Overview
This section provides a brief overview of the Automatic Part Rules tables.
The automatic part rules define how parts are automatically placed in the Piping & Tubing 3D Design app when you select in the context toolbar. For more information, see Generative Fluid 3D Design User's Guide: Inserting Automatic Parts.
The Automatic Part Rules table will place one or more parts automatically between two connected parts, such as a tube next to a valve. The table contains data related to the attribute Endstyle. An example is a scenario where there is a flared tube next to a valve. The app places a B-nut, a union and a sleeve between them.
During the automatic parts placement process, the app first examines the compatibility table to select the best connector match. The automatic part rules take over following this step and the app then:
- Looks at the automatic part rules table to determine if a part should be placed between those two parts. If an entry for the two parts exists in the table then it takes note of the part type. If there is no entry in the table then it decides that no part needs to be placed.
- It uses the part type defined in the table to retrieve parts from the catalog, and examines the compatibility table to determine the best match for the connectors. The part is then placed.
- The app will again examine the automatic part rules table to determine if any part should be placed between the new part it just determined should be placed, and any of the existing parts. If another part is needed it will again check the compatibility table for best connector match. The app repeats this process until it determines that no more parts need to be placed.
No more than ten parts can be placed using this process. This is to prevent the app going into a loop if the rules table is incorrect.
In Data Setup, this definition table should be assigned to:
- when using file-based tables, the Automatic Part Rules item in the resource table of Piping/Tubing Design Resources.
- when using Engineering Specification object, a specification in the resource table of Piping/Tubing Specification Resources.