What is SmartSketch?
SmartSketch is the latest version of the product known as Imagineer™ Technical (or Imagination Engineer™, in some countries). Since Imagineer's new version represented an entirely new development structure, the name was changed to SmartSketch to reflect its induction into the SmartPlant™ suite of products. Redesigned from the ground up, SmartSketch introduces an intelligent, task-specific work environment for a more productive workflow.

What can you do with SmartSketch?
SmartSketch is an all-in-one, 2D design, drafting and diagramming tool. SmartSketch is powerful enough to use as a stand alone 2D CAD solution, or it may be used in a complementary role with MicroStation or AutoCAD to protect your legacy data. In addition to its CAD capabilities, SmartSketch is a desktop graphics package and a business-diagramming tool.

How does SmartSketch fit into my workflow?
SmartSketch is designed to work across your entire business enterprise. With its all-in-one design, you can use SmartSketch to create precision 2D drawings; schematics, such as P&lDs, instrumentation, electrical, and isometric; and diagrams, such as organizational charts, process flow, network layouts or office layouts. CAD professionals will find SmartSketch useful for detailed design or production drafting; engineers can use SmartSketch for preliminary designing and schematic sketching; management and support staff have a convenient tool for precision redlining and technical office drawing.

Does SmartSketch work in 3D?
SmartSketch is a tool for 2D precision drawing and design. However, with SmartSketch you can link and embed 3D files created with AutoCAD, MicroStation, and Intergraph's SmartPlant P&ID while working in an SmartSketch file. Intergraph's innovative OLE data server technology in SmartSketch makes this possible.

Will I need training to be productive with SmartSketch?
With a Microsoft Windows background, you will be comfortable using SmartSketch. If you have used other Microsoft Windows-based products, you will discover SmartSketch's capabilities on your own in just a few hours. SmartSketch's GUI is recognizable and works just as expected. SmartSketch comes with an online learning center, which includes multimedia tutorials, online Help, including ToolTips, Demos, and Wizards. For users preferring formal training, Intergraph also provides a variety of training courses from basic user to more detailed, advanced customization courses designed to increase your productivity.

What are Industry Solutions?
SmartSketch provides 46 industry solutions. These solutions consist of task-specific templates, toolbars and content. Defined by industry professionals, the templates include predefined sheet setup configurations, appropriate scale factors and units set, and defined title blocks. Toolbars are unique to the type (drawing or schematic) of file that is open, or you can create your own unique toolbar customized for your workflow. Task-specific content includes industry symbols and reports tailored to your industry.

What is WorkSmart Technology?
WorkSmart Technology - intelligence at the end of your cursor, encompasses all the "smart" features of SmartSketch: > SmartSymbols align, snap, and rotate precisely into position > SmartConnectors remain connected to symbols > SmartLabels provide dynamic attribute updates > SmartDimensions allow quick annotation and design modification > Relationship 8~ Alignment Indicators provide visual feedback as you draw, so you can easily establish relationships between geometry

How do I customize SmartSketch?
You can customize SmartSketch using any Microsoft OLE automation-aware programming tool, such as Visual Basic 5 or 6, Borland Delphi, Visual C++, or even Microsoft Excel. All SmartSketch functionality is exposed to the OLE automation interface, enabling you to modify the way commands work, write new commands and applets, and drive SmartSketch from another application, such as a spreadsheet. Command and mouse OCXs, and programming HELP are included with the software. An online programmer's guide provides examples and sample code for easy customization.

Is SmartSketch a replacement for MicroStation?
Although SmartSketch is not a 3D solution, it can replace either MicroStation or AutoCAD with its 2D capabilities. Additionally, SmartSketch complements MicroStation and AutoCAD by providing an easily accessible tool for drawing and concept design. SmartSketch drawings can then be sent directly to the CAD production workflow. With the CAD data server, you can link or embed native MicroStation (.DGN) as well as AutoCAD (.DWG/.DXF) data into SmartSketch. Then it can be referenced like native SmartSketch data. Through SmartSketch's ability to reference MicroStation and AutoCAD files, you can view, annotate, or combine different formats to create a hybrid file, without file conversion.

SmartSketch is the ideal tool for designers, engineers, managers, clients, field personnel, or technical documentation personnel, who require access to technical drawings but do not need a full-fledged CAD product. SmartSketch allows you to reference or read and write MicroStation SE/J and AutoCAD R14 data. If you choose to update the data, SmartSketch allows you to "open" and "save as" a MicroStation or AutoCAD file. SmartSketch also includes ImageScape LT for limited raster integration to combine easy-to-use drawing functionality with raster images for digitizing.

What are SmartSketch "smart" objects (parametric symbols)?
"Smart" objects retain specific geometric relationships that you can modify to create different designs of similar objects. For example, if you draw a part, such as a caster, you can quickly change one element or dimension to create a different size caster, without redrawing the entire object. You can also quickly change and update attributes from the SmartSketch attribute viewer and see the changes display.

Are pre-drawn symbols included in SmartSketch?
SmartSketch includes more than 7,500 industry-standard symbols for disciplines such as architecture; mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering; mapping; utilities; plant design; and more.

