pdms sotfware, user bulletin guide for beginners

pdms1131/man25/doc1Issue 160201

PDMS ProfessionalVersion 11.3

User Bulletin

Cadcentre Ltd, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HB, UK

PLEASE NOTE:Cadcentre has a policy of continuing product development: therefore, the information contained inthis document may be subject to change without notice.

CADCENTRE MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO THIS DOCUMENT,INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY ANDFITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

While every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this document, Cadcentre shall not beliable for errors contained herein or direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages inconnection with the furnishing, performance or use of this material.

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Copyright 2001 Cadcentre Limited

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The software programs described in this document are confidential information and proprietaryproducts of Cadcentre Ltd or its licensors.

For details of Cadcentre's worldwide sales and support offices, see our website athttp://www.cadcentre.com/location

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PDMS Professional 11.3 iUser Bulletin

Contents

1 Introduction ......................................................................................................11.1 Summary of Major Changes.......................................................................11.2 Other Enhancements..................................................................................21.3 Functionality to be Withdrawn ..................................................................2

2 DESIGN Enhancements...................................................................................32.1 New Walls & Floors Application ................................................................3

2.1.1 Database Hierarchy ................................................................................42.1.2 Connectivity Checking ............................................................................5

2.2 Changes to the Beams & Columns Application.........................................52.3 Changes to the Panels & Plates Application.............................................62.4 The DESIGN Equipment Application........................................................62.5 New DESIGN Elements and Attributes ....................................................7

2.5.1 Design Template Enhancements............................................................72.5.2 Weight and Centre of Gravity Enhancements.......................................7

2.6 Solid of Revolution Element .......................................................................92.7 New Colour Setting Options.......................................................................9

2.7.1 Translucency Options..............................................................................92.7.2 Dynamic Updating of Autocolours........................................................10

2.8 New EVOLUME Pseudo-Attribute ..........................................................112.9 User-Defined HVAC Components Now Selectable..................................112.10 Ring Section/Wall Modification Improved ...............................................122.11 Setting Properties in DESIGN.................................................................122.12 The CEARROW Command.......................................................................132.13 Construction Aid Enhancements .............................................................13

2.13.1 Creating and Offsetting Groups of Aid Constructs ..........................132.13.2 Creating and Rotating Groups of Aid Constructs.............................142.13.3 Creating and Mirroring Groups of Aid Constructs...........................14

2.14 Improved Spatial Map ..............................................................................15

3 DRAFT Enhancements...................................................................................163.1 Automatic Steelwork Detailing................................................................16

3.1.1 Application Overview............................................................................163.1.2 Functionality Description .....................................................................173.1.3 Optional Picture Files ...........................................................................18

3.2 Auto-Hatching of Design Elements..........................................................183.3 Interactive Editing of Annotation and 2D Geometry..............................193.4 Other Changes ..........................................................................................19

3.4.1 ID List Enhancements ..........................................................................193.4.2 Representation Rule Enhancements ....................................................20

Contents

ii PDMS Professional 11.3User Bulletin

3.4.3 Labelling Enhancements ......................................................................203.4.4 2D Drafting Enhancements ..................................................................213.4.5 Changes to Symbol Functionality.........................................................213.4.6 Intelligent Text Enhancements ............................................................213.4.7 New Projection Line Text Defaults.......................................................223.4.8 User-Defined Glyphs .............................................................................223.4.9 Querying View Contents .......................................................................223.4.10 120-Character Database Names........................................................23

3.5 New Attributes..........................................................................................233.5.1 New Database Attributes......................................................................233.5.2 New Derived (Pseudo) Attributes .........................................................24

4 ADMIN Enhancements ...................................................................................254.1 Extended Multiwrite Functionality: Extracts .........................................254.2 Data Access Control ..................................................................................264.3 Connectivity ..............................................................................................274.4 DICE..........................................................................................................274.5 Other Enhancements ................................................................................27

4.5.1 Database Sets ........................................................................................274.5.2 Querying Attributes ..............................................................................274.5.3 Configuring the Display ........................................................................274.5.4 Foreign Databases.................................................................................28

4.6 Changed Functionality .............................................................................28

5 ISODRAFT Enhancements.............................................................................295.1 Universal SKEYs for ISODRAFT.............................................................29

5.1.1 End connections.....................................................................................295.1.2 TAPPING Syntax ..................................................................................305.1.3 Connection Labelling.............................................................................31

5.2 User-Defined SKEYs Independent of Generic Type................................315.3 Adding a Spindle to a User-Defined SKEY..............................................315.4 Correction of Reversed Symbols ...............................................................325.5 Changes to the DIMDISTANCE Command.............................................325.6 Setting BDIA and BTYP as Catalogue Parameters ................................335.7 Additional Weld Numbers on Isometrics .................................................335.8 Splitting Spools at Specified Hierarchic Levels.......................................33

6 PARAGON Enhancements.............................................................................346.1 User-Defined HVAC Fittings....................................................................346.2 New PTPOS P-Point .................................................................................346.3 New Simple Line (SLINE) Element.........................................................356.4 Solid of Revolution Element .....................................................................35

7 General Enhancements .................................................................................367.1 Database Output Options.........................................................................367.2 Setting Formats for Units.........................................................................37

Contents

PDMS Professional 11.3 iiiUser Bulletin

7.2.1 Enhancement of Unit Format Options.................................................377.2.2 Administration of Unit Formats...........................................................377.2.3 Examples to Use as a Template for User-Defined Formats ................387.2.4 How to Define a User Format...............................................................39

8 PML and Forms and Menus Changes ..........................................................418.1 PML Syntax for Setting Attributes..........................................................418.2 New and Extended PML Objects .............................................................42

8.2.1 The ALERT Object ................................................................................438.3 Other Enhancements................................................................................448.4 Removal of Form COPY Syntax ...............................................................45

PDMS Professional 11.3 1User Bulletin

1 Introduction

This bulletin describes the new and enhanced functionality availablein PDMS 11.3. Some of the additional functionality was implementedin the 11.2 Bonus Pack, which was released as an optional supplementto Version 11.2: the bulletin notes where this is the case.

The bulletin gives an overview of the major changes which aredescribed in full elsewhere: smaller changes and enhancements aredescribed in full in the bulletin.

1.1 Summary of Major Changes

• The selective installation and deinstallation of the constituent partsof PDMS have been greatly simplified by the use of 'wizards' toguide you through the necessary steps.

• A new DESIGN application for Industrial Building Design. This isaccessed by selecting Design>Structures>Walls & Floors from theDESIGN General Main Menu Bar. A tutorial is provided inIndustrial Building Design Using PDMS, and more details aregiven in the on-line help.

• An improved DESIGN Equipment application. The StandardParameterised Equipments are now based on Templates. Thebeginning of the tutorial in Pipework Design Using PDMS providesa short introduction to creating Equipment. How to set uptemplates for Equipment is described in Introduction to PDMSDesign Templates. More details are given in the on-line help for theEquipment and Design Templates applications.

• New Steelwork Detailing Automatic Drawing Production (SDA)facilities in DRAFT.

• Graphical modification of dimensions, labels and 2D geometry inDRAFT.

• Much improved multiwrite facilities which affect DESIGN, DRAFT,ISODRAFT and PARAGON databases. For information about howto set these up, see the chapter on ADMIN enhancements.

Introduction

2 PDMS Professional 11.3User Bulletin

• New Data Access Control facilities, available in ADMIN, whichallow the System Administrator to control which parts of theconstructor databases can be accessed by individual users, and whattypes of operation can be carried out.

1.2 Other Enhancements

• A Universal SKEY (symbol key) is provided in ISODRAFT which issuitable for any piping component of generic type PCOM. ForFittings with this symbol key, users will provide details of thegeometry and dimensions on a supplementary drawing or plot.

• New forms are provided in DESIGN to set and edit parameterisedproperties of design items.

