SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!
QUESTIONS? Contact Us | 866-824-4459

ZenTek ConsultantsZenTek Consultants

  • Services
    • Construction Technology
      • Bluebeam Revu Custom Tools
      • Bluebeam Revu and Microsoft Excel Quantity Linking
      • Managed ConTech Services by ZenTek Consultants
      • Practical Use of Autodesk Construction Cloud
      • Services for Procore
      • Streamlining Manufacturing with Bluebeam
      • TEK Bloks
    • CAD & BIM
      • Autodesk Service Provider
      • BIM Services for Architecture and Engineering
      • BIM Services for Construction
      • CAD Standards Service
      • Civil 3D Kickstart
      • Civil 3D Templates
      • Managed CAD Services by ZenTek Consultants
      • ZenPipe for Civil 3D Pressure Networks
      • TEK Bloks
    • Microsoft
      • Microsoft 365 Implementation
      • Microsoft Teams Services
      • SharePoint Online Services
      • TEK Bloks
    • Government & Public Facilities Services
      • Security & Safety
      • Space Planning & Leasing
      • Facility & Inventory Controls
      • Drafting Support
      • TEK Bloks
  • Training & Support
    • Live Online Courses
      • Upcoming Courses
      • AutoCAD Online Courses
      • AutoCAD Civil 3D Online Courses
      • Autodesk Build Essentials Online Course
      • Autodesk InfraWorks Online Courses
      • Autodesk Revit Online Courses
      • Autodesk Vehicle Tracking Online Courses
      • Autodesk 3ds Max Online Courses
      • Autodesk Navisworks Online Courses
      • Bluebeam Revu Online Courses
      • BricsCAD Online Courses
      • Microsoft Online Courses
      • Primavera P6 Live Online Courses
      • Procore Online Courses
    • On-Demand
      • On-Demand Training Courses
    • Other Training Options
      • Custom/Private Training
      • Training Waitlist
      • Training Reimbursement Resources
    • Support
      • TEK Bloks
      • Support Request
  • Software & Hardware
    • Construction
      • Autodesk Construction Cloud
      • Bluebeam Revu
      • ContractorBI™
      • Matterport Software & Cameras
      • Procore
      • TopBuilder Solutions
    • Design
      • BricsCAD
      • Communicator for BricsCAD
      • BricsCAD Shape
      • Bricsys 24/7
      • SmartDraft Solutions
      • Spatial Manager
    • Business
      • Microsoft
      • Microsoft Surface Pro 10
    • ZenTek Software
      • ZenEstimate Tools
      • ZenPipe for Civil 3D Pressure Networks
      • ZenTek Revu Tools
  • Resource Center
    • Resources
      • Blog
      • Tips and Tricks
      • The CADDLE Call Podcast
      • The Frozen Layer Podcast (Canada)
      • TekFlow for Construction: Increase Efficiency and Productivity
      • TekFlow for Government and Public Facilities: Better Access to Data
      • Training Reimbursement Resources
    • Events
      • Upcoming Events
      • Live Webinars
      • Watch Now
  • About Us
    • News
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Promotions
  • Shop Now

Can We Rename the Stock Parts for Pipe Networks?

ZenTek Consultants
Thursday, 23 June 2022 / Published in AEC, AutoCAD Civil 3D

Can We Rename the Stock Parts for Pipe Networks?

Part Catalog

I was asked this during one of my classes the other day so I thought I would discuss it here. Even though the stock parts are awkwardly named, we can use what is created to set up tools for ourselves that will enable us to work smarter and faster by creating parts with familiar names and tweaking parameters to reflect real world values. In this post, we will take a stock part and create a new part that will be so awesome that our teammates will beg for more.

Case in Point

Let’s take a look at the part family from Autodesk called Concrete Pipe.

Concrete Pipe Part Family

Notice in the screen capture above that Concrete Pipe is in a Chapter called Circular Pipes. Chapters can be customized in a way that will provide a level of organization that will make more sense to our teammates.

Here’s another issue of note. The names of the stock parts (pipes in this case) that populate the part list are so awkwardly worded that we would not want to see these in our labels.

Parts List Names

Finally, the parameters that populate the parts list may not possess the values that we are familiar with. Although these can be edited for each size on the parts list, we can customize these parameters before they are loaded into the part list to possess desired values instead.

