Some CAD tips and tricks to create your own custom hatch

Edwin Prakoso presents an exclusive article for cad professionals. The article focuses on how one can create their own custom hatch.

Inside AutoCAD, there are default hatch patterns. But the users always require custom hatch for smooth workflow. One can download custom hatch pattern from various resources. But one can also make personalized custom hatch.

One can take help from AutoLISP program to generate simple hatch effortlessly. You can check this tutorial.

Hatch Maker: One can access this free AutoLISP program from Cadalyst. One can follow the simple process to produce a pattern graphically. After uploading the LISP program, the following two new commands will be visible.

Drawhatch: The users can apply this command to produce 1×1 rectangle at coordinate 0,0. Just sketch following your choice of pattern. Only lines and points can be used. The users should have to sketch new entity rather than copying object to this location and transferring it.

Savehatch: Once the making of the objects is completed, this command can be run. After you finish creating the objects, you can run this command. Choose objects inside the rectangle then save the pattern file.

But in case of a very complicated pattern, the process may not be effective. The users have to recreate it after modifying it.

Obtain pattern from an AutoCAD drawing: Suppose you obtain a drawing having custom hatch pattern inside it and you want to apply the hatch pattern, but there is no pat file. Then what will be the process for producing the pattern?

You can just capture the hatch definition and save the pattern to your local drive. There is one firm like Tee Square Graphics who can write a LISP program for creating the .pat file.

One can avail the GETPAT LISP code here. It’s a raw code and prior to apply it, just save it to lisp file.

Saving and using AutoLISP program: If you are not aware about how to save and load LISP program,read how you can do it here.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.bimoutsourcing.com

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BIM has ripple effect

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is foremost important in building construction and industries. It will soon cause a ripple of effects.

First, the application for construction permits will be very much transformed; BIM models can be submitted in lieu of traditional construction drawings.

BIM allows for the clear inspection of every detail in the virtual building prior to the issuance of construction permits. This may sound a dream, but Singapore and several other countries have already begun to require BIM files in the application for construction permits.

The second phenomenon concerns the practice of constructing a BIM model. As it is very similar to actual construction, building a BIM model requires specialised knowledge and skills. Who would be responsible for this task? The quick answer would be the architects or architectural firms who produce the architectural designs. But building a BIM model would require additional expertise and labour and drive up expenses.

Added to regular design fees, would this modification be acceptable to project owners? Would these additional expenses counterbalance costs that could be saved in construction?

Furthermore, if BIM modeling were to be used in the post-construction period to assist building maintenance and operations, the project would require a higher level of detail in design documentation that would make it even more expensive.

For example, if the project owner wanted to know how many light bulbs would be required for the first five years of operation, the building's BIM could show that level of information. In other words, the more one needs to know, the more one needs to pay.

“This has already been an issue in various countries, leading to the solution recommended by the American Institute of Architects of an agreement on the Level of Detail or Level of Development (LOD) that would be negotiated prior to the contract signing between the architect and the project owner,” said Kaweekrai Srihiran, Department of Architecture Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University.

There should also be a standard way to calculate a BIM construction fee; it is suggested that there should be a baseline design fee per square metre with additional percentage increases according to the desired LOD level. Others suggest that the fee should also incorporate the complexity of the design.

“Yet another interesting phenomenon is the BIM as a final product deliverable that architects submit to project owners. Presently, architects keep original drawings, giving project owners only blueprints for construction purposes. With BIM, there is no difference between originals and blueprints; project owners need to collect everything drawn up by the architect for future building operation and maintenance purposes,” Srihiran added.

This means that the details of every building created or designed by the architects can be "recycled" by anyone who has obtained the BIM model. This has to be solved through specific contractual agreements or by making the building model “view-only by some means. The BIM phenomenon is quickly and quietly happening in Thailand. Everyone, especially those in the architectural design and construction industries, needs to be prepared for the changes.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.bimoutsourcing.com

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Viewpoint Construction Software & Solibri LLC are merged to offer end-to-end BIM soution

Good construction software having advanced features can facilitate the coordination and validation of drawings and models required in the preconstruction, construction, and facilities management stages.

Recently, two leading technology providers are amalgamated to provide a streamlined BIM (building information modeling) solution.

Viewpoint Construction Software,www.viewpointcs.com, located at Portland, Ore., has tied a knot with Solibri LLC,www.solibri.com, located at Helsinki, Finland, to put forward an end-to-end BIM solution toward the North American building and construction industries.

Viewpoint For Project Collaboration consists of a configurable CDE (Common Data Environment) that works as the BIM workflow engine and it facilitates the total project supply chain for having the proper BIM data to the exact people at the right time. If CDE is applied together with the Solibri solution, construction professionals can manage their CDE in a better way with improved cost management, delivery timing, and maintenance work during the design, build, and maintenance of their spaces.

Both Viewpoint For Project Collaboration and Solibri solutions manage OpenBIM standards. With this joint venture, it ensures the application of trustworthy and all-inclusive BIM workflows through models from diversified BIM authoring software.

This amalgamation allows the contractors to get the vital elements concerning the workflows necessary for effective clash detection and BIM application.

AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) firms will reap the benefits out of the suppleness of open standards-based platforms, which save time, money, and resources.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.bimoutsourcing.com

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