‘Split Configurations’ are the settings for splitting ducts, pipes, cable trays and conduits using ‘Split Elements’ command. 

‘Split Configurations’ reads the files specified in the ‘Configurations Files’ Location’. You can read more here on how to get sample configurations and set them up.

Grouping

At the top of the configurations window, there is a selection for groups. In a drop-down below it, you will only see the configurations for the specified group. You can assign configurations to different groups, delete, rename or create new groups in the Grouping window which can be accessed through a button on the right side. 

Options to duplicate, rename, delete or create new configurations are under the ‘…’ button.

 ‘For Whole Run’ functionality is described in the Spacing paragraph. 

Rule tabs (Rule 1, Rule 2, …) are explained in greater detail in the separate paragraph at the bottom of this article.

Split Selection

In this section, the Revit family for splitting the MEP elements is specified. Split family must be a Fitting and the Part Type must be set to Union.

‘Rule Active’ can be used to disable a Rule, without deleting the Rule itself. Green color text at the Rules tab indicates that this rule is active.

‘Splits Placed On’ is the Category of the MEP elements to be split. The configuration will only work for the specified Category. This option affects all Rule tabs in the configuration.

To select a split family, use the ‘Browser Tool’ or the ‘Select Category’ and ‘Select Family’ drop-downs.

MEP Element

Here you can set up filters for MEP elements. Software only splits the elements that meet the specified conditions. 

‘Length (Min, Max)’ is a filter for length of the MEP element. One of the use-cases for it is to ignore the short pieces of ducts/pipes/cable trays or conduits by specifying the min value.

‘Host Filter’ allows to filter MEP elements by any parameter. Common examples are size parameters (Diameter, Width, Height) and ‘System Type’ or ‘System Name’.

Spacing

This is where you define settings for spacing splits on the MEP elements. 

There are 4 possible ‘Layout Direction’ options: 

  • Start End – distributes splits in equal spacing throughout the length of the MEP element.
  • Start – begins placing splits at the start of the MEP element and moves towards the end.
  • End – begins placing splits at the end of the MEP element and moves towards the start.
  • Center – begins placing splits at the center of the MEP element and moves toward the ends.

‘Layout Rule’ settings are dependent on the ‘Layout Direction’. Possible Layout Rules are:

  • Fixed Number & Fixed Spacing – places splits by ‘Fixed Spacing’ field value but stops when the split amount reaches a number specified in the ‘Fixed Number’ field.
  • Fixed Spacing – places splits by ‘Fixed Spacing’ field value as long as there’s enough room left.
  • Fixed Number – places a set amount of splits equally spaced on the MEP element. 
  • Maximal Spacing – places the least amount of splits equally spaced on the MEP element without exceeding the ‘Maximal Spacing’ field value between the splits.

You can change where the distribution of splits begins and ends by modifying the ‘Start Offset’ and ‘End Offset’ values.

All these settings are applied to every instance of the MEP element separately unless the ‘For Whole Run’ checkbox at the top right of the configurations window is ticked. When ‘For Whole Run’ is on, Accessories and Fittings (tees, crosses, transitions, unions) are ignored as long as the MEP element is going in the same direction.

Rule tabs

Rule tabs (Rule 1, Rule 2, …) allow to insert multiple different splits or splits with different settings while using a single configuration. 

You can have as much as 10 different Rules in the configuration, but having many Rules will increase the loading time for insertion. To add or remove Rules, use the ‘+’ and ‘–‘ buttons.

Green color in the Rule name indicates that the Rule is active and the split family is selected. Yellow color means that the split is selected but the ‘Rule Active’ is set to False, meaning that we rule won’t run. Black color indicates that the rule is inactive and no split is selected.

Rules are executed in the order from left to right. You can simply drag rules to change their order.