Vector Graphics/CAD

Windows Vista and Windows 7 use vector graphics at the core instead of Bitmaps. As said in other topics, we need to get past the basic graphics and old technology and begin using current technologies. This needs to be assumed in order to cover my topic.

Once we move to Vector Graphics we need to get beyond just an "artistic" representation of a part. CAD drawings can be exported as vector graphics so why not (yes, without giving away the farm) export these Vector drawings from CAD and use them as the graphic in DeltaV? That way, there is no ambiguity and the Engineer putting the faceplate together doesn't need to look through a library of pictures to find something that gets close to representing the part. Have the item's skin defined by a style sheet; not by the graphic itself.

The step beyond this is exciting. Why not step back and CAD how multiple parts work together in a loop? Then take another step back and CAD an entire unit, process center, and area (following the S88 model). With vector graphics we should be able to zoom in and out of the entire plant structure with the scroll button on the mouse or, using Windows 7 touch screen technology.

Then, the user can skin the graphic any way they want. Lock it down to adhere to plant standards, or make it configurable by user. Make it a wire frame to zoom to the interior or skin it with some grey-scale color on it.

Then, take the configurable and stretchy CAD graphic and use it as a dashboard (real-time report):

- From a maintenance dashboard: When a bearing in a valve shows some wear, cause the graphic to indicate its state using a color and texture scheme. Then, zoom in and away from each point of interest. Click on the module to compare it to all other in-house modules of the same type with their maintenance data. Then, expand the search to hit an Emerson service that shows life expectancy data across similar and diverse industries.

- From a Safety dashboard: Show me all the temperature readings in my plant so I can see the hot spots. Click on a module and get the temperature trend including fired alarms, etc.

- From an Efficiency dashboard: Represent how each module is running in perspective to capacity. Graphically represent groups of modules or capacity using S88 intervals. Double click on the module and show a capacity trend.

This is where graphics get exciting and existing technology makes this capable and still cost effective.