Spi So Users Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics
User's Guide
Version 2012
June 2012
DISO-PE-200002C
Copyright
Copyright 2008-2012 Intergraph Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Including software, file formats, and audiovisual displays; may be used pursuant to applicable software license agreement;
contains confidential and proprietary information of Intergraph and/or third parties which is protected by copyright law, trade
secret law, and international treaty, and may not be provided or otherwise made available without proper authorization from
Intergraph Corporation.
U.S. Government Restricted Rights Legend

Use, duplication, or disclosure by the government is subject to restrictions as set forth below. For civilian agencies: This was
developed at private expense and is "restricted computer software" submitted with restricted rights in accordance with
subparagraphs (a) through (d) of the Commercial Computer Software - Restricted Rights clause at 52.227-19 of the Federal
Acquisition Regulations ("FAR") and its successors, and is unpublished and all rights are reserved under the copyright laws of
the United States. For units of the Department of Defense ("DoD"): This is "commercial computer software" as defined at DFARS
252.227-7014 and the rights of the Government are as specified at DFARS 227.7202-3.
Unpublished - rights reserved under the copyright laws of the United States.
Intergraph Corporation
P.O. Box 240000
Huntsville, AL 35813
Terms of Use
Use of this software product is subject to the End User License Agreement ("EULA") delivered with this software product unless
the licensee has a valid signed license for this software product with Intergraph Corporation. If the licensee has a valid signed
license for this software product with Intergraph Corporation, the valid signed license shall take precedence and govern the use
of this software product. Subject to the terms contained within the applicable license agreement, Intergraph Corporation gives
licensee permission to print a reasonable number of copies of the documentation as defined in the applicable license agreement
and delivered with the software product for licensee's internal, non-commercial use. The documentation may not be printed for
resale or redistribution.
Warranties and Liabilities

All warranties given by Intergraph Corporation about equipment or software are set forth in the EULA provided with the software
or applicable license for the software product signed by Intergraph Corporation, and nothing stated in, or implied by, this
document or its contents shall be considered or deemed a modification or amendment of such warranties. Intergraph believes
the information in this publication is accurate as of its publication date.
The information and the software discussed in this document are subject to change without notice and are subject to applicable
technical product descriptions. Intergraph Corporation is not responsible for any error that may appear in this document.
The software discussed in this document is furnished under a license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the
terms of this license. No responsibility is assumed by Intergraph for the use or reliability of software on equipment that is not
supplied by Intergraph or its affiliated companies. THE USER OF THE SOFTWARE IS EXPECTED TO MAKE THE FINAL
EVALUATION AS TO THE USEFULNESS OF THE SOFTWARE IN HIS OWN ENVIRONMENT.
Intergraph is not responsible for the accuracy of delivered data including, but not limited to, catalog, reference and symbol data.
Users should verify for themselves that the data is accurate and suitable for their project work.
Trademarks
Intergraph, the Intergraph logo, PDS, SmartPlant, FrameWorks, I-Convert, I-Export, I-Sketch, SmartMarine, IntelliShip, INtools,
ISOGEN, MARIAN, SmartSketch, SPOOLGEN, SupportManager, SupportModeler, COADE, CAESAR II, CADWorx, PV Elite,
CODECALC, and TANK are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intergraph Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United
States and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Oracle, JD Edwards, PeopleSoft, and Retek are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates. Other brands
and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Contents
Preface .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
SmartPlant Isometrics Documentation Set ........................................................................................... 11
What's New in SmartPlant Isometrics ..................................................................................................... 13
SmartPlant Isometrics............................................................................................................................... 15
SmartPlant Isometrics Suite .................................................................................................................. 16
I-Configure ...................................................................................................................................... 16
SmartPlant Isometrics I-Convert .................................................................................................... 16
SmartPlant Isometrics I-Data Integrator ......................................................................................... 17
SmartPlant Isometrics I-Tools ........................................................................................................ 17
SmartPlant Material Editor ............................................................................................................. 17
SmartPlant Symbol Editor .............................................................................................................. 17
Command Line Options ........................................................................................................................ 18
Interface Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 19
Detail Window ....................................................................................................................................... 21
Control the Display of Data ............................................................................................................ 24
Customize the Detail Window ........................................................................................................ 31
Customize Interface Elements ....................................................................................................... 35
Pipeline Explorer ................................................................................................................................... 40
Navigating the Pipeline Explorer .................................................................................................... 40
Properties Window ................................................................................................................................ 43
Getting Started ........................................................................................................................................... 45
SmartPlant Isometrics Project Defaults ................................................................................................ 47
SmartPlant Isometrics Reference Data ................................................................................................ 50
Create the sample project ..................................................................................................................... 51
Log in to a project ................................................................................................................................. 52
Change the material specification ......................................................................................................... 52
Update the model with material specification changes ......................................................................... 53
Select Project Dialog Box ..................................................................................................................... 55
Synchronize Specification Dialog Box .................................................................................................. 55
SmartPlant Isometrics Workflow ............................................................................................................. 57
Create a new pipeline model ................................................................................................................ 58
Create a new piping system .................................................................................................................. 59
Open an existing pipe sketch ................................................................................................................ 60
Route Pipe .................................................................................................................................................. 61
Route a section of pipe ......................................................................................................................... 63
Add a bend element .............................................................................................................................. 64
Connect two pipes with a bend automatically ....................................................................................... 65
Add a branch element ........................................................................................................................... 66
Connect two pipes with a branch automatically .................................................................................... 68
SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide
Contents
Route a 2D skew ................................................................................................................................... 68
Route a 3D skew ................................................................................................................................... 69
Route skewed pipe using the keyboard ................................................................................................ 70
Set a fall ................................................................................................................................................ 72
Terminate pipe routing .......................................................................................................................... 73
Add 3D Coordinates .................................................................................................................................. 75
Query a 3D coordinate .......................................................................................................................... 76
Add an origin ......................................................................................................................................... 77
Edit an origin ......................................................................................................................................... 80
Connect multiple sheets ........................................................................................................................ 80
Add Origin Dialog Box ........................................................................................................................... 83
Place Components .................................................................................................................................... 85
Place a component ............................................................................................................................... 88
Place gaskets and flanges automatically .............................................................................................. 90
Place bolts automatically ...................................................................................................................... 91
Place a generic component .................................................................................................................. 91
Define generic component properties ................................................................................................... 92
Place a concentric reducer ................................................................................................................... 94
Place a fitting cross ............................................................................................................................... 96
Place a set-on cross ............................................................................................................................. 96
Assign an item code .............................................................................................................................. 97
Insert and dimension a tap .................................................................................................................... 98
Physical Dialog Box .............................................................................................................................. 99
Item Code Dialog Box ......................................................................................................................... 100
Tapping Point Dialog Box ................................................................................................................... 100
Define Dimensions .................................................................................................................................. 101
Dimension the entire pipe route .......................................................................................................... 108
Dimension a section of pipe ................................................................................................................ 110
Dimension a 2D skew ......................................................................................................................... 110
Dimension a 3D skew ......................................................................................................................... 113
Define the length of a skew component .............................................................................................. 114
Modify a dimension ............................................................................................................................. 115
Query a dimension .............................................................................................................................. 115
Place a reference dimension .............................................................................................................. 116
Reference Dimension Dialog Box ....................................................................................................... 118
Detail the Drawing ................................................................................................................................... 119
Information Items ................................................................................................................................ 119
Detail Sketches in Isometric Drawings ......................................................................................... 122
Place an information item ............................................................................................................. 126
Edit an information item ................................................................................................................ 126
Remove an information item from the model ............................................................................... 127
Place a detail sketch..................................................................................................................... 127
Dimensioned Special Symbols ........................................................................................................... 130
Place a flow arrow ........................................................................................................................ 130
Place a floor symbol ..................................................................................................................... 131
Place a wall symbol ...................................................................................................................... 132
Place an insulation symbol ........................................................................................................... 133
Contents
Additional Materials ............................................................................................................................. 135
Place as additional material ......................................................................................................... 135
Verify Design Integrity ............................................................................................................................ 139
Check minimum pipe lengths .............................................................................................................. 140
Check component end connections .................................................................................................... 141
Check network integrity ....................................................................................................................... 142
Check for consistency ......................................................................................................................... 142
Perform design checks automatically ................................................................................................. 143
Import and Export Piping Data ............................................................................................................... 145
Import a single piping data file ............................................................................................................ 146
Batch import piping data ..................................................................................................................... 147
Define the project default for exporting piping data ............................................................................ 147
Export piping data ............................................................................................................................... 148
Export to XMpLant Dialog Box ............................................................................................................ 148
Modify and Move Pipeline Objects ........................................................................................................ 149
Select Objects ..................................................................................................................................... 150
Select like components................................................................................................................. 152
Select multiple information items .................................................................................................. 153
Select multiple components by filter ............................................................................................. 154
Select multiple components by region .......................................................................................... 154
Copy and Paste................................................................................................................................... 155
Copy an object .............................................................................................................................. 155
Paste an object ............................................................................................................................. 155
Copy and paste 3D coordinates ................................................................................................... 156
Cut and Delete .................................................................................................................................... 159
Cut an object ................................................................................................................................ 159
Delete an object ............................................................................................................................ 160
Mirror and Rotate Pipe ........................................................................................................................ 160
Mirror orthogonal pipe .................................................................................................................. 162
Reflect a skew axis ....................................................................................................................... 163
Rotate orthogonal pipe ................................................................................................................. 164
Rotate a skew axis ....................................................................................................................... 166
Rotate a pipeline about a different axis ........................................................................................ 167
Modify Sketch Objects ........................................................................................................................ 169
Change bore ................................................................................................................................. 169
Convert orthogonal pipe to skewed pipe ...................................................................................... 172
Break a section of pipe ................................................................................................................. 173
Convert a 2D skew to a 3D skew ................................................................................................. 176
Deactivate a skew component ..................................................................................................... 178
Edit Object Properties ......................................................................................................................... 179
Edit POD properties ...................................................................................................................... 179
Edit pipeline properties ................................................................................................................. 179
Edit component properties ........................................................................................................... 181
Move Objects ...................................................................................................................................... 186
Reposition a component ............................................................................................................... 187
Move a Pipeline ............................................................................................................................ 188
Extend or shorten a length of pipe ............................................................................................... 190
Move a pipe branch ...................................................................................................................... 190
Contents
Manage Weld and Part Numbering..................................................................................................... 191
Assign weld or part numbers manually ........................................................................................ 192
Check for duplicate weld or part numbers .................................................................................... 192
Custom Symbols for Isometric Drawings ............................................................................................. 195
Redefine a symbol for isometric drawings .......................................................................................... 197
Generate Isometric Drawings ................................................................................................................. 199
Define drawing output format .............................................................................................................. 200
Generate an isometric drawing ........................................................................................................... 202
Generate a single isometric drawing ............................................................................................ 203
Generate multiple isometric drawings simultaneously ................................................................. 203
Generate an isometric drawing using the command line ............................................................. 204
View an isometric drawing .................................................................................................................. 205
Print an isometric drawing ................................................................................................................... 206
View a drawing message file .............................................................................................................. 206
Generate Drawings Dialog Box........................................................................................................... 207
SmartPlant Integration ............................................................................................................................ 209
Register the project with a SmartPlant Foundation Plant ................................................................... 210
Install the POD domain configuration file ............................................................................................ 211
Publish BOM piping data .................................................................................................................... 211
SmartPlant Registration Wizard .......................................................................................................... 213
Attach External Data ............................................................................................................................... 215
Configure the Get External Data configuration file ............................................................................. 216
How Mapping Works .................................................................................................................... 218
Define an external data source ........................................................................................................... 221
Create a data source using DSN .................................................................................................. 221
Create a UDL file .......................................................................................................................... 223
Configure a UDL file ..................................................................................................................... 223
Run the Get External Data command ................................................................................................. 224
View the Get External Data log files ................................................................................................... 224
Appendix: Get External Data Configuration File .................................................................................. 225
EXTERNAL-DATA statement ............................................................................................................. 231
EXTERNAL-MAP statement ............................................................................................................... 231
EXECUTE statement .......................................................................................................................... 232
FILTER statement ............................................................................................................................... 233
FORMATS statement .......................................................................................................................... 234
MATERIAL statement ......................................................................................................................... 235
SET-ADDITIONAL-MATERIAL statement .......................................................................................... 235
SET-INFORMATION-ELEMENT statement ....................................................................................... 236
SQL statement .................................................................................................................................... 236
Get External Data Macros ................................................................................................................... 237
Available macros .......................................................................................................................... 237
Attributes ...................................................................................................................................... 240
Appendix: More Uses of Get External Data .......................................................................................... 245
Unique Sequence Number .................................................................................................................. 245
Contents
Performing Calculations ...................................................................................................................... 246
Updating Data ..................................................................................................................................... 247
Task Comparison: Help for I-Sketch Users .......................................................................................... 249
Appendix: Automated Selection of Detail Sketches Based on Component Rotation ...................... 253
Conventions used in the calculation of rotation angle ........................................................................ 253
Conventions to be used in preparation of detail sketches .................................................................. 255
Applying the Conventions ................................................................................................................... 256
Appendix: Considerations for Importing Piping Data ......................................................................... 259
Appendix: POD to XMpLant Mapping File Definitions ......................................................................... 263
Appendix: SmartPlant License Manager Checkout Utility .................................................................. 265
Check Out a License for SmartPlant Isometrics ................................................................................. 265
License Checkout Utility Dialog Box ................................................................................................... 266
Glossary ................................................................................................................................................... 267
Index ......................................................................................................................................................... 271
Contents
Preface
This document is a user's guide for SmartPlant Isometrics and provides conceptual information
and procedural instructions for creating isometric drawings. The content is identical to the online
Help that is delivered as part of the SmartPlant Isometrics software.
Intergraph gives you permission to print as many copies of this document as you need for
non-commercial use at your company. You cannot reprint this document for resale or
redistribution outside your company.
We welcome comments or suggestions about this documentation. You can send us an email at:
PPMdoc@intergraph.com.
Documentation updates for supported software versions are available from eCustomer
https://crmweb.intergraph.com.
Preface
10
SmartPlant Isometrics Documentation Set

SmartPlant Isometrics documentation is available as Adobe PDF files. To access these PDF
documents, click Help > Printable Guides in the software.
The documentation set is divided into three categories:
Installation guides contain information about installing, configuring, customizing, and
troubleshooting the product.
User's guides provide command reference and how-to information for working in a specific
product. The content is identical to what is delivered in the online Help.
ISOGEN guides
Installation Guides
SmartPlant Isometrics Installation Guide - Provides instructions on installing and configuring the
SmartPlant Isometrics software.
User's Guides
SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide - Provides guidelines, procedures, and workflows for using
SmartPlant Isometrics to create isometric drawings.
I-Configure User's Guide - Provides guidelines, procedures, and workflows for creating and
managing the isometric directories, projects and styles used by other products to generate
isometric drawings and reports via ISOGEN.
SmartPlant Isometrics I-Convert User's Guide - Provides guidelines, procedures, and
workflows for converting third party plant design data into a format that is compatible with
SmartPlant Isometrics.
SmartPlant Isometrics I-Data Integrator User's Guide - Provides guidelines, procedures and
workflows for using SmartPlant I-Data Integrator to post-process report files.
SmartPlant Isometrics I-Tools User's Guide - Provides instructions for using SmartPlant
Isometrics I-Tools to produce piping systems by merging IDF/PCF files from other
ISOGEN-enabled products.
SmartPlant Symbol Editor User's Guide - Provides guidelines, procedures, and workflows for
using SmartPlant Symbol Editor to create custom symbol shapes to meet your drawing
annotation needs.
SmartPlant Material Editor User's Guide - Provides instructions for using SmartPlant Material
Editor to create reference data, including catalogs and materials specifications.
ISOGEN Guides
ISOGEN Symbol Key Definitions Reference Guide - Provides information about the ISOGEN
symbol key library. This guide is from Alias, the makers of ISOGEN.
11
Preface
12
What's New in SmartPlant Isometrics

The following changes have been to SmartPlant Isometrics.
Version 2012
The Spec column on the Item Code dialog box displays the specification type for the
component associated with the listed item code. For more information, see Item Code Dialog
Box (on page 100). (P4 AL:10582)
The functionality of the Detail Sketch Browser has been extended to include support for
DGN cell libraries. For more information, see Detail Sketches in Isometric Drawings (on
page 122). (P2 AL:10233)
The Additional specification folder setting supports attaching multiple specifications in a
project. For more information, see SmartPlant Isometrics Project Defaults (on page 46).(P2
AL:10545)
Material specification updates can be applied automatically ensuring that pipeline
components are always synchronized with the current specification. Specification
synchronization can be performed interactively on a single piping data file or in batch mode.
For more information, see Update the model with material specification changes (on page
53). (P1 AL:9540)
Added information about application-specific project defaults. For more information, see
SmartPlant Isometrics Project Defaults (on page 46).
Added information about using custom symbols in SmartPlant Isometrics. For more
information, see Custom Symbols for Isometric Drawings (on page 195).
13
What's New in SmartPlant Isometrics
14
SECTION 1
SmartPlant Isometrics, powered by ISOGEN , is a powerful yet simple to use Microsoft
Windows -based pipe sketching application. Formerly known as I-Sketch, SmartPlant

Isometrics allows you to sketch piping systems and generate isometric drawings with full bills of
materials (BOMs) quickly and easily. After you design a pipeline, you can transfer the digital
data (drawing, materials, welding, pipe cut lengths) to the pipe fabricator, where it can be
processed to define the fabrication spools and drawings using the companion product
SmartPlant Spoolgen .
SmartPlant Isometrics integrates with all of the leading 3-D plant design systems and contains
all the key features of I-Sketch while adding the following functionality:
Enables sketching of individual pipelines or complete piping systems.
Includes templates for production of check, fabrication, and erection-type drawings.
Integrates with all of the leading 3-D plant design systems.
Creates an instant 3-D scaled view of pipelines using a built-in 3-D viewer.
Provides simultaneous 3-D view of multiple pipelines--allows for design of several pipelines
in a confined location and visual clash checks with new or existing pipelines.
Produces industry-standard ISOGEN isometric drawings to your company standards.
Offers SmartPlant License Management.
Supports multiple output formats, including DXF, DWG, DGN, SHA (Shape2D Server), and
IGR (SmartSketch ).
Configurable isometric styles using I-Configure.
Advanced Get External Data function allows data extraction from external data sources.
Designed to meet the design and documentation challenges of EPCs, fabricators, and owner
operators, SmartPlant Isometrics is a versatile 2-D design product that plays an important role in
the production and transfer of piping data.
15
SmartPlant Isometrics Suite

SmartPlant Isometrics is delivered with a suite of products and tools that complement and
further enhance its functionality. These tools can be installed by default when you initially install
the software, or you can choose to install them on a case-by-case basis. For more information
about installing SmartPlant Isometrics tools, see the SmartPlant Isometrics Installation Guide,
available with the Help > Printable Guides command in the software.
I-Configure
Simplifies the customization of piping isometrics produced by ISOGEN. Using I-Configure, you
can configure virtually everything about the piping isometric drawing--from the style of
dimensioning and format of weld and part numbers to the location and layout of the material
take-off--allowing you to produce isometric drawings to your own specifications.
Key Features
Unified interface to all ISOGEN settings

Wizards for rapid setting of basic properties
Preview mode for checking of drawing outputs and reports
SmartPlant Isometrics I-Convert

One of the biggest issues faced when implementing new piping software, such as SmartPlant
Isometrics, is the creation of the piping catalog and specifications.
SmartPlant Isometrics I-Convert is specifically designed to automate the conversion of piping
specifications and catalogs from a variety of plant design systems for use with SmartPlant
Isometrics.
Key Features
16
Converts piping specifications and catalogs for use in SmartPlant Isometrics quickly and
easily
Allows you to reuse existing reference data held in 3D plant design systems
Updates piping catalogs for SmartPlant Isometrics and the plant design system by
maintaining a single data source
Supports all leading plant design systems, including PDS, PDMS, AutoPLANT, and
CADWorx.
SmartPlant Isometrics I-Data Integrator

SmartPlant Isometrics I-Data Integrator enables links between data generated during runs of
ISOGEN with almost any downstream IT system, such as material control, purchasing, and
workshop management systems. SmartPlant Isometrics I-Data Integrator is compatible with any
version of ISOGEN, so it can be used by engineering contractors using SmartPlant 3D and
PDS, as well as site engineers using SmartPlant Isometrics.
Key Features
Publishes ISOGEN data in various formats, such as Microsoft Access database tables,
Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, comma delimited files, fixed format text files, and XML files.
Supports extraction of data directly from ISOGEN data files--IDF, PCF, and POD files.
Enables open configuration using SQL statements and scripts.
Supports linking tables of ISOGEN information with external data sources that support
industry-standard Microsoft data access tools, such as Microsoft Access and Excel, as well
as high-end, server-based databases, such as Oracle and SQL Server.
SmartPlant Isometrics I-Tools

SmartPlant Isometrics I-Tools merges individual pipeline IDFs or PCFs from any
ISOGEN-enabled plant design system into a single system. This data, in turn, serves as input to
SmartPlant Isometrics for the creation of pipeline system isometric drawings used not only by
construction staff, but also for the commissioning, inspection and testing of installed piping
systems.
Key Features
Enables merging of multiple single pipeline files into a system file

Confirms system content by visually displaying pipelines
Examines pipeline connectivity and highlights 3D modeling issues
Pinpoints groupings of pipelines into connected systems via reporting tools
Simplifies system data through its pipe-stripping tool
SmartPlant Material Editor

Provides a single environment in which you can create, edit, and manage reference data, such
as the material data files, catalogs, and piping specifications used in SmartPlant Isometrics. You
also use SmartPlant Material Editor to customize the additional material, bolts, coupling,
supports and welds that you can add to a pipeline in SmartPlant Spoolgen prior to producing
spool sheets and isometric drawings for fabrication and construction.
Key Features
Supports the import of I-Sketch v2 format reference data as part of the upgrade path from
I-Sketch v2 to SmartPlant Isometrics
Supports the import of SmartPlant Reference Data materials data
Rapid creation of piping catalogs and specifications from paper-based documents
Comprehensive design rules, such as branch table, default choice, bolting tables, and so on
SmartPlant Symbol Editor

Provides a user-friendly interface in which you can create new or edit existing user ASCII and
Binary symbols files for use in both ISOGEN drawings and SmartPlant Isometrics sketches.
17
Command Line Options

You can use the command line to import piping data into the software or to generate an
isometric drawing. Optionally, you can also use command line options to specify the isometric
directory and project. Typically, the software opens subsequent to performing the specified
operation. However, you can perform command line processes and also suppress the software
from opening. The available option switches are:
/import - imports a piping data file into SmartPlant Isometrics.
/generate - generates an isometric drawing
/isodirectory and /project - specifies an isometric directory and project
/silent - runs the specified command without opening the software
The following examples illustrate the required syntax for using command line options:
Import a file:
"SmartPlant Isometrics.exe" /import
"C:\SampleIsoDir\S5Tutorial\Imports\SG-T1.IDF" /isodirectory
C:\SampleIsoDir /project SPITutorial
Generate an isometric drawing:
"SmartPlant
Isometrics.exe" "C:\SampleIsoDir\S5Tutorial\Imports\SG-T1.IDF"
/generate Check /isodirectory C:\SampleIsoDir /project SPITutorial
In the previous examples, the software opens after the command is executed. To keep the
software from opening, you can use the /\\silent command line option.
Import a file without opening the software:
"SmartPlant Isometrics.exe" /silent /import
18
The software accepts either / or -. For example, you can type /import or -import.
When specifying a file, you must include the full path location and filename.
You can specify multiple files on the command line. You must specify the full path location
and filename for each file. In the following example, four files are being imported:
"SmartPlant Isometrics.exe" /import
"C:\SampleIsoDir\S5Tutorial\Imports\SG-T1.IDF"
SECTION 2
Interface Overview
The standard SmartPlant Isometrics interface consists of several components as shown in the
following illustration:
A - Menu Bar
Click the name of a menu to display the menu commands. Many menu commands have
equivalent keystrokes, such as CTRL+C for the Copy command that you can use to quickly
perform an action.
B - Toolbars
Toolbars are groups of icons that provide rapid access to commonly used commands. They are
an alternative to using menu items or keyboard shortcuts. You can toggle on and off the display
of a toolbar using View > Toolbars, and then selecting or de-selecting it in the list.
19
Interface Overview
You can dock toolbars at the top, bottom or side of the Detail window, or you can let them float
in a convenient position.
SmartPlant Isometrics Windows

The remainder of the SmartPlant Isometrics interface is divided into four distinct windows: the
Detail window, the Properties window, the Errors window, and the Pipeline Explorer. Each
window provides specific features that assist you in creating and viewing the pipeline model.
Pipeline Explorer (C) - The Pipeline Explorer displays a hierarchical list of the all the pipe
and components that make up the pipeline model in the sketch. You can navigate through
the model hierarchy by clicking the + or icons. In addition, you can double-click nodes in
the tree view to open them. When you select an item in the Pipeline Explorer, the software
highlights the item in the pipe sketch that appears in the Detail window. For more
information, read Pipeline Explorer (on page 39).
Detail Window (D) - The Detail window is the working space where the isometric sketch is
drawn. You can view the entire model or just a detailed portion of interest. For more
information, read Detail Window (on page 20).
Properties Window (E) - When you select an item in a pipe sketch, you can enter, view and
modify the properties associated with that item in the Properties window. You can define
customized properties and their defaults for each item in the I-Configure software. For more
information, read Properties Window (on page 43).
Errors Window (F) - The Errors window displays error messages that have occurred
during an operation, such as when you run a consistency check on the pipeline. When you
select an error message in the Errors window, the software highlights the appropriate
component in the Detail window.
G - Status Bar
The status bar contains summary information about the model.
20
Interface Overview
Detail Window
The Detail window is the working space where draw the isometric sketch. The window can
contain the entire pipeline or, when zoomed in, just a detailed portion of interest. The Detail
window also contains an isometric grid of points. You can use the isometric grid as a guide
when placing pipe and components.
Each time you create a new pipeline or new system, the software opens a new Detail window in
which you can design the layout of your pipe sketch. Every Detail window corresponds to a
single sheet in the final isometric drawing. Using the commands on the Window menu, you can
cascade or tile your active sketches to more easily navigate among them. The active window list
displays an alphabetical list of open sketch windows below the commands on the Window
menu. You can access another open sketch by clicking one of the sketch names on the list.
You can also double-click the sheet name in Pipeline Explorer, or right-click the sheet
name and click Activate.
SmartPlant Isometrics provides multiple views of the sketch that represents the pipeline model.
A view is a visual representation of the data that composes the pipeline model and can be a
simple line drawing or a 3D representation of the model, including all of its components. By
manipulating model views, you can organize the information within the pipeline model to better
understand the data. For more information about manipulating views of the model, read Fitting
Views. For more information about 3D views, read 3D Views.
21
Interface Overview
SmartCursors
The shape of the cursor (or mouse pointer) gives you important feedback. As you move it
around the drawing, it will change to reflect:
1. The action you are performing (mode of operation).
2. The object under the cursor.
When routing pipe and placing components, the cursor that appears depends on where the
mouse is hovering in the sketch. For example, if you are placing a component and hovering over
the middle of a section of pipe, then the insertion cursor displays; if you are hovering the mouse
in white space and nothing can be placed, the fail cursor displays.
SmartCursor
Associated Placement Task

Place additional material on the section of pipe or the component directly beneath the cursor.
Insert a bend element at the end of a section of pipe directly beneath the cursor and then route
away from the pipe.
Place pipe in whitespace directly beneath the cursor. When placing components, indicates the
component will be placed at the end of a section of pipe.
No placement of selected object is allowed.
Place a new component into a section of pipe directly beneath the cursor.
Insert a tapping point in the pipe directly beneath the cursor.

Insert a tapping point in the component directly beneath the cursor.
Insert a branch element into a section pipe directly beneath the cursor and then route away from
the pipe.
Insert a break in a section of pipe directly beneath the cursor.
Place an information item on the section of pipe or the component directly beneath the cursor.
22
Interface Overview
Sketch Colors
SmartPlant Isometrics uses color to determine the status of the sketch. If you use the default
colors, a fully specified sketch is completely green. If you see any other colors in the sketch, it
indicates that some work is still to be done. You have the option to choose a color scheme for
each state using the options on the Options dialog box.
Fully Specified Color
Both direction and dimension are defined
Unspecified Color
Both direction and dimension are unknown
No Length Color
Direction known / Dimension unknown
No Direction Color
Dimension known / Direction unknown
Ignored Tube Color
Pipe to be ignored during drawing generation
See Also
Customize the Detail Window (on page 31)
Customize Interface Elements (on page 34)
Pipeline Explorer (on page 39)
Properties Window (on page 43)
23
Interface Overview
Control the Display of Data

SmartPlant Isometrics provides several options for manipulating the view of your data as it
appears in the Detail window. For example, you can adjust the view to display the entire model,
or you can focus on specific parts of the model. You can also increase or decrease the viewing
area. Decreasing causes everything within the window to appear larger, while increasing causes
everything within the window to appear smaller.
The following commands are available on the View toolbar:
Zoom Tool - Increases or decreases the display size of objects in the pipeline model. You can zoom in to get
a closer view of an object or zoom out to view more of the model at a reduced size. Click the left mouse
button and drag the pointer upward in the window to increase the view of an object as though you were
moving closer to it. Drag the pointer downward in the window to reduce the view as though you were moving
further away from the object.
Zoom Window - Increases the view magnification of an area in the pipeline model that you define with two
points.
Zoom All - Displays the entire contents of the pipeline model in the Detail window.
Fit View to Selection - Zooms in on the selected pipe or component so that it fills the display window entirely.
Centre View on Selection - Moves the view point so that the selected object is centered in the display
window.
Pan - Repositions the model in the display window so that you can view another section of the pipeline
without changing the view magnification.
Show/Hide Background - Removes ISOGEN-generated background graphics, such as a backing sheet,
dimension lines, material list, and so on.
To toggle on and off the display of the View toolbar, click View > Toolbars > View.
An identical set of the view commands is also available on the View menu.
3D View Control
A collection of 3D View commands allows you to display the model as a scaled, real-world 3D
graphical representation, according to the list of available piping and components displayed in
the Pipeline Explorer, and then rotate the 3D display in a specified direction. Using the
commands on the 3D View toolbar, you can manipulate the view and easily orient the model.
Show - Opens the 3D View window, and displays the pipeline in a separate window as a scaled 3D model.
Refresh - Redraws the 3D view of the model to update its contents. When multiple piping data files are
open, the software updates the contents of all pipelines.
Standard View - Changes the view orientation of the 3D model to one of the following standard views: Iso
North: Top Left, Iso North: Top Right, Iso North: Bottom Left, Iso North: Bottom Right, Look Down,
Look Up, Look North, Look South, Look East, and Look West.
To toggle on and off the display of the 3D View toolbar, click View > Toolbars > 3D
View.
Additional 3D View commands are available in the View menu that allow you to show or hide
any of the files that are currently opened. You can click View > 3D View > Copy to place a copy
of the current 3D View window contents on the Clipboard. Clicking View > 3D View > Print,
allows you to print the contents of the 3D View window to a specified printer. You can also
toggle between a symbolic or rendered view of the current model.
24
Interface Overview
What do you want to do?
Zoom in on an area or zoom out from a point (on page 25)

Magnify an area (on page 25)
Fit all objects (on page 26)
Fit view to selection (on page 27)
Center view on selection (on page 27)
Pan views (on page 27)
Show 3D View (on page 27)
Change the view orientation (on page 28)
Change the graphical representation (on page 30)
Zoom in on an area or zoom out from a point

1. Click Zoom Tool
. Alternatively, click View > Zoom Tool.
2. Do one of the following:
To zoom in, click a starting point and drag upward in the window to increase the view
size of an object in the active window.
To zoom out, click a starting point and drag downward in the window to reduce the view
size of an object in the active window.
Click Zoom All

to fit all the objects to the view in the Detail window.
When you rotate the IntelliMouse wheel backward while the Zoom Tool is active, the view
zooms out at the current pointer location. You can also zoom in by rolling the wheel of the
IntelliMouse forward.
Magnify an area
1. Click Zoom Window
CTRL+SHIFT+Z.
. Alternatively, click View > Zoom Window, or press
25
Interface Overview
2. Click a start point and drag to an end point in the active view to fence the area to enlarge.
When you release on the end point, the graphic view updates to show the selected area.
Click Zoom All
to view all objects in the Detail window again.
Fit all objects
26
Click Zoom All
. Alternatively, click View > Zoom All, or press CTRL+SHIFT+A.
Interface Overview
Fit view to selection

a. In the Detail window, click the component or pipe that you want to view.
b. In the 3D View window, double-click the component or pipe that you want to view.
Alternatively, select a pipe or component in the Pipeline Explorer.
The software highlights the corresponding object in the display window.
2. Click Fit View to Selection
.
The software zooms in on the selected item so that it fills up the display entirely.
If an error is reported in the Errors window, click Fit View to Selection
the object in question.
to zoom in on
Center view on selection

a. In the Detail window, click the component or pipe that you want to view.
b. In the 3D View window, double-click the component or pipe that you want to view.
Alternatively, select a pipe or component in the Pipeline Explorer.
The software highlights the corresponding object in the display window.
2. Click Centre View on Selection
.
The software re-draws the pipeline so that the selected object is in the center of the view.
The view distance stays the same.
Pan views
1. Click Pan
. Alternatively, click View > Pan.
2. Click a point in the Detail window and drag the cursor up, down, left or right to view other
areas of the model.
27
Interface Overview
Show 3D View
The 3D View window displays the model as a scaled, real-world 3D graphical representation,
according to the list of available piping and components displayed in the Pipeline Explorer.
Click Show
.
The software opens a new window on top of the Detail window, and displays the pipeline as
a scaled 3D model.
Depending on each pipeline's relative start coordinates, pipelines will either be displayed
together, if they are intended to connect into each other, or apart if they are not.
When the 3D view is active, the software uses the following colors to distinguish the various
pipe components in the 3D model.
28
Color
Purpose
Green
Identifies pipes.
Magenta
Identifies valves and flanges.
Cyan
Identifies fittings.
Yellow
Identifies supports. Represented as a circle drawn around the supported component.
Red
Indicates the currently selected component or pipeline. The whole pipeline turns red
when you select the pipeline reference in the Pipeline Explorer.
Interface Overview
Change the view orientation

When the 3D view is active, you can use the following predefined view orientations to move
around the model in either linear (about eye) or encircle (about center) mode.
Iso North: Top Left
Change the orientation of the 3D view to display the model from the top left (north
east).
Iso North: Top Right
Change the orientation of the 3D view to display the model from the top right (north
west).
Iso North: Bottom Right
Change the orientation of the 3D view to display the model from the bottom right
(north west).
Iso North: Bottom Left
Change the orientation of the 3D view to display the model from the bottom left (north
east)
Look Down
Change the orientation of the 3D view so that you are looking down at the top of the
model.
Look Up
Change the orientation of the 3D view so that you are looking up at the bottom of the
model.
Look East
Change the orientation of the 3D view so that you are looking toward the east
direction of the model.
Look West
Change the orientation of the 3D view so that you are looking toward the west
Look North
Change the orientation of the 3D view so that you are looking toward the north
Look South
Change the orientation of the 3D view so that you are looking toward the south
1. Click the arrow next to Standard View

.
2. Select one of the standard view orientations available in the list.
View orientation options are available only when the 3D view is active. Click Show
turn on and off the 3D view.
Changing the view orientation does not alter the view center or view distance.
to
29
Interface Overview
Change the graphical representation

When the 3D view is active, you can switch between a symbolic or solid view of the model in the
Detail window. The symbolic representation displays a line-based view of the model; the solid,
or rendered, representation displays a more 3-dimensional view of the model. The following
illustration displays the two graphical representation types, with the symbolic representation on
the left and the solid representation on the right:
1. Click View > 3D View > Representation.

