CADPIPE Industrial Pipe: Tutorial
CADPIPE Industrial Pipe: Tutorial
Tutorial
Introduction
This Tutorial is a brief introduction to the power of CADPIPE 3D DESIGN. We will show
you a few key features and the general procedures for creating 3D piping designs.
This is not an AutoCAD tutorial. You must have a basic working knowledge of AutoCAD
in order to use CADPIPE and to fully benefit from this Tutorial.
Command Access
You can use CADPIPE with a mouse, choosing all commands from the pull-down menus.
CADPIPE 3D DESIGN also offers toolbars, with buttons for specific commands. Next to
each pull-down menu command the corresponding toolbar button will be shown:
Responding to Prompts
All text that appears on the computer screen is set apart from the explanatory body copy:
we use a different type style.
The appropriate response to a prompt is in bold. The metric equivalent to an imperial entry
is in brackets:
When you are required to pick a point on the drawing, we indicate the point in the text by
<P1>, <P2>, etc., and then show the corresponding “P” point in an illustration.
For example:
Elevation of Beam <1'-0">: 13'(3962) (Enter 13’ for the beam elevation.)
For accuracy, place fittings with the aid of OSNAP OVERRIDES. With a two-button
mouse, you can hold down the <Shift> key on the keyboard while pressing the right mouse
button. This will call up the OSNAPS menu.
Angle of Rotation
For angle of rotation, your system must be set to the AutoCAD defaults:
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East 3 o’clock = 0°
North 12 o’clock = 90°
West 9 o’clock = 180°
South 6 o’clock = 270°
Getting Started
Running the CADPIPE Demonstration Version
If you are evaluating the CADPIPE programs and are running CADPIPE without hardware
locks, you will be restricted to a 25 day demonstration period. During the setup, select the
‘Imperial Demo’ version.
> Place the CADPIPE CD into the CD-ROM drive. The CD should start on its own.
If not, continue with the following prompts.
> Click “Run” in the “Start” menu.
> Type c:install (where c: is the letter of the disk drive).
> Click “OK.”
Views
Following are the CADPIPE 3D DESIGN base and finished drawings. Refer to the finished
drawing throughout the Tutorial.
The finished and base drawing files are stored in the \3DDES directory off the main CAD-
PIPE directory and are called 3DDONE.DWG (M3DDONE.DWG in metric CADPIPE)
and 3DBASE.DWG (M3DBASE.DWG in metric CADPIPE).
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Click “OK.”
Press <Return> to reenter the Columns command. Using OSNAP INTersection, pick
<P2>. In the Column dialog box, select the same settings as for the first column base.
Figure 1
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Copy the bases A4 and B4 to A3 and B3 using the AutoCAD Copy command. Refer to
Figure 2.
Command: Copy
Select objects: <P1> (Pick any edge of the first base <P1>.)
Select objects: 1 found, 1 group <P2> (Pick any edge of the second base <P2>.)
Select objects: 1 found, 1 group, 2 total
Select objects: <Return>
Specify Base point or displacement, or [Multiple]: INT of <P3>
(Using OSNAP INTersection, pick <P3>.)
Specify Second point of displacement: INT of <P4>
(Using OSNAP INTersection, pick <P4>. You may need to zoom in to pick the inter-
section.)
Figure 2
Both bases are copied to create two new column bases. See Figure 2.
Place Columns
The Columns command allows you to turn a beam vertically and use it as a column. We
will use this function to place columns on the bases. Refer to Figure 3.
Figure 3
The Column dialog box appears. Click the Look up Beam button. In the Select Type of
Beam dialog box, click I-Beam.
You automatically enter the Beam Database dialog box. Select a W14 x 74 (DEM 257 x
362) I-beam from the Beam Database, and click OK. This returns you to the Column
dialog box. Notice the beam name and dimensions are automatically updated. Enter 12’ or
144” (3658) in the Height field to set the column height. Click OK to place the column.
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Place a second column with the same dimensions as the first column at <P2> on Figure 3.
Copy columns
Copy the columns A4 and B4 to A3 and B3 using the AutoCAD Copy command. Refer to
Figure 4.
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Select objects:
Select objects: 1 found <P1> (Pick the column at <P1>.)
Select objects: 1 found, 1 group <P2> (Pick the column at <P2>.)
Select objects: 1 found, 1 group, 2 total
Select objects: <Return>
Specify Base point or displacement, or [Multiple]: INT of <P3>
(Using OSNAP INTersection, pick <P3>.)
Specify Second point of displacement: INT of <P4>
(Using OSNAP INTersection, pick <P4>. You may need to zoom in to pick the inter-
section.)
Figure 4
In the Beam Database dialog box, pick a W 10 x 49 (W 250 x 89) beam. In the Place
By section, click Top to set the elevation to Top of Steel. Click OK.
