Bentley P&ID 2004 customization error

[Peter Walton]

I received the following custom files from a client:
pid.mnu
pid-sup.lsp
schema.mdb
pid1.com
pipe_run.dbf
pid_tofr.dbf
.zip of symbols
settings.cdx
settings.dbf

I created a project, then created a Custom folder for the custom files in the project folder:
S:\<Project Root>\<Project>\Custom\
settings.cdx
settings.dbf
S:\<Project Root>\<Project>\Custom\P&ID
pid1.com
pid.mnu
pid-sup.lsp
S:\<Project Root>\<Project>\Custom\P&ID\internal\data
pipe_run.dbf
pid_tofr.dbf
S:\<Project Root>\<Project>\Custom\P&ID\internal\data\schema
schema.mdb
S:\<Project Root>\<Project>\Custom\P&ID\sym
extracted .zip of symbols

I modified the project.ini paths section to include the custom folder.
APCUSTDIR=S:\<Project Root>\<Project>\Custom

I imported the .dwg's into Document Manager.

When I open a drawing to edit I recieve an error.:(
"Exception in C:\program files\bentley\plant 2004\bin\r16\at_asi.arx ARX Command Unhandled Exception C0000005 (Access Violation Reading 0x54534f3d) at address 387CCa5h"

PeterJ posted in another thread that this error has something to do with "loads tools for connection with database"

http://www.davetyner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83&page=4&highlight=at_asi.arx+loads+tools+connection+databa se

The program seems to work OK to modify existing drawings, but I receive the error. If I try to create a new drawing the title block does not insert, and no parameters dialog appears. If I try to select a tool icon the program times out.

I have no experience using Bentley P&ID.:confused:

[PartRidge]

That error is pretty vague as to what the problem might be.

One, you will want the client to do is to send you their Project.mdb that matches to the Schema.mdb

Two, ask the client why they have the pid1.com and the two dbf files for pipe_run and pid_tofr. If they did something unique you will have to have the Project.mdb from them or you will have some problems on a pretty constant basis.

Three, if you are running 8.6 what version of AutoCAD are you running? And since you indicated you have no experience with Bentley P&ID do you have all the PIW and P&ID patches applied for 8.6? I think for 8.6 it was SR2 and a framework patch.

When you imported the drawings...were the drawings P&ID Exchange drawings or original AutoPLANT P&ID drawings?

Other than that I don't see that you did anything wrong with trying to get the clients' setup running.

[Aplant Monkey]

What I can see that you ahve done incorrectly is that your file pathing is not right. Rather than a Custom folder as you have set up it should be instead like this

\project-root\project\Standards\APCUSTDIR
\project-root\project\Standards\APCUSTDIR\PID\sym

Also make sure in the project.ini file that your Standards folder is mapped correctly as well.


As for the Schema, I don't believe this is correct either. it should be located here

\project-root\project\projdata\

try amending your file paths to reflect these changes.

[PartRidge]

The custom directory does not need to be under the Standards folder as long as the custom path in the project.ini file matches the location on the network.

It looks like the definition you are trying to set up is also trying to use internal database definition, which might be a small problem. Little harder to make work, but still possible. I would hope that you are either setting the database as the Projdata.mdb, or SQL Server, or even Oracle, but you should try and shy away from replicating it into the internal definition unless you want some headaches.

[Peter Walton]

Thanks for the replies and help. I hope I reply with enough information for some more advice.
1. I found out through the designer that the client uses no project databases. They select internal data from a dialog box as the project,and have no project.mdb.

2. I guess since they have no project database and always save as internal data they need the pid1.com, pipe_run.dbf, and pid_tofr.dbf instead.

3. The software I have installed is
AutoCAD 2004
Bentley AutoPLANT 2004 Edition SR-2 (08.06.01.06)
Bentley Process & Instrumentation 2004 Edition (08.06.00.14)
Bentley Process & Instrumentation 2004 Edition SR-1 (08.06.01.09)
Bentley AutoPLANT P&ID 2004 Edition SR-2 (08.06.01.11)
Bentley Plant Framework 2004 Edition Service Pack 1 (08.06.01.03)

4. The drawings are exchange drawings from the client.

I have looked in the help file and attached two pages.
The select_project.pdf shows the dialog box to select Internal Data, and says I should have this sample project provided with the software. I do not have this sample project and do not get the dialog box. I looked in to C:\ for the Internal Data project.

