Smart Client Extension for AutoCAD

Auto-Detect Boundaries Command

Command: AFM_BOUNDARY, or select Utilities / Graphic Commands / Auto-Detect Boundaries from the Ribbon.

Note: When the Extension for AutoCAD loads, the Ribbon shows the Archibus tab by default. To see the Graphic and Tools commands, select the Utilities tab on the Ribbon.
utilities_tab.png

Purpose : Creates boundary polylines in bulk by searching existing wall boundaries.

This routine first searches for room designators -- attributed room blocks that are typically included in the architectural hand-off data as part of the room schedule information.

For each designator, the command then finds the surrounding entities that bound it, creates a polyline around those entities, and turns that resulting boundary into an intelligent Archibus asset symbol.

You can use arcs, block, lines, regions or other entities as boundaries, so you can automatically trace even complex, jagged, or irregular boundaries without costly manual interventions.

Dialog Box options

After calling this command, the dialog asks for information about the architectural tags to look for, and the search options to use while discovering the boundaries.

Automatic Discovery Method

Ray Tracing Method

The algorithm goes from the center point in a certain direction to find the edge of the room, then begins tracing. This option dictates what direction the trace takes.

Height of Region to Analyze

Dictates the area that the algorithm is to search. Too many lines can confuse the algorithm, too small an area does not get large rooms. The best strategy is to start small and increase the value.

Typical Wall Width

In meters or feet. If 0, the routine will leave boundaries at the surface of the wall. If non-zero, the routine will offset 1/2 the wall width to move the boundary to the center of most interior walls.

Building Information

Building/Floor- These are the building and floor codes to use for cataloging.

Room Designator Characteristics

  • Tag or block name. Name of the AutoCAD block with the room attributes.
  • Layer. Layer on which the AutoCAD block with the room attributes resides.
  • Room Code Attribute. Name of the AutoCAD attribute holding the Room Number.
  • Room Std Attribute. Name of the AutoCAD attribute holding the Room Standard.

After you set the options and process the dialog, the command finds each room designator and searches out the bounding edges of the room that surrounds it. The command zooms to focus on the area around each room to reduce the number of items the algorithm has to review and increase the speed and success rate of the results.

Each room is converted into an Archibus asset symbol and registered with the database.

Usage Notes

  • Cataloging. If your rooms show errors when cataloging them (connecting them to the database), make certain that the building, floor, and room standard values you entered are valid. If these are not valid codes, the validation check will reject them so the database data stays consistent.
  • Wall Width. The command will offset boundaries outward 1/2 the specified width. This speeds your development to BOMA rules since this will move the boundaries to the center of all interior walls, leaving only the exterior walls, structural column edges, and suite boundaries needing to be cleaned up using the STRETCH command or grip-edit functionality of AutoCAD.

    Note: Sometimes, you do not wish to use this offset, for instance, if you have relatively few interior walls or interior walls drawn to a large number of different wall widths. In this case, set the wall width to 0.

  • Cleanup. You may have one or two stubborn rooms that don't convert easily. In this case, you can use the AutoCAD boundary command and try several other options to trace the edges. If the boundary is very complex, AutoCAD will create a region -- and this region you can trace with a polyline. Once you create the boundary, you can use the Pick Boundary command and convert the boundary into an Archibus asset symbol without typing.
  • Rerunning the command. If you want to take several passes at the same plan, use the "afm_unboundary" command to reverse the effects of the boundary command.