Plant 3D Catalog Editor Catalog Generation...C:\AutoCAD Plant 3D 2014 Content\Cpak...

$: Plant 3D Catalog Editor Catalog Generation...C:\AutoCAD Plant 3D 2014 Content\Cpak Common\metadata.zip. In case you are looking for certain parameterizations, you can quickly search$
© 2015 Autodesk | Enterprise Information Services

Catalog Generation

Martin BussEnterprise Priority Support

Plant 3D Catalog Editor

© 2015 Autodesk | Enterprise Information Services 2

Goals

Showing the features

of the catalog editor

with focus on the

Catalog Builder for

the mass production

of catalog parts

▪ Create new catalog, what to take

care of

▪ Overview over the features of the

catalog editor, showing various

ways for parts creation

▪ Step by step: creation of parts with

the Catalog Builder

▪ Create a new connection type in the

configuration

▪ Adjust the configuration to the new

connection, create new nominal

diameters


Interface


SHAREDCONTENTFOLDER (SCF)

▪ It makes sense to use a centralized SHAREDCONTENTFOLDER, because

at least nozzles and steelwork as well as custom blocks are accessed by the

user.

▪ Custom blocks are stored in the „CatalogSupportFolders“, if you don‘t create

a folder next to your catalog with the same name like your catalog.

▪ Steelwork, nozzles and supports are in the Cpak Common folder (*.acat files)

▪ Catalog files: acat, pcat files

▪ Spec sheets: a pair of pspc and pspx files

▪ Acat, pcat, pspc file are SQLite databases and can be opened with a SQLite

database editor

▪ Pspx is a zip file, it you rename „pspx“ with „zip“ you can open it. (e.g. after

migrating catalogs and specs to a new version and folder you can edit

CatalogReferences.xml in the folder editor in the pspx, which is zip file)

▪ Variants.zip contains the python code for the standart Plant parts.

Metadata.zip contains all the images that describe the variants. Can be

useful when you are looking for certain parts.

▪ Migration: When you need to migrate catalogs/spec sheets to a new version,

there will be a „Migrated Content“ folder created in your SCF


List of Catalog files shipped along with the product

Cpak AME:

▪ AME Ductile Iron Pipes.pcat

▪ AME Plastic Pipes.pcat

▪ AME Steel Pipes.pcat

▪ AME VALVE Imperial Catalog.pcat

▪ AME Specs

Cpak ASME:

▪ ASME Pipes and Fittings Catalog.pcat*

▪ ASME Valves Catalog.pcat**

▪ PIP & ASME Specs

Cpak AWWA:

▪ AWWA Pipes and Fittings Catalog.pcat***

▪ AWWA Spec

Cpak DIN:

▪ DIN Pipes and Fittings Catalog.pcat

▪ DIN Valves Catalog.pcat

▪ DIN Specs

Cpak Common:

▪ Structural Catalog.acat

▪ Actuator Catalog.acat

▪ NOZZLE Catalog.acat

▪ CustomParts Imperial Catalog.pcat

▪ CustomParts Metric Catalog.pcat

▪ SUPPORTS Catalog metric.acat

▪ SUPPORTS Catalog.acat

▪ Placeholder & support specs

More catalogs available on the

AutoCAD Exchange Apps Store

More to come in next version

See: http://in-the-

pipes.typepad.com/in_the_pipes/201

5/10/plant-3d-catalogs.html


▪ It is strongly recommended – when creating a new catalog – to start with an existing catalog, needless parts can be deleted

later on. This will save time and avoid problems (e.g. actuators, merging catalogs troublesome).

▪ It is easier to copy existing parts and change them rather than starting from the scratch. If you want to use custom AutoCAD

blocks, then you have to make new parts or you use the catalog builder.

▪ In the file: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2014\NominalDiameterMap.csv nominal diameters can be added.