2. In the sub-menu, select one of the graphical representations, Symbolic or Solid.
The software updates the graphical representation of the model in the 3D View window.
30
Interface Overview
You can toggle between the two representation types only when the 3D view is active. Click
Show
to turn on and off the 3D view.
Symbolic mode is useful for viewing welds in the model, as shown in the following
illustration:
Producing rendered graphics is resource intensive and should only be used with small
pipeline data files or on hardware with fairly powerful 3D rendering capabilities.
Customize the Detail Window

Customization allows you to modify and enhance how you interact with the Detail window to
meet your specific needs. For example, you can create a new toolbar that does not exist in the
software. You can start by clicking View > Toolbars > Customize. On the Toolbars tab, you
click New and type the name of the new toolbar on the New Toolbar dialog box. After you click
OK, use the options on the Commands tab to create the new toolbar.
You can activate most SmartPlant Isometrics functions from the keyboard as well as from the
menus and toolbars. For example, simultaneously pressing CTRL and <G> is equivalent to
clicking Generate Drawings
on the Standard toolbar or selecting Generate Drawings on
the File menu. Menus show the keystroke combinations that are available with the software; you
can also create your own.
31
Interface Overview
Customize with Built-In Commands
The commands delivered with the software can help you work more efficiently. You can use
these built-in commands to create and customize your toolbars or assign keyboard shortcuts for
commands that you use frequently.
For example, using the options available on the Customize dialog box, you can create and
customize toolbars and assign shortcut keys to quickly accomplish tasks that you perform
frequently.
Customize Dialog Box (on page 33)

Create a new custom toolbar (on page 32)

Customize a built-in toolbar (on page 32)
Assign a keyboard shortcut (on page 33)
Create a new custom toolbar

You can use the Toolbars tab (Customize dialog box) to create new toolbars.
1. Click View > Toolbars > Customize.
Toolbars Tab (Customize Dialog Box) (on page 34)
2. Click New.
The New Toolbar dialog box appears.
3. Type the name of the new toolbar, and click OK.
4. Click the Commands tab.
5. In the Categories list, click the group that contains the command that you want to place on
the new toolbar
Commands Tab (Customize Dialog Box) (on page 34)
6. In the Commands list, click the command that you want to place on the new toolbar, and
then drag the command onto the new toolbar that is displayed in your workspace.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until you have added all the commands that you want on the new
toolbar.
32
To rename a custom toolbar, click View > Toolbars > Customize and then click the
Toolbars tab. In the Toolbars list, select the custom toolbar that you want to rename. In the
Toolbar name box, type a new name.
To delete a custom toolbar, click View > Toolbars > Customize and then click the
Toolbars tab. In the Toolbars list, select the custom toolbar that you want to delete and
then click Delete.
Interface Overview
Customize a built-in toolbar

You can add commands to new and existing toolbars using the Commands tab (Options dialog
box).
The Customize dialog box appears.
2. On the Commands tab, click the category that contains the command you want to add.
3. Drag the command button from the Commands display area to the toolbar.
If the toolbar is not displayed, click the Toolbars tab, and select it in the Toolbars list.
To return a toolbar to its original settings, click View > Toolbars > Customize. Select the
toolbar in the Toolbars list, and click Reset.
Assign a keyboard shortcut

Using the Keyboard tab on the Options dialog box, you can customize shortcut keys in the
software by assigning shortcut keys to commands that do not already have them or by removing
shortcut keys you don't want. If you don't like the changes you make, you can clear a shortcut
key setting at any time.
The Customize dialog box appears.
2. On the Keyboard tab, select the command category that you want in the Category list.
Keyboard Tab (Customize Dialog Box) (on page 34)
3. In the Commands box, click the command to which you want to assign a shortcut key.
4. Click once in the Press new shortcut key box, and then press the shortcut key combination
you want to assign.
You can use any of the following:
A single letter or alpha character (such as T)
A single number (such as 4)
CTRL or ALT, combined with an alpha character (such as CTRL+U or ALT+R)
A function key (such as F9)
5. Click Assign.
To remove a shortcut key, select a key combination in the Key assignments list and click
Remove.
To return all shortcut key combinations to their original settings, click View > Toolbars >
Customize and then click Reset All on the Toolbars tab.
As with any Microsoft product, you can also add a mnemonic or a button image for any of
the SmartPlant Isometrics commands.
33
Interface Overview
Customize Dialog Box

Provides options for customizing the toolbars that you use.
Toolbars Tab (Customize Dialog Box) (on page 34)
Keyboard Tab (Customize Dialog Box) (on page 34)
Toolbars Tab (Customize Dialog Box)

Toolbars - Lists the toolbars that currently exist in the software.
New - Displays the New Toolbar dialog box in which you can type a name for your custom
toolbar.
Rename - Displays the Rename Toolbar dialog box in which you can type a new name for the
selected toolbar. Rename is only available when you select a custom toolbar in the Toolbars
list.
Delete - Deletes the selected toolbar. Delete is only available when you select a custom toolbar
in the Toolbars list.
Reset - Restores the selected toolbar to its original settings. Reset is only available when you
select a SmartPlant Isometrics toolbar in the Toolbars list.
Commands Tab (Customize Dialog Box)

Categories - Sets the category from which you can select a command to add to a toolbar. When
you select a category, a list of commands specific to the selected category displays in the
Commands box.
Commands - Specifies the command that you want to add to a toolbar.
Keyboard Tab (Customize Dialog Box)

Category - Sets the category from which you want to select a command to assign a shortcut
key combination. When you select the category for a group of commands in this box, a list of
commands specific to the selected category displays in the Commands list.
Commands - Specifies the command to which you want to assign a shortcut key.
Key assignments - Displays shortcut key assignments that exist for the command selected in
the Commands list.
Press new shortcut key - Displays the shortcut key combination you defined for the selected
command.
Description - Displays tooltip information about the command selected in the Commands box.
Assign - Assigns the shortcut key combination that displays in the Press new shortcut key
box.
Remove - Removes the shortcut key combination that is selected in the Key assignments box.
Reset All - Returns all the key assignments to their original settings.
34
Interface Overview
Customize Interface Elements

Using the Options dialog box, you can define the settings for how working units in the software
display using the options on the Working Units tab. On the Colors tab, you can control the
color that the software uses to represent the different states of the pipe and components. You
can also change the Detail window background color from its default (white) to another color.
Clicking the color bar for the item whose color you want to change opens the standard Windows
color palette dialog box, from which you can make a choice.
You can also customize the layout of the SmartPlant Isometrics windows, moving and resizing
them to meet your needs.
Options Dialog Box (on page 38)

Specify the display of working units (on page 35)

Change the color of sketch status (on page 35)
Customize the window layout (on page 36)
Specify the display of working units

The default settings shown on the Working Units tab are read from the project defaults
configured in I-Configure. If you are creating a new file, you are able to override the default
values, but only for the new pipeline.
1. Click Tools > Options.
The Options dialog box appears.
2. Click the Working Units tab, and make selections as required.
Working Units Tab (Options Dialog Box) (on page 39)
3. Click OK.
Set user options

You can set various user options to configure the behavior of the software. For example, you
have options that can help you automate the sketching process. You also have options that can
help reduce screen clutter that can sometimes result when you have numerous dimensionless
components, such as bolts, and other information elements in the sketch.
2. Click the Preferences tab, and select options as necessary.
Preferences Tab (Options Dialog Box) (on page 39)
3. Click OK.
35
Interface Overview
Change the color of sketch status

2. On the Colors tab, click the color bar that corresponds to the item whose color you want to
change. For example, click No Direction Color.
3. Select a color In the Windows Color dialog box, and click OK.
You can also define a custom color.
4. Click OK.
To return all colors to their defaults, click Apply Defaults.
Customize the window layout

In SmartPlant Isometrics, windows organize the information you view about the pipeline model.
The software uses windows to provide a concise listing of pipeline data and to display the
results of specific operations, such as consistency checks and component attribute information.
Whereas the Pipeline Explorer and Properties window can be displayed or hidden using the
View menu, the software automatically displays the Errors window whenever errors occur
during a specific operation.
Moving and Resizing Windows

The Pipeline Explorer, Properties and Errors windows in SmartPlant Isometrics work slightly
differently than windows in other applications. These windows can be displayed, hidden,
docked, maximized, tabbed, or made to float.
The following tips will help you manage windows effectively. As you are moving windows,
remember that it is the placement of the cursor, not the window, that indicates where you are
placing the window you are dragging. Look for the blue shadow indicator box that shows you
where the window will be placed when you release the mouse button.
To display or hide a window
Open the View menu, and click the name of the window. A check mark beside the name of the
window indicates that it is displayed.
You cannot use the View menu to display and hide the Errors window. The software
automatically displays the Errors window whenever errors occur during a specific operation.
To automatically hide a window
1. Click
in the top right corner of a docked window. The window is placed vertically on the
application border on the side to which it was docked.
2. Move your cursor over the window name on the border to display the window, temporarily,
where it was previously displayed. As you move your cursor away, the window automatically
hides again.
36
Interface Overview
The following illustration shows a normal view of the Properties window and a view with the
window placed on the application border.
To turn off Auto-Hide mode

1. Place your cursor on the window name to show the hidden window.
2. When the window appears, click the
button to place it where it was previously docked.
To undock a window
Double-click the title bar of a docked window to undock it and display it as a floating window.
To maximize a window
Double-click a floating, undocked window to dock it against the top border of the software
window. This action maximizes the window as much as possible considering the placement
of other tool and list view windows.
If windows are already docked along the top border of the software and there is no
open space along the border, then you cannot maximize another window. As long as some
portion of the top border does not have a window docked against it, you can minimize a new
window, and the software will place it in that open space.
To dock a floating window
Click and drag the title bar of the floating window to dock it. As you begin to drag a docking
window, the SmartPlant Isometrics window displays as follows:
37
Interface Overview
Drag the window over one of the
icons. Each icon docks the window in a different
location - top, bottom, left or right. As the cursor passes over an icon, a blue box displays,
showing you how the docked window will appear. The example below illustrates the
relationship between the icon and docking location. The shaded blue box provides a preview
of how the docked window will appear.
You can dock the window to an exterior application border in SmartPlant Isometrics or
adjacent to another docked window.
Create tab windows from multiple tool windows
1. Drag one docking window over another, to display the following icon:
2. Pass the cursor over the

window.
icon, to dock the window as a "tab" of the currently docked
Additionally, you can click and drag a floating tool window until the cursor touches the title
bar of another tool window. A blue box displays, showing you a window with a tab at the bottom
of the second window.
38
Interface Overview
Options Dialog Box

Provides options for customizing the software.
Working Units Tab (Options Dialog Box) (on page 39)
Preferences Tab (Options Dialog Box) (on page 39)
Working Units Tab (Options Dialog Box)

Coordinates - Expresses the units of dimension for coordinates in millimeters (mm), meters
(m), or feet/inches (ft/in).
Bolt lengths and diameters - Expresses the unit of dimension for bolt lengths and diameters in
either millimeters (mm) or feet/inches (ft/in).
Weights - Expresses the unit of weight in either kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb).
Dimension precision - Controls the display of dimension line lengths in the sketch. When you
select Round dimension line lengths to nearest mm, the software rounds the dimension up
or down to the nearest whole number. The option has no effect on imperial units of measure.
Preferences Tab (Options Dialog Box)

Automatically place gaskets at open ends - Controls the behavior of the Place Flanges and
Gaskets Automatically command. If you select this option, when you click Place Flanges and
Gaskets Automatically
, the software scans the entire pipeline and assigns gaskets and
flanges based on a set of pre-determined criteria. If the option is not selected, the Place
Flanges and Gaskets Automatically command only places flanges at the open ends of
pipeline.
Automatically place flanges with gaskets - Controls whether the software automatically
inserts a flange each time you manually place a gasket adjacent to another component.
Labels - Defines how bolts and other various information elements are represented in the pipe
sketch. You can select any of the following in the Labels list: Bolts, Information Elements,
Supports and Support Welds, and Additional Items. You then use the Show, Hide, and
Abbreviate options to define what the label for the selected displays in the sketch.
Show - Displays the selected Label in the pipe sketch.
Hide - Turns off the display of the selected Label.
Abbreviate - Displays the short description as defined in system material data on the
selected Label. By default, Bolts labels are set to Abbreviate.
39
Interface Overview
Pipeline Explorer
The Pipeline Explorer provides a hierarchical view of the active POD file, including information
about the materials and attributes it contains. You can use the hierarchy to easily navigate the
piping and component data in the model.
Navigating the Pipeline Explorer

The top-most level of the tree view displays the name of the piping file that is currently opened.
The node directly underneath, Attributes, contains file attribute information, including the path
location of the primary specification and the isometric viewpoint (the direction of North in the
model). The remaining nodes reference each of the pipelines that make up the active sketch.
The software identifies each pipeline using a pipeline reference, commonly known as a
line ID. By default, the software sets the pipeline reference for the first pipeline to P-1, the
second pipeline to P-2, and so on.
As in Windows Explorer, you can click

and
to expand and close nodes to show and hide
information about the pipeline model. When you expand the Components node for any pipeline
40
Interface Overview
reference, the tree view displays a complete list of all the pipe and piping components that make
up the pipeline. When you expand the node for a pipe or component item, the tree view displays
a variety of item-specific property information. In the following illustration, all the nodes
underneath the slip-on flange on pipeline P-1 are expanded, showing a detailed level of property
information:
41
Interface Overview
You can browse the Pipeline Explorer tree view to locate specific piping and component items.
An item that you select in the Pipeline Explorer also shows as selected in the Detail window. In
the example below, the 6x6" elbow selected in the Pipeline Explorer displays in the default red
color in the Detail window.
While working in the Pipeline Explorer, you can right-click on any item in the
Components node and have access to the same commands as you do when you right-click a
pipe or component in the Detail window.
To show or hide the Pipeline Explorer, click View > Pipeline Explorer.
42
When the Pipeline Explorer is visible, a check mark appears next to the Pipeline Explorer
command on the View menu.
When the Pipeline Explorer window is visible, you can manipulate it so that it is docked,
floating, tab-docked, or collapsed. For more information, see Customize Interface Elements
(on page 34).
You can narrow or widen the Pipeline Explorer for better viewing. When you place the
pointer on the line that divides the Pipeline Explorer window from the Detail window, it
becomes a two-sided arrow that you can use to drag the dividing line to the left or right.
Interface Overview
Properties Window
When you select an object in the Detail window or the Pipeline Explorer, the Properties
window displays the names and values of the properties associated with that object. The object
currently selected in the Detail window always determines the content of the Properties
window. For example, if you select a pipe or a component, the Properties window displays
properties specific to the selected component; if you select a pipeline the Properties window
displays data specific to that pipeline.
To show or hide the Properties windows, click View > Properties.
Modify Object Properties

When you produce drawings, it is important to be able to specify and change the properties of
the objects that you place in your drawing. The ability to alter properties allows you to detail the
pipeline in a way that best conveys the engineering information necessary for designing the
43
Interface Overview
pipeline. You can review and edit the properties of any object in the Properties window. You
can also copy, cut, and paste properties. For more information, see Modify and Move Pipeline
Objects (on page 149).
44
When the Properties window is visible, a check mark appears next to the Properties
command on the View menu.
When the Properties window is visible, you can manipulate it so that it is docked, floating,
tab-docked, or collapsed. For more information, see Customize Interface Elements (on page
34).
You can narrow or widen the Properties window for better viewing. When you place the
pointer on the line that divides the Properties window from the Detail window, it becomes a
two-sided arrow that you can use to drag the dividing line to the left or right.
Properties that are read-only cannot be modified.
SECTION 3
Getting Started
SmartPlant Isometrics works in a project environment. A project hierarchy is created and
configured using the companion product, I-Configure. In addition to defining the project
hierarchy, I-Configure is also used to manage the properties that control how the software
imports piping data and to define the isometric styles that ISOGEN uses for drawing and report
production. I-Configure is also used to set up the project defaults that are applied to each
pipeline that you create. The SmartPlant Isometrics project hierarchy consists of the three
components listed below.
Isometric Directory - Represents any folder designated to contain one or more projects.
You can have any number of isometric directories on your computer.
Project - Represents a set of styles and associated data used by ISOGEN to create specific
types of drawings. Each time that you open the software, you must connect to a project. The
software remembers the project from one session to another until you connect to a different
project.
Style - Represents a group of properties that control the isometric drawings that ISOGEN
creates. Style properties are stored in an XML file.
Typically, the project administrator creates the project structure and defines the drawing styles
required so that the isometric drawings produced by SmartPlant Isometrics conform to your own
company standards and working practices. However, you also have access to a variety of
sample data that you can use to help get you started using the software. When you install
SmartPlant Isometrics, a utility called Create Tutorial Project is also installed. You can run this
utility to create a sample project hierarchy on the local computer. Delivered with the sample
project is a complete set of isometric drawing styles, which are listed in the table below.
Isometric Style Name
Purpose
Output
Check
Checking the routing of the pipeline

against the 3D model. The isometric
drawing is configured for internal use
and is not for issue.
Contains an overall dimensioning style

with minimum detailing. There is no
integral BOM list and no external
reporting.
Final-Basic
Production release.
Contains a fully detailed representation

of the pipeline, complete with
Fabrication and Erection BOM lists. The
Material Control File report is also
generated.
Final-Cut-List
Production release.

of the pipeline, complete with
Fabrication and Erection BOM lists.
Pipeline cut piece references are output
along with an integral cutting list table.
Final-Erection
Production release.

of the pipeline, complete with an
Erection BOM list.
Final-Fab
Production release.

of the pipeline, complete with a
Fabrication BOM list.
45
Getting Started
Isometric Style Name
Purpose
Output
Final-Weld-Box
Production release.

of the pipeline, complete with a
Fabrication and Erection BOM lists.
Pipeline welding numbering references
are output along with an integral
welding list table.
Spool
Designed for release to the Fabricator

of the separate spool sections of the
pipeline, complete with a Fabrication
BOM list. Pipeline welding numbering
and cut piece references are output
along with the welding and cut list
tables. The Material Control, Cut List,
Weld Summary, and Spool Information
file reports are generated.
Flat-Spool
Designed for release to the Fabricator

of the spool sections of the pipeline,
complete with a Fabrication BOM list.
The spools are laid out in a flat
orientation to maximize the number of
legs flat with the fabrication work
surface. Pipeline welding numbering
and cut piece references are output
along with the welding and cut list
tables. The Material Control and Weld
Summary file reports are also
generated.
46
Although you can use these isometric drawing styles out-of-the-box, we recommend that
you use I-Configure to create your own project-specific isometric drawing styles. For more
information about using I-Configure to set up a project and configure isometric drawing
styles, see I-Configure User's Guide. You can access this document using the Help >
Printable Guides command in the software.
Several sample piping specifications are also delivered to the local computer when you run
the Create Tutorial Project utility. However, these databases are intended for instructional
purposes while learning the software and are not recommended for real projects.
Getting Started
SmartPlant Isometrics Project Defaults

In many cases, it is useful to have a common set of standard settings applied to a particular
project that are subsequently applied to each new pipeline. These standard settings are called
project defaults and define specific values for the pipeline attributes.
Generally, if project attribute defaults exist, SmartPlant Isometrics uses them. If no defaults
exist, the software stores pipeline properties between sessions. For example, if you create one
model using units of ft/in, the next time you create a model, ft/in is the initial setting in the
Properties window. However, if the project default units are set to mm, the mm units are used
instead.
You can choose to override project default settings by selecting a different isometric style
when you generate a drawing. For example, if you create the pipeline model with metric units,
you can choose to output the drawing in imperial units, presuming that an appropriate isometric
style exists in the project.
The project defaults listed below exist for SmartPlant Isometrics. You use I-Configure to define
the attribute settings and to create additional customized attributes as required by the project.
Default specification - Specifies the full path location to the primary specification to be used.
Additional specification folder - Specifies the full path location to the folder that contains
available secondary specifications. Components that are placed from these specifications do not
generate spec breaks on the isometric drawing. The folder location defined by this setting is
displayed in the Spec column on the Item Code dialog box (on page 100).
Co-ordinate units - Specifies the unit of measure used to display coordinate data on the
isometric drawing. Acceptable values are User, mm, in, and ft/in.
Bolt length units - Specifies the unit of measure used to display bolt length data on the
isometric drawing. Acceptable values are User, mm, and in.
Bolt diameter units - Specifies the unit of measure used to display bolt diameter data on the
isometric drawing. Acceptable values are User, mm, and in.
Weight units - Specifies the unit of measure used to display weight data on the isometric
drawing. Acceptable values are User, kg, and lb.
Isometric North - Defines the location of the North arrow on the isometric drawing. Acceptable
values are User, Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left, and Bottom Right.
Global Offset Source - Indicates the source of the global offset used by the software.
Acceptable values are User and Project Default. Setting this property to Project Default
requires that you also define a value for Global Offset.
Import Specs Folder - Defines the full path location to the folder containing the available
specification files.
Imported weld numbers - Specifies how imported weld numbers are handled. The following
settings are available:
Keep - Retain any weld numbers present in the PCF or IDF. If none exist, then weld
numbers are assigned by ISOGEN during import and kept. Weld numbers assigned on
import use the SPIImport style settings.
Clear - Clear any weld numbers present in the PCF, IDF, or assigned by ISOGEN during
import.
This setting is equivalent to the Tools > Weld Numbers > Clear command.
Assign - Clear any weld numbers present in the PCF, IDF, or assigned by ISOGEN during
import, and assign new weld numbers. Weld numbers assigned are per pipeline with all
welds having one sequence.
47
Getting Started
Assign Repeat Data - This action depends upon whether it is the first time the pipeline has
been processed or if it is a subsequent processing of the same pipeline.
Pipeline processed for the first time - Clear any weld numbers present in the PCF,
IDF, or assigned by ISOGEN during import, and assign new weld numbers using the
style specified by the Repeat Style property. If the Repeat Style settings match those
used in the design phase, then consistency is maintained between the design and
fabrication phases.
Subsequent processing of same pipeline - Clear any weld numbers present in the
PCF, IDF, or assigned by ISOGEN during import. Weld numbers assigned during the
initial run, which are stored in the pipeline object data file, are reinstated. Any new weld
numbers are assigned using the style specified by the Repeat Style property. If Repeat
Style settings match those used in the design phase, then consistency is maintained
between the design and fabrication phases.
In all of the previously mentioned cases, when a revised pipeline data file is received, the
weld numbers may not match those previously created.
Imported part numbers - Specifies how imported part numbers are handled. The following
settings are available:
Keep - Retain any part numbers present in the PCF or IDF. If none exist, then part numbers
are assigned by ISOGEN during import and kept. Part numbers assigned on import use the
SPIImport style settings.
Clear - Clear any part numbers present in the PCF, IDF, or assigned by ISOGEN during
import.
This setting is equivalent to the Tools > Part Numbers > Clear command.
Assign - Clear any part numbers present in the PCF, IDF, or assigned by ISOGEN during
import, and assign new part numbers. Part numbers assigned are per pipeline.
Assign Repeat Data - This action depends upon whether it is the first time the pipeline has
been processed or if it is a subsequent processing of the same pipeline.
Pipeline processed for the first time - Clear any part numbers present in the PCF,
IDF, or assigned by ISOGEN during import and assign new part numbers using the style
specified by the Repeat Style property. If Repeat Style settings match those used in
the design phase, then consistency is maintained between the design and fabrication
phases.
Subsequent processing of same pipeline - Clear any part numbers present in the
PCF, IDF, or assigned by ISOGEN during import. Part numbers assigned during the
initial run, which are stored in the pipeline object data file, are reinstated. Any new part
numbers are assigned using the style specified by the Repeat Style property. If Repeat
Style settings match those used in the design phase, then consistency is maintained
between the design and fabrication phases.
In all of the previously mentioned cases, when a revised pipeline data file is received, the
part numbers may not match those previously created.
GED Configuration - Controls the execution of the Get External Data (GED) function at various
stages of the piping workflow. For each use of GED, the content of the configuration file can be
different. For more information about the Get External Data function, see Attach External Data
(on page 215).
GED Configuration (Import) - Specifies the full path location to the External Data
Configuration file used on import of piping data into the project.
External Data on Import - Controls the execution of the GED function on import of piping
data. If set to True, the GED function is run when piping data is imported. If set to False, the
GED function is not run on import.
48
Getting Started
GED Configuration (Interactive) - Specifies the path to the External Data Configuration file
used during the editing of piping data when you use the Tools > Get External Data
command.
GED Configuration (Generate) - Specifies the path to the External Data Configuration file
executed just prior to drawing generation.
External Data on Generate Drawing - Controls the execution of the GED function prior to
drawing generation. If set to True, the GED function is run prior to drawing generation. If set
to False, the GED function is not run prior to drawing generation.
PreProcessor - Controls the use of the Piping Data Processor utility in the piping workflow.
There are two PreProcessor project defaults.
PreProcessor Configuration - Specifies the full path location to the .ppc configuration file.
PreProcessor on Import - Controls whether piping data input files are pre-processed on
import. If set to True, the software runs the PipingDataProcessor.exe file to pre-process
piping data input files on import into the project. If set to False, the PipingDataProcessor.exe
file is not run on import.
For more information, see the online documentation delivered with the Piping Data
Processor utility.
XMpLant Mapping File - Defines the full path location to the mapping file used to export piping
data from SmartPlant Isometrics so that it can be imported into SmartPlant 3D. A default
mapping file, POD_XMP_SP3D_MappingFile.xml is delivered to the
C:\SampleIsoDir\SPITutorial\Data\Processing folder during installation of the software. Unless
you specify an alternative file, the software uses the default mapping file. For more information,
see Appendix: POD to XMpLant Mapping File Definitions (on page 263).
The three project defaults listed below are specific to SmartPlant integration. A project
must be registered before you can connect to the integrated environment to publish materials
data. To register an isometric project with a SmartPlant Foundation plant, use the SmartPlant
Registration Wizard to define the integration-specific project defaults shown below. For more
information about registering the project, see Register the project with a SmartPlant Foundation
plant (on page 209).
SmartPlant Foundation URL - Specifies the node name and virtual folder of the SmartPlant
Foundation database with which you want to register the isometric project. Use the following
format: http://SPFServer/VirtualFolder.
SmartPlant Foundation Plant - Specifies the SmartPlant Foundation plant with which you want
to associate your isometric project.
SmartPlant Foundation Signature - Displays the unique four character code assigned to an
authoring tool when it registers with SmartPlant Foundation.
For information about managing and creating project defaults, see Project Defaults and
Attributes in I-Configure User's Guide. This document is available using the Help > Printable
Guides command in the software.
49
Getting Started
SmartPlant Isometrics Reference Data

SmartPlant Isometrics is a specification-driven application. Before a piping project can begin,
reference data, including piping specifications and materials catalogs, must be defined.
Depending on how reference data is managed, SmartPlant Material Editor is used to build either
a single comprehensive materials catalog, often referred to as a master catalog, or several
catalogs. A materials catalog usually consists of a database of various component types,
including pipes, flanges, bolts, gaskets, fittings such as elbows, tees, and reducers. The
database contains detailed size information about each component, such as bores and
dimensions. It also contains information regarding the material item or stock code, component
weight, schedule, rating, and end type, as well as any number of user-defined materials and
component attributes.
While the amount of components included in a typical piping specification can number in the
hundreds, or even thousands, a materials catalog is much larger, with several thousand
individual components. You can think of a specification as a subset of all of the components in a
materials catalog. A catalog includes all of the components you can use at any given time, but
the specification includes only those components you can use in a particular piping design
project. The table below outlines the basic differences between a piping specification and a
materials catalog.
Piping Specification
Materials Catalog
Hundreds or thousands of components
Several thousand components
Only those components you can use in a particular project
All of the components that you can use at any given time
Keeping Pipeline Components Up-To-Date

You can synchronize the pipeline model with changes that you make in the material database.
For example, when you modify the material description of a pipe or change the dimension of a
component in the active specification, the pipeline model can be updated automatically to reflect
those changes. The Synchronize Specification command compares pipeline model objects
against what is currently defined in the active specification and looks for discrepancies between
the material descriptions, dimensional data, and attribute data, excluding the material SKEY or
item code.
The software does not check for changes to the material SKEY or the item code.
Synchronization can be performed on a single piping file or on multiple piping files in batch
mode.
After evaluating the pipeline, the software then displays a list of those pipeline components
whose dimensions or material attributes do not match what is defined in the active specification.
A component whose material properties have changed can be updated without any issues.
However, a component whose dimensions have changed can be updated only if the neighboring
pipe can accommodate the new dimensions. In situations where the dimensional changes
cannot be accommodated, such as when the neighboring pipe is too small, the component is
considered out-of-spec and is made generic during the synchronization process.
50
For more information about using SmartPlant Material Editor to define your reference data,
see SmartPlant Material Editor User's Guide, which is available using the Help > Printable
Alternatively, you can use SmartPlant Isometrics I-Convert to convert piping specifications
contained within a plant design system database to SmartPlant Isometrics format. For more
Getting Started
information about converting piping specifications, see SmartPlant Isometrics I-Convert

User's Guide. You can access this document using the Help > Printable Guides command
in the software.
For information about generic component properties, see Define generic component
properties (on page 92).
Select Project Dialog Box (on page 55)

Synchronize Specification Dialog Box (on page 55)
Create the sample project (on page 51)

Log in to a project (on page 52)
Change the material specification (on page 52)
Update the model with material specification changes (on page 53)
Create the sample project

The Create Tutorial Project utility, which is installed with the software, can be used to create a
sample isometric directory (SampleIsoDir) that contains a sample project (SPITutorial). By
default, the SPITutorial project contains a complete set of sample isometric styles that are used
to determine the content and appearance of an ISOGEN drawing, as well as sample material
data and sample piping specifications.
When you run the Create Tutorial Project utility, it deletes the current tutorial project
structure. To avoid accidentally deleting "live" project data, do not create projects under the
sample isometric directory or project structure.
1. Click Start > All Programs > Intergraph SmartPlant Isometrics > Create Tutorial
Project.
The software opens a window that allows you to view processing progress.
2. When processing completes, click OK in the Create Tutorial Project Log window.
The software creates a sample project hierarchy, similar to the example shown below, on
the local computer.
To run the utility from the command line, type -a SPIsometrics.
51
Getting Started
If you want to create a user-defined project, you must use I-Configure to define
project-specific settings.
Although you can use the template styles, sample material data, and sample piping
specifications out-of-the-box, this data is intended for instructional purposes while learning
the software and should not be used for live projects. We recommend that you create your
project hierarchy and configure project-specific isometric styles using I-Configure and create
project-specific reference data using SmartPlant Material Editor.
Log in to a project
SmartPlant Isometrics works in a project environment. All piping engineers working on the
pipeline model log in to the same project, thus ensuring consistency of drawing and report
deliverables. Selecting a project is typically a one-time action. Because the software remembers
the project from one session to the next, you do not need to re-select the project to re-establish
the connection.
1. Click Project > Login.
The Select Project dialog box (on page 55) appears.
2. In the Isometric Directory list, select the isometric directory that contains the project to
which you want to connect.
3. Select the required project in the Project List, and then click OK.
The name of the current project displays on the status bar.
A set of projects is stored in a folder referred to as the isometric directory. There can be any
number of isometric directories on your computer, and an isometric directory can hold any
number of projects.
Change the material specification

Each piping object data file has a primary specification associated with it. When you first open a
piping file, the software attempts to connect to the default specification defined in the project
defaults. At any time while working in the pipeline model, you can change to a different
specification.
If you have not defined a default specification, the software prompts you to connect to
one.
1. Click File > Connect to Specification.
2. In the Open dialog box, verify that the Make Primary box is checked.
If you leave the Make Primary box unchecked, the software loads the selected
specification, but it does not make it the primary specification.
52
Getting Started
3. In the Existing Components list, specify how you want the software to treat existing
components. You can select from the following:
Leave Alone - All existing components in the sketch are left as they are.
Make All Generic - All existing components are made generic, meaning that they have
no item code assigned.
Make "Out of Spec" Generic - All existing components that do not exist in the new
specification are made generic.
4. Navigate to and then double-click the specification you want to load.
In the Pipeline Explorer, the Primary Spec attribute displays the name of the specification
that is currently loaded.
For additional information about piping specifications, refer to the SmartPlant Material Editor
User's Guide. The guide is available with the Help > Printable Guides command in the
software.
The software fills in the piping specification properties for the pipeline and all the current
components as appropriate.
Update the model with material specification changes

You can update the pipeline model with material specification changes in interactive mode or in
batch mode. Interactive mode synchronizes only the pipeline model in the currently opened file.
Batch mode updates several piping files simultaneously.
Interactive Mode
1. Open the pipeline model, and click File > Synchronize Specification.
The Synchronize Specification dialog box (on page 55) appears and lists those
components that are out-of-sync with the active material specification. In the example below,
dimensional data for all of the listed components has been modified in the active
specification, as indicated by Changed appearing in the Dimension column. In addition to
changes in their dimensional data, the valve components have had some of their property
data modified as well.
53
Getting Started
2. Click Update.
The software updates those components that display True in the Update Possible column.
A component that displays False in the Update Possible column cannot be updated and is
considered out-of-spec. During synchronization, any out-of-spec component is replaced with
a generic component. In the example above, the two elbow components that display False
in the Update Possible column are replaced with generic components, as indicated by the
default blue color in the example below.
Batch Mode
1. Click File > Batch Synchronize Specification.
The Open dialog appears.
2. Locate and select the piping object data files that you want to synchronize with the material
specification, and click Open.
The software begins the batch synchronization process, updates the components to match
the material specification, and writes the results to a log file, which is stored in the Temp
folder.
3. Click Yes in the message box to view the log file.
The software opens the log file using your default text editor.
54
Getting Started
A component typically becomes out-of-spec when the pipeline cannot accommodate

dimensional changes to a component.
Because no catalog information exists for a generic component, you must manually define
its properties, including setting the dimension and end connection type. For more
information, see Define generic component properties (on page 92).
Select Project Dialog Box

Allows you to specify the SmartPlant Isometrics project with which you want to connect. All
piping engineers working on the pipeline model log in to the same project, thus ensuring
consistency of drawing and report deliverables.
Isometric Directory - Lists the isometric directories that exist on the local computer. An
isometric directory represents any folder designated to contain one or more projects. Isometric
directories are created using I-Configure. For more information, see Isometric Directories in
I-Configure Users Guide.
Project List - Lists the SmartPlant Isometrics projects that are available in the selected
isometric directory. A project represents a set of styles and associated data used by ISOGEN to
create specific types of drawings and reports. Projects are created using I-Configure. For more
information, see Projects in I-Configure Users Guide.
You can access I-Configure Users Guide using the Help > Printable Guides command
in the software.
Synchronize Specification Dialog Box

Displays a list of components in the current pipeline model that are out-of-sync with what is
defined in the active material specification. This dialog box opens automatically when you click
File > Synchronize Specification.
The Synchronize Specification command compares pipeline model objects against what is
currently defined in the active specification and looks for discrepancies between the material
description, dimensional data, and attribute data. Model objects with dimensional data or
material attributes that do not match what is in the active specification are listed in table format.
The software does not check for changes to the material SKEY or item code.
Component - Displays the fly-text for the out-of-sync component. The information displayed in
the fly-text depends upon the type of component.
Component Type
Information Displayed
Example
Pipe
Bore - SKEY - Item Code - Length
6" PIPE PA5BX Length 103.8mm
Component
Bore - SKEY - Item Code
4" VBBW B_Ball_Valve_0
Dimension - Indicates whether the dimension of the listed component has been modified in the
active material specification. If so, Changed is displayed in this column.
Properties - Indicates whether the material description or any attribute data for the listed
component has been modified in the active material specification. If so, Changed is displayed in
this column.
Update Possible - Indicates whether the component can be updated to match what is defined
in the active material specification. True indicates that the component can be updated. False
indicates that the component cannot be updated. A component whose material properties have
changed can be updated without any issues. However, a component whose dimensions have
55
Getting Started
changed can be updated only if the neighboring pipe can accommodate those changes. In
situations where the dimensional changes cannot be accommodated, such as when the
neighboring pipe is too small, the component is considered out-of-spec and is made generic.
Update - Replaces those components that display True in the Update Possible column.
Components that display False in the Update Possible column are made generic.
Cancel - Closes the dialog box without making any updates.
56
SmartPlant Isometrics Workflow
SECTION 4

There are six key steps that lead up to the creation of a fully annotated ISOGEN isometric
drawing generated from a simple sketch designed in SmartPlant Isometrics.
1. Layout the basic pipeline configuration (see "Route Pipe" on page 61)
2. Add a 3D coordinate (see "Add 3D Coordinates" on page 75)
3. Place components to populate the pipeline (see "Place Components" on page 85)
4. Assign item codes as necessary (see "Assign an item code" on page 97)
5. Dimension the basic pipe route (see "Define Dimensions" on page 101)
6. Add design elements (see "Detail the Drawing" on page 119)
Pipelines and Systems

SmartPlant Isometrics allows you to create one or more pipelines in a single file. Each pipeline
consists of a set of connected components, but the pipelines themselves do not need to connect
together. ISOGEN processes each pipeline is separately and creates one or more isometric
drawings for each.
Create a new pipeline model (on page 58)

Create a new piping system (on page 58)
Open an existing pipe sketch (on page 59)
57
Create a new pipeline model

You can use SmartPlant Isometrics to create one or more pipelines in a single file. Each pipeline
consists of a set of connected components, but the pipelines themselves do not need to connect
together. ISOGEN processes each pipeline is separately and creates one or more isometric
drawings for each.
The diagram below shows the basic organizational structure of a standard pipeline model in
SmartPlant Isometrics:
You can split a single pipeline into one or more sheets. Each sheet can contain a different yet
connected portion of the entire pipeline. When modeling a standard pipeline, the software forces
you to observe the following rules:
1. Each sheet can only contain objects from one single pipeline.
2. The software does not consider components in differing pipelines as being connected.
3. The software always produces pipeline isometrics.
Alternatively, it is possible to create a single piping system consisting of multiple connected
pipelines. The entire system is processed by ISOGEN and, depending on system model content
and complexity, one or more isometric drawings containing all the pipelines are produced.
Click New
on the Standard toolbar. Alternatively, click File > New, or press CTRL+N.
The software opens a new Detail window, and the Pipeline Explorer adds the pipeline
reference for the pipeline.
If you have not defined a default specification in the project defaults for the current project, the
software prompts you to connect to a specification. For more information about defining project
defaults, see the I-Configure User's Guide, available with the Help > Printable Guides
command in the software.
58
Create a new piping system

A system is a special type of piping file, capable of holding a number of connected pipelines in a
system. Using SmartPlant Isometrics, it is possible to create a single piping system consisting of
multiple connected pipelines. The entire system is processed by ISOGEN and, depending on
system model content and complexity, one or more isometric drawings containing all the
pipelines are produced.
The diagram below shows an example of the basic organizational structure of a piping system in
SmartPlant Isometrics:
Unlike those that are inherent when modeling a standard pipeline, the software observes the
following rules when you model a piping system:
1. Each sheet can contain objects from several pipelines.
2. Components can be connected across multiple pipelines.
Click File > New System.
The software opens a new Detail window, and the Pipeline Explorer adds the pipeline
reference for the first pipeline in the system.
If you have not defined a default specification in the project defaults for the current project,
the software prompts you to connect to a specification. For more information about defining
project defaults, see the I-Configure User's Guide, available with the Help > Printable
Guides command in the software
The software always produces system isometrics.
59
Open an existing pipe sketch

1. Click Open
.
The Open dialog box appears.
2. Navigate to and then select the piping file that you want to open.
The Open dialog box is a standard multi-select dialog box, allowing you to select one
or more files. To select consecutive files, click the first file, press and hold down SHIFT, and
then click the last file. To select nonconsecutive files, press and hold down CTRL, and then
click each file.
3. Click Open.
The software opens the Detail window and displays the contents of the selected file.
60
The software remembers the current project between sessions.

You can open one of the last edited pipe sketches by selecting it from the list of recently
opened files at the bottom of the File menu.
If you want to connect to a different specification, click File > Connect to Specification. For
more information, read Change the material specification (on page 52).
Route Pipe
SECTION 5
Route Pipe
Routing pipe is the process by which you define the basic layout and configuration of the
SmartPlant Isometrics pipeline model. You must route at least some pipe before doing anything
else.
The plane on which you place the pipe is used to define the direction of the pipe. By default, you
place pipe on one of the three isometric planes (N-S, E-W and U-D) as indicated by the direction
of the North Arrow in the upper left corner of the Detail window. The pipe shown in the following
illustration is running North-South.
The color of the pipe as it appears in the Detail window is significant. In the previous illustration,
the pipe is blue - the default No Length color, meaning that the direction of the pipe is defined,
but its dimension is unknown. Because the isometric is unscaled, the software is unable to
derive any information about the dimension of the pipe when you place it. You will need to
dimension the pipe after you place it. For more information about dimensioning, read Define
Dimensions (on page 101).
Route Skewed Pipe

A skewed, or non-orthogonal, pipe is one that does not run in one of the principle directions
(N-S, E-W, U-D). Since SmartPlant Isometrics normally constrains you to route pipe in one of
these directions on the grid, special action is needed if you want to create a skewed pipe.
61
Route Pipe
You can route skewed pipe using the Route 2D Skew and Route 3D Skew commands, or by
holding down the CTRL key while in normal routing mode. The software displays skewed pipe
sections with their associated skew components, which are placed automatically by the
software, shown in the principle directions by dotted lines.
When initially placed, the software displays skew components dotted in blue (the default
sketch color), meaning their directions are known but their dimensions are not.
When initially placed, the software displays the skewed pipe that connects the ends of the
two components in red (the default sketch color), meaning that neither the dimension nor the
direction of this pipe is known.
You can define sketch colors using the options on the Colors tab in the Options dialog box.
For more information, see Change the color of sketch status (on page 35).
You can dimension the skew using either of the following methods. For more information
about skew dimensions, see Dimension skewed pipe.
Manually set the length of the skew components, which implies the angle for the skew.
Use the Properties window to define the angle between the skew and the first axis (the
axis order) and the overall length.
62
Route a section of pipe (on page 62)

Add a bend element (on page 64)
Add a branch element (on page 66)
Route a 2D skew (on page 68)
Route a 3D skew (on page 69)
Route skewed pipe using the keyboard (on page 70)
Set a fall (on page 71)
Terminate pipe routing (on page 73)
Route Pipe
Route a section of pipe

1. Click Route Pipe
.
2. In the Bore Box, select the bore and item code from the list.
After you select the bore (and therefore the pipe item code), all subsequent pipe is
placed at this bore (and with this item code).
To view the material description for the currently selected pipe code, place the cursor on
the Bore Box.
If you do nothing or choose to terminate pipe routing, the bore you selected continues to
display in the Bore Box. To start routing pipe again, without re-selecting the bore, click
Route Pipe
.
3. Click in the Detail window to select the starting point, and then move the mouse in the
direction in which you want to route the pipe.
As you move the mouse around the Detail window, a routing line is drawn, which is
constrained to the isometric grid of points, and snaps to lie on the closest isometric plane.
To register a change of direction and automatically insert a bend element, click again in the
Detail window and move the mouse in a different direction. Each time you click in the Detail
window, the software registers a change of direction and automatically inserts a bend
element.
To terminate routing, right-click anywhere in the Detail window where there is no object
under the cursor.
63
Route Pipe
Add a bend element

While in routing mode, each time you click in the Detail window, a change of direction is
registered and a bend element is automatically inserted, as shown in the following illustration.
The bend element is any component or fitting that implies a change of direction, including an
angle valve, instrument, or pulled bend..
At this stage of sketching the pipeline, no information about the bend element is
necessary. You will assign a specific item code later to define whether this particular component
is a bend or an elbow.
You can also insert a bend element by routing away from an existing pipe in a non-parallel
direction.
1. Click Route Pipe
.
2. Click a point in a section of the pipeline to indicate placement of the bend element.
To indicate that it is permissible to insert a bend element in the location you specify,
the cursor changes to
,as shown in the previous illustration. If a bend element cannot
be placed in that location, the cursor changes to
64
Route Pipe
3. Continue to route in the same way.
The software automatically inserts a bend element to connect the two pipes.
In the previous illustration, the bend element appears green, indicating that it is fully
defined. In other words, its orientation, item code, and dimensions are fully specified. If a default
choice exists in the specification to which the project is connected, the software assigns the item
code automatically.
Connect two pipes with a bend automatically

Connect Bend Automatically
allows you to connect two pipes with a bend element or
elbow, presuming that the two pipes meet the following conditions:
Both pipes have open ends.
Both pipes have the same bore.
The pipes are perpendicular to each other, meaning that one pipe, if projected, intersects
the other.
1. Click Select
65
Route Pipe
2. In the Detail window, select the two pipes you want to connect.
Hold down CTRL while clicking to select multiple drawing items.
3. Click Connect Bend Automatically
on the Dimension toolbar.
The software joins the pipes with an elbow component.
The software automatically applies the elbow item code from the specification to which the
current project is connected,
The software extends or shortens the pipes as necessary to accommodate the connection.
If the software is unable to compute the dimensions, you must dimension the pipeline
manually.
Add a branch element

If a length of pipe starts or finishes within another length of pipe placed perpendicular to it, a
branch element is automatically inserted. The branch element is any component or fitting that
implies a connection between the end of one pipe and the middle of another, such as an olet, a
3-way valve or a fitting tee. The exact type of branch element is not specified until the item code
is assigned.
As with other components, the software can automatically assign the item code using the
Default Choice reference table, or you can manually assign it using the Item Code dialog box.
1. Click Route Pipe
66
Route Pipe
2. Click a point in a section of the pipeline to indicate placement of the branch element.
To indicate that it is permissible to insert a branch element in the location you specify,
the cursor changes to
,as shown in the previous illustration. If a branch element
cannot be placed, the cursor changes to

.
3. Continue to route in the same way.
The software automatically inserts a branch element to connect the two pipes.
In the previous illustration, the branch element appears green, indicating that it is fully
defined. In other words, its orientation, item code, and dimensions are fully specified. If a
default choice exists in the specification to which the project is connected, the software
assigns the item code automatically.
If no entry is present in the Branch Table reference table for the required bore combination,
the software automatically places a tee.
67
Route Pipe
Connect two pipes with a branch automatically

Connect Branch Automatically
allows you to join two pipes together with a branch
element, presuming that the two pipes meet the following conditions:
Both pipes have open ends.
The pipes are perpendicular to each other, meaning that one pipe, if projected, intersects
the other.
1. Click Select
.
2. In the Detail window, select the main pipe and the branch pipe.
Hold down CTRL while clicking to select multiple drawing items.
3. Click Connect Branch Automatically
.
The two pipes are joined together with the appropriate branch element.
The branch element that the software creates - tee, olet, tap, and so on - is dependent upon
the definition in the Branch Select table in the specification. For more information about the
Branch Select table, see the SmartPlant Material Editor User's Guide, available using the
Help > Printable Guides command in the software.
The software automatically applies the item code from the specification to which the current
project is connected.
The software extends or shortens the pipes as necessary to accommodate the connection.
If the software is unable to compute the dimensions, you must dimension the pipeline
manually.
Route a 2D skew
The pipe connecting the 2D skew is uni-directional, meaning direction in one plane only. The
two end points (which define the skew length) share one common coordinate, for example, the
Easting.
If you are currently in normal routing mode, you must click once in the Detail
window to place the end point of the last section of orthogonal pipe before beginning to route the
2D skew.
1. Click Draw 2D Skew
on the Place toolbar. Alternatively, click Place > Route 2D Skew.
2. Click once In the Detail window to place a start point.
3. Click some distance away from the first point, but in the same direction. to place an
intermediate point.
68
Route Pipe
4. Click again in the grid some distance away from the intermediate point, but in a different
direction in the same plane, to place the end point.
The intermediate and end points define the first and second skew components,
respectively.
The software places the 2D skew and its associated skew components.
Route a 3D skew
The pipe connecting the 3D skew is bi-directional, meaning direction shown in two planes. The
two end points (which define the skew length) do not share any common coordinates.
If you are currently in normal routing mode, you must click once in the Detail
window to place the end point of the last section of orthogonal pipe before beginning to route the
3D skew.
1. Click Draw 3D Skew
on the Place toolbar. Alternatively, click Place > Route 3D Skew.
2. Click once in the Detail window to place a start point.
3. Place three more points in the Detail window to place the skew components:
a. Click some distance away from the start point, but in the same direction, to place the
first intermediate point.
b. Click some distance away from the first intermediate point, but in a different direction in
the same plane, to place a second intermediate point.
c. Click some distance away from the second intermediate point, but in a different direction
and in a different plane, to place the end point.
The two intermediate points and the end point collectively define the three skew
components.
The software automatically places the 3D skew and its associated skew components.
69
Route Pipe
Route skewed pipe using the keyboard

You can override normal pipe routing mode using the keyboard CTRL key to route either a 2D or
3D skew.
Create a 2D Skew that Runs N/S and U/D
1. In the Detail window, click to place the end point for the last orthogonal section of pipe.
2. Hold down the CTRL key, and click some distance away from the end point of the
orthogonal section of pipe to create the N/S skew component.
70
Route Pipe
3. Release the CTRL key, and click again in the same plane but some distance away from the
previous point to place the end point of the skew and the U/D skew component.
4. Click in the Detail window again to place the end point of the next orthogonal section of pipe
and continue routing.
Create a 3D Skew that Runs N/S and U/D

1. Use the same technique as when routing a 2D skew to place the first two skew components.
2. Release the CTRL key when you click to place the third skew component.
71
Route Pipe
Set a fall
A pipe with a fall is one that has a slight change in elevation along its length. Conventionally, a
falling pipe is drawn on the isometric as if it were horizontal, with a symbol indicating the fall.
Before setting a fall, route the pipe as normal and dimension it. At any stage in this process, you
can use Set Fall
to define the magnitude of the change in elevation.
1. Select the straight section of pipe to which you want to apply the fall.
2. Click Set Fall
The Set Fall dialog box appears.
3. Type a value for the fall.
Although five units options are available--Angle in Degrees, Ratio (1:n),
Percentage, Gradians, and Incline (mm/m)--you enter a value for only one of the units.
The software automatically calculates the corresponding value for the remaining four units
options based on the value you enter. Using the following illustration as an example, a value
of 1.0 is entered in the Angle in Degrees box. The software calculates the remaining four
values and enters them automatically into their respective boxes.
4. In the Fall to the section, specify which end of the pipe is higher. In the previous illustration,
the pipe will fall to the South making the north end higher.
The available options in the Fall to the section are dependent on the route direction
of the selected section of pipe. If the straight runs N-S, the options are North and South; if
the pipe runs E-W, the options are East and West.
72
Route Pipe
5. Click OK.
The software updates the model to show a small triangular Fall symbol, indicating that a fall
is applied to this straight section of pipe.
The fall you specify is applied to all components of the straight. It is only necessary to select
one piece of pipe on the same straight for the fall to be applied to all the pipe and
components.
The Existing dimensions options are only available if the pipe is already dimensioned. The
two options allow you to specify whether the existing dimension is to be taken as the
orthogonal or hypotenuse dimension:
If you select Make Orthogonal, then the dimensions of existing straights in the pipe will
change (component lengths are fixed).
Terminate pipe routing

You can use any of the following actions to terminate pipe routing and return SmartPlant
Isometrics to its default mode.
Right-click anywhere in the Detail window where there is no object under the cursor.
Click Select
on the Edit toolbar.
Double-click in the Detail window at the point where you want to end the pipe run.
The difference between these three methods is the treatment of the last section of pipe.
73
Route Pipe
As you move the mouse after clicking for a change of direction, the software displays the next
section of pipe, as shown in the following illustration.
If you right-click in the Detail window or click Select

, the section is terminated at the point
where you last clicked. However, you remain in routing mode, meaning that you can click in
another section of the Detail window and continue routing.
If you double-click, however, the software registers the change of direction, places the last
section of pipe, and terminates routing mode. If you want to route again in another area of the
Detail window, you must click Route Pipe
.
74
Add 3D Coordinates
SECTION 6
Add 3D Coordinates
In order to calculate the absolute position of all components in the pipeline, the software needs
to know the coordinates of at least one point in the pipeline model. You use the Add Origin
function of the Query 3D Coordinate command to specify and position 3D coordinates
anywhere in the pipeline. Once this point is defined, the software is able to compute all other
relative coordinates from that single point.
SmartPlant Isometrics treats the origins that you add as the most significant data it has. Once
you define an origin, the software will never change it, either through the entry of a conflicting
dimension or the addition of new coordinates.
Origins and Start Points

There are no rules for adding origins - you can place them at any keypoint in the pipe sketch.
You can identify any origin that you add as a start point using the Set as Start Point option in
the Add Origin dialog box.
You can only place a start point at the open end of a component.
In the pipeline model, the start point appears as follows:
Normal origins that you place subsequent to the start point are represented in the pipeline model
as such:
While defining a start point has little significance in sketching terms, it is a powerful tool in terms
of generating the final isometric drawing. During drawing generation, ISOGEN uses the start
point of its pipeline model and bases all part, weld and spool numbering on this start point.
Regardless of how you modify the pipeline, the same numbering sequence is used as long as
the start point remains in the same location. As a result, using a start point is a powerful tool for
revision control and management.
75
Add 3D Coordinates
Add Origin Dialog Box (on page 83)
Query a 3D coordinate (on page 76)

Add an origin (on page 77)
Edit an origin (on page 79)
Connect multiple sheets (on page 80)
Query a 3D coordinate
1. Click Query 3D Coordinate
.
2. Click in the pipeline or on a component to display the 3D coordinates at this position in the
Properties window.
76
You can "walk" the 3D coordinate marker along the pipeline by pressing the Z and X keys
on the keyboard - press Z to move the marker initially to the right or up, and press X to move
the marker initially to the left or down. As it visits each keypoint in the pipeline model, the
Properties window updates to reflect the current 3D coordinates.
Add 3D Coordinates
If the software cannot calculate the exact 3D coordinate, it will display a minimum or
maximum allowable value or even a range of possible values based on the known lengths of
any components in the system.
Query 3D Coordinate
is a useful tool for inspecting the pipeline when coordinate errors
are detected in the configuration
Add an origin
An origin specifies the absolute location of a point on the pipeline. You can specify as many of
these points as you want, and you can place them at any position.
1. Click Query 3D Coordinate .
2. Click in the pipeline or on a component to place a flag and view the 3D coordinate at this
position.
You can "walk" the 3D coordinate marker along the pipeline by pressing the Z and X
keys on the keyboard - press Z to move the marker to the right and press X to move the
marker to the left.
77
Add 3D Coordinates
3. Click Add Origin at the bottom of the Properties window.
4. In the Add Origin dialog box, specify the Type of origin, and type values for the necessary
coordinates.
To define the 3D coordinate as the start point, you must select Set as Start Point. In
the following illustration, the origin is being placed as a start point with fixed coordinates for
E/W, N/S, and U/D:
78
Add 3D Coordinates
5. Click OK to place the origin on the pipeline at the current marker position.
You can remove an origin from the pipeline by right-clicking it and selecting Delete.
When you place a second or subsequent origin, the software is able to limit either part or the
entire new coordinate, based on existing geometry and dimensions. You can view these
limits in the Add Origin dialog box. In the following example, the N/S and U/D coordinates
are fixed, so you cannot specify them. The software has calculated the maximum allowable
value for the E/W coordinate, which is based on the known lengths of any components in the
model.
A partial origin that you place on the pipeline appears as follows:
79
Add 3D Coordinates
Edit an origin
1. In the sketch, right-click the origin and select Edit .
To remove the origin from the sketch, right-click and then click Delete.
2. In the Add Origin dialog box, modify the options and values as necessary.
3. Click OK.
You can set a normal origin as a start point only if it is placed at the open end of the pipe
route. Otherwise, the Set as Start Point option is unavailable.
Connect multiple sheets

Sheets enable you to control the piping content documented by ISOGEN on each sheet. You
can use the Connect Sheets command to connect coincident pipeline end points so that
pipeline connectivity is maintained across sheets; otherwise, ISOGEN detects disconnections
and generates disconnected drawings.
In the following example, two pipelines are routed on two separate sheets are connected to
create a continuous pipeline. Consider the following pipeline. A start point is defined at one of
the pipeline, and a flange and gasket has been placed on the other end:
1. Click Place > Sheet to add a second sheet to the sketch.

You can also right-click the pipeline reference of the active pipeline in the Properties
window and click Add Sheet.
80
Add 3D Coordinates
2. In the Properties window, right-click the new sheet (Sheet_2) and click Activate Sheet.
When you have multiple sheets or piping files open, Activate Sheet brings the
selected sheet to the front of all the others.
3. Route a pipeline and place a flange on the left-hand open end of pipe as shown in the
4. In the Properties window, right-click Sheet_1 and then click Activate Sheet.
5. Click Zoom Window
and zoom in on the flange and gasket.

on the Dimension toolbar and then click the gasket.
7. In the Properties window, click Connect Sheet.
81
Add 3D Coordinates
8. In the Sheet Connect dialog box, click the flange entry and click Connect.
In the previous example, the Sheet Connect dialog box displays the possible points in
Sheet_2 to which the open gasket in Sheet_1 can be connected.
As you select each point in the dialog box, the software displays a red circle on the
corresponding point in the sketch.
The software automatically places a split point on the connect component.
82
Add 3D Coordinates
When you dimension the pipeline, make sure that Shift Mode is set to Move Active so that
dimensioning passes automatically between the connected sheets.
During drawing generation, ISOGEN produces two drawings. Click Show

3D View window so you can view the output as a continuous pipeline.
To disconnect previously connected sheets:
to open the
a. Click Query 3D Coordinate

.
b. Select a sheet boundary and then click Disconnect in Properties dialog box.
Add Origin Dialog Box

Type - Specify the origin as either Standard or Partial. A Standard origin has fixed coordinates
in all directions (E/W, N/S, and U/D). When you select Partial, you use the check boxes to
specify which direction has a fixed coordinate. In the following example, only the North/South
direction has a fixed coordinate:
Set as Start Point - Define the 3D coordinate as the start point. You can only define an origin
placed at the open end of the pipe route as a start point
83
Add 3D Coordinates
Coordinates - Type the units you want to set for each direction. To specify a West, South, or
Down coordinate, use a negative value. For example, to specify "1000mm West", type -1000 in
the East/West box.
Offset - Specify how the software interprets the coordinates you enter. If you select Global
Offset, the software determines the actual coordinates of the origin by adding the global offset
defined for the pipeline to the Coordinates you define. If you select Absolute, the Coordinates
you define are the actual values of the origin. The dialog box displays this option only if a global
offset is defined for the pipeline.
84
SECTION 7
Place Components
After you define the pipe route, you can begin to place components using the commands on the
Place toolbar.
Flange
Instrument
Weld
Valve
Miscellaneous
Gasket
Support
Fitting
Bolt
Tapping Point
The Place toolbar organizes components by group, such as flange or valve. If a component
group consists of multiple component types, you use the list next to the component group to
select the specific component--such as ball valve or gate valve--that you want to place.
You can also place components using the commands on the Place menu.
The placement of most components works in much the same way--you select the required
component object, place it on a section of pipe, and then slide it into position. While all
components can be placed "fitting to fitting" (that is, they do not require sections of pipe between
them), components that force a change of direction--such as offsets or bends--can only be
placed at an open end of an existing fitting or section of pipe. Components that are out of
network, such as supports, bolts, and additional materials, can only be placed on other existing
components, meaning there is no actual connection.
Automatically Place Components

While creating the pipeline model, you can make use of some powerful tools that help automate
the sketching process.
85
Place Components
Autoplace Bolts
The software can automatically assigns bolt sets (see "Place bolts automatically" on page 90)
for components based on information in the specification. The bolt set that the software applies
is determined by the item code and bore of the component. The software scans the entire
pipeline and assigns a bolt set based on the following:
If ...
Then ...
No adjacent component exists
The software places a bolt at an open end if one is

assigned for it in the specification.
No bolt assignment on adjacent component exists
The software does not create a bolt set.
Bolt assignments match (bolt code, quantity, and bore)
The software creates a single bolt set based on the Bolt

Assignment reference table.
Bolt assignments do not match (bolt code, quantity and

bore)
The software does not create a bolt set.
For more information about the specification of bolt sets for SmartPlant Isometrics, refer
to the SmartPlant Material Editor User's Guide, available using the Help > Printable Guides
command in the software.
Autoplace Gaskets and Flanges
The software can also automatically place gaskets and flanges (see "Place gaskets and flanges
automatically" on page 89). The software scans the entire pipeline and assigns gaskets and
flanges based on the following:
If ...
Then ...
The software finds a gasket with pipe on one side
One flange is assigned.
The software finds a gasket with pipe on both sides
Two flanges are assigned
The software finds an open end of pipe
One gasket and one flange are assigned (if the

Automatically place flanges with gaskets option must be
selected on the Preferences tab of the Options dialog box).
When automatically placing gaskets and flanges, the software always uses the default
choice.
Default Choice
The specification to which your project is connected acts as a filter that reduces the number of
components in a catalog to a small, relevant set. However, for any given group (flange, valve,
instrument) and configuration (angle, tee, inline), more than one choice can arise. If the
specification contains information on a default choice, the software automatically assigns the
correct item code. This default choice information is contained in the Default Choice reference
table, which is created and managed using SmartPlant Material Editor. For example, if there are
a number of 4" flanges in the specification, the default choice table allows you to specify which
flange the software should use.
If only one choice is available, the software automatically selects that component.
86
Place Components
In either case, the software automatically assigns the item code as you place the component.
The component appears green in the sketch, which is the default color for a fully specified
component.
If there is no choice available, the software places a generic component, which has no item
code, and consequently, no other catalog information, such as dimension. Generic components
display as blue in the sketch, which is the default color for no defined length.
After placement, you can reposition components within the pipe
When placing components, the default behavior is for the software to remain in "place"
mode so that you can continue to place additional objects of the same type without
re-selecting the command.
Although most components in SmartPlant Isometrics are placed, some components can
also be implied as the pipeline is routed, including:
Bends/Elbows - Implied when a change in direction is drawn.
Reducers - Implied when a change in size in the same direction is drawn.
Tees - Implied when a branch is drawn from another line.
Physical Dialog Box (on page 99)

Item Code Dialog Box (on page 100)
87
Place Components
Tapping Point Dialog Box (on page 100)
Place a component (on page 88)

Place gaskets and flanges automatically (on page 89)
Place bolts automatically (on page 90)
Place a generic component (on page 91)
Define generic component properties (on page 92)
Place a concentric reducer (on page 94)
Place a fitting cross (on page 96)
Place a set-on cross (on page 96)
Assign an item code (on page 97)
Insert and dimension a tap (on page 98)
Place a component
The placement of most components works in much the same way--you select the required
component type, place it on a section of pipe, and then slide it into position. The software places
the component in the specified location according to the following:
If a default choice is available in the specification, or only one possible component available,
the software automatically assigns the required item code. The component appears as
green, the default sketch color for a fully specified component.
If no default choice is available in the specification, the software places the component as
generic which requires you to assign the item code manually (see "Assign an item code" on
page 97).
It is also possible to place a generic component and assign a user-defined length,

description and item code. For more information, read Place a generic component (on page
91).
Components that force a change of direction--such as offsets, bends, and returns--must be
placed at the open end of a pipe or component.
1. On the Place toolbar, click the down arrow next to the component group for the component
type you want to place. For example, to place a globe valve, click the arrow next to Valve
and then click Globe-Valve.
You can also use the Place menu. Click Place > Valve> <Type of valve>.
88
Place Components
2. Click the section of pipe where you want to place the component.
To indicate that it is permissible to insert the component in the location you have
specified, the cursor changes to
cursor changes to
; if a component cannot be placed in that location , the
If you are placing a component into a pipe that is dimensioned, the software
displays the Dimension box so that you can specify the length of the pipe on either side of
the component, as shown in the following illustration:
3. Repeat the previous step to place as many components of the same type as needed.
To exit "place mode", click anywhere in the Detail window where there is no object.
When placing a 2-way or a 3-way component at the end of a section of pipe, right-click the
mouse to cycle through the available orientations for an "end" (marked in red on the cursor).
While placing a 3-way component at the end of a section of pipe, you can press SHIFT to
change the connecting end of the component.
89
Place Components
Place gaskets and flanges automatically

Place Gaskets and Flanges Automatically
components in the pipeline that require them.
automatically places gaskets and flanges on all
If you have selected any components in the pipeline, the software only places
gaskets and flanges on those items. If you have selected a pipeline or a sheet, the software
places gaskets and flanges for the components on the selected pipeline or sheet. If no
components are selected, the software places gaskets and flanges on all components.
1. Click Place Gaskets and Flanges Automatically
.
The software examines the pipeline and looks for the following conditions:
If the software finds a pipe with open ends, it places a flange.
If the Automatically place gaskets at open ends option is selected on the
Preferences tab of the Options dialog box, the software also places a gasket.
If the software finds a component with flanged ends, it inserts a gasket and a flange to
each flanged end.
If the software finds a solitary gasket on pipe, it places a flange on either side of the
gasket.
2. If necessary, assign an item code (on page 97) to each gasket and flange that requires one.
90
If one is available, the software assigns the current default choice gasket and flange to
those automatically placed.
You can configure SmartPlant Material Editor to allow for a more complex arrangement of
flanges and gaskets, such as those used for adding backing flanges and lapjoint stud ends.
For more information, see the SmartPlant Material Editor User's Guide, available with the
Help > Printable Guides command in the software.
You can also require the software to automatically place a flange each time you manually
place a gasket on a section of pipe. Click Tools > Options, and then select Automatically
place flanges with gaskets on the Preferences tab. For more information, see
Preferences Tab (Options Dialog Box) (on page 39).
Place Components
Place bolts automatically

1. On the Tools toolbar, click Place Bolts Automatically
You can also click Tools > Place Bolts Automatically.

In cases where the bolt assigned to a component is not the required length, the software
must compute the necessary bolt length. Once the software determines the length, it then
locates the next longest bolt in the catalog that is of the same type and diameter. Consider the
following examples:
Two flanges of different thickness:
flange1_bolt_length + flange2_bolt_length/2
Wafer fitting between two components:
If you repeat the Place Bolts Automatically command, the software first deletes all the bolt
sets that were previously assigned automatically. The software then runs the Place Bolts
Automatically command again to take account of any changes in the pipeline configuration.
The software does not delete any user-defined bolt sets.
Place a generic component

A generic component is one whose item code was generated by the software and not the
specification; as such, it has no catalog information, such as dimensions. However, the
component group and component type are known, such as "ball valve", weld neck flange, and
so on.
When you place a component, or one is implied through routing, it is placed as a generic
component unless there is a default choice in the specification or it is the only available
component in the specification.
91
Place Components
Override Default Choice
You can, when necessary, override the automatic assignment of an item code from the
specification either by placing a generic component or by making a regular component generic.
Both options require that you manually assign an item code (on page 97).
You must define dimensions for all generic components before they are output on
the isometric drawing. For more information, read Define generic component properties (on
page 92).
1. Click Place Generic
You can also click Place > Place Generic.

2. On the Place toolbar, select the required component type.
3. Place the component as usual in the appropriate location on the pipe.
It appears as blue in the sketch, the default sketch color for generic items, meaning its
dimensions are still undefined.
While the Place Generic command is active, you can place any component as a generic
component.
To stop placing generic components, click Place Generic
to return to the "place" mode.
You can right-click a previously placed component and select Make Component Generic to
override its assigned item code.
You define sketch colors using the Colors tab on the Options dialog box. For more
information, see Change the color of sketch status (on page 35).
Define generic component properties

Because no catalog information exists for a generic component, you must use the Physical
dialog box to manually define its properties, including setting the dimension and end connection
type. The left side of the dialog box displays a graphical representation of the component
selected in the sketch. The right side of the dialog box contains property information, including
keypoints and leg lengths.
Defining properties for a generic component creates an item code that you can
apply to other components in the sketch. You only need to define a particular type of generic
component once. Afterwards, you can use the Item Code dialog box to assign it as if it were in
the specification. For more information, see Assign an item code (on page 97).
You can choose to manually define properties when you want to use a component other than
what is available in the specification. Typically, though, you manually define properties when
there is no component available in the specification and you want to reserve space for it, such
as for a specialty item that is required in the pipeline but its data is not defined in the
specification.
92
Place Components
In the following illustration, a by-pass has been routed around the valve. The software has
placed both tees as generic components because there is nothing available in the specification.
1. Right-click the generic tee component and then click Physical.

2. In the Physical dialog box, expand the Legs node.
Physical Dialog Box (on page 99)
3. Under the Legs node, expand each Leg_n node and type a value in the Length field.
After you define the leg lengths for a generic component, the component
becomes like any other component in the specification. The material is available in the Item
Code dialog box and only the end preps can be edited in the Physical dialog box.
93
Place Components
4. Click OK.
The tee in the sketch now appears green, which is the default color for fully a specified
component.
You can define leg lengths in meters (m), millimeters (mm), and feet/inches (ft/in).
Place a concentric reducer

When first placed, the concentric reducer is undefined. It is necessary to apply a bore change to
one side of the reducer to set both the direction and bore size for either the inlet or outlet.
You can place a reducer in both orthogonal and skewed pipe.
1. On the Place toolbar, click the Fitting
list, and then select a concentric reducer.
2. Click the location on the pipe where you want to place the reducer.
To indicate that it is permissible to insert the component in the location you have
specified, the cursor changes to
cursor changes to
94
; if a component cannot be placed in that location , the
Place Components
3. Right-click to exit place mode.
An equal bore reducer is displayed:
Placing a reducer in this way now requires you to make a corresponding change of bore to
one of the sections of pipe.
4. Right-click the section of pipe to which want to apply the change of bore, click Change
Bore, and then select the size of bore in the list.
The software applies the bore change and updates the reducer accordingly.
As shown in the previous illustration, if the side of the reducer that has the lower bore
becomes the higher bore, the software automatically flips the reducer to accommodate the
change in pipe bore.
5. If necessary, assign an item code to the reducer to complete its placement.
If there is an entry for the reducer in the Default Choice reference table, the software
automatically assigns the appropriate item code and the reducer appears green in the
sketch, which is the default sketch color for a fully specified component; otherwise, you must
assign an item code.
Review the Errors window for any issues that the software encountered when applying the
bore change.
When changing bore, the software updates all the parts of the sketch to which the bore
change will be applied.
If no reducer of the type needed to accommodate the change of bore is in the current
specification, the software replaces it using generic material.
If you delete a reducer before applying the change of bore, the pipe is shown broken. To
reconnect it, drag one of the pipes to connect it to the other. Doing so reinstates the pipe
and removes the pipe break.
If you want an eccentric reducer, use the replace material method to provide one.
95
Place Components
Place a fitting cross

list and then select Fitting Cross.
2. Click the section of pipe where you want to place the fitting cross.
When placing a fitting cross, as well as any 3-way components, right-click the mouse to
cycle through the available orientations for an "end" (marked in red on the cursor).
While placing a fitting cross, as well as any 3-way component at the end of a pipe, you can
press SHIFT to change the connecting end of the component.
Place a set-on cross

list and then click Set On Cross.
2. In the Bore Box, select the bore of the branch of the set on cross.
3.
By default, the bore size is the same as the original pipe.
4. Click a section of pipe and route again.
The resulting sketch appears similar to the following:
Notice that instead of placing a set on cross, the software places a set on tee - a set
on cross must connect two elements.
96
Place Components
5. Click Fittings
again to route the second element.
The software remembers your previous selection, so it is unnecessary to expand the

Fittings list and click Set On Cross again.
6. Click near the set on tee you placed previously, and then move away from the set on tee
and click again.
The resulting sketch is similar to the following:
As indicated in the Pipeline Explorer, both components are set on crosses (CRSO).
Upon placement of the second element, the software automatically converts the set on tee to a
set on cross.
Assign an item code

In many cases, the software automatically assigns an item code as you place a component,
either because there is a default choice in the specification or because there is only one choice
in the catalog. It is also possible to assign an item code manually using the Item Code dialog
box.
Automatic Assignment
Item codes are determined by the configuration of your specification. Whenever you place a
component, including when routing or changing bore, the software uses the following rules to
determine item code assignment.
If there is only one candidate in the specification, the software uses it.
If there are multiple candidates in the specification, the software uses the default choice (if
there is one)
If there are multiple candidates in the specification but no default choice, the component
becomes generic.
Manual Assignment
In instances where the software does not assign an item code, use the following procedure to
assign one manually. Alternately, you can also use the following steps to override the item code
assigned to the component by the software when it was initially placed.
1. Right-click the component and then click Item Code.
2. In the Item Code dialog box, select the item code.
Item Code Dialog Box (on page 100)
97
Place Components
3. Click OK.
If you have made changes to the active material specification but have not yet synchronized
the pipeline model with those changes, the software displays a message similar to the one
below.
Click Yes to update all instances of the component.

