ISOMETRICOS

ISOGEN for AutoPLANT
V8i
Bentley Institute Course Guide
TRN016030-1/0001
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service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated. All other marks are the property of their
respective owners.
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Raster Manager are trademarks.
AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc.
Copyright Notice
Copyright ©2010, Bentley Systems, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
ISOGEN for AutoPLANT 2 Dec-10

Copyright © 2010 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Table of Contents
Course Overview ____________________________________ 5
Course Description ____________________________________ 5
Target Audience_______________________________________ 5
Prerequisites _________________________________________ 5
Course Objectives _____________________________________ 5
System Requirements __________________________________ 6
Installing the Training Project ____________________________ 7
Automated Iso Generation ____________________________ 9
Module Overview _____________________________________ 9
Module Prerequisites __________________________________ 9
Module Objectives_____________________________________ 9
AutoPLANT Modeling Concepts __________________________ 10
Data Integrity ‐ Component Connectivity ___________________ 11
Consistency (Relationships)______________________________ 12
Component Connections________________________________ 12
Ports, Joints and Fasteners ______________________________ 12
Tap Ports _________________________________________ 14
Additional Isometric Information _________________________ 16
Supports _________________________________________ 16
Miscellaneous Attachments __________________________ 16
Flow Arrows ______________________________________ 17
Spool Numbering __________________________________ 22
Isometric Sheet Numbers _______________________________ 24
Adding a Stop Sign _________________________________ 24
Weld Numbering___________________________________ 26
Specs ____________________________________________ 27
Checking Connectivity Between Components _______________ 28
Creating Isometric Drawings _____________________________ 33
Import / Export____________________________________ 33
ISOGEN (PCF)______________________________________ 35
Generating Automated Isos _____________________________ 38
Generating a Project Iso ________________________________ 46
Generating and Inspecting a PCF File ______________________ 48
Configure ISOGEN Settings ___________________________ 54
Dec-10 3 Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Modifying Input Files ________________________________ 57
Module Overview _____________________________________ 57
Module Prerequisites __________________________________ 57
Module Objectives_____________________________________ 57
Option Switche Editor __________________________________ 58
Option Switches ___________________________________ 58
Option Switch for using Custom Border File _________________ 63
Modifying the Bill of Material Style________________________ 68
Modifying the Option Switches for Welding_________________ 80
Modifying the Option Switches for Dimensioning and
setup units ___________________________________________ 86
Modifying the Option Switches for Iso Style_________________ 99
Modifying the Option Switches for Iso Style_________________ 100
Modifying the Option Switches for Iso Content ______________ 102
Modifying the Option Switches for Iso Content ______________ 104
Material Definition List _______________________________ 107

Module Overview _____________________________________ 107
Weld Definition File ____________________________________ 113
Alternate Text File _____________________________________ 116
Text Positioning File____________________________________ 118
Data Definition File ____________________________________ 120
Notes _______________________________________________ 124
Symbols _____________________________________________ 126
Detail Sketches _______________________________________ 131
Attribute setup _______________________________________ 132
Opcfhdr File __________________________________________ 135
Setup Output Files _____________________________________ 144
Overview _________________________________________ 144
Course Summary ____________________________________ 147

Course Review ________________________________________ 147
Questions ________________________________________ 147
Answers__________________________________________ 149
Dec-10 4 Table of Contents

Course Overview
Course Description
Isogen, sometimes referred to as AutoISOGEN allows users to extract a 2D native
AutoCAD isometric drawing file from the 3D piping model. Isogen supplies the
user with a highly customizable, accurate and quick way to produce isometric
drawings for fabrication, erection, or internal company use. This module will
cover customizing the isogen input files to accomplish the look you need on these
drawings.
Target Audience
This course is recommended for the following audience(s):
• Project Administrators with experience in 3D applications.
• Users with 3D piping experience, wishing to gain knowledge on how to
customize Isogen.
Prerequisites
• Completion of either of the 3D Fundamentals courses.
• Working knowledge of AutoPLANT Plant Design V8I Edition
Course Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to:
• Customize Isogen to meet project or company standards
Dec-10 5 Course Overview

System Requirements
System Requirements
You must have a CD drive or Internet access for product installation. The following
prerequisites are required to run the modules included in AutoPLANT Project
Configuration:
Processor: Processor:Intel Pentium‐based PC
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 2000, Service
Pack 3
Microsoft Windows XP Professional,
SP2 or later
Internet: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or
greater
Memory: 512MB (More memory typically
results in better performance.)
Hard Disk: 650MB minimum free hard disk space
Input Device: Any industry‐standard input device
supported by Windows
Output Device: Any industry‐standard output device
supported by Windows
Video Graphics Card: Any industry‐standard video card/
monitor
Document Bentley ProjectWise 8.5, 8.9.2, 8.9.3
Management:
Cad Engines: MicroStation 8.5, 8.9.2, 8.9.3 or
AutoCAD 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007,
2008, 2009.
Microsoft Office: Microsoft Office Professional 2000
SP4, XP SP2, 2003 SP1. Required for
reporting and Datasheet/Hook Up
creation.
Video Graphics Card: Any industry‐standard video card/
monitor
DatabasesSupported: Oracle 9i or 10g, SQL Server 2000 and
2005
MS Access 2000, XP or 2003 and
MSDE 2000 databases.
Course Overview 6 Dec-10

Installing the Training Project
This course belongs to a set of AutoPLANT Administration courses that teach the
student how to administer IsoGen for output of isometrics drawings from the
model project data.
The dataset contains a simulated project which will be extracted to your local
hardrive.
 Exercise: Install the Training Project dataset and add the project as a root
directory.
1 Make sure all AutoPLANT applications are closed.
2 Download the dataset file AP_FV8I_ISO.zip.
3 Save the file to your desktop.
4 Double‐click the file AP_FV8I_ISO.zip.
5 Click Unzip.
To begin the extraction to the root directory of the C drive (C:\).
6 Click Close.
7 From your Windows Start menu, select Programs > Bentley > Plant V8i >
Project Tools > Project Administrator.
8 From the File menu select Add Root.
To display the Browse for Folder dialog.
Note: In order for this option to be available in the File menu, you must select
something at the primary root level of the navigation tree because you
cannot create a project root directory under a project directory.
9 In the Browse For Folder directory, select C:\Bentley Training Project.
10 Click OK.
To accept the name.
Dec-10 7 Course Overview

Notice the project root folder, C:\ Projects, now displays in the navigation
tree at a primary level.
Course Overview 8 Dec-10

Automated Iso Generation
Module Overview
AutoPLANT provides a function to automate the generation of isometrics
drawings from the model. Bentley uses ISOGEN which is embedded in the
AutoPLANT application. Prior to extracting isometric drawings from your piping
model you must first ensure the component data is consistent and correct. Once
you are confident of the data, you can create the iso by exporting the data to the
ISOGEN application.
Module Prerequisites
• Project Administration with experience in PDW applications.
• Users with 3D piping experience wishing to gain knowledge in IsoGen
customization.
Module Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Understand how model data is gathered for iso generation.
• Verify AutoPLANT model data for component connectivity and consistency.
• Add miscellaneous attachments and annotation to a model.
• Add stop signs to create page breaks on an iso.
• Create automated isos using the ISOGEN interface.
Dec-10 9 Automated Iso Generation

AutoPLANT Modeling Concepts
AutoPLANT Modeling Concepts
As intelligent components are placed in an AutoPLANT model, all connectivity
data, such as how and where components are connected to one another or which
fasteners are used to make a joint, is stored in the database.
This connectivity information is crucial for the successful output of automated
isometric drawings from the ISOGEN interface. Without proper connectivity,
ISOGEN will not generate an isometric drawing as expected or at all.
Automated Iso Generation 10 Dec-10

Data Integrity ‐ Component Connectivity
Data Integrity ‐ Component Connectivity
During the process of creating a PCF file, data from each component along a
pipeline is gathered, evaluated and put into a "connected order". AutoPLANT
traces along the components from port to port until it gets to either the end of
the pipeling or a gap or disconnect.
Notice that pipe port 1 is connected to flange port 2 by the joint using the
fastener (weld). The arrows represent the direction of the ports. In addition to the
data match required for a joint (rating, size, etc.) the ports direction must align in
order for the joint to be made. This alignment can have a tolerance set for each
joint type in the project.
If the weld or joint is missing or if the components have changed since they were
placed, then the connection is considered broken. This commonly happens when
AutoCAD editing commands are used incorrectly during the modeling process
(copy, move, stretch, mirror, etc.). It is essential that the designer responsible for
creating the 3D model confirms the components are connected as part of the
piping design process.
AutoPLANT tools used to analyze and repair the connectivity of piping
components in the 3D model are explained in the following exercises.

Consistency (Relationships)
Consistency (Relationships)
Since AutoPLANT uses component data to create the isometric, it is important to
ensure the data is consistent.
For example: A line number is used to group the components into a connected
system called a pipeline. Even one component with the wrong line number can
make a mess of the isometric. Similarly, attributes such as Unit, Area, or Service
are commonly used to group components and to name the isometric so these too
must be consistent.
Component Connections
When we talk about components and connections in AutoPLANT, we use terms
such as Ports, Joints, and Fasteners. The following definition of terms and
exercises will help you understand how to check for connectivity between
components in the model and assure that your modeling data is consistent.
Once you are confident that your data is correct, AutoPLANT uses the data to
create a .PCF file (Piping Component File). The PCF then passes the information to
the ISOGEN interface to automatically create the isometric drawings.
Note: ISOGEN does not access AutoPLANT data directly.
Ports, Joints and Fasteners
A port is a position on a component that can be connected to another
component. Ports contain data driven by the spec including size, rating, facing, as
well as data specific to the component placement such as direction and location.
A joint is a connection between two ports and a fastener is another component
that is required to connect the two ports. For example, a flange has two ports ‐
the flanged side and the welded side. When connecting two flanges face to face,
you have a joint. There are also two fasteners that are automatically inserted for a
flanged connection ‐ bolts and gaskets.

A fastener is present in the database just as any other component such as a
fitting, valve or pipe. The main difference is that a fastener is placed automatically
when a joint is made.
 Exercise 1: Create a simple model and inspect the data
1 In the training project, start a new drawing from Document Manager.
2 Name your model Examine Data.
3 Place a 6" flange anywhere in the new drawing.
It will not be connected to anything.
4 Select Piping > Database Tools > Edit Component.
To edit the flange.
5 Select the component.
6 The following dialog opens.
7 Click Next Page.
To review the port and database information. Notice it tells you the Port is
not connected.
8 Place a mating flange and edit the original flange again.
Notice that the flange now reports it is connected.
Leave the drawing open as you will use this model in the next exercises.

Tap Ports
As you have learned, AutoPLANT Components have ports as part of their
definition. The flange in the previous example had two ports as we would expect.
Some components need the ability to add additional ports so that components
such as weldolets can be attached. In this way AutoPLANT treats a pipe (normally
only two ports) as a tee by adding the additional tap port.
 Exercise 1: Inspect a component with a tap port
1 Place a 6" pipe anywhere in the model (not connected to anything).
2 We expect the pipe to have two ports.
To edit the pipe.
4 Select the pipe.
Confirm there are only two before we proceed to add a third.
5 Select Piping > Branching Components > Olets > Tap Port.
To add a tap port.
6 Select the pipe previously placed.
7 Press Enter.
To select currently highlighted port.
8 Select midpoint osnap.
When prompted for the distance.
9 Select OK.
When prompted for the tap port size.
10 Select upward orientation for the port.
An oval shape indicating the tap port should appear on the pipe. You may
have to zoom in to see it clearly. This port definition will now allow a
branching component to be place on the pipe at this location.

