Utilities
- Last UpdatedMar 11, 2026
- 3 minute read
Use the Utilities functionality to display items that are not physical there, display all possible errors, view a list of all PML windows that are currently open, global variables and database elements. Mark elements in the PML libraries and get callback.
Pin Manager
Displays the Pin Manager window, allowing you to place graphical pins (of which there are ten) in the 3D view. Use the standard functionality to position the pin in the 3D view.
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New |
Use to create a new pin. |
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Open |
Populates the Pin Manager window, with the currently selected pin’s attributes. |
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Save |
Use to saves a pin’s attributes. |
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PPoints |
Places a pin at a selected PPoint in the 3D view. |
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Distance |
Measures the distance between two pins in the 3D view. |
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Angle |
Measures the angle between three pins in the 3D view. |
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Show |
Highlights a pin in the 3D view |
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Hide |
Hides a pin in the 3D view. |
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Pick |
Pick to place a pin at the selected point in the 3D view. |
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Pin at CE |
Places a pin at the CE in the 3D view. |
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Clear |
Clears all of the pin attributes from the Pin Manager window. |
Error List
Displays the Message List window, populated with all of the possible errors and their meaning. Use to create (select an error and an accompanying message) or search for an error, message, warning, soft message, prompt, confirmation, question and an error no alert.
Messages may contain fields which are substituted at run-time. The substitution codes are:
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#F - Database Reference substitution - used for Database elements. The value supplied should be the Reference of the element.
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#H - Word substitution. This is usually used for Element and Attribute type-names.
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#I - Integer substitution.
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#N - Name substitution. Used for Text strings.
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#R - Real (floating-point) value.
Open Forms
Displays the Forms window populated with all the PML windows that are currently open, use to navigate through the forms, gadgets, members and view their properties.
Use the If Shown Forms check box to populate the Open Forms window with open ML windows (default).
Global Variables
Use the AVEVA data type DBREF window to search for and view global variables in AVEVA E3D Design.
Element Definitions
Use the Element Definition window to search through element types within the database and view principal definitions, element/attributes and valid elements information about each.
PMLLIBS
Displays all the available PMLLIBS in the Project and Users folders.
Get Callback
Use to display the code for a selected button.
Automated Tests
Displays the Automated Tests window, populated with the default automated tests available for selection.