MEP settings

Users are given a set of tools and configurations for Beams, line-based MEP element Categories and System Classifications;

Cut Opening supports Round, Rectangular or Oval Ducts, Fire Protection, Plumbing, Sanitary, Hydronic, and Other Pipes, Cable Trays, Conduits, and Beams;

Users can define Common Settings, Cut Offsets, Join Opening offsets, and full interference requirements.

Common Settings

These configurations stay the same in all three tabs: Cut Offsets / Join Openings / Interference Check.

Dimension Priority and Minimum Width/Height

Here, users can set a minimal opening size to be created. Dimension priority shows the dimension according to which the software will choose the minimal opening size. There are three possibilities – Width, Height, or Both. Minimum opening size to be created according to Dimension Priority

Mark

After the insertion of openings, they will be marked with user-predefined marks in the parameter "Opening Mark". Users can use any mark for different opening types.

Example: Rectangular Duct – D, Round Duct – RD, Oval Duct – OD, Pipe: Plumbing - PP

Minimum size

Here, users can set the minimal MEP element dimension, below which the openings will not be created.

Elevation Calculation

Cut Opening automatically calculates the elevation of the opening. Users can define the elevation calculation system:

Level – calculates elevation from Host level;

Project – calculates from project „zero“ point;

Shared - calculates from global „zero“ point.

Elevation calculation position on an opening element: Top / Center / Bottom

Cut Offsets

Users can apply cut offset or defined opening size. To add new rules or remove the existing ones, click on the "+" or "x" buttons below the table.

Apply Cut Offset

Defines the opening offset value from the real element. Users can set different Cut Offsets for different ranges of element sizes(1);

Apply defined opening size

Defines constant size of the openings for a range of MEP sizes(2);

Insulation Thickness

Users can define different configurations for different insulation thicknesses(3). For different insulation thicknesses, different opening sizes can be defined.

Parameter Values

From / To – parameter defines the range of element sizes for which offset functionality will be applied;

Opening Shape – defines the shape of the opening. Possible to use Rectangle and Round openings;

Cut Offset – offset value from element to opening enclosure;

Additional Top / Bottom Cut Offset - offset value from element to opening Top or Bottom enclosure;

Opening diameter – defines constant opening size if an opening is set to be round;

Opening Width / Opening Height - defines constant opening size if an opening is set to be rectangle;

Opening size by – Opening cut offset is defined in accordance with this parameter. It could be Outer or Nominal.

Join Openings

Join opening lets users join several nearby standing openings into one big opening with predefined configurations. "Intersection Offset", or distance from which the openings should be joined is measured between the closest points of two nearby openings.

Note: After joining openings the only possible opening shape is rectangular. Cut Openings finds the extremum of several openings and creates one opening instead.

Select "Auto Join" to automatically join the openings of the predefined sizes

Users can define different configurations for different insulation thicknesses.

Interference Check

Interference check turns on or turns off the creation of openings where MEP objects do not go through the structural element completely (partial interference);

Users can define whether they wish to create openings in case of partial interferences.

To create openings only in case of full interference, users must turn the "Full Interference setting" on.

Full Interference – the parameter that grants or denies the creation of openings when the MEP element does not cross over the structural element. If this is turned ON – then full interference is required (MEP element should fully cross the structural element) if OFF – not full interference is allowed.