Paladin DesignBase

Toolbar Functions

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 Paladin DesignBase Toolbar Functions
This section gives a brief overview of Paladin DesignBase toolbar functions.
Understanding these functions can help to use the program properly. The Paladin
DesignBase toolbar is shown in figure below.

New Print Cut Undo Select Rotate Zoom Group Complex Show/hide
Open Print Preview Delete Redo Text box Flip Ungroup Component symbols
Save Capture Copy Make straight
Rollback Paste Lock On/off Excel

Project Text Refresh Short PDC Arc Ground

Advanced
Manager Editor Back & Color Circuit Power Flow Harmonics Flash Grid
Master Annotation
Find Transients Wire
File Data analyzer Sizing Cable Ampacity
Editor
Error checking Reliability

Create a New Drawing, Open an Existing Drawing and Save the

Current Drawing functions are identical to the corresponding functions in any
Windows-based program. Additionally, New/Open/Save Drawing and
New/Open/Save Project functions coexist in Paladin DesignBase file menu. For
projects with a single drawing, these functions are essentially the same. For
multiple-drawing projects the Drawing functions allow the user to select a
particular drawing within the project.

Print and Print Preview functions work the same as in any Windows
applications.

Capture and Rollback commands allow the user to save/retrieve a copy

of his project. These functions are particularly useful for saving the project on the
server while working on a local machine. While working on the project users can
Capture it by clicking on the first icon. Users will be asked where and under
what name to save the project. Users can continue working on the current project
while having a copy saved in the desired location. Users can also use the
rollback command by clicking on the second icon. Rollback command will
change the current project to any previous version already created with Capture.
Cut, Delete, Copy and Paste functions work the same as in
other Windows applications.

Undo and Redo work only on changes performed on drawing. Changes

done on the database cannot be undone.

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 Select function changes the shape of cursor to the familiar arrow that
enables editing of the components.

Text box function should be used to add text on the drawing as in any
Windows based program.

Rotate and Flip functions work the same as in other Windows

applications.

Zoom In/out, Zoom Window, Zoom All and Zoom Previous

functions work the same as in other Windows applications. In addition, user can
zoom in and out using the mouse scroll button.

Group and Ungroup functions should never be used with electrical

symbols. If users attempt to group these symbols, the program will give the
following warning:

Users can use these functions with other drawing components; typical example is
the default drawings title box. The box can be ungrouped, redesigned and
grouped again.
Lock/Unlock function can help to preserve drawings. The icon changes
appearance depending of the status of the project: for unlocked and for
locked drawings. Once the drawing is built the user can lock it. Users cannot
change the geometry of the locked drawing, cannot add or delete components,
scenarios, etc. Users can edit components of the locked drawing and run all the
analyses.

Make Straight function should be used to straighten branches in the

drawing. Users can apply this function either on an individual branch or on all
branches connected to a bus bar. In the latter case, users need to select the bus
bar first and then click on Make Straight icon.

On/off function should be used to open (close) several components at the

same time. Users should select the components first and then click on the icon.
Selection of components can be done in two ways:
o Click on components, one by one while holding the shift key
o Users can fence the components using the mouse left-click:

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 Complex Component Catalog function opens a special catalog with
complex components (transfer switch, UPS etc.). In addition, this catalog can be
used to add user-created special components.
Export/Import to Excel function should be used to Export/Import the
network data into/from Excel.
Show/Hide Symbol Catalog function should be used to Show or Hide the
symbol catalog.
Project Manager function gives an overview of the entire project: database
and drawing files; type and number of components, etc. Click on a component
from the list to zoom to the component in the drawing. See screen capture.

Master File Editor is one of Paladin DesignBases most important functions.

All the general properties of a file are defined here (file locations, equipment
defaults, scenarios, settings etc.). Users must become familiar with all the master
file options before creating new project. To learn more about master file editor
please review the Creating Your Job File document available on your pdf-
manual CD.

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 Text Editor function enables the user to edit equipment without using the
drawing. Users can edit buses or branches, all or specific types, etc. Users can
navigate through equipment, edit and change it without using the actual drawing.