• New pseudo-attributes for deriving weight and centre-of-gravitydata for piping networks, either empty or filled with a specifiedfluid.

• Model faces created by section planes, and surfaces of specifiedDesign primitives can now be hatched automatically in DRAFT bydefining and applying Hatching Rules.

1.3 Functionality to be Withdrawn

The DESIGN Spooling application will be withdrawn at the nextrelease. The SPOOLER module provides much improved functionalityfor producing spool drawings.


2 DESIGN Enhancements

2.1 New Walls & Floors Application

� This functionality was released with the 11.2 Bonus Pack.

The Walls & Floors application is a new structural application whichprovides the ability to define Walls, Floors and Screed elements forindustrial building design. (A screed is a finishing layer applied to afloor surface.) This new application is, where possible, based on theexisting functionality within the structural applications for consistencyand simplicity. New advanced features such as construction aids,event-driven graphics and curved members have been implemented forthe generation of complex geometries such as floor and screedboundaries, and straight and curved walls.

The three main database elements within the Walls & Floorsapplication are:

WALLSYou can create straight and curved walls, either based on catalogueprofiles or user-defined in DESIGN.

Walls defined with reference to the catalogue are created asextrusions whose direction vector is from POSS to POSE.

Multi-faceted walls can be created in DESIGN by extruding a 2Dcontour, which defines the shape of the wall, normal to the plane ofthe contour to a user-defined height.

FLOORSFloors have user-defined boundaries. The thickness can be limitedto values defined and controlled via a specification whereappropriate. Where this is not relevant the thickness can be user-defined. By default, the justification is set to Top, because theapplication assumes that the top of slab is a reference elevation.

SCREEDSScreeds also have user-defined boundaries, and the thickness canbe limited to values defined within the catalogue whereappropriate. Where this is not relevant the thickness can be

DESIGN Enhancements


defined by the user. By default the justification is set to Bottom,because the application assumes that the bottom of Screed iscoincident with the top of a Floor.

The Walls & Floors application utilises the construction aidsintroduced at PDMS 11.2. These allow the creation of constructiongrids, lines, arcs, points and planes. Positions can then be specified bysnapping to key points in the geometry, for example, end points,midpoint, 2D and 3D intersections.

The new application brings the following functional improvements:

• The ability to create and modify the contour of Walls, Floors andScreeds using the complex boundaries defined using constructionaids.

• The ability to create new floor or screed elements with a boundaryoffset from an existing floor boundary.

• Automatic creation of straight and curved walls (restricted to arcsof circles) enclosing a complex floor boundary by simply selectingthe type of wall required and a floor slab defining the boundary.

• The ability to model and manage aligned and angled penetrationsthrough Walls, Floors or Screeds.

• The ability to apply material densities to all Wall, Floor and Screedelements to determine mass property and centroid data.

• A sample catalogue of detailed Doors, Windows and architecturalfixtures.

• The Dynamic Specification Selection form allows greater scope andflexibility for the selection of Joints, Fittings and Templates.

2.1.1 Database Hierarchy

The organisation of the Industrial Buildings model and its hierarchy iscontrolled by the STRU element which corresponds to a building level.Consider a four storey building having four STRU elements (one perfloor), each with an elevation that defines the height above datum forthat floor. When a STRU has been defined a Working Plane (WP) isactivated which maps all graphical picks to that elevation.

Wall, Floor and Screed elements are owned either by FRMWs or byCompound Wall (CWALL), Compound Floor (CFLOOR) or CompoundScreed (CSCREE) elements, all of which can be defined as storageareas, as in existing applications. The association of the element beingcreated to its logical storage area, for example, WALL to CWALL andFLOOR to CFLOOR is automatically determined by the application.

DESIGN Enhancements


2.1.2 Connectivity Checking

In the Beams & Columns and Walls & Floors applications, the taggingof connected/unconnected SCTN and WALL ends has been replacedwith a colour highlight option. There are three options users candefine:

• Both ends connected• Neither end connected• One end unconnected.

There are different default colours (Green, Red and Blue respectively)defined for each of these categories so that you can see the connectionconditions in the graphical view. You can change the default coloursusing a colour palette. In addition to highlighting, the total number ofSctns/Walls conforming to the above three conditions is quantified onthe form.

2.2 Changes to the Beams & Columns Application


Curved sections are now supplemented by Ring sections, which arecircular defined sections consisting of an arc or full circle.

The facility for creating and modifying Curved Sections (GENSECs)has been extended. GENSECs consist of SPINE elements whosemembers are POINSP and CURVE elements. These are represented asa continuous sequence of straights and arcs as shown in the sketchbelow:

= SPINE= POINSP

Start POINSP

End POINSP

PROFILE

CURVE

CURVE

DESIGN Enhancements


2.3 Changes to the Panels & Plates Application


The new Extrusion/Panel editor provides the user with advancedcreation and editing functions for the modification of Vertices, Edges,and Groups. The Extrusion/Panel editor uses event-driven pickingoptions to significantly improve the speed of use.

The additional functionality allows you to:

• Define or collect a ‘Group’ of vertices using a 3D window with theoption of copying, deleting, rotating, mirroring, expanding orcontracting their boundary

• Expand or contract whole Extrusions/Panels by a user-defineddistance

• Rotate edges about their start or end points by any user-definedangle

• Align edges parallel to other database elements

• Create arcs and modify their radius and/or positions

• Determine where coincident vertices have been created and todelete any superfluous ones

2.4 The DESIGN Equipment Application


The Equipment application has been enhanced to provideparameterised catalogue-based equipment. Users can now createequipment items by choosing from a specification browser, and addingspecific parameterised information.

You can create equipment items for the catalogue using the DESIGNTemplates application. Equipment templates are defined as TMPLelements and parameterised using datasets. Sample templates areincluded with the application.

A further enhancement is that equipment can be positionedgraphically.

There are new buttons on the main equipment application menu barwhich provide quick access to functionality for creating equipment,modifying properties, positioning and orientation.

DESIGN Enhancements


The concept of significant navigation level has been introduced: anoption gadget on the main menu bar allows users to select whetherthey want to navigate to an Equipment, a Subequipment or to theelement (typically a Primitive) picked.

2.5 New DESIGN Elements and Attributes

2.5.1 Design Template Enhancements

VVALUE (Valid values)

The DDAT elements in a Dataset (DDSE) can now own VVALUEelements. The VALIDV attribute of each VVALUE is set to a validvalue.

ATTRRL (Attribute rule)

Datasets which have valid values can also store rules which can beapplied to Subequipment templates to store, for example, rulesdefining position and orientation. The new element type is ATTRRL,which has an ATTRULE attribute.

2.5.2 Weight and Centre of Gravity Enhancements

PDMS provides attributes for Weight and Centre of Gravity (CofG)data using GML, but this is only valid for simple geometry such asstructural items. The following new pseudo-attributes, which deriveweight data from the Properties database, have been added to copewith more complex situations such as piping networks which may beeither empty or filled with a specified fluid:

BRWEIG Weight of empty branch ('dry' weight)

BRIWEI Weight of empty branch with insulation

BRWWEI Weight of fluid-filled branch ('wet' weight)

BRWIWE Weight of fluid-filled branch with insulation

BRCOG Centre of gravity of empty branch

BRICOG Centre of gravity of empty branch with insulation

BRWCOG Centre of gravity of fluid-filled branch

BRWICO Centre of gravity of fluid-filled branch with insulation

DESIGN Enhancements


The pseudo-attributes use the following data and rules to derive theirsettings:

• The Specification Component (SPCO) of each piping component(except for ATTAs) must have a Component Reference (CMPR)which points to a Component Data (CMPD) or Tube Data (TUBD)element in the Properties database. TUBD should be used for itemsfor which the weight per unit length is known, such as bends.

• The SPCO of all implied tube must have a CMPR pointing to aTUBD.

