AutoCAD Plant3D Custom Content

&
Catalog Builder

Speakers Introduction

Paul Darrigan. Plant 3D administrator, Sr. Piping Designer

Plant 3D administrator
Specification Writer
Project creation and deployment
Teach Piping Principals
Pipe Stress Analyst
Teach Pipe Stress Analysis.

Creating Custom Content

During this coarse you will create custom

content in many forms.
Catalog
Specs
Catalog Utilizing Catalog Builder

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
Select the file drop down from the menu.
Select New from the drop down

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
Select Create Catalog From Existing.
Locate the custom parts catalog (imperial
or metric) in your local content directory.
This will be your Source Catalog name.
For this coarse we will name our new
catalog Test101.
Store this new catalog in the same
location as the source catalog.
Select Create

Catalog

Creating Catalog Content

Drawing

Custom Content
Open Plant 3D
Create a new file (ACAD.dwt is sufficient)
Save this drawing (I prefer material types
for drawing names in this case)
Drawing location can be in folder that is
automatically created when the catalog
was created.

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
Open the Plant 3D drawing just created.
Create the item you desire to have in spec. In this case I have create to butterfly valves.
6 and 8.
I have also created a 6 gear & lever operator and an 8 gear & lever operator.
This drawing is now an object database for custom block based objects. So DO NOT
AUTO PURGE (purge all) this drawing EVER. If you need to purge a single block then
issue the purge command go to block and select the individual item to be purged

Plant Objects

Plant Objects

Plant Objects

Creating Catalog Content

Opp. Flg.

Assigned Port

Custom Content
Go ahead and block your components
inside your component drawing with
unique names (6_BFLY, etc..).
After blocking your components you need
to run plant part convert identifying all
facings (ports).
When running plantpartconvert make
sure you select all facings by selecting the
Add command. When done select the exit
command because if you use the esc
button all adds will be lost and the
plantpartconvert command will need to
be re-issued and selection set redone.
You have just created a block based
valve, indentified the block as a plant
object and assigned facings (port 1 & port
2).
The operator connection flange does not
get assigned as a port at this location is
not required.

Creating Catalog Content

Gear Opp.

Lever Opp.

Custom Content
You have already created to different
style operators.
Hand Wheel / Gear Operator
Lever / Manual
You will need to issue the
plantpartconvert command.
Select the operator one at a time but do
not follow with the Add selection. Instead
just select exit.
By doing this you made these operators
Plant objects.
Please note when you created these
objects your insertion point should have
been the insertion point of the valve (mid
point between port 1 and port 2).

Creating Catalog Content

Component

Create

Custom Content
Lets go back to the previously created catalog
and start entering data.
Select the Create New Component button mid
screen of the Catalog Editor.
This will now pop up the Create New
Component splash screen.
Here you will need select several items and
enter data.
Select the Custom AutoCAD DWG Block
based graphics under graphics.
Under Component Category select Valves.
Next under Component select ValveBody
(this indicates an actuator will be applied).
Next enter a Short Description
Next enter Units and size range (6 to 8)
Enter Primary end type
Last select number of ports (default is 2).
Now you will select the Create button.

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
Once you have created the new catalog entry, the size range selected will be populated.
Go ahead and remove the non standard sizes in this case 7.
You will now want pick the Select Model button.
This will allow you to select the valves you created in your drawing called CS.dwg.

Remove

Select

Creating Catalog Content

Valves

Custom Content
You have created a couple of valves and converted
them to plant objects. Select the appropriate valve
to size relationship. The pick the OK button.
When you have associated your block entity (valve)
to the appropriate size selection your select will
change from a red cross to a green check mark as
shown.

Accepted

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
While still under the size tab you will fill out the Connection Port Properties and the Piping
Component Properties.
Fill in the nominal diameter , the matching pipe OD and the long description with size.
While under Port 1 check the box All Ports Have The Same Properties. Note that not all
valves may have the same properties however in this case Port 1 and Port 2 are equal and
by checking this box you will save the step of setting up port 2.

