In AutoCAD MEP 2024 toolset, a system is a network of connected parts that represents a real-world building system. The connected parts act together by maintaining the same look and feel throughout the system. For example, a network of connected parts including duct, pipe, fittings, and equipment can represent an air supply system, or a network of connected parts including conduit, wiring, devices, and panels can represent a power supply system.
Systems store properties that remain constant for all parts within a network of connected parts. When systems are used during design layout, new parts inherit the current system’s property defaults, such as size and shape. This provides a fast and consistent method of laying out parts. Systems make it easier to modify connected parts by simultaneously applying changes to the entire network of parts.
Including systems in your project standards has several benefits:
- You have the ability to define and work with multiple systems within a single drawing.
- You can apply default system properties to components during layout, which saves time and provides consistency.
- It is easier to manage parts in your design drawings through display representations.
- You can manage complete building models within a single drawing by grouping systems.
Systems can be created as needed during design layout. However, it is recommended that a series of systems be defined at the start of a project and maintained throughout its life. AutoCAD MEP 2024 toolset provides a set of predefined systems based on common industry standards. Each system has default definitions including system abbreviations, layer keys, and display properties.
Electrical and plumbing systems are also categorized by system type. System types control unique behaviors of related systems. In electrical systems, the system type controls properties such as the number of poles. In plumbing systems, the system type controls pipe sizing, fitting orientation, and fixture connections.
Systems are style-based, and, as a result, you access them through Style Manager.
Duct systems
Systems are loaded through AutoCAD MEP 2024 toolset templates. If you are not using an AutoCAD MEP 2024 toolset template, you can import system definitions from other drawings with Style Manager. Additional system definitions can be found in the System Definitions.dwg, which is located in a subfolder of the following folder: \ProgramData\Autodesk\MEP <version>\enu\Styles.