Overview

Overview
TheGRAPHISOFTMEPModelerisanAddOndevelopedforthe
ARCHICADuserinterface:architecturalandengineeringfirmscanmodel
andedit3DMEP(mechanical,electricalandplumbing)systemsand
networks(ductwork,pipework,cabletrays)andcoordinatethemin
ARCHICADBIMmodelsbyusingARCHICADtoolsandinterface.
TheMEPModelerpackageincludesaseparatefacilityfordirect
AutoCADMEPexport.(ThisisanAutoCADplugin,forPCsonly,andcan
beinstalledfromtheMEPModelerCD.
Note:SeealsotheARCHICADConnectionPDFdocumentfordetails
onhowitworks;thisdocumentisavailablefromtheHelpmenuof
theAutoCADpluginsdictionaryeditor.)
MEPModelerisalsocompatiblewithIFC.
YoucancreatetheMEPmodelwithinARCHICAD,basedon2D
documentationreceivedfromengineers.
Youcancheckcollisionsbetweenthestructuralbuildingelementsand

theMEPelementsyoudefinedwiththeMEPModeler,and/or

theMEPelementsimportedfromamechanicalconsultant'sIFC
model.

MEPElementsareGDLObjects,withparametersandsettingssimilarto
objecttypeelementsinARCHICAD.MEPElementsworkjustlikeregular
ARCHICADlibraryparts,butalsohaveadditional,MEPspecific
parameters.

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

Overview

MEPModelercomeswithanextensiveMEPLibraryofspecially
configuredMEPElements.IfyouareusingtheMEPTemplateprovided
withtheAddon,thislibraryisloadedautomatically.
SeealsoMEPLibrary.
CommontypesofMEPElementsinclude:

aStraightsegment,suchasaductwithidenticalgeometryateither
end.Examples:Ducttool,PipetoolandCableCarriertool.

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

Overview

aBend.SomeBendsareinsertedautomaticallyduringRouting,or
asaresultofeditingMEPelements,iftwootherwiseunconnectable
elementsrequirethatabendbeinserted.

aTransition.Thisisastraightsegmentwhosegeometriesatitstwo
endsareunequal.TransitionsareusedtoconnecttwoMEP
elementsofdifferentwidth/height/shape.

aJunction.TheseincludeaTeejunction,aWyejunction,andaTake
off.

aTerminalforexample,aceilingdiffuseroragrilleorasprinkler
placedattheendofapipeorduct.ATerminalhasonlyone
connectionport.

Inlineelement,suchasavalveorfilter,placedinsidetheroute.
Inlineelementsarestraightsegmentsopenatbothends.

Equipmentsuchasafurnace,withoneormoreconnectionports.
AsingleEquipmentelementgenerallyisgenerallyassignedto
multipleMEPSystems(e.g.Heating,ExhaustAir),andareconnected
tomultiple(Pipework,Ductwork)MEPelementtypes.

TherearetwowaystoplaceMEPElements:

UsetheMEPToolstoplaceindividualMEPElements.

UsetheRoutingfunctiontoplacemultipleconnectedMEPElements
withaseriesofclicks.

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

GettingStartedwithMEPModeler

GettingStartedwithMEP
Modeler
Hardware/SoftwareRequirements
Thehardware/softwarerequirementsforusingMEPModelerare
identicaltothoseofARCHICAD.
Formoredetails,seeGettingStartedwithARCHICAD20availablefrom
theARCHICADHelpmenu.

Licenses
TorunMEPModelerwithyourcommerciallylicensedcopyof
ARCHICAD,youneedaseparatelicenseforMEPModeler.(Thislicense
caneitherbelocatedonahardwareprotectionkey,oranetwork
license.)
Whenapplicable,yourMEPlicensewillbeautomaticallyreserved.
Note:IfyoudontwanttouseaMEPModelerlicenseeverytime
youstartARCHICAD,unchecktheEnableMEPModeling
automaticallyoptioninMEPPreferencesdialog.Inthiscase,aMEP
licenseisreservedonlywhenyoustartanyoftheMEPfunctions.
IfyoudonothavealicenseforMEPModeler,dooneofthefollowing:

ConsultyourARCHICADdistributortoobtainone,or

UseARCHICADindemomodetogetherwithMEPModeler.Todo
this,switchARCHICADtodemomodebyremovingtheARCHICAD
protectionkey.MEPModelersfullfunctionalityisavailable.

IfyouhavesuccessfullyinstalledMEPModelerandbegunwork,but
yourMEPlicenseislatermissingforanyreasonwhileyouareworking
withMEPModeler,aWarninginformsyouthatyouhavetwochoices:

1. Obtainthemissinglicense,thencontinueworking;or
2. ContinueworkinginARCHICAD,withoutMEPfunctionality.(The
MEPLibraryremainsavailable,butMEPfunctionssuchasRouting
aregrayed.)

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

GettingStartedwithMEPModeler

Installation
TousetheMEPModelerAddOninARCHICAD,youmustinstallthe
program.
DownloadtheMEPinstallerfrom
http://www.graphisoft.com/downloads/MEP/.
WheninstallingMEPModeler,youmustbeloggedonasamemberof
theAdministratorGroup.
Starttheinstaller.Theinstallerwizardwillguideyouthroughthe
installationprocess.

Uninstall
TouninstallMEPModelerfromaPC,itisbesttousetheProgramsand
FeaturesitemfromtheControlPanel.Alternatively,navigatetothe
Uninstall.MEPfolderinyourARCHICADfolder,andselectthe
Uninstallerapplication.
OnaMac,navigatetotheUninstall.MEPfolderinyourARCHICAD
folder,andselecttheUninstallerapplication.

