Symbols Configuration Category

The Symbols pane is used to update the definitions of all the symbols that can be inserted into a AVEVA P&ID drawing.

• When the product is installed, a standard set of symbols is installed with it. Also installed is a default project. This includes symbol data as part of the project catalogue which includes settings that define the behaviour of all the standard symbols. A copy of symbol data is automatically copied into the directory structure of a new project whenever a new project is generated.

• A project can be granted access to the standard set of symbols via the appropriate Standard Symbol Path, as displayed on the Project pane of the Administration program. In this way, a common set of symbols can be made available to all projects.

• The standard symbol set can be changed simply by redrawing or replacing the standard symbols using AutoCAD. The default symbol data should also be changed to reflect this by the use of this screen in the administrator, replacing the symbol names of the supplied set with those of the replacement set.

• If project specific symbols are required in addition to the standard symbol set, these can either be drawn in AutoCAD or preferably by using the Symbol Editor facility, and placed as appropriate in the project symbol directory.

• The symbols grid of the Symbols pane provides facilities for adding definitions of project symbols to the project, and for editing them as required. These new definitions are added to the project copy of the symbol data in the project catalogue.

• The pane in fact provides facilities for editing the settings of all symbols that are available to the project, including standard symbols. Since these changes are saved and stored in the project catalogue, changes made to the settings of standard symbols for a project do not change the default settings for these symbols as stored in the default project.

The application pane is divided into the following sections.

Import Symbols Section

This section is used to import additional symbols from another project. Only symbols not currently in the Symbols grid are imported. Existing symbols are not replaced.

On selection of Import Symbols From Other Projects, a dialog is displayed, enabling the user to select the project from which to import symbols, and then the required symbols themselves.

If symbols are to be imported from a project on the same server, select the Import Symbols From Same Server option, and select the project from the Select Project list.

To import from a project on a different server, select the Import Symbols From Different Server option, and specify the server in question using the dialog that is then displayed before selecting the required project.

Once a project is selected, the project symbols are listed in the grid. Click on a symbol row to view an image of the symbol to the right of the grid.

To select a symbol for import, check its Select File checkbox. To check all Select File checkboxes, check the Select All checkbox.

Once all required symbols are selected, select Import to import them.

Symbol Viewer Section

This section contains two hyperlinks - Open Symbol Viewer Window… and Close Symbol Viewer Window….

On selection of Open Symbol Viewer Window…, a window is opened in which the symbol currently selected in the symbol grid is graphically displayed. The Symbol Viewer is refreshed with the appropriate symbol if another symbol is selected from the symbol grid.

The window can be moved and 'docked' within the application pane.

On selection of Close Symbol Viewer Window…, the viewer window is closed.

Note: If using AutoCAD 2009, the AutoCAD background colour must be set to black in order to correctly display symbols in the Symbol Viewer Window. To do this, open the Symbol Editor Window, and from the Tools menu, Options Display and then the Colours icon. Set the background colour to black, then save the Symbol Editor Window and close it.

To display the Favourites tab in the AVEVA P&ID Explorer, check the Display Favorites panel checkbox, this is the default setting. To remove the Favourites tab from the AVEVA P&ID Explorer, uncheck the Display Favorites panel checkbox.

User Defined Attributes Section

After User-Defined Attributes (UDAs) have been added to symbols or edited using the Symbol Editor, in order to implement these changes to all project drawings, or to a selection of project drawings, the Refresh UDAs facility must be used.

Click the Upgrade UDAs In Drawings hyperlink. The Refresh UDAs dialog is then opened.

Scale Symbols Section

If users are to be able to scale symbols on drawings that have a size type of "User Defined" (2 in the Size Type column), check the Allow User Defined Symbols checkbox.

Symbol Grid Section

The Symbols grid is used to manage the properties of symbols.

Edit the Symbols with Import from Excel Spreadsheets

The symbols can be efficiently edited by exporting them to an Excel spreadsheet, editing it in that spreadsheet, and then by importing the amended list back into AVEVA P&ID.

