AVEVA™ E3D Design

Primitives

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Primitives

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Last UpdatedFeb 12, 2025
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Equipment elements consist of a collection of primitives, positioned in the 3D graphical view as a graphical representation of the piece of equipment. The primitives are created using parameters in the graphical view. The initial method of creation is the default although other methods are available for selection.

Note:
The primitives should be built such that their lengths are aligned with the default axis system and not built in such a way that they need to be rotated from the default axis system.

For example, the simple storage vessel shown below can be constructed from a cylinder for the main body, two dishes for the ends, two boxes for the support legs and a nozzle for the piping connection.

Primitive Gallery

All of the primitives are available for selection from the Primitive gallery.


	Create a Box Primitive	Use the functionality to create a box primitive (BOX) element in the design hierarchy, refer to Box Primitive for further information.
	Create a Cylinder Primitive	Use the functionality to create a cylinder primitive (CYLI) element, refer to Cylinder Primitive for further information.
	Create a Cone Primitive	Use the functionality to create a cone primitive element (CONE), refer to Cone Primitive for further information.
	Create a Snout Primitive	Use the functionality to create a snout primitive element (SNOU), refer to Snout Primitive for further information
	Create a Pyramid Primitive	Use the functionality to create a pyramid primitive element (PYRA), refer to Pyramid Primitive for further information.
	Create a Dish Primitive	Use the functionality to create a dish primitive element (DISH), refer to Dish Primitive for further information.
	Create a Extrusion Primitive	Use the functionality to create an extrusion primitive element (EXTR), refer to Extrusion Primitive for further information.
	Create a Circular Torus Primitive	Use the functionality to create a circular torus primitive element (CTOR), refer to Circular Torus Primitive for further information.
	Create a Rectangular Torus Primitive	Use the functionality to create a rectangular torus primitive element (RTOR), refer to Rectangular Torus Primitive for further information.
	Create a Sloped Cylinder Primitive	Use the functionality to create a sloped cylinder primitive element (SLCY), refer to Sloped Cylinder Primitive for further information.
	Create a Revolution Primitive	Use the functionality to create a revolution primitive element (REVO), refer to Revolution Primitive for further information.

Positioning

Primitives and negative primitives are created using parameters in the graphical view aligned with the default axis system (X=E, Y=N and Z=U), this is the default option. Each primitive can be positioned using relative or absolute positioning through a series of prompts, refer to Position Fields for further information.

Box Primitive

Creates a box primitive using parameters through a series of prompts in the graphical view,. For a definition of the parameters refer to Box Element and Box for further information.

After selecting Create a Box Primitive from the Primitive Gallery, the prompt to Specify the first corner is displayed, click to identify the first corner position as the origin of the box primitive relative to its owner (EQUI element). Or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify the opposite corner prompt is displayed, input a value into the dimension fields and press Enter or click to identify the opposite corner of the box primitive.

The Specify the Z length prompt is displayed, input a value into the dimension field or click to identify the height of the box primitive.

Throughout the box primitive creation process, press Esc to cancel the command, additional functionality is also available.

Back	Press the down arrow key and select Back to undo the last action.
W - Two Points	Press the down arrow key and select Two Points to create a box primitive with two specified points (first and opposite corners).
T - Three Points	Press the down arrow key and select Three Points to create a box primitive with three specified points (first, opposite and height).
F - Four Points	Press the down arrow key and select Four Points to create a box primitive with relative positioning functionality, with four specified points (origin, X, Y,Z).
E - Explicit	Press the down arrow key and select Explicit to create a box primitive with absolute positioning functionality, in this case specified origin, width, length and height.

Cylinder Primitive

Creates a cylinder primitive through a series of prompts in the graphical view. For a definition of the parameters, refer to Cylinder Element (CYLINDER), Cylinder (SCYL) and Cylinder (LCYL) for further information.

After selecting Create a Cylinder Primitive from the Primitive Gallery, the prompt to Specify the base centre is displayed, click to identify the base center position as the origin of the cylinder primitive relative to its owner (EQUI element). Or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify the diameter prompt is displayed, click to identify the diameter or input values in the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify the height prompt is displayed, click to identify the height of the cylinder or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

Throughout the cylinder primitive creation process, press Esc to cancel the command, additional functionality is also available.

