Use the Hide Internal Structure command to conceal intellectual property contained in your DeltaV system's Composite Templates, Control Module Classes, Equipment Module Classes, and Phase Classes and in any instance of these templates and classes.
The Hide Internal Structure command hides function blocks but module level parameters remain visible. This image shows a composite template whose internal structure is fully visible. Instances of this composite template, such as a module, can be opened in DeltaV Control Studio in online, edit, and debug modes.
The following image shows the same composite template with a hidden internal structure. Because the internal structure is hidden, this composite template cannot be opened in Control Studio in edit mode. However instances of this template, such as a module, can be opened in online and debug modes but users are not allowed to drill into the composite instance to see the internal structure.
A hidden item cannot be:
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Opened in Edit mode in Control Studio (instances of the item can be opened in Control Studio in online and debug modes).
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Copied
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Converted to another type that would reveal the internal structure. For example, a linked composite cannot be converted to an embedded composite.
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Drilled into (if linked composite)
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Modified in any way
A hidden item's properties and history collection cannot be changed. However, a hidden item can be deleted. An instance of a hidden item can be modified from the Properties, History Collection, and Configure dialogs. Parameter shortcut values can be changed on an instance.
After an item's internal structure has been hidden, it can be accessed only with the password used to hide the structure. In most cases the owner of the intellectual property has the password. When a configuration that contains hidden items is exported, the hidden items and password are encrypted. The password persists even if the hidden item is exported, then deleted, and imported or re-imported into a different database. An item from an unencrypted configuration cannot be imported into the DeltaV system if that item already exists in the database and its structure is hidden.
It is important to provide information about the owner of a hidden item. For example, suppose a problem arises with a control module with a hidden internal structure and users need to contact the module's owner for help. It is recommended that you use one or more string parameters to hold information about the owner and/or the item's revision. Before hiding an item's internal structure, use Control Studio to add the string parameters. Be sure to add the parameters at the item's top level to ensure that the parameters remain visible after the item is hidden. Refer to the Control Studio online help for information on adding parameters.
If DeltaV Version Control (VCAT) is enabled, do not check in an item that is unhidden. If an unhidden item is checked in, the internal structure of that version of the item can be viewed in VCAT history.
You must have DeltaV System Admin and Can Configure keys to access the Hide Internal Structure feature. Refer to the Parameter and Function Security topic for more information on locks and keys.
The Hide Internal Structure command cannot be applied to an item in a protected category. To hide an item in a protected category, first hide the item and then protect the category to which the item belongs. For information on protecting items refer to Protecting Your Engineering Standards.