TM-1801 AVEVA™ E3D Design (2.1) Foundations Rev 4.0

Training Guide
AVEVA™ E3D Design (2.1)

Foundations
TM-1801
.
TM-1801
This page is intentionally left blank.
Copyright © 2021.
AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries. Page 2 of 197
All rights reserved.
TM-1801
Revision Log
DATE REVISION DESCRIPTION OF REVISION AUTHOR REVIEWED APPROVED
05/03/2013 1.0 Issued for Training AVEVA E3D™(1.1) NG KB PJH
21/01/2014 2.0 Issued for Training AVEVA E3D™(1.1) CT KB KB
19/11/2015 3.0 Issued for Training AVEVA E3D™ (2.1) JD MB KB
Issued for Review AVEVA™ E3D

23/03/2021 3.1 AH
Design 2.1.0.27
15/04/2021 3.2 Reviewed AH SK
Approved for Training AVEVA™ E3D

22/04/2021 4.0 AH SK ST
Design 2.1.0.27
Template version: V5
Updates
Change highlighting will be employed for all revisions. Where new or changed, information is presented
section headings will be highlighted in Yellow.
Suggestion / Problems
If you have a suggestion about this manual or the system to which it refers please report it to AVEVA Training
& Product Support at CSE@aveva.com
This manual provides documentation relating to products to which you may not have access or which may not
be licensed to you. For further information on which products are licensed to you please refer to your licence
conditions.
Visit our website at http://www.aveva.com
Disclaimer
1.1 AVEVA does not warrant that the use of the AVEVA software will be uninterrupted, error-free or free
from viruses.
1.2 AVEVA shall not be liable for: loss of profits; loss of business; depletion of goodwill and/or similar
losses; loss of anticipated savings; loss of goods; loss of contract; loss of use; loss or corruption of data
or information; any special, indirect, consequential or pure economic loss, costs, damages, charges or
expenses which may be suffered by the user, including any loss suffered by the user resulting from
the inaccuracy or invalidity of any data created by the AVEVA software, irrespective of whether such
losses are suffered directly or indirectly, or arise in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise.
1.3 AVEVA's total liability in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, arising in connection with
the performance of the AVEVA software shall be limited to 100% of the licence fees paid in the year
in which the user's claim is brought.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
1.4 Clauses 1.1 to 1.3 shall apply to the fullest extent permissible at law.
1.5 In the event of any conflict between the above clauses and the analogous clauses in the software
licence under which the AVEVA software was purchased, the clauses in the software licence shall take
precedence.
Copyright Notice
All intellectual property rights, including but not limited to, copyright in this Training Guide and the associated
documentation belongs to or is licensed to AVEVA Solutions Limited or its affiliates.
All rights are reserved to AVEVA Solutions Limited and its affiliates companies. The information contained in
this Training Guide and associated documentation is commercially sensitive, and shall not be adapted, copied,
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or medium by any means (including
photocopying or electronic means) without the prior written permission of AVEVA Solutions Limited. Where
such permission is granted, AVEVA Solutions Limited expressly requires that the Disclaimer included in this
Training Guide and this Copyright notice is prominently displayed at the beginning of every copy that is made.
Licenses issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency or any other reproduction rights organisation do not apply.
If any unauthorised acts are carried out in relation to this copyright work, a civil claim for damages may be
made and or criminal prosecution may result.
AVEVA Solutions Limited and its affiliate companies shall not be liable for any breach or infringement of a third
party's intellectual property rights arising from the use of this Training Guide and associated documentation.
Incorporates Qt Commercial, © 2011 Nokia Corporation or its subsidiaries.
@AVEVA Solutions Limited 2015
Trademark Notice
AVEVA™, AVEVA Bocad™, [AVEVA Tags], Tribon and all AVEVA product and service names are trademarks of
AVEVA Group plc or its subsidiaries.
Use of these trademarks, product and service names belonging to AVEVA Group plc or its subsidiaries is strictly
forbidden, without the prior written permission of AVEVA Group plc or AVEVA Solutions Limited. Any
unauthorised use may result in a legal claim being made against you.
All other trademarks belong to their respective owners and cannot be used without the permission of the
owner.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Table of Contents
1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 9
1.1 Aim ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
1.2 Objectives ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
1.3 Prerequisites ................................................................................................................................................. 9
1.4 Course Structure............................................................................................................................................ 9
1.5 Using this guide ............................................................................................................................................10
2 Getting Started ............................................................................................................................... 11
2.1 Enter/Login to AVEVA™ E3D Design .............................................................................................................11
2.1.1 Entering AVEVA™ E3D Design – (Worked Example) ................................................................................... 11
2.2 The Model Environment ...............................................................................................................................16
2.3 AVEVA™ E3D Design Disciplines ...................................................................................................................18
2.3.1 Selecting a Modelling Discipline – (Worked Example) ................................................................................ 18
2.4 AVEVA™ E3D Design Forms ..........................................................................................................................19
2.4.1 Docking the Forms ...................................................................................................................................... 19
2.4.2 Hiding the Forms ......................................................................................................................................... 19
2.4.3 Docking and Hiding Forms – (Worked Example) ......................................................................................... 20
2.4.4 Splitting the Sliding Forms Set .................................................................................................................... 21
2.4.5 Arranging Forms in Sliding Forms Sets ........................................................................................................ 21
2.4.6 Using Sliding Form Sets – (Worked Example) ............................................................................................. 22
2.4.7 Undocking the Sliding Forms Sets ............................................................................................................... 23
2.5 PowerWheel Overview .................................................................................................................................23
2.6 PowerCompass Overview .............................................................................................................................25
2.7 In-canvas Commands Overview ....................................................................................................................25
2.8 In-canvas Editor Overview ............................................................................................................................26
2.9 Accessing Help Pages ....................................................................................................................................27
2.10 Closing AVEVA™ E3D Design .........................................................................................................................28
2.11 Set up the Training Course – (Worked Example) ...........................................................................................29
Exercise 1 Using Sliding Forms ............................................................................................................ 30
3 Exploring the Database.................................................................................................................... 31
3.1 The Model Explorer ......................................................................................................................................31
3.2 The Current Element ....................................................................................................................................32
3.3 Element identification ..................................................................................................................................32
3.3.1 Element Types ............................................................................................................................................. 32
3.3.2 Element Names ........................................................................................................................................... 32
3.4 Design Common elements ............................................................................................................................33
3.5 Using the Model Explorer – (Worked Example) ............................................................................................33
Exercise 2 Navigating the Hierarchy .................................................................................................... 35
4 Viewing the 3D Model ..................................................................................................................... 37
4.1 Selecting the Elements to Display in the 3D View .........................................................................................37
4.1.1 Adding Elements to the 3D View ............................................................................................................... 37
4.1.2 Adding other elements to the 3D View ...................................................................................................... 41
4.1.3 Removing Elements from the 3D View ....................................................................................................... 43
4.1.4 The Drawlist Form ....................................................................................................................................... 47
4.1.5 Colours of the Model Elements .................................................................................................................. 47
Exercise 3 Displaying Model Elements ................................................................................................ 48
4.2 Controlling the 3D View................................................................................................................................49
4.2.1 View Limits .................................................................................................................................................. 49
4.2.2 Zooming ...................................................................................................................................................... 51
4.2.3 Rotating the 3D View .................................................................................................................................. 52
4.2.4 View Direction – A Worked Example .......................................................................................................... 53
4.2.5 Panning ....................................................................................................................................................... 56
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.2.6 Centre View................................................................................................................................................. 56

4.2.7 Stepping back to previous views ................................................................................................................. 56
Exercise 4 Controlling the 3D View ..................................................................................................... 57
4.3 Clipping the 3D View ....................................................................................................................................58
4.3.1 Creating a clipping box – (Worked Example) .............................................................................................. 59
Exercise 5 Clipping the View ............................................................................................................... 65
4.4 Hiding elements ...........................................................................................................................................66
4.5 Element Tooltips ..........................................................................................................................................68
4.6 Settings ........................................................................................................................................................68
5 Working with the Database ............................................................................................................. 70
5.1 Access Rights ................................................................................................................................................70
5.2 Creating elements ........................................................................................................................................70
5.2.1 Selecting a Valid Owner – (Worked Example)............................................................................................. 71
5.2.2 Naming the new element ........................................................................................................................... 72
5.3 Renaming Elements – (Worked Example) .....................................................................................................73
5.4 Copying & Pasting an Element – (Worked Example) .....................................................................................75
5.5 Delete an Element – (Worked Example) .......................................................................................................76
5.6 Modifying the Hierarchy ...............................................................................................................................78
5.6.1 Changing the Owner of an Element – (Worked Example) .......................................................................... 78
5.6.2 Reordering the Hierarchy – (Worked Example) .......................................................................................... 81
5.7 Save Work ....................................................................................................................................................82
5.8 Get Work ......................................................................................................................................................83
5.9 Undo/Redo...................................................................................................................................................83
5.10 The Claim List ...............................................................................................................................................84
5.10.1 View the Claim List ...................................................................................................................................... 84
5.10.2 Claiming Elements ....................................................................................................................................... 85
5.10.3 Unclaiming Elements .................................................................................................................................. 85
Exercise 6 Working with the Database ................................................................................................ 86
6 Modifying Model Elements .............................................................................................................. 88
6.1 Selecting Elements .......................................................................................................................................88
6.1.1 Selecting Elements Individually................................................................................................................... 88
6.1.2 Using a Selection Fence .............................................................................................................................. 89
6.2 Modifying Attributes ....................................................................................................................................90
6.2.1 Using the Attributes form – (Worked Example) ......................................................................................... 90
6.2.2 Using the Properties form – (Worked Example) ......................................................................................... 91
Exercise 7 Modifying Elements Attributes ........................................................................................... 94
6.3 Positioning Elements ....................................................................................................................................96
6.3.1 Setting the Local Coordinate System .......................................................................................................... 96
6.3.2 Specifying a Position ................................................................................................................................. 101
6.3.3 Using the Editor ........................................................................................................................................ 107
6.3.4 Using the Move Command ....................................................................................................................... 113
6.3.5 Other Positioning Aids .............................................................................................................................. 115
Exercise 8 Positioning Elements ........................................................................................................ 116
6.4 Rotating Elements ......................................................................................................................................119
6.4.1 Using the Editor to Rotate ........................................................................................................................ 119
6.4.2 Using the Rotate Command ...................................................................................................................... 120
Exercise 9 Rotating Elements ............................................................................................................ 121
6.5 The Positioning Control Form .....................................................................................................................122
6.5.1 Pick Type ................................................................................................................................................... 122
6.5.2 Pick Method .............................................................................................................................................. 123
6.5.3 Positioning Control – (Worked Example) .................................................................................................. 123
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
7 Creating Additional Views ............................................................................................................. 126

7.1 Creating an Empty View .............................................................................................................................126
7.2 Copying a 3D View ......................................................................................................................................126
7.3 Grid Plane View ..........................................................................................................................................127
7.4 Displaying Multiple Views ..........................................................................................................................127
7.5 Displaying Multiple Views – (Worked Example) .........................................................................................128
Exercise 10 Creating Additional Views ............................................................................................. 129
8 General Utilities ............................................................................................................................ 130
8.1 Search Utility ..............................................................................................................................................130
8.1.1 More Search Tools .................................................................................................................................... 132
Exercise 11 Search Utility ................................................................................................................ 135
8.2 Collections ..................................................................................................................................................136
8.2.1 System Collections .................................................................................................................................... 137
8.2.2 Create a Shared Collection ........................................................................................................................ 138
8.2.3 My Collections........................................................................................................................................... 142
Exercise 12 Using Collections .......................................................................................................... 143
8.3 Working with Grids ....................................................................................................................................144
8.3.1 Modifying Values ...................................................................................................................................... 144
8.3.2 Sorting a Column ....................................................................................................................................... 146
8.3.3 Freezing a Column..................................................................................................................................... 146
8.3.4 Filtering a column ..................................................................................................................................... 146
8.3.5 Adding columns ........................................................................................................................................ 147
8.3.6 Arranging Columns .................................................................................................................................... 148
8.3.7 Column Units............................................................................................................................................. 149
8.3.8 Grouping ................................................................................................................................................... 150
8.3.9 Column Summaries ................................................................................................................................... 151
8.3.10 Quick Report ............................................................................................................................................. 152
8.3.11 Exporting to Excel ..................................................................................................................................... 153
Exercise 13 Working with Grids ....................................................................................................... 154
8.4 Measuring Functions ..................................................................................................................................155
8.4.1 Measure Distance ..................................................................................................................................... 155
8.4.2 Measure Angle .......................................................................................................................................... 157
8.5 Walk Mode & Fly Mode ..............................................................................................................................159
8.5.1 Walk Mode Controls ................................................................................................................................. 160
8.5.2 Fly Mode Controls ..................................................................................................................................... 161
Exercise 14........................................................................................................................................... 162
8.6 Save & Restore Views .................................................................................................................................163
8.6.1 Saving Views ............................................................................................................................................. 163
8.6.2 Restoring Saved Views .............................................................................................................................. 164
8.6.3 Deleting Saved Views ................................................................................................................................ 164
8.7 Copy Image.................................................................................................................................................164
9 Settings......................................................................................................................................... 166
9.1 PROJECT Tab Options .................................................................................................................................166
9.1.1 Configuration Options ............................................................................................................................... 166
9.1.2 View Options ............................................................................................................................................. 173
9.1.3 Discipline Options ..................................................................................................................................... 173
9.2 View Settings..............................................................................................................................................174
9.3 Drawlist Settings ........................................................................................................................................177
9.3.1 Tabs ........................................................................................................................................................... 177
9.3.2 Display Settings ......................................................................................................................................... 178
9.3.3 Options...................................................................................................................................................... 179
9.4 Graphics Settings ........................................................................................................................................180
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
9.4.1 Colour Tab ................................................................................................................................................. 180

9.4.2 Representation Tab ................................................................................................................................... 181
9.4.3 Steelwork Tab ........................................................................................................................................... 185
9.4.4 Cabling Tab ................................................................................................................................................ 185
9.4.5 Plines and Ppoints Tab .............................................................................................................................. 186
9.5 Attributes Form Settings ............................................................................................................................187
- AVEVA™ E3D DESIGN Modules .................................................................................... 188
Model ....................................................................................................................................................................188
Draw ......................................................................................................................................................................189
Isodraft ..................................................................................................................................................................190
Spool .....................................................................................................................................................................190
- AVEVA™ E3D Design Database Elements ..................................................................... 192
World (WORL)........................................................................................................................................................192
Site (SITE) ...............................................................................................................................................................192
Zone (ZONE)...........................................................................................................................................................192
Equipment (EQUI) ..................................................................................................................................................192
Sub-Equipment (SUBE)...........................................................................................................................................192
Primitives...............................................................................................................................................................192
Volume Model (VOLM) ..........................................................................................................................................193
Sub-Volume Model (SVOLM) .................................................................................................................................193
Structure (STRU) ....................................................................................................................................................193
Framework (FRMW) ..............................................................................................................................................193
Sub-Framework (SBFR) ..........................................................................................................................................193
Structural Components ..........................................................................................................................................193
Pipe (PIPE) .............................................................................................................................................................193
Branch (BRAN) .......................................................................................................................................................193
Piping Components ................................................................................................................................................193
- Hot Keys and In-canvas Commands ............................................................................. 194
Copyright © 2021.
CHAPTER 1
1 Introduction
AVEVA™ E3D Design, enables the user to design a 3D computer model of a project. AVEVA™ E3D Design
allows the viewing of a full colour-shaded representation of the model as the design progresses, adding an
extremely impressive level of realism to traditional drawing office techniques.
In the model the user can store huge amounts of data referring to position, size, part numbers and geometric
relationships for the various parts of the project. The model becomes a single source of engineering data for
all the sections and disciplines involved in a design project.
All this information is stored in databases. There are many different output channels from the databases
through which information can be passed on. These range from reports on data stored in the databases, fully
annotated and dimensioned engineering drawings, to full colour-shaded 3D walk-through capabilities which
allow the user to visualise the complete design model.
1.1 Aim
The aim of this training guide is to provide the basic knowledge of the common features that provide the
‘foundations’ for the AVEVA™ E3D Design Model module.
1.2 Objectives
• Familiarise trainees with the basics of the User Interface.
• Explore the data structure of AVEVA™ E3D Design.
• Explain how to display and manipulate the 3D model.
• Explain basic techniques for creating and modifying 3D models.
• Familiarise the user with general functionality.
1.3 Prerequisites
• Familiarity with Microsoft Windows.
• Knowledge of engineering design.
1.4 Course Structure

Training will consist of oral and visual presentations, demonstrations and set exercises. Each workstation will
have a training project, populated with model objects. This will be used by the trainees to practice their
methods and complete the set exercises.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
1.5 Using this guide

Certain text styles are used to indicate special situations throughout this document, here is a summary: -
• Menu pull-downs and button click actions are indicated by bold blue text
• Information that needs to be entered into the software will be in bold red text
• System prompts, example files or inputs will be bold italic black text
• Example files or inputs will be in the courier new font, colours and styles used as before.
• Products, Applications, Modules, Toolbars, Explorers and other significant software elements will
be in bold black text
• Other areas in this Training Guide will be presented with italic blue text and an accompanying icon
to classify the type of additional information.
Additional Information
Refer to other documentation
The following icons will be used to identify industry or discipline specific content
Plant - Content specific to the Plant industry Marine - Content specific to the Marine industry
Electrical – Content specific to Electrical Engineering – Content specific to Engineering
Instrumentation – Content specific to

Instrumentation
Copyright © 2021.
CHAPTER 2
2 Getting Started
This chapter will show how to enter an AVEVA™ E3D Design session and run through some of the user
interface basics to familiarise the user with the Model module environment.
2.1 Enter/Login to AVEVA™ E3D Design

AVEVA™ E3D Design may be started by using the Windows taskbar or the desktop shortcut, providing both
options were selected when the product was installed.
From the Windows taskbar select Start > AVEVA > AVEVA
Everything3D 2.10.
Alternatively, an AVEVA™ E3D Design session can be started by double clicking the AVEVA
Everything3D 2.10 shortcut on the desktop.
2.1.1 Entering AVEVA™ E3D Design – (Worked Example)
Double click the AVEVA Everything3D 2.10 shortcut on the desktop to start an
AVEVA™ E3D Design session
The AVEVA™ E3D Design initialisation image will be displayed:
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
When initialisation is complete, the AVEVA™ E3D Design Login form will be displayed:
The upper section of the form contains the project selection

tiles. This allows the selection a project to work on. These
tiles scroll horizontally if there are more projects available
than fit on the form.
The middle section of the form contains a search option.

This allows the search for a project and to also display
masked projects by checking the Show Masked Project
checkbox.
When a project is selected the middle section of the form is

updated to allow specific user input/selection to allow login
to the selected project.
The lower section of the form contains the module selection

tiles Clicking one of these starts the selected module with
the selected project and credentials.
AVEVA™ E3D Design is divided into modules to perform the various functions to produce a 3D Plant design
model. The modules and their functions are:-
• Model for 3D modelling.
• Draw for 2D drawing production.
• Isodraft for Isometric drawing production.
• Spool for pipe spooling.
For more information about AVEVA™ E3D Design modules, refer to Appendix A.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Click the TRA tile from the upper section of the form to select the Training
project
The upper section of the form will display information relating to Training project, and the search functionality
will be replaced by the project credentials as shown below:
To navigate back to the project selection tiles, click on the Right Arrow button located at
the right hand side of the project Information section of the form.
Three mandatory pieces of information must be supplied before starting the project with a module:
• User - the username
• Password the password for the selected user
• MDB - this stands for Multiple Database. This determines the databases that will be available
when the module is started.
Alternatively, it is possible to open the project as it was at a certain date by selecting a Stamp.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Select A.EQUIPMAN from the User options list.
Enter A in the Password textbox.
The password is hidden with each character being

represented by a dot.
If necessary, the password can be changed by clicking the

Key button next to the Password textbox.
The access rights will be applied on the databases loaded by the MDB depending on the User selected on the
login form.
Each database of the project is owned by a Team defined by the administrator. The selected User will have
the right to create / modify / delete elements in a loaded database only if they are a member of the Team
owning the database. Otherwise, the database will be opened as read only.
For example, in the Training project, the administrator has assigned the User of A.EQUIPMAN to the EQUIP
Team and therefore the User A.EQUIPMAN will have the right to create / modify / delete elements in all the
databases owned by the EQUIP Team.
Select A-EQUIPMENT from the MDB options list.
An AVEVA™ E3D Design project contains several databases of different types to store the data. In Model, the
design data is generally split into different databases of type DESI, to separate the different disciplines, or
different areas in the project. This allows more granularity in the project organisation, and the control of access
rights.
The MDBs are created by the administrator with a selection of databases that are required for different tasks
and scope of work.
For example, in the Training project, selecting the A-EQUIPMENT MDB will load a selection of all the design
and catalogue databases required for designing the Equipment in the project.
Click the Model tile to start a Model session for the specified project.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The AVEVA™ E3D Design initialisation animated image will be displayed for a few seconds while the module
is loaded along with the databases from the selected MDB.
The main discipline interface will then be displayed. Note that the project data will not be visible until invoked
as described in the chapters that follow.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
2.2 The Model Environment

The AVEVA™ E3D Design user interface is based on the Microsoft® Office Fluent™ Based User Interface.
Starting Model for the first time will use the default screen layout as shown below:
This default layout may be modified to suit individual preferences, e.g. additional forms may be displayed in
the layout, forms may be moved, ‘docked’ and pinned/unpinned as required. Some of these features are
described later in this chapter.
After exiting AVEVA™ E3D Design or changing to a different module, a subsequent return to the Model module
will restore the screen layout as it was left in the previous session.
Quick Access Toolbar: provides shortcuts to most common

commands for a quick access.
Tabs: regroup the application buttons by category. Displayed

tabs depend on the selected discipline.
Groups: each tab is divided into groups to organise the

buttons by task.
Prompt Area: provides instructions while performing an

action.
3D view: the workspace where the Model elements can be

viewed and worked on. The 3D View can contain one or
several 3DViews.
Sliding Forms: forms are docked and tabbed on both sides of

the 3D View and can be temporarily hidden to clear the 3D
View.
PowerWheel™: provides quick access to most common

commands directly in the 3D View via a right click.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
PowerCompass™: provides intuitive tools to orientate the

3D View and select different Coordinate Systems.
Status Bar: provides quick access to common modelling

options.
Messages Area: displays the last information, warning, or

error messages.
Notification Area: displays information about the status of

a global project.
View Tab Group: provides access to the different opened

3D Views from multiple tabs.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
2.3 AVEVA™ E3D Design Disciplines
Discipline interfaces are accessed from the Discipline

options list on the Quick Access Toolbar.
Selecting a discipline from the options list displays the

selected disciplines interface.
2.3.1 Selecting a Modelling Discipline – (Worked Example)
Select EQUIPMENT from the Discipline options list on

the Quick Access Toolbar.
Depending on the discipline, new tabs will be displayed in the Microsoft® Office Fluent™ Based User Interface
to provide the tools specific to that discipline. For example, selecting the EQUIPMENT discipline will display
the EQUIPMENT tab:
The EQUIPMENT tab will be displayed for most of the modelling disciplines.
The organisation of the discipline tabs offers user friendly access by presenting the same groups in the same
order for common tasks like Create, Modify and Delete:
Group Create Group Modify Group Delete
This training guide covers some general basic functionality. However, the majority of functionality is
described in the discipline specific training guides.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
2.4 AVEVA™ E3D Design Forms

Much of the AVEVA™ E3D Design user interface is driven by forms which are invoked from the buttons on the
discipline interface or from other forms. Forms are used to display information or to enter or modify data.
Forms come in a variety of sizes and contain different input and modification devices, e.g. textboxes,
checkboxes, options lists, buttons, link labels, etc.
The forms are translucent by default, allowing the model elements in the background to be seen. When a form
is clicked and being used, it becomes opaque. The translucency of the forms can be configured on the PROJECT
tab which is covered in a later chapter.
Most of the AVEVA™ E3D Design forms are dockable, i.e. can be arranged in a fixed position, in two areas
located on the left and the right hand side of the 3D View. These two areas allow the creation of Sliding Forms
Sets, which offer different functionality to display and arrange the opened forms.
A Sliding Forms Set
• Allows multiple forms to be opened in multiple

tabs.
Tabs
• May be split in two parts, the Top and Bottom
Segment, allowing two forms to be visible
Splitting Bar simultaneously.
Top Segment
• May be collapsed on one side to enlarge the
Bottom Segment
working area.
• May be hidden to clear the 3D View.
• May be docked on one side of the 3D View, or

made Floating, i.e. positioned freely.
For clarity, when docked on one side of the 3D View the

Sliding Forms Set will be referred as to the Left or Right
Panel
2.4.1 Docking the Forms

The Left and Right Panels can contain one or several forms which will appear as different tabs. Generally, when
dockable forms are initially displayed they will dock at their default position in one of the Panels, on either
side of the 3D View.
If not contained in a Panel, a Form is said to be Floating, and may be reattached by dragging the Title bar of
the form inside the Panel. Or, it can be detached from the Panel by dragging the tab to any location in the 3D
View.
2.4.2 Hiding the Forms

To enlarge the working space, the forms may be hidden in different ways:
• Modifying the size of the Panels.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
• Collapsing one Panel on one side of the 3D View by clicking on the active tab.
• Hiding all the forms on the 3D View by clicking the Clear Canvas button located at the top right hand
corner of the application window.
2.4.3 Docking and Hiding Forms – (Worked Example)
On the tab TOOLS, in the Display group, clicking the Messages button displays the
Messages form in a floating state.
Buttons opening forms will remain highlighted in blue while the form is
displayed.
Hold the left mouse button on the Title bar of the

Messages form and drag the form inside the Left Panel.
A small grey square will appear at the bottom of the Panel

to indicate that the form will be docked above the splitting
bar. Release the button to dock the form.
When a form is docked in the Panel amongst others, a new tab will be added in the
tab bar of the Sliding Form Set. The forms may then be made visible by clicking on
the relevant tab which will be highlighted in blue to indicate that it is active.
Drag the mouse when on the border of the panel to increase or decrease its size.
Double clicking on the border will restore the Panel to the default size.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Clicking the active tab will collapse the Panel
Clicking the active tab again will restore the Panel to the
previous state.
Click the Clear Canvas button to hide all docked and floating
forms located on the 3D View.
Click again to restore the previous state.
2.4.4 Splitting the Sliding Forms Set

The Panels consists of two areas, the top and the bottom segment, to allow the visibility of two forms
simultaneously.
The size of the bottom segment, which is collapsed by default, may be adjusted by dragging the splitting bar
upward or downward.
When a Panel is split, the two segments can be populated with multiple forms. The two segments will then
contain their own group of tabs, and two forms can now be visible, one in each segment.
2.4.5 Arranging Forms in Sliding Forms Sets

With multiple forms opened and docked, it is possible to change the order of the forms in one segment, or to
move a form from one segment to another, or to move a form from one Panel to another.
In the same manner, the tab may be dragged to the other side of the 3D View and dropped in the top or
bottom segment of the other Panel.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
2.4.6 Using Sliding Form Sets – (Worked Example)
In the Left Panel, hover the cursor over the splitting bar
located at the bottom of the Panel. The appearance of the
cursor will change to a dimensioning icon.
Hold the left mouse button down, move the cursor up to

increase the size of the bottom segment.
Release the mouse when the sliding bar is near the middle.
The bottom segment is now ready to be populated with
forms.
Click on the arrow at the middle of the splitting bar to

collapse the bottom segment.
Click on the arrow again to restore the splitting bar to its

previous position.
In the left Panel, hold the left mouse button down on the
Messages tab.
Drag the Messages tab towards the upper part of the Model
Explorer tab. Red arrows are displayed indicating the new
position for the tab being dragged.
Release the button when the red arrows are on the top of
the Model Explorer tab.
The Messages tab is now repositioned above the Model

Explorer tab.
In the left Panel, hold the left mouse button down on the
Messages tab.
Drag the tab towards the bottom segment of the Panel. The
grey square is displayed indicating that the tab will be
positioned below the splitting bar.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Release the button to position the tab in the bottom

segment.
The Messages form and Model Explorer can be viewed

simultaneously.
2.4.7 Undocking the Sliding Forms Sets

The two Panels are by default docked on the left and right hand side of the 3D View. It is however possible to
undock them in order to position them freely on the main screen, or a secondary screen.
To undock a Panel, right click on one of its tabs and select Float.
The Sliding Form Set can then be moved like any other form by holding the left
button on the title bar.
To dock the Panel back to its original position, right click on one of its tabs and
uncheck the Float option.
2.5 PowerWheel Overview
Several Model operations may be initiated and controlled using the PowerWheel.
This is invoked by right-clicking within the 3D View.
A function is selected from the PowerWheel by a left-click on the required tile. This may result in a change of
appearance for the PowerWheel for refined selection. For instance, selecting the View Direction tile from the
PowerWheel will update the PowerWheel to allow the direction of the 3D View to be specified.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Alternatively, by clicking and holding the right mouse button, the required
tile can be indicated by moving the cursor in the appropriate direction and
selection confirmed on release of the mouse button. The direction of
selection is aided by an indicating line.
On selection of the required option on the PowerWheel, the action may

be repeated for the selection when the Power Wheel changes
appearance. This operation is often referred to as a gesture.
Holding down the Ctrl key and then right clicking will result in an
alternative layout appearance of the PowerWheel which includes general
functions as shown.
The PowerWheel may also be used in context during a modelling action.
On performing an action which requires a position to be specified in the

3D View, the Shift key can be used in conjunction with the right click to
display the PowerWheel with an alternate layout that includes Object
Snaps.
This allows the filtering of a specific Object Snap temporarily for the
current action.
Object Snaps will be described in a later chapter.
The PowerWheel functions will be described in more detail in specific training courses.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
2.6 PowerCompass Overview
The PowerCompass is an intuitive tool allowing control of the view direction and selection of the different
Coordinate Systems.
The view direction features of the PowerCompass will be described section 4.2.
The Coordinate Systems will be described in section 6.3.1.
It is possible to move the position of the PowerCompass by dragging the blue grip located below the compass.
2.7 In-canvas Commands Overview

In addition to forms and buttons for input, it is possible to invoke specific commands by entering them directly
in the 3D View. These commands are referred to as in-canvas commands.
A list of the in-canvas commands is presented in Appendix C
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
2.8 In-canvas Editor Overview

Many commands in AVEVA™ E3D Design will require user input and most of the time it may be done by
entering value or selecting options directly in the 3D View.
For example, when the MOVE command is used, it is necessary to specify positions, and a prompt called the
In-canvas Editor will be displayed beside the cursor in the 3D View:
When the command is invoked, the default option for this command will be the current option. However, it is
possible to select alternative options by pressing the Down arrow cursor key, then clicking on the appropriate
tile or pressing the corresponding key indicated on the tile by the underscore. For example, on the above in-
command options the D or C key could be pressed to select Displacement or Copy within the Move command.
The focus of the textboxes is changed by pressing the Tab key. Entering a co-ordinate or angular value in the
textbox and pressing the Tab key will lock the value in the textbox and move the focus to the adjacent textbox.
When coordinates are to be entered, it may be possible to switch the Absolute mode to Relative mode by
pressing the Shift and @ keys together. Also, it is possible to switch between Cartesian, cylindrical or polar
coordinates by pressing the Backtick (`) key.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
2.9 Accessing Help Pages

The AVEVA™ E3D Design Help Viewer can be accessed in three different ways:
• On the PROJECT tab, from the Help option, click the AVEVA
E3D Design Help button.
• Clicking the Help button at the top right corner of the module window
• Pressing the F1 key will open the Help Viewer displaying the page related to
the Current Element.
The concept of the Current Element is covered in section 3.2 of this training
guide.
The Help Viewer enables the referencing of the AVEVA™ E3D Design documentation using the following
methods:
• Contents tab – shows the logically grouped items
• Index tab – shows an alphabetical index
• Search tab – allows the searching for key words.
The page of the displayed documentation can be printed by clicking the Print button in the top right corner of
the Help Viewer form.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
2.10 Closing AVEVA™ E3D Design

AVEVA™ E3D Design may be closed using the following methods:
• Click the Close button at the top right hand corner of the module window.
• On the PROJECT tab, click the Exit button.
• Select Close from the AVEVA™ E3D Design menu at the top left hand
corner of the module window.
• Press the Alt and F4 keys simultaneously.
When closing AVEVA™ E3D Design, if changes have been made but not saved, a Question form is displayed
as shown:
Refer to section 5.7 for more information about saving the changes in the database.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
2.11 Set up the Training Course – (Worked Example)
Click the TOOLS > Training > Setup button to display the Training Setup form.
Select the Foundations tab and check the Add TRA Site checkbox.
Click the Apply button followed by the Close button.
This will create a new element, SITE TRA.SITE in the Model Explorer.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 1 Using Sliding Forms

Perform the following tasks:
• Expand the bottom segment of the right Panel. Drag the splitting bar to the middle of the Panel.
• On the TOOLS tab, in the Display group, click the Commands button to open the Command Window.
• Dock the Command Window in the bottom segment of the right Panel.
• Drag the Messages form to the bottom segment of the right Panel.
• Collapse the bottom segment of the right Panel.
• Collapse the right Panel.
Copyright © 2021.
CHAPTER 3
3 Exploring the Database

This chapter will describe how the model data can be browsed and how the different elements can be
identified.
3.1 The Model Explorer

The Model Explorer is a form containing a representation of the content of the loaded design databases. This
is in the form of an explorer tree with expandable branches called nodes. In the default Model environment,
the Model Explorer is docked in the Panel at the left hand side of the 3D View.
To open the Model Explorer if it has been closed, on the TOOLS tab, in
the Explorers group, click the Model button.
The AVEVA™ E3D Design database, called Dabacon, is a hierarchical database where elements contain other
elements.
To view or hide the content of one element, expand or collapse the node by clicking on the arrow next to the
element.
Click the arrow next to the element SITE TRA.SITE to view

its content. This will expand the node of the Model
Explorer.
When an element contains other elements, it is referred as the Owner of the contained elements, and the
contained elements are referred to as its Members. The topmost element which contains all the other
elements is called the World and will sometimes be referred to on forms as /*.
For more information about the Model Explorer settings, refer to section Error! Reference source not f
ound..1.2.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
3.2 The Current Element

A fundamental concept of the Dabacon database is that any action of creation, deletion or modification of an
element in the database is performed on one element which has been previously selected. This selected
element is referred as to the Current Element or CE. The action of selecting the Current Element is called
navigating to.
In the Model Explorer, clicking on an element will navigate to this element,

making it the Current Element. This will be notified by a blue highlight of the
element in the tree.
It is also possible to navigate to an element knowing its name by using the

Navigation List located at the top of the Model Explorer.
This is typically used when the position of the desired element in the hierarchy is
not known.
Element names in AVEVA™ E3D Design are case sensitive and this applies while searching for elements in
the Navigation List.
3.3 Element identification
In the Model Explorer, the elements are

identified by an icon, an element type, and its
name as shown.
3.3.1 Element Types

Each element in the database is assigned an element Type which defines its characteristics and behaviour. In
the Model Explorer, the type of element is indicated by the first four letters next to the element’s icon.
Depending on its Type, an element may only exist in a valid position in the hierarchy. For example, an element
of type SITE can only be owned by an element of type WORL, an element of type ZONE can only be owned by
an element of type SITE etc...
For more information about database types, refer to Appendix B.
3.3.2 Element Names

Next to the element Type is the element Name. The element name is optional and can be specified when the
element is created or can be changed afterwards.
The element names must comply with a set of rules that will be described in chapter 5.
When an element is not named, it will appear in the hierarchy with a number next to its type. This number
indicates the order of the element in the hierarchy, from top to bottom, for a given element type.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
For example, the first element of type CYLI in TANK1 is not named and therefore
will be identified by CYLI 1 in the hierarchy.
In the forms, unnamed element will be referenced by a system name containing the Type, the order in the
hierarchy, and the name of the owner. For example, the second PYRA in TANK1 will have a constructed name
PYRAMID 2 OF EQUIPMENT /TANK1
The actual name of an element in the database is always prefixed with a forward slash. Most of the forms
will automatically add it if omitted.
Internally AVEVA™ E3D Design does not use names to identify elements, instead a unique database reference
number is used so that an element may be re-named at any time.
These reference numbers are never re-used if an element is deleted and therefore, remain unique throughout
the life of the project. On some forms the reference number is used in place of the system name and will look
like =23584/2152.
3.4 Design Common elements

In the design database, most of the design elements will be stored in a common tree structure composed of
SITE elements and ZONE elements. These two element types are common to all disciplines and often referred
as to administrative elements as their main purpose is to organize the project.
A typical organisation of a project is reproduced in the TRA (Training) and APS projects, where the purpose of
SITE elements is to group the data by Area and Discipline. The ZONE elements can be used as sub-groups
owned by a SITE. All the other element types stored below a ZONE are discipline dependent. For example, the
type EQUI will be used for the EQUIPMENT discipline, the type PIPE for the PIPING discipline etc.
3.5 Using the Model Explorer – (Worked Example)
Navigate to element ZONE EQUIP.ZONE in the Model Explorer

to make it the CE.
Enter TA in the Navigation List textbox on the Model Explorer.
When typing, a list will appear showing all the element with
names starting with the entered text.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Select TANK1 in the list.
This will navigate to TANK1 in the Model Explorer.
Observe the different element types and their position in the hierarchy, SITE, ZONE, EQUI etc. Note that the
standard element types are associated with a specific icon for a quick identification.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 2 Navigating the Hierarchy

• In the Model Explorer, collapse the node for the Model WORL * element.
• Expand the Model WORL * element.
• Expand SITE TRA.SITE element to display the ZONE elements owned by the SITE.
• Expand the different element types in the ZONE and note what type of elements they own.
• Enter p in the Navigation List textbox at the top of Model Explorer and note that only element names
with a lower case “p” are displayed.
• Select one of the names and note that Model Explorer navigates to one of the elements in ZONE PIPE
ZONE belonging to SITE TRA.SITE.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
This Page is Intentionally Left Blank
Copyright © 2021.
CHAPTER 4
4 Viewing the 3D Model

After starting the Model module, all the loaded database elements will be visible in the Model Explorer and
will be accessible by expanding the nodes of the hierarchy, as described in the previous chapter.
The 3D View allows the manipulation of the geometric database elements graphically, or in other terms, to
create and visualise in 3D, the model elements.
By default, the 3D View is empty when starting the Model module. It will be necessary to decide which
element, or group of elements are to be displayed in a 3D View to suit the scope of work.
This chapter describes how to select the model elements to be displayed; and how to use the basic controls
to manipulate the 3D View.
4.1 Selecting the Elements to Display in the 3D View

To display a model element, it must be selected from the Model Explorer and then added to the 3D View. The
content of the 3D View is a collection of database elements called a Drawlist.
When adding an element to a 3D View, all its members will also be added. For example, if a SITE is added, all
the other elements contained in this SITE, such as ZONE, EQUI or PIPE etc., are also added to the 3D View. The
Drawlist associated with the 3D View will be automatically populated. However, only the significant elements,
that is, elements containing geometric definitions, will populate the Drawlist.
Elements may be added or removed from the 3D View at any time during a Model session.
4.1.1 Adding Elements to the 3D View

When an element is made the CE, it may be added to the 3D View by either:
• Dragging and dropping the element from the Model Explorer into the 3D View.
• On the VIEW tab, in the Content group, clicking the Add CE button.
• Right clicking the element in the Model Explorer and selecting 3D View > Add.
• Right clicking the element in the Model Explorer and selecting 3D View > Add Connected – this option
adds the CE and any elements connected to it to the 3D View.
• Right clicking the element in the Model Explorer and selecting 3D View > Add Within Volume – this
option adds the CE and any elements that are partially or wholly within a volume box whose size is
derived from the extremities of the CE to the 3D View.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.1.1.1 Dragging and Dropping – (Worked Example)
Navigate to ZONE CIVIL.ZONE in the Model

Explorer.
Drag and drop the element into the 3D

View.
Note that the limits of the 3D View are

changed to show the whole element.
If the CE is a component or primitive, e.g. a valve or a cylinder, the owning element, with all its members are
added to the 3D View. However, if the Ctrl key is pressed during the drag and drop operation, only the
component or primitive will be added to the 3D View.
Holding the Shift key while dragging an element to the 3D View will remove all other elements from the
3D View and just add the CE.
If the added elements are the first elements to be added to an empty 3D View, the limits of the 3D View will
be automatically adjusted to suit the elements being added. Subsequent additions to the 3D View will not
affect the limits of the 3D View. For instance, larger elements added later will be clipped in the 3D View. The
3D View limits will then have to be redefined.
For more information on 3D View limits refer to section 4.2.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.1.1.2 Adding from the Right Click Menu – (Worked Example)
Right click on TANK1, owned by ZONE

EQUIP.ZONE in the Model Explorer and
select 3D View > Add.
If the CE is a component or a primitive, selecting 3D View > Add Only will add the selected component or
primitive only, without adding its owner.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.1.1.3 Adding from the View Tab – (Worked Example)
Navigate to ZONE EQUIP.ZONE in the Model Explorer.
On the VIEW tab, in the Content group, click the Add CE button to add the CE to
the 3D View.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.1.2 Adding other elements to the 3D View

Additional options are available from the right clicking menu on the CE to add elements that are close or
related to the CE.
4.1.2.1 Add Connected Elements – (Worked Example)
Right click on EQUI PUMP1 in the Model Explorer

and select 3D View > Add Connected.
This will add the suction and discharge pipes that are connected to the Pump to the 3D View.
How elements are connected varies depending on the discipline and is outside the scope of this training
guide. Refer to the specific discipline training guides for element connectivity.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.1.2.2 Add Within Volume – (Worked Example)
Right click on TANK2 in the Model Explorer and

select 3D View > Add Within Volume.
This will add all the elements partially or wholly within the volume encompassing the element TANK2.
The Add Support, Add Supported Elements and Add Laser Within Volume options are covered in the
discipline specific training guides.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.1.3 Removing Elements from the 3D View

There are 3 methods that can be used to remove elements from the 3D View:
• Selecting the element in the 3D View. Right click to display the PowerWheel and click the Remove
Selection tile.
• Right clicking the element in the Model Explorer and selecting 3D View > Remove.
• Make the element the CE and on the VIEW tab, in the Content group, clicking the Remove CE button.
4.1.3.1 Using the PowerWheel – (Worked Example)
Select PUMP1 in the 3D View by clicking on it.
Right click to display the PowerWheel and gesture to the

