AutoCAD MEP vs Revit MEP

[StykFacE]

I would disagree with saying that AutoCAD MEP isn't for Mechanical design. If you combine it with the .net samples that it ships with then you can pretty much drive it by the calculations that you use.

Here's a link from the labs that allows sizing of equipment for both Revit MEP and AutoCAD MEP:
http://labs.blogs.com/its_alive_in_t...alysis-to.html

I would look at both the sales figures and what the companies that you deal with are using. Nobody outside of Autodesk really know where the products are going in the future.

Well I didn't say AutoCAD MEP isn't... but the topic was really about Revit so I just kept it at that. AutoCAD MEP still uses gbXML data from 3rd Part engineering software for loads as well, much like Revit. but Revit is still considered a true BIM package while there's still debate for AutoCAD MEP.

[StykFacE]

I'm not apart of the Revit MEP testing team so my say doesnt really matter all that much anyway. I was just basing my opinion on what I had viewed and read. I personally see little use in switching because it would take far too long to train everyone and make the senior staff switch. It wouldn't be one of those Imperial to Metric switches that happens over night.

Basically, everyone would need to have engineering knowledge to work Revit to full capability. If not then the "drafters" would have to stop, and let your engineer do some calculations and then they can continue running ductwork and grilles and so forth. Keep this in mind if anyone asks you your opinion on moving to Revit in your company.

[Cad_Jockeys]

Most people in my office are either educated designers or have enough background with design to handle calculations. I'd let the higher ups know how I felt but I'm a relatively new staff member so to run in shelling out opinions to people with more experience is pretty much job suicide.

If we do switch over it wont take place for years and I'm currently reading the Revit MEP manuals so I'll already be half way there.

[slimjramirez]

I've touched upon this in another thread, though I forget which:

The '09 programs (MEP) are very similar, except that Revit is "intelligent"; it ties circuits to panel schedules and vice versa, calculations can be made, but Revit controls your design to some extent.

If it says that you cannot fit a duct-turn right where you want it, it will NOT allow you to override it's decision. You may keep the duct/connection broken (but close enough to look connected when plotting), but at this point, you might as well have just done it in CAD, because at this breakage point, CFMs, static pressures, duct sizes, and all the 'intelligence' that comes with Revit are pointless.

Think of AutoCAD being to Revit what MSAccess is to MSExcel (or any database system compared to just spreadsheets); it is more integrated, making it (potentially) a VERY powerful tool for design/drafting, but in my opinion, Revit has too many hiccups. At the end of the day, you're sending out 2D drawings; the calculations are going to have to be double-checked by an engineer anyway, and the contractors are going to do what they do out in the field to suit the necessities that may not have been presented on paper.

I would say that it is worth getting Revit; I could see it meeting the hype I've heard about it eventually. Like I've said a million times, though, the program is too young/unrefined to dedicate more than 25% of your team/workforce. The classes are alright, been to two of them. But they know the system like the back of their hand; you'll be at your desk a week later, remembering how the guy at the seminar laid out the duct system in about 10 steps, and wonder why it's not working for you. It's because they won't go over the scores of other variables that come into play. Maybe some of the major points of interest, but there's always one kicker.

If you get Revit, have a couple of people be the main people. Educate them, get them decently aquainted, but people that will stick with it so that they can explain to other workers in their own words. Not the words of a salesman/programmer, but your average Joe, no BS, and patience.. PATIENCE is a virtue.

It really sucks when we're in the 11th hour, and I have to answer to bossman who's screaming "WHY ISN'T IT PLOTTING YET!?!?!"

"Because it's not showing...
or
"It's showing... when it shouldn't be...
And the natural reply is, "Well it isn't that complicated!"
And it honestly isn't. But the damn program wont' let you do this because of that or that because of the other or ... b/c of...

Seriously, what would take me 10 minutes in CAD can sometimes take up to 3 hours in Revit. Laying out lights on an RCP and circuiting them.... so simple, yet so complicated.

