Go Beyond Design: Extend Design Intent from Autodesk Revit and Autocad MEP to Autodesk

Go Beyond Design: Extend Design Intent from Autodesk® Revit® and AutoCAD® MEP to Autodesk® Fabrication

Peter Jackson – Autodesk Ltd

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Learn how to extend design intent models from Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD MEP software to create fabrication-level detailed models in Autodesk Fabrication FABmep™ and Autodesk Fabrication CADmep™ software. This class will cover best practices for setting up processes to use design line technology within Autodesk Fabrication to efficiently convert engineering design intent models from Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD MEP.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this class, you will be able to:

 Extend Autodesk Revit models to Autodesk© Fabrication FABmep©

 Extend AutoCAD MEP© models to Autodesk© Fabrication CADmep©

 Use best practices to set up Autodesk Fabrication to optimize design line technology

 Explain how Autodesk Fabrication design line functionality for modeling works

About the Speaker

Peter is currently working as a Technical Consultant for Autodesk specializing in various software applications within the Autodesk portfolio; including Fabrication FABmep, Fabrication CADmep, Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, and AutoCAD MEP. Prior to Autodesk Peter worked in various companies and industries in the engineering sector using various software applications for design and manufacturing concepts and principle requirements. Peter conducts technical seminars to an array of customer types including Consultants, Engineers, Co-Coordinators, and Manufacturers - helping them to realize workflows from conceptual design to an actual onsite, as-built solution.

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Fabrication portfolio Introduction

Introduction

“Traditionally Autodesk provided software that satisfied the design and engineering side of building services. Today, Autodesk Fabrication extends into the detailing, fabrication, and installation stages of MEP systems for construction projects. These products are therefore aimed at those individuals and companies who need to create detailed models that represent full constructability. The end result from these processes will be a model that fully represents what will be installed at the site of the project – therefore Autodesk Fabrication is aimed at professionals such as detailers, drafters, coordinators, fabricators…basically anyone who has a need to use manufacturer specific content to create a model that can be quantified, estimated, and costed, to support fabrication, prefabrication, and installation workflows.”

2 Go Beyond Design: Extend Design Intent from Autodesk® Revit® and AutoCAD® MEP to Autodesk® Fabrication

What is Autodesk Fabrication FABmep 2013

Autodesk® Fabrication FABmep™ software connects MEP design to detailing and fabrication by utilizing Autodesk® Revit® software models, enabling MEP contractors to deliver on BIM mandates efficiently and effectively. The shared content library in Fabrication FABmep enables the creation of models that use real-world manufacturer content, with ductwork components driven by industry- or user-defined pressure-classes.

Generate downstream efficiencies, improve lean production practices, and increase multidiscipline collaboration. With support for prefabrication, modularization, and manufacturing, Fabrication FABmep extends BIM from design to detailing, fabrication, and installation.

Autodesk Fabrication CADmep 2013

Autodesk® Fabrication CADmep™* software enables mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contractors to detail, and fabricate in a familiar AutoCAD® software- based environment. The shared content library in Fabrication CADmep enables the creation of models that use real-world manufacturer content, with ductwork components driven by industry- or user-defined pressure-classes.

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Learning Objective: Extend Autodesk Revit Models to Autodesk Fabrication FABmep

Introduction

The Revit to FABmep addin bridges the gap between MEP Designers\Engineers and Contractors, allowing a “Design Intent” model to be converted into ‘real world’ fabrication level designs, constructed with manufacturer specific content.

What is a Design Intent Model?

 Created by consultant Engineer

 Used to simulate the Design & Concept of the MEP System

 Focused on the Engineering Data within the Systems e.g Flow Rates, Velocity, Pressure Loss

What is a Fabrication Level MEP Model?

 Created by MEP Contractor

 Used to simulate the actual components and the final “As Built” system construction, heavy use of “Collision Detection”

 Focused on the Component Data to enable accurate Co-ordination, BOM’s and Manufacturing Schedules

 Components are OEM / Manufacturer Specific that carry Real World BIM attributes such as Dimensions, Wrights, ID Codes

Why would we convert Design Intent Models to Fabrication Contractors?

