We have adopted Worksessions heavily in our workflow to reduce the computing burden of complex vessel models. I have not yet spent sufficient time in the current WIP to fully test the updated Section tools, although I am excited about their potential impact on our workflow.
Currently, we use the Section command to generate slices through multiple models that are combined via Worksessions, which we then use to produce construction drawings. This workflow has proven to be fairly buggy.
Because we rely on AutoCAD for all downstream 2D drafting, it is critical that source layer information is preserved during export. When Maintain source layers is enabled and a Section is generated through worksessioned models, the resulting section geometry appears to enter a sort of limbo state: the geometry is assigned to layers that belong to the referenced worksession models rather than the active model.
We then use Make2D to bring that section geometry into the active model, still maintaining source layers. However, after doing so, the original Section geometry cannot be deleted because it does not exist in the active model. As a result, the section geometry accumulates until the file is closed.
Our current workarounds are:
- Copy the Make2D output, undo past the Section command, and then paste the Make2D result back into the model, or
- Ignore the accumulated Section geometry until we are finished, then close and reopen the file to clear it.
I am sure there are alternative workflows to achieve the same result, and I am open to suggestions, but this has been the most effective approach we have found so far.
From a functionality standpoint, this issue could be addressed in several ways, but a Make2D-style approach seems the cleanest. Ideally, when a Section is generated through worksessioned models, the resulting geometry would be duplicated into the active model, with source layers recreated locally—perhaps nested under a parent layer such as “Sections.”
I am very interested in hearing feedback or workflow recommendations.
