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ENR226183-L

Create Parametric Parts for AutoCAD Plant 3D with AutoCAD MEP Lina El-Khoury - James K.M. Cheng Architects Inc. Drew Jarvis - SolidCAD Hung Nguyen - SolidCAD

Description

Specialized toolsets for architecture, electrical, mechanical, plant design, and more are now included when you subscribe to AutoCAD software. How is the new, unified AutoCAD changing how you work? Now that you can access every toolset, what can you do that you couldn’t do before? Do you know that you can use AutoCAD MEP software to create cable tray, hanger, conduits, pipe fitting, and MvParts that you can use in AutoCAD Plant 3D software? Getting started with the parametric parts can intimidate a new AutoCAD MEP user, so this class will walk you through—from a beginner level until you know everything required to be an expert in content creation. By the end of the class, you will have the knowledge to create your own custom cable tray, hanger, and pipe fitting, which means that you will be able to make anything you need in AutoCAD MEP for AutoCAD Plant 3D.

Learning Objectives

• Better understand Plant3D and AutoCAD MEP Workflow

• How to work with AutoCAD MEP Cable Trays

• How to create AutoCAD MEP custom template with Cable Trays systems and schedules.

• Learn how to create a Cable Tray Fitting

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Speaker(s)

Lina El-Khoury Design Applications Manager - James K.M. Cheng Architects Inc. Lina is the Design Applications Manager at James K.M. Cheng Architects in Vancouver BC. With over 25 years of experience in Architecture, Building Systems, Interior Architecture and Building Manufacturing, she now specializes in BIM technologies. She has been the National BIM Lead for GEVINAR (WSP) and worked at Perkins + Will locally and firm wide – always raising the bar for better BIM collaboration, deliverables and efficiency. Equipped with CAD knowledge and BIM expertise in multidisciplinary platforms, combined with 10 years of Building Manufacturing experience, Lina has trained and coached many teams in multiple design and subcontracting AEC firms. Her passion, dedication, contributions to the BIM development and implementation have been very valuable and appreciated by many firms which she’s worked. Drew Jarvis Technical Consultant – SolidCAD An innovative and motivated professional with over 18 years’ experience in CAD Management, design, and training. Extensive experience in the theoretical and practical implementation of BIM both from a strategic and tactical level. With a strong passion for the AEC industry and a solid business sense and entrepreneurial background I am always looking to see how emerging technologies can help companies remain competitive while advancing their practices.

Hung Nguyen Technical Consultant - SolidCAD Hung Nguyen has 26+ years of experience in Autodesk Products. He has a strong background in Architectural and Manufacturing fields. His is a BIM & Manufacturing Technical Consultant. Hung also has extensive experience in a diverse range of CAD‐related software such as: Revit, Inventor, Fusion 360, Alias, and Simulation to name a few. He have presented multiple times at Revit Technology Conference (RTC), Canadian Festival of Architecture, CanBIM, and Autodesk University from 2013 to 2017.

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Introduction

This class will be divided into 2 parts: Part 1: Working with Plant3D and AutoCAD MEP Part 2: How to create cable tray hanger and a parametric cable tray Fitting

Part 1 - Better understand Plant3D and AutoCAD MEP Workflow The 1st part of this session will include 3 key items:

1. How to work with AutoCAD MEP and Plant3D. 2. How to work with AutoCAD MEP Cable Trays. 3. How to create AutoCAD MEP custom template with Cable Trays systems and

schedules.

How to work with AutoCAD MEP and Plant3D.

Task 1: Starting a new AutoCAD MEP drawing and linking the Plant3D model.

1. Start a new drawing using the template

“AUCT.dwt” included in the Dataset.

2. Switch the Workspace to Electrical

3. Change the Display Configuration to Electrical, (you can also keep it MEP Design).

4. Xref the Pland3D drawing named “Plant 3d Model .dwg” included in the Dataset

5. In the “Attach External Reference” dialog box, Make sure that:

• box is NOT checked for Insertion Point, Scale and Angle:

• Insertion Point is set to 0,0,0

• Scale is 1,1,1

• Angle is 0

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Task 2: Create Horizontal Section 1. From Home tab, select Horizontal Section

2. Pick 2 points (P1, P2) to define the

horizontal section boundary. Enter 11’-6” for Elevation and 13’ for Elevation Depth, and pick P3 location as shown to insert the generated Horizontal section.