12 Select the pipe again.
13 Click Next Page.
14 To review the port and database information. Scroll down to display the
third port that has been added to the component.
Once you are done, close your model and delete it from Document Manager.

Additional Isometric Information
ISOGEN assumes all points for a pipeline fall along an imaginary centerline. For
this reason all attachments must have an origin that is along the centerline of the
routed pipe and fittings. When the origin of any component falls outside the
centerline this will cause ISOGEN to fail and in most cases no drawing is created.
Additional information such as support locations, flow direction arrows, weld
numbers and spec changes are sometimes required on the isometic output of the
model. Using the Piping model from the Training project we are going to add
additional information to the model that will be captured on the isometric.
Supports
Pipe supports must be connected to a piping component in order for them to
appear on the isometric drawing. They do not connect using ports but are
consider "attachments". There is, however, a data relationship between the
attachments and the primary component. Note that each attachment must have
at least one point that falls along the centerline of the pipeline and in most cases
will be placed directly on pipe.
Miscellaneous Attachments
An Attachment is an AutoPLANT component that is placed directly on an existing
component. There are no port connections but rather the attachment uses the
coordinate system of the parent (the component it is attached to) for the location
and direction. Examples include top‐works on valves or supports on pipe and
fittings.
AutoPLANT features several attachments that may be placed by the user along a
pipeline for the purpose of adding annotation to the isometric generated by
ISOGEN. Miscellaneous attachments are placed similar to supports.

The Piping > Misc. Attachments menu includes detailing components such as
flow arrows, comments, wall openings.
When placed in the model, they are exported during the automated isometrics
generation process.
 Exercise: Placement procedure
1 Select a component from the dialog.
2 Select a component from the model to form the association.
3 Select a base port for placement ‐ the active port is indicated with a green
dot and you can toggle from port to port.
4 Provide a distance from the base port. (or use Osnap Autocad function)
5 Enter the text to be associated with the component that will appear in the
Isogen drawing.
Flow Arrows
One exception to this procedure is the flow arrow. Rather than entering text, you
would provide the direction of flow.
Most Miscellaneous Attachments are represented by an orange sphere placed
within the pipe component. The shapes used for insulation and flow arrow

components are not spheres. The figure illustrates the flow arrow placed within
on a pipe segment.
See the table below for examples of how miscellaneous attachments will affect
the isometric.
Attachment Description Example:

Flow Arrow Places a Flow arrow symbol on
the Iso in the direction as
indicated in the 3D Model.
Insulation Symbol Places a short symbol on the Iso
indicating insulation is on the
pipe and user entered text as
shown.
Location Point Places a dimension to a point
anywhere in the 3D Model.
Comment Places text and a leader pointing
to a selected location along the
pipe, optionally with a container
(as shown) or a dimension.
Floor Opening Places a Floor symbol at any
location along the pipe,
optionally with a container or a
dimension.
Grate Opening Places a grating symbol at any
dimension.
Wall Opening Places a wall symbol at any
dimension.

Attachment Description Example:

Additional Material Adds a material list item to the
bill of materials.
Reference Dimension Places as 1,2 or 3D dimension to
any point such as a building
column or other landmark.
Spool Identifier Places a spool identifier at any
location along with pipeline.
Note that this manual method is
Not recommended! Spools are
discussed later in this course.
Test Port Instrument Places a bubble reading "Test
Bubble Port" at a user selected location
on the pipeline.
Isogen End of Line Places an instrument bubble with
Instrument Bubble text as entered by the user, Note:
This is for untagged items as
there is No link to project tags for
this type of annotation.
In the next exercise, you will add detail to a piping model in preparation for
creating an automated isometric drawing.
Note: For more information go to AutoPLANT PIPING Help > Command Reference >
Component Menus > Base Module > Misc. Attachments.
 Exercise 1: Add a flow arrow, comment and insulation mark to line L1002
1 Open the Training.dwg from the training project using Document
Manager.
Note: If you have shut down your system, start AutoPLANT from Document
Manager, to assure all project files are stored in the appropriate
location.

2 Select Piping > Misc. Attachments > Flow Arrow.
3 Click OK.
4 Select Line 1002.
Refer to the illustration below and place a west pointing flow arrow in the
segment of L1002 between the vertical vessel and the pipeway.
5 Press Enter.
To select currently highlighted port.
6 Select Osnap ‐ Center.
7 Enter the Flow Direction ‐ West or select by hightlighting.
8 Press Enter.
To complete operation.
 Exercise 2: Place an Insulation Symbol on the North/South pipe segment
1 Select Piping > Misc. Attachments > Insulation Symbol.
The following dialog opens.

2 Click OK.
3 Select Line 1002.
4 Press Enter.
To select the highlighted port.
5 Select Osnap ‐ Center.
6 Enter the Flow Direction ‐ North/South segment mid‐span.
7 Press Enter.
To complete operation.
 Exercise 3: Place Comment Symbol on East/West pipe segment
Follow above procedure and place insulation symbol on East/West pipe
segment mid‐span.
1 Place L1002 Comment.
1 Type Segment to be field fit ‐ as required in the Comment field.
As a comment on the segment of L1002 before the bypass.
2 Select Square from the Annotation Container list.
3 Set Dimension on ISO.
4 Click OK.

A top view of L1002 displays.
Spool Numbering
A pipe spool is a connected set of piping components that have been
prefabricated in a shop and delivered to a field installation site as a single entity.
ISOGEN can annotate and report the spool numbers on an iso. These spool
numbers can be set in the model and indicated in the PCF file or ISOGEN can
assign the spool numbers automatically.

Manual spool numbers can be assigned by double‐clicking on a pipe component
and modifying the spool number relationship.
Optionally, multiple items can be assigned using the Database Tools > Update
Component command.

Isometric Sheet Numbers
In many cases a connected set of components that make up a particular line
number (or pipeline as ISOGEN refers to it) cannot fit on a single sheet. In this
case ISOGEN will create multiple sheets while consecutively numbering the
sheets.
While this is a very useful and powerful feature you must be careful as
subsequent runs of the same pipeline may produce some undesirable results,
such as:
• Same number of sheets produced but the sheet numbers are flipped around.
(e.g… 1 is 6, 6 is 1, and a variety of changes made to the 2‐5 sheets.
• A different number of sheets are produced.
• The break point where the iso continues to the next sheet may be different
(different component or port).
A common technique used to control where the sheets break or what to number
them, can be added to the 3D model by inserting Stop Signs at a component port
within a piping segment. This is an easy method to create a sheet break prior to
creating your Isometric drawings.
Adding a Stop Sign
AutoPLANT Piping enables you to insert Isometric Stop Signs at a component port,
within a piping segment. These stop signs create the page breaks for Isometric
drawings.

 Exercise 1: Add a Stop Sign to L1002 on the vertical end of the elbow as
shown.
1 Open the Training.dwg drawing if you have closed it.
2 Select Piping > Piping Tools > Isometric Stop Signs.
3 Select the component on L1002 as per graphic above.
4 Toggle to the port where the Stop Sign is to be located.
5 Press Enter.
To place the Stop Sign.

Weld Numbering
ISOGEN can annotate and report the Weld numbers on an Iso. These numbers can
be set in the model and indicated in the PCF file or ISOGEN can assign numbers
automatically.
 Exercise 1: Add weld Id's to Line L1004
1 Select Piping > Piping Tools > Isometric Stop Signs.
2 Set options as per graphic.
3 Click OK.
4 Select Project tab on the AutoPlant Selections dialog.
5 Project Selection ‐ LineNumber.
6 Select L1004.
7 Select the starting component.
8 Select one of the end components.

The Weld Id's are automatically assigned. To check, double‐click on any
weld along that line and view the weld number field.
Specs
ISOGEN outputs the pipe spec of the first component it finds in the pipeline as the
nominal spec for the iso. Since every component in the line also has a spec,
whenever there is a change in spec between fittings a spec break is drawn on the
iso. Care must be taken during the modeling phase to ensure the correct pipe
spec is used throughout a line.

Checking Connectivity Between Components
The Piping Tools > Connectivity Checker menu provides options that enable you
to confirm proper connectivity along piping runs. Even though the AutoPLANT
Piping application checks for connectivity during normal routing activities, it is a
good practice to inspect the connectivity prior to creating an iso.
Reasons for improper connections are most commonly a result of moving or
copying components, then improperly placing them at new locations.
Checker
This command enables you to check a selected group of components for proper
connectivity. When the command is executed, the Drawing Selection Options
dialog displays to enable you to define the selection set of components that you
want to test (e.g., you may only want to check consistency for a specific line
number). Once the component selection set has been defined, the first
disconnect (if one is found) and the Connectivity Check dialog display as shown.

Refer to the table for a description of the options:
+ ‐ Zooms into the currently displayed disconnect or out
from the currently displayed disconnect.
< > Moves to the next disconnect or to the previous
disconnect.
Repair Prompts you to select the desired connecting component
to attempt a repair. If the disconnect distance is within
the allowable range, the connection will be repaired;
otherwise, a dialog will display the reasons the
connection cannot be repaired.
More... Displays an expanded version of this dialog as shown
below that provides a Suspend option and a more
detailed explanation of each disconnect.
Zoom
In/Out allows you to zoom into or away from the currently displayed disconnect.
View Disconnect
First, Prev, Next, and Last alows you to scroll through disconnects. Information
about disconnect at the selected port is displayed in the bottom pane of the
dialog, while the display zooms into that area of the drawing for closer
examination.

Options
Repair attempts to repair the connection between two coincident welded
components. For example, if you copy a pipeline connected to one butt‐weld
component to the end of another butt‐weld component, you can use this
command to properly connect the second butt‐weld component with the copied
pipeline. Flanges and other components that are not coincident cannot be
connected with this function.
Suspend temporarily suspend sthe Checker command. This process can be
continued at any time using the Resume Checker command.
Brief
Displays the Brief version of this dialog as shown previously.
Resume Checker
This command prompts you to select a set of components on a run, and then
specify the starting component. The command then highlights each
component in the run progressing down the line until an improper connection
is detected. The command then exits to allow you to correct the problem at
that location.
Check Run
The third command allows you to resume a connectivity check on a group of
components that may have been previously suspended.
 Exercise 1: Check and repair the Connectivity in the example model.
2 Select Piping > Piping Tools > Connectivity Checker > Checker.

3 Match Selection properties as below:
You may receive the following message.
This message indicates that the pipeline selected is attached to a
component which is not part of the existing piping model. In this case it is
the nozzles from the equipment drawing. Ignore the error by selecting OK
to proceed.

4 Using the controls on the Checker interface navigate to the disconnects
found.
As you can see there is an open ended pipe which cannot be repaired
because there is no mating component. This is an acceptable disconnect.
This line has been accepted for isogen output.
5 Click Done.
To close the Connectivity Checker.

Creating Isometric Drawings
Now that you have ensured your model data is accurate it is time to generate the
isometric drawings. Through a series of exercises you will learn how AutoPLANT
model data is gathered to produce a Piping Component File (PCF). This PCF is the
format required by ISOGEN™ to automatically generate the isometric drawings.
Once the PCF is created, it is run through ISOGEN to create an AutoCAD‐
compatible DXF isometric file that can be viewed and plotted.
Import / Export
The Import/Export utility transfers CAD data between AutoPLANT and other CAD/
CAE software. Now you will learn how this utility supports the generation of
isometric drawings.
 Exercise 1: Exploring the Import / Export Options
1 Select AutoPLANT 3D > Import/Export.
To add the menu to the AutoPLANT interface.
2 From the Import/Export menu select Preferences….
The Import/Export Preferences dialog allows you to set how an import or
export behaves including the location of exported files.
Note: Options under the General tab apply to all types of exports including to
PCF, PXF and JSM.

