing Setup dialog, click the Layering tab. 3 Under Layer Standards/Key File to Auto-Import, click to browse to the desired layer standards drawing (DWG or DWT file).
Page 153: Display System Structure
AutoCAD MEP provides tools to view an object in the layout in different ways. This saves time and maintains consistency across all your project drawings. Display System Structure The AutoCAD MEP display system controls how objects appear in a viewport. By specifying the objects for display and the direction from which to view them, you can produce different displays, such as plan layouts, 3D models, isometric riser diagrams, and schematic diagrams.
Page 154 Some building systems objects, such as label curve objects and schematic objects, have only a general display representation because the display of these objects does not change in different views. sample templates have default display settings for new and tiled viewports. Default drawing settings guide new users.
Page 155: Display Representations
Display Representations Display representations represent the first level of display control. Display representations define how an object appears in a drawing. You can also preview display representations by clicking (Floating Viewer) in the Display Manager. The Floating Viewer displays how a specific object appears in different display representations and view directions. RELATED See Viewing Display Representations and Viewing an Object in a Display Representation in the AutoCAD Architecture Help.
Page 156 Plan Presentation All objects screened so that the user can create display themesor apply interference detection highlighting and display only the affected objects Hatching shown Plan Screened Same as Plan Presentation Exception: Hatching not shown Plan High Detail Unused AutoCAD Architecture display representation provided for use in AutoCAD MEP Turns on all architectural subcomponents (for example, all wall components) Plan Low Detail Unused...
Page 157: Display Sets
The color of the grayed out (screened) objects in the background of building systems design drawings is controlled by layer G-Bgrd-Std-Scrn. The colors of the hidden lines applied to objects in building systems design drawings are controlled by the following layers: E-Hidn-Std-High and E-Hidn-Std-Subd for electrical objects M-Hidn-Std-High and M-Hidn-Std-Subd for mechanical objects G-Hidn-Std-High for plumbing objects...
Page 158 Display Configuration Display Representations by view direction Recommended use Mechanical - Pipe by Size Mechanical - Pipe By Size Plan (Top), Mechanical 2-line and 1-line mechanical pipe drawings; - Pipe By Size Model (all other view directions) uses system definitions to display pipe as 2-line, 1-line, or graphical 1-line by size;...
Page 159: Hierarchy Of Display Control
Display Configuration Display Representations by view direction Recommended use MEP Schematic MEP Schematic - Plan (Top), MEP Schematic - Schematic details and diagrams; converts Model (all other view directions) 3D MvParts to their schematic symbol rep- resentations Hierarchy of Display Control The display control operates according to the following hierarchy: Object Style...
Page 160 Display Manager to set default display settings for all other types of objects Levels for Specifying Display Settings Setup Drawing default display settings determine the display of objects when no overrides are in effect. System-level overrides are specified for systems, such as an exhaust duct system, and determine the display of all the objects assigned to the system.
Page 161: Configuring Display Settings During Design
Applying System-Level Overrides Use the Style Manager to apply system-level display overrides that control the display representation for objects in a particular system (such as Duct - Low-Pressure Supply). NOTE Although MvParts can be assigned a system, their display properties are not controlled by systems. 1 Click Manage tab Style &...
Page 162: Display Of Objects Based On Elevation
General Display Properties Display components: Allows you to adjust settings for the object's individual display components, such as contours and centerlines NOTE Only the active component display properties for the selected object are listed. Display controlled by: Choose from the list of 3 options: Object: Applies changes to all objects with the specified system (for example, Duct System Definition: Supply - Low Pressure) for which no object overrides are in effect (called system override).
Page 163 You can meet such requirements using the Display by Elevation feature. The Display by Elevation feature includes the following elevation-based display components: Contour Connector Center Line Hatch Insulation Lining Rise Drop Annotation You can configure these display components to show or hide the following AutoCAD MEP objects relative to the floor plan and the cut plane on page 147:...
Page 164: Workflow For Displaying Objects Based On Elevation
Display settings differentiate objects above or below the display range. For example, you can set linetypes and line colors on page 143 to display differently depending on elevation. You can also use the display settings to hide an object based on its elevation. Hiding objects is useful when you create construction documents for a specific floor plan from a model that spans multiple stories.
Page 165: Enabling The Elevation-Based Display Components
Review the steps View more information For each display configuration that uses 1-Line or Plan display representations in Top (plan) view, Set the criteria that determines enter a cut height as well as height ranges for how objects display in the drawing ----- above and below the display range.
Page 166 TIP For a pipe object with a slope on page 256, the object’s starting point determines its elevation. RELATED Global cut plane and display range settings for a display configuration in AutoCAD MEP objects are used differently from AutoCAD Architecture objects. See Working with Cut Planes in a Project in the AutoCAD Architecture Help.
Page 167: Configuring Elevation-Based Display Components
RELATED To override the global cut plane for an object type, see Overriding the Cut Plane on page 150. Configuring Elevation-Based Display Components In the Style Manager, you can change a display representation for all elevation-based display components for objects in a particular domain. However, in the Display Manager, you configure the display representation for domain objects individually.
Page 168: Overriding The Cut Plane
NOTE Instead of selecting an object, you can click at the bottom of the Display tab, and then click the display component in the drawing for the same result. 7 Under General, for Display controlled by, select the level at which you want your changes applied.
Page 169: Display Of Crossing Objects In 2-Line Plan Views
3 Select an object. 4 Click Home tab Build panel Tools drop-down Properties 5 Under Object Display Properties, configure settings for the current configuration as follows: a Select Yes for Above level override, and then specify a value for Above range. b Select Yes for Cut height override, and then specify a value for Cut height.
Page 170: Modifying Hidden Lines For Objects
1 Click Options. 2 In the Options dialog, click the MEP Display Control tab. 3 Under Crossing Objects Display, specify one of the following: If you want to… then… specify a gap to the outside of the crossing objects select Apply Gap to Outside, and then enter a value for Gap Width.
Page 171 However, in display configurations that use Plan display representations, you have more flexibility. You can: Display or hide the center lines on all ducts and fittings Display or hide the center lines on ducts and fittings of specific shapes Display or hide the center lines on flexible ducts Extend the center lines of round takeoffs and oval takeoffs to the center lines of mains In the following image, center lines are displayed on the round ducts and fittings to the left of the multi-shape transition fitting, but they are not displayed on the transition fitting or the rectangular duct on the right.
Page 172: Display Of Objects By Classification
5 If you want to extend the center lines on takeoffs to the center lines of the mains, select Extend Center Line for Takeoffs. NOTE The center line on a takeoff is displayed if center lines are enabled for the shape corresponding to the branch connector.
Page 173: Adding Custom Graphics As A Display Component
Adding Custom Graphics as a Display Component You can add custom blocks to the display representations of some building systems objects. For example, you can add custom blocks to mechanical pipe runs to add symbology to designate hangers. To create a custom component for a building systems object 1 Draw the custom component, and save it as a block.
Page 174: Autocad Mep Templates
2 Verify that the viewport in which the object will display is on. 3 If you are using referenced drawings (xrefs), confirm the method of attachment and the xref configuration. Under certain circumstances, the Display Manager can assist you in troubleshooting object display problems. Check the display configurations to: Identify the display set applied to the viewport Verify that a display representation is selected in that display set...
Page 175: Creating A Custom Template From A Template Or Drawing
Styles, such as system definitions and object styles 1 Click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager 2 Select the style from the tree view of the first drawing, and drag it to the tree view of the second drawing. RELATED For more information, see Copying Styles Between Drawings in the AutoCAD Architecture Help.
Page 176: Creating A Custom Template
AutoCAD Drawing Template. TIP By default, the software saves the new template in the \\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\ACD-MEP 2010\enu\Template folder. 6 For File name, enter a name for the new template, and click Save. 7 In the Template Options dialog, enter a brief description of the template, and specify the measurements, and click Help to learn about New layer Notification options.
Page 177: Attaching Or Overlaying Xrefs
Whenever you open a drawing, the software reloads the xref drawings attached to it so that changes made to the xref drawings are reflected in your building system drawing. For example, if you attach an architectural floor plan as an xref, and the architect subsequently changes the location of the building’s mechanical room, the changes to the architectural floor plan are automatically reflected in your building systems drawing the next time that you open it.
Page 178: Reloading Xrefs
was created). The exception to this is when the xref contains annotative objects, and the host drawing is configured to automatically add scale representations to annotative objects as the annotation scale changes. RELATED See Adding and Modifying Scale Representations on page 554. To attach or overlay an xref 1 Click Insert tab Reference panel...
Page 179: Changing The Display Configurations Of Xrefs
Clipping an xref RELATED See “Clip Referenced Drawings and Blocks” in the AutoCAD Help. Changing the Display Configurations of Xrefs 1 Open the host drawing that contains the xref drawing for which you want to specify a different display configuration. 2 Select the xref drawing that you want to change, right-click, and click Edit Object Display.
Page 181: Chapter 6 Drawing Hvac Systems
Drawing HVAC Systems This section offers instructions on how to use AutoCAD MEP to design and draft heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for a building plan. HVAC System Workflow Mechanical system design best practice starts with the establishment of project parameters. HVAC designers can then design duct and necessary piping systems to create, size, and connect heating and cooling components.
Page 182: Mechanical System Workflow
Mechanical System Workflow Click in the left column to see a workflow demonstration. The right column provides links to help topics that supply more detailed information. Watch a demo View more information Specify routing and auto-layout behavior, duct size calculation parameters, and duct rise and ----- Define HVAC design drop display style by...
Page 183: Flow Annotation
Watch a demo View more information Place diffusers, VAV boxes, coils, dampers, and ----- other equipment by Adding HVAC Equipment Lay Out a System page 194 Connect the equipment using duct runs by ----- Draw Duct Adding Duct on page 196 Verify flow values and calculate duct to properly ----- size components by...
Page 184: Duct
Airflow Annotation worksheet Duct You can draw ductwork in many different sizes and shapes. Fittings such as elbows and tees can be placed automatically as you draft. You can also manually add fittings to your runs, which is beneficial if you want to use fittings not specified in the duct layout preferences.
Page 185: Flexible Duct Runs
You can draw duct runs in all 3 dimensions. You can also add sloped runs by specifying rise/run values. As you draw duct runs, fittings are automatically inserted to accommodate your routing geometry. The layout preferences specify which fittings are used. For more information, see Specifying Default Parts for Layout on page 180.
Page 186: Auto-Layout
For more information on the display system, see AutoCAD MEP Displays on page 134. Auto-layout As you draw duct runs, you lay out the duct run geometry by specifying points in the drawing. The software automatically inserts duct segments and fittings along the layout. You can control which ducts and fittings are inserted by configuring duct layout preferences before you begin drawing duct runs.
Page 187: Takeoff Position
Vanes tab in the Duct Fitting Properties dialog Takeoff Position You can access position information for duct fitting takeoffs from the Takeoff Position tab in the Duct Fitting Properties dialog. You can move the takeoff along or across a duct segment. You can specify a location by selecting an offset distance and position based on the start point and endpoint of the duct segment.
Page 188 Duct Sizing Methods Duct sizes are calculated using either the equal friction method or constant velocity method. For more information, see Specifying a Calculation Method for Duct Sizing on page 182. The calculations for duct friction losses are based on the Darcy and Altshul-Tsal equations described in the 2001 ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook, Chapter 34, as follows: Duct friction loss for round, rectangular, and oval ducts is calculated using equation 19.
Page 189 Duct Sizing Tools There are 3 options for calculating duct sizes: The Duct System Size Calculator calculates sizes to convert 1-line duct systems to sized 2-line duct systems. It can also calculate sizes for duct systems with defined shapes. The Instant Sizing Calculator calculates sizes for individual duct segments. Third-party, external analysis tools work in conjunction with AutoCAD MEP to analyze duct systems.
Page 190: Duct System Snaps
Duct Sizing Using Third Party Tools You can use external analysis tools to size duct networks in AutoCAD MEP drawings. For more information, contact your local Autodesk reseller. Duct System Snaps Duct snaps offer a quick and accurate way to connect duct objects. As you draw duct runs, you can use duct snaps to connect a duct, fitting, or MvPart directly to a duct connector on another object.
Page 191 The duct branch moved to the new location. Grips can also be used to quickly start drawing a duct run from a duct, fitting, or MvPart. For more information, see Adding Duct Using Grips on page 200. From top to bottom: add grips for a duct segment, a pipe elbow fitting, and a VAV outlet plenum.
Page 192: Configuring Duct System Settings
Use the add grip on a connected 90 degree fitting to create a new branch. Configuring Duct System Settings The topics in this section offer specific instructions on how to configure the primary duct settings. If you take time to configure settings prior to drawing duct systems, you should be able to lay out your designs more quickly and accurately.
Page 193: Configuring Sloped Duct
1 From the HVAC workspace, click Manage tab Preferences panel Duct NOTE You can also open Duct Preferences from the Add Ducts dialog. Click (Preferences) in the lower left corner of the dialog. Any changes you make to Duct Preferences remain in effect after you close the Add Ducts dialog.
Page 194: Breaking Duct At Even Intervals
Breaking Duct at Even Intervals Use this procedure to automatically break duct segments during layout. For example, if a duct system is going to be fabricated from straight ducts that are 10 feet long, you can configure duct layout preferences so that straight runs are automatically broken into 10-foot intervals as you draw them.
Page 195: Adding Labels Or Flow Arrows To Ducts
You can manually add, remove, or modify insulation or lining on duct components. For more information, Modifying Insulation or Lining on page 238. 1 In the HVAC workspace, click Manage tab Preferences panel Duct NOTE You can also open Duct Preferences from the Add Ducts dialog. Click (Preferences) in the lower left corner of the dialog.
Page 196: Configuring The Display Of Turning Vanes And Flanges
5 Under Layout Method, specify how many labels or flow arrows to add to each straight segment of the duct run: If you want to then Specify the total number of labels or select Space Evenly, and enter a value for Number of Labels. Note flow arrows to display on each straight that the number of labels or flow arrows is automatically added to segment of the duct run...
Page 197: Configuring Flexible Duct Preferences
The software adds these entries to the Extended tab of the Properties palette as property set data. If you do not want to display flanges and add the property set data, clear Enable Flange Connector Graphics. To modify values for one or more selected ducts or fittings 6 Select on ore more ducts or fittings, and click Home tab Build panel Tools...
Page 198: Specifying Default Parts For Layout
Specifying Default Parts for Layout Use this procedure to specify the parts and fittings that are inserted automatically as you draw a duct run. 1 In the HVAC workspace, click Manage tab Preferences panel Duct NOTE You can also open Duct Preferences from the Add Ducts dialog. Click (Preferences) in the lower left corner of the dialog.
Page 199: Configuring Duct System Definitions
NOTE You can also open Duct Preferences from the Add Ducts dialog. Click (Preferences) in the lower left corner of the dialog. Any changes you make to Duct Preferences remain in effect after you close the Add Ducts dialog. 2 In the Duct Layout Preferences dialog, click the Connections tab. 3 For Connection Style, verify that HVAC Connector Style is specified.
Page 200: Specifying A Calculation Method For Duct Sizing
1 In the HVAC workspace, click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager drop-down HVAC System Definitions 2 Create the duct system definition: If you want to… then in the left pane of Style Manager… create a new, blank system definition right-click Duct System Definitions, and click New.
Page 201: Configuring The Display Of Ducts And Fittings
NOTE The fixed parameter value is only used initially to calculate the exact duct size, which is then used to specify an available size in the catalog. Once you calculate duct size, the fixed parameter value in the Add dialog or Modify dialog might differ from the value specified in Design Parameters. Duct Sizing Methods and Tools on page 169 for an explanation of how the duct sizing calculations are made.
Page 202 10 In the Add Property Sets dialog, select SpaceEngineeringStyles, and click OK. NOTE This property set is only available in drawings created from templates provided with Autodesk Building Systems 2007 or AutoCAD MEP 2010. If this property set is not available, you can copy and paste it from the Aecb Model drawing template using Style Manager.
Page 203: Viewing Classification Settings
Viewing Classification Settings You can view the occupant densities and air flows configured for classification types. 1 Click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager 2 In the Style Manager, expand Multi-Purpose Objects Classification Definitions. 3 Click Space Occupancy. 4 In the right pane, click the Classifications tab.
Page 204 NOTE For complete information on creating, editing, and updating spaces, see Spaces in the AutoCAD Architecture online help. Recommendations for Floor Plans The Space tool should work with most kinds of floor plan drawings. When generating spaces, you can use the extruded 3D space type for most applications.
Page 205: Adding Engineering Data To Spaces
Style & Display panel Style Manager 2 Click File Open Drawing. 3 In the Open Drawing dialog, navigate to \ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\Styles\Imperial. 4 Select the gbXML Property Set Definitions drawing and click Open. 5 Expand the gbXML Property Set Definitions Documentation Objects folder.
Page 206 The property set is added to the selected spaces, and it can be viewed on the Extended Data tab. 11 Under Classification, verify that a room type (a classification) is specified for Space Occupancy. Any classification configured for the specified space style displays here. You can override it by clicking the room type, and specifying another room type in the Select Classification dialog.
Page 207: Attaching Property Sets To Zones
Property Description SupplyAirFlow and ReturnAirFlow If you are exporting gbXML data for analysis, you do not need to enter values for these fields. Airflow will be calculated for this space, and you can enter your desired values after you import the load calculations.
Page 208: Exporting Zones For Load Analysis
gbXML command exports only those zones that have spaces assigned. Zones without spaces assigned to them will not be exported. 1 Select a zone. 2 Click the Add (Plus) grip. NOTE Alternatively, click Click Zone tab Modify panel Attach 3 Select the spaces or zones to attach to the zone. You can attach spaces or zones in reference drawings to a zone in the current drawing.
Page 209: Reviewing Spaces And Zones
Success: If any errors occur during export, the event log opens to allow you to view error messages. You can view the event log at any time by clicking View Event Log. 4 The gbXML file can now be used in various analysis software programs. Reviewing Spaces and Zones You can use the Space/Zone Manager to review the zone hierarchy, and to review space information such as surface and opening type.
Page 210: Importing Load Analysis Results
3 In Space/Zone Manager, select both Show All Zones and Spaces and Show Space Surfaces. You can expand zones to review the spaces attached to them. You can expand spaces to review surfaces, surface types, and openings. 4 To modify a surface type, such as specify a wall as interior or exterior, verify that Show Space Surfaces is selected.
Page 211: Using Space And Zone Calculated Data
The calculation results are displayed under SpaceEngineeringCalculatedData for spaces, and ZoneEngineeringCalculatedData for zones. The SupplyAirFlow calculated value is used in the space tag and space schedules. You can manually enter values for return air flow. NOTE The Import gbXML command provides no direct information about the success or failure of the import operation.
Page 212: Creating A Duct System
3 In the left pane, click HVAC HVAC Tags. 4 Click Text Tags. 5 In the upper-right corner, click Next until you get to the page with the Space tag. 6 Move the cursor over the i-drop symbol. 7 Drag the i-dropper from the Content Browser, and drop the space tag tool onto a tool palette. 8 To add the space schedule, repeat the previous steps.
Page 213: Adding Hvac Equipment
Adding HVAC Equipment You add HVAC equipment using the tools on the Equipment tool palette in the HVAC tool palette group. You select a tool, use the Add MvParts dialog to select a part and configure its properties, and then add the part to the drawing.
Page 214: Configuring Mechanical Parts For Analysis
Configuring Mechanical Parts for Analysis You can assign air flow values to duct system equipment such as air terminals. The duct system can be analyzed, and sizes can be calculated using these values. 1 Select the part. TIP To configure all similar parts in the drawing at once, select the part, and click Equipment General panel Select Similar 2 Click Equipment tab...
Page 215 1 In the HVAC workspace, do one of the following: Click Home tab Build panel Duct drop-down Duct Open the Duct tool palette, and select a duct tool. 2 If you typically begin a design by defining the duct runs according to system, select a duct tool with a specific, predefined system, such as the Supply - Low Pressure tool.
Page 216 If you want to… then… calculate size for oval or rectangular duct based accept the detected value for Capacity, or enter a value for on a fixed height Capacity. Specify a size for Height, and click for Width. You can change the height and recalculate the width re- peatedly until you achieve a desirable duct size.
Page 217 If you want to… then… specify the predefined elbow angles displayed in click the Preferences icon, and then click the Routing the Elbow Angle list tab. Enter or delete elbow angles in the Predefined El- bows Angles list. NOTE The selection of elbow angles does not apply to the first segment that you draw. 9 Specify a start point, and then continue to specify points to add more segments to your run.
Page 218: Adding Duct Using Grips
Ending a Run on an Existing Duct 11 To connect a run to an existing segment, move the cursor over the existing duct segment to display the duct curve connector or duct end connector. 12 Click the duct curve or duct end connector to specify the endpoint of the run and connect to the existing segment.
Page 219: Drawing A Vertical Duct Run
1 Select the object in the drawing, and click the add grip to begin drawing a duct run: If you want to… then… start a run from one of the ends of a click the add grip at one end of the segment. duct segment start a run from the midpoint of a duct click the add grip at the midpoint of the segment.
Page 220 1 Open the Add Duct dialog: If you want to... then... draw duct directly from an MvPart select the MvPart and click the Add Duct grip for the connection you want to draw from. draw duct from any point select the 1-Line tool on the Duct tool palette in the HVAC tool palette group.
Page 221: Calculating Duct Sizes For A Duct System
Using 2 viewports to preview routing options. 6 To create a new duct run, click New Run in the Add Duct dialog. You can use AutoCAD MEP snaps to draw new branches on duct segments. You can also use add grips on MvParts, ducts, and duct fittings to create new runs.
Page 222 An example of a 1-line system. 2 Click Duct Flex tab or Duct tab Calculations panel Calculate Duct Sizes 3 In the Duct System Size Calculator, specify which ducts to size: If you want to... then... size all objects in a system select Calculate complete system.
Page 223: Adding A Duct Fitting Manually
If you want to... then... specify a maximum height for rectan- select Rectangular/Oval Max. Height and enter a value. gular or oval ducts specify which duct sizes to use from select All, 1 inch increment, or Even sizes only. the duct catalog apply duct size calculations to any ob- select Apply sizing to parts with defined shape.
Page 224: Drawing Flexible Duct
The software displays the Add Duct Fittings dialog, which displays a tree view of the current catalog. 2 The software opens the catalog at a part type folder associated with the fitting tool you selected. If necessary, navigate to the appropriate folder for the type and shape of fitting you want. 3 Select a part subtype (a fitting subtype) in the part type folder.
Page 225: Adding A Parallel Duct Run
6 Specify a start point. If using Spline segment mode, specify a start tangent point or press ENTER for none. 7 Continue to specify points to add more segments to the run. To switch between segment modes during layout, enter l (line) to draft a line segment, enter a (arc) to draft an arc segment, or enter sp (spline) to draft a spline segment.
Page 226: Offsetting Duct From Existing Geometry
Offsetting Duct from Existing Geometry Use this procedure to draw a duct run that is offset at a specified distance from existing geometry. For example, you can draw a duct run that is offset a specific distance from a wall in a referenced drawing. The geometry can be AutoCAD lines or blocks, AutoCAD Architecture building objects, or AutoCAD MEP objects, and the geometry can exist in a reference drawing.
Page 227: Connecting Ducts Through Referenced Drawings
run to a vertical segment. Your segment may try to snap to one end of the vertical segment instead of connecting along the segment at the desired elevation. To avoid these situations, you can lock the elevation. You can turn on the elevation lock for a portion of a duct run, and turn it off for other portions where you want to use different elevations.
Page 228 Simple duct systems on separate floors connected to a vertical trunk in a reference drawing. 1 Verify that the xref containing the duct system is loaded in the drawing, and verify that the reference drawing itself is not open. 2 Draw a duct run to connect your duct system with the duct system in the reference drawing. Use the Lock Elevation icon in the Add Duct dialog to connect the duct run to the reference object at the same elevation as the duct run.
Page 229: Adding A Takeoff To A Duct
Opening the reference drawing; note the takeoffs added to connect with the duct systems on each floor. Adding a Takeoff to a Duct Takeoffs enable you to position a fitting at any location on a duct segment. You attach the takeoff to the center line or curve of the segment, and then rotate the takeoff to a specified angle around the segment.
Page 230 If you want to… then… change the location of the takeoff along the length right-click in the drawing area, and click Slide. Drag of the duct segment the fitting along the duct segment, and select a new location. 8 Specify the rotation angle: If you want to specify the…...
Page 231: Converting A Line To Duct
12 Specify the rotation angle around the duct segment: If you want to specify the… then… rotation angle on the X axis click the X cell under Rotate Around, drag the takeoff around the X axis, and then select a position. You can also enter a number for the angle.
Page 232: Adding Turning Vanes To Fittings
3 Do one of the following: Press ENTER or enter n (no) to leave the layout geometry in the drawing. Enter y (yes) to erase the layout geometry from the drawing. 4 In the Modify Flex Duct dialog, specify a System, Elevation, Size, and Part, and then click OK. Adding Turning Vanes to Fittings Use this procedure to add turning vanes to a fitting.
Page 233: Creating A Custom Duct Fitting
Setting Description mirror current vanes for tees; mirror the first set of vanes around a specified line keep vane path displays vane path on the fitting; specify no to not show the vane path 5 When prompted to select a start point, specify the inside corner of the fitting. 6 Specify the outside corner of the fitting as the vane path endpoint.
Page 234 Style Manager showing the custom duct fittings created in the current drawing NOTE Custom fittings cannot be added to a part catalog. If you create a custom fitting to be used multiple times, you can share custom fittings between drawings using the copy and paste functionality. Before you create a new custom fitting, you need to draw the centerline of the fitting you want to create.
Page 235: Using The Part Size Not Found Dialog
3 Select the polylines, lines, or arcs that represent the centerline of the custom fitting, and press ENTER. 4 In the Create Custom Fitting dialog, enter a name, and then select a system. 5 Specify the shape and size for the start and end of each segment, and then select Mitered End if an end is mitered.
Page 236: Annotating A Duct System
NOTE In contrast, the Multiple Parts Sizes Found dialog appears when the current catalog contains multiple sizes specified for a part that you are trying to insert. Choose the desired size from the list of available catalog part sizes that match the specified nominal size specified. Annotating a Duct System You can add annotation, such as labels and flow arrows, to duct systems in a drawing.
Page 237: Adding A Hatching Pattern To Identify A Duct System
By default, the label is placed along the duct segment. Press Ctrl before specifying the label location to move the label off the duct. 6 In the Add Labels dialog, click Close. You can add, modify, or delete labels using grips. For more information, see Modifying a Label on page 239.