Remove Selection tile.
This will remove all the elements included in the current

graphical selection, i.e. elements that are outlined in green in
the 3D View. Graphical selections will be described in in this
training guide.
If the selected element is a component, e.g. a valve, the owner of the element with all its members will be
removed.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.1.3.2 Using the Model Explorer – (Worked Example)
Elements can also be removed by selection from

the Model Explorer.
Right click on TANK2 in the Model Explorer and

select 3D View > Remove.
If the CE is a component or a primitive, selecting

the Remove option will remove the owner of the
component or primitive with all its members.
To remove only the CE without its owner in the

case of a component or primitive, select the
Remove Only option.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.1.3.3 Using the VIEW tab

The final method is to select an option from the Remove button options list.
Navigate to EQUI TANK1 in the Model Explorer.
On the VIEW tab, in the Content group, select Remove CE from the
Remove button options list. This will remove TANK1 from the 3D View.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
On the VIEW tab, in the Content group, select Remove All from the
Remove button options list. This will remove all elements from the 3D
View.
The Remove Selection option will have the same effect as the equivalent PowerWheel option.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.1.4 The Drawlist Form
The Drawlist form allows the visualization of the list of elements

contained in the 3D View. From this form, all the Add and Remove
options seen previously are available, along with additional options
to modify the appearance of the model elements in the 3D View,
such as colours and translucency.
For more information on using the Drawlist form, refer to section

9.3.
4.1.5 Colours of the Model Elements

Although it is possible to modify the colours of elements from the Drawlist form, this is temporary, affecting
only the display of the current user. These colours will be reset when the element is removed from the 3D
View.
Unless customized, standard Model elements do not have a colour information stored in the database. The
standard colours as they appear in the 3D View are defined by Rules, e.g. all elements of type EQUI are in
colour gold with 0% translucency. The Colour Rules may be customized by the Administrator.
On the VIEW tab, in the Settings group, clicking the Auto-Colour

button enables / disables the Colour Rules.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 3 Displaying Model Elements

• On the VIEW tab, in the Content group, click the Drawlist button to display the Drawlist form. Dock
the form in the bottom segment of the left Panel.
• In Model Explorer expand SITE TRA.SITE to show the ZONE elements and expand ZONE EQUIP.ZONE.
Note that the content of the Drawlist form is updated as elements are added to the 3D View.
• Navigate to EQUI TANK1 and drag and drop it into the 3D View.
• Navigate to EQUI PUMP1 and on the VIEW tab, in the Content group, click the Add CE button.
• Right click ZONE EQUIP.ZONE in the Model Explorer and select 3D View > Add to add the ZONE to the
3D View. Only EQUI TANK2 has been added to the 3D View because the other EQUI items owned by
ZONE EQUI.ZONE were already in the 3D View. Only the remaining EQUI element has been added.
• EQUI TANK2 cannot be seen in the 3D View because the limits of the 3D View are set to EQUI TANK1.
Right click in the 3D View to display the PowerWheel and gesture to the Extents tile. The limits are
now set to display all the EQUI elements in the 3D View.
• Right click on TANK1 in the Model Explorer and select 3D View > Add Connected. This will add pipe1-
b1 to the 3D View because the pipe is connected to the EQUI.
• Right click on TANK2 in the Model Explorer and select 3D View > Add Within Volume. This adds pipe2-
b1 and some of the Section (SCTN) elements that make up the EQUI TANK2 supports to the 3D View
as they are within the volume of the EQUI element.
• Navigate to ZONE PIPE.ZONE and click the Add CE to Drawlist link label on the Drawlist form to add
the remainder of the Pipe branches to the 3D View.
• Add ZONE CIVIL.ZONE to the 3D View using any method.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.2 Controlling the 3D View

Most of the controls to manipulate the 3D Views will be accessed directly from buttons and the PowerWheel,
with their equivalent on the VIEW tab.
4.2.1 View Limits

As seen previously, model elements may be present in the 3D View but may not be visible. The 3D View has
invisible limits which will clip and hide all elements outside these limits. By default, the view limits are
automatically adjusted to encompass the first elements added to the 3D View as seen in the previous chapter.
To view the elements that are outside the 3D View limits either:-
• Right click in the 3D View to display the

PowerWheel and gesture to the Extents tile.
Or,
• On the VIEW tab, in the Control group, select

the Extents option from the Limits button
options list.
These options will re-calculate the dimension of a virtual limits box that encompass the content of the 3D View
and then scale this box in order to make all the elements visible.
4.2.1.1 View Limits – (Worked Example)
Navigate to EQUI PUMP1 in the Model

Explorer. Hold down the Shift key and drag
and drop the element into the 3D View.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Add SITE TRA.SITE to the 3D View. The focus of the 3D View will remain on EQUI PUMP1.
Right click to display the PowerWheel and gesture to the Extents tile.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The view limits will now be extended to include the entire content of the 3D View.
4.2.2 Zooming
The 3D View can be zoomed using the mouse wheel. Rolling the mouse wheel forward will zoom in and rolling
the mouse wheel backwards zooms out. The zoom is centered at the location of the cursor.
The following zoom options can be found on the VIEW tab, in the Control group, from the Zoom button
options list:
• Window - Allows the definition of a window to zoom

into in the 3D View
• Extents - Scales the content of the 3D View so that

it is visible. View limits are not modified with this
option.
• Object - Zooms to the current graphical selection.
• Zoom Center - Allows the specification of the centre

of the zoom followed by the magnification factor or
new height.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.2.3 Rotating the 3D View

The rotation of the 3D View is achieved by holding the middle mouse button down and moving the mouse in
any direction. By default, the rotation mode is set about the model, i.e. the observer will rotate in any direction
around a fixed position.
The centre of rotation is determined when the button is pressed. Its position is set where the crosshair touches
an element in the 3D View. The centre of rotation will be indicated by a pink pin while rotating.
4.2.3.1 Zooming and Rotating the 3D View – (Worked Example)
Ensure SITE TRA.SITE is displayed in the 3D View.
Explore the model by rotating and zooming using

the different methods described previously.
Observe the changes in the PowerCompass

and the appearance of the crosshair of the
cursor.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.2.4 View Direction – A Worked Example

The direction of the 3D View is set freely when rotating the model as seen previously.
It is also possible to set the view direction by using preset directions such as an isometric direction, an
orthogonal direction, or a plan direction.
This may be done by the following:
• On the VIEW tab, in the Control group, clicking a view direction button from the Look button gallery.
• From the PowerWheel.
• Using the PowerCompass.
4.2.4.1 Using the VIEW Tab - (Worked Example)
On the VIEW tab, in the Control group, click the Look

North East Iso button from the Look button gallery.
The view direction is changed as shown.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.2.4.2 Using the PowerWheel - (Worked Example)

Right click to display the PowerWheel, gesture to the View Direction tile and gesture to the Look West tile.
This will set the view direction to look West.
4.2.4.3 Using the PowerCompass - (Worked Example)
On the PowerCompass, click the Down button.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
On the PowerCompass click the North East Iso button.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.2.5 Panning
Panning enables the contents of the 3D View to be moved across the canvas in any direction.
With the cursor over the 3D View, holding the Ctrl key and middle mouse button down
simultaneously whist moving the cursor will pan the view. The appearance of the cursor will
changes as shown.
The 3D View may also be panned by setting the centre of interest. Positioning the cursor anywhere in the 3D
View and clicking the middle mouse button will move the selected point to the centre of the 3D View.
Therefore, the 3D View may be panned in any direction by selectively picking a point in the 3D View with the
middle mouse button.
The 3D View will pan by the distance between the picked point and the centre of the 3D View. Keeping the
cursor in the same position and repeatedly clicking the middle mouse button will keep panning the 3D View
by the same distance.
4.2.6 Centre View
On the VIEW tab, in the Control group, clicking the

Centre View button will pan the 3D View so that it is
centered on the CE.
4.2.7 Stepping back to previous views

AVEVA™ E3D Design keeps a record of all the successive view directions and positions used during the current
session. At any time, it is possible to step back to a previous view state, or step forward to a later view state.
- clicking the Previous arrow button on the

PowerCompass will step back to the previous 3D
View states.
- clicking the Next arrow button on the

PowerCompass will step forward to the next 3D
View states.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 4 Controlling the 3D View

• Clear the 3D View.
• Add EQUI PUMP1 to the 3D View.
• Add the SITE TRA.SITE to the 3D View and use the Extents tile on the PowerWheel to view the entire
3D View contents.
• Rotate freely the 3D View using the middle mouse button.
• Use the Ctrl key and the middle button to pan the 3D View.
• Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out freely. Repeat with different cursor positions.
• Click on the middle button to centre the 3D View at the cursor’s position.
• On the PowerCompass, click the North East Iso button. Limit the 3D View to the Extents.
• Using the PowerWheel, gesture to the View Direction tile and gesture to one of the isometric view
directions.
• On the PowerCompass, click the North button.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.3 Clipping the 3D View

Clipping the 3D View allows the isolation of a region of the model by hiding all parts of the model falling
outside the user defined clipping box.
The functions for clipping the 3D View are located on the VIEW tab,
in the Clip group.
The Create button options list contains the following options for the creation of
the clipping box:
• Current Selection
• Current Element
Clip – this is a toggle which enables or disables the clipping by hiding or showing the parts of the model
outside the clipping box.
The Add Within options list contains the following options:
• Partially – populates the 3D View with elements that are wholly or

partially within the clipping box.
• Wholly – populates the 3D View with elements that are wholly within
the clipping box.
• Advanced – selecting this option displays the Add Within form.
The Add Within form consists of three sections:
• Model Elements – this section allows the selection of

the commonly used specific element types to be
handled.
• Other Elements – this section allows the selection of

other element types to be handled.
• Content – this section controls whether the elements

that are Wholly or Wholly and Partially within are
included using the radio buttons shown. It also
contains the Add and Remove buttons.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
• Modify – this is a toggle which enables or disables the preview of the clipping box, shown as a yellow
translucent box.
• Cap – this is a toggle which to enables or disables the capping, i.e. closing the sides of the elements
that are cut by the clipping box.
When using laser models, clipping does not apply on laser data.
4.3.1 Creating a clipping box – (Worked Example)
Select PUMP1 in the 3D View.
Select the VIEW > Clip > Create > Current Element option.
This will create a clipping box around the pump and hide all other
elements from the 3D View.
The Clip toggle and the Modify toggle will be automatically enabled.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Multiple elements can also be selected graphically in the 3D View to define the clipping box. In the same
way, the Current Selection option from the Create button options is used to create the clipping box.
Graphical selections will be described later in this training guide.
Once the clipping box has been created, its position and dimensions can be adjusted by double clicking on the
box and adjusting the grips. To do this the Modify toggle must be enabled which is the default setting after
creation of the clipping box.
Click the VIEW > Clip > Clip button to disable the clipping.
The 3D View content outside of the clipping box will

become visible.
Double click on the yellow box to activate the

modification grips.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Select the arrow grip at the top of the clipping

box to display the Specify absolute value
prompt. Enter 1000 in the D textbox and
press the Return key.
The clipping box will be extended upwards.
Click the arrow grip on the South side of the

clipping box.
Hold down the Shift key, right click to display the PowerWheel and gesture
to the P-Point tile.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Hover the cursor over the flange connecting to the pump

and select Ppoint P1.
The South side of the clipping box will be positioned at the

centreline of the pump.
Press the Esc key to finish the modification and remove

the grips from the 3D View.
Click the VIEW > Clip > Clip button to enable the clipping.
The elements in the 3D View outside of the clipping box will not be visible.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Click the VIEW > Clip > Modify button to disable the modification
and remove the clipping box from the 3D View.
The 3D View is shown with the capping enable. Where elements are
intersected by the clipping box, a coloured cap is shown on
elements that extend beyond the displayed region.
Click the VIEW > Clip > Cap button to disable the capping.
The capping has been removed.
The capping colour may be changed from the View Settings form.
See section 9.2.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Additional Information
Refer to other documentation
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 5 Clipping the View

• Navigate to EQUI TANK2 in the Model Explorer.
• Use the Create button on the VIEW tab to create a clipping box around the Current Element.
• Disable the Clip toggle.
• Double click on the clipping box and pull the grip for the bottom face of the clipping box to include the
slab in the clipping.
• Disable the Modify toggle.
• Enable the Clip toggle.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.4 Hiding elements

Elements in the 3D View may be hidden temporarily without being removed.
On the VIEW tab, in the Content group, the hide options can be selected from
the Hide button options list. The options are as follows:
• Hide Selected – hides the graphical selection.
• Show Last Hidden – shows the elements that were last hidden.
• Show All Hidden – shows all the elements that have been hidden.
• Hidden List – displays the Hidden Objects list.
The Hidden Objects form lists all the elements that are
currently hidden in the 3D View.
It allows elements to be shown in the 3D View either by

right clicking on an element in the list and selecting Show,
or by selecting elements in the list and clicking the Show
Objects button.
These options apply to the elements in the current view.
If a primitive or a component is included in the graphical

selection, the Hide Selected option will hide the owner of
the primitive or component, e.g. the whole EQUI or the
whole BRAN.
4.4.1.1 Hiding Elements – (Worked Example)

Following on from the previous exercise, it will be necessary to turn off the clipping.
Select EQUI PUMP1 in the 3D View. The pump will be

highlighted with a green outline.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Select the VIEW > Content > Hide > Hide Selected option.
EQUI PUMP1 will be removed from the 3D View.
Select the VIEW > Content > Hide > Show Last Hidden option to return the
pump to the 3D View.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
4.5 Element Tooltips

The tooltips provide a quick access to essential information by displaying a table containing the data related
to an element in the 3D View or the Model Explorer.
To view the tooltips for an element in the 3D

View, hold the Shift key while the cursor is
over the element.
The same method is used to display the

tooltips from the Model Explorer.
The tooltips are configurable and the content varies depending on the element type.
Configuring tooltips is outside the scope of this training.
4.6 Settings
For more options about the display of the current view, such as background colour and lighting, refer to
section 9.2.
For more options about the representation of elements in the 3D View, such as colours and level of detail,
refer to section 9.4.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Copyright © 2021.
CHAPTER 5
5 Working with the Database

Before starting to work with the 3D model, it is important to understand how the data is managed in the
background. In this chapter, the basic database concepts will be covered through further operations in the
Model Explorer such as creating, modifying and deleting elements.
5.1 Access Rights

After starting an AVEVA™ E3D Design Model session, it is necessary to be aware of their access rights in the
different databases. There are two different types of access: Read Only and Read/Write. By default, all the
database loaded via the selected MDB are Read Only, i.e. information in the database can be read, but cannot
be created, modified or deleted. To be able to read and write in a database, the user must be a member of
the group of users owning the database, called a Team.
When the user attempts to create, modify or delete an element which is in a Read Only database an Error
form will be displayed.
In the Model Explorer, navigate to SITE SITE-PIPING-AREA01.
On the GENERAL tab, in the Create group, clicking the Zone button to create a
ZONE below the selected SITE will result in an Error form being displayed.
The element cannot be created because the database is Read Only.
Also, when multiple users are working on the same project at the same time, some elements might be locked
by some users to prevent any modifications or deletion from other users. This is knowing as claiming an
element and will be described in a later chapter.
An additional layer of access rights based on rules called DACs, can also prevent specific actions being
performed depending on the context. This is configured by an administrator.
5.2 Creating Elements

Depending on the discipline and the form used, the database elements can be created in different ways. When
they are not created automatically by the application, some basic rules need to be known before creating new
elements manually.
In most discipline tabs, such as GENERAL, PIPING or EQUIPMENT, elements can be created by using the
buttons located in the Create group.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The basic steps to create an element manually are:
• Selecting the owner of the element to be created.
• Clicking the create button.
• Naming / Renaming the new element.
5.2.1 Selecting a Valid Owner – (Worked Example)

Before creating an element, it must be decided where to store the new element in the hierarchy, or in other
words, which existing element will own the new one. This must be a valid owner. All element types in AVEVA™
E3D Design have a list of possible owners. If the selected element is not in the list, it will not be possible to
create the new element and an Error form will be displayed.
Navigate to Model WORL * in the Model Explorer.
Click the GENERAL > Create > Zone button.
An Error form is displayed because a WORL element is not a valid

owner for a ZONE element. Click the OK button.
To create an element in a specific position in the hierarchy either:
Navigate to the valid owner, in this case SITE TRA.SITE.
Click the GENERAL > Create > Zone button to display the Create Zone form.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Select Name from the options list and click the OK

button.
This will create the new element as the first member of the CE.
Alternatively, navigate to a member of the valid owner, in this case ZONE

EQUIP.ZONE and repeat the process.
This will create the new element below the selected member.
The valid owners will be specified when creating elements in the discipline related training guides.
5.2.2 Naming the New Element

Any element in an AVEVA™ E3D Design database may be given an explicit name. Names enable elements to
be identified and to produce meaningful reports from the database. Which elements are named is a matter of
choice. However, in general significant elements, e.g. SITE, ZONE, EQUI, SUBE, PIPE, BRAN, STRU, FRMW, SBFR,
etc. would be named. It is not usual for primitives to be named. The WORLD is named * and cannot be
renamed.
Element names in AVEVA™ E3D Design must comply with the following rules:
• Element names begin with a forward slash, e.g. /MY_MODEL. Generally, most design elements give
the user the opportunity to name them from the element creation form as shown above. The forward
slash does not need to be entered on such forms as it is added automatically when the Enter key is
pressed.
• Element names must be unique across all databases in the MDB.
• Element names are case sensitive, e.g. P1001A, P1001a, p1001A and p1001a are all valid, unique
names.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
• Element names must not contain spaces. Any character such as forward slash (/), Underscore (_),
hyphen (-), asterisk (*), etc. may be used as separators.
• Element names must be no longer than 50 characters.
5.3 Renaming Elements – (Worked Example)
Elements may be named or renamed after their creation using the

Properties from on the right of the 3D View by entering a new
value in the Name property, provided the user have write access
on the element.
Alternatively, an element may be renamed directly from the Model Explorer using the right click menu. This
method offers additional options, in particular for renaming the element’s members.
Navigate to CYLI 1 of EQUI TANK1 and from the right

click menu select Rename to display the Rename
Element form.
Enter TANK1/CYLI1 in the textbox and click the

Apply button.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
An options list is available below the textbox. By default, Only is selected which
means that only the Current Element will be renamed.
Often, the name of the members of an element contains the name of their owner to avoid duplication. For
examples, the Nozzles of an EQUI named TANK2 may be named TANK2/N1, TANK2/N2 etc. When renaming
an element which has been named in the way, it is also possible to rename all its members accordingly at the
same time.
Navigate to EQUI TANK2 in the Model Explorer and expand the node so that
the members of the EQUI are visible. Note the presence of the two Nozzles,
NOZZ TANK2/N1 and NOZZ TANK2-n2.
From the right click menu select Rename to display the

Rename Element form.
The name appearing in the textbox will be the text

that will be searched and replaced in the members
names.
Select Re-name all from the options list.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Enter VESSE1 in the textbox and click the

Apply button.
Note the new names of the EQUI and its member NOZZ elements.
Change the name of VESSE1 back to TANK2 using the Re-name all option.
5.4 Copying & Pasting an Element – (Worked Example)

The Model Explorer allows the creation of new elements by copying existing ones using the following steps:
• From the right click select Copy.
• Navigate to a valid owner.
• From the right click menu select Paste.
The Paste option will not be available if the CE is not a valid owner.
Expand ZONE ZONE-EQUIPMENT-AREA01.
Navigate to D1201 and from the right click

menu select Copy.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Navigate to ZONE ZONE-EQUIPMENT-AREA01, this will set

the position of the copy in the hierarchy as the first member
below the ZONE.
From the right click menu select Paste.
The newly created element and its members will be named like the original element, with the prefix of Copy-
of-. It is good practice to rename the element using the Re-name all option as described in the previous
section.
It is also important to note that the position and orientation of the model elements are always expressed with
respect to their owner’s local coordinate system. If the element is copied below the same owner as the
original, it will have the same position and orientation. If the element is copied to a different owner, having a
different local coordinate system, the position and / or orientation of the copy will be different to the original.
5.5 Delete an Element – (Worked Example)

The following delete options can be found on the HOME tab, in the Delete group, from the Delete button
options list:
• Delete Selection – Clicking this button, or pressing the Delete key,

will delete all the elements included in the current graphical
selection from the database.
• Current Element – Clicking this button will delete the CE from the
database. Or, alternatively, right click on the element in the Model
Explorer then select Delete.
• CE Members – displays the Delete Selected Members form.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The Delete Selected Members form allows all members of the CE to

be deleted by clicking the Delete All Members button. Alternatively,
a selection can be made from list which are then deleted by clicking
the OK button.
Elements can also be deleted from the Model

Explorer. From the right click menu select
Delete.
Depending on the settings being used, when an element is being

deleted a Confirm form is displayed. Clicking the Yes button will
delete the element.
Checking the Do not ask me again to confirm this action checkbox

will disable the appearance of this form.
The appearance of the Confirm form can also be configured on the PROJECT tab. Refer to section 9.1.1.3
for more information.
It is important to note that deleting a database element will also delete all the elements in the hierarchy owned
by the element.
For example, if a SITE is deleted, all the ZONEs owned by it will be deleted and any elements, such as EQUI,
STRU, PIPE, etc. owned by the ZONE will also be deleted.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Navigate to Copy-of-D1201 in the Model Explorer. From the

right click menu select Delete.
A Confirm form is displayed. Click the Yes button to confirm

the deletion.
5.6 Modifying the Hierarchy

As seen previously, the position of an element in the hierarchy is defined during its creation. In some
disciplines, the order of the elements is fundamental. For example, in the Piping discipline the elements are
arranged in order from top to bottom to respect the flow of the owning Branch.
If some elements are incorrectly positioned in the hierarchy, it is possible to change their order, or even change
their owner at any time.
The following options which allow the modification of the hierarchy can be found on the MANAGE tab, in the
Modify group:
• Include : Displays the Include form which allows the

changing the owner of an element.
• Reverse : Reverses the order of all the members of the

