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Smart Diffusers

How to work with diffusers and other Revit® MEP elements easily

http://www.tools4revit.com/

Working with MEP elements Smart Diffusers extension

• …extension allows adding to families an unlimited number of engineering parametric

equations which define relations between main HVAC parameters like Pressure Drop,

Sound Power Level, Air Flow, Velocity, Throw, Duct Diameter, Free area and other;

•...calculates the number of Air Terminals required in the space;

•...defines the number of Air Terminals on the basis of calculation results and other

conditions;

•...finds optimal type of Air Terminals;

•...automatically updates n-dimensional parameters for all Air Terminals and accessories

(fittings) in the project;

•...includes smart families of diffusers, grilles and dampers as examples how to build

intelligent MEP objects;


Smart Diffusers

Smart Diffusers - extension for Revit® MEP allows to easily

add engineering data to Air Terminals (Duct Fittings, Duct

Accessories and Mechanical Equipments if needed) and

easily use them in design process with automatically data

update.


Smart Diffusers

Smart Diffusers Tool has the E-Help where users can find

sample Metric projects:


Smart Diffusers Add Engineering Data to Family

Tool adds engineering data to a

selected family.

Function works with Air Terminal, Duct

Accessory, Mechanical Equipment,

Duct Fitting categories.

Configuration – allows selecting of

configuration modes with described

relations and priorities. Read more on page

5.

Family types – types of selected family

where parameter values will be added.


Smart Diffusers Add Engineering Data to Family - Configuration

Configuration – allows selecting of

configuration modes with described

relations and priorities.

Configuration modes can be edited with “Edit Configuration”.

Relation – list of relations between different parameters: Pressure, Air Flow, Velocity, Throw, Flow

Density, Type Dimension, Type Area and more.

Name – configuration name that

is editable. User can create new

configurations, duplicate or delete

it with right click functions or with

functions listed below:



Priority is used for parameters calculation

in predefined way. Calculation results go

from one graph to another by priority –

step by step from graph with the highest

priority to graphs with lower priorities.

Priority can be changed with “Up” and

“Down” arrows.



On/Off – do not calculate parameters that are

included in configuration.

Horizontal Supply:

Vertical Supply: Bind On/Off with – select

“Yes/No” parameter that will

be used in calculation.

For example if “On/Off” is bind with

family parameter “Horizontal

Supply”, then a type of air

distribution will depend on this

parameter.

Example with Demo2-Data_Added-Supply_Diffuser-

Lindab-Ceiling_Circular_Perforated_CRL_Series.rfa

family:


Smart Diffusers Add Engineering Data to Family - Images

Load Image – loads images with a chart from a file

that will appear in Chart Image Window. Images formats: JPG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG.

Paste - images can be pasted from clipboard with

original dimensions.

If dimensions of the picture are bigger than 400x267

pixels , the borders of the picture will be cut. If

dimensions of the picture is smaller than 400x267

pixels, the picture will be centered in Chart Image

Window.

Paste and Resize – the same as Paste, just with

picture resizing.


Smart Diffusers Add Engineering Data to Family - Images

As an example - image can be easily pasted from opened

pdf file after command Edit → Take a Snapshot:



1st position – value depends on the configuration

and goes for Y axis in the chart. In the example configuration is “Pressure = f (Airflow &

Type Dimension)”. The 1st position is Pressure. For the

“Pressure” user has to select family instance parameter

with “Pressure” type. This parameter will be used in

calculation.

2nd position – value depends on the configuration

and goes for X axis in the chart. In the example configuration is “Pressure = f (Airflow &

Type Dimension)”. The 2st position is Air Flow. For the

“Air Flow” user has to select family instance parameter

with “Air Flow” type. This parameter will be used in

calculation.

Unit Type – select unit types for Y and X axes.

Unit types must be the same as in the chart (not

in family or project).



Logarithmic scale - select these options if X or Y

axes scale of measurement uses the logarithm

of a physical quantity instead of the quantity

itself.

If logarithmic scale has to be switched off, then it

goes like a linear scale.



Pick left bottom corner –

select a point in the left

bottom corner of a graph. See point indicated as “1”.

Pick right top corner –

select a point in the right top

corner of a graph. See point indicated as “2”.



1st position – name depends on the

configuration and value goes for minimum

rate on X axis of the chart.

2nd position – name depends on the

configuration and value goes for maximum

rate on X axis of the chart.

3rd position – name depends on the

configuration and value goes for minimum

rate on Y axis of the chart.

In the example

configuration is “Pressure

= f (Airflow & Type

Dimension)”. The 1st and

2nd positions are “Air Flow”

and the 3rd and 4th are

“Pressure”.

4th position – name depends on the

configuration and value goes for maximum rate

on Y axis of the chart.



Pick line start point – pick a point at the

beginning of the line for corresponding type. For example, if diffuser type is “LCA-100-S”, then

pick a point indicated as “1”. It can be picked at

any place of the line.

Pick line end point – pick a point at the end

of the line for corresponding type. For example, if diffuser type is “LCA-100-S”, then

pick a point indicated as “2”. It can be picked at

any place of the line.

