About the Part Catalog and Parts Lists for Pipe Networks

The pipe networks feature references a part catalog and a parts list that define the size, shape, and certain behavior of the parts (pipes and structures) you insert into drawings.

Part Catalog

The AutoCAD Civil 3D part catalog contains definitions for all the pipe network parts that you can insert into a drawing. It is organized at the top level into two basic domains — one for pipe parts, such as cylindrical or rectangular pipes, and another for structure parts, such as headwalls, catch basins, and so on.

Part catalog content is further organized into types, subtypes (also referred to as shapes), and part families. The following table illustrates how the default part catalogs are organized for pipe parts and structure parts.

Part Domain	Part Type	Part Shape	Part Family
Pipes	Pipe	Circular	Concrete Ductile Iron PVC
		Egg-Shaped	Concrete
		Elliptical	Concrete Concrete Horizontal
		Rectangular	Concrete Box
Structures	Inlet-Outlet	Rectangular	Concrete Variable Height Concrete
	Junction with Frames	Rectangular	Slab Top Circular Frame Slab Top Rectangular Frame Two-Tier Circular Frame
		Cylindrical	Slab Top Circular Frame Concentric Eccentric Eccentric Two-Tier Circular Frame
	Junction without Frames	Rectangular	Rectangular
		Cylindrical	Concentric Cylindrical

The files that make up the part catalog content are typically installed to this location: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AutoCAD\AutoCAD Civil 3D2016\enu\Pipes Catalog.

Note: The pipe network part catalog is not related to the corridor (subassembly) catalogs that are available through the Content Browser. Also note that pipe network parts cannot be accessed through a Tool Palette.

Parts List

A parts list contains a set of pipe network parts – pipes and structures – that you can use in a pipe network. You have parts lists so that you do not have to navigate through the entire part catalog looking for the specific pipe network part that you need.

When you open a new blank drawing by selecting a AutoCAD Civil 3D drawing template, you will typically find default parts lists available, such as Standard. You can create your own parts lists to suit the needs of each project. For example, you may want to create a parts list that contains only the types of parts you will use in a particular project or pipe network. This saves you from having to navigate through the entire part catalog to select a part. While there is only one pipe network part catalog included with AutoCAD Civil 3D, you can create multiple parts lists for your projects.

A parts list also serves as a way to store defaults, such as styles, render materials and design criteria (rules) to any given part upon creation. Parts lists are objects that you can access through the Pipe Network Properties dialog box, the Pipe Network Layout Tools toolbar, and the Toolspace Settings tree.

Note: You can also create a Full Parts list that contains all of the parts that exist in the current metric or imperial part catalog.