There are several ways you can create pipe networks.
For example, you can create a pipe network using the Network Layout Tools toolbar, or you can select an existing polyline or feature line in a drawing and create a pipe network from it. You can also use import features to import existing pipe networks into your drawing.
You can also create a new network by splitting an existing pipe network into two. For more information, see Splitting Pipe Networks.
The following table describes the import features available for pipe networks.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| Import Data From Land Desktop | You can use the Import Data From Land Desktop command (ImportLDTData) to import pipe run data from AutoCAD Land Desktop into AutoCAD Civil 3D. When you import pipe data, each continuous pipe run in AutoCAD Land Desktop is imported as a new, single pipe network object in AutoCAD Civil 3D. For more information, see Importing LandXML Drawing Data. |
| LandXML Import | You can export pipe run data from AutoCAD Land Desktop using the LandXML Export command (LandXMLOut) and then import it into AutoCAD Civil 3D using the LandXML Import command (LandXMLIn). For more information about these commands, see LandXML Import and Export. |
| ImportStormSewerData | Using this command, you can create AutoCAD Civil 3D pipe networks by importing pipe networks that were created in the Storm Sewers Extension from an .stm file. For more information, see Importing Pipe Network Data from an .stm File. |
| Import GIS Data | You can create AutoCAD Civil 3D pipe networks by importing pipe and structure data from a SHP file. For more information, see Creating a Pipe Network From Imported GIS Data. |
Before importing Land Desktop pipe run data, make sure the Parts List you associate with the pipe network has part sizes that make sense for the pipe run you will be importing. See Part Catalog and Parts Lists for more information.
All pipe networks, once created, are managed in the same way, regardless of the method used to create them. All pipe networks are listed in the Pipe Networks
Networks collection in the Prospector tree.
Before creating a pipe network, it can be useful to first create the underlying data used by the pipe network, such as surfaces, alignments, profiles, section views, and your own custom parts lists. However, you do not have to have these components in place to create a pipe network.
| For information about creating... | See... |
|---|---|
| Surfaces | Creating Surfaces |
Alignments |
Creating Alignments |
Profiles |
Creating Layout Profiles |
| Section Views | Creating/Editing Section Views |
| Parts Lists | Part Catalogs and Parts Lists |
When you create a pipe network, the default settings come from the selections you make in the Create Pipe Network dialog box, and from the part definitions specified in the part catalog. After the pipe and structure objects are in your drawing, you can change many of the settings for any new parts created in the network. For information about how to change pipe network default settings, see Changing Pipe Network Default Style Settings.
Tutorial: Creating a Pipe Network
Topics in this section
- Creating a Pipe Network Using the Layout Tools
You can create a pipe network using the Network Layout Tools.
- Creating Pipe Networks from Objects
You can create pipe networks from existing objects in your drawing.
- Creating a Pipe Network from Imported GIS Data
You can create a pipe network by importing GIS data from a SHP file.
- Creating Alignments from Pipe Network Parts
You can use the Create Alignment From Network Parts command to create an alignment from existing pipe network parts.
- Drawing Straight Pipes
You can draw straight pipes in a pipe network using the Network Layout Tools.
- Drawing Curved Pipes
You can draw curved pipes in a pipe network using the Network Layout Tools.
- Creating a Pipe Network Reference
You can create a reference to an existing pipe network in a data shortcut or a Vault project.
- Resetting Pipe Network Reference Labels
You can use the Reset Network Labels command to reset a referenced network’s labels to match the source drawing’s labels.