Thanks for the input, Narendra. I'm just asking one of those newbie questions that we all bitch about around here. I, too, hope it sparks some informed discussion.
So there are two main suppliers of 3D piping software: Microstation and AutoCAD. Correct? I am familiar with the Intergraph "Clipper" fight with Intel and Intergraph's subsequent withdrawal from the hardware market due to the cost/benefit ratio that developed as we all got used to $100 for 128MB RAM and $100 for a CPU that was "good/fast enough". Continuing with the hardware, how is a $250 nVidia-based 128MB card worse than a $1000 3DLabs Wildcat? Are we doing real-time, 3D rotation and anination of huge, shaded, texturized piping models (if we are, is this really necessary for detailed piping design)? With little digital project managers walking around within them getting wrenches dropped on their hardhats?
PDS and PDMS are Microstation-based and AutoPLANT is AutoCAD-based? But AutoPLANT is now owned by Bently, which used to be a Microst....I'm confused.
If I search for PDS, I don't see much information likely because of a name change. A PDMS search takes me to Aveva (who *might* have bought Cadcentre, who knows anymore), which is partnered with Autodesk, but PDMS used to NOT be AutoCAD-based, right?
How is anyone supposed to make an informed decision when the goal of all the vendors seems to be to create confusion. Maybe someone has to draw me a picture, as I'm obviously too dumb to figure all this out.
Regarding my comment about 2D CAD piping and my preference for preliminary design/layout being done on the board, I stand by it. Detailed design concepts should never be hindered by the "operator's" apparent inability to manipulate the machinery's constantly-changing levers. I feel a rant coming on, so I'll leave my comments at that.
I don't mean to come across as being flippant and I know that piping design is complicated, but hey, whatever happened to the hard-nosed drawing checker who would nail you to the board for being obtuse and vague?
Paul
> Paul
> There are number of application software either with
> AutoCAD or Microstation as the base to help you
> generate three dimensional modelling of the piping and
> plant engg.
> AutoPLANT
> EPLANT
> PDMS
> PDS
> This is to name a few. There are many other variants.
> PDS uses Microstation as base while all others are
> with AutoCAD as base. AutoPLANT is trying to integrate
> with Microstation aswell.
> But as i understand , as you have really mentioned
> that we bash our head with 2 D piping systems only to
> a large extent due to the cost and time factor in
> implementing the 3D modelling og Plant Designs.
> Isometric help us in partially meeting the 3D
> visualisation indirectly under a 2D drawing mode.
> But it proves cost effective if you have small design
> project to work on and the jobs are not of repeated in
> nature.
> Hope that your note will initiate few interesting
> application cases and problems faced under the even 3D
> modelling.
> Narendra K. Roy
Received on Fri Feb 20 22:35:00 2004
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