PDMS Design Reference Manual Part1

PDMS Design
Reference Manual
Part 1: General Commands
Version 11.6SP1
pdms1161/Design Reference Manual Part1

Issue 270605
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Revision History
Date Version Notes

March 2003 11.5 Updates for this release.
June 2004 11.6 Updates for this release.
August 2004 11.6 Minor additions for this release.
June 2005 11.6SP1 Corrections for this release.
VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual Revision History-i

Version 11.6SP1
Revision History
Revision History-ii VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

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Contents
1 Introduction....................................................................................................1-1
1.1 About the Design Reference Manual........................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Organisation of the Design Reference Manual............................................................ 1-1
1.3 Organisation of this Manual ......................................................................................... 1-2
2 How to Use the Syntax Graphs.....................................................................2-1
2.1 Commands .................................................................................................................. 2-2
2.2 Command Arguments.................................................................................................. 2-2
2.3 Standard Syntax Graphs ............................................................................................. 2-3
2.3.1 Universal Expression <expr> .................................................................... 2-4
2.3.2 Date/Time <date> ..................................................................................... 2-5
2.3.3 Physical Dimension <uval> ....................................................................... 2-6
2.3.4 Design Element Type <snoun> or <noun> ............................................... 2-7
2.3.5 Design Element Identity <gid> .................................................................. 2-9
2.3.6 3D Design Points <marke> ..................................................................... 2-12
2.3.7 Axial Position <pos> <axes>.................................................................. 2-13
2.3.8 3D Position <bpos>................................................................................ 2-14
2.3.9 3D Axis Direction <dir> .......................................................................... 2-15
2.3.10 3D Direction <bdir> ................................................................................ 2-16
2.3.11 Selection <selatt>.................................................................................... 2-17
2.4 Command Input Modes ............................................................................................. 2-19
3 General PDMS Commands ...........................................................................3-1
3.1 Entering Design ........................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2 Saving.......................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2.1 Saving Design Work.................................................................................. 3-1
3.2.2 Saving and Restoring the Display ............................................................. 3-2
3.3 The Alpha Display........................................................................................................ 3-2
3.3.1 Saving the Alpha Log ................................................................................ 3-2
3.3.2 Clearing the Alpha Views .......................................................................... 3-4
3.4 Leaving Design ............................................................................................................ 3-4
3.4.1 Changing Modules .................................................................................... 3-4
3.4.2 Exit from Design without Saving Changes ................................................ 3-4
3.5 Setting Working Units and Tolerances ........................................................................ 3-5
3.5.1 Setting Working Units................................................................................ 3-5
3.5.2 Setting Output Precision of Distance Units ............................................... 3-6
3.5.3 Switching between Actual and Nominal Bores.......................................... 3-8
3.6 Audible Error Trace...................................................................................................... 3-8
3.7 Switching Text Output Off............................................................................................ 3-9
3.8 Giving Operating System Commands from PDMS...................................................... 3-9
3.9 General Querying Facilities ....................................................................................... 3-10
3.9.1 Querying Your Current Module ............................................................... 3-10
3.9.2 Querying Your System ............................................................................ 3-10
3.9.3 Querying Your Current Output Devices .................................................. 3-11
3.9.4 Querying the Command Implementation Mode ...................................... 3-12
VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual Contents-i
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Contents
3.9.5 Asking for a Unique Workstation Code ................................................... 3-12

3.9.6 Querying Elements and Attributes in DBs............................................... 3-12
4 Design Databases and MDBs .......................................................................4-1
4.1 MDB Mode................................................................................................................... 4-1
4.2 Checking the Current User Status ............................................................................... 4-2
4.3 Checking the Current System Status........................................................................... 4-2
4.4 Listing Project Information ........................................................................................... 4-3
4.5 Sessions ...................................................................................................................... 4-5
4.5.1 Session Comments ................................................................................... 4-5
4.6 Querying MDB Information .......................................................................................... 4-6
4.6.1 Querying Individual Database Information ................................................ 4-6
4.7 Change Management .................................................................................................. 4-7
4.7.1 Querying the Last Modification to an Element or Attribute........................ 4-7
4.7.2 Querying the Session History for an Element or Attribute......................... 4-8
4.7.3 Querying Details of a Specific Session ..................................................... 4-8
4.7.4 Querying Session Number for a Given Time ............................................ 4-9
4.8 The Comparison Date.................................................................................................. 4-9
4.8.1 Setting the Comparison Date .................................................................. 4-10
4.8.2 Querying the Comparison Date............................................................... 4-11
4.8.3 The MODIFIED Function......................................................................... 4-12
4.8.4 The CREATED Function ......................................................................... 4-14
4.8.5 The DELETED Function.......................................................................... 4-14
4.8.6 The GEOM, CATTEXT, and CATMOD Special Attributes ...................... 4-14
4.8.7 Querying Any Attribute at the Comparison Date ..................................... 4-16
4.9 Using Multiwrite Databases ....................................................................................... 4-16
4.9.1 User Claims............................................................................................. 4-17
4.9.2 Notes on Standard Multiwrite DBs .......................................................... 4-18
4.9.3 Extract Databases................................................................................... 4-19
4.9.4 How to Find Out What You Can Claim.................................................... 4-21
4.10 Comparing Database Changes ................................................................................. 4-26
4.10.1 Comparing Database States at Different Times...................................... 4-26
4.11 Creating Database Update Macros ........................................................................... 4-27
4.12 Inter-DB Connection Macros ..................................................................................... 4-28
5 Display............................................................................................................5-1
5.1 Adding Elements to the Display................................................................................... 5-1
5.1.1 Selecting Graphics Colours Automatically ................................................ 5-3
5.1.2 Removing Elements from the Display ....................................................... 5-5
5.1.3 Defining Colours........................................................................................ 5-6
5.2 Element Representation .............................................................................................. 5-8
5.2.1 Setting Tube Representation for Piping Components............................... 5-9
5.2.2 Setting Profile Representation for Steelwork ............................................ 5-9
5.2.3 Setting Drawing Level Representation.................................................... 5-10
5.2.4 Setting Obstruction & Insulation Representation for Piping Components5-12
5.2.5 Setting Obstruction Representation for Steelwork .................................. 5-13
5.2.6 Setting P-Point Representation............................................................... 5-14
5.2.7 Setting Structural Node Representation.................................................. 5-15
5.2.8 Setting P-Line Representation ................................................................ 5-16
5.2.9 Setting Holes Representation ................................................................. 5-17
5.2.10 Setting Arc Tolerance Representation .................................................... 5-17
5.2.11 Refreshing the Graphical View................................................................ 5-18
Contents-ii VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

Contents
5.3 Specifying Axes ......................................................................................................... 5-18

5.4 Graphical Labelling of Design Elements.................................................................... 5-19
5.5 Using Design Aids ..................................................................................................... 5-20
5.6 Highlighting Components in the Designs................................................................... 5-24
5.7 Spatial Maps .............................................................................................................. 5-25
5.7.1 Checking the Spatial Maps ..................................................................... 5-25
5.7.2 Creating or Updating Spatial Maps ......................................................... 5-26
6 Using Rules to Define Attribute Settings.....................................................6-1
6.1 Setting Attribute Rules ................................................................................................. 6-1
6.2 Verifying Attribute Rules .............................................................................................. 6-2
6.3 Executing Attribute Rules ............................................................................................ 6-3
6.4 Deleting Attribute Rules ............................................................................................... 6-3
7 Interacting with a Graphical View.................................................................7-1
7.1 Identifying Displayed Items and Points........................................................................ 7-1
7.1.1 Identifying Displayed Elements using the Cursor...................................... 7-1
7.1.2 Identifying Tube using the Cursor ............................................................. 7-2
7.1.3 Identifying Displayed Points using the Cursor........................................... 7-2
7.1.4 Identifying Items with a 2D Pick ................................................................ 7-3
7.2 3D Pins ........................................................................................................................ 7-4
7.2.1 Setting a Pin’s Position and Direction Explicitly ........................................ 7-5
7.2.2 Making a Pin Visible.................................................................................. 7-5
7.2.3 Locating a Pin by Copying or Connecting ................................................. 7-6
7.2.4 Moving a Pin ............................................................................................. 7-7
7.2.5 General Pin Moves.................................................................................... 7-7
7.3 Constructs.................................................................................................................... 7-8
7.4 Isodraft Mode............................................................................................................. 7-10
8 Design Database Elements...........................................................................8-1
8.1 Elements...................................................................................................................... 8-1
8.1.1 Creating Elements..................................................................................... 8-1
8.1.2 Creating Elements at a Given Position in the Member List....................... 8-2
8.1.3 Deleting Elements ..................................................................................... 8-3
8.1.4 Reorganising the Hierarchy....................................................................... 8-4
8.1.5 Copying …………… .................................................................................. 8-5
8.1.6 Copying and Renaming............................................................................. 8-6
8.2 The Standard Design Element Attributes .................................................................... 8-6
8.2.1 The Type of Element and its Owner.......................................................... 8-7
8.2.2 Naming Design Elements.......................................................................... 8-8
8.2.3 Renaming Elements and their Offspring ................................................... 8-8
8.2.4 Locking Elements Against Alteration and Deletion .................................. 8-9
8.2.5 The Position and Orientation Attributes .................................................... 8-9
8.3 Navigation.................................................................................................................. 8-10
8.3.1 Going to the Previously Accessed Element ............................................ 8-11
8.3.2 Going to an Implied Tube or Rod ............................................................ 8-11
8.3.3 Ascending the Design Hierarchy............................................................. 8-12
8.3.4 Other Navigation Commands.................................................................. 8-12
8.4 Setting a Synonym for an Element Name.................................................................. 8-13
VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual Contents-iii

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Contents
9 Error Messages..............................................................................................9-1
Index
Contents-iv VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

Contents
VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual Contents-v

Version 11.6SP1
1 Introduction
1.1 About the Design Reference Manual
The VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual describes all the Design
commands in detail. It also describes how the Design database is
structured, the Design database elements and their attributes.
Design is normally used interactively. The Graphical User Interface
(GUI) provides discipline-based applications which help you to create,
check and report on the model. How to use the applications is described
in user guides and on-line help.
This manual is written for experienced users of VANTAGE PDMS Design
who need to use commands; for example, to write batch macros or to
customise the GUI. If you are going to customise the GUI, you will also
need to refer to the Plant Design Software Customisation Guide and
Plant Design Software Customisation Reference Manual for information
about PML, the AVEVA programming language.
1.2 Organisation of the Design Reference Manual
The Design Reference Manual has four parts:

• Part 1 (this volume) describes general Design commands, which are used,
for example, for setting up the display, and querying and navigating
around the Design database. It also describes how to use the command
syntax graphs, which are used to show all the options available for each
command.
• Part 2, Creating the Model, describes the commands for creating database
elements and setting their attributes.
• Part 3, Elements and Attributes, contains details of all the elements which
can be created in the Design database, their position in the database
hierarchy and their attributes.
• Part 4, Utilities, describes the Design Utilities for data consistency
checking and clash detection, and for exporting Design data to programs
such as Review.
VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual 1-1

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Introduction
1.3 Organisation of this Manual
This manual, Part 1, is divided into the following chapters:

• Chapter 2 describes How to use the Syntax Graphs, and also shows the
standard syntax graphs which are often referenced from other graphs.
• Chapter 3, General PDMS Commands, describes commands used for
saving work, setting units and tolerances, and handling alphanumeric
output. These commands are common to several PDMS modules, but are
included here for convenience.
• Chapter 4, Design Databases and MDBs, describes how to handle multiple
databases from within Design, database sessions, how to query
information about the project, and how to used multiwrite databases.
• Chapter 5, Display, describes how to control the way the model is
displayed in a graphical view.
• Chapter 6, Using Rules, gives some examples of using rules in Design to
control attribute settings.
• Chapter 7, Interacting with a Graphical View, describes how commands
can accept input from picked items in the graphical view, and how to
define construction aids and label the design elements. Note that the
commands in this chapter have generally been superseded by newer
graphical facilities available from the GUI, and are only included as
information for users maintaining older code.
• Chapter 8, Design Database Elements, describes the commands to create
Design elements and set the attributes common to all Design elements,
and how to navigate about a Design database hierarchy.
• Chapter 9, Error Messages, explains some of the error messages which
may be generated by Design.
1-2 VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

2 How to Use the Syntax Graphs
The commands described in this chapter are presented in the form of
syntax graphs.
• Syntax graphs are read from top left to bottom right. The start point is
shown by >, and you can follow any path through the graph until the exit
point, shown by >, is reached.
• Points marked with a plus sign (+) are option junctions which allow you
to input any one of the commands to the right of the junction. For
example:
>----+--- ABC -----.

| |
|--- PQR -----|
| |
`-------------+--->
means you can type in ABC or PQR or just press Enter to get the default
option.
• Text in angle brackets <. . . > is the name of another syntax graph. This
convention is used for syntax which occurs in many places. The graphs
referred to are described at the end of this section. For example:
>----+--- ABC -----.

| |
|--- PQR -----|
| |
|--- <dia> ---|
| |
`-------------+--->
means you can type in ABC or PQR or any command allowed by the
syntax given in diagram <dia> or just press Enter to get the default
option.
• Points marked with an asterisk (*) are loop back junctions. Command
options following these may be repeated as required. For example:
.-----<-------.
/ |
>---*--- option1 ---|
| |
|--- option2 ---|
| |
`--- option3 ---+--->
means that you can enter any combination of option1 and/or option2
and/or option3, where the options can be commands, other syntax
diagrams, or command arguments.

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How to Use the Syntax Graphs
The simplified format:
.----<------.
/ |
>---*--- name ----+--->
means that you may type in a list of PDMS names, separated by at least
one space.
2.1 Commands
Commands are shown in a combination of uppercase and lowercase

letters, where the capital letters indicate the minimum abbreviation.
(Note: This convention does not mean that the second part of the
command must be typed in lowercase letters; commands may be entered
in any combination of uppercase and lowercase letters.)
For example, the command
CONStruct
can be input in any of the following forms:
CONS
CONST
CONSTR
CONSTRU
CONSTRUC
CONSTRUCT
Commands shown in all uppercase letters cannot be abbreviated.
2.2 Command Arguments
Command arguments are shown in lowercase letters. These are just

descriptions of what you need to enter. The most commonly used
descriptions are as follows:
integer A positive or negative whole number. For example:
2 –5 25
value A signed number with or without a decimal point. For example:
2.5 5 –3.8
letter A single alphabetic character
word A sequence of up to four letters, e.g. GATE WN P (may be
longer in some cases, but only the first four characters are
significant).

text A string of alphanumeric or symbol characters, which may

include spaces, enclosed between single closing quotation marks
or | characters.
This is normally used to add descriptive material to an
appropriate attribute. For example
DUTY ’Low Pressure’
space The space bar (not usually specified unless of special
significance)
name A sequence of characters preceded by a slash / and
representing a PDMS Element name. For example:
/BRANCH7 /305.ABC /P4/NOZ
Note: A name should always be followed by a space
(unless at the end of a line).
filename An external file name of the form
/filename
varid An identifier (for use with the VARIABLE command within
macros) of the form
!name
where ‘name’ is a text string. For example:
!COUNTER, !height
comma The ‘,’ character, which can be used to concatenate Design
commands. For example:
NEW FLANGE SELECT WITH STYP WN, CONNECT
plus minus star slash
These are the + (add), – (subtract), * (multiply) and / (divide)
operators, which can be used in arithmetic expressions. For
example:
(1 + 2), (1 – 2), (1 * 2), (1 / 2)
Note that there must be a space before and after each of these
operators.
Note: PML 1 expressions and variables are explained in the Plant Design
Software Customisation Reference Manual.
2.3 Standard Syntax Graphs
If a syntax graph refers to a second syntax graph, the name of the second
graph is shown in angle brackets. This convention is usually used for
standard syntax graphs which are widely used.
These syntax graphs are summarised below, and then shown in detail.

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<expr> Mathematical, textual or logical expressions

<uval> Physical dimension specification
<snoun> or <noun> Design element type
<gid> Design element identity
<marke> 3D Design points
(P-points, pins or P-lines)
<pos> or <axes> Axial position
<bpos> 3D position
<dir> Axial direction
<bdir> 3D direction
<selatt> Selection
2.3.1 Universal Expression <expr>

If a value given in a command needs to be calculated from other known
values, you can enter an expression, which is evaluated by Design as it
executes the command.
You will find details of PML 1 expressions in the Plant Design Software
Customisation Reference Guide. On-line help describing expressions
syntax is available from within Design applications.

2.3.2 Date/Time <date>

<date> has the general format Time Day Month Year.
Time has the format hour:mins. If no Time is given, the default is 23:59.
Day is a single or two-digit integer. If no Day is given, the default is
today. If no Time is given, Day must be specified.
Month may be entered as a word, or as a number surrounded by spaced /
characters. If no Month is given, the default is the current month.
Year may be entered as four digits or as two digits. Two-digit years are
interpreted within the date window
current_year – 99 to current_year
For example, in the year 2004:
03 means 2003
04 means 2004
05 means 1905
If no year is given, the default is the current year.
Examples
12:00 22 August 1999
9:30 29 / 8 / 99 Note spaces in numeric date format
10:30 Assumes current date
22 / 8 / 1999 Assumes time to be 23:59
22 August Assumes current year and time 23:59

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2.3.3 Physical Dimension <uval>

This syntax allows you to override the working (default) units for
dimensions .
>--+-- value ----.
| |
`-- <expr> ---+-- EXponential value --.
| |
`-----------------------+-- MM ------.
| |
|-- Metres --|
| |
|-- INches --|
| |
|-- FT ------|
| |
|-- FEet ----|
| |
|-- text ----|
| |
`------------+-->
Examples
5 5 in current working units
EX3 5500 in current working units
5.3/4 5.75 in current working units
5’ 5 feet (only use when working units are FINCH)
5’6 5 feet 6 inches (only use when working units are FINCH)
5’6.3/4 5 feet 6.75 inches (only use when working units are FINCH)
5 INCHES 5 inches (regardless of current working units)
5 M 5 metres (regardless of current working units)
5’6.3/4 IN 5 feet 6.75 inches (regardless of current working units)
(5 + 2) IN 7 inches (regardless of current working units)
NOTE: Values are always held within Design as metric units. When output,
values are rounded as follows:
• Millimetres to the nearest millimetre
• Inches to the nearest 1/32 or 0.1 inch

2.3.4 Design Element Type <snoun> or <noun>

This syntax graph refers to an Element Type in the Design hierarchy. To
save space, the available element types are presented as simple lists
rather than as syntax diagrams:
Administrative:
WORLds SITes ZONes GPWlds GROups
Equipment and Civils:
EQUipments STRuctures SUBEquipments
SUBStructures PTRacks CYLinders
CONEs SNOuts DIShes
SLCylinders BOXes PYRamids
RTORuses CTORuses RPLanes
PVOlumes NOZzles POHedrons
POGons EXTRusions REVOlutions
LOOPs VERTEX NBOXes
NCYLinders NCONes NSNOuts
NDISHes NSLCylinders NPYRamids
NCTOruses NRTOruses NXTRusions
NREVolutions
Steelwork:
RPLGroups FRMWorks SBFRameworks
PNODes SNODes PJOInts
SJOInts SCTNs FITTings
LOAPoints PANEls PLOOps
PAVErtex STRUctures SUBStructures
PFITtings CMFittings CMPFittings
SBFIttings
Piping, Hangers and Supports:
PIPes BRAnches RESTraints
HANGers INSTruments ELBows
BENds TEEs VALves
REDucers FLAnges FLGS
GASkets WELds PCOmponents
OLEts ATTAchments DUCtings
VENts FTUbes SHUs
COUplings CLOsures LJSes
FBLinds CAPs VTWays
VFWays TRAps FILters
UNIons CROsses HELEments
SCLAmps PCLAmps RODs

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HVAC:
HVAC
BRAnches
The following are soft-types for use with the HVAC Designer application:
AHU Air handling unit
BATT Battery: heater, cooler
BRCO Branch connector: boot, square, fish, angled, tapered, mitred etc.
COWL Roof cowl
DAMP Damper
FLEX Flexible tube, flexible bend, material connection
GASK Gasket
GRIL Grille
HACC Access panel
HFAN Centrifugal fan
HSAD Saddle
IDAM Internal damper
MESH Mesh end
OFST Offset: cranked, mitred, radiused
PLAT Spigot plate
PLEN Spigot box, plenum
SILE Silencer
SKIR Skirt
SPLI Splitter: flow splitter, deflectrol, air turning vanes
STIF Stiffening flange
STRT Straight
TAPE Taper
THRE Threeway: radiused, twin bend, breeches etc.
TP Test point, test holes
TRNS Transformation: square to round, square to flat oval, oval A to
oval B etc.
Datums and Constraints:
BOUNdary DRAWIngs DATums
POInts IPOints TANpoints
GRDmodels TEXts

2.3.5 Design Element Identity <gid>

This syntax identifies a Design Element. The main syntax graph is
<gid>, shown below. The sub-graphs follow.
.-------------------------------.
| |
<gid> >----+-- <nexid> ------------+-------|
| | |
|-- <snoun> -+----------| |
| | | |
| |- <next> -+- OF --’
| | |
| | ‘---------.
| | |
| ‘-- <id> ------------|
| |
|-- <othid> ----------------------|
| |
|-- <id> -------------------------|
| |
`-- <clos> -----------------------+----->
Direct identification: by reference to name/reference number <id>,

hierarchy <othid>, or to a point selected
from
display <curid>:
<id> >--+-- name ---.
| |
`-- refno --+-->
<othid> >--+-- CE ---------.
| |
|-- SAMe -------|
| |
|-- ELEMent ----|
| |
`-- <curid> ----+-->
<curid> >-- IDentify --+-- <snoun> ---.
| |
|-- Tube ------|
| |
`--------------+-- @ -->
Indirect identification: by reference to other elements, parts of

elements or adjacent members in the
database hierarchy

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<nextid> >-+- HEad ----.

| |
|- TAil ----|
| |
|- ILeave --|
| |
|- IArrive -+-- <tubid> ---.
| |
|-- <next> -- <snoun> -----|
| |
|-- OWNer -----------------|
| |
`-- END -------------------+--->
<tubid> >-+-- TUBe--.

| |
`-- ROD --+-->
<next> >-+-- LAst -----.

| |
|-- FIrst ----|
| |
|-- PREvious -|
| |
|-- NEXt -----+-- integer --.
| | |
| ‘-------------+-- MEMbers--.
| |
`-- integer -----------------------------+-- OF ->
Identification by physical position in the design model:

.----<----.
/ |
<clos> >- CLOSest -*- <snoun> -+- WITH <expr> -.
| |
`---------------+- UP ----.
|- DOWN --|
|- EAST --|
|- WEST --|
|- NORTH -|
`- SOUTH -+-.
.----------------------------<--------------------’
`-+- EXTENT <expr> -.
| |
`-----------------+- AFTER <expr> -.
| |
`----------------+- FROM <bpos> -.
| |
`---------------+->
WITH specifies rule restricting choice of element (default is no restriction);
EXTENT specifies how far to search before giving up (default is 10 metres);
AFTER specifies that search is to start after given distance in given direction
(default is zero);
FROM specifies reference position from which search is initiated (default is
CE).

