Topic: Advanced Detail Library

[Robb]

I'm starting to work on the beginning phase of our detail library. I have a ton of details but no system for users to search for the type of detail they want, be able to view the details that are queried, and then allow the user to import the detail into their sheet drawings. I'd like users to be able to view an image of the detail so they spend less time searching and inserting hoping they have the right detail. What you see is what you get. I am not sure of how to take screen shots of details, slide, screenshot, dwf, pdf etc.

I need a system where details and continuously be added and modified if needed.

Is it worth trying to setup my own library or is there software that will do this already?

I was debating if I should create sheet drawings for details and classify them by type. So door details may have a few sheets of all our door details. Each sheet numbered to something like DD1.0, DD1.1, DD1.2, ... and so on. I am unsure if door detail scales will vary, I assume so, but I dont know how I will handle the organization on the sheet yet.

What do you guys think, a single file for each detail or all details placed on sheets?

How are you all handling your detail and block libraries?

[dan19936]

We use half-size sets. It puts all the details in context. Many architectural offices I've worked at have spent many resources preparing detail libraries that don't get used. The best resource was to look at completed project sets. We had our sets printed on blue paper so that they didn't get stashed away in someone's private collection.

Dan

[Keith™]

We place some details on the page with the model, other more complex design issues are given their own sheet.

I believe there is a block manager available here at theswamp if you do a little digging.

[pmvliet]

Just a FYI,
if you have individual files with thumbnails saved, if the user turns "view thumbnails" on, they will be able to see the drawing preview in windows explorer.

I started a library that had 16 folders. One for each spec section. This held bits/pieces of details.

Then I also had a set of folders for each discipline. Under this I located details such as Steel, Concrete, Wood
for usable details such as a column footing, baseplate, column details.

It has it's problems, but it was something to get things organized.

Pieter

[Robb]

Just a FYI,
if you have individual files with thumbnails saved, if the user turns "view thumbnails" on, they will be able to see the drawing preview in windows explorer.

I started a library that had 16 folders. One for each spec section. This held bits/pieces of details.

Then I also had a set of folders for each discipline. Under this I located details such as Steel, Concrete, Wood
for usable details such as a column footing, baseplate, column details.

It has it's problems, but it was something to get things organized.

Pieter

Thanks, I am aware of that.

The thumbnails might be a little too small. You could probably tell what type of detail it was but If I need to know what components were within the detail he user may need the capability to zoom. I'd like for the user to be able to zoom in and view the detail (in detail) so they know exactly what they are getting. Ideally a DWF or PDF document would be nice. If I had a system to name each detail, organize them, somehow file them in a database that can be searched. That would rock!

Having each individual detail on a sheet sounds like thats more doable to connect with a database where if I had multiple details in a single drawing I wouldn't know how i'd extract the "data" from each detail on a sheet to insert that into a searchable database.

How could I extract data from AutoCAD into a database? Maybe if each detail had a block inserted for each with attributes information of each that could be extracted to a db. I don't know, just searching for a solution.

[dan19936]

Check out DWG Browser by Dotsoft, http://dotsoft.com/dwgbrowser.htm,

Drawing Browser is a tool for instant reporting and cataloging of drawings using your Internet Browser!  Choose your starting directory, then select specific files or let the program navigate the current folder and all 'nested' subfolders.  Create attractive HTML tabular reports in seconds without knowing anything about HTML.

Specify the fields to search and enter your search word(s).  Only the drawings containing the search strings show up in the report.  Search the 'Drawing Properties' included in AutoCAD 2000 or higher (and R14 with Express Tools).

Possible searches include:

    * Words in the 'Keywords' and 'Comments' Properties.
    * CAD Personnel in the 'LastSavedBy' field.
    * Drawing Approval using custom properties like APPROVED=YES.

Here is one sample report:

Using 'One Record Per Row' as in the first example allows for a large number of user selected fields which become columns to produce detailed directory listings.

In considering a detail library, I think you need to work out how it is maintained & updated as few companies dedicate the resources consistently. Having the details cataloged as they are developed rather than at some future time will help. If your standard is one detail per file, I've thought about the idea of having a lisp/reactor that pops up a dialog for detail classification. This would occur at save or save-as and have an option to not pop-up again that session, unless drawing name changed.

Dan

[LE]

This one - BlockWerx:

http://www.cadwerx.net/?path=BlockWerx

[Bob]

What's wrong with the AutoCAD Design Centre?


Its free and quite powerful.

[dan19936]

What's wrong with the AutoCAD Design Centre?


Its free and quite powerful.

Robb is looking for a detail library maybe connected to a database, meaning construction details, rather than a block library. Though he did mention 'detail and block' library.

[Robb]

What's wrong with the AutoCAD Design Centre?


Its free and quite powerful.

Robb is looking for a detail library maybe connected to a database, meaning construction details, rather than a block library. Though he did mention 'detail and block' library.

I'll check into design center. I have never really used it so thats probably why I never thought of it. Actually, the library will ned to be accessible by users who do not have AutoCAD installed. I am looking into a web interface that all users can access. Previews may be thumbnails but I would prefer to have something like a dwf for detailed viewing. Basically anyone can pull up the search page, search for the type of detail they want and be able to view and choose the exact detail or something close to what they need. They then must be able to pull a reference number so they can tell the drafter which detail to use, print it if needed, and maybe even link to the location of the detail.

If they cant find the detail, one will need to be created and added to the library. I am hoping that adding details will not be too time consuming.

Hey Dan, Thanks for the link to the software above dotsoft? that is almost exactly what I am looking for.

As long as it can handle large amounts of details thousands and be able to expand. Does anyone know how I can extract the data from a drawing file that will give me the "Summary" from the drawing properties to import into a database?

I plans are to use MySQL/PHP for the search pages. I don't know much on it but will try to see with the help of some tutorials and forum users maybe I can pull this off. Looks like the software above does what I need so I might not have to.

Thanks again guys!

[dan19936]

I'm sure dotsoft could customize the software for you, perhaps linking to a DWF instead of a DWG. Shoot Terry Dotson an email.