MEP Designer – Modeling, documentation and calculations

[Camila Cuevas]

Starting with Archicad 29, a new MEP Designer introduces enhancements to the existing tools and interface in Archicad, and is also available as a standalone application called MEP Designer 29. The MEP Designer provides a comprehensive workflow for MEP engineering with specialized tools and is aimed primarily at architectural practices, MEP engineers, and multidisciplinary planning teams.

MEP Designer streamlines modeling, documentation, and calculation in a single solution.

• General Overview
• Modeling
• Documentation
• Calculation

General Overview

In MEP Designer 29:

The standalone MEP Designer application provides, by default, the MEP Planning 29 work environment. Additionally, key elements from the architectural toolbox, such as walls and slabs, can be created and edited here.

  NOTE:Tools like Stairs, Railings, Mesh, Curtain Wall, and Light Sources are not part of MEP Designer.

In Archicad:

To enable the corresponding tools and palettes for MEP tasks, activate the MEP Planning 29 work environment profile via Options > Work Environment > Apply Profile.

Display of Architectural Elements in 3D

To make MEP elements instantly recognizable and distinguishable from architectural elements, all architectural elements are shown in gray in the 3D window, while MEP elements are color-coded as defined in their settings.

 

 

Modeling

With MEP Designer, you can model mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems directly in both 3D and 2D.

Create and Edit MEP Elements in All Project Views

MEP Designer lets you flexibly model MEP elements in various project views—3D window, floor plan, sections, or elevations—giving you full access to all tools in any representation and allowing for detailed placement and edits.

Enhanced Slope Adjustment for Piping

MEP Designer enables you to quickly and intuitively adjust the slope of pipe runs without breaking existing connections. Slopes are entered directly via the Tracker, and direction is displayed graphically. New segments automatically inherit the existing slope; changes only affect horizontal or sloped pipes—vertical pipes remain unchanged. This gives you complete control over elevations and slopes in your piping network.

 

Intuitive Tools and Flexible Workflow

MEP components can be placed via drag & drop, intelligently connected, and flexibly moved or edited as needed. Branches, bends, and intersections are created automatically, significantly accelerating modeling.

Quick Editing and Modification

The model-based workflow lets you change individual segments, add new components, or extend existing networks at any time. All changes update the model instantly.

Intelligent Connection of Pipes and Connection Points

When modeling pipes in MEP Designer, you receive direct visual feedback when creating connections to terminal units or components. Use the arrow keys to select connection options. The improved Connection Solver also supports complex connections, such as sloped or angled joints, enabling flexible and precise modeling.

Check for Open MEP Connections

With the menu command View > On-Screen View Options > Open MEP Connections, you can display all connection points that are not properly closed. Open connections are highlighted in red, so you can easily identify and correct them.

Collision Detection for MEP Design

The integrated collision detection allows you to check whether MEP elements intersect with architectural elements or other MEP systems. Early detection of design errors and conflicts helps avoid issues. This feature, found under Design > Model Check > Collision Detection…, supports coordinated, multidisciplinary project collaboration.

  NOTE: Collision detection considers element intersections. If material priorities cause an element to be trimmed/merged (for example, by building material priorities), no collision is detected.

Documentation

With MEP Designer, you document your design directly from the model—precisely, clearly, and in accordance with standards.

Central MEP Presets Management

MEP Presets define base properties and standard values—such as cross-sections, wall thicknesses, and lengths for pipes or ducts—for all MEP networks in the project. These ensure new MEP elements are always placed to project standards. Find these presets under Options > Project Preferences  Route Specifications…

 

Labeling and Dimensioning

All MEP components can be automatically labeled, tagged, and dimensioned in drawings. Properties such as nominal diameter, material, or elevation are taken directly from the model and kept up-to-date. For ventilation, new parameters for air velocity and airflow rate can also be auto-displayed.

Keynotes for MEP Elements

Place Keynotes directly on MEP elements and their subcomponents, and automatically generate legend keys from the project data. This keeps your documentation clear.

Find the Annotation Manager under Document > Keynotes.

Symbolic Representation of MEP Elements

For clearer and standards-compliant documentation, MEP Designer lets you display MEP line elements symbolically in addition to the regular projected 3D view. You can adjust the representation in the plan to improve readability.

Configure these under Document > Model View>Model View Options under the MEP Options section.

 

Schedules and Lists

MEP elements can be scheduled and evaluated.

 

Flexible Export Options

Various export formats are available for data handover. You can export your plans and schedules as PDF, DWG, or IFC.

Calculation

MEP Designer allows you to perform many calculations directly on the model.

MEP Systems as a Basis for Calculations

Assigning pipes and components to specific MEP Systems is the basis for all technical calculations in MEP Designer. Each System sets core properties such as medium, temperature, or material, which are crucial for design and calculation. Many automated evaluations—such as pressure loss, flow rate, or sizing calculations—are performed per system, as are data exports for external engineering software.

Besides these technical functions, MEP Systems also control graphical settings like colors and line types to further improve model clarity.
Access these settings under Design > MEP Systems…

MEP System Browser for Control and Evaluation

The MEP System Browser supports you in reviewing and managing all MEP networks in the project. You can list all pipes, components, and their system assignments, and evaluate them as needed. The Browser tabulates key properties, such as medium, flow rates, or pressure losses, and provides targeted network analysis. Any changes or additions are instantly visible here. The Browser is your central tool for ongoing quality control and supports you in preparing calculations and exporting data to external engineering tools.

Access the System Browser via Window > Palettes > MEP System Browser.

 

Hydronics Optimizer and Duct Sizing Optimizer

The Hydronics Optimizer and Duct Sizing Optimizer (Window > Palettes) are powerful tools that let you automatically optimize the dimensions of pipes and ducts. Select any desired segments in the model and specify diameter and velocity limits. The optimizers adjust all marked elements within those parameters, ensuring efficient and code-compliant hydraulic and air systems. These tools speed up calculations and planning, reduce rework, and increase design reliability.

Data Export and Further Processing in Third-Party Software

A key advantage is the simple export of calculated data for external engineering or further detailed calculations. Using IFC property sets or other formats, you can perform tasks such as water calculations or advanced pipe sizing in specialist third-party software (e.g., Dendrit). Open interfaces are also available for air volume calculations. This makes it easy to integrate MEP Designer results into MEP engineering workflows, add-ons, or calculation tools for further processing.