Editing Routes and Runs

In This Chapter

Edits to tube and pipe systems can be made dynamically by dragging segments, route endpoints, or bends or by using the 3D Orthogonal Route Tool or various context menu items. Changes can also be made by modifying and changing style. In this chapter, you learn how to change the location and orientation of segments and fittings, and modify the position of route node points. You also remove components, add to a previously finished route, and learn about the different context menu options.

Introduction Context menu edit options Add to finished routes Insert node points Edit dynamically Change route points to update

dynamically
Change associativity Delete components Edit fittings

93

About Editing Routes and Runs

Autodesk Inventor Tube & Pipe provides several methods for updating and modifying each component of a tube and pipe system to accommodate changes in design criteria and in the assembly model. After finishing the initial definition of a route or run, you can continue to make changes as needed. In route mode, you can change the location and orientation of selected segments and fittings by dragging them to a new location or by using the 3D Orthogonal Route Tool. For bent tube routes, you can edit the radius of bends. You can also change how a selected route point behaves during dynamic edits of the route or the assembly model. Fittings at associative nodes can be turned off. Modifying or changing the style is another way of modifying a tube and pipe assembly. Finished routes and runs can be modified in several ways. You can:

Insert, remove, or reposition segments and route node points. Insert, replace, reposition, and remove a fitting or other tube and pipe component. Edit the bend radius of any bend or all bends using a particular style. Use 3D move/rotate to move tube nodes in three dimensions. Move tube nodes to introduce new bends. Change or modify the style. Set route node points to update dynamically to changes in model geometry. Set route node points to update dynamically to changes in the route or run. Set whether or not a fitting appears for associative points.

Using Undo reverses the last action taken during the current editing session, and exits you from the current command.

NOTE Consider the affect of changes to assembly model geometry on which

the routes and runs depend. For example, deleting parts or editing geometry in the model that affects associative route node points may require you to delete the run and redefine the route.

94

Chapter 5

Editing Routes and Runs

Work in Autodesk Inventor Installations

If Autodesk Inventor Professional Tube & Pipe is not installed on the system, viewing the tube and pipe data, the Tube & Pipe runs subassembly and all that it contains is read-only. This means that the outline of the tube and pipe component is visible through Autodesk Inventor, but the component cannot be edited, and new tube and pipe components cannot be added. The tasks you can perform with the data include:

Open and edit an assembly that contains a Tube & Pipe Runs subassembly. Determine interferences with piping components by selecting the entire tube and pipe runs subassembly in the browser. View the outline of tube and pipe run data within the context of an open assembly file. Turn visibility off to completely hide the Tube & Pipe Runs component in the graphics window. Create detailed drawings of tube and pipe data within any file.

Editing Options
You can edit both populated and unpopulated routes. If the route is populated, activating the route to edit it in-place rolls back the run to its prepopulated state. That means the library components populating the route are temporarily not included and the route is displayed in centerline mode by default.

Edit Options on the Route Panel Bar

All editing takes place in Route mode. When you are in route mode, the route panel bar is displayed. The panel bar is shown below.

Route

Insert Node

Grounded Move Move Node Segments Work Point

Editing Options

95

Edit Options On Context Menus

Many edit actions start by selecting from the context menu. The context menu varies depending on the edit context and the selected item. The context menu items for editing include: Associative Turns associativity on or off for selected route node points. When checked, if the geometry that the node point is associated to changes, the pipe run node updates to reflect the change. This option is available only for node points associated to other geometry. Defines whether a selected route node point can change dynamically when the route is edited. Manually created route points are fixed by default. When Fixed is not selected, manually created node points can be modified automatically (added, removed, or repositioned) when editing the route. Otherwise these points remain stationary. This option is available on all node points, with the exception of associated node points and node points for placed fittings. Removes the selected item from the browser and the graphics window. Deleting a node removes it from the run. The system then re-evaluates the automatic routing against the style settings and updates the run. This option is available for segments and start nodes. Activates the selected fitting and provides the 3D Orthogonal Route Tool for rotational changes. It is available only for placed fittings. Activates the selected node point and provides the 3D Orthogonal Route Tool for translational edits. This is available for segments that are adjacent to associative nodes or placed fittings. Turns the appearance of a fitting (coupling) on and off for nodes associated to geometry. When cleared, the fitting is not created, the pipe remains a single segment, and the nodes remain associative to the selected geometry. Replaces a placed fitting with the default fitting (elbow or coupling) for the set style. Interactively positions grounded work points by dragging the triad in a planar move, axial move or rotate, free movement, or entering values along X, Y, or Z axes.

