About the System Editor

System Editor is the main system definition tool and is the default content for the main frame in Process Planning. Systems and operations are displayed as tiles on a grid in the System Editor.

This section describes:

This page discusses:

See Also
Using the System Editor

System Tile Description

System Editor visualizes systems by means of tiles. Information about the system is displayed on the tile using icons and numerical values. If parts are assigned to a system, the tile has a 3D representation of the parts on top of it.

The following image shows the top view of a typical system tile.

The icon in the upper-left corner represents the system type (for example, General System). The name of the system is displayed at the bottom of the tile.

If a scope is defined between the system and an item, an icon appears in the lower left corner.

If a scope is defined between the system and a resource, an icon appears in the lower left corner.

Numerical Values

The following information is displayed in the upper-right corner of the tile:

  • Current Cycle Time, which is the cycle time of the root system
  • Total Time of Operations, which is the sum of the durations of all the operations under the system. The time type on the operations is considered as Estimated time.
  • Number of Assigned Fasteners, which is the number of fasteners assigned to the system (or to child systems of the system).

You can choose to show or hide this information using the Information on tile options in Me > Preferences > App Preferences > Simulation > Process Engineering > Fastener Planning > System Grid Editor.

Visual Feedback on Tiles with No 3D Representation

If there is no 3D representation of the assigned parts on a system tile, item icons are displayed on the system tile.

If the system has a scope with an item, an icon representing the item with a scope link to the system is displayed in transparent mode. An item is identified by means of a tooltip.

All items linked to operations within the system are taken into account. When there are several possible items, only the last items are shown. For example, if there is a data requirement between P1 to P2 and both items are implemented, then only P2 is shown. The icons have an opaque visualization.

A maximum of nine icons can be shown. If there are more icons than that, then a symbolic icon "groups" the remaining items, which are identified by means of a tooltip.

Note: You can include a customized picture (2D representation) on a System tile. For more information, see Associating a Picture to a System/Operation Tile.

Links Between Systems or Workplans Tiles

It is possible to visualize data requirements existing between items scoped by these systems or these workplans.

The start of the link is always a system or a workplan having a scope with an item.

The end of the link is all the operations implementing this item. If there are no operations implementing the item, then the system or the workplan with a scope to the first scoped successor item is the target.

This link is transparent and not selectable. Data requirement links are shown when the Display Constraints for Implemented Objects option is defined in the App Options panel. The link is visualized only if there is no product flow between the concerned operations. For more information, see System Editor Display.

Operation Tile Description

System Editor visualizes operations by means of colored tiles. Information about the operation is displayed on the tile by means of icons and numerical values. If parts are assigned, the tiles have a 3D representation of the parts on top of them.

All planning operations under a given system are displayed as tiles when the system tile is expanded. However, Source, Sink, and Buffer systems are not expandable and its operations are not displayed as tiles.

The following image shows the top view of typical operation tiles.

Visual Feedback and Numerical Values on Operation Tiles

The large 2D icon on the tile represents the operation type (for example, Loading operation). The name of the operation is displayed under the tile.

If the operation has a time analysis, an icon is displayed on the tile. Operation time is also displayed on the bottom corner of the tile. The time type on the operations is considered as Estimated time. The operation time on a collapsed operation tile is the sum of the operation times of the child operations.

If the operation is pinned, an icon is displayed on the tile.

If the operation implements an item and the item implements a product that has a 3D representation, the representation is displayed on the operation tile. If the same item is implemented by several operations, selecting the representation on one operation tile, also highlights the representation on the other operation tiles. Some item contextual commands are available by right-clicking the representation.

An icon representing the implemented item may appear on the operation tile: for example, if the implemented item does not implement a product, or the implemented product has no 3D representation.

Note: You can include a customized picture (2D representation) on an Operation tile. For more information, see Associating a Picture to a System/Operation Tile.

Links Between Operation Tiles

It is possible to visualize time constraints and product flows between operations. All of these links are represented as straight arrows with different color coding.

A time constraint and product flow cannot coexist between two operations. A time constraint and data requirement link between two operations can be visualized together but with different colors. Time constraints are shown when the Display Time Constraint option is defined in the App Options panel. For more information, see System Editor Display.

You can customize colors of time constraint and product flow arrows using the Display options in Me > Preferences > App Preferences > Simulation > Process Engineering > Fastener Planning > System Grid Editor.

Time constraints can also be shown between operations of different systems. Flow between a system and an operation is visualized by an arrow that connects the end of product flow to the operation tile.

A product flow or time constraint between two operations can be deleted by right-clicking the arrow and selecting Delete.

Expand and Collapse

You can expand and collapse a system and operation tile using icons and contextual commands that appear on the tile.

