My company has recently taken the next step in going 3D by adopting AutoCAD MEP for our process, pump station, and wastewater treatment plant designs.
As we go down the rabbit hole more and more with MEP the similarities and dissimilarities with Civil 3D amaze me. For instance, both Civil 3D and MEP use Parametric Parts (Parts Builder), MVparts, modeled objects that control 2D objects (sections; profiles), etc… What I don’t understand is why Civil 3D doesn’t work more like MEP, knowing MEP was first. Why doesn’t it use Layer Keys; why does it not include the Parametric Part Wizard; why does it not include pressure pipe tools; why doesn’t it allow the use of MVparts as a substitute for Parametric Parts in a pipe network, etc…
Finally, why does it not use Display View Representations to control the display of objects? Well, in a way it does when you Xref AutoCAD MEP drawings into Civil 3D drawings. Learn more after the jump…
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