How to COBie-ize Revit MEPF Models

for
Efficient Data Deliverables
Peck Sukphisit
VDCO Tech, BIM Manager/ Instructor
Birgitta Foster
VDCO Tech, V.P. Operations & Facility Integration

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 Peck Sukphisit
VDCO Tech, BIM Manager/ Instructor
Over 19 years of experience on governmental, commercial and
Introduction

educational projects

Provides on-site BIM support for architectural and engineering firms

Specialize in Revit and COBie deliverables, BIM workflows

College-level course instructor for AutoCAD & Revit

© 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

© 2016 Autodesk
 General Contractor
Fabricator PM
Caterpillar
Project Eng Mechanical
Contractor
PM

Engineering &
Construction
Introduction

John Brown Owner :

Mech Engr DOE National Lab

Standards Organization :
Manufacturer building SMART alliance
Ingersoll Rand building SMART International
App Engr

AECO Services
VDCO Tech bSDD WG Lead
BIMForum – LOD Core Group IUG Secretary
USACE BIM Industry Consortium Std Com Executive

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 Virtual
Design
Construction
Operations
Introduction

Check us out at …….. VDCOtech.com

© 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech
© 2016 Autodesk
 Class summary
How to COBie-ize Revit MEPF Models
for
Efficient Data Deliverables
Introduction

© 2016 Autodesk
 Key learning objectives

At the end of this class, you will be able to:

 Prepare MEPF models for an efficient COBie deliverable workflow
 Understand the importance of Architectural model setup

Introduction

How to match Arch rooms / MEPF spaces quickly

 How to validate Architectural rooms vs MEFP spaces
 How to address equipment without room assignments
 Learn about the Revit COBie Extension
How to append COBie files for the client deliverable

Tips
© 2016 Autodesk
 COBie Workflow – Most Important Steps
Arch/Struct COBie Export
MEPF Models
Models

Check Room bounding is selected in Use Space schedules to verify Space & Room Two (2) sites for downloading COBie
linked Arch/ Struct models names to match Extension

Check Levels from linked models are Use Analyze tab to automate creating spaces
confirmed into MEFP model Appending exports for a single COBie file
deliverable
Overview

Find Facility Tab data in the Project Use Space Naming Utility to automate
Information Arch/Struct-MEPF naming coordination

Use Transfer Project Standards to Four (4) Options to address equipment

obtain Project Data from Arch model without Spaces

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 Architectural model setup

Verify Architectural/Structural linked to M/E/P/F

Linked Models

With “Room Bounding”

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 Architectural model setup

Check model levels are aligned

Levels

Confirm levels with architect

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech
 Project Data = Facility Data Architectural model setup
Facility Data under Project Information

No Revit schedule for COBie Facility Data

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech
 Project Data = Facility Data Architectural model setup
Project Properties : Architectural Model start the process

MEPF Use “Transfer Project Standards”

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech
 MEPF model setup

Arch room numbers = MEPF space numbers

Rooms = Spaces

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 MEPF model setup

1) Set up : in Floor Plan view

Rooms = Spaces

Set ‘Visual Style’

= Hidden Line

Select Spaces
Interior & Reference
© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech
 Match Arch rooms / MEPF spaces quickly
2) Create Spaces
Space
Analyze
Rooms = Spaces

Place Spaces
Automatically

Repeat on all floors

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech
 Match Arch rooms / MEPF spaces quickly

Spaces represent in green

Rooms = Spaces

Use “Tag All” to show Space names

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 Match Arch rooms / MEPF spaces quickly

Confirm with Space schedule

Rooms = Spaces

usually default name = ‘Space’

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech
 How to validate
Architectural rooms = MEFP spaces

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 Match Arch rooms = MEPF spaces quickly

1) Create Space-Room Schedule

Space Room
Rooms = Spaces

“Include elements in links” is selected : Include Area

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 Match Arch rooms = MEPF spaces quickly

2) Space and Room schedule should look mismatch

MEFP Model space information

Arch Model room information

Validate

Not a valid space

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech
 Match Arch rooms = MEPF spaces quickly

3) Run Space Naming Utility (SNU) from Add-Ins menu

Validate

Plug-in from Autodesk App Store

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech
 Match Arch rooms = MEPF spaces quickly

4) SNU set up - Coordinates Names and/or Numbers

Validate

Select “All Levels” to apply space

name to the entire model

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 Match Arch rooms = MEPF spaces quickly
SNU - Automatically match Spaces names and Numbers
Validate

