Isernhagen, October 2020
This Readme file contains important information about Engineering Base version 2020 R2 SP1. Please read this information carefully.
NOTE: For network administrators, we recommend reading the 'Administrators_Guide.pdf' file located in the root folder of the Engineering Base DVD.
1. Licensing
2. Updates and Enhancements in Version 2020 R2 SP1
3. Fixed Bugs in Version 2020 R2 SP1
4. Known Bugs
5. Database Enhancements
6. Updating from a Previous Version
7. Important Information for the Use of Visio
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1. Licensing
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Using Engineering Base 2020 R2 SP1 requires the "Version 2020" license.
During the installation, a time-restricted test version is no longer created automatically. To nevertheless obtain a test version of Engineering Base, please get in touch with AUCOTEC or your local sales partner.
On installing Engineering Base, you have to explicitly select one of the following licenses:
- Licensed Version
- Administrated License File
- FlexNet Licensing
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2. Updates and Enhancements in Version 2020 R2 SP1
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NOTE: In front of each of the following new feature or enhancement, an identification number (ID) is provided under which the respective change is stored in our database. Should you have any questions related to a change, please refer to this identification number.
Further documentation will be made available with the upcoming EB versions.
- 88656
As of this version of Engineering Base, you can call the "Attribute Properties" dialog containing the attribute definitions from further shortcut menus.
Call the dialog from the shortcut menu of the required attribute. You can call the dialog from the following areas:
- the object dialog starting from the name of the required attribute
- the list pane starting from the attribute name
- the respective column heading of the attributes list
- the respective column heading of a worksheet
The properties of the previously selected attribute are then available read-only in the Properties dialog.
- 92800
As of this version of Engineering Base, you can display further attributes using the shortcut menu on the title bar on the navigation pane. Clicking “Show/Hide Columns” on the shortcut menu opens the “Select Columns” dialog.
- 164109
Ex-i Calculation Assistant: The assistant now takes into account the “1% rule” that reduces the capacitive and inductive values for the calculation. You can deactivate the use of the rule via the new “Deactivate 1% Rule” attribute at the function.
- 220436
You an no longer install a driver for hardware dongles via the EB setup interface. If you are using a dongle and have not installed a respective driver yet, please carry out the installation manually. The installation file "haspdinst.exe" is located on the Engineering Base installation medium in folder “Redist\HASP”. Using the command prompt, which you have to run as administrator, you can install the dongle driver manually.
Calling the installation via command prompt:
haspdinst.exe -i -fi -kp -nomsg
Calling the uninstallation via command prompt:
haspdinst.exe -fr -kp -nomsg"
- 226085
Ex-i Calculation Assistant: The visualization of the calculation details in the document and on creating messages has been improved.
- 226089
Ex-i Calculation Assistant: Using the new option “Set the fixed cable length for the calculation”, you can define a maximum cable length for an electric circuit. The entry field for the maximum cable length is only activated by selecting option “Ignore wiring and set the cable values for the calculation”.
- 237963
Off-page connectors are used to realize cross-references on a page or page-overlapping cross-references on P&I diagrams and process flow diagrams. These references can be realized on connections without the assignment of a substance or a pipeline. The off-page connectors always refer to each other in pairs. Two off-page connectors are selected and connected to each other via the shortcut menu. You can separate them via the shortcut menu of any of the two off-page connectors.
- 248812
Ex-i Calculation Assistant: The German and the English document template have been updated.
- 251399
Ex-i Calculation Assistant: The wiring algorithm in the detailed calculation method has been improved. It now allows jumper wires.
- 274489
Using the new “Glue to Parent” system attribute, you can prevent a function from being moved unintentionally into another function.
- 286413
As of this version of Engineering Base, you can also create individual shapes for pipeline separators and pipeline segment separators. By expanding the Stencils folder by the respective group, you can now create individual stencils. You can then create custom shapes in that folder.
- 286972
The “Areas” are new EB object types to represent localities that may also overlap (e.g. WLAN areas, hazardous areas and climate zones).
- 293540
To support protocol TLS 1.2, the OLEDB version used by Engineering Base has been changed from SQLOLEDB to MSOLEDBSQL. This is the prerequisite for an encrypted data traffic between the EB application server and the SQL server.
