Perfecting the System for the Autodesk Revit MEP Project David Butts Gannett Fleming, Inc

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1 Perfecting the System for the Autodesk Revit MEP Project David Butts Gannett Fleming, Inc MP1478-L In Autodesk Revit software, systemss help us to manage the MEP design in several ways, but the main items help you to analyze and calculate loads and to control how the connected objects are displayed. In an update to last year's Top Lab award-winning class, we'll use this hands-on lab to work on key features such as making sure the system and/or circuit is correctly defined; using the improved duct and pipe calculation features; and controlling the view with systems, view templates, filters and color fills. You will also learn new drafting tips to make sure the documents are complete. The class will cover HVAC, piping, and electrical items, so come and join us for the most entertaining and informative lab at AU you ll be glad you did! Learning Objectives At the end of this class, you will be able to: Create and modify engineering systems Review and understand system calculations Optimizing your Views Filters, View Templates and Color Fills Additional System Drafting Tips and Tricks About the Speaker David is a BIM Specialist for Gannett Fleming, a multi-discipline engineering firm based in Camp Hill, PA, with 60 offices in the US and overseas. Based in the Raleigh, NC office, he provides BIM Implementation and training for the firm's engineering design software, including Revit, Navisworks, AutoCAD MEP/P&ID and more. He has 27 years of experience in both the design and Autodesk VAR channel, spending 13 years working as an instructor and consultant for the Autodesk building design product line. l David also worked as a training manager while in the channel, and was a member of the Autodesk ATC Advisory Board for He is a Revit Architecture Certified Professional, and also earned the MEP Implementation Certified Expert title. David has spoken at AU for several l years, and was named the Top Speaker for both labs and lectures at AU As an author, he also contributes to 4D Technology's CADLearning training programs and has written several training manuals on Revit MEP. You can reach David via at dabfvnc1@nc.rr.com.

2 Introduction Revit 2013 is the sum of several years of development for Autodesk, and defining systems in a project is easier, and more comprehensive, than ever before. A major objective for Revit was to improve how the program helps with analyzing and designing engineering systems in s project. This is moving the tool even farther into a true engineering design tool, in addition to being a robust construction document machine. This lesson focuses on systems in Revit how they are defined, how the augment the design process, and how the help you create a good-lookin set of documents all for just $19.95 just kidding Let s get started Creating and Modifying Systems As we progress in our implementation of BIM at Gannett Fleming, we focus on teaching users a four-step process for approaching projects. By following the same repeatable process, we can get more efficient at completing our projects on time and under budget. The primary steps are: 1. Add Equipment the targets and sources that define a system; 2. Define the System creating the system that connects the equipment together; 3. Add the connecting geometry adding the ducts, pipe, conduit, cable tray and wire; 4. Annotating views for construction documents. The logic in this approach was to create a consistent method of approaching work. The second step, defining the system, was the one task we never had to do in plain AutoCAD or AutoCAD MEP. It wasn t needed, since we were manually drafting lines. The system is what links the sources end-of-line equipment that provide air, fluid and power to the targets the other end of the line. The other end of the line equipment, such as air terminals, motors, sinks, and more, are what was used to define the system so these items had to be in place first. But, in a lot of projects, things simply don t go this wall all the time. You may have the source equipment placed, but are still coordinating items located in a ceiling - so defining systems becomes more difficult. In our office, we didn t even focus on systems, since a lot of ours were completely open for example a pipe entering the building would simply terminate into a basin. It would have inline accessories such as a valve, but those items don t define systems. Starting in the 2012 release, Autodesk revised how systems worked, and added features that made the tools easier to use. We re going to start by looking at how systems are defined, and learn the difference between system classifications and system types. 2

3 Exercise 1 Understanding System Classifications and Types For this exercise, begin by opening the project file, rvt. 1. Once the file is open, go to the Families section of the project browser expand the pipe systems area: 2. Since this project was started from the Systems-Default template that ships with Revit MEP, it s a good place to start with your template. Note that there are several examples of system types listed. Double-click on the Hydronic Supply system type first, to open it up: 3

