EXTERNAL FILES

3D Models, 2D Plans and Isometrics can be linked with external files. Available elements in the models that can be linked and the corresponding link parameters are as follows:

• Equipments: by Equipment Name.
• Piping Lines: by Line Number.
• Any piping Component with the TAG attribute or two TYPE and NUM attributes or UNI, NUM and FUN attributes (in this case the tag value is built concatenating the Type/Num or Uni/Num/Fun attribute values with a -): the Tag value.

Depending on the project setup, the association can be established in two alternate ways:

• By Table: a table allows to link each element in EPLANT models with one or more documents contained in external files. If the file name only is specified, the file is searched in the LINK project directory, otherwise the full path (it can be any) is used instead. To load this table use the External Files Link option in the Reference menu in the data base module.
• Direct: the link between the 3D model and external files is automatically established placing those files in the LINK project directory and naming the files with the link parameter value corresponding to the element type.
  For example, the TK-001 equipment is automatically linked with the files named TK-001.JPG, TK-001.XLS, etc. File format and the number of different files related to a specific object can be any. The relation can be strictly enforced (file names must be equal to the parameter value) or the parameter value can be interpreted as the file name prefix, depending on project setup.

To open those files, any of the available query commands can be used, depending on the element involved: Component Name, Line Name or Equipment Name. Upon opening the window with the required characteristics, if there is at least one external file linked to the selected element, the External Data button will be enabled. Pressing it, if there is only one external file, that very file will be automatically opened, otherwise a window with the list of all found files will allow to select the one to open.

In the Component Name case, taking the command:

and selecting a Control Valve, the following window will be opened:

Selecting the External Data button the linked files can be opened. If the component has an associated Tag, as in the example above, its value can be changed selecting the Tag button. The value is automatically verified with the corresponding P&ID values set for that line and component type. The same when placing the component.

In the Equipment Name case, taking the command:

and selecting an Equipment, the following window will appear:

EPLANT-Piping Tutorial: External Data Link (33sec)

P&ID QUERY

If the EPLANT-P&ID module is used to draw P&IDs for the project, in the windows that will be displayed taking any of the query commands: Component Name, Line Name or Equipment Name, the PID Data button will be enabled. For example, in the Lines case, taking the command:

and selecting any element belonging to a Piping Line, the following window will open:

Pushing the PID Data button, a windows will be display all line characteristics, as they are loaded in the Line List generated with the EPLANT-P&ID module:

To perform a complete verification of the 3D models against the P&IDs listings, use the P&ID Verification command from the data base module.

Last updated August 12, 2013.