Import and export of piping models between CAD and AutoPIPE can save man hours in the creation and checking of piping and structural models and prevent errors associated with manual entry of piping models.

AutoPIPE can directly import CAD piping models from AutoPLANT (PXF, with additional PXD & PXH data), AutoPLANT Designer/Isometrics, ProPIPE, Caesar II Neutral (CII), and Aveva PDMS (CII).  In addition, AutoPIPE can import structural steel models from Bentley STAAD and Multi-Steel; if the Multi-Steel model is composed of AISC structural elements in order to consider mass and flexibilities of structural supports as part of the piping analysis. 

In addition, Bentley's CAE development team has produced a number of translators to convert other well known CAD system files to be opened by AutoPIPE. Please see the list of translators that are installed with Bentley AutoPIPE V8i 9.1.1.2 and higher:

1. PCF to AutoPIPE

current version v1.0.0.32, Aug  2013

The PCF translator will translate SmartPlant, Autodesk Inventor, CADWorx, Solidworks, Catia and Medusa PCF file formats. SmartPlant does have a richer data format which supports component stress attributes like: pressure, temperature, pipe weight, insulation etc. The PCF files generated by the other products mentioned only support geometry coordinates and nominal pipe size. We have found several 3rd party applications like Autodesk Inventor may not write a valid PCF files and the PCF translator will do the best conversion it can, but in these cases Autodesk would have to improve the quality of their exported PCF file.

This translator will only work with the PCF file created from one the multiple applications listed above. You may need to contact the application technical support to get a step by step procedure to create a PCF file. Some may even need a software add-on installed (like Solidworks needs an add-on called Routing that allows the user to model piping routes, which can then be transferred to AutoPIPE).

2.  ADLPipe to AutoPIPE

current version v.1.0.0.14, Aug 2013

 ADLPipe Pipe stress program used primarily in the nuclear power industry, converts ADL PIPE models to an *.ntl file format to be opened by AutoPIPE. Originally released in 1967, ADLPipe was the first commercially available piping analysis program and was bought by Bentley in 2008.

3. Intergraph PDS to STRAIT to AutoPIPE 

current version v.6.0.0.13, Aug 2013

PDS is a comprehensive, intelligent computer-aided design/engineering (CAD/CAE) application for plant design, construction, and operations. There is some configuration.

With any PDS setup there is usually an amount of custom configuration of CAD components. The user is also required to  install 2 PDS configuration files on the PDS side to generate a readable PDS stress neutral file. Therefore any out-of-box solution may not work the first time. Since Intergraph PDS has typically a high level of customization we recommend translating a few PDS models for you first to help configure the component mapping. PDS Stress Analysis Interface:

(PD_Stress -> PDS model neutral file (*.n) -> STRAIT -> AutoPIPE model neutral file (*.ntl) -> AutoPIPE program -> AutoPIPE model file (*.dat)

These translators will be installed to the following folder:.

C:\bentley\AutoPIPE Translators

\ADLPipe Translator

\PCF Translator

\STRAIT

Attention: If you had not installed AutoPIPE V8i 9.1.1.2 or higher and would still like to have the translators, please log a service request asking for the respective translator.

All translators have a reference manual included with-in each zip / installation folder for further details information.

If you encounter any problems or have some comments, please report them back to use so we may continue to provide the best possible solutions for our users, such as yourself. Please create a service ticket at http://appsnet.bentley.com/srmanager/addcall.aspx

See Also

Bentley AutoPIPE

External Links

Bentley Technical Support KnowledgeBase

Bentley LEARN Server

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