STEP 1 – Create and Import a DXF file into Pumpsim™
This method relies on passing line or string graphics data from a CAD or Site Planning package to Pumpsim™. The data may simply be the centre lines of basic piping or site designs. To allow Pumpsim™ to efficiently use this data without excessive post-import editing, the following criteria should be considered:
- Only import the minimum data required. Excessive detail or headings which do not form part of the model should not be imported if possible. In many cases, it may be quicker and more accurate to construct a skeleton model consisting of interconnected lines within the Site Planning or CAD package, before importing the model into Pumpsim™. The skeleton lines should simply trace over existing site workings or designs.
- Try to ensure the lines connect, so Pumpsim™ can identify junctions through which liquid can flow. Lines that simply cross each other without a junction, or which terminate close to each other but do not join, will not carry flow, and may result in a no exit/entry error in Pumpsim™ which will need to be corrected.
When importing data, the lines can be converted to pipes during the import process by selecting the option "Convert to pipes", or selectively after import using the DRAW > CONVERT tool. To use this tool, click or drag a box around the lines which are to be converted. The second option has the advantage of overlaying the updated DXF files with new development over the existing Pumpsim™ pipes, and selectively choosing where to update the Pumpsim™ model.
Hint: To efficiently add DXF data to Pumpsim™, keep a ‘layer’, ‘object’ or ‘file’ dedicated to Pumpsim™ data within your Site Planning or CAD package. As new pipes or designs become available, simply export the additions as separate DXF files, and import them into Pumpsim™ to add to the existing model.
Fig. 4.6.1: The import options box is utilised when importing files into Pumpsim™
Warning: Three dimensional solids (such as survey mine solids) will import into Pumpsim™, but cannot directly be converted to pipes. They can however be used as a guide to manually draw and construct new pipes in the model.
Fig. 4.6.2: Three dimensional solids that have been transported into Pumpsim™.
Fig. 4.6.3: Pipes that have been constructed using the three dimensional solids as a line guide.
STEP 2 – Modifying and Validating Import Data
Once imported into Pumpsim™, the program will assign default pipe sizes and shapes to all the imported pipes. Ensure you have default sizes and shapes set in the Settings menu that will approximate the typical sizes that are imported. This will prevent having to re-edit of ALL of the pipe sizes and shapes (although this can still be quickly done using the group edit command).
Import DXF Graphics Solid or Wireframe Data
Unlike line string data, solid or wireframe graphics cannot be directly converted to pipes. The data can still however be used to help construct pipes, by either using the referenced (imported) graphics as guides to manually draw pipes, or by using a special function in Pumpsim™ to group the data and construct a pipe of best fit through the data.
OPTION 1 – Turn on Edit > Lock on References menu option and select the DRAW button.
Simply use the mouse to DRAW pipes over the top of the imported graphics. The pipes will ‘connect’ to the same position as the reference graphics (providing the Edit > Reference Lock is enabled), allowing the pipe network to be drawn in true 3D coordinates.
OPTION 2 – Convert ANY (references to pipes). Use the Draw Sub-Option > Convert Any.
This option converts groups of referenced graphics to an expected pipe path, and may be of use to attempt to convert large amounts of wireframe or multiple string (for example outlines) to an expected pipe. It is likely that significant editing may be required after using this function to adjust pipe locations and correct errors. For further information on this method see Convert Any option.
Correcting Errors
To quickly sort and validate the imported pipes, click on "Flow Simulation". While the model is unlikely to correctly simulate at this stage, this function will check the pipes for duplicates and unconnected pipe ends, which will speed up the process of establishing a working model.
In most cases, errors will result from pipes not exactly joined into other pipes, or remaining unconnected as dead ends, resulting in no exit or entry errors. If many of these can be corrected before starting a flow simulation, this will improve the ease of creating a working model.
Filtering Tools
To help tidy up models and correct initial errors, a number of tools are provided in the TOOLS > FILTER menu (bind disconnected pipes, find duplicated pipes etc).
Alternatively, for pipes which are disconnected, use the TOOLBAR > MOVE function to connect the pipe ends onto other junction ends. If this is done correctly, moving the node after joining will then result in all pipe ends moving simultaneously.
The following tools can be found under Tools > Utilities > FILTERING TOOLS
BINDING
- Bind Nodes (use a value up to 4-5m or more to bind ends that are close to each other).
- Bind Junctions (Binds loose nodes that are close to a passing pipe which has no corresponding node or junction).
- Bind Intercepts (find and/or join pipes that cross each other, but have no joining nodes)
SIMPLIFY
Removes a lot of the small pipes and unnecessary detail. In many cases, importing DXF files directly from a site planning will create an overly detailed model file, which will slow down the system graphics and simulation, resulting in a more unwieldy model.
For example, a nice smoothly rounded decline pipe which produces many pipe segments is simply not required for accurate pumping network simulation and in most case can be designed with less segments and detail. The SIMPLIFY function in Pumpsim™, will sort through a model, identifying unnecessary detail, which can be removed without adversely affecting simulation.
Alternatively, pipes can be manually simplified by using the toolbar DELETE function to remove node junctions between pipes.
DUPLICATES
Find and/or remove any duplicated or overlapping pipes.
