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AutoCAD MEP Tutorials
AutoCAD MEP Tutorials
Tutorials
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Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
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. 61
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Chapter 7
Chapter 9
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Sinks .
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. 146
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Creating
Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Chapter 11
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. 196
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vi | Contents
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Contents | vii
viii
Introduction
In this tutorial, you learn how to access the tutorial training files. You also learn how to use AutoCAD MEP 2010 to
complete basic tasks.
This lesson provides information on how to get started with the AutoCAD MEP 2010 tutorials, including an overview
of the building information model that you design in the tutorials, and where to find the training files required to complete
the exercises.
The Contents tab of the AutoCAD MEP Tutorials Help window displays the available tutorial titles.
To view a tutorial, expand AutoCAD MEP Tutorials. Expand a tutorial title for a list of lessons in that tutorial. Expand a
lesson title for a list of exercises in that lesson.
Add more detailed modelling elements, such as mechanical equipment and electrical panels.
The tutorial exercises are designed to be basic and brief. You do not design the entire building, but only
enough of the building to learn how to use the tools and options in the product. For example, when you
add ductwork, you only draw the duct in one wing of the building.
When you open a training file, you may notice that building elements are included that were not specifically
added in an exercise. For example, to provide a richer and more finished design, elements such as additional
ductwork and equipment are incorporated into subsequent training files. These elements enhance the
exercises you complete.
If AutoCAD MEP (Global) is not the current profile, select it from the list and click Set Current. If AutoCAD
MEP (Global) is not listed as a choice in the Options dialog, this means that the Global content pack was
not installed when AutoCAD MEP was installed on your workstation.
To add the Global content pack to your AutoCAD MEP installation at any time, rerun the installer, and
select the Add or Remove Features option. To rerun the installer, open the Add or Remove Programs dialog
in the Control Panel, and click Change/Remove. For more information, refer to the online AutoCAD MEP
installation guides.
If you installed a shortcut for the Global profile, double-click the shortcut to launch AutoCAD MEP with
the Global profile set as current.
(Project Browser).
(Project Navigator).
5 Open the file specified in the Training File section for the tutorial exercise.
Save a training file
Save As.
NOTE You are not required to save your work in a training file. A training file is provided as a starting
point for each exercise.
7 Complete the information in the Save Drawing As dialog:
For Save in, select the folder in which to save the new file.
You can save the file in the appropriate My Projects folder or in another location.
For Files of type, verify that drawing files (*.dwg) is selected, and click Save.
8 Click
Close.
9 If you have made changes, you are prompted to save the changes. You may close the file with
or without saving changes.
In this lesson, you are introduced to basic concepts that will help you work effectively in AutoCAD MEP. You also learn
how to use the basic tools that make up the AutoCAD MEP interface.
For optimal learning, you should understand the concepts and master the techniques introduced in this lesson before
you move on to other lessons.
Project: In AutoCAD MEP, the project is the single database of information for your design. The project
folder contains all information for the building design, from geometry to construction data. This information
includes components used to design the model, views of the project, and drawings of the design. By using
a single project folder, AutoCAD MEP makes it easy for you to alter the design and have changes reflected
in all associated areas (plan views, elevation views, section views, schedules, and so forth). Having only one
folder to track also makes it easier to manage the project.
Level: Levels are infinite horizontal planes that act as a reference for level-hosted elements, such as roofs,
floors, and ceilings. Most often, you use levels to define a vertical height or story within a building. You
create a level for each known story or other needed reference of the building; for example, first floor, top of
wall, or bottom of foundation. To place levels, you must be in a section or elevation view.
Divisions: Divisions segment the building in the horizontal plane. A division might be a wing of a building.
By default, each new project in AutoCAD MEP has one division.
Constructs: Constructs are the main building blocks (or base drawing files) of the building model. A construct
represents one unique portion of a building, such as a building core, an apartment, or an entire floor.
You assign a construct to a level and a division within the project.
Elements: An element is a generic building block for multiple use. For example, you can create an element
for a typical bathroom layout and reference it multiple times into one or more constructs.
Views: After the structure of the building project is defined and constructs are assigned to levels and divisions,
you can start to create view drawings. A view drawing references a number of constructs to present a specific
view of the building project.
To create a view drawing, you first decide which portion of the building you wish to look at and which type
of view to generate. View drawings automatically reference the appropriate constructs according to their
level/division assignments within the building.
Sheets: Sheets are the final output of a building design. Sheets are used to plot view drawings of your building
project. After you create the necessary model views, detail views, and section/elevation views, you then drag
the views onto the sheets to create sheet views. Sheets are collected together to create a sheet set.
The AutoCAD MEP interface is designed to simplify your workflow. With a few clicks, you can change the
interface to support the way that you work. For example, you can set the ribbon to one of the three display
settings for optimum use of the interface. You can also display several project views at one time, or layer
the views to see only the one on top.
Read the following topics to familiarize yourself with the basic parts of the AutoCAD MEP product. Then
experiment with hiding, showing, and rearranging interface components to support the way you work.
Ribbon Overview
The ribbon displays automatically when you create or open a file, and provides a palette of all available
tools. The ribbon contains tabs, and each tab is divided into panels.
You can customize the ribbon by changing the panel order, or moving a panel off the ribbon to the drawing
area or your desktop. The ribbon can be minimized for maximum use of the drawing area.
To move panels
1 Click a panel label and drag the panel to a new location on the ribbon.
2 Click a panel label and drag the panel off the ribbon to the desktop. To return the panel to the ribbon,
click Return Panels to Ribbon.
To minimize the ribbon
1 Click
Ribbon example
TIP When you see a button that shows a line dividing it into two sides, you can click the top (or left) side to access
the tool you probably use most often. Click the other side to expose a list of other related tools.
Example of button
that can be clicked on
two sides
The following table describes the ribbon tabs and the types of commands they contain.
