6.6 Using the Copy Tool

The Copy tool is useful in situations where multiple instances of a single object must appear. Using the Copy tool, you can select the object and drop identical copies of it across your application pages.

According to the P&ID for our tutorial system, there are 3 valves that appear along the water main. These 3 valves are identical in appearance; therefore we will place one valve, and then use the copy tool to generate the remaining two valves.

 

1.  Click the Bitmap button in the Configuration Toolbox. The temporary bitmap image will attach to the cursor.  Place this on the page as shown:

Figure 81

2.  The Graphic Editor for Bitmaps dialog opens

3.  Click on the Select Bitmap button. The Select Bitmap dialog opens and displays the graphic groups.

4.  Click the Valves group button. The Select Bitmap display now displays all of the valve graphics belonging to the valves group.

5.  Select Valve11 from the Select Bitmap dialog.

6.  Click the OK button. The name of the valve is now displayed in the Graphic Editor.

7.  Click the OK button. The valve should now be drawn. You will probably need to adjust its location slightly.  Make sure that the valve is selected (it should have grips shown).

Figure 82

8.  Click on the Copy button in the Configuration Toolbox.

Nothing will appear to happen, but the object will be copied to the Windows clipboard.

Figure 83

9.  Click the Paste button in the Configuration Toolbox.

A copy of the valve will appear attached to the cursor.

10. Position the new valve on the water main under the booster tank's discharge pipe (see the finished image below for guidance).

11. Click to drop a copy of the valve.

12. Repeat to create a second copy of the valve to the right of the booster tank’s discharge pipe.

13. Press the ESC button on the keypad to stop copying valves. The page should now look similar to the following:

Figure 84

Now that you know how the copy tool can be used, complete the On Your Own section that follows to add more enhancement details to the Booster Station application page.