You use the Domain Explorer to create and manage your current domain items. The Domain Explorer displays instrumentation items according to hierarchical structure. You can arrange the hierarchical structure of the data according to the item types, the physical location of the items, or the item sequence within their parent item.
When you create an item in the domain explorer, make sure you set the naming convention
for it in the Administration module. For details, see Naming Conventions in the Administration Module help.
The Domain Explorer enables you to perform almost all the actions that are possible in the Smart Instrumentation modules. For example, you can create new tag numbers, edit their properties, create and edit wiring items, open the Connection window to make wiring connections, generate various data sheets, reports, and so forth. You can drag items from the Reference Explorer to the Domain Explorer and in this way create numerous items based on reference configurations on the fly. Also, you can drag items from the Domain Explorer to the Reference Explorer to create reference items based on existing configurations.
Working with the Domain Explorer is another mode of working with Smart Instrumentation, just like working with Smart Instrumentation modules.
You can open the Domain Explorer from anywhere in Smart Instrumentation. Press F7 or on the Tools menu, select Domain Explorer.
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Depending on the access rights that have been granted to you, the Domain Explorer allows you to perform actions with Smart Instrumentation items that belong to all the existing <plants> in your domain and not just with the items in the plant that you have currently logged in.
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You can expand the hierarchy of any <unit> and view the item structure. However, specification, process data, or calculation sheets are only accessible from the <unit> you have logged on to. Process data, specification, and calculation sheets of items belonging to <units> that you are not logged onto are not accessible even for viewing.
The tree view pane of the Domain Explorer shows instrumentation items organized by folders. Smart Instrumentation defines standard folders in the database. You cannot move or delete these folders, nor can you add new folders. Each folder contains an item type, and the options available on the menus depend on the currently selected item type.
For a detailed explanation of all the folders and their organization in the Domain Explorer, see Organization of Items in the Domain Explorer Tree View.
Item status indicators
The software uses various icons beside a folder or item to indicate the status of a folder or an item, for example access denied, view only, an item that belongs to As-Built, and so forth. For the full list of the item indicators, see Item Status Indicators in the Domain Explorer.
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You can open several instances of the Domain Explorer by pressing F7.
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After exiting Smart Instrumentation, and starting a new session, the software retains the size and position of all the windows that were open in the previous session.
Some Smart Instrumentation modules have their own Explorers. These are just limited views of the Domain Explorer and they contain items specific to their modules.