mvparts

[NH3man!]

I have a ton of blocks (solid objects) that I have made in vanilla Cad. We are now moving to MEP and I would like to make these into mvparts. I have read for days now and searched everywhere I can think of and can't find a place that can beat this into my head. If anyone has the time or a guide that is better than what I have found please shoot me a line. I am a converted pipe fitter so the terminology of what I have been reading need some translation.

 

Thanks NH3man!

[NH3man!]

Don't know how this got here but if it could be moved to MEP. Thanks

[SLW210]

I would say it got here because you created here. Just a WAG.

 

Moved to MEP for you.

[tzframpton]

I have a ton of blocks (solid objects) that I have made in vanilla Cad. We are now moving to MEP and I would like to make these into mvparts. I have read for days now and searched everywhere I can think of and can't find a place that can beat this into my head. If anyone has the time or a guide that is better than what I have found please shoot me a line. I am a converted pipe fitter so the terminology of what I have been reading need some translation.

 

Thanks NH3man!

Here's a quick run-through: http://www.geniusoftllc.com/mvparts/create.asp

 

Also, you ought to purchase this book, the references in here are exactly what you need. I cannot express enough how critical this book can be in learning AutoCAD MEP effectively. http://www.amazon.com/Aubin-Academy-Master-AutoCAD-2012/dp/1461141265/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317990281&sr=1-1

 

Also note, I've long since used AutoCAD MEP, and now that I'm using Revit MEP more, I'm realizing how much better Revit MEP is. Don't exclude Revit. You have a long journey ahead of you (trust me I've been there) and if you ever adopt Revit MEP you'll wonder how you ever made it with AutoCAD MEP. This is strictly if you're modelling fully in 3D, for BIM related purposes, that is.

 

*EDIT*

Also note, AutoCAD MEP recently had the MVPARTCONVERT command added, for quick MvPart creation. It is not to be used for cataloging parts as it is simply a quick alternative.

[NH3man!]

Also note, I've long since used AutoCAD MEP, and now that I'm using Revit MEP more, I'm realizing how much better Revit MEP is. Don't exclude Revit. You have a long journey ahead of you (trust me I've been there) and if you ever adopt Revit MEP you'll wonder how you ever made it with AutoCAD MEP. This is strictly if you're modelling fully in 3D, for BIM related purposes, that is.

 

Yes we are also moving into Revit also. Are you breaking Revit down to frabrication drawing or just using it to model with? So far we are planning on modeling with Revit and then converting to MEP so that we can detail out fab drawing. If there is an easier way I am open to suggestions.

 

Thanks

[tzframpton]

You can make shop drawings with Revit. You can also make fabrication drawings too, but it'll require even more meticulous front end work of setup. I wouldn't convert anything, just stick with Revit. If you are wanting to really use a full model to produce fab drawings, Revit gives you an immense amount of flexibility for annotating every single piece of the entire mechanical system, since "Views" in Revit are far more dynamic and capable than AutoCAD MEP's version of "Views" could ever dream of being.

 

Just remember, when Autodesk acquired Revit in 1998, AutoCAD Architecture and MEP (Previously ADT and ABS) stole the intuitive engineering that fuels Revit. The problem is, you can't recreate the ingenuity Revit has, because then you basically recreated Revit. Revit MEP does everything AutoCAD MEP does, only way better. It might not seem like that at first, as most AutoCAD users freak out when they begin using Revit and think it's worthless. Just keep all this in mind is all I'm saying.

[NH3man!]

Just one more thing! I was told that Revit is not as precise as AutoCad. I would find that hard to believe just because is still computer aided. Some of our detail gets down to 1/64" not much as most is 1/16". Can this be done in Revit? Right now that is the only reason we are going with AutoCad MEP.

 

Thanks again.

[NH3man!]

Ok, just figured out how to create mvpart from one of my strainers. But I would like MEP to know it is supposed to put a flange on the strainer before it draws pipe and also insert flanges when I place the strainer into a run of pipe.

[tzframpton]

Just one more thing! I was told that Revit is not as precise as AutoCad. I would find that hard to believe just because is still computer aided. Some of our detail gets down to 1/64" not much as most is 1/16". Can this be done in Revit? Right now that is the only reason we are going with AutoCad MEP.

 

Thanks again.

AutoCAD is the most precise CAD software available as far as I know. Revit isn't used for machine drafting, so there's not a use for accuracy of that level. Lots of people have used this as an "excuse" to not use Revit but it's irrelevant. You can set the tolerance to 1/256" anyways which is more than enough precision in the mechanical world, or anything else related to the building industry.

[dumfatnhappy]

hey Styk, I'm curious about your thoughts on Revit as it pertains to industry, I was under the impression that Revit was primarily for vertical projects (high rise, hotel, condos, etc) because I'm in water/wastewater and process design and I think MEP is far more powerfull especially with the content they added in 09. I mean I've been in MEP for 4+ yrs and STILL feel like I have barely scratched the surface of it's potential.

[tzframpton]

hey Styk, I'm curious about your thoughts on Revit as it pertains to industry, I was under the impression that Revit was primarily for vertical projects (high rise, hotel, condos, etc) because I'm in water/wastewater and process design and I think MEP is far more powerfull especially with the content they added in 09. I mean I've been in MEP for 4+ yrs and STILL feel like I have barely scratched the surface of it's potential.

As long as your industry has something to do with buildings, electrical, piping, plumbing, HVAC, structure, etc... then Revit is definitely a great solution. I highly suggest looking into it, only if you're used to 3D and wanting to really slingshot your efficiency and accuracy. It will take years to refine your skills, as you already know with AutoCAD MEP.

 

Revit is so intuitive, it really is. Especially if you have to put your designs to paper, that's where the real beauty begins - the "document management" part.

[dumfatnhappy]

but Project navigator (which is MEP proprietary no?) manages all that which to me is very comprehensive in and of itself. I think I'm all in with MEP but always curious....

 

thanks for the input

[tzframpton]

The Project Navigator in AutoCAD MEP was completely copied from Revit. Well, in a sense. AutoCAD can't function completely like Revit so they made some adjustments for it to flow correctly, and it does. The Project Navigator and its functions in Revit are much more intuitive ten fold in just about all applications.