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CadExplorer, search and replace with CAD files like Google

At first glance it looks like an iTunes for AutoCAD. It is not, but it seems to be a tool built with ideas this creative and with functionality almost like Google.

CadExplorer is an application that facilitates data management with AutoCAD files (dwg) and also Microstation (dgn).  Axiom, The company that has developed other programs, but let's see what has caught my attention this:

Cadexplorer for autocad 2012

It is a map finder

We are accustomed to the Google-style Gmail search, we do not know where the mail is but we remember a couple of words, we write and we already have a list of emails that could be the one we need.

Well, in that logic of simplicity, with CadExplorer you can make a tabular display and in the form of a carrousel of the files, with a view in the form of a thumbnail. It works with dwg and dgn files as well, for the purpose of this review I am putting in parentheses the equivalent names for Microstation users:

  • The unit where they are stored
  • Folder
  • The file name
  • How many layouts (models) has
  • How many layers (levels)
  • How many elements does each map have? 
  • You can even know in which dwg / dgn format it has been saved and what date it was modified. Great, then you can sort by column header.

Apart from the display, a specific search could be made for one or more files that meet a condition, for example those that are dwg format version 2007; the files that have more objects inside, as to verify which ones weigh more; those that were modified between March 11 and March 25, 2007, etc.

Beyond this, CadExplorer can search within the files of things like:

  • Blocks (cells), as if you wanted to know how many pieces of furniture called "bed" exist in 35 files. 
  • Text, like the case of wanting to look for a specific cadastral key.
  • Geometries such as circles, lines, or boundaries (shapes) With filters such as line type, thickness, color, layer (level), Etc.
  • The search is done not only on the basis of the name, but also by the description, attributes or tags such as blocks, external references and layouts (models).
  • Once an object of interest has been found, it is possible to approach the object in the form of a preview. Then you can also open the file, for eto, of course AutoCAD or Microstation.
  • This search or tabular display can be generated as a report, send to Excel or save as smartview, a kind of search stored for consultation in a click.

He is a mass editor

Let's imagine that the specifications say that the axes go in a level called “axes”, with red color and thickness 0.001 and that the labeling text of the axes must be Arial with a size of 1.25. We have a project in which we have separated the work into 75 files, some of which have that level, others not, the texts could be in those conditions but we do not know and possibly many require verification and / or adjustment of that change.

Cadexplorer for autocad 2012 CadExplorer is made for just that, making massive changes to CAD files. It's great to do quality control, just by selecting the layer called "axes", you can apply the change to all the files at once.

You can also do text searches and replace or concatenation based on strings or regular expressions. A really great solution to solve the problems of violation of the standards (CAD-Standards)

Conclusion

A great tool, definitely. Aside from the good looks, the functionality of CadExplorer looks pretty practical. Initially I remember seeing it for Microstation files, but now it works the same for AutoCAD files regardless of their version. The latest version runs on Windows 7 included for 64 bits.

Cadexplorer for autocad 2012 For more information you can contact the website of Axiom, Or follow them Via Facebook Because they occasionally do online demonstrations.

Golgi Alvarez

Writer, researcher, specialist in Land Management Models. He has participated in the conceptualization and implementation of models such as: National Property Administration System SINAP in Honduras, Management Model of Joint Municipalities in Honduras, Integrated Cadastre-Registry Management Model in Nicaragua, Territory Administration System SAT in Colombia . Editor of the Geofumadas knowledge blog since 2007 and creator of the AulaGEO Academy that includes more than 100 courses on GIS - CAD - BIM - Digital Twins topics.

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