You can create custom block based components.
If component parametric graphics are not available, you can create your own piping component geometry using AutoCAD blocks.
When you create a block based piping component, you first specify port locations in AutoCAD Plant 3D. You can then use the catalog editor to create components using the blocks.
NoteWhen you save a block-based component for the first time, a DWG is created for the part family. The drawing contains a block
for each part size and is saved to a catalog folder in CPak Common (for example: C:\AutoCAD Plant 3D 2013 Content\ CPak Common\sample_catalog). If the save is successful, the Block Name displayed in Catalog Editor - Sizes tab changes to match the part size ID.
If the component is not required in spec, it is easier to create a specialty component in the model. For more information
see Create Custom and Placeholder Parts.
Create Custom Piping Components
To create a component using block based geometry
- In the Catalog Editor tab, click Create New Component.
- Click Custom - AutoCAD DWG Block Based Graphics.
- In Basic Part Family Information, click a component category (for example: Valves).
- Click a Component type (for example: Valve).
- Enter a Short Description (for example: DOUBLE SEAT VALVE).
- Click a Primary End Type (for example: BV). You can also enter a value if the Primary End Type is not in the catalog.
- Enter the Number of Ports (for example: 4). This value must match the number of ports added to the custom component blocks.
To assign sizes to a block based component
(continued from To create a component using block based geometry)
- In Size Range, specify a size range. For example 1” to 4”.
- Click Create.
- In the Piping Component Editor pane, click the Sizes tab.
- If there are sizes that you do not want in the size column, click a size. Click Remove Size.
- In Size, click a size to set a block and properties (for example: 4”).
- Click Select Model.
- In the Select Block Definition dialog box, open a drawing and click a block that has ports specified using plantpartconvert.
- In Connection Port Properties, enter Matching Pipe OD (for example: 4.5).
- Do one of the following:
- If all connection port properties are the same, select All Ports Have the Same Properties.
- Click the right arrow and enter the Matching Pipe OD for additional ports.
- In Piping Component Properties, enter a Long Description (Size). (For example, DOUBLE SEAT VALVE, 4”).
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