Page 238: Modifying Components Using Grips
Use the Select Connected Branches command to select all components of a duct run, or a portion of the duct run. Use a bounding box to select a group of objects, and use the Properties palette to modify settings for a particular part type.
Page 239: Moving Duct Components
Moving Duct Components You can move duct segments, duct fittings, and parts using Location grips. If the object is connected to a system, you can choose to move connected objects to maintain connectivity. You can move the object in the current XY plane only. NOTE For information on modifying the elevation, see Modifying the Elevation of HVAC Parts and Ducts on page...
Page 240: Modifying The Elevation Of Hvac Parts And Ducts
Moving an object using a location grip NOTE If a duct segment is not connected to another object, you can change its angle and length using the Start or End grip. The Start and End grips enable you to change the XYZ location of the start point or endpoint of the segment. This makes them particularly useful when initially designing duct runs because you can use them to easily connect a segment to an existing run.
Page 241 NOTE Elevation grips are not available on flex or sloping duct segments. You can modify the elevation of the start point of a selected flex duct segment by clicking Duct Flex tab Modify panel Flex Duct Modify . Modify sloping duct segments by individually selecting and adjusting the elevations of connected fittings and clicking Duct Fitting tab Modify panel Duct Fitting Modify...
Page 242 Modifying the elevation of a duct 224 | Chapter 6 Drawing HVAC Systems...
Page 243: Modifying The Length Of Ducts
You can also modify the elevation by selecting the object, and selecting the corresponding component’s Modify command from Modify panel on the contextual ribbon tab, as appropriate. Then, in the Modify dialog you enter a new value for Elevation and click OK. When you this method instead of Location grips, the software adjusts connected fittings and segments to maintain connectivity, but retains the locations of parts.
Page 244 Lengthen grips on duct segments NOTE For information on modifying the length of flex ducts, which do not have Lengthen grips, see Modifying the Layout of Flexible Duct on page 236. To modify the length of a duct segment 1 Select the duct segment. 2 Select the Lengthen grip on the end you want to modify.
Page 245 NOTE To use the dimension input fields, both dynamic input on the application status bar) and the Dimension Input drafting setting must be enabled. They are enabled by default. If you have disabled them, you can specify the new length by selecting a stretch point in the drawing or entering one in the command window.
Page 246: Rotating Duct Components
NOTE If the duct segment is not connected to another object, you can change both its length and angle using the Start or End grip. The Start and End grips enable you to change the XYZ location of the start point or endpoint of the segment. This makes them particularly useful when initially designing runs because you can use them to easily connect a segment to an existing run.
Page 247 Rotating a damper 180 degrees in plan view In isometric views, if the part, fitting, or takeoff has round connectors on opposite ends, you can also use the diamond-shaped ( ) Rotate grip to rotate the object around its centerline to any angle you specify. Rotating a damper in an isometric view AutoCAD MEP displays Rotate grips on all HVAC in-line...
Page 248: Modifying Hvac Equipment
To rotate an in-line part, fitting, or takeoff 1 Select the part, fitting, or takeoff. 2 Rotate the object: If you want to... then... rotate the object 180 degrees (flip the object) click the Flip grip ( rotate the object 90 degrees while pressing CTRL, click the Flip grip ( NOTE If the part is rectangular or oval, the soft- ware automatically switches its height and width...
Page 249: Modifying Hvac Parts
4 Specify the new location: If you want to... then... specify exact coordinates for the loca- specify the X, Y, and Z coordinates under Insertion. tion. rotate the part around the X, Y, or Z specify the X, Y, and Z values under Normal. axis rotate the part in the current plane specify an angle for Rotation.
Page 250: Changing A Part To Match Another Part
Changing a Part to Match Another Part Use this procedure to change an MvPart to match another MvPart in the drawing. You can change an MvPart of one type to match an MvPart of another type. For example, you can change a valve to a pump. 1 Select the MvPart you want to change.
Page 251: Modifying The Size Or Shape Of A Duct
To enhance visual clarity in a drawing, you can assign hatching patterns to ductwork to easily identify different duct systems. For example, you can assign hatching patterns to ductwork that will be demolished as part of a building modification. Modifying the Size or Shape of a Duct Use this procedure to change the shape or size of a duct segment.
Page 252: Modifying Duct Using Autocad Commands
Modifying Duct Using AutoCAD Commands ® See the AutoCAD Help for information on using AutoCAD commands to modify a duct. Breaking or Merging Duct You can break or merge duct segments. You can also choose to have duct segments broken automatically as you draw them.
Page 253: Locking The Size Of A Duct Or Fitting
If you want to… then… merge multiple segments select Merge, click the Select Object icon, and select the segments to merge. Locking the Size of a Duct or Fitting Use this procedure to lock the size of a duct component when modifying a run. When a component is locked, its size cannot be changed even if the entire branch is being resized.
Page 254: Modifying The Layout Of Flexible Duct
If you want to modify… then… the part size click the Part tab, and select a different part for Part Size Name. the type or size of the connection points click the Part Filter tab, and then modify the values for each connector.
Page 255: Moving An Off-Center Takeoff
TIP The vertex layout options are also available on the context menu. NOTE In the Modify Flex Duct dialog, you can also modify other properties, such as system and elevation. Moving an Off-Center Takeoff You can move an off-center takeoff along or across a segment. You can also relocate the takeoff to a different side of, or angle around, the segment.
Page 256: Modifying Turning Vanes
ERASE, MOVE, ROTATE and ROTATE3D, and SCALE commands break system connections. COPY, MIRROR, OFFSET, and ARRAY commands maintain custom fitting part properties and property sets. ® RELATED See AutoCAD Help for more information on the above commands. Modifying Turning Vanes You cannot modify the number or layout of turning vanes once they are added to a fitting.
Page 257: Checking Connectivity In A Duct System
If you want to then modify the lining thickness specify a new value for Thickness. remove insulation or lining deselect Apply Insulation or Apply Lining. You can also add insulation or lining automatically as you draw duct runs. For more information, see Adding Lining or Insulation on page 176.
Page 258 To modify a label using grips 1 Select a label to turn on the grips. 2 Specify the change: If you want to… Then… add a label click the Add Label grip. Hold down CTRL while clicking to add labels at even spacing. remove a label click the Remove Label grip.
Page 259: Calculating Duct Sizes Using External Tools
If you want to… Then… rotate a label node Click Label tab Modify panel Rotate , select a rotation point, and enter a rotation value. You can rotate an individual label, or you can rotate all labels in your drawing. anchor the label to a different object Click Label tab Modify panel...
Page 260: Specifying Ashrae Fitting Types
Specifying ASHRAE Fitting Types Use this procedure to assign ASHRAE identification numbers to duct fittings in a duct system. You can assign ASHRAE numbers to fittings by using the Properties palette, or by using the Modify Fitting ID dialog in the event log of the Duct System XML Export dialog.
Page 261 To be eligible for exporting, each system must have at least one start point and one endpoint. A system is defined as any ductwork between a start point and one or more endpoints. A start point must consist of a fan or other air handling device.
Page 262: Importing Optimized System Data
9 After you successfully export your system data, you analyze it using an external tool. You then import it back to your drawing as shown in Importing Optimized System Data on page 244. Importing Optimized System Data Use this procedure to import duct system data that has been analyzed and optimized by an external analysis tool.
Page 263: Creating Duct System Construction Documents
The optimized system after resizing 1 In the HVAC workspace, open the Analysis tool palette, and select the External Data Resize tool. 2 In the System Resize dialog, click Select Object. 3 In the drawing, select a duct segment or fitting in the system you want to resize. 4 In the System Resize dialog, specify a preference for custom parts: If you…...
Page 265: Chapter 7 Drawing Piping Systems
Drawing Piping Systems This section offers instructions on how to use AutoCAD MEP to design and draft mechanical piping systems for a building plan. Pipe Systems Overview Pipe system engineers design parallel and gravity-based pipe systems that range in size and complexity. With AutoCAD MEP, you can define piping specifications, routing preferences, and system definitions that the software can use when laying out the pipe run.
Page 266: Associative Movement
Review the steps View more information Define the look of your piping layouts. See Specify system definitions for Configuring System Definitions on page 281 for chilled water or steam systems, size ----- an overview and Configuring System Definitions ranges, and display properties. on page 281 for more information.
Page 267: Movement Of A Pipe Mvpart
Location grip selected on pipe segment New location specified Resulting layout The fittings connected to the pipe move with the pipe, but all other components in the run remain fixed in their original position. The elbows connected to the pipe move with it, and the length of the pipes connected to the elbows change.
Page 268: Routing Preferences
Location grip selected on MvPart New location specified Resulting layout Routing Preferences You use routing preferences to draw accurate pipe systems in auto layout on page 252. Pipe routing preferences specify which pipe part to insert as you lay out the pipe run. Couplings are inserted at the proper pipe length and at break points on page 297 in the pipe run.
Page 269 Routing preferences, showing parts organized based on material type Multiple size ranges provide more flexibility in your piping designs. For example, assume a design specification for a chilled water system requires commercial steel pipe with threaded connections for all pipe sizes 3'' and lower.
Page 270: Auto Layout
24”. NOTE The size ranges in the routing preference definitions in drawings created with Autodesk Building Systems 2007 were not validated by the software to ensure the selected parts had nominal sizes in common within the specified range.
Page 271 Auto-layout example: The user moves the cursor at a 90 degree angle to the pipe segment. A 90 degree elbow is automatically inserted after the point is specified. Several AutoCAD MEP tools help to streamline the layout of a pipe run. For example, you can specify an angle using the compass.
Page 272: Routing Solutions
Routing Solutions When you connect objects at different elevations or slopes, or connect objects whose centerlines are not aligned, the software can generate routing solutions with different combinations of fittings or joints. You can preview the routing solutions and select the desired alternative. TIP To accurately preview routing solutions, especially those at different elevations or slopes, you can use a workspace configured for 2 viewports.
Page 273 First routing solution Second routing solution TIP If you are routing pressure piping on page 251, you can increase the software response time by doing the following: specify No for Use fitting tolerance, specify the desired angle for Bend angle, and specify the preferred Branch fitting.
Page 274: Sloped Piping
NOTE When you connect a pipe segment directly to another segment in a pipe run (constrained layout page 255), the software displays the actual slope value for the pipe segment. For more information on this feature, see Slope Value Displayed in Constrained Piping Layouts on page 257.
Page 275: Pipe System Definitions
Slopes Supported by Gravity-Based Piping Systems Gravity Pipe tab on page 291 on the Piping tool palette contains the pipe tools that support sloped piping. Gravity-based pipe designs support drain, process drain, sanitary, sanitary vent, and storm systems in the following slopes: 1/8”...
Page 276: Pipe System Displays
system definitions to connect while maintaining the same system for each run. For example, you can assign the same system group to Heating Hot Water - Supply and Heating Hot Water - Recirculation. You then can connect pipe runs between these 2 systems while maintaining their original system settings. The default templates include many pipe system definitions, such as chilled water, heating hot water, and steam.
Page 277: Line Display
Display configura- Description Additional notes tion not scaled for graphical 1-line; uses hidden lines Definition. You use Plan to display hidden lines and rise/drop symbology for MEP objects. MEP Basic 2-Line Shows all pipe components and equipment as Uses the 2 Line Display Representation 2-line, regardless of system definition configura- While rise/drops are displayed in Basic 2-line, tions for 1-line and graphical 1-line;...
Page 278: Graphical 1-Line Display
Graphical 1-Line Display You can choose a graphical 1-line display to show a generalized routing of a pipe system. The graphical 1-line display uses non-scaled components. It displays equipment as schematic symbols but does not visually indicate a fitting or joint type. The sizes of components and equipment symbols are not related to their actual dimensions but are related to the physical model location.
Page 279: Straight Centerline Display Of Elbows
geometry. Typically, larger diameter pipelines are displayed as 2-line to allocate space or check interference with surrounding objects. Straight Centerline Display of Elbows Pipe standards and companies use straight centerlines in 1-line, 2-line, model, and plan displays to accurately represent the location of the intersection of an elbow. Pipe designs typically determine the centerline path. Wastewater piping contractors and fabricators use straight centerlines to guarantee accuracy in process piping installations and fabrication drawings.
Page 280: Pipe Parts Catalog
the part subtype as shown in Modifying the Routing Preference and Nominal Size on page 328 and Modifying a Pipe Fitting on page 331. Pipe Parts Catalog The pipe parts catalog contains parts in a pipe system in thousands of sizes. The Piping domain includes the following part types: Connector Coupling...
Page 281 Pipe parts catalog for cast iron pipe parts In the Global profile, the pipe parts catalog is organized by type and outside diameter, as follows: Commercial pipe: Pipe and fitting dimensions based on commercial steel pipe; also includes plastic pipes, such as PVC.
Page 282: Pipe Connections
Couplings under Pipe catalog Pipe fittings and connectors have specific connection types, but pipe segments do not. Pipe connectors, such as flanges, are treated as separate objects in the actual construction. For example, when a flanged elbow is connected to a pipe segment, a separate flanged connector is added to the pipe segment. You can account for all the connectors in the system and create schedules for them.
Page 283: Connector Assignments
Connectors on grooved couplings are located inside the coupling at the depth, due to the design geometry of the grooved coupling. Grooved coupling connector locations MvPart and fitting connectors are assigned a connection type. For example, a base-mounted pump has flange connection types assigned to its connectors, and a threaded coupling has a threaded connection type assigned to it.
Page 284: Connection Types For Pipe And Pipe Fittings
Connection Types for Pipe and Pipe Fittings You assign connection types in the Connector Properties dialog as you build fittings content using the Content Builder (see Adding Connectors to a Parametric Fitting on page 682). Assigned connection types are then displayed on the Connection Assignments tab on page 296 of the Pipe Layout Preferences dialog.
Page 285: Male-Female Fittings
Male-Female Fittings You can use Content Builder to create custom parametric parts with male, female, or a combination of both types of connectors based on real-world piping requirements. For example, you can set the CEL (connector engagement length on page 267) values to match the actual depth of the connector. You also can set the AoD value (angle of deflection on page 267) to match the allowable...
Page 286: Pipe Joints
Pipe Joints AutoCAD MEP treats pipe joints as objects that are separate from the pipe segment. For example, a pipe segment with flanged connections actually comprises 3 objects: 1 pipe segment and 2 flanges. The software adds joints as you draw pipe, based on selections made under Routing Options on the Pipe Properties palette on page 286.
Page 287 The reported cut length value varies depending on the connection type of the attached fitting. For example, with hub flange couplings, the software considers the overall length of the connected object (including the coupling length). The following example shows how the software reports the cut length based on this scenario.
Page 288: Pipe Snaps
The third and fourth illustrations show other fittings connected to the pipe end. If a coupling is added, the midpoint of the coupling is located at the original pipe end location. The pipe end is moved to the adjacent coupling face. An elbow is added at the end of the pipe, and the pipe end stays in the same location. The pipe length stays the same, but the cut length increases because the elbow CEL is added to the length.
Page 289: Pipe Grips
elevation prevents the horizontal segment from snapping to one end of the vertical segment. It allows you to connect along the segment at the desired elevation. You can turn on the elevation lock for a portion of a pipe run, and turn it off for other portions where you want to use different elevations. If the lock is turned on, you cannot connect to an object on a different elevation.
Page 290 Grips activated for a flanged tee (isometric view) Grips for Adding to a Pipe Run The add grips ( ) on pipe segments, pipe fittings, and MvParts let you accurately add more pipe objects to a run. Add grips ensure connectivity along the pipe run. On a pipe segment On a pipe fitting On an MvPart (pump)
Page 291 Add grip on an elbow Pipe run drawn from the elbow Elbow automatically converted to a RELATED For more information, see Adding Pipe Using Grips on page 302. Grips for Modifying a Pipe Run AutoCAD MEP includes various grips for modifying pipe objects in a pipe run. Location Grips Location grips let you move parts in the current XY plane in a pipe run while still maintaining connectivity with the rest of the system.
Page 292 On pipe segment On pipe fitting On MvPart (pump) RELATED For more information, see Moving Pipe Components Using Location Grips on page 320. Elevation Grips Elevation grips ( ) let you modify the elevation of parts and pipe segments in the model view, relative to the top, centerline, or bottom of the segment.
Page 293 The following example shows how to modify the elevation of a pipe segment. To provide more room for accessing the valve hand wheels, a horizontal pipe segment is raised by a dimension relative to its current elevation. As a result, the software adjusts connected objects to maintain their connectivity. Modifying the elevation of a pipe Flip and Rotate Grips Arrow-shaped (...
Page 294 Rotating a 3-way valve 90 degrees in plan view In isometric views, diamond-shaped ( ) rotate grips let you rotate the object around its centerline to any angle you specify. AutoCAD MEP displays flip grips on all piping in-line parts, fittings and takeoffs with connectors on opposite ends.
Page 295 When you use the lengthen grip on an end that is connected to another object, you can specify whether to maintain connectivity between the objects. For more information, see Modifying the Length of a Pipe Segment on page 322. Lengthen grips on pipe segments The next illustrations show a pipe segment in a sprinkler system that is lengthened with grips.
Page 296 Selected pipe Selected lengthen grip in edit mode New length entered Resulting layout 278 | Chapter 7 Drawing Piping Systems...
Page 297: Configuring Pipe System Settings
If the pipe segment is not connected to another object, you can change both its length and angle using the Start grip or End grip. The Start and End grips let you change the XYZ location of the start point or endpoint of the segment.
Page 298: Configuring Properties For A Routing Preference
If you want to ... then in the left pane of Style Manager ... copy an existing routing preference Right-click the routing preference in the left pane, and click Copy. Next, right-click Pipe Part Routing Preferences, and click Paste. Then, right-click the copied item, and click Rename.
Page 299: Deleting A Routing Preference
5 To specify the upper and lower limits for a size range, do the following: If you want to specify ... then ... the upper limit select a size for Size Upper Limit. You can select from the list of nominal sizes that are common to all of the selected parts in the size range.
Page 300: Configuring System Definitions For 1-Line, 2-Line, Or Single Line Graphics
1 In the Piping workspace, click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager drop-down Piping System Definitions 2 Create a pipe system definition: If you want to… then in the left pane of Style Manager… create a new system definition Right-click Pipe System Definitions in the left pane, and click New.
Page 301: Configuring Graphics For Single Line Pipe Display
To specify 2-line 7 In the right pane of Style Manager, clear Display pipe and inline/anchored components as single line displays and Display pipe and inline/anchored components as graphical 1-line. To specify single-line graphics 8 In the right pane of Style Manager, select Display pipe and inline/anchored components as single line displays.
Page 302: Configuring The Straight Centerline Display Of Elbows
5 In the right pane, click the Single Line Graphics tab. 6 For Connector Graphics Block, select a block that matches the pipe connection type in the left column. NOTE Block naming for unique connection graphics use Aecb_ConnectionType. However, many connection types use the same Aecb_StandardPipe1LineGraphic graphics block.
Page 303: Creating A Piping System
Creating a Piping System You insert an architectural floor plan as a reference and design piping systems within that floor plan. You then create a piping system by adding equipment and pipe runs to a drawing. You can add pipe components in the following ways: Click Home tab Build panel...
Page 304: Adding Parts In-Line To Pipe
8 (Optional) Click the K-Factor tab to assign a K-factor value to sprinklers. TIP Sprinklers are listed under Fire Protection. 9 Specify an insertion point in the drawing, and use the compass to specify a rotation angle. 10 Press Enter to end the command. TIP To add another MvPart that is currently in the drawing, select the MvPart, click Equipment General panel Add Selected...
Page 305: Basic Properties
Basic Properties By default, Basic properties are displayed on the Pipe Properties palette. NOTE In the following tables, properties related to sloped piped layouts on page 256 are preceded by an asterisk (*). Properties related to flexible pipe are preceded by double asterisks (**) and are only available when you add flexible pipe.
Page 306 Dimensions Action Selections Specify cut length Select Yes and then, for Cut length, enter a dimension. Selecting No (default) Cut length No hides the Cut length property. RELATED For more information, see Pipe Length on page 268. Placement Action Selections Elevation Enter a Z value (elevation) above or below the XY plane of the 0 (default)
Page 307: Advanced Properties
Routing Action Selections Rise value, Run=constant value Fractional Rise value, Run= con- stant value *Slope Enter a slope value (rise/run in previous releases) that reflects the 0 (default) slope format. NOTE If you change the slope value while you are adding more pipe parts to a run, a fitting will be added to adjust the slope.
Page 308 Advanced properties shown expanded NOTE In the following tables, properties related to sloped piped layouts on page 256 are preceded by an asterisk (*). Properties related to flexible pipe are preceded by double asterisks (**) and are only available when you add flexible pipe.
Page 309: Adding Pipe Using The Tool Palette
Routing options Action Selections Fitting settings Opens the Fitting Set- Click to open the Fitting Settings worksheet. For more inform- tings worksheet ation, see Overriding a Fitting on page 305. *Preferences Opens the Pipe Layout Click to configure pipe layout preference settings. For more Preferences dialog (in- information, see Configuring Pipe Layout Preferences...
Page 310 Pressure Pipe tab on Piping tool palette Use gravity pipe tools in sloped piping designs. Gravity Pipe tab on Piping tool palette 292 | Chapter 7 Drawing Piping Systems...
Page 311: Configuring Basic Properties For Pipe
RELATED For more information about sloped piping designs, see Sloped Piping on page 256, Pipe Properties Palette (Add Mode) on page 286, and Drawing Sloped Piping on page 308. NOTE Alternatively, you can click Home tab Build panel Pipe drop-down Pipe , or enter PipeAdd at the command line.
Page 312: General Preferences
General Preferences You use the General tab in the Pipe Layout Preferences dialog to control pipe layout preferences for slope, elevation, labels, and flow arrows. You can specify preferences for slope, elevation, labels, and flow arrows. General tab in the Pipe Layout Preferences dialog Slope preferences 1 On the General tab of the Pipe Layout Preferences dialog...
Page 313 2 Choose drawing units for Rise and for Run. The Units list is only turned on if you first selected a slope format. The units in the list are derived from the current profile and from selections made in the Drawing Setup dialog. For example, for Metric, you can choose meters, millimeters, etc.
Page 314 Labels Flow arrows NOTE For more information, see Modifying a Label Style on page 555 and Adding Labels or Flow Arrows to Pipe on page 317. Connection Assignments You use the Connection Assignments tab to assign the proper name of a male connection type to its female counterpart.
Page 315: Configuring Justification For Pipe Insertion
Any connection type designated as Undefined that attaches to a female connector type in a drawing will display as male and will reflect the selection made in this dialog. NOTE Male or female connection types must adhere to rules for connection behavior on page 652 based on the on page 267 value.
Page 316: Drawing A Pipe Run
When activated, the automatic cut length is applied to all pipe system definitions. For example, the cut length is applied to chilled water systems, steam systems, natural gas systems, or any other defined pipe system in the drawing. If you want to use different cut lengths when drawing different pipe systems, change the cut length as described in this procedure prior to working with each system.
Page 317 3 To start a new run from the end of a segment, move the cursor over the end of the existing pipe segment to display the pipe end connector snap. 4 Click the pipe end connector to specify the start point of the new run. The routing preference, size, and system for the new run match the existing pipe.
Page 318 To end a run on an existing pipe 11 Move the cursor over the existing pipe segment to display the pipe curve connector or pipe end connector. 12 Click the pipe curve or pipe end connector to specify the endpoint of the run and connect to the existing segment.
Page 319 3 Move the cursor over the MvPart connection to display the pipe end connector. 4 Click the pipe end connector to connect the pipe run to the MvPart. TIP You might be prompted to accept or undo the connection. If the pipe segment centerline is not aligned with the MvPart connector centerline, the software automatically presents routing solutions you can preview and use.
Page 320: Adding Pipe Using Grips
Vertical pipe segment added 4 Continue specifying points for the pipe run geometry. TIP When drawing pipe systems, you can check connectivity among components, and you can set and view flow direction. Maintaining connectivity in a system ensures that all modifications are applied to the appropriate parts. For more information, see Checking Connectivity in a Pipe System on page 332 and...
Page 321: Manually Specifying Parts During Layout
If you want to… then… add a joint to an existing pipe run hold down the Ctrl key while clicking the add grip and then click to add pipe. TIP If the Use fitting tolerance property on the Properties palette on page 286 is set to Yes, a coupling will be added to the pipe.
Page 322 Choose a Part dialog showing pipe parts organized by material type The following table summarizes scenarios where the Choose a Part dialog is displayed, prompting you for a part substitution: Scenario Displays a dialog as Displays a dialog as you you add to the layout modify the layout The part is not stored in the current routing preference (for pipe)
Page 323 Overriding a Fitting You can override a routing preference and specify a different part to use while drawing a pipe run. For example, if you want to use a threaded takeoff for a specific run instead of the default butt-welded takeoff, you can override the default takeoff.
Page 324: Using Routing Solutions To Connect Objects
Using Routing Solutions to Connect Objects 1 Start a pipe segment from the first object. For information on starting a pipe run from an existing pipe object, see Adding Pipe Using Grips on page 302 or Connecting to Existing Pipe on page 298.
Page 325: Creating A Custom Pipe Fitting
Select a Part dialog Under Select Part from Catalog, the dialog organizes pipe fittings based on material type in the US Imperial and US Metric profiles. For more information, see Pipe Parts Catalog on page 262. 4 (Optional) Select Display/Hide additional part parameters to expand the contents of the parameters table.
Page 326: Drawing Sloped Piping
NOTE You cannot add custom fittings to a part catalog. If you create a custom fitting to be used multiple times, you can share custom fittings between drawings using the copy and paste functionality. 1 In the Piping workspace, draw the centerlines of the new custom fitting using lines, polylines, or arcs.
Page 327 General tab in the Pipe Layout Preferences dialog NOTE You cannot edit Slope format on the Properties palette. You select a format that satisfies your piping requirements in the Pipe Layout Preferences dialog. For example, selecting Rise/Run with Fractional Rise sets a fractional slope per foot (for example, 1/4” per foot). For more information, see General Preferences on page 294.
Page 328: Drawing A Flexible Pipe Run
Adding pipe NOTE If you connect a pipe segment directly to another segment in a pipe run, the software displays the actual slope value for the pipe segment. For more information, see Constrained Layout Solutions on page 255 and Slope Value Displayed in Constrained Piping Layouts on page 257.
Page 329: Viewing Connection Details
1 If necessary, in the Piping workspace, click Home tab Build panel Tools drop-down Tools 2 Select a flexible pipe tool from the Piping tool palette. TIP You can also use the PipeFlexAdd command or hold down the Alt key for the same result. 3 On the Properties palette on page 286, under General, specify a system.
