Working for Ideate, Inc., as a MEP application specialist, we do a lot of reading and problem solving. I got the opportunity to review Revit MEP 2012, and wanted to jump in with both feet and take a look around. The last thing I wanted to start with would be the help menu. It might be smart to start with the manual if you’re putting together a bookcase from Ikea that came in three boxes, but when it comes to Revit MEP, I wanted to see what was in there. The 2011 release of Revit MEP has some really useful commands and same type of development in Revit MEP 2012 was expected.
When I opened the program and wanted to dig around. At first glance a huge sigh of relief; it still looks like 2011. Then upon closer inspection, there were more buttons, a lot more buttons, many more interesting buttons to explore!
Right off the bat on the HOME Tab you see new features - Parallel Pipes and Conduit, and Placeholders for duct and pipe. For more information about this feature check out our review by Ideate at www.ideateinc.com/2012/
Moving down the Ribbon looking for more things to explore, I found more buttons. The ANNOTATE tab has two new buttons Room Tag and Space Tag. No more ‘space naming’ utility, it has been incorporated into the core functionality of Revit MEP 2012 program.
On to the ANALYZE tab, it doesn’t disappoint. Here we have Show Disconnects (those familiar with AutoCAD MEP know this feature) and a whole new panel called Energy Analysis. Analyze Mass Model is for subscription only but the other two tools activate with the program and internet connection.
Personally, I didn’t find anything new from the MODIFY tab, until I started using other commands. Then the Modify command became extremely intuitive with the options I need while designing. Now, it’s my favorite tab.
Here’s an example, after placing a Water Closet and you proceed to make a system the Create Systems is now only one button that expands into another dialog box. This saves screen real estate, allowing you to name the system immediately and you can affect the Ribbon even more by clicking Open in System Editor.
Another great feature from the MODIFY tab is the ability to edit a system right from the MODIFY tab and not in the systems tab.
If you continue to generate a system, with piping, you can apply a slope, as needed designing from the Ribbon.
After the pipe has been placed the MODIFY tab continues to be adaptive. There are so many new features here to expedite your design work, you’ll love coming to work just to use 2012 Revit MEP.
That was what I found on my look around. Now, take your own arm chair adventure and take a tour of the new Revit MEP 2012.
Don’t forget to look through other great features our Ideate Technical Team has found in the new 2012 releases for AutoCAD, Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, Civil 3D, Navisworks and more: ideateinc.com/2012
Lana Gochenauer, LEED AP,MEP Solutions Application Specialist
Lana has a wealth of real world experience, having used Autodesk products on projects from hospitals to universities, restaurants to corporate office headquarters, from strip malls to tenant fit-up. Most recently she focused on coordination drawings/models with MEP contractors, and fabrication from the model. Lana successfully ran her CAD business and worked as the CAD manager for an international MEP engineering firm in Seattle. Lana is a Certified Autodesk Trainer and NECA certified electrical estimator. Currently pursuing her MBA in Sustainability and based in the Ideate ATC in Seattle, Lana provides training and services for AutoCAD MEP, Autodesk Revit MEP and Autodesk Navisworks.
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