Examples
/EQUIP10 Named design Element
SAME Previous Element accessed
OWN Owner of Current Element
GOTO SPRE Specification of Current (piping) Element
NEXT 2 Second Next Element at same level

4 Fourth Member of Current Element
LAST 3 MEM Third Last Member of Current Element
END Next element up in hierarchy
SITE Site above Current Element
ZONE 3 Third Zone
NEXT 2 PIPE Second Next Pipe
PREV BOX
FIRST ZONE OF /SITE 5
PIPE OF /VALV101
FIRST MEM OF BRAN3 OF /PIPE10
HEAD OF FIRST BRAN
CLOSEST VALV EAST
Closest valve to current element in East direction in design
model (note that syntax accepts only cardinal directions,
which must be entered in full)
CLOS VALV NORTH FROM E100 N200 U300
Closest valve in North direction starting from given position
(valves found before this position are ignored)

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2.3.6 3D Design Points <marke>

This syntax describes 3D Design Points and their Attributes. A Design
Point is
• A P-point
• A temporary Pin
• A cursor position
Pin:
>-- PIn integer -->
P-point:
>--+-- PArrive ---------.

| |
|-- PLeave ----------|
| |
|-- PHead -----------|
| |
|-- PTail -----------|
| |
|-- HHead -----------|
| |
|-- HTail -----------|
| |
`-- Ppoint integer --+-- OF <gid> --.
| |
`---------------+-->
Cursor:
>-- IDPpoint @ -->
Examples
P3 P-point 3 of Current Element
PL OF PREV Leave P-point of previous element
PH Branch Head P-point
HT OF /HANG5 Hanger Tail P-point of named Hanger
IDP @ Cursor pick

2.3.7 Axial Position <pos> <axes>

This syntax specifies a 3D position in space in terms of an axial
coordinate system.
>-- <pos> --+-- <axes> --.
| |
`------------+-->
where:
<pos> = >--+-- <nsy> --+-- <udz> ----- <ewx> ---.
| | |
| |-- <ewx> --+-- <udz> ---|
| | | |
| | `------------|
| | |
| `------------------------|
| |
|-- <udz> --+-- <nsy> ----- <ewx> ---|
| | |
| |-- <ewx> --+-- <nsy> ---|
| | | |
| | `------------|
| | |
| ‘------------------------|
| |
`-- <ewx> --+-- <udz> ----- <nsy> ---|
| |
|-- <nsy> --+-- <udz> ---|
| | |
| `------------|
| |
`------------------------+-->
and where:
<nsy> = >--+-- North --.
| |
|-- Y ------|
| |
‘-- South --+-- <uval> -->
<udz> = >--+-- Up ----.

| |
|-- Z -----|
| |
‘-- Down --+-- <uval> -->
<ewz> = >--+-- East --.

| |
|-- X -----|
| |
‘-- West --+-- <uval> -->
<axes> = >--+-- WRT --.

| |
‘-- IN ---+-- <gid> -->

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Examples
E1000 East 1000
Z10 Up 10
E30 D10 S20 East 30 Down 10 South 20
E0 IN SITE East 0 in Site
2.3.8 3D Position <bpos>

This syntax provides a 3D position in terms of a specified coordinate, a
known identity or point, or a cursor position.
General axial position: >-- <pos> --+-- <axes> --.
| |
‘------------+-->
(see previous subsection)
3D Design point: <marke> (see above)
General element identity: <gid> (see above)
Cursor position: >-- @ -->
Examples
E300 N1000 U2500 Coordinate position
PIN6 Pin position
/VESSEL10 Origin of /VESSEL10
@ Working grid position closest to the crosshair
position and through the Current Element Origin
plane
NOTE: Cursor positioning (e.g. AXES AT @) can only be carried out in
orthogonal views.

2.3.9 3D Axis Direction <dir>

This syntax provides a 3D direction expressed in terms of a coordinate
system.
>-+-<nsy>-+-<exp_val>-+-<ewx>-+-<exp_val>-+-<udz>-+-<exp_val>--.
| | | | | | |
| | | | | ‘-------------|
| | | | ‘----------------------|
| | | ‘--------------------------------|
| | | |
| | |-<udz>-+-<exp_val>-+-<ewx>-+-<exp_val>---|
| | | | | | |
| | | | | ‘-------------|
| | | | ‘---------------------|
| | | ‘---------------------------------|
| | ‘-----------------------------------------|
| ‘---------------------------------------------------|
|-<udz>-+-<exp_val>-+-<nsy>-+-<exp_val>-+-<ewx>-+-<exp_val>--|
| | | | | | |
| | | | | ‘-------------|
| | | | ‘----------------------|
| | | ‘--------------------------------|
| | | |
| | |-<ewx>-+-<exp_val>-+-<nsy>-+-<exp_val>---|
| | | | | | |
| | | | | ‘-------------|
| | | | ‘---------------------|
| | | ‘---------------------------------|
| | ‘-----------------------------------------|
| ‘---------------------------------------------------|
| |
‘-<ewx>-+-<exp_val>-+-<nsy>-+-<exp_val>-+-<udz>-+-<exp_val>--|
| | | | | |
| | | | ‘--------------|
| | | ‘-----------------------|
| | ‘---------------------------------|
| | |
| |-<udz>-+-<exp_val>-+-<nsy>-+-<exp_val>----|
| | | | | |
| | | | ‘--------------|
| | | ‘----------------------|
| | ‘----------------------------------|
| ‘------------------------------------------|
‘----------------------------------------------------+-->

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where:
<nsy> = >--+-- North ---. <ewx> = >--+-- East --.

| | | |
|-- Y ------| |-- X -----|
| | | |
‘-- South --+--> ‘-- West --+-->
<udz> = >--+-- Up -----. <exp_val> = >--+-- <expr> --.
| | | |
|-- Z -----| ‘-- value ---+-->
| |
‘-- Down --+-->
Examples
E East
E45N East 45 North
W-33D West 33 Up
Y North
N45E33D North 45 East 33 Down
N10E10 North 45 East
2.3.10 3D Direction <bdir>

This syntax provides a 3D direction by making use of a specified axis
direction, a design point, or two 3D positions.
General axial direction
>-- <dir> --+-- <axes> ---.

| |
‘-------------+-->
(See previous subsections for <dir> and <axes>)
3D Design point direction:
<marke> (see above)
3D position direction:
>--+-- FRom <bpos> TOwards <bpos> -->

|
‘-- TOwards <bpos> -->
(see above for <bpos>)

Examples
N45E Axis direction
PL Design point direction
TOW E0 WRT SITE From Current Element Origin to SITE origin
FROM PIN6 TO PIN7 From Pin 6 to Pin 7
2.3.11 Selection <selatt>

This syntax lets you describe elements you want to include in, or exclude
from, operations. Typically, the following criteria are used to define a
selection:
• A class of elements or element types to be selected. You can specify
whether all members are to be included, or whether only items (the
lowest level components in the hierarchy below a given element) should be
included. See <selcla> below.
• A logical expression to be satisfied for all selected elements. These
expressions return either True or False, and are usually used to check the
values of attributes. See the Plant Design Software Customisation
Reference Manual.
• A physical volume in which all selected elements must lie. This volume is
always orthogonal to the World coordinate axes. You can specify this in
terms of two diagonally opposite points of an enclosing box, or as a volume
around an element (with an optional clearance around the element
selected). See <selvol> below.
• A point in the hierarchy below which all selected elements must lie. You
can follow this with an exclusion list to exclude elements from the
selection. See <selhie> below.
• A list (or collection), such as a drawlist, obstruction list or claimlist, of
which the selected elements must be members.
All of these criteria are optional, except for class. If all element types are
valid, this should be ALL.
If you specify more than one criterion, the specifications must be in the
above order, as shown by the following graphs:

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<selatt>= >-+- ALL -----------------------.

| |
| .------<-----. |
| | | |
‘- <selcla> -*- <selcla> -’ |
| |
‘----------------+--.
|
.-----------------<------------------------’
|
+- WIth --.
| |
|- WHere -+- <expr> -.
| |
‘--------------------+- <selvol> -.
| |
‘------------+- <selhie> -.
| |
‘------------+- <selfrom> -.
| |
‘-------------+-->
where <selcla> gives the class of items to be selected:
<selcla>= >--+-- <noun> ---.
| |
‘--- <gid> ---+-- MEMbers --.
| |
|-- ITEms ----|
| |
‘-------------+--->
<selvol> allows you to specify a volume to be selected:
<selvol>= >-+- WITHIN -----------.
| |
‘- EXCLusive WITHIN -+-- VOLume - <gid> -+- <expr> -.
| | |
| ‘--------|
| |
‘- <bpos> - TO - <bpos> -------+->
<selhie> gives the point in the hierarchy below which elements are to be
selected:
<selhie>= >-- FOR -- <gid> --+-- <gid> ------------.
| |
‘-- EXCLude - <gid> --+-->
<selfrom> limits the elements available to those in a specified list or
collection:
<selfrom>= >-- FROM --+-- !VAR -------.
| |
|-- DRAWLIST ---|
| |
|-- OBSTLIST ---|
| |
‘-- CLAIMLIST --+-->

Examples
ALL Selects all elements
ALL FRMW
Selects all framework elements
ALL BRANCH MEMBERS
Selects all piping components
ITEMS OF EQUI /VESS1
Selects all primitives below /VESS1
(/PIPE1 /PIPE2)
Selects just /PIPE1 and /PIPE2
ALL WITH (XLEN GT 1000)
Selects all elements where XLEN is greater than
1000mm
ALL WITHIN W8000N17000U1000 TO W1400N13500U1200
Selects all elements within the defined volume
ALL PIPE WITHIN VOLUME /PIPE1 1500
Selects all piping elements within a volume
defined as a box drawn around /PIPE1, with a
clearance of 1500mm between the edges of
/PIPE1 and the volume box.
You can minimise the time taken for any selection operation by making
the selection criteria as specific as possible, so that only relevant parts of
the databases are searched for the required elements. Where known,
specify the element type (e.g. ALL BOX ...), the database element under
which the search is to be restricted (e.g. ALL BOX FOR /ZONE1 ...), the
volume in which you are interested (e.g. ALL BOX WITHIN N5000
E5000 U0 TO N10000 E12000 U8000 ...), and so on. If you do not do this,
all databases in the current MDB will be searched, whether or not they
contain relevant types of element, and performance will be impaired.
2.4 Command Input Modes
Generally, in Design you are able to access the full range of Design
command syntax. However there are two modes where the syntax is
restricted to commands only relevant to that mode. The modes are:
• MDB mode allows you to change or query databases during a Design
session. Described in Chapter 4.
• DESCLASH mode allows you to check the design for clashes. Described in
the Design Reference Manual Part 4: Utilities.
To return to normal Design mode, enter the command EXIT.

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3 General PDMS Commands
3.1 Entering Design
Keyword: Design
Description: Enters Design. This command is available throughout PDMS.
3.2 Saving
3.2.1 Saving Design Work
Keyword: SAVEWORK [n] GETWORK [n]
Description: SAVEWORK saves the current Design changes without leaving Design.
It is good practice to use this command on a regular basis during a long
Design session to ensure maximum data security.
The optional number n can be used to specify a particular database for

the command. The number is the number of the database in the order
output by the STATUS command (see Section 4.2). If no number is
given, the SAVEWORK applies to the whole MDB.
GETWORK refreshes the view of all READ databases to pick up any

changes that other users may have made since you first opened them.
The optional n works in the same way as for SAVEWORK. You would
normally only use GETWORK if you know of specific changes you wish
to pick up and use. Please note that GETWORK slows up subsequent
database access, as the information has to be re-read from disk.
Therefore, you should use this command sparingly.

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General PDMS Commands
3.2.2 Saving and Restoring the Display
Keywords: RECREATE INSTALL
Description: These commands let you save and restore the graphical view(s) and the
forms as displayed before you exit from Design.
NOTE: Forms resized or moved using the cursor will be INSTALLed to their
original size.
Examples:
RECREATE /DS1 Saves the display definition in file /DS1.
RECREATE /DS1 OVER
Saves the display status in file /DS1. Any
existing file /DS1 is overwritten.
RECRE DISPLAY /DS1
Saves modal settings, e.g. working grid, units,
representation etc. Read back in using $M/name
INSTALL SETUP /DS1
Restores the display definition stored in file /DS1
Command Syntax:
>-- RECReate --+-- DISPlay --.

| |
‘-------------+-- name --+-- OVERwrite --.
| |
‘---------------+-->
>-- INSTALL SETUP name -->
3.3 The Alpha Display
3.3.1 Saving the Alpha Log

Keywords: ALPHA LOG ALPHA FILE
Description: Lets you save the alpha display information to a text file. Two types of
output are available, depending on the command used.
ALPHA LOG enables the contents of either or both of the COMMANDS

and REQUESTS alpha regions to be written to a file.

ALPHA FILE enables the contents of the REQUESTS regions only to be

written to file.
The ALPHA LOG and ALPHA FILE commands may be used to save data
such as the results of a data consistency check, or be used as a general
output facility.
NOTE: After an ALPHA file has been opened, subsequent output will be
directed to both the file and the screen until the file is closed, or until
you change to another PDMS module.
Examples:
ALP LOG /LF1 COMMANDS
Log information displayed in the COMMANDS
region in file /LF1
ALP LOG /LF1 OVER COMM
Log information displayed in the COMMANDS
region in file /LF1. Any existing file /LF1 will be
overwritten.
ALP LOG /LF2 Log information displayed in both alpha regions
in file /LF2
ALP FILE /LF2 Log information displayed in REQUESTS region
only
ALP LOG END Finish logging data
ALP FILE END
Command Syntax:
>-- ALPha --+-- LOG --+-- name --+- OVERwrite --.

| | | |
| | |- APPend -----|
| | | |
| | ‘--------------+-- COMMands -.
| | | |
| | |-- REQuests -|
| | | |
| | ‘-------------|
| | |
| ‘-- END --------------------------------|
| |
‘-- FILE --+-- name --+-- OVERwrite --------------|
| | |
| |-- APPend -----------------|
| | |
| ‘---------------------------|
| |
‘-- END -------------------------------+->

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3.3.2 Clearing the Alpha Views
Keywords: ALPHA CLEAR
Description: Each alpha region may be cleared by using a variation of the ALPHA
command.
Examples:
ALPHA COMMANDS CLEAR
Clears the text from the COMMANDS region
only.
ALPHA REQUESTS CLEAR
Clears the text from the REQUESTS region only.
Command Syntax:
>-- ALPha --+-- COMMands --.

| |
‘-- REQuests --+-- CLEAR -->
3.4 Leaving Design
3.4.1 Changing Modules

You can change to another PDMS module by typing the name of the
module. Design automatically saves your work before changing module.
3.4.2 Exit from Design without Saving Changes
Keywords: QUIT FINISH
Description: QUIT exits from Design without saving any changes or the display
setup. QUIT has the effect of deleting any changes made since the last
SAVEWORK, module change or MDB change.
FINISH also exits from Design without saving any changes, but in this
case you are taken directly to the operating system of your computer.
Examples:
QUIT Exit from Design (and enter Monitor)
QUIT ISODRAFT Exit from Design and enter Isodraft

FINISH Exit from Design to the operating system
Command Syntax:
>-- QUIT --+-- modulename --.

| |
‘----------------+-->
>-- FINISH -->
3.5 Setting Working Units and Tolerances
These functions let you set the dimensioning units and precision for
design placement and element searching operations. The designer can
choose at any time to work with metric or imperial units and can
differentiate between the units used for nominal pipe bores and for
general linear dimensions. Tolerance settings are available for general
3D positioning, plus special tolerance controls for pipe and structural
steelwork layouts. A search radius (the ‘hit radius’) can be specified for
cursor picking operations.
3.5.1 Setting Working Units

Keywords: MILLIMETRE MM INCH FINCH
Description: You can choose to work with units for nominal bores and dimensions
other than those specified in the Catalogue. The PDMS default is to
work in millimetres for nominal bores and distances. However, the
Catalogue can contain company-specific instructions that alter the
defaults; say, feet and inches. After the units setting is changed, all
input and output will take place in the new units unless specifically
stated.
Examples:
MM BORE
All bores will be input and output in mm
FINCH DIS
All distances and coordinates will be input and output in feet and inches
UNITS /PERCHES
All distances and coordinates will be input and output in the units defined in
the units definition element /PERCHES in the Properties Database
UNITS DEF
Uses the default Catalogue database units

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UNITS ‘Standard’ PDMS units

NOTE: 3 feet 6 inches must be input as 3’6 when using FINCH units.
Command Syntax:
>--+-- MILlimetre --.

| |
|-- MM ----------|
| |
|-- INch --------|
| |
‘-- FInch -------+-- BOres ------.
| |
‘-- DIstances --+-->
>-- UNITS --+-- <id> -----.

| |
|-- DEFault --|
| |
‘-------------+-->
Querying:
Q UNIts
Q DISPLAY Gives tolerance and level settings, as well as unit settings
3.5.2 Setting Output Precision of Distance Units

NOTE: You must not change the precision if you are customising the AVEVA
Applicationware. You should only use this command if you are writing a
completely new application.
Keywords: PRECISION
Description:
Output dimensions, in the current units, are normally rounded to the
following degrees of precision:
Millimetres To the nearest mm (e.g. 316)
Inches To the nearest 0.1 inch (e.g. 38.8)
Feet and inches To the nearest 1/32 inch (e.g. 3’7.15/32)
Output for setting variables defaults to the following, higher, precisions:
Millimetres To two decimal places (e.g. 316.25)
Inches To two decimal places (e.g. 38.75)
Feet and inches To the nearest 1/64 inch (e.g. 3’7.31/64)
You may control the output precision of distances in some modules by
using the PRECISION command. This allows you to specify the number of

decimal places for MM or INCH output, or the largest fraction

denominator for FINCH output. Precision levels for general output and
for the setting of variables are specified separately.
To specify the output precision, use the command:
PRECision opt1 DIstance opt2 value opt3
where the command options (opt1, opt2 and opt3) are as follows:
opt1 defines how the specified precision is to be applied. It is one of the
following:
OUTput For general dimensions
VARiables For setting variables
If opt1 is omitted:
• Both Output and Variables are set if opt2 is DEFAULT
• Output only is set if opt2 is TO
opt2 defines whether you are changing to a newly-defined precision or
back to the default settings. It is one of the following:
TO
DEFault
If opt2 is omitted, TO is assumed.
opt3, which only applies if opt2 is TO, qualifies the number specified by
value. The available choices are:
DECimals Decimal places
DPls Decimal places
THs As in 64ths
NDs As in 32nds
If opt3 is omitted, value is assumed to apply as follows:
• If current units are MM or INCH: value is Decimals
• If current units are FINCH: value is THs or NDs
Examples:
PREC OUT DI DEF Set default precision for output
PREC VAR DEF Set default precision for variables
PREC DI DEF Set default precision for output and variables
PREC DI 1 DP Set output to 1 decimal place (MM or INCH units)
PREC OUT DI 4 DEC
Set output to 4 decimal places (MM or INCH units)
PREC VAR DI 3 DP Set variables to 3 decimal places (MM or INCH units)

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PREC DI 64THS Set output to 1/64 inch precision (FINCH units)
3.5.3 Switching between Actual and Nominal Bores

The PRECISION command also allows you to output actual bore dimensions
(rather than Nominal bore values) when required.
To switch to output of actual bore dimensions, use the command:
PRECISION BORE ACTUAL
To switch back to using nominal bore values:
PRECISION BORE NOMINAL
3.6 Audible Error Trace
Keywords: ALARM
Description: When a macro error occurs, there is an audible alarm at the

workstation to signal that the error has occurred. Occasionally, macro
errors can be anticipated and no audible warning is required. This
command allows the audible warning to be switched on or off either
interactively or via a macro.
If the audible warning is ON, it will sound whenever an error alert is

displayed. The default setting is ON .
Examples:
ALARM ON Sets the audible tone to be on.
ALARM OFF Suppresses the audible tone until it is turned on
again.
Command Syntax:
>-- ALARM --+-- ON ---.

| |
‘-- OFF --+-->

3.7 Switching Text Output Off
Keywords: TRACE
Description: This command, applicable in TTY mode only, controls the automatic
output of the Current Element name and attributes. When macros are
being run, TRACE is always set to OFF automatically.
Examples:
TRACE OFF Stops the automatic output of Current Element
name.
TRACE ON Restarts automatic output of Current Element
name.
Note: ON is the default setting.
Command Syntax:
>-- TRAce --+-- ON ---.

| |
‘-- OFF --+-->
3.8 Giving Operating System Commands from PDMS
Keywords: SYSCOMmand
Description: PDMS normally assumes that any command input in response to its
prompt character (*) is an instruction to the current module, and will
check its validity on that assumption. You can issue an operating
system (OS) command to the host computer from within PDMS by
entering the SYSCOM command followed immediately (without
pressing Return) by the OS command enclosed between apostrophes (’)
or vertical bars (|). The effect applies only to the single command line;
as soon as the OS command has been executed, control is returned to
PDMS.
NOTE: Do not try to issue OS commands which might disrupt PDMS operations; for
example, commands which would close or amend files currently in use by
PDMS.
Examples:
SYSCOM 'dir' Lists directory from which you entered PDMS.

