PDMS DIFF 12.

1
Table of contents

1. Introduction
2. Installation
3. Design
3.1 Toolbars
3.2 Clip Volume
3.3 Sort Hierarchy
3.4 3D Annotations
3.5 Isometric Attributes
3.6 Utils (from DIFF main menu)
3.6.1 Reports
3.6.2 Autocad Aids
3.6.3 DXF Design Import
3.6.4 DXF Advanced Import (old)
3.6.5 Tubular Bracing Gap (Beams & Columns Only)
4. Draft
4.1 Draft - Toolbar
4.2 DXF Draft Import
5. Paragon
5.1 Paragon - Toolbar
5.2 Copy and Rename
6. Spooler
6.1 Spooler - Toolbar

1. Introduction
Introduction Next

What is the DIFF?

The "Diff" is a collection of forms & macros that have been written or collected
by various contributors. They aim to complete or cover options that are not
delivered with PDMS out of the box, or simply add toolbars for items that are
otherwise only available through the menus.

Although obvious, please appreciate that this is done by PDMS

users/administrators on their free time. Try to have a glass half-full rather than
the glass half-empty judgement.

WARNING
Software from this install package is provided 'as is' without warranty of any
kind, either express or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of fitness for a purpose, or the warranty of non-infringement. Without
limiting the foregoing, Aveva makes no warranty that:
 - the software will meet your requirements.
- the software will be uninterrupted, timely, secure or error-free.
- the results that may be obtained from the use of the software will be
effective, accurate or reliable.
- the quality of the software will meet your expectations.
- any errors in the software will be corrected.

Software and it's documentation made available:

- could include technical or other mistakes, inaccuracies or typographical
errors. Aveva may make changes to the software or documentation.
- may be out of date, and Aveva makes no commitment to updates.

Aveva assumes no responsibility for errors or ommissions in the software or

documentation.
In no event shall Aveva be liable to you or any third parties for any special,
punitive, incidental, indirect or consequential damages of any kind, or any
damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, those resulting from loss of
use, data or profits, whether or Aveva has been advised of the possibility of
such damages, and on any theory of liability, arising out of or in connection with
the use of this software.

The use of the software is done at your own discretion and risk and with
agreement that you will be solely responsible for any damage to your computer
system or loss of data that results from such activities. No advice or information,
whether oral or written, obtained by you from the authors shall create any
warranty for the software.

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2. Installation
Installation Previous Top Next

Standard Installation:

The Diff is provided in a ZIP file. Just unzip it and copy the main folder where
PDMS_DIFF environment variable points (see next paragraph).

Then modify then "evars.bat" file to include the required environment variables,
and, just for the first time, type PML REHASH ALL in MONITOR Command
Window
Environment Variables:

The DIFF completely relies on environment variables, just as the rest of PDMS

The Environment Variables required are:

• PDMS_DIFF: This variable defines the root directory for the DIFF

Ex: SET PDMS_DIFF=D:\AVEVA\Plant\PDMS-DIFF-12.1.1

• PMLLIB: Add the diff/pmllib to the standard PDMS PMLLIB

Ex: SET PMLLIB=%PMLLIB% %PDMS_DIFF%\pmllib

• PDMSUI: Add the diff/pdmsui to the standard PDMS PDMSUI

Ex: SET PDMSUI=%PDMSUI% %PDMS_DIFF%\pdmsui

• PDMSDFLTS: Add the diff/pdmsui/dflts to the standard PDMS

PDMSDFLTS.

Ex: SET PDMSDFLTS=%PDMSDFLTS% %PDMS_DIFF%\pdmsui\DFLTS

• PDMS_UTILS: This must be a single path to the utils directory.

Ex: SET PDMS_UTILS=%PDMS_DIFF%\utils

• CADC_PLOT_DIR:

Ex: SET CADC_PLOT_DIR=%PDMS_UTILS%\plot

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3. Design
Design Previous Top Next

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3.1 Toolbars
Design - Toolbars Previous Top Next

Toolbars:

• DESIGN Diff General Toolbar:

1. Save and Unclaim All

2. Query Attributes (Q ATT)
3. Clear 3D Design (REM ALL)
4. Clear All Aids
5. Go To CE Reference
6. Advanced Clipping -- More info...
7. Sort Hierarchy -- More info...
8. History
9. Import from Excel
10. Highlight CE

• Diff Equipment Toolbar:

1. Create nozzle
2. Scale Equipment

• Diff Pipework Toolbar:

1. Partial Slope
2. Query Pipe Connections
3. 3D Annotations -- More info...
 4. Modify Isometric Data -- More info...

• Diff Structural Toolbar:

1. Create straight section

2. Set the Normal pline filter

• Diff ASL Toolbar:

These are shortcuts for creating various primitives and negatives for
equipments

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3.2 Clip Volume

Clip Volume Previous Top Next

Summary:

The "Clip Volume" form is intended to create a clip volume around a selected
object and then increase/decrease the volume by moving the slide bar.
Form:

Usage:

1. Select the element to use as basis clipping volume in the Design Explorer.
2. Push the "CE Vol" button on the form. The Main View will be clipped to the
volume of the current element.
3. Move the slider to increase/decrease the volume.

