Sim4me Portal

SimSci
SIM4ME Portal 2.3

with PRO/II 9.3
User Guide
May 2014
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only in accordance with the terms of these agreements.
2014 by Invensys Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Invensys Systems, Inc.

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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................. 3
OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................................................... 4
GETTING STARTED ..................................................................................................................................... 5
COMPONENTS OF SIM4ME PORTAL .......................................................................................................11
SIM4ME PORTAL DOCUMENT ACTIONS PANE ...............................................................................................11
WORKBOOK...............................................................................................................................................14
SIMSCI MENU ...........................................................................................................................................15
CASE STUDY..............................................................................................................................................16
MULTI SIMULATION LINK .........................................................................................................................21
ASSAY HANDLING .....................................................................................................................................24
MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES......................................................................................................................26
COPY-PASTE LINKED PARAMETERS ..........................................................................................................28
MANUAL EDITING OF LINKS ......................................................................................................................29
REPLACE SIMULATION ..............................................................................................................................32
CREATION OF AUDIT LOG..........................................................................................................................33
SAVE AS FUNCTIONALITY .........................................................................................................................35
PORTAL LAUNCH FROM COMMAND LINE ..................................................................................................36
PORTAL AS AN OPCUA CLIENT ................................................................................................................37
NEW FEATURES IN SIM4ME PORTAL 2.3 ...............................................................................................38
TOTAL STREAM LINK: ...............................................................................................................................38
HOW TO ....................................................................................................................................................41
FAQS .............................................................................................................................................................42
DEMO ............................................................................................................................................................48
MS OFFICE 2013 SUPPORT .......................................................................................................................50
LIST OF KNOWN ISSUES/OBSERVATIONS OF OFFICE 2013 SUPPORT IN SIM4ME PORTAL ..........................50
SIM4ME PORTAL CHECKLIST...................................................................................................................52
CHECKLIST PROCESS FOR PORTAL STARTUP .............................................................................................52
MANUAL INSTALL PRE-REQUISITES .......................................................................................................54
DOTNET FRAMEWORK ..............................................................................................................................54
VSTO 2005 SE..........................................................................................................................................54
MICROSOFT OFFICE PRIMARY INTEROP ASSEMBLIES (PIAS) ....................................................................54
EXCEL WORKBOOK SECURITY SETTINGS ..............................................................................................56
Overview
Overview
The SIM4METM Portal provides a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet interface to PRO/IITM
software. It enables the users to interact live with a PRO/II simulation model using Excel
spreadsheet without requiring any knowledge of coding or simulation techniques. The
SIM4ME Portal allows users to:
Open a PRO/II simulation file (prz file) in Excel workbook.
Change some defined attributes in the simulation file.
Run the simulation from Excel sheet.
See the results back in Excel workbook sheet as well as all appropriate errors and
warning messages.
See the Solution history of the simulation.
SIM4ME PORTAL Page 4 of 59

Getting Started
Getting Started
The SIM4ME Portal can be launched in the following ways:
1. From within PRO/II software, select OutputReport ManagerSIM4MEPortal.
2. From PRO/II software, you can add a Portal shortcut icon to the PRO/II software
toolbar by going to ViewToolbar and adding the SIM4ME Portal icon.
3. In stand-alone mode, it can be activated through a desktop shortcut or start-menu item
at SIMSCIPRO/II 9.3SIM4MEPortal
4. If a preconfigured Portal file is created on the working machine. Double-click it to
launch SIM4ME Portal.
To launch the SIM4ME Portal from PRO/II software, follow the procedure given below:
1. Start PRO/II software and open any simulation.
2. From the Output menu, select Report Manager and click SIM4ME Portal.
Figure 1: SIM4ME Portal option in PRO/II Output menu

Getting Started
3. An Open file dialog box appears as shown below.
Figure 2: Open/Create SIM4ME Portal dialog box

4. Enter a name for the new excel sheet file and click Open. By default, the name
selected will be the name of the prz file. However, you could over-write to suit your
preference.
5. A pop-up message is displayed as shown below.
Figure 3: Excel file does not exist message

6. Click Yes to create the SIM4ME Portal.
7. Now, a Flowsheet Explorer containing all attributes of the .prz appears as shown
below:

Getting Started
Figure 4: Document Actions Window

8. Select the desired variable(s) from the Flowsheet Explorer, drag and drop them onto
any worksheet in the Excel workbook.
9. Modify the simulation variables in the Excel worksheet and click the Run button.
10. The simulation with modified values is run from within the Excel workbook and the
output is written back to the Excel worksheet.

Getting Started
To launch the SIM4ME Portal in stand-alone mode:

1. Click the Start button and choose Program Files. From the Program Files list, choose
SIMSCI\PRO/II 9.3\SIM4ME Portal.
Figure 5: Stand-alone mode for launching SIM4ME Portal

2. An Open file dialog is displayed. Enter a name for the new Excel workbook file and
click Open.
Figure 6: Open/Create SIM4ME Portal dialog box

Getting Started
3. A pop-up message is displayed. Click Yes.
Figure 7: Pop-up displaying file does not exist message

4. A Choose Simulation dialog box is displayed. Browse and select a prz file to be linked
to the SIM4ME Portal and click Open.
Figure 8: SIM4ME Portal - Choose Simulation dialog box

Getting Started
5. The SIM4ME Portal for the linked prz file is opened.
Figure 9: prz file

6. Repeat the steps 8 -10 as mentioned in the previous procedure.
Once a SIM4ME Portal is configured as described above, you can double-click the file to
launch it. The file is launched after selecting the appropriate license.

Components of SIM4ME Portal

The SIM4ME Portal consists of two parts. They are:
SIM4ME Portal Document Actions Pane
Excel Workbook
Figure 10: Components of SIM4ME Portal
SIM4ME Portal Document Actions Pane

The components of SIM4ME Portal Pane are summarized below:
Feature Description
Flowsheet Explorer The Flowsheet Explorer displays a tree view of the unit
operations and streams available in the flowsheet. The unit
operations and streams are grouped under their respective
classes. Each class has a hierarchical structure of entries. Each
unit operation or stream is associated with a parameter group,
which may have one or more parameters associated with the
group.
The Flowsheet Explorer is a floating window, which can be
resized and moved to any preferred location.

Run Sequencer Tab The Run Sequencer tab allows the user to define the order of
simulation in which the user wants to execute them. When a
simulation is disconnected, the sequence will be automatically
updated. It contains a list box to define the sequence of
simulation files.
Linked Parameters If a large number of parameters from the Flowsheet Explorer

Tab are dragged and dropped onto the worksheet, it can become
difficult to quickly locate the parameters in the Excel sheet.
The Linked Parameters tab displays the live linked parameters.
Double-click on any parameter. It will point to the parameters
location in the Excel sheet.
Messages Tab The Messages Tab displays the pre-processing warnings/errors

generated by PRO/II software.
Run The Run button executes the prz file from Excel workbook.
Auto Run The Auto Run option is used to run the .prz file continuously,
whenever the input parameters are changed in the Excel
workbook.
User Mode Upon selecting this check box, following changes will take
place:
1. The Flowsheet explorer becomes inactive and the new
drag-drop to spreadsheet does not work. Remaining
functions work as usual.
2. Add case study, case study layout, add simulation,
remove/replace simulation, Stream Composition Link,
Total Stream Link, and Restore input data will become
inactive in SimSci Add - In drop-down list.
Filter The Filter button filters the parameters based on the string you
supply. Note that it does not filter at a group level or at a Unit-
op level. In the current implementation, it only filters at the
attribute level.
Example: Enter "Temp" as the string. It gives all instances of
Temp in the Flowsheet Explorer.

