Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Revit MEP?

Revit® MEP software is the building information modeling design and documentation software for MEP engineering. Use an intuitive design tool that works the way engineers think. Minimize coordination errors between mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering design teams; collaborate with architects and structural engineers using the Revit® platform and building information modeling workflows; and realize better building performance analysis support for engineers.

2. Why should I switch to the AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite?

AutoCAD® Revit® MEP Suite software turns unparalleled flexibility to maximum advantage. By combining the industry-leading AutoCAD® MEP application with the immediate benefits of the Revit MEP building information modeling (BIM) software, this solution protects your investment in technology, training, and design data; accelerates engineering design and analysis; and enhances coordination of your presentations and documentation. It also enables you to move to BIM at your own pace.

3. Content is very important to our business. What content has been added to Revit MEP 2009?

In addition to the new content of the mid-year content extension, which more than doubled the MEP components available for use in Revit MEP, a significant amount of new content has been added to the 2009 version:

• Commercial condensing units up to 130 tons
• Air-cooled and water-cooled vertical packaged systems up to 60 tons
• Horizontal and vertical belt-drive DX and CW fan coils, stacked fan coils, and ceiling-mounted fan coils
• Packaged air handlers up to 25 tons
• Gas-fired and electric commercial packaged rooftop units to 130 tons
• Down-flow, vertical, and horizontal high-efficiency water source heat pumps up to 20 tons
• Occupancy and daylighting sensors
• Consolidation of Revit® Architecture light catalogs with Revit MEP catalogs
• Volumetric and direct-indirect lights.

4. How can I support sustainable design efforts using Revit MEP 2009?

Built-in duct, pipe, and electrical sizing tools dynamically interact with the BIM and built-in heating and cooling load analysis tools to optimize system design for maximum efficiency and more accurately predict the performance of building systems. Export to gbXML (green building extensible markup language) and API (application programming interface) links allow industry-standard tools such as Integrated Environmental Solutions’ <Virtual Environment> (IES <VE>) to further optimize building designs for energy analysis, lifecycle cost, CFD, daylight, solar gain studies, and many other types of building performance analysis.

5. What integrated tools are available in Autodesk’s MEP software solutions to help support sustainable design?

Sustainable design tools in AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite include:

• Duct sizing (AutoCAD MEP, Revit MEP)
• Pipe sizing (Revit MEP)
• Plumbing fixture unit sizing (AutoCAD MEP, Revit MEP)
• Electrical feeder sizing (Revit MEP)
• Panel schedule loads (AutoCAD MEP, Revit MEP)
• Heating/cooling loads (Revit MEP)
• Solar shading (Revit MEP)
• gbXML export to trace 700, IES <VE>, and others (AutoCAD MEP, Revit MEP)
• API link to IES <VE> (Revit MEP)
• API link to Elite software (AutoCAD MEP)
• API link to EC-CAD® (AutoCAD MEP)

6. What are the hardware and system requirements?

The recommended hardware and operating system requirements for running Revit MEP 2009 software can be found here. Please ensure that you have read these requirements before making your purchasing decision.

7. Does Revit MEP software work in a Windows Vista environment?

AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite 2009 software supports Windows Vista® Home Premium, Ultimate, and Business versions.  (Please refer to the AutoCAD MEP 2009 Q&A document for specific information regarding AutoCAD MEP 2009 compatibility)  In addition, the AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite 2009 software takes advantage of some new Vista capabilities, specifically thumbnail previews for DWG™ and DWF™ files in Windows Explorer, display of properties in the Detail tab of Windows Explorer, and the ability to use the Windows Vista search tools to locate text strings found in drawing properties, text, mtext, and so forth, in the DWG file.

8. How can I support my clients’ demands for integrated project delivery using Autodesk’s MEP software solutions?

MEP designs developed in either AutoCAD MEP or Revit MEP contain a level of information in the digital design that supports clear and complete information transfer between disciplines on the project, streamlining collaborative workflows.

9. Is Revit MEP 2009 software compatible with earlier versions?

Yes. You can open files created in earlier releases of Revit MEP software but you cannot subsequently save them in earlier release versions of Revit MEP.

10. Are AutoCAD MEP software and Revit MEP software files interoperable?

You can exchange drawing information (2D DWG files) between AutoCAD MEP and Revit MEP software through their respective Export to AutoCAD features. You can also export architectural building elements from AutoCAD MEP and import them into Revit MEP software using the International Alliance for Interoperability’s Industry Foundation Class (IFC) standards. With AutoCAD MEP, you can also manually assign IFC classifications for MEP objects such as ducts, pipe, and etc.

In addition, Revit MEP software has the ability to read and write ACIS solids. This capability gives users a way to export their models from AutoCAD MEP software and then import or link this 3D information to Revit MEP or Revit Architecture software.

11. What benefits do I get by subscribing to the AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite?

Autodesk® Subscription is the best way to keep your design tools and learning up to date. For an annual fee you get any new upgrades of your Autodesk software and any incremental product enhancements, if these are released during your subscription term, as well as self-paced training options, access to subscription-only modules, and a broad range of other technology and business benefits.

With Autodesk Subscription, you can take advantage of Autodesk e-Learning. Its concise, self-paced online lessons are designed to address crucial application functions and industry practices. Experts in their respective industries developed the lessons to challenge and enhance your existing knowledge. By the end of each 15- to 30-minute lesson, you will have worked with the content, demonstrated your knowledge, and have access to the files used in each exercise.

Autodesk Subscription also includes direct web support. You have access to one-to-one online communication with Autodesk support technicians, so you can quickly get complete answers to your installation, configuration, and troubleshooting questions. Web and email communications deliver support straight to your desktop. Plus, you have web access to your account, so you can track and manage questions and responses.

For more information about Autodesk Subscription, contact your Autodesk Authorized Reseller or visit www.autodesk.com/subscription.