Cleaning Up Level 2 Piping Plan for Mechanical and Ductwork Visibility

Adjusting Visibility Graphics and Annotating Piping Plans for Level 2 Configuration

Explore the comprehensive steps to successfully navigate a level 2 piping plan, including the functions of visibility graphics and model categories. Learn the importance of proper labelling and maintaining a clean workspace in projects involving piping plans.

Key Insights

  • The article provides a step-by-step guide to work with a level 2 piping plan, emphasizing the importance of visibility graphics for clean and efficient working.
  • Instructions are given on how to simplify the workspace by removing unnecessary elements such as mechanical and ductwork items, stressing the need for cleanliness in project management.
  • There's a focus on proper tagging and annotation, demonstrating its necessity for clear communication on piping plans. The article also highlights the importance of hiding unnecessary elements for overall project clarity.

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Let's go ahead and open our Level 2 piping plan and continue with the same process. Before we do that, we don't want to show any of this mechanical piping here, so let's open our Visibility Graphics by typing VV. Then go to Model Categories and look for any Mechanical and Ductwork elements.

Let's turn off Duct Accessories, Duct Fittings, Duct Insulation, Duct Linings, Mechanical Equipment, Flex Ducts, Flex Pipe, any MEP equipment, and Air Terminals. There we go. We don't have anything on Level 1, so that's fine.

If we had multiple projects, we could go to our View Template and set up a template to hide those elements, but since we only have two levels, it's fine to just hide them in this case. So let's go back to Annotate > Tag by Category, and let's continue to tag this pipe here. I'm going to move this section of main pipe down, and I'll tag my main here as well.

Try to find a spot that doesn't block anything else, cleaning up as I go. Okay, now the piping that we're seeing here and here is actually on the Level 1 system, but because of our view range, we're also seeing it here.

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So let's go ahead and hide that in the library area, and in the kitchen/cafeteria area, let's hide that section as well, including the main. Okay. Take a quick look. All right, when we continue, we'll add some annotations to our piping plans.

photo of Derek Cutsinger

Derek Cutsinger

BIM Instructor/Coordinator

Derek’s background is in both education and MEP. He earned his BA in Music Education from San Diego State University and is also a TEFL certified English language instructor. In addition to educational roles, he is also an experienced fire protection design engineer and has extensive knowledge in many programs and processes used in AEC industries. He brings his unique and eclectic skillset to VDCI as their Curriculum Coordinator. In his free time he can be found weightlifting in his garage, hanging out with his wife and pug, or painting and drawing in his studio.

  • BA Music Education – San Diego State University
  • MA Applied Linguistics (in process) – San Diego State University
  • TEFL Certified English Language Instructor
  • NICET 1 Certification
More articles by Derek Cutsinger

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