CADWorx Plant I tab: Misc > Create 
Misc toolbar: Create 
Command line: USERCREATE
Creates symmetrical or nonsymmetrical user shape components. Symmetrical shapes require you to draw an outline that can be used to create the user component. Non-symmetrical shapes require a block or an object completely drawn in 2D and 3D that represents the complete component. A symmetrical object can be converted from 2D to 3D Mode, or vice versa, using the mode convert commands. It does not allow double-line to single-line conversion in 2D mode. Non-symmetrical shapes can only convert between isometric and solids (Convert Isometric or 3D Solids).
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Create the component.
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Click Create
, or type USERCREATE on the command line, and then press ENTER.
The Define User Shape dialog box displays.
You can also tag user shapes as optional components in the specification. This allows for an infinite number of additional components.
For symmetrically shaped components, draw a 2D polyline indicating the outline of the shape. The symmetrical shape is limited to straight lines between vertices in the polyline. In other words, there cannot be a fillet radius on any corner of the polyline. If fillets exist, the routine draws them with chamfered corners. Draw only half of the shape on one side of the centerline. We recommend preparing an outline before trying to draw the polyline. For example, draw the component using standard CAD methods or CADWorx components, and then draw a polyline around the contour.
For symmetrical shapes, the polyline may overlap as shown in the example below for
2D solids (drawn to each indicated point, PT1, PT2, and so on). For use with 3D solids,
the polyline cannot overlap (there cannot be a PT4 or PT7). If the polyline overlaps,
an ACIS error occurs indicating the object cannot be revolved.
For non-symmetrically shaped components, you must first create a 2D and 3D representation. This representation needs to show all the required details of the component. The 3D representation is used when in the 3D drawing mode. It can be used for orthographic and model-type representation. The 2D representation is used when in the 2D isometric drawing mode.
After the polyline or components are complete, click Create . This creates a data file in the required folder with the required file name. For
non-symmetrically shaped components, it also creates two drawing files: one 2D and
one 3D. The drawing names have appended in square brackets, the size and drawing mode
(for example, [4.0-3D]). The file name must be unique. User Shapes are stored in Product
Folder]\Plant\Spec. You can change were User Shapes are stored under Folder Setting in the Define User Shape dialog box.
Make sure to set a default size and specification first. Create must be run multiple times for creating components with different sizes.
Component Setup
Name
Specifies the name of the user shape. You have a limit of 16 characters for the user shape name.
Group
Specifies the group of the user shape, such as Valves, Tees, or Flanges. The group that you choose determines the category of the user shape. For example, if you select Valves for the user shape Group, then the user shape displays in the Valves list in the Spec View palette, and in the Component List when routing.
Number
Specifies the number of the user shape. Select a number in the range of 1 to 5.
Specification
Sets the specification for the user shape.
Color
Sets the color of the user shape.
Layer
Sets the layer for the user shape. This setting defaults to the layer named as the specification in the Define User Shape dialog box.
Material
Sets the material type of the user shape.
Density
Sets the density of the user shape.
Weight
Sets the weight of the user shape after you select the user shape in the drawing.
Length
Sets the length of the user shape after you select the user shape in the drawing.
Save to Catalog
Saves the user shape to the catalog.
Optional Component
Sets the user shape as an optional component.
With the use of optional components, a specification file can have an unlimited number
of user shapes.
Define Size and Geometry
Type
Sets the type selection for the user shape.
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Block
Specifies a block to form the shape. If you create the component on layer 0, the component inherits the specification color when inserted. This option requires a fully developed component drawn to the correct size with the CAD platform or CADWorx. The software removes any attached extended entity data. Use this option with non-symmetrical components.
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Select Polyline
Specifies a polyline to form the shape. The software automatically extracts all the points from the selected polyline. You must first select the reference and end points. Use this option with symmetrical components.
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Pick Point
Specifies each point required to form the shape. You must first select the reference and end points (PT1 and PT37 in the following figure). Use this option with symmetrical components. Press ENTER to end the sequence.
Main Size
Sets the main size of the user shape.
Reduction Size
Sets the reduction size of the user shape.
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Reducing
Specifies that the user shape has a reducing side. Also, activates the Reduction Size option so that you can set a reduction size for your user shape.
Combination Size
Specifies the combination size of the user shape, and allows you to create new size combinations for user shapes with multiple reduction. A combination size contains the sizes of the connections in the user shape. For example, if you create a user shape with a four inch main, a two inch reducing cross, a three inch reducing cross, a three inch reducing tee, a one and a half inch reducing tee, and end with a four inch main, your combination size displays from left to right based on your selection. So, if you select the four inch main, and then go down the line from the two inch reducing cross through the other reducing components, and end again with the four inch main, your Combination Size displays as: 4"x2"x2"x3"x3"x3"x1 1/2"x4". You can use the same combination size when creating new multi-reduction user shapes, or select New Combination Size to create another combination size with the same name.
Select 3D Solid
Creates 3D user shapes.
Select 2D Double Line
Creates 2D double line user shapes.
Select 2D Single Line
Creates 2D single line user shapes.
Isogen Symbol Information
Identifier
Identifies the isometric information for the component.
SKEY
Sets the SKEY for the user shape.
Define Connection End Types
Define or Redefine Connections
Defines up to eight connection points for the user shape. You must have previously selected the user shape with either Select 3D Solid, Select 2D Double Line, or Select 2D Single Line.
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Main
Specifies the main connection point of the drawing.
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Reduction
Specifies the reduction connection point of the drawing.