By default, the Item Code/Description/Component Type/Spec grid is sorted by item code.
Click one of the other column headers to sort by that field instead.
If you select more than one component, the item code you choose is applied to all of them,
whether or not they already have an item code assigned
Normally, changing the item code on a component changes the component dimension.
When this happens, the software tries to preserve the existing overall dimensions.
Insert and dimension a tap

Tapping Point
allows you to insert a port on a component or pipe after the component is
placed in the model. Taps are added to components for venting, drainage, and for the
connection of other component, such as instruments. After inserting a tap, you must then use
the Tapping Point dialog box to dimension it.
1. Click Tapping Point
You can also click Place > Tapping Point.

a. Click the section of pipe to be tapped.
b. Click the component to be tapped.
As you point to a pipe or a component, the shape of the cursor changes to reflect
the following:
Insert a tapping point in the pipe below the cursor.
Insert a tapping point in the component below the cursor.
No tapping point can be inserted in this location.
98
Place Components
3. Click a second point in the Detail view to indicate where you want to start routing the other
end of the tap.
Upon placement, the software displays the tapping point as a circle at the end of a dotted
line, which represents another connection from which you can route pipe.
4. If necessary, click Route Pipe

and route away from the tapped object to place another
section of pipe.
5. Right-click the tapping point and then click Dimension Tap.
6. In the Tapping Point dialog box, define the required dimensions and click OK.
Tapping Point Dialog Box (on page 100)
You can make tapping points the default branch component by editing the branch table in
SmartPlant Material Editor. For more information about using SmartPlant Material Editor, see
the SmartPlant Material Editor User's Guide available with the Help > Printable Guides
command.
Physical Dialog Box

Item Code - Displays the unique identifier for the selected component. This field is editable.
Description - Displays a description of the component. The description is displayed in the bill of
materials. This field is editable.
SKEY - Specifies the ISOGEN symbol key. The SKEY defines the symbol used by ISOGEN to
represent the component and is often used to represent information about the component
classification. This field is editable.
Mat. of Construction - Enter the material out of which the component is made.
Weight - Enter the weight of the component. You can express weight in either pounds (lbs.) or
kilograms (kg.)
99
Place Components
Keypoints - Displays properties of all component keypoints. Keypoints are cross-referenced to
the component graphic. As you click a keypoint, the corresponding location displays in the
component graphic. In the following illustration, the End_1 keypoint is cross-referenced in the
graphic of the tee.
You can change the properties of a keypoint, presuming that the keypoint is not
connected to anything. The exceptions are end preps, which can be changed regardless of their
connection status.
Legs - Enter dimensions for each of the legs that define the selected component. Using the tee
as an illustration, there are three legs whose length need to be defined. As with keypoints, legs
are cross-referenced to the component graphic.
Item Code Dialog Box

Item Code - Lists all the possible item codes for the currently selected component. These item
codes are based on the component group, configuration and bores for placed components, such
as valves and flanges, and on the component configuration and bores for implied components,
such as elbows, reducers and tees.
Description - Displays the component description as read from the specification to which the
current project is connected.
Component Type - Displays the type of component associated with the listed item code.
Spec - Displays the type of specification for the component associated with the listed item code.
By default, the data that displays in this column is read from the default, or primary, specification
to which the current project is connected. If the Additional specification folder setting is
defined in I-Configure, the software also displays data from any secondary specifications. For
more information, see SmartPlant Isometrics Project Defaults (on page 46).
Tapping Point Dialog Box

Each of the three tabs provides options for defining specific dimensional information regarding
the placement of a tap on a pipe or a component.
Tap Offset Tab - Define the offset along an object in the direction of the pipe. Typically used
when tapping a component.
Polar Plane - Defines the coordinates of the tapping point off the center line a pipe.
Plane - Defines the coordinates for moving a tapping point off the center line of a component.
Although the Tap Offset and Plane tabs are recommended for tapping components and
the Polar Plane tab is recommended for tapping pipe, you can use any tab with any component.
100
SECTION 8
Define Dimensions
Although you can dimension isometrics in many different ways, it is extremely rare for a
dimension to be given for a particular length of pipe. Usually, overall dimensions are used, which
include all or part of a component. You can use Dimension Pipeline
to specify these
overall dimensions quickly and conveniently.
The basic principle of dimensioning in SmartPlant Isometrics is to define the span of the overall
dimension. The software uses markers to indicate the scope of the dimension, that is, they
display the start and end points of the length that you will define. You can place markers only at
discrete points on the pipeline - the ends of pipe, or the ends or middle of components - and the
points can span only one length of unknown pipe.
In the following illustration, the span of the overall dimension runs from one end of a pipe to the
middle of the elbow at the end of the straight. The value displayed in the Dimension box (114.3
mm) is the minimum length allowed for the pipe, which in this case the software has calculated
based on the known length of the elbow leg.
The software also displays the known length of the elbow leg in the Length box in the
Properties window.
101
Define Dimensions
In order to complete the dimension, you must enter a value in the Dimension box that defines
the overall dimension. In the following example, the overall dimension is defined as 2000mm,
which means that the length of the pipe is 1885.7mm.
You can also define a dimension value by typing a value in the Length box in the
Properties window.
The software calculates the length of the pipe based on the following:
Overall dimension - Length of non-pipe components = Length of pipe
Using the preceding example, the length of the pipe is based on subtracting 114.3mm (minimum
allowed length of pipe) from 2000mm (overall dimension).
Understanding Dimension Markers

When you dimension the pipe route, you use dimension markers to identify two keypoints on the
model, such as the end of a length of pipe or the end or mid-point of a component. These
keypoints, in turn, define the span of the overall dimension. When you place a pair of dimension
markers, one of them is "active" (solid arrow point), and the other is "inactive" (hollow arrow
point).
102
Define Dimensions
After you place a dimension marker, you can use the X and Z keys on the keyboard to adjust, or
move, it. To move the active marker ahead to the next available keypoint on the pipe route,
press the X key; to move the marker back to the previous keypoint, press the Z key.
You can use the Switch Marker toggle at the bottom of the Properties window to switch
which marker is active and which is inactive.
Alternately, you can also press the S key on the keyboard to switch which marker is active
and which is inactive.
Shift Mode
You use the Shift Mode option in the Properties window to control the behavior of the
dimension markers after a dimension is defined. Three options are available: Shift, Move
Active and Clear:
103
Define Dimensions
Shift - In this mode, after you define a dimension, the inactive and the active markers move
as a pair along the pipe according to the following:
The inactive marker moves to the start of the next section of undimensioned pipe. In the
case of a flange or intersection (such as a tee, branch, or elbow), the position of the
inactive marker is then adjusted to the face of the flange or the center of the
intersection.
The active marker moves to the end of the next section of undimensioned pipe. In the
case of a flange or intersection, the position of the active marker is then adjusted
forward to the face of the flange or the center of the intersection.
Shift is the default mode.
Move Active - In this mode, the inactive marker becomes a fixed point, and its appearance
updates as shown in the following illustration:
After you define a dimension, the inactive marker remains at the same position while the
active marker moves forward along the pipe according to the following:
The active marker moves to the end of the next section of undimensioned pipe so that
you can continue to incrementally dimension the pipe. In the case of a flange or
intersection, the position of the active marker is adjusted forward to the face of the
flange or the center of the intersection.
If the active marker is at the end of a straight, the software performs a Shift operation
and moves both markers to the next undimensioned section of pipe.
Clear - In this mode, after you define a dimension, the software exits the Dimension
Pipeline command
Track
When the Track option is set to True, the software updates the view of the pipeline model to
ensure that both dimensioning markers remain visible in the Detail window as the pipeline is
dimensioned.
You can re-dimension a defined section of pipe provided that only one variable length of
pipe is within the selected span. If there is more than one - or none at all - you can still place
dimension markers, but the span length is read-only.
104
Define Dimensions
Smart Dimensioning
One of the powerful features of the SmartPlant Isometrics is its ability to automatically dimension
lengths that it can calculate itself. The following illustrations of a bypass routed around a valve
show a simple example of the smart dimensioning capabilities of the software.
Obviously, the left and right sides of the bypass must be the same distance, which means that
the software will automatically apply the dimension value you define for one side of the bypass
to the other side of the bypass.
105
Define Dimensions
For a more complicated example of the smart dimensioning capabilities of the software,
consider the following illustration:
The Properties window displays key information about the scope of this dimension--the Start
point is the center of the elbow, and the End point is the flange. Within that scope are three legs:
the elbow, the section of pipe, and the flange. The Properties window also displays the known
dimensions of the elbow and flange, .0238m and .0063m, respectively.
Since the software knows the dimensions of the elbow and the flange, it calculates the
minimum allowable length of the pipe section and displays that value in the Dimension box
(0.0301m). The minimum allowable length for the selected pipe leg is also displayed in the
Length field of the Properties window
The length of the selected pipe leg along the top of the bypass is constrained by the distance
along the bottom of the bypass, meaning that it can be no longer than the distance along the
bottom of the bypass. As a result, the software calculates that the maximum allowable length for
the pipe leg is 1.3655m, as displayed in the Legs pane of the Properties window.
106
Define Dimensions
When you type a value for the overall dimension in the Dimension box and press Enter, the
software dimensions the section accordingly, and then automatically calculates and dimensions
for the next section of pipe.
Skewed Pipe
Pipe that does not run in one of the principal orthogonal directions (E,W,N,S,U,D) is said to be
"skewed". You can dimension a skew in two ways - either by setting the lengths of the individual
skew components, or by specifying a combination of definition parameters in the Properties
windows (2D skew only).
When you dimension a skew, either 2D or 3D, you are simply inputting the information required
to calculate the skew geometry (the pipe length and skew length).
Reference Dimension Dialog Box (on page 117)

Dimension the entire pipe route (on page 108)

Dimension a section of pipe (on page 109)
Dimension a 2D skew (on page 110)
Dimension a 3D skew (on page 113)
Define the length of a skew component (on page 114)
Modify a dimension (on page 114)
Query a dimension (on page 115)
Place a reference dimension (on page 116)
107
Define Dimensions
Dimension the entire pipe route

The basic principle of dimensioning is to place two points that define the span of an overall
dimension.
1. Click Dimension Pipeline
.
2. Click on section of pipe to define the start point.
You can only select discrete points on the pipeline--the ends of pipe, or the ends or
middle of components--and the points can span only one length of unknown pipe.
3. Click again to define the end point.
108
Several things happen after you define the end point:

The software displays markers to indicate the span of the dimension.
The software automatically calculates the length of any inline components and fittings it
finds and displays the sum in the Dimension box. In the preceding illustration, the
software displays 76.2mm, which is the known value of the leg of the elbow. The value
you ultimately specify for the dimension must be greater than this value.
Define Dimensions
The Properties window populates with dimension-specific information about the

dimension span, including the start and end points of the dimension, the minimum
allowable length for the pipe, and the dimensions of the legs included in the dimension
span:
4. Type the length for the pipe leg, and press Enter. For example, you can type 100mm.
The software applies the dimension and moves the dimension markers to the next logical
position in the pipe model.
5. Repeat the previous step until the all of the pipe route is dimensioned.
The Shift Mode specified in the Properties window, controls how the markers behave after
you define a dimension. The default Shift Mode is Shift. For more information about
dimension markers and how they function in the software, read Dimension Markers.
You can edit the dimension by right-clicking the Dimension Line and typing in a new value
in the Dimension box. Alternately, you can delete the dimension by right-clicking the
dimensioned pipe and selecting Clear Length.
Click Show Automatic Dimension Lines
to toggle on and off the display of dimension
lines for the selected pipe or component. Dimension lines are interactive--you can right-click
a dimension line and type a new length directly into the Dimension box.
To exit the Dimension Pipeline command, press Esc or right-click in the Detail window.
You can click the Switch Active toggle in the Properties window or press the S key on the
keyboard to change which marker is active and which is inactive.
109
Define Dimensions
Dimension a section of pipe

An alternative to dimensioning the entire pipe route is to dimension individual sections of pipe.
The Dimension Selected command allows the placement of two dimensioning lines with a
single click. The Set Length command allows you to specify the length of a single section of
pipe or multiple sections of pipe simultaneously by entering a value in a dialog box.
Place Dimensions with the Set Length Command

1. Right-click the section of pipe you want to dimension and select Set Length.
2. In the Set Length dialog box, type a value for the length.
3. Click OK.
To set the length of multiple sections of pipe simultaneously, press CTRL as you select
each pipe section. The software applies the value you enter in the Set Length dialog box to
each selected pipe.
Place Dimensions with the Dimension Selected Command

1. Right-click a section of pipe and click Dimension Selected.
You can also click the section or pipe and then click Dimension > Dimension
Selected.
2. Type a value into the Dimension box and press Enter.
By default, Shift Mode in the Properties window is set to Clear. If you want to
continue dimensioning, you must change it. For more information, read Define Dimensions
(on page 101).
You can specify units of dimension for length in millimeters (mm), meters (m) or feet/inches
(ft/in). You can define these values for the current pipe sketch using the Options dialog box
(Working Units tab).

to toggle on and off the display of dimension
lines for the selected pipe or component. Dimension lines are interactive--you can right-click
a dimension line and type a new length directly into the Dimension box.
Dimension a 2D skew
When you dimension a 2D skew, you must specify values for any combination of two definition
parameters. Using the Properties window, you can select from four skew parameters - Length,
Angle, and two Axis Lengths. After you define which parameters to use, the software
automatically calculates the remaining parameters and dimensions the 2D skew.
You can dimension a skewed section of pipe only if at least one 3D coordinate has
been added and the orthogonal pipe on either side of the skew is dimensioned.
110
Define Dimensions
Dimension a 2D Skew using Length and Angle
1. Select a skew component.
The Properties window displays the appropriate attribute information.
2. In the Properties window, type a value in the Length field and press Enter. For example,
type 1200.
3. Type a value in the Angle field and press Enter. For example, type 30.
The software calculates the remaining parameters (the two Axis Lengths), and dimensions
the skew.
Dimension a 2D Skew Using Angle and Axis Length

2. In the Properties window, type a value in the Angle field and press Enter. For example,
type 45.
111
Define Dimensions
3. Type a value for the one of the Axis Lengths and press Enter. For example, type 500.
The software calculates, in turn, the remaining parameters (the skew Length and the
remaining Axis Length), and dimensions the skew.
Dimension a 2D Skew Using Axis Length

2. In the Properties window, type values for each of the two Axis Lengths. For example, type
1000 and 800, respectively.
The software calculates values for skew Length and skew Angle and dimensions the 2D
skew.
You can also set the length of each skew component individually. Right-click a skew
component and then click Set Length. Type a value in the Set Skew Axis Length dialog box
and then click OK.
112
Define Dimensions
Dimension a 3D skew
Unlike the options for dimensioning a 2D skew, the options for dimensioning a 3D skew are
deliberately restricted. You can only specify the skew component lengths. Other parameters, in
particular the angles, are calculated and displayed automatically by the software, but they
cannot be user-defined.
Dimension a 3D Skew Using Skew Length and Axis Length

2. In the Properties window, type a value for Skew Length and press Enter. For example,
type 3000mm.
3. Type an Axis Length value and press Enter. For example, you can type 1500mm.
4. Type a second Axis Length value and press Enter. Again, as an example, you can type
1500mm.
The software calculates the value for the remaining skew axis length and dimensions the 3D
skew.
113
Define Dimensions
Dimension a 3D Skew Using Axis Length
2. In the Properties window, type a value for each Axis Length. For example, you can type
1200mm to define the length for each skew axis.
The software calculates the remaining values and dimensions the 3D skew.
You can also set the length of each skew component individually. Right-click a skew
component and then click Set Length. Type a value in the Set Skew Axis Length dialog box
and then click OK.
Define the length of a skew component

1. Right-click a skew component and select Set Length.
2. In the Set Skew Axis Length dialog box, type a value for the length.
3. Click OK.
114
You can use Set Length to dimension a 2D or 3D skew. For both, you must specify the
length of two skew components in order for the software to calculate the dimension of the
skew.
You can specify units of dimension for length in millimeters (mm), meters (m) or feet/inches
(ft/in). You can define these values for the current pipe sketch using the Options dialog box
(Working Units tab).
Define Dimensions
Modify a dimension
The dimension lines that display in the sketch are interactive. You can use the dimension lines
that display in the sketch to modify the dimension of any section of the pipe route.
to toggle on and off the display of
dimension lines.
1. Right-click the dimension line for the length of pipe you want to modify.
The software displays the Dimension box with the current length highlighted.
2. Type the new length directly into the Dimension box, and then press Enter.
Query a dimension
You can use Dimension Pipeline
to query a dimension between two keypoints on the same
straight or a dimension over several components or objects.
Use the dimension markers in exactly the same way as when you are dimensioning the pipe
route. The Properties window reports the distance between two markers as you move them
throughout the model using the keyboard.
The Properties window displays pertinent information related to the selected dimension scope,
including the Start and End points of the dimension (center of the elbow to the center of the
tee), the Length of the overall dimension (186 mm), and the lengths of the individual Legs that
make up the span of the selected dimension:
115
Define Dimensions
When you press the X key, the software moves the active marker to the next keypoint, and the
information in the Properties window updates accordingly:
You can continue to press the X key to "walk" the active marker along the pipe route, or you can
query a dimension in another part of the model by defining a different start and end point:
Place a reference dimension

You can use reference dimensions to indicate the relative position of an object compared to
some fixed point, such as a wall or steel column.
The ability to place or edit a reference dimension using relative coordinates is only
available if the 3D coordinates of the referenced point are fully defined.
1. Click Place > Reference Dimension.
2. Click the pipe, component, or open end to define the location of the reference dimension.
116
Define Dimensions
3. Click a second point in the Detail window to indicate the location of the reference dimension
flag.
4. In the Reference Dimension dialog box, define the values as necessary and click OK. The
software places the reference dimension in the sketch and displays its attribute information
in the Properties window.
Reference Dimension Dialog Box (on page 117)
5. In the Properties window, define reference dimension attributes as necessary.

The following table lists attribute data for reference dimensions:
Attribute Name
Description
Referenced Item
Select from the list of referenced objects. ISOGEN uses annotation for each of the
items.
Referenced Item Direction
Select the orientation of the symbol drawn by ISOGEN for the referenced object.
LineStyle
Select the line type of the symbol drawn by ISOGEN for the referenced object.
Message
Type the name or some other identification for the referenced item.
Style
Select how the message text is displayed.
Status
Show the referenced item dimensioned or undimensioned. If you select

Dimensioned, ISOGEN displays the dimension; if you select Undimensioned, it
does not.
Type of Dimension
Select either the orthogonal dimension style or the skew dimension style.
You can use the Properties window to edit the coordinates of a referenced object using
absolute or relative coordinates. Alternatively, you can right-click the origin on the referenced
object and then click Edit.
117
Define Dimensions
Reference Dimension Dialog Box

Type - Select the type of reference dimension you want to place. For an absolute reference
dimension, you must specify the exact coordinates of the referenced object. For a relative
reference dimension, the software calculates the exact coordinates using the values you define
which are offset from the reference point.
Reference point - Type the units you want to set for each direction. To specify a West, South,
or Down coordinate, use a negative value. For example, to specify "1000mm West", type -1000
in the East/west box. For an absolute reference dimension, you can use the Global Offset list
to determine how the software interprets the coordinates you enter. If you select Global Offset,
the software determines the actual coordinates of the reference dimension by adding the global
offset defined for the pipeline to the Coordinate values you enter. If you select Absolute, the
Coordinate values you enter are the actual values of the reference dimension.
118
Detail the Drawing
SECTION 9
Detail the Drawing

Design elements are model items used to insert detail sketches, add notes, remarks, and other
information to your drawing. You can use design elements to include any type of information.
Design elements include everything from geometric shapes to extension and dimension lines.
Placing design elements works like placing any other component in a pipe model. When you
place an annotation, which has an item type of item note, on a drawing, you can then place a
label on the item note. These labels allow you to enter the remarks, notes, and other information
that you need to effectively annotate your drawings.
Information Items
Information items allow you to provide specific details about various parts of the model.
Information Items that you place in the model are represented by a small square flag. By default,
the flag displays an abbreviation of the type of information item it represents. In the following
illustration, the following information items have been placed on the model: two messages (M)
and a detail-sketch-identifier (DSI).
The following table lists the information items that are available for placement in the model. The
table also includes information regarding any information item-specific attributes that you can
define.
Information Item Type
Description
Item-Specific Attributes
Flow Arrow
Indicates the direction of a SKEY - Defines the SKEY override.

fluid flow.
Status - Specifies either Dimensioned or
Undimensioned. If set to Undimensioned, no
coordinate information is displayed on the drawing for
this item.
Flow Direction - Specifies the direction of flow. By
default, the flow is assumed to start from the Start Point.
Positive = With the normal flow; Negative = Against the
normal flow; Both = Either direction.
119
Detail the Drawing
Description
Floor Symbol
Indicates that the pipeline

breaks through a floor.
SKEY - Defines the SKEY override.
Indicates that the pipeline

breaks through a wall.
Indicates the start/end of

insulation or that the
section of pipe is actually
insulated.
Displays the location

point. During drawing
generation, ISOGEN plots
a location point at the
specified position. If the
relevant data is available
in an external file, the
software can draw up a
table of the location points
with reference to a local
coordinate system, such a
floor plan or steelwork
grid.
Message
Displays textual
information about the
drawing within an
enclosure. An enclosure
can have different style
settings - square or round
ends - or have a different
shape, such as round,
diamond or triangular.
Text - Specifies the message required to be displayed on

the isometric drawing output.
BIP Identifier
Shows the location point

where existing pipe-work
is to be broken in with
new pipe-work. You can
specify a piece of text to
be plotted on the drawing.
(BIP = Break in Point)
Text - Specifies the message required to be displayed on

the isometric drawing output.
Induction Start / Induction

End
Indicates that a weld is to Text - Specifies the message required to be displayed on

indicate the start or end of the isometric drawing output.
an induction bend,
Wall Symbol
Insulation Symbol
Location Point
120

this item.

this item.

this item.

this item.
Detail the Drawing
Description
System Split / Iso Split Point
Indicator - Identifies the location of the isometric split.

Splits the drawing at this
point, overriding the
normal automatic drawing
splitting behavior. You can
use this information item
to control the production
of drawings, ensuring
consistent drawing
content.
Isometric split
points are only valid on
pipeline isometrics and
system split points are
only valid on system
isometrics.
Cut-Piece Allowance
Specifies the cutting

allowance for a pipe.
Allowance - Specifies the cut-piece allowance for the

end of the pipe where it is placed.
Repeat Weld Identifier
Identifies a component as
having a specific set of
weld numbers.
Weld Number 1 through 9 - Specifies weld numbers for

each of the component.
Detail-Sketch-Identifier
Specifies the identifier of a Identifier - Specifies the identifier of a detailed sketch.

detail sketch to be plotted
on the ISOGEN drawing
associated with the
component.
Client-Drawing Identifier
Specifies the user-defined Identifier - Specifies the user-defined drawing identifier.

identifier used as the
drawing identifier when
ISOGEN generates the
isometric.
ByPass Closure
Recommends a suitable
point for ISOGEN to break
a complicated bypass.
For more information,
refer to the documentation
delivered with ISOGEN.
End Connection Pipeline
Specifies that pipe is

connected to another
pipeline at the indicated
point.
Pipeline Reference - Specifies the pipeline reference of

the connected pipeline.
Connection Reference - Specifies the connection
reference, if required.
End Connection Equipment
Specifies the pipe is

connected to a nozzle at
the indicated point.
Connection Reference - Specifies the equipment

reference, if required.
End Position Closed
Indicates that the pipe has

a closed end. End
coordinates are reported.
End Position Open
Indicates that the pipe has

an open end. This is the
default setting if no
information is provided.
End Position Null
No information. End
coordinates are reported.
121
Detail the Drawing

Description
End Position Vent
Specifies pipe ends at a

vent.
End Position Drain
Specifies pipe ends at a

drain.
Cut-Piece Allowance
Specifies the cutting

allowance for a pipe.
Allowance - Specifies the cut-piece allowance for the

end of the pipe where it is placed.
Detail Sketches in Isometric Drawings

Detail sketches are small, inserted drawings that provide additional details for components. The
sketches are typically used to show more information about branch connections, support lugs,
and special welds. To include detail sketches on your isometric drawing, you must first create
symbols in a graphics package such as SmartSketch or AutoCAD. Then, use the SmartPlant
Isometrics Detail Sketch Manager to view the detail sketch and specify options that control its
various characteristics, such as the text formatting and placement. When you place the detail
sketch in SmartPlant Isometrics or SmartPlant Spoolgen, the software prints a callout, or detail
sketch identifier, next to the component if the user-supplied parameter is in the piping object
data (POD) file. The detail sketch is then output on the isometric drawing. An example detail
sketch is shown below.
The Detail Sketch Browser allows you to view detail sketches as they are placed on the
isometric drawing. When you click Place > Detail Sketch, and then click a pipeline component
in the SmartPlant Isometrics Detail Window, the browser opens automatically. You can also
open the browser by editing the Identifier property of an existing detail sketch.
122
Detail the Drawing

To display properties for a pipeline item, click the item in the Detail Window. Alternately,
you can right-click a pipeline item, and then select Properties in the shortcut menu.
The Detail Sketch Browser consists of a toolbar (A), a list of available detail sketches (B), and a
viewing area (C).
123
Detail the Drawing

A - Detail Sketch Browser Toolbar
Search - Filters the list of available detail sketches based on user-defined criteria. As you type
into the Search box, the feature responds with an implied wild card at the beginning and at the
end of the character string. For example, if you type B, the list of available sketches updates to
display only those sketches with a B in the filename based on the defined criteria, *B*.
Add - Option not available in SmartPlant Isometrics.
Delete - Option not available in SmartPlant Isometrics.
Zoom - Increases or decreases the display size of detail sketch objects in the viewing area.
You can zoom in to get a closer view of an object, or zoom out to view more of the detail sketch
at a reduced size. Click the left mouse button and drag the pointer upward in the window to
increase the view of an object as though you were moving closer to it. Drag the pointer
downward in the window to reduce the view as though you were moving further away from the
object.
Zoom Area - Increases the view magnification of an area in the detail sketch that you define
with two points.
Zoom All - Displays the entire detail sketch in the viewing area.
Pan - Repositions the detail sketch in the viewing area so that you can view another section
of the sketch without changing the view magnification.
Style - Displays a list of all the styles that have been defined in I-Configure. When you select a
style in the list, the software reads the output drawing type set for the style, extracts the path to
the detail sketch folder, and populates the detail sketch list view with the available sketches. For
information about defining the output drawing type, see "OutputFormat" in the I-Configure User's
Guide. For information about defining the path to the detail sketch folder, see "Path
(Supplementary.DetailSketches)" in the I-Configure User's Guide.
OK - Places a detail sketch identifier for the currently selected sketch on the selected pipeline
component, and exits the Detail Sketch Browser.
Cancel - Exits the Detail Sketch Browser without placing the detail sketch identifier.
Apply - Option not available in SmartPlant Isometrics.
124
Detail the Drawing

B - Detail Sketch List
Displays the detail sketches that are available for the style selected in the Style list. When you
select a detail sketch in the list, a graphical view of the sketch displays in the detail sketch
viewing area, as shown below.
When you open the Detail Sketch Browser and select a style in the Style list, the software
extracts the path to the detail sketch folder from the selected style, and populates the detail
sketch list with detail sketches that match the defined files type. The folder location and file
format are defined in I-Configure by Supplementary.DetailSketches.Path and
Supplementary.DetailSketches.FileFormat. The example below shows the detail sketch
folder path and file format that have been defined in I-Configure for the Final-Basic style.
In the current version of the software, only DWG, IGR, and SYM (SHA) file formats are fully
supported.
You can use the Search box on the Detail Sketch Browser toolbar to narrow down the list
of available sketches.
125
Detail the Drawing

C - Detail Sketch Viewing Area
Displays a graphical view of the selected detail sketch. Use the viewing commands on the
toolbar to change the view or orientation of the detail sketch.
Place an information item (on page 126)

Edit an information item (on page 126)
Remove an information item from the model (on page 127)
Place a detail sketch (on page 127)
Place an information item

1. Click Information Item
or click Place > Information Item.
2. Click a point on the pipeline to position a flag for the item.
The software snaps the flag to the nearest keypoint.
3. In the Properties window, select the information item you want to place in the Type list.
The software updates the model to display the item.

4. In the Properties window, specify the properties for the information item. For example, you
can assign text to the information item using the Text property box.
Depending on the type of information item you select, the Properties window displays
user-definable attributes specific to the information item or no attributes.
Because information items are positioned at the ends of components or pipe, they do not
need dimensioning.
Edit an information item

1. Click Select
on the Edit toolbar
2. In the model, select the information item you want to edit.
3. In the Properties window, modify property information as needed.
Press the Tab key to move to through the list of properties.
126
Detail the Drawing

4. Press Enter to save your changes.
You cannot move an information item from its current location. To reposition an
information item, you must delete it and then place a new information item (with the same
properties) at the required location.
Remove an information item from the model

1. Click Select
2. Click the information item you want to remove.
3. Press the Delete key.
The software deletes the flag representing the information item.
Place a detail sketch

1. Click Place > Detail Sketch.
2. Select a component in the model on which to place the detail sketch.
The software opens the Detail Sketch Browser.
3. On the toolbar, select a style in the Style list.
The software extracts the path to the detail sketch folder from the style, and populates the
list with the detail sketches available for the selected style. For more information, see "Detail
Sketch Manager" in the I-Configure User's Guide. You can access this guide by clicking
Help > Printable Guides in the software.
4. Select a detail sketch in the list.
The software displays a graphical view of the selected detail sketch in the viewing area.
If necessary, use the Search box to narrow down the list of available sketches.
Only DWG, IGR, and SYM (SHA) file types are fully supported by the software.
5. Click OK to place the currently selected detail sketch and return to the model.
The software places a detail sketch identifier (designated by DSI and the detail sketch
127
Detail the Drawing

filename) next to the component you previously selected in the model.
128
Detail the Drawing

When you generate the isometric drawing, the resulting detail sketch output resembles
the example below. The parameters for direction and angle that are displayed in the detail
sketch are defined in I-Configure. For more information, see "Configure a Detail Sketch" in the
I-Configure User's Guide. You can access the guide by clicking Help > Printable Guides in the
software.
129
Detail the Drawing
Dimensioned Special Symbols

The software includes a handful of items that it identifies as special symbols:
Flow arrow
Floor symbol
Wall symbol
Insulation symbol
Reference dimension
Special symbols are placed and positioned in exactly the same way as other components and
objects; however, some of them require that you specify a dimension in order to locate them
within the pipeline model.
Reference dimensions, flow arrows, floor, wall and insulation symbols each have their own
notation in the sketch.
Floor and insulation symbols do not require an item code.
Reference dimensions are handled differently than the other special symbols; they require
you to specify a dimension, as well as define additional information in order to place them. A
reference dimension can also act as an origin. For more information, see Place a reference
dimension (on page 116).
Place a flow arrow (on page 130)

Place a floor symbol (on page 131)
Place a wall symbol (on page 132)
Place an insulation symbol (on page 133)
Place a flow arrow

A flow arrow is associated either with a length of pipe or a component and as a sense of
direction. When you place a flow arrow into a sketch, you can use the Properties window to
define its direction initially or modify its direction later.
1. Click Place > Flow Arrow.
2. In the Detail window, click in the sketch to position the flow arrow.
3. Type a value in the dimension box and press Enter.
The Dimension box only appears if you are placing a flow arrow on pipe that is
dimensioned. If the pipe is not dimensioned, you can dimension it later using Dimension
Pipeline
.
130
Detail the Drawing

4. In the Properties window, use the Flow Direction list to define the direction.
The flow arrow is represented in the sketch and in the Properties window as shown in
the following illustration:
Place a floor symbol

1. Click Place > Floor Symbol.
2. In the Detail window, click in the sketch to position the floor symbol.
131
Detail the Drawing
The Dimension box only appears if you are placing a floor symbol on pipe that is
Pipeline
.
The floor symbol is represented in the Properties window as shown in the following
illustration:
You can override the item code using the Physical dialog box. For more information, see
Assign an item code (on page 97).
Place a wall symbol

1. Click Place > Wall Symbol.
2. In the Detail window, click in the sketch to position the wall symbol.
132
Detail the Drawing

The wall symbol is represented in the sketch and in the Properties window as shown in the
The Dimension box appears only if you are placing a wall symbol on pipe that is
Pipeline
.
You can override the item code using the Physical dialog box. For more information, see
Assign an item code (on page 97).
Place an insulation symbol

1. Click Place > Insulation Symbol.
2. In the Detail window, click in the sketch to position the insulation symbol.
133
Detail the Drawing
134
The Dimension box appears only if you are placing an insulation symbol on pipe that is
Pipeline
.
The insulation symbol is represented in the Properties window as shown in the following
illustration:
Detail the Drawing
Additional Materials
You can add additional materials to an isometric drawing and display them in the material list
when the drawing is generated. You can associate additional materials with a component, or
you can append them to the overall material list. In either case, you must first select the
additional material from the current specification and then add it to the list of available materials.
Place as additional material

1. Click Place as Additional Material
Place as Additional Material.
on the Place toolbar. Alternatively, click Place >
If the Place toolbar is not visible, click View > Toolbars > Place.
You can also click Place > Place as Additional Material.
2. On the Place toolbar, select the additional material you want to place. For example, select a
slip-on flange as shown in the following illustration.
135
Detail the Drawing

3. In the model, select the component on which you want to place the additional material. In
the example below, the additional material is placed on the open ended section of pipe.
To indicate that it is permissible to add the additional material in the location you
specify, the cursor changes to
location, the cursor changes to
136
. If additional material cannot be placed in that

.
To place pipe as additional material, click Route Pipe
The additional material appears in the model as a flag.

When you click the additional material flag, you can view and edit its properties in the
Properties window.
Detail the Drawing
You can place pipe as additional materials by click Route Pipe

.
When you generate the drawing, any additional materials you place in the model appear in
the Material List. In the following illustration, in addition to the pipe and elbow, the list of
Fabrication materials also includes the additional material flange.
In order for an additional material to appear in the Material List, a value must
be defined in the Quantity box in the Properties window. If the additional material is a pipe,
then a valued must be defined in the Length field.
137
Detail the Drawing
138
SECTION 10
Verify Design Integrity

Consistency checking verifies the suitability of work that a designer has performed in creating
the pipe sketch. The software verifies if the composition of a sketch and the underlying data
model satisfy rules that are defined in the associated specification. As checks are performed,
the software displays all the inconsistencies, describes specific problems, and offers hints.
Using these solutions, you can decide the best method to resolve an inconsistency.
Check minimum pipe lengths (on page 139)

Check component end connections (on page 140)
Check network integrity (on page 141)
Check for consistency (on page 142)
Perform design checks automatically (on page 143)
139
Check minimum pipe lengths

The Check Minimum Tube Lengths command verifies all pipe lengths in the pipeline against
the minimum length defined in the specification attached to the current project.
The specification connected to the current project is shown in the Pipeline Explorer
window.
Check Minimum Tube Lengths does not modify any lengths. As the software performs the
check, it highlights any problem pipes using the error color and automatically displays the
Errors window which lists the errors.
By default, the software displays the Errors window at the bottom of the Detail window.
Click Tools > Check Minimum Tube Lengths.
The software does not attempt to resolve any of the conflicts that it detects. You must
take appropriate corrective action by reviewing the errors and examining the pipe sketch.
140
Check component end connections

The Check Component End Connections command checks adjacent components to
determine whether they are compatible. The check is based on the "End Preparations" of the
components involved and a connectivity table that is defined in the specification connected to
the current project.
The example below shows part of the End Connection reference table:
Click Tools > Check Component End Connections.

