Pipe Work Spooling User Guide

Pipework Spooling Using PDMS
User Guide
Version 11.6
pdms1160/Pipework spooling User Guide

issue 130904
PLEASE NOTE:
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contained in this document may be subject to change without notice.
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products of AVEVA Solutions Ltd or its licensors.
For details of AVEVA's worldwide sales and support offices, see our website at
http://www.aveva.com
Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS Contents-iii

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Contents
1 Introduction to this Guide..........................................................................1-1

1.1 The Scope of the Guide ................................................................................. 1-1
1.2 Learning to Use SPOOLER .......................................................................... 1-1
1.3 Further Training in PDMS ............................................................................ 1-2
1.4 Some Terminology ........................................................................................ 1-2
1.5 How the Guide is Organised ......................................................................... 1-3
1.6 Terms and Conventions................................................................................. 1-3
1.6.1 Instruction Terms ........................................................................... 1-4
1.6.2 Conventions.................................................................................... 1-5
2 What PDMS SPOOLER Offers You............................................................2-1

2.1 Pipework Spooling ........................................................................................ 2-1
2.2 Database Usage ............................................................................................. 2-1
2.3 3D Graphics................................................................................................... 2-2
2.4 Numbering..................................................................................................... 2-2
2.5 Naming .......................................................................................................... 2-2
2.6 Spooling Volume Calculation ....................................................................... 2-2
2.7 Drawing Output............................................................................................. 2-2
3 Controlling SPOOLER................................................................................3-1
3.1 Starting a SPOOLER Session........................................................................ 3-1
3.2 Using the Mouse............................................................................................ 3-4
3.3 Using Menus.................................................................................................. 3-4
3.4 Using the Tool Bar Icon Buttons................................................................... 3-5
3.4.1 Tool Tips ........................................................................................ 3-5
3.5 The 3D View Window ................................................................................... 3-5
3.6 The Status Bar ............................................................................................... 3-6
3.7 Using Forms and their Controls .................................................................... 3-6
3.7.1 Option Buttons ............................................................................... 3-6
3.7.2 Check Boxes................................................................................... 3-6
3.7.3 Using Text Boxes ........................................................................... 3-7
3.7.4 Drop-Down Lists............................................................................ 3-7
3.7.5 Using Scrollable Lists .................................................................... 3-7
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3.7.6 Control Buttons.............................................................................. 3-8

3.8 Alert Forms ................................................................................................... 3-8
3.9 Accessing On-line Help ................................................................................ 3-8
4 Setting Up the Database Hierarchy .......................................................... 4-1

4.1 How PDMS Stores Data ............................................................................... 4-1
4.2 Creating Some Administrative Elements...................................................... 4-3
5 Controlling the 3D View............................................................................. 5-1

5.1 Setting up a 3D View Window ..................................................................... 5-2
5.1.1 View Contents................................................................................ 5-2
5.1.2 View Limits ................................................................................... 5-3
5.1.3 Type of View ................................................................................. 5-3
5.2 Manipulating the Displayed View ................................................................ 5-5
5.3 Saving and Restoring a View........................................................................ 5-7
6 Preparing the Site for Spooling ................................................................ 6-1

6.1 Checking the Design Data ............................................................................ 6-1
6.2 Inspecting the Site......................................................................................... 6-1
6.3 Measuring the Pipe Lengths.......................................................................... 6-3
6.4 Inserting Welds ............................................................................................. 6-5
6.4.1 Inserting a Weld at a Design Point ................................................ 6-6
6.4.2 Separating the Header Pipe............................................................ 6-6
6.4.3 Splitting a Tube with a Weld ......................................................... 6-8
7 Spooling the Piping Network .................................................................... 7-1

7.1 Pipework Spooling........................................................................................ 7-1
7.2 Spooling the Piping Network........................................................................ 7-2
7.2.1 Numbering the Spool Drawing ...................................................... 7-4
7.2.2 Navigating Between the Databases................................................ 7-5
7.2.3 Selecting Adjacent Field Components........................................... 7-5
8 Advanced Spooler Features...................................................................... 8-1

8.1 Checking the Spool Size ............................................................................... 8-1
8.1.1 Selecting the Numbering Update Options ..................................... 8-2
8.2 Changing the Shop/Field Setting .................................................................. 8-4
8.3 Forcing a Spool Break at a Joint ................................................................... 8-5
8.4 Forcing a Spool Break at a Specified Element Level ................................... 8-6
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9 Outputting Spool Data ...............................................................................9-1

9.1 Plotting the Spool Drawings ......................................................................... 9-1
9.2 Isometric Drawing Contents.......................................................................... 9-4
9.2.1 Drawing Annotations ..................................................................... 9-6
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Version 11.6
1 Introduction to this Guide
1.1 The Scope of the Guide
This guide introduces PDMS SPOOLER, AVEVA Solutions Ltds pipework

spooling module. The guide assumes that you are already familiar with either
pipework design or piping fabrication practices, but does not assume any prior
knowledge of computer-aided design systems.
The guide explains the main concepts underlying SPOOLER and shows you how
you can apply these to your own design projects, by getting you to carry out a
tutorial exercise. This guide does not give step-by-step instructions on how to carry
out specific spooling functions, since you can access such information using the on-
line help facilities incorporated into the programs graphical user interface.
1.2 Learning to Use SPOOLER
The aim of this guide is to help you to learn to use SPOOLER as quickly as possible.
Once you have grasped the basic principles, you will find that most operations
quickly become intuitive.
The best way to learn is to experiment with the product for yourself. To facilitate
this, the guide comprises two concurrent sequences of information:
Explanations of the concepts, given at the points at which each is first
encountered as the exercise progresses.
A hands-on tutorial exercise, which gives a step-by-step practical
introduction to the ways in which you might use the application. The tutorial is
based on the sample project supplied with PDMS.
Experienced PDMS users will find that the early chapters of this guide are common with
PDMS Design. As such you may wish to look quickly through these sections, just carrying
out the tutorial steps in Chapters 3, 4 and 5. The main part of the spooling tutorial begins in
Chapter 6.
Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS 1-1

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Introduction to this Guide
The intention is that you should work progressively through this guide, pausing to
learn about each new concept as it is introduced and carrying out the related steps in
the tutorial, to reinforce the learning process.
The steps which make up the exercise are numbered sequentially through the guide.
The start and end of each section of the exercise are marked by double lines across
the page, to separate the tutorial from the general information sections, like this:
1.3 Further Training in PDMS
Although this guide will teach you to understand the key features of using
SPOOLER, it cannot possibly show you all the facilities available, nor can it identify
the best ways in which you might use the program to suit your own individual
design practices.
To get the best out of PDMS and its supporting applications, it is important that you
receive proper training in its use from a qualified instructor, who can answer your
questions as they arise and give you advice on tailoring your techniques to best
match your objectives. A wide range of training courses are provided by AVEVA
Solutions Ltd, covering all levels of expertise and all design disciplines. To arrange
attendance on such a course, contact your nearest AVEVA Solutions Ltd support
office for further details (see the copyright page at the front of this guide for a link to
our web site, which gives contact details).
1.4 Some Terminology
As you might imagine, a program with the wide-ranging power of PDMS is

necessarily large and, if you had simultaneous access to all of its features, could be
rather daunting. To make the whole program easily controllable, it is subdivided into
convenient functional parts. These are referred to throughout this guide by the
following terms:
Modules are subdivisions of PDMS which you use to carry out specific types
of operation. This guide is concerned with the SPOOLER module, used to
divide pipework networks into spools for fabrication.
Applications provide interfaces to PDMS which are specific to particular
disciplines. For example, the Pipework Application is used in PDMS to
design the piping networks.
You can switch between the different parts of the program, so that the distinctions
between them become almost imperceptible, but you need to recognise which
facilities are available in which applications.
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1.5 How the Guide is Organised
This guide is divided into a number of chapters, presenting the information in a

logical flow. There are also some appendices presenting additional reference
information. The contents of the chapters and appendices are as follows:
Chapter 1 - Introduction to this Guide (this chapter)
Summarises the scope of this guide.
Chapter 2 - What PDMS SPOOLER Offers You
Gives a general overview of the pipework spooling application.
Chapter 3 - Controlling SPOOLER
Gives you a general guide to using the SPOOLER graphical user interface
(GUI), including an explanation of how to access detailed on-line help. If you
are already familiar with similar forms and menus interfaces, you should be
able to read through this chapter rapidly. Do not ignore it altogether, however,
as it tells you how to start the SPOOLER module.
Chapter 4 - Setting Up the Database Hierarchy
Explains how SPOOLER stores its data and how the two databases are linked.
Chapter 5 - Controlling the 3D View
Describes how you can easily set-up and manipulate 3D Views.
Chapter 6 - Beginning to Spool the Piping Network
Explains the key features of pipework spooling using the PDMS SPOOLER
module and describes what actions to take before you begin the spooling and
how to split a piping network into a number of spools, using the default shop
flag settings.
Chapter 7 - Advanced Spooler Features
Describes the advanced features which affect the Design model and database.
Chapter 8 - Outputting Spool Data
Shows you how to generate isometric plots of the Spool Drawings, using the
ISODRAFT module. .
Appendix A - SPOOLER Menu Hierarchies
Shows the complete menu hierarchy for the SPOOLER and ISODRAFT
modules.
Appendix B - Reference Information
Provides additional information on some aspects of the SPOOLER program
and describes some special cases.
Index
1.6 Terms and Conventions
The following sections describe the terms and conventions used in this User Guide.

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1.6.1 Instruction Terms

The following terms are used throughout this guide, to describe what action to carry
out.
Term Description
Click Place the mouse cursor over the specified point,
then quickly press and release the designated
mouse button.
If no button is specified always use the left-hand
mouse button.
Double-click Quickly click the left-hand mouse button two
times over the designated object.
Pick Click on the desired element in the 3D View
window, to select it.
Drag Place the mouse cursor over the specified point on
the screen; then press and hold the designated
mouse button move the mouse cursor to the
required point. When the mouse cursor is over the
required point, release the button.
Enter Type text into the specified dialogue box and the
press the Enter (or Return key).

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1.6.2 Conventions
The following conventions are used throughout this guide, to enable you to easily
understand the instructions in the tutorial.
Item Convention
Control names The name for any control you must select is
shown in Narrow Bold text; e.g. the Apply button.
Menu options Menus selections are shown in Narrow Bold text
with the > character used to separate the levels;
e.g. Display>Drawlist - means select the Drawlist
option from the Display menu.
Form names The name of any form is shown in Italic text; e.g.
Spooler Members list.

