Using Dms Lms

Using DMS-LMS

Once the installation is correctly setup and the appropriate shortcut has been launched into the Cad Application, the DMS-LMS (Cad) Enhancement is ready to be used.
The Cad interface has one modification add to it. The ‘Show LMS’ button inside the ‘LMS’ toolbar.

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'Show LMS' Button

The ‘Show LMS’ button

The ‘Show LMS’ button is the main method of accessing all the functionality of DMS-LMS. Pressing the button will initialise (first press only) the system and then display the Navigator. This is the same as typing at the command line:

Command: ACCLOC_SHOW
DMS-LMS-Nav-Insert-01.png

The DMS-LMS Navigator

The Navigator

The Navigator is a dialogue the hosts all the functionality of DMS-LMS. Knowing how to interact with the Navigator is essential to using the this enhancement.
Essentially, it tries to organise the use of DMS-LMS into manageable sections which focus the user into correctly manipulating CAD data. Also, it can been hidden easily to allow the functionality of the Cad Applicaton to be fully utilised.

The following are the key features:

The Navigator is modeless

A Modeless dialogue will run concurrently with it’s parent window. This means that the Navigator will not ‘freeze up’ the CAD Application while it is active. Allowing the user to continue adding to or editing the current drawing.
As any time the Navigator can been hidden by pressing the close window ‘X’ at the top right of the dialogue or by pressing the ‘Hide’ button. This will allow the Cad user to work on the drawing with more screen ‘real-estate’. Re-pressing the ‘Show LMS’ button will re-display it.

The Navigator is stretchy

The Navigator can be re-sized and re-positioned to suit any Cad user or screen-size. The size and position will persist in between sessions.

The Navigator automatically reacts to drawing changes

As a drawing changes, the Navigator will update and change (where appropriate) the information it displays.

The Navigator is ‘Document-centric’

The Cad Application is a multiple document interface. This means that several drawings can be opened at once, allowing the user to ‘task’ between them in the same session. The Navigate will re-organise itself to display functionality best-suited to the current drawing.

The Anatomy of the Navigator

Although the Navigator changes to suit the current drawing. The following standard areas require explaining:

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The Caption Bar Area

The Caption bar

The Caption bar of the Navigator either displays the name of the current drawing active in Cad or the discipline of a floor plate (If the current drawing is setup as one). This will change as the user ‘tasks’ between different opened drawings in Cad.

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The Connection Area

Connection name

The area of the Navigator displays the name of the instance of Accordant Locator the user is connected to.


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The Tabs Area

Grouped functionality sections (Tabs)

This is a tabulated list of sections running vertically from top to bottom on the right-hand side of the Navigator. Each ‘Tab’ represents a section of grouped functionality which when pressed to make active, display different controls in the main content section of the Navigator.
As different Cad drawings become active in the Cad Application, the groups re-organises themselves displaying DMS-LMS options appropriate to the drawing.

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The Main Content Area

Current section (Main content)

The area displays the currently active section of grouped functionality. All information and controls displayed will persist allowing the Cad User to move between sections without loss of state or data.

‘Hide’ Button
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The 'Hide' Button


The ‘Hide’ button will make the Navigator invisible, allowing more screen ‘real-estate’ to visible for the Cad user to work on. Pressing the ‘Show LMS’ button or typing ‘ACCLOC_SHOW’ at the command line will re-display the Navigate in the last state it was left in.

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The 'Keep Focus' Check-box

‘Keep Focus’ Check-box

This is particular to AutoCAD and not ZwCAD. AutoCAD has a peculiar relationship with modeless dialogues which are children of it. It steals their focus!
This means that if you where typing into a edit control or selecting items from a list view control, the default behaviour of AutoCAD is to steal the focus away from you. This can be annoying to say the least.
So at the times when you need to type or select focus sensitive information, check the ‘Keep Focus’ button first.

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The 'More' Button

‘More…’ Button

The ‘More’ button is a ‘catch-all’ button. It allows the Current section (displayed in the main content area of the Navigator) to offer more options to the user. By definition the options displayed are sensitive to each section and will be discuss in detail when discussing each section.

