Plant 4D Athena SP2

P i p e T ut o r i a l
Version 1.2
Copyright 1996-2007 CEA Technology B.V., The Netherlands


Table of contents
1. Introduction.......................................................................................2
1.1. Legal notice ......................................................................................................... 2
1.2. About Plant-4D .................................................................................................... 2
1.3. About this manual ................................................................................................ 3
2. Database-oriented software ............................................................5
2.1. Basic databases used by Plant-4D. ...................................................................... 5
2.2. Other important files............................................................................................. 6
3. 4D-Explorer .......................................................................................9
3.1. Setting up the new job.......................................................................................... 9
3.2. Tutorial Project................................................................................................... 11
3.3. Working in the Projects ...................................................................................... 14
3.4. Model Preview................................................................................................... 14
3.5. Data preview...................................................................................................... 15
4. Plant-4D PIPE..................................................................................17
4.2. Background: Basic concept of modeling plants................................................... 17
4.3. Creating a 3D Model. ......................................................................................... 17
4.4. Plant-4D PIPE Pull down menu and Toolbars..................................................... 18
4.4.1. Pull down Menu.....................................................................................................18
4.4.2. Toolbars................................................................................................................18
4.5. PIPE module settings......................................................................................... 19
4.6. Using the mouse in the PIPE module. ................................................................ 20
4.7. Referencing models........................................................................................... 20
4.7.1. Steelwork..............................................................................................................21
4.7.2. Civil Foundations...................................................................................................21
4.8. Creating Line Numbers ...................................................................................... 22
4.9. Placing Equipment ............................................................................................. 23
4.10. Basic Rules for creating Pipe Models............................................................. 30
4.11. The Pump Discharge ..................................................................................... 32
4.12. Small Bore piping........................................................................................... 45
5. Remaining part of pipe model .......................................................52
5.1. Suction lines. ..................................................................................................... 52
5.1.1. Line Tutor1............................................................................................................52
5.1.2. Line Tutor3............................................................................................................58
5.1.3. Bypass line ...........................................................................................................60
5.2. The final drawing................................................................................................ 63


6. Project Database ............................................................................65
6.1. Introduction........................................................................................................ 65
6.2. Basic tables with component data ...................................................................... 67
6.2.1. The Components table ..........................................................................................67
6.2.2. The CommonData table.........................................................................................68
6.2.3. The SoloData table................................................................................................69
6.2.4. The Primitives table...............................................................................................69
6.2.5. The Dialogs table ..................................................................................................70
6.2.6. The DialogObjects table.........................................................................................71
6.3. Changing Dialogs: Examples. ............................................................................ 72
6.3.1. Changing Common and Solo data through Data Dialogs.........................................72
6.3.2. Changing Data Dialogs..........................................................................................74
6.3.3. Data protection in Data Dialogs..............................................................................76
7. Creating isometrics........................................................................76
7.1. Working in the Projects. ..................................................................................... 76
7.2. Isogen................................................................................................................ 77
7.3. Creating the Isometric........................................................................................ 78
7.4. Additional Notes................................................................................................. 80
7.5. Presenting a result in AutoCAD. ......................................................................... 81
8. Material Class .................................................................................82
8.1. Piping Database Specifications .......................................................................... 83
8.2. ComponentIndex field ........................................................................................ 84
8.3. ComponentName field ....................................................................................... 85
8.4. All other fields .................................................................................................... 85
8.5. New Piping Database Specification.................................................................... 86
9. Specification basics.......................................................................88
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1. Introduction
1.1. Legal notice
This publication or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, by any method, for any purpose
without the express written consent of CEA Technology.
CEA Technology makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to,
the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
CEA Technology, or any of its subsidiaries, shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental
or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. The name Plant-4D

is a
registered trademark of CEA Technology B.V., The Netherlands.
If you have any questions during the installation or operation, please contact your local Plant-4D dealer or
visit the CEA website for more information:
Copyright 1996-2007 CEA Technology B.V., The Netherlands
1.2. About Plant-4D
Plant-4D is a modern database-driven and object-oriented CAD system intended for the production of
P&ID and Piping drawings as well as the complete maintenance of the data related to all aspects of the
project work.
Database-driven means that both all graphics and primitives as well as data are stored in a relational
database (RDBMS). This approach has the following advantages:
The program can be run on a network by a group of engineers, or a single user can work with it on a
stand-alone machine.
The program can run simultaneously on AutoCAD and Microstation. Part of the drawing can be made
in Microstation, be revised in AutoCAD by another party, the drawing can be finished in Microstation,
and be delivered to the customer as an AutoCAD drawing, for instance. The CAD program is only
used to display the drawings, to serve as an interface where the drafting occurs, and to enter the
data through data entry windows. In other words, Plant-4D is CAD platform independent.
The drawing can be completely created or reworked by manipulating the data in the database.
Interfaces to simulation programs, such as ChemCAD exist.
Interfaces to instrumentation systems such as INtools exist.
Translation tools to import existing CAD drawings from non-database systems exist.
Interfaces to other database-driven CAD systems are feasible.
Interfaces to Plant Management systems are feasible.
Reporting is highly customizable through a variety of database reporting tools.
Object oriented means that the elements used for drawing (for instance symbols or lines) are stored
in the database as objects:
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- Creating your own symbols is extremely easy, and can be done from the CAD program or at the
database level
- There is no graphical storage. A large drawing or a model doesnt need to be saved, as every
object is saved to the database at the moment it is inserted in CAD. Any possible crash of
Windows or lack of power supply will not affect the work done so far.
- Objects can inherit properties. For instance, a control valve can inherit process and mechanical
data from the pipe it is located on. This means that less work is needed to complete all
necessary data.
- The object-oriented concept makes it easy to transfer the data and do the reporting.
1.3. About this manual
The main purpose of this book is to guide you through Plant-4D from start to finish.
This part of the Plant-4D Training book has been prepared for the PIPE module, and this means that we
will concentrate mostly upon the information required to make you familiar with 3D model designing with
Plant-4D. Additionally you can find chapters in this book that will help you to understand what the 4D-
Explorer is, what its features are, how to work with it, and how to generate isometrics from a previously
created 3D model.
As a result you should learn everything that is required to start a job (all activities related with the project
setup), to perform it (3D model creation of course) and eventually to produce the final documentation
(isometrics and some reports).
In this book you will be guided through a common example. It will be a very simple piping model with two
pumps, one vertical vessel, a piece of piperack and one platform. You will start this example from the 4D-
Explorer, creating a new job and assigning people to the workgroup allowed to work on this job. All related
topics will be described and exercised. Then you will create the piping model. Models containing
foundations and pipe rack will not be covered, but a way of designing them will be described. You will
change some settings of the program to fit the job requirements and eventually you will generate
isometrics, using the ISOGEN application. This exercise will help you become familiar with this program
faster than with the manuals alone.
Plant-4D can work with either of the following graphical platforms:
AutoCAD release 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007;
Microstation 95, SE, J, V8.
And can work with any of the following database types:
MS Access;
SQL-Server;
Oracle.
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The examples in this tutorial are created in AutoCAD using an MS Access database. If you want to use
SQL or Oracle we advise you to follow a database administrator training from your local Plant-4D dealer.
To give you an overview on what you can find in the following chapters, here follows the list of items, each
with a short description.
1. Starting
This chapter describes how to understand the term Database Oriented software in relation to Plant-
4D. You will also learn the directory structure created when installing Plant-4D, how it is organized
and a brief overview of the most important files in these directories.
2. 4D-Explorer
This chapter will guide you through the process of project creation, as well as making it fit into
project requirements through the use of the 4D-Explorer.
3. Plant-4D Pipe
This is the main chapter describing the creation of 3D models. By means of a sample model you will
learn about:
How the Plant-4D Pipe menu is organized;
Placing piping elements into a model;
Referencing existing models to the current one;
Editing an existing model;
Modifying the data dialog;
2D drawing generation.
4. Isogen
This chapter gives a brief description of the ISOGEN application and generation of isometrics.
5. Specifications
This chapter explains how to create your own specifications.
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2. Database-oriented software
As you know from the Plant-4D manuals, this program is completely database-oriented.
Although Plant-4D uses both MicroStation and AutoCAD as graphics editors, all data of the 3D piping
model is stored in the database. The stored data includes:
The graphical definition of each piping component;
The geometrical and other data associated with each piping component;
All non- Plant-4D graphical elements like lines, text definitions.
AutoCAD and MicroStation are used only to represent this data graphically and to help us create a piping
model visually. This means that you can create this model directly in the database as well, which of course
is much more difficult and not recommended. No data is stored with the drawing; in fact, Plant-4D does not
create any drawings.
2.1. Basic databases used by Plant-4D.
Now that you know the database-oriented concept of Plant-4D, we can explore the following:
How many databases Plant-4D is using?
What data is stored in what database?
Plant-4D uses electronic files with the extension mdb, which are MS Access program files. Below is a list
of all the mdb files used by the Plant-4D PIPE module:
2.1.1. PCE.MDB
This database file contains general setting data that includes settings about available standard projects
(delivered with the software) and user created projects. In addition, information about components,
graphical and dimensional databases, and workgroups can be found there. Simply: what is created using
the 4D-Explorer is stored in this file. You will rarely use this database directly with MS Access to enter any
modifications to the data stored there. It is much easier and safer to change this data using Plant-4D
commands from within 4D-Explorer.
2.1.2. COMPPIPE.MDB
This is a Plant-4D database file, which contains graphical definitions of piping components used in the
PIPE module. If you want to modify these definitions, use the Component Builder program. It is available
from the Start option of each Pipe drawing. For production purposes, it is recommended that you create
your own component database and use it instead of the standard Plant-4D component database.
2.1.3. CATALOGS.MDB
This file is the Plant-4D Piping Specifications Database. Currently, you can find three tables here:
ANSI#PIP, ANSI_I#PIP, DIN#PIP. From a user point of view, this is one of those files you should know
very well. You can learn more about this file in the chapter Specification basics.
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2.1.4. SPEC.MDB
This file contains the standard Plant-4D Specifications. Currently, you can find the following tables
representing the following Piping Material Classes (depending on the type of installation):
ANSI_150lb#PIP, ANSI_I_150lb#PIP, ANSI_300lb#PIP, ANSI_I_300lb#PIP and LINED_I#PIP. You can
find out more about these in the chapter Specification basics.
You can also find other specifications such as STEEL#PIP or STEEL_AISC#PIP (contains steel member
components) and EQUIP#PIP (contains equipment components) in the SPEC.MDB. All specifications use
the same field structure to allow Plant-4D to use different specifications with the same components.
2.1.5. SPECMAN.MDB
This is a file used by the Specification manager. The definition of all filters created for a Piping Material
Class is stored here; you can also find a table used for the translation of coded piping features into more
legible textual information. You can read more about this database in the chapter Specification basics.
2.1.6. PRJ_1.MDB.
This is a project-related file that contains all the data about components used in the projects. In this case
the Tutorial Project is assigned to this project id. You can verify this by opening up the Databases table in
the PCE.MDB (if you have not deleted this project from your computer). So when you create a new project,
a new number associated with the PRJ_ prefix will be used as the name of the related database file (for
the next project it will be PRJ_2.MDB and so on). Refer to the Plant-4D User guide for additional
information on creating projects. When you start building your model, placing Plant-4D components or
AutoCAD primitives (line, text and so on), each element will be recorded as one record in one of the
respective tables of this file.
2.1.7. PRJ_PROT.MDB
This is a template file that can be copied with a new name (PRJ_#) every time you create a new project.
This is quite useful because it can enforce any company standards built into the template.
2.1.8. P4DtoISO.MDB
The program P4DtoISO.EXE uses the P4DtoISO.MDB file to create the files required for input into Isogen.
In this file you can find the most common translations of our Plant-4D components into Isogen types. You
can learn more about this database in the chapter PIsogen.
2.2. Other important files
A brief explanation about some important files will be given now:
In \\CEA\ Plant-4D\Acad\PIP\BIN you will find the following files:
Acaddoc.lsp
This file is used instead of the original AutoCAD lsp file and is required to start AutoCAD with the Plant-4D
PIPE program. The PIPE module and other settings such as line types are also loaded by means of this
file. Some AutoCAD commands are redefined in this file.
Warning: It is not recommended that an inexperienced user make any modifications to this file.
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Color.dat;
Layer.dat;
Ltype.dat.
These dat files assign numbers to AutoCAD colors, layers and line types. These numbers allow the
settings to be recognized by Plant-4D. You can also assign colors to layers and additional parameters to
instrumentation line types by means of these files.
