How to create a technical schema
A technical schema is built in edit mode: you add the background drawing, place pins and attach them to timeseries. The most important thing to grasp before starting is the difference between draft mode and edit mode.
Draft or edit?
Mode | What happens |
|---|---|
Draft mode | Draft mode is on. Your changes are saved automatically, but customers will not see them. |
Edit mode | Edit mode is on. Customers will see your changes automatically. |
Note: In edit mode your changes are immediately visible to customers. If you're building a schema from scratch, or making larger rearrangements, use Convert to draft first. You can then finish in peace and use Mark as ready when you're done.
How to create a schema
- Go to Technical schema in the sidebar.
- Choose the building or zone in Select a building/zone.
- Open editing with Edit the schema (shift+e).
- Use Convert to draft if the schema shouldn't be visible yet.
- Add the background drawing with Change the background.
- Choose the systems the schema should cover under Select systems.
- Place the pins — see How to place pins on a schema.
- Click Mark as ready when the schema is ready for customers.
Finish with Exit edit mode (Esc).
If creation fails, the message says Couldn't create the schemas. Try again.
How to build a schema from an existing one
If you have twenty identical ventilation units, copying is the way to go. Make a copy of this schema does exactly what it describes: Create a new schema with the same layout but different timeseries.
- Open the schema you want to copy.
- Choose Make a copy of this schema in the sidebar.
- Fill in the Title and Building.
- Map Current system to New system — that mapping decides which timeseries the copy will use.
If something can't be mapped automatically, Diagnostics opens, where you pick Timeseries, Rooms and Links manually using Select floor…, Select room… and Select timeseries. Use Skip for items that shouldn't come along.
If it fails, the message says Couldn't copy the schema. Try again. or Couldn't copy the remaining items. Try again.
The tools in edit mode
Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
Create room | adds a room |
Create timeseries | adds a measurement |
Create label | adds a text label |
Create link | adds a link |
Add relationship | connects elements together |
Edit room | changes a room — requires edit mode |
Try to edit a room outside edit mode and the message says Edit mode required to edit room.
Frequently asked questions
Can I delete a schema?
Yes, with Delete the schema. If it fails: Couldn't delete the schema. Try again.
Can I see what's been changed?
Yes, use Open schema change history.
How do I import a schema from outside?
Use Import schema — see How to import a schema.
What if I forget to mark the schema as ready?
It stays a draft, and customers don't see it. Check the banner at the top if you're unsure which mode you're in.
Tip!
Build the first schema for a given installation type thoroughly, then copy it. Copying takes minutes and preserves the layout; building twenty schemas by hand gives you twenty slightly different schemas, and then operations staff lose the recognizability that is the whole point of system diagrams.