eplan manual

EPLAN NEWSfor Version 2.4

Status: 30.06.2014

EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KGTechnical Information

EPLANNEWSfor Version 2.4Status:30.06.2014

Copyright 2014 EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG

EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG assumes no liability for either technical or printing errors, orfor deficiencies in this technical information and cannot be held liable for damages that may result directlyor indirectly from the delivery, performance, and use of this material.

This document contains legally protected proprietary information that is subject to copyright. All rights areprotected. This document or parts of this document may not be copied or reproduced by any other meanswithout the prior consent of EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG.

The software described in this document is subject to a licensing agreement. The use and reproduction ofthe software is only permitted within the framework of this agreement.

RITTAL is a registered trademark of Rittal GmbH & Co. KG.

EPLAN, EPLAN Electric P8, EPLAN Fluid, EPLAN PPE, EPLAN Pro Panel and EPLAN HarnessproD are registered trademarks of EPLAN Software& Service GmbH& Co. KG.

Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Excel, MicrosoftAccess, and Notepad are registered trademarks of theMicrosoft Corporation.

PC WORX, CLIP PROJECT, and INTERBUS are registered trademarks of Phoenix Contact GmbH& Co.

AutoCAD and AutoCAD Inventor are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc.

STEP 7, SIMATIC and SIMATIC HW Konfig. are registered trademarks of Siemens AG.

InstallShield is a registered trademark of InstallShield, Inc.

AdobeReader and Adobe Acrobat are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc.

TwinCAT is a registered trademark of Beckhoff Automation GmbH.

Unity Pro is a registered trademark of Schneider Electric.

RSLogix 5000 and RSLogix Architect are registered trademarks of Rockwell Automation.

All other product names and trade names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective own-ers.

EPLAN uses the Open Source software 7-Zip (7za.dll), Copyright by Igor Pavlov. The source code of 7-Zip is subject to the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL). The source code of 7-Zip and details onthis license can be found on the followingWeb site: http://www.7-zip.org

EPLAN uses the open-source software Open CASCADE, Copyright by Open CASCADE S.A.S. Thesource code of Open CASCADE is subject to the Open CASCADE Technology Public License. Thesource code of Open CASCADE and details on this license can be found on the followingWeb site:http://www.opencascade.org

EPLAN provides an import function which uses eCl@ss. Usage of the eCl@ss standard is subject tolicense and requires registration and ordering in the DownloadPortal: http://www.eclassdownload.com

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EPLANNEWSfor Version 2.4

Status:30.06.2014

Table of Contents

Preface 11Notes for the Reader 13

EPLAN Preplanning 15Extensions to the User Interface 17New features in the property dialogs 17Containers as a New Segment of Pre-Planning 19Extended Numbering Settings for PCT Loops and Segments 20

Creation of Schematics from the Pre-Planning 21Updating Macros 23Synchronizing Pre-Planning Parts with the Detailed Planning 23

Segment Templates 24Segment Template Navigator 24Create Segment Templates 26Assign Segment Templates 27Editing Segment Templates 28Segment Templates and Macros 29

Reports in the Pre-Planning 30Building Automation in the Pre-Planning 32Data Import of EPLAN PPE Projects 33Improved Inclusion of pre-Planning in the EPLAN Platform 36

Subprojects and Extensions for the Defined Working Sections 38Defining Defined Working Sections for Subprojects 39Improved Division of Sequentially Numbered Projects 40Consideration of the Pre-planning in the Defined Working Sections 41

Managing Subprojects 42File off subprojects 45Further Information about the Subprojects 46

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Store subprojects 48New Check Run Messages for Subprojects 50

New Features of the Entire EPLAN Platform 51Fitting Text 51Fitting Text in Alignment Boxes 54New Check Run Messages for Texts 57

Change and Device Protection 58The New Change Protection 59Configure Protection 60Extensions in Device Protection 63Representation in the Navigators 64Change Protection for Structure Identifiers 65Remove Protection 65

User-Defined Properties 66Creating User-Defined Properties 67Using User-Defined Properties 69Removing User-Defined Properties 70Conversion of the User-Defined Supplementary Fields 70

Extended Support of EN Standard 81346 72Extensions for Reference Identification 73Use Object Identifier for Structuring 75New Master Data for the Extended Reference Identification 77

Graphical Editor 78Hyperlinks to cross-references 78Extension for Structure Boxes with Recesses 79

Cross-references 79Form-based contact image 79

User Interface 83New design for EPLAN icons 83Displayed Values for the Settings from the Layer 83

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Further Displayed Units of Measure 86Less Control Elements for More User-friendliness 87Uniform Designations for Devices 96Renamed Dialog for the Directory Selection 97

Project Editing 97Extended project databases 97SQL Server Database for the Project Management 98Icon for Exclusively Opened Projects 100

Devices 101Improved Representation of the Full DT 101

Part Selection 103Taking account of function templates 103Easier identification of hyperlinks from the parts management 103

Defined Devices 104Standardized behavior during transfer of the plug DT and the channeldesignation 104

Project Data Navigators 105New icon for devices that are not placed in the schematic 105

Structure Identifier Management 106Improved representation of the structure identifiers 106

Connections 108Association of connections 108Renamed Connection Symbols 109

Message Management 109Checking the part master data 109

Form Editor 113Improved design of dynamic areas 113Extended Next Forms 115

Reports 120Creating an assembly / module overview 120

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Reports with Deviating Form 121Parts Management 125Update the parts database 125Importing Part Data to the eCl@ss Standard 126Storing the ATEX Identification 126Mounting Depth for Item Placements on Mounting Surfaces 127Renamed Field for Mounting Data 128Removed Fields 129

Settings 130Common settings dialog for part selection and parts management 130Moved Setting for Zooming Texts as in Previous EPLAN Versions 134

Utilities 135Extensions when synchronizing functions 135

New Features in the "EPLAN Multi Language Translation" Extension Mod-ule 136Specifying the scope of translation for the parts management 136

New Features in the "EPLAN Revision Management" Extension Module 139Extended property comparison for pre-planning 139Project-specific Storing of the Comparison Results 141

Properties 142Renamed Properties for Structure Identifiers 142

New Features for EPLAN Electric P8 144Terminals / Plugs 144New settings for numbering 144

Connection Splicers / Line Connectors in Electrical Engineering 147General Information About Connection Splicers and Line Connectors 148Connection Splicers in the Topology 149New Check Run Messages for Connection Splicers 151

New Features in the "EPLAN FieldSys" Extension Module 152Drawing a Topology Routing Path as a Polyline 152

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Determine Fill Capacity of Topology Routing Path 153Extensions for Terminal Strips in Routing Path Networks 155Routing Connections between Different Identification Structures 156

New Features in the "EPLAN PLC & Bus Extension" Extension Module 158Rack-Oriented Display in PLC Navigator 160Graphic Determining of the Bus Configuration 161Restructuring of the PLC Objects 165Extensions at the Addresses / Assignment Lists 166Data Exchange with PLC Configuration Programs 168New and Updated Interfaces for the PLC Data Exchange 171

New Features for EPLAN Pro Panel 172Extended Toolbar "Pro Panel Options" 173Extensions in the Device Logic 174Defining Several Surfaces on the Same Space Level as a Mounting Surface 174Simplified Procedure when Defining Mounting and Base Points 175Changing the Description of a Mounting Point 177Defining and Editing Placement Areas in Schematic Projects 177

Rotating Objects about a Freely Selectable Axis 177Extensions at the Model Views 181Display of routing paths and curves in model views 181Display of the routing accessories in the model views 181Configurable Representation of the Navigator Dialogs for the Model View 182Property Arrangement for the Model Views 182

Extensions when Placing Parts 183Integrating mounting panels in the hierarchy of the layout space 183Writing Back Dimensions when Placing Parts 185Place Parts of Several Terminal Strips 185Selection List when Interactive Points and Areas Overlap 186

Parts Management during Transfer of the Connection Point PatternsOpened Directly 187

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Drilling Patterns from External Manufacturing Information 188Generating Drilling Patterns from NC Data 189Generating Drilling Patterns from DXF / DWG Files 190Defining Drilling Patterns Graphically 193New Check Run Messages for Drilling Patterns 193

