With version 7.1, M4 PLANT supports Windows 11 from Microsoft. This allows you to use modern engineering software on the most current systems.
From version 7.0, all CAD Schroer products will be marketed under the M4 brand. The individual industry-specific product packages are given the appropriate product names, such as M4 DRAFTING for 2D design in mechanical engineering or M4 FACTORY for the 2D/3D layout in factory planning.
The complete range of all new packages and prices can be found under the respective product. An overview of our current product range can be seen in the following graphic.
Version 7.0 of the M4 Factory Layout Module has been significantly optimized and enhanced with additional functions. The improvements increase the design speed by a simpler user workflow
M4 always offers the possibility to select 3D components from a catalog and to place them in a 2D layout as a symbol. The selection of the components has now been simplified by a symbol catalog. In addition, the standard supplied catalog compo-nents have been significantly extended.
In version 7.0, the selection dialog for catalog components has been re-created from the ground up, making it far easier to select components. The selection is enhanced by selection filters and a measurement function. In addition, individual variations for a attribute of the component can now be supplemented by descriptions. The catalog table columns are now customizable and can be modified to the requirements of the user.
The components scheduled in 2D can now be grouped in the structure tree. When loading the 2D layout in 3D, the groups are maintained and can be used here for further design purposes. In addition, these can be saved as a group component in the catalog for easy reuse. This optimization allows far better structuring of the design and much easier reuse of existing groups of components.
The M4 2D area now displays the 3D structure tree for the system and sub-system structure. Here you can view the individual scheduled components and select them for editing; the same mechanism in 2D and 3D.
The dashboard for editing the properties of factory layout components now includes an automatic check of systems and subsystems. This avoids incorrect or duplicate naming of systems and makes for better “right first time” design.
M4 includes a new tool that allows you to easily create steel platforms with handrails and stairs in a 2D layout. Once a profile has been defined for a platform, it can be supplemented with the appropriate steel components such as steel girders, handrails, stairs and ladders. In addition, the steel plate can be provided with holes. The steel platform can also be easily modified at a later date. If, for example, the height of the platform is modified, all other components automatically change as well. Of course, the steel platforms defined in 2D are loaded as a detailed 3D model.
A new selection filter for factory layout elements in the 2D layout has now been add-ed to the selection tools. Additionally, a new selection tool for 2D Factory Layout el-ements has been added to the 3D area; select in 3D and it takes you to the 2D sheet and selects the 2d symbol in one click.
The placement and processing of conveyor components has been further optimized in version 7.0. The improved selection and placement mechanisms have made fast planning very important. The user now has the option of having a conveyor section between two components created completely automatically in 2D. The system then automatically compensates for the height differences and displays the heights at the individual components. With these tools, the length or height of the placed conveyor elements can be changed. Individual elements can also be individually edited after placement by conveniently adjusting the individual parameters from a dialog. In addition, the Copy function has been extended so that the copied conveyor section can now also be mirrored in either axis.
Starting with version 7.0, M4 offers the possibility to edit a 3D model directly within the 2D layout. With the help of a new tool, the user can easily stretch the 2D symbol and the 3D model is modified according to the symbol modifications and saved as a new model. This function offers the user the possibility to adapt 3D models to new requirements without having the design department create them again and again.
The Ribbon tab for placing conveyor components has now been renamed M+AEC (Mechanical, Architectural and Engineering Construction) to better reflect the current level of functionality.
Version 7.0 of the catalogue now contains many other parametric standard compo-nents that facilitate the planning of complete plants or factories. These offer parametric standard components such as doors, security fences, containers or containers. The parameters of each component can be adapted to your own requirements when they are placed.
Starting with version 7.0, complete groups of catalog components can be saved as a single component in the catalog. This function for creating group components accel-erates any future design and thus enables yet faster delivery of projects.
With version 7.0, the catalogue in the field of pipeline construction has once again been extended with new catalogue components. Users now have access to new catalogues from the PVC-C and hygienic clamping flange piping sectors. New catalogue components are supplied as packages and can be imported into the customers’ existing pipeline construction catalogue if required.
In the new version, flange fixings can be modified to new non default requirements after placement. The new “keep” option allows edits to be made to many connections at the same time, but only changing details which are not “kept”.
In version 7.0, the module for the automatic generation of pipe isometrics has signifi-cant further improvements. The templates and styles already supplied in M4 ISO have been optimized to show that. The automatic placement of the individual sym-bols and labels has been improved, so that even very complex pipe situations can be optimally displayed and labelled in M4 ISO. In addition, the pipe isometric dialog has been extended with further options. These now allow the selection of a user coordinate system and the definition of optional split points. These allow pipeline isometrics to have more choice over orientation and split into individual drawings at the desired location.
