Release highlights 2017T1

2017T1 contains additions to shell plates in Hull with possibility to edit hole shapes and produce pin-jig information, more color coding schemes in Diagrams, possibility to measure distances in Point Clouds in eBrowser, out-of-the-box interface with Exel in eShare and more.

Diagram

Color coding - additional tools to check the consistency of diagrams

In previous versions the active colors of diagram objects could be colors By System or colors By Nominal Size (NS). New options for the user include setting active colors By Specification and By Insulation Specification. This color scheme helps users to set certain parts of a pipeline to a different specification. The use of the functionality improves the quality of diagrams.

When using this color scheme it is easy to see the differences in specifications. By rule Specification is inherited from the pipeline. If the Specification field is set to the Armatures table, the specification can be selected from the drop-down list for parts of the pipe run or valves. The options in the drop-down list come from the specifications that are defined for the pipeline.

Diagram Administration

Possibility to inherit Insulation Specification

It is now possible to set ”InsulationSpec” as a column in the ARMATURES table. Users can then select the desired insulation for pipe runs or valves.

The color scheme for checking the insulation specification or piping specification does not require that the ARMATURES table includes these columns. The insulation specification is inherited for all piperuns and valves, if it is defined that Insulation is Required for the pipeline.

Document publish together with publish to 3D

A new document publishing option is doing it together with publishing to 3D. A setting for projects has been created so that the administrator can decide whether a document is published when the diagram is published to 3D Model. There are three options for document publishing: it is not published, it is always published or the user is prompted whether to publish or not.

Publishing documents is a good practice because it ensures that the version of the diagram that is sent to 3D model is saved. Large diagrams documents can slow down publishing to 3D slower.

Diagram publishing to 3D is faster

The performance in publishing to 3D has been enhanced. For large documents it is up to 50 % faster.

Name-based routing

More accurate assistance for 3D designers is now available for node levels. Version 2017T1 uses named-based routing. If node names match or nodes are mapped the correct pipeline is automatically selected when routing is started. If the pipeline heads towards a valve or equipment node that has a matching name or is mapped, the routing assistance bar will indicate the way to the correct node.

Name-based routing gives the administrator a toolset to use naming rules, for example, for pumps to ensure that the correct pipelines are connected for suction and discharge.

The mapping feature provides better tools for the P&I Diagram user to ensure that each pipeline is correctly connected in the 3D model if the equipment is more complicated and the simple naming rule of nodes cannot be applied.

In Plant Modeller named-based routing significantly reduces need to select pipelines and their target connections and greatly improves the quality of piping design.

The name can be set in diagram symbols or manually in diagram.

Additional documentation is available in the 2017T1 release notes: How to get routing assistance from node to node instead of from equipment to equipment

3D model

Outfitting & Plant Design

Control of spool production

In 2017T1 we started development to support pipe shop work better – a lot of new detail data related to spool manufacturing can be extracted and added to spool drawings. It enables more precise control of modifications for each part of the pipe. The new development will not replace existing ways of generating isos/spools, but provides an additional possibility.

Here are some of the new features:

  • spool geometry is presented in views as it is on the worker's table during assembly
  • a lot of new dimensional is data available to support the worker in manufacturing spools
  • less interpretation and conversion from the global in-ship coordinate system to the real spool orientation and dimensions when being assembled at the pipe shop.

Hull

Easy to make and modify holes in shell plates

Holes in shell plates can be defined based on closed hull lines, including the possibility to offset the plate inside the hole. In version 2017T1 it is possible to make modifications to the holes and change their relations with the hull lines.

In 2017T1 elongation lists and roller lines can be customized using the new user interface. The profile sketches allow manipulation of the bevel model size to fit all needs and the ability define different bevel texts for the variable bevel types.

The hull line properties allow an additional projection property. It is very useful especially when creating holes that are not perpendicular to shell plates.