P4d_pip.mnu;
P4d_pip.mnr.
These menu files for the PIPE module define the Plant-4D menu that is added to the AutoCAD menu. In
case of using AutoCAD version 2006 or higher, you will also find a P4d_pip.cui file, which is another
format for menu definitions in AutoCAD.
Plant4D.dwt
This is an AutoCAD template file, which is loaded as a default every time you enter the PIPE module. You
can define your drawing limits, layers, number and layout of viewports and many other settings in this file
to fit your requirements.
Plant-4D.lin
This file contains the definition of line types and fonts used by Plant-4D.
Shortcut.grs
This file contains all Plant-4D command shortcuts used in AutoCAD with the required parameters. When
creating a new component, the component builder adds the new component automatically to this file. See
the Component Builder manual for more information.
In \\CEA\Plant-4D\Settings you will find the following file:
Specindx.ini
This file defines the settings required for each Piping Material Class. You can modify it manually or through
the Specification manager program.
Other file locations:
\\CEA\Plant-4D\Common\bmp
All the bitmaps that are used by Plant-4D are stored in this directory.
\\CEA\ Plant-4D\Settings\msg
The *.ini files in this directory contain the text for the prompts and messages used by Plant-4D in 4D-
Explorer, PID, PIPE and plugins. The text in these files can be modified to match your requirements and
also allow for messages in other languages. It is recommended that you try to maintain the same length as
in the original version to make sure that the text does not become too long. Note that the proper messages
have to be assigned to their proper Plant-4D numbers.
\\CEA\ Plant-4D\Common\sheets
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Here you can find several standard drawing sheets for AutoCAD and for MicroStation. You can use them
as they are, modify them or use your own standard. These sheets can be used as external references in
your Plant-4D drawings.
Plant-4D\Settings
Several *.ini setting files are stored in this directory:
Datatype.ini
In this file the data types for the database programs (like MS Access, Oracle or SQL Server) are defined.
P4dToIso.in
In this file several settings are defined for the conversion of the 3D model to the DXF-Isometric. Refer to
the Isogen Tutorial for more information.
Plant4D.ini
File paths for programs and license files and DSNs used are set in this file.
Warning: Be aware that only authorized users may make any changes to the INI files.
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3. 4D-Explorer
In this chapter we will create our own tutorial project. We assume that you have read the 4D-Explorer
User Guide, so discussing the meaning of each button and function will not be the scope of this
document. You will be given the scope of your work and guided through all the screens in the 4D-Explorer
to enter the required data into the system.
3.1. Setting up the new job.
Using the Tutorial Project provided as a template, create a new Training Project. As only ANSI pipe
components are to be used, all ANSI Specification tables will need to be assigned to this project.
Additional specification tables for steel and equipment should also be added.
We will then add users to the project. Here you will grant yourself administrator rights so that you can
adjust Plant-4D to the project requirements. To help you with the work we will add two users: John Brown
and Engineer. They will form a limited rights workgroup named Piping.
More details will be discussed during the exercises.
When you launch the 4D-Explorer application from the Windows Startmenu >> Programs >> Plant-4D,
you will see the 4D-Explorer page with the Plant-4D Login-dialog as shown on the next image.
The Login dialog asks for a username and password to access the 4D-Explorer module. By default the
system comes with a Username sa and password also sa both using lowercase characters.
Note: This sa user holds system administration rights. Make sure that this password gets changed after
installation to prevent unauthorized usage of the products.
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If the picture above does not appear correctly on your screen please check if the dongle is attached to the
system, the license service is running and the proper licenses are assigned. If this is the case, please
make a note of the error messages displayed and forward those in e-mail to your local Plant-4D support
organization.
The Login dialog is the first and most important protection of the program. If somebody is not assigned to
any workgroup, then he is not allowed to enter Plant-4D at all. If he is a member of one workgroup, then,
depending on the workgroup rights assigned to it, he has access to all program options and data (usually
administrator) or is limited to a couple of options or data.
When you log in, you will see the main screen of the 4D-Explorer module and the Project tree will be
displayed in the left pane as shown below. You can access the System Administration and Help pages
through the tabs. The modules Steel, E&I and Pipe Stress can be accessed through hyperlinks at the top
right corner of the page.
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When you expand the Projects-node in the tree you will see the several categories of a project.
For a detailed explanation of every category we would like to refer to the 4D-Explorer manual. The ones
used in this tutorial are:
3D Models containing all 3D (PIPE) models of a project.
Isometrics containing all isometric drawings generated in this project
3.2. Tutorial Project
The Projects tree allows you to create a new project. However, for this exercise we will use the Tutorial
Project delivered with the software. Select the System Administration tab in the main menu and expand
the Databases and Projects folders in the tree. It should have the same structure as shown below.
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
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Right click on the Tutorial Project and select Specs and Components to bring up the dialog Properties
for project Tutorial Project.
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
Error! Objects cannot be created from editing field codes.
Now click on the Components tab and verify that the COMPPIPE and COMPEQP databases are
selected.
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
Now in the Specifications tab select the AIA#PIP, ANSI_150#PIP, ANSI_300#PIP, EQUIP#PIP and
STEEL#PIP specifications.
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
Now that the specifications and components databases are assigned we can proceed to create the users:
John Brown and Engineer.
Click on the Users, Groups and Rights folder and expand the tree as shown below. Right click on Users
and choose New to bring up the 4D-Explorer Add user dialog. Enter the information for John Brown (use
a password of jbrown) and select the Pipe group.
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
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Click on to make it a member of this group and click OK. Closing and reopening the Users tree now
shows the new user, John Brown.
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
Now you can do the same for the user, Engineer, and make him part of the Process group. Try logging on
to Plant-4D with one of the new logins you have created and notice the changes in access. For this tutorial
it is recommended that you re-login with sa, sa so that you have all the access you require.
Note: You can view the rights assigned to any group by left clicking on the group and observing the right hand
pane. Below the Pipe group (which is assigned to the Common Rights group) is selected and the respective
access information is shown. For additional information on creating Groups and Right Groups see the 4D-
Explorer User Guide.
This completes your exercise in setting up a new project and users. Now you have:
Set up the Tutorial Project.
Added two new users to this project, so that you can simulate a real work environment for the 3D
model.
Properly assigned the rights, by assigning the users to workgroups with certain rights.
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Note: All these settings are stored in the PCE.MDB file.
Now we can go back to the Projects tree in 4D-Explorer by clicking the Projects tab.
3.3. Working in the Projects
By expanding the Tutorial Project from the projects list as shown below; you can create new Pipe
drawings by right clicking on 3D Models and selecting New drawing. Refer to this section when the
tutorial asks you to create models.
Error! Objects cannot be created from editing field codes.
Note: The created drawings do not have standard AutoCAD [dwg] or MicroStation [dgn] format. All drawings are
stored in the project database and can be viewed in your preferred CAD platform. A 3D model is created, and the
data from this model can be used to generate 2D Layouts, Isometrics and Reports.
This concludes the chapter on the 4D-Explorer interface. Refer to the 4D-Explorer User guide for additional
information.
3.4. Model Preview
Using the left hand mouse button to highlight the drawing name, additional options will be displayed above
the main window.
When the Preview option is selected, the drawing that was highlighted earlier will be displayed in the main
window. This function also works for any Plant-4D P&ID drawings and does NOT require any CAD
application to be installed on the computer.
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The drop-down options in the top right hand corner enable users to adjust the image to suit.
Click on the preview to access the zoom and pan functions. It is possible to zoom in and out of the model
(using the Up and Down buttons on the keyboard), and by holding the left hand mouse button down while
moving the mouse, it is possible to move around the model. Press the Escape key to leave the preview.
3.5. Data preview
From the preview, it is also possible to identify the tag number and description of any component by
clicking the component with the left hand mouse button.
By selecting the General Data option (from the top menu) additional data will be displayed. For example if
a P&ID drawing was selected, Equipment, Valves, Instrumentation etc. would be displayed. If the
B.O.M. is selected a material list is displayed.
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
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These functions DO NOT require a database (e.g. MS Access) to be installed on the local computer.
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4. Plant-4D PIPE
4.1.1. Overview
In this chapter you will learn how to draw a 3D model using the Plant-4D PIPE module. For the exercises
described in this tutorial, the Tutorial Project will be used. This project is automatically created when Plant-
4D is installed.
The Tutorial Project contains the following Pipe drawings:
Civil: Foundations for pipe-rack, platform and equipment.
Steel: Steel for pipe-rack and platform.
These drawings are used as reference drawings in the exercises.
4.2. Background: Basic concept of modeling plants.
In the following exercises you will create several 3D models. These models will divide up the exercises into
smaller parts. This division of work is useful in separating each disciplines scope of work and also in
allowing more flexibility within the disciplines themselves. You can assign various users to different models
and view all the models in an area or view each model separately by using the reference feature in Plant-
4D. So do not be surprised that there are separate models for steel and civil objects. In the first step of this
tutorial you will be asked to create one model more, for Equipment. And it is very easy to figure out that
other ones will follow.
In this chapter you will learn how to draw a 3D model using the Plant-4D PIPE module. For the exercises
described in this tutorial, create a new project (Example Project) using the Plant-4D Tutorial Project as a
template.
This Project contains the following Pipe drawing:
4.2.1. Civil
Foundations for pipe rack, platform and equipment, complete with sample steelwork showing pipe racks
and platforms.
This drawing will be used as a reference drawing in the following exercises.
4.3. Creating a 3D Model.
In the exercises you will create several 3D models. The exercises are divided into smaller parts. These
divisions may be useful according to a particular disciplines scope of work. Alternatively, users may gain
more flexibility by working with smaller sized models. Various users can be assigned to the different
models and each can use the feature Load Reference Plant-4D drawing to view the whole model or part
of it on each workstation.
To start working with a model, expand the Example Project and, using the right hand mouse button
(RHB), click on 3D Models. Using the New Drawing option, create a drawing called Equipment.
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Expand the 3D Models heading. Select the Equipment drawing using the left hand mouse button (LHB)
and select Start from the top menu. From the list options displayed, select the AutoCAD icon.
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
In this model you will practice placing equipment.
4.4. Plant-4D PIPE Pull down menu and Toolbars
The Plant-4D menu and toolbars are defined in the file P4d_pip.mnu. They are added to the standard
AutoCAD menu as a pull-down menu, named Plant-4D, and various additional toolbars.
4.4.1. Pull down Menu
This contains several Plant-4D commands. It has been grouped into different sections for ease of use.
4.4.2. Toolbars
From the available Plant-4D toolbars, you have to decide which, if any, you want to have permanently on
the screen. It is also up to you where you want to place them. For this tutorial, it is recommended that the
Plant-4D Pipe main toolbar as well as the toolbars for Butt-welded, Socket and Threaded components be
displayed.
This example shows some of the typical toolbars available:
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4.5. PIPE module settings
When you enter the Pipe module, the Current Settings dialog should appear on the screen. This shows
the last used line number diameter and Specification name.
This Data dialog can be used to change the current settings and is closely related to another dialog
called Pipe Settings.
To view the Pipe Settings dialog you have to click from the pull-down menu:
Plant-4D Pipe >> Settings >> Plant-4D Pipe
The following dialog box will appear:
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
In the top section of this dialog, all the necessary features required to identify a component in the
specification table are shown. These are:
Sizes (Main, Reduced and Branch) to denote the pipe diameter being used.
Trims (Main, Reduced and Branch)
Schedule, Rating, Material and User Code.
Piping component toolbars
Equipment toolbars
Current settings menu
Plant-4Dmain (PIPE) toolbar
Plant-4Dfloating menu
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The combination of these settings for each component must be unique so that the correct component will
be identified.
In the specification table there may be numerous 80mm Diameter pipes (e.g. different schedules). If the
Schedule is set to 40 in this dialog, only pipe schedule 40 with size 80 mm would be allowed. In some
instances you will see Ignore displayed for some fields. This will allow the user to select from a list of valid
fittings.
This dialog also shows all Specifications that have been made available for this project.
All line numbers used so far in the current project are also displayed. It is possible to add new line
numbers with this dialog.
The check boxes on the right of the dialog box allow you to:
Place gaskets and bolts automatically.
Place weld gaps automatically.
Check End conditions, Specifications, Line numbers and sizes.
If Plant-4D detects that one of the end conditions (including specification, line numbers and sizing) of
components you try to connect do not match, a warning will be displayed.
4.6. Using the mouse in the PIPE module.
The mouse behaves the same as in AutoCAD. There is only one additional feature added. When a
component is to be placed, the right hand mouse button (RHB) can be used to change the insertion point
of the component. All components have at least one insertion point. If they have more than one (a tee for
example has four, see below), use the RHB to toggle through the available insertion points.