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3.9 General Querying Facilities
You will often find, when working in PDMS, that you need to check
existing information about some aspect of the program’s operations; for
example:
• Current usage in terms of users, modules and DBs.
• The currently selected output device.
• The unique code which identifies the process you are running and the
station you are running it from (useful for generating unique workfile
names).
• The current setting, perhaps the default setting, of a command option.
• The contents of part of a particular DB; for example, the current setting of
an attribute or the list of member elements owned by a specific element.
• The elements which match specific selection criteria entered by you.
To ask for such information from within Design, type
Query (almost always abbreviated to Q)
followed by the relevant querying option as described in the following
sections. (You also will find more specific querying syntax throughout
this set of manuals.)
3.9.1 Querying Your Current Module

To check the version number or revision date of your current module,
enter one of the following:
Q BANner
Q BANner FULL
This will cause PDMS to redisplay the banner which was shown when
you first entered Design. For example:
Design Mk11.3.1 (WINDOWS-NT 4.0) (29 Feb 2000 : 22.40)
(the FULL option will also display data about the software components
used by Design).
3.9.2 Querying Your System

To ask about your current MDB, enter
Q MDB
To output all valid teams for the current user, enter

Q TEAM
To output the current PDMS user name, enter
Q USER
To output your login name, enter
Q LOGIN/NAME
To output the value of an environment variable, enter
Q EVARiable <evar>
NOTE: If the environment variable name contains any non-letter characters, it
must be enclosed in quotes.
To output information about a file, enter
Q FILE <filename> <att>
To output information about an open file, enter
Q OPENFILE <token> <att>
with the file identified by <token>. The information returned is governed
by the attribute <att> which can be:
NAME The name of the file as typed in the OPENFILE
Command
MODE The mode as given in the OPENFILE command
FULLName The fully specified filename
ENTRY The entry name of the file (i.e. without directories)
SIZE The size of the file in bytes when it was last closed (it
does not increase as it is written to)
DTM The date and time the file was last modified
OWNER The owner (creator) of the file
LOCK Indicates if the file is locked (valid only for
OPENFILE)
SORT Type: File, Directory or Other (e.g. a link)
NOTE: In all the above, environment variables in filenames are always
expanded, even for NAME.
3.9.3 Querying Your Current Output Devices

To check the current types of alphanumeric and graphics devices to
which Design is expecting to send your output, especially if you have not
changed the default settings, enter
Q DEVice

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To check either type of device separately, enter one of the following:

Q DEVice ALPha
Q DEVice GRAphics
To check the current settings for your graphics device, enter any of the
following (the list is not comprehensive):
Q SETPens Gives all logical pen settings
Q SETPens number Gives setting for logical pen number
Q LINESTyle Gives line type (dotted, dashed etc.)
Q COLours or
Q COLORs Gives colours of all logical colour numbers
Q COLours number Gives colour of logical colour number
Q COLours BACKground
Gives colour set for display background
Q COLours ALPHa Gives colour set for alphabetic characters and so on.
3.9.4 Querying the Command Implementation Mode

To check the current state of the command implementation mode, that is,
whether you have Actions On or Off , enter
Q ACTions
3.9.5 Asking for a Unique Workstation Code

To generate a unique string, based upon your current process and
workstation in use, enter
Q UNIQueid
This returns a unique string, which is machine dependent. This is useful
for generating workfile names that will not clash with names generated
by other users.
3.9.6 Querying Elements and Attributes in DBs

To check what the current element is, enter
Q CE
To check the membership list of the current element, enter
Q MEMbers
The members will be listed in the order of their positions in the
membership list.

To find out which element owns the current element (the inverse of the
preceding example), type
Q OWNer
To ask what types of element may legally be members of the current
element, type
Q LISt
To ask whether an element exists, type
Q EXISTS <element name/refno> [<type>] [UPDATE]
The optional <type> lets you check whether the identified element is of a
given type. The optional UPDATE can be used to tell you whether the
identified element can be updated or not.
The responses to this query are:
TRUEA If you did not specify <type> and the element exists.
TRUE If you specified <type> and the element exists and is also of
the given <type>.
TRUEC If the element exists and can be updated.
FALSEA If the element does not exist.
FALSEB If the element exists but is not of the given <type>.
FALSEC If the element exists but cannot be updated (if UPDATE was
used).
To ask what elements match specified criteria, enter
Q ALL <select>
where <select> is the selection expression. All elements matching your
entered selection criteria will be output. For example
Q ALL BRANCH WHERE (HBORE GT 100) FOR /ATEST
will output all branches in the element /ATEST which have values
greater than 100 for the attribute HBORE.
To check the settings of all attributes of the current element, type
Q ATTributes
(Any user-defined attributes (UDAs) will be output at the end of the
attribute list.)
To check the setting of an attribute of a specific element, type
Q (<attribute> OF <id>)

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For example:
Q (XLEN OF BOX1)
To check the settings of specific attributes only, query them by name,
thus:
Q XLEngth
Q BORe
Q POSition
Q ORIentation
Q :TESTED (where :TESTED is a UDA)
and so on.
You may query several specified attributes in a single command line. For
example,
Q POS ORI XLEN YLEN ZLEN :TESTED
To query the contents of part of an array, enter
Q arrayname[index]
For example:
Q DESP[10]
To query the PDMS version from which the current DB was created,
enter
Q CRINFO

4 Design Databases and MDBs
It is sometimes necessary to access or change Multiple Databases during
a PDMS session.
4.1 MDB Mode
Keywords: MDB UPDATE NOUPDATE
Description: The MDB command puts you into MDB Mode, where you can use a
limited number of Monitor commands. This lets you change the current
multiple database during a Design session without having to leave
Design and enter Monitor.
When you enter MDB mode, you can either update the current MDB to
save your design changes, or ignore any changes made since your last
SAVEWORK command, by specifying UPDATE or NOUPDATE.
When you are in MDB mode, you can give the following commands,
which are the same as the corresponding Monitor commands. For more
information, see the VANTAGE Monitor Reference Manual.
Examples:
MDB UPDATE Save design changes and enter MDB Mode.
MDB NOUPDATE Enter MDB Mode without saving design changes.
EXCHANGE Alter the databases in the current list of the
DEFER current MDB
CURRENT
PROTECT Temporarily alters your access rights to specified
databases.
USER username Changes the current user
PROJECT code Changes the current project
LIST Allows you to query:
Users, including the number of active users,
Teams including the set (current) Team,
Databases, including copied Databases,
MDBs, Macros and Variables
/PIPING Change to MDB /PIPING.
/PIPING READONLY
Change to MDB /PIPING in read-only mode.

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Design Databases and MDBs
EXIT Return to Design Mode.
Command Syntax:
>-- MDB --+-- UPdate ----.

| |
‘-- NOUPdate --+-->
4.2 Checking the Current User Status
Keywords: STATUS
Description: Gives you information about your current status as a user and about
the DBs to which you have access.
Example:
A typical response to the STATUS command could be:
Project: XYZ
User: CSI (758)
Teams: B
MDB: /DESIGN
Current DBS:
1 PIPING/SITE RW
2 MASTER/CATLOG R
Deferred DBS:
3 STRUCT/STEEL
This indicates that the designer has identified himself as being PDMS
user CSI, that he is logged in to the computer as user 758, that he is a
member of team B, that he is accessing Project XYZ, and that he has
selected an MDB called /DESIGN.
Command Syntax:
>-- STATus -->
4.3 Checking the Current System Status
Keyword: SYSTAT
Description: The SYstem STATus command gives you information about the current
active status of the project in which you are working. It lists all users
who are currently accessing the project, the modules and databases

which they are using, and whether they are examining (Read-only
status) or modifying (Read/Write status) the database. It also gives the
workstation identifier for each user.
Example:
A typical response to the SYSTAT command could be:
PROJECT XYZ
==============
USER SYSTEM (57b)

MODULE ADMIN
MDB ** UNSET **
USER HHJ (752)

MODULE DESIGN
MDB /STEEL
DB MODE
MASTER/AREA-A R
MASTER/AREA-B R
STRUC/AREA-C RW
This shows that two users are currently logged in and are using PDMS
for work on Project XYZ. The Project Coordinator is using ADMIN but is
not accessing any databases. User 752 is using DESIGN. He is accessing
the MDB named /STEEL, whose constituent DBs are as listed. He has
Read-only status for the DBs owned by the MASTER (System) team and
Read/Write access to the DB STRUC/AREA-C.
Command Syntax:
>-- SYStat -->
4.4 Listing Project Information
Keywords: LIST
Description: Lets you list most of the project information held in the System
Database, with the exception of confidential details such as other users’
passwords, which can only be listed by the System Administrator in
PDMS ADMIN.
Examples:

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A typical response to the LIST MDB command could be:

List of MDBS for project XXX
==============================
MDB: /DESIGN
Current DBS:
1 PIPING/AREA-A DESI Exclusive
2 PIPING/AREA-C DESI Update
3 MASTER/AREA-D DESI Exclusive
Deferred DBS:
4 PIPING/AREA-B DESI Exclusive
5 MASTER/AREA-E DESI Update
MDB:/STEEL
Current DBS:
1 MASTER/AREA-A DESI Exclusive
2 MASTER/AREA-B DESI Exclusive
3 STRUCT/AREA-C DESI Exclusive
Deferred DBS:
**NONE**
MDB: /ANSI
Current DBS:
1 CATAL/AREA-E CATA Update
Deferred DBS:
**NONE**
A typical response to the LIST USERS command could be:
List of USERS for project ZZZ
===============================
SYSTEM (FREE)
TEAMS :MASTER STAB
Z (FREE)
TEAMS :***NONE**
GEN (GENERAL)
TEAMS :TEST
The information generated by the LIST command can either be displayed
on screen or sent to a file.

Command Syntax:
.----<----.
/ |
>-- LIst --*-- USers --|
| |
|-- MDBs ---|
| |
|-- DBs ----|
| |
|-- TEams --’
|
‘-------------->
4.5 Sessions
Each time you enter DESIGN or save your design changes, a new session
is created for each database changed. You can then query when specific
items of design data were modified by reference to the corresponding
session number(s). Sessions can be used by the System Administrator to
backtrack changes to a given date or session if necessary.
4.5.1 Session Comments

You can add a comment for each session, which can help identify the
work done in each session.
Keyword: SESSION COMMENT
Description: Lets you associate comment text with the current design session. You
can query this text later to help you identify a particular session in
which modifications were made to elements and/or attribute settings.
You should enter the session comment before you issue a SAVEWORK
command.
Note: Sessions 1 and 2 are created in ADMIN (when the DESIGN DB and its
World element, respectively, are created), so the first true DESIGN
session will be Session 3.
Examples:
SESSION COMMENT ’Addition of upper platform’
Command Syntax:
>-- SESSION COMMENT -- text -->
Querying:
Q SESSComment integer

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where integer is the session number.
4.6 Querying MDB Information
Keywords: QUERY
Description: Lets you query details of the current MDB. This is a supplementary
querying facility to the LIST command (Section 4.4). It allows specific
information about features of the project configuration to be
interrogated.
Command Syntax:
>-- Query --+-- USer word ---.

| |
|-- TEam word ---|
| |
|-- DB dbname ---|
| |
‘-- MDB name ----+-->
4.6.1 Querying Individual Database Information
Keywords: QUERY
Description: Lets you query details of the current DB for a given element.
Examples:
Q DBNAME Gives name of current DB; e.g. TEST/DESI
Q DBTYPE Gives type of current DB; e.g. DESI
Q DBFNUMBER Gives file number for current DB; e.g. 6
Q DBFILE Gives pathname for current DB file; e.g.
\usr\pdms\projects\SAM\sam006
Command Syntax:
>-- Query --+-- DBNAme -----.

| |
|-- DBTYpe -----|
| |
|-- DBFNumber --|
| |
‘-- DBFIle -----+-->

4.7 Change Management
You can query the following aspects of the history of modifications to the
current database:
• When and by whom an element or attribute was last modified.
• A complete history of the sessions in which an element or attribute has
been modified.
• Details of a given session.
• The session number for a given date.
4.7.1 Querying the Last Modification to an Element or Attribute

Keywords: LASTMOD SESSMOD USERMOD
Description: Lets you query details of the most recent change to a given element or
attribute.
Examples:
Q LASTMOD
Gives date for last modification to current element.
Q SESSMOD
Gives session number for last modification to current element.
Q USERMOD
Gives name of user who last modified current element.
Q LASTMOD HIER
Gives dates for last modifications to current element and its members.
Q LASTMOD XLEN
Gives date for last modification to XLEN attribute of current element..
Command Syntax:
Q --+-- LASTMod --.

| |
|-- SESSMod --|
| |
‘-- USERMod --+--+-- <selatt> --.
| | |
| ‘--------------+-- HIERarchy --.
| | |
| ‘---------------+-->
|
‘-- attribute_name -->

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4.7.2 Querying the Session History for an Element or Attribute

Keywords: HISTORY
Description: Lets you query modification history for a given attribute; i.e. session
numbers during which the attribute was modified.
Examples:
Q HISTORY DIAM
Gives all sessions in which DIAM attribute was modified.
Note: HISTORY is an array type pseudo-attribute, so that qualifying
positions may be appended to query specific occurrences in the
modification history. For example:
Q HISTORY[2] DIAM
gives second most recent session in which DIAM attribute was
modified.
History records are restricted to a maximum of 120 sessions.
Command Syntax:
Q HISTORY attribute_name
4.7.3 Querying Details of a Specific Session

Keywords: SESSCOMMENT SESSUSER SESSDATE
Description: Lets you query details of any specific session. This is particularly useful
to get details of sessions listed by a HISTORY command.
Examples:
Q SESSCOMM 58 Gives comment text associated with session 58
Q SESSUSER 58 Gives name of user responsible for session 58.
Q SESSDATE 58 Gives date and time at which session 58 was created.
Note: All session queries are for the current DB.
Command Syntax:
Q --+-- SESSComment --.
| |
|-- SESSUser -----|
| |
‘-- SESSDate -----+-- integer -->

4.7.4 Querying Session Number for a Given Time

Keywords: SESSION ON
Description: Lets you query which session was current at a given time. (This is the
inverse of the Q SESSDATE option described in Section 4.7.3.)
Examples:
Q SESSION ON 12:00 22 August 1995
Q SESSION ON 9 / 9 /96
Time defaults to 23:59, so returns last session number on given date.
Command Syntax:
Q SESSION ON <date>
where <date> is a standard syntax graph, see Chapter 2. Remember that
<date> actually specifies a time (to the nearest minute), so take care if
you use any defaults here.
4.8 The Comparison Date
It is only by comparing a drawing at two states or sessions that it is

possible to determine what has changed. Using the current state of the
drawing as one state we must then reference an earlier state in order to
make the comparison. We do this by specifying a Comparison Date
(COMPDATE), that is, the drawing state at a time that we wish to use as
a baseline or datum.

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4.8.1 Setting the Comparison Date

Keywords: SETCOMPDATE
Description: You can enter a comparison date, either for the entire MDB or an
individual DB. For individual DBs, you can also enter a specific session
number and extract number.
Examples:
SETCOMPDATE 31 March 2002
SETCOMPDATE STAMP /STAMP1
SETCOMPDATE NOW -(will compare against the start values)
SETCOMPDATE FOR CTBATEST/DESI to session 99
SETCOMPDATE FOR CTBATEST/DESI to EXTRACT -(this will
compare against the parent)
SETCOMPDATE FOR CTBATEST/DESI to CTBATEST/MASTER -
(CTBATEST/MASTER must be up the extract hierarchy)
Command Syntax:
-SETCOMPDATE--|---date->
| --STAMP------name->
‘-FOR--DB--dbname--TO--|--date-->
|--Session -int-|--|-EXTRACT--|—- int---->
‘---------------‘ ‘--> |-- Dbname->
‘---------->
The ‘date’ subgraph takes the keyword NOW This in effect sets the
comparison date to the start of the session. This can be useful for
querying the original value of an attribute.
The EXTRACT keyword sets the comparison to an extract DB. This
extract DB must be one further up the extract hierarchy. If the
EXTRACT keyword is used by itself, the comparison is set to the parent
extract. Thus this enables you to find out what has been changed in this
extract.

4.8.2 Querying the Comparison Date

Keywords: COMPDATE
Description: The query will return the comparison session number or extract
number for a DB.
Examples:
Q COMPDATE EXTRACT FOR DB CTBATEST/DESI – to get extract
Q COMPDATE COMPDATE SESSION FOR DB CTBATEST/DESI – to get
session
Q COMPDATE DATE – to get date
Q COMPDATE STAMP – to get stamp
Note that if a stamp is used to set the comparison date, this will set the
comparison session for each database within the stamp. It will also reset
any comparison dates set previously.
The query for the comparison date will only return a value if the
COMPDATE was set using a single date. Otherwise it will return
‘unset’. Similarly querying a stamp is only valid if the COMPDATE was
set using a stamp.
Command Syntax:
Q ----------|-COMPDATE-|--SESSION--|--FOR---dbname--->
VAR –vname--‘ |—EXTRACT---′
|----DATE--------->
‘----STAMP-------->

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4.8.3 The MODIFIED Function

Keywords: MODIFIED
Description: For the more sophisticated queries relating to modifications, the

MODIFIED function tells you if the given element has changed since
the comparison date. This function is not implemented within PML2
expressions.
Examples:
To return true if element has changed at all since the comparison date
use:
Q MODIFIED()
It will also return true if the element has been created since the
comparison date.
To return true if POS or ORI have been modified since the comparison
date use:
Q MODIFIED(POS,ORI)
To return true if the position of P1 has changed use.
Q MODIFIED(P1 POS)
You may follow each attribute name with the qualifying keywords below.
To check this element and members use:
OFFSPRING
To check all elements for which this element represents the significant
one use:
SIGNIF
To check all elements for which this element represents the primary one
use:
PRIMARY

To check this element and everything below (descendants):
DESCENDANTS
You can use the keywords below on their own to test for any attribute
change. e.g. to return true if any geometry for item or any descendants
have changed use:
Q MODIFIED(GEOM DESCENDANTS)
To return true if any element for which this element is primary, has
changed use:
Q MODIFIED(PRIMARY)
You may use the ‘OF’ syntax as for attributes. e.g. to return true if
/PIPE1 has been modified since the comparison date use:
Q MODIFIED() OF /PIPE1
You may put the new functions anywhere within a PDMS PML1
expression. i.e. after Q/Var and within collections. e.g.
Q (BUIL OR MODIFIED() OR ELECREC OF NEXT )
Command Syntax:
.------------------------------------.
/ |
>-MODIFIED--(-+--attname-------|--*--DESCENDANTS--+--+-comma--+--attname--′
| | | |
|--DESCENDANTS--. |-- SIGNIFICANT-| |
| | | | |
|--SIGNIFICANT--| |--PRIMARY----- | |
| | | | |
|--PRIMARY------| |--MEMBERS------| |
| | | | |
|--MEMBERS------| ‘---------------‘ |
| | |
| | |
| | |
‘---------------+----------------------+--+--) ---OF --id-->
|
‘-->

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4.8.4 The CREATED Function

Keywords: CREATED
Description: Determine if an element has changed since the Comparison Date. The
functionality of CREATED() is identical to using the pseudo attribute
ELECREC.
Examples:
Q ( CREATED() )
4.8.5 The DELETED Function

Keywords: DELETED
Description: Determine if an element has been deleted since the Comparison Date.
The functionality of DELETED() is identical to using the pseudo
attribute ELEDELC.
Examples:
Q ( DELETED() )- returns deleted since comparison date
However if the element has been deleted then you cannot have navigated
to it in the first place, hence DELETED() by itself will always be true.
There are two ways around this.
Either include the element’s reference number e.g.:
Q (DELETED() of =15752/234 )
Or use it as part of the 'old' syntax. e.g.:
Q OLD (DELETED() of /VESS2)
4.8.6 The GEOM, CATTEXT, and CATMOD Special Attributes

There are three new special attributes ‘GEOM’, ‘CATTEXT’, and
CATMOD (previously called ‘CATA’).
4.8.6.1 GEOM special attribute

The GEOM attribute returns true if any aspect of the evaluated
geometry has changed.
The definition of evaluated geometry change includes:
• Any dimension of a primitive has changed

• Any ppoint changes

• Pos/ori change
The level information used to determine the geometry is set by the

‘REPRE MASS’ command. The ‘REPRE MASS’ command is also
available in ISODRAFT.
4.8.6.2 CATTEXT special attribute

This will return true if any part of the evaluated detail or material text
has changed.
4.8.6.3 CATMOD special attribute

Special attribute CATMOD will return true if any value in the catalogue
has changed. i.e.
• SPREF
• Changes to SPCO element
• Changes to COMP element
• Changes to any PTSE, GMSE, ppoint, geometry elements
• Changes to any dataset elements
• Changes in DTEXT,MTEXT elements
Note that there is a subtle difference between CATMOD and the other
two: the CATTEXT and GEOM keywords work on the evaluated values.
Thus it is possible that the geometry element has changed but the GEOM
keyword returns false, e.g. a UDA value may have changed, but this has
no effect on the evaluated geometry.
The CATMOD keyword on the other hand will return true for any
change.
You can use the CATMOD keyword on any element. It will return ‘false’
if the element does not have a SPREF or CATREF reference pointing into
the catalogue database. It will return ‘true’ if the element has a SPREF
or CATREF attribute and either (a) this reference attribute has itself
changed in value or (b) the catalogue element pointed at, or any
catalogue element owned by or pointed at by this element, either directly
or indirectly, has changed in any way.
The exception is that elements pointed at by UDA’s are not compared,
although the value of the UDA itself is checked. Thus if a reference

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valued UDA has been changed then this will count as a change, but if
only the element pointed at has changed, then this will not count.
4.8.7 Querying Any Attribute at the Comparison Date

The ‘OLD’ syntax enables you to query any attribute at the comparison
date.
You can use the syntax in front of any expression or attribute. The whole
expression will then be evaluated at the comparison date. e.g.
Q OLD XLEN
If a name is given, the name will be for the item at the comparison date,
not now. Thus values of deleted items may be accessed. e.g.
Q OLD REF OF /OLDPIPE
Where /OLDPIPE no longer exists.

