Run Rules
- Last UpdatedOct 03, 2025
- 6 minute read
Provides functionality to run rules on drawings.Rules can be used to:
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Validate drawings for correctness.
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Provide feedback on missing elements.
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Highlight drawing elements that match certain conditions.
On the Drawings tab, in the Rules group, click Rules to display the Rules window.
Use the Rules window to run defined rules on multiple drawings. Items with matched rules are indicated on the drawing in various ways:
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A warning, error or information message.
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A permanent color change.
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A permanent line style change.
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A highlighted color.
Drawings
Specifies the drawings on which the rules are ran.
Click Select to display the Drawings selection window.
The functionality available from the Drawings selection window is described as part of the process to batch print drawings.
Alternatively, click Select and select All Opened from the drop-down list to select all opened drawings.
Reset highlight
If the check box is selected, existing highlight is removed from drawing items before running the rules.
If the check box is not selected, existing highlight is retained on drawing items when the rules are ran.
Discipline
Filters the the tree view by discipline.
Note:
The available rules on the Rules window is filtered based on the disciplines that you are assigned to. If you are
assigned to multiple disciplines, the [All] option becomes available for selection.
Click Select to display the Disciplines selection window.
If the check box is selected, the rules for the discipline are displayed in the tree view.
If the check box is not selected, the rules for the discipline are not displayed in the tree view.
Search
Input a value in the field to filter the rules by rule name.
Tree View
Provides an easy to use graphical method for exploring the rules.
The tree view displays the rules in a hierarchy. Click on a rule in the tree view to navigate to the rule and make it the current element.
If the check box is selected, the rule is processed and matched items are indicated on the drawing.
If the check box is not selected, the rule is not processed.
When a check box is selected/deselected, all check boxes below the the check box in the hierarchy are selected/deselected.
To expand the element hierarchy, click 
to the left of the element name. To contract an expanded element, click 
to the left of the element name.
Default rules are supplied with the P&ID discipline. The default rules cannot be deleted. The feedback options for the default rules can be modified for the current session.
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Rule name |
Rule description |
|---|---|
|
Branches with mismatched attributes |
Highlights intersecting piping network segments with mismatching attributes. For example, bore, pipeline specification, tracing specification, insulation specification or paint specification. |
|
Branches/components with mandatory unset attributes |
Highlights mandatory attributes which are not populated. These are unique attributes which are setup using naming rules. |
|
Branches/components with unset specification and/or bore |
Highlights P&ID items with incomplete attributes. For example, bore or specification. |
|
Piping components available at catalogue with unset component specification |
Highlights piping components with unset component specification references. |
|
Report orphan nozzles |
Highlights nozzles which do not have a parent association to an equipment item. |
|
Report unconnected nozzles with piping network segment |
Highlights nozzles which are not connected to a piping network segment. |
|
Unconnected branches |
Highlights centerlines which are not connected to a P&ID item at either end. |
Project defined rules are created in the the Configuration module. The project defined rules can be modified for the current session. User defined rules can be created, edited, copied and deleted.
Right-click on a discipline, default type, project defined type or project defined rule set element to display a drop-down menu.
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Expand All |
Expands all elements below the selected element in the tree view. |
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Collapse |
Collapses all elements below the selected element in the tree view. |
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Run |
Runs the currently selected rule. |
Right click on a default rule or project defined rule element to display a drop-down menu.
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Run |
Runs the currently selected rule. |
Right click on a user defined type element to display a drop-down menu.
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Expand All |
Expands all elements below the selected element in the tree view. |
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Collapse |
Collapses all elements below the selected element in the tree view. |
|
Run |
Runs the currently selected rule. |
|
New rule set |
Creates a rule set in the tree view. |
|
Paste rule set |
Pastes a rule set from the clipboard. The pasted rule set and all associated rules are added to the tree view. |
Right click on a user defined rule set element to display a drop-down menu.
|
Expand All |
Expands all elements below the selected element in the tree view. |
|
Collapse |
Collapses all elements below the selected element in the tree view. |
|
Run |
Runs the currently selected rule. |
|
New rule |
Creates a rule in the tree view. |
|
Paste rule |
Pastes a rule from the clipboard. The pasted rule is added to the tree view. |
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Copy rule set |
Copies the selected rule set and all associated rules to the clipboard. |
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Delete rule set |
Deletes the selected rule set and all associated rules. A confirmation window displays asking you to OK the deletion. Click Yes to delete the selected rule set. |
Right click on a user defined rule element to display a drop-down menu.
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Run |
Runs the currently selected rule. |
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Copy |
Copies the selected rule to the clipboard. |
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Delete |
Deletes the selected rule. A confirmation window displays asking you to OK the deletion. Click Yes to delete the selected rule. |
|
|
Edit rule |
Allows you to edit a default or project defined rule for the current session.The rule is restored to the original values when the application is restarted. User defined rules can be edited. Changes to user defined rules are preserved between application sessions when a save is performed. Click to display the Rule definition window. |
The functionality available from the Rule Definition window is identical to the Manage rules window in the Configuration module.
Only the options available in the Run, Validation Feedback and Formatting Feedback parts of the Rule Definition window can be modified for default rules and project defined rules.
Restore
Restores the rules to the original values when the Rule Definition window was last saved, or when the session was started.
Save
Saves any changes made to the Rule Definition window.
Run
Runs the selected rules.
Note:
Rules can be configured to run when a drawing is opened or edited and may not require
manual activation.
The Validating drawings window is displayed. Click Cancel to cancel the rule validation.
Items with matched rules are indicated on the drawing.
The example displays a drawing that contains a matched rule for centerlines with a bore attribute of 50 (mm by default).
The centerline is highlighted amber and information messages are displayed.
Refer to Batch Print Drawings and Rules for further information.