The custom_directory_internal.pdf explains how I can add custom files for the Internal Data option.

Does anyone have an Internal Data project or should I contact Bentley? Is there something I can do to create the Internal Data project myself?

[PartRidge]

Peter,
Even if they use the internal mode, which I wouldn't recommend anyway, hence the headache you have, they will still have within their project files a Project.mdb.

The Project.mdb file is synchronized with the Schema.mdb. It contains all the query statements that are the views for data manager and how all the AT_* System views work. It also contains all the stored report forms. The AT_ System views are the core of the P&ID package.

If they are giving you exchange drawings and that is what you are to give back I would just configure a normal project using MS Access or MSDE if you don't have a SQL Server available. Make no changes to the data structure. Put in place the custom symbols as you did before and you should be good. When you have the work finished go back and create the exchange files to send back.

If you have the option I'd try and convince the client to update their implementation to more the norm. Internal mode was how version 13 worked best, but that was on Foxpro.

[Peter Walton]

I don't know too much, so I can't advise them on what works the best.

I'm not sure if there is a project.mdb for the P&ID software. I searched the program files of the Internal Data project files, but could not find it. I think this might be just for the Piping software. I attached search.png to show the project.mdb files that exist on the c:\ .

The Internal Data project files were not with the other sample projects on the c:\ ex: SAMPLE_IMPERIAL, SAMPLE_METRIC, and SAMPLE_MMETRIC

I found the Interal Data project here:
C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant 2004\P&ID\internal

Then Created the custom folder APCUSTDIR in the interal folder, and placed the custom files.
C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant 2004\P&ID\internal\APCUSTDIR
settings.dbf
settings.cdx

C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant 2004\P&ID\internal\APCUSTDIR\P&ID
pid1.com

C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant 2004\P&ID\internal\APCUSTDIR\P&ID\Internal\Data
pid_tofr.dbf
pipe_run.dbf

C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant 2004\P&ID\internal\APCUSTDIR\P&ID\Internal\Schema
schema.mdb

C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant 2004\P&ID\internal\APCUSTDIR\P&ID\sym
.dwg symbols

C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant 2004\P&ID\internal\APCUSTDIR\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application data\Bentley\Plant 2004\P&ID
pid.mnu
pid-sup.lsp

Then modified the
C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant 2004\P&ID\internal\project.ini
by adding
APCUSTDIR=C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant 2004\P&ID\internal\APCUSTDIR
under the [GENERAL] group.

With the files set up this way the program does not see the pid.mnu and pid-sup.lsp.

I replaced the pid.mnu and pid-sup.lsp at this location. Now program see's pid.mnu and pid-sup.lsp
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application data\Bentley\Plant 2004\P&ID

I attached a picture to show I can select the custom border (MOCA), but after I select the border it does not prompt me with the menu to select the drawing parameters. Is this a common problem with custom borders?

This configuration of files works fine to modify existing drawings using internal data, but I can't create a new drawing.

[Peter Walton]

I contacted Bentley and they attempted to help, but did not resolve the problem. They said the client's configuration/setup is old and should be setup with projects instead of internal data. I was told to contact the client and compare work stations to resolve the problem.

[PartRidge]

You could regenerate a project.mdb from the Schema.mdb and then migrate the environment from internal to a standard environment, but it will be a bit of work. I'm almost guessing the client doesn't have any real customization other than the symbols or titleblock.

If the files are true exchange drawings what you actually tried first should have worked without incident. It seems like the drawings have some minor graphical corruption. Can you find out how long it's been since the client used the files last? I'm thinking the files might be early version format for AutoCAD and then your best bet would be to set up your side matching if you can and see if it still fails.