Current Element.
• Reorder : Displays the Reorder Hierarchy form which

allows the changing of the order of the members of
5.6.1 Changing the Owner of an Element – (Worked Example)

In this example, the Include function will be used to move EQUI D1201 from ZONE ZONE-EQUIPMENT-AREA01
to the ZONE EQUIP.ZONE.
Before proceeding with the change of owner, three important conditions are to be considered:
• The destination owner must be a valid owner for the elements to move.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
• The original owner and the destination owner must be in the same database.
• As the element positions are defined relatively to their owner, if the original owner and the destination
owner have different positions, the absolute position of the element will change accordingly.
In this example, the ZONE ZONE-EQUIPMENT-AREA01 and the ZONE EQUIP.ZONE are in the same database
and have the same position.
Select the destination owner in the hierarchy by navigating to ZONE EQUIP.ZONE.
Click the MANAGE > Modify > Include button to display the
Include form.
Ensure the name of the destination owner appears at the top of the form.
If necessary, the destination owner may be changed by navigating to it in the Model Explorer and clicking
the CE button.
The left-hand side of the Include form contains the Members section. This allows the select of the element to
be included. The right-hand side of the form contains the Included Members section. This lists the owned
elements of the element selected in the Members section.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Select EQUI D1201 from the Members section.
Ensure TANK2 is selected in the Include Members section.
Ensure After Item is selected from the options list at

the bottom of the form.
This will result in the included element, D1201, being positioned after the element TANK2 in the Model
Explorer upon completion of the task.
Click the Include button to change the owner of EQUI

D1201.
EQUI D1201 is now owned by ZONE EQUIP.ZONE after TANK2 in the hierarchy.
In addition to the CE option used above, there are other options available for selection from the options list
at the bottom of the form.
• CE : The default shown above. This includes the

Current Element.
• CE Members : Includes all the members of the

Current Element.
• Identified : Display the Identify element to

include or Escape prompt. The elements to be
included can be selected in the 3D View.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
5.6.2 Reordering the Hierarchy – (Worked Example)

The Reorder function allows the sequence of the elements that are under the same owner to be changed in
the hierarchy.
In this example, EQUI D1201 that was previously included after EQUI TANK2 will be repositioned in the
hierarchy to be before EQUI PUMP1.
Navigate to ZONE EQUIP.ZONE in the Model Explorer. This is the owner of the
elements to be re-ordered.
Click the MANAGE > Modify > Reorder button to display the
Reorder Hierarchy form.
The form contains two lists of the members of

The top list is used to select the element to be

repositioned.
The bottom list is used to select the

neighbouring element.
The middle section of the form contains the

Reorder Before and Reorder After radio
buttons.
The combination of the radio buttons and the

selection from bottom list allows the resulting
position of the element selected in top list to
be determined.
Select /D1201 from the top list.
Select the Reorder Before radio button.
Select /PUMP1 from the bottom list.
Click Apply button to reposition EQUI D1201

in the hierarchy followed by the OK to close
the form.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
EQUI D1201 is positioned before EQUI PUMP1 in the Model Explorer.
5.7 Save Work

When changes are made to the model during an AVEVA™ E3D Design session, the effects of the changes are
applied only to a copy of the design data until the databases are updated. There is no auto-save in AVEVA™
E3D Design. Therefore, the databases must be updated explicitly. This is known as Save Work in AVEVA™ E3D
Design. It is advisable to Save Work regularly to ensure that other users can access the most recent model
changes in a multi-user environment and also to protect the work that has been carried out by the current
user.
Updating the databases to incorporate the current design changes may be achieved by either:
• Clicking the Save Work button on the Quick

Access Toolbar.
• On the PROJECT tab, clicking the Save Work

button.
• Using the standard Windows functionality of pressing the Ctrl and S keys simultaneously.
• Pressing the Ctrl key, right clicking to display the

PowerWheel and gesturing to the Save Work tile.
In all cases a Savework form is displayed. Clicking the Yes button saves
the database changes.
The Savework form contains an Unclaim All checkbox. This will be covered in section 5.10.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
5.8 Get Work

Model changes made by the current user are immediately visible in the working copies of the databases.
However, the changes made by other users during the current AVEVA™ E3D Design session will not be shown
in the current working copies unless they are updated explicitly. This is known as Get Work in AVEVA™ E3D
Design.
Updating the working copies of the databases, to view the changes made by other users, may be achieved by
either:
• Clicking the Get Work button on the Quick Access

Toolbar.
• On the PROJECT tab, clicking the Get Work button.
• Pressing the Ctrl and G keys simultaneously.
• Pressing the Ctrl key, right clicking to display the

PowerWheel and gesturing to the Get Work tile.
A Get Work is automatically performed when doing a Save Work.
5.9 Undo/Redo
Undo and Redo buttons are available from the Quick Access
Toolbar.
The standard Windows functionality of pressing the Ctrl and Z and

Ctrl and Y keys simultaneously can be used for Undo and Redo
respectively.
It is important to understand that these buttons will only undo or redo database changes i.e. if a position or
orientation of an element is modified or an element is added or deleted, these are database changes, whereas,
changing the display colour of an element is not a database change.
There is no limit to the Undo or Redo within a Model session. However, any use of Save Work or Get Work
will clear the Undo / Redo history. For instance, it will not be possible to Undo beyond the last Save Work.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
5.10 The Claim List

Most of the databases used by AVEVA™ E3D Design are Multiwrite databases. This means that in a multi user
environment, one database can be read and modified by several users at the same time. To avoid conflicting
data when a user creates or modifies an element, it will be temporarily locked in Read Only access for the
other users. The locked element is said to be claimed by the user who is currently working on it.
The elements that are claimed by the current user will be shown in
the Model Explorer by a name in bold characters.
When an element is claimed, all its members are also claimed.
If the current user attempts to delete or modify an element claimed by

another user, an Error or Warning form with detailed information will
be displayed.
The elements are generally automatically claimed by the first user who creates or modifies them. However, at
any time, a user may claim an element to prevent other users from modifying it, provided it is not already
claimed by another user. Conversely, a user may unclaim an element they had claimed previously to make it
available to other users for modification. The elements claimed by a user are automatically unclaimed when
the module is closed.
Each claimed element is included in a list called the Claimlist. It is possible to view the Claimlist for the current
user, and for other users, using the Multiwrite Claim Lists form.
5.10.1 View the Claim List
On the MANAGE tab, in the Access group, clicking the Claimlists button displays
the Multiwrite Claim Lists form.
The Claim List options list has two options:
• Active Claimlist – displays a list of all the

significant elements claimed by the current
user.
• Others Claimlist – displays a list of all the

significant elements claimed by all other
users in the MDB, except those in the Active
Claimlist.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
5.10.2 Claiming Elements

Multiwrite databases have a claim mode that is set when the database is created:
• If the claim mode is Explicit the element must be claimed before it can be worked on.
• If the claim mode is Implicit the element is automatically claimed when modification starts. When
using this mode an element may also be claimed explicitly.
Elements can be explicitly claimed from the Claim form menu:
• Current Element - claims the CE and all the elements below it.
• Current Element Members - claims the members of the CE

and all the members below it, but not the CE.
• Current Element only - claims the CE only but none of the

members below it.
• Current Element Members only - claims each member of the

CE only but not the hierarchy below.
• Pick - enables elements to be claimed by graphically picking

them in the 3D View.
• Current Collection – claims the contents of the current

collection.
5.10.3 Unclaiming Elements
When performing a Save Work, elements can be unclaimed by

checking the Unclaim All checkbox on the Savework form and
clicking the Yes button.
Alternatively, the Unclaim form menu on the Mulitwrite Claim Lists

form can be used.
The Unclaim form menu has the same options as the Claim form
menu. The only difference is that the options unclaim the elements
instead of claim. The menu also has the following additional options:
• All - unclaims all the elements in the Active Claimlist.
• Selected - unclaims all the elements selected in the elements

list.
The Unclaim form menu is only active when there are members
in the Active Claimlist.
Exiting AVEVA™ E3D Design will unclaim all elements.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 6 Working with the Database

This exercise will create a new SITE containing Equipment elements from SITE TRA.SITE using the functionality
described in the previous chapter.
• Copy TRA.SITE in the World
• Delete each ZONE in SITE Copy-of-TRA.SITE except for ZONE Copy-of-EQUIP.ZONE.
• Rename SITE Copy-of-TRA.SITE to EQUIP.SITE.
• Rename the element Copy-of-TANK2 and all its members to TANK3.
• Unclaim all elements.
• Perform a Save Work.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Copyright © 2021.
CHAPTER 6
6 Modifying Model Elements

Every AVEVA™ E3D Design database element has a fixed set of properties, depending on its type, known as
its attributes. Some attributes are common throughout a large range of elements, some are applicable to
many elements and some are unique to one type of element. Also, it is possible for administrators to create
customized attributes known as User Defined Attributes (UDAs).
When write access is available on an element, the attributes of that element can be modified in several ways.
This chapter will describe how to modify the elements attributes by using the Properties form, the Attributes
form, or by manipulating the model elements in the 3D View.
To modify an element, the element must first be selected. This can be done by navigating to the element in
the Model Explorer as seen previously, or, by making a graphical selection in the 3D View.
6.1 Selecting Elements

Elements in the 3D View may be grouped together in as a graphical selection. This can be used in a variety of
ways in AVEVA™ E3D Design.
Elements included in a graphical selection are highlighted with a solid green line around the extremities of the
constituent parts of the item(s).
A graphical selection may be created by:
• Selecting elements individually.
• Using a selection fence.
The graphical selection will consist of significant elements, i.e. elements that contain a geometric definition.
For example, elements of type Equipment, Valve, or Flange, may be part of a graphical selection but
administrative elements like SITE or ZONE will not be included in a selection.
6.1.1 Selecting Elements Individually

Clicking on an element in the 3D View makes it the CE and creates a new graphical selection containing that
one item.
Holding down the Shift or Ctrl key and clicking on an unselected element will add it to the graphical selection.
Holding down the Shift or Ctrl key and clicking on a selected element will remove it from the graphical
selection.
The Shift and Ctrl keys will not have any effect if the multiple selection mode is enabled, see 6.2.2.
To cancel the current selection, press the Esc key.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Navigating to an element in the Model Explorer will cancel the current selection. The CE will be highlighted in
blue in the 3D View but will not be part of a selection.
It is possible to make a graphical selection from the Model Explorer by selecting 3D View > Select from the
right click menu. All the element’s members will be included in the selection if they are significant. This will
also add them to the 3D View if they are not already displayed.
6.1.1.1 Selecting Elements Individually – (Worked Example)
Add the content of SITE TRA.SITE except for EQUI D1201 to the 3D View.
Holding down the Shift key, select EQUI TANK1,

EQUI TANK2 and EQUI PUMP1 in the 3D View to
add them to the current graphical selection.
Press the Esc key to cancel the selection.
6.1.2 Using a Selection Fence

A graphical selection may be created using a selection fence by holding the left mouse button down in the 3D
View. Pressing the button will define the first corner of the fence, releasing the button will define the opposite
corner of the fence.
The fence has two selection methods:
• To select all the elements that are wholly within, i.e. entirely contained inside the rectangular
boundary of the fence, drag the mouse from left to right. The fence will be coloured blue.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
• To select elements that are both wholly and partially within the rectangular boundary of the fence,
drag the mouse from right to left. The fence will be coloured in green.
Using the fence while holding the Ctrl key will add or remove elements to the current graphical selection.
To cancel the current selection, press the Esc key.
6.2 Modifying Attributes

For some element attributes, like the Name or the Position, appropriate values are set during the creation or
modification of the element when modelling, whilst others may be set from user interface, via the Attributes
or Properties form.
6.2.1 Using the Attributes form – (Worked Example)
Click the HOME > Display > Attributes button to display the Attributes form.
Alternatively, the Attributes form can be displayed from the right click menu
of the Model Explorer.
Navigate to EQUI TANK1 in the Model Explorer. From

the right click menu select Attributes to display the
Attributes form.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The Attributes form shows the attributes of the Current

Element.
By default, the form is floating but may be docked in a Panel.
Selecting any element in the Model Explorer or the 3D View will

automatically update the form to reflect the attributes of the
Current Element. This behaviour is controlled by the Track CE
checkbox at the top of the form. This can be unchecked to lock
the form to the selected element.
The values of the attributes may be modified if the associated

cell in the Value column is white. Grey cells in the Value column
indicate that the attribute is Read Only. This is generally the case
for attributes set by the system, or for elements in a Read Only
database.
Select the corresponding cell in the Value column for

Description. This current contains the text unset.
The attribute value has been highlighted for modification. This

is the case for any modifiable attribute.
Enter Storage Tank T1001 in the textbox and press the Return
key. The cell has been highlighted in cyan, this is to show the
modification was successful.
If the modification is unsuccessful then the cell would be

highlighted in red.
For more options and settings about the Attributes form, refer to section 0.
6.2.2 Using the Properties form – (Worked Example)

Where the Attributes form allows the modification of attributes for the Current Element only, the Properties
form operates on the graphical selection, allowing the modification of the attributes of multiple elements in
bulk.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
By default, the Properties form is docked in the right Panel.
Click the HOME > Display > Properties button to display the Properties
form.
Selecting an element in the 3D View will add it as the first element in the current graphical selection and
display its properties in the Properties form.
Similar to the Attributes form, the property values may be modified by clicking on a value cell and entering
data. The Read Only values will appear grey.
The Object Selection Mode controls the graphical selection for the Properties forms and has two settings:
• To select only one object at a time, set the Object Selection Mode
to Single. This is the default mode.
• To add new selections to the current list of selected elements, set

the Object Selection Mode to Multiple
If the Multiple selection mode is enabled, the Shift and Ctrl keys will have no effect in during the selection
process.
When the graphical selection includes multiple elements of

different types, the displayed properties will only be those
common to all the selected types. The Selection List will initially
display the number of elements of All types in brackets. It will
be then possible to refine the selection by selecting a specific
type from the Selection List.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
After selecting a type in the list, the form will be updated with all the properties for the selected type. It will
then be possible to modify the value of a property to update all the elements of the selected type
simultaneously.
Select all the elements in the 3D View using a fence or

by pressing the Ctrl and A keys.
In the Selection List of the Properties form, select

EQUI (3).
This is assuming EQUI D1201 is not included in the

3D View following a previous worked example.
Expand the General category, enter Process in the

Function textbox and press Return key.
This will update the Function attribute with the new

value for all the elements of type EQUI in the current
graphical selection.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 7 Modifying Element’s Attributes

Setting up the Exercises
On the TOOLS tab, in the Training group, click the Setup button to display the Training Setup
form.
Select the Foundations tab and check the Delete TRA Site and Add
MESS Site checkbox.
Click the Apply button followed by the Close button.
• Select the EQUIPMENT from the Discipline options list on the Quick Access Toolbar.
• On the PowerCompass click the North-East Iso button.
The SITE TRA.SITE has been deleted and the SITE TRA.SITE.MESS added to the databases and displayed in the
3D View. This SITE has been modified to introduce some design errors which may be grouped into three
categories:
• Size errors - some primitives have one of their size attributes incorrectly set. The task is to identify
which attribute is wrong and correct its value.
• Positional errors - Equipment items are incorrectly positioned or primitives are incorrectly positioned
within the Equipment. The task is to correctly position the Equipment and the primitives.
• Orientation errors - Equipment items or primitives within an Equipment are incorrectly orientated.
The task is to correctly orientate Equipment and primitives. Note: All equipment and primitives should
be orientated along an orthogonal axis.
TRA.MESS.SITE showing Design Errors
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
TANK1 - Size Error
• Use the Attributes form to set the Ylength attribute of BOX1 of EQUI TANK1 to 2850mm
TANK2 - Size Error
• Use the Properties form to set the Top Diameter property of CONE1 of EQUI TANK2 to 1500mm.
• Perform a Save work.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
6.3 Positioning Elements

The preferred way to modify the position of elements is to move them in the 3D View by either:
• Using the In-canvas editor mode to quickly reposition elements from their origin
• Using the Move command to specify a start and end position
Both these methods will require the specification of positions. It can be just one position for an absolute
displacement, two positions or a vector for a relative displacement. In all cases, it will be possible to specify
the positions by either:
• Entering coordinates directly in the 3D View.
• Using existing geometry of the model by snapping to graphical items.
• Using a combination of 3D View entries and snapping.
6.3.1 Setting the Local Coordinate System

It is important to understand how the coordinates are expressed in the 3D View and how the coordinate
system can be controlled to suit the requirements for positioning and rotating elements.
By default, the coordinates are expressed relatively to the World, i.e. the origin is set at (0, 0, 0), and the axis
are set to East/West (E/W), North/South (N/S) and Up/Down (U/D).
The World axes may be changed to XYZ axes. On the PROJECT tab, select Options > Configuration >
Coordinates options. In the Format section, select the XYZ radio button.
AVEVA™ E3D Design contains functionality to allow the modification of the coordinate system in which the
positions are expressed in the 3D View. This is done my manipulating the Local Coordinate System (LCS).
The LCS is defined by an origin and 3 axis, U, V and W. The LCS plane defined by the U and V axes is can be
considered to be the working plane and will be used to project the cursor’s position in 2D to facilitate the
positioning and the creation of primitives.
The status of the LCS is visible on the PowerCompass. Other visual indications in the 3D View assist the
modelling process:
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
• PowerCompass: shows the orientation of the LCS axes. Three orthogonal planes are identified by
three discs of different colours:
• Blue for the EN or UV plane,
• Green for the NU or UW plane,
• Red for the EU or VW plane.
• Grid: displays grid lines on the LCS. The grid can be activated with the button in the status bar, or
by pressing the F7 key. It can be configured from the Grid Settings tab of the Object Snapping Settings
form.
• Ruler: offers a visual indication of the grid spacing and the position of the crosshair projected on the
grid.
• Crosshair: this is the appearance of the cursor when in the 3D View, showing a representation of the
3 axes direction. The appearance of the crosshair can be configured on the PROJECT tab.
• Axes: The LCS axes are represented in the 3D View by 3 coloured lines passing through the origin of
the LCS:
• Red line is the U axis,
• Green line is the V axis,
• Blue line is the W axis.
The following buttons are available on the VIEW tab, in the Local Coordinate System group, for the setting of
the LCS.
World: sets the LCS to World mode with its position at 0, 0, 0, and an orientation set to
the East, North and Up axes.
Current Element: set the LCS to Local mode with its position and orientation set to those
of the Current Element. The axes name on the PowerCompass will be set to U,V and W.
Object: displays the Select objects prompt. Sets the LCS to Local mode with its origin and
orientation set to those the selected object.
Move: displays the Specify origin of new LCS prompt. Allows the specification of a new
position for the LCS origin. Other LCS modification options will be available from the in-
canvas editor.
3 Points: displays the Specify new origin point prompt. Allows the specification of 3
positions to set the origin, the U axis and the V axis of the LCS.
Sets the orientation of the LCS to the World’s EN plane.
Sets the orientation of the LCS to the World’s NU plane.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Sets the orientation of the LCS to the World’s EU plane.
Also, some of these options are available directly in the 3D View from the PowerCompass:
Clicking the Use WCS button will switch to World mode, setting the LCS
origin and orientation according to the World and changing the axis
labels to E/W, N/S and U/D.
Clicking the Use LCS button without a suitable element as the CE displays
the Select objects prompt. Selecting an object in the 3D View will switch
to Local mode, setting the LCS origin and orientation according to the
object and changing the axis labels to U/-U, V/-V and W/-W.
Selecting one of the three discs on the PowerCompass representing the three orthogonal planes will redefine
the orientation of the LCS:
• In World mode, clicking on the discs will set the LCS to either the EN, NU or EU plane
• In Local mode, each disc is divided into four quadrants, selecting a quadrant will set the positive
U and V axes along the sides of the selected quadrant:
The Grid will follow the new orientation of

the LCS.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
6.3.1.1 Setting the LCS – (Worked Example)
Press the F7 key or click the Grid button on the status bar
to display the Grid in the 3D View.
Select the NU Plane on the PowerCompass.
The orientation of the Grid and the colour of

the disc on the PowerCompass has changed.
Add EQUI TANK3 to the 3D View.
Select the EQUI TANK3 in the 3D View and

click the Use LCS button on the
PowerCompass.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
This will switch the coordinates to Local mode.
The PowerCompass, Grid and Axes have all changed

accordingly.
Click the quadrant between the -V and W axes.
The PowerCompass, Grid and Axes have all changed

accordingly.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Click the Use WCS button on the

PowerCompass to reset the LCS to the World.
The PowerCompass, Grid and Axes have all

changed to suit the World.
6.3.2 Specifying a Position

When moving elements, it is often necessary to specify a position. This section will introduce three different
methods to specify a position in the 3D View:
• Object snapping allows the selection of a graphical item in the 3D View.
• In-canvas editor allows the entering of coordinates and locking of axes.
• A combination of the object snapping and in-canvas editor methods.
For some functions, a specific method using the Positioning Control form may be required to specify
positions. This will be described in section 6.5.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
6.3.2.1 Object Snapping
To activate or deactivate the object snapping, press the F3

key or click the Object Snapping button on the Status Bar.
The object snapping filters can be configured using the Object Snapping Settings form.
Clicking the Object Snapping Settings button on the

