Datasheet

Chapter 1
Exploring the User Interface
Autodesk Revit MEP 2012 utilizes a ribbon interface, allowing for easy access to the tools needed
for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design and modeling. Having a good knowledge
of where tools are located and how to access commands easily is the best way to be efficient in
your use of Revit MEP 2012. Improvements and changes have been made to the user interface for
this version, through the addition of available tools in contextual tabs and improved tooltip func-
tionality for modeling pipes.
If you are transitioning to Revit MEP 2012 from a release prior to Revit MEP 2010, the ribbon-
style interface will be totally new to you. The ribbon works well in Revit because it allows many
of the tools to be organized in one area of the interface, which gives you more screen real estate
for viewing the model. Although the user interface is customizable, you are limited in the
amount of customization and number of features that you can change. At first this may seem a
bit restrictive but, like any software, after you work with it enough it will become more familiar
and your efficiency will increase.
Some features have been added to improve workflow and efficiency, and typical workflow
features that were previously accessed through buttons in the interface are now available as part
of the interface itself.
Knowing your way around the Revit MEP 2012 user interface is the first step to reaping the
benefits of utilizing a building information modeling (BIM) solution for your building projects.
In this chapter, you will learn to do the following:
Navigate the ribbon interface
•u
Utilize user interface features•u
Use settings and menus•u
The Ribbon
If you are familiar with the Revit MEP user interface prior to the 2010 version, transitioning to
the ribbon-style interface may indeed take some getting used to. Once you understand the way
that the ribbon is set up and how you can customize it to better suit your workflow, though, you
will see that it is an optimal interface for a BIM and design application.
Tabs
The ribbon portion of the user interface consists of several tabs, each organized by panels that
relate to the topic of the tab. Each panel contains one or more buttons for the relevant features
available in Revit MEP 2012. You can access a tab by simply clicking the name at the top of the
ribbon. Although each tab is designed to provide a unique set of tools, some of the features of
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