Parameters
The input values and output/calculated values of all the parameters can be identified with
an icon in front of the parameter.
Input values for all the Unit Op and Stream parameters will appear with a
BLUE icon for identification.
Figure 11: Input Values - Blue icon

Calculated values for all the Unit Op and Stream parameters will appear with
a GREEN icon for identification.
Figure 12: Calculated Values - Green icon

Color Coding
1. When the input parameters which are drag-dropped on to the excel sheet are
modified, the modified values are shown in RED.
2. After hitting the run button, if the PRO/II simulation file converges (Run
completes successfully), the run button is shown in BLUE with the modified input
parameters returning to BLUE color.
3. After hitting the run button, if the PRO/II simulation file does not converge (Run
fails), the run button is shown in RED with modified input parameters still in
RED color.
4. If the Restore Input Data is executed, the run button is shown in PINK.

UOM
The current UOM Slate is the current slate in PRO/II flowsheet. You cannot over-ride the
slate in the current phase. You can change the UOM of individual scalar attributes or full
vectors by clicking the UOM cell on the worksheet and choose the option to Change
Units or Convert Value. Change Units button remains inaccessible for Read-only
Scalars/Vectors. Selecting the Long description check box expands the UOM in
lengthy/full description.
Figure 13: Units of Measure Conversion dialog box

Note: Change Units leaves the associated value unchanged when units are changed.
Convert Value converts the value along with the associated units of measure.
Workbook
The Workbook consists of the Solution History worksheet and other worksheets.
Variables can be dragged and dropped from Flowsheet Explorer onto any worksheet
except the Solution History worksheet because the SIM4ME Portal program generates
it. Input values can be changed in the worksheets and the simulation can be run by
clicking the Run button in Flowsheet Explorer.
Parameter Details
It is possible to provide custom descriptions to variables as desired. For example, you
may want to rename F1.Temperature (User Input) as Flash Temp.
When a worksheet has many cells containing variables linked to PRO/II software and
cells containing description modified by the user, it can become very difficult to identify
the variable, which was originally contained in the cell. To avoid this just perform right-
click on the cells and select SIM4ME View parameter details to view the details of
the actual link connected by PRO/II software.

Figure 14: Parameter Details for Active Cell

SIMSCI menu
The SIM4ME Portal menu has an additional drop-down menu, SIMSCI. The SIMSCI
menu in the Portal has options to disconnect the SIM4ME Portal from Simulation,
Refresh, Remove/Replace Simulations, Add Case Study, Total Stream Link, Case Studies
Layout, Stream Composition Link, Restore Input Data and Add simulations
Figure 15: SIMSCI Dropdown Menu
Flowsheet Explorer Once the Flowsheet Explorer is closed, it can be invoked from this
option.
Disconnect Disconnects Simulations from the workbook.

Simulations

Refresh After creating a workbook, it is possible that the user modifies

(from PRO/II software) a PRO/II simulation file such as renaming
a Unit Op/stream, deleting a Unit Op/stream, or modifying an
input value.
The Refresh option will update the Excel workbook cells in the
SIM4ME Portal with the current values of the PRO/II simulation
file (prz).
Add Case Study This option allows the user to add a case study grid.
Case Studies This option toggles the format of case study grid arrangement from
Layout Horizontal to Vertical cycles and vice-versa.
Suppress Case This option allows the user to suppress Case study warnings
study warnings during case study run.
Add Simulations This option is used to add a simulation to the portal file.
Remove/Replace To remove/replace the simulation from the portal.

Simulations
Stream Stream composition Link option provides ability to link

Composition Link composition vector from one simulation to another.
Total Stream Link This option is used to transfer stream data from one simulation
(source stream) to another (destination stream) by dragging and
dropping the name parameter into the grid.
Restore Input Data

This is useful to invoke the Restore Input Data command in
PRO/II software from within the SIM4ME Portal.
Case Study
This feature allows users to add a Case Study. The following steps are performed to add a
Case Study and to work on it.
1. Click on a particular cell in the worksheet and then click on SIMSCI Add
Case Study option to create a case study example.

2. An empty Case Study grid is created at the selected cell location on the
worksheet with
Run button inactive.
Delete button active selecting delete option removes the case study
grid completely.
Figure 16: Layout of empty Case study grid

3. Drag-drop the parameters on the worksheet cell indicating "Add Param+".
The input parameters are indicated with Blue flag and calculated parameters
are indicated with Green flag on Flowsheet explorer.
4. The parameters after being dropped on the case study grid take the appropriate
format as shown below in the snapshot. The Run button gets activated.
Figure 17: Active Run button

5. Provide the case study iterations by entering random value under input
parameter (Blue) column in case study grid.
6. As soon as random value is entered in the cell under input parameter column,
case study grid expands and denotes this entered value as CYCLE2. This is
iteration 2 of the case study run.
7. Right-click the cell under input parameter column in case study grid to find
the "SIM4ME - Generate Points" context menu.
8. Click on SIM4ME - Generate Points option to define the case study cycles.
9. The Define Case Study Cycles dialog box appears using which three different
sets of data can be defined for the case study cycles. As shown in this
example, one set of three cycles is defined starting with 375 and step size of
10.

Figure 18: DefineCaseStudyCycle dialog box

10. Click the Run button of the Case Study grid.
11. The Case Studies Run Configuration window pops up giving details about the
iterations under execution. The calculated parameters get updated
simultaneously for changes in the respective input parameters.
Figure 19: Case Studies Run Configuration dialog box

12. Change the "Include/Exclude" Flags from 1 to 0 for columns to exclude a

particular parameter from case study run. Similarly, change the
Run/Exclude flags from 1 to 0 for rows to exclude a particular cycle from
case study run.
Figure 20: Changing flags to exclude a particular cycle from

case study run
13. Click SIMSCI Case Studies Layout.
14. This option toggles the format of case study grid arrangement from Horizontal
to Vertical Cycles and vice-versa. After this, the cycles are shown in columns
and parameters are shown in rows for new case study grid. The rest of the
functionalities are same as described above.
Figure 21: Case study layout change dialog box

15. Click SIMSCI Suppress Case Studies Warnings to suppress the warnings
and click SIMSCI Publish Case Studies Warnings to publish the warnings.
Figure 22: Suppress Case study warnings

Figure 23: Publish Case study warnings

16. The Case study feature also gives an option to continue the case study
iterations even if some preceding iterations fail during Case Study RUN. The
relevant messages are displayed in the Messages tab of the action pane.
Figure 24: Showing warnings/errors on Case study iterations

17. To clear the user confusion, when changing a case study parameter outside of
case study turns the Run button description to red color on Portal run action.
It is to inform that user needs to run the case study one more time to update
the output values.
Figure 25: Run Case study one more time to update results

Multi Simulation Link

This feature is used to add a simulation to the portal file. The following steps describe
how to add a simulation:
1. Sim4Me Portal for R1.prz is launched as a starting condition. Click SIMSCI
Add Simulations.
2. Sim4Me Portal - Choose Simulation dialog box will pop up. Select a single
simulation by clicking on it or multiple simulations using the Ctrl key and then
click Open button.
Figure 26: SIM4ME Portal - Choose Simulation dialog box

