A couple of month back Chris posted on how to actually work around the xml based file which defines your data base schema in AIM.
Today I would like to take the chance to update you on some changes in order to let you be able to update your schema as you please.
First of all we are not generating an im_schema.xst file in the model.file folder anymore. The default schema is provided within the code and can also be localized. Also it might be safer instead of having a file which can be destroyed or updated in a strange way :-).
If you now want to update your schema you need to create this xml file by yourself. Let's take a look at the Download New_schema_def file that I've updated to add some more descriptive categories and attribute names.
According to Chris’ post I did as well enter some <Class> items which are mainly the asset classes appearing in the model explorer and its attributes. In my case only the CITY_BUILDINGS have additional attributes.
In order to provide some more descriptive names to the new as well as existing attributes I entered some <Display> items.
Note that the "priority" attribute identifies the display order of the attributes in the interface (lowest to highest) as Chris mentioned previously.
Now there are two ways of how you want to get this schema change in place. First you want to setup a new model. Secondly you want to update an existing model.
While creating a new model you simple need to refer to the advanced options in the new model dialog and search for the definition file. It will then be copied automatically to the model.files folder of your infrastructure models place. Here you can update it as you like.
In the scenario were you want to update your already existing model you just need to copy the file to the model.files folder and restart your model. Everything is in place and you can enhance your model.
Hope it helps to overcome some recent changes to the schema handling.