4 3. There are several parts to a system type: Graphic overrides,, which control how pipe systems appear in a view; Materials, which control the rendering material for the system; In the case of piping, mechanical settings cover calculations, system classification and fluid settings; Identity data covers abbreviations, type comments, URL s and descriptions that apply to every pipe component belonging to the system; And rise/drop symbols,, for single and double line pipe display in views. There are distinct differences between a system classification and the system type. The system classification represents resents the method used in previous releases to group pipe, and to define the behavior of a pipe connector in a family. These settings are hard-coded into Revit because the classification also determines how a pipe would be sized. Here s a list of the current pipe system classifications: - Hydronic Supply (for HVAC supply piping) - Hydronic Return (for HVAC return piping) - Domestic Cold Water (for plumbing) - Domestic Hot Water (for plumbing) - Sanitary (for plumbing waste) 4

5 - Vent (for plumbing vent) - Fire Protection Wet - Fire Protection Dry - Fire Protection Pre-action - Fire Protection Other - Other The system classification also determines whether or not a user can perform calculations for example, the hydronic and domestic systems allow for all calculations, but the others allow for flow only or none, depending on the classification. The main purpose of the system type is to control how things look. 4. In addition to the classifications, Revit includes a system type, which gives you additional control over the items covered above. Since the hydronic system isn t specific enough, let s use it to make a more defined system. From the type properties dialog, make sure Hydronic Supply is selected pick duplicate: 5. Create a new system named Chilled Water Supply. 6. Next, go to the Edit icon for the graphics overrides select it: 5

6 When the line graphics dialog appears, pick the No Override icon for the color pick a nice shade of blue, then pick OK twice to exit out of both dialogs. 7. The Chilled Water Supply system is now ready to use. Select OK to close the type properties. 8. Next up let s place a pipe and connect it to the pumps. From the Systems tab, select the pipe tool: 9. Outside of the building, to the left of the double doors on the front, select a point to start the pipe: 6

7 10. Before taking another click, review the options bar we want the pipe diameter to be 10, and the offset 9. Review the properties palette make sure the Carbon Steel Flanged type is current. While the system classification is grayed out, you can select the system type prior to starting the pipe run. Make sure this is set to Hydronic Supply: 11. Pull your mouse straight up until you re aligned with the center of the last pump pick that point: 7

8 12. On the options bar, change the pipe size to 8 then move across the pump to the top connector (the supply connector): 8

9 13. Select that point, and the pipe will connect to the pump, with the elbow and reducer already placed. Select Modify to complete the command. 9

10 14. The connection was made because the system classification was the same for the pipe and the connector on the pump. If you select a connector that belongs to another system, it will let you make the connection, but give you a warning (so go back and pick the right connector). 15. Since you re out of the command, go back and pick one of the pipes change the system Type to Chilled Water Supply: 16. The pipe has now changed color, based on the change we made to the graphic overrides. The same action applies to duct work. Let s create a new duct system, then apply it to ductwork. 17. From the project browser, go to the duct systems section expand it to see the examples: 10

11 18. Double click on supply air when the type properties dialog opens, select Duplicate. Create a new system named Makeup Air. 19. Pick the edit icon for the graphic overrides change the color to cyan: 11

12 20. For the abbreviation, type in MKUP: 21. Select OK to close the dialog. Next, pick the supply air fan in the tank room: 22. The graphic representation for the grip shows the connector s system classification. The crossed box represents supply air. Similar icons appear for exhaust and return. Right click on the supply air icon, and choose Draw Duct: 23. The duct will appear change the offset to 11, and check the duct type in properties it should be Rectangular Duct, with Mitered Elbows and Tees: 12

13 24. Pick the second point to place the duct. Select Modify to complete the command, and select the duct you just placed: 25. Change the system type to Makeup Air, and note the change to the color: 13

