In the development of Cadmatic Plant Design software, the cost savings of the engineering are always in the focus. Current version 4.4 contains a number of features that will make the daily planning and design work easier and more efficient.
"When we developed the latest software version, we aimed, in particular, at providing the designers with new features that would assist them in their daily routine tasks. These features include new steel profile routing tools, a tool for automated ladder design, and a tool for automated routing of pipe mats containing several pipes", says Teuvo Hokuni, the Development Manager of Cadmatic.
Shaded work views are one of the new features in the Plant Modeller, allowing the user to view the work screens in a shaded format. Thanks to the OpenGL visualiser, shaded views and/or wireframe views can be used at the same time. New hot keys enable the user to select which objects are visible and which are transparent, or whether they wish to hide some objects. The transparency can be adjusted as desired. All these new commands in the shaded work views make the design work even more efficient. It is easier to visualise the structures, since the objects in the 3D model are extremely realistic.
"In shaded work views, it is possible to adjust the view lights according to the needs of the users, and the light settings can be saved to be shared by all those involved in the project. The traditional wireframe views can, of course, still be used, and both shaded and wireframe views can be used simultaneously", Hokuni explains.
The new module makes the support design faster
Pipe Support Designer is a software module that has been developed for modelling the primary and secondary supports of pipings and for generating the corresponding documentation. Using the module, the designers will be able to significantly reduce the time needed for the design of supports, thus making the process more efficient and enhancing the quality.
"The module has already been applied in some projects. For example, all pipe supports for StoraEnso's new Langerbrugge paper mill were designed using Pipe Support Designer. The project covered a total of 70 kilometres of pipelines, requiring more than 3,100 pipe support entities. We have received positive feedback from the customer", says Hokuni.
New tools for smooth 3D modelling
The latest 4.4 version of the software features several new tools that will make 3D modelling easier: Set Operation, Beam and Ladder Tool. Set Operation Tool allows the user to copy, move, delete or rotate a set of objects in a new way. All general 3D model modification commands are collected under this tool.
Beam Tool is for inserting and editing of beams. Thanks to the new insert options, the creation of beams is now very flexible and easy. This tool also includes all beam editing commands. The new Pipe Support Designer software module uses this tool for creating secondary supports. The third new tool, Ladder Tool, is for inserting ladders. It is easy to model the ladders simply by pointing at their places in the 3D model.
"Up to now, each new Cadmatic release has introduced new commands to facilitate the daily routines. Version 4.4 continues this line with such new functions as the pipe modelling command, which is meant for the design of pipe mats, a tool for controlling the pipeline inclinations, and the simultaneous setting of valve and reducer into the pipeline", Hokuni lists.
Even more automatic document production
"Many of the previously time-consuming functions in the document production have been improved. For example the visualisation of equipment centre lines and module lines in the drawings are now automated", adds Hokuni.
Forerunner in the use of the Internet
In connection with the previous version, Cadmatic launched eBrowser, the world's first Internet-based 3D viewer for plant design. This application is capable of packing the geometric and database data of a 3D model into a single file in a highly efficient way. The 3D model and the associated data are then easily accessible through an ordinary Internet browser.
New opportunities for project follow-up
"At the latest Users' Meeting we introduced new features related to data retrieval, as well as the various possibilities of using eBrowser for project management, follow-up and data transmission", says Hokuni. For the design of piping isometrics, the output of data in XML format is a novel feature. Additionally, automatic annotation, in other words, the automatic positioning of dimensions and partial dimensions, has been further developed at the customers' request.
Further, the diagram editing capabilities are enhanced, including new commands and functions. The diagram database management and the links between the diagrams and the 3D model have also been improved. "As a general property of the software, the 2D annotation has been improved by adding a number of new Windows-compatible user functions, such as the new grid function", explains Hokuni.
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