Status Bar displays the Object Snapping Settings form.
On the Object Snap tab, the Elements tab offers

filter options to activate the snapping on database
elements like Item or P-Point etc...
The Graphics tab offers filter options to activate

the snapping on graphical items like Endpoint or
Midpoint etc…
Checking the different option checkboxes will

activate the relevant filters when the Object
Snapping is enabled.
Checking the Object Snaps checkbox will activate the object snapping.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Each snapping filter is associated with a specific snap icon as represented on the
Object Snapping Settings form. When the system prompts the user to specify a
point, hovering the mouse close to an item included in the selected snap filters
will display the associated snap icon on the item.
Left clicking when the icon is displayed will validate the position at the exact
location of the Snapping item.
6.3.2.2 Object Snapping – (Worked Example)
Click the Object Snapping Settings button on the Status Bar to display the
Object Snapping Settings form.
Select the Graphics tab and check the Endpoint checkbox.
Click the Apply button followed by the OK button.
Add SITE TRA.SITE.MESS to the 3D View.
This command is used to retrieve the absolute coordinates of the specified

point.
Hover the cursor over the top South East

endpoint of the :SLAB.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The position of the selected endpoint is displayed on the in-

canvas editor. Press the Return key.
Also, it is possible to invoke a temporary object snapping filter at any time when a specified position is
required. This can be done even when the object snapping is disabled. This is done by holding the Shift key
and right clicking in the 3D View.
Enter ID in the 3D View and press the Return key to display the Specify Point
prompt.
Hold the Shift key and right click in the 3D View.
The PowerWheel will display tiles for the main element object snaps such as
Item, P-Line End Point, P-Point, etc.
On the PowerWheel, gesture to the More tile.
The PowerWheel will display tiles for the main graphics filters such as
Endpoint, Nearest, Midpoint, etc.
On the PowerWheel, gesture to the More tile.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The PowerWheel will display additional objects snap filters. Pressing the Esc
key will display the previous PowerWheel.
Press the Esc key twice.
On the PowerWheel, gesture to the P-Point tile.
Hover the cursor over the top of the CYLI

belonging to EQUI TANK1.
The position of the selected Ppoint is displayed on the in-

canvas editor. Press the Return key.
6.3.2.3 In-canvas Editor

Coordinate value can be entered directly in the text boxes of the in-canvas editor when prompted:
When a position needs to be specified, the displacement induced by the mouse will be constrained to the
LCS, i.e. the W coordinate in Local mode, or the U coordinate in World mode will remain nil.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Depending on the command, the coordinates may be expressed in Relative or Absolute mode. In Relative
mode, the coordinates will be expressed with respect to the previously specified position. In Absolute mode,
the coordinates will be expressed with respect to the current coordinate system in use.
When permitted, it is possible to switch between Relative and Absolute mode by pressing the Shift and @
keys.
Relative Mode Absolute Mode
To validate an entry and move the focus to the next textbox, press the Tab key.
Entering a value and pressing the Return key will lock the correspondent textbox with the entered value. The
new position will be then constrained along a plane, or, along a single axis if two text boxes are locked.
Snapping to a graphical item will not modify the value in a locked text box.
Even if the displacement induced by the mouse is constrained to the LCS, the snapping may affect the
value of the U coordinate (or W in Local mode) if not locked.
For example:
In this case, the displacement is constrained

on the EN plane
In this case, the displacement is constrained

along the E axis
At any time, the current value in a textbox can be locked or unlocked by pressing the Space key while it is
highlighted.
By default, the coordinates in the in-canvas editor are Cartesian coordinates. To switch to Cylindrical or
Spherical coordinates by pressing the Backtick (`) key.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Cartesian : ENU, or XYZ, or UVW axes
Cylindrical : Distance (D), Angle (A) and Height (U)
Spherical : Distance (D), Angle (A) and Angle (A)
6.3.2.4 Combining Object Snapping and the In-canvas Editor

The use of the in-canvas editor may be combined with the object snapping. In this case, it is important to note
that any value entered in the in-canvas editor’s text boxes will lock the corresponding axis to this value.
This will then constrain the displacement along the plane, or the axis defined by the unlocked textboxes.
Snapping to any object afterwards will only modify the coordinates of the unlocked textboxes. This method is
particularly efficient for aligning elements with others along one axis or a plane.
6.3.3 Using the Editor

The Editor allows different kinds of modification on model elements like moving, rotating or modifying
dimensions. This section will describe how to activate the Editor and how to use it to modify the position of
an element.
To activate the Editor mode either:
• On the HOME tab, in the Modify group, click the Editor button.
The button will be shown highlighted while the Editor is active.
• Double click on a model element in the 3D View.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The Editor consists of blue modification grips that will appear

at the element’s origin and orientated according to the
element’s orientation.
Initially, the modification grips will be displayed on every

significant element - i.e. the owner of elements that have a
geometric definition - included in the current graphical
selection i.e. elements highlighted in green.
For example, an EQUI is significant because it can contain

primitives. Therefore, the Editor will be effective on the
whole EQUI for positioning and rotating.
To deactivate the Editor, press the Esc key or on the HOME tab, in the Modify group, click the Editor.
6.3.3.1 Positioning a Single Element
To modify the position of the element using the

Editor, click on the square grip representing the
origin of the Equipment.
This will temporarily change the LCS position to the

selected grip.
Moving the mouse will display a translucent preview

of the new position. The displacement is constrained
to the LCS. This can be changed at any time.
The in-canvas editor will be displayed, and dynamic

hints will indicate the displacement values along the
LCS axes when using Relative mode.
The new position may be using the object snapping, the in-canvas editor or a combination of both as seen in
section 6.3.2. By default, the coordinates in the in-canvas editor are expressed relatively to the selected grip.
The use of object snapping discards the constraint of the LCS.
To finish and apply the displacement press the Return key or click.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
6.3.3.2 Positioning Single Elements – (Worked Example)
In the 3D View, double click the :SLAB BASE. This will activate the
Editor on this element.
Click the square grip and move the mouse. Enter 0 in the E: textbox and press the Tab key. Hover the cursor
over the TANK1 in the 3D View and observe the feedback. The movement of the :SLAB will be restricted in
the East direction to 0mm due to the locking of the value.
Press Esc key to cancel the operation.
6.3.3.3 Positioning Multiple Elements
The Editor operates on the graphical

selection.
Consequently, it is possible to reposition

multiple elements simultaneously.
When the selection includes several
elements, a square grip will appear on
each significant element that is selected.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Holding the Ctrl key allows the

selection of the grips for the
elements to being moved. The
grips will become red.
One of the grips can be then

selected to initiate the
displacement command.
The in-canvas editor will be

positioned on the clicked grip.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
6.3.3.4 Editing Sub-Elements – (Worked Example)

As seen, the Editor will be initially effective on significant elements, e.g. EQUI. However, the Editor allows the
modification of sub-elements and primitives by navigating through the different selection Levels. This may be
achieved by a double click or by using the PowerWheel.
Add SITE TRA.SITE.MESS to the 3D

View.
In the 3D View, double click EQUI

TANK2.
This will activate the Editor at the

Equipment level.
The whole Equipment can then be

repositioned or rotated using the
Editor.
Double click on one of the feet of the

Equipment.
This will navigate to the Sub-

Equipment level below the EQUI.
The other elements in the 3D View

will become translucent.
The Editor can then be used to edit any element in the same selection
level, i.e. Sub-Equipment or primitives, to reposition them individually.
Multiple selections can be made on several elements in the same level.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Double click again on one of the feet

of the Equipment.
This will navigate to the level below

the Sub-Equipment. The rest of the
Equipment will become translucent.
Only the two PYRA elements in the

Sub-Equipment can then be edited
individually.
The Editor can be used to

modify the dimensions of
primitive element, but this is
out of the scope of this training
course.
Refer to the TM-1811 AVEVA™ E3D Design (2.1) Equipment Modelling training guide for the creation and
modification of primitives.
To exit the Editor and navigate to the upper levels, press the Esc key in the following sequence:
• Pressing the Esc key the first time will disable the Editor.
• Pressing the Esc key a second time will cancel the current graphical selection.
• Pressing the Esc key will navigate the owner level.
The navigation between selection levels may also be achieved using the PowerWheel by right clicking on
a selected element and clicking the Navigation tile. The Navigation gallery will be displayed to allow
selection of the navigation level
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Invoke the Editor at the primitive level

below the SUBE TANK2/SUPPORTS.
Right click on one of the two primitives

to display the PowerWheel and
gesture to the Navigation tile.
Click the SUBEQUIPMENT button from the Navigation gallery.

This will navigate to the element TANK2/SUPPORTS without
exiting the Editor mode.
The name of the element will appear in a tooltip when the

cursor is over the different buttons.
6.3.4 Using the Move Command

The Move command allows the modification of the position of the elements included in the current graphical
selection by specifying a displacement vector. By default, the displacement is defined by a base point and a
destination point but other options are available from the in canvas editor. The Move command is invoked
by either:
• On the HOME tab, in the Modify group, clicking the Move button.
• Right click to display the PowerWheel, click the Context tile to display the menu and select the Move
option.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
• Enter Move in the 3D View.
The in-canvas editor will appear, displaying the Specify base point prompt.
This is the first step of the default method consisting in the selection of two points to derive the displacement
vector from.
Pressing the Down arrow cursor key will display two in-command
options:
• Displacement - to enter a displacement vector relatively to the

current LCS origin,
• Copy – to create a copy.
These commands can be invoked by clicking on the appropriate tile or pressing the corresponding key
indicated on the tile by the underscore. For example, on the above in-command options the D or C key could
be pressed to select Displacement or Copy within the Move command.
When using the default Move function, specify a point by snapping to an item and/or entering values in the
in-canvas editor as described previously. Once the base point has been specified, the prompt changes to
Specify the second point and a translucent representation of the elements being moved is attached to the
cursor. Once again specify a point.
When the second point has been specified, the selected elements will be moved by the vector between the
base point and the second point.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
6.3.5 Other Positioning Aids

Other tools available are from the Status Bar toggles, or by pressing the relevant function keys to facilitate the
positioning of elements.
or pressing the F7 key – toggles the display of the Grid.
or pressing the F9 key- toggles the snapping to the Grid, (even if the Grid is not displayed).
or pressing the F10 key – toggles the displays of the polar coordinate feedback and snap the
displacement to radials.
or pressing the F8 key – toggles the locking of the displacement to the LCS.
or pressing the F12 key- toggles the display of the dynamic hints.
Projects the object snapping onto the LCS.
or pressing the F3 key- toggles the object snapping as mentioned previously.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 8 Positioning Elements

This exercise follows on from the previous exercise for the correction of the elements belonging to SITE
TRA.SITE.MESS.
TANK1 - Positional Error
• Correct the position of CYLI 1 of EQUI TANK1 using the Move function and snapping the base of CYLI
1 to the P3 of BOX 1 of the base.
PUMP1 - Positional Errors
• Correct the position of EQUI PUMP1 using the

Editor by referencing the Ppoints of BRAN
pipe1-b1.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
• Correct the position of DISH PUMP1-DISH2 of EQUI PUMP1

using the Editor by snapping the base of the DISH to CYLI of
the motor.
TANK2 - Positional Errors
• Correct the position of CYLI 1 of EQUI

TANK2 using the Editor. Lock the U
value to 0mm and move the CYLI in
the East/North plane by snapping to
the Ppoint of CONE 1.
• Correct the position of PYRA 1 of

EQUI TANK2 using the Editor. Lock
the E and U values to 0mm and move
the PYRA along the North axis by
snapping to the Ppoint of CYLI 1.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
• Correct the position of PYRA 2 of EQUI TANK2 using the Move function. Set the object snapping to
Endpoint using the PowerWheel. Lock the E and U values to 0mm and move the PYRA along the Up
axis by snapping to the Endpoint of PYRA 1.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
6.4 Rotating Elements

Many AVEVA™ E3D Design elements have an Orientation attribute, e.g. SITE, ZONE, EQUI, SUBE, STRU, PANE,
Primitives, etc.
Orientation in AVEVA™ E3D Design is expressed in terms of axes direction, e.g. Y is N and Z is U, meaning that
the element’s Y axis is pointing North and the Z axis is pointing Up. Only two axes need to be stated as the
third axis direction is known because it conforms to the right hand rule, i.e. in this case X is E.
Like any other attribute, the orientation may be modified using the Attributes or Properties form. However,
the preferred method of modifying the orientation of an element is to rotate it in the 3D View by either:
• Using the Editor to quickly rotate the elements around its origin.
• Using the Rotate command to specify a rotation base point.
6.4.1 Using the Editor to Rotate

Unlike positioning, rotating using the Editor can only be applied on a single element selection.
Selecting and activating the Editor on a single non-routed element

will display rotation grips on the three axes of the element.
To rotate the element, select the correspondent grip and either:
• Enter an angle value in the in-canvas editor.
• Specify a point using the object snapping.
Rotating using this method is restricted to the three axes of the element’s LCS.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
6.4.2 Using the Rotate Command

The Rotate command allows the rotation of all the elements in a graphical selection, in any direction and from
any rotation origin.
First, the elements to be rotated must be selected. It may be any significant element displayed in the 3D View,
or, it may be several Sub-Elements or primitive below a significant element.
The rotation will be applied around the W axis, consequently the LCS needs to be set accordingly using the
methods described previously. The Rotate command is invoked by either:
• On the HOME tab, in the Modify group, clicking the Rotate

button.
• Right click to display the PowerWheel, click the Context tile to display the menu and select the
Rotate option.
• Enter Rotate in the 3D View.
The in-canvas editor will appear, displaying the Specify base point prompt.
Using the in-canvas editor textboxes or object snapping, specify the position of the rotation base point.
As with the Move command, pressing the Down arrow cursor key will offer an option to create a copy
from the rotated element.
Once the base point has been specified, the prompt changes to Specify rotation angle and a translucent
representation of the elements being moved is attached to the cursor.
Entering a value in the textbox or snapping to an item in the 3D View will rotate the selected element(s) by
the specified angle around the axis as defined by the LCS.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 9 Rotating Elements

TANK1 Orientation Errors
• Set the LCS to EQUI TANK1 and use

the Rotate command to rotate it
about the base by 45 degrees.
PUMP1 Orientation Errors
• Rotate CYLI PUMP1-CYL2 of EQUI PUMP1

to align the shaft with the axis of the pump
using the Editor.
TANK2 Orientation Errors
• Rotate NOZZ TANK2-n2 of EQUI TANK2 to

align the nozzle with the centre of the vessel
using the Editor.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
6.5 The Positioning Control Form

Some commands will require a different method to specify positions using the Positioning Control form. This
is sometimes referred as to Event Driven Graphics (EDG).
In this case it will not be possible to use the object snapping or in-canvas editor. The
PowerCompass will be disabled and the Positioning Control form will be displayed.
The PowerWheel is disabled while using the Positioning Control from. Right
clicking in the 3D View will display a contextual menu.
To specify a position using the Positioning Control form the following steps are used:
• Select a Pick Type.
• Select a Pick Method.
• Hold the left button on the element owning the position to be picked.
• Release the left button to confirm the selected position.
When the left button is pressed and maintained on an element, the selection of the position to be picked will
be locked on this element. The Prompt Area will indicate the type of relevant snap item while the cursor
hovers over the element. Releasing the mouse while the Prompt Area indicates a selection will confirm the
snapped position.
If the button is pressed on the wrong element, move the mouse away from this element before releasing the
button to cancel the picking.
Some commands require two or three positions. If the first snap is wrong, the command will need to be
aborted and recalled to start a new picking operation.
6.5.1 Pick Type

The Pick Type acts like a snapping filter and its options are:
Element - picking is restricted to the element’s origin.
Ppoint - picking is restricted to Ppoints or panel vertices.
Pline - picking is restricted to structural Plines.
Graphics – enables edge, surface and corner picks on any graphical element.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Aid - picking is restricted to Construction Aids, including User defined Grids.
Screen – enables a pick anywhere in the 3D View.
Laser – picking is restricted to Laser data points.
Any – uses any appropriate Pick Type.
6.5.2 Pick Method
Snap - selects the snap point nearest to the cursor pick point. Snap points vary for different elements.
Mid-Point - derives the mid-point between two snap points along a linear item.
Intersect – derives the intersection of two picked lines from any directional elements. The elements
do not have to be co-planar.
Cursor - places the derived point exactly where the cursor picks on the element.
Distance - applies the offset value entered in the textbox. For example a +ve value of 500
derives a point 500 mm from the nearest snap point, measured towards the cursor
position, whereas, a –ve value of 500 derives a point 500 mm from the nearest snap point,
measured away from the cursor position.
The two additional buttons on the Positioning Control form are:
Working Plane – this button is now obsolete.
Explicit Position – this button displays the Explicit Position form allowing explicit co-ordinates to be
entered.
6.5.3 Positioning Control – (Worked Example)
Click the HOME > Measure > Distance button to display the Measure distance start
prompt.
The Measure Distance form will be displayed along with the Positioning Control form.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
On the Positioning Control form, click the Element and Snap

buttons from the Pick Type and Pick Method sections
respectively.
In the 3D View, hold the left button down on EQUI TANK2.
Release the button when the prompt states Snap : CYLINDER 1 of

EQUIPMENT /TANK2
The Measure distance start label will be shown in the 3D View.
On the Positioning Control form, click the Graphics and Midpoint

buttons from the Pick Type and Pick Method sections
respectively.
In the 3D View, hold the left button down on :SLAB and hover the
cursor over the Eastern edge of the slab.
Release the button when the prompt states Snap: EDGE of

/Concrete
This will pick the midpoint of the selected edge. The 3D View and Measure Distance form will be updated with
the relevant information.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Copyright © 2021.
CHAPTER 7
7 Creating Additional Views

AVEVA™ E3D Design provides the ability to view the model, or parts of the model, in multiple 3D Views.
However, in practice, the number of useable views will probably be limited by the size of the monitor(s) in use.
AVEVA™ E3D Design has one, default 3D View, named 3D View(1) – Drawlist(1), which cannot be deleted or
renamed.
New 3D Views with the same or different Drawlist can be created and displayed simultaneously. The content
of the 3D Views can be linked or separate, depending on the associated Drawlist and each 3D View can be
manipulated separately.
7.1 Creating an Empty View
On the VIEW tab, in the Views group, clicking the New button creates a new 3D
View with an empty Drawlist, and displays the View Settings form where the new
3D View may be configured.
See section 9.2 for details of the View Settings form.
The new 3D View is named, by default, 3D View(<x>) – Drawlist(<y>) where x is the sequential number of the
3D View and y is the sequential number of the Drawlist associated with the 3D View. It will be docked in the
same tab group as the current 3D View.
Only one 3D View can be current at any one time and is

identified by its correspondent tab being highlighted in
blue. All non-current 3D Views have a light grey tab. A 3D
View is made current by left clicking its correspondent tab,
or anywhere in the 3D View if multiple 3D Views are visible.
7.2 Copying a 3D View

On the VIEW tab, in the Views group, the Copy button options list contains the following options:
To a Separate View – this option creates a copy of the current 3D View and
creates a new Drawlist populated with the same contents as the copied 3D
View’s Drawlist. For example, copying 3D View(1) - Drawlist(1) to a separate
view may create a 3D View named 3D View(2) – Drawlist(2).
To a Cloned View – this option creates a copy of the current 3D View and is
associated with the Drawlist of the copied 3D View. For example, copying 3D
View(3) - Drawlist(3) to a cloned view may create a 3D View named 3D
View(4) – Drawlist(3).
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
To a Local View – this option creates a copy of the graphical selection in the
current view and a new Drawlist which is populated with the elements in the
graphical selection. For example, copying 3D View(3) - Drawlist(3) with a
graphical selection to a local view may create a 3D View named 3D View(4)
– Drawlist(4) and the 3D View contents would be the graphical selection.
7.3 Grid Plane View

When working with Reference Grids, it is possible to create a new view based on a selected Grid Plane.
Selecting a Grid Plane element and on the VIEW tab, in the Views group,
selecting the Grid Plane option from the Copy button options list. The new
view will be orientated parallel to the Grid plane. The clipping will be
activated with an offset from the two sides of the plane. The new view will
be named after the Grid Plane ID, e.g. B Grid View.
The creation of Reference Grids is covered in TM-1802 AVEVA™ E3D Design Model Utilities training guide.
7.4 Displaying Multiple Views

Only one 3D View can be visible in one Tab Group but it is possible to create multiple Tab Groups to visualize
multiple 3D Views simultaneously.
When several 3D Views are opened in the same Tab Group, the right click menu of the tabs, with the exception
of the 3D View(1) – Drawlist(1) tab, will display the following three options to detach the view from the Tab
Group:
Close : Remove the selected 3D View.
New Horizontal Tab Group : Move the selected 3D View to a new Horizontal
Tab Group.
New Vertical Tab Group : Move the selected 3D View to a new Vertical Tab
Group.
Float : Detach the selected 3D View completely to form an independent

window that can be moved anywhere outside the main display window.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Once one Vertical or Horizontal Tab Group has been created, the subsequent options will only allow the
creation of the same kind of Tab Group, i.e. horizontal or vertical.
When multiple Tab Groups are opened, it is possible to drag and drop a tab from one Tab Group to another.
Multiple views are not retained from session to session, only 3D View(1) is persistent.
7.5 Displaying Multiple Views – (Worked Example)
Select the VIEW > Views > Copy > To a Separate View option.
This will create a new 3D View tab 3D View(2) – Drawlist(2)

and make it the current 3D View.
Remove TANK1 from the current 3D View.
Right Click on the tab 3D View(2) – Drawlist(2) and select New