3. When new simulations are added to the portal file, The following changes are
seen in the portal file:
New simulations get added to the Flowsheet Explorer in the tree node
The newly added simulations get added in the Simulations Added box
of the Run Sequencer Tab
The mouse hover tool tip when pointed on the name of the simulation
in Flowsheet Explorer tab, it shows complete path of the simulation.
The Run Sequencer Tab has following components:
a. Simulations Added Box: The added simulations are shown in this box.
b. Simulation Run Sequencer Box: The simulations to be executed using
Run button are shown here.

c. Suppress Warning Checkbox: Warnings during running the simulation

are suppressed when this check box is selected.
d. Run Counter field: The defined run sequence completes number of
iterations mentioned in this field.
e. Add Button: Highlighting the simulation from Simulations Added box
and clicking on Add button copies the simulation to the Run Sequence.
f. Remove Button: Highlighting the simulation from Simulation Run
Sequence and using Remove button removes it from the run sequence.
g. Move to Top, Move Up, Move Down, and Move to Bottom Arrows:
These arrows are used to re-define the order of run sequence.
The Run Sequencer Tab is shown in the snapshot below:
Figure 27: Run Sequencer Tab

4. Drag-drop few parameters from different simulations on the worksheet. The
Linked Parameter tab has following components:
a. Unit Class: The Unit class of the parameter dropped on the worksheet is
displayed under this column.
b. Unit Name: The Unit Name of the parameter dropped on the worksheet is
displayed under this column.
c. Parameter Name: The name of the parameter dropped on the worksheet
is displayed under this column.
d. Simulation Name: When a parameter is dropped on the worksheet, the
complete path of the simulation that the parameter belongs to is displayed
under this column.

The design of the Linked parameter tab is as expected. When double-clicked on

any of the rows, it points to the respective parameter reference on the worksheet.
Figure 28: Linked Parameters tab

5. Run the simulation after defining the run sequence using Run Sequencer tab.
Then the following processes take place:
a. The simulation under Run Sequence that is being executed is captured in
status bar as shown in snapshot below.
Figure 29: Simulation under Run Sequence

b. The solution history worksheet gets updated in the same order as defined
in run sequence.
c. Messages that appear during Run are captured in Messages tab.
d. If any of the files is not converged, a confirmation message "Do you want
to continue?" pops up. Select Yes to continue to the next simulation in run
sequence and select No to stop the Run activity completely.
e. The files which converge are indicated in Blue color on Run Sequence
Section while the failed files are shown in Red color.
6. Click on the Remove Simulations option under SIMSCI menu. The following
process takes place:
a. Option to select the simulations to be removed pops up as shown in the
snapshot below.

Figure 30: Remove Simulations dialog box

b. After clicking on OK button, the Flowsheet explorer tree node
corresponding to that particular simulation vanishes.
c. If there are any parameters on the worksheet corresponding to the
simulations removed, they get grayed out until they are added back.
d. The names of the simulations removed get removed from the run
sequencer tab and linked parameter tab.
e. If the simulations are added back to the portal file using "Add
simulations", they appear only in the Simulations added section of the run
sequencer tab.
Assay Handling
This feature describes Assay Handling and Assay Characterization.
1. Sim4Me Portal for R1.prz is launched as a starting condition. Stream 1 in this
simulation is an Assay Stream. Expand the Flowsheet Explorer and go to Stream
1 expansion to see that Assay Characterization Options is added as last group.

Figure 31: Assay Characterization Option under Stream 1

2. Expand Assay Characterization Options to see access to following Assay
Distillation Profile Inputs:
a. Distillation Type [Read]
b. Assay Basis [Read] (Liquid volume / Weight)
c. Gravity Data [Write]
d. Vector of Percent distilled vs. gravity [Write]
e. Average Value for Gravity [Write]
f. Distillation Pressure [Write]
g. Vector for Percent Distill Vs Temp [Write]
h. Molecular Weight [Write]
i. Lightends Data [Write]

Figure 32: Assay Characterization View

3. Drag-drop "Percent Distilled" vector on the worksheet and change the value(s).
Similarly any writeable attribute can be dropped on the worksheet and change its
value(s) before clicking on Run simulation button on the portal worksheet.
4. "Pseudo component Deletion" message pops up indicating that new set of pseudo
components would be generated. When Run button is clicked, simulation is
executed with the updated values provided.
Miscellaneous Features
1. Stream Composition Link Feature: This feature can be accessed by clicking on a
particular cell in the worksheet and clicking on SIMSCI Stream Composition Link
option to link a vector like stream composition vector from one simulation to another. As
part of the ability to handle multiple simulations, linked simulations have the ability to
link an output vector stream from a simulation earlier in the sequence to an input vector
in a simulation later in the sequence.
When two vectors like composition vectors from different simulations are
connected, the composition of components gets connected via Excel
workbook formulas, which are left for users to connect as per their choice.
Whenever users run the early simulation, the associated stream
composition data gets automatically passed to the later simulations by
using the provided Excel workbook formulas.
This linking is useful mostly in cases where large number of elements is
present in the stream vector.
For large vectors, if the linking is performed outside the Stream
Composition Link grid, the performance of the application slows down.

To help users connect the large vectors efficiently, Stream Composition

Link feature is quite useful.
As shown in the snapshot below, the output Vector needs to be dropped
into the second column of the stream composition link grid whereas input
vector needs to be dropped into the forth column. The Excel workbook
formula linking can be done as per users choice. By default, there is no
formula link between the two vectors.
Clicking on the DelSL#1 button, user will get options to select either
one of the vectors or both the vectors. Selecting the Both Streams option
will clear the stream composition link grid from the worksheet.
Figure 33: Clearing the stream composition link grid from the
worksheet
Figure 25: Stream Composition Link dialog box

2. Macro Support: SIM4ME PORTAL 2.3 provides macro support which enables click
on Run button. Any portal 2.3 file when prepared consists of a pre-defined macro
SIM4MEPortalRunMacro. Users can call this macro in their pre-defined macro, which
enables the click on Run button of the Document Action. When the Run button is clicked
using macro, the run sequence under Run Sequencer tab gets executed. A12345 cell in
active worksheet is used to convey user regarding run status.
When SIM4MEPortalRunMacro is running, this cell would be having -1. When Run
successfully completes, it would show 1 and when Run fails, it would show 0. Once
Run completes, status would remain persistent till user runs his macro again.
3. Ability to select Individual vector elements: Portal 2.3 allows the selections of
individual elements of a vector such as individual components in a stream, rather than all
components of the stream.
4. Make Run button always visible: Portal 2.3 keeps Run button static so that it is
always visible, no matter how much the variable tree is expanded.
5. Ensure Forward Compatibility of Portal files: Portal 2.3 supports forward migration
of all Portal files. Any portal file, which is prepared using versions prior to Portal 2.3,
gets automatically upgraded when tried to open in Portal 2.3. A backup of the original
portal file is kept as _v10.xls at the same location that could be opened in the previous
version of Sim4Me Portal.
Copy-Paste Linked Parameters

Following are the basic use cases for the Copy & Paste Link feature:
1. Linked parameters can be copied to all available worksheets in the workbook.
2. Linked parameters can be copied by Ctrl-C/ V key operations, Tool bar Edit
Copy/ Paste menu bar options or right-click cells Copy/ Paste context menu
options
3. Behavioral aspects of the copy & paste of the linked parameter are exactly same as
the usual copy & paste of the Microsoft Excel workbook. Following are the aspects to
be given special attention:
a. The clipboard content is maintained after a paste operation until reset by
an excel workbook operation like editing a cell, switching to function
mode etc.
b. Linked parameters can be copied by exactly selecting the appropriate
ranges, by covering them with an envelope, by selecting them while
pressing down the CTRL key or by copying the entire content of a
worksheet to another worksheet.
4. Transposing (through paste special) of linked parameters results only a static copy
and copied contents arent live. Suitable warning messages are given to the user
saying that transposing will result only a static copy and links wont be live.