• Debug component scripts: Advanced functionality and should be
turned off for day‐to‐day use.
• Load component scripts in memory: Keeps component information in
memory and accelerates subsequent exports.
• Overwrite existing files: Overwrites the last export of this name/type
with the current one.
• Enable component log: Creates an external ASCII text file of the
import/export log.
• Show progress dialog: Opens a dialog that mirrors the actions of an
import or export.
• Log file: Sets the location of the log file that records all information,
warnings, and errors that occur during an import or export process.
3 Click Cancel.
To end this exercise.

ISOGEN (PCF)
In the previous module we explored the Import/Export Utility used for
transferring model data to other applications. Now let's explore the options for
creating the iso from your model.
 Exercise 1: Explore the ISOGEN (PCF) options
1 Select AutoPLANT > Import/Export.
To load the menu.
2 Select Import/Export > Preferences.
3 From the dialog select the ISOGEN (PCF) tab as shown.
• Output Dir: Specifies the directory path where ISOGEN PCF files are stored
when executing Generate Iso from the Import/Export menu. This path is set in
by the Administrator. It is displayed here so the user can find and inspect the
PCF files. In many cases users never need to know where PCF files are
generated as they are typically processed by ISOGEN and then removed.
• Document Traversal Mode: Specifies whether the selection set of
components built from multiple drawings is processed as a single selection set
or treated as separate selection sets. If you are only processing one drawing,
the result will be the same regardless of this selection.
• Combined: Combines all components from all drawings into a single
selection set. If none of the other processing options are selected (Use
Connection Criteria, Read/Break Stop Signs), a single export file is
generated. This selection set may still be broken into separate output
files based on the additional criteria selection available (e.g., stop
signs, connection criteria dialog settings, etc.)

• Per Document: handles the components from each drawing as a
separate selection set. If none of the other processing options are
selected (Use Connection Criteria, Read/Break Stop Signs), a separate
export file is generated for each drawing in this set. Each of these
output files may be further broken into separate output files based on
the additional criteria selection available (e.g., stop signs, connection
criteria dialog settings, etc.).
• Stop Signs: Enables you to manage how stop signs placed on your drawings
are used by the PCF functions.
• Do not use: Ignores all stop signs.
• Write to file: Instructs the system to read Stop Signs in your selection
set and write Stop Sign information to the generated PCF file. This
information is then processed by ISOGEN to add notes, etc. This option
does not break your output into separate PCF files.
• Create multiple files: Instructs the system to use stop signs in your
selection set to break the PCF output into separate PCF files.
• Use Connection Criteria: Specifies that the Connection Criteria dialog displays
after the selection dialog enabling you to specify one or more database fields
to apply to the connectivity test. For two connected components, the value of
the criteria field(s) must match for a connection to be established. If a
disconnect in connection criteria is found using the defined criteria, then a
break in the Iso into separate drawings occurs.
• System Iso: Provides a means of putting multiple lines on a single Iso. If this
check box is enabled, all components matching the criteria are put into a
single PCF. The Iso will display annotation indicating the change in line
number.
• Automatically run ISOGEN: If this check box is enabled, when you execute PCF
Export the system will automatically send an error free PCF file through
ISOGEN. If ISOGEN is successful in generating a DXF file from the PCF export
file, the system will automatically send the DXF through DXF2DWG to create
an AutoCAD‐compatible DWG file, and the PCF file will be deleted.
• Calculate Center of Gravity (COG): Enable this check box to include center of
gravity (COG) calculation data in the PCF export file.
• Iso Style: Sets the ISOGEN output style from a list of Styles defined in the
current project.
• Continuing Components: Specifies the number of additional components that
do not belong to the criteria, but which connect to the criteria, to output into
the PCF file.

• Example: If you select a line with a TEE and the line number changed
at the branch of the TEE, you could include "X" number of components
that connect to the branch of the TEE in the PCF. In ISOGEN, continuing
components are dashed and do not appear in the BOM.
Notice the options available from the Iso Style list.
The Isogen Styles supplied with the AutoPLANT software for each unit type
include:
• Check: Used for creating isometric drawings to check pipe lines
• Erection: Used for creating isometric drawings for erecting the pipe lines
• Final: Used for creating isometric drawings for shop/field fabrication of the
pipe lines
• I‐Gen: If you do not have a valid AutoPLANT Piping license, only I‐Gen style
will be available in the list. This style uses the LINENUMBER as the only
criteria.
• Spools: Used for creating separate isometric spool drawings for shop
fabrication
• Stress: Used for creating isometric drawings for stress analysis
Note: In this course you will be using the FINAL Iso Style.
4 Set Iso Style to FINAL.
5 Click OK.
To end this exercise.

Generating Automated Isos
The Import/Export function enables you to automatically run the process for
creating an iso from your model. This is a fast and easy method. By selecting the
Output function as Automatically Run Iso, you are telling the system to gather the
data for the drawing, create a PCF which exports the data to ISOGEN and create
the AutoCAD ‐compatible DWG file, which can be viewed and printed. The PCF file
is deleted and you are left with finished Isos.
First you will create an iso from the model using the automated method. Later
you will learn the benefits of creating and saving a PCF file.
 Exercise 1: Creating automated isos from the model
2 Select AutoPLANT > Import/Export.
To load the menu.

4 From the dialog select the ISOGEN (PCF) tab as shown.
5 Set Automatically run ISOGEN.
6 Select FINAL from the Iso Style list.
7 Click OK.
8 Select Import/Export > ISOGEN (PCF) > Generate Iso.
The ISOGEN functions shown above are only available during a 3D
modeling session. The active model MUST be associated with the project
containing the pipelines to be output to ISOGEN. It is not necessary to load
any particular 3D model. Even a blank model will work.
Note: Only components from your current model can be selected.
9 From the drawing tab there are three selection modes:
• All: Selects every component in the model eligible for the process.
• Manual: Closes the dialog to enable you to select specific components
from the model.

• Advanced: Allows you to write a query based on model data, AutoCAD
attribute or project object.
10 In this exercise you will select All.
Once the set of components has been selected, the Preferences dialog
displays, enabling you to define:
• How and where a piping line will be broken into separate drawings
• A naming convention applied to the generated drawings.
Connection Criteria options enable you to manage how the iso will look;
where page breaks occur and how the iso will be named.
11 Select AREA, UNIT and LINENUMBER from the Available Fields list.
12 Click Add >>.
To move them to Criteria Fields .

The Connection Criteria field lists your selections.
The file name of each drawing is defined in the Naming Rule field.
By default, the name will be a concatenation of each of the selected
criteria, in the order they were selected.
Any text you want to include in the file name, including spaces or hyphens
must be contained within quotation marks. Notice the addition of ISO and
the hyphens in the figure above.
If multiple files are created with the same criteria, (common when Stop
Signs have been added to the model) the names would be identified as
(NAME).i01.dwg, (NAME).i02.dwg, etc.
Under the ISOGEN (PCF) tab you have the option of changing the
preferences that had been defined in the ISOGEN (PCF) tab of the Import/
Export's Preferences dialog.
13 Check that all your preferences are set and click OK.
To return to the Connection Criteria tab.
14 Click OK.
To start the process.

15 You will receive progress messages during the process. When complete
click OK.
16 Select Import / Export > Isogen (PCF) > Isogen Interface.
To view the isometric drawings, and return to the Isogen Interface.
From this dialog, you can see the .dwg files that were generated. The PCF
files have been deleted. The Output Dir shows where your finished Iso
drawings are stored.
17 Select a drawing from the Results field.
18 Click View.

To display the drawing.
19 Close the View.
20 Click Close.
To exit the Isogen interface.
The drawing files can be deleted from the interface by selecting a drawing
and selecting delete. Alternatively you can delete them trough Windows
Explorer by navigating to the output directory.
21 Delete the .dwg files from the output directory.
 Exercise 2: Generate isometric drawings for line L1002.
In this exercise you will build a query to select the components for the iso
drawing.
The AutoPLANT Selections dialog opens.
2 Click <<Advanced>>.
3 In the Define Query select:
Data Type = Relationship
Attribute Field = LineNumber
Attribute Value = L1002

4 In the Active Query, click Add.
This field becomes enabled once the query is defined.
5 Click OK.
To enable the Preferences dialog.
6 In the Connection Criteria Preferences dialog, add LINENUMBER to the
Criteria Fields column.
7 Type LINENUMBER in the Connection Criteria field.
8 Type <LINENUMBER> “‐Training” in the Naming Rule field.
9 Click OK.
The Export Progress dialog will open. When the process is complete, the
OK button will be enabled.
10 Click OK.
Once complete, you can view the isometric drawings.
11 Select Import/Export > ISOGEN (PCF) > ISOGEN Interface.

12 Select a drawing from the Results column.
13 Click View.
To open the drawing in a viewer window.
14 Right‐click in the window and choose an option to Pan, Zoom Previous,
Zoom Window, and Zoom Extents.
15 Delete the .dwg files from the output directory.

Generating a Project Iso
In the previous exercise, object selection, connection criteria and name rules are
being set and managed through the user interface. If multiple users on a project
will be creating the isometric drawings, this type control can result in
inconsistencies.
Using the Project Iso functionality enables the team to set the parameters for the
drawings in the project environment to be applied to all drawings in the current
project.
The user interface is simplified and consistency across multiple ISOGEN runs will
be maintained.
There are two modes of operation:
• You can generate your PCFs separately and manually run them through
ISOGEN using the ISOGEN Interface application.
• You can set the Automatically run ISOGEN switch in the Preferences dialog
before you perform an export. If the PCF export is successful, it will
automatically be run through ISOGEN. If this process is also successful, the
PCF file will be deleted and leave you with the resulting DWG file.
 Exercise 1: Generate a Project Iso for Line L1004.
1 Select Import > Export > ISOGEN (PCF) > Generate Project Iso.
The Project Selection dialog displays the results of the criteria selection in
list format.
2 Select FINAL from the Style list.
3 Highlight A100‐U100‐L1004 and click OK.

The Preferences dialog opens.
4 Set Automatically run ISOGEN.
5 Click OK.
The Export Progress dialog opens and reports on the progress.
6 When the process is complete, click OK.
7 Select Import / Export > ISOGEN (PCF) > ISOGEN Interface.
To view the drawings
8 Select the drawing from the Results column.
9 Click View.
To open the viewer.
10 Right‐click in the window and choose an option to Pan, Zoom Previous,
Zoom Window, and Zoom extents.

Generating and Inspecting a PCF File
Things to look for when viewing the drawings:
• Automatically generated dimensioning
• Bill of Material reports
• Miscellaneous Attachments
• Insulation marking
11 Delete the drawing through the interface.
This exercise explains the process of generating and inspecting a PCF file prior to
running the ISOGEN interface to generate the iso.
 Exercise 1: Creating a PCF file
1 Select Import /Export > ISOGEN (PCF) > Generate Iso.
The AutoPLANT Selections dialog opens.
2 Click on the Project tab.
3 Select Project Selections tab.
4 Select Line number.
5 Select line number L1004 from the list of line numbers.
6 Click OK.
7 Select Unit, Area, and Line number from the available fields.
In the Connection Criteria dialog.

Note: The dialog displays to enable you to define the criteria used to break the
model into separate PCF files. For example, if you had selected "All"
components instead of only one line number when you defined your
selection set, this option would break your selection into separate PCF
files for every change in the any one of these fields.
The Naming Rule area of this dialog enables you to specify the
conventions used to name the PCF files as well as the line number used by
ISOGEN within the Iso itself.
Notice that in our example we will name the Iso and Line number
according to the Area, Unit and Line number. In addition to the fields used
to name the Iso this convention can also use text strings as shown in the
example where the string "ISO‐" will precede every Iso generated with this
rule.
Warning: Do not click OK until after the next step.
8 Click on the ISOGEN (PCF) tab.