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2 What PDMS SPOOLER Offers You
SPOOLER is the pipework spooling module for AVEVA Solutions Ltds Plant
Design Management System (PDMS). It allows you to split the pipework design into
logical sections (spools) ready for fabrication. The spool data can then be output as
isometric drawings using ISODRAFT.
2.1 Pipework Spooling
SPOOLER works with Spool Drawings (SPLDRGs) , which are created by selecting
an interconnected network of piping components to be added to the drawing. Once
you have selected the elements, the application checks that your selections form a
valid piping network.
Spool Drawings contain a number of complete Spool and Field elements, divided by
Spool Breaks, where a SPOOL is defined as a run of piping components and tube
that will be connected during fabrication and a FIELD is an individual or group of
piping components that will be connected on-site during the erection phase. Spools
cannot be split across Spool Drawings.
Spool Breaks are normally defined by the software, when the application detects a
change in the status of the Shop Flag (where the Shop Flag indicates whether the
component will be included in a fabricated assembly (SHOP) or fitted during the
erection phase (FIELD)). You can also force spool breaks manually, at joints where
the Shop Flags are the same on all sides, and add Welds, to split pipes, in the design.
By setting the SFLimit (Spool/Field Limit) attribute for a SPLDRG to either BRAN,
PIPE, ZONE or SITE, a spool break will be enforced at any change at the
corresponding element level.
2.2 Database Usage
Spooler uses two databases:

Fabrication database - This contains all your spooling data.
Design database - This contains all the design data for the project.
Spooler has full read/write access to the Fabrication database but has only limited
access to the Design database, only being allowed to change attributes relevant to
the fabrication of the pipework (e.g. specifying Field Welds).

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2.3 3D Graphics
The pipework design or spooling models can be viewed at any angle or scale,
including standard orthogonal and isometric views, in the 3D View windows. The
windows can be set to navigation only mode, allowing you to move around the
displayed model and select elements, or Design mode, to carry out actions on the
model. Design mode makes use of the Event Driven Graphics (EDG) mode, which
allows cursor picks to be used interactively as part of an operation, rather than just
for navigation and element selection.
2.4 Numbering
Once you have defined the contents of your drawings, you can automatically
number: parts, welds, spools, fields, bends and non-welded joints. The numbering
always starts from one of the end spools; the start point can be changed using the
Reorder facility.
Part numbers can be created either across a complete spool drawing or to individual
spools.
2.5 Naming
Database elements can be given unique names using the Autonaming facility. This
recognises sets of rules which can be set up by a system administrator, from the
Main Menu options. You can use this facility to both name new elements, as you
create them, and to name existing elements, retrospectively.
2.6 Spooling Volume Calculation
Spooler can calculate the shipping volume of a spool for you, enabling you to easily
check its size. This could be used to check that a spool is not going to be too large
for the fabrication plant or transportation.
2.7 Drawing Output
Once you have defined your spool drawings, you can produce them as isometric
plots, using ISODRAFT.

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3 Controlling SPOOLER
This chapter introduces the techniques for controlling SPOOLER using the
Graphical User Interface (GUI), which you see on your screen when SPOOLER is
started. To do this, we will begin the tutorial exercise by starting PDMS and entering
the SPOOLER module.
It is assumed that you are already logged in to your workstation and that you know
enough about its operating system to enable you to use the mouse as well as opening
and manipulating windows on your computer. If not, you need to read the manuals
supplied with your computer system or seek advice from your computer systems
department.
In order for you to follow the tutorial exercise, SPOOLER and the sample PDMS
project supplied must have been correctly installed and you must have read/write
access to the project databases. This procedure, which should have been carried out
by your PDMS administrator as part of the product installation sequence, is beyond
the scope of this guide.
3.1 Starting a SPOOLER Session
You can go directly to SPOOLER when you first start PDMS or you can switch to it
from another PDMS module. The method used to start PDMS depends on your
operating system.
We will now start PDMS and enter the SPOOLER module.
Exercise Begins:
1. Start PDMS, by selecting PDMS from the Start menu, Programs sub-menu.

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Figure 3-1 The PDMS Login Form
Clicking on the down arrows beside the Project, Username and MDB
fields displays a form listing the available options. Click on the required
option on these forms to select it.
Clicking on the down arrows beside the Module and Load from drop
down list boxes displays a list of the available options. Click on the
required option to select it.
To enter the password, click in the Password text box, type your
password and press Enter.
For the tutorial project (SAM) you need to set the fields up as shown in
Figure 3-1 and enter the Password PIPE.
Click OK to start SPOOLER.
The initial display uses two main windows, :
Application Window - This window is divided into a number of sections:
Menu bar
This bar is located directly under the title bar and displays the names of
the menus available in that module.
Tool bars
The tool bars are located under the menu bar and display a number of
icon buttons and standard list boxes, enabling you to easily and quickly
carry out commonly used tasks. The top bar is the general PDMS tool
bar, this enables you to carry out a number of standard PDMS tasks. The
second row is the module tool bar, the controls here enable you to carry
out tasks specific to the SPOOLER module.
Document display area
This area of the window contains any 3D graphical view windows.

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Status bar
This bar, across the bottom of the window, displays status information
about any action that is being carried out at that moment or the current
element.
Spooler Members List - This list allows you to navigate around the databases
and select the current element.
Figure 3-2 Application Screen
You can reposition or minimise these windows at any time by using the standard
window management facilities provided by your workstation (but do not close them
in this way).

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3.2 Using the Mouse
You use the mouse to steer the graphics cursor around the screen and to select or
pick items by using the mouse buttons. The buttons perform different tasks
depending on the type of window, and the position within the window, where the
cursor is positioned. The appearance of the cursor will change according to the type
of display item that is underneath it.
The functions of each of the buttons are introduced below.
Left-Hand Button:
The left-hand button is used for controlling the software and interacting with a 3D
design model.
In a 3D View, the left-hand button can be used to select an element, making it
the current element (CE) or as part of a procedure.
You can control the software by selecting menus options; activating tool bar
buttons and interacting with the controls (gadgets) on forms.
Right-Hand Button:
The right-hand mouse button is used to display the pop-up menu in a 3D View,
known as the 3D View menu.
Middle Button:
The middle mouse button is used to manipulate a graphical view. The manipulation
mode (zoom, pan or rotate) must first be selected from the right-hand button pop-up
menu or by clicking the appropriate button at the left-hand side of the 3D View.
3.3 Using Menus
There can be three types of option in a pull-down or pop-up menu:
CE
Options shown as plain text: selecting one of these
immediately performs that action.
Clashes...
Options followed by three dots: selecting one of
these displays a form, on which to select options,
enter data, etc.
Reports Options followed by a triangular pointer: display a
sub-menu, when they are highlighted, allowing
you to select one of the options.
Throughout this guide, related selections from menus are shown in an abbreviated
form using the > symbol as a separator. Thus, the sequence
Utilities>Reports>Create means select Utilities from the menu bar, then select
Reports from the resulting menu, then select Create from the resulting sub-menu'.

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3.4 Using the Tool Bar Icon Buttons
The tool bars are displayed underneath the menu bar in the Application Window.
They contain a number of icon buttons and other controls to enable you to easily
carry out common tasks, without searching for the options in the menus.
The roles of the icon buttons are explained in the on-line help. Tool Tips pop-ups are
also used to display the name of the button.
Note: The PDMS tool bar can be switched off, or displayed with large
icons, by selecting the relevant options from the System Settings
form. This is displayed by selecting Settings>System from the main
menu bar. The changes come into force the next time the module is
started.
3.4.1 Tool Tips

The tool tips give a brief description of the role of a tool bar button, for example:
Figure 3-3 Example of Tool Tips Prompt
Pausing the mouse over the tool button will display the tool tip pop-up.
3.5 The 3D View Window
3D View windows may be used to display any part of the current project, from a
single element to the complete design. More than one 3D View window may be
open at any one time, where each window contains a single view of the design; for
example, you may wish to display a plan view and an isometric view of the model.
Each view can be set-up to show either an orthogonal (from almost any direction) or
isometric view of the design. It can also be manipulated (by: zooming, panning,
rotating, etc.) to show any part of the design in more detail.
You can control how the model is shown by using the options on the Right Mouse
Button Menu, referred to as the 3D View menu. When you have more than one
view displayed, you can control any combination of them from a single form. To do
so, select Display>View Control from the main menu bar to see a 3D View Control
form.

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3.6 The Status Bar
The Status bar displays the name of the current element or messages informing you
of actions that the software is carrying out.
You should look at the status bar frequently, especially if the system appears to be
waiting for you to do something, since it will always prompt you for any input or
action which is required to carry out the next step of your current activity.
Note: Prompts for EDG actions are shown at the top of the 3D View
window.
3.7 Using Forms and their Controls
Forms are used both to display information and to let you select options and enter
data. Forms typically comprise an arrangement of: buttons, of various types, text
boxes, and scrollable lists. Input to a form is usually via a combination of mouse
and keyboard input; the mouse is used to select appropriate controls and the
keyboard to enter data.
While you have access to a form, you may change a setting, return to the initial
values, accept and act on the current data, or cancel the form without applying any
changes, according to the nature of the form.
This section describes how to use the principal types of controls (gadgets) that you
will see on the various forms.
3.7.1 Option Buttons

Option buttons are used to select one from a group of options. The selection is
mutually exclusive, so that selecting one option automatically deselects the others in
that group.
Option Button ON
Option Button OFF
To change the selected option button, click on the required button.
3.7.2 Check Boxes

Check boxes are used to switch an option between two states, typically On and Off.
Unlike option buttons they do not interact; so that if you have several check boxes
you can select any combination that you require and they do not effect each other.
The check boxes are shown as follows:

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Check box ON
Check box OFF
To change the setting of a check box to its opposite state (i.e. switch it Off if it is
On, or On if it is Off), position the cursor over the box and click the left-hand
mouse button.
3.7.3 Using Text Boxes

Text boxes are areas where you type in alphanumeric data such as names or
dimensions. A text box will usually have a label to tell you what to enter.
To enter data into a text-box:
Click in the box to insert the cursor.
Using the keyboard, type in the required data, editing any existing entry as
necessary. (You may need to delete the existing entry first.)
When you have finished, confirm the entry by pressing the Enter (or Return)
key. Any text-box with an unconfirmed setting is highlighted by a yellow
background.
When you first open a form which contains text-boxes, the first text-box on the form
will be current and a text pointer (a vertical bar) will be displayed in the box. A text-
box often contain a default entry (e.g. Unset) when first displayed. Some text-boxes
will accept only text or only numeric data, entries with the wrong type of data will
not be accepted.
3.7.4 Drop-Down Lists

