Hi,
I would just like to add some feedback regarding a recent purchase i made of the Super Project Manager (SPM) from Doug McAlexander at www.ecadconsultant.com
The software has proved to be a fantastic investment, and the benefits it now introduces on larger projects is immeasurable! We have recently started manufacturing multi-bay sytems and, as a result, the drawings now need to have a far greater level of project structure and flexibility - made very easy by SPM!
Highly recommended!
Regards,
Rob
Interesting.
Does this keep seperate project databases for each sub project?
IE: It would be nice to group a few current projects into one "Super Project" to run reports such as component tags, drawing lists, etc.
Hi,
When you create each sub project, it also creates its own WDP allowing individual project settings/title block info for each sub set of drawings. I am finding it very useful at the moment for having several different component prefixes for each cubicle of a multi-compartment system. The wire numbers and component references can then be set up individually within each sub projects properties area.
Still getting to grips with it conceptually - but so far very impressed!
Hope this helps.
Rob
There is a separate project "scratch" database for each sub-project because each sub-project has its own project definition (projectname.WDP) file. But remember that the project "scratch" databases AutoCAD Electrical creates are only slaves of the drawings, not the other way around. These databases are mainly used to expedite processes within AutoCAD Electrical. In fact, they can be deleted without damaging your project, since the drawing data is stored inside of the drawing (.DWG) files themselves. To prove this exit AutoCAD Electrical and delete the projectname.mdb file(s) from your User subfolder. Start AutoCAD Electrical again and it will create a new projectname.mdb file for each project you activate. This is actually a healthy exercise to perform from time to time as you work on a project.
You could create a master or "super" project and add the drawings from the various projects to collect all of their drawing data into one project "scratch" database. Be advised however that you run the risk of component tag duplication errors, wire number duplication errors, etc. if any of these projects have tags or wire numbers that match.
Note: AutoCAD Electrical has always allowed us to reference drawings from other projects or folders into any project, making it possible to update the same drawings from multiple projects. For example, let's say you have a legend sheet that should be referenced by every project. You do not need to put the same legend sheet in each project folder. Just create the legend sheet and store it in a common folder/repository. Right-click on a project in the Project Manager and choose Add Drawings. Navigate to the folder containing the legend sheet drawing and add it to the project. Anytime the legend sheet is updated, the changes will appear in each project that includes this same legend sheet. In the case of a legend sheet it is advisable to set it as a "For Reference Only" drawing so none of the projects add data from this page to their "scratch" database.
Hi,
Will SPM allow you to cross reference between parent & child components between the main and sub projects?
Also can you cross reference between source & destination arrows between the main and sub projects?
Cheers Brett
Hi Doug,
Is there any possibility that the super project manager can be added to Vanilla AutoCAD, just for the utilization of such tools as the titleblock update?
Cheers,
Mike Miller
Hi Mike! The Super Project Manager is an extension of the Project Manager that comes with AutoCAD Electrical. It doesn't stand alone and thus offers no improvement to plain AuroCAD. Are you stuck using plain AutoCAD again? I can't imagine using plain AutoCAD again.
Hi Doug,
Can you advise how much this Super Project Manager add on is.
Thanks.