Hi all,
Im trying to improve my work flow when I design pipework. Is there a way I can create an assembly which include the end flanges and two pipe supports and then I click the assembly tool I can drag the pipe to the length needed and the pipe support will be around 500mm back from the flanges?
Currently I have all my pipe stock saved as “blocks” in single files I just drag in when I need them and adjust to suite the project. As you can imagine this take time.
Testing a pipe system in Profile Builder - SketchUp
The more I use PB4 (I have had it a year) the more I appreciate how capable it is IF you take the time to learn how to use it to best effect.
To answer your Q, Yes. The tube would be a Profile Member and the Flanges & Brackets would be Components.
I would be in favor of having a discussion/strategy thread about PB4 along the same lines as the one I started last week for Curic DIO.
I would especially be interested in how transformable the members are. The modify tools that come with the extensions are good, but clunky at times. It would be nice to hear from the developer about how profile members exactly work in the context of native sketchup.
That having been said, I am no wizard. I have only used assemblies once and I am somewhat comfortable with basic profile parameters.
I am trying to incorporate PB4 into a custom millwork manufacturing/installation workflow. I model components to a high degree of dimensional and material accuracy for the purposes of exporting tight cut lists and quantity takeoffs to woodworkers and carpenters.
This might help:
See this SU file for ideas.
Pipe and flange.skp (215.5 KB)
Thanks, I have a full set of 2D cad drawings from the supplier. When i need a certain pipe i then model it in SU and then save it as a block.
Your method is valid but, using the Engineering Toolbox (ET), I get 3D parts immediately.
It took me less than 30 seconds to get the pipe and the flange.
Of course, I can get a full collection of flanges or pipes or elbows or tees or whatever, from the ET, in my spare time, and save these for future use or when I am not connected to te Internet.
To be fair iv never used the ET. I once went on there and looks hard to navigate so just stuck with the suppliers i use pipe details so i know what iv modelled im getting here in the UK.
I think Iv sussed it.
I will still have to do some manual work but this will speed things up.
These videos really helped. I didnt know these were available.
As you have probably found in the Engineering Toolbox, you also have access to piping in metric units.
For what exactly?
Editing an assembly
I don’t know if it applies to what you are doing but you can also control visibility of parts of an assembly. So you could have different types of components in the same location that you can exchange quickly if required. As an example in your second video you could turn off the two brackets in the middle span if they were not required or perhaps have a different type of flange.
I.e the bends i use in industry are not 90s likes this. I need to use standard off the shelf bends so the plugin will be great for straight length which will still save tones of time.
I know you asked for a wizard, but you have to consider that the people you ask in this forum aren’t necessarily in your field of work and have to guess what you actually want to do exactly.
‘bends in industry’, ‘standard off the shelf bends’, etc… have very little meaning if you don’t provide clear data about what it means (eg: model, drawing, sketch, photos, etc) and how exactly you want it to look.
And this post where you quote a user but address it directly to me doesn’t make much sense either.
Do you mean standard piping elbows?
If so, see this SU file showing pipe fittings obtained from the Engineering Toolbox.
Pipe and fittings.skp (355.4 KB)