There are a number of button types on the ribbon
Ribbon Tab
Home
Ribbon Overview | 9
Ribbon Tab
Insert
Annotate
View
Manage
Expanded Panels
A drop-down arrow next to a panel name indicates that you can expand the panel to display additional
tools and controls. By default, an expanded panel closes automatically when you click another panel. To
keep a panel expanded, click the push pin icon in the lower left corner of the expanded panel.
A dialog-launcher arrow on the bottom of a panel opens a dialog.
This contextual ribbon tab closes when you end the command.
The application menu provides access to many common file-related commands and also allows you to
manage your files using advanced commands such as Export and Publish.
NOTE AutoCAD MEP options are set from Options on the application menu.
Click on
(New)
to...
select a template and create a new drawing.
select a file to open.
(Open)
save the current file.
(Save)
save the current drawing with a new name.
(Save As)
export the current drawing.
(Export)
to...
print the current drawing.
(Print)
publish the current project.
(Publish)
transmit the current drawing.
(Send)
(Utilities)
(Close)
(Open)
(Save)
Description
creates a new drawing.
opens a file.
(Undo)
(Redo)
(Plot)
(Project Browser)
(Project Navigator)
prints a drawing.
To undo or redo a series of operations, click the drop-down to the right of the Undo and Redo buttons. This
displays the command history in a list. Starting with the most recent command, you can select any number
of previous commands to include in the Undo or Redo operation.
The Quick Access toolbar can display below the ribbon. Click the drop-down on the right side of the Quick
Access toolbar, and click Show Below the Ribbon to change the display setting.
You can add an item to the Quick Access toolbar by clicking More Commands on the drop-down menu and
dragging the command from the Command List pane to the Quick Access toolbar.
While in an edit mode (such as Duct Add), items that are added to the Quick Access toolbar from the Create,
Modify, Group, Clipboard, or View Graphics panel persist on the toolbar for that mode. However, when
you switch to another editing mode, these items do not display and need to be re-added to the Quick Access
toolbar.
NOTE There are some tools on contextual tabs that cannot be added to the Quick Access toolbar.
Project Browser
Use the Project Browser to create, copy, and switch between projects. On the left side of the Project Browser,
you can create new projects, browse existing projects, and select the current project. On the right side of
the Project Browser, an embedded Internet Explorer allows you to browse your project home page.
(Project Browser).
To change the current project, double-click the name of a project in the left pane and click Close.
Project Browser | 13
Project Navigator
After you select a project in the Project Browser, you use the Project Navigator to create, edit, and manage
the drawing and construction documentation files within the project. Use the Project Navigator to create
and open elements, constructs, views, and sheets for the current project.
The Project Navigator has 4 tabs that correspond to the main phases of project creation:
The Project tab contains the project information, including the levels and divisions in the building
model.
The Constructs tab manages the construct and element drawings that make up the building model.
The Views tab manages the drawings that contain views of the building model.
The Sheets tab organizes all the plotting sheets (created from referenced views) into a single project sheet
set.
(Project Navigator).
(Auto-hide). To
(Auto-hide) again.
NOTE If a pushpin (
) displays in a dialog, you can click the pushpin so that the dialog becomes hidden when
you move the cursor away from it, leaving only the title bar visible. To pin the dialog so that it remains displayed
when you move the cursor away from it, click the pushpin (
) again.
You can position palettes in the application window to make the best use of your work area. A palette can
be docked on the left or right side of your workspace, or it can float (undocked).
Properties Palette
The Properties palette provides a central location to view the properties of a selected object. Use the Properties
palette to view and change settings for the style, dimensions, location, property set data, and other
characteristics of an object.
If the Properties palette does not display when you select an object, you can display it by clicking Home
tab Build panel Tools drop-down Properties.
Type (construct, element, view, or sheet) and name of the current drawing
Options at the far right of the drawing window status bar provide access to the following functions: Surface
Hatch Toggle, Layer Key Overrides, Isolate Objects, AEC Project Standards, Autodesk TrustedDWG, and
Manage Xrefs.
Coordinate values
Drawing tools
Quick properties
View tools
Navigation tools
Annotation tools
Workspace
Lock
Elevation
Catalog status
Clear screen
System Definitions
A system definition specifies behaviors and display properties that apply to all of the objects in a system.
For example, in AutoCAD MEP, you create and name electrical system definitions according to the real-world
electrical systems that they represent, such as Device - Power - 277V or Device - Lighting - 120V. The Style
Manager is used to create and manage system definitions.
Open.
When enabled, object snap restricts the movement of the cursor to specified points on objects, such as the
midpoint or an intersection point.
System Definitions | 17
5 In the Drafting Settings dialog, on the Object Snap tab, select the snaps you want to enable and
click OK.
Object snaps are used 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.
AutoCAD MEP snaps connect MEP objects to other objects, maintaining the integrity and
connectivity of the system. AutoCAD MEP snaps are available in all the engineering workspaces.
Select objects
In order to modify a object, you must first select it. There are several ways you can select one or more objects
in a drawing:
6 Move the cursor over an object (such as a duct), and click to select it.
7 Click outside an object or group of objects, drag a bounding box around the desired objects,
and click a second time to select all objects that are completely within the bounding box.
NOTE Dragging the cursor from left to right selects only the objects that are entirely enclosed by
the rectangular window. Dragging from right to left selects objects that the window encloses or
crosses.
Deselect objects
8 Press ESC.
Select similar objects
9 Select one object (such as a diffuser), right-click, and click Select Similar. This selects all objects
in the drawing that have the same part subtype, size, and system as the selected object.
Deselect objects
13 Press ESC.
Use editing grips
Grips are small, solid-filled shapes displayed at strategic points on a selected object. Grips make it easy to
modify and work with objects.
14 In the drawing area select a duct.
16 Click the lengthen grip and drag to extend the length of the duct.
When you use the location grip to move an object, associative movement enables you to move
a component quickly and accurately without breaking the connection with the rest of the system.
Use the drawing compass
To create an accurate model of your layout, you often need to draw relative to other objects in your building
model. As you draw, you can use the compass to guide the direction of your run. Any part you add to a
layout can be aligned to a specified rotation angle on the compass.