Overview of each (Tab) section

As discussed, each (Tab) section is a collection of (similar) functionality grouped together under one heading. Sections are sensitive to the current drawing and type of floor-plate discipline. The following is a overview of each section describing general use and its relationship to the current drawing.

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Downloading with Progress

Navigator Tab: Check-out

The Check-out Tab will allow an existing managed drawing to be downloaded and locked to the current Cad user and workstation.
Once a document is selected to check-out. A download dialogue (progress) appears and the drawing is copied from the central instance down to the local workstation where it is stored in the local cached folder. The local cached folder is by default, under the users ‘My Documents’ folder and is called ‘Dms2’. This can be configure to be in a different position if desired.
The check-out status of a drawing can be previewed by closely examine it’s icon. The icon has a colour coded line beneath which means the following:

  • No line
    DMS-LMS-Doc-Status-None.png The drawing is available to check out right now.
  • Green line
    DMS-LMS-Doc-Status-Green.png This drawing is already checked out to the current user. If it’s the same workstation, then checking out will just open the drawing.
  • Yellow line
    DMS-LMS-Doc-Status-Yellow.png This drawing is checked out to another user.
  • Red line
    DMS-LMS-Doc-Status-Red.png This drawing is reserve to the current user, but not checked out yet.

All documents are stored and managed in the same way, by for convenience, this Tab is broken-down into four sub-layouts and an extension dialogue.

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Check out a master drawing

Master drawing

The Master drawing sub-layout displays a Estate ‘Tree-View’. Organising the data into Estates which own Buildings. Buildings which own Floors. Floors which own Master drawings. To check-out a Master drawing, simply ‘drill’ down through the tree to find the master discipline floor-plate drawing required, select it and press the ‘Check-out’ button.

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Check out a schema drawing

Schema drawing

The Schema drawing sub-layout displays the mechanism for finding (or creating) the required schema. The is done with four controls:

Selecting a schema type

Currently the only supported schema type is Furniture schema. Future releases of DMS-LMS with support more types.

Filtering on the Estate tree-view

This control is a version of the Estate ‘Tree-View’. Organising the data into Estates which own Buildings. Buildings which own Floors. To filter schemas, choose either a building or a floor by ‘drilling’ down through the tree. This will populate the schema result control with schemas that match the criteria.

Filtering on job option

When a schema is created in the online Move Manager, It is assigned an option label. Typically this is set to ‘Default’ as most move projects do not require any more then one option. The Filtering on job option control works in conjunction with Estate ‘Tree-View’. Either select ‘*All Options’ or a particular one. This will filter the Schema list.

Selecting a schema to open or create

The schema list control displays the results of filtering by estate and option. The list can be reordered and regrouped by pressing the ‘Advanced’ button and selecting the ‘Sort by’ menu option.
This is the typical method for finding schema (by estate). If a more project-based approach is required, select the `Find schema`option from the advanced button.

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Check out a DMS Managed drawing

DMS Managed Document

The DMS Managed Document sub-layout displays managed drawings in their natural format: under DMS shares. Select the required share and then navigate through its local file system until the the drawing is visible. Select it to checkout.
If a drawing file is not managed, IE its on a share and has never been checked out before, the user will be prompted to make it managed. Some advanced users choose to upload (via FTP) collections of managed drawings in organised folder structures. This allows them to fast-track the start up for installations.

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Review Checked-out Documents

Checked-out Documents.

The Checked-out Documents sub-layout displays managed all the drawings checked out to the current Cad User. When a drawing is checked out, it remains locked to it’s user unit they discard it or check it in. The means it will persist between Cad sessions in this sub-layout.
Each drawing listed has a status displayed:

Closed

The drawing is currently no opened in the Cad Application. Selecting this drawing will open it. If a drawing is closed the Cad User can discard it from this point by right-clicking.

Opened

The drawing is currently opened in the Cad Application. Selecting this drawing will switch it into focus.

Reversed

The drawing is reversed to the current Cad User, but not checked-out yet. Reserving drawings keeps the top-copy on the central instance and locked it to the user. Selecting this drawing will check it out.

No found

The drawing is checked-out to the current Cad User and workstation. But DMS-LMS can’t find it under the local cache folder. Select this will do nothing.

Different Workstation

The drawing is checked-out to the current Cad User, but on a different Workstation. Selecting this drawing will do nothing.