Calculation of the Total Power Dissipation of Switch Gears 194New Extension Module "Design Space Exchange" for Importing andExporting Design Spaces 195New Features in the "EPLAN Project Processing" Extension Module 197Improved process during the importing of devices and routing connections 197

New Features in the "Process Copper" Extension Module 203Busbars with edgewise bending 203

New Features in the "Process Wiring" Extension Module 208Settings for bundling as a scheme 209Improved Inclusion of Phase Busbars 214Wiring Cut-Outs as the Starting or End Points of Routing Paths or Curves 218

New Features for EPLAN Fluid 219Identification according to DIN ISO 1219-2:2012 219Device Tags 220New Project Settings 221New Properties 224New Trades 225New Check Run Messages 227Editing the Assignment to a Trade in Tables 228Online Numbering 228Identification of Fluid Lines 230Identification of Interruption Points 232New Master Data 232

EPLAN Fluid Hose Configurator the New Hose Line Configurator 233

New Features for EPLAN Harness proD 235

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New Features in the "EPLAN API Extension" Extension Module 241

New Features in the Master Data 246Master Data: Symbols 246Master Data: Forms and Plot Frames 257Master Data: Projects and Templates 259Master Data: Macros 260

Other New Features and Information 261EPLAN Solution Center The New Support System 261Logging Into the EPLAN Solution Center 262

Validation Code 263Retrieving the Validation Code Online 263

Software Requirements and Approvals 265General requirements 265Operating systems 266Microsoft products 266SQL server 267Autodesk products 267PDF redlining 267PLC systems (PLC & bus extension) 26764-bit version of the EPLAN Platform 268

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Preface

Dear EPLAN users,

Worldwide initiatives such as "Industry 4.0", "Smart Manufacturing" and"The Internet of Things" require themanufacturing industry to use ever moreintelligent items and automated tools for engineering. With consequencesand new challenges for engineering and increased expectations for thedesign systems.

The future increase in data and communication requires higher data quality,consequent data consistency, highest system compatibility and an improvedinteraction of the design systems and tools and in the interplay with existingERP, PDM and PLM solutions. The aim: More efficiency in the product devel-opment and a high-quality documentation for manufacturing, mounting, test-ing, commissioning andmaintaining.

The EPLANPlatform aims to support the goals of these initiatives lastingly.One the one hand through rapid acquisition and structuring of the data forengineering and on the other hand through higher quality and consistency ofthe data throughout all process steps of the product development and pro-duction.

Extended support for the standard IEC 81346 with function, location andproduct aspects provides you with new and improved possibilities to struc-ture your projects and to automatemany of your daily tasks in engineering.The quality and structure of the documentation is also decisive to this pur-pose the EPLANPlatform also supports the IEC 61355 standard.

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The interaction of the diverse design systems in engineering is a further issuefor EPLAN. For this reason we have strongly simplified some interactions inthe current version for example the definition of the PLC bus topology,user-defined properties and the new cross-reference techniques.

We see an important obligation in the continuous attuning of our solutions toyour processes in enclosure and switchgear design. With EPLANPro Panel2.4 drilling information from external systems such as in the form of DXF /DWG data or of manufacturing data from the libraries of themachine tools can be integrated into EPLANPro Panel and used further in the designingprocess.

In this form the extended functionality of the EPLANProject Processingextensionmodule contributes further to process optimization: Importingdevice tag and connections lists from other E-CAD or ERP systems or in theform of MSExcel lists, comparison specifically with the contents of the cur-rent project and usage for mounting layout in 3D and the virtual wiring con-sistent project planning also without a schematic.

In the field of fluid power we have further integrated the EPLANFluid HoseConfigurator. This hose line configurator now increases your productivity dur-ing the definition and creation of hydraulic hose lines lastingly.

Get a head start and discover numerous further functionalities and improve-ments that have been integrated into the EPLANPlatform Version 2.4.Please visit our website at www.eplan.de/en for more information.

Wewish youmuch success with your newEPLAN platform 2.4.

Your EPLANSoftware & Service team

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Notes for the ReaderImportant information:

Before installing the version, please note the information in chapter"Other New Features and Information" (starting on page "261"). Payspecial attention to the section "Software Requirements and Approvals"(see page "265").

If you want to use old projects that were created with previous EPLANversions in EPLANVersion 2.4, these projects have to be updated. Formore information, please read the section "Project Editing" (seepage"97").

If you want to use an "older" parts database, you will first have to updatesuch a parts database. For more information, please read the section"Parts Management" (see page "125").

We used "EPLANElectric P8" when creating the images for this docu-ment. If you use a different program of the EPLANPlatform, a differentprogram icon will be displayed in the dialog of your program.

Before you begin reading, please note the following symbols and styles usedin this document:

Warning:Text preceded by this symbol contains a warning; you should be absolutelysure to read this warning before proceeding!

Note:Text preceded by this image contains extra notes.

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Tip:Useful tips to facilitate your interaction with the program are presentedafter this image.

Example:Examples are highlighted by this symbol.

User interface elements aremarked in bold (and blue) so they can imme-diately be located in the text.

Italic Italic or bold text provides particularly important information that youshould definitely pay attention to.

Code examples, directory names, and direct input (among others) are dis-played in a non-proportional font.

Function keys, keyboard keys, and buttons within the program are shownin square brackets (e.g., [F1] for the "F1" function key).

To improve the flow of the text, we often use "menu paths" in this docu-ment (for example,Help > Contents). In order to find a particular pro-gram function, themenus and options shown in amenu pathmust beselected in the sequence shown. For example, themenu pathmentionedabove calls up the EPLAN help system.

In combination with settings or fields (e.g., check boxes) which can onlybe switched on or off, in this document we often use the terms "activate"(after which the setting is active ) and "deactivate" (after which the set-ting is inactive ).

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EPLAN Preplanning

With EPLANPreplanning you can realize initial planning activities regardingtechnical aspects in the engineering process early on in the EPLAN platform.The engineering process of amachine / higher-level function consists of indi-vidual phases through which the concept is adjusted and specified from initialrough drafts and ideas, until all documents and information have been cre-ated that are necessary for themanufacture and construction of themachine.

In the project phase of pre-planning, concepts are worked out for the tech-nical scope of machines / plants and estimates are done on initial quantitystructures. The goal is to determine the concept that is most advantageoustechnically speaking, and to define the defaults for the subsequent detailedplanning. Based on pre-planning, later on schematics can be created anddetails of the plant worked out.

After we presented the pre-planning as an optional extension for the EPLANPlatform for the last version, EPLANPreplanning is now available both as astand-alone variant and as an add-on variant.

EPLANPreplanningis optionally available as an add-on variant for the fol-lowing program variants:

EPLANElectric P8 Select

EPLANElectric P8 Professional

EPLANElectric P8 Professional+

EPLANFluid

EPLANFluid Professional.

For EPLANElectric P8 Ultimate the add-on is part of the delivery scope bydefault.

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As a stand-alone variant EPLANPreplanning additionally provides extensivefunctionalities for the graphical creation of P&I diagrams (P&IDs).

Notable extensions in the pre-planning

The data transfer has been extended for this version so that you can nowtransfer not only P&ID projects, but also complete EPLANPPE projects inthe course of amigration from EPLANPPE to EPLANPreplanning.

You can now predefine the relevant data for a specific segment in a so-called"segment template". You can repeatedly use these predefined data when cre-ating new structure elements, planning objects, etc. Management and edit-ing of the segment templates existing in a project are carried out in a newdialog the segment template navigator. In addition you can out reports forthe segment templates.

It is now also possible to output function lists for building automation con-forming to the standards VDI 3814 and DINEN ISO 16484-3 in the pre-planning. These function lists contain the information required for theplanning and implementation of building automation systems and instru-mentation and control systems.Wemake special master data (project tem-plates, forms, etc.) for the creation of these reports.

Benefit:The segment templates allow you to create fundamental standards for theproject planning, transfer predefined data automatically to the segments sothat you do not have to enter the data individually at each segment.

Special templates andmaster data allow the output of function lists forbuilding automation conforming to the standards VDI 3814 and DINENISO 16484-3.

