The Virtual Solid Modeling Engine (VSME) in PipeDesigner 3D is an entirely new solid modeling engine for mechanical drawing software. Designed by QuickPen, VSME features a new proprietary technology call Virtual Solids. Virtual Solids are custom objects that take full advantage of the features of AutoCAD solids and allow QuickPen to enhance the intelligence and functionality of their pipe and fittings. Smarter, more functional fittings mean less work for the end user.

The power of VSME lies in its core functionality. Unlike fittings in other mechanical drawing software, fittings in PipeDesigner are not created using LISP routines, they are not grouped entities with attributes and xdata attached to them. Instead they are individual, intelligent fittings that know how to connect and align themselves with other fittings. In addition, rules govern allowable connections in the drawing — VSME intelligence won't let you connect a 150# flange to 300# flange. And we were able to implement VSME in our mechanical design software without rewriting a single AutoCAD command, so PipeDesigner 3D and AutoCAD remain completely compatible. VSME makes your life easier all the way down the line:

	Easy Manipulation
	Pipe can be stretched while maintaining compliance with the minimum and maximum pipe length parameters established in the settings dialog. Pipe cannot be made smaller than the minimum, and, when the lengths exceed the maximum, our mechanical drawing software automatically inserts couplings with weld gaps or gaskets.

	Automatic Alignment
	PipeDesigner 3D also features SmartSnap, an auto-snap feature that causes fittings and pipe to align automatically. With our mechanical drawing software, designers no longer have to rely on the UCS for component orientation, but only for position reference. Often this eliminates construction lines, making simple work of tasks that previously required the use of considerable skill with AutoCAD.

	Smaller File Sizes
	With our new Virtual Solids technology, your files sizes are drastically reduced — they're small enough to send by e-mail. Drawings that would be 28 megabytes in size using standard standard AutoCAD Solids are now reduced in size to about 1 megabyte with our mechanical drawing software.

	Immediate Feedback
	VSME also introduces Real-Time Parametrics that allows user interaction with solid dimensions on the fly. Our mechanical drawing software incorporated Real-Time Parametrics into stretchable and modifiable solids, which gives the user immediate feedback on length of pipe or other changes to the object data.

The Virtual Solid Modeling Engine is written in ObjectARX and runs with AutoCAD.