A Smart 3D project uses a set of seven interrelated databases: site, site schema, catalog, catalog schema, model, reports, and reports schema. You must create these databases before using Smart 3D.
The graphic below depicts the order of creation and the relationships between these databases.
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1 - Site 2 - Site schema 3 - Catalog 4 - Catalog schema 5 - Model 6 - Reports 7 - Reports schema |
Administrative privileges are required to create databases. Do not proceed unless
you are an administrator on the database server computer and in the database provider
software.
The site database and schema organize the interactions of the other databases. Because the site database and site schema are containers for the other required databases, they are the first databases you must create after installing the software. The site database stores work-breakdown and user access for the models. Typically, there is one site database set for each customer location, or for each set of interrelated model designs. You use the Database Wizard to create the site and site schema databases.
You must name the databases with unique entries.
Site database workshare location
This location is the location of the host site database and is required even if the host is not going to be replicated for worksharing purposes. During generation of the site database, the software creates a location object and associates it with the site database.
Name Generator Service
The Name Generator Service that runs on the server computer you specify in the Name generator server for site box supplies unique names to items placed in the model database. In a replicated configuration, there are multiple servers and multiple instances of the Name Generator Service running at each location; consequently, there is no way to ensure unique and sequential naming of placed objects. The value you type in the Name rule ID box functions as a substring (an internal ID number) that represents the location at which an item is placed into the replicated model.
Catalog Database and Schema page
The option control at the top of the page allows you either to create a new catalog database by restoring a backup or use an existing catalog database. If you choose to create a new catalog database using the Restore option, the wizard will restore the .dat template file specified in the Template file to be used to create the Catalog database and schema box. The default is to Restore catalog from backup. If you select Use existing catalog, then no further options are available.
The .dat template file contains sample Smart 3D reference data and, while this template contains many useful examples, it is not
certified for production use by Hexagon PPM.
Symbols and custom program file folder
The SharedContent folder is created automatically on the server during the Smart 3D Reference Data installation. The path you specify in the Symbol and custom program file folder box must be a UNC path. To obtain a UNC path, click the ellipsis button and browse under My Network Places, not under My Computer.
Optionally, you can create a starting catalog and catalog schema database using the database template file delivered with the software within the site databases set creation workflow. The catalog template file delivered with the software is a backup of an already complete catalog database. This template contains the definition of a default catalog of objects, including specific sizes of pipes, pipe specifications, steel section sizes, and so forth. After the catalog database is created, you can then bulkload your customized piping specifications into the catalog database, as needed.
After you create the databases for site, catalog, and their associated schemas, you use the tools in Project Management to create the model and reports databases.
Standard workflows
The software supports two standard workflows for creating new databases when setting up your project. The only difference between the two workflows is when you create the catalog database set. In Workflow 1, the catalog databases are created as part of the site database creation process using the Database Wizard. In Workflow 2, you first use the Database Wizard to create the new site databases, and then you use Project Management to create the new catalog databases.
Which workflow do you want to use to create your databases?