• CMPD elements must have their CWEI attribute set, plus theirCIWE attribute if insulation is required. If 'wet' weights arerequired, the ACBO dimension will be used to derive the fluidvolume if it has been set, otherwise the component's leave bore willbe used.

• TUBD elements must have UWEI set, plus UIWE if insulation isrequired. If 'wet' weights are required, the ACBO will be used if ithas been set, otherwise the tube's bore will be used.

• If 'wet' data is to be derived, the FLUR attribute of the PIPE andBRAN elements must point to a FLUI element in the Propertiesdatabase. This FLUI element must own a Table of Densities(TDEN), which owns a Spot Density (SDEN) with its DENSattribute set to the fluid density.

• If the CIWE and/or UIWE values are unset, insulated weights willbe calculated from a component's approximate volume and itsmaterial density. The insulation will be assumed to be a hollowcylinder, with its density derived from the Material Reference(MATR) of the insulation SPEC.

• The CofG of a Branch member is assumed to be at its origin.

• The density of a fluid is assumed to be constant.

• The internal volume of each component is approximated by simplegeometric shapes.

• The weights of bolts are ignored, and should be included in thespecific component weights.

• The pseudo-attributes apply only to Pipes, Branches and PipingComponents. They also work for SPLDRG, SPOOL and FIELDelements.

DESIGN Enhancements


2.6 Solid of Revolution Element

The geometry of a Solid of Revolution (REVO) is defined bysweeping a user-defined loop through a specified angle around a givenaxis. Its attributes are detailed in the DESIGN Reference Manual.

=Loop vertex

Y

XZ

Angle

Origin

Some new forms (accessed via Create>Primitives) have beenintroduced to the DESIGN applications for creating and modifyingsuch elements. Their use is explained in the on-line help.

The Negative Solid of Revolution (NREV) behaves in a similarway.

2.7 New Colour Setting Options

2.7.1 Translucency Options

When insulation and/or obstruction are shown in a shaded view, theytend to hide details of the rest of the model. Translucent obstructionand insulation levels can now be specified by using additions to theREPRESENTATION command.

The new command options are:

REPRE INSUlation ON TRANSLucency <value>

REPRE OBSTruction ON TRANSLucency <value>

where <value> is in the range 0 to 100. The specified value isinterpreted as the nearest of 0, 25, 50, 75 or 87, where 0% is solid.

DESIGN Enhancements


The commands to query the current setting are:

Q REPRE INSUlation TRANSLucency

Q REPRE OBSTruction TRANSLucency

The AUTOCOLOUR command has also been extended to includetranslucency settings.


AUTOCOLour <selection> COLour <expression> [TRANSLucency<expression>][EDGES <ON/OFF>]

For example:AUTOCOL ALL EQUIP WITH ( PURP EQ ‘PUMP’ ) COL ( :COL )TRANSL ( :TRANS ) EDGES ON

The commands to query the settings are:

Q AUTOCOLour FOR <gid> COLourTRANSLucencyEDGES

2.7.2 Dynamic Updating of Autocolours

The AUTOCOLOUR functionality has been extended to permit dynamicupdating.

In earlier versions, once an item was added to the Drawlist its colourremained constant. With dynamic autocolour on, the autocolour of anitem is checked every time any of its attributes is modified and, ifnecessary, the element is re-added to the Drawlist in its new colour.


AUTOCOLour DYNAMIC <ON/OFF>

Q AUTOCOLour DYNAMIC

For example, an autocolour rule for Advanced Router might be:AUTOCOLOUR ALL BRAN COLOUR ( BSTA + 6 )

Note: The DYNAMIC switch is independent of the overallAUTOCOLOUR switch: you must set AUTOCOLOUR ON aswell as AUTOCOLOUR DYNAMIC ON to see the effect.

Applying this option to large parts of the design model canhave a detrimental effect on performance, so use it with care.

DESIGN Enhancements


2.8 New EVOLUME Pseudo-Attribute

The EVOLUME (Enclosing Volume) pseudo-attribute gives thelimits of a box that encloses the CE (normally a primitive). The boxedges are made to lie parallel to the orientation axes of the CE or agiven element.

The relevant command syntax is:

Q EVOLume WRT <element>

For example:Q EVOL

Q EVOL WRT /STEEL

Q EVOL WRT WORLD

The box limits are returned as a real array of dimension 6, namely

E1 N1 U1 E2 N2 U2

By default, the positions are relative to the Owner of the CE (unlessthe WRT qualifier is used).

If the CE is a design template (TMPL), the box which encloses all ofthe sub-hierarchy is returned.

If the CE has an SPRE attribute and owns a TMPL, the box whichencloses all of the sub-hierarchy of the TMPL is returned.

If the CE is not a primitive and does not satisfy either of the specialTMPL cases, then an error is returned.

2.9 User-Defined HVAC Components Now Selectable

The HVAC Designer application now allows users to define their ownHVAC components as additions to the standard catalogue componentssupplied by Cadcentre. The HVAC Creation form has been modified toinclude a User Defined Fittings category, selection of which displays aUser Defined HVAC Fittings form which provides the full specificationselection options available in other applications.

The on-line help gives full details.

DESIGN Enhancements


2.10 Ring Section/Wall Modification Improved

The Create Ring Section/Wall form has been enhanced by the additionof some Modify options. In addition to providing a short-cut to theModify>Section/Wall>Definition menu option, the facility providesquick ways to Flip Start/End or Flip Sense (clockwise/anticlockwise).

The on-line help gives full details of the new features.

2.11 Setting Properties in DESIGN

A new Modify Properties form in the DESIGN Equipment applicationallows you to edit the properties of a Design item derived from aparameterised catalogue definition or design template via aSpecification Reference. The form is displayed when you selectModify>Properties, or the button.

The size and layout of the form depend principally on the number ofproperties defined for the current element type within the catalogue ordesign template. The detailed layout of the form can be controlledusing the Properties Settings form, displayed when you selectSettings>Properties.

The form layout can be in one of two styles, both of which can display adimensioned diagram; click the version which is displayed to access theappropriate help topic:

• Individual entry mode (one entry gadget per property)

• List mode (a scrollable list of all properties)

The Dynamic Update toggle on the Properties Settings form controlswhen an element is updated as its properties are modified. If DynamicUpdate is On, the element will be updated every time a propertysetting changes; this is convenient for simple design items, but cangive slow performance if a large number of rules have to be executedfor each update. If Dynamic Update is Off, the element is updated onlywhen the Apply button on the Modify Properties form is used.

Measurements can be entered in event-driven graphics mode: you cangraphically pick the two positions between which the measurement isrequired.

For full information, see the on-line help.

DESIGN Enhancements


2.12 The CEARROW Command

In early versions of PDMS, the INTREPID module had a command,ARROW ON, which drew an arrow to show the location of the currentelement in the view. As part of the enhancements for Router andPiping, this facility has been reintroduced in DESIGN.

The new commands are:

AID CEARROW <ON/OFF>

AID CEARROW HEIght <expression> PROPortion <expression> ARRIVELEAVEORIGIN

PROP 1 shows the arrow as a cone; PROP 0 shows the arrow as a line.

The ARRIVE and LEAVE options apply only to Branches, Hangers andtheir members, and to Sections (SCTN). They have no effect for otherelements. The default settings are:

AID CEARROW OFF

HEIGHT 100mm

PROPORTION 0.2

ORIGIN

The arrow is drawn with the appropriate design aid colour andtranslucency.

If the current element has a position and orientation, an arrow will bedrawn even if the current element is not in the Drawlist. If the currentelement has no position or orientation (real or pseudo), such as a textitem, an arrow will not be drawn.

2.13 Construction Aid Enhancements

Three new facilities have been added to the construction aid facilities,common to all Design applications. They allow existing constructionaids, either singly or in groups, to be moved or copied (and the copiesmoved) in various ways.

2.13.1 Creating and Offsetting Groups of Aid Constructs

A new Aid Copy/Move Offset form to create copies of groups of aidconstructs is available from Create>Copy>Offset on the 3D AidConstructs form (from Design>Utilities>Constructs).

