Consistency Check in Smart P&ID serves the same purpose as propagation in PDS 2D. However, instead of waiting to check for errors until after the drawing is complete, Smart P&ID continuously checks for design errors during drawing creation.
Consistency checking is an important function in producing a useful design. The designer places the elements that compose the overall configuration of the design in a graphical mode. The designer places equipment, routes lines between equipment, places components on lines, and adds labels for accuracy. After the designer completes this work, consistency checking confirms that the created drawing agrees, or is consistent, with the design practices of the associated plant.
PDS 2D uses a process called propagation to verify the suitability of a design. Propagation determines that a drawing is not ambiguous. Also, the process populates the associated database if serious propagation errors do not exist. Propagation produces a report with propagation exceptions. You must resolve them for an acceptable drawing. Available tools can help in the review of the report along with the drawing. However, pinpointing the source of the inconsistency could require time. Also, when you discover an error, tools or suggested error recoveries are not available.
In the Smart P&ID environment, Consistency Check continuously blends into the software product, more so than the workflow associated with propagation. Consistency Check starts when you place or modify an item. Smart P&ID uses predefined rules to establish relationships that verify the design, and it automatically reports in the graphical view on junctions that do not follow these rules.
To check for errors in your design, PDS 2D uses propagation, while Smart P&ID uses consistency checking. Errors occur when you violate the design practices for a plant. For example, an inconsistency occurs if a designated material is connected to a different type of material.
In PDS 2D, propagation checks for errors each time the software populates the database. You can list the types of errors you want to detect, such as pipe and valve conflicts. The software detects and reports the errors so you can correct them in the drawing. However, because you do not receive a list of possible solutions, resolution can be time-consuming.
In Smart P&ID, consistency checking occurs continuously as you place equipment, route lines, and label items, according to settings in Smart P&ID Rule Manager. Double-click an inconsistency in a Drawing view, and the Consistency Check dialog lists solutions to fix the errors.