The following message appears when importing an file into AutoPIPE:
---------------------------Error--------------------------- Closed loop detected in imported model at TEE point 7. Please correct it in the original source file and import again. ---------------------------OK ---------------------------
As mentioned in the error message the program detected a closed loop in the imported file. AutoPIPE does not allow a segment to be connected back onto itself or contain a "closed loop". There 3 options to fix this issue:
1. Fix the closed loop in the original program model used to create the imported file used
2. Manually fix the imported file
3. Manually fix the imported model
Open the file in the original program and make so the same piping segment / line number does not connect back onto itself at any point. Save the new file, export the newly created file and import it into AutoPIPE.
Using any one of the AutoPIPE translators would have translated the file into an *.NTL file. AutoPIPE then imports the converted NTL file into the program. This NTL file is very restricted in format, but is easy to open, modify, and save using the following procedure:
A. After using the translator, locate the *.NTL file in the same folder as the original imported file.
B. Open the file with any text editing software (i.e. Notepad ++, MS Word, Ultra Edit, etc..)
Note, use an application that indicates the current location of the cursor (i.e. row and column).
C. Start AutoPIPE and select Help > Contents> Contents Tab> Bentley AutoPIPE> Batch NTL input Reference> Command Card Reference> this will show all the commands in that make up the NTL file in great detail.
D. Located the offending node point mentioned in the Error message above (ex. 7).
With the AutoPIPE help information on NTL commands, try to understand what the text is telling the program to do.
Based on the image above:
Line 50: Point 6 is a bend with DX, Dy, Dz offset from previous point Run 5 to current node point 6,
Line 51: According to the UUID card, this is just GUID value for the component at node point 6
Line 52: See PIPE card (image below), According to the PIPE card, column 6 is the start of new PIPE ID (ex. PIPE4).
Line 53: RUN card with DX, Dy, Dz offset from previous point BEND 6 to current node point 6F,
Line 54: RUN card with DX, Dy, Dz offset from previous point Run 6F to current node 7,
Line 55: Again according to the UUID card, this is just GUID value for the component Run 7
Line 56: Run 7 with with DX, Dy, Dz offset from previous point Run 7 to current node 7,
Ah ha!!! how can that be, here is where the system is trying to connect back onto itself, and hence the Error message is displayed when importing this NTL file.
a. Delete the offending line from the file (ex. delete line #56)
b. Save the file.
c. Start AutoPIPE, select File> Open> *.NTL, locate the fixed NTL file and try to import it again.
d.Success!!
This may be an iterative process to be sure the syntax is correct and to fix all the offending issues in a single import file. It is always best to start with a good file export from the original software before using the AutoPIPE translator.
Following appears when opening a file.
---------------------------Error--------------------------- Closed loop detected in imported model at TEE point AT24. Please correct it in the original source file and import again. ---------------------------OK ---------------------------
Select OK so the model is completely opened in AutoPIPE.
Complete the following steps to prevent this message from appearing:
1. Go to the node point mentioned in the message (ex. AT24)
2. Use Segment color plot to view segments; understand how the closed loop is created. (ex. View> Show Options> Segments)
The closed loop occurs at the Tee where length 4 of segment AT is connected back onto length 1 of the same segment AT..
3. Insert a node point a short distance before the close loop connection point (ex. AT41) and delete the last point of the segment (ex AT24 branch)
4. Make the last node point in the segment the active / current node point (ex. AT41), Insert a new segment starting at this active / current node point:
5. Then insert a run to connect the new segment (ex CP) to the existing segment (ex. AT), thus creating a Tee (ex. at AT24).
6. Select the Type of Tee connection from the drop down listing
7. Finished
Error Messages displayed in AutoPIPE
Bentley AutoPIPE