3. Select the Plant 3D model and the horizontal section Line, Right mouse Click (RC) and

Hide Objects.

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How to work with AutoCAD MEP Cable Trays

Task 1: Setup Cable Tray Preferences.

1. From Home tab,select Cable Tray tool

2. In the Dialog Box

• For System: Select Cabl-Power.

• For Elevation: Type 11’

• Set the CT Width and Height: choose Width:24” and Height 6”

• Under Justification: Select Center for both Horizontal and Vertical, keep the Offset 0”.

• Layout Method: Select Use Routing, Elbow Angle: User Defined.

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3. Select the Preferences button In the “Cable tray Layout Preferences” dialog box, Under the Parts tab - Part Group Definition - choose: Cable Trays Ladder Flange Out US Imperial

4. Make sure that the settings match the figures below for the other 3 tabs. a. Routing tab

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b. Annotation tab

c. Connections tab

5. Click OK to close the dialog box.

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Task 2: Create Cable Trays Layout.

1. Start placing the cable tray main run by selecting a point on the screen within the horizontal section. Follow the prompts on the command line and click enter to exit the command.

Note: Ortho Mode and Dynamic input are very useful in this step.

Try to draw your CT based on the image below starting from the lower part up to 28’, left 10’ and up again 20’.

Your CT should look like Figure 1:

2. Click the 28’ segment, it will show + symbol in the middle

of the segment.

3. Click on the + symbol to add a branch. Use Width 12” and

Height 4” for the branch segment and draw a segment of 7’ to the left.

Figure 1

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4. To continue change the elevation to 3’ and click anywhere on the screen.

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5. To draw a similar branch to the right, we need to change the fitting to a Cross. Select the TEE > Replace Fitting, then RC to choose CROSS, and hit ENTER.

6. Repeat step 3 and 4 for the Right Branch. The CT layout should look like this:

7. Select the 2 new branches and use COPY to make 2 copies vertically along the 28’ segment.

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Task 3: Modify Corner Connections for Cable Trays In this task, we’ll learn how to modify Corner Connections for Cable Trays.

1. Case #1: For smaller Elbow radius, select the elbow > Modify fitting. On the dialog box, choose Part tab and select smaller size elbow

2. Case #2: To Miter the Cable Trays Corner: Video 3. Case #3: To Chamfer Cable Tray: Video 4. Case #4: To Break, Trim and Extend Cable Tray: Video

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Task 4: Generate Cable Tray Schedule 1. From Annotation tab go to Schedule and select any schedule

2. On the Property dialog box, pull down Title and choose “Cable Tray Schedule”

3. Window select all Cable Tray, hit ENTER and pick 2 points on the screen to insert schedule

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4. To display all CT info, select the schedule, RC and choose “Add All Property Sets”

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How to create AutoCAD MEP custom template with Cable Trays systems and schedules.

Task 1: Create a New template and add System Definitions from Content Library 1. From the AutoCAD MEP pull down menu, start a New Drawing using the “Aecb Model

(US Imperial Ctb). Dwt” template. 2. Save it as AU2018-CT.dwt 3. Add the Cable Tray System Definitions (Styles).

From the Home Tab>Tools Panel, Select the Styles Browser.

• Set:

• Object Type to: Cable Tray.

• Drawing Source Object Type to: Content Library Drawings.

• Drawing File to: All Drawings.

• Select Cabl-Power and hit the + sign to add the cable tray system definition to your current drawing.

The Cabl-Power System is now added to your current drawing.

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To copy multiple styles at the same time: hold the Ctrl key down, select the styles you want to copy and hit the Import styles button.

All the checked styles are copied to your current drawing.

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The imported styles can be modified in the Style Manager on the Manage tab 1. In the Style Manager, expand Electrical Objects and Electrical System Definitions to

see the added styles.

Task 2: Create Cable Tray Part Group Definitions. 1. In the Style Manager, expand Cable Tray Part Group Definitions, RC and select New. 2. For the name, type CT-Ladder Flange In.

3. Click OK. 4. Choose the parts for the newly created Part Group Definition.

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a. From the Home tab, select the Cable Tray tool.

b. Click on the Preferences button.

c. Select the Parts tab and choose CT-Ladder Flange In.