For every type pick corresponding points on the lines

from the chart if “Calculate parameters for each type” is

selected.



Calculate parameters for each type – if this

setting is selected, then for every family

you need to pick two points on the lines

from the chart for each type. Read more on

page 13.

If this setting is not selected, then press

“Pick points” button and pick just one point

at any place of the line for every next type.

Types will be switched automatically when

you pick the lines.


Smart Diffusers Add Engineering Data to Family - Attribute

Attribute – attribute name shows maximum

limit for the current family.

As an example attribute can be – Maximum

sound level.

New sound level can be adjusted by writing

new value and by picking points on the chart. If maximum sound level is “30”, then press “Pick

points” button and pick points at every intersection

of type line and sound level line in the chart.

Add – adds and saves new maximum limit in the graph.

Delete – deletes current maximum limit from the graph.


Smart Diffusers Add Engineering Data to Family - Attribute

As an example for attribute - maximum throw can be used for the grilles:



Create relation with – select parameter which is criterion for

making different types in the family. This criterion has to be

included in configuration.

Parameter has to be created like “Type”.

Value – shows the value of selected parameter for each type.

Unit Type – shows unit type of preselected parameter



Use separate image for

each type – select this

setting in case if each type

has different graph.


Smart Diffusers Edit Flow / Chose Air Terminal Type

This function allows writing/editing of parameter that is

on X axis in the chart (air flow – in our case) for a

selected element. With green cross user has to define

this value (air flow in our case).

User can select required family type and the green cross will move on the

line of selected type. If user picks other line in the chart, then family type

will be changed automatically.

Red line shows maximum

limit (example - sound) that

was selected with “Add

Engineering Data to Family”. Read more on page 15.

After pressing OK,

“Pressure Drop” and “Air

Flow” parameters are

changed.


Smart Diffusers Throw parameter

Our created example families of air terminals have at least two dimensional relations.

For example, diffusers have a graph with the second priority where air jet throw was used.

Graph for throw specifies the throw

l0.2 [m] at an average terminal

velocity for 0.2 m/s.



Our created “Throw_L02” instance parameter in the family shows boundaries of throw value

from the chart. Round 2D circles show air jet dispersal based on throw parameters.

For Grilles:

For Diffusers with

horizontal air supply:



Some of example families have 3D air jet dispersal solids based on throw parameter with

predefined air speed in space:

This kind of visualization gives

better understanding of MEP

elements for decision making.


Smart Diffusers Manually Update Duct Accessories

Manually Updates Duct Accessories - updates parameters (used in configuration) for a

selected element. Dialog shows created configuration modes and charts.

All this information comes from “Add Engineering Data to Family”. Read more on pages 4-18.

Functions work with Duct

Accessory, Mechanical

Equipment, Duct Fitting

categories.


Smart Diffusers Manually Update Duct Accessories / Update All Duct Accessories

Example – air flow parameter was changed manually. After updating pressure drop

parameter is recalculated.

Update All Duct Accessories - updates parameter values (used in configuration) for all

duct accessories in the project.


Smart Diffusers Manually Update Duct Accessories - example

Example with “Actionair” duct damper where pressure drop depends on velocity is included.

The second graph in this family

calculates sound level.


Smart Diffusers Manually Update Duct Accessories - example

Example with “Actionair” duct damper where pressure drop depends on airflow and type

dimensions is included.


Smart Diffusers Update All Air Terminals

Update All Air Terminal – updates parameter values (Pressure Drop, Air Flow, Velocity,

Throw, Flow Density, Type Dimension, Type Area and more) for all air terminals in the

project which are not in hidden groups.

This function remembers all configurations (read more on pages 5-6) and priorities for every air

terminal.

For hidden groups user has to make a decision manually with “Find Optimal Air Terminal

Type for Spaces” tool. Read more on page 20.


Smart Diffusers Insert/Manage Virtual Grid

Insert Virtual Grid – inserts virtual grid for inserting elements in

the space with different boundaries.

Steps to insert the virtual grid:

1. Select space or element in the space. Boundaries and

parameters of selected space will be used;

2. Select a wall for detecting X direction.

Placement parameters

can be locked



Length (X Direction) – maximum length of X direction in space;

Width (Y Direction) – maximum length of Y direction in space;

Select Base Wall for X Direction – select a wall from the

project for detecting other X direction.

Selected wall



Elevation - elevation of virtual grid element where air

terminals will be inserted;

Throw – value of our created “Throw_L02” instance parameter

in the virtual grid family shows boundaries of throw value.

Green round 2D circles show air jet dispersal based on throw

parameters;

Calculation Elevation – air speed calculation elevation in

space by standard methodology;

Calculated Throw – red round 2D circles show air jet dispersal

based on calculated throw parameter.



Real Number of Elements – real number of elements that

are inserted in the current space with its shape;

Distance X, Distance Y – distance between virtual grid

elements in X and Y direction. These values will be used

when “Distribute by Spacing” parameter will be selected;

Number in X Direction, Number in Y

Direction – number of virtual grid elements in

X and Y directions.



