In ESTmep and CAMduct, you can import certain types of 2D and 3D 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. Underlays are typically used for estimating. For example, a drawing may be received from a client requiring a submission of tender. By importing an underlay, and then using the Trace Estimating feature, quotations can be created quickly and accurately.
Autodesk Fabrication products 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 import underlay topics in the AutoCAD Help.
The following table lists the electronic drawing file types that ESTmep and CAMduct can import using the Import Underlay feature:
| File Type | Supported in ESTmep | Supported in CAMduct |
| Item File (*.ITM) | Yes | Yes |
| DWF Files (*.DWF) | Yes | Yes |
| AutoCAD DXF (*.DXF) | Yes | Yes |
| PDF Files (*.PDF) | Yes | No |
| MAP Proxy Graphics (*.M3D, *.SLX, *.bSLX, *.zSLX | Yes | Yes |
| AutoCAD DWG (*.DWG) | Yes | No |
| Image Files (*.BMP, *.PNG, *.TIFF) | Yes | Yes |
| Raster to Vector (*.BMP, *.PNG) | Yes | Yes |
| IFC Files (*.ifc, *.ifcXML, *.ifcZIP, *.BIX, *.bIFC) | Yes | Yes |
| Google SketchUp (*.SKP) | Yes | Yes |
For step-by-step instructions on how to import a PDF underlay in ESTmep, see Import a PDF Underlay in ESTmep.
Once an underlay is imported into your model, you can select the underlay.