CAP and Cap Complete allows for the creation of graphics specials which can be used in Visual Impression scenes. You can create a custom CAP part or special from any valid 2D and 3D graphical symbols. This allows you to modify an existing manufacturer item or create your own custom objects for rendering. Some of the features include:
- The ability to store both 2D and 3D symbols to represent a special. This means custom items can now swap between 2D and 3D blocks in your drawing just like standard catalog items. Note: The special must have a 3D symbol to be visualized in Visual Impression.
- A Worksheet takeoff will add an * character to the catalog code differentiating them from standard items. The special column will also be checked.
- You can choose to retain the attributes of the standard CAP item used to create the special so that you do not have to re-type all of the product information as part of the process.
- Retaining the CAP attributes also retains the finishes that are available for that item so that the special can be specified using standard Options or Materials selection dialog within Visual Impression.
- Specials can be updated with approved part numbers and pricing using the Edit Part command. Edit Part allows users to edit the attributes on a symbol and update multiple occurrences of that symbol in the drawing and Custom Catalog.
- In the case that specials are not saved into the Custom Catalog, they are protected from the AutoCAD Purge command ensuring that Visual Impression can visualize the part in the scene.
Creating a special from a standard catalog item
In this example, we will modify a standard CAP catalog item to create a special. We will start with a 72" long peninsula top and create it into a special 78" version. This example will demonstrate using the tools to create a special that you can then apply to your own scenario.
- Start by inserting a 72" long peninsula top from the DMO – 2020 Enriched Data Demo catalog or feel free to use any part of your choosing. The example below is just for demonstration purposes.
- Next add the matching 3D block by using Copy plan to 3D from the 2020 Office ->3D ribbon.
Place the 3D symbol to the right of the 2D like this: - Now that you have the standard symbols that you want to modify to create a special, the next step is to Undo the parts so that they can be modified. You can undo the part by selecting the Undo Cap Part command from the 2020 Office ->Groups area of the ribbon.
Select both symbols to be undone. - Pay attention to the AutoCAD Command line and answer “No” to remove the CAP Attribute Definitions. This question allows the original information to be retained to allow for easier editing when creating the new part.
Now the symbols are ready to be modified in whatever manner necessary to make your special. Note: The user needs to know how to make the proper modifications in 3D. As an alternative, 3D symbols may be inserted from any other .dwg source such as .dwg exports from Sketchup or 3DSMax.
For this exercise, we will stretch them to make them 78” long.
- Stretch the end of both symbols using the AutoCAD stretch command and entering the distance and direction that you want to stretch. Remember to surround the entire rounded part of the end to guarantee it stretched the long part of the worksurface only and not the curved part.
Once your objects have the proper geometry or graphical modifications, they will need to be converted into a CAP Part so that they can be recognized during a takeoff to Worksheet or Visual Impression.
- To make them into a 2D and 3D part, select New Cap Part from the 2020 Office ->Groups ribbon pulldown.
The make New CAP Part wizard will walk you through making a special. - Select the object (entities) that you want to be part of the 2D symbol. Once the entities are selected, a preview of the symbol is shown in the window on the right of the dialog with a yellow “x” indicating the insertion point.
You only need to select an insertion point if you want one other than the one indicated. Retaining the CAP attributes also retains the original insertion point of the object. If everything is correct, press Next. - Select the 3D object (entities) that you want to be part of the 3D symbol. Once the entities are selected, a
preview of the symbol is shown in the window on the right of the dialog with a yellow “x” indicating the
insertion point. You only need to select an insertion point if you want one other than the one indicated. If
everything is correct, press Next. - Edit the Part Information to identify your special.
- Recommended - As a last step your 2D and 3D special can be saved into a Custom Catalog for re-use on other projects or within other drawings. Note: Specials are now protected from an AutoCAD purge so they won’t be inadvertently removed from your drawing.
Your special can now be inserted from your Custom Catalog and visualized within Visual Impression.
Assigning Materials to a Special (Custom Item) in Visual Impression
The manufacturer finish selections available on the original part you used to create a special are available for your
special if you choose not to remove attribute definitions when creating the special in CAP Studio when asked this
question:
If you created the special drawing from scratch using non CAP objects or answered yes to the question above you will have to use Visual Materials to manually apply materials within Visual Impression using the objects layer assignments. Many manufacturers require a specific finish when a special is requested, but Visual Impression retains all of the available finishes for selection in case the user changes their mind during the special approval process.
Revising a Special Once it is Inserted in the Drawing
You can quickly update a special that has been inserted into your drawing or custom catalog to reflect a new Part
Number or price received from the manufacturer by using the Edit Cap Part command from the 2020 Office ->Groups ribbon section.
Edit CAP Part Dialog
Create Worksheet - “Use the custom catalog definition for CAP Parts”
When storing specials in a Custom Catalog, the Create Worksheet Wizard allows for the finishes and specification of items in the Custom Catalog to apply to items during the takeoff from the drawing. Checking the box looks up against the Custom Catalog during takeoff. Unchecking the box ignores the information in the Custom Catalog and applies the specification information contained in the drawing.