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2012 Spec Editor Catalog-Spec Sync and Custom Component Creation Issues

6 REPLIES 6
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Message 1 of 7
dgrant775
1740 Views, 6 Replies

2012 Spec Editor Catalog-Spec Sync and Custom Component Creation Issues

I have two issues to report regarding the spec editor: spec/catalog sync problems and block conversion to plant part using plantpartconvert.  I'll cover the latter in a separate post.

 

Background:

I've created two specs using components from AME, ASME, and Victaulic (CPak download - migrated).  Several fittings had to be created and added to the Victualic pcat.  My project is located on a Seagate external drive that I use on a laptop and desktop.

 

Sync problems: 

I cannot sync the catalog with the spec 9 out of 10 times.  For each of the failed attempts a message appears (see attached) stating that the reasons for a spec not updating include: 

 

1. The spec is open in the editor,

2. The spec is read only, and

3. The spec references a catalog that cannot be found.

 

Number one and two are easily solved and are not the problem.  Number 3 is a mystery, because during spec editing minutes before the sync attempt the editor had no trouble finding and loading each of the catalogs.  It appears that the spec sync's with the AME and ASME catalog and then has issue with the Vic catalog.  I cannot confirm this.  I've confirmed that the current project needs to be closed, but not necessarily the main P3D application.  I've tried moving the spec files from the project directory to the C:\Autodesk Plant 3D 2012 Content\CPak Common directory, the CPak AWWA directory (where the Victaulic pcat was installed), and the CPak Victaulic folder but none of these attempts worked.

 

Suggestions are welcomed and appreciated in advance,

DSG

6 REPLIES 6
Message 2 of 7
dave.wolfe
in reply to: dgrant775

Those errors may or may not be true in your case.  I find that I often have to completely exit out of Plant 3D (not just close the project) to save my changes, and then open it and complete the spec update after I've closed out of the catalogs.

 

Have you tried exiting out of the catalog editor before starting Plant3D to do the spec update?

 

 

Dave Wolfe
Isaiah 57:15



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Message 3 of 7
dgrant775
in reply to: dave.wolfe

Thanks Dave, but still no go.  Perhaps Spec Editor has a persistent lock on the spec file.  I'll try rebooting, then immediately try to sync.  WIll let you know.

 

Thanks,

Doug

Message 4 of 7
dgrant775
in reply to: dgrant775

Well, total reboot doesn't help.  What did work was making sure that all of the .png files created for the custom parts are located in the same directory as the .pcat.  My ping's were scattered throughout the content directory. 

 

NOW the problem is within P3D after PLANTSPECUPDATE....  The app confirms an update exists and says all parts are updated; however, the docked window that comes up says it cannot find the parts in the spec.  I cannot select any of the check boxes then hit the "update parts" button.

 

Even the spec viewer shows the part(s), but trying to "insert into model" gives me this message on the Command Line: "Geometry can not be generated with the given parameters. Geometry can not be generated with the given parameters.  Can't find symbol for specified part."

 

Says my client "...this is a spec driven program?  You've spent more time working on the simple spec than piping the plant... should be bullet-proof at this first level don't you think?"  Hard to convince them to invest in three seats.

 

Message 5 of 7
jason.drew
in reply to: dgrant775

On the PLANTSPECUPDATE issue, were these parts added into your model but removed from the spec and added back to the spec sheet?

 

On the part insertion, are these custom parts that you have created, or are they originally part of the AME, ASME, Victaulic catalogs?

 

The error message on the spec synchronization is stange because no projects should have that spec open from that location. If someone else has the spec open on the network you'll see a .LCK file (lock file) listed in the same folder as the spec sheet with the same name as the spec. Can you check to see if any of those files exist? If the Spec Editor crashes while you have a spec open, those tend to get left out there on the hard disk.

 

Thank you,



Jason Drew
Designated Support Specialist
Message 6 of 7
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Message 7 of 7
jason.drew
in reply to: dgrant775

Were these catalogs migrated from Plant 3D 2011 by chance?

 

If so, there is a post here about issues with custom parts after migrating specs/catalogs to 2012:

 

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/AutoCAD-Plant-3D/Creating-Multiple-Catalogs-to-place-Custom-Geometry-C...

 

Thank you,



Jason Drew
Designated Support Specialist

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