18 In the drawing area, select the duct and click the add grip.
End a command
Some commands, such as the Add Duct command, stay active or current until you choose another command
or end the current command.
20 Press Enter to end the command.
Undo a command
21 On the Quick Access toolbar, click
(Undo).
NOTE Undo has no effect on commands that open, close, or save a window or a drawing, or on
commands that display information, change the graphics display, regenerate the drawing, or export
the drawing to a different format.
Cancel a command
22 Press ESC.
Repeat the last command
23 Press the Up arrow to display the last command in the command line window.
24 Press Enter.
4 To zoom to display the extents of the drawing, click View tab Navigate panel Zoom
drop-down Zoom Extents (
).
In this tutorial, you learn how to use AutoCAD MEP 2010 to design a mechanical system and a piping system.
25
26
Assign engineering data necessary for determining heating loads, cooling loads, and air flow requirements.
Export space data in Green Building XML (gbXML) format that can be used in an external analysis program.
Modeling Spaces
In this exercise, you generate spaces to model the interior spaces of rooms in the xref. You specify space
styles for the appropriate rooms as you add the spaces.
Training File
27
On the Constructs tab of the Project Navigator, expand Constructs Architectural Spaces Exercises,
and open MECH_L01_E01.
Set up the drawing
1 On the application status bar, verify that HVAC is the current workspace.
When the HVAC workspace is active, the HVAC tools are available on the Build panel of the
Home tab, and the HVAC tool palette group is active.
2 Switch to the Research_Building_MEP_M tool palette group.
Generate spaces
3 On the Spaces tab of the Research_Building_MEP_M tool palette group, click Corridor.
4 In the drawing area, move the cursor over the corridor as shown.
6 On the Spaces tab of the Research_Building_MEP_M tool palette group, click Corridor.
7 In the drawing area, right-click and click Generate All. Press Enter to end the command.
Modeling Spaces | 29
12 On the Spaces tab of the Research_Building_MEP_M tool palette group, right-click Inventory
and click Apply Tool Properties to Space.
13 Select the spaces as shown.
14 On the Spaces tab of the Research_Building_MEP_M tool palette group, right-click Lobby and
click Apply Tool Properties to Space.
15 Select the spaces as shown.
16 On the Spaces tab of the Research_Building_MEP_M tool palette group, right-click Mechanical
and click Apply Tool Properties to Space.
17 Select the spaces as shown.
18 On the Spaces tab of the Research_Building_MEP_M tool palette group, right-click Electrical and
click Apply Tool Properties to Space.
19 Select the spaces as shown.
20 On the Spaces tab of the Research_Building_MEP_M tool palette group, right-click Storage and
click Apply Tool Properties to Space.
21 Select the spaces as shown.
Modeling Spaces | 31
22 On the Spaces tab of the Research_Building_MEP_M tool palette group, right-click Stair and
click Apply Tool Properties to Space.
23 Select the spaces as shown.
24 On the Spaces tab of the Research_Building_MEP_M tool palette group, right-click Shipping and
click Apply Tool Properties to Space.
Rename spaces
25 Select the space for the west stair.
26 On the Design tab of the Properties palette, under Basic General, for Name, enter Stair West.
27 Press Esc to deselect the space.
28 Using the same method, rename the south stair and east stair spaces with their corresponding
names.
Note the updated data in the schedule table.
Adding Zones
In this exercise, you add zones and attach spaces to the zones. You must attach spaces to zones prior to
exporting to gbXML.
Training File
On the Constructs tab of the Project Navigator, expand Constructs Architectural Spaces Exercises,
and open Mech_L01_E02.
Add zone markers
1 On the application status bar, verify that HVAC is the current workspace.
When the HVAC workspace is active, the HVAC tools are available on the Build panel of the
Home tab, and the HVAC tool palette group is active.
2 Switch to the HVAC tool palette group.
3 On the Analysis tab of the HVAC tool palette group, click Zone.
4 In the drawing area, specify the insertion point for the two zone markers outside of the floor
plan as shown.
Adding Zones | 33
12 Select the spaces in Lobby and Shipping, and press Enter to end the command.
Lines connect the zone to the attached space.
13 Using the same method, attach the Office, Electrical, Storage, and Stair West spaces to the
Basement Zone (01).
14 Using the same method, create 4 additional basement zones and attach the remaining spaces
to the other basement zones as shown.
Adding Zones | 35
Click Start.
Click
The total air flow, cooling load, and heating load for the zone are displayed under Property
Sets ZoneEngineeringCalculatedData.
NOTE Note that the calculated zone data is not optimal. For training purposes, you only analyzed
only a portion of the building.
8 Press Esc to deselect the zone.
You can use tags to show calculated airflow values on spaces. You can also use schedules to show
calculation results in a table. For more information, see Using Space and Zone Calculated Data
in the AutoCAD MEP online help.
For reference, a completed drawing named Completed_Spaces is included in the project datasets
in the Constructs\Architectural\Spaces\Exercises directory.
9 Close the file with or without saving it.
38
Adding Equipment
In this exercise, you add ceiling diffusers and VAV boxes. You add flow values to the ceiling diffusers so that
you can calculate duct sizes later.
Training File
On the Constructs tab of the Project Navigator, expand Constructs Mechanical Exercises, and open
MECH_L02_E01.
39
Click OK.
6 On the Equipment tab of the HVAC tool palette group, click Diffuser.
7 In the Add Multi-view Parts dialog:
On the Part tab, select 600 x 600 mm Square Faced Ceiling Diffuser.
For Part Size Name, select 600 x 600 mm Square Plaque Faced Ceiling Diffuser - 250 mm
Neck.
You do not need to specify elevation. The diffuser will snap to the ceiling grid (3550 mm).
8 In the drawing area, specify the insertion point to place the first diffuser in the location shown.
Note the node snap displays at the ceiling grid intersections.
9 Use the compass to rotate the diffuser 90 degrees as shown, and click to place.
10 With the Add MVPart command still active, specify the insertion point for the second diffuser
in the location shown. Use the compass to rotate it 90 degrees, and click to place the diffuser.