Options:

• Clipping on: This option will enable/disable the clipping.

• Slider Step Value: This value will define the value by which the clipbox will
be increased when the slider is moved.

• Auto Add: When this toggle is enabled, all elements within the clip volume
will be added to the screen as soon as the slider gadget is released. When
the toggle is unchecked, use the "Add" button to perform the same action.

• Auto Limits: When this toggle is enabled, the limits of the view will be set to
the clip volume as soon as the slider gadget is released. When the toggle is
unchecked, use the "Limits" button to perform the same action.

• Size: (tab)

By default, the clip volume expands in all directions, but it is possible to

change this behavior by locking appropriate directions.

• Orientation: (tab)

The orientation can be set by selecting the "Orientation" tab, and then
moving the slider. The box will rotate by a fixed step of 15°
Notes:

Due to a PDMS limitation, it is not possible to retrieve the currently active view
(at least, from PML). The clipping will on work in the first view.

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3.3 Sort Hierarchy

Sort Hierarchy Previous Top Next

Summary:

The "Sort Hierarchy" form will sort the selected item's members in either
Ascending or Descending order.

Form:

Usage:

• Simple re-ordering:

This re-ordering will order named members based in name only.

1. Select the hierarchy to re-order in the Design Explorer.

 2. Push the "CE" button on the form. The new order will be displayed
3. If required, change the order to Descending.
4. Press "Apply" to perform the re-ordering.

Advanced re-ordering:

As shown below, simple alpha re-ordering is not always sufficient:

In the situation above, if the pipes should be re-ordered by diameter, the

"advanced re-ordering" should be used to perform on only a part of the
name:

1. Check the "Use advanced sorting options" toggle: the "Advanced"

frame will become active.
2. Select the splitting delimiter: any single character can be used.
3. Select the part to consider for re-ordering. The system will always
attempt to first order based on numerical values and when not possible
re-order on alpha values. The part to consider can be changed by
pressing the arrows located on the right hand side of the text box.
Examples:

Items sorted on first part: Items sorted on second part:

In advanced mode, an additional column will be displayed showing the part that
has been used for sorting.

Notes:

Only named elements will be reordered. The named elements will always be
ordered before unnamed items.

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3.4 3D Annotations
3D Annotations Previous Top Next

Summary:

The "3D Annotations" form is for Manage your PIPING 3D elements and
display data about them.
Form:

Usage:

The form contains several buttons which help you doing the following:

- Show 3D dimensionning
- Show elevations
- Show dimensions on different element types
- Tag coordinates
- Display CE information in the window
- Show Center Line

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3.5 Isometric Attributes

Isometric Attributes Previous Top Next

Summary:

The "Piping Attributes" form is for setting attributes on pipe components and
branches that have an impact on the isometric layout.
Form:

Usage:

The form contains several frames that will be activated only is they are valid for
the edited element.

• Attachments: This frame enables the user to change the ATTY attribute for
ATTAs. Select from the available options and eventually add text is required.

• Components: This allows to set on branch components how the element

should be set on isometrics. As an example, the component can be set to
"Dotted". This will show the element as dotted on the isometric and remove
from the material list.

The "MTO Tube" is for the implicit tubing after the component.

Reference dimensions ( DMTYPE and DMFARR ): it is common to have

reference dimensions on isometrics, from either equipments or grid lines.

• Branch: This will change the tubing from the branch head to the first item.

Press the "Apply" button to save the changes to the PDMS element.

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3.6 Utils (from DIFF main menu)
Diff main menun Previous Top Next

Summary:

You will find different utils under the Diff main menu

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3.6.1 Reports
Reports Previous Top Next

Summary:

Two types of reports are generated from main Diff menu:

• Project

For creating some useful reports (from CE hierarchy) in .txt or .csv format
which are stored in PDMSUSER folder.

• Standard

For producing piping and steel MTOs into some special excel templates
(using csv2excel.vbs macro, see next paragraph)

----------------

The purpose of the WSH (VB) script is to convert a CSV file to Excel format.

Usage:

csv2excel.vbs [options] inputfile

where options can be:

• /Template:"filename.xlt"

This is the template xlt to use when createing the new Excel Workbook. The
default template file, if available, is "report-portrait.xlt" located in the same
directory as csv2excel.vbs.

