Part Size, Part Family, Parts List, and Network Catalog for Gravity and Pressure Networks

Civil 3D manages pipe and pressure networks using Part Size, Part Family, Parts List, and Part Catalog. This article explains their roles in Gravity and Pressure Networks, how they apply to drawings, and what happens if a catalog is missing.

Comparison of Part Components in Civil 3D #

How These Elements Are Applied in a Drawing #

Gravity Network Catalog (Machine-Based Setting) #

• The Gravity Part Catalog is per-machine, meaning that if you switch catalogs, it applies to all future drawings.
• The Parts List is stored in the drawing, so different DWG files can have different Parts Lists, even if they pull from the same catalog. Keep in mind that the Parts List acts as a pointer to actual part definitions, which are stored in the catalog.

Set Network Catalog. You can only set to one catalog at a time for the entire machine.

Pressure Network Catalog (Drawing-Based Setting) #

• The Pressure Network Catalog reference is stored in the drawing.
• Different DWG files can refer to different Pressure Network Catalogs, even on the same machine. Remember, the Parts List is just a reference to the real thing, which is located in the catalog.

Set Pressure Network Catalog dialog. Note that you can refer to multiple catalogs in the form of .sqlite format

So having just the drawing is not sufficient if you want to work on gravity and pressure networks, you’ll need the reference catalog as well. The missing catalog will cause the software to not function properly; see below.

What Happens If the Catalog is Missing? #

When a Part Catalog is missing on a machine, its effects vary based on the type of network: gravity networks rely on a system-wide catalog, whereas pressure networks store the catalog reference within each drawing.

Unable to edit network part is the error message that you will get if the catalog is not available, when you try to edit a Part Size in the Part Catalog .

Parts List will be missing from the edit tool if the master catalog is not available

How to Check If a Catalog Is Available? #

1. Gravity Network
   • Open Toolspace > Settings > Pipe Network Catalog Settings.
   • Verify the catalog path in Civil 3D to ensure the correct file location is set.
   • You can check the content of the catalog at the folder C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D <version>\enu\Pipes Catalog

2. Pressure Network
   • Open Content Catalog Editor.
   • Ensure the required .SQLITE files are loaded.
   • You can check the content of the catalog at the folder C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D <version>\enu\Pressure Pipes Catalog

How to Restore a Missing Catalog? #

1. Copy the missing catalog files (.SQLITE, .XML) from another machine, along with the correct folder.
2. Ensure the catalog path is correctly set in Civil 3D.
3. Restart Civil 3D to refresh the catalog reference.

Conclusion #

• Gravity Network Catalog is per-machine (switching catalogs affects all future drawings).
• Pressure Network Catalog is per-drawing (each DWG retains its own catalog reference).
• When catalogs are missing, existing parts remain but cannot be modified or expanded, because drawings are referring the catalogs on by reference basis.