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Wediscuss the following topics in the next sections:

"Extensions to the User Interface" on page "17"

"Creation of Schematics from the Pre-Planning" on page "21"

"Segment Templates" on page "24"

"Reports in the Pre-Planning" on page "30"

"Building Automation in the Pre-Planning" on page "32"

"Data Import of EPLANPPEProjects" on page "33"

"Improved Inclusion of pre-Planning in the EPLANPlatform" onpage"36".

Extensions to the User InterfaceNew features in the property dialogs

Structure segments

In the properties dialog of the structure segments the structure identifiers arenow displayed in a well-structured form in the tableStructure identifier. Thisallowed theProperties group box to bemoved from the Further tab to thefirst tab and the Further to be removed.

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Planning objects

The order of the tabs has been changed in the properties dialog of the plan-ning objects. TheMacro tab has beenmoved between the two other tabsParts and Templates. In the course of this change the previous tabPLC /Documents has been divided amongst the two new tabsPLC andDocu-ments / Pages.

Assigning a segment template

In the properties dialogs of the segments the newSegment template box isdisplayed on the first tab. This field displays the segment template which isassigned to the segment. For more information, see "Segment Templates"(see page "24").

Assigning documents and / or pages

In the pre-planning you now have the possibility to assign external doc-uments and / or project pages to the segments. The new tabDocuments /Pages is available to this purpose both at the structure segments and theplanning objects.

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You can specify any documents, which can be output as hyperlinks inreports, in theDocuments table of this tab.

The pages that are linked to a segment are listed in thePages table of theDocuments / Pages tab. Bymeans of the assignment of pages you can eas-ily see at the segment on which pages there are associated data.

You use the (New) to open the dialogPage selectionwhere you selectthe pages that are to be assigned to a segment. You use (Delete) toremove a selected page from the table.

For more information on this topic, go to the online help and look up the sec-tion "Linking Segments with Pages".

Containers as a New Segment of Pre-PlanningThe "Containers" are now available as new segments in pre-planning.

In process engineering, containers belong to the apparatus group. They canbe a plant element and are inserted below a structure segment level.

Containers aremanaged in parallel to general planning objects, and behavein a way similar to them in the pre-planning. Function templates and externaldocuments / pages can be stored at a container, but not PLC addresses,parts or macros. Accordingly the properties dialog of a container only dis-poses of theContainer general tab, which corresponds to that of a planningobject, and of theDocuments / Pages and Templates tabs.

A container can be inserted in pre-planning below a structure segment, butnot below a planning object or a PCT loop. The containers themselves canalso contain PCT loops and planning objects in their structure.

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Extended Numbering Settings for PCT Loops and SegmentsThe settings for the PCT loops in the pre-planning have been extended forthis version so that not only the settings for the PCT loop number exist in thesettings dialog, but also numbering settings for other pre-planning segments.Therefore the dialog has been renamed toSettings: Numbering / PCTloops (menu path:Options > Settings > Projects > "Project name" >Pre-planning > Numbering / PCT loops).

You can now carry out separate specifications for the automatic numberingof segments and PCT loops in the new fieldsMinimum number of digits,Filler character, Start value and Increment.

On the basis of these settings EPLAN automatically suggests a designation /PCT loop number when creating segments / PCT loops, when copying andpasting or when insertingmacros with these objects. In the case of PCTloops the settings for the PCT loops with identical designation are also takeninto consideration during numbering.

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Creation of Schematics from the Pre-PlanningBased on the pre-planning, multi-line schematics can be generated by drag-ging-and-dropping planning objects (PCT loops, PCT loop functions) withassignedmacros into the page navigator.

For this you have the following new options:

Assigning a change protection to pages during creation

Placing several windowmacros next to each other on one page.

These extension have resulted in a new group boxGenerate schematic inthe general settings for the pre-planning (menu path:Options > Settings >Projects > "Project name" > Pre-planning > General.)

Change protection when creating pages:If this check box is activated, a change protection is assigned automaticallyto the pages generated from themacros. This means that theChange pro-tection (ID 3014) property is assigned automatically to these pages. Thepages and the functions placed on them are thus protected against changes

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and can no longer be edited, deleted, etc. Changes through the pre-planningare possible by using the functionalityUpdate detailed planning.

If the check box is deactivated, the pages generated from themacros remainunprotected and can be edited subsequently.

Notes:Objects for which the change protection has been activated are iden-tified in the tree views of the navigators by the icon.

The previous protection for devices, functions or planning objects hasbeen renamed to "Device protection" in this version. In the course ofthis modification the setting for protecting functions in the pre-planninghas been renamed toDevice protection when creating functions.For more information on this topic, go to the online help and look up thesection "Protected Segments".

Place several macros on one page:If you activate this check box, themacros are placed automatically next toeach other on one page as long as there is sufficient space when you dragplanning objects several times onto an existing page. Then a new page isgenerated and the next macros are placed there. If, by contrast, you drag aplanning object onto a hierarchy level in the tree, new pages are always gen-erated.

If the check box is not selected, a separate page is generated for eachmacro.

You can use the other two settingsDistance to margin andSpacebetween the macros to influence the distance when several windowmac-ros are to be placed on one page.

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Updating MacrosIn order to updatemacros placed on project pages or their data the followingtwo new functionalities are now available in the pre-planning navigator:

Placemacro again:If a storedmacro is replaced by a different macro at a planning object inpre-planning, you can replace themacro placed on the project page byusing thePlace macro again popupmenu item in the pre-planning nav-igator. The previously placedmacro for the planning object marked in thepre-planning navigator is then deleted and the newmacro subsequentlyplaced.

Update detailed planning:Placeholder objects in macros can be used to apply data from the proper-ties of planning objects to the placed functions in the detailed planning. Ifyou havemodified the planning object data in pre-planning (e.g. selectedanother value set for a placeholder object in themacro), you can use theUpdate detailed planning popupmenu item to apply themodified datato the placeholder object placed in detailed planning.

Synchronizing Pre-Planning Parts with the Detailed PlanningIt is possible that youmay have to change the parts at the segments in thepre-planning although the associatedmain functions have already beenplaced in the detailed planning. In such a case you can synchronize the pre-planning parts with the parts in the detailed planning. In the process the partinformation at themain functions in the detailed planning is deleted andreplaced by the part information of the assigned segments.

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To carry out a synchronization select themenu itemsUtilities > Syn-chronize > Parts > Pre-planning --> Main function. As is usual in theEPLANPlatform, the scope of the synchronization depends on which seg-ments you havemarked in the pre-planning navigator. After you have con-firmed the subsequent message with [OK], the parts information of themarked segments including all the subordinate segments is synchronized.

For more information on this topic, please refer to the online help in the sec-tion "Synchronizing Pre-Planning Parts with the Detailed Planning".

Segment TemplatesYou can predefine all the relevant data for a segment in a segment template.You can repeatedly use these predefined data when creating new structureelements, planning objects, etc. Through the assignment of a segment tem-plate the data defined there are transferred to the segment and you do nothave to enter the data individually at each segment. The data of the assignedsegment template can be displayed at the segments.

Segment templates are stored project-specifically. Each segment templatehas a unique indentifying name, a description and a segment definition. Thesegment template continues to dispose of all the properties of a segmentwith the same segment definition.

Segment Template NavigatorYou can now use the new segment template navigator for the display andediting of the segment templates existing in a project, . To open this nav-igator, select themenu itemsProject data > Pre-planning > Segment tem-plate navigator.

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Tree view

In the Tree tab, the segment templates are displayed in their hierarchicalstructure. The top hierarchy level is the project. Below that the segment tem-plates of a project are structured in the following hierarchy levels:

Basic segment definitions (for example "Structure segment", "Planningobject", "PCT loop", etc.).

Segment definitions (for example "Structure segment general", "Planningobject general", "Loop").TheNew segment template popupmenu item for creating segment tem-plates is available on this level.

Segment templates: The user-defined segment templates are displayedon the lowest hierarchy level. Segment templates are identified by the pre-ceding icon . Otherwise, the same icons are displayed for the basic seg-ment and the segment definitions as in the pre-planning navigator.