Page 330 Connection Details worksheet (showing details of a fitting) The Connection Details worksheet displays the following information depending on the type of pipe object that is selected. All values except location coordinates are read-only. You can edit Location X, Location Y, and Elevation Y in this worksheet: Nominal size: Size as specified in the routing preference Flow direction: In, out, or bidirectional orientation of the flow of the pipe object...
Page 331: Adding A Parallel Pipe Run Using Offsets
Adding a Parallel Pipe Run Using Offsets You can use justification on the Properties palette to offset a new pipe run from an existing run. When you draw the parallel run, you select points on the existing run, and the new parallel run is created at the offset distance.
Page 332: Offsetting Pipe From Existing Geometry
Note that for elbows and other curved fittings, a pipe curve connector is displayed at the logical intersection of the fitting centerlines. This ensures that the pipe is offset the specific distance along the entire parallel run. IMPORTANT If you draw parallel pipe runs at a close distance to each other, and plot them at a small scale, they may blend together on the plotted sheet.
Page 333: Locking Pipe Elevation During Drawing
You can use object or AutoCAD MEP snaps to select points on the geometry. 4 Continue selecting points along the geometry. To turn off the offset at any point, specify 0 for Horizontal Offset or Vertical Offset, and continue laying out the run. Locking Pipe Elevation During Drawing Start the Add Pipes command on page 291.
Page 334 3 On the Properties palette on page 286, under General, click the part image. 4 In the Select a Part dialog, choose a part from the catalog. Select a Part dialog Under Select Part from Catalog, the dialog organizes pipe parts based on material type in the US Imperial and US Metric profiles.
Page 335: Adding Insulation To Pipe
Adding Insulation to Pipe Insulation is only visible when piping is displayed as 2-line. When you activate this feature, insulation is added to all pipe system definitions as you draw pipe. A new pipe or pipe fitting inherits the insulation values from the existing pipe or pipe fitting where it was added.
Page 336: Converting A Polyline To Flexible Pipe
If you chose then than the interval distance, a label or flow arrow is not added to that segment. Flow arrows by distance Flow arrows repeated at a uniform interval RELATED For more on annotation, such as tags, schedules, cross-sectional views, and details, see Annotation page 548.
Page 337: Filtering Pipe Objects With Quick Select
Filtering Pipe Objects with Quick Select 1 Select multiple objects. Select Connected Branches command used to select a pipe run 2 On the Properties palette on page 325, click (Quick Select). 3 In the Quick Select dialog, specify the following filter settings and then click OK: Object type Property Operator...
Page 338: Moving Pipe Components Using Location Grips
Modifying Components Using Grips You can use grips to modify pipe components in a pipe run including: Location grips Elevation grips Flip grips (rotate 180 degrees) Lengthen grips Moving Pipe Components Using Location Grips 1 Select the part or pipe segment. 2 Select a location grip.
Page 339: Rotating Pipe Components
4 If the part or pipe segment is connected to another object, specify whether and how to maintain connectivity: If you want to… then… maintain connectivity by adjusting only proceed to the next step. pipe fittings and segments, and retain the current locations of parts maintain connectivity by adjusting all press Ctrl.
Page 340: Modifying The Length Of A Pipe Segment
Modifying the Length of a Pipe Segment 1 Select the pipe segment. 2 Select the lengthen grip on the end you want to modify. 3 If the segment is connected to an object on the end you selected, specify whether and how to maintain connectivity: If you want to...
Page 341: Modifying The Size Or Elevation Of An Mvpart
Using the Properties palette 1 Select the MvPart you want to modify in the drawing. 2 On the Properties palette on page 325, under Placement, specify a location or orientation change: If you want to… then… change the elevation specify an elevation. rotate the MvPart around its normal specify a value for Rotation.
Page 342: Matching An Mvpart Of One Type To Another
NOTE If you change the elevation for an MvPart that is connected to other objects, the objects remain connected and are placed at the new elevation. Matching an MvPart of One Type to Another 1 Select the MvPart to change. 2 Click Equipment tab Modify panel Modify Equipment...
Page 343: Pipe Properties Palette (Modify Mode)
Pipe Properties Palette (Modify Mode) This section defines the properties on the Design tab of the Properties palette that you use as you modify the piping system. The Design tab is divided into two sections: Basic and Advanced. Basic Properties Basic properties are expanded by default.
Page 344 Placement Description Start elevation The elevation at the starting and ending points of the pipe segment End elevation Start/end elevation on Properties palette Move attached segments The ability to specify whether to move the attached pipe segments if the location of the selected part has changed (default —...
Page 345 Advanced properties (includes pipe flex properties) NOTE In the following table, properties related to sloped piped layouts on page 256 are preceded by an asterisk (*). Properties related to flexible pipe are preceded by double asterisks (**) and are only available when you add flexible pipe.
Page 346: Modifying The Routing Preference And Nominal Size
Modifying the Routing Preference and Nominal Size You can apply a different routing preferences on page 250 to a pipe run to change connection types, such as change a run from flanged connections to grooved. You can also change pipe type, such as change commercial pipe to iron pipe.
Page 347: Modifying Connected Objects Along A Pipe Run
If you want to… then… enter coordinates to specify a new loc- Under Insertion Point, specify the new X, Y, and Z coordinates. ation change the normal axis, and reorient Under Normal, specify 1 for the normal axis, and specify 0 for the the part along the new normal other 2 axes.
Page 348: Locking The Size Of A Pipe Or Fitting
If you want to… then… manually select segments to modify click (Select Objects), and select specific segments to break or merge. 4 Specify the operation and then click OK: If you want to… then… break a segment select Break, and enter a value for Pipe Length. You can also click (Pipe Length), and specify a start point and endpoint for the new length.
Page 349: Modifying The System Assigned To A Pipe
Modifying the System Assigned to a Pipe 1 Select a pipe segment in the pipe run. 2 On the Properties palette on page 325, select a system. NOTE Alternatively, you change the system by clicking Pipe tab Modify panel Modify Run 3 (Optional) You can also use the Modify Run command to update the connected pipe segments along the designated pipe run.
Page 350: Modifying Insulation On A Pipe Or Fitting
TIP Click the location grip and then the Ctrl key once to maintain the connection with the MvPart. Click the location grip and then the Ctrl key twice to break the connection. Modifying Insulation on a Pipe or Fitting 1 Select one or more pipe segments or pipe fittings. 2 On the Properties palette on page 325, expand Advanced.
Page 351 To modify a label using grips 1 Select a label to turn on the grips on page 271. 2 Specify the change: If you want to… then… add a label click the add grip. Hold down Ctrl while clicking to add labels at even spacing.
Page 352 If you want to… then… anchor the label to a different object click Label tab Modify panel Move To Object , and select the new object to which to anchor the label. 2 To change the label properties, select the label in the drawing, and then on the Design tab of Properties palette on page 325 under Dimensions, modify the layout method as follows: If you want to display the labels…...
Page 353: Chapter 8 Drawing Radiant Heating Systems
Drawing Radiant Heating Systems This section describes how to use AutoCAD MEP to create and modify the radiators, valves, and the pipe work used in radiant heating systems. Radiant Heating Systems Overview Refer to the following workflow for creating and modifying radiator systems: Review the steps View more information Specify tool catalogs to use and other project...
Page 354: Creating Radiator Parts
A default radiator template controls the graphic look of the radiator. This template is located at C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\ACD-MEP 2010\enu\Aecb Catalogs\D A CH\MvParts\Mechanical\Radiators\Radiator Template_deu.xml. You can change the template to modify the radiator’s appearance. See...
Page 355: Using A Calculation Program To Add Radiators
2 In the Import BDH File dialog, under Part Catalog, select the MvParts catalog where the parts will reside. 3 Under Select BDH File, browse to the BDH file (.dat) and select it. Chapter Name updates with the manufacturer name from the file and the targeted number of created or updated parts.
Page 356: Adding Radiators Using Calculated Data
6 In AutoCAD MEP, import the BDH file to create the required radiator part types and sizes. See Creating Radiator Parts on page 336. NOTE You only should import the BDH file if you intend to modify the radiators after they are placed in the drawing.
Page 357: Rules About Updating Existing Radiators
The software zooms to the space being processed. For each radiator in the list, the software prompts you to enter 2 points to position the radiator within the space. 4 Specify the positioning options for the radiators. If you want to... Then...
Page 358: Exporting Drawing Information For Analysis
Exporting Drawing Information for Analysis In AutoCAD MEP, you use spaces to model the interior areas of rooms as explained in Adding Spaces to a Floor Plan on page 185. You group the spaces into zones that represent the real-world heating and cooling zones.
Page 359: Adding A Radiator Mvpart
Adding a Radiator MvPart 1 If necessary, activate the Piping workspace. 2 Click Home tab Build panel Equipment drop-down Equipment. 3 Navigate to Plumbing - Radiators in the tree view of the Add Multi-view Parts dialog, and for Part Size Name, select a part size name from the list. You can select a part size name for the radiator or let the software calculate the correct part size on the Layout tab (described later in this procedure).
Page 360 7 Specify the positioning options for the radiators. If you want to... Then... center each radiator for Justification, select Center. place each radiator off center for Justification, select Left or Right, and for Offset, enter a distance. place each radiator a specified distance for Distance from wall, enter a value.
Page 361: Modifying A Radiator Mvpart
If you selected this layout method... Then... Two points specify the left and right points for each radiator to be added. The software applies the positioning op- tions to the line defined by the specified left and right points. It calculates the radi- ator size using the distance between the 2 points instead of a window width.
Page 362: Modifying A Radiator Valve
2 Click the (Add) grip on a radiator connector. 3 In the Add Multi-view Parts dialog, use the Part and Part Filter tabs to select a valve type and size. See Placing a Pipe MvPart in a Drawing on page 285. 4 Press Enter to add the valve to the connector.
Page 363: Connecting Mvparts Using Alignment Grips
are maintained if possible. If you move the valve to a connector on another radiator, connections to pipes are not maintained. The type of grip used to move a valve depends on how the valve is connected. Location grip: Visible when the valve is connected to the main run Use the location grip to move the valve to the same or a new radiator, maintaining the connection to the main run.
Page 364: Creating Pipe Runs For Radiators
This action moves the MvPart while staying in alignment with the original position. Creating Pipe Runs for Radiators After you have placed the radiators in your drawing, use this procedure to create the parallel pipework for a radiator system. 1 Add the parallel pipes for the radiator supply and return. See Adding Parallel Pipes to a Radiant Heating System on page 347.
Page 365: Adding Parallel Pipes To A Radiant Heating System
2 Add valves to the connectors on a typical radiator. See Adding a Radiator Valve on page 343. 3 Add branch pipes to connect the valves to the supply and return pipes. See Connecting to Existing Pipe on page 298 and Connecting a Pipe Run to an MvPart on page 300.
Page 366 3 Click Home tab Build panel Pipe drop-down Parallel Pipe TIP You can also start the command by entering PipeParallel on the command line. 4 Select a baseline pipe. Routing begins at the open end of the baseline pipe. If the pipe is open at both ends, select the pipe by clicking near the end where you want the routing to begin.
Page 367 NOTE If the routing preference for one or more of the pipes does not specify a required pipe type or fitting, the Choose a Part dialog prompts you to specify a different part. See Choosing a Part page 303 for more information. 7 If you make changes on the Properties palette, the following guidelines apply: A change to a property that guides the placement of the baseline pipe, such as Justification or Compass, applies only to the baseline pipe.
Page 368: Correcting A Parallel Pipe Routing Conflict
Correcting a Parallel Pipe Routing Conflict When using the PipeParallel command to add parallel pipes, you might specify a point or a property value that causes a conflict between 2 of the pipes being routed. This situation generally occurs when you specify a small turn or a change in elevation while routing pipes with different diameters, as shown in the following illustration: When a conflict occurs, a dialog prompts you for action.
Page 369: Correcting A Radiator Connection Failure
If the routing preference for a branch pipe does not specify a fitting for the connection, the Choose a Part dialog prompts you to specify a different fitting. See Choosing a Part on page 303 for more information. TIP If you change a valve location on one radiator, run Connect Multiple Parts again to update all other connected radiators.
Page 370 The radiators differ in type or orientation. For example, the target might be a single-panel radiator, and the source a two-panel radiator. The software could not find a match between all the connectors on the source radiator and the target radiator.
Page 371: Chapter 9 Drawing Electrical Systems
Drawing Electrical Systems This section provides instructions for using AutoCAD MEP to design and draft the electrical systems for a building plan. About Electrical Systems AutoCAD MEP includes many features that you can use to create, modify, and plot electrical system designs. The topics in this section provide general information about electrical features.
Page 372: Design The Electrical System Project
Task View more information Select voltages for the project, circuiting features, such as naming conventions and wire sizing Configure Electrical Preferences ----- factors, by Configuring Electrical Preferences page 365 Choose the characteristics of hot, neutral, and Define Design Specifications for ----- ground/isolated ground wires by Defining Design...
Page 373 Task View more information To help calculate power totals and wire sizes, use Specify or leverage spaces, and use any architectural drawing-supplied spaces, or them to create room take-off ----- specify your own. See Adding Spaces to a Floor schedules Plan on page 185 Add a receptacle to a wall and align it using this...
Page 374: Circuits
Task View more information As you design a system, add labels, tags, and Annotate the electrical system as documentation symbols to wire, conduit, and ----- you create it other components by Annotating Electrical System Drawings on page 452. Publish construction documents with sections, Create views and details for views, sheet lists, and cover sheets by Creating...
Page 375: Electrical Objects
Circuit Manager To search for a panel, enter the panel name above the list. You can view the properties of each circuit in the Circuit Manager. Expand a specific panel to list all circuits by system type assigned to that panel. Expand a circuit type under a panel (for example, Power and Lighting) to list all circuits of that type assigned to the panel.
Page 376: Panels
General lighting fixtures Fluorescent lighting fixtures Switches Communication devices Fire safety devices Junction boxes Usually, you add devices in plan view to produce construction documents, but you can also display parts differently in different views. For example, in a 3D view of an electrical system, you can display the real-world geometry of the devices, while in a 2D plan view you can represent them as one-line symbols.
Page 377: Wires
Examples of electrical panels When you add panels, you can create circuits at the same time. You can specify a naming convention for the circuits in the electrical preferences for the drawing. Wires After adding electrical devices to a layout, you can connect the devices with wires and, if desired, assign the devices to a circuit at the same time.
Page 378: Wire Size Calculations
A wire segment with a label indicating the wire style Wire Size Calculations You can automatically calculate wire sizes for circuited wire runs. As you add wire, you can use the instant sizing tool to automatically calculate wire sizes based on the circuit rating. You can also use the Circuit Manager to calculate wire sizes for any wires assigned to a circuit.
Page 379: Cable Tray And Conduit Settings
Drawing a branch Cable tray and conduit components store properties such as connection type, size, system, and part type. When you connect to existing cable tray or conduit runs to create branches, part properties are inherited, providing a consistent method of drafting a layout. This ensures that you are creating intelligent building system designs.
Page 380: Customizable Electrical Content
Wiring a junction box to a light with electrical snaps Connecting one cable tray to another with wire ways snaps For more information about AutoCAD MEP snaps, including how to enable or disable them, see Using AutoCAD MEP Snaps. Customizable Electrical Content Typically, electrical content is created by CAD managers or other users in a similar functional role.
Page 381: Control The Appearance And Behavior Of Electrical System Designs
Convert the device styles or schematic symbol styles provided with AutoCAD MEP to their individual components (the settings and the view blocks), customize the components, and then convert the components back to styles. Convert a batch of AutoCAD blocks in a custom block library to device styles or schematic symbol styles. For more information, see Customizing Style-Based Content on page 599.
Page 382: Creating Load Category Definitions
If you want to… then in the left pane of Style Manager… Right-click the copy, click Rename, enter a new name, and press Enter. 3 Use the tabs in the right pane to configure the system definition. Electrical system definitions have properties that are common to systems in other disciplines. For information about configuring these properties, see Creating Systems on page 95.
Page 383: Configuring Electrical Preferences
Demand factors are assigned to load categories and load categories are assigned to device connectors. The estimated load for a device is calculated by using the load and the value for the demand factor. The estimated demand load is displayed in the Circuit Manager and in the Panel Schedule. The Panel Schedule also shows the load for each load category style.
Page 384: Configuring Circuiting Options
Configuring Circuiting Options Use the Circuiting tab of the Electrical Preferences dialog to specify circuiting options, such as a default circuit naming convention, the type of overload protection to use when creating circuits, and the ambient temperature to use when calculating wire sizes. The circuit naming convention determines the naming of all circuits.
Page 385: Specifying An Electrical Project Database File
6 Under Overload, specify the overload protection method to use: If you want to… then select… automatically check overloads when creating Check Overload when circuiting. circuits show the circuits that are overloaded in the Display Overload in the Circuit Manager. Circuit Manager specify the maximum circuit rating percentage a percentage that, when reached, causes a prompt to be dis-...
Page 386: Configuring Connectors For Device Styles
When the software calculates loads in power totals or in the Circuit Manager, it totals the loads into 3 groups according to device type: lighting, receptacles, and, for all other device types, other. A corresponding modify command is available for each device type. While pressing Ctrl, you can press A to quickly select all of the objects in the drawing, and then enter a modify command, such as LIGHTINGMODIFY, to filter the selection set to include only the devices of the specified type.
Page 387: Specifying Classifications For Device Styles
Connector Property Description Voltage The voltage on the connector. You can enter a voltage, select from the voltages defined in the drawing that are valid for the currently specified number of poles, select By Circuit to retrieve the value from the circuit when it is assigned, or select Undefined.
Page 388 You can create display sets that show or hide objects based on their classifications, such as a display set that shows only devices classified as lighting. Many of the display sets provided with the software are configured in this manner. You can also use classifications to control the content of schedules by including...
Page 389: Configuring Styles For Panels
Properties palette for a selected 12 x 24 recessed light To specify the classifications of a device style 1 Open the drawing that contains the device style. 2 In the Electrical workspace, open the device style by doing one of the following: Click Manage tab Style &...
Page 390: Specifying Design Rules For Panel Styles
Specifying Design Rules for Panel Styles The design rules of a panel style specify the method of wire cleanup used for panels of the style. NOTE You can change the layers on which panels are placed when they are added to drawings by remapping their layers using Layer Manager.
Page 391: Configuring Styles For Wires
WARNING Use caution when removing connectors. Doing so can break the connectivity of a circuit because the connector is removed from all instances of the style in the drawing. Configuring Styles for Wires Wires are a type of style-based content, which is the collective term for building system objects that use styles to define their appearance and behavior.
Page 392: Specifying Annotation For Wire Styles
4 Under Neutral, specify property values for the neutral wires: Specify whether the properties of the neutral wires should match those of the conductors: If you want to… Then… use the property values specified click Match hot, and for Size of hot in %, enter the size of the neutral for the conductors wires expressed as a percentage of the size of the conductors.
Page 393 TIP To change the draw order of a selected wire, click Home tab Modify panel Bring to Front drop-down and then choose one of the options offered. To specify annotation for a wire style 1 Open the style by doing one of the following: From the Electrical workspace, click Manage tab...
Page 394: Configuring Layout Preferences For Cable Tray Or Conduit
You can specify that the crossing wires are displayed as is, with an overlap, or with a break. 8 If you selected the overlap style or the break style, for Break/Overlap Paper Width, enter the width of the overlap or the break, and for Break/Overlap Priority, enter a number. 9 Under Connections, select a connection node symbol type for wire junctions, and enter a size.
Page 395: Specifying The Slope For Cable Tray Or Conduit
Offset preferences on the Routing tab 3 Specify the alignment for cable tray or conduit insertion: If you want to… Then… align the centerlines of the cable under Justification, select Center for Horizontal and for Vertical. Enter 0 trays or conduits along the points for Offset A and for Offset B.
Page 396: Breaking Cable Tray Or Conduit At Even Intervals
3 Specify the slope: If you want to… Then… specify an angle Under Layout Rise/Run, click Angle. For Rise/Run, enter the number of degrees, and for Increment, enter the number of degrees by which to increase or decrease the angle. When you add cable tray or conduit, the rise/run angle is used as the default slope in the Add dialog, as shown below.
Page 397: Specifying Annotation For Cable Tray Or Conduit
2 In the Layout Preferences dialog, click the Routing tab. 3 Click Cable Tray Length or Conduit Length, specify the segment length, and click OK. TIP As you draw, you can also access and change the layout preferences by clicking (Preferences) in the Add dialog.
Page 398: Configuring Connections For Cable Tray
1 In the Electrical workspace, click one of the following: Click Manage tab Preferences panel Cable Tray Click Manage tab Preferences panel Conduit 2 In the Layout Preferences dialog, click the Parts tab. 3 For Part Group Definition, select the definition to be modified. 4 For Connection Type, select a connection type.
Page 399: Using An Electrical Project Database
Using the circuit features, you can automate some tasks, such as calculating circuit loads, checking circuit overloads, or calculating wire sizes. For example, create panel schedules automatically from the circuit data in the electrical project database file. Also, you can add home run tags to wire runs, to automatically display the panel and circuit assignments in the home run tag.
Page 400: Creating An Electrical Project Database
For construction documents, panel schedules are created using the electrical project database. Also, circuit data originates directly from the electrical project database. Creating an Electrical Project Database An electrical project database is a file that contains panel and circuit data for all drawings that are connected to it.
Page 401: Linking To The Electrical Project Database
Linking to the Electrical Project Database Create a file to serve as the electrical project database. Then, link drawings to the electrical project database. You can link a drawing to only one electrical project database at a time. 1 Create a new drawing, or open an existing drawing that you want to link to the electrical project database.
Page 402: Unlinking From The Electrical Project Database
do not need to reload the electrical project database. The latest version of the electrical project database is loaded automatically when you open the drawing. The steps in the following procedure show how to manually reload the electrical project database. Also, the database is also always reloads when you open a drawing.
Page 403: Creating Circuits Using The Circuit Manager
You can also create circuits in a drawing, add devices to the same drawing, and assign the devices to those circuits as you add or modify the devices. In that situation, you do not use an electrical project database, and you cannot share that circuit information with other drawings. In a typical workflow, you identify the location of panels before you create circuits—generally, during the schematic design phase.
Page 404 NOTE The Circuit Manager can remain open while you work in your drawing. To create circuits using the Circuit Manager 1 In the drawing that contains or will contain at least one electrical panel, select a device and click Device tab Circuits panel Circuit Manager drop-down Circuit Manager...
Page 405: Configuring A Circuit
6 Under <System Type> Properties, specify the number of 1-pole, 2-pole, and 3-pole circuits and their respective voltages. NOTE After adding new circuits, update the panel schedules in your drawing. See Updating Panel Schedules on page 459 for more information. Configuring a Circuit After you create...
Page 406: Viewing Circuit Information
Rating (Power and Lighting only) Voltage (Power and Lighting only) The number of devices and circuit length are calculated for you as you assign devices to circuits. For power and lighting circuits, the total load is also calculated for you. Circuit length is calculated only if the devices and circuits are contained in the same drawing.
Page 407: Linking Panels
Linking Panels After linking panels, use the Circuit Manager to transfer the panel demand and connected load totals for each load category from one panel to another. To link panels in the same drawing: 1 Select a panel and click Panel tab Connections panel Connect To Other Panel 2 In the first Panel to Panel connection dialog, select the panel that will be fed by another panel.
Page 408: Managing Circuits In A Project
The sub-fed (linked) panel is shown indented in the tree view in the left pane. NOTE A warning symbol appears if you try to create a circular reference by linking a panel back to the panel that feeds it. NOTE You cannot link a panel to more than one panel at a time. NOTE Anytime you add or delete circuits, you will need to update any existing panel schedules.
Page 409: Creating Electrical Systems
As you refine your designs, you can move circuits around on a panel to balance loads. Also, you can drag and drop circuits from one panel to another. Generate panel schedules automatically from the circuit data. Creating Electrical Systems Use AutoCAD MEP to create designs for typical electrical systems such as lighting plans, power plans, and telecommunications plans.
Page 410 NOTE On the Properties palette, indicates a property is available only when you are adding devices, not when you are modifying them. Specify general properties 2 On the Properties palette, if necessary, double-click on the device display to open the style selector dialog.
Page 411 You can modify the size on the Drafting tab of the Options dialog. For more informa- tion, see “Drafting Tab (Options Dialog Box)” ® ® in Autodesk AutoCAD Help. manually align the device select No. NOTE If you select Yes for Align to objects, the software inserts the device using the insertion point of the underlying block and rotates it as needed to align it perpendicular to the object to which you snap.
Page 412 8 Expand Design Data, and for ID, enter an ID for the device. The ID is an optional number that you can assign. 9 Expand Tag, and for Insert Tag, select the tag to anchor to the object. The list of tags includes the tags in the current drawing and, if specified, the tag specified in the tool you selected.
Page 413: Configuring The Electrical Connectors Of A Device
Repeat the previous steps to add additional devices with the same properties. 15 On the Properties palette, modify the device properties and then insert additional devices, or press Enter to end the add command. NOTE If you are using the electrical project database file, and two or more electrical drawings are open, you can update each drawing to include the most current circuit information by reloading the electrical project database...
Page 414 the devices. If you overload a circuit, you are not notified of the overload again during the drawing session. Configure the connector properties, but do not assign the connector to a circuit. Later, after you identify the circuit to use, you can assign the circuit. NOTE If the style of the device does not allow the override of a connector property value, that property is not editable even when no circuit has been assigned.
Page 415 5 For Circuit, select the circuit. Specify the connector properties 6 Under Value, specify values for the connector properties. Connector Property Description System The system of the connector. If the system type of the connector is General, you can select from all of electrical systems defined in the drawing.
Page 416: Example: Aligning A Device To Floor Plan Geometry
Connector Property Description Load Category The load category of the connector. Applies only to connectors whose system type is Power and Lighting. You can select from the load categories defined in the drawing. Load Sub-category The load sub-category of the connector. You can select Motor.
Page 417: Example: Adding Devices At A Specific Distance Interval
You can modify the size on the Drafting tab of the Options dialog. For more information, see “Drafting Tab (Options Dialog Box)” ® ® in Autodesk AutoCAD Help. 7 Press Enter.
Page 418 4 On the Power-Lighting Device tool palette, select a receptacle tool. 5 If necessary, on the Properties palette, change the style of the receptacle to be added: Expand Basic, and on the General bar, click In the left pane of the Select Device worksheet, navigate to the drawing that contains the style.
Page 419: Example: Adding A Specific Number Of Devices
NOTE For detailed information about adding devices and configuring their properties, see Adding Devices page 391. Example: Adding a Specific Number of Devices In this example, you add a specific number of telephone outlets to a room. You specify the insertion point of the first outlet on a space boundary created for the room, and the software aligns all of the outlets along the boundary.
