AutoCAD Civil 3D Tip: How to Add New Pipes to Pressure Pipe Catalogs

Written by Ben Johnson.
 

Pressure Pipe Networks are fairly new to Civil 3D, and anyone who has worked with them has noticed that Civil 3D only comes loaded with ductile iron piping as an option in the parts catalog. Whether Autodesk adds more piping materials to the standard catalogs in future releases remains to be seen, but most users would like to see a PVC parts list at the very least at some point.

As for now, there are options to buy pre-made parts lists from private companies, but they can cost thousands of dollars. A more affordable option to those who really only use a handful of pressure pipe sizes/materials is to build your own, and import them into Civil 3D. No special software is needed, and a basic pipe size can be created and imported in a matter of minutes. Creating fittings and appurtenances is a bit more involved, but that will be covered in the next tip. Here are the steps for importing new pipe materials and sizes:

1) New Catalogs and pipes can be added very quickly through the Content Catalog Editor, which comes standard with the Civil 3D  install. It can be found in the programs under Autodesk in the start menu under the Civil 3D folder. Open this program to begin.

2) Once within Content Catalog Editor, a user can choose to edit one of the stock Autodesk parts catalogs or create a new Catalog from scratch. The catalog databases are SQlite files. The “open” and “new” buttons are found on the upper left of the GUI. To open one of the Autodesk catalogs for editing, the directory for these in a default install is is C:/ProgramData/Autodesk/C3D2014/enu/Presure Pipes Catalog

SQlite Pipe Catalog Databases

Content Catalog Editor Open

3) New pressure pipe catalogs should be saved in the same directory. When creating a new catalog, the user will be prompted to choose imperial or Metric units. After this is specified, click on the “save” icon to save the new database. The rest of the steps will be identical whether editing an existing catalog or creating a new one.

4) Next, click on the “import” button to start creating your new pipe.

“Import” button

Import Button

5) Pipes can be created “without.CONTENT file” so click on that option, and click “next”

Create a pipe without .CONTENT file

Create a pipe without .CONTENT file

 

6) The next screen will ask for Industry, Part Type and Family Name. “Water” is the only Industry option, so select that. Likewise, “pipe” is the only part which can create without a .CONTENT file so select that. For this example, I am creating a PVC pipe part so I named my Part Family “pvc”. Click next.

Specify pipe type and Family Name

Specify pipe type and Family Name

7) The next screen is where the model properties for the part will be set. It is best practice to aquire the part specifications from the manufacturer and fill in as many specifications as possible. This will help with pipe labeling and behavior. However, the fields with asterisks next to them are required. Click Next.

Specify Model Properties for new part

Specify Model Properties for new part

 

8) The final screen will set the connection points for the new pipe. As before, the fields with asterisks are required, but any additional parameters you have will help create a more complete part. Be sure that both rows are filled in identically.

Specify connection point information

Specify connection point information

9) Click “Finish” and the new pipe will not show up in the catalog.

New pipe created in new catalog

New pipe created in new catalog

 

 

There are now a few steps to follow before using the new pipe in Civil 3D.

1) Whether in a new drawing or one already open, click on the “Create Design” fly-out on the “home” tab in Civil 3D and click on “Set Pressure Network Catalog”. From there you have the option to set which catalog is active in the drawing. If a new catalog was created, it will be shown in the drop-down selection options.

Set Pressure Network Catalog

Set Pressure Network Catalog Set Pressure Network Catalog

 

2) create a new parts list in the setting tab of toolspace under “Pressure Networks”. This step is important as the new parts will not be available to add to existing parts lists.

Create New Parts List

Create New Parts LIst

 

3) Add a new pipe material to the new parts list, and then add the new pipe size.

Add New Material and Part Size to New Parts List

Add New Material and Part Size to new Parts List

 

Add New Material and Part Size to new Parts List

 

The new pipe is now ready to be used in designing pressure pipe networks.

 

Last Month’s Tips:


1   Screenshot   2     Screenshot

MicroStation: Manage             InRoads: V8i SS2                   AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014:          VBA: Trim Text Input
Font Utilities                              Feature Editing – R…            Properly Position GeoTIF…   
 
 
 
Don’t want to miss out on other great information? Subscribe to this blog or our monthly eNewsletter now!
Learn More ◊ Contact us today ◊ Newsletter ◊
EnvisionCAD Group EnvisionCAD YouTube Channel   

 

EnvisionCAD

Since 1996, EnvisionCAD has been a nationally recognized leader in the configuration, customization, implementation, training & support for CAD software solutions. Our individualized approach has benefited private engineering firms and government agencies alike. Basic or advanced, we can help you get the most from your CAD technology.

8 comments on “AutoCAD Civil 3D Tip: How to Add New Pipes to Pressure Pipe Catalogs

  1. Roshi Reply

    Hi Ben;
    Thank you very much for this useful information regarding to creation of a new pipe catalogue.
    I am designing a water network and needed PVC pipes catalogue in the Civil 3D.
    I created the catalogue with all pipe sizes within.
    When I load the catalogue just I can see one pipe size(the first one 150 mm).
    My question is: How can I see all of the pipe sizes under my new PVC cataloge?

    Thank you
    Regards;
    Roshi

  2. Max Reply

    Hi Ben,

    I’m now confortable with creating pipes but fittings are the issue now. Out of the box we have DIP but we really need PVC. COuld you please help

  3. Debbie Tumler Reply

    How do you get 4 connection points into a .content? When I am trying to put a new 8x8x8x8 cross into the content catalog editor, it only will allow me to pick one of the cross centerlines. I tried using a block of just the lines but that didn’t help. Shall I put the connection points into the block as well?

    Any suggestions that have worked for you?
    Thank you,
    Debbie

  4. Jim Reply

    Hi Ben,

    Thank you so much for the pipe creation tips but as mentioned in the email kindly put in the fittings and appurtenances creating tips.

    Many thanks,
    Jebin

  5. Rama Reply

    I can’t set up the pressure network catalogue and I have already done everything like the explanation, step by step, I know the correct link address of pressure catalogue on his folders, but, when I going to load the files, a message error: “There are no Pressure Network Catalog in this folder”, and it is not true, I don’t understand, by the other hand, I can’t open the Catalogue Editor for use the metadata, is not compatible with my System, I use Windows 8.1. I use revit, in interior designs for plumbing specialty, and is so easy find everything in families, templates, and so, but now, I try to set up a template for exterior networks on civil 3d, is easy in the waste water and storm drain specialty, but, so difficult in water supply networks, perhaps, I haven’t understood the explanations, but the reality is, I can’t reach my objective.

  6. Linette Reply

    Thank you so much for your advice with this process! It helped me tremendously! Thank you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *