AutoCAD MEP

[#1]

Is there any option for pipe auto routing ?

[#2]

Yes

[#3]

Where would one find the options seetings?

I'm looking in particular as to how to have the autorouting choose the simplest solution first as per this previously unanswered post...

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/AutoCAD-MEP/MEP-2012-PIPE-AUTOROUTING/td-p/3018854

[#4]

can you give a more specific example?  i.e., are the branch/main perpendicular to each other?  at different elevations?  which routing preference are you using?  what kind of options are you getting that you don't expect?  the answer may be that you need to use a routing preference that has fittings that are more suitable to your need.

[#5]

What the OP is asking is pretty obvious to anyone that gets paid to use the software.

Specific example: I'm running 2 steel threaded pipes perpendicular to each other, 125MM apart in the z-axis. When I try to connect the end of one pipe to the middle of the other, I am offered up to 15 options for the routing solution. Usually option 11 or something will be the one i want. The rest of the options are pathetically ridiculous. See drawing. Option 8 out of 10 is the one to use 999 times out of a thousand.

I run parallel piping systems 3,4, sometimes 5 abreast. I have to mess around with this nonsense several hundred times a week. So:

n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-a

OR

p-p-p-a

at EVERY junction!!!!!!!! 5 Times!!!!!!!!!!

I even get offered solutions involving e.g. a customised 89.888844523 degree bend before it offers me a solution involving stock parts.

[#6]

It sounds like you want an option to 'force' the angle to 90 degrees, and to always drop in from directly above if the pipe you are conencting into is lower than the pipe you are routing with.  One of the problems we've found with trying to be too spceific and detailed about rules when routing is that it may put on constraints that are not desired in other cases.  Perhaps there is room for improvement here, but there are other ways to achieve what I think it is you want.

There aren't options for this specifically, but there are certianly ways to achieve this in fewer clicks and no careful watching of prompts.  By being a bit more explicit in what it is you expect, the system can help, instead of hinder, you.

After you've started the extension of the first pipe, use the CTRL key to snap to the lower pipe, but not connect.  Then, click on the lower pipe.  Your first option will be exactly the option you are looking for in this case.  The one thing to note of this approach is that you end up with a coupling where you started the extension of the first pipe, which may or may not be desired depending on your needs in a particular scenario.

The other approach to avoid the coupling is to use the standard AutoCAD extend command to line the end of the top pipe directly over the center of the first pipe, then select the first pipe and use the + grip to start the run, and click on the perpendicular pipe close to the end of the first pipe.  Again, your first option will be the option you are looking for.

Incidentally, these also work if the pipe you are connecting to is higher than the pipe you are routing. 

Here's a quick video demo of the two approaches: http://screencast.com/t/KWkT05lW

Does that help?

[#7]

Martin,

Those are very good workarounds and I do make extensive use of those. Extend, Trim and (especially) Break are all essential to productivity. 2D Tools to the rescue!

I think that what changed was the addition of Gravity piping and Deflection in fittings. The abilty to disable these properties on a System level would be the answer, i think. 

[#8]

CadMonkey, thanks for taking the time for creating the example file.

In my opinion, the first autoroute soution offered should always be at the point where the two pipes intersect with a striaght drop between the two. 

Maybe another way to address it would be to have an option for the autoroute to return solutions in order of least amount of fittings. In CadMonkey's example, this might return soltuion 9 then 8, but this would reduce alot of clicking thru soltuions.

I too would like to be able to control deflections. Either at the system level or an option to turn them on or off in the autorouting.

Thanks for posting the video Martin. Extending the intersectiing points of the pipes before making the connection has been my way of doing things as well, but making autoroute a little bit smarter will make things more productive.

[#9]

I have found that if I have my tracking set to orthogonal and not polar that the first option it gives me is usually the straight up and down option.  It will still give me upwards of 60 options, the first is the one that I usually select.