As of version 7.0, you can decide in each discipline whether the parts lists should only display total lengths or individual lengths. For each discipline, the user can decide whether, for example, he wants to see all pipe sections, steel members, cable trays or ventilation ducts with the corresponding lengths individually in the list or whether these should be output as a total length.
With version 7.0 M4 offers an even easier way to customize project directories or to organize them. With the new tool, all resources used in the project can be viewed with their file paths and the individual paths can be adjusted. This makes it far easier to adapt projects to new requirements and safely modify them in the future.
The P&ID tool for pipe labelling now allows the definition of user-dependent standard attribute values. The user can define standard values for the currently used attributes within a session. This allows the user to temporarily change the standard attribute values within a project and thus further accelerate the pace of design.
M4 has supported the renumbering of complete drawings since the version 6.3. This function makes it possible to renumber many copied elements in a drawing so that no components with the same name are used. In version 7.0 this function has been extended to instrumentation, so that the used instruments are now renamed correctly.
M4 allows the connection of several drawing sheets into one design project. The lines are connected logically between the individual drawings by sheet connectors. With version 7.0, the Sheet Connector dialog now shows the user which connections are not yet paired in a selection dialog; so the “not yet connected” lines can be easily selected and continued on the current sheet.
M4 offers a default structuring of all components, by types and subtypes; whereby a simpler structuring and parts list generation is made possible. As of version 7.0, the subtypes of the components can be freely edited and individually selected. Direct entry of a new subtype is also possible.
Starting with version 7.0, M4 now offers the option of saving individual P&ID symbols into a favourite’s area of the symbol tab. This is done conveniently via the context menu, where the currently selected symbol is added to the favourites. Favourites created in this way are used to generate diagrams even faster, thus saving design time.
M4 now allows changing of the datum when placing a component. The individual connection points can be used as alternative datums. The selection can be made conveniently from the context menu.
In M4, the P&ID symbols are displayed as a preview in a clearly arranged dialog. The size of the symbols in the preview could be adjusted, but for all symbol types at the same time. Starting with version 7.0, M4 now offers the option of individually scaling the symbol sizes for each category. For example, symbols for equipment can now be displayed smaller than those for instrumentation.
As of M4 Version 7.0, the connection points on the P&ID symbols can be provided with nominal diameters. These can then either be output in a report or used in 3D piping design to place the appropriate components; previous to Version 7.0 nominal diameters were only inherited from attached pipelines.
As of version 7.0, symbols or line labels can be moved in M4 by simply double-clicking on the corresponding symbol. The current symbol is selected and the appro-priate move function is activated. This results in a significant reduction in user input and a decrease in design time; P&ID’s are amongst the most edited of drawings.
As of version 7.0, symbol legends can be generated in M4 for individual P&ID flowcharts or complete projects. These are generated either on the current sheet or on a new sheet. During generation, the user can decide exactly what the legend should contain. The user can decide between the current sheet, the entire project or an area in the catalog. The position and size of the legend can also be adjusted. This function eliminates the tedious manual creation of symbol legends, as these can now be generated project-specifically with just a few clicks.
As of version 7.0, the P&ID administration includes additional options. For example, individual symbols, groups od symbols or complete symbol catalogs can be displayed or hidden from users. It is very common to use alternative symbol sets for different customers; this makes that very simple.
The generation of BOMs has been further improved in version 7.0. The dialog for generating BOMs has been simplified. Options for configuring the parts lists are now only visible when the user has logged in as admin. Parts lists, placed as table on a sheet, can be updated now rather than repalced. In addition, the BOM configurations are now stored in separate files, making it easier to exchange them between users.
The new version 7.0 of the 3D viewer M4 REVIEW has been updated to the latest state of the art. The individual functions have also been optimized to increase the performance of the software.
In addition to the many innovations and new products, the new version of M4 contains over 350 customer-oriented productivity improvements. These optimization suggestions are regularly submitted by CAD Schroer customers via the customer portal and are thus incorporated directly into the software development process.
The CSG Update Client enables maintenance customers to update the software as easily as possible directly via the Internet. In the new version, the Update Client has been highly optimised and now additionally updates the software during the installation.
From version 6.3, MPDS4 and MEDUSA4 offers new dialogs giving the user a better overview of the available user manuals, video tutorials and release notes.
M4 VIRTUAL REVIEW is a new independent VR Viewer from CAD-Schroer and offers the possibility to have a virtual experience of the design data generated in MPDS4 or other CAD systems. The VR Viewer processes FBX data exported from MPDS4, so that a plant or factory, that is still in the planning phase, can experienced in virtual reality and presented far more effectively.
