OpenPlant can be run without ProjectWise, yes. In our migration to OP I ran a number of projects like this, without any major issues. Currently most of our projects are hosted by ProjectWise, but do not use a repository. This works well as it gives me central management, easy access from remote locations and shortens project ramp-up time. There are a few issues with this, one being that we have to use i-Models for isometric generation. Currently this does not support the design state to isometric style mapping that you get with a repository. The bigger question is if you plan on using a repository or not (database). Part of the reason I mention this is your comment on structural; in future OP releases you should see structural use the same repository as OPM does via Plant BIM Server, and will have similar check out/in functionality (per PDF from Ian Robinson). I do not say this as an indication that you should be using a repository now, but if you take the plunge into OP it would be a very good idea to know where Bentley is going with it so you can plan accordingly. Do you plan on using OPPID data in your OP models? Currently this can only be done via i-Models, and IMO is a bit clunky. Hopefully this will be resolved in future releases. Spec Gen / Catalog Editor is the tool used to create and edit the catalogs and specs that are used in OPM/PID. Think of the catalog as the master item list and the spec as the filtered list, based on your hard-copy piping specs. Pretty much everything in OPM is spec-driven. If it is not in a spec it cannot be placed in the model, so taking time to build a very good set of catalogs is well worth it. OPPID makes use of the specs for things like valve codes and such, but does not require the specs to operate. I've ran into too many issues with CE/SG so I use other tools (SQL / Excel) to build the catalogs themselves. Once that is done I assign the GUID's using CE and then SG to build the specs. Essentially I try to minimize the use of this particular tool as I find it unreliable and problematic in a number of situations. Some of our specs are lengthy and complex, which is more where I see these issues. One thing I'll say to anyone thinking of going the OP route: Do not under-estimate this. It isn't like AutoPLANT or anything else Bentley has released before. This is a very capable tool, if it is set up and managed well. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it.
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