The compass is a guide which you can use during pressure network layout to insert the next pressure network part. The compass appears as a circle and tick marks after the first pipe segment is drawn. The tick marks show the angles that can be established with the available bends or the allowable deflection angles.
When the Pipes & Bends command is active, the compass displays the angles of bends in the current parts list that match the selected pipe size and material.
For example, in the illustration below, the compass shows that 11.25, 22.5, and 90 degree bends are available. This means that for the selected pipe size and material, there are also 11.25, 22.5, and 90 degree bends defined for that same material and nominal diameter in the current parts list.
The compass constrains your selections to these available angles. The angle that your cursor is closest to when you click to establish the next point in the pressure network is snapped to. For example, a 22.5 degree bend will be inserted into the drawing if the pointing device is clicked in the current position.
When the Pipes Only command is active, the compass displays the allowable deflection angles for the selected pipe size and material.
The allowable deflection for the pipe shown in the following illustration is 2 degrees.
If you select a different pipe size and material during layout, the compass tick marks are updated to display the angles of the bends or the allowable deflection angles for the current pipe size and material.
You can adjust the compass settings on the Compass ribbon panel, including turning it off and on, on the Pressure Network Plan Layout ribbon.
To use the compass