Specification Directory Files
About Specification Directory Files
Specification Directory files are CSV files that store all piping specifications for a piping project. You create Specification Directory files when you set up Spec-Driven Piping for each piping project.
To create a Specification Directory file, you define all piping specification records by assigning the following data using the Define Piping Specification dialog box:
• Specification—All project specification names for a piping project.
• Mnemonic—Fluid or piping system assigned to each specification.
• Color—Color assigned to each specification. Spec-Driven Piping retrieves colors from the Piping Appearance Map Master Catalog (MCAT) file.
• Layer—Layer assigned to each specification.
• Auto-Selection File—Auto-Selection file assigned to each specification. Auto-Selection files store all pipe, fitting, and assembly fitting data that you assigned for each specification record.
• Insulation Code—Insulation code assigned to each specification. The insulation code points to the Insulation Directory file. This file stores the insulation data that you assigned to a specification.
How Specification Directory Files Work
• Pipeline Creation—After you open the Create Pipeline dialog box (Click 
Create Pipeline), Spec-Driven Piping retrieves all piping specifications from the Specification Directory file. You select a specification and Spec-Driven Piping retrieves the specification name, mnemonic, color, and layer from the Specification Directory file for the selected specification. This file also directs Spec-Driven Piping to the Auto-Selection and Insulation Directory files where Spec-Driven Piping retrieves the pipe, fitting, and insulation data that you assigned to the specification. Spec-Driven Piping populates the Create Pipeline dialog box with this data.
Create Pipeline), Spec-Driven Piping retrieves all piping specifications from the Specification Directory file. You select a specification and Spec-Driven Piping retrieves the specification name, mnemonic, color, and layer from the Specification Directory file for the selected specification. This file also directs Spec-Driven Piping to the Auto-Selection and Insulation Directory files where Spec-Driven Piping retrieves the pipe, fitting, and insulation data that you assigned to the specification. Spec-Driven Piping populates the Create Pipeline dialog box with this data.You select the piping data needed and click OK to create the pipeline. Spec-Driven Piping copies the selected piping data to the linestock and insulation features, the Route Pipe toolbar appears. You can begin to route the pipeline.
• Fitting Insertion—After you select a pipeline and insertion point, Spec-Driven Piping retrieves the piping data from the Specification Directory file. This data includes the specification name and the pipe size from the pipeline. The piping data directs Spec-Driven Piping to the Auto-Selection file where Spec-Driven Piping retrieves the fittings that you assigned to the specification. Spec-Driven Piping populates the appropriate fitting insertion dialog boxes with this data.
You select a fitting with the Fitting Category buttons. After you click a button, Spec-Driven Piping retrieves only the fittings (in the category) that you assigned to the Auto-Selection file for that specification.
For example, you click 
Insert Fitting and select the pipeline for specification 12A. You select the valve fitting category button to select a valve fitting. Spec-Driven Piping retrieves all valve fittings that you assigned to the specification 12A Auto-Selection file (12a_asfile.ptd). After you select the valve fitting, click Apply to insert it.
Insert Fitting and select the pipeline for specification 12A. You select the valve fitting category button to select a valve fitting. Spec-Driven Piping retrieves all valve fittings that you assigned to the specification 12A Auto-Selection file (12a_asfile.ptd). After you select the valve fitting, click Apply to insert it.The following table describes the Specification Directory file format:
Field Name | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
SPEC | Specification name. | YES |
MNEMONIC | Mnemonic name (system or fluid). | NO |
COLOR | Color name. | YES |
LAYER | Layer name - Maximum 31 characters. | NO |
AUTO_SELECT_FILE | Auto-Selection File name assigned to each specification. Points to the Auto-Selection File. | YES |
INS_CODE | Insulation code assigned to each specification. Points to the Insulation Directory File. | NO |
 | You can define the Specification Directory file name by setting the piping_spec_dir_file configuration option (default is piping_spec_dir.ptd). |
To Create a Specification Directory File
| | Because Spec-Driven Piping requires that you select an Auto-Selection file for each specification record (in the Specification Directory file), you must create the Auto-Selection files before you define the specification records. |
1. Create or open a piping an assembly.
2. Click > 
Piping. The Piping tab opens.
Piping. The Piping tab opens.3. Click 
Spec DB. The Define Piping Specification dialog box opens.
Spec DB. The Define Piping Specification dialog box opens.4. Click 
to create a new file. The New File dialog box opens.
to create a new file. The New File dialog box opens.5. Under Type, select Spec directory file and enter a file name. This file will contain all specifications for the entire piping project. It is recommended that you use a descriptive file name such as project_name_specs.ptd.
6. Click OK to open the file. Spec-Driven Piping displays the file name in the border next to Specification Directory File. You can begin to define a specification record.
7. Under Define Record, enter a piping specification name (required). The Specification box lists all specification records in the current Specification Directory file.
8. Type a mnemonic (optional). The Mnemonic box lists each mnemonic assigned to a specification record in the current Specification Directory file. If you assign a mnemonic, Spec-Driven Piping assigns the selected color to both the specification and the mnemonic.
9. Type a layer name in the Layer box for specification and mnemonic (optional).
10. Select a color (required). Colors can be assigned to the specification and mnemonic. The Color box lists all colors stored in the Piping Appearance Map (MCAT) File. You can define new colors ( > ).
11. Select an Auto-Selection file (required). Click 
to open the Select Auto Selection File dialog box. Select an Auto-Selection file and double-click. The selected file populates the Auto Selection box. The current directory is based on the directory path in the piping_project_data_dir configuration option.
to open the Select Auto Selection File dialog box. Select an Auto-Selection file and double-click. The selected file populates the Auto Selection box. The current directory is based on the directory path in the piping_project_data_dir configuration option.12. Do one of the following:
◦ Select the Insulation Code check box to assign an insulation code to the current specification record (optional). The Insulation Code box lists all insulation codes in the Insulation Directory Project Data file.
◦ Clear the Insulation Code check box and make the insulation codes unavailable to the specification.
13. Click 
to add the new specification record to the Specification Directory file. Spec-Driven Piping lists the record under Select Record.
to add the new specification record to the Specification Directory file. Spec-Driven Piping lists the record under Select Record.14. Click 
to save the file. The current directory is based on the directory path in the piping_project_data_dir configuration option.
to save the file. The current directory is based on the directory path in the piping_project_data_dir configuration option.15. Click > .
Example: Specification Directory File
Default Path
<Creo load point>/text/piping_data/sample_project/piping_specs_dir.csv
SPEC | MNEMONIC | COLOR | LAYER | AUTO_SELECT_FILE | INS_CODE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A7A | WC | YELLOW | a7a_layer | a7a_asfile | ES |
B7A | HC | BLUE | b7a_layer | b7a_asfile | EH |
D2B | MAGENTA | d2b_layer | d2b_asfile | EK |