Drop-down lists let you choose one option from a multiple selection. A list box
usually has the currently selected option displayed, with a down arrow to the right
side.
Clicking on the down arrow displays the list of options from which you can select
the required option.
3.7.5 Using Scrollable Lists

A scrollable list is displayed as a vertical list of options within the form, with
vertical and horizontal scroll bars along its sides. To select an option from a
scrollable list, click on the line you want. The selected line will be highlighted.
Some scrollable lists allow you to make only a single selection, so that selecting any
option deselects all others automatically. Other lists allow you to make multiple

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selections, with all selected options highlighted simultaneously. To deselect a

highlighted option in a multiple-choice list, click on it again (repeated clicks toggle a
selection On and Off).
3.7.6 Control Buttons

Most forms include at least one control button which is used either to enter the
command option represented by the current form setting; cancel any changes you
have made to the form or to close the form.
The form control buttons are described in the following table.
Control Description
Button
Enters the current form settings as command inputs and
OK closes the form.
Enters the current form settings as command inputs.
Apply
Cancels any changes made to the forms settings and
Cancel closes the form.
Reset Cancels any changes made to the forms settings.
Dismiss Closes the form keeping the current settings.
Some forms contain more specific control buttons; e.g. the Add and Remove
buttons on the Drawlist form.
3.8 Alert Forms
Alert forms are used to display information such as error messages and requests for
confirmation of changes. You should respond by carrying out the task prompted for
or by clicking on the control buttons on the form (usually an OK or Cancel button).
3.9 Accessing On-line Help
The Main Bar Menu ends with the Help option. Where available, on-line help gives
detailed instructions on the use of the forms and menus via which you control the
module.
The Help menu gives you the following options:
Help>on Context
This gives you help on any window currently visible in the display. When you

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select this option, the cursor changes to a question mark (?). Move the
question mark into the window on which you want help and click the left-hand
mouse button.
Help>Contents
This displays the Help window so that you can find the required topic from the
hierarchical contents list.
Help>Index
This displays the Help window so that you can find all topics relevant to a
selected keyword.
Help>About
This displays information about the current operating system on your
computer and about the versions of PDMS and its applications to which you
have access.
Pressing the F1 key at any time will display the help topic for the currently active
window (equivalent to Help on Context for the current window).
You are recommended to make full use of the on-line help facilities whenever you
want clarification of any operations during the later steps of the exercise.

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4 Setting Up the Database Hierarchy
Before we start to create any spool data, it is important that you know how such data
is stored and accessed in the PDMS databases, so that you will understand the
terminology which you will encounter in the tutorial.
Spooler uses two databases:
Fabrication database, which stores all the spooling data
Design database, which holds all the design data for the project.
Spooler has full access to the Fabrication database allowing you to set-up the
hierarchy and add or delete elements at will. Whereas, Spooler has only limited
access to the Design database, to make changes that are relevant to the fabrication of
the piping.
4.1 How PDMS Stores Data
The PDMS databases have a hierarchic or tree structure (analogous to a filing

room containing a number of cabinets, each of which contains several drawers, each
of which contains a number of folders, each of which contains a set of individual
data files).
The Fabrication database structure descends from the World level (usually
represented by the symbolic name /*). The administrative levels below this (and
their PDMS abbreviations) are Department (ISODEP) and Registry (ISOREG).
The database level below Registry (and its PDMS abbreviation) is the Spool
Drawing (SPLDRG). This is the main operational unit of the database. Each Spool
Drawing can represent a continuous network of piping components and tube within
the overall piping design The Spools and Fields that make up the Spool Drawing are
held directly below it in the database hierarchy.
The PDMS Design database also descends from the World level, below which are
the administrative sub-levels Site and Zone.
The names used to identify database levels below Zone depend on the specific
engineering discipline for which the data is used. In the case of piping design data,
which we require, the lower administrative levels (and their PDMS abbreviations)
are Pipe (PIPE) and Branch (BRAN). Each Pipe can represent any portion of the
overall piping network, but is usually used to group items with a common
specification. Each Branch within a Pipe represents a single sequence of piping
components running between two points known as the Branch Head and the

Version 11.6
Setting Up the Database Hierarchy
Branch Tail. The data which defines the physical design of the individual piping
components is held below Branch level.
Together, these hierarchic levels give the following overall format:
Design Database Isodraft Database

WORLD (/*) WORLD (/*)
SITE DEPARTMENT (ISODEP)
ZONE REGISTRY (ISOREG)
PIPE SPOOL DRAWING (SPLDRG)
BRANCH Spool data defining individual

spools and fields
Design data defining individual

piping components
Figure 4-1 Database Hierarchies
All data is represented in the database thus:

Each identifiable item of data is known as a PDMS element.
Each element has a number of associated pieces of information which,
together, completely define its properties. These are known as its attributes.
Every element is identified within the database structure by an automatically-
allocated reference number and, optionally, by a user-specified name.
Additional items of information about an element which could be stored as attribute
settings include:
Its type
Its physical dimensions and technical specifications
Its physical location and orientation in the design model
Its connectivity
Some attribute settings must be defined by you when you create a new element,
others will be defined automatically by PDMS.
The vertical link between two elements on adjacent levels of the database hierarchy
is defined as an owner-member relationship. The element on the upper level is the
owner of those elements directly linked below it. The lower level elements are

Version 11.6
members of their owning element. Each element can have many members, but it
can have only one owner.
When you are modifying a database (for example, when you are creating new spools
or changing the settings of their attributes), you can consider yourself to be
positioned at a specific point within the hierarchy. The element at this location is
called the current element (often abbreviated to CE).
You can navigate from any element to any other, thereby changing the current
element, by following the owner-member links up and down the hierarchy.
In many cases, commands which you give for modifying the attributes of an element
will assume that the changes are to be applied to the current element unless you
specify otherwise, so you must understand this concept and always be aware of your
current position in the database hierarchy. The Spooler Members List (see Section
3.1) will always show you this information.
4.2 Creating Some Administrative Elements
We will now create some administrative elements at the top of the Fabrication
database hierarchy, as explained in the preceding section.
Exercise continues:
2. Select Department from the drop-down list on the left of the SPOOLER tool
bar and click the Create button . A Create form is displayed, allowing
you to name the database element.
Note: This function can also be carried out by selecting Create>Department
from the main menu bar.
3. On the Create form:
Click in the Name text box to select it and press the Backspace key to
delete the Unset text, (the background colour changes).
Type the name Spooler_Site and press the Return/Enter key, to confirm
the name.
Note how the system automatically adds a / prefix to the front of the
name to conform to PDMS naming conventions.
Click OK to create the element.
Note that the new element appears in the Members list as the current
element.
4. We will now create two Registries, under Spooler_Site, by selecting Registry
from the drop-down list and clicking on the Create button.
Name this registry Condensate_Pumps on the Create form.
5. Create another Registry and name it Condenser_Network.

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Navigate back to Spooler_Site, by clicking on it in the Members list, which

should now look like this:
Figure 4-2 Database Hierarchy
Note: If you cannot see the complete names you can increase the size of the
members list using the Control>Resize option from the Spooler
Members form menu bar.
In the next chapter we look at setting up and manipulating the model in the 3D View
window.

Version 11.6
5 Controlling the 3D View
3D View windows, see Figure 5-1, can be used to display all or part of the design
model. These windows are contained within the application window, in a similar
way to documents in a word processing program. The view windows allow you to
select an element by simply clicking on it, which navigates to it in the database
making it the current element (CE), or use the cursor picks as part of an Event
Driven Graphics (EDG) routine.
More than one 3D View window can be displayed at any time, allowing you to have
different views of the model. The views can be controlled individually using the
menu and button options on the forms or more than one view can be changed
simultaneously from the View Control form.
Figure 5-1 3D View Window

Version 11.6
Controlling the 3D View
The 3D View windows have a:

Prompt Bar, across the top of the viewing area, which is used to display
instructions on carrying out the EDG tasks (e.g. Click on the element to add
.....).
View Control Buttons down the left-hand side, which can be used to: set the
view limits to the CE; change the middle mouse manipulation mode for the
view and save and restore a view of the model. The buttons are shown in the
on-line help.
Information bar below the viewing window, which shows the current view
direction and settings of that window, for example:
w45n35d Parallel Model Zoom
indicates that: the view direction is set to half way between west and north and
is looking down at an angle of 35 (corresponding to ISO2); the design is
being shown as a Parallel view (rather than in Perspective): the view is set to
rotate about the Model, rather than the view point (Eye) and the middle
mouse button mode is set to Zoom.
5.1 Setting up a 3D View Window
When you first start SPOOLER or when you create a new 3D View, the display
window is empty. You must set it up to show the elements and view you wish to see.
This involves setting up 3 functions of the view:
View Function Menu Option
View contents Drawlist
View limits Limits
Type of view Look or Iso
The following sections describe how to set up these functions.
5.1.1 View Contents

The elements that are displayed in a 3D View window must first be added to the
Drawlist. This can be done as follows:
Select Display>Drawlist from the main menu bar, to display the Drawlist form
and then add the required elements.
Select the required element in the Members list and add them to the Drawlist,
using the Drawlist options in the Spooler Members menu.
Select the required element in the Members list and then click the Add CE
button on the PDMS tool bar.

Version 11.6
Note: Only one Drawlist can be defined, for all 3D View windows.
The elements are normally added to the Drawlist and displayed in the colour defined
by the Autocolour rules. These can be set up by your system administrator.
Alternatively, you can add elements using specific colours. This can be done by
either clicking the Colour button on the Drawlist form or by selecting Drawlist>Add
CE with colour. This displays a standard colour selection form allowing you to select
the required colour.
Additionally, you can apply a transparency factor to elements you are adding from
the Drawlist form. This allows you to make buildings and other structures semi-
transparent, so that you can see items inside or behind them. This can be done by
selecting the required degree of transparency from the drop-down list beside the
Colour button on the Drawlist form.
5.1.2 View Limits

How much of the Drawlist contents are actually shown in that window can be
controlled by setting the view limits. This can be set from the Limits options on the
3D View menu. You can select anything from a single element up to the complete
Drawlist or explicitly define a 3D box, by entering the co-ordinates of two opposite
corners. Alternatively the limits can be set to the current element by clicking on the
CE Limits button on the left of the 3D View window.
5.1.3 Type of View

The type of view for that window, orthogonal or isometric, can selected from the
Look or ISO options on the 3D View menu. These allow you to select from a wide
range of orthogonal and isometric views or define a particular view.
We will now set-up a view of the complete design model.
Exercise continues:
6. As the Fabrication database is empty at this time we need to switch to the
Design database to add elements to the Drawlist.
Select Control>Switch>Design from the menu bar at the top of the
Spooler Members window.
This switches you to the World (/*) level in the Design DB.
Select SPOOLER-SITE in the Members list, by clicking on it. A list of
all its member ZONES is displayed.
Click on the Limits CE button on the left of the view window, to set
the view limits to enclose the complete site.

