Step Logic have been working in the Russian information technology market since 1992. During this period they have come a long way from a computer trading company, to a large-scale full service system integrator with a well-established infrastructure and over 150 specialists. The company provides various connectivity services - Wide Area Networks (WAN), Local Area Networks (LAN), Structured Cable Networks (SCN), Voice Communications, Distribution, etc.
Problem
Structured Cable Network (SCN) is an integrated instrument for data transmission, which connects local data and phone networks, safety systems, observation and video control systems, etc. To create networks with the right topology, great attention should be paid to the construction part of SCN design (handling of buildings' floor plans). Of course, there is no problem in further SCN design, when SCN subcontractors receive floor plan drawings in digital format. Digital plans easily be processed. The issues arise when SCN design and installation are being prepared for an old building, or for the projects for which SCN subcontractors can only get paper or raster format floor plans.
Earlier two technologies were available to process such projects in SCN CAD applications (in this case AutoCAD). The first one is scanning of paper floor plan, and use of the obtained raster image as a substrate to draw SCN elements (low-quality result). The second way is redrawing. This is a method with better quality compared to the first one, but it is extremely time consuming and, definitely, not advisable when fast project decisions need to be made. So specialist have always been looking for an alternative solution.
Solution from Consistent Software
The solution occurred as specialists from the design department of Step Logic read an article about PlanTracer for AutoCAD, and then contacted Consistent Software, Russia. Within a short while, they had got one day of training and were able to test two products - WiseImage for AutoCAD and PlanTracer for AutoCAD, as a dual solution to deal with scanned raster floor plans. An important fact is that Step Logic engineers started to implement this technology for real-life projects from day one.
WiseImage for AutoCAD was used to remove speckles, to merge images that were scanned in parts and to eliminate various distortions such as warping or stretching. Selected raster objects were modified with standard AutoCAD commands or by grips in the same way as AutoCAD primitives, and by using the same snap setup.
PlanTracer for AutoCAD was used as the unique solution to convert updated raster floor plans into intelligent vector models. This technology can be especially important for an intelligent SCN design. After some settings the floor plan was converted by the push of a button. If some objects was not recognized, various PlanTracer drawing and editing tools could be used to improve the result. These operations are very similar to the technology used in Autodesk's Architectural Desktop.
Estimation of processing time for a 1000 sq. meters building with several floors:
Processing of a raster image in WiseImage (minutes)
Further processing of the raster image in PlanTracer (minutes)
Total processing time in both application (minutes)
Manual processing and redrawing
Low quality drawing
High quality drawing
Low quality drawing
High quality drawing
Low quality drawing
High quality drawing
Processing of the first floor plan
60-90
15-25
80-100
60-80
140-190
75-105
360
Processing of further plans
60-90
15-25
50-70
30-50
110-160
45-75
240
The next step for Step Logic will be the implementation of Autodesk's 3D Building System technology which will provide the capability of indoor communications modeling, an important part of SCN design. This solution can be extended by the implementation of PlanTracer for ADT, an Autodesk Architectural Desktop add-on that is an unique tool to migrate from raster directly to 3D.
