How to combine Valve Body with Python Custom Actuator

[quan_hm]

I'm checking this article: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-plant-3d/learn-explore/caas/simplecontent/content/pla...

About how to combine Valve Body with Python Custom Actuator. It's a very detail post but I'm missing some point and glad if someone could shed me some light in this:

1. In this file ValveActuatorParameters.xml 

<ValveBodyVariant var="cpvmp">

<ValveBodyVariantNum num="600>

<ParameterMap cparam="HA" dparam="L" />

<ParameterMap cparam="DA" dparam="D" />

</ValveBodyVariantNum>

 what does cparam and dparam mean and how mapping parameter works?

2. At the final step it would need another script: cpvmp501600, that would call 2 scripts, orient actuator, and combine it with the body. So after I have this script how does I use it with the Spec Editor? the valve body now is cpvmp501000 or cpvmp501600?

I've contacted the author but seem he is busy at the moment so I'm reaching for help in this post, thank you for reading.

[h_eger]

Dear @quan_hm ,

Unfortunately it does not work to connect a Pyton Script ValveBody and a Python Script Actuator.
this function is unfortunately not supported by AutoCAD Plant 3D see link.

https://in-the-pipes.typepad.com/in_the_pipes/2017/02/index.html 

[quan_hm · Accepted solution]

Hi @h_eger , a very useful link, can learn a lot from it. 

But I was able to combine custom valve with custom actuator follow the mentioned article. Just a little note for who has the same problem like me is that the metadata for P3D 2023 is located at C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2023\PLNT3D\ContentScripts\metadata, not in the zip file. 

[st.haLXNHT]

Hi, minhquanqttb

i tried to do that but it seems missing something in the article. Could you please write some instruction how can you do it successful.

Thanks 

[DaveSimmons71]

Since P3D requires the valve body and the actuator to be separate so it can show actuator orientation on the isometric. The solution which I have come up is the build the valve & actuator as a single python script and then apply a small/simple handle actuator which would graphically be hidden inside the valve/actuator graphic but allow the program to work properly without any trickery or programmatic assistance,

[st.haLXNHT]

That's a good ideal. Thank for your advice