Advanced 3D interfaces

The new interface was designed to be more efficient and this has been achieved in particular with advanced 3D interfaces. The X-ray feature, familiar from eBrowser, is now used in Plant Modeller and allows the user to see what is being modelled even when obscured by surrounding objects. This and the visualization of edges and seams, make shaded views much more useful than before. Views can be easily customized and can float freely which allows them to be dragged between multiple screens.

As before, we are piloting some new interface techniques in eBrowser. In this version, it not only sports a new look but also has snapping, which allows quick and exact picking of model geometry points. The new user interface is much more than a makeover, but aims to provide the designer with a totally new and more efficient user experience. The user interface will remain at the forefront of development efforts at Cadmatic and subsequent versions will not only bring these changes to all modules, but will contain new features and improvements as well.

Insulation

Version 6 brings with it the all new insulation feature that will ease the work of designers significantly. Pipe insulation is specification-driven which means that the different insulation specifications can already be defined in the diagram phase. When modelling the correct insulation and materials are automatically selected according to the specifications and requires no further input from the user.  This saves time and also helps the user to identify the correct space allocations immediately and to notice possible collisions while modelling. Improvements have also been made to collision detection in version 6 with two types of collisions, hard and soft (insulation), now detected. Collision detection is more precise in V6 than in previous versions and user-friendly tools have been added to facilitate the acceptance or rejection of collisions.

Mark-up feature and visible edges

In V6 the Cadmatic eBrowser boasts a brand new mark-up function that is bound to make all eBrowser users sit up and take notice. The extremely useful mark-up tool allows the user to glue notes directly into the eBrowser that can then be sent immediately to another project partner for review or further commenting, without the need to send an explanatory email or make further phone calls.  The user can flexibly point out components and areas by drawing arrows or encircling desired components to which the notes can be added. The eBrowser has always been an excellent project communication tool but with this new feature its reputation will be further enhanced. In V6 snapping to pipe centre lines and to edges has been introduced. This will allow the user to make measurements even faster than before, adding further power to the mark-up tool’s punch.  In V6 edges and corners are visible, providing the user with much clearer and more detailed information about the model. In shaded views and in some axonometric views visible edges identify the true position and composition of components that would not be discernable without this feature. This feature is available in both eBrowser and Plant Modeller in V6.

Initial Material Estimation

At Cadmatic there has recently been an increased focus on developing tools to increase the scope of use of the software in the early design phases of plant design projects. The Initial Material Estimation (IME) tool in Cadmatic Diagram is an example of such a development. Once the basic plant dimensions are available and the general process and component P&ID’s have been created, the IME can be used to generate an estimated list of materials and components that will be required in the plant. This is an extremely useful tool for rapidly estimating the materials cost of a plant as early as the concept design phase.

Functional design template

The functional design template tool is an extremely useful tool for storing and reusing model objects or object sets as functional design templates for later use. The user simply picks piping elements, hvac, layouts or components from the 3D model and stores them in the library for later use. When the user works with a similar area or component set etc. at a later stage the functional design template can be inserted into the model after which the necessary adjustments are made. This saves a lot of time in the early design phases and enables design companies to make more efficient use of design materials from previously completed projects.

New hole management

In V6 the hole management tool has been completely reengineered. It comes with an improved and expanded toolset for managing holes in objects originating from Cadmatic and third-party software such as Napa Steel, Tekla etc. Doors and door holes are fully supported and a larger set of holes is also available. New hole types that are supported include super-elliptical holes, elliptical rectangular holes, asymmetrical manholes, rectangular holes with protruding rounded edges, and triangular holes. There are no limits to which model objects the tool can manage. When locating a component into the 3D model the user simply pics the steel structure and directs a hole request. 

New advanced tutorial and help material

A new and extremely easy-to-use tutorial is now available for model building in Cadmatic Piping. It requires the installation of an example project during Cadmatic software installation. The tutorial is divided into three chapters and provides detailed instructions of the mandatory steps required to start modelling including creating an area for Plant Modeller and Pipe, defining design area limits and setting views. This is followed by an introduction to routing fourteen pipelines with examples on how to navigate and create isometric drawings. The final chapter covers view management, hiding objects and clipping views. The tutorial has already proven to be a hit with its first users with praise coming in for the ease with which new designers can get started with the help of the tutorial.

ERP/Material management systems integrations

The Cadmatic development team has several ongoing projects with current customers concerning ERP and materials management system integration projects. Among these is STX Europe in Finland, internationally renowned for building the largest cruise ships in the world, for which a special integration between the Nupas-Cadmatic Diagram module and the yard’s Logimatic Mars system has been developed. Cadmatic is well placed to provide its customers with similar integrations to their ERP and Mars systems.