Note:After the data import of an EPLANPPE project further predefined planningobjects (such as "Sensor", "Actuator", "Pick-up", etc.) and segment tem-plates are available in the segment template navigator. These segmenttemplates are based on the specifications from EPLANPPE. During con-version the specification number in PPE becomes the identifying name ofthe segment template.

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List view

In the List tab, the segment template name, the segment template descrip-tion, the segment definition name, the designation and the description of thesegment, as well as structure identifiers for the identifier blocks "Higher-levelfunction" and "Mounting location" are displayed by default. In addition, fur-ther structure identifiers and properties can be displayed by using theCon-figure representation popupmenu.

Create Segment TemplatesTo do so first select the segment definition for which you want to create thetemplate (for example the "Loop") in the segment template navigator andthen select the popupmenu item New segment template.

The properties dialog then opened has the same tabs as the correspondingsegment of the selected segment definition. In addition, theSegment tem-plate tab is displayed in which you enter the identifying name and an optionaldescription for the new segment template.

Segment templates can furthermore be created in the segment template nav-igator as follows:

Copying and pasting an existing segment template.

Duplicating of an existing segment template.

Dragging & dropping from the pre-planning navigator to the segment tem-plate navigator. In the process all the data of the segment are transferredto the segment template.

Exporting and importing of segment templates.

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Assign Segment TemplatesA segment template from the current project can be assigned to each seg-ment. In the pre-planning navigator this is identified by an additional icon ( )which superimposes the icon of the segment. Segment and segment tem-plate always have the same segment definition.

In the properties dialog of a segment an assigned segment template is dis-played on the first tab in theSegment template field.

During assignment the properties of the segment template are transferred tothe segment. In the process only empty values are filled, existing property val-ues are not overwritten. In addition, you can assign further properties to thesegment or overwrite the values imported from the segment template.

Segment templates can be used as follows in the project and assigned to asegment:

Dragging & dropping from the segment template navigator to the pre-plan-ning navigator. In the process a new segment to which the segment tem-plate is assigned is created.

Dragging & dropping from the segment template navigator to the graph-ical editor (on a pre-planning page). In the process a new segment towhich the segment template is assigned is created and placed.

Dragging & dropping with the [Ctrl] + [Shift] keys pressed from the seg-ment template navigator to a segment in the pre-planning navigator. Thesegment template is assigned to the existing segment (if both have thesame segment definition).

In the properties dialog of a segment via theSegment template field.In order to assign a segment template to an existing segment, click the[] button next to theSegment template field. In the subsequent dialog

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Select segment template the segment templates existing in the projectthat match the segment definition of the current segment are listed.

Editing Segment TemplatesThe following functionalities are available for editing segment templates intheSegment template navigator:

Deleting segment templates:Segment templates can only be deleted in the segment template nav-igator if they are not in use in the project, meaning that they are notassigned to a segment.

Changing a segment definition:You can assign a different segment definition (from the same basic seg-ment definition) to a segment template in the segment template navigatorby using theChange segment definition popupmenu. This is only pos-sible, if the segment template is not assigned to a segment.

Moving segment templates:You canmove segment templates via Drag &Drop to a different pointwithin the same basic segment definition in the tree view of the segmenttemplate navigator, in as far as these segment templates are not yet usedin the project. In the process the segment definition belowwhich the seg-ment template wasmoved is assigned automatically to it. If you keep the[Ctrl] key pressed while dragging, themarked segment templates arecopied.

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You can furthermore carry out the following functions for segment templatesin the pre-planning navigator:

Removing the assigned segment template from the segment:An assigned can be removed again. To do so, open the respective prop-erty dialog of the segment with the tab. Click

(Delete) next to theSegment template field. The property valuesdefined in the segment template will be deleted at the segment.

Resetting to values of the segment template:You can use the new popupmenu item Reset to segment template toreset the changed property values of a segment to the values pre-definedin the segment template.

You can use the new check runmessage 028018 "Difference between seg-ment and segment template (property '%1!s!')." from themessage class 028"Pre-planning" to find out at which segment there are differences betweenthe segment and the assigned segment template.

Segment Templates and MacrosSegment templates are transferred into themacro during the creation of pre-planningmacros. During the insertion of pre-planningmacros segment tem-plates not existing in the project are transferred into the project, existing seg-ment templates are not overwritten in the process. Only the reference to theexisting segment template is entered at the segment.

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Benefit:The project-specific segment templates allow, for example, manufacturer-independent macros to be created. If you change the part in the segmenttemplate and select for example a part of a different manufacturer, theparts are then changed at all the planning objects linked to this segmenttemplate.

Reports in the Pre-PlanningThe structure segments (plant, plant part, machine function, etc.) and plan-ning objects (sensors, actuators, PCT loops, etc.) existing in the pre-planningcan be reported bymeans of the existing report types "Pre-planning: Struc-ture segment overview", "Pre-planning: Structure segment plan", "Pre-plan-ning: Planning object overview" and "Pre-planning: Planning object plan".

The new form propertyOutput all subordinate segments (ID 13119) isnow available in order to output subordinate segments as well during thesereport plans (for example all the planning objects of a PCT loop). When thisform property is activated, all the subordinate segments are also determinedand output for each segment in the data area of a report of the type "Struc-ture segment plan" or "Planning object plan".

Note:Function lists for building automation can also be output by using the plan-ning object overview if a suitable form is used.

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New reports

In addition the following new report types are available for the pre-planning:

Pre-planning: Segment template overview:Overview of all the segmenttemplates.

Pre-planning: Segment template plan:One report is created per segmenttemplate. Various properties of the segment template can be output in theprocess, for example those parts that are entered at the segment tem-plate. In addition, the properties of the segments can be output that usethe segment template.

Assembly/Module overview:Overview of all assemblies andmodulesused in the project. You can use theRecord type property to differentiatebetween assemblies andmodules. This report type can also be used toreport those assemblies / modules that have been included into pre-plan-ning through the data transfer of hook-ups in EPLANPPE projects. Formore information, please read the section "Reports" (see page "120").

Appropriate forms are supplied in themaster data for these new reports (seesection "Master Data: Forms and Plot Frames" on page "257").

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Building Automation in the Pre-PlanningIn building automation in accordance with the standards VDI 3814 and DINEN ISO 16484-3 it is usual to output the information required for the planningand implementation of building automation systems and instrumentation andcontrol systems in function lists. Special project templates, forms as well asproperties for pre-planning are available in EPLAN to support these functionlists. For more information, please read the sections "Master Data: Formsand Plot Frames" (starting on page "257") and "Master Data: Projects andTemplates" (starting on page "259").

Function lists

The form for the function lists is divided into sections and columns. The prop-erties displayed in the form are sorted by sections. In EPLAN the propertiesspecified by the standard aremapped in part by fixed defined EPLAN proper-ties and in part by user-defined properties. Section 1 contains fixed definedEPLAN properties for the display of PLC inputs and outputs. Sections 2 to 8contain user-defined properties. These properties are already predefined inthe project template for building automation and are available for immediateuse if you use this template.

In order to output function lists for building automation in accordance with thestandard VDI 3814, use the report type "Pre-planning: Planning object over-view" and assign the form F40_VDI3814.f40 to it.

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Graphical display of automation schemes

You can draw a schematic overview (automation scheme) of the plannedplant area in the EPLAN project on a page of the type "P&I diagram". In thisoverview the amount of used or required inputs / outputs per planning objectcan be displayed. To do so use a property arrangement at the functionsplaced in the automation scheme in which the properties for the total numberof the PLC inputs and outputs (for example Total number of digital PLCoutputs (ID 44029)) are selected for display. This information is usually dis-played path-wise below the drawing.

To implement such a path-wise display you have to change the display set-ting for the base point for the respective properties. To do so select the set-ting "Y-coordinate automatic (schematic path)" in the property arrangementfor the display propertyBase point. The value of the Y coordinate (in relationto the origin of the page) is determined in theProperty arrangement: Auto-matic Y coordinate (schematic path) (ID 12062) property. This property isavailable for plot frames and pages.

Data Import of EPLAN PPE ProjectsThe data import from EPLANPPE has been extended so that you can notonly import P&ID projects but also complete EPLANPPE projects for the pre-planning.

