# Getting Started

### The Easiest Way to Get Started

After installing **MEP Hangers**, select MEP elements in your project and click **Insert Hangers**.

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Sample configurations for different MEP categories are created automatically. You can find them under the **Hanger Configurations** drop-down. The default preselected configuration (its name starts with **“01”**) attaches hangers to Floors or Roofs above. You can keep this configuration or select a different one from the list.

{% hint style="info" %}
The software displays **metric or imperial** configurations based on your **Project Units**.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
If you don’t see the sample configurations, refer to the [**Configuration Files**](#configuration-files) paragraph.
{% endhint %}

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If the configuration uses hanger families that are not loaded in your project, a message will appear suggesting you download them. Click **Load Families**. After the files are downloaded and loaded into your model, the same window will appear without the message, and the **Insert Hangers** button will be active. Click **Insert Hangers** to apply the configuration to the selected MEP elements.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you don’t see a message to load families and there are no families in the active model, see the [**Libraries of Hangers**](#libraries-of-hangers) paragraph.
{% endhint %}

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The hangers should now be inserted into the model.

{% hint style="warning" %}
If hangers are not inserted, check if you are using the correct configuration. By clicking **Edit** in the **Insert Hangers** window, you can view a description for each configuration.

\
For more help, see [**Resolving Common Issues**](https://docs.besmart.software/3d-modeling-and-design/mep-hangers/resolving-common-issues) or [**Hanger Configurations**](https://docs.besmart.software/3d-modeling-and-design/mep-hangers/configurations/hanger-configurations).
{% endhint %}

### Libraries of Hangers

If you don’t see the **Load Families** button in the **Insert Hangers** window and still don’t have hanger families in your project, use the **Load Families** command in the **MEP Hangers** toolbar.

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There are two sets of hanger libraries of Revit families provided. Both libraries contain the same generic products of commonly used hangers and supports.

{% hint style="info" %}
The [**provided families can be customized**](https://docs.besmart.software/3d-modeling-and-design/mep-hangers/families-of-hangers-and-supports/adding-new-sizes-for-unistruts-rods-cantilevers-or-other-parts) to use different rod or unistrut sizes and more.&#x20;

Users can also [**create and use their own families**](https://docs.besmart.software/3d-modeling-and-design/mep-hangers/families-of-hangers-and-supports/criteria-for-creating-your-own-families-of-hangers-supports).
{% endhint %}

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In this window, you will see either metric or imperial libraries depending on your project units. We have created dual libraries so that all provided families can be classified in both the **Mechanical Equipment** category and the **Structural Connections** category.

Some differences between the two:

| **Mechanical Equipment library**                                                                                         | **Structural Connections library**                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| <ul><li>Hangers are visible in view even when above the cut plane</li><li>Faster performance in Revit projects</li></ul> | <ul><li>Possible to create very accurate bills of materials because all components (rods, washers, nuts, clamps, etc.) are created as shared nested families and can be accounted for in Revit schedules</li></ul> |

**Mechanical Equipment** configurations are the default ones. If you’re using them, choose the **Mechanical Equipment** library.

{% hint style="success" %}
Our recommendation is to start with Mechanical Equipment families.
{% endhint %}

Alternatively, choose the **Structural Connections** library if you want to work with it. You will also need the **Structural Connections** configurations (covered in the next paragraph).

The first time you load families, you will need to download the library from the web. Tick the checkbox for your preferred library in the **Load from Web** column and click **OK**. Families will then be loaded into your Revit project.

In the future, since the library will already be downloaded, you can load it directly from your computer.

### Configuration Files

Sample configurations (for **Mechanical Equipment** hangers) are created automatically when you start using the software for the first time. Either metric or imperial configurations are displayed depending on your project units.

If you don’t see them (or want to generate a fresh set), go to **Settings → Configuration Files’ Location** in the **MEP Hangers** toolbar.

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In the next window, specify an empty folder and click **Save & Close.** Then, using any of the **MEP Hangers** commands, sample configurations will be created in that folder.

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If that still doesn’t work, or if you want to use the **Structural Connections** configurations, two sets are available for download below:

{% file src="<https://239424168-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FqtUsszuAWXIZhQhrvjnb%2Fuploads%2FndMsVmMwJeOJzj0RdeMS%2FConfigurations%20-%20Hangers%20-%20Mechanical%20Equipment.rar?alt=media&token=71a94206-95bd-4c83-b3e9-94a038328066>" %}

{% file src="<https://239424168-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FqtUsszuAWXIZhQhrvjnb%2Fuploads%2Fn17RroSSAGcXDcBo9qfI%2FConfigurations%20-%20Hangers%20-%20Structural%20Connections.rar?alt=media&token=b78033a7-39e9-47cf-8484-5143207ba042>" %}

Once downloaded, place the ZIP file in the folder where you want to keep your configurations. Extract the ZIP file to a folder (you can delete the ZIP afterward).

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In the **Configuration Files’ Location** window, specify the extracted folder and click **Save & Close**. All configurations will now be available for use.

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### Other Questions

If you are still unable to get started or have other questions, use the **Ask Us** section in the toolbar to submit a support ticket through the **Contact Support** command.

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Alternatively, you can write to [**support@besmart.software**](mailto:support@besmart.software) for technical or licensing questions, or to [**info@besmart.software**](mailto:info@besmart.software) for pricing inquiries.