9 Clear the Automatically run ISOGEN option.
10 Click OK.
11 To generate the PCF file.
The Iso Style is not relevant for this example. It does not affect the
contents of a PCF being created.
The Export Progress dialog displays with the progress of the export as the
PCF file is being generated.
12 When finished, click OK.
To close the Progress dialog.

 Exercise 2: Generating an Isometric from a PCF file
Now let's examine the PCF file created in the last exercise.
1 Select ISOGEN Interface from the ISOGEN (PCF) submenu.
2 Select the A100‐U100‐L1004.PCF file from the PCF Files window.
3 Click Run.
The PCF is processed through ISOGEN and a message box displays telling
whether the process was successful. When complete, the file is listed in

the Results window, with the resulting ISO‐1‐A‐L1000.i01.DXF drawing
listed underneath.
You can use this command to process multiple PCF files simultaneously by
pressing Ctrl while selecting the files.
The ISOGEN Interface can be used to view the .DXF file.
4 Select the drawing from the Results window.

5 Click View.
The drawing will display in the viewer as shown above. Once the DXF file is
displayed in the viewer, you can right‐click in the view window to display a
selection menu of commands/options for viewing
6 Click Close.
7 To exit the viewer.

Configure ISOGEN Settings
In the previous exercises we created a PCF file which was then converted into a
DXF/DWG drawing file. The IsoGen .pcf file can be used by other programs such as
stress analysis programs to input the model data.
 Exercise 3: Viewing a PCF file
Now let's examine the PCF file created in the last exercise.
1 Navigate to \\Bentley Training
Project\Training\Config\isogen\final\archive.
2 Double‐click on A100‐U100‐L1004.PCF and open with notepad.
You will notice that the PCF file contains information about each AutoPLANT
component. This information is used to recreate the data using the style selected
by the user. In our exercise we used the Final isogen style to create our iso from
this data.
AutoPLANT provides a set of pre‐configured settings and switches files for each of
the listed Iso Types that ships with the application. Before executing the Generate
Iso function, these settings can be modified through the ISOGEN Interface Config
button. The Config button launches the Project Administrator application to

enable you to assign settings used to generate your ISOGEN isometrics.
Configuring ISOGEN switches is covered in the upcoming sections in this manual .


Modifying Input Files
Module Overview
In this section of the training we will look at and discuss modifying the input files
(OPL, MLD, POS, ALT). As discussed in the previous section of the manual these
files tell Isogen what the graphics should look like and what data is to be added to
the drawings. In the following exercises we will be modifying these files to give a
different appearance to the drawings and to identify different data to be used.
Module Prerequisites
• Project Administration with experience in PDW applications.
• Users with 3D piping experience
• Users with basic knowledge on ISOGEN and willing to gain knowledge on
ISOGEN customization.
Module Objectives
After completing this module, you will gain a knowledge about:
• Using Option Switch Editor to customize ISOGEN Output.
• How to customize Bill of Materials.
• Role of Material list definition file, Weld definition file, Alternate Text file,
Drawing Definition file and how to work with it.
• How to create custom ISOGEN Symbols
• Detail Sketches of the components.
• Role of PCF header file and how to work with it
Dec-10 57 Modifying Input Files

Option Switche Editor
It is an ISOGEN application which provides an interface to work with different
kinds of option switches those are used to customize output drawing. This section
will provide an information about few of them.
Option Switches
The current project settings using the configuration supplied y the dataset are set
to use metric values. IsoGen was written by Cambridge University in England so
the default units used by the program are in metric. We are going to modify the
environment to replace the default border, material list, positioned and alternate
text files.
Isogen using the default configuration produces an isometric that looks as follows:
Modifying Input Files 58 Dec-10

 Exercise 1: Modifying the Option Switches filename and sheet size
1 Open Project Administrator.
2 Navigate to Bentley Training Project > Training.
3 Expand the Isogen node.
4 Select the Input node.
5 Click Edit.
To the right of the Options file field.
7 Select the Plotted Iso tab.
This is where we set the paper size, margins for the draw area, the type of
backing sheet, file extensions and several other settings.
8 Select 11"x 17" in the Paper Size list (Switch 14).

9 Clear the Type Extensions on all Filenames and Append File Format type
extesnions following i01 Type Extensions options (Switch 71)
This removes the option to append a sequential .i01,.i02 extension after
the .dwg file extension.
10 Click Next Page.
11 Set Imperial Units ‐ Inches in the DXF File Units group (Switch 92).
12 Select File > Save.
Note: Do not close the Options Editor dialog.
13 Open Training.dwg, if not already open.
14 Load the Import/Export module.
16 Select the ISOGEN (PCF) tab.
17 Clear Use Connection Criteria in the Output Options group box.

18 Set Automatically run ISOGEN in the Output Options group box.
19 Select FINAL in the Iso Style list.
20 Click OK.
22 Run an iso for L1004 from the Project tab.
23 When completed open Windows Explorer.
24 Navigate to \\Bentley Training
Project\Training\Config\isogen\final\Drawings.
25 Open one of the .dwg files created using native AutoCAD.
26 Check the distance across the x axis, you will see it is now an 11" x 17"
drawing.
 Exercise 2: Viewing the Options file
In the last exercise we modified the FINAL.OPL using the Isogen interface. This
file can optionally be modified by using a text editor.
1 Navigate to \\Bentley Training Project\Training\Config\isogen\final.
2 Double‐click on the final.opl file.
3 Open with Notepad or Wordpad.
The file display the following:
Switch Switch Switch
Number Setting Purpose

‐‐‐‐‐‐ ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
1 0 ! Plot File Length control
2 11 ! Cut Piece Numbering / List Type
3 0 ! Drawing Trim Marks
4 0 ! Character Size on isometric picture
5 0 ! End Co‐ordinate suppression
6 10 ! Date Format control
7 0 ! Drawing control (Number of drawings)
8 0 ! Dimension Standout Distance control
9 103 ! Type of Dimensions on isometric
10 0 ! Drawing Margin ‐ Left
11 0 ! Drawing Margin ‐ Right
12 0 ! Drawing Margin ‐ Top
13 0 ! Drawing Margin ‐ Bottom
14 7 ! Drawing Size control (Standard Sizes)
15 0 ! Drawing Height (Non‐standard Size)
16 0 ! Drawing Width (Non‐standard Size)
17 1 ! Flow Arrow control ‐ Inline components
18 0 ! Drawing Frame On / Off control
19 0 ! Falling Line indication control
20 0 ! Falling Line cut‐off control
21 0 ! Isometric Type control
22 150 ! Loose Flange / FFW additional Pipe allowance
23 0 ! Plotted Material List control
24 10 ! Material List type / Length Units control
25 11 ! Material List / Title Block position control
26 10 ! Item Description control
27 0 ! Material List Text Size control
28 18 ! Number of characters in Item Code
29 0 ! Material List Line Spacing
30 11 ! Material List Overflow control
Warning: Do not make any changes in the format until you are aware of the
option setting you are modifying.

Option Switch for using Custom Border File
Sometimes you may wish to use a custom border file. The following exercise will
show you how to perform this action.
 Exercise 1: Modifying the Option Switches for a custom border
1 Open the Options Editor.
2 Select the Plotted Iso tab.
3 Click Next Page.
4 Set the Suppress Standard ISOGEN Drawing Frame in the DEFAULT
DRAWING FRAME group box. (Switch 18).
This suppresses the out‐of‐the‐box border that isogen uses and allows us
to add the customer border.
We will also need to suppress the out‐of‐the‐box title block that isogen
uses.
5 Select the Material List tab.

6 Set Title Block to be suppressed in the POSITION of MATERIAL LIST and
TITLE group box (Switch 25).
Because we suppressed the backing sheet and title block, we have to tell
Isogen to use the customers backing sheet. To do this we will add an entry
to the isogen.fls file. This can be done through Project Administrator or
with a text editor.
8 Launch Project Administrator.
9 Click Browse.
10 Navigate to \\Bentley Training Project\isogen\ directory.
11 Select the FINAL.dxf file.
12 Select Isogen.

13 Right‐click and select Save.
To write the new entry to the Isogen.fls file or select File > Save.
15 Select the ISOGEN (PCF) tab.
16 Set Use Connection Criteria, Automatically run ISOGEN in the Output
Options group box.
17 Select FINAL from the Iso Style list.
18 Click OK.
19 Run a new iso, using line L1004.

Drawing A100‐U100‐L1004A.dwg displays.
Note: Some of the items do not fit very well in this border, this is because we
have not adjusted the margins to accommodate this border.
20 Close the viewer and delete the files from the Isogen Interface.
 Exercise 2: Modifying the Option Switches for new margins
1 Return to the Options Editor.
2 Select the first page of the Plotted Iso tab.
Notice you have 4 margins, top, bottom, left and right. This will help to
align the items in the border. Each number placed in a margin field is 1/
100th of a mm. Start by selecting a value for the margins and test in
Isogen.
3 Set the values to 20 mm, 20mm, 20mm and 20mm.
Note: These setting changes are for the drawing area only.
Note: When testing configuration changes it is sometimes easiest to turn off
the Automatically Run IsoGen toggle. This allows you to manually run
the PCF file concurrently after making modifications to the Options file.
4 In AutoPlant, turn off Automatically Run IsoGen.

5 Run an iso for L1004 from the Project tab.
After opening the IsoGen interface you will see the .pcf file which was
created.
6 Select the .pcf file and run isogen.
7 When completed select the file A100‐U100‐L1004A.DXF and check your
results.
If the margins are not acceptable, enter new adjusted amounts until you
receive the output you are satisfied with.
8 Delete the drawings from the interface.

Modifying the Bill of Material Style
In this section we are going to change the style of the BOM. IsoGen offers 3 style
variations.
• Style 1: A 'standard' BOM which does not need an MLD file. This Style is the
initial style to choose to make sure that isogen is running properly.
• Style 2: Is Column / Line based. This type is 100% user definable ‐ a Material
List Definition file (MLD) is needed to specify the content and layout of the
BOM.

• Style 3: Is X‐Y co‐ordinate based. This type is fully User definable ‐ a Material
List Definition file (MLD) is needed to specify the content and layout. This
Style of BOM has more layout variations and flexibility than the other two ‐
e.g. FAB DOWN ERECT DOWN or FAB DOWN ERECT UP ‐ etc. The data items
are positioned using X‐Y co‐ordinates on the drawing which must be a User
defined backing sheet.

 Exercise 1: Modifying the Option Switches for Bill of Material Style
1 Open the Isogen Options Editor from Project Manager or Isogen interface.
3 Select Style 2 Material List from the TYPE OF MATERIAL LIST group box
(Switch 23).
4 Set User Defined Material Control File option.
6 Return to Project Administrator.
7 Select the Input node.
8 Set the drawing frame to use the \\Bentley Training
Project\IsoGen\final.dxf.
9 Click Browse next to the Material List Definition field.
10 Navigate to \\Bentley Training Project\Training\Config\isogen\final\.
11 Select the final.mld file.
12 Right‐click on the Isogen node and select Save.

13 Run an iso for L1008.
Note: We will modify the final.mld in a later exercise to have a better placement in
the border.
Appearance, continuous without headings and sub‐headings
In this section we will look at the switches to remove the section headings
and subheadings. We will create an iso with each switch set. The setting
for the above exercise was Standard Sectionalized type with Group
Headings and Component Sub‐Group Headings. Below is a closer look at
the BOM from the above exercise.

2 Set Continuous style listing without Headings and Sub‐headings from the
Layout Options for Style 2 and Special Materials List (Switch 23).
4 Run new iso using L1008.
The Group heading and component sub‐heading are no longer displayed.
The dividing lines have been added.