DESIGN Enhancements


The form allows: Picking groups of aids to copy; Input of numbers ofcopies; Measuring for offset values; Offsets input as distance anddirection or as XYZ coordinates; Derived offset direction; Graphicalindication of offset displayed prior to Apply; Confirmation of copieswhen applied.

The same form is used for Modify>Move>Offset, which moves theidentified aid group by a given offset.


2.13.2 Creating and Rotating Groups of Aid Constructs

A new Aid Copy/Move Rotate form to create copies of groups of aidconstructs is available from Create>Copy>Rotate on the 3D AidConstructs form (from Design>Utilities>Constructs).

The form allows: Picking groups of aids to copy; Input of numbers ofcopies; Input of angle of rotation; Input of axis of rotation, eitherexplicitly or derived by using event-driven graphics; Graphicalindication of copy displayed prior to Apply; Confirmation of copieswhen applied.

The same form is used for Modify>Move>Rotate, which rotates theidentified aid group through a given angle.


2.13.3 Creating and Mirroring Groups of Aid Constructs

A new Aid Copy/Move Mirror form to create copies of groups of aidconstructs is available from Create>Copy>Mirror on the 3D AidConstructs form (from Design>Utilities>Constructs).

The form allows: Picking groups of aids to copy; Input of position andorientation of mirror plane, either explicitly or derived by using event-driven graphics; Graphical indication of copy displayed prior to Apply;Confirmation of copies when applied.

The same form is used for Modify>Move>Mirror, which mirrors theidentified aid group in a given plane.


DESIGN Enhancements


2.14 Improved Spatial Map

The spatial map, used for clash checking in DESIGN and DRAFT, hasbeen enhanced. The spatial map is now automatically updated toreflect catalogue changes that affect obstruction volumes, and anychanges that do not affect obstruction volumes are ignored. This meansthat the spatial map is updated much more quickly than before.

If the spatial map does need to be updated manually, there is a newcommand, MAP UPDATE, which should be used instead of the old MAPBUILD command. MAP UPDATE identifies the elements whosegeometry has changed in a way that affects the spatial map, and onlyupdates the spatial map with those elements.

Note: To avoid spurious clash reports, elements under TemplateWorlds are excluded from the spatial map, even though theyform part of the Design database hierarchy.


3 DRAFT Enhancements

This chapter describes the enhancements to PDMS DRAFT.

3.1 Automatic Steelwork Detailing

3.1.1 Application Overview

The new Steelwork Detailing Application (SDA) is an automatedsystem designed to assist Draft users in the rapid generation ofsteelwork fabrication drawings. The system is designed to detail themost commonly used structural elements such as Sections, Panels,Joints and Fittings for the construction of the 3D model.

The application was developed primarily to assist Cadcentre’s offshoreclients in the automated production of their steelwork fabricationdetails, where the 3D model is detailed to a very high degree ofaccuracy, particularly where welded joints and irregularly contouredpanels are used in the construction. It is under this set of criteria thatthe greatest efficiency and performance savings will be realised.

The detailing application does not require additional Catalogue orDesign-based information in order to define its dimensions. Thesequence, ordering, and placement of dimensions is determined by theapplication based on its recognition of edges, surfaces, and logicalreference positions for the geometry being detailed; this does notimpose limitations or restrictions on the type or nature of geometrythat the application will attempt to detail. Where the location ofdimensions or annotation does require manual re-positioning, DRAFT’snew Interactive Annotation Modification functionality simplifies thetask considerably (see Section 3.3).

There can be ambiguities in very specific and limited instances thatmay cause dimensions to be omitted from the drawing. Where adimension is found to be missing, it can be added manually usingstandard Draft functionality. Fabrication details produced with thisapplication are rarely under-dimensioned, but where a dimension isomitted this could be conditional on the methods used in the definitionof the catalogue component.

Fabrication details produced using this application are not guaranteedto a 100% level of completion. It is assumed that standard drawing

DRAFT Enhancements


office practice is observed and that all drawings are manually checkedfor engineering and/or technical content prior to issue. The level ofdetail contained in the individual fabrication drawings will generallynot be less than 70%, this being a minimum quantitative measurementof engineering content. A level of detail equal to 100% is used as theapplication’s benchmark for the successful fabrication of thecomponent.

3.1.2 Functionality Description

To use the Steelwork Detailing Application, enter the Auto DrawingProduction Application and select Create>Steelwork Detailing. TheSteelwork Detailing form will be displayed. This allows the Designelements that are to be detailed to be selected. Once selection iscomplete, the drawing generation process is started using the GenerateSheets button. The SDA will automatically generate the DRAFTdatabase hierachy if required. The Sheets generated will be listed inthe lower half of the form. Individual Sheets can be regenerated byselecting and right-button clicking.

The drawing generation process is controlled by a set of options storedin a Steelwork Detailing Application Option element (SDAOPT). Thisis a new database element owned by a LIBY element. The requiredSDAOPT is chosen using the Options gadget at the top of the SteelworkDetailing form.

Users can edit the selected SDAOPT or create a new one by pressingthe Edit button on the Steelwork Detailing form. The displayedSteelwork Detailing Options form will show the option settings.

The SDAOPT element defines:

• a set of suitable backing sheets;

• a Symbol Library containing suitable annotation symbols;

• a Representation Ruleset;

• an annotation customisation macro.

There are also options to define:

• the mapping between Design & Draft elements;

• the permissible scales (for main & detail views);

• the threshold at which detail views are produced;

• whether picture files are required (see the next section).

DRAFT Enhancements


3.1.3 Optional Picture Files

Picture files have always been written for Sheet and Overlay elementsto save unnecessary updating operations that, for many complicatedViews, can be time-consuming. The Steelwork Detailing Applicationcan potentially generate very large numbers of Sheets but their Viewswill generally be simple and therefore quick to regenerate. Users mayconsider that the advantages of not having very large numbers ofpicture files for SDA sheets outweigh the disadvantage of having towait for the design graphics to be generated whenever a user wishes toload an SDA Sheet. Users have therefore been given the option of notwriting picture files for SDA Sheets. For such Sheets DRAFT willperform an automatic regeneration of their design graphics wheneverthey are loaded. However, the following fundamental point that mustbe understood. Whenever a Sheet is loaded by automatic regeneration,it will reflect the current state of the Design databases. Sheets loadedfrom picture files will reflect the state of the Design databases the lasttime an Update Design (with Savework) was performed on them.

3.2 Auto-Hatching of Design Elements

Model faces created by section planes and surfaces of specified Designprimitives can now be hatched automatically by defining and applyingHatching Rules. The faces to be hatched and the pens to be used aredefined by Hatching Rules (HRUL elements), which referenceHatching Styles (HSTYL elements), and which are stored in HatchingRulesets (HRST elements). The hatching is carried out automaticallyas part of the Update Design process.

The hierarchy of database elements for hatching is similar to theRepresentation Rules hierarchy. Thus Views can now have referencesto Hatching Rulesets. Local Hatching Rules can be defined by creatingView-owned HRULs that directly reference Hatching Styles (HSTYL).This database structure ensures that the results are repeatable andthat company standards are imposed.

Optionally, when a length of implied tubing or a ducting-straight iscut, the resultant circular or rectangular face can be either hatched ormarked with a traditional drafting symbol.

Hatched areas can be auto-blanked to allow annotation placed on top ofthem to be legible.

DRAFT Enhancements


3.3 Interactive Editing of Annotation and 2D Geometry

Annotation Modification Mode (AMM) has been introduced to improveease-of-use. This provides the ability to use the cursor to pick andmanipulate view frames, labels, dimensions, and 2D draftingprimitives. Pickable ‘hotspots’ are provided on the bend-points ofleader-lines and at significant points of 2D primitives to allow theirshapes to be modified. The positions of individual pieces of dimension-line text and projection-line text can be changed by picking anddragging.