Find function enables the user to locate the particular branch/bus in the
system. Users should pick up the bus/branch name from the pull down menu and
click OK. Program will zoom in to the selected branch/bus.

Refresh function refreshes annotations in the system.

Back Annotation function enables the user to display various data. User can
display general bus/branch properties and/or equipment specific data. User can
change the size and color of the text, etc.
Color Annotation function should be used for different color-coding of the
network. Default option is connectivity color-coding (energized equipment is
black, disconnected equipment is gray). User can change this option and color
the network according to voltage level, network type, etc.
Data Structure Analyzer is an important tool that should be used while
building the model. In rare occasions where computer/program crashes the
database file might contain entries that are not in the drawing and vice versa.
Data Structure Analyzer compares the drawing vs. database and repairs the
database if necessary.
Error Checking is another important tool. It reports illogical items in the
model. Error checking produces two types of messages: errors and warnings.

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 While errors need immediate attention, warnings may or may not need to be
addressed. Typical warnings are existence of islands and loops, different
system and nameplate voltages, typos (48V instead of 480V), etc.
AC Short Circuit and DC Short Circuit functions give shortcuts to
corresponding programs. When these are selected, short circuit toolbar will be
opened. User can always select a different type of short circuit calculation using
the pull down menu within the short circuit toolbar (see below):

The advanced power flow part of the toolbar has shortcuts

to the following analysis: Advanced Power Flow, AC Optimization, Advanced
Motor Starting, AC Load Analysis, Advanced Capacitor Sizing, Voltage Stability
and DC Power Flow. When any of these is selected, the corresponding toolbar will
be opened. User can always change the analysis using the pull down menu within
the toolbar (see below):

Paladin DesignBase offers two PDC programs: Standalone and Network

PDC and Protective Device Coordination. Both programs use the same
engine; however, their interfaces are different. Standalone and Network PDC
allow the user to quickly build and analyze protective circuits without building a
model of the entire system. Protective Device Coordination program is based on
graphical user interface. User first builds the model and then invokes PDC
program to analyze device coordination.

Harmonic Analysis, Transient Stability, Advanced Reliability

and Wire Sizing functions provide the links to related programs. All four
programs are completely integrated in Paladin DesignBase CAD environment.
Once any of these is selected the corresponding toolbar will open.

AC Arc Flash and DC Arc Flash functions can be used in two ways. If
the model of a system is opened, arc flash analysis will be performed on the
jobfile. Alternatively, these programs can be used as standalone; to enable this
user needs to select these functions without having opened any model.

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 3-D Substation Ground Grid program will be invoked using this function.
The program is standalone and will open a window independent from Paladin
DesignBase environment.
Cable Ampacity IEC /Neher McGrath program will be invoked using this
function. The program is standalone, independent from Paladin DesignBase
environment.

Review of Paladin DesignBase Menu

In this section we will explain some of the functions from the programs main menu. The
emphasis will be on important but infrequently used commands. For a more
comprehensive overview off all Paladin DesignBase functions please review our manuals
available on your pdf CD.

File Menu:

Convert EDSA 2.95 File is used to import old

files in the current version of software. This
option should only be used for files created in
EDSA 2.95 or older version of software. Once
the option is selected, users will be guided
through a series of screens that will help to
import the old database and create the system
drawing.

Import to EDSA is a specific function developed

for importing Intergraphs Smart Plant Electrical
Files. After selecting this option the user goes
through several screens that help to locate the
file, select the file type, etc.
Each project consists of several files. Pack
and Ship Project function helps user to pack
the file together in one .cab archive. Once
the option is selected, user will be asked for
the name and the destination of the archive.
Archive can be unpacked using WinZip or any
similar software.

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Edit Menu:

Paste Duplicate Symbol is a commonly overlooked

function. The function can be applied to either nodes
or bus-bars. It allows user to electrically connect two
drawings. User can copy a node or a bus bar from
one drawing and paste it as a duplicate symbol on
another drawing. Using this procedure user creates
two graphic presentations of a single element, a
single entry in the database.

