
Applies To

Product(s):	AutoPIPE,
Version(s):	2004, XM, & V8i
Environment:	N/A
Area:	Stress ISO
Subarea:
Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group
		A

Comments, Questions, and Answers with AutoPIPE StressISO (Alias).

In addtion to the "StressISO_Troubleshooting.pdf" document found on your hard drive, see the following information:

Isogen is a 3rd party software that is bundles with many cad applications such as Bentley AutoPIPE to automatically produce an isometric drawing. Isogen is very particular about the format of the data being converted into an DXF, DWG, or DGN file format. If there is one error in the data Isogen may hang, display a message about warnings with the file, etc...

Use the following steps to troubleshoot an Isogen related issue with AutoPIPE:

1. Known issues

Known issues are documented in the StressISO_Troubleshooting.pdf located in the AutoPIPE folder. Review this document to see if it is a known issue.

2. Isometric based on actual pipe components:

For an example, AutoPIPE can model a tee where the branch axis matches the same direction as the tee's header pipe axis. This is wrong modeling but can be done in AutoPIPE.

However, Isogen will abort because it knows that a tee like that cannot be constructed. In order to export the model, the tee must be fixed so the branch axis does not match the header axis.

The goes for all other pipe components, if the actual component cannot be drawn because of dimensional issues or arrangement, then isogen will abort trying to create a stress iso.

Recommend:

a. Review all valves and flanges closely. Be sure all are modeled correctly
b. Review Tools> Model Consistency Check report to reduce number of warnings.
c. In general, review model looking for obscurities.

Typical issues:
---------------------

a. Flanged valve in middle of pipe run without attached flanges, add flanges to both sides of valve.

b. In middle of pipe run, back to back flange set. Upon closer inspection, there are 3 flanges. Remove the correct flange.

c. Known limitation, reducer cannot be the start or end of segment. Add short pipe run from reducer.

d. Middle of pipe run where 2, 4 inch dia, branches are placed side by side on top of the pipe. However branch center lines are only 3 inches apart causing an overlap. This can be modeled but not exported to Isogen. Fix by reducing branch size or moving center lines apart.

e. Kink in pipe of 179.9 deg, remove pipe kink.

f. W726-170:The tee at point E00 has only two legs, fix by adding a branch run pipe, or change Tee node to a Point node.

3. Where is the warning occurring

If the following is displayed:

--------------------------- ExecISO --------------------------- There were some warnings and/or errors while executing ISOGEN. Do you want to review messages: --------------------------- Yes No ---------------------------

Select the Yes button and

C: \Bentley \AutoPIPE V8i SELECTseries \PISOGEN \PROJECTS \APIPEPROJ \FINAL \OUTPUTFINAL.MES

is automatically displayed. Review the entire document and try to resolve any and all warnings displayed.

4. Disconnected systems:

Before creating a stress iso, review the model segments to be sure they are connected and do not stop at a component (i.e. valve, reducer, bend, etc..). Sometimes a run of pipe is broken into multiple segments on the same run of pipe. Best practice for when creating models for export to Stress ISO, reduce the number of segments to as few as possible, by using Edit> Segment> Join command at run node points that are common between 2 segments.

Another great tip, with a complicated model use the following feature: Select> Connected segments> choose only one box to highlight a connected series of pipe. A limitation to the Alias Stress Isogen is that it cannot process 2 or more disconnected segments at the same time.

With one group of piping selected, create a stress iso as before, and be sure to confirm the "use connected segment" or "se Selected range" check box is checked ON.

Note: If using example technique: "Modeling a "dummy leg" as a structural member or a pipe", again stress Iso cannot generate the dummy support because it is considered as a disconnected segment. Only 2 workaround suggestions: a. use a different modeling technique allowed by ISOgen or b. manually modify isometric after being created in a cad application to add leg information..

5. Clean folder

Create a new folder on the Desktop, copy the model's DAT file to the new folder, start AutoPIPE, open the file from the new folder location, run the analysis, try to create a Stress iso DXF file instead of DWG or DGN file.

6. Model Size Limitation:

Isogen has some model size limitations. Try selecting a portion of the model that is completely connected and creating a stress iso based on the select set. See #5 above for technique to select connected segments. Otherwise, need to manually create a selection set of connected segments.

7. Stress iso Template files

AutoPIPE V8i 9.3 and lower:

All Stress iso template files need to be saved into AutoCAD 2000 format only; see the following procedure:

1. Open the isogen title bock in AutoCAD

2. Once open, run an audit by typing A-U-D-I-T in the command line.
AUDIT command evaluates the integrity of a drawing and corrects some errors.