MPDS4 version 6.3 includes a large number of new functions. The expansion and optimisation of interfaces simplifies the exchange of data with customers and suppliers.
Version 6.3 of MPDS4 supports the import of IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) planning data. IFC is the open standard for BIM (Building Inofrmation Modelling) and represents a primary, worldwide, open standard for data exchange in the construction industry. With the new IFC interface, BIM data including its structure and context information can now be imported and placed in a design. This allows planning data to be transferred directly from an architect or steel designer and integrated directly into MPDS4.
Starting with version 6.3, MPDS4 now includes an export to FBX format in addition to all the other 3D interfaces. This makes it even easier to process the design data into visualization software packages. For example, they can be loaded directly in the new VR viewer M4 VIRTUAL REVIEW and viewed in immersively from the first-person perspective.
The MPDS4 Review visualization module has always offered users versatile visualisation options directly from the 3D design. Virtual tours, from the first-person perspective, have always been one of the module’s greatest strengths. Now the software also offers the possibility to save them in the form of high-quality videos. The user can choose the resolution as well as the format of the video recording. This means that the walkthroughs can now be used as videos for marketing purposes or for customer presentations.
Starting with version 6.3, MPDS4 offers a new possibility for model import. The com-ponent designer in MPDS4 can now be used to import e.g. STEP models with the corresponding structure. When importing, the user then has the possibility to simplify a model, e.g. by deleting small parts and closing small holes. The model can be further influenced after the import to further reduce the model size. This procedure allows you to import even very large models from external systems into MPDS4 and use them in a design.
As of version 6.3 MPDS4 has an extended ROHR2 interface. This now offers an improved export of pipeline data to ROHR2. New in the integration is the import of pipeline data optimized in ROHR2 in the form of NTR data. The imported data is compared with the current design data and the changes are listed and highlighted in detail.
In the new MPDS4 version, the module for the automatic creation of pipe isometrics now also generates detailed bending tables in addition to the extensive parts lists. These can be output as a table on the pipe geometry as well as in the form of a file for NC bending machines. This means that the pipes scheduled in MPDS4 can now be produced automatically.
MPDS4 Version 6.3 automatically derives 2D Factory layout symbols from 3D mod-els. These can then be used directly in the 2D environment. When the created symbol is placed in a 2D layout, it is also automatically loaded into 3D at the same point in the design. This enables faster processing of existing models in a 2D layout.
The new version of MPDS4 includes a completely redesigned 2D loading mechanism for conveyor components. These are now automatically aligned with the previous component’s connection points. A new loading dialog offers faster access to the components. Also conveyor components, with an autoload logic, can be automatically loaded between along a path on a 2D layout.
Starting with version 6.3, complete conveyor groups can be selected in the 2D envi-ronment of MPDS4 and moved using special tools. In addition, they can be copied and pasted at a different location. It is also possible to insert the copied section, mir-rored at another position, in the design.
From version 6.3, MPDS4 offers many more possibilities to create walls, columns, doors, roller shutters, wall openings or windows in a 2D layout. These tools offer a serious acceleration in 2D-based design. Simply by drawing a line through the corner points of a 2D wall, it can be automatically generated in 3D. This is an serious advantage if no 3D building models are available or the associated 2D building plans are insufficiently structured.
The new version 6.3 of the MPDS4-Viewer MPDS4 Review has been extended by further functions for better viewing of 3D models. The possibility for walkthroughs in the software has been optimized. It is now possible to set the walking speed during a tour in order to be able to view the 3D data at the desired level of detail. More
In addition to the many innovations and new products, the new version of MPDS4, MEDUSA4, and MPDS4 REVIEW includes over 220 customer-focused productivity improvements. These optimisation suggestions are regularly submitted by CAD Schroer customers via the customer portal and are directly incorporated into the software development process.
MPDS4 version 6.2 includes a large number of new functions, including improved reporting and a simpler user experience. The expansion and optimisation of interfaces simplifies the exchange of data with customers and suppliers.
With the MPDS4 version 6.2, a completely new dialog is provided for creating 2D drawings; which massively simplifies the configuration and creation of 2D outputs of a system or plant. With the help of the new dialog box, drawing templates can be freely configured from the 3D design with scaled sections and views being defined for specific areas of the plant. The drawing contents are then generated automatically. In the case of changes to the 3D design, the 2D output drawings can then be conveniently “one click” updated afterwards at any time. This does not only save the designer a lot of time, but also ensures more detailed definition of the 2D drawings in the system and plant planning process.
