Advanced Routing in AutoPLANT Modeler


 

Applies To 

AutoPLANT Modeler

 

Product(s):

AutoPLANT Modeler

Version(s):

08.11.XX.XXX

Environment: 

Windows 7/8.1/10 (64 bit)

Area: 

Plant Modeling

Subarea: 

Routing

Original Author:

Devendra Warke, Bentley Product Advantage Group

BACKGROUND

The Advanced routing method of routing piping components have got well developed options which eases the pipe routing in any situation throughout the model. The Advanced Routing feature provides numerous options to the user so as how the pipe placement can be done and shows a preview of the output before confirming the placement.

 The options of Advanced Routing include:

Steps to Follow

Routing Option – Autopath

 Autopath function is used to route the piping between two equipment, wherein the system provides multiple possible routing options and the user can select the desired routing.

            

  1. During modeling, turn on the “Advanced Routing mode” from the Piping Toolbox

            

            and “Auto Router Mode” from Drawing Preferences.

           

         2. Start placing a Pipe by selecting “Pipe” from the Tool Palette.

             

         3. Define the Advanced Routing Preferences as per your requirements.

             Click on “From Component” tab.

             

        4. Pick the "Starting point" or Component from the model (ex. Flange). This will highlight the component and its connection point

           

       5. After selecting the "Starting point", press Right Mouse Button once. This will display the multiple methods of Auto Routing.

          Select anyone of your choice. (Here we will be selecting “AUtopath” method)

           

     6. Pick the "Destination point" or a "Port". This will highlight the component and its connection point.

         

     7. The Bounding Box appears connecting the starting and Destination point, and auto routed pipes will also be displayed.

         The Command line will display proposed options available for routing.

         

         Now, press the “N” key to see the Next Auto Routed option and “A” or Spacebar key to accept the auto routed option for your modeling.

     8. This will place all the piping components like: Pipe, Elbows as required in the Auto Routed option selected by you.

         

Routing Option – Align

The Align to option enables the user to place bends, branches and other piping components so that the centerlines of the components are aligned with the centerline of selected existing components.

  1. Place a Pipe or any branching component as per preferences.
  2. Click the right mouse button an select “ALign” from the advanced routing options dialog box.

            

       3. After the “ALign” command gets activated you will observe the command bar as follows.

           

       4. The system will prompt you to select the end point for the connection which actually is the point of reference for the align command. Select the desired point and accept.

           

       5. The new component will be aligned to the existing component.

           

Routing Option – ConnectTo

ConnectTo option let you complete the pipe routing process without having to determine the individual pipe lengths and manually placing bend components.

  1. Consider the example that we wish to connect the pipe to the nozzle of vertical vessel.

            

       2. Start Piping and press right mouse button, select “ConnectTo” option of advanced routing from the dialog box.

           

       3. Pick the end component that is, to which the connection is to be made. (Here, to the nozzle vertical vessel).

           

      4. After selecting the end component, piping components will automatically be placed connecting to the nozzle of the vessel.

          Once you have done this, the piping route will automatically be adjusted to match up with the connecting component.

          

Routing Option – ToPort

While routing pipes using the advanced routing method, the ToPort option lets you select a specific port to which you wish to align your components.

  1. Considering the scenario, wherein we wish to connect the elbow to the nozzle on the Horizontal vessel.

         

       2. Select the Place Pipe option from the Tool palette, define the preferences.

           

           Place the pipe and click on the right mouse button.

     3. Select the “ToPort” advanced routing option from the dialog box.

         

    4. Selecting the port of the nozzle to which you wish to connect and define the direction for the pipe.

        

    5. Accept by clicking left mouse button or “SPACEBAR” key. The routing will be completed by “ToPort” option.

        

Routing Option – Elev

The Elev option lets you route pipe by specifying their elevation with respect to the existing piping, equipment or structural components.

  1. Select the Place Pipe command and start placing the pipe as per preferences.

            

      2. While in the Place Pipe command, press right mouse button and select “Elev” option from the advanced routing dialog box.

          

      3. The “Set Elevation” box appears, here we can define the preferences for elevation.

          

     4. After defining the required mode of elevation, click on the “From Point” tab and select the point which will serve as the reference for the elevation in the drawing.

        (You can switch to a different view to be sure the correct elevation point is selected). This value will also get populated in the Elevation box.

        Also, you can give elevation by inserting the value of elevation in the elevation box directly.

     5. Click on “OK” and you will be able to see the elevation with reference to the existing component.

        

Routing Option – rOtate

The rotate option can be used to define the type of elbow as well as the direction or rotation of the elbow while routing pipelines with advanced routing option.

     1. Select the Place Pipe command and start placing the pipe as per preferences.

           

    2. Start placing the pipe, while changing the direction (i.e: at the placement of a Bend) click on right mouse button and select “rOtate” from the advanced routing option.

         

    3. Now by hovering the mouse you can change the direction and type of Bend.

        Also, you can enter the value of angle bend directly in the command bar.

                              

        

   4. Finally accept the required bend by clicking left mouse button or pressing the “SPACEBAR” key.

 

Routing Option – relative

The Relative option of advanced routing lets you place component with respect to the existing component present in the drawing, by aligning the component centerlines.

  1. Start placing a pipe by using Pipe command and define the parameters as per preferences.

           

     2. Click the right mouse button and select “reLative” from the list of advanced routing options.

     3. Pick an existing component in the drawing to which you want to relate the position of the component.

        

    4. Toggle the highlighted port by pressing the “T” button of your keyboard and confirm the port by accepting.

         

    5. Then pick a point in the drawing and start routing the new pipe.

         

    6. You will see that the start point is the defined point relative to the existing component.

         

See Video

                         

See Also

communities.bentley.com/.../autoplant-modeler-ss8-refresh---installation-procedure

Still a Problem?

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