Radius	Press the down arrow key and select Radius to create the curved part of the cylinder primitive with a specified center point and radius.
Back	Press the down arrow key and select Back to undo the last action.

Cone Primitive

Creates a cone primitive using parameters through a series of prompts in the graphical view, for a definition of the parameters refer to Cone Element (CONE) and Cone (SCON) for further information.

After selecting Create a Cone Primitive from the Primitive Gallery, the prompt to Specify the base centre is displayed, click to identify the base center position as the origin of the cone primitive relative to its owner (EQUI element). Or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify the diameter prompt is displayed, click to identify the D-bottom diameter or input values in the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify the height prompt is displayed. click to identify the height of the vertex above the base or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify the diameter prompt is displayed, click to identify the D-top diameter or input values in the dimension fields and press Enter.

Throughout the cone primitive creation process, press Esc to cancel the command, additional functionality is also available.

Two Points	Press the down arrow key and select Two Points to create the curved part of the cone primitive with two specified points (diameter start and end).
Explicit	Press the down arrow key and select Explicit to create a cone primitive with an absolute positioning functionality, in this case specified origin, D-top, D-bottom and height.
Centre+	Press the down arrow and select Centre+ to create the curved part of the cone primitive with a specified center point and radius/diameter point.
Radius	Press the down arrow key and select Radius to create the curved part of the cone primitive with a specified center point and radius.
Back	Press the down arrow key and select Back to undo the action.

Snout Primitive

Creates a snout primitive using parameters through a series of prompts in the graphical view. Refer to Snout (LSNO) and Snout Element (SNOUT) for further information.

After selecting Create a Snout Primitive from the Primitive Gallery, the prompt to Specify the base centre is displayed, click to identify the base center position as the origin of the snout primitive relative to its owner (EQUI element). Or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify the diameter prompt is displayed, click to identify the D-bottom diameter or input values in the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify the height prompt is displayed, click to identify the height of the snout or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify the diameter prompt is displayed, click to identify the D-top diameter or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify the offset prompt is displayed, click to identify the offset of the snout primitive or input values in the dimension fields and press Enter.

Throughout the snout primitive creation process, press Esc to cancel the command, additional functionality is also available.

Two Points	Press the down arrow key and select Two Points to create the curved part of the snout primitive with two specified points (diameter start and end).
Centre+	Press the down arrow and select Centre+ to create the curved part of the snout primitive with a specified center point and radius/diameter point.
Radius	Press the down arrow key and select Radius to create the curved part of the snout primitive with a specified center point and radius.
Back	The option Back is available during the selection, Back moves back one step.

Pyramid Primitive

Creates a pyramid primitive using parameters through a series of prompts in the graphical view. Refer to Pyramid (LPYR) and Pyramid Element for further information.

After selecting Create a Pyramid Primitive from the Primitive Gallery, the prompt to Specify the base centre is displayed, click to identify the base centre as the origin of the pyramid primitive relative to its owner (EQUI element). Or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify the X length prompt is displayed, click to identify the bottom X length or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify the Y length prompt is displayed, click to identify the bottom Y length or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify the height prompt is displayed, click to identify the height of the pyramid or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify the X length prompt is displayed, click to indentify the top X length or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify the Y length prompt is displayed, click to indentify the top Y length or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify the offset prompt is displayed, click to indentify the offset for the pyramid or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

Throughout the pyramid creation process, press Esc to cancel the command, additional functionality is also available.

Two Points

Press the down arrow and select Two Points to create the base of the pyramid with two specified points (first and opposite corner).

Dish Primitive

Creates a dish primitive using parameters through a series of prompts in the graphical view. Refer to Dish (SDSH) and Dish Element for further information.

After selecting Create a Dish Primitive from the Primitive Gallery, the prompt Specify the base centre is displayed, click to indentify the base center position as the origin of the dish primitive relative to its owner (EQUI element). Or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify the diameter prompt is displayed, click to indentify the diameter of the dish primitive or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify the height prompt is displayed, click to indentify the height of the dish primitive r input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

Throughout the dish primitive creation process, press Esc to cancel the command, additional functionality is also available.

