Diagram object types
Armatures
Armatures are diagram objects that belong to a pipeline. A pipe run and the armatures connected to it belong to the same pipeline.
The example environment includes the following armature objects:
- Actuators
- Condense traps
- Filters Sight glasses
- Angle valves
- 3-way valves
- Safety valves
- Non-return valves
- Standard valves
- Special devices (like a sprinkler nozzle)
Most of the armatures can be inserted into a line or connected to the end of the pipe run.
Context menu for armatures:
Equipment
There are two different types of equipment objects:
- Objects inserted into a line, such as pumps and heat exchangers.
- Objects inserted into a free point, such as vessels.
Vessel is a good example of a diagram symbol where the size often needs to be changed.
Context menu for equipment:
Piping objects
Piping objects are different kinds of pipe runs and piping objects, such as reducers and connections, that are inserted onto or into pipe runs.
Line cutting objects, joints
Line cutting objects are specific object types that "cut" the pipe run (like in reality) but do not have position IDs. These include reducers, flanges, steam pockets, etc. There are various example objects in the example environment.
These objects are of type "Armature/Symfittings" from the point of view of the database. In some cases, such as with reducers, two nominal sizes should be entered to be able to show the sizes in a label.
Line end components, pipe closing
These objects are like line cutting components, but they are inserted to the ends of pipe runs with the command Connect (p). Typical representatives of this type are blind flanges and welded pressure ends.
These objects are also of type "Armature/Symfittings" from the point of view of the database.
Context menu for pipe runs and circuits:
Instruments
There are two kinds of instrument objects:
- Instrument lines
- Controlling instruments
Instrument lines are similar to pipe run objects. They can either represent measurement or driving signal lines. In the example library there are some basic types for instrument lines: electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic and capillary lines, and a general instrument line.
Controlling instruments are categorized by their main function: T for temperature, P for pressure, and so on.
When publishing a diagram to 3D, any instruments that are not part of a pipeline are published as "Externally Provided P&ID Data" (EPD) objects which the Plant Modeller user can link to 3D model objects as described in Manage integration objects.
Context menu for instruments:
Connectors
Connectors are used to store the information that pipe run continues from one diagram to another. There are always two connectors—In Connector and Out Connector—which are linked to each other to make a pair. You can also insert connectors within a single diagram.
Connectors always have a label. In the example environment, the label is configured to show the name of the connected diagram.
The example environment contains some example connectors. The administrator can modify the look of the connector symbol and the text of the connector. The label is the most interesting part, and therefore it is also possible to make the connector object itself invisible. The connector symbol is not printed.
Connector color can be set from Drafting > Annotate > Symbol > Insert (see Symbol) or from Options (see User Interface).
Context menu for connectors:
For more information, see Insert connectors.
Labels
Labels are graphical objects that do not have database records of their own, but usually refer to the record or records of some diagram object. If the contents of the referred field are changed, also the label can be updated to show the new information.
Labels can be simple text labels, or the text can be written inside some symbol. Any data that a diagram object stores in the database can be shown in a label.
There are some example labels in the library of the example project. The sample labels include also symbols for flow arrow, isolation, tracing, slope marking, z-level, line delimiter, etc.
Context menu for labels:
Flexible objects
Flexible objects are objects whose visual appearance can be updated from the database. A good example is a valve with an actuator. The style of the valve and its actuator changes according to the selection, while the object template remains the same.
Terminators
Terminator objects can be used to indicate that a branch or main run ends on purpose with nothing at the end of the pipe. Terminators can represent, for example, gutters, funnels, and sample taking.
The benefits of using terminators include the following:
- Ability to add a label to the end of a pipeline branch.
- Ability to use the information in 3D integration (routing).
Context menu for terminators:
See Insert terminator.