This workflow provides a road map for creating a block-based part using Content Builder.
| Review the steps | View more information |
| Create a 3D model and schematic symbol of your part | Before you start Content Builder, you must draw a 3D model block for each new part size and save it as an AutoCAD block in a drawing file. You should also create a 2D schematic symbol block to represent the part family. BestPractice: Do not save the model or symbol block drawings in the catalog folders of AutoCAD MEP. These are working files and should be saved in a separate, or temporary, folder.
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| Open the Parametric Building Environment to start building content | You use the Content Builder in AutoCAD MEP to create a block-based part. |
| Define the catalog information and behavior of your part | You work in the block-based building environment of Content Builder to define part sizes based on the 3D model blocks you created previously. In this environment, the individual part sizes are associated with a part family in a catalog to build a library of parts. You specify a catalog, location, and part name. You also specify the type and behavior of the part family. All part sizes within a part family are defined as the same type and are placed in your drawing with the same behavior. |
| Assign names and views to each part size | You define part size names, generate 2-dimensional (2D) orthographic views from the 3D model, and assign them to the appropriate view direction of the part size. You also assign to each part size the 2D schematic symbol you created previously. |
| Create a preview image for your part | You assign a preview image for the part family. You can attach a pre-defined bitmap (BMP) image or have an image generated from the 3D model block. All part sizes in the part family use the same preview image. The preview image helps to identify the part during part selection. |
| Add connectors to your part | You add connectors so that the part can connect intelligently to other building systems objects in your layout. You assign connectors to the part family, and specify the shape and domain for each connector. Therefore, all part sizes have the same number of connectors predefined with a shape and domain. The shape and domain of a connector can be changed only for the entire part family; however, the size and location of connectors can change for each part size. |
| Add property set information to each part | You can specify custom data that can be used as property set information for each part size. In turn, the property set information can be used to enhance schedules that you generate during design layout. |