Check

Properties

Properties

Creating Catalog Content

General Prop

Custom Content
After inputting the size tab information
go ahead and select the General
Properties tab.

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
As done previous go ahead and check the All Ports Have The Same Properties. This save having to fill in Port 2
information.
Input the End Type in this case is FL (flanged), Pressure class and in this case 150.
Being this is a flanged face you have to enter the facing which is for this exercise is raised face (RF).
At this point you can add in all information under Piping Component Properties. Some information you may
want to add as common component data that can be re-used however you may want to enter some of the
data via unique specification.
Being that said go ahead and enter the Iso Symbol Type (Valve) and Iso Symbol SKEY (VYFL) as these should be
input at the catalog level.
Check

Properties

ISO Info

Creating Catalog Content

Save

Custom Content
After all entries go ahead and select save
to catalog. This will now save all inputs to
your catalog entry.

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
Note when creating a flat face flanged valve with raised face mating flange this can be adapted
under Project Setup, Plant 3D DWG Settings, Piping Connection Settings. Under Property matches
deselect Facing.
This will allow a valve with Flat Faced flanges to mate with a Raised Face mating flanges.

Uncheck

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
Now you are going to create catalog entries for your custom operators.
You will create the new component as you did your valve body.
Select Custom - AutoCAD DWG Block based graphics. Next select Actuators, select Valve Actuator
under component, check units, enter a short description, enter operator type and last enter an
actuator type.
Last you want to select create.

Information

Custom

Create

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
You will go ahead and select your object stored in the object database (this is the
drawing CS.dwg).

Select

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
You will go ahead and select your object stored in the object database (this is the drawing CS.dwg).
When you ran the plantpartconvert command on these newly created gear operator blocks they were
converted to Plant 3D objects. You did not assign ports however your insertion point is the exact
same as the mating valves insertion point.
You will notice that you do not have the ability add sizes. This is Ok however you will need add a size
in the descriptor so you can distinguish between operators.
Notice the size is undefined. You cannot change this.

Description

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
In the descriptor under Long Description (Size) enter the nominal size this
will be used as a disseminator.
Also the Height and With should be different as well.

Description

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
When you ran the plantpartconvert
command on these newly created gear
operator blocks they were converted to
Plant 3D objects. You did not assign ports
however your insertion point is the exact
same as the mating valve.

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
Go ahead and enter descriptions as need.
Do not enter the Iso Symbol Type and do
not enter the Iso Symbol SKEY as the
symbol descripters do not exist in the
IsoSkeyAcadBlockMap.xml or
IsoSymbolStyles.dwg however could be
created if needed.

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
Go ahead and create an entry as you did above for the Lever Operator. Neither operator will
have a size range. This is not an issue to worry about.

Create

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
When you are entering your component data there is an advanced editing table which displays your
information table format for ease of working. Keep this in mind when entering your entity data.
This is selected under the Sizes Tab then by selecting the Show Advanced Editing Table radio button.

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
Now that you created your valves and operators you can associate the operators to the
valves.
Select the Edit Operator Assignments radio button. Under the General Properties tab.

Select

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
Next the Valve Operator Mapping screen will appear.
Under the valve family part select the desired valve. In the case it is the Lugged Butterfly Valve.
Next under Operator Assignments you will need to add an assignment for each size of operator / valve
relationship. Do not specify min. 6, max. 8 as the actuators get canceled out and only one assignment
will be available. Make separate assignment for each size and type of actuator (6 Gear, 6 lever, 8
Gear & 8 Lever).

Same Size

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
Now you have created and associated the more difficult custom assemblies (valves and actuators).
Lets move on to creating a skewed angle port assignment.
We will use a lateral for this example.
Go ahead and create a 6 lateral in your object database (this is your drawing named CS.dwg)
Create your lateral with Port 1 and Port 2 being the through put and Port 3 being the branch. The insertion of this
object should be the intersection of the branch and through put.
After blocking the object add a construction line to the intended port 3 rotated in the matching branch direction.
This is used to align your port assignment only. DO NOT ROTATE UCS as this will skew the port placement.
Issue the plantpartconvert command keeping in mind you must exit this command. Once you have assigned all
ports delete the construction line at Port 3.

