Revit MEP 2014 has some great enhancements, one of the best is the new ability to constrain MEP angles.
One of the most common questions that I receive while delivering Revit MEP training classes here at Ideate, Inc. is how to “lock” angles in Revit MEP like you can in AutoCAD MEP. New functionality has been enabled that allows for the restriction of available angles when adding or modifying pipe, duct, conduit, and cable tray. The controls have been added to Mechanical and Electrical settings. Piping may now be limited to specific angles while duct, conduit, and cable tray may be limited to specific angles or incremented angles.
While this feature could probably be used for other reasons, we built this feature targeting the following use cases:
- Add pipe, duct, conduit, and cable tray layouts with the “Use specific angles” setting enabled. Add or remove angles from the list as you go.
- Add duct, conduit, and cable tray layouts with the “Set an angle increment” setting enabled using any appropriate angle value.
- Use the Duct/Pipe Sizing, Generate Layout, and Connect Into tools with restricted angles.
- Modify layouts by dragging elements, changing type, and reapplying type after limiting the angles that may be used.
Don’t forget to look through other great features our Ideate Technical Team has found in the new 2014 releases for AutoCAD MEP, Revit Structure, Revit Architecture, Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and more.
For more information on the software solutions, training and consulting Ideate provides, please visit the Ideate, Inc. homepage.
Bill Johnson
Senior Application Specialist MEP/AEC Solutions
Bill has over 25 years experience in applying MEP & AEC design solutions for large commercial companies, this has led to actively developed Autodesk® Revit® implementation strategies, techniques, and procedures for architectural and MEP companies. He has worked for TEECOM Design Group, GTE/GTEL, Greg LeDoux and Associates, and Scottish Power in England. Bill is an Autodesk MEP Implementation Certified Expert, and has been the Lead Designer for several multi-million dollar communication sites which have included structural, electrical, HVAC, conduit, cable plans and equipment layouts. He graduated from the Pasadena Institute of Technology and has a Sustainable Design Certification from the University of California at Berkeley.