14 You can see how the duct system behaves the same way as the pipe. The system can do more than help color the pipe and duct. Let s check out the system browser to see if the analytical system is correctly defined. 26. From the View tab, go to the User Interface panel check the box for the System Browser: 27. The system browser displays how items are connected in a project. At the top, make sure View is set to Systems, and the discipline is set to Piping: 14

15 28. Items are grouped into two categories unassigned and assigned. If an item is assigned to a system, it shows up under the discipline. Select the chilled water supply system: The system is highlighted in the view so this system is correctly defined. In previous releases, you have to pick a target (such as a pump, light or air terminal) to define a system, and then select the objects you want to be part of the system. The pipe routing took care of this for us, saving production time. 29. You can still define systems, even if there s no connecting geometry. Pick the pump that s already in the system on the ribbon, select the Piping Systems tab: 15

16 30. The system is already named, with a 1 added the numbers are added incrementally, but can be changed as needed. Select the Edit System tool on the ribbon, and then select the rest of the pumps: 16

17 31. Select Finish Editing System to complete the command: The remaining pumps have been moved from the Unassigned area to the Chilled Water Supply 1 system but only the Hydronic Supply Connection portion of the pump. The return part of the system will remain unassigned until they have pipe connected, or are manually added to a system. So that s how a system works in Revit. Circuits are similar to air and water systems, with the exception being that you don t need to define system types, but the behavior is the same. 17

18 About System Calculations Revit includes tools to help you size duct and piping for the systems you create in a model. The key to making this work properly is having a properly defined system. These tools have a few limitations, but for getting you started with your design, they provide a great starting point. In this segment, we ll take a quick look at how Revit performs these calculations. Exercise 2 Performing Pipe System Calculations To start, open the project MP rvt. Open the 1-Mech view. 1. Select a pipe segment for the systems as shown, and then pick the Piping Systems tab: 2. Review the properties for the system. The palette displays the number of elements in a system, the volume, static pressure and flow. In order to update these values, there are a few items you need to have set, in order to size the pipe: a. The Piping system should be closed, meaning there is at least a single target and source component at each end of the system. You can also connect between two targets, or receivers, in a system. b. In the event the source is not available to size the system, you can place a pipe connector as the source, and assign the data to the connector. c. Equipment in the system should have flow rate, flow configuration, flow direction, and loss method assigned to the connector. You can use the Assign Parameter tool to associate these family parameters to a shared parameter, for use in a project or schedule. 18

19 d. The system classification must be assign to a type, with the exception of Other. The Other pipe system classification does not allow for pipe sizing. Let s look at an example. Select one of the pumps since these are all the same type, it doesn t matter which on you choose. Once it s selected, pick the Edit Family tool from the ribbon. When the family is open, select the discharge connection: Note how the connector stores this data. Since loss method is not defined, the program would not be able to calculate the pressure loss in the pipe. For Loss Method, select K Coefficient from Table. After selecting this option, select the Outlet table. 19

20 Once this is set, load the family back into the project, making sure you select the Overwrite Parameters option. If you get a Disconnect warning, close the dialog without disconnecting the system. The connection will be maintained. 3. Next, let s take a look at the Duct Pipe Sizing tool. Select the pipe again; from the Modify Pipes tab, select the Duct/Pipe Sizing tool. 20

21 4. The tool includes two methods for sizing pipe. Friction allows you to set the loss value per foot in a 100 segment. Velocity allows you to assign a default fluid speed value (in this case, in Feet per second). You can use this value only, or you can use a combination of Velocity and Friction, or Velocity or Friction, as the sizing method. By simply selecting Friction as the default method, you reverse the same values, but Friction becomes the primary method. 5. Constraints allow you to determine how the calculated value is assigned. For branch sizing, you can choose between three options: 6. Calculated Size Only places whatever is determined, based on the settings. If a smaller or larger pipe is required, compared to the connection, Revit will automatically place a transition. Match Connector Size leaves the pipe connection to the equipment the same, regardless of the calculation. Larger of Connector and Calculated is what we use the 21

