Hi Kyle -
You can add pipe sizes, but not in the method that you have tried. Pipes are
not simply parametric parts. They are segments, and as such require some
special considerations. Content builder was not created to edit segments,
but was created to edit parts and fittings. To add to the list of availible
segment sizes you will need to use catalog editor, rather than content
builder.
You will need to make two edits in catalog editor to create a new pipe size.
Launch catalog editor, and open the Pipe US Imperial.apc file. Navigate to
Schedule 40 -> Flanged -> Connectors. Now I don't have a pipe table in front
of me to tell me what these values are going to be, so I'm going to "guess"
some of the values.
I need to add a new row at the bottom of the Basic Table, with a ND1 of
36.0, a D1 of 40.0, D2 of 40.0, CL1 of 2.0, and CLE of 1.6.
Now I need to expand the pipes item, the expand Schedule 40 Flange Pipe,
expand Basic Table. Add a new row to the bottom of the table with and ND1 of
36.0 and a D1 of 36.0. Now we need to save the catalog and do a catalog
regen. Now pipeadd will recognize the new pipesize.
It doesn't matter what pipe size you try to add, if there isn't a connector
in a specific size allowed for that gauge and material, it won't be a valid
pipe size.
The fact that the parameters for the fittings are not calculated, but are
based on tables is because if you take a look at these parts in the real
world, these values are not calculated, but based on tables. It would have
been much easier for us to base the pipe fitting sizes on equations as well,
but they aren't manufactured that way. You are welcome to use equations for
these fields, but we felt that it was better to do more work and get you a
pipe catalog that meets manufacturer standards than to provide you with
something that was completely wrong just because it was easy.
The pipe catalogs are hard to customize. Even harder than the HVAC catalog.
That is because pipes and pipe fittings are manufactured differently that
duct and duct fittings.
Actually if you make the pipes, the fittings can be "approximated" based on
the existing sizes in the catalogs, so if you want approximations, you don't
have to even create most of the other fittings.
We are working on a place for user to put parts, but we don't want everyone
to have to be an expert in catalog editor and content builder, and to know
that then need to put parts in a specific place in the catalogs and run
catalog test and catalog regen to get to the parts, so we are looking for a
solution that is better than a newsgroup to post files. Until the site is up
that will allow this you are welcome to post parts to the cf newsgroup as
some people have already done.
hth
jason
"Kyle Bernhardt" wrote in message
news:A31EBDC0A09930860B145EDEDEB879F5@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> In the course of modelling a mechanical room for a large college campus,
> I've run into the problem that I need larger pipe diameters than are
> available standard. I assumed this was a simply as adding a size to a
> parametric part, which is documented in both the concept guide and then
help
> documentation.
>
> I went ahead and in the content builder, selected "Schedule 40 Flanged
Pipe
> US Imperial" from Pipe and Fittings US Imperial->Schedule
40->Flanged->Pipes
> and then chose "add part size" This opens the parametric part
environment.
> At this point I click on "Size Parameters" and select "Edit Values". This
> brings me to the "Edit Part Sizes" window. I scroll to the bottom and add
a
> new row. Since calculations determine all fields except for the diameter
> and nominal diameter, I only fill these out. I select "Schedule_40" for
my
> gauge and "Carbon Steel" for my material. Calculations generate the
> remaining fields. I then select
> "OK". I then run validation tests that return no errors. I save the part
> family and then try and use my new pipe. I am able to select the new pipe
> size in the "Add Pipe" dialog, but when I try and place the part I get the
> following message:
>
> No pipe with selected gauge and connection type exists in the current
> catalog
>
> You must change either the gauge or connection type, or switch to a
catalog
> that contains this combination before you can add pipe.
>
> I thought that I might have to regenerate the catalog to create the new
> parametric part size, so I did that and it did not help. I'm not sure
where
> to go from here....I really need to be able to add new pipe sizes, and I
am
> aware that this requires creating new elbows and tees, but I figured I
make
> sure that I could make a pipe first.
>
> On a related note, I later looked into creating an elbow of the same
> diameter. I noticed that a number of the parameters are not calculated,
but
> entered. These are figures like raduis of curvature. If this is a
standard
> raduis part, then calculations would define these numbers, but there are
no
> calculations in these fields. Leaving me to go and determine the radius
of
> curvature for a standard elbow at a 36" diameter for all angles from 1 to
> 90. That should be fun. Autodesk you have effectively restrained me, and
> realistically everyone else from creating new pipe diamters, because
> calculating these values and then entering them in would prove way to time
> consuming to be cost effective.
>
> That being said I'd love to be told that I'm completely wrong and the
> process is painfully simple, cause that would be the logical way to
develop
> a program, allowing for the customization the the most commonly used
parts,
> so that a MEP consultant can ACTUALLY USE IT. Sorry for the vent there
but
> this experience has seriously degraded my view of this program, which I
> pitched to my boss and he subsequently bought.
>
> And one last thing...roughly 4k for the initial purchase and $900/year for
a
> forced subscription cannot provide a place on your website for the
uploading
> of parts that were created by the users of your program, for the use in
the
> program, even after people have specifically asked for such space? I
wonder
> where it all goes, cause my guess is that you already have the
> infrastructure, and it simply requires making available maybe 15-20 gigs
> initially for part uploading. I guess the management doesn't read their
> customer feedback.
>
> I feel that a large weight has been lifted off my chest.
>
> Kyle Bernhardt
> Mechanical Engineer
> Dagher Engineering
> 29 Broadway
> New York, NY 10006
>
>