Hull user interface screencapture

Pin-Jigs

The Pin-Jigs module is an add-on to the Shell Plates Development seat module. Pin-Jigs module creates the pin-jig information automatically from the 3D model for the larger shell plate panels and calculates the optimized position of the pin-jig. The module generates a pin-jig drawing with the calculated height of the pins, horizontal and vertical grid indication lines (axes), constructions like in a regular shell view, and the shell plate part numbers. The user is able to configure parameters such as the distance between the pins, or the pins diameter, and the user is able to modify the plane or even change the viewing direction. All pin jig heights from all available shell plates will be created.

Information Management

eBrowser 2017T1 Beta with new visualization is available

In the 2017T1 release, we included the official version of eBrowser (64-bit and 32-bit). In addition to it, we provide our customers with the opportunity to try the new 3D visualization in 64-bit eBrowser. This public preview version contains new visualization core, a big step forward in how eBrowser models look, and takes the rendering performance to a whole new level. You can install and try it, also to test the compatibility of your hardware. There is no risk of losing any data, and you can always revert to the official version.

The public preview version is not an official version as there are known minor issues that we’re still working on, but we still want to give you the opportunity to see and experience the new visualization, and a possibility to give feedback before the official launch. We think that the new visualization is already useful for most purposes – the only missing feature is Moving / Rotating models when you combine several *.ebm files. If you need that functionality, you need to use the official version.

eBrowser user interface screencapture

eBrowser 2017T1 Beta with new visualization

eBrowser – possibility to measure distances between points in point clouds

Revamp and retrofit projects, as well as the comparison of 3D models and as-build situations with the help of point clouds now is even more efficient with the possibility to measure distances between points in the clouds.

eBrowser user interface screencapture

eGo – store local scenes

While browsing the model the user can save a view point and return to it later. Predefined scenes come with the model file. Local saved view points can be made on the fly.

eGo – read QR codes to find anything in the 3D model

Reading QR codes from a tablet camera or external device allows any objects in the model to be found quickly. Using this technology it is possible to trace the installation of pipes and check the status on site.

eShare – new additions to integration possibilities

eShare user interface screencapture

Alfresco to eShare

eShare user interface screencapture

Point to eShare

eShare user interface screencapture

eShare

Excel adapter

Excel files are a very popular and easy way to store and exchange all kinds of information within projects. Often, purchasing or production departments use such files extensively. Using the out-of-the-box Excel adaptor, the user can merge data stored in these files with other project-related data in eShare. With a simple setup an Excel file can be linked to project and data displayed for a 3D object or used for visual styles, hierarchies or in color coding.

CMIS Adapter (Content Management Interoperability Services)

CMIS is a standard for content management systems. Supporting it in eShare means that any system based on CMIS can be integrated with eShare without the need for extra customizations or setup work. eShare uses CMIS to read folder structures and pdf documents and links them with 3D model items. The supported systems include are LogicalDoc, Alfresco, and SharePoint.

Indexing for external document adapters

eShare now supports two-way linking between the 3D model and external documents by allowing administrators to enable indexing for external data sources. When indexing is enabled, eShare opens all external documents (of the indexed document data source) in the background and searches it for items (links). This information is recorded to the eShare database. eShare can thus show links from the 3D model to items in external documents. After all documents have been indexed, eShare refreshes the index every 2 hours.

Pattern-based linking from 3D model to documents based on document name in file system document adapter

eShare now allows two-way linking between the 3D model and documents coming from the file system document adapter based on the document names. This means that eShare can create a link to a document even if no indexing is used, if the document name can be constructed using the model object (or group) attributes. This is especially suitable for creating links to documents with well-formatted names, such as isometric drawings or spool drawings.

eShare – Smart Points with hyperlink adapters and export to Excel

It is possible now to use hyperlink adapters in smart points to link any information to the point. A complete list of smart points with all the data and attributes can be exported to Excel

eShare user interface screencapture

eShare Smart Point

eShare – linking between the 3D model and documents

  • Links can be injected to managed documents
  • Support for links to multi-line texts