In AMM additional features are accessible from the right-hand mousebutton. These allow label and dimension text to be rotated, leader-linebend-points to be deleted, and the hit-type filter to be defined (i.e. 2Dposition, end-point of line, mid-point of line, etc.).

AMM supersedes several menu options for geometry editing in theLabelling, Dimensioning, and 2D Drafting applications. These havebeen removed.

3.4 Other Changes

3.4.1 ID List Enhancements

The IDList functionality has been enhanced to allow ADDs andREMOVEs to be defined by selection criteria which are stored in thedatabase and evaluated whenever that IDList is processed at the timeof an Update Design command. This has been achieved by the addition ofa CRITeria attribute to ADDE and REME elements. This attribute ismutually exclusive with the existing IDNM attribute. Setting one willautomatically unset the other.

The general form of the new syntax is:

ADD RULE selection_criteriaREMove RULE selection_criteria

For example:ADD RULE ALL ZONE WITH ( FUNC EQ 'Piping' )

REM RULE ALL BRAN WITH ( HBORE LT 30 AND TBORE LT 30 )

DRAFT Enhancements


3.4.2 Representation Rule Enhancements

Expressions can now be used to select the IDLists associated with agiven style. For example:

USE /Style1 FOR ALL IDLIST WITH ( FUNC EQ ‘Future Devs’ )

Only those IDLists that make up the IDList referenced by the Viewwill be considered; not all the IDLists in the MDB.

Note: Previously, this syntax was valid but no selection was made – aparticular IDList could only be specified by name, for example:

USE /futures-style FOR /future-list

Rules can now be used to omit items. For example:OMIT ALL BRAN WITH ( HBORE LT 30 AND TBORE LT 30 )

OMIT /EQUIP-99

will cause the selected items to be omitted from the view.

3.4.3 Labelling Enhancements

Labels (GLABs and SLABs) may now be applied to Views: previouslythey could only be applied to design elements. This allows View names,scales, etc. to be applied easily. The DDNM attribute of GLABs andSLABs may now be set to the View, either directly (for example, DDNM/View99) or using the ON syntax (for example, ON /View99).

Labels now have a POS attribute (default unset). If this is set, the 3DWorld position specified will be used as the leader-line attachmentpoint (rather than the DDNM and NPPT or DDNM, PKEY, and PKDIattributes). A DDNM attribute still has to be specified for the label tobe properly defined. This allows labels to be positioned at a calculatedposition (for example, in the centre of a Panel or half-way along aGENSEC) without having to determine the most suitable p-point orpline to reference.

For SLABs defined by a SYTM having a TEXP as its first member, theleader-line will terminate at the appropriate corner of the text-box (asoccurs with GLABs) unless the SLAB’s CPOF attribute defines aspecific leader-line connection point.

DRAFT Enhancements


3.4.4 2D Drafting Enhancements

In order to assist the drawing of orthogonal STRAight elements, twonew commands have been added.

ODEFine <dfnpt> <dfnpt>

defines a straight line that will be vertical or horizontal, dependingupon the relative sizes of the horizontal and vertical offsets of thesecond point from the first.

OTPT <dfnpt>

allows an orthogonal ‘To-point’ to be defined.

In order to simplify the editing of STRAight elements, the followingcommand has been added:

ALENgth <val>

This changes the length of the STRAight by moving its ‘From Point’(i.e. FPT). (Note: The existing LENGth command moves the ‘To Point’).

3.4.5 Changes to Symbol Functionality

Intelligent Text hash codewords within SYTMs referenced by SYMBolswill now generally be expanded. The exception is the case when aSYTM is referenced by a SYMB owned by another SYTM. As a result,SYMBs now behave like SLABs.

3.4.6 Intelligent Text Enhancements

DRAFT’s Intelligent Text System (ITS) has been enhanced as follows.

• It now allows the length of an array attribute to be extracted andapplied to a sheet. The format is:

‘#codeword[SIZE]’

‘SIZE’ may be abbreviated to ‘S’ and may be lower-case. This suffixmay be used with any hash code-word for which array indices arevalid.

• Codewords #ADATEX, #BDATEX and #CDATEX have been added.These return dates identical to those of #ADATE, #BDATE and#CDATE, except that the years use two digits (i.e. 00) rather thanfour (2000).

DRAFT Enhancements


• Codeword #DFDATE has been added. This generates a date withthe format specified by the new DATEFOrmat attribute of theDEPT above the current element. This attribute may be set toMMDDYYYY, MMDDYY, DDMMYYYY, DDMMYY, DDMONYYYYor DDMONYY, which will cause #DFDATE to give results identicalto #ADATE, #ADATEX, #BDATE, #BDATEX, #CDATE and#CDATEX, respectively;

• Data can now be extracted easily from Revision elements (REVI)using the new pseudo-reference-array attributes SREVAY andDREVAY, valid at any element at or below a Sheet or Drawing,respectively. For example:

‘#RVDT<FR SREVAY[2]>’

will generate the revision date from the second Sheet Revision.

‘#APPR<FR DREVAY[3]>’

will generate the approver from the third Drawing Revision.

3.4.7 New Projection Line Text Defaults

A new defaults file DRA-GEN-PLTEXT has been provided in the%PDMSDFLTS% area. The DRAFT Administrator can edit this file toprovide a different set of options available via the GUI. Details of thefile format are given in the file header.

3.4.8 User-Defined Glyphs

Functionality to allow user-defined glyphs to be defined has beenprovided. (Glyphs are used in conjunction with ‘Line Pictures’ togenerate lines that have a series of symbols spaced regularly alongtheir length or, alternatively, at one or both ends. 20 pre-definedglyphs are already provided.)

3.4.9 Querying View Contents

The Q VSCAN command has been added to determine which Designelements are visible in a specified DRAFT View. This command hasthree formats to allow users to:

• Request a list of all significant elements that are visible in a View.

Q VSCAN SIGNIFicant IN view_id

DRAFT Enhancements


For example:Q VSCAN SIGNIF IN /VIEW-01

• Specify a significant design element and request a list of all itsprimitives that are visible in a View.

Q VSCAN design_id IN view_id

For example:Q VSCAN /PIPE100-B-1-B1

• Specify selection criteria to determine matching design elementsvisible in a View.

Q VSCAN FOR selection_criteria IN view_id

For example:Q VSCAN FOR ALL ( VALVE VTWAY VFWAY ) WITH ( ABOR GE 50 )

DRAFT determines whether design items are visible by scanning thedata in the picture, not by scanning the IDList. Thus elements hiddenby the hidden-line-removal process will not be found.

3.4.10 120-Character Database Names

DRAFT database names may now be up to 120 characters long. Thischange has been made primarily to cope with long names generatedautomatically by the Automatic Drawing Production Application.

3.5 New Attributes

3.5.1 New Database Attributes

The FUNCtion attribute has been added to all high level elements.

SPPURP, LINKREF, and DARREF attributes have been added toseveral elements and may be noticed in the results of a Q ATTcommand. They are intended for use in future developments withinDRAFT and will be documented when appropriate.

The DATEFOrmat attribute has been added to DEPT. This attributemay be set to one of six date formats: MMDDYYYY, MMDDYY,DDMMYYYY, DDMMYY, DDMONYYYY, or DDMONYY. This is foruse in conjunction with the ITS to allow the correct date format to beused on drawings.

DRAFT Enhancements


3.5.2 New Derived (Pseudo) Attributes

SREVAY, DREVAY pseudo-reference-array attributes are valid at anyelement at or below a Sheet or Drawing, respectively. They provide thereference numbers of the Revision elements (REVI) owned by the Sheetor Drawing. The maximum array size is 50. They have been providedfor use as qualifiers to hash codewords in the ITS to allow Revisiondata to be extracted easily.

There are two new derived attributes for panels provided for use in thenew Steelwork Detailing Application:

PSIZE an array of two distances defining the maximum XYdimensions of the panel when drawn.