4.7. Referencing models
You can start to create the 3D model. The first model will contain only the required equipment. As it would
be difficult to position the required equipment without any referenced element we will reference the existing
Steel and Civil models.
From the Plant-4D pull down menu select: Plant-4D Pipe >> Reference Drawing >> Plant-4D
The following dialog box will appear:
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Highlight the Civil drawing and move this drawing to the right area by using the button
To see the result of your selections press the Redraw button from this dialog box.
The existing model will be loaded as a reference drawing. Please note there is no AutoCAD drawing with
this name on the disk. All data about components and primitives comes from the Plant-4D Database.
A brief description of this model is as follows:
4.7.1. Steelwork
Steel members are shown Green.
The model shows the part of the pipe rack within the match lines. This pipe rack has two decks 2m apart.
Longitudinal beams are running East / West 3m apart. The pipe rack uses a 6m distance between the
main columns. Perpendicular beams are distributed every 3m to support small bore piping.
4.7.2. Civil Foundations
Foundations are shown Cyan.
300mm high for equipment.
150mm high for steel structures.
There is also a 4m high platform at the west match-line included in the model. Set the AutoCAD variable
DISPSILH to 1 or select the Hidden button from the Shade-toolbar of AutoCAD (Visual Syles in
AutoCAD 2007 or higher) to get an hidden view of the model.
The model will now look like this:
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4.8. Creating Line Numbers
Line numbers are used to identify a particular pipeline. You may want to place none piping components
(equipment, steelwork etc) on individual line numbers so that they can easily be identified. Alternatively
you may want to group them onto a single line number. In this model all equipment will be placed on a line
number called Equip. To create this use the left hand mouse button (LHB) to select the line number on
the Current Pipe Settings toolbar.
In the space provided at the bottom of this dialog that is displayed, type in the name of the new line
number.
Note: To add the new line number to the list, you must then press the Add button.
To make a line number current, use the LHB to highlight the required line number and press the OK
button.
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4.9. Placing Equipment
Using the referenced model you can easily find the location of all equipment you are going to place in this
model. The blue centerline indicates the axes of:
Two pumps tagged P-0001 and P-0002.
One vertical vessel tagged V-0001, supported by a skirt.
To place pumps you first have to activate the toolbar named Pumps. Click the command from the Plant-
4D pull-down menu:
Plant-4D Pipe >>Modules >>Equipment >>Pumps.
The toolbar contains four icons:
Each is responsible for a different pump type. Starting from the left:
Inline pump
Centrifugal pump
Rotary pump
Compressor
For this model you will place a centrifugal pump.
Zoom in around the East Pump foundation, using AutoCAD commands.
Select the pump using the second icon from the left.
Before the pump is placed in the drawing, the first Tag dialog dialog box appears. This one is to identify
the pump, so type P in the first field and 0001 in the second one.
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Press the OK button and the Centrifugal Pump dialog appears. Each field is responsible for one
dimension. The meaning of these dimensions is shown in the left box, or you can read the caption. Based
on the entered data, Plant-4D will create the pump model. Use the same parameters as in the picture
below.
The second page of this dialog contains only one field, required to indicate if the orientation of the
discharge nozzle. For this exercise Type 1.
You will see the pump shape attached to your cursor. You can use the RHB to switch between the
available insertion points:
Discharge nozzle
Suction nozzle
The middle of the base plate front edge
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In this instance the last insertion point is the preferred option (mid point of base plate).
With this option activated place the pump using the centerline intersection on the east foundation as XY
coordinates, with the Z coordinate should be equal to 300mm. Rotate the pump around the insertion point
so that the orientation of the pump is correct.
Note: When placing the pump, use the AutoCAD Point Filters or place the pump at the centerline intersection
point and then move the pump 300 mm up, or move the pump to the centerline intersection point with the Move
command.
The Data Dialog box will now be displayed. You can use this to add or modify data other than in the pump
tag. In this exercise just select the OK button.
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The first piece of equipment, pump P-0001 is placed.
Plant-4D commands are repeated the same way as the AutoCAD command, so if you press Enter now
you will have the chance to place the second pump.
When placing a piece of equipment and the same type of equipment has already been placed into a
model, all parameters for the type of equipment will be shown in the dialog box. In this case it means that
the Centrifugal Pump dialog box for a new pump will show all the parameters used for pump P-0001, with
the exception of the tag number, which will automatically be set to the next available number, in this
instance P-0002.
Alternatively, it may be easier to copy the pump you have already placed. Plant-4D offers a feature for this.
This copy routine will be used later in this tutorial.
Press Enter to repeat the Plant-4D command for centrifugal pump placement, check that the pump tag is
P-0002 in the Tag dialog box, and accept all the parameter settings in the Centrifugal Pump dialog, and
place the pump on the second pump foundation.
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Having successfully placed the two pumps required for this model, the next piece of equipment to be
placed is a vertical vessel, supported by a skirt. This will be placed on the foundation in the southwest part
of the model. The current diameter of this foundation is 3300mm. This will now be changed to 4000mm.
Close the Equipment drawing (you do not need to save the drawing) and open the Civil drawing.
From the Plant-4D pull-down menu:
Plant-4D Pipe >> Edit Equipment
Change the diameter to 4000mm.
Close this drawing and return to the Equipment drawing. You will notice that the new diameter is now
displayed.
Having corrected the foundation, the next step is to create the vessel. First you have to activate the
Vessel and Trims toolbar from the Plant-4D pull-down menu: Plant-4D Pipe >> Modules >> Equipment
>> Vessels
The toolbar contains five icons. Four of them are fly-outs:
Fly out Toolbar one
Several types of Vessel bodies
Fly out Toolbar two
Several types of Head and Bottoms
Fly out Toolbar three
Several types of Nozzles
Fly out Toolbar four
Several types of Vessel Supports
Toolbar button five
Placing an Exchanger based on entered parameters.
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The vessel skirt will support the 3000mm diameter vessel and will be 4000mm high, so click the Vessel
Supports icon (4
th
Fly out toolbar) and select the Skirt option, complete the dialog with the values shown.
Give the point of placement at the intersection of centerlines for XY coordinates with an elevation of 300,
or move the cursor around this point till you snap the upper node of the foundation (this foundation has
been created by the Cone command, so it is inserted with two nodes, which you can use to snap).
The direction is up; you can show it using the cursor. This is done by selecting the appropriate viewport; or
typing @0,0,10 on the keyboard or by using the Plant-4D UCS (User Coordinate System) dialog box,
which will be displayed.
If you are working using an isometric view, by selecting the various settings in the Viewport window, you
will notice that the AutoCAD UCS is temporarily changed. This enables you to toggle through the various
UCS planes available until the required orientation is obtained.
In this instance, to place a vertical skirt, select Front. When placed, your model should now look like the
following example.
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Placing the two remaining elements of the vertical vessel is similar to the way the skirt was placed,
therefore only the order of their placement and the parameters to use with them are listed.
The Main vessel body: 3000mm diameter, 6000mm height. Click the icon from the Vessel fly-out
toolbar.
The elliptical head: 3000mm diameter, 300mm length of straight part, type 2 elliptical head. Click the icon
as in the screenshot below, and then toggle to the second insertion point (of three).
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All required equipment has now been placed in the model.
Before leaving this model, remove the reference drawing using the command from the Plant-4D Pipe pull
down menu: Plant-4D Pipe >> Reference Drawing >> Plant 4D
Select the referenced Civil drawing, click the button , and confirm in the Alert box that you want to
remove this reference.
4.10. Basic Rules for creating Pipe Models
In this section, some basic rules will be explained to help you remember how to create piping models.
The Current Settings dialog box is very useful during the process of modeling. This box should always be
visible. The line number, diameter and Specification can be easily accessed by clicking on this box and
changed whenever it is required.
To change settings you can also use another Plant-4D command, named Take Over Settings and this
can be found in the Plant-4D Settings toolbar.
Take Over Settings icon (is called Auto Line Settings in the toolbar)
This command allows you to inherit all settings from a previously placed component. When using this you
must select a component that has the settings required.
Remember that Plant-4D uses all three possible diameters (Main, Reduced and Branch), so only the
correct setting for all of them allows you to find a required component in the Specification. The rule for the
reduced and the branch diameter is the following:
Reduced: is used for the smaller diameter of reducers, swages, relief valves, outlet diameter of Long
Weld Necks, half couplings, reducing couplings etc.
Branch: is used for the branch diameter of reducing tees.
An additional group of settings (for Bolts, Gaskets etc) is controlled by the Plant-4D Settings dialog box.
Most of them are toggles, set to ON by default.
You can place components in a model using one of the following methods:
Placing the first component of a pipe, either by typing the coordinates of the insertion point by means
of the keyboard or by attaching your first component to an item already placed in the model. You can
place the next components using the fitting to fitting method, which adds a new component to the
end of the last placed component.
Draw the Router Line first. This line allows you to place components on it. Router lines also allow
automatic Elbow and Pipe placement.
You can use a combination of both methods described.
Butt-welded, Socket welded and Threaded components have different toolbars which have been color
coded to help in identification.
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Butt-welded has Cyan icons.
Socket welded has Yellow icons.
Threaded has Green icons.
Elbows have also been color coded to help in identification. The four original options in the Plant-4D menu
are as follows:
Yellow color is assigned to Short Radius (1D or 2R).
Red to Long Radius (1.5D or 3R).
Magenta to (5D or 10R).
Blue to (10D or 20R).
Note: It is useful to remember the meaning of the colors being used.
When placing a piping component, as with any other component, you will have to give an insertion point,
and, depending upon the type of component, one of the following:
If the component is symmetrical along its axis (like pipes, flanges, control valves etc.) you will have to
determine its direction.
If the component is not symmetrical along its axis (like elbows, tee, gate valves etc.) you will have to
determine its direction and orientation.
The general rule is that the orientation is always perpendicular to the direction.
The insertion point can be entered by:
Typing on the keyboard.
Using Nodes of already placed components.
By selecting the desired point in free space to start the line.
With most components you can use:
- The Connect option, by typing C on the keyboard and pressing Enter. Then your new
component will be connected with the last one placed.
- The Relative option, by typing R on the keyboard and pressing Enter. Then you have to select a
previously placed component from which you want to relate your new component placement
point, and the input distance with the direction.
- The Aligned option, by typing A on the keyboard and pressing Enter. Then you have to select
two components you want to use to align your new component with.
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Always check the AutoCAD command line for prompts. Most piping component sizes will be determined
using information from the Specification tables. Some components may have variable sizes (i.e. control
valves, nozzles). When placing these components you will be asked for the necessary dimensions when
placing them.
It is often useful to use the Automatic Router Line command whenever you have to make a connection
between two parts of your pipeline.
Use commands for automatic component placement as often as possible. Currently you can place
automatic Elbows and Pipes.
The ORTHO should be normally switched ON. Switch it OFF only when it is required.
AutoCAD nodes are used for all insertion points of piping components to which you can snap with another
component. Use these as much as possible.
By following the examples in this tutorial you will practice all of these functions.
4.11. The Pump Discharge
In this section you will create the discharge pipe work for pump P-0001. This pipe will have the following
settings:
150mm diameter.
TUTOR2 is the line number.
A1A is the name of the Piping Material Class ( Plant-4D Specification).
As with the Equipment model, first you have to create a new drawing. For this exercise, the name
Discharge will be used.
With the Discharge drawing highlighted, start AutoCAD. When the application has started, you should
start by adding the referenced model(s) to your new model. Reference only the Equipment model.
The first component to be placed will be the discharge nozzle on Pump P-0001.
Create a new line number with the following settings:
As the first component of this line is the nozzle, click the Nozzle icon (the cyan color is for BW fittings).
If you check the command line, you will see that you are asked to provide a length for the nozzle.
4.11.1. Give total length
In this case it should be 50mm. The default insertion point for nozzles is the flange face so you will have to
use the RHB to change it. Then you have to attach it to the discharge pump nozzle.
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In the Plant-4D Settings dialog box, Rating is set to Ignore. However, a nozzle with a 150# rating has
been placed. This is because in the specification in use in this model, only 150# rated nozzles are
available.
This enables users to work more efficiently as you do not have to control this setting.
If you attempt to attach this nozzle to a flange with 300# (from another Piping Material Class) you would be
warned.
Now attach a weld neck flange to the nozzle.
Click the Weld Neck Flange icon (the first of the Flanges fly-out), and on your cursor a flange will
appear. Toggle the insertion point to the Flange Face and move the cursor to the middle of the nozzle face
till the node appears. This means you can click the LHB to accept the insertion point. You do not have to
show the direction, as there is only one direction possible in this case.
