Tools for Pipe Network Editing
Edit Pipe Network
To edit a pipe network, select any part of the pipe network and go to Pipe Networks ‒ Edit Pipe Network. This command will open the Pipe Network Creation Tools. The same command can be found in the right-click menu once any object from the pipe network is selected.
Adjust Pipe and Structure Levels
Pipes' and structures' vertical positions are assigned by rules during the pipe network creation. You can change their positions in a profile view manually (drag and drop), or you can select a pipe/structure, right-click and open the Pipe/Structure Properties window. You can also modify the rules in the network parts list, you can apply them again to your network or to a section (branch) only.
The Devotech iDAS command, Adjust Inverts, can also be used. This command sets the pipe and structure levels to the specific elevation below/above the surface. This is useful for water pipe networks which generally follows the surface at a certain depth.
When you click on the Set Inverts command**,** a window opens where you can set which network or part of the network you want to set the invert levels for. Another window is opened where you can specify the invert levels above/below the surface, the reference surface and to which entity you want to apply this command (pipe, structure, structure sump).
The pipes follow the surface, but the structure sump depth is at the default level:
The structure sump depth after the Link Sump to Pipe command was used (the depth is constant, and it can also be equal to zero):
If a constant slope between multiple structures is required, use the Devotech iDAS Grade Pipe command. Select the first and the last structure and the software will calculate a slope between the two structures. This slope is then applied to all the pipes which are between the selected structures.
After using the Grade Pipe command, the sump elevations might remain at the original elevation, use the Adjust Inverts command to update the sump depth.
The pipe network vertical adjustments can also be done directly in the Pipe Manager with the Grade Pipes command or with the keyboard shortcuts.
The Grade Pipes command allows users to grade the selected section forwards or backwards with defined parameters such as Slope, Drop over Structures and Apply Drop at Start Structure:
The Pipe Slope and the Drop Over Structure can be negative which is suitable for rising mains or backwards grading.
The Grade Pipes command offers the following Grade Options:
- Calculate Slope, Fixed Drop
- Fixed Slope, Calculate Drop
- Fixed Slope, Fixed Drop
There are the following additional options:
-
No Drop over First Structure (Match Incoming Pipe) ─ use this option if you want the incoming pipe level (invert, center or crown based on the Match Option setting) match the first selected pipe.
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Match Incoming, Side and Outgoing Pipe Elevations ─ use this option to ensure that all pipe levels (whether invert, center, or crown, depending on the Match Option setting) align at the structures. Note that pipes from other branches may also be adjusted, which could result in adverse slopes.
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Keep Existing Drops over Intermediate Structures ─ use this option if you want to adjust the pipes while preserving the current drop values over structures. The pipes can be graded or moved vertically, but the drop values over the structures will remain unchanged.
The most effective way to modify the network is by using keyboard shortcuts, combining either Ctrl or Alt with the numeric key. Ctrl and Alt have the same functionality, and user can choose the preferred key.
Selections applicable to pipes and structures
Ctrl – hold the Ctrl key to add/remove a single pipe or structure to/from the selection
Shift – hold the Shift key to add a range of pipes or structures to the selection (select the start and end
objects, they must be of the same type)
Escape – deselects all pipes and structures
Ctrl+A – selects all the pipes or structures shown in a profile view depending on the object that was selected (either pipe or structure)
Ctrl+B – selects an entire branch
Single pipe editing
If a single pipe is selected, the keyboard shortcuts function as move commands.
Ctrl+1 or Alt+1 – moves the start of the selected pipe downwards
Ctrl+7 or Alt+7 – moves the start of the selected pipe upwards
Ctrl+2 or Alt+2 – moves the selected pipe upwards
Ctrl+8 or Alt+8 – moves the selected pipe downwards
Ctrl+3 or Alt+3 – moves the end of the selected pipe downwards
Ctrl+9 or Alt+9 – moves the end of the selected pipe upwards
Ctrl+4 or Alt+4 – moves start of the selected pipe to match the elevation of the incoming pipe. If the Match Incoming, Side and Outgoing Pipe Elevation is checked, then the incoming pipe is adjusted to match the selected pipe elevation.
Ctrl+6 or Alt+6 – moves end of the selected pipe to match the elevation of the outgoing pipe. If the Match Incoming, Side and Outgoing Pipe Elevation is checked, then the outgoing pipe is adjusted to match the selected pipe elevation.
Multiple pipes editing
When multiple pipes are selected, the keyboard shortcuts function as grading or move commands, depending on the operation.
Ctrl+1 or Alt+1 – moves the start of the selected pipe downwards and regrades the selected pipes
Ctrl+7 or Alt+7 – moves the start of the selected pipe upwards and regrades the selected pipes
Ctrl+2 or Alt+2 – moves the selected pipe upwards
Ctrl+8 or Alt+8 – moves the selected pipe downwards
Ctrl+3 or Alt+3 – moves the end of the selected pipe downwards and regrades the selected pipes
Ctrl+9 or Alt+9 – moves the end of the selected pipe upwards and regrades the selected pipes
Ctrl+4 or Alt+4 – moves start of the selected pipe to match the elevation of the incoming pipe and regrades the selected pipes. If the Match Incoming, Side and Outgoing Pipe Elevation is checked, then the incoming pipe is adjusted to match the selected pipe elevation.
