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Trimble is proud to announce that PipeDesigner® 3D release 2013 version 3 is now shipping! Join us for our “What’s New” webinars where we will discuss and demonstrate the new features of this release. To register for one of the webinars, please visit HERE.

Below is an overview of the new features and enhancements to this release.

• Hanger Field Point wizard - Hanger Points can now be automatically generated based on parameters you define. Multiple rules can be defined for hanger spacing, customization of layer type, elevation, and single or double hangers, vertical runs, and hanger symbol.
• 3D Hanger block wizard - This feature allows you to add hanger blocks to specific hanger points in your drawing. These blocks are included in your field point export.
• AutoBid Mechanical routeline import - The PipeDesigner 3D software now allows you to import centerline of pipe and branches created in the AutoBid® Mechanical software (On-Screen View TakeOff and Graphical View TakeOff).
  • Note – This feature will be available in Release 2013 v1 of AutoBid Mechanical in On-Screen View TakeOff, Graphical View TakeOff, and Audit Trail View TakeOff (under the File menu).
• BOM data is now stored in AutoCAD’s properties - You are now able to view the Tag for BOM attributes in the Part Query and AutoCAD’s properties window. These were previously only viewable after the BOM was created.
• Field point tooltips - When you hover your mouse over a point, information pertaining to the point displays on-screen. These settings are available under AutoCAD Options / PipeDesigner 3D General.
• New annotation options - When you hover your mouse over a point, information pertaining to the point displays on-screen. These settings are available under AutoCAD Options / PipeDesigner 3D General.
• Miscellaneous
  • Pipe "healing" if a cut-in fitting is deleted
  • Field Point improvements
  • IFC improvements
  • Insulation improvements
  • Price codes are carried through to CAD
  • Editing a mark in the BOM table now updates the balloon

Last week, we provided a class at Dimensions to review the latest features of DuctDesigner 3D. For those of you that did not get to come to our user conference, please join me on Wednesday to review DD3D 13.2. To register, please go HERE.

Data Editor

• Default angle for rectangle elbows - The DuctDesigner 3D software now allows you to specify a default angle (other than 90º) for each type of rectangle elbow in fitting defaults

CAD

If you missed the sneak peak then you have missed seeing many of the exciting new features in the PipeDesigner 3D 2013 version 2 release that started to ship on Monday. There is still plenty of time to sign up for other webinars where I will demonstrate the primary features in this release. Go to http://www.quickpen.com/index.php/Training_Webinars.html to register. 

• Quick Link licensing - This version of PipeDesigner 3D uses Quick Link, our software licensing tool so you will no longer need to use the USB keys and we do not require the key to be sent back!
  
  
• Angle of Deflection - This new tool allows you to use any fitting for sloped systems. In previous versions, only fittings marked as “DWV” fittings could be used for sloped systems.
  
  
• Automatic Layering - Automatic layering can now be set within the Data Editor under Settings > General Settings > Automatic Layering. Once turned on, layering templates can be built at Settings > Automatic Layering Sets and then copied down to project level systems as seen below.
  
  
• Trimmed Elbows –
  • The radius of trimmed elbows can now be customized. In previous versions, this fitting was hard coded to use a full radius.
  • Trimmed elbows can now support up to 135 degrees. This is for those scenarios where a custom elbow over 90 degrees may be required.
• Automatic insertion of flanges - Whenever a connection requires a flange, the product will now attempt to insert them as well as any welds or gaskets needed to make the connection. *Note that this will only work if the part list contains the flanges, welds and gaskets.
  
  
• Smart Connectivity - The smart connectivity feature ensures the connection of two fittings. Any time that there is an open connection (not connected) then you will see a broken connection symbol.
  
  
• Nested Connections - This release now supports automatic insertion of multiple connection items. If a connection rule inserts the Coupling, Coupling2, Coupling3 or MultiCyl then the ends of these classes can cause another connection rule to be looked up between the connection item and pipe to insert welds, gaskets, etc. *Note – only supports the insertion of up to 3 items and the first item must be a Coupling, Coupling2, Coupling3 or MultiCyl.
  
  
• Spooling Manager –
  • New BOM table: The BOM table is now an AutoCAD table which gives you full control over the setup and access to the data without exploding it.
  • Balloons now support an option to avoid overlap.
  • Balloons now support prefix, suffix and additional shapes
  • Within PipeDesigner 3D’s options, there is a new option to disable automatic fading of spools. In previous versions, the spool manager would automatically fade previously defined spools. This could affect performance on large models. This new option helps to improve performance in those scenarios.
    
    
• Miscellaneous Updates –
  • The performance for Tubing 2 has been improved when its path is being edited.
  • New part query dialog. The updated layout is easier to edit and read
  • New insulation elevation text tag. Allows you to label by TOI and BOI.
  • Additional field point commands.
    • The route point command was previously only available on export and would not generate points within the model. The new command allows you to generate points in the same way, but inserts the points automatically within the model.
    • Point numbers are now generated within the CAD model with features to avoid duplicate numbering of points.
    • A point renumber command has been provided
    • Exported field points are now tracked with a time stamp of the export and file name. This helps to prevent points from being exported twice. To see when a point was exported, simply click on the point and check its properties on the AutoCAD properties palette > extended data tab.
  • Tees and wyes have a new cut-in command option and we have restored the “Flip on end” and “Flip on center” commands. The new cut in command requires you to pick the pipe that you wish to cut then an insertion point along the pipe before initiating the rotation of the cut in fitting.
  • The field for “main size” on the fitting palette will automatically change after placing a reducer. *This does not work on all reducing parts. Its main intent is to change the main after placing an inline reduction so that you can continue drawing the main run without additional input.
  • The line type of the centerline can be controlled through options
  • Ptraps can now be used with the AutoRoute command to fill vertical bends.