IMPACT for AutoCAD/BricsCAD

IMPACT for AutoCAD/BricsCAD is an application that is linked between the interface of the CAD platform, the file system and the IMPACT database. The database part is less dependent on the latency to the webservices but the file communication open/save/close is more in need a short distance to the files. The system of IMPACT has alot of settings but it's not for sure that the best it to have all the switches to on. It needs to looked at in the light of the value for the performance specially when you are many users on the platform which combination of traffic with the database can create waiting times and lagging.  

File location

IMPACT has four file libraries

Figure 1: File libraries in IMPACT

The most intense traffic is with the Project folders and it's also there where we need to access the same files and it's important that we don't change the at the same time. It's also this folder where our floor plans and elevations most likely have external references linked in. If you work many in the same project this folder needs to be shared by the user alternatively the installation can be setup to use IMPACT file sync.

The folder Standard is much more static as it contains the files for the drawing standard on common and local level. It's less likely to be in concurrency in form of many users changing the same file at the same time. If you work from home office I recommend to have this folder on the local computer and linked in Sharepoint/Onedrive or something similar. Best is to restrict the change rights to only the desired users to avoid problems. In StruSoft we also have a product called BIMContact that can be used for this.

The folder Company mainly holds files for the reports and can be used in the same way as described for Standard above.

The folder Division is in most cases empty and there is at the moment no use of sharing that within the company so that can be only on the local computer. 

Clean external reference drawings before using them on your floor plan and elevations

One big source of problems is when the external reference drawings that are used is not cleaned properly. Many of you have got this as a resolution for one of your error reports to us.

It's should also be said that this will not only cause erratic errors it will also dramatically slow down the work. Please have a look into the following article for how to fix.

Autosave many drawings open

The autosave functionality in the CAD system is good in many cases but it can also put an extra load on the system if many users have many drawings open and doesn't close them when they aren't used. 

Figure 2: Multiple drawings open in AutoCAD

Figure 3: Autosave in AutoCAD

In the example above I have multiple shop drawings open. And the Autosave function will every 10:th minutes make a save on all of them.

Automatic save of reinforcement and cast in materials on shop drawings

There is a Project properties setting that every time you plot or save shop drawings IMPACT will do an MTO reinforcement and cast-in material. 

Figure 4: Auto MTO setting in IMPACT

If you have many drawings and in combination with autosave as described above this can slow down the performance for all working with that database.
 

Purge anonymous bars in CAD

When you draw reinforcement that is not named they are stored as anonymous bars in AutoCAD. If you open up older drawings or copy older drawing it can be worth to run that command.

Figure 5: Purge Anonymus Bars command

Update layout on activation

With this setting on shop drawings with layouts will be faster to do MTO on.

A variable "UPDATELAYOUTSONACTIVATION" which if turned on (1) will no longer update layouts on "Draw element", "MTO all" etc.
Instead the layouts will be updated when they're activated and on command "Reset drawing".

Figure 6: Update layouts on activation

The drawback could be that switching between layouts might be a little slower because of the update.

Update solid view on shop drawing.

If you show the 3D view of the element on your shop drawing you shall make sure to not have default to show the reinforcement as that will slow down the drawing.

Figure 7: Solid view on shop drawing with reinforcement on

The setting is available in Project Properties.

Figure 8: Solid view in project properties

If you don't need the solid at all on the shop drawing I recommend to have this to No because that will of course be the fastest alternative.

Cache on components

In order to optimize performance IMPACT cache data in the AutoCAD session so we don't read it in all the time.

Figure 9: Setting for cache of components.

There is a setting that turns off the storing of components in the memory (cache). The variable in Standard Admin is called "AUTOUPDATECOMPONENTS" with default value 0. Observe, turning this parameter to 1 can give worse performance.

Turn off tooltip on floor plan and elevations

If you on the floor plan and elevation feels like the cursor is hacking. Then I can be useful to turn off the tooltip.

Figure 10: Tooltip in AutoCAD on a floor plan.

This can be turn on/off individually on each drawing from the settings plan/elevation command.

Figure 11: Settings plan to turn off tooltip in AutoCAD on a floor plan.

It's also possible to turn it on/off for all new floor plans and elevations from the Project properties.

Figure 12: Settings to turn on/off tooltip for all new floor plans and elevations.

IMPACT Project Manager

The IMPACT Project Manager works directly towards the database and in some case there can be files involved that corresponds to *.obj files that sometimes is used for linked elements. Working with filters and detailed levels is recommended to maximize performance in the application. 

Detailed view

If you are not directly working with checking connections between elements it's recommended to have the Model view in to  Medium instead of Fine. Remember you can always change it when you need higher quality.

Depending on what you are working with Coarse can also be enough.

Figure 13: Medium instead of Fine in Model view

Show endcaps in openings

From IMPACT 16 it's now possible to set the endcaps in openings in Model view. This setting can be turned on when needed instead of always being on.

Figure 14: Endcaps in openings

IMPACT Resource Manager

Detailed view

It's recommended to turn down the view Settings in the Detailed view to get a faster load of the Cast Planning Detailed view.

Figure 15: Detailed view Settings in Cast Panning

Filters

Don't select to big scoop of data if it's not needed. In the example below from the Transport Planning a reasonable period for Delivery Date could be from the end of September.

Don't just take all  as this will of course have IMPACT on the search time. 

Figure 16: Filter selection in Transport Planning