If you are SP3D, SM3D or Smart3D user or administrator and have some experience working in GWS environment, let us know your opinion about it. Is it trouble less or are there any dificulties while excahnging data between different sites?

Post your comments . . . → Read More: GWS – Global Work Share “to be or not to be”]]> We are doing study about different GWS installations and the users experience.

If you are SP3D, SM3D or Smart3D user or administrator and have some experience working in GWS environment, let us know your opinion about it.
Is it trouble less or are there any dificulties while excahnging data between different sites?

Post your comments here or in the forum GWS – Global Work Share "to be or not to be"

I will start with two listings:

ZWCAD - The closest AutoCAD experience and functionalities only at around one-fifth (1/5th) of its price. ZWCAD is a cost-effective, DWG file format compatible CAD solution for the AEC and MCAD industries. Basic drafting functionalities such . . . → Read More: AutoCAD LT (2D) alternative]]> What other 2D CAD system would you recommend for final drawings touch up?

I will start with two listings:

ZWCAD - The closest AutoCAD experience and functionalities only at around one-fifth (1/5th) of its price.
ZWCAD is a cost-effective, DWG file format compatible CAD solution for the AEC and MCAD industries. Basic drafting functionalities such as creating and editing 2D geometric objects, dimensioning, 3D solid modeling, plotting and file sharing …

With Solid Edge Free 2D Drafting, you can stop paying for upgrades and subscriptions. Packed with 2D translators and import wizards, this free software is perfect for reading AutoCAD data with import support for fonts, color schemes, model space and Color 7. You can even download free updates. So stop paying, but continue to make use of 2D legacy data and share native drawings with suppliers for design review or manufacturing.

While Solid Edge 2D is completely FREE and is able to directly open and save in DWG format, there are a few things to consider. SOme rawing objects created in AutoCAD may not look the same when the DWG is loaded in Solid Edge. The working space, commands , buttons, etc are quite different comparing to AutoCAD. Object created with white color on white background do not automatically appear in black color like in AutoCAD but instead disappear on the screen and also can't be printed.

ZWCAD looks exactly like AutoCAD. Let say 95% the same. However, it is not completely free, but quite less expensive compareing to AutoCAD.

Looking for more suggestions from you.

The registered MBM Project forum users might prefer adding comments in the forum post AutoCAD LT (2D) alternative

What CAD/CAM system will replace (or have replaced) Tribon in your office?

Use the forum if you prefer http://www.mbmproject.com/marine_design_forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2678

Smart Plant/Marine 3D software require the SQL servers where projects/plants database is located to be registered on each client workstation. In the software version up to 9.1 HotFix: ANY it is required to have also SQL 2005 client installed on the workstation.

Writing an external . . . → Read More: List registered SQL servers using C#]]> Applicable to: SmartMarine 3D, SmartPlant 3D using SQL 2005 client

Smart Plant/Marine 3D software require the SQL servers where projects/plants database is located to be registered on each client workstation. In the software version up to 9.1 HotFix: ANY it is required to have also SQL 2005 client installed on the workstation.

Writing an external add-on software that need to access SQL database (relax – access it read only, creating some kind of reports for example) it woould be useful to get a list of registered servers available to the particular client where the software will be used.

An easy way is to use Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo namespace. Example code follows.

using Microsoft.SqlServer.Management;
using Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo;
using Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.RegisteredServers;

private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {

            RegisteredServer[] rsvrs = SqlServerRegistrations.EnumRegisteredServers();

            String localserver = System.Environment.MachineName;

            foreach (RegisteredServer rs in rsvrs)
            {
                string svrname = rs.ServerInstance.Replace(".", localserver)
                                                   .Replace("(local)", localserver)
                                                   .Replace("localhost", localserver);

// Add SQL servers name to checked list box control
if (cklbServers.CheckedItems.Contains(svrname) == false)
                    cklbServers.Items.Add(svrname, CheckState.Unchecked);
            }

        }

To work the above code needs the following DLL to be registered in the C# project

Location: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\SDK\Assemblies

C# project references

C# project References for enumerating registered SQL servers

Applicable to: SmartPlant 3D , SmartMarine 3D and Smart 3D design systems.

Create equipment list including equimpment description. The information is stored in two different tables in projects' (plants' ) database – XXXX_MDB. The table view JNamedItem contain all items names and their IDs – oid. The . . . → Read More: Smart Marine 3D beginners SQL quick start]]> Some simple SQL queries that can help new users start faster.

