Exchange

The Exchange dialog provides options to import/export spec or catalog data between existing Bentley plant design applications. Currently, the following exchange workflows are supported:

Import from a PDS spec
Import/Export to/from PDW specs and catalogs
Import/Export to/from PSDS specs and catalogs
Import/Export to/from OPM spec and catalogs

When you import/export an existing specification either to OpenPlant, or to one of the other supported applications, the accompanying catalogs will not automatically be imported/exported with the spec. This is a separate task and must be handled as such.

Although a number of different workflows are supported, the procedure is basically the same for each:

Define a task to be performed (Definition)
Identify a source database to import/export:
Identify a Target directory to import/export to.
Define a query to select the data to import/export.
Execute the task.

Below is an example of how to import an AutoPLANT catalog to use with OpenPlant.

Import an AutoPLANT Catalog

In the Exchange dialog, click New.
Enter a Definition Name and click OK.
Note: This defines the type of task to be performed.
In the Details section, select a Source type from the drop down list.
Note: This is the source database that you want to import/export (For this example, we are importing an AutoPLANT catalog to OpenPlant.)
To define the location of the source, click the Browse button.
In the Source AutoPLANT Catalog(s) field, enter the path to the catalog to be imported.
Note: You can also use the browse option to navigate to where the database is located.
Next, select the Target type from the drop down list. For this example we are using the OpenPlant Modeler Target Catalogs option.
Note: This defines the type of format the Source catalog will converted to.
Click the Browse button.
Define the path to the Target Folder, or use the Browse button to navigate to the directory.
Click Open to add the directory.
In the Queries section, click add and select the Create generic query option.
Note: If you have a predefined query saved, you use the Load option to select it.
Use the Search dialog to define a query for the catalog components to import.
Note: Click here for more information on defining a query.
When finished defining a query, close the Search dialog.
Click Execute to start the Exchange Process.
The dialog will display the details of the progress as shown.