Page 420 8 In the drawing, move the cursor to the location for the first device. This must be a point on the space boundary. NOTE If the software does not detect a space boundary, you can still insert the devices and have the software align them automatically, but you must manually specify the location for each device one at a time.
Page 421: Example: Inserting A Device Into A Wire
Example: Inserting a Device into a Wire In this example, you insert a service disconnect into a wire. 1 Open the Power-Lighting device tool palette, and select a disconnect tool. 2 On the Properties palette, expand Basic, and expand Layout. 3 For Layout method, select One by One.
Page 422 If necessary, scroll to display the tool. Because tools contain preconfigured properties for the objects they create, you might not need to specify some of the panel properties referenced in this procedure. Enter paneladd. NOTE On the Properties palette, indicates a property is available only when you are adding panels, not when you are modifying them.
Page 423 Specify advanced properties 7 Expand Advanced, expand System, and for System, select the system to which the panel belongs. For more information about systems, see Creating Electrical System Definitions on page 363 and Working with Systems on page 93. 8 Expand Design Data, and for Name, enter a unique name for the panel. 9 For Rating, enter a panel rating.
Page 424 24 Beside Circuit Settings, click 25 On the Circuit Settings worksheet, for System Type, select the system type of the circuits: Power and Lighting, General, or Other. NOTE If you select Power and Lighting or Other for the system type, the connectors on the electrical objects in your drawing must have the same system type in order to be placed on the circuit.
Page 425 You can modify the size on the Drafting tab of the Options dialog. For more informa- tion, see “Drafting Tab (Options Dialog Box)” ® ® in the Autodesk AutoCAD Help. do the following: Click to specify the insertion point.
Page 426 33 Select the panel you want to connect to and click OK. NOTE Valid connections are shown in bold. 34 Select the method to use when connecting the panels and click OK. If you select… then… Circuit breaker in panel the panel is added as a subfed panel to an existing circuit in the linked panel.
Page 427: Example: Aligning A Panel To Floor Plan Geometry
You can modify the size on the Drafting tab of the Options dialog. For more information, see “Drafting Tab (Options Dialog Box)” ® ® in Autodesk AutoCAD Help. 6 Press Enter.
Page 428 located at the justification points available when adding devices and panels, for example, Top Left, Bottom Center, and Insertion Point. In the following image, one receptacle displays the default Alignment grip; the other also displays the additional grips. NOTE When you copy multiple devices or panels at the same time using Alignment grips, you must select a base grip on one device or panel (the base device or base panel) for the copy action.
Page 429: Example: Copying A Device
You can modify the size on the Drafting tab of the Options dialog. For more information, see “Drafting Tab (Options Dialog Box)” ® ® in the Autodesk AutoCAD Help. 6 Repeat the previous step to place additional copies.
Page 430: Example: Copying A Panel
Example: Copying a Panel In this example, a recessed panel is copied and aligned elsewhere on the same wall. Adding Wires Although you can connect devices with wires to graphically represent circuits, wires are not necessary for you to assign devices to circuits and to view electrical loads. You can also add wires without assigning circuits, which can be useful during the preliminary design phase when the specifications are not defined.
Page 431: Drawing Or Generating Wires
Drawing or Generating Wires You can add wires by doing one of the following: Drawing the wires manually by using a wire tool, or by using the + grip on an electrical device Generating the wires using a command. In this case, you must specify a circuit in the wire’s properties. If you assign the devices to a circuit as you connect them with wires, the circuit is updated and evaluated for overloads based on the load and load category of the connectors on the devices.
Page 432 Wire Segment Type Example Spline. Use this type to draw wires with curves that pass through or near a set of specified points. To add wires 1 In the Electrical workspace, start the add command by doing one of the following: Click Home tab Build panel Wire...
Page 433 3 For Description, enter a description of the wire. Specify location properties 4 Expand Location, and for Segment, select the type of wire segment to use: If you want to use… then… Line select Line. select Arc, and do the following: For Height, enter the height of the geometry.
Page 434 If you want to… then… assign the devices to a circuit for Show circuits from panel, select the panel that contains the circuit. You can select from the panels in the current drawing, or in the electrical project database. Then, for Circuit, select the circuit.
Page 435 Optionally insert a home run wire 10 Do one of the following: To add a home run, press Enter, and click in the direction of the panel. The appearance of the home run depends on the annotation properties of the wire style. To end the command without adding a home run, press Enter twice.
Page 436: Drawing A Home Run
7 Draw the third wire by manually overriding the height and the offset direction of the wire. To do this, specify a point between the devices, and then snap to the third device. 8 Press Enter twice to end the command without adding a home run. NOTE For detailed information about adding wires and configuring wire properties, see Drawing or Generating Wires...
Page 437: Creating A Wire From A Polyline
a device is assigned to multiple circuits on multiple panels, you must add a home run to each panel. This allows you to subsequently tag each home run with the correct panel information. Make sure the locations of the electrical connectors in the device style are not the same, so you are able to draw a home run from each connector.
Page 438: Drawing Cable Trays And Conduits
The software displays the Add Multi-view Parts dialog, which displays a tree view of the current catalog. The software opens the catalog at the part type folder associated with the tool you selected. 2 On the Part tab, select a part subtype in the part type folder. 3 Click Details to view the sizes available for the selected part subtype.
Page 439: Drawing A Cable Tray Or Conduit Run
determine the fittings that are inserted by the software. To override the default fittings for an individual run, access the fitting preferences in the Add dialog and select different fittings. You can also manually add fittings to your drawing, which is beneficial when you want to create unique connections to other runs or equipment.
Page 440 4 Specify how to draw the run: If you want to… then… draw a run at a specified elevation relative to a wall enter the desired elevation, specify justification and off- ® or other cable tray or conduit set, and use AutoCAD snaps or AutoCAD MEP snaps to specify points on the wall, duct, pipe, or other objects.
Page 441: Adding A Cable Tray Or Conduit Branch
If you want to… then… draw with both an elbow angle and a rise or drop click the Preferences icon, and then click the Routing to a specific elevation tab. Clear Automatically create riser at new Elevation, and then click OK. Enter an elevation and draw the segment with an elbow angle.
Page 442: Adding Cable Tray Or Conduit Fittings Manually
Connecting a cable tray run to a cable tray trunk that is the same size NOTE When you add cable tray or conduit runs, AutoCAD MEP inserts rise symbols and drop symbols as needed based on the rise/drop style assigned to the system of the run. To add a cable tray or conduit branch 1 Turn on the Wire Ways Curve or Wire Ways Connector snaps.
Page 443: Checking Electrical Systems
2 On the Part tab in the Add Cable Tray Fittings dialog, select a part type folder, and then select a part subtype in the folder. 3 Select Display/Hide additional part parameters to display or hide more information in this dialog. 4 Click Details to view the sizes available for the selected part type.
Page 444: Checking Circuit Loads
5 Click OK. If you chose to resize any wires, the wire sizes are updated in the right pane under Wires. If you chose only to check the wire sizes, the Calculate Wire Size - Results dialog displays the results of the analysis.
Page 445: Generating A Circuit Report
If you are using an electrical project database file, which is recommended for creating and maintaining accurate circuit information across all drawings in a project, the circuit information is accurate and complete even if devices in multiple drawings are assigned to the same circuit. Generating a Circuit Report As you create schedules for your electrical design, you might find it helpful to view information about particular circuits in the drawing.
Page 446: Showing Connected Objects
Example of highlighting circuited devices NOTE You can also access the Show Circuited Devices command from the Circuit Manager. In the Circuit Manager, you select a circuit that has one or more connected devices and, on the toolbar, click (Show Circuited Devices). Showing Connected Objects You can highlight all connected objects in a run or network.
Page 447: Modifying Electrical Systems
Modifying Electrical Systems You can modify all aspects of your electrical system designs. Modifying Circuits As you change and refine the electrical system design, you might need to adjust the organization of the circuits. Use the Circuit Manager to view how circuits are organized, move circuits between panels, delete circuits that are no longer being used, and resize wires in a circuit.
Page 448: Deleting Circuits
Description System Rating (Power and Lighting only) Voltage (Power and Lighting only) NOTE Anytime you modify circuit properties, you will need to update any existing panel schedules. See Updating Panel Schedules on page 459 The Load Category is a style that you can modify using the Style Manager. For more information, see Creating Load Category Definitions on page 364.
Page 449: Modifying Devices And Panels
Modifying Devices and Panels You can move the devices and panels in a drawing, and you can modify their properties. If you are using an electrical project database, and you modify the properties of panels in the electrical project database, you must save and close the electrical project database before working on linked drawings. Moving a Device or Panel You can move devices and panels using Alignment grips ( ).
Page 450 You can modify the size on the Drafting tab of the Options dialog. For more information, see “Drafting Tab (Options Dialog Box)” ® ® in the Autodesk AutoCAD Help. 5 Press Esc.
Page 451 Example: Moving a Panel In the following example, a recessed panel is moved from one wall to another. Modifying Devices and Panels | 433...
Page 452: Modifying Device Properties
For more informa- ® ® tion, see “Select Multiple Objects” in Autodesk AutoCAD Help. 434 | Chapter 9 Drawing Electrical Systems...
Page 453 If you want to… then… select all of the devices on one or more cir- do the following: cuits Start Circuit Manager. In the left pane, select the circuits, and in the right pane, click Press Esc twice. Enter deviceprops, enter p (previous), and press Enter. select all of the devices of a specific type While pressing Ctrl, press A to select all of the objects in the drawing.
Page 454 4 Expand Location, and modify the location properties as needed: If you want to change… then… the rotation for Rotation, enter a new angle. NOTE You can also use Alignment grips to align the device perpendicular to other floor plan geometry, such as a wall.
Page 455 Modifying the Electrical Connectors of a Device NOTE You should be familiar with Configuring the Electrical Connectors of a Device on page 395 before using the procedure described under this topic. You modify the electrical connectors of a device using the Electrical Properties worksheet. When modifying a connector, keep in mind the following: If a circuit is specified for the connector, the System value is not editable.
Page 456 The electrical connectors on all the selected devices are listed by number. If a connector of a given number has a different system type for at least one of the devices, *VARIES* is shown for System Type, and only the properties in common are shown. *VARIES* is also shown for any other property that does not have the same value for all of the selected devices.
Page 457: Modifying Panel Properties
Specify the connector properties 5 Under Value, specify values for the connector properties. For descriptions of each property, see Configuring the Electrical Connectors of a Device on page 395. If you are using the electrical project database, and have more than one drawing open, you can reload the electrical project database in each open drawing.
Page 458: Modifying Wires
If you want to change… then… Note that the circuit length can only be calculated if the panel and all of the devices on the circuit are in the current drawing. the insertion point or normal. (The normal click Additional information. On the Location worksheet, is the extrusion direction that is used when enter the coordinates for the insertion point or normal, and elevation is applied to the model view.)
Page 459: Modifying Wire Layouts
Modifying Wire Layouts You can modify the layout of wires by moving their vertices using Location grips. This can be helpful when you want to clean up the layout by moving the wires around walls, equipment, or other floor plan geometry. To maintain the connectivity of a circuit, wires are anchored to devices.
Page 460 To modify wire properties 1 Select the wires. NOTE Before you can calculate wire sizes, you must add wire to the devices in the circuit. You must also set the type of conductor material for the wire style used, for example, copper or aluminium (for more information, see Configuring Styles for Wires on page 373).
Page 461: Moving Tick Marks On Wires
TIP You can add labels to wires to indicate circuit assignments or wire styles. For more information, see Labels page 559. Moving Tick Marks on Wires 1 Select the wire. 2 Click the Location grip for the tick marks. 3 Move the grip to a new location along the wire, and click to specify the point. 4 Press Esc.
Page 462: Modifying Electrical Equipment
Modifying Electrical Equipment After you have finished the electrical system layout and checked the calculations for the final design, typically you verify the electrical equipment in the drawing and, if necessary, add or modify equipment. You might also need to do so during the design process due to changes in the requirements. Changes to equipment might require changes to the associated circuit.
Page 463: Changing The System Of A Cable Tray Or Conduit Run
2 Do one of the following: If you want to… then… move cable tray or conduit Click Home tab Modify panel Move . Specify the distance and direction by specifying a base point and then a second point. You can also move the ob- ject by clicking the Location grip.
Page 464: Modifying The Size Of A Cable Tray Or Conduit Run
Connecting cable tray segments at different elevations Modifying the Size of a Cable Tray or Conduit Run Use this procedure to change the size of a cable tray or conduit run. You can change one segment at a time or you can resize the entire run. When changing a single segment, you need to add a transition in order to adjust it to the rest of the run.
Page 465 Cable tray segments with activated grips To modify the length of a cable tray or conduit segment 1 Select the segment. 2 Select the Lengthen grip on the end you want to modify. 3 If the segment is connected to an object on the end you selected, specify whether and how to maintain connectivity: If you want to...
Page 466 The following example illustrates how to modify the length of a conduit segment. A horizontal conduit segment is stretched to the right. Because the modification occurs in the moveable MvParts editing mode, connected objects including parts are adjusted to maintain their connectivity. More specifically, the vertical conduit, connected fittings, and the transformer are moved.
Page 467: Breaking And Merging Cable Tray Or Conduit Segments
NOTE If the cable tray or conduit segment is not connected to another object, you can change both its length and angle using the Start or End grip. Start and End grips enable you to change the XYZ location of the start point or endpoint of a segment. They are particularly useful when initially designing runs because you can use them to easily connect a segment to an existing run.
Page 468: Modifying A Cable Tray Or Conduit Fitting
If you want to… then… change the length enter or select a new length for each cut length. The 10 last-used lengths are stored as defined segment lengths. You can also specify the length by specifying points in the drawing. If you have selected to break segments, the software breaks the selected segment or run into multiple segments of the specified length.
Page 469 Rotating a cable tray fitting 180 degrees in plan view In isometric views, you can also use diamond-shaped ( ) Rotate grips to rotate conduit fittings around the centerline to any angle. A conduit tee fitting in an isometric view AutoCAD MEP displays Rotate grips on cable tray and conduit fittings with connectors on opposite ends.
Page 470: Annotating Electrical System Drawings
2 Rotate the fitting: If you want to... then... rotate the fitting 180 degrees (flip the fitting) click the Rotate grip ( rotate the fitting 90 degrees while pressing Ctrl, click the Rotate grip ( rotate the fitting to an angle you specify click the Rotate grip ( ), and do one of the follow- ing:...
Page 471: About Panel Schedules
About Panel Schedules In AutoCAD MEP, you use the default panel schedule table styles to create the following types of panel schedules: Sample 1-phase branch circuit panel schedule Sample 3-phase branch circuit panel schedule About Panel Schedules | 453...
Page 472 Sample switchboard panel schedule Sample distribution panel schedule 454 | Chapter 9 Drawing Electrical Systems...
Page 473: Generating Panel Schedules
Sample standard panel schedule Typically, you would add a panel schedule to a panel schedule sheet that does not contain any panels. But for a smaller project you might add a panel schedule to a drawing that contains one or more panels. You can customize a schedule to define the panel, circuit, wire, and load data that it contains, and how it is organized.
Page 474 Any change to a panel, circuit, or device that makes a panel schedule’s data invalid is noted by a line drawn through that panel schedule. When a schedule becomes out of date, you must update it. You can ensure that the panel data is accurate by executing either a REGEN command, when loads increase/decrease, or an Update Panel Schedule command when you need to add or remove schedule entries.
Page 475 5 In the Electrical tool palettes set, click the Tag and Schedule palette. 6 Click a panel schedule tool. NOTE Alternatively, you can select a panel in the drawing, and click Panel tab Circuits panel Panel Schedule 7 In the Panel Schedule dialog, for Panel, specify the panel for which you want to create the schedule.
Page 476 To generate a panel schedule in the current drawing using the Circuit Manager 1 Click Analyze tab Electrical panel Circuit Manager NOTE Alternatively, you can select a panel and click Panel tab Circuits panel Circuit Manager 2 Select the name of a panel in the left pane of the Circuit Manager, right-click, and click Insert Panel Schedule.
Page 477: Updating Panel Schedules
Updating Panel Schedules Update panel schedules when panels, connected circuits, or devices change. For example, if you add light fixtures to an electrical drawing and connect them to a circuit on a panel, the values in the panel schedule do not update automatically. You must update the panel schedule to reflect the changes to the circuit. To update all panel schedules in the drawing, click View tab Appearance panel Regenerate...
Page 478: Creating Panel Schedule Table Styles
The exported panel schedule data is saved as a text file with a .csv file extension. Open the file in Excel and work with the data as needed. Creating Panel Schedule Table Styles Create your own custom panel schedule table style to match the layout of your company’s standard panel schedule.
Page 479: Creating Electrical System Construction Documents
Panel Field Names Panel Field Names Circuit Field Names Panel Voltage Phase-to-Phase Panel Load Category Connected Load Circuit Total Load Panel Voltage Phase-to-Neutral Panel Load Category Demand Factor Circuit Rating Panel Phases Panel Load Category Demand Load Circuit Voltage Panel Wires Panel Connected Load Total KVA Circuit Number of Poles Panel Main Type...
Page 481: Chapter 10 Drawing Plumbing Systems
Drawing Plumbing Systems This section provides an overview of a typical workflow using AutoCAD MEP to design a plumbing system, describes the major components in a plumbing system, and provides step-by-step procedures for performing drawing tasks. Plumbing Design Workflow A typical workflow using AutoCAD MEP to design a plumbing system includes the following steps: Watch a demo View more information Control the form and function of objects in your...
Page 482: Plumbing Systems Overview
Watch a demo View more information Place the plumbing equipment and fixtures on Add pumps, water heaters, ----- the floor plan. See Adding Plumbing Equipment drains, showers, sinks or other and Fixtures on page 485 equipment Connect the equipment and fixtures using ----- Add pipe to connect plumbing lines.
Page 483: Plumbing System Definitions
Domestic hot and cold water system Before you draw a plumbing run, you specify a system for the segment on the plumbing line Properties palette. As you draw the run, the software inserts plumbing fittings based on the default fittings configured for that system definition.
Page 484: Movement Of A Plumbing Line Segment
NOTE When a fitting is required but it cannot fit the layout, plumbing lines are inserted. For example, the next illustration shows 2 instances where elbows could not be inserted, and so the software inserted plumbing lines instead. In designs that require unique fittings (common to piping or plumbing), you can override the default fittings or you can add a fitting...
Page 485: Movement Of An Mvpart
Location grip on plumbing line objected selected New location specified Resulting layout Notice how the elbows connected to the plumbing line moved with it and the plumbing lines connected to the elbows changed length. The system is still connected. Movement of an MvPart The following example shows a toilet that is moved.
Page 486 Location grip on the MvPart selected New location specified Resulting layout 468 | Chapter 10 Drawing Plumbing Systems...
Page 487: Plumbing Grips
Plumbing Grips Grips offer a quick way to add or modify plumbing objects or MvParts. The applicable grips become visible when you select an object in a drawing. Grips for Adding to a Plumbing Run Using add grips provides an efficient way to quickly begin drawing a plumbing line. It ensures connectivity between the object and plumbing line.
Page 488: Grips For Modifying A Plumbing Run
Add grip selected on an elbow Plumbing run drawn from the elbow Elbow automatically converted to a tee Grips for Modifying a Plumbing Run Plumbing runs are typically modified throughout the design process due to architectural or structural modifications to the system requirements. For example, if the architect increases the size of a room, the corresponding plumbing system supplying that room needs to be modified.
Page 489 Location grips on a plumbing line segment Location grips on a plumbing fitting Location grips on an MvPart (a pump) If the plumbing line segment is not connected to another object, you can change both its length and angle using the Start grip or End grip. The Start and End grips enable you to change the XY location of the start point or end point of the segment.
Page 490 Rotating a 3-way valve 90 degrees in plan view AutoCAD MEP displays Rotate grips on the plumbing line in-line parts, fittings, and takeoffs with connectors on opposite ends. However, when necessary to preserve the connectivity of plumbing runs, the software limits the available rotation options or hides the grips.
Page 491 Lengthen grips on plumbing line segments The following example illustrates how a plumbing line segment in a vent system is lengthened. To avoid interference with a duct system, the software adjusts connected objects to maintain their connectivity. Plumbing Grips | 473...
Page 492 Plumbing line segment selected Lengthen grip selected New length specified Resulting layout 474 | Chapter 10 Drawing Plumbing Systems...
Page 493: Rise/Run Angles And Slope
Rise/Run Angles and Slope In a plumbing drainage system, you need a minimum slope at all times. To define the slope, you enter the rise and run values on the Properties palette as you draw the plumbing line, and the software calculates the slope.
Page 494 Sanitary plumbing line sizing tables specify the maximum permissible fixture unit loads for different types of sanitary runs (stacks, branches, and offsets). The proper reference and use of plumbing line sizing tables are essential to accurate plumbing line sizing. If you plan to do sizing, you should first identify the plumbing line sizing tables to use and verify their accuracy.
Page 495: Customizing Plumbing Content
Friction Loss-Water Meter If a water meter is included in your design, then you should account for the total friction loss of the water meter. A water meter is considered part of the water utility. Typically it is not a part of the building. Often it is not included in the design.
Page 496: Creating A Plumbing System Definition
Creating a Plumbing System Definition 1 In the Plumbing workspace, click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager drop-down Plumbing System Definitions 2 Create the plumbing system definition using the left pane of Style Manager: Then create a new system definition 1 Right-click Plumbing System Definitions, and click New.
Page 497: Configuring Fixture Unit Tables
To specify the default fittings for a plumbing system definition 1 In the Plumbing workspace, click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager drop-down Plumbing System Definitions NOTE Alternatively, you can select a fitting in the drawing, and click Plumbing Fitting tab General panel Edit Style drop-down...
Page 498: Creating A Fixture Unit Table
If the software cannot find a match for the fixture in the specified fixture unit table, it does not assign default fixture unit values to the fixture. To take advantage of the application of default values, you should create and use fixture unit tables that correspond to the plumbing fixtures. When performing sizing calculations for plumbing lines, the software uses the fixture unit values applied to the fixtures in your drawing.
Page 499: Configuring Styles For Plumbing Lines And Fittings
7 Specify definitions that are specific to Supply or Sanitary pipes: To create a supply pipe sizing table definition, click the Equivalent Plumbing Line Lengths tab and use the New Row, Remove Row, New Column, Modify Column, and Remove Column buttons to change the table definition as necessary.
Page 500: Specifying Standard Sizes For A Plumbing Line Style
You can specify that the crossing lines are displayed as is, with an overlap, or with a break. 4 If you select the overlap style or break style, enter the paper width of the overlap or break, and click OK. TIP To change the draw order of a selected line (for example, Send to Back), click Home tab Modify panel...
Page 501: Connectors For A Plumbing Fitting Style
2 On the Details tab, select a fitting type from the list, followed by a fitting subtype, and then click OK. Connectors for a Plumbing Fitting Style All AutoCAD MEP objects have one or more smart connectors (connection points). These smart connectors enable objects to connect intelligently to appropriate objects and to transfer information such as shape, size, and system.
Page 502: Specifying Plumbing Preferences For Labels And Flow Arrows
In the drawing, select a plumbing fitting that uses the style, and click Plumbing Fitting General panel Edit Style drop-down Edit Style 3 On the Connectors tab, for Description, enter a descriptive name, such as Cold_Water_Supply. 4 For Domain, select pipe. 5 Specify values for connection points X, Y, and Z.
Page 503: Adding Plumbing Equipment And Fixtures
Adding Plumbing Equipment and Fixtures After attaching an external reference file (xref) of your architectural plan to your drawing, typically you continue by adding plumbing equipment and fixtures. You can place them in specific locations on floor plans and reflected ceiling plans. RELATED See Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Equipment in Building Systems on page 76.
Page 504: Adding Plumbing Lines
9 Specify an insertion point in the drawing, and use the compass to specify a rotation angle. 10 Press ENTER to end the command. Adding Plumbing Lines You add plumbing lines using the plumbing line tool palette or ribbon, and the Properties palette to specify plumbing line properties.
Page 505: Drawing A Plumbing Run Using Add Grips
Drawing a Plumbing Run Using Add Grips 1 Select the object in the drawing, and click (Grips for Adding to a Plumbing Run on page 469) to begin drawing a plumbing line: If you want to… then… start a run from one of the ends of a click the add grip at that end of the segment.
Page 506: Drawing A Plumbing Run
11 Press ENTER to end the command. Drawing a Plumbing Run 1 If necessary, activate the Plumbing workspace. 2 On the Plumbing Line tab of the Plumbing tool palette, select a plumbing line tool. NOTE To draw a plumbing run, you can also click the add grip on an existing plumbing line segment or click Home tab Build panel Plumbing Line...
Page 507: Connecting Plumbing Lines At Different Elevations
5 Click ESC to save your changes and exit. Connecting Plumbing Lines at Different Elevations As you draw a plumbing system, sometimes you need to start or end a run by connecting (snapping) to the endpoint of an existing plumbing line, or to a point along its curve. If the connecting plumbing line has a different elevation than the one you are starting or ending, you are prompted to decide how to connect the 2 plumbing lines: Add a riser to the connecting plumbing line...
Page 508: Adding Plumbing Fittings Manually
NOTE You can also add a fitting manually, which is beneficial when you want to add a single unique fitting. To override the default plumbing fittings for an individual run 1 In the Plumbing workspace, select a tool on the Plumbing Line tab of the Plumbing tool palette. NOTE Alternatively, you can click Home tab Build panel Plumbing Line...
Page 509: Adding An Expansion Loop To A Plumbing Run
If you want to specify… then… an elevation at which to place the fitting select an elevation. a grip point location on the fitting select a method for Justification. a rotation angle select Specify rotation on screen. Select No, and then enter the number of degrees for Rotation.
Page 510: Modifying Plumbing Systems
Modifying Plumbing Systems The topics in this section describe how to modify plumbing system designs. AutoCAD MEP lets you modify your plumbing system designs with grip controls in the drawings as well as various tools. Component Selection This section describes various ways to select and filter components in a drawing: Move the cursor over an object, and click to select it.
Page 511: Filtering Selections By Part Type
In this example, the Select Connected Branches command is used to select a plumbing run. 2 Click (Quick Select) at the upper-right corner of the Properties palette. 3 On the Quick Select dialog, specify the filter properties: For Object type, select Plumbing Fitting. For Properties, select System.
Page 512: Modifying Plumbing Equipment And Fixtures
2 Select the part type from the drop-down list at the top of the Properties palette. Modifying Plumbing Equipment and Fixtures After you have finished the plumbing system layout and checked the calculations for the final design, typically you verify the plumbing equipment and fixtures in the drawing and, if necessary, make additions or modifications.