Applicable to: SmartPlant 3D , SmartMarine 3D and Smart 3D design systems.

Create equipment list including equimpment description. The information is stored in two different tables in projects' (plants' ) database – XXXX_MDB. The table view JNamedItem contain all items names and their IDs – oid. The equipment data is read from JEquipment. Table view JEquipment has information for the equipment ID but not for its name. Read ItemName from JNamedItem and match the object IDs 'oid' from both tables views.

Example SQL query:

SELECT ItemName, Description

FROM

JEquipment eqp,

JNamedItem nam

Where

eqp.oid=nam.oid

Order by 

ItemName

See also how to create SQL filter for use in SM3D (SP3D) workspace. The filter lists all objects created or modified during the last few hours.

Product: SmartMarine 3D, SmartPlant 3D (SM3D, SP3D)

Task: Show in the workspace all objects created or edited recently

For troubleshoting and for monitoring purposes it is useful sometimes not only to get a list of the objects created or edited recently, but also to show these objects in the workspace.

Product: SmartMarine 3D, SmartPlant 3D (SM3D, SP3D)

Task: Get list of deleted objects by specific user or/and on specific date and time

A list of the deleted objects is avalable from project’s Reports database ( xxxx_RDB ).

Use SQL Server Managment Studio to execute the following SQL query on the . . . → Read More: SmartMarine 3D – Get list of deleted objects by user, date and time]]> DB platform: MS SQL server

Product: SmartMarine 3D, SmartPlant 3D (SM3D, SP3D)

Task: Get list of deleted objects by specific user or/and on specific date and time

A list of the deleted objects is avalable from project’s Reports database ( xxxx_RDB ).

Use SQL Server Managment Studio to execute the following SQL query on the project’s RDB

SELECT     oid, DeletedBy, DateDeleted, DBType
FROM         JDeletedObjects
WHERE     (DateDeleted > CAST(’2011-11-10 06:00:00′ AS datetime)) AND (DateDeleted < CAST(’2011-11-10 09:00:00′ AS datetime))
ORDER BY DateDeleted

In SQL Manager, right click on the database name and select “New Query” command. Then in the query window, paste the above code and modify the data and time accordingly. When ready, right click and select “Execute”.

Note: The time used to store objects in SQL is the GMT time. If your local time zone is GMT+N hours, to get corect results from the SQL query, the time specified in the query has to be (minus) -N hours and vice versa, if your local time is GMT-N hours, then add N hours to the time specified in the query.

In the example screenshot below the users’ names are deleted from the image.

Note, the history stored in RDB JDeletedObjects will be dismissed on performing database maintenance using the option “Delete database objects that users have deleted from model”.

When you download, copy, run or use by any other way, any of the applications listed above, you automatically agree to the following terms and conditions Check also what to expect when the time limited license expire.

This project originaly was created for demonstration purposes at the very beginning of Vitesse, just when it was implemented for Tribon structure functionality. At that time there was no idea to make it open source project, neither to update it further because we expected that Tribon Solutions will create an accommodation module in near . . . → Read More: MBM Open Source Project – Accomodation for Tribon M2 / M3]]> Preface

This project originaly was created for demonstration purposes at the very beginning of Vitesse, just when it was implemented for Tribon structure functionality. At that time there was no idea to make it open source project, neither to update it further because we expected that Tribon Solutions will create an accommodation module in near furture. Now, when it is obviously that we can not expect anythyng else done in this area, I am publishing the code and the idea behind it complimentary to all Mx users. When you look at the code, please remember that when it was created we were very limited in regards to the Vitesse functionality and our experience in Vitesse was not so long.

Welcome

Everyone is welcome to download, modify and further improve the code upon his own requirement. Everyone is welcome to send comments, suggestions and ideas for improvement.

The success of this project depends on you, Mx user (and developer)! I hope, that the enhancements and the functions you will create based on this project, will be send back to us to be shared with all other users.

Milko Minchev

The idea

When this development was started (the autumn of 2001) the following goals was set up:

• to be easy for use
• to allow rooms, walls, ceiling, etc. objects to be defined in any 2D model view (xy view) where hull panel exists
• to automatically activate the room where objects will be added
• to allow additional attributes to be assigned to the rooms
• to use structure DB to store the rooms model

The implementation
This is the accomodation menu. Using buttons 1 to 6 we set the required parameter. Button 7 saves the settings as default. They will be loaded next time when the script starts. All objects created afterwards use the settings above.Button 8 defines new room. The ceiling panel is placed automatically.Button 9 creates room's walls. First click indicates the room to which the wall belongs, next – two points for each wall. This function originally was created by Konrad Zylkowski at StoCAD.   Button 10 – place furniture. Requires furniture component name (option opens component browser). When the furniture component is selected, this function requires 2 cliks each time the furniture is placed. The first one indicates the room where to place the furniture, the second one indicates the exact position.
Additional attributesA few ordinary text files are used to keep the additional cabin attributes.This cabin property editor is created by Tomasz Lisowski at StoCAD.

