Development of prototypes

Prototypes were developed, based on AutoCAD and the Swedish AEC application Point. In the resulting applications the structuring of information in layers has been combined with a model-oriented approach to 2D CAD. Documents are produced using file references with a model space/ paper space system. All information is stored on file servers in a company wide network. Files are named and placed according to a company standard file system.

A simple user interface, based on prototypes developed earlier by Seamus Gilroy, member of the ISO working group, was designed for the creation and visibility control of layers (Figure 6). From lists of allowed codes for each separate field, the layer name or group of layers is composed. If this specification results in a layer that is not present in the CAD file, a new layer will automatically be created. 

Figure 6. FFNS Layer Manager dialogue box

When designing the dialogue, the educational aspect was considered very important. Therefore, the number of functions is quite limited. No courses to educate the CAD users should be necessary. This approach seems to have fulfilled its purpose - the new systems were accepted very rapidly and there were few question about the use. In future versions, more elaborate management of the structure will probably be introduced.

In addition to the Layer Manager, automatic assignment of layers has been embedded in all functions of the AEC application program, and conversion programs from the previous layering structure and back are available to the user.