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Converting an EPLAN PPE Project

The previousmenu item Convert P&ID project has been renamed and forthe sake of consistency has beenmoved to the data import menu. In order toconvert an EPLANPPE project for the pre-planning, you now select themenu itemsUtilities > Data import > EPLAN PPE --> Preplanning. As inthe past the information from the EPLANPPE functional view is imported intothe segments of the pre-planning. The old EPLANPPE project is retainedunder amodified name.

If the EPLANPPE project contains documents amessage is now displayedin which you can decide whether these documents are to be imported asgraphical pages. Note that this process can take some time.We thereforerecommend that you do not convert documents during the data import, butrather create only the required documents as graphical pages beforehand inthe EPLANPPE project.

Converted PPE objects

During the data import the following PPE objects are converted into the corre-sponding segments or objects of pre-planning:

PPE object Segment / Object

Higher-level function- PI system- Designation

Structure segment- Designation- DescriptionThe structure identifiers are determined on thebasis of the configuration in EPLANPPE.

PCT loop PCT loop

PCT loop function PCT loop function

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PCT loop element- Device type- Device group

Planning object- Description- Segment definition

Specification Segment template

Hook-up Assembly

Orders - Omitted -

Container Container

Property User-defined property. Property groups are dis-played as part (additional node) of the identifyingproperty name.

External document Document (stored at the segment)

Document Graphics page. During data import you can decidewhether the documents from EPLANPPE pro-jects are to be converted into graphical pages orare to be ignored.

Importing P&I diagrams from AutoCAD

If you have created the P&I diagrams through the EPLANPPEP&IDAutoCAD interface, import these drawings into your EPLANPPE projectbefore you convert these into a project with pre-planning data. ThemenuitemsProject > PPE > Import > AutoCAD P&ID are used to this purpose.

When you subsequently convert the EPLANPPE project into a project withpre-planning data, the P&I diagrams are then also available there. You canno longer import the P&I diagrams from AutoCAD into a project that hasalready been converted.

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For more information on this topic, please refer to the online help in the sec-tion "Data import of EPLANPPE projects".

Improved Inclusion of pre-Planning in the EPLAN PlatformThe segments from the pre-planning are now also taken into consideration atthe following components of the EPLANPlatform:

Defined working sections:When dividing projects into defined working sections you can now alsouse the segments from pre-planning. To this purpose properties for pre-planning are now also available for the definition of the defined workingsections.For more information, please read the section "Consideration ofthe Pre-planning in the DefinedWorking Sections" on page "41". Thedefined working sections are a functionality of the "EPLANMultiuserManagement" extensionmodule.

Placeholder objects:The segments from the pre-planning can now also be assigned to a place-holder object. Variables can also be assigned to the user-defined proper-ties of these pre-planning segments.

Project Options:The segments from the graphical pre-planning are now also taken intoconsideration at the project options "EPLANProject Options" extensionmodule. You can create project option sections from the segments placedon a pre-planning page. The project options with the sections from thegraphical pre-planning can then, for example, be activated and deac-tivated as usual. If a superior segment forms part of a section and if thecorresponding project option is activated or deactivated, the associatedsubordinate segments are then also activated or deactivated.

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Editing properties externally:During external editing it is now possible to export the pre-planning data,to edit these externally and read them back in. Exporting of the data is car-ried out bymeans of schemes. When creating a new scheme for externalediting you can now also select the segments of the pre-planning as anobject type (for example "Segment: Planning objects"). For better dif-ferentiation the PPE objects are preceded by a PPE in the dialogObjecttype (for example "PPE: Loops").If there are user-defined properties for the pre-planning in the project aftera data import, these properties and furthermore the categories of the pre-planning are also available to you during the selection of the format ele-ments.

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Subprojects and Extensions for the DefinedWorking Sections

Note:The "EPLANMultiuser Management" extensionmodule is available as anoptional extra for the following programming variants:EPLANElectric P8 Select, EPLANElectric P8 Professional, EPLANElec-tric P8 Professional+, EPLANFluid, EPLANFluid Professional, EPLANPro Panel Professional Stand-alone and EPLANPro Panel Professional+Stand-alone.For the following program variants, this extensionmodule is part of thedelivery scope by default: EPLANElectric P8 Ultimate

Extensive projects are often edited by a team consisting of several editors.For this use case you can divide the projects in the EPLANPlatform into so-called "defined working sections" by using the extensionmodule "EPLANMultiuser Management". This makes the display of large projects more trans-parent and increases the editing speed. Such a procedure only makessense, however, if the team only consists of internal persons and a powerfulnetwork is available.

If external persons who do not have access to the company network are to beused for editing extensive projects, or if editing is to be carried out indepen-dently of a network connection, you can use theSubprojects functionality todivide these projects into subprojects. After the division the created sub-projects can be stored on local workstations bymeans of a backup or sent toexternal editors for further editing.

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Benefit:The creation and filing off of subprojects allows extensive projects to bedivided so that they can also be edited by external persons (with installedEPLAN program variants) . Filing a subproject off to a local datamediumallows a defined part of a project to be edited - even when a permanent net-work connection to the original project is not available.

Wediscuss the following topics in the next sections:

"Defining DefinedWorking Sections for Subprojects" on page "39"

"Managing Subprojects" on page "42".

Defining Defined Working Sections for SubprojectsThe functionality of the defined working sections is used for the division of pro-jects into subprojects. Before you can create subprojects for a project youtherefore first have to activate the selection of defined working sections in theproject properties on theDefined working sections tab.

Then you / the administrator have to use the dialogDefine working sec-tions as project administrator to specify the desired defined working sec-tions. The sections defined here represent possible subprojects.

Defined working sectionsmust not overlap for the generation of subprojects."Overlap" means that certain objects (e.g. pages, layout spaces, or pre-plan-ning segments) exist in several defined working sections. Objects that existin several defined working sections could otherwise cause problems whenstoring projects.

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Whether the defined working sections are clearly separated from each otheror overlap is shown in the dialogs for defining the defined working sections inthe newStatus column bymeans of an icon.

Icon Meaning

Defined working section does not overlap with other sections.

Parts of this defined working section are also contained in otherdefined working sections.

Improved Division of Sequentially Numbered ProjectsThe division of projects into defined working sections is effected bymeans offilter schemes. In the past the sequentially numbered projects could only bedivided into trades. However, such a division often results in overlappingdefined working section. In order to nevertheless allow division of sequen-tially numbered projects in a subproject the filter criteria for the definition ofdefined working sections have been extended.

Therefore not only the properties for the trade and for the structure identifiersare available for the definition of the defined working sections in the dialogCriteria selection now, but also the following properties for pages and layoutspaces:

Object identifier (ID 11036)

Page name (ID 11000)

Page subcounter (ID 11013)

Page counter (ID 11012)

Layout space name (ID 20261).

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In order to differentiate the numerous criteria better these are divided into dif-ferent hierarchy levels (page, layout space, etc.). New filter criteria for pre-planning are now also displayed for selection in this dialog (see the followingsection "Consideration of the Pre-planning in the DefinedWorkingSections").

Consideration of the Pre-planning in the Defined Working SectionsWhen dividing projects into defined working sections the segments from pre-planning can now also be considered. To this purpose properties for pre-plan-ning are now also available for the definition of the defined working section.

Benefit:The new filter criteria make it possible to also use the objects from the well-defined tree structure of the pre-planning navigator in order to divide a pro-ject into different defined working sections.

The dialogCriteria selection has been extended with the "Pre-planning"hierarchy level. If you set such a property for structure identifiers or, forexample, the propertySegment definition: Name (identifying) (ID 44001)as the filter criterion, only those segments (including the subordinate seg-ments) that fulfill this criterion are displayed in the pre-planning navigator. Inaddition, all the higher-level segments up to the filtered segment are also dis-played in the navigator.

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Notes:The pre-planning filter criteria for the defined working sections have noeffect on the segment templates in the segment template navigator. Allsegment templates are always displayed.

The two new hierarchy levels "Page" and "Layout space" are addition-ally displayed in the dialogCriteria selection. Sequentially numberedprojects can now be included better during the division into defined work-ing sections by using the associated properties.