If the software finds any combination of components that are not allowed by the connectivity
table, it displays a warning message in the Errors window.
The software does not attempt to resolve any of the conflicts that it detects. You must
take appropriate corrective action by reviewing the errors and examining the sketch.
141
Check network integrity

The Check Network Integrity command highlights parts of the pipeline that cannot be exported
to a PCF, and consequently, cannot be processed by ISOGEN. While network integrity can fail
for many reasons, the basic checks that the software performs to determine network integrity
are summarized as follows:
Are all the dimensions defined?
Are there coordinates for all points?
Are all the components connected to the network (systems) or to the pipeline
(non-systems)?
1. Click Tools > Check Network Integrity.
The software displays a message similar to the following when it is not clear where the
disconnection has taken place:
POD files imported into earlier versions of the software can contain undimensioned
flow arrows which result in network integrity error messages even when the isometric drawing
generates correctly. To suppress the network integrity check for flow arrows in older imported
POD files, do the following:
1. Click Edit > Select Information By.
2. Click Flow Arrow in the list and then click Select.
3. In the Properties window, change the Status property to Undimensioned.
Check for consistency

The Consistency Check command verifies that all end connection information items are placed
at the correct position on the pipeline. If the software determines that an end connection is
placed incorrectly, it allows you to determine if it should be moved or not.
Click Tools > Check Consistency.
142
If the software determines that all end connections are placed correctly, it displays a
message informing you as such.
If problems are encountered, the software displays a message similar to the following:

If you click Yes, the software moves the end connection to the end of the line and displays a
message in the Errors window similar to the following:
If you click No in the message box, the software displays a message in the Errors window
similar to the following:
Perform design checks automatically

The Perform All Checks command automatically runs the following design checking tools,
rather than you having to select each one individually from the Tools menu.
Check Minimum Tube Lengths (see "Check minimum pipe lengths" on page 139)
Check Component End Connections (on page 140)
Check Network Integrity (on page 141)
Consistency Check (see "Verify Design Integrity" on page 139)
1. Click Tools > Perform All Checks.
2. After each check is run, click OK in each message box that displays to acknowledge the
completion of the check
Errors and inconsistencies are reported in the Errors window.

If errors or inconsistencies are detected in the pipeline configuration, you must resolve them
before running the check again.
143
144
SECTION 11
Import and Export Piping Data

ISOGEN is a popular and widely-used way of automatically generating 2D piping isometric
drawings. It is integrated with most major plant design systems, many of which create either the
Piping Component File (PCF) or the Intermediate Data File (IDF) as their main data input to
ISOGEN.
Because of ISOGEN's popularity, there are countless pipeline descriptions in PCF and IDF
formats. Because SmartPlant Isometrics is frequently used in conjunction with a 3D plant design
products, its importing capabilities allow you to load piping data from other plant design systems,
such as PDS, PDMS and AutoPlant, and then edit the data using the tools available in
SmartPlant Isometrics. For example, you can bring as-design isometrics, in either IDF or PCF
format, up to as-built status, by adding modifications such as vents and drains. When you import
piping data, the resulting model is identical to the one that you would create if you were starting
from scratch. After import, all SmartPlant Isometrics commands are available--you can route
pipe, place components and detail the isometric as usual, and then generate a new drawing
showing your modifications.
Prior to importing PCF and IDF files into SmartPlant Isometrics, see Appendix:
Considerations for Importing Piping Data (on page 259).
Exporting Data from SmartPlant Isometrics

You can export piping data from SmartPlant Isometrics that can be imported into SmartPlant 3D
using the File > Export > XMpLant command. The transfer of as-built data between SmartPlant
Isometrics and the 3D design model is a multi-step operation:
1. Define the required project default in I-Configure.
2. Edit the XML configuration file to reflect the necessary POD to XMpLant mapping
definitions.
A sample mapping file is delivered with the software, but it is only intended as starting
point. For more information, see Appendix: POD to XMpLant Mapping File Definitions (on
page 263).
3. Export the piping data from SmartPlant Isometrics to an XML-formatted file for import to
SmartPlant 3D.
4. Import the XML file data using the appropriate File > Import command in SmartPlant 3D.
For more information about importing data into SmartPlant 3D, refer to the documentation
delivered with that software.
Import a single piping data file (on page 146)

Batch import piping data (on page 147)
Define the project default for exporting piping data (on page 147)
Export piping data (on page 148)
145
Import a single piping data file

1. Click File > Import > File.
2. Browse to the folder location containing the piping data file you want to import.
By default, SmartPlant Isometrics looks in the Inputs folder of the current project for
the data files. After you have located and loaded a file, the software remembers this location
and uses the same location for subsequent imports.
3. Select the file you want to import from the list of available piping data files.
SmartPlant Isometrics imports IDF, PCF, and other file formats.
Use the Files of Type list to switch between the supported piping file formats.
4. Click Open.
After the file is successfully imported, the software displays the fully defined sketch
representation in the Detail window, as shown in the following illustration:
146
The imported file is automatically saved as a POD file in the Pipes and SPIImport folders of
the current project.
If the software fails to import the pipeline due to bad data or some other inconsistency within
the piping data file, it displays an appropriate error message.
Import processing results are also written in the SPIImport.mes file and saved to the
SPIImport\Messages folder of the current project. This message file reports any
irregularities or errors that the software encountered while importing the piping data file and
is useful in troubleshooting import failures. To view its contents, open the message file with
any standard text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad.
You can also import a piping data file from the command line. For more information, see
Command Line Options (on page 18).
Batch import piping data

1. Click File > Import > File.
2. Browse to the folder location containing the piping data files you want to import.
3. Select multiple files by holding the CTRL key while you click each individual file and then
click OK.
SmartPlant Isometrics imports IDF, PCF and other file formats.

Use the Files of Type list to switch between the supported piping file formats.
Each pipeline is processed in turn and automatically saved as a POD file in the Pipes
and SPIImport folders of the current project.
4. After import processing completes, the software displays a message box. You can click Yes
to view the log file, or click No to close the message box without viewing the log file.
The log file, SPIBatchImport.log, is saved to your local Temp folder. To view its contents,
open the log file in Notepad.
If the software fails to import the pipeline due to bad data or some other inconsistency within
the piping data file, it will display an appropriate error message.
Import processing results are also written in the SPIImport.mes file saved to the
SPIImport\Messages folder of the current project. This message file reports any
irregularities or errors that the software encountered while importing the piping data file and
is useful in troubleshooting import failures. To view its contents, open the message file with
any standard text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad.
You can also import multiple piping data files from the command line. For more information,
see Command Line Options (on page 18).
Define the project default for exporting piping data

When you install the software, the file POD_XM_SP3D_MappingFile.xml is delivered to
C:\SampleIsoDir\SPITutorial\Data\Processing by default. Unless you specify otherwise, the
software uses this file when it exports piping data to the SmartPlant 3D-supported XML format.
1. Open I-Configure.
2. In the Project View panel, select the current isometric project and click Project
3.
4.
5.
6.
Defaults
.
On the Project Defaults tab, locate XMpLant Mapping File in the list of project defaults.
Click in the Value box for XMpLant Mapping File and then click .
In the Specify File dialog box, navigate to the required file and then click Open.
Click OK to close the <Project> Project Defaults dialog box and then exit I-Configure.
147
Export piping data

1. Click File > Export > XMpLant.
2. In the Export to XMpLant dialog box, specify the names and full path locations of the XML
file you want to create, the mapping file on which you to base the XML file, and at what
location in the SmartPlant 3D hierarchy you want to create the piping data.
Export to XMpLant Dialog Box (on page 148)
3. Click OK to export the piping data.
Export to XMpLant Dialog Box

XML file to create - Type the file name and full path location of the XML file you want to create.
If necessary, you can click Browse and navigate to the appropriate file and folder location. By
default, the software saves the new XML file to the Pipes folder in the current project and
appends the name of the current POD file with .xml. For example, if the current file is named
Isometric1.POD the software saves the exported XML file as Isometric1.POD.xml.
Configuration file - Type the file name and full path location of the configuration file that
controls the POD to XMpLant mapping. If necessary, you can click Browse and navigate to the
appropriate file and folder location. By default, the software uses the configuration file defined by
the XMpLant Mapping File project default in I-Configure.
System hierarchy location - Specify at what point in the SmartPlant 3D system hierarchy you
want the piping data to be created. By default, the software uses Piping as the default location.
See Also
Appendix: POD to XMpLant Mapping File Definitions (on page 263)
Define the Project Default for Exporting Piping Data (on page 147)
Export Piping Data (on page 148)
148
Modify and Move Pipeline Objects
SECTION 12

SmartPlant Isometrics provides several simple methods for manipulating pipeline objects. You
can quickly move or copy a pipeline object or group of objects onto a sheet. Moving or copying
objects saves you time by eliminating the need to re-create information, as well as help you
maintain accurate data throughout a project.
Selecting Objects
Before you can modify or move an object, you must select it. You can select individual or
multiple objects using the Select commands on the Edit toolbar and Edit menu. You can select
more than one object at a time by clicking Select and then holding the CTRL key as you click
the objects you want to select. Or, you can use the Select command to drag the mouse to fence
elements. For more information, see Select Objects (on page 150).
Moving Objects
SmartPlant Isometrics provides several methods for moving objects. You can reposition a
component within the model using the Select command to slide it along the pipe. You can also
use Select to drag bend elements in order to modify the pipeline configuration, or drag the end
points of pipe to extend or shorten its length, connect two pipes together to connect a single
straight, or connect them to make a branch.
You can use the Move Pipeline command to move a section of pipe and all its connected
components. For more information, see Move Objects (on page 186).
Mirroring and Rotating Objects

Using the software tools, you can easily mirror and rotate the pipelines in your sketch. You begin
by selecting and then copying the pipeline. During the paste function, you use the arrow keys on
your keyboard to mirror or rotate the selection of pipe. For more information, see Mirror and
Rotate Pipe (on page 160).
Copying Objects
You can select an object and click Copy
on the Edit toolbar. The selected item is placed on
the Clipboard. Then, when you click Paste
the Edit toolbar, the item is placed in the
location you specify. The object loses its 3D coordinates, but all other properties remain
unchanged. For more information, see Copy and Paste (on page 155).
Cutting and Deleting Objects

You can cut an object using the Cut command. The object is placed on the Clipboard. You can
then use Paste to place the object in the current document or into other documents.
If you do not Paste the element after cutting, it will be permanently removed from
the sketch.
You can permanently remove an object by selecting the object and clicking the Delete
command. For more information, see Cut and Delete (on page 159).
149

Modifying Sketch Objects
You can modify the properties of each object by selecting the object and changing individual
properties in the Properties window. You can also change orthogonal pipe into skewed pipe
and vice-versa. For more information, see Modify Sketch Objects (on page 168).
Weld and Part Numbering

As an alternative to allowing Isogen to automatically assign weld and part numbers, SmartPlant
Isometrics provides some features that allow you to manage them directly. For more
information, see Manage Weld and Part Numbering (on page 190).
Select Objects
To select an object, you must click Select
on the Edit toolbar. You can select any object in
the Detail window that makes up the pipe model. Most actions apply to the currently selected
object.
Selecting a Single Object

To select an individual object, click Select
You can also click Edit > Select.

When you select an individual object, the following things happen:
The element changes to the selection color. You can change the selection color using
Options on the Tools menu.
The element's important properties are displayed in the Properties window.
When you select multiple elements or grouped elements, they change to the selection color.
Incremental Selections
On either side of Select
are Select Minus
and Select Plus
. You can use these
commands for the incremental - or stepped - selection of objects. Depending on which
command you click, the selection either advances or reverses along the pipeline.
Selecting Multiple Objects

A powerful function is the ability to select and operate on more than one object. Many
manipulation commands, like delete, move, copy, and rotate, act upon all elements in the
selection set. For example, you can select a set of flanges and change the item code assigned
to all of them in one operation, or set the insulation on several lengths of pipe and various inline
fittings and components.
The following selection commands select multiple objects based on the properties they share.
Select Like
Select Component By
Select Information By
150

Also, you can manually select more than one object at a time by clicking Select
and then
holding the CTRL key as you click the objects you want to select. Or, you can click Select
and then drag the mouse to create a selection window around the objects.
When you release the mouse, all the items in the selection window are selected.
Regional Select Commands

In addition to being able to select multiple sketch objects based on shared properties, you can
use the regional select commands to select multiple sketch objects that occupy the same region,
such as a straight, pipeline, or sheet.
151

De-selecting Objects
To de-select an object or group of objects, click any point on the Detail window where no there
is no pipe geometry. You can also hold down CTRL and click an object to de-select it.
Select like components (on page 152)

Select multiple information items (on page 153)
Select multiple components by filter (on page 154)
Select multiple components by region (on page 154)
Select like components

You can use Select Like to rapidly select multiple components based on the selected (or
current) component.
1. Click Select
and then click a component in the model. In the following illustration, the
currently selected component is a 4" globe valve
2. Click Edit > Select Like.

You can also right-click the selected component and click Select in the pop-up menu.
152

The software selects all other 4" VVGCF150-FLO globe valves that are in the model.
Select multiple information items

You can use Select Information By to rapidly multiple information items based on the
information type. In the following example, there are two message information items and one
end connection.
1. Click Edit > Select Information By.

2. In the Select Information By dialog box, select an information item type in the list. For
example, select Message.
Only those information item types that exist in the model display in the list.
153

3. Click Select.
The software selects the two message items in the model.
4. Click Cancel to close the dialog box and exit the Select Information By command.
While the Select Information By dialog box is open, you can select other information
item types in the list. When you click Select, the software conducts a new search to locate and
select the new information item types.
Select multiple components by filter

You can use Edit > Select Component By to set up a filter to locate only those components in
the pipeline that share the properties you specify. Using the Select Component By dialog box,
you can limit your search by material and bore. The list of items that displays for each option is
restricted to those that currently occur in the pipeline model.
1. Click Edit >Select Component By.
2. In the Select Component By dialog box, use the lists to select the component properties
you want to software to match.
If you click Edit > Select Component By while a component is selected, its
properties are used to initialize the search.
3. Click Select.
The software searches the pipeline for components that match your criteria and selects
them. The selected components display in the default sketch color for Selected
Components. You can modify sketch colors using Options > Tools.
4. Click Cancel to close the dialog box and terminate the command.
As long as the Select Component By dialog box remains open, you can continue to
select items from the lists and click Select to search for additional components.
Select multiple components by region

The Edit > Select > <Regional Select> commands allow you to select multiple components
based on their location within the pipe sketch. There are five regional select commands:
All - Selects all the components across all sheets that make up the current sketch. For example,
if a sketch consists of multiple pipelines which span multiple sheets, the resulting selection
includes everything.
154

Straight - Selects all the components and pipe that make up the straight.
Network - Selects all the parts of the pipeline that make up a network. A network is any series
of connected components.
Sheet - Selects all the components on the currently active sheet.
Pipeline - Selects all the components that make up the active pipeline.
1. Select a component in the sketch.
2. Click Edit > Select and then select the appropriate command in the sub-menu.
Alternatively, you can use the Pipeline Explorer to access any of the regional select
commands. Right-click a component and then click Select > <Regional Select> command.
You can access the commands by right-clicking a component in the Detail window and then
clicking Select > <Regional Select> command on the shortcut menu.
Copy and Paste

You can copy any object that you place in the sketch - components, sections of pipe, or even an
entire pipeline. Copying an object makes it possible to use something that is already in place as
a starting point for placing a new object. Several methods exist for doing this, such as using
Copy
on the Edit toolbar or clicking Edit > Copy. Copying places the selected object or
objects on the Clipboard. When you click Paste
, the software places a floating copy of the
object underneath the mouse pointer allowing you to place it in the appropriate location.
Copy an object (on page 155)

Paste an object (on page 155)
Copy and paste 3D coordinates (on page 156)
Copy an object
1. Select an object in the sketch.
2. Click Copy
You can also click Edit > Copy, right-click the object and click Copy, or press
CTRL+C.
After you copy an object, it is placed on the Clipboard. You can then use Paste
to paste
it onto the current sheet sketch, other sheets, or other pipelines.
When you paste the object, it is placed underneath the mouse pointer. Click the appropriate
location to place the object.
Paste an object
You can place objects on the Clipboard with Copy or Cut, then paste those objects into the
current sketch or another sketch.
155

1. Open the sketch or switch to another sheet in the current in which you want to paste the
contents of the Clipboard.
2. On the Edit toolbar, click Paste
You can also click Edit > Paste, right-click the object and click Paste, or press
CTRL+V.
The contents of the Clipboard remain unchanged until you use Copy or Cut again.
You cannot run Paste if the Clipboard is empty.
You can click Undo
to reverse the results of Paste.
Copy and paste 3D coordinates

You can make pipelines coincidental using the Copy and Paste commands. Consider the
following dimensioned sketch:
The following procedures outline the steps to create a second pipeline coincident to the one in
the previous illustration.
1. Click Edit > Select All to select the entire pipeline and click Copy
.
2. Click Place > Pipeline to add a new pipeline. By default, the second pipeline is active.
Alternately, you can right-click the POD in the Pipeline Explorer and click Add
Pipeline.
3. Click Paste
to place a copy of the original pipeline.
4. On your keyboard, press the right arrow key twice to rotate the pipeline 180-degrees.
156

5. Click once in the Detail window to place the rotated pipeline.
Click Window > Cascade so that you can view both pipelines simultaneously.
and click the stem of the origin in P-1.
157

7. In the Properties window, click Copy Coordinates.
8. Right-click Sheet_1 in the second pipeline (P-2), and click Activate Sheet.
, and then click on the open end of the 1.5" bore pipe.
10. In the Properties window, click Paste Coordinates, and then click OK in the Add Origin
dialog box. The two pipelines are now coincidental.
158

11. Click Show
to open the 3D View window. The pipes display similar to the following:
Cut and Delete

You can delete an object or select set from a sketch by selecting it and clicking Cut
on the
Edit toolbar or by pressing Delete. Clicking Cut places the selected item on the Clipboard. This
action allows you to paste the item in another location as appropriate. Pressing Delete removes
the object permanently. Consequently, you cannot reinsert or paste objects that you delete. You
can, however, retrieve the data by immediately clicking Edit > Undo.
Cut an object (on page 159)

Delete an object (on page 160)
Cut an object
1. Select an object in the sketch.
2. Click Cut
You can also click Edit > Cut, right-click the object and click Cut, or press CTRL+X.
After you cut an object from the sketch, it is placed on the Clipboard. You can then use
Paste
to place it in another location.
The selected object replaces the previous contents of the Clipboard.
159
If you select a component that has an associated component, such as a support or bolt, the
Cut command is unavailable unless the associated component is also selected. This
behavior ensures that you do not leave components merely floating in the model on their
own.
Delete an object
1. Select an object.
2. Click Delete
You can also click Edit > Delete, right-click the object and click Delete, or press the
Delete key.
When you delete an object from the sketch, it is removed permanently and cannot be
reinserted. You can, however, restore an object by immediately clicking Undo .
You can select all like objects using Edit > Select Like and then delete all of them in a
single operation.
When you delete a component from a pipeline, the break is repaired.
When you delete a component, the software also deletes any information items and out of
network components - such as supports or bolts - that lie on it.
When you delete a pipe with a tap, set-on, or olet, the software also deletes the appropriate
component.
Mirror and Rotate Pipe

You can mirror and rotate both orthogonal and skewed pipe.
In orthogonal pipe, before the mirror and rotate functionality delivered with the software is
available, the selection of pipeline must be contiguous. That is, there must be no selection gaps.
If more than one component is selected, then every component must be connected to at least
one other selected component; otherwise, the functionality is unavailable.
To illustrate the difference between mirroring and rotating orthogonal pipe, consider the
following sketch:
160

When you mirror this pipeline through the E/W axis, the resulting sketch resembles the
following:
When you rotate the original pipeline counter-clockwise about the vertical axis, the resulting
sketch resembles the following:
In a 2D skew, the Rotate commands rotate the selected axis 90-degrees around the other axis.
Mirror orthogonal pipe (on page 162)

Reflect a skew axis (on page 163)
Rotate orthogonal pipe (on page 164)
Rotate a skew axis (on page 165)
Rotate a pipeline about a different axis (on page 167)
161
Mirror orthogonal pipe

Consider the following illustration:
1. Select all the components of the pipeline.

Click Edit > Select > Select All. Alternately, you can use the mouse to create a
select set. For more information, read Select Objects (on page 150).
Click Cut
. Removes the original selection from the sketch when you paste the copy
in a different location
Click Copy
. Retains the original selection in the sketch when you paste the copy in
a different location.
3. Click Paste
. The software displays a representation of the pipeline selection and the
rotation axis in black and white.
4. Press the Space Bar. The software displays the pipeline representation around the E/W
axis.
5. Click once in the Detail window to place the mirrored pipeline.
162

The software always mirrors the selection around the E/W axis. If you need to
mirror around the N/S axis, you must use a combination of the mirror and the rotate functionality.
First, rotate the original pipeline 180-degrees, and then mirror the resulting pipeline about the
E/W axis, which is the equivalent to mirroring about the N/S axis of the original pipeline.
Reflect a skew axis

In a 2D skew, the Reflect command reflects, or mirrors, the selected axis around the other axis.
1. Right-click the vertical skew axis and then click Reflect. The result is as follows:
163
Alternatively, if you click the E/W skew axis in the original illustration and then click Reflect,
the result is as follows:
You can use the same technique to reflect a 3D skew. The selected axis is reflected through
the plane formed by the other two axes.
The Reflect command is available only on the shortcut menu.
Rotate orthogonal pipe


164

Click Cut
Click Copy
3. Click Paste
. The software displays a representation of the pipeline selection and the
rotation axis in black and white.
4. On your keyboard, press the right arrow key to rotate the selection 90-degrees and then
click once in the Detail window. The resulting sketch resembles the following.
Press the left arrow key to rotate the selection counter-clockwise. Press the right arrow key
to rotate the selection clockwise.
The arrow keys rotate the selection in 90-degree increments.
You can press the left and right arrow keys several times in any combination to perform
multiple rotations.
165
Rotate a skew axis

You can rotate a skew axis clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Consider the following illustration. The vertical (N/S) skew axis is selected:
1. Right-click the vertical skew axis and then click Rotate > Clockwise.
166
Alternatively, if you right-click the E/W axis in the original illustration and then click Rotate >
Anti Clockwise, the result is similar to the following:
Both Rotate commands are available only on the shortcut menu.
Rotate a pipeline about a different axis

By default, the software rotates the selection about the vertical axis. Pressing the up and down
arrow keys change which axis the software uses.

167

Click Cut
Click Copy
3. Click Paste
white.
. The software displays a representation of the pipeline selection in black and
4. On your keyboard, press the Up arrow to change the axis.

5. Press the Right arrow. The software rotates the pipeline selection clockwise about the E/W
axis.
6. Click once in the Detail window to place the pipeline. The resulting representation
resembles the following:
168
Modify Sketch Objects

After you place objects in the model, you can modify the objects in several ways. You can
convert skewed pipe to orthogonal pipe or convert orthogonal pipe to skewed pipe. You can
change the bore on all or part of a pipeline, resulting in consequent changes to existing
components and dimensions. You can also modify the properties of each object by selecting the
object either in the Detail window or the Pipeline Explorer and changing individual properties in
the Properties window.
Change bore (on page 169)

Convert orthogonal pipe to skewed pipe (on page 172)
Break a section of pipe (on page 173)
Convert a 2D skew to a 3D skew (on page 176)
Deactivate a skew component (on page 177)
Edit object properties (on page 179)
Change bore
You can set a different bore on part or all of a pipeline on-the-fly, such as when you need to
introduce a component such as a reducer.
Begin by selecting the pipe or component you want to change and then specify the bore. The
software changes the bore of all connected components, stopping at any branches or reducers
and changing their materials as indicated in the specification.
169

Consider the following sketch. The bore size of the section of pipe labeled A is 6-inches:
1. In the Detail view, right-click a pipe or component and then click Change Bore > <Bore
Size>. For example, right-click the pipe marked A and then click 8".
Alternately, you can click Tools > Change Bore > <Bore Size>.
2. Review the warnings in the Errors window.
170

As the software changes the bore of each component, it looks for the default material for
that bore and component type in the specification. If it does not find a default, it uses a generic
material. The software reports each of these actions as a warning in the Errors window. In the
following illustration, the software has replaced the fitting tees (T1RCFST-BW) with generic
material because it was unable to find a default defined in the attached specification.
The default sketch color for generic material is blue, indicating that no length has been
defined.
171
Convert orthogonal pipe to skewed pipe

Consider the following sketch:
1. Click Make Skew

2. In the Detail window, place your mouse over a change of direction component, such as a
bend element.
The cursor changes from
to
.
3. Click and drag the mouse in the direction of the skew - up or down.
4. Release the mouse button when you have the skew you want.
After creating the skew, you can use the Properties window to dimension it. For more
information, read Dimension skewed pipe.
172
Break a section of pipe

The Break Tube command allows you to blow a hole in a section of pipe. Breaking a section of
pipe is useful when you need to make a substantial design change to your original pipe sketch.
You can break a section of move, move it to another location in the Detail window, and then use
the routing and editing tools to create a new pipeline configuration. You can also use the Break
Tube command to place a pipe separator. A pipe separator is useful if you need to terminate
insulation at a set distance along a pipe.
Consider the following sketch:
1. Click Break Tube

2. Click the section of pipe to be broken.
Look for the cursor to appear as
173

The software inserts a gap and breaks the pipe into two sections.
Click Move Pipeline

illustration:
174
, and reposition the two sections of pipe as shown in the following

Click Route Pipe
and route a new branch that joins the two sections together and
results in a new pipeline configuration.
You can also use the Disconnect command to break a section of pipe.
To insert a pipe separator, press SHIFT while clicking on the section of pipe to be broken.
175
Convert a 2D skew to a 3D skew

By adding an axis, you can convert a 2D skew to a 3D skew. Consider the following sketch:
1. Right-click a skew component and click Add > <Axis direction>.

2. Click the axis you want to add. For example, click Up.
The contents of the Add submenu depend on the skew direction. Using the previous
illustration as an example, the Axis Order is East-North (as shown in the Properties
window), and the choices in the Add submenu are Up and Down.
176

The software adds the selected axis (East-North-Up), converting the original 2D skew to a
3D skew.
You must re-dimension the skew axis. For more information about dimensioning skewed
components, read Dimension skewed pipe.
You can add the axis at the other side of the skew by changing the skew axis order before
dimensioning.
177
Deactivate a skew component

When you deactivate a skew component on a 2D skew, the pipes on the skew snap into place
on the remaining axis. The result is a section of orthogonal pipe. When you deactivate a skew
component on a 3D skew, the result is a 2D skew.
To convert a 2D skew into an orthogonal pipe, consider the following sketch:

Right-click the vertical axis and click Collapse. The resulting sketch resembles the
following:
Right-click the horizontal axis and click Collapse. The resulting sketch resembles the
following:
Deactivating a skew axis forces the skew components to run along the
remaining axis; in the previous illustration, the software was required to move the branch of
the tee in order for the pipes to "snap" into place. To control what moves where when you
deactivate a skew component, you can use the Properties window to change the axis order
of the skew.
178
Edit Object Properties

When you use the software to produce isometric drawings, it is important to be able to specify
and change the properties of the objects that you place in your diagram. You can review and
edit the properties of an item in the Properties window.
Edit POD properties (on page 179)

Edit pipeline properties (on page 179)
Edit component properties (on page 180)
Edit POD properties

1. In the Pipeline Explorer, click the POD name.
2. In the Properties window, edit the properties as needed.
POD Property Data
Property Name
Description
Name
Displays the name of the POD file. The information is read-only.
File Version
Displays the file version of the POD.dll.
System Isometric Reference
Displays the name of the drawing generated from a system POD. For
non-system PODs, this information is read-only.
Equipment trim Reference
Displays a reference for a specific type of isometric drawing.
North Arrow
Displays the direction on the sketch that represents North defined as

top left, top right, bottom left, or bottom right.
Primary Spec
Displays the primary specification for the POD file. If you connect to a
different specification, Primary Spec updates accordingly. This
information is read-only.
Do not edit.
Edit pipeline properties

1. In the Pipeline Explorer, click a pipeline.
2. In the Properties window, edit the pipeline properties as needed.
Pipeline Property Data
Property Name
Description
Name
Displays the name of the pipeline. By default, the software sets the
pipeline reference for the first pipeline to P-1, the second pipeline to
P-2, and so on. If you type a new name, the software also displays the
name in the Pipeline Reference box.
If you type a new name for a single, non-system POD, the
change cascades up the tree and changes both the pipeline and the
POD accordingly.
Global Offset
Specify the difference (offset) between the global origin and the model
origin in XYZ coordinates.
179

Property Name
Description
Pipeline Reference
Displays the name of the pipeline. By default, the software names the
pipeline. If you type a new name, the software also displays the name
in the Name box.
Pipe Spec
Displays the reference of the connected piping specification.
Tracing Spec
Type the Tracing Specification reference.
Insulation Spec
Type the Insulation Specification reference.
Painting Spec
Type the Painting Specification reference.
Misc Spec (1-5)
Type the Miscellaneous Specification reference (you can specify up to

five).
Jacket Spec
Type the Jacket Specification reference.

Jacketed piping design is not supported in SmartPlant
Isometrics 2008.
180
Revision
Type the revision identifier.
Project Identifier
Type the project number or name.
Batch/Area
Type the plant area.
Date
Type the date.
Nominal Class
Type the pipeline design class.
Nominal Rating
Type the pressure rating of the pipeline.
Pipeline Temp
Type the pipeline operating temperature.
Pipeline Type
Type the pipeline construction.
Specific Gravity
Specific the gravity of pipeline contents.
Spool Index
Type the index to be used on spool identifiers.
Replot
Specify whether there is a single isometric re-plot request. If you select

True, the re-plot request is enabled. If you select False, the re-plot
request is disabled.
Weld (General)
Type the prefix the software uses for the identification of all welds.
Weld (Fab)
Type the prefix the software uses for the identification of all fabrication
welds.
Weld (Erec)
Type the prefix the software uses for the identification of all erection
welds.
Weld (Offs)
Type the prefix the software uses for the identification of all offshore
welds.
Support Weld Prefix (Fab)
Type the prefix the software uses for the identification of all fabrication
pipe support welds.
Support Weld Prefix (Erec)
Type the prefix the software uses for the identification of all erection
pipe support welds.
Support Weld Prefix (Offs)
Type the prefix the software uses for the identification of all offshore
pipe support welds.
Edit component properties

1. In te Pipeline Explorer, click a component type.
Components are grouped within the Components node
Alternately, you can click a pipe or component in the Detail view to display its properties
in the Properties window.
2. In the Properties window, edit the component properties as needed.
Component Property Data
Property Name
Description
Fly Text
Displays a concise summary of the properties of the object currently

selected. The information displayed differs depending on the type of
object.
Pipes: Bore - SKEY - Item Code - Length, such as 6" PIPE PA5BX
Length 103.8mm (SKEY is always PIPE)
Components: Bore - SKEY - Item Code, such as 4" VBBW
B_Ball_Valve_0
External UCI
Displays the system-generated unique identifier. This information is

read-only and cannot be modified.
External Index
Displays a unique number that is used by ISOGEN to distinguish

components that have identical External UCIs.
Name or Tag
Type a name or identifier for the component.
Category
Select the category - None, Erection, Fabrication, or Offshore. The

category determines where in the Material List the pipe or component is
displayed.
Erection - Defines the component to be placed or constructed in the
field. An erection component also creates a spool break.
Fabrication - Defines the component to be fabricated in a workshop.
Offshore - Defines the component to be placed or constructed in the
field as part of an offshore operation.
181
Property Name
Description
Status
Select the status of the component.

Normal - Pipe with a Normal status have no special status of any kind
applied. They are fully dimensioned on the isometric and are included in
the Material list.
Special - Components with Special status are drawn dotted, are fully
dimensioned on the isometric, and are not included in the Material list.
Continuation - Components with Continuation status are drawn
dotted, are un-dimensioned on the plotted isometric and are not
included on the Material list.
Undimensioned - Applies only to supports. Support is un-dimensioned
but still included in the Material list. The pipe is dimensioned as normal.
Part Number
Specify a part number for use by ISOGEN instead of its automatically

generated one. SmartPlant Isometrics has a part numbering tool that
allows you to use a user-defined part numbering system in the sketch.
Pipe Spec
Displays the primary specification to which the component belongs.
Tracing Spec
Type the Tracing Specification reference.
Insulation Spec
Type the Insulation Specification reference.
Painting Spec
Type the Paining Specification reference.
Misc Spec (1-5)
Type the Miscellaneous Specification reference. You can specify up to

five.
Jack Spec
Type the Jacket Specification reference.
Insulation
Select whether the component is insulated. If you select Yes, the

isometric drawing displays a single dotted line to indicate that the pipe
or component is insulated. If you select No, the pipe or component is
not insulated.
Tracing
Select whether the component is traced. You can choose from the
following:
Off - No tracing shown.
On - Dot/dash format line shows pipe and components traced.
Single - One dot/dash format line shows pipe and components traced.
Double - Two dot/dash format lines show pipe and components traced.
Treble - Three dot/dash format lines show pipe and components traced.
Quadruple - Four dot/dash format lines show pipe and components
traced.
182
Item Description
Type a description for the pipe or component. Overrides the material

description assigned from the specification.
Plant Area
Type an identifier for the area. Typically this property is specified for a
pipe when it is used in conjunction with the Waste property.
Component Remark Number
Type the number that identifies the remark - or user-defined comment that is contained within a remarks file. The remark is plotted on the
isometric drawing
Waste
Type the Basic Wastage Factor to be applied when the software

calculates pipe lengths. Factor is expressed as a percentage. For
example, type 1 for 1%, 1.5 for 1.5%, and so on.
If the property is not set, the software uses 0% by default. Waste is
used in conjunction with the Plant Area property.
Weight
Type the component weight.

Property Name
Description
Weight (1-2)
Type the component weight. This attribute is used in place of Weight for
fabricated tees and crosses that have unequal bores. Weight 1 applies
only to the following components:
Set on cross
Stub cross
Set on tee
Stub tee
Fabricated Y-Piece
Weight 2 applies only to the following components:
Set on cross
Stub cross
Fabricated Y-Piece
BOP Elevation
Defines the Bottom of Pipe elevation. Typically used to provide

additional information for construction.
Flow Direction
Specify the direction of fluid flow for the pipe run.
UCI
Unique component identifier.
Suppress Item Code
Specify whether or not the component displays in the Material List. If

you select False, the software displays the component on the Material
List. If you select True, the item code is suppressed and does not
display on the Material List.
Material List
Specify how the pipe or component is to be handled on the Material list

in the generated isometric drawing.
Include - Includes component item code on Material list only.
Exclude - Excludes the component item code from the ISOGEN Piping
Component File, and subsequently on the Material list on the generated
drawing.
Include with Iso - Shows the item code local to the component on the
isometric and in the Material list on the generated drawing. This option
applies only to inline components only.
Jacket
Specify whether the component is part of a jacketed system.
Component Attribute (1-10)
Type any additional properties for the pipe or component. You can
specify up to ten user-defined properties. You can output user-defined
properties on the Bill of Materials in the isometric drawing. You can also
output component attributes next to the component within the isometric
drawing.
Welding Allowance
The Welding Allowance property is only available for pipes.
Ignored Tube
Specify whether the pipe is ignored; that is, the software neither
considers it in the computation of system dimensions nor displays it in
the final isometric drawing. If you select True, the pipe is ignored; if you
select False, the pipe is not ignored. The Ignored Tube property is only
available for pipes and is typically used to define fitting to fitting
components.
Gasket Class
This property is only available for Gaskets.
Gasket Rating
This property is only available for Gaskets.
Gearbox
Specify the gearbox orientation direction. This property is available only

for Instrument and Valves.
183
184
Property Name
Description
Spindle Direction / Direction
Specify which direction ISOGEN uses when plotting the spindle symbol.
You can choose East, North, Up, West, South, Down. In addition, you
can type a direction string--such as E 35 N--that appears on the
isometric drawing as a message. The Spindle Direction and Direction
properties are only available for Valves.
FlangeCutPlus
Specify the positive cutting allowance required in length units. The

software uses the flange cut allowance when calculating cut pipe length.
The FlangeCutPlus property is only available for Flanges.
FlangeCutMinus
Specify the negative cutting allowance required in length units. The

software uses the flange cut allowance when calculating cut pipe length.
The FlangeCutMinus property is only available for Flanges.
Flange Left Loose
Specify whether the flange is left loose for site fitting. If you select On,
the flange is left loose; if you select Off, it is not. The Flange Left
Loose property is only available for Flanges and is typically used in
conjunction with a field fit weld to add extra length to the pipe.
Support Direction / Direction
The Support Direction and Direction properties are only available for
Supports.
Flat Direction / Direction
Specify the direction the flat of the eccentric reducer is pointing. You can
choose East, North, Up, West, South, Down. In addition, you can type
a direction string--such as E 35 N--that appears on the isometric
drawing as a message. The Flat Direction and Direction properties are
only available for Eccentric Reducers.