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

MEPWorkEnvironment

MEPWorkEnvironment
ToaccesstheMEPModelertoolsandinterface,youmustapplytheMEP
Profile:

Usethecommand:Options>WorkEnvironment>ApplyProfile>
MEPProfile,or

UseARCHICAD'sWorkEnvironmentDialogBox(Options>Work
Environment>WorkEnvironmentProfiles).

Note:IfyoudonotfindtheMEPProfileintheWorkEnvironment,
oriftheMEPModelercommandsaregray,yourlicenseisinvalid.
Contactyourresellerforassistance.

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GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

MEPWorkEnvironment

ARCHICADwillnowshowtheMEPspecificinterface:

theARCHICADToolboxisexpandedtoincludethe
Ductwork,PipeworkandCablingtools.

MEPrelatedcommandsarelocatedintheDesign>
MEPModelingsubmenu.

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11

MEPWorkEnvironment

TheMEPRoutingpaletteisfoundinWindow>
Palettes>MEPRouting.

TheMEPModelerToolbarisavailable,
providingshortcutstofrequentlyusedMEP
commands:

EnableMEPFunctions
Bydefault,MEPModelerfunctionalityis
automaticallyenabledeverytimeyoustart
ARCHICAD.ThismeansthatARCHICADwill
automaticallysearchforavalidMEPlicenseeach
timeyoustartARCHICAD.Thisautomaticenabling
settingisacheckboxinMEPPreferences.
SeeMEPPreferences.
IftheAutomaticallyEnablecheckboxisnot
activated,youmustenableMEPModelermanually:

1. FromtheARCHICADHelpmenu,chooseLicenseInformation.
2. FromtheAvailableProductslist,selectMEPModeler.
3. ClickBorrowLicense.
Note:TheLicenseBorrowingfeatureisavailableonlywiththe
CodeMeterNETprotectionsystem.See
http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/technotes/licensing/codemeter
softwareprotectionforgraphisoftproducts/licenseborrowing/.

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GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

MEPLibrary

MEPLibrary
MEPLibrary:UseLibraryManagertoloadthislibrary.Ifyouareusing
theMEPTemplateprovidedwiththeAddon,thislibraryisloaded
automatically.
TheMEPtypeobjectsaredividedintologicalfoldersandtypically
consistoflargesizemechanicalelements.

ForinformationonhowtomanagethepropertiesofMEPobjectsusedin
anonMEPenvironment,seeBehaviorofMEPCompatibleObjects.

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13

MEPConnectionPorts

MEPConnectionPorts
MEPElementsallhaveconnectionports:thesearerepresentedby
hotspotstowhichyoucanconnectanotherMEPelement.(Certain
elementsintheregularARCHICADlibrary,suchasplumbingfixtures,
nowincludeconnectionports,allowingyoutoincludetheminMEP
routes.)
AnewlyplacedMEPelementthatisconnectedtoanexistingMEP
elementwilltakeontheconnectionparameters(e.g.shape,size)ofthe
elementtowhichitisnowconnected.
ConnectedMEPelementscanbemovedandeditedtogether.
Thehotspotsofcorrectlyconnected,straightMEPelementsareblack:

Unconnectedhotspotsaredisplayedasdiamondshapededitable
hotspots:

14

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

MEPElementDisplayonStories

MEPElementDisplayonStories
ThedisplayofMEPelementsonstoriesdependsuponitsShowon
Storysetting(FloorPlanandSectionpanel).TheShowonStory
optionofAllRelevantStoriesisusedforallMEPelementsbydefault.
Withthisoption,straightsegmentsthatintersectstoriesaredisplayed
ascutontherelevantstories,andthe2Drepresentation(Projectedor
SymbolicView)canbesetwiththeFloorPlanDisplayGDL
parameterinthe2DRepresentationgroup,intheMEPCustomSettings
Panel.
OtherMEPelementsthatintersectstories,however,donothavecut
displaystheyareshowneitherononestoryortheother.

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

15

MEPSystems

MEPSystems
Thepens,colorsandmaterialsusedtodepictMEPelementsinyour
projectaredefinedasattributescalledMEPSystems.TheMEPSystem
attributesaredefinedoreditedbyyouinOptions>Attributes>MEP
Systems(orusetheMEPSystemsshortcutfromtheMEPToolbar).

ThesecontrolsareanalogoustothoseofotherARCHICADattributes
(suchasLineTypes).CreateanewMEPSystem,orrenameanexisting
one.

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GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

MEPSystems

DefinetheMEPcategoryforwhichyouwishtousethisMEPSystem:
Ductwork,Pipework,and/orCableTray.(Checktheboxesthatapply.)

WhenyouassignanMEPSystemtoanMEPtool(usingMEPCustom
SettingspanelintheToolSettingsdialogbox),youravailablechoiceswill
dependontheMEPSystemsettingshere.Forexample,whenassigning
anMEPSystemtoaDuctworktypetool,onlythoseMEPSystemswillbe
availableinthepopuplistwhichyouhavedefinedasUsewith:
Ductwork.
SeealsoMEPCustomSettingsPanel.

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

17

MEPPreferences

MEPPreferences
GeneralpreferencesforworkingwithMEParesetinDesign>MEP
Modeling>MEPPreferences(orusetheMEPPreferencesshortcutfrom
theMEPToolbar).

EnableMEPModelingautomatically:Thisboxischeckedbydefault.
EachtimeyoustartARCHICAD,theprogramwillautomaticallysearchfor
avalidMEPlicenseandenabletheMEPfunction.
SeeEnableMEPFunctions.