Version 11.6
7. We will now add the base of the site to the Drawlist and display it.
Before we display anything in the 3D View window we will maximise it
within the application window, by clicking on the Control menu button
(AVEVA Solutions Ltd logo) at the top left of the viewing window and
selecting Maximise.
Click on SPOOLER-CIVIL to make it the CE and then select
Drawlist>Add CE, from the Spooler Members form menu bar.
The base appears in the view window in the default colour and
orthogonal view.
Select ISO>Two from the 3D View menu to set the required viewing
direction.
8. Now add the structures to the Drawlist using a different colour, to help
differentiate between the types of element, and set a degree of transparency so
that you can see other elements under and behind the structures.
Navigate to the SPOOLER-STRUC zone, by clicking on SPOOLER-
SITE and then on SPOOLER-STRUC, making it the CE.
Select Display>Drawlist from the main menu bar, to display the Drawlist
form.
Click on the Colour button to display a colour selection form and select a
suitable colour (e.g. Dark Grey; top row, fourth from right) by clicking
on it and then clicking Dismiss.
Note: By default, SPOOLER uses Cyan and Green to represent Spools and
fields, respectively. So these colours should be avoided when adding
elements.
Set the transparency level by clicking on the drop-down list beside the
Colour button and selecting 50%.
Click the Add CE button, to add the structures to the display with the
selected settings.
Click Dismiss on the Drawlist form to close it.
9. You can now add the equipment (SPOOLER-EQUIP) and pipes (SPOOLER-
PIPES) to the display in different colours, using the Drawlist>Add CE with
colour option, from the Drawlist menu bar.
The complete site is now displayed in isometric view. The 3D View should now
look something like Figure 5-2, which has the main equipment annotated.

Version 11.6
Heat
Exchanger Surface
Condensor
Condensate
Pumps
Surge
Tank
Centre Line
Mounted Pumps
Figure 5-2 Isometric View of SPOOLER Sample Project
5.2 Manipulating the Displayed View
When a 3D View has been set-up it can be easily manipulated, using the mouse
(either by itself or in combination with the function keys), to show exactly the view
you require at any time. This includes tools for: zooming, panning and rotating the
model.
The condensate pumps piping network is located at the left side of the model, as you
now see it. We are going to manipulate the view so that this network fills the
window, giving us a much better view of it.
Exercise continues:
10. Zoom in so the model fills the display window, as follows:
Select zoom mode by: clicking the Zoom button , on the left side of
the viewing window, or pressing F2 or selecting View Control>Zoom
from the 3D View menu. Note the text in the information bar, at the
bottom of the window, changes to show that you are now in zoom mode
(instead of Rotate).

Version 11.6
Hold down the middle mouse button and move the cursor up the view
window. The display zooms in about its centre point. Moving the cursor
downwards zooms out.
11. To centre the outlet network in the view
Select pan mode by: clicking the Pan button , on the left side of the
viewing window, or pressing F3 or selecting View Control>Pan, from the
3D View menu. Use the middle mouse button to move the model so that
the piping network is centred.
An alternative (and quicker) method of centring a particular point in the
view is to click the middle mouse button on that point. This
automatically centres that point in the view.
Re-select zoom and increase the magnification of the piping network.
12. To rotate the model, to show it from a better angle:
Select rotate mode by clicking the Rotate button or pressing F5 or

selecting View Control>Rotate from the 3D View menu) and use the
middle mouse button to rotate the view.
Play with the Zoom, Pan and Rotate controls until you are satisfied with
the view.
13. At this point it is not possible to see the complete piping network clearly,
because the pipe rack is in the way. To remove the pipe rack from the view:
Navigate to SPOOLER-STRUC in the Design DB and select
Drawlist>Remove CE from the Members list menu bar.
The 3D View should now look something like Figure 5-3.

Version 11.6
Condensate Pumps
Heat Exchanger
Inlet Pipe
Outlet Pipe
Heat Exchanger
Condensate
Pumps
Outlet Pipes
Header
Condensate Pumps
Outlet Pipes
Figure 5-3 Condensate Pumps Piping Network
5.3 Saving and Restoring a View
PDMS allows you to save up to four views of the model, which can then be restored
by simply clicking on the appropriate view control button to the left of the display.
We will now save two views of the model and then restore the view to its current
setting.
Exercise continues:
14. To save the current 3D view as View 1:
Right click on the Restore view 1 button to the left of the display.
Move the mouse over the Save 1 pop-up, so that it is highlighted and
then release the mouse button.
The current view is now saved as View 1.
15. We will now change the view so that we can see the Condensate pumps piping
network from the other direction. This makes it easier to see the inlet to the
pumps and the outlet from the heat exchanger.
Select Iso>Four from the 3D View menu. This shows the model from the
opposite direction to Iso 2.

Version 11.6
Manipulate the view so that you can clearly see the required parts of the
piping network. The view should now look something like Figure 5-4.
Heat Exchanger
Outlet Pipe
Condensate
Pumps Inlet Pipe
Figure 5-4: Iso 4 View
Save this view of the model as View 2.

16. Restore the view to the previously saved settings by clicking (with the left
mouse button) on the Restore view 1 button.
In the next chapter we will prepare the condensate pumps piping network for
spooling.

Version 11.6
6 Preparing the Site for Spooling
Before you begin spooling a site you should always check that the design data in the
design model is consistent. It is also worth making any changes to the design model
(e.g. inserting shop or field welds) that will obviously be needed, to save work later.
6.1 Checking the Design Data
The consistency of the data should have been checked before the model was sent for
spooling. But, you can also check it in SPOOLER.
Exercise continues:
17. To check the data:
Navigate to the SPOOLER-PIPES zone in the Design database.
Select Utilities>Data Consistency, from the main menu bar. This displays
the Data Consistency Check form.
Select Zone from the Check: scrollable list box and click Apply.
The main window will show the progress of the check, including any
errors or warnings.
SPOOLER will not run properly if there are errors in the consistency check.
Warnings will not affect the operation of SPOOLER.
6.2 Inspecting the Site
If you spool the site and then make changes to the model (e.g. inserting field welds)
you then have to update the numbering, some of which may then not be in order. So,
it makes sense to try and make any changes to the model before spooling it, thus
reducing the work involved.
The easiest way of doing this is to do a visual check of the site looking for any
possible problems (e.g. very long pipes or complex networks) and for any parts you
know will be wanted separately, for test purposes. You can then insert any required
welds and spool breaks before spooling the network.
As the spools are completely assembled before they are shipped to the erection site,
they must be small enough to be transported. The maximum acceptable size for this

Version 11.6
Preparing the Site for Spooling
exercise is 12 x 2.5 x 2.5 metres. The length of the supplied pipe is 6 metres, so any
lengths greater than this in one spool will have to be joined with a Shop weld.
We will now do a check of the condensate pumps piping network and insert any
welds that are obviously necessary.
Exercise continues:
18. To carry out a visual check of the site:
Restore the view so that you can see the complete site, from the ISO 2
direction.
Outlet Pipes
Header
Heat Exchanger
Outlet Pipe
Long Pipe
Figure 6-1 Visual Check of Spooling Site
A quick visual inspection of the network, see Figure 6-1, shows that:
The heat exchanger outlet pipe (Pipe 2007) appears to be to larger than
our maximum shipping size.
Also, the length of the bottom section of the heat exchanger outlet pipe
appears to be too long to be constructed from a single length of pipe (6
metres).
Note: The measurements of these pipes can be checked using the Measure
facility, Section 6.3.
We also know that the high pressure Outlet Pipes Header, see Figure 5-
3, will require testing as a separate unit before any other pipes are added
to it.

Version 11.6
6.3 Measuring the Pipe Lengths
The visual check of the condensate pumps piping network showed the probability
that the heat exchanger outlet pipe (Pipe 2007) was:
Too large to be shipped as a single spool.
The bottom length of pipe between elbows 3 & 4 was too long to be created
from a single length of tube.
To check these assumptions and work out where to insert welds we need to measure
the pipe.
Exercise continues:
19. Restore saved view 2, so that you have a clear view of the heat exchanger
outlet pipe.
20. Click the Measure button , to activate the measure facility.

This displays the Measure and Positioning Control form and an EDG prompt is
displayed instructing you to pick the start point for the measurement.
We will start by checking the length of the bottom length of pipe.
Manipulate the view so that the lower pipe is clearly visible.
Set the Type field, in the Positioning Control form, to Ppoint and the
Option field to Snap. The cursor changes to a small square.
Pick point P1 of Elbow 4, see Figure 6-2.
A message showing the selected start point is displayed in the 3D View and
the EDG prompt changes, instructing you to pick the end point for the
measurement.

Version 11.6
Figure 6-2: Picking the Start Measurement Point
Pick P2 of Elbow 3. The software calculates the distance and displays it

in the 3D View and in the Measure form.
This shows the length of the tube to be 7415.9 mm. Confirming that it is
too long to be fabricated from a single length of tube.
21. To measure the complete outlet pipe (Pipe 2007):
Zoom out so that you can see the whole of the pipe.
Using the same settings as for the previous measurement, pick point P2
of Elbow 1.
Change the Type setting in the Positioning Control form to Graphics,
allowing you to select any graphical element The cursor in the 3D View
changes to a standard arrow.
Pick the very end of the outlet pipe, as shown in Figure 6-3.
The distance between the two points is shown in the view and on the
Measure form, along with the lengths in the X, Y and Z directions.

