Built-in helpers for faster modeling in MEP Designer

Andrea Polgar · ‎2026-03-18

Want to move faster working on an MEP project without losing control over quality?

When you model MEP system in Archicad, it helps a lot knowing how to align and match element settings quickly.

This article shows you beginner-friendly features to reuse existing design information and keep your MEP elements consistent. Explore the features now using MEP trial modeling in Archicad.

Trace & Reference

Trace & Reference is a visual underlay feature that lets you display another view (such as a different story, section, elevation, or layout) beneath or alongside your current active view to compare, align, and snap elements while editing.

Why it matters - click to expand

Purpose: Align new MEP systems with existing architectural plans by overlaying another view on top of your current MEP view.

This is very useful when you want to route ducts, pipes, or cable trays over an existing building plan without constantly switching views, significantly speeding up your workflow.

How to use: Follow these simple steps to use this feature.

Open the MEP floor plan, section, or 3D document where you want to work; this becomes the active content.
Go to Window → Palettes → Trace and Reference to show the palette.
In the palette, choose an architectural or structural view as the reference (e.g., architectural floor plan or section).
Drag or rotate the reference if it does not line up with your active view.
Turn Trace on/off with the Trace button to quickly compare your MEP layout with the reference.

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Tips: Here are some tips to improve your workflow.

Use element type visibility in Trace to focus on key context (e.g., walls, slabs, beams) while routing ducts and pipes.
Set contrasting colors and intensity for active vs. reference to clearly distinguish MEP elements from the overlay view.
Use the Splitter to show only part of the reference (for example, only half of the floor plan under your MEP view).

Parameter transfer

Use this function to pick up the parameters of one element and transfer them to another element of the same type.

MEP aid.gif

Why it matters - click to expand

Purpose & Typical uses: Match the settings of existing elements when building your MEP model.

Typical uses:

Create multiple ducts or pipes with identical sizes, insulation, and system settings based on one properly configured element.
Match the settings and parameters of air terminals, diffusers, or equipment objects so the MEP system looks consistent.

Basic ideas: A quick overview of how this feature works.

Place or select an element with the settings you like (for example, a diffuser with the right size, symbol, and layer).
Use Pickup Parameters (eyedropper) to transfer those settings to new or existing elements of the same tool, instead of manually adjusting each one.
Or place a new element of the same type; it will use the picked-up parameters automatically.

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Favorites

Use Favorites to save and apply tool settings configurations that you use frequently.

Favorites are saved with your project file, and can be imported and exported between projects.

Screenshot 2026-03-11 at 15.01.21.png

Why it matters - click to expand

Purpose: Store your office‑standard MEP elements (e.g., typical duct sizes, pipe types, terminal units) and reapply them in any project or view.

Most offices have recurring element types; Favorites let you save these once and reuse them across projects.

Create and apply MEP Favorites: To make an element your Favorite, follow these simple steps.

Open the MEP floor plan, or any 2D view where you want to work, this becomes the active content.
Select the element (e.g., a duct or pipe) and open its Settings dialog.
Adjust any parameters so they exactly match the standard you want to save.
Click the Favorites button (star icon) in the top‑left corner of the Settings dialog.
Click New Favorite, give it a clear, descriptive name (e.g., “DUCT_Supply_400x200”).

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Using Favorites in the Toolbox: In Archicad 20 and later, you can apply graphical Favorites directly from the Toolbox, which makes starting with the right settings even faster.

Favorites can appear with 2D or 3D thumbnail previews, in different sizes, so you see what you are placing before you click.

Simply choose a Favorite in the Toolbox, then place your element; every new element will follow that preset until you switch again.

Learn more

Tips: Here are some tips to help you work more efficiently.

Display the palette via Window → Palettes → Favorites, then dock it where convenient.
From the palette you can save, apply, delete, rename, or redefine Favorites based on the current selection.
Use Additional Settings → Import/Export Favorites to share your MEP Favorites between computers or projects.
With Favorites Parameters…, you can exclude specific parameters when applying a Favorite (e.g., keep wall or story‑dependent heights while standardizing all other settings), which is useful when using the same Favorites in projects with different floor‑to‑floor heights

Combination of features

Use Trace & Reference to position MEP systems accurately relative to the architectural and structural model.
Use Pickup Parameters to rapidly copy correct settings from one well‑configured element to others as you refine the MEP layout.
Use Favorites to build and reapply a consistent library of MEP elements across views and projects, reducing setup time throughout the trial.