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 Match Arch rooms = MEPF spaces quickly
Room information Space information

Acceptable situations

 No existing room
Validate

 No room assigned

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 How to
address equipment
without room assignments

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 Equipment without room assignments

On roof Above ceiling

In walls
Equipment

Exterior of the building

Below Grade

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 Equipment without room assignments
Option 1 : Create a new space

SPACE = ROOF SPACE = EXT N

Exterior
Equipment

On Roof

For Condensing Units For Generators

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 Equipment without room assignments
Equipment mounted
Above ceiling
 VAVs
 Fans
Equipment

In walls
 Fire Panels
 Electrical Panels
 Smoke Dampers

© 2016 Autodesk
 MEPF model set up
OPTION 2 : Extend spaces
Above Ceiling :
Above ceiling

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 MEPF model set up
OPTION 2 : Extend spaces
Above Ceiling
1) Select all the spaces in the floor plan 2) Update the instance property
Above ceiling

Repeat on all floors

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech
 MEPF model set up
OPTION 2 : Extend spaces
Below Grade : Extend to the bottom of pit (-4’-0”)
Elevator Pit Spaces
Below Grade

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 MEPF model set up
OPTION 3 : Space Separator to define unbounded Spaces
Spaces w/o rooms

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 MEPF model set up
OPTION 3 : Space Separator
Spaces below grade

Baggage sorting area

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 MEPF model set up
Option 4 : Use Room Calculation Point
Panels mounted in the wall
In walls

Stagger rooms prevent creating spaces

capture complete areas
© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech
 MEPF model set up
Option 4 : Use Room Calculation Point
Electrical Panel
In walls

Select Room Calculation Point Drag out toward direction of room

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 COBie-ize MEPF models
Revit COBie Extension
(COBie Toolkit)
COBie files

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 COBie Extension
OPTION 1 : Download from Autodesk Knowledge Network

Install COBie Extension

COBie

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 COBie Extension
:
OPTION 2 : Check out www.biminteroperabilitytools.com
COBie

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 COBie files COBie Extension

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 Some simple rules to remember….

Required Data Fields

Client
COBie files

Left of PURPLE fields Optional

Specified
Entered
Names Previously
fields entered fields
must
be fields Right of PURPLE fields
unique

YELLOW Tabs
Required Tabs Client Specified

B Foster 2014
 Appending COBie files COBie Extension

Append COBie files

for
Client deliverables

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 Appending COBie files How to append COBie files for the client deliverable

1. Open Mechanical Model

2. Link Architectural and Structural models ( with room bounding)
3. Run COBie Export- for Mechanical Type, Component

4. Open Plumbing Model

5. Link Architectural and Structural models ( with room bounding)
6. Run COBie Export – Append file for Plumbing Types, Components

7. Repeat for Electrical, Fire Protection model exports as needed

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 Appending COBie files How to append COBie files for the client deliverable

 First export contains:

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 Appending COBie files How to append COBie files for the client deliverable

ONLY append new information

 Additional asset types, components, and systems, (as
applicable).

Mech

Plumbing
Electrical
Fire Protection

© 2016 Autodesk © 2016 Birgitta Foster/VDCO Tech

 COBie Workflow – Most Important Steps
Arch/Struct COBie Export
MEPF Models
Models

Check Room bounding is selected in Use Space schedules to verify Space & Room Two (2) sites for downloading COBie
linked Arch/ Struct models names to match Extension

Check Levels from linked models are Use Analyze tab to automate creating spaces
confirmed into MEFP model Appending exports for a single COBie file
deliverable
Overview

Find Facility Tab data in the Project Use Space Naming Utility to automate
Information Arch/Struct-MEPF naming coordination

Use Transfer Project Standards to Four (4) Options to address equipment

obtain Project Data from Arch model without Spaces

© 2016 Autodesk
 Key learning objectives

At the end of this class, you have learned to:

 Prepare MEPF models for an efficient COBie deliverable workflow
 Understand the importance of Architectural model setup
 How to match Arch rooms / MEPF spaces quickly
 How to validate Architectural rooms vs MEFP spaces
Summary

 How to address equipment without room assignments

 Find where to download the Revit COBie Extension
How to append COBie files for the client deliverable

Tips
© 2016 Autodesk
 How did I do?
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© 2016 Autodesk
 How to COBie-ize Revit MEPF Models
for
Efficient Data Deliverables

THANK YOU!
peck@vdcotech.com bfoster@vdcotech.com

Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing
at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2016 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
© 2016 Autodesk. All rights reserved.