Version 11.6
Figure 6-3: Selecting the End of the Outlet Pipe
22. Comparing the two measurements we made shows that splitting the bottom
tube, at the end nearest the heat exchanger, will divide the pipe into two
manageable spools.
6.4 Inserting Welds
SPOOLER allows you to insert Shop and Field welds to split up the piping network.
Field welds can be used to cut a pipe into shorter lengths or break up a network
where there are no convenient joints, these welds will be made at the erection site.
Shop welds can be used to separate parts or assemblies that need to be fabricated and
tested before being attached to other parts of the spool. Welds can be inserted to
break a piping network at a p-point of a particular component or at some defined
point along a length of a pipe.
Caution: Any welds you create are added to the Design database.

Version 11.6
6.4.1 Inserting a Weld at a Design Point

Where possible, welds should be inserted at a p-point (Design Point) of a welded
component, because the component is attached to the pipe by a weld anyway, so it is
not creating any extra work just moving the location for the work from the
Fabrication Shop to the Erection Site.
6.4.1.1 Design Points

In order that a component can be manipulated and linked to adjacent piping
components, all principal points needed to define its the position, orientation and
connectivity are identified by uniquely numbered tags. These tags, which have both
position and direction are called p-points (or Design Points).
Each p-point is identified by a number of the format P0, P1, P2, etc. Where, P0
always represents the components origin.
The principal inlet and outlet points for the flow direction through the component
are identified as p-arrive and p-leave, respectively. In normal pipe routing mode
(forwards mode) P1 is the same as p-arrive and P2 is the same as p-leave.
For example a TEE component might be represented in the PDMS catalogue, as
shown in Figure 6-4. P3 in this case defines the orientation of the side arm.
P0
P1 P2
P3
Figure 6-4 TEE Component P-Points (Design Points)
6.4.2 Separating the Header Pipe

We will now insert welds to separate the outlet pipes header from the outlet pipes of
the condensate pumps.
Exercise continues:
23. The header pipe (part of Pipe 2006/B1 & B2) consists of 3 TEE components
with two end CAPs. The header, together with its outlet pipe, will be tested in
the fabrication shop before shipping. It will then be connected to its inlet pipes

Version 11.6
from the condensate pumps at the erection site. Therefore we need to insert
Field welds between the inlet pipes and the header.
To insert a Field weld between the header and one of its inlet pipes:
Zoom in so that the header pipe fills most of the viewing window, see
Figure 6-5.
Select Create>Weld, from the main menu bar. This displays the Create
Weld form.
Select Field from the Type drop-down and check that the At drop-down is
set to Design Point (p-point). Then click Apply.
The 3D View switches to the create weld mode and displays the EDG
instruction - Pick a Design Point for WELD. The mouse cursor
changes to a small square with a point in the middle.
Position the mouse cursor over one of the inlet TEE components (TEE 1
of 2006/B1 or TEE 1 of 2006/B2) then press and hold the left mouse
button.
The outline of the component is highlighted and the p-points are shown
as dots, see Figure 6-5.
Move the cursor over a p-point. When you are exactly on top of it, a
highlighted message is appended to the instruction at the top of the
window telling you the name of the Design Point you are over.
Move the cursor over design point P3, see Figure 6-5, and release the
button. The CHOOSE form is displayed allowing you to select the type
of weld you wish to insert.

Version 11.6
Figure 6-5: Positioning a Field Weld on P3 of 2006/B2
Select a suitable type of weld and click OK.

The weld is created at P3 and the 3D View window returns to navigation
mode.
Note: The Create Weld form remains displayed allowing you to easily create
further welds.
24. Now insert a Field weld on the P3 of the other inlet TEE.
6.4.3 Splitting a Tube with a Weld

If a pipe is too long to be fabricated from a single length of pipe, one or more Shop
welds are normally defined in its length to show the fabricators where to join the
lengths. Also, if a pipe has to pass through an opening at the erection site it may
need to be split with a weld.
The bottom tube of the heat exchanger output pipe (leave tube of ELBO 3) is longer
than a standard length of pipe (6 metres) and the complete outlet pipe is too large for
a single spool. Splitting the bottom tube, at the end nearest the heat exchanger, with
a field weld will divide the pipe into two manageable spools, that can then be joined
at the erection site.

Version 11.6
Exercise continues:
25. To split the heat exchanger outlet pipe (Pipe 2007):

Select Field and In-tube on the Create Weld form. This activates the
Position in Tube frame, allowing you to set the position in the tube you
want to insert the weld.
Select Behind Item in the drop-down list and enter the value 6000 into
the distance text box and then click Apply.
The 3D View switches to EDG mode and prompts you to pick the tube
in which to insert the weld.
Pick anywhere on that length of tube. You are then prompted to pick the
element from which to measure the distance.
Pick Elbow 3 in Pipe 2007. This inserts the weld 6000 millimetres back
from the elbow.
In the next chapter we will spool the condensate pumps piping network.

Version 11.6

Version 11.6
7 Spooling the Piping Network
In this chapter we look at the principles of using Spooler and split the pipes up the
Condensate Pumps piping network into Spool Drawings, using the default Shop Flag
settings.
7.1 Pipework Spooling
SPOOLER works with spooling networks, which are created by selecting pipework
elements to be added to a spool drawing (SPLDRG) . The selected elements must
form an interconnected piping network but are not limited to a single branch or pipe
in the design model.
Spooling networks consist of interconnected spools and fields. Where a SPOOL is
defined as a run of piping components and tube that will be connected during
fabrication and a FIELD is an individual or group of piping components that will be
connected during the erection phase.
Spools and fields are defined by picking an element in the 3D View window. If the
element has been defined as a fabrication element (i.e. the SHOP flag is true) it
generates a SPOOL. Whereas, if the selected element has been defined as being
fitted on site (i.e. the SHOP flag is false) it generates a FIELD.
When an element is picked, the software searches all connected piping components
and tube and then adds all adjacent components that have the same SHOP flag status
to that spool or field. The ends of the spools, called SPOOL BREAKS, occur when
the SHOP flag status changes.
You can also force SPOOL BREAKS by defining Field Welds or Joints at the
required point in the SPOOL. Field welds can be used to split a piping section at a
particular component or at some defined point along a length of tube. The forced
spool break is used to create a break at joint that does not have a field element in it
(for example: a flanged joint with no gasket).
By setting the SFLimit (Spool/Field Limit) attribute for a SPLDRG to either BRAN,
PIPE, ZONE or SITE (the default is WORLD), a spool break will be enforced at any
change at the corresponding element level.
SPOOLING NETWORKS can be defined by picking each SPOOL and FIELD in
sequence, to add to the SPOOL DRAWING or by picking two ends of a continuous
piping network. Spooler checks that it is an interconnected network before it adds all
the spools and fields to the SPOOL DRAWING.

Version 11.6
Spooling the Piping Network
7.2 Spooling the Piping Network
We will now create some spool drawings and spool the pipes between the
condensate pumps and the heat exchanger (Pipes 2004, 2005 and 2006), into one of
them.
Exercise continues:
26. Go to the Fabrication database, by selecting Control>Switch>Fabrication from
the Spooler Members form menu bar and navigate to the Condensate_Pumps
registry.
Now create three Spool Drawings, as follows:
Select Create>Spool Drawing from the main menu bar (or select Spool
Drawing from the drop-down list and click the Create button) and name
the Spool Drawing Inlet_Pipe.
This becomes the Current Element (CE) in the Members list and is
displayed as the active spool drawing in the text box on the SPOOLER
tool bar.
Now create two more Spool Drawings, named Outlet_Network and
Heat_Exch_Outlet.
27. We will now start to spool the piping network between the Condensate pumps
and the Heat Exchanger:
Navigate to the Outlet_Network Spool Drawing, making this the CE.
Zoom in on the condensate pumps outlet network, as shown in Figure 7-
1.
Click on the Add to Spool Drawing button in the SPOOLER tool

bar.
Note how the mode of the 3D View window changes, as indicated by the
text in the prompt bar, see Figure 7-1.
The next element you pick in the 3D View will be added to the spool
drawing.
Pick one of the flanges between the valve and the condensate pump, as
shown in Figure 7-1. The flange and its leave tube change to the default
spool colour and are added to the Members list as SPOOL 1.

Version 11.6
Figure 7-1: Adding the First Spool
Pick the gate valve and then the elbow following the selected flange in
the pipe. They are added to the Spool Drawing as FIELD 1 and SPOOL
1, respectively.
This shows the way that new elements are always added to the top of the
list.
These steps illustrate how items can be added sequentially to a Spool Drawing.
Click further along this piping branch before it reaches the header pipe.
The control valve and the complete length of the pipe, as far as the Field
weld you inserted in Section 6.4.2, are added to the Spool Drawing.
Pick the input pipe to the heat exchanger. The piping is now spooled
between the first condensate pump and the heat exchanger, including the
complete header pipe.
These steps show how the elements in between the existing spools and the picked
element are added automatically - as long as they form a continuous network.
Add the rest of the network from the header pipe to the second
condensate pump, to the Spool Drawing.

Version 11.6
7.2.1 Numbering the Spool Drawing

Spooler allows you to generate numbers automatically for spools, welds, joints,
bends and parts. The numbering is normally used to provide full accountability and
repeatability through design changes. The Parts Numbers can be applied to complete
spool drawings, the default setting, or the parts can be numbered for each spool
individually.
Although the spools and fields we have created are shown in the Members list there
is as yet no numbering applied to the components. We will now generate the
numbering for the spool drawing.
Exercise Continues:
28. To define what elements of the spools you wish to be numbered, select
Settings>Numbering from the main menu bar. This displays the Numbering
Settings form.
This form contains three frames allowing you to:
Select what numbering data to maintain.
Select the part numbering option and define a spool prefix.
Select the default update numbering method.
We will leave the settings as they are at present, so close the form by clicking
on Cancel.
29. To generate the numbering, click the Update/Number button in the

SPOOLER tool bar (or select Numbering>Update from the main menu bar).
The software carries out a check of the Spool Drawing numbering (Note this
will take a few seconds) and then displays the Update/Number Spool Drawing
form, with the results of the check shown in the Status frame.
Note: The choices in the Update Choice Handling frame do not affect us at
this stage.
To generate the numbers, click Apply. The numbering is generated and
the data in the Status frame is updated to show the actions that have
been carried out. Extra elements, including the Weld and Joint groups,
are added to the Members list.
Click Dismiss to remove the form.
Note: You should ALWAYS update the numbering after you have defined
or modified a spool drawing.

