Create and Modify Auto Number Rules

Auto numbering allows you to assign predefined numbering conventions to particular types of drawings. By identifying a particular type or group of elements ABA can assign a defined numbering convention.

To access auto number rules

1. Select Create then Area ADP Library and then Auto-Number Rules from the main menu to display the Number Settings form.

   

2. Select any one of these options from the File menu as needed:

   • Save - saves the current numbering rules to the file dra-nam.pmldat, which is stored in %PDMSUSER% by default. N.B. this does not save the element rules.

   • Load - loads the numbering rules file into the Auto-Numbering Rules form.

   • Auto Naming On/Off - toggles the auto numbering on and off. Not applicable to ABA as this is dealt with in other areas of ABA.

   • Define Naming Rules - takes you to the Auto-Numbering Rules form.

3. To create/modify the rules, click the Define Naming Rules button to display the Auto-Numbering Rules form.

   

   Use this form to define how ABA creates the drawing number for a particular element rule.

4. Complete the Data Input section of the form:

   • Scan Level - determines the top level in the hierarchy for the element rule should start from, for example world, dept, regi.

   • Rule Name - the name of the rule which is used as a reference to its respective Element Rule.

   • Element Rules¼ button - covered later in this topic.

   • Description - gives the description of the numbering rule.

   • Format - defines the format for the number. This section can use a PML expression to call a function or method, which can then ascertain attributes from the drawing to use in the construction of the number.

   • Indices - assigns the maximum number of significant figures to the drawing rule.

5. Use the buttons in the middle of the form as required:

   • Cut - removes the numbering rule from the list.

   • Copy - makes a copy of the rule and inserts it into the above fields.

   • Replace - replaces the current rule with the modified version.

   • Insert - places the new rule into the current list. The pull-down menu allows you to specify where the rule is placed within the list. The options available are Before and After. The auto-numbering process uses each rule in turn, numbering all drawings applicable to that rule, then moves onto the next rule. Therefore the order of the rule list determines the preference for how the drawings are numbered.

6. Complete the Data Display section of the form:

   • Key field - displays the current auto naming rules.

   • Data field - displays all the attributes for the selected rule. This includes the Element Rules for the numbering rule.

7. Below the Data Display section of the form:

   • Test - tests the numbering rule on the current element. If successful it will return a constructed number, if the rule is not valid to the element then a warning informing of this will appear.

   • Use Rule - as above, but the Rule attribute in the Element Rule is tested on the current element.

8. Click the Element Rules button to display the Define Rules form. This allows you to define which elements are to be selected for a particular rule. Auto-numbering works by going through each element rule to collect the relevant drawings, and then applies the associated numbering rule to those drawings.

   

   The File menu options are:

   • Save - saves the current element rules to the file dra-element-rules.pmldat, which is stored in %PDMSUSER% by default.

   • Load - loads the element rules file into this form.

   • Location - defines where the element rules file is stored. The sub-menu options are: User, Project, and PDMS.

9. Complete the Definition section of the form:

   • Name - the name of the corresponding number rule. The name here MUST be identical to the numbering name.

   • Types - identifies what type of element(s) to search for, in other words DRWG selects drawings.

   • Rule - sets another selection rule for the elements to be acted upon.

   • Description - describes the element rule.

   • Include - includes the new element definition.

   • Replace - replaces the current rule with the modified rule.

   • Remove - removes the current rule.

10. The Defined section of the form lists all available element rules. To view or modify a rule click on the one required.

11. Click OK to return to the Auto-Numbering Rules form.

12. Click OK to return to the Number Settings form.

13. Click OK to finish.