Using the same procedure as demonstrated above, place the second beam (W 10 X 49)
(W 250 x 89) at elevation 13’ (3963), TOS. Using OSNAP MIDpoint, pick <P3> and
<P4>. Refer to Figure 5.
Figure 5
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Figure 6
Your drawing should now look like this (in PORT 2):
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The Specifications Options dialog box allows you to change the parameters that define
the pipe or fittings you are drawing.
A line number applies to all piping and fittings. Click in the Line Number field and type
TUTOR1. This number applies to all items we place on the drawing until the line number is
renamed.
3D DESIGN TUTORIAL 3D-13
Next, set the material specification. Select specification abb1 from the Material Spec
Files list menu.
ABB1 is one of the many specifications that are supplied with CADPIPE. The specifications
contain predefined settings for valves, fittings, and pipe. When the Spec Check command is
on, the specification automatically sets defaults such as rating, end type, and schedule.
In CADPIPE, the designer can either access everything in the database, or apply a standard
specification to restrict the items that can be placed, or use a combination of both. We will
place items on the Tutorial drawing with the Spec Check command on. This means that
many of the defaults (end type, schedule, rating, etc.) are set automatically by the program
according to what is defined in the material specification file for specification ABB1. In the
Specification Options dialog box, click the box beside Spec Check. A checkmark
indicates that Spec Check is active.
The Spec Alternate toggle lets you place fittings that are entered as alternates in the
specification when Spec Check is on. Any fittings or valves that are different from the
default but contained in the spec are displayed in the Select Alternate Fitting Type dialog
box. We are only placing default fittings and valves, so make sure this toggle is off.
If the Pipe Size is not already set to 6", select 6"(150mm) from the Pipe Size menu. Once
you have set these parameters, click OK to exit.
Next, ensure the working elevation is 10’. Type “Elevation” at command prompt.
Piping Layout
CADPIPE can use an intelligent 3D line (routing line) to represent a run of pipe. Items
placed on the routing line automatically adopt the intelligence (material spec and line num-
ber) of the line. Having drawn your routing line, you can place elbows, valves, flanges,
fittings, and pipe. You can place horizontal, vertical, rolled, and sloped routing lines. We will
draw a Routing Line shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8
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We’ll place flanges at the two endpoints of our Routing Line, one on the face of the nozzle
(at <P1>) and one at the end of the routing line (at <P2>). Refer to Figure 9.
The Flange Placement dialog appears. Choose the Weld Neck flange and toggle the
insertion point to Flange Face, by pressing the Flange Insert button. Click Place.
Face of Flange: <P1> (Use OSNAP Int to pick the face of the nozzle <P1>.)
Now place a second flange at the other end of the routing line:
Face of Flange: <P2> (Use OSNAP Endpoint to pick the end of the routing line.)
The system asks if you want to change the elevation. Click “Yes,” because the endpoint of
the routing line is at a higher elevation than the nozzle.
Angle to Butt: <P3> (Pick any point along the routing line.)
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Figure 9
First set pipe size to 3” (80mm) in the “3D Design”—“Specifications” dialog box.
The Valve Placement dialog appears. Choose the Globe Valve, toggle the Valve Config
to flange on both ends, and the Valve Insert point to Center as show in the picture
below. Click the Place button.
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If the system asks to change the elevation. Click “YES” on elevation change dialog box.
Figure 10
Select 90 degrees for the stem angle, from the “Select Handwheel Angle” dialog box.
Click “OK.”
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Place Reducers
Next, place a concentric reducer on either side of the globe valve. Refer to figure 11.
Figure 11
The Fitting Placement dialog box appears. Choose the Conc. Reducer, toggle the
Fitting Insert point to End by clicking the Fitting Insert Button. Click Place.
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Choose the Conc. Reducer, toggle the Fitting Insert point to End in the Fitting Place-
ment dialog box. Click the Place button. Choose 6” in the Reducer Selection dialog and
click OK.
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Place Elbows
Place elbows at each vertex of the routing line using the AUTO-ELBOW command.
We will place a piece of pipe and a valve from the elbow on the left vertical run. Refer to
Figure 12.
Select the entrance of the left elbow, <P1> in Figure 12 (Click YES in the Auto-Fit dialog
to turn Auto-fit on).
Figure 12
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Because Spec Check is on, the Valve Pattern (Regular) is already selected for you.
From the Select Handwheel Angle dialog box, pick 180 degrees. (This is the direction
at which the stem exits the valve in plan view. Click Ok.
The valve is joined to the 1’ pipe complete with flanges, gaskets, and handwheel. Refer to
Figure 14.
Figure 14
The Next step is to join a 6” x 6” x 3” (150 x 150 x 80) reducing tee to the valve.
