Solidworks Routing - Piping and Tubing - Solidworks 2015 Training

SOLIDWORKS Routing:
Piping and Tubing

SOLIDWORKS 2015 TRAINING
ENG
SOLIDWORKS® 2015
SOLIDWORKS Routing:
Piping and Tubing
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation

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Manufacturer: Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation, 175
Wyman Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451 USA. Document Number: PMT1512-ENG
Contents
Introduction
About This Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Course Design Philosophy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Using this Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About the Training Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Conventions Used in this Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Windows 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Use of Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Graphics and Graphics Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Color Schemes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Lesson 1:
Fundamentals of Routing
What is Routing? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Review Lesson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Types of Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Routing FeatureManager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
External vs. Virtual Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Virtual Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
File Names in Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Routing Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Routing Add-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Routing Training Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Routing Library Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Routing File Locations and Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
General Routing Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
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Contents SOLIDWORKS 2015
Lesson 2:
Piping Routes
Piping Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Typical Piping Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Route Sketch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Pipes and Piping Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Pipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
End Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
In Line Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Other Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Routing Assembly Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Creating a Custom Routing Assembly Template . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Selecting a Routing Assembly Template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Creating a Piping Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Route Properties Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Auto Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Route Specification Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Creating Route Specification Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Using Route Specification Templates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Adding Alternate Elbows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Editing a Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Using the Route Along Relation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Isolate Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Using Piping Hangers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Routing Along Existing Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Exercise 1: Creating Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Exercise 2: Multiple Piping Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Lesson 3:
Piping Fittings
Piping Fittings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Drag and Drop a Fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Using Planes in Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Split Route to Add Fittings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Orienting In Line Fittings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Adding Tees at Junctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Remove Tube/Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Creating Custom Fittings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Replacing Piping Fittings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Add Fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Coverings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Exercise 3: Piping Fittings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Exercise 4: Piping on a Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Lesson 4:
Tubing Routes
Tubing Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Typical Tubing Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
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Tubes and Tubing Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Tubes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Terminal Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
In Line Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Flexible Tubing with Auto Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Orthogonal Tubing Routes with Auto Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Orthogonal Tubing Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Bend and Spline Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Bend Radius Too Small . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Export Pipe/Tube Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Using Envelopes to Represent Volumes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Starting a Tube Route On the Fly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Route Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Start Route and Add to Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Repairing Bend Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Marking the Error . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Flip Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Repair Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Re-route Spline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Select Using Envelope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Route Segment Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Tubing Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Rename . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Save to External File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Exercise 5: Orthogonal Tubing Routes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Exercise 6: Flexible Tubing Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Exercise 7: Orthogonal and Flexible Tubing Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Lesson 5:
Piping and Tubing Changes
Piping and Tubing Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Procedures for Tubing and Piping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Change Route Diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Weld Gaps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
A Note About Dimensioning Route Geometry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Custom Pipe/Tube Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Pipe Penetrations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Flange to Flange Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Pipe Spools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Spools in Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Using Gaskets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Adding Slope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Editing and Removing the Slope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Copying Routes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Mating Routes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
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Editing Piping Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Using Threaded Pipe and Fittings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Deleting and Editing Route Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Editing for Obstructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Moving Fittings With the Triad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Using Guidelines with Pipe Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Guideline Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Piping Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Pipe Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Drawing Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Exercise 8: Create and Edit Threaded Pipe Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Exercise 9: Using Pipe Spools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Lesson 6:
Creating Routing Components
Routing Library Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Piping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Threaded Piping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Tubing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Assembly Fittings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Electrical Ducting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Cable Trays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Creating Routing Library Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Pipe and Tube Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Pipe vs. Tube Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Copying Routing Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Creating a Pipe Using Copy and Edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Routing Library Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Routing Component Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Fitting Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Using the Routing Component Wizard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Routing Functionality Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Connection Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Routing Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Routing Geometry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Part Validity Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Design Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Design Table Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Component Attributes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Configuration Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Part Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Elbow Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Assembly Routing Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Exercise 10: Creating and Using Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
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Lesson 7:
Using P&ID Files
Piping and Instrumentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Pipe Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
XML File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Piping and Instrumentation Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Equipment, Pipe and Fitting Status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Equipment List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Adding a Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
P&ID Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Pipe with Multiple Lines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Pipes with In-line Fittings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Process Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Exercise 11: Using P&ID Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Lesson 8:
Electrical Ducting, Cable Tray, and HVAC Routes
Electrical Ducting, Cable Tray, and HVAC Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Electrical Ducting, Cable Tray and HVAC Components . . . . . . 236
Rectangular and Circular Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Modifying a Routing Library Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Electrical Ducting Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Cable Tray Routes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Routing Component Orientation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
HVAC Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
In Line Duct Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Transition to Circular HVAC Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
HVAC and Ducting Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Exercise 12: Electrical Ducting Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Lesson 9:
Piping Skids
Piping Skids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Grid System Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Initial Sketch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Weldments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Weldment Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Structural Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Adding Sketches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Trim/Extend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Cut-List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Walk-through Animations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Capture Motion Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
My.SolidWorks.com v
Avatar Paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

Path-based Movement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Recording Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Free Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Creating a Movie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Exercise 13: Using Piping Skids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Exercise 14: Creating Walk-through Animations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Lesson 10:
Using SOLIDWORKS Content
Using SOLIDWORKS Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Adding Content. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Content Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Custom Library Naming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Virtual Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Components Used in the Routes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Exercise 15: Using SOLIDWORKS Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Appendix A:
Review Section
Review of Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
How Routing Uses Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
A Note About File References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Find References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Pack and Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
File Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
How Libraries Use Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Design Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Design Table Input and Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Review of Top Down Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Parts and Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Editing Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Edit Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Edit Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Edit Sub-assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Edit Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Assembly Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Review of Design Library Task Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Essentials of Using the Design Library Task Pane. . . . . . . . . . . 326
Directory Structure of the Design Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Review of 3D Sketching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Coordinate Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Orthogonal 3D Sketching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Sketching on Selected Planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Creating planes within the sketch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Splines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
vi My.SolidWorks.com
Introduction
My.SolidWorks.com 1
Introduction SOLIDWORKS 2015
About This The goal of this course is to teach you how to use the SOLIDWORKS
Course mechanical design automation software to build parametric models of
parts and assemblies and how to make simple drawings of those parts
and assemblies.
The SOLIDWORKS software is such a robust and feature rich
application that it is impractical to cover every minute detail and aspect
of the software and still have the course be a reasonable length.
Therefore, the focus of this course is on the fundamental skills and
concepts central to the successful use of the SOLIDWORKS software.
You should view the training course manual as a supplement to, not a
replacement for, the system documentation and on-line help. Once you
have developed a good foundation in basic skills, you can refer to the
on-line help for information on less frequently used command options.
Prerequisites Students attending this course are expected to have the following:
I Mechanical design experience.
I Experience with the Windows® operating system.
I Completed the online tutorials that are integrated in the
SOLIDWORKS software. You can access the online tutorials by
clicking Help, Online Tutorial.
Course Length The recommended minimum length of this course is 4 days.
Course Design This course is designed around a process- or task-based approach to
Philosophy training. A process-based training course emphasizes the processes and
procedures you follow to complete a particular task. By utilizing case
studies to illustrate these processes, you learn the necessary commands,
options and menus in the context of completing a task.
Using this Book This training manual is intended to be used in a classroom environment
under the guidance of an experienced SOLIDWORKS instructor. It is
not intended to be a self-paced tutorial. The examples and case studies
are designed to be demonstrated “live” by the instructor.
Laboratory Laboratory exercises give you the opportunity to apply and practice the
Exercises material covered during the lecture/demonstration portion of the
course. They are designed to represent typical design and modeling
situations while being modest enough to be completed during class
time. You should note that many students work at different paces.
Therefore, we have included more lab exercises than you can
reasonably expect to complete during the course. This ensures that even
the fastest student will not run out of exercises.
2 My.SolidWorks.com
SOLIDWORKS 2015 Introduction
A Note About The drawings and dimensions given in the lab exercises are not intended
Dimensions to reflect any particular drafting standard. In fact, sometimes dimensions
are given in a fashion that would never be considered acceptable in
industry. The reason for this is the labs are designed to encourage you to
apply the information covered in class and to employ and reinforce
certain techniques in modeling. As a result, the drawings and dimensions
in the exercises are done in a way that complements this objective.
About the A complete set of the various files used throughout this course can be
Training Files downloaded from the SOLIDWORKS website, www.solidworks.com.
Click on the link for Support, then Training, then Training Files, then
SOLIDWORKS Training Files. Select the link for the desired file set.
There may be more than one version of each file set available.
Direct URL:
www.solidworks.com/trainingfilessolidworks
The files are supplied in signed, self-extracting executable packages.
The files are organized by lesson number. The Case Study folder
within each lesson contains the files your instructor uses while
presenting the lessons. The Exercises folder contains any files that are
required for doing the laboratory exercises.
Training Templates A set of training templates are used throughout the course to
standardize the settings for the new files that are created. These
templates are also supplied in signed, self-extracting executable
packages. They can be downloaded from the same website address as
the Training Files and use the same extraction location.
These templates are used for all SOLIDWORKS core courses.
To access the training templates in SOLIDWORKS:
1. Click Tools, Options, System Options, File Locations.
2. Choose Document Templates from the drop down menu.
3. Click Add and browse to the Training Templates folder.
4. Click OK and Yes on each of the messages.
My.SolidWorks.com 3
Accessing Training Once the file location has been added, click the Advanced button and
Templates the Training Templates tab in the New SOLIDWORKS Document
dialog can be used.
Conventions Used This manual uses the following typographic conventions:

in this Book
Convention Meaning
Bold Sans Serif SOLIDWORKS commands and options
appear in this style. For example, Features >
Extruded Cut means click the Extruded
Cut icon on the Features tab of the
CommandManager.
Typewriter Feature names and file names appear in this
style. For example, Sketch1.
Double lines precede and follow sections of
17 Do this step the procedures. This provides separation
between the steps of the procedure and large
blocks of explanatory text. The steps
themselves are numbered in sans serif bold.
Windows 7 The screen shots in this manual were made using the SOLIDWORKS
software running on Windows 7. If you are not using Windows 7, or if
you have a different theme setting, you may notice slight differences in
the appearance of the menus and windows. These differences do not
affect the performance of the software.
4 My.SolidWorks.com
SOLIDWORKS 2015 Introduction
Use of Color The SOLIDWORKS user interface makes extensive use of color to
highlight selected geometry and to provide you with visual feedback.
This greatly increases the intuitiveness and ease of use of the
SOLIDWORKS software. To take maximum advantage of this, the
training manuals are printed in full color.
Also, in many cases, we have used additional
color in the illustrations to communicate
concepts, identify features, and otherwise
convey important information. For example,
we might show the result of a filleting
operation with the fillets in a different color
even though, by default, the SOLIDWORKS
software would not display the results in that
way.
Graphics and The SOLIDWORKS software sets a new

Graphics Cards standard with best-in-class graphics. The
combination of a highly reflective material and
the realism of RealView Graphics is an
effective tool for evaluating the quality of
advanced part models and surfaces.
RealView Graphics is hardware (graphics card)
support of advanced shading in real time. For
example, if you rotate a part, it retains its rendered appearance
throughout the rotation.
Color Schemes Out of the box, the SOLIDWORKS software provides several
predefined color schemes that control, among other things, the colors
used for highlighted items, selected items, sketch relation symbols, and
shaded previews of features.
We have not used the same color scheme for every case study and
exercise because some colors are more visible and clear than others
when used with different colored parts.
In addition, we have changed the viewport background to plain white
so that the illustrations reproduce better on white paper.
As a result, because the color settings on your computer may be
different than the ones used by the authors of this book, the images you
see on your screen may not exactly match those in the book.
User Interface Throughout the development of the software, there have been some
Appearance cosmetic User Interface changes, intended to improve visibility, that do
not affect the function of the software. As a policy, dialog images in the
manuals which exhibit no functional change from the previous version
are not replaced. As such, you may see a mixture of current and “old”
UI dialogs and color schemes.
My.SolidWorks.com 5
6 My.SolidWorks.com
Lesson 1
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will:

I Understand the basics of SOLIDWORKS Routing.
I Understand the different types of routes.
I Understand the various SOLIDWORKS Routing components and
their roles.
I Set SOLIDWORKS Routing File Locations and Settings.
My.SolidWorks.com 7
Lesson 1 SOLIDWORKS 2015
What is Routing involves the creation of electrical wiring and cabling, electrical
Routing? conduit, tubing and piping routes as solid parts in an assembly.
Review Lesson This manual assumes that the student is familiar with the following
topics:
I Configurations
I Top Down Design
I Design Library
I 3D Sketching
If any of these topics is unfamiliar, please refer the appropriate review
sections in Appendix A: Review Section.
I Configurations - Review of Configurations on page 318.
I Top Down Design - Review of Top Down Design on page 322.
I Design Library - Review of Design Library Task Pane on page 325.
I 3D Sketching - Review of 3D Sketching on page 327.
Types of Routes SOLIDWORKS Routing enables the designer to create:
I Piping
I Tubing
I Electrical (cable and wire)
I Electrical conduit
Routes fall into several categories; some examples are below:
Electrical wiring enclosure, fabricated cable, soldered copper, PVC,
flexible tubing, welded piping, and associated fittings.
8 My.SolidWorks.com
SOLIDWORKS 2015 Lesson 1
Routes The route is actually a sub-assembly that includes a collection of

folders and components, including the route part, that make up the
complete route.
Route Parts The Route Parts are components of the SOLIDWORKS Routing sub-
assembly that include pipes or tubes.
Route Sketch The Route1 feature includes a 3D
sketch, that describes the centerline
path of the pipe/tube/conduit/ route
from a starting connection to an end
connection.
Note Flexible tubing (hose) and flexible conduit use spline geometry in the
3D sketch.
Route Components Route components include the flanges,
elbows, fittings and other parts that
vary by route type.
They are sorted into the Components
folder automatically.
External The route sub-assembly is connected to

Components external components such as fans,
circuit boards, clips, tanks, cylinders or
manifolds. The sub-assembly
component keeps the route components
separate from the external components
and other routes.
Note See Review of Top Down Design on page 322 for more information on
assembly and routing modes.
My.SolidWorks.com 9
Routing The FeatureManager design tree for the Routing sub-assembly lists the
FeatureManager components used in the route. The component types used in this
example include those in the folders Components (flanges and
elbows) and Route Parts (pipes). The pipes include lengths as part of
the FeatureManager design tree listing. The components are labeled
graphically below.
Note The Route Components are attached to the route sketch directly and
do not require mates to each other. The flange, which connects to
components outside the route, is mated.
External vs. Virtual The routing files (route sub-assembly and route part) can be created as
Files external or virtual components. These settings are found under the
Tools, Options, System Options, Routing page.
Tip The virtual options offer simplified rename and delete options.
Virtual New route sub-assemblies and route parts can be created as virtual
Components components. This means that they are components that exist within the
main subassembly, not as separate assembly or part files. They can be
deleted, renamed or saved as true assembly or part files. To set this
option:
1. Clear Save route assembly externally.
2. Clear Save route parts externally.
3. Clear Use automatic naming for route parts.
10 My.SolidWorks.com
Deleting Virtual Select a virtual route sub-assembly and press the Delete key. This
Components removes the entire route sub-assembly and all of its components from
the main assembly.
Renaming Virtual To rename a virtual component, right-click the component and click
Components Rename Assembly or Rename Part.
Saving Virtual To save a virtual component as a separate file, right-click the
Components component and click Save Assembly (In External File) or Save Part
(In External File).
Making Virtual To convert a standard component (separate assembly or part files) to a
Components virtual component, right-click the component and click Make Virtual.
The following message appears:
Making a component virtual breaks the link to the external
file. Do you want to continue?
Click OK.
File Names in The default format for route sub-assembly and route part naming varies
Routing by route type.
Sub-assembly and As routes are created, the files that make up the route are named All of
Route Part Naming the route sub-assembly and route part components are virtual
components with default names (virtual name over external name).
Route Sub-assembly Route Part

[Harness_1^Basic_Electrical] [Cable^Harness1_Basic_Electrical]
Electrical Harness_1_Basic_Electrical Cable-Harness_1-Basic_Electrical
[Conduit_1Âssem1] [Cable^Conduit1_Assem1]
Electrical Conduit Conduit_1_Assem1 Cable-Conduit_1-Assem1
[Ribbon cable_1Âssem1] [Cable^Ribbon cable_1_Assem1]

Ribbon Cable Ribbon cable_1_Assem1 Cable-Ribbon cable_1-Assem1
[Tube_1Âssem1] [Tube-1000X065^Tube1_Assem1]
Tube Tube_1_Assem1 Tube-1000X065-Tube_1-Assem1
[Pipe_1Âssem1] [2inSchedule40^Pipe1_Assem1]
Pipe Pipe_1_Assem1 2inSchedule40-Pipe_1-Assem1
My.SolidWorks.com 11
Individual Many of the common piping components, both parts and assemblies,
Components are supplied with the SOLIDWORKS Design Library. You can create
your own custom components and libraries.
Connectors are special part

fittings that generally connect to
both the route and equipment
outside the route. Because of this,
connectors generally contain Mate
References for equipment
connections.
Clips are Routing components for

electrical or flexible tubing routes
that help to locate the route as
desired. Clips can be pre-placed
and used as reference locations, or
dropped into the route “on the fly”
during route generation. These
components generally contain
Mate References for equipment
connections.
Note
Hangers can also be created and
used like clips.
Electrical Conduit is a class of
Routing parts that combine rigid
tubing with electrical. Terminal
connectors contain both electrical
conduit and electrical CPoints. In-
line route components contain
only electrical conduit RPoints.
These components generally
contain Mate References for
equipment connections.
Flanges are special part fittings
used with tubing and piping that
generally connect to both the route
and equipment outside the route.
Because of this, flanges generally
contain Mate References for
equipment connections.
Tubes are parts that follow the

length of the route, to the end of
the sketch or to a fitting. The part
includes all bends whether they are
orthogonal or free form.
Pipes, or more specifically

Fabricated Pipes, are parts that
are placed between elbows and
fittings following the route. The
FeatureManager design tree listing
includes the name, configuration
and length.
Rigid copper tubing would be
considered fabricated pipe.
Cables are parts that follow the
length of the route, to the end of
the sketch or to an electrical
connector. Unlike Tubes and
Pipes, there is no cable “seed”
part; the cable is generated within
the route, with specifications
extracted from a default or user
specified spreadsheet or XML file.
Electrical Ducting, Cable Trays
and HVAC are parts that are placed
between elbows and fittings
following the route. The
includes the name, configuration
and length.
They are use thin-walled,
rectangular or circular shapes.
Standard Elbows are part

components that are placed at
changes in direction along the
route. They are placed
automatically at 90 and 45 degree
bends. The FeatureManager design
tree listing includes the name and
configuration.
Custom Elbows are used where
the change in direction is less than
90 degrees but not 45. The system
will prompt you to allow the
modification of a standard elbow
to match the angle. The
includes name, configuration and
sizing.
Fittings is a general classification
of part components that are not
added to the route automatically
like pipes and elbows. This
includes tees, reducers, crosses,
gaskets, o-lets and valves.
Assembly Fittings is a general

classification of assembly
components that are not added to
the route automatically like pipes
and elbows. These include
assembly valves, switches and
other multiple-part route
components.
Equipment is a general
classification of part components
(or library parts) that exist outside
the route but create connections to
the route. These include tanks,
pumps and nozzles. These
components generally contain
multiple Mate References and
multiple CPoints.
Routing Setup Routing is an add-in to the SOLIDWORKS Office component and

requires some setup to run and work properly. First, it must be added in
to activate the software and menus. Second, settings must be made to
point to the proper libraries and choose options.
Routing Add-in Routing is included with SOLIDWORKS Office Premium. To use it, it
must be activated using Tools, Add-Ins. Click both Active Add-ins
and Start Up for SOLIDWORKS Routing and click OK.
Where to Find It I Menu Bar: Options , Add-ins

I CommandManager: SOLIDWORKS Add-Ins >
SOLIDWORKS Routing
I Menu: Tools, Add-ins
1 Add-ins.
Click Tools, Add-ins and
make sure that both
Active Add-ins and Start
Up for SOLIDWORKS
Routing are checked.
Click OK.
Routing Training Routing is reliant upon specific files, both SOLIDWORKS and text, for
Files proper operation. The Training Files used in Routing include lesson
folders. The design library folder contains the “standard”
components that you will use in case studies and exercises for
electrical, conduit, tubing and piping applications. The location of these
files is crucial.
Note This default SOLIDWORKS design library folder is found in:
C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015
2 Extract training files.

Using the instructions in About the Training Files on page 3,
access the signed, self-extracting executable package from
www.solidworks.com and run it.
3 Save files.
On the save files in folder screen, keep the default path
C:\SolidWorks Training Files.
Important! If the training files are extracted to any other path, changes will be
required in many instructions and files of this manual.
Routing Library The Routing Library Manager will be explained in detail in later
Manager lessons. It is used to control many common tasks including:
I Routing Component Wizard
I Cable Wire Library Wizard
I Component Library Wizard
I Covering Library Wizard
I Tag Scheme Manager
I Routing File Locations and Settings
I Piping and Tubing Database
I Route Properties
The Routing File Locations and Settings option is of the most
immediate importance.
Routing File Routing relies on folders filled with standard electrical,

Locations and conduit, tubing and piping components to create routes.
Settings These folders are set for the categories General
Routing, Piping/Tubing and Electrical cabling.
Where to Find It I Menu Bar: Options , Options , System Options, Routing

File Locations, Launch Routing Library Manager
I Menu: Tools, Routing, Routing Tools, Routing Library Manager
I Start Menu: All Programs, SOLIDWORKS 2015, SOLIDWORKS
Tools, SOLIDWORKS 2015 Routing Library Manager
Selecting a Routing To load the settings file, click Load Default or select a saved file from
File Locations and Load Settings. Routing settings can be stored in an *.sqy file for later
Settings File use with the Routing File Locations and Settings tab of the Routing
Library Manager.
General Routing
C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\
Routing library
design library\routing
Routing template
templates\routeAssembly.asmdot
Piping/Tubing
Standard tubes \Standard Tubes.xls
Covering library \coverings.xml
Tag scheme library \tag schemes.xml
Electrical cabling
Cable wire library \electrical\cable.xml
Component library \electrical\components.xml
Standard cable \Standard_Cables.xls
Covering library \electrical\coverings-electrical.xml
Warning! If the Routing Library is set to a folder other than the design library\
routing folder, it may cause an error and prevent the critical
routinglib.db file from being found and used. It may also prevent the
Piping and Tubing Database and Route Properties tabs of the
Routing Library Manager from working.
Note When Routing File Locations and Settings options are set,
specifically the Routing library location, this path is entered into the
Reference Documents location of the File Locations tab in System
Options, and the Search file locations for external references option
is enabled on the External References tab. This will cause
SOLIDWORKS to search this location for any reference files prior to
checking the “working” directory. Review the SOLIDWORKS File
Management Training Manual for more information on recursive
search.
4 Routing File Locations and Settings.

Click Routing File Locations and Settings and click Load Default.
Click OK and close the dialog.
Favorites Save Favorites of commonly used folders to speed up the process of

navigating through a folders and drives. The favorites folders can be
accessed from the Open dialog or Windows Explorer.
To use Windows Explorer to create the favorite:
1. Navigate to the favorite folder in Windows Explorer.
2. Right-click on and click the Add current location to
Favorites option.
Using Windows Explorer to access the favorite:

1. Start Windows Explorer and expand the Favorites folder.
2. Double-click the favorite.
5 Favorite.
Create a favorite for the folder C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\
SolidWorks 2015\design library\routing\piping.
A favorite named piping is created.
General The general Routing settings are used to set behavior for all general,
Routing piping/tubing and electrical cabling routes. Settings are more important
Settings in routing than most other topics in SOLIDWORKS. They include
options for drag and drop, error checking and text size.
Where to Find It I Menu Bar: Options , Options , System Options, Routing

I Menu Bar: Tools, Routing, Routing Tools, Routing Option
Setup
Tip The Routing Option Setup presents the same options as System
Options, Routing in sequence with explanations.
6 Routing options.
Change the settings to use virtual
components. Click Tools, Options,
System Options, Routing and clear
the Save route assembly
externally option.
Click Automatically route on drop
of flanges/connectors.
Check the additional settings shown
and leave the dialog open.
7 General options settings.

Set these options under Tools, Options, System Options for the
appearance of assemblies edited in context and click OK.
Colors: Use specified colors when editing parts in On

assemblies
Display/Selection: Assembly transparency for in Opaque
context edit assembly
Assemblies: When Large Assembly mode is active: Off
Hide all planes, axes, sketches, curves,
annotations, etc.
Lesson 2
Piping Routes
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

I Understand the differences between components and route parts.
I Use orthogonal auto routing with pipes.
I Create a custom routing assembly template.
I Create a route using a 3D sketch.
I Add new route specification templates.
I Use an alternate elbow in a piping route.
I Add a route along relation to the route line.
Piping Routes
Piping Routes Piping Routes differ from electrical, electrical conduit and tubing
routes. These routes always use rigid pipe and typically create fillets
automatically at line endpoints. The fillets are used to place elbows in
the route. They also work well with the Auto Route tool and the
Orthogonal option.
Typical Piping The typical piping route is made up of pipe components of different
Route lengths connected by elbows, tees, reducers and terminated by flanges.
In the FeatureManager design tree, they are separated into the folders
Route Parts (for pipes) and Components (for elbows, tees, reducers
etc.).
Tip For the full list of Routing components supplied with the Design
Library, see Libraries on page 176.
Piping Routes
Route Sketch The route sketch, the 3DSketch under the Route1 component, defines
the positions of the components which determines the lengths of the
pipes.
Piping Routes
Pipes and Piping routes use rigid pipes based on line geometry. In addition to the
Piping pipes, there are many different types of components that can be used
Components with pipes to build the route.
Note Unlike tubing, there are no options for flexible routes.

Many of these components contain special Routing features:
Connection Points (CPoints) and Routing Points (RPoints). See
Routing Functionality Points on page 193.
Pipes Pipes are placed on all lines in the route.
They are cut to length by the other
components in the route. They are created
in multiple sizes and schedules based on
the type of pipe that is needed.
The pipe part is created as an extrude
feature because it handles only straight
line Orthogonal route types.
End Components End components are used to start and end the route, usually at
connections to equipment outside the piping route.
Flanges Flanges are generally placed at the ends of
sketch lines, but they can be connected to each
other to form connections.
They contain 1 CPoint and 1 RPoint. The flange
cuts the pipe at the CPoint position.
In Line In line components are used at the ends of lines, generally within the
Components boundaries of the route sketch.
Elbows Elbows are placed over sketch fillets where
sketch lines change direction. There are
several types of elbows, most commonly the
90 and 4 degree types.
They contain 2 CPoints and 1 RPoint. The
elbow cuts the pipe at the CPoint positions.
Piping Routes
Tees Tees are used at positions where three

lines share a common endpoint and a
right angle. Both same diameter and
reducing tees are generally available.
They contain 3 CPoints and 1 RPoint
The tee cuts the pipe at the CPoint
positions.
Crosses Crosses are used at positions where

four lines share a common endpoint
and right angles. Both same diameter
and reducing crosses are generally
available.
The cross cuts the pipe at the CPoint
positions.
Reducers Reducers are used at positions where two

colinear lines share a common endpoint. Both
standard and eccentric reducers are generally
available.
They contain 2 CPoints and 1 RPoint The reducer
cuts the pipe at the CPoint positions.
Other Types Many other types of in line components

can be used in a route. They include
valves, strainers, pumps, equipment,
gaskets, o-lets, valves and any other
components that you may need. The
Design Library includes a valve
assembly, but both parts and assemblies
can be used.
These components generally include
flanges to connect them to the route.
The reducer cuts the pipe at the CPoint
positions. As assemblies, they may
contain ARPoints and ACPoints.
Piping Routes
Routing Routing assembly templates are used for the route sub-assemblies
Assembly that routing creates. The default routing assembly template
Templates routeAssembly is stored in the C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\
SolidWorks 2015\templates folder. Customized routing assembly
templates can be created.
Creating a Custom Open the default routing assembly template routeAssembly.asmdot
Routing Assembly and make changes to it. The things that can be changed are generally
Template Document Properties such as items under the Drafting Standard,
Dimensions and Units headings.
Note Routing assembly templates are different internally from standard
assembly templates although they share the same file extension. A
standard assembly template cannot be used to replace a routing
assembly template.
1 Open assembly template.