The Expand icon at the top center indicates that the system or operation has children. You can click this icon to see the child systems and operations inside a "frame" representation of the parent system or operation. Only General operations can have child operations.

The Collapse icon on the frame allows you to go back to the tile representation again.

A group of contextual commands is available for expanding and collapsing a tile:

Icon Description
Expands the selected tile only.
Expands the selected tile and child systems. Available for systems only.
- Expands the selected tile, child systems, and first level of operations. Available for systems only.
Expands the selected tile and all its children.
Collapses the selected tile only.
Collapses the child systems. Available for systems only.
Collapses the first level of operations. Available for systems only.
Collapses the selected tile and all its children.

These contextual commands appear when you left-click a tile:

Expanding and collapsing systems triggers a viewpoint adaptation.

On system expand, the viewpoint zooms out so that you still see the same layout as it was before expanding. On system collapse, the viewpoint zooms in so that you see the same layout as it was before collapsing.

Viewpoint adaptation is performed smoothly when the Animation option is selected in Me > Preferences > App Preferences > Simulation > Process Engineering > Fastener Planning > Grid Editors.

Selecting Parts and Assemblies

A number of capabilities are available for selecting parts and assemblies from the 3D representation (for example, to drag and drop).

Smart Zoom Capability

The Smart Zoom capability is useful to investigate the 3D representation and for better selection handling. The tile is zoomed until the 3D representation "takes off" from the tile. The 3D representation can be rotated and zoomed.

The Smart Zoom capability is deactivated by default. You can activate it at any time using the F6 key, or the Automatic Activation option in Me > Preferences > App Preferences > Simulation > Process Engineering > Fastener Planning > Grid Editors.

Digger Functionality

The Digger functionality is available when the Smart Zoom is active. It is used to temporarily disable geometry that hides other parts of the 3D. Move the mouse cursor onto the outer geometry and press the F7 key. The hiding geometry becomes transparent and the hidden geometry can then be selected or made transparent. Use the F8 key to make geometry visible again.

For more information, see Navigating Within the Item Editor: Using Digger in the Manufactured Item Definition User's Guide.

Assigning an Item to an Operation Under a System

To assign an item to an operation, the item can be dragged from the Item Editor onto a system tile. It is also possible to drag the item from the tree, if it is activated in the main frame.

You can also use Assignments Manager and assign items in the dialog box that appears. See Managing Item to Operation Assignments.

The system tile does not show any indication of implemented items until the items have parts assigned. The implemented items can be displayed in an F5 list by pressing the F5 key.

When systems implement items that have parts with 3D information, the parts are shown on top of the system tiles.

The 3D representation of all parts and assemblies that enter the system and all parts that are assembled by the system are displayed. If an item output is defined on an item, then it is not taken into account.

Parts that are displayed on top of system tiles can also be dragged directly from these systems to other systems.

Cross Highlighting Between System Editor and Tree

The cross highlighting capability allows objects to be highlighted in both the System Editor and the tree.

For example, to highlight a system in the System Editor, click that system in the tree.

Similarly, to highlight a system in the tree, click that system in the System Editor.

Management of PPR Editor Views

The Item Editor, System Editor, and 3D View can be displayed as independent widgets of the same tab.

In previous releases, the three PPR views could be displayed in different frames of the same window. Now, to be consistent with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and improve usability, these views can be displayed as independent widgets of the same tab.

App Transition

Transition to an app that uses a System Editor opens a System Editor widget. This is the only widget for this type of DELMIA app.

Transition to an app that uses an Item Editor opens an Item Editor widget. This is the only widget for this type of DELMIA app.

Opening a PPR Structure in Different Widgets

When you open a PPR structure, the structure is opened in the widget corresponding to the last compatible app.

For example, if Manufactured Item Definition was the last compatible app opened, the PPR structure opens in an Item Editor widget.

Then, if you start Process Planning, the structure opens in a System Editor widget in the same tab.

Finally, if you start Planning Structure, the structure opens in a 3D View widget in the same tab.

App Transition for Apps with Same Type of Grid

If you switch from one DELMIA app to another that has the same widget type, you change app.

For example, you can switch from Manufactured Item Definition to Fastened Item Definition. Then the Item Editor widget stays open but the current app is now Fastened Item Definition. This can be seen from the app name in the window header and the commands in the action bar.

Special Transition

Special transition is a quick way to open a structure in a specific app.

For example, search and then select a structure you want to open. Then, you can select the app where you want to open the structure from the list of apps. The structure opens in the selected app.

New Content

If you select a new system or workplan system from the New Content panel, by default the system opens in a System Editor widget. However, if the last opened widget was a 3D View widget, the system opens in a 3D View widget.

If you select a new item from the New Content panel, by default the item opens in an Item Editor widget. However, if the last opened widget was a 3D View widget, the item opens in a 3D View widget.