▪ Autocadplant3dcatalogbuilderconfig.xml : can be deleted to set back to default. E.g. “user defined diameter list” is saved

here

▪ In Plant 3D, command PLANTENDCODES: add endcode MPT:

▪ In order to use functions in the Catalog/Spec Editor, that require Excel, Excel has to be

installed (alternative products like Open Office wouldn’t work)

▪ Tip: all dimensioned preview pictures are contained in the file

C:\AutoCAD Plant 3D 2014 Content\Cpak Common\metadata.zip. In case you are looking

for certain parameterizations, you can quickly search the pics using the preview pictures

in the Windows Explorer.

▪ It is also possible to “export to catalog builder” a whole catalog. This will give you an

Excel file with many tabs each for one family. You can copy a certain tab to a new

Excel file and edit the parts and then import them back into the catalog. This makes

especially sense if you have to create many sizes (e.g. reducers).

▪ It is possible to work on one catalog with more than one user, because the catalog

is handled like a database.

Create new catalog, what to consider (S.1)


▪ Configure encodes:



▪ PLANT MODIFY CONTENT SHARED FOLDER: This command, and the

button under Extras -> "folder modify shared content ..." do the same thing,

namely that the following dialog comes up:


▪ It is important to know that this adjustment that can be made both in 3D and in the catalog editor, sets the Content

folder for all projects in Plant 3D.

▪ All catalogs should be in this folder (* .pcat, * .acat).

▪ This folder also graphic information are as block references in DWG files, and thumbnails for both the catalog and

for the pipe specs Viewer and for the tool palettes.


(1) Catalog Editor: complement nominal width

(2) Catalog Builder: Nominal sizes supplement about Excel export

(3) Catalog Editor: create component

(4) Catalog Editor: Create a component as a copy of an existing

(5) Catalog Builder: Create components, edit geometry data and text in Excel

(6) Edit Catalog Data (texts) in Excel: Catalog Editor

(7) Catalog Editor: text, stack allocation of styles for long descriptions

(concerns: Pipe Class Data Sheets)

(8) Catalog Editor / Catalog Builder: Geometry Creation variants (Templates /

standards) / blocks / Custom Scripts

(9) Appendix SKEYs

Overview of the features of the Catalog Editor


(1) Catalog Editor: add nominal diameter

• "Add nominal width":

Create a new

nominal diameter, all

fields are empty

• "Nominal diameter

duplicate": Create a

new nominal

diameter, all fields

have the values of

the copied Nominal

size (recommended)


(2) Catalog Editor: add nominal diameter using Excel

Export (Seite 1)• If many sizes you want to

add, you can also work with

the Catalog Builder

• It is always the complete

catalog exported, may take

some time (eg 20 minutes)

• The export can be imported

into another catalog

(option: Two become a

catalog)

• Caution: Not all data is

exported, so lost! (e.g .:

Manufacturer).

• Not suitable for valves:

drives will be lost!

• Make sure

MatchingPipeOD is

imported, problems can

arise from the decimal

separator


(2) Catalog Editor: add nominal diameter using Excel

Export (Seite 2)

• From the imported Excel

the tab that contains the

desired components copy

in a new file.

• Click on the image to view

the geometry parameter.

• Copy existing line and add

new nominal size, change

the values accordingly. (the

IDs are recalculated

duplicates do not disturb)

• Catalog Builder can now be

imported into the existing

catalog.


(3) Catalog Editor: create component

• If no suitable

component in the

catalog copy is

present, you must

add a new one.

• Alternatively: (4)

Catalog Builder


(4) Catalog Editor: Create a component as a copy of

an existing

• It's a component available

that meets the geometry

requirements of the new

component, then it is

easier to copy the existing

component.


(5) Catalog Builder: Create components, edit

geometry data and text in Excel (S.1)

• Good for creating many

parts that are not yet or

not available in a similar,

usable geometry already

in the catalog.

• Start Catalog Builder,

then "Create a template"

- new. Enter name and

select the unit (inch or

mm).

