INDEX

• All the building services in a single file
• Import of IFC files generated by CAD/BIM programs
• Export to IFC format
• Manual data entry
  • Construction element introduction
  • Network introduction
• Elevation DXF
• 3D views
• Analysis
• Results, reports and drawings
  
  

All the building services in a single file

All the installations or checks contemplated by CYPECAD MEP can be introduced in a single file. The program contains several tabs at the bottom part of the screen where the specific data for each installation is introduced.

The floors and construction elements that are defined are common to all the installations and can be introduced in any of the tabs of CYPECAD MEP. This way they are available for each installation without the need of having to define them several times. Floors can be copied or grouped, which saves a lot of time when there are floors which are the same or similar to one another.

Import of IFC files generated by CAD/BIM programs

CYPECAD MEP can import files with IFC format which have been generated by CAD/BIM programs such as Allplan™, Archicad™ and Revit™ Architecture, thanks to the Import of CAD/BIM model module.

This possibility allows CYPECAD MEP to access programs with BIM (Building Information Modelling) technology and therefore, automatically incorporate the construction elements making up the building.

The exact composition of the façades and partitions (conductivity properties of each layer, position of the vapour barrier, thermal bridges, etc.) is not usually specified during the design process of the building. CYPECAD MEP incorporates an IFC format model import assistant, which allows users to automatically assign the properties of the façades, internal partitions, floor slabs, roofs, windows, etc. This way, users of the CAD/BIM program are not obliged to provide a detailed description of each element and so an effective separation between the design and technical specification is obtained for the phases of each component. Additionally, the materials are easily selected in CYPECAD MEP.

Export to IFC format

CYPECAD MEP allow for the introduced construction elements and designed building services to be exported to an IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) format file. This way, the information that has been introduced and generated in CYPECAD MEP can be read in CAD/BIM programs such as Allplan™, Archicad™, Revit™ Architecture, etc.

The option to Export in IFC format (File > Export) has been implemented in all the modules of CYPECAD MEP. This option opens a dialogue box where user can choose which elements are to be exported:

• Construction elements
  
  
• Installation
  
  
  • Only Air conditioning
  • All the installations
  • Only the indicated installation elements:
    
    
    • Groups
    • Linear elements
    • Pipes
    • Ducts
      
      

When exporting, users can also choose the type of IFC file (IFC 2x3, Archicad IFC 2x3, Revit IFC 2x3 or Allplan IFC 2x3) and the directory where it will be saved.

Users are not required to have the CAD/BIM model import module in their user license for CYPECAD MEP to export the job in IFC format.

Manual data entry

If users choose not import the construction elements using an IFC file which has been generated by a CAD/BIM program, these can be defined manually, with or without the help of drawing files with DXF, DWG, JPEG, JPG, BMP, WMF, EMF or PCX format.

CYPECAD MEP uses a floor-by floor data entry method for which users define:

• The building elevation configuration (number of floor groups and their heights)
• The construction elements of the building (walls, partitions, floor slabs, openings...)
• The distribution of the installation on plan and distribution of the elements it is composed of.
  
  

The installation can connect different floors. Elevation changes can also be defined within them.

All of CYPECAD MEP’s modules contain an assistant to guide users in introducing the general data of the project.

Users can use a DXF or DWG template (with object snap options) to help users to introduce the construction elements and distribution of the installation. Drawing files: JPEG, JPG, BMP, WMF, EMF and PCX can also be imported and used as templates to introduce the geometry on plan of the installation, although due to the format of the files, objects snaps are not available. Nonetheless, this option can be useful when great precision is not required and drawings on paper are available, which can be scanned to easily obtain drawing files with these formats.

This working methodology, which is common to all the modules of CYPECAD MEP, allows users to edit the plans of the installation directly and, at the same time, manage the geometry in a completely integrated manner, allowing for 3D views to be generated of the complete installation.

Construction element introduction

Users can introduce construction elements in CYPECAD MEP by layers or elements.

Network introduction

All the installation and construction elements on plan or selected elements can be moved, duplicated, rotated or create symmetrical reflections.

A range of tools are available to aid in and provide a precise introduction of the geometry of all the installations (force cursor, object references, tracking, coordinate confirmation...).

A section can be dropped to the bottom part of the screen providing instructions on the use of the menu options to help users.

Elevation DXF

Riser pipes can be situated on an elevation DXF to obtain the corresponding elevation drawing.

3D views

The complete network (all floors) can be seen in a 3D view.

The 3D views can be visualised in conical or isometric perspective.

Users can move freely within the structure when viewed in conical perspective. Any 3D view can be made transparent or opaque allowing hidden elements to be seen easily.

Elements within the 3D views can be displayed with textures resembling the real colour of their materials. Users can choose whether or not the 3D view is to display the materials.

Analysis

The program will check the network with the indicated data and will design it, if required. After the analysis, the results which have been obtained can be checked. If any problems have been encountered in the design, the program generates a warning message for those cases in which incidents have been found but does not invalidate the design of the installation, and error messages for those in which the problem causes an incorrect design of the installation.

For a quicker design, when a job includes several installations, the program can carry out an automatic analysis for all of them. This way, if one piece of data is modified, and affects several installations (location, construction element, etc.), all the analyses are carried out without the need of having to initiate the analysis of the installation at its corresponding tab or wait for one to finish before manually initiating the next. The option Analysis of all the installations carries out the process for all the installations of the job. When this analysis has finished, a dialogue box appears indicating:

• The installations that have been analysed correctly
• The installations which have not been analysed because no elements have been introduced
• The installations which contain an error which does not allow the analysis to continue.

Results, reports and drawings

CYPECAD MEP displays the analysis results and check in an interactive manner using on-screen texts.

It also provides reports, which, after a preliminary view can be printed directly or exported as a text file (TXT), HTML, PDF, RTF or DOCX.

Drawings of the introduced installation can also be obtained for each floor (even superimposed on the template that was used), as well as 3D views, symbol and abbreviation tables, elevation views, etc.

The drawings can then be printed directly (printer or plotter) or exported in DXF or DWG format.