Open the default routing assembly template routeAssembly.asmdot
from the C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\
templates folder.
2 Properties.
Using Tools, Options, Document Properties make these changes:
I Drafting Standard
Overall drafting Standard = ANSI.
I Dimensions
Text, Font = Century Gothic, Regular, 28 point.
I Units
Custom, Length = feet & inches, Decimals = None,
Fractions = 8, click Round to Nearest Fraction and click
Convert from 2’4” to 2’-4”.
This creates the settings for a custom routing assembly template in feet
and inch format, rounded to the nearest 1/8”.
3 Save routing assembly template.
Click File, Save and name it FT-IN_routeAssembly. It is saved with
the other assembly templates. Close and do not save.
Piping Routes
Selecting a Once you have created one or more routing assembly templates, they
Routing Assembly can be used when creating a new route. Click Tools, Options, System
Template Options, Default Templates, Prompt user to select document
template to be prompted for a document template each time a new one
is required.
Tip This option will prompt you select a template whenever a new file is
being created, regardless of whether it is a part, assembly or drawing.
4 Prompt selection.
Click Tools, Options, System Options, Default Templates and click
Prompt user to select document template.
5 Open Piping.
Open the existing assembly Piping from the
Piping folder.
Creating a Piping routes are generally

Piping Route created by connecting flanges
to existing equipment
geometry and auto routing
between them. Additional
components can be added in
line to complete the route.
In this example, the route will
be created between an existing
tank and a valve body.
Piping Routes
6 Start route.
Add a slip on weld flange to the Pump_Strainer_Valve using the
Slip On Flange 150-NPS6 configuration as shown.
Note Only the 6 inch configurations are

shown in the dialog (if List all
configurations is cleared) because the
proper pipe diameter is automatically
read from the component.
Route Properties The Route Properties Dialog is used to create the settings used by the
Dialog route. These settings include the size and schedule of the pipe and types
of elbows used by the route. The sections are described below.
I Route Specification
The route specification is used to select a
route properties template that defines a size
range, schedule or custom elbows,
minimizing the selections required as piping
routes are created.
The Route Properties templates are created
using the Routing Library Manager and the
Route Properties tab.
Note Using a Route Specification template may cause the Pipe and
Bends - Elbows options to be greyed out.
Piping Routes
I Pipe
The pipe part is used to describe the physical
shape of pipes in the route. The base
configuration sets the size of the pipe, usually
by diameter and schedule.
Note If a Route Specification is used, the Pipe selection options may be

greyed out.
I Bends - Elbows
The bends - elbows options are used to
determine what the route will do at the
endpoints of lines. The option Always use
elbows drops a default elbow component at the
endpoint. Other options allow for using bends
or prompting.
The default elbow part and an associated
configuration are selected. Typically a 90
degree elbow is used at the default type. If angles other than a right
angle are encountered, a dialog appears to select the appropriate
elbow.
Note If a Route Specification is used, the Bends - Elbows selection
options may be greyed out.
I Coverings
Use coverings to apply a virtual material with
thickness to the exterior of the pipe. The
covering information can appear in the BOM and drawing.
I Parameters
This option can be used to limit the choices of
configurations for pipes and tubes by
specifying a particular value. This requires
special properties in the design table of the
components.
I Options
Options sets the location of the library used by
routing and other options for the automatic
creation of pipes and fillets in the route sketch.
Piping Routes
Customize Settings The Customize Settings option is used to use or override the Route
Specification. The templates are used to control the pipe schedule or
pipe size for a route. See Route Specification Templates on page 34 for
more information.
I If Customize Settings is cleared, the selected route specification
template settings are greyed out and cannot be changed.
I If Customize Settings is clicked, the route specification template
settings can be changed.
Tip A route specification template will not be used in this example.
7 Route properties.
The Route Properties appears automatically after
the flange is dropped in the assembly. It sets the
critical values for the pipe and elbows of the route.
For Route Specification, click Customize
Settings. At the message:
You have checked ‘Customize Settings’.
Your changes will not be propagated to the
template. To modify the template run the
Routing Library Manager and click the
Route Properties tab. Do you want to
continue?
Click Yes.
For Pipe, use the selected part pipe from the
piping\pipes folder of the Design Library. For the
Base Configuration, use the selected Pipe 6 in,
Sch 40.
For Bends - Elbows, use the selected part
90deg lr inch elbow from the piping\elbows\
90 degrees folder of the Design Library. For the
Base Configuration, use the selected
90L LR Inch 6 Sch40.
Under Options, check all three options.
Click OK.
Piping Routes
8 Select route template.

When the route properties dialog closes, the New SOLIDWORKS
Document dialog appears. Select the FT-IN_routeAssembly
template and click OK.
9 End flange.
Add another slip on weld flange to the Pump_Strainer_Valve
using the same Slip On Flange 150-NPS6 configuration as shown.
Piping Routes
Using Auto Route The Auto Route tool uses the Orthogonal route option to create
with Piping multiple solutions for a piping route. The solutions appear as temporary
graphics that include both line and arc segments running between
connectors (flanges in this example).
The Alternative paths option is used to toggle through all of the
possible solutions.
Note Pipes must be orthogonal routes.

Tips for Selecting an The Auto Route tool provides multiple solutions to the route. Each
Orthogonal Solution solution routes between the route stub endpoints to determine solutions,
but which is best? Here are some tips to help you select a satisfactory
route.
The length of the route stubs (short lines that start

and end the route) can sometimes cause auto route
Route Stubs
to fail. Drag the route stub endpoint to lengthen or
shorten the stub and recheck the solutions.
Interference Pipes and other components are true parts and can
and be tested using Interference Detection and
Clearance Clearance Verification after creating the route.
Both the number of elbows and the type are critical.

Elbows
Watch for solutions that use non-90 degree elbows.
The number and length of the pipes are also critical.
Solutions that include more elbows will generally
include more pipes. Short pipes are generally
Pipes
inconvenient, although in some cases they can be
eliminated by connecting elbows to elbows (see
Remove Tube/Pipe on page 73).
Proximity to Look for structural geometry near proposed support
support points to add pipe hangers and post-routing
geometry supports.
There is often a Shortest alternate path with a
Shortest warning that the path is non-orthogonal. Despite the
warning the solution can be used.
Piping Routes
Auto Route The Auto Route tool automatically creates route geometry. In the case
of piping, lines are generated to connect the short “stub” lines of the
connectors and create a route. Fillets are generated between lines.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Piping > Auto Route

I Menu: Tools, Routing, Routing Tools, Auto Route
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click in the graphics area and click Auto
Route
10 Orthogonal auto route.

Click Auto Route and the Orthogonal route
option. Select the open endpoints. Four possible
solutions are offered by clicking the up arrow next
to Alternate paths.
Select the solution that resembles Solution #4 and
click OK.
Tip Clicking Edit (drag) allows you to drag the route sketch geometry.
Solution #1 Solution #2
Solution #3 Solution #4
Note Some solutions may be undesirable because they create non-standard

elbows. However, these elbows can be selected or created as needed.
See Adding Alternate Elbows on page 44 for more information.
Piping Routes
11 Exit route sub-assembly.

Exit the route sketch and route
sub-assembly. Rename the route
sub-assembly to 6inch Route and
leave the sketch under defined. For
more information, see Add Fitting
on page 79.
Route Route Specification Templates can be

Specification created to predefine a pipe schedule,
Templates range of sizes or selection of elbows. It is
selected and applied to the Route
Properties dialog.
Where to Find It I Routing Library Manager: Route Properties

Note Using a route specification template also helps in the selection of
elbows. Multiple elbow shapes (45, 90, 180) can be selected to avoid
having to select all non-90 elbows (see Adding Alternate Elbows on
page 44).
Piping Routes
Creating Route Creating the template requires selection of pipe and elbow parts that
Specification match the requirements. The pipes and elbows are selected from the
Templates Piping and Tubing Database of the Routing Library Manager.
12 Route properties.
Start the Routing Library Manager and click the tab for
Route Properties .
13 New template.
Click Add New and type the name SCH40_ONLY. This template will
include only schedule 40 components.
14 Pipe selections.
The pipe selection is used to determine the schedule. Click Use
Schedule and browse for any pipe with the File Name pipe and a
Config Name for a schedule 40 pipe, such as Pipe 1.5 in, Sch 40.
Click Accept Component.
Note The filters for schedule and file name can help with these selections.
15 Default Elbow.
The default elbow selection is used to determine the angle of the most
used elbows. Browse for any of the 90deg lr inch elbow parts as they
are all now schedule 40 elbows.
Click Accept Component and Always use elbows.
16 Custom Elbow.
The custom elbow selection is used to determine the angle of the next
most used elbow type. Browse for any of the 45deg lr inch elbow
parts.
Click Accept Component and Always use elbows.
Piping Routes
Additional Custom Additional custom elbows can be added to cover even more elbow
Elbows types, if they are available. For example, click Add New and browse
for any of the 180deg lr inch elbow parts.
17 Save.
Click Save to save the template. At the message Route template
saved successfully click OK and close the Routing Library
Manager dialog.
Tip The data can also be saved to an external file *.sqy file using the
Save Settings option.
18 Display state.
Select the Display State No Structural.
19 Add new display state.
Add a new display state Lower Tanks.
Change the view orientation and hide the highlighted components.
Piping Routes
Using Route Creating a route specification template requires

Specification selection of pipe and elbow parts that match the
Templates requirements. The pipes and elbows are selected
from the Piping and Tubing Database of the
Routing Library Manager.
Note The settings can be overridden by clicking Customize Settings. See

step 7 on page 30 for more information.
Tip A route specification template may not be helpful when routes have
multiple pipe sizes.
20 Start new route.

Drag and drop a slip on weld flange using the
Slip On Flange 150-NPS4 configuration as
shown.
In the Route Properties dialog, select
SCH40_ONLY as the Selected Template for
Route Specification.
At the message:
A new specification has been selected and
will be applied. This will overwrite
existing route properties.
Click OK.
Based on the settings of the route specification,
the following 4” pipe and elbow configurations
are automatically selected:
Pipe 4 in, Sch 40
90L LR Inch 4 Sch40
Click OK.
Piping Routes
21 Routing assembly template.

Select the FT-IN_routeAssembly template and click OK.
22 Second flange.
Add a second slip on weld flange with the same settings as shown.
Sketching Guides in When sketching pipe segments in a 3D

a 3D Sketch sketch, horizontal, vertical and 45 degree
guidelines are visible and can be used to
help in sketching.
3D sketching is an important skill in
routing. For more information on 3D
sketching, see Review of 3D Sketching on
page 327.
Tip Auto routes are geared towards creating 90 degree elbows. It does not
check for interferences so a route like this must be sketched.
23 Angled guide.
Sketch a line from the endpoint along the Z axis and then on a 45
degree angled line as shown.
Piping Routes
Note The route 6inch Route has been hidden for clarity.
24 Lines.
Sketch the additional lines as shown.
25 Merge.
Merge the open endpoints and dimension the sketch as shown.
Piping Routes
26 Elbows.
Exit route sketch and route.The route specification template was able to
automatically select and place both the 90 and 45 degree elbows to
complete the route. Rename the route sub-assembly to 4inch Route.
Using Routing Routing components can be used within the auto route to guide and
Components with shape the route. Routing components can be created from standard
Auto Route parts using the Routing Component Wizard.
In this example a pipe support will be created and used to guide the
route through a hole.
1 Display state.
Select the Display State Default.
2 New route.
Start a new route. Drag a slip on weld flange
component from C:\ProgramData\
SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\
design library\routing\piping\flanges.
Drop the component on to the
Vessel Horizontal-003 component as
shown.
3 Route properties.
In the Route Properties dialog, select SCH40_ONLY as the Selected
Template for Route Specification.
Select the FT-IN_routeAssembly template and click OK.
Piping Routes
4 Second flange.
Drag and drop a second slip on weld flange
component to the Vessel Weldment as
shown.
5 Drag and drop.

Drag the component RISER_CLAMP
from the local folder to the circular
hole as shown.
Before dropping it, use the Shift key
with either the Left or Right Arrow
keys to rotate the clip.
Auto Routing in Some routes require that the auto routing be

Multiple Sections done in multiple sections so that all possible
solutions can be investigated.
In this example, the first section goes from a
flange to a routing component, the
RISER_CLAMP. The second section runs from
the endpoint within the routing component to
the ending flange.
Piping Routes
6 First section.
Click Auto Route and the
Orthogonal route option.
Select the endpoint on the
upper tank and the Clip Axis
axis on the clamp as shown.
7 Solution.
Click the up arrow on
Alternative Paths to move
through the possible solutions.
Select the solution shown.
Click OK.
Piping Routes
8 Second section.
Drag the endpoint through as shown. Click Auto Route and click
the open endpoints and the solution shown. Click OK.
Tip If the riser line becomes disconnected

from the clamp, add a collinear relation
between the route segment and the
centerline to repair it.
9 Exit.
Exit the route sketch.
Piping Routes
Adding Alternate Standard elbows are those selected by the route specification template
Elbows (Route Specification Templates on page 34) or in the route properties
dialog as the Bends - Elbows. Typically, it is a 90 degree elbow
because the majority of elbows will be of this type.
When an alternate elbow, i.e. none of those selected in the route
specification template or route properties dialog (typically a non-90
degree elbow), is needed the system will prompt you to select a
replacement. This is done for each non-standard elbow in the route only
when the route sketch is exited.
Elbow Selection There are three options for an elbow when the
Options default cannot be used.
I Use default/alternate elbow
This option is used when the Angle value
matches one of the elbow parts other than
the default. If the angle was 45 or 180
degrees, an appropriate elbow would be
selected from the Design Library by the route specification
template.
I Make custom elbow
A new configuration of the current elbow is created using the
Angle value.
I Create form bends
Create a bend in the pipe instead of an elbow.
Note If a specific elbow size will be used regularly, it is best practice to
create the file and store it in the Design Library. Then the existing
elbow can be selected using the Use default/alternate elbow option.
Piping Routes
The Bends - Elbows The dialog opens automatically only when a route sketch with elbows
Dialog different from those specified, as stated above, is exited.
For example, if the elbow selected in the route properties is a 90 degree
type, a 45 degree bend on a sketch fillet will trigger this dialog when
you exit the route sketch. But if route specification template is used and
includes a 45 degree elbow, the 45 degree elbow will be selected and it
will not be triggered.
10 Custom.
Exit the route sketch.
Click Create form bends.
Click OK.
11 Exit sub-assembly.
Exit the sub-assembly to see the finished route geometry. Rename the
route to 3inch Route.
12 Expand folders.
Expand the folders Components and Route Parts from the 3inch
Route route assembly. Pipe data is included in the FeatureManager
design tree. For example, in the routing sub-assembly under the Route
Parts folder are the pipes.
Piping Routes
Editing a Route The graphics of the route are contained in a 3D sketch of the Route1
feature. The route sketch must be edited to make changes to the sketch
geometry.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Piping > Edit Route

I Menu: Tools, Routing, Piping, Edit Route
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a route and click Edit Route
13 Edit the route.

Click Edit Route . Since there are multiple
routes, select the 3inch Route from the dialog and
click OK.
Using the Route The Route Along relation can be used to hold a pipe centerline to a
Along Relation surface. A distance value is supplied as the offset from the surface.
Where to Find It Properties PropertyManager: Click a route line, right-click a plane or

planar face and click Route Along .
Centerline The centerline dimension determines how the measurement between
Dimension Setting the route line and the surface/plane/face is made.
If Use centerline dimension is clicked, the dimension will go the to
pipe centerline (right). If it is cleared, the dimension will go the to outer
pipe diameter (left). A dimension cannot do this.
Piping Routes
14 Setting.
Click Tools, Options, System Options, Routing, General Routing
Settings, and click Use centerline dimension.
15 Route along.
Select the route line and Ctrl+click the inside face of the vertical steel
as shown. Click Route Along and set the value to 2’ - 6”.
Repeat for the route line and the inside face of the horizontal steel as
shown. Set the value to 10”.
16 Exit.
Exit the route sketch and route.
Piping Routes
Isolate Options The Isolate option can be used with a route sub-assembly to isolate the
route with various combinations of references and the bounding box.
Where to Find It I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a route sub-assembly in the

FeatureManager design tree and click Isolate
The resulting combination of hidden and shown components can be
saved as a Display State. They include:
Route and
Route only Direct
References
Route and
Route
Secondary
Bounding Box
References
Route
Segments
Bounding Box
Piping Routes
17 Isolate.
Right-click the 3inch Route and click Isolate.
Select the Route Segments Bounding Box option. Also hide the
Plate for clarity.
Piping Routes
Using Piping Piping Hangers are a type of piping support that

Hangers can be used as a location to route through or added
to the route after it is completed.
The strap hanger and roller hanger
components are found in the
piping\miscellaneous fittings folder.
Hangers Within the When piping hangers are used to guide the route, they become routing
Route components within the Components folder in the routing sub-
assembly. This is similar to the way that the RISER_CLAMP
component is used in Using Routing Components with Auto Route on
page 40.
Hangers Outside the If piping hangers are used after the route is completed (they do not
Route guide or shape the route), they do not make use of the routing features
like RPoints. They are not routing components and are placed outside
of the routing sub-assembly.
Piping Routes
Steps to Add a In this example, a strap hanger will be used. It is used to support the
Piping Hanger existing pipe from the steel above with the addition of a turnbuckle and
a threaded rod. Use this procedure:
1. Insert the components into the assembly.
2. Mate the hanger to the route sketch.
3. Slide the hanger along the route.
4. Mate the hanger to the structure.
5. (Optionally) Add a turnbuckle component.
6. (Optionally) Create a threaded rod.
7. Create a hole (assembly feature) in the structure.
18 Insert strap hanger.

Drag and drop the strap hanger from the routing/miscellaneous
fittings folder.
Select the configuration 3 in and click OK.
19 Mates.
Mate the strap hanger using:
I Coincident between the Clip_Axis
and the pipe sketch.
I Parallel between the planar face of
the band and the bottom face of the
steel.
I Distance of 1.09” between the Axis
of Rotation and the rear face of the
angle steel.
Note In this image, a turnbuckle (Turnbuckle_fab) and a 3/8" diameter

threaded rod have been added.
Piping Routes
Hole Wizard Hole A Hole Wizard hole is added to the steel after the steel is assembled and
welded. Therefore it is created as an assembly feature that exists only in
the main assembly.
20 Hole wizard.
Click Assembly Features, Hole Wizard,
create a 9/16” hole with an Up To Surface
end condition where the rod crosses
through the angle steel.
For the Feature Scope, select the Frame-
2 component only.
21 Exit isolate.
Click Exit Isolate.
Routing Along The Route along geometry auto route method is useful for routing
Existing along walls and around equipment by using offsets from planar faces.
Geometry Select a starting endpoint and a series of planar faces to orient and size
the geometry of the route. The final selection can also be an endpoint of
a stub.
Piping Routes
Selecting Faces Faces of the parts within the assembly can be selected to orient and size
the pipe route. In this example, selecting the angled face as shown will
define the orientation of the pipe or tube (normal to the face) and offer
two options for length. The distance is measured as an offset from the
selected face and normal to it. The direction can be flipped by right-
clicking and selected by a click. A dimension is added to define the
offset value.
Note The distance value is using Offset for route along surface.
Where to Find It I Auto Route PropertyManager: Route along geometry
1 Select display state Drain.

Double-click the display state Drain. This
includes just the geometry needed to create
the route. Hide all existing piping routes.
Drag and drop a slip on weld flange with
configuration Slip On Flange 150-NPS6
as shown.
Piping Routes
2 Auto route.
Click Auto Route, Route along geometry, Use
centerline dimension and set the Offset for route
along to 4 in. Select the open endpoint as shown.
Note The Offset for route along value can be set to a different value prior to
each selection. In this example the same value will be used for all
selections.
3 Select face.
Select the bottom, inner face as shown. Offset the endpoint to the inside
so that it does not interference with the selected face.
Piping Routes
4 Angled face.
Select the angled face as shown. Offset the endpoint to the inside.
5 Second angled face.

Select the second angled face as shown. Offset the endpoint so that it
passes beyond the face as shown.
Piping Routes
6 Last face.
Select the outer face as shown. Offset the endpoint so that it passes
beyond the selected face as shown.
Click OK.
7 Complete sketch.
Add a line, relations and a flange as shown to complete the route
sketch. Name the route Drain.
Note An offset dimension does not imply a relation such as parallel.
Piping Routes
8 Interferences.
Repair interferences by adding 4”
chamfers to the edges of the
basement component as shown.
9 Save and close.

Save and close all files.
Exercise 1 SOLIDWORKS 2015
Creating Templates
Exercise 1: Create a custom routing assembly template and a route specification

Creating template for use with the following exercise.
Templates This lab uses the following skills:
I Creating a Custom Routing Assembly Template on page 26.
I Route Specification Templates on page 34.
Units: feet & inches
Custom Routing Create a Custom Routing Assembly Template using feet and inch
Assembly format named FT_IN. Use the settings specified in Creating a Custom
Template Routing Assembly Template on page 26.
Route Create a Route Specification Template named SCH40. The route

Specification specification SCH40 include:
Template
I Use Schedule = Sch 40
I Default Elbow = 90°
Note These templates can be used in the following exercise as well as any
later exercises that require these settings.
SOLIDWORKS 2015 Exercise 2
Multiple Piping Routes
Exercise 2: Create multiple piping routes.

Multiple Piping This lab uses the following skills:
Routes
I Creating a Piping Route on
page 27.
I Adding Alternate Elbows on
page 44.
I Routing Along Existing
Geometry on page 52.
Units: inches
Routing File Click Routing File Locations and Settings and click Load Default.
Locations and Click OK twice.
Settings
Procedure Open the existing assembly Multiple Routes from the multiple
piping routes lab folder. Use the equipment to create four new
routes.
Templates Use the templates created in the previous Creating Templates on
page 58 to create the routes in this exercise.
I Custom Routing Assembly Template = FT_IN
I Route Specification Template = SCH40
Multiple Routes Create the routes

ROUTE2
ROUTE1, ROUTE2,
ROUTE1
ROUTE3, ROUTE4
as shown using
Auto Route or 3D
sketching
procedures. See
details of the routes
on the following
pages. ROUTE3
ROUTE4
ROUTE1 ROUTE1 requires no dimensions.
ROUTE2 ROUTE2 requires no dimensions.
ROUTE3 ROUTE3 requires dimensions to geometry, other routes and an

alternate elbow.
ROUTE4 Optionally, create ROUTE4 using some 3D sketching and the Route
along geometry tool. Start by dragging the stub and sketching a line as
shown.
Use the Route along geometry tool, with 4” offsets, to route around
the pillar.
Add relations and dimensions to complete the route as shown.
Lesson 3
Piping Fittings

I Edit a piping route and add fittings to a route.
I Add a custom fittings to a route.
I Replace a fitting in a route.
I Use an alternate elbow in a piping route.
Piping Fittings
Piping Fittings Piping Fittings comprise a large group of

components in routing. They include
crosses, elbows, flanges, gaskets, o-lets,
reducers, tees and valves. They are
usually added using the familiar drag and
drop technique.
Note Elbows are usually added to the route automatically at sketch fillets.
Drag and Drop a Standard piping and tubing fittings such as tees,
Fitting crosses, flanges, reducers and valves can be dragged
and dropped into the route, creating their own split
points. When fittings are dragged and placed on the
route line, several things are done automatically:
1. The route line is split at the position where the
fitting is dropped.
2. The fitting is placed as the endpoint created by the
split.
3. The fitting is rotated to the default orientation.
Note Another method to add fittings to the routes is Add Fitting on page 79.
Rotating Fittings Fittings can be rotated while you add them to the assembly. The ability
While Adding to rotate is based on geometry built into the fitting part.
I Tab key- Click Tab to flip the fitting 90 degrees.
I Shift+arrow keys- Rotate about the Axis of Rotation by pressing
the Shift key with either the Left or Right Arrow keys. The default
arrow key rotation increment is 15 degrees. The value can be set
using Tools, Options, System Options, Routing, Component
rotation increment (degrees).
I Triad- Use the Triad to rotate or move the fitting as it is placed.
Using this options depends on the setting Tools, Options, System
Options, Routing, Use triad to position and orient
components.
Note The default arrow key rotation increment is 15 degrees. The value can
be set using Tools, Options, System Options, Routing, Component
rotation increment (degrees).
Rotating Fittings Fittings can also be rotated after they have been added to the assembly.
After Placement
I Triad - Right-click the fitting and click Move Fitting with Triad.
Drag the triad rings to rotate the component.
Note If rotating a fitting using the above options cannot provide the proper
orientation, see Orienting In Line Fittings on page 70.
Piping Fittings
1 Open assembly.
Open the existing assembly Piping saved in the previous lesson,
Lesson02\Case Study\Piping folder. Select the display state
No Structural.
2 Drag reducing outlet tee inch.
Edit the route 6inch Route. Drag the reducing outlet tee inch
fitting from the tees folder onto the straight line segment (do not drop).
3 Flip reducing tee.

