Connectivity Rules

When components from the ANSI Piping Library are placed and connected to other piping items in the drawing, 3DSMART’s Modeler checks a series of rules to see if the connection is allowed.

That data that is checked between the existing connection and connection of the component that is being placed is as follows:

1.      Size – The Modeler checks the compatibility of the line size connections between components.  For example, it is not possible to directly connect a 3” pipe to a 4” pipe.

2.      Spec – The Modeler expects that the connections of the two components will have the same specification.   If different specifications are found, a prompt will appear asking if this is the desired placement.

To permanently disable this prompt, open the Settings dialog box from either the 3DSMART menu or by right-clicking on any menu tab on the toolbox. Click the Show Spec Mismatch Alert to deactivate this prompt during the connection process.  By default, this setting is on.

You may also disable this prompt by activating the Do not prompt me again checkbox in the Connectivity Rule Violation dialog box.  Disabling the prompt from this location will also change the checkbox in the Settings dialog box.

3.      Line Number - 3DSMART will extract the line number from the existing component’s connection point and use this for the new component’s line number.  It will ignore the line number selected in the drop down box, except for new branch connections.  It is possible to change the line number after the component is placed.

4.      Component End Type – Are the face types between the two components compatible?  For example, a threaded fitting will not fit with a butt welded fitting.  For flanges, the connection point checked is the gasket that is between the flanges.

5.      Schedules – The Modeler expects that the connections of the two components will have the same pipe schedule.  If different schedules are found, a prompt will appear asking if this is the desired placement.

To permanently disable this prompt, open the Settings dialog box from either the 3DSMART menu or by right-clicking on any menu tab on the toolbox.  Click the Show Schedule Mismatch Alert to deactivate this prompt during the connection process.  By default, this setting is on.

You may also disable this prompt by activating the Do not prompt me again checkbox in the Connectivity Rule Violation dialog box.  Disabling the prompt from this location will also change the checkbox in the Settings dialog box.

6.      Rating – This check that ensures that the ratings of the components are compatible cannot be overridden.  

If any of the applicable “rules” are violated, the component will not be placed in the drawing.