Symbols

Isometric symbols used on Isometric Drawings are stored in cell libraries. Based on company requirements an Administrator will need to modify existing symbols or to create completely new symbols.

Isometric symbols are stored in cell libraries. The symbols are defined independently for each Isometric Style. Assignment of model components to names of symbols used by Isometric Manager is done in the Openplant_3D_Supplemental_Isometrics_Isoextractor schema.

Basic Principle

Connect Points

Components are connected through their connect points. A connect point can also be viewed as a location on a component where fluid is coming in or going out. All cells contain one or more connect points. The connect point that is placed first is referenced as connect point 1, the second is referenced as point 2, etc. A pipe segment always has (virtual) connect points at both ends.

A connect point is implemented in the graphic system by an active point with line weight 5 (WT=5), line style 7 (LC=7), color 3 (CO=3) and drawn as construction class. Connect points can be created using the Cell Tool command Place Connect Point.

Connect points can be made invisible at any time with the graphic command Set Construct Off.

Intersection Points

A special type of point – similar to the connect point – is the Intersection Point. This point cannot be used to connect components, but is needed as a start or end point of a dimensioning route. An example is: the 'origin' of an elbow.

The Intersection points are implemented by an active point with line weight 5 (WT=5), line style 7 (LC=7), color 2 (CO=2) and drawn as construction class.

Symbol Definition

Each symbol has a particular geometry type. This is either one of the predetermined types as specified below, or a user defined type. Depending on the geometry type of a symbol, one or more connect points and intersection points must be included. Orientation, cell origin and connect point numbering should follow certain rules, as shown in the pictures below.

Straight – used for valves, concentric reducers, etc.

Elbow – (see also type Street Elbow); this type covers 90° and 45° elbows; also, the cell will be transformed if trimming is required (and allowed), i.e. the elbow legs will follow the attached pipes

TEE – distance cp2–ip1 equals distance ip1–cp1 (see also geometry type TEE Asymmetric).

Eccentric Reducer

Street Elbow – (an elbow with legs of unequal size).

Cross

Reserved Cell Names

A number of cell names are reserved and are hard-coded in the program. The following list explains the use of the cells with reserved name:

Keypoint Numbering Order

The keypoints (connect points and intersection points) of a component are numbered, starting from 1. The number is defined by the order in which the keypoints have been placed in the cell at the time the cell was created.

When creating new OpenPlant Modeler Isometrics cells, you have to follow several rules, as explained in this chapter. One of the most important things to realize is that the sequence in which the connect points are defined in the cell are crucial to a proper functioning of the software. The basic rule is that straight components always have their first connect point on the right hand side of the component and the second one of the left. Elbows are drawn with orientation and connect point sequence as shown below. An example of the most common geometry types with their connect point numbering is shown below. Observe the position of the cell origin "O" and intersection point "I":

Creating Symbols

This section describes the commands necessary to create new Isometrics cells.

Open the Graphic Environment

The graphic environment must be started from the Configuration Manager to have the correct workspace settings.

Open the Isometrics Configuration tool

From the Isometric Configuration dialog:

1. 1. Select the Isometrics Style tab

   2. Style – Select the relevant style from the dropdown

   3. Select Advanced from the left pane

   4. Click Open Seed File

Open the Create Cell Toolbar

From OpenPlant Isometrics Manager:

1. 1. Select IsoExtractor > Cell Creation Tool from the menu

   2. The Create Cell toolbar is displayed

      

Symbol Template Files

OpenPlant Isometrics Manager is delivered with template files for use when creating new cells. The template files are located in the …\OPIM\Cell Templates folder of the OpenPlant Isometrics Manager workspace.

From OpenPlant Isometrics Manager:

1. 1. Click Open Template File on the Create Cell toolbar
      

From the Please Select Template File dialog:

1. 1. Select the required template file.
      
      

      adapters.dgn	misc.dgn
      annotation.dgn	multiport.dgn
      branch.dgn	nipples.dgn
      branch3D.dgn	operators.dgn
      couplings.dgn	reducers.dgn
      elbows.dgn	strainers.dgn
      fasteners.dgn	supports.dgn
      flanges.dgn	unions.dgn
      generic.dgn	valves.dgn
      jacket.dgn

   2. Click Open.

Note - It is good practice to make a backup of the template file before making changes.

Define Symbol Graphics

Use the available drawing commands to define the shape and symbology of the new cell. The suggested way to do this is to copy one of the existing cell templates and modify it as necessary.

Place Connect Point

The Place Connect Point command is used to place a connect points on the cell. It places an active point with line style 7 (LC=7), line weight 5 (WT=5), color 3 (CO=3) and class 'construction'.

From OpenPlant Isometrics Manager:

1. 1. Click Place Connect Point on the Create Cell toolbar

      

   2. Place the connect point on the cell

   3. Repeat to place additional connect points, if required

   4. Right-click to terminate the command

Place Intersection Point

The Place Intersection Point command is used to place an intersection point. It places an active point with line style 0 (LC=7), line weight 5 (WT=5), color 2 (CO=2) and class 'construction'.

From OpenPlant Isometrics Manager:

1. 1. Click Place Intersection Point on the Create Cell toolbar
      
   2. Place the intersection point on the cell
   3. Repeat to place additional intersection points, if required
   4. Right-click to terminate the command

Place Origin Point

The Place Origin Point command is used to place an origin point. It places an active point with line style 0 (LC=0), line weight 5 (WT=5), color 5 (CO=5) and class 'construction'.

From OpenPlant Isometrics Manager:

1. 1. Click Place Origin Point on the Create Cell toolbar
      
   2. Place the origin point on the cell
      
      
   3. click to terminate the command

Note - An origin point is only required on cells that have no connect points or intersection points. In all other cases, OpenPlant Isometrics Manager will choose the origin point itself.

Create Cell

The Create Cell command is used to create an cell in the cell library. Using the Create Cell command does the following:

• • Merges all the graphics inside the fence into one graphic cell element
  • Ensures that connect points are the first elements in the cell. (This speeds up the execution of the Isometrics component placement commands.)

Automatically store the cell in the cell library for the active project/style

From OpenPlant Isometrics Manager:

1. 1. Select Place Fence from the Tasks menu
      
   2. Place a fence around the cell graphics
      
      
   3. Click Create Cell on the Create Cell toolbar
      
      

From the Create Cell dialog:

1. 1. Cell Library – Select custom.cel
      
      
   2. Enter the Cell Name and Description
      
      
   3. Click OK
      
      
      

See Also

User may also refer the sub article by expanding this wiki for case to case basis and with real time use for easy references. Also check below wiki for details.

Still a Problem

If there is still some problem with modifying cells then please create a Service Request and contact Bentley Product Advantage group along with the list of all relevant details to get in depth analysis and for possible solution or workarounds.

Comments or Corrections?

Bentley's Product Advantage Group requests that you please confine any comments you have on this Wiki entry to this "Comments or Corrections?" section. THANK YOU!