Abstract: Examples can include a system for generating a spool sheet. A user can select multiple components on a graphical user interface (“GUI”). Then they can select an option to create a spool sheet. The system can determine a list of components in the selection for use in a bill of materials. This can be included in a spool page that includes a printable spool sheet region. Within the spool sheet region, the GUI can display a view of the selected components at a location indicated by an anchor node of the template.

Abstract: Examples herein describe systems and methods for aligning elements, such as conduit, ductwork, and plumbing within a computer-aided design (“CAD”) application. A plugin can provide an element alignment option on a graphical user interface (“GUI”) of the CAD program. An anchor point from which to align elements is selected in the GUI so that the plugin can choose locations within a structure to run multiple elements in parallel alignment. The system can recommend an alignment plane based on the slopes of the selected multiple elements and provide a direction for a run of the multiple elements. The systems retrieve the specifications and parameters of each individual element to determine its spacing among the run of multiple elements. The run of multiple elements is displayed and manipulated by the plugin via the GUI.

Abstract: A system can receive selection of endpoints for a spool on a graphical user interface (“GUI”) and attempt to assemble a spool based on the endpoints. To do so, a plugin can execute a route-finding process that traverses routes from the endpoints. The routes can be determined by retrieving connectors from the endpoints and, for each connector, determining what parts are connected. For each connected part, the process can repeat so long as the connected part is not one of the endpoints or already in another route or spool. When the routes are complete, the connected parts can be treated as an assembly of the spool. The GUI can generate a spool sheet that uses the assembly as the spool.

Abstract: A plugin can allow for tracking objects within a computer-aided design (“CAD”) application. In one example, the user can select an object or family of objects to track. The plugin can set a parameter of the tracker to match that of the selected object(s). The tracker can be joined to the selected object to form a new assembly, such as by embedding the tracker within the object. A user can define areas, such as rooms or floors, within the layout. The plugin can poll the trackers, which report which areas the corresponding object is within. The plugin can compile this information and display quantities of object types per area.

Abstract: Technologies are provided for automated configuration of hanger placement within a model layout in a computer-aided design (CAD) application. The technologies rely, in some embodiments, on an initial selection of pipe elements and a traversal direction. Candidate positions for placement of hangers are then generated. At each candidate position, a set of pipes essentially parallel to one another can be identified. When the set of pipes includes two or more pipes, the candidate position is deemed to be satisfactory and placement of a hanger at the candidate position can be configured. The configuration includes configuration of a size of a hanger bearer relative to the pipe elements present in such a set. The configuration also includes configuration of an elevation of the hanger. A termination rule can be utilized to terminate the generation of candidate positions and associated configuration of hanger placement.

Abstract: Examples can include a system for flipping components in REVIT or other BIM software. A plugin can receive an indication that a flip has occurred in a plan displayed on a graphical user interface (“GUI”). The plan can include an assembly that has a handedness, such as a door or window. The plugin can determine what the handedness should be based on assembly parameters indicating mirroring, facing, and hand flipped. Because some assemblies cannot correctly mirror without adjusting handedness, the plugin can determine the appropriate handedness and replace the assembly with a different assembly when the handedness is incorrect after flipping. The new assembly can display in the GUI at the correct location.

Abstract: Examples can include a system for auto-dimensioning part assemblies in REVIT or other software. A plugin can receive an identifier of a part assembly that is displayed on a graphical user interface (“GUI”). The plugin can determine a dimensioning rule based on the part identifier and dynamically select first and second reference points based on the dimensioning rule. Based on these rules, the plugin can calculate a dimension represented by the first and second reference points. This can include measuring a distance different than the distance between the first and second reference points. Then, the system can display the dimension outside a boundary of the part assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide a plugin to REVIT or a similar program that allows for utilizing nested families for related parts and assemblies. Assembly families can include an inheritance tree where an instance of a host family implements child and sub-child families. The child and sub-child families can inherit parameters from the host family. To manage parameter values associated with the nested structure, the plugin can provide a custom dialog that acts as a middle layer between the user and the parameter settings of the computer-aided design program. The custom dialog can associate user selections with permissible values for parameters related to the host family.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein can allow a user to efficiently generate a merged two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) view of an existing three-dimensional construction model. A processor can create new 2D views for each floor in the 3D model, and then merge those new 2D views with new 3D views of the model. The merged views can allow a construction worker to easily alternate between two-dimensional and three-dimensional views of a construction jobsite, for example, to track information particular to a floor without having to alter the 3D model.