22 most, so select that option. This forces the same size or larger, and doesn t allow a smaller pipe to be used. 7. For Restrict Size, check this box to limit the upper limit size. Leave this unchecked, and then select OK to continue. 8. After making this run, it should fail, with a warning about no flow being assigned. This gets back to the original issue the system has to be closed. To fix this, we ll use a Hydronic Supply Pipe Connector, which is defined as a piece of mechanical equipment. Since this file already contains the connector, we ll use this to close the system. From the view, select the pipe as shown: 9. Drag the pipe down until the node snap appears connect the pipe to the connector 22

23 10. And now the pipe system has a flow value assigned to it. It acquires this number form the connector, which is considered the source for the system. Before running the sizing tool again, edit the connector. Change the flow properties to 1500 GPM, and then run the sizing tool again, using these settings: 11. Select OK to complete the calculation, and note the change in pipe size: 23

24 12. To check the system and make sure items such as flow direction are correct, use the tab selection to grab the entire run. From the Modify tab, select the System Inspector tool: 13. When the System Inspector dialog opens, select Inspect. The flow direction of the piping will be displayed, and you can hover over a segment to see what errors and results will appear: 24

25 14. In this case, the pipe is sized, but no pressure loss is indicated. There s a variety of reasons why, including not have the loss method assign to fittings or pipe, so let s review a few more settings. To test for other areas that may cause sizing to have errors, select the run again. From the Modify tab, select the Show Related Warnings tool: 25

26 15. After selecting this tool, warnings about errors that can cause sizing to fail will appear. In this case, the connector does not have a loss method defined. As with the pump, we would need to correct this error before sizing the remaining parts of the system. 16. Once these items are corrected, you can complete the sizing calculations. Pipe Sizing Notes: The Autodesk Help system includes several pages that provide information about how the program sizes pipe. The program computes pressure loss based on the roughness of the pipe, fluid density, and fluid viscosity, in addition to the pipe geometry. To edit the fluid density and viscosity settings, use the Mechanical settings dialog: 26

27 You can select different types of fluid, including water, propylene glycol, and ethylene glycol as the coolant. Roughness is set at the segment and sizes properties in Mechanical settings for pipe or pipe fittings: 27

28 Once these items are set, the rest of the calculation use hard coded formulas. For example, Hydronic Supply pipe pressure drop calculations follow these guidelines (from the help file): 28

29 The example above uses an example of a 100 segment of 4 carbon steel pipe, with 60 degree water at 100gpm flow rate. Again, you can locate this example in the Autodesk WikiHelp file, for Revit MEP. You can also find more data about pipe sizing at this link: Pipe_Siz

30 Duct Sizing Calculations Now that we ve taken a quick look at pipe calculations, let s examine duct sizing tools. As with pipe, you need to have a closed run to perform duct sizing. In this exercise, we re going to quickly connect air terminals to an air handling unit. While the example isn t exactly real world, the work process is so let s see how this works. Exercise 3 Performing Duct Size Calculations To begin, open the Systems Complete.rvt file. Make sure the 1-Mech view is the current view. 1. Select any one of the air terminals. Select the Duct Systems tab to see the connected system, Mechanical Supply In order for duct to be sized, the system has to be closed and properly connected. In this case, check for items such as endcaps on open ends of duct. You can also use the Tab cycling tool to examine the duct. Place your mouse over a duct segment, and keep pressing tab until the entire system is highlighted: 30

31 3. Once it is highlighted, select the System Inspector tool on the Modify Ducts tab. When the dialog appears, pick the Inspect tool. Move your mouse along the duct segment each section will show a pop-up dialog, that list the section number, flow rate at that segment, static pressure and pressure loss value: 4. Red air flow line indicate the primary air flow route, while blue lines indicate the secondary route. Select Finish to close the inspector. 5. Next, use the tab selection again to select the duct run: 31

