What’s New in v8

Model geo-location with Google Maps. It’s now much simpler to geographically reference your models inside SketchUp, and the best part is you don’t need Google Earth open either, saving your system resources.

Color imagery and more accurate terrain. So there is no need to save images inside Google Earth anymore and then replacing the greyscale with the colour copy, its all done first time to speed up efficiency. The level of accuracy has been improved as well, so I will be looking forward to put this to the test.

Match Photo improvements. Some new features have been incorporated to enhance the already powerful tool.

SketchUp, meet Building Maker. When it comes to modeling existing buildings, it’s hard to beat Building Maker for speed and efficiency. We are still waiting for the city of London to be added to the list of cities to choose from, but for what’s its worth it is a brilliant tool and extremely versatile.

More great things about SketchUp 8

I have just discovered what I think is one of the best enhancements, SAVE TOOLBAR POSITION. This allows users to turn on and of toolbars keeping them locked in the same position

Meet the Solid Tools (PRO). SketchUp Pro 8 includes a powerful new set of tools for additive and subtractive modeling:

Union adds together two or more shapes.

Intersect makes a new shape out of the bits that overlap [parts that are common] – while deleting everything else.

Subtract turns a shape into a 3D cookie cutter. Use it to slice and dice any other solid.

Trim tells one shape to take a bite out of the other – without deleting the first shape.

Split makes a new shape out of the bits that overlap – while keeping everything else.

Scene Thumbnails.

Now that you can see the scene’s created it will make walkthroughs a whole lot easier to manage and track changes visually.

Back Edges.

Turn these on to see your model’s obscured edges as dashed lines. A great alternative to Wireframe or X-Ray mode when you need to be able to see through your model.

Angular Dimensions in LayOut (PRO).

Some enhancements have been added and its now also possible to add angular dimensions.

Push/Pull pre-selected faces.

Select a face, then push/pull; it works just like the rest of SketchUp’s modification tools. Super handy when you don’t want to change your point of view.

Calculate volumes.

Entity Info now displays the volume of any solid in your model. Volumes are also included in reports you generate with SketchUp Pro.

Outer Shell.

Automatically generate a shape that completely encloses two or more solids in your model. It’s a little like shrink-wrapping your geometry. Did someone say 3D printing?

DWG/DXF 2010 (PRO).

SketchUp Pro 8 supports the DWG/DXF 2010 format for importing and exporting vector data for your models.

DWG/DXF export in LayOut (PRO).

Like to draft in LayOut? With this version, you can share your LayOut 3 drawings as files that any CAD system or 3D modeler (including SketchUp Pro) can open.

Dashed lines are configurable in LayOut (PRO).

Not finding what you need in LayOut’s library of dashed line styles? Now you can adjust things to make your own.

Precise Move in LayOut (PRO).

This new features will make aligning objects a whole lot easier. The rotation grip now acts like a temporary tracking point to assist in moving and aligning viewports.

To download your copy of SketchUp 8 Free or PRO simply follow this link: http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/download/index.html

Made specifically for P&ID process plant designers and engineers, AutoCAD® P&ID software enables faster and more efficient creation, manipulation, and revisions to P&ID drawings.

1. Industry-standard P&ID symbols

AutoCAD P&ID includes complete P&ID symbol libraries conforming to standards for PIP, ISA, JIS, and ISO/DIN. Easy-to-use tool palettes provide quick access to equipment, lines, and components needed to create P&ID drawings.

2. Easy-to-learn interface

AutoCAD P&ID is built on the most up-to-date version of AutoCAD® software and leverages standard AutoCAD features. The AutoCAD P&ID interface enhancements allow quick start-up time and increased productivity with little to no training. If you know AutoCAD, learning AutoCAD P&ID is easy and maintenance doesn’t require complex IT support.

