Thoughts on M.E.P

I was just wondering what are people thoughts on the M.E.P software for 2008
It seems nice to me, but its not for everybody in my opinion.

Most people i have talk to like it alot since they can do 3 jobs at once but the downfall is u must know a little 3d and adt.Other than that it is a powerful program

Tsario... welcome to "The Forum"...
I use M.E.P. 2008 where I work. I must say Not even I have been able tap into this programs total efficiency. At first installation when using the program there are a few bugs which have been fixed by Autodesk. One of my favorite things in the prog. is creating equipment in 3D then infusing it into the M.E.P. system. Feel free to ask any thing else about the prog. and I'll do my best to assist you.

Interesting.......

What separates M.E.P 2008 from AutoCAD 2008?
It draws on computer resources a bit, but it is quite nice to use for 3D.

I havent had much experience with it.
So one of my questions would be, what kind of equipment do you create in 3D and infuse into M.E.P
and how do you do that

Lets see considering the fact that in order to do this coarse @ C.T.C. you have to go through ACA 2008(Formerly ADT), considered the step up from ACAD 2008.... Ammmmm.... Alot!!!

M.E.P is like the step after (ACA 2008).

While it will take me two to four pages to list the literal GAP differences.
I'll give you a few :

1) MEP's entire system settings is configured to handle the MEP Objects which are both 2D and 3D. So this means - Normally - you cannot expect to open an MEP file - yes, it will open - in an ACAD programme and view the same Objects you would view in MEP in ACAD. But you can create 2D & 3D objects in ACAD and view, use and fuse them in MEP and its system.

2) MEP Objects, which are called "Smart Objects", are like blocks on steriods, scratch that, it's like they have been brought to life.... They know what they are, where to go and how to react. Objects in ACAD simply don't....
Also if, well...not if, rather, when you do the ACA coarse you will encounter "MVBlocks" (Multi-View Blocks). In MEP MVBlocks evolve into "MVParts" (Multi-View Parts).
To make an MVPart in short the process is : 3D Object>Block/MVBlock>MVPart.
For example if you had a MVBlock in the form of a toilet in ACA; in MEP this toilet now has the ability to connect to a pipe system or run a pipe from itself to connect to a pipe system.

3) In MEP we see the evolution of ACAD's "Dynamic blocks"(2D) into "Parametric Parts"(3D)(This is a topic by itself).

Is your appetite increasing yet. Haha!!!!!

4) In MEP there exists five (5) main workspaces to choose from and one bonus workspace. Consecutively, they are:

• HVAC

• Piping

• Electrical

• Plumbing

• Schematic

• Architectural

Each with their own system and display pre-configuration and their own Tool Palettes etc..
ACAD doesn't have that..., if you had to do a Project requiring just one of these formats you'd have to create it from scratch then worry about the remaining finer details. MEP gives you most of the tools to work with; it's as if the project itself, Mechanical, Electrical and/or Plumbing is coming to life on your PC. This allows, as with all of Autodesk's "evolved" software, you the Draughtsman/Engineer to make changes and correct errors before the actual project has even begun.

5) MEP has Project Organisation Ability. ACAD doesn't....

Hope this "bit" of information intrigues you Tsario.
Thirst for more, I recommend a "Site Visit"

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=8475379
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/acadmep09-detail_0118238_us.pdf

Quite intriguing.....
Thanks for the response

I observed a lot of those differences too on my own
And its been pleasure using the pre-defined workspaces
and the blocks as well

Definitely made me thirsty

I think I mite try out the MVParts

Which is better to do after level 3CAD, MEP or ACAD. I'm a student who want to have the ability to design my own building and size my HVAC design as well. So which path should I take.

well in my thought u need the acad to use mep properly since both software are related to each other meaning acad is for the design of the building and mep is for the design of the hvac and etc.Both at the same time the same way you model in acad it can be done in mep.so in other words go to mep is not a problem ,but will become one if you want to do proper Architecutral Designs

Thanks, so I know what I have to focus on. Being a Gr8 Architecutral Designer is 1st on the list after I will focus on MEP. Being able to design a house/buildng and have all the electricals,pluming and a/c provided in a drawing wins the client confidence in a person, and I want to be that marketable