As you selected to Auto Gasket and Auto Bolts in your settings, the flange gasket and bolts have been
placed automatically. They are indicated with the balloons with G inside for gaskets and B for bolts.
The pump discharge will now look like this:
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The next component to be placed is a concentric reducer. To place this, changes must be made to the
diameter settings. Click on the Set Diameter button from the settings toolbar or click from the Current
Pipe Settings toolbox the diameter box. Change the main size to 150mm and the reduced size to 80mm.
The Sizes dialog will look like this:
Select the Concentric Reducer icon from the Reducers fly-out and type C to connect automatically
to the last placed component, i.e. to the flange. You do not have to give the direction, as it will be assumed
from the previous component.
According to the setting in the Plant-4D settings dialog, a weld gap has automatically been placed (a
balloon with Winside) with the reducer.
Now your screen looks like this:
The next component to be placed will be a 90-degree LR Elbow connected to the reducer.
Select the 90 degrees LR Elbow icon from the fly-out Elbows, once again type C to connect this
elbow to the reducer placed previously. Due to the nature of this component, you will now have to
determine the orientation by means of the mouse. You can use the Plant-4D UCS options to change the
current UCS as previously mentioned. The outlet of the elbow should be directed towards West and should
resemble the following example.
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So far, components have been placed fitting to fitting method. You did not have to calculate the height of
the first segment of your discharge line. It was done automatically, based upon the component lengths.
The next component is a pipe, and to place it you would have to determine its length. It is much easier to
draw a Router line and then place the necessary components onto it.
Select from the pull down menu: Plant-4D Pipe >> Draw 3D Routerline >> Manually
Snap to the outlet node of the elbow for the start point of the router line. Having selected the start point the
following options will be displayed on the AutoCAD command line:
Degreeslope,Radianslope,Percentageslope,Fractionslope,Absolutevertical,RElative,Vertical,Undo
<To point>:
The <To point> is selected as default. This option is for placing points in an XY plane. When you want to
place vertical or skewed points in the space segment (i.e. sloped line) you have to select one of the
following:
Degreeslope
when the slope is in degrees, e.g. 45deg.
Radianslope
when the slope is in radians e.g.0. 785
Percentageslope
when the slope is in percents e.g. 50%
Fractionslope
when the slope is in fractions e.g. 0.5
Absolutevertical
for vertical segments by giving the Z coordinate
Relativevertical
for vertical segments by giving the delta Z dimension
The router line in this example will have six segments. From the elbow the line will travel West, Down,
North, Up, South and West. To route this line use the following coordinates:
@731<180 (731 West)
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Type: RE and then 840 (840 Down)
@1785<90 (1785 North)
Type: RE and then +1530 (1530 Up)
@1200<270 (1200 South)
@1250<180 (1250 West)
Press Enter for the end the line.
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The router line should now look like the following example:
With the Router line placed, you can place Elbows automatically. Select from the pull-down menu: Plant-
4D >> Route Elbows >>Buttwelded 3R
Select any segment of the router line. Confirm that the correct router line has been selected by pressing
Enter. All required elbows are automatically placed.
The next component to be placed is a Check Valve. This will be placed on the lowest segment of the router
line using the Relative option.
Select the Check Valve icon from the fly-out valves to place a Flanged Check Valve. The Tag dialog
will be displayed indicating that the next available tag number has been allocated. You can accept the
default number, or, if required, you can change the number now or later. All components in Plant-4D are
numbered uniquely by default.
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To accept this data press the OK button.
The AutoCAD command line will display the following:
Give insert point of element:
Connect/Relative/Aligned/<Give point>:
In this instance type R for Relative. This means that you want to place the new component in relation to an
existing component. The command line now requests that you select the existing component:
Select component to place relative from
Click the first elbow on the lowest segment of your Router line. The cursor will snap to the middle of the
elbow and a drag line will appear. The following prompts will be displayed:
Distance/<Enter x,y,z offset>:
Input 525, (this distance is 229mm elbow, plus 200mm pipe, plus 89mm flanges, plus two 2mm weld gap,
plus 3mm gasket).
The valve dialog box with process/mechanical data will now be displayed and may be completed as
required.
Your model with the new valve will be as shown below.
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
Add two flanges to the Check Valve and one additional flange on the vertical segment of the elbow after
the check valve. Remember to check the insertion point when placing components.
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The next component is a Gate Valve.
Click the Gate valve Icon from the Valves fly-out, then accept 1-HV-0002 for the valve tag, type C on
the keyboard for the connection with the last placed flange (use it only when it actually was your last
placed flange). When placing valves you may be requested for an orientation. This is the direction that a
hand wheel or actuator would be pointing. You may wish to modify your valve components to include a
hand wheel and stem at a later date.
Now your model should look like this:
Add the missing flange to the outlet of the Gate Valve.
You now need to add an equal tee at the end of the Router line, with the branch direction being up.
Click the first icon from the Tees fly-out toolbar , use the RHB to switch the insertion point to the
middle of the tee and snap to the Endpoint of the router line. The direction lies along the last segment of
the Router line and the orientation is up.
In the following view, the viewing angles have been changed, to make it easier to see all components.
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The only missing components on this router line are pipes. Using the command for automatic pipe
placement. Select from the pull down menu: Plant-4D >> Route Pipe >> By routerline >> Buttwelded
Select any segment of your Router line. The whole Router line will be highlighted and the following prompt
will appear:
Accept this line, Choose another line <Accept>
Press Enter or click the right mouse button to accept your selection. All pipe pieces will be inserted into the
free spaces on the router line.
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The next step is to route the discharge line from pump P-0002. As some of this line is symmetrical to the
pipe work already routed (Tutor2), it is possible to use the Copy command.
To make it easy to select the required components you can use the Highlight/Select function to isolate
line number Tutor2.
Click the Highlight/Select Icon from the Plant-4Ds main toolbar.
On the screen, the following dialog will appear:
In the upper part of the dialog box you can find three fields in which you can define what data you want to
use to make the component selection.
At the bottom of the dialog box are several buttons that are used to manipulate your selection.
The Add and Remove buttons; are used to add or remove additional filters (rows in the upper part of this
dialog box). The Highlight button: is used to highlight all selected components in the current view port.
The Select button: is similar to the highlight button, but with this option all chosen components are
indicated as being selected (highlighted with all grips) in all view ports.
The Isolate button: this option allows you to remove from the screen all components that are not selected,
so that only the ones you have chosen remain and it is much easier to perform any editing work.
The Color button: if you want to temporarily change the color of the selected components into the one
chosen. This is used in conjunction with the Set option.
The Set button: you will use this button to select a color for the Color option.
The Clear button: is used to restore the settings you had before the Highlight/Select command was
executed.
Using the drop-down options provided set the filter to the following:
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Select the Isolate option and exit the dialog box.
The model will now only display only the components that have the field LineNumber in the
CommonData table set to Tutor2.
From the Modify toolbar select the Copy button .
The syntax of this command is the same as in AutoCAD. First, select all of the required piping components
to be copied. In this example select all of the components from the Pump nozzle up to and including the
outlet flange on the Gate Valve. Do not select the weld gap between this flange and the subsequent pipe
or the vertical segment pipe.
The next picture shows you which part of the pipeline will be copied:
Enter the base point of displacement. Click any point in the model space, then provide the Second point
of displacement: by @2500<180.This is distance between the two pumps placed earlier.
You now have the option to create new Common and SoloData for the copied component.
Using the Plant-4D Copy dialog select the Yes button.
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All copied components are placed with a changed line number, and where applicable a new tag number.
These numbers are created automatically by adding the character c before the original value. In this
instance the new line number will be set to cTutor2.
The correct number for this new line will be Tutor4. To correct this, select the Line Number field on the
Current Settings dialog.
From the list, highlight cTutor2 and enter the name of the new pipe (Tutor4) in the lower window. When
done, click the Rename button.
Press the OK button to exit this dialog.
When finished, the pipe work should look similar to the example shown:
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
Check that only the components shown have been copied. If any additional components have been
copied, erase them using Plant-4Ds Erase command.
The next task is to connect the two pieces of pipe together.
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From the Plant-4D Pull down menu: Plant-4D Pipe >> Draw 3D Router Line >> Buttwelded >> 3R
The start point is the node on the open end of the flange on Tutor4. The second point is the inlet node to
the equal tee drawn on Tutor2.
A 3D Routerbox between First point and Second point will be displayed.
The red color indicates a possible route between the points selected. Using the right mouse button you
can toggle through all the available options.
Select the option that allows you to create the same layout as for the first leg of Tutor2 line.
Automatically place all remaining Elbows and Pipe components onto the Router line.
When you attempt to add the pipe components, the following dialog will be displayed:
This is because the last piece of pipe for the Tutor4 line joins the tee, which belongs to the Tutor2 line,
and you have activated the Check Line number feature.
As Plant-4D has detected that there are two connecting components on different line numbers, you have
to decide whether this is correct or not. If you want to accept this inconsistency you have to click the Place
button (this is the case now); if you want to take over the line number from the tee you have to click the
Takeover button.In this case we will take over the settings.
Clear the Highlight/Select settings that you made earlier to view your Discharge and Equipment model.
To place the remaining part of the discharge line you will now need to reference the Civil model.
Using the command TakeOver settings , switch from the Tutor4 pipe to Tutor2 pipe,
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From the Plant-4D pull-down menu: Plant-4D Pipe>> Draw 3D Routerline >> Manually.
Set the start point to the outlet of the tee, snap to the Node and using the following coordinates route the
remainder of the line.
Type: A (absolute) and then 3684 (Elevation 3684)
@3260<90 (3260 North)
Type: RE and then 1000 (1000 Up)
@5810<0 (5810 East)
Manually place an equal tee at the end of the first segment of the new router line.
Complete the model using 3R Elbows and butt weld pipe.
The main run of the discharge lines is now complete. Your model should look like this:
4.12. Small Bore piping
In the next exercise, some additional small-bore pipe work will be added to the existing discharge pipes
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This will include the following:
Bypass lines (one for each check valve);
Vent Connections;
Drain Connection;
PI pressure nozzles combined with Purge Connections.
One of each of the above will be placed on the Tutor2 line. When finished, everything can be copied to
Tutor4.
Use the Highlight/Select to isolate the Tutor2 line, the rest of the model is not necessary and may only
lead to confusion.
The first small bore piping will be a vent nozzle in the top segment between the pump nozzle and the
Check Valve.
The vent nozzle will consist of the following components:
150mmx20mm Sockolet
20mm Socket weld/Screwed nipple
20mm Screwed gate valve
20mm Hexagonal plug
To place the Sockolet you have to adjust the current sizes. Click the Size field in the Current Settings
dialog and change it accordingly.
A sockolet is selected from the Socket Welded components toolbar (yellow icons), so click the icon
from this toolbar, and answer the questions using the following information:
Select a pipe: Select the piece of pipe that your Sockolet will branch from.
Give reference point: This is usually the beginning of the pipe.
Select component to connect to: Re-select the pipe near the start point.
Give startpoint: A drag line attached to the reference point will now be displayed.
Snap to the beginning of the Router Line, using the AutoCAD Osnaps.
Place the sockolet 450mm from the start of the pipe.
Give Orientation of element: The orientation is up; rotate the cursor until the correct position is
shown.
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To add the Screwed/Screwed nipple, click the icon from the Pipe fly-out in the Socked Welded
toolbar (or the Screwed toolbar).
If at any time you try to place a component that cannot be found in the current specification, the
component may have to be described more precisely. In this instance the following message will be
displayed.
When the OK button is selected the following dialog allows you to redefine the search criteria.
By removing the tick in the Sizes: box and pressing the Scan button, it is possible for Plant-4D to search
the specification table for the required component without stipulating a size. This results in a list of all of
suitable components irrespective of the size.
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When the required component is selected from the list, you can attach it to the sockolet.
Tip: Always check the insertion point. The green and yellow colors used on this icon can help identify this fitting, Green
Screwed, Yellow Socket welded.
When inserted correctly the vent should look like the following example:
The next component is a Screwed Gate Valve. This is selected using the icon from the Valves fly-out
in the Screwed toolbar (green color).
Accept Tag number 1-HV-0003. Using the picture below for a reference, complete the vent by adding a
hexagonal screwed plug using the Hexagonal Screwed Plug icon from the Miscellaneous fly-out in
the Screwed toolbar.
The finished vent should look like this:
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In the next exercise the placement of a PI nozzle with a PC connection is described which will look like
this:
Your nozzle is located on the vertical pipe, before the Check Valve.
