topic Re: WCS Auto-Rotate Override in AutoCAD Plant 3D Forum

WCS Auto-Rotate Override

djeffroy — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 17:12:40 GMT

Hello,

I'm new to Plant 3D and noticed that when routing pipe in the vertical 'Z' axis, the WCS is automatically rotating such that the vertical axis is now 'X'. This is counter-intuitive relative to most other CAD suites I have worked on and seems like an odd behavior to have implemented. The Z axis is vertical and, IMO, it should remain that way unless the user deliberately sets up a custom UCS. I'm using using ".X" ".Y" and ".Z" constantly on my current project to match points in an existing model. Having to double check the WCS each time to make sure I'm selecting the correct direction / axis is not ideal.

If anyone is aware of an override to keep the WCS stationary / consistent regardless of which direction you're routing, it would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Jeff

Re: WCS Auto-Rotate Override

jabowabo — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 19:23:59 GMT

Check this: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-plant-3d-forum/routing-pipe-uses-a-dynamic-ucs-how-do-i-shut-this-off/m-p/7406320/highlight/true#M29586

Re: WCS Auto-Rotate Override

djeffroy — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 19:30:24 GMT

Thanks for the recommendation - that setting seems like it would do the trick but unfortunately it did not correct this behavior, the WCS axis is still switching to 'X' for the vertical when routing a line up from a tee (as an example).

Re: WCS Auto-Rotate Override

Peter_Jansoone — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 07:19:46 GMT

consider using plain lines/polylines to define the locations and convert with 'line to pipe'. that gives you full control over CS.

Re: WCS Auto-Rotate Override

jabowabo — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 18:09:50 GMT

Turn the compass off while routing in the vertical. You can use Ortho and Polar instead and I think it will behave the way you are expecting.

Re: WCS Auto-Rotate Override

djeffroy — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 18:59:28 GMT

I typed in 'Compass' and it was already set to '0' value (off). Unfortunately I can't just run lines and convert to pipe as I'm basically fitting to fitting on the majority of this skid so I'd have to go back and replace everything anyway.

Re: WCS Auto-Rotate Override

jabowabo — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 19:19:15 GMT

PLANTCOMPASS

or the button here:

Re: WCS Auto-Rotate Override

djeffroy — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 19:33:24 GMT

Thank you for the clarification on the compass toggle. Unfortunately with compass disabled this behavior with the axis shifting to 'X' on the vertical when routing pipe up / down is not resolved.

Re: WCS Auto-Rotate Override

jabowabo — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 20:31:50 GMT

Maybe something lost in communication on my end. See screencast using point filter .Z to match BOP - my UCS never changes:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast/fc0a8dec-108a-4cb3-b296-05e2955f0c77

I should note there are other (maybe better) ways to do this.