Fixed

Delete

Edit Orientation Edit Position

Fitting

Restore 3D/Move Rotate

96

Chapter 5

Editing Routes and Runs

Add To Finished Runs or Routes

New route points and segments can be added to a previously finished route or run by activating the route to edit, and then using the Route tool. A route is considered finished when you select Finish Route or use the ESC key. You can also use Route to finish defining your route after using Undo, and to repair disjointed routes. To add a point to an existing route 1 Start with the file AirSystemAssy.iam open. 2 In the browser, double-click the pipe route in Pipe Run: 5 to activate it in place. 3 Click the Route tool on the Route panel bar. The route resumes at the last selected node point.

4 Add one more point to the run in a location and orientation of your choice. 5 Right-click, and then select Done. 6 Right-click again, and then select Finish Edit.

Insert Route Node Points

Additional route node points can be added to any route or run as long as they comply with set styles. To insert additional node points 1 In the browser, double-click a pipe route of your choice to activate it in place. 2 Click the Insert Node tool. 3 Click on the route to insert a node point. 4 Right-click, and then select Finish Edit. A coupling is added to the run in that location.

Editing Options

97

Dynamically Edit Routes

Segments and route endpoints can be repositioned dynamically by clicking and dragging the selected geometry to a new location. The movement allowed follows the conditions established by the current style and connection data. It also depends on the geometry adjacent to the point you select for the drag operation. As you drag the selected geometry, the system re-evaluates and updates adjacent route components. Not all points affected by the drag operation update. Route points that are automatically generated between points on selected geometry update when changes are made to a route. By default, manually created route points, points attached to circular geometry or work points, and points that have been set to Fixed, do not update as the route is modified.

Understand Route Feedback

When moving segments, arrows appear on the geometry indicating the directions allowed for the move. Click anywhere on the segment near the direction arrow you need, or click and drag the arrow directly. The arrow changes to red indicating that it is the direction being dragged. If the minimum length setting for the style is violated during a drag, the segment or segments in violation turn red. A tooltip also displays the segment length and the message <Min Pipe Length> in red text. If alternate solutions are available, the Select Other tool appears for you to cycle through and select the solution you need.

98

Chapter 5

Editing Routes and Runs

Remove Unwanted Segments or Node Points

You can also remove unwanted segments or node points in your route using dynamic editing. To remove them, drag the geometry until the node points are coincident with adjacent node points.

Release the cursor to stop the drag and the unwanted segment is removed.

You can then delete the extra node points using Delete from the context menu, or by dragging the unwanted node points until they are coincident with an adjacent one. When they are coincident, release the cursor to end the drag and remove the node point. While you are dragging, you can use the ESC key to cancel the drag and return to regular editing. In this example, you adjust a section of Pipe Route: 1, by dragging the selected segment to a new location.

Editing Options

99

To dynamically edit a route 1 Double-click the route in Pipe Run: 1 to activate it in place. 2 From the Route panel bar, select Move Segment. 3 Pause the cursor over the left end of the route until the arrow changes to red. The movement allowed depends on the geometry closest to the point you select for the drag operation. If the point is a coupling or an associated node point, the movement is restricted.

4 Click and drag the segment until it is almost even with the segment to the right. Notice how the drag has violated the minimum length requirement.

5 Click and drag the segment down as far as it will go without violating the minimum pipe length. To end the drag operation, release the cursor. 6 Right-click, and then select Done. 7 To update the run, right-click, and then select Finish Edit.

100

Chapter 5

Editing Routes and Runs

Change Manual Route Points to Update Dynamically

As mentioned earlier, manually created node points are fixed by default and do not update dynamically when the system recalculates the route because of changes to adjacent segments. To change manually created node points so they can update dynamically, deselect the Fixed option on the context menu. The work flow for changing Fixed node points is described below. To change manually created route points 1 Activate the pipe route to edit. 2 Right-click the route node point to change, and then deselect the Fixed setting on the context menu. 3 Right-click, and then select Done. You can experiment by dragging various segments on different routes to see how they move. Then, cancel the selection of several fixed node points so they are updated dynamically, and then drag the same segments to see the different in movement.

Change Associativity
Points created by selecting circular geometry or work points are associated to the selected model geometry by default. Associative route node points, automatically update when changes are made to the model. To turn associativity off so a route does not update, cancel the Associativity option on the context menu. In this exercise, you turn off associativity for the point associated to the Ibeam in Pipe Route: 2.