The first component is a Sockolet, so change the sizes to 150mm for the main size and 20mm for the
reduced size and place the Sockolet 100mm below the elbow.
Add a Nipple by clicking the icon from the Pipe fly-out in the Socketweld toolbar (yellow color).
Place a Socket weld Gate valve by clicking the icon from the Valves fly-out in the Socketweld toolbar.
Add the second SW nipple, then, using the icon, place a Socket weld tee. Place this as shown, by
selecting the appropriate insertion point.
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Now place two Socketweld/Screwed nipples, one for each tee outlet.
The top nipple is to be used for the PI nozzle and requires a full screwed coupling at the end. Click the
Screwed full coupling icon from the Pipe fly-out in the Screwed toolbar. On the lower nipple,
connect a Screwed Gate Valve complete with a Hexagonal Screwed Plug.
The pipe work to be routed next is the 25mm bypass for the Check Valve. Most of the commands for this
have now been covered so only detailed explanation will be given where required.
The inlet for the bypass is to be located in the middle of the 200mm long pipe between the elbow and the
check valve. The connection on the outlet side of the Check Valve will be 100mm from the flange. The
height of this bypass will allow a sufficient clearance between the Check Valve and the top part of the
bypass.
Set the main size to 150mm and the reduced size to 25mm and place the two 150mmx25mm Sockolets.
Reset the main size to 25mm and the reduced size to Ignore and connect two socket weld nipples to the
sockolets. Using the Socketweld Elbows icon , add a socket weld elbow onto each of these nipples.
Place a Socket weld Globe Valve , 150mm from the first elbow. Using the Flange icon from the
Valves fly-out, place a socket weld flange 180mm after the Globe valve. Place a second Socket weld
Flange by connecting it to the previous one.
When all the fittings are placed, connect the fitting with Socket weld pipes.
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The last small bore piping on the discharge line is the Sockolet for 20mm drain. This should be placed
100mm before the 90 degrees Buttwelded Elbow going up to the Gate Valve.
All the small-bore piping is now placed. You have to place it again on the discharge line Tutor4.
This can be accomplished using the Copy command. This would create a new line number cTutor2 for
each group that is copied. When all of the necessary components have been copied, select them using an
AutoCAD fence. Click on the Line Number of the Current Pipe Settings toolbar. You will be asked if you
want to change the line numbers of the selected components. Select Yes to rename, and select Tutor4
from the list. When all components have been placed on the correct line number, all the cTutor2 lines can
be deleted.
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
This completes the discharge lines Tutor2 and Tutor4 complete with small-bore piping.
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5. Remaining part of pipe model
5.1. Suction lines.
You will create these suction lines based on your experience gained on the discharge lines creation. Only
a suggested sequence and layout of components, which have to be placed into the model, will be shown.
Also vertex coordinates for the Router Lines, and some requirements for component location will be
pointed out. A description will be given for only the new components.
5.1.1. Line Tutor1
The new line is started at the suction part of pump P-0001. Start this line by changing settings. Your new
size is 100 mm and Line Number Tutor1, Piping Material Class is the same as for discharge lines, i.e.
A1A#PIP. Place the following components at the inlet of the pump:
a 50 mm long (Buttwelded) Nozzle.
a Weldneck Flange, attached to the nozzle.
an Eccentric Reducer - by picking the Reducer icon from the fly out Reducers toolbar in the
Buttwelded toolbar. Before placing the Reducer, change the for the main size and 100 mm for the
reduced size. Change an insertion point size to 200 mm from large to small size. Eventually using
Node, add this Reducer to the buttwelded side of the Flange. This reducer has to be Flat Top, so
choose the appropriate orientation.
Start drawing the Manual Router Line for Tutor1.
Start from the Node of the Large size of the reducer
The second vertex is @1430<270
Go up to the third vertex; choose the option RE and type in 1830
The fourth vertex is @1250<180
The fifth vertex @583<90
The sixth vertex @2660<180
To place the seventh vertex use the option Degreeslope. Type in D (for degree ) and 20.3. When
you have the slope entered, type @710<270 as the distance to the vertex in XY plane.
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The eighth vertex @1411<0
The last vertex @1257<270
Add a 200 mm tee at the top 3
rd
vertex
Route 3R BW Elbows on the Router Line
Place a Flanged Gate Valve on the vertical segment. The distance from the inlet end of the Elbow to
the outlet face of the Gate Valve is 600 mm.
Add 2 Weldneck Flanges to the Gate Valve
Place a Buttwelded Straight Tee as a Strainer. The branch end of the Tee is oriented West, and it is
terminated by a Weldneck Flange and a Blind Flange. For the point of placement see the picture
below.
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Move to the end of the Router line to place a Nozzle (normally it is already attached to the vessel). It is a
300# nozzle, so now you can see how alternate components are chosen from the Piping Material Class. In
the dialog Plant-4D Pipe Settings you have to enter the following changes:
This allows the placement of the next components with Rating set to 300#, which is different than the
default of 150# in this Class.
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Place a 200 mm long Nozzle. The face of the nozzle is at the end of the Router line, direction is
South and change the view to NE Isometric view.
Place a Flanged Control Valve attached to the Nozzle. This Valve doesnt take its length from the
Piping Material Class. Since these valves are not standard valves, the user inputs this dimension
during placement. Enter the following dimensions:
Give total length: 350
Length of control: 350
Diameter of control: 200
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Add a Weldneck Flange to the Control Valve and change the settings back to the default (set Rating
to Ignore).
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Route Buttwelded Pipe with the option by Router Line.
Now you can place small bore piping.
First place a Purge Connection, which should be 100 mm below the outlet flange to the Gate Valve (in the
middle of the vertical pipe).
This nozzle consists of:
200 mm x 20 mm Sockolet,
20 mm size Socketweld/Screwed Nipple (default length 100mm)
20 mm Screwed Gate Valve
20 mm Screwed Hexagonal Plug
Next is the PI Nozzle, which should be located 150 mm from the Strainer. The placement method is the
same as for the Purge Connection.
The last nozzle is a Temperature Nozzle in the top segment of the Router Line. This nozzle consists of:
200 mm x 40 mm Sockolet
40 mm size, Socketweld Nipple
40 mm Socketweld Flange
Your Suction line should look like this.
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5.1.2. Line Tutor3
Copy all the components on the first 2 segments of the Tutor1 Router Line, plus the Pump Nozzle, the
Flange and the Eccentric Reducer.
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The distance for the copying components is @2500<180. Agree to new Common and SoloData. Then
rename this new components line number from cTutor1 to Tutor3.
With the new Line number set to Tutor3 add missing Elbow and Pipe so this line is connected to the
Tutor1 line
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5.1.3. Bypass line
This is Tutor5 line, which makes bypass between the discharge line and the vessel V0001. To place its
components into the model please follow these instructions:
Define linenumber Tutor5, spec AIA#PIP, size 150 mm en set Plant-4D to this Linenumber
Place the Router line using the following coordinates of the vertices:
Start from the Tee outlet
Go up by the option Absolutevertical. Type 4200 for Z coordinate.
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The second vertex is @2650<180
The third vertex is @3500<270
The fourth vertex is @1350<315
The fifth vertex is RElativevertical with 7500
The sixth vertex is @970<0
The last vertex is once again RElativevertical with 550
Change the size from 200 mm to 150 mm for the Main diameter and 80 mm for the Reduced
diameter. Attach a Concentric Reducer to the Tee.
Change size to 80 mm for the Main diameter and Ignore for the reduced one.
Route Elbows on the whole line.
Now place a Flanged Control Valve 500 mm relative from the 1
st
elbow with the following settings:
Rating 300#
300mm for both lengths
Diameter of control: 200
You can add the data required for this line through the Valve dialog.
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Add 2 Flanges to the Control Valve
Go to the pipe setting and change the rating to ignore setting.
Add a Nozzle (length = 100mm) to the end of the Router Line
Pick a Flange and attach it to the nozzle
On the middle of the top horizontal segment place a flanged Globe Valve with 2 Flanges.
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Route Buttwelded Pipe on the Router Line
5.2. The final drawing
Only a fragment of your model is presented on the following picture but is representative of the overall
model. It was created from the complete model, i.e. with the referenced drawing Steel. The view is
changed once again to show most of the details.
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6. Project Database
6.1. Introduction
From the Starting chapter you know that all project-related data is stored in a separate file. The name of
this file is created using the prefix Prj_ followed by the number Plant-4D has assigned to the project. E.g. if
your project have number 1, the name of the file should be Prj_1.MDB. This file is located in the folder
CEA\Projects\Prj_1 (if you installed the project catalog as a subdirectory of CEA).
We will now take a look at the structure of this file. It can be opened from the 4D-Explorer (on the
Projects tab) by a RHB click on the project and select Open DataManager from the appearing popup
menu. The following screen will be shown:
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The main menu of the Plant-4D Data Manager is located in the database project database. You will learn
more about Reporting in a subsequent chapter. You can explore the database structure by selecting
Prj_1:Database from the Window pulldown menu in the Plant-4D Data Manager. The Main Menu will
be hidden and the database window will be visible. By choosing Tables from the left pane, you can start
looking at the different tables in the database file.
Here, you will only find general information about the following tables:
Components
CommonData
SoloData
Primitives
Dialogs
DialogObjects
DialogObjects
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6.1.1. Why are these tables important?
All objects placed into a 3D model are either components or primitives. In general, component data is
stored in 3 tables: Components, CommonData and SoloData. Primitive data is stored in the Primitives
table and has a relation with the CommonData table as well. The tables CommonData and SoloData
contain data, which is displayed for you in the Data Dialogs during modeling.
The Data Dialogs (dialog boxes) are defined in the Dialogs table. The Dialogs table elements are stored in
the DialogObjects table.
6.2. Basic tables with component data
6.2.1. The Components table
To view this tables contents open it by double-clicking it. The records shown below are only an example
and may vary from those in your table.
This table contains data, which is classified as:
The name of a component (the field ComponentIndex), drawing name it is placed on (in the field
DrawingID is 10, which you can decode based on the table DrawingList)
Placement of components, that will say coordinates for its Starting Point, values for Direction and
Orientation.
The Connection with other tables or databases. The picture below shows the name of the Piping
Material Class (in the field SpecName), the number for its link with the record in the SoloData table.
The number for its link with the record in the CommonData table is shown in the first picture of the
Components table.
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AutoCAD or MicroStation features like Layer, Color, Linetype and Lineweight
6.2.2. The CommonData table
In this table additional data is assigned to the component. This data is usually common to a large group of
components. For example, Line Number or Commodity, Operating and Design parameters, Material for
Insulation, Corrosion factors etc. are common for all components of one pipeline. Thus, they are stored in
the separate table named CommonData. When you open this table, most of the fields are blank, as you did
not enter this data when placing the component. You will provide data when you learn to edit a model in a
subsequent chapter.
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As you can see, only five records are currently needed in the CommonData table to describe all the
components placed so far.
6.2.3. The SoloData table
In this table you will find additional data assigned to each component. The difference is that this data is
uniquely assigned to only one component. You may ask why they are not part of the Components table.
The answer is that when you are working with a model you can erase components. Therefore in the
Components table, records with these components are deleted. Related records in the SoloData table are
maintained, though. This helps to keep order in the project database, where some numbers are assigned
automatically (equipment, valve, and instrument numbers etc.). Thus, this table contains a lot of different
fields. You can find fields with the parameters for some components (like a pump, pipes, bends etc.) all tag
fields, component description field, rating, schedule, etc. You will also find a lot of fields, which are
designated for your use. You can use them as-is or change their names and assign your own meanings.
This means there are many possibilities to adjust these table fields to meet your own requirements.
6.2.4. The Primitives table
This table contains data about non-component objects of 3D models. These are in general
AutoCAD/Microstation primitive elements such as: line, circle, box, sphere or locations of reference
drawings. These objects have their data stored in the Primitives table.
In this table all data can be found required to describe:
A primitive placement (starting point, direction and orientation).
A primitive geometry (length, radius, etc.).
AutoCAD/Microstation features like Layer/Level, Color, Linetype, Lineweight.
As well as the connection with the CommonData record.
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6.2.4.1. Representing Common- and Solo data in dialog boxes
The Plant-4D dialog boxes can be easily customized with the Plant-4D Dialog editor. This application
makes it very easy to edit, add or delete dialog boxes. The Plant-4D Dialog editor can be started from the
4D-Explorer on the System Administration tab by a RHB click the project you would like to change. Next
select Miscellaneous >> Edit Dialogs. Note that any changes to the dialog box will only be reflected in
the project from which you started the Edit Dialogs utility. The Plant-4D Customization manual offers more
explanation on how to use this application. This paragraph describes how to change dialog boxes directly
in the database. When changing many dialog boxes this can be much faster than using the application.
