Graphical Component Modification (GCM)

Graphical Component Modification (GCM) enables you to use the mouse to move and rotate a Component or a selection of contiguous components within the constraints of a pipe route.

GCM is entered automatically when you click on a piping Component while in Editor. You do not have to be in the Piping application to be able to use this facility, which enables you to move interactively a Component along the legs of a pipe route and to rotate a Component about the tube center line.

The following facilities and constraints are available:

• rotation about the tube center line

• constrained positioning along the path of the pipe route:

  • increment snapping

  • feature highlighting

• Components can only be repositioned where there is sufficient space to fit them in the route

• automatic reorder of the elements within the hierarchy to suit the new position within the pipe route

• the ability to reposition the handle within the constraints of the Component selection set (along the centre line of the pipe)

• the initial orientation of a selection should be maintained where possible

• undo/redo changes.

The system does not try and resolve any inconsistencies that may occur from the repositioning of a Component. For example if a Reducer is moved into another leg of a Branch, the Components and tube between the Reducer’s original position and its new position in the Branch remain the same.

Note:
in the above case, if a Component is moved across a Reducer, the Component is not automatically reselected from the Specification; this must be done ‘manually’.

GCM is enabled automatically by first entering Model Edit mode and then selecting of a Piping Component or a sequential set of Components which are within the same leg of a Pipe Branch, and provided the selection set has certain characteristics.

GCM is exited either by leaving Model Edit mode or by selecting another element that breaks the rules for displaying the Component Modification handle.