As contractors become more involved in the design process it becomes increasingly possible that mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering firms and construction companies could join forces. Would this actually help the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry? More and more construction projects are using Revit software models, increasing the need for Design Assist and integrated project delivery (IPD) projects. These methods seem to produce more accurate Revit software models; however, there are always issues of responsibility and money. In this session we will discuss the future of the AEC industry as it relates to MEP engineering firms. Come prepared to discuss the future and how this could help or hurt our industry.

This class is all about actually getting the (promised) benefits of building information modeling (BIM) by connecting and integrating MEP engineering and Revit BIM data and workflows. We'll build on our 2022 session, and provide more insights into the actual benefits our colleagues have experienced and how we take on this challenge, as well give the specific technical details that make these integrations work. We'll share the lessons we've learned about how to take on the challenge of developing connected workflows, who you should include in the process, and how you can make it work. We'll cover the whole spectrum, from idea to testing to global rollout, also highlighting the benefits that our colleagues have shared with us. We'll also focus on the technical side of the implementation, to make sure you get some useful tips when creating the tools to facilitate connected workflows. You'll gain an understanding of how this connected and integrated way of working can positively benefit your business outcome.

This session will provide an overview of ADSK’s strategy and vision for the MEP engineering sector. You will hear from CIBSE on their initiatives for digital engineering and from design consultancies on their use of Revit for MEP engineering.

The current standard practice in MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) design involves many parallel uses of a variety of engineering and computational tools, without a link between them. The results of these tools are often manually copied to the intelligent model, equipment schedules, room lists, and so on. This manual data copying is error prone, inefficient, and not especially fun to do. This class will present a workflow that integrates and automates engineering, calculation, and intelligent modeling in Revit software, resulting in major improvements in efficiency and quality of the MEP design process. We’ll also show and explain the different tools needed to practically implement this workflow. Think about thermal load calculations, pipe and duct sizing, electrical load assessment, cable length calculations, and management of design requirement data integrated within Revit. You’ll learn how you can actually break down the silos, keep and share data across disciplines and project phases, and communicate clearly with all stakeholders.

Have questions about the product roadmap for Revit for MEP Engineering? Join Autodesk product managers at Autodesk University and get them answered live.

Many MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) engineering calculations (heating/cooling loads, pipe and duct sizing, lighting calculations, and so on) are currently carried out in separate tools, with a separate model in each tool. Integrating engineering calculations in Revit software requires creating only one model, which greatly increases efficiency. Other benefits include increased quality and consistency of calculations, improved customer satisfaction, and the possibility to keep responding to the many design changes that can occur in the design of a project. This class will show how we have integrated engineering calculations in Revit. We aim to inspire you to start integrating your own calculations in Revit, and to reap the associated benefits.

The architecture, engineering, and construction industry is facing the need to provide the best design and engineering solutions within tight deadlines. Generative design is one of the most powerful approaches to overcoming this challenge by automating and exploring all possible design variations according to a set of design parameters. This class will show that generative design can be used for MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) design engineering. This class will use Revit 2019 software, Dynamo Visual Studio, and Project Fractal for MEP generative design. Specifically, you will discover how to create a ceiling plan via generative design, where the layout of air terminal devices and lighting devices will be automatically generated and explored. Moreover, we’ll explore thousands of design variations and coordinate them across disciplines by using Project Fractal. Hence, better design optimization can be accomplished in early stages, helping to make it easier to follow an integrated project delivery process and enhancing the decision-making process. Session generative design scripts can be downloaded from here: https://goo.gl/mUTZAM (may need to copy/paste link)

In 2019, this course received the Top Hands-On Lab for the event—and the last few years have dramatically changed how we all work and learn. The good news is that Autodesk products continue to evolve, and it's time to revisit this technical instruction course to make sure you're getting the most with your Revit MEP tools. We'll begin with an overview of energy modeling improvements and how electrical and HVAC analytical tools improve this workflow. Next, we'll examine HVAC and electrical system tips and new features to improve your engineering modeling results. You'll learn ways to manage your MEP connectors for consistent system results, and we'll close with updates on creating your schematic designs efficiently in Revit. The handouts will also include a ton of relevant data and samples beyond the class. Make sure you sign up early for this course, as it fills up quickly every time—and come have a blast with us!

Explore the forefront of MEP modeling efficiency with AI-driven automation techniques. This session provides a deep dive into the use of Avant Leaps tools within Revit software for sophisticated MEP design and conflict resolution. Attendees will learn how to harness automated pattern-based modeling to standardize and expedite the creation of MEP systems. The workshop will cover strategic applications of AI to detect and resolve clashes early in the design process, significantly enhancing coordination and reducing rework. By integrating these AI-nurtured solutions, participants will achieve more-streamlined project execution and improved team collaboration.

Explore the forefront of MEP modeling efficiency with AI-driven automation techniques. This session provides a deep dive into the use of Avant Leaps tools within Revit software for sophisticated MEP design and conflict resolution. Attendees will learn how to harness automated pattern-based modeling to standardize and expedite the creation of MEP systems. The workshop will cover strategic applications of AI to detect and resolve clashes early in the design process, significantly enhancing coordination and reducing rework. By integrating these AI-nurtured solutions, participants will achieve more-streamlined project execution and improved team collaboration.

