Version 5.2 of MEDUSA4 and MPDS4 is all about easy data exchange, even faster design editing, and productive engineering data management. All of the new developments and enhancements are designed to make it easier to work together with other people and other systems, while always benefiting from MEDUSA4’s legendary flexibility and intelligent design editing functionality.
The highlights of this release include a new Windchill® PDMLink™ Workgroup Manager for MEDUSA4, new dynamic design tools, new P&ID functionality, dynamic routing and component moving tools in MPDS4, parametric component selection and placement enhancements, and a 3D DWG interface for models and entire plants.
New Products
New PTC Windchill Workgroup Manager for MEDUSA4
The new Windchill Workgroup Manager for MEDUSA4, available from MEDUSA4 version 5.2, is an integration between MEDUSA4 and the latest Windchill® PDMLink™ data management environment, developed in partnership with PTC. Users can access the familiar Windchill Workgroup user interface directly from MEDUSA4 for easy, integrated engineering data management. A separate tool tray provides access to all the important data management functionality, allowing users to check in, check out and edit MEDUSA4 data controlled by Windchill PDMLink, making them available for worldwide collaboration. Because of customer-specific configuration requirements, this integration is not delivered with the standard software installation, but will be made available to customers via the customer portal. The initial release will support Windchill PDMLink 10.1.
New M4 ISO Automatic Piping Isometrics Software
CAD Schroer's new M4 ISO solution works with MPDS4 PIPING DESIGN for the automatic generation of unscaled pipe isometric drawings from 3D piping design data.
Increased Performance with MEDUSA4 and MPDS4 64-bit versions
MEDUSA4 and MPDS4 5.2 are available as a 64-bit as well as a 32-bit version under Windows. The new 64-bit version addresses larger amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively, thereby increasing system performance, because a larger amount of data can be processed simultaneously. Note that the 32-bit version also runs on 64-bit Windows operating systems. The upgrade to either version is free for maintenance paying customers.
New in MEDUSA4 Drafting
New in MEDUSA4 2D
New License Borrowing for MEDUSA4 ADVANCED
Maintenance customers with MEDUSA4 ADVANCED licenses will experience even more flexible working with a new free feature in this release: CSGLMBorrow, an extension to the License Manager, allows users to borrow a MEDUSA4 license for a specified time period, so that the software can be run without an active network connection - ideal for occasional home workers, or customer visits. The feature must be included in the MEDUSA4 ADVANCED license file and is available for the Microsoft Windows® operating system.
Smart Drafting Tool Enhancements
Further enhancements in the Smart Drafting Tool for dynamic design editing in MEDUSA4 5.2 include new functionality for creating perpendicular arcs relative to the previous line segment drawn.
Dimensioning Enhancements
Dimensioning enhancements include new options for dimension text positioning and formatting of unscaled dimensions. Parts list customisation options have also been refined.
New in CADConvert
CADConvert DXF/DWG Interface Enhancements
CADConvert has been further enhanced with new options for line and text type translations and grouping of AutoCAD® sheet level elements, ensuring even more flexible data exchange with third party systems. It now supports the AutoCAD file format up to AutoCAD 2014.
New in MEDUSA4 Add-On Products
New in MEDUSA4 3D
Enhanced 3D DWG Interface and Model Colour Mapping
The MEDUSA4 3D interface has been extended to translate 3D DWG files into the native MEDUSA4 .MOD format and vice versa. Users can map imported model colours to match or augment their MPDS4 colour map. For integrated MEDUSA4/MPDS4 projects, MEDUSA4 3D will automatically use the MPDS4 colour map to display components in the same colour in both systems.
New in P&ID
New for Administrators: The P&ID Configuration Utility
The MEDUSA4 Admin area now includes a P&ID Configuration Utility for administering and editing P&ID attributes and symbol libraries.
Attribute Administration
Administrators can use the tool to easily edit line labels, symbols and their associated attributes in line with company-specific requirements and standards.
Enhanced P&ID Symbol Library Administration
The P&ID Configuration Utility now also incorporates the symbol library configuration tools, allowing users to more easily create and administer new symbol libraries and symbols, to edit symbols, and to copy existing symbols for use as the starting point for new ones.
Intelligent P&ID Element Selection
The standard selection tool in MEDUSA4 version 5.2 now intelligently recognises P&ID elements, including symbols, lines and text elements. Selecting any of the editing functions from the standard pop-up menu (Move, Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete or Properties) now carries out P&ID-specific behaviour, including providing direct access to P&ID symbol properties. All the standard selection functionality, as well as the P&ID-specific selection tools, are also available.
Nested Component Enhancements
MEDUSA4 P&ID sees significant improvements in the handling of nested components. More intuitive loading and placement of components like actuators or agitators makes it easier to maintain correct nested relationships. Users can now clearly display parent/child relationships on their P&ID parts lists and reports. Valve lists can now include lists of adjoining actuators and instruments.
