Setting and Editing Element Defaults

Default settings for MEP elements are set in their Tool Settings dialog box. These MEP dialog boxes are analogous to ARCHICAD’s object settings.

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Preview and Positioning Panel

Set values for the element's position in the model:

its relative height (measured from the current or home story)

absolute height (from Project Zero or other defined reference level)

rotation angle

mirrored placement of element

Home Story

MEP Custom Settings Panel

This has two or three tab pages depending on the MEP object.

General Settings

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Enter the basic geometry of this MEP object (such as Length of the duct).

For some MEP objects, the range of possible values depends on other values.

For example, the Length of a Duct Tee (set here in the General Settings tab page) cannot be less than the width of the T-Branch (set in the Connections tab page) that comes off of it.

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Insulation: Check this box if you wish to include an insulating layer on the element’s outside surface. Then enter the insulation’s Thickness value in the field below.

MEP System: If all the connection ports of this element (e.g. a Duct) are used for a single purpose, then the General Settings tab page contains the MEP System pop-up. Use it to assign an MEP System (defined at Options > Attributes > MEP Systems) to this element, or else leave the value as “Undefined.”

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If the element’s connections are generally used for multiple purposes (e.g. a furnace used in hot water/cold water systems), its MEP System attributes are assigned individually to each connection, in the Connections tab page.

The MEP System pop-up lists only those MEP Systems that have been defined as applicable to the MEP type of the current element: Ductwork, Pipework or Cable Tray.

For example, if the MEP System “Exhaust Air” is defined to be Used with Ductwork (as shown in the image below), then “Exhaust Air” can be applied only to MEP elements that belong to the Ductwork type.

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Visualization

Use the Visualization tab page to assign custom parameters for the display of this element in 2D (plan) and 3D views. Parameters for the 2D symbol are on the left; parameters for the 3D view are on the right.

Typically, you will use these controls if you want to override the MEP System attributes assigned to this element.

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If you adjust the material used in 3D views or renderings, you can still return to the System material settings: check the Use System Surface box.

Connections

Use this tab page to define the parameters of each of the element's connection ports. The number of connections on an object varies, of course, depending on the object: a Duct take-off has just one connection port, but a Duct Wye has three.

Use the pop-up to switch among the connections, and edit each of them separately. In this image, we have selected the “Branch” connection from the pop-up on Duct Wye’s Connections tab page.

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Note that the 2D Symbol object preview on the Preview and Positioning panel gives you feedback (the triangle) on which connection you are editing: in this case, the Branch of the Duct Wye.

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Wall Thickness: This is the thickness of the MEP element’s wall.

Connection Type: Choose a Connection Type as applicable. For example, a ductwork element’s connection can either be simple or flanged. If you choose Flanged, enter a value for its width in the field below.

MEP System: If the element is generally used with multiple MEP systems (e.g. heating/cooling), then the MEP System pop-up is found on the Connections tab page. Use it to assign an MEP System (defined at Options > Attributes > MEP Systems) to the currently selected connection. (In contrast, single-function elements - such as bends - are assigned a single MEP System attribute on their General Settings tab page.)