Shu-Ying,
This is possible today. The attached documents define two different procedures to set up equipment and piping components to have a status of New, Future or Existing. Method 1 uses the existing SERVICE Associated Item but a new Associated Item could be created for this specific purpose.
Method 1:
This defines how to show the different states in a different color but line type and transparency could be set too. Any variable that can be set in the Element Template can be used to show an equipment in a specific state.
[View:http://communities.bentley.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/5927/3125.How-To-Add-Service-Key_2D00_in_5F00_V2.pdf:550:0]
Method 2:
A second method consist of using a new property set as an integer to control "state" and the related display. It is below.
[View:http://communities.bentley.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/5927/7345.How-To-Add-Validation-StatesTo-Graphics.pdf:550:0]
The difference in the two methods - the first method relies on an Associated Item and permits the "state" to be set for all objects that use that specific Associated Item state at insertion time. This also passes to all objects with the Associated Item set.
The second method requires the user to modify a specific property to set the value. This is not passed to all components via an Associated Item (Service, System, Are, Unit).
I hope this helps,
Tony DeRosa
Bentley Plant