About Design Features

The items that you create as you draw the layout are called design features or simply features. They are different from AutoCAD drawing objects because they are based on the industry model that is an integral part of your Utility Design template. The industry model defines the feature classes and associated attributes of all the features you create in Utility Design. You can customize the industry model as needed for your work.

There are two basic types of design features: Linear features and point features.

• Linear features include segments, ducts, and conductors. Segments are structural features roughly equivalent to trenches in underground networks and pathways in overhead networks. Segments are generated by the application when you create overhead and underground lines. Ducts are optional structural features that you can use to contain conductors. Conductors are electrical features contained within segments and ducts.
• Point features include poles and other structural features as well as electrical features such as transformers, breakers, and switches.

Each feature has a set of attributes. Model attribute values are common to all features of a particular model. Feature attribute values are unique to each instance of feature. Computed attributes are created by the application.