PALIGN the rotation angle from the panel coordinate system to thealigned orientation when drawn.

DRAFT Enhancements


4 ADMIN Enhancements

This chapter summarises the new features in PDMS ADMIN.

4.1 Extended Multiwrite Functionality: Extracts

You can now create Extract Databases from any multiwrite database.(DESIGN, DRAFT, ISODRAFT and PARAGON databases can bemultiwrite.) Multiwrite databases allow several users to work on thesame databases at the same time. Users claim out elements which theyneed to work on, and then save their work and release their claims.However, in a normal multiwrite database, savework writes thechanges back to the database and releases the claim.

Extract databases allow users to maintain claims between differentPDMS sessions, and work can be saved to the extract, or issued back tothe original master database. Any conflicting changes can be avoidedor managed.

When an extract is created, it is essentially an empty database, withpointers back to the data in the master database. As a user changes oradds to the data, the changes and additions a user makes are stored inthe extract database itself when the user saves work. This means thatthere should not be a great increase in disk usage when extracts areused.

You can create many extracts from one master database, and you canalso create extracts from extracts, so creating an Extract Family.

The Administrator can use the new Data Access Control facilities tocontrol which users are allow to claim or issue elements.

There are two main types of Extract database: Standard andWorking. Both main types can, in addition, be created as Variantdatabases.

Standard Extracts are similar to normal databases in that they canbe owned by any team, and be given any name. They are added toMDBs in the usual way. Claiming can be implicit or explicit, as for anymultiwrite database, which means that if an element is being workedon by any user of the extract family, no other user will be able to workon it. Changes are issued back to the owning database, and the

ADMIN Enhancements


elements claimed can then be released, or kept claimed out for furthermodification.

Working Extracts are created for a specified User. Only one WorkingExtract can be created from each database for each User. Once aworking extract of a database has been created for a User, the workingextract will effectively replace all occurrences of the master databasein every MDB. Each time the User needs to write to the database, datawill be written to the extract instead. The normal restrictions on otherusers accessing the same elements apply

Variant Extracts are different: elements are not claimed in the firstplace, so different users can work on the same parts of the database,and so may produce different results, so allowing several differentsolutions to a problem to be considered. The User who has issuingrights will have to resolve any inconsistencies when work is issuedback to the master.

Note: Extracts are not allowed with PDMS Global Management.

4.2 Data Access Control

Up until now, the method of controlling data access in PDMS has beenby means of the Teams-owning-databases mechanism. At PDMS 11.3,this rule still applies, but new access control features allow you tospecify in much more detail what operations a User can carry out onwhich elements in the database.

To make use of Data Access Control (DAC) it must be switched on forthe Project, otherwise only the basic access control will apply.However, once you have switched on DAC, all General Users will bepreventing from carrying out any operation on any part of the databaseunless they have specifically be given the necessary access rights.

DAC uses the following new Admin database elements:

• Roles define the type of operations a User can carry out, forexample, creating, modifying and deleting elements. Roles aredefined as a collection of Permissible Operations (Perops).

• Scopes define the part of the database in which a User can work.

• Access Control Rights (ACRs) are a combination of a Role and aScope. User can, and usually will, have several ACRs which willallow them to carry out the specified operations on the specifiedparts of the database.

DRAFT Enhancements


The operations which can be specified in Perops are Create, Modify,Delete, Claim and Issue. Claim and Issue are used in conjunction withthe new Multiwrite facilities, described in Section 4.1.

4.3 Connectivity

It is now possible for any user to make a connection to any DESIGNelement. The user still needs Write access to the DB, but need notclaim it. This will largely remove the need for Inter-DB macros.

4.4 DICE

The PDMS Data Integrity Checker (DICE) has been improved andextended, particularly to manage any problems that may occur relatedto Extract integrity.


4.5.1 Database Sets

You can create Database Sets containing several databases. TheDatabase Sets can then be handled as single entities. For example,adding a Database Set to an MDB will add all the member Databases.A Database can only be a member of one Database set, althoughDatabase sets can contain other sets.

4.5.2 Querying Attributes

If you click on an element in the Admin Elements Form with the Right-hand mouse button, you will see a menu with the option Query CurrentElement. If you select this option using the left-hand mouse button, aQuery Results form will be displayed, showing the results of the query.

4.5.3 Configuring the Display

There are three new options under Settings > Display Mode. Inaddition to the Names and Descriptions options, there are:

ADMIN Enhancements


Resize Admin Elements Form displays a form which allows you toincrease or decrease the size of the form.

Setup Admin Elements Form displays a form where you can specifywhat columns are shown on the Admin Elements form.

The Manage User Config File options allow you to save and load yoursettings of the other options.

4.5.4 Foreign Databases

The CHANGE FOREIGN ... RESET command should be used to update aproject which includes foreign databases if the access mode of adatabase used as a foreign database is changed. For example, IfPIPE/PIPECATA is a local database in project AAA, and a foreigndatabase in project BBB, and the access is changed (in AAA), youshould give this command in project BBB to update the project.:

CHANGE FOREIGN PIPE/PIPECATA RESET

4.6 Changed Functionality

The pseudo-attribute NUMBDB has been withdrawn. Its functionalityhas been replaced by the attribute DBNO.

The command Q DBNO n returns information about the (master)database with the specified database number.


5 ISODRAFT Enhancements

5.1 Universal SKEYs for ISODRAFT


This development provides an isometric symbol key (SKEY) suitablefor any piping component of generic type PCOM. Fittings with thissymbol key will be drawn as a ghost symbol with no attempt made torepresent the exact geometry or dimensions on the isometric. Userswill be required to attach a draft drawing, detail plot or use some othermechanism to give the fitting details. Labelling will be used to clearlyidentify fitting connection points.

This functionality will be of particular benefit to those companies usingnon-standard fittings, such as the pharmaceutical and food industries.It will make it possible to automatically produce isometrics of pipingnetworks containing any piping component. The only limiting factorwill be in the clarity of a PCOM with many connected branches.

The Universal Skey symbol is represented by a circle with lines fromits circumference to each connection point. By default, the radius ofthis circle is 10mm. This radius will be controlled by a percentage scalefactor attribute, SkeyScale, on SDTE elements. For example,

SkeyScale = 110% gives circle radius = 11mm.

To use this functionality, you can simply set the attribute Skey toUNIV and set the SkeyScale attribute, if required. To output a detailplot, the DPFN attribute may be set on the SPCO or piping componentas before. In addition the DPFN may now also be set on the SDTEelement alongside the Skey and SkeyScale attributes.

5.1.1 End connections

The UNIV (Universal) SKEY will imply no end connection information.To flag end connections the Pskey on each P-point must be set toflanged (FL), compression (CP), screwed (SC), butt welded (BW), socketwelded (SW) or plain (PL). If not set, the software will assume the endconnection to be plain. For CP, SC, BW and SW the functionality willbe the same as for PCOMs with tapped branches. That is, the

ISODRAFT Enhancements


appropriate end connection symbol will be drawn at the start of theoffleg branch. Currently, for tapped branches with Pskeys set to PL orFL, a small piece of tube is drawn. This will not be the case for theUniversal Skey. The FLSO symbol will also be drawn at P-arrive andP-leave if the respective P-points have Pskey set to FL.

End Connections for a PCOM with tapped branches

End Connections for a Universal Skey

5.1.2 TAPPING Syntax

Currently, for PCOMs with tapped branches, it is possible to controlsome aspects of the output of these branches using the TAPPINGcommand in ISODRAFT. This functionality is not appropriate, and soit has been suppressed, for the branches associated with a UniversalSkey.

FL

FL

FL

PL

BW

FL

FL

FL

PL

B



5.1.3 Connection Labelling

When fittings are very complicated, the offlegs on the isometricdrawing can not always be easily related to the true geometry of thefitting shown in the detail plot. To help the fabricator understandexactly how the two are related, the P-point number of each connectionwill be output at each connection point on the isometric. The numberwill be prefixed with the value of ATEXT 388 (default value "P") andwill be drawn inside an ellipse to distinguish it from other messages.The responsibility will be on the user to ensure that the detail plot hasconnection P-points "marked up" in the same way. If ATEXT 388 is setto “”, no messages will be output.

