EPLANT 3D Models can be in principle directly imported from a NavisWork session because EPLANT always generates True DWG format drawing files, but the layer structure of an EPLANT models can be confusing. For this reason and to be able to query any component for its characterics, the following command can be used:
PD_UTI/Export/Export to NavisWorks
This command will generate a copy of the current drawing in the EXP_NAV project folder with layers names changed to reflect Equipment Names and Piping Line Names. Another file, with the same name of the model and extension DBF will be created containing the characteristics associated to each piping and nozzle component. This file can be linked in the NavisWorks session to the graphic.
To link the data base file to the NavisWorks session, first open the dwg in the EXT_NAV folder with NavisWorks (Freedom does not allow to link external data), than take the following steps:
Select the Data Tools option in the Tools menu. The following dialog opens:
Press the Import button and select the file:
The EPLANT-Piping Link will be placed in the window:
Check this file and than press the Edit to open the definition window:
To create the link you need to have already installed the DBF ODBC driver, that must be selected in the ODBC driver menu.
In the SQL sentence, change piping with your DBF file that has the same name as the DWG file. Should the DBF file have more than 8 characters, rename it with less characters.
This operation will link the DBF file with the current NavisWorks NWD file. It is possible to embed this link into the NWD using the Publisher option, but this operation is far too slow. In case of a project divided in several dwg files, it is better to include all different models in one drawing file using the command Include 3D Model and export this single file to Navisworks to link in this way a sinle DBF file for the whole project.
Selecting a Piping Component or an Equipment Nozzle, the Selection Tree will point to its innermost level:
The selection must be corrected in the Selection Tree itself to select at the Block level, which is the level that has the link with the data base. In this way the folder EPLANT-Piping in the Properties window will shown the component characteristics:
The layers in the Selection Tree correspond to Lines and Equipments names.
Last updated April 28, 2014.