Split window in Intools instrument index browser

When working on instrument index browser in Intools, it often requires having many fields in one view. However, filling fields becomes inconvenient especially for those which need screen to be scrolled to right. Like in excel, Intools is able to have split window in instrument index browser.

Put the cursor on the left corner of the table. Click and drag to the right as required.

Now we have split window and filling each field is easier.

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Batch Print of Intools Specification Sheets

When instrument engineer working in a project, instrument specification sheet should always be printed as pdf file on every revision to record the history of changes. Intools can not store previous entries on any field which has been modified, so the only way to see the previous record is through that pdf file.

Printing few spec sheets is easy. However, if the data sheet contains hundreds of spec sheets, it is a big job to do. The following is how to do batch print of multiple specification sheets:

(1) Specified Acrobat Distiller as pdf generator in Preference

File>>Preference>>General

(2) Ensure that pdf printer is selected

File>>Printer Setup


(3) Open specification module and select Report>>Print Specs into PDF File


(4) New dialog window will open. Here you need to enter file name, just click browse and then select any pdf file (This is a bug in intools, just select any pdf file you have. Yes, it will prompt you to overwrite, click YES and don’t worry as when it is ready to print to pdf file, new window will come up to enter new file name so your existing file will not be overwritten – see point 7 below). Then click FIND to select the tag numbers.

(5) "Select Entities window" will open, click FIND and choose tag number as required. Multi selection can be done by using CTRL+Click or SHIFT+Click on the tag numbers.


(6) Once finish click OK and it will return to previous window. Click OK and intools will start creating temporary file.

(7) After temporary file (.psr) of all selected tag number has been created, new window will come up. Here you need to enter new file name, so previously selected file name (point 3) will not be overwritten.

(8) Having been entered a new file name, sometimes it will have error message of Acrobat Distiller. Just click OK to continue printing.

If your intools hangs and you do not see this error message, you need to minimize all program windows, open intools only, minimize it then you will see error message. By clicking OK it will continue to print

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About Intools

Intools, currently also known as SmartPlant Instrumentation, is an instrument engineering database utilized in project starting from design, construction, up to plant operation. It can store instrument data such as its specification, process data, wiring detail from field to control system, hook-up detail including its bulk material, etc.

Intools is also able to calculate instrument which normally needs to be sized like control valve, pressure safety valve, orifice etc.

By using Intools during detailed design project, documentation such as instrument data sheet, instrument index, I/O list, junction box connection list, calculation report, hook-up drawing, loop drawing, etc. could be generated with less effort than by conventional way.

Intools is also well customized; user can add field as required in certain project phase such as procurement data (PO number, Requisition No, Item No), construction data (installed date, pre-commissioning date), etc. Also every template e.g. specification form, loop diagram drawing, hook-up drawing can be modified extremely since drawing template can be done in AUTOCAD.

The advantage of using Intools is more, for example:
- Duplicate tag is impossible
- Error related to inconsistency could be avoided
- Creating multiple documents in one go

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