I realize the C3D 2013 has just been released, but hoping that someone involved in the beta or Autodesk employee can offer some guidance. The default parts catalog is a good start, but for production watermain design, it is lacking. Therefore, I am trying to determine how do add additional content to the parts library.
I have explored the Content Catalog Editor and have been able to add new pipe materials, but it appears that the only way that I can import a part is with a .CONTENT file. Is there any documentation on how this file is supposed to be configured or created? Is there any documentation on the Content Catalog Editor in general? We need to be able to add new pipe, fittings, valves, appurtanences in order to make this new feature usable in a production environment.
Thanks in advance,
Kyle Pettibone, P.E.
RH2 Engineering, Inc.
Project Manager/CAD Manager
Solved! Go to Solution.
Solved by dana.probert. Go to Solution.
I agree with this, we are currently exploring C3D 13 as a 12d replacement on Watermain Designs however the limited ability to create new fitting based on others etc has thrown a spanner in the works. While the functionality of the pressure pipes tool is good, like what was said above, its limited catalog and lack of ability to edit it makes it difficult to move forward. I do understand this is a new release. However, there has obviously been parts created for the release. They have to be made somewhere right? Access to these features would be more than helpful. Otherwise the tool is quite undercooked and not ready for practical commercial use.
How's your programming?
If ability to create custom fittings is available, it is most likely to be found as a .Net object. You can access the Civil 3D object libraries using one of the .NET programming languages, like VB.NET or C#.
I don't want to get your hopes too high; Autodesk often does not expose new object types to the API in the first release of a new feature. I remember Feature Lines taking a few years to be added, so don't go hire a programmer just yet.
The Civil 3D Customization discussion group would be a good place to ask.
The catalog is pretty sparse, especially for metric users. We don't get the flanged, mechanical fittings catalogs or cross fittings. Not to mention you can only add pipes for now (I haven't figured out how to add anything else).
I'm not an expert on this, but I talked to the product design team to see what I could find out.
They said, right now a user can edit the SQLite database to copy parts and edit the data associated with them.
They mentioned that they noticed this blog post in their google alerts: http://lispcad.com/2012/04/civil-3d-pressure-pipe-catalog-editor/ and that it had a pretty good run down of what is available.
I will see if I can find more information on creating additional parts.
How can you get PVC pipe sizes into the pressure network parts? Can't use anything but the Ductile Iron pipe material. Can't add another type of pipe material. No choices.
@Parker
http://beingcivil.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/04/introduction-to-the-pressure-pipes-catalog.html
Pay attention to the comments.
You don't understand. If I open up the PressurePipesIDMCatalog.sqlite file, there is nothing there except this:
So I got a little more information from the developer.
He says:
By authoring, we provide a command (PUBLISHPARTCONTENT) that allows you to promote any 3D Solid in AutoCAD to a .CONTENT file which can be consumed by the catalog editor application to add to a pressure catalog.
Search your computer for a doc called: PartPublishingWizardUsersGuide
On my machine, I found it here:
C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013\Sample\Civil 3D API\Part Publishing Wizard
That's encouraging, Dana, thanks. I heard about such a possible tool from those who will remain nameless, but the details were sparse. I'll give this a try.
I don't suppose this tool shows up in help anywhere? If not, that leaves this as an undocumented feature. Can you say if using this is supported by Autodesk?
I appreciate your help.
from the doc:
This document serves as a quick tutorial for using the Part Publishing Wizard which ships with Civil3D 2013. This is an unsupported tool which provides a method for promoting an AutoCAD 3D Solid into an “official” pressure piping part that can be inserted into pressure piping networks.
I understand. With this tool you can create your own part families and pipes and materials. It's not entirely obvious, but you can do these tasks here.
Thanks. i guess I should have read it before posting.
Wow, this tool works pretty slick! I, having ZERO 3D part creation experience, managed to create and import a fire hydrant part in about 20 minutes. All I did was locate a 3d hydrant (used the one in the MVBlocks found in the C3D Symbols folder) and follow the instructions in that Word doc. Another 5 minutes and I had it added into a drawing.
It doesn't yet work quite right, but it IS in the parts list and drawing 🙂 This will take some work, but so far it's hands down a winner over Part Builder.
The process I follow is:
Create the 3D part of a fitting or appertunance.
Use the command "Autodeskconnectionpoint" to insert connection points.
Publish the part to a .content file type using the command "Publishpartcontent"
Thereafter use the content catalog program (supplied with Autocad) to add fittings etc to the database.
Remember to make a copy of the pressure pipes from the Autocad sub-directories and do your work on the copy version to make sure every thing works well.
Easy and productive. I created a metric pipe and fitting database for uPVC pressure pipes in about a day.
Cheers
Geurt Bloem Pr ENg
I got the same confusing thing as Parker when I opened the sqlite file, nothing, so C3D 2013 pressure piping comes with basically an empty catalog file and you have to create your own parts?
An Autodesk pipe industry standard content download file would be nice to start off with....