© 2011 Autodesk

Supercharge your Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2012!

David ButtsBIM Specialist – Gannett Fleming

© 2011 Autodesk

Class Summary

In this session, we will spend some time learning how to fine-tune the views to produce clear documentation, optimize templates for families and projects, create accurate energy models, check for problems with the design, and optimize the central file environment – all from the ENGINEER’s perspective.

Template and Parameter file examples are included!

© 2011 Autodesk

Learning Objectives

At the end of this class, you will be able to: Check for project errors and issues (including checking systems) and describe

proper worksharing procedures and tools Optimize view settings for graphics, filters, systems, and imported categories Optimize templates for projects, detailed shared parameters and family starters to

help create consistent content quickly Describe key energy modeling settings and best practices for working with

external analysis applications

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Class Rules

Class Format is LECTURE (well, more like a town hall meeting)…

Class Rules:

Set your phones to VibrateNon-Participants will be singled out!Class ID is MP2403

…TIME TO ROCK AND ROLL!

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Projects – From Sharing the Work to Sharing the Blame

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Projects – From Sharing the Work to Sharing the BlameGetting out of the gate quickly with good project setup means following consistent business practices!

Break architectural, structural and MEP (including process) up into separate models. Start from a Custom MEP template to meet your standards early. Leverage the link tools to set up backgrounds for Revit and CAD based models, and work from a

common, known coordinate in the model. Work at real world elevation, to better coordinate with the site. Copy /Monitor levels from one common model to define your views first. Use view templates to assure

consistency. Link in site CAD files and other models (interior, structure) as needed. Projects with several small structures (re: water treatment, process, etc) – work from a common project

– watch the file size, we cap at 25k square feet before breaking up – keep the NORTH UP and rotate your views!

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Projects – From Sharing the Work to Sharing the BlameWORKSETS – Do these RIGHT to save time and stay organized

- Divide by Discipline first – HVAC/Plumbing/Electrical/Process- Then by group – Process – Main / Process Chemical, or Electrical – Power /Electrical – Lighting- Then by Level – 1st Electrical, 1st HVAC, etc.- Then by structure – Pump Station – Process, Chemical Bldg – Electrical- Add worksets for linked files for easy visibility control (plan links only – no need for details, etc.)

BE CONSISTENT – here’s an example…

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Workset Model – Example 1

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Projects – From Sharing the Work to Sharing the BlameWORKSETS – More tips to save you time….

- ALWAYS check your worksets first – saves the time of changing workset properties later – use the view control bar shortcut!

- Leverage View Templates to control Workset Visibility on larger projects - Workset Visibility can only be set AFTER worksharing enabled – so set

up default view template, then edit in the project for multiple views

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Projects – From Sharing the Work to Sharing the BlameWORKSHARING OPTIONS AND WORKSHARE MONITOR – Use ‘em!

- Workshare Monitor is a Subscription Extension - Shows you who is in what workset- Sets alerts for editing requests and notifications- Show you how your system is performing

- Workshare Options are new tool for 2012- Visual tool to help see who’s editing what in views- Set by checkout status, owner, workset or model updates

Let’s see these tools in action…

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Workset Model – Example 2

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Projects – From Sharing the Work to Sharing the BlameIt’s always a good idea to check your work as you go along…so

ANALYZE your model…

Two types of system checking tools:

- Duct/Pipe/Electrical System and Disconnect Checks- Checks the integrity of the system for sizing connecting geometry,- Checks for disconnected duct, pipe, conduit, cable tray and electrical

fixtures

- Model Review – another Subscription Extension!- Allows you to use pre-defined reports for energy modeling, system integrity,

etc.- Can also create your own custom reports – check for parameters, data integrity

- Let’s see how these tools work….

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Getting the Right Point of View

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Getting the Right Point of ViewGetting the documentation to meet your standards takes planning…and View Templates!

- Build your default view templates in your project template – start with Systems-Default.rte- Tips for building your view templates

- Model Categories

- Make sure you turn on “Show Categories from all disciplines” to set global architectural and structural model options- Set detail level to coarse for walls, doors, windows so they’re de-emphasized in MEP views- For 3D views, set the Ghost surface options if you want to see through the architectural and structural components- Override patterns for walls to make them invisible

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Getting the Right Point of ViewTips for building your view templates

- Annotation Categories

- Turn OFF reference lines and planes for section and elevation views – leave them on if you’re using planes in the architectural model to locate fixtures in PLAN views

- Use the Revit Links tab to turn off items in linked files – set the Basics to custom, then set the category to custom – you can now adjust the visibility for the linked file

- Imported Categories – Details- Get your layers matching the linestyles in Revit for best results- Imported Details that are exploded will adopt the settings of the linestyles as long as the names match- But don’t go overboard – if you have a lot of details, set up separate projects for detail-only sheets – or link your details- Imported categories can be controlled with view templates, but we don’t use this often- You CAN create view templates just for details!