Fig. 4.6.4: Simplification of pipes.
Importing as Reference Graphics
Importing graphics items can serve two functions. Importing line string graphics can allow Pumpsim™ to directly create new pipes, using the line strings as centrelines for the development. The centrelines can be converted to pipes during the import function, or later on by selectively clicking or fencing the centrelines with the Add > Convert function. Further utilities under the tools menu allows users to quickly turn the new pipes into viable models.
Hint: Converting all imported centrelines to pipes can be an issue if some model pipes already exist and may be duplicated by this function. Instead, loading centrelines as a reference graphic without converting to pipes can allow the user to check where extensions or changes to a site model may be, particular if some of the centrelines may overlap existing pipes. The reference lines will extend from existing pipes showing where extensions to the model may be required. The referenced centreline can then be selectively clicked or fenced to convert to pipes using the Add >Convert function.
A second option allows importing DWG or DXF files as ‘references’, which places the graphics within the model, but does not affect or interact with the model. Examples may include site surface terrain, orebodies, actual development solids etc. This option allows the reference graphics to be used as a guide to building new pipes, or simply enhances the display with more information about the environment. Any solids or wireframes that are present in the DXF will automatically be imported as a ‘reference’ graphic, as Pumpsim™ cannot build new pipes from graphical solids (only centrelines).
Imported reference files can be merged with an existing model, and new pipes built with DXF centre lines can be set with default attributes (pipes sizes etc) before importing. Attributes can easily be changed later within the program.
Hint: File imports support drag-and-drop. Simple grab the file from a Windows folder or directory and drop it on the Pumpsim™ screen. More than one file can be imported at a time by using the SHIFT or CTRL key to select and load the files.
Import Options
Pumpsim™ will search a DXF file for both line strings and solids, as well as layers within the DXF file. The import options indicate what action to take if these items are found.
Layers
The right hand column lists available layers in the DXF file which may be imported. Only select the layers required to be imported into Pumpsim™.
Centrelines
Centrelines (lines or polylines) can be either converted to pipes, which will carry flow within a model, or simply as a reference graphical line string, which will not affect a model, but which can be used to help guide and place manually constructed pipes.
- Import Centrelines – Disabling this function will tell the program to ignore any line strings found.
- Merge Data – Adds the new imported data to the current model
- Import as reference only – Tells the program NOT to build pipes out of centrelines, but simply import as a graphical reference. A centreline can be converted later to a pipe using the Add > Convert function.
- Surfaces (referenced) – Surfaces or 3D solids cannot be directly converted into pipes (unless a ‘convert all’ option is attempted), however 3D data can provide a useful reference to manually developing Pumpsim™ pipe. In addition, it can provide an important visual aid to viewing models within an actual environment.
- Import Solids – Disabling this function tells the program to ignore and not load any solid graphical data found in the reference file.
- Merge References – Adds the imported data to any existing referenced solid graphical information already within the model.
- Wireframed Only – Adds the imported data as a wireframe line solids, instead of a polygon solid.
- Metric or Imperial Coordinates – Most imported files do not have an internal specification of whether the units are Imperial or Metric. Pumpsim™ will assume the coordinates are the same as currently used in the Pumpsim™ file, however if the coordinates system are mismatched, then the imported data will be displaced to incorrect coordinates (for example a metric DXF imported into an imperial Pumpsim™ model). This setting allows you to override the default Pumpsim™ setting to ensure coordinates will match up.
- Offset X, Y, Z – Allows a DXF file to be imported with an offset from the original file coordinates. This may be useful to match existing coordinates used in Pumpsim™, or when a 2D file single elevation file needs to be moved to a new elevation in Pumpsim™.
- Convert 2D – Flattens the entire DXF file on to a single elevation or level. Occasionally, flat 2D CAD files may have different elevations set in the file. When these files are used in a 2D CAD package, the elevations difference may not be noticed, however when loaded into Pumpsim™, the elevation differences may become troublesome in a 3D working environment. If the OFFSET Z option is entered, then the imported elevation will be at this number when this option is set.
- Scale – Allows the DXF import data to be scaled to a different size. This is sometimes useful if the original DXF data has been scanned or converted from a PDF file at an arbitrary scale and no longer matches the true scale.
- Rotate – Rotates the DXF data around a zero based origin by a specified number of degrees.
- Default Colour – Allows the user to select the colour of the reference data to import.
- Use DXF Colours – Colours the imported graphics to the original colour (if selected), or the user selected colour (if not selected)
- Split Layer Names – Imports the reference graphics into Pumpsim™ with each layer as a different reference name, instead of a single reference name encompassing all layers. The reference names can then be individually managed in the Reference Manager function under the File menu.
- Filter Splines – Imported splines (smooth curves) can have hundreds of data points to make smooth curved lines. This can consume excessive memory in Pumpsim™. Select this function to reduce the imported data requirements, and approximate the curves with a series of straight lines.
- Import STR (Surpac Strings) – Similar to DXF functionality, Pumpsim™ will attempt to import line strings and offer to directly convert to pipes, or import them as a reference for later use.
- Import DM (Datamine Strings and Wireframe Solids) – Similar to DXF functionality, Pumpsim™ will attempt to import line strings and wireframe solids from Datamine compatible files.