Using Mapping Tables

This task explains the usage of mapping tables specifically for generating isometric drawings.

 

Mapping tables are how the applications determine which Alias symbol to place in a 2-D drawing for a given 3-D part. They are also needed to map attributes, and display information in a drawing. This application comes with tables that contain the mapping needed for the sample parts provided. However, if you build new parts, or create new attributes, then you need to modify the mapping tables accordingly.

The tables are in the directory ...intel_a\startup\EquipmentAndSystems\Piping\DesignRules. Do not change the location or file name of the tables. The table structure and column headings must not be modified. Use the tab key to move between columns, and do not add leading or trailing spaces to your entries.

1. If you add a new attribute then you need to modify the file
Piping-ISOAttributeMapping.txt. Mapping the attributes and adding the "Type" in the table allows you to display these attributes in the generated drawing. The attributes can be displayed in the generated drawing. You will need to see Alias documentation to find out how to customize the display. Entering the information in the attribute mapping table allows the information to be picked up. There are three columns in the table:
  • Type: You can enter attributes as one of three types - pipeline, component and description. There is a fourth type in the column, attr-categoryXX, and its usage is explained below.

Any attribute that is typed as 'pipeline' will display in a specific area of the generated drawing, depending on the format you select. If the attribute has a value then the value will be displayed; if there is no value then the value field will be left blank. The following image shows one format you can use to display the information in a drawing.

If the attribute belongs to a component then enter 'component' in the type field. There are several customizable lines in the table that you can modify. The lines display the Alias attribute but not the corresponding V5 attribute. If you create an attribute that corresponds to the listed Alias attribute then you can remove the words USER-DEFINED and enter your attribute. You can also add new lines if you want, entering the V5 and Alias attributes. The display of component attributes in a drawing depends on how you customize it.

Use 'description' as the type if you want the values for the attributes to display in a Description column. You can format Alias to add a column with the heading Description to the generated drawings. The values of attributes you type as description will display in this column.

The type ATTR-CATEGORYXX is used to add a column to the drawing, to display additional attributes. Some attributes are typed like this in the sample mapping table. To add columns change one of the blank lines in the table. There are several lines in the table that read ATTR-CATEGORYXX USER DEFINED USER DEFINED (XX is a number). These are essentially blank lines. If you want to display an attribute value in a column then change the entries 'USER DEFINED' to reflect the names of V5 and Alias attributes. The attribute will be added to the columns already displayed. A drawing can have a maximum of 20 columns. The image below shows one format for displaying attributes in columns in the generated drawing.

  • In the column AttributeName enter the attribute name used in this application.

  • In the column ISOGenAttributeName enter the equivalent Alias attribute name. You will have to see Alias documentation to determine which name to use.

2.

If you add a new end style then modify the table: Piping-ISOEndStyleMapping.txt

The table has two columns:

  • EndStyle: Enter the end style from Piping Design.
  • ISOgenEndStyle: Enter the equivalent Alias end style. You need to refer to Alias documentation to determine which end style to enter.
3. If you add a new piping symbol then you need to modify the table:
Piping-IsoSymbols.txt. Parts have an attribute, Symbol Name, and you need to modify the table if you create a part with a value that is not shown in the table. Also, piping parts must have a value for the Symbol Name.

The table has two columns:

  • Piping-Symbol: Enter a symbol name attribute value that is not included in the table.
  • Iso-Symbol: Enter the equivalent Alias symbol. You need to refer to Alias documentation to determine which symbol to enter.
  • Iso-Component: This column lists the Alias component identifier (similar to a part type). If you add a new symbol  then enter the appropriate identifier in this column, e.g. valve or tee, etc.
  4. Component options: You can customize the looks of the isometric drawing by making changes in the table Piping-IsoComponentOptions.txt.

The table consist of two columns, COMPONENT-IDENTIFIER AND COMPONENT-OPTIONS. The column COMPONENT-IDENTIFIER lists the components, or part types. The second column, COMPONENT-OPTIONS, displays corresponding options.

As an example, for the component-identifier "tee" the following options are available in the sample file sent out with this application:

CATEGORY FABRICATION
INSULATION ON
TRACING OFF
NAME
STATUS STANDARD

You can change the values of these options: for instance, you can turn TRACING to ON, or INSULATION to OFF. You need to refer to Alias documentation to find out how to customize these options.