AECosim to SP3D

Question

How I can convert AECOsim files to SP3D?

Tom MacKnight · Answer

We save AECOsim model files to V7 and then bring them into PDS. From PDS we publish the .dvr files for SP3D Review. This is all done using scripts executed at night. Each morning everyone wakes up to a brand new up-dated model. We loose all the information from the Bentley files once the file is published out of SP3D. It is simply dumb 3D graphics in SP3D Review. Besides taking files into SP3D using the .dgn format, you can also import using IFC (this is a recent development). We haven't used IFC for our nightly translations, but by our testing much of the information remains with the model. So, there may be an advantage there. 
 I hope that answers your question. If not feel free to ask for more detail. And now for one of my soapbox talks... 
 This has become a routine thing for us. We see so many formats we have a guru in hiding in the shadows who feverishly works at keeping scripts up to date to push files from one format to another. (I think of him as the goose that lays the golden eggs cause we'd be lost without him.) On the "viewer" side we create model review sessions in SP3D, I-model, and Navisworks. Crazy I know, but that's the way we roll. I don't know how you can play at this 3D (BIM or PlantDesign ISO 15926) game without some savvy in converting from one format to another. But the situation gets more and more crazy every day. We are seeing ever increasing pressure to use the "R" software and that has caused additional pressure to learn ways to integrate various files. Let's face it, the "R" software isn't the easiest format to port into and out of and it isn't, for the most part, the best modeling tool. But, to almost everyone out there BIM and R" are synonymous and Bentley is loosing at the game rather badly at this point. Since we design building structures that house process and manufacturing facilities, we are stuck in the world in between BIM and PlantDesign. Its a rather schizo world -- SmartPlant, PDS, Revit, AECOsim, occasionally AutoPlant (but OpenPlant hasn't been able to break down our doors yet). We deal with all sorts of suppliers, fabricators, and constructors who use all manner of CAD software. In a perfect world we'd all use Bentley software because all of the engineering and construction disciplines are so well integrated. But marketing is everything and at that game Bentley is loosing in spades. Everyone wants to be on the cover of TIME magazine, they want to be the most popular guy at the party, etc. Folks who execute projects don't get to make the decision on what software to use. Its some guy in the ivory tower who makes those decisions. Management does not care what users say about functionality or ease of integration. They usually have zilch for working knowledge of how the stuff works or how projects are assembles out of the software. That doesn't keep them from expressing their "expert" opinion on what software their company uses. Their focus is on what they believe the other guy is doing to be successful. They'll smear that hair cream all over their scalp if they think it will make them look better and sell more of their own product. So while it would be nice to have a world where we don't have to translate from one system to another in order to maintain some semblance of order in our meager design lives, it ain't happening. I only wish Bentley could re-capture some of its market share. It would certainly make my life and the life of our golden goose much easier.