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View Filters vs System Type Graphic Overrides for Piping

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Message 1 of 6
CRLindo
824 Views, 5 Replies

View Filters vs System Type Graphic Overrides for Piping

This has probably been covered in this forum but I thought to ask the question.

I am in the middle of developing new MEP templates for my organization. Currently, the templates are pretty cut-n-dry; basic systems for fire protection, domestic hot, cold, hydronic supply, etc. Right now, they have not only the Piping Systems added to the project but also Graphic Overrides per System Type where it allows someone to draw, say domestic hot for example, in a particular style (double dashed) and color (red).

Personally, I have seen View Filters be used to override how piping systems appear in a view rather than dictating the Graphic Overrides in the System Type settings. What is the general opinion here? I want to lean to View Filters because then we can control how these things show in 3D views vs Sections vs Floor Plans, vs different scales.. etc. But I totally get the convenience of just drawing the pipe and it coming in with all the graphic overrides already applied without having to fiddle around with the filters (add, remove, create new templates, etc.)

General opinion and reasons why? Thank you!

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Message 2 of 6
dmiller_SCE
in reply to: CRLindo

Regardless if you decide to use filters to control your piping graphically, I would recommend creating the filters anyways so that you will have options of individually turning on/ off different systems. Keep in mind that if you use the filters to control the graphics, such as line type and weight of the piping, this will override phase setting graphics, so keep that in mind. I use a hybrid system where I set the system-type graphics to the company standards (AKA the most common graphic scenario). However, I already have all of the filters created and assigned to the appropriate view templates, and within the view templates, I can use the filters to modify the graphics as needed. For reference, I work in a consulting MEP firm, and it is common  For 1/8" scale views to show piping as a single line where the return is dashed.  This is the most common scenario for my company and how I set up the system type graphics. However, if we generate a section or 3D view of the same pipe we will show the piping as double line, and I use filters to override the graphics to be continuous line type in the view template for those views. 

Message 3 of 6
craigjonnson
in reply to: CRLindo

We applied the colour back in the system properties. We have perhaps 30 or more service types, and the colours change on the flow and return to make it easier to tell them apart,  just a shade difference. We since moved to fabrication content where we now have to manage filters for colouring, it takes so much more time managing that than the service applied revit design systems. 

You will still get into filters for insulation, etc. Just dont apply a thickness in your filters as its applied to all line weights of that type, so hidden lines, insulation, etc. all end up with the weight you applied to that category.

Message 4 of 6

I've worked with both ways, I much prefer to use System properties to define color and linetype of the piping as opposed to filters. There are some drawbacks, namely that whenever others link the MEP model, it keeps those colors. I always have Architects asking me why my pipes are blue and red and how to turn them black and white. Another quirk is that most Plumbing fixtures, air terminals, mech equipment etc. will inherit the system type view properties unless there is more than one system connected. For our print views we print in color to show revision clouds, titleblock etc. in color, but all the elements are black. To do this I create a filter for all MEP equipment and override the color to black. I also have a separate filter that keeps the linetypes as Solid for all equipment and fixtures. An easy way to convey this to other disciplines is either have them create the same filter in their model, or create a view with that filter turned on that they can use as 'linked view' in their model. 

 

Using only filters to control linetype is frustrating when users need to add additional system types or when using a view that doesn't already have the filters loaded. However, as others mentioned, it is good practice (imo) to keep those 'layer' filters available to quickly toggle visible system types for things like riser diagrams, domestic vs. sanitary piping floor plan views, section views when designing, etc. 

Message 5 of 6
CRLindo
in reply to: CRLindo

Thanks so much for the information!

 

I think the best approach is a hybrid one as mentioned by a few others. Filters for the flexibility per view but system type graphic overrides for the overall coloring and control.

 

As with most things Revit, this may change in actual practice.

 

Thanks again!

Message 6 of 6

Thank you for your comment about phasing - I am using piping system graphics to set color/linetype with a single 'print' filter to turn all to black and was having an issue with phasing. My fix was to change my filter to select elements with 'phase created' to 'new construction' which released existing and demo elements back to the phase settings. 

 

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