For more information on the topic "Defined working sections" please refer tothe online help in the section of the same name.

Managing SubprojectsThe new dialogSubprojects is now available in the EPLANPlatform for themanagement of the subprojects. To access this dialog open a project in the"Exclusive" editingmode and then select themenu itemsProject > Sub-projects. Youmay only select one project, otherwise theSubprojectsmenuitem is grayed out.

Note:The project has to be opened in the "Exclusive" editingmode in order towork with subprojects. When you select themenu itemsProject > Sub-projects, an internal check is therefore carried out whether the project isopened exclusively. If this is not the case, the project is closed andautomatically opened exclusively. If this is not possible, a message is dis-played that exclusive access is not possible and the action is aborted.

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The subprojects specified by the defined working sections that are possiblefor the selected exclusively opened project are displayed in this dialog.

TheSubprojects table displays information such as the status, subprojectnumber, scheme name and description of the associated defined workingsection for the subprojects.

The subprojects are numbered consecutively in the sequence of the definedworking sections and supplemented with preceding zeroes (for exampleEPLAN-DEMO_[003]). If a defined working section is added later, the nexthigher free subproject number is assigned to the associated subproject.

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The status of the subprojects is indicated by the following icons:

Icon Meaning

Defined working section overlaps - parts of this defined working sec-tion are also contained in other defined working sections. Filing offis not possible.

Subproject stored.

Subproject filed off.

The subproject is not an editable project (*.elk), it cannot be filedoff. Such an icon is for example displayed when a subproject is filedoff additionally via the data backup.

You can create subprojects by using the [File off] / [Store] buttons, i.e. fileoff the subproject from the project or insert filed-off subprojects back into theproject. Overlapping defined working sections cannot be filed off. If you havemarked such a defined working section, the [File off] button is grayed out.

If you activate theOnly extend subproject check box prior to filing off. theobjects (pages, layout spaces, pre-planning segments, etc.) of the createdsubproject have a change protection assigned. The newChange protection(ID 3014) property is activated automatically for these objects. The sub-project can then only be extended. This means that you can add new pages,layout spaces, pre-planning segments, etc. to this subproject, but existingobjects cannot be changed or deleted.

Note:Objects for which the change protection has been activated are identifiedin the tree views of the navigators by the icon.

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For more information about change protection, see the section "Change andDevice Protection" (starting on page "58").

File off subprojectsIn order to file off subprojects mark the desired non-overlapping defined work-ing sections in the dialogSubprojects and click the [File off] button.

This initiates the following:

In the dialogs for the defined working sections the subproject is entered asthe user of the defined working section (indicated by the number of thesubproject). The defined working section is blocked for other users, andan activation of the check box in theMy defined working sectioncolumn is also not possible.

TheCopy project functionality with theOnly header data option is usedwhen creating a subproject. This ensures that all the project properties,settings andmaster data are "inherited" to the subproject. In addition, allthe pages, layout spaces and pre-planning segments of the respectivedefined working section are copied into the subproject.The name of the original project is stored in the subproject in theSub-project of (ID 25100) project property so that the association to the ori-ginal project is retained. In addition the subproject number is also storedin the project properties.

At the end of the filing-off process a security warning is displayed that youmay not delete or rename the projects or move them to a different dir-ectory, because the association between the original project and sub-project is otherwise lost. If you want to pass a filed-off subproject to adifferent editor, you have to pass it on by using a data backup.

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All the functions and interruption points in the subproject that have across-reference to an object lying outside this subproject automaticallyreceive theCross-reference (external) (ID 25102) property. The cross-references to the counterpieces located in the original project are storedbymeans of this property. In addition, all the objects with a cross-ref-erence to the original project are protected against changes bymeans oftheChange protection (ID 3014) property.

In the original project the corresponding pages, layout spaces, pre-plan-ning segments and structure identifiers are blocked for changes. TheChange protection (ID 3014) property is activated automatically forthese objects. The number of the filed-off subproject is displayed in theSubproject number (ID 25101) property at the pages, layout spaces andpre-planning segments of the original project.

The created subprojects are displayed in the page navigator. This con-tains the name of the original project to which a three-digit number insquare brackets is attached. This is the subproject number (for exampleEPLAN-DEMO_[003]).

After being filed off the subproject can either be edited directly or be passedon to external editors in the form of a data backup.

Further Information about the SubprojectsRenaming or moving of the original project / subprojects is not permittedbecause the association between the original project and the subproject isotherwise lost.

Therefore a corresponding security warning with the possibility to abort thecorresponding action is displayed in the case of renaming, moving or delet-ing of original projects or subprojects (for example from the project manage-ment).

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Project data and settingsThe projects contain many data and settings that exist only once and there-fore apply for the entire project. After subprojects have been created, thesedata and settingsmay not be changed either in the original project or in thesubproject. This also applies to themaster data.

Notes:Therefore do not change the properties, settings andmaster data of the ori-ginal project again until after all the subprojects have been stored. You cansubsequently file off the subprojects again. Previous changes can causeunexpected results and errors.

Further division of subprojectsThe division of a subproject into further subprojects is possible. To do so youhave to also activate the selection of defined working sections in the projectproperties for the subproject.

In a subproject the defined working sections have been reset to the originalstate. This means that you have to define new defined working sections inorder to divide a subproject further. In the case of such a "sub-subproject" thesubproject number (for example 002) is separated by a further underline andattached with supplementary zeroes (for example EPLAN-DEMO_[003]_[002]).

Cross-references to the original projectIn a subproject the cross-references to the counterpieces located in the ori-ginal project are stored in theCross-reference (external) property. After asubproject has been filed off, this property is displayed automatically on thefirst tab in the properties table at the respective objects with cross-references(for example interruption points, PLC connection points, coils, etc.).

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The following has to be taken into account for the displayed values of thisproperty:

The "@" in the value of this property stands for the position of the respect-ive cross-reference in the cross-reference list.

If there are several cross-references to different objects in the original pro-ject, the external cross-references are listed in several lines.

An external cross-reference to a contact image contains informationabout the contact image symbol including the connection point designa-tions, in addition to the cross-reference.

In order to differentiate the cross-references to the original project from theother cross-references, you can specify a prefix in the form of any characteror string for these cross-references. ThePrefix for cross-reference(external) input box is available to this purpose in the project-specific set-tings for the cross-references. (Themenu path for the settings dialog is:Options > Settings > Projects > "Project name" > Cross-references /contact image > General.)

Store subprojectsThe data backup function can be used to send subprojects to external editorsand restore them after editing has been completed.

In order to store a subproject open the original project again in the "Exclus-ive" editingmode and then branch to the dialogSubprojects. Mark the filedoff subproject and click the [Store] button. Amultiple selection of filed-off sub-projects is also possible here.

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During storing the pages, layout spaces and pre-planning segments arecopied from the respective subproject 1:1 into the original project. In the pro-cess the respective objects (pages, layout spaces, etc.) in the original projectare overwritten, the external cross-references removed and the change pro-tection for the respective defined working section removed. The subprojectnumber as the editor of a defined working section is removed in the dialogsfor the defined working sections. The subproject as such no longer existsafter storing.

Note:If the protected defined working section was changed in the original projector if pages, layout spaces or pre-planning segments outside this definedworking section were created in the subproject, a corresponding prompt isdisplayed whether the subproject should be stored nevertheless. At thesame timemodule-specific check runmessages are created in themes-sagemanagement. (see the following section) "NewCheck RunMes-sages for Subprojects"). This allows you to stop storing and branch to thecausing objects (pages, layout spaces, etc.) bymeans of themessagemanagement.

After a subproject has been stored, youmay have to still correct the sorting ofthe structure identifiers and update or create the reports.

Subsequently subprojects can again be generated and edited externally inthe course of further editing by external editors.

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New Check Run Messages for SubprojectsWearemaking the following new check runmessages available in the newmessage class 030 "Subprojects" for checking original projects and sub-projects during storing.

Message 030001 "Original project contains changes in the defined work-ing section of a subproject."

Message 030002 "Subproject contains changes outside the defined work-ing section."

