Revit

You noticed that menus available in the AutoCAD user interface, such as the Viewport or Dimension menu, are not available in the AutoCAD MEP user interface, and you want to add them. You need to transfer the AutoCAD menu items from the acad.cui file to the abs.cui file. Follow these steps:

1. Right-click any of the toolbars. Click Customize.
2. Expand the Customize User Interface dialog box by clicking the arrow located in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.
3. Click the Transfer tab.Note that there are now two panels in the Customize User Interface dialog box: a left panel, "Customizations in Main CUI," which contains the settings for the current user interface, and a right panel, "Customization in New CUI File," which can be used to load external CUI files.
4. Click New CUI file menu > Open.
5. In the Open dialog box, browse to the following file:
• On Windows XP:C:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Autodesk\ACD-MEP 2008\enu\Support
• On Windows Vista:C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ACD-MEP 2008\enu\Support
6. Open the file.
7. Expand the Menus item in both the left and right panels.
8. Drag the Dimension menu item from the right panel (acad.CUI) into the left panel(abs.CUI). Note that the Dimension menu item is now available in both columns.

If you want to change the order in which menus are displayed in AutoCAD MEP

1. Click the Customize tab.
2. Select the Current workspace and click Customize Workspace.
3. In the Workspace Contents panel, expand the Menus items that are not highlighted in blue.
4. Drag the Dimensions menu, currently at the bottom of the list, to the desired location between the other menu items.
5. Click Done.
6. Click OK.

These changes are stored in the current workspaces and saved in the Main Customization file, which for a default installation of AutoCAD Architecture is .If you want to use this customized configuration on another computer, replace the Main Customization file on the target computer with the customized one.

Once you investigate the use of anchors in your AutoCAD MEP environment, you won’t know how you ever lived without them. In this example we will use anchors to link switches to doors. If a door moves, the switch moves with it. If the door swing changes. The switch updates automatically.First, let’s take a look at what anchors do for you and what types are available.An anchor is a general linking mechanism within AutoCAD MEP. AutoCAD MEP and AutoCAD Architecture objects can be anchored to each other, enabling you to create a relationship between objects. Anchoring objects can be useful for positioning air terminals or light fixtures in a ceiling grid, or switches to walls or doors. You can choose from three types of anchors to attach building systems objects.AutoCAD Architecture AnchorsYou can locate these anchor tools in Content Browser / ADT Stock Tool Catalog / Parametric Layout and Anchoring Tools

• Object anchors are used to attach AEC objects to another AEC object.
• Curve anchors are used to attach objects to the base curve of other objects.
• Leader anchors are used to attach nodes on a layout curve with a leader.
• Node anchors are used to attach nodes on a layout curve or grid.
• Cell anchors are used to attach objects to positions on a 2D layout curve or grid. You an also attach cell anchors to 3D volume grids.
• Volume anchors are used to attach objects to a 3D volume grid.

AutoCAD MEP AnchorsYou can locate these anchor tools in Content Browser / ABS Stock Tool Catalog / Common / Common Items

• Curve anchors are used to attach objects to a base curve, typically the centerline of other objects.
• System anchors are used to attach objects to a system run. Anchored objects can be moved along the entire run to other runs assigned to the same system.
• Reference anchors are used to attach objects by reference to other objects, such as attaching an end-of-line schematic symbol to a schematic line. When the symbol is moved, the line maintains connectivity and is stretched to the new location.

Anchor Device to a RunThe first example we will try is to anchor a switch to door in the architectural reference file. Yes…you can anchor through to the reference file AEC objects.Select the AutoCAD Architecture Object Anchor tool and identify your switch symbol and the object you want to anchor. Then press to continue and identify the door you want to anchor the switch to.Next, we need to simulate the architect moving the door in the floor plan file. To do this I will use the Edit Xrefin- Place command available on the menu.Move the door you anchored to along the wall to a new location and save the changes back to the reference file.Your switch should automatically move to the new door location.Try it for the emergency exit light moving with the door too! You might have to edit some of the run linework on this one! Try it for a ceiling diffuser or a light fixture moving with the ceiling grid.To remove anchors you can use the grips provided to release the anchor.

Autodesk has signed an agreement to acquire NavisWorks, a privately-held company based in Sheffield, England that provides software for 3D coordination, collaboration and sequencing in design and construction for approximately $25 million in USD cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. The acquisition underscores Autodesk’s commitment to help its customers derive the greatest possible value from the information created during all phases of the design process. NavisWorks is a global provider of software that enables full exploitation of the benefits of 3D digital designs in the construction, plant and marine design markets for purposes ranging from design coordination and clash detection to construction simulations. Its products are used by many of the world’s leading construction companies, architects, engineers, process and power firms and shipbuilders. NavisWorks products support increased interoperability by coordinating design information from multiple sources. The company is also a Charter Member of the USA National BIM standard.Autodesk currently plans to offer new solutions that incorporate both NavisWorks and Autodesk technology, and to continue supporting the existing NavisWorks product line “The acquisition of NavisWorks is part of Autodesk’s commitment to offering more complete solutionsacross the AEC industry” said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president, Autodesk AEC Solutions. “The addition of NavisWorks technology to the Autodesk portfolio will help our customers leverage their design data to make better design and construction decisions and increase the value of their investments in design technology.”“For more than 7 years, NavisWorks solutions have helped design professionals across the construction, building, plant, and marine industries better collaborate, create more coordinated designs, and work more efficiently,” said Peter Thompson, CEO of NavisWorks. “The combination of NavisWorks and Autodesk technology is an excellent match. Our products augment the coordinated, consistent, and computable information produced by the Revit platform for building information modeling, and can aggregate that information with data from other sources including AutoCAD, Inventor and Civil 3D, to build the most complete understanding possible of the overall project. We are excited to join the Autodesk family.”