Layer Naming Standards and Layer Keys... ??

[moon47]

Confused about the layer standards supplied with MEP 2008...

By default when i draw "Supply" duct it goes on "M-Duct-Std-Supp"...

I understand how the layer keys work and i COULD write from scratch a layer standard that matches the AIA/NCS standards but i should not have to do that... Right... ?? I am confused as to why the program insists that it IS using the AIA standards (AIA 256 Color)... Even the MEP guide book reads that AIA use something like "M-HVAC-DUCT-SUPPLY" AND NOT "M-Duct-Std-Supp"...

Am i missing something... ??

I have tried "MEP System - AIA 256 Color" and "MEP Object - AIA 256 Color" but neither of these seem to come with any layers the resemble AIA standard naming conventions... ??

Does any one have, or know where i can get a Layer Standard (with layer keys) that DOES use AIA standards...

Again does MEP come with that but i am just doing it wrong... ??

[moon47]

Maybe my explanation is confusing...

I want my ducts, devices etc to be drawn on layers like "M-HVAC-DUCT" and not "M-Duct"...

Do i have to do this myself, editing the layer keys by hand (very tedious)... =[

Or is there a way to accomplish this without hours/days of work... ??

[RobertB]

I want my ducts, devices etc to be drawn on layers like "M-HVAC-DUCT" and not "M-Duct"...

Do i have to do this myself, editing the layer keys by hand (very tedious)... =[

Or is there a way to accomplish this without hours/days of work... ??

Layer key modification must be done by you, if you are unhappy with the OOTB version, as many of us are.

There are some utilities that can export layer key definitions out to an Excel spreadsheet and you can then import changes made to the spreadsheet. I'm not sure if it has been posted anywhere on AUGI's forums, but search for "Layer Key Styles" and you may find the code. It is a VBA-based application.

[moon47]

Thank you robert... I was hoping that there was someone that had already done this painstaking work (Like autodesk) and that there was a DL'able style that IS in AIA or NCS standard format...

The OOTB standard states that it is "based" on AIA but the naming convention strays way to far for satisfaction IMO... =]

Thanks for the pointer on the VBA i will look for it and if i ever finish the task will shear required files... If being the operative word... =]