These two check runmessages are so-called "module-specific" checks. Inorder for such a check to be carried out the "Module-specific" entry has to beset in the dialogSettings: Messages and checks in the Type of checkcolumn. If corresponding errors occur when storing subprojects, thesemes-sages are displayed in themessagemanagement. This allows you to identifyand eliminate the errors.

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New Features of the Entire EPLAN Platform

Fitting TextAlignment boxes are used in the graphical editor and in the form editor toadapt texts or placeholder texts to a specific space that is available on a pageor in a form. Various setting possibilities exist in the properties dialog of thetexts / placeholder texts on the Format tab in order to influence the display ofthe texts in an alignment box. For example, a text can be adapted to thewidth and height of an alignment box by using the two settings Text widthfixed and Text height fixed.

Nevertheless, it could occur in the past that the texts output at generatedreports were too long for the respective alignment box or that after translationthe text no longer fitted into the alignment box at several displayed lan-guages. In such cases the text was often truncated or becomes illegiblebecause languages overlap. This had to be correctedmanually by reducingthe font sizemanually until the text "fitted" correctly. With the new version wenow provide the possibility to fit the texts into the alignment box. If the place-holder texts in forms are prepared correspondingly, fitting is carried outautomatically when generating reports.

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Benefit:Fitting of the texts in the alignment box can in particular make the structureof the report pages clearer. Manual time-consuming revision of truncatedtexts or texts that are difficult to read is superfluous.

In addition, this new functionality allows simple printing out of labels foritem labeling. The texts for labeling are fitted exactly through the scaling onthe basis of correspondingly designed tables that you place in forms forreporting or via macros on graphics pages.

The new display property Text fitting permitted is now available in order toscale a text correspondingly in an alignment box without it being truncated.This check box allows the scaling of texts. Fitting itself is carried out through asubsequent action either automatically during reporting or manually via themenu itemsEdit > Text > Fit texts in alignment boxes.

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In the course of this extension the settings of the existing hierarchy levelFramewere divided up into the two new hierarchy levels Text box andAlignment box.

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Fitting Text in Alignment Boxes

Preconditions

In order for a text to be fitted in an alignment box the following four settingshave to be activated as a prerequisite:

Activate alignment box

Text width fixed

Text height fixed

Text fitting permitted.

Drawing in of the alignment box is not required. When the action Fit texts inalignment boxes is carried out, the font size of the corresponding texts isreduced so that the text fits into the alignment box. The calculated font size isentered automatically in the properties dialog in the Font size setting.

Tip:As for all other format and display settings you can also transfer these foursettings to other texts / placeholder texts by using the actionsCopy formatandAssign format.

Note:The font size is only reduced when fitting the text. At a subsequent enlarge-ment of the alignment box the font size cannot be enlarged again by fittingit in the alignment box.

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Carrying out fitting

If the requirements are fulfilled, fitting of texts in the alignment box is carriedout as follows:

Automatically when generating reports:The output placeholder texts are adapted automatically during the gen-eration of reports.

Manually by using amenu item:In the graphical editor (and other editors) the fitting of texts can be carriedout bymeans of theEdit > Text > Fit texts in alignment boxesmenuitems.

As is usual in the EPLANPlatform, the scope of the fitting process via themenu item depends on what you havemarked. If, for example, you haveselected a schematic page in the page navigator, all the texts for which therequirements are fulfilled are fitted.

If you havemarked invisible texts in the graphical editor or in the page nav-igator during selection, fitting is also applied to these texts.

If you carry out themenu item Fit texts in alignment boxes for a com-ponent in the schematic, scaling is only carried out at those property texts atwhich the requirements (alignment box activated, etc.) are fulfilled for fitting.

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Example:The following illustrations show the effects of the different settings on a textin the alignment box. The source text contains one line feed.

Text height fixed andRemove breaks are selected:

Text width fixed and Text height fixed are selected:

Text width fixed, Text height fixed, Text fitting permitted are selected.After fitting in the alignment box:

Limitations for fitting

Fitting of texts in alignment boxes cannot be carried out in the symbol andplot frame editor. Themenu item Fit texts in alignment boxes is notavailable in these editors.

Fitting in an alignment box is also not possible at texts that are combinedwith other graphical elements into a block.

Fitting of placed property texts in alignment boxes is only possible if thecorresponding function is placed. Themenu item Fit texts in alignmentboxes does not have any effect on unplaced functions.

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New Check Run Messages for TextsIn order to find out at which points in the project problems with texts mayexist, the following new check runs are now available in themessage class022 "Other":

Message 022026 "Text is displayed truncated."This check runmessage checks at the texts at which theActivate align-ment box check box is activated whether the text is possibly truncated. Ifyou receive a correspondingmessage, you can usemessagemanage-ment to jump to the respective text and decide whether you want to fit inthe text.

Message 022027 "Text is too small."This check runmessage finds texts whose font size lies below a specificminimum size whichmay then no longer be legible. Very small fontsizes can also originate from fitting text into alignment boxes (if, e.g., sev-eral languages are displayed after a translation run).

Benefit:By using the specified check runs you can rapidly check a project for corre-sponding problems in the test display, if necessary correct them directlyand thus increase the documentation quality notably.

Enter theminimum font size in the new project settingMin. font size fortest. This setting can be found under:Options > Settings > Projects >"Project name" > Graphical editing > General.

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Change and Device ProtectionA so-calledChange protection is now activated automatically at some newfunctionalities in the EPLANPlatform (for example when a subproject is filedoff). Objects that have such a protection cannot be deleted nor can the prop-erties of these objects be changed.

Benefit:Objects can now be protected against all changes bymeans of the newchange protection. Meaning that you can ensure that sections that havebeen planned completely or parts that have already been produced can nolonger be changed in the EPLANPlatform. If necessary, you can removethe protection for a specific purpose.

Since a few versions you have already had the option to protect completedevices or individual functions or connections. This protectionmainly appliesto those parts that have been assigned to a device, but it also prevents func-tions from being deleted. In order to differentiate this type of protection betterfrom the change protection function, it is now calledDevice protection.

We discuss the following topics in the next sections:

"The NewChange Protection" on page "59"

"Configure Protection" on page "60"

"Extensions in Device Protection" on page "63"

"Representation in the Navigators" on page "64"

"Change Protection for Structure Identifiers" on page "65"

"Remove Protection" on page "65".

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The New Change ProtectionThe change protection serves to project the objects in a project (pages, func-tions, segments from the pre-planning, etc.) against any kind of change. Therespective objects cannot be edited, deleted, etc. subsequently and all thefields are grayed out in the respective property dialogs. If changes cannot becarried out due to the change protection, a correspondingmessage is dis-played.

When the change protection is activated at the selected objects, the newpropertiesChange protection (ID 3014) andChange protection (hier-archical) (ID 3015) are activated automatically. Only the propertyChangeprotection (hierarchical) is activated for subordinate objects, for examplethe functions of a page with change protection. These properties serve onlyfor display and cannot be editedmanually.

Automatic change protection

The change protection is carried out automatically by the program at somefunctionalities in the EPLANPlatform (for example when a subproject is filedoff). However, you can use theConfigure protection dialog to assign amanual change protection specifically to one or more pages, functions or seg-ments.

The various application cases of change protection act additively. A page cre-ated in pre-planning with change protection can, for example, have an auto-matic change protection assigned to it again when subprojects are filed off. Insuch a case this page disposes of two types of change protection due to theactions carried out. When the subproject is filed back on, the change pro-tection through filing off becomes invalid, while the other change protectionthrough the pre-planning remains.

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An automatic change protection becomes effective at the following applic-ations in the EPLANPlatform.

In EPLANPro Panel:When 3Dmodels are imported from CAD programs, the imported 3Dobjects in the design space are protected against change. The requiredcomponents from EPLANPro Panel can nevertheless be added to the 3Dmodels for the 3Dmounting layout.

In pre-planningWhen pages are created by usingmacros, the created pages can be pro-tected against changes. The project-specific settingChange protectionwhen creating pages has to be activated to this purpose.

In subprojects:When subprojects are created, the filed i-off objects (pages, layoutspaces, etc.) are protected in the original project against changes. In addi-tion, a change protection can also be assigned to the filed-off subprojects.

