5.2 - Link rooms in eTASK with the drawing data

If rooms already exist in eTASK and in the floor plan, eTASK rooms and AutoCAD files can be linked together later using this function.

Before new data is transferred to existing data, the existing data must first be backed up in a suitable format (Excel export, etc.).

Rooms in eTASK can be automatically linked to the room polygons in the drawing file using the Link Rooms function.

Functions

• 

  This function creates a new definition.

• 

  This function copies an existing definition.

• 

  This function modifies the selected definition. This affects all definitions belonging to the instance.

• 

  This function deletes the selected definition. This affects all definitions belonging to the instance.

Link definitions: In the overview table, you can see all currently existing link definitions that you or a colleague has created.

Information about the current drawing: The info bar displays the number of linked and unlinked elements for the selected definition.

• Linked rooms: linked polygon layers

• Info elements: linked room information, e.g., room number, room name

• Unlinked Polygons: Incorrect polygons or rooms

Create or edit definition

You can create a new definition

Link Definition & Spatial Info

Each definition has a unique identifier. In addition to a name, a polygon layer and a text layer must be defined.

• 

  Definition available to all users: Determines whether this definition should be available to all users (including the ability to edit or delete it) or not.

• The polygon and text layers are defined via the dropdown menu or using the

  

  function. The dialog is briefly closed so that a sample polygon or text can be clicked in the floor plan. This adds the layer to the definition dialog.

Assignments

In order for the room link to be established, there must be text information in the room that can be compared with the eTASK rooms.

This is usually the room number. It is, for example, stored as text on the layer and must be located within the room polygon. The room text found can be assigned to the eTASK room attribute.

A single click in the white field opens the catalog:

Now you must select an assignment from the Room tab.

All other assignments can be selected from the attribute catalog.

Apply-Execute

• OK: The settings are applied. Only then can Execute be performed.

• Execute: This function performs the currently selected room import. The function is only active if additional rooms can be linked and the respective floor has been selected in the room book.

• Cancel: This function closes the dialog without taking any action.

Updating AutoCAD Using eTASK Data

It may also be the case that room data already exists in eTASK but has not yet been linked to CAD.

A building with floors and rooms has already been created in eTASK, but these have not yet been linked to CAD.

With this method, all rooms are retained. Only the room area and, if desired, the room name are updated.

MText Labeling: Since an MText is generated as part of this method, you must first check the current settings for the MText.

To do this, select Manage Labels in the ribbon. Here, the corresponding MText label can now be defined.

To link the two data sources, the room number in eTASK and the room number in the plan must be identical, as this is how the link is established. The room number must be present as MText in the drawing. To determine the room area, a polygon must be present for each room. This polygon is also used to update the existing room area in eTASK.

In addition to these purely drafting-related preparatory steps, it makes sense to first manually link the floor as the initial step of the eTASK link—this ensures that the floor is immediately assigned correctly when the link is executed.

Link Rooms function: This is where the link definition is created.

• The polygon layer can then be selected using the

  

  button from the layers in the drawing on which the polygons are located.

• In the Layer with Info field, you can also use the

  

  button to select the layer in the drawing where the label is stored.

• Select assignments. As a result, the assignment is displayed in the definition, with the room number assignment automatically used as a unique link element.

• If the room designations are to remain in eTASK, no further assignments are required. If the existing room designations in eTASK are to be overwritten with the room designations from the CAD plan, select line #1 and then start the assignment again. In the dialog box that appears, select the Designation entry on the Room tab and apply it. Note: When linking rooms, only the simultaneous adoption of room attribute values is available; it is not possible to create areas or fixtures with their attributes.

• The assignment is now complete, and the definition can be saved by clicking OK.

Note: If the drawing contains additional information besides the room number and room name, a link can be created in eTASK with all elements listed below in the dialog box. No link needs to be created for the area, as this is automatically generated from the polygon.

Linking eTASK Rooms and CAD Room Polygons: Definitions tab: Select the previously created Room Link definition. The floor must be selected in the room book beforehand. Click Execute to start.

Preview: Using the preview dialog, you can expand, check, and, if necessary, correct the data while the dialog is open. After changing the data, the preview must be refreshed.