To Nicolas Ariel,

Our office has had good results importing piping geometry from AutoPlant by using Isogen PCF files. These are not perfect, and if Isogen crashes, then there is nothing for CaesarII to use. If the Isogen dwg is complete, then the PCF file should be usable. Some of the problems Isogen could encounter include connectivity problems of the components. A problem found with long pipe rack lines occurs when the line crosses over multiple models with the result that Isogen re-starts at each model boundary and over-writes the dwg / PCF file with same line file name.

Assuming the PCF file is good, then the CaesarII \Tools\ External Interfaces\ PCF screen will allow you to browse + choose the PCF file. A few clicks to specify other data, click 'OK', and then message 'Conversion COMPLETED' lets you know it was successful. Additional PCFs of the same line can be converted. When all PCFs for the line are done, then click the 'Finished' button. A file with PCF name plus ".C 2" suffix will be in the same folder. Use the CaesarII 'File + Open' to view the stress model geometry. The rigids will probably need to be defined for valve weights, supports defined as shoe, guide, stop, spring, etc. There might be some supports missing in the converted model which need to be added back into the stress model.