32 6. Pick the Duct/Pipe Sizing tool. There are four options for duct sizing: 32

33 7. Friction measure friction loss by inches of water gauge per 100ft. Velocity measures in air speed, or feet per minute. You can perform calculations based on each item independently, both items combined, or either option using the Or condition. Other options include equal friction and static regain. Select the Static Regain option, and leave the airflow set to 1000fpm. 8. For branch sizing constraints, you have three options, the same as with pipe. Calculated Size Only places whatever is determined, based on the settings. If a smaller or larger duct is required, compared to the connection, Revit will automatically place a transition. Match Connector Size leaves the duct connection to the equipment the same, regardless of the calculation. Larger of Connector and Calculated is what we use the most, so select that option. This forces the same size or larger, and doesn t allow a smaller duct to be used. Restrict height or width lets you set a maximum value, in the event you are placing duct in a confined space. Select OK. The program will calculate the duct sizes. If you get a warning, review the messages. Revit will tell you what needs to be fixed in order to get the system sized properly: 9. In our case, these errors are cause by a lack of room to place fittings. There are several ways to remedy this: a. Move the air terminals down in elevation to allow for the transition to be placed; b. Replace the default fitting for the braches to use a transitioning elbow, allowing the reducer to be omitted; 33

34 c. Raise the main run of duct up to allow for more connection room; d. Move the air handling unit away from the building to add more room. The key in duct sizing is not to panic when the system returns errors. Review the errors, make the adjustments necessary in the model, and run the test again until you get it right. Duct Sizing Notes As with piping, you can review the Autodesk Wikihelp files to get more information about how Revit sizes duct. For example, the help includes information about how the four methods are used: 34

35 One nice feature is the fact the fittings are sized using the ASHRAE Duct Fitting Database, which provides the information on losses at specific fittings. You don t need to do anything with this file Autodesk has provided it according to the ASHRAE standard nice! For calculating pressure loss, you can adjust the mechanical settings: This controls the air density and viscosity settings. Predefined size lists are included as well: 35

36 You can uncheck or delete sizes in the project for any range you don t want, such as the ½ sizes, or odd sizes about 5, etc. The following example is provided in the Wikihelp file: 36

37 For more information on duct sizing, follow this link: Duct_Siz3259/3260-Duct_Siz

38 More Optimizing for your Views Filters, Color Fills, and View Templates We ll start this segment by reviewing filters. There are two types of filters in Revit view filters and schedule filters. Each one is used to narrow down the selection and behavior of objects. View Filters can override the graphic display of objects in 2D or 3D views, and control the visibility of elements that have common properties. Schedule filters limit what data is shown in a schedule. Exercise 4 Defining View Filters In this exercise, we re going to focus on defining filters as they relate to views. You can start from the project, rvt. Make sure the 1-Mech view is the current view. 1. From the View tab, select the Filters tool: 2. Select the New icon at the bottom left of the dialog: 38

39 3. For the filter name, type in Chilled Water Supply. In the categories section of the dialog, choose pipes, pipe fittings and pipe accessories, and then set the filter rules to use System Name. Set the rule to Begins with, and then type in the name Chilled Water Supply. 4. Select OK to complete the filter. To apply the filter, type in VG to open the Visibility Graphics in the view. Select the Filters tab: 39

40 5. Select Add to apply the filter to the view: 40

41 6. Select the Chilled Water Supply filter, and then pick OK. You can also add filters from this dialog as well select the Edit/New icon to add another filter: 7. Create another new filter name this one Other, and apply it to pipes, pipe fittings and pipe accessories. Set the filter rules to system classification, and choose Equals for the rule. Type in Other for the system classification name: 8. Select OK to exit the dialog. Choose Add, and then select the Other filter. 9. The order of the filters also sets priority, so select the Chilled Water Supply filter. Pick Up until it is at the top of the list: 10. Move Other up to just below Chilled Water Supply, and then select OK to close the dialog. 11. Now that you re back in the view, note how the pipe and fittings are now set to the color of the filter in most cases, filter overrides system type: 41

42 12. Zoom into the lower right corner of the building where three feed pumps are located: 13. Select one of the pumps, right click and then pick draw pipe. Set the offset to 9 to place a riser, and select the PVC pipe type. 42