Bolt Properties
Property Name
Description
Fly Text
Displays a concise summary of the properties of the bolt currently

selected.
SKEY - Item Code, such as BOLT G_Bolt_0.
External UCI
Displays the system-generated unique identifier. This information is

read-only and cannot be modified.
External Index
Displays a unique number that is used by ISOGEN to distinguish

components that have identical External UCIs.
Bolt Length
Displays the units of dimensions (in or mm) currently used for bolt
length as defined in the .MDB. This property is read-only and cannot be
modified.
Bolt Diameter
Displays the units of dimensions (in or mm) currently used for bolt
diameter as defined in the .MDB. This property is read-only and cannot
be modified.
Quantity
Specify the quantity of bolts.
Bolt Item Description
Type a description for the bolt.
Part Number
Specify a part number for use by ISOGEN instead of its automatically

generated one. SmartPlant Isometrics has a part numbering tool that
allows you to use a user-defined part numbering system in the sketch.
Assembly ID
Identifies the site assembly ID number. Used to assign a number to

bolted assemblies.
Category
Select the category - None, Erection, Fabrication, or Offshore. The

category determines where in the Material list the bolt is displayed. The
default category for bolts is Erection.
Property Name
Material List
Description
Specify how the bolt is to be handled on the Material list in the
generated isometric drawing.
Include - Includes component item code on Material list only.
Exclude - Excludes the component item code from the ISOGEN Piping
Component File, and subsequently on the Material list on the generated
drawing.
Include with Iso - Shows the item code local to the component on the
isometric and in the Material list on the generated drawing. This option
applies only to inline components only.
Weight
Type the bolt weight.
UCI
Unique component identifier.
Auto Generated
Specify whether the software automatically assigns and creates bolt

sets in the model. If you select False, automatic generation is turned
off. If you select True, automatic generation is turned on.
Although most of the properties that display in the Properties window are common to all
components and pipes, some are specific to only certain component types.
185
Move Objects
Components
You can reposition a component without changing its coordinates by moving it along the pipe.
The movement is constrained by the components or fittings that exist on either side of the
component being moved. As such, the actual dimensions of the pipe that runs to and from the
component are not affected by changing position of the component.
Alternatively, you can change both the graphical and the real world position of the component
simultaneously.
Pipeline
You can move pipe to make an entirely different pipeline configuration. For example, you can
move a branch and all connected components to a new location within the sketch instead of
sketching the branch again from scratch. You can also move a section of pipe so that it merges
with another section of pipe to create a single straight.
Another technique is to move - by dragging - the open end of a pipe to lengthen or shorten it.
You can also drag bend elements to increase the available space on a pipe so that you can
place additional components or alter the general configuration of the pipeline.
In short, you can move any pipe that you place in the model providing that it meets the following
rules:
1. Everything you expect to move is selected.
2. The pipes connected to the ends of the selection are parallel.
Thus, using the following illustrations, you can move the selected selections in the direction of
the arrows.
186
Reposition a component (on page 187)

Move a pipeline (on page 188)
Extend or shorten a length of pipe (on page 190)
Reposition a component
When you re-position a component, you can simply change its graphical position within the
pipeline, or you can change both its graphical and real world position within the pipeline. The
former has no impact on pipeline dimensions, whereas the latter requires you to update
previously defined dimensional information.
Change the Graphical Position of a Component
1. Click Select
.
2. Click the component and drag it along the pipeline to its new position.
Change the Graphical and Real World Position of a Component
1. Click Select
.
2. Click the component you want to re-position.
3. While pressing the CTRL key, drag the component along the pipeline.
187

The software displays current dimensional information for the pipeline.
4. After you re-position the component, type the new dimension in the Dimension box and
press Enter.
Move a Pipeline
You can use Move Pipeline
to move a section of pipe and all of its connected elements. For
example, you can use Move Pipeline to merge two separate sections of pipe to form a single
straight. You can also use Move Pipeline to drag skewed pipe.
Example 1
In the following illustration, two pipes are running towards each other. You can use Move
Pipeline to move one section of pipe until the two end points merge together to form one
complete straight.
1. Click Move Pipeline

2. Click the pipe.
188

3. With the mouse button depressed, drag the pipe toward the open end of the other pipeline.
4. Release the mouse button when the two end points merge together.
The cursor appears as
The cursor appears as
when the two points merge together.

when a branch is created.
When you merge two individual pipe lengths to form a single straight length of pipe, the
software recalculates the total dimension based on the total dimension of both sections of pipe.
Consider the following examples:
One section of pipe is dimensioned (2000mm), while the other section of pipe is
undimensioned (0mm). The software calculates the final pipe length to be 2000mm
(2000mm+0mm).
Both sections of pipe are dimensioned--one is 500mm and the other is 2000mm. The
software calculates the final pipe length to be 2500mm (2000+500mm).
Both sections of pipe are undimensioned. After merging the two pipe sections, you must
enter an appropriate dimension.
If the pipes have different bores, the software automatically inserts a reducer (or expander)
to join the two pipe sections.
Example 2
You can use the Move Pipeline command to adjust the 2D representation of skews in the
sketch. Consider the following sketch of a 2D skew:
1. Click Move Pipeline

.
2. With the mouse, drag from the center of the bend at the end of the skew.
189

The resulting sketch resembles the example shown below.
Extend or shorten a length of pipe

You can shorten or extend in the same direction an existing pipe that has at least one open end.
This technique is useful when you need to make new connections, especially if design changes
to the pipeline configuration are necessary.
1. Click an open end of pipe.
2. Drag the end point of the pipe to extend or shorten it as necessary, and then release the
mouse button.
If the pipe bumps up against another open end, the software places a bend element,
reducer, or branch element as appropriate.
Move a pipe branch

Another useful pipe editing technique is the ability to slide a branch and all of its connected
components along the main run of pipe to which it is connected. This is particularly useful when
it is necessary to make room for other components, so that you can increase the amount of pipe
available in order to place additional components.
The implied fittings at each end of the pipe act as natural barriers, preventing
movement beyond that point. In fact, even if no components exist, just an open end of pipe, the
software does not allow you to move the branch beyond the end point of the pipe.
1. Click the tee that connects the branch to the main pipe run.
2. Press ALT and drag the mouse along the pipe run in the appropriate direction.
3. When the branch is repositioned, release ALT.
190
Manage Weld and Part Numbering

As an alternative to allowing Isogen to automatically assign weld and part numbers, SmartPlant
Isometrics provides some features that allow you to manage them directly.
Welds and parts, or components, are numbered in groups with each group having an
information item that indicates the highest number in the group. Weld/Part numbers for specific
items are stored in the Weld Number (REPEAT-WELD-IDENTIFIER) and Part Number
(REPEAT-PART-NUMBER) attributes. The exact grouping of items within the groups depends
on the numbering scheme used. There are several different possible numbering schemes
You can use the Properties window to manually define the Part Number and Weld
Number attributes for a component.
Highest Weld Number and Highest Weld Number

The current version of the software does not allow you to create Highest Weld Number or
Highest Part Number information elements directly in the software. These elements are
necessary to enable ISOGEN to number any unnumbered items, such as implied welds.
Consequently, if you are numbering welds manually, either verify that all welds are numbered
and that drawing generation will not cause any implied welds to be created or use the Assign to
New command to indirectly create a Highest Weld Number item.
Assign weld or part numbers manually (on page 192)

Check for duplicate weld or part numbers (on page 192)
191
Assign weld or part numbers manually

The Tools menu contains a set of similar commands in the Part Numbers and Weld Numbers
sub-menus. To access any of the following commands, click Tools and then open the
appropriate sub-menu.
Clear - Deletes all Weld/Part numbers from the current piping object data (POD) file and sets
the Highest Property Number property to zero. For part numbers, all existing part numbers are
cleared but welds are unaffected. Conversely for welds, all existing weld numbers are cleared
but all other components are unaffected.
Check - Scans the current sketch for duplicate weld or part numbers. For more information,
read Check for duplicate weld or part numbers (on page 192).
Assign to New - Assigns numbers to any unnumbered welds/parts
Assign to All - Assigns new numbers to all welds/parts, overwriting any existing values.
The Assign to New and Assign to All commands display a dialog box in which you can
choose how the welds/parts are numbered. You can number part numbers per sheet or across
the entire POD. You can organize weld numbers into separate groups based on any
combination of the sheet number, weld category, and weld type.
Check for duplicate weld or part numbers

The software provides a feature to check for duplicate weld or part numbers. The software
scans the file and reports any components that have incorrectly duplicated numbers.
Depending on whether you want the software to scan for duplicate part or weld numbers, do
one of the following:
Click Tools > Part Numbers > Check to scan for duplicate part numbers.
Click Tools > Weld Numbers > Check to scan for duplicate weld numbers.
192

After scanning completes, the results of the scan are displayed in the Duplicate Part
Numbers or Duplicate Weld Numbers window (depending on the type of check you
perform. The following illustration shows the results of a check for duplicate part numbers.
If no duplicates are found, the window is empty.

Clicking an item in the Duplicate Weld/Part Numbers window also selects it in the Detail
window.
Because the window does not show new or removed duplicates that result from editing the
weld/part numbers while the window is visible (though the numbers shown will update), we
recommend that you always run the check feature one final time after making edits to ensure
that no new duplicates have been introduced.
193
194
SECTION 13
Custom Symbols for Isometric Drawings

A drawing generated by SmartPlant Isometrics produces standard symbols for all components.
These symbols can be customized to suit your specific project requirements using the
companion product SmartPlant Symbol Editor.
All components generated by ISOGEN are defined by a unique code called a symbol key
(SKEY). The graphical symbols drawn on the isometric are based on these component SKEYs.
To change the shape of the symbol, you must modify its SKEY. ISOGEN has a standard library
of SKEYs, most of which can be redefined. It is also possible to create your own SKEY,
presuming that it is based on an existing standard SKEY.
The symbol editor software provides a convenient way of redefining existing XML-based or
ASCII symbol files and saving the changes to a project XML file. Isometrics can read the
redefined symbol data in the project XML file and display the redefined symbols during the
creation and editing of the piping object data file. Redefined symbols can also be output on
SmartPlant Isometrics-generated drawings, depending on the settings you define on the
Generate Drawings dialog box (on page 207).
In order to retrieve the symbol data stored in the project XML file, SmartPlant Isometrics
must be connected to the same project that was used by the symbol editor software to
redefine the symbol.
Not all symbol shapes can be redefined. This restriction applies mainly to pipe-based fittings
such as elbows, pulled bends, tees, and crosses.
SmartPlant Symbol Editor is installed automatically during a default setup of SmartPlant
Isometrics. If you did not perform a default setup of the software, see Add Individual Tools
After Installing the Core Product in Isometrics Installation Guide, which is accessible using
the Help > Printable Guides command in the software.
195

Understanding SKEYs
All components generated by ISOGEN are defined by a two to four character code called an
SKEY, or symbol key. The first two characters define the type of component, such as globe
valve or concentric reducer, and the last two characters define the end type, such as flanged,
butt welded, or screwed. For example, the SKEY VGFL denotes a flanged (FL) globe valve
(VG). You can specify an appropriate end condition by replacing the ** characters in the SKEY
with one of the set of characters listed in the table below.
SKEY Characters
End Condition
BW
Butt Weld
CP
Compression
SW
Socket Weld
FL
Flanged
SC
Screwed
PL
Plain End
LN
Liner Nut
LC
Liner / Clamp
LR
Reducing Liner / Nut
MP
Male Part
PF
Push Fit
GL
Glued
CL
Clamped
FA
Flared
BS / SB
Ball and Socket (used on fixed length type pipe work)
GF
Gland (used on fixed length type pipe work)
Components such as miter bends and pulled bends can have special characters in the
SKEY to affect its shape, as detailed below.
To denote the number of segments, replace the At sign (@) in the SKEY with an integer
value in the range 1 to 9, inclusive.
To denote the bend radius, replace the Plus sign (+) in the SKEY with an integer value
in the range 1 to 9, inclusive. This is for identification only and is not used for pipe length
calculations.
For more information about the ISOGEN SKEY library, see ISOGEN Symbol Key Definitions
Reference Guide. You can access this document using the Help > Printable Guides command
in the software.
196
Redefine a symbol for isometric drawings

1. Click Start > All Programs > Intergraph Isometrics > Symbol Editor.
The symbol editor software opens.
2. Click File > Select Project.
The Select Project dialog box (on page 55) appears.
3. In the Isometric Directory list, select the isometric directory that contains the project to
connect.
4. Select the required project in the Project List, and then click OK.
5. Right-click a component in the Library Explorer, and select New Symbol from the context
menu. Alternatively, select a component type in the Library Explorer, and click Symbol >
New Symbol.
The New Symbol dialog box appears.
6. Specify the required options for the new symbol.
Use the Original SKEY list to specify the standard symbol on which the new symbol is
to be based.
Select Copy original symbol graphics to make the standard symbol shape available
for editing.
If the symbol to be redefined is a valve or instrument, use the Spindle SKEY list to
specify the required spindle. For example, select the 01SP spindle.
7. Click OK.
8. Modify the symbol as needed.
Use the commands on the Symbol menu to modify the symbol shape or add tapping
points.
Click in the Edit window, and use the commands on the toolbar and the Symbol menu
to draw additional lines for the symbol. Click Undo to correct any mistakes. Right-click
to stop drawing lines.
After you have redefined the symbol, click File > Save to Project
The redefined symbol data is stored in the project XML file. SmartPlant Isometrics can read
this XML file and display the redefined symbol shapes in the pipeline model or output them
on the isometric drawing.
9. Click File > Exit to close the editor.
For more detailed information about using the tools and techniques in this workflow, see
SmartPlant Symbol Editor Users Guide, which is available using the Help > Printable
To display redefined symbols in the pipeline model, you must connect to the same project
as was used to redefine the symbol in SmartPlant Symbol Editor.
To output redefined symbols on the isometric drawing, you must select Use project
symbols on the Generate Drawings dialog box.
197
198
SECTION 14
Generate Isometric Drawings

After the sketch is completed and fully dimensioned, the final stage in creating an isometric is to
generate the drawing using ISOGEN. The following graphic illustrates the various tasks that the
drawing generation process can include:
You can generate your isometrics one drawing at a time, or you can use the batch functionality
delivered with the software to generate multiple drawings simultaneously. After the drawing
generation process finishes, you can view (see "View an isometric drawing" on page 204) and
print (see "Print an isometric drawing" on page 206) the isometric drawing using either the
software associated with the output drawing file type or by using the free drawing viewer
software (Volo View Express) delivered on the SmartPlant Isometrics product CD.
For more information regarding how to install Volo View Express, read the SmartPlant
Isometrics Installation Guide, available with the Help > Printable Guides command in the
software.
199

While the process of creating a drawing is usually trouble-free, occasional problems, such as
disconnected or inconsistent pipelines, can occur. In these instances, depending on the severity
of the problem, the software does one of the following:
Generates the drawing and alerts you of the inconsistency or incidence of disconnected pipe
so that you can take appropriate corrective action.
Fails to complete the drawing generation process altogether until the problem is corrected.
Generate Drawings Dialog Box (on page 207)

Define drawing output format (on page 200)

Generate an isometric drawing (on page 202)
View an isometric drawing (on page 204)
Print an isometric drawing (on page 206)
View a drawing message file (on page 206)
Define drawing output format

By default, SmartPlant Isometrics creates drawings in DXF (AutoCAD) format. You can,
however, use I-Configure to define your project settings so that you can create other drawing
output formats, such as DWG (AutoCAD), DGN (MicroStation), SHA (Shape2D), and IGR
(SmartSketch).
1. Open I-Configure.
2. In the Project View Panel, locate your project.
200

3. Select the Style whose drawing output format you want to change. In the following example,
Check is selected.
4. In the Overview panel, expand the Drawing node and select the OutputFormat property.
201

5. In the Properties panel, double-click the Value cell for OutputFormat, and then select the
drawing output format from the list.
For other supported drawing output file formats, the software associated with
that file type must be installed.
DGN - MicroStation SE, MicroSation J, or MicroStation 8.0
IGR - SmartSketch 2007 or later
SHA - SmartPlant 3D 2008 or later
6. Click Save
.
7. Click File > Exit.
Repeat steps 3-6 to change the drawing output format for other styles in your project.
Generate an isometric drawing

You initiate the drawing generation process in one of two ways:
1. Click Generate Drawings
to generate a single drawing.
2. Click File > Batch Generate Drawings to generate multiple drawings simultaneously.
202

During the drawing generation process, ISOGEN automatically lays out the drawing, computes
and displays all dimensions, annotations and material take off. The exact form of the drawing,
however, is controlled by the project to which you are currently connected and the isometric
style and other options that you select in the Generate Drawings dialog box.
By default, SmartPlant Isometrics creates drawings in DXF (AutoCAD) format; however, you
can create other drawing output formats such as DGN (MicroStation), DWG (AutoCAD), .HA
(Shape2D), and IGR (SmartSketch). The drawing output format for the isometric drawings
you generate is determined by the project settings you define in I-Configure. For more
information, see Define drawing output format (on page 200).
If any errors are detected during the drawing generation process, such as inconsistent or
disconnected pipelines, the software generates the drawing and displays a message
prompting you to review the drawings carefully.
Generate a single isometric drawing

1. Click Generate Drawings
on the Standard toolbar.
Alternately, you can also click File > Generate Drawings, press CTRL+G, or right-click
in the Detail Window and click Generate Drawings.
2. In the Generate Drawings dialog box, specify the settings for Isometric style, Output
units and North arrow as needed.
3. Click OK to generate the isometric drawing.
After ISOGEN has run successfully, the software displays the Drawing Generated dialog
box.
To view the isometric drawing click View Drawing.

To view the log file the software created during drawing generation, click View Messages.
You can also generate an isometric drawing from the command line. For more information,
see Command Line Options (on page 18).
Generate multiple isometric drawings simultaneously

1. Click File > Batch Generate Drawings.
2. In the Open dialog box, select the files for which you want to generate an isometric drawing
and click Open.
3. In the Generate Drawings dialog box, specify the settings for Isometric style, Output
units and North arrow as needed.
4. Click OK to generate the isometric drawing.
After ISOGEN has run successfully, the software displays the Drawing Generated dialog
box.
To view the isometric drawing click View Drawing.

To view the log file the software created during drawing generation, click View Messages.
You can also generate multiple isometric drawings from the command line. For more
information, see Command Line Options (on page 18).
203
Generate an isometric drawing using the command line

You can generate an isometric drawing from the command line using the following syntax:
<path>SmartPlantIsometrics.exe <full path location and filename of POD
file> -generate <name of drawing style>
1. Click Start > Run.
2. In the Run dialog box, type the required command line parameters. For example, you can
type
"C:\Program Files\SmartPlant\Isometrics\SmartPlantIsometrics.exe"
C:\SampleIsoDir\SPITutorial\Pipes\Isometric1.POD -generate check
3. Click Open.
After the drawing generation process completes successfully, the software opens.
To generate an isometric drawing without opening the software, use the -silent
parameter as shown in the following example:
"C:\Program Files\SmartPlant\Isometrics\SmartPlantIsometrics.exe"
C:\SampleIsoDir\SPITutorial\Pipes\Isometric1.POD -silent -generate
check
4. To view the isometric drawing, use Windows Explorer to navigate to the appropriate folder
location and double-click the isometric drawing filename.
The software automatically saves the isometric drawing in the Drawings folder that
corresponds to the isometric style you specified in the Run dialog box, For example, if
you specified Check, the software saves the isometric drawing in the
C:\SampleIsoDir\SPITutorial\Check\Drawings folder.
As with the isometric drawings that you generate using the Generate Drawings
command within the software, you can use AutoDesk Volo View Express as your default
drawing viewer tool. For information about using Volo View Express to view isometric
drawings, see View an isometric drawing (on page 204).
5. To view the drawing message file, use Windows Explorer to navigate to the appropriate
folder location and double-click the drawing message filename.
The software opens a default text editor, such as Notepad, and displays the message file.
By default, the software saves the message file in the Messages folder that
corresponds to the isometric style you specified in the Run dialog box. For example, if you
specified Check, the software saves the drawing message in the
C:\SampleIsoDir\SPITutorial\Check\Messages folder.
204
View an isometric drawing

If you do not have access to a 2D CAD system, such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, or
SmartSketch, you can install Volo View Express on any SmartPlant Isometrics workstation
computer and use the software to view and print DXF and DWG drawings. This freeware
software is delivered on the SmartPlant Isometrics product DVD. For information about installing
Volo View Express, read the SmartPlant Isometrics Installation Guide, available with the Help >
Printable Guides command in the software.
Volo View Express only supports the creation and viewing of drawing output in DXF
and DWG file formats. For other supported drawing output file formats, the software associated
with that file type must be installed.
Drawing output file format
Required software
DGN
MicroStation SE, MicroStation J, or MicroStation 8.0
IGR
SmartSketch 4.0 or later
SHA
SmartPlant 3D 2008 or later
1. In the Drawing Generated dialog box, click View Drawing to display the isometric drawing
in the Volo View Express drawing viewer window.
205
If the Drawing Generated dialog box is not displayed, click View > Last Drawing.
To view the isometric drawing created during command line processing for drawing
generation, see Generate an isometric drawing using the command line (on page 203).
2. Use the view commands available on the Standard toolbar and on the View menu to
navigate the view of the isometric drawing.
Pan - Moves the drawing display with cursor movement.
Zoom In/Out - Zooms with cursor movement
Zoom Window - Zooms to an area specified by a rectangle
Zoom All - Magnifies the drawing display to its extents.
Zoom Previous - Zooms to display the previous view.
Orbit - Rotates a three-dimensional view of the drawing in the direction you drag the cursor.
Print an isometric drawing

The following procedure presumes that you are using Volo View Express as your
drawing viewer software. If you are using something other than Volo View Express, refer to the
software documentation for that product for printing instructions.
1. In the Drawing Generated dialog box, click View Drawing to display the isometric drawing
in the Volo View Express drawing viewer window.
2. Click File > Print.
3. Click File > Exit.
View a drawing message file

During the drawing generation process, the software creates a message (or log) file and saves it
as a simple text file. In instances where the software reports a problem with the generated
drawing, reviewing this log file provides information regarding possible causes.
To access the message file, click View Messages in the Drawing Generated dialog box which
reports the success or failure of the drawing generation process.
206
To view the drawing message file created during command line processing for drawing
generation, see Generate an isometric drawing using the command line (on page 203).

The software uses a default text editor, such as Notepad, to display the message file.
By default, the software saves a message file in the Messages folder that corresponds to
the isometric style you specified on the Generate Drawings dialog box. Using the following
illustration as an example, if you selected Check as the isometric style, the software saves the
drawing message in C:\SampleIsoDir\SPITutorial\Check\Messages folder.
Generate Drawings Dialog Box

Isometric directory - Displays the folder location containing the project to which you are
currently connected. This information is read-only.
Project - Displays the name of the project containing all configuration and isometric styles. This
information is read-only.
Isometric style - Select the isometric style the software will use to generate the drawing. The
style determines the ISOGEN settings, controls and drawing sheets that produce the isometric
drawing in a particular format. Only those styles that are available in the current project display
in the list.
Output units - Select the dimensional units displayed in the isometric drawing. By default,
ISOGEN creates the drawing with the same dimensional units used in the sketch; however, you
can select (on-the-fly) alternative output units. The output units you select only affect the output
drawing; they do not change the SmartPlant Isometrics project setting.
North arrow - Select the North Arrow orientation in the isometric drawing. By default, ISOGEN
creates a drawing with the same North Arrow orientation used in the sketch; however, you can
select (on-the-fly) an alternative orientation--either TOP LEFT, TOP RIGHT, BOTTOM LEFT or
BOTTOM RIGHT. The view point you select only affects the output drawing; it does not change
the SmartPlant Isometrics project setting.
Output Item Code Set - Lists the text map identifiers that are available in the specification. By
default, the software displays the default text map as defined in SmartPlant Material Editor. If no
alternate text maps exist in the specification, the Output Item Code Set option is unavailable.
Alternate text maps provide alternative item codes for the materials in the specification.
The software uses the default text map to populate the Materials List output in the isometric
drawing.
Generate Pipeline Isometrics - Forces ISOGEN to produce an isometric for each pipeline in
the system rather than a whole system isometric. This option is only available for systems.
Use project symbols - Generates the isometric drawing using any custom symbols that have
been redefined in SmartPlant Symbol Editor. For more information about using custom symbols,
see Custom Symbols for Isometric Drawings (on page 195).
207
208
SECTION 15
SmartPlant Integration
SmartPlant integration standardizes and improves the communication among the various
authoring tools you use in the course of designing, constructing, and operating a plant.
SmartPlant Foundation acts as a central repository for data and a medium through which
information is shared among other authoring tools. SmartPlant Isometrics participates in an
integrated environment by allowing you to publish the materials data you create in the software.
After you publish this data, other authoring tools can then retrieve it, which enables sharing and
re-use of model data throughout the plant lifecycle.
The commands that provide access to SmartPlant integration functionality exist on the
SmartPlant menu.
SmartPlant Registration Wizard (on page 213)

Configure the software for integration (on page 209)

Register the project with a SmartPlant Foundation Plant (on page 209)
Install the POD domain configuration file (on page 210)
Publish BOM piping data (on page 211)
Configuring the software to work in an integrated environment provides a platform for data
exchange, sharing, and integration across various software tools, enabling concurrent use and
rapid communication among all SmartPlant Isometrics project participants. Critical information is
stored only once in a data-neutral warehouse, eliminating duplication and ensuring that timely,
accurate data is always available.
To enable the software to work in an integrated environment, you must do the following:
Verify the installation of all the software prerequisites. For more information, refer to the
SmartPlant Isometrics Installation Guide.
Install SmartPlant Schema Component and the SmartPlant Client, both of which are
delivered with SmartPlant Foundation. For more information about installing these products,
refer to the SmartPlant Foundation Installation Guide.
Use I-Configure to register the project with SmartPlant Foundation.
209
Register the project with a SmartPlant Foundation

Plant
You must first configure the software to work in an integrated environment by
installing the Schema Component and the SmartPlant Client, which are both delivered with
SmartPlant Foundation, on your SmartPlant Isometrics workstation. For more information, see
the Integration Setup Guide, delivered on the SmartPlant Foundation product DVD.
A project must be registered before you can connect to the integrated environment to publish
materials data. To register an isometric project with a SmartPlant Foundation plant, you use the
SmartPlant Registration Wizard in I-Configure to define integration-specific project defaults.
If did not install I-Configure when you initially installed SmartPlant Isometrics, you must
do so using the Custom setup. For more information, see the SmartPlant Isometrics Installation
Guide, available with the Help > Printable Guides command in the software.
1. Click Start > All Programs > Intergraph SmartPlant Isometrics > I-Configure.
2. In the Project Panel, select the name of the project you want to register.
3. Click Edit > Project Defaults.
4. Scroll down to SmartPlant Foundation URL in the Application list, and click
Value cell to open the SmartPlant Registration Wizard.
in the
You can also click

in the Value cell for SmartPlant Foundation Plant or
SmartPlant Foundation Signature to open the SmartPlant Foundation Wizard.
The SmartPlant Registration Wizard opens.
5. On the SmartPlant Foundation URL page of the SmartPlant Registration Wizard, type
the node name and virtual directory of the SmartPlant Foundation database with which you
want to register. Use the following format: http://SPFServer/VirtualDirectory.
6. On the SmartPlant Foundation Plant page of the SmartPlant Registration Wizard, select
the plant in the Plant name list with which you want to register and click Finish.
7. Click OK.
The three SmartPlant Integration project defaults are updated with the defined values. An
example is shown below.
8. Click File > Exit to close I-Configure.

In an integrated environment, the term "plant" is synonymous with the top level of the
PBS hierarchy.
210
Install the POD domain configuration file

After you register with SmartPlant Foundation plant, you must use the SmartPlant Foundation
Desktop Client Loader to install a POD domain configuration XML file
(PODPublishedDomain.xml) on the Integration server before you can publish any materials
data.
The following procedure must be performed on the SmartPlant Foundation Server and is
necessary only if you are attempting to publish to SmartPlant Foundation 2008.1 (version 4.2
with Service Pack 1).
1. Click Start > All Programs > Intergraph SmartPlant Foundation > Desktop Client.
2. Click File > Loader.
3. In the Desktop Client Loader dialog box, click
domain configuration XML file.
and navigate to and select the POD
During a default setup of SmartPlant Isometrics, the XML file is delivered to C:\Program
Files\SmartPlant\Isometrics.
4. Click Process. If processing is successful, the configuration XML displays in the Processed
load files list.
5. Click Close and then click File > Exit.
Publish BOM piping data

You can publish BOM piping data directly to SmartPlant Foundation. The first stage of the
publish operation involves generating an isometric drawing. Publish supports the following
output drawing formats:
Shape2d (SHA)
Smart DGN (DGN)
Smart DGN v8 (DG8)
Smart DWG (DWG)
SmartSketch (IGR)
Drawing output format is configured in I-Configure.
After drawing generation competes, each pipeline in the piping data file--including its collection
of components--is published as a pipeline object. This piping data can them be retrieved by
other authoring tools, such as SmartPlant Materials.
Before you can successfully publish data, you must install the POD domain
configuration XML file (PODPublishedDomain.xml) on the SmartPlant Foundation server. For
more information, read Install the POD Domain Configuration File (on page 210).
1. Open a piping object data (POD) file or create a new one.
2. Click SmartPlant > Publish.
The SmartPlant menu is enabled only if you have registered the active project.
For more information, read Register the project with a SmartPlant Foundation Plant (on
page 209).
3. Click OK in the Generate Drawings dialog box.
4. After drawing generation completes, click Close on the Drawing Generated dialog box.
If you want to review the isometric drawing using your default drawing viewer
software, you can click View Drawing before closing the dialog box.
211
5. Click Yes in the Publish to SmartPlant Foundation message box.
If the drawing output format is something other than what the publish operation
supports, the message box is not displayed and the publishing stops.
6. Login to SmartPlant Foundation and click OK.
If the POD domain configuration XML file is not installed on the SmartPlant
Foundation server, the following error message displays in the Errors window:
Reason: EFSClient failed Error:Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
(SPFServerModuleTEF:SPFTEFPublishInstruction:CreatePublishedDocumentMaster)
7. In the Publish dialog box, select a Revision scheme and click OK.
If the publish is successful, the software displays an informational message.
After a successful publish, the software creates an attribute set called SPEnterprise
Attributes on the SmartPlant Isometrics piping data. This attribute set contains properties for
the plant name, server name, and piping data and file unique identifiers. These attributes are
used for subsequent Publish commands. After the attribute set is created and populated,
the piping data is automatically saved to store the information.
During the publish process, the software uses attribute set data to verify whether or not the
piping data has been previously published. If it has, the software checks the plant and server
to which the data was previously published against the current isometric project. If they do
not match, the software displays a warning message advising that the piping data was
previously published to a different plant and that if the data is published to the new plant it
will be disassociated from the original plant.
See Also
Configure the Software for Integration (on page 209)
Define Drawing Output Format (on page 200)
Generate an Isometric Drawing (on page 202)
212
SmartPlant Registration Wizard

SmartPlant Foundation URL Page
SmartPlant Foundation URL - Specifies the node name and virtual directory of the SmartPlant
Foundation database with which you want to register your isometric project. Use the following
format: http://SPFServer/VirtualDirectory.
Browse - Displays a list of available nodes. After selecting the node name, you must add the
name of the virtual directory to the end of the path.
Next - Opens the next page in the wizard: SmartPlant Foundation Plant.
SmartPlant Foundation Plant Page

Plant name - Specifies the SmartPlant Foundation plant with which you want to associate your
isometric project. This list reflects the SmartPlant Foundation plants available at the URL you
specified on the previous wizard page.
213
214
SECTION 16
Attach External Data

Get External Data (GED) functionality is built into both SmartPlant Spoolgen and SmartPlant
Isometrics. Get External Data solutions can be very simple, or they can be extremely complex,
involving many database interactions. The instructions are contained in a text configuration file,
which follows the rules of XML. The basic purpose is to use data contained in spreadsheets or
databases to set attributes/properties of pipelines and components in Piping Object Data (POD)
files. To illustrate, the following line list in Excel format contains a range of data that you would
like to output on the isometric drawing:
LINE-REF
PROJECT
AREA
PID FROM
PID TO
PAINT CODE
SG-T1
RM100
DISTILLATION
300-020
300-033
P12
SG-T2
RM100
DISTILLATION
300-021
300-034
P15
SG-T3
RM100
COOLING WATER
300-022
300-035
P20
SG-T3
RM100
DISTILLATION
300-023
300-036
P25
You can use the Get External Data function to do the following:
Establish a connection to the external data source, which can be a spreadsheet or a
database.
Specify how to link the information in the external data source to the POD file. Using the
previous example, you can use the PIPELINE-REFERENCE attribute in the POD file to find
the row in the spreadsheet that you want to use, which is the row in which the LINE-REF
column contains a matching value.
Specify how to map the data in the spreadsheet to the attributes in the POD file. In the
previous example, you can map the PROJECT column in the spreadsheet to the
PROJECT-IDENTIFIER attribute in the POD file.
After you have populated the attributes, standard ISOGEN features can be used to plot the
values on the drawings or output them to a report.
Configure the Get External Data configuration file (on page 216)
Define an external data source (on page 220)
Run the Get External Data command (on page 223)
View the Get External Data log files (on page 224)
215
Configure the Get External Data configuration file

The Get External Data configuration file follows a basic XML file structure. In XML terminology,
data is organized into a series of elements. An element is a series of text and child elements,
with each element being delineated by start and end tags enclosed in angle brackets (<>).
The following illustration shows the six elements that make up the Get External Data
configuration file:
Each element that makes up the configuration file performs a specific function as outlined in the
following table. For more information about these elements, including their basic syntax, see
Appendix: Get External Data Configuration File (on page 225).
216
1 - ROOT Element
Provides data regarding version and diagnostic level.
2 - PIPELINE Element
Contains instructions for populating attributes at the Pipeline level in

the POD file. A POD file can contain one or more pipelines.
Instructions in the PIPELINE element are processed once for each
pipeline in the POD file.
3 - COMPONENT
Element
Contains instructions for populating attributes at the Component

(and optionally Material) level in the POD file. A POD file can contain
one or more pipelines, each of which contains a set of components
(typically, tangible items such as flanges, valves and gaskets).
Instructions in the COMPONENT element are processed once for
each component in each pipeline in the POD file.