5. Copied linked parameters are live in the sense:

a. They are linked to the Flowsheet
b. They are properly restored back upon reopening the workbook.
c. They are shown in the linked parameter tab
d. The associated UOM controls if any will be active
e. They get deleted properly upon performing delete with the associated
UOM controls cleaned up and the references removed from the linked
parameter tab.
6. Copy pasting of the Case studies is supported. The user is able to copy a case study in
its entirety, but if a case study is selected partially and some parameters are present in
such selection, then that selection cannot be copied to other parts of Microsoft Excel
workbook. For other type of partial selection, for example, only the cycle inputs and
outputs, the copy-paste happens in a normal behavior of Microsoft Excel workbook.
7. Simple validations are done while copy & pasting Linked parameter(s) to the
destination range. Following workflows are prevented:
a. Whether they are getting overlapped with existing linked parameters
b. Whether they are getting overlapped with exiting Case studies
8. Copying the whole sheet content into another sheet is supported.
Manual Editing of Links

This feature allows the user to update variables/parameters manually instead of requiring
drag-drop for every variable.
Following are the basic steps of manually editing of links feature:
1. Editing from Linked Parameter Tab: User can now edit the variable (s) (Scalar
parameter or vector parameter) from Linked Parameter Tab:
a. User can select the single/multiple variable(s) which need(s) to be
edited on Linked Parameter Tab. Right-click on the row(s) and select
SIM4ME-Edit Links.
Figure 26: Linked Parameters Tab

b. This is followed by a dialog box as shown below:

Figure 27: SIM4ME-Edit Links

c. User needs to select the Unit Name from the drop-down list with
which the variable(s) need to be replaced/edited.
For example: User has selected Stream S1.Molar Flow and now
wants to edit it to see the values of S2. Molar Flow. User selects S2
from the drop-down list and click OK after selecting it. This results
in replacing S1.Molar Flow to S2.Molar Flow.
Figure 28: SIM4ME-Edit Links Unit Name

2. Editing from Portal Worksheet: User can now edit the variable (s) (Scalar
parameter or vector parameter) from Portal Worksheet directly:
a. User can select the single/multiple variable(s) which need(s) to be
edited on Portal Worksheet. Right-click on the parameter(s) and
select SIM4ME-Edit Links.
Figure 29: Portal Worksheet

b. This is followed by a dialog box as shown below:
Figure 30: SIM4ME-Edit Links

c. User needs to select the Unit Name from the drop-down list with
which the variable(s) need to be replaced/ edited.

For example, user has selected Stream S1.Molar Flow and now
wants to edit it to see the values of S2.Molar Flow. User selects S2
from the drop-down list and clicks OK after selecting it. This
results in replacing S1.Molar Flow to S2.Molar Flow.
Figure 31: SIM4ME-Edit Links Unit Name

Replace Simulation
This feature is used to replace a simulation connected to the portal file. The following
steps describe about the feature and to replace a simulation:
Sim4Me Portal for G2_Deethanizer.prz is launched as a starting condition and various
attributes are placed on the portal worksheet. Click SIMSCI Replace Simulations.
The following process takes place:
1. Option to select the simulations to be replaced pops up as shown in the figure
below.
Figure 32: Replace Simulations

2. After clicking on Replace button, Available PRO/II simulations gets
displayed from which user is expected to select the simulation.prz for replace
action.

Figure 33: Available PRO/II Databases

3. Once this is done, the FS explorer shows the replaced simulation in the tree
node.
4. If there are any parameters on the worksheet corresponding to the simulation
replaced, they get active and the remaining are grayed out until they are edited
back properly.
5. The name of the simulation replaced gets replaced for the active as well as
inactive parameters on linked parameter tab.
Creation of Audit Log
This feature allows the user to record all the changes done in the Portal so that the
chronological sequence of events is available. For support and diagnosing problems, a log
of all of the values changed to a simulation via the Portal is recorded in the log.
This log is persisted and is available the next time the portal file is opened.

Figure 34: Messages Tab

Following are the basics of Message Audit Log:
1. Messages are labeled as Info, Error, and Warning depending on the user action
performed on the portal. The error and warning messages are displayed during the
run-time of the simulation. Info captures the user actions performed on portal
worksheet.
2. Various events are captured in Audit Log Messages Tab. For e.g.,
a. Changing the parameter value for a scalar/vector.
b. Replace a Simulation from Portal file
c. Run Simulation
d. Run the Simulation from Macro
e. Refresh Action performed on Portal worksheet.
3. Persisting the Messages Log: When user re-opens the Portal File, Portal retains all
the messages captured and saved in previous session of portal and displays in the
Messages Tab. Persistence happen during closing of portal worksheet.
4. Coloring the Messages: Run Messages (in case of any warnings etc from the
solver) appear in various colors depending on the success or failure of the run.
However, the old messages appear in black color. No other color is applied to
them. This allows the Portal file to open quickly.
5. The Messages Tab displays the messages in Rich Text format. This window is
editable. User can add notes, delete the unwanted messages and edit the messages
as per requirement. If portal file is saved with all these changes, these changes are

persisted in the next portal session. User can clear all the messages by clicking on
Clear button.
6. Find button: User can search and find a particular string from the message tab
using the Find button. It is Word search and not a letter search. For example:
Typing Info and clicking Find button will result in all the words Info. It wont
highlight other words which have Info as part.
7. Find Next button: Using this button, the user can search the next instance of the
required string in the message log. The search continues until it reaches the end of
the message log.
8. Refresh button: Using this button, the user can refresh the previous search result
and clear the highlighted text.
Save As Functionality
This feature allows the user to save simulation database under different name using
Portal. Using the Save As feature, the original database is not modified. Upon Save
As a new simulation is created and the Portal file points to the new simulation.
Figure 35: Save Simulation(s) As Dialog Box

Following are the basics of Save As feature:
1. While closing the portal session, user is prompted to Save Simulation As if any
changes are made through Portal. By default, the Simulation Name displays the
name of the simulation to which Portal file is connected. If user does not change
the name of the simulation and clicks on Save button, the changes done from
portal overwrites the values in the original simulation database. The portal file
remains connected to the original simulation database.
2. Simulation Name field is editable. User can write different name of simulation by
typing in this field. If user provides a different name and clicks on Save button,
the changes done in the portal get saved under the newly provided simulation
database. The original simulation database is not modified with these changes.
The portal file gets connected to newly created simulation database.