Const. Line

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
You will create the custom Lateral as done with previous components.
This is a three port component configuration be sure to change this.

Ports

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
Currently there is no descriptor or symbol for a lateral and will need to be created in the
IsoSkeyAcadBlockMap.xml and IsoSymbolStyles.dwg files.

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content

There are a variety of parametric components available for the selection that can be modified thus making them
custom content.
Lets add a plain end WYE however this WYE will be modified to make it custom content.

Plain End

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
By defining and or changing the size parameters you have now added parametric custom content to your
catalog.

Creating Catalog Content

Custom Content
You have now successfully created the more complex custom content items.
Normally I like to keep my catalog content descriptors neutral to allow more versitility when
developing specs.
Now lets create spec content utilizing our new catalog.

Creating Specification Content

Custom Content
Go ahead and create new specification. This can be from scratch. Put it in the same folder
you are storing the CS.dwg. Spec location is not critical.

Location

Creating Specification Content

Descriptor

Select

Custom Content
After you create your spec you can change the
descriptor by right clicking on the header.
When done adding the description select OK.
The descriptor has no effect on the usage or
data of the spec. (neutral information).

Creating Specification Content

Custom Content
Go ahead and select all components and add to the spec by selecting the Add To Spec radio
button.

Creating Specification Content

Select

Custom Content
After adding your components you can
verify you have properly associated or
make changes to the valve operators by
selecting Edit Valve Operators under
Specs drop down menu.
You can also edit aspects of the
operators by right clicking on the
Lugged Butterfly Valve under the valve
section in the body of the spec.
You can also change descriptors,
classifications, etc.. By right clicking on
the Lugged Butterfly Valve under the
valve section in the body of the spec

Creating Specification Content

Select

Custom Content
Lets go ahead and open the ASME Fitting
catalog and add predefined fitting components
to your custom spec.
In this case I have added bolts, flange, reducer
and gasket.

Add

Creating Specification Content

Select

Custom Content
Right click on your new component to edit the
size range for 6 and 8.
Check the boxes of the sizes you do not want
to appear and then select the Apply radio
button. This will hide all sizes you do not
desire and only make the sizes you desire
available in spec. Do this with all components
in your spec.

Creating Specification Content

Custom Content
When adding components that fall under the same category like the lateral and the wye this can create
priority conflicts.
This shows up as a triangle with an exclamation point.
Pick the triangle with the exclamation to set the size priority (when extending a branch in the middle of
pipe this will be the primary component selected).

Select

Creating Specification Content

Custom Content
In this case the Lateral will be the primary
selected component.
Select all components and check the resolved
box and then the Apply radio button.
The triangles will be replaced with a green light
.
Save all of your work as the custom Content
you have now created is available for
deployment.
Copy the created spec to your project
Specification directory.

Resolved

Testing Custom Content

Custom Content
Route your new components and change operators. All works and multiple operators available.

Select

Catalog Builder

Catalog Builder Custom Content

Launch the Catalog Builder.

Select

Catalog Builder

Catalog Builder
Launch the Catalog Builder.

Select

Catalog Builder

Catalog Builder
Pick the desired fitting, valve, etc.. The right click on the item. This will indicate new
Go ahead and select New.

Catalog Builder

Catalog Builder
At this stage the catalog builder has the same function except for scripting data entry. We will
go ahead and select the parametric graphics .

Select

Catalog Builder

Catalog Builder
Next you want to build a catalog so select build catalog then select the Excel file you just
exported.

Select

Catalog Builder

Catalog Builder
Next your validation splash screen will pop up probably advising potential issues. Go ahead
and save as new. This will Create a new catalog.

Select

Catalog Builder
Select

Catalog Builder
Your new catalog is now ready for use.

Catalog Builder

Catalog Builder
Instead of saving as a catalog you can also save as a content pack for distribution.
Select Content Pack.

Select

Catalog Builder

Catalog Builder
You have now successfully created a content pack for redistribution.