Adding Equipment | 41
Because Lobby 110 has a small airflow requirement, you will change the diffuser from a 250
mm neck to a 150 mm neck. You will also specify a lower flow value of 63 l/s.
15 In the Multi-view Part Modify dialog:
For Part Size Name, select 600 x 600 mm Square Plaque Face Ceiling Diffuser - 150 mm Neck.
Click OK.
17 On the Equipment tab of the HVAC tool palette group, click Series Fan Powered.
18 In the Add Multi-view Parts dialog:
For Part Size Name, select 250 mm Series Fan Powered VAV Box.
19 In the drawing area, specify the insertion point for the VAV box in the Conference 111 as shown.
Adding Equipment | 43
Click OK.
11 In the drawing area, click to place the bottom of the vertical duct as shown.
17 Use the Location grip to reduce the length of the duct as shown.
On the Object Snap tab, under General, clear Midpoint and Node.
Click OK.
22 In the drawing area, click the Duct End Connector on the riser as shown.
23 Click the Duct End Connector on the horizontal duct to connect it.
24 Right-click and click Next, until you see the following routing solution.
On the Connections tab, under Terminal-Duct Connection, select Elbow with Rigid Duct.
Click OK.
On the Object Snap tab, under AutoCAD MEP, select Duct Curve and Duct Connector.
Click OK.
6 In the drawing area, select the VAV box and click the Add Duct grip as shown.
7 Draw duct from the VAV box and specify the insertion points as shown.
Add an endcap
25 On the Fitting tab of the HVAC tool palette group, click Endcap.
26 In the Add Duct Fittings dialog, select Duct Endcap Placeholder.
27 Click the Duct End Connector to place the fitting as shown.
Sizing Duct
In this exercise, you use a duct size calculator in the software to convert 1-line duct to sized 2-line duct. You
also modify the ducts to change sizes, add transitions, and move locations.
Training File
On the Constructs tab of the Project Navigator, expand Constructs Mechanical Exercises, and open
MECH_L02_E04.
Set up the drawing
1 On the application status bar, verify that HVAC is the current workspace.
When the HVAC workspace is active, the HVAC tools are available on the Build panel of the
Home tab, and the HVAC tool palette group is active.
Calculate duct sizes
2 In the drawing area, select the duct as shown.
Sizing Duct | 55
Sizing Duct | 57
17 In the Duct System Size Calculator dialog, for Select Shape for Parts with Undefined Shape, select
Rectangular. Click Start.
18 When the duct calculations are complete, click Close.
19 Repeat the previous steps to open the Object Viewer.
20 In the Object Viewer, select Mechanical - Duct 2-Line.
21 Close the Object Viewer.
22 In the drawing area, select the duct as shown.
23 Click the Location grip, move the duct up, and enter 1200.
Sizing Duct | 59
26 Click the Location grip, move the duct up, and enter 600.
Adding Equipment
In this exercise, you add chillers and pumps to the rooftop plan.
Training File
On the Constructs tab of the Project Navigator, expand Constructs Piping Exercises, and open
PIPE_L01_E01.
Set up the drawing
1 On the application status bar, verify that Piping is the current workspace.
61
When the Piping workspace is active, the Piping tools are available on the Build panel of the
Home tab, and the Piping tool palette group is active.
2 On the application status bar, click
3 Right-click
Click OK.
5 On the drawing status bar, for display, select MEP Basic 2-Line.
Add a chiller
6 In the drawing area, pan and zoom to the 2 horizontal equipment pads.
7 On the Equipment tab of the Piping tool palette group, click Centrifugal Chiller.
8 In the Add Multi-view Parts dialog:
On the Part tab, expand Mechanical Refrigeration Equipment and select Centrifugal Chiller.
9 In the drawing area, click the midpoint of the top of the pad as shown.
10 Using the compass, move the cursor up to rotate the chiller and click to place it as shown.
Adding Equipment | 63
14 Select the top of the pad for the first centerpoint, as shown.
16 Repeat the previous steps to specify centerpoints on the left side and right side of the pad.
Adding Equipment | 65
Add a pump
21 Pan and zoom to the 4 pump pads.
22 Right-click
Click OK.
24 On the Equipment tab of the Piping tool palette group, click Base Mounted Pump.
25 In the Add Multi-view Parts dialog:
For Part Size Name, select the 200x200 mm Base Mounted Pump.
26 In the drawing area, click on the endpoint snap on the upper-right corner of the left pad as
shown.
Adding Equipment | 67
27 Use the compass to rotate the pump as shown, and click to place.
32 Repeat the previous steps to center the pump along the short edge of the pad.
In the left pane, expand Piping Objects Pipe Part Routing Preferences, and click Generic
Threaded & Flanged Steel.
On the Preferences tab, under Size Range 1, for Transition-Concentric select Threaded Generic Reducer_gbm.
Click OK.
Under Dimensions, for Routing preference, select Generic Threaded & Flanged Steel.
12 Press Enter twice to accept the routing solution and end the command.
Connect pumps to the chillers
13 Select the first pump on the left, and click the Add grip on the outlet as shown.
16 Move the cursor directly to the outlet on the next pump, and click the pipe end connector as
shown.
21 On the Properties palette, under Basic-Dimensions, select 200 for Nominal size.
22 Press Esc to deselect the pipe and fitting.
23 Close the file with or without saving it.
3 Draw a pipe segment to the approximate location shown, and click to insert.
6 In the drawing area, select the pipe and click the Add grip.
Note how the rest of the pipe run moved down as well. The tee moved down, and the connecting
pipe adjusted its length to accommodate the new location. The pipe run is still fully connected.
