Stress Isometrics - AutoPIPE

Mentioned in AutoPIPE Help:

A stress isometric is used by engineers as a visual record of the pipe stress analysis model and summary of the design information used to model a safe piping system. This process provides an electronic workflow and exchange of engineering information in a common recognizable file format between Plant 3D CAD (and/or Engineering disciplines) and CAE analysis in particular for the CAD designer, consultant, structural engineer or equipment manufacturer.

The customizable Stress Isometric plot is created using the OpenPlant Isometrics Manager and shows a) fully dimensioned isometric plot b) tables of important summary design data including model information, pipe properties, valve and flange data, maximum stresses, design support data, design spring and constant hanger data, design load data for vessels, structures and equipment.

The ability to generate stress isometric drawings is only available while using AutoPIPE Advanced and Nuclear editions. The input data and stress analysis results from AutoPIPE are exported in a APT file AutoPIPE reads the geometry data from APISO file and stress data from APT file. An inline file (.L00) file is generated from APISO and APT file which is directed to OPIM-IsoExtractor for generating isometrics. The generated DGN or DWG file can be opened automatically into either OpenPlant Isometrics Manager, MicroStation, Redline, AutoCAD or 3rd Party program for review and markup.

DWG file formats is supported by AutoCAD and Microstation, DGN is a file format supported by Microstation, and all these types are recognized by a wide variety of other engineering and CAD software.

To create a stress isometric of the model into DWG, DGN or DXF format:

a. Select File/Save Stress Isometric

b. When the Save Stress Isometric dialog appears, select the drive, directory where this file should be stored, and whether it should be saved as a DWG, or DGN file type, then type a name in the "File name" field.

c. Accepting the dialog displays the AutoPIPE Isometrics Manager Options dialog

d. AutoPIPE performs a consistency check, then generates the file. If any or warnings occurred during the transfer, these are displayed so they may be reviewed by the user.

Note:
1. The complete model is saved to for Isometrics drawing unless a) Segments are hidden b) Use Selected Range Option

2. Only the piping node points displayed within the current viewing screen are saved and exported to a DWG / DGN / DXF files. Beam points are not supported.

3. First see AutoPIPE's help for detailed information on Stress Isometric features. Further information can be found here

a. Download OpenPlant Isometrics Manager Features and Benefits document

b. Additional Stress Isometrics features in AutoPIPE V8i 09.06.02.xx and higher

4. AutoPIPE V8i 09.06.01.xx and lower StressISO information can be found here

Comments, Questions, and Answers about using Stress Isometric with AutoPIPE V8i 09.06.02.xx and higher:

Q1. What was the last version of AutoPIPE that supported Alias StressISO Isogen application?

Answer:

In June of 2014, Bentley Piping for AutoPlant, Bentley Piping for PlantSpace, and AutoPIPE StressISO were removed from the ELS license file and replaced with AutoPLANT Modeler/ OpenPlant Modeler. Therefore, AutoPIPE 09.06.01.xx and lower uses StressISO by Alias, requiring a StressISO Add-on license

AutoPIPE V8i 09.06.02.xx.and higher uses Stress Isometrics by OPIM, and does not require a StressISO Add-on license. However, the user must have either AutoPIPE Advance or AutoPIPE Nuclear Edition enabled in order to create a Stress Isometric

Q2. Can you combine an older version with Isogen and new version of with OPIM?

Answer:

There is No combining of these applications, either create a StressISO or Stress Isometric using the respective versions of the program.

Q3. Is the extra StressISO Add-on license required in order to create a Stress Isometric using AutoPIPE 09.06.02.06 or higher with the OpenPlant Isometrics manager?

Answer:

No. as mentioned in the AutoPIPE help, the Stress Isometric feature is automatically enabled for AutoPIPE Advanced and Nuclear version.

However, when using AutoPIPE Standard edition the user will NOT be able to create a stress Isometric. The following will appear:

Q4. Is it necessary to install OPIM prior to using AutoPIPE Stress Isometric feature?

Answer:

Yes,

If OPIM is not installed the following will appear when trying to use the feature:

---------------------------
Bentley AutoPIPE
---------------------------
Unable to generate Stress Isometric. Please install OpenPlant Isometrics Manager.
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------

Note: Keep in mind, in order to use the Stress Isometric feature in the Advanced or Nuclear versions, OPIM needs to be downloaded and installed. OPIM can be installed before or after AutoPIPE, it does not matter. OPIM only needs to be installed if planing to create a Stress Isometrics. Otherwise OPIM does not need to be installed.

Q5. Is Bentley going to have any conversion procedure for AutoPIPE Stress-Iso to OpenPlant Isometrics Manager (OPIM)?

Answer:

See the AutoPIPE help for detailed instructions about this feature.

Q6. Can users create a Iso without an additional OPIM license?

Answer:

Yes, an OPIM license is not require or be charged for usage if creating an Stress Isometric using AutoPIPE

HOWEVER, if OPIM is accessed directly without using AutoPIPE, then YES the user will need a OPIM license and usage charges will be incurred.

Again, use AutoPIPE commands:

a. File> Save Stress Isometric

b. Launch OpenPLANT Isometric Manager

Note: an AutoPIPE Stress Isometric drawing can be viewed with Bentley View without any usage charge against OPIM Licensing.

Q7. Can I open the AutoPIPE Isometric file from Windows Explorer without incurring over charges?

Answer:

NO.

The file is associated with OPIM program, and as mentioned before if you open the file directly from a shortcut, from Windows Explorer, from inside OPIM, etc.. then you will incur an OPIM usage charge.

In the past, there was an extra AutoPIPE Stress Iso Add-on license required to create a Stress Isometric within AutoPIPE. This has since been incorporated into the program cost for Advance and Nuclear editions. OPIM is a completely separate product from Bentley that requires an entirely different license. In order to keep things separate, AutoPIPE can export and view a Stress Isometric in OPIM, but the commands must be initiated from within AutoPIPE to avoid an OPIM usage charge.

The only official method of creating and opening an Stress Isometric is as shown in Q6. above.

Q8. How to create a Stress Iso using OPIM?

Answer:

See Video here: