LEGION Model Builder Help

Cleaning a CAD plan

An essential part of the CAD cleaning process is to classify CAD lines as either Presentation or Simulation CAD and to create ‘Presentation’ and ‘Simulation’ layers accordingly.

Note: The more CAD lines that are retained, the longer a simulation may take to run.

The following procedure is recommended for each drawing file that will be used to compile into single CAD file for import into LEGION Model Builder. At the end of this process you will have prepared a drawing file that is suitable for importing into LEGION Model Builder. It assumes that you have access to a standard CAD drawing package.

To clean a CAD plan:

  1. Save CAD files with a new name, to preserve the originals.
  2. ‘Bind’ any external reference files that may be attached.
  3. Orientate drawing files to the CAD programme ‘world coordinate’ system.
  4. Explode all objects such as poly-lines, blocks and text.
  5. Switch on all layers and delete all unnecessary objects that are neither obstacles nor useful as presentation CAD.
  6. Specify the drawing unit type and scale the drawing if required; units such as metres are preferable in order to minimise the physical size of the LEGION model.
  7. Delete all 3D coordinate values.
  8. Associate object colour properties with layer colours.
  9. Simplify complex line work as much as possible; for example, ticket gates can be reduced to simple rectangles, furniture components can be reduced to an outline of the footprint, etc.
  10. Create new layers to contain Presentation CAD and Simulation CAD lines: five or so layers are usually enough. Assign the colour white to all Simulation CAD layers to prevent later confusion with LEGION's Spatial Objects which are distinguished by standard CAD colours. Move all pertinent objects in your file into the relevant layers.
  11. Ensure that Simulation CAD layers only contain lines that represent true obstacles to Entity movement, such as walls, columns, barriers etc.
  12. Purge the drawing file to remove unused items, such as block definitions and layers.
  13. If your model consists of multiple floor plans derived from separate CAD files, consolidate all related plans into a single CAD file. Orientate and arrange the floor plans in a logical manner that assists understanding of the venue and makes best use of available screen area.
  14. Once the floor plans have been arranged, move all objects so that the centre of the consolidated plans is located at, or close to, the 0,0 CAD origin point.
  15. Save the file.
Parent topic: Preparing a CAD plan