Use a Pipe () dataset, selected from the More Datasets submenu, for visualizing pipe networks by providing a 3D representation of the pipes, with a correct visualization of their shape. The dataset forms a 3D mesh and evaluates expressions for all vertices of the mesh. It can handle variations in the shape of the cross section along the pipes’ length. The pipes must have a defined cross section in the physics interfaces, and it must be a 3D model if you want to use it directly. For a 2D pipe model, you can use an Embed 2D dataset and then refer to that dataset in the Data section.

From the Physics interface list, choose All (the default) to use pipe physics from all applicable physics interfaces, or choose any applicable physics interface. All is useful to visualize the 3D geometry (while evaluating a trivial expression like 0), but that option will fail to evaluate variables that are defined locally inside each physics interface. Selection subnodes can also be used to select the edges that the intended physics is using.

Enter a scaling of the beam as a scalar value in the Scale field (default: 1).

Enter a refinement as an integer between 1 and 5 in the Refinement field (default: 2).

If desired, you can change the value in the Walls relative tolerance field (default: 10−4). This value is used for the definition of the internal walls inside pipes and must be greater than a similar value defined in the physics.

In this section, you create variables that evaluate to the coordinates in the dataset’s coordinate system. Enter variable names in the x’, y’, and z’ fields (the default names of the space coordinates are pipe1x, pipe1y, and pipe1z, respectively, for the first Pipe dataset).