Drawing seed files define the location and size of support graphics in the drawing and contain text nodes that are used for annotating the border and defining annotation symbology. Each drawing seed file can have an optional border file attached as a reference. The drawing seed files work together with the SM_DRW.DAT drawing settings file.
SupportModeler creates each fabrication drawing by copying a 3D drawing seed file (*.sht) with an optional attached border reference file (*.brd) into a new 3D drawing file. The user can select the seed file to use for each support in order to most effectively display the graphics of the support and its position in the plant. You determine what seed files are available to the user for the each project.
Each project can use standard company-wide drawing formats, or each can have unique project-specific drawing formats.
✍ See the delivered example seeds and borders SM_ASIZE and SM_BSIZE in the C:\Program Files\SupMod\Seeds\ directory.
✍ Seed files must be 3D MicroStation files, not 2D, or the drawing routines will not work properly.
✍ Seed files for a project should be located in the project’s \Seeds\
directory.
View Definition Panels
A view definition panel is a numerically-tagged rectangular shape in the drawing seed file in which a view of the 3D support model can be displayed.
✍ Maximum number of view panels in a drawing is now 20 (increased from previous limit of 5 in versions prior to Version 7.2.3).
During drawing production, the 3D support model and it’s displayed reference models are attached as reference files for each view panel. Each view is sized and clipped in the orientation specified by the user (in the
Relevant Settings for “Drawing Seed Files” Location ORIENTATION property in SUPPORT definition SUPPORT.ITM
Customizing the Fabrication Drawings
Active Support Parameters properties View in Panel 1, View in Panel 2, etc.) so that the active support and a portion of the surrounding structure fit within the panel. In addition, view panels can automatically display detail cells on the drawing (see “Automatic Detail Cells” on page 68). The view panels themselves are automatically deleted from the drawing file after the reference files are attached.
➤ To create a view definition panel in a drawing seed file Refer to the MicroStation User’s Guide for detailed instructions on placing a block and working with tags.
1. Using the MicroStation Place Block tool, place an orthogonal block into the seed file (.sht, not the border file), within the boundaries of the border.
2. Using the MicroStation Attach Tags tool, attach a numerical tag to the block with a unique value from 1 to 5.
Once a view panel is created, it can be copied to create additional view panels. For copied panels, use the MicroStation Edit Tags tool to change each tag to a unique numerical value from 1 to 5.
Relevant Settings for “View Definition Panels” Location
SUPMOD_DRAWING_VIEW_PANEL_TAG_SET_NAME SM_DRW.DAT
SM_DRAWCLIPZ SM_DRW.DAT
SUPMOD_DRAWING_SUPPRESS_COMMON_ORTHO_SCALE SM_DRW.DAT
SUPMOD_DRAWING_FAST_FIT SM_DRW.DAT
SUPMOD_DRAWING_SUPPRESS_REFS_IN_VIEW_PANELS SM_DRW.DAT
Drawing Seed Files
Automatic View Panel Labels
When the user generates a drawing, each view panel that displays a drawing view, or the keyplan, gets an automatic text label to clarify the contents of the view. For example, Elevation Looking West, Isometric Looking Northeast, Plan View, or Keyplan. You can control the text of these labels and the symbology but, for now, the label is always placed at the bottom center of the view panel..
Annotation Text Nodes
Text nodes are placed into the seed file to define the location, font, and justification for displaying specific annotation data on a fabrication drawing. Each text node corresponds to a specific SupportModeler property as defined in the SupportModeler drawing settings file, SM_DRW.DAT. For each project, this ASCII data file maps specific properties, or expressions, to specific text node numbers. Each seed file used in a project should use the same text node numbers for the same properties. Data is displayed on a text node by using the text attributes associated with that text node.
Refer to the MicroStation User’s Guide for detailed instructions on changing view settings, working with text nodes, and compressing design files.
Relevant Settings for “Automatic View Panel Labels” Location
SYMBOLOGY_VIEWLABELS SM_DRW.DAT
Associated SYMBOLOGY_VIEWLABELS text node Drawing Seed Files
SUPMOD_DRAWING_NORTH_TEXT Description of MicroStation Saved View, if User specifies a saved view in a view panel Support models
Customizing the Fabrication Drawings
➤ To add a text node to a drawing seed file 1. Open the drawing seed file in MicroStation.
2. Turn on the display of text nodes by using the MicroStation View Settings dialog box.
3. Set the MicroStation Active Text Attributes as you want.
4. Set the text node number by using the MicroStation key-in:
nn=###
where ### is the node number that you want.
5. Using the MicroStation Place Text Node tool, place the text node in the location in the seed file (.sht, not the border file) where you want it.