View Menu:

Content Explorer function shows/hides the

equipment catalog. F8 function key can be used
for the same purpose. Once the model is built the
catalog is obsolete; user can hide the catalog to
maximize the screen area.
Property Window function, or F9 key, shows/hides
the property window. This window could be used to
define various properties of selected symbols: color,
pattern, font size, angle, etc.

Insert Menu:

AutoCAD Drawing function is used to insert

AutoCAD files in Paladin DesignBase environment.
Once the option is selected, user will be guided
through a series of screens that will allow the import
of files. Notice that files must be saved in AutoCAD
2000 format before importing to Paladin DesignBase.

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Database Menu:

Project Libraries function is used to open the

general project library. User can choose between
US and metric library (Projlib.mas and
Projlibm.mas). Use can create other libraries.
The libraries contain feeders, transformers,
reactors, capacitors, motors and generators.
Battery Library function opens the DC
battery library. The format of DC library is
considerably different in this version; for
more information refer to Battery Sizing
manual on the pdf-manual CD.
The rest of the functions in this menu open
the corresponding databases. To learn
more about these functions refer to our
Build Devices manual available on pdf-
manual CD.

Tools Menu:

Auto Snap function defines snapping of lines to

various points in the model. Proper selection of
points and snapping distance will allow user to
easily connect components in the drawing.
Symbol Replacement Wizard, Replace Bus-bar
and Create Nodes are auxiliary functions that
should be used in conjunction with Convert EDSA
2.95 File tool from the File Menu. Their main
purpose is to improve automatically generated
drawings.
Input Data Report is an important tool that
generates reports of all the input data. Upon
selecting this option, user can choose the report type
(spreadsheet, text or professional report) and design
the report content (branch data, bus data, echo of
input data, etc.).
Global Edits is a collection of functions that enables
user to set some parameters globally to all the
components in the project (rather than doing it
individually). The frequently used global edits are:
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 o Set Node Suppress Status function suppresses/unsuppresses selected
nodes. By default nodes are suppressed: there are ignored in annotation and
reports. User can include the nodes in annotation/reports by unsuppressing
them.
o Change % Running function enables user to control diversity of loads. User
can select a set of the loads and change their % running; from 100% to 75%
for instance.
o Once the project is built user may need to change properties of a particular
type of branch, for instance resistance of all 500 kcmil cables. Instead of
editing the entire cables user can perform a single change in the library.
Refresh Branch Impedance Values from Library function allows the user to
transfer the new values to all the feeders in the project.

Analysis and Selection Menus:

Using these two menus users can start all Paladin DesignBase engines. Some of the
options have submenus: Power Flow and Additional Calculations submenus are
shown in the screen capture below:

Draw and Modify Menus:

Both menus contain common graphical tools.

Using Draw menu users can draw different
shapes. Draw functions work the same as in
other Autodesk, Microsoft or similar
Windows-based applications. Modify menu
contains tools for manipulation with graphical
symbols. Modify functions are not different
than in other Windows applications.

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Window Menu:

Windows menu is used for managing several drawings.

User can open a new drawing using New Window
function. User can display all opened drawings using
Arrange All or Cascade functions. User can select a
particular drawing from the list at the bottom of the window
menu.

Help Menu:

EDSA Technical 2005 Help function opens a new window

containing the most important Paladin DesignBase help files.
New users should refer to Getting Started and Quick Start
Guide help folders first. All the help files are also available on
pdf CD.
ECAD Drawing Help function will open a new window
containing help files for our GUI Actrix.
About EDSA Technical 2005 option enables the user to
display his license information, version and date of his
program.

Package Limits:
Package size and the size of the current project are shown in the continuation of the
main program menu. In the above example there are 2074 buses in the 30,000-bus
package. Only the active buses (sources, loads and bas bars) are counted. Nodes and
loads within the schedules are not considered. When the size of the project exceeds the
package limit the associated icon (see above) will change from green to red.

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