Attachment Tool ( Modeling )

Tool summary :

  • Attach RFIs, sketches and addendum to members in the model. The tool is compatible with most custom property flavors.
  • Technically, you can use Attachment Tool to manually type to-be-linked files to the appropriate field on the member properties window; however, doing so could introduce errors and requires that you press the " Update " button under the " Update/Database " tab in the Attachment Tool window. Save yourself time and headaches: use the Attachment Tool to link files (such as drawings) to members in the model.
  • The tool is compatible with modular properties and can also be used with a legacy " Flavor " such as ' ElectronicApproval ' or ' CollaborativeProperties ' or ' DDLegacy '.
  • Attachment Tool can be launched by clicking an icon, by keyboard shortcut, or via the context menu. You can find it in the group called ' Model -- Parametric ' (lightning or classic). For the lightning interface, use Customize Interface to configure the ribbon.
Attachment Tool
  • In the SDS2 data directory , the Attachment Tool plugin can be found in the plugins/Distributed folder, which means that SDS2 programmers did not develop the plugin. Distribution is provided in response to an expressed interest by users of SDS2 software to have it be made freely available.
  • Attachments can be text files, or PDF files, or spread sheets, or graphics files. For example, you can use the Request For Information (RFI) tool to create RFIs that are PDF files. You can use Print PDF (in the Drawing Editor ) to create PDF files of any Drawing Editor drawing type , regardless of whether or not it has been placed onto a sheet. You can Home > Export > 2D > Export PDF Drawing to convert detail sheets, gather sheets or erection sheets. Drawing Conversion can convert details or job standard details or global standards or submaterial or erection views or detail sheets or gather sheets or erection sheets or sheet outlines . to DWG, DXB, DGN or DXF files.

  • To link detail sheets (1 member per sheet) to members, the following procedure will work: 1) Use Home > Export > 2D > Export PDF Drawing to convert the sheets to PDFs and place them in the macro/Shop Drawing folder in your current Job . 2) You can then press the " Update " button under the " Update/Database " tab in the Attachment Tool window. The lettering plotted on the button will change color then back to its original color to indicate when the update is complete. After the update is complete, you can view the shop drawing on the member Edit Properties window by checking the box for " Verify Shop Drawing ," then pressing the button " Open Shop Drawing ." The Open Sheet tool or this tool ( Attachment Tool ) can also be used to view the drawings.
  • To link an erection sheet to members, you can use a procedure similar to that used for linking detail sheets. One difference is that the erection sheets need to be placed in the macro/Erection Drawing folder. To view the erection sheet on the member Edit Properties window, check the box for " Verify Erection Drawing ," then press the " Open Erection Drawing " button.
  • To link an RFI to members, the following procedure will work: 1) Use Create RFI to create the RFI and place it into the macro/RFI/Unanswered folder in your current Job . 2) On the Attachment Tool window, select the " General " tab then the " RFI " tab, select " Attach to members" then select the RFI you created in step 1 and press " OK " to close the Attachment Tool window. 3) In the model, select the members that you want to attach the RFI to. After the update is complete, you can view the drawing from the Edit Properties window or use the Open Sheet tool or this tool ( Attachment Tool ) to view the drawing.
  • To link a sketch to members, the following procedure will work: 1) Create a sketch as a standard detail. 2) Use Drawing Conversion to convert the sketch to DWG, DXB, DGN or a DXF file and place the file in the macro/Sketch folder in your current Job . 3) On the Attachment Tool window, select the " General " tab then the " Sketch " tab, select " Attach to Left End " and/or " Attach to Right End " and/or " Attach to General ," then select the sketch you created in step 1. Press " OK " to close the Attachment Tool window. 4) In the model, select the members that you want to attach the sketch to. Note: The above procedure is not the only possible procedure. You could, for example, create sketches that are PDF files or create them in AutoCAD instead of an SDS2 program.
  • To link an addendum to members, proceed in a manner similar to the way you would link a sketch. You could, if you like, link to a Word document or to a spread sheet. The file type does not matter. The addendum files need to be stored in the macro/Addendum folder in your current Job -- that's you current Job, not in a macro folder that is found anyplace else.

Also see :

  • Approval Sheet Sorting (a related tool)
  • Open Sheet (a related tool)
  • Notes (can have " Attachments " appended to them -- the custom property " Flavor " is irrelevant)
  • For more help on this tool, click the Attachment Tool icon to open the Attachment Tool window, then press the " Help " tab and click on the PDF document that is the Attachment Tool help.
  • Find that same PDF in SDS2 data directory /plugins/Distributed/ElectronicApproval/Attachment_Tool/Help

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