Symbol Catalog Enhancements
In MEDUSA4 P&ID the different P&ID symbol catalogs have been merged into a new single catalog, making it easier to use and administrate. Users can now filter catalog symbols by the relevant international standard (DIN, ANSI, ISA), making it faster and easier to find the required component. A greatly expanded default symbol attribute set provides increased flexibility, reduces start-up times and increases productivity. The P&ID module now provides a new collection of symbols for creating flow diagrams for process plants in accordance with EN ISO 10628-2:2012.
New in MEDRaster
New Technology and Increased Image Integration & Editing Performance
From version 5.2 of MEDUSA4, the two separate raster image products for black & white and colour rasters have been consolidated in a single MEDRaster Colour product, based on the latest technology provided by ImageMagick. Raster editing performance has been further improved as a result, and there is a new option for saving sheets as black and white TIFFs.
New in MPDS4
New Dynamic Editing Options with the Tail Tool
MPDS4 version 5.2 introduces new and enhanced tail tool functionality for fast and intuitive routing of pipes, ducts or conveyors and dynamic design editing. The system now displays different context-sensitive mouse cursors during the design process as visual clues to the editing options available, and previews the result of different segment dragging operations.
Additional visual clarity is provided by highlighting the active tail point and displaying the tail direction during editing. A specific radius assigned to one point of the tail (e.g. for defining a solid pipe bend) can easily be applied to all other points along the tail. There are additional options for highlighting objects, and for aligning objects perpendicular to existing surfaces or edges, as well as enhanced snap distance settings.
Faster Component Moving
Version 5.2 sees further enhancements of the Move with Handles tool with the new TailSlide function in MPDS4, making 3D transformations of single and multiple objects along the path of an existing pipe, cable, duct, conveyor or simply a tail even more intuitive. Single components can be moved along an existing path in any direction, and components that form part of a pipe assembly, such as valves, can be moved along a solid pipe while maintaining the appropriate alignment.
New Parametric Equipment Loading Functionality
The MPDS4 Equipment Library dialog now includes several new features in the parametric equipment tab. The preview window can now display the connection points and parameters of a selected component, allowing users to select required instances and change component dimensions within predefined parameters prior to loading. As Several parametric components can be linked. This dialog now allows users to select such parametric components made up of several sub-components and change out individual sub-components before loading the assembly. Equipment loading has been further enhanced, allowing users to dynamically position components in space based on their connection points, making it easy to align components with existing equipment
New Plant to 3D DWG Export
The MPDS4 Version 5.2 Model/Plot tool now offers an option to export the MPDS4 model to 3D DWG, allowing users to export an entire plant design, or just selected areas, for use within third party systems.
New in MPDS4 Add-On Products
New in Factory Layout
Easier Floor Height Creation
MPDS4 FACTORY LAYOUT now includes improved functionality for defining uneven floors by entering floor height texts in 2D, which automatically generate a terrain model in 3D. It is now possible to create several different digital terrain models in one drawing, describing several floors of a factory with different height properties for example.
Enhanced Line Mapping Between MEDUSA4 and MPDS4
Users can now create a line mapping between MEDUSA4 and MPDS4 FACTORY LAYOUT. Line shapes from MEDUSA4 are mapped to define a combination of color, shape and thickness inside MPDS4. Line colours can also be changed directly in 3D. The tail tool recognises 2D lines as rasters in 3D, making them easier to reposition.
Other Enhancements
The placement of walls, doors and windows in MPDS4 FACTORY LAYOUT has also been optimised, as has the assignment of 2D components to the appropriate discipline or system in 3D.
New in the 3D Component Designer
New Pipe and Duct Insulation Tool
The MPDS4 3D COMPONENT DESIGNER now allows users to create lagging (insulation) for piping and ducting catalogs, which can be made visible and invisible in MPDS4.
Linked Parametric Components
Users can now link several parametric catalog components to create new assemblies.
New in the Project Manager
Increased Security for Server and Database Administration
From version 5.2, the MPDS4 Project Manager expressly restricts certain database and server administration functions to Systems Administrators under Windows 7, ensuring an even higher level of data security.
New in the PDM/PLM and Database Interfaces
Teamcenter®, SAP® and Windchill® PDMLink™ Interfaces
With version 5.2 of MEDUSA4, the PDM/PLM interfaces have been updated in line with the latest releases to third party systems. MEDInfo now supports the latest versions of Apache and PHP. There are some minor functionality enhancements, as well as new configuration options, in the Teamcenter, SAP and Windchill interfaces.
To view an unabridged version of this press release, visit: http://www.cad-schroer.com/products/medusa4/new-in-m4/new-in-medusa4-and-mpds4-version-5-2.html
