Is there a way to know what is connected to what in a 3D model? For instance if I wanted to see what all was connected from one device ID to another is there a way to do this? I may have two breakers but there is bundles of cable, rigid bus, and connectors between them. I would like to have a report show me that.
Yes. Here is some comments from the requestor:
“AEP would like to generate a report for all current-carrying, high-voltage elements in the 3D model. The report would need to include:
1. The unique attributes of each item (ID#, Name, CID#…..)
2. A listing of all the adjacent item(s) to that item
In English, the report would be equivalent to Who am I and what are my properties, and who am I connected to?.
The report would be run globally on the model, so not necessary specific to a certain item, but rather on the model as a whole. So it would look similar to a BOM for the station, but I can see where it may not be a one row to one item correlation since items can be connected to more than one adjacent item. It would also require different fields in the columns than a BOM.”
I may need some more information on how to do this with a construction drawing but I think it may not be the way we want to do it. But if it can produce what we would like to see then I won't rule it out.
Can you provide any information with respect to why this functionality is being requested/what it is used for? This may help steer the development of a new tool. Why is the 3D model being used as the source or interface to get the "what is connected to what" information, as opposed to a single line diagram or schematic? Is it because the 3D layout and schematic design is done by different departments?
"The unique attributes of each item" is in the form of symbol text and parts database data, correct? The software will need a means of filtering out other elements from the "current-carrying, high-voltage elements" in the layout. Are you already using attributes on the symbols that could be used for this purpose? If not, it might be necessary to add such an attribute to all relevant symbols.
I don't think a call is necessary. There's just a few things I'd like to clarify.
Good questions. You are on the right track.
•How will the report be limited to one circuit? Can this be done by filtering (is there an attribute common to the circuit that could be filtered on such as Installation or Location)? Or will an object, or perhaps the starting and ending objects in the circuit need to be selected?
Was hoping that pick the first in last item and through some sort of smart connections the program would be able to know what to include. Could do some sort of attributing but that makes it a bit more manual than we would hope to have it.
•The report is to help you determine the MLSE, the report itself will not be determining the MLSE, correct? Unless this could be achieved with simple sorting of the results.
No it will not. This will take some calculations. We want to be able to produce a list on the fly to import into another software we use to calculate this.
•Are only objects with coincident hook points connected, or is anything that touches connected?
Anything that touches. We have set up our hook points to be specific to equipment, current, etc. so we don't have the coincident hook points throughout a circuit. I think thats what you meant if we could filter it on a particular color hook point?
•How will the software distinguish "current-carrying, high-voltage elements" from items not to be included in the report? An attribute or part number field?
Yes we have thought about this and thought to add "MLSE" to part that can be considered in the calculation. The thought is to add this to the Parts Database.