There are no parts selected for this definition yet. To select the parts: in the Part column, click on the arrow next to *NONE* and choose a part.

d. From the drop down list.

e. Choose parts that contain Ladder Flange in in the name.

f. Click OK.

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Task 3: Create a new schedule for Cable trays 1. In the Style Manager, expand Schedule Table Styles, RC and select New. 2. Type the new style name: “Cable Tray Schedule”.

3. In the Applies To tab, choose Cable Tray.

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4. In the Columns tab, select Add Column.

5. From the dialog box, select Abbreviation and click OK.

Repeat Add Column for:

• Size

• System

• Length

• And any other field you’d like to add to your schedule.

6. Click OK.

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How to Add Cable Tray Hanger.

Task 1: Create Hanger on the Main Tray 1. Open drawing “WYE USAGE. dwg”. 2. Delete all Cable Tray Hanger 3. Type “HANGERADD” from the command line, ENTER

4. Verify Hanger Style as Duct Hanger Standard with all parameters shown in figure CH-1, then select the segment at P1.

5. For Start point of Hanger insertion, pick P1 then P2

Figure CH-1

6. Repeat step 3 to 5 and select P1 and P2 shown in figure CH-1

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Figure CH- 2

Task 2: Create Hanger on the Vertical Cable Tray 1. Use “UCS” command and use “3” option to set the UCS to align with the upward segment As shown in figure ….

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2. Type “HANGERADD” from the command line, ENTER 3. Use 2 inches (2”) for Support Height and Uncheck “Support from Above” as shown:

4. Select the vertical segment and pick P1. Type “R” to rotate hanger to the back of Cable Tray, then pick P2

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5. The Cable Tray and hangers will look like the image below:

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Part 2 - Learn how to create cable tray hanger and parametric Cable Tray fitting I wanted to start with an overview of the workflow for Parametric Part Creation, it’s important to

understand all of the steps below, both in their purpose and the method by which you can

execute them within AutoCAD MEP.

1. Add Part to Catalog via Content Builder Tool

2. Define Part Configuration

3. Create Work Planes

4. Create Geometry and Profiles

5. Create Modifiers

6. Add Dimensions

7. Add Constraints

8. Add Connectors

9. Add Custom Parameters

10. Define Parameter Configuration

11. Define Parameter Calculations

12. Add Parameter values

13. Add Preview Bitmap

14. Confirm Options

15. Validate Part

16. Save Part

17. Use Part

By utilizing the information below, the Exercises and the accoumpanying videos I hope you will

get a full understanding of how to create any Parametric Parts you require.

Understand the Content Builder Interface

Opening The Content Builder

The Content Builder tool is available on the Manage Tab -> MEP Content Panel.

It is also available by typing AECBCONTENTBUILDER or CONTENTBUILDER.

Figure 3

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Getting Started

The first thing to consider with the

creation of your new content is under

which Domain to place it. There are Duct,

Cable Tray, Conduit and Pipe available

for Fitting objects like Elbows and Tees

then there is the Multi-view Part domain

for Equipment and in-line objects like

Valves and Battery Heaters.

If you are creating parts that will form the

building blocks of other parts then you

can set their domain as Primitive and Re-

useable Parts.

Creating New Parts

After defining the Domain you will see the folder structure of the

current catalog for that selected domain (Figure 5) as defined on the

MEP Catalogs Tab of the Options Dialog Box (Figure 7).

By selecting any of the Chapters within the folder structure you will

have access to the tools for creation of new parts and chapters as

shown in Figure 6

There are

2 tools

available

for Part

Creation,

Block Based and Parametric Based. You will find that the Block

Based Part creation is easier to use for a beginner to MEP Content,

however it is not as powerful as Parametric Part Creation.

Figure 4

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 5

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For example if you had a piece of equipment with 5 variables regarding

Length, Width, Height, Motor Size and Max Flow, and each of those

variuables had 6 possible values then you have a total of 7,776 possible

combinations (65). With Block Based Parts you would be kept busy making

7,776 DWG Blocks and assigning them to each of the combinations,

however with a Parametric part you create 1 size, assign parameters to

control the form and then put the variables into the parameters, creating

7,776 combinations in less time than perhaps 5 DWG Blocks would have

taken.