• Continue according to the

screenshot on the right.


(5) Catalog Builder: Create components, edit

geometry data and text in Excel(S.2)

1, Select Category.

Create 2.1 custom sizes

list.

Set 2.2 check and adjust

the nominal size range.

Select 3.1 or 3.2

component.

Filter 4.1 and 4.2

consecutively "1" and "2" to

define the compounds.

5. MPL is not in the list, you

have to type.

6. This is the text that

appears in the pipe spec.

7. Now save and export to

Excel, let the Catalog

Builder open.


(5) Catalog Builder: Create components, edit geometry

data and text in Excel (S.3)

• Excel complete.

• Click on the small thumbnail on

the parametric representation.

• Long term size may for example

be generated by the formula.

• TYPE, SKEY not forget for

display on the isometric drawing.

• Tip: -2 as input to L21 or L22 can

(not 0 goes as input) have the

final geometry disappear

• Tip: To make the point numbers

are taken from the Excel for

MatchingPipeOD, must be used

in Excel as the point

Dezimalseperator (Advanced

Options)

• Then back to Catalogue

"Create Catalog" Generator

and click.


(5) Catalog Builder: Create components, edit geometry

data and text in Excel(S.4)

• Add Recommendation to existing,

for example: C: \ AutoCAD Plant

3D 2014 Content \ CPAK

Common \ Parts Custom Metric

Catalog.pcat

• Close Catalog Builder.

• In the same folder, where the

recently added catalog is a folder

"PreviewLisps" was created, in our

case it contains a file "Elbow 90 °,

SW.lsp". This file can now be

reinziehen the Plant 3D in the

Design Area (drag & drop) to

verify all the geometry of the parts

produced.


(6) Edit Catalog Data (texts) in Excel: Catalog Editor

• Export to Excel

• Edit Data in Excel

• Import back into the

catalog

• Only texts, no

geometry data can be

changed

• Not all data can be

changed, only the

unlocked fields of

Excel (unlock and

change does not

help, changes are not

accepted)


(7) Catalog Editor: stack allocation of styles for long

descriptions (concerns: pipe classes datasheets)

• Any fields of the catalog static texts

can here be summarized in any order

for the long names for the pipe classes

to be added.

• This is particularly interesting for the

long names (size), because these are

usually hergenommen for the BOM on

the isometric drawing.

• The long-term (family) can be edited,

this one sees, for example in pipe

class as a generic point about long

term (size)


(8) Catalog Editor / Catalog Builder: Geometry Creation

variants (Templates / standards) / blocks / Custom

Scripts (S.1)• Prefabricated geometry variants we have already seen (see Catalog Builder)

• AutoCAD blocks can also be used, but must first be prepared. This is done with the command:

PLANTPARTCONVERT or in the dynamic toolbox "Custom part Add" button and then "create block-based

AutoCAD part" under "AutoCAD block" button to select and follow the instructions:

• The component has to be a AutoCAD block.

• "Adding" ENTER

• Select first connection point with your mouse to specify the direction (outward).

• You will see a blue arrow.

• ENTER to confirm.

• The same for the following points, finalize with ENTER.

• The resulting component is externally indistinguishable from a normal block, just when you enter

PLANTPARTCONVERT and the block selects, you can see the blue arrows. And then you can edit the

connection points again.

• In the component creation in the catalog or by creating through the Catalog Builder then these blocks can

be selected for each size. They are then stored in a folder that has the same name as the catalog and is

adjacent to the catalog file or – if this folder wasn’t created by the user – they will be stored in the

“CatalogSupportFolders”.




Scripts(S.2)• The blocks can be selected by name already in the Excel file, so that the assignment when importing Excel is already taking

place:

• Actuators:

• block based valves need block based actuators

• Variant based valves can use variant based actuators

• Script based valves ? Actuator from 3d file through the properties works in 2016 (see http://in-the-

pipes.typepad.com/in_the_pipes/2015/10/mass-generation-of-actuator-blocks-for-use-on-custom-made-valves.html)




Scripts (S.3)• There is also the option to produce components on Python programs.

