How do I edit a network parts list?

[Christie.G]

I keep getting this problem in Civil 3D 2020. We cannot edit the parts list. We need a pipe size of 975mm and also different manhole diameters from those in the default parts list.

However we cannot "Edit Parts List" and if we use "Part Builder" it is locked so we cannot save any changes.

I am not sure why

A. there is "Edit Parts List" that does nothing. (please note I have used "Edit Parts List" while using Civil 3D 2016 and it was very easy to use.

B. Why after we used the parts list from Civil 3D 2016 in Civil 3D 2020 and had all the correct sizes, it has now removed them. (even in drawings that had the correct sizes before)

[JRitner]

To start, can you verify that you're pointing to the desired catalog (the one with all parts & sizes you need)

Home > Create Design > Set Pipe Network Catalog

and that you have read/write access to the folder where the catalog resides?

[Christie.G]

I have tried to do that however I get a message saying

"Error: The selected folder does not contain all the Catalog information.

Please select another folder."

I do however have *.bmp files, *.dwg  files and also *.xml files in the Pipe Catalog.

[Christie.G]

I can no longer pick any pipe size or change the structure size because it is not recognizing the files that are there.

[Udo_Huebner]

Command: SETNETWORKCATALOG

must point to a parent catalog folder (without dwg, bmp XML)  where several subfolders contains different catalogs with Drawings and bitmaps for pipes and structures in additional subfolders for categories.

The default part catalogs parent folder location is C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D <version>\enu\Pipes Catalog

The subfolders contains usually APC files with catalog content information.
If not, rebuild the catalog content information using the
Command:  PARTCATALOGREGEN

for pipes and structures separately. Then check the log information in Commandline.

And yes, check the read/write access to the folders and subfolders first.

Finally, edit/copy the content of the selected Catalog Content including new values for diameters ... using

Command: PARTBUILDER.

This is a workflow that has not changed for more than 10 years.

[Christie.G]

I can make a new catalog, however how do you make the *.bmp and *.xml files with the new sizes?

[Christie.G]

I cannot edit the parts list as all the files are read only. This is the case for most of our computers that have been working from home. We cannot change the 'Read Only" setting therefore we can not change anything.

[JRitner · Accepted solution]

Hi Christie,

It certainly sounds like a folder permissions problem to me. If you have IT support at your office, have them verify that you have the necessary access to the shared resource where the catalog resides. If this situation has only occurred since users have been working remotely, they may need to tweak some security protocols to accommodate the change.

You can also have a look at this previous solution to a similar query. Good luck

[Christie.G]

We have tried everything to get rid of the Read Only, however it does not allow it. We had no problem before, but for some reason any changes we have made have been overridden. And now because of this we cannot edit anything.

[Christie.G]

I have gone to the permissions to files and folders solution and tried all the advise, however, the folder I need to change permissions to (even with the administrator) give me access is denied. So no one can change the permission to the folder I need.

[Udo_Huebner]

Simply copy the entire Network Catalog folder and all subfolders to a new folder with read/write permission on your local hard drive.  Then point to this new location with SETNETWORKCATALOG (I prefer to restart Civil 3D once after changing the Network catalog folder).

Then make any desired changes to the parts of the network catalog and expand the tables as needed using the PARTBUILDER command.

After that, don't miss to update the network parts catalog with the PARTCATALOGREGREN command.

Now you can modify/extend your existing network parts list or create a new one with the complete content using CREATENETWORKPARTSLISTFULL.

https://help.autodesk.com/view/CIV3D/2021/ENU/?guid=GUID-27523288-B048-4833-AD21-EF1C7CF4284A

Restore the locally modified content to the network folder later, when you got write access so that your colleagues can also access the modified content. By the way, this is the best approach if you want to change shared content.

[Christie.G]

After I was able to change the permissions in the folders I was able to edit the *.xml files and that has worked. It took most of today but I am able to send the updated *.xml files to the other people in the company so they can copy in the files.

[Christie.G]

I just found a new problem after editing the Parts List.

I have lost the PVC Circular Pipes and I do not know how to get it back even though I still have the 'AeccCircularPvcPipe_Metric.xml' file in the Pipes Catalog.

[Udo_Huebner]

Are errors displayed on the command line after executing PARTCATALOGREGEN ?

Possibly the displayed log indicates parts with problems.