How to Batch Morph nodes from one type to another

  Applies To 
  Product(s): WaterGEMS, WaterCAD, HAMMER, SewerGEMS, SewerCAD, CivilStorm, StormCAD
  Version(s): CONNECT Edition, V8i SS4 and above
  Area:  Modeling
  Original Author: Akshaya Niraula, Bentley Technical Support Group

Problem

How can I quickly convert from one element type to another, for example converting a selection of manholes into catchbasins? 

Solution

This can be accomplished with the Batch Morph tool in CONNECT Edition, by going to Tools > Tools > More > Batch Morph or by searching with the Ribbon search option. In V8i, you can go to Tools > Batch Morph.

1. Select the nodes to be morphed from the following choices:

  • All: All nodes in the model will be morphed to the specified Target Element Type.
  • Selection: Only the nodes that are currently selected in the drawing pane will be morphed to the specified Target Element Type.
  • Selection Set: Only those nodes that are contained within the selection set specified in the drop down list will be morphed to the specified Target Element Type.

2. Check the Allow Morphing of Inactive Nodes? box if you want to include nodes set as Inactive in the batch operation.

3. Select the Target Element Type that the selected nodes will be morphed into.

To morph Junctions into Isolation Valves:

Isolation valves are not end nodes like junctions are, so there isn't a direct way to morph a junction into an isolation valve. However, it is possible using these steps. First, morph junctions into a TCVs, GPVs, or PBVs. Once this is don, you can use Skelebrator to convert the valves into isolation valves. The following link has information on this: How to convert a TCV, GPV, or PBV to an Isolation Valve using Skelebrator

Workaround for older versions of the software

For convenience, this solution will use "Element A" as the original node type and "Element B" as the new node type.

The first step would be to export the properties of Element A, as well as the pipes in the model, into shapefiles. This can be done in the FlexTables for the individual elements by clicking the Export to File icon in the upper left.

Next, you would need to delete Element A from the model. This will also delete the connecting pipe. You can select all of a certain type of element by going to Edit > Select by Element.

Next, open ModelBuilder and import the shapefile for Element A. Go through the ModelBuilder steps until you get to the step where you map the features of the shapefile to the corresponding property. The element
type will likely be default to be the same as Element A. However, you can change this to Element B instead. After mapping the shapefile features to the appropriate element properties, complete the ModelBuilder process. When you view the drawing, all of Element A should now be Element B. Next, go through ModelBuilder again, adding the pipes that were deleted back into the model.

For more information on ModelBuilder, look at Help or the following link: Using ModelBuilder to Import External Data.

The method above will allow you to replace all of a certain element with a different one. The one drawback to this method would be that there is a chance that some element properties will be lost in the process. If certain properties are not exported to the shapefile, or not properly mapped in ModelBuilder, you may lose some property information. If you try this method, I would still recommend reviewing the data to make sure
that nothing was lost.

See Also

How to convert TCV GPV or PBV to Isolation Value using Skelebrator

Batch morph junctions to hydrants using hydrant shapefile

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