43 14. Pick a point to place the pipe, and then pick modify. Notice how the pipe picks up the information in the connector. If the connector is set to a specific system classification, then that s what used to define the pipe system. If the connection is set to global, it selects the last system placed. 15. Select the system type the system type will only be applied to items of the same classification, so you d have to define other system types in order to apply them to this pipe. 16. Go back to Visibility Graphics for the view go to the Filter tab, and uncheck Other. Select OK to close the dialog: 43

44 While the overall setting for pipes and fittings is to be visible, the filter also allows you to turn on or off any systems you don t want to display. 17. Let s do a filter for the electrical users switch to the 1 - Power plan view. Type in VG for the view, and go to the Filters tab: 18. This view already has a filter applied so let s look at how this is defined. Select the edit/new tool, and review the settings: 44

45 19. Let s make the high voltage panels have a solid fill. Pick the 120V Panels filter, and the pick Duplicate. Rename the new filter 277V Panels.. Change the filter rule so the option is set to HP: 20. Select OK. On filters tab, select Add, and pick the 277 Panels filter. Set the Pattern to the color Red, and the pattern to solid: 45

46 Select OK, and exit the dialog. 21. The panel has to be modified so the filter will be applied. Select the high voltage panel shown, and change the Panel Name to HP1: 46

47 22. Select Apply. The panel will now be filled with a red solid pattern. Filters are the highest form of view control. They can be applied to everything in a view or model, and they override any other view settings, controlling color, line pattern, lineweight, visibility and more. Exercise 5 - Creating a Color Fill View If you want to dress your view up a little more, try a little color fill. Revit includes a couple of default types for duct and pipe, and you can also create your own color fill. Let s see how this works. Make sure you have the Systems Complete.rvt file open. Set the 1- Mech view current. 1. From the Annotate tab, select the Duct Legend on the Color Fill panel: 2. Select a point on the screen. When prompted, select the Duct Color Fill Flow color scheme: 47

48 3. Select OK and the legend appears. This scheme color-codes the duct based on the airflow in each segment. If you want to change it, pick the legend and then pick Edit Scheme tool from the Modify tab: 48

49 4. In the edit color scheme dialog, there is also a Duct Color Fill Velocity option. Select it to see how these scheme works: 5. If you don t find what you want, duplicate an existing version. Select the Duplicate tool in the lower left corner, and name the new scheme Duct Size: 49

50 6. Under Color, take a look at all the items you can use to define a color fill and there s a lot here. Pick Size. The legend will be based on the sizes used in the current project: 7. Select OK and now you have this nice, pretty color coded diagram and legend. It s just that easy! 50

51 You can also use the system name, system abbreviation and more to define the color fill. Review the defaults, make changes as needed, and add some pop to your drawings. 51

52 Exercise 6 - Defining a View Template Don t let all this work setting up how you want the views to look go to waste. Save your changes to a View Template, and apply them to new views. The best place to build view template is in your project template, but we can transfer the ones we create here as needed. Make sure you have the Systems Complete.rvt file open. Start by setting the 1 Mech view current. 1. In the Project Browser, right click on the 1 Mech view, and choose Create View Template from View: 2. Name the new view template Plan Process. The View Template dialog will appear: 52

53 3. Select the edit icon for V/G Overrides Filters: 53

54 4. Notice how the settings we applied for the view are now set into this template. Select OK to exit the dialog. You can now right click on any view, and apply the view template to use the same V/G settings. One tip you can turn and off features that are applied when the view template is set to a view. I uncheck view range, since you may not want the template to set view depth automatically the results might be mixed. 54

55 Exercise 7 - BONUS TRACK - Using the System Check Tools Here s a real quick exercise that t helps you make sure you have items connected correctly to systems. 1. Go to the 1-Mech view in your current project. 2. Select the Analyze tab. Pick the Show Disconnects tool: 3. You can select any one or more of the following items: 4. Select Duct and Pipe for this view. Select OK to continue. 55

56 5. Everywhere an item has an open connection, or is not properly connected, will display a yellow marker. To see what the problem is, and how to fix it, move your mouse over a marker and select it: The warning is displayed, describing the problem. In this case, you either need to add more duct, an endcap, or a diffuser, to eliminate the error. 56