• Under the following URLs are an introduction.

• http://hallmarkblogautocadpid.blogspot.ch/2013/03/python-scripting-oh-how-fun-this-is-now.html

• http://aucache.autodesk.com/au2011/sessions/4214/datasets/v1_PD4214-

L_Radhakrishnan_AnnexB_Custom%20Script%20Handout.pdf

• http://au.autodesk.com/au-online/classes-on-demand/class-catalog/2012/autocad-plant-3d/scripting-components-for-autocad-

plant-3d#

• http://adndevblog.typepad.com/.services/blog/6a0167607c2431970b0162ffdc445e970d/search?filter.q=Custom+Python+Scri

pts+for+AutoCAD+Plant+3D

• A working example with comments you can see in the next slide.

• Important commands:

• Compile with PLANTREGISTERCUSTOMSCRIPTS

• Create preview pics with PLANTSNAPSHOT

• Test with e.g. (TESTACPSCRIPT "MBTEST"), this requires to “appload” the pnp3dacpadapter.arx before

• Always restart Plant after recompiling

http://hallmarkblogautocadpid.blogspot.ch/2013/03/python-scripting-oh-how-fun-this-is-now.html

http://aucache.autodesk.com/au2011/sessions/4214/datasets/v1_PD4214-L_Radhakrishnan_AnnexB_Custom Script Handout.pdf

http://au.autodesk.com/au-online/classes-on-demand/class-catalog/2012/autocad-plant-3d/scripting-components-for-autocad-plant-3d

http://adndevblog.typepad.com/.services/blog/6a0167607c2431970b0162ffdc445e970d/search?filter.q=Custom+Python+Scripts+for+AutoCAD+Plant+3D




Scripts (S.3)


(9) More catalog related manuals, etc

▪ Add instrument to catalog (Add_an_Instrument_Family_to_a_Plant_3D_Catalog.pdf)

▪ Migrate catalog (Migrating Projects Specs and Catalogs.pdf)

▪ Bolts (Bolt Length rules.docx)

▪ Maintaining connectivity between AutoCAD Plant 3D catalogs, specs and models

http://in-the-pipes.typepad.com/in_the_pipes/2015/03/maintaining-connectivity-

between-autocad-plant-3d-catalogs-specs-and-models.html

▪ Branch Table, Warning elements:1. Open the Spec Editor Catalog:. C: \ AutoCAD Plant 3D 2016 Content \ CPAK Common \ Parts Custom Metric Catalog.pcat and select the "tea" from Duplicate this family of parts and for modifications to the long-desc

(family) and long desc (size) and a brief description in a concise phrases such as "Error element" etc.

2. Change. For all nominal widths L1, L2, L3 to 0.01 and change D1, D2, D3, for example, 5x old value

3. Add these parts in your family a pipe class.

4. Go into the branch table and place them in "Edit legend" a new element to "ERR" and assign the just created this about.

5. Assign this element all forbidden branch variants:

6. Unauthorized feeders are henceforth resulting in warning features:

▪ Adding Component Properties By Size.pdf

▪ Merge catalogs: open catalogs in one instance, mark families to copy, paste in other

catalog.


appendix SKEYs (S.1)

• The following is a listing of SKEYs.

• Crucially, however, which blocks are stored in the <project path> \ Isometric \ IsoSymbolStyles.dwg and how? The assignment

takes place in the <project path> \ Isometric \ IsoSkeyAcadBlockMap.xml, can be edited with the text editor. Own code can be

created and associated with their own blocks.

• The IsoSymbolStyles.dwg must be opened on the configuration ("Edit Iso icons" or similar), also blocks can be added with the

"BSAVEAS" command.


SKEYs (S.2)


SKEYs (S.3)


SKEYs (S.4)


SK

EY

s (

S.5

)

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