NBS and CAD

Please note: for the most up to date information, see How to reference NBS specifications in a CAD drawing.

The short term plan for NBS and CAD is to allow CAD systems to access clause numbers and titles from NBS project specifications easily for annotation purposes. *

This will be achieved through the following:

1. NBS Annotator Windows Application

This will be a standalone application that will be included free with all NBS desktop products. It will have the following functionality:

• Open any NBS-based project specifications/schedules of work to select clause numbers and titles for annotation purposes
• Fix NBS Annotator as the top-most application so it remains above your CAD window
• Quickly copy and paste annotations from your project specification into your CAD model
• Search, find and open the referenced clause within the project specification
• View and browse NBS guidance and NBS Plus content (subject to subscription).

2. NBS Annotator component for .Net/COM developers

This software tool kit will allow third party CAD packages to integrate NBS Annotator into their software. NBS will provide this free to the industry. This will extend NBS Annotator functionality as follows:

• "One click" addition of annotations to your CAD model
• Navigate from annotation within your CAD model to a clause in an NBS specification
• Reporting of the status of annotations to ensure that all annotations are up to date.

3. NBS Annotator component for Windows API developers

This will be a similar tool kit to the above but will allow third-party CAD packages that cannot use .Net/COM to work with the NBS component.

4. Export to AutoDesk Keynote format

It will be possible to export a project specification clause list from all NBS specification software for use with AutoDesk AutoCAD and Revit Keynote format.

Release

These developments will be released to coincide with the 2010 software update of NBS.

NBS Beta Testers will see these proposals, prototypes and will have a chance to comment from October 2009.

Developers who would like advance documentation on the NBS Annotator component should contact Head of NBS Software Development Stephen Hamil through his blog: http://constructioncode.blogspot.com/.

* In accordance with CPIC's CPI conventions (see www.cpic.org.uk/en/publications/production-information/attributes.cfm - under 2.2.3 Annotation of drawings/ Specification references).

Written September 2009

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