Press the Tab key. Drop the fitting. Select
the configuration
RTee Inch6x6x4Sch40 to reduce the
branch line to 4”.
4 Auto route.
Add a flange (4”) to the route
and auto route. Auto route
and choose the solution
similar to one shown below.
Add the 1’ 0” and 1’ 9”
dimensions as shown.
Piping Fittings
5 Shortest route.
Drag and drop a straight tee inch
(4”) and another flange (4”) as shown.
Use auto route and click the Shortest
solution.
At the messages:
Warning: The resultant connection
is not orthogonal. Please undo
and route manually if this
solution is not valid. Click OK.
Direct non-orthogonal solution
found, use this solution? Click OK.
Add a 2’ 0” dimension and Equal
relations as shown.
Note The fillets come in as 9" radius due to the original sizing of the route
but they should be 6" radius for the smaller route. Select alternate
elbows when exiting the sketch. Rename the route to 6inch and
4inch Route.
Tip If an over defined error occurs in the sketch, click Over Defined in the
Status Area at the bottom of the screen and Diagnose in the property
manager. For more information, see step 13 on page 137.
6 New route.
Create a new route named 4inch
Route 2 using 4” fittings and the
route specification SCH40_ONLY
as shown.
Select the
FT IN_routeAssembly template
and click OK.
Auto route and leave the route
sketch under defined.
Exit the under defined route
sketch and route sub-assembly.
Piping Fittings
Using Planes in Reference planes can be useful for dimensioning, locating pipe sketch
Routes geometry and applying angles to fittings.
7 Plane through pipe

sketch.
Click Plane and click the
Top plane and an endpoint
of the pipe route sketch as
shown. Click OK. Rename
the plane top_of_line.
8 Edit route.
Edit the route 4inch
Route 2. Select the new
plane top_of_line and
the line from the route
sketch as shown. Add an
On Plane relation.
Both routes will
maintain the same height
as driven by the 6in
Route.
Exit the route sketch and route sub-assembly.
Split Route to Add Split Route can be used to break a line in the route. The resulting
Fittings JPoint (junction point) can be used with Add Fitting or drag and
drop to add an in line fitting. They are also useful in Orienting In Line
Fittings on page 70.
Note Fittings, including assembly fittings, can be added by using drag and
drop. See Drag and Drop a Fitting on page 66.
Tip If a line is broken using split route and is later not needed, use Remove
Pipe to eliminate the extra line.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Piping > Split Route

I Menu: Tools, Routing, Routing Tools, Split Route
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click on a route segment and click
Split Route
Note The generic splitting option, Tools, Sketch Tools, Split Entities, is
not equivalent. Split Route is specific to routing.
Piping Fittings
9 Split route.
Edit the route and split it using Split Route as shown.
Orienting In Line When placing tees, crosses, and other in line fittings, it is sometimes
Fittings necessary to add geometry to orient the fitting. Sketch (3D Sketch) a
centerline from the split endpoint in the direction the fitting should
orient. When the fitting is dragged to the point, it will follow the line.
Note You can also use Move Fitting with Triad. For more information, see
Sketch. on page 80.
10 Sketch centerline.
Click Centerline and sketch an angled line in the orientation shown.
Add a Parallel relation between the line and the Front plane.
Piping Fittings
11 Add a fitting.
Drag the straight tee inch fitting from the tees folder onto the
endpoint. When it orients to line, drop it. Select the configuration
Tee Inch 4Sch40.
Tip When the tee is dropped (like any standard fitting), the List all
configurations button icon the dialog is cleared by default. This
means that only the schedule used in the line (Schedule 40 in this
example) is listed. Clicking the button will show all sizes and all
schedules.
12 Relation.
Drag the pipe stub endpoint to see that the route segment and centerline
are not connected as shown. Add a Collinear relation between the route
segment and the centerline.
Note Click the ‘x’ on the error dialog to close it.
Piping Fittings
Adding Tees at Tee fittings can be dragged and dropped to junctions of two or three
Junctions non-collinear lines. When there are existing route segments and the tee
or lateral fittings need to match up, use this procedure:
1. Use Split Route near the
intersection point.
2. Add a Coincident relation

between the split endpoint
and the route segment to
align them.
3. Add a Merge relation

between the split endpoint
and the route segment
endpoint.
Piping Fittings
4. Drag and drop the fitting

onto the endpoint.
Remove Tube/Pipe The Remove Tube/Pipe option creates a condition where bends or
fittings contact each other directly where appropriate. This option is
available in Edit Route mode and is usually used with piping.
Where to Find It I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a route segment and click

Remove Pipe
Note In Tubing, the equivalent command is Remove Tube.
13 Remove pipe.
Right-click the small pipe section and click Remove Pipe. This
removes the pipe and creates an elbow to tee connection.
Piping Fittings
14 Auto route.
Add another flange. Use Auto Route between the two open endpoints
and click this solution. Add dimensions 135 degrees, 1’-2” and 2’-0”
as shown.
Errors in the Route If errors occur in route sketch, they can be repaired using the
Sketch SketchXpert or by deleting, trimming and replacing geometry.
1. Click Over Defined in the
Status Area (lower right corner)
of the SOLIDWORKS window.
2. Click Diagnose and look at the
solutions that are offered. Move to the solution that removed the
Intersection relation and click Accept. Click OK.
Note If fillets are removed, add in fillets to replace them at all changes in
direction between lines. For more information, see step 13 on page 137.
15 Exit route.
Exit the route sketch and the route sub-
assembly.
The route contains both 90 and 45 degree
elbows. The proper elbows are automatically
selected by the route specification template
SCH40_ONLY.
Piping Fittings
Fitting Rotation The Triad can be used during or

Using the Triad after the addition of the fitting to
rotate or move the fitting
manually.
16 Valve.
Edit the route again. Drag and drop a gate valve (asme b16.34)
bw - 150-2500 fitting from the C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\
SolidWorks 2015\design library\routing\piping\valves folder
as shown.
Select configuration Gate Valve (ASME B16.34) Class 150,
Schedule 40, NPS 4, BW.
Use the triad to rotate the valve so that the hand wheel can be easily
accessed from the front as shown.
Tip If the triad does not appear automatically, right-click the fitting and
click Move Fitting with Triad. To have the triad appear automatically,
click Tools, Options, System Options, Routing, General Routing
Settings, and click Use triad to position and orient components.
Piping Fittings
Fitting Rotation Using Shift + Arrow keys can be used to create an explicit rotation in
Using Shift + Arrow degrees. Click Tools, Options, System Options, Routing,
Keys Component rotation increment (degrees) and set the rotation per
click to 1, 5, 15, 30, 45, or 90 degrees.
17 Swing check valve.

Edit the 4inch Route and add a swing check valve bw - 150-
2500 with the configuration Swing Check Valve (ASME B16.34)
Buttwelding Ends, Class 150, Schedule 40, NPS 4 as shown.
Rotate the fitting 45 degrees off the vertical as shown.
18 Save.
Exit route and route sub-assembly. Save the assembly.
Creating The best way to create your own custom

Custom Fittings fittings is to copy a standard fitting from the
Design Library and edit it. This holds true for
creating fittings similar to the standard ones
and those with additional geometry.
In this example, an elbow that can be used as a
hanger will be created. It will be substituted
into the route in a specific location.
Tip This procedure is for fittings not pipe or tube parts.

Note A completed version of this part, Elbow_Hanger, is stored in the local
folder.
Piping Fittings
1 Open 90deg lr inch elbow.

Open one of the 90deg lr inch elbow (3”) fittings from the
Components folder of the 3inch Route route sub-assembly.
2 Save as copy.
Using Save As and the Save As Copy and Open option, create a copy
of the part and name it Elbow_Hanger.
3 Open Elbow_Hanger.
Using the Front plane, add the geometry as shown.
4 Boss.
Use the sketch to create an Mid Plane
extrusion of 0.25”.
Change the color of the part.
Note If the fitting is being used for only one size (such as this one), edit the
design table and remove all configurations aside from the active
configuration.
5 Save and close.
Save and close the Elbow_Hanger part.
Piping Fittings
Replacing Piping In line pipe fittings such as elbows can be replaced using Replace
Fittings Fitting.
Note Edit the route and exit the route sketch prior to using Replace Fitting.
Where to Find It I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a fitting and click Replace Fitting
6 Select fitting.
Right-click the 90deg lr inch elbow fitting
shown and click Replace Fitting.
7 Replace.
The message appears:
The replacement fitting may not match the
attributes of the pipe. After changing the
fitting please use Component properties on
this fitting to select a matching
configuration. You may also need to edit
the pipe route to complete any changes.
Click OK.
Select Elbow_Hanger as the replacement part
and click OK.
Piping Fittings
8 Edit route and drag.

Click Edit Route and click the route 6inch and 4inch Route to
edit. Drag the outer line away from the tank to increase the length of the
line to approximately 30” to make room for the fitting.
9 Split route.
Right-click the route line shown and click Split Route. Click near the
center of the line to split it. The JPoint JP1 is created.
Add Fitting Fittings such as tees and assembly fittings can be added directly to the
route without using the Design Library, using Add Fitting. This option
is available in Edit Route mode.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Piping > Add Fitting
I Menu: Tools, Routing, Piping, Add Fitting
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a route segment endpoint and click
Add Fitting
Orientation the The fitting can be oriented on the fly using the cursor to accept or
Fitting flip the fitting (similar to how the Tab key is used with a drag and drop
fitting). After the fitting is placed, the triad can be used to rotate the
fitting. See Fitting Rotation Using the Triad on page 75.
Piping Fittings
10 Add fitting.
Click the endpoint and Add Fitting . Select gate valve (asme
b16.34) bw - 150-2500 from the valves folder and Open. Right-
click to flip the fitting. Left-click to accept the default
configuration of the fitting.
Note A message may ask to use the existing document. Click Yes.
11 Sketch.
In the sketch, add an Equal relation to each of the broken line
segments. Add the dimension as shown to fully define the sketch.
What is that Other You may have noticed a blue endpoint on the
Endpoint? line. The line has not been split; this is the
endpoint of the stub line that started the route
from the flange. It is beneath the route line.
Piping Fittings
Interferences Individual pipes, elbows or the entire route sub-assembly can be used
as selections with the Interference Detection tool to determine
interferences or clashes between parts.
Interference Clearance
Note The Clearance Verification tool can be used to determine the amount
of clearance between parts that do not interfere.
See Clearance Verification on page 85 for more information.
12 Interference.
Select the Default display state. Click
Interference Detection and clear the
default selection of the entire assembly
Piping.
Click the route sub-assembly 6inch and
4inch Route, and the part Plate.
The pipe and elbows interfere with the part in several places. To repair
this interference, the route must be moved.
13 Edit route.
Edit the 6inch Route and 4inch Route
and delete the 2’ - 0” dimension. Add a
Route Along relation of 3” between the
route sketch line and the face of the steel
plate as shown.
Piping Fittings
Coverings Coverings are used to add insulation or Pipe

other coverings to pipes. Multiple coverings
can be added and sequenced on the same
route.
Click Route Properties, Coverings to add Covering
coverings while creating the route.
Note Coverings can be applied to electrical, piping, tubing and electrical

conduit routes.
Covering Library The standard covering file is coverings.XML in C:\ProgramData\
SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\design library\routing.
It includes the following coverings:
Covering Type Covering

Tape Ceramic Fiber Tape
Glass Fiber Tape
Rope Ceramic Fiber Braided Rope
Glass Fiber Braided Rope
Adhesive Tape PVC Electrical Tape
Lead-free PVC Electrical Tape
Heavy-duty PVC Electrical Tape
Flame-retardant PVC Electrical Tape
General Purpose 40 Micron Aluminum Tape
Industrial Grade Double-sided PE Foam Tape
Custom Covering Custom coverings can be created using a material and thickness value.
The custom material can be added to the library.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Piping > Covering

I Menu: Tools, Routing, Routing Tools, Covering
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a route segment and click Covering
Note Using the shortcut option affects only a segment of the route. The other
options affect the entire route.
Piping Fittings
1 Add covering.
Right-click the pipe sketch segment as shown and
click Covering. Click Create Custom Covering
and set the Thickness to 1”.
Click Select Material and click S-Glass Fiber
from the Generic Glass Fibers folder of the
SOLIDWORKS Materials library.
2 Apply covering.
Click Apply to add the covering to the Covering
Layers list. Click OK.
Note The covering is created as an individual part in the

Route Parts folder.
[Covering^6inch_Route_Piping]<1>
(Default<<Default>_Display State 1>)
Piping Fittings
Interferences with When coverings are added to pipes, the increase in

Coverings thickness can be included in the Route Along
dimension or ignored. The options Use centerline
dimension and Include covering thickness are
found in the Dimension properties and the Other tab. They are used to
determine the location of the measurement and whether the covering is
included in the measurement.
Use centerline dimension = checked

Include covering thickness = cleared
Use centerline dimension = cleared

Include covering thickness = checked
Use centerline dimension = cleared

Include covering thickness = cleared
3 Set dimension.
Select the dimension of the route along relation and the Other tab.
Clear Use centerline dimension and click Include covering
thickness. Exit the route sketch and route subassembly. Click OK.
Piping Fittings
Clearance To find the minimum clearance between

Verification piping fittings, use Clearance
Verification. Any minimum clearance
value can be set. Coincident or interfering
conditions are also listed.
Note The distances are measured through 3D space.
4 Clearance.
Click Clearance Verification and set the
Minimum Acceptable Clearance to 0”.
Select the two pipes and rod as shown and click
Calculate.
5 Calculate.
Click Calculate and see the minimum clearance or interference
between the sets of components. Click OK.
6 Save and close.
Piping Fittings
Exercise 3: Add pipe fittings, remove pipes and

Piping Fittings check clearances.
This lab uses the following skills:
I Drag and Drop a Fitting on
page 66.
I Split Route to Add Fittings on
page 69.
I Adding Tees at Junctions on
page 72.
I Clearance Verification on page 85.
Units: inches
Procedure Open the existing assembly Adding Fittings from the
Adding Fittings folder. Create four new routes and add fittings.
Routes Create the four new routes as shown.
Piping Fittings
Add Fittings Edit the route above the Holding Tank and add the flange, pipe, tee
(straight tee inch configuration Tee Inch 2 Sch 40) and valve
(globe valve (asme b16.34) fl -150-2500 configuration
Globe Valve (ASME B16.34) Flanged End, Class 150, NPS 2,
RF as shown.
Interference and Check the clearance between these pipes using Clearance
Clearance Verification. Make sure that there is at least 1” of clearance.
Piping on a Frame
Exercise 4: Create this assembly for flange to flange

Piping on a connections and associated pipe fittings.
Frame Optionally, add post-route hangers to the
routes.
I Drag and Drop a Fitting on page 66.
I Split Route to Add Fittings on page 69.
I Adding Tees at Junctions on page 72.
Units: inches
Procedure Open the assembly Steel Frame from the folder Steel Frame.
Frame Pipe Select from the following files and configurations for the route.
Components
File Configuration
Flange slip on weld flange Slip On Flange 150-NPS 2
Pipe pipe pipe 2 in, Sch 40
Elbows 90deg lr inch elbow 90L LR Inch 2 Sch40
45deg lr inch elbow 45L LR Inch 2 Sch40
Tee straight tee inch Tee Inch 2 Sch 40
Routes Create the routes shown below, using the details that follow.
Lesson 4
Tubing Routes

I Understand the basics of a tubing route.
I Route using flexible and orthogonal methods.
I Repair bend errors.
I Export tube data to external files.
I Create a drawing of a tubing route.
Tubing Routes
Tubing Routes Tubing Routes use tube parts shaped by 3D sketches

to form sub-assemblies that contain tubes and fittings.
The tube shape can be routed using orthogonal (rigid
tube) or flexible (hose or malleable tube) methods.
Typical Tubing The typical tubing route is made up of tube components of different
Route lengths connected by tees, reducers and terminated by fittings or
flanges. In the FeatureManager design tree, they are separated into the
folders Route Parts (for tubes) and Components (for tees, reducers,
fittings, flanges etc.).
Tip Tubing is created using a sweep feature because it can be used in rigid
or flexible routes.
Tubing Routes
Tubes and Tubing routes use tubes based on spline or line geometry. In addition to
Tubing the tubes, there are many different types of components that can be
Components used with tubes to build the route.
Note There are options for both flexible and orthogonal routes.
Many of these components contain special Routing features:
Connection Points (CPoints) and Routing Points (RPoints). See
Routing Functionality Points on page 193.
Tubes Tubes are placed on all splines, lines or fillets in the
route. They are cut to length by the other
components in the route. They are created in
multiple sizes and schedules based on the type of
tube that is needed.
Terminal Terminal components are used to start and end the route, usually at
Components connections to equipment outside the tubing route.
Connectors and Connectors and Flanges are generally
Flanges placed at the ends of the sketch.
They contain 1 CPoint and 1 RPoint The
flange cuts the tube at the CPoint
position.
In Line In line components are used at the connections between lines or splines,
Components generally within the boundaries of the route sketch.
Branches and Tees Branches and Tees are used at positions
where three lines share a common endpoint
and a right angle. Both same diameter and
reducing tees are generally available.
They contain 3 CPoints and 1 RPoint. The
tee cuts the pipe at the CPoint positions.

Click OK twice.
Tubing Routes
Flexible Tubing Flexible Tubing Routes are

with Auto Route very similar to electrical
routes; their geometry is
represented by a spline in a 3D
sketch.
The spline is connected to
short “stub” lines that
originate in the connectors.
The terminal components used
can be connectors or flanges.
In line components include
tees and couplings.
Tubing routes can be created
using auto route, manual 3D sketching and route along geometry (see
Routing Along Existing Geometry on page 52).
2 Open Tubing.
Open the Tubing assembly from the Tubing folder.
3 Drag and drop component.
Drag and drop the Straight fitting with the
configuration .25 TUBE X .25 NPT from the
C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\
SolidWorks 2015\design library\routing\
tubing\tube fittings folder as shown.
Use the Tube tube-ss and click
Tube 0.25in OD x .010 Wall as the Base
configuration. Click Use flexible hoses and
Center line. Click OK.
Tubing Routes
4 Auto route.
Drag and drop another
Straight fitting using the
.25 TUBE X .25 NPT
configuration. Click Auto
Route, clear the Orthogonal
route option.
Click OK.
5 Exit.
Exit the route sketch and route
sub-assembly.
Orthogonal Creating tube route without the Use

Tubing Routes flexible option results in geometry
with Auto Route created using the formed bends option
that resembles a pipe route.
Using the orthogonal option, lines are
generated along the X, Y and Z axes and
connected by sketch fillets. Sometimes a
“shortest” option (non-orthogonal) is also
presented.
The result is a single tube part bend to the
appropriate shape.
This type of route can be created using
auto route or manual 3D sketching.
Tubing Routes
6 Drag and drop.

Drag and drop another Straight fitting
with the configuration .38 TUBE X .38
NPT from the tube fittings folder as
shown. Use the Tube tube-ss and click
Tube 0.375in OD x .010 Wall as the
Base configuration.
Clear Use flexible hoses, leave the Bend
radius at 3/8”, click Centerline and
Automatically create fillets.
Click OK.
Add another Straight fitting above the
first as shown.
Orthogonal Tubing When the Orthogonal route option is used with Auto
Solutions Route in tubing, there are generally multiple solutions
for a single route. The Orthogonal route option moves
along the X, Y and Z axes to connect two “stub”
endpoints through 3D space.
Tubing Routes
Tip Drag stub endpoints (making lines longer) before auto routing. The
solutions that will be offered in this example are shown below.
Solution #1 Solution #2 Solution #3 Solution #4
Bend and Errors in the shape of the route geometry can occur as it is created. For
Spline Errors orthographic routes, the bend radius may be too small compared to the
diameter of the tube. For flexible routes, the spline radius may be too
small.
Both conditions can be identified and repaired.
Bend Radius Too Red bends indicate that the bend radius is
Small too small. The bend radius should be
larger than the diameter.
The solution is to set the Bend radius to
a larger value using the Route
Properties or try other solutions.
Other bend issues can be corrected using
Repair Route on page 105.
Tubing Routes
7 Edit (drag).
Select Solution #4 and click Edit
(drag) to move the geometry. After
dragging, add the 2” and 3” dimensions
as shown to fully define it.
8 Exit.
Exit the route sketch and route sub-
assembly.
Tubing Routes
Export Pipe/Tube Export Pipe/Tube Data can be used to extract detailed information
Data from a tubing route for fabrication. The information is available in
several file formats including text, PCF, html and eDrawings® eprt file.
The PCF format can be used with applications such as ISOGEN™.
Where to Find It I Shortcut Menu: Right-click the route sub-assembly and click
Export Pipe/Tube Data
9 Export tube data.

Right-click the route [Tube2^Tubing] and click
Export Pipe/Tube Data.
Click Export to create data files including html,
txt, eprt and jpg types.
Click the Default.html file in the list and click
Open . The results are listed. Close the window
and click OK.
10 Display state.
Select the display state Default.
Tubing Routes
Using Envelopes Interferences between tubes and equipment or tubes and other tubes
to Represent can be checked using Tools, Interference Detection. This is useful but
Volumes consider the case where there is no part geometry to check. In situations
where equipment operation or maintenance requires a volume of
clearance, Envelopes can be used.
Envelopes are reference components that exist only for checking
purposes and do not appear in the bill of materials or any other
calculations.
Creating Envelopes Envelopes are created from existing components. In the Component
Properties dialog, click the Envelope option. The component icon
changes to .
Note Envelopes can also be used for bulk
selection of components.
For example, an assembly can be
broken up into zones that are
represented by envelopes.
The envelopes can be used to test

whether geometry is inside, crossing
or outside of it. Once selected the
geometry can be hidden, suppressed,
or changed in color.
Tubing Routes
11 Create component.
Click Insert, Component, New Part and click the bottom face of the
Valve-6in-Butterfly component as shown for placement.
Extrude the sketch to roughly define the space required to open and
close the valve and drain the tank. Use the sketch (with approximate
values) and extrude previews for Direction 1 and Direction 2 below as
a guide for sizing.
12 Create and hide the envelope.

Using the Component Properties, change the component to an
envelope.The completed envelope appears blue and transparent by
default. Name the envelope Valve_Clearance and hide it.
Tubing Routes
Starting a Tube A tubing route can be started at a point in the assembly, rather than at a
Route On the CPoint of a connection component. This option can be used when a
Fly piece of equipment has a connection to the tubing but there is no
CPoint on the equipment.
There are similar options for electrical and piping routes.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Tubing > Start at Point

I Menu: Tools, Routing, Flexible Tubing, Start at Point
13 Start at point.
Click Start at point and click the cylindrical face as shown. Use the
route type Tube. Click Select Tube and click the tube-ss with the
Tube 0.375in OD x .010 Wall configuration. Click OK twice.
Route Properties The Route Properties are used to create the settings used by the route.
These settings include the sizing of the tube and bends used by the
route. The settings are described below.
I Tube
The Tube part is used to describe the physical shape of tubes in the
route. The base configuration sets the size of the tube, usually by
diameter and thickness. The Use flexible hoses option, when
checked, creates a spline-based flexible tube.
I Bends - Elbows
The Bends - Elbows options are used to determine what the route
will do at the endpoints of lines. Typically elbow options are greyed
out for tube routes. The Bend radius can be set.
For more information, see Route Properties Dialog on page 28.
Tubing Routes
On the Route Properties dialog, click Use
flexible hoses and a Bend radius of 1/2”.
Click OK.
Drag the route stub endpoint out from the
component as shown.
15 Clip one.
Drag and drop a Tubing_Clip component from the Design Library to
the existing hole as shown. Click Auto Route and route between the
endpoint and the Clip Axis.
Tubing Routes
16 Clip two.
Drag and drop another Tubing_Clip component to another existing
hole as shown. Route between the end point and the Clip Axis.
Start Route and Components that have CPoints can be used to add to or start a route.
Add to Route Right-click the CPoint feature and click Start Route to begin a new
route or Add to Route to continue an existing route.
In this example, the route will be continued to equipment connections
on the arrow side of the wall.
Where to Find It I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a CPoint and click Start Route
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a CPoint and click Add to Route
Tip The CPoint can be selected from the FeatureManager design tree or
graphically.
Note Click View, Routing Points prior to using Start Route or Add to
Route.
Tubing Routes
17 Add to route.
Expand the component
Bulkhead Union <3>. Right-
click the feature CPoint1 from
the FeatureManager design tree
and click Add to Route. Auto
route between that stub
endpoint and the previous end
using a flexible route as shown.
18 Rotate clip.
Exit the route sketch. Select an edge or vertex of the clip and drag to
rotate it. The tube updates with the changes in the clip angle. Drag it
too far as shown.
Tip This can be an effective method to remove “kinks” in a route.
Tubing Routes
Repairing Bend Bend Errors indicate violations of the tube minimum bend radius. The
Errors problem areas are marked with colored stripes. Two of the automated
repair methods are Flip Direction and Repair Route.
Tip Reversing the direction of the auto route selections, changing the length
of the stubs, removing dimensions/relations or changing the shape of
the spline can all be effective methods to eliminate bend errors.
Marking the Error After the auto route is completed (in
this example selected right, axis then
left), an error message appears:
No routing component can be
created for this spline because
the radius of curvature at the
highlighted locations is too
small. Please edit the spline. The
minimum bend radius required
is "0.250000", current
minimum radius is "0.015702".
Click OK on the error and auto route
dialogs.
Flip Direction The Flip Direction option allows you to reverse the direction of the
tube through a clip. This is a very useful tool in avoiding and repairing
“kinks” in the shape of the tube.
Where to Find It I Shortcut Menu: Right-click the straight route segment within the
clip and click Flip Direction
Tubing Routes
Repair Route If the Minimum Bend Radius of tubing is violated, the bend will be
marked with colored stripes in Edit Route mode. Repair Route can be
used to find a solution and repair the violation. Possible solutions are
shown in yellow. Browse through available solutions using the mouse
buttons or PropertyManager arrow buttons.
Selecting a Repair Right-click on the route and click Repair Route. Toggle through
Option multiple solutions by clicking the right mouse button . Select the
desired solution using the left mouse button.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Tubing > Repair Route

I Menu: Tools, Routing, Routing Tools, Repair Route
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a route segment and click
Repair Route
Re-route Spline Adding a clip can also be used to change the shape of the route. Using
Auto-Route and the Re-route spline option, the spline can be
re-routed through one or more clips to change the shape.
Tubing Routes
19 Flip.
Edit the route. Right-click on the straight segment of the route within
the clip and click Flip Direction. Exit the route sketch and route sub-
assembly.
Tip Orthographic route lines can be routed through

existing clips by selecting the Clip Axis while
auto routing or using 3D sketch relations such
as Concentric after auto routing.
Select Using Select Using Envelope allows you to test geometry for proximity to
Envelope the envelope component volume. The options include inside, outside or
crossing the envelope.
Tip You can also choose Show/Hide Using Envelope to hide or show
geometry based on the proximity to the envelope.
Where to Find It I Shortcut Menu: Right-click an envelope in the
ConfigurationManager and click Envelope, Select Using
Envelope
Tubing Routes
20 Select using envelope.

Show the envelope Valve_Clearance and
hide Valve-6in-Butterfly. Right-click the
envelope feature and click Select Using
Envelope. Click Inside envelope and
Crossing envelope and click OK.
The tubing is highlighted, indicating that it
is crossing the volume of the envelope.
Spline Options Splines can be edited and visualized in several ways. Right-click the
spline and click one or more options:
I Add Tangency Control
I Insert Spline Point
I Show Spline Handles
I Display Control Polygon
I Show Inflection Points
I Show Minimum Radius
I Show Curvature Combs
Tubing Routes
21 Add tangency control.

