Mastering Autodesk Revit MEP 2016

Simon Whitbread has been using, implementing and teaching Revit since 2003. He is passionate about teaching and his students come from all levels of the construction industry: Building Services and HVAC Engineers, Design Architects, Technicians. From Interns to MD's, he has taught and given presentations around the world at events such as Autodesk University and the Revit Technology Conference, Australasia, North America and Europe (RTC). With a recent move to the UK, and now working for Autodesk, Simon specializes in providing Enterprise Level customers with Revit MEP support, training and implementation guidance.

• Introduction xxv Part 1 General Project Setup 1Chapter 1 Exploring the User Interface 3The Ribbon 3Using Tabs 4Using Contextual Tabs 10Customizing the Ribbon 13Quick Access Toolbar 14Additional User Interface Features 16Options Bar 16Properties Palette 16View Control Bar 18Status Bar 23Info Center 23Exchange Apps 24User Interface Control 24Menus and Settings 25Keyboard Shortcuts 27Graphics 29Context Menus 30The Bottom Line 33Chapter 2 View Filters and View Templates 35Understanding View Filters 35Creating View Filters 35Discipline Example: Filter for Wire Types 39Visibility Settings Shortcut: View Templates 41The Bottom Line 42Chapter 3 Worksets and Worksharing 45Understanding Central Files 45Creating a Central File 46Creating a New Workset 50Working with Local Files 53Creating a Local File 53Synchronizing a Local File with the Central File 55Managing and Using the Power of Worksets 59Taking Ownership of Worksets 59Working with Model Elements and Their Worksets 61Controlling Visibility and Worksets 65Enhancing Communication 69Using Revit Server 71The Bottom Line 74Chapter 4 Project Collaboration 75Preparing Your Files for Sharing 75Working with Linked Revit Files 78Linking Revit Files 79Using Shared Coordinates 83Managing Revit Links 85Controlling Visibility of Revit Links 87Coordinating Elements within Shared Models 92Monitoring Elements 92Responding to Change Alerts 98Reconciling Hosting 99Maintaining Project Coordination 100Working with Files from Other Applications 100Linking CAD Files 101Exporting Your Revit File to a CAD Format 104Linking IFC Files 106Using Image Files in a Revit Project 108Setting Options for Quality Control 111Using Cloud-based Solutions 113The Bottom Line 113Chapter 5 Multiplatform Interoperability: Working with 2D and 3D Data 1152D Data Types 116MicroStation 2D DGN 116DXF 1162D Data for Standard Details 1172D Data for Plans, Sections, and Elevations 1193D Data Types 129Revit Project File 129Project Phasing and Design Options 130Revit Family File 131ADSK 132IFC 132AutoCAD DWG 133DWGs from Verticals 133SketchUp 134Other File Formats 134Point Clouds 134The Bottom Line 136Chapter 6 Parameters 137Understanding Parameter Basics 137Choosing the Correct Parameter 138Naming Parameters 138Using Type Parameters 140Using Instance Parameters 141Setting Parameter Discipline, Type, and Grouping 142Using Parameters in Families 146Dimensional Parameters Lock Function 147Parameter Types 147Type Catalogs 149Formulas 152System Parameters 154Lookup Tables 155Using Shared Parameters 156Using Parameters in Projects 162Project Parameters 162Parameters in Schedules 164Creating and Using Parameters in Families and Schedules 165View and Sheet Parameters 167Working with Formulas 169Sample Conditional Statements 170Rounding 170The Bottom Line 171Chapter 7 Schedules 173Defining Schedules 173The Fields Tab 176The Filter Tab 179The Sorting/Grouping Tab 181The Formatting Tab 182The Appearance Tab 186Editing a Schedule 186Scheduling Component and System Family Data 190Mechanical Equipment Schedules 191Lighting Fixture Schedules 192System Family Schedules 194Model Component Schedules 198Using Schedules for Design and Analysis 200Schedule Keys 201Panel Schedules 204Using Schedules for Project Management 207Sheet List 207View List 209Note Block 210The Bottom Line 212Part 2 Mechanical Design 213Chapter 8 HVAC Cooling and Heating Load Analysis 215Modeling Spaces for Building Load Analysis 215Creating Spaces 216Placing Spaces 217Creating a Space Properties Schedule 218Modifying Space Properties 219Creating Zones 221Setting Building Construction Options 223Performing Heating and Cooling Load Analysis 226Load Analysis 228Weather Data 228Outdoor Air Infiltration 230Sliver Spaces 230Details 231Heating and Cooling Loads Report 233Performing Conceptual Energy Analysis on Your Building 238Setting Up the Model 238Keeping It Simple 241Performing Energy Simulation 242Analyzing Duct and Pipe System Pressure 244Exporting gbXML Data to Load-simulating Software 245The Bottom Line 247Chapter 9 Creating Logical Systems 249Why Are Systems Important? 