Piping Isometric Drawing: Understanding Rolling Offsets and Insulation Configuration

When it comes to piping isometric drawings, calculating the length of a pipe from the upper plane to the lower plane across the box can be challenging. This article will explore how to calculate the true length of the pipe and configure your isometric styles to show insulation and tracing on the isometric drawing.

Calculating Rolling Offsets

The first step in calculating rolling offsets is to determine the vertical angle, which is typically 45° for fabricated elbows. The RISE is calculated by subtracting the lower plane elevation from the upper plane elevation. This can be seen in Figure 13-28, where the SA of triangle 3 is equal to the RUN of the box, and the ROLL of the box is equal to the SO of triangle 3.

Configuring Isometric Styles for Insulation

To configure your isometric styles to show insulation and tracing on the isometric drawing, you need to modify the IsoConfig.xml file. This file can be edited using Windows Notepad or any other text editor.

The first step is to change the value of UseOffsetLineInsulation to 'true'. Be careful when editing this file as a typographical error could cause an isometric generation failure.

Once you have modified the file, go to Themes > Theme > Insulation and select the installed Final_ANSI-C Iso Style. This will allow you to configure your isometric styles to show insulation and tracing on the isometric drawing.

Default Insulation Setting

By default, if you set the insulation and/or tracing on a pipeline and drop the isometric, the insulation and tracing will not show on the isometric by default. However, starting with Plant 3D 2021, the representation of pipe insulation has changed. Typically, the Isometric Styles that are installed with Plant 3D do not show the insulation and tracing on the isometrics.

In this article, we have discussed how to calculate rolling offsets in piping isometric drawings and configure your isometric styles to show insulation and tracing on the isometric drawing. By following these steps, you can ensure that your isometric drawings accurately represent the pipe lengths and insulation configuration.

Piping isometric drawing