Parts List Parameters

Save Original Part to New File

Let’s use the Concrete Pipe family to create an RCP Class III family. We can easily do this with Part Builder.

To open Part Builder, we type PARTBUILDER on the command line and hit Enter.

In the Getting Started – Catalog Screen dialog, select Concrete Pipe from the Circular Pipe chapter and click Modify Part Sizes. As the DWG representing the part is opened, this dialog will display:

Previous version detected dialog box

The DWG is still using a previous file version which means it hasn’t been improved upon in a good while. Just hit close to continue. However, let’s browse to the location of these files.

By default, these files are located in C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D 2023\enu\Pipes Catalog. This location contains several libraries:

Libraries Location

The highlighted folders in the above screen capture represent actual libraries for pipes and structures. The default libraries are the ones highlighted in the second group which are prefixed with Metric or Imperial; the default part library system of units depends on which Civil 3D profile is being used which is set by the shortcut used to launch Civil 3D.

In this post, we will be using the Imperial libraries, specifically the US Imperial Pipe library.

If we browse into the US Imperial Pipes\Circular Pipes folder, we see this:

US Imperial Pipe library

Notice the dates on the files.

Also notice that when you hover over a DWG file, the resulting tool tip will display the AutoCAD version in which it was created. I show you this to emphasize how old these default libraries are which raises the question, “Should these libraries be updated?”  Now, back to Part Builder.

After opening the Concrete Pipe part family, we notice a new palette appears on the left docked next to the Civil 3D Toolspace; this palette is called the Content Builder. We are going to save this part family to a new part using the Save Part Family As button on Content Builder.

Content Builder palette

In the Save Part Family As dialog, we will be creating a new Chapter, and a new Part Name with a new Part Description.
Save Part Family As dialog box

To create a new chapter, do the following:

  1. Highlight US Imperial Pipe Catalog to create the new chapter in C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D 2023\enu\Pipes Catalog\US Imperial Pipes. Not doing so will create the Concrete Pipe folder inside the Circular Pipes subfolder within that structure.
  2. Click New Chapter.
  3. In the New Chapter dialog, click a new name. In this example, we will create a new chapter called Concrete Pipe.
    New Chapter dialog box
  1. Click OK to continue.

Back in the Save Part Family As dialog, do the following:

  1. Enter RCP Class III in the Part Name and Part Description fields.
    Save Part Family As dialog box
  1. Click OK to continue.

At this point, we are still in Part Builder. If we type PFSAVE at the command line we could close Part Builder, and, back to Civil 3D, open a Part List, and add the new part family to the Pipes tab.  However, when a size from the new family is added, the awkward part size name is displayed.

Part List

So before exiting Part Builder, we will edit the Part Size Name so that a more suitable name will be displayed for each size in the Part List.

  1. On the Content Builder palette, right-click on Size Parameters and click on Edit Calculations.
    Content Builder palette
  2. In the Edit Part Sizes dialog, double-click in any row under the PrtSN column.
  3. In the Calculation Assistant dialog, the PrtSN (Part Size Name) Parameter is composed of the PID (Pipe Inner Diameter) parameter and these words: Inch Concrete Pipe.
    Calculation Assistant dialog box

We would prefer that in the part list it would read something like 12” RCP CLS III. The problem is that if a quotation mark is entered into the Part Size Name in this dialog, it will be misinterpreted since all information entered into the Edit Part Size dialog box is written to an XML file as indicated in the dialog after hitting the Evaluate button:

Edit Part Size dialog box

In the above example, PID is being interpreted as a text string which prevents Part Builder from reading the PID parameter list. Trying to force a quotation mark into a part size name is quite painful. However, using apostrophes can be a work around. A space must be entered after the PID parameter, or it will turn PID into a text string. After hitting the evaluate tab, we now see something resembling a quotation or inch symbol. However, we do not need the PID parameter to display 2 decimal places to the right of the value.

Edit Part Size dialog box

  1. Double click on the PID variable in the PrtSN: Part Size Name field. Then under Insert Variable, scroll down until you get to the PID variable and click on it. Set Precision to 0 and click Insert. Click on Evaluate to see a preview of the value. Click OK to continue.
    Calculation Assistant dialog box

There is more that can be customized in the Edit Part Size table. We could edit the wall thicknesses (WTh) variable values. However, if we don’t show outer pipe diameter in plan or profile, why bother? Also, the ACMan (Manning coefficient) variable for concrete pipe can be anywhere between 0.012 to 0.016. This value may need editing depending on what is used in our region. We should edit the Material. This parameter will be very useful when configuring a non-awkward label style.

