Presentation On

Database Management In AutoCAD

18-06-2014

By Mohammed Yasar (206726)

Otto-Von Guericke Universitat Magdeburg

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Overview

• Introduction• What is AutoCAD• Operating System• Database Management In AutoCAD• File Formats• Integration With Other Systems• Database Connectivity• Advantages and disadvantages• References

Database Management for Engineering Applications

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INTRODUCTION

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What is AutoCAD?

• AutoCAD is a software for editing technical drawings as vector graphics in 2D and 3D.

• Vector-based drawing program on simple objects such as lines, polylines, circles arcs and texts.

• It was developed in December 1982.

• Mainly it was a simple CAD program with programming interfaces for creating technical drawings.

• It has a total of 29 versions since its release. 4

Operating System

• AutoCAD run under MS-DOS and was also on UNIX and Apple Macintosh.

• Since its release of first version in 1982 it was supported by only Microsoft Windows.

• Then from oct.15 2010 AutoCAD for Mac.os x was also available.

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DATABASE MANAGEMENT IN AUTOCAD

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How data is managed in AutoCAD?

• Most of the Database contains the information for reproducing which you have already drawn.

• Can add information that is non-graphical.

• One of the easiest ways for adding information is to use attributes.

• An attribute is text that can be attached to a block that conveys more information than geometry on its own could convey.

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Fig 1 : couch 1 Fig2: couch 2

source : MYCADSITE

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File Formats in AutoCAD

• Every file in a computer is created as a particular type or format.

DRAWING1.DWG

DRAWING1 Name of the file

DWG Extension

Fig3: file Format Example 9

While working with AutoCAD, it is important to know that there are several types of drawing files

DWG – BAK – DWT – DWF – SV$ - DXF – WMF – 3DS – JPG

1. DWG : Standard drawing file format.

2. BAK : Backup file format.

3. DWT : New file format used for drawing templates.

4. DWF: Used when you want to create a drawing used on the internet or otherwise not editable.

5. SV$: Used when creating automatic save.

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6. DXF: Not really an AutoCAD format but industry standard, Drawing exchange format.

7. WMF: Windows meta file, can be used for non-CAD programs.

8. 3DS: Older extension for 3D studio max, a high level animation and rendering program.

9. JPG: Common file format on the internet for images.

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Integration With Other Systems• AutoCAD is often used with additional software that

comes with predefined symbols, macros used and calculation functions for fast creation of engineering drawing.

• The software is programmed in C++ and has several programming interfaces.

• AutoCAD LT• AutoCAD mechanical• AutoCAD architecture• AutoCAD MEP• AutoCAD map 3D• AutoCAD structural detailing• AutoCAD utility design 12

• Establish connection between two applications.

• Integration and interfacing are the main tools for management of data.

• Primary thing is to pass data through files.

• Interfacing is writing a file that can be read by another application.

• Integration is often a matter of creating a program to convert one file format to another for processing.

• Object level interfacing is the better solution. 13

Database Connectivity

• Powerful way to link drawing objects with data.• More flexible than using block attributes.• Need to keep drawings and databases synchronized for

accuracy.• Linking of databases and AutoCAD drawing is referred to

as external database access.• It enables you toa) Create links between AutoCAD drawing objects and the

external data.b) View data in external databases.c) Edit data in external databases.

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d) Display external database data in your drawing.

Databases involved in database connectivity feature:i. Microsoft accessii. dBASEiii. Microsoft Exceliv. Oraclev. Paradoxvi. Microsoft visual FoxProvii. SQL server

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• A Database is a set of related information.

Fig4. Simple database table

Part no. description dwg size Made/purchased

unit

8665-023-012

Welding wire-o.030 stainlessB

B P FT

8665-023-013

Weld rod-0.045 Dia stainless steel

B P FT

8665-0230014

Welding-rod 0.045 Dia S.S

B P FT

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• Structured Query language (SQL) was created to provide users with a database language that would be applicable across multiple platforms.

1) Environment: It is the entire database system

2) Catalog: Collection of Schemas

3) Schema: is a set of tables and other database components.

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Preparing for database connectivity

• Make sure that you have the ODBC data source program from Microsoft.

• Arrange database tables into catalogs(folders) and schemas(subfolders) appropriate for the application.

• Configure the data source from within AutoCAD.• Start the dB CONNECT manager• Establish a user access name and password.• Connect to your data source.• Open the data view window containing your data table.• Edit the data, if desired.

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Connecting to the database

• If the data is to be in one database with many tables or in several separate databases.

• Which data to be linked to which drawing objects.

• Several drawing objects will be linked to one row or one object will be linked to a row.

• Drawing object linked to more than one row.

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Connecting a database to a drawing

• Use dbCONNECT manager to perform all the connectivity functions.• It will display a list of open drawings and configured data sources.• AutoCAD lists the database tables associated with the datasource.

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Advantages • Reduction of redundancies

• Elimination of inconsistencies • Shared data• Integrity• Security• Conflict resolution• Data independence

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Disadvantages

• Cost of software/hardware and migration• Problems associated with centralization• Complexity of backup and recovery

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References

• AutoCAD 2011 & AutoCAD LT 2011(Bible)• www.wikipedia.com• www.Mycadsite.com• www.cadalyst.com• www.bcanotes.com

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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Question

Which is your favourite drawing you want to draw using AutoCAD?

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