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GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

SettingandEditingElementDefaults

SettingandEditingElement
Defaults
DefaultsettingsforMEPelementsaresetintheirToolSettingsdialog
box.TheseMEPdialogboxesareanalogoustoARCHICADsobject
settings.

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

19

SettingandEditingElementDefaults

PreviewandPositioningPanel
Setvaluesfortheelement'spositioninthemodel:

itsrelativeheight(measuredfromthecurrentorhomestory)
absoluteheight(fromProjectZeroorotherdefinedreferencelevel)
rotationangle
mirroredplacementofelement
HomeStory

MEPCustomSettingsPanel
ThishastwoorthreetabpagesdependingontheMEPobject.

GeneralSettings

EnterthebasicgeometryofthisMEPobject(suchasLengthoftheduct).
ForsomeMEPobjects,therangeofpossiblevaluesdependsonother
values.
Forexample,theLengthofaDuctTee(sethereintheGeneralSettings
tabpage)cannotbelessthanthewidthoftheTBranch(setinthe
Connectionstabpage)thatcomesoffofit.

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GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

SettingandEditingElementDefaults

Insulation:Checkthisboxifyouwishtoincludeaninsulatinglayeron
theelementsoutsidesurface.ThenentertheinsulationsThickness
valueinthefieldbelow.
MEPSystem:Ifalltheconnectionportsofthiselement(e.g.aDuct)are
usedforasinglepurpose,thentheGeneralSettingstabpagecontains
theMEPSystempopup.UseittoassignanMEPSystem(definedat
Options>Attributes>MEPSystems)tothiselement,orelseleavethe
valueasUndefined.

Iftheelementsconnectionsaregenerallyusedformultiplepurposes
(e.g.afurnaceusedinhotwater/coldwatersystems),itsMEPSystem
GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

21

SettingandEditingElementDefaults

attributesareassignedindividuallytoeachconnection,inthe
Connectionstabpage.
TheMEPSystempopuplistsonlythoseMEPSystemsthathavebeen
definedasapplicabletotheMEPtypeofthecurrentelement:Ductwork,
PipeworkorCableTray.
Forexample,iftheMEPSystemExhaustAirisdefinedtobeUsedwith
Ductwork(asshownintheimagebelow),thenExhaustAircanbe
appliedonlytoMEPelementsthatbelongtotheDuctworktype.

Visualization
UsetheVisualizationtabpagetoassigncustomparametersforthe
displayofthiselementin2D(plan)and3Dviews.Parametersforthe2D
symbolareontheleft;parametersforthe3Dviewareontheright.
Typically,youwillusethesecontrolsifyouwanttooverridetheMEP
Systemattributesassignedtothiselement.

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GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

SettingandEditingElementDefaults

Ifyouadjustthematerialusedin3Dviewsorrenderings,youcanstill
returntotheSystemmaterialsettings:checktheUseSystemSurface
box.

Connections
Usethistabpagetodefinetheparametersofeachoftheelement's
connectionports.Thenumberofconnectionsonanobjectvaries,of
course,dependingontheobject:aDucttakeoffhasjustoneconnection
port,butaDuctWyehasthree.
Usethepopuptoswitchamongtheconnections,andediteachofthem
separately.Inthisimage,wehaveselectedtheBranchconnection
fromthepopuponDuctWyesConnectionstabpage.

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

23

SettingandEditingElementDefaults

Notethatthe2DSymbolobjectpreviewon
thePreviewandPositioningpanelgivesyou
feedback(thetriangle)onwhich
connectionyouareediting:inthiscase,the
BranchoftheDuctWye.
WallThickness:Thisisthethicknessofthe
MEPelementswall.
ConnectionType:ChooseaConnection
Typeasapplicable.Forexample,a
ductworkelementsconnectioncaneitherbesimpleorflanged.Ifyou
chooseFlanged,enteravalueforitswidthinthefieldbelow.
MEPSystem:IftheelementisgenerallyusedwithmultipleMEPsystems
(e.g.heating/cooling),thentheMEPSystempopupisfoundonthe
Connectionstabpage.UseittoassignanMEPSystem(definedat
Options>Attributes>MEPSystems)tothecurrentlyselected
connection.(Incontrast,singlefunctionelementssuchasbendsare
assignedasingleMEPSystemattributeontheirGeneralSettingstab
page.)

24

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

PlaceIndividualMEPElements

PlaceIndividualMEPElements
Youcanbuildupthedesiredmechanicalsystembyplacingindividual
elementsonebyone:

Selectthedesiredtoolandplacethefirstelement.

Selectthetoolofthenextelementtobeplaced.Ensurethatthe
rightplacementhotspotisset(theplacementhotspotisthesquare
one,inthe2DSymbolpreviewinthePreviewandPositioning
Panel).

OntheFloorPlan,clickatanyavailableconnectionpoint(indicated
byacheckmarkcursor)ontheexistingelement.

Theelementswillconnectcorrectly.Thesecondelementwhileusing
thedefaultsettingsoftheactivetoolwillneverthelessadoptthe
connectiongeometryofthefirst(alreadyplaced)element.Connection
geometryincludes(asapplicable):shape,height/width,thicknessof
elementwall,connectiontype(e.g.flangedornot):thesearethesame
parametersyousetintheConnectionstabpageoftheelementsMEP
CustomSettingstabpage.

InsertJunctionElements
YoucanaddadditionaljunctiontypeMEPelementstoaplacedstraight
segment.(JunctiontypetoolsaretheTee,WyeandTakeoff.)

