SPPID_All tools can not open

After double click Drawing Manager, The error message is: DrawingManagerEXE has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the incomvenience.

Solution:
1. Go the the personal folder. for example: PeterJohn (M:), then find the file Thinstall. open it. Or click Start--Run--M:\Thinstall to open the folder.
2. Find the folder Intergraph_SPPID_xxxx. (xxxx is the package number.it may be different.), then rename it.
3. Double click Drawing Manager (the whole SPPID package will be recreated.), then you will be able to open it.
4. Connect it with ini file again. It suppose to work well.
Good luck!

SPPID_Cannot get permission after be added into Administrator role

My co-worker helped me figure out a problem recently.

I have a remote VM.

My name has been added into administrator group. and I have run into SPPID Engieer Manager, refreshed the role in every projects. but I still cannot get full authority.

Finally, I refreshed the server, then it works.

By logic: refresh serve is the method to refresh your role. as you added your role in server. That make sense.

Excel_How to count items

http://www.contextures.com/xlFunctions04.html

Dos Command_How to Dir files

For example: dir /s d:\*.pdf

Start--> Run --> cmd --> dir /s d:\*.pdf

d:\ can be changed into c:\, f:\...
pdf can be changed into xls. or exe...

How to become a SPPID User_Courses need to take

As a SmartPlant P&ID user, basicly, you need take the following course:

1.      Piping drafting certificate of Achievement at SAIT  http://www.sait.ca/programs-and-courses/continuing-education/courses-and-certificates/essentials-of-piping-drafting-theory-certificate-of-achievement.php

At least, take two of the course.

1)     ENGD-345 Process Piping Drafting IIA http://register.sait.ca/saitApp/calendar/coned/courseContent.jsp?calendarType=All&courseCode=ENGD-345&startTerm=000000

2)     ENGD-346 Process Piping Drafting IIB http://register.sait.ca/saitApp/calendar/coned/courseContent.jsp?calendarType=All&courseCode=ENGD-346&startTerm=000000

2.    SmartPlant P&ID course: Creating P&IDs with SmartPlant P&ID - TSPL1002 at Intergraph.

Intergraph SmartPlant P&ID User Tips and Tricks

I always be asked about what is the difference between AutoCAD and SmartPlant P&ID. I try my best to give an answer, which is always not completly. Today, I found this artical. It give us a very detail description.

SPPID_Can not break the line between two nozzles

In order to put the Heat Tracing segment break in the middle of two nozzles. We need break the line between two nozzles. Most of times, we can break the line easily, but sometimes, we can not. Why?

Here is one reason:

See the end of right nozzle, there is an inconsistency. If you click the right line, then break in the middle of nozzles. It won't work because the inconsistency. It you can not break a line with different information. either you need fix the inconsistency first or click the left line, then break in the middle of nozzle. It will works.

again: if you just put the Heat Tracing break at the middle of two nozzles. you can put the label on it, but it doesn't work. The Administrator may receive complain: the Heat Tracing break doesn't work. actually, the line hasn't yet broken.

How to Update Internet Setting

Please try the following.
1. Close all Internet Explorer versions
2. Select START-->RUN
3. Type the following:
gpupdate /force
There is one space between the gpupdate and the /force. This should update the internet settings for your machine.

SPPID_Clone a Catalog Item (symbol)

1. Click the item you want to copy in the Catalog Explorer List view.
2. On Catalog Explorer File menu, click Clone.  The software places a copy of the selected item in the List view.
3. Depending on your editing privileges, you may or may not be able to clone items from certain catalogs.  See your system administrator for information regarding your current editing privileges.
4. Cloning symbols differs from creating new symbols.  When you clone an existing symbol, the software copies all of the graphics and associated properties for the original symbol to the new, cloned symbol.  You can then modify the properties of the cloned symbol.  When you create a new symbol, you must define all of the graphics and properties for the new symbol.

SPPID_Training Lesson 6_How to use stockpile

1. Re-use OPC.

As "SPPID_Can not do and Can do" mentioned: UN-needed OPC should be deleted into stockpile.
How to re-used OPC?

At first, Open a drawing that you're going to put OPC on. then click the stockpile sign.
 Notice: pick up the OPC that can be used.OPC should always be paired. you need find two same number OPC in the stockpile. for example: 301.Off Drawing Instrument Connector. Don't pick the single number OPC.

left click the OPC sign in the stockpile. it won't work if you click the text. 

Open another drawing that you want to connect with same OPC.

2. Clean deleted OPC in the drawing, get more paired OPC to be re-used.

For example: OPC 314, open drawing 17-xxx, if the OPC in the EDE shows green color, then delete it to the stockpile, not delete to drawings. then you will find the pair OPC 314 in the stockpile. 

SPPID_Training Lesson 4_Catelog Explorer

1.Add buttons., click

SPPID_Cannot do and Can do_ for new user

1. Copy/Paste command:

Cannot do: Part of drawings copy/paste is not recommended. It is 
                     possible to lead to duplicate components, and difficult 
                     to fix.

 Can do:     Single element copy/paste is ok, only concern is: after 
                     click paste, the component is covered on the original 
                     one, you need use the move command to move to the 
                     place that you want. Part of drawing, please make

                     an assembly.

SPPID_Training Lesson 3_Making assemblies

Making assembly:

1. select the part that you want to be assembly, then click file-Save as Assembly.

