Substitute placeholder piping components in the model with a compatible component in the spec. You can create and add parts to a pipe line that are not in the pipe spec.
After a custom component is added to the line, you can modify properties in the properties palette. Dimensions are modified in the properties palette for parametric components.
Spec components and Non-spec components
Piping components that are not in the pipe spec are either custom parts or placeholder parts. A custom part does not have a relationship with a pipe spec. A placeholder part is added when the pipe spec is not complete.
In addition to direct placement, placeholder parts can be created during a spec update if a part is orphaned from a spec. This problem occurs when an incompatible change is made to the part size, or if the part is removed from the pipe spec.
You can add three types of components to a pipe line:
- Catalog part. A part that is added from a catalog to the pipe spec. Most components are catalog parts.
- Placeholder. An object that is temporarily used until the part is added to the pipe spec. After the part is added to the pipe spec, you can use the substitution grip to update it.
- Custom part. A part that is not available in the catalogs, and will not be added to the pipe spec. For example, a specialty item or instrument.
When an item is added to the pipe spec, the part geometry is copied from the catalog to the pipe spec. Custom and placeholder parts are drawn with simplified geometry.