Olah,
I am amazed at how integral Mstn's Reference files technology is to working in Aecosim. Still one of the key advantages over the competition.
But, federated working can also be a barrier. It would be good to have tools like Construct Opening to recognise INPUT elements in Reference Files.
Besides, other tools like Extrude Slab from Shape, Extrude Linear Element, Place Form Parallel / Between / Perpendicular to Form already recognise Shapes in Refs.
Other tools that would benefit would include: Apply New Base, Subtract Solids, Cut Solids by Curve, Connect Forms.
One area that seems to come up quite often is the way openings need to be synchronised across models / files.
Now that CE Update 2 apparently has figured out how to 'stabilise' GUID's, it may be a good time to add an 'Update' option to this and other cross-model tools.
- ProConcrete seems to be able to link to Forms in Aecosim and update its rebar to match changes in the referenced Aecosim file.
- Catia and other MCAD apps have longed provided the Boolean and other forms of modification of referenced models. A container file references another model and uses info in the contained model to modify itself; which in turn can be referenced by another container upstream forming an assembly of containers. Like a steel beam member that references an assembly of bolts; and booleans itself to provide the correctly sized penetrations for the bolts.
- This also allows for a natural way to manage LOD. As the design is developed, more and more 'containers' are used to layer more and more detail onto the design. The 'master' or initial models stay at low LOD. For example, the building's massing would be in a top-level or initial file. The LOD 200 model may have the facade openings defined; the LOD 300 may have the window frames and glazing modeled; LOD 400-500 may have all the components or info defined for manufacture. This each participant can access and work on the LOD level which is most appropriate; at all stages of the process.
After the model is loaded, the user could be directed to a Saved Search that would list all the elements that have 'broken associations'... dashed symbology? This would allow the user to decide when / what to synch. This would be good for large files.