Pipe networks are used most commonly to transport a fluid from one point to another, and sometimes it is used to for gas and electric. To deliver this information, it can be extremely helpful to differentiate the various functions of the pipes by indicating these through graphical differences: the shape and form of an item, the line type, the lineweight, the color, etc.

Pipe Networks and Pipe Styles

Pipe styles allow you to graphically show this in a legible fashion. In Civil 3D, this functionality can be accessed through Toolspace /settings /pipe /pipe styles. You need to define each different type of pipe network used in your drawing set through an individual pipe styles setting. Examples include: Sanitary Sewer, Storm Water, portable water or natural gas.

Under pipe styles, you have the power to provide a comprehensive, coordinated control system of matching styles throughout the different drawing layouts, whether it be plan view, profile or section views. You can also independently change the styles for any of the different views.

There are many options available as shown in Figure 1 for plan view. Figure 2 shows an example of the options available for Profile views.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3 indicates some of the options available in the Display plan view. In addition to the option of visibility, you can also set your layers, item color, line type, LT Scale, line weight and Plot Style.

Figure 3

Options similar to The Plan View are also available through “View Direction” for Model – A Civil 3d Model, Profile and Section.

Figure 4

Summary View

This area provides a comprehensive view of the setting from other areas, allowing changes to correct inconsistencies made elsewhere when necessary.

Pipe Networks and Label Styles

Label Styles consist of Plan Profile, Crossing Section and Crossing Profile.

Plan Profile:

• Label – Sets Text Style variables, Label Visibility and Layer
• Behavior – Sets Orientation Reference (Object, View, World Coordination System), Forced insertion (none, top, bottom), Forced Inside Curve (None, Inside, Outside).
• Plan Readability – Plan Readability (False, True), Readability Bias (110.0000)
• Components Text Height (0.1000”), Color, Linetype, lineweight
• Leader – Arrowhead Style, Arrowhead Size, Visibility (True, False), Type (straight leader), Color, Linetype, Lineweight
• Dragged State Components – Display (stacked Text), Border Visibility, Border type, Background Mask, Border and Leader gap, Text height, Leader Attachment, Leader justification, Color, Linetype, Lineweight, Maximum Text Width

Crossing Section:

• Label – Sets Text Style variables, Label Visibility and Layer
• Behavior – Sets Orientation Reference (Object, View, World Coordination System), Forced insertion (none, top, bottom), Forced Inside Curve (None, Inside, Outside).
• Plan Readability – Plan Readability (False, True), Readability Bias (110.0000)
• Components Text Height (0.1000”), Color, Linetype, lineweight
• Leader – Arrowhead Style, Arrowhead Size, Visibility (True, False), Type (straight leader), Color, Linetype, Lineweight
• Dragged State Components – Display (stacked Text), Border Visibility, Border type, Background Mask, Border and Leader gap, Text height, Leader Attachment, Leader justification, Color, Linetype, Lineweight, Maximum Text Width

Crossing Profile:

• Label – Sets Text Style variables, Label Visibility and Layer
• Behavior – Sets Orientation Reference (Object, View, World Coordination System), Forced insertion (none, top, bottom), Forced Inside Curve (None, Inside, Outside).
• Plan Readability – Plan Readability (False, True), Readability Bias (110.0000)
• Components Text Height (0.1000”), Color, Linetype, Lineweight
• Leader – Arrowhead Style, Arrowhead Size, Visibility (True, False), Type (straight leader), Color, Linetype, Lineweight
• Dragged State Components – Display (stacked Text), Border Visibility, Border type, Background Mask, Border and Leader gap, Text height, Leader Attachment, Leader justification, Color, Linetype, Lineweight, Maximum Text Width

Conclusion

Knowing what each system is designed for and how each can assist to form a completed system will help encompass the entirety of the project.

For more information on Autodesk products, please visit our Autodesk products page

Follow ATG on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for 24/7 access to top-notch technical content.

This blog is written by Civil Technical Specialist Glenn Houck. If you have any questions or need help with your Civil needs, please email us at whyATG@atgusa.com or reach out to us on LinkedIn.