Is there a way to explode AutoCad MEP Objects into AutoCad without them changing to multiple lines.

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I have received a drawing where all objects are 3D (an AutoCad MEP Drawing) which I need to convert into 2D objects so we can edit the drawing easier in normal AutoCad.

However there seems to be no easy way of doing this. I have enablers active so I can see the drawing, however using explode on these turns them into alot of lines and/or objects which still cant be edited.

I have tried to use the Flatshot, Flatten, and exporttoautocad commands but none of these have the desired effect or simply do not do anything. Is there any way to just turn them into simple 2D drawings without turning them into multiple objects?

The closest command I have got to work is using the flatten command and saying Yes to removing hidden lines, however this command works oddly depending on how far zoomed out you are and it would take too long to use this command whilst zoomed in enough to make it turn the objects into somewhat usable lines.

Surely there must be a way?

Thankyou.

[RSomppi]

Try using Drawing TrueView, free from Autodesk, to convert the MEP objects to vanilla AutoCAD. Then try flatten. This might get you closer to what you want.

[pendean]

@Anonymous Ask the MEP user to "export to autocad" for you and send you new files.

Or in AutoCAD yourself if it is new enough try AECTOACAD or DWGCONVERT command and see if that's any better.

Or install/use AutoCADMEP yourself: it is free to anyone with an active AutoCAD subscription (and also includes https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/included-toolsets)

@Anonymous There is no need to download/install any other software or viewer unless you are running an old AutoCAD variant to do any of the above. That's old info: just look under the Big Red A's SAVEAS menu options at the very bottom.

[RSomppi]

Sorry...

Haven't had to use non-vertical AutoCAD in a long time. Just working from memory but the solution still works, right?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice.

Unfortunately we do not have the option to ask for these to be pre exported.

I have AutoCad MEP (2020 version) but those commands do not work. They make an autocad file which requires enablers to view the objects still, and exploding any of these objects turns them into hundreds of shapes/lines still.

@RSomppi Thanks as well but this also didn't work.

I've attached some quick pictures to hopefully better explain.

The first Pic: shows the objects on AutoCad after using the convert to Acad command from MEP. It shows the objects are still MEP objects and nothing has changed.

The second Pic: Shows what happens to the objects when using the explode command, this makes the objects now "editable" and viewable to others without the MEP toolset or enablers but has turned it into many objects. These are not fully editable either though.

The third Pic: Shows what happens to the objects if I use the Flatten command with the option to remove hidden lines. It turns them into what I can "Spaghetti lines" but at least they somewhat resemble how I want the objects to look like and work. This command works better or worse depending on how far in/out you are zoomed in.

Idealy I want to be able to explode objects like the second pic, with them retaining the appearance of the first pic, without them turning into spaghetti lines like the third pic.

[RSomppi]

You must not be doing it correctly. The conversion process, when done properly, eliminates the need for object enablers. That is, unless they are using non-Autodesk software. Those tools were in my daily arsenal for many years.

Maybe you mean that you aren't getting what you want?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure of any other way of using the Conversion, Export or Flatten commands though.

If I click into properties for one of the symbols it displays it as being recognised as a CADmep+ object.  

[LjubanL]

Hi,

its old theme but for others - when I have autocad mep objects (mv parts/duct/pipes) and i want to get 2d drawings just export to auto cad but the most important thing-you need to do export from top view (please see gif).

also very often  instead of using flatten command or similar in  autocad mep I used COMAND: CREATEHLR

BR

Ljuban

[LjubanL]

Also I forgot to say in previous post that sometimes in autocad mep in some templates someone check options that you always look 3d model even if you are in 2d view and when you export from top view you will get again 3d...

I put gif in attachment and you can see how I change options and from top view I get 3d view and in previous post I get from top view 2d drawings...

Basically in autocad mep when you are in top - plan view you are always look at 2d drawing- but you can change this if you want...