MacLean Engineering needed a new technical graphics production solution as their existing system was being discontinued. They implemented Larson's VizEx Transform product which converts CAD files into open standard CGM graphics files. This allows MacLean to reuse graphics in a hands-off, automated process and publish technical manuals using the S1000D specification. Larson provided the software and expertise to transform MacLean's graphics production and help them achieve their goals of an interoperable, future-proofed solution.

1. Case Study
1 | P a g e w w w . c g m l a r s o n . c o m
MacLean Engineering optimize technical graphics production with
VizEx Transform
MacLean Engineering specializes in the design,
manufacture and marketing of high quality mechanized
equipment. Their target market is the Underground
Mining, Commercial and Municipal Sectors. MacLean is
committed to supplying customers with high quality
machines designed to operate safely and reliably in
extreme environments. MacLean is proud of its customer
support network and the service they provide to
customers. All MacLean products are supplied with a
comprehensive suite of technical manuals, they are
published in electronic and printed form. Technical
graphics are a very important component of the overall
delivered content. In fact the technical publications
department managed by Bruce Mackereth produce and
manage approximately 30,000 technical graphics, taking
into account the support of 3 languages the total is
nearer 90,000.
The challenge, find an alternative graphics
production solution
The challenge MacLean encountered was that the
solution employed to produce the technical graphics
from CAD (Computer Aided Design) data was being
discontinued and therefore they needed to find an
alternative. The requirement was very specific, reuse the
CAD data generated by SolidWorks and AutoCAD in the
engineering department using a file format compatible
with the technical manuals. The legacy system provided
the capability to extract the CAD files from a database
and then convert them into a proprietary format for
publishing purposes. The system was working well
however its proprietary basis and the fact it would no
longer be supported posed a business risk.
"The implementation of Larson's VizEx
Transform product was seamless. The
level of after sales support provided by
the team has been exceptional."
Bruce Mackereth, Technical Publications Manager
The challenge, find an alternative graphics production
solution and a supplier with the expertise to implement
and support the project. At the same time MacLean
initiated a strategy to implement a technical publications
process underpinned by open standards. The decision
was made to use XML (Extensible Markup Language) to
create content for the technical manuals. This choice
would provide a good foundation for implementing a
data reuse strategy. The next step was to choose a
specification, in other words a set of guidelines and rules
of how to implement XML. There were two front runners
DITA and S1000D, following internal investigations the
S1000D specification was selected. The S1000D
specification is mainly used in the Aerospace and
Defense sector, the decision to use it for a commercial
MacLean Series 900 Scissor Bolter
(Graphic supplied by MacLean Engineering)
MacLean Series 900 Scissor Bolter

2. Case Study
2 | P a g e w w w . c g m l a r s o n . c o m
equipment project is not common but proves with
tailoring it can be successful. The S1000D specification
defines the use of CGM (Computer Graphics Metafile), an
open standard graphics format. MacLean’s search was
now for a solution that would integrate with their CAD
output but also produce good quality CGM files.
The discovery of Larson’s products was achieved by a
simple search on the internet, other CGM products were
also identified at this time. Following a selection process
Larson’s VizEx Transform was chosen as the new graphics
production solution. The VizEx Transform product
managed to tick all the boxes in the selection process,
work with the existing data produced by the CAD system,
the ability to transform data in a batch process, add
hotspot information and output a quality CGM file.
The benefits experienced using VizEx Transform
The major benefit experienced by MacLean using VizEx
Transform is the capability to perform an almost fully
automated hands off process. So how is this achieved?
The SolidWorks and AutoCad CAD design drawings are
exported from a PDM (Product Data Management) vault
as either TIFF or DWG formats. This enable the graphics
to remain under configuration control resulting in the
latest versions of the graphics being available for
publishing. The required graphics are then converted to
CGM using VizEx Transform, minimal user intervention is
required. During the batch process the graphics have
hotspot information added, using VizEx Transform’s
unique image analysis combined with OCR (Optical
Character Recognition) technology. The hotspots are
areas of the illustration that respond when clicked,
providing interactivity for the user in
the electronic version of the technical manual. The
Larson team have supported MacLean thru every phase
of implementation to attain a graphics production
solution that accomplished all the customer
requirements.
"The VizEx Transform product has
enabled us to achieve our major objective
by implementing a new CGM based
technical graphics production system"
Bruce Mackereth, Technical Publications Manager
When the conversion of the CGM files is complete they
are imported into the CSDB (Common Source Database)
where they are associated with the relevant Data
Modules. The Data Module (DM) is a term used in the
S1000D specification, it refers to a chunk of XML data,
and the content could be for example a repair or removal
procedure. The technical content managed by the CSDB
will then go thru validation and revision processes before
it is published as an IETM (Interactive Electronic
Technical Manual) or a PDF file enabling a printed version
of the manual. MacLean selected the ADG S1000D suite
for their data management and publishing requirements.
Larson has worked closely with ADG to ensure the
software works seamlessly together providing an
integrated solution for the customer.
(Graphic supplied by MacLean Engineering)
Graphic converted from AutoCad – Boom & Basket Picker
Operation

3. Case Study
3 | P a g e w w w . c g m l a r s o n . c o m
MacLean pioneering the S1000D specification in a
commercial manufacturing company
The MacLean decision to use the S1000D specification
has resulted in a future proofed solution with
publications data under full configuration control and
interoperable. The VizEx Transform product has literally
transformed MacLean’s technical graphics production
process, using CGM as a single source publishing format.
Larson is currently working with MacLean to further
automate the CGM graphics production process. The
refined system will result in a process where technical
graphics are transformed totally in the background
almost invisible to the users.
"We expect to realize process driven cost
savings over a period time. This will be
achieved through the reuse of data from
our technical publications archive, both
graphics and text"
Bruce Mackereth, Technical Publications Manager
"MacLean Engineering approached Larson
with a very specific technical graphics
requirement. We were able to support the
project by providing software, VizEx
Transform, and the expertise to integrate
with the existing projects and their new
software solutions."
Don Larson, CEO, Larson Software Technology
The MacLean strategy to adopt the S1000D specification
presented many challenges including the technical
graphics production process. Larson Software with its
unparalleled experience in graphics and more specifically
CGM has supported MacLean with both technology and
expertise. The result is a technical graphics process with
CGM at the core, the solution will continue to perform,
improve and deliver quality graphics and MacLean’s
customer base will receive the benefits.
(Graphic supplied by MacLean Engineering)
Graphic converted from AutoCad - Wiring Diagram