Editing Pipe Networks Using Editing Tools

Another way to edit a pipe network is to use the Network Layout Tools toolbar, which is the same toolbar that you used initially to create the pipe network. To launch the toolbar in editing mode instead of creation mode, you use the Edit Pipe Network command.

In addition to the Network Layout Tools toolbar, there are several commands located on the ribbon and within a context menu that give you even more functionality. These include the following:

Swap PartThis command calls up the current parts list, and it enables you to select a part and replace it with any part in the parts list.

Disconnect PartThis command disconnects a pipe from a structure, enabling you to connect it to a different part or move it independently of other parts.

Connect PartThis command connects a pipe to a structure to reestablish the dynamic behavior of connected parts.

Split NetworkThis command divides a network into two separate networks.

Merge NetworksThis command combines two or more networks into a single network.

To use the ribbon commands and Network Layout Tools toolbar to edit a pipe network in your drawing, follow these steps:

The Exercise File can be downloaded at the end of the article  

1. Open the drawing named Editing Pipe Networks Using Editing Tools.dwg located in the Chapter 14 class data folder.

2. Click any storm pipe or structure in the drawing, and then click Edit Pipe Network on the ribbon. This opens the Network Layout Tools toolbar.
3. On the Network Layout Tools toolbar, do the following:
   1. Choose a structure of Cylindrical Junction Structure NF (SI)Storm Manhole.
   
   2. Click the small black triangle to expand the button to the right of the pipe drop-down list. Select Structures Only

4. If your Osnap icon is turned on, click it to turn it off.
5. In either the plan viewport or the 3D viewport, click near the midpoint of the pipe that begins at station 2+40.42 (0+073.280) and ends at station 5+50 (0+170). A new manhole is inserted along the pipe.
6. Press Esc to clear the current command. Click the newly created structure, and then click the square grip at its center.
7. Snap to the center of the red circle located near Jordan Court station 3+50 (0+110).

8. Press Esc to clear the previous selection. In the plan viewport, click the pipe that enters the new manhole from the south. Click Swap Part on the ribbon.
9. In the Swap Part Size dialog box, click Concrete Pipe (SI)18 Inch (450mm) Concrete Pipe and then click OK.
10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for the pipe that exits the new manhole to the north. You have now inserted a new manhole and resized the pipes that connect to it (see Figure 14.13).

Figure 14.13  Newly created manhole and resized connecting pipes.


11. Close the Network Layout Tools toolbar, and press Esc to clear the previous selection. Click one of the sanitary sewer pipes in the drawing, and then click Merge Networks on the ribbon.
12. In the first dialog box, click Sanitary-2 and then click OK. Here, you are selecting a network that will be merged into another. When the process is complete, a network of this name will no longer exist.
13. In the second dialog box, click Sanitary and then click OK. Here, you are selecting the network that is having Sanitary-2 merged into it.
14. In Prospector expand Pipe NetworksNetworks. Note that the Sanitary-2 network is no longer listed.
15. Repeat steps 11 through 13, this time selecting Sanitary-3 in the first dialog box. All sanitary sewer networks have been merged into one; therefore, only one sanitary sewer network is listed in Prospector.

Editing Gravity Pipe Networks

• Editing Pipe Networks Using Grips
• Editing Pipe Networks Using Editing Tools
• Editing Pipe Networks Using Properties
• Editing Pipe Networks Using the Pipe Network Vistas

Download Exercise File :

• Editing Gravity Pipe Networks - Metric     --- ( 6.66 MB )
• Editing Gravity Pipe Networks - Imperial  --- ( 11.35 MB )