AutoCAD MEP

[#1]

Greetings,

My employer has adopted the change to BS2004. We are developing lists of things we need to do to implement the software to our team of 50+ design professionals. I am working through the Tutorial for Building Systems at this time. The software looks promising.

Should one "master" ADT before attempting BS2004 ? We are in need of a real clear Demo of the software's potential, to see what we need to do to do to use this to its full potential. I am not asking for Marketing propaganda, but a real demonstration of remodeling an existing structure. Our vendor was not able to provide us with such; does such a beast exist ?

Another concern I have come across is the concept of new, existing, and Demo work. The architectural group is hard at work copying wall types in ADT and creating the three different types of wall types for each and every common wall type... geeze I think I lost myself. So the end result is three ADT elements for each typical wall type.

IS this the only way I can graphically depict and utilize BS2004 ? I don't need collision detection between new ductwork and demo'd ceiling grid. Demo-pipe and new pipe ?

I also "read" that the design info must be given to the monkey working the keyboard. BS2004 is not two lines and a piece of text... it is insulated, galvanized, sheetmetal ductwork at 11'6 1/4" above finished floor routed flat on top... yada yada yada. How is this "workplace" conversion to the "new" engineering of Mechanical Systems going for others ? Or do you just draw the ductwork on the floor and rework it later ?

Enough for now- I need to feed the Monkeys,

[#2]

The "monkeys" running the keyboards are the primary
ones that need to truly understand this software.

I would probably suggest getting away from treating
them as "monkeys" and start training them on the ins and outs of
ABS04. Turn them into ABS CADD Techs and let them solve the problem of
maximizing effiency within the software.

Mastering ADT is not suggested, but getting some
basics down will help a lot. Pay close attention to Layer keying, display
representations and configurations, and the style manager.

As far as the multiple wall types and checking for
interferences... You mentioned three conditions for each wall type, if these can
be designated by layer you may be able to freeze the demo walls when checking
for interferences with new components, etc. And no, you don't have to use this
aspect of the program, but utilizing it during design may save you loads of
money during construction.

As far as a demonstration for remodeling... You
will find implementation hardest on remodel projects. If it's possible to
do a phased implementation I would try to implement ABS (and ADT for that
matter) on "new" projects first.

Most important of all, be prepared for some
transition time.

--
Gary J. Orr
CADD Manager
(218) 279-2421

href="mailto:Gary.Orr@LHBcorp.com">Gary.Orr@LHBcorp.com

LHB Engineers and Architects
21 West Superior Street, Suite
500
Duluth, Mn 55802
(218) 727-8446

href="http://www.LHBcorp.com">www.LHBcorp.com

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Greetings,

My employer has adopted the change to BS2004. We are developing lists of
things we need to do to implement the software to our team of 50+ design
professionals. I am working through the Tutorial for Building Systems at this
time. The software looks promising.

Should one "master" ADT before attempting BS2004 ? We are in need of a real
clear Demo of the software's potential, to see what we need to do to do to use
this to its full potential. I am not asking for Marketing propaganda, but a
real demonstration of remodeling an existing structure. Our vendor was not
able to provide us with such; does such a beast exist ?

Another concern I have come across is the concept of new, existing, and
Demo work. The architectural group is hard at work copying wall types in ADT
and creating the three different types of wall types for each and every common
wall type... geeze I think I lost myself. So the end result is three ADT
elements for each typical wall type.

IS this the only way I can graphically depict and utilize BS2004 ? I don't
need collision detection between new ductwork and demo'd ceiling grid.
Demo-pipe and new pipe ?

I also "read" that the design info must be given to the monkey working the
keyboard. BS2004 is not two lines and a piece of text... it is insulated,
galvanized, sheetmetal ductwork at 11'6 1/4" above finished floor routed flat
on top... yada yada yada. How is this "workplace" conversion to the "new"
engineering of Mechanical Systems going for others ? Or do you just draw the
ductwork on the floor and rework it later ?

Enough for now- I need to feed the Monkeys,