Vertical Tab Group
The two 3D Views will be now displayed side by side. 3D View(2) – Drawlist(2) has a separate Drawlist.
Consequently, TANK1 can be seen in 3D View(1) – Drawlist(1).
Close 3D View(2) – Drawlist(2).
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 10 Creating Additional Views

• Clear the 3D View and add SITE TRA.SITE.MESS to the 3D View
• Use the PowerCompass to set the view direction to North East Iso.
• Create a new empty 3D View and close the View Settings form.
• Add ZONE PIPE.ZONE to the 3D View (2) – Drawlist(2) and set the view direction to North.
• Create a separate copy of the current 3D View.
• Make 3D View (2) – Drawlist(2) the current 3D View. Change the viewing direction and remove PIPE
pipe1 from the 3D View. Note that this has not affected the viewing direction or view contents of 3D
View (3).
• Move 3D View (1) – Drawlist(1) to a new vertical Tab Group.
• Select TANK2 in 3D View (1) – Drawlist(1) to make it the CE and the graphical selection. Copy the 3D
View to a local view.
• Close all the 3D View tabs. Note that 3D View (1) – Drawlist(1) cannot be closed as it is the main 3D
View.
Copyright © 2021.
CHAPTER 8
8 General Utilities
8.1 Search Utility
The Search utility enables the databases to be searched for specific items. The scope of the search may be
defined and the items may be identified by different criteria including name, type, attributes or any
combination of these.
On the HOME tab, in the Search group, clicking the Search button displays the Search
form.
The form is displayed in a basic search mode and may be

docked in a Panel on either side of the 3D View.
The items to be searched for may be specified by using the name that contains a specific string, one or more
element types or a combination of both.
A string may be entered in the Name Contains textbox. The string may be of any length and contain any
permissible name character. The names are case sensitive.
An element type must be entered in the Element Types textbox. By default [ALL] is displayed which will find
all element types for the search.
One or more item types may be entered in the Element Types textbox. If more than one element type is
entered, they must be separated by a space, comma or semi-colon, e.g. EQUI PIPE, NOZZ; TEE. The entries
may be any valid element type and are not case sensitive.
The options list sets the scope for the search, i.e. an element or collection which will
be searched within for the specified elements.
• Current Element - displays the name of the CE in the adjacent textbox. This updates automatically if a
new CE is selected.
• Element – allows an element name to be entered into the textbox. This is not affected by the CE.
• Current Collection – enables searching of the current collection for the specified elements.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Having made appropriate entries, clicking the Search

button initiates the search.
The time taken to complete the search will depend on

the amount of data in the scope and the number of
elements being searched for.
The Collections form is displayed showing the results of

the search.
This form allows many operations like saving and

sharing the results of the search, modifying, grouping
and sorting the grid’s columns. This functionality is
covered later in this chapter.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.1.1 More Search Tools
Clicking the More Search Tools link label displays

the form in an advanced search mode. This enables
the search scope to be refined, attribute and free
filters to be applied and searches to be managed.
The form opens by default with the Search Scope

fold-up panel open.
The In Volume checkbox enables the search to be

specified within a volume. There are two methods
to define the limits of the search volume:
• Of Element - allows an element name to be

entered in the textbox. Alternatively,
navigating to an element in the Model
Explorer and clicking the CE button
displays the element name in the textbox.
Previously selected elements in the
current session are available in the
textbox. The list may be cleared by
selecting the Clear History from options
list.
• Explicit Volume – allows a volume to be

explicitly specified by entering coordinate
values in the Lower Limit and Upper Limit
sections of the form. These limits
represent the opposing corners of a
volume box.
Selecting the Wholly Within radio button will

provide search results for elements that are wholly
within the defined volume.
Selecting the Wholly & Partially Within radio

button will provide search results for elements that
are wholly and partially within the defined volume.
The Modified checkbox restricts the search results

to those elements modified in the current session.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.1.1.1 Attribute Filters
The Attribute Filter fold-up panel provides a

method of filtering the search criteria by specifying
restrictions to one or more attributes.
A filter can be added by clicking the Add Filter link

label.
By default, the Attribute is set to NAME.
An options lists is available by clicking in the current Attribute cell which allows the
selection of a standard attributes or UDA.
If more than one element type is being searched for the options list contains a union
of all standard attributes and UDAs.
The Operator cell contains an options list of the operators that can be applied to the
selected attribute or UDA.
Once the Attribute and Operator cells have been set the Value cell can be set by
entering a value.
More than one filter can be applied.
A filter may be deleted by selecting it using the left hand column and clicking the
Delete Filter link label.
8.1.1.2 Free Filter
The Free Filter fold-up panel allows a valid PML

(Programmable Macro Language) expression to be
used as a filter by entering it in the textbox.
PML expressions such as HBOR EQ 50mm, PSPEC NE /A3B or DRNS NE U OR DRNS NE D may be used. The
filter may be removed by deleting the expression from the textbox.
Refer to the Database Management Reference section of the Help for more information about PML
expressions.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.1.1.3 Manage Searches
The Manage Searches fold-up panel enables

regularly used or complex searches to be saved for
later use. The saved search is based uses the
current search criteria.
Clicking the Create “Saved Search” Based on

Current Search Criteria link label displays the
Create Saved Search form.
The Name textbox can be used to set the name of the saved search.
The Location options list allows the location of the saved search to
be set.
Clicking the OK button saves the search, including element type

and scope definition.
Previously saved searches are selected from the

options list. Clicking the Search button runs the
selected saved search.
Clicking the Delete Selected Saved Search link

label deleted the selected saved search.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 11 Search Utility

• Display the Search form and set the Element Type to BRAN.
• Select the option to allow SITE SITE-PIPING-AREA01 to be entered.
• Perform the search and view the results.
• Set up a filter on the HBORE attribute to only return Branches greater than 50mm.
• Perform the search and view the results.
• Save the search with a name of bran with hbor gt 50mm in the Project Setting (TRA) location.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.2 Collections
Collections are lists of database elements that are selected and filtered using a set of criteria. A collection can
be used to perform an action on all of the elements in the list, either from the Collections form or from other
forms, e.g. the Position By and Rotate forms.
Collections also enable data to be viewed in a grid format which can have additional columns displayed and
may be filtered, sorted, grouped, printed or exported to Excel.
Collections are persistent between sessions and disciplines and some collections are persistent between
modules, for instance, allowing Draw to use a collection that was created in Model. Shared Collections may
be accessed by all project users.
On the HOME tab, in the Search group, clicking the Collections button displays the
Collections form.
It may be docked in a Panel on either side of the 3D View.
The Collections form consists of two sections.
The upper section displays the available collections under

three categories which display their contents as a tree
structure.
The lower section form displays the contents of a selected

collection in a grid.
The visibility of the System Collections and Shared

Collections is controlled by the Show Current
Collection / Show All Collections link labels.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.2.1 System Collections
The System Collections consists
• Claimlist
• Drawlist
• Current Selection
Selecting the Drawlist collection displays its contents, if

any, in the grid.
System Collections are generated automatically and

updated dynamically. For example, adding SITE SITE-
EQUIPMENT-AREA01 to the 3D View updates the
Drawlist collection.
The right click menu from the grid is as shown. The options available depend on
the collection and element type selected. The 3D View option has a sub-menu
which has the same functions as the right click menu from the Model Explorer for
adding / removing elements to / from the 3D View.
The Cut, Copy, Paste, Fill Up and Fill Down options are used for editing the values
in the cells. This is shown later in this chapter.
The Remove Selected removes the selected element from the collection.
The Navigate To option navigates to the element in the Model Explorer and
makes it the CE.
For more information about the Grids in AVEVA™ E3D Design, refer to section 8.3.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.2.2 Create a Shared Collection

Shared Collections are stored in Group Set (GPSET) elements owned by Group World (GPWL) elements and
are persistent across modules.
From the right click menu of Shared Collections select New > New
Category.
Click the New Category option to create the new category is

displayed in the Shared Collections.
A GPWL named New Shared Category<n>, where <n>

is a sequential number is created.
From the right click menu of New Shared Category1 select New >
New Collection.
A GPSET named New Shared Collection<n>, where <n>

is a sequential number is created below the category
in Shared Collections.
Selecting the Delete option deletes the category.
Selecting the Rename option enables the category name to be edited to a more descriptive name.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The right menu from a collection contains the

following options:
• 3D View - allows the addition or removal of the

contents of the collection to/from the 3D
View.
• New Collection – creates a new collection.
• Rename
• Delete
Navigate to SITE SITE-EQUIPMENT-AREA02 in the Model Explorer.
From the right click menu from New Shared

Collection1 select Add CE To Collection.
The SITE is now displayed in the grid to show it is in the

collection.
Navigate to SITE SITE-EQUIPMENT-AREA01 in the Model Explorer.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801

Collection1 select Add CE Members to Collection.
The only member of this SITE, ZONE ZONE-

EQUIPMENT-AREA01 is now displayed in the grid to
show it is part of the collection.
Navigate to SITE SITE-EQUIPMENT-AREA03 in the Model Explorer. Drag

and drop it into the grid or onto the collection name to add it to the
collection.

Collection1 select Edit Scope Selection to display the
Expression Editor form.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
This enables an expression to be associated with a

shared collection to dynamically update the contents
of the collection.
Enter ALL PIPE in the textbox and click the Evaluate

button.
The Results section of the form is populated with all

the PIPE elements contained within the MDB.
Other example expressions are:
ALL PIPE WITH PSPEC EQ /A3B - would add all pipes

in the MDB of the Spec A3B.
ALL PIPE WITH PSPEC EQ /A3B AND BORE GT 80mm

- would add pipes with spec A3B and a bore greater
than 80mm.
Clicking the OK button adds the results to the

collection for which the expression has been set.
If elements that comply with the expression are

added or deleted to the scope covered by the
expression then the collection contents will be
dynamically updated.
The expression can be removed from the collection

by opening the Expression Editor form, deleting the
expression and clicking the OK button.
Collections may contain a mixture of elements added

via an expression, which are dynamically updated,
and elements that have been added by manual
methods.
The contents of the collection created by the

expression are deleted from the collection. In the
Collections form grid, elements added manually are
displayed in normal text whilst items added via the
expression are displayed in italic text.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.2.3 My Collections
My Collections are similar to Shared Collections except

that they are not stored in the database and cannot be
viewed by other users.
They are persistent across sessions and modules for

the user who created them.
My Collections have the same functionality on right

click menus to that described previously for Shared
Collections except that a scope selection expression
cannot be applied to a collection.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 12 Using Collections

• Display the Collections form.
• Create a new collection using My Collections with the name Branches greater than 50mm.
• Using copy and paste, populate the collection with the saved search created previously.
• Add the collection to the 3D View.
• Create a new category in the Shared Collections with the name Area01 Equipment.
• Create a new collection below the new category with the name Electrical Equipment 01.
• Add the members of ZONE ZONE-ELECTRICAL-AREA01 to the collection.
• Create a new category in the Shared Collections with the name Area01 Structural.
• Create a new shared collection below the new category with the name All Sections.
• Edit the Scope Selection of the collection to include a rule to add all GENSEC from ZONE ZONE-
STRUCTURAL-AREA01. Make sure to evaluate the expression.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.3 Working with Grids

In AVEVA™ E3D Design, many tools will use a grid to display a list of elements, similar to the Collections form.
Depending on the form, the grid may have one or several of the functions described below.
Most of the functionality is accessible from the right click menu from
columns header as shown here from the search results collection.
8.3.1 Modifying Values

If the access rights allow, attributes may be modified directly in the grid by double clicking on the cell and
entering values. Read Only cells will be indicated with a grey background. Values from pseudo-attributes and
from PML expressions are always Read Only.
Modified values will be indicated by a cyan background.
It is also possible to modify multiple rows at once in a Grid. This may be achieved by:
From the right click menu of the cell select Copy.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Select the multiple cells using the Ctrl / Shift keys or by holding
down the mouse button and dragging the cursor and from the
right click menu select Paste.
Alternatively, selecting multiple cells, the top one having the

value to be copied.
From the right click menu selecting the Fill Down will
propagate the value of the top cell to the rest of the selection.
The Fill Up option will propagate the value of the bottom cell
of the selection upwards.
When the attribute associated to a column is a

reference to another element, e.g. a
specification or a property, an ellipsis button (…)
button will appear in the cell.
The user may enter an element’s name manually, but it must exist in the
database. Or, clicking the ellipsis (…) button will display the Reference
Browser to search for a valid element.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.3.2 Sorting a Column
Clicking on the header of a column will sort the column in alphabetical order, either
ascending or descending.
Multiple columns may be sorted by holding down the Shift key while clicking on a
column header. The sorting precedence order will be then indicated by a number
on the column.
8.3.3 Freezing a Column
When a grid contains a lot of columns it may be

practical to freeze a column in order to have it
always displayed when scrolling across the other
columns.
Clicking the Pin button on the header of will

duplicate the column and keep it in a fixed
position at the left of the grid.
8.3.4 Filtering a column
The first row below the column headers is reserved for filtering the
corresponding column. By default, the filter is set to Contains. Entering
any text in the cell below the column header will filter all the values
containing the text entered for the correspondent column.
Clicking the Clear Filter button ( )in the filter cell will cancel the filter
for the corresponding column.
Clicking the Clear Filter button ( ) at the left of the filtering row will
cancel all the filters.
Other filtering options are available from the Down Arrow

button on the right of the filter cell.
It will be then possible to filter the grid to any individual

existing values by checking the relevant check boxes.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The Text Filters options allow the modification of the

filtering criteria when entering text in the filtering cell.
8.3.5 Adding columns
Columns can be added to the grid from the right click menu on
any column header and selecting Column Setup to display the
Column Setup form.
Clicking the Add Column link label will add a new row
in the table to define a new column.
To define the values in the column, select an attribute from the options
list of an Expression cell, or enter a valid PML expression.
Enter any text in the Heading cell to define the name of the column that
will appear in the column’s header.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The positions of the columns can be change using the Up Arrow and Down Arrow button on the right of the
form. Alternatively, this can be done directly in the grid by dragging the columns’ headers as shown later.
If values are not set or not valid for some columns, the cell will show a red indicator that may be hovered over
by the mouse to display the reason for the error.
8.3.6 Arranging Columns
The columns can be re-arranged by drag and

drop. In this example the Function column is
going to be positioned to the right of the
Description column
Press and hold the mouse button on a column

header to re-arrange.
Drag it to the desired position in between two

columns. The new position will be indicated by
two black arrows.
Release the mouse button to set the new

position.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
It is also possible to position a column below the

others using a similar method.
8.3.7 Column Units

When columns contain numerical values with a physical dimension, e.g. length, weight, it is possible to choose
the displayed unit.
In the Collections grid, the Ruler button options list will be displayed for the
columns having numerical values which have a unit.
Clicking Ruler button options list will display the options to change the
displayed unit.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.3.8 Grouping
It is possible to activate the grouping of rows in some grids.
The right click menu from the header column of

Collections grid contains a Grouping toggle.
When Grouping is active an additional Grouping

section is available above the header columns.
Dragging and dropping a column header, in this

example the Pipe header, into the Grouping section
will group the items of the grid by the selected
column(s).
Multiple columns can be selected for grouping. Each

group will then appear as individual sections in the
grid which may be expanded or collapsed
It is possible to modify the order of the grouping by

repositioning the column headers in the Grouping
section.
The grouping order is be indicated by the numerical

value in the columns’ headers
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.3.9 Column Summaries

When columns contain numeric values, like for example lengths or weights, it is possible to display summaries
for each group. Summary functions allows calculation of:
• Averages
• Counts
• Maximum / Minimum
• Sum
The right click menu from the header column of Collections grid contains
a Column Summaries toggle.
This will add the Sum button in the header columns containing numerical
values.
Clicking the Sum button displays the Select Summaries form.
The checkbox for the required summary is checked. The results will be
then displayed in the grid for each group.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.3.10 Quick Report

A report can be created with the columns and values from the grid.
From the right click menu from the header column of the Collection grid
select Quick Report.
The Quick Report form will be displayed. A

template may be selected from the Layout
Template tab.
Selecting a template and clicking the Open button will display a confirmation
message.
Clicking the Yes button on the Report Designer form will

generate the report and open the Quick Report Designer.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The report layout may be modified and printed using Report Designer. The report will only consider the
columns and values in the grid, not the sorting, grouping and summaries.
8.3.11 Exporting to Excel

The grid can also be exported to Excel.
From the right click menu from the header column of the Collection grid
select Export to Excel to display the Save As form. A location for the file
can then be determined.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 13 Working with Grids

• Open the All Sections collection created previously.
• Add a new column with attribute MATREF and Heading of Material.
• Add a new column with the Expression as the CUTL pseudo attribute. Use the default Heading of Cut
Length.
• Add a new column with the Expression as NWEI. Use the default Heading of Net Weight.
• Sort the grid using the Name column in ascending order.
• Group the grid using the Material column.
• Edit the Material for the first element in the group for GR355I by entering a new value of GR275.
• Edit the Material cells for the other elements in the group using the Fill Down option.
• Change the unit of the Cut Length column to metre.
• Export the grid to Excel.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.4 Measuring Functions

The measuring functions allows the evaluation of distances and angles. As seen previously these functions use
the Positioning Control form.
8.4.1 Measure Distance
On the HOME tab, in the Measure group, clicking the Distance button displays the Measure
Distance form, Positioning Control form and the ‘Measure distance start (Distance[0]) Snap:’
prompt.
The Units section enables the setting of the units the

measured distance will be displayed in. The Unit Type
options list has three entries, Default, Metric and Imperial.
Selecting Default displays the distance values in the current

session units whilst selecting Metric or Imperial activates the
Display Unit options list.
If Metric is selected the user can choose from Millimetres,

Centimetres and Metres for the display units.
If Imperial is selected the user can choose from Inches, Feet

& Inches and Feet (decimal feet) for the display units.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The prompt will change depending on the Pick Method

setting on the Positioning Control form, e.g. Measure
distance start (Mid-Point) Snap:
Picking the first measure point displays an aid text Measure

distance start at the selected point and the prompt changes
to Measure distance end (Snap) Snap:
Picking the second measure

point displays the ‘true’
distance and the E, N and U
components with aid lines
and text in the 3D View.
These values are also

displayed on the Measure
Distance form with the
addition of the direction
between the first measure
point and second measure
point.
The Offset and Direction values are expressed, by default, with respect to the World co-ordinate system. They
may be expressed in terms of another frame of reference by entering a named element, CE, Owner or db
reference no. in the wrt textbox on the Measure Distance form.
Once a measure distance task is performed, the form will remain active, enabling other distances to be
measured, until the form is closed.
8.4.1.1 Using Graphics Picks
The graphics in the 3D View may also be used to derive points for
measuring. Selecting the Graphics Pick Type on the Positioning Control
form enables the graphics to be used with any of the Pick Methods.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Clicking and holding the left mouse button over an element in the 3D View highlights the edges of the element
and displays a graphics cursor. Moving the cursor over the element(s) changes the cursor shape depending on
what the cursor is hovering over at the time, for example a surface, a corner or an edge.
Surface Corner Edge
8.4.2 Measure Angle
On the HOME tab, in the Measure group, selecting Angle 3 Points from the
Measure button options list displays the Measure Angle form, Positioning Control
form and the Measure angle root of angle (Distance[0]) Snap: prompt.
The prompt will change depending on the Pick Method

setting on the Positioning Control form.
The root of angle is the centre point of the angle.
The Units section enables the setting of the units the measured
angle will be displayed in. The Unit options list has four entries,
Default, Degrees, Radians and Gradians.
Selecting Default displays the angle values in the current

session units.
The Decimal Places textbox allows the number of decimal

places for the angle to be determined.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Picking the root of angle point displays an aid text Measure angle root of
angle at the selected point and the prompt changes to Measure angle
first point (Distance[0]) Snap:
Picking the first measure point displays an aid text Measure angle first
point at the selected point and the prompt changes to Measure angle
second point (Distance[0]) Snap:
Picking the second measure point

displays the angle with aid lines and
text in the 3D View.
These values are also displayed on the

Measure Angle form with the addition
of the directions between the root of
angle point and the first measure
point and second measure point.
The measured angle is expressed, by

default, with respect to the World
coordinate system. The measured
angle may be expressed in terms of
another frame of reference by
entering a named element, CE, Owner
or db reference no. in the wrt textbox
on the Measure Angle form.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.5 Walk Mode & Fly Mode

In addition to the standard view controls, the Walk Mode and Fly Mode allows the visualization of the 3D
model in a realistic review mode, from a moving observer point of view and in perspective mode.
On the VIEW tab, in the Control group, clicking the Walk

Mode or Fly Mode buttons will activate / deactivate the
Walk Mode or Fly Mode respectively.
The 3D View will be set to perspective with a 90 degree field of vision.
In Walk Mode, the cursor will appear as a walking man.
In Fly Mode, the cursor will appear as a paper plane.
When Laser models are displayed, enabling the Walk Mode or Fly Mode will activate the HyperBubble™
mode for a photorealistic rendering of Laser data.
For more information about displaying Laser Data, refer to TM-1821 AVEVA™ E3D Design 2.1 - Using
Laser Models.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.5.1 Walk Mode Controls