Appearance, continuous without headings and sub‐headings, and no
dividing lines
1 Select Material List tab.
2 Set Continuous style listing without Headings and Sub‐headings. No
dividing lines from the Layout Options for Style 2 and Special Materials
List (Switch 23).

4 Run new iso using L1008.
The BOM has removed the group headings, component sub‐headings and
the dividing lines.
Appearance, remove cut pipe list
2 Select No Cut Piece List Identifiers in the CUT PIECE CONTROL group box
(Switch 2).

This will remove the cut list section of the BOM. If you choose to have
identifiers for the cut list you will find additional options below this one to
set up the appearance for the identifiers.
Along with the cut list identifier being on this page you will also find
DRAWING ‐ LENGTH UNITS (Switch 24), this switch sets the length of the
Material List, by drawing or by pipeline and the unit type to be used for
the pipe length in the quantity field.

Page 3 of the Material List covers how the BOM continuations are
handled, the bolt length and diameter units and if you want the drawing
to show 1 of 1 when it is a single sheet drawing.
Page 4 of the Material List handles the accumulation control for the BOM.
4 Run new iso for L1008 again.
5 Open up the new iso.

The material section does not contain a cut list.
 Exercise 5: Adjusting the Isometric Drawing Layout
As you have seen the isometric content is in place but the drawing needs
to be adjusted to accommodate the drawing and BOM. We will first adjust
the drawing file to allow for more room for the BOM.
1 Open C:\Bentley Training Project\Isogen\Final.dxf.
2 Move Vertical line used for BOM edge as per graphic below.
3 Save drawing in AutoCad 2000 DXF format.

We will now alter the Material List Definition (MLD) to adjust the column
width so that the BOM fits within the new BOM area.
4 Open C:\Bentley Training Project\Training\Config\isogen\final\final.mld
using Notepad or other text editor.
5 Modify the length of attribute 21 (Long Description) from 47 characters to
40.
6 You have to remove 7 spaces between Component Code and Component
Material to accommodate for the new starting position. This adjusts the
width of the header.
7 Save the file and exit.
Now that we have the drawing border and BOM area defined we need to
adjust the Drawing Margins so the ISO drawing will reserve the space
below the ISO drawing for General notes or other information.
8 Open the Options file from Project Administrator
9 Select the Plotted ISO tab.
10 Type 52 in the Bottom (mm) field (Switch 13).

This will reserve enough space below the drawing to accommodate the
notes space.
12 Rerun an isometric to test the results.
The pipe information and cut length information at the bottom of the
material list should now fit in the space properly.

Modifying the Option Switches for Welding
This section is where we will set up if a weld is to be plotted and whether it is to
be numbered.
Default setting on this page is to plot and number all the welds.
• Welding section (i.e. Welding tab) provides different options for weld settings.
Few settings are mentioned below.
• Weld numbers should start again at 1 for each new drawing or continue from
the previous weld numbers regardless of the number of sheets required.
• Restart the weld numbering at 1 if the type of weld changes.
• Text height for the number. You can also change the weld identifier from
numbers to alpha characters.
• You could also set the sequencing for support welds. Toggle on/off of a weld
operation box if it is needed on the drawing, if a weld box is needed an
additional file is also needed for the box’s appearance and isogen should be
instructed accordingly.

 Exercise 1: Modifying the Option Switches for Welding
1 Run an iso for L1004, set the style to 3. This iso will produce three sheets.
Sheet 1
Sheet 2

Notice the weld numbers carry over onto the next sheet. If the switch had
been set to each drawing instead of each pipeline the weld numbers
would have started again at 1.
The following figure shows the second page of welding section where you
can set up a weld to have a prefix and number associated with it.
You can also set the number of welds displayed and counted on slip‐on
flanges, “Y” type fittings. Also a setting for number allocated to a tack weld
and the number of welds for Victaulic clamps.
2 Click Edit.
For the Options file.
3 Select the Welding tab.
4 Click Next Page.

5 Set the Add Weld Prefix to the Weld Numbers in the Fabrication Welds, ,
Field Welds and Offshore Welds group box (Switch 75).
7 Navigate to the C:\Bentley Training
Project\Training\Config\isogen\final\ directory.
8 Open weld.wdf.
9 Enter the following data into the file.
Notice the weld prefix has been listed for the different types of welds.
11 Expand the Isogen > Input node.
12 Click Browse to the right of the Weld Definition field.
Project\Training\Config\isogen\final\ directory.
14 Select the weld.wdf file.

15 Run an iso using L1004.
 Exercise 2: Modifying the Option Switches for welding and adding a welding
operation box
Now we will set up a welding operation box.
1 Open the Project Administrator.
2 Click Edit.

For the options file.
4 Select Plot Weld Summary Box from the WELD PLOTTING/NUMBERING
list.
6 Re‐Run an iso.
The Weld Summary Box displays on your iso.

Modifying the Option Switches for Dimensioning and setup units
Modifying the Option Switches for Dimensioning and setup
units
Now we will set up our dimensioning style. It contains three pages.
• The first page covers the standout, text, vertical dimensions, dimension form,
support dimensions, and the dimension controls.
• The second page covers dimensioning to valve center and ways to block some
dimensioning.
• The third page covers overall dimensioning, additional detail on vertical
dimensions and the handling for tapped branches.
We will set the appearance for the dimension callout in this exercise.

2 Click Edit.
To open the Options file.
3 Select the Dimensioning tab.

5 Select Standard Ft/In with a dash but no dot (1’‐2 3/4”) in the
DIMENSION CONTROL group box (Switch 41).
6 Type 24 in the Change over value from inches to Ft/Ins dimensions (Default
is 24”) field.
If the default is left at 24 then all the dimension callouts will remain in
inches until the value is at least 24 inches.
8 Run an iso for L1008.

Note: All dimesions above 12 inches are now annotated in ft ‐in.
9 Delete all files in C:\Bentley Training
Project\Training\Config\isogen\final\Drawings directory.
 Exercise 2: Modifying the Option Switches for Dimensioningand setting up
small bore valves for dimensioning to center
Now we will set up our dimensioning style for the small bore valves. We
will work with the drains located on line L1004.

The current setting dimension to the end of the valve instead of the center
(as per graphic below), we will be modifying the option switch file so it will
dimension to the center.
2 Click Edit.
To open the options file.
4 Click Next Page.
5 Select the end type in switch 80 that you would like to be dimensioned to
the center rather than the end.

7 Run an isometric for L1004.
8 Select all components from the nozzle on the pump to the tee.
The open drawing containing the drain valve and not the dimension is now
annotated to the center of the valve.
9 Delete all files in C:\Bentley Training
Project\Training\Config\isogen\final\Drawings directory.

 Exercise 3: Dimensioning branches
If there is a need to suppress the dimensioning of the branch connections,
option switch 81 can be used to modify our dimensioning style for branches.
In the last exercise we had a drain consisting of a nipple, extended body valve
and a plug. Isogen cannot oppress the dimensions for this configuration
because there cannot be a pipe in the branch, nipples are considered pipe in
isogen. If vents and drains are drawn without nipples and consist of only an
olet, valve and plug, the annotation for these items can be suppressed. There
are several ways to turn this off. The first way is by setting it to look at the size,
the second is by having it to look at the number of components in the branch.

As an example below, the drain is being dimensioned.
2 Click Next Page.
3 Type 12 in the Value field of the DIMENSION ‐ BRANCHES group box
(switch 81)

This field is set by noting the number of 16ths to use, so we have
instructed it to not place a dimension if the size of the branch is ¾" or
smaller.
 Exercise 3: Modifying Overall Dimensions
In this section we will set up our dimensioning style to have overall
dimensions.
1 Select the Dimensioning tab
2 Click Next Page twice.
3 Select the type of overall dimensioning you need in the DIMENSIONS‐
OVERALL group box (Switch 118).
5 Run the isometric for L1004.

Note the option you have selected. Below is a sample of the iso settings
OVERALL DIMENSIONS ‐ ACROSS BRANCHES.
Below you will find the additional style settings and their results OVERALL
DIMENSIONS ‐ STOP AT BRANCHES.

OVERALL DIMS TO VALVE CENTER & ACROSS BRANCHES
OVERALL DIMS TO VALVE CENTER & STOP AT BRANCHES

 Exercise 4: Modifying the Option Switches for Iso Style, text height, material
enclosures
In this section we will set up our Iso Style to set the text height, font type
and material enclosure used.
2 Click Edit.
3 Select the Iso style tab.
In the DRAWING TEXT SIZE group box we will set the text height, font style,
pipeline splitting, north direction and material enclosure.
4 Set On/Off check box in the User Defined Fonts group box (Switch 4).
Notice the switch will not work, we need to add the path to the fontstd.fif
file to the isogen.fls file.
5 Close the FINAL.opl file.
7 Click Browse in the Font Information field.
8 Navigate to the C:\Program Files\Common Files\Bentley Shared\Plant
V8i\Isogen directory.

9 Select the fontstd.fif file.
10 Save the changed settings in theProject Administrator.
11 Open the FINAL.opl file again.
12 Set the On/Off check box in the User Defined Fonts group box.
13 Select ARIEL (TRUE TYPE) from the list.
In the field above you can set the text height.
14 Choose a different style in the MATERIAL PART NUMBER ENCLOSURE
group box (Switch 76).

Modifying the Option Switches for Iso Style
16 Run an Iso.
Slope
This section is where we will set up our Iso Style for slopes.
 Exercise 1: Modifying the Option Switches for Iso Style slopes
1 On the Project Administrator.
2 Click Edit.
3 Select the Iso style tab.
4 Click Next Page.
5 Select Falls shown as Imperail Incline (to nrst 16th in per Ft) in the
SLOPING PIPELINE INDICATION (Swithc 19/20).

By default, it is set to show as an angle.
6 Select Suppress Angle Information in the SLOPING PIPELINE ‐ 3D SKEW
DEPICTION group box (Switch 67).
8 Below is a sample of the annotation.
Skew Depiction
This section is where we will set up our Iso Style for skews.
Option Switch 97 controls how Skew pipe sections containing Branch connections
are depicted in terms of the Skew indication on the isometric. Skews may be
shown with either a series of separate Box / Triangle enclosures ‐ one per Branch,
or alternatively, a single overall one.

Option Switch 99 Controls whether Skewed pipe sections are drawn with either
Box or Triangle Skew depiction on the isometric, together with the form of Skew
Dimensioning to be used. A secondary option allows the selection of a mixture of
2D Skew Triangles and 3D Skew Box depiction. Skew Dimensioning options offer
either normal Dimensioning format (with witness lines etc.) or a simplified form
when using Skew Triangle format (actual Dimensions positioned along sides of
Triangles with no witness lines)
 Exercise 1: Modifying the Skew Depiction
1 From Project Administrator.
2 Click Edit.
3 Select the Iso Style tab.
4 Click Next Page.
5 Select Skew Box, Normal Dim's, Standout As Os80 in the Skew depiction
sytle + Dimension style list.
6 Select Shown with Arrow Heads on Arc Radius in the Skew Angles list.
8 Below is a sample of how the iso would look.

Modifying the Option Switches for Iso Content
Coordinates
This section is where we will set up our Iso Content. The Iso Content section sets
the coordinate call outs.
 Exercise 1: Modifying the Coordinates
2 Click Edit.
3 Select the Iso Content tab.
We will setup the coordinates we do not want to be displayed on the iso.
4 Set Open End of pipework and Closed End of pipework in the
CONNECTION CO‐ORDINATES (Switch 5) group box.
This will turn off the coordinates at plugs blind flanges and other items
that closed the pipe and open ended pipe.
5 We will also set the CO‐ORDINATES SUPPLEMENTARY (switch 66), in this
section you tell isogen when to display elevations along with the support
coordinates as above.