5.2 User-Defined SKEYs Independent of Generic Type

The dependence on generic type for user-defined SKEYs has beenremoved. Users may now define new isometric symbols (SKEYS)without being constrained by what is available as a base symbol for thedesired generic type.

Caution: More stringent SKEY checking has been introduced, sosymbol libraries created by macro files may now contain illegaldefinitions.

5.3 Adding a Spindle to a User-Defined SKEY

User-defined symbols usually inherit the characteristics of existingstandard SKEYS. New functionality allows for spindles to be definedon a new symbol definition even if the base symbol key did not havespindles defined.

Note: If you are redefining an existing spindle symbol key, anyexisting symbols using this spindle will not pick up the newdefinition.

The PURP attribute of the PTAX p-point elements can now be set toSPIN to indicate that a spindle is required in this direction for thecurrent component. A new pseudo-attribute, PSPIN, returns thenumber of the p-point on which the spindle has been set. If the spindledirection is not orthogonal, a comment giving the actual direction willbe output on the isometric.



5.4 Correction of Reversed Symbols

The symbol definitions for the following SKEYs were inadvertentlyreversed in earlier versions of PDMS:

CAP: KABW KASC KASWINST: XV**PCOM: PLVALV: VX**

This was noticed when attempts were made to redefine the symbolsbased on the configurations shown in the ISODRAFT ReferenceManual. These symbol definitions have now been corrected (fromVersion 11.2 Bonus Pack onwards), and now match the documentation.

5.5 Changes to the DIMDISTANCE Command

The DIMDistance command allows users to set the standout distancefor String, Overall and Support dimensions explicitly. If unset, Overalland Support dimensions default to 1.5 and 0.5 times the Stringdimension. The default String dimension standout in earlier versionswas 11mm, with a rule that this standout could not be less than40.0*CHT/7.0 (where CHT is the picture character height; defaultvalue 2.45mm).

This enhancement allows the String dimension to be unset by the user.If unset, its value will default to 5.0*CHT. If set, Isodraft will notchange its value.

The DIMDistance syntax graph is now:

>- DIMDistance -+- STRING --.|- OVERall --|`- SUPPorts -+- value ---.

`- DEFAULT -+->

Note: DIMD value is still legal syntax for backwards compatibility.



5.6 Setting BDIA and BTYP as Catalogue Parameters

The attributes of a BLTP (Bolt Point) element are

NUMBer Bolt point number

BDIAmeter Bolt diameter

BTYPe Type of bolt (e.g. STUD)

BTHKness Width of associated flanged component

BTHK may be set as a catalogue parameter, so that a single bolt setmay be used for a number of flanges of differing thickness. The same isrequired of the BDIA and BTYP attributes, but this was not allowed inearlier versions (although an error in the documentation implied thatit was). This limitation has now been removed.

You can, for example, now enter:BDIA PARAM 5

5.7 Additional Weld Numbers on Isometrics

The WELDNUMBERS command has been enhanced to allow additional weldnumbers to appear on isometrics, either in individual balloons or in a singleellipse separated by slashes.

The ISODRAFT Reference Manual and gives details of the new syntax andits usage.

5.8 Splitting Spools at Specified Hierarchic Levels

A new attribute, SFLimit (Spool/Field Limit), has been added to theSPLDRG (Spool Drawing) element to allow spool boundaries to bedefined at changes in the element hierarchy (for use by SPOOLER).

By default, SFLimit is set to WORLD, which has no explicit effect. Itcan, however, be set to SITE, ZONE, PIPE or BRAN, which forces aspool boundary at any element change at the specified level. Forexample, if SFLimit is set to PIPE, a spool break will be enforced atevery change of Pipe.


6 PARAGON Enhancements

6.1 User-Defined HVAC Fittings

The DESIGN HVAC application now permits the selection of user-defined HVAC fittings (see Section 2.9).

The Catalogue Rules which apply when such fittings are defined inPARAGON are as follows:

Design Parameter 1 is reserved for a 4-letter description.Design Parameter 2 is to be used for the arrive width.Design Parameter 3 is to be used for the arrive depth.Design Parameter 4 is to be used for the leave width.Design Parameter 5 is to be used for the leave depth.P6 is an optional point used to specify the width direction onthe leave.P3 is an optional point used to specify a controlling direction(for example, the branch of a tee or the handle of a damper).

6.2 New PTPOS P-Point

A new p-point, PTPOS, has been introduced, which takes aparameterised position and a direction. It is the same as a PTCDIR,except that it has a PTCPOS attribute rather than PX, PY, PZ.

Any position expression may be used to set PTCPOS.

For example:PTCPOS Y100 from p1

Position of ppoint is Y100 (wrt component) from P1.PTCPOS N100 WRT OWNER from p1

As above, except the direction North is wrt owner.PTCPOS U100 WRT world from ce

P-point is always 100 above the component, regardless of theorientation of the component.

The PTCDIR attribute has been enhanced so that it can simply use ap-point to set its position and direction.



For example:PTCDIR P1

Recursive definitions should not be entered, as they will not bedetected until a calculation is attempted for the p-point.

6.3 New Simple Line (SLINE) Element

SLINE is a new geometric element representing a simple line. It differsfrom the existing LINE element in that it can only define a singlestraight and its start and end positions (PTSPOS and PTEPOS) neednot be defined by p-points.

Any position expression may be used to set PTSPOS or PTEPOS

For example:PTSPOS Y100 from p1

Start of line is Y100 (wrt component) from P1.PTSPOS N100 WRT OWNER from p1

As above, except the direction North is wrt owner.PTSPOS U100 WRT world from CE

Start of line is always 100 above the component, regardless of theorientation of the component.

6.4 Solid of Revolution Element

The geometry of a Solid of Revolution (SREVO) is defined bysweeping a user-defined loop through a specified angle around a givenaxis. It is the catalogue equivalent of the REVO design primitivedescribed in Section .

The Negative Solid of Revolution (NSREV) behaves in the sameway.


7 General Enhancements

7.1 Database Output Options

All the functionality provided by the withdrawn DATAL module isavailable by using the OUTPUT options in DESIGN, DRAFT,PARAGON and SPOOLER. This is accessed via the Utilities>DBListing menu option.

The data output options are as follows:

Elements

All elements, or just specific types of elements (up to 10 specifictypes) can be output.

Attributes

Standard attributes can be added to, or omitted from, the output.

User defined attributes can be added to, or omitted from, theoutput.

Cross-reference attributes can be added to, or omitted from, theoutput.

Re-input

The output file can be re-input to create new, or modify existing,elements.

Format

The output file can show original reference numbers ascomments.

The output file can be indexed with line numbers.

The output file can be indented with character spaces to be morereadable.

The on-line help shows how to access these facilities using the formsand menus.

General Enhancements


7.2 Setting Formats for Units

7.2.1 Enhancement of Unit Format Options

At PDMS11.2, the mechanism behind the Session Units form waschanged to include the setting of a global format object within PDMSto either metric or imperial units. This meant that any text gadgetwith a format for distance would use the current units as set by theform. The form did not, however, allow the system administrator to setup their own format for displaying units. An enhancement has nowbeen introduced to permit this.

The new Current Session Units form allows users to select the currentunits for distances and bores, as before, but with the added option ofselecting the format in which those units are to be displayed.

The form has two default formats for distances and two for bores,derived from a defaults file stored in the PDMSDFLTS directory. Thisfile, named com-format-dflts.pmldata, is run as a macro by the formatobject to load the user-defined formats. By modifying this file, theadministrator can add other formats to the project for use by users.

