Project Data Files
Project Data files are CSV files that store all project specific design information. You create Project Data files when you set up Spec-Driven Piping for each piping project.
To set up Spec-Driven Piping, you must define each piping specification and assign piping data to them using the Define Piping Specification dialog box (
Spec DB). Spec-Driven Piping writes this piping data to the following Project Data files:
Spec DB). Spec-Driven Piping writes this piping data to the following Project Data files:• Specification Directory Files—Store all piping specifications, mnemonics, colors, layers, insulation codes, and assigned Auto-Selection files that you selected for a piping project.
• Auto-Selection Files—Contain all pipes, fittings, bends, miters, and assembly fittings that you selected for a piping project. Spec-Driven Piping retrieves this data from the Master Catalog (MCAT) files.
• Insulation Directory Files—Contain all insulation files, insulation codes, and colors that you selected for a piping project. Spec-Driven Piping retrieves this data from the Master Catalog (MCAT) files.
The Fitting Category Map Files are Project Data files in which you assign fitting categories to Fitting Category buttons in the 
Insert Fitting and 
Insert Group Fitting dialog boxes. These buttons allow you to easily access all fittings for the selected pipeline specification during fitting insertion.
Insert Fitting and Insert Group Fitting dialog boxes. These buttons allow you to easily access all fittings for the selected pipeline specification during fitting insertion.How Project Data Files Work
As you design a piping project and select piping specifications, Spec-Driven Piping uses the Project Data files to retrieve the piping data that you assigned to each specification and dynamically populates the current dialog box. This simplifies the piping design process.
For example, before you begin designing your piping project, you set up Spec-Driven Piping. You assign piping data to piping specification records A7A, 12A, and 14C. Spec-Driven Piping retrieves the data from the Master Catalog (MCAT) files and saves the records in the Project Data files. As you create the pipeline or insert a fitting for specification 12A, only the piping data that you assigned to the specification 12A record becomes available and populates the dialog box. All other data remains archived.
 | Spec-Driven Piping saves all Project Data files in one directory. You can change this directory by setting the piping_project_data_dir configuration option. |