3. If user clicks on Dont Save button, all the changes get discarded and no
modification happens to the original simulation. The portal file remains connected
to original simulation database.
Portal Launch from Command Line
This feature provides the user an ability to launch Portal worksheet from command line
without dialogs. The portal worksheet auto refreshes on open and reconciles with
underlying database [i.e., Microsoft Excel workbook values get over-written with
database values or get retained depending on user arguments].
Following are the basics of Portal Launch from Command Line feature:
1. Launch Portal from command line with Microsoft Excel workbook file name as
one of the arguments.
2. The Portal connects the file to underlying database, refreshes/overwrites the
values in the worksheet from database or gets retained depending on user
arguments and disconnects the portal file.
3. The disconnected file is a normal Microsoft Excel workbook file.
4. The message dialog boxes are suppressed and there is automatic selection to
proceed ahead.
5. Portal has following command line arguments which are used to launch Portal
through command line.
/progid = {progid of product adapter}
/regsubkey = {registry key for the product}
/portalFileName = {name of excelspreadsheet file}
/run= {0, 1} where 1 implies run the simulation
/ updateExcelFromDatabase = {0, 1}
where 1 implies that the workbook will be overwritten with the
database values,
0 implies that values in Excel spreadsheet get retained in portal
file.
Typical use case in PRO/II software for this feature:
In this specific case, the intent is to use the Portal as an Excel workbook report
generator. A Portal file is configured by the user with the desired parameters.
Subsequently the Portal file is invoked by the PRO/II RTS via the command line.
The likely sequence of events:
The PRO/II RTS runs the PRO/II simulation and when Portal file is invoked
via the command line.

The Portal file then gets updated with the new database values and/or retains
the excel values depending on user argument. After the refresh, the Portal file
gets disconnected and is available as a normal Excel workbook file.
The RTS then automatically emails this file to users who then have a snapshot /
report of the database in Microsoft Excel workbook.
Portal as an OPCUA Client
For the portal application to work as an OPCUA Client, the .ini file settings should be
changed.
The .ini file is located at
C:\ProgramFiles\CommonFiles\Simsci\SIM4MEPortal211\User\SIM4MEPortal.ini.The
file contains appropriate OPCUA Access entry details that determines the mode of portal
operation (whether Legacy or OPCUA mode). By default, the portal launches in the
Legacy mode.
To launch the portal application as an OPCUA Client, the flag of the entry should be
made TRUE" in the [OPCUA ACCESS] field. Please refer to the figure reference
below:
Figure 36: SIM4MEPortal.ini

Note: In case of invalid entries in the .ini file (entries other than TRUE/FALSE), the
portal application would continue to launch in Legacy mode.
All the supported operations in Legacy Portal mode are also supported in OPCUA Portal
mode.

New Features in SIM4ME Portal 2.3

Total Stream Link:
Total Stream Link feature can be accessed by selecting the required cell in the worksheet
and clicking SIMSCI Total Stream Link.
Figure 37: Empty Grid of Total Stream Link

Total Stream Link grid is almost same as the Stream Composition grid. The difference
between the two grids is indicated by the labels of the delete buttons available in both the
grids.
Unlike Stream Composition Link grid, in Total Stream Link, user is allowed to
add only the Name parameter of the stream.
Figure 38: Add only name parameter into Total Stream Link grid
Users can use this feature across 2 or more simulation databases, provided their
UOM slate is same.
Users must drag and drop name parameter first to the Source simulation and then
to the Destination simulation.
Once the parameters are dragged and dropped for both source and destination
simulations, a link is established between these two simulations. It is a one way
link from source to destination.
Basic parameters of the source simulation such as stream composition,
temperature, pressure, and flow rate are copied to the input stream of the
destination simulation automatically.
Total Stream Link feature has the following limitation: Any stream from the
source simulation can be linked to the input stream of the destination simulation.
However, they cannot be linked to any other stream of the destination simulation.

User can change the parameter values in the input stream, but cannot change the
parameters in the intermittent or output streams because they can only be viewed.
If composition of the destination simulation is different from that of the source
simulation, values of the common components are passed from source to the
destination simulation.
Figure 39: Before adding Destination streams name parameter
Figure 40: After adding Destination streams name parameter
If the user opens Portal through the PRO/II simulation, the values changed in the
simulation in PRO/II GUI do not reflect in Portal immediately. Refresh has to be
clicked on the SimSci Addin menu for the changes to reflect in Portal. The
changed values are first updated in the source simulation and then because of the
total stream link they are updated in the destination simulation.

To delete Total Stream Link Grid, the user needs to click DelSDT#xx button.
The entire grid is removed and link between source and destination streams is
broken. Therefore, changes in the source stream database do not affect the
destination stream database.
The main purpose of this feature is to provide link between source and destination
stream without the Excel formulae.

How To
How To
How to open an already linked SIM4ME Portal file?
Double-click the excel workbook file you created. It will open up and automatically
launch the Flowsheet Explorer for the prz. (OR) In SIM4ME Portal, select an already
created workbook.
How to launch SIM4ME Portal in stand-alone mode?
Go to StartProgram FilesSIMSCISIM4MEPortal
How to open the SIM4ME Portal if location/name of the files is changed?
a. Open SIM4ME Portal, Book1.xls. (This has already been configured from
A2_Phenol_distillation.prz.)
b. This action will try to connect to PRO/II Server.
c. If the associated simulation file does not exist at the original location/the file is
renamed, then a pop-up to edit Link or Over-write/Break link should appear.
d. Browse for the associated file to reconnect to the simulation file.
Figure 46: Simulation file missing message is displayed.

FAQs
FAQs
Q1) How to operate Portal and data persistence in .prz?
A) Portal opened in standalone mode: Data entered in a PRO/II simulation from Portal
application will not be immediately reflected in an already open prz. Data entered and
saved from Portal will appear in an already open prz file only upon reopening it.
B) Portal opened through PRO/II Simulation: Data entered in Portal reflect in the
PRO/II Simulation as well. Even if the user deletes it from Portal it stays in the
simulation. Therefore, if the user does not want the changes to get saved in the PRO/II
database, he or she must close the simulation without saving it.
Note: As PRO/II GUI and Portal are two independent options interacting with PRO/II
database, it is recommended that user should use only one interface at a time to update /
modify user data or else human error can cause loss of data.
Q2) Why Description and Value cells cannot have different alignment format?
A) As Description and Value cells for an attribute are clubbed together they cannot
have different alignment format once the attribute is dropped on the excel worksheet.
However, a workaround is available. The user can pre-format the alignment of the cells
where he wishes to drop the attribute (Scalar or Vector) to achieve the required alignment
and then drop the attribute.
Q3) What are the Spec/Vary limitations when compared with PRO/II software?
A) In PRO/II software, a meaningful sentence is displayed for the spec/vary inputs. This
is not reproduced as such in this phase. Under the current scope, the user would be
allowed to just change the specification values for units like Controller, MVC, Column,
Splitter, and Flash (Product Specification). The user cannot change specification type, say
a Duty specification on a Flash to Isothermal specification from the Portal. For a
configured Portal file, the user can change the values of the specification and analyze the
results.
Q4) Why is it that the Portal does not issue an error in case of an incomplete prz?
A) This is a current limitation. It is expected that an expert user will create the PRO/II
simulation file and ensure that it is complete in all respects before passing it on to a
novice user. It is beyond the scope of the Portal to re-implement all the validations done
by the PROVISION GUI in order to detect such conditions.
Q5) Do I need to check Excel workbook Security Option for Running Sim4Me
Portal?
A) Yes. The following needs to be checked prior to running Sim4Me Portal.

