Today SBS released the 9.0 versions of our products, including:

  • Automated Utility Design
  • Substation Design Suite – Physical for AutoCAD

This release introduces several new workflows, adds ease of use features, and general improvements from the 8.x releases. Active subscribers to these products can access these new versions immediately. If you have any questions about upgrading, just get in touch with your account manager or reach us at https://www.spatialbiz.com/contact-us/

New 2D Sheet Tools to Create & Manage Views More Easily

  • Quickly create named 2D views to better organize your construction prints using the new UI.
  • Convert these views into layout viewports with just a few clicks—automatically sized and scaled.
  • Instantly jump from your design space to a corresponding layout and viewport for easier navigation.
  • Resize and rescale viewports effortlessly without affecting proportions or annotation scaling.
  • These tools simplify working with large and complex designs, reducing the need for manual adjustments.

Automated Ground Grid Generation for Faster Layouts

  • Automatically create a grid of connected ground grid features within a defined boundary using a simple command.
  • Control grid spacing, angle, and depth with easy-to-use settings.
  • Pre-configure grid options for different project types, saving time on repetitive setups.
  • Eliminates manual placement of grid features, ensuring consistency and accuracy.

Utility Substation Workspace Completely Rebuilt for Faster Design

  • The ribbon menu has been redesigned to prioritize the most frequently used tools, reducing search time.
  • New tools are now easier to access, helping designers quickly place components, adjust layouts, and verify details.
  • A more intuitive layout streamlines workflows, allowing users to complete tasks with fewer clicks.
  • New 2D sheet tab makes creating construction prints easier

Smarter Validation Filtering for Easier Error Checking

  • The Validation Palette now automatically filters to show only issues related to selected features.
  • If nothing is selected, it displays all validation issues, making it easier to review errors.
  • New expand/collapse buttons help organize validation results more efficiently.
  • Settings are now saved with the drawing, so preferences persist between sessions.

Enhanced AUDEXTRACT Boundary Editing

  • New safeguards prevent users from accidentally removing critical file links when modifying boundaries for extraction.
  • Clear and Un-associate options now provide warnings before breaking important data connections.
  • Ensures smooth data extractions by preserving essential file associations.

Automatic File Reference Audit & Repair

  • The system now detects and fixes broken file links, ensuring all references stay valid.
  • Users are notified of issues and given the option to repair links before continuing.
  • Saves time by eliminating manual troubleshooting of missing file paths.

New Communications Ribbon Profile Selector for Easier Access to Settings

  • A dedicated dropdown menu in the ribbon lets users switch between different communication installation profiles instantly.
  • Reduces setup time by keeping all relevant options in one place.

Expanded Software Compatibility

  • Now supports Map 2025 and .NET 8.0, while maintaining compatibility with previous versions.
  • Ensures users can work with the latest software while still supporting older configurations.