Once an encrypted connection is enforced at the SQL server, Engineering Base and the Database Manager automatically establish an encrypted connection with the SQL server via TLS 1.2.
- 294796
For security reasons, you now have to additionally enter the database password on activating the developer mode in Engineering Base.
- 297119
To improve the overall clarity, several system folders in databases, projects and catalogs have been renamed or moved:
- Folder “Functions” was renamed to “Systems”
- Folder “Locations” was renamed to “Areas”
- Folder “Advanced Data Tracking” was renamed to “Data Tracking”
- Folder “Specifications” was renamed to “Local specifications”
- Folder “Templates/Configurations” was renamed to “Templates/Settings”
- Folder “Add-ins” was moved into the “Templates” folder
The following terms of the EB interface have also been changed:
- Preferred catalog à Preferred material catalog
- Additional catalogs à Additional material catalogs
- Specification catalog à Object library
- Associated Specification à Associated local specification
- Select Specification Assistant à Select local specification assistant
- Activate Locations Folder à Activate Areas Folder
- Specification catalog Instrumentation à Object library Instrumentation
- 297494
The previous length restriction of 100 characters per dictionary text block has been increased to 1000 characters.
- 298173
Using the Boolean attribute “Logic Equipment”, you can mark objects which do not represent real objects. That way, you can treat the attributes displayed in the dialogs differently (visible, read-only) via the “Attribute View Configuration” assistant.
- 298613
You can now also create note objects below the “Documents” system folder, a subfolder or a drawing.
- 299024
You can now also create master shapes for areas and processes.
- 300318
The “Select Specification Objects” assistant was renamed to “Select object template” and is now also able to transfer the sub-structures of the object templates. We recommend to preferably start the assistant via the new “Object template” attribute on the “System Attributes” tab in the future.
- 304198
You can now also create note objects under units.
If you are working in the Process Engineering, you can now also create note objects under processes (process scenario, operating mode) and local processes below devices (local operating mode).
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3. Fixed Bugs in Version 2020 R2 SP1
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NOTE: In front of each of the following fixed errors, an identification number (ID) is provided under which the respective error is stored in our database. Should you have any questions related to an error recovery, please refer to this identification number.
- 187146
The Database Manager now again allows you to restore backups saved in a network directory.
- 258777
The existing wire destinations (destination 1 and destination 2) of a selected cable were not displayed in the list pane. The wire destinations could only be displayed by deleting the association and re-associating the symbol on the diagram. Now, the destinations are again displayed correctly at all wires of the cable.
- 281829
The activated add-in “Copy Data from Potential to Wires” caused long waiting times. Renaming a project took several minutes when the add-in was started. If the add-in was deactivated, the changes ware applied right away. This bug has been fixed.
- 285545
The manual associations of cross-reference shapes were lost on updating the cross-reference shapes on the sheet using the “Update Shape” function. This bug has been fixed.
- 289173
Smart PDF assistant: Attempting to convert a large project to a PDF file caused an infinite loop or an error message indicating that an unhandled exception occurred. This bug has been fixed.
- 292965
As of this version of Engineering Base, the destinations of the wire jumpers on the terminal block diagram are again entered at the correct side after the data transfer.
- 293557
The page number of an EVU terminal block diagram or an EVU table of contents created with a previous version of Engineering Base was no longer displayed correctly in version 2020 and in version 2020 R2. This bug has been fixed.
- 294481
The activated add-in “Auto Potential Numbering” caused long waiting times on leaving the Modify dialog after small changes had been made at a device (e.g. connector). If the add-in was deactivated, the performance improved. This bug has been fixed.
- 294550
After a database update from Engineering Base version 2019 to version 2020 R2, the formula attributes column was no longer filled in the advanced report / worksheet. The values of the formula attributes only became visible when the report was created anew. However, if any further columns were added to the worksheet in the report, the display of the formula attributes did no longer function properly. This bug has been fixed.
- 294628
Creating a folder below the “Documents” folder took several minutes for specific projects. This bug has been fixed.
- 295341
Replacing a template sheet by a template with units in inches via the “Replace Form Sheet” function changed the position values displayed in the “Snap & Grid” dialog. Devices could then no longer be correctly placed and connected on the sheet. This bug has been fixed.