Two Points	Press the down arrow key and select Two Points to create the base of the dish primitive (diameter start and end).
Centre+	Press the down arrow and select Centre+ to create the curved part of the dish primitive with a specified center point and radius/diameter point.
Radius	Press the down arrow key and select Radius to create the curved part of the dish primitive with a specified center point and radius.
Knuckle Radius	Press the down arrow key and select Knuckle Radius to create the transition between the cylinder and dish (knuckle).
Back	The option Back is available during the selection, Back moves back one step.

Extrusion Primitive

Creates an extrusion primitive using parameters through a series of prompts in the graphical view. Refer to User-defined Extrusion (SEXT) for further information.

After selecting Create an Extrusion primitive from the Primitive Gallery, the prompt to Specify first corner (fillet radius: 0mm) is displayed, click to identify the first vertice (SVER). Or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

If required, SVER element(s) can have radius applied to create a convex or concave fillet. press the down arrow key and select Fillet Radius, to display the Fillet radius <0mm> prompt. Input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify second corner (fillet radius: 0mm) prompt is displayed, click to identify the second SVER element, or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify the next corner (fillet radius: 0mm) prompt is displayed, click to identify the next SVER element, or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

Continue to identify SVER elements as required, once complete press the down arrow to select Height, the Specify the height prompt is displayed.

Click to identify the height of the extrusion or input a value into the dimension field and press Enter.

Back	The option Back is available during the selection, Back moves back one step.

Circular Torus Primitive

Creates an circular torus primitive using parameters through a series of prompts in the graphical view. Refer to Circular Torus (SCTO) and Circular Torus Element for further information.

After selecting Create Circular Torus Primitive from the Primitive Gallery, the prompt to Specify the origin is displayed. Click to identify the origin of the circular torus primitive relative to its owner or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify the start point prompt is displayed, click to identify the start point of the outside radius or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify the sweep angle prompt is displayed, click to identify the sweep angle of the outside radius or input value into dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify the tube radius prompt is displayed, click to identify the inside radius or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

Throughout the dish primitive creation process, press Esc to cancel the command, additional functionality is also available.

Diameter	Press the down arrow key and select Diameter to create the inside/outside radius of the circular torus primitive with a specified origin and diameter.
Back	The option Back is available during the selection, Back moves back one step.

Rectangular Torus Primitive

Creates an rectangular torus primitive using parameters through a series of prompts in the graphical view. Refer to Rectangular Torus (SRTO) and Rectangular Torus Element for further information.

After selecting Create Rectangular Torus Primitive from the Primitive Gallery, the Specify the origin prompt is displayed, click to identify the origin of the rectangular torus primitive or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify sweep angle prompt is displayed, click to identify the sweep angle or input an value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify the half width prompt is displayed, click to identify the width of the rectangular torus primitive or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify the height prompt is displayed, click to identify the height of the rectangular torus primitive or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

Throughout the rectangular torus primitive creation process, press Esc to cancel the command, additional functionality is available.

Two Points	Press the down arrow key and select Two Points to create a rectangular torus primitive (diameter start and end).
Explicit	Press the down arrow key and select Explicit to create a rectangular torus primitive with a specified origin, start angle, sweep angle, inner radius, outside radius and height.
Width	Press the down arrow key and select Width of the rectangular torus primitive.
Centre+	Press the down arrow key and select Centre+ to create a rectangular torus primitive with a specified center point and a radius.
Back	The option Back is available during the selection, Back moves back one step.

Sloped Cylinder Primitive

Creates an sloped cylinder primitive using parameters through a series of prompts in the graphical view. Refer to Slope Bottom Cylinder Element for further information.

After selecting Create a Sloped Cylinder Primitive from the Primitive Gallery, the Specify the base centre prompt is displayed, click to identify the origin of the sloped cylinder primitive or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify the diameter prompt is displayed, click to identify the origin of the sloped cylinder or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify the height prompt is displayed, click to identify the height of the sloped cylinder or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify Rotation prompt is displayed, click to identify the rotation point for the slope or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

The Specify Angle prompt is displayed, click to identify the angle or input a value in the dimension field and press Enter.

