Hi Did you ever solve this issue?
I can confirm that @h_eger solution will work for you, all you need to do is add a custom operator that looks like your angled seat valve, when you add your custom valve blocks to the catalog you need to make sure its valve_body type not valve otherwise you cannot assign operators to the valves.
To make the AutoCAD block based actuator, I just used a single line to trick the model into thinking it has an actuator, this allows orientation and rotation to be detected and transferred into the iso. You can see a single line at the bottom of my valves (this is my dummy operator if you will). The operator task is not massive, once you make one you can bulk assign it to the valves you want in the catalog. Read below.
Steps:
1. Add your valve operator and make sure its standing upright, eg aligned with Z axis when you use plant part convert command, add your ports, first port is inlet, second port is outlet. Add this into the catalogue.
2. Draw a short line somewhere in the same file, or any file as long as you know where you saved it and turn it into a block with any name you want, make sure the block insertion point is at the end of the line (the line also needs to be drawn aligned with the z axis, this is important because now it means its algined with the z axis of your custom valve blocks too and when its rotated in the model it can flip the iso block. )You don't need to run plant part convert on these custom operators, just turn it into a block and remember where you saved it. I found I had to draw my line downwards, and the insertion point is at the top of the line.
3. For your valve body iso symbol, you need to open Isometric folder in the project and open file called "isoSymbolStyles.dwg" type bedit command then find an existing straight valve block and save it as a new name you want, this symbol should be kept simple as a rectangle to represent a cylinder in the iso, or a straight line. Mine is below for reference. Make sure you have the flip parameter and ensure your new geometry is selected for the flip parameter, the operator direction will also follow this I have found even though you don't need to set the operator block its self to flip.
4. Make your operator symbol in this same file, once again find an existing one and save as then start editing it. Save it as a meaningful name. FYI you will need to use these names again in the XML file. The middle of the block must be set at X0 ,Y0 same as the valve block so they align together in the iso. The middle is defined as the mid point between the two connection ports.
5. XML - Open the file "IsoSkeyAcadBlockMap.xml" with an editor, find valves section, I added a new valve like this <SkeyMap SKEY="90??" AcadBlock="_ICF_SLANTED" /> The 90 doesn't mean anything I just gave it a unique number to help me, you can do what ever two letters you want as long as they arent already existing, make sure to add the ?? afterwards as this allows for different type of connections eg SW, BW, SC depending on the catalogue. Notice how the Acad Block must be the exact same name as the valve block we created earlier.
In this same file, you also need to create an operator, mines like this <SkeyMap SKEY="20SP" AcadBlock="Operator_DanfossValveStation1" /> note the block name is again the same as the block name we created earlier.
This part was what tripped me up, for it to work you also have to map the spindle key to the valve key for some reason, the catalog skey doesn't seem to do anything on the operator when assigning operators to valves. Scroll a bit further down in the same XML and find <!-- Begin: VALVE SKEY TO SPINDLE SKEY -->
I added this line for mine <ValveToSpindleSkeyMap ValveSKEY="90??" SpindleSKEY="20SP" /> You can see my valve skey is now mapped to operator / spindle skey.
6. Catalog time.
Add your operator / actuator as a custom block, set up the naming etc, mine looked like this, as you can see its the single line we made before. Note the SKEY
If you add a new valve you need to make sure its valve body type so you are able to assign operators.
My valve looks like this, note the SKEY
On the valve, click general properties tab and click edit operator assignments, choose your valve from the list and add a new row, select the size range and apply the actuator you made.
Save all and add valves to spec, add actuators to spec too.
Should now get results like my iso at the start of this, I've tested it for flow direction, if I flip the model flow direction the operator also knows to flip with the valve.
Hopefully this helps, Cheers.
CAD Manager
Mechanical Engineering Technician