- 296441
AucRemoteExecutionManager (AREM): After the start of AREM, Engineering Base was also duly started. If starting EB took a long time after that, AREM crashed and no protocol files were created. This bug has been fixed.
- 296940
Faulty wire destinations were identified in case of forced wirings. This bug has been fixed.
- 296957
"Execution Management Merge” assistant: Merging an execution task with the data of the As-built project caused an error if the execution task was assigned a P&I diagram on which some functions and devices had been deleted. This bug has been fixed.
- 297252
"Execution Management Merge” assistant: If the assignments at input and output devices were changed in an execution task, errors occurred on merging the execution task with the data of the As-built project. The inputs and outputs were not separated correctly, and the symbolic address was not removed. Because of that, the objects were misassigned and not created properly. This bug has been fixed.
- 297625
As of this version of Engineering Base, you can also create external documents in a folder below the “Processes” system folder via the Web Service.
- 297726
On exporting data from a worksheet to Excel, longer waiting times occurred. Now, the performance has been improved significantly.
- 297748
“Cross Connection Diagram” assistant: As of this version of Engineering Base, the entire target designation is entered at the cross-connection diagram.
- 297781
Delta-SYS VEC Export: On exporting a change, one pin was always missing in VEC for every contained component. This bug has been fixed.
- 298279
Loading the list pane for terminals took a long time if the “Associated Function” attribute was selected to be displayed in the list. This bug has been fixed.
- 298642
“Export of Multi-Page DWG” assistant: On saving sheets in the DWG format, the related bitmaps (BMP files) were not exported. The references to the external files were also missing on the exported sheets. This bug has been fixed.
- 299975
Some back-references were missing on opening a terminal block diagram in a large project. On creating the terminal block diagram anew, other back-references were missing. Updating the automatic wires also did not lead to a complete result. Now, the back-references are again displayed correctly.
- 300025
In the Modify dialog of a pin of type “Process / Fluid”, the assigned flow stream was not displayed in the “Associated Potential/Substance” attribute. This bug has been fixed.
- 300197 / 300438 / 304179
As of this version of Engineering Base, the wire jumpers/bridges in the terminal block diagram are again displayed correctly. The line representing the wire jumper/bridge does no longer run from the terminal to the last row of the terminal block diagram, but correctly displays the connection between two terminals.
- 300272
"Execution Management Merge” assistant: On merging the data of an execution task with the data of the As-built project, the assignment to the execution task was lost at some objects. This bug has been fixed.
- 300561
As of this version of Engineering Base, the cable designations and the target designations are no longer shortened in the Cable List EVU if, for instance, a unit is assigned to the cable list. This is to avoid that the cable designations become ambiguous.
- 300570
In some cases, the equipment designations were not represented on drawings if the configuration of the designation text blocks was loaded anew while the drawing was opened. This bug has been fixed.
- 301531
Engineering Base Web Service: Calling “GetObjectData” occasionally caused the Web Service to crash. This bug has been fixed.
- 301735
„Automotive E42 VEC Import“ assistant: Attempting to import data issued a message that the index was out of the permitted range. This bug has been fixed.
- 303200
„Automotive E42 VEC Import“ assistant (V 2.2.69): Attempting to import data displayed a message indicating that the document version and the part version could not be read. This bug has been fixed.
- 303424
On attempting to open or print a terminal block diagram, a message was issued that the access was denied. Despite the fact that “Exclusive access” was not activated for the project (common usage allowed), several users could not open the same terminal block diagram at the same time. This bug has been fixed.
- 303778
“Attribute View Configuration” assistant: If loading the data of a selected folder (e.g. Type Definitions) takes longer, a change of the cursor icon indicates that loading is still in progress.
- 303958
“Auto Create Data Sheet” assistant: Creating a data sheet for an object caused tab headers to appear on the data sheet which are not actually available for the respective object in the type definition. This bug has been fixed.
- 304072
Updating pipeline shapes via the “Update Shapes” function on a sheet damaged the Visio sheet. For instance, you could then no longer draw a connection. This bug has been fixed.
- 304098
If the Workflow Assistant was executed on a drawing with activated Revision Management, the Workflow Assistant did not change the state despite the revision being executed. This bug has been fixed.
- 304692
“Multi Copy Bay” assistant: Copying a bay in Engineering Base version 2020 R2 took significantly more time than in previous versions. This bug has been fixed.