Page 513: Calculating The Slope Of A Plumbing Line
NOTE The software applies a default fixture unit value to each connector on the fixture based on the system type of the connector and the property values specified on the Fixture Unit Table worksheet. The default values are correct for most design situations. However, you should examine the values and modify them if necessary.
Page 514: Modifying Plumbing Lines And Fittings Using Grips
In the Plumbing Line Slope dialog, click Select Start Point of Run or Select End Point of Run. 4 In the drawing area, click a new start point or end point for the selected plumbing run. 5 For Calculation, select the parameter you want to calculate. 6 Enter the corresponding values for the selected calculation: If you want to Calculate…...
Page 515: Moving Plumbing Lines And Fittings
Moving Plumbing Lines and Fittings Select on page 492 the part or plumbing line segment. 2 Select the Location grip to use. 3 If the part or plumbing line segment is connected to another object, specify whether and how to maintain connectivity: If you want to…...
Page 516: Rotating Plumbing Fittings
If you want to... then... maintain connectivity by adjusting all objects, includ- press Ctrl. ing parts break connectivity press Ctrl twice. 4 Specify the segment length: If you want to... then... specify the new total length press Tab to activate the input field for specifying the resulting dimension, and then enter the new length.
Page 517: Reversing The Flow Of A Plumbing Run
2 Click Home tab Build panel Tools drop-down Properties 3 On the Design tab of the Properties palette, under System, specify a different system. NOTE Alternatively, you can select a plumbing line, click Plumbing Line tab Modify panel Modify Plumbing Line , and select a different system in the Modify Plumbing Lines dialog box.
Page 518: Modifying The Location Coordinates Of A Plumbing Line Or Fitting
For more information on solution tips, see Showing Solution Tips on page 579. 6 If necessary, reconnect disconnected components in the run by adding connecting segments, changing the elevation of segments, or moving lengthening components. You can recreate valid connections using AutoCAD MEP snaps.
Page 519: Modifying The Style Of A Plumbing Line Or Fitting
Modifying the Style of a Plumbing Line or Fitting Select on page 492 the plumbing line or plumbing fitting in your drawing. 2 Click Home tab Build panel Tools drop-down Properties 3 On the Design tab of the Properties palette, under Style, specify a different style. NOTE Alternatively, you can select a plumbing line and click Plumbing Line tab Modify panel...
Page 520 The software highlights all plumbing lines, fittings, and fixtures connected to, and downstream from, the plumbing line, as illustrated in the following drawing. 4 In the Size Supply Plumbing Line dialog, under Design Values, define the following sizing parameter values: Equivalent Plumbing Line Length for the Valves and Fittings For Plumbing Line Sizing Table, select the plumbing line sizing table definition that you created based on applicable codes, such as the Uniform Plumbing Code, and verify its accuracy.
Page 521: Reviewing The Sizing Results For Supply Plumbing Lines
Reviewing the Sizing Results for Supply Plumbing Lines Two sections of the Size Supply Plumbing Line dialog provide you with final calculations: Calculations for the Longest Run Calculations at Selected Component Calculations for the Longest Run When you select a supply system to size, the plumbing module highlights all plumbing lines, fittings, and fixtures connected to, and downstream from the specific plumbing line you select.
Page 522: Calculations At Selected Component
Elevation Difference Elevation Difference is the difference in height between the highest elevation and the lowest elevation in the run. For example, if the run is laid out from a fixture at an elevation of 2'-0" to the main run entering the building at an elevation of 6", then the difference in elevation is 1'-6".
Page 523 Calculations at Selected Component section Flow Rate Flow Rate represents the amount of fluid that travels through the plumbing line that you selected over a period of one minute. The plumbing module calculates the flow rate using the plumbing line diameter and friction loss values.
Page 524 The following information outlines how the plumbing line diameter is calculated: The plumbing module calculates the pressure available for friction loss throughout the supply system by subtracting Pressure at Source from Pressure of the Highest Fixture, minus Pressure Drop, minus Friction Loss-Water Meter.
Page 525: How The Software Performs Calculations To Size Plumbing Lines
If the nominal size is… then the inner diameter is… 7.981 10.02 12.000 13.250 15.250 17.250 19.250 21.250 23.250 25.250 27.250 29.250 31.250 33.250 35.250 How the Software Performs Calculations to Size Plumbing Lines The following is for informational purposes only. 1 Determine the friction loss.
Page 526: Calculating The Sizes Of Sanitary Plumbing Lines
The plumbing module determines the total pressure drop for the run as follows: Total Pressure Drop = Friction Loss + Elevation Change 4 Determine the available pressure for Friction Loss. The plumbing module determines the pressure available for the Friction Loss by subtracting the Pressure at Source from the Pressure at the Highest Fixture, minus Pressure Drop, minus Friction Loss-Water Meter.
Page 527: Sanitary Branch Sizing
Sanitary Branch Sizing When you define the sanitary run as a branch, the software performs the sizing calculations using the information on the Branches tab in the sanitary plumbing line sizing table (pipe sizing table), whose definitions can be found in the Style Manager. Overview of Sizing Sanitary Plumbing Lines | 509...
Page 528: Sanitary Offset Sizing
Sanitary Offset Sizing When you define the sanitary run as an offset or a home drain, the plumbing module performs the sizing calculations using the information on the Offsets tab in the sanitary plumbing line sizing table (pipe sizing table), whose definitions can be found in Style Manager. Most sanitary systems are found in buildings that contain multiple floors.
Page 529: Sanitary Stack Sizing
Sanitary Stack Sizing When you define your sanitary run as a stack spanning 3 stories or less, or more than 3 stories, the plumbing module performs the sizing calculations using the information on the Stacks tab in the sanitary plumbing line sizing table (pipe sizing table), whose definitions can be found in Style Manager.
Page 530: Sizing Sanitary Plumbing Lines For Multiple Floors
4 In the Size Sanitary Plumbing Line dialog, under Design Values, select the plumbing line sizing table definition that you created based on applicable codes, such as the Uniform Plumbing Code. The software uses the table definition to determine the maximum permissible fixture unit loads for the type of run that you specify in the next step.
Page 531: Reviewing The Sizing Results For Sanitary Plumbing Lines
2 Open the second-floor drawing and perform the following actions: a Click the plumbing line closest to the first floor riser to select the run to size for the second floor. b Under Design Values, select Offset/Home Drains for Base Sizing On. c Enter the Fixture Units Upstream value from the previous step for Fixture Units from Branches Connecting Outside of this Drawing.
Page 532 Sanitary Branch Sizing If you based the sizing on branches, the Size Sanitary Plumbing Line dialog displays the results of the sizing for the branches in the drawing. The Fixture Units Upstream value is the result of all connected fixtures in the drawing. This value assumes that all connected fixtures are in the current drawing.
Page 533 Sanitary Stack Sizing If you based the sizing on stacks, the Size Sanitary Plumbing Line dialog displays the results of the sizing for the stacks in the drawing. The Fixture Units from Branches Connecting in this Drawing value is the result of all connected fixtures in the drawing.
Page 535: Chapter 11 Drawing Schematic Diagrams
Drawing Schematic Diagrams A schematic drawing is a two-dimensional (2D), not-to-scale flow diagram that shows the logic and operation of a building system. You draft a schematic or single-line diagram of your system to use as a basis for your complete design layout, or to create plumbing riser diagrams or details associated with your design.
Page 536: About Schematic Diagrams
About Schematic Diagrams ® You draw schematic lines just as you draw regular lines in AutoCAD , using AutoCAD MEP snaps and tooltips to help you. You add schematic symbols just as you add entities in AutoCAD, using an insertion point for placement and a rotation angle.
Page 537: Schematic Lines
Schematic Lines ® You can create schematic lines from AutoCAD lines, arcs, or polylines. In addition to assigning systems to schematic lines, you can create schematic line styles to distinguish between different system types. Schematic line styles specify how crossing lines are displayed, the symbol used to represent a connection point, and the list of available designation IDs, among other properties.
Page 538: Drawing In Isometric Mode
When you draw in orthographic mode, you add schematic lines and symbols in the world coordinate system (WCS). In the WCS, the X axis is horizontal, the Y axis is vertical, and the Z axis is perpendicular to the XY plane.
Page 539: Customizing Schematic Content
® Choosing one of the 3 isometric planes causes the AutoCAD Ortho mode and the crosshairs to be aligned along the corresponding isometric axes in the WCS. You can switch between planes as you draft. For example, you can start a run on the top plane, switch to the left plane to draw a riser, and then switch to the right plane to complete the run.
Page 540: Configuring Styles For Schematic Lines
2 Create the schematic system definition: If you want to… then in the left pane of Style Manager… create a new, blank system right-click Schematic System Definitions, and click New. Enter a name, definition and press ENTER. copy an existing definition, so do the following: you can modify the copy Right-click the system definition you want to copy, and click Copy.
Page 541: Specifying Annotation For Schematic Line Styles
2 In the Schematic workspace, open the style by doing one of the following: Click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager drop-down Schematic Line Styles . In the left pane of the Style Manager, select the style. In the drawing, select a schematic line that uses the style, and click Schematic Line General panel Edit System Style drop-down Edit Schematic Line Style...
Page 542 Z-axis value will display the overlap or break. If the priority values are different, the priority values determine this. Refer to the following table for more information. If the crossing style of And if the priority values of Then... the 2 lines is... the 2 lines are...
Page 543: Creating A Schematic Diagram
Creating a Schematic Diagram You create a schematic diagram by connecting symbols with lines to show the basic function of a building system in the overall design. You drag and drop schematic symbols into a drawing and connect the symbols ®...
Page 544 NOTE On the Properties palette, indicates a property is available only when you are adding schematic lines, not when you are modifying them. 2 Expand Basic, and for Description, click , enter a description for the schematic line, and click 3 For Style, select a schematic line style.
Page 545: Adding Schematic Symbols In Orthographic Mode
Adding Schematic Symbols in Orthographic Mode When you are drawing in orthographic mode, you add schematic symbols in the world coordinate system (WCS). In the WCS, the X axis is horizontal, the Y axis is vertical, and the Z axis is perpendicular to the XY plane.
Page 546: Adding Schematic Lines In Isometric Mode
2 On the Properties palette, if necessary, specify or change the symbol to add by selecting a schematic symbol style: If you want to select a schematic symbol then… style… in the current drawing expand Basic, and expand General. For Style, select the style.
Page 547 ® AutoCAD Ortho mode and the crosshairs to be aligned along the corresponding isometric axes in the world coordinate system (WCS). Working in isometric mode is beneficial, for example, when creating electrical riser diagrams. As you draw, you can switch between planes by selecting a different value for Isoplane on the Properties palette.
Page 548 2 Expand Basic, and for Description, click , enter a description for the schematic line, and click 3 For Style, select a schematic line style. You can select from the styles in the current drawing. 4 For System, select the system to which the schematic line belongs. You can select from the systems in the current drawing.
Page 549: Adding Schematic Symbols In Isometric Mode
Adding Schematic Symbols in Isometric Mode When you are drawing in isometric mode, you add schematic symbols on one of the 3 isometric planes: left, top, or right. Each isometric plane has an associated pair of axes. Choosing an isometric plane causes ®...
Page 550 Select a schematic line and click Schematic Line tab General panel Insert Symbol Click Home tab Build panel Schematic Symbol Enter symboladd. NOTE On the Properties palette, indicates a property is available only when you are adding schematic symbols, not when you are modifying them. 2 On the Properties palette, if necessary, specify or change the symbol to add by selecting a schematic symbol style: If you want to select a schematic symbol...
Page 551 5 For Orientation, select Isometric, and for Isoplane, select the isoplane onto which to place the symbol. NOTE If the style you selected does not have any defined isometric views, Orientation is read-only and set to Ortho. If this is the case, select a different style. For information on creating views for styles, Defining the Views of a Style on page 604.
Page 552: Adding Schematic Lines Using Grips
Adding Schematic Lines Using Grips Use the add grips on existing schematic lines or symbols to quickly and efficiently add schematic lines. The add grips are available in orthographic or isometric mode. To add schematic lines using the add grip 1 Select a schematic line or symbol, and click the (+) Add grip.
Page 553: Selecting Components
Associative Movement You can move schematic symbols or line segments without breaking their connections with the rest of the geometry. This feature is called associative movement. Used in conjunction with certain grips, associative movement enables you to move a schematic run component quickly and accurately. For example, when you move a schematic symbol to a new location, the line segments attached to the symbol can move, shrink, or stretch to maintain a connection with the schematic layout.
Page 554: Modifying The Properties Of A Schematic Line
To filter selections by part properties 1 Select multiple objects. 2 On the Properties palette, click Quick Select. 3 In the Quick Select dialog, specify the filter properties. For example: For Object type, select a Schematic. For Properties, select SystemType. For Operator, select =Equals.
Page 555: Modifying The Properties Of A Schematic Symbol
3 Press ESC. Modifying the Properties of a Schematic Symbol You modify the properties of schematic symbols using the Properties palette. For general information, see Modifying Object Properties Using the Properties Palette on page 91. RELATED See also Moving Schematic Symbols on page 540 and Rotating Schematic Symbols on page 542.
Page 556: Moving Schematic Lines
If you want to modify… then… the location (for end-of-line symbols click Additional information, enter new coordinates for the insertion only) point on the Location worksheet, and click OK. NOTE You can also move both end-of-line symbols and in- line symbols using Location grips. For more information, see Moving Schematic Symbols on page 540.
Page 557 To move a schematic line in isometric mode using grips In isometric mode, the Move Isoplane grip will move the schematic line in the direction which is perpendicular to the plane in which the schematic line lies. 1 Select the line. 2 Click the Move Isoplane grip 3 Move the line: If you want to…...
Page 558: Moving Schematic Symbols
If you want to… then… change the rotation of the schematic under Rotation, enter a new value for Angle. line 4 Click OK, and press ESC. ® For information about the WCS and the UCS, see “Use Coordinates and Coordinate Systems” in the AutoCAD Help.
Page 559: Modifying The Length Of Schematic Lines
Modifying the Length of Schematic Lines You can modify the length of schematic line segments using lengthen grips .Because the grips constrain a segment to its current angle, they are particularly useful for modifying the length of schematic line segments you have already placed.
Page 560: Rotating Schematic Symbols
NOTE To use the dimension input fields, both dynamic input( on the status bar) and the Dimension Input drafting option must be selected, which is the default setting. If you have deselected them, you can specify the new length by moving the cursor to a stretch point in the drawing or by entering the coordinates in the command window.
Page 561 NOTE Because schematic symbols are attached to schematic lines using curve anchors, you can also rotate symbols using the Curve Anchor commands on the context menu. For more information, see Rotating Objects Attached with Curve Anchors on page 110. To rotate an isometric schematic symbol 1 Select the symbol.
Page 562: Resizing Schematic Symbols
Rotating a symbol around the 3 isoplanes In the left isoplane, before isometric plane rotation In the top isoplane, after isometric plane rotation Resizing Schematic Symbols ® Use these procedures to change the size of a schematic symbol by scaling the symbol with the AutoCAD SCALE command.
Page 563: Resizing By Reference
Resizing a schematic symbol by scale factor Resizing by Reference You can resize a schematic symbol by reference. When you resize by reference, you specify the current length of a symbol as a reference for the new length. For example, if one side of a schematic symbol is 2.5 units long, and you want to expand it to 3.5 units, use 2.5 as the reference length and 3.5 as the new length.
Page 564 As an example, in the following procedure you decrease the size of a schematic symbol using the Scale grip mode by dragging the symbol to specify a new size. The numbers enclosed in parentheses refer to the illustration that follows the procedure. To resize a schematic symbol using grips 1 Select a schematic symbol (1).
Page 565: Chapter 12 Creating Construction Documents
Creating Construction Documents This section explains how to create construction documents using the tools in AutoCAD MEP. Construction Document Workflow It is recommended that project drawings are created, stored, and managed using the drawing management tools in AutoCAD MEP. When you use Project Navigator to manage drawings, you can efficiently create construction documents that reference the building system drawings.
Page 566: Creating Construction Documents
Watch a demo View more information Create a sheet set that includes a cover sheet with Create sheet sets ----- a sheet list. See Ordering Sheets in the Sheet Set on page 578 Plot or publish the sheet set. You can publish a Issue construction documents ----- sheet set directly to Design Web Format (DWF ).
Page 567: Scaling Annotation
Scaling Annotation The annotation scale of a viewport allows you to plot annotation at the same height or size regardless of the viewport scale. You can specify an annotation scale for model space and for each viewport in paper space. This means you can use different scales for the viewports in a layout (for example, one for a plan view and one for a detail view), and the annotation will scale and plot at the correct size.
Page 568 Example block-based label curve style If the label curve style uses a text style, then the configuration of the text style determines whether the label curve style is considered annotative. Example text-based label curve style The following table describes how labels are scaled based on the configuration of the text style that is used by a label curve style.
Page 569 drawing. In the case of a block-based style, you cannot make the style annotative or non-annotative by modifying the Annotative property in the underlying block definition. NOTE Schedules are not considered annotative. Therefore, they do not scale accordingly when the annotation scale changes.
Page 570 Domain Annotative Components of AutoCAD MEP Objects TIP You can use the conversion tools provided with the software to update large numbers of schematic symbols to be annotative. For more information, see Customizing Schematic Symbol Content on page 630. The Hatch display component is not an annotative component of an object. Therefore, it does not scale accordingly when the annotation scale changes.
Page 571 To set the current annotation scale 1 To set the annotation scale for model space, change to the Model tab. To set the annotation scale for a viewport in paper space, select the viewport. 2 On the drawing window status bar, click the current annotation scale, and select a new scale from the flyout menu.
Page 572 Adding and Modifying Scale Representations Scale representations enable you to display the same annotative objects differently in different viewports in paper space. You can add scale representations to objects, remove them, and move their locations in the drawing. NOTE Objects that are not annotative but have annotative components, such as devices and air terminals, do not have scale representations.
Page 573: Label Curve Styles
If you export a drawing with multiple viewports in paper space, the annotative objects are exploded into multiple blocks, one for each viewport, in order to maintain visual fidelity. You can export annotative AutoCAD objects in the same way by selecting Maintain visual fidelity for annotative objects on the Open and Save tab in the Options dialog.
Page 574 2 In the Label Style dialog, click the General tab. 3 Specify the desired information, and click OK. NOTE The name should be modified with caution. Avoid duplicate names to prevent confusion. Changing Label Style Annotation Properties You can use the options on the Label Style Annotation tab to specify how the object information is displayed in the label.
Page 575 Option Description For mechanical objects, specify a prefix, suffix, and symbol to dis- play with the dimensions of duct, pipe, and duct and pipe fittings. For electrical objects, specify a prefix, suffix, and symbol to display with the dimensions of cable tray, conduit, and cable tray and conduit fittings.
Page 576 Option Description NOTE If the object does not have property sets assigned to it, you need to add the property set definitions to the object from the Properties palette, or by tagging the object. Use String Display a specific string of text. 4 Select Mask Display of Curve to hide the centerline of the curve.
Page 577: Labels
4 To specify where the label is placed relative to the curve, select one of the following options: Offset option Description Auto-Adjust for 2 Line Use this option to adjust the label display for objects using a 2-line display configuration. Auto-Adjust for 1 Line Use this option to adjust the label display for objects using a 1-line display configuration.
Page 578: Adding Annotation Symbols From Designcenter
The label updates to reflect the properties of the new label style. Changing the Label Spacing You can change how labels are spaced along the X axis. 1 Double-click a label to open the Properties palette. NOTE Alternatively, select a label and then click Home tab Build panel Tools drop-down...
Page 579: Tags
When you select a subcategory that contains annotation symbols, the symbols are displayed in the right pane. 5 Drag the symbol from the right pane of DesignCenter into your drawing. 6 Specify the location and orientation for the symbol. TIP If you want to use a DesignCenter symbol repeatedly in a project, you can drag the symbol from DesignCenter directly onto a tool palette to create a symbol tool.
Page 580: Adding A Tag
Adding a Tag You must apply tags to equipment in order to create schedules for that equipment. When you add a tag to a part, the property set definitions associated with that tag are added to the part. You can enter values manually as you add the tag, and you can also modify property set data after the tag is added.
Page 581: Using Part Number Tags And Schedules
If you delete a tag, you also remove the property set definitions that the tag assigned to the part. You lose all property set values defined for the part. The available property sets are specified by the property set definitions assigned to the tag tool. For more information, see Property Set Definitions in the AutoCAD Architecture online help.
Page 582: Working With Part Number Tags And Schedules
The Tags and Schedules Tool Palette The part number tools let you number tags individually or in a sequence, and allow using the same number for parts of the same type. Part number tags can use either numbers or text labels. While part number tags work with any MEP object, the Tags and Schedules palette provides scheduling tools only for duct and piping systems.
Page 583 If you want to..Use... modify an existing set of part numbers Update Part Numbers delete an existing set of part numbers, in- Remove Part Number cluding property sets 6 Set the tag starting value and add any desired tag prefix or suffix information. The tag starting value can be a number or a letter, or a combination of the two.
Page 584: Schedules
Schedules You can add schedules to display part information. A schedule displays (in tabular format) a list of tagged parts along with selected attributes for each part. Schedule data is dynamic -- when you change part attributes (or delete a part) in a drawing, the schedule table automatically reflects those changes. The schedule format is based on the schedule table style assigned to the schedule tool.
Page 585: Linking A Schedule To An External Drawing
Linking a Schedule to an External Drawing This task shows how to add a schedule to its own drawing, and then link it to an external drawing that contains the parts you want to schedule. If you want to have separate sheets for plan drawings and schedule drawings, it is recommended that you add a schedule to its own drawing.
Page 586: Exporting A Schedule To A Spreadsheet
2 Click Schedule Table tab Modify panel Update Optionally, you can select the schedule table and change the Update Automatically setting on the Properties palette from No to Yes to immediately update the schedule any time you make a change. To add new parts to a schedule 3 Select the schedule table, right-click, and click Selection Add.
Page 587: Creating A Detail View
5 Click Next. 6 Specify the floors of the building plan used in the view drawing. The constructs that you want to use in the view must be assigned to the same floors. 7 Click Next. 8 Specify what constructs to use in the view. The constructs you select are attached as reference drawings to the view drawing.
Page 588: Creating A Section View
11 Specify the floors of the building plan used in this detail view drawing. The constructs that you want to show in the view must be assigned to the same floors. 12 Click Next. 13 Specify what constructs to show in the view. The constructs you select are attached as reference drawings to the view drawing.
Page 589 5 Specify the section extents. The parts of the drawing enclosed by the section extents will be included in the new section view drawing. 6 In the Place Callout dialog, for New Model Space View Name, specify a name to display in the title mark of the new section view.
Page 590 15 Click OK. 16 In the general view drawing, specify the insertion point for the new section view. The new section view will not be inserted in the general view drawing; you are specifying its location in the new drawing. It is recommended that you specify a point away from the drawing geometry.
Page 591: Creating An Elevation View
the section view. The section number in the title mark will be resolved when you place the section view on a sheet. Creating an Elevation View You can add an elevation mark to a view drawing while creating a new elevation view drawing. Because the elevation view is generated from a general view, and the general view references a construct, you can automatically update the elevation view drawing to reflect any changes to the construct.
Page 592 13 Specify what constructs to use in the view. The constructs you select are attached as reference drawings to the view drawing. If a drawing is referenced as an overlay in a view drawing, it will not be included when you add the view drawing to a sheet. NOTE If the construct drawing you want to use includes an overlay reference drawing, such as a building floor plan, you must select the reference drawing in addition to the construct drawing in order for it to display on the view drawing.
Page 593: Updating A Section Or Elevation View
17 The new view drawing is created, but not opened. The detail number and sheet number referenced in the elevation mark display as ?. 18 Save and close the general view drawing. 19 To open the new elevation view drawing, double-click it on the Views tab in Project Navigator. 20 Zoom extents to display the drawing contents.
Page 594: Sheets
3 Click directly on the drawing geometry in the section or elevation view. 4 Click 2D Section/Elevation tab Modify panel Regenerate 5 In the Generate Section/Elevation dialog, click OK to regenerate the section or elevation. If you have already placed the section or elevation view on a sheet, the section or elevation view will update automatically the next time you open the sheet.
Page 595: Creating A Cover Sheet
If you want to change the size of the view on the sheet, right-click and select a new scale. NOTE If you are placing a detail, section, or elevation view, only the specific view is added to the sheet. The referenced plan view geometry is not displayed. 10 Specify the insertion point for the view.
Page 596: Ordering Sheets In The Sheet Set
3 Open the new sheet. 4 If necessary, change the Sheets tab to Sheet Set View. 5 Right-click the project name at the top of the sheet set directories, and click Insert Sheet List. 6 In the Insert Sheet List Table dialog, specify the sheet list table settings, and click OK. 7 When prompted with a warning about manually editing the sheet list, click OK.
Page 597: Checking Your Drawings
Elevation labels NOTE You can create default elevations using the MEP Elevations tab in the Options dialog. For more information, Defining System Elevations on page 73. To add elevation labels 1 Click Insert tab Content panel drop-down Design Center 2 Click the AEC Content tab 3 In the left pane, expand Documentation Elevation Labels, and select the desired subdirectory.
Page 598 Valid connections are determined by connector style rules, which define properties that must match between objects. A connector style has preset properties for which rules can be defined. For example, you can test for connection type and domain to prevent accidentally connecting a segment or run of the wrong connection type to an MvPart.
Page 599: Showing Connected Runs
5 In the Options dialog, click the AEC Editor tab. 6 Under Solution Tip, select options for displaying solution tip icons. Select Drafting to display solution tip icons as you work in a drawing file. Select Plotting/Publishing to display solution tip icons when plotting or publishing a drawing file. NOTE You can also control the display of solution tip icons while drafting by clicking View tab View panel Solution Tips...
Page 600: Finding Interferences
1 Click Duct/Pipe/Wire etc. tab Modify panel Show Connected Objects drop-down Show Connected Objects 2 Press ENTER. Finding Interferences When you run interference detection, the software checks for interferences between the types of objects you specify. You can check for interferences between Building systems objects, for example, between ducts and pipes Building systems objects and architectural/structural objects, for example, between ducts and walls The software checks for interferences between objects in the current drawing, between objects in referenced...
Page 601 To start interference detection 1 Click Analyze tab Inquiry panel Interference Detection 2 In the Interference Detection palette, under MEP Objects, select the types of building systems objects to be checked for interferences against other building system objects, or against architectural and structural objects.
