Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Product: AutoPIPE
Version Number: V8i (v9.6)
Submitted By: JT
Revision: 0.0
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................................. 2
FURTHER INFORMATION .................................................................................................................................................. 2
IMPORTING GLOBAL COORDINATES FROM EXCEL ............................................................................................... 3
WORK FLOW IMPORTING GLOBAL COORDINATES .............................................................................................................. 3
CREATE A VALID EXCEL FILE ............................................................................................................................................. 4
IMPORT EXCEL COORDINATES ........................................................................................................................................... 5
IMPORTING LOCAL COORDINATES FROM EXCEL ................................................................................................. 7
WORK FLOW IMPORTING LOCAL COORDINATES FROM EXCEL .............................................................................................. 7
CREATE A VALID EXCEL FILE ............................................................................................................................................. 8
IMPORT EXCEL COORDINATES TO AUTOPIPE....................................................................................................................... 8
IMPORTING AUTOCAD COORDINATES FROM EXCEL .......................................................................................... 11
WORK FLOW IMPORTING AUTOCAD COORDINATES ........................................................................................................ 11
PREPARE AUTOCAD MODEL FOR EXPORT ........................................................................................................................ 12
IMPORT MODEL TO AUTOPIPE ....................................................................................................................................... 16
IMPORTING BENTLEY MICROSTATION COORDINATES FROM CSV....................................................................... 19
WORK FLOW IMPORTING BENTLEY MICROSTATION COORDINATES ..................................................................................... 19
EXPORT MICROSTATION MODEL .................................................................................................................................... 20
IMPORT MODEL TO AUTOPIPE ....................................................................................................................................... 22
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................... 23
LIMITATIONS WITH IMPORTING MICROSTATION COORDINATES............................................................................................. 23
Introduction
AutoPIPE has the ability to import coordinates data from Excel files created using Microsoft
Office Excel (version 2007 or later) or AutoCAD, and CSV files created in MicroStation. These
Excel sheets come from user-defined local or global coordinates, as well as from AutoCAD or
Bentley MicroStation. The format of these Excel sheets are defined below as well as the process
of generating files from AutoCAD and Bentley MicroStation. Due to limitations with Excel 2007,
the maximum amount of records allowed for import is 1,048,576.
Local and global Excel templates used in this tutorial are located in the Templates folder of the
AutoPIPE install directory. AutoCAD and MicroStation examples used in this tutorial are located
in the Examples folder of the AutoPIPE install directory.
Further Information
For further information on how to import coordinates from external files, refer to online help
Help > Bentley AutoPIPE > Command Reference > File Commands > Inserting Model >
Coordinates. The Help button on the Import Coordinates dialog (File > Insert Model >
Coordinates) opens the same help page.
Import Model
If the file is not of a valid format, the following dialog will display. Check that the table headers
match the template exactly.
After loading the file successfully, import the model by clicking the button Import. Consistency
check notes 8 warnings, which can be manually updated by the user after import. Select point
17 as the base point, as requested by AutoPIPE.
A note dialog mentions that the piping codes of source and target models are different. Click OK
to close this note and import the model.
Accepted types for the Component column are Run, Bend, Tee, Reducer, Valve, Flexible Joint,
and Flange. The Nominal Diameter column specifies the pipes nominal diameter. The
Global/Local column determines whether the coordinates are absolute, relative to the origin
(global), or relative to the last entry in the worksheet (local).
The Nominal Diameter, X, Y and Z columns may have units defined in a UNT file located in the
AutoPIPE install directory. This UNT file will be selected in the Import Coordinates dialog.
Note that AutoPIPE only reads the first tab in the workbook. Since the first tab does not contain
any records, copy the values in the Example tab of the template file and paste them into the
appropriate columns in the Coordinates tab. Save the Excel file in a different location and close
Excel.
To locate the Excel file, click on the Browse button and open the file. AutoPIPE will attempt to
import the model and, if successful, the following note will display.