17 Click
9 Click in the left viewport to activate it, select the equipment and click the Add grip as shown.
10 Using the right viewport as a guide, draw pipe between the AHUs as shown.
11 Press Enter twice to accept the routing and end the command.
Change the pipe and fitting sizes
12 Select the pipe and fitting as shown.
13 On the Properties palette, under Basic-Dimensions, for Nominal Size, select 80.
14 Press Esc to deselect the fittings.
Connect the open ends
15 Click in the left viewport to activate it, and zoom to the pipe end.
16 Select the pipe and click the Add grip as shown.
18 In the Choose a Part dialog, select Flanged - Water-Generic Reducer_gbm., and click OK.
19 In the Choose a Part dialog, select Flanged - Generic-Flange_gbm, and click OK.
20 Press Enter twice to end the command.
21 Click in the right viewport to activate it and zoom to view the connections.
Add valves
5 On the Accessories tab of the Piping tool palette group, click Gate.
6 Move the cursor onto the left pipe until the Pipe Curve Connector displays.
88
Creating an Electrical
System
In this tutorial, you learn how to use AutoCAD MEP 2010 to design an electrical system.
89
90
Designing a Lighting
System
Create a panel.
Add wiring.
91
(Ortho Mode),
(Dynamic
Click OK.
Add a panel
5 In the drawing area, pan and zoom to Electrical 112.
6 On the Panel tab of the Electrical tool palette group, click Surface Mounted.
7 On the Design tab of the Properties palette, specify the following settings for the panel:
Click OK.
8 In the drawing area, move the cursor to the wall as shown, and click the Nearest snap to snap
to the nearest drawing geometry, in this case, the wall. The panel automatically aligns to the
wall.
9 When prompted to create a new or open an existing electrical project database file, click Create
a new EPD file.
10 For filename, enter Sample and click Save.
11 Press Enter to end the command.
Configure circuits
12 Click Analyze tab Electrical panel Circuit Manager.
13 In the left pane of Circuit Manager, expand HP01 (Current Drawing), and expand Power and
Lighting.
Note the list of circuits created when you added the panel. You can add or remove circuits on
a panel at anytime using Circuit Manager.
14 Select Circuit 1, double-click the Description field, and enter 01 Floor: Conference Fluorescent.
15 Repeat the previous step to enter 01 Floor: Lobby Fluorescent for the Circuit 2 description, and
01 Floor: Service Cove Fluorescent for the Circuit 3 description.
Note the 20-amp rating on the circuits.
16 Close the Circuit Manager.
17 Close the file with or without saving it.
Adding Lights
In this exercise, you add lights to a conference room. You reference the electrical project database that
contains the panel and circuits. By using the electrical project database, you can share circuit information
across all project drawings.
Training File
On the Constructs tab of the Project Navigator, under Constructs Electrical Exercises, open
ELEC_L01_E02.
Set up the drawing
1 On the application status bar, verify that Electrical is the current workspace.
When the Electrical workspace is active, the Electrical tools are available on the Build panel of
the Home tab, and the Electrical tool palette group is active.
Specify an electrical project database
2 Click Manage tab Preferences panel Electrical.
On the Circuiting tab, under Overload, select Check Overload when circuiting
On the Electrical Project Database tab, for Project Database, click Open.
Click OK.
Under Basic, for General, click Style, verify that Pendant 450 is selected.
In the Electrical Properties dialog, under Connector Properties, for Load Phase 1, enter
100 VA.
Click OK.
Adding Lights | 95
Click OK.
13 On the Lighting tab of the Research_Building_MEP_M tool palette group, click Pendant 450.
14 In the drawing area, click to place 4 additional pendant lights as shown.
Adding Lights | 97
Adding Lights | 99
30 Move the cursor to the left and enter 1200 to place a third light.
31 Repeat the previous step to place a fourth light.
35 Press Delete.
Add tags to recessed lighting
36 Switch to the Electrical tool palette group.
37 On the Annotation tab of the Electrical tool palette group, click Light ID.
38 In the drawing area, select the recessed light and specify the insertion point for the tag as shown.
Under Connector Properties, for Show Circuits from Panel, select HP01 (Current Drawing).
Click OK.
5 In the drawing area, click to place 3 junction boxes as shown. Press Enter to end the command.
Add wiring
6 Switch to the Electrical tool palette group.
7 On the Wire tab of the Electrical tool palette group, click 230V Lighting Wiring.
8 On the Properties palette:
Under Basic, for Location, for Height, enter 200, and for Elevation, enter 2600.
10 In the drawing area, move the cursor over the first junction box, and click the electrical end
connector as shown.
15 Click the first recessed light, click the first junction box, and then click the second recessed light
as shown.
18 Repeat the previous steps to wire the third pair of recessed lights to the third junction box as
shown.
19 Repeat the previous steps to add wire between the pendant lights and the third junction box.
20 Repeat the previous steps to wire the surface lights and linear fluorescent lights to the third
junction box as shown.
23 Repeat the previous steps to change the wire location from the junction box to the other recessed
light as shown.
Check connectivity
24 Select the wire between the two pendant lights as shown, right-click and click Connected
Objects Show Connected Run.
Select Nearest.
Click OK.
Add switches
5 On the Power-Lighting Device tab of the Electrical tool palette group, click Single Pole Switch.
6 On the Properties palette:
In the Electrical Properties dialog, under Connector Properties, for Show Circuits from Panel,
select HP01 (current drawing). For Circuit, select 1[Load: 1040VA]. Click OK.
Click Style.
In the Select a Style dialog, click Dimmer Switch, and click OK.
Click OK.
13 In the drawing area, select the surface lighting fixture and click the Add Wire grip as shown.
14 Click to Electrical End Connector on the switch to connect the wire as shown.
19 Click the Electrical End Connector on the dimmer switch to connect the wire as shown.
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125
Generating Devices
In this exercise, you place devices in a room using a layout method to generate devices with a set distance
between each one. You also check circuit loads, and move devices from one circuit to another to prevent
an overload condition.
Training File
On the Constructs tab of the Project Navigator, under Constructs Electrical Exercises, open
ELEC_L02_E01.
Set up the drawing
1 On the application status bar, verify that Electrical is the current workspace.
When the Electrical workspace is active, the Electrical tools are available on the Build panel of
the Home tab, and the Electrical tool palettes group is active.