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

25

PlaceIndividualMEPElements

Note:TheDuctWyecanonlybeplacedontoastraight,horizontal
ductsegment.
Adjusttheelementsettings,thenclickontheplacedelement.The
elementswillconnectcorrectly.Dependingonthegeometryofthe
newlyplacedelement,additionalclicksmaybenecessarytodefineits
placement.
Forexample,whenplacingaDuctTeeontoa
regularDuctsegment,youwillclickanywhereon
theregularDuctscenterline:
Next,youmustchooseoneoffourpossiblepositionsfortheTeebranch:
shoulditbranchofftheright,left,toporbottomoftheduct?Movethe
cursoraround,thenclickinoneofthesefourpositionstochoosethe
desiredgeometry.

Right

Left

Top

Bottom

SeealsoStartRoutingbyPlacingJunctiononaPlacedMEPElement.

26

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

MEPRoutingFunction

MEPRoutingFunction
UsetheRoutingfunctiontoplacemultipleconnectedMEPElements
withaseriesofclicks.
RoutingisavailableintheFloorPlanandinthe3Dwindow.

SetRoutingPreferences
SetthedesiredoptionsontheMEPRoutingpalette
(Window>Palettes>MEPRouting)Theseoptions
canbechangedinthemidstofaroutingoperation,
sothateachelementcanuseseparateoptions.

1. ChooseeitherDuctwork,PipeworkorCable
Trayfromthetopdropdownmenu.

2. Chooseacrosssectiongeometrypreference
fortheroutedelements:Rectangular,Circular,
Ovalor(withDuctworkonly)Flexible.
Enterheightandwidthvaluesforthecross
section.(Enterapredefinedvaluefromthe
popup,ortypeinanyvalue.)Thelistof
predefinedDuctandPipesizescanbeeditedin
MEPPreferences.(Design>MEPModeling>
MEPPreferences).
3. ChooseaConstructionMethodbyclickingon
oneofthefouricons.(Canalsobesetinthe
Tracker.)
Everyroutingoperationbeginsattheelevation
setasConstantElevation(thehorizontalarrow).Onceyouclickin
thewindowtobeginrouting,youcanswitchtoanother
constructionmethodifyouwanttochangetheroutingelevationas
youproceed.(SeeVaryElevationsDuringRouting.)
4. ChooseanMEPSystemattributeforthisRoutingoperation.

5. ReferenceLinelocation:Chooseoneoftheninepointsinthe
Routingpalettetodefinethelocationofthereferencelineofthe
routedelements.(TheReferenceLineisrelevantonlyduringa

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

27

MEPRoutingFunction

Routingoperation,andindicatestheanchorpointoftherouted
elementswhenyouclickonscreentoplacethem.)
Inthisimage,theReferencelineduringroutingrunsalongthetop
leftcorneroftheduct,asviewedinthedirectionofrouting.

Youcanswitchthereferencelinelocationatanytimeduringa
routingoperation.
6. AdjustRoutingOptionsasneeded.(SeeRoutingOptions.)

7. ChooseaLayeronwhichtoplacetheroutedelements.

StartRouting
ClickStartRoutingatthebottomoftheMEPRoutingpalette.The
buttonstextchangestoStopRouting,indicatingthatRoutingisin
progress.
TheToolboxautomaticallyswitchestotherelevantstraightsegment
typetool(Duct,PipeorCableTray).
ClickintheactivewindowtobeginRouting.TheTrackerappearsalong
withfeedbacktoindicatetheplacementofthefirstelement.
Note:YoucanbeginaRoutingoperationattheconnectionportofa
placedMEPelement.SeeBeginRoutingatExistingMEPElement.
Startplacingtheelements:asyouclick,multipleMEPelementsare
connectedtoeachotherusingtheparametersandspatialarrangement
youjustsetintheRoutingpalette.(TheRoutingpalettesettingswill
overridethecorrespondingdefaultsettingsoftheactivetool.)
Drawastraightsegmentaslongasyouneed.Whenyouclickto
completethisinput,theprogramwilldividethesegmentintoduct/pipe

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GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

MEPRoutingFunction

segmentswhoselengthisdefinedinDesign>MEPModeling>MEP
Preferences:DuctorPipeSegmentLengthLimit.
Note:IntheFloorPlanwindow,ARCHICAD'sGuideLinesappear
duringRoutingtoassistyou(providedthatGuideLinedisplayis
turnedon).TheGuideLinesduringanMEPoperationautomatically
reflecttheStandardBendAnglesdefinedinDesign>MEPModeling
>MEPPreferences.
Inthe3Dwindow,temporarygridsindicatetheinputplane.
Thenextclickcompletestheelement,buttheoperationcontinues:keep
clickingtoplaceadditionalelementsontheroute.
PressBackspacetodeletethemostrecentlyplacedrouteelement.
PressESCtocancelaRoutingoperation.

FinishRouting
ClicktheFinishRoutingbuttonatthebottomoftheRoutingpalette,or
DoubleclicktocompleteaRoutingoperation.
YoucanalsofinishRoutingbyconnectingtoanalreadyplacedMEP
element:clickontheconnectionportoftheplacedelement.
Iftheconnectiongeometriesoftheconnectedelementsdonotmatch,a
Transitionelementisautomaticallyinsertedtoensureaproper
connection.