6.2.5. The Dialogs table
This table contains the definition of all data dialogs, which are used to represent or edit data in both PID
and PIPE modules. When you open this table, you will see the following:
From this table you know that 54 dialogs are defined in Plant-4D. You know their names (Plant-4D
commands use the DialogName field), their caption, their size (Width and Height) as well as the number of
rows (GridY) and columns (GridX) for each of them. If you recall the data dialog for valves or pumps you
can compare them regarding their definition in this table.
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6.2.6. The DialogObjects table
You now know the definition of each Data Dialog. Now you will learn how each field in these dialogs is
defined. Only Common and Solo data can be displayed/edited through these fields. You cannot use other
data, but since you can change the structure of both tables, you can represent/edit any data you want in
the dialog boxes.
The next two pictures show all field definitions for the Valve dialog, which you should now be familiar
with. Both pictures share the first 3 fields in common: DialogName, TabSheet and ObjectType.
In the Dialogs table, the definition of the Valve dialog says that this dialog consists of 5 rows x 4 column =
20 fields. In DialogObjects, you will find only 17 records with their DialogName set to COMP_001, which is
the Valve dialog. This means that you can add to this table definition three fields more, if you need them.
Below is a short explanation on how a record in the DialogObjects table is built:
DialogName; the names in this field link with the Dialogs table.
TabSheet; the title used in the Tab dialog box. You can use more than one tab. You can group all
fields and then assign each group to another tab.
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ObjectType; when you click the cursor in this field you will see the following options:
You can adjust any type of object according to your requirements.
Row, Column, Width, Height; these 4 fields are used to define the position and size of the object.
Caption; the name shown in this field will be used to capture the object in the Valve dialog.
Hint; this is the message displayed as prompt when your cursor is positioned within the object.
TableName; this is a very important field. It tells Plant-4D where to look for/write the data. You can
use the Common Data, Solo Data or Components tables.
FieldName; you have to select the field from a TableName table.
InfoLevel; you may remember this feature has been described in the sections on setting up projects
and rights. This is the place where you define the access to the data for different users. When you
define the Info Level 3 for the user, then this user has the right to edit only these objects in the Data
Dialogs that have in these fields number 3 or smaller. Objects having InfoLevel 4, 5 or 6 can only be
viewed and not edited by this user. In general, you can use Info Levels values from 0 to 5. When
number 6 is entered into these fields, it means that nobody should have access to this field.
ListItems; when you change the EditBox in the ObjectType field to ComboBox; you can enter all the
options the user will be able to select from.
6.3. Changing Dialogs: Examples.
In this exercise you will learn:
How to change Common and Solo data through Data Dialogs.
How to change Data Dialogs.
How data is protected in Data Dialogs.
You will use two Data Dialogs, but the majority of your exercise will be based on the Valve dialog.
Return to your model of discharge piping.
6.3.1. Changing Common and Solo data through Data Dialogs.
When placing the component, you were asked several times to fill in the Common- and Solo-Data. Mostly
when valves (as well as pumps) were placed, you were requested to confirm these dialogs without any
changes of their contents. It was not necessary to do any modifications at that time, as in Plant-4D you can
edit this data at any time. You simply click the Edit Data icon in the Plant-4D Pipe (general) toolbar
to select the Edit Data command. Then you have to select the component you want to edit. In your case it
can be a Check Valve on the line Tutor2. You will see the dialog, which should be familiar to you:
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You can see all seventeen objects of the dialog named COMP_001, Valve dialog. All objects are placed
according to the definitions given in the DialogObjects table. When you move your cursor to any field you
will see the prompt coming from the Hint field in the DialogObjects table.
The only data in the dialog is that which was filled automatically by the program.
Now you will also enter data into some of these. Assume you want to add the following data:
Commodity Gasoline
Maximum temperature 220
Operating temperature 153
Maximum pressure 1,2
Minimum pressure 0.98
Manufacturer Crane
Your Valve dialog should look like this:
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Press the OK button to confirm your changes. The result of this modification is not only valid for this valve.
You can check in the DialogObjects table, that most of the data you have entered into the project database
is CommonData. Manufacturer is the only Solo Data representative. The consequence of this is that they
have been written to the respective record in the CommonData table, which is linked with many other
components. When you click the Edit Data icon again and select for example the check valves pipe up
stream you will see the Pipe dialog, in which Commodity, Operating Temperature and Pressure are
already filled in. You can select any other valve for data editing and only the Manufacturer field will be
empty (comparing only fields with data entered together with check valve).
6.3.2. Changing Data Dialogs
6.3.2.1. Manually
Now you will change the contents of the Valve dialog a little.
Assume you do not like the following objects in the current Valve dialog: Class, Maximum temperature
and Pressure, Type and Built in length. You want to see the following objects:
Design Temperature;
Pressure;
Temperature;
Pressure Units;
Rating.
You want:
Diameter and Specification objects to be filled in automatically
Rename the Specification object into Piping Material Class
Change the Commodity object to the Combo Box type with the following options: Water, Steam and
Gasoline.
Group all objects concerning temperature and pressure on another tab, called for example Design
Data and set their Info Level to 5.
It may be a long list but it can be completed very quickly. Of course, all these wishes are possible. You
only need to modify the object definitions according to the two following pictures.
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All records are in the same order on both pictures. As you can see, the quantity of objects for the Valve
dialog has reduced to only 15. You are requested to make some changes in the sequence of objects.
When you try the Edit Data function in the model once again and select the Check Valve on the Tutor2
line you will see the following:
And the second tab, Design Data with Design parameters and units looks like this:
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6.3.2.2. Dialog Editor
Another method is using the Dialog Editor. This tool is described in the customization manual.
6.3.3. Data protection in Data Dialogs
As you can see some of the objects are dimmed. This means that you do not have access to them. In the
case of the Valve dialog, the Tag number, Line number and Piping Material Class objects are protected.
When you look into the DialogObjects table, you will see that the Info Level for Tag number and Line
Number are set to 6. This means that even the Administrator has no right to change them in this dialog.
When you log in on Plant-4D as a member of your Piping team, enter the Piping model, then try to execute
the Edit Data command and select the Check Valve on the Tutor2 line. You will see that more objects
are dimmed. This is because you set the maximum Info Level for the workgroup Piping to 4. So all
objects on the Design Data tab are not accessible for Piping workgroup members.
The reason why the Piping Material Class object is dimmed, is different. The source data is in the
Components table, and the rule is that this data should not be changed through dialogs. You will notice
another rule applying to this object. You can see the contents of this object only when you edit a
component. In Data dialogs displayed when components are placed these data are not shown. Here, there
is simply no data to refer to, as at this time a record in a Components table does not exist.
7. Creating isometrics
This chapter contains a short tour through all steps of creating isometrics by ISOGEN and associated
Plant4D application P4DtoISO. Detailed information about customizing Isogen can be found in the
PIsogen tutorial
7.1. Working in the Projects.
You can start Isogen on several ways:
1. You can select Generate Isosfrom the popup menu appearing after a RHB click on a PIPE-
model. From here you can generate an isometric for every process line in the project
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2. When you select Start from the popup menu appearing after a RHB click on a PIPE-model, the
following dialog will be shown:
3. By selecting Isometric generation, you can generate an isometric for every process line in the
project.
4. Browse to the appropriate process line beneath the PIPE-model this line is (partially) drawn in.
.
By clicking with the RHB, you can select Iso per Linenumber from the appearing popup menu.
From here an isometric will be directly generated for this particular process line, without needing to
select a line.
7.2. Isogen
When you enter the ISOGEN option, the following screen appears.
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7 Creating isometrics Creating the Isometric Page 78 of 106
Press Select and the following screen appears.
The first window on the left shows all line numbers from all the Piping-models. Your list may be different.
The Type gives you the choice of one of the listed types of isometrics; this is CHECK by default. On the
right hand side of this screen you see all the available buttons.
7.3. Creating the Isometric
Select a line and move it to the window pane on the right using the arrow button. Press Generate. You can
choose No on the window shown below:
The processing of your line will now continue and you will see the following screen:
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7 Creating isometrics Creating the Isometric Page 79 of 106
The screen above will alert you if any errors were found in the selected line during the process. If the
generation was completed without problems, the generated isometric is opened automatically in a viewer.
In this viewer some zoom and pan functionalities are provided:
When doing a RHB click on the drawing you will get a popup menu with several zoom functions.
By holding the CTRL-key you draw a zoom-window at the drawing to zoom in on a particular spot.
You can pan by click on the viewer with the LHB. While holding the button you can drag the drawing.
The generated isometric will be stored as a dxf-file in an certain folder. This folder depends on the
ISOGEN settings. By default it is stored at: \\CEA\Plant-4D\PIsogen\projects\<<project
name>>\<<selected iso type>>\OUTPUT.
From you project you can find all generated isometric drawings at the Isometrics section of a project. Note
that those isometrics are grouped by their type.
When having the Isometrics section itself selected, you will get an overview of all isometrics generated
from this project.
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
7 Creating isometrics Additional Notes Page 80 of 106
7.4. Additional Notes
If you get an error message stating that the isometric was not generated. This can be due to several
reasons. The most common error message is Error 13. This means P4dToIso has detected one or more
disconnections in your 3D pipeline. To visualize these disconnections in the 3D model, you can switch on
the Place primitives at free nodes command.
Before you generate an isometric, press the Options button in the first screen:
The following dialog box appears:
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7 Creating isometrics Presenting a result in AutoCAD. Page 81 of 106
When the Place primitives at free nodes checkbox is selected, a cone is placed at every disconnection in
the 3D model. The Transformation settings allow you to use an orientation and/or displacement different
from those in the model. Finally, Node checking is used to define the maximum gap above which a
disconnection will be identified.
7.5. Presenting a result in AutoCAD.
As stated previously the result of the conversion of the 3D pipeline is completed, is generated as a DXF
file. To present it or even modify it in AutoCAD or Microstation (or another DXF viewer) and type: DXFIN.
Browse to the following directory:
1 \\CEA\Plant-4D\PIsogen\projects\<<project name>>\<<iso type>>\OUTPUT
You can find the isometric Tutor5.dxf there. The result is presented on the next page.
You can generate the rest of the isometrics as additional exercises. Some of them will be split by ISOGEN
into several sheets. Below is another example of an isometric.
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
8 Material Class Presenting a result in AutoCAD. Page 82 of 106
8. Material Class
In Plant-4D, both the Piping Material Class and Piping Database fall under the name Specification.
This is because they both use the same structure, although they are slightly different. You can find the
Specifications in two Access files:
- Catalogs.mdb Contains only specifications called Piping Database in this tutorial.
- Spec.mdb Piping Material Class.
Both databases are stored in the folder:
1 \\Plant4D\Projects.
In this Tutorial we will use the terms Piping Material Class Specification and Piping Database Specification
to distinguish them instead of merely specification.
In general, the Piping Material Class Specification is a subset of the Piping Database(s), and is created
using the Plant-4D Specification Manager. In the next two chapters you will learn:
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8 Material Class Piping Database Specifications Page 83 of 106
The basics of the Piping Database Specifications with very simple examples, showing you how to
modify the existing database, delivered with the program.
The basics of the Piping Material Class Specifications with an exercise in using the Specification
Manager with which you will create a completely new material class.
8.1. Piping Database Specifications
The Piping Database Specifications are located in the following directory:
1 \\CEA\Projects\Catalogs.mdb
Currently you can find three databases there. When you enter Access with the Catalogs.mdb, you will see
the following tables in the main window:
The most important are:
ANSI#PIP ANSI piping elements; metric dimensions
ANSI_I#PIP ANSI piping elements; imperial dimensions
DIN#PIP DIN piping elements
You can add various tables (databases) to these ones. You may want to create a new table containing
your own component specifications. You will be guided through the process of creating a new database
later on.
When you open one of the tables (ANSI#PIP for example), you will see the following screen:
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
8 Material Class ComponentIndex field Page 84 of 106
The first group of ANSI Database records is shown, 180 degrees Elbows in this case. The data required to
describe one piping element (called Component in Plant-4D) is stored in one record. One record consists
of numerous fields.