• /Separator:","

This is the separator used in the CSV file. Default is ";"

• /Title:"This is the title"

This is the title for the Excel workbook. default is empty.

• /Preview:yes|no

This option controls wether the file should be displayed in preview mode,
best suited for printing. Default is "no".

This conversion script can be easily incorporated in standard Aveva reports by

adding the following line as System Command:

'csv2excel.vbs /Title:"Sample Title" /Preview:Yes ' + vtext !filename + '&'

Notes:

1. For interactive usage, it is also possible to simply Drag & Drop a CSV file on
either "csv2excel.vbs" or on a shortcut pointing to the same script.

2. WSH is interpreted (un-compiled). It can be easily modified in any text editor

to suit any needs or additional requirements/options.

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3.6.2 Autocad Aids

Autocad Aids Previous Top Next

Summary:

The "Autocad Aid Import" form is intended to import simple Autocad objects
such as lines, arcs, circles, polylines, ... as aid lines into PDMS so they can be
used as reference for creating PDMS elements.
Form:

Usage ( first step in AutoCAD ):

1. Load Application diff.dvb located into %DIFF%\utils\autocad folder

2. Run VBA Macro DiffAids.Export and select primitives to be exported into
PDMS.
3. Save myexport.pmldat file

Usage ( then in PDMS ):

1. By selecting the myexport.pmldat file, create some PANEs and AIDs in

PDMS
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3.6.3 DXF Design Import

DXF Design Import Previous Top Next

Summary:

The "DXF Design Import" form is intended to import DXF objects such as lines,
arcs, circles, polylines, ... as PDMS elements like SCTNs, PANEs or GENSECs

Form:

Usage:

1. Select the type of PDMS element to be generated (AIDs, PANELs,

SECTIONSs, GENSECs, WALLs, FLOORs).
2. Set the import location according to the type of element.
3. Browse for DXF file.
4. Select the type of entities to be imported.
5. Import settings: layers to be importes, colours.
6. Click on "Import Selected Entities"

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3.6.4 DXF Advanced Import (old)

DXF Advanced Import Previous Top Next

Summary:

The "Advanced DXF Import" form is intended to import simple DXF objects
such as lines, arcs, circles, polylines, ... as PDMS elements like SCTNs, PANEs
or GENSECs

Form:
Usage:

1. Select the required DXF file

2. Select the Colour and type of PDMS element ( SCTN, PANE or GENSEC )
to be generated, by selecting their properties.

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3.6.5 Tubular Bracing Gap (Beams & Columns Only)

Tubular Bracing Gap (Beams & Columns Only) Previous Top Next

Summary:

The "Tubular Bracing Gap" form is only available in Beams & Columns
application. It is intended to allow the users to modify the gaps for already
exixting bracings

Usage:

1. Select the Bracing Type

2. Select the gaps
3. Click "Reselect" a identify the bracing elements
4. "Apply"

Form:

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4. Draft
Draft Previous Top Next

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4.1 Draft - Toolbar

Toolbar Previous Top Next

Toolbar:

• DRAFT Diff General Toolbar:

1. Save and Unclaim All

2. DXF Draft Import -- More info...
3. Include Hierarchy
4. Go To CE Reference

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4.2 DXF Draft Import

DXF Draft Import Previous Top Next

Summary:

The "DXF Draft Import" form is intended to import DXF objects such as lines,
arcs, circles, polylines, ... as PDMS DRAFT elements
Form:

Usage:
1. Select the type of PDMS element to be generated (AIDs, PANELs,
SECTIONSs, GENSECs, WALLs, FLOORs).
2. Set the import location according to the type of element.
3. Browse for DXF file.
4. Select the type of entities to be imported.
5. Import settings: layers to be importes, colours.
6. Click on "Import Selected Entities"

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5. Paragon
Paragon Previous Top Next

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5.1 Paragon - Toolbar

Paragon - Toolbar Previous Top Next

Toolbar:

• PARAGON Diff General Toolbar:

1. Query Attributes (Q ATT)

2. Copy and Rename (NEW type /new-elem... COPY /existing-elem...
RENAME /... /...) -- More info...
3. Go To CE Reference
4. Sort Hierarchy
5. Spec Summary

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5.2 Copy and Rename

Copy and Rename Utility Previous Top Next

Summary:

The "Copy and Rename" form will copy by renaming the selected item and
members.

Form:
Usage:

• Copy ( CE COPY ):

Element which will be copied

• to ( CE TO ):

Where the copied element will be created

• New name:

The new NAME (by replacing string in name)

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6. Spooler
Spooler Previous Top Next

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6.1 Spooler - Toolbar

Spooler - Toolbar Previous Top

Toolbar:

• SPOOLER Diff General Toolbar:

1. Go To CE Reference

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