Organize, layout, publish in MEP trial

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This article explains the tree structure of the Navigator as the logical organization of the project, helping you move quickly between modeling, documentation, and publish your MEP trial project.

It is divided into four maps: Project Map, View Map, Layout Book, and Publisher Sets, each handling a different stage of the workflow.

Because the Navigator is always live, it updates as you add new MEP elements, views, or layouts. As you develop your MEP model, keep the Navigator open to switch between systems (e.g. HVAC floor plan, plumbing section, coordination 3D) with a single click.

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Project Map

The Project Map lists every basic viewpoint in your project: 

• stories,
• sections,
• elevations,
• 3D views,
• and schedules etc.

Any new story, section, or elevation you create is added here automatically, making it the “source” of each viewpoint.

Use the Project Map to:

• Open and edit model views for MEP modeling and coordination.
• Add new viewpoints:
  • Create a new Section line through the plant room in the Project Map.
  • Open that section to check duct, pipe, and cable tray clearances.
  • Adjust MEP elements directly in this viewpoint.

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View Map

The View Map stores saved views, which are configured versions of Project Map viewpoints with fixed settings.

While there is only one viewpoint for a level in the Project Map, you can save multiple MEP views for the same level, each with different documentation settings, such as:

• Layer Combination
• Scale
• Model View Options
• Graphic Overrides (for example, “MEP Plan – Coordination,” “MEP Plan – Installation”) etc.

Use the View Map to:

• Save clean views for disciplines (HVAC, plumbing, electrical):
  
  • Multiple views from one floor/ level In the project Map, open a Floor Plan.
  • Set layers and graphic overrides to show only MEP + structural context and save a View called “01_MEP – Structural Plan_FloorX.”
  • Change the layer combo to show only mechanical plan, then save another View: “02_MEP – Mechanical Plan_FloorX.”

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Layout Book

The Layout Book contains layouts (documentation sheets). You place drawing views (usually from the View Map) onto Layouts, then arrange title blocks, logos, and notes etc.

Placed drawings are linked to their source Views, hence any model or view-setting change can be updated automatically on the Layouts.

Use the Layout Book to:

• Place saved MEP views as drawings on sheets.
• Organize drawing sets (e.g., MEP trial package, coordination set.)

Each layout placed for publishing is based on a Master Layout, maintaining a consistent office or project template across all MEP sheets.

A Master Layout defines common sheet elements: borders, title blocks, logos, and standard project texts (project data, scale, layout ID, or issue information) - which can be added automatically through Autotexts.

Building an MEP trial sheet:

• Create and name a subset.
• Add a new layout "01_MEP_Structure Coordination_FloorX" based on your office Master Layout.
• Drag the saved View "01_MEP_Structure Coordination_FloorX" onto the layout.
• Adjust the drawing's position and scale on the sheet, and add any extra notes or symbols.
• Repeat this for other plans to quickly assemble an MEP set ready for publishing.

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Publisher Sets

Publisher Sets collect layouts and views and define how they will be published (PDF, DWG, BIMx, and other formats).

Within each Publisher Set, you can control file format, naming, folder structure, and updat, ideal for quickly re‑issuing updated packages as the model evolves.

From the Publisher map, you can publish entire sets or selected items within a set.

Use Publisher Sets to:

• Create a MEP set for quick print-ready output.
• Create DWG or BIMx export sets for coordination with external partners.
  • One-click MEP publishing Create and name a Publisher Set.
  • Drag the layouts from the Layout Book into this set.
  • Set the output folder to your project’s directory.

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How to generate PDF, DWG, IFC, or other formats

• Select the Publisher Set or a folder inside it and open its publishing settings/properties.
• Choose the desired format and adjust the settings as needed:
  • PDF for giving your client a ready‑to‑print drawing set.
  • DWG/DXF for consultants working in CAD.
  • IFC for sharing the 3D MEP model with other BIM tools.
  • BIMx for interactive 3D/2D viewing.

Set the output folder, file naming, and file path as needed, then click Publish.