FAQs
In Excel workbook Tools Macro SecurityTrusted PublishersTrust Access to

Visual Basic Project, turn this flag ON.
Figure 47: Security dialog box displaying Trusted Publishers tab

Q6) Can I search for a stream say "CRUDE" or a Unit Operation say
"PREHEATER" or an attribute say TEMPERATURE" on the Flow sheet
Explorer?
A) Yes. In this case, type in the first few letters of the string in the Filter search box
placed on the FS explorer. You will get the filtered results in the FS explorer. Note that
you need to expand all the nodes of the FS explorer to see the filtered results.
Q7) What are the drag-drop restrictions in SIM4ME Portal?
A) Multiple drag-drop of various groups and/or various attributes is not currently
supported. Individual items must be dragged and dropped one by one onto the
spreadsheet from FS explorer.
Q8) What are the limitations present in Excel workbook functionalities?
A) Normal Excel workbook functionalities like Cut and Paste are not supported for
vectors.
When user tries to copy or delete multiple cells, Excel and/or Portal give appropriate
messages about restriction.
Q10) I dragged and dropped a vector attribute onto an empty cell just below scalar
attribute, but it is giving me message Existing parameter reference would be
overwritten Why?

FAQs
A) The vector attribute requires two cells above the location of dropping to place the
vector heading and vector UOM. Since you have dropped just one cell below the scalar
attribute, this message is thrown. Please drop the vector two cells below scalar.
Q11) In PRO/II software output options, I have selected the option "Two reports,
one in Input UOM, one in Output UOM". But, I always see the values shown in
Output Slate in SIM4ME Portal. Why?
A) At this point, by default only the PRO/II software Output slate is supported in
SIM4ME Portal.
Q12) How are the performance specifications shown for the UnitOPs?
A) For the UnitOPs like Column, Controller, MVC, Splitter, etc. the performance
specifications are shown without their long descriptions and UOM.
Q13) What should I do when a Portal file is emailed from another PC to my PC?
A) When a Portal file is emailed from another PC to your PC, you should not just double-
click the portal file. You should first save this Portal file in a particular location on your
PC. You should then start Portal in stand-alone mode using this portal file and direct it to
the PRO/II software file that it is trying to connect. Double-clicking the emailed portal
file would fail to connect to simulation.
Q14) What Operating System specifications do I need to have on my machine before
installing Sim4Me Portal?
A) SIM4ME Portal is supported on Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows 7,
and Windows 8. Microsoft Excel 2007, Excel 2010, or Excel 2013 is required.
Q15) Is there a sample Portal file to get the user started? If yes, how to use the
sample file?
A) Yes. There are few Sample Portal files placed in
\Documents\Simsci\PROII93\Applib\S4MWorkbooks folder,
Multiple Simulations Link_Chiller Plant - 1 and 2.xlsm
Homotopy.xlsm
Column Interface.xlsm
ColumnProfile.xlsm
Naptha Assay_Case Study.xlsm
If you want to view these files, do any of the following:
Start PRO/II 9.3 application, open the sample file (for example, Homotopy.prz),
click Sim4Me Portal icon on the toolbar. An Open window appears. In the Open
window, browse for the required sample file (Homotopy.xlsm), and click OK.
Start Sim4Me Portal application in stand-alone mode and open Homotopy.prz.
Double-click the Excel workbook file to view the sample Portal file.

FAQs
Q16) How to install the patch for Sim4Me Portal?

A) The Sim4Me Portal patch gets installed when the patch for PRO/II software is
installed. The user just needs to install the PRO/II software patch.
Q17) I have installed the PRO/II software patch but Sim4Me Portal has not been
installed on my machine. Why?
A) This can happen when Sim4Me Portal has not been installed with the earlier version
of PRO/II. The user might have either manually uninstalled Sim4Me Portal after
installing PRO/II 8.1 or the user might have not installed Sim4Me Portal at all during the
custom installation of PRO/II software by unchecking the box for Sim4Me Reports and
Portal.
In such a situation, the user is required to install Sim4Me Portal by modifying the current
installation from Add/Remove programs in control panel.
Q18) Is there any security setting that we need to set in Excel workbook in order to
run Portal?
A) Yes.
It does not work with security setting Very High. It can be changed from
ExcelToolsMacrosecuritySecurity Level setting in Excel.
Also, in ExcelToolsMacrosecurityTrusted Publishers, check the option Trust
access to Visual basic Project.
Q19) How to use PRO/II software with USB security and Portal with FNPTM 1111
security?
A) The user should do the following:
1. From Add-Remove panel, modify PRO/II 9.3 install and select security as
FNP1111. This will create the required entry for the IPASSI_LICENSE_FILE
environment variable. A reboot is must if prompted to do so.
2. After reboot, modify PROII.INI to change the security to USB.
Then PRO/II software will use USB security. Portal will use FNP1111security. If test 2 is
not done, both PRO/II software and Portal will use FNP1111security.
Q20) When I double-click on a XLSM file, it throws Office Document
Customization is not available error, why?

FAQs
Figure 48: Error message "Office Document Customization is

not available" is displayed.
A) This is because it is a portal file. Therefore, the user can view this XLSM file only
when SIM4ME Portal is installed. This file will also not behave like a normal XLSM file.
Q21) Sometimes Portal is launched in User mode for Developer's license key. Why?
A) When developer licenses on the FNP server are used up, Portal will launch in user
mode. FNP can have both user and developer licenses and several people may be using
them at the same time. Therefore, sometimes, it appears to a user that the Portal launches
in user mode. The actual reason is that the developer licenses were used up on the server.
Please check the availability of developers licenses if this happens.
Q22) An error message "Error while adding/locating PRO/II software related menu
items. Object reference not set to instance of the object" is displayed when I double-
click on PORTAL 2.3 version file with Portal 2.3 version file already open and vice
versa. Why?
A) This is a VSTO and Excel Workbook Limitation (design constraint). If the user
wishes to launch the two versions of Portal at the same time, the user should first launch
an instance of excel workbook and drag and drop the portal file in to that instance of
excel workbook.
Q23) When you Zoom in/Zoom out on the Portal Worksheet, text on UOM widget is
invisible. What should I do?

FAQs
A) This is a limitation on Portal that when you Zoom in/Zoom out on the Portal
Worksheet; text on UOM widget is invisible. To view the text on UOM widget properly,
you should set 100% zoom on the Portal worksheet.
Q24) What happens if you drag-drop scalars underneath vectors for which the
length may change?
A) If you drag-drop scalars underneath vectors for which the length may change then
their arrangement/format will be disturbed. It is advisable to drop scalars above
such vector.
Q25) What will happen when Microsoft Office is installed after installing SIMSCI
application using Portal module?
A) While installing SIMSCI application using Portal module, portal requires some pre-
requisites like proper version of MICROSOFT Office to be installed before installing
Portal module. If required MICROSOFT Office version is not available at the time of
installation, SIMSCI application will display the message "the required MICROSOFT
office version is not available" and hence it will not work.
To make it work, user will have to install required MICROSOFT Office version in the
machine. Then user is required to go to Add/Remove programs and modify the SIMSCI
application install to update the Portal module.
Q26) How can I connect Portal 2.3 to work with OPC UA Server1.1 using certificate
security?
A) Set OPCUA to true in SIM4MEPortal.ini file. Launch the PRO/II software or
SIM4ME Portal in "Run As Administrator" mode.
Q27). What are the restrictions on double-clicking the pre-configured Portal file?
A) If the Portal file is preconfigured with an old version of simulation, the user must open
that Portal file either through simulation or through the standalone mode of the current
version of SIM4ME Portal. User should complete this procedure while opening the portal
file in a machine different from the working machine.
Q28) How to migrate the Portal files from the old version to the new version of PRO/II?
A) In the old version of PRO/II, disconnect the simulation and save the Portal file, and then
open the same Portal file with the same simulation in the new version of PRO/II GUI.
Q29) what should I have to do when reports and Portal are not launching when
multiple products are installed?
A) Run PortalRecovery.bat file using administrator credentials located at Portal bin
directory.
Q30) In the Portal file, can I copy data from a single row or column?
A) Due to Microsoft Excel limitations, when user tries to select a particular row or
column that has Portal links in it, the adjoining cells also get selected. This prevents
copying data from single rows or columns.