6. In the same manner, place additional text nodes.
✍ The node number is incremented automatically after each placement. If the next number is the one you want, you do not have to set the node number again.
7. Turn off the display of text nodes and compress the design file.
8. Add or edit entries in the SM_DRW.DAT file for the new text nodes.
Refer to the section “Controlling Drawing Features using
SM_DRW.DAT” on page -59 for more information. Unless the text nodes are listed correctly in the drawing settings file, SupportModeler will ignore them during drawing creation.
✍ If you are working on a text node for the display of the BOM listing, you need to manually determine how many lines of BOM text will fit inside the border at that text node location. You need to enter the maximum number of lines into the BOM entry in the drawing settings file for the project.
Drawing Seed Files
Symbology Text Nodes
Symbology text nodes are used to define the symbology and font for the various automatic annotation, such as callout leaders, weld symbols, and view panel labels. They are placed identically to annotation text nodes and there is nothing special about the text nodes themselves. In the
TEXT_NODES section of SM_DRW.DAT, they are associated with specific annotation features using the SYMBOLOGY_xx keywords as outlined below.
✍ The symbology text nodes are used only as symbology templates and no text is written onto them in the drawing. The location of these text nodes is not important. When a drawing is posted, the empty text nodes are removed from the drawing file.
✍ Dimension symbology is controlled using the MicroStation dimension symbology settings in the drawing seed file, while the symbology of all other drawing annotation is controlled using symbology text nodes in the seed file. For more information on automatic dimensions, see “Automatic Dimensions” on page 65
Associated annotation text nodes Drawing Seed Files Properties in SUPPORT item definition SUPPORT.ITM
Relevant Settings for “Symbology Text
Nodes” Location
Associated annotation text nodes Drawing Seed Files Relevant Settings for “Annotation Text
Nodes” Location
Customizing the Fabrication Drawings
Recommended View Settings
When you have completed your changes to the drawing seed files, we recommend the following view settings for use with the SupportModeler drawing routines.
➤ To use recommended view settings
1. In the MicroStation window, choose Settings>View Attributes from the menu bar.
2. Select the following check boxes in the View Attributes dialog box.
These are the recommended settings when you save a seed file:
Controlling Drawing Features using SM_DRW.DAT seed files use this method. Each time you open a project,
SupportModeler updates the value of SM_BORDER to the \Seeds\
directory of the project so the drawing routines are always able to locate the border reference file.
• If the drawings are stored in a durable location that all machines can access, you can Save Full Path when you attach the border.
• Or, you can add the border file path to the MicroStation
configuration variable MS_RFDIR. Then, attach the reference files without saving full path.
Controlling Drawing Features using SM_DRW.DAT
The drawing settings file, SM_DRW.DAT is a simple, self-commented ASCII file with several functions. For detailed instructions for each item, refer to the SM_DRW.DAT file itself.
• The SYMBOLOGY section defines the weights, styles. colors and levels for supports and reference models in the fabrication drawings.
• The TEXT_NODES section assigns specific project and drawing properties from the support, or expressions that are evaluated on hte support, to specific, user-defined text nodes in the drawing seed file.
It also defines text nodes to use for controlling the symbology of the various annotation callouts and controls the format of the bill of material description on the drawing.
• The CONFIGURATION_VARIABLES section contains
configuration variable definitions for controlling drawing behaviour on a project-basis.
• The DRAWING_SEED_FILES section allows you to specify what drawing seed files are available to the user in the Drawing Page Layout property of the Active Support Parameters dialog.
✍ Each project has its own SM_DRW.DAT file in the project’s \Seeds\
directory.
Key-Plan or Location Plan
The key-plan identifies the position of the active support relative to an existing column-grid or to the global origin of the 3D model. The key-plan is oriented relative to Plant North and is automatically generated and
Customizing the Fabrication Drawings
annotated. The symbology, text size, and labelling of the key-plan can be controlled, but the overall format can not be customized.
Frameworks Plus Column Grid Defined
For PDS projects with Frameworks Plus structural steel, the key-plan shows the position of the support relative to the nearest intersection of column-grid lines. This assumes that the Frameworks Plus structural grid has been exported to an ASCII file, and that the path of this grid file was specified during SupportModeler project setup. The key-plan is labeled showing the grid line labels of the intersecting grid lines.