The ‘OLD’ syntax may also be used after ‘VAR’. This includes collections
e.g.
VAR !PIPES OLD COLLECT ALL PIPES
This would return a collection of all PIPES at the old version.

If the functions MODIFIED, CREATED, DELETED are used on the old
version then the comparison is made with the current version.
For example to get a list of deleted pipes between the comparison date
and now, then the following collection could be used. e.g.:
VAR !PIPES OLD COLLECT ALL PIPES WITH ( DELETED() )
There is also a pseudo attribute, DSESS. that returns the session

number when an element was deleted. i.e. having got the deleted PIPES
from the previous query, we can now find out when they were deleted.
4.9 Using Multiwrite Databases
If a Design DB has been created as a multiwrite database, several users

can write to it simultaneously, although they cannot change the same
element.

Multiwrite databases can either be Standard multiwrite databases, or

Extract databases. In both types, an element must be claimed before it
can be modified. Claiming an element prevents other users claiming (and
modifying) the element; the element must be unclaimed or released
before another user can change it.
Claiming can be either explicit, where the user must use the CLAIM
command before attempting to modify the element, or implicit, where
the claim is made automatically when the user tries to modify the
element. The claim mode is set when the DB is created. For full details
see the VANTAGE PDMS Admin Reference Manual.
4.9.1 User Claims
Keywords: CLAIM UNCLAIM
Description: In a Standard multiwrite database, you must claim an element before

changing it. This is known as a user claim. If the claim mode is
explicit (see below for details of how to check this), you must first claim
each element that you want to modify using the CLAIM command. If the
claim mode is implicit, the claim will be made automatically (although
you can still give explicit CLAIM commands if you want to prevent other
users claiming specific elements).
Only significant elements can be claimed, that is:

WORLD SITE ZONE EQUI SUBE PIPE BRAN STRU SUBS
FRMW SBFR REST HANG SCTN GPWL PANE HVAC PTRA
RPLG
You can claim a specified element only, or a specified element plus all of
the significant elements below it in the hierarchy. If the claimed
element is not a significant element, the significant element above it in
the hierarchy will be claimed.
An element must be unclaimed before another user can claim it and

change it. User claims are always unclaimed when you change modules
or leaves PDMS, and you can also unclaim elements at any time during
a PDMS session using the UNCLAIM command.
Examples:
CLAIM /ZoneA /EQUIP100 /PIPE-100-A
Claims named elements
CLAIM /ZoneA HIERARCHY
Claims named element and all of its owned hierarchy

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CLAIM /ELBOW-33
Claims Branch which owns named component, since ELBO is not a
significant element
UNCLAIM /PIPE-100 /PIPE-200
Unclaims named elements
UNCLAIM ALL
Unclaims all elements currently claimed
Command Syntax:
.---------------.
/ |
>-- CLAIM ----*-- elementname --+-- HIERARCHY ---.
| |
‘----------------+-->
.---------------.
/ |
>-- UNCLAIM ---*-- elementname --+-- HIERARCHY ---.
| | |
`-- ALL ----------+----------------+-->
4.9.2 Notes on Standard Multiwrite DBs

• Elements cannot be claimed if recent changes have been made to them by other
users. You must issue a GETWORK command first.
• Elements cannot be unclaimed if there are updates outstanding. You must issue a
SAVEWORK command first.
• You can insert/remove significant elements in a members list without claiming the
owner. For example, you can add a Branch to a Pipe without claiming the Pipe. Thus
two users can add different Branches to the same Pipe: any discrepancies will be
resolved when a SAVEWORK is attempted.
• Before an element can be deleted, that element and all of its sub-hierarchy must be
claimed.
• The following potential problems may not be revealed until you try to save changes:
• If two concurrent users allocate the same name to different elements, the
second user to attempt a SAVEWORK will show up an error. The second
user must rename their element.
• If one user inserts a significant element into another element’s list, while a
concurrent user deletes the latter element, an attempt to SAVEWORK will
show up an error. Either the first user must delete or move the significant
element, or the second user must QUIT without saving the deletion.

4.9.3 Extract Databases
Keywords: EXTRACT REFRESH ISSUE FLUSH RELEASE DROP
Description: Unlike standard multiwrite databases, extracts allow users to keep

elements claimed when they exit from PDMS or change module. They
can also be used, together with Data Access Control, to manage
workflow. See the VANTAGE PDMS Admin User Guide for more
information.
An extract is created from an existing Database. When an Extract is

created, it will be empty, with pointers back to the owing or master
database. Extracts can only be created from Multiwrite databases, and
all extracts are themselves Multiwrite. An extract can be worked on by
one User at the same time as another user is working on the master or
another extract.
When a user works on the extract, an extract claim is made as well as a

user claim.
If the claim mode is explicit, the extract claim will be made

automatically when you make a user claim using the CLAIM command.
You can also claim to the extract only using the EXTRACT CLAIM
command.
If an element is claimed to an extract, only users with write access to

the extract will be able to make a user claim and start work on the
element:
• If the databases are set up with implicit claim, when the user modifies the element,
the element will be claimed both to the extract and then to the user. If the element is
already claimed to the extract, then the claim will only be made to the user.
• If the databases are set up with explicit claim, then the user will need to use the
CLAIM command before modifying the element.
• Once a user has made a user claim, no other users will be able to work on the
elements claimed, as in a normal multiwrite database.
• If a user unclaims an element, it will remain claimed to the extract until the extract
claim is released or issued.
When an extract User does a SAVEWORK, the changed data will be
saved to the Extract. The unchanged data will still be read via
pointers back to the master DB. The changes made to the extract
can be written back to the master, or dropped. Also, the extract
can be refreshed with changes made to the master.

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Examples:
EXTRACT CLAIM /STRU1 /STRU2 /STRU3
Claims named elements to the extract
EXTRACT CLAIM /STRU1 /STRU2 /ZONE-A HIERARCHY
Claims the named elements, and all the elements in the hierarchy to
the extract
The HIERARCHY keyword must be the last on the command line. It will
attempt to claim to the extract all members of the elements listed in
the command which are not already claimed to the extract.
EXTRACT FLUSH DB PIPE/PIPE
Writes all changes to the database back to the owing extract. The
Extract claim is maintained.
EXTRACT FLUSH /STRU1 /STRU2 /STRU3
Writes the changes to the named elements back to the owing extract.
The Extract claim is maintained.
EXTRACT ISSUE DB PIPE/PIPE
Writes all the changes to the database back to the owning extract and
releases the extract claim
EXTRACT ISSUE /ZONE-A HIERARCHY
Writes all the changes to the named element and all elements under it
in the hierarchy back to the owning extract and releases the extract
claim
EXTRACT ISSUE /STRU1 /STRU2 /STRU3
Writes the changes to the named elements back to the owning extract
and releases the extract claim
EXTRACT RELEASE DB PIPE/PIPE
Releases the extract claim: this command can only be given to release
changes that have already been flushed.
EXTRACT RELEASE /STRU1 /STRU2 /STRU3
Releases the extract claim: this command can only be given to release
changes that have already been flushed.
EXTRACT RELEASE /ZONE-A HIERARCHY
Releases the extract claim to the named element and all: elements
under it in the hierarchy.
EXTRACT DROP DB PIPE/PIPE
Drops changes that have not been flushed or issued. The user claim
must have been unclaimed before this command can be given.
EXTRACT DROP DB PIPE/PIPE
Drops changes that have not been flushed or issued. The user claim
must have been unclaimed before this command can be given.
The elements required can be specified by selection criteria, using a PML

expression. For example:

EXTRACT CLAIM ALL STRU WHERE (:OWNER EQ ‘USERA’)

HIERARCHY
Command Syntax:
>- EXTRACT -+- FLUSH ---------------.

| |
|- FLUSHWithoutrefresh -|
| |
|- RELEASE -------------|
| |
|- ISSUE ---------------|
| |
|- DROP ----------------| .-------<-------.
| | / |
`- REFRESH -------------+--*-- elementname --+- HIERARCHY -.
| |
| |
| |
`-- DB dbname ---------------------+->
4.9.4 How to Find Out What You Can Claim
Keywords: Q CLAIMLIST
Description: Before you start work on an extract, you should do a GETWORK and
an EXTRACT REFRESH, which will ensure that you have an up-to-
date view of the database.
This section explains what different users will see as a result of Q

CLAIMLIST commands.
For this example, take the case of a database PIPE/PIPE, accessed by

USERA, with two extracts. Users USERX1 and USERX2 are working
on the extracts.
DB PIPE/PIPE
DB PIPE/PIPEX1 USERA DB PIPE/PIPE-X2
USERX1 USERX2
USERA creates a Pipe and flushes the database back to the owning
database, PIPE/PIPE. The results of various Q CLAIMLIST commands
by the three Users, together with the extract control commands which
they have to give to make the new data available, are shown in the
Figure 3-1.

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Note:
Q CLAIMLIST EXTRACT
tells you what you can flush
Q CLAIMLIST OTHERS
tells you want you can't claim

USERA:
EXTRACT REFRESH DB PIPE/PIPE
Q CLAIMLIST:
none
Q CLAIMLIST OTHER:
/PIPE-100 Extract PIPE/PIPE_EX7001
Q CLAIMLIST EXTRACT:
/PIPE-100
USERX1 creates PIPE-100 USERX2:

EXTRACT FLUSH DB PIPE/PIPE EXTRACT REFRESH DB PIPE/PIPE
Q CLAIMLIST: Q CLAIMLIST:
none none
Q CLAIMLIST OTHER: Q CLAIMLIST OTHER:
none /PIPE-100 Extract PIPE/PIPE_EX7001
Q CLAIMLIST EXTRACT: Q CLAIMLIST EXTRACT:
/PIPE-100 none
Note that USERX2 must use

Q CLAIMLIST OTHER
(not Q CLAIMLIST EXTRACT) to see
the claim
Figure 3-1 Querying extract claimlists
When you create an element, PDMS only sees it as a user claim, not an
extract claim, until the element is flushed. It will then be reported as
an extract claim (as well as a user claim, if it has not been unclaimed).
Note that a change in the claim status of an existing element will be

shown by the appropriate Q CLAIMLIST command as soon as appropriate
updates take place, but a user will have to GETWORK as usual to see the
changes to the Design model data.

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We recommend that:
• Before you make a user or extract claim, you should do an EXTRACT
REFRESH and GETWORK.
• If you need to claim many elements to an extract, it improves
performance if the elements are claimed in a single command, for
example, by using a collection:
EXTRACT CLAIM ALL FROM !COLL
Examples:
Q DBNAME
Returns the name of the database which you are actually writing to.
Q CLAIMLIST
Outputs a list of all elements currently claimed by yourself:
Q CLAIMLIST OTHER
Outputs a list of all elements currently claimed by other users who are
accessing the same DB:
Q CLAIMLIST EXTRACT
Shows the extract claimlist for all the writable extracts in the MDB.
Q CLAIMLIST EXTRACT DB dbname
Shows the extract claimlist for the named extract DB.
Q CLAIMLIST EXTRACT FREE DB dbname
Shows the elements claimed to the current extract and not claimed to
another extract or user. That is, the elements which can be released
Q CLAIMLIST EXTRACT OTHER DB dbname
Shows the elements claimed to the current extract and claimed to
another extract or user.
Q CLAIMLIST CONTROL DB dbname
Shows the extract claimlist for a CONTROLLED named extract DB.
Q DBAC
Queries the access mode of the database. DBAC is a pseudo-attribute
which can have the text settings CONTROL, UPDATE or
MULTIWRITE.
Q DBCL
Queries the claim mode of the database. DBCL is a pseudo-attribute
which can have the text settings EXPLICIT or IMPLICIT.
Q LCLM
Queries whether or not the current element is claimed by another user.
Returns TRUE or FALSE.

Command Syntax:
>-- Q CLAIMLIST --+- OTHER -----.

| |
|- EXTRACT ---+- OTHER --.
| | |
| |- FREE ---|
| | |
| `----------|
| |
|- CONTROL --------------|
| |
|------------------------+-- DB dbname --.
| |
`----------------------------------------+-->

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4.10 Comparing Database Changes
4.10.1 Comparing Database States at Different Times

You can compare details of your current database settings with the
corresponding settings at a specified earlier time and generate a report
listing all differences. The types of change reported include:
• Creation and deletion of elements.
• Changes to the attribute settings of elements.
• Changes in the list order for BRANCH, POGON, DRAWI and BOUND
elements.
Keywords: DIFFERENCE SINCE
Description: Lets you report all changes to one or more specified database elements
since an earlier version of that database. The output is in the form of a
report listing all elements and attributes which have changed, with
their old and new values. The report can be sent to a file by using the
ALPHA FILE or ALPHA LOG commands.
Note: The database states are compared between SAVEWORK operations. For
example, if you last saved your design changes at 9:30 and ask for a comparison
since 10:00, the current settings will be compared with those at 9:30.
Examples:
DIFFERENCE ALL BRANCH FOR /ATEST SINCE 21 JANUARY
DIFF CE SINCE 10:00
Assumes current day.
DIFF /ZONE1 Compares current settings with those at your
last SAVEWORK command.
DIFF SITE SINCE SESSION 66
Compares current settings with those at the end
of session 66 of the current database.
Command Syntax:
>- DIFFerence <selele> SINCE -+- <date/time> -+-----------------------.

| | |
|- LATEST ------| |
| | |
|--SESSION nn --| |
| | |
`---------------+- EXTRACT -+- extname -|
| |
`- extno ---+->

4.11 Creating Database Update Macros
The OUTPUT command produces macros which can be re-input to

recreate or modify specified parts of the Design DB. You can include only
the elements which have been changed since a specified time (i.e. those
elements which would be listed by the DIFFERENCE command). The
output is generated in three stages:
1. Any elements which were originally locked are unlocked. Element
deletions, name changes and type changes are output. Note that
reordering or insertion of elements in their owner’s members list is
treated as deletion followed by creation, so that Refno attribute
settings may be changed.
2. Newly created elements and all standard attribute settings are
output.
3. Reference attribute settings and rules are output. Elements which
were originally locked are relocked and GADD commands are
included if any elements were included in Groups.
Keywords: OUTPUT CHANGES SINCE
Description: Lets you output all changes to one or more specified database elements
since an earlier version of that database. The output is in the form of a
macro which can recreate the changes when run on, say, a copy of the
original DB. The macro is sent to a file by using the standard ALPHA
FILE or ALPHA LOG commands.
Examples:
OUTPUT /ZONE-A
Outputs all elements, whether or not they have ever been changed.
OUTPUT ALL PIPE FOR /ZONE CHANGES SINCE 21 JANUARY
Outputs all changes to named element and its members since the given
date.
OUTPUT /PIPE-100 CHANGES
Outputs all changes to named element and its members since last
SAVEWORK command.
OUTPUT /PIPE-1 CHANGES SINCE EXTRACT
In an extract database, outputs all changes since the extract was
created.
OUTPUT /PIPE-1 CHANGES SINCE LATEST EXTRACT
In an extract database, outputs all changes compared with the latest
version of the parent extract.

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OUTPUT /PIPE-1 CHANGES SINCE EXTRACT 44

OUTPUT /PIPE-1 CHANGES SINCE EXTRACT PIPE/PIPE-X1
In an extract database, outputs all changes compared with the latest
version of the given extract, which must be higher in the extract
hierarchy.
OUTPUT /PIPE-1 CHANGES SINCE SESSION 77 EXTRACT 44
OUTPUT /PIPE-1 CHANGES SINCE OCT 2000 EXTRACT PIPE/PIPE-X1
In an extract database, outputs all changes compared with the given
extract, which must be higher in the extract hierarchy, at the given
session or date.
The macro is sent to a file by using the standard ALPHA FILE or ALPHA
LOG commands (see Section 3.3).
You can also give a PDMS session number. The database states are
compared between SAVEWORK operations. For example, if you last
saved your design changes at 9:30 and ask for a macro containing
changes since 10:00, the macro will contain all changes since 9:30.
Command Syntax:
>- OUTPUT <selele> SINCE -+- <date/time> -+-----------------------.

| | |
|- LATEST ------| |
| | |
|--SESSION nn --| |
| | |
`---------------+- EXTRACT -+- extname -|
| |
`- extno ---+->
4.12 Inter-DB Connection Macros
Access to a DB is usually controlled in such a way that only one user can
modify the content of that DB at any one time; that is, only one user can
have Write access to the DB. Other users may have simultaneous Read
access, depending how access rights have been set up in the ADMIN
module. (See also Section 4.9, which describes a new multiwrite DB
facility.)
In a multi-disciplinary PDMS project, in which different teams of users
work on different aspects of the design, an individual user will usually
have Read/Write access to the DBs controlled by their own team and
Read-only access to DBs controlled by other teams. This works well until
a user needs to connect an item in their team’s DB to an item in another
team’s DB; for example, a member of the Piping team may wish to
connect a Branch in a Piping DB to a Nozzle in an Equipment DB (to
which they have Read-only access). In such a case, the design changes
needed in the Equipment DB are stored in a ‘buffer’ file known as an

inter-DB connection macro. Only when this macro is run by a

member of the Equipment team, with Write access to the Equipment DB,
are the changes implemented.
The sequence of events which would occur is illustrated in the following
example.
Assume that Project ABC has separate Piping and Equipment design
teams. Assume that User P has Read/Write access to a Piping DB and
Read-only access to an Equipment DB, while User E has Read/Write
access to the Equipment DB and Read-only access to the Piping DB.
User P wishes to connect a Branch Tail in their Piping DB to a Nozzle in
User E’s Equipment DB; that is, they wish to set the Branch’s TREF in
their Piping DB to point to the CREF of the Nozzle (which they can do)
and to set the CREF of the Nozzle to point to the TREF of their Branch
(which they can not do), thus:
Only User E
can set this
Nozzle in
Branch in Piping DB Equipment DB
owned by User P's TREF CREF
owned by User
team E's team
Only User P
can set this
• User P sets the TREF of their Branch to point to the CREF of the Nozzle
in the Equipment DB.
• When User P tries to set the Nozzle’s CREF, they receive a message
telling them that they are trying to connect to a read-only DB and that an
inter-DB connection macro is being created automatically. This macro,
which stores the commands needed to set the CREF, is given a name with
the format abc001.mac (where the macro number, 001 here, is allocated
sequentially), and is held in the directory ABCMAC (or as defined by the
project’s environmental variables).
• When User E next enters Monitor (usually when entering or leaving
PDMS), they receive a message asking them to run the inter-DB
connection macro abc001.mac and to delete it when they have done so.
• User E enters Design and runs the inter-DB connection macro by giving
the command
$M /%ABCMAC%/abc001.mac
This sets the CREF for the Nozzle to point to the TREF of the Branch and
completes the link between the two DBs.

