Why are all the fittings and pipes drawn extremely large?

PipeFitPro draws fittings in both Metric (mm) and Imperial (inches). Try checking the 'Draw units' setting in PipeFitPro Options. The options are accessible from the main 2D & 3D PipeFitPro dialog box. There is a choice if either Metric (mm) or Imperial (inch) draw units. See below:

Can PipeFitPro draw pipe fittings in block form?

PipeFitPro does not draw fittings in blocks. However you can incorporate any existing blocks you have by using the insert blocks command already in PipeFitPro (the bottom right command).

For each size you can set a path for where blocks are stored on your PC using PipeFitPro Options. Then using the PipeFitPro toolbar, you can quickly insert existing blocks.

Does PipeFitPro Draw Valves?

No - not yet. We first developed this product to address the daily requirement of a piping and fitting program for designers using AutoCAD®. We have concentrated on getting PipeFitPro Intuitive and reliable, with commands that really help you to get a job done.

We have found that heavy mechanical items like valves will vary greatly for their function and manufacturer especially with the many new automatic valves, - we always recommend drawing valves as you go and saving them in a library. Quite often mechanical equipment drawings are not certified until purchased which is near the end of a design stage, therefore knowing the geometry of valves is not known during a piping layout. For mechanical arrangements, we have found it is always important to draw all mechanical equipment to a suppliers drawings.

PipeFitPro Version 5 is being developed. We have a few new piping commands and will add new features for drawing plate flanges and we have incorporated a unique function for drawing valves, in 2D and 3D Solids, based on user defined dimensions. Look out for it soon, or join our newsletter to receive new products news.

Could you suggest a way to create 2D drawings from the 3D model?

From AutoCAD® 2007 onwards, there is a new 'flatshot' command in AutoCAD®. This enables 3D drawings to be 'flattened'. Hidden views and isometric views can be made proper as 2D drawings with lines and circles/arcs.

Are there any instructions or tutorials for PipeFitPro?

The PipeFitPro Help and User Documentation contains program and command information which can be viewed by picking the Help button in PipeFitPro (when installed in AutoCAD®). We are currently working on a new 3D AutoCAD eBook which runs through 3D modeling in AutoCAD®.