The procedure is as follows:

1. Select the symbol to be exported from the Symbols list.

2. Select the Export to Excel link. A message is then displayed requesting that the user confirm that the export is to take place:

   

3. Click Yes. The selected symbol is then exported to a spreadsheet. When the export is complete, a message is displayed to inform the user of this, and giving the location of the exported file. For example:

   

4. The symbol can now be edited in Excel. Click the Open Excel link to open it.

   Note: The Open Excel and Import from Excel links are disabled until an export takes place, and disabled again once the changed symbols are imported back into AVEVA P&ID.

5. Add, edit and delete the symbols as required, and then save the file.

6. To import the symbols back into AVEVA P&ID, select the Import from Excel link. A message is then displayed requesting that the user confirm that the import is to take place. Click Yes to continue.

7. The symbols list is then updated to reflect the changes made in the spreadsheet.

Add a New Symbol

If a symbol definition is to be added to the project, select . The following file dialog box is then displayed:

• If a new symbol definition is to be created and added to the project, click New. Enter the name of the new symbol in the Symbol Name field. Select a P&ID type and enter a description in the P&ID Type and Symbol Description fields. Browse for the location for the new symbol file via the button adjacent to the File/Directory Path field.

  Note: In the case of offsheet connectors, the symbol name must end with either -IN or -OUT depending on whether the connector symbol is intended to represent a connector into drawings or out of drawings.

  Note: If a symbol description of a valve symbol includes the text CLOSED, the valves using this symbol will regarded as isolation valves for the purposes of denoting isolation in AVEVA P&ID Reports and the AVEVA P&ID Document Manager.

• If an existing symbol definition is to be added to the project, one that has already been drawn, perhaps in another project, click Existing. Then browse for the appropriate symbol drawing file using the button adjacent to the File/Directory Path field. Select a P&ID type and enter a description in the P&ID Type and Symbol Description fields.

When all details of the symbol have been entered, press OK. The dialog box will be closed and the values of the added symbol will be displayed in the grid. New symbols can now be drawn using the Symbol Editor, and Existing symbols edited.

Symbol names cannot be edited. The symbol row must be deleted and re-entered with a new name.

Enter Symbol Data

Note: In the case of port valves, most of the data is derived automatically from the physical attributes of the symbol drawing. The only attribute that may need to be set is the Number of Insert Points.

Column 1: Symbol Name

The column may contain a maximum of 32 characters and holds the name of the block defined by the user.

Column 2: P&ID Type

Decide which AVEVA P&ID item type the new block falls into. If in doubt, look at the default blocks provided with the installation. Once decided, enter the 3 character type in this column in capital letters e.g. VLV-valve. The AVEVA P&ID type dictates the block's behaviour and labelling capabilities in the drawing. If uncertain, leave the symbol out and do this later. Establish whether it will appear in the instrument or valve list, if not, leave the symbol off the drawings completely. Do not insert it as a Miscellaneous item type otherwise it may be necessary to remove it, purge the drawing, reinsert the correct symbol and label it.

Note: Symbols with the VPO P&ID Type (Generic Pipe Component) can be set to "flip" in the same way as reducers to orientate themselves for example, so that when inserted into a pipe the wide end is always connected to the larger pipe size and the narrow end is always connected to the smaller pipe size.
By default, symbols with the VPO P&ID Type are "auto named" using the configuration set up for valves (see Valves - Automatic Tag Format Sub-Category). If required VPO symbols can be excluded from auto naming by entering either "GENERIC" or "REDUCER" in the Item Type column. Refer to Set up Reducer and Line Fittings as P&ID Generic Line Fittings (VPO) to use under Code Rule Validation.

Column 3: Fixed Size or User Defined

This setting determines whether the block can be re-sized or not. Select 1 for Fixed or 2 for User Defined. Set to 0 for other types.

Column 4: Insertion in Pipes, Links and Signal Lines

This setting governs whether a block may break into a pipe, signal line or process link. Enter 1 for No or 2 for Yes. Take extra care when creating new symbols such as reducers and insulation; some only need to overlay the pipe and some actually need to break into a pipe in order to be exported correctly.

