Create Similar


Want to draw a wall similar to an existing one. Select the Create Similar tool from the Cursor toolbar, select an existing wall and draw the new wall. It's that simple. You can use the Create Similar tool with virtually any SPIRIT element. SPIRIT automatically sets all parameters to match the selected element and in addition invokes the associated command for inserting or drawing a new one.

Make Unique


Want to create a unique instance of an inserted component so that it can contain varying attributes to the one it was based upon. Simply right click the component you wish to make unique and then select "Make Unique" from the context menu. SPIRIT automatically appends an instance number to this component and it can then be edited or modified independently from the ones it was based upon. It will also be scheduled and estimated independently from the one it was based upon.

Automatic Layer Assignment


You can now insert symbols, drawing styles and layout components with automatic layer assignment. The layer on which these elements are stored is saved within the element file itself. Simply activate the "Use Object Layer" button on the Status Toolbar and then drag and drop the symbol, drawing style or layout component into the drawing. The assigned layer name will automatically be generated and set active if it does not currently exist, and simply set active if it already exists. SPIRIT will also look to see if a current Level layer is active, and if it is, then the layer automatically generated, will be a subset of the Level layers.

Dynamic Scaling


Scaling inserted scanned documents in SPIRIT 2010 could not be easier. After inserting the scanned image, select the Dynamic Scaling icon from the Cursor toolbar. Select the first point of a known distance on the image and then select a second point of the known distance on the image. Now enter the true value for this distance, and the image is automatically scaled accordingly.

Dynamic Rooms


Want to quicky review interior areas of enclosed rooms. Select the Dynamic Rooms option from the Rooms menu and then hover your cursor over the room enclosure. SPIRIT will display the gross area or net area values. If you hover the cursor outside the room enclosure, SPIRIT will display the gross exterior area. Pick a point anywhere within the room enclosure to automatically generate the room boundary with color fill and room stamp.

Automatic Room Generation


Another major productivity boost when generating rooms is the new Auto Generate option in the Rooms menu. Simply select the entire model and all room enclosures found will have a room boundary and room stamp generated. 

Directly Edit Cost Data in Browser


It is no longer necessary to open a component in order to edit it's associated cost data. Simply select the component in the Browser in the current drawing and edit the associated cost data that appears in the lower window pane of the Resource Browser. Any edits are automatically applied to the selected component (external component). To update existing components in the drawing (embedded components) with the updated cost data, right click a component and select "Load External Component" from the component flyout that appears in the context menu.

IFC Import


Spirit 2010 will now support an IFC model-based data exchange workflow by transforming IFC models obtained from other applications into native Spirit components with the assistance of the new IFC Import Wizard. This effectively enables Spirit users to participate in projects where intelligent building models are required for design, construction, procurement, maintenance and operations. Due to the fact that the imported IFC elements are converted into native components, they become part of the active Spirit model and therefore support immediate takeoff and costing. Spirit supports the import of the latest IFC version 2x3.

Collada Export


For those users that require a higher rendering solution than what the integrated FrescoII renderer provides, you will be happy to note that the Collada export option has been enhanced to fully support all material assignments as well as inserted light sources.

SketchUp ver7.1


Spirit 2010 now fully supports exporting, importing and referencing of Sketchup 7.1 skp files. This support extends to the use of dynamic components. What this means, is that a dynamic Sketchup component can now be referenced into a SPIRIT drawing and updated on the fly as modifications are made and saved to the dynamic component in Sketchup.

AutoCAD DWG/DXF 2010


Further improvements have been made to the DWG/DXF Import/Export function within SPIRIT 2010 to enhance the collaborative capability of Spirit when working on projects with consultants that require project files in this format. As an example, a new option for remembering the absolute origin offset used on importing a dwg file has been added, that will be used when exporting back to DWG, thereby maintaining the drawing origin of each system.

 

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