Version 11.6
7.2.2 Navigating Between the Databases

Spooler maintains links between the design elements and their allocation in spools
or fields. This enables you to easily navigate between the Design and Fabrication
databases.
Exercise continues:
30. Return to navigation mode by clicking the Navigate button in the

SPOOLER tool bar. The Prompt bar indicates that you are in Navigate mode.
31. Zoom in on the input pipe to the heat exchanger and pick the flange where the
pipe joins the heat exchanger. It becomes the Current Element (CE) and is
highlighted in the viewing window and the Members list (FLAN 3), which
now displays the Design database.
32. To return to the spool that is linked to that flange:
Select Goto>SPOOL from the Spooler Members menu bar. This returns
you to the Fabrication database with the related SPOOL selected.
Note: If you had selected a field element the menu option would have
displayed Goto>FIELD.
If you then select Control>Switch>Design, from the Spooler Members
menu bar, this returns you to the Design database with the last selected
element (FLAN 3) still selected.
Note: Switching to the Design database always returns you to the last
selected or picked element.
7.2.3 Selecting Adjacent Field Components

Gaskets on the ends of pipes (e.g. between a flange and the nozzle of an equipment)
cannot be picked in the 3D View and therefore cannot be manually added to a Spool
Drawing. To overcome this problem, you can automatically include adjacent field
components, as separate FIELDs, when you add a spool to a Spool Drawing.
We will now use this option to add the gaskets at the ends of the pipes to the Spool
Drawing.
Exercise continues:
33. You will see GASKet 3 below FLAN 3 in the Spooler Members list. Select the
gasket and then select the Goto menu.
As you can see, the Spool/Field options are not available. This shows that the
Gasket is not included in any Spool Drawing.

Version 11.6
This highlights the problem in dealing with Gaskets on the ends of pipes - as
they cannot be picked in the 3D View, they cannot be manually added to a
Spool Drawing.
34. We will now correct the missing gaskets from the end of the pipe. This
involves first removing that spool from the drawing and then adding it with the
adjacent gasket.
Navigate back to the Outlet_Network spool drawing.
Click the Remove from Spool Drawing button , on the SPOOLER

tool bar. The text in the Prompt bar changes to indicate the current
operating mode.
Pick anywhere on the pipe going up to the heat exchanger, to removes it
from the Spool Drawing.
Select the Include Adjacent Field Components check box on the
SPOOLER tool bar.
Any spools you now add or remove from the spool drawing will
automatically add/remove any adjacent field elements, such as the gasket
on the end of the pipe.
Click on the Add to Spool Drawing button and pick anywhere on the pipe
going up to the heat exchanger, again. The spool is added and a FIELD
is automatically created for the gasket.
Update the Spool Drawing numbering.
Navigate to the GASKet in the Design database and check that it has
been added to the Spool Drawing.
35. Correct the omission of the gaskets on the other ends of this piping network
(Pipes 2004/B1 and 2005/B1), adjacent to the Condensate Pumps.
36. Now spool the inlet pipe to the Condensate Pumps and the outlet from the
Heat Exchanger into the appropriate Spool Drawings.
In the next chapter we will look at further ways that you can check and change the
spooling model.

Version 11.6

Version 11.6
8 Advanced Spooler Features
In this chapter we look at the advanced features of SPOOLER that allow you to
check and make further changes to the spooling model.
8.1 Checking the Spool Size
While it may be logical to have a long pipe as one spool, if that pipe is too large to
be transported the spool may need to be split. The size of a spool can be checked in
SPOOLER by querying the spool shipping volume.
Exercise continues:
37. To check the size of SPOOL 1 of the Inlet_Pipe Spool Drawing:
Navigate to that spool in the Members list.
Select Query>Spool Shipping Volume from the main menu bar.
This displays the Spool Shipping Volume form showing the name of the
selected spool and its dimensions, see Figure 8-1.
Figure 8-1 Shipping Volume of a Spool
This shows that the spool is too large to be transported according to our
specifications (12 x 2.5 x 2.5 metres) and will need to be split into
sections for shipping.

Version 11.6
Advanced Spooler Features
Split the pipe by inserting a Field weld on Elbow 1, BUT do not update
the Spool Drawing at this stage.
8.1.1 Selecting the Numbering Update Options

The numbers shown in the Members list are for indication purposes only. They only
match the real spool numbers when the Spool Drawing is first numbered. When you
update the numbering after you have changed something (e.g. inserted a field weld
to split a spool) the members list numbers get out of synchronisation with the real
numbers.
For example; if you have set up the following spool drawing:
Members List Numbering
SPOOL 1 SPL1
FIELD 1
SPOOL 2 SPL2
FIELD 2
SPOOL 3 SPL3
and you then split Spool 2. When you update the numbering, it may look like this
(depending on the Update Choice handling option you have chosen):
Members List Numbering
SPOOL 1 SPL1
FIELD 1
SPOOL 2 SPL2
FIELD 2
SPOOL 3 SPL4
FIELD 3
SPOOL 4 SPL3
The three options available when updating the numbering are:
Use first available data - The first spool in which the data has changed will
automatically pick up the first available number. When there are no more
existing numbers new data is generated for any remaining spools. (See the
example above.)
Always generate new data - Existing numbers are ignored and new data is
generated for all affected spools. In the above example, SPOOL 2 would be
SPL4 and SPOOL 3 would be SPL5.
Manual data selection - A form is displayed allowing you to decide which
existing number to use for which of the affected spools or whether to generate
new data. You could decide that either SPOOL 2, SPOOL 3 or neither of them
uses the existing number (SPL2) in the above example.

Version 11.6
These options can be set as a default, on the Numbering Settings form, or for each
time you use them, on the Update/Number Spool Drawing form
We will now update the numbering on the Outlet_Pipe Spool Drawing.
Exercise continues:
38. You must now return to and Update the spool drawing.
The WELD element is not in the Spool Drawing at this point, so to
return to the Spool Drawing, select Control>Switch> Fabrication from the
menu bar.
When you update the numbering, the Update Choice Handling options, on
the Update/Number Spool Drawing form, now become important.
Click the Update/Number button
Select Manual data selection in the Update Choice Handling frame and
click Apply.
The software starts to update the numbering, then when a choice has to
be made the Select Data for Spool Elements form is displayed allowing
you to select the data to apply to which spool.
Figure 8-2 Selecting Data for Updating Spool Numbering
To apply the displayed attribute data, select SPOOL 1 in the Spool

numbers window and select the data in the right hand window, then click
the Use Selected Data button.

Version 11.6
You will see that a new FIELD and second SPOOL have been created.
The FIELD is the WELD element.
Note: In this case, once you have applied the data to SPOOL 1, the software
will automatically generate new data for SPOOL 2.
Click OK on the Update Complete alert form.
8.2 Changing the Shop/Field Setting
When an element is picked, the software searches all connected piping components
and tube and adds all the components that have the same SHOP flag status to that
spool or field. The ends of the spool are called SPOOL BREAKS and they occur
where the SHOP flag status changes.
If the Shop flag is true the selected components are added as a Spool. Whereas, if
the Shop Flag status is false the components are added as a Field.
The Shop Flag status for a piping component is normally set by its attributes in the
Design catalogue, but this may have been changed by the designer or from within
SPOOLER. This could be used to break up a spool or to remove a spool break,
where you want the whole assembly to be fabricated as one piece in the shop.
Caution: Any changes you make to the Shop Flag settings are added to the
design model in the Design database.
The valves immediately after the Condensate Pumps are all welded and are going to
be assembled with the tubing in the fabrication shop, not on site.
Exercise continues:
39. To change the shop flag status of the welded valves:
Switch to Navigate mode and select one of the gate valves next to a
Condensate Pump, this becomes the CE.
Select Modify>Shop/Field from the main menu bar, this displays the
Shop/Field form, which allows you to check and change the Shop Flag
setting for any element in the piping network.
The Piping component frame at the top of the form shows the identity of
the currently selected element and allows you to scroll through the
elements in the BRANch using the Right & Left Arrow buttons. The Right
Arrow button takes you to the Next element in the list (downwards) and
the Left Arrow takes you to the previous element (upwards).
Change the status of the Shop Flag by selecting Fabrication Material from
the drop-down list box and then clicking Apply.

Version 11.6
Use the Left Arrow button to move up the list and change the Shop Flag
of the control valve.
Note: The Shop Flag can only be changed on one piping component at a time.
Repeat this procedure for the valves next to the other Condensate Pump.
Update the Spool Drawing and note the colour of the valves change to
the spool colour and the associated fields disappear from the Members
list.
8.3 Forcing a Spool Break at a Joint
You can also split spools by defining SPOOL BREAKS at Joints in the network,
even though the Shop Flags on either side of the joint are the same. e.g. a flanged
joint with no gasket as shown in Figure 8-3.
All included in single Spool
CSFBREAK CSFBREAK
False False
Shop True Shop True
CSFBREAK CSFBREAK
True True
Spool X Spool Y
Spool Break
Figure 8-3 Example of Using a Forced Spool Break
The Spool Break is forced by changing the CSFBREAK attributes for the selected
piping components to True. When SPOOLER finds two adjacent True CSFBREAK
or TSFBREAK attributes it inserts a Spool Break between them.
This function could be used to split pipes at any component, BUT this would create
problems during the Erection phase because no method of connecting the two parts
would be shown on the drawings.
Caution: Any Spool Breaks you define changes the flags of those components
in the Design database.

Version 11.6
Forced Spool Breaks can also be removed by selecting Delete>Spool Break from the
main menu bar. You are then prompted to select the two piping components that you
wish to reset the C/TSFBREAK attributes on.
8.4 Forcing a Spool Break at a Specified Element Level
To force a spool break at any change of Branch, Pipe, Zone or Site, set the SFLimit
(Spool/Field Limit) attribute for the SPLDRG to BRAN, PIPE, ZONE or SITE,
respectively. The default setting is WORLD.

