Prior to version 2007 (3.8) of SmartPlant Enterprise, users who wanted to add an object in the authoring tool and then map that object to a SmartPlant schema object had to manually add the object to the tool's metadata and then manually add the object to the corresponding tool map schema, while adhering to the specific rules for the application. In previous versions, the user was also required to explicitly identify the locations for the schema and tool schema files.
With version 2007, metadata adapters were added for the SmartPlant applications. The addition of these metadata adapters removes the need for the user to know and adhere to the specific rules for each application for a change to successfully work. Each application's metadata adapter hides this complexity from the user, making application changes much simpler. The metadata adapters also manage both the application's metadata and the map schema file. Changes that are made are applied to both, thereby eliminating an extra step in the process.
In order to simplify the process of managing authoring tool map schemas, metadata adapters have been developed for the following SmartPlant applications:
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Smart 3D
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Smart Instrumentation
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Smart Electrical
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Smart P&ID
Metadata adapters are authoring tool software that make two-way communication between the Schema Editor and the authoring tools possible for mapping. Metadata adapters allow the Schema Editor to connect to the tool database and synchronize the tool map schema with the tool metadata by updating one or the other, depending on user selections. Metadata adapters can be developed for third-party applications. For more information, see the SmartPlant Metadata Adapter Reference Guide.
In previous releases, all authoring tools were required to add properties, enumerated lists, and enumerated entries in the tool database, add them to the tool map schema and the SmartPlant schema in the Schema Editor, and then map, each in separate steps. Metadata adapters streamline the tool map schema extension and mapping work process.
For properties, enumerated lists, and enumerated entries, metadata adapters allow you to enter the object in the authoring tool and have it automatically added to the tool map schema during synchronization in the Schema Editor. You can also enter enumerated lists and their entries to the tool map schema in the Schema Editor, and the metadata adapter automatically adds those same objects to the metadata in the tool database. For more information, see Synchronize Tool Metadata with the Tool Map Schema.
Metadata adapters can simplify the process of editing tool map schemas by automatically handling special requirements of the corresponding authoring tool adapter. For example, the Smart P&ID adapter requires that new enumerated list definitions have a UID of SP_<Codelist_Index>, for example, SP_12001. The metadata adapter can supply this UID automatically so that the user is not required to look up the codelist index in the Enumerations database table for the Smart P&ID Data Dictionary user in the Smart P&ID database.
Metadata adapters also automatically locate the tool map schema on the file system, eliminating the need for the user to specific the location.