In Walk Mode, the displacement may be achieved along a fixed horizontal plane with a variable speed.
The Walk Mode speed can be set on the PROJECT tab.
The Walking Mode navigation controls are operated using the 3 mouse buttons:
Left Button: Walking
Pressing the left mouse button down will initiate the walking motion by constraining the displacement on the
current horizontal plane and freeze the location of the black crosshair on the screen.
While holding the left button down, the cursor will be representing a walking man, and a dashed line will run
between the cursor and the black crosshair. Moving the cursor away from the black crosshair will set the
direction and speed of the displacement.
Holding the Shift key down will increase the walking speed, holding the Ctrl key down will decrease the walking
speed
When the cursor is above the crosshair, the observer will move forward,
below the crosshair he will move backwards.
When the cursor is on the right of the crosshair the observer will rotate to
the right, and when the cursor is on the left of the crosshair the observer
will rotate to the left.
The distance between the cursor and the crosshair will determine the
speed of the walk. The further the cursor is from the crosshair, the faster
the walk will be.
Middle Button: Rotation
Pressing and holding the middle mouse button will allow the rotation in every direction from a fixed position.
Moving the mouse will pan the view angle following the mouse position.
Right Button: Vertical Motion
Pressing and holding the right mouse button will allow the displacement in a vertical motion. The displacement
will go upward when the cursor is above the crosshair. The displacement will go downward when the cursor
is below the crosshair. The speed of the displacement will be controlled by the distance between the cursor
and the crosshair.
Pressing the Esc key or clicking the Walk Mode button will exit Walk Mode and restore the view as it was
before the Walk Mode was enabled.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.5.2 Fly Mode Controls

In Fly Mode, the displacement may be achieved in every direction at a constant speed.
The Fly Mode speed can be set on the PROJECT tab.
The Fly Mode navigation controls are operated using 2 mouse buttons.
Left Button: Flying
Pressing and holding the left mouse button will activate the flying motion.
When the cursor is above the crosshair, the observer will rotate upward,
and when the cursor is below the crosshair the observer will rotate
downward.
When the cursor is on the right of the crosshair the observer will turn right,
and when the cursor is on the left of the crosshair the observer will turn left.
The distance between the cursor and the crosshair will determine the speed
of the rotation. The further the cursor is from the crosshair, the faster the
rotation will be.
Holding the Shift key down will increase the walking speed, holding the Ctrl key down will decrease the walking
speed
Middle Button: Rotation
Pressing and holding the middle mouse button will allow the rotation in every direction from a fixed position.
The direction of the rotation is determined by the position of the cursor relatively to the black crosshair. The
speed of the rotation will be controlled by the distance between the cursor and the crosshair.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Exercise 14
• Clear the 3D View and add the content of the Shared Collections Area01, Area02 and Area03 from
the Areas category to the 3D View.
• Activate the Fly Mode and fly around the model using the controls described previously. Fly to the
centre of the model and then exit the Fly Mode.
• Repeat the previous step using Walk Mode.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.6 Save & Restore Views

When using AVEVA™ E3D Design it is often useful to be able to save a 3D View in a session so that it can be
restored in a subsequent session.
On VIEW tab, group Control, clicking the Save & Restore

button displays the Save & Restore View form.
8.6.1 Saving Views
The Current Directory section displays the directory where the

saved views will be stored.
Clicking the Select Directory button on the right of

the form displays the Browse for Folder form were
a directory may be found by browsing.
Entering a name in the New View textbox in the Save Current

View section of the form and clicking the Save Current View
button to the right of the textbox saves the current view in the
specified location.
The saved view will be displayed in the Saved Views section of

the form and the save time and date displayed below.
The saved view name is also displayed in the View options list in
the Saved Views section.
If another view is saved with the same name a Confirm form is

displayed.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
8.6.2 Restoring Saved Views

Restoring saved views may be achieved in three ways using the following buttons:
Restore View – if there are existing elements in the current 3D View, they are removed and the
contents and view settings from the selected saved view are restored.
Add to Drawlist - The content of the selected saved view is added to the current view. The current
view settings, i.e. direction, scale, etc., are not changed.
Replace Drawlist - The content of the selected saved view replaces the content of the current view.
The current view settings, i.e. direction, scale, etc., are not changed.
8.6.3 Deleting Saved Views

Saved views may be deleted using the following buttons:
Delete Saved View – this option deletes the saved view named in the View options list. A Confirm
form is displayed:
Delete All Saved Views – this option deletes all saved views. A Confirm form is displayed:
8.7 Copy Image
On the VIEW tab, in the Control group, selecting an

option from Copy Image button options list copies an
image of the contents of the current view to the
clipboard from where it can be pasted into a document.
The options list contains different resolutions for the

image.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Copyright © 2021.
CHAPTER 9
9 Settings
This chapter describes the different settings and options that are applicable to the functions seen previously.
However, they are not essential for an overall comprehension of the application.
9.1 PROJECT Tab Options
The project options are available from the PROJECT tab :
There are three groups of settings:
• Configuration : offers general settings to configure the user interface.
• View : configure the appearance and behaviour of the 3D View.
• Discipline : offer specific settings for Integrator, Piping and Structural.
9.1.1 Configuration Options

Selecting Configuration displays the following:
Coordinates : option to set the World axes to ENU or XYZ.
Explorer Settings : displays the Explorer Settings form (see section Error! R
eference source not found.).
Forms : sets the transparency, tabs appearance and confirmation dialog.
Properties : configures the Properties form.
Units : configures the default units for the current session.
Advanced : This enables the DEVELOPER tab. This is not for general use.
Product Gateway : Allows the selection of the of the Product Gateway to be used.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
9.1.1.1 Coordinates
On the PROJECT tab, selecting Options > Configuration > Coordinates displays the Format section. This
determines the axis system to be used on the PowerCompass and the appearance of the forms.
9.1.1.2 Explorer Settings

On the PROJECT tab, selecting Options > Configuration > Explorer Settings displays several sections that
include a series of checkboxes to control the appearance and behaviour of the explorers.
General:
• Auto Collapse Tree – If checked,

whenever the CE changes, any
expanded node not containing the
selected CE is automatically
collapsed. This applies to all active
explorers. This option is disabled if
Expand to CE is not selected.
• Expand to CE – If checked, this option

automatically expands the explorer
when the CE changes (if not already
expanded).
• Display Folders – if checked, this

allows folders to be displayed in the
explorers.
Model Explorer:
• Hide non-user System Data– If

checked, this option hides all System
Data elements in the MDB, e.g.
Application Data World (APPLDW)
and Template World (TPWL), to which
the user does not have write access.
• Show TUBI/ROD – If checked, this

option displays all TUBI and ROD
elements in the Model Explorer.
• Show DB Worlds – if checked, this

option displays all DB World elements
in the Model Explorer.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Draw Explorer:
• Hide non-writable LIBY – if checked, this option hides LIBY data to which there is no write access to in
the Draw Explorer.
• Show Point Worlds – if checked, this option displays the point worlds in the Draw Explorer.
Catalogue Explorer:
• Show DB Worlds – if checked, this option displays all DB World elements in the Catalogue Explorer.
The Presentation section contains a list of all the explorers each with dedicated settings:
• Element Type – if checked, this option displays the element type in the corresponding explorer.
• Sort Below – this allows the corresponding explorer to be sorted by a selected element type.
TUBI and ROD elements are Piping and Cable Tray components respectively. These elements are discussed in
the appropriate discipline training guides.
9.1.1.3 Forms
On the PROJECT tab, selecting Options > Configuration > Forms displays the sections used to control the
appearance and behaviour of the form.
The Forms section allows the transparency of the floating forms to be set. Checking the Transparency
checkbox allows the level of transparency to be set. This can be achieved by:
• Using the slider
• Clicking the Up / Down arrow buttons
• Entering the value directly in the textbox.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Transparency set to 80% Transparency checkbox unchecked
The Tabs on Forms section controls the appearance of the tabs for a docked form using radio buttons.
Display text and image selected Display only image selected
The Dialogue Options section controls the behaviour of the delete functions.
• With the Display delete confirmation dialogue checkbox checked a Confirm form is displayed when
performing a deletion.
• Checking the Do not ask me again to confirm this action checkbox on the Confirm form will also
uncheck the Display delete confirmation dialogue checkbox from the Forms section of the PROJECT
tab.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
9.1.1.4 Properties
On the PROJECT tab, selecting Options > Configuration > Properties displays the sections used to control the
appearance and behaviour of the Modify Properties form.
The Property Modification section contains a Dynamic update checkbox. If this is checked the property is
updated every time it is changed. This is convenient for simple model elements but can result in slow
performance if a large number of rules have to be executed for each update. If it is unchecked the changes do
not take place until the Apply button is clicked on the Modify Properties form.
The Form Layout section contains the following settings:
• Maximum entry width – determines the maximum entry width for the Modify Properties form.
• Maximum form height – determines the maximum height of the Modify Properties form by the
number of visible lines before the form is presented as a scrollable list.
• Display Plot File – if this is checked a plotfile will be visible on the Modify Properties form.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The Graphical Dimensions section of the form contains a Display options list. This controls how the design
parameters are displayed in the 3D View. The options are:
• Description & Value
• Description Only
• Value Only
9.1.1.5 Units
Units enable the display of output values on forms and input values in forms in a unit other than the system
units. For example, AVEVA™ E3D Design works internally in millimetres, however, distance and bore input and
display units can be modified to suit the requirements of the session.
Attribute values are stored in databases in the system units and are converted on input and output to the
current session units.
On the PROJECT tab, selecting Options > Configuration > Units displays the sections used to control the unit
settings.
The Unit Selection section

contains an options list for each
unit which allows the session unit
to be set.
By default, Distance units are

metric whilst other unit types
have a mixture of metric and
imperial units relevant to
industry practice.
Bore has Millimetres and Inch

available whilst other unit types,
for example Current, Voltage
and Impedance have only one
unit available.
Imperial distance units can be

made default by including the
UNIT database in the working
MDB.
The User defaults can be saved

and loaded using the relevant
buttons provided. However, the
Project defaults can only be
loaded and as such cannot be
changed by the individual using
this method.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
9.1.1.6 Advanced
On the PROJECT tab, selecting Options > Configuration > Advanced displays the Advanced Settings section.
Checking the Enable developer ribbon checkbox adds the DEVELOPER tab:
This is not for general use and as a result is not covered in this training guide.
9.1.1.7 Product Gateway

On the PROJECT tab, selecting Options > Configuration > Product Gateway displays the Advanced Settings
section.
This display two radio buttons which allows the

selection of the AVEVA NET Gateway that is
being used by the customer.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
9.1.2 View Options

Selecting View displays the following:
Animations & Colours: sets the zoom animations speed, the colours of the
3D View items, the display of the axes and the crosshair.
Selection & Snaps: sets the appearance and behaviour of grips and snap
cursors.
Configuration: sets the mouse navigation controls sensitivity.
Picking Control: sets the picking offset when using EDG.
Elements: selection of an element filter for the picking using EDG
Ppoints: selection of filters for picking Ppoints using EDG
PowerCompass: sets the projection mode and the size of the

PowerCompass.
9.1.3 Discipline Options

Selecting Discipline displays the following:
Integrator : configuration options for Integrator.
Piping : PIPING discipline defaults.
Structural : STRUCTURES discipline defaults.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
9.2 View Settings
On the VIEW tab, in the Settings group, clicking Current View button
displays the View Settings form.
This form enables settings to be made for the current 3D View and is divided into several sections which are
explained in this chapter.
Title – the textbox displays the title of the current view

which defaults to 3D View. A different title may be
entered which will be displayed on the 3D View header,
for example: My View(1) – Drawlist(2).
Projection – sets the projection to Parallel or

Perspective.
Rotate – sets the rotation mode to About Model or

About Eye.
Effects – these checkboxes enables the modification of

the appearance of the graphics displayed in the 3D
View. The checkboxes in this frame are toggles.
• Unchecking the Shaded checkbox displays the

elements in wire line. This may also be achieved
by pressing the F8 key.
• Unchecking the Outlines checkbox removes

outlines around the elements in the 3D View.
• Unchecking the Shadows checkbox removes

the shadows made by the elements in the 3D
View.
Leaving the form open and making another
3D View current, updates the form to the • Checking the Outline Translucent elements
current 3D View’s settings. checkbox displays a hard outline edge around
translucent elements.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Shaded, Outlines and

Shaded unchecked Outlines unchecked Shadows unchecked
Shadows checked
Outline Translucent Outline Translucent

elements unchecked elements checked
Tools –the checkboxes in this section control availability of the PowerCompass and the World Axes.
Background – these options enable the setting of the background colour and effect of the 3D View
background.
Clicking the Colour button displays the 3D View Background

Colour form with 16 major colours.
Clicking the More… button displays a larger form with 256 colours
to choose from.
Clicking a colour on either form sets it as the 3D View background

colour.
By default, the Graduated checkbox is checked, which gives a graduated effect to the 3D View background.
Unchecking this checkbox removes the effect and makes the 3D View background a solid colour.
Graduated checked Graduated unchecked
Capping – these options enable the setting of the clipped element capping colour and toggle capping on and
off. The colour selection is the same as for the Background colour.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Lighting – these options enable the setting of the Brightness and Reflection for the 3D View graphics using a
slider and a relative number between 0 and 1 for each setting. The default settings are 0.7 and 0.8 respectively.
Brightness 0 Brightness 1
Reflection 0 Reflection 1
Clicking the Save button will store the current View Settings to be
re-applied on the main 3D View for the next Model module
sessions.
Clicking the Reset button will restore the default settings for the current 3D View.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
9.3 Drawlist Settings

The Drawlist form has many functions to control the 3D View. The three main sections of the form are
described below.
On the VIEW tab, in the Content group, click the Draw List button to display the
Drawlist form.
9.3.1 Tabs
The form consists of three tabs, each of which has a grid:
• Drawlist - displays all the elements currently in the

Drawlist.
• Graphical Selection - displays all elements in the

current graphical selection.
• Primitives - displays the primitives of an element

selected on the Drawlist tab. The tab name changes to
Primitives of /<nnnn>, where <nnnn> is the name of
the element selected on the Drawlist tab. If more than
one element is selected in the Drawlist tab, the first
primitives of the first element selected will appear in
the Primitives tab. The tab name is updated
accordingly.
The grid in each tab has the same functionality. Each grid has
two columns showing the element Name, either an explicit
name or the system generated name, and the element Type.
The grids may be grouped, sorted and filtered as needed.
The right click menu from the grids have the following options:
Multiple selections can be made from the grid.
• Navigate To – this option navigates to the selected element in the Model Explorer, making it the CE.
If more than one element is selected this function navigates to the first one that was selected.
• Hide in 3D View – this option hides the selected element(s) in the 3D View. The elements are not
removed from the Drawlist, only removed from the 3D View graphics. This results in the Show
checkbox in the Display Settings section of the form being unchecked.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
• Show in 3D View – this option shows the selected elements(s) in the 3D View if they have been hidden.
This results in the Show checkbox in the Display Settings section of the form being checked.
• Remove from 3D View – this option removes the selected element(s) from the Drawlist and 3D View.
• Add to Collections – this option adds the selected element(s) to the current collection.
• Export to Excel… – this option displays the Save Drawlist As form, allowing the grid contents to be
saved to a .xls file.
• Print Preview… - this option displays the Print Preview form and displays a print preview of the grid.
The grid contents may be printed from the form.
9.3.2 Display Settings
The Display Settings section of the Drawlist form allows

single elements or multiple elements selected in the tab grids
to have their visual properties in the 3D View modified.
When the display settings of a top level element in the Drawlist are modified, all lower level elements
owned by the element are also modified. However, individual primitives may have their display settings
changed from their owner’s colour by making a selection from the Primitives of /<nnnn> tab.
The Show checkbox enables an entry in the Drawlist to be displayed or hidden in a 3D View’s graphics. If
unchecked, the Show checkbox hides the selected element(s) in the 3D View. Checking the checkbox displays
the element in the 3D View, if previously hidden.
The Colour button shows the colour of the selected element(s) and displays its colour name. If more than one
element is selected the colour of the first element selected is shown, although the operation will change the
colour of all selected elements.
Clicking the Colour button displays the Colour form which shows
the standard 16 AVEVA™ E3D Design colours. Any colour may be
selected from the palette by clicking the required colour button
Clicking the More… button expands the Colour form to show 256
available colours.
When a colour is selected the Colour button on the Drawlist form is updated. The selected elements in the 3D
View will be displayed in the selected colour.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The Edges checkbox toggles the

highlighting of the element’s edges in
the 3D View.
This setting is often used with semi-

translucent elements to ensure a
clearer view of the element(s).
The Translucency slider allows the

translucency of elements to be modified.
Setting the translucency of displayed
elements allows other elements that are
obscured in the 3D View to be seen
through the semi- translucent element.
The number next to the slider label shows

the percentage of translucency for the
selected element(s), i.e. 0% is a solid
colour and 100% is completely
transparent.
The percentage may be set by dragging

the slider or by clicking the left or right
arrow buttons at each end of the slider
until the desired number is reached.
If more than one element is selected the

translucency of the first element selected
is shown, although the operation will
change the translucency of all selected
elements.
9.3.3 Options
The Options section of the Drawlist form contains three link

labels that have the following functions:
• Select CE in List – clicking this link label selects the CE, as shown in Model Explorer, in the selected tab
grid and highlights the entry. If the CE is not in the selected tab a Warning form is displayed.
• Add CE to Drawlist – clicking this link label adds the CE, as shown in Model Explorer, to the Drawlist.
This may be a significant element, a component or a primitive.
• Remove Selection – clicking this link label removes the selected elements(s) from the Drawlist. The
other tabs are updated automatically. This button is only enabled when one or more elements in any
of the tab grids has been selected.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
9.4 Graphics Settings
On the VIEW tab, in the Settings group, clicking the Graphics button
displays the Graphics Settings form.
The form contains five tabs from which the majority of graphics settings can be made. Each tab is described in
the following sections.
9.4.1 Colour Tab
The General Colours section allows the setting of colours

used for specific purposes in 3D Views to be set.
Clicking the button adjacent to the purpose label displays

a colour form with buttons for 16 colours. As described
previously, clicking the More… button on the colour form
shows buttons for 256 colours button.
Selecting a colour button changes the button colour on

the tab accordingly.
Each colour form has a title describing the purpose it is

setting.
The purpose of each button is as follows:
• CE – sets the colour of the Current Element in a 3D View. This colour overrides any other colour that
may be set for the element.
• Active – sets the colour of elements associated with the CE, e.g. if an Equipment primitive is the CE
then all other primitives owned by that Equipment will be displayed in the active colour.
• Visible – sets the colour of all other elements in the 3D View other than the CE and those elements
with the active colour. This setting is only applied if Auto Colour rules are inactive.
• Aids – sets the colour of the graphical aids used in AVEVA™ E3D Design.
• Highlight – sets the highlight feedback colour, e.g. for highlighting elements to be deleted.
• Tracing – sets the colour for pipes with a tracing specification.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The Auto Colours Settings section contains functions to control and define the auto colouring of elements in
a 3D View.
Auto Colours are a set of rules that define the colour and other representation parameters for elements, e.g.
pipe systems may be displayed in different colours according to the fluid code or Equipment in different plant
areas be displayed in different colours.
Auto Colours are toggled on and off using the Auto Colour checkbox on the tab. The Dynamic Auto Colour
checkbox controls the re-evaluation of an elements colour if the attribute that the colour is dependent on is
modified. If enabled the colour will be changed dynamically if the attribute is changed and if disabled the
colour will change when the element is next added to a Drawlist. Both of these settings are checked by default.
Checking the Auto Colour Components checkbox enables the auto colour rules defined for component types
e.g. Valves. If a colour rule is set for valves and the Auto Colour Components checkbox is not checked, the rule
for Pipes will be applied on the valve components.
The Auto Colour Rules… link label displays the Auto Colour Rules form, from which Auto Colour rules may be
created, deleted and modified.
9.4.2 Representation Tab
The representation of elements in a 3D View is

controlled from the Representation tab.
The Representation Settings section contains the

following controls:
The Tube and Centreline checkboxes control the

representation of pipework in the 3D View.
If the Tube checkbox is enabled, pipework will be

displayed as solid elements.
If the Tube checkbox is disabled and the Centreline

checkbox enabled, the pipework is displayed as
centrelines, with components shown as a symbolic
representation defined in the catalogue.
If both Tube and Centreline checkboxes are enabled

both representations are displayed which can give an
undesirable outcome.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Tube enabled Centreline enabled
The Holes Drawn checkbox controls how negative elements are displayed in the 3D Views. AVEVA™ E3D
Design does not fundamentally change the solid primitives from which items are created but modifies them
with negative primitives that cut the solid primitives.
If the Holes Drawn checkbox is unchecked, any negative elements are displayed as black lines in a shaded
view. If the Holes Drawn checkbox is checked, the negative primitives cut the primitives to show the holes.
This does not apply to holes in pipe flanges.
Holes Drawn disabled Holes Drawn enabled
The Flange Bolt Holes Drawn checkbox controls whether holes in piping flanges are displayed, providing they
have been set-up in the catalogue. This function works in the same was as Holes Drawn but is independent
from it.
Flange Bolt Holes Drawn disabled Flange Bolt Holes Drawn enabled
The Tracing checkbox controls the displayed colour of pipe elements that have a tracing specification applied.
If the Tracing checkbox is checked, the pipe elements with a tracing specification in the 3D View will be
displayed in the Tracing highlight colour specified on the Colour tab of the form.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The Anti-Alias checkbox and the Level of Anti-Alias options list controls the ‘feathering’ of diagonal lines in
the 3D View. If the Anti-Alias checkbox is unchecked, diagonal lines will appear jagged. However, if the Anti-
Alias checkbox is checked, diagonal lines will appear smoother.
The Level of Anti-Alias options list has three levels of anti-aliasing that can be used, 2, 4 or 8. The higher the
number the smoother the diagonal lines will be. However, this does have an overhead on the amount of
processing the graphics card has to perform.
The Insulation Visibility/Translucency options list controls the display

of insulation on pipes that have an insulation specification.
The default setting is Off, i.e. insulation is not shown. The insulation
may be shown as Solid, in which case the Pipe cannot be seen through
the insulation. However, the options list also has entries for showing
the insulation at different levels of translucency, i.e. the pipe can be
seen through the insulation, from 12% through to 87%. The higher the
percentage the more translucent the insulation becomes.
Insulation Visibility/Translucency Off Insulation Visibility/Translucency 50%
The Obstruction Visibility/Translucency options list controls the

display of obstruction volumes where they have been defined.
The default setting is Off, i.e. obstruction volumes are not shown.
Obstruction volumes may be shown as Solid, in which case the element
that owns the obstruction volume cannot be seen through it. However,
the options list also has entries for showing the obstruction volumes at
different levels of translucency, i.e. the element can be seen through
the obstruction volume, from 12% through to 87%. The higher the
percentage the more translucent the obstruction volume becomes.
Obstruction Visibility/Translucency Off Obstruction Visibility/Translucency 50%
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
The Representation Rules… link label enables representation rules to be written and set. This functionality is
outside the scope of this training guide.
Refer to TM-1802 AVEVA™ E3D Design (2.1) Model Utilities for details of Representation Rules in Model.
The Level section on the tab shows the current display level for various element types in the model. The display
level may be set by entering a valid display level number in the appropriate textbox.
The AVEVA™ E3D Design default display level is 6.
The Arc Tolerance value controls the representation of certain curves as polygon segments or faceting planes.
The smaller the arc tolerance, the smoother the curve drawn. However, on very large models this may be an
overhead on graphical performance.
Arc Tolerance 1mm Arc Tolerance 10mm
The value may be set by entering a number in the Arc Tolerance textbox. The default setting is 1mm
The Mass Arc Tolerance value controls the accuracy of the calculation of the weight and CoG for elements
that do not have a user defined weight.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
9.4.3 Steelwork Tab
The Steelwork tab controls the display of structural

profiles and associated elements.
The Steelwork Settings frame contains the Profile and