Version 11.6
9 Outputting Spool Data
Drawings have to be produced for the fabrication of the spools. This is done using
the PDMS ISODRAFT module which provides very powerful facilities for plotting
any specified isometric view of all or any of the spool drawings. The views are
annotated to show the updated numbering and connection information and have an
associated parts list. The list is split into two sections:
Fabrication materials
Erection materials.
9.1 Plotting the Spool Drawings
To plot the spool drawings we need to: switch to the ISODRAFT module; select the
required spool drawings and then generate the plots.
Exercise continues:
40. To switch to the PDMS ISODRAFT module:
Select Spooler>Modules>Isodraft>Macro files from the main menu bar
and click OK to any confirmation dialogues.
When loading finishes, the Application window and the Members list for
the ISODRAFT application are displayed on the screen.
Note: There are no tool bars on the ISODRAFT Application Window.
The menu bar gives you access to a wide range of facilities for
generating customised isometric plots. For the purposes of this exercise,
we will simply generate isometric plots of the spool drawings using the
supplied options files.
41. To generate isometric plots of the spool drawings:
Switch to the Fabrication database and navigate to the Outlet_Network
Spool Drawing.
Select Isometrics>Standard from the Isodraft main menu bar.
The Standard Isometrics form is displayed, allowing you to specify
which plotting options to use.
Select Company from the Options drop-down list and then select
Advanced.met (advanced metric) from the list of displayed options, see
Figure 9-1, and click Apply to start the isometric plotting process.

Version 11.6
Outputting Spool Data
Figure 9-1 Standard Isometric Options Form
ISODRAFT: composes and annotates the plot files and compiles the
material take-off lists. The time taken is related to the number and
complexity of the plot files being created.
When processing is complete, the following new Isodraft windows will
be displayed:
Display List - Lists all the isometric plots created in this session, that are
available for display, with the currently displayed plot highlighted, see
Figure 9-2.
Figure 9-2 Display List Form

Version 11.6
Display Isometric - This form is shown within the Application window. It

shows the plot file currently selected on the Display List form, see
Figure 9-3
Figure 9-3 Display Isometric Form
Isodraft Messages - this shows a log of the plot file process, including
details of any problems encountered, see Figure 9-4.

Version 11.6
Figure 9-4 Isodraft Messages Form
Exercise Ends
9.2 Isometric Drawing Contents
The content of each isometric drawing is calculated using complex algorithms to

best display all of the required data in the available space. The algorithms are
controlled by the Standard iso options selected before plotting the drawing.
The drawings are NOT TO SCALE (see the two sides of the U-bend in Figure 9-5)
but are displayed so as best to show the information. Pipes with no components
attached to them, at the end of the spool drawing, may even be abbreviated with just
the annotation showing the true length.
The annotation data shown is also controlled by the selections made in the
SPOOLER Numbering >Settings form. Any options deselected on this form are not
included on the plotted drawings.

Version 11.6
Figure 9-5 Zoomed View of an Isometric Plot

Version 11.6
9.2.1 Drawing Annotations

Figure 9-5 shows a zoomed view of an isometric plot, illustrating the annotation
data. A Key to the markings is shown in the table below.
Annotation Key Remarks
Dimension Value shown in break in
dimensioning line, or directed
to line by arrow.
Spool Number Number in a double box with Arrow points at the first
the spool prefix. component in the spool.
Part Number Number in a rectangular box, Flanged components also show
along pipe or arrow pointing the Gasket (Gxx) and Bolt set
to component. (Bxx) numbers.
Weld Number Number in a circle Key for different types of weld
is shown on the plot.
Joint Number Number in a diamond, F = Flanged joint
prefixed by letter showing S = Screwed joint
type of joint. C = Compression joint
For a full description of all the symbols used in the plots refer to Chapter 3 of the
ISODRAFT Reference Manual.

Version 11.6
A
Version 11.6
Spooler Display Query Settings
A.1 Spooler Main Menu
Save Work
General . . .
Get Work
Session Comment . . . Spool Shipping Volume . . .
Menu Hierarchies
Modules . . . Project
DB Changes . . .
Exit
System . . . View . . .
allow you to find the option you require rapidly.
Graphical View Graphics > Representation . . .

View Control . . . Naming . . . Colours . . .
Plot View . . . Units . . .
Members . . . Spooling . . .
Drawlist . . . Numbering . . .
Forms & Display
Command Line . . . Forms & Display As . . .
Save > Forms As . . .
Restore > Dispay As . . .
This appendix shows the principal menu hierarchies in a quick reference format, to
A-1
A-2
Menu Hierarchies
Utilities Create Modify Delete Numbering
Data Consistency . . . Update . . .

CE only
Autonaming > Renumber . . .
CE offspring
Lists . . . CE Check . . .
Claimlists . . . Name . . .
DB Listing . . . Members > Selection . . .
Run
Reports > Create Spool Break All
Quick Reports . . . Modify
Delete
Name . . .
Attributes . . .
Lock . . . Include . . .
Hierarchy > Reverse Order
Reorder . . .
Department . . . SPLDRG Order
Registry . . . MTO Status . . .
Spool Drawing . . . Shop/Field . . .
Weld . . . Detail Plotfile . . .
Spool Break Attached Welds . . .
Version 11.6
Version 11.6
Isodraft Display Query Utilities Isometrics Options
Get Work Versions . . . Create . . .

Modify . . .
Modules . . . Delete . . .
Exit
Plotting . . .
A.2 Isodraft Main Menu
Plot View . . . Standard . . .

Members . . . System/Trim . . .
Command Line . . . Previous Display List . . .
Save > Forms Previous AutoDRAFT List . . .
Restore > Forms As . . . Previous Messages List . . .
Edit AutoCAD Drawing > Create from DXF

Process Transfer File . . . Existing DWG
Reports > Run
Quick Reports . . . Create
Modify
Delete
Menu Hierarchies
A-3
Menu Hierarchies
A-4 Pipework Spooling Using PDMS

Version 11.6
B Reference Information
This appendix provides additional information on some important aspects of the

SPOOLER module. This information is intended for experienced users and system
administrators, to enable them to modify existing databases and catalogues making
them compatible with SPOOLER.
B.1 Spool Breaks
A Spool Break is the changeover point between SHOP and FIELD components. It
occurs at the junction of two piping components (or implied TUBE) that fulfils one
of the following cases:
1. The Shop Flag status of the two components is different. i.e. True-to-False or
False-to-True. The Shop Flag status of elements in the Design database can be
changed in SPOOLER using the Modify>Shop/Field function.
2. If a component is the end of the piping network (e.g. connected to an
EQUIpment item) it is automatically the end of the Spool/Field and the Spool
Drawing.
3. BOTH piping components have their spool break attributes set to true
(CSFBREAK for a piping component and TSFBREAK for the leave tube).
This condition can be forced using the Create>Spool Break function in
SPOOLER.
Note: TSFBREAK is an attribute of the piping component not the leave
tube. Although its effect is on the leave tube.
B.2 Connection Types
The p-points of every piping component have associated connection types, derived
from their catalogue definitions. These are used in conjunction with the Connection
Compatibility (COCO) tables, in the database, to check if two components may be
legally connected to each other.
Note: The connection type for the arrive and leave points of a TUBI
component are always derived from p-point P1 of the tube catalogue
element.
This functionality has been extended for SPOOLER so that it also specifies what
type of connection it is. The type of connection is identified by the Ckey attribute,
Pipework Spooling Using PDMS B-1

Version 11.6
Reference Information
which is added to the COCO element definition. The Ckey attribute can be set to any
of the standard ISODRAFT end connection types:
Ckey Connection Type
BW Butt weld
SW Socket weld
SC Screwed connection
CP Compression
FL Flanged
PL Plain
If the Ckey attribute is left unset, the connection is assumed to be Plain.
B.2.1 Weld and Joint Connections

Connections between piping components (and tube) come in two forms: welds and
non-welded joints (e.g. flanged, screwed or compression connections). The welds
and joints are grouped in the fabrication database in the WLDGRP (Weld Group)
and JNTGRP (Joint Group) elements, respectively. These groups are created, by
default, when numbering is first inserted into the spool drawing.
A connection is considered to belong to a Spool Drawing if:
Both piping components involved in the connection belong to that Spool
Drawing.
The downstream piping component in the connection is on one end of the
piping network in that Spool Drawing.
In the case of a flanged joint with a gasket, the flange owning the gasket is on
that Spool Drawing.
B-2 Pipework Spooling Using PDMS

Version 11.6
B.2.1.1 Types of Welds and Joints
SPOOLER uses three types of weld definitions and one type of joint definition.
These are:
Definition Description
IWELD Implied weld
RWELD Real weld
AWELD Attached weld
IJOINT Implied joint
The types of welds and joints are described in the following sections.
Implied Welds
IWELD components provide a link in the Fabrication database to the position of a
weld that must be inserted to join two piping components or tubes. For example: fit
a flange onto the end of a tube. You do not have to explicitly define these welds as
they are implied by the nature of the components involved.
A connection can have an IWELD element associated with it if:
It has a Ckey (Connection key) of types BW or SW.
Note: If you have explicitly defined a weld (RWELD element) to connect
the two components, the software will not insert a implied weld at
that point.
Real Welds
RWELD components link to explicitly defined Shop or Field welds in the Design
database. They are normally inserted in PDMS DESIGN but can also be added in
SPOOLER, to break up a spool.
Attached Welds
AWELD components provide a method for numbering the welds required for
welded attachments. Typically these are used to secure the piping network to the
support ATTAchments. The number of welds on each attachment can be defined in
SPOOLER, using the Modify>Attached Welds function.
Implied Joints
IJOINT components define the connection between two non-welded piping
components or tubes (e.g. bolted flanges, compression joints or screwed
connections). You do not have to explicitly define the details of these joints as they
are implied by the nature of the components involved.
A connection can have an IJOINT element associated with it if:
It has a Ckey (Connection key) of types CP, FL or SC.
Pipework Spooling Using PDMS index-3

Version 11.6
Neither of the components are Gaskets.
B.3 Special Cases
The following sub-sections contain descriptions of some special cases within

SPOOLER.
B.3.1 Shop Flag Status

This section describes some of the special cases for the Shop Flag. These can effect
the placement of Spool Breaks and the handling of some elements.
B.3.1.1 ATTAchments
While ATTAs do have a Shop Flag, its status is ignored when spooling a piping
network. For example: a shop false ATTA will not break a spool.
Note: The leave tube of a spec break ATTA (SPECBR attribute is True) still
has an active Shop Flag.
B.3.2 Leave Tubes of Welds

If you break a spool by inserting a field weld into the leave tube after the last
component in a pipe, the section between the weld and the end of the tube is
reassigned as the leave tube of the weld. Inserting a field weld is a modification to
the Design database and immediately after its creation the weld and its leave tube
are not in the spool drawing.
You can add the weld and its leave tube by updating the numbering of the spool
drawing, in the normal way.
B.3.3 Welds for OLETs