Below is an example of the out of the box settings. Notice the coordinate
displayed at the drain valve and open ended connection.
7 Run the iso for the open ended drain on L1004.
Below is a sample of the iso. Notice that the coordinates are now not
displayed at these points.

Spool piece identifiers and tagging
The second page of the Iso Content section sets the spool id, instrument id,
instrument identification for the BOM and the pipe support identification.
On page 2 of the iso content tab, the spool piece section (switch 39) we will setup
the spool id format. We can suppress the id's that direct it to use a number or
alpha identifier. We will also tell it whether or to start the id's over or continue
with the sequence on the additional sheets, the type of enclosure to use and
whether or not to use a custom format (this format is set in the opcfhdr.ebs file)
or use the out of the box format.
We will also set the instrument id/other enclosure (switch 123), instrument
identification (switch 59), component tagging on graphics (switch 60) and the
pipe support identification (switch 64).
 Exercise 1: Modifying the Spool piece identifiers and tagging
2 Click Edit.
3 Select the Iso Content tab.
4 Click Next Page.

5 Set Use Numeric Sequence for Identifiers, Spool Identifiers sequence to
recommence at 1 on each new DRG, User Defined Pipe Spools, Round
Ended Box in SPOOL PIECE IDENTIFIERS (Switch 39) group box.
6 Set Use Instrument (Tag) Name On Material List in the INSTRUMENT
IDENTIFICATION (Switch 59) group box.
7 Set Do Not Plot Tags/names in the COMPONENT TAGGING ON GRAPHICS
(Switch 60) group box.
8 Set Unboxed Tags on Iso's & Tags in BOM in the PIPE SUPPORT
IDENTIFICATION (Switch 64) group box.
10 Run the iso.
11 Manually selecting the spool piece, drain valve support and instrument
attached to segment east of the valce on P‐104. Check the resulting
changes.
Insulation and Tracing
The third page of the Iso Content section sets the flow arrows on components,
insulation indication, flange rotation angles, tracing indication and assembly

numbers. We will not do an exercise for this page. These switches are toggles that
will add additional symbology to the graphics. Below is an example of page 3.

Material Definition List
Module Overview
The Material Definition List provides instructions to isogen for the placement of
the columns in the bill of material. This is where we change the order the columns
are placed in and which columns will be included. The only time the software will
need to be pointed to an mdl file is if the style is 2, 3 or 4. See the example of an
out‐of‐the‐box mdl file.
STYLE 2 MDL
STYLE 3 MDL
Dec-10 107 Material Definition List

Module Overview
 Exercise 1: Adjusting Column Placement
In this exercise we will be modifying the final.mdl file to properly position
the columns on our iso.
2 Click Browse.
3 Navigate to C:\Bentley Training Project\isogen\final directory.
4 Select the FINAL.mld file.
5 Move the pipemark (|) in the file to the right 10 spaces. You want to keep
both of the marks aligned with each other. The pipemark (|) defines the
width of the Material list. As you increase the spaces, count the number
you have increased by and add that to attribute ‐21 (Long Description).
The second number in this line represents the length in characters to print
before wrapping to the next line.
7 Run another iso using the isogen interface.
8 Open the iso and review it for the bom placement.
Material Definition List 108 Dec-10

Module Overview
You will notice that the BOM size has increased and no longer fits in the
allotted space.
9 Reset the values in the MLD file and save the changes.
 Exercise 2: Adding a New Column
In this exercise we will be modifying the final.mdl file to add a new column
on our iso.
2 Click Browse.
3 Navigate to C:\Bentley Training Project\isogen\final directory.
4 Select the FINAL.mld file.
We will add a new column heading, Group to the list of column headings.
5 On the style2‐data‐headings section, modify the mld, as below, adding the
new line 'GROUP' 18 N. Adjust the column start point for the columns as
shown.

Module Overview
We have to work within the space required so sometimes this means
trying a few different arrangements and values for the columns before
getting it right.
6 Rerun and Iso and verify the results .
 Exercise 3: Creating a section for MTC
In this exercise we will be modifying the final.mdl file to have it to create
an external file that contains a list of the material.
1 Open the final.mdl file with Notepad.
We are going to add a new section to the mdl file.

Module Overview
2 Add the following information:
4 Open Project Administrator (if it is closed).
6 Click Edit.
8 Set User Defined Material Control File check box in the TYPE OF
MATERIAL LIST (Switch 23) group box.
10 Create C:\Bentley Training Project\Training\config\isogen\final\reports
directory.
11 In this directory, create matl.mtc file using notepad.
12 Re‐open Project Administrator.
13 Expand the Isogen > Output node.
14 Click Browse to the right of the Material Control field.

Module Overview
Project\Training\config\isogen\final\reports directory.
16 Select the matl.mtc file.
17 Save and close the Project Administrator.
18 Run and iso.
19 Navigate to the Reports directory.
20 Review the matl.mtc file.

Weld Definition File
The weld definition file is what the software looks at to determine user prefixes
you have instructed the options switch file to use as well as instructions for the
weld box to be generated on the drawing and for the external weld report.
 Exercise 1: Create the Weld Definition File and create a section for weld
summary box
In this exercise we will create a definition for the software to use for the
weld summary box. In some of the previous exercises you have seen a
weld summary box on the isos, we did not have a definition for this in the
final.wdf file, if there is not a definition it will add an out‐of‐the‐box one.
We will be adding a definition to the final.wdf file .
1 Navigate to C:\Bentley Training Project\Training\Config\isogen\final.
2 Open the final.wdf file with Notepad.
3 Enter the following to add a new section to the final.wdf file.
4 Save the file.
5 Open Options file.
7 Select Plot Weld Summary Box in Switch 53/54.
9 Go to the isogen interface and run an iso.

10 Open the iso and review the weld summary box.
 Exercise 2: Create a Section for an External Weld Report
In this exercise we will create a definition for the software to use for
external weld report.
1 Navigate to C:\Bentley Training Project\Training\Config\isogen\final
2 Open the final.wdf file with Notepad.
3 Add the following information to the final.wdf:

4 Save the file.
5 Open the Options file in Project Administrator.
6 Expand Isogen > Output.
7 Click Browse to the right of the Weld Summary field.
8 Navigate to the reports directory name the file (final_weld.sum).
The software sets the file up for an append mode.
Note: If you want it to be in overwrite mode you will have to manually modify
the fls file.
9 Save and minimize Project Administrator.
10 Go to the isogen and run an iso.
11 Go to the reports directory and review the report.

Alternate Text File
Alternate Text File
The alternate text file is what the software looks at to determine if the user has
changed the out‐of‐the‐box callout for items. This file has its own utility to be
used for editing. The file consist of several groups, each group will have at least
one section and several will have multiple sections. Below is a sample of the
utility for editing.
Notice there is a menu for the groups, and the current active group has several
sections.
 Exercise 1: Modify the Alternate Text File
In this exercise we will modify several of the callouts to be used on the
graphics.
1 Expand the Isogen > Input node in Project Administrator.
2 Click Browse next to the Alternate Text field.
3 Navigate to C:\Bentley Training Project\Training\Config\isogen\final
directory.
4 Select the final.alt file.
5 Click OK.
6 Save the change.
7 Click Edit to the right of the Alternate Text field.
The . alt file with the utility opens.

Alternate Text File
8 Select Group > Plotted Material List.
Now we are going to change the titles used in the BOM. It uses fabrication
material and erection material. We are going to change this to read shop
mat'l and field mat'l.
9 Locate switch ‐300 in the Titles section of the Plotted Material List group,
modify this to read Shop Mat'l.
10 Locate switch ‐310, modify this one to read Field Mat'l.
11 Save the file.
12 Exit the Project Administrator.
13 Run an iso.
14 Review the iso.
Take some additional time to work with the alt modifications on your own
and test the result running isometrics that meet your criteria.

Text Positioning File
The text positioning file is what the software looks at to find the placement for
attributes, there are out of the box attributes such as pipe spec, line size, etc. You
can also create user attributes such as design pressure and design temperature.
Below is a sample of an out‐of‐the‐box positioning file.
The text id no above is the attribute number; the ones listed above are for user
attributes. We will cover assigning attributes in the attribute setup section.
 Exercise 1: Modify the Text Positioning File and adjust placement of the text
In this exercise we will modify the record for the pipeline reference
attribute (‐6).
3 Click Browse to the right of the Positioned Text field.
4 Select the position text file final.pos.
5 Save and return to the Piping application.
6 Run an iso selecting components from a single line number.
7 Open the iso to check the placement of the drawing number (pipeline‐
reference).
8 Modify the position file for ‐6 until the drawing name is properly
positioned in the border.

 Exercise 2: Modify the Text Positioning File and add new attributes for
placement
1 Reopen the Project Administrator.
3 Click Edit to the right of the Positioned Text field.
4 Add the following lines to the file:
5 Save the file and return to the piping application.
6 Re‐run the iso.
7 Review the iso.
Note: We will cover how to add the user attributes to the .pcf in the attribute
setup section.

Data Definition File
The data definition file is where the user can control the graphics such as color,
layer, linetype and scaling. This file is divided into several sections.

 Exercise 1: Modify the Data Definition File and adjust scaling for
components
There are two ways of editing the DDF. There is a graphical interface that
can be used by selecting the edit button next to the Drawing Definition
value. Or you can open the DDF file with a simple text editor such as
notepad. In this exercise we will adjust the size of a symbol.
3 Click Browse to the right of the Drawing Definition field.

4 Select the final.ddf file.
5 Save and return to Piping.
6 Run an iso capturing the sockolet on line L1004.
7 Open the iso and look at the size of the sockolet.
8 Using Notepad open the final.ddf file.
9 In the fitting‐special section, change the scale factor for the olets to use a
smaller factor.
10 Save the file and return to Piping.
11 Re‐run the iso.
12 Open the iso and check the size of the sockolet.
 Exercise 2: Modify the Data Definition File and adjust color for components
In this exercise we will assign colors to the layers to be used.
1 Using Notepad open the final.ddf file.
2 In the layer‐name section, change the heading layer‐name to layer‐name‐
colors.
3 We will also add a new line just below the heading that will set the default
colour, the line should read as follows:
DEFAULT-COLOUR 6
4 Modify several of the layers to use a color:
7 'PIPE' COLOUR 40
5 Save the file and return to the piping interface.
6 Run an iso.
7 Open the iso and review it.
 Exercise 3: Modify the Data Definition File and the adjust thickness for Pipe
ranges using the Graphical Interface
In this exercise we will set the plotted line thickness for ranges of pipe.
2 Expand the IsoGen > Input node.
3 Click Edit to open the DDF Editor dialog.
4 Select R1 from the Range Number list.

5 Type .25 in the Autocad(mm) field of the Thickness group box.
6 Repeat step 4 and select R2.
7 Type .5 in the Autocad(mm) field of the Thickness group box.
8 Repeat step 4 and select R3.
9 Type 1.0 in the Autocad(mm) field of the Thickness group box.
10 Save the file and return to Piping.
11 Run an iso.
12 Open the iso and review it. Repeat until you get the desired look for your
iso's.

Notes
Notes
This section will cover automatically adding notes to the drawing. Notes added
this way are placed as part of the BOM.
 Exercise 1: Create Notes file
1 Using Notepad we will create a new file called notes.txt.
2 Add the following information to the file:
3 Save the file to the ..\isogen\Final directory.
4 Using Notepad open the final.mdl file.
5 Add a new column heading for the notes.
6 Add a new data entry for the notes, the switch or attribute number for
notes (remarks) is ‐79.
7 Add a new section after the data section for positioning the list of notes.
Note: The remarks or notes can also be added to the external reports for the
BOM.

Notes
8 Save the file.
9 Using Notepad open the isogen.fls in the C:\Bentley Training
Project\Training\Config\isogen\final directory.
10 Add the following to the bottom of the isogen.fls:
REMARKS c:\isogen\training\Exercise13\notes.txt
Note: The entry has to been added manually. There is no selection to add it
using the Project Administrator.
11 Go to the Piping interface and run an iso.
12 Review the iso.