Distribute by Spacing – distribute preselected number of

virtual grid elements by space using “Distance X” and

“Distance Y” parameter values:



Calculate Maximum in X and Y direction – calculates the maximum amount of virtual grid

elements required in X and Y direction for the current space.



Offset from Original in X/Y Direction – virtual grid will be

moved with offset from the beginning in X, Y direction. If

these values are zero, then virtual grid elements will be

centered in the space.

Distances between first and last

virtual grid elements in the space

can be checked near “Elements

Distances from Start/End”.



For example there are two

virtual grid elements in X and

Y direction in the current

space. Distance from the

faces of walls has to be

smaller than the distance

between virtual grids. If

“Distance Round to” is set to

600, then the distance

between virtual grids is

rounded to the number

divided from 600.

Distance Round to – rounds the distance between virtual grid elements.



Minimum Distance from Wall – defines the minimum

distance from all the walls in the space for distributing

virtual grid elements.



Mirror X, Mirror Y – mirrors

virtual grid in X and Y

directions.


Smart Diffusers Insert Diffusers to Virtual Grid and Group

Inserts selected diffuser type to selected virtual grid in the project.


Smart Diffusers Find Optimal Air Terminal Type for Spaces in VG

Tool calculates the number of air terminals of predefined

type according to the space parameters. It can also find the

optimal air terminal type by selected number of terminals.

Red line shows predefined maximum limit - maximum sound

level in our case. Read more on page 15.

Blue line shows supply airflow in the space to which air

terminals belongs.

Green line shows X (air flow in our case) and Y (pressure in

our case) of current air terminal type.



Area of Space – shows area of space where the

element is placed.

Calculated Supply Airflow – selects this parameter of

space if it has to be used in calculation.

Specified Supply Airflow – selects this parameter of

space if it has to be used in calculation.

Required Air Flow – calculates how many air flow you

need in the current space. It takes out Air Flow value

of existing air terminals from supply airflow of the

current space.

Maximum Sound Level – attribute shows the maximum limit. The name of attribute comes

from preselected configuration. Read more on page 15. If family has instance parameter with the

same name, then value from the chart of this attribute will be writhed.



Number of Air Terminals – calculated number of air

terminals for selected space.

Selected Number of Air Terminals – rounded number of air

terminals. This number can be changed when user does

not use virtual grid in the space.

Find Type – finds optimal type of air terminals by selected

number of air terminals.

X and Y – number of air terminals in X and Y direction

located on virtual grid.

Air Flow – calculated air flow value for one terminal.

Pressure Drop – calculated pressure value from the chart. The name of this parameter comes

from preselected configuration. Read more on page 9.

Velocity – velocity in the air terminal duct connection, calculated by formula: Air Flow/Duct Area

(Free Area).



Air terminals will be updated automatically in the project after

making any changes in the dialog. It can also be updated

with Insert/Update.



Insert/Update inserts air terminals with updated parameters.

Create Hidden Group – inserted air

terminals will be remembered like a

group and next time when user comes to

this function it will remember all the

inserted elements and values.


Smart Diffusers Turn On/Off Virtual Grid Updater

Turn On/Off Virtual grid Updater – virtual grid can be updated automatically while making

changes in the model if virtual grid updater is turned on.

After moving

the wall:

Updater is turned on

Updater is turned off


Smart Diffusers Other Examples

Example – “Halton” ceiling supply diffusers can have 1, 2, 3 or 4-way patterns with

corresponding charts:


Smart Diffusers Results

• …extension allows to add to families unlimited number of engineering parametric

equations which define relations between main HVAC parameters like Pressure Drop,

Sound Power Level, Air Flow, Velocity, Throw, Duct Diameter, Free area and other;

•...calculates the number of Air Terminals required in the space;

•...defines the number of Air Terminals on the basis of calculation results and other

conditions;

•...finds optimal type of Air Terminals;

•...automatically updates n-dimensional parameters for all Air Terminals and accessories

(fittings) in the project;

•...includes smart families of diffusers, grilles and dampers as examples how to build

intelligent MEP objects;


Copyright © 2012 AGA CAD Ltd.

TOOLS4REVIT© is developed by AGA CAD Ltd., Autodesk Authorised Developer

to

ols4

revit

Address: AGA CAD Ltd. Žalgirio g. 112A, LT-09300 Vilnius, Lithuania, EU Contact: Phone: +370 5 2398111 Fax: +370 5 2398113 E-mail: [email protected] www.tools4revit.com

AGA-CAD is the supplier of computer-aided design software and data management solution, operating since 1991. Company’s activities consist of TOOLS4REVIT development, Revit® families creation, programming services for working with BIM projects faster and easier. With resellers in a number of countries AGA CAD Ltd. implements BIM solutions for architects, structural and MEP engineers, constructors and building contractors.

If you have any ideas or problems and you would like to make your work with BIM projects faster and easier, we can design a tool or a program especially for you. Write your ideas directly to [email protected].

http://www.aga-cad.lt/

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