The PlantWise software suite, which runs under Windows NT, consists of three integrated modules: PlantBuilder, AutoRouter and PlantDrafter.

PlantBuilder enables rapid creation and placement of complex 3D equipment, detailed structures and multilevel piperacks. The software is intended to let layout designers easily view and render their work without being CAD experts.

AutoRouter automatically routes piping networks, avoiding obstacles including structures, other pipelines, other equipment and reserved maintenance spaces. The software is designed to intelligently route pipelines in all plant environments, including inside structures. AutoRouter places required inlines, optimizes piperack packing, and allows pipers to interactively edit and modify pipe runs. When routing is completed, pipeline routes can be exported to other systems for detailed piping design.

PlantDrafter transforms PlantWise 3D models into 2D drawings. The software can provide complete plot plans in general form or as detached plans, with our without single-line piping, and add annotation for features such as equipment, pipeline and instrument tags, flow direction, and pipeline drop symbols. Equipment lists, scales, directional symbols and title blocks can also be added to the drawing.

In addition to PlantWise, the company also offers solutions for discrete manufacturing industry that automate design and configuration of engineered-to-order products. Its Design++ is an intelligent design tool for creation of reconfigurable design, engineering and manufacturing processes, and also serves as the technology base for CustomWise, an intelligent sales configurator.

About Daratech

Daratech, Inc. is a market research and technology assessment firm that has specialized in CAD/CAM, CAE, EDM/PDM, CIM, plant design/plant management automation, GIS and computer graphics since 1979. Daratech's analysis, projections and statistics have met with worldwide acceptance and are cited by a variety of international, national and regional business and trade publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times (London), The New York Times, The San Jose Mercury, Nikkei Computer Graphics (Tokyo), The South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), Business Week, Investor's Business Daily, Barron's, Forbes, Fortune, Datamation, PC Week, Computer Reseller News, VARBUSINESS, Reseller Management, Electronic News, CAE, Machine Design, CADalyst, Electronic Business, Engineering News-Record, Progressive Architecture, Buildings Design Journal, CAD-CAM REPORT (Heidelberg), Die Computer Zeitung (Germany), Chemical Engineering Progress (Tokyo), Datormytt (Sweden) and others.

David Clendenen is the Editor of AECVision and Managing Editor of AECCafe.com

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