Symbols
Symbols
In this section we will look at changing the existing symbols used by isogen and
adding new user defined symbols.
 Exercise 1: Modify Symbols File, modify a symbol
In this exercise we will be modifying the symbol currently being used for
an extended body gate valve.
1 Go to C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant V8i\Autoisogen\isoutils.
2 Double‐click on the symbols.exe.
3 Select View > Standard Library > Redefining Valves.

Symbols
4 Select the VV skew.
The symbols in the standard library can not be edited. We will be adding
the VV skew to a new file so that we can edit it.
5 Select File > New.
To start a new symbols set.
6 Select Redefining Valves in the Group field.
7 Select Symbol > New.
We will add the appropriate data to the dialog.
8 Set Copy Symbol from.
9 Click Browse to the right of the Old Symbol Key field.
10 Select VV.
Several fields in the dialog populate.
A copy of the vv symbol is placed in our new file with all the characteristics
of the original. We will not add a new symbol key because we will use
Modify Symbol for any thing that calls the vv symbol.
11 Click Edit Symbol.
12 The Delete and Move menus display.
13 Select Move > Symbol‐within grid.

Symbols
14 Select the green circle on the left side of the valve and move the cursor
over twelve spaces and pick again.
The valve moved over twelve spaces in the grid.
Next we will draw the two lines to represent the extended portion of the
valve.
15 Select a point two squares above the green circle and draw to the left
twelve spaces and pick with the left mouse button, and right‐click to end
the command.
16 Repeat step 14 starting at a point two spaces below the green circle.
17 Select Move > Start point‐on current symbol.
The start point is the green circle. We need to move it to the left twelve
spaces.
18 Select the green circle and move the cursor twelve spaces to the left and
pick again.
The start point has been moved.
19 Right‐click with the mouse to end the command.
20 Click Done.
21 Select File > Save As.
22 Type symbols.asc and save it in C:\Bentley Training
Project\Training\Config\isogen\final directory.
23 Expand the Isogen Input node.
24 Clicking Browse to the right of the Custom Symbol field, and navigate to
the file we just created.
25 Select the symbol.asc file.
26 Click Open.
27 Save and exit Project Administrator.
28 Run an iso and review your iso to see the new symbol.
 Exercise: Modify Symbols File, add a new symbol
In this exercise we will create a new symbol to be used for an extended
body ball valve. In the current set of symbols a standard ball valve symbol
is being used.

Symbols
3 Click Edit.
The new file opens. Make sure the group is set to Redefining Valves.
4 Select Symbol > New.
5 Click Copy Symbol From.
6 Click Browse for the Old Symbol Key field.
7 Select the VB symbol.
8 Type EV** in the New Symbol Key field.
We are creating a new symbol for isogen to use, not editing an existing
symbol.
9 Click Create Symbol.
10 Right‐click on the drawing and select Move > Select Symbol‐within grid.
11 Click on the green circle on the left side of the valve and move the cursor
over twelve spaces and pick again.
The valve moved over twelve spaces in the grid.
Next we will draw the two lines to represent the extended portion of the
valve.
12 Pick a point two squares above the green circle and draw to the left
twelve spaces and pick with the left mouse button, right‐click to end the
command.
13 Repeat step 11 starting at a point two spaces below the green circle.
14 Select Move > Start point‐on current symbol.
The start point is the green circle. We need to move it to the left twelve
spaces.
15 Click on the green circle and move the cursor twelve spaces to the left and
click again.
The start point has been moved. Right‐click with the mouse to end the
command.
16 Click Done.
18 Close the Symbol Editor utility.

Symbols
 Exercise: Modify the PCF.ini
In the exercise above we added a new symbol to be used for the extended
body ball valve, we now need to tell the software that it is to use the new
symbol for this class. This is done by modifying the pcf.ini file; this file is
located in the config\modules\base directory of the project. If this
directory does not exist in your project create it and then copy the pcf.ini
file from C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant V8i\modules\base into the new
directory. This file is the map used to assign the skey for the components.
We will take a quick look at the file.
The information on the left side of the equal sign is the class name used in
the Piping application: the information on the right side of the equal sign
is the skey for isogen. Noticed that the skey for the AT_HUB_BLIND uses
KA**; when the ** is used the isogen software adds the appropriate end
condition to the symbol. We will now modify the pcf.ini so the extended
body ball valve will use our new symbol EV**.
1 Using Notepad open the pcf.ini file.
The file you copied into the project.
2 Search for AT_VALVE_EXT_BALL.
3 Change the skey to use our new symbol.
4 Save and close the file.
Note: Isogen has a variety of symbols in the standard library, if a symbol being
used now does not meet your requirements look through the available
symbols for that group to see if there is an alternate symbol that does
meet your requirements and modify the pcf.ini to use the alternate
symbol. An example of this is the skey being used for the orifice flange
(FO**), when this is used it will place a symbol that looks like a slip‐on
flange; if you want the symbol to arrear as a weldneck flange you will
need to change the FO** to FOWN.

Detail Sketches
Detail Sketches
In this section we will discuss how to get details to show up on the iso. We have
supplied you with a detail drawing that will be placed on the iso.
 Exercise 1: Setup detail sketches
1 Using Notepad open the final.ddf.
2 Add the following data to the bottom of the file:
Note: The file‐format above is set to dwg; this will not work with dxf.
3 Save and close the file.
4 Expand the Isogen > Input node of the project in Project Administrator.
5 Click Bowse to the left of the Detail Sketch field.
6 Navigate to C:\Bentley Training Project\Training\details directory.
7 Click OK.
8 Select the Detail Sketch field and make sure there is a \ at the end of the
statement.
9 Save the project.
Note: The pcf file for this exercise requires a statement that isogen needs to
call a detail, we will discuss the appropriate changes that need to be
made for AutoPLANT to write the statement in the pcf in the opcfhdr
section of the manual.

Attribute setup
Attribute setup
The isogen software has the ability to pull data from table in the database or an
excel file, these are considered user attributes. The methods for attaining the
information to assign to the attributes are different, we will look at setting up
attributes that are pulled from a table in the database in this section. We will
cover how to pull data from and excel file in the opcfhdr section.
 Exercise: Modify the system settings to run queries for user attribute
2 Expand the Bentley Plant V8i Projects > SAMPLE_IMPERIAL > Isogen
node.
3 Click System.
4 On the General PCF Data section, click in the empty column below the
number 34.
5 Right‐click and select Add.
Notice it added the number 35 to the column and highlighted the
description column.
6 Type Operating Pressure in the Description field.
7 In the Query field for number 32, highlight the entry.
8 Right‐click and select Copy.
The following statement displays.

Attribute setup
SELECT DISTINCT PROCESS.PSZ_NOM AS FieldtoDisp FROM PROCESS INNER

JOIN tag_reg ON PROCESS.keytag=tag_reg.keytag WHERE
tag_reg.tag_no='+linenumber+'
This statement tells the software to go to the process table and retrieve
the information from the psz_nom field for the line number the
component belongs to.
9 Copy and paste this statement in the query field for number 35.
10 Edit the statement you just paste to match the one below:
SELECT DISTINCT PROCESS.POPP_NOM AS FieldtoDisp FROM PROCESS INNER
JOIN tag_reg ON PROCESS.keytag=tag_reg.keytag WHERE
tag_reg.tag_no='+linenumber+'
The the data is retrieved from the field used to store the Operating
Pressure.
11 Repeat steps 7 ‐ 10, for the following data to be obtained:
Operating Temperature ‐ POPT_NOM
Test Pressure ‐ PTESTP
12 Save and exit the Project Administrator.
13 Open a model in the SAMPLE_IMPERIAL project.
14 Add a new line number P5000.
15 Place a few components that will be associated with the new line number.
16 Save your model.
17 Open Data Manager.
Make sure you are viewing the SAMPLE_IMPERIAL project.
18 Open the Line List view.
19 Locate the record for P5000.
20 Add data to the Operating Pressure, Operating Temperature and Test
Pressure fields.
21 Close Data Manager.
22 Go back to your model and run an iso for line P5000.
23 Go to the C:\Bentley Plant V8i
Projects\Sample_imperial\config\isogen\final\archive directory.
24 Open the .pcf file that was just created.
You should see a list of user attributes just below area. Make sure you
have attribute31 ‐ attribute37.

Attribute setup
Note: The attribute number is added and add 600 to it to use for looking up
the position in the text positioning file. (e.g. attribute35, it will look in
the pos file for ‐635).
 Exercise 2: Modify the system settings to add additional fields for BOM user
attributes
2 Expand the Bentley Plant V8i Projects > SAMPLE_IMPERIAL > Isogen
node.
3 Select System.
4 Go to the Material Data section.
5 Clear all of the fields except the one for LONG_DESCR.
6 Save the changes.
7 Open your model and run the iso again.
8 Open the .pcf file just created.
9 Search for the Materials section of the file.
The only thing listed under the Materials section is the item code (this is
used to match the material up with the component) and the long
description.
10 In the Project Administrator, select Material Data > Schedule.
11 Save the changes.
12 Open your model and run the iso again.
13 Open the .pcf file and locate the Materials section.
It should be similar to the one below.

Opcfhdr File
Note: The rating variable above is the new entry for the material section, if this
is going to be placed in the BOM on the iso it would be ‐80, remember
we added a ‐80 to an earlier exercise for the mdl file. If you add more
than one new entry the number used in the mdl would be consecutive
starting with ‐80. In the AutoPLANT software if you check schedule and
rating it will use the variable name rating and place either the schedule
or rating information depending on the type of component.
Opcfhdr File
The opcfhdr.ebs file contains the programming for the general information that is
to be placed in the .pcf file for all components. We will be editing this file to have
additional data pulled from the components and placed in the appropriate
sections of the pcf.
 Exercise 1: Modify the Opcfhdr.ebs for remarks
In this exercise we are going to set the opcfhdr file up so that we can add
note information to a component from the model and then have that
information appear on the iso.
1 Copy opcfhdr.ebs from C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant V8i\xchg\pcf\ to
C:\Bentley Plant V8i\Sample_Imperial\config\xchg\pcf. If the directory
does not exist create it.
2 Open C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant V8i\xchg\syspref.ini with Notepad.
We are going to set the software to check the project for the opcfhdr file.
3 Locate the .pcf section and find:
BEGIN_OUT = %Network_Root%\XCHG\PCF\opcfhdr.ebs; at_PCFOut_begin
4 Modify it to match the following:
BEGIN_OUT = %Project_Root%\Config\XCHG\PCF\opcfhdr.ebs;
at_PCFOut_begin; %Network_Root%\XCHG\PCF\opcfhdr.ebs;
at_PCFOut_begin
5 Find the following line:
HEADER_OUT = %Network_Root%\XCHG\PCF\opcfhdr.ebs; AT_PCF_HEADER_OUT
6 Modify it to match the following:
HEADER_OUT = %Project_Root%\Config\XCHG\PCF\opcfhdr.ebs;
AT_PCF_HEADER_OUT; %Network_Root%\XCHG\PCF\opcfhdr.ebs;
AT_PCF_HEADER_OUT

Opcfhdr File
What we have done in the syspref file is to tell the software to check the
project first for the opcfhdr file, if it is not there then it will look in the
software directory for it. This allows you to modify the file for each client
need.
8 Expand the Bentley Plant V8i >SAMPLE_IMPERIAL > Databases node.
9 Select PTROJDATA.
10 Click Edit.
11 Scroll down the list of tables, select Piping table.