Edit the route. Right-click the spline of the route sketch and click
Insert Spline Point. Click near the center between clips.
Drag the spline away from the envelope and adjust the shape of the
spline using the tangency controls.
22 Test envelope.
Exit the route and sub-assembly. Test the route against the envelope
again to show that it is no longer crossing the volume.
Hide the envelope.
23 Add to route.
Edit the last route created.
Right-click CPoint2 of the component Bulkhead
Union <3> and click Add to Route.
Note The original route was flagged as flexible; the Use flexible hoses
option was clicked in the Route Properties dialog. This causes all auto
route dialogs to automatically clear the Orthogonal route option.
If you want to use the Orthogonal route option when the Route
Properties are set to Use flexible hoses, you must click the
Orthogonal route option prior to each graphic selection.
Tubing Routes
24 Add fittings and auto route.

Add two instances of the Straight fitting with the configuration .38
TUBE X .38 NPT. Auto route using the Orthogonal option and click
the solution shown. Add the 2” dimension to fully define the route
sketch.
25 Set rotation increment.

Click Tools, System Options, Routing, Component rotation
increment (degrees): select 90 degrees. Click OK.
26 Drag and drop.
Drag and drop a solidworks-lok male branch tee from the
tube fittings folder. Rotate the component as shown. Select the
configuration MALE BRANCH TEE-0.375Tx0.375 NPT.
27 Dimension.
Add the 9”dimension as shown to fully define the route.
Tubing Routes
28 Auto route to tee.

Auto route between the tee endpoint and the stub using the
Orthogonal route option and click the solution shown.
Route Segment The Route Segment Properties dialog is used to set a portion of the
Properties route to different properties than those initially set for the route.
In this example, one section of tube will be a different thickness tube of
the same nominal diameter.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Select a route segment and click Tubing >
Route Properties
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a route line and click
Route Segment Properties
29 Segment properties.
Right-click the route line shown and click Route
Segment Properties.
Set the base configuration to Tube .375in OD X
.020in Wall. Click OK.
Tubing Routes
Tubing Tubing sub-assemblies can be

Drawings detailed using SOLIDWORKS
drawing sheets and tools. The routes
can be orthogonal or flexible. They
are created similar to Pipe Drawings
(see Piping Drawings on page 159).
You can use many options including:
I Drawing views
I Bill of materials
I Balloons
I Centerlines
I Center marks
I Dimensions
Note A tube route must be saved externally using Save Assembly (in
external file) before it can be used in a drawing.
Rename Right-click the route sub-assembly and click Rename Assembly to
rename the route sub-assembly.
Save to External The route sub-assembly [Tube_1^Tubing] and the route parts
File [Tube-250X010_1^Tube_1_Tubing] can be renamed while they are
virtual or internal to the assembly. They can also be saved to external
files. As the files are saved to external files, the brackets are removed
from names.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Tubing -> Tube Drawing

I Menu: Tools, Routing, Flexible Tubing, Tube Drawing
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a route in the FeatureManager design
tree and click Tube Drawing
1 Save externally.
Using Save Assembly (in external file), save the tube routes to
external files using the names FLEX, BENT, and MIXED
corresponding with the types.
2 Drawing settings.
Right-click the BENT route and click Tube
Drawing . Make the following dialog settings
and click OK.
Note The Tubing BOM Template is found in the SolidWorks Routing -

Piping and Tubing folder.
Tubing Routes
3 Tube drawing.
Place the drawing view and the BOM as shown.
4 Orthographic views.
Create a Front view using Model View and the Top and Right
using Projected View . Add Centerlines , click Select View and
click in each view.
Tubing Routes
5 Dimensions.
Add dimensions between the
centerlines as shown.
6 Save and close.

Orthogonal Tubing Routes
Exercise 5: Create multiple orthogonal route

Orthogonal assemblies using existing tubing
Tubing Routes library parts.
I Tubing Routes on page 90.
I Route Properties on page 100.
I Start Route and Add to Route on page 102.
Units: inches
Tube Components Select from the following files and configurations for the route.
File Configuration
Tube tube-ss Tube 0.500in OD X .010in wall
Tee solidworks-lok male branch MALE BRANCH TEE-0.500Tx0.500 NPT

tee
Flange slip on tube flange-ss Tube Flange 05-150
Creating the The route is added to an existing assembly that contains some
Routes components to start and stop it.
1 Open Tubing Lab.
Open the existing assembly
Tubing Lab from the
Add to Route folder. It
contains sketches and 6
solidworks-lok male
connector fittings.
2 Start route.
Right-click CPoint2 from the solidworks-lok male
connector_7<7> and click Start route.
3 Route properties.
Create Tube Route A using a tube-ss tube, configuration
Tube .500in OD X .010in Wall, clear Use flexible hoses with
Bend radius 0.5in.
4 Add to route.
Right-click CPoint2 from the solidworks-lok male
connector_7<12> and click Add to route.
5 Auto route.
Use an Orthogonal Auto Route to create the route. Check the various
solutions by going through Alternate paths. Choose a solution similar
to the one shown below. Name the route Tube Route A.
6 Second tube route.

Add a second route, Tube Route B, to the assembly. Use the same
procedure as the first route.
7 Third tube route.

Add a third route, Tube Route C, to the assembly. Use the same
settings and dimension from the second route.
8 Add components.
Edit the route Tube Route A. Drag and drop a solidworks-lok male
branch tee component into the route as shown. Add a slip on tube
flange-ss component at the end of the tee line.
Note The parts and configurations used are listed in the chart Tube
Components on page 114.
9 Repeat for other routes.

Repeat the procedure of adding the components for the remaining two
routes; Tube Route B and Tube Route C.
10 Save and close.
Flexible Tubing Routes
Exercise 6: Create multiple flexible route assemblies

Flexible Tubing using the existing tubing library parts and
Routes clips.
I Tubing Routes on page 90.
I Start Route and Add to Route on
page 102.
I Repair Route on page 105.
I Flip Direction on page 104.
I Re-route Spline on page 105.
I Select Using Envelope on page 106.
Units: inches
Tube Components Select from the following files and configurations for the route.
File Configuration
Tube tube-ss Tube 0.500in OD X .010in wall
Clip tubing_clip 6.01 - 12.70mm Dia
Settings Under the Routing settings, clear Automatically add dimensions to

route stubs. Click Use flexible hoses on all routes.
Routes components to start and stop it.
Tube_1
Tube_2
Tube_3
1 Open Tubing Clip Lab.

Open the existing assembly Tubing Clip Lab from the
Tubing Clip Lab folder. It contains sketches, sheet metal and 6
solidworks-lok male connector fittings.
2 Add route Tube_1.
Add a flexible tubing route using the
existing connectors and the tubing_clip
components.
3 Add route Tube_2.

Create Tube_2 using a similar procedure.
4 Add route.
Add the route Tube_3 through 3 clips as shown.
Note Some of the clips require rotation and the route may require Flip
Direction.
Envelopes and Create an envelope and use it to test interferences. The envelope
Interferences represents a volume that defines an access way across the assembly.
5 Sketch.
Add a new component using Insert,
Component, New Part. Select the inner
face and sketch the geometry and
6 Boss.
Extrude a boss to the
opposite inner face as
shown. Convert the
component to an envelope.
Use Select Using
Envelope to find if any of
the routes interfere with the
envelope. All of the routes
may interfere.
7 Sketch.
Open the insert part and edit the ø6.0 (6) Diameter Hole1 feature.
Reposition the hole centers as shown.
8 Clips.
Add clips to the routes and re-route through them as shown.
Check and eliminate interferences between the envelope and the tubes
and between the individual tubes of the routes.
Note Editing the routes may include using Insert Spline Point.
9 Save and close all files.
Orthogonal and Flexible Tubing Routes
Exercise 7: Create multiple tubing route assemblies using orthographic and flexible
Orthogonal and auto routing and manual routing methods. Eliminate any interferences.
Flexible Tubing This lab uses the following skills:
Routes I Branches and Tees on page 91.
I Orthogonal Tubing Routes with Auto Route on page 93.
I Tubing Drawings on page 111.
Units: millimeters
Tube Components Select from the following files and configurations for the routes.
File Configuration
Tube tube-ss .250in OD X .010in Wall
Fitting Straight fitting .25 TUBE X .38 NPT
solidworks-lok tubing branch tee MALE BRANCH TEE-0.250T
1 Open Tubing.
Open the existing assembly Tubing from the Orthogonal and
Flexible Tubing Routes folder.
2 Create routes.
Create the following routes (#1, #2 and #3) as shown in the details.
#2
#3
#1
Tip Unsuppress the assembly feature Section to see a sectioned assembly.
Routing Tip Each of the routes passes

through a clip mounted on the
structural steel post.
Include the clip in the manual or
auto route selection.
Some routes require auto routing
in multiple sections.
Some routes require editing of
the 3D sketch created by auto
routing.
Route #1 Details Route #1 is an orthogonal route through a clip. Add a solidworks-lok

tubing branch tee and connect using 3D sketching as shown.
Route #2 Details Route #2 is an orthogonal route through a clip.
Route #3 Details Route #3 is a flexible route through a clip.
Drawing Create a drawing using Route #1 as shown.
Lesson 5
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will have a general

understanding of:
I Use change route diameter to edit a route.
I Add a pipe penetration to a route.
I Define piping spools.
I Copy pipe routes.
I Create flange to flange connections.
I Use the threaded piping library.
I Edit and modify the route sketch.
I Use the triad to rotate and move a fitting.
I Generate a piping drawing.
Piping and Piping and Tubing Changes introduces many of the procedures that
Tubing can be used to change a pipe route after it has been completed. Most of
Changes the procedures in this lesson apply to both tubing and piping routes,
although they are shown with pipes.
Procedures for Procedures in creating routes that can be used for both tubing and
Tubing and Piping piping routes that have been introduced in previous lessons. Some are
presented in Lesson 2: Piping Routes, Lesson 3: Piping Fittings and
others in Lesson 4: Tubing Routes.
Covered in Piping Lesson 2: Piping Routes contains these topics:
I Creating a Custom Routing Assembly Template on page 26.
I Tips for Selecting an Orthogonal Solution on page 32.
Lesson 3: Piping Fittings contains these topics:
I Drag and Drop a Fitting on page 66.
I Using Planes in Routes on page 69.
I Orienting In Line Fittings on page 70.
I Split Route to Add Fittings on page 69.
I Remove Tube/Pipe on page 73.
I Replacing Piping Fittings on page 78.
I ACPoints and ARPoints on page 202.
I Coverings on page 82.
Covered in Tubing Lesson 4: Tubing Routes contains these topics:
I Bend and Spline Errors on page 95.
I Export Pipe/Tube Data on page 97.
I Using Envelopes to Represent Volumes on page 98.
I Starting a Tube Route On the Fly on page 100.
I Flip Direction on page 104.
I Spline Options on page 107.
I Route Segment Properties on page 110.

Click OK twice.
2 Open Change Route Diameter.
Open the existing assembly Change Route Diameter from the
Change Route Diameter folder.
Change Route The option Change Route Diameter is

Diameter used to modify the diameter,
specification or fittings used in an
4” -> 6”
existing pipe or tube route.
2” -> 4”
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Piping > Change Route Diameter

I Menu: Tools, Routing, Routing Tools, Change Route Diameter
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a route segment and click
Change Route Diameter
3 First section.
Edit the route. Click Change Route Diameter
and click the route segment as shown.
A route section highlights.
Click Driving under First Fitting and click
Slip On Flange 150-NPS6. Under Second
Fitting, select RTee Inch6x6x4Sch40.
Click Next .
4 Second section.
In the second section, select the
Slip On Flange 150-NPS4 as the Second
Fitting. The First Fitting is selected automatically.
Click Next .
5 Third section.
In the third section, select the Gate Valve (ASME
B16.34) Class 150, Schedule 40, NPS 6, BW
configuration. The Second Fitting is selected
automatically.
Click Next .
6 Fourth section.
In the fourth section, select the RTee
Inch6x6x4Sch40 as the First Fitting. The
Second Fitting is selected automatically.
Click Next .
7 Fifth section.
In the fifth section, select the Slip On Flange
150-NPS6 as the First Fitting. The Second
Fitting is selected automatically.
Click Next .
8 Last section.
In the last section, select the Slip On Flange 150-
NPS4 as the Second Fitting. The First Fitting is
selected automatically.
Click OK.
9 Results.
Exit the route sketch and
route subassembly to see the
changes to the components
and route parts in the route. 6”
4”
Weld Gaps The Weld Gap option is used to create a gap

between pipes and fittings to accommodate a
weld. The gap can be defined for entire route
(see Route Properties Dialog on page 28), a
segment of the route or at an individual
endpoint.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Piping > Weld Gap

I Menu: Tools, Routing, Piping, Weld Gap
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a route segment and click Weld Gap
Tip Adding a gap will reduce the length of the pipe part.
10 Segment.
Edit the route. Click Weld Gap and select the
segment of the route as shown.
11 Gaps.
Click Create weld gaps and Override default
gap. Set the value to 0.13” and click OK.
Changing The route sketch can be changed (dimension values and relations) like
Dimensions and any other sketch. Note that the pipe length is not the same as the
Pipe Lengths dimension. In this example the pipe length is 3’-3” not 4’-0”.
12 Set equal.
Edit the route and add Equal relations between the pairs of lines
indicated.
A Note About Dimensioning the route geometry in a 3D sketch is important in order

Dimensioning to fully define the geometry. There are geometry selection options
Route Geometry when using the Smart Dimension tool.
Single Line Selecting a single route line segment creates a linear dimension that
Selection measures between the virtual sharp points at the elbows or between an
endpoint and the virtual sharp point at an elbow.
Point Selections Selecting two endpoints offers more flexibility. The initial dimension is
a linear dimension of the true 3D distance. Press the Tab key, before
placing the dimension, to switch to other orthogonal dimensions.
Multiple Line Dimensioning angles requires the selection of two route line segments.
Selection Move the dimension to different quadrants, before placing the
dimension, to switch to all four possible dimensions.
Dimension to the A dimension can be created between the end face of a flange and sketch
Face of a Flange geometry such as a route line segment.
13 Errors.
Multiple errors appear because the sketch is now
over defined. Click the button in the
lower portion of the SOLIDWORKS window.
Click Cancel and delete the 48” and 72”
dimensions, leaving the dimensions as shown.
Click OK and exit the route sketch.
14 Pipes.
Expand the route sub-assembly in the FeatureManager design tree.
Under the Route Parts folder, there are now two pairs of equal length
pipes:
[4inSchedule40^Pipe1_Change Route Diameter]<3>
(4 in, Schedule 40, 1<Display State-78>) 24in
(4 in, Schedule 40, 1<Display State-78>) 24n
Custom Pipe/Tube Custom Pipe/Tube Configurations can be created where pipe or tube
Configurations lengths are equal but differ in geometry. This is useful when a
penetration (Pipe Penetrations on page 138) is used on one of two
equal length pipes. This option is available in Edit Sub-assembly
mode and is usually used with piping.
Where to Find It I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a pipe and click Create Custom Pipe
Configuration or Use Standard Pipe/Tube Configuration
Note Edit the route then exit the route sketch before selection.
Constrain Sketch to Constrain Sketch to Fitting can be used to reverse that by
Fitting repositioning the fitting and driving the sketch. This option is available
in Edit Sub-assembly mode and is usually used with piping.
Where to Find It I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a route component and click

Constrain Sketch to Fitting or Constrain Fitting to Sketch
15 Create custom configuration.

Edit the route and exit the route sketch. Right-click
the pipe component (not the sketch) shown and click
Create Custom Pipe Configuration.
The change is subtle; the configuration name
changes from 4 in, Schedule 40, 2 to 4 in,
Schedule 40, 3 (previously they were both exactly
the same 4 in, Schedule 40, 2).
The full component name becomes:
[4inSchedule40^Pipe1_Change Route
Diameter]<6>(4 in, Schedule 40, 3
<Display State-82>) 56in
Pipe Pipe Penetrations can be created between intersecting pipes. Both

Penetrations pipes are cut by the process. This option is available in Edit Route
mode and is usually used with piping.
This operation creates a hole in the larger (penetrated) pipe then
contours the smaller (penetrating) pipe to match the radius of the larger
pipe.
Where to Find It I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a route segment endpoint and click
Penetrate
Tip Unlike adding in line components and branch lines, the penetration
does not use split route. The line is added using only a coincident
relation between the existing pipe centerline and the end point of the
penetrating pipe segment. A dimension is added to fully define.
16 Penetration sketch.
Edit the route. Sketch a line
connected to the existing route
sketch as shown. Join the lines
using a coincident relation only.
Add dimensions to the routing line
segment (24”) and between the
face of the flange and the routing
line segment (30”) as shown.
17 Dimensions and flange.

Using Add Fitting or drag and
drop, add a slip on weld flange
with configuration
slip on weld flange 150-NPS4
to the open endpoint as shown.
18 Penetrate.
The pipe generated interferes with the connecting pipe. Right-click the
junction point and click Penetrate. This action cuts the pipe to the
connection point and creates a matching hole in the connecting pipe.
Flange to Direct Flange to Flange connections can

Flange be made within a route by dragging and
Connections dropping one flange onto another. The
size is matched automatically.
The flange to flange connections can be
within the same route or between routes.
1 New route.
Create a new route by dragging and
dropping a slip on weld flange
configuration Slip On Flange 150-NPS2
onto the existing flange as shown.
2 End flange.
Add another flange of the same
type at the end of the line using
drag/drop or Add Fitting.
Dimension the sketch as shown.
3 Complete route.
Add more flanges and
lines to complete the
small route as shown.
Exit the route sketch
and route sub-
assembly.
Rename the route
Flange_Flange and
save externally.
Pipe Spools The Define Spools option can be used to create and name
prefabricated sections of the pipe route. This can include pipes, fittings
and flanges. Each spool contains a name, spool segments and spool
components. The completed spools can be called out when using pipe
drawings (see Piping Drawings on page 159).
Note Non-continuous route segments can be selected and used in the same
spool. Hangers and supports can also be added.
Where to Find It I Menu: Tools, Routing, Piping, Define Spools
4 Open route sub-assembly.

Open the Flange_Flange route sub-
assembly.
5 Define spool.
Click Define Spools and click the routing line
segment as the Spool Segment. The flanges at
either end of the pipe are automatically selected as
Spool Components. Click OK.
Note Additional routing line segments can be selected as Adjoining

Components.
6 Expand folder.
Expand the folder Spool-0001. It contains the pipe and flanges
selected in the define step.
7 Add spools.
Add spools Spool-0002 and Spool-0003 as shown using a similar
procedure.
Spool-0002
Spool-0003
8 Save.
Save and close the sub-assembly.
Spools in To make use of the spool data in the drawing,

Drawings Display States using the name of each spool are
created automatically and can be selected for use
in a drawing view.
The full routing sub-assembly containing all the
spools is listed as Display State-1 in this
example.
Using Gaskets Gaskets can be dragged and dropped between flanges using the
gasket component from the gaskets folder. The gasket spaces the
flanges and appears in the BOM table.
Flange
Gasket
Flange
The sequence used to place a gasket between flanges is as follows:

1. Drag and drop a flange on the
endpoint.
2. Drag and drop the gasket onto

the flange. A selection of
configurations in the proper
pipe size appears in the
Select a Configuration
dialog.
3. Drag and drop

another flange.
Adding Slope Slope can be added to one or more existing

pipe segments by applying a gravity plane,
start point and slope value. The value is
applied as a ratio of the rise divided by the
run (for example 1.00 unit : 30.00 unit)
and the resultant angle as listed in the dialog.
Editing and After the slope has been added it, it can be changed or deleted by right-
Removing the clicking on the sloped line and clicking Edit Slope or Remove Slope.
Slope
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Piping > Add Slope

I Menu: Tools, Routing, Piping, Add Slope
Note There can be no restrictions (dimensions or relations) on the route that
prevent the slope from being added.
1 Open assembly.
Open the assembly Slope from the folder Slope.
2 Slope segment.
Click Add Slope. Select the line of the route as
the Slope Segment. Select the Top plane as the
Gravity Plane and reverse the direction if
necessary. Select the end point of the line as the
Start Point as shown. Click OK.
3 Add dimensions.
Add dimensions to the construction line and Origin to fully define the
sketch.
‘
4 Drawing.
Optionally create a piping drawing. The slope can be added as a
column in the BOM using ROUTE PROPERTY and Slope. A pipe
slope annotation can also be added by right-clicking the pipe and
clicking Annotations, Pipe Slope, and a direction.
Copying Routes Route sub-assemblies can

be copied and re-used to
avoid having to make the
same geometry multiple
times. Assembly pattern
features can also be used.
Tip If multiple copies of a route are used, editing the original route will
cause all the others to be changed too automatically. You can not edit
only one instance of a copied route.
Mating Routes Mating the copied route is a little different than with a standard sub-
assembly. You may have noticed that the only mates in a route are those
connecting the flanges to external geometry. Pipes, elbows and other
components are “mated” to the route sketch geometry. When mating a
route, sketch geometry and planes are available for selection.
Floating Route In order to create mates between faces of route geometry, one of the
Assemblies route assemblies may have to be floated to avoid over defining.
SOLIDWORKS will prompt you to float a route assembly if it is
required.
1 Copy route.
Return to the Change Route Diameter
assembly. Control+drag the
Flange_Flange route into the assembly.
2 Coincident mate.
Select the lines of the different routes and
add a Coincident mate.
3 Plane mate.
Add a Parallel mate between the Top plane
of the copied route and the Front plane of
the assembly.
4 Selections for mate.

Select the face of the lower flange followed by the face of the upper
flange as shown.
Adding Mates to Messages appear to help prevent unwanted movement of a route. The
Route Assemblies first is a warning that the flange fitting position is controlled by the
Message piping route. The second asks if you want to move the original route to
add the mate. You want to move the copied route.
5 Messages.
At the message:
The Selected fitting is controlled by the route. Using it for
mates might change route geometry as well as its driving
state.
Click OK.
At the message:
You are adding mates to route assemblies. To allow this mate
one of the route assemblies will have to be floated. Please
select the assembly you wish to float.
Clear Route Assembly: 'Pipe1^Change Route Diameter<1>' and
click OK.
6 Distance mate.
Add a distance mate of 1” between the faces of the flanges as shown.
7 Changes.
Edit either of the Flange_Flange routes. Change the 30” dimension to
68”, edit the route sketch and routing sub-assembly.
8 Save and close.

Editing Piping Existing piping and tubing routes can be

Routes edited to change the shape of the route
and add fittings using standard sketching
techniques. In the 3D sketch, you will
delete, trim and sketch geometry.
Using Threaded This example uses the threaded fittings

Pipe and Fittings (npt) library which includes threaded
pipe and threaded fittings. They are found
in the routing\piping\threaded fittings (npt) folder. See Libraries
on page 176 for more information.
Note For information on setting up new libraries, see Virtual Clips on
page 304.

Click OK twice.
2 Open Edit_Route.
Open the existing assembly Edit_Route from the Editing Pipe
Routes folder. Select the display state All Tanks.
Deleting and Route geometry, including route sketch geometry and components, can
Editing Route be edited or deleted from the route. Sketch errors may appear but they
Geometry can be repaired using standard sketch editing techniques.
Deleting Route To delete sketch geometry, click Edit Route, select the geometry and
Sketch Geometry press the Delete key. The sketch is a 3D sketch.
Note The drag selection method is generally better with elbow sketches than
direct selection because the elbow sketch contains both an arc and a
point. Both must be deleted.
Deleting Route To delete components, click Edit Route and exit the sketch. Select the
Components route components and press the Delete key.
Tip Delete elbows by deleting the elbow sketch geometry. For other
components, delete the component directly.
3 Delete elbow geometry.

Edit the route. Drag select across the elbow from left to right and right-
click Delete. This message appears:
This item has associated dimensions or has been referenced
outside the sketch. Do you want to delete it anyway?
Click Yes to All.
The fillet geometry and dimension are removed.
4 Cross.
An error marker Error missing elbow appears. Drag and drop a
threaded cross component, configuration CLASS 2000
THREADED CROSS, 1.50 IN from the piping\threaded fittings
(npt) folder onto the endpoint.
5 Flanges.
Add three more slip on weld flange components with the Slip On
Flange 150-NPS1.5 configuration as shown.
Tip The threaded fittings (npt) library does not contain any flanges.
Use the flanges from the standard piping/flanges folder.
6 Auto route.
Add an auto route between the endpoints shown to add a section of the
route. Use the solution shown below.
7 Elbow and tee.

Using the technique
from step 3, select and
delete the elbow. Drag
and drop a threaded
tee component onto the
endpoint.
If necessary, press the
Tab key to flip the
fitting. Select the
configuration CLASS
2000 THREADED
TEE, 1.50 IN.
8 Route.
Route between the
endpoints as shown.
9 Sketch fillet.
For the last section, drag the open
endpoints and add a Sketch Fillet
of 1” between the lines.
Note If the option Automatically create

sketch fillets is not clicked,
manually add fillets, of any
reasonable radius, to the common
endpoints.
10 Elbow selection.
Exit the route sketch and the Bends - Elbows dialog appears. This is
same dialog used when a non-standard elbow is encountered. It appears
because a fillet radius different than the default was used (see Adding
Alternate Elbows on page 44).
Select the same elbow (threaded elbow--90deg) and configuration
(CLASS 2000 THREADED ELBOW, 1.50 IN) as the default elbows.
Click OK.
11 Drag and drop.
Edit the route and drag and drop four threaded union components,
configuration CLASS 3000 THREADED UNION, 1.50 and
dimension as shown. Exit the route sketch and route sub-assembly.
Editing for Obstructions are common when connecting equipment with routes.
Obstructions They may be other routes, steel, concrete or unrelated equipment. In
some cases the simplest solution may be to move or rotate a fitting to
provide the necessary clearance.
Using Envelopes to Envelopes can be used to represent equipment that may interfere with
Represent the route. It can be an existing part or be created as a new envelope
Obstructions using the standard sketch and feature tools. In this example, the
obstruction represented is a riser in the heating duct work.
Note For more information, see Using Envelopes to Represent Volumes on
page 98.
12 New envelope.
Click Insert, Component, New Part and click the Top plane of the
assembly.
13 Sketch.
Sketch a circle and dimension it as shown. Add the dimensions by
selecting lines that are away from the obstruction, in this case on the
opposite side of the tee component.
14 Extrusion.
Extrude the circle 20” in each direction and make
the component an envelope. It is clear that the
envelope Obstruction interferes with the route
geometry, specifically the threaded union and
pipe.
15 Envelope.
Return to the top level assembly Edit_Route and convert the part to an
envelope. Name it Obstruction.
Moving Fittings In addition to rotating fittings

With the Triad with the triad, they can also be
moved along the arrow axes of
the standard triad tool.
Moving them shifts the fitting off
the route, connected only by
guidelines.
16 Move fitting.
Edit the route. Right-click a face of the threaded union and click
Move Fitting with Triad. Drag the fitting using the arrow as shown.
Click OK.
Using Guidelines Moving a fitting results in a “break” section connected to the original
with Pipe Routes route line using Guidelines. Guidelines define a connection in the
route but offer options as to how that connection is made.
Note The Show Guidelines option should be toggled on to see the

guidelines in the route.
Guideline Actions The Guidelines Actions are used to take the temporary graphics and
make them true route lines. The guideline graphics can be converted,
merged or joined to existing route lines.
In Auto Route, the route

guidelines appear as dotted yellow
lines.
Convert guidelines to routes

Select one or more route
guidelines and click .
Note The route guidelines only appear when using the Auto Route dialog.
Where to Find It I Auto Route PropertyManager: Guidelines
17 Guidelines.
Click Auto Route and Guidelines. Select a
guideline and click Convert guidelines to routes
.
18 Solutions.
Click the right mouse button to toggle through the options, settling
on the angled option shown below, using the left mouse button.
Repeat the procedure for the second guideline and

click OK.
19 Dimensions and relations.

