You can define tracing templates for the topology feature classes. The following functionality is available:
For topology analysis, you can use stop conditions and cost functions. Autodesk provides some predefined tracing models.
Logical topology analysis (tracing) can be performed either within predefined workflows or manually using the network tracer. The network tracer is available in both AutoCAD Map 3D toolset and Infrastructure Application Extension.
Define tracing templates using the following tracing types.
Shortest Path—Use this type to find the shortest path between two nodes in an edge network. In this context “shortest” means “with the least effort” as you can use any attribute (cost attribute) to be minimized. If you minimize the length attribute, the result is the shortest path. If you set the cost attribute to a constant, the result is the path with the fewest connections.
Minimum Spanning Tree—Use this type to find the minimum-cost tree that connects all nodes of a network or part of a network. This tracing type is available only for arc-node models. The minimum-cost tree minimizes the number of connections needed to connect all nodes with each other. If you assign a cost attribute, the tracing considers those values in finding the lines with minimum cost. For example, use this type when designing electrical networks.
Reachability—Use this type to find all edges and nodes that can be reached from a start node, either directly (direct connecting edge) or indirectly (using several edges).
Cycle Detection—Use this type to identify loops in a topology. For example, use this tracing type in the Electric industry model .
For each tracing type, you can define stop conditions or cost functions.
If no cost functions are defined, and if the feature has a LENGTH attribute (2D industry model) or a LENGTH3D attribute (3D industry model), the length is used for the cost. Otherwise, the feature has no costs (zero).
The tracing templates are stored in the system table TB_NET_TRACE_TPL.
You can define tracing templates and tracing conditions in the data model administrator. In AutoCAD Map 3D toolset, you can then use them as templates to execute network tracing, for example, in utility applications such as water and wastewater.