VaryElevationsDuringRouting
WhenstartinganyRoutingoperation,youwillclickinthewindowatthe
elevationvalueshownasConstantElevationintheRoutingpalette(the
ConstructionMethodrepresentedbythehorizontalarrow).Onceyou
haveclickedatthatelevation,however,youcanchooseamong
alternativemethods:

VerticalRise:SwitchtheconstructionmethodtoVerticalRise.In
theFloorPlan,adialogboxappears:entertheelevationatwhich
thenextelementshouldend.ClickOKtoclosethedialogboxand
placetheverticalsegment,andcontinuerouting.Inthe3Dwindow,
justdrawthesegmentalongtheverticaleditingplane.

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

29

MEPRoutingFunction

ConstantSlopeAngle:Switchthe
constructionmethodtoConstant
SlopeAngleandenterananglefor
thedesiredslope.Subsequentrouted
elementsduringthisoperationwillbe
placedalongthisslopeuntilyou
changetheanglevalueorswitchtoa
differentmethod.
Note:Theangleunit(suchasdegree
ormm/meter)oftheslopeisdefined
intheMEPPreferences:Rise/Drop
Unitcontrol.

The3DEditingPlanesconstructionmethodsarevalidinthe3Dwindow.
Touseanyofthem,youmuststartRoutingandplaceatleastone
elementusinganyoftheconstructionmethodsdescribedabove.Then
switchtooneofthefollowingconstructionmethods(clickoneofthe
threeflyoutoptionsofthe3DEditingPlanesicon)tocontinuerouting
alongthechosenplane:

30

WidthPlane:Routingwillcontinuealongthewidthplane:theplane
createdbythecenterlineandthewidthdirectionofthelast
placedroutedelement.

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

MEPRoutingFunction

HeightPlane:Routingwillcontinuealongtheheightplane:the
planecreatedbythecenterlineandtheheightdirectionofthe
lastplacedroutedelement.

PerpendicularPlane:Routingwillcontinuealongtheplane
perpendiculartothatofthelastplacedelementoftheRouting
operation.

3Dinputplanesareshownasfeedbackduringrouting,soitiseasyto
visualizetheresultofyourchoseninputplane.

RoutingOptions
OntheMEPRoutingpalette,clickRoutingOptions
toaccessthese.
OptionsyousetherewillaffectthenextRouting
operation:

Connection:ChoosetheConnectionType(e.g.
Flanged,Welded,Simple)asappropriate.

Insulation:Clickthecheckboxtoaddan
optionalInsulationlayertotheoutsideofMEP
elementsplacedinthisRoutingoperation.
DefineanInsulationThickness.

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

31

MEPRoutingFunction

ForBendType,clickthepopupblackarrowtochooseaBendType
forBendsautomaticallyplacedduringthisRoutingOperation.

ThesearethesameBendtypesthatyoucanchoosefromtheDuctBend
DefaultSettingsdialogbox:

32

TransitionRule:Transitionsarestraightsegmentsplaced
automaticallytoensurecorrectconnectionsifyouswitchsegment
geometry(width,height,orshape)inthemiddleofarouting
GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

MEPRoutingFunction

operation.Iftheswitchoccursatabendintheroute,thetransition
elementcanbeplacedeitherbeforeorafterthebend.Chooseyour
preference(Placebeforebend/Placeafterbend)here.

BeginRoutingatExistingMEPElement
IfMEPelementshavealreadybeenplaced,youcanbeginanewrouting
operationfromanyoftheseelementsinthreedifferentways:

StartRoutingatConnectionPortofaStraight
Segment

ClickStartRoutingontheMEPRoutingpalette

ClickontheconnectionportofaplacedstraightMEPelement.

TheRoutingwillbeginattheconnectionportyouclicked.
Note:Theconnectionportsofstraightsegmentsareeditable
(shownasadiamondshapedhotspots).Thismeansthatifyour
routingtakesasharpturn,thentheoriginalstraightsegmentmight
beshortenedautomaticallytoaccommodatethebend.

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

33

MEPRoutingFunction

StartRoutingatConnectionPortofOtherMEP
ElementTypes
OtherMEPelements(e.g.Bends,
Junctions,Terminals)haveconnections
whosegeometriesarefixed.Youcan
startanewRoutingoperationfromany
oftheseconnectionports.Tostart
Routing,clickonaconnectionport:
GuideLinesappearcorrespondingto
thestandardbendangles.Clickalong
theGuideLineyouwanttheRouteto
follow.
Youcannotplacethenewlyrouted
elementatananglethatwouldrequire
youtotruncatetheexistingMEP
element.
Inthe3Dwindow,GuideLinesarenotavailable.Instead,beginrouting
bypressingShifttoconstrainthefirstplacedelementtoanorthogonal
direction.Ifyouwantthefirstroutingelementtobeplacedatanyother
angle,enterthedesiredanglevalueintheTracker.

StartRoutingbyPlacingJunctiononaPlacedMEP
Element
YoucanbeginaRoutingoperationbyplacingajunctionatanalready
placedstraightMEPsegment.

ClickStartRoutingontheMEPRoutingpalette

ClickonthecenterlineofaplacedMEPelement

TheRoutingwillbeginattheplaceyouclicked,byinsertingaJunction.

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GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

MEPRoutingFunction

TheInsertJunctionElementdialog
boxappears.Choosethetypeof
junctionyouwishtoinsert(e.g.Duct
Tee,DuctTakeoff,DuctWye),then
clickOK.(Thepossiblejunctiontypes
varydependingonwhethertheclicked
elementisaDuct,aCableoraPipe.)
Next,dependingontheJunctiontype
youchoose,youmaybepromptedto
chooseamongseveralpossible
geometries:
IfyouplaceaDuctWyejunction,youmustclicktwice:

First,clicktodefinewhichsideoftheexistingelementtoplacethe
Wye.

