Design Line Templates

[wtucker0301]

Andy has asked for ideas for Designline templates.

I have been thinking about this for a while and I think with this suggestion we could eliminate the majority of dynamic sub assemblies and this would be a lot easier to create and modify.

Setup Services

• Have a tab is Setup Services for Designline Templates

• Have he ability to copy from one service to another

• I would like to double click and edit from within the service setup and/or another location within the database.

• Also have the ability to copy/paste/rename and edit for similar templates

• Design Line Template Editor

     Line Segments

• Have a graphical display of the Template

• Have the ability to define/name each line segment for an explanation to the user

• Have the ability to edit Constraints, Length of segments, Elevation, Position From, Fall, Float and Ignore hangers.

• The elevation will not be used to define an elevation typically, but to unlock/release it from an absolute elevation like we have in the templates now, how ever we would need to set the insertion point to and absolute for everything else that is set to relative to follow. If we had a drop to a Lavatory of water closet, we may want to set that line segment to an elevation.

     Nodes

• We want to be able to define/change the source

• We want to be able to edit Button Codes, Constraints, Type, Elevation, Movable, and Rotation

• Template Setup / Placement

• Now instead of listing the constraints an we do currently, we have an explanation for each segment for the user

• We would also like the ability to change constraints and line lengths during placement.

[gmurphy]

• We need to be able to nest multiple Templates together at insertion time on separate Templates.  Ex.-(CHWR & CHWS) or (DCW, DHW, W&V).  Or be able to apply multiple Services to one Template.
• We need to be able to Report how many of each Service Template Separately used by Size and Qty ect…
• We need to be able to apply costing differently to each Template (Ex.-Different Labor Source).   
• At Report time have to ability brake out items or keep them grouped as a Template like we currently do with Sub-Assemblies.

[Anonymous]

Maybe have an option to flag up missmatch in sizes if a changed is made to pipe in a run but not updated a transition connecting to  new pipe size.

As in Revit - Flag up Disconnects if a gap between nodes.

Swap out of equipment (pump types etc)

Swap out of valve types.

As gmurphy. Option to cost as a pre-fab component v's installation in individual components.

Option to include pre-fab steel frame / base in template with fqabrication times for cutting / welding frame together.

[Anonymous]

This is a lot better than what we have today. However personally, I'd like to throw out Design Line and build new functionality for all this from the gound up, not build upon the existing design line infrastructure.

[brett.stacks]

Interesting point Darren. If you had to do it all over again, what would be different?

[gene.kuhns]

Brett,

There should be a ton of "Wish-List" items regarding assemblies...especially from the Estimators...I know we gave many to Maps & TSI over the years...

- Being able to Nest Assemblies is HUGE

  - Currently, sub-assemblies do not allow for any nesting (Assemblies within assemblies...for unlimited number of levels)

- Multiple Services with variable dimensions in the assembly

- Change a master assembly (add a valve, remove something, etc...), changes all currently used assemblies in the Takeoff

- Apply custom data, or other perameters to the "Mother", and it applies to the Children as well

  - Right now, one must open each & every sub-assembly to apply Custom Data...what a pain

- Elevation should be relative (currently, try to take off a template & cross any other active design line...the template will jump in elevation)

- Personally, I like the way a template currently ties to a design line.  However, it is limited in that it can only contain one service...

  - We need to be able to have multiple services that fill in respectively

  - Perhaps a "Fill all Design Lines" command

[gene.kuhns]

Be certain as this is looked at, that all the comments are reviewed as well...

There is a lot of information on what is needed for Assemblies/Templates in the comments...