The AutoCAD Architecture-MEP 2011 Object Enabler is installed as part of the normal installation of all AutoCAD 2011-based products, including AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD Map 3D, and AutoCAD Civil 3D.

The AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler provides an advanced level of compatibility for users of AutoCAD 2011-based applications to share files with AEC objects. The object enabler "wakes up" the AEC objects enabling full use of the AutoCAD environment with support for AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP’s multiple display representations. With the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler installed you can load any file created with AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP into many AutoCAD-based applications and see exactly the same object display as in AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP.

Use of the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler can reduce or eliminate the need to store proxy graphics. File sizes are smaller, and drawing compatibility is improved. For example, an AutoCAD 2011 user can load an AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP drawing and experience exactly the same behavior of objects using object snaps or many of the standard AutoCAD commands such as MOVE, COPY or ROTATE. Installing the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler will not significantly impact the performance of the host program and will only be accessed when drawings containing AEC objects are opened.

• DisplayManagerConfigsSelection allows you to specify the display configuration that will be used in the drawing. Depending on the settings used in attached drawings, this may or may not affect the display of the xref drawing. On the Model tab, or with a Model Space viewport active on a Layout tab, selecting this toolbar button will display a list of available display configurations, with the current one indicated by a checkmark. Selecting a different configuration will cause a full regen of the drawing, so there may be some delay. For example, if a DWG file is saved in AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP with only a reflected ceiling and render display configurations, those are the only ones supported by the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler. Users planning on sharing their files must enable layouts and viewport configurations to meet the needs of their partners.

• -AecExportToAutoCAD allows you to convert an AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP drawing to AutoCAD entities. The command gives you the ability to bind xrefs and save the file in 2000, 2004, 2007 or 2010 drawing format. The result will be exported to a new DWG file with all AEC objects exploded. The new version of the drawing loses the intelligence of the custom AEC objects, but the resulting basic objects can be displayed and accessed in earlier versions of AutoCAD when object enablers are not available for those versions. Any subsequent changes you make to this new drawing file do not affect the original drawing file.

   

  Command line entry: -aecexporttoautocad

  Export options [Format/Bind/bind Type/Maintain/Prefix/Suffix/?] <Enter for filename>: Enter an option or press ENTER to specify a file name

  Enter for Filename - Creates a new drawing file with the specified name. You can use the Prefix or Suffix option to create a unique file name for this drawing and prevent overwriting the existing drawing file.

  Export drawing name <current>: Enter a file name

  Format - Determines the drawing file format for the resulting drawing file.

  Enter file format [r14/2000/2004/2007/2010] <2007>: Specify the drawing file format

  Bind - Determines how xrefs are treated when creating the new drawing.

  Bind xrefs [Yes/No] <Yes>: Enter y or n

  Yes - Binds all xrefs to the drawing. Layers and other xref-dependent named objects are merged into the new drawing.

  No - Maintains the xrefs as links to other drawings.

  Note:  The appearance of the combined drawing may differ if the xrefs are not bound.

  Bind Type - Determines how xref-dependent objects are treated when the Bind option is turned on.

  Bind type [Bind/Insert] <Insert>: Enter an option

  Bind - Maintains the names of layers and other xref-dependent objects when binding xrefs.

  Insert - Merges the names of xref-dependent objects into the new drawing without including the original file name.

  Maintain - Determines how objects within custom AEC objects are treated.

  Maintain resolved properties [Yes/No] <Yes>: Enter y or n

  Yes - Explodes all custom AEC objects into separate basic AutoCAD objects. The resulting basic objects revert to their original properties rather than the properties of the block definitions. For example, if a component of a custom object has the color specified ByBlock, and the object has the color specified ByLayer and resides on a layer with the color 50, the resulting AutoCAD object will have color = 50.
  No - Creates a block from each custom AEC object. The properties of the block instances are determined in the usual way, depending on how the objects in the blocks were created and the property settings of the layers on which the blocks are inserted.

  Prefix - Specifies the prefix to be added to the current drawing file name.

  Filename prefix <>: Enter the characters to be added to the beginning of the current file name

  Suffix - Specifies the suffix to be added to the current drawing file name.

  Filename suffix <>: Enter the characters to be added to the end of the current file name

  ?- Lists the current settings for the command.

  File format: current setting

  Bind xrefs: current setting

  Bind type: current setting

  Filename prefix: current setting

  Filename suffix: current setting

   

• SetXrefConfig allows you to specify the display configuration that will be used in an xref drawing.
  

• AecFileOpenMessage allows you to disable or enable the dialog that appears when drawings from previous versions of AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP are opened.
  