Add dimensions and relations to fully define the sketch. Add the
alternative elbows (threaded elbow--45deg with the Class 2000
configuration) in four places.
Collinear
On Plane
(Top of the
route sub-
assembly)
Equal
20 Save and close.

Piping Piping sub-assemblies can be detailed using the Pipe Drawing tool
Drawings and SOLIDWORKS drawing options.
Pipe Drawing The Pipe Drawing tool creates an isometric view of the pipe route that
is dimensioned and ballooned. A BOM table is also included.
Pipe Spools in the If you are creating drawing of a piping spool, there is a spool selection
Pipe Drawing option in the SPOOL Drawing dialog. This can be used to select a
specific spool or all the components.
In the BOM, there is a Column Type ROUTE PROPERTY that
contains a Property Name Spool reference.
Drawing Tools In addition to the pipe drawing, you can use many standard drawing
tools including:
I Drawing views
I Centerlines
I Center marks
I Dimensions
Piping routes can be detailed on drawings using standard
SOLIDWORKS tools. Drawing views, bill of materials, balloons,
centerlines, centermarks and dimensions can all be used to create the
drawing.
Note The pipe route must be saved externally in order to use it in a drawing.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Piping > Pipe Drawing
I Menu: Tools, Routing, Piping, Pipe Drawing
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click a route in the FeatureManager design
tree and click Pipe Drawing

Click OK twice.
2 Open Piping Drawing.
Open the existing assembly Piping Drawing
from the Piping Drawings folder.
3 Pipe drawing.
Click Pipe Drawing and create a new drawing
using the C - ansi - Landscape template. Click
Piping BOM template and click the
Piping BOM Template.sldbomtbt from the
from the C:\SolidWorks Training Files\
SolidWorks Routing- Piping and Tubing
folder, Include auto balloons and Show route
sketch.
Click OK.
Note The route subassembly Pipe Route is opened.
4 BOM.
Click the Bill of Materials and set the options as
shown. Set the BOM Type to Parts only, and click
Show only routing components in BOM, Group
pipe or tubes with the same diameter and
schedule and Display units in BOM.
Click OK.
Note The Group pipe or tubes with the same diameter and schedule
option combines the total length of all 4 in, Schedule 40 pipes and
places it in the QTY. column cell.
5 Return to assembly.
Return to the existing route subassembly
Pipe Route.
Right-click the pipe (not the sketch
geometry) shown and click Component
Properties .
6 Add text.
Type Standpipe in the Component Reference field as shown.
Click OK.
7 Drawing.
Return to the drawing. Right-click the
CUT LENGTH column and click
Insert, Column Right. Add a
Column Type COMPONENT
REFERENCE to display the text in
the BOM.
Clear the Group pipe or tubes with the same diameter and
schedule option.
8 New sheet.
Click Add Sheet and add a new drawing sheet. Set the scale to
1:10 and the Type of projection to Third angle for the sheet.
9 Add views.
Add a Front view using Model View . Use Projected View to
create the top view.
10 Break view.
Click the view and Break . Use a
horizontal break, set the Gap to 0.1” and click
Curve Cut as the Break Line Style.
Add the break as shown.
11 Centerlines and Center Marks.

Add Centerlines and Center Marks to
the views as shown.
Tip Centerlines can be added to the entire view by using the Select view
option.
12 Details.
Click Detail View and add detail views as shown. Place the details
on the right.
13 Dimensions.
Add dimensions as needed.
14 Save and close.

Create and Edit Threaded Pipe Routes
Exercise 8: Create and edit a route assembly using

Create and Edit threaded piping library parts.
Threaded Pipe This lab uses the following skills:
Routes I Piping and Tubing Changes on
page 128.
I Editing Piping Routes on page 150.
I Using Threaded Pipe and Fittings
on page 150.
I Deleting and Editing Route
Geometry on page 151.
I Moving Fittings With the Triad on
page 157.
I Piping Drawings on page 159.
Units: inch
Threaded Pipe Select from the following files and configurations for the routes.
Components
File Configuration
Pipe threaded steel pipe Threaded Pipe 2 in, Sch 40
Fitting slip on weld flange Slip On Flange 150-NPS2
Threaded elbow--90deg CLASS 2000 THREADED ELBOW, 2.00 IN
threaded tee CLASS 2000 THREADED TEE, 2.00 IN
threaded union CLASS 3000 THREADED UNION, 2.00
threaded lateral CLASS 3000 THREADED LATERAL, 2 IN
sw3dps-1_2 in ball valve Default
threaded coupling CLASS 3000 COUPLING, 2.00 IN
1 Open threaded piping routes lab.

Open the existing assembly threaded piping routes lab from the
threaded piping routes lab folder.
Creating the Route Create the route between the two sets of tanks as shown in the
following steps.
2 Create route.
Create the route shown using multiple types of components (see
Threaded Pipe Components on page 167).
3 Continue route.
Add to the route using more
components.
4 Connect sections.
Delete a threaded elbow--90deg component and replace it with a
threaded tee component. Connect the two sections of the route using
auto route and a dimension. Save all files.
Editing the Route Edit the route to change the connecting geometry.
5 Delete elbow sketch geometry.
Delete the sketch geometry of the route lines as shown.
6 Delete components.
Exit the route sketch and delete the threaded tee and threaded
cross components. Edit the route again.
7 Add tees.
Add the threaded tee components and a threaded coupling as
shown.
Drawing Create a piping drawing using the current route.

8 Pipe drawing.
Create a pipe drawing that includes an isometric view, dimensions,
balloons and a BOM.
9 Envelope.
Create a new envelope part on the Top
plane to represent a wall as shown.
10 Move fitting.
Move the threaded union fitting to
avoid the envelope as shown.
11 Fully define.
Use guidelines and complete the sketch using dimensions and relations.
12 Save and close.

Using Pipe Spools
Exercise 9: Create pipe spools and document them

Using Pipe in a piping drawing.
Spools This lab uses the following skills:
I Pipe Spools on page 141.
I Spools in Drawings on page 143.
I Piping Drawings on page 159.
Units: mm
1 Open Pipe Spools.

Open the existing assembly Pipe Spools from the Spools folder.
2 Spools.
Create new pipe spools, Spool-1 and Spool-2, using the geometry
highlighted.
Spool-1 Spool-2
Using Pipe Spools
3 Drawing.
Create a piping spool drawing using Display State-1, the
C - ansi - Portrait template and the Piping BOM Template. Modify
the BOM to add a column Spool reference (Column type: ROUTE
PROPERTY, Property name: Spool reference) and views of the
spools as shown.
4 Save and close.

Lesson 6
Creating Routing
Components

I Create coupling and elbow parts.
I Understand the function of Routing points in Design Library parts.
I Understand the configuration specific properties required for
Routing components.
I Generate libraries of piping and tubing parts, including elbows and
Routing component assemblies, such as valves.
Routing Library This lesson deals with Routing Library Parts, those that are added
Parts when SOLIDWORKS is installed, those that are part of the training
files, those that can be downloaded and those that you can create.
Tip The graphics of the icons shown in the Design Library are taken
automatically from the last saved image of the library feature or
part. They can be shaded or wireframe images, but you should
maintain an isometric view orientation and zoom in on them for the
best results.
Libraries SOLIDWORKS provides Design Library parts and assemblies that
include common tube, wiring and pipe sizes and associated fittings.
For more vendor-supplied Routing components, visit
3DContentCentral®, www.3dcontentcentral.com or use the Design
Library.
Other web-based sources can provide useful parts, often in
SOLIDWORKS or generic formats. These parts can be prepared for
use by SOLIDWORKS Routing.
Piping C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\

design library\routing\piping
Pipe
Pipes
Elbows compound_ compound_

elbow elbow_metric
45° Elbows 45° LR Inch 45° LR Metric 45° 3R Inch

90° Elbows 90° LR Inch 90° LR Metric 90° SR Inch 90° 3R Inch
180° Elbows 180deg 3r 180deg lr inch 180deg sr

inch elbow elbow inch elbow
Tees Reducing Straight Tee

Outlet Tee Inch Inch
Flanges Socket Weld Slip On Weld Welding Neck

Flange Flange Flange
Gaskets gasket

Crosses Straight Cross Reducing Straight Cross

Inch Outlet Cross Metric
Inch
Reducers Reducer Eccentric

Reducer
Equipment Pump- Pump- base example Sample-tank-01

water_booster centrifugal-1
Sample-tank-05 Sample-tank-07 Sample-tank-08 Sample-tank-13
Sample-tank-14 tank_model nozzle Note - The

nozzle is a
library part.

Valves angle valve balloon_series balloon_series fisher-v200-6

(asme _f_valves_w_h _f_valves_w_h in
b16.34) bw - wheel-g wheel
150
gate valve gate valve globe valve globe valve

(asme (asme (asme (asme
b16.34) bw - b16.34) fl - b16.34) bw - b16.34) fl -
150- 150- 150- 150-
sw3dps-1_2 swing check swing check

in ball valve valve bw - valve fl - 150-
150-2500 2500
Threaded C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\

Piping design library\routing\piping\threaded fittings (npt)
Pipes threaded steel

pipe
Elbows threaded threaded

elbow--45deg elbow--90deg
Tees, Laterals threaded tee threaded threaded cross

and Crosses lateral
Couplings and threaded threaded half- threaded

Unions coupling coupling union
Reducers and threaded threaded cap

Cap reducer
Tubing C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\

design library\routing\tubing
Tubes tube-ss
Flanges slip on tube

flange-ss
Tube Fittings solidworks-lok solidworks-lok Straight

(Connectors) male pipe weld male fitting
connector connector
Tube Fittings solidworks-lok solidworks-lok

tubing branch male branch
tee tee
Tees tee-ss
Assembly C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\

Fittings design library\routing\assembly fittings
assembly assembly
fitting fitting without
acp
Valves 2in control

valve
Electrical C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\

Ducting design library\routing\electrical\electrical ducting
cable duct cable duct cable duct 45 cable duct 90

starting flange deg elbow deg elbow
cable duct cable duct cable duct cable duct

cross eccentric ending flange reducer
reducer
Electrical C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\

Ducting design library\routing\electrical\electrical ducting
cable duct tee
Cable Trays C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\

design library\routing\electrical\cable tray
cable tray 90 cable tray cable tray end cable tray

deg elbow cross fitting reducer
cable tray
HVAC C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\

design library\routing\hvac
hvac duct end hvac duct hvac 45deg hvac 90deg

bend bend
HVAC C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\

design library\routing\hvac
hvac corner hvac cross hvac reducer hvac tee
hvac vertical hvac vertical

corner tee
Round Ducting
air vent hvac round hvac round hvac round
duct 45deg duct 90deg duct cross
elbow elbow
hvac round hvac round hvac round hvac round

duct end duct tee duct eccentric
reducer
hvac round hvac square-

reducer round
Creating Routing Library Parts can be created when they are needed. This
Routing Library lesson includes some common types such as connectors, elbows and
Parts assembly fittings that cannot be created using the Routing
Component Wizard.
Pipe and Tube Pipe and Tube Components can be created for use in a tubing or
Components piping route. They are used along the length of the 3D sketch created
while Routing. The specific naming of dimensions, sketches and
features is important to ensure that the finished component is
recognized as a routing component.
Pipe vs. Tube Although they use similar sketches, the creation
Components of pipe or tube components are different in that
the pipe uses an extrude feature while the tube
uses a sweep feature. Pipes are routed only
along straight lines, therefore an extrude is used.
Tubes can be routed along straight, radial or
spline paths; therefore a sweep feature is
required.
Tip Revolved features should not be used to create either pipe or tube parts.
Copying Generally, the best way to create
Routing new routing components is to
Components copy a similar, existing routing
component and edit it to suit your
needs. This is especially true for
pipe and tube parts because they
are most standard model types.
Steel pipe can be copied and
renamed to start creating pvc pipe. In the same way, aluminum tubing
can be used to create copper tubing.
Note Many existing components have configurations for all possible sizes
and schedules. Eliminate configurations that are not required. Also
check the SOLIDWORKS Content folders (see Adding Content on
page 298) before creating a new component.
The editing can be extensive such as changes to the geometry or simple
such as a change to a mate reference. For an example of a simple
change, see Open HVAC and Ducting. on page 241.
Creating a Pipe Pipe components contain

Using Copy and concentric circles that are
Edit extruded to form the geometry.
They do not contain CPoints or
RPoints (see Routing
Functionality Points on
page 193) like fittings.
When used in a drawing BOM,
pipe information appears as the
part number.
1 Open part.
Open the standard pipe part pipe from the
design library\routing\piping\pipes
folder.
2 Copy.
Use Save as copy and open to copy the part as PVC pipe to the
design library\routing\piping folder.
3 Select configuration.
Make the configuration Pipe 0.5 in, Sch 40, 0.75 active.
4 Design table.
Edit the design table. Delete all configurations except these:
I Pipe 0.5 in, Sch 40, 0.75
I Pipe 0.75 in, Sch 40
I Pipe 1 in, Sch 40
I Pipe 1.25 in, Sch 40
5 Pipe identifier cells.

Edit the cells of the $prp@Pipe Identifier
column. Prefix all of the cells as shown.
6 Other cells.
Edit the $prp@Weightperfoot
and Length@Extrusion cells as
shown.
7 Save and exit.

Save the design table and exit. Click OK to delete the configurations
that are no longer used in the design table.
8 Edit material.
Click Edit Material and change and
select PVC Rigid for all configurations.
9 Save.
Save and close the PVC pipe. Close the pipe without saving.
Note Pipe and tube parts can also be created using the Routing Component
Wizard on page 188.
Routing Library The Routing Library Manager is an application that runs in a separate
Manager window and includes several tabs including the Routing Component
Wizard.
Routing Most of the components that are required with Routing can be created
Component using the Routing Component Wizard. The following charts show
Wizard component types by Routing type. For those not listed, see Lesson
6: Creating Routing Components.
Tip All components include design table and part properties options. For
CPoints, see Connection Points on page 193. For RPoints, see
Routing Points on page 193.
Piping
Routing
Component Functionality Points Special Geometry Mate
Type (min) *Required Ref
CPoint RPoint
Assembly 1 1 *Axis of Rotation and *Vertical (axis) Yes
Fittings ACPoint ARPoint
(Valves)
Assembly 1 1 *Axis of Rotation and *Vertical (axis) Yes
Fittings (End ACPoint ACPoint
Flange)
Assembly 1 0 None Yes
Fittings ACPoint
(Equipment)
Assembly 1 1 *Vertical (axis) Yes
Fittings (Other ACPoint ACPoint
Fitting)
Cross 4 1 None No
Reducing Cross 4 1 None No
Elbow 2 1 *ElbowArc, *BendRadius@ElbowArc No
and *BendAngle@ElbowArc
End Flange 1 1 *Axis of Rotation and *Vertical (axis) Yes
Gasket 2 1 None No
Hanger 0 2 *Clip Axis and *Axis of Rotation Yes
Routing
Component Functionality Points Special Geometry Mate
Type (min) *Required Ref
CPoint RPoint
O-let 1 0 *OLet Axis, *Alignment axis, Yes
*PipeSketch,
*OuterDiameter@PipeSketch and *OD of
branch pipe@PipeSketch
Other Fittings 2 or more 1 *Vertical (axis) No
(Coupling/
Union and
Sight Glass)
Other Fittings 1 1 *Axis of Rotation and *Vertical (axis) No
(End Cap,
Filter/Strainer
and Other
Fitting)
Pipe 0 0 *PipeSketch, *FilterSketch, No
*InnerDiameter@FilterSketch,
*OuterDiameter@FilterSketch,
*NominalDiameter@FilterSketch,
*Extrusion, and *Length@Extrusion
Eccentric 2 0 *Vertical (axis) No
Reducer
Standard 2 1 None No
Reducer
Support 0 2 *Clip Axis, *Axis of Rotation, Yes
*FilterSketch,
*InnerDiameter@FilterSketch,
*OuterDiameter@FilterSketch and
*NominalDiameter@FilterSketch
Tee 3 1 None No
Valves (Globe, 2 or more 1 *Vertical (axis) No
Gate, Butterfly,
Ball, Check,
Generic)
Note All component types can make use of configurations/design tables,

properties and SKey descriptions.
Miscellaneous
Routing
Component Functionality Special Geometry Mate
Type Points (min) *Required Ref
CPoint RPoint
Equipment 1 or more 0 None Yes
Hybrid 3 1 None No
(Tee adaptor)
Hybrid 2 1 None No
(Adaptor)
Hybrid 1 or 1 None Yes
(Miscellaneous) more

Tubing
Routing
Functionality
Component Special Geometry Mate
Points (min)
Type *Required Ref
CPoint RPoint
Adaptor 2 1 *Vertical (axis) No

Assembly See Piping on page 188 for options.
Fittings
(Valves, End
Flange,
Equipment,
Other Fitting)
Cross 4 1 None No
End Flange 1 1 *Axis of Rotation and *Vertical (axis) Yes
Gasket 2 1 None No
Hanger 0 2 *Clip Axis and *Axis of Rotation Yes
Routing
Functionality
Component Special Geometry Mate
Points (min)
Type *Required Ref
CPoint RPoint
Other Fittings 2 or 1 *Vertical (axis) No

(Coupling/ more
Union, Sight
Glass, End Cap,
Filter/Strainer
and Other
Fitting)
Eccentric 2 n/a *Vertical (axis) No
Reducer
Standard 2 1 None No
Reducer
Tee 3 1 None No
Tube 0 0 *PipeSketch, *FilterSketch, No
*InnerDiameter@PipeSketch,
*OuterDiameter@PipeSketch,
*NominalDiameter@FilterSketch, and
*ThinSweep
Valves (Globe, 2 or 1 *Vertical (axis) No
Gate, Butterfly, more
Ball, Check,
Generic)
User Defined
Routing
Component Functionality Special Geometry Mate
Type Points (min) *Required Ref
CPoint RPoint
Cross Section: Each cross section includes these Component types: Assembly Fittings,
Rectangular Cross, Duct/Trunk, Eccentric Reducer, Elbow, End Flange, Gasket, Hanger,
Other Fittings, Reducer, Reducing Cross, Support, and Tee. See Piping on
Cross Section:
page 188 for details of each type.
Circular


Click OK twice.
Fitting Fitting components can be created using standard modeling tools for
Components use in a route. They are anything that does not fit into the standard
categories of pipe/tube, elbow, flange or reducer. In this example, a
generic coupling will be created using the Other Fittings and
Coupling/Union options of the Routing Component Wizard.
1 Open part and sketch.

Open the existing part file Coupling. Edit the sketch to see the
geometry and dimensions as shown. Exit the sketch.
Using the Routing The Routing Component Wizard can be used to create many types of
Component piping components including couplings, crosses, elbows, end flanges
Wizard and tees.
Required Geometry The geometry created in the part will be applied to the list of Required
Geometry. The geometry to be identified includes an axis to establish
the orientation.
Where to Find It I Routing Library Manager PropertyManager: Routing

Component Wizard
2 Start Routing Component Wizard.

Click the Routing Component Wizard.
Click the route type Piping, Next, Other Fittings, Coupling/Union
and click Next.
Routing Routing Functionality Points, which include Connection Points

Functionality (CPoints) and Route Points (RPoints), are used to determine several
Points details of the route. They are essential components in the creation of
Routing library parts. For more information, see ACPoints and
ARPoints on page 202.
Connection Points Connection Points (commonly called CPoints) are required in
fittings such as elbows, tees, crosses and other fittings. They are used to
determine where the route ends and the direction that it enters the
fitting or connector. They are also used to specify the nominal diameter
and the type of route.
Note The Route Type for piping components is Fabricated Pipe, for tubing
components it is Tube.
Routing Points Route Points (commonly called RPoints) are required in fittings such
as elbows, tees, crosses and route clips. They are used to place the
fitting on an endpoint on the 3D sketch route line, or in the case of
clips, to help define the path of a flexible route.
Note Route line components (fabricated pipe and tube) do not contain
Routing points.
3 CPoints.
Click the Add button for the CPoint.
In the part, click the inner face as
shown. The center of the circular
edge is used as the location of the
CPoint.
Set type to Fabricated Pipe. Click
Select Pipe and click the file
PVC pipe. Select Pipe 0.5 in, Sch
40 as the Base configuration and
click OK twice. Add another CPoint
on the opposite side.
Note Manifold fittings can also be used.
4 RPoint.
Add an RPoint at the Origin of the part
as shown.
Click Next.
5 Axis.
Click the Add button for the axis
and New.
Click Two Planes and click the
Front and Top planes. Click OK.
Click Next.
Note The Vertical axis is more important if the part is

asymmetrical.
Routing The Routing Geometry checks the status of special geometry (such as
Geometry axes) in the part. It color codes geometry by: required but missing
(red), optional but missing (blue) or present in the part (green).
6 Routing geometry check.
The check finds a single required piece of geometry, an axis, in the part.
Click Next.
Part Validity The Part Validity Check checks the model for missing routing
Check geometry such as CPoints and RPoints.
7 Part validity check.
No CPoints or RPoints are missing.
Do not click Next yet. Click in the part window.
Design Table A Design Table is used to generate the multiple configurations that
represent the different sizes and schedules of the component. In this
way, one part can be used to represent all possible variations of that
component.
The part does not contain a design table, so the first step is to create
one. One it is created, it can be edited in the part or within the Routing
Component Wizard.
Note For more information on design tables, see Design Tables on page 320.
Tip If the component will only be used to represent only one size, the
design table may not be necessary.
8 Design table.
Create a design table in the part using these dimensions. Fill in the cells
as shown. Close the design table.
Note The completed design table is stored as Worksheet in Union. The

cells can be copied into the part design table.
Design Table The Design Table Check opens the existing design table and searches
Check for the required parameters. The parameters are based on the routing
component type (see Piping on page 188).
Missing parameters appear in red with an Add button. Existing
parameters can be deleted.
Note If there is no design table present in the part, this step is skipped.
9 Design table check.

Return to the Routing Library Manager window and click Next.
10 Add parameters.
Click Add for $PRP@Nominal Pipe Size. At the message:
Do you want to create a new column header or select an
existing one?
Click New.
At the message:
$PRP@Nominal Pipe Size column header is added to the
design table successfully.
Click OK.
Repeat for the Specification@CPoint1 and Specification@CPoint2.
Note Adding the parameters as column headers does not fill in the cells
beneath them. They must be filled manually.
11 Open the design table.

Click Open Design Table. At the message:
Do you want to edit table in a new window?
Click Yes. Add the text below the three new parameters as shown.
Save and close the design table. Click Next.
Component Component Attributes is used to add file properties to the routing

Attributes component. Some routing-specific properties are added automatically.
Configuration The Configuration properties section creates Configuration Specific
Properties File Properties.
Part Properties The Part properties section creates Custom File Properties.
Note The properties can be viewed and edited after they are created using
File, Properties.
12 Component attributes.
The current Component Attributes are listed in the dialog.
Click Next.
13 Save.
Click Next. Set the name to Generic PVC Union and click the folder
design library\routing\piping. Click Finish. At each message
click Yes.
Elbow Elbow components can be created for the point in a

Components route where the line changes direction. This
structured method of construction allows the elbows
to be created automatically as the route is created.
Generally, elbows are created for the conditions
where pipes meet at right (90 degree) and 45 degree
angles. Other angles are usually covered by using
custom elbows, which are automatically converted
from the standard ones.
Like pipes, the specific naming of dimensions, sketches and features is
important to ensure that the finished component is recognized as a
routing component. They are already included in the part.
In this example, a generic elbow routing component will be created.
Note Tube routes do not automatically add elbows, but they can be added
manually.
1 Open Elbow.
Open the existing part Elbow.
Click the Routing Component Wizard tab. Click the route type
Piping, Next, Elbow and Next twice.
3 Add connection point.
Add a CPoint by selecting the face and sketch point.
Set Select route type to Fabricated Pipe.
Under Select Pipe, select the PVC pipe with the configuration Pipe
0.5 in, Sch 40 and click OK.
Repeat the procedure to create the lower CPoint as shown.
Note Click View, Routing Points to see the CPoint symbols.

4 Route point.
Add a Route Point at the sketch point
location.
Click Next.
5 Routing geometry.
The required routing geometry, including
the sketch and dimensions, is present.
Click Next twice.
6 Design table.
Click Insert, Tables, Design Table and Auto-create. Add data as
shown. Click Next.
Tip A completed version of the table, Worksheet in Elbow, can be found

in the local folder.
Click Next on the Routing Component Wizard.
7 Design table check.
Add the required parameters in red as new columns. Edit the table and
fill in the cells as shown. Click Next.
8 Configuration specific properties.

The properties RoutingTerminalBlockComponent and
SWbompartno are added. Click Next.
9 Add to Design Library.
Click Finish. Add the part as Generic PVC Elbow in the design
library\routing\piping folder.
10 Create route.
To test the components, create a new 1 in route using:
I slip on weld flange
I PVC pipe
I Generic PVC Elbow
I Generic PVC Union
11 Save.
Save, but do not close, the assembly.
Assembly Assemblies can be used in routing to represent

Routing equipment or special routing fittings such as
Components valves and strainers. They include assembly-
based routing points similar to RPoints and
CPoints.
Equipment When creating equipment that is connected to the route, allowances
Connected to the should be made for connecting to the route; usually via a flange.
Route Components that are commonly used together can be treated as
equipment and connected to the route by flanges. These fittings can
also be used as routing fittings.
Routing Assembly Assemblies that are attached in line to the route such as
Fittings valves and strainers can be created as routing assembly
fittings. These parts that make up these assemblies are
true routing fittings and as such will contain RPoints or
CPoints.In addition, the assembly needs the equivalent
of these Routing features at the assembly level:
ARPoints and ACPoints (see ACPoints and ARPoints below).
Multi-Body Component parts (including valves and other multiple
Components component items) can be modeled as multi-body parts
rather than as assemblies. For example, this two piece
flange is modeled as a multi-body part.
ACPoints and ACPoints and ARPoints are assembly level Connection Points
ARPoints (CPoints) and Routing Points (RPoints). They provide for the
assembly what the CPoints and RPoints provide for a routing fitting
part. For more information about CPoints and RPoints, see Routing
Functionality Points on page 193.
Where to Find It I Menu: Tools, Routing, Routing Tools, Create Connection Point
I Menu: Tools, Routing, Routing Tools, Create Routing Point
1 Open valve assembly.