Page 602: Viewing And Resolving Interferences
Viewing and Resolving Interferences With a drawing open, click Analyze tab Inquiry panel Interference Detection . On the Interference Detection palette, click to start the analysis. When the analysis is completed, locate the Edit in Place tab on the ribbon to view the Interference Detection panel. Interference Detection panel Use the information in the following table to help you view and resolve each interference: To...
Page 603: Tagging Interferences Or Openings
To... then... resolve interferences use tools or commands to add or modify MEP objects NOTE Resolving interferences does not automatically remove them from the list view and the drawing. You must either run the Interference Analysis again, or manually remove the interferences.
Page 604: Exiting Interference Detection
NOTE You can create an interference report that lists the interferences in your drawing. You must first tag the interferences that you want to include in the report, and then use the SCHEDULEADD command. A default schedule for interferences is provided. For more information about creating a schedule, see Adding a Schedule on page 566.
Page 605: Collecting Project Data
2D section shrinkwrap with glass excluded (left) For more information on shrinkwrap, see the AutoCAD Architecture Help. 1 Select a component with the style definitions group that contains the style you want to change, and then: Click Duct tab General panel Edit System Style drop-down Edit Duct Style Click Pipe tab...
Page 606: Defining Property Set Definitions
You can access default schedule tags, property set definitions, and schedule table styles in drawings located in \ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\Styles. Schedule tables and the associated object properties are customizable. Customizing can be as simple as rearranging, adding, or deleting columns from a schedule table style, or as complex as creating a custom-defined report specific to a unique design or project.
Page 607: Using Classifications
Property set data can be attached to an object, object style, or object definition. You can also edit or browse property set data or renumber any property set that increments automatically, such as a register number. If you want to… then on the Properties Palette…...
Page 608: Copying A Schedule Table Style
AutoCAD MEP provides an object enabler so that you can work with custom objects contained in the drawing. You may want to share drawings using an internet-based collaboration tool like Autodesk Buzzsaw. In this case you can use a design web format (DWF) to create a file that others can view.
Page 609: Displaying Custom Objects
MEP to be accessed outside its native environment. This provides data accessibility for design teams that create and receive AutoCAD MEP files. If you open an AutoCAD MEP drawing that contains an object created in a different Autodesk product, AutoCAD MEP can automatically check http://www.autodesk.com...
Page 610: Posting And Plotting Your Drawings
For more information, see Starting a Drawing Compare Sessionin the AutoCAD Architecture online Help. NOTE This feature is available only to customers participating in the Autodesk Subscription Program. For more information, go to http://pointa.autodesk.com.
Page 611: Using Industry Foundation Classes
Pipe custom fitting Pipe fitting Pipe flex The IfcShareBldgElements (MEP) DWG drawing file contains the IFC classifications for these MEP objects. This file resides at \ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\Styles. The following IFC object classifications are supported in AutoCAD MEP: IfcDistributionChamberElement IfcDistributionControlElement IfcDistributionFlowElement...
Page 612 Use the following procedure to assign IFC classifications to MEP objects prior to exporting to an IFC file: To set up IFC classifications in AutoCAD MEP 1 Click Open Drawing to navigate to \ProgramData\Autodesk\ACA 2010\enu\Styles directory and open the IfcShareBldgElements (MEP).dwg file. 2 Click Manage tab Style & Display panel...
Page 613 3 Expand Multi-Purpose Objects Classification Definitions. 4 Right-click Classification Definitions and click Paste. 5 Click ifcObjectClassification in the left pane and then the Applies To tab in the right pane to see the applicable MEP objects (as shown below). 6 Click OK. 7 Select an MEP object in your drawing and click Home tab Build panel Tools...
Page 614 10 To apply a new IFC classification to the selected MEP object, choose an IfcSharedBuildingServicesElement property from the list and click OK. Your selection appears next to IFCObjectClassification on the Extended Data tab on the Properties palette. Repeat this step for each MEP object in your drawing. TIP You can also click on the Quick Select icon at the upper right corner of the Properties palette to select multiple MEP objects with the same classification and then classify them on the...
Page 615: Select A Style
Following the export, you can open the new IFC file in a third-party IFC viewer. The IFC classifications appear for each object that you defined previously. 2 To import a file, click Open IFC (Industry Foundation Classes). The imported IFC file is imported as a referenced drawing (xref). You can check that the MEP objects were properly preserved.
Page 617: Chapter 13 Customizing Style-Based Content
Customizing Style-Based Content You create style-based content by creating and configuring a new style. To create schematic symbols, devices, panels, and plumbing fittings, which can require different appearances in different views (top, left, and so on), you also need to create the AutoCAD blocks (or an MvBlock) for the required views of the styles.
Page 618: Creating A Style-Based Content Library
The following folder contains a set of customizable style-based content libraries: \ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\MEPContent. The libraries have unique drawing names based on the type of content they contain. NOTE Before customizing the libraries provided with the software, make a copy of the original libraries.
Page 619: Creating A Style
The number and types of blocks that you need depend on your requirements. For a schematic symbol style, typically you can create one 2D block to represent the symbol in a plan view. If you need to create isometric drawings, you can use this block to generate additional blocks for the 12 isometric views that represent the 12 isometric view directions and orientations.
Page 620: Editing Style-Based Content
Workspace Ribbon Path Schematic Click Manage tab Style & Display pan- Style Manager drop-down Schem- atic Line Styles NOTE To create new styles for Conduit, Cable Tray, Custom Duct/Pipe Fittings and other content, click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager , and click the + sign to open a domain type.
Page 621: Configuring Styles
content location for the modified library drawing. (See Specifying Part Catalogs and Style-Based Content Locations on page 70.) Configuring Styles Styles are sets of properties that you can assign to objects to determine their appearance or function. For example, a schematic line style defines a schematic line’s appearance, such as how the line is displayed when crossing other lines.
Page 622: Defining The Views Of A Style
4 Select a cleanup method for schematic lines, wires, or plumbing lines, depending on the style: If you want to end at the… then select… connection point None. edge of a surrounding hidden box Bounding Box. edge of an inscribed circle within a surrounding hidden box Inscribed Circle.
Page 623: Defining Style Views For Devices, Panels, And Plumbing Fittings
TIP Use the styles provided with the software as a guide for creating your own custom styles. For an introduction to orthographic and isometric views, see Orthographic and Isometric Views of Style-Based Content on page 86. Defining Style Views for Devices, Panels, and Plumbing Fittings 1 In the drawing that will contain the style, create the AutoCAD blocks (or the MvBlock) that will represent the object in the orthographic views and in the model view.
Page 624 If desired, you can offset the annotation block from its insertion point by specifying values for Offset in X and for Offset in Y. NOTE When you insert a view block as an annotation block, the Annotation display component for the object type (device, panel, or plumbing fitting) determines its display properties, such as its color, linetype, and lineweight.
Page 625: Defining Style Views For Schematic Symbols
Defining Style Views for Schematic Symbols 1 In the drawing that will contain the style, create an AutoCAD block to represent the symbol in plan view. 2 Create the style, as described in Creating a Style on page 601. 3 In the left pane of Style Manager, navigate to the style, select it, and click the Views tab. Views tab for an existing schematic symbol style 4 Click Generate Isometric Views.
Page 626: Configuring The Connectors Of A Style
9 Select a view, and under Scaling, specify how to scale the symbol block: If you want to scale the view block Then ... using ... the current annotation scale select Use Annotation Scale. This scales the block to the annotation plot size (specified on the Scale tab of the Drawing Setup dialog) multiplied by the scale factor for the current annotation...
Page 627 require multiple connectors. You add connectors to style-based objects by adding connectors to the styles that define the objects. You can also remove connectors from styles, or change their type and location. NOTE For detailed information on configuring connectors for device styles and for plumbing fitting styles, both of which have unique considerations, see Configuring Connectors for Device Styles on page 368 and...
Page 628: Configuring The Display Properties Of A Style
9 Click OK. Configuring the Display Properties of a Style By customizing the display properties of a style (in other words, by applying a style override), you can control how building systems objects using that style are displayed in your drawing. You can change individual component display properties, such as the color or layer of connectors.
Page 629: Attaching Notes And Files To A Style
If you want to… then… change style-specific display settings select the display representation, click Edit Display Properties, and then click the Other tab to make changes. The Other tab is displayed only in some display representations. 4 Click OK twice. Attaching Notes and Files to a Style General style properties include name, description, and notes.
Page 630: Copying Styles Between Drawings
6 Click the Reference Docs tab and enter reference information. 7 Click Add to select a reference and enter a description. 8 Click Edit to modify the location or description of a reference. 9 Click Delete to remove a reference from your drawing. 10 Click OK.
Page 631 Supply duct run Return duct run Creating Blocks for Rise Symbols and Drop Symbols Before you define a rise/drop style, you need to create the AutoCAD blocks that will represent the rise symbols and drop symbols. For information on creating blocks, see “Create and Store Blocks” in the AutoCAD Help. Keep the following guidelines in mind as you create the blocks: Rise/drop styles (and, therefore, the associated blocks) must exist in the current drawing if they are to be used.
Page 632: Defining Rise/Drop Styles
Defining Rise/Drop Styles A rise/drop style specifies the symbols to use in 2-line and 1-line displays of rise conditions and drop conditions on segments and fittings. You can define the following types of rise/drop styles: duct, pipe, cable tray, conduit, and plumbing. Duct rise/drop styles allow you to specify symbols for different shapes: round, rectangular, and oval.
Page 633 IMPORTANT To simplify the process of configuring the symbols in a rise/drop style, it is recommended that you reconfigure as necessary—but do not remove—the default symbols. They make up the minimal set of rise symbols and drop symbols needed for all possible rise conditions and drop conditions in 2-line and 1-line displays.
Page 634: Connector Styles
If you want to scale the symbol block ... Then ... using a scale factor that you specify select Override Scale, and for each coordinate direction (X, Y, and Z), enter the scale factor to use to scale the block. NOTE If you select both this and Use Annotation Scale, the block is scaled using the scale factors you enter, and then the result is multiplied by the scale...
Page 635: Categorizing Style-Based Content
To verify the connector style rules 1 Click Manage tab Style & Display panel Style Manager 2 Expand Multi-Purpose Objects, and then expand Connector Styles. 3 In the left pane, select a connector style. 4 In the right pane, click the Rules tab, and verify the connector style rules. Categorizing Style-Based Content You can create categories for related style-based content in the drawings located in the default style-based...
Page 636: Customizing Device Content
6 Click Add to add a style to the new category. Repeat to add additional styles. 7 To delete a category, right-click the category name in the left pane and click Purge. NOTE Deleting a category deletes the category and the references to the styles within the category. It does not delete the actual styles.
Page 637 The list of layer keys from which you can select is determined by the layer standard and layer key style that is specified for the current drawing. For more information, see Specifying a Layer Standard and a Layer Key Style on page 134.
Page 638: Converting Device Styles To Blocks
8 If the software finds no other additional blocks or parts of the same type as the one you are converting, you can click Finish to convert the object. Otherwise, click Next. 9 If you want to convert the additional blocks or parts to devices that have the same properties, select Convert all additional references to the selected block in the drawing, and click Finish.
Page 639 NOTE This conversion process produces only the previously specified output. Your original device style drawings remain unchanged. To convert a set of device styles to their individual blocks 1 Click Manage tab MEP Content panel Decompose Devices 2 In the Decompose Devices dialog, for File to Decompose, then select the drawing (DWG file) that contains the device styles to convert: If you want to…...
Page 640: Converting Blocks To Device Styles
5 Click Decompose. The software converts the device styles into the blocks used by the style views and generates an associated script based on the style definitions. NOTE Because a device style specifies only the positions of the connectors and not the method in which they were initially specified, the script sets the default value of the Connector Placement property of all connectors to Specify.
Page 641: Creating Device Conversion Scripts
The conversion script contains the device style settings to use, as well as references to the ® drawings that contain the AutoCAD blocks to use for the style views. If you want to… then… create a script click Create, and create the script using the Device Conversion Script dialog.
Page 642 2 In the Batch Convert Devices dialog, under Conversion Script File, click Create. 3 In the Device Conversion Script dialog, under Convert, specify the file or files that contain the blocks to convert to device styles: If you want to… then…...
Page 643: Modifying Device Conversion Scripts
If you want to… then… use an existing template click Browse. In the Open File box, select the existing template, and click Open. NOTE To make changes to the template prior to using it, click Edit. In the Conversion Template dialog, modify the values of the template settings.
Page 644 If the conversion script was initially generated by the software as a result of converting existing device styles to blocks, you need to modify the script to reflect the customizations that you want before you use the same script to convert the blocks to new device styles. If you created the conversion script, you might want to modify the script to change one or more settings before repeating the conversion process.
Page 645 3 In the Edit Device Script dialog, modify the script: If you want to… then… modify a device style select the style, and modify its properties using the available options. add a device style click , select the new style, and modify its properties. modify a view for a device style select the view, and modify its properties using the available options.
Page 646 The Type, Layer Key, and Masking properties in the script display on the Design Rules tab of the Style Manager. On the tab, the Masking property is called Wire Cleanup. The Category property in the script does not display in the Style Manager. Device categories are the mechanism by which you group the devices (device styles) in the Select Device worksheet, making it easier to browse the available devices.
Page 647 The Source Block property in the script does not display on the tab. When you create a style view using the Style Manager, you do not specify the file path of the drawing containing the source AutoCAD block, because you are limited to selecting a block in the current drawing. Connector Properties The connector properties in the device conversion script display on the Connectors tab of the Style Manager.
Page 648: Customizing Schematic Symbol Content
Customizing Schematic Symbol Content This section provides information on several conversion tools you can use to create schematic symbol content. For information on creating style-based content manually, see Workflow for Creating Style-Based Content on page 599. Converting Schematic Symbol Styles to Blocks You can convert a set of schematic symbol styles to their individual components: the style settings and the ®...
Page 649: Converting Blocks To Schematic Symbol Styles
2 In the Decompose Symbols dialog, for File to Decompose, select the drawing (DWG file) that contains the schematic symbol styles to convert: If you want to… then… convert the schematic symbol styles in the click Current Drawing. current drawing open in AutoCAD MEP convert the schematic symbol styles in a click the radio button beside the file path, click Browse, select drawing stored locally on your computer...
Page 650 on the customizations. In this case, you already have a conversion script, which you can customize and reuse. Regardless of the context, you use only one script to produce one drawing containing schematic symbol styles. For example, you would use one script to produce one drawing containing customized styles for HVAC equipment.
Page 651: Creating Symbol Conversion Scripts
If you want to… then… overwrite the contents of an existing draw- in the Select File dialog, select the drawing, click Save, and then click Yes to confirm that the contents of the drawing can be overwritten. 4 Click Generate. The software creates the schematic symbol styles using the conversion script and the block definitions from the referenced drawings.
Page 652 If you want to… then… convert the blocks in a single drawing click Drawing, click Browse, select the drawing, and click Open. convert the blocks in all drawings in a folder click Folder, click Browse, select the folder, and click OK. 4 Under Conversion Template, for Path, specify the conversion template (Custom Content Template or CCT file) to use to create the conversion script: NOTE The conversion template is the mechanism by which you specify default values for the settings...
Page 653: Modifying Symbol Conversion Scripts
If you want to… then… use an existing template click Browse. In the Open File box, select the existing template, and click Open. NOTE To make changes to the template prior to using it, click Edit. In the Conversion Template dialog, modify the values of the template settings.
Page 654 If the conversion script was initially generated by the software as a result of converting existing schematic symbol styles to blocks, you need to modify the script to reflect the customizations that you want before you use the same script to convert the blocks to new styles. If you created the conversion script, you might want to modify the script to change one or more settings before repeating the conversion process.
Page 655 3 In the Edit Symbol Script dialog, modify the script: If you want to… then… modify a schematic symbol style select the style, and modify its properties using the available options. add a schematic symbol style click , select the new style, and modify its properties. modify a view for a style select the view, and modify its properties using the available options.
Page 656 The Masking property in the script displays on the Design Rules tab of the Style Manager. On the tab, the property is called Line Cleanup. The Category property in the script does not display in the Style Manager. Schematic symbol categories are the mechanism by which you group the symbols (symbol styles) in the Select Schematic Symbol worksheet, making it easier to browse the available symbols.
Page 657 The Source Block property in the script does not display on the tab. When you create a style view using the Style Manager, you do not specify the file path of the drawing containing the source AutoCAD block, because you are limited to selecting a block in the current drawing. Connector Properties The connector properties in the script display on the Connectors tab of the Style Manager.
Page 659: Chapter 14 Customizing Catalog-Based Content
Customizing Catalog-Based Content This chapter provides information on creating content stored in catalogs, namely, parametric and block-based parts and fittings. For information on creating style-based content, see Customizing Style-Based Content on page 599. Understanding Parametric and Block-Based Parts You can create 2 types of content using Content Builder: parametric parts and block-based parts. To determine what type of part to create, it is important to understand how each type is defined, how the parts are used in AutoCAD MEP, and what type is best for certain parts.
Page 660 Viewing different-sized air terminals Electrical: A 13-hole junction box for 1-inch conduit looks the same as a 13-hole junction box for 3-inch conduit, except for the size of the inlet for the conduit connection. By creating a parametric part, you can create a 3D model of a 13-hole junction box and assign a parameter for the conduit connection that can change in size.
Page 661: Approaches To Creating Parts
Block-Based Parts ® A block-based part is defined as a multi-view part (MvPart) whose geometry is based on individual AutoCAD blocks. Each part size is associated with a unique 3D model block, to which you specify basic information such as view representations and connector placement. 2-dimensional (2D) block representations are generated for each part size.
Page 662 Content Builder RELATED See Workflow for Creating a Parametric Fitting with Content Builder on page 674 to build a parametric part. This environment includes the following user interface features: The part browser is displayed on the left side of the screen and provides an organized view into the features of your part.
Page 663 image to assist during part selection, part connectors, and property set information. For more information, Starting Content Builder for Creating a Block-Based MvPart on page 757. MvPart Builder dialog for creating a new part You modify block-based parts. Tabs are available for part behavior, assigned blocks and names, preview image, part connectors, and assigned property set information.
Page 664: Content Builder
the tabs at any time. For more information, see Starting Content Builder for Modifying a Block-Based Part on page 764. Content Builder The AutoCAD MEP software uses the term content to represent real-world parts, such as fittings and equipment. Content Builder is a content creation tool included in AutoCAD MEP. It is an integrated package of 3D modeling tools and 2D drafting and drawing capabilities that helps you to conceptualize, design, and build content.
Page 665: Allowing For Automatic Layer Mapping Of Part Sizes For Content Builder
It is recommended that you select the AecbLayerStd4.dwg layer standard located in the \ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\Layers folder to use the standard AutoCAD MEP layers. 3 Under Default Layer Standard, select a layer key style from the list, and then click OK.
Page 666 IMPORTANT When selecting a catalog, it is important to analyze the type of part you want to create or modify. MvParts belong to a single catalog; however, they can have a different domain for each connection. When selecting a part to create or modify, the Getting Started - Catalog Screen dialog detects the part domain, and guides you by activated icons to ensure that you use the correct building environment.
Page 667: Working With Parametric Parts
IMPORTANT To facilitate the process of upgrading to a new version of AutoCAD MEP, add all your custom parts to custom catalogs. Do not add custom parts to the catalogs provided with the software. When you upgrade, this allows you to easily move all your custom catalog content as a whole to the catalog folders for the new version (where new versions of the catalogs provided with the software are also located).
Page 668: Building Parametric Fittings Using Content Builder
Building Parametric Fittings Using Content Builder Content Builder contains a collection of 2D drawing and 3D modeling tools. Content Builder lets you create parts by building them component-by-component or by assembling them from primitives (predefined models that represent basic shapes and connections). When creating a parametric part, you define the features of the part and how they are associated with one another.
Page 669: Recommendations For Creating Parametric Fittings Content
Recommendations for Creating Parametric Fittings Content This topic provides recommendations to use when creating or modifying content for custom parametric fittings. The first section lists general recommendations and the other sections defines recommendations specific to the parametric part. TIP Some of the following recommendations refer to male-female parts that you can build. A male-female part includes both male and female connectors on page 267.
Page 670: Rules For Connector Behavior
Connector 3 can be male or female. Path angle PathA1 is equal to 180 degrees. Path angle PathA2 can be equal to or less than 90 degrees. Eccentric Transitions The female connectors on a male-female part can be located on either of the 2 connectors. Male connection types are undefined to allow the connection name to be inherited from the associated female connector.
Page 671: Parametric Part Creation Overview
Connector 1 is on the bell end of the bell/hub, and connector 2 is on the back end. Connector 2 reports the same connection type as connector 1 on the Connection Assignments on page 296 tab of the Pipe Layout Preferences dialog. The Piping domain has a connection type called Same Connection.
Page 672 Model of a Parametric Part A model is the graphical representation of a parametric part. In Content Builder, a model consists of various features that have specific relationships to each other and that define the behavior of the parametric part. Some features require that you create simple shapes or points, while others require an extrusion or path.
Page 673 The following preset work planes can be added to a model from the Create Work Plane dialog: Default Creates the standard ZX, YZ, and XY work planes of the WCS. Custom Creates a work plane that is not available by the preset work planes. The work plane has user-defined values for the X and Y direction and the origin of the plane in the current UCS.
Page 674 references one of the planes of the extent. To define a reference work plane, you select a modifier and a source work plane that represents the plane direction you want to create. The extents, or boundary box, of the feature is detected, and 2 valid reference work planes are available for selection. If the modifier is moved or resized, the reference work plane is moved with it.
Page 675 Point Reference Defined by a point in the work plane that is based on a source point selected from a different work plane. A point reference is moved or deleted with the source point. Project Geometry Defined by a projection of a modifier on a specified work plane. The project geometry is fixed and cannot be moved in the work plane.
Page 676 Parallel Distance Can be defined for pairs of geometry of all types. Defines a value between 2 features in a parallel direction. The value of a distance dimension cannot be negative. Perpendicular Distance Can be defined for pairs of geometry of all types. Defines a value between 2 features in a perpendicular direction.
Page 677 Applying a concentric constraint Content Builder provides 10 geometric constraints. The following list describes these constraints and the features with which they can be used. Tangent Can be defined between curved geometry (such as a circle or arc) and either another curved geometry or a line.
Page 678 Rectangular Creates a profile based on a rectangle defined by 4 lines, 4 points, and 4 perpendicular constraints to maintain its shape. Oval Creates a profile based on an oval defined by 2 lines, 2 arcs, 4 points, and 4 tangent constraints to maintain its shape.
Page 679 Applying a from-to extrusion modifier Blind Extrusion Modifier A blind extrusion sweeps a profile a specified distance along its normal, or perpendicular axis. You can flip the extrusion to sweep the profile in the opposite direction as the default normal. Applying a blind extrusion modifier Path Modifier A path modifier sweeps a profile along path geometry.
Page 680 Applying a transition modifier Cut Plane Modifier A cut plane modifier cuts a feature into 2 parts, only 1 of which is kept. A cut plane modifier enables you to change the end of a feature to a slope, providing for the creation of more advanced features, such as an exhaust vent.
Page 681 removed from the base object. To see results in the model, the subtractor features must intersect with the base feature. When no intersection of features exists, the subtractor features are removed from the base feature with no visible change in the model. Applying a Boolean subtract modifier Primitives Primitives are limited versions of part models that are designed for repeated use in part creation.
Page 682 Because primitives do not represent complete parts, they do not have a defined part type, size parameters, or autolayout data. A primitive is defined by a DWG file that specifies its limited configuration, and a preview image (BMP file) that facilitates its selection when users are adding primitives to parts. Because primitives are not parts, you cannot add them to catalogs.
Page 683 Crosses require 4 trim lengths To add a trim length, you select valid node points that are displayed in the model and define a distance for the length. The following illustration shows how trim lengths for a tee fitting would be defined: A tee has 3 trim lengths: 2 are defined from the center point of the trunk to each end of the trunk legs (1 &...
Page 684 Connectors of a Parametric Part In the parametric building environment of Content Builder, you can add connectors to a part. Connectors enable the part to be connected intelligently to other building systems objects in your layout. You can define one or more connectors for a part. When you add a new pipe connector to a pipe segment or MvPart, the software automatically assigns parameter values for CEL (connection engagement length) and AoD (angle of deflection).
Page 685 IMPORTANT The position of the first connector placed in the model defines the axis orientation of the part upon insertion. For example, if you place the first connector on a part with a perpendicular vector into the part, the direction of the vector defines the positive x-axis orientation when inserted into a drawing. The shape of the connector is determined by the shape of the modifier that the connector is attached to.
Page 686 Size parameters of a round damper The Size Parameters dialog has 3 modes: Parameter Configuration. You use this mode to view and change the attributes of parameters, such as the description, type of data storage, type of data, units, and visibility. The type of data storage determines whether the parameter values are stored as a list, a table, a constant, or a calculation.
Page 687 Copying and Pasting Part Sizes When you are adding part sizes to a part, you can copy and paste values from other part families using ® standard Microsoft Windows copy and paste functionality: CTRL+C for Copy and CTRL+V for Paste. The Copy and Paste commands are also available on: toolbar of the Size Parameters dialog context menu accessed by right-clicking a parameter heading or value...
Page 688 4 In the Size Parameters dialog, click (Default Connector Values) on the toolbar. Alternatively, you can right-click a value, and click Default. 5 If you selected the value of a pipe connector, in the Choose a Part dialog, select the pipe fitting whose values you want to insert, and click OK.
Page 689 Example of Parametric Object Viewer To preview a part size defined in a table row, you can click any cell in the row, or press ARROW+UP and ARROW+DOWN to navigate through different sizes. To preview part sizes defined in a list, you can double-click a default list value, or press CTRL ARROW+UP or CTRL ARROW+DOWN to display a list of sizes to navigate through.
Page 690 Options dialog for a parametric MvPart The following table describes the behaviors (properties) that you can set in the dialog. Property Description Custom Sizing Flag Lets you create custom sizes of the part when a needed part size does not exist in the catalog. Custom sizes can be inserted by Auto Layout or by setting part filter/values in the Add dialog.
Page 691 NOTE If you specify that the MvPart can anchor to another object as well as break into another object, the software prompts you to select which behavior to use when adding the part to a drawing. For an example of both behaviors, Defining the Part Behavior of a Block-Based MvPart on page 757.
Page 692: Workflow For Creating A Parametric Fitting With Content Builder
As shown in the previous illustration, the default position of the Symbol and Annotation plane on the Z axis in the World Coordinate System (WCS) is high above the WCS origin. This keeps the plane and its contents out of the way while you are working on your part model. If desired, you can change the Z position of the plane.
