How do I configure PI AF templates?
How do I configure PI AF templates?
PI AF templates let you define reusable structures for your asset hierarchy. Here's how to set them up:
Creating an Element Template
- Open PI System Explorer and navigate to your AF database.
- Go to Library > Element Templates and right-click to create a new template.
- Give it a descriptive name (e.g., "Pump", "Motor", "Heat Exchanger").
Defining Attributes
In the template, add attributes with:
- Default values for static properties (manufacturer, model, rated capacity)
- Data references for dynamic data — most commonly PI Point data references that map to tags
- Formula data references for calculated values
Using Substitution Parameters
Use %Element%, %..\Element%, and other substitution parameters in your PI Point data references so that tags resolve automatically when elements are derived from the template. For example:
\\PIServer\%..\Element%.%Element%.PV
Deriving Elements
Once your template is configured, create elements by right-clicking in the AF hierarchy and selecting "New Element" with the template. All attributes, default values, and data references are inherited.
Key Benefits
- Propagation: Changes to the template automatically propagate to all derived elements.
- Consistency: Every asset of the same type has the same structure.
- Scalability: Add hundreds of elements from a single template definition.
Want to ask a follow-up?
PiChat can help with your specific PI System use case. Ask follow-up questions, get code examples, and troubleshoot issues.
Related Questions
Dive Deeper
More Questions
How do I authenticate with PI Web API from Python?What's the difference between snapshot and archive values in PI?What's the difference between PI Vision and PI ProcessBook?How do I build effective PI Vision displays?What are PI Event Frames and how do I use them?How do I write PI AF Analytics expressions?How do I use PI DataLink in Excel?Should I use PI Web API or AF SDK for my application?How do I write data to PI Data Archive?What are the main components of PI System architecture?How do I optimize PI Data Archive performance?How do I set up the PI Interface for OPC DA?How do I use PI Connector for UFL to import file data?How do I set up PI Data Archive high availability with collectives?What are the security best practices for PI System?How do I migrate PI Data Archive to a new server?How do I connect Power BI to PI System?How do I manage units of measure in PI System?What's the best way to learn PI System?How does PI time syntax work?What are good PI tag naming conventions?How do I access PI System data from Java or Linux?How do I set up PI AF notification rules?How do I use batch requests in PI Web API?How do I connect to PI AF Server using AF SDK in C#?How do I write VBA macros in PI ProcessBook?How does PI data compression work?How do I get real-time streaming updates from PI Web API?How do I troubleshoot PI AF Analysis errors?How do I write SQL queries against PI using PI OLEDB?What is PI interface buffering and how do I configure it?How do I search and query PI Event Frames?What is PI Integrator for Business Analytics?How do I fix the 'Point does not exist' error in PI System?What is the difference between PI ACE and AF Analytics?How do I manually enter data into PI Data Archive?What are AF hierarchy design best practices?What is a WebID in PI Web API and how does it work?How do I configure Kerberos authentication for PI System?Can I deploy PI System in the cloud?How do I calculate summaries (average, total, min, max) in PI?What are PI digital states and how do I use them?How do I connect PI System data to Grafana?How do I backup and restore PI Data Archive?How do I create custom symbols in PI Vision?How do I automate PI System tasks with PowerShell?What is AVEVA Connect and how does it relate to PI System?How do I check and handle data quality in PI System?How do I handle pagination in PI Web API responses?How does AVEVA PI System licensing work?How do I plan a PI System upgrade?