Constrained layout solutions intelligently connect one pipe object to another in sloped (gravity-based) or non-sloped (pressure-based) pipe systems, even if the 2 pipe segments are at different elevations. AutoCAD MEP 2026 toolset achieves constrained layouts based on the following guidelines:
- Horizontal routing solutions are supported when you connect 2 objects at different elevations.
- New vertical segments added to a pipe run remain vertical to the current user coordinate system (UCS).
- If you select Yes for Use fitting tolerance on the Pipe Properties palette and the joint supports angle of deflection (AoD), that angle of deflection is distributed equally between the female connectors on the pipe object. However, the value cannot exceed the stored angle of deflection value on the part. Note: As you lay out your pipe design, the software displays the actual slope value for the current pipe segment in constrained and unconstrained layouts.