---
title: How to set Pressure Network Catalog for a drawing
description: "## Motivation Setting the pressure network catalog for a drawing differs from [setting the gravity network catalog](/docs/how-to-set-gravity-network-pipe-structure-catalog/), primarily because the gravity network catalog is set on a *per-machine basis*, whereas the pressure network catalog is set on a *per-Parts List…"
url: "https://civilwhiz.com/docs/how-to-set-pressure-network-catalog-for-a-drawing/"
updated: "2025-08-27"
category: Networks
---

# How to set Pressure Network Catalog for a drawing

## Motivation

Setting the pressure network catalog for a drawing differs from [setting the gravity network catalog](/docs/how-to-set-gravity-network-pipe-structure-catalog/), primarily because the gravity network catalog is set on a *per-machine basis*, whereas the pressure network catalog is set on a *per-Parts List basis*. This is an important distinction to keep in mind.

## Set the Default Pressure Catalog for New Parts List

From our experience, setting the pressure network catalog via the command line **Home tab -> Create Design panel -> Set Pressure Network Catalog** (as shown below)

![Set Pressure Network Catalog](/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/set_pressure_network_catalog.png)

or using the `SETPRESSURENETWORKCATALOG` command **does not work**.

To be more specific, it only works when you want to assign a default Pressure Part Catalog when you are creating a new Parts List. But as shown below, pressure network can support multiple part catalogs, so this diminishes somewhat the need to set a first and default catalog.

To do this via C# code, refer to [here](/docs/set-gravity-and-pressure-network-catalog-via-code/)

## Add in multiple Catalogs on a Parts List

To add in more Pressure Network Catalogs ( Pressure Network supports multiple catalogs), you must do it on a **Parts List** basis.

- Navigate to **Toolspace -> Settings -> Pressure Network -> Standard Parts List**.
- Right-click and choose **Edit…**.

![Pressure Network Catalog Settings](/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/settings-pressure-network.png)

- Click **Load New Catalog** and choose an `.sqlite` file from the catalog path.

![Load New Catalog](/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/multiple-new-catalog.png)

Once completed, you will be able to load multiple catalogs into a single **Parts List** within a drawing. *Unfortunately there is no C# equivalent way of doing this, yet*.

To add new materials/pipe/fitting/appurtenance size to the **Pressure Pipe** (or **Fitting** or **Appurtenance**):

- Click on the **Pressure Pipe** tab.
- Click **Add Material**.

![Add Material](/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/add-material.png)

You can then choose **Pressure Pipe** materials from multiple catalog sources, as shown below:

![Add from multiple catalogs](/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/add-from-multiple-catalog.png)

After making your selection, click **OK**. The related **Pressure Pipe Sizes** will now be available in the drawing for use via the **Swap Pressure Part** operation.

## Gotchas

Similar to the gravity network, the pressure network catalog must be fully available on the machine to properly use the **Pressure Pipe/Fitting/Appurtenance** sizes. For more details, refer to [this post](/docs/part-size-part-family-parts-list-and-network-catalog-for-gravity-and-pressure-networks/).

  [![](https://civilwhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/someoneme.jpg)](https://civilwhiz.com/author/civilwhiz/)[Ngu Soon Hui](https://civilwhiz.com/author/civilwhiz/)

My passion is in [sharing knowledge](/about/) — Civil 3D or otherwise– with the world.

I’m also the [benevolent dictator for life](https://mes100.com/about-ngu-soon-hui/) at MES Innovation Sdn Bhd.