Mastering AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2010

PART BUILDER 517

Two files are mandatory sources of data required for the part to function properly, and one is

an optional bitmap that provides the preview image you see in the catalog browser and parts-list

interface.

First, dig into the US Imperial Pipes folder as follows:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\C3D2010\enu\Pipes

Catalog\US Imperial Pipes\Circular Pipes

This reveals the following files for the Imperial Circular Pipe:

◆ partname.dwg: This part drawing file contains the geometry that makes up the part as well

as the definition of the parametric relationships.

◆ partname.xml: This part XML file is created as soon as a new part file is started in Part

Builder. This file contains information on the parameter sizes, such as wall thickness,

width, and diameter.

◆ partname.bmp: This part image file is used as a visual preview for that particular part in

the HTML catalog (as you saw in the previous section). This file is optional.

You’ll study some of these files in greater detail in the next section.

Mark on your checklist which parts you’d like to use from the standard catalog, and also note

the parts that you may have to customize using Part Builder.

Part Builder

Part Builder is an interface that allows you to build and modify pipe network parts. Part Builder

is accessed by selecting Create Design  Partbuilder from the Home tab. At first, you may use

Part Builder to add a few missing pipes or structure sizes. As you become more familiar with the

environment, you may build your own custom parts from scratch.

This section is intended to be an introduction to Part Builder and a primer in some basic skills

required to navigate the interface. It isn’t intended to be a robust ‘‘how-to’’ for creating custom

parts. For more details on building custom parts, please see the Civil 3D Users Guide —whichyou

can access through the Civil 3D Help interface, as well as in .pdf format under Help  Users

Guide (pdf). Civil 3D 2010 also includes three detailed tutorials for creating three types of custom

structures. The tutorials lead you through creating a Cylindrical Manhole structure, a Drop Inlet

Manhole structure, and a Vault structure. You can find these tutorials by going to Help  Tutorials

and then navigating to AutoCAD Civil 3D Tutorials  Part Builder Tutorials.

Back Up the Part Catalogs

Here’s a warning: before exploring Part Builder in any way, it’s critical that you make a backup copy

of the part catalogs. Doing s o will protect you from accidentally removing or corrupting default parts

as you’re learning and will provide a means of restoring the original catalog.

The catalog (as discussed in the previous section) can be found by default at

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\C3D2010\enu\Pipes

Catalog\

To make a backup, copy this entire directory and then save that copy to a safe location, such as

another folder on your hard drive or network, or to a CD.