A Smart 3D project uses a set of seven interrelated databases: site, site schema, catalog, catalog schema, model, reports, and reports schema. You must create these databases before using Smart 3D.
The graphic below depicts the order of creation and the relationships between these databases.
1 - Site 2 - Site schema 3 - Catalog 4 - Catalog schema 5 - Model 6 - Reports 7 - Reports schema |
Site database
Serves as the primary or main database and the container for the other databases. The site database contains all permission groups and related data and allows you to access the model and catalog databases. You must create the site database before creating the model or catalog databases. A site database can point to multiple model databases and multiple catalog databases. Typically, there is one site database set for each location.
Site schema database
Contains metadata describing and managing backup and maintenance needs for all databases. When you create the site database, you also create the site schema database.
Catalog database
Contains reference data, which includes information for commodity components, physical dimensions, and standards based on industry specifications. Catalog data includes:
-
Graphical symbols that you can place in the model, such as equipment or piping components
-
Non-graphical, tabular data, such as specification data, derived from the reference data (in the form of Excel workbooks) delivered with the software.
-
Parts that you place in the model, such as piping components and equipment
-
Rules that govern how the parts are placed and connected
You can modify the delivered reference data by editing and bulk-loading Excel workbooks. You can also use your own custom Excel workbooks and custom symbols to create a project-specific catalog database. Information about customizing the delivered reference data is available in the Smart 3D Reference Data Help.
Catalog schema database
Contains metadata that describes the format of business objects, such as pipe and structural shapes, and their relationships. When you create the catalog database, you also create the catalog schema. Model and catalog databases share the same catalog schema database.
Model database
Contains all instances of parts in the physical representation of in the model. The catalog and model databases share the same schema. A model is all three databases used together: catalog database, catalog schema database, and model database.
Reports database
Interacts with the catalog and model databases to generate tabular reports from Smart 3D data. The reports database is a set of queries and views that point to the data in the other databases. The reports database and schema are created during the model creation process. See the Reports Help and the Drawings and Reports Reference Data Help.
Reports schema database
Contains metadata that describes the report formats.
For information about creating the required databases, see Set up a new Smart 3D project and Create Smart 3D databases.