Page 693: Creating A Parametric Fitting With Content Builder
Review the steps View more information You add connectors to enable the part to intelligently connect to other building systems objects in your layout. A connector is dependent Add connectors to the part. ----- on the model feature it is attached to; therefore, shape and size are defined when the connector is added to the model.
Page 694 NOTE Parametric fittings are not used in plumbing runs. However, parametric fittings are useful for ducts, pipes, cable trays and conduit. Opening the Parametric Building Environment 1 Click Manage tab MEP Content panel Content Builder The Getting Started - Catalog Screen dialog appears. 2 Under Part Domain, select a part catalog.
Page 695 2 To specify the part type, under Part Configuration on page 653, right-click Undefined, click Edit, and then select Tee. Example of part configuration for round duct beveled tee You specify the part type (such as tee, elbow) from a predefined list in the part browser. The selection is based on the building system domain and current part catalog.
Page 696 3 Click Default, and click OK. The ZX plane, YZ plane, and XY plane are created. 4 To view the work planes in the modeling area, on the floating View panel, click View drop-down SW Isometric 5 In the part browser, expand Work Planes. When you select a work plane in the part browser, the work plane is highlighted in the modeling area.
Page 697 For more information about profiles, see Profiles on page 659. 2 Select a center point in the modeling area and specify a second point, or enter 12" (305 mm), to define the radius. A circular profile is created and is added to YZ Plane in the part browser. 3 In the part browser, right-click Modifiers on page 660 and click Add Extrusion.
Page 698 A cylinder is created to represent the trunk of the tee and an extrusion modifier is added to Modifiers in the part browser. TIP You can quickly build a part model using primitives. For information, see Primitives on page 663. Modeling the Branch of a Parametric Tee Fitting Use this procedure to model the branch of the tee fitting based on the center of the trunk.
Page 699 A circular profile is created and is added to ZX Plane in the part browser. 4 In the part browser, right-click Modifiers and click Add Extrusion. 5 Select the circular profile for the branch in the modeling area. The Extrusion Modifier dialog is displayed. 6 Under Termination, select Blind for Type, and enter 10"...
Page 700 7 To flip the branch to the other side of the trunk, expand Modifiers in the part browser, right-click the second (branch) extrusion modifier and click Edit. The Extrusion Modifier dialog appears. 8 Under Termination, select Flip and click OK. The branch is flipped to the other side of the trunk.
Page 701 The software prompts you to select the connector location. As you move the cursor around in the modeling area, it snaps to 4 possible locations for a connector—to both ends of the trunk and both ends of the branch. 2 To specify the first connection point, select the connector location on the left end of the trunk. IMPORTANT The position of the first connector placed in the model defines the axis orientation of the part upon insertion.
Page 702 A diameter dimension (D1) is added to the model for the circular profile of the trunk. The D1 dimension is also added to Size Parameters in the part browser, and a connector is added to Connections. 5 To specify the second connection point, right-click Connections in the part browser, click Add Connection, and select the connector location on the right end of the trunk.
Page 703 value of D1 to Model Parameters in the part browser. The software also adds a diameter dimension (D2) to Size Parameters and a second connector to Connections. 7 To specify the third connection point, right-click Connections in the part browser, click Add Connection, and select the connector location on the end of the branch.
Page 704 A diameter dimension (D3) is added to the model and to Size Parameters in the part browser, and a third connector is added to Connections. 10 To define the connection type for each connector, in the part browser, right-click a connector in Connections and click Edit.
Page 705 Adding Model Dimensions to a Parametric Fitting Use this procedure to add dimensions to specify the overall default size of the model. TIP You may find it easier to add model dimensions in the top view, rather than in a model view direction. To change the view, click View tab Appearance panel Views drop-down...
Page 706 A length dimension (LenB2) is placed in the model and is added to Model Parameters and Size Parameters in the part browser. The value of LenB2 is a default value based on the extrusion distance of the feature, and it can be changed. 5 To modify the default, or to specify a calculated value for the length of the trunk and branch, in the part browser, expand Model Parameters...
Page 707 The model features are updated in the modeling area to reflect the modified dimensions. Adding Individual Part Sizes to a Parametric Fitting You create individual part sizes by adding parameter values. Values can be a list or table of values, a constant value, or a calculation.
Page 708 The calculation strings are displayed. 5 Double-click the value cell of PrtSN. The Calculation Assistant dialog appears. 6 Define the part size name with a calculated value: Highlight the value of PrtSN: Part Size Name and press DELETE. Select 0 for Precision. Under Insert Variable, select D1 and click Insert.
Page 709 1 In the part browser, click The Options dialog is displayed. 2 Select or clear Custom Sizing Flag and Hide Part Flag, as appropriate. For descriptions of these settings, see Part Insertion Behaviors of a Parametric Part on page 671. 3 Select Auto Layout Flag to turn on auto layout, and click OK.
Page 710 For the start of trim length 2, select the point at the center of the trunk. For the end of trim length 2, select the point at the right end of the trunk. Define the third trim length. For the start of trim length 3, select the point at the top of the branch (the center of the trunk).
Page 711 A placement point is displayed at the selected location. Validating, Saving, and Previewing a Parametric Fitting 1 On the Content Builder toolbar, click (Validate). Upon successful completion of these procedures, the part is validated and the status bar at the bottom of the part browser is updated with the traffic light displayed green.
Page 712: Building Parametric Parts Using The Wizard
To preview a parametric fitting 4 To preview each part size, in the part browser, right-click Size Parameters and click Edit Values. The Size Parameters dialog is displayed. 5 Click 1 in the table to select the default part size and click The Parametric Object Viewer is displayed.
Page 713 Parametric Part Wizard 3 For Part Domain, select the domain of the catalog that contains the part template you want to use. You specify a catalog for a domain in the Options dialog. For more information, see Specifying Part Catalogs and Style-Based Content Locations on page 70.
Page 714: Building Parametric Mvparts With Content Builder
The values are used to create the list of part sizes. To enter a value in a cell, double-click the cell, and then enter the value. To access the Copy, Paste, and Clear commands, right-click the cell. NOTE In the part wizard, you enter the values for the size parameters differently depending on how they are stored in the software: In a table of values where all of the size parameters (columns) must have the same number of values, and a row across the columns defines a single part size...
Page 715 Review the steps View more information You work in the parametric building environment to create a single parametric MvPart. See Specify the part configuration. ----- Specifying the Part Configuration of a Parametric MvPart on page 698. You create models of 3D MvParts and use them to dynamically generate 2D views of your parts.
Page 716: Starting Content Builder For Creating A Parametric Mvpart
Review the steps View more information Once you have finalized the model, you must validate and save the MvPart. Validation checks the model and detects any errors that make the Validate and save the MvPart. ----- MvPart invalid. You must correct all errors in order to successfully save the MvPart and add it to a drawing.
Page 717 Example of part browser for air terminal 4 To specify the part subtype, right-click Undefined, and click Edit. 5 Select Diffuser for the part subtype. The list of predefined subtypes is dependent on the selected type. You can also enter a new subtype. Specifying the Part Configuration of a Parametric Junction Box MvPart Use this procedure to specify the part configuration to define part behavior of a parametric junction box MvPart.
Page 718: Modeling A Parametric Mvpart
Specifying the Part Configuration of a Parametric Vertical Tank MvPart Use this procedure to specify the part configuration to define part behavior of a parametric vertical tank MvPart. 1 In the part browser, expand Part Configuration and specify the part description, type, and subtype.
Page 719 When you select a work plane in the part browser, the work plane is highlighted in the modeling area. Selecting the ZX plane 6 To avoid confusion, work with only one work plane visible at a time. In the part browser, right-click ZX Plane and click Visible.
Page 720 Modeling with Primitives Primitives are limited versions of part models that are designed for repeated use in part creation. They represent basic shapes, such as a box or a torus, and commonly used connections on parts, such as a flanged pipe connector or duct connector.
Page 721 5 Select the work plane on the primitive that you want to align with the work plane selected in the previous step. Most of the primitives included with the software include multiple work planes. To select the current plane, do nothing. To cycle through the planes on the primitive and make another plane current, enter n (next), and press ENTER.
Page 722 1 On the floating View panel, click View drop-down SW Isometric To add the base of the diffuser using a primitive 2 In the part browser, click (Add Primitive). 3 In the Insert Primitive dialog, select Pyramid, and click Insert. 4 In the modeling area, select the XY plane.
Page 723 This attaches the cylinder to the XY plane. 9 On the command line, enter f (flip plane), and press ENTER. This flips the cylinder to the other side of the XY plane. 10 Press ENTER to add the primitive to the diffuser. 11 Modify the values of the model dimensions so they reflect a more appropriate default size.
Page 724 TIP To cycle through overlapping objects, move the cursor over the object on top, then press and hold SHIFT while pressing SPACEBAR repeatedly. To cycle through overlapping subobjects (faces, edges, and vertices) on 3D solids, move the cursor over the subobject on top, then press and hold CTRL while pressing SPACEBAR repeatedly.
Page 725 Specify connection type on Connector Properties dialog 19 Refine the part model, and then complete the part. For more information, see Parametric Part Creation Overview on page 653. Creating Primitives You can create primitives in several ways: Create a primitive from scratch Copy and then modify an existing primitive Save a part as a primitive If you add a primitive to a custom part, you must use one of the planes on the primitive to orient the...
Page 726 Getting Started - Catalog Screen dialog for primitives 3 Select the chapter to which to add the primitive, and click (New Parametric Part). 4 In the New Primitive dialog, enter a name for the primitive, and click OK. The Content Builder environment is displayed. Because primitives do not have many of the modeling features that parts have, such as part configuration information or size parameters, only a subset of modeling features are available to you.
Page 727 the image. If you do not generate an image, the software generates an image using the SW isometric view direction when you save the primitive. Generating a preview image is the same for a primitive as it is for an MvPart. For more information, see Generating a Preview Image of a Parametric MvPart on page 732.
Page 728 You can also copy primitives by copying the DWG files and renaming the copies. By default, the DWG and BMP files for primitives are located in the following folder: \ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\Shared\Primitives. Saving Parts as Primitives 1 Open the part in Content Builder, and click 2 In the Save Part Family As Primitive dialog, select the chapter (folder) in which to save the primitive, enter a name for the primitive, and click OK.
Page 729 The bottom face work plane is created. 6 To create the bottom face of the diffuser, in the part browser, right-click Bottom Face and click Add Profile Rectangular. 7 Specify the first corner in the modeling area and then the second corner. A rectangular profile is created for the bottom face and is added to Bottom Face in the part browser.
Page 730 The model of the top face is updated to the specified constraint. 5 Repeat steps 3 and 4 to constrain the upper-left and lower-right edges of the top face. The model of the top face is updated to the specified constraint. NOTE When adding constraints, you may be prompted that the geometry is unconstrained by a specific number of dimensions.
Page 731 The model of the bottom face is updated to the specified constraints. To apply the modifiers 1 In the part browser, right-click Modifiers and click Add Transition. For more information about modifiers, see Modifiers on page 660. 2 In the modeling area, select the top face rectangular profile for the start profile; then select the bottom face rectangular profile for the end profile.
Page 732 The Lip Offset work plane is created. 6 In the part browser, expand Modifiers, right-click Transition Modifier, and click Visible. The transition modifier display is turned off in the modeling area. 7 In the part browser, right-click Modifiers, click Add Extrusion, and select the top face rectangular profile.
Page 733 9 To see the entire model of the part, in the part browser, right-click Transition Modifier and click Visible. Modeling a Parametric Junction Box MvPart Use this procedure to model a parametric junction box MvPart. You add the rectangular geometry, create the profiles, apply the modifiers to create the box itself, and add geometry for the knockouts.
Page 734 5 Under Termination, select Blind for Type, enter 15" (381 mm) for Distance, and click Flip. Click A box is created to represent the junction box and an extrusion modifier is added to Modifiers in the part browser. 6 To add the knockout, in the part browser, right-click XY Plane and click Add Geometry Point.
Page 735 TIP You may find it easier to add the knockout in the top view, rather than in a model view direction. To change the view, click View tab Appearance panel Views drop-down 12 In the modeling area, using object snaps, select the point in the top center of the junction box as the center of the circle, enter .5"...
Page 736 To model the body of the tank 1 To create the body of the tank, in the part browser, right-click XY Plane and click Add Profile Circular. For more information about profiles, see Profiles on page 659. 2 In the modeling area, specify a center point, enter 15" (381 mm) for the radius, and press ENTER. TIP You can also enter an exact position such as 15,15 to specify the center point at the center of the workplane.
Page 737 To model a tap 1 To create an offset work plane to help locate the tap, in the part browser, right-click Work Planes and click Add Work Plane. The Create Work Plane dialog is displayed. 2 Click Offset and enter Tap Offset for Name. Click OK. 3 Select the XY plane in the modeling area as the reference work plane, and enter 2"...
Page 738: Adding Connectors To A Parametric Mvpart
8 Under Termination, select Plane for Type and XY Plane for To. Click OK. A cylinder is created to represent the tap, and an extrusion modifier is added to Modifiers in the part browser. NOTE To create additional taps, create reference and offset work planes to locate the plane to which to add a tap;...
Page 739 IMPORTANT The position of the first connector placed in the model defines the axis orientation of the part upon insertion. For example, if you place the first connector on a part with a perpendicular vector into the part, the direction of the vector defines the positive x-axis orientation when inserted in a drawing.
Page 740 8 To define the domain and type of connection for the connector, in the part browser, expand Connections, right-click Connector 1, and click Edit. The Connector Properties dialog is displayed. 9 Select Domain from the list. Connector domains are dependent on the specified shape of the modifier to which the connector is attached.
Page 741 A diameter dimension (D1) is added to the model for the diameter of the knockout, a connector is added to Connections, and D1 size parameter is added to Size Parameters. IMPORTANT The position of the first connector placed in the model defines the axis orientation of the part upon insertion.
Page 742: Adding Dimensions To A Parametric Mvpart
A diameter dimension (D1) is added to the model for the diameter of the tap and to Model Parameters in the part browser, and a connector is added to Connections. IMPORTANT The position of the first connector placed in the model defines the axis orientation of the part upon insertion.
Page 743 2 To add a dimension for the width of the top face, in the part browser, right-click XY Plane and click Add Dimension Distance. NOTE For constant parameter values, you can define a constant dimension, or choose not to add a dimension and use the default value based on the actual size of the geometry.
Page 744 10 To specify a constant height for the length of the flex duct connector, in the part browser, expand Model Parameters, right-click LenB1, and click Edit. The Model Parameters dialog is displayed. 11 Double-click the Equation value for LenB1, enter 4" (102 mm), and then click Close. 12 To specify the height of the lip, in the part browser, right-click Model Parameters, right-click WPOf2, and click Edit.
Page 745 The Model Parameters dialog is displayed. 4 Double-click the Equation value for LenB1, enter 4" (102 mm), and then click Close. 5 To add a dimension for the width of the junction box, in the part browser, right-click XY Plane and click Add Dimension Horizontal Distance.
Page 746 Adding Model Dimensions to a Parametric Vertical Tank MvPart Use this procedure to add dimensions to specify the height and diameter of the tank body, and the length for the tap of the tank. TIP To avoid distortion of the model, add the overall model dimensions first, and then add the individual dimensions for the geometry.
Page 747 If you need to change the value, double-click the value, and enter a different number. Adding Individual Part Sizes to a Parametric Air Terminal MvPart Use this procedure to add individual part sizes to the model. You create individual part sizes by adding parameters values.
Page 748 Under Insert Variable, select LenA1 and click Insert. At the top of the dialog, click the value for Part Size Name (PrtSN), and enter x. Under Insert Variable, select LenA2, and click Insert. Click the value for Part Size Name (PrtSN), and enter inch Louver Face Ceiling Diffuser. 12 Click Evaluate to view the result.
Page 749 9 Click Evaluate to view the result. 10 Click OK twice. Adding Individual Part Sizes to a Parametric Vertical Tank MvPart Use this procedure to add individual part sizes to the model. You create individual part sizes by adding parameter values. Values can be a list or table of values, constant values, or calculations. You can also create unique part size names.
Page 750: Generating A Preview Image Of A Parametric Mvpart
Calculation Assistant dialog showing values entered 10 Click OK twice. Generating a Preview Image of a Parametric MvPart Use this procedure to generate a preview image of the parametric MvPart to help during part selection. Content Builder generates the preview image based on a specified view direction. You can select from the ®...
Page 751: Defining The Part Insertion Behaviors Of A Parametric Mvpart
You can also browse to and select a predefined bitmap image. Predefined images must be 200 x 200 pixels and saved with 256 colors. 3 Click OK. Defining the Part Insertion Behaviors of a Parametric MvPart 1 In the part browser, click (Options).
Page 752 If you have errors in your model, the traffic light is red and a dialog is displayed listing the errors. Review the errors, make necessary modifications and repeat this step until validation is successful. NOTE Warnings in the Part Family Validation Results dialog do not make the part invalid. Once validation is successful, you can save the parametric MvPart.
Page 753: Creating A Schematic Symbol Of A Parametric Mvpart
7 Select a different view from the list, or click to view the model using 3D orbit navigation. 8 In the Parametric Object Viewer, select a point on the circle, and drag the cursor along the circumference of the circle to inspect the 3D model dynamically from various viewpoints. 9 With the Parametric Object Viewer open, select a different part size in the Size Parameters dialog.
Page 754 Symbol and Annotation Plane context menu To quickly generate the geometry of the model outline on the Symbol and Annotation plane, you can right-click the plane in the part browser, and select Part Boundary. You can use the outline geometry as a guide for the symbol geometry. When you are done, turn off Part Boundary to remove the outline geometry from the plane because it does not change in size.
Page 755 the contents of the Symbol and Annotation plane are isolated. At this point, the 2 point references are the only geometry on the plane. Building Parametric MvParts with Content Builder | 737...
Page 756 Next, using the point references to specify the corner points, a rectangle is drawn to represent the schematic symbol. Finally, to cause the symbol to scale proportionally with the diffuser, the corner points of the symbol rectangle are constrained to the underlying point references. Because the point references are based on the corner points of the model, this ensures the symbol and the model remain aligned.
Page 757 3 Right-click Symbol and Annotation Plane, and click Set View. This changes the view direction to Top (plan) view, which is the default view for the plane as well as the most common view for drawing schematic symbols. However, you can select any view that is helpful for drawing the geometry.
Page 758 2 In the part browser, right-click Symbol and Annotation Plane, and click Visible. NOTE Although this makes the plane visible in the drawing area, its position on the Z axis in the World Coordinate System (WCS) is high above the WCS origin, so you might need to zoom out to view the plane.
Page 759: Modifying Parametric Parts Using Content Builder
Adding Annotation to a Schematic Symbol You can add annotation to the schematic symbol of a parametric MvPart regardless of whether the symbol parametric or block-based. To add the annotation, you create a multiline text (mtext) object, which the software then uses to create the text block to associate with the symbol. When the symbol is inserted into a drawing, the text block is inserted as well.
Page 760: Modifying A Parametric Part
1 Click Manage tab MEP Content panel Content Builder The Getting Started - Catalog Screen dialog is displayed. 2 In the part catalog browser, navigate to and select a parametric part. 3 To add a new part size to an existing part, click The existing part is opened in the parametric building environment.
Page 761: Working With Block-Based Parts
Modifying Connectors You can add, delete, and edit the connectors of a parametric part. The shape of the connector is determined by the shape of the modifier that the connector is attached to. Therefore, to change a connector’s shape you must modify the associated modifier.
Page 762 4 Specify a category for Subtype. 5 Specify a layer key for the new part. 6 Click Next. 7 In the Multi-view Part Convert - Connectors view, right-click the MvPart name and select a connector type. 8 In the Part Family Connector Properties dialog, specify the properties for the connector. 9 Click OK.
Page 763: Best Practices For Creating A Block-Based Part
The MvPart exists in the drawing but is not added to a part catalog. You can add multiple instances of a converted MvPart by copying and pasting it in a drawing. You can modify a converted MvPart by selecting it, right-clicking, and selecting Edit MvPart Style. If you want to create an MvPart from a block, and include it in a part catalog, use the Content Builder.
Page 764: Schematic Symbol Of A Block-Based Part
The… aligns with the… in the… bottom view block bottom side of the model block XY plane. front view block front side of the model block XZ plane. back view block back side of the model block XZ plane. left view block left side of the model block YZ plane.
Page 765: Behavior Of A Block-Based Part
Content Builder wraps the schematic symbol with a bounding box of the 3D model and places the schematic symbol in the center of the bounding box. The bounding box is stretched around the extents of the 3D model in order to maintain accurate locations of the connection points. For easy identification, you should also use a standard naming convention that represents the part size or part family as you save your symbol block.
Page 766 Part Subtype Part subtype is the subcategory for the part family. It is useful for grouping similar parts. The subtype can be used as a filter method for part selection in the Add and Modify dialogs. Therefore, you should select a descriptive subtype name for easy identification.
Page 767: View Blocks Of A Block-Based Part
View Blocks of a Block-Based Part Each part size represents a real-world building systems part, such as a piece of equipment, that has different representations in different views. In the block-based building environment, 2-dimensional (2D) orthographic ® view blocks can be generated from the 3D model of the part size. Standard AutoCAD blocks representing the plan, elevation, and model views of a part are grouped together to create an individual part size.
Page 768: Preview Image Of A Block-Based Part
with the top-view insertion point offset by the height of the air handling unit. The front and back views have an insertion point at the right corner of the bottom edge, with the back-view insertion point offset by the width of the air handling unit. The left and right views have an insertion point at the bottom-front corner, with the left-view insertion point offset by the length of the air handling unit.
Page 769: Connectors Of A Block-Based Part
If you create your own image before using Content Builder, you should save the image as a 256-color bitmap (BMP) image, 200 x 200 pixels in size. When creating your own image, it is also helpful to show dimensions and other information about the part (such as the UCS icon to represent the insertion point or arrows to represent the flow direction) to assist in selecting the part size.
Page 770: Property Set Information For A Block-Based Part
Connector Name Description Domain drain condensation drain pipe The connector shape is dependent on the specified shape of the part family; however, you can specify the type, size, and location for each connector based on the part size. The connector type is specified from a list of predefined types by domain and defines additional connection rules for a part.
Page 771: Workflow For Creating A Block-Based Part
Workflow for Creating a Block-Based Part This workflow provides a road map for creating a block-based part using Content Builder. NOTE For more information about part catalogs and their hierarchical structure, see How Catalog Parts are Stored and Referenced on page 80. Review the steps View more information Before you start Content Builder, you must draw...
Page 772: Creating Block-Based Parts Using Content Builder
Review the steps View more information You assign a preview image for the part family. You can attach a pre-defined bitmap (BMP) image or have an image generated from the 3D model Create a preview image for your block. All part sizes in the part family use the same ----- part.
Page 773 Creating a 3D Model for a Block-Based MvPart Use this procedure to create a 3D model for a block-based MvPart. To support automatic generation of view ® blocks by Content Builder, the model block must be created using AutoCAD solids in the standard AutoCAD world coordinate system (WCS).
Page 774 The insertion point, or base point, is used as a reference for positioning the block. The location of the insertion point directly affects the placement of the part size when you add it to your drawing. 10 Under Description, enter text to help identify the view block for easy retrieval. 11 To attach a hyperlink to the part, click Hyperlink, select a file or web page, and click OK twice.
Page 775: Starting Content Builder For Creating A Block-Based Mvpart
TIP Name the symbol block “symbol” to have Content Builder by default use the symbol block as the source for generating the 3D symbol. 5 Under Objects, click the Select Objects option, and then select the geometry that will make up the symbol block.
Page 776 Type refers to the main category for the part family; it defines unique characteristics and behaviors for part sizes, such as the ability to assign flow annotation to an HVAC part size. Types are predefined by the application and cannot be modified; therefore, select a type that is similar to the part sizes.
Page 777: Assigning Part Size Names And Views Of A Block-Based Mvpart
Assigning Part Size Names and Views of a Block-Based MvPart Use this procedure to add part sizes and assign view blocks on page 749 to the individual part sizes for the MvPart. You can specify a unique name for each part size. The part size name typically reflects the actual size of the part, such as width and height dimensions or the total cubic-foot-per-minute (cfm) output.
Page 778: Generating A Preview Image Of A Block-Based Mvpart
6 To delete a part size, select the Part Size Name and click The selected part size is deleted from the part family, and the associated row is removed from the table. 7 Click Next. If Next is unavailable (shaded), information is missing on this page. Verify that each part size has a defined name and that all view blocks display in black.
Page 779 Shows example of context menu for part family The Part Family Connector Properties dialog is displayed. Part Family Connector Properties dialog 2 Specify a value for each of the properties and click OK: To specify the… then click the value cell and… Name enter a descriptive name.
Page 780 Example of connector property palette 4 Specify the connector properties: To specify the… then… position of the connector enter p (position), or click for Connection Position, and select a point on the model. The connection position is updated in the palette. If you added object point to the model at the locations of the connectors, use the Node object snap to snap to the location.
Page 781: Adding Property Set Information To A Block-Based Mvpart
Adding Property Set Information to a Block-Based MvPart Use this procedure to add property set information to a block-based MvPart. Property set information is optional. Therefore, you can click Finish to complete the creation of your part without adding property set information.
Page 782: Modifying Block-Based Parts Using Content Builder
DWG file for the part family prior to starting Content Builder. The DWG files for a catalog part are stored in the \ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\Tool Catalogs folder, in the appropriate part catalog subfolder. For example, to add a new part size to the Gas Fired Roof Mounted AC Unit, add the new 3D model block to \ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\MEPContent\USI\MvParts\Mechanical\Roof Mounted AC Units.
Page 783: Modifying A Block-Based Part
2 In the tree view, navigate to and select a block-based part. 3 To add a new part size to an existing part, click The block-based building environment is opened and the MvPart Builder (Add Part Size) dialog is opened. The process is the same as that of creating a new part. IMPORTANT The 3D model blocks created for the new part sizes must exist in the part family DWG file stored in the catalog.
Page 784: Working With Custom Parameter Groups
Modifying the Part Size Name and View Blocks You can change the part size name and view blocks that are used to display a part size in a drawing. When you change the 3D model block of a part size, you must regenerate the view blocks based on the new model block to ensure correct display.
Page 785 For information on adding custom data to parts using Catalog Editor, see Adding Custom Data to Parts in Catalog Editor on page 778. For information on adding custom data to parts using Content Builder, see Sizes of a Parametric Part on page 667 or Adding Property Set Information to a Block-Based MvPart...
Page 786: Adding Groups Of Saved Custom Parameters To Parts
5 Click OK. Adding Groups of Saved Custom Parameters to Parts 1 Create or open the part to which you want to add a group of saved custom parameters. For help with this step, see Working with Parametric Parts on page 649 or Working with Block-Based Parts on page 743.
Page 787: Testing The Connectors Of A Part
Testing the Connectors of a Part Testing every connector is necessary to ensure that the part size can connect intelligently to other building systems objects. Connectors are shown as graphical objects representing the size, shape, and location of connection points on a part size in your drawing. If the connection positions were assigned correctly, they should match the model block geometry of the part size.
Page 789: Chapter 15 Customizing Catalogs
Customizing Catalogs default part catalogs provided with AutoCAD MEP include an array of common industry parts. ® The Catalog Editor is a standalone utility with Windows Explorer-like navigation that provides a central location for viewing and working with the default part catalogs, and creating new ones. Use the Catalog Editor to: Create a new catalog from an existing catalog Create a new catalog from scratch Reorganize a part catalog by renaming chapters and moving parts...
Page 790 Example of Catalog Editor Navigation Pane The navigation pane on the left organizes the open catalog into a structured tree view that you can navigate by expanding and collapsing the different chapters in the tree. You can add, delete, copy, paste, and save part data in the tree view. As you select items in the tree view, the software updates the details pane on the right accordingly.
Page 791: Key Catalog Terms
Term Definition APC file Defines an Autodesk product catalog used in AutoCAD MEP, along with a folder hierarchy that includes each part’s definition files (DWG, BMP, and XML files). BMP file A part definition file that stores the preview bitmap image of the part; used to help identify the part during part selection.
Page 792: Opening Catalog Editor
Open. 3 Navigate to the \ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2010\Tool Catalogs folder, double-click a catalog folder, and then double-click the Autodesk product catalog (APC) file to open it. Customizing Catalogs in Catalog Editor Catalog Editor enables you to work with part data in a spreadsheet fashion within the tree view and the table view.
Page 793: Working With Part Data In The Table View
You can cut, copy, paste, rename, and move chapters and part families. You can also insert new chapters, and copy and paste part data between catalogs. When you copy and paste a chapter, Catalog Editor copies and pastes the entire chapter including its part families. You can rename the chapter or part family when you paste it into another catalog or accept the predefined (default) name.
Page 794 You can cut, copy, and paste part data between parameters and insert and delete parameter columns. You can also edit and delete parameter value rows and edit a limited number of parameter attribute cells. For more information about storage types, see Part Sizes on page 82.
Page 795: Creating Parts In Catalog Editor
IMPORTANT Be careful when working with calculation formulas. Valid formulas depend on correct formula syntax and the existence of parameters used in the formula. Formulas are calculated in the order the parameters are presented in the table view from left to right. This enables the resulting value of a calculation to be used in a formula calculated later.
Page 796: Adding Custom Data To Parts In Catalog Editor
4 In the table view, add a new parameter value: If you want to add a size to a… then right-click a… basic table parameter value row, and click Insert Row. A new value row is added above the selected value row. constant lists parameter value cell in the desired parameter column, and click Insert...
Page 797: Creating Part Catalogs In Catalog Editor
Catalog Name. The catalog name you specify is the name of the Autodesk product catalog (APC) file that you access through the MEP Catalogs tab in the Options dialog when you load the catalog into your drawing.
Page 798: Working With Part Data In Excel
To define the… then… directory location of the catalog browse to and select a directory location for Catalog Root Directory. 4 Click OK. 5 Customize the catalog: If you want to… then in the tree view… add a chapter right-click the catalog or chapter, click Insert Chapter, enter a name, and press Enter.
Page 799: Validating And Regenerating Part Catalogs
When the catalog test is complete, a dialog containing the results is displayed. As noted in the dialog, you can view the full test results in Validate\Catalog_Validation_Summary.htm; the Validate directory is located in the same directory as the Autodesk part catalog (APC file). 4 Click OK, and press Enter to end the command.
Page 800: Regenerating A Part Catalog
Regenerating a Part Catalog You should regenerate a part catalog that you have modified. Regenerating a part catalog updates the Autodesk part catalog (APC) file. A part catalog can be used in AutoCAD MEP only if it is updated (regenerated).
Page 801: Redefining The Catalog Parts In A Drawing
2 Note the prompt on the AutoCAD MEP command line: Catalog Migrate [Mvpart/Pipe/Duct/COnduit/CAbletray/All] 3 Specify the catalogs to migrate, as follows: If you want to mi- then ... grate ... all of the catalogs type a (All), and press Enter. the catalogs spe- type the appropriate letter, and press Enter.
Page 803: Chapter 16 Customizing Autocad Mep
Customizing AutoCAD This section provides information on advanced customization tasks that are typically performed by CAD Managers or other experienced users of AutoCAD MEP. Creating Drawing Environment Configurations for Users You can create profiles and workspaces to customize the drawing environments of users to meet company or project requirements.
Page 804: Styles And Support Files
\ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP \ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\Tem- templates 2010\enu\Template\Evaluation Templates plate\Evaluation Templates Default Used User \Documents and Settings\<Username>\Applic- \Users\$Username$\AppData\Roam- Interface Catalog ation Data\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\Sup- ing\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\Support\Work- port\WorkspaceCatalog (Imperial/Metric) spaceCatalog (Imperial/Metric) Stock Tool Catalog \Program Files\AutoCAD MEP 2010\Cata- \Program Files\AutoCAD MEP 2010\Catalogs\MEP- logs\MEPStockToolCatalogs\MEPStock Tool StockToolCatalogs Catalog.atc...
Page 805: Customizing Tool Palettes
Files Location Windows XP Location Windows Vista Sample Tool \Program Files\AutoCAD MEP \Program Files\AutoCAD MEP Palette Catalogs 2010\Sample\Sample Palette Catalog (Imperi- 2010\Sample\Sample Palette Catalog (Imperial/Met- al/Metric) ric) Customizing Tool Palettes You can create custom tool palettes to suit company or project requirements. Typically, you create tool palettes according to tool type or design phase.
Page 806: Customizing A Tool Palette Set
5 Click the Files tab, and expand Tool Palettes File Locations. 6 Specify the tool palettes in the tool palette set for the new profile, which is now current: If you want to… then… modify the set of tool palettes for the click Browse or Add to change or add tool palettes (ATC files).
Page 807: Specifying Different Tool Palettes For The Tool Palette Set
Specifying Different Tool Palettes for the Tool Palette Set Use this procedure to switch between different palette combinations in the tool palette set. You can do this in one of two ways: modify the set of tool palettes for the current profile change to a different profile that uses a different set of palettes For information on working with profiles, see Creating Drawing Environment Configurations for Users...
Page 808: Creating Tools For Style-Based Content
Object tools for adding piping objects Command Tools A command tool is a graphical representation of an object-related command. For example, the Analyze ribbon and the Analysis tool palette in the HVAC tool palette group contain a Duct System Size Calculator tool.
Page 809 To do so, drag an object from a saved drawing onto a tool palette, and then configure the tool properties. The initial values for the tool properties are determined by the object that you drag and drop onto the palette. While you can create and configure object tools for other building systems objects using AutoLISP programming, only tools for the aforementioned objects allow you to configure all relevant object properties directly on the Tool Properties worksheet as shown below.
Page 810: Creating Tools From Routing Preferences
Creating Tools from Routing Preferences You can transfer a pipe routing preference from the Pipe Part Routing Preferences to the Pipe Tool palette. The new Pipe tool uses the name and other characteristics of the original routing preference. NOTE This functionality is only available in the Piping domain. To drag a pipe tool from the Routing Preferences to the Pipe Tool palette 1 If necessary, activate the Piping...
Page 811: Creating Command Tools
4 In the DesignCenter, click the AEC Content tab, and navigate to the AEC Content item where you can choose the tool to create. 5 Drag the item to the tool palette. The software inserts a new tool on the tool palette. 6 Define additional properties for the new tool, if necessary.
Page 812: Creating Property-Based Tools
2 Right-click the new command tool, and click Properties. 3 For Name, enter a name for the new command tool. 4 For Description, enter a description of the tool function. 5 For Command, enter the command to execute when the tool is selected. TIP For a list of AutoCAD MEP commands, enter arx on the command line, and then enter c (commands).
Page 813: Changing Tool Properties
Changing Tool Properties For all tools, you can define the properties of a tool in a tool palette, such as name and description. For many tools, you can also define additional properties, such as the layer key and layer key overrides of objects inserted with the tool, and the object style.
Page 814: Deleting Tools
Sample tool icons When you change a tool icon by selecting an icon saved as an image file, you can use any of the following image file formats: TIFF NOTE PNG is the recommended image format for tool icons because it supports lossless compression and background transparency.
Page 815: Chapter 17 Working With The U.k Profile
Working with the U.K Profile AutoCAD MEP includes a U.K. profile containing content based on the British Standards Institute (BSI) standards and other standards for metric design. The profile includes content and tools that support the design requirements of the U.K. and German markets, such as Predefined hanger styles Object tools for adding hangers to drawings...
Page 816: Working With Hangers
NOTE For information on switching profiles, see “Save and Restore Interface Settings (Profiles)” in the AutoCAD Help. Working with Hangers You can add hangers to ducts, pipes, cable trays, and conduits. Hangers are a type of style-based content, which means you create and modify the styles that represent them in Style Manager.
Page 817: Adding Hangers
6 For Rod Style, select the structural member style to represent the rod. IMPORTANT You can select from the structural member styles in the current drawing that include both of the following words in their names or descriptions: hanger and rod. 7 For Rod Offset, enter the distance between the edge of the support and the rod.
Page 818 3 For Left Channel Offset, enter the distance between the left side of the building systems object and the edge of the channel. NOTE The left and right sides of the building systems object are determined by its start point and endpoint.
Page 819: Modifying Hangers
Modifying Hangers You can modify a hanger using several methods: Location grips: To move a hanger, select it, click the Location grip, and specify a different location on the building systems object. Lengthen grips: To lengthen the channel or drop rods, select the hanger, right-click, and click Edit Parameters.
Page 821: Glossary
To modify the slope (rise or run) of a pipe segment that results in modifying the slope ratio. See also slope. AEC Object Enabler A distributable utility that allows users without Autodesk AEC applications to use ® Autodesk AEC objects in AutoCAD , Volo View Express, AutoCAD Map, and other Autodesk applications.
Page 822 Annotation used to clarify parts of a drawing, such as leaders, break marks, title marks, and revision clouds. See also annotation. APC For Autodesk Part Catalog. Standard file format for part catalogs within AutoCAD MEP. architectural elements Architectural objects such as doors, walls, and windows. See also AEC objects.
Page 823 butt welded 2 pieces of metal that are butted together, with the abutted ends thickened, shortened, and fused using heat. cable Electrical wires protected by plastic tubing, metal sheathing, or another protective covering. cable tray An assembly of segments and fittings forming a rigid structural system, used to securely fasten or support cables, wires, and raceways.
Page 824 connection type A property of ducts, pipes, conduits, and cable trays that describes how the segments are mounted together. Normally, connector types must match to form a valid connection. These connector rules are defined in connector styles. connector An AutoCAD MEP element that is placed on an object and that holds information. A connector joins other objects (i.e., pipe segments) to each other.
Page 825 definitionsymbol conversion script A Custom Content File (CCF) file that contains the settings for schematic symbol styles. For more information, see Converting Schematic Symbol Styles to Blocks on page 630. degree of freedom In part modeling, determines how a geometric object such as a line, arc, or circle can change shape or size.
Page 826 display properties Display properties affect the way an object appears in the drawing. You can override the default properties for the current display configuration by changing visibility, layer, color, linetype, hatching, and cut plane height for an object. display range Range of elevation above and below the cut plane display representation A level of display control in which the user can specify settings such as layer, color, linetype, and visibility for individual components of objects.
Page 827 elevation (2) The vertical distance between the level where fluid enters a pipe and the level where it leaves. elevation (3) An orthographic projection of a building model. See also model. elevation difference The difference between the selected pipe and the highest fixture, also known as the limiting fixture.
Page 828 floating viewports Boundaries created in paper space that display views. See also paper space. floor drain A pipe or channel to remove water from under a floor in contact with soil. flow arrow Annotation used to graphically show the direction that fluid, such as water, travels through a pipe or series of pipes.
Page 829 hidden line Portions of an AutoCAD MEP object that can be displayed with a user-definable linetype when obscured by an object at a higher elevation. For example, a hidden line can be shown as dashed. home run The wire segment connecting the end of a circuit to the associated electrical panel. Typically, an arrow is used to represent the direction of the panel’s location on an electrical drawing.
Page 830 justification/offset A value used to determine the orientation of a segment relative to its centerline for layout. kickpipe A short pipe that guards an electrical wire or cable. kilowatt (kW) A standard unit of electrical power equal to 1,000 watts. A kilowatt hour (kWh) is the amount of energy used in one hour of operation for a piece of equipment that has a continuous power usage of 1kW.
Page 831 load diagram A symbolic drawing, typically a 2D plan, that shows the layout of an electrical system. main run See also trunk. match lines Annotation referencing another drawing that contains additional sections of a model. For example, a plan view of a building with the east side of the building in one drawing and the west side in another drawing would have a match line on each drawing to show where the building was split.
Page 832 object type See type. Object Viewer A separate window that can display any drawing objects. You can manipulate and view the objects with orbit commands. See also orbit. off center A setting that provides the ability to connect takeoffs at any location within a duct segment. off-the-shelf parts Regularly manufactured parts typically found in stock and commonly used in the building industry.
Page 833 part size In Content Builder a specific set of values applied to the parametric model to define a single size. part size name The default name of a part stored in the part catalog and used when selecting parts during layout.
Page 834 reverse flow The changing of direction of the fluid, such as water, that travels through a pipe or series of pipes. revision clouds A cloud-like boundary used to designate changes made to the final construction drawings. rise/run The pitch of an inclined segment, usually expressed as the ratio of the vertical rise to the horizontal run.
Page 835 section marks Annotation used to designate where source objects are being cut to generate a section view. segment An individual piece of ductwork or piping connected together by fittings to create a run. Typically, a straight piece of duct or pipe cut to a standard length determined by the design and/or manufacturer. segment mode The layout method for flex duct or flex pipe.
Page 836 socket weld A joining method where a pipe is inserted into a socket of a coupling, fitting, or equipment nozzle. The pipe is then welded in the socket. This method is similar to that of a solder joint for tubing. The depth of the connector is defined by the connection engagement length value.
Page 837 terminal A device, typically located in a branch duct, that dispenses or removes air from the duct system to control the temperature and/or quality of the air. therm A unit of measurement for heat. One therm equals 100,000 BTU. thickness gauge See gauge. threaded A joining method where a pipe is prepared with a male threaded end.
Page 838 water meter An instrument for measuring the amount of water passing a specified point in a piping system. water softener A system that replaces calcium and magnesium ions in hard water with sodium ions. watt A unit of measurement for the amount of real electrical power consumed by a device. A watt is the mathematical product of amperes, volts, and power factor (W=A*V*PF).
Page 839: Appendix - Reference Information
Appendix - Reference Information Definitions of Part Properties The following definitions of part properties are listed alphabetically and include a brief description of how the properties are used in designing building systems. Adjacent Surface A physical wall shared by 2 engineering space surfaces. Specifying adjacent surfaces helps ensure accurate load calculations.
Page 840 Demand Factor Demand factor is a value used for calculating the estimated demand load of a circuit or device. The value is defined with a style name, and the name is what displays in Circuit Manager and on Power and Lighting connectors. It is a property for Power and Lighting system types only. The value of the definition can be modified using the demand factor style.
Page 841 this setting, you can also set it to 1 of 9 other predefined points, which are based on the bounding box that surrounds the block: Top left, center, right Middle left, center, right Bottom left, center, right Justification/Offset The justification and offset property determines the orientation of a duct, pipe, cable tray, or conduit segment relative to the centerline for layout.
Page 842 Name The name is a read-only property that is used to identify parts. The name is predefined for parts from the catalog and content, such as schematic symbols, and is user-defined for custom parts you create, such as MvParts. Each part is required to have a unique name. Nominal Size You can specify a nominal size for pipe or select a nominal size from the list of available sizes from the AutoCAD MEP catalogs.
Page 843 Size Size is the actual size of a part, for example, 6-inch for a 6-inch conduit or pipe. Size is a read-only property and is dynamically updated when the part is modified. Slope Slope is the incline of a plumbing line. Slope is calculated by the rise of the segment divided by the length, or run, of the segment.
Page 844: Using Object Match
Wire Type You can specify the drafting method used to lay out wiring by selecting a type. The types provided include line, arc, snake, polyline, and chamfer. You can specify the height and offset to define the shape of the segment for arc, snake, and polyline methods. Wired Circuits The wired circuits property shows what circuits are contained in a specific wiring run.
Page 845 Part Size Device System Elevation Style Rotation (available during Add command only) Duct System Elevation Insulation (available during Add command only) Lining (available during Add command only) Part Shape Size Connection type Duct Fitting System Elevation Insulation (available during Add command only) Lining (available during Add command only) Part (available during Add command only) Shape...
Page 846 Width Height Flex Duct System Elevation Insulation (available during Add command only) Lining (available during Add command only) Part Size Connection type Annotation (available during Add command only) Flex Pipe System Elevation Gauge Insulation (available during Add command only) Material (available during Add command only) Part Size Connection type...
Page 847 Rotation (available during Add command only) Pipe System Elevation Gauge Insulation Material Part Size Connection type Pipe Fitting System Elevation Gauge (available during Add command only) Insulation (available during Add command only) Material Part (available during Add command only) Size Pipe Fitting, Custom System Insulation (available during Add command only)
Page 848 Schematic Line System Style Schematic Symbol Style System Mode (available during Add command only) Rotation (hidden when Specify rotation on screen is selected, and available during Add command only) Wire System Elevation Style 830 | Glossary...
Page 849 Index 1 line creating from lines display representation described duct, drawing drawing 1-line graphical display drawing a run pipe display 258, 282 drawing a vertical run screened display representation fittings 2 line flexible display representation grips pipe display 258, 282 locking elevation screened display representation offsetting from geometry...
Page 850 annotating duct handling unit, definition adding flow arrows inlet, definition adding hatching patterns outlet, definition adding labels air eliminator, definition modifying annotation, described air terminals annotating pipe configuring for analysis adding flow arrows flow annotation adding labels modifying flow values annotation airflow, definition adding to duct...
Page 851 Autodesk seek definition Autodesk subscription program 33, 592 BMP part definition files Autodesk, contacting boolean add modifier autolayout boolean subtract modifier for duct, described...
Page 852 connector styles opening part catalogs default parts for layout overview of features display preferences overview of the user interface merging part data, modifying modifying part families, selecting modifying elevation part sizes, selecting modifying fittings parts, adding custom data modifying layouts parts, adding sizes modifying lengths parts, creating...
Page 853 CEL for pipe, described show circuited devices cell anchors, definition sytem types centerlines using an electrical project database definition viewing displaying on ducts voltage definitions pipe 254, 256, 274, 276, 286, 297, 304, 307, 313, working with 315–316, 321, 330 clean up, definition straight centerline display 261, 284...
Page 854 flow arrows properties insertion justification specifying domains insulation specifying location labels specifying shape layout preferences style properties 107, 608 lining style properties, plumbing settings style property rules 107, 580 slope style-based content configuring pipe testing adding flow arrows types of 651, 751 adding insulation working with...
Page 855 context menu custom parameter groups searching creating context menus defined definition inserting into parts contextual ribbon tabs custom part sizes continuous load, definition parametric parts conversion scripts preferences creating for device styles custom parts. See parts creating for schematic symbol styles custom pipe fitting defined 623, 633...
Page 856 device conversion scripts. See conversion scripts display device styles 1-line for pipe classifications 2-line for pipe connectors activate display range in model view converting to blocks compass creating object creating from blocks 618, 622 style properties 604, 610 creating from parts systems design rules display above range...
Page 857 modifying checking connectivity modifying during project setup creating construction documents setting up default creating custom fittings Display Symbol in Plan View property default parts for layout display system definition adding custom graphics described display configurations fan, definition display representations flexible, described display sets grips, described displaying objects by classification...
Page 858 DUCTCUSTOMFITTINGPROPS command ELECSYSTEMDEF command DUCTCUSTOMFITTINGSTYLE command ELECSYSTEMDEFEDIT command DUCTCUSTOMFITTINGSTYLEEDIT command Electric connector style DUCTFITTING command electrical DUCTFITTINGADD command content, creating DUCTFITTINGADDNEW command display configuration DUCTFITTINGADDSELECTED command drawings, creating DUCTFITTINGMODIFY command lighting display configuration DUCTFITTINGOVERRIDE command power display configuration DUCTFITTINGPROPS command preferences DUCTFITTINGSTYLEEDIT command system definitions, creating...
Page 859 entity reference (entref), definition feeder, definition equation assistant 688, 729 FILLET command equipment fire protection, modifying K-factor adding HVAC FIRESAFETYMODIFY command adding inline to duct fitting tolerance 267, 289 adding inline to pipe fittings adding piping See plumbing fittings as block-based parts branch changing size or elevation connector orientation...
Page 860 flow arrows grids, definition adding to duct grips adding to pipe adding duct air terminals adding pipe configuring for duct adding plumbing runs configuring for pipe alignment 345, 409, 431 definition constraints for duct definition for pipe, setting direction duct, described graphics editing modes modifying for pipe...
Page 861 HANGERSUPPORTBELOW command schedule tables hatching, adding patterns to duct in-line schematic symbols Hazen-Williams C-factor 477, 504 in-line symbol, definition height, definition Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) help InfoCenter access initialization preferences context help AutoCAD MEP snaps F1 help catalogs menu connection rules help resources content discussion groups...
Page 862 joints layer keying definition definition pipe layer keys junction box, definition assigning to parts JUNCTIONBOXMODIFY command described justification parametric parts configuring for duct layer management tools, definition definition Layer Manager for pipes definition offset, definition layer standards offsetting pipe definition described selecting specifying for drawings...
Page 863 LOADCATEGORYDEFINITIONS command metric profile LOADMETRICCMDS command Microsoft Excel, working with part data location grips midplane extrusion modifier for moving duct migrate catalogs for moving pipe MIRROR command for moving plumbing lines model labels definition locking dimensions duct elevation parameters duct size model blocks fitting size block-based parts...
Page 864 moving with grips MVPARTADD command 194, 419, 485 rotating with grips MVPARTCONVERT selecting components MVPARTMODIFY command 231, 322, 444, 494 size or shape MvParts specifying ASHRAE fittings adding HVAC turning vanes adding inline to duct using AutoCAD commands adding inline to pipe with elevation grips adding piping modifying pipe...
Page 865 definition override default plumbing fittings O.D., definition overriding default parts during layout object display overriding preferences by classification See also display system object enablers definition package unit, definition using PANEL command object match. See matching part properties panel rating, definition object properties window panel schedules object snaps...
Page 866 part sizes, adding See also catalogs preview images part categories rule for creating part data saving basic tables specifying configuration calculations starting Content Builder defined validating modifying workflow for creating with Content Builder stored as constants parametric MvParts table view adding connectors 720, 723 tree view...
Page 867 length 812, 823 part size not found, duct line annotation part size tables, defined lining thickness 812, 823 part sizes load adding in Catalog Editor location 127, 823 adding to parametric fittings matching adding to parametric MvParts 729–731 material defined mode parameter attributes MvPart, matching...
Page 868 displaying by elevation 144–145 PIPECUSTOMFITTING command gravity 250–251, 256, 291, 298 PIPECUSTOMFITTINGPROPS command grips, described PIPECUSTOMFITTINGSTYLE command joints PIPECUSTOMFITTINGSTYLEEDIT command lengths, described PIPEFITTING command matching part properties 827, 829 PIPEFITTINGADD command overriding default parts PIPEFITTINGADDNEW command part catalog, described PIPEFITTINGADDSELECTED command part types PIPEFITTINGMODIFY command pressure...
Page 869 equipment, modifying subtypes fixture unit table definitions supply systems, sizing 501–508 fixtures, adding types fixtures, described plumbing system definitions fixtures, modifying black water plumbing line sizing tables 475, 480 creating plumbing line, calculating slope described preferences gray water systems, configuring label and flow arrows specifying default fittings systems, configuring settings PLUMBINGFITTING command...
Page 870 flexible duct properties flexible pipe accessing 121–168 flow arrows dialog box 121, 168 initialization label curve initialization, defined part 121–168 labels style-based content layout See also part properties layout rules properties palette layout, defined Properties palette modifying pipe part routing preferences Design tab (add) part selection Design tab (modify)
Page 871 using connectors to align MvParts creating radius of curvature, definition deleting from drawing RECEPTACLEMODIFY command described RECTANGULARDUCTCENTERLINE command gravity pipe 250–251 reducer, definition overriding parts reference work planes parallel pipe REFERENCEANCHORRELEASE command pressure pipe 250–251 REFERENCEANCHORSETREF command sloped piping support 250–251 referenced drawings.
Page 872 schedules in-line adding to a drawing location, modifying circuit reports, creating matching part properties creating modifying defining data parametric, annotating definition parametric, creating exporting as spreadsheet repositioning using grips for external drawings resizing, modifying updating rotating, modifying scheduling, definition scaling by reference Schematic connector style scaling by scale factor schematic content, creating...
Page 873 panel, definition duct, described service/supply leads, definition electrical SETACTIVERP command entering SETFLOW command for pipe settings, pipe wire ways sewage pump, definition socket weld, definition shape, definition socket welded, definition Sheet drawing template SOLAR COMPUTER Desktop 336–339 sheet list tables, adding to sheets solid to MvPart sheet tabs solution tips...
Page 874 display symbol library, definition general 555, 611 SYMBOLADD command label annotation SYMBOLADDSELECTED command label curve SYMBOLPROPS command label offset system abbreviation, definition plumbing line cleanup system definitions rise/drop changing for duct schematic line cleanup changing for HVAC parts views configuring for duct wire cleanup creating for pipe wire specification...
Page 875 takeoffs modifying appearance adding modifying included palettes adding to pipe opening configuring for duct renaming 788–789 off-center, moving switching position tools tangent, definition changing images for icons tankless water heater, definition changing properties taps creating for commands modeling creating for devices See also takeoffs creating for panels technical support...
Page 876 UCS, problems with water meter, definition unconstrained layout, definition water softener, definition unspecified part watt, definition updating views WCS, definition user guides where is my command? tool user profiles, creating width and height, definition UV filter system, definition width, definition wire cleanup device styles panel styles...
Page 877 work tab tooltips workflow command tooltips AutoCAD MEP dialog tooltips construction documents extended tooltips creating radiator pipework object grip tooltips creating radiator systems overview object rollover tooltips definition palette tooltips placing radiators in drawing property tooltips working with solution tips anchors 108, 111 thumbnail previews...

This manual is also suitable for:

Autocad mep 2010