Second,clickineitherdirectiontodefinewhichofthetwoWye
branchestoconnectthenextroutedelement.

IfyouplacetheDuctTakeoffinFloorPlan:

1. First,clicktodefinewhichsideoftheelement(right,left,top,
bottom)toattachthetakeoff.

2. Ifyouclicktop,thentheprogramassumesthatthenextplaced
elementwillbeatarightangletothetakeoff,andyouareprompted
tochooseoneofthefourhorizontaldirectionsshownasyoumove
thecursoraroundtheinsertionpointonscreen.

(Ifyoupreferthatthenextplacedelementbevertical,donot
chooseanyofthefourhorizontaldirectionsindicatedbytheon
screenfeedback.Instead,switchtheConstructionMethod(usethe
MEPRoutingpaletteortheTracker)toVerticalRiseandplacethe
nextelement.)
3. Afteryouplacethehorizontalsegment,GuideLineswillpromptyou
toclicktodefinetheangleatwhichtocontinuethenextrouting
element.
GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

35

MEPRoutingFunction

Similarly,ifyouplacetheDuctTeeinFloorPlan,GuideLineswillprompt
youtoclicktodefinetheangleatwhichtocontinuethenextrouting
element.
ThenewlyplacedMEPelementswillusetheparameters(Elementtype,
MEPsystem,shape,elevation)oftheclickedconnectionport,
overwritingthecurrentparametersoftheRoutingpalettewiththoseof
theclickedconnectionport.
Note:SeveralMEPelementsplacedatvaryingelevationscan
appear,ontheFloorPlan,tohaveconnectionpointsthatcoincide.
Ifyoubeginroutingbyclickingononeoftheseconnectionpoints,
youwillbepromptedtochoosetheconnectionportyouwant.

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GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

MEPRoutingFunction

RoutingWiththeMagicWand
UseARCHICAD'sMagicWandfunctiontoplaceaseriesofconnected
MEPelementswithasingleclick:
SetpreferencesontheMEPRoutingpaletteandclickStartRouting.
PresstheSpacebartoactivatetheMagicWand,thenclickonanexisting
polylineorpolygon.
TheMEProuteisplaced.
IncontrasttotheMagicWandoperationwithregularARCHICADtools,
theMagicWandusedduringMEPRoutingwillnotreproducecurved
elements;astraightsegmentwillconnectthetwoendpointsofthe
curvedelement.Thus,allMEProutedelementsplacedusingtheMagic
Wandmethodwillbestraightsegments(connectedbybendsas
needed).
Note:TheMagicWandmethodforplacingroutedelementsworks
onlyastheinitialstepinanMEPRoutingoperation.

GRAPHISOFTMEPModelerUserGuide

37

EditingMEPElements

EditingMEPElements

MEPspecificeditingoperationsareavailableintheFloorPlanand
3Dwindow.(IntheSection/Elevation/IEwindows,onlythebasic
Move,Stretcheditingcommandsareavailable.)

ForanyselectedMEPelement,useitsSettingsdialogtoeditits
parameters.UsethePetPalettecommandstoedittheMEPelement
graphically.
WhenyoueditaselectedMEPelement,certainparametersof
connected(thoughunselected)MEPelementsmayalsochangeasa
result.
Followingtheedit,everymodifiedelementbecomesselected.
Forexample,ifyouchangethecrosssectionofoneselectedelement,
theconnectedelementswillbecomedisconnectedasaresult,andthey
willallbeshownasselectedfollowingtheedit.

SelecttheMEPelement(s)tobeedited.The
PetPalettecommandsincludetheusual
elementeditingoptionscommonto
ARCHICADelements:Drag,Rotate,Mirror,
Elevate,Multiply.
ThetoprowofthePetPalettecaninclude
certaincommandsspecifictothetypeandgeometryoftheselected
MEPelement:ThefollowingsectionsillustratethesePetPaletteediting
options.

EditingStraightSegments
MoveConnection:Availablefortheconnectionnodeofaselected
straightelementconnectedtoanotherstraightelement.

Usethecursortodragtheconnectionnode,orentervaluesinthe
Tracker;thismodifiesthelengthofthesegment.(TheLength
parameteristhelengthoftheelement;theDistanceparameteris
thedistancebywhichyoumovethenode.)

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InsertNode:AvailableforeverystraightMEPelement,byclicking
onitsedge.ThiscommandwillaffectnotjusttheselectedMEP
element,butallstraightconnectedelementsuptothenext
connectedjunction,ortothelaststraightelement.Newbendsare
insertedasneeded.

OffsetEdge:AvailableforeverystraightMEPelement.Affectsall
straightelementsconnectedtotheclickedelement,includingany
inline,transitionandjunctionelements.

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EditingMEPElements

ElevateEdge:Inthe2Dwindow,thisPetPalettecommandbrings
uptheElevatedialogbox.Enterthevaluebywhichyouwishto
elevatetheselection.

Sincethisisaverticaledit,youwillhavenofeedbackintheFloor
Planontheresult,unlessapreviouslyconnectedstraightsegment
isnowdisconnected:thehotspotswillchange.
Inthe3DWindow,usetheTrackersElevationcontroltoenterthe
desiredvalue.

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EditingMEPElements

Stretch:Availableattheendofanunconnectedstraightsegment.

EditingFlexibleElements
SelectaFlexibleDuctandusetheavailablePetPalettecommandsto
modifytheductshape.(Notethatthesecommandswillalsoallowyou
tocreateductelementsofextremegeometriesthatarenotstructurally
valid.)
MoveNode:AvailablefromthePetPaletteofaflexibleduct
elementsinternalnode.