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• User E enters Monitor (or Admin if they have sufficient access rights) and
deletes the redundant macro by giving the command
DELETE MACRO 1
where 1 is the macro number. This command is valid in Design, Monitor and
Admin.
Note: If User P checks their DB for data consistency errors between Stages 2
and 4, when the macro has been created but not yet run, they will get
an ‘incompatible connection reference’ message. They cannot finalise
their design until User E has run the macro. Thus, the successful use of
inter-DB connection macros relies on good co-operation between the
teams involved.
Inter-DB connection macros are also created in multiwrite DBs if an
attachment is claimed by another user.

5 Display
The commands described in this chapter control how the items are
displayed in a 3D (Volume) View. For information about creating View
windows, see the Plant Design Software Customisation Guide and the
Plant Design Software Customisation Reference Manual.
5.1 Adding Elements to the Display
Keywords: ADD COLOUR
Description: Allows selected Design items to be added to the Draw List, which
defines which elements are to be displayed. If an element is to be
displayed in a colour which is different from the default colour, this can
be specified as part of the command line.
Items added to the display are added to all volume views with the scale
and view direction appropriate to that view.
The Draw List can contain significant elements only. Significant

elements in Design are:
EQUI SUBE DATU GRDM PTRA BOUN
BRAN HANG PVOL* RPLA* STRU SUBS
SCTN PNOD PALJ PANE
(* only if directly below a Site or Zone.)
If an element below a significant element (i.e. a primitive) is added,
then the whole significant element will be added as well.
If an element above a significant element (e.g. a PIPE) is added, then
all significant elements owned by that element will be added; not the
high-level element itself.
Examples:
ADD /P100A /P100A is added to the Draw List
ADD CE The current element will be added to the Draw
List
ADD /ZONE1 /ZONE2 COLOUR 5
/ZONE1 and /ZONE2 will be added in colour 5. If
you wish to add items in other colours, you must
use separate commands.
Command Syntax:

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Display
.----<-------.
/ |
>-- ADD --*-- <selatt> --+-- COLour <colno> -->
|
‘-->
where:
<colno> = >--+-- integer --.
| |
|-- ACTive ---|
| |
|-- VISIble --|
| |
|-- CE -------|
| |
|-- CLASH ----|
| |
|-- OBST -----|
| |
‘-- AIDS -----+-->
Querying:
Q DRAW Queries the contents of the Draw List
Q DRAW COUNT Queries the number of items in the Draw
List
Q DRAW FULL Queries the contents of the Draw List and
the colour with which each Draw List
member was added
Q DRAW r COLOUR Queries the colour number of the referenced
item, r. It returns unset if the item is not in
the Draw List.
Q DRAW r TRANSLUENCY Queries the translucency number of the
referenced item, r. It returns unset if the
item is not in the Draw List.

Display
5.1.1 Selecting Graphics Colours Automatically
Keywords: AUTOCOLOUR
Description: Lets you define a set of rules for automating the selection of colours for
items added to graphical views. Each rule consists of a set of selection
criteria for particular types of element, together with an associated
colour (which may be an explicit colour number or an expression).
When an element is added to the drawlist, the selection rules are

scanned in sequence until a rule is found to be true for that element.
The element is then added in the colour corresponding to that rule. If
the colour is invalid, the search is continued. If no rule is true for the
element, the default colour is used. The order in which the rules are set
up is significant, since the first rule found to be true determines the
colour.
Automatic colour selection may be switched on or off as required. If it is

on, the colour specified by the rule is used rather than any other colour
entered as part of the ADD command. If dynamic autocolouring is
specified, the autocolour will be checked every time an attribute is
changed and, if necessary, the relevant element will be re-added in the
current colour.
Each autocolour may be drawn either as a solid colour (default) or as a

translucent shade. If using translucency, you can also specify whether
or not the edges of an item should be drawn (as in wireline mode) to
give a more distinct outline.
Examples:
AUTOCOLOUR ALL EQUI COLOUR 4
All Equipment items to be added in colour 4
AUTOCOLOUR ALL EQUI COLOUR 4 TRANSLUCENCY 25 EDGES ON
All Equipment items to be added in colour 4 with
25% translucency and edges drawn.
AUTOCOLOUR ALL BRAN WITH (HBORE GT 100) COLOUR 10
All Branches with head bores greater than 100 to
be added in colour 10.
AUTOCOLOUR ALL SCTN COLOUR (:COLOUR OF SPRE)
All Sections to be added as defined by the UDA
:COLOUR derived via their SpecRefs.
AUTOCOLOUR ALL COLOUR (:COLOUR)
Uses the UDA :COLOUR to denote the colour for
all displayed elements. If you enter this as the

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Display
final rule, it will provide a default colour if all

other rules prove false.
AUTOCOLOUR ON Colours will be chosen according to autocolour
rules. If Off (the default), colour specified in the
ADD command will be used.
AUTOCOLOUR DYNAMIC ON
Updates autocolour each time an attribute
changes. (Use with care!)
AUTOCOLOUR RESET
Clears all current autocolour rules.
AUTOCOLOUR REMOVE 2
Removes the second rule from the current list.
AUTOCOLOUR REORDER 2 TO 4
Moves rule number 2 to position 4 in the list.
Command Syntax:
>- AUTOCOLOUR -+- selection_rule - COLOUR - expression -+->

| |
| .-----------------------<--------------'
| |
| '- TRANSLucency - expression -+->
| |
| '- EDGES - ON/OFF ->
|- ON/OFF ->
|
|- DYNAMIC - ON/OFF ->
|
|- RESET ->
|
|- REMOVE - integer ->
|
‘- REORDER - integer1 - TO - integer2 ->
NOTE: The expression for Translucency must be in the range 0–99: the actual
translucency will be set to the nearest of 12, 25, 37, 50, 62, 75 or 87
(99 = transparent; 0 = opaque).
AUTOCOLOUR ON must be in force to see the effect of AUTOCOLOUR
DYNAMIC ON.
Querying:
Q AUTOCOLOUR NUMber
Gives number of colour rules.
Q AUTOCOLOUR MODE
Queries autocolour mode; i.e. On or Off.
Q AUTOCOLOUR integer
Gives selection criteria for rule integer.
Q AUTOCOLOUR DYNAMIC
Checks whether dynamic updating is on or off.

Display
Q AUTOCOLOUR FOR id COLOUR

Queries colour that would be selected for
identified element (this is of most use for batch
testing).
Q AUTOCOLOUR FOR id TRANSLUCENCY
Queries translucency setting for identified
element.
Q AUTOCOLOUR FOR id EDGES
Queries whether or not edges are to be drawn for
identified element (only relevant if translucency
is being applied).
5.1.2 Removing Elements from the Display
Keywords: REMOVE
Description: These commands remove elements from the Draw List and the display.
Examples:
REMOVE /BRANCH1 /BRANCH1 will be removed from the Draw List
and the display
REM SITE /PIPING The site /PIPING will be removed
REM ALL All items in the Draw List, and on the screen,
will be removed
Note: If an element below a significant element (i.e. a primitive) is
removed, then the whole significant element will be removed as well.
This is because the Draw List may only contain significant elements.
Significant elements are EQUI, SUBE, DATU, GRDM, PTRA, BOUN,
BRAN, HANG, PVOL*, RPLA*, STRU, SUBS, SCTN, PNOD, PALJ,
PANE. (* only if directly below a Site or Zone.)
Command Syntax:
>-- REMove -- <selatt> ------>

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Display
5.1.3 Defining Colours
Keywords: COLOUR ACTIVE CE VISIBLE CLASH OBST AIDS
Description: These commands allow colours to be defined so that different types of

item in the display may be distinguished by means of colour. Certain
items such as current element and active element colours have default
settings, but these may also be redefined.
The colours may be assigned by using the COLOUR command to define

the Red-Green-Blue mix for a colour number or to assign a predefined
colour mix by name. Design allows the use of 115 user-definable
colours, plus some specific ones which are assigned to items which need
to be readily distinguishable in the display.
Definitions:
• The Active element is the significant element (and its components) being
worked on.
• The Current Element (CE) is the actual element currently being
accessed.
• The Visible design consists of the design elements which you wish to be
displayed (but which you are not currently working on).
• A Clashing element is an element whose current position and geometry
are being tested for interferences against other elements in the design and
which has been found to clash (see Chapter 15).
• An Obstructing element is any of the elements in the design against
which a clashing element is being tested for interferences and which has
been found to clash (see Chapter 15).
• An Aid includes tags (markers), axes and other graphical annotations.
The predefined colour mixes which you may specify by name are as
follows:
Colour Red Green Blue Colour Red Green Blue

black 0 0 0 springgreen 0 100 50
white 100 100 100 green 0 80 0
whitesmoke 96 96 96 forestgreen 14 56 14
ivory 93 93 88 darkgreen 18 31 18
grey 66 66 66 cyan 0 93 93
lightgrey 75 75 75 turquoise 0 75 80
darkgrey 32 55 55 aquamarine 46 93 78
darkslate 18 31 31 blue 0 0 80
red 80 0 0 royalblue 28 46 100
brightred 100 0 0 navyblue 0 0 50

Display
coralred 80 36 27 powderblue 69 88 90
tomato 100 39 28 midnight 18 18 31
plum 55 40 55 steelblue 28 51 71
deeppink 93 7 54 indigo 20 0 40
pink 80 57 62 mauve 40 0 60
salmon 98 50 44 violet 93 51 93
orange 93 60 0 magenta 87 0 87
brightorange 100 65 0 beige 96 96 86
orangered 100 50 0 wheat 96 87 70
maroon 56 14 42 tan 86 58 44
yellow 80 80 0 sandybrown 96 65 37
gold 93 79 20 brown 80 17 17
lightyellow 93 93 82 khaki 62 62 37
lightgold 93 91 67 chocolate 93 46 13
yellowgreen 60 80 20 darkbrown 55 27 8
The default colour assignments are:

Colour No Colour
Active design orange
Current element yellow
Visible design lightgrey
Clashing element red
Obstructing element tomato
Aids blue
1 grey
2 red
3 orange
4 yellow
5 green
6 cyan
7 blue
8 violet
9 brown
10 white
11 pink
12 mauve
13 turquoise
14 indigo
15 black
16 magenta
Examples:
COL 5 DARKGREEN
Colour 5 will be changed to dark green

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Display
COL 3 MIX RED 50 GRE 50 BLU 5

Colour 3 will change to the specified mix of red, green and blue
COL ACTIVE BRIGHTRED
Sets the colour for displaying active elements to bright red
Note: When colours are mixed in their Red, Green and Blue constituents, the
command line must contain values for all three constituents in the
correct order. The numbers entered for the relative proportions of the
basic colours must each be in the range 0-100, but they are not
percentages of the overall colour and so do not need to add up to 100.
Command Syntax:
>- COLour -+- integer -.

| |
|- ACTive --|
| |
|--AIDS-----|
| |
|- VISIble -|
| |
|- CE ------|
| |
|- CLASH ---|
| |
‘- OBST ----+-- colour_name --->
|
‘-- MIX RED integer GREen integer BLUe integer ->
where colour_name is the name of any of the predefined colour mixes

listed above.
Querying:
>-- Q COLour --+-- integer -----.

| |
|-- CE ----------|
| |
|-- ACTive ------|
| |
|-- VISIble -----|
| |
|-- CLASH -------|
| |
|-- OBST --------|
| |
‘-- AIDS --------+-->
5.2 Element Representation
There are a number of options which determine how items in the

graphical display are to be shown on the screen. These are controlled by
the REPRESENTATION command.

Display
5.2.1 Setting Tube Representation for Piping Components
Keywords: REPRESENTATION TUBE CL (CENTRELINE)
Description: The REPRESENTATION command allows tubing to be represented in a

centreline or as a solid tube. In some cases, it helps to switch between
the two representations to simplify an otherwise complicated view.
TUBE and CENTRELINE representation are not instantly updated on

the screen. To see the effects of a representation change, use the
REPResentation UPDATE command to make any changes visible.
Examples:
REPR TUBE ON CL OFF
Sets tubing representation as solid tube.
REPR CL ON TUBE OFF
Sets tubing representation as centreline.
REPR TUBE ON CL ON
Sets both types of representation on (but centreline will not be visible in
colour-shaded mode, as it will be hidden by solid tube).
Command Syntax:
.---------------------<-----------------.
/ |
>-- REPResentation --*-- CL -------------------------. |
| | |
|-- CENTreline -----------------| |
| | |
‘-- TUbe -----------------------+-- ON ---|
| |
‘-- OFF --+-->
Querying:
Q REPR TUBE
Q REPR CL
Q REPR PROF
Q REPR Queries all Representation options.
5.2.2 Setting Profile Representation for Steelwork
Keywords: REPRESENTATION PROFILE
Description: The REPRESENTATION PROFILE commands allow structural steel

profiles to be represented in a centreline or solid profile format. In some

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Display
cases, it helps to switch between the two representations to simplify an

otherwise complicated view.
TUBE and CENTRELINE representation are not instantly updated on

the screen. To see the effects of a representation change, use the
REPResentation UPDATE command to make any changes visible.
Examples:
REPR PROF ON CL OFF
Sets profile representation as solid profile.
REPR PROF CL ON TUBE OFF
Sets profile representation as centreline.
REPR PROF ON CL ON
Sets both types of representation on.
Command Syntax:
.---------------------<-----------------.
/ |
>-- REPResentation --*-- PROFile --+-- CL -----------. |
| | |
|-- CENTreline ---| |
| | |
|-- OBSTruction --| |
| | |
‘-- INSUlation ---+-- ON ---|
| |
‘-- OFF --+-->
Querying:
Q REPR PROF TUBE
Q REPR PROF CL
Q REPR Queries all Representation options.
5.2.3 Setting Drawing Level Representation
Keywords: REPRESENTATION LEVEL
Description: This command enables individual drawing levels to be specified for the
display of piping, nozzles, structural elements and other design
database elements.
Every basic primitive shape in the design has an associated drawing

level range attribute (for piping and structural steelwork components,
these are stored in the Catalogue). If the specified drawing level

Display
coincides with this range, the 3D object will be drawn when it is added
to the Draw List.
The practical effect of this facility is that it allows you to minimise

visible detail when representing Design items. For example, at drawing
level 3 steelwork may be represented as single line only, whereas at
level 1 the full detail may be visible. Level 3 may well be adequate for
design purposes.
LEVEL manipulation is not instantly updated on the screen. To see the

effects of a level change, use the REPResentation UPDATE command to
make any changes visible.
Examples:
REPR LEVEL PIPE 5
Sets piping level to 5. All pipes which are added after this command will be
drawn at level 5. Those already in the view will remain unchanged.
REPR LEVEL NOZZ 1
Sets Nozzle level to 1
REPR LEVEL 2
Set level for all other Component types to 2
Command Syntax:
.-------------------<-------------------.
/ |
>- REPResentation --*-- LEVel --+-- PIPE -------. |
| | |
|-- NOZZle -----| |
| | |
|-- STRUcture --| |
| | |
‘---------------+-- integer --+->
Querying:
Q REPR Lists all REPRE options
Q REPR LEVEL Lists levels at which other Components are drawn
Q REPR LEV PIPE Gives the level at which pipes are drawn
Q REPR LEV NOZZ Gives the level at which Nozzles are drawn
Q DISPLAY Gives units and tolerance settings, as well as
representation levels

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Display
5.2.4 Setting Obstruction & Insulation Representation for Piping

Components
Keywords: REPRESENTATION OBSTRUCTION INSULATION TRANSLUCENCY
Description: Component Obstructions are often given LEVELS or TUBE and

CENTRELINE settings which render them invisible. Setting the
Representation of OBST On forces the system to override normal
LEVEL and TUBE settings and show all of the primitives, regardless of
the other settings.
Setting the Representation of INSU On or Off determines whether or

not insulation is shown on primitives.
These have the effect of considering all primitives which have an

obstruction level greater than zero and all primitives which are affected
by insulation parameters. The graphics display is not updated
instantly. Use the REPResentation UPDATE command to make any
changes visible.
To avoid obscuring the view in colour-shaded mode, obstruction and/or

insulation can be shown as translucent, the degree of translucency
being controllable.
Examples:
REPR OBST ON INSU OFF
REPR INSU ON
REPR INSU ON TRANSLUCENCY 25
Command Syntax:
.------------------------------<---------------.
/ |
>- REPResentation -*- OBSTruction -. |
| | |
‘- INSUlation --+- ON --+------------------------|
| | |
| '- TRANSLucency - value -|
| |
‘- OFF --------------------------+->
NOTE: value must be in the range 0–99: the actual translucency will be set to
the nearest of 25, 50, 75 or 87 (99 = transparent; 0 = opaque).
Querying:
Q REPR Lists all Representation settings
Q REPR INSU Queries if insulation is ON or OFF

Display
Q REPR OBST Queries if OBST is ON or OFF

Q REPR INSU TRANSL
Queries translucency setting for insulation
5.2.5 Setting Obstruction Representation for Steelwork
Keywords: REPRESENTATION PROFILE OBSTRUCTION ON/OFF

TRANSLUCENCY
Description: Structural Steel Obstructions are often given LEVELS or TUBE and
CENTRELINE settings, which render them invisible. Setting the
Representation of OBST On forces the system to override normal
LEVEL and TUBE settings and show all of the primitives, regardless of
the other settings.
Setting the Representation of INSU On or Off determines whether or

not insulation is shown on primitives.
These have the effect of considering all primitives which have an

obstruction level greater than zero and all primitives which are affected
by insulation parameters. The graphics display is not updated
instantly. Use the REPResentation UPDATE command to make any
changes visible.
To avoid obscuring the view in colour-shaded mode, obstructions can be

shown as translucent, the degree of translucency being controllable.
Examples:
REPR PROF OBST ON
REPR PROF OBST OFF
REPR PROF OBST ON TRANSLUCENCY 25
Command Syntax:
> REPResentation--PROFile--OBSTruction -+- ON - TRANSLucency - value - -.

| |
‘- OFF -------------------------+->
NOTE: value must be in the range 0–99: the actual translucency will be set to
the nearest of 25, 50, 75 or 87 (99 = transparent; 0 = opaque).
Querying:
Q REPR PROF OBST TRANSL
Queries translucency setting for obstructions

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Display
5.2.6 Setting P-Point Representation
Keywords: REPRESENTATION PPOINTS LENGTH NUMBERS
Description: P-point representation may be set to ON or OFF. The default setting is

PPOINTS OFF, although p-points will be shown automatically as part of
an identification operation.
When p-points are on, they are drawn as small arrows with a cross at
the p-point position and with the arrow indicating the p-point direction.
The size of the arrow is controlled by the LENGTH option. P-point
numbers may also be displayed, as controlled by the NUMBERS option.
As with changes to other representation settings, the graphics display
is not updated instantly. Use the REPResentation UPDATE command
to make changes to the display of p-points visible.
Examples:
REPR PPOINTS ON
Sets the p-point representation to ON
REPR PPOINTS LENGTH 5
Sets size of p-point arrows
REPR PPOINTS NUMB ON
Shows p-point numbers
Command Syntax:
.----------<----------.
/ |
>-- REPResentation --*-- PPoints --+-- ON ---|
| |
|-- OFF --+-->
|
|-- LENgth -- value -->
|
‘-- NUMbers --+-- ON ---.
| |
‘-- OFF --+-->
Querying:
Q REPR PPOINTS

Display
5.2.7 Setting Structural Node Representation
Keywords: REPRESENTATION PNODES SNODES
Description: These options allow Primary and/or Secondary Nodes on structural

steelwork items to be shown on the display in specified colours and
sizes.
By default, both types of node are shown in the current visible colour,
with a size equivalent to 10mm diameter.
Examples:
REPR PNOD ON
Only Primary Nodes will be shown in the display.
REPR SNOD OFF
The display of Secondary Nodes will be suppressed.
REPR PNOD COL BRIGHTRED
Primary Nodes will be shown in bright red colour.
REPR SNOD COL 12
Secondary Nodes will be shown in the currently defined mix for colour
number 12.
REPR PNOD SIZE 15
REPR SNOD SIZE 6
Primary Nodes will be emphasised by being drawn at 15mm diameter, while
Secondary Nodes are drawn at only 6mm diameter.
Command Syntax:
.------------<----------------------.
/ |
>-- REPResentation --*-- PNODes --. .-------------------. |
| |/ | |
‘-- SNODes --*-- ON ---------------| |
| | |
|-- OFF --------------| |
| | |
|-- SIZe <uval> ------| |
| | |
‘-- COLour <colour> --+--+-->
Querying:
Q REPR PNOD
Q REPR PNOD SIZE
Q REPR PNOD COL
Q REPR SNOD
Q REPR SNOD SIZE
Q REPR SNOD COL

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Display
5.2.8 Setting P-Line Representation
Keywords: REPRESENTATION PLINES LENGTH PKEY
Description: P-line representation for structural Sections may be set to ON or OFF.