3. When completed, purge the drawing by typing P-U-R-G-E in the command line. The PURGE command removes unused items, such as block definitions and layers, from the drawing.

After the above has been completed, copy the file to the AutoPIPE folder

….C:\Bentley\AutoPIPE V8i SELECTseries3\PISOGEN\BORDERS

In order to use the new border file, under "Isogen Settings" confirm: Drawing Frame File, User Defined, Plot Frame, Drawing Size, AutoCAD units, Dimension/Tex formats settings.

See following link as help

http://communities.bentley.com/other/old_site_member_blogs/bentley_employees/b/joeys_blog/archive/2010/06/03/ddt-audit-generated-on-autoplant-piping-isogen-drawings.aspx

AutoPIPE V8i 9.4 and higher:

Skip the last step for saving to previous version and only A-U-D-I-T, P-U-R-G-E is required before saving the file to 2010 - 2012 format.

8. Switches:

There are 100's of switches that can be adjusted for isogen. Recommend resetting these switches by overwriting the Stressiso.ini and Apipe.opl files with a default copy of each file. Or, use a copy from a person's computer who does not have such issues when creating an iso from the same file that you are having troubles with.

Reset Default Settings
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stress iso stores dialog settings and other information in a variety of files/locations:

a. Stressiso.ini
b. Apipe.opl
c. C:\Bentley \AutoPIPE V8i SELECTseries \PISOGEN \PROJECTS \APIPEPROJ \Final

Depending on configuration, settings enter, or anomalies there could be a conflict when creating a stress iso. Only after completing all the above steps 1-8 should this resolution be considered. The best solution is to reload the default settings again before trying to run stress iso. The easiest method of resetting the default values is over write the current files with a copy of the original files when the application was installed. If you do not have a copy of the original files, suggest uninstall/reinstall the application.

9. Register DLL

The following is displayed in the Final.MES:

***** POD Error(s) ***** Unable to initialise POD : Failed to generate POD - Conversion failure :

a. Close AutoPIPE

b. Log into computer with Admin Rights

c. Locate Register.dll, generally found in "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Bentley Shared\Plant V8i\Isogen".

d. Right click on the file, select "Run as Administrator" option

e. The screen will display the Dos cmd window and automatically register the following DLL's in the system:

pipeline.dll
skey.dll
importexport.dll
pod.dll
pisogen.dll
materialdata.dll
smartrad.dll
catmanager.dll
idfgen.dll

Note: these DLL should have been registered when the application was installed. Something had prevented them from being registered correctly.

f. Restart AutoPIPE and try to create a new stress Iso drawing.

a. Close AutoPIPE

b. Locate POD.dll, generally found in "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Bentley Shared\Plant V8i\Isogen".

c. Open the command-line prompt

1. Start Menu> Run
2. Type "cmd"
3. Press "ENTER" or "Return" keyboard key

d. Using the POD.dll filename and path, call regsvr32, i.e. at the command-line prompt, type:

1. regsvr32 "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Bentley Shared\Plant V8i\Isogen\pod.dll"
2. Press "ENTER" or "Return" keyboard key

e. You should see a regsvr32 window, confirming success: Close it.

1. RegSvr32
2. DllRegisterServer in C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Bentley Shared\Plant V8i\Isogen\POD.dll succeeded.

Press "OK" button.

f. Restart AutoPIPE and try to create a new stress Iso drawing.

10. Dimensioning Stress Iso

On the "Stress Isometric Options" dialog, click on the "Isogen Settings" command button, or select Tools > Settings > Isogen…> select the "Dimension / Text tab" displays the current options/settings for adding dimensions and text on a stress Iso drawing.
The Stress Iso utility has a limited number of options available for dimensioning a model and are all listed in the dialog. Any options or type of dimensioning not listed would be considered an enhancement. Please log a service ticket requesting the enhancement in detail.

11. Dimensioning across segments and flanges appear incorrect

A stress Iso was created for a given model. On the stress Iso, it has been observed that the total length of pipe from the pipe end to a flange set (Dim A) and distance from flange set to bend TIP point (Dim B) adds up to be correct total distance. However Dim A and Dim B do not equal the actual values in the model. Additional note, the flange set is at the junction point between 2 connected segments.

As AutoPIPE does not have the length for the flange and it cut the pipe to arrange the space for the flange. As for normal pipeline this scenario works perfect but there is a limitation in AutoPIPE that if the flanges placed on the segment continuation point then the space allocation for flanges can be cut from the one side. By that there was the change in the length which is equal to the flange hub length (ex. 305mm).