4 - INFORMATION
Element
Contains instructions for populating attributes at the Information Item

(messages and other annotations) level in the POD file. Pipelines in
a POD file can contain many Information Items. Instructions in the
INFORMATION element are processed once for each information
item in the POD file.
5 - MATERIAL Element
Contains instructions for populating attributes at the Material level in

the POD file. Pipelines in a POD file can contain many materials.
Instructions in the MATERIAL element are processed once for each
material in the POD file.
6 - JOINT Element
Contains instructions for populating attributes at the Component

and/or Material level in the POD file. The components are those
which form part of a joint in the pipeline. For example, a bolted
connection between two flanged components, including a gasket,
forms a single joint.
Configuring the Get External Data configuration file involves defining specific instructions for
each of the elements that are pertinent to your Get External Data solution and then defining how
you want to map the data in the external data source to the attributes in the current POD file. For
example, you can define mapping for only specific components, or you can create filters so that
certain components are excluded from the Get External Data solution.
To help you get started using the Get External Data function, a sample external data
source file, GetExternalData.xls, and a sample XML configuration file, GetExternalData.xml, are
delivered with the software. By default, both files are delivered to [Install
Drive]:\SampleIsoDir\S5Tutorial\Data\Get External Data.
217
How Mapping Works

The following example uses sample data that is delivered with SmartPlant Spoolgen to
illustrate the relationship between the Get External Data configuration file, the source external
data, and the current POD file.
In the following illustration, the pipeline attribute information for the currently opened POD file
(SG-T1.POD) is displayed in the Pipeline Explorer:
To demonstrate how mapping works, review the following range of data from the Pipelines tab
of the GetExternalData.xls file:
218

To import the spreadsheet data into SG-T1.POD, you must configure the PIPELINE element
section of the Get External Data configuration file to define the following:
The path to the external data source.
A SQL statement that defines the query.
A one-to-one mapping of the data in the spreadsheet to the appropriate pipeline attributes in
the POD file.
The resulting PIPELINE element section of the XML configuration file should look similar to the
following example:
1 - <XLS> Tag
Defines the path to the source external data. In the previous example, the sample
GetExternalData.xls file delivered with the software is defined as the external data source.
2 - <SQL> Tag
Defines the query that the software performs when you execute the Get External Data function.
In the example given, the SQL query instructs the software to look for a value in the LINE-REF
column (Pipelines tab) of the external data source that matches the PIPELINE-REFERENCE
attribute value in the current POD file (SG-T1.POD). When the software runs the query, it finds
that the value in cell A2 of the LINE-REF column (SG-T1) matches the PIPELINE-REFERENCE
in the POD file (also SG-T1). The software then applies the pipeline attributes as defined in the
<EXTERNAL-MAP> tags.
3 - <EXTERNAL-MAP> Tag
Specifies how you want the software to map the data in the spreadsheet to the attributes in the
POD file. As shown in the example XML configuration file, Name is the POD attribute to be
populated, and ExternalName is the field name in the external data source that contains the
value. The pipeline attributes in the POD file are mapped as shown in the table below:
Pipeline Attribute
Name
Original Value as Shown in Pipeline

Explorer
New Attribute Value as Mapped to External Data

Source
PROJECT-IDENTIFIER P-500
RM100
AREA
AR-1
Distillation
PIPELINE-TEMP
Undefined
100
PAINTING-SPEC
PNT-1
P-12
MISC-SPEC1
Undefined
300-020
MISC-SPEC2
Undefined
300-033
219

When you execute the Get External Data function, the software updates the attribute values as
defined in the XML configuration file and displays the changes under the Attributes node in the
Pipeline Explorer.
The structure of the remaining tags is largely identical to the <PIPELINE> tag. However,
there is an optional <FILTER> tag, which defines a supplementary filter to be applied at each
component. The FILTER statement is always used in conjunction with the SQL element and
serves to refine the results of evaluating the SQL expression. For more detailed information
about defining a FILTER tag, as well as detailed information about the elements that make up
the XML configuration file, see Appendix: Get External Data Configuration File (on page 225).
220
Define an external data source

The Get External Data function supports a large range of different external data sources through
the use of the DSN (data source name) and UDL (universal data link) options. You can use any
data source with an OLEDB or ODBC driver, which includes all commercially available database
systems, from SQL Server and Oracle to MySQL and DB2. The basic requirement is that data is
held in tables and can be accessed using SQL statements.
One of the most common data sources, however, is an Excel spreadsheet. Because a
spreadsheet is not a true database, there are special considerations when using Excel
spreadsheets as a data source.
Data must be contiguousno blank rows or columns.
There must be a single header row, containing field names.
Field names must be alpha- numeric.
Each table must be given a user-defined name (for use in SQL statements).
If a column contains a mixture of numbers and strings, the values returned by SQL
statements can be unexpected. This is because the first few rows of data are used to
determine the contents of the column. For example, if the first 10 rows contain numbers, the
whole column is treated as if it contains numbers, and strings may be returned as zero, or
blank as a result.
Create a data source using DSN

In the following example, an external link has been set up to the sample spreadsheet
(GetExternalData.xls) delivered with the Tutorial project.
For information about creating the Tutorial project to access the sample data, see Tutorial
Project in the SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide.
1. In the Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Data
Sources (ODBC).
2. On the User DSN tab of the ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog box, click Excel
files in the User Data Sources list, and then click Add.
The type of data that is linked depends on the ODBC database drivers currently
installed on the computer. Drivers for Access, Excel, SQL Server and Oracle databases are
commonly available.
221

3. Click Microsoft Excel Driver (.xls) on the Create New Data Source page, and then click
Finish.
4. In the ODBC Microsoft Excel Setup dialog box, type a name for the external data source in
the Data Source Name box. For example, type Project1.
5. Click Select Workbook. Navigate to GetExternalData.xls, and then click OK.
When you create the Tutorial project, the sample GetExternalData.xls file is
delivered to[Install Drive]:\SampleIsoDir\SPITutorial\\Data\Get External Data.
6. Click OK in the ODBC Microsoft Excel Setup dialog box.
222

The new data source appears in the User Data Sources list.
Create a UDL file

1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. Navigate to the folder in which you want to store the .udl file.
3. Click File > New > Text Document.
A new file named New Text Document.txt appears in the folder.
4. Rename this file, removing all spaces and changing its file extension to .udl.
Disregard the warning that changing file extensions can cause files to become unusable.
Configure a UDL file

1. Double-click the UDL file.
2. On the Provider tab of the Data Link Properties dialog box, select a database provider.
3. On the Connection tab, do one of the following:
Select the data source name (DSN) of an available provider.
Type a custom connection string. Valid DSNs for providers that are pre-defined on your
system are displayed in the Use Data Source list.
4. On the Advanced tab, view and set other initialization properties for your data.
5. On the All tab, review and edit all OLE DB initialization properties available for your OLE DB
provider.
6. Click OK to save the connection string to the UDL file.
223
Run the Get External Data command

Use SmartPlant Isometrics to control the point at which Get External Data is executed. In
SmartPlant Isometrics, you can execute the Get External Data function in the following three
ways. You can use these methods individually or in combination on a project, with each using a
different configuration file.
Regardless of the method you use, use SmartPlant Isometrics to define the
required project defaults prior to executing the Get External Data function. For more information
about using SmartPlant Isometrics to define project defaults, see the online documentation
available with Help > SmartPlant Isometrics in the software.
Run the Get External Data Function on Import

After the intermediate data file (IDF) or piping component file (PCF) has been converted to POD
format, and before the resulting POD is opened in the application, perform the steps below.:
1. Open SmartPlant Isometrics, and then define the following project defaults:
GED Configuration (Import) - Define the full path location and file name of the
configuration file.
External Data on Import - True
2. Click Project > Import.
Run the Get External Data Function Interactively

GED Configuration (Interactive) - Define the full path location and file name of the
configuration file.
2. Click Tools > Get External Data.
Run the Get External Data function on Generate

GED Configuration (Generate) - Define the full path location and file name of the
configuration file.
External Data on Generate - True
2. Click Tools > Generate Drawings.
View the Get External Data log files

The software writes the results of the get external data process to a log file. Depending on the
method you use to get external data, you can view the log file by doing one of the following:
To view the log file created during import of a pipeline when the Get External Data function
is executed on import, click View > Log Files > Get External Data.
To view the log file created by the execution of Get External Data just prior to drawing
generation, click View > Log Files > Get External Data on Generate.
224
APPENDIX A
Appendix: Get External Data

Configuration File
The Get External Data configuration file follows a basic XML file structure. In XML terminology,
data is organized into a series of elements. An element is a series of text and child elements,
with each element being delineated by start and end tags enclosed in angle brackets (<>).
The following illustration shows the six elements that make up the configuration file:
Each element that makes up the configuration file performs a specific function as detailed below:
225
Appendix: Get External Data Configuration File

1 - ROOT Element
Provides data regarding version and diagnostic level.
Basic Syntax
<EXTERNAL-DATA Version="POD3" DiagnosticLevel="1">

</EXTERNAL-DATA>
Version="POD3" is mandatory.
DiagnosticLevel:
0 Only critical errors are reported in the POD file.
1 Errors plus confirmation of attributes being successfully set.
2 Verbose output, showing full diagnostics.
2 - PIPELINE Element
Contains instructions for populating attributes at the pipeline level in the POD file. A POD file
can contain one or more pipelines. Instructions in the PIPELINE element are processed once for
each pipeline in the POD file.
Basic Syntax
<PIPELINE>

<DSN|UDL|MDB|XLS|CSV/>
<FORMATS/>
<EXECUTE>
<SQL ../>
<EXTERNAL-MAP ... />
</EXECUTE>
</PIPELINE>
226

3 - COMPONENT Element
Contains instructions for populating attributes at the Component (and, optionally, Material) level
in the POD file. A POD file can contain one or more pipelines, each of which contains a set of
components (typically, tangible items such as flanges, valves and gaskets). Instructions in the
COMPONENT element are processed once for each component in each pipeline in the POD
file.
Basic Syntax
<COMPONENT>

<FORMATS/>
<EXECUTE>
<SQL>
</SQL>
<FILTER/>


<PIPELINE>
<EXTERNAL-MAP />
</PIPELINE>
<MATERIAL>
<EXTERNAL-MAP />
</MATERIAL>
</EXECUTE>
</COMPONENT>
Use <PIPELINE> tags inside the COMPONENT element to set pipeline properties
from the Component level. This feature allows you to do such things as find maximum and
minimum values on a pipeline, keep running totals of a property such as InlineLength, or keep
a count of component types.
<COMPONENT>
<SQL> .... </SQL>
<PIPELINE>
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="TRACING-SPEC" ExternalName="TracingType" />
</PIPELINE>
<COMPONENT>
You can use the same syntax to set the properties of the component material and override the
ItemCode or Description attribute.
227

4 - INFORMATION Element
Contains instructions for populating attributes at the Information Item (messages and other
annotations) level in the POD file. Pipelines in a POD file can contain many Information Items.
Instructions in the INFORMATION element are processed once for each information item in the
POD file.
Basic Syntax
<INFORMATION>

<FORMATS/>
<EXECUTE>
<SQL>
</SQL>
<FILTER/>


</EXECUTE>
</INFORMATION>
5 - MATERIAL Element
Contains instructions for populating attributes at the Material level in the POD file. Pipelines in a
POD file can contain many materials. Instructions in the MATERIAL element are processed
once for each material in the POD file.
Basic Syntax
<MATERIAL>

<FORMATS/>
<EXECUTE>
<SQL>
</SQL>
<FILTER/>


</EXECUTE>
</MATERIAL>
228

6 - JOINT Element
Contains instructions for populating attributes at the Component and/or Material level in the
POD file. The components are those which form part of a joint in a pipeline. For example, a
bolted connection between two flanged components, including a gasket, forms a single joint.
The JOINT element has special syntax to refer to the components that form part of the joint
C0, C1 and C2.
C0 is the connector component, such as the gasket or weld. C1 and C2 are the two
connected components, such as the flanges, the pipe and olet.
Basic Syntax
<JOINT Type="Joint Type">

<FORMATS/>
<EXECUTE>
<SQL>
</SQL>
<FILTER> 
<C0>
</C0>
<C1>
</C1>
<C2>
</C2>
</EXECUTE>
</JOINT>
The C0, C1 and C2 component elements in the previous example can contain a
MATERIAL statement (on page 235), allowing an EXTERNAL-MAP statement (on page 231) to
refer to the material properties of the component. In the following two examples, Example 1 sets
properties of the C0 component itself, and Example 2 sets properties of the material assigned to
the C0 component. Both examples are valid
Example 1:
<C0>
<EXTERNAL-MAP . />
</C0>
229

Example 2:
<C0>
<MATERIAL>
<EXTERNAL-MAP . />
</MATERIAL>
</C0>
The JOINT element also has special syntax that allows the selection of a particular type of joint
using the Type = "Joint Type" syntax, as shown in the above Basic Syntax example.
Joint Type String
Defined By
Connector (C0)
Welded
Weld connected to a non-weld. No multiple welds at same

point generate one connection per weld.
Weld
Flanged
Flange connected to gasket or flange connected to flange

(no gasket).
Gasket (optional)
Wafer
Wafer component (XW) between two flanges or two flange

/ gaskets .
Gasket (optional)
Screwed
Screwed to Screwed or Screwed to Pipe
Empty
Compression
Compression/Compression or Compression/Pipe
Empty
Clamped
Clamped/Clamped or Clamped/Pipe
Clamp
Glued
Glued/Glued or Glued/Pipe
Empty
PushFit
Pushfit/Pushfit or Pushfit/Pipe
Empty
BallAndSocket
Ball and Socket/Ball and Socket or Ball and Socket/Pipe
Empty
Flared
Flared/Flared or Flared/Pipe
Empty
Lap Joint
Clamped/Clamped or Clamped/Pipe
Empty
Hygienic
LN-/LC-/LR-/ MP = one of group or XP
Empty
PulledBend
PulledBend component
PulledBend
Unknown
Any unrecognized connection
Empty
Within each element is a series of statements. These statements contain specific processing
instructions.
EXTERNAL-DATA Statement (on page 231)
EXTERNAL-MAP Statement (on page 231)
EXECUTE Statement (on page 231)
FILTER Statement (on page 232)
FORMATS Statement (on page 234)
MATERIAL Statement (on page 235)
SET-ADDITIONAL-MATERIAL Statement (on page 235)
SET-INFORMATION-ELEMENT Statement (on page 236)
SQL Statement (on page 236)
As you use these statements to define processing instructions for each of the elements in the
configuration file, you can include macros. A macro is a string that is substituted with a value
taken from the current POD file when the Get External Data function is executed. A macro starts
and ends with a dollar sign ( $ ) character. For more information about the macros you can use
in the Get External Data solution, see Get External Data Macros (on page 237).
230
EXTERNAL-DATA statement
Basic Syntax:
<DSN> name of data source set up through Control Panel </DSN>
<MDB> path to Microsoft Access database </MDB>
<XLS> path to Microsoft Excel spreadsheet </XLS>
<UDL> path to Universal Data Link file </UDL>
<CSV> path to folder containing one or more comma delimited files </CSV>
You can use any of the aforementioned elements to establish a connection to the external data
source. The DSN and UDL methods allow connection to any database supporting a OLE DB
connection, such as SQL Server and ORACLE, and several others.
To use DSN in Windows XP or Vista, create a data source using Control Panel >
Administrative Tools > Data Sources (ODBC). The DSN statement must contain the name of
the data source that you create. To use a <UDL> statement, you must create and configure a
Universal Data Link file. For more information, see Define an External Data Source (on page
220).
The XLS and MDB statements are the simplest to set up. All that is required is a valid path to
the database or spreadsheet file, as shown in the following examples:
<XLS>C:\SampleIsoDir\SPITutorial\Data\Get External
Data\GetExternalData.xls </XLS>
<MDB>C:\SampleIsoDir\SPITutorial\Data\Get External
Data\GetExternalData.mdb </MDB>
The CSV statement treats a folder containing one or more comma delimited files as a database,
with the individual .csv files forming the tables within the database, as shown in the following
example:
<CSV> C:\SampleIsoDir\SPITutorial\Data\Get External Data\ </CSV>
EXTERNAL-MAP statement
Basic Syntax:
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name='Attribute' ExternalName='Field' Value=Constant/
>
The EXTERNAL-MAP statement contains the mapping between the external data source and
the item in the POD file.
Name Identifies the name of the attribute to be set.
ExternalName Specifies the field in the external data containing the value to be copied.
Value - Defines a constant value to be assigned to the attribute. The Value entry is ignored if an
ExternalName entry is included.
In the following example, the contents of the Schedule field are copied to
COMPONENT-ATTRIBUTE1.
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="COMPONENT-ATTRIBUTE1" ExternalName="Schedule" />
In the next example, COMPONENT-ATTRIBUTE1 is set to ABC:
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="COMPONENT-ATTRIBUTE1" Value="ABC" />
231
EXECUTE statement
Basic Syntax:
<EXECUTE Criteria='expression'>

</EXECUTE>
Multiple EXECUTE statements can be contained within a PIPELINE, COMPONENT,
INFORMATION, MATERIAL, or JOINT element. Each EXECUTE statement is separately
evaluated. If a Criteria expression is present, the evaluation is conditional on the criteria
expression being True.
A criteria expression consists of a mixture of macros and VBScript statements and functions.
For example, the following EXECUTE statement is evaluated only at pipe components:
<EXECUTE Criteria = "'$M.ComponentType$' = 'Pipe'">
The macro $M.ComponentType$ is evaluated at the current item, and the value of the
ComponentType attribute is inserted. At a flange, the expression evaluates as:
'Flange' = 'Pipe'
This is False, and the commands within the EXECUTE statement are not evaluated.
The following EXECUTE statement is only evaluated if the component ItemCode attribute
contains the string ABC and the component is a Weld Neck Flange.
<EXECUTE Criteria = "Instr(1,'$M.ItemCode$','ABC')>0 AND
'$M.ComponentType$' = 'Flange-Weld-Neck'">
The function Instr is a standard VBScript function and returns a value greater than zero if the
second string (ABC) is found in the first string (the ItemCode of the current component).
You can find documentation and other background information on VBScript at the
Microsoft web site.
An EXECUTE statement with no CRITERIA expression is always executed.
Use of a Criteria expression is much more efficient when an SQL statement is being evaluated
at each component in the POD. This is because the Criteria expression ensures that the SQL
statement is only executed at relevant components. In a pipeline with several hundred
components, of which only a few are of interest, this can be significant.
232
FILTER statement
Basic Syntax:
<FILTER> expression </FILTER>
The FILTER statement is always used in conjunction with an SQL element and serves to refine
the results of evaluating the SQL expression. The result of the FILTER statement must be to
return one row from the result of the SQL query. Consider the following example:
LINE-REF
ITEM_CODE
Bore1
Bore2
Schedule
Material
Type
SG-T1
GCA150-RG2
STD
NYLON
GASKET
SG-T1
FCD150-WNRSTD
STD
CS ASTM A105
FLANGE
SG-T1
PA5BSTD
STD
CS API 5L
PIPE
SG-T1
EEL90CFSTD-LBW
STD
FRG CS A234 WPB
ELBOW
SG-T1
VVGCF150-FLO
STD
CS ASTM A234
VALVE
SG-T1
T1RCFSTD-BW
STD
FRG CS A234
TEE
SG-T1
PA5BSTD
STD
CS API 5L
PIPE
SG-T1
EEL90CFSTD-LBW
STD
FRG CS A234 WPB
ELBOW
SG-T1
FCD150-WNRSTD
STD
CS ASTM A105
FLANGE
SG-T1
GCA150-RG2
STD
NYLON
GASKET
SG-T1
VVGCF150-FLO
STD
CS ASTM A234
VALVE
The following SQL statement returns all the rows in the table when PIPELINE-REFERENCE =
'SG-T1' and no rows otherwise.
<SQL>
SELECT * FROM COMPONENTS WHERE [LINE-REF] = '$P.PIPELINE-REFERENCE$'
</SQL>
The FILTER statement is evaluated at each component in turn.
<FILTER>
[ITEM_CODE] = '$M.ItemCode$' AND Bore1 = $M.SIZE1$
</FILTER>
It must return one row, based on the criterion in the FILTER statement. At a component with
ItemCode = VVGCF150-FLO and Size1 = 4, the only row that matches is the last one in the
table.
A FILTER statement can contain simple comparisons (=, <, >, <>) and logical operators, (AND,
OR).
If there is both an SQL element and a FILTER element, the SQL element is evaluated only
once and the FILTER element is evaluated at each component, material, information item, or
joint.
Advantages - This is efficient when the SQL statement is slow to execute. The FILTER
element operates on the result of the SQL query.
Disadvantages - It is not possible to use joint component properties in macros in the
SQL statement.
233
If there is no FILTER element, the SQL element is evaluated at each joint.

Advantages - Joint properties can be included in macros in the SQL statement.
Disadvantages - Can be slow as the SQL statement is executed many times.
FORMATS statement
Basic Syntax:
<FORMATS>
<FORMAT Data='Property' Units='' OutputUnits='' Style=''
DecimalFormat='' FractionSeparator='' FtInSeparator='' UnitsString=''
IfZero='' />
</FORMATS>
The FORMATS statement contains a list of child FORMAT elements, which support units
conversion and formatting of results for values retrieved from the POD file. This list allows easier
matching between results from the POD file and data in the external source.
For example, if the data source contains nominal size information using a fractional
representation for inch bores, you can format the POD data the same way. For example, you
can format 2.5 as 2-1/2".
FORMATS Attributes
Description
Data
The name of the POD property to be formatted, which is mandatory. For example to
control the format of the component SIZE1 property, use Data = 'C.SIZE1'.
Units
The units of the data in the POD. The default MM. Also allowed are , M, FT, IN, KG, LB.
For example, if the POD component attribute WEIGHT contains data in pounds, set
Units='LB'.
OutputUnits
The units for the data when used in an expression. The default is MM. Also allowed are ,
M, FT, IN, FT-IN, KG, LB. For example, if the external data source contains a value in
inches that you want to match with, set OutputUnits='IN'.
Style
Use DECIMAL or FRACTION. The default is DECIMAL. FRACTION is observed if

OutputUnits = IN or OutputUnits = FT-IN.
DecimalFormat
A format string in the form "0.000" or "#.###". A 0 is replaced with a digit if there is one.
A # is replaced with a digit if there is one or blank. For example, 1.7 is output as 1.700
using the "0.000" format and 1.7 using the "#.###" format.
FractionSeparator
A character or string to be used to separate the whole inches from the fractional inches
if the OutputUnits = 'FT-INS' or 'IN' and Style = 'FRACTION'. For example, to obtain
output in the form 2-1/2" set the following:
Style = 'FRACTION'
OutputUnits = 'IN'
FractionSeparator = "-"
FtInSeparator
A character or string to be used to separate the ft from the inches in FT-IN output. For
example, to obtain output in the form 1' 2-1/2", set the following:
Style = 'FRACTION'
OutputUnits='FT-IN'
FractionSeparator='-'
FtInSeparator = "' "
UnitsString
A character or string to be appended to the output. For example to obtain output in the
form 1' 2-1/2", set the following:
Style = 'FRACTION'
OutputUnits='FT-IN'
FractionSeparator='-'
FtInSeparator = "' "
UnitsString = '"'
234

FORMATS Attributes
Description
IfZero
A character or string to replace the value if it is zero ( 0 ).
MATERIAL statement
Basic Syntax:
<MATERIAL>
<EXTERNAL-MAP />
</MATERIAL>
The MATERIAL statement contains a set of EXTERNAL-MAP statements (when it is within a
COMPONENT element). This allows values to be written to the material linked to each
component. This syntax results in slightly different behavior to when the MATERIAL statement is
present as a child of the root tag.
SET-ADDITIONAL-MATERIAL statement
Basic Syntax:
<SET-ADDITIONAL-MATERIAL ComponentType='Additional-Item'
Configuration="Dimensionless" Name='Lug1'>
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="ASSOCIATED" ExternalName="Positive" />
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="QUANTITY" ExternalName="Quantity" />
<MATERIAL>
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="ITEMCODE" ExternalName="ItemCode" />
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="DESCRIPTION" ExternalName="Description" />
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="SKEY" ExternalName="SymbolKey" />
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="GROUP" ExternalName="ItemGroup" />
</MATERIAL>
</SET-ADDITIONAL-MATERIAL>
<SET-ADDITIONAL-MATERIAL ComponentType='Support-Weld'
Configuration="Inline" Name='SupportWeld1'>
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="ASSOCIATED" ExternalName="Positive" />
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="QUANTITY" ExternalName="Quantity"/>
<MATERIAL>
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="DESCRIPTION" ExternalName="WeldDescription"
/>
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="SKEY" ExternalName="WeldSKEY"
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="GROUP" ExternalName="WeldGroup"/>
</MATERIAL>
</SET-ADDITIONAL-MATERIAL>
The SET-ADDITIONAL-MATERIAL statement allows you to create new additional materials or
update, if Name matches an existing additional material, existing additional materials. It can be
contained within a COMPONENT or PIPELINE element. When the statement occurs as part of a
PIPELINE element, the new additional material is created at the Pipeline level.
You must specify the ComponentType, and the Configuration of the material. In most
instances, the configuration is set to Dimensionless. After you have created the item, you can
use EXTERNAL-MAP statements to define material properties. Usually, these properties are
applied to the material (inside a <MATERIAL> tag), although they also can be applied as
attributes of the component.
235
SET-INFORMATION-ELEMENT statement
Basic Syntax:
<SET-INFORMATION-ELEMENT Type='Detail-Sketch-Identifier'
Name='Sketch1'>
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="IDENTIFIER" ExternalName="SketchPath"/>
</SET-INFORMATION-ELEMENT>
<SET-INFORMATION-ELEMENT Type='Message' Name='Mes1'>
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="TEXT" ExternalName="JimMes"/>
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="ASSOCIATED" ExternalName="Positive"/>
</SET-INFORMATION-ELEMENT>
The SET-INFORMATION-ELEMENT statement, which can be used only within a COMPONENT
element, allows you to either create or edit an existing information element that is on the
component. You must define the Type of information element and also include the Name so that
you can update the same information item later.
Inside the SET-INFORMATION-ELEMENT statement, you can have EXTERNAL-MAP
statements that set properties on the information element.
SQL statement
Basic Syntax:
<SQL> SQL expression </SQL>
The SQL statement contains standard SQL keywords and operators and Get External Data
macros--strings that are substituted at run time with values taken from the POD file. The SQL
statement is evaluated and then executed against the current external data source.
The following PIPELINES table illustrates a simple example:
LINE-REF
PROJECT
AREA
PID FROM
PID TO
PAINT CODE
SG-T1
RM100
DISTILLATION
300-020
300-033
P12
SG-T2
RM100
DISTILLATION
300-021
300-034
P15
SG-T3
RM100
COOLING WATER
300-022
300-035
P20
SG-T3
RM100
DISTILLATION
300-023
300-036
P25
The SQL element is as follows:

<SQL>
SELECT * FROM PIPELINES WHERE [LINE-REF] = '$P.PIPELINE-REFERENCE$'
</SQL>
The SELECT * part of the statement returns all columns from the table PIPELINES that meet
the condition in the WHERE part of the statement. In this case, the macro
P.PIPELINE-REFERENCE is replaced with the PIPELINE-REFERENCE attribute of the current
Pipeline. So, if PIPELINE-REFERENCE = 'SG-T1', then the first row is returned. If the
PIPELINE-REFERENCE = 'SG-T5', no match is found and the SQL element does not return
any rows.
In some cases, a SQL statement can return more than one row. This is acceptable, provided a
FILTER statement is used to further refine the selection. In other words, at a PIPELINE element,
or in a COMPONENT element with no FILTER statement, the SQL statement must return one
row only.
236
Get External Data Macros

A Get External Data macro is a string between dollar signs, such as $M.ItemCode$. Macros
can appear in any of the following:
EXECUTE criteria expressions
SQL elements
FILTER elements
When the element is evaluated, a macro is substituted with a value taken from a property of the
POD file being processed. For example, $M.ItemCode$ is replaced with the ItemCode property
of the material being processed.
Consider the following SQL element:
<SQL>
SELECT * FROM PIPELINES WHERE [LINE-REF] = '$P.PIPELINE-REFERENCE$'
</SQL>
When the SQL element is evaluated at a pipeline, the $P.PIPELINE-REFERENCE$ string is
replaced with the PIPELINE-REFERENCE property of the current pipeline. If this is SG-1, the
SQL statement becomes
SELECT * FROM PIPELINES WHERE [LINE-REF] = 'SG-1'
See also
Available Macros (on page 237)
Attributes (on page 240)
Available macros
The following table lists macros and their respective properties that you can use in a Get
External Data configuration file. The most frequently-used macros are listed first.
Macro
Description
Properties Available
Notes
Pipeline
Name
UID
Any Pipeline Attribute
Unique identifier
Component
BranchLength
CharacteristicBore
CharacteristicAngle
HeaderOrientation
ExternalUCI
ExternalUCIIndex
FlyText
InlineLength
SequenceNumber
Size1
Size1Units
Size2
Size2Units
Size3
Size3Units
TotalLength
UCI
Any Component Attribute
C0
The connecting component (such

as a weld) in a Joint
As Component
C1
The first connected component
237

Macro
Description
C2
The second connected component
Material
Notes
CharacteristicBore
ComponentType
ConfigurationAsString
Description
Group
ItemCode
MaterialOfConstruction
Rating
Size1
Size1Units
Size2
Size2Units
Size3
Size3Units
SKEY
Standard
UMI
Weight
Any material attribute
See below
Pipe, Ball-Valve, and so on
Inline, Angle_90
Descriptive text
Valves, Flanges, and so on
Commodity or Item Code
CS, Monel
150LB, XS, and so on
See below
ISOGEN SKEY
ANSI, DIN
Unique Identifier
M0
The connecting component material As material

in a joint
M1
The material assigned to the first

connected component in a joint
M2
The material assigned to the

second connected component in a
joint
Information element
FlyText
SequenceNumber
Type
UII
Any attribute of the information
element
POD
The root element in a POD file
Name
UID
Any POD attribute
PGS
Pipeline graphic sheets collection
Count
NextSheetNumber
Number of sheets
Count + 1
CKP[name]
Component keypoint, specified by

name. For example, CKP[Run_1]
refers to the component keypoint
called Run_1.
Bore
BoreUnits
BoreUnitsAsString
EndPrep
Internal
Name
Units code
MM or IN
FL, BW, and so on
True if internal keypoint
CL[name]
Component leg, specified by name.
Length
Name
Length (mm)
CG[name]
Component graphics, specified by

name.
SheetNumber
Sheet number for component
Bore
BoreUnits
BoreUnitsAsString
EndPrep
Internal
Name
See CKP[name]
MKP[name] Material keypoint, specified by

name.
238
Short Description
Message, End-Connection
Unique Identifier

Macro
Description
Notes
ML[name]
Material leg, specified by name.
Length
Name
See CL[name]
Not every macro can be used at any element. For example, using a component, or C, macro at
a PIPELINE element is meaningless because it is not clear which of the many components in
the pipeline should be used to evaluate the macro. Conversely, a pipeline, or P, macro can be
used at a COMPONENT element because a component only belongs to one pipeline.
Element being evaluated
Macros available
PIPELINE/SQL
P, POD, PGS
PIPELINE/EXECUTE
COMPONENT/EXECUTE
P, POD, PGS, C, CG, CKP, CL, M, MKP, ML
COMPONENT/SQL
(No FILTER)
COMPONENT/SQL
P, POD, PGS
(With FILTER)
COMPONENT/FILTER
INFORMATION/EXECUTE
P, POD, PGS, I
INFORMATION/SQL
P, POD, PGS, I
(No FILTER)
INFORMATION/SQL
P, POD, PGS
(With FILTER)
INFORMATION/FILTER
P, POD, PGS, I
MATERIAL/EXECUTE
P, POD, PGS, M, MKP, ML
MATERIAL/SQL
(No FILTER)
MATERIAL/SQL
P, POD, PGS
(With FILTER)
MATERIAL/FILTER
JOINT/EXECUTE
P, POD, PGS, C0, C1, C2, M0, M1, M2
JOINT/SQL
P, POD, PGS, C0, C1, C2, M0, M1, M2
239

CharacteristicBore and Sizen properties:
CharacteristicBore (string)
SIZE1 (single), SIZE1Units (string)
These properties allow access to key nominal size information without requiring knowledge of
the keypoint structure and enable linking to data tables more straightforward. The following
examples illustrate the derived properties for a flange and a tee:
Flange
CharacteristicBore = 6in
SIZE1 = 6, SIZE2 = 0, SIZE3 = 0
SIZE1Units=in, SIZE2Units=in, SIZE3Units=in
Tee
CharacteristicBore = 6x4in
SIZE1 = 6, SIZE2 = 4, SIZE3 = 0
In the case of olets, the component SIZE properties report SIZE1 as the size of the main pipe,
and SIZE2 as the size of the branch pipe. In contrast, the material SIZE properties report SIZE1
as the size of the branch pipe, and SIZE2 = 0. If the main paper size is needed, use the
component-derived properties.
Attributes
Attributes
Objects in the POD file have both intrinsic properties, as described in the previous macro table,
and user-definable attributes. Both are addressed using the same syntax.
P [Pipeline]
240

You can view the available pipeline attributes on the Attributes tab on the Project Defaults
dialog box in SmartPlant Isometrics. Use the Isogen Att column to determine the syntax to use
in the Get External Data configuration file.
For example, the following two attributes are valid entries because they are defined in the
Project Defaults dialog box. As such, any pipeline object created in this project automatically
has all of these attributes available.
$P.PROJECT-IDENTIFIER$
$P.ATTRIBUTE81$
$P.FRED$, however, is not valid because FRED is not a pipeline attribute.
$P.ATTRIBUTE1$ can be valid in a given POD file if the imported Intermediate Data File (IDF)
or Piping Component File (PCF) contains a 600 record. However, because it does not appear
in the Project Defaults dialog box shown, ATTRIBUTE1 is not automatically created for a
pipeline in this particular project.
POD [POD]
The only attributes of the POD object that are likely to be useful are listed below. These
attributes are set in a POD file within a SmartPlant Isometrics project.
$POD.WORKFLOW-PIPELINE-ID$
$POD.WORKFLOW-VERSION$
$POD.WORKFLOW-PROJECT-PATH$
241

C [Component]
As for the pipeline object, the most convenient way to obtain a list of what attributes are
available in a particular project is to use the SmartPlant Isometrics Project Defaults dialog box.
When you click Component in the Attributes list, the software displays a list similar to the one
shown below:
Welds have a different list of attributes, as shown in the following illustration:
In either case, you can use any string that appears in the Isogen Att column to access the
attribute with this name.
M [Material]
By default, most material objects do not have attributes. They can, however, have up to 100
user-defined attributes, called MATERIAL-ATTRIBUTE1 to MATERIAL-ATTRIBUTE100.
Bolts have BOLT-LENGTH and BOLT-DIA attributes. Any material attribute that is available can
be used in constructing an SQL string.
242

I [INFORMATION]
Each information object tends to have a unique set of attributes.
Messages have a TEXT attribute that can be used to set (or query) a message.
243
244
APPENDIX B
Appendix: More Uses of Get External

Data
Get External Data implies that data from an external source is applied to the POD file being
processed, While this is the most common and obvious use, a Get External Data script, by virtue
of its SQL statements, can also be used to do any of the following tasks:
Assign a globally unique sequence number to POD objects
Perform calculations on data already in the POD file
Write data from the POD file to a database (inserting, updating or deleting records)
Unique Sequence Number

In the pipe fabrication industry, it is a common practice to track work in progress using unique
sequence numbers. You can use Get External Data to assign a unique sequence number to a
pipeline using the pipeline reference. This sequence number can then be mapped to the
SPOOL-PREFIX property so that spool drawings can be automatically assigned unique, but not
sequential, sequence numbers.
Pipeline Sequence Number
Spool
Spool-ID
A-0001
00011
A-0001
00012
A-0001
00013
B-0002
00021
B-0002
00022
You must use a Microsoft Access database to hold the list of sequence numbers. The
Microsoft Access database allows you to specify that the ID field must have a unique entry,
which is essential. The database must contain a table with at least the following two columns:
the column ID, which contains text, and the column SeqNo, which contains an integer. The ID
column is defined as the primary key and cannot contain duplicate entries.
245
Appendix: More Uses of Get External Data

Because there can be only one entry for each ID, the first SQL statement below will fail if there
is already a row in the database. If there is no row, a new one is added with the sequence
number set to the next available.
<PIPELINE>

<MDB> c:\users\data\smoe\SequenceNumbers.mdb </MDB>
<SQL>
INSERT INTO SeqNoByID (ID,SeqNo)
SELECT
"$P.PIPELINE-REFERENCE$",
iif(IsNull(Max(SeqNo)),1,Max(SeqNo)+1) From SeqNoByID
</SQL>
</PIPELINE>
The following SQL statement is then used to return the sequence number (formatted as required
using the FORMATS statement (on page 234)) for the current ID.
<PIPELINE>

<MDB> c:\users\data\smoe\SequenceNumbers.mdb </MDB>
<SQL>


SELECT Format(SeqNo,"0000") As SN FROM SeqNoByID
WHERE ID = '$P.PIPELINE-REFERENCE$'
</SQL>

<EXTERNAL-MAP Name="SPOOL-PREFIX" ExternalName="SN"/>
</PIPELINE>
Performing Calculations
Sometimes performing a simple calculation, such as appending two text strings or finding a
substring, on a property already in the POD file is required for reporting or other purposes. You
can do this with an SQL statement in the Get External Data script.
The following example illustrates how to append the first two characters of
COMPONENT-ATTRIBUTE1 to PIPING-SPEC. To begin, you need to use a Microsoft Access
database with a table that you can reference in the SQL query. This allows you to use the
functions available in Microsoft Access as SQL extensions. For more information, see the
documentation delivered with Microsoft Access.
246

The query you run must return a minimum of one row. The easiest way to achieve this is with
the TOP 1 qualifier, as shown in the following example:
<COMPONENT>
<MDB> C:\SampleIsoDir\SPITutorial\Data\Get External Data\Dummy.mdb
</MDB>
<SQL>

SELECT TOP 1
Left('$C.COMPONENT-ATTRIBUTE1$',2) + '-' + '$C.PIPING-SPEC$'
AS A1
FROM DUMMY_TABLE WHERE TRUE
</SQL>
<EXTERNAL-MAP Name='COMPONENT-ATTRIBUTE2' ExternalName='A1' />
</COMPONENT>
When you run the Get External Data script, the SQL statement extracts the left two characters
from COMPONENT-ATTRIBUTE1 and adds them, separated by a dash ( - ), to the component
PIPING-SPEC. The result--the field A1--is then copied into the COMPONENT-ATTRIBUTE2
field.
The EXECUTE element has been omitted for clarity. It can be used to check for the type
of component.
Updating Data
You can use INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE commands within a SQL statement to update
data in an external table. In these instances, no data is copied into the POD file.
Avoid using an Excel spreadsheet as the database. It does not support all SQL
statements.
Example 1 - Delete database records.
<PIPELINE>
<MDB> path_to_database </MDB>

<SQL>
DELETE FROM TABLE WHERE PipelineReference =
'$P.PIPELINE-REFERENCE$'
</SQL>
</PIPELINE>
In Example 2 and Example 3, TABLE is name of an existing database table. Field1,
Field2, and Field3 are the names of the columns in the database that you want to populate.
POD_property1, POD_property2 are the values in the POD file that you want to store in the
external database.
Example 2 - Insert new records into a table.
<SQL>
INSERT INTO TABLE (Field1, Field2, Field3)VALUES ("$POD_property1$",
"$POD_property2$","$POD_property2$") "$I.MEASUREMENT-POINTS$",
"$I.INSPECTION-DATE$",
</SQL>
247

Example 3 - Update existing records in a table.
<SQL>
UPDATE TABLE
SET Field1 = "$POD_property1$", Field2 = "$POD_property2$",
Field3 = "$POD_property2$" WHERE PipelineReference =
$P.PIPELINE-REFERENCE$
</SQL>
248
In Example 3, the WHERE clause must identify a single row in the table to be updated.
The DELETE, INSERT and UPDATE commands all cause an error message to be
displayed in the Get External Data log file. None of these commands return any data, which
Get External Data expects. Consequently, you can ignore this error.
Task Comparison: Help for I-Sketch Users
APPENDIX C
Task Comparison: Help for I-Sketch

Users
The following table outlines the functional differences that exist between I-Sketch version 2 and
SmartPlant Isometrics when performing commonly-used tasks.
Task
I-Sketch v2
Place (inline component) at end

of pipe.
Select material by
group (using Place
menu or toolbar).
Move mouse to end of
pipe or component and
look for the insert
cursor.
Place (inline component) at the

open end of a component other
than a pipe.
Not possible in v2.
Place (change of direction

material) at the end of a
component.
Not possible in v2.
Select material by component type

(using Place menu or toolbar)
Move mouse to end of pipe and look
for the connect cursor.
In v2 you could not be certain

that you were actually doing an insert and were
going to get a very tiny bit of pipe.