Relevant Settings for “Key-Plan or Location Plan” Location
SUPMOD_DRAWING_KEYPLAN_TEXT SM_DRW.DAT
SUPMOD_DRAWING_KEYPLAN_STYLE_USE_KP_TEXT SM_DRW.DAT
SUPMOD_DRAWING_SUPPRESS_KEYPLAN_TEXT_SIZE_CHANGE SM_DRW.DAT SUPMOD_SUPPRESS_UNITS_IN_KEYPLAN_COORDINATES SM_DRW.DAT
SYMBOLOGY_KEYPLAN SM_DRW.DAT
SUPMOD_DRAWING_NORTH_ARROW_TEXT SM_DRW.DAT
Associated SYMBOLOGY_KEYPLAN text node Drawing seed files
PDS Grid File Project Settings
Controlling Drawing Features using SM_DRW.DAT The key-plan shows the position of the support relative to the global origin of the support model.
Keyplan Coordinate Callout Leader
A keyplan coordinate callout leader is placed into one or more drawing views to clearly identify which point on the support is being displayed in the keyplan. The callout shows global coordinates, regardless of whether a column grid is defined, or you can display some generic text instead. You can control the symbology, text, terminator size and shape, and what views the callouts are placed into. The callout leader uses the same symbology as notes, unless you choose the old-style KP text, in which case it uses the same symbology as BOM item callouts.
Relevant Settings for “Keyplan Coordinate Callout Leader” Location
SUPMOD_DRAWING_KEYPLAN_STYLE_USE_KP_TEXT SM_DRW.DAT
SUPMOD_SUPPRESS_UNITS_IN_KEYPLAN_COORDINATES SM_DRW.DAT
SUPMOD_DRAWING_KEYPLAN_CALLOUT_TERMINATOR_DIA SM_DRW.DAT
SUPMOD_DRAWING_KEYPLAN_CALLOUT_TERMINATOR_SHAPE SM_DRW.DAT
SUPMOD_DRAWING_VIEW_PANELS_FOR_KEYPLAN_COORDINATE_CALLOUT SM_DRW.DAT SYMBOLOGY_CALLOUTS and SYMBOLOGY_CALLOUT_TEXT or
SYMBOLOGY_NOTES and SYMBOLOGY_NOTE_TEXT
SM_DRW.DAT
Associated SYMBOLOGY_xxx text nodes Drawing seed files
SUPMOD_DRAWING_EASTING_INITIAL, SUPMOD_DRAWING_NORTHING_INITIAL and SUPMOD_DRAWING_ELEVATION_INITIAL
SM_DRW.DAT
Customizing the Fabrication Drawings
Callout Leaders
Callout leaders are automatically placed in the drawing to associate each component with the BOM line number that displays the description. The arrow of each leader points to the geometric center of the component, and the callout bubbles are placed in what the software thinks is a good location, attempting to avoid occupied space in the drawing.
The automatic format and position of the callout leaders cannot be customized, but they can be adjusted after the drawing is generated, using either the SupportModeler Move Leaders tool or MicroStation Move tools.
One callout leader is placed in the drawing for every numbered line item
Controlling Drawing Features using SM_DRW.DAT
Storing Callout Leader BOM Item Numbers
By default, when callout leaders are generated in the drawing, the item number is not stored anywhere and can not be reported on. If you wish to store the BOM item numbers with the support components, you can change the BOM_SHOW_ASSEMBLIES option in SM_DRW.DAT to either 4 or 41 (41 displays welds and notes within assemblies, 4 does not).
See SM_DRW.DAT file as well.
When this option is used, the software stores the BOM item number in a property called BOM_ITEM_NO that is included in all delivered definitiones. In addition, the SUPPORT object has a property HIGHEST_BOM_ITEM_NO in which the software stores the maximum BOM item number that is used in that support.
Once a drawing is posted, the BOM item numbers will not change from drawing to drawing. Until posting, the BOM item numbers are
renumbered starting at one for each new drawing.
SUPMOD_DRAWING_BOM_ITEM_FILTER_EXPRESSION SM_DRW.DAT
Relevant Settings for “Storing Callout Leader
BOM Item Numbers” Location
BOM_SHOW_ASSEMBLIES options 4 and 41 SM_DRW.DAT BOM_ITEM_NO property in components and assemblies Vendor Libraries HIGHEST_BOM_ITEM_NO in SUPPORT definition SUPPORT.ITM Relevant Settings for “Callout Leaders” Location
Customizing the Fabrication Drawings
Notes
SupportModeler automatically annotates the fabrication drawings with callout notes if the active support contains any note objects. Note objects define a specific text note at a specific location in the support. Notes are placed into the model as individual components or as part of assemblies.
As delivered, notes are delivered in the SM_Utility library.
The location can be adjusted after the drawing is generated, using either the SupportModeler Move Leaders tool or MicroStation Move tools.
