Pipe outer diameter vs nominal diameter

In OpenBuildings Designer you can model pipes on the basis of the outer diameter value.

Also if we are using it from a catalog? I found that when using the catalog, outer diameter information is present in the properties, but the 3D is built with nominal diameter.

To better ilustrate the problem:

I would like to be able to model the pipes with real outside diameter in 3D. Is this possible?

Hi Pedro,

If the pipe is based on a nominal size + schedule rating to determine wall thickness I'm not sure you can change the method since that's how the manufacturer would supply the pipe.  If so, is there an alternate catalog that provides the components you need?  

The only alternative I can think of would be to directly add rows to the applicable MDB file (using MS Access) for those pipes where the actual OD is what you need, and the schedule rating works inward vs. outward... if that makes sense.  Or create a new MDB with just the components you need (can otherwise match an existing catalog MDB).  While a bit old, this Wiki outlines steps for creating a custom MDB: https://communities.bentley.com/products/building/building_analysis___design/w/building_analysis_and_design__wiki/10910/creating-a-custom-manufacturer-s-catalog-for-plumbing-components

Hi Steve,

The catalogues are fine, they even have all the information needed (nominal diameter and outer diameter). It was just a matter of having the pipes modelled with the true size (outer diameter) instead of the nominal. This is still ok for most of the work, but it would be good to have the option.