Insulation checkboxes which enable and disable the
display of profiles and insulation, if any has been defined
in the catalogue.
The Profile Obstruction Visibility/Translucency options

list works as previously described for the Representation
tab.
The Primary Nodes and Secondary Nodes sections

control the display, size and colour of Primary and
Secondary Nodes for structural profiles.
The Display checkboxes toggle the display of the nodes,

the Size textboxes sets the size of the nodes and the
Colour buttons enable the colour of the displayed nodes
to be set.
Refer to TM-1812 AVEVA™ E3D Design (2.1)

Structural Modelling for details of Primary and
Secondary Nodes.
9.4.4 Cabling Tab
The Cabling tab controls the display of cableway

volumes, centreline representation, head/tail/route
attachments and cable nodes.
The Display checkboxes toggle the display of the

attachments and nodes, the Size textboxes set the size
of the attachments and nodes and the Colour buttons
enable the colour of the displayed attachments and
nodes to be set.
Refer to TM-1815 AVEVA™ E3D Design (2.1)

Cableway and Cable Modelling training guide for
details of Cabling attachment points and route
nodes.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
9.4.5 Plines and Ppoints Tab
The Plines & Ppoints tab controls the display of

Plines on structural profiles and Ppoints on
primitives and Piping, HVAC and Cable Tray
components.
The Display checkboxes toggle the display of the

Plines and Ppoints and the Pkey and Numbers
checkboxes control the display of the Pline name or
Ppoint number respectively.
The Length textbox value determines the length of

the displayed Plines or Ppoints.
Refer to TM-1812 AVEVA™ E3D Design

Structural Modelling training guide for details
of Plines and TM-1811 AVEVA™ E3D Design
Equipment Modelling training guide for
details of Ppoints on primitives.
The Graphics Settings form has buttons along the bottom of the form that are applicable to all tabs. The
buttons have the following functions:
The Load button loads the Graphics Settings form values from a previously saved file.
The Save button saves the current Graphics Settings form values to a file.
The Apply button applies the changes.
The Cancel button cancels any changes made and dismisses the form.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
9.5 Attributes Form Settings

The right click menu from a column heading of the Attributes form will display the following options and
settings:
WRT Element : changes the element which the positions and

orientations are expressed with respect to
Display P-Points : if the element has P-Points they will be displayed in

the grids along with their own attributes.
Track CE : enables the automatic update of the Attributes form for the
CE.
Categorised/Alphabetical : regroups the attributes by category or by

alphabetical order.
Expand Nodes : expands all the attributes categories.
Collapse Nodes : collapses all the attributes categories.
Modify Category Filters : displays a selection of attribute categories to

filter.
Manage Category Filters : displays a list of element types having

filtered attributes categories.
Display Standard Attributes : displays the most common attributes.
Display UDAs : displays the User Defined Attributes.
Display Pseudo Attributes : displays attributes that are read-only

results of system processed functions depending on other attributes.
Columns : allows the display of the Description and Data Type columns.
Settings : allows the suppression of “Unset” or “Nulref” values.
Export to Excel : exports the attributes grid to an excel file.
Print Preview : displays the Print Preview form.
Also, clicking on any row of the attributes grid will display additional options :
Navigate To : if the attribute value is a reference to another element,

this option will navigate to this referenced element.
Set Attribute Value to CE : if the attribute type is a reference this option

will set its value with a reference to the CE if the type is compatible.
Copyright © 2021.
Appendix A
- AVEVA™ E3D Design Modules

AVEVA™ E3D Design is divided into modules to perform the various functions to produce a 3D Plant design
model. The modules and their function are described below.
Model
Model is the graphically driven data input module for the 3D model in AVEVA™ E3D Design. In this module
the plant model is built and the data stored in one or more databases. The databases contain a three-
dimensional description of all items in the plant. Component selection is provided through specifications that
dictate which catalogue components can be used.
The main features are:
• Creation of new model elements.
• Modification of existing model elements.
• Graphical manipulation of modelled elements.
• Creation of reports, e.g. MTO, weight, Centre of Gravity, model status, etc.
• Clash detection to find interferences between model elements.
The module has a number of disciplines to assist designers in building models efficiently. These disciplines are:
• GENERAL
• EQUIPMENT
• PIPING
• HVAC
• CABLING SYSTEM
• CABLE TRAY
• STRUCTURES
• SUPPORTS
• MINING
• TERRAIN
• DESIGN TEMPLATES.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Draw
The Draw module is used to create annotated and dimensioned arrangement and detail drawings from the 3D
model and also has extensive 2D drawing capabilities.
Annotation can be in the form of labels attached to model elements or 2D annotation such as drawing notes,
drawing frames, tables, etc. Annotation attached to a model element on the drawing will move if the 3D
position of the element changes.
Dimensions are projected distances between points in the 3D model and may be attached to model elements.
Dimensions attached to model elements are calculated automatically and are re-calculated when the drawing
is updated, thus reflecting the current model data.
The 3D model can be interrogated through the Draw module. However, the model cannot be changed.
Example Draw Output
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Isodraft
The Isodraft module produces dimensioned symbolic piping and HVAC isometrics for construction and
erection purposes in various formats.
Isodraft functionality includes:
• Full material lists.
• Automatic spool identification.
• Automatic splitting of complex drawings.
• User-defined drawing sheets.
Example Isodraft Output
Spool
The Spool module is used for pipework spooling. It enables the designer to split the pipework design into
logical sections (spools) ready for fabrication. The spool data can be output as isometric drawings using
Isodraft.
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Copyright © 2021.
Appendix B
- AVEVA™ E3D Design Database Elements

The main element types in an AVEVA™ E3D Design Model database are described below. Most element types
are abbreviated, usually to the first four letters of the full name, when they are displayed in the user interface.
These abbreviations are shown in parentheses.
World (WORL)
When the database is first built, it is usually empty except for a single element named the WORLD. Each
database has its own WORLD element as the first element in the hierarchy. The World cannot be deleted or
re-named.
Site (SITE)
Below the WORLD, the second level of the hierarchy is SITE. A SITE may be considered as a significant collection
of plant, whose size is not necessarily determined by physical area, but by practical considerations. It may, for
example be the whole project, or one part of a large project. There can be as many SITEs within an AVEVA™
E3D Design project as required for data organisation.
Zone (ZONE)
The next level below a SITE is a ZONE. As with a SITE, a ZONE is not necessarily used to define a physical area,
it is more likely to store similar types of items for easy reference, such as a piping system in one ZONE, related
Equipment in another, and so on. There can be as many ZONEs owned by a SITE as required for data
organisation.
SITEs and ZONE elements are common to all disciplines. Below ZONE level the hierarchy is discipline
dependent, i.e. the elements depend on which discipline the user is modelling.
Equipment (EQUI)
Equipment items are built up in AVEVA™ E3D Design using elements known as primitives. Each piece of
Equipment can comprise any number of primitive shapes positioned in space to represent the Equipment item.
The primitives may be owned directly by the EQUI element or by a Sub-Equipment element.
Sub-Equipment (SUBE)
A SUBE is an optional element to sub-divide an EQUI. The SUBE can own primitive elements.
Primitives
Primitives are the basic building blocks of AVEVA™ E3D Design. They are used by other disciplines to create
catalogue components. There are many types of primitives; each with its own features which when combined
with other primitives can represent complex shapes.
Examples of primitives are nozzle (NOZZ), box (BOX), cylinder (CYLI), pyramid (PYRA), cone (CONE) and dish
(DISH).
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Volume Model (VOLM)

A VOLM is a simplified version of an EQUI element. This allows volumes to be modelled without them being
called Equipment items. A VOLM may directly own any primitive except a NOZZ.
Sub-Volume Model (SVOLM)

A SVOLM is an optional element, similar to a SUBE, to sub-divide a VOLM. A SVOLM may own any primitive
except a NOZZ.
Structure (STRU)
STRU elements are administrative elements, i.e. they exist to own FRAMEWORK elements, and allow the plant
structures to be sub-divided for ease of modelling and reporting.
Framework (FRMW)
FRMW elements are used to store structural components in the model. A complex structure can be divided
into logical frameworks. Dividing the Structure in this way allows structural modelling, and also reporting, to
be done more efficiently, for example by copying a complete FRMW.
Sub-Framework (SBFR)
A SBFR is an optional element that can own structural components. They are used to further sub-divide
complex projects or for modelling sub-assemblies within a framework.
Structural Components
Linear structural profiles are represented in AVEVA™ E3D Design by Section (SCTN) elements, for straight
profiles, and Generic Section (GENSEC) elements for curved profiles. Profile sizes are selected using a section
specification that references standard catalogue data for section sizes complying with various national
standards or company standards. Flat planar items, such as plates and grating, are represented by Panel
(PANE) elements.
Pipe (PIPE)
Pipes may be considered to be like lines on a flow sheet. They may run between several end connection points
and are usually grouped by a common specification and process.
Branch (BRAN)
Branch elements are sections of a Pipe, which have known start and finish points. In AVEVA™ E3D Design the
start and finish points are called the Head and Tail. Heads and tails may be connected to Nozzles, Tees or other
Heads and Tails, depending on the configuration of the pipe, or left open ended.
Piping Components
A Branch may own a wide variety of components such as Gaskets (GASK), Flanges (FLAN), Elbow (ELBO), Tees
(TEE), Valves (VALV), etc., which are all elements. These form the shape and geometry of the Branch and
ultimately the Pipe itself. Piping components are selected using Piping Specifications that reference standard
catalogue data. For example, each time a 100mm bore elbow is needed, AVEVA™ E3D Design always accesses
the data for it from the component catalogue. The data for these elements remains constant no matter how
many 100mm bore elbows are used in the design.
Copyright © 2021.
Appendix C
- Hot Keys and In-canvas Commands
Function Keys
F1 Aveva Help
F2 Clear 3D View
F3 Object Snap On/Off
F4 Object Snap Projection On/Off
F5 Toggle Walk Mode On/Off
F6 Toggle Fly Mode On/Off
F7 Grid On/Off
F8 Orthogonal drawing On/Off
F9 Grid Snap On/Off
F10 Polar Tracking On/Off
F11 Toggle Shaded/Wireline mode
F12 Dynamic hints On/Off
General Keys
Delete Deletes selected elements in 3D View with confirmation
Tab Navigates to Contextual Editor input boxes
Space Locks value in the in Contextual Editor input boxes
Home or Page Up Navigates to WORL* level in any Explorer
End or Page Down Navigates to Bottom Level in any Explorer
Exits current CIE Operation / cancels position input/ removes selection/exits edit
Esc mode
Arrow UP Shows In-3D View command of last used CIE Operation
Arrow Down Shows available Tile Icons during CIE Operation
Insert Toggle Feature Highlight function On/Off
Backspace Removes selection from 3D View
Enter confirms position, selects default option, executes command, etc.
In-canvas Command Description

AIDARC Invokes function to create AID type Arc
Invokes function to create an AIDLIN bisecting between two non-parallel
AIDBIS AIDLINs
AIDCIR Invokes function to create AID type Circle
AIDFIL Invokes function to create filleting AIDARC connecting two non-parallel AIDLINs
AIDLIN or L Invokes function to create AID type Line
AIDPOI Invokes function to create AID type Point
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
Invokes function to create an AIDLIN tangential to two circles which are non
AIDTAN concentric
AIDTEXT Invokes function to create AID type Text
ANGLE To calculate angle between any two entities
BRACING To specify bracing gaps for existing diagonal elements or members
Enables to lock view wrt an object. Also disables 3D orbit mode when it is
CAMERA enabled
CANCEL Cancels any current operation in-progress
Invokes function to copy selected entities with respect to a base point selected
CO or COPY and also paste them at required locations in a loop
COPYBASE Invokes function to copy selected entities with respect to a base point selected
COPYCLIP Invokes function to copy selected entities without any base point
CONNECT Enables function to connect any two GENSECs
Invokes function to CUT/PASTE selected entities with respect to a base point
CUTBASE selected
CUTCLIP Invokes function to CUT/PASTE selected entities
D or LINDIM Invokes function to create db type Linear Dimension
DELETE To delete selected entities
DISCONNECT Enables function to disconnect any two connected GENSECs
DIST or DI To calculate distance between any two entities
EM or EDITMODE Triggers Edit Mode
Create a ENDATU Fixing at selected End of GENSEC. Specs can be set only for old
ENDATUM BS Column and Beam type profiles
Enables function to extend the end of a structural element to a reference
EXTEND element.
FILLET To create a Fillet between two non-connected structural elements
FLY Enable FLY mode operation
FORCETRIM To trim an attached GENSEC to selective Pline of Owning GENSEC
Enables option to enter new Vertical field-of-view angle(Projection mode should
FOVY be in Perspective to enable this option)
GENSECDEF Triggers function to set default specification wrt existing GENSEC
GFITT_CRE Enable function to create a GENSEC Fitting
GFITT_MOD Enable function to modify a GENSEC Fitting
GRIDCY Invokes function to create a new GRID CYLINCER for Radial Grid only in In-Mode
GRIDID Resets IDs of REFGRDs
Invokes function to create a new GRID PLANE for REFGRD in IN-Mode(Currently
GRIDPL works for a single REFGRD)
ID Queries Coordinate Positions at snapped position
IN Triggers IN or Include mode
JMOD Enables user to modify joints on a SECTION
LCS Invokes operation to change Coordinate system between Local and World
LINDIMA Invokes function to create db type Aligned Dimensions
Enables 3D Orbit mode option to look around a locked view in Perspective
LOOKROUND ProjMode
Invokes function to move entities with respect to a base point selected and also
M or MOVE paste them at required locations in a loop
MERGE To merge two members of same element type
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
MI or MIRROR To mirror any selected Structural Elements by defining a Mirror Plane

MITRE Enables option to Mitre two ends of GENSECs
MLABEL Invokes a function that creates a Label in the 3D View
MREDO Enables user to REDO all previous actions or to desired no.of actions
NEXT To go Forwards through Views
OUT Trigger OUT mode by exiting IN mode
OUTALL takes user all the way out
OSNAPD Triggers Distance Snap Mode function
P or PAN Enables REALTIME PAN option
PANARC Enables function to Create a ARC PANEL using three point or two point methods
PANCIRC Enables function to Create a CIRCULAR PANEL with multiple options
PANDIR Pans View towards selected PLAN VIEW directions
PANDISC Enables function to Create a DISC PANEL using Centre+ or two point methods
PANELNXTRDISC Creates a Negative extrusion of a PANEL in Circular Shape in 3 different Modes
Creates a Negative extrusion of a PANEL in Rectangular Shape using Multiple
PANELNXTRMULT Points
PANELNXTRRECT Creates a Negative extrusion of a PANEL in Rectangular Shape using Two Points
PANMULT Enables function to Create a RECTANGULAR PANEL with multiple points
PANOFFSET Enables function to Create a an Offset Perimeter of PANEL with multiple points
PANRECT Enables function to Create a RECTANGULAR PANEL using two points
Enables function to Create a RING PANEL using three point to two point
PANRING methods
PASTECLIP To paste any copied or cut elements that are available in current session
PFITT_CRE Enable function to create a PANEL Fitting
PFITT_MOD Enable function to modify a PANEL Fitting
PL or PLINE Enables function to create a Polyline
PLAN Set the current View to Plan View mode
PR or PROPERTIES Open Property Window if not opened already in the application
PREV To go Back through Views
PROJMODE Toggles between Projection modes Orthogonal or Perspective
RADIAL Enables option to create a Radial Grid
REDO Redo any operation that was previously called back(Performed Undo)
REFGRD Enables option to create a Reference Grid
RO or ROTATE Invokes function to rotate any object around any defined axis
SCALE To Scale a Structural Element by selecting a Base Point
Creates a ARC GENSEC and also gives multiple options to choose the way they
SECARC are created
Creates a Curved GENSEC and also gives multiple options to choose the way
SECCUR they are created
Creates a RING GENSEC and also gives multiple options to choose the way they
SECRING are created
Creates a Straight GENSEC and gives multiple options to choose the way they
SECTION are created
SELALL To select all the elements in 3D View
SPLICE To Splice any Structural Element(s) in multiple ways
SPLIT To split any Structural Element(s) in multiple ways
Copyright © 2021.
TM-1801
STRETCH To Stretch any Structural Element along a defined path

TOWER Enables option to create a Rectangular Tower Grid
TOWERT Enables option to create a Triangular Tower Grid
U To Undo any current operation
UNDO Enables user to UNDO all operation or to desired number counts
WALK Enables user to WALK around a Model
Z or ZOOM Enables Zoom options
-VIEW or -V To change any View between Isometric or Orthographic or Plan View
-PAN or -P PANs view wrt base point selection
Copyright © 2021.

TM-1801 AVEVA™ E3D Design (2.1) Foundations Rev 4.0

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

TM-1801 AVEVA™ E3D Design (2.1) Foundations Rev 4.0

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

TM-1801 AVEVA™ E3D Design (2.1) Foundations Rev 4.0

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Training Guide

AVEVA™ E3D Design (2.1)

This page is intentionally left blank.

05/03/2013 1.0 Issued for Training AVEVA E3D™(1.1) NG KB PJH

21/01/2014 2.0 Issued for Training AVEVA E3D™(1.1) CT KB KB

19/11/2015 3.0 Issued for Training AVEVA E3D™ (2.1) JD MB KB

Issued for Review AVEVA™ E3D

15/04/2021 3.2 Reviewed AH SK

Approved for Training AVEVA™ E3D

Visit our website at http://www.aveva.com

Incorporates Qt Commercial, © 2011 Nokia Corporation or its subsidiaries.

@AVEVA Solutions Limited 2015

4.2.6 Centre View................................................................................................................................................. 56

7 Creating Additional Views ............................................................................................................. 126

9.4.1 Colour Tab ................................................................................................................................................. 180

• Explore the data structure of AVEVA™ E3D Design.

• Explain how to display and manipulate the 3D model.

• Explain basic techniques for creating and modifying 3D models.

• Familiarise the user with general functionality.

• Knowledge of engineering design.

1.4 Course Structure

1.5 Using this guide

Refer to other documentation

Electrical – Content specific to Electrical Engineering – Content specific to Engineering

Instrumentation – Content specific to

2.1 Enter/Login to AVEVA™ E3D Design

2.1.1 Entering AVEVA™ E3D Design – (Worked Example)

The AVEVA™ E3D Design initialisation image will be displayed:

The upper section of the form contains the project selection

The middle section of the form contains a search option.

When a project is selected the middle section of the form is

The lower section of the form contains the module selection

• Model for 3D modelling.

• Draw for 2D drawing production.

• Isodraft for Isometric drawing production.

• Spool for pipe spooling.

• User - the username

• Password the password for the selected user

Select A.EQUIPMAN from the User options list.

Enter A in the Password textbox.

The password is hidden with each character being

If necessary, the password can be changed by clicking the

Select A-EQUIPMENT from the MDB options list.

2.2 The Model Environment

Quick Access Toolbar: provides shortcuts to most common

Tabs: regroup the application buttons by category. Displayed

Groups: each tab is divided into groups to organise the

Prompt Area: provides instructions while performing an

3D view: the workspace where the Model elements can be

Sliding Forms: forms are docked and tabbed on both sides of

PowerWheel™: provides quick access to most common

PowerCompass™: provides intuitive tools to orientate the

Status Bar: provides quick access to common modelling

Messages Area: displays the last information, warning, or

Notification Area: displays information about the status of

View Tab Group: provides access to the different opened

2.3 AVEVA™ E3D Design Disciplines

Discipline interfaces are accessed from the Discipline

Selecting a discipline from the options list displays the