2 On the drawing status bar, for display, select Electrical - Power.
Turn on overload checking
3 Click Manage tab Preferences panel Electrical.
4 In the Electrical Preferences dialog:
Under Overload, verify that Check Overload when circuiting and Display Overload in Circuit
Manager are both selected.
Click OK.
9 On the Power-Lighting Device tab of the Electrical tool palette, click Single Switched Socket
Outlet.
10 On the Design tab of the Properties palette:
Expand Layout, and for Layout method, select Distance around space. This will place sockets
at a specific distance interval around the room.
Expand System, and for System, select 230V Power (230V POWER).
Under Connector Properties, for Show Circuits from Panel, select Exercise Panel (Current
Drawing).
Click OK.
Select Nearest.
Click OK.
13 Move the cursor to the space outline for Common Area 213.
Note that a preview of the socket layout is displayed and the number of sockets is listed on the
Properties palette.
In the Electrical Properties dialog, for Circuit, select 2 [Load: 0VA] and click OK.
On the Constructs tab of the Project Navigator, under Constructs Electrical Exercises, open
ELEC_L02_E02.
Set up the drawing
1 On the application status bar, verify that Electrical is the current workspace.
When the Electrical workspace is active, the Electrical tools are available on the Build panel of
the Home tab, and the Electrical tool palettes group is active.
2 On the application status bar, click
Select Nearest.
Click OK.
6 On the Power-Lighting Device tab of the Electrical tool palette, click Twin Switched Socket
Outlet.
7 On the Design tab of the Properties palette:
Under Connector Properties, for Show Circuits from Panel, select Exercise Panel (Current
Drawing).
Click OK.
8 In the drawing area, place the sockets in the corridor between the exterior windows as shown.
Because you selected Yes for Align to objects on the Properties palette, the socket will
automatically align to the object to which you snap.
9 Press Enter to end the command.
Move a device to another wall
10 In the drawing area, select the socket shown, and click the Show all insertion points grip.
12 Move the socket to the opposite wall and click the Nearest snap as shown.
2 In the Add General View dialog, for Name, enter Schematic Riser Diagrams. Click Next twice,
and click Finish.
3 On the Views tab of the Project Navigator, expand Views MEP Electrical Exercises and
open Schematic Riser Diagrams.
Set up the drawing
4 On the application status bar, switch to the Schematic workspace.
When the Schematic workspace is active, the Schematic tools are available on the Build panel
of the Home tab, and the Schematic tool palettes group is active.
5 Click View tab MEP View panel Solution Tips.
6 On the drawing window status bar, click Annotation Scale and select 1:1.
Add schematic lines
7 Click Home tab Draw panel Rectangle.
8 On the command line:
16 Select the symbol for the circuit breaker, right-click and click Edit Schematic Symbol Style.
17 On the Views tab of the Schematic Symbol Styles dialog:
Click OK.
Motor Electrical
Fuse Electrical
Transformer Electrical
24 Repeat the previous steps to place the remaining symbols on the schematic lines as shown.
26 Select the line as shown and use the Lengthen grip to lengthen the line as shown.
27 Select the symbol as shown and use the Location grip to move the symbol as shown.
28 Select the fuse on the line on the left, right-click and click Basic Modify Tools Copy.
29 Click to add a fuse both to the center and right lines as shown.
30 Repeat the previous steps to copy the switch from the line on the left to both the center and
right lines as shown.
500 kVA
UTILITY COMPANY
TRANSFORMER
230/400V SECONDARY
39 When you have entered all lines of text, press Enter to end the command.
Click New.
In the New Text Style dialog, for Style Name, enter Schematic and click OK.
142
Creating a Plumbing
System
In this tutorial, you learn how to use AutoCAD MEP 2010 to design a plumbing system.
143
144
Designing a Sanitary
System
Add annotation.
145
Adding Equipment
In this exercise, you add plumbing fixtures, including toilets, urinals, sinks, and drains.
Training File
On the Constructs tab of the Project Navigator, under Constructs Plumbing Exercises, open
PLMB_L01_E01.
Set up the drawing
1 On the application status bar, verify that Plumbing is the current workspace.
When the Plumbing workspace is active, the Plumbing tools are available on the Build panel of
the Home tab, and the Plumbing tool palette group is active.
2 On the application status bar, click
Select Intersection.
Click OK.
Add toilets
5 On the Equipment tab of the Plumbing tool palette group, click WC.
6 In the Add Multi-view Parts dialog:
On the Part tab, under Water Closets, select Wall-Mounted Flush Valve Toilet.
TIP Fixture units and occupancy are needed if you are going to size plumbing lines. In this exercise,
you do not calculate the size of plumbing lines. Instead you place sized plumbing lines from fixture
and symbol defaults.
7 In the drawing area, zoom to the womens rest room.
8 Use the linework to specify the insertion point, rotate the toilet, and click to insert it as shown.
9 Repeat the previous steps to place 5 additional toilets in the stalls as shown.
For Part Size Name, verify that 525 x 475 mm Oval Basin is selected.
20 In the drawing area, use the linework to specify the insertion point, rotate the sink and click to
insert it as shown.
33 In the drawing area, click to place the floor drain in the location shown.
Click North.
(Home).
44 Click to specify the second point of the section line as shown. Press Enter to end the command.
50 Press Delete.
51 Close the file with or without saving it.
NOTE The major vertical pipe stack was created as piping so that you can check for interference.
3 Select the toilet and move the cursor over the Add grip as shown. Note the elevation is 225.
7 In the drawing area, draw a plumbing line from the left side of the chase past the vertical pipe
as shown.
Add fittings
11 On the Fittings tab of the Plumbing tool palette group, click General Plumbing Fitting.
12 On the Properties palette:
Click Style.
In the Select a style dialog, select Long Radius Double Branch with Boss, and click OK.
14 In the Drafting Settings dialog, on the Object Snap tab, select Midpoint. Click OK.
15 In the drawing area, zoom to the end of the chase between the toilets, and position the cursor
to locate the midpoint of the chase.
