Distribution of MEP elements like radiators, diffusers, sprinklers, switches, lighting fixtures or duct splits in a project may take a huge amount of time while designing BIM models. Autodesk® Revit® helps in such situations. But, do you think it’s enough? Not for us! Kick your Revit to the next level – insert elements using fully customizable rules into predefined positions that are logically related with other objects.
Possibility to insert virtual groups of elements in the spaces allows us to insert hundreds of elements with required gaps between them. This allows us to plan sprinkler’s or air terminal’s location in the BIM model with a real time interference check.
You can achieve these results using BIM solution Smart Diffusers for ventilation system design and another AGA CAD product Smart Sprinklers for fire suppression system modeling. These solutions have a strong relation between Revit space and MEP elements. They accurately define space boundaries and quickly distribute sprinklers or air terminals in various geometries of spaces.
All Revit users know very well that many Revit elements are related to each other: in most cases radiators are placed under the windows, switches are placed near the doors, lighting fixtures are placed above tables, duct splits are placed inside the ducts, etc. Using the knowledge of elements relations we can built easy rules for distribution. Only few parameters left to fill in and all elements can be distributed throughout the project.
Electrical switches can be distributed near the doors with required elevation and side offset from the door. In this manner you can distribute all switch elements in the project just by defining these parameters.
You can achieve these results using BIM solution Insert Elements for inserting Revit families into BIM models.
Do you know that there is a possibility to build different rules for element distribution? For example, radiators could be distributed in such ways:
- Under windows by designed heating load;
- Under windows by designed heating load and window width;
- Place related to window center;
- Place related to window left corner, etc.
You can distribute radiators using either BIM solution R-Heating for radiant heating system design or Insert Elements.
The other common situation in MEP engineers’ workflow: they need a possibility to insert Revit elements not only beside each MEP element but also inside. Using this possibility you are able to split your MEP line based elements into segments by predefined manufacturer’s lengths.
Split has same system of rules. There are the most popular user predefined rules developed for splitting the line based MEP elements. User can also create his own rules!
Split functionality is integrated in the Insert Elements solution, as well as in Smart Hangers for distribution of hangers & supports of line based MEP elements: pipes, ducts, cable trays, and conduits.
So using AGA CAD applications you can distribute Revit MEP elements to virtual groups, insert elements related to each other or distribute elements inside another element (split ducts / pipes, etc).
You can try out every presented BIM solution to find which of them meets your company’s demands the best. Download FREE 14-day, fully-functional evaluation versions and test possibilities of Revit MEP element distribution that you need.
