Civil 3D 2013 Pressure Network Parts - Part 3

In our previous two Pressure Network Part blogs, my Ideate, Inc. colleague and friend Matt Miyamoto wrote about how to create a pressure network part from an AutoCAD 3dsolid object and export it to a .CONTENT file, then import the .CONTENT file into the content catalog. In Part Three, we go over the process for adding the new part to the Pressure Network Parts List for use in your Civil 3D drawing.
 
So, in short, the summary of the previous process:

1. Create an AutoCAD 3dsolid or import a block that contains 3dsolid object for the part required.
2. Insert/Create Autodesk Connection Point (ACP) object/(s)
3. Publish the part and save it in its .CONTENT file
4. Open Content Catalog Editor from Windows Start menu and import the .CONTENT file in the and save the pressure network catalog database .SQLITE file (before importing be sure to backup the out of the box original .SQLITE file)

Pressure Network blog post Part 1 encompasses step 1, 2 and 3 above and Part 2 elaborates on step 4.

In this post I will show you Step 5 -  i.e. how to import the catalog part into pressure network parts list within Civil 3D so you can use it in your design.
 
Importing the Custom Part into Civil 3D Pressure Network Parts List
 
1. Open a drawing within Civil 3D and navigate to Home > Create Design > Set Pressure Pipe Network Catalog.

2. Set the appropriate Pressure Network Catalog (.SQLITE file that you saved earlier in step 4 per our blog post Part 2). Hopefully you have backed up the original - you can see I backed up mine.

3. Edit the existing Part List or create a new one. I am editing the existing pressure network parts list “Water” (found in the default Civil 3D Imperial template) in this example. Go to Toolspace > Settings > Pressure Network > Parts Lists > Water: right click and chose Edit.

4. I am trying to create a fire hydrant so I will be adding it in the Pressure Network Parts List > Appurtenances tab

5. Right click on Water and click on Add type, pick “hydrant” or whatever name you gave to the part family. Right click on the hydrant and add the hydrant/part you created.

6. Finally, choose the hydrant/part you created by creating a new or editing an existing pressure network; under Plan Layout tab click on Add Appurtenances

You can find more information in the Part Publishing Wizard User Guide saved with the default Civil 3D install at the following location: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013\Sample\Civil 3D API\Part Publishing Wizard\PartPublishingWizardUsersGuide.docx.
 
Lastly, please keep in mind that customization is generally unsupported by Autodesk and Ideate Technical Support so a lot of trial and error and testing may be involved in the Pressure Part creation process.
 

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Gaurav Bagga
Ideate Infrastructure Solutions Application Specialist


Gaurav is a well rounded Application Engineer and Project Manager for Infrastructure Solutions at Ideate based out of San Francisco. He has over 15 years experience in construction industry and has been helping numerous small, medium and ENR 500 firms maximize their CAD investment for the last ten years. Gaurav is an Autodesk Certified Instructor and Autodesk Civil 3D Implementation Certified Expert. He has taught at several conferences, CAD Camps and Autodesk University. He has taught AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Land Desktop and Map 3D to thousands of students and helps Ideate develop the Infrastructure Services curriculum and courses. With his extensive CAD technology background he helps Bay Area engineering and surveying firms analyze and improve their design and drawing production process thereby improving productivity and the bottom line. Follow Gaurav on Twitter: @BeGeez

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