3. Dynamic process and signal lines

Easy-to-draw process lines automatically snap to equipment connection points and intelligently reroute when connected equipment is moved. Lines automatically break and mend as components are attached or removed. Intuitive edit control grips make editing lines quick and easy.

4. Dynamic components

AutoCAD P&ID provides industry standard components that can be edited and moved using intuitive control grips. Components automatically align and snap into location when placed on process lines. When a process or signal line is moved or edited, components stick with the line, maintaining the right order, orientation, and relationship to the line.

5. Easy symbol creation and substitution

AutoCAD P&ID lets you customize and convert a group of geometric shapes or lines into distinct components or equipment to meet your company standards. Add new symbols to the project symbol library to increase drawing consistency within the organization. Substitute an existing drawing symbol with a new, similar symbol with a single click.

6. Report and list generation

The AutoCAD P&ID Data Manager feature makes it easy to generate, view, and print a variety of common reports for all drawings in a project. Reports include Instrument Lists, Line Lists, Equipment Lists, and Valve Lists. Use AutoCAD P&ID to create and customize these reports.

7. Import and export to Microsoft Excel

Many engineering teams across disciplines provide input on the information contained in the P&ID drawings. Share drawing data with other teams by exporting the drawing or project data to Microsoft Excel and then importing the updated information back into the drawings. Electronically transmit P&ID drawing files containing embedded information without the need to query and filter data from a database.

8. Review and approve data edits

AutoCAD P&ID makes it easy to identify all changes submitted when data is imported from Excel. Click on changes in the Data Manager to highlight both the suggested change and to display the relevant part of the drawing. Changes can be accepted or rejected individually or in groups―a feature that helps manage revisions made externally and maintains the integrity of the drawing files.

9. Tag generation and uniqueness

As you add objects to a drawing, AutoCAD P&ID maintains the uniqueness of the object across all drawings in the project, which helps prevent users from purchasing the same plant asset multiple times. Enter associated data properties for all symbols and drawing elements at any time throughout the project.

10. Search and edit using a spreadsheet interface

The Data Manager functionality―a dedicated utility within AutoCAD P&ID―applies a spreadsheet interface to all the objects on a drawing. Use the Data Manager to sort, filter, and find components in P&ID drawings and quickly enter data properties specific to those objects. Line numbers, component values, and other data edited in the Data Manager are instantly updated in your P&ID drawings. Zooming features within Data Manager instantly zoom your drawing window to the appropriate drawing object or record in the Data Manager.

A couple of weeks back I blogged about the continued connectivity between Autodesk 2011 products (click the link if you missed this!) http://www.technology4design.com/?p=805. To further expand on this I wanted to take a look at the adsk file transfer from Inventor 2011 to Revit MEP 2011. The model below has been designed within Inventor and contains a huge number of components (2740 parts!) with a high level of detail. This is great for digital prototyping and manufacture but not so good for AutoCAD and Revit MEP as the model would be far too complex.

The first stage is to run the Inventor assembly through the shrinkwrap process. This will remove all components of a certain size and cap holes within the limits you specify. Inventor will then create a single part which remains linked back to the assembly so the shrinkwrapped file can update if your design changes.

Once this is done we then use the AEC Exchange tools within Inventor to prepare the model for consumption in Revit MEP. Inventor can output files to Revit Architecture, Structure and MEP and also AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP.

Within the AEC Exchange tools you define your various connectors such as pipe, duct, Cable tray etc. You also specify the component type and information that you want to transfer to Revit MEP.

The model is then transfered as an adsk file. Notice that all the materials have been mapped from Inventor to Revit using the new Autodesk Materials library. I have then used the compoent tool in Revit MEP to place the Chiller on the Roof as shown below. This is an exciting workflow which will enable manufactures to publish models quickly and effectively and start to create a large library of up to date equipment for Revit and AutoCAD MEP.

The next blog will outline transfers to Civil3D.

Lawrence

Welcome to this new section on the Excitech Consultant’s blog, for those active in design of process and plant systems.