Latest edition of Autodesk ABS eases transition from AutoCAD environment

The just-released 2007 version of Autodesk Building Systems® (ABS) offers a better, faster CAD environment for engineering disciplines that normally use AutoCAD®. However, to make the switch, ABS 2007 had to offer tools that were friendly to the AutoCAD environment. In earlier releases, one aspect of this migration that consumed a great deal of time was migrating AutoCAD symbols and blocks to the ABS devices and Schematic symbols. This process has been greatly enhanced with a batch-conversion facility. (Note: This review is based on beta software; minor changes may show up in production.)

To start this process, note that once again, some of the tools have moved. The content management tools are now under the CAD Manager pull-down menu. Out of the box, this is not on the standard Workspace configurations (another new feature of 2007), so from the Windows menu->Pulldowns, select the CAD Manager pulldown.

The processes to create schematic symbols and Devices are very similar. For Devices, start with a drawing containing the blocks you want, and generate a drawing in the device library (which is as before, specified under the “Options” menu -> ABS Catalogs tabs.

Devices, unlike schematic blocks, usually have 3D presentations, as well as views, so for each device, we have multiple possible blocks (model, plan, elevations and annotations). This has several implications. First, you should purge out blocks that do not apply from the source drawing; the tool will try to generate a device for any block you give it. You can fix this later, but it is usually simpler to clean up the drawing first.

To create devices in batch, we select “Batch Convert Device” from the CAD Manager pulldown.

The Batch Conversion tool creates a script file that can be reused and modified until you are happy with the conversion results. As this is simply a text file, it can be edited using the notepad. However I suggest you stick with the menus.

You can edit a pre-created script (which we will do later) or create a new one.

When creating a Conversion Script file, the dialog at right comes up. Note that you can convert either one drawing, or a complete folder of drawings in one script.

The Conversion Template sets the default characteristics for each device. As I mentioned before, the tool will try to create one device for each block. Each is assigned the following:
• Type: (Undefined, Receptacles, Lighting, Switch, Junction Box, Communication, Fire Safety, Other Power, Security)
• Category
• Masking
• Layer Key, and
• Setting for each view (Plan, Reflected and Model display representations only.)

You will also specify a default system type, connector location and whether this is to be scaled as annotation. Note: It is a bit confusing to not see an “OK” button, or to have to close the windows. More importantly, error messages show up on you command line, not in dialog boxes; be sure to note this.

The results of this generation should be considered a “first pass” and certainly not executed without editing it first. The editing dialog box has an annoying characteristic not uncommon to AutoCAD: It cannot be resized, and the dialog is far too wide for the available space. The main concern is not generating devices that you don’t need (unintended unpurged blocks). Notice that it is generating separate devices for the Plan block, model blocks etc. It is also generating views for the Plan, Model, and Reflected views for the corresponding display reps. If you have modified your display representations and configurations (or have requirements such as showing an annotation block in plan, and a realistic representation in elevation), it may be easier after generating the devices to fix this within the Styles manager. – The interface is easier to navigate and more flexible, though you are looking at one device at a time. After editing, to generate the script, select “Generate”
(As stated before, the Device File Path is the location specified under “Options,” the ABS Catalogs tab).

At this point, the devices are linked to any of the “Out of the Box” devices, managed through the Style Manager and ready to use.










 

This page last edited on Tuesday, September 19, 2006