Navigator Tab: Check-in

The Check-in Tab will allow the current drawing (existing or new) to be uploaded into the Accordant Locator instance and made managed. Checking in requires various MORE NEEDED…

Checking in a drawing (FM) for the 1st time

TODO: Tutorial example of checking in an FM for the 1st time.

Checking out a drawing

A user can check out a drawing to download it to their local machine for editing. A user can only open a drawing that is not checked out to another user.
To check out a drawing open the LMS Navigator and select the check-out tab. Select the type of drawing you wish to open from the options (Master, Schema, DMS Managed). From the list of drawings navigate the the drawing you want to check out and select it, the click the check-out button. Alternatively double clicking on the desired drawing will check it out.
When the drawing is checked-out it will launch the DMS remote window and show the download progress. Once download has completed the drawing will be opened and can be edited as a normal CAD drawing.

Adding Overlays (Completing the picture)

When a drawing is open it will only contain the information related to that master. It is often the case that you will need to see the complete floor plan so will need to add additional masters to your view. This is done by using Overlays, which work like an CAD x-ref, but are much easier to work with.
Once your have checked-out the drawing you require, open the LMS navigator and select the DMS Document tab. Click the Overlays button to launch the Floor Overlays window. This lists all available overlays for the current floor. To add an overlay select the desired master by clicking the tick box next to the master. This will downloaded in the same way as when checking out a drawing and automatically added into the drawing.
To remove overlays open the Floor overlays window in the same way as for adding an overlay. You can remove a single overlay by deselecting the master by removing the tick next to it. Alternatively you can remove all master overlays or all overlays by clicking the approriate remove button.

Exploring Space and Locations

TODO: Tutorial example of using the ‘Locations’ tab.

Creating a Location Grid

The location grid is a key part of the LMS system. A new drawing will need a location grid created. See here (link) for the concept of a location grid.
Once the furniture masters that required the grid has been checked-out, open the LMS Navigator and select the Grid tab. To create the new grid click Create. This opens the Auto-location grid, where the characteristics of the grid can be set.

Characteristics

Delimiters: These are the characters that can appear between the floor code (F), Zone code (Z), the grid co-ordinates (XX) and the region characters (R). The locations of the delimiters are set by ticking their required positions, when ticked they are shown solid above the tick box. The type of character t be used as a delimiter can be set by selecting from the drop down list.
Zone names: Each zone is given a unique name. By default this is alphabetical, but can be changed to any other single character. They are created in the order they are listed.
Zone direction: The direction zones are named can be set either to name up first, then across, or to name across first, then up. Select the radio button for desired order.
X and Y tiles: You can set the values for the tiles that make up each zone separately. The X tiles are those that go across, the Y tiles are those that go up.For each direction you can set the following:

  • Tile size: This is the size of the tile in the current drawings units. After this distance a new tile will be created.
  • Number of digits: This sets the number of digits used to identify the zone, so for example, two digits would give the 3rd zone a label of 03, three digits a label of 003 etc..
  • Number of tiles before zone changes: This is the number of tiles created before a new zone is started. The size of the zone will be the number of tiles multiplied by the size of the tile. So a 1,500 size tile, changing zone every 30 tiles, means a new zone is created every 45,000 drawing units

Use region code: A region code can be added to provide greater granularity within a tile. Select the tick box to use a region code.
Region names: Each region is given a unique name. By default this is alphabetical, but can be changed to any other single character. They are created in the order they are listed.
Region size: Region codes can either be 9 (a 3 by 3 grid) or 16 (4 by 4 grid) split within the tile. Select the radio button for the required split.

Building Area

The position of the location gird can be set manually, or automatically. To set it to automatically fit to the building grid, click Fit to Building Grid.
To draw it automatically click Get«, this will minimise the window so you can draw the location of the grid. Clicking once on the drawing will specify the start point of the location grid. As you move the cursor a dotted white preview is drawing showing the zones that will be created. Clicking a second time will set the finish position and reopen the window with the low and high values completed. By default the first click places the bottom left oft the grid, the second click the top right. If the centred tick box is selected the first clock will place the centre of the grid, the second the top right.