 Design Intent Models are very often created using “Generic” fitting & equipment libraries,

Resulting in the following:

 Not Spatially correct

 Attributes such as Manufacturer, ID Code, Weight & Price missing

 Dose not accurately represent the Systems in the finished building

Advantages of converting Design Intent Models to Fabrication Contractors

Connections

 Design Intent Models do not model component connections correctly, generally parts are modeled “Face to Face”

 Fabrication level detail requires accurate “Real World” connection modeling so processes such as Pre Fabrication, BOM’s & Spatial Co-ordination are correct.

 Socket\Engagement Depths need to be considered

Advantages of converting Design Intent Models to Fabrication Contractors specifications Pressure Classes & Standards

 Specifications\Pressure Classes and Standards (SMACNA, DW144, BS, ANSI, DIN, JIS) not defined on design intent model, defines MEP object properties such as :

 Standard Cut Length

 Connection Types

 Stiffening

 Seaming

 Sheet Gauge

 Socket\Engagement Depths

 Flange Type

Advantages of converting Design Intent Models to Fabrication Contractors

Conclusion

 Project costs are reduced.

 Contractors no longer spend hours redrawing detailed fabrication models.

 Constructed with manufacturer specific content, which is dimensionally correct.

 Provides projected bill of materials & installation costs.

Learning Objective: Extend Autodesk Revit models to Autodesk Fabrication FABmep

Revit MEP to Fabrication Plugin

What is it?

The Revit to FABmep addin bridges the gap between MEP Designers\Engineers and Contractors, allowing a “Design Intent” model to be converted into ‘real world’ fabrication level designs, constructed with manufacturer specific content.

Demonstration#1 – Revit MEP to FABmep Export Process

Video Demonstration

 Utilization of the Fabrication Revit Plugin

 Selection methods for various systems, (HVAC), (Mechanical), (Electrical Containment)

 Utilization of the Design Line Elements & Graphical element process

 Exporting the Revit Families data into a native (*.RIF) Revit interchange file

Revit MEP to Fabrication FABmep Add-In

How?

 Selection Sets of Elements picked by user, which can be saved under 2 different categories

 Design Line Elements

 Graphical Elements

How? – Selection Methods

Store Design Elements – Where a match can be found in FABmep, usually standard Elements such as Duct, Pipe & Cable Tray Straights & Fittings have a direct equivalent in FABmep.

Store Graphical Elements – Where no match can be found in FABmep, Elements can be marked for Creation as a “Graphical Element”. On creation in FABmep the Raw Geometry is used and the connectors at the correct locations.

Demonstration#2 – FABmep RIF File Read and Model Creation

Video Demonstration

 Utilisation of the Fabrication FABmep to import Revit interchange files (*.RIF)

 Access and utilisation of the Data Exchange tools

 Discussion of features available with the RME Mappings (Services) (Item Mapping) (Service Types) (Insulation Materials) (Sections) (Fitting Ignores)

 Explanation, the same process can be conducted for all services, (HVAC) – (Mechanical) – (Electrical Containment) etc.

Revit MEP to Fabrication FABmep Add-In How? - Mapping

 The fundamental principle of creating the Fabrication Level model is Mapping Revit MEP Properties to FABmep Properties

Revit MEP to Fabrication FABmep Add-In How?

 FABmep uses “Design Line” technology to create a Fabrication Standard Model from the data output with RME

 A “Design Line” is created from the data saved in the RIF file, point data is used to replicate the route of the System Layout

 The “Design Line” contains Special Node Points which determine the component(s) that will be used to populate that part of the line/system

How?

 Once the “Design Line” is created the System is then filled using the selected Service

 Previously setup mappings determine the components that will be used in the system, such as:

 Crosses

 Tees

 Bends

 Equipment

 Transitions

Fabrication FABmep to Fabrication CADmep

How?

 Saving the Fabrication FABmep model as a native *.MAJ

 Utilizing Fabrication CADmep

 Type Openjob – Selecting the required *.MAJ

 The model will be processed into the Fabrication CADmep Model Space environment.

Learning Objective: Extend AutoCAD MEP models to Autodesk Fabrication CADmep

AutoCAD MEP to Fabrication CADmep ABSconvert

What is it?

The AutoCAD MEP to FABmep ABSconvet.dll bridges the gap between MEP Designers\Engineers and Contractors, allowing a “Design Intent” model to be converted into ‘real world’ fabrication level designs, constructed with manufacturer specific content.