Throughout the sloped cylinder primitive creation process, press Esc to cancel the command, additional functionality is available.

Two Points	Press the down arrow key and select Two Points to create the base diameter of the sloped cylinder primitive (diameter start and end).
Explicit	Press the down arrow key and select Explicit to create a sloped cylinder primitive with absolute positioning functionality, in this case specified origin, base diameter and height.
Radius	Press the down arrow key and select Radius to create the base diameter of the sloped cylinder primitive.
Centre+	Press the down arrow key and select Centre+ to specify the base center of the sloped cylinder primitive.
Back	Press the down arrow key and select Back to undo the action.
Finish	Press the down arrow key and select Finish to end the process.

Revolution Primitive

Creates a revolution primitive (2D shape) using parameters through a series of prompts in the graphical view. Refer to Revolution Element for further information.

After selecting Create a Revolution Primitive from the Primitive Gallery, the Specify origin prompt is displayed, click to identify the origin of the revolution primitive (defines the axis about which the loop is rotated and the plane in which the loop is defined). Or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify first loop vertex (fillet radius: 0mm) prompt is displayed, click to identify the first loop vertex or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter. Vertices define the outline of the 2D shape

If required, press the down arrow key to create a convex or concave fillet at this point, this fillet radius becomes the new default.

The Specify second loop vertex (fillet radius: 0mm) prompt is displayed, click to identify the second loop vertex or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

The Specify next loop vertex (fillet radius: 0mm) prompt is displayed, click to identify the next loop vertex or input values into the dimension fields and press Enter.

Continue identifying the vertices to complete the outline of the 2D shape, after the third selection, the Specify next loop vertex (fillet radius: 0mm) or <Angle> prompt is displayed.

Press the down arrow key to create the angle to which the 2D shape will be rotated around the specified rotation axis.

Select Angle, the Specify revolution angle prompt is displayed, click to identify the revolution angle or enter an angle in the field and press Enter.

Negative Primitives

Negative primitives elements are used to represent holes or end preparations for structural items. It specifies the dimensions, orientation and obstruction geometry of each negative primitive.

All primitives have an equivalent negative primitives (with the exception of a nozzle primitive) whose attributes are the same but have different names in the design hierarchy.

	Create a Negative Box Primitive	Use the functionality to create a negative box primitive (NBOX) element, refer to Box Primitive for further information.
	Create a Negative Cylinder Primitive	Use the functionality to create a negative cylinder primitive (NCYLI) element, refer to Cylinder Primitive for further information.
	Create a Negative Cone Primitives	Use the functionality to create a negative cone primitive (NCONE) element, refer to Cone Primitive for further information.
	Create a Negative Snout Primitive	Use the functionality to create a negative snout primitive (NSNOU) element, refer to Snout Primitive for further information.
	Create a Negative Pyramid Primitive	Use the functionality to create a negative pyramid primitive (NPYRA) element, refer to Pyramid Primitive for further information.
	Create a Negative Dish Primitive	Use the functionality to create a negative dish primitive (NDISH) element, refer to Dish Primitive for further information.
	Create a Negative Extrusion Primitive	Use the functionality to create a negative extrusion primitive (NEXTR) element, refer to Extrusion Primitive for further information.
	Create a Negative Circular Torus Primitive	Use the functionality to create a negative circular torus primitive (NCTOR) element, refer to Circular Torus Primitive for further information.
	Create a Negative Rectangular Torus Primitive	Use the functionality to create a negative rectangular torus primitive (NRTOR) element, refer to Rectangular Torus Primitive for further information.
	Create a Negative Sloped Cylinder Primitive	Use the functionality to create a negative sloped cylinder primitive (NSLCY) element, refer to Sloped Cylinder Primitive for further information.
	Create a Negative Revolution Primitive	Use the functionality to create a negative revolution primitive element (NREVO), refer to Revolution Primitive for further information.

Check the P-point Position of a Primitive

A primitive contains a number of P-points indicating the position of a primitive. Once a primitive has been created, these P-point positions can be checked, for example, the CYLI primitive shown below displays its P-points.

AVEVA™ E3D Design

Primitives

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Primitives

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