Helpfile
Tips, Instructions And Video Tutorials
Powerdraw 5.0
The key differences between powerdraw 5.0 and previous powerdraw 4.0 or older versions?
The powerdraw 5.0 version is the most recent version of our wellbore diagramming solution. This release brings significant upgrades pertaining to performance, compatibility, security and future reliability in a quickly changing ecosystem.
Legacy File Support
The most critical consideration for us when upgrading powerdraw, is to maintain compatibility with legacy powerdraw files. This including templates, drawing files, and tool icon stencils. Whatever changes we deploy in powerdraw 5.0, must allow the import and function of legacy files that many of our clients have amassed. We have systems and features in place to open and accommodate legacy files into powerdraw 5.0 with minimum difficulty and without loss.
Enhanced Compatibility with Microsoft Visio
Visio is a Microsoft product; therefore, it changes - the irrefutable law of Microsoft software. We continue to ensure both backward and forward compatibility with Visio versions. The sacrifice this time around is that powerdraw is not longer compatible with Visio 2016 or older, which to date has not been an issue.
Comprehensive Maintenance and Security Updates
Powerdraw 5.0 integrates all the latest maintenance patches and security updates required for both Microsoft Visio and Windows OS, ensuring performance, system stability, and continuing security.
Improved Templates and Expanded Tool Icon Library
Again, templates are a tricky legacy challenge. We improve, but do not want to break previous template versions. Most of these enhancements to Powerdraw templates are for ongoing stability and function.
We have expanded tool icon library, featuring updated casing and open-hole icons with added smaller increment deviations for more deviation options for more complex wellbore schematics.
Simplified File Management – New File Format (or not new actually)
Absolutely the biggest change that we would eventually become a threat to networks and encryption protection. We discontinued the use of .pdd and .pdt file extensions and now employ the native Visio (.vsdx and vsdt) formats. Going forward this we feel this will eliminate confusion or conflict between Visio and powerdraw files. This change resolves encryption issues that IT Mangager increasing saw as a conflict regarding protecting networks. This change also improves file processing speed.
Upgrade?
If you are an existing powerdraw client and have an SLA in place, then you may simply contact Customer Service to request the upgrade.
If you are an existing powerdraw client, but you do not have an SLA in place, you may purchase powerdraw 5.0 which includes a one year SLA extension.
For users upgrading from powerdraw4.x versions, go to item 4. Open powerdraw 4.x. files. Instructions on opening legacy .pdd and .pdt files, then converting them to .vsdx and .vstx files to use in powerdraw 5.0.
Visio Tip - Zoom Keystroke Shortcut
Holding both the Control & Shift Keys down together, enables your Mouse to be used as a very handy Zoom Tool.
While you hold the two key, the mouse…
Scroll wheel zooms in and out;
Left-click zooms in;
Right-click zooms out;
Left-click and hold allow you to draw a box around your zoom target;
Right-click and hold allows you to pan the drawing.
Table of Contents
Visio Options Settings. Let’s start with changing some default settings in Visio to make creating our WBDs a little easier.
1. Open powerdraw. From the Start Menu, open and pin the powerdraw start button.
2. Open powerdraw Templates. Use the File Tab on the Tool Bar to open New Generic Drawing Templates.
3. Open and Save powerdraw Drawings. Use the File Tab on the Tool Bar to open powerdraw Drawings and to Save powerdraw Drawings. Also tips on how to open stencils with your drawings.
4.. Add-ins Tab. The ‘Drawing Speed Buttons’. To open the powerdraw Add-ins Tab, you need to open powerdraw. Clicking on files in File Explorer, will not automatically open the Add-ins Tab.
5. Open powerdraw 4.x. files. Instructions on opening legacy .pdd and .pdt files, then converting them to .vsdx and vstx files to use in powerdraw 5.0.
6, Visio PDF and Save As. To create a PDF for your WBD, you may use Adobe or the Visio PDF maker that is built into Visio. Also save png or jpg images of your WBD or the entire page.