generate and exporting centerlines

[LouisCho]

Hi

Would it be possible to generate the centerline of a pipeline in 3dpoly. Then I could use the 3dpoly it in other 3d applications such as Rhino or 3ds max.

any ideas?

[awerning]

Not sure if it is in 3Dpoly, but you can try turning on the centerlines. To do this, open your model and launch AP. Then go into AutoCAD's tools-->options and select the "PDW Graphics" tab (far right). There should be an option on that tab for showing the pipe with the centerlines. Does this work for what you need?

A manual way to do it would be to turn on your "node" osnap and then start the 3Dpoly command and start clicking away. Even a HUGE model should only take a few hours to snap them in. Granted, I wouldn't want to do it...but...its an option. :D

[LouisCho]

Thanks

Unfortunatly the centerline seems to be only a visual representation of the autoplant object. When I copy that centerline into another autocad drawing its paste the entire object.

Until now I was doing this manually by the same way you propose. It's not that long, but still. I doesn't like to feel like a monkey.

At least I tried!

[tkmashl]

You can create ACIS solids of your piping objects thru Piping->piping tools->Representations

Not a 3dpoly but I think it should be able to work in 3ds.


HTH

TKM

[Zortar]

There is a command in the Piping menu called Piping Tools > Centerline Routers > From Components that creates lines that can then be converted to 3D polylines.

[LouisCho]

Wow

both Piping->piping tools->Representations and Piping Tools > Centerline Routers > From Components works fine.

I finnaly used the Reprensentation with 3d mesh and was able to export the exact geometry. Great tool.

Thanks a lot