To fully comprehend the purpose and all the functionalities of the EPLAN Harness proD library we should first define some terms which are used in the following topics.
Library
The library is a structure which contains parts intended for use in EPLAN Harness proD Studio. A library can exist in the form of an XML file (so-called "File system library") or as a Microsoft SQL database (see Creating New Library for more details).
Connection
To connect to a certain library, the EPLAN Harness proD Library application uses a special file which contains the required information. This file with the *.hxcn file extension is called "Connection". Connections are stored in the Documents\<EPLAN Harness proD version>\Connections directory.
A new connection is created automatically when a new library is created or an existing library is opened on your local computer for the first time (see Using Existing Libraries for details).
Parts
The main purpose of a library is to contain parts intended for use in EPLAN Harness proD Studio. Each part should contain sufficient information to best correspond to its real model. This information consists of:
- Global properties: general information common to all part types
- Part-specific properties: special properties of a particular part
- Additional info: user-defined information
- Attached parts: list of parts which could, should or must be used with the part for which they are defined
- 3D window: three-dimensional representation of the part
- 2D window: schematic representation of the part used for 2D output.
Categories
A category is a level in the library hierarchy which associates parts of the same type (e.g. wires, cables, connectors, etc.). Although parts of different types cannot be within the same category, several categories can be defined for parts of the same type.