Open the PVC Ball Valve
assembly. It consists of three
components:
PVC Valve Body,
PVC Valve Stem, and
PVC Valve Handle.
2 Routing part.
One part in the assembly is a true
routing part. The PVC Valve Body
contains the two CPoints and one
RPoint.
The remaining parts are components in
the assembly but contain no routing
information.
Note Two parts in the assembly contain multiple configurations: the PVC
Valve Body and PVC Valve Stem. These component contain
compatible configurations for both a 0.75” route and a 0.50” route.
3 View points.
Click View, Routing Points to see the
embedded CPoints and RPoint.

Click the Routing Component Wizard tab. Click the route type
Piping, Next, Assembly Fittings, Valves and Next twice.
5 Route points.
Add two ACPoints and an ARPoint using the locations of the existing
CPoints and RPoints. Click Next.
6 Axis.
Click the Add button for the axis and
New. Click Two Planes and click
the Front and Right planes of the
PVC Valve Body component. Click
OK. Click Next.
7 Geometry and properties.

A mate reference is not required, the required routing geometry is
present and properties are added.
Click Next three times.
8 Add to Design Library.
Using the default name, add the
assembly routing component to the
folder. Click Finish and Yes to each
message.
9 Test.
Change the route diameter to 0.5 in (see Change Route Diameter on
page 129) and add the PVC Ball Valve as shown.
Equipment Equipment is geometry that is connected to the route

but outside of the route. Equipment includes pumps,
tanks and other storage devices.
The key components of equipment are the
connections to the route. These connections can
include geometry (like the nozzle library part for
flange connections) and CPoints or ACPoints.
Note Equipment can contain as much or as little detail as desired. In general,

connections are essential, but more detailed geometry can be added to
check for clearances or interferences with routes, structures, or other
pieces of equipment.
Adding a nozzle The nozzle library part can be used to add a flange and
pipe to any part. The library part requires a plane and
sketch to orient and locate the geometry.
Note Nozzles do not include Cpoints or mate references.
1 Open Modified_Tank.
Open the part Modified_Tank from the local folder.
2 Sketch.
Show and sketch on the Right
reference plane and add the line and
the 800mm dimension as shown.
Exit the sketch.
3 Drag and drop.

Drag and drop the nozzle from the
piping\equipment folder to the Right
reference plane. Select the configuration
3inchClass 150 and click the Sketch
Segment and Sketch Point1 as shown.
Click OK.
4 Connection point.
Click Create Connection Point and add a CPoint
for Fabricated Pipe using the pipe from
piping\pipes and the Pipe 3 in, Sch 40
configuration.
Click OK.
5 Save.
Save the part.
Equipment Mate Mate references are extremely useful for routing equipment. There are
References two types of mate references: those used for placement of the
equipment in the assembly and those used for placement of flanges
onto the equipment.
Equipment Equipment can be placed using a “one sided” (primary reference only)
Placement mate reference like a circular edge or a coordinate system mate
reference.
Tip When an equipment part with a coordinate system mate reference is

dragged onto an existing coordinate system in a part of the assembly,
they are mated.
Align Axes Checking the Align axes option will rotate the part to align the
coordinate systems and fully constrain the component. Clearing the
Align axes option will create a Coincident mate between the
coordinate systems but will not fully constrain the component.
Note If an equipment placement mate reference is used, it

should be created first and be at the top of the folder list.
The default names can be used.
Flange Attachment Flanges can attached to equipment using “double

sided” (multiple reference) mate references. A
typical “flange” mate reference uses these
references, in order:
I Planar face, Coincident and Anti Aligned.
I Cylindrical face, Concentric and Any.
Tip It is important to use different types of mates (“one sided” vs. “double
sided”) to distinguish the different uses of the mate references.
6 Coordinate system.
Show Sketch1 and click Insert, Reference
Geometry, Coordinate System. Select the point
at the intersection of the centerlines and click OK.
Hide Sketch1.
7 Flange attachment.
Add a Mate Reference to the nozzle for
attachment of a flange. Create primary and
secondary references using the faces and settings
shown. Repeat the procedure for the remaining
nozzles.
Note With the addition of the mate reference, routes can be started directly
from the cpoints or by the attachment of flanges.
8 Equipment.
Save the part into the routing\piping\equipment folder under the
current name.
9 Assembly.
Open the assembly Placement from the local folder. Show the
coordinate systems.
10 Drag and drop.
Drag and drop the Modified_Tank into the assembly.
Create a Coincident mate between the coordinate systems using the
Align Axes option and click OK.
11 Additional instances.
Add two more instances of the Modified_Tank to the assembly and
mate them using the same type of mates.
Tip Use Start Route to create a route using the existing cpoints of the
Modified_Tank components.
12 Route.
Optionally add 5in flanges, tees and piping to create the route as
shown.
Creating and Using Equipment
Exercise 10: Create and add equipment components

Creating and to piping routes.
Using This lab uses the following skills:
Equipment I Equipment on page 205.
I Adding a nozzle on page 205.
Units: inches
Pipe Components Select from the following files and configurations for the route.
File Configuration
Flange slip on weld flange Slip On Flange 150-NPS2
Pipe pipe pipe 2 in, Sch 40
Elbow 90deg lr inch elbow 90L LR Inch 2 Sch40
Tee straight tee inch Tee Inch 2 Sch 40
Valve globe valve (asme b16.34) fl Globe Valve (ASME B16.34) Flanged End,
-150-2500 Class 150, NPS 2, RF
Creating The HORIZONTAL FEED TANK requires the addition of the library
Equipment feature nozzle from the Equipment folder. The tank must also be placed
within the assembly.
1 Open HORIZONTAL FEED TANK.
Open the part HORIZONTAL FEED TANK.
2 Sketch.
Create a sketch on the Right plane.
Add a construction line and dimension
as shown.
Exit the sketch.
3 Adding a library feature.

Drag and drop the library feature nozzle from the equipment folder
to the Right plane.
4 Configuration and positioning.

Select the configuration 2inchClass 150 from the list. Select the
Sketch Segment and the Sketch Point as shown. Click OK.
Note Optionally, add mate references to the component.

5 Open Steel Frame.
Open the part Steel Frame for Lab and create an assembly. Place the
HORIZONTAL FEED TANK and VERTICAL TANK components into
the assembly and mate them as shown.
Tip Use a component pattern to create the second and third HORIZONTAL
FEED TANK components.
6 Pumps.
Drag and drop three instances of the pump_water_booster
component from the Equipment folder.
7 Route A.
Create Route A as shown. Use Add to Route with the pump.
8 Route B.
Create Route B using Remove Pipe as shown.
Tip A pipe to pipe connection is required.

9 Route C.
Create Route C as shown.
10 Changes.
Edit the pattern feature and change the spacing of the HORIZONTAL
FEED TANK components to 12” and rebuild.
11 Save and close.

Lesson 7
Using P&ID Files

understanding of:
I Understand the piping and instrumentation options.
I Understand the difference between equipment and pipe systems.
I Add a pipe using an XML file.
I Add inline valves and fittings.
I Use process symbol blocks in a drawing.
Using P&ID Files
Piping and The Piping and Instrumentation

Instrumentation pane is used to import a P&ID file
created using an external system.
The file is an XML type and
guides the creation of piping and
tubing routes by describing
routes, lines, connections and
equipment in text format.
Pipe Systems The Pipe Systems list contains the pipe names and their connections
between equipment including in-line fittings.
Mix 1
Hot Water2
Hot Water1
Equipment The Equipment list contains all the parts that are used to create the
routes. Tanks, valves and pumps are among the external and in-line
components.
Tank3
Tank4
Tank1 Pump1 Tank2
In-line Fittings In-line fittings list include components such as valves, tees, reducers
and couplings that are located within the route. They can be included in
the XML file.
Using P&ID Files
Pipe Segments The pipe segments lists describes the sections of the
pipe line between pieces of equipment or in-line
fittings.
XML File The XML file contains the information that defines the equipment and
pipe lines that will be created. The text describes a schematic
arrangement of components connected by pipe routes.
It contains information for:
I Equipment
I Pipeline Information
I In-line fittings
I Connections
Tip Create your own XML file using a text editor.
Using P&ID Files
XML File The XML file contains information that describes the components and
Information connections that make up the entire pipe system.
XML Equipment The EQUIPMENT section displays the list of equipment used at the
start and end of the route including the filename and location.

<EquipmentReferenced>
<Equipment>
<ID value='1'/>
<Tag value='Tank1'/>
<Description value='Hot Water Tank'/>
<PartNumber
value='C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\
design library\routing\piping\equipment\
Sample-Tank-05.SLDPRT'/>
<Config value='Conf 5"'/>
</Equipment>
</EquipmentReferenced>
XML Pipeline The PIPELIN section displays the name and description of the
Information pipeline. More than one pipeline can be created.

<PipelineInfo>
<Description value="Hot Water1"/>
<Comment value="Hot Water1"/>
<Name value="Hot Water1"/>
<Tag value="Hot Water1"/>
XML In-line Fittings The In-lineFittings section displays the names and descriptions of the
in-line fittings used between the equipment in the route.
<In-lineFittings>
<fitting>
<ID value='20'/>
<Tag value='Ball Valve'/>
<Description value='Ball Valve Hot Water'/>
<PartNumber value='sw3dps-1_2 in ball valve.SLDPRT'/>
<Config value='Default"'/>
</fitting>
</In-lineFittings>
Using P&ID Files
XML Connections The connections section displays the names and descriptions of each
PipeSegment in the pipeline. The descriptions include pipe diameters
and port id names.
<connections>
<PipeSegment>
<ID value='22'/>
<Tag value='pipetag22'/>
<Diameter value='2"'/>
<FromEquip value='Tank1'/>
<FromEquipPort value='1'/>
<FromEquipSize value='2"'/>
<ToEquip value='Ball Valve'/>
<ToEquipPort value=''/>
<ToEquipSize value='2"'/>
</PipeSegment>
</connections>
Piping and The Piping and Instrumentation tab of the Task Pane is used to create
Instrumentation a route using an XML file description of the equipment, pipelines and
Tab fittings.
Where to Find It I Task Pane: Piping and Instrumentation

Note Creating a route with this procedure is similar to the electrical From-To
List procedure.

Click OK twice.
2 Open base example.
Open the part base example.
3 New assembly.
Click File, Make Assembly from Part/Assembly to create a new inch
assembly using the part. Place the part at the assembly origin. Name the
assembly P&ID_CS.
Using P&ID Files
4 View coordinate systems.

Click View, Coordinate Systems.
The coordinate systems will be used for placement of the equipment.
5 Data file.
Click the Piping and
Instrumentation tab of the
Task Pane.
Click Import and browse for the
file Hot Water.xml from the
Lesson07\Case Study folder
and click Import.
6 Equipment.
Click Equipment. The routes contained
within the file are shown in the Equipment
list with red flags.
Using P&ID Files
Equipment, Pipe The equipment, pipes and fittings listed in the dialog are color coded to
and Fitting Status display their current status.
Not imported (red)
Incomplete (orange)
Fully Imported (green)
Note The Use Tag Scheme option refers to the Tag Scheme Manager of
the Routing Library Manager. This can be used to create subtags for
fittings or equipment.
Tip Clicking a piece of equipment lists the required routes for that piece of
equipment. For example, clicking Equipment and Tank3 lists the
Required Routes Hot Water2 and Mix1.
Equipment List The equipment option is used to add the required equipment (tanks and
pumps) to the assembly. The pipes are then used to make connections
between the equipment.
The Equipment used in this example includes the following parts, all
from the C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\
design library\routing\piping\equipment folder.
Equipment
Part name
name
Pump1 Pump-water_booster
Tank1 Sample-tank-05
Using P&ID Files
7 Add equipment.
Click Insert All Equipment and click Insert
component. Starting with the Pump1 component,
place the component using coordinate system
mates.
Using P&ID Files
8 Place equipment.
Use the similarly named coordinate system
(Pump1 to PUMP_1). Accept the Coincident
mate and click OK. Click OK after all the
components have been placed as shown. The
flags should turn green.
Adding a Pipe Pipes listed in the Pipe Systems section can be added in any order.
The first pipe to be added will be Mix 1. The pipe runs between
Tank3 and Tank4 without any inline fittings.
Mix 1
Using P&ID Files
9 Pipe systems.
Click Piping systems. Click Mix 1 to list the
Connected Equipment Tank3 and Tank4.
Click Process Pipe.
In Route Properties accept the pipe part with
the Pipe 5 in, Sch 40 configuration and the
90deg lr inch with the 90L LR Inch 5
Sch40 configuration. Click OK.
11 Guideline.
Click Auto Route and Guidelines. Select the guideline between
Tank3 and Tank4. Click Convert guidelines to routes .
Tip See Using Guidelines with Pipe Routes on page 157 for more
information.
Using P&ID Files
12 Solutions and dimensions.

Click the right mouse button to toggle through the solutions. Use
the left mouse button to accept the solution and add dimensions as
shown.
P&ID Report The P&ID Report lists information about the piping routes including
the equipment, in-line components and status.
13 Report.
Click the Report button to list information, including the current status
of the routes. Click Text and Tree to toggle between the different types
of displays.
14 Exit route.
Rename the route Mix 1. Exit the route sketch and routing sub-
assembly.
Using P&ID Files
Pipe with Pipe systems can include multiple pipe lines in a single route. The next
Multiple Lines pipe to be added will be Hot Water2. The pipe runs between Tank2,
Tank3 and Pump1.
1 Hot Water2 route.

Click Hot Water2 and click Process Pipe.
In Route Properties select pipe with the Pipe 2 in, Sch 40
configuration and the 90deg lr inch with the 90L LR Inch 2 Sch40
configuration. Click OK.
2 Guidelines.
Two guidelines appear together, one running from Pump to Tank2
and the other from Tank2 to Tank3.
3 Routes.
Using a procedure similar to the previous section, create the routes as
shown. Rename the route Hot Water2. Exit the route sketch and
routing sub-assembly.
Using P&ID Files
Pipes with Pipe routes that include in-line fittings such as valves or tees can be
In-line Fittings created in a way similar to the previous routes. In-line fittings are
positioned using the triad.
1 Hot Water1 route.

Click the remaining system Hot Water1 and click Process Pipe.
In Route Properties select pipe with the Pipe 2 in, Sch 40
configuration and the 90deg lr inch with the 90L LR Inch 2 Sch40
configuration. Click OK.
2 Filtered connections.
Select the Tank1 (Port 1)
<----> Pump1 (Port In)
connection in the dialog box.
3 Guideline.
The guideline connects the Pump1 and Tank1 components.
Tip Manual routing methods can be used even if a guideline appears.
Using P&ID Files
4 In-line component.
Click Ball Valve in the Insert Component dialog.
In the Select Component for “Ball Valve”
dialog, click routing component library and click
the sw3dps-1_2 in ball valve from the valves
folder.
Click Open.
Note To optionally move the valve after placing it, click Tools, Options,
System Options, Routing, Use triad to position and orient
components.
5 Placement.
Click to place the fitting as shown. The guidelines will update to
position changes.
Note Window, Viewport, Four Views can be used to help place the fitting.
Using P&ID Files
6 Manual and auto route.

Create the lower segment and the upper segment as shown. Add
dimensions as shown and rename the route Hot Water1.
7 Save and close.

Process Using block files provided by the

Drawings SOLIDWORKS Design Library, you
can create process drawings. Both
electrical and hydraulic file libraries
are available.
Using P&ID Files
Blocks in The links to the files are stored in the Design

SOLIDWORKS Library under the SOLIDWORKS Content
Content and Blocks folders. Follow these steps:
1. Contol+click the electrical or hydraulic
file and save the zip file to a folder.
2. Extract the files from the zip file to a
folder.
3. Click Add File Location and click the
folder where the files were extracted.
4. Drag and drop blocks
onto a drawing sheet.
Connect the symbols
with lines.
Using P&ID Files
Exercise 11: Create piping routes from XML P&ID files.

Using P&ID This lab uses the following skills:
Files
I Piping and Instrumentation on page 216.
I In-line Fittings on page 216.
I Adding a Pipe on page 223.
I Pipes with In-line Fittings on page 227.
Units: mm
Pipe Components Select from the following files and configurations for the routes.
File Configuration
Pipe pipe Pipe 2 in, Sch 40
Fitting 90deg lr inch elbow 90L LR Inch 2 Sch40
P&ID File Data Select from the following files and folders for the P&ID file.
File Folder
Valve swing check valve fl - 150- C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\

2500 SolidWorks 2015\design library\
routing\piping\valves
gate valve (asme b16.34) fl -
150-2500
Equipment Sample-tank-07 C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\
SolidWorks 2015\design library\
Sample-tank-05 routing\piping\equipment
Pump-water_booster
XML Pump_In_and_Out.xml Lesson07\Exercises\P&ID_Lab
1 Open P&ID_Lab.
Open the existing assembly P&ID_Lab from the P&ID_Lab folder.
P&ID Files There is an XML file supplied in the lab folder. Use the file to create
the routes in and out of the pump.
Using P&ID Files
2 Equipment.
Import the existing XML file Pump_In_and_Out to add the
equipment to the assembly. Mate them using the coordinate systems.
Tank3
(Sample-tank-07)
Tank1
(Sample-tank-05)
Pump1
(Pump-water_booster)
Route Out of the Create the route system out of the pump (Pump Out) using 2in pipe as
Pump shown. Add the valve fitting of the appropriate configuration as shown.
Note The Check Valve Pump Out uses the part

swing check valve fl - 150-2500 with the configuration
Swing Check Valve (ASME B16.34) Flanged End, Class 150,
NPS 2, RF.
Using P&ID Files
Route Into the Create the route system into the pump (Pump In) using a 2 inch pipe
Pump as shown. Add the valve fitting of the appropriate configuration as
shown.
Note The Gate Valve Pump In uses the part

gate valve (asme b16.34) fl - 150-2500 with the configuration
Gate Valve (ASME B16.34) Flanged End, Class 150, NPS 2,
RF.
Using P&ID Files
Lesson 8
Electrical Ducting, Cable Tray,
and HVAC Routes

I Understand the components used to create electrical ducting, cable
tray, and hvac routes.
I Create an electrical ducting route.
I Create a cable tray route.
I Create an hvac route.
Electrical The Electrical Ducting,

Ducting, Cable Cable Tray, and HVAC
Tray, and HVAC component types are used to
create specific route types
Routes
that are similar to pipes and
tubes.
Electrical Ducting, Electrical Ducting, Cable Tray and HVAC routes use routing
Cable Tray and components similar to those used with pipes and tubes. Using electrical
HVAC ducting as an example; there are end components (flanges), route
Components components (cable ducts) and in line components (elbows). Some in
line components, like elbows, are automatic. Other, like tees and
crosses, must be dragged and dropped into position. All of the route
components are placed and shaped based on a 3D sketch route.
Flange
Elbow Cable Duct
Note Like pipes and tubes, the cable duct component lengths are generated
based on the positioning of other components such as elbows. The
lengths are listed in the FeatureManager design tree.
I Electrical Ducting
Electrical Ducting routes are used to transport
insulated electrical cables in a building.
The routes use closed, thin walled, rectangular
shapes. The components represent closed
channel shapes with overlapping covers.
The ends of the components include pairs of slot-
shaped holes for connections to adjacent ducts.
Many electrical ducting component is made up of
two solid bodies; the channel and the cover.
For a listing of the individual component types,
see Electrical Ducting on page 182.
I Cable Trays
Cable Trays routes are used to transport
insulated electrical cables in a building.
The routes use open, thin walled, rectangular
shapes. The components represent open channel
shapes.
The ends of the components include pairs of
slot-shaped holes for connections to adjacent
cable trays.
For a listing of the individual component types,
see Cable Trays on page 183.
I HVAC
Heating, Ventilating, and air conditioning
(HVAC) routes are used to transport air in
a building.
The routes use closed, thin walled,
rectangular or circular shapes.
For a listing of the individual component
types, see HVAC on page 183.
Rectangular and The components used in electrical ducting, cable trays and hvac routes
Circular are marked by the use of specific connection point, or CPoint,
Components properties. Both the type and sub type help to determine the route.
For more information about CPoints, see Connection Points on
page 193.
Electrical Ducting Electrical Ducting and Cable Tray route
and Cable Tray components share a common CPoint type
CPoints but have a different sub type.
Route CPoint Type Sub Type Parameters

Electrical Ducting Electrical Ducting/Trunking Select cable duct
Cable Tray Electrical Cable Tray Select cable tray
HVAC and User The CPoints in HVAC and User Defined

Defined CPoints components share the same type and sub
type and include user specified data.
CPoint Route Type

Route Cross Section Parameters
Type Name
HVAC User HVAC Rectangular or Select hvac duct or

Defined Ducting Circular hvac circular duct
<User Named> User <User Rectangular or Select From Part or
Defined Named> Circular H and V
Modifying a As seen with pipe flanges, end components

Routing Library typically contain mate references so that they
Part can be connected to equipment in assembly.
The same is true for the flanges used in
electrical ducting, cable trays and hvac
applications.
In this example, a routing component will be
copied and the existing mate references will be
modified to suit a specific application.
For more information on editing routing library parts, see
Creating Routing Library Parts on page 185 and
Creating a Pipe Using Copy and Edit on page 186.
1 Open cable duct starting flange.

Open the cable duct starting flange from the
Design Library\routing\electrical\electrical ducting folder.
2 Copy.
Use Save as copy and open to copy the part as
modified cable duct starting flange to the
design library\routing folder.
3 Mate reference.
Edit the current default mate reference and change
the selections and settings as shown.
Note A completed version of the part is available. See the instructions found
in step 5 on page 240.
4 Save.
Save the part modified cable duct starting flange. Close the cable
duct starting flange without changes.
5 Copy routing parts.

Copy the parts modified cable tray starting flange and
modified hvac starting flange from the local folder to the
design library\routing folder. These are similarly modified versions
of routing components.
Electrical Electrical Ducting routes can be

Ducting Routes created using flanges, elbows,
crosses, tees, reducers and cable
ducts from the electrical/
electrical ducting folder.
The basic electrical ducting components include flanges, elbows and

cable ducts.
The ducts are available in several

configurations ranging from
Cable Duct 0.10 x 0.10 to
Cable Duct 0.30 x 0.15, measured in
meters.
For a complete list of electrical ducting components, see Electrical
Ducting on page 182.
Note Care should be taken to avoid twists in
the route causing situations where
components cannot be matched properly.
Some matching issues can be resolved
using configurations. See Routing
Component Orientation on page 244.
6 Open HVAC and Ducting.

Open the HVAC and Ducting assembly from the HVAC and Ducting
folder.
7 Drag and drop.

Zoom in on the Frame<1> component. Drag and
drop the modified cable duct starting flange
onto the lower square hole as shown.
8 Second flange.
Select the configuration Cable Duct Starting Flange 0.20 x 0.10
and click OK. Click OK on the Route Properties. Drag and drop a
second modified cable duct starting flange onto the upper square
hole. Drag the endpoints outward as shown to allow for elbows.
9 Lines and dimensions.

Sketch lines and add dimensions to complete the route as shown. Exit
the route and return to editing the top level assembly.
Note The Auto Route tool is not available.
10 Completed route.
The completed route contains route
parts of straight cable duct runs and
elbows. Right-click the elbow shown
and Open Part in Position.
11 Hide body.
The component is a multi-body part.
Hide the cover body and return to the
assembly as shown.
Note Many of the electrical ducting components are multi-body parts similar
to the elbow.
Cable Tray Cable Tray routes can be created

Routes using flanges, elbows, crosses,
tees, reducers and cable trays
from the electrical/cable tray
folder.
The basic cable tray components include flanges, elbows and cable
ducts.
Cable trays are available in several

configurations ranging from
Cable Tray 0.10 x 0.075 x 0.0015
to Cable Tray 0.75 x 0.15 x 0.0015,
measured in meters.
For a complete list of cable tray components, see Cable Trays on
page 183.
Routing Elbows may have more than one orientation. For example, this cable
Component tray elbow can be positioned in one of three ways by changing the
Orientation configuration. The configurations are descriptive of the orientation and
are included with the part.
Note Electrical ducts and cable trays have similar configurations for different
orientations.
Horizontal Bend Configuration 90D x 0.450B x 0.300 x 0.100 -
Horizontal “90 Deg Horizontal Bend 0.300 x
0.100”
Vertical Inside Bend Configuration 90D x 0.450B x 0.300 x 0.100 -

Vertical-Inside “90 Deg Vertical Inside Bend
0.300 x 0.100”
Vertical Outside Configuration 90D x 0.450B x 0.300 x 0.100 -

Bend Vertical-Outside “90 Deg Vertical Outside Bend
0.300 x 0.100”
Note This configurations cannot be changed in edit route mode.
12 Drag and drop flange.

Change to an isometric view. Drag and drop the modified cable tray
starting flange (copied in step 5 on page 240) to the Frame
component. It will snap to a mate reference in the assembly as shown.
13 Properties.
Select the cable tray configuration
End Fitting 0.30 x 0.100 x 0.0015 and click
OK.
Select the elbow configuration
90D x 0.450B x 0.300 x 0.100 Horizontal
and click OK.
14 Second flange.
Drag and drop a second modified cable tray starting flange and
position as shown. Use the same configuration as in step 13 on
page 246.
15 Sketch.
Sketch lines and add dimensions as shown.
16 Select component.
Expand the route sub-assembly and
select the cable tray component. The
length of the component is listed in the
FeatureManager design tree.
HVAC Routes Rectangular HVAC routes can be

created using flanges, elbows, crosses,
tees, reducers and cable trays from the
hvac folder. Circular HVAC routes use
similar routing components from the
hvac/round ducting folder.
The basic hvac components include flanges, elbows and hvac ducts.
The basic hvac\round ducting components include a similar set.
Rectangular hvac ducts are thin walled and are

available in several configurations ranging from:
Rectangular Duct 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.002 to
Rectangular Duct 2.0x 2.0 x 0.002,
measured in meters.
Square ducts are also included.
Circular hvac ducts are thin walled and are

available in several configurations ranging from:
Round Duct 0.25 DIA x 0.002 to
Round Duct 1.75 DIA x0.002, measured in
meters.
Note When there is inadequate space for an elbow

radius, a mitered joint is created.
For a complete list of HVAC components, see HVAC on page 183.
17 Drag and drop flange.

Drag and drop the modified hvac starting flange as shown.
For the HVAC Ducting, use hvac duct and select the configuration
Rectangular Duct 1.0 x 0.5 x 0.002 and click OK.
For the Bends - Elbows use hvac 90deg bend and select the
configuration Horizontal Bend 1.0 x 0.5 x 0.002 at 90 Deg.
Click OK.
18 3D sketching.
Sketch the lines and add dimensions as shown.
In Line Duct In Line components such as tees, crosses and reducers can be dragged
Components and dropped into the route.
Like pipes and tubes, they can be dropped onto an existing route line or
at a route line endpoint.
Note The Tab key can be used to flip the orientation.
19 Add tee.
Drag and drop an hvac tee onto the open endpoint as shown. Select
the configuration Tee 1.0 x 0.5 x 1.0 x 0.5 and click OK.
20 End.
Dimension the stub lines as shown. Drag and drop a hvac duct end
onto the endpoint and select the configuration
Rectangular Duct End 1.0 x 0.5 x 0.002.
Click OK.
Transition to HVAC routes can be created using components with rectangular or

Circular HVAC circular cross sections.
Routes This requires a transitional component: the
hvac square-round component. This component
has two CPoints; one set to a rectangular cross
section and the other to a circular cross section.
21 Drag and drop transitional component.

