In ESTmep and CAMduct, you can import 2D electronic drawings, and view them in the 3D Viewer. These drawings can be traced over using Design Line tools for quick estimating, or for a guideline when manufacturing. Commonly, underlays are used when estimating. A drawing is received from the client requiring a submission of tender. Using the Trace Estimating feature, quotations can be created quickly and accurately.
Advancements in Design Line technology allow underlays to be accurately traced for manufacture. Tools for selection of length are available to dictate Taper and Square to Round lengths from the imported drawing. You can also assign alternative connector and seams using specification control for shoes requiring sheet metal flanges in place of the default flanging system.
In CADmep, you can use the AutoCAD import underlay tools to import an underlay. For more information, see the AutoCAD Help.
The following table lists the file types that ESTmep and CAMduct can import using the Import Underlay feature:
| File Type | Supported in ESTmep | Supported in CAMduct |
|
Item File (*.ITM) DWF Files (*.DWF) AutoCAD DXF (*.DXF) PDF Files (*.PDF) MAP Proxy Graphics (*.M3D, *.SLX, *.bSLX, *.zSLX AutoCAD DWG (*.DWG) Image Files (*.BMP, *.PNG, *.TIFF) IFC Files (*.ifc, *.ifcXML, *.ifcZIP, *.BIX, *.bIFC) Google SketchUp (*.SKP) |
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes |
Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes |
For step-by-step instructions on how to import a PDF as an underlay in ESTmep, see Import a PDF Underlay in ESTmep.
Once an underlay is imported, you can set the scale of the underlay or select it in your model