topic Re: PCF file template in AutoCAD Plant 3D Forum

PCF file template

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 05:48:53 GMT

Hi,all!

I don't know if there is a template for the pcf file when I create isos.

Sometimes, I must modify the pcf file handly to make a better isometric. Obviously it's not very convenient. So if there is a template file, this will be esay!

Anyone knows that? Thanks!

Bin.

Re: PCF file template

TomislavGolubovic — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 23:23:51 GMT

What do you need to update? Its all done within the Isometrics dialog box and the XML file.

Re: PCF file template

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 01:32:22 GMT

Thanks, Tom!

You know that we can have lots of options in the isoconfig.xml. But some of the data format can't be set up. For example, the tag is unique. Assume that we have five similar valves, and the tags are HA-1, HA-2, and so on. But in the isometric, we just need to annotate 'HA'.

So we must modify the pcf handly. If there is a template, I think we can make that more easier.

Re: PCF file template

dave.wolfe — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 02:29:00 GMT

You could modify an annotation scheme for valves to display a different property. For example, I think the property you would want to display would be the valve code (vs the tag). Then you'd get HA without the valve number.

We have several posts on using an xml editor for various tasks like this:

http://www.pdoteam.com/?cat=100

http://www.pdoteam.com/2012/08/editing-xml-files/

Re: PCF file template

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:33:42 GMT

Yes. I've read all articles you post in the pdoteam.com.

The valve is only one example. We still have some other situations like this.

Re: PCF file template

dave.wolfe — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:09:30 GMT

I think pretty much everything in the pcf can be controlled by the isoconfig, so I recommend exploring it. I'm pretty sure, the program just generates the data, rather than using a template to populate it. The isoconfig can change the pcf to the point that using a template isn't really practical.

Re: PCF file template

dgorsman — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:02:13 GMT

I don't think "template" is the right term for what you want. Are you looking for the PCF technical specifications, the ones that describe what each element of the PCF file is, what it must/may contain, and in what order?

Re: PCF file template

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 01:38:05 GMT

Yes. You quite know me! One of our needs is to use the pcf file for stress analysis programs. Since there is no way to control the pcf format, we have to modify it handly every time.

Re: PCF file template

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 01:39:37 GMT

Yeah. I think you are right. Maybe the iso engine does that without any template.

Re: PCF file template

dgorsman — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 21:30:09 GMT

I don't think that information is publicly available/open format, like PDF (for example). It may be available for purchase through Alias for development purposes as part of licensing but I suspect the cost would be high. Thats one of my major complaints about the PCF format - not documented, only accessible (reliably, anyways) with Alias-provided and -licensed software.

Re: PCF file template

Stakin — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 14:58:05 GMT

you may see the page:http://www.malias.ltd.uk/pcf.asp

but it only a sample for pcf format,I only can make a simple pcf with program use tube datafile,just an the way.

hope it will work for you

Re: PCF file template

dave.evans — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:59:24 GMT

Hi All,

The PCF Format Guide.pcf is available at http://www.gobookee.net/pcf-component-reference-guide/ .

We control the content of the PCF through the Iso.atr.

We control the "use" of the Data contained in the PCF with IsoConfig.xml.

Using stress analysis as an example to add weight, in the Iso.atr.

BOM-ATTRIBUTES
EngineeringItems.Schedule
EngineeringItems.PressureClass
EngineeringItems.Material

EngineeringItems.Weight

HTH's.

Regards

Dave