No harm at all if you have zero use for them. Demolished systems (duct, pipe, etc) cannot "connect" to anything and it's a real pain sometimes.

-TZ

It's a huge pain, especially on renovation projects in which you're modelling Existing Conditions. I had such a project last year. Early in the project, my bosses kept asking me "why aren't you showing this as demolished?" The answer was that I hadn't gotten out into the field yet to measure it, and I didn't want to be making changes to "demolished" stuff that was now a pile of disconnected parts.

What I ended up doing was creating a Yes/No Project Parameter called "To Be Demolished" that applied to Pipes, Ducts, Mechanical Equipment, Air Terminals, etc. I then used a View Filter to apply the Demolished line style to anything that had that checkbox checked. That way my bosses were happy because things looked right, and I was happy because everything was still connected. Later into the project, once I had verified my existing conditions, I went back and properly demolished everything.

The one caveat is that your Architect will probably not like this, because the "To Be Demolished" stuff will be visible in his New Work phase, but oh well. Screw those guys! :laugh:

If your architect is smart, they ask you about it, and then use the same filter you are, so it shows correct for them too.

Unless something has changed in 2016 or 2017, I didn't think you could apply View Filters on objects inside of Links.

Thats not correct. Youve been able to for as long as i can remember... At LEAST since 2011 or 2012, possibly since Filters were created. Ive been doing that on linked files for almost that long, so im 100% certain about it.

The thing is, it will probably need to be the same shared Parameter, but thats a 4 minute solution, even if the data is all filled out already.

"Those guys" (& gals) are invited to this party as well remember.

You can, but MEP's use of System Overrides can make it more painful than it needs be.

You can override this easily with Filters. Just FYI.

-TZ

When there's something consistent (across the lot) for the search filter to catch...

(but I'm not here to hi-jack)

No there is actually.

All you need is one Filter each for Plumbing and HVAC. So on the Plumbing Filter, you include "Pipes, Pipe Fittings, Pipe Accessories" and do not apply a rule. Do the same for HVAC by including "Ducts, Duct Fittings, Duct Accessories". Add the Filter and override the Line Color to Black. This will override any System Override colors. If you want Halftone, then continue to use Black but check the Halftone box in the Filter tab via V/G and it'll match your project settings.

One caveat is to also include Mechanical Equipment. In theory you can include this Category in the HVAC Filter, but sometimes this is best to be left by itself for better control. But either way, you can't get much more consistent than top-level categories. Unlike Brian Fantana, this actually does work every time.

Hope this helps!

-TZ