Inside the Branch Placement dialog box, select the Red. Tee and click Place.
Highlight 6” x 6” x 3” (150 x 150 x 80) in the Reducing Fitting Selection dialog box and
click OK.
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Change the branch run Line Number to TUTOR2 and keep the Material Spec the same.
Click OK.
Next, select the rotation angle of the secondary branch (what angle it exits the main run).
Select 90 degrees, and click OK.
CADPIPE places the reducing tee at the end of the valve. Refer to Figure 15.
Figure 15
Now, using the procedure you just completed to place fittings on the left vertical segment,
place fittings on the right side. Refer to Figure 16.
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Figure 16
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We will now add some pipe, an elbow, and two valves to the tee.
Pick the branch of the reducing tee coming off the left vertical run, <P1> in Figure 17. The
current elevation, line number, size, and end type is updated to match the tee.
Select “Fitting” from the “Place” menu and choose a 90 Deg LR Elbow from the Fitting
Placement dialog.
We will now place a gate valve and a globe valve on the elbow. Refer to Figure 18.
Figure 17
Figure 18
Select the Gate Valve icon. Toggle the Valve Config so that the valve is placed with only
one flange. Refer to Figure 19.
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Figure 19 Figure 20
Toggle the Valve Insert so that the valve is placed on the flanged side. Refer to figure 19.
(Even though the valve icon has two flanges, the valve is placed as shown in the configura-
tion icon with only one flange.)
Click Place. Select 0 degrees for the handwheel angle in the Select Angle dialog box, and
click OK.
Select the Globe Valve icon and Toggle the Valve Insert so that the valve is placed on the
non-flange side, refer to Figure 20. Click Place.
Select 0 degrees for handwheel angle in the Select Angle dialog box, and click OK.
To finish placement of the valves, use AutoCADs’ GRIPS to move the valve text to the
other side of valves. Refer to Figure 21.
Figure 21
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In the Available Fittings for Auto-Route dialog box, choose the 90 Degree Long
Radius Elbow and click OK.
Figure 22
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Figure 23
The system chooses the proper length pipes and places them.
Automatic Isometric
CADPIPE allows you to easily create and label an isometric drawing.
The Iso Pipe command allows you to create a quick isometric view of any section of pipe
while in plan view, without having to rotate or change AutoCAD View-Ports.
In the Isometric 3D Design dialog box, define the type of projection you want:
We will draw the iso in a top projection plane as illustrated by the isometric cube in the
dialog box.
Keep the scale factor at 1.00, which is the same scale as the plan view.
While the iso is drawn, CADPIPE places a check mark and spool number on each
piece of pipe or fitting included in the iso. These check marks and spool numbers. 3D
DESIGN TUTORIAL 3D-30 appear on the plan view drawing. They are placed on layer
SPOOL_CHECKMARK so that you can turn them on or off.
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Use the Label Function command to label the iso drawing and then generate a summary of
the labels. Set the layer to “BALLOON.”
The program labels each item with a balloon, leader, arrow, and unique number. As you
pick pipe or fittings, the number automatically increments, while all like pipe and fittings
receive the same balloon number.
Use the Move Label command to quickly move the bubbles to new positions.
For a completely dimensioned isometric, you can use the UDE Out command to
export the information on your 3D DESIGN drawing to a Universal Data Exchange
file. This file can then be used in the CADPIPE ISO module to automatically generate
a more detailed isometric drawing.
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Label Report
This will bring up the Industrial Pipe Label Report Generator dialog box.
Pick “Label Format” in the “Report Format Section” and Pick “Display” in the “Output
To” section
The Label Report dialog box lists and describes all the items that were labeled during the
label session. Save this report to a file by clicking the To File button. You can save the label
report with filename. The file is given the extension .txt and is saved to the \3DDES working
directory. Save this report to TUTOR.txt.
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This text file can be imported to word processing or spread sheet programs and modified
for use in other documents. Shortly, we will place this file on the drawing using the Output
To - Dwg(Label Only) option.
Save Session
Finally, save the label session itself. This will save the label options selected and the last label
number.
You can save the label session to any spool name. The default is the drawing name. The file
is given a .lbl extension and is saved to the \3DDES working directory. Save this report to
TUTOR.lbl. Press <Return> to exit the command.
Place the label report on the drawing using the Output To - Dwg(Label Only) option.
This will bring up the Industrial Pipe Label Report Generator dialog box.
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Pick “Label Format” in the “Report Format Section” and Pick “Dwg(Label Only)” in
the “Output To” section
Click OK and CADPIPE prompts you to select a location to place the Label Report.
Congratulations, you have completed the CADPIPE 3D DESIGN Tutorial drawing! You
may continue drawing with CADPIPE, as there are many more features that have not been
demonstrated through this Tutorial.