Instead of starting with a blank drawing or model, this class will investigate how codified design knowledge can be used to give a better starting point to MEP engineers. This class will discuss ways to augment the existing conceptual design process of MEP engineering using optioneering, generative design, and cloud computation. Using Dynamo and Hypar, engineers can improve the way they conceptually design 3D models and airflow diagrams. The process will rapidly produce different mechanical system configurations based on varying sites, solution metrics, and architectural inputs. We’ll also look at how Forge and the Revit API can be used to assist in model creation and data synchronization.

People often associate Dynamo software with designing complex parametric geometry; but Dynamo software is not just a tool for creating funky shapes, it’s a whiz at processing all kinds of data. This class will demonstrate various examples of how Dynamo software has been applied to common MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) engineering tasks to make them more efficient or more accurate. We will cover linking Revit Space naming utility information to Revit software families, using Dynamo software as an engine for MEP calculations, using Dynamo software to give you visual feedback on how hard equipment is being asked to work in your design, and using Microsoft Excel as a source of data for much of the above. You also needn't worry if you are completely new to Dynamo software (most MEP folk will be), as we will cover enough basics to get you going before we dive into the advanced stuff.

The evolution of Revit software for engineering, modeling, and design is having a major impact on the MEP design process. Autodesk continues to add new features, but bells and whistles are not the only things a user needs to understand. Taking advantage of key workflows can help you get more from your Revit tools than ever before. This hands-on lab will begin with an overview of the electrical improvements to help represent a more accurate design, and then we’ll move into new elevation features that affect all disciplines. Next, we’ll take a look at ways to improve your engineering analysis results, and we’ll close with new ways to move your schematic designs from AutoCAD software to Revit. Shore up some weak areas in your everyday work by learning how to use these tools and get more from BIM!

In this class, you will discover the power of the Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collection for MEP design, detailing, estimation, and fabrication. Learn how to start the workflow using Revit models from consultants, or just a reference AutoCAD 2D drawing or a PDF. Learn how efficiently contractors can achieve an LOD 400 MEP detailed model that is estimable, fabrication ready, and all set for proper coordination and site execution work.

Converging technologies will soon disrupt the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry as new automated workflows emerge. Generative design is the pinnacle of these new workflows. Once a problem is thoroughly and adequately defined, all possible design variations can be produced, explored, scored, and optimized. This class will show that generative design can be used for MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) design engineering. We’ll use Revit software and Dynamo 2.0 to define a specific problem that will then be used to explore a range of design options for ceiling plans and duct layouts. We’ll then rank the design variations to explore cost and energy consumption using Project Refinery. Going through this exercise will show how, with a thoroughly defined problem, we can use data science to explore a more extensive array of design options to ultimately make better design choices, saving both time and money, and letting the engineer focus on more critical tasks.

This class presents an in-depth look at how to use Revit® MEP software with cloud tools for collaboration workflows in MEP engineering firms. We demonstrate the benefits of various cloud services , such as BIM 360™ Glue®, rendering as a service, and Autodesk® Simulation-based software. What is the big picture and how do the cloud services work together to add much more value than any one program alone? How do these cloud services fit in with Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows and how can you use them side-by side with Revit MEP? We answer these questions and more as we teach you how to use BIM with cloud to collaborate with your extended design team. Afterwards, join us for the panel discussion MP3174 Come Fly with Us in the Cloud: BIM Panel Discussion.

The next generation of Insight in Revit 2025 software is a powerful tool for predicting carbon usage in building designs from the earliest design stages. With this highly accessible tool, anyone can participate in the process of making critical decisions regarding the sustainable design of a building. By combining Revit model data with the open-source EnergyPlus engine, fast and accurate energy calculations become easy for all Revit users. Learn how Victus Engineering, a small MEP firm in St. Paul, Minnesota, used the next generation of Insight to design a sustainable library building. From the earliest schematic design stages, Victus engineers used Insight in combination with other Revit tools like Systems Analysis to select and rightsize equipment, design sustainable systems, and drive conversations with the architect regarding the overall direction of the design. Design more-sustainable buildings, reduce carbon usage, and meet stringent sustainability goals with this powerful tool.

This class will demonstrate how using a Revit model as a single source of information for MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) engineering design, installation detailing, and fabrication data can reduce rework, increase accuracy of the model, and improve workflow efficiency of the entire design process. The class will be demonstrated from the point of view of electrical systems, but the lessons can be applied to other trades as well. Challenges this class will address include the following: 1) How to create Revit families that address the needs of all involved in the project (engineers, installers, owners, fabricators, other trades), and how to make them easy to understand and use; 2) How to maintain a balance of enough information to accomplish design goals but not add too much information that model performance is slowed or undue burden is placed on the designers; 3) How to identify opportunities for kitting and assemblies by using modeled data in Revit software. We'll also cover strategies for an iterative design workflow between engineers and installers.

This class will present BAM's approach to MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) through the design, engineering, and subcontractor Building Information Modeling (BIM) process, along with the end in mind for facilities management (FM) operations. We’ll look at how BAM worked closely with Autodesk Consulting to deliver a set of tools that defines who does what at all stages of a project in a collaborative BIM environment, including how you can pass BIM model data along to non-BIM engineering staff to streamline all aspects of the process. The presentation will look at the effectiveness for BAM of the Autodesk Consulting methodology used throughout this challenging working practice for the MEP industry, and how BAM adopted the processes and worked with the Consulting Team to deliver an effective outcome. We will show tools for the data requirements, classifications, and scheduling requirements for all stages of an MEP project, and we’ll discuss how the process can extend into the fabrication level of a project.