Component browserSpecial Accomodation components browser was created. Depends on the current function it automatically shows only relevant components. The component's "Type" field is used for this reason.Also created by Tomasz Lisowski at StoCAD.

Parts listSpecial data extraction program consider the additional attributes assigned to each cabin. It also filters the ordinary structure model and shows only accommodation parts.

Specification

The current version of open source accommodation project for Tribon M2 / M3 has the following functionality:

• Room/cabin define
  • space reservation
  • ceiling
  • wall panels
  • doors (place furniture can be used with door specific component)
  • windows (place furniture can be used with window specific component)
  • furniture
• Room/cabin extended properties
• Accommodation Material list
• Accommodation Weight and COG

Tribon components usage

The following codes are used in component TYPE field:

• ACC1 – ceiling panels and space reservation
• ACC2 – wall panels
• ACC3 – furniture

Installation Instructions

System requirements:

• • Windows 2000/XP
  • TRIBON M2 or M3 with the corresponding Python installation
  • Python package as required for your Triibon Mx version, including Tcl and TkInter

Installation

• • Step 1. Download and uncompress OSAP.zip
  • Step 2. Copy all *.py files to SB_PYTHON, usually X:\Tribon\Mx\Vitesse. it is possible to use different directory if you include it in PYTHONPATH system variable
  • Step 3. Import all component syntax files using SU016

Notes:

• • project source files can be found in our Downloadspage
  • for comments, questions, suggestions, etc. use our forum, topic: "Open Source Accommodation Project"

TRIBON M1 . . . → Read More: Tribon Data Base superserver and subserver]]> The client-server access to a data bank located on a remote machine is based on ONC RPC (Open Network Computing Remote Procedure Calls). In order to provide access to data bank located on the server we must have the following Windows services running on the server machine:

• PowerRPC Portmapper
• TRIBON M1 DB Service

TRIBON M1 DB Service is what we call "superserver". Its executable file is – ea312.exe.

This superserver listens to calls from client applications and when the first request to access a data bank arrive, the superserver run another program – ea310.exe which we call "subserver".

On the server machine we may have only one superserver process, but more than one subserver processes. For every application accessing the data banks, we must have one subserver process dedicated to transfer the data between the application and the data banks. When the application is terminated the corresponding subserver process should be automatically stopped. In other words, if you have 10 Tribon applications accessing data bases located somewhere on the server, then you should have one ea312 process and ten ea310 processes running on the server. If you do not have any Tribon application running – you should have only one ea312 process running on the server.

However, it might happens that the data base subserver process is not terminated when the client's application exit. For a period of few hours a small design group (let say 5 – 10 persons) usually generate a number of such obsolete subservers. These obsolete processes could lock some extra licenses, lock or even corrupt the corresponding data bank, decrease the system performance, etc. Hence, we have a pretty good reason to terminate any obsolete Tribon subserver as soon as it appear. There are several ways to do that.

One of them is to use "Tribon DB Server Maint" application. Unfortunately, it is hard to determine there which process is obsolete and which one – not. Using this application any user can kill any Tribon subserver. It is very easy (and it happens quite often) to terminate a working subserver and this way to destroy the corresponding application. Then somebody in the workgroup will get the message "Tribon DB SubServer on host host_name not responding" and his application will not be able neither to save the changes to the data base, neither to read from the data base.

One optional way to deal with the obsolete Tribon subservers is to use the new DBTools Pro version and its Data Base SubServer process control facility. It provide an easy and safety way to clean any obsolete subserver. While DBTools Pro is running on the user's machine, it constantly monitor all subservers and Tribon applications running on the user's PC. If one application exit and its corresponding subserver does not terminate, a message box will inform the user about the obsolete subserver and an option to kill this process will be provided. The users are allowed to kill only those Tribon subservers that belongs to themselves. An Administrator's version is available as well. It has extended functionality and allows also obsolete subsevers clean up at scheduled time interval.