Demonstration#1 – AutoCAD MEP to Fabrication CADmep Export Process

Video Demonstration

 Utilization of the

Fabrication CADmep ABSconvet.dll

 Utilization of the ExportABS command

 Exporting the AutoCAD MEP Families data into a AME import file

 Utilisation of the Fabrication FABmep to import AutoCAD MEP AME import file

 Access and utilisation of the Data Exchange tools

 Explanation, the same process can be conducted for all services, (Mechanical)

How?

AutoCAD MEP to Fabrication CADmep ABSconvert How to execute ABSConvert into AutoCAD MEP ?

• Provided by installing Fabrication CADmep 2013 Service Pack 2

• Executed by NETLOAD commands within AutoCAD MEP / Fabrication CADmep

• Selection of ABSConvert.dll from default file location C:\Autodesk\Fabrication 2013\CADmep

• Export command EXPORTABS

• Saved into a Native AME file

AutoCAD MEP to Fabrication CADmep ABSconvert How ? – Mapping

• The fundamental principle of creating the Fabrication Level model is Mapping AutoCAD MEP Properties to Fabrication CADmep Properties. By pre configuring the “IgnoreABSCodes.txt”

Revit MEP to Fabrication FABmep Add-In How?

 FABmep uses “Design Line” technology to create a Fabrication Standard Model from the data output with RME

 A “Design Line” is created from the data saved in the RIF file, point data is used to replicate the route of the System Layout

 The “Design Line” contains Special Node Points which determine the component(s) that will be used to populate that part of the line/system

How?

 Once the “Design Line” is created the System is then filled using the selected Service

 Previously setup mappings determine the components that will be used in the system, such as:

 Crosses

 Tees

 Unequal Tees

 Bends

 Equipment

 Transitions

How?

Learning Objective: What is Autodesk Fabrication design line functionality?

Design Line technology is a key feature used within the Fabrication portfolio; Fabrication CADmep, Fabrication FABmep. This technology aids in reducing time spent on models and delivers increased accuracy in the drawing of all MEP coordinated systems.

Drafter, Co-ordinator, Detailer and BIM Managers have new tools to quickly route service runs or to automatically change existing service runs from one system to another. The Design Line system provides the underlying rules for importing systems from other applications such as Revit MEP and AutoCAD MEP.

Design Line Examples

How to use design line functionality?

New Design Lines are created by selecting the Design Line Toolbar icon. Once the Design Line option is selected, the user interface then changes to allow entry of Size or Constraint based Entry.

Demonstration#3 – Autodesk Fabrication Design Line Technology

Video Demonstration

• How to route a design line – Main Run?

• How to route a design line – Branch Run?

• How to insert Equipment Items?

• How to insert terminals?

How does Autodesk Fabrication design line functionality work?

• Services buttons are Button Coded to accommodate the Node Keyword

• Using Node Keywords to establish the scenario

• Where more complex situations arise, Service Button Mappings are then used to combine fittings together.

Design Line - Button Code assigned to an Item

Design Line – Node Keywords

• Node keywords are automatically presented against the Design Line annotation.

• More examples of common Node Keyword scenarios.

Design Line – Button Mappings

Button Mappings are used when combinations cannot directly fill based on direct Button Codes. The example below shows the REDILTEE Keynode annotated on the Design Line and a typical example of the combination of Button Codes used to accommodate for that scenario.

Learning Objective: Best practices to set up Autodesk Fabrication to optimize design line technology

Prerequisites

• Content • Service • Service Templates • Conditions • CAD Types • Layering • Specification Control

Content

• All content produced is dimensionally correct as per manufacturer datasheets. • Critical dimensions for socket depths, inner radius and gasket allowances are detailed against each item. • Product Lists are generated with this dimensional data for each size

• Content – HVAC Ductwork

• Content – Mechanical

• Content – Public Health

• Content – Electrical Containment

Content – Loaded onto Services

• Services are generated with content

Service Templates

Service - Conditions

Service – Overview

Service – CAD Types

Service Layering

Service – Specification / Pressure Class

Service – Specification

Summary

Go Beyond Design Extend Design Intent from Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD MEP to Fabrication®

Q&A

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