PI adapter

PI adapter is an adapter type that allows model objects, and Smart Points that users add to 3D models, to retrieve data from a PI database, using a PI OLEDB connection and an SQL query. The retrieved information is shown to the user in the details pane of the 3D model viewer, and it is constantly refreshed as the adapter polls the database for changes.

Creating a PI adapter

Create a PI Adapter to enable CADMATIC eShare to connect to a PI database.

Prerequisites

  • The PI OLEDB provider has been installed on the CADMATIC eShare server computer.
  • To use Windows Integrated Security authentication, the user account under which the CADMATIC eShare server runs must be defined as a trusted user in PI System Management Tools.
  • You have the connection string that CADMATIC eShare needs for connecting to the database. Example: Provider=PIOLEDB; Data Source=MyServer-01; Integrated Security=SSPI;

Do the following:

  1. Navigate to the project to edit, and then click Project Admin in the main menu. The project administration view opens.
  2. Click Adapters and Data Sources. The Adapters and Data Sources configuration view opens.
  3. In the Adapters section, click Add.
  4. In the Available Adapter Types section, select PI Adapter, and then click Create adapter.
  5. In the Adapter section, enter a name and description (optional) for the adapter, and specify whether the adapter should be enabled.
  6. In the Adapter Configuration section, specify the following:
    • Connection String – Specify the connection string to use for connecting to the PI database, and then click Test to verify that connection can be established.
    • Impersonation – Select if impersonation is enabled or disabled.
  7. Click Save.

Related Actions

Creating a PI adapter data source

Add a data source to a PI adapter to enable the adapter to retrieve data from the PI database. You can also use the data source configuration to test that the system can retrieve data for a specific point ID.

Do the following:

  1. Navigate to the project to edit, and then click Project Admin in the main menu. The project administration view opens.

  2. Click Adapters and Data Sources. The Adapters and Data Sources configuration view opens.

  3. On the Adapters list, click the PI adapter to which to add a data source.

  4. In the Data Sources section of the adapter settings, click Add data source.

  5. In the Available Data Source Types section, PI Data Source is already selected—click Create data source.

  6. In the Data Source section, specify the following settings:

    • Name – Enter a name for the data source.

    • Description (optional) – Enter a description for the data source.

    • State – Specify whether the data source is disabled or enabled (default).

  7. In the Groups allowed to see the data section, select user groups that should be allowed to see the data that this data source provides.

    • If no groups are selected, only administrators will see the data.

    • Add user groups with Add.

    • Remove user groups with the remove button.

    • If the All Users group is selected, other group selections will be ignored.

  8. The Adapter Configuration section is read-only.

  9. In the Data Source Configuration section, specify the following:

    • Provide data for – Select whether to retrieve the data to objects or Smart Points.

      • Model Objects – the retrieved data will be added to objects that have a specific attribute.

      • Smart Points – the retrieved data will be added to Smart Points of the specified type.

    • Refresh Automatically – Specifies if visible data should be refreshed automatically in the attribute pane. Enabled by default. Set the Refresh Interval in seconds. Default is 5 seconds.

    • Data Time Zone – Set the used time zone as UTC or Local.

  10. Test the connection by entering a point ID that you know to exist in the database in Test value, and click Execute Query.

  11. Click Save.

Related Actions

  • Create a new Smart Point Type by the name PI, to allow users to add Smart Points that retrieve PI data. See Creating a Smart Point type.