Demo
Demo
The various functions and features supported by SIM4ME Portal are explained through
the below mentioned video files. The following are the details of video files present along
with PRO/II 9.3 release version. The files are present in the location: (Install
Directory)\SimSci\SIM4MEPortal23\Help.
1. StandAloneLaunchDemo.swf:
A video file that demonstrates how to launch Sim4Me Portal from the standalone mode.
2. PortalLaunchFrom ProII.swf:
A video file that demonstrates how to launch Sim4Me Portal from the Provision mode.
3. PortalUse.swf:
A video file that introduces the user to various features of Sim4Me Portal such as the
flow sheet explorer, drag-drop functionality, running a simulation, input values and
output parameters.
4. LinkedParameters.swf:
A video file that explores the linked parameters feature of Sim4Me Portal along with
some other features such as the messages tab, restore input data and the user mode
options.
5. DisconnectFromP2.swf:
A video file that exemplifies the use of Disconnect from PRO/II software menu option,
View Parameter Details functionality and the re-invoking option of the Flowsheet
explorer.
6. AutoRun_UOM.swf:
A video file that illustrates the use of Auto-Run option and compares it with the regular
Run option. It also shows how to change and convert the Unit of Measure of drag-
dropped parameters.
7. ExcelSaveThruStdAloneCombine.swf:
A video file that demonstrates the launch of Sim4Me Portal through standalone mode
using Microsoft Excel 2007. It also shows how to convert the Compatibility Mode excel
spreadsheet that thus opens to Excel 2007 and re-launching of Portal for the complete use
of Excel 2007 features.

Demo
8. ExcelSaveThruProII.swf:
A video file that demonstrates the launch of Sim4Me Portal through the Provision mode
with Microsoft Excel 2007 installed in the computer. It also shows how to convert the
Compatibility Mode excel spreadsheet that thus opens to Excel 2007 and re-launching of
Portal for the complete use of Excel 2007 features.
9. Office2010 support to Portal2.3.swf:
A video file that demonstrates the full support of office 2010 to .xlsx, .xlsm, and limited
support to .xls file format of Portal2.3. It also shows that the Portal2.3 files are, by
default, created in .xlsm format. If you open an existing .xls portal2.3 file in any mode, it
opens in .xlsm format. Itll open in .xls format only if you double-click and open it.
10. Case-Study.swf:
A video file that introduces the user to the new feature, Case Studies, is now available
with Sim4me Portal. The video displays the basic operations of adding, defining, running,
and deleting the case studies.
11. Multi-Sim-Link.swf:
A video file that introduces the user to the new feature, Multi Simulation Link, is now
available with Sim4me Portal. The video displays the operations such as selecting
multiple simulations, defining the run sequence, adding, and removing simulations.
12. Stream Link.swf:
A video file that introduces the user to the new feature, Stream Link, is now available
with Sim4me Portal. The video file displays the efficient way of linking streams through
stream link grid and the operations involved there in.
13. Assay handling.swf:
A video file that explores the various assay stream parameters is now available from
Sim4Me Portal for modification and viewing as input parameters and output parameters
under the assay characterization node.
14. Total Stream Link Demo.swf:
A video file that demonstrates how to use Total Stream Link feature. This feature is
developed in Portal 2.3.

MS Office 2013 Support

List of Known Issues/Observations of Office 2013 Support in Sim4Me Portal
The following is the list of known issues/observations of Office 2007/2010/2013 Support
in using SIM4ME Portal. Sim4Me Portal is limited to 32 bit office versions only, 64 bit
office versions are not supporting. We are working on these issues and they will be
available in the subsequent release as they get fixed.
1. Compatibility Mode
A new portal file gets created only in .xlsm format (macro-enabled). When the user
opens an existing .xls Portal file in any mode, by default, it opens in .xlsm format. Also,
the .xlsm file gets saved as a copy of the original file at the same location as .xls file.
2. Opening 2007/2010/2013 Excel Spreadsheet Portal File
When user saves the portal file with .xlsm format (using Save-As option) to any other
format like .xlsx and .xlsm, the new formatted file can be connected to the simulation.
3. Re-using 2007/2010/2013 Excel spreadsheet Portal File
If a user saves a *.xlsm file in *.xls format, the data beyond 65536th row and 256th
column will be truncated because *.xls file has only 65536 rows and 256 columns.
4. Clicking Cancel in Compatibility Checker dialog pops up exception
Launch PORTAL in standalone mode, create a new file, connect to any .prz, drag-drop
any writable variables, change the value, and then click the Run button. Save the file in
.xls format using Save-As option.
Close the PORTAL file and the Compatibility Checker dialog box pops up. Click the
Continue button. The file gets saved in the compatibility mode.
Double-clicking the created PORTAL file opens the Compatibility Checker dialog box.
Clicking the Cancel button causes an exception. To avoid this, when the Compatibility
Checker dialog opens, always select the Continue button.
5. Regional and language settings
It is recommended to have regional options setting to be English (USA). This option is
available at Start Control Panel Regional and Language Settings Regional Options
tab. If any language other than English (USA) is selected, after the drag-drop of a vector
onto the portal spreadsheet, an error message pops up.
6. Windows Operating System other than English
If the operating system is Windows in any language other than English, then the user is
required to delete this registry key in order to view the flow sheet explorer/action pane.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\ActiveXCo
mpatibility\{5f61f809-422a-4152-91f5-9ec1b935efd7}

7. Rename a worksheet:
If the user wants to rename a worksheet, he or she should rename it before performing
any action on the worksheet, else errors might occur. For example, renaming a worksheet
that has a case study will give errors when new parameters are added to it.