The default setting is PLINES OFF.
When p-lines are on, the size of the arrow showing their direction is
controlled by the LENGTH option. P-line identifiers, in the form of the
settings of their PKEY attributes (TOS, BOS, NA, etc.) may also be
displayed, as controlled by the PKEY option.
As with changes to other representation settings, the graphics display
is not updated instantly. Use the REPResentation UPDATE command
to make changes to the display of p-lines visible.
Examples:
REPR PLINES ON
Sets the p-line representation to ON
REPR PLINES LENGTH 6
Sets size of p-line arrows
REPR PLINES PKEY ON
Shows p-line identifiers (settings of PKEY attributes)
Command Syntax:
.---------<----------.
/ |
>-- REPResentation --*-- PLINes --+-- ON ---|
| |
|-- OFF --+-->
|
|-- LENgth -- value -->
|
‘-- PKEY --+-- ON ---.
| |
‘-- OFF --+-->
Querying:
Q REPR PLINES

Display
5.2.9 Setting Holes Representation
Keywords: REPRESENTATION HOLES
Description: Determines the appearance of holes in volume views. ON gives a more

realistic view of a hole, with objects behind the hole being visible
through it. OFF represents holes as patterned regions on the surface of
the component.
Examples:
REPR HOLES ON
Sets the holes representation to ON
Command Syntax:
.---------<----------.
/ |
>-- REPResentation --*-- HOLes ---+-- ON ---|
| |
‘-- OFF --+-->
Querying:
Q REPR HOLES
5.2.10 Setting Arc Tolerance Representation
Keywords: REPRESENTATION DARCTOLERANCE
Description: Controls the arc tolerance used when representing certain curves as
polygon segments or faceting planes. The smaller the arc tolerance, the
smoother the curve drawn, but the slower the graphical performance.
The tolerances used for most curve drawing in Design are controlled
automatically by the graphical system. The REPRE DARC command
controls the following aspects only:
• Filleted vertices used in the representation of extrusions; for

example, Section Profiles from the Catalogue, Panel Loops, etc.
• Items which include holes (but only when REPRE HOLES is set to
On; see Section 5.2.9).
The default setting is 10 mm. The minimum permitted setting is 1mm.

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Display
Example:
REPR DARC 5
Sets the arc tolerance to 5 mm.
REP DARC DEF
Resets arc tolerance to 10 mm.
Command Syntax:
>-- REPResentation -- DARCtolerance --+-- <uval> ---.

| |
‘-- DEFault --+-->
Querying:
Q REPR DARC
5.2.11 Refreshing the Graphical View
Keywords: REPRESENTATION UPDATE
Description: Lets you refresh the graphical display, after modifying any of the
representation settings, without having to remove and add back all
items in the drawlist.
Examples:
REPR UPDATE
Command Syntax:
>-- REPResentation -- UPDATE -->
5.3 Specifying Axes
Keywords: AXES
Description: Lets you specify and position a set of axes on the display. The axes
represent the compass directions of the World co-ordinate system and
may be positioned anywhere on the display.
Axes remain visible until they are switched off or deleted. Switching
axes off renders them invisible, whilst deletion removes them
altogether. Switched-off axes can be made visible again by switching
them back on.

Display
Examples:
AXES AT @
Positions a set of axes at the graphics cursor
AXES HEIGHT 300 AT @
Positions a new set of axes at the graphics cursor, with a height of 300mm
(default size is 1000mm)
AXES OFF
Removes axes from the screen (although they still exist)
AXES ON
Redisplays axes as previously shown.
AXES DELETE
Deletes axes (i.e. AXES ON will have no effect)
Command Syntax:
.---------<---------------------------.
/ |
>-- AXEs --*-- HEIght value -----------------------|
| |
|-- AT <bpos> --------------------------|
| |
|-- AT POLar <bdir> DISTance <uval> ---'
|
|-- AT @ ----.
| |
|-- ON ------|
| |
|-- OFF -----|
| |
|-- DELete --|
| |
‘------------+----------------------------->
5.4 Graphical Labelling of Design Elements
Keywords: MARK UNMARK
Description: This facility allows specific design elements or lengths of Tube to be

labelled in the display.
Frequently referenced items may be marked with a constant graphic

label which will stay with that item even if it is moved or rescaled.
Items can also be unmarked (which removes the label).
Labels are shown in all permitted regions where the item’s origin is
within the current sub-view. The label always points to the origin or, in
the case of a Branch or Hanger, to its Head or Tail (where the name
will be suffixed with + or – respectively).

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Display
You can specify selection criteria for marking, and specify any textual
expression for the marker.
Examples:
MARK /DATUM5
Element /DATUM5 will be labelled with its name.
UNMARK /DATUM5
The specified element will cease to be labelled.
MARK WITH ’Outer Boundary’ ID @
Labels the picked element with the given text.
MARK WITH NAME ALL BRAN
Labels all Branches with their PDMS names.
MARK WITH NAME OF SPREF ALL VALVE WHERE PBORE GT 100
Labels all valves larger than the specified bore with their specification
references in the catalogue.
UNMARK ALL
Removes all marking from the screen.
Command Syntax:
>-- MArk --+-- WITH -- text expression --.

| |
‘-----------------------------+-- <selatt> -->
>-- UNMark -- <selatt> -->
5.5 Using Design Aids
Keywords: AID LINE ARROW CEARROW ARC SPHERE BOX CYLINDER
Description: This facility lets you incorporate lines, arrows, arcs, spheres, boxes or
cylinders in a view to help you with the design construction. Design
aids can be grouped together (using the NUMBER option) and given a
number for identification.
Aid lines are drawn between two defined 3D positions. The linestyle
can be solid, dashed, dotted or dash-dot, and you can label them with
text markers at defined positions.
Aid arrows are used to complement lines for showing dimensions etc.
You can control both the overall height of an arrow and the proportion
of its height occupied by the conical arrow-head, thus changing its
emphasis.

Display
A special aid arrow, the CEArrow, is positioned automatically to point

to the current element. You can specify whether the arrow points to
the Origin (default), P-arrive or P-leave of the current element.
NOTE: These terms relate primarily to piping components. For other
element types, they are interpreted in a logical way. For
example, for a SCTN, Origin = P-arrive = POSS, P-leave =
POSE; for a PANE, Origin = Vertex 1; for a VERT, Origin =
vertex position; etc.
Aid arcs are defined in terms of two points at their extremities and
either a third 'through' point or a tangent point through which a
second-order Bezier curve is constructed.
Aid spheres are defined by the position of the centre and the radius.
Aid boxes are defined in terms of their position, orientation, and X,Y,Z
dimensions. They may be drawn in wireline mode (like penalty volumes
or clipping boxes) or in solid mode (like box primitives).
Aid cylinders are defined in terms of their position, orientation,

diameter and height. They may be drawn in wireline or solid (filled)
mode.
Examples:
AID LINE E1200S3500U0 TO E760N1200U50
Draws a line between the two 3D positions.
AID LINE NUMBER 5 E1200S3500U0 TO E760N1200U50 LINESTYLE
DOTTED
Groups the new line with other such lines with the same number (5 this
example) and draws it in the dotted linestyle.
AID CLEAR LINE 5
Deletes line number 5
AID ARROW AT E760N1200U50 DIR E HEI 100 PROP 0.5
Positions 100mm arrow with given position and direction; arrow head is
50mm long.
AID BOX POS PIN 6 ORI X IS UP Y TOWARDS /PUMP1 XLEN 200
YLEN 200 ZLEN 200 FILL OFF
Positions a wireline cubic box, with 200mm sides, at Pin 6 with the specified
orientation.
AID CLEAR SPHERE UNN
Deletes all unnumbered aid spheres.

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Display
Command Syntax:
>- AID LINE -+--------------.

| |
‘- NUMber int -+- <bpos> TO <bpos> -+- LINEStyle -+- SOLId ---.
| | |
‘-> |- DASHEd --|
| |
|- DOTTEd --|
| |
‘- DASHDot -+->
>- AID TEXT - NUMber int - text_expression - AT <bpos> ->
>- AID ARROW -+--------------.

| |
‘- NUMber int -+-- AT <bpos> -- DIRection <bdir> -.
|
.----------------------------------------------’
|
‘- HEIght val -+------------------.
| |
‘- PROPortion val -+->
>- AID CEARROW -+- ON/OFF ->

|
'- HEIght val -+------------------.
| |
‘- PROPortion val -+- ARRIVE -.
| |
|- LEAVE --|
| |
'- ORIGIN -+->
>- AID ARC -+--------------.

| |
‘- NUMber int -+- <bpos> TO <bpos> -+- TANPoint <bpos> -.
| |
'- THRU <bpos> -----+->
>- AID SPHERE -+--------------.

| |
‘- NUMber int -+- <bpos> - DIAmeter <expre> ->
>- AID BOX -+--------------. .-------------------.

| | / |
‘- NUMber int -+-*- POSition <bpos> ---|
| |
|- ORIentation <ori> -|
| |
|- XLENgth <expre> ---|
| |
|- YLENgth <expre> ---|
| |
|- ZLENgth <expre> ---|
| |
‘- FILLed -+- ON --. |
| | |
‘- OFF -+--+->

Display
>- AID CYLinder -+--------------. .-------------------.

| | / |
‘- NUMber int -+-*- POSition <bpos> ---|
| |
|- AT <bpos> ---------|
| |
|- ORIentation <ori> -|
| |
|- DIAmeter <expre> --|
| |
|- HEIght <expre> ----|
| |
‘- FILLed -+- ON --. |
| | |
‘- OFF -+--+->
>- AID CLEAR -+- ALL-------------------------.

| |
|- LINE -----. |
| | |
|- ARROW ----| |
| | |
|- CEARROW --| |
| | |
|- ARC ------| |
| | |
|- SPHERE ---| |
| | |
|- BOX ------| |
| | |
'- CYLInder -+- int --------. |
| | |
|- ALL --------| |
| | |
‘- UNNumbered -+--+->
Querying:
>- Q AID -+- LINE -----.

| |
|- ARROW ----|
| |
|- CEARROW --|
| |
|- ARC ------|
| |
|- SPHERE ---|
| |
|- BOX ------|
| |
'- CYLInder -+- integer ----.
| |
|- UNNumbered -|
| |
‘- ALL --------+->
Note: Q AID ARC lists arcs using the THRU (not TANP) definition, since all arcs may
be represented in this way.

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Display
>- Q AID - NEXT -+- LINEnumber -----.

| |
|- ARROWnumber ----|
| |
|- ARCnumber ------|
| |
|- SPHEREnumber ---|
| |
|- CYLIndernumber -|
| |
'- BOXnumber ------+->
(Gives next available aid number for specified type)
5.6 Highlighting Components in the Designs
Keywords: ENHANCE UNENHANCE SOLELY
Description: This facility lets you highlight components visually in the design. For
example, all sections of implied tube and rod could be highlighted, all
piping components and so on.
A particular use of this facility would be to highlight components which

fail error checking.
The SOLELY keyword clears all previous highlighting before

highlighted the defined components.
You can also highlight specific lengths of tube or rod.

Examples:
ENHANCE SOLELY ALL REDU WITH (ABOR GT 10) COLOUR 13
Highlights all RED components that match the selection criteria with colour
13 (turquoise)
ENHANCE /PIPE1 /PIPE2 COLOUR 5
Highlights PIPE1 and PIPE2 in green
ENHANCE LENGTH 20 OF LEAVE TUBE COLOUR 7
Highlights 20mm of LEAVE TUBE in blue
Command Syntax:
>-- ENHANCE --+-- SOLELY ---. .--------------.

| | | |
‘-------------+-- <selatt> --+-- <selatt> --’.
| |
| ‘-- COLour -- <colno> --.
| |
+- LENGth - <uval> - OF -. |
| | |
‘- TOTAl ----------------+- <hlid>-----+-->

Display
Where <hlid> is:

>--+- LEAVE --.
| |
|- ARRIVE -|
| |
|- HEAD ---|
| |
‘- TAIL ---+- ROD --.
| |
‘- TUBE -+- OF - <gid> -- COLour -- <colno> -->
.--------------.
| |
>-- UNENHANCE ---+-- <selatt> --+-- <selatt> --’
| |
+- <HLID> -----+-------------------+--->
5.7 Spatial Maps
Spatial maps of the model are based on the obstruction limit boxes
surrounding each Design element, rather than using fully detailed
geometric representations. The spatial maps allow faster data access,
and they are used for tasks such as clash detection where fast data
access is required and where the simplified representation is adequate.
Spatial maps are maintained automatically as the design model is
updated, but may need to be rebuilt explicitly if the Catalogue data, from
which the map geometry is derived, is changed.
5.7.1 Checking the Spatial Maps

Keywords: MAP CHECK
Description: You can check one or more of the spatial maps to ensure that they
accurately reflect the current state of the design. To avoid spurious
results, it is advisable to do this before carrying out a clash check. This
is particularly important if the geometry of any geometry elements has
been modified.
Examples:
MAP CHECK MDB
Checks the spatial maps for all Design DBs within the current MDB against
the current design and catalogue data. If there are any discrepancies,
appropriate messages are output; you should then rebuild the map (see
Section 5.7.2)
MAP CHECK PIPES/AREA1
Checks the up-to-date status of the spatial map for the named Design DB
only.

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Display
Command Syntax:
>--- MAP CHEck ---+--- MDB -------------------------------.

| |
| .-----------<---------. |
| / | |
‘--- word ---*--- name --+-- word ---’ |
| |
‘--------------+--->
where word and name define the full name of a current Design DB.
5.7.2 Creating or Updating Spatial Maps

Keywords: MAP BUILD
Description: Lets you update existing spatial maps to take into account all design
and catalogue changes which have taken place. This is only necessary if
the MAP CHECK command (Section 5.7.1) shows that the map is out of
date.
Examples:
MAP BUILD MDB
Updates the spatial maps for all Design DBs within the current MDB.
MAP BUILD STEEL/AREA2
Updates the spatial map for the DB STEEL/AREA2.
Command Syntax:
>--- MAP BUIld ---+--- MDB --->

|
| .-----------<-----------.
| / |
‘--- word ---*--- name ---+--- word ---’
|
‘--->
where word and name denote the full name of a current Design DB.

6 Using Rules to Define Attribute Settings
Rather than being set explicitly, the values of some types of attribute can
be specified in terms of rules; that is, expressions from which the
attribute values can be evaluated. Rules can be set only for attributes of
the following types (including user-defined attributes): text, scalar
(integer, real or logical), position, orientation, direction; they cannot be
set for reference attributes. A static rule will change the attribute
setting only when verified or executed explicitly, whereas a dynamic
rule will update the attribute setting whenever any part of the
expression changes (the default type is static).
6.1 Setting Attribute Rules
Keywords: RULE SET STATIC DYNAMIC
Description: Lets you set a rule for the value of a single named attribute. The rule
may contain any valid expression of the type applicable to the attribute
setting.
Examples:
RULE SET ZLEN (XLEN + YLEN)
Sets rule that ZLEN of the current element is the sum of its XLEN and
YLEN values. The ZLEN will be updated to reflect changes to XLEN or
YLEN only when the rule is verified or executed (i.e. it is a static rule).
RULE SET XLEN DYNAM (YLEN + 2)
XLEN will be updated automatically whenever YLEN is changed.
RULE SET POS (N300 E400 U500) ON ALL BOX FOR /PUMP1
Sets rule for position attribute for all boxes in /PUMP1
RULE SET POS DYNAM (N100 FROM /BOX2 )
If /BOX2 moves, the element with this attribute rule will move with it
automatically. (Note space between last character of element name and
closing parenthesis.)

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Using Rules to Define Attribute Settings
Command Syntax:
>- RULE SET - attribute_name -+- STAtic --.

| |
|- DYNamic -|
| |
‘-----------+- <expre> -+- ON -.
| |
‘------+-.
|
.------’
|
‘-+- <selatt> -.
| |
‘------------+->
Querying:
Q ATT Displays all attribute values and all rules for the
current element.
Q RULES Displays all rules for current element.
Q RUL OF XLEN Displays rule for XLEN attribute of current
element.
6.2 Verifying Attribute Rules
Keywords: RULE VERIFY
Description: When a rule is verified, the expression held in the rule is evaluated and
both the result of the evaluation and the current value of the attribute
are displayed.
Examples:
RULE VERIFY ALL
Verifies all rules for the current element.
RULE VER HEIG ON CYLI 1 FOR /PUMP1
Verifies rule for height attribute on first cylinder of /PUMP1.
Command Syntax:
>-- RULE VERify --+-- attribute_name --.

| |
‘-- ALL -------------+-- ON --.
| |
‘--------+-- <selatt> --.
| |
‘--------------+-->

6.3 Executing Attribute Rules
Keywords: RULE EXECUTE
Description: When a rule is executed, the expression held in the rule is evaluated
and the value of the attribute is replaced by the result of the
evaluation.
Examples:
RULE EXECUTE :TEMP1
Executes rule for uda :TEMP1 for the current element.
RULE EXE ALL ON ALL BOX FOR /PUMP1
Executes all rules for all boxes owned by /PUMP1.
Command Syntax:
>-- RULE EXEcute --+-- attribute_name --.

| |
‘-- ALL -------------+-- ON --.
| |
‘--------+-- <selatt> --.
| |
‘--------------+->
6.4 Deleting Attribute Rules
Keywords: RULE DELETE
Description: Lets you delete one or more rules for the current element or for
specified elements.
Examples:
RULE DELETE ALL
Deletes all rules for the current element.
RULE DEL ALL ON ALL FOR /PUMP1
Deletes all rules for all primitives owned by /PUMP1.
Command Syntax:
>-- RULE DELete --+-- attribute_name --.

| |
‘-- ALL -------------+-- ON --.
| |
‘--------+-- <selatt> --.
| |
‘--------------+-->

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7 Interacting with a Graphical View
Note: The commands described in this chapter should not be used very often.
Most of the functionality they provided has been superseded by Event-
driven Graphics, and they are included here for compatibility with
earlier versions of PDMS.
7.1 Identifying Displayed Items and Points
A displayed element from the visible model can be accessed directly by

moving the cursor over it and clicking the left-hand mouse button. The
following sections describe the different ways of selecting database
elements from the display by using the cursor. These commands let you
use the visible design in order to move to elements in the Design
hierarchy and points in 3D space.
In each case, an appropriate prompt is displayed.
7.1.1 Identifying Displayed Elements using the Cursor

Keywords: IDENTIFY
Description: If a particular type of element is to be located, a selective search can be

made using the IDENTIFY command followed by a keyword identifying
the element type. If a specific element type is not requested, the
element hit will always be a geometric primitive or component. Any
displayed line or p-point of an item may be hit. To abort, press the
Cancel button on the displayed form.
Examples:
ID @ Pressed Enter (or Return), move the cursor over
the desired item and click the left-hand mouse
button. The name of the element under the
cursor is displayed on the command line. The
picked element becomes the current element and
is displayed in a different colour. (This is the
general response to all variations of the
IDENTIFY command.)
ID EQUIP @ As above, but the search is restricted to EQUI
elements.

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Interacting with a Graphical View
Command Syntax:
>-- IDentify --+-- <snoun> --.

| |
‘-------------+-- @ -->
7.1.2 Identifying Tube using the Cursor

Keywords: IDENTIFY TUBE
Description: Variable length Tube (and Rod) from the visible design can be accessed
by picking with the cursor. As Tube is not an element in the Design
hierarchy, it cannot be accessed. Instead, the component on the
upstream side of the Tube (downstream if routing backwards) will be
accessed. This means that the next component to be created will be
inserted in the picked Tube. Any visible Tube can be picked regardless
of whether it is shown in single or double line representation.
Examples:
ID T @ The name of the component on the upstream side
of the Tube under the cursor is displayed on the
command line.
Command Syntax:
>-- IDentify Tube @ -->
7.1.3 Identifying Displayed Points using the Cursor

Keywords: IDPPOINT PPOINT
Description: The cursor can be used to pick any p-point in the visible design or any
mapping pin. This form of picking will not change the current element.
Note: IDPPOINT cannot be used in isolation. It must be used with another
command.
Only those p-points which are defined in the Catalogue as being visible
in Design will be available for picking in this way.
Examples:
Q IDP @ Press and hold down left-hand mouse button when
cursor is over element. Element will be highlighted
with p-points visible and cursor will change to a square
shape. With left-hand mouse button still held down,
move cursor over required p-point. When over a p-
point, cursor will change to a square shape with
crosshairs. Release the button to select the p-point.

Command Syntax:
.-----<-----.
/ |
>-- Query <marke> --+--*-- <ppatt> --+-->
|
|-- <axes> -->
|
‘-->
<ppatt> = >--+-- CONnection --------------.

| |
|-- BORe --------------------|
| |
|-- OD ----------------------|
| |
|-- POSition ---. |
| | |
|-- DIRection --| |
| | |
|-- East -------| |
| | |
|-- X ----------| |
| | |
|-- West -------| |
| | |
|-- North ------| |
| | |
|-- Y ----------| |
| | |
|-- South ------| |
| | |
|-- Up ---------| |
| | |
|-- Z ----------| |
| | |
|-- Down -------| |
| | |
|-- GRADient ---| |
| | |
|-- BOP --------| |
| | |
‘-- TOP --------+-- <axes> --|
| |
‘------------+-->
7.1.4 Identifying Items with a 2D Pick

Use a working plane in preference to this older functionality.
Keywords: TWODPLANE TWODPICK
Description: This facility lets you define a plane which is normal to the view
direction. You can then use the cursor to pick a point in an orthogonal
view such that the third coordinate of the required point is derived
automatically from this plane.

