Exactly what is the meaning of Fitting Elevation properties?

[soonhui]

In Fitting properties, there is an Elevation property, and it can be different from the Invert Level ( or any other properties) for the connecting pipe. 

So exactly what is the (physical) meaning of the Elevation property of the Fitting? To me it's not meaningful at all because the actual fitting z position will ( and must)be overridden by the connecting pipe's z level. Referring to the screenshot here, one can also infer that that is meaningful is the pressure pipe invert level and not fitting elevation. 

What is your take on this?

[MSchille-1994]

The Fitting elevation is at the insert point of the Fitting in a 3D view, basically, the middle of the Fitting, not the top and not the bottom.

[soonhui]

@MSchille-1994 , here's the question. How can this Fitting elevation be an independent value ( as implied by the Civil 3D interface)? Shouldn't it be fully determined by the connecting pipe's level? 

[MSchille-1994]

No not really.  Pressure Networks are very finicky, but if you create a Pipe Run, the vertical location of both the Fitting and Connect Pipes is controlled by that elevation in the Fitting Properties.  The same holds true for independent built Pressure Networks (not utilizing Pipe Runs).

[soonhui]

@MSchille-1994 , that's precisely my point. The vertical location of fitting and connected pipes are dependent on each other.

Am I not right on this?

[MSchille-1994 · Accepted solution]

@soonhui you are correct.  When adjusting fittings and pipes vertically, I always adjust the fitting only and let the pipes follow it.  If for some reason the pipes do not follow and become disconnected, I grip edit the pipe and hover over the fitting until the yellow circle (not osnaps) becomes visible and then click on the fitting, as this will reconnect the pipe to the fitting.  I almost never adjust the fitting and pipes by grip editing the pipes only.