Drag and drop an hvac square-round component from the round
ducting folder to the open endpoint as shown.
Select the configuration Square_Round 1.00x0.50 to 0.40 DIA
and click OK.
A message appears due to the current route segment. It has different
settings due to the component CPoint. Click OK on the message dialog.
22 Set the route segment.
The transition to a circular duct requires different components. For the
Route Segment Properties, select these components from the round
ducting folder:
HVAC Ducting: hvac round duct
Base Configuration: Round Duct 0.40 DIA x 0.002
Bends - Elbows: hvac round duct 90deg elbow
Base Configuration: Round Duct 90Deg Elbow 0.40DIA x
0.60R
Click OK.
23 End.
Drag and drop an hvac round duct end component onto the open
endpoint. Add a dimension to fully define the sketch and click OK.
HVAC and Ducting Drawings can be created from electrical ducting, cable tray or hvac
Drawings routes. A BOM can contain component descriptions and straight
lengths can be listed individually or as a total.
Note There is no icon to generate the drawing as in piping or tubing.
24 Save externally.
Name them appropriately and use Save Assembly (in External File)
to save all three of the route sub-assemblies to external files.
25 Create drawing.
Open the Electrical Ducting route sub-assembly and click Make
Drawing from Part/Assembly.
Select a drawing template of your choice. An A size drawing is used in
this example.
26 BOM.
Using a Bill of Materials table with the Piping BOM Template
template and clicking group pipes or tubes with the same diameter
and schedule gives the result shown below.
Similar results can be achieved for cable trays and hvac ducts.
27 Save and close.

Electrical Ducting Routes
Exercise 12: Create a route using electrical duct-

Electrical ing components. Add a drawing of
Ducting Routes that route.
I Electrical Ducting, Cable Tray,
and HVAC Routes on page 236.
I Electrical Ducting Routes on
page 240.
I HVAC and Ducting Drawings
on page 253.
Units: mm
Electrical Ducting Select from the following folders and components for the route.
Components
Folder File Configuration

Flanges modified cable duct starting Cable Duct 0.20 x 0.10
flange
Elbows cable duct 90 deg elbow Cable Duct Flat Bend 90Deg x 0.300B
x 0.20 x 0.1
Routes components and mate references.
1 Open Ducting.
Ducting from the Ducting
folder.
2 Add flanges.
Add modified cable duct starting flange flanges to the rectangular
holes, and mate references, as shown.
3 Sketch.
Sketch the route using lines and dimension
as shown.
Exit the route.
4 Check interference.
Click Interference Detection. The route
interferences with the Frame component.
5 Edit route.
Edit the route and change the dimension
as shown. Re-check the interferences.
6 Drawing.
Create a drawing of the electrical ducting route including balloons and
a BOM as shown.
Lesson 9
Piping Skids

understanding of:
I Creating a piping skid.
I Creating a grid system feature.
I Constructing a weldment.
I Using walk-through animations.
Piping Skids
Piping Skids Piping Skids can be created using piping routes and structural steel
frames created using Grid System features created using Weldments.
Grid System The Grid System feature uses an initial sketch to generate sketch
Feature geometry, both 2D and 3D, as well as planes and surfaces to represent
the skeleton of a piping skid. It can be used to:
I Create lines for use with Weldments and Structural Members .
I Create planes for use in sketching for routing and Weldments.
I Create surfaces for use with routing and Route Along .
Grid System Input Grid System Output
Initial sketch geometry Plane at each level

The number of levels Column number balloons at each endpoint
Distances between levels Initial sketch derived for each plane
Lines in a 3D sketch connecting endpoints
Surfaces extruded from the initial sketch
Plane Derived Sketch
3D Sketch
Surface
Initial Sketch
Where to Find It I Menu: Insert, Reference Geometry, Grid System
Piping Skids
Initial Sketch The initial sketch of the grid system feature is used to represent the
centerlines of structural members that will be created using weldments.
The sketch is copied to every level of the feature.
Tip It is usually better to add unique centerlines, such as cross-bracing,

using separate sketches. These sketches can be added after the grid
system is complete.
1 New part.
Open a new inch part with the custom unit system feet & inches.
2 Grid system.
Click Grid System.
Sketch the rectangle, lines and
3 Exit the grid sketch.
Click exit grid sketch .
Note The column line balloons will appear automatically as lines are added
horizontally and vertically.
Piping Skids
4 Levels.
Set the Number of levels to 2 and type 72in as the
Default height. Click 3DSketch Split Lines and
Autonumber Balloons.
Click OK.
5 Visibility of grid components.

Right-click the GridSystem1 feature
and click View Grid Components. This
components in the feature include 2D and
3D sketches as well as surfaces and
planes. All are visible here.
Piping Skids
Weldments Weldments are parts that are made up of

several solid bodies welded together.
I The solid bodies are used to describe
the individual structural members,
gussets, end caps, plates and weld
beads.
I Structural members are created based
on the lines geometry in the sketches
of the grid system feature.
I Structural members that interfere
with one another can be trimmed
using a specialized trimming tool.
I The resulting solid bodies can be
listed on a drawing using an
automatically generated cut-list table.
Note For more in-depth information about weldments, see the Weldments
manual.
Weldment Profiles Weldment Profiles are library feature sketches that represent standard
structural shapes like tubes, I-beams, angles, pipes and channels. The
profile is located by the origin position.
Note More profiles are available. Click SOLIDWORKS Content and

Weldments to download more profiles (see Using SOLIDWORKS
Content on page 298) or create your own library features (*.SLDLFP).
Piping Skids
Structural Structural Members are individual bodies created by sweeping

Members weldment profiles along the sketch geometry.
Corner Treatments The Corner Treatments; miter or butt, can be set universally for all
corners or individually at each joint.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Weldments > Structural Member

I Menu: Insert, Weldments, Structural Member
Piping Skids
1 Show initial sketch.

Show only the initial sketch Sketch1.
2 Structural members.
Click Structural Member and click these
options:
I Standard: ansi inch
I Type: c channel
I Size: 5 x 6.7
Select the four outer lines as shown.
3 New group.
Select End Miter and click New Group (Group2). Select the three
inner lines as shown. Click OK.
Tip Using two groups trims the second group against the first. The last
three bodies are trimmed on both ends.
Piping Skids
4 Upper frame.
Show the sketch Sketch2 derived. Click Structural Member and
use the same settings as the previous feature to create the upper frame.
Use two groups selected as shown.
Group 2
Group 1
5 Columns.
Show the sketch 3DSketch. Click Structural Member and use the
same settings as the previous feature to create a column. Select the two
lines as shown and click OK.
Piping Skids
6 Mirror profile.
Click Structural Member and use the same
settings as the previous feature to create a column.
Select the line as shown, click Mirror profile and
Vertical axis. Click OK.
Piping Skids
7 Locate profile.
Click Structural Member and use the same settings as the previous
feature to create a column in the corner. Select the corner line and click
Locate Profile and click the endpoint on the profile sketch as shown.
The distance and direction moved is based on the distance and direction
between the sketch origin and the endpoint selected. Click OK.
Tip Any endpoint or point in the profile sketch can be selected.

8 Mirror profile.
For the opposite side, use Mirror profile and Vertical axis. Click
Locate Profile and click the endpoint on the profile sketch as shown.
Add two more columns using Locate Profile and Mirror profile as
shown and OK.
Piping Skids
Adding Sketches 2D or 3D sketches can be added to create more geometry for structural
members. This is common for cross-bracing.
9 Cross brace sketch.

Create a new sketch on the front
face of the channel. Add a diagonal
line between the endpoints of the
underlying sketch geometry as
shown.
Exit the sketch.
10 Angle.
Click Structural Member and click the
two lines. Select these options:
I Type: angle iron
I Size: 2 x 2 x 0.125
Select the line and click OK.
Piping Skids
11 Show surface body.

Show the surface body created by the grid system feature that lies at the
center of the model.
12 Mirror body.
Click Mirror and click the surface body as the Mirror Face/Plane.
Expand Bodies to Mirror, select the brace and click OK.
Note Merge solids is cleared by default because the part is a weldment.
Piping Skids
13 Removing a structural member.

Right-click Structural Member2 and click Edit Feature. Click
Group2 and click the highlighted selection to deselect it. Click OK.
14 New sketch.
Use a similar procedure to step 9 to create a new sketch and the sketch
geometry as shown. Exit the sketch.
Piping Skids
15 Cross brace.
Click Structural Member and click a line as shown. Select these
options:
I Type: angle iron
I Size: 1 x 1 x 0.125
Click OK.
16 Repeat.
Repeat the procedure on the opposite side to create the second brace.
Note There are obvious interferences between structural members. These
will be repaired using trimming.
Piping Skids
Trim/Extend The Trim/Extend tool can be used to shorten or lengthen structural

members to other members to a plane/face or another structural
member. Simple cuts (below left) and Coped cuts (below right) are
available.
Both ends of a structural member can be

trimmed in one feature by selecting
multiple trimming boundaries.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Weldments > Trim/Extend

I Menu: Insert, Weldments, Trim/Extend
Piping Skids
17 Trim.
Click Trim/Extend and click the small angle as
the Bodies to be Trimmed. Click Bodies in
Trimming Boundary and click the two channels
as shown. Make sure that the labels identifying
the bodies beyond the trimming boundary is set to
discard.
Click OK.
18 Trim second brace.

Repeat the procedure to trim the second brace.
Piping Skids
Cut-List The Weldment Cut-List is used to track similar structural members

and group them together in a cut-list. It contains many properties of the
structural members.
Note The cut list can be inserted into a drawing file using Insert, Tables,
Weldment Cut List.
19 Cut list.
Expand the Cut list folder. The duplicate
items are found and grouped together in the
same folder.
20 Properties.
Right-click a cut list item (such as C CHANNEL, 5" X 6.7<1>) and
click Properties. The Cut-List Properties dialog and click OK.
Piping Skids
21 Plates.
Create a new sketch on the top flange of a channel and create a
rectangle using the existing geometry. Extrude the sketch 1/4” and
pattern it as shown.
22 Save and close.

Save the part as Build_Skid in the local folder.
Click OK twice.
24 Open Routes.
Open the existing assembly Routes.
This includes a completed version of
the skid.
Piping Skids
25 New piping route.

Add a slip on weld flange to the
H_TANK <4> component to start a
new Pipe 2in, Sch 40 route. Use
Add to Route to start the opposite
end of the route. Use auto route to
create the route as shown.
26 Centerline.
Click Tools, Options, Document Properties, Routing, Use
Centerline Dimension.
27 Route along relations.
Add Route Along relations
between the pipe and the brace
(1.1875in) and the pipe and the
back of the channel (16in) as
shown.
28 Exit.
Exit the route sketch and route sub-assembly.
Piping Skids
29 Ubolt.
Drag and drop a UBolt, Type 137
component, configuration 2.0, Ubolt,
0.25 Rod onto the route sketch.
Add mates to tie the component to the
pipe and brace as shown.
30 Additional routes.
Two additional routes can be added using similar techniques. Use the
same distance from the back of the channel (16”) and between the pipe
and the brace (1.1875”) as used for the first route.
Note Drag the endpoint from the pump (upwards) before using auto route.
31 Save and close.
Piping Skids
Walk-through Walk-through Animations can be used to manoeuver an avatar with a

Animations camera through an assembly model and record the results in a first
person perspective for later playback. The avatar motion can be
constrained to a sketch path, surface area or be moved freely using
small increments.
A Map View shows a plan view of the

assembly including the path, current
position and orientation of the avatar.
Capture Motion The Capture Motion Control Panel is used to control the movement
Control Panel of the avatar and record the motion. The panel is broken down into
Motion, View and Record controls and the Show/Hide Map toggle.
Move and Turn Record Show/Hide
Controls Controls Map
Choose Look and Zoom Constraint

Speed Controls Selection
Piping Skids
Keyboard shortcuts There are many keyboard shortcuts related to the capture motion
control panel. Shortcuts can lead to more accurate control of options.
Control Key
Start recording R
Pause recording Space
Ok Enter
Cancel recording Esc
Look up, down, left, or right Alt+ arrow, drag left mouse
button
Reset view direction Home
Zoom out Z
Zoom in Shift + Z
Move avatar forward W, Up arrow, rotate mouse

wheel forward
Move avatar backward S, Down arrow, rotate mouse
wheel backward
Move avatar left A, Left arrow
Move avatar right D, Right arrow
Move avatar up Shift + Up arrow
Move avatar down Shift + Down arrow
Turn left Shift + A, Control + left arrow
Turn right Shift + D, Control + right arrow
Lock to constraint Scroll Lock
Next constraint Page Down
Previous constraint Page Up
Toggle map view on and off M
Increase or decrease speed + or -
Set speed 1-9
Piping Skids
Move vs. Look The Move function moves the avatar and
camera in the Top plane (forward, backward,
right and left) or normal to it. Look tilts (right,
left, up and down) the camera.
Avatar Paths The avatar can be moved along a constrained path (Path-based
Movement) or without any constraints (Free Movement) to create the
walk-through animation.
Path-based Path-based Movement uses the geometry in a sketch as the path
Movement components. It can also use curves, planes or planar faces.
Sketch Selection If the sketch is selected, there is continuous, fluid movement through
the geometry of the sketch.
Geometry Selection If individual pieces of sketch geometry are selected, the movement is
based on each piece of geometry in sequence. The change between the
individual pieces of sketch geometry is done manually.
The path starts on a line from

outside the assembly and moves in
toward the assembly.
The path continues onto a fillet/

arc, another line and another arc.
The line takes the path through the

assembly between two tanks. As
the avatar reaches the end of the
second arc, the orientation of the
avatar will be reversed.
Although the motion is away from

the assembly the avatar remains
aimed at the assembly.
In the last section of the animation,

the constraints are removed and
Path-based Movement is
stopped.
Free Movement is to create the
last part section of the animation.
Piping Skids
1 Open assembly.
Open the existing assembly Walk Through from the Walk Through
Animation folder.
Starting a Walk- Walk-through Animations are created and stored in the

through Animation DisplayManager tab of the FeatureManager Design Tree. Multiple
walk-throughs can be stored with a single assembly.
Where to Find It I DisplayManager: Click View Scenes, Lights, and Cameras,

right-click the Lights folder, right-click Walk-through and click
Add Walk-through
2 Add a new walk-through.

Click the DisplayManager .
Click View Scene, Lights, and Cameras .
Right-click Walk-through and click Add Walk-
through.
3 Avatar parameters.
Default to the Top plane as the Vertical direction
and 65in as the Viewing height above floors or
motion paths.
4 Motion constraints.
Click in Motion Constraints and click the existing
sketch Avatar Path from the FeatureManager
design tree.
Click Turn avatar to follow paths.
Click Start Walk-through.
Tip Selecting the entire sketch rather than the individual pieces makes the
path a single selection and creates a smoother walk-through.
Construction geometry in sketches is ignored.
Piping Skids
5 Constraint.
Click Toggle Constraints and click the
sketch Avatar Path from the Choose
Constraint list.
6 Map view.
Click Map View to show the
current avatar position and orientation Avatar
on the constraint. The avatar is Direction
represented as a circle and the field of
view by a pair of angled lines.
Note If the avatar does not appear at the desired starting position, click Move
Backward to back it into the starting position shown above.
Recording Tools There are some dvd-like controls on the Capture Motion
Control Panel that can be used to record, pause and save
the walk-through. The recording, if saved, can be used
for playback and generating a video in *.avi format.
Record The Record button starts a recording of the walk-through.
Pause Use Pause to pause the recording when extra time is needed to
change settings or move the avatar without recording the movement.
Click Pause to continue recording.
OK The OK button is used to save the changes.
Cancel The Cancel button is used to cancel the changes.
Piping Skids
7 Record.
Click Record to start recording the animation.
8 Move forward.
Click Move Forward or the up arrow to move the avatar along the
line and into the first arc.
9 Pause.
Continue to click Move Forward or the up arrow to move the
avatar along the constraint. Press the button until the avatar nears the
end of the weldment as shown.
Click Pause to pause the recording of the animation.
Piping Skids
10 Turn the avatar.

The avatar sits at the end of the line path but is now facing away from
the assembly. Click Turn Right until the avatar is rotated

approximately 180° as shown, roughly parallel to the sketch line as
shown.
11 Move backward.
Click Pause to continue recording the animation. Click Move
Backward until the avatar reaches the end of the sketch and
stops.
12 Pause.
Click Pause .
Piping Skids
Free Movement The second type of avatar path is Free Movement. All motion of the
avatar is based on use of the Motion and View controls (see Capture
Motion Control Panel on page 279).
Note Lock to Constraint must be toggled off for free movement.

Move and Turn The Move options allow the avatar to move in four directions. It
includes: forward, backward, up and down.
The Turn options allow the avatar to rotate right and left.
Look The Look options allow the avatar to tilt the camera. It includes: right,
left, up and down.
Note The look movement will be negated by:
1. Clicking the center Reset View button.
2. Clicking any of the Move or Turn options.
13 Unlock constraint.
Click Lock to Constraint to remove constraints from the path. The
words No Constraint appears in place of the sketch name.
14 Turn left.
Click Pause to continue recording the animation. Click
Turn Left until the avatar is rotated to face the assembly as

shown.
Piping Skids
15 Look down.
Click Look Down and Look Left to create the view as shown.
16 Move forward.
Click Zoom In and zoom closer to the pipes as shown.
17 Complete recording.
Click OK to complete recording the animation.
Piping Skids
Creating a Movie The recorded walk-through animation can be saved externally using the
Generate Video and Compression options. Generate video sets the
type of files to save and how to render them. The compression option
sets the type and quality of the compression.
Output Types The output can be saved as video (*.avi) or as a series of image files
(*.bmp or *.tga).
18 Playback.
Click Play Recording . After the playback is complete, click
Close (X) on the Record dialog.
19 Video.
Click Generate Video and set the name Walk Through. Keep the
default settings and click Save.
Tip If PhotoView 360 is added in, the additional Renderer option

PhotoView will be available.
20 Compression.
Keep the default settings and click OK.
Piping Skids
21 Player.
The resulting video file can be viewed using a player such as Windows
Media Player.
Using Piping Skids
Exercise 13: Create piping skids using the grid

Using Piping system feature and weldments. Piping
Skids routes will be added to the skid.
I Piping Skids on page 260.
I Grid System Feature on
page 260.
I Weldments on page 263.
Units: in
Grid System Create a Grid System feature using the dimensions as shown.
1 Grid feature.
Create a new part. Click the Grid System feature using the sketch
shown and level of 48in as shown.
Tip Use the existing part Cabinet if you do not want to build the weldment.
Using Piping Skids
Weldment Create a Weldment using the geometry created in the grid system
feature. Trim as required.
2 Structural members.
Create structural members using the
following selections:
I Type: square tube
I Size: 2 x 2 x 0.25
3 Bracing.
Add bracing across the
frame sketching on the
outside of the square tubes
as shown.
I Type: angle iron
I Size: 1 x 1 x 0.125
Add bracing on both sides
as shown.
Using Piping Skids
4 Plates.
Add 0.25in thick plates on the top and
bottom positions as shown.
5 Save.
Save the part but do not close it.
Pipe Components Select from the following files and configurations for the routes.
File Configuration
Pipe pipe Pipe 2 in, Sch 40
Flange slip on weld flange Slip On Flange 150-NPS2
Valve sw3dps-1_2 in ball valve Default
Equipment pump-water_booster Default

sample-tank-01 Default
Placing Weldment The weldment and equipment components will be placed and used to
and Equipment create piping routes. The weldment is placed first.
6 New assembly.
Create a new assembly, placing the weldment part at the origin, using
Make Assembly from Part.
Using Piping Skids
7 Tanks.
Drag and drop two sample-tank-01and two pump-water_booster
components from the Equipment folder. Locate the tanks relative to
the weldment as shown.
Piping Routes Create new piping routes between equipment with valves.
8 Route from upper pump.
Create a route from the upper pump to the tank and add a
sw3dps-1_2 in ball valve in-line as shown.
Using Piping Skids
9 Route from lower pump.

Create a route from the lower pump to the tank using a similar
procedure.
Creating Walk-through Animations
Exercise 14: Create walk-through animations

Creating Walk- using an existing assembly.
through This lab uses the following skills:
Animations I Walk-through Animations on
page 279.
I Capture Motion Control Panel
on page 279.
I Path-based Movement on
page 281.
I Free Movement on page 286.
Units: in
Grid System Create a Grid System feature using the dimensions as shown.
1 Open Walk_Through.
Open the existing assembly Walk_Through from the Lesson08\
Exercises folder.
2 Sketch.
Create a new sketch on the Top plane using lines and arcs as shown.
Creating Walk-through Animations
3 Path.
Use the entire sketch to create the path
starting at the end of the horizontal line
as shown.
Create the path using the following

instructions:
1. Start at the and of the horizontal line.
2. Pass through the tank.
3. Reverse the direction of the camera using Turn Right.
4. Use Move Backward to move to the end of the path.
1
2
4 Move and look.

At the end of the path unlock
the constraint and use the
controls, including the mouse,
to look in different directions.
Lesson 10

I Adding SOLIDWORKS content.
I Creating a virtual clip.
Using Several folders, including Blocks, Routing and

SOLIDWORKS Weldments are listed under the Design Library
Content and the SOLIDWORKS Content folders.
The Routing folder contains additional piping
content sorted by standard. The files are divided
into DIN Piping and ISO Piping folders. Each
file (Ductile Iron, Copper Alloy etc.) is
linked to a zip file.
Adding Content The additional content can be saved and extracted for use in routes.
Where to Find It I Task Pane: Design Library, browse SOLIDWORKS Content,

Routing and standard-specific folders and control+click a zip file
1 Expand SOLIDWORKS Content.

Expand the SOLIDWORKS Content folder in the Design Library.
Expand the Routing folder.
The list includes the following folders:
I ANSI-ASTM metric B16.11 - A234
I ASME B16.10M
I ASME B16.5
I Australian BSP
I DIN Miscellaneous
I DIN Piping
I ISO Piping
I Various Metric Pipe Fittings
Each folder contains one or more zip files.
What Type of The content that can be extracted

Content is includes both parts and assemblies
Included? created to suit specific standards.
These components are included to
expand the default Design Library set.
Many of the components, especially
pipes, contain multiple configurations.
Tip Download and unzip only the files and standards that you need.
2 Open the DIN Piping folder.

Double-click the DIN Piping folder to open
it. Links to several zip files are included.
Note Only the DIN Piping and ISO Piping folders contain multiple zip file
links.
3 Save.
Control+click the Steel icon. A WinZip file named DIN Steel.zip is
downloaded. Browse to save it under a temporary folder.
4 Unzip.
Add a new folder DIN under C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\
SolidWorks 2015\design library\routing\piping.
Double-click the zip file and extract the files into this new folder.
5 Set file location.

Using the Routing Library Manager and Routing File Locations and
Settings, set the Routing Library to the folder
design library\routing\piping\DIN\Steel.
Content Files The DIN Steel zip file generates a complete set of piping components
including pipe, flanges and elbows. They are listed in the chart below.
DIN Steel C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\

Piping design library\routing\piping\DIN\Steel
Pipe Pipe (DIN EN

10220)
Flanges Flange (DIN Flange (DIN Flange (DIN Flange (DIN

2558) PN 6 2627) Welding 2628) Welding EN 1092-1)
Neck Type B2 Neck Type B2 Plain Face
PN 400 PN 250 Type 01 PN 6
Flange (DIN Flange (DIN Flange (EN

EN 1092-1) EN 1092-1) 1092-1)
Slip-On for Welding Neck Hubbed
Welding Series Type 11 B1 Threaded
2 PN 10 PN 2.5, 6, 10, Type 13 B1
16, 25, 40, PN 10, 16
63, 100

Elbow Elbow (DIN Elbow (DIN Elbow (DIN Elbow (DIN

2605) 45 Deg 2605) 90 Deg EN10242) 45 EN 10242) A1
Type 5, 10, Type 2, 3, 5, deg A1
20 10, 20
Elbow (DIN Elbow (DIN Elbow (DIN Elbow (DIN

EN 10242) 45 EN 10242) EN 10242) EN 10242)
Deg Long Long Sweep Male Long Short Bend D1
Sweep Bend Bend G1 Sweep Bend
G1 G8
Tee and Cross Elbow (DIN Tee (DIN Tee (DIN EN Tee (DIN EN
EN 10242) 2615-1) 10242) B1 10242)
Twin E2 Pitcher E1
Cross (DIN
10242) C1

Coupling and Socket (DIN Socket (DIN Screwed Pipe Screwed Pipe
Union EN 10242) EN 10242) Joint (DIN Joint (DIN
M2 Male and 8063) Type 8063) Type
Female M4 V1 V2
Union (DIN EN Union (DIN EN Union (DIN EN Union (DIN EN

10242) Flat 10242) Flat 10242) Taper 10242) Taper
Seat Male and Seat U1 Seat Male and Seat U11
Female U2 Female U12
Reducer and Reducer (DIN Reducer (DIN Socket (DIN Socket (DIN
Reduced Cross 2616) 2616) EN 10242) EN 10242)
Eccentric E Concentric K Reducing M2 Reducing Male
and Female
M4
Cross (DIN EN
10242)
Reducing C1
Custom Library You may want to create a custom library based on the components
Naming provided by SOLIDWORKS in the Design Library. Follow the same
file structure and naming convention used by the sample files.
I Place all sub-folders under a routing folder. It does not have to be
the standard routing folder.
I Create folders for each standard (ansi, iso), material type (ss, pvc)
and component type (flange, tee).
I Create unique filenames that incorporate the material (or some
other unique qualifier) for the component parts. Use tee-cs and tee-
ss rather than just tee under different folders.
I Use descriptive naming. Flange (DIN 2628) Welding Neck
Type B2 PN 250 is more useful than flange.
Note Failure to follow this procedure will cause problems within Routing
and in general assemblies.
Virtual Clips Virtual Clips are routing clips that are used to guide pipe and tubes
without using creating any visible geometry. For example, guiding a
pipe through an opening in a wall where there is no clip, hanger or riser
clamp.
Note As an alternative, you can use the Routing Component Wizard with
Piping, Support to create the geometry that is required. See Creating
Routing Library Parts on page 185 for more information.
6 New part.
Create a new part using units mm. Sketch a
construction circle on the Front plane as shown.
7 Plane.
Create a new plane offset from
the Front plane 30mm as
shown.
8 Sketch.
Create a sketch on the new plane and add
a Point at the sketch origin. Exit the
sketch.
9 Rpoints.
Add RPoints as shown.
10 Axis.
Using the Two Points/vertices option
for the Axis, select the points as shown.
Name the axis Clip Axis.
11 Mate reference.
Add a new mate reference using the Clip Axis
axis and a Concentric mate.
12 Save.
Save the file as Virtual Clip in the local folder.
13 Open assembly.
DIN_Assembly. The assembly is a
simplified representation of
existing equipment connections
and a structural feature.
14 Mates.
Drag and drop the
Virtual Clip to the
cylindrical hole face as
shown. Add the
Concentric mate applied
by the mate reference.
Add another mate to tie
the sketch circle or point
to the flat face using
Coincident.
Components Used Choosing from the collection of piping components in the DIN\Steel
in the Routes folder (Content Files on page 300), the following components will be
used to create a 25mm route.
I Pipe - Pipe (DIN EN 10220)
I Flange - Flange (DIN 2628) Welding Neck Type B2 PN 250
I Elbow - Elbow (DIN 2605) 90 Deg Type 5
I Coupling - Union (DIN EN 10242) Flat Seat U1
Tip The coupling will be automatically placed at the end of a standard

length as defined in the Route Properties.
Drag and drop a Flange (DIN 2628) Welding
Neck Type B2 PN 250 from the Steel\Flanges
folder onto the 25mm_Equipment_Flange<8>
(the lower of the pair) as shown.
Select the configuration WNeck Flange-DN 25.
Use the default Pipe Pipe (DIN EN 10220) with

the configuration Pipe-33.7 ODx0.5 Wall-
Series 1.
Click Use standard length and set the value to
1000mm. Click Insert coupling and click Union
(DIN EN 10242) Flat Seat U1 with
configuration Union Flat U1-1.0 inch.
For Bends - Elbows click Always use elbow and click

Elbow (DIN 2605) 90 Deg Type 5 and configuration
90L-OD 33.7x2 Wall-Type 5.
Click OK.
16 Second flange.
Add a second flange of the same type as shown.
17 Route first section.

