MEP 2008 Electrical Device Add Settings

[Anonymous]

In ABS2007 and previous versions were command line options while adding
electrical devices. For instance, the "LIbrary" would change the Device
Add dialog to a specific library, receptacles for example. I set up
icons on the tool palettes with the following example code:
^C^C(command "_AecbDeviceAdd" "LI" "Receptacles")
This would bring up the Device Add dialog box and make the "Receptacles"
library current. From here, one of our 40 receptacles would be selected
and inserted.

In MEP2008, the Properties Palette is used for adding devices and the
command line no longer has a "LIbrary" option. How are the libraries
accessed? Or do libraries even exist any more? Surely we aren't expected
to place every individual symbol on the palette to have access to
them...or at least I hope not. Please enlighten me.

[Anonymous]

Bump

How does everyone have there palettes set up in 2008. Is every
electrical symbol on the palette individually?

AndrewT wrote:
> In ABS2007 and previous versions were command line options while adding
> electrical devices. For instance, the "LIbrary" would change the Device
> Add dialog to a specific library, receptacles for example. I set up
> icons on the tool palettes with the following example code:
> ^C^C(command "_AecbDeviceAdd" "LI" "Receptacles")
> This would bring up the Device Add dialog box and make the "Receptacles"
> library current. From here, one of our 40 receptacles would be selected
> and inserted.
>
> In MEP2008, the Properties Palette is used for adding devices and the
> command line no longer has a "LIbrary" option. How are the libraries
> accessed? Or do libraries even exist any more? Surely we aren't expected
> to place every individual symbol on the palette to have access to
> them...or at least I hope not. Please enlighten me.

[Matt__W]

I'm struggling with the same thing here. Most of the device tools/programs that I've created no longer with 2008. I'm toying with the idea of putting all of our typical devices into the template so they'll be accessible a little bit faster.

We've got 25 people here working on ABS/MEP (soon to be all MEP). I can't imagine that the folks at Autodesk would think it's a good idea to keep multiple versions of AutoCAD installed and running to finish out older jobs. Some jobs will go on for YEARS!! I'd like to find out how some of the BIG companies are handling upgrades. Or are they NOT using ABS/MEP?

Matt W

[Anonymous]

I am all for enhancements but why make the enhancement of moving the
Electrical Device add to the Properties Palette and in doing so, losing
functionality? I actually like it as part of the Properties Palette and
would like to see other disciplines set up the same way, I just wish
they would have kept all functionality.

Matt W wrote:
> I'm struggling with the same thing here. Most of the device tools/programs that I've created no longer with 2008. I'm toying with the idea of putting all of our typical devices into the template so they'll be accessible a little bit faster.
>
> We've got 25 people here working on ABS/MEP (soon to be all MEP). I can't imagine that the folks at Autodesk would think it's a good idea to keep multiple versions of AutoCAD installed and running to finish out older jobs. Some jobs will go on for YEARS!! I'd like to find out how some of the BIG companies are handling upgrades. Or are they NOT using ABS/MEP?
>
> Matt W

[jgillespie]

Autodesk, are you listening? This neat idea by some programming nerd has caused the real world users a lot of grief. As an old timer who used to work for me once said, "One more improvement around here, and we can just close down!"

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

Yes, we are aware of this loss of functionality. It will be fixed in a future release.

HTH,
Eric

[Anonymous]

great news, but hardly a comfort for the jobs we have in house now...

Eric G [Autodesk] wrote:
> Hi guys,
>
> Yes, we are aware of this loss of functionality. It will be fixed in a future release.
>
> HTH,
> Eric

[Matt__W]

Since we've got your ear... how's about fixing the plumbing piping elbows. http://discussion.autodesk.com/thread.jspa?threadID=612396

Thanks (and sorry for the thread hi-jacking).

Matt W

[Anonymous]

MEP SP1 has been issued and this loss of functionality has not been fixed! Our company is having the same problem that has been voiced in this post. A "production tool" that AutoDesk created has been taken away from the user and we need it back. Don't write us off with just saying "future release".

[Anonymous]

Check the attachment. Do you guys know about the little button on the properties palette? During the device add command, it gives you access to all of the default device libraries...kind of like in 2007.

[Matt__W]

> During the device add command, it gives you access to all of the default device libraries...kind of like in 2007.

Correction... 2007.1

FYI: I've heard from an Adesk MEP employee that there are "major changes" in the works for Electrical for next years release. And that the 2010 version will have yet another format change (I believe that was for BOTH dwgs and MEP objects).

Woo hoo!!

Matt W

[Anonymous]

Well hopefully they can figure out how to make the circuit manager and panel schedules more user friendly...and maybe they will fix the conduit OD vs nominal trade size issue.

They're really going to wait two cycles between file format changes this time!? Now that's good news!