About Connectors of a Parametric Part

In the parametric building environment of Content Builder, you can add connectors to a part. Connectors enable the part to be connected intelligently to other building systems objects in your layout. You can define one or more connectors for a part.

When you add a new pipe connector to a pipe segment or MvPart, the software automatically assigns parameter values for CEL (connection engagement length) and AoD (angle of deflection). CEL and AoD are assigned the following criteria:

• Connector number associated with the CEL or AoD value; for example: CEL1 or AoD1 designating connector 1
• Description
• Constant parameter type
• Real number data type
• Units:
  • For CEL: Drawing length in units (inches or millimeters)
  • For AoD: Degrees
• Default value: 0.000

You place connectors in a left to right, then top to bottom orientation in the positive X-Y plane layout, as shown next.

Fitting connector orientation

The Piping domain includes fittings with female connectors. Connection types with female connectors include hub, bell, and mechanical joint. The female connector on an elbow or a tee is designated as connector 2. The female connector on non-symmetric fittings, such as crosses, is designated as connectors 2 and 4. When you add a new pipe connector to a pipe segment or MvPart, the software automatically adds CEL and AoD parameters.

Remember: See Rules for Creating Parametric Fittings Content for guidelines to build parametric fittings content. See also Connection Types for fitting types in the Piping domain.

Attention: The position of the first connector placed in the model defines the axis orientation of the part upon insertion. For example, if you place the first connector on a part with a perpendicular vector into the part, the direction of the vector defines the positive x-axis orientation when inserted into a drawing.

The shape of the connector is determined by the shape of the modifier that the connector is attached to. You define the size of the connector by placing dimensions when you add the connector to the model.

Note: If a single profile defines more than one connector, you add dimensions to the connector only once.

After the connector has been placed, you can assign the connector type that is dependent on the domain assigned to the part. Examples of connector types include flange, slip-joint, and glued.

The domain defines the connection rules for the part. Connectors belonging to a particular domain know how to connect to other parts of the same domain, but they cannot connect to components in other domains. For example, an air terminal assigned to the duct domain cannot connect to a pipe segment.