SIM4ME Portal Checklist

Portal provides Excel workbook interface to PRO/II simulation databases and uses the
following Microsoft Excel versions and prerequisites:
1. Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, or 2013
2. .Net Framework 4.0 Service Pack 1
3. Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office Second Edition Runtime and VSTO 4.0.
4. Microsoft Office 2007 Primary Interop Assemblies
Portal requires certain security settings with respect to ActiveX, Macro and VBA in
Excel workbook.
Portal checks for existence of Microsoft Excel workbook before installing the program. It
also installs .Net Framework, VSTO and Office PIAs (#2, 3 and 4). Portal runs into
issues when all/a few of these pre-requisites are not installed or the security settings are
not according to the Portals requirements. You can manually check whether these pre-
requisites are installed by opening Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel, (Start
Control Panel Add/Remove Programs) for the following programs:
In Microsoft Vista environment, .Net Framework 2.0 Service Pack 1 is installed as a part
of the operating system; so you will not find it in Add/Remove programs. Also, Primary
Interop Assemblies are not required if Office 2010/2013 is installed.
Integrations team has developed a utility to check for the installation pre-requisites and
Portal requirements. These checks are also done during Portal startup.
For any further clarification, contact the SIMSCI technical support team.
Checklist Process for Portal Startup
Portal code checks for the following settings each time it is installed from the product
GUI or in the standalone mode:

1. VSTO 2005 SE and VSTO 4.0

2. Microsoft Office 2007 PIAs
3. Excel Workbook Security settings
If any of the setting is not installed, Portal will exit with a message describing the issue
and the procedure to fix it.

Manual Install Pre-Requisites

DotNet Framework
In the program files, locate NetFx20SP1_x86.exe or dotnetfx.exe in the
ISSetupPrerequisites folder. Double-click this setup file to install the DotNet
Framework.
VSTO 2005 SE
Double-click the setup file vstor.exe from the folder VSTO2.0SE located at the following
path: \supportdir\ThirdPartyUtilities\VSTO2.0SE to install the Visual Studio 2005
Tools.
Microsoft Office Primary Interop Assemblies (PIAs)
Install Microsoft Office PIAs only if Office 2007 is installed.
Note: Office 2010 and Office 2013 do not require these PIAs.
Check for .NET Programmability Support
Select the .NET Programmability Support for Excel workbook, this step is essential for
Portal when user working on non-English operating system. Causes for selecting this
option:
Installing MS-Office 2007/2010/2013 before installation .Net framework
installation.
If any updates are installing for existing .Net framework
Above cases need to apply for excel settings for proper Portal usage.
Hence to check this, follow the procedure given below:
1. Click Start, click Run, type appwiz.cpl, and then click OK, Select Add or Remove
Programs
2. In the list of installed programs and updates, click Microsoft Office InfoPath then
on click Change.
Notice that the .NET Programmability Support appears to be installed already, but user
need to perform above steps once again.

Change Microsoft Office settings:

To check .NET Programmability Support in Microsoft Office 2007, follow the procedure
given below, the same will apply for Office 2010 and 2013 also.
1. Select the Add or Remove Features radio button then click on continue.
Figure 41: Microsoft Office 2007 Setup dialog box Add or

Remove Features and Installation Options.
2. Expand Microsoft Office Excel then click on .NET Programmability Support.
3. Even though .Net programmability support is enabled or disabled
( ), select Run from My Computer and click
Continue again as shown in the above figure.
Installing Microsoft Office PIAs
To install Microsoft Office 2007 PIAs, run the o2007pia.msifile from the following
path: ...\Supportdir\ThirdPartyUtilities\O2007PIA

Excel Workbook Security Settings

Excel 2007/2010/2013
If any of the MS-Excel 2007/2010/2013 is installed on test machine then, in addition to
Macros and VBA access, Portal requires ActiveX controls to be enabled. The following
path shows the procedure to change the settings manually:
(Options Trust Center Trust Center Settings Macro Settings/ActiveX Settings)
Figure 42: Option for changing ActiveX Settings

To change the Excel workbook settings, follow the steps listed below:
3. In Excel Options window, under the Trust Centre tab, click the Trust Centre
Settings button.
4. In the Trust Centre window, do the following:
9. Under the Macro Settings tab select the Enable all macros option.

10. Under Developer Macro Settings select Trust access to the VBA object
model.
Figure 43: Excel Options and Trust Center Settings
Figure 44: Trust Center with Macro Settings

5. In the Trust Centre window, under the ActiveX Settings tab, select the Prompt
me before enabling Unsafe for Initialization (UFI) controls with additional
restrictions and Safe for Initialization (SFI) controls with minimal restrictions
and then click OK.

Figure 45: Trust Center with ActiveX Settings

Note: If the user does not have permission to change these settings then add user folder
(or folder where xls file resides) to the trusted locations in excel workbook (Options
Trust Center Trust Center Settings Trusted Locations).
6. In the Trust Center window, under the Trusted Locations tab, click the Add
new location button. Click on browse button for user specific location then
select Subfolders of this location are also trusted check box as shown in the
image below.
Figure 46: Add New Location button for user Trusted Location

Invensys Systems, Inc.
26561 Rancho Parkway South
Lake Forest, CA 92630
United States of America
http://iom.invensys.com
Global Customer Support

Inside U.S.: 1-866-746-6477
Outside U.S.: 1-508-549-2424 or contact your
local Invensys Representative.
Email: Invensys.iom.support@Schneider-electric.com
Website: http://support.ips.invensys.com

Sim4me Portal

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SimSci

SIM4ME Portal 2.3

2014 by Invensys Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Invensys Systems, Inc.

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 4 of 59

Figure 1: SIM4ME Portal option in PRO/II Output menu

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 5 of 59

3. An Open file dialog box appears as shown below.

Figure 2: Open/Create SIM4ME Portal dialog box

Figure 3: Excel file does not exist message

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 6 of 59

Figure 4: Document Actions Window

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 7 of 59

To launch the SIM4ME Portal in stand-alone mode:

Figure 5: Stand-alone mode for launching SIM4ME Portal

Figure 6: Open/Create SIM4ME Portal dialog box

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 8 of 59

3. A pop-up message is displayed. Click Yes.

Figure 7: Pop-up displaying file does not exist message

Figure 8: SIM4ME Portal - Choose Simulation dialog box

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 9 of 59

5. The SIM4ME Portal for the linked prz file is opened.

Figure 9: prz file

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 10 of 59

Components of SIM4ME Portal

Figure 10: Components of SIM4ME Portal

SIM4ME Portal Document Actions Pane

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 11 of 59

Linked Parameters If a large number of parameters from the Flowsheet Explorer

Messages Tab The Messages Tab displays the pre-processing warnings/errors

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 12 of 59

Figure 11: Input Values - Blue icon

Figure 12: Calculated Values - Green icon

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 13 of 59

Figure 13: Units of Measure Conversion dialog box

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 14 of 59

Figure 14: Parameter Details for Active Cell

Figure 15: SIMSCI Dropdown Menu

Disconnect Disconnects Simulations from the workbook.

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 15 of 59

Refresh After creating a workbook, it is possible that the user modifies

Remove/Replace To remove/replace the simulation from the portal.

Stream Stream composition Link option provides ability to link

Restore Input Data

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 16 of 59

Figure 16: Layout of empty Case study grid

Figure 17: Active Run button

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 17 of 59

Figure 18: DefineCaseStudyCycle dialog box

Figure 19: Case Studies Run Configuration dialog box

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 18 of 59

12. Change the "Include/Exclude" Flags from 1 to 0 for columns to exclude a

Figure 20: Changing flags to exclude a particular cycle from

Figure 21: Case study layout change dialog box

Figure 22: Suppress Case study warnings

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 19 of 59

Figure 23: Publish Case study warnings

Figure 24: Showing warnings/errors on Case study iterations

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 20 of 59

Multi Simulation Link

Figure 26: SIM4ME Portal - Choose Simulation dialog box

SIM4ME PORTAL Page 21 of 59

c. Suppress Warning Checkbox: Warnings during running the simulation

Figure 27: Run Sequencer Tab