249Managing Systems 249System Browser 251Mechanical Settings 254Setting Up Duct Systems 255Understanding Duct Connectors 258Creating Mechanical Systems 262Setting Up Piping Systems 265Understanding Piping Connectors 267Creating Piping Systems 267Creating Fire-protection Systems 270Setting Display Properties of Systems 270Understanding Child and Parent Relationships in Revit Systems 271The Bottom Line 273Chapter 10 Mechanical Systems and Ductwork 275Air Distribution Components 275Mechanical Equipment Components 278Air-Conditioning/Handling Units 278VAV Boxes 280Heating and Cooling Elements 280Ductwork 281Duct Types and Routing 285Creating New Duct Types 285Using Automatic Duct Routing 285Using Manual Duct Routing 291Adjusting Fittings and Extending the Design 293Duct Sizing 297Choosing a Duct Sizing Method 298Using the Duct Routing Tools 302The Bottom Line 304Chapter 11 Mechanical Piping 307Mechanical Pipe Settings 307Creating Piping Systems 308Creating Pipe Types 311Defining Fitting Angles 313Selecting Fittings for Routing Preferences 314Choosing Pipe Materials and Sizes 315Adjusting the Pipe Sizing Table 315Using the Fluids Table 315Pipe Routing Options 316Automatic Pipe Routing 316Manual Pipe Routing 318Pipe Fittings 326Using Pipe Fitting Controls 327Placing Valves 327Adding Piping Insulation 328The Bottom Line 329Part 3 Electrical Design 331Chapter 12 Lighting 333Efficient Lighting Design 333Spaces and Lighting 333The Reflected Ceiling Plan 336Lighting Worksets 338Lighting Analysis 338Hosting Options for Lighting Fixtures and Devices 342Lighting Fixtures in a Ceiling 342Lighting Fixtures in Sloped Ceilings 343Ceiling Changes 344Overhead Fixtures in Spaces with No Ceiling 345Wall-mounted Lights 345Switches 346Site Lighting 348The Site Plan 348Site Lighting Layout 350Site Lighting Analysis 350The Bottom Line 354Chapter 13 Power and Communications 355Modeling Methods for Power and Systems Devices 355Using Annotation Symbols 357Using Face-hosted Families 358Avoiding Interference of Symbols 360Creating Circuits 362Placing Devices and Equipment Connections 363Disconnect Switches 364Distribution Equipment and Transformers 366Switchboards 367Panels 368Other Equipment 372Creating Power Distribution Systems 373Power Diagrams 375Tips for Creating Power Diagrams 375Creating a Fire Alarm System Model 376Fire Alarm Riser Diagram 377Fire Alarm Diagram Using Drafting Tools and Symbols 378Modeling Conduit and Cable Tray 379Defi ning Electrical Settings 381Placing Conduit in a Model 383Placing Cable Tray in a Model 387Creating Family Types 387The Bottom Line 388Chapter 14 Circuiting and Panels 389Establishing Electrical Settings 389Wiring Settings 392Voltage Definitions 394Distribution Systems 395Load Calculations 396Creating Circuits and Wiring for Devices and Fixtures 400Editing Wiring 403Editing Circuits 405Drawing Wires Manually 409Controlling Wire Display 411Managing Circuits and Panels 411Circuit Properties 412Wire Properties 412Panel Properties 413Other Panels and Circuits 416Using Schedules for Sharing Circuit Information 416The Bottom Line 419Part 4 Plumbing 421Chapter 15 Plumbing (Domestic, Sanitary, and Other) 423Configuring the Plumbing Views 423Global Settings and View-specific Settings 424Defining Systems Visibility Through Filters 425Working with Plumbing Fixtures 425Working with Architectural Linked-in Plumbing Models 427Creating Custom Pipe Assemblies 428Copying/Monitoring Plumbing Fixtures 432Choosing Pipe Settings and Pipe Routing Options 435Sloping Pipe 435Annotating Invert Elevation and Slope 437Using Fittings 438Using Pipe Fitting Controls 438Placing Valves 438The Bottom Line 440Chapter 16 Fire Protection 441Understanding the Essentials of Placing Fire-Protection Equipment 441Point of Connection 441Fire Pump Assembly 443Fire Riser Assembly 444Sprinkler Heads 446Creating Fire-Protection Systems 447Creating a Fire-Protection Wet System 450Filtering Fire-Protection Systems 451Using Mechanical Joint Fittings 451Routing Piping and Adjusting Settings 452The Bottom Line 452Part 5 Managing Content 453Chapter 17 Solid Modeling 455Solids and Voids 455Extrusions 456Blends 458Revolves 460Sweeps 462Swept Blends 464Joining Geometry 466Voids 467Reference Planes and Lines 469Constraints and Dimensions 478Visibility