The avoidance is to join the segments by selecting the node point between the segments (ex A04) and go to "Edit > Segment > Join" and then export to stress ISO. Then Dim A and B on the model match that in the exported stress Iso drawing. The CAE development team will be adding a 2 point flange in AutoPIPE V8i 9.7project to dismiss such scenarios as seen above.

12. Nothing happens after pressing OK on Isogen settings dialog
(iso not created)

Application was not installed using full administrative rights. Uninstall and re-install AutoPIPE with full admin rights

13. Drawing fill is not created, but PCF file is:

A. Be sure that AutoPIPE was installed on the computer with a person who has has full admin rights. If unknown, completely uninstall the program, delete AutoPIPE folder, reboot the computer logging in with admin rights, re-install the application.

B. Check to see if the version of AutoPIPE installed is listed in "add/remove programs" (Win XP) or "Program and Features" (Win 7). If not listed, completely uninstall the program and reinstall with full admin rights.

C. If the above does not resolve issue send computer information by performing the following:

1) Start> Programs> Accessories> System Tools> System Information.
2) After the program has been opened, select File> Save> save file
3) Send me a copy of systemname.NFO file for review.

D. Also, perform the following:

1) Start DOS command, select Start> Run> type "cmd"
2) Type, cd .. until c:\> is shown
3) Type, c:\> Dir /s /o /ogne>systemname.txt
4) Send me a copy of the systemname.txt for review.

These files may be large and can be shrunk by adding it to a ZIP file. Create a service ticket and send files for review

14. Anchor symbol is not drawn correctly:

Please follow these steps.

1. Close AutoPIPE
2. Open AutoPIPE's installation folder, C:\Bentley\AutoPIPE V8i SELECTseries\
3. Locate the following file "PCFout.map"
4. Open this file in any text editor (i.e. notepad)
5. Go down to line 41, see the following:

ANC SUPPORT 01AN

6. Change "01AN" to "ANCH", should look like:

ANC SUPPORT ANCH

7. Save the file.
8. Open AutoPIPE, run an analysis, process a new stress iso.
The problem should be solved.

15. Drawing file not created after stressiso dialog closes for a very large model:

When I try to create a stress Iso the PCF file is created in the folder, however the drawing file is never created. In addition the program issues the noticed that the drawing has been completed.

Answer: The following was shown in the following file:

C:\ Bentley\ AutoPIPE V8i SELECTseries\ PISOGEN\ PROJECTS\ APIPEPROJ\ FINAL\ OUTPUT\ FINAL.MES

START OF DRAWINGERROR DETECTED IN PIPE /drawingname ******************************************************************************** ERROR: Message Identifier: ISOGEN:1007 Message Text: OVERFLOW IN PIPELINE DATA PIPELINE REJECTE

Avoidance: divide the larger model into smaller models using the window selection of AutoPIPE.
First export the first selection and then export each additional selection.

16. Annotations are not saved with the model:

I use to insert Engineers comments on the Stress Isometric, but after closing AutoPIPE all information inserted in Annotation are lost and I have to insert again. Is there a possibility to save information in Annotation for example to external file or to model AutoPIPE?

Answer: This functionality may not be available in the previous versions. However, using AutoPIPE V8i 09.06.00.15 and Higher, use the following procedure:

Steps to repeat:

1. Open the model in AutoPIPE

2. analyze the model

3. Select File> Save Stress Isometric> Provide a drawing name, location, and press SAVE button.

4. On the Stress Iso Options screen press the Annotation button in lower right corner of the dialog screen.

5. Add a new annotation Point, Note, check the box for PLOT, and press OK button 2x to create the stress iso.

6. View the Stress iso.

7. Back in AutoPIPE, select File> Save, then File> Close, and finally press File> Exit.

8. Restart AutoPIPE, and reopen the same model.

9. Perform an number of commands and then repeat steps 2-5 from above, Note: the annotation from the previous steps is still present.

17. Worst case Scenario in data tables:

When creating a Stress iso the data table do not show the worst case scenario. why?

Answer: The issue was caused by changing the keyboard to a different language (i.e. French) settings instead of using English settings.

18. Cannot be resolved:

If the problem still persists and cannot be resolved by the above suggestions complete the following:

a. Create a new folder on the Desktop
b. Copy the model's DAT file to the new folder
c. Start AutoPIPE & open the file from the new folder location
d. Run the analysis
e. Create a Stress iso DXF file
f. If the warning in #2 above appears, select OK button
g. Close AutoPIPE
h. Zip all the files in the new folder on the desk top
i. Zip all the files in the following location:

"C:\Bentley \AutoPIPE V8i SELECTseries \PISOGEN \PROJECTS \APIPEPROJ \FINAL"

j. Include the following files from the AutoPIPE application folder. "C:\Bentley \AutoPIPE V8i SELECTseries\:

i. Stressiso.ini
ii. Apipe.opl

k. Create a service ticket at: http://appsnet.bentley.com/srmanager/addcall.aspx

Attach both Zip files to the service ticket and submit for review.