In MPDS4 version 6.2, the output of the parts list has been completely overhauled and expanded by numerous further functions. Equipment models can now be annotated with additional information that are displayed with the parts list. The parameters of single models or components can now be shown in the parts list. The parts list’s format can also be customised and then exported in the formats XLS, RTF, PDF or CSV. The templates for the parts lists can be individually adapted to the company or project standards. Output of the parts lists in different languages is also supported at the new version 6.2.
The catalog dialog box to display, search and select the catalog components needed for your 3D design has been significantly improved in version 6.2 of MPDS4; special emphasis being placed on performance and ease of use.
The catalog tools were further expanded in several ways, the catalog dialog can now also be auto-hidden while placing single components selected from the Ribbon in the UI, the software will then automatically place the selected components directly in the 3D plant. Components can also be loaded freely onto the cursor, while they will automatically align along the pipelines before being inserted. Single catalog components can also be saved as favourites in the UI.
The 3D interfaces were improved once more in version 6.2. 3D models can be imported and exported to an even better quality with most customer issues fixed. In addition, further functions have been added, to improve the import of more variants of the standards.
The new version of MPDS4 includes a completely new export interface to 3D PDF. Subsets, systems or areas of a plant can be exported to the 3D PDF format and viewed with any PDF viewer that supports the 3D PDF format. In the PDF viewer the 3D design can be examined graphically and the designs structure and attribute information can be viewed while single elements are selected or measurements are made.
As of version 6.2, pipelines can be equipped with a cutting allowance in MPDS4 and a note “weld on site” can be attached to a pipe component. Cutting allowances can be defined positively or negatively on pipes, having a direct effect on the parts lists and the pipe lengths included in them. The additional information added during the creation of the pipeline isometrics are of course displayed in the isometric drawings.
In version 6.2 of MPDS4, the 3D definitions for valves were expanded with the selection of a custom actuator. Valve actuators can be conveniently selected from a dialog box and their dimensions further customised by entering individual sizes.
When placing piping components, some dimensions can now be customised prior to placing a valve in the 3D design. Selected values, such as face to face length, can be modified in a simple dialog, then the component loaded as normal.
In this way, customised “special” components can be quickly and easily placed in addition to the standard components included in the catalog without having to modify the catalog. The specific figures for the single components are then output to the parts list.
In addition to the improvements to the current piping component catalog, further catalog packages are now also supplied with version 6.2. The packages are available in the current installation pack. Existing customers can conveniently import these additional packages via the catalog administration tool into their existing catalogs and use them immediately.
2D documentation drawings can be automatically produced as of the MPDS4 version 6.2 for newly generated component drawing routines for piping, electrical, ducting and mechanical handling catalogs. These display the different detail level representations of the components and reveal which parameters are used in the components. The documentation tool is especially helpful for catalog administrators, who either require documentation of the components currently used or wish to create one for their newly developed components.
The piping catalog has been improved with more realistic looking components. These allow for better recognition of catalog components in every day work by offering further levels of detail. This enhancement applies to the highest detail level of MPDS4.
The conveyor technology catalog has been improved even further in the new version, especially in the areas of multi languages and the loading of components
As of version 6.2, the standard installation of MPDS4 includes the tutorial database in addition to the example database. Numerous examples for pipeline and steel constructions, as well as factory planning are featured in these. Through this MDPS4 offers an additional opportunity to both new and existing users, to very quickly get to know the software with the help of a video tutorial and the tutorial database.
As of version 6.2, the MPDS4 digital terrain modelling module is included in all MPDS4 packages. MPDS4 users can very quickly and easily generate a detailed and scaled terrain model by simply placing height texts on a 2D drawing.
For the first time with version 6.2, in addition to MEDUSA4, MPDS4 also now supports license borrowing. This means that network licences, for example for a laptop, can be borrowed for a period of time; then MPDS4 can be used on a laptop independently of the network. This is especially helpful if live design reviews are to be taken along to the customer. Subsequently, the borrowed licence can be transferred back to the licence pool manually or after the specified time has expired, the licence automatically flows back to the licence pool and is available as a network licence again.
From version 6.2, a PDF viewer is available that is fully integrated in MPDS4 and MEDUSA4. This makes it easier for the user to use the integrated PDF documentation. An additional installation of a compatible PDF viewer is therefore optional, as the software always features the integrated viewer.
In addition to the numerous innovations and new products, the new version of MPDS4 and MEDUSA4 includes more than 250 customer-oriented productivity improvements. These optimisation suggestions are regularly submitted by CAD Schroer customers via the customer portal and flow directly into the software development.