EL:
Actually, I'm quite familiar with your workflow as some of the work I do
is welding fume extraction. I can see where the layers would be nice.
I don't have the magic solution but I'll share where my workflow is at
the moment, where it's evolving and why I tolerate some of the
inefficiencies.
I tried to import a plant layout. The dwg file was 36MB. I'm not sure
I ever got that beast into a sketch, I lost patience and killed the IV
session after a long look at the hourglass. What would be ideal for
this type of project would be the ability for IV to XREF the dwg, but
that's not available.
Since then, I've modelled critical portions of the layout which will
interfere with ducting - you know, cable trays, platforms, some building
structure, existing air make up ducting etc. I then position all of my
fume hoods or pick-up points from existing machinery. This is all
manually transcribed between the dwg and plant ipt. Frankly, this is a
huge duplication of existing effort.
As a cross check, I create a plan view in an idw, export this to a dwg
and XREF this into my plant layout dwg.
Next time through, I'm going to try some importing of dwg to sketches to
streamline the above. As I indicated initially, there's too much
information in the plant layout. Next go round (Monday) my plan is to
WBlock only key information to sub dwgs. Get rid of as much extraneous
information as possible and pare it down to the bare minimum. If
necessary, trace some simplified geometry over complex features and
delete the complex stuff. I think this will shorten the prep time.
These clean dwgs can then be imported into separate sketches.
Visibility sketches can be turned on and off just like layers. You can
also place the sketches at various elevations. For example my next
project requires me to duck under an existing conveyor, so the outline
sketch will be at that elevation.
So where's the payback for all this effort?
Because my installations are fully modelled in 3d:
- Bills of Materials are accurate. Having all the parts on site as
installation commences saves a lot of grief and there's not a warehouse
of surplus 'just to be sure' inventory.
- My client blows their clients away with the professionalism of the
isometric views and screen snapshots.
- The installation contractors get to see what they're up against and
are given the solution to tricky bits in advance.
- The enhanced accuracy of 3d has avoided costly contractor backcharges
that my client was encountering with the 2d layouts.
My client has the benefit of competition. They've gone back and forth
between my (more expensive) services and those of someone doing (less
expensive) 2d layouts in AutoCAD. In this Darwinian environment, IV is
winning. The design is more expensive, but by the time it's installed,
it's way more cost effective.
Attached please find a screen snapshot of one of my installations.
Nothing tricky on this one. There are some runs that you'd be hard
pressed to design in 2d.
Richard
EL wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Here is the reason i need layers.
>
> We design air pollution control equipement and that means alot of ductwork.
> In order to properly model the ductwork, i always start by plotting a center
> line going throught walls, and floor, Around column and all type of
> equipment in the building.
>
> In order for me to do that i use customers 2D drawing of the whole building
> with equipment. If you are familiar with architectural, they draw plan view
> of each elevation (usually floors), then view or section at specific column
> position. So i create a dwg block for each of those 2D, and end up with, for
> exemple, 10-15 so block. Then i import all those different block in a MDT
> drawing and place then a each of there real position in each plan. So i need
> to be able to put different 2D block layer at off, obviously there is alot
> of stuff. Once i have the 5-6 flat block i need to work with, i need to be
> able to put layers within those block on and off to be able to draw my
> centerline.
>
> I need it has a working tool, i can put each flat 2D within a sketch, but i
> also need to put layers on and off within that sketch. If there would be a
> tool that would import a dwg and put each layers on a different sketch, that
> would be a good start.
>
>
> When i start a design in (MDT)
> "Richard Hinterhoeller (AIS 11 SP2)" wrote in
> message news:5392941@discussion.autodesk.com...
> All of us who've migrated over to Inventor have been frustrated because
> we didn't yet understand how IV does things that we knew how to do so
> easily in our prior software. See comments embedded.
>
> EL wrote:
>
>
>>Simply imagine doing a assembly drawing where you are missing space to put
>>some dim or info, in mechanical i'd simply copy the "layout" remove the
>>dimension i already did in the first layout and add what ever i needed.
>>That
>>saved me the trouble of doing the views all over again.....
>
>
> This has been answered.
>
>
>>A other issue "IMHO" very important. There is no such things has global
>>design variables in Inventor, like mechanical has. I mean by that for
>>those
>>who do not know MDT. Vriable in a assembly that would overwrite the same
>>variable of a part or any other sub assemblies...
>
>
> Have you looked into skeletal modelling? This technique allows just that.
>
>
>>Also, why can't i import a cad drawing to a sketch and still use layers
>>within that dwg import? Just because of this specific issue i'm going to
>>have to keep using MDT.
>
>
> I've never found the need to import a dwg complex enough to consider
> layers to know of any techniques for this. Perhaps someone who has
> might chime in.
>
> If you care to elaborate on the workflow that needs this, we might
> propose solutions.
>
> Richard
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