- 305776
As of this version of Engineering Base, you can again delete the last revision via API (VBA, .NET).
- 305874
Writing the drawing state attributes during the document revision now also works with “Revision Rules” written by the customers.
- 306188
Revision Management: Creating the versions on drawings was not possible if at least one revision already existed under the drawing states. This bug has been fixed.
- 307388
Revision Management: Option “Fill revision table from bottom to top” (Project properties/Visio Settings/Settings) was ignored. Filling the revision table was done in the wrong order. This bug has been fixed.
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4. Known Bugs
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NOTE: In front of each of the following known errors, an identification number (ID) is provided under which the respective error is stored in our database. Should you have any questions related to an error recovery, please refer to this identification number.
- 253492
Engineering Base Data Service: If you use a version of Internet Explorer which is higher than 11.0.9600.18860, the Engineering Base Data Service may not function correctly.
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5. Database Enhancements
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In Version 2020 R2 SP1, the following database enhancements have been added:
New attribute definitions (AID):
748 - Associated Areas
749 - Post Open Assistant Name
756 - Logical Equipment
757 - Object template
906 - Glue to Parent
41478 - Equipment protection level
41479 - Deactivate 1% Rule
New object definitions (CID):
457 - Local Process
458 - Area
460 - Asset 360
463 - Drawing State
New role definitions (RID):
139 – AreasToObjects
141 – ProcessToDrawingState
142 - Asset360Object
New type definitions (TID):
Area
1850 - Unspecified area
1851 - Fire area
1852 - Hazardous area
1853 - WIFI / PAGA area
1854 - Process area
1855 – Route
1856 – Network
1857 - HVAC area
1858 - Security area
Off-Page Connector
2500 - Unspecified Off-Page Connector Source
2510 - Unspecified Off-Page Connector Target
Local Process
2550 - Local Operation Mode
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6. Updating from a Previous Version
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Version 2020 R2 SP1 is provided as a Service Pack for Version 2020 R2 and can therefore not be installed parallel to Version 2020 R2. An existing installation of Version 2020 R2 is overwritten after a respective message has been issued.
In client / server environments, the update has to be installed on the server and on the client computer.
NOTE: Databases created with previous versions of Engineering Base must be updated by the Database Manager before they can be used with this version!
To update an existing database
1. On the Windows Start menu, please select All Programs, then Engineering Base 2020 R2 SP1, and click "Database Manager 2020 R2 SP1".
2. Select the “SQL Server Instance” tab and click “Update databases”.
3. The dialog now shows a list of the databases which have not been updated yet. Mark the databases to be updated and start the update.
4. After the update has finished, quit the Database Manager. The database can now be used with the current version of Engineering Base.
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7. Important Information for the Use of Visio
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As of version 6.6.1, Engineering Base also supports Microsoft Visio 2013 in addition to Visio 2010; as of EB version 6.7.1, Visio 2016 is also supported, and Visio 365 is supported additionally as of EB 6.8.0. Microsoft Visio 2019 is approved for operation with Engineering Base Version 2020.
Please note: If several Visio versions are installed, Engineering Base will always use the version that was started last.
Important information:
Up to Visio 2010, comments could be placed at any position on the sheet via the ribbon "Review" and the command "New Comment". As of Visio 2013, these comments are always directly assigned to the selected shapes. Hence, these comments are also moved automatically on moving the respective shape. Because of this change, all comments placed in Visio 2010 are displayed in the upper left corner of the sheet in more recent Visio versions.
ID 162637
In PDF outputs of thin lines and texts, Visio outputs all lines with line widths of less than one point in an rounded line width of approximately 0.5 points. In cases where many thin lines are displayed, the output can therefore look confusing.
Please note: This issue was solved by Microsoft in the September 2017 update for Visio 2016 (KB4011096).
ID 153439
Due to the increased memory requirements for stencils from Visio 2013 on, further checks are executed when Engineering Base is started, and the following messages are displayed if the Visio 2013 Service Pack and the update
KB3114720 are not installed:
You are using a version of Visio 2013 (or newer) that can address a maximum memory of 2 GB. Please note that this may lead to problems due to insufficient addressable memory.
You will find the update on https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3114720.