8.2. ComponentIndex field
This is the most critical field in the Specification table. It is the first field in the table, 75 characters long,
used to index the table, and is organized according to the special order:
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OLET-SOC100---15----------BW----SWF--------------------------3000LB--------
TEE-RED-90----------50----BW----------BW-------------STD-------------------
VALVGATE100---------------FL----------------DD---------------150LB---------
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
8 Material Class ComponentName field Page 85 of 106
The name of the component is coded in the first 8 characters. In most cases it consists of two codes (for
Returns 3): component class (like OLET, TEE-, VALVE) and component type, additional information
about the component class (RED- with TEE- means that it is a reduced tee; GATE with VALVE means that
this is a gate valve etc.). It is very easy to find out what the respective code refers to, especially if you look
at the second field ComponentDescription, which contains the full name of the item.
Diameters are not coded.
Endconditions are relatively easy to decode:
FL Flanged
BW Butt-Welded
SWF Socket-Welded Female
SCF Screwed Female
SWM Socket-Welded Male
SCM Screwed Male
Nipples contain additional information about the element, like DD, which means Double Disk for gate
valves. Basically, you will find the explanation of these codes in the field Component Description.
Wall-thickness shows the schedule names (or in DIN real wall-thickness), and rating filled in, and not
coded.
Material is filled in when it influences the items length. Then it is necessary to create a new record.
User is used only once. It shows the length of pipe nipples.
There is one common rule for creating the ComponentIndex field. It needs to be a predefined length of 75
characters long. So when you do not need any character to code a component feature, type a hyphen -
instead.
As you can see these 75 characters must be enough to distinguish each component from one another.
Then the ComponentIndex field can be used to index the table.
8.3. ComponentName field
Data from this field is used to determine the graphical definition of each component in the Access
database Comppipe.mdb.
8.4. All other fields
The other fields contain either dimensional or descriptive data of a component. Some fields are filled in
while others are not. That means that you are free to use them according to your requirements.
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
8 Material Class New Piping Database Specification Page 86 of 106
8.4.1. Example
Creating new records in the existing database is not very complicated. The most efficient way is to
determine all features of the element, then to search for a similar one in the database. Then copy this item
to the clipboard and paste it as a new record. You will then make the necessary modifications (first, of
course, to the ComponentIndex field).
Try to enter the following piping elements:
Pipe nipple
Size 25mm
End conditions: Socket Welded \ Screwed
Schedule 160
Length 150mm
Find the record in the ANSI#PIP table, which has the following ComponentIndex:
NIPP----25----------------SCM---SWM------------------160----------------100
Copy the record to the clipboard by pressing the buttons CTRL+C. Then select the Insert New Record
command from the menu, highlight it and paste the data from the clipboard by pressing CTRL+V. Then
you have to make modifications in the ComponentIndex field, so click on this field and change 100 to 150
at the end of the field (User- part of the field).
NIPP----25----------------SCM---SWM------------------160----------------150
Then you can start making other modifications, like changing the ComponentLength field or weight. Be
sure not to change the value of the ComponentName field, that is NIPP----XX to something else, as it
may cause problems, when placing the element in the model.
8.5. New Piping Database Specification
If you want to create a completely new Piping Database Specification according to your national standards,
you can do this in several ways:
Create a new table in the Catalog.mdb, then enter the structure required for Specifications (all the
fields) and eventually enter the data for all the piping elements you want.
Copying any of the existing Piping Database Specifications to the clipboard, you can paste the
structure (no data) of this table with a new name, and then enter all piping elements into it.
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
8 Material Class New Piping Database Specification Page 87 of 106
The most efficient way is to copy the whole Piping Database Specification (structure and data) with a new
name. Then you have the structure of this table as well as its reference elements. The work is much easier
then, because you know where to place the data, or which fields should be filled in. You should check if
your piping elements are more similar to DIN or ANSI specifications. Use this Piping Database
Specification to copy the process (structure and data) and leave only the unique records in the table, as
you do not need all records with all sizes, schedules and ratings for one piping element.
For 90 degrees Elbows it is enough to have a record with BW, SWF and SCF represented. Then you have
a reference good enough to enter your piping elements. The program requires that the data is filled in
when you copy the records and modify the data in the fields containing any text or numbers you are sure
of. Their geometry is described by the fields ComponentLength, Length1-5, Diameter1-4,
BranchLength1-2 and BranchDiameter 1-2. It is possible to find out where to fill in data describing your
piping elements when you compare data previously entered by CEA with the standards. You can find
some help working with the Component Builder utility, which tells you precisely how data from the
Specification table is used in the graphical definition. And finally, make sure you do not change the
ComponentName as Plant-4D will not find its graphical definition in Comppipe.mdb
A summary:
1. Open the Catalogs.mdb file.
2. Check which existing Piping Database Specification (ANSI or DIN) is the best for you to copy.
3. Copy this table to the clipboard by pressing CTRL+C.
4. By pressing CTRL+V, giving a new name and selecting the Structure and data option, and paste
this table to Catalogs.mdb
5. Open the new Piping Database Specification and remove all unnecessary records; only leave these
as a reference.
6. Copy the existing record (from the existing table) and paste it, changing the ComponentIndex (you
cannot have two records with the same Component Index data in the same table), or modify the
existing record.
7. Move from field to field and modify what is required (use piping standards as reference for geometry
dimensions; in doubtful situations check the Component Builder to verify how data from the
Specification table is used to build 3D graphical representations of piping elements).
8. Do not change the contents of ComponentName as the link with Comppipe.mdb will be lost.
This concludes the Piping Database Specifications basics chapter.
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
9 Specification basics New Piping Database Specification Page 88 of 106
9. Specification basics
As mentioned, the Piping Material Class Specification in Plant-4D is called Specification, just like the
Piping Database Specification. The main reason is that they both use the same structure, but exercise
different functions. You also know that the Piping Material Class Specification is a subset of the Piping
Database Specification, and the utility program that creates it is called Specification Manager.
In this chapter you will learn how to use the Specification Manager. The manual of the Specification
Manager program describes this application, so please read it carefully before starting the exercise. The
most efficient way of making yourself familiar with this application is to create a brand new Piping Material
Class Specification. It will be used later on to build our sample piping model.
Exercise: Sample Piping Material Class Specification
Lets assume you have received from your material specialist a Piping Material Class, named A1A, which
contains the following:
Name Size range Material Description Remarks
Pipe From to 2
From 3 to 10
From 10 to 16
Sch 80,smls, A106 gr.B
Sch 40,smls, A106 gr.B
Sch 20,smls, A106 gr.B
Nipples From to
From to 1
From to 1
Sch 160, SW, A106 gr.B, L=75
Sch 160, SW, A106 gr.B, L=100
Sch 160,SW\THRD,A106
gr.B,L=100
Default
Default
Alternate
Elbows
45deg & 90deg
From to 1 1/2
From 2 to 2
From 3 to 10
From 10 to 16
3000#, Socket Welded, A105
Sch 80, LR, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 40, LR, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, LR, A234 gr.WPB
Sockolets From 2 to 16 x
From 2 to 16 x
From 2 to 16 x 1
From 2 to 16 x 1
3000#, A105
3000#, A105
3000#, A105
3000#, A105
Weldolets From 6 to 16 x 2
From 8 to 16 x 3
From 10 to 16 x 4
Sch XS, A105
Sch STD, A105
Sch STD, A105
Tees Straight
Reducing
From to 1 1/2
From 2 to 2
From 3 to 10
From 10 to 16
From 1 to 1 x
From 1 to 1 x
From 1 to 1 x 1
From 3 to 4 x 2
From 4 to 6 x 3
From 6 to 8 x 4
From 8 to 10 x 6
From 10 to 10 x 8
From 12 to 12 x 8
From 12 to 14 x 10
From 14 to 16 x 12
From 16 to 16 x 14
3000#, Socket Welded, A105
Sch 80, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 40, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
3000#, Socket Welded, A105
3000#, Socket Welded, A105
3000#, Socket Welded, A105
Sch 80, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 40, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 40, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 40, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 40, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
9 Specification basics New Piping Database Specification Page 89 of 106
Swages Concentric
Eccentric
From to 1 x to 1
From 2 to 3 x to 1
From to 1 x to 1
From 2 to 3 x to 1
Sch 80, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 80, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 80, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 80, A234 gr.WPB
SW
BW\SW
SW
BW\SW
Reducers Concentric
Eccentric
From 3 to 4 x 2
From 4 to 6 x 3
From 6 to 8 x 4
From 8 to 10 x 6
From 12 to 12 x 6
From 10 to 16 x 8
From 12 to 16 x 10
From 14 to 16 x 12
From 3 to 4 x 2
From 4 to 6 x 3
From 6 to 8 x 4
From 8 to 10 x 6
From 12 to 12 x 6
From 10 to 16 x 8
From 12 to 16 x 10
From 14 to 16 x 12
Sch 80, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 40, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 40, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 40, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 80, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 40, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 40, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 40, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
Caps From to 1 1/2
From 2 to 2
From 3 to 10
From 12 to 16
3000#, Socket Welded, A105
Sch 80, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 40, A234 gr.WPB
Sch 20, A234 gr.WPB
Couplings From to 1 3000#, A105
Plugs From to 1 Hex head, A105 THRD
Flanges SW
WN
Blind
Orifice
From to 1
From 2 to 2
From 3 to 10
From 12 to 16
From to 1
From 2 to 2
From 3 to 10
From 12 to 16
From to 16
From 2 to 2
From 3 to 10
150#, RF, bore sch 80, A105
150#, RF, bore sch 80, A105
150#, RF, bore sch 40, A105
150#, RF, bore sch 20, A105
300#, RF, bore sch 80, A105
300#, RF, bore sch 80, A105
300#, RF, bore sch 40, A105
300#, RF, bore sch 20, A105
150#, RF, A105
300#, RF, bore sch 80, A105
300#, RF, bore sch 40, A105
Default
Default
Default
Default
Alternate
Alternate
Alternate
Alternate
Spectacle Blinds From to 16 150#, RF, A 105
Gaskets From to 16
From to 16
150#, Spiral wound,
316SSGraph.
300#, Spiral wound,
316SSGraph.
Default
Alternate
Bolts From to 16 Stud, A193gr.B7\A194gr.2H
Nuts
Valves Gate
Globe
Check
From to 1
From to 1
From to 1
From 2 to 16
From to 1
From 2 to 6
From to 1
From 2 to 16
800#, SW, F6 Trim
800#, SW\THRD, F6 Trim
150#, RF, F6 Trim
150#, RF, F6 Trim
800#, SW, F6 Trim
150#, RF, F6 Trim
Swing, 800#, SW, F6 Trim
Swing, 150#, RF, F6 Trim
Default
Alternate
Alternate
Inlines Strainer From 2 to 10 Y type, sch 40, A 234 gr.WPB
As you can see:
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
9 Specification basics New Piping Database Specification Page 90 of 106
All piping elements are ANSI.
Most piping elements are unique, but pipe nipples, flanges, gaskets and small gate valves have their
alternatives (in Remarks you can find which elements are default and which are alternative).
Of course, there is no restriction on having different Standard piping elements in one Material Class, for
example DIN elements in our sample. If necessary, you can include them; this will be described later on.
Lets start entering this data into the Specification Manager. You should know how to do this from the
manual, but do remember that:
This utility deals with two Access databases: Specman.mdb and Spec.mdb
It creates a table in the Specman.mdb, called Material Class. This table contains information
required to find records in Piping Database Specifications and to copy them to the Piping Material
Class Specification. This table is also used to make modifications in the previously created Piping
Material Class Specifications. For example, when a change is made to the Piping Database
Specification, and this change is reflected in the Piping Material Class Specifications, then it is much
easier to rebuild the Piping Material Class Specifications rather than to modify each of them
separately.
Eventually a new Piping Material Class Specification is created in the Spec.mdb file, as a subset of
all used Piping Database Specifications.
The Specification Manager is started from the System Administration tab. Expand the SAM-folder and
the Utilities-node. Do a RHB click and select Start....
When you enter the program you will see the following screen:
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9 Specification basics New Piping Database Specification Page 91 of 106
This is the main window of the Specification Manager utility. In the middle part you can see the names of
all Piping Material Class Specifications, which have been created so far (two in this case). Click the New
button and type the name A1A and press the OK button. This will create the new Piping Material Class
Specification named A1A and you will see it in the list of available choices.
You will notice that it is not possible to work with other tab pages if a Piping Material Class Specification is
not open. Highlight A1A#PIP and press the Open button. The Specification Manager moves automatically
to the next Tab page, named RECORDS . Here, you will decide which piping elements will be extracted
from the Piping Database Specification(s) to your Piping Material Class Specifications.