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Geometry
Specifies a geometry point for the user shape. The geometry point is a point on the user shape without a direction, such as the center point of a tee. This allows for multiple angled user shapes. You can select a geometry shape after you select the first connection point on the user shape while defining connections.
Apply same end type and rating to all ends
Specifies that all connection points have the same end types and ratings. Select the Apply same end type and ratings to all ends check box, to apply the same end types and ratings to all connections.
Connection
Enables you to select a connection point to specify the End type and the Isogen Symbol for that connection.
Size
Specifies the size of the component at that connection. You can also use this size option to define multi-reduction user shapes. The sizes you define here combine together to become the Combination Size and also display as the combination size in the Alpha Size of the Component Edit dialog box.
End type
Specifies the end type for the selected connection.
Isogen Sym
Specifies the Isogen symbol for the selected connection. This defaults to the same as the End type, unless you specify otherwise.
Applicable Gasket
Specifies the gasket selection code of a specific gasket for the user shape. For more information, see Selection Codes Tutorial.
Applicable Bolt
Specifies the bolt selection code of a specific bolt for the user shape. For more information, see Selection Codes Tutorial.
Backing Flange
Specifies a lap joint back up flange when the component end type contains the Stub-End/Adapter Lap End Type setting. You can set this end type setting when you create a custom end type. Your catalog and specification must contain a lap joint flange for a component to display in the Backing Flange list. See also New End Type.
If you create a component less than 1/16" long (2 mm when in metric mode), the associated xdata inserts a block named XATB. The component is located on the default layer named SYSTEM instead of the CL layer so that it does not plot or display while this layer is turned off.
If you create a non-symmetrical component, a block named NATB inserts at the start point. This block, like the XATB block, contains all the associated xdata and acts as any other component.
When you do not draw a 2D representation of a non-symmetrical component (you only created the 3D representation option) and you convert the component to the 3D mode, the NATB remains. This block can be converted to 2D but does not have any graphics in the 3D mode. You can move and control the NATB and XATB blocks just as with any other CADWorx component.
Rating
Component Class
Sets the specification class for the user shape.
Temperature Rating
Sets the highest temperature allowed for the user shape.
Pressure Rating
Sets the highest pounds per square inch allowed for the component.
BOM
BOM Type
Sets the bill of material type for the user shape.
Sort Sequence
Sets the sort sequence of the user shape.
Folder Settings
Listed Location
Specifies the default location where the user shape saves.
Folder
Defines the save location for the user shape.
Browse
Enables you to search the computer folders for a specific location.
Description
Long
Specifies the long description for the component. You can change the long description, by clicking the Long ellipsis which opens the Long Description Format dialog box. You can also type information in the Long box. Blue words are keywords and you can select and copy them. Black text is a simple text string and can be edited as needed. When the description format is empty at the component level, then the box under Description reads Using Specification Format. If the description format is empty at the component level and at the specification level, then the box under Description reads Using Project Format.
Short
Specifies the short description of the component. You can change the short description, by clicking the Short ellipsis which opens the Short Description Format dialog box. You can also type information in the Short box. Blue words are keywords and you can select and copy them. Black text is a simple text string and can be edited as needed. When the description format is empty at the component level, then the box under Description reads Using Specification Format. If the description format is empty at the component level and at the specification level, then the box under Description reads Using Project Format.
Tag
Specifies the tag information of the component. You can change the tag format, by clicking the Tag ellipsis which opens the Tag Format dialog box. You can also type information in the Tag box. Blue words are keywords and you can select and copy them. Black text is a simple text string and can be edited as needed. When the description format is empty at the component level, then the box under Description reads Using Specification Format. If the description format is empty at the component level and at the specification level, then the box under Description reads Using Project Format.
Part Number
Specifies the part number information of the component. You can change the part number format, by clicking the Part Number ellipsis which opens the Part Number Format dialog box. You can also type information in the Part Number box. Blue words are keywords and you can select and copy them. Black text is a simple text string and can be edited as needed. When the description format is empty at the component level, then the box under Description reads Using Specification Format. If the description format is empty at the component level and at the specification level, then the box under Description reads Using Project Format.
For more information on the Description Format dialog boxes, see Long, Short, Tag, and Part Number Format Dialog Boxes.
Notes
Specifies any notes attached to the component.
When placing non-symmetrical user shapes
Up
Rolls the component by 90 degrees. This option turns the component up if the non-symmetrical component has a branch-like extrusion.
Down
Rolls the component by –90 degrees. This option turns the component down if the non-symmetrical component has a branch-like extrusion.
Roll
Allows the non-symmetrical user shape to be rolled at any angle. When the component has been flipped with one of the mirror options, the angle may need to be negative. If the rolled angle input is incorrect, retype the angle as a negative to correct it. When the component has been turned up or down with one of the options above, rolling is from that location.
mirrorX
Mirrors the non-symmetrical user shape along the X-axis. After a shape has been mirrored, it has an effect on all the options above. Run this option again to place the component back in its original position.
mirrorY
Mirrors the nonsymmetrical user shape along the Y-axis. After a shape has been mirrored, it has an effect on all the options above. Run this option again to place the component back in its original position.
mirrorZ
Mirrors the nonsymmetrical user shape along the Z-axis. After a shape has been mirrored, it has an effect on all the options above. Run this option again to place the component back in its original position.
<Pick rotation>
Rotates the nonsymmetrical user shape by the angle you specify. This option causes the command to exit, and the options above become unavailable. This should be the last option chosen.
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