If you select one of the Parts in the Getting Started Dialog box you will see

some different tool available as per Figure 8. These tools allow you to add

additional Part Sizes (Block Based Parts) or Modify Part Sizes (Parametric

and Block Based Parts). You can also delete Parts: note that if you delete the last part in a

chapter the chapter will be removed from the Catalog.

Once you select the New Parametric

Part tool, you will get the New Part

Dialog Box (Figure 9), where you set

the Name and Description of the New

Part. The Name is the value you will

see in the Content Builder while the

Description is the value you will see

upon placement of the Content in the

Add Multi-view Parts Dialog Box, they

can be the same.

Content Builder Palette

Once you have selected to create a Parametric Part the interface will change and you will see

the Content Builder Palette Anchored to the Left of the Screen by default, this is a standard

AutoCAD Palatte and can be repositioned on the screen

There are a line of tools available along the top of the Palette, they are:

1. Save Part Family

2. Save Part Family As

3. Save Part Family As Primitive

4. Add Primitive

5. Generate Bitmap

6. Validate

7. Options

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

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Save Part Family will save the Part to the Catalog location defined

when the Part was created, a Part consists of a DWG, BMP and

XML file. The DWG contains the geometry of the Part, the BMP is

for the Preview image of the Content and the XML file stores the

Parameters and their values. All 3 are required and so if you are

distributing Content later, remember to package up all of the

required files.

Primitives are pre-built forms that have pre-attached parameters, so

if you are looking to place a Box with a Cylinder on top of it to define

an Air Terminal then you may find the Primitives a good way to work

to save time, however without a thorough understanding of the way

form, Dimensions and Constraints work you may find that your

Content does not perform as expected if you take this shortcut from

the start.

You will find that a lot of the tools in the Content Builder are

accessed via Right Clicking on the TreeNodes, for example in order

to create a Work Plane to host your geometry you will need to Right Click on the Work Planes

TreeNode.

Main TreeNode Headings

There are 3 main TreeNodes when you create a new Part

Part Configuration

In here you will specify the top level category settings for the part,

for example you could define the Domain as Multi-view Part, the

category as Air Terminal and the Sub-Category as Diffuser, this will

effect the overall settings of the Part and the requirements of the

part for validation, for example an elbow will expect 2 connectors

while a tee will require 3, without the correct number of connectors

the Part will not be validated and therefore will not be available to place into your model.

Modeling

In here you will create the model geometry and datum’s that define the solid form of the part.

For example, you will create Work Planes to host lines that are used to define the center of

extruded cylinders in the creation of a pipe fitting.

Size Parameters

In this final section of the Content Builder Interface you will find Parameters that you add, along

with some default parameters. When you create a Parametric part, one of the benefits being

parametric is the ability to create many versions of the part just by inputting size values, so here

Figure 11

Figure 12

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is where you will see the parameters you have created like Length, Width Connection Diameter

for example.

There are some default parameters, in the example image above you will see one for IFC files,

another for the Layer Key and finally one that stores a Part Serial Number.

Creating Content

Adding a Work Plane

Work Planes are infinite construction planes that can be placed at any orientation in the Content

DWG file. They are used to host geometry, dimensions, constraints and profiles in order to

define your Parts. The Work Plane is infinite, however in order to display it in AutoCAD MEP a

rectangular object is shown that is 15 units squared in the Imperial AutoCAD MEP Profile, this

cannot and does not need to be resized as it is just

a visual representation of the inifinite plane. You

can hide the Plane by Right Clicking it in the

Content Builder Palette and selecting to turn off its

visibility.

To Add a work plane Expand the Modeling

TreeNode then Select and Right Click on the Work

Planes TreeNode and select Add Work Plane.

You can define Work Planes for any of the 6 sides

of a cube (Top, Bottom, Front, Back, Left and Right) along with Offset, Reference, Custom and

Default.

The Default Work Planes button will create 3 Work

Planes, in the XY, YZ and ZX Plane orientation as

shown in Figure 13, this can be a useful starting point.

The Custom button allows you to specify a Plane using

vectors in the World Coordinate System, you will define

the Origin and then then X and Y axis. This gives you

Figure 13

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the most control over the created Plane, but is also the most complex of the creation methods.

