Specifying the project name and databases
On the Build menu, click Database Specification, or click the 
button on the toolbar.
The Database Specification dialog allows you to:
- specify the project name and databases to be included in the project in the initial build, or
- change which databases are chosen for a rebuild, and
- identify the location of function code help files (.pdf) to be built in.
At any time, contextual help can be obtained by clicking on the ? box in the top right corner of the dialog box, and then clicking on the subject you are wondering about.
Naming the project
In the Database Specification dialog, enter a unique and meaningful name for your project (e.g. a few words that identify the function, location, plant or company).
Note:maximum 220 characters including build root, and certain characters may not be allowed.
Choosing database types
In the Database Specification dialog, check the boxes that apply to database types in your project:
- Composer systems – .EBP databases
- Process Portal B / Operate IT / Conductor NT systems / 800xA – .MDB databases
- .XML Databases – for some Process Portal B systems
- WinCAD/WinTools systems – .PTT FoxPro databases
- Generic tag and trend databases: .DBF, .TTG and .TTR, also OPC-90 .CSV, Citect Console Databases, plus any other database types that you can export into .DBF format.
- PI, generic - .XLS Excel Workbooks - This is limited to simple tabular spreadsheets, including OSISoft PI configuration documents.
- 800xA VB Version 5 graphics - .AFW directories (VB Version 5 graphics have file names starting with 0_)
- Function Code Help Files (.pdf) can be built in by ensuring this box is checked.
If there are other database types you wish to build in, please contact GMCL.
More information is available:
Specifying where to search for your database files
Entering paths to databases and function code help files
Note the databases and function code files do not have to be located on the same computer, or on the build computer, and DBDOC access is read-only. But if you don't have access to the computer that contain the source files, you will have to copy them to your local computer. In this case, leave the directory structure the same.
- Enter the folder name in which the file(s) reside, and BuildPlus will find the files, or you may include the name of the database file.
- Once a path has been entered, the drop-down arrow can be used to select the same location for other database types OR you can copy and paste from one box to another.
Browsing to choose paths
- Clicking on Browse will bring up the Windows "Browse for Folder" dialog, where a directory or file can be selected. This choice will be appended to the end of any search paths already entered.
- You can Browse for the directory in which the file(s) reside and BuildPlus will find the files, or you may include the name of the database file..
Adding more than one path
- More than one path will be searched if multiple paths are listed for each database type, separated with a "|" character
- Multiple paths can be quickly added by clicking the Browse button and selecting additional paths.
You many also add the location of your function code pdf help files.
After specifying the locations of your databases and function code help pdf files, click Next to have BuildPlus find your files.
Selecting specific databases
- The left panel displays "databases to select from"; all databases of the specified type found by BuildPlus in the specified search paths. If you wish to change the search path to find additional databases, use the Back button.
- The right panel displays "databases to be included in the build", including any database names entered previously (provided they were located in the search). If only one database was found during the search, it will be automatically moved into the final list.
- Move a database from one list to another by selecting it from the initial list and clicking the enabled Add or Remove button as required. Using the CTRL or SHIFT key in combination with the mouse can make multiple database selections.
- If a database has "Unimplemented Type" listed for the file size, BuildPlus has identified that it cannot process the file, and that file cannot be selected.
- The Next/Finish button will be enabled when there is at least one database in the final list
- To proceed with the build without selecting any databases of a given type, use the checkbox Check here to continue without selecting any databases. You may also use the Back button to omit that type of database from the build.
- Composer EBP databases are each shown with a checkbox in the final selection list. Unchecking the box means that databases extracted from EBP file will not be used or included in your final M14. (All databases are of equal importance unless you choose to exclude the databases extracted from an .ebp file, giving more importance the graphics databases.) Generally, you would only uncheck the EBP database if it is unused, obsolete or in some other way invalid, and a better database can be built in (for example a graphics database).
- Locations of Function Code .pdf files are listed for information, and BuildPlus will select the appropriate files. To change which locations of Function Code .pdf files are included, use the Back button to the Database Specification box, find your preferred file location and check the Redo box, then click Next to proceed.
Databases Chosen lists all your selections once databases of each specified type are chosen. If corrections need to be made, press the Back button to review the database selection panels. Otherwise, press the Finish button to continue. After some database processing, the Configuration Wizard will appear.
See also