Control 481In-Place Massing 484The Bottom Line489Chapter 18 Creating Symbols and Annotations 491Using Drafting Tools in Revit 491Drawing Arcs 493Using Other Drawing Tools 494Creating Filled Regions 495Building a Symbol Library 496Generic Annotations 496Subcategories 497Text and Labels 499Detail Components 500Controlling Visibility of Lines, Regions, and Annotations 502Using Visibility Parameters 502Using Constraints 506Using Labels and Tags 509Label Format Options 511Labels and Linework 512The Bottom Line 514Chapter 19 Creating Equipment 515Modeling MEP Equipment 515Hosting Options 516Family Categories 518Detail Level 521Geometry for Connection Points 522Equipment Pads 523Adding Connectors to Equipment Families 524Duct Connectors 529Pipe Connectors 532Electrical Connectors 534Multiple Connectors in Families 536Creating Clearance Spaces 547Adding Parameters and Constraints 550Creating Loadable Families from In-Place 552The Bottom Line 556Chapter 20 Creating Light Fixtures 559Understanding Types of Lighting Fixture Families 559Nonhosted or Level-based Lighting Fixtures 560Face-hosted Lighting Fixtures 566Face-hosted Families for Wall-mounted Lights 567Fixture Types Based on Dimensions 568Fixture Types Based on Fixture Performance and Lighting Characteristics 569Naming Conventions 572Performing Lighting Analysis 572Light Source Location 573Light Source Definitions 575Light Source Parameters 576Using Fixture Families as Intelligent Objects 577Using Parameters 577Adding Connectors 578Representing Light Fixtures on Construction Documents 579The Bottom Line 586Chapter 21 Creating Devices 587Modeling Device Geometry 587Category and Parameters 588Geometry and Reference Planes 590Using Annotations for Devices 595Adding Parameters and Connectors 601Using Parameters for Labels 602Adding Connectors 603The Bottom Line 607Chapter 22 Details 609Drafting and Detailing Tools 609Line Styles 610Regions 610Detail Components 613CAD Details 617Using Drafting Views 618Converting Details 618Strategies for Creating a Detail Library 623Inserting 2D Elements 625Inserting Views 626Model Detail Views 628Plan Callouts 628Section Callouts 631The Bottom Line 633Chapter 23 Sheets 635Creating a Titleblock 635Using Existing CAD Graphics 636Using Text and Labels 637Using Logos and Images 640Working with Sheets in a Project 641Organizing Project Browser Sheets 642Placing Views on Sheets 644Working with Viewports 647Adding Annotations 649Placing Schedules 649Using Sheet Lists 650Making Sheet Revisions 654Printing Sheets 657Exporting Sheets 659The Bottom Line 661Chapter 24 Fabrication 663Specifying Fabrication Settings 664Placing Fabrication Parts 666Creating a Fabrication Layout 669Editing a Fabrication Layout 671The Bottom Line 679Chapter 25 Creating a Project Template 681Understanding Templates 682Determining the Number and Types of Views Needed 682Setting the Number of Levels 683Working with Plan Types 683Creating a Working View 683Choosing Display Settings for Views 684Visibility Settings for Template Views 686Schedule Views 690Establishing Project Settings 692Object Styles 692Drafting Line Settings 693Export Settings 698Annotation Styles 702Project Units 707Project Phases 709Defining Preloaded Content and Its Behavior 712Annotation Families 712Component Families 714System Families 717MEP Settings 721Creating Sheet Standards 723Titleblocks 723Defining Sheets 724Understanding the Project Browser Organization 725Discipline Grouping 726Sorting Views within Groups 727Sheet Organization 728The Bottom Line 729Appendix The Bottom Line 731Chapter 1: Exploring the User Interface 731Chapter 2: View Filters and View Templates 732Chapter 3: Worksets and Worksharing 732Chapter 4: Project Collaboration 734Chapter 5: Multiplatform Interoperability: Working with 2D and 3D Data 735Chapter 6: Parameters 735Chapter 7: Schedules 736Chapter 8: HVAC Cooling and Heating Load Analysis 737Chapter 9: Creating Logical Systems 739Chapter 10: Mechanical Systems and Ductwork 740Chapter 11: Mechanical Piping 741Chapter 12: Lighting 742Chapter 13: Power and Communications 743Chapter 14: Circuiting and Panels 744Chapter 15: Plumbing (Domestic, Sanitary, and Other) 745Chapter 16: Fire Protection 746Chapter 17: Solid Modeling 747Chapter 18: Creating Symbols and Annotations 748Chapter 19: Creating Equipment 749Chapter 20: Creating Light Fixtures 750Chapter 21: Creating Devices 751Chapter 22: Details 752Chapter 23: Sheets 753Chapter 24: Fabrication 754Chapter 25: Creating a Project Template 754Index 757