Ctrl+6 or Alt+6 – moves end of the selected pipe to match the elevation of the outgoing pipe and regrades the selected pipes. If the Match Incoming, Side and Outgoing Pipe Elevation is checked, then the outgoing pipe is adjusted to match the selected pipe elevation.
The image below displays the keyboard shortcut layout on the numeric keypad. The logic is straightforward: the top row moves the pipe up, the bottom row moves it down, and the middle row aligns the pipe's start or end:
Structure(s) editing
Ctrl+8 – moves the selected structure(s) sump elevation upwards
Ctrl+2 - moves the selected structure(s) sump elevation downwards
Undo
Ctrl+Z – Undo (it is only applicable to some editing commands)
Navigation
Ctrl+E – Zoom Extents
Pipes and structures can be locked to ensure their levels are maintained during calculations.
The locked structures may represent existing manholes. Their rim or sump elevation cannot be changed. Pipe grading can create pipes above or below the locked structure. In those cases, structure demolition might be considered, or manual pipe adjustment is needed.
Pipes can be locked at the start, end or at both sides. The locked pipes' elevations are maintained during calculations and they are used as the starting/ending elevations for calculations.
Pipes and structures can be locked from the right-click menu or with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+L. To unlock pipes or structures, use the right-click menu or keyboard shortcut Ctrl+U (pipes or structures must be selected first):
Insert Structure
You can add a structure to a pipe (pipe will split), use the Structures Only command. When adding a structure to your pipe you need to hover close to the pipe edge, it will display an icon which indicates that the structure will be connected to the pipe. If you insert a structure without connecting it to the pipe, the pipe will not be split.
Insert Structure at a Specific Chainage
Insert the structure close to the required chainage by using the method described above. To insert the structure, you can use a chainage from any alignment (road, pipe) available in the drawing. If you want to use a chainage from a pipe network and horizontal alignment and the pipe network have not been created yet, follow the workflow described in the Draw pipe network in profile view section. Select a structure, drag the centre point, click on the Station Offset transparent command, select the alignment, specify a chainage (type the value into the command line) and for the offset use 0.
Station Offset transparent command:
Insert Structure in Profile View
You can insert a structure in a profile view by using the Devotech iDAS Insert Structure command. The structure will automatically be added in the plan view as well.
Connect Pipe to Structure
You can connect multiple pipes to one structure. When connecting a pipe to a structure you must see an icon which will indicate that the pipe will be connected to the structure.
Move Structure in Profile View
To move a structure in a profile view, use the Devotech iDAS Move Structure command. The structure will automatically be moved in the plan view as well.
Swap Part and Swap Multiple Parts
Select a part you want to swap in the plan view and go to Pipe Networks ‒ Swap Part. A window opens in which all parts from the parts list are available. Another way to access the Swap Part command is to select a pipe or structure in the plan view, right-click and select Swap Part from the menu. Unfortunately, the Civil 3D swap command sometimes does not work (mostly for the first and last structure of the network). The solution is to use the Devotech iDAS swap commands, as explained further on.
Swap Part command in the ribbon:
Swap Part command in the right-click menu:
To avoid issues with the Civil 3D swap commands, or to swap multiple objects at the same time use the Devotech iDAS Swap Structure and Swap Conduits commands:
Change Pipe Properties
Select a pipe in plan or in a profile view and go to Pipe Networks ‒ Pipe Properties. You can access this command from the right-click menu as well.
Pipe Properties window:
Change Structure Properties
Select a structure in plan or in profile view and go to Pipe Networks ‒ Structure Properties. You can access this command from the right-click menu as well.
Structure Properties window:
Rename Pipes and Structures
Pipe and structure names are assigned automatically according to the drawing settings during the pipe network creation. There are two ways to rename pipes and structures:
Option 1 – Standard Civil 3D rename tool:
Go to Modify ‒ Pipe Network, then go to Pipes Network ‒ panel Modify ‒ Rename Parts.
It is more efficient to access this command from the menu bar: Pipes – Utilities – Rename Network Parts:
Select the first and last structure of a network branch (the structures and pipes between them will be selected automatically) and press Enter. You can specify a name template for pipes and structures in the Rename Pipe Network Parts window.
Option 2 – Devotech iDAS rename tool
The Water, Stormwater and Sewer managers have an option to rename network parts. Go to Options in any of the managers and use the Rename Options command:
Specify the default name and click on the Rename Now button. The objects are renamed in the order they were loaded into the database, currently users don't have the option to change the order.
Merge Pipe Networks
Civil 3D has a command to merge pipe networks. Select any object of the network you want to merge and click on the Merge Networks command in the contextual ribbon.