Dynamo Automatically Generates MEP System Names, Materials, and Colors
When creating MEP models, it is crucial to establish systems based on their specific functions. This step ensures the smooth execution of BIM processes such as system design parameter verification, quantity takeoff, construction simulation, and procurement of equipment and materials after the model is created. In Revit® MEP software, mechanical and electrical piping systems are typically categorized into default types, including sanitary equipment, household cold water, household hot water, circulating water supply and return, dry fire protection, wet fire protection, pre-action fire protection, other fire protection systems, air supply, return air, exhaust, and electrical bridge systems. However, this classification often falls short of meeting actual project requirements for two main reasons:
1) Different design firms use varying naming conventions for electromechanical systems;
2) The number and types of electromechanical systems differ between projects.
Making temporary adjustments to project templates during early preparation can be time-consuming. If these template files are not thoroughly customized, it can negatively impact collaborative modeling efforts and management. To improve collaboration efficiency and accuracy in early project stages, combining Dynamo and Excel allows for automatic generation of electromechanical system names.
System Colors and Materials
During electromechanical design, differentiating between various piping systems is essential. This requires classifying systems and controlling their visual presentation. Depending on industry standards, design preferences, or owner requirements, different display colors must be assigned to each system. Initially, manually duplicating materials, renaming them, and modifying properties within the project template was tedious and prone to errors. These errors are often difficult to detect but can significantly affect later project phases. As mentioned, using Dynamo alongside Excel enables rapid, batch creation of materials and their application to different systems efficiently and accurately.
Creating Excel Data Tables to Automate Project System Generation
Excel can be used to organize a table listing system names, materials, and color data for all mechanical and electrical systems involved in a project. This table should include:
1) A comprehensive list of electromechanical systems and their correspondence to Revit®’s default system types in MEP software;
2) Parameter details that need to be added or modified for each system type, such as system abbreviations, type annotations, materials, and colors. An example Excel table structure is shown below:
Using Dynamo to Generate Project-Specific Electromechanical Template Files
The process includes:
4.1 Reading the dataset established in Excel
4.2 Sorting data based on Revit® default system types in MEP
4.3 Renaming and reorganizing system names
4.4 Detecting various system types accurately
4.5 Copying Revit’s original system family categories
4.6 Generating system names consistent with project drawings
4.7 Assigning materials to each system
4.8 Setting the color attributes for the required materials
4.9 Applying the newly created materials with their corresponding attributes
For large electromechanical projects, dozens of systems may need to be defined within a building. By following this workflow, BIM managers only need to prepare a unified Excel table. Then, using Dynamo’s visual programming capabilities, they can automatically and precisely generate all system types, assign materials, and set system component colors in bulk. This greatly enhances modeling efficiency.
The output of the above program is illustrated in the following figure:
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