In order for SupportModeler to recognize an object as a note object, it’s item name must begin with SM_NOTE or USER_NOTE. The contents of the NOTE_TEXT property are displayed in the note on the drawing..
Welding Symbols
If the active support contains any weld objects, SupportModeler automatically annotates the fabrication drawings with welding symbols based on American Welding Society standards. Weld objects define a
Relevant Settings for “Notes” Location
SUPMOD_DRAWING_VIEW_PANEL_FOR_NOTES SM_DRW.DAT
SYMBOLOGY_NOTES and SYMBOLOGY_NOTE_TEXT SM_DRW.DAT
Associated SYMBOLOGY_NOTES and SYMBOLOGY_NOTE_TEXT text nodes
Drawing seed files
SM_NOTE or USER_NOTE item name Vendor Libraries
NOTE_TEXT property Vendor Libraries
Controlling Drawing Features using SM_DRW.DAT after the drawing is generated, using either the SupportModeler Move Leaders tool or MicroStation Move tools..
One welding symbol is placed in the drawing for every weld object in the active support. In order for SupportModeler to recognize an object as a weld object, it’s item name must begin with SM_WELD or
USER_WELD.
You can customize the symbology and font of the weld symbol but the automatic format of the welding symbols cannot be customized.
Automatic Dimensions
SupportModeler can automatically dimension the fabrication drawings if the active support contains dimension points. Dimension points define a specific location in the support that must be called out as a dimension on the drawing. Dimension points can be included as a DIMENSION_PTS property in any component or assembly item, or a DIM_POINT object Relevant Settings for “Welding Symbols” Location
SUPMOD_DRAWING_VIEW_PANEL_FOR_WELDS SM_DRW.DAT
SYMBOLOGY_WELDS and SYMBOLOGY_WELD_TEXT SM_DRW.DAT
Associated SYMBOLOGY_WELDS and SYMBOLOGY_WELD_TEXT text nodes
Drawing seed files
SM_WELD or USER_WELD item name Vendor Libraries
Required properties in weld objects. See the SupportModeler Library Cus-tomization Guide
Vendor Libraries
Customizing the Fabrication Drawings
can be placed into a support manually. As delivered, a DIM_POINT object is delivered in the Drawing category of the SM_Utility library.
All of the dimensions are displayed as ordinate dimensions. You can move and stretch the dimensions in the drawing using MicroStation move or Modify Element tools. The symbology, and view panels can be controlled and you can suppress or enable auto dimensions on a project-wide basis.
✍ Dimension symbology is controlled using the MicroStation dimension symbology settings in the drawing seed file, while the symbology of all other drawing annotation is controlled using symbology text nodes in the seed file..
Line Reference Labels
For ganged or individual supports, SupportModeler can automatically Relevant Settings for “Automatic Dimensions” Location
SUPMOD_SUPPRESS_AUTO_DIMENSIONS SM_DRW.DAT
SUPMOD_DRAWING_VIEW_PANEL_FOR_MAIN_DIMENSIONS SUPMOD_DRAWING_VIEW_PANEL_FOR_SECONDARY_DIMENSIONS
SM_DRW.DAT
SUPMOD_DRAWING_SUPPRESS_COMMON_ORTHO_SCALE SM_DRW.DAT
SUPMOD_SUPPRESS_UNITS_IN_AUTO_DIMENSIONS SM_DRW.DAT
In MicroStation, the level, colour, weight, style and font settings in:
Element > Dimensions > Dimension Lines Element > Dimensions > Extension Lines Element > Dimensions > Terminators Element > Dimensions > Text
Drawing seed files
Controlling Drawing Features using SM_DRW.DAT Once a drawing is posted, the line reference letters will not change from drawing to drawing. Until posting, the line reference letters are
regenerated starting at "A" for each new drawing.
Drawing Revision Block Automation
The delivered core libraries and drawing seed files include an example of how you can automate the population of the revision block on the fabrication drawings.
A property "Drawing Revision" is displayed to the user in the Active Support Parameters dialog box with three choices: "none", 0 and 1. In addition, a "Drawn By" prompt allows the user to fill in their initials.
The user enters their initials and then changes the Drawing Revision property in a stepwise fashion -- from "none" to "0" and then to "1".
Rules in the SUPPORT item definition then set several property values in the SUPPORT.ITM, which are then displayed on text nodes in the drawing based on entries in SM_DRW.DAT.
As delivered, the example library fills in the revision number, description, date, and initials.
For example if the user has entered his initials (RNR) in the "Drawn By"
prompt and then changes the "Drawing Rev" value from "none" to "0"
prompt and then changes the "Drawing Rev" value from "none" to "0"