When the grid set up is complete click Create to create the grid as part of the CAD drawing. It will create the grid as a combination of polylines and inserts.
The grid will be part of the drawing unless changed. It can be applied to the floor or building by clicking Grid @ and choosing floor or building. This will remove the CAD objects creating the grid and apply the grid to the floor or all floors in the building. The grid can be moved back to the drawing, or removed completely by selecting the appropriate options from the Grid @ menu.

While the grid is set at drawing it can be amended by clicking Modify. In the edit zone definitions window you can change the delimiters, tile and region settings for each zone in the location grid by selecting the zone and changing the setting which are the same as when creating a grid. All zones can be edited simultaneously by ticking Apply to all zones. When all changes are made click Close.

Also while the grid is in the drawing the grid layers can all be turned off and frozen by clicking On, or restored by clicking Off.

The set-up of a grid can be exported to be used again without having to recreate the setting each time by clicking Export. This will enable you to save an .lm file containing all the grid settings. This can be imported into subsequent drawings by clicking Import and selecting the appropriate .lm file.

The CAD elements of a location grid

The CAD elements of a location grid consists for two parts. The first is the ZONEDEF insert, created on the ZONEDEF layer. There is one insert for each zone located at the bottom left of the zone. The second is the polyline. There is one polyline created for each zone, marking the limits of the zone. Each polyline is created on a separate layer, named to correspond with the zone name, so zone A is on layer ZONE_A.
All the other setting are stored in the attributes of the ZONEDEF insert. These are:

  • ALPHACHARS – The Characters used for the region
  • CENPOINT - Unknown
  • DCHAR – The character used for the delimiter
  • DELIMITERS – Numeric variable setting where the delimiter is used
  • REGION – Number of regions to use, 9 or 16
  • USEREGION – 0 for No, 1 for Yes
  • XDIGIT – The number of digits to use for the X tile
  • XDIR - The direction of numbering from the insertion point of ZONEDEF, 1 is left to right
  • XSTART – The first tile number, by default is 0
  • XSTYLE – NUM, to use numeric tiles
  • XTILE – Size of the X tile
  • YDIGIT – The number of digits to use for the Y tile
  • YDIR - The direction of numbering from the insertion point of ZONEDEF, 1 is bottom to top
  • YSTART – The first tile number, by default is 0
  • YSTYLE – NUM, to use numeric tiles
  • YTILE – Size of the Y tile
  • ZONE – The identifier of the zone. This corresponds to the suffix of the layer name for the zone polyline.

Adding Locatable Objects

TODO: Tutorial example of adding a grid to a variety of objects

Making Managed Symbols

A CAD insert in the current drawing can be made into a managed symbol to add it to the LMS symbol library and enable the user to add locations and data to the block.
To make a CAD insert a managed block it is first selected in the Insert tab of the LMS navigator. Once selected so that the required insert is highlighted, right click on the highlighted insert to open the menu and select ‘Make Managed’.
This launches the Save Managed Symbol window. This shows an image of the symbol and the details of the managed block. The first drop down is the Location Type. This list can be restricted to only seatable location types by ticking ‘Show only Seatable’.
The second field is the symbol description. By default this is completed as the name of the CAD insert. The third files is the symbol classification, by default this is miscellaneous. A new classification can be created by typing into this field.

Setting Layout properties of Symbols

The appearance of the location and data of the symbol in the CAD plan can be set easily using the LMS navigator. The symbol is first selected in the Insert Tab of the LMS navigator. Once selected so that the required symbol is highlighted, right click on the highlighted symbol to open the menu and select ‘Layout Properties’.
This launches the Layout Properties window. This shows a number of options for the Layout characteristics, alignment characteristics, other characteristics, the dimensions and a preview image of the current settings.

Preview

The preview image shows the location in a magenta colour and the three information line that will be added to the object in red, green and blue. A key for this can be shown by ticking Show Legend.
As the various characteristics are updated the preview image updates to show the expected appearance of the chosen settings

Layout Characteristics

Layout characteristics set the basic positioning of the attribute text when the properties are applied. By default the location is at the bottom left of the object, aligned horizontally, with the 3 lines of information above the location. Any combination of the three options can be applied.
This can be changed to align vertically, at the top left of the object by selecting ‘Layout the attributes along the alternate side of the object
The displayed order can be changed. Selecting ‘Reverse the order of the attributes (top down to bottom)’, reverses the order of all attributes. Selecting ‘Layout the information lines first, then the location’ places the location text at the top of the displayed information, but retains the information lines in the default order.

