Node
A Node refers to a connecting point between two elements such as pipes, reducers, valves or expansion joints