For authoring tools that deliver metadata adapters, there are two work processes for defining objects in the tool metadata, the tool map schema, and the SmartPlant schema, and then mapping those objects for publish and retrieve. The main difference between the two work processes is the starting point for defining objects: you can either start in the authoring tool to define objects or start in the SmartPlant schema.
If you modify tool mapping using the metadata adapter in conjunction with the Schema
Editor, you should always connect to SmartPlant and work through the Map Environment for mapping modification. If you switch to modifying the tool map schema outside
the Map Environment (as described in Work Process for Mapping for Tools without Metadata Adapters), the Schema Editor removes information from the tool map schema that may be required
by the tool metadata adapter. You must choose a method for modifying your tool map
schema and continue that way.
Understanding Mapping
Before you begin defining authoring tool mapping, you must understand the following:
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The SmartPlant schema model and how it works. For more information, see SmartPlant Schema Overview and A Gentle Introduction to the SmartPlant Schema, delivered with SmartPlant Foundation.
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How tool map schemas work and how they are used by the authoring tools. For more information, see Tool Map Schemas.
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The authoring tool data model for which you are defining mapping. For more information, see your authoring tool documentation.
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The delivered tool map schema and mapping for the authoring tool. For more information see Viewing Authoring Tool Mapping and rules for your authoring tool in the tool documentation.
To do mapping using an authoring tool's metadata adapter, that authoring tool must also be registered with the appropriate SmartPlant Foundation plant.
The actual order of the steps in the process will vary, depending on whether you start the process in the SmartPlant schema or the tool metadata. The following sections illustrate the process from these two perspectives: