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| Click on a picture for further information | Additional utilities | |||
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In order to increase the effectiveness of their CAD system, many companies tend to acquire additional
applications executed in parallel to the system they use. This often requires the services of programmers,
preparing external applications using a specialised programming language. In DIAMOND, the language used
for the development of external applications is identical to the one used by the regular operators, facilitating
straightforward access to the system's full range of capabilities. DIAMOND's well-organised data structure,
with its own database management system, further simplifies this task. It means that every DIAMOND operator can quite easily enhance DIAMOND's capabilities and make it more
suitable for the tasks performed or the requirements of the company using it.
In addition to user written applications, DIAMOND contains a set of internal powerful 2D and 3D utilities designed to simplify the handling of repeated operations. DIAMOND's Portal-frame and Staircase utilities allow for fast design of complete 2D or 3D objects, specified by required parameters, constantly changing with the modification of the specified parameters. DIAMOND's grid-lines utility enables design or modification of required sets of gridlines, and is particularly useful in the construction field and associated disciplines. Initial gridline data can be set to default values or taken from previously created files. Once initial parameters are specified, a full image of the design is shown, with its origin mapped to, and following, the cursor position. Required adjustments, specified by altering the various parameters of the resultant design, can be performed with the displayed image being simultaneously updated. Alternatively, a user can accept the current parameters and place the gridlines on the drawing by specifying a required position for their collective origin. DIAMOND's tagging utility allows for easy marking and tagging of assemblies and sub-assemblies, including automatically generated tables showing the full and exact contents of the marked assemblies in terms of sub- assemblies, components and other relevant data. DIAMOND's steel utility helps the structural detailer to produce accurate steelwork drawings and schedules in a much shorter time span than can be achieved by manual methods. The utility contains detailed geometry of all available serial steelwork sizes. Intersections can be dealt with by automatically generating the required notch cuts. The utility also includes a portal frame generator where user defined parameters result in the automatic creation of the complete design. DIAMOND's pipe design utility allows the definition of pipework items, or other objects with circular cross- section. The utility has two phases of execution:- The first accepts pipework definitions from the user, the second analyses the definitions, identifying and resolving clashes and automatically forming junctions. Using this utility, several different pipework configurations may be modelled, comprising straight pipes, concentric reducers, eccentric reducers, dished ends and spheres. Pipework items are built into standard components which are assembled into the final design. From this design the utility derives piping isometrics, schedules and bills of quantities. Clash detection and rendering facilities are also available. |
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