Autodesk 235B1-05A761-1301 - AutoCAD MEP 2010, User Manual, Page: 46 / 878

AutoCAD MEP Workflow
AutoCAD MEP provides features that allow the creation of very complex designs. While the software has
many intricacies, there is a basic workflow for using it. Use the following table to navigate to detailed
workflows for designing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
View more information General task
Define project standards, the look of the drawing
area, the look of parts, the tool catalogs to use,
-----
Establish high-level project
parameters, and create document
sets
and other settings. See Working with Drawing
Management Projects on page 129. Create sheets,
sheet lists, and cover sheets for construction
document sets. See
Construction Document
Workflow on page 547.
Use Project Navigator to create cross references
to the floor plans onto to which MEP designs will
----- Link to architectural floor plans
display. See Working with Referenced Drawings
on page 158
Use the schematic tool set in MEP to create
concept designs. See
About Schematic Diagrams
on page 518
-----
Create preliminary domain outlines
using flow and 1-line diagrams
Create:
-----
Create detailed domain designs
using catalog parts and custom
content
■
HVAC designs on page 163
■
Electrical designs
■
Plumbing designs
■
Radiant heating system designs
■
Piping system designs
Use Drawing Compare to see how drawings differ
from one revision to another. See
Comparing
Drawings on page 592
----- Circulate designs for review
Intelligent Objects
AutoCAD MEP is an object-based CAD application. When you design in the application, you use large
collections of objects that represent the real-world components in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
systems. Examples of these objects include segments of duct, pipe, cable tray, and plumbing lines; fittings
of all types; and equipment—called multi-view parts or MvParts in the software—such as air handling units,
electrical transformers, and drinking fountains.
28 | Chapter 3 Getting Started