InsertNode:AvailablefromthePetPaletteofaflexibleduct
elementsedge.

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EditingMEPElements

Stretch:AvailablefromthePetPaletteattheendnodeofaflexible
duct.

EditingBends
MoveNode:AvailableatthecornerpointofaconnectedBend.

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EditingMEPElements

AffectstheselectedBendplusallstraightelementsconnectedtoit,
includinganyinline,transitionandjunctionelements.Theselected
Bendanglewillchange,andnewBendsareinsertedasnecessary.
ElevateNode:AvailableatthecornerpointofaconnectedBend
withacircularshape,in3Donly.Alsoavailablein3Datthe
endpointofafreestandingelementhavingacircularcrosssection.
UsethiscommandtochangetheSlopeAngleofanMEPsystem
afteritisplaced.

EditingInlineElements
MoveInline:Moveaninlineelementalongitsstraightaxis.

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EditingMEPElements

EditingTerminalElements
MoveTerminal:UsethiscommandonaTerminaltypeMEP
elementinFloorPlan.TheTerminalplusallconnectedstraight
segmentsmovetogether.
ElevateTerminal:UsethiscommandonaTerminaltypeMEP
elementinthe3Dwindow.Youwillbeabletoelevateorlowerthe
Terminalelementplusallofitsconnectedstraightsegments
simultaneously.

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ResizeMEPElements

ResizeMEPElements
Usethisfunctiontoresizeand/orchangetheshapeandcommon
parametersofawholeseriesofconnectedelementsinyourMEP
system.

1. ChoosetheDesign>MEPElements>ResizeMEPElements
command(orusethetoolbarshortcutfromtheMEPToolbar).

2. ClickanMEPconnectiontodefinethestartpointoftheresize.
3. Moveyourcursortoanotherconnectionpointwhereyouwantto
endtheresizing.Apreselectionhighlightindicatesthepartofthe
MEPsystemchosenforresizing.

4. Clicktodefinethisendpointoftheresize.ARCHICADzoomsonto
theaffectedpartoftheMEPsystem.

5. TheResizeMEPElementsdialogboxappears.

Usethesecontrolstosetthedesiredshapeandsizeofthe
elements,thenclickResize.

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SelectConnectedMEPElements

SelectConnectedMEP
Elements
ChoosetheSelectConnectedElementscommandfromtheDesign>
MEPModelingmenu(ortheshortcutfromtheMEPToolbar).
MoveyourcursortoanyconnectionpointonanyplacedMEPobject.All
connectedMEPelementsfromthatpointarepreselected.
ClicktoselecttheseconnectedMEPelements.

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EditSelectedElements

EditSelectedElements
Thisfunctionenablesyoutoadjustcertainsettingsofmultipleselected
MEPelementseveniftheselectedelementshavebeencreatedusinga
varietyofMEPtools.
Note:MEPEquipmentelementsarenoteditablewiththisfunction.
Atypicalusecaseistoselectaseriesofconnectedelements(for
example,byusingtheSelectConnectedMEPElementsfunction),and
thenswitchingtheMEPSystemofalltheselectedelementsatonce.This
way,youavoidhavingtoopentheSettingsofeachelementonebyone.
Tousethisfunction,selectanycombinationofMEPelements.Usethe
Design>MEPModeling>EditSelectedElementscommand.
TheappearingdialogboxhasaseparatepanelforeachMEPfamily(i.e.
Ductwork,Pipework,Cabling.)Ontherelevantpanel(s),changeanyof
thesettings.Thesechangesaffectalltheselectedelementsofthat
family.

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CollisionDetection

CollisionDetection
UsetheMEPCollisionDetectionfunctiontoidentifyplacesintheproject
whereMEPelementsintersectwitheachotherandwithother
constructionelements.
IssuetheDesign>MEPModeling>FindCollisionscommand.This
commandisavailableintheFloorPlanand3Dwindows.
TheCollisionDetectioninformationappears.

ClickShowMarkUpToolstoopentheMarkUpToolsPalette,ifitisnot
openalready(fromDocument>MarkUpTools).
NowyoucanuseARCHICADsMarkUpfunctiontohighlightandzoomto
theCollisions,makeeditsoraddMarkUpnotesasneeded.
Notethatonceyoucorrectacollision,youshoulddeleteitfromthe
listofMarkUpEntries.Otherwise,thenexttimeyourunthe
CollisionDetection,ARCHICADwillcontinuetolistthecorrected
collisionasaproblemarea.

SeeMarkUpinARCHICADHelpfordetails.

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CollisionDetection

WhichElementsParticipateinCollisionDetection?
CollisiondetectionisbasedonElementClassification(Categoriesand
Properties),notonARCHICADtooltype.Asaresult,collisiondetection
workson:
allimportedIFCMEPelements(regardlessofwhichMEP
applicationexportedtheIFCmodel),and
allARCHICADprojectMEPObjectsandMEPclassifiedelements(for
examplepipesdefinedwithBeamtool,butclassifiedasMEP
elements).
IfanyMEPelementsareselected,CollisionDetectionwillberestricted
totheselectedMEPelements.
Ifnothingisselected,CollisionDetectionwillreviewallelements
classifiedasMEPtypeinElementSettings(CategoriesandProperties>
ElementClassification).
Thecollisiondetectionfunctionworksbetweensolidandsolidand
betweensolidandopenshellgeometries,andincludesqualifying
elementswhicharepartofModulesorGroups,andwhicharelocated
onlockedlayers.
CollisionDetectiondoesnotincludenonvisibleelements(thoseon
hiddenlayers).
CollisionDetectionalsotakestheelementsBuildingMaterialsinto
account:BuildingMaterialsinARCHICAD(Options>Attributes>
BuildingMaterials)haveatagforParticipatesinCollisionDetection.
Thischeckboxisonbydefault.

