FAQ: How do line groups, line segments, and linked line segments differ?

Schematic lines are represented in the program in two ways: as line groups, which are conceptual representations (or types) of lines (such as sewage lines or hot water pipes), and as line segments, which are actual purchasable pipes.

You can link a line segment to another line segment. When a line is linked, it assumes the tag information of the line to which it is linked. If you link a line belonging to one group to a line in another group, the line leaves its original group and joins the new group.

Note: You can link lines only within a drawing. To link lines across drawings, use an off-page connector.

Each time you add a line to a drawing, you are prompted to continue the line group, start a new line group, or link the line to another line segment.

The following chart explains the important differences between the three choices.

Prompt	Action	Result and Tag	Data Manager
Continue sline group	You are prompted to select an existing line group to which the new line segment will be added	The new line segment assumes the tag of the selected line group	No change to the pipe line group A new row is created for the new pipe line segment
New sline group	The new line segment becomes part of a newly created group	A new group is created, and the new line segment tag is empty	A new row is created for the new pipe line group A new row is created for the new pipe line segment
Link sline segment	You are prompted to select an existing line segment to which the new line segment will be linked	The new line segment: assumes the tag of the selected line segment is added to selected segment’s group assumes the tag of the line group	No change to the pipe line group No new row; the new segment is represented by the same row as the segment to which it is linked

Segments in a group inherit properties from that group. By default, a pipe line segment tag gets its service and line number from its pipe line group. The uniqueness of pipe line segments and groups is controlled by the pipe line group tag.