Column 5: Symbol Length

Any block that is connected to or breaks into a line needs a length to be defined for it. This is because AVEVA P&ID needs to know the length of the corresponding break to be made in the line.

Enter the length of the block, if applicable, as a decimal number e.g. 8.0. If 1 was the entry in column 4, enter 0.0 for null. Avoid entering lengths which divide by 2 to give an odd number, as this then forces the user to have a snap spacing of 1, which is too small to be workable.

Column 6: Break Offset

The distance from the insert point of the block to the start of the break in the line, pipe etc. Enter 0.0 for null if the entry in Column 4 was 1 (No). Alternatively, enter the offset as a decimal number, e.g. 2.0. If the offset is not half the length, AVEVA P&ID will allow the picking of an offset distance moving in a left to right direction.

Column 7: Number of Insert Points

The block may have one or more insert points depending on what it consists of e.g. spec break, reducer, handwheel. Enter 1 if the block should assume the angle of the pipe into which it is breaking or 0 degrees. Enter 2 if the program should ask the user for a second point to show the angle.

Column 8: Graphical Creation Angle

The graphical creation angle must be taken into account when creating blocks.

The basic rule is that AVEVA P&ID subtracts the graphical creation angle from the angle of the pipe so that the group always aligns itself with the pipe upon insertion and hence looks "correct".

A graphical creation must be stated when creating 2-way, 3-way, or angled valves dependent on the insertion point.

Enter the graphical creation angle if applicable, as a decimal figure e.g. 90.0. This number can easily be changed using the Project Administration program if it is discovered that on insertion the angle is incorrect. Often the easiest way of understanding this requirement is to change the angle and make an insertion; go back to the Project Administration program and keep altering it until the desired result is achieved.

Column 9: Graphical Trace Around

Enter 2 if the block is an inline item and should be traced around. Enter 1 if the symbol should not be traced around.

Column 10: Trace Width

Enter a decimal number to denote the width of the tracing. Enter 0.0 for null.

Column 11: Item Type

A prompt is shown when a symbol is inserted. It is a description of the block which may be up to 32 characters in length.

Column 12: Valve Type

For instruments only, the type of valve e.g. globe. Enter up to 32 characters or NONE if this column does not apply.

Column 13: Valve Actuator Type

For instruments only, the type of actuator on a valve e.g. diaphragm. Enter up to 32 characters or NONE if this column does not apply.

Column 14: Instrument Location

For instruments only, the location of the instrument e.g. panel, rack etc. Enter up to 32 characters and NONE if this column does not apply.

Column 15: PDMS Type

Field used by AVEVA Model Management and PDMS.

Column 16: PDMS Sub Type

Field used by AVEVA Model Management and PDMS.

Column 17: Boundary Symbol

Select from the drop-down list to specify an exchangeable symbol for a valve on the drawing when an isolation field value is changed

If the valve is an open valve, the boundary symbol drop-down list will be populated with closed valves.

If the valve is a closed valve, the boundary symbol drop-down list will be populated with open valves.

The display of the valve on the drawing is dependent on the Isolation property setting on the Valve Properties window.

Update UDAs

After User-Defined Attributes (UDAs) have been added to symbols or edited using the Symbol Editor, in order to implement these changes to all project drawings, or to a selection of project drawings, the Refresh UDAs facility must be used.

Click the Upgrade UDAs In Drawings hyperlink. The Refresh UDAs dialog is then opened.

All project drawings are listed.

To select a drawing to be updated with the UDA changes, check the appropriate Select File checkbox. To select all drawings, check the Select All checkbox.

When the required drawings have been selected, click Process. A warning message is then displayed advising the user to make sure that none of the drawings selected are currently being edited. Assuming that this is the case, select OK. The selected drawings are then updated with the UDA changes.

The Progress field will indicate the progress of the operation.

To cancel the process, click Quit.

To view details of the process once it is complete, click View Log. The log of the process will then be displayed in Notepad.

The log will list for each selected drawing, which UDAs have been added or deleted and the symbols to they have been added/deleted to/from.

To close the Refresh UDAs dialog, select Exit.