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Getting the Right Point of ViewTips for building your view templates

- Filters – the highest level of view control – filters can override default object styles and system types

- 2011 – we used filters to control how systems look – system types replaced this need

- 2012 – we use filter control how equipment appears

- Electrical Panel shading – set by Family Name- Disconnected Electrical Fixtures and Equipment – color coding for non-circuited devices- Display by System Classification – if you don’t want system types to use separate colors- Display by System Name – if you want to use the system name to control color, line styles, patterns, etc.

- Works best for groups of components in a view – can apply to more than one category

- Use TRANSFER PROJECT STANDARDS to add view templates to old projects, client files, etc.

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Templates, Parameters and Families – Oh My!

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Templates, Parameters and Families – Oh My!Well-formed templates can make a huge difference on your project

- Tips for your project templates:

Define separate discipline templates for architectural/structural and overall MEP Add common annotation items in one template, and then transfer to other templates, to keep construction

documents consistent. Add templates based on construction types – for example, we have a template just for water/wastewater

treatment plant projects Add client templates based on your master or their standards – create these by discipline as well Don’t overload the templates with families – especially lookup table and type catalog based families

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Templates, Parameters and Families – Oh My!Organizing your parameters saves time and promotes consistency

- Tips for your parameters: DO add shared parameters that match your schedule parameters in your families – these can be pushed to

loaded families as well Don’t delete a shared parameter, then add it back – the new parameter will have a different GUID – and you

could wind up with duplicate parameters in the project with the same name but different uses Predefine your schedules and panel schedules for best results When possible, start from the Revit Guidelines (last version published 2009)

And the big one – Use the Shared/Project Parameter tool to export quickly! Copy families that need the parameter to a working folder Create a destination folder where the updated families will go Pick the Shared Parameter file you want to use, and then select the parameters to add Tool will add parameters, or update existing parameters in each family

Let’s see how this works!

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Templates and Parameters - Demonstration

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Templates, Parameters and Families – Oh My!Get your families off on the right foot!

Revit includes a few templates for MEP items…but all they do is set the category and part type…

So I built STARTER Families that add:- Labeled Reference Planes- Dimension Labels- Object Style Subcategories- Family Parameters- Shared Parameters- OMNIClass Numbering

Save as .RFA’s so the settings aren’t locked

Let’s see how this works!

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Modeling for Energy – Revit MEP Style!

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Modeling for Energy – Revit MEP StyleRevit MEP 2012 moves closer to solid energy modeling with new tools…

- But you’ve got to follow these rules:

Make sure all bounding elements are in the models – walls, floors, roofs – and openings. Use generic walls, door types, roof types, etc. – model accurately!

Make sure that rooms are also placed in all occupied areas of an architectural model. Only one file should control these – the architectural – and the rooms should be based on levels defined in this model only. You can add additional working levels for structural and MEP engineering models, but don’t duplicate levels at the same elevation.

Don’t set space heights to go to the next levels unless there are no intermediate levels. Make sure your space heights are correct with a room/space schedule that includes room elements in linked files Have to have a plenum level defined – then make sure plenum spaces are checked and labeled (i.e. office

versus, office plenum). Use level types so they graphically appear different. Watch for recessed floor areas – rooms may not match the boundaries correctly at the bottom – use short

spaces, watch the names – don’t overlap spaces. Place spaces in the MEP model – they export better than rooms – and they pick up openings in bounding

elements automatically.

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Modeling for Energy – Revit MEP StyleThe Heating and Cooling tools work even better -

- But these items can make the results incorrect, or cause the analysis to fail:

Not computing space volumes – make sure you enable space and area volumes on the Architect Tab > Room and Area Panel.

Spaces not placed/not placed correctly – make sure you have spaces in all primary areas of a building; group spaces in common areas; and make sure the entire volume of the building is accounted for –

Missing Bounding elements – Make sure your model includes floors and roofs – and that the walls are constrained correctly to these items. All spaces require some form of an upper boundary.

Power/Lighting/people loads calculated incorrectly – Check the people, power and lighting loads in the Building/Space type tools on the Manage tab > MEP settings – and set your space types!

Conditioned/occupied spaces not defined – When load reports come up empty, its due to the fact the space condition and occupancy are not set. All spaces that use rooms as the bounding element will automatically be set as occupied – but you still need to set the conditioning types for both the project and the spaces.

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Modeling for Energy – Revit MEP StyleReview your Energy Settings as early as possible!

- But these items can make the results incorrect, or cause the analysis to fail:

Set your building type first; Define the location; Define your common expect construction types and materials (found in Constructions.xml); Set your common service type; Set your ground plane; Set your export values and report type

And turn on the Energy Model if you’re still in the early massing stage – but turn it off later once you get going in the job – performance will be affected!

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And now…what’s your favorite tip? You might win…

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