Configure ProtectionThe new dialogConfigure protection is now available to help you inman-aging the various protectionmechanisms in the EPLANPlatform better. Toopen this dialog, select themenu itemsEdit > Other > Configure pro-tection.

Note:The availability of the dialogConfigure protection can be specified in the"User Rights Management" extensionmodule.

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Information about the protection of themarked objects is displayed in this dia-log. You can recognize whether an automatic or manual change protectionand / or device protection is activated for the respective objects.

TheCurrently activated for field shows whether an automatic change pro-tection is activated for themarked objects and which type of change pro-tection this is. The entries in this field cannot bemodified.

You have the following options during the configuration of the protection:

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Deactivate automatic protection temporarily:It may be necessary to deactivate an automatic change protection tem-porarily to carry out corrections. In this case you can activate the checkboxDeactivate automatic protection temporarily. This check box isonly available for objectswith automatic change protection.If this check box is activated, the protection is rescinded temporarily andyou can carry out changes at the "unlocked " objects. The informationabout the type of automatic change protection is retained. After you havecompleted the correction be sure to activate the change protection againby deactivating theDeactivate automatic protection temporarilycheck box.

Warning:Please note that changes to or deleting of protected objects can result isfaults at the associated functionalities (for example when storing sub-projects)!

Activating and deactivating themanual change protection:You can use theManual protection check box in theChange pro-tection group box to specifically assign amanual change protection toone or more objects (pages, functions, segments without automatic pro-tection). This check box is only available for objectswithout automaticchange protection.

Activating and deactivating the device protection:You can use theDevice protection check box to assign a device pro-tection to one or moremarked objects (functions / segments). This checkbox is only available for objectswithout change protection. For objectswith such a protection theDevice protection (ID 20475) property is activ-ated.

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As is usual in the EPLANPlatform, the data displayed in the dialogCon-figure protection and the scope of the configuration depend on whichobjects you havemarked. If, for example, you have selected the node=EB3+ET1 in the page navigator in the example project, and activate amanual change protection, all the pages below this node as well as theobjects located on the pages are protected.

Extensions in Device ProtectionAs alreadymentioned the previous protection for devices or functions hasbeen renamed to "Device protection". In the course of this modification theassociated property as well as themenu items for activating and deactivatingthe device protection at devices have been renamed:

Old name: New name: ID:

Locked function Device protection 20475

Activate protection Activate device protection

Deactivate protection Deactivate device protection

The device protection is used to protect a device so that the associated func-tions / planning objects and thus the corresponding predefined data are notchanged unintentionally through graphic actions. Please also note the fol-lowing for device protection:

In order to activate or deactivate the device protection for all the functionsof a device, you still select the renamedmenu itemsProject data >Device > Activate device protection or > Deactivate device pro-tection.

The device protection can now also be assigned to the segments from thepre-planning.

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The device protection can now no longer be activated by using theDeviceprotection property for individual functions. This property cannot beeditedmanually in the properties dialog. In order to activate or de-activatethe device protection for functions or segments, you now use the dialogConfigure protection. TheDevice protection field is then displayed tothis purpose.

The assigned parts cannot be changed at devices / functions / segmentswith device protection. Neither is a device selection possible. Functiontemplates cannot be assigned to a segment with a device protection.Objects with device protection cannot be deleted in the respective projectdata navigator (for example, device / pre-planning navigator).

A change protection can be activated additionally for an object with deviceprotection. Objects at which a change protection is activated, cannot havea device protection assigned additionally.

For more information on this topic, please refer to the online help in the sec-tion "Device protection".

Representation in the NavigatorsThose objects for which the change protection is activated are identified byan icon with a lock in the tree view of the navigators. An icon with an orangecircle is displayed at functions / segments with a device protection. The fol-lowing icons are displayed for protected objects:

Icon Meaning

Object (e.g. page, function,segment) with change protection

Object (e.g. function,segment) with device protection

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Change Protection for Structure IdentifiersThe structure identifiers of a project are also protected automatically againstchanges at some functionalities in the EPLANPlatform (for example when asubproject is filed off). This protects the structure identifiers themselves andthe respective describing texts.

Structure identifiers for which the change protection has been activated areidentified in the new tree view of the structure identifier management by theicon. (For the new features in the structure identifier management please

also refer to the section "Structure Identifier Management" on page "106").

The lines of the protected structure identifiers are grayed out and cannot beedited in the List view of the dialog Identifier. To facilitate recognition of pro-tected structure identifiers in the list you can additionally use the dialogCon-figure representation to have the two propertiesChange protection andChange protection (hierarchical) displayed as columns.

In order to assign a change protectionmanually to structure identifiers or todeactivate an automatic change protection temporarily, you can also branchfrom the structure identifier management into the configuration dialog for theprotection. The new popupmenu item Configure protection is available tothis purpose in the tree as well as in the list.

Remove ProtectionIn special situations it may be necessary to remove the change and / ordevice protection completely from a project. You can use the compressing ofprojects function (via themenu itemsProject > Organize > Compress) todo so. Several settings are available to this purpose in the dialogSettings:Compression in the new hierarchy levelRemove protection. These can beused to remove the respective protection selectively.

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User-Defined PropertiesEPLAN provides several options for creating additional user-defined proper-ties. These properties extend the properties existing by default and are usedfor the entry and display of additional information.

This functionality for the segments and segment definitions of pre-planningwere introduced in Version 2.3. With the new version you can also use theuser-defined properties at other objects (project, pages, functions, etc.) of theEPLANPlatform. These properties are stored project-specifically and trans-mitted together with the project.

Benefit:Through the user-defined properties we provide you with a consistentconcept for the input and display of additional information, with which youcan adapt the EPLANPlatform to your individual requirements.

Through the specification of default values for selection lists at the user-defined properties the users can choose between predefined valuesinstead of entering own values. This results in uniform entries and guar-antees correct results during the use of user-defined properties when fil-tering reports.

The extended user-defined properties replace the previous user-defined sup-plementary fields in the EPLANPlatform. Correspondingly you can no longerselect the "User supplementary fields [1] [100]" in the property dialogs ofthe project, of pages and functions, and the associated settings dialogSet-tings: Supplementary fields has been removed.

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When an "old" project with user-defined supplementary fields is opened inVersion 2.4, an automatic conversion of the "User supplementary fields" intothe new concept of the user-defined properties is carried out.

We discuss the following topics in the next sections:

"Creating User-Defined Properties" on page "67"

"Using User-Defined Properties" on page "69"

"Removing User-Defined Properties" on page "70"

"Conversion of the User-Defined Supplementary Fields" on page "70".

Creating User-Defined PropertiesTo create and configure user-defined properties select themenu itemsOptions > Configure properties.

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The user-defined properties that exist in the current project are displayed in atree view in the left-hand section of the dialogConfigure properties. Thisfield is empty if you have not created any properties yet.

You can create new user-defined properties, export them and import themfrom a different project into the current project by using the buttons above thetree view.

In the right-hand section of the dialog you specify the identifying name andthe displayed name for a new user-defined property.

Notes:Within a project, the identifying namemust be unique and cannot besubsequently changed anymore.

If theDisplay identifying numbers setting is active, the identifyingname is displayed in the user interface. This corresponds to the displayof the property numbers (IDs) of the EPLAN properties.

For the further configuration of the property you can specify which type ofinput is possible, which default values are available in a selection list and inwhich category the property is displayed.

TheUsage drop-down list is new in the dialog. Through the list you specifythe objects for which the property is to be available.

Interruption point: The property is available for interruption points.

Part reference: The property is available for part references and is there-fore displayed in theParts tab of the properties dialog of main functions.In addition one indexed property is automatically generated at each objectwhich can have a part.

Function: The property is available for any functions in all trades.

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Project: The property is available in the project properties.

Page: The property is available for pages.

Connection: The property is available for connections, connection defin-ition points, potential definition points, and net definition points.

Pre-planning: The property can be used at segments in pre-planning andwhen creating segment definitions.

Note:Usage can only be determined when creating the property and it cannot besubsequently changed anymore.

Using User-Defined PropertiesIf user-defined properties exist in a project, these properties are the