An OLET element has 3 p-points: P1 (p-arrive) and P2 (p-leave) in the main tube
and P3 in the off-line leg. P1 and P2 are coincident and are normally treated as a
single point.
A problem could occur if points P1 and P2 have Ckeys of BWD or SWD. By default
this should give two welds, one for each point, but the software recognises the
OLET as a special case and only allocates one weld.
B-4 Pipework Spooling Using PDMS

Version 11.6
Pipework Spooling Using PDMS index-5

Version 11.6
Index
3D Graphics, 2-2 CE, 4-3, 5-1

3D view, 3-3 CE limits button, 5-4
3D View, 3-6, 5-1 Check boxes, 3-7
3D View menu, 3-6 Choose form, 6-7
3D View window settings, 5-3 Ckey attribute, ii
Add, 3-9, 7-2 Click, 1-4
Add CE with colour, 5-4 Colour selection, 5-4
Add to spool drawing, 7-2 Colours, 5-4
Adjacent field components, 7-6 Connection types, i
Alert forms, 3-9 Continuous network, 4-1
Always generate new data, 8-2 Control button, 3-8
Application Controlling graphical windows, 3-6
definition, 1-2 Controls, 3-6
Apply, 3-9 Conventions, 1-5
Attached welds, iii Create 3D View, 5-3
Attribute Create weld form, 6-7
definition, 4-3 Current element, 5-1
Autocolour, 5-4
definition, 4-3
AWELD, iii Data consistency, 6-1
Behind item, 6-9 Database, 2-1, 4-1
Bend numbers, 7-4 Database hierarchy, 4-1, 4-2
Branch DB, 2-1, 4-1
definition, 4-2 Delete spool breaks, 8-6
Branch head
Department
definition, 4-2
definition, 4-1
Branch tail
Department
definition, 4-2
creating, 4-4
Button
Design database, 2-2, 4-1, 6-5
control, 3-8
Design point, 6-6
option, 3-8
Buttons, 3-6 Direction of view, 5-4
Cancel, 3-9 Dismiss, 3-9
Pipework Spooling Using PDMS index-i

Version 11.6
Index
Display isometric, 9-4 Include adjacent field components, 7-6

Display list, 9-2 Information bar, 5-3
Double Click, 1-4 Inserting a weld, 6-5
Drag, 1-4 Inspecting the site, 6-1
Drawing annotations, 9-7 ISO, 5-4
Drawing contents, 9-5 Isodraft, 2-1, 9-1
Drawlist, 3-9, 5-3 Isodraft application window, 9-1
Drop-down lists, 3-8 Isodraft main menu, 3
EDG, 2-2, 3-6, 5-3, 6-7 Isodraft messages, 9-4
Element Isometric drawing contents, 9-5
definition, 4-2 Isometric drawings, 2-1
Enter key, 1-4 Isometric Plots, 2-3
Erection, 2-1 Isometric view, 5-4
Event driven graphics, 5-1 IWELD, iii
Event Driven Graphics, 2-2 JNTGRP, ii
Fabrication, 2-1, 7-1 Joint connections, ii
Fabrication database, 2-2, 4-1 Joint group, ii
Field, 7-1 Joint numbers, 7-4
Field weld, 6-5 Joints, 8-6
Fields, 2-1, 4-1 Keyboard, 3-6
Forced spool breaks, 7-1 Left mouse button, 3-4
at Branch/Pipe changes, 8-7 List
at Joints, 8-6
scrollable, 3-8
Forms, 3-6
Look, 5-4
Goto FIELD, 7-5
Manipulating a 3D View, 5-6
Goto SPOOL, 7-5
Manual data selection, 8-3
Graphical user interface, 3-1
MDB, 3-2
Graphical view, 3-3, 3-6
Measure, 6-3
Graphical views, 5-1
Measuring a pipe, 6-3
GUI, 3-1
Member
Head. See Branch head
definition, 4-3
Help, on-line, 3-9 Members list, 3-3, 5-4
Icon buttons, 3-5 Menu
IJOINT, iii pull-down, 3-4
Implied joints, iii Menu bar, 3-2, 3-4
Implied welds, iii Menu hierarchies, 1
In tube weld, 6-8 Middle mouse button, 3-4
index-ii Pipework Spooling Using PDMS

Version 11.6
Index
Module P-leave, 6-6

definition, 1-2 Plotting, 9-1
Module tool bar, 3-2 Plotting options, 9-2
Mouse buttons Plotting spool drawings, 9-1
functions, 3-4 Positioning Control form, 6-3
Multiple 3D Views, 5-1
P-point, 6-6
Naming, 2-2
Preparing a site, 6-1
Navigate button, 7-5
Prompt bar, 5-3
Navigating, 7-5
Prompts, 3-6
Network, 4-1
Pull-down menu, 3-4
Numbering, 2-2, 7-4
Pulled bend numbers, 7-4
Numbering settings form, 7-4, 8-3
Radio buttons, 3-7
Numbering update, 8-2
Real welds, iii
Numbering update options, 8-2
Registry
oint types, iii
definition, 4-1
OK, 3-9 Registry
On-line help, 3-9 creating, 4-4
Option button, 3-8 Remove, 3-9
Options, 9-2 Remove CE, 5-8
Orthogonal view, 5-4 Remove from Spool Drawing, 7-6
Outputting spool data, 9-1 Reset, 3-9
Owner Restore View, 5-8
definition, 4-3 Return key, 1-4
Pan, 5-7 Right mouse button, 3-4
Parallel, 5-3 Right mouse button menu, 3-6
P-arrive, 6-6 Rotate, 5-7
Part numbers, 7-4 RWELD, iii
PDMS, 2-1 SAM, 3-2
PDMS tool bar, 3-2 Save View, 5-8
Perspective, 5-3 Scrollable list, 3-8
Pick, 1-4 Scrollable lists, 3-6
Picking, 7-1 Searching, 7-1
Pipe Select data for spool elements form, 8-3
definition, 4-2 Setting up a 3D View, 5-3
Pipework, 2-1
SFLimit attribute
Pipework spooling, 7-1
Spool breaks, 2-1, 7-1, 8-7
Piping Network, 2-1 Shop, 2-1
Pipework Spooling Using PDMS Index-iii

Version 11.6
Index
Shop flag, 7-1, 8-4 Terminology, 1-2

Shop Flag, 2-1 Terms, 1-4
Shop flag status, i Text box, 3-7
Shop/Field setting, 8-4 Text boxes, 3-6
Site Toggle buttons, 3-7
definition, 4-2 Tool bar, 3-2, 3-5
SPLDRG, 2-1, 7-1 Tool tips, 3-5
Spool, 7-1 Transparency, 5-4
Spool breaks, 8-4, i Training courses, 1-2
Spool drawing, 7-2 Tutorial project, 3-2
Spool Drawing Type of view, 5-3, 5-4
definition, 4-1 Types of joints, iii
Spool Drawings, 2-1
Types of welds, iii
Spool numbers, 7-4, 8-2
Update, 8-2
Spool shipping volume, 2-3, 8-1
Update choice handling, 8-2, 8-3
Spool size, 8-1
Update/Number button, 7-4
Spool/field limit attribute. See SFLimit
Update/Number spool drawing form, 7-4, 8-3
attribute, See SFLimit attribute, See SFLimit
attribute Use first available data, 8-2
Spooler, 2-1 View
Spooler main menu, 1 3D/graphical, 3-3
Spooler members, 5-4 View contents, 5-3
Spooler Members list, 3-3 View control buttons, 5-3
Spooler tool bar, 3-2 View control form, 3-6, 5-1

Spooling, 7-1, 7-2 View limits, 5-3, 5-4
Spooling networks, 7-2 View window, 5-1
Spools, 2-1, 4-1 Viewing direction, 5-4
Standard isometrics, 9-2 Weld connections, ii
Start menu, 3-1 Weld numbers, 7-4
Starting PDMS, 3-1 Weld types, iii
Starting Spooler, 3-1 Welds, 2-1
Status bar, 3-3 WLDGRP, ii
Status form, 3-6 World
Submenu, 3-4 definition, 4-1
Switching databases, 7-5 Zone
Switching modules, 3-1, 9-1 definition, 4-2

Zoom, 5-7
Tail. See Branch tail
index-iv Pipework Spooling Using PDMS

Version 11.6

Pipe Work Spooling User Guide

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Pipework Spooling Using PDMS

pdms1160/Pipework spooling User Guide

Copyright 1991 through 2004 AVEVA Solutions Limited

Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS Contents-iii

1 Introduction to this Guide..........................................................................1-1

2 What PDMS SPOOLER Offers You............................................................2-1

Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS Contents-i

3.7.6 Control Buttons.............................................................................. 3-8

4 Setting Up the Database Hierarchy .......................................................... 4-1

5 Controlling the 3D View............................................................................. 5-1

6 Preparing the Site for Spooling ................................................................ 6-1

7 Spooling the Piping Network .................................................................... 7-1

8 Advanced Spooler Features...................................................................... 8-1

Contents-ii Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS

9 Outputting Spool Data ...............................................................................9-1

Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS Contents-iii

Contents-iv Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS

1.1 The Scope of the Guide

This guide introduces PDMS SPOOLER, AVEVA Solutions Ltds pipework

1.2 Learning to Use SPOOLER

Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS 1-1

1.3 Further Training in PDMS

1.4 Some Terminology

As you might imagine, a program with the wide-ranging power of PDMS is

1-2 Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS

1.5 How the Guide is Organised

This guide is divided into a number of chapters, presenting the information in a

1.6 Terms and Conventions

Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS 1-3

1.6.1 Instruction Terms

1-4 Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS

Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS 1-5

1-6 Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS

2.1 Pipework Spooling

2.2 Database Usage

Spooler uses two databases:

Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS 2-1

2.6 Spooling Volume Calculation

2.7 Drawing Output

2-2 Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS

Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS 2-3

3.1 Starting a SPOOLER Session

Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS 3-1

Figure 3-1 The PDMS Login Form

3-2 Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS

Figure 3-2 Application Screen

Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS 3-3

3.2 Using the Mouse

3.3 Using Menus

There can be three types of option in a pull-down or pop-up menu:

3-4 Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS

3.4 Using the Tool Bar Icon Buttons

3.4.1 Tool Tips

Figure 3-3 Example of Tool Tips Prompt

3.5 The 3D View Window

Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS 3-5

3.6 The Status Bar

3.7 Using Forms and their Controls

3.7.1 Option Buttons

3.7.2 Check Boxes

3-6 Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS

3.7.3 Using Text Boxes

3.7.4 Drop-Down Lists

3.7.5 Using Scrollable Lists