Use the right mouse button to orient
the component--each time you
right-click, the orientation changes.
For branches, you can change

the keypoint to which you connect by you will
connect to by pressing SHIFT while you
right-click.
Place (inline component)

between another component
and a pipe, such as placing a
flange on a component.
Select material by
group (using Place
menu or toolbar).
Insert into the pipe and
slide until you collide
with the component.
Select material by component

type (using Place menu or
toolbar)
Move mouse to the pipe and look
Although the v2 method is still

functional, this updated method ensures that
the flange is oriented correctly.
Place a support on a component

adjacent to a pipe
Place support on a component

not adjacent to a pipe
Select support (using

Place menu or
toolbar),
Insert the support into
a pipe and slide until
you collide with the
component.
Not possible in v2
Select support (using Place menu or

toolbar)
Move to a component and look for
the insert cursor.
Select support (using Place menu or

toolbar)
Move to a component and look for
the insert cursor.
249

Task
Insert (inline component)
I-Sketch v2
Insert (branch)
Select the material

(using Place menu or
toolbar)
Move the mouse to the
pipe and look for the
insert cursor.
Slide into position.
Update the Inline
Insertion dialog box as
necessary.
Not possible in v2.
Insert (set-on/olet/tap)
Not possible in v2.
Select the material (using Place

menu or toolbar)
Move the mouse to the pipe and look
for the insert cursor.
Right-click the Dimension Line and
type a value into the Dimension box.
Select the material (using Place

menu or toolbar)
Move the mouse to the pipe and look
for the insert cursor.
Right-click the Dimension Line and
type a value into the Dimension box.
Select the component from the
Fittings component group (using
Place menu or toolbar).
You automatically go into routing mode.
Route a branch.
The branch table selection is

overridden with whatever component you
selected.
Insert (set-on cross)
Slide (individual components)
Slide (assembly)
Route a branch.
Route from the branch
to form a cross.
Edit the cross item
code to be a set-on
cross.
Select component.
Hold down left mouse
button and slide the
component.
Press SHIFT while
sliding to display the
Slide dialog box.
Not possible in v2.
You automatically go into routing mode.
Route a branch.
You will get a set-on tee

even though you asked for a cross.
To make it a set on cross repeat the
above step opposite the 1st set-on.
Note the two components placed
have a CRSO SKEY, not a TESO.
Select component.
Hold down left mouse button and
slide the component.
Press CTRL while sliding.
In SmartPlant Isometrics,
SHIFT is used to select nearby small
components.
250
Select a set-on cross from the

Fittings component group (using the
Place menu or toolbar).
Select all the components in the

assembly.
Hold down left mouse button and
move to new locations.
Task
I-Sketch v2
Slide (tee or bend)
Select the component

Hold down the left
mouse button and
move to the new
location.
Move
Copy/Cut
Not possible in v2.
Not possible in v2.
Select
Left-click, window select, Select

By command.
Break
Place as fixed pipe
Break Tube command

(using Dimension
menu or toolbar).
Click on the section of
pipe to be broken.
Place as a miscellaneous
component.
Select the components (or select a

pipeline to get every component in it).
Press CTRL+C, or use Copy
command (menu or toolbar).
Press CTRL+V or use Paste
command (menu or toolbar).
If necessary, you can rotate (using
arrow keys) or mirror (using space
bar) while pressing the left mouse
button.
Left-click, window select, Select By
command.
In Pipeline Explorer, click in tree
view to select all components in
straight, network, sheet, pipeline and
POD.
Break Tube command (using
Dimension menu or toolbar).
Click on the section of pipe to be
broken.
Press SHIFT when you click on

the section of pipe to place a pipe separator.
This method allows you to put a

boundary on the slide and only slide
some of the components, which
means you can slide a bypass (not
possible in v2).
An alternative way to slide a branch
(including the set-on or an olet) is to
press ALT while you select the
branch.
Move Pipeline
Select all the components you want

command (using Edit
to move.
menu or toolbar).
Hold down the left mouse button and

Select the object you
move the group of objects to the new
want to move.
location.
Hold down the left
Although the v2 method is still
mouse button and
functional in SmartPlant Isometrics, this
move object to the new updated method allows you to perform complex
location.
drag operations not possible in previous
software releases.
Paste
Select the tee or bend element you

want to move, including all the
components that you require to move
with it.
Hold down the left mouse button and
move the object group to the new
location.
Route Pipe command (using Place

menu or toolbar).
Route as you would variable pipe.
251
Task
I-Sketch v2
Place a support weld
Right-click the support and

change its properties.
Place an end plate weld
Not possible in v2.
Override an end preparation
Place an end preparation flag.
252
Weld command (using the Place

menu or toolbar).
Select Support Weld from the sub
menu.
Place in the sketch as you would any
other out of network component.
Weld command (using the Place
menu or toolbar).
Select Support Weld from the sub
menu.
Place in the sketch as you would any
other out of network component.
Right-click the component and then
click Physical.
Make necessary updates in the
Physical dialog box.
APPENDIX D
Appendix: Automated Selection of Detail

Sketches Based on Component Rotation
This appendix describes a method of automating the selection of a detail sketch based on
component rotation, such as an olet with respect to the header pipe, to show fabrication
information from a library of possible sketches. There are several aspects to this problem:
The convention used to calculate the angle, which must be consistently applied under all
piping configurations
The convention used to represent the angle on the detail sketch, which must be consistent
with the calculation method with respect to the axis from which rotation is measured and the
direction of rotation
The pipework orientations to which the automated sketch selection should apply, that is,
pipework can be vertical, horizontal, sloped and non-orthogonal or skewed.
Conventions used in the calculation of rotation angle

The convention used follows that of a right-hand coordinate system as depicted in the illustration
below.
The direction of the rotation about each axis is as follows:

Rotation about X (Rx) rotates the y-axis towards the z-axis. The rotation angle is measured
clockwise from the UP axis.
Rotation about Y (Ry) rotates the z-axis towards the x-axis. The rotation angle is measured
clockwise from the UP axis.
Rotation about Z (Rz) rotates the x-axis towards the y-axis. The rotation angle is measured
counter-clockwise from EAST (0-degrees).
253
Appendix: Automated Selection of Detail Sketches Based on Component Rotation

In each case, the view direction of a 2D section view through the pipe at the point where there is
a branch (support, valve operator, and so forth) is along the pipe in the direction of the axis (E,N
or U).
In the following example, the branch of tee is pointing EAST and has a 0-degree rotation.
Rotating the branch by 90-degrees about the UP/DOWN axis produces the following results:
254

In the next example, the pipe is running N-S, and the tee is inserted at 0-degrees (UP).
After rotating by 90-degrees about the N/S axis, the tee appears as shown in the illustration
below.
Conventions to be used in preparation of detail

sketches
View directions for sections look along a positive horizontal direction, that is, toward N or E. The
Y-axis for a horizontal section is always UP. The X-axis is orthogonal to UP, and the positive
pipe direction is E for a N/S header and S for an E/W header.
Because it is much more conventional to look DOWN on sections through vertical pipe, the view
direction for these sections is reversed, or along the negative direction. This has the advantage
that rotation will be clockwise and not counter-clockwise. The Y-axis for a vertical section is E,
and the X-axis is S.
The sketch below is a section through the header pipe showing the angle of rotation measured
clockwise from the reference axis--0 is at the top and 90-degrees of rotation is shown on the
255

right-hand side. A family of eight sketches is sufficient to show all possible orientations of a
branch or olet (at 0, 1-89, 90, 91-179, 180, 181-269,270, 271-359 degrees).
Applying the Conventions

Orthogonal pipe (aligned with axis)
In a pipe running N-S, the view direction for a section sketch is NORTH, with UP being
0-degrees.
In a pipe running E-W, the view direction for a section sketch is EAST, with UP being
0-degrees.
In a pipe running U-D, the view direction is UP, with EAST being the 0-degree point.
Horizontal pipe (2D skew and falling / sloped lines)

Angle is measured clockwise from the UP axis looking along the pipe toward NORTH or EAST:
This convention is also applied for small falls / slopes in horizontal lines. There is still a clear
understanding of the U/D axis in a sloped line, even though in reality it is rotated by a small
amount from vertical.
256

General nonorthogonal pipe
It is mathematically possible to compute the angle of rotation of a component in a general case,
where the pipeline is running at some arbitrary angle. However, it is extremely difficult to
interpret what the "rotation" angle means and difficult to see how it would be helpful to a
fabricator.
These situations are probably best left to manual annotation and selection of sketch with
appropriate fabrication details.
257
258
APPENDIX E
Appendix: Considerations for Importing

Piping Data
Each SmartPlant Isometrics project that you create in I-Configure contains a single mandatory
style called SPIImport. This style contains the settings that control how ISOGEN pre-processes
imported piping data.
Although you can modify the SPIImport style in the same way as you can any other
style, doing so is only recommended for the most experienced users.
The SPIImport style, along with other project defaults that you define in I-Configure, control
many aspects of the SmartPlant Isometrics import behavior. When project attributes conflict with
pipeline properties in the imported file, you can use I-Configure to specify import behavior. To
illustrate, consider the following example:
Project Default Setting
Imported Pipeline Property
ATTRIBUTE1
AA
BB
ATTRIBUTE2
aa
On the Attributes Tab (<Project Name> Properties Dialog Box), use Set Value to define how
the software behaves when it assigns a value during import.
When you assign a value during import, each attribute can have one of the following three
specific behaviors:
Isogen - The software ignores any project default settings. A piping object data (POD) file is
created with all the same settings as the original imported file. Using the previous example,
the software assigns BB as the value of ATTRIBUTE1; the value of ATTRIBUTE2 remains
unset.
Default - The software ignores any properties that are defined in the imported file. This
reproduces the values that would be obtained by creating a new model in SmartPlant
Isometrics. In the previous example, the value of ATTRIBUTE2 is AA, and the value of
ATTRIBUTE2 is aa.
259
Appendix: Considerations for Importing Piping Data
Isogen then Default - The software preserves all import file properties. However, if any
property is set only in the project default, it is added to the pipeline properties. Using the
previous example, ATTRIBUTE1 is assigned the value BB (from the imported file) and
ATTRIBUTE2 is assigned aa (from project defaults).
Other Considerations
Isometric Viewpoint and Dimension Units - When you import a pipeline, the software uses
the Isometric North and dimensional units that would be used if you are creating a new model.
Bore Units - The bore units in the imported piping data file are used to set the bore units of the
imported data.
Not all dimension/bore unit combinations are allowed, in which case the dimension units
are changed to an allowable setting and a warning message is displayed in the ISOGEN
message file.
Bore units = inches - Dimension units can be either m/mm or ft/in.
Bore units = mm - Dimension units can only be m/mm.
Supported SmartPlant Isometrics Features - All of the information items most commonly
used in piping data files are preserved during import, including:
Messages
Bolts
Flow arrows
End connection references
Floor penetrations
Component Attributes: Component attributes that are set in piping data files are imported into
SmartPlant Isometrics.
Accuracy of Piping Data during Import

Pipelines with Falls
SmartPlant Isometrics uses a default value of 5-degrees (as defined by the
Drawing.Format.FallCutOff SPIImport style setting), meaning that all lines which fall less than
this amount are drawn as orthogonal and have a fall applied as if sketched manually.
The software automatically displays a fall symbol in the imported sketch to indicate a falling line,
as shown in the following illustration.
260

Welds
Many of the design systems that are the sources for most of the piping data being imported into
SmartPlant Isometrics do not explicitly model welds. In fact, even ISOGEN, with its extensive
knowledge base, infers the existence of welds from adjacent components and the specified end
preparation. For example, a weld neck flange requires a weld between it and a connected pipe,
and it will be shown on the isometric drawing even if it is not present as a record in the imported
piping data file.
Because SmartPlant Isometrics pre-processes the input data file, the imported file includes all
the welds that are created by ISOGEN.
Bolts
Bolt sets that are present in the piping data file are imported into SmartPlant Isometrics and are
visible in the model. Bolt item codes and quantities are set. The bolt diameter is always set, but
bolts lengths are not always present in the input file.
Ensuring that the bolt length and diameter units are correct when importing an IDF requires that
you check Option Switch 41 and Option Switch 65 in the input IDF, and then act in accordance
with the following:
If Option Switch 65 is set in the input IDF, then copy this value to Option Switch 65 inthe
SPIImport.opl file that exists in the SPIImport folder of the current project.
If Option Switch 65 is not set in the input IDF, then set the value of Option Switch 65 in
SPIImport.opl according to the value defined for Option Switch 41 Position 1 in the input IDF:
If Option Switch 41 Position 1 = 0, then set Option Switch 65 Position 1 = 0.
261
262
APPENDIX F
Appendix: POD to XMpLant Mapping File

Definitions
The POD to XMpLant mapping file is mandatory to the export process. Although a sample
mapping file is delivered by default to the local machine during setup, it is only intended as a
starting point and should be customized to meet your project requirements.
The file consists of two mapping sections--one for component data, and one for attribute data.
The Component mapping section consists of the following three sub-sections:
Component-Component - Maps POD components to XMpLant components. The
COMPONENT-COMPONENT sub-section contains all the POD component names that are
available. Each POD component name is mapped to an XMpLant component name, as
shown in the following line from the SmartPlant Isometrics sample POD to XMpLantP
mapping file:
<COMPONENT Value="Ball-Valve" XMPValue="BallValve" />
In this example, COMPONENT Value defines the POD component name, and XMPValue
defines the corresponding XMpLant component name.
The XMpLant component name is obtained from the NewValue definition in the
SmartPlant 3D-supplied class mapping file, Map_XMpLant_SP3D_Class.xml.
<Attribute Value="Ball Valve" NewValue="BallValve" />
The mapping file is delivered to C:\Program

Files\SmartPlant\3D\Translators\ConfigurationFiles\XMpLantSP3DMaps\Piping by
default when you install the SmartPlant 3D software.
Those components that have a clear one-to-one map between the POD file and
SmartPlant 3D are mapped in the delivered POD to XMpLant sample mapping file.
Components that do not have a clear one-to-one map require that you modify the
mapping file accordingly using the appropriate SmartPlant 3D value.
SKEY-Component - Maps components with a specific SKEY to an XMpLant component. In
the following example, SKEY Value defines the SKEY to be mapped to the XMpLant
component, BallValve, as defined by XMPValue.
<SKEY Value="ABCD" XMPValue="BallValve" />
ItemCode-Component - Maps components with a specific item code to an XMpLant

component. In the following example, ITEMCODEValue defines the item code to be mapped
to the XMpLant component, BallValve, as defined by XMPValue.
<ITEMCODE Value="IC1" XMPValue="BallValve" />
For the SKEY and ItemCode maps, only the example syntax is supplied. You will need to
modify the map according to your specific project requirements.
During the export of data, the Component map is searched in the following order: ItemCode,
SKEY, and Component.
263
Appendix: POD to XMpLant Mapping File Definitions

Immediately following the Component mapping section is the Attribute mapping section, which
consists of the following two sub-sections:
Pipeline-Attributes - Maps pipeline attributes to an XMpLant segment attribute.
Component-Attributes - Maps component attributes to an XMpLant component attribute.
Even though the output generated during export conforms to the XMpLant specification, a
customized map is potentially required for each system that will be importing the XMpLant file.
The SmartPlant 3D class mapping file, while fairly comprehensive, is by no means complete; as
such, it may be necessary to add extra entries to it. In the following example, the NewValue
definition adds a new XMpLant component, Comp1, to the SmartPlant 3D class mapping file:
<Attribute Value="SP3DComp1" NewValue="Comp1" />
When you define a component in the SmartPlant 3D class mapping file, you must also add
attribute information for that component to the SmartPlant 3D attribute mapping file,
AdditionalAttributesMap.xml. The following lines of example code, define five attributes for the
new component defined in the previous example:
<Attribute Value=" SP3DComp1">
<NewAttribute Name="GeometryType" Value="1" />
<NewAttribute Name="IsSpecificallyPlaced" Value="1" />
<NewAttribute Name="SP3DGeometryType" Value="15" />
<NewAttribute Name="IsRotationApplicable" Value="1" />
<NewAttribute Name="PortNumber" Value="0" />
</Attribute>
264
You can obtain the values for each of these options, including any others that may be
necessary, using SmartPlant 3D catalog information.
Depending on units, it may be necessary to add/modify some entries in the SP3D
XMpLantPipingTranslator.ini file. For more information, see the appropriate SmartPlant 3D
documentation.
APPENDIX G
Appendix: SmartPlant License Manager

Checkout Utility
The SmartPlant License Checkout utility (License Checkout Utility.exe) allows you to obtain
licenses for SmartPlant products for use on a non-networked computer (for example, a remote
laptop). Using this utility allows you to run SmartPlant products without a network connection to
the license machine. Each user on a server can check out a license on that machine.
When you check out a license, the license and expiration information are stored on your local
machine, separate from other license and expiration information. Each time you start the product
during the checkout period, a message displays the expiration date for the checked out license.
When the checkout period for the license expires, the SmartPlant product attempts to request a
license using SmartPlant License Manager the next time you start the product. For example,
after the license expires at 11:59 PM on the expiration date, the next time you start the product,
it attempts to access the SmartPlant License Manager license machine for base and module
licenses prior to running.
You must install and configure SmartPlant License Manager before checking out a license.
You must have administrator privileges to check out a license or to run the product using a
checked out license.
Check Out a License for SmartPlant Isometrics

1. Be sure that the SmartPlant License Manager (SPLM) is installed and configured on your
computer.
2. Click Start > Programs > Intergraph SmartPlant License Checkout Utility > License
Checkout Utility.
License Checkout Utility Dialog Box (on page 266)
3. In the Application Group list, select SmartPlant Isometrics.
4. In the Available Modules list, click the SmartPlant Isometrics checkbox.
5. If necessary, select an expiration from the License Expiration list, and then click Check
Out.
The minimum length of time you can have a license checked out is for approximately 24
hours. You can cut this time down to approximately 12 hours if you check out the license just
before mid-day.
A checked out license cannot be checked in. You must wait for it to expire.
When running in remote license mode, you cannot use setup to modify the product
installation until the following conditions are met:
The checkout duration expires.
The system is working with SmartPlant License Manager in connected license mode
once again.
In other words, you cannot install or remove modules while running in remote license mode.
265
Appendix: SmartPlant License Manager Checkout Utility
If SmartPlant Isometrics is running in remote license mode but is unable to confirm for any
reason that it is running in that mode, SmartPlant Isometrics automatically returns to
connected license mode and attempts to obtain the licenses from SmartPlant License
Manager. SmartPlant Isometrics notifies you if it is unable to obtain licenses from SmartPlant
License Manager.
License Checkout Utility Dialog Box

Specifies the product for which you want to check out a license.
Options
Application Group - Displays the installed products available for license checkout. Select the
product for which you want to check out licenses.
If the Application Group list is empty, your application may require an older version of
the checkout utility. Please check your original product installation media for the compatible
version of the utility.
Available Modules - Displays any modules or add-ins available with your product. If no
modules appear in the list, either your product contains no supported modules, or no modules
have been installed. Check the box beside the module for which you want to check out a
license, and then click Check Out. If you want to check out only the base product, do not check
any of the modules.
License Expiration - Specify the date that you want the checkout to expire. When the checkout
period for the license expires, the product returns to normal and connected license operation
using the SmartPlant License Manager the next time you start the product.
266
Glossary
SYMBOLS & NUMERIC
3D view
A scaled, real-world three-dimensional graphical representation of the currently selected
pipeline.
A
absolute position
The position of an object in 3D space.
additional materials
Materials that are required on the material list of the isometric but are not graphically
represented.
adjacent components
Components that are next to one another.
as-built
The set of data that describes the existing conditions of a plant or site; the completed and
approved state of a project.
B
bolt diameter units
The units of dimensions (mm or in) currently being used for bolt diameter.
bolt length units

The units of dimensions (m, mm, or ft/in) currently being used for bolt length.
bore
Nominal piping diameter.
C
change the bore
Set a different bore on part or all of a pipeline, making consequent changes to components and
dimensions.
267
Glossary
connectivity table
A table that defines the allowable combinations for connecting two components together.
coordinate units
The units of dimensions (m, mm, or ft/in) currently being used for coordinates.
D
default radius
The bend radius to be used for all pulled (pipe) bends. Can be overridden by the user.
definition parameters
Values, which are a combination of lengths and angles, used to define a skew.
dimensions
The physical size (length) of a component or pipe, the former being read from the catalog and
the latter defined by the user.
G
global offset
An adjustment applied to avoid very large coordinates being used in a model. This can occur if
model coordinates are defined with reference to a distant origin perhaps a national or site grid.
group
A classification of component into generic types, such as flange, valve, fitting, instrument, and
so on.
I
IDF
Intermediate Data File - the original input file for ISOGEN.
isometric drawing
A line drawing, always shown in an isometric perspective, that is used for fabricating and
erecting piping systems. An isometric drawing usually shows a complete line from one piece of
equipment to another and provides all information necessary for fabrication and erection of
piping.
isometric north
The direction on the sketch that represents North defined as "top left", "top right", "bottom left" or
"bottom right".
268
Glossary
isometric style
A set of ISOGEN settings, controls and drawing sheets that will produce a drawing in a
particular format.
item code
A code identifying a particular type of component, which defines uniquely the bores and
dimensions of the component.
K
keypoint
The start, end, or middle of components and pipe.
L
literal
in a string or substring, the characters that appear in between wildcards
M
minimum length
The smallest allowable length of pipe constrained by the need to fabricate.
P
PCF
The ISOGEN Piping Component File. A PCF is a man-readable input file for ISOGEN.
pipeline reference
The identifier given to the pipeline.
POD
The default file format for SmartPlant Isometrics data. POD stands for piping object data.
S
shortcut menu
A context menu that the software displays when you right-click an object in the software. The
shortcut menu contains specialized commands and options for the selected object.
269
Glossary
skew components
Coordinate translation represented by dotted lines showing change in E/W, N/S and U/D
coordinates.
skew geometry
Pipe length and skew length.
I-Configure
Application used by SmartPlant Isometrics and SmartPlant Spoolgen to create the projects and
styles that are used to produce isometric drawing and report file output.
specification
The filter that determines which subset of all the components in a catalog that can be used on a
pipeline.
straight
A number of lengths of pipe with in-line elements. All pipes have the same direction and bore
and are concentric. A straight is terminated by a bend (change of direction), a reducer (change
of bore) the leg of a tee (change of direction) or an offset or return (straight no longer
concentric).
U
unscaled 2D representation
A schematic representation of 3D data lengths of pipe are not scaled from their real lengths but
are calculated to give a good layout on the screen or drawing.
user-defined bolt set

A set of bolts created by the user rather than by the AutoPlace Bolts tool.
W
weight units
The units of dimensions (kg or lbs) used to express weights.
270
Index
3
3D view 267
A
absolute position 267
Add 3D Coordinates 75
Add a bend element 64
Add a branch element 66
Add an origin 77
Add Origin Dialog Box 83
additional materials 267
Additional Materials 135
adjacent components 267
Appendix
Automated Selection of Detail Sketches
Based on Component Rotation 253
Considerations for Importing Piping Data
259
Get External Data Configuration File
225
More Uses of Get External Data 245
POD to XMpLant Mapping File
Definitions 263
SmartPlant License Manager Checkout
Utility 265
Applying the Conventions 256
as-built 267
Assign a keyboard shortcut 33
Assign an item code 97
Assign weld or part numbers manually 192
Attach External Data 215
Attributes 240
Available macros 237
B
Batch import piping data 147
bolt diameter units 267
bolt length units 267
bore 267
Break a section of pipe 173
C
Center view on selection 27
Change bore 169
change the bore 267
Change the color of sketch status 36
Change the graphical representation 30

Change the material specification 52
Change the view orientation 29
Check component end connections 141
Check for consistency 142
Check for duplicate weld or part numbers
192
Check minimum pipe lengths 140
Check network integrity 142
Check Out a License for SmartPlant
Isometrics 265
Command Line Options 18
Commands Tab (Customize Dialog Box)
34
Configure a UDL file 223
Configure the Get External Data
configuration file 216
Connect multiple sheets 80
Connect two pipes with a bend
automatically 65
Connect two pipes with a branch
automatically 68
connectivity table 268
Control the Display of Data 24
Conventions to be used in preparation of
detail sketches 255
Conventions used in the calculation of
rotation angle 253
Convert a 2D skew to a 3D skew 176
Convert orthogonal pipe to skewed pipe
172
coordinate units 268
Copy an object 155
Copy and Paste 155
Copy and paste 3D coordinates 156
Create a data source using DSN 221
Create a new custom toolbar 32
Create a new piping object data (POD) file
58
Create a new piping system 59
Create a UDL file 223
Create the sample project 51
195
Customize a built-in toolbar 33
Customize Dialog Box 34
Customize Interface Elements 35
Customize the Detail Window 31
Customize the window layout 36
271
Index
Cut an object 159
Cut and Delete 159
D
Deactivate a skew component 178
default radius 268
Define an external data source 221
Define Dimensions 101
Define drawing output format 200
Define generic component properties 92
Define the length of a skew component
114
Define the project default for exporting
piping data 147
definition parameters 268
Delete an object 160
Detail Sketches in Isometric Drawings 122
Detail the Drawing 119
Detail Window 21
Dimension a 2D skew 110
Dimension a 3D skew 113
Dimension a section of pipe 110
Dimension the entire pipe route 108
Dimensioned Special Symbols 130
dimensions 268
E
Edit an information item 126
Edit an origin 80
Edit component properties 181
Edit Object Properties 179
Edit pipeline properties 179
Edit POD properties 179
EXECUTE statement 232
Export piping data 148
Export to XMpLant Dialog Box 148
Extend or shorten a length of pipe 190
EXTERNAL-DATA statement 231
EXTERNAL-MAP statement 231
F
FILTER statement 233
Fit all objects 26
Fit view to selection 27
FORMATS statement 234
G
Generate a single isometric drawing 203
Generate an isometric drawing 202
Generate an isometric drawing using the
command line 204
272
Generate Drawings Dialog Box 207

Generate Isometric Drawings 199
Generate multiple isometric drawings
simultaneously 203
Get External Data Macros 237
Getting Started 45
global offset 268
group 268
I
IDF 268
Import a single piping data file 146
Import and Export Piping Data 145
Information Items 119
Insert and dimension a tap 98
Install the POD domain configuration file
211
Interface Overview 19
isometric drawing 268
isometric north 268
isometric style 269
item code 269
Item Code Dialog Box 100
K
Keyboard Tab (Customize Dialog Box) 34
keypoint 269
L
License Checkout Utility Dialog Box 266
literal 269
Log in to a project 52
M
Magnify an area 25
Manage Weld and Part Numbering 191
MATERIAL statement 235
minimum length 269
Mirror and Rotate Pipe 160
Mirror orthogonal pipe 162
Modify a dimension 115
Modify and Move Pipeline Objects 149
Modify Sketch Objects 169
Move a pipe branch 190
Move a Pipeline 188
Move Objects 186
O
Open an existing pipe sketch 60
Options Dialog Box 39
Index
P
Pan views 27
Paste an object 155
PCF 269
Perform design checks automatically 143
Performing Calculations 246
Physical Dialog Box 99
Pipeline Explorer 40
pipeline reference 269
Place a component 88
Place a concentric reducer 94
Place a detail sketch 127
Place a fitting cross 96
Place a floor symbol 131
Place a flow arrow 130
Place a generic component 91
Place a reference dimension 116
Place a set-on cross 96
Place a wall symbol 132
Place an information item 126
Place an insulation symbol 133
Place as additional material 135
Place bolts automatically 91
Place Components 85
Place gaskets and flanges automatically
90
POD 269
Preface 9
Preferences Tab (Options Dialog Box) 39
Print an isometric drawing 206
Properties Window 43
Publish BOM piping data 211
Q
Query a 3D coordinate 76
Query a dimension 115
R
Redefine a symbol for isometric drawings
197
Reference Dimension Dialog Box 118
Reflect a skew axis 163
Register the project with a SmartPlant
Foundation Plant 210
Remove an information item from the model
127
Reposition a component 187
Rotate a pipeline about a different axis
167
Rotate a skew axis 166
Rotate orthogonal pipe 164
Route a 2D skew 68
Route a 3D skew 69
Route a section of pipe 63
Route Pipe 61
Route skewed pipe using the keyboard 70
Run the Get External Data command 224
S
Select like components 152
Select multiple components by filter 154
Select multiple components by region 154
Select multiple information items 153
Select Objects 150
Select Project Dialog Box 55
Set a fall 72
Set user options 35
SET-ADDITIONAL-MATERIAL statement
235
SET-INFORMATION-ELEMENT statement
236
shortcut menu 269
Show 3D View 28
skew components 270
skew geometry 270
SmartPlant I-Configure 270
SmartPlant Integration 209
SmartPlant Isometrics 15
SmartPlant Isometrics Documentation Set
11
SmartPlant Isometrics Project Defaults 47
SmartPlant Isometrics Reference Data 50
SmartPlant Isometrics Suite 16
SmartPlant Isometrics Workflow 57
SmartPlant Registration Wizard 213
specification 270
Specify the display of working units 35
SQL statement 236
straight 270
Synchronize Specification Dialog Box 55
T
Tapping Point Dialog Box 100
Task Comparison
Help for I-Sketch Users 249
Terminate pipe routing 73
Toolbars Tab (Customize Dialog Box) 34
U
Unique Sequence Number 245
unscaled 2D representation 270
273
Index
Update the model with material
specification changes 53
Updating Data 247
user-defined bolt set 270
V
Verify Design Integrity 139
View a drawing message file 206
View an isometric drawing 205
View the Get External Data log files 224
W
weight units 270
What's New in SmartPlant Isometrics 13
Working Units Tab (Options Dialog Box)
39
Z
Zoom in on an area or zoom out from a
point 25
274

Spi So Users Guide

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Spi So Users Guide

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

SmartPlant Isometrics

U.S. Government Restricted Rights Legend

Warranties and Liabilities

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics Documentation Set

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

What's New in SmartPlant Isometrics

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

What's New in SmartPlant Isometrics

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics, powered by ISOGEN , is a powerful yet simple to use Microsoft

Windows -based pipe sketching application. Formerly known as I-Sketch, SmartPlant

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics Suite

Unified interface to all ISOGEN settings

SmartPlant Isometrics I-Convert

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics I-Data Integrator

SmartPlant Isometrics I-Tools

Enables merging of multiple single pipeline files into a system file

SmartPlant Material Editor

SmartPlant Symbol Editor

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

Command Line Options

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics Windows

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

Associated Placement Task

Insert a tapping point in the pipe directly beneath the cursor.

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

Fully Specified Color

Both direction and dimension are defined

Both direction and dimension are unknown

Direction known / Dimension unknown

Dimension known / Direction unknown

Ignored Tube Color

Pipe to be ignored during drawing generation

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

Control the Display of Data

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

Zoom in on an area or zoom out from a point (on page 25)

Zoom in on an area or zoom out from a point

Click Zoom All

. Alternatively, click View > Zoom Window, or press

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

Click Zoom All

to view all objects in the Detail window again.

Fit all objects

Click Zoom All

. Alternatively, click View > Zoom All, or press CTRL+SHIFT+A.

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide

Fit view to selection

Center view on selection

SmartPlant Isometrics User's Guide