 2. then move the "red circle" to one of the component of the assembly.

3. You're going to get a window under Assemblies folder. give the name of your assembly and then save it.

4. You're going to find it in the Catalog explorer, under Assembly.

*Attention:
(1) if the line connected with OPC, you need disconnect the line first, then make assembly. otherwise it will shows error.
(2) Assembly will not work for "Auxiliary Graphics".

SPPID_Training Lesson 2_Label a Pipe

Label the Pipe line.

SPPID_How to deal with “Dead Lines”

Some reason, the line changed into light brown color, and thicker several time than normal.

And sometimes, it even cannot be deleted.

It is not only bothered the drafters, but also the administrators.

There is a procedure to deal with those “Dead lines”.

1.    At first, move the lines to a Test drawing. By this way, the drafter can continue work on his drawing. And administrator can win enough time to deal with the problem. Just make sure: disconnected the relation between this line with other components.

2.    In the test drawing, delete all the information carrying from that drawing which has trouble.

3.    Normally, there should be couple of runs on this line. Combine all the runs into one run. It won’t work with the combine command, please directly drag the line together.

4.    Save the result, then click the line and delete it.

*As I have deleted the line successfully, so I don’t have the pictures with me know, later I will paste the pictures once I see the problem again.

SPPID_How to change white item into original color

Sometimes, after drawing crushed, some items changed into white color.

For example, the underground symbol was changed into white by some reasons.

Solution:

Click the item, then click construction status in the properties.You can find it is blank. pick up "New", then it will back to the original color. if it is underground item: pick up "New" first, then change back to "underground". it will works.

SPPID_Some components changed into white color

It suppose to be related with the line define when we draw it by Smart Sketch.
Haven't yet confirm.

SPPID_When some component can not be replaced

For example: You want to change a ball valve into gate valve, just click "replace mode". but if you want to ball valve drain into gate valve drain, probably it won't work. At this moment, you may disconnect the pipeline with the drain, then click "replace mode", it will works. it also work when some valves can not be replaced.

SPPID_Flow unit converter tip

Engineer want Capacity: 697 dm3/s (11051 gallon/min)

When we input 697 dm3/s, it shows 11048 gallon/min automatically.
Normally, people will think the unit covert in SPPID is wrong. but if we put 697.2 dm3/s. It will shows 11051 gallon/min exactly.

SPPID_EDE view setting for LDT

At least there're 3 items should be lifted out.
1. do not report.
2. connectors zero length.
3. supply by.

SPPID_How to move one component to another one

Sometimes, we need move one component connect to another one; in another word, reduce the line between these two component into "zero".
The correct way is:
1. make sure everything is on grid.
2. click one component, then click move.
3. when the arrow point is close to another component, the line will shows red, then you can see clearly the connect point. just release your left mouse key, it will automatically connect to the point.
4. check the property, the "connector zero length" will show "True".

SPPID_How to define the line between Control valve and Reducer

There are two lines between control valve and reducer.
In the real construction work, these two lines are not exist. but on P&ID drawings, it need shows.
The problem is: if we define it " do not report false", these lines will showing on LDT; it we define it "do not report true", it will affect LDT from and to. I found the easy way is define the "do not report" blank. when we generate LDT, we only pick up "do not report false".

SPPID_LDT crushed in the middle of work

Sometimes the LDT report crushed in the middle of work.
when we redo another one by same name. It shows us: "that excel sheet is still running. you can not replace it."
We need go to Task Manager. Find "EXCEL.EXE", then click "End Process".

You will be ok to redo another report.

Excel_How to compare two excel sheets (LDT)

Currently, we upload LDT (excel file) to SPPID, then download LDT from SPPID. It save us time to put every data in the property. but we still need check if there're any difference between upload file and download file.
Now, we just need install this small software:
Spreadsheet Compare. http://sourceforge.net/projects/spreadshcompare/
It's 100% free.

After install it, you need open two excel sheets. then click Add-Ins, then click Compare. Very handy.

SPPID_How to modify Equipment description label

1.    Open SPPID sketch.

2.    Find the label from catalogue, and click it.

3.    Click text, and then there is window showing on the screen. Just find the unit that you need from dropdown menu.

4.    Apply it.

SPPID_Training Lesson 1_Draw a line

*This Training is designed for SPPID Power User.


1)     Line selection: how to decide draw a primary line or a secondary line?

     Primary Flow will use Primary line, others use secondary line.

SPPID_LDT_the information of the line doesn't show on report, but it's there

One of my co-worker experienced terrible time with LDT today.
The information of one line shows correct, but after generate report, it can not showing on it.
He felt very frustrated.
I found that drawings was not been touched for couple of months. The line seems like deep sleepy. I just delete some number, then put them back.
Amazing, It works.

SPPID_Line doesn’t shows on LDT

Check the drawing, the line is on the drawing, also EDE, and Datasheet number, row number etc. everything is right. But after run the LDT report, it still doesn’t shows on the report.

There is one more thing we can do.

1.    Run the report when the certain drawing is open, you will find only this line shows on the report. Other lines are not showing.

2.    Close the certain drawing (certain drawing mean: the drawing with that line on). Then open another drawing, and then run the report. See what’s happen.

I don’t know why we have to do this, but it works.