MEP Product Research

[Balint Kezer]

Dear all,

As a Product Manager for MEP related developments I would like to better understand the needs of architects and engineers using our products. Because of this I have compiled the following survey: https://bit.ly/GSMEP.

Responses are more than welcome. I'm also open to any ideas you might have regarding this topic, feel free to provide them here in this topic.

Best regards,

[Steve Jepson]

It wont be too long before we will be able to just import the MEP models made by the original design software.

We can't always get that, when it is not available I have sent the 2D files to someone white the 3D deisgn software and they can generate the model form that data faster than I can model it using MEP Modeler software. Someone will need to be paid for the model, you might as well get it directly form the person who designed the system.

https://www.wrightsoft.com/Products/Right-HVAC
https://www.wrightsoft.com/Products/Right-CAD
https://www.wrightsoft.com/Products/Desktop_Solutions/Right-Suite_Universal

https://www.wrightsoft.com/Download

https://mep.trimble.com/product/trimble-managed-itm-content/

If it is not going to have any Analysis function, whats the point of modeling it. Get it modeled by a program where the model is integrated with design and analysis.
https://www.autodesk.com/products/revit/mep?plc=RVT&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1#internal...

[Anonymous]

Hi Steve,

I always had this same opinion.
But several AC fellows here, on other forum topic, have made a fair point:
Apparently, a lot of AC users offer utilities systems projects for small projects, where subcontracting them would reduce profit margins. Having MEP modeling tools would allow them to improve their business opportunities.

[Steve Jepson]

Braza wrote:
Hi Steve,

I always had this same opinion.
But several AC fellows here, on other forum topic, have made a fair point:
Apparently, a lot of AC users offer utilities systems projects for small projects, where subcontracting them would reduce profit margins. Having MEP modeling tools would allow them to improve their business opportunities.

Yes. That makes sense to me. There are times when I design my own MEP and Fires Sprinkler systems and do the calcs by hand since I don't do it often enough to justify a subscription to other design software. I can still model it and provide the calcs necessary for planning and designing the rest of the building. What I would like to see for the ArchiCAD MEP Modeler is a very large library of very detailed .gsm parts to match manufactures models for the same parts. Victaulic for example. Revit MEP has a lot of very useful MEP model parts. https://www.victaulic.com/resource-software/

[DGSketcher]

I'm one of those in house basic service modellers where I need to show drain runs, MVHR vent lines etc on residential projects. I would love to have a detailed set of drainage components from preferred UK pipe manufacturers, but I think we have to recognise that GS aren't going to throw money at creating copies of each manufacturer's parts. That is really down to GS persuading manufacturer's that the AC user base is big enough for them to justify investing in the marketing & development of quality GDL components. Or maybe Link's Revit conversion tools could be used to convert the required parts? GS need to make the MEP system work with versatile components that can do a good representation of a system based on common requirements, this way we can get things drawn quickly and then if budgets allow and manufacturer's models are available we can up the level of detail to suit the job.

[Anonymous]

Yep! I guess we all end up on the Visual GDL Editor Topic.
Or perhaps Param-o 2.0 will save the day.

[Njegos T]

Balint wrote:

Thanks for the suggestions Njegos.

The automatic bend radius detection is certainly an issue that should be fixed.
By changing the shape of the connector do you mean the changing of the Connection Type (Flanged or Simple Body)? I also agree that duct and pipe sizes are bought by the meter (especially in larger projects) and the software should facilitate this.

About the shape that I meant is the shape of Flange, there is many different shapes in use.
Also, there should be an extra palette for settings of an element, hate use Ctrl+T every time.

[Lukas Zeleny]

Balint wrote:

Lukas wrote:
To attract more MEP professionals to Archicad it is essential to include also capacity calculations.
But it's definitely a good direction to focus on MEP.

Thanks Lukas for the feedback. What do you mean by capacity calculations? Are you referring to electrical calculations that help with electrical modeling?

Yes and also presure loss for Air ducts, water pieps and more.
The most effective workflow is when specialist makes the model of MEP and not the architect. It is time-consuming to remodel MEP according to specialist plans. And keeping it this way up to date is a nightmare. There are two ways. Specialist uses his own software and sends IFC or other BIM format for import in Archicad. Or the second one when specialist models MEP directli in archicad, which is better. Remodeling anithing by architect is a step back.

[Ahmed_K]

there is some good work on creating well detailled MEP library parts, but i think, the BIM softwares can't receive too much polygons ( even when the parts are scripted not imoorted from other softwares)
a MEP model, a tank or anything, can be presented with some simple shapes, that's a presentation, not a world reconstruction,we need to know how it looks in general, how much space it fills, how much connections can receive, that's all ! a photo of the product ,embedded with the library part, can do the job.
so spending hours on creating detailled library just for "looking good" will consume time upon developping more interesting features,

[Anonymous]

I think that with the current exponential increase of chipset processing power (Wait for quantum computers ) ,polygons/file size won't be a problem for a long time. I am sure any Architect won't complain about too much detailed objects if they can visualize them in real time with no lags.
I see the future of BIM in extremely detailed objects for AEC commercial products, that have various LOD's (Level of Detail) according to documentation needs.
This is what Valery Ivanov is doing with his MEP Library and IMO, his approach should be followed for every player in the MEP Design industry.

[Aaron Bourgoin]

I'll keep seconding Braza's comments re: Valery Ivanov's library. GS, please get on this. We do not need manufacturer specific MEP objects, m. but we need MEP objects.