Alignment Characteristics

The alignment characteristics set the position of the attributes relative to the object. By default the text is aligned left. Only one of the options for alignment can be applied to the object
The text can be centred by selecting ‘Centre the attributes’, or right aligned by selecting ‘Align the attributes to read from right to left’.
The final options is to stretch the attribute to fit across the size of the object, this is applied by selecting ‘Fit (and Stretch) the Attributes along the length of the object’.

Other Characteristics

Other characteristics can set the layout in particular circumstances.
If attribute overlaps extent of objects, scale to fit’ works similar to the Fit and Stretch command, but only if the attribute would be larger than the object, compressing the text so it fits the object.

Dimensions

The dimensions are used to set the actual size of the attributes and their spacing, the units used are the CAD units of the current drawing.
The dimensions of the location text and the information text are set independently using the Location. Dims. and the Info. Dims. The gap value sets the spacing between the parallel edge of the object and the text or the text and the next line of text. The height sets the height of the text itself.
The General Dims. only has the gap value to be completed. This sets the spacing between the perpendicular edge of the object and the text.

Applying the Layout Properties

Once the desired layout characteristics have been selected they are applied to all the objects by clicking Apply to All. If the characteristics are not required clicking Cancel close the layout properties window without making any changes.

Using the CAD attribute properties

To use the properties of the attributes as set in the CAD insert rather than any set characteristics the tick box for ‘Use CAD Attribute definition for the Layout’ is selected and when Apply to All is clicked it will revert the attributes to the properties of the CAD insert.

Setting and Using a Default Layout

Once a set of characteristics has been set this can be used as a default layout. The object that the characteristics have been applied to is selected in the insert tab and right clicked. Make Default Layout is then selected, it will then appear with a tick next to it in the menu and the object with have the LMS symbol against it.
When subsequent objects are selected the button for Use Def. Layout is then available, clicking this sets all characteristics to be the same as those set for the object with the default layout. The properties are then applied by clicking Apply to All.

Data to Desks

Data to Desks enables the user to apply Accordant Locator Data to the CAD plan by updating the information attributes of the Managed Symbols.
The Data to Desks function is found in the LMS Navigator, under the Insert tab.
To apply data check out the master or schema containing the CAD inserts that you wish to update (this will usually be the furniture master), then click Data to Desks.
Data to Desks has 4 options of data that can be applied to the Managed symbols CAD inserts.

Option 1: Poster

The poster layout for the information is the default layout for attribute information. It will apply the first employee’s surname to the first line of the information attribute, with their first name applied to the second line. If there is a second employee allocated to the same location their name will be applied to the third line in the format “Last name, First name”. Third and subsequent employee names are not shown.

Option 2: Compact

The compact layout is used when there are multiple employees allocated to locations. It applies the names in the format “Last name, First name” with one employee per line for the first three employees allocated the location. If there are more than three employees allocated to the location the fourth and subsequent employee names are not applied.

Option 3: Move Job Information

Move Job Information applies employee information from a move project related to the checked-out master.
All move projects related to the open master are listed under their corresponding categories. Select the move project for the required data, and if required a prefix. The data is applied to line 1 in the format “Last name, First name (Prefix)”.
The prefix can be set to not be used, show the job id#, move date or comment related to the employee.

Option 4: Objects to Desks (Advanced)

The advanced setting enables you to apply further information in a more customisable fashion. Each line of information can be set separately.
For each line of the information attributes you can apply a separate piece of data. Each line can be assigned a prefix, then any locatable object, such as an employee or an asset, can be selected, and a data item related to that object selected from the drop down list. For example, the employee object has data items such as name, e-mail, and job title related to it.

Apply Data

Once the desired option has been selected and configured click Apply to update the block attributes. If the layout of the attributes is not as required then the Layout Properties if the blocks need to be modified.

Clear All Data

To remove all the information from the blocks leaving just the location information open the Data to Desks window and click Clear All.

Adding Space Data

TODO:Tutorial example of creating and measuring space.