  1. Click into one of the Mat fields in the Edit Part Sizes dialog and type in RCP CLS III.
  2. When the editing is complete, we can click the Save Part Family button (PFSave) on the Content Editor and exit the RCP Class III DWG file.
    Save Part Family button

 

Configure Part List

To launch the use of the new part, it needs to be added to a part list whether it’s an existing list or a new one.

  1. Assuming we are adding to an existing part list, on the Settings tab under Pipe Network, hit the plus sign next to Part List, and double-click on the list to be edited.
  2. On the Pipes tab, right-click on the part list name and click Add Part Family.
    Add Part Family
  3. In the Part Catalog dialog, click into the checkbox next to RCP Class III under Concrete Pipe. Then click on OK to continue.
    Part Catalog
  4. Right-click on RCP Class III and click on Add Part Size.
    Add Part Size
  5. Click into the checkbox under Add All Sizes in the Inner Pipe row Diameter to bring in all of the pipe sizes for this family. Click OK to continue.
    Pipe Size Creator
  6. Now the resulting names of each pipe size for the RCP Class III family are not so awkward. We could delete the space after the PID value if needed or we could even replace the two apostrophes with a quotation mark if needed, but there is no need to bother with that. Click OK to continue.
    Pipe Sizes

 

Create a Label Style

  1. On the Settings tab under Pipes>Label Styles, click on Plan Profile, right-click, and click New.
    New Label Style
  2. In the Label Style Composer on the Layout tab, click the ellipsis on the Contents line.
    Label Style Composer
  3. In the Text Component Editor dialog, configure the Property for Inner Pipe Diameter to a precision of 1 and click the Apply Edits button.
    Text Component Editor
  4. In the Text Component Editor dialog in the content area on the right, add a quotation mark after the code inserted for Inner Pipe Diameter and add a space.
    Text Component Editor
  5. In the Text Component Editor dialog, select the Property for Material and click the Apply Edits button to add it to the content area.
    Text Component Editor
  6. Click OK to close the Text Component Editor.
  7. Then click OK to close the Label Style Composer.

This label style will produce non-awkward looking labels. No need to wrestle with part names in the part list or properties for each part in the drawing to produce likable labels.

Label Style

Making the effort to take part families from the stock part library and saving each to a new customized part will produce pipe network parts that are good to go without the requirement of further customization. The part list becomes more user friendly; we no longer need to force values into the properties of each structure or pipe to produce informative labels. This type of customization will save a ton of time in months and years to come. Most of all, our teammates will love working with tools that enable them to work smarter and faster.

 – Cyndy Davenport

What you can read next

The CADDle Call podcast
Managing the Remote Design/Build Workforce
The CADDle Call podcast
Civil 3D 2026 Release
The CADDle Call podcast
Remote Collaboration – What Does It Look Like?

Recent Posts

  • The CADDle Call podcast

    Construction Data Simplified with ContractorBI

  • Construction Forecasting

    Construction Forecasting Done Right: A Key to Successful Project Planning

  • The CADDle Call podcast

    Civil 3D 2026 Release

  • Purge dialog

    Getting Rid of Unwanted Layers

  • The CADDle Call podcast

    Impact of Recent Tariffs on Construction

Categories

Archives

  • Construction Services
  • Government & Public Facilities Services
  • Design Services
  • Online Training
  • Software
  • Government Contracting Specialists
  • About Us

  • Events
  • The CADDle Call Podcast
  • Blog
  • YouTube Channel
  • Promotions
  • Subscribe to Emails
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Associated General Contractors of America Member

ACCNJ Member

GBCA Member

Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) Associate Member

Partnering with

Partnering with Autodesk, Bluebeam, BricsCAD, Matterport, Microsoft, Procore, and TopBuilder
  • GET SOCIAL

©2016 - 2025 ZENTEK. LLC 2 University Plaza, Suite 100 Hackensack, NJ 07601 (US) // 620 Nine Mile Drive Suite 208, Bedford, NS B4A 0H4 (CANADA)

TOP
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT