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Revit CADmep Guide Professional user guidance for modelling, coordination and production
Getting Started • Revit • CADmep • ACC

Getting Started with Revit, CADmep & ACC

This page is designed to help a new user get started with Revit and Autodesk Fabrication CADmep, including creating a native model, understanding the basic setup steps, and preparing a model for collaboration in Autodesk Construction Cloud / Autodesk Docs.

Native Revit setup ACC / Autodesk Docs setup Cloud model workflow CADmep database & services Starter best practice

1. Overview

Start here

Revit is usually used as the model-based BIM authoring environment, while CADmep is commonly used for fabrication-intent MEP detailing. Autodesk Docs / ACC supports cloud-based project setup and, when the right entitlement is in place, Revit cloud model collaboration. A practical beginner workflow is to first understand the difference between a local native model and a cloud-hosted collaborative model, then build the correct project structure from the start.

Use Revit when you need:
  • Coordinated BIM models
  • Views, sheets and schedules from one model
  • Team collaboration and documentation
Use CADmep when you need:
  • Fabrication-intent MEP detailing
  • Service templates and ITM-driven content
  • Reports, renumbering, spools and PCF export

2. Revit native model setup

Local / office workflow

A native Revit setup means starting the model directly in Revit before any cloud collaboration is added. This is usually the simplest place to begin for a new user.

1

Start with the correct template

Choose the correct company or project template first. This should already contain the correct units, view templates, browser organisation, title blocks, annotation styles, and any standard shared parameters your team expects.

2

Set project basics before modelling

Before placing major content, check levels, grids, coordinates, project information, and linked reference models. It is far easier to fix these at the start than after heavy modelling begins.

3

Link supporting models correctly

Link architecture, structure, or other discipline models using the agreed project origin / shared coordinates workflow. Do not guess positioning. If links start wrong, every downstream coordination view becomes less reliable.

4

Set up working views early

Create clean working views for coordination, modelling, and documentation. This helps with performance and makes troubleshooting easier later.

5

Enable worksharing only when needed

If multiple users will work in the same model, enable worksharing deliberately and create a sensible workset strategy. Do not add unnecessary worksets just because a project is large.

Best practice: Do not begin heavy production modelling until the template, coordinates, linked models, and naming structure are correct.

3. Revit model setup in ACC / Autodesk Docs

Cloud collaboration

For cloud collaboration, the Autodesk Docs account administrator and project administrators have setup tasks before the modeller simply opens Revit and starts working.

1

Create the Autodesk Docs / ACC project

The account or project admin creates the project, sets up administrators, and defines the project structure. A proper folder structure should exist before live models are uploaded.

2

Invite the team and assign permissions

Team members need the correct project access and the right cloud-model entitlement where cloud worksharing is being used. Access and entitlement should be checked before rollout.

3

Organise folders before uploading models

Do not dump active models into a loose folder structure. Separate work-in-progress, shared, published, and other controlled areas according to your project standards.

4

Initiate or upload the Revit model to the cloud

Once the project and folders are ready, the model can be initiated in the cloud or uploaded to enable collaboration. This is the point where the model moves from a local file approach to a cloud-based project workflow.

5

Use cloud worksharing correctly

Team members then work against the cloud model using the agreed sync and collaboration workflow. Treat cloud setup as a controlled process, not just a storage location.

Cloud model essentials
  • Correct Autodesk Docs / ACC access
  • Correct project permissions
  • Correct folder structure
  • Correct Revit cloud entitlement where required
Do not assume
  • That Revit subscription alone covers every cloud-worksharing case
  • That all users already have model access
  • That cloud storage and cloud worksharing are the same thing

4. ACC / Autodesk Docs admin steps

Admin checklist

Before a modeller starts, the admin side should already be in place.

  • Create the ACC / Autodesk Docs project.
  • Assign project administrators.
  • Set folder permissions correctly.
  • Invite the project team.
  • Confirm cloud-model access and any required product entitlement.
  • Define where active Revit models should live.
  • Agree naming and publishing conventions.
Starter tip: Build the project structure before the first live model is uploaded. Good administration at the start prevents messy collaboration later.

5. CADmep getting started

Fabrication workflow

CADmep is not only “installed software”. To be useful, it also needs the correct profile, database, service templates, and item content. New users often underestimate this.

1

Install the correct product and profile

Confirm the correct Autodesk Fabrication product access and make sure you are using the right CADmep environment for your business or project.

2

Check the fabrication database

CADmep relies on a database-driven setup. If the wrong database or a poor database is loaded, the modelling environment will also be poor.

3

Confirm service templates are present

Service templates are what users interact with to place content. If services are wrong or missing, users will struggle immediately.

4

Check ITM content and folders

CADmep content lives in item folders and ITM files. Clean, controlled content is essential for dependable fabrication-intent modelling.

5

Test reporting and output tools

Before live production work, confirm that reports, renumbering, spooling workflows, and PCF export are all working in the intended environment.

6. CADmep database, services & templates

Core setup

For CADmep, the real setup work is in the database and services, not just the software window.

Service templates
  • Control what users can place
  • Need to reflect project standards
  • Depend on correct content structure
  • Should be controlled, not casually edited
Service types
  • Help categorise products
  • Support layering and service logic
  • Should be kept clean and understandable
Important: If service templates are poorly organised, users will place inconsistent items and the outputs will also become inconsistent.

Good CADmep starter sequence

  • Open the correct profile.
  • Confirm the correct database path.
  • Review CAD settings where needed.
  • Check service templates and sections.
  • Confirm ITM content availability.
  • Place a small test run.
  • Test a report or output command.

7. Starter checks

Quick reference

Revit quick checks

  • Correct template
  • Correct units
  • Correct levels and grids
  • Correct linked-model position
  • Correct view templates
  • Correct worksharing strategy if needed

ACC quick checks

  • Project created
  • Permissions assigned
  • Folders structured
  • Users invited
  • Cloud-model access verified
  • Publishing / naming logic agreed

CADmep quick checks

  • Correct profile
  • Correct fabrication database
  • Correct services
  • Correct ITM content
  • Reports working
  • PCF / output tested

Team starter checks

  • Naming agreed
  • Revision strategy agreed
  • View / sheet standards agreed
  • Folder use agreed
  • Permissions understood
  • First issue route tested

8. Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid rework
  • Starting a Revit model with the wrong template.
  • Ignoring coordinates and linked-model position at project start.
  • Turning on worksharing without a plan.
  • Uploading live cloud models before folders and permissions are ready.
  • Assuming all users already have cloud-model access.
  • Installing CADmep but not checking the database and service setup.
  • Letting users edit service templates without control.
  • Beginning production output before testing reports, numbering, and export workflows.
Final takeaway: The best start is a controlled start. Whether you are working natively in Revit, collaborating through ACC, or detailing in CADmep, the setup quality at the beginning has a major effect on everything that follows.