The Offset button will create a Plan Parallel to an existing plane with an offset distance between

them.

The Reference button enables you to create a Plane on the face of an existing modifier (solid

form)

Adding Geometry

The main building blocks of your Parts will be Points, Lines, Arcs, Circles, and Profiles (which

are closed shapes like Circles, Rectangles, Ovals and Custom Shapes which can be made from

Geometry).

To Add Geometry Expand the Modeling TreeNode then the Work Planes TreeNode and then

Select and Right Click on the Work Plane that you want to host the geometry on and select Add

Geometry… or Add Profile…

Creating Solid Forms (modifiers)

Solid Forms are created with modifiers in the AutoCAD MEP Content

Builder. The modifers available are:

1. Extrusions,

2. Paths,

3. Transitions,

4. Revolves and

5. Reducing Elbows

You will need to provide geometry to the modifiers for

them to create the Solid forms, for example an Extrusion

requires a Profile, it will then request information to define

how long the extrusion is, it can be a fixed distance, or it

can be linked to another Work Plane for example.

Dimensions

In order for the Part to be Parametric we will need to link parameters to the geometry, for example linking a Parameter LenA1 to the Width of the main body of an object. We do this via Dimensions. The dimensions connect to COLE 2d elements, for example at the COLE Points 2d at the end of Lines or the COLE line 2d’s themselves.

Many Dimension types are available, for example the Horizontal and Vertical Distance Dimensions act line Linear Dimensions in regular AutoCAD while the Distance Dimension acts like the Aligned Dimension tool in regular AutoCAD.

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To Add a Dimension Expand the Modeling TreeNode then the Work Planes TreeNode and then

Select and Right Click on the appropriate Work Plane TreeNode select Add Dimension…

Constraints

In order to maintain relationships between geometry within the model you will utilize constraints, for example in order to keep a COLE Point 2d element in the center of a COLE CircArc 2d you can place a Concentric Constraint on the 2 elements, similarly if you required 2 COLE Line 2d elements to maintain a 90 Degree angle between them at all times then a Perpendicular Constraint can be employed. They act in a similar way to the Constraint tools that were introduced to AutoCAD in the 2010 release, however remember that these tools have been available since 2004 so there may be some differences.

To Add a Constraint, Expand the Modeling TreeNode then the

Work Planes TreeNode and then Select and Right Click on the

appropriate Work Plane TreeNode select Add Constraints…

Connectors

The thing that separates a Multi-view Block from a Multi-view Part is really the ability for the Part to interact with the Duct/Pipe/Electrical System that it is connected to. It is the presence of connectors that control this behaviour as they store the Domain and Flow Direction Settings along with the Shape and Size of the connector.

To Add a Connector Select and Right Click on

the Connections TreeNode and select Add

Connection…

Parameters

In order to connect the size information of a Part to the geometry you will need Parameters, these are either automatically generated in the case of Connector Dimensions and Work Plane Offsets, or manually created, for example if you required a Motor Size parameter.

To Add a Parameter Select and Right Click on the Size

Parameters TreeNode and select Add… You will be

presented with the New Parameter Dialog Box and in here

you can select from different parameter types.

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Finalizing

Prior to placing your new Part into your drawing you will need to Validate the Part, this takes a look at the part and checks to see if the correct number of connectors are in place, if the Preview image is available and if the configuration has been configured.

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An Example – Create a parametric Cable Tray Fitting

During this example we will create a Cable Tray Fitting using the Parametric Content Builder, the Cable Tray Fitting will be a simple Wye Fitting just to show how easy it is to create fittings with the Content Builder

Setting the correct Profile 1. Open the Options Dialog Box

2. Go to the Profiles Tab of the Options Dialog Box

3. Select the AutoCAD MEP (US Imperial) profile and click the Set Current Button

Opening the Content Builder

1. Let’s start by opening the Manage

Tab → MEP Content Panel →

Content Builder

2. Select Cable Tray from the Part

Domain Drop Down

3. Expand the Cable Tray and Fittings

(US Imperial)

4. Select Trough then click the New

Parametric Part tool

5. Set the Name as WYE Horizontal

6. Set the Description as WYE

Horizontal

7. Click OK

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Setting the configuration

Double Click on the first Undefined TreeNode in the Content Builder

Palette, you will then have a drop-down list, select Wye

Adding a Work Plane

Next, we need to create a Work Plane as this is required for the hosting of Profiles and

Geometry, Expand the Modeling TreeNode

1. Expand Modeling then Right Click on Work Planes and select Add Work Plane.

2. Select Top Plane and click OK, this will create a Work Plane that we can use to define

the center line paths of the Wye

3. Expand the Work Planes TreeNode

Adding Geometry

1. Use Line and Circle command to create a

construction shape as shown:

2. Select and then Right Click on the XY Plane in

the Content Builder and select Add Geometry -

> Line....

