Getting Pipe Networks into an existing drawing.

[RobertEVs]

I have four previous set Empty Pipe Networks in my template drawing. All the layers and styles are set for each type and all I do is right>click to edit any one network which places my pipes on correct layers with appropriate styles. NOW I have an existing drawing where I could use these network settings and as far as I can tell I have to create them all over again. No Drag and drop from the prospector. Nothing in settings. I looked around the Project Explorer and I can export the networks but that's about it. Don't see a way to import them in any other drawing. Layout from template does not add them. 

Would be great to be able to add these to older drawings if possible.

 

[MMcCall402]

How about inserting your template file into your existing file.

[RobertEVs]

Can you throw me a bone on that? I can apply the template from the layout but none of the empty pipe network settings come in. I have tried design center, insert, xref, etc. 

[brian.strandberg]

See if the pipe networks display correctly in project explorer.  I have seen many issues where something weird is in the prospector, but not in project explorer.  I usually take that as something corrupt is in the drawing.

For your issue, I would LANDXMLOUT the pipe networks, and then LANDXMLIN to a secondary drawing.  Plus this is easily repeatable for the next time this happens.

[tcosta7B84R]

If you want only to import your styles and settings you could import the styles of your drawings through the"manage", "styles" panel, and "import".

Otherwise, if you want to import the entire pipe network, you can use the suggestion mentioned above "LANDXMLOUT" and "LANDXMLIN" or datashortcut it, so through the datashortcut you can keep the connection or promote it to your new drawing.
I hope that clear a bit more you question.

[Joe-Bouza]

You should be able to drag and drop the part list and styles into existing drawing. This does not give what you need?

[RobertEVs]

That will not work. Try and make an empty pipe network in the prospector and drag it into another drawing. It won't do it. I'm not sure I can drag anything from the prospector into another drawing actually. This is not a parts list or style. This is simply creating an empty pipe network with set layers and styles and all I have to do is right click an empty network and edit it. Then all my pipes will use the appropriate layers and styles. 

The benefit is if you create a network with the pipe network creation tools you have to set up layers and styles for every type but here, with my empty networks it's all ready to go. Each one of these Tabs Layout, Profile, Section all have layers and styles set. This is for ALL 4 of my existing or proposed networks.

 

[RobertEVs]

Thanks Brian but I have tried XML. These networks are merely a place holder for Pipes and Structures. A template so to speak with layers and style settings (waiting) to be used therefore they are empty. XML has nothing to export. 

I want to be able to have these empty networks available in another drawing, but I don't think that's going to be possible.

[cwr-pae]

Use reference template to use all the settings for another template. The drawing is a new blank ACAD dwg with a C3D template referenced. Note the pipe network settings are no longer all "standard".

[Joe-Bouza]

dref and promote

[Joe-Bouza]

The reference template is good but drove me nuts when I had to modify a style on the fly. 

[tcosta7B84R]

As I suggested before and Joe is suggesting as well, have you tried using datashortcut? it allows you to transfers your network from one drawing to another even if they dont have any data on it.

look the video to create the data shortcut. 

AutoCAD Civil 3D - Setting up Data Shortcuts (youtube.com)

Hope that helps mate

[RobertEVs]

dref and promote

That works for the network names only. All the layer and style settings do not come with it

[tcosta7B84R]

For the layer and settings, you can import them first using the import styles or reference template; then you run the datashortcut, once all your layers and styles are sitting in your drawing, the datashorcut will apply it automatically when you run it.

[BrianHailey · Accepted solution]

You've made changes to the network properties (such as the "Default network layers"), not the drawing settings, and you want to copy that network into a new drawing so you don't have to set the network properties again, right?

I can understand why you would want to do this. You want your sanitary pipes on a sanitary pipe layer and your storm pipes on a storm pipe layer.

Create a pipe in the network and then copy it from the original drawing and paste it into the new drawing. It should bring the network along for the ride with the settings the way you want them.

[RobertEVs]

That give me the styles only, I already have those. My template networks are layer and style specific for when I start a new network.
I am coming to the conclusion that I CAN NOT get my (empty) template networks into an existing drawing that does not have them with all my layers and styles set to specific types. i.e. Existing/Proposed San and Storm.
My reason for the template network is so I do NOT have to start with Create Pipe Network where I have to set Every Style and layer per a network type. Having these template settings saves me close to 40 clicks and time when creating 4 different networks. All I have to do is right click on any one network and pick edit. Everything from there is preset with styles and layers per the network type.

[RobertEVs]

Once this video uploads you can see the value of my template settings. All i have to do is edit an empty network and all my styles and layers are set to go.

Pipe Networks.mp4

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[RobertEVs]

I can understand why you would want to do this. You want your sanitary pipes on a sanitary pipe layer and your storm pipes on a storm pipe layer.

Create a pipe in the network and then copy it from the original drawing and paste it into the new drawing. It should bring the network along for the ride with the settings the way you want them.

DING DING DING DING!!!!

YES exactly what I am after, AND that worked. TY

Case closed

[MMcCall402 · Accepted solution]

I just did a test with my own template.   I created a new drawing with the template and then made 3 empty networks.  The networks default to a sequential naming scheme, layering settings, parts lists and label settings.  Saved the  drawing.  Then started a new drawing with no template. Saved it, xreffed in the first drawing, inserted then exploded.  My new drawing now had those 3 networks with all their layer and labeling settings intact.

I totally get the pre-created networks with all their settings.  I tried to get my people to use pre-created networks and just started editing them to add structures and pipes.  They insisted on deleting them and creating new .... I've since made new/additional templates for them for each type of network they're going to create and set them to make new networks to the correct settings for that network.  You can only do that if its the only type of network that drawing template creates as you can only make one set of default values, unfortunately.    I've noticed that you can set a network type but there's nothing to it.  I wish it were tied to a complete selection of default layers, parts list and labelling.

[RobertEVs]

"...xrefed in the first drawing, inserted then exploded. "

What I did was:

1. Save the template as a dwg.
2. Xref it into a drawing with no networks.
3. Bind>Insert into the drawing.
4. Explode L for last since there is nothing to select.

All my networks with set layers and styles are there. Kudos to you