16 Move the cursor to the right, click to place the fitting, and rotate the fitting as shown.
Clear Midpoint.
Click OK.
27 In the drawing area, select the fitting on the left and click the Add grip shown.
30 In the Select Connector dialog, verify that Connector 2: Waste is selected and click OK.
31 Repeat the previous steps for the toilet on the other side of the chase.
32 Press Enter to end the command.
33 Select the fitting and click the Add grip.
34 Draw plumbing line and click the Pipe end Connector on the next fitting to connect it.
35 Press Enter to end the command.
36 Repeat the previous steps to draw waste lines to the remaining toilets and between the remaining
fittings on the right.
Add a cleanout
37 Select the fitting between the toilets on the left.
38 Click the Add grip and draw plumbing line from the fitting to the left and up as shown.
Click Style.
In the Select a Style dialog, select End of Line Cleanout and click OK.
42 In the drawing area, click the Pipe End Connector on the end of the pipe to place the cleanout
as shown.
9 In the Select Connector dialog, select Connector 3: Waste and click OK.
10 In the Plumbing Line - Elevation Mismatch dialog, click Add A Riser.
11 Press Enter to end the command.
13 Select the utility sink, and click the Add grip for the drain.
14 Draw plumbing line from the sink toward the wall and click to place as shown.
17 On the Properties palette, for Elevation, enter -3375 and click the waste line to connect to it.
18 In the Plumbing Line - Elevation Mismatch dialog, click Add a Riser to the Fixture.
19 Press Enter to end the command.
Add a waste line for floor drains
20 Select the floor drain and click the Add grip as shown.
3 In the drawing area, draw the vent line as shown. Press Enter to end the command.
4 Select the next fitting and click the Add grip as shown.
6 In the drawing area, draw a vent line to the previously drawn vent line, and click the Pipe Curve
Connector.
7 Press Enter to end the command.
Click Style.
11 In the drawing area, zoom to the fitting shown, select it, and click the Add grip.
13 In the drawing area, draw a vent line from the fitting to connect to the main vent line.
14 Repeat the previous steps to connect the remaining fittings to the main vent line. Select each
of the sanitary tees and use the Properties palette to change each tee to a branch.
15 Zoom out to view the completed vent lines.
Adding Annotation
In this exercise, you add labels and tags to plumbing lines. The labels and tags will update automatically as
you change plumbing systems. Data is also automatically updated in the plumbing schedule. You can use
schedules as you design to get feedback on changes as you work.
Training File
On the Constructs tab of the Project Navigator, under Constructs Plumbing Exercises, open
PLMB_L01_E05.
Add labels
1 On the Annotation tab of the Plumbing tool palette group, click Label.
2 On the Properties palette, verify these settings:
3 In the drawing area, select the plumbing line segments shown and press Enter.
6 On the Properties palette, for Style, select Size and System Label.
7 In the drawing area, select the waste and vent lines shown and press Enter.
Expand GEquipmentCommonObjects.
Collapse GTagEquipmentCommonObjects.
Notice that the schedule has been updated to include the data for WC-1.
21 Use the data in the final schedule shown to tag the remaining equipment.
24 On the command line, enter Connect Sanitary Waste to Chase Line on Floor Below.
25 Press Enter twice to end the command.
176
In this lesson, you learn how to use schematic lines and symbols to draw a riser diagram. The riser diagram represents the
waste system for the second floor of the office building.
177
3 on the Views tab of the Project Navigator, open the Plumbing Riser Diagrams view just created.
Set up the drawing area
4 On the drawing window status bar, click Annotation Scale and select 1:1.
5 Click Home tab Draw panel Rectangle.
6 On the command line:
Under AutoCAD MEP, select Schematic Connector and Schematic Curve Connector.
Click OK.
NOTE The plane of the line is the default plane for any symbols placed on the line. Draw the schematic
line on the plane that best represents the orientation of the symbols.
13 Specify a start point near the left side of the rectangle, move the cursor straight down, and enter
60 and press Enter.
14 Move the cursor to the approximate location shown, enter 210, and press Enter.
15 Move the cursor to the approximate location shown, enter 60, and press Enter.
Under Start & End Settings, for Start, select None, and for End, select None.
Click OK.
26 Click to place the cleanout at the end of the schematic line using the schematic end connector
as shown. Press Enter to end the command.
30 On the Isometric Plumbing tab of the Schematic tool palette group, click Lateral Left-Facing.
31 On the Properties palette:
In the Select a Style dialog, for Style, select Double Lateral and click OK.
32 In the drawing area, click to insert a double lateral in the approximate location shown.
33 Move the cursor directly up the line to orient the fitting as shown, and click to place it.
3 Click the double lateral and drag the cursor to the top left. Enter 60.
5 Click the schematic end connector on the double lateral, move the cursor to the bottom right
as shown, and enter 60.
For Style, in the Select a Style dialog, select P-Trap Connection 2 and click OK.
10 Click the schematic end snap on the pipe, and move the cursor to orient the direction as shown.
11 Repeat the previous step to place a second fixture symbol on the end of the other line segment
as shown.
For X, enter 8.
For Y, enter 8.
For Z, enter 8.
TIP You can edit selections of symbols or lines at the same time, so you dont need to enter any
values, such as when you placed the symbol or line. These values are used in labels and schedules.
29 Zoom to view the trap symbol you placed. Press Enter to end the command.
38 In the drawing area, click the trap symbol again, move the cursor up, and enter 30. Press Enter
to end the command.
39 Zoom out to view the second double lateral, select it, right-click and click Add Selected.
40 In the drawing area, click the end of the schematic line as shown. Press Enter to end the command.
46 On the Isometric Plumbing tab of the Schematic tool palette group, click P-Trap.
47 In the drawing area, click to place a trap at each end of the line segments as shown.
52 Copy the riser branch to the location shown. Press Esc to deselect the riser branch.
192
Generating Construction
Documents
In this tutorial, you learn how to use AutoCAD MEP 2010 to create views and place them on sheets. You also learn how
to publish a sheet set for your design.