3. Click 2 points within the horizontal line from left to right and set about 36 units

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4. Select and then Right Click on the XY Plane in the Content Builder and select Add Geometry -> Arc…

5. Draw an Arc using 3 points as shown:

6. Select and then Right Click on the XY Plane in the

Content Builder and select Add Geometry -> Line....

7. Delete all construction lines and circle. Keep only

Geometry as shown:

Adding Dimensions

We are now going to place dimensions and constraints to control the size and position of the WYE Horizontal.

1. Select and then Right Click on the XY Plane in the

Content Builder and select Add Dimension -> Horizontal

Distance....

2. Select the COLE Point 2d at the bottom left end and the

right COLE Point of the line setting the value to 36 inches (36”)

3. Select and then Right Click on the XY Plane in the Content

Builder and select Add Dimension -> Distance....

4. Select the COLE Point 2d at the 2 end points of the 45-

degree COLE Line 2d.

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5. Select and then Right Click on the XY Plane in the Content

Builder and select Add Dimension -> Diameter....

6. Select the arc

7. Select and then Right Click on the XY Plane in the Content

Builder and select Add Dimension -> Horizontal Distance....

8. Select the COLE Point 2d at the bottom left end of the LINE and

the left COLE Point of the ARC setting the value to 12 inches

(12”)

Modifying Parameters

Now we will test the values of LenA1 and LenA2 to LenA3

1. Select and then Right Click on the Model Parameters

TreeNode in the Content Builder and select Edit....

2. Set the Equation values as shown below

Adding Profiles Next, we are going to create Profiles for the end connections, we will need 1 Profile as all of the connectors in this example are going to be the same size

1. Select and then Right Click on the XY Plane in the Content Builder and select Add

Profile -> Rectangular....

2. Select 2 points within the scope of the yellow Work Planes to create a Rectangular

Profile, the exact size is not important, but aim for approx 12 inches in horizontal and 4

in vertical.

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Now, we will use a Path Modifier for this

3. Select and then Right Click on the Modifiers TreeNode in the Content Builder and select

Add Path…

4. Select the Horizontal COLE Line 2d then the

Profile twice (for the start and end profile)

5. Repeat the process for the ARC and the 45-

degree COLE Line 2d’s

6. Set the View to South West Isometric

Adding Connectors

1. Select and then Right click on the Connections TreeNode and select

Add Connection… move the cursor to the face on the left of the view

in the South West Isometric View. Click to place the Connector on

this face

2. Enter 1 on the command line to specify the connector number

3. Click 2 horizontal lines of the profile and a point in between but outside the Profile to

position the height Dimension.

4. Repeat to click 2 vertical lines of the profile and a point in between but outside the Profile to position the Dimension.

5. Select and then Right click on the Connections TreeNode and select Add Connection…

move the cursor to the other end of the main path, set the connector number to 2, then

repeat for the final connection point and set it to number 3.

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Modifying Parameters

1. Select and then Right Click on the Model Parameters TreeNode in the Content Builder

and select Edit....

2. Set the Equation values as shown below

3. Click Close

4. Select and Right Click on the Size Parameters TreeNode in the Content Builder Palette

and select Edit Configuration…

5. Set the Data Storage value for RH1, RW1 and LenA1 to Table

6. Change the drop down at the top of the Size Parameters Dialog box from Configuration

to Values then select the cell under RH1

7. Click the Edit tool then use the Add button to add the following sizes for RW1:

3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Click OK to exit the Edit Values Dialog, then click OK to exit the Size

Parameters Dialog Box

You will now have 5 sizes but note that the PrtSN are all identical, we can change them manually, or we can have them auto name based on the other parameters, it makes sense to use the auto naming especially if we were to have hundreds of sizes and maybe some that may change in the future

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8. Change the drop down at the top of the Size Parameters Dialog box from Value to

Calculations then double click on the Part Size Name Row 1 value, the Calculation

Assistant will open here we can make a combination of text and variables to construct a

Part Size Name.

9. Set the Part Size Name to WYE Horizontal, add RH1, add “X”, and add RW1 and click

Evaluate to confirm it gives a value of WYE Horizontal 12.00 X 3.00

10. Click OK twice to exit the Size Parameters Dialog boxes

11. Click on the Save Part Family tool to save the files to your content folder

12. To create a Preview Image, click on the Generate Bitmap tool

13. Click on the South West Isometric tool in the Generate View area to create an

automatic view for the element

14. Click on the Validate tool, the green circle should now display

15. Click on the Options tool and Uncheck the Hide Part Flag, and check the Custom

Sizing Flag, click OK to exit the Options Dialog box

16. Click on the Save tool to save the files to your content folder

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Specifying the Placement Point

If we want the part to be available with laying out cable trays then we need to turn on the

AutoLayout Flag.

1. Click on the Options tool and Check the AutoLayout Flag, click OK to exit the

Options Dialog box

2. Expand the Autolayout Data TreeNode in the Content Builder Palette, Select and Right

Click on the Layout Data TreeNode and select Select Placement Point, Click blue circle

around the COLE Point 2d entity at the left end point of the horizontal line.

3. Click on the Save tool

4. Close the WYE Horizontal drawing Tab and save changes.

5. Use the Cable Tray Fitting on Home tab to test the new part

6. Try to use the WYE Horizontal to create a Cable Tray Run like the image below.

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Challenge Project

Create a parametric WYE Vertical Cable Tray Fitting

Make AU worth your investment, try to create this WYE Vertical Cable Tray fitting at home 😊

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Contents ENR226183-L ............................................................................................................................ 1

Create Parametric Parts for AutoCAD Plant 3D with AutoCAD MEP .......................................... 1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3

Part 1 - Better understand Plant3D and AutoCAD MEP Workflow .............................................. 3

How to work with AutoCAD MEP and Plant3D. ....................................................................... 3

Task 1: Starting a new AutoCAD MEP drawing and linking the Plant3D model. .................. 3

Task 2: Create Horizontal Section ....................................................................................... 4

How to work with AutoCAD MEP Cable Trays ........................................................................ 5

Task 1: Setup Cable Tray Preferences. .............................................................................. 5

Task 2: Create Cable Trays Layout. .................................................................................... 8

Task 3: Modify Corner Connections for Cable Trays ..........................................................11

Task 4: Generate Cable Tray Schedule .............................................................................12

How to create AutoCAD MEP custom template with Cable Trays systems and schedules. ...14

Task 1: Create a New template and add System Definitions from Content Library .............14

Task 2: Create Cable Tray Part Group Definitions. ............................................................16

Task 3: Create a new schedule for Cable trays ..................................................................18

How to Add Cable Tray Hanger. ............................................................................................20

Task 1: Create Hanger on the Main Tray ...........................................................................20

Task 2: Create Hanger on the Vertical Cable Tray .............................................................21

Part 2 - Learn how to create cable tray hanger and parametric Cable Tray fitting .....................25

Understand the Content Builder Interface ..............................................................................25

Opening The Content Builder .............................................................................................25

Getting Started ...................................................................................................................26

Creating New Parts ............................................................................................................26

Content Builder Palette ......................................................................................................27

Main TreeNode Headings ..................................................................................................28

Creating Content ................................................................................................................29

An Example – Create a parametric Cable Tray Fitting ...........................................................33

Setting the correct Profile ...................................................................................................33

Opening the Content Builder ..............................................................................................33

Setting the configuration ....................................................................................................34

Adding a Work Plane .........................................................................................................34

Adding Geometry ...............................................................................................................34

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Adding Dimensions ............................................................................................................35

Modifying Parameters ........................................................................................................36

Adding Profiles ...................................................................................................................36

Adding Connectors ............................................................................................................37

Modifying Parameters ........................................................................................................38

Specifying the Placement Point ..........................................................................................40

Challenge Project ......................................................................................................................41

Create a parametric WYE Vertical Cable Tray Fitting ........................................................41