With the architectural model linked into the MEP model, you ensure that your building information model will remain consistent with
the architect’s design. You can place 3D views, elevations, and sections within the model wherever you would like them.
To place air terminals, navigate to the Systems tab and then select the Air Terminal tool from the ribbon.
The Type Selector lets you quickly and easily choose which kind of terminal you would like to use.
In the drawing area, you can use the spacebar to rotate air terminals before placement.
Terminals can be copied from one room to another room using the midpoint snaps to align them directly to the center of the walls.
The elevations of the air terminals can be established by selecting the terminals and
going to the Properties Palette to add the elevations in the field “Elevation from Level”.
The host level is associated to the plan view you are working from.
A few of these rooms will have the same CFM requirements.
If they are selected, the air flow can be added from the Options bar or from the Properties Palette.
The process is repeated for the remaining rooms.
Placing Mechanical Equipment is very similar to placing air terminals; both are found on the Systems tab.
When selecting Mechanical Equipment, the Type Selector search bar
on the Properties Palette can be used to quickly find component family types.
After selecting the equipment, use the ribbon to choose the Placement type. These elements will be hosted using “Place on Work Plane”.
The mechanical equipment family is easily placed into the mechanical closets.
Now that the terminals and equipment are placed in the model with the correct elevations,
you can physically model ducts to connect the components together and create a system.
You can start drawing ductwork right from the air terminal connectors.
Simply select on a terminal in the drawing area, and an MEP connector will appear.
Select the connector to draw from the air terminal. Snaps and snap lines appear
when you align with another component, expediting the process.
To connect into ductwork, simply drag to the edge or the center of another duct.
Fittings are automatically placed for you.
You can Split a section of ductwork and then change its size from the Options bar.
This will automatically add in transition fittings for you.
To change the size of a duct, select a section of ductwork and go to the Options bar;
here, you will find the width and height of the duct displayed. If you change the size of the
ductwork, the fittings will adjust for you to match what you are working on.
You can quickly change the appearance of the views using the Visibility/Graphics command.
Let’s say you do not want to view the architect’s linked model in a 3D view.
Simply go to Visibility/Graphics and disable it in the view. Now, let’s quickly review what we’ve drawn so far.
You can see in the 3D view how the transitions were placed after changing the duct size.
After selecting the mechanical equipment,
you will see that there are more connectors
to choose from in this family.
The connectors have different symbols for each discipline.
Choose the appropriate connector from the mechanical equipment.
To draw in the vertical direction, change the middle elevation from the Options bar,
either by selecting an already-established elevation or typing in the desired height.
Selecting an open-ended section of ductwork gives you a tool on the ribbon to Cap Open Ends; this places the “cap” fitting automatically.
Under the Systems tab, the Duct tool allows you to place ductwork however you would like.
The Options bar enables you to change the width, height, and elevation of the duct.
In the Mechanical Settings menu, there are options for you to choose which sizes you
would like to make available for use in the project.
Place a new section of duct that directly connects into another duct
and the tee fitting will be added into the duct system for you.
Easily align the ductwork segment to another piece of ductwork.
This helps you ensure you get the correct connection.
From the Type Selector, you can choose from predefined duct types.
In this example, the duct type with a routing preference for the Tap fitting will work the best.
Easily switch to a section view to continue modeling. Section views are automatically populated with the same content.
There is no extra modeling or design work required.
You can continue to work in them in the same way as your plan view—by dragging connectors into duct segments.
Now, the duct system is completely connected; if you select a section of ductwork and move it, all the components will adjust with it.