Opcfhdr File
12 Click Edit.
13 Click Table Design.
This will take you into the design view for this table.
14 Go to the bottom of the list of fields.
15 Type Remarks in the last field.
16 Set the Data Type to Text.
17 Close the screen and save.
18 Click OK.
19 Select the columns pick to the right.
20 Scroll down to the Remarks field.
21 Set the Allow User Updates to Yes.

Opcfhdr File
22 Click OK.
23 Click Close.
24 Close the Project Administrator.
Note: We set the database up to have a place to store the note or remark
number for the components.
25 Open a model in the SAMPLE_IMPERIAL project.
26 Double‐click on one of the components for line P5000.
27 On the second page of the dialog box, scroll down in the Database
Information section.
28 Select Remarks.
29 Type 1 in the entry screen.
30 Click OK.
31 Click OK.
We have entered a note number from our notes.txt file.
32 Save your model.
33 Open the opcfhdr.ebs file with ebs_edit.exe located in the C:\Program
Files\Bentley\Plant V8i\bin directory.
Warning: Do not open it with Notepad.
34 Select Edit > Find.
35 Enter pcf_item_code in the Find field.
36 Go to the bottom of the list dim variables and add the following
statement:
Dim remarksID As String
Note: We are adding a new variable that will be used to represent the data in
the remarks field of the piping database.
37 Place a couple of line retuns.

Opcfhdr File
38 Add the following statements:
'// added by cph for remarks
nstat=at_component_getcurrid(compid)
nstat=at_component_getstring(remarksid, compid,"remarks")
If (nstat=at_success) Then
nstat=at_xchgwritelntext(" COMPONENT-REMARK-NUMBER
"+remarksid)
End If
The software is retrieving the information from the Remarks field and
assigning it to the Remarksid variable and then writing the data with the
variable name that isogen needs into the pcf file.
39 Save the file.
40 Run the iso from your model.
41 Open the .pcf file it just created.
42 Locate the component you added the Remark number to in the pcf file,
verify that this component has an entry for component‐remark‐number.
43 Copy the .pcf file to \\Isogen\Training\pcf directory.
44 Open the Isogen interface.
45 Set the Style to Exercise17.
46 Run the .pcf file you copied in to the directory.
47 Open the iso and review it.
You should have a number under the note column in the BOM and the
note written in the notes section of the iso.
 Exercise 2: Modify the Opcfhdr.ebs for user spool mark
In this exercise we are going to set the opcfhdr file up so that it will
generate the proper prefix to be used with the spool id numbers, as an
example isogen assigns the spool id to be 1, but we want it to appear as
P5000‐1.
1 Open the opcfhdr.ebs that we placed in the project.
3 Enter AT_PCF_HEADER_OUT in the Find field.
This will put us the proper section of the .pcf file to enter our new data.
The prefix for spool id has to be in the header section of the pcf file.

Opcfhdr File
4 At the bottom of the dim variables, add the following line:
Dim Linenum As String
Dim compID As At_ComponentID
Note: This will give us a variable to assign the line number to.
5 On the last line of the Write Pipeline Reference section, add a couple of
line returns.
6 Add the following lines:
'// Write SPOOL-PREFIX
'//
nStat = at_Component_getCurrID(compID)
nStat = at_Component_getString (LineNum, compID,
"LineNumber")
nStat = at_XchgWritelnText("SPOOL-PREFIX " + LineNum + "-
")
Note: If the prefix needs to contain additional data you will add the necessary
variables to the dim list and add the necessary statements to get the
data and assign it to the variable. Then you would add it to the last
statement so that it will concatenate properly.
7 Save the file.
8 Open the model back up.
9 Run the iso for P5000.
10 Open the .pcf file just created.
11 Check the header section of the pcf to make sure it has the spool prefix in
it.
12 Copy this .pcf file to the \\isogen\training\pcf directory.
13 Open the Isogen interface.
14 Set the Style to Exercise17.
15 Run the pcf.
16 Open the iso and check the spool mark.

Opcfhdr File
 Exercise 3: Modify the Opcfhdr.ebs for detail sketches
In this exercise we will set the opcfhdr file to automatically get the detail
sketch data from the model and place it in the component section of the
pcf file.
2 Select SAMPLE_IMPERIAL project.
3 Add a new field to the Piping table called Detail.
4 Make this field updatable.
5 Open the opcfhdr.ebs file in the project.
7 Type PCF_ITEM_CODE in the Find field.
8 Go to the bottom if the dim variable listand add the following statement:
Dim detailid As String
Add a couple of line returns.
Add the following lines:
'// added by cph for details
nstat=at_component_getcurrid(compid)
nstat=at_component_getstring(detailid, compid,"detail")
If (nstat=at_success) Then
nstat=at_xchgwritelntext(" DETAIL-SKETCH-IDENTIFIER
"+detailid)
End If
9 Save the file.
10 Open the model back up.
11 Double‐click on one of the components that belong to P5000.
12 Go to the second page and in Detail field in the database information
section, add a Detail name to the field.
13 Run the iso.
14 Open the pcf file created and check the section for the component you
added the detail information to, look for the statement detail‐sketch‐
identifier.

Opcfhdr File
 Exercise 4: Modify the Opcfhdr.ebs to read from an excel file for user
attributes
In this exercise we will set the opcfhdr to look in an excel file to create the
user attributes for design pressure and such.
1 Open the opcfhdr.ebs file in the project.
3 Type nstat=pcf_piping_spec(0) in the Find field.
4 Go to the end of this statement and enter a line return.
5 Add the following statement:
nStat = PCF_WRITEFROM_XLS()
6 Go to the bottom of the ebs file and add the following:
Note: The Excellfilename statement is the path to the excel file, this will need to be
changed for each project.
7 Add the following:
Note: The for i = 0 to 10 is the statement that tells the software the number of
columns in the excel file, it will be to be adjusted accordingly.
8 Go to the end function line and enter a couple of line returns.

Opcfhdr File
Note: If you have more than 10 columns you will need to add additional lines
to the if check1=check2 section, you can copy and paste the lines and
then modify.
10 Save the file.
11 Copy the linelist.xls from C:\Bentley Training Project\Training\linelist\ file
to C:\Bentley Plant V8i Projects\Sample_Imperial\config\linelist.
12 Open the model.
13 Run the iso for P5000.
14 Open the pcf file just created and review the header section, it now
contains user attributes extracted from the excel file.

Setup Output Files
Setup Output Files
Overview
 Exercise 1: Create the Support Information Report
In this exercise we will create and external report for support information.
This report is not customizable.
2 Expand the Training project.
3 Expand the Isogen section and go to Output.
4 Type C:\Bentley Training
Project\Training\Config\isogen\final\Reports\supports.txt in the
Support Summary field.
5 Save and exit.
6 Run an Iso from the piping model
7 Go to the reports directory and open the supports.txt file.
 Exercise 2: Create the Cut List Summary Report
In this exercise we will modify the mld file to create an external cut list report.
3 Open the .mld file
5 Save the file.
6 Go to the Output section.

Setup Output Files
7 Type C:\Bentley Training
Project\Training\Config\isogen\final\Reports\cutlists.txt in the Cut List
Summary field.
8 Save and exit.
9 Run an Iso from the piping model
10 Open the reports directory and review the cutlist.txt file.

Setup Output Files

Course Summary
Course Review
Now that you have completed this course, let’s measure what you have learned.
Questions
1 As an component is placed in a model, all connectivity data is stored
within thedatabase.
• True
• False
2 The ISOGEN application relies on accurate Port data.
• True
• False
3 A Tap Port enable the designer to add a section of pipe within an existing
pipeline.
• True
• False
4 A Stop Sign added to a pipe segment means that no other pipe may be
connected to the section.
• True
• False
5 A Piping Component File (PCF) must be generated before a isometric
drawing can be automatically created from an model.
• True
• False
6 Define the use of following files in one line.
Dec-10 147 Course Summary

Course Review
Material List Definition File , Data Definition File, Weld Definition file,
Alternate text file, Text Positioning File.
7 You can’t create custom isogen symbols in AP ISOGEN.
• True
• False
8 What is the use of opcfhdr.ebs file?
Course Summary 148 Dec-10

Course Review
Answers
1 True: Connectivity data between components, including fasteners are
stored within the database. Accurate information is crucial for the
successful output for generating automatic isometrics from the model.
2 True: A port contains data driven by the spec, including size, rating , facing,
direction and location of a specific component. This information is read by
the ISOGEN application when creating a iso.
3 True: Creating a Tap Port adds an additional port to a section of pipe,
increasing the number of ports to three, instead of the customary two
ports. This port enable the designer to add additional components such as
weldolets, saddles or sections of pipe used as drainage lines.
4 False: Stop signs are added to a drawing to indicate where page breaks
occur when the isometric drawing created for a specific pipeline must
break across multiple sheets. The sheets are consecutively numbered,
depending where stop signs are placed.
5 True: AutoPLANT model data is first gathered to create a PCF file. Once
generated ISOGEN creates an AutoCAD compatible DXF formatted file that
can be easily viewed and plotted from AutoCAD.
6 The definitions are as follows:
• Material List Definition File: It is used for placement and adjustment of
columns in BOM
• Data Definition File: To control the display of graphics on the drawing.
Weld Definition file: Set the preferences for weld prefixes and weld box
Alternate Text File: If user wants to change out‐of‐box callouts.
• Text positioning file: It defines the placement of default and user
defined attributes.
7 False: AP ISOGEN provides a symbol editor tool to create custom isogen
symbols. You can even edit existing isogen symbol.
8 The opcfhdr.ebs file contains the programming for the general information
that is to be placed in the pcf file for all components.
Dec-10 149 Course Summary

Course Review
Course Summary 150 Dec-10


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ISOGEN for AutoPLANT

ISOGEN for AutoPLANT 2 Dec-10

Dec-10 3 Table of Contents

Material Definition List _______________________________ 107

Course Summary ____________________________________ 147

Dec-10 4 Table of Contents

Dec-10 5 Course Overview

Copyright © 2010 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Course Overview 6 Dec-10

Dec-10 7 Course Overview

Course Overview 8 Dec-10

Dec-10 9 Automated Iso Generation

Copyright © 2010 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Automated Iso Generation 10 Dec-10

Dec-10 11 Automated Iso Generation

Automated Iso Generation 12 Dec-10

Dec-10 13 Automated Iso Generation

Automated Iso Generation 14 Dec-10

Dec-10 15 Automated Iso Generation

Automated Iso Generation 16 Dec-10

Dec-10 17 Automated Iso Generation

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Automated Iso Generation 18 Dec-10

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Dec-10 19 Automated Iso Generation

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Automated Iso Generation 26 Dec-10

Dec-10 27 Automated Iso Generation

Automated Iso Generation 28 Dec-10

Dec-10 29 Automated Iso Generation

Automated Iso Generation 30 Dec-10

Dec-10 31 Automated Iso Generation

Automated Iso Generation 32 Dec-10

Dec-10 33 Automated Iso Generation

Automated Iso Generation 34 Dec-10

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Automated Iso Generation 36 Dec-10

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Automated Iso Generation 38 Dec-10

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Automated Iso Generation 40 Dec-10

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Automated Iso Generation 42 Dec-10

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Automated Iso Generation 44 Dec-10

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Automated Iso Generation 46 Dec-10

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Automated Iso Generation 48 Dec-10

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Automated Iso Generation 50 Dec-10

Dec-10 51 Automated Iso Generation

Automated Iso Generation 52 Dec-10

Dec-10 53 Automated Iso Generation

Automated Iso Generation 54 Dec-10

Dec-10 55 Automated Iso Generation

Automated Iso Generation 56 Dec-10

Dec-10 57 Modifying Input Files

Copyright © 2010 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Modifying Input Files 58 Dec-10

Dec-10 59 Modifying Input Files

Modifying Input Files 60 Dec-10