However,ifitisturnedoff,thenitwillnotparticipateintheMEP
CollisionDetection.Thiscanbeanadvantage.Forexample,aComposite
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CollisionDetection

WallcanincludetheAirSpaceBuildingMaterial.TheHVACsystemcan
bebuiltintothisskin.IfthatAirSpaceBuildingMaterialisdefinedwith
theCollisionDetectioncheckboxsettoOff,thennocollisionoccurs.

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CreateCustomMEPPart

CreateCustomMEPPart
UsethisfunctiontocreateaspecializedARCHICADmodelandsaveitas
acustomMEPpart.

1. Openanew,emptyARCHICADprojectfile.
2. IntheFloorPlanor3Dwindow,useanyconstructionelements(e.g.
Wall,Slab,Object,MEPelement)tomodelacustomMEPpart.

3. IfyourcustomMEPelementrequiresoneormoreconnections,you
mustusetheMEPConnectionobjectaspartofyourelementunder
construction.
Note:TheMEPConnectionobjectislocatedintheMEPLibrary.
(YoucanusetheLibraryPartsearchfunctiontolocateit.)

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CreateCustomMEPPart

4. WhenyouarefinisheddesigningtheMEPpart,gotothe3Dwindow
(ifyouarenottherealready).

5. UsetheDesign>MEPModeling>Save3DModelasCustomMEP
Partcommand(alsoavailablefromtheMEPToolbar).

6. IntheappearingSaveLibraryPartdialogbox,enteraFileNamefor
yournewMEPobject,whichwillbesavedinyourprojects
EmbeddedLibrary,oranotherlibrarydesignatedbyyou.

7. ChooseaSubtypefromtheTypedropdownlist:

Note:Theavailablesubtypesinthislistdependonthenumberand
typeofMEPConnectionobjectsyouplacedinthecustomMEPpart.
IfyourcustomMEPparthasonlyasingleConnection,theequipment
andinlinesubtypes(whichrequiremultiplecollinearconnections)
arenotavailablehere.Also,ifyouplacedanMEPConnectionthatis
settoPipetypeinitsSettingsdialogbox,thentheDuctsubtypesare
notavailable.
8. ClickSave.ThenewMEPobjectisnowlocatedinthelibraryfolder
towhichyousavedit,andisaccessiblefromtheToolsettingsofthe
chosensubtype.

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BehaviorofMEPCompatibleObjects

BehaviorofMEPCompatible
Objects
IfMEPModelerisinstalled,thenmanyfamiliarelementsfromthe
ARCHICADLibrary,suchasthisBasin,willnowincludeMEPCustom
Settings(includingtheConnectiontabpage),soyoucanconnectthem
toanyobjectinanMEProute:

IfyouareworkingonARCHICADwithoutMEPModelerinstalled,the
sameobjectsare,ofcourse,stillavailablefromtheLibrary,buttheir
customMEPparametersarenotavailable.

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BehaviorofMEPCompatibleObjects

Here,thesameBasinsparametersinanonMEPModelerenvironment:

ItislikelythatanARCHICADprojectfilewillbesharedortransferred
amongteammembers,someofwhomhaveinstalledMEPModeler,and
otherswhohavenot.Insuchcases,youshouldnotethefollowing
behaviorofobjectshavingMEPcompatibleparameters.
Note:Inthefollowingworkflowdescriptions,ARCHICAD
EnvironmentmeansthatARCHICADisinstalledwithouttheMEP
ModelerAddOn.MEPModelerEnvironmentmeansthat
ARCHICADisinstalledwiththeMEPModelerAddOn.

Workflow1:OpenMEPModelerProjectinan
ARCHICADEnvironment
IfaprojectcreatedinanMEPenvironmentisreopenedusingARCHICAD
only(withoutMEPModeler),theMEPobjectswillbeavailableand
editableasGDLobjects.Ifyousubsequentlyreopentheprojectinan
MEPenvironment,theconnectionswillfunctionproperly.

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BehaviorofMEPCompatibleObjects

Workflow2:OpenARCHICADProjectinanMEP
ModelerEnvironment
IfanARCHICADprojectisopened(usingFile>Open)inanMEPModeler
environment,thentheGDLobjectsthatareMEPcompatiblewillbe
automaticallysmarteneduptoincludeMEPCustomSettingsand
connectionparameters.Theirconnectionparameterscanbeusedto
includetheseobjectsaspartofanMEProute.AdjacentMEPobjects
withconnectedhotspotsareautomaticallyconnected(providedthatthe
connectiongeometriesarecompatible).

Workflow3:Merge,CopyPaste,orSend/Receive
ARCHICADProjectinanMEPModeler
Environment
IfanARCHICADprojectisaccessedinanMEPenvironmentwithout
usingFile>Open(e.g.mergingthefile;orcopy/pastingMEPobjects;or
accessingsuchobjectsthroughTeamworksSend/ReceiveorReserve
functions),thentheMEPcompatibleGDLobjectswillnotautomatically
beconvertedintoparametricMEPobjects,astheyareinWorkflow2.
IfyouwantcontinueworkingonthisprojectusingMEPModeler
functions,youshouldachievethisconversionmanually:gotoMEP
PreferencesandclicktheConvertObjectstoMEPElementsbutton.

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BehaviorofMEPCompatibleObjects

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