Insert valves along a pipe

Revit
1

i’m trying to use MEPover package MEPFitting.ByPointsAndCurve node to insert multiple valves along single pipe by pick points, the tricky part is ListOfPoints, how to achieve this?

manually using UI, i will break pipe w/ gap (by pick point on that pipe), insert valve at end of one pipe, join another pipe w/ valve, not difficult but since multiple valves need to be inserted into same pipe, thought maybe Dynamo can help.

2

This is just a list of coordinates where you want the fitting placed. You can probably determine those locations mathematically if you’re doing any sort of standardized placement. How do you want the multiple valves placed? If you’re just going to manually select the location you’re probably better off using the UI.

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3

that’s what i thought, besides, you also have to consider breaking up pipe and joining valve w/ pipe, thanks Nick.

4

This should be automatic through the UI if you just place a fitting at a pipe location rather than breaking, placing, and joining. You can similarly automate this in Dynamo with good data management. Just make sure you’re using the correct methods between fittings and accessories.

5

right, but the issue is when using automation, the UI picked point needs to be EXACTLY “match” the point on pipe center line, so some kind of “projection” is needed

6

What’s the issue you’re trying to solve? Revit already automates the connections of an accessory or fitting when you place it on a pipe. What’s your reasoning for automating the process multiple times? It would be easier and faster to place the element through the UI unless there’s some sort of rule for how you want these valves placed that you could automate. If you just want to manually pick each location then you might as well manually place the family.

7

currently manual UI is the best option, just wonder if there’s way to pick point along a line (say pipe in coarse mode) in Dynamo? seems only pick point on face available OOTB

8

I think you’d have to pick a point on the surface and then project that to the line like you originally suggested. But why? What are you trying to automate that isn’t already automated in Revit. That’s what’s unclear.

9
  1. Pull the pipe curves onto the view’s plane. This makes ignoring the Z coordinates in the view possible.
  2. Extract the location (x and y only) of a selected point in the view.
  3. Get the distance from the XY point to each curve.
  4. Group and sort the pipes by their distance.
  5. Get the first group from the sorted lists of groups.
  6. If there is only one item in that list, return that as the item to host the valve to; otherwise ask the user which of the pipes they intended.
10

thanks jacob for the steps, sounds like good way to get around points issue.

you’re right Nick, manual UI should be enough for my current workflow, perhaps for future use i hope.

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