19. NEW FITTING SKEY ALREADY EXISTS

If the following is displayed in the error listing:

-

********************************************************************************

WARNING:

Message Identifier: ISOGEN:1038

Component Skey: 01GS

Message Text: USER DEFINED NEW FITTING SKEY ALREADY EXISTS

OLD FITTING SHAPE HAS BEEN OVERWRITTEN

********************************************************************************

Using any text editing program, (i.e. Notepad) Open the In PCFOUT.MAP from the following location:

C:\Bentley\AutoPIPE V8i SELECTseries\ PCFOUT.MAP

Make the following changes:

SKEY from ANCH to 01AN

20. How to generate stress isometrics without unnecessary break points in the straight pipe?

In the image below, node points 14, 15, 16f, 17, 19, & 4 are not in the model, but show on the stressiso

How to eliminate these points when creating a stress ISO?

Answer:

First let us be clear that (14, 15, 16f, 17, 19, & 4) are not break points in a stress ISO but node points. According to the AutoPIPE's online help:

Break Points provide a convenient user-controlled method to split the isometric into different sheets at the specified points in the AutoPIPE model.

Please open your model in AutoPIPE and view the Points tab on the input grids.

Here you can clearly see that these node points do indeed exist int he AutoPIPE model

Available options:

1. The Stress iso features have a limited amount of a dimensional settings that can be adjusted, From the Stressiso Dialog, press the "Isogens Settings" button, and then the "Dimension /Text" tab for related settings. See AutoPIPE help for details on each of these options.

2. Remove / delete extra node points not needed from the AutoPIPE Model.

3. A Stressiso is an automatically drawing that can be modified. Another words, manually remove: dimensions, node point indicators, text, etc. as needed from the drawing.

21. How to create a user defined border instead of Bentley border in Stress ISO drawing generation?

While generating Piping ISO drawing, drawing template is taken from Bentley std template. How to attach my company drawing template, while generating ISO drawing. I tried “user defined drawing size and drawing frame file” , but it is not captured my drawing template.

Answer:

Like programming, Isogen files and settings is very strict about their layout ,i.e. extra spaces, wrong format, etc., and the whole thing does not work. The drawing border is the same way. First of all the drawing border for must be saved in AC1021 DWG format (AutoCAD 2007/2008/2009) or earlier.

Open the DWG file in a word processing application: the first bit of text on the first line dictates the version of AutoCAD file. See reference listing of AutoCAD versions:

AC1027                 AutoCAD 2013
AC1024                 AutoCAD 2010/2011/2012
AC1021                 AutoCAD 2007/2008/2009
AC1018                 AutoCAD 2004/2005/2006
AC1015                 AutoCAD 2000/2000i/2002

The best approach to creating a custom border is to open an existing AutoPIPE border drawing file (i.e. DWG) from the template location (C:\Bentley\AutoPIPE V8i SELECTseries\PISOGEN\BORDERS), rename it to a different file name (max 8 characters), modify the file as needed with your custom border specifications using the same layer structure as defined in the default drawing, when the modifications are complete, save the file as an AutoCAD 2007/2008/2009) or earlier file format. Note, before saving the file in AutoCAD, user the AUDIT and PURGE commands. Save the final custom drawing file in the same folder location as the other AutoPIPE templates.

In AutoPIPE, start creating the Stress ISO with the File> Save Stress ISO... command (note use the same format (i.e. DWG or DXF) as your custom border. After the Stress ISO Options dialog screen appears, press the Isogen Settings button in the lower left corner of the screen, and the Isogen Settings dialog screen will appear:

Check the User Defined" check box and browse for the new custom border file created. Press the OK button 2x to create the Stress ISO. The new border should be displayed in Stress ISO drawing. Some fine tuning may be required by modifying the Drawing margins on the Isogen settings screen above. If the new border was not used, open the file be sure to use the PURGE and AUDIT commands in AutoCAD, and try again.

22. AutoPIPE support symbol shows up as a dot in the Stress ISO drawing?

See the following image where the incline supports are exported to a Stress Iso. The support at Node point A11 is correct, but the support at Node point A14 is incorrect:

How to fix the issue?