Create a route between the stub endpoint shown and the Clip Axis axis
of the Virtual_Clip_Piping as shown. Do not complete the route yet.
18 Route second section.

Route the second section add the dimensions as shown.
19 Alternative elbow.
Exit the route sketch. One elbow is highlighted and zoomed because it
is non-standard. Browse for the alternate Elbow (DIN 2605) 45 Deg
Type 5 using the configuration 45L-OD 33.7x2 Wall-Type 5.
Click OK.
20 Placement of unions.
The unions (couplings) are placed on pipes that are longer than 1m.
Two coupling total are placed in the route, one on each long pipe.
Note The starting positions of the couplings may vary.

21 New route.
Insert another Virtual Clip component. Sketch a new route manually
using the same route properties as the previous route.
Note Use a collinear relation between the pipe line and the virtual clip axis.
22 Completed route.
Add a Cross (DIN 10242) C1 with Cross C1-1.0 inch and a
dimension to the face of the Structure1. Create the remaining
connections to complete the route as shown below.
Tip Use Remove Pipe on the short line of the 500mm leg.
23 Save and close.
Exercise 15: Use SOLIDWORKS Content to down-

Using load a new library of piping components
SOLIDWORKS and use them to create a route.
Content This lab uses the following skills:
I Using SOLIDWORKS Content on
page 298.
I Virtual Clips on page 304.
Units: mm
Adding the DIN and ISO standard piping components can be downloaded from the
Geometry SOLIDWORKS Content folder of the Design Library.
1 Download file.
Expand the SOLIDWORKS Content and DIN Piping folders.
Download the PVC-U file to a temp folder. Extract the files to
design library\routing\piping.
Setting the Using the Routing Library Manager and Routing File Locations and
Routing File Settings to set the Routing Library to
Location C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2015\
design library\routing\piping\PVC-U.
Tip See Using SOLIDWORKS Content on page 298 for more information.
PVC-U Select from the following folders and components for the route.
Components
Folder File Configuration

Flanges Flange Assy (DIN 8063) Serial No 11 DN 75 With Flange
with 10 Bushing DN 75
Pipe Pipe (DIN 8062) OD 75x1.8 Wall-Series 2
Elbow Elbow (DIN 8063) 90 Deg Double 90L-OD 75-2
Socket Bend Integral Type MMQ-KS
Elbow (DIN 8063) 45 Deg Double 45L-OD 75-2
Socket Bend Integral Type MMK-KS
Y Bend Y Lateral (DIN8063) 45 Deg Type A Y Lateral-DN 75
Coupling Socket (DIN 8063) Type M Socket M-DN 75
Creating the Route The pipe sketch geometry is created using a combination or auto
Geometry routing and manual 3D sketching.
2 Open Drains.
Open the existing assembly Drains from the Using SW Content
folder.
3 Auto routing.
Add flanges and auto route as shown. Add dimensions to the route
sketch as shown.
4 Add y bend.
Drag and drop a Y Bend (see PVC-U
Components on page 312) to the route
line.
Tip Use both the Tab key to reverse the fitting and the Shift+Arrow keys to
orient it.
5 Merge.
Select the open endpoints and add a Merge relation. Add a dimension.
6 Add coupling.
Add a coupling (see PVC-U Components on page 312) onto the route
line with the dimension as shown.
7 Alternate elbow.
Exit the route sketch and click an alternate (45) elbow (see PVC-U
Components on page 312).
Changes to the Changes to the route can take many forms but they all cause changes in
Route the route geometry or route sketch.
8 Change route diameter.

Edit the route, right-click the route line and click
Change Route Diameter. For first fitting click
driving and click Flange DN 140 With Flange
Bushing DN 140 from the list. Take the default
settings, click OK and click the elbow configuration
45L-OD 140-1.
Drawing Create a drawing and BOM of the assembly using the piping bill of
material template. The template can be found in the
SolidWorks Routing- Piping and Tubing folder.
9 Drawing.
Save the route externally with the assembly. Create a drawing of the
piping route sub-assembly using an a-landscape drawing. Add a
BOM using the Piping BOM Template and balloons.
Appendix A
Review Section

I Understand how Routing and Design Library parts use
configurations.
I Understand the role of design tables.
I Understand the basics of top down assembly design.
I Understand the function and mode of commands for editing of parts
and sub-assemblies in context of the top level assembly.
I Understand the function of the Design Library: Features, Parts and
Assemblies.
I Be able to organize Design Library components.
I Understand the options available for Routing.
I Create a 3D sketch.
I Use the orthogonal method to sketch using standard planes.
I Use the selected plane method to sketch using user defined planes
and planar faces.
I Use the spline tool to create a freeform route line.
Appendix A SOLIDWORKS 2015
Review Section
Review of Configurations, specifically

Configurations those created by Design Tables,
are an integral part of Routing.
They are used to create and store
library parts such as tubes, pipes
and elbows. For example, one
part can be used to represent
multiple tubes, each having
different diameters and wall
thicknesses.
How Routing Uses Routing uses configurations to select matching tubes or pipes and
Configurations related components to size the route.
Tube/Pipe When a tube/pipe route is started with a fitting such as a Flange, the
Components configuration that represents a specific nominal diameter is selected.
The pipe that connects to that fitting now has a limited set of
configurations to choose from based on that nominal diameter. The
choices are limited to the type of pipe, or the schedule, in that diameter.
The tube/pipe part is copied to the local folder and configurations are
used to represent the required lengths.
That tube/pipe part is used throughout the route. Added components
must match the sizing that has been selected for the route.
Note Electrical routes do not use configurations to determine route and
component size.
Fittings Fitting configurations are chosen by
matching the configuration of the tube/
pipe. If the fitting does not contain a
matching configuration, an error is
produced.
Unlike tubes and pipes, fitting parts are
not copied to the local folder. They remain referenced to the Design
Library.
SOLIDWORKS 2015 Appendix A
Review Section
A Note About Referenced files do not have to be stored with the document that
File References references them. In most practical applications, the referenced
documents are stored in multiple locations on the computer or network.
SOLIDWORKS provides several tools to determine the references that
exist and their location.
Find References Find References provides the exact locations of referenced part and
assembly files. Find References will display the Search Results
dialog box which lists the component files used, including the full path
names. This is useful if you have several versions of the component
files.
Note The Copy Files button opens the Pack and Go dialog.
Where to Find It I Menu: File, Find References

Pack and Go Pack and Go copies the files to another folder or to a Zip file. Options
for including drawings and Simulation results are available.
Where to Find It I Menu: File, Pack and Go

File Management As noted previously, pipe and tube parts are copied and saved in the
working directory with only the required configurations. Fitting parts
are not copied, so the assembly will reference the file in the Design
Library directory.
If the entire assembly is to be copied, moved, archived or zipped,
consider saving all the reference files (Design Library parts) with it.
Pack and Go will accomplish this.
It is also a good idea to include a copy of the original pipe or tube file
from the Design Library with the assembly. In this way, should a new
pipe or tube route of the same type be added to the assembly after it has
been moved, the same seed part can be used.
The configured pipe or tube files that exist in the assembly do not have
all the required information to be used in a new route and hence cannot
be used this way. Pack and Go will NOT copy this file, it must be done
manually.
Review Section
How Libraries Use Library Parts are supplied by SOLIDWORKS through the Design
Configurations Library. These parts and assemblies, as required, use design tables as
the engine to create configurations. Design tables can set the values for
dimensions and suppress features by configuration name. The result of
the design table is a set of configurations shown in the
ConfigurationManager.
Design Tables Design tables are the most efficient method of creating and maintaining
configurations. Using a spreadsheet, the configurations and the
variations between them are recorded and stored.
The Design Table contains columns for configurations, dimension
values, suppression of features, configuration specific properties and
notes. Using the Auto-create function enables the table to be generated
automatically from the input.
Review Section
Design Table Input The input options include the parameters, dimensions, features and
and Output properties. The output is a set of configurations that are added to the
ConfigurationManager of the part. As always, descriptive names
should be used for dimensions and features included in the design table.
If the design table settings allow it, changes can be bi-directional.
I Dimension Values
A Dimension Name followed by @sketch name or @feature
name as a column header controls the value of that dimension by
configuration.
I Feature Suppression
Prefixing a feature name with $STATE@ enables that feature to be
suppressed or unsuppressed by configuration. Suppress, S,
Unsuppress or U appear in the cells below the header. A blank cell
assumes unsuppress.
I Configuration Specific Properties
Properties added to the part through File, Properties,
Configuration Specific tab appear in the design table with the
prefix $PRP.
I Notes
User defined notes can be added in rows or columns with
$USER_NOTES as the row or column header.
I Configuration Names
Configuration names added in the left column become
configurations that appear in the ConfigurationManager.
Review Section
Review of Top Top Down Assembly modeling

Down Design involves the switching between
the editing of parts and
assemblies.
Parts and When using Routing, several types of components are used. Each can
Assemblies be edited in turn to make effective use of top down design and complete
the Routing assembly. The types of components are labelled below.
Note that the sub-assembly in this case is a specific type, a Routing sub-
assembly.
Top Level Assembly
Sub-assembly
Part
Editing Options Each editing option is useful in its own way in the assembly context.
By editing parts in context, you can take advantage of any entity in the
assembly for sketching, offsetting, converting and dimensioning.
Four commands, Edit Part, Edit Assembly, Edit Sub-assembly and
Edit Route are used to switch back and forth between editing one
component in an assembly and editing the assembly itself. When you
are in edit part mode, you have access to all the commands and
functionality of the part modeling portion of SOLIDWORKS. Plus,
you have access to other geometry in the assembly.
Review Section
Edit Assembly Edit Assembly is the default

state of an assembly when it
is created or opened.
Also, when Edit Part or Edit
Sub-assembly is “turned
off” the top level assembly
returns to this state.
Use Edit Assembly to:
I Add or delete
components from the top
level assembly.
I Add or delete mates from
the top level assembly.
Edit Part Edit Part accesses a specific

part and edit it while
remaining in the top level
assembly.
Editing a part while in the
context of an assembly
enables you to take
advantage of geometry and
dimensions of other
components while creating
matching or related features.
Using geometry outside the
part creates External
References and In-context
Features.
Use Edit Part to:
I Add or edit individual
sketches of a part within
the assembly.
I Add or edit features of a
part within the assembly.
Review Section
Edit Sub-assembly Edit Sub-assembly

accesses a sub-assembly and
edit it while remaining in the
top level assembly. In
Routing it is often used to
make changes to the route
sub-assembly .
Use Edit Sub-assembly to:
I Add or delete
components within the
sub-assembly.
I Add or delete mates
within the sub-assembly.
Edit Route Edit Route edits the 3D

Sketch that defines the
route. This automatically
switches to Edit Sub-
assembly mode using the
route sub-assembly.
Use Edit Route to:
I Create and edit the 3D
sketch used as the route.
I Add inline components
such as reducers and tees.
Review Section
Assembly Feature An Assembly Feature adds a cut feature or hole to the top level
assembly. The feature uses a Feature Scope to determine which
components are affected by the cut.
Use Assembly Feature to:
I Add a cut feature that exists only in the top level assembly.
Review of The Design Library pane accesses and store commonly used library
Design Library features, sheet metal forming tools and parts. Design Library parts can
Task Pane be added to an assembly by simply dragging and dropping them into
that assembly. Mate Relations, SmartMates and Route Points are used
to position the part.
Design Library The Design Library Task Pane tab is
devoted to the storage and easy retrieval of
library features, forming tools, assemblies,
and piece parts. It is designed to resemble
Windows Explorer in appearance and
function.
Add to Library adds feature or part

components to a Design Library folder.
Add File Location adds a folder to the
Design Library listing.
Reload refreshes the window with changes
that have been made to the folder since it was
opened.
Note All Routing components used in this course are taken from the design
library folder.
Review Section
Essentials of Taking full advantage of the Design Library pane requires an

Using the Design understanding of the file structure it uses. Although some library
Library Task Pane features and parts are supplied with the SOLIDWORKS software, the
real power of the Design Library is in creating and using your own
folders and libraries.
Directory These files are located on
Structure of the your hard drive using
Design Library Windows Explorer by
browsing to
C:\ProgramData\ Routing Components
SolidWorks\ Assembly Fittings
SolidWorks 2015 install Electrical Conduits
and opening the Electrical
design library folder.
This folder contains main
folders of routing:
assembly fittings, Piping
conduit, electrical,
ribbon cable, piping,
and tubing. The folders
contain both part and
assembly files.
Tubing
Adding to the You can add any library feature, part or assembly to these folders,
Folders either using the Design Library panes or Windows Explorer, and they
appear in the Design Library lower pane. They appear as icons showing
their preview pictures.
You can drag and drop files onto the Design Library pane from the
open file or from Windows Explorer. Press the Delete key to remove
them from the Design Library.
Sub-folders and Each sub-folder, such as threaded fittings
Panes (npt), holds the appropriate type of files
(*.sldprt in this case). The folder name
appears in the Design Library upper pane. The
folders and files themselves appear as icons in
the lower pane (similar to the left-right
relationship in Windows Explorer).
You can also add your own sub-folders in any
of the directories. These appear as folders in
the Design Library pane.
Review Section
File Location In Tools, Options, System Options, File Location use the Folders
Folders list to set search paths for many files that SOLIDWORKS references. A
partial list is given below. For a complete list, refer to the online help.
I Library parts, assemblies, features, and forming tools.
I Color swatches, material databases and textures.
I Document templates, referenced documents, sheet formats.
I Blocks, BOM templates, hole callout format files, and dimension
favorites.
I Macros, journal files and macro feature files.
Several paths can be set for each category. If you have more than one
path, the system searches them in the order they are listed.
Review of 3D A 3D Sketch is a sketch
Sketching that enables you to create
geometry on any plane or
planar face. In Routing, it
defines the path followed
by the tube, pipe or cable.
Note In many cases, the use of Auto Route precludes any need for 3D
sketching.
There are several methods available to create the 3D sketch.
I Coordinate Systems (Tab switching)
Using Coordinate Systems enables you to sketch orthogonal lines
using the default reference planes.
I Sketching on Selected Planes
You can sketch on planes other than the default three. Planes
created prior to the sketch can be used by Control-clicking the
plane while sketching.
I Creating planes within the sketch
3D sketch Planes can be added to create 2D sketches within the 3D
sketch.
I Splines
Splines can be manipulated by the addition of spline points and
editing with the triad.
Review Section
Coordinate The Coordinate Systems are sets of axes that can be changed on the
Systems fly while sketching. When the Line tool is selected, a set of axes appear
with the line as it is sketched. These axes are parallel to those of the
Front reference plane and enable sketching along those axes or within
the plane. Two other planes can be accessed through the Tab key.
Local Horizontal Axis Local Vertical Axis Local Plane

Front
(Initial - plane
XY)
Right
(Tab once -
plane YZ)
Top
(Tab twice -
plane ZX)
Regardless of the plane used, the plane labels refer to the axes of the
Front plane (X, Y and Z).
Review Section
1 Open part.
Open the part 3D Sketch Example. The part contains two visible
sketches that will be used as connection points.
Orthogonal 3D Using the standard three planes for sketching enables you to sketch
Sketching along the X, Y and Z axes of the Front plane. You can also sketch on
any plane formed by a pair of the axes.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Sketch > Sketch > 3D Sketch

I Menu: Insert, 3D Sketch
2 New 3D sketch.
Click 3D Sketch to open a new 3D sketch.
3 Along X axis.
Click the Line tool and start a new line at the
upper point and drag the other end of the line.
Position along the axis until the X label appears
indicating that the line is on the X axis of the
XY plane. Extend the line as shown.
4 Using the coordinate systems.

Begin the next line at the open
endpoint and drag the line. Press the
Tab key to orient the coordinate
system to the orientation shown. Drag
the line along the Z axis of the YZ
plane. Locate the end of the line
roughly as shown.
Review Section
5 Along Y and Z axes.

Using the same set of axes, sketch a line along the Y axis followed by
the Z axis.
6 Coincident.
Add a Coincident relation between the open endpoint and the left most
point in the sketch.
Review Section
7 Dimension.
Add a dimension between the vertical line and endpoint as shown. Set
the value to 13.75”.
Tip 3D sketches offer a few more relations than a standard sketch. They
include ParallelXY and AlongX and refer to the planes and axes of the
sketch.
8 Exit the sketch.
Sketching on 3D sketching can use planes other than the default reference planes. An
Selected Planes alternative plane or planar face can be selected by Control-clicking it
while sketching. This process activates a coordinate system with the X
and Y axes parallel to the selected plane. Two other sets of axes
(rotations of the first) are also available through the Tab key.
Note Performing this process during Routing (Edit Route) requires only a
selection without the Control key.
1 Show plane.
Right-click the reference plane Angle_25 and click Show.
Click Select to turn off highlighting of the plane.
Review Section
2 Along X axis.
Create a new 3D sketch. Sketch a line
starting on the middle point and running
along the X axis as shown.
Press the Esc key.
3 Switch plane reference.

Control+click the plane Angle_25 from the screen or the Flyout
FeatureManager design tree.
4 Along plane.
Sketch another line along the X
axis of the Angle_25 plane as
shown.
Press the Esc key.
5 Return to standard planes.

Control+click the Front plane to return to the standard plane
selections.
Review Section
6 Switch to standard plane.

Use the Tab key to switch to the plane orientation shown. Sketch the
additional lines as shown.
Complete the lines and add a Coincident relation to tie the endpoint to
the sketch point.
7 Dimensions.
Add the dimensions 5” and 8” as shown. Close the sketch.
Review Section
Creating planes 2D planes can be created within the 3D sketch to create 2D geometry or
within the sketch profiles.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Sketch > Plane

I Menu: Tools, Sketch Entities, Plane
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click in the graphics area and click Plane
1 Start a new 3D sketch .
2 Create plane.
Click Plane . Select the Top plane and the Distance option. Set the
value to 2”below the plane and click OK.
Review Section
3 Sketch on plane.
Double-click the plane. Sketch a line, angled as shown, on the plane.
Turn off the Line tool and exit the plane by double-clicking off the
plane in space.
4 Add lines.
Add the lines as shown.
Review Section
5 Connect.
Connect the open endpoints with Merge relations. Add dimensions to
fully define the sketch.
Splines The 3D sketch can be used to represent a “flexible” path between

connection points. This method uses Spline to form a smooth 3D curve
between lines. The lines remain to help shape the spline.
Note This type of sketch can not be used with piping.
Spline forms a shape that is more free-form than orthogonal segments.
The spline can be set to be tangent to straight segments.
Where to Find It I CommandManager: Sketch > Spline > Spline

I Menu: Tools, Sketch Entities, Spline
I Shortcut Menu: Right-click in the graphics area and click Spline
1 Lines.
Hide the existing sketches. Create a new 3D sketch. Sketch the lines as
shown.
Review Section
2 Start spline.
Click Spline, then click the left endpoint. Tab to the Top plane and
click a point away from the start as shown.
Note You can add intermediate spline points, by clicking the left mouse
button, to help form the desired shape.
3 End spline.
End the spline, using a double-click, at the opposite endpoint as shown.
The guide “box” indicates the selection has moved in all three
directions from the previous one.
4 Relations.
Add Tangent relations between the spline and each of the straight
segments.
Note When using Auto Route, these relations are added automatically.
Review Section
5 Shaping.
The spline can also be shaped by dragging the endpoints, or adding
intermediate spline points after creation.
Dimensions, relations and additional spline points can be added to

modify the shape of the curve. In this example, the triad moves the
spline point in only one direction. Right-click Show Sketcher Triad,
drag and drop the triad onto the spline point. Select an axis and drag
along that axis (in this example the yellow X axis).
Index
Numerics D F
3D sketching 327 delete favorites 18
route components 151 file
A route sketch geometry 151 copy 319
add to route 102 Design Library 325–327 find references 319
adding favorites 18 directory structure 326 files
animation forming tools 326 training 3
walk-through 279 dimensions find references 319
assemblies 3D sketch 135 fitting
edit assembly 323 drawing move with triad 75
edit part 323 piping 159 fix route 105
auto route tubing 111 flip direction 104
auto route tips 32 ducting 236–237, 240
bend errors 95 G
electrical 33 E gasket 143
orthogonal solutions 94 edit graphics cards 5
tips 32 assembly 323 grid system 260
part 323 guidelines
B elbow actions 158
bend errors 104 45 degree 44
bend radius 105 90 degree 24 H
alternate 44 heating ducts 236–237, 248
C electrical hvac 236–237, 248
cable tray 236–237, 244 auto route 33
clip cable tray 236–237, 244 I
edit 104 connection points 193 ISOGEN 97
flip direction 104 ducting 236–237, 240 isolate 48
component edit route 46
equipment 205 routing points 193 L
move with triad 75 save to external file 111 library
multi-body 202 envelope 98 assemblies 182
rotate 66 checking 98 piping 176
connection point select using envelope 106 routing 176
cpoint 193, 238 equipment 205 threaded piping 180, 300
cooling ducts 236–237, 248 flange attachments 207 tubing 181
copy files 319 mate references 206 library parts
covering 82 nozzle 205
placement 206 M
error mate reference 239
bend 104 min radius 105
export data 97 minimum bend radius 105
Index SOLIDWORKS 2015
P R S
P&ID RealView Graphics 5 shortcuts to folders 18
add pipe 223 repair route 105 skid 260
description 216 re-route spline 105 split route 69
equipment 216 rotate component 66 spool
lines 216 route define 141
pipe systems 216 3D sketch 38 drawing 143
status 221 acpoint 202 start route 102
task pane 220 add fitting 79
XML file 217 add to route 102 T
pack and go 319 along geometry 52 template
parts arpoint 202 route specification 34
editing within an assembly 323 assembly components 202 Tray 244
PCF files 97 auto route 33 Trays 237
pipe bend errors 104 triad 75
add fitting 79 cable tray 236–237, 244 tube
assembly components 202 covering 82 add fitting 79
covering 82 custom routing template 26 add to route 102
cross 25 ducting 236–237, 240 bend errors 95
custom configurations 138 edit 46 branch 91
DIN 298 equipment 201 connectors 91
downloadable content 298 flexible tube 92 constrain to fitting 79
drawing 159 flip direction 104 export pipe/tube data 97
elbow 24 gasket 143 flanges 91
equipment 201 hvac 236–237, 248 flexible route 92
flange 24 isolate 48 in line components 91
flange to flange connection 140 orthogonal auto route orthogonal auto route 93
gasket 143 orthogonal 93 remove tube 73
hangers 50 pipe hangers 50 repair route 105
ISO 298 pipe/tube data 97 segment properties 110
penetration 138 properties (specification) 28 start at point 100
pipe part 24 remove pipe 73 tee 91
reducer 25, 66 repair route 105 terminal components 91
remove pipe 73 repairs 105 tube part 91
route properties 100 re-route spline through clip 105 tubing see tube
skid 260 route on the fly 100
specification 28 routing template 26 W
split route 69 save to external file 111 walk-through 279
spool 141 segment properties 110 walk-through animation 279
tee 25, 66 specification 28
properties specification template 34 X
pipe route properties 100 split 69 XML file 217
route segment 110 start at point 100
start route 102
tubing 90
typical piping route 22
typical tubing route 90
virtual clip 304
virtual components 10
route errors 104
route specification template 34
routing
connection points 193
functionality points 193
routing points 193
routing library see library
routing point
rpoint 193

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SOLIDWORKS Routing:

Piping and Tubing

Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation

Tubes and Tubing Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Editing Piping Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Avatar Paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

Conventions Used This manual uses the following typographic conventions:

Graphics and The SOLIDWORKS software sets a new

Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will:

Routes The route is actually a sub-assembly that includes a collection of

External The route sub-assembly is connected to

Route Sub-assembly Route Part

[Ribbon cable_1^Assem1] [Cable^Ribbon cable_1_Assem1]

Connectors are special part

Clips are Routing components for

Tubes are parts that follow the

Pipes, or more specifically

Standard Elbows are part

Assembly Fittings is a general

Routing Setup Routing is an add-in to the SOLIDWORKS Office component and

Where to Find It I Menu Bar: Options , Add-ins

2 Extract training files.

Routing File Routing relies on folders filled with standard electrical,

Where to Find It I Menu Bar: Options , Options , System Options, Routing

Standard tubes \Standard Tubes.xls

Covering library \coverings.xml

Tag scheme library \tag schemes.xml

Cable wire library \electrical\cable.xml

Component library \electrical\components.xml

Standard cable \Standard_Cables.xls

Covering library \electrical\coverings-electrical.xml

4 Routing File Locations and Settings.

Favorites Save Favorites of commonly used folders to speed up the process of

Using Windows Explorer to access the favorite:

Where to Find It I Menu Bar: Options , Options , System Options, Routing

7 General options settings.

Colors: Use specified colors when editing parts in On

Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

Note Unlike tubing, there are no options for flexible routes.

Tees Tees are used at positions where three

Crosses Crosses are used at positions where

Reducers Reducers are used at positions where two

Other Types Many other types of in line components

1 Open assembly template.

Creating a Piping routes are generally

Note Only the 6 inch configurations are

Note If a Route Specification is used, the Pipe selection options may be

Tip A route specification template will not be used in this example.

8 Select route template.

Note Pipes must be orthogonal routes.

The length of the route stubs (short lines that start

Both the number of elbows and the type are critical.

Where to Find It I CommandManager: Piping > Auto Route

10 Orthogonal auto route.

Note Some solutions may be undesirable because they create non-standard

11 Exit route sub-assembly.

Route Route Specification Templates can be

Where to Find It I Routing Library Manager: Route Properties

Using Route Creating a route specification template requires