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The TWODPLANE command defines the 2D picking plane in terms of a

point within the plane.
The AT TWODPICK @ command may then be used to request a cursor

position which identifies a point within the 2D picking plane. The plane
is generated dynamically from the TWODPLANE point and the view
direction.
Examples:
TWODPLANE E 1000 N 2000 U 500
Defines 2D picking plane which passes through
given point and which is normal to view direction
AT TWODPICK @ Using the preceding 2D picking plane definition,
a cursor hit at E 1234 N 5678 in a plan view will
return the position E 1234 N 5678 U 500 in
World coordinates
Note: Cursor positions are always returned in World coordinates. In order to
obtain the correct result, the 2D picking plane must therefore be set to
an absolute World position.
Command Syntax:
>-- TWODPLane -- <bpos> -->
>-- AT TWODPick @ -->

Querying:
>-- Q -- TWODPLane -->
7.2 3D Pins
The Design pins are a set of ten temporary marker points which have a
3D position and direction. They can be moved around using positioning
and orientation commands similar to those available for permanent
Design elements.
Once positioned, a pin may either be used as a static reference point or as
a temporary p-point.
The commands described here only show how to make pins visible and
position and orientate them. Once this has been done they can be used
for positioning and orientating Design elements in any command that
uses point as an argument.

7.2.1 Setting a Pin’s Position and Direction Explicitly

Keywords: PIN AT DIRECTION
Description: The position and direction of a pin can be set explicitly in the same way
as an ordinary design element. Unless stated otherwise, the positional
parameters described below are in the coordinate system of the current
element.
Examples:
PIN 5 AT E1000 Pin 5 will be moved to the coordinate position
East 1000 from the Site origin.
PIN5 DIR W WRT SITE
Pin 5 will be orientated in a direction West with
respect to the current SITE.
Command Syntax:
>-- PIn integer --+-- AT --+-- <bpos> ------------------------.

| | |
| ‘-- POLar <bdir> DISTance <uval> --|
| |
‘-- DIRection <bdir> -----------------------+-->
Querying:
>-- Q PIn integer POSition <bpos> --+-- <axes> --.

| |
‘------------+-->
>-- Q PIn integer DIRection <bdir> --+-- <axes> --.
| |
‘------------+-->
7.2.2 Making a Pin Visible

Keywords: PIN
Description: This command allows a particular pin to be switched in and out of the
Display.
When a pin is visible, it will be drawn as a numbered arrow marker

which indicates its position and direction in each volume view. Visible
pins can be hit with the cursor during any IDPPOINT operation. When a
pin is switched off, it is erased from the display, but it still exists and
can be referred to by name.
Examples:
PIN 5 Pin 5 will be drawn into all volume views, and
can be hit by the cursor.
PIN 5 OFF Pin 5 will be erased.

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Command Syntax:
>-- PIn integer --+-- OFF --.

| |
‘---------+-->
Querying:
(As in previous subsection.)
7.2.3 Locating a Pin by Copying or Connecting

Keywords: PIN COPY CONNECT
Description: A pin’s position and direction can be set by copying or connecting to any
other p-point or pin, the only difference being that the CONNECT
operation orientates the specified pin in the opposite direction (see
examples below).
Examples:
PIN 5 C0PY IDP @ Pin 5 will be placed at the same position and
orientation as the p-point or pin hit by the cursor.
PIN 5 CONNECT TO PH
Pin 5 will be placed at the Branch Head, but
pointing in the opposite direction to HDIR (Head
direction). This command must be given at
BRANCH level. Pin 5 can be an existing pin or a
new one.
Command Syntax:
>-- PIn integer --+-- Copy --------------.

| |
‘-- CONnect --+-- TO --|
| |
‘--------+-- <marke> -->
Querying:
>-- Q PIN integer --+-- POSition ---.

| |
‘-- DIRection --+-- WRT --.
| |
|-- IN ---+-- <gid> --.
| |
‘----------------------+-->

7.2.4 Moving a Pin

Keywords: PIN BY THROUGH DISTANCE
Description: These commands allow a pin to be moved from its current position in
any axis direction or along its own direction. If moved along its own
direction, a specified distance can be given or, alternatively, an
intersection. (Moving in this manner is very similar to the pipe-routing
options.)
Examples:
PIN 6 BY E3000 N2000
Pin 6 is moved by the given directions and
distances
PIN 6 DIST 600 Pin 6 is moved along its own direction by the
given amount
PIN 6 THR /NOZZ5 Pin 6 is moved along its own direction until it
intersects a plane through /NOZZ5
Command Syntax:
>-- PIn integer --+-- BY <pos> ---------.

| |
|-- THRough <bpos> ---|
| |
‘-- DISTance <uval> --+-- WRT --.
| |
|-- IN ---+-- <gid> --.
| |
‘----------------------+-->
Querying:
>-- Q PIN integer --+-- POSition ---.

| |
‘-- DIRection --+-- WRT --.
| |
|-- IN ---+-- <gid> --.
| |
‘----------------------+-->
7.2.5 General Pin Moves

Keywords: PIN
Description: Pins may be moved in exactly the same manner as piping components,
using the same command options. The movement direction is always in
the pin direction, so it is important to ensure that this is appropriate
before a move is attempted. As these commands are quite extensive,
they are not repeated here; see the pipe routing commands in Chapter
8.

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Examples:
PIN 6 DISTANCE 600 INFRONT ID @
Pin 6 is moved along its direction until it is 600
distance units in front of the item picked with the
cursor.
Command Syntax:
>-- PIn integer <plane> -->

(see Chapter 8 for the <plane> construction)
7.3 Constructs
Note: Use the Constructs options on the Utilities menu in preference to these
older facilities.
Keywords: CONSTRUCT POSITION DIRECTION DISTANCE ANGLE

LINE PLANE
Description: The construction aids available in Design let you display coordinates,
directions, distances, angles and plane definitions.
The constructed quantities are written out into the REQUESTS region
of your display. These quantities can be written into variables for later
use. The commands used to define constructed quantities make use of
p-points, p-lines, pins, directions, positions and orientations.
The different methods for constructing these entities are:

• CONStruct Angle
position1 TO position2 TO position3
direction1 AND direction2
line1 line2
line plane
plane1 plane2
plane line
• CONStruct DISTance
position1 TO position2
position TO line
position TO plane
line1 TO line2
projection of any of the above ALong a given direction

• CONStruct Position
NEArest position ON line
NEArest position ON plane
INTersect plane1 plane2 plane3
INTersect line plane
INTersect line1 line2 (gives result on line1 if lines are skew or
parallel) plane line
• CONStruct DIRection
NORmal plane
ORTHogonal direction1 AND direction2
ORTHogonal direction AND line
ORTHogonal line1 AND line2
ORTHogonal line AND direction
position1 TO position2
plane
line
• CONStruct LINe
JOIn position1 TO position2
direction THRough position
PARallel line THRough position
NORmal line THRough position
NORmal plane THRough position
PROJection line ON plane
INTersect plane1 plane2
• CONStruct Plane
THRough position1 AND position2 AND position3
direction THRough position
direction THRough a p-point, pin or digitised point (optionally offset
a given DISTance or relative to existing geometry: INFront or
BEHind an element, p-point or position: FROm or TO a position)
Note: In all of the above, position, direction, line or plane is defined in normal
PDMS format, or by reference to a p-point, pin or marker, or picked
from an appropriate view.
Examples:
CONS POS P2 OF FLAN 4 OF BRAN /PIPE1-1 TO PLANE PIN 7
The intersection between the specified point and the plane perpendicular to
pin 7 is shown.
VAR 5 CONS POS PL TO LINE PA OF NEXT
The closest point on the line from PLEAVE to the intersection of the two
lines is placed in Variable 5.
CONS POS PIN5 TO PLA PIN6
The intersection between the direction of pin 5 and the plane perpendicular
to pin 6 is written out into the request region.

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CONS DIR PL
The direction of the line is output in World coordinates into the request
region.
CONS DIST PA TO PL
The dimension from the first to the second p-point of the current element is
written out into the Request region.
VAR 5 CONS DIST PL TO LIN PA OF NEXT
The minimum distance between PLEAVE of the current element and the
specified line will be be placed in Variable 5
CONS ANG PIN1 TO PIN2 TO PIN3
The angle between the three specified points is written out into the Request
region.
CONS ANGL PL LIN PA OF NEXT
The angle between the lines from the two specified p-points is written out
into the request region.
CONS LINE JOIN P0 TO P1
Constructs a line joining the two p-points, displaying the line description
in the request region.
CONS PLANE P3 DIST 900
The plane perpendicular to the specified point and 900 from it is written out
into the request region.
CONS PLANE PL THROUGH /NOZZ5
The plane perpendicular to the specified point and intersecting /NOZZ5 is
written out into the request region.
CONS PLANE PA DIST 500 BEH /COL19
A plane perpendicular to the specified point will be defined and written out
into the request region. The plane will be positioned 500 to the far side of
/COL19.
7.4 Isodraft Mode
Keywords: ISODRAFTMODE
Description: Enables you to enter (a subset of) Isodraft syntax within Design. You
are thus able to produce an Isometric plot without having to switch
modules.
Note: This syntax is included here for completeness, but you would
normally produce “check Isos” in Design using the GUI.
Command Syntax:
>-- ISODRAFTMODE --.
|
(Isodraft syntax available)
|

‘—- EXIT --> (Return to Design syntax.)

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8 Design Database Elements
This chapter describes the commands to create, copy and name database
elements, and also the commands to navigate around the database
hierarchy once you have created some elements.
These commands can be used throughout Design. For information about
creating the elements which build up the model, and setting their
attributes, see Part 2 and Part 3 of the VANTAGE PDMS Design
Reference Manual. For a comprehensive list of all valid PDMS
attributes, see the Plant Design Software Customisation Reference
Manual.
8.1 Elements
8.1.1 Creating Elements

Keywords: NEW
Description: This command creates a new element in the Design hierarchy. The
attributes of that element can then be specified or further elements
may be created as members.
Elements can only be created at appropriate levels in the hierarchy. For

example a Site can own a Zone, but not a Valve. In some cases you
must navigate to the correct position in the hierarchy before you can
create a new element, but in other cases Design will navigate to the
correct level automatically: see Examples below.
For Branch and Hanger elements, the location of the new Component in
their member list defines the route logic. It is therefore necessary to
navigate to the Component adjacent to the insertion point in the
member list (upstream if routing forwards, downstream if routing
backwards). If the new Component is required at the end of the member
list then accessing the Branch or Hanger Head or Tail will insert the
Component in the correct position.
Examples:
NEW ZONE /Z1
The Zone element is created as a member of the current Site. The Zone is
now the current element. Its NAME attribute is /Z1.

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Design Database Elements
NEW TEE
If the current element is the fourth member in a Branch member list, the Tee
element is inserted as the fifth member. The Tee is now the current element.
NEW EQUIP /1301
If the current element is a Box owned by another EQUIP which is Member 2
of Zone /Z1, the new Equipment element is inserted as member 3 of the Zone
and named /1301. The new Equipment is now the current element.
NEW GASKET
If this command is given when the current element is the Branch Head, the
Gasket is inserted as the first member of the Branch and is now the current
element.
Command Syntax:
>-- NEW --+-- name <snoun> --------.

| |
‘-- <snoun> --+-- name --|
| |
‘----------+-->
Querying:
Q LISt Indicates all the design element types that can be
created as members of the current element.
8.1.2 Creating Elements at a Given Position in the Member List

Keywords: NEW
Description: You can place elements in any location in a legal member list by
specifying the existing element adjacent to where the new element is
required. The new element may be inserted either before or after the
specified element.
Examples:
NEW VALVE BEF (At a Branch Component)
The Valve will be inserted before the current element in the current list.
NEW ZONE BEF 2 (At Site level)
The Zone will be inserted before member 2 of the Site.
NEW BOX (At a CYLI which is a member of a STRU)
A new BOX will be inserted as the next member of the STRU (after the CYLI
in member list order).
NEW BOX (At a SUBS which is a member of a STRU)
A new BOX will be inserted as a member of the SUBS (at the top of the
member list).

Command Syntax:
>-- NEW --+-- name <snoun> --------.

| |
‘-- <snoun> --+-- name --|
| |
‘----------+-- BEFore --.
| |
|-- AFTer ---+-- <gid> --.
| | |
| ‘------------+-->
‘-->
8.1.3 Deleting Elements

Keywords: DELETE
Description: The basic delete operation can only be performed on the current
element. Its effect, however, is to delete this element and all its
offspring (i.e. members and their members, etc.) from the model. The
MEMBERS option only deletes the offspring, leaving the current
element intact. When an element is deleted, its owner becomes the new
current element.
Examples:
DELETE NOZZ
Deletes the current element - a Nozzle. The EQUI owning the Nozzle
becomes the current element.
DELETE ZONE
Deletes the current element - a Zone and all its offspring. The Site owning
the Zone becomes the current element.
DELETE SITE MEM
Deletes all the members of the current element (SITE) and their offspring.
Command Syntax:
>-- DELETE <snoun> --+-- MEMbers --+-- integer --+-- TO integer -->
| | |
| | ‘-->
| ‘-->
‘-->

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8.1.4 Reorganising the Hierarchy

Keywords: REORDER INCLUDE
Description: If it is necessary to reorganise the hierarchy, two options are available.

REORDER allows the elements in a single member list (e.g.
Components of a pipe) to be rearranged. INCLUDE allows elements to
be relocated to another part of the hierarchy (e.g. an EQUIPMENT may
be moved into a different Zone). In both operations the elements and
their offspring are transferred to their new location in the Design
hierarchy. In the case of INCLUDE, the element’s owner changes. If the
old and new owner are in different positions in World coordinates, then
the element will change position.
Elements can also be moved to new locations in the hierarchy by

placing them before or after a specified element.
Examples:
REORDER /B
/B, which must be in the member list of the current element, is relocated
after the current member list position.
INCLUDE /EQUIP
The current element must be a Zone, which is the only element which can
own an Equipment. /EQUIP is inserted into the Zone’s member list.
REORD /B AFTER 3
(Both elements must be in the member list of the current element.) Element
/B is located after the third element in the member list.
INCL /EQUIP BEF 3
The element /EQUIP is brought from its location in another Zone to before
the third element in the member list of the current Zone.
Command Syntax:
>--+-- REOrder --.

| |
‘-- INClude --+-- <gid> --+-- BEFore --.
| |
|-- AFTer ---+-- <gid> --.
| | |
| ‘------------+-->
‘-->

8.1.5 Copying ……………

This subsection describes how to copy elements, together with their
offspring. When elements are copied, all attributes are duplicated except:
• NAME, which must be unique.
• LOCK, which will always be unlocked in the new element.
Keywords: COPY
Description: The COPY command provides an extremely powerful facility. Not only
is it possible to copy all the attributes of a specified element into the
current element, it is also possible to duplicate any offspring that
element may have. This means that anything from a single primitive
shape to a whole equipment item (or even a Site) can be copied.
Examples:
COPY PREV
For example, if both the current and previous elements are Boxes, the
attributes of the previous element will be copied to the current element.
COPY /EQUIP10
For example, if the current element is an Equipment, the attributes and
offspring of /EQUIP10 are copied to the current element. (The NAME and
LOCK attributes of the current element do not change.)
Command Syntax:
>-- COPY --+--------------------.

| |
|-- ATTributes - OF -|
| |
+-- LIKE ------------+ -- <gid> --.
| |
‘-- ADJacent ------ <selatt>------+--->
• The ATTRIBUTES option copies all attributes (except for direct design
references) from the identified element to the current element. The
members hierarchy is not copied. The source and current elements do not
have to be the same type. If the types are different, only the attributes
valid for the target (current) element are copied.
• The LIKE option works in a similar fashion to ATTRIBUTES, except that
any position, direction, orientation or angle attributes are not copied.
• The ADJACENT option causes a list of elements, selected by <selatt>, to be
copied alongside their original positions in the database. For example, if
the list included a SCTN and a PNOD, each of these items would be copied
so that the new SCTN shared the same owner as the old SCTN, and the
new PNOD shared the same owner as the original PNOD. Note that as
this option copies elements, rather than just attributes, the COPY option
can be used.

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8.1.6 Copying and Renaming

Keywords: COPY RENAME
Description: This command allows automatic renaming of the current element and
any new offspring that possess a standard name part. You can also
choose to copy only the members (and their offspring) of an element,
leaving the attributes of the current element unchanged.
Examples:
COPY MEM OF /EQUIP10 (At another EQUIP element.)
If the current element is an Equipment, all the offspring of /EQUIP10 are copied into the
current element. The attributes of the current element do not change.
COPY /P1/PIPE RENAME /P1 /P2
The attributes and offspring of /P1/PIPE are copied into the current element. Where /P1
is found as the name or part of the name, it is renamed as /P2 in the current element and
its offspring.
COPY MEM 4 TO 10 OF PREV BRAN
The attributes and offspring of the fourth element in the current element’s member list
are copied into the tenth element in the member list of the previous BRAN element in
the current member list.
Command Syntax:
>- COPY -+- MEMbers -+- n -.

| | |
| ‘-----+- TO n -.
| | |
| ‘--------+- OF <gid> -+- REName name name -.
| | |
| ‘--------------------|
|- ALL OF -. |
| | |
‘----------+- <gid> -+- REName name name --------------------|
| |
‘---------------------------------------+->
8.2 The Standard Design Element Attributes
The range of information attributes carried by each Design element

depends upon the element type; for example, a Cylinder has DIAMETER
and HEIGHT among its attributes, whereas a PIPE has a PRESSURE
attribute. All elements, however, possess the following basic core of four
essential attributes (known as the standard attributes):

TYPE This is given by the user as part of the element creation

command, e.g. NEW BOX (where the TYPE is BOX).
NAME This can either be provided by the user or, in the case of
minor items, is generated automatically (as a reference
number).
OWNER This attribute indicates the element’s owner and is
automatically set when the element is created.
LOCK This is allows you to prevent an element from being altered
or deleted.
In addition, most Design elements possess the two additional attributes:
POSITION The position of the element relative to its owner.
ORIENTATION The orientation of the element relative to its owner.
Both of these attributes are set automatically during 3D element
positioning and routing operations.
8.2.1 The Type of Element and its Owner

Keywords: TYPE OWNER
Description: An element’s TYPE and OWNER attributes are set automatically when
it is created. They cannot be changed explicitly.
Command Syntax:
See Sections 8.1.1 and 8.1.2 on element creation (NEW command).

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8.2.2 Naming Design Elements

Keywords: NAME UNNAME
Description: All elements except the WORLD can be named. Although Design
elements are often given suitable names while being created, later
name changes can be made by giving a new name or by removing the
old name. The name of any element must be unique; that is, not already
used for another currently accessible element.
Examples:
NAME /ZONE5D
The current element is given the specified name provided it has not been
used elsewhere.
UNN The current element loses its name (it is still identifiable by its
automatically allocated reference number).
Command Syntax:
>-- NAMe --+-- ALL name name --.

| |
‘-- name -----------+-->
>-- UNName -->
8.2.3 Renaming Elements and their Offspring

Keywords: RENAME
Description: The name of the current element and offspring can be modified where a
standard name part occurs.
Examples:
REN ALL /Z1 /Z2
All occurrences of /Z1 in the names of the current element and its offspring
will be changed to /Z2.
Command Syntax:
>-- REName --+-- ALL name name --.

| |
‘-- name -----------+-->

8.2.4 Locking Elements Against Alteration and Deletion

Keywords: LOCK UNLOCK
Description: Locking a design element prevents it from being modified or deleted.

The LOCK command allows either a single element to be controlled, or
all its offspring too. (A complete Site can be locked if required.) This
provides you with personal security control over your area of work.
(General security restrictions affecting the whole Project are
established in the ADMINISTRATION module of PDMS.)
Examples:
LOCK ALL
The current element and all its offspring are locked.
UNLOCK
The current element is unlocked.
Command Syntax:
>--+-- LOCK ----.

| |
‘-- UNLOck --+-- ALL --.
| |
‘---------+-- <snoun> --.
| |
‘-------------+-->
8.2.5 The Position and Orientation Attributes

Keywords: POSITION ORIENTATION
Description: Virtually every element in the Design hierarchy has its own coordinate
system which consists of a set of axes giving an origin position and
orientation. The POSITION and ORIENTATION of an element are the
position of its origin and the orientation of its axes relative to its
owner. On creation, an element starts with the position E0 N0 U0 (i.e.
at the origin of its owner) and is orientated with its axes aligned with
those of its owner. The commands which alter position and orientation
are all the element placement, connection and routing facilities
described elsewhere in this manual.

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Querying:
>-- Query POSition --+-- <bpos> --.

| |
‘------------+-- WRT -- <gid> -->
|
‘-->
>-- Query ORIentation --+-- WRT -- <gid> -->

|
‘-->
Querying examples:
Q POS Returns the current element position in its owner co ordinates
Q ORI WRT SITE
Returns the current element orientation in Site coordinates
Q POS IDP@ WRT WORLD
Returns the position of the Design point hit by the cursor in World
coordinates
8.3 Navigation
You can navigate around the Design database in the following ways:
• Going to a Design element whose identity or position in the hierarchy is
known
• Going to a Design element whose position in the hierarchy relative to the
current position is known
• Going to a Design element by picking it a graphical display.
Note that you can navigate to any element in the Design database, and
not just the items currently shown in the graphical display.
As well as the commands described in this Section, you can go to an
element by:
• Picking it in the Graphical View.
• Picking it in the Members List
• Typing in its name or reference number.

