Hull Routing

Surfaces

Surface Selection

Use to select the surface(s) upon which a routing curve is to be created. Prompt is displayed ‘Identify element’ selected panels are highlighted in red. Press Esc once the hull panels are selected/deselected. Also use to deselect panel(s).

Note:
Only UPANEL or IPLATE are currently supported.

Route

Route Current Element

Use to align the currently selected element (CE) with the hull.

Note:
If the CE is not a bend or elbow this functionality is not available.

Route Next Component

Use to position the next component created or copied at the curve of the hull.

Note:
Switching between route modes updates the graphical aids and coordinates axis in the 3D graphical view.

Note:
It is not possible always to position or copy the CE against the hull curve, however it is possible to draw the hull curve graphical aids.

Routing Direction

Route With Flow

Use to route the pipe in the head to tail direction.

Route Against Flow

Use to route the pipe in the tail to head direction.

Create/Modify Component

Angle

If the CE is an elbow or bend, use to modify the angle of the elbow or bend (a maximum and minimum angle can be specified).

Direction towards pick

If the CE is an elbow or a bend, use to modify the angle of the CE so that the leave or arrive is pointing towards a picked element in the 3D graphical view.

Position at Curve

If the CE is an elbow or a bend use to position the P0 of the CE on the defined curve. A red translucent tube draw aid is displayed.

Note:
It is not possible to use the position functionality when the current element is not an elbow or a bend. But the curve will display if the current element is another piping component or branch.

Copy, Orientate and Position Current Component

This functionality is only available when using the route next component functionality.

If the CE is a bend or elbow, the CE can be copied and then orientated and positioned accordingly. A red translucent tube draw aid is displayed.

If it is not possible the CE at the curve, then the CE is copied and can be orientated but not positioned.

Note:
It is not possible to use the copy functionality when the current element is not an elbow or a bend. But the curve will display if the current element is another piping component or branch.

Graphical Aids

Intersection

Coordinates

The directions available for selection are based on a coordinate system:

• Local - Based on the leave/arrive direction of the CE (elbow or bend)

• Orthogonal - Based on the leave/arrive direction of the CE (elbow or bend), these are projected in the horizontal plane

• World - World coordinate system: X,Y,Z and -X, -Y, -Z.

Direction

The intersection direction is the direction of the hull plate in comparison to the CE and routing direction. The options available for selection are based on the coordinate system selected.

The available directions are demonstrated by the graphical aid axes in the 3D graphical view.

For example:

In the screen shot, the routing direction is the leave of the elbow is Y. So the routing line goes from the leave of the elbow in the Y direction. In relation to the routing line, the direction of the hull is either Y or -Z.

So in the example an intersection direction of -Z has been chosen. The blue lines show how this direction is used to calculate the graphical curve.

Each spine is calculated by going along the routing direction (Leave direction (Y)) and at each gap interval (in this case 100mm), using the intersection direction to create a curve spine of a given length (In this case a distance of 250mm)

A curve is then produced by joining up the ends of each of the spine lines.

Show

Use to toggle the graphical aids and hull curve in the 3D graphical view on or off.

Show Helper Aids

Use to display the blue graphical aid lines which can help to understand how the curve is being constructed.

Projection Plane

The red plane graphical aid is displayed in the 3D graphical view (vertically or horizontally) is only available when the Normal Line Type functionality is selected. Refer to Line Type for further information.

Used to project the normal direction from the hull into the pipe or routing plane so that the component or next component can be routed against the curve.

Clear Aids/Surface Elements

Use to clear the 3D graphical view of all graphical aids, for example - hull curve and selected surfaces).

Line Type

Normal

Use to set the orientation of the spines coming from the hull to Normal.

Draws the spines in the normal direction coming from the hull face. The normal direction is projected into the projection plane so that they are in line with the routing direction thus allowing the current or next component to be routed against the hull.

Note:
In the normal mode, the spines are yellow with a green curve.

Orthogonal

Draws the spines in the opposite direction to the intersection direction. Only the local coordinate system is available.

Note:
In the orthogonal mode, the spines are red with a yellow curve.

Line Offsets

Distance

Use to set the length of the spines coming from the hull plate (which sets the position of the curve).

Gap

Use to set the spacing between the blue graphical aid lines (These are positioned along the arrive/leave direction of the CE and are projected in the intersection direction until the shell plate is hit).

Component Sequence List

Use to scroll through and select individual components within the currently selected branch, refer to Component Sequence List for further information.