• AecFileSaveMessage allows you to disable or enable the dialog that appears when drawings are saved to a previous drawing format.
  

• AecObjectCopyMessage allows you to disable or enable the dialog that may appear when copying AEC objects from future version drawings.
  

• ObjRelUpdate causes AEC objects to be completely reconstructed, which may be necessary to resolve display issues.
  

• AecVersion displays the file version of files that comprise the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler.
  

• -DwgUnits allows you to specify the drawing units that will be used with the current file. This affects how drawings are combined when inserting drawings that use different units. For example, to combine a Civil 3D drawing that uses feet with an AutoCAD Architecture drawing using inches, you would first change the units in the AutoCAD Architecture drawing to feet, and then insert it into the Civil 3D drawing.

   

  An AecArchXOE.cui file will be copied to the user's AutoCAD Support folder for any user who runs the host application after the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler is installed. This file contains a toolbar (AEC OE) with three buttons, which run the following commands: DisplayManagerConfigsSelection, -AecExportToAutoCAD and SetXrefConfig. To add this toolbar to your workspace, use the command MENULOAD, browse to the location referenced above, select the file, and then click Load and Close.

AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP use object technology to represent walls, doors, windows, ducts, pipes, and other AEC objects. These objects are stored in your drawing (DWG) files and to access them, you must run AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, or an equivalent ObjectARX application capable of reading AEC objects.

Proxy graphics provide an alternative means to display objects using simple graphical representations. Objects represented as proxy graphics lack the full "intelligence" of true objects. You cannot copy a proxy object, nor can you reposition a door within a wall when these objects are represented by proxy graphics.

Note: If you are sharing files with AutoCAD users, a better alternative to proxy graphics is to have the AutoCAD users install the appropriate object enabler.

What is the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP 2011 Object Enabler?

The AutoCAD Architecture-MEP 2011 Object Enabler is a utility that provides new functionality and design flexibility through the power of AEC objects to customers using the 2011 releases of AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk 3ds Max Design, Autodesk Navisworks Manage, and Autodesk Navisworks Simulate. With the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP 2011 Object Enabler, users working with these products can enjoy full compatibility with AEC objects from 2011 and earlier releases of AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP.

Objects retain their intelligence and provide AutoCAD functionality that is nearly identical to AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP. For example, within AutoCAD 2011, AutoCAD commands, including OSNAP, MOVE, COPY, TRIM, EXTEND, and EXPLODE, are fully supported with AEC objects. In addition, objects provide full display characteristics including support for multiple views.

What AutoCAD commands are available with the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler?

When the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler is installed, objects respond to AutoCAD software commands the same way they do in AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP. The majority of AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP commands, however, are not available, including commands to edit object-specific properties and object styles. These are some of the AutoCAD commands you will be able to use specifically on AEC objects:

• MOVE: Objects are movable from one location to another. Automatic cleanup occurs with walls.

• COPY: Allows creation of additional objects from within AutoCAD based on current objects in the drawing.

• ROTATE: Automatic cleanup where relevant.

• ERASE: Objects delete intelligently; for example, deleting a door automatically heals the wall.

• TRIM and EXTEND: Trim and extend objects with automatic cleanup.

• ARRAY: Allows multiple copies of objects with automatic cleanup where relevant.

• EXPLODE: Allows AEC objects to be exploded leading to the creation of blocks.

• OSNAP: Logical and graphic node points enabled with the object's graphical display.

• Multiple Viewport Display: Allows viewport and display configuration to be viewed, limited to the viewport configuration saved with the original AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP drawing.

Most AutoCAD commands are supported in the same manner as AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP.

What specific benefits does the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler provide to users of AutoCAD-based applications?

By allowing correct viewing and manipulation of AEC objects in AutoCAD-based applications, you can:

• Collaborate with colleagues using AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP

• Efficiently implement a mix of AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, and other AutoCAD-based applications, minimizing upgrade transition difficulty and increasing productivity

• Experience the power of intelligent AEC objects while editing and revising AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP drawings and models

• Preview the power of AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP without purchasing the product by downloading sample exercises and following suggested steps to highlight the benefits of AEC objects

How is the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler different from proxy graphics?

The AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler does not replace the proxy graphics mechanism of interoperability. Proxy graphics remains a valuable "common denominator" of interoperability across the Autodesk product line but the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler provides a more robust level of compatibility for AutoCAD users, allowing them to benefit from the power of AEC objects. When the AutoCAD Architecture-MEP Object Enabler is installed on AutoCAD, there is no proxy message displayed when opening a file that contains AEC objects.

What additional functionality do I get with AutoCAD Architecture?