193
194
Creating Views
10
Create electrical, plumbing, and piping views using constructs provided in the tutorials project.
A set of completed view drawings is included for reference on the Views tab of the Project Navigator. The name of each
completed view ends with _final.
You can follow the exercises in this lesson to create the views or use the _final views in order to create sheets in the next
lesson.
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The drawings you specify here are included as xrefs in the view drawing. If a construct drawing
has an xref overlay, the xref overlay is not transferred to the view. If a construct drawing has
an attached xref, then the xref drawing information is transferred to the view.
This view drawing references the electrical lighting construct. If you modify the construct
drawing, you simply need to open the view drawing or reload the construct xref to display the
most current drawing on the view.
14 Click Finish.
The view displays in the drawing area.
In the drawing area, click 2 points at the upper left and lower right of the view as shown.
Click OK.
On the Views tab of the Project Navigator, note the model space view for 02 Floor - Lighting
Plan.
18 Save and close the file.
Note how this view drawing references the sanitation pipework construct. If you modify the
construct drawing, you simply need to open the view drawing or reload the construct xref to
display the most current drawing on the view.
11 Click Finish.
The view displays in the drawing area.
In the drawing area, click 2 points at the upper left and lower right of the view as shown.
Click OK.
For Description, enter Basement Piping Section with Air Handling Units, Chillers, and Pumps.
Click OK.
4 Click Next.
5 Select Basement.
On the next worksheet of the dialog, you specify the xrefs to include in the view. The available
xrefs are the ones assigned to the same level you specify here.
6 Click Next.
7 Specify the drawings to xref into your view:
The drawings you specify here are included as xrefs in the view drawing. If a construct drawing
has an xref overlay, the xref overlay is not transferred to the view. If a construct drawing has
an attached xref, then the xref drawing information is transferred to the view. The
Completed_Piping_Plan drawing includes the penthouse shell drawing as an xref overlay, so it
will not display in the view unless you select it here.
Note how the view drawing references the piping construct. If you change the construct drawing,
you need to open the view drawing or reload the construct xref to display the most current
drawing on the view.
8 Click Finish.
For New Model Space View Name, enter Piping Section - Chillers.
Verify that both Generate Section/Elevation and Place Titlemark are selected.
For New Model Space View Name, enter Piping Section - Pumps.
Verify that both Generate Section/Elevation and Place Titlemark are selected.
Deselect Constructs.
Select Mechanical.
8 Click Finish.
23 With the schedule table still selected, right-click and click Update Schedule Table.
The schedule updates to show data from the diffusers and grilles used in the view drawing. Each
item is listed on its own row, and several rows show question marks (?) for data. You will fix
those issues by modifying the schedule table style.
On the Applies To tab, under Classifications, expand MvPart Type, and select Air Terminal.
This restricts the schedule table to only objects classified as air terminals.
On the Sorting tab, click Add. In the Select Property dialog, select
GTagAirTerminalObjects:Mark-Unformatted, and click OK.
This sorts the rows alphanumerically by tag name.
Click OK.
The schedule table updates to reflect the style changes. The diffusers are now grouped in rows,
and listed in order by tag. The question marks that displayed previously were the VAV boxes in
the drawing. By restricting the schedule table to only air terminals, you removed the references
to the VAV boxes.
TIP If you customize a schedule table style, you can copy and paste it in other drawings using Style
Manager.
27 Save the file.
In the drawing area, click 2 points at the upper left and lower right of the view as shown.
Click OK.
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11
You create new sheet drawings using the view drawings you created in the previous lesson. A set of completed sheet
drawings is included for your reference. They are located in the Exercises_final subset on the Sheets tab of the Project
Navigator.
The exercises in this lesson are sequential, and it is recommended that you complete them in the order presented. You
can use the completed view drawings from the previous lesson or use the _final views in order to create sheets in this
lesson.
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In the Select Layout as Sheet Template dialog, for Drawing template file name, click
(Browse).
In the Select Drawing dialog, select Aecb Sheet (Global Ctb).dwt, and click Open.
In the Select Layout to as Sheet Template dialog, select ISO A0 (841 x 1189), and click OK
twice.
The new sheet subset is added to the Sheets tab.
(Browse).
Click OK.
8 Repeat the previous steps to place the 01 Electrical Plan model space view from the Views tab
onto the sheet.
9 Pan and zoom to the title block. This sheet was created using a standard AutoCAD MEP sheet
template. Note how the title and sheet number are automatically populated using the sheet
information. You can add and edit text in the title block.
The sheet drawing references the view drawing, which in turn references the construct drawing.
If you modify the construct drawing, just open the sheet to see the latest construct geometry.
10 Save and close the file.
Click OK.
Click OK.
Click OK.
(Browse).
9 In the drawing area, right-click the schedule table and click Update Schedule Table.
Modify the table style
10 Select the schedule table, right-click and click Edit Schedule Table Style.
11 In the Schedule Table Style Properties dialog:
On the Applies To tab, under Classifications, expand MvPart Type and select Air Terminal.
This restricts the schedule table to only objects classified as air terminals.
On the Layout tab, under Format, for Title, click Override Cell Format.
In the Cell Format Override dialog, under Text Appearance, for Style, select Arial-Bold
and click OK.
Click OK.
Click OK.
Note that only the sheets in the Exercises subset are included.
TIP As you add or remove sheets in a project, you can update the sheet list table by selecting it,
right-clicking, and clicking Update Table Data Links.
7 Select the sheet list table, right-click and click Properties.
8 On the Properties palette, for Table Style, select Sheet List.
9 Press ESC to deselect the table.
4 In the left pane of the sheet set, click a thumbnail of a drawing to view it in the right pane.
The DWF file contains live links. You can click a drawing title in the sheet set list to view that
drawing. Note the detail and section marks on the Sanitary Detail and Piping Section sheets.
You can click the marks to switch to the detail or section sheet.
For reference, a completed sheet set is included in the Exercises\completed sheet set directory.
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