The following screen appears:
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
9 Specification basics New Piping Database Specification Page 92 of 106
Most fields are not accessible with the exception of:
The Translate ? check box (this feature should help you to identify a full description of the
Component name; the table named Translation with all available translations is stored in the
Specman.mdb file, so if you want to modify the existing translations or add new ones, you can do so
there)
The New button
The Help button
Click the new button as you are going to enter the first piping element. You will see that you now have
access to the Catalog field.
Only the options from the Catalog.mdb access file are available in this field. ANSI#PIP will be your
choice, so double-click on it and the program will move automatically to the next field. This procedure is
the same until the last field. You always have only one field available for you and the program controls
their sequence. You have to go through all fields to let the program find a proper record in the selected
Piping Database Specification. When you approve your Catalog selection and the check box Translate ?
is active, you will see translations of your Component field options in the window next to it.
This should help you to rapidly make the right choice in the Component field. The first item in our example
will be a pipe, so scroll down the list and double-click on PIPE----
Then select the size range for the current component. In your case it will be from 15 to 40. The size
translation is metric, but if you want it to be imperial, change the language for translation setting in the
tab page Settings.
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
9 Specification basics New Piping Database Specification Page 93 of 106
Then you will see the imperial translations in the window.
Your From and To fields for all 3 sizes (Main, Reduced, Branch) should look like this:
You were not asked to choose the Reduced or Branch size as a pipe only needs a Main size and the
program defaults accordingly.
Next follow the EndConditions. Once again you will only choose the Main size, in our case SWM--- (Socket
Welded Male).
Type is not applicable to the pipe in this Piping Database Specification and the program defaults
accordingly, so it continues directly with the Schedule field. In our sample is the schedule 80, so after you
have made your selection you should see the following:
As the rest of the fields are not applicable to choose a pipe from the ANSI#PIP Piping Database
Specification, the program can now save our selections and finish with this item.
Your Records 1/2" tab page should look similar to this picture:
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
9 Specification basics New Piping Database Specification Page 94 of 106
If you want to see the elements selected by you, click the tab page named Generate Spec and then click
the Test Current button.
The following screen appears:
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
9 Specification basics New Piping Database Specification Page 95 of 106
You can see the difference between the Piping Database Specification and the Piping Material Class
Specification. Below, you may compare the ComponentIndex of your pipe (only for size 15), the first one
from the ANSI#PIP table and the second one from the A1A table (do not look for it now, it is not generated
yet).
PIPE----25----------------SWM------------------------80--------------------
PIPE----25----------------SWM----------------------------------------------
In the A1A table, the schedule indication has disappeared. The reason is very simple. In A1A you do not
have any other pipe size from 15 to 40 than with schedule 80, so this information is not required to
distinguish your pipes from others.
The schedule information is still accessible, but only in the fields named Schedule in both the ANSI#PIP
and A1A tables. Such items are called Defaults and as you will see it is much easier to choose these for
placement in the model than items with information about, Schedule, Rating, Material or User Code
coded in the ComponentIndex. If you were careful when selecting, you should have noticed that to the
right of the schedule file check box was activated.
This check box is responsible for exchanging schedule names from the ANSI#PIP 80------ into
--------.
You may decide to deactivate this check box and then the ComponentIndex in the A1A table would be the
same as in the ANSI#PIP table. We will use this feature for ALTERNATE items later on.
Go back to the RECORDS 1/2 tab page. You can now check if your selection is correct. If you made
mistakes you can use the Edit button and go through the whole process again. When you do not want to
modify anything in your selection you can click the RECORDS 2/2 tab page. In general you can change
the textual description of the selected item which comes from the Piping Database Specification (in our
case ANSI#PIP). In the table below in the second column, the values of three arbitrary items are shown to
change the fields in the ANSI#PIP table, in the third, one new value is placed valid for the A1A table. If you
need to make more modifications, you are free to do so.
ComponentDescription LINE PIPE SML'S Pipe seamless, Plain Both Ends
ShortComponentDescription PIPE Pipe, PBE
Material A 106 gr.B
Click the Edit button, then the Description field and write our new text in the column with the name
Replace catalog value with. Do this for all 3 fields and then press the Save button.
Plant 4D Athena SP2 Pipe Tutorial
9 Specification basics New Piping Database Specification Page 96 of 106
Now you can enter three other pipes
BW schedule 80
BW schedule 40
BW schedule 20
Please enter size 50 alone (the only change is BW---- Endcondition instead of
SWM---). The picture below shows size 80.
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If you do not want to have everything determined by program sizes, you can exclude them by simply not
selecting them. In this case, you do not want to have both sizes 65 and 90mm for the pipe schedule 40, so
you only select the size 80mm (in the Specification Manager from 80 to 80), and in the next record from
100 to 250 according to the Piping Material Class A1A.
Hopefully, you can enter remaining pipe records yourself, using your new experience. You can always
refer to the file that is delivered with this tutorial. It contains a complete A1A Piping material Class
Specification according to the table at the beginning of this chapter.
9.1.1. Pipe Nipples.
Use the picture below as a reference for the sizes to 1 Plain Both Ends (for Socket Welded fittings).
Only the UserCode field is new to you, it has to be determined by a user for nipples. In your case, this
nipple is 100mm long. For the pipe nipple size use UserCode equal to 75.
9.1.2. Elbows:
In our Piping Material Class you must have both Socketwelded and Buttwelded Elbows. For Socketwelded
Elbows, the Component Class and Component Type in the ComponentIndex field are the following:
ELBW45
ELBW90
Use these names while selecting the Component in the Specification Manager.
For Buttwelded Elbows both 45 and 90 degrees are indicated as LR ones. In the Plant-4D Specifications
and PIPE module they are called 3R Elbows, so the Component Class and Component Type in the
ComponentIndex field are:
ELBW4503 for 45 degree Elbows
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ELBW9003 for 90 degree Elbows
9.1.3. Sockolets / Weldolets
These elements are described by 2 sizes: main and reduced.
Moreover, Sockolet has two different Endconditions: buttwelded for the main size and socketwelded for the
reduced size. Weldolet has only BW Endconditions.
The Component Class and Component Type in the ComponentIndex field are:
OLET-SOC for Sockolet
OLET-WLDfor Weldolet
You can check the next two pictures: one with Sockolet and the other with Weldolet. Please remember that
Weldolets have a schedule, so you need to enter three records for the A1A Piping Material Class
Specification:
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9.1.4. Tees, Straight and Reducing:
You do not have to learn anything new to enter these elements into the Specification Manager. The only
difference between reducing tees and other reducing piping elements, is that you will now use branch
sizes instead of reduced ones, but you will be guided by the program.
You will have to enter several records if you want to have only these required tees in the Piping Material
Class Specification. You then have to enter one record for each reducing size.
The Component Class and Component Type in the ComponentIndex field are:
TEE-STR- for Straight Tees
TEE-RED- for Reducing Tees
9.1.5. Reducers, Concentric and Eccentric:
These are reducing piping elements. Like Sockolets, they use the reduced size to code a smaller diameter
range. They are used in our Piping Material Class Specification from 2 up. As was the case with the tees
required by the A1A class reducers you had to select from the Piping Database Specification, you will have
to create many new records (one record for each reducing size).
The Component Class and Component Type in the ComponentIndex field are:
REDUCON-for concentric reducers
REDUECC- for eccentric reducers
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9.1.6. Swages, Concentric and Eccentric:
Swages are reducing piping elements. They conform to the same rules as Sockolets and Weldolets. Be
careful when coding Buttwelded \ Socketwelded swages, as you now have to decide upon the
Endconditions, do not program it as you did for Sockolets.
The Component Class and Component Type in the ComponentIndex field are:
SWAGCONfor concentric swages
SWAGECC- for eccentric swages
For reference, please use the following picture:
Caps, Full Couplings: The Component Class and Component Type in the ComponentIndex field are:
CAP----- for Caps
CPLGFULLfor Couplings
Plugs: Do not be surprised that you do not have access to the EndConditions. Plugs are only Threaded.
The Component Class and Component Type in the ComponentIndex field is:
PLUGHEX
Flanges; Socket, Weld Neck, Blind and WN Orifice: with your newly gained experience, you should be
able to code flanges without any problems.
The Component Class and Component Type in the ComponentIndex field are:
FLNGSWF- for Socketweld Flange
FLNGBLND for Blind Flange
FLNGORWN for Orifice Weldneck Flange
FLNGWNCK for Weldneck Flange
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The only new feature is that for Socketweld Flanges and Weldneck Flanges you need their alternatives in
your Piping Material Class Specification. Now you can learn how to code them. As you can see in the table
shown at the beginning of this chapter, in our Material Class we have to enter two flanges for the same
range of sizes: one with rating 150#, and the other with rating 300#. Probably rating 300# will be used with
Control Valves. In this case, flanges are not unique in our Piping Material Class Specification, and as the
program would not accept such a situation, you have to decide upon introducing one of them as Default
Flange and the other as Alternate Flange. In your case, 150# WN Flanges are marked as Default and
300# as Alternatives.
Earlier in this chapter it was mentioned that the check box next to some of the fields in the RECORDS
1/2 tab page allow the original values to remain in the ComponentIndex field. When you click it, it
becomes inactive. This means that you have decided to save the original value of this field where this
check box is responsible for in the ComponentIndex field. Lets try to use this feature with the Socketweld
flange, rating 300# (alternate in our Material Class).
Before confirming the rating selection, click the check box beside. If you want to see the result of this
selection click the Generate Spec tab page and then the Test Current button.
You see the following screen appear:
As you can see the information about the rating is still in the ComponentIndex field. Then of course it is
allowed to have such piping components in our Piping Material Class Specification. Now you can enter the
remaining flanges into our Piping Material Class Specification.
Spectacle Blinds
They are very similar to flanges.
The Component Class and Component Type in the ComponentIndex field are:
FLNGSPBO for Open Spectacle Blinds
FLNGSPBC for Closed Spectacle Blinds
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9.1.7. Gaskets, bolts
Additional for gaskets is the gasket thickness, which is coded as its schedule. For rating 300# you will have
to add alternate gaskets and bolts.
The Component Class + Component Type in the ComponentIndex field are:
GASKET-- for Gaskets
BOLT---- for Bolts
9.1.8. Gate, Globe and Check Valves
An additional field is active for all, currently included in the ANSI#PIP table, under valve types. It is the
TABLE field. In your case, this setting should be used as follows:
FO (Full Opening) for small Gate and Globe valves
DD (Double Disk) for Gate valves, size larger than 40mm
LFT (Lift Type) for Globe valves, size larger than 40mm
SFO (Swing Full Opening) for small Check valves
SW(Swing Type) for Check valves, size larger than 40mm
The Component Class + Component Type in the ComponentIndex field are:
- VALVGATE for Gate valves
- VALVGLOB or Globe valves
- VALVCHCK for Check valves
Error! Objects cannot be created from
editing field codes.
For your reference, the picture above shows small size check valves.
9.1.9. Strainer
This is the last piping element in A1A, and does not require any new features to code it.
The Component Class and Component Type in the ComponentIndex field are:
STR-Y--- for Strainer Y type.
Now, when you have finished coding piping elements into the Specification Manager, you have to be
aware, that you created only filters, which will be used to extract respective records from the Piping
Database Specification(s). These filters are stored in the Specman.mdb. You also know that Piping
Material Class Specifications are stored as tables in the Spec.mdb file. To create such a table you have to
click the Generate Spec tab page and then click the Generate button. If you did not make any mistakes
(all elements selected by you are unique) you will see a screen like this after some time:
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In the OUTPUT window you will see that some piping elements have been coded incorrectly. You have to
analyze which record was wrong, correct it and Generate the Piping Material Class Specification once
again.
You can open the Access file Spec.mdb (in the catalog \Plant4D\Projects\) and you should see that your
A1A is amongst the other tables as well.
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As you can see it is not difficult to create a Piping Material Class Specification. It takes some time, but in
most cases you will have to go through this process only once. By using Copy (CTRL+C) and Paste
(CTRL+V) you can easily make a copy of the existing Piping Material Class Specification with a new name.
Then you can edit only the records, which need to be modified. So usually the next Material Class takes
much less time.
Hopefully, you now know how to add piping elements from the Piping Database Specification to the Piping
Material Class Specification. You did not try to add elements from the DIN#PIP into your A1A Material
Class, but if it was necessary you would have to choose DIN#PIP from the first field in RECORDS 1/2 tab
page, the Catalog field.
Besides the additions to the spec.mdb, the spec manager also adds data to the specindx.ini, which is
located in the following directory:
1 \\CEA\ Plant-4D\Settings
In this file several settings are created for the generated specification, like the sizes, ratings, schedules
and usercodes.