Has anyone had any experience using the PCF output from Plant3D into Casar II, AutoPipe or any other similar program?
Hi,
Could you let us know what kind of clean up was required?
I used the Autodesk Inventor .pcf translator.
The cleanup required is as follows. I may have missed some things, and I definitely have included some things that go beyond the scope of exporting form Plant 3D:
Set the material, temperature, and other properties for each segment/between each point.
Fix the elbows (see below).
Modify flanges (see below).
Delete extra points (see below).
Set properties for valves.
Set nozzle movements
Fix branch issues (see below).
Set anchors, guides, and hangers. Modify imported hangers.
Set details on expansion joints.
Add additional loads.
Fix the elbows: The .pcf file defines an elbow with a point on each end, a point at the centerline intersection, and the radius. AutoPipe omits the end points of an elbow. AutoPipe thinks the elbow will not fit, and throws an error at every elbow.
Modify flanges: The .pcf file defines a flange with a point on each end. AutoPipe defines the flange at only one end. This produces an extra point that may be deleted. The weight and other properties of the flange also need to be added.
Delete extra points: As discussed above, there are extra points at all elbows and flanges, along with other extra points. If any modification of the pipe needs to be made to the pipe run, it is best to delete the extra points.
Fix branch issues: If a pipe in Plant 3D does not ISO correctly, there is a good chance that it will not import into AutoPipe correctly. I have had particular issues with a "Y" connection. The pipe was able to import into AutoPipe regardless, and it was reasonably easy to fix.
Does Autodesk have plans to incorporate stress analysis, hanger design, and code compliance into an Autodesk product? AutoPipe and CAESAR II are showing their age, and it would be nice to keep everything within the Autodesk family.
CAESARII is the product of Intergraph, I don't think Intergraph will allow to use, however Autocad supports for CADWORX which is the product of Intergraph.
The present version of CII doesn't allow any PCF. Only the earlier version of CII 5.1 & 5.0 supports the PCF generated from Plant3d space.
I request Autodesk to limit the use of 3d space only to Plant3d, why Autodesk should support the Intergraph when they limit the Plant3d.
Plant3d could have a bidirectioonal link with the other good stress analysis software "CAEPIPE", which will surely be appreciable from all.
The present day software market concentrate on whole solution from Modelling and Analysis.
Autodesk only supports modelling, which needs to think on Analysis.
HI,
Thanks for your inputs.
I cant comment on that but we certainly appreciate and value your feedback.
Arun,
Thanks for your feedback.
Today I tried the export of Pcf to ROHR2 stress analysis software, find a good compatibility is there. Tomorrow I post the images.
It is good news for all Autocad Plant3d users. Please see the attached images, a complex model PCF was taken and brought to Rohr-2 model, it converts and accepted that complete model.
Rohr2 software has got better compatability with Autocad Plant3d PCF.
Caesar II works really well. I have been working with Bentley and they have just fixed their PCF translator and it works fine now. There will likely be mapping issues with either product in regards to materials, but that is a very easy fix once it gets to Caesar II or Autopipe. For getting the routing over to analysis, either product would decently now. I personally like Caesar II better because you can import multiple pcf's into an analysis model at one time. Autopipe does one at a time, but both come in well on coordinates.
I still have a lot of issues when importing my Plant 3D model into AutoPIPE. Especially for T's and olets, it defaults these to an anchor point. Has anybody else had these issues and if so were you able to fix these? I just recently found out about the mapping of the .pcfs and am currently not an expert on that matter. Thanks for any help.
Someone say me how to get metric dimension in isometric drawings as i made full pipe line but now isometric show dimensions in fps system. Please give some suggestion as soson as possible i have to submit drawing in 2 days
I made 3D modeling and pipe routing of chemical plant by using Auto Cad plant 3D. Now i want to make stress analysis of pipe line by making .pcf file from auto cad plant 3D. Please suggest me which software will be better for stress analysis and effective pipe routing and variation among the checkstress, checkstress II, and checkstress Nuke. I am waiting for your positive reply.
Hi,
Just to be clear, checkSTRESS will not produce final stress analysis reports for you but will perform a preliminary visual stress check for you.
It will read .PCF files from Plant 3D and colour code the stress ratios for you to review.
Which version you choose depends upon the reporting package you choose:
Regards,
Andy
Hi Arun,
Which package would work more seamlessly with Plant 3D? CAEPIPE or ROHR2?
This one says it will interface with AutoCAD but it does not mention which package of AutoCAD;
4d-pipe-stress-analysis-software