The proper alignment before creating the block controls the insertion orientation as a piping component. Align your model so that it’s flow direction lies in the positive x-axis, and that its height is along positive z.Having a custom UCS set current will change the insertion orientation as a piping component. By setting the color to ByBlock, your custom objects can have its color controlled by the project settings for colors. Model the objects a 3d solids, and then set the color of all of the objects to ByBlock.In your project drawing, perform the following steps. This model will eventually contain all of the sizes for the particular valve, instrument, or fitting that you are creating. If you are using a Custom parts project, you would first create a model drawing in the project manager. To help minimize issues, here are the steps recommended for creating a new custom part.
#3D WORLD MAGAZINE VAULT 165 UPDATE#
We’ll update it soon to account for the new 2017 capabilities.Ī list of symbols is available in the De-Mystifying AutoCAD Isometrics pdf: Ī sample of various types of symbols is on page 25: Custom Part WorkflowĬreating custom parts can be tricky as at times you may need to fix port locations, or remodel content. For example, in order to use a 4-port valve, you must use Valve-4WAY type. The symbol type controls allowable ports (in some scenarios), as well as appearance, annotations, and location within the bill of material.
#3D WORLD MAGAZINE VAULT 165 ISO#
The iso symbol type and Iso symbol key are critical in producing clear isos. The purpose here is to identify the port order so that the selection of ports in your custom part matches the expected order for isometric symbols. For example, if you are making a 4 port valve, you should look for a 4-way valve in a catalog.
If you can’t find a suitable shape, you need to browse the existing catalog content to locate a similar part for isometric content purposes. If you can find an existing shape, you will save time using it as custom blocks have to be created for each size, and moved around when sharing library content. The Piping component type (Elbow above) will determine the category the item is displayed under once added to a spec. Open a catalog, and click create new Component.Ĭlick Advanced Shape options and browse the classes and available shapes. Planning your Partīefore creating a custom part, you should examine the existing Plant 3d shapes to see if a similar shape already exists for your part. You should keep a copy of the block before PLANTPARTCONVERT is run on it so that you have a backup of the geometry.
Note that there are two different locations being monitored, under 3d drawings which is where the drawings that contain the blocks used with PLANTPARTCONVERT, and Related Files which is where the “plain” AutoCAD block is. In this example, the test models/blocks are stored by type and manufacturer. Of course, the location and contents of the project is up to you, but here is one example of how it may be organized. Custom parts need to be tested inside of a project environment, so a single project that holds all of the custom part files helps with testing and maintaining a library. The purposes of creating a custom part project is to provide a backup of created parts, organize existing parts, and share created parts to users.