Software Technical Note

Title: Embedding graphics in an ESL drawing

Abstract: Embedding graphic .sym files in an ESL drawing
Document Information:
Number:
Product: INtools
Version: 6.0
Platform: All
Discipline: Instrumentation / SmartPlant Report Generator
Level/Type: Intermediate/Informational
Prepared By: Ron Williams
History: 18 August 2005 - Original
Technical Information:

Embedding Graphics in an ESL Drawing

The user may embed graphics in a loop drawing as long as the graphics are saved as a .sym
(symbol) file. It’s advised to store these graphic files at the same location designated as
the symbol directory. In the case where the database may become transportable, you will
have all the symbols stored in the same location which may then be recreated at another
site under the same location name or it may be necessary to update the esl_setting_redline
table.

The following graphic types may be converted to .sym:

.bmp
.dwg
.dxf
.dgn
.igr

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To convert the above file types, do the following:

1. Open SmartPlant Report Generator from the Start Programs menu.

2. Select File New

3. Create a new Document. Use the following selections and click OK.

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4. Click on to open Symbol Browser (or open a Windows Explorer window).
Select the .bmp or .dwg file you wish to convert. Drag and drop this file into the
working area currently opened in SmartPlant Report Generator.

5. Make sure the graphics now appearing in the work area are selected and select the
symbols icon .
6. The following toolbar will appear:

7. Select to create the symbol.

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8. A red circle will appear. Place this anywhere along the edge of your
graphics as shown in the following screenshot:

A single left click will land the origin point.

9. Supply the file name and location and click Save.

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10. Verify a public UNC path exists in your preferences to the selected location storing
the new symbol file (if you’re not using a network or other path then if this is left
blank, be sure to store this symbol in your \INtools\RAD\symbol location):

11. Close SmartPlant Report Generator. Open INtools and generate a selected loop.

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12. In SmartPlant Report Generator you typically would open Symbol Browser to drag
and drop the new symbol into your drawing but due to a bug, the user currently
cannot do this. An alternate method is to open Windows Explorer, navigate to the
new symbol file, and drag and drop from the Explorer window to the SmartPlant
Report Generator window into the loop drawing.

Figure 1 Select Symbol

Figure 2 Symbol Displayed

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 13. Click to save this change to the database.
14. Regenerate the drawing to verify the new addition to the loop drawing.

The same steps shown in this document may be used in the same manner to convert the
other file types. Each file type listed in this document was tested using the steps in this
document.
This document is for version 6 only. If you need to perform the same type of
embedding in version 7, you need to create the symbol file using Symbol Editor.
Also to embed the symbol or make it attach to the drawing, the graphics needs to
be attached as redlining.

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