SP3D Common Tutorial: Creating a Session File

Session 1: Creating a Session File

Objective:
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
Create a new session file from a session file template.

Prerequisite Session:
SP3D Overview

Overview:
You open a session file to begin working in SP3D. You can open an existing session file stored on
a disk or create a new session file from a session template. After you create a new session file
from a template, you must use the Define Workspace command to select the portion of the
model you want to view on your computer before you can edit the model.

The session template or session file does not store plant design data. It stores only your personal
default settings for the commands, the active task environment, and display geometry. The
display geometry is used for display only. It is updated when you execute the Define
Workspace or the Refresh commands. When you select an object to edit or use an object as
input for another design operation, the software retrieves the object information needed directly
from the server. It is not possible to edit or directly reference outdated object information.

The session file stores the following:

Last active task environment
Window layout
Named views
Surface style rules to apply (The rule definitions are stored in the model.)
Tools > Options settings
Graphic geometry for display (Display list)
Identity of the filter used to create the display list (The filter definitions are
stored in the model.)
Defaults for each command’s options and settings

When you exit SP3D, the graphics and command defaults you established while modeling can be
stored in a session file on your computer. Later, you can quickly start another design session by
opening the saved session file. This gets you back to exactly the same modeling situation you
had when you exited SP3D and saved the session file.

This session shows you how to create the session file from a template. Refer to Session 2 for the
procedure for defining a filter for the session file.

Steps for Creating a Session File:

Create a session file and save the file on your desktop.

1. Start SP3D software by clicking Start > Programs > Intergraph SmartPlant 3D >

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 SP3D Common Tutorial: Creating a Session File

SmartPlant 3D.

2. The New dialog box is displayed and the empty template is selected by default. Select
any template options other than empty and click OK.

Figure 1: Selecting a Template

Notes:
Three standard templates are available with SP3D: empty, EnglishUnits, and
MetricUnits.
Administrators can use the empty template to create custom templates. The
EnglishUnits template displays measurements in the English system, and the
MetricUnits template displays measurements in the Metric system.
Your administrator can add templates for you to select from that are customized
for the preferences of the different discipline areas.
Saving a session file without defining a workspace is useful only if you want to
create another template. Refer to Session 2: Define Workspace with a System
Filter for how to define a filter.

3. Click Save.

Figure 2: Naming a Session File

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 SP3D Common Tutorial: Creating a Session File

Tips:
The Save As dialog box prompts you to specify the name of the session file
and the location. You can navigate to and select a folder on a local drive or a
network drive. Session files have a .ses extension.
The default directory proposed when you save a session file is defined
under Tools> Options>File Locations tab> WorkSpace option.

Figure 3: Selecting a Location for Session Templates

For more information related to session files and defining a workspace, refer to the following
topics in the user guide CommonUsersGuide.pdf:
Common: An Overview
Managing Sessions: An Overview

© Copyright 2009 Intergraph Corporation

Last Updated: September 2, 2009 for SmartPlant® 3D 2009 Service Pack 1 Page 3 of 3