If the file is not of a valid format, the following dialog will display. Check that the table headers
match the template exactly.
Import the model. If successful, AutoPIPE will display the imported model by itself. Select point
C00, which will be the base point to connect to A10.
AutoCAD
AutoPIPE
IMPERIAL/8.000/Y/Decimal
Both boxes checked
Open the Drawing Units dialog through Application Menu > Drawing Utilities > Units, or
through Format > Units. Set the type to decimal, the precision to 0.00 and close the dialog.
Open the Data Extraction dialog through Insert > Linking & Extraction > Extract Data. The
coordinate data is taken from the AutoCAD model and save it into an Excel worksheet. For step
1, create a new data extraction.
User can save the extraction settings as template, Save the dxe file as Settings.dxe.
Select the current drawing as the drawing of interest. AutoCAD will use this drawing to
generate the Excel sheet by utilizing the user-determined length type.
At step 4, AutoPIPE requires six properties: End X, End Y, End Z, Start X, Start Y and Start Z.
Step 5 shows all the data ready to be exported. Take note of any issues in the table and resolve
them here.
Note that AutoPIPE imports coordinates in the order that they appear here. Ensure that the
origin will be imported first, as shown above. Press Next.
For step 6, determine the location of the output file and leave the name as ACAD1.xls. Ensure
that this file is using the xls extension.
Note that the AutoCAD WALKTHRU model automatically resets its vertical axis to Z. This will be
reverted to Y if the Transform Vertical Axis of Existing Model from Z to Y is checked.
Click on the Browse button and navigate to the location of the new Excel file. Set the Input
Units File field to IMPERIAL, which reflects what was used in AutoCAD. Select the pipe nominal
diameter to be used for the incoming model as 8.000 inches. Check the Transform Vertical Axis
of Existing Model from Z to Y, which will automatically set Vertical Up field to Y. The vertical
axis of the AutoCAD model must match the vertical axis of the AutoPIPE model.
Valid types are Architectural, Engineering, Decimal, Fractional and Scientific. Set the type to
Decimal, which should be the same as the option selected in the AutoCAD model. If desired,
check the Convert Kinks to Bends Automatically. This option inserts a long radius elbow on
each kink. Tight pipe turns intended for small pipe sizes may give some warning messages Not
enough clearance to fit bend. Import the model by clicking the Import button.
The original model will be replaced with the imported model in the view window. AutoPIPE will
request a point on the model that will be used to attach it to the original model. Set the Base
Point for the imported model as point 1. This point will be attached to the WALKTHRU models
point B04. Click OK on the base point dialog in the bottom left to switch back to the original
model.
The Paste dialog requests an option to be selected. Click OK to accept the default option of
Connect to selected points.
A note dialog mentions that the piping codes of source and target models are different. Click OK
to close this note and import the model.
ENGLISH/8.000/Y/Master
Transform axis box checked
Select the center line string. Open the Tool Boxes dialog through Tools > Tool Boxes (Ctrl + T)
and add XYZ text to the selection. Press OK.
Select the output file through Browse button and Press Single button to export only the
selected coordinates. As a result a text file will be generated with the x,y and z coordinates in a
comma separated format. The following is the first few lines of the text file.
The original model will be replaced with the imported model in the view window. AutoPIPE will
request a point on the model that will be used to attach it to the original model. Set the Base
Point for the imported model as point 1.
The WALKTHRU model is displayed in the view window again, as well as the Paste dialog. Click
OK to accept the default option.
A note dialog mentions that the piping codes of source and target models are different. Click OK
to close this note.
Miscellaneous Information
Limitations with Importing MicroStation Coordinates
Since MicroStation only generates a series of X, Y and Z coordinate components, AutoPIPE
assumes that all imported coordinates are connected. Importing non-continuous components is
possible by importing them separately.
Due to limitations with Excel 2007, the maximum amount of records allowed for import is
1,048,576.