Flow Arrows Backwards

[thebearjed]

I have a strange issue that has just came up with extracting isometrics from the model. All the flow arrows that I place come out reversed on the isometric versus the model? (Plant 3D 2014)

[martinTstewart_Adsk]

It may help to see a couple screen shots of what's happening. Perhaps you could post a screenshot of the 3D model/pipe line and another of the resulting Iso with the arrows reversed on you. That may help the group here to get a better idea of what's going on. 

Also, is there anything here that is customized in your drawing? Custom symbols, custom Iso style, etc?

Were you not getting these results in Plant 3D 2013 doing the exact same thing? (Have you tried that just to confirm this is unique to 2014)?

[eadkins73]

I have had this same issue.  I put in a back pressure control valve and the iso had the symbol backwards.  So I added the flow arrows, which were backwards, thinking the symbol would flip the right way.  I highlighted the line and right clicked, reverse the flow direction.  Now my iso comes out with sheet 1 starting at the end of the pipeline.  Oh and the flow arrows didnt change at all so I deleted them but now I can't get the flow direction going back the correct way.

[thebearjed]

it seemed to be only on that one paricular line. after running some isos on different lines it has not happened again...although sometimes i notice that the check valves do come in reversed.

[milan_blom]

Martin, 

I have seen this issue also several times. I havn't found out what chain of events causes this.

Please find attached zip file with an isometric and PCF file. In the model the arrow point towards te flange, on the iso away from the flange.

The model is to large to post here, please provide an e-mail address if you need it.

We are using Plant3D 2013 (64-bit)

[martinTstewart_Adsk]

I don’t see any attachments. It would probably be helpful to post screenshots so the discussion group can better see what you’re dealing with.  Was any of the piping MIRRORED in the model?  Were any of the components mirrored? Is this occurring on one particular line? Or perhaps it’s a particular Iso symbol causing you some grief here. Seeing the images may help others in giving suggestions as well.

[milan_blom]

Here you see the model:

And here the isometric:

I tried removing the arrow and replaicng it, removing the pipe and replacing it, but nothing works. An arrow furter down on another line works fine.

[martinTstewart_Adsk]

Looking at the image of the model you provided, I see what appears to be an extra, stray flow arrow (going the opposite direction) at the top of the screen. Perhaps that arrow is what is confusing the Iso generation. Double check which flow arrow is attached to that pipe (perhaps both). The extra one may have been moved and/or flipped.

In any event, I recommend deleting these flow arrows in the model. Then AUDIT the drawing. Save the drawing. Then PLANTAUDIT. Save the drawing. Then close all the drawings. Then with everyone out of the project, do an AUDIT PROJECT. Then close the project. Re-open the project and the model drawing. Add the flow arrows, one per line or segment going in the desired direction. Save the drawing. Then run the Iso to see if that fixes it.

If this resolves your issue, please check this as “Solved” so others can find the answer as well.

[milan_blom]

That arrow is from another line I switched of for good visibility (the arrows are on a seperate layer).

I wil try your proposal. During the training we were told to never use the regular AUDIT command on a Plant drawing?

[thebearjed]

righ there is another issue. in my mind the Flow Arrow should be on the same layer as its parent pipe.

[Bob_Lipchik]

I'm seeing this exact problem.  My first thought during iso checking was that I screwed up and placed the arrows backwards.  But when I came across my third drawing with backwards arrows I figured I'd better check it out.  Sure enough, iso generation is drawing them backwards and my model shows them correct.  This is happening on SOME of the flow arrows but not all of them.

I'm seeing quite a few issues with the 2014 release of P3D in the iso generation.  Something has changed that's causing problems that didn't exist in 2013.  Most notably is the spool drawings are not working properly.

And I agree with thebearjed.....the flow arrows and other iso notes should be on the same layer as the parent pipe.  Once you fill up all of the lines in your model with these details it makes it almost impossible to move the lines because you have so many things floating out there.

[martinTstewart_Adsk]

I've heard that in some cases where this is occuring (wrong flow direction) that it may help to flip the inline valve (if applicable). I've tried to recreate this problem as well as test the flipping-the-valve suggestion, but I haven't experienced this happening with the flow arrows myself. But flipping adjacent valve(s) may be worth a try. I hope this helps in your case.

[Bob_Lipchik]

There are no valves in the line to flip.  I estimate this wrong flow direction happens about 20% of the time.

[martinTstewart_Adsk]

The development team has been made aware of this. This has to be frustrating to those experiencing this, I'm sure.

Another thing that you might try is to actually create the pipe in the direction of the intended flow. So if flow is east to west, create/pull the pipe east to west. Obviously this shouldn't be required, but it may be a good work-around for some. (Note that I haven’t been able to test this since I’m not getting the backwards arrows/direction that some here are).

As a reminder for those who want to provide feedback and make suggestions, here's a link for that:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=1109794

And to those who take the time to highlight things like this that you find, Thank You. Thanks for helping to further improve Autodesk Plant 3D!

[paragnewe]

Hello Guys,

any progress in this ?

we are also facing same problem of reverse Flow Arrow on iso's. 

it is bit difficult to locate / move flow arrows or comments of particular line as those are in same layer and not in parent pipe layer.

Please give some solution..

[blorich]

as I posted in a seperate thread, was the pipe drawn in the west to east direction? i notice that if you sometimes flip the arrow it will ignore it becuase you drew the pipe west to east even though your flow is east to west.  I find that it is best to draw the pipe in the direction of the flow.

[ndirkson]

I'm still experiencing this issue, has anyone found a solution to the problem yet?

[Bob_Lipchik]

What version of P3D are you using?  I'm running 2015 and haven't seen this in a while.  My assumption is that it was fixed with the upgrade last year from 2014 to 2015.  I haven't tested 2016 for this yet.

[ndirkson]

I'm currently using 2014, no option for me to jump to 2015 or 2016 yet... hopefully they come out with reference dimensions before I get to jump to the new one (column references etc.), I was just hoping someone had a solution, pumping out a lot of isometrics and flipping every flow arrow and even supports are flipping over, hangers off of bottom, base supports off of top etc...

[Bob_Lipchik]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that with 2015 the flow arrow issue is fixed.  But again, this is based solely on the fact that I've not had bad flow arrows in quite some time.  Out of sight, out of mind.

I've not personally seen any of the other things you're talking about with your supports flipping around.

Agree that column line references would be nice for isos but I've not seen any chatter about that.  Maybe watch for Autodesks team asking for the wish list for next release and suggest it in there or maybe even start a new thread for that one.

Good luck!