Autocad MEP is the new Autodesk Building System, a CADD tool for Mechanical Electrical Plumbing (MEP) works, developed by Autodesk.

Autodesk marketing tagline for this product:

" Maximize the efficiency of your AutoCAD software-based engineering workflow with Autocad MEP 2009 software from concept through construction documention. "

Main Features:

Schematic Design

Easily create riser diagrams and schematic plans with enhanced schematic tool palettes that logically group commonly used tools. In addition, the Properties palette provides easier schematic object configurations. Convert existing AutoCAD blocks to schematic symbols for quick use in schematic design.

Discipline-Specific Tool Palettes

Tool palettes are logical tool groups used to add objects to drawings. AutoCAD MEP offers a large inventory of both common and discipline-specific tool palettes, including annotation and call-out tools for documentation and tools for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and schematic design.

Project Navigator—Drawing Management

Manage project drawings, easily creating coordinated views based on design parameters. Create and manage project drawing sheet sets for all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing construction documents. All design team members access the most current documents from a centralized project directory, from project templates to sections and elevations.

Work with Catalog-Based Content

The AutoCAD MEP parts catalogs provide an extensive collection of parts for use during design. Query the parts catalogs to assist with part selection and retrieve parts for integration into your designs. Store parts you create in a catalog for future use. Choose parts from multiple catalogs to increase design selection.

Design to Fabrication

With the seamless integration of EastCoast tools into AutoCAD MEP software you no longer need to redraw models for fabrication, enabling design to fabrication in just a few clicks. Using design models in the fabrication of sheet metal, plumbing, and piping makes it easier to create shop drawings.

Seamless Sections and Elevations

You no longer need to wait until the end of your design process to create sections and elevations. With AutoCAD MEP you can quickly create sections and elevations at any time. When your design changes, all sections and elevations update automatically, virtually eliminating manual updates. Sections help to ensure that the design is accurate and add clarity to construction documents.

More features can be found here…

Interesting features huh?. Do you think AutoCAD MEP will live up with its jaw-dropping features?  Well, you will see.. I’m going to post different articles about this software very soon.  Still waiting for the arrival of the AutoCAD MEP 2009 upgrade.  Autodesk reseller here in Kuwait told me that it is expected to arrive here on April end. 

By the way, I checked the Autocad MEP 2009 Detail Brochure and was surprised to read my manager’s testimonial there :). 

"Using AutoCAD MEP with its powerful visual design coordination capabilities, we were able to lay out these extremely complex mechanical rooms - easily - knowing ahead of time wheter there was an interference.  It was also a lot easier for us to coordinate the plant and mechanical rooms.

Jean Abi Aad, Corporate Engineering Manager -Kharafi National"