8.3.1 Going to the Previously Accessed Element
Keywords: SAME CE
Description: SAME takes you to the element you were at before you accessed the
current element. Repeating the SAME command has the effect of
moving repeatedly between two items - it does not move back along the
list of items accessed. (If the previously accessed element has been
deleted, the next available element in the list will be accessed.)
CE takes you to the current element itself. (This facility may seem
rather pointless in this situation; however the CE keyword is used in
many commands as a means of identifying an element to be the object
of that command.)
Examples:
CHECK CE
Check the current element for data inconsistencies.
ADD CE
Add the current element to the display.
Command Syntax:
>-- CE -->
>-- SAMe -->
8.3.2 Going to an Implied Tube or Rod
Keywords: IARRIVE ILEAVE HEAD TAIL TUBE ROD
Description: You can navigate to implied tube or rod within a branch or hanger
(although if the derived length is less than 1mm, the system does not
consider it to exist).
To make an implied rod or tube the current element, you must also
indicate whether the head, tail, arrive or leave tube or rod is intended.
Example:
IARRIVE TUBE OF /PIPE1
Go to arrive of implied tube of /PIPE1.

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Command Syntax:
>--+-- IArrive ---.

| |
|-- ILeave ----|
| |
|-- HEAd ------|
| |
‘-- TAIl ------+---+-- TUBe --.
| |
‘-- ROD ---+-- OF ---<gid>---.
| |
‘-----------------+---->
8.3.3 Ascending the Design Hierarchy
Keywords: OWNER END
Description: Moving up the hierarchy involves fewer decisions than moving

downwards, as any element can have only one Owner. Two commands
(OWNER and END) allow you to move up to the immediate parent.
END differs from OWNER by allowing you to return to a Group

element from which the current element was accessed. As the Group
does not own that element, the command OWNER would go to the
element’s true Owner and not the Group.
You can move up the hierarchy by more than one level by inputting the
type of element you want to access. For example, navigation from an
Elbow to its parent Zone would involve three successive END
commands. However the command ZONE would scan up the hierarchy
to find the Zone which owns the current element list, thus saving two
END commands.
8.3.4 Other Navigation Commands
Keywords: FIRST LAST NEXT PREVIOUS MEMBER

END TYPE
Description: Navigate to the specified position in the members list. Most can be
used with the OF keyword to go to members of other elements.
Examples:
FIRST BRANCH OF ZONE /Z25A
LAST NOZZLE OF PREVIOUS 3 EQUIPMENTS
FIRST ZONE OF /SITE 5
PIPE 2 OF /Z100A
ELBOW 1 OF NEXT BRANCH

8.4 Setting a Synonym for an Element Name
Keywords SETSTAR
Description To save repeatedly typing an element's name, you can define the
asterisk or star symbol (*) to represent any specified element. By
default, if no element identifier is given, the current element is
assumed. After setting, the * symbol may be entered in any command
to represent the full name of the element.
Examples:
SETSTAR * will now represent current element
SETSTAR /element_name
* will now represent the specified element
Command Syntax:
>-- SETSTAR --+-- <gid> --.

| |
‘-----------+-->

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9 Error Messages
This chapter lists error messages specific to Design. These messages
have a message number beginning with 61. Any other messages that may
be output are not described here as they are not specific to Design.
Note that in the following element_identifier denotes an element name or
(for unnamed elements) an element reference number. The latter is a
‘system’ number which is assigned automatically whenever an element is
created.
(61:1) Unable to calculate the orientation
(61:2) element_identifier is not a piping or a hanger component or has not been
positioned oriented or selected.
(61:3) element_identifier is not a branch or piping component
(61:4) element_identifier is not a hanger or hanger component
(61:5) Unable to position element_identifier
(61:6) element_identifier does not have a position
(61:7) Unable to orientate element_identifier
(61:8) element_identifier does not have an orientation
(61:9) Unable to set the head position of element_identifier
(61:10) Unable to set the tail position of element_identifier
(61:11) Unable to set the head direction of element_identifier
(61:12) Unable to set the tail direction of element_identifier
(61:13) Trying to connect element_identifier to itself
(61:14) Unable to set the head reference of element_identifier
(61:15) Unable to set the tail reference of element_identifier
(61:16) Current element does not have a head or a tail attribute
(61:17) Default orientation only available for piping and hanger components.
(61:18) Default orientation cannot be found. Previous element either not
positioned and oriented or not selected.
(61:19) Direction undefined for towards origin of current element
(61:20) Current element type unsuitable for DIRECTION command
(61:21) SPREF can only be selected for a piping or hanger component
(61:22) LSTUBE can only be selected for a piping component
(61:23) HSTUBE can only be selected for a BRANCH
(61:24) LSROD can only be selected for a hanger component
(61:25) HSROD can only be selected for a HANGER
(61:26) TUBE can only be selected for a BRANCH or a piping component
(61:27) ROD can only be selected for a HANGER or a hanger component
(61:28) Only BRANCHs, HANGERs, and piping and hanger components can be
selected
(61:29) element_identifier is not a SPEC
(61:30) element_identifier is not a SPCOM
(61:31) Cannot find SPCOM name
(61:32) Appending name to specification name gives a name of more than 50
characters.
(61:33) Angle attributes can only be given values between -180 and +180 degrees.

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Error Messages
(61:34) Degenerate orientation specified

(61:35) Pins cannot be used for connecting piping or hanger components
(61:36) Reconnecting element_identifier
(61:37) Connection to element_identifier is invalid ( HREF / TREF do not point back to
nozzle )
(61:38) element_identifier is locked, reconnection fails
(61:39) element_identifier is in a read-only database, reconnection fails
(61:40) Plane parallel to movement direction
(61:41) Default movement direction only available for piping and hanger
components.
(61:42) Default movement direction not available. Previous element either not
positioned and oriented or not selected.
(61:43) ARRIVE / LEAVE ppoint cannot be determined. Current element has
probably not been selected.
(61:44) Default movement origin cannot be determined.
(61:45) BOP and TOP can only be used with piping and hanger components.
(61:46) DIRECTION command only operates on ppoints of the current element
(61:47) Bad DIRECTION - zero degree angle specified
(61:48) Point set does not allow variable angle. Angle is unchanged, direction is in
correct plane.
(61:49) Unable to achieve specified direction - probably due to unconventional
pointset
(61:50) Pin numbers must be in the range 1 to 10
(61:51) Unable to position pin integer
(61:52) Unable to orientate pin integer
(61:53) Unable to copy the marker
(61:75) element_identifier is not a branch, reconnect fails
(61:76) Connection to a database that is not open, reconnection fails
(61:77) Cannot find P-point 1 - Nozzle catalogue reference probably not set
(61:78) Reconnect not allowed at WORLD or GPWL level
(61:79) element_identifier cannot own nozzles
(61:80) Cannot access SPCOM from which to reselect
(61:81) To position the HEAD / TAIL of a branch or hanger use POS / MOVE
PH / PT / HH / HT ...
(61:82) BOP / TOP cannot be used on a HEAD / TAIL that has not been positioned
(61:83) Default clearance is only available for piping or hanger components
(61:84) Shear attributes can only be given values between -89 and +89 degrees.
(61:85) element_identifier cannot be flipped - it does not have ARRIVE and LEAVE
attributes.
(61:86) Warning - Angle is greater than maximum specified in SPREF
(61:87) Warning - Angle is less than minimum specified in SPREF
(61:88) SPREF not found or unset
(61:89) element_identifier does not have a Local-axes attribute
(61:120) Too many views shown
(61:121) Form name too word for screen
(61:122) Unable to set form gadget value or gadget not found
(61:123) Form name not found
(61:125) Gadget name not found
(61:126) Item invalid as contents of view
(61:127) Form name already shown

Error Messages
(61:128) Form name may not be hidden

(61:129) Cannot open Recreate file
(61:130) File error while restoring data - RESTORE aborted
(61:131) File error while restoring data - please exit from module and reenter
(61:132) Unable to RESTORE - databases modified since module state SAVEd
(61:133) Unable to SAVE - cannot access SAVE file
(61:134) Unable to SAVE - SAVE file already in use
(61:135) Unable to RESTORE - SAVE file already in use
(61:136) Unable to RESTORE - cannot access SAVE file
(61:137) Unable to RESTORE - cannot find SAVE file
(61:138) Unable to RESTORE - current database files are not those which were in
use when module state SAVEd
(61:139) Unable to RESTORE - module version number/screen size/font size is not
the same as SAVE file
(61:140) Do you wish to save changes?
(61:150) Only piping components, nozzles and equipments can be dragged
(61:151) element_identifier is connected to element_identifier which is in a read only
database. This connection will be broken by drag.
(61:152) element_identifier has a connection to an unknown element. This connection
will be broken by drag.
(61:153) element_identifier is locked, drag aborted
(61:154) The connection from element_identifier to element_identifier will be broken by
drag.
(61:155) Attachment points can only be dragged if they have been positioned and
oriented
(61:160) Spec is not set up correctly for CHOOSE command
(61:161) element_identifier is not a piping component
(61:162) SPEC does not contain word elements
(61:163) SPEC does not contain correct bore structure for CHOOSE
(61:164) SPEC does not contain elements matching given criteria
(61:165) Previous component, element_identifier, has zero bore
(61:166) Unforced Connections are word
(61:167) Forced Connections are word
(61:168) Connections are OFF
(61:169) Warning - Requested bore value does not match current bore word
(61:175) HOFFSET must be positive ( not zero )
(61:190) Fatal error detected by Graphics Package forcing a return to MONITOR
module
(61:191) Are your databases to be updated with the changes made this session(Y or
N)
(61:192) Fatal error detected by SPLASH forcing a return to MONITOR module
(61:193) WARNING - System storage area value % full. Remove items from drawlist
to avoid fatal error.
(61:194) WARNING - Graphics storage area value % full.
(61:199) Cannot access directory name
(61:201) No more than 20 items can be given to AUTO
(61:206) XR and YR values must be in the range 0 to 1.0.
(61:207) Specified region is too narrow.
(61:208) Illegal autolimits produced. ( Does it have any primitives? )
(61:209) Mix values for colours are percentages ( 0 - 100 )

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Error Messages
(61:211) Only colours 1 to integer may be assigned to pens

(61:220) Failed to connect.
(61:221) Cannot calculate default orientation.
(61:225) Usable colours are system colours plus user colours 1 to integer
(61:226) Autolimits may only be set for graphic views, Please select a graphics view
and retry
(61:230) Error reading from plotfile ..
(61:231) Unrecognised code in plotfile
(61:272) Already using file - name for alpha output
(61:273) Cannot open alpha output file
(61:274) No alpha output file in use.
(61:275) Already using log file - name
(61:276) Cannot open log file
(61:278) No log file in use.
(61:303) Direction cannot be calculated between two design points with the same
position - UP is assumed
(61:304) Position cannot be calculated as lines are parallel - first point given is
assumed
(61:305) Position cannot be calculated as line and plane are parallel - first point
given is assumed
(61:306) Angle cannot be calculated as two points are coincident - zero assumed
(61:307) Only significant and drawable elements can be tagged by type
(61:351) The WORLD and GPWLs cannot be added / removed. SITEs can only be
added using ’ADD SITE’ in a setup context.
(61:355) No more than ten elements can be added at one time
(61:357) element_identifier is not a SITE
(61:358) Only SITEs or ZONEs can be specified for ADD WITHIN. The default is all
sites in the multiple database.
(61:461) Hit radius must be at least 1mm.
(61:462) Hit radius must be no more than 100mm.
(61:463) Working grid must be at least 1mm.
(61:471) Cursor abandoned
(61:495) Form name may not be changed
(61:499) Menus may not be iconned
(61:561) Workstation screen is not available, using TTY
(61:564) Cursor input not allowed on alpha device
(61:565) Point entered is not in a suitable view
(61:599) Forms may not be updated
(61:800) Reference DETAIL not set
(61:820) SKEY not set
(61:830) SKEY TSFL is used with generic type TEE, not TRAP
(61:840) SKEY element_identifier not known. Assumed to be user defined

Index
<axes> syntax, 2-13 AUTOCOLOUR command, 5-3
<bdir> syntax, 2-16 AXES command, 5-18
<bpos> syntax, 2-14 BOX command
<date> syntax, 2-5 design aids, 5-20
<dir> syntax, 2-15 BUILD command
<expr> syntax, 2-4 spatial maps, 5-26
<gid> syntax, 2-9 CE command, 8-11
<marke> syntax, 2-12 CEARROW command
<noun> syntax, 2-7 design aids, 5-20
<pos> syntax, 2-13 CHANGES command, 4-27
<selatt> syntax, 2-17 Changing modules, 3-4
<snoun> syntax, 2-7 CHECK command
<uval> syntax, 2-6 spatial maps, 5-25
Accessing DESIGN, 3-1 Clashing element, 5-6
Active element, 5-6 CLOSEST command, 2-10
ADD command COLOUR command, 5-6
drawlist, 5-1 displayed items, 5-1
AID command, 5-20 Colour mixes
Aids predefined, 5-6
graphical, 5-6, 5-20 Colours
ALARM command, 3-8 active element, 5-6
ALPHA CLEAR command, 3-2, 3-4 clashing element, 5-6
ALPHA FILE command, 3-2 current element, 5-6
ALPHA LOG command, 3-2 default assignments, 5-7
ARC command defining, 5-6
design aids, 5-20 graphical aids, 5-6
ARROW command obstruction element, 5-6
design aids, 5-20 visible element, 5-6
Attributes Commands
standard, 8-7 input mode, 2-19
Audible error trace, 3-8 COMMENT command, 4-5
VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual index-i

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Index
COMPDATE command, 4-11 creating, 8-1

CONSTRUCT command, 7-8 deleting, 8-3
Construction aids, 7-8 identifying, 2-9, 2-17
Coordinates, 2-13 locking, 8-9
COPY command, 8-5 naming, 8-8
CREATED command, 4-14 renaming, 8-8
Creating elements, 8-1 selecting, 2-17
Current element, 5-6 types, 2-7
CYLINDER command END command, 8-12
design aids, 5-20 ENHANCE command, 5-24
Database Entering DESIGN, 3-1
querying current, 4-6 Errors
Database changes alarm, 3-8
creating update macro, 4-27 EXECUTE command, 6-3
querying history, 4-7 Explicit mode
Date, 2-5 multiwrite DBs, 4-17
DELETE command, 8-3 Expressions, 2-4
rules, 6-3 Extracts, 4-19
DELETED command, 4-14 master, 4-19
Design aids, 5-20 FINCH command, 3-5
DESIGN command, 3-1 FINISH command, 3-4, 4-17
Design points, 2-12 FIRST command, 8-12
DIFFERENCE command, 4-26 GETWORK command, 3-1
Dimensions, 2-6 Graphical aids, 5-20
Direction Highlighting graphical items, 5-24
axial, 2-15 HISTORY command, 4-8
general, 2-16 IARRIVE command, 8-11
Display ID @ command, 7-1
saving, 3-2 IDENTIFY command, 7-1
Draw list, 5-1 Identifying displayed items, 7-1
Drawing levels, 5-10 IDPPOINT command, 7-2
DYNAMIC command ILEAVE command, 8-11
attribute rules, 6-1 Imperial units
Elements setting, 3-5
Index-ii VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

Index
Implicit mode NEXT command, 8-12

multiwrite DBs, 4-17 Obstructing element, 5-6
Implied tube, 8-11 OBSTRUCTION command, 5-12, 5-13
INCH command, 3-5 ORIENTATION attribute, 8-7, 8-9
INCLUDE command, 8-4 OUTPUT command, 4-27
INSTALL command, 3-2 OWNER attribute, 8-7
INSULATION command, 5-12 OWNER command, 8-12
ISODRAFTMODE command, 7-10 PIN command, 7-5
LAST command, 8-12 Position
LASTMOD command, 4-7 axial, 2-13
Leaving DESIGN, 3-4 general, 2-14
Leaving PDMS, 3-4 POSITION attribute, 8-7, 8-9
LINE command PRECISION command, 3-6, 3-7
design aids, 5-20 PREVIOUS command, 8-12
LIST command, 4-4 QUERY command, 3-10
LOCK attribute, 8-7 QUIT command, 3-4
LOCK command, 8-9 RECREATE command, 3-2
MAP command, 5-25 REMOVE command
Mapping pins, 7-4 drawlist, 5-5
MARK command, 5-19 RENAME command, 8-6, 8-8
Master database REORDER command, 8-4
of extract, 4-19 REPRESENTATION command
MDB command, 4-1 CENTRELINE, 5-9
MDB mode, 4-1 DARCTOLERANCE, 5-17
Metric units HOLES, 5-17
setting, 3-5 LEVEL, 5-10
MILLIMETRE command, 3-5 OBSTRUCTION, 5-13
MM command, 3-5 OBSTRUCTION/INSULATION, 5-12
MODIFIED command, 4-12 PLINES, 5-16
Multiple database, 4-1 PNODES/SNODES, 5-15
querying, 4-6 PPOINTS, 5-14
NAME attribute, 8-7, 8-8 PROFILE, 5-9
NAME command, 8-8 TRANSLUCENCY, 5-12, 5-13
NEW command, 8-1 TUBE, 5-9
VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual Index-iii

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Index
UPDATE, 5-18 SPHERE command

Rules design aids, 5-20
deleting, 6-3 Standard attributes, 8-7
executing, 6-3 STATIC command
setting, 6-1 attribute rules, 6-1
verifying, 6-2 STATUS command, 4-2
SAME command, 8-11 Synonym, 8-13
SAVEWORK command, 3-1 SYSCOMMAND command, 3-9
Selection SYSTAT command, 4-3
of elements, 2-17 System status, 4-3
SESSCOMMENT command, 4-8 Text output, 3-9
SESSDATE command, 4-8 TRACE command, 3-9
Session TRANSLUCENCY command, 5-12, 5-13
comment, 4-5 TWODPICK command, 7-3
number, 4-5 TWODPLANE command, 7-3
SESSION command, 4-5 TYPE attribute, 8-7
SESSION ON command, 4-9 UNENHANCE command, 5-24
SESSMOD command, 4-7 Units of measurement, 2-6
SESSUSER command, 4-8 setting, 3-5
SET command UNLOCK command, 8-9
attribute rules, 6-1 UNMARK command, 5-19
SETCOMPDATE command, 4-10 UNNAME command, 8-8
SETSTAR command, 8-13 User status, 4-2
Significant element, 5-1 USERMOD command, 4-7
SINCE command, 4-26, 4-27 VERIFY command, 6-2
SOLELY command, 5-24 Visible element, 5-6
Spatial map, 5-25
Index-iv VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual


PDMS Design Reference Manual Part1

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PDMS Design

pdms1161/Design Reference Manual Part1

© Copyright 1991 through 2005 AVEVA Solutions Limited

Date Version Notes

August 2004 11.6 Minor additions for this release.

June 2005 11.6SP1 Corrections for this release.

VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual Revision History-i

Revision History-ii VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

3.9.5 Asking for a Unique Workstation Code ................................................... 3-12

Contents-ii VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

5.3 Specifying Axes ......................................................................................................... 5-18

VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual Contents-iii

Contents-iv VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual Contents-v

1.2 Organisation of the Design Reference Manual

The Design Reference Manual has four parts:

VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual 1-1

1.3 Organisation of this Manual

This manual, Part 1, is divided into the following chapters:

1-2 VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

>----+--- ABC -----.

>----+--- ABC -----.

VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual 2-1

The simplified format:

Commands are shown in a combination of uppercase and lowercase

2.2 Command Arguments

Command arguments are shown in lowercase letters. These are just

2-2 VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

text A string of alphanumeric or symbol characters, which may

2.3 Standard Syntax Graphs

VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual 2-3

<expr> Mathematical, textual or logical expressions

2.3.1 Universal Expression <expr>

2-4 VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

2.3.2 Date/Time <date>

VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual 2-5

2.3.3 Physical Dimension <uval>

• Millimetres to the nearest millimetre

• Inches to the nearest 1/32 or 0.1 inch

2-6 VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

2.3.4 Design Element Type <snoun> or <noun>

VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual 2-7

2-8 VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

2.3.5 Design Element Identity <gid>

Direct identification: by reference to name/reference number <id>,

Indirect identification: by reference to other elements, parts of

VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual 2-9

<nextid> >-+- HEad ----.

<tubid> >-+-- TUBe--.

<next> >-+-- LAst -----.

Identification by physical position in the design model:

2-10 VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

NEXT 2 Second Next Element at same level

VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual 2-11

2.3.6 3D Design Points <marke>

>--+-- PArrive ---------.

>-- IDPpoint @ -->

2-12 VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual

2.3.7 Axial Position <pos> <axes>

<udz> = >--+-- Up ----.

<ewz> = >--+-- East --.

<axes> = >--+-- WRT --.

VANTAGE PDMS Design Reference Manual 2-13