57 This comes in handy when you re getting ready to size duct since duct systems can t be sized with open connections, you ll need to resolve all warnings first. Return to the Show Disconnects tool, and uncheck all options. 6. Next up, pick the Check Pipe Systems tool from the Analyze tab: This focuses strictly on piping systems. Pick the warning at the center of the pumps: This shows a system error where the pipe may be going in the wrong direction, so you ll need to fix this before sizing pipe. The system check tools help you locate and correct errors on duct, pipe, circuits, conduit and cable tray and let you use even more tools in the Revit MEP toolbox. 57

58 Additional System Drafting Tips and Tricks For the last part of this lab, we ll look at another way to use systems in our project. Defining systems before you added connecting pipe and duct was the practice prior to the 2012 release. As we ve seen system types, it s not hard to assign systems, but we can also define the systems first. Once they are assigned, we can use them to create out duct, pipe and wiring layouts for us. Exercise 8 Quick Electrical Systems In this exercise, we ll learn how to create an electrical system using the fastest method. Start by opening the 1 Power view in your current project. 1. Zoom into the Mechanical room area: 2. Select all of the receptacles in the room: 58

59 3. Pick the Power tool on the Create Systems panel, from the Modify Electrical Fixtures tab: 4. The receptacles are all connected to the same circuit from the Modify Electrical Circuits tab, choose the Select Panel tool: 59

60 5. From the options bar, pick the Panel tool and select panel LP1: 6. The view now shows the devices that are connected and it looks a lot like a wiring layout. Select the arc grip in the view: 7. The wiring is now added and now you can see how defining a system or circuit first can help you add connecting geometry. 60

61 Exercise 9 Quick Piping Systems Let s try this with piping and define a new layout. 8. Go to the 1 Mech view. Select the two feed pumps on the right, since we didn t add a pipe to those: 9. Select the Piping tool on the Create Systems panel. When the dialog appears, name the system Chemical Feed 2, and check the box for Open in System Editor: : 10. Select Connector 1 for the Liquid In connection on both pumps (you have to do this for each item selected in the system): 61

62 11. From the Edit Piping System tab, make sure the Add to System icon is highlighted: 12. Select the tank on the right: 13. Select the Liquid In Connection, and the tank is now part of the system. Select Finish Editing System to complete the task. 62

63 14. Next, place your mouse over one of the pumps in the new system don t select it, but press the tab key. The system will be highlighted: 15. Left click to select the system. From the Modify Piping systems tab, select the Generate Layout tool. 16. A preliminary layout tool will appear. The blue line indicates the main run of piping, and the green line represents the branch. But we re not ready yet select the Settings tool on the ribbon: 63

64 17. Change the offset elevation for the main and branch to 13, and make sure the pipe type is set to PVC: 18. Select OK now you can cycle through the different layout options. Right now there are 5 for the network solution type: 19. Select the Finish Layout tool. You may not see the new pipe remember, we turned off the piping that belongs to the Other system classification so go to VG, the filters tab, and check the box for other so they can be seen. You can also go to the 3D view as well and see the pipe: 64

65 In this case, we leveraged the system we defined to help us draw the pipe. I don t recommend using the automatic layout tools all the time, but for most simple layouts as this was it s a pretty fast tool for doing the job. Another advantage is that this method properly makes all connections so it s possible to use the pipe sizing tool on this system. As long as you check the parameters (such as the pipe settings), review the locations of the connections, and do a quick review to make sure the program can do what you re telling it, then this method can help out your production but it s just like anything else in Revit. If you try to tell it to do something it can t, then this won t work. 65

66 Conclusion While systems have been around for a little while, Autodesk continues to improve this tool. The system adds more detail and design consistency to the model, and helps users and owners understand how equipment is tied together. Take the time to define your systems you ll be glad you did! For more tips and trick, refer to my blog, The MEP CAD Engineer, at Thanks for attending! 66