Can you create symbols in SmartSketch?
Yes. Using SmartSketch to generate symbols is a great time-saver. You can create SmartSymbols that view and recognize attribute data. SmartSketch remembers relationships between elements even when they are modified. In addition to the more than 7,500 pre-defined industry specific symbols, SmartSketch allows you to quickly modify an existing symbol, create symbols (even multiform symbols), and create parametric symbols that can be modified by simply changing attributes.

Does SmartSketch have a grid?
A new feature in SmartSketch is the grid. Grid display and grid snap can be toggled on or off and grid density can be defined.

Can I expect Intergraph technical support with SmartSketch?
Certainly, all Intergraph products come with outstanding worldwide technical support. By registering SmartSketch, you will receive 90 days of FREE technical support. You also have access to email support while you own the product.

Can I use AutoCAD or MicroStation symbols in SmartSketch?
Yes, you can use AutoCAD blocks directly from the symbol explorer by dragging and dropping into your SmartSketch document. To use MicroStation cells, simply convert the cell library to create individual symbols and use as native SmartSketch geometry.

Can I use SmartSketch to generate reports?
SmartSketch is delivered with predefined reports provided within your industry solution. You can drag your report macro into your SmartSketch design for immediate reporting, or create unique customized reports powered by Microsoft Excel.

What units does SmartSketch use?
With SmartSketch, you can you work in English, metric, and surveyor units, including inches, feet, millimeters, centimeters, miles, kilometers, acres, and more.

Does SmartSketch use layers or levels?
SmartSketch can logically group related elements on different layers in one drawing sheet. There is virtually an unlimited number of layers available.

Can I perform drafting with SmartSketch?
SmartSketch provides production drafting functionality.

What level of precision is available with SmartSketch?
With SmartSketch, you can set precision up to .0001 of your specified units (IEEE double-precision floating point accuracy).

Are site, project, user-specific, or other types of work environments delivered with SmartSketch?
Using and customizing the template files delivered with SmartSketch, you can tailor environments to meet your needs - complete with drawing borders, drawing scales and units, and much more. Industry solutions within SmartSketch allow you to choose an environment that suits your workflow. Each industry solution includes templates, SmartSymbols, and toolbars that are industry specific.

Can SmartSketch work with relational databases such as Oracle, Dbase, etc?
Intergraph provides utilities that will allow you to easily link SmartSketch data to relational databases including; Microsoft Access, dBASE, FoxPro, Paradox, Btrieve, Microsoft Excel and text files. If you have the appropriate ODBC drivers, you can access other databases as well.

What is the SmartSketch feature and how will it help me draw faster?
The SmartSketch feature (previously in Imagineer and Imagination Engineer) includes visual indicators that appear next to the cursor, as you draw. SmartSketch contains tools that make drawing easier and faster by eliminating guesswork as well as explicit actions, such as tentative points, snap modes, and more.

As you pass your mouse across the drawing, small symbols called relationship indicators appear near the cursor, showing you the cursor's position in relation to the geometry that you have already placed. For example, if you want to place a line parallel to an existing line, simply click on the place line icon, and brush the cursor across the existing line as you move it into position. When you have reached a point that is parallel, you will see the parallel symbol. SmartSketch provides relationship indicators for all common geometric relationships as well as key points on geometry.

SmartSketch in the Process Industry.....

How does SmartSketch work with the SmartPlant™ suite of products?
All SmartPlant™ products have the same look and feel. This includes SmartSketch's familiar interface. SmartSketch provides a document-centric method of storing information. Intergraph has complementary SmartPlant products that will take SmartSketch information and integrate it into a data-centric environment.

How does SmartSketch fit into the front-end engineering and design (FEED) phase of the plant life cycle?
SmartSketch easily fits into the front-end engineering and design phase of the process plant life cycle. SmartSketch provides the perfect solution for design documentation. For customers interested in a data-centric solution, SmartSketch will migrate to SmartPlant P&ID and future SmartPlant products through SmartPlant Migrator. For companies working in data-centric solutions with MicroStation or AutoCAD, SmartSketch can complement their workflow by producing sketches - conceptual designs sketched by a process engineer, block diagrams, process and electrical diagrams, initial plan layout, equipment sketches, and design publications linked to Microsoft Word documents.

Can SmartSketch document-centric design files be integrated with the SmartPlant data-centric files?
Yes, SmartSketch files can be converted to SmartPlant P&ID data by using the SmartPlant Migrator. In addition to the automatic conversion, special services are required since there are many customer-based set-ups. It is only possible to convert files from SmartSketch to SmartPlant P&ID. Round trip conversion is not possible since SmartPlant P&ID and SmartSketch have two different approaches to P&lDs. SmartSketch is a document-centric application. In other words, SmartSketch does not contain an underlying data model and cannot provide connectivity across documents SmartPlant P&ID is data-centric and stores detailed data on all components in the P&ID data model.

How will I use SmartSketch?
For management and other non-engineering staff, SmartSketch is an easy-to-use tool for reviewing/redlining engineering information and for creating technical drawings and business diagrams. SmartSketch will include industry-specific templates, symbols, and functionality creating an easy-to-learn, familiar drawing environment for engineers and drafters. Enhanced schematic capabilities and programmable symbols further promote productivity for creating P&lDs, PFDs and other single-line diagrams. While beneficial in the front-end engineering and design (FEED) phase, it also can be incorporated throughout the entire plant life cycle. Later phases of the life cycle are as equally supported, due to SmartSketch's document-centric approach to design.