Systems

System definitions enable meaningful categorization of objects in design projects. This categorization can be at very high-level or very detailed, as required in each project. For example, pipes that contain water can be assigned to a single 'Water' system or to multiple water systems such as 'Cold Water', 'Hot Water', 'Waste Water', and so on.

System definitions can be managed through various locations, including the following:

• File > Environment > Systems and Lines

• File > Environment > All Library and Project > [project] > Systems

• The Model Tree pane of Plant Modeller—see Managing tree items

• The Insert tab of P&ID

In CADMATIC, system definitions are COS objects whose properties and attributes can define their purpose. In general, they are used for the following:

• To provide a mandatory single-level hierarchy for all model objects.
• To provide a mandatory higher-level hierarchy for line objects: Pipelines, Cable trays, and Ductlines.
• To assign system-specific process information to model objects.
• To enable users to select objects based on their system assignment.
• To define the default visual appearance (color & shading) of objects based on their system assignment.

Lines and model objects inherit all the attributes of their system. If an inherited attribute is also directly assigned to the object or line, the system attribute's value is ignored.

About defining systems in projects

Each process-flow medium is usually represented by a separate system. For non-piping systems, you can have one system or multiple systems, as appropriate.

We recommend that you use multiple systems instead of just one whenever there is some practical reason for doing so. This reason can be, for example, the need to have a different visual appearance, the need for more accurate grouping of objects (for example, in visualization or in listings), or the need to use a different value in a system-related attribute. In piping, the system attribute can be related to, for example, the default insulation class, the layer in AutoCAD® conversion, the density of fluid, or the material of gaskets. In cabling, the system attribute can be related to, for example, the cable's interference class.

We do not recommend systems to be based on geographical distribution.

Show/hide example

Service Platforms

One system:

• Platforms

Several systems:

• Beam
• Grating
• Platform
• Railing

Building

One system:

• Building

Several systems:

• Building floor
• Building column
• Building wall
• Building floor support
• Building roof
• Building grouting

Cable Trays

One system:

• Cable Trays

Several systems:

• Cable Tray – Instrumentation
• Cable Tray – Strong current
• Cable Tray – Lighting