7.2.2 Administration of Unit Formats

An extract from a com-format-dflts.pmldata file is shown below,showing the format of the file:

---------------------- <File Header> ----------------------- Copyright (c) Cadcentre 1999-- File: com-format-dflts.pmldat-- Type: Data File PML format-- Group: General Application-- Keyword: GEN-- Module: common-- Replaces:-- Author: A.Kirkland-- Created: Fri Nov 5 14:26:27 "GMT 1999-- Last modified by $Author: $ on $Date: $-- $Revision: $-- Description:-- Macro to load user defined formats



---------------------- <Holding Arrays> ----------------------- temporary array to populate the standard object (formats) !!tmpFormat = ARRAY() !!tmpDesc = ARRAY() !!tmpType = ARRAY()

7.2.3 Examples to Use as a Template for User-Defined Formats

-- Format (0'-0.0/0") !format = object FORMAT() !!tmpType.append(|DISTANCE|) !!tmpDesc.append(|Feet & Inches (Fractions eg. 0'-0.0/0")|) !format.CompSeparator = || !format.Denominator = 32 !format.Dimension = |L| !format.DP = 2 !format.ENU = true !format.Fraction = true !format.FtLabel = |'-| !format.InchSeparator = |.| !format.Label = |"| !format.PadFractions = false !format.Units = |FINCH| !format.Zeros = false

!!tmpFormat.append(!format)

-- Format (00ft 00in 00/00) !format = object FORMAT() !!tmpType.append(|DISTANCE|) !!tmpDesc.append(|Feet & Inches (Fraction eg. 00ft 00in 00/00)|) !format.CompSeparator = || !format.Denominator = 32 !format.Dimension = |L| !format.DP = 2



!format.ENU = true !format.Fraction = true !format.FtLabel = |ft| !format.InchSeparator = |in | !format.Label = || !format.PadFractions = false !format.Units = |FINCH| !format.Zeros = false


return

Each of the above blocks defines a format which will be loaded into theform. The description is used for displaying in the units form itself, soit is a good idea to show an example of the format generated here foreasy selection on the form.

7.2.4 How to Define a User Format

Each of the members of the format object defines how the displayedunit will look to the user.

-- Format (00ft 00in 00/00) !format = object FORMAT() !!tmpType.append(|DISTANCE|) !!tmpDesc.append(|Feet & Inches (Fraction eg. 00ft 00in 00/00)|) !format.CompSeparator = || !format.Denominator = 32 !format.Dimension = |L| !format.DP = 2 !format.ENU = true !format.Fraction = true !format.FtLabel = |ft| !format.InchSeparator = |in | !format.Label = ||



!format.PadFractions = false !format.Units = |FINCH| !format.Zeros = false



8 PML and Forms and Menus Changes

The major PML enhancement is improved robustness and fasterrunning of PML 2 Functions and Methods, especially where largearrays are involved.

The PML process will now report errors that were previously ignored,such as missing ENDDO, ENDIF and ENDHANDLE commands.

8.1 PML Syntax for Setting Attributes

You can now set attributes of database elements using PML syntax.You must make sure that the type of the new value matches the type ofthe attribute. The form of the command is:

dbref.attributeName = PMLvariable

For example:

!!ce.poss = !pos

!dbref.name = '/PIPE-100'

!!CE.Built = TRUE

You can even assign a PML object, such as POSITION, where thiscorresponds to the type of the attribute:

!!CE .Position = !NewPosition

Note that where the type of an attribute is a PML object, it is notpossible to set an object member value directly – this must be done intwo stages:

!Pos = !!CE.Position!Pos.Up = 2000!!CE.Position = !Pos

The following table shows the PML types corresponding to PDMSattribute types.

PML and Forms and Menus Changes


Attribute type can be set from PML typeREAL REALINT REAL (takes nearest integer)LOG BOOLEANTEXT STRINGWORD STRING (truncates to uppercase 4

characters)POS POSITIONORI ORIENTATIONDIR DIRECTIONREF DBREFBORE BORE

ARRAY attrib ARRAY filled with corresponding PMLvariable types

ARRAY attrib element Corresponding PML variable typee.g. !!CE.LEVEL[1] = 22

8.2 New and Extended PML Objects

This is a summary of the new and changed PML objects for thisrelease. See the Cadcentre Software Customisation Reference Manualfor full details.

There is a new PROFILE object, which is used to maintain andmanipulate a profile definition, regardless of the type of profile-baseddatabase element it is used to create or modify. This will allow theapplicationware to develop a single, simple interface for all databaseelements that have their geometry defined by a profile.

The object allows faster querying of the profile definition. The resultwill be more accurate, as the new object is able to handle curves,whereas the current implementation ignores all curves on boundaries.

The LINE and ARC objects have a new DRAW method to draw the lineor arc as an aid line or arc, using exact arc graphics.

PML and Forms and Menu Changes


There is a new LOCATION object for use with PDMS GlobalManagement. It has the following members:

NameDescriptionLocidRefnoIsCurrent

and the following methods:Dblist()Sessions()String()

There are new methods on the PROJECT object:Locations()CurrentLocation()Sessions()CurrentSession()

There are new members on the SESSION object:LocationNameIsRemote

and a new method:Location()

The TEAM, USER, MDB and DB objects each have a new member:Refno

The USER object also has a new method:

WorkingList()

which returns a list of DB objects for the user's Working extracts.

Note that the LOCATION, TEAM, USER, MDB and DB objects may allbe constructed from a string. For example:

!T = OBJECT TEAM( 'CTBATEST')

!M = OBJECT MDB( '/CTBATEST')

!DB = OBJECT DB( 'CTBATEST/DESI')

8.2.1 The ALERT Object

This allows you to obtain textual input from the operator via a blockingalert which overrides all other interactive activities. The alert can becalled by the alert methods:

PML and Forms and Menus Changes


!!Alert.Input( !prompt is STRING, !default is STRING) is STRING

!!Alert.Input( !prompt is STRING, !default is STRING, Xpos is REAL, Ypos is Real) is STRING

!prompt is displayed to prompt the user and !default is the default value inthe alert’s text input field.

Xpos,Ypos define the alert’s top-left-hand corner in normalised screencoordinates.

For example:

!A = !!Alert.Input( 'Type item code:', 'P10101' )

Note that this function has been added to provide the GUI equivalentof the command

Var !x read

which is only valid in tty mode.

To achieve flexible, user-friendly interfaces, the input alert should beused sparingly because of its blocking nature.


Form NOQUIT AttributeForms now have a NOQUIT attribute, which may be set to stop formsfrom being hidden from the border close/quit pull-down menu. This isdone at form definition using:

Setup form !!MyForm … NOQUIT

By default user-defined forms are quittable, except for the currentsystem Main form.

User Validation CallbackThe text field gadget has an optional user VALIDATION callbackmember which the user can specify:

!textfield.ValidateCall = <callback_string>

See the Cadcentre Software Customisation Guide for more information.

TooltipsTool tips can now be defined for List and Selector gadgets.

2D View ControlsThe following enhancements have been made to improve usability oflaptop keyboards, which frequently do not have a numeric keypad, andto preserve the similarity with the 3D viewing operations:

PML and Forms and Menu Changes


• PageUp and PageDown keys zoom in and out.• Home key returns to full zoom.

3D View ControlsThe following changes have been made to allow consistency withReviewLE and to improve usability on laptop keyboards, whichfrequently do not have the numeric keypad:

• PageUp, PageDown keys provide zoom/walk-through control.

• Arrow keys now rotate instead of panning. Alt+Arrow keys pan.

• Walk-through only operates when perspective is present andreverts to pan for parallel projections.

• Saving and restoring views directly from the keyboard has beenwithdrawn to allow more consistent use of the keys. Save andrestore are already available from the view pull-down menu or frompictorial buttons on the left-hand side of the view.

8.4 Removal of Form COPY Syntax

The following syntax, deprecated at PDMS 11.1, has now beenremoved:

Setup form !!newform COPY !!oldform ...

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