But because the information repository is geared towards the business software, it provides no effective way to handle AutoCAD engineering data during design projects. Fortunately, the CADnection program solves this problem, letting users incorporate AutoCAD drawings and reference files into SharePointmanaged workflows.
Installing CADnection requires standard IT administrator experience and should take less than a few hours to complete. However, it is good practice to have an experienced SharePoint administrator on hand to establish new workflow processes in SharePoint after CADnection is installed.
Once in place, CADnection works inside AutoCAD, providing designers a menu with tools to manage, maintain, share, and control critical design data. For example, clicking the Save Drawing to SharePoint button saves the file into the repository and ensures data integrity by rebuilding drawing relationships and mapping attributes in the drawing’s title block.
CADnection additionally lets users activate SharePoint’s search capabilities to review data on the server, retrieve drawings, and even locate text information in drawings. The program also makes it easy to reuse existing data without losing track of related files. Designers need only insert blocks of design data directly into a new drawing or use the Attach command to create an XREF (external reference) file that then appears in the File References panel.
What’s more, users can generate DWF files so anyone on the team can see drawings inside SharePoint for fast visual identification. (DWF stands for Design Web Format and is Autodesk’s lightweight CAD format.) CADnection also facilitates the use of Design Review with SharePoint to enhance multisite collaboration and workflow processing. This function is vital for many companies with dispersed or outsourced design and manufacturing operations.
Despite CADnection’s many capabilities, a downside is that the software does not support bulk loading. This means that companies must spend additional time and money to process data into and out of SharePoint, for example, while transforming DWG to DWF files. In addition, the loading process stalls with any potential file duplication. These tasks currently require manual input before processing.
The developer provides immediate telephone support for new customers, ongoing free telephone support, and free upgrades underthe maintenance contract. The software also comes with a comprehensive digital (PDF) installation and maintenance guide.
CADnection requires Windows XP and Vista-based clients with Windows Server 2003 and SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007. The software comes from CADnection Inc., 2747 North Grand, Suite 256, Santa Ana, CA 92705, (877) 877-7833, cadnection.com. The company also provides consulting, implementation, and customization options.
— Richard W. Bourke
Richard W. Bourke is principal consultant, Bourke Consulting Associates. The firm is a consulting and education organization with extensive experience in engineering and manufacturing-systems planning, evaluation, and implementation.
The CADnection window lets users select AutoCAD drawings stored in SharePoint.
The metadata of an AutoCAD drawing’s title block displays in SharePoint. The additional pull-down menu for the selected file provides options to see the drawing, edit it in AutoCAD, or review Where Used & Composed Of relationships.
The CADnection dialog box lets users attach external reference files from SharePoint to a drawing.