Editing Options

101

To turn off associativity for a node point 1 Click and drag the I-beam to the right to see how the routes update. The following image shows how the routes associated to the I-beam adjust to the move.

nonassociative routes

The steel and copper runs are not associated to the I-beam and do not update. 2 Undo the move. 3 Activate the Pipe Route: 2. 4 Right-click the node point shown, and then cancel the selection of Associativity on the context menu.

node point

102

Chapter 5

Editing Routes and Runs

5 Right-click, and then select Done. Right-click again, and then select Finish. 6 Repeat steps 3 and 4 for Pipe Run:3. 7 Move the I-beam again, and Pipe Routes 2 and 3 are not updated.

non-associative non-associative

associative

8 Undo the move before continuing.

Delete Components
You can delete an entire route or run or any individual component (node points, fittings, or segments) it contains. The system automatically closes gaps left by deleted node points or couplings between straight segments. Segments adjoining the deleted route points reposition or resize to adjust to the change. Routes and runs do not heal when deleting library fittings or segments. To delete an entire route or run, double-click the Tube & Pipe Runs subassembly in the browser. Right-click the item to remove, and then select Delete. To delete segments and node points 1 Activate the route in Pipe Run: 4 as the route to edit. 2 Pause the cursor over the last segment you created, right-click, and then select Delete. 3 Right-click the node point for the coupling, and then select Delete. The run automatically heals. 4 Right-click, and then select Done. Right-click again, and then select Finish Edit.

Editing Options

103

Edit Bent Tube Routes

All editing options work for bent tube runs. Edit position, however, behaves differently for tube runs. When moving a tube segment, both adjacent points are moved by the same distance and direction. The adjoining bends change their included angle to make the new route possible. No new segments are introduced. In addition, you can also edit the bend radius and move coupling nodes.

Change Bend Radius

The radius dimension is displayed for each bend in a tube run by default. You can change the bend radius for selected nodes in the active route. To edit the bend radius on individual nodes, you edit dimensions. To change bend radius on individual nodes 1 Double-click the pipe route under Pipe Run: 5 to activate it in place. 2 Double-click the bend radius dimension shown.

3 Enter .75 as the new value, and then click the green check mark. The radius changes for that node only.

4 Right-click, select Finish Edit, and then click the update button to update the route and run.

NOTE Alternatively, you can choose Select Features from the Select tool on the
standard toolbar while the top-level assembly is activated, and then double-click the bend radius dimension. Enter the new bend radius, and then click the Update button.

104

Chapter 5

Editing Routes and Runs

Move a Coupling Node

In tube runs you can move coupling nodes in three dimensions. Moving the point off the segment axis deletes the coupling and inserts a bend. The adjacent bends are modified accordingly. To move the coupling node 1 Double-click the route in Pipe Run: 5 to activate it in place. 2 Right-click the node point shown, and then select 3D Move/Rotate from the context menu.

3 Move the point to the right to achieve the results shown in the following image.

4 Right-click, and then select Finish Edit.

Editing Options

105

Editing Fittings
Once a fitting is placed, you can delete it or change its position and orientation in the run. You can also replace the fitting with a similar one as you did in an earlier chapter. While editing a selected fitting, the 3D Orthogonal Route Tool appears so you can change orientation around the axis as needed.

Adjust Fitting Orientation

Fittings placed on a run can be moved as needed. When you move a fitting at the end of a run, the run extends because they are associated with one another. To change the position of a fitting in a run, you can click and drag the fitting along the segment as long as it remains within the minimum pipe length requirements. If exact placement is desired, right-click, and then select Enter Distance to enter a precise value. In this exercise, you change fitting orientation. To change fitting orientation 1 Activate Pipe Run: 1. 2 In the graphics window, right-click the Cross fitting, and then select Edit Orientation. Use the 3D Orthogonal Route Tool to rotate the Cross fitting to a position of your choice. 3 Right-click, and then select Done. Right-click again, and then select Finish Edit.

Turn Off Fittings

While editing a run, fittings that are created between straight segments and are associated to model geometry can be turned off. When a fitting is turned off, the route node point locates a segment instead of a fitting, and the node remains associated with the object in the assembly.

106

Chapter 5

Editing Routes and Runs

In this tube and pipe system, the fittings used to route through the I-beam in pipe routes 2 and 3 are not needed, but must remain associated to the I-beam. In this exercise, you turn the fittings off for Pipe Route: 2 and Pipe Route: 3.

fitting node

To turn fittings off in a route 1 Activate the route in Pipe Run:2. 2 Right-click the fitting in the graphics window, and then cancel the selection of Fitting on the context menu. 3 Right-click, and then select Finish Edit. The pipe fitting is not displayed, but the parametric relationship with the Ibeam remains. 4 Activate the route in Pipe Run:3, and then repeat Steps 2 and 3 to turn off the Fitting in Pipe Run:3.

Practicing Your Skills

For additional practice you can:

Populate the remaining routes. Add one more route to the tube and pipe assembly. Try dynamic edits on different sections of a route to see the effect. Change the Associative and Fixed status of selected node points, and then make changes to the model and the routes. Create a tube route and a pipe route with the same shape, and then dynamically edit the nodes and segments to see the differences. Insert additional fittings and node points.

Practicing Your Skills

107