Catalog preview missing after copying a block-based part to another catalog

[doleischLG4UV]

Hello, good day to all,

my question today is about copying block based catalog components from one to another block based catalog.

My procedure in the catalog editor is to simply right click, copy, paste.

Copying the block based catalog part works, the part is created in the database and the dwg file containing the blocks for the different part sizes is copied in the file system from the content folder of the source catalog to that of the destination catalog.

However, no preview of the copied part is displayed in the target catalog after copying and no png file has been added in the content folder of the target catalog under "\CatalogSupportFolders\<catalog name>\200".

Is this the normal behavior?
Are the png files related to the preview image in the catalog?

After copying the catalog part, if I reassign the block prepared with PLANTPARTCONVERT for one of the part sizes using the "Replace Model..." button, the preview image is displayed again and for all part sizes (even under "General Properties").

Is there a better way to keep the preview images when copying?

I would like to copy several catalog parts and would like to save the extra step via "Replace Model...".

My question is related to Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D 2024 software .

Thanks for your answers or just have a nice day

[CABC.CB · Accepted solution]

Hi,

the thumbnail is created during the assigning of the first block to the PartFamily. If you open the .pcat file with a SQL editor like SQLite Expert you can see in table "EngineeringItems" the "PartFamilyId" as GUID that is linked to the thumbnail shown in the Spec Editor.

This thumbnail has the GUID as a file name and is stored in the folder "\CatalogSupportFolders\<catalog name>\200".

To have the preview shown again you must find the GUID given to the pasted catalog item and then copy the preview png to the 200 folder of the new catalog and with the new GUID as file name. 

The GUID shown for the specific size block is not linked to the preview picture.

After copying the catalog part, if I reassign the block prepared with PLANTPARTCONVERT for one of the part sizes using the "Replace Model..." button, the preview image is displayed again and for all part sizes (even under "General Properties").

---

This will create a new thumbnail with the PartFamiliyGUID as file name and therefore is shown as preview.

Which way of creating the preview png is the more convenient one I can not tell but why not using both catalogs as blueprint for your piping classes.

-
Constantin Böhling

If my reply was helpful, please click the "Accept as Solution" button below.

[doleischLG4UV]

Hello Constantin,
thank you very much for your helpful answer.

I have followed your detailed explanation and I can confirm that the preview image will be displayed in the destination catalog once it is manually copied in the file system and named "<Type>_<PartFamilyId>_200.png".

For me, copying block based parts between catalogs is an elementary basic function, which I need for restructuring the catalogs. That's why I find it a bit unfortunate that the preview image is not also copied and renamed by the internal routine, as it happens with the dwg file containing the blocks.

Thanks and have a nice week