You gotta match poles/volts/panels, and heaven help you if you're going to use Revit schedules and need to switch that lighting circuit from the 3rd pole to the 7th if there are circuits in between. ...if you've ever done this, you know what I'm talking about.

One step forward, 3 back, 2 forward, 1 back, 4 back, 2 forward....etc.

It's not all bad. I can say this; on this latest project we sent out, it was a definite godsend when coordinating our mechanical and plumbing systems. We had about as small a room as code would allow for clearances, insulation, and allowing maintenance to safely work in the room when needed. It probably coulda been done in CAD MEP, but this was the first time I was actually happy to utilize Revit.

[slimjramirez]

And Revit is a good program to test the creativity of the drafter.

"work-around" will be a common phrase when using Revit.

[Cad_Jockeys]

I downloaded revit MEP on my home computer to test out the electrical side of the program. As far as I can tell it is quite a handy program. Unfourantely, a large amount of work recently entered my office so the revit testing team seems to have been put on hold, meaning Revit MEP is far away from being used by myself for work purposes.

Is revit MEP more geared towards mechanical? Or is it even between electrical and mechanical?

[StykFacE]

I downloaded revit MEP on my home computer to test out the electrical side of the program. As far as I can tell it is quite a handy program. Unfourantely, a large amount of work recently entered my office so the revit testing team seems to have been put on hold, meaning Revit MEP is far away from being used by myself for work purposes.

Is revit MEP more geared towards mechanical? Or is it even between electrical and mechanical?

They have different software packages for different trades. they have Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, & Revit Structure. Chose the one that will adhere to your specific trade.

[slimjramirez]

I find Revit MEP to be a bit overkill for electrical. It's a bit time-consuming if items aren't compatible (like panel ratings and their distribution systems with equipment or other components) and you have to go back and figure out a way to make it work; but it's the simplest discipline for Revit.

I wouldn't say that it's necessarily geared more towards Mechanical, but mechanical was the first place I thought Revit can really be worthwhile. As much of a headache as it was, Revit was pivotal in helping us to resolve some major conflicts with clearances and HVAC design on a handful of projects. It hasn't really "wow"d me like that for electrical. It gets the job done.

[myself]

hello everybody, i know this thread has been dead for a long time, but i decided to come a long and askyou one question. Which program are you currently using? Have you figured outwhich one is best, Autocad MEP or Revit MEP? From my personal opinion, AutocadMEP is perfect to meet the ends that i need and i could really deliver aperfect project with few problems, but some guys in my company still insistthat Revit is the answer and that we must start using it now and produceefficient projects, but then we received a formation to start working with itand just doesnt work as it should be, plus, in order to make a simple thing youmust waist a lot of time, this after you teach everybody in the company out itworks, because nobody is comfortable with the program, which demands againloads of time to put some features working. i just dont understand why to persistso much with this option of Revit MEP, when on a few time we could put AutocadMEP working on the flow.... anyway, just tell me your opinion, becausesometimes i feel that i just need a real motivation to dive deep on Revit MEP,otherwise i just feel like i will be losing my time.

thank you guys... 3 yearslater, let's see if anyone has something to say

[Methuselah]

Well, I wasn't in the original conversation but the firm I work for has been using Revit MEP since it initially came out. Because of that, we've seen it grow from an extremely buggy, slow, and hard to work with system to what it is now. Revit 2012 has made many, many improvements over the previous versions. I mainly do HVAC design and I HATE going back to AutoCAD. Coordinating with fire protection sprinklers/piping, plumbing piping, and lighting fixtures is a snap. It's even a cinch to coordinate with structural when they're working with Revit Structure. Revit works it's magic when you need it for coordinating a large project and when the entire design team is all using Revit.

Yes, it can be used with CAD backgrounds, but ultimately it's biggest advantage is the fact you have less CA changes in the field because you didn't have time or wasn't able to coordinate with other disciplines.

If you want to build smart models (that can even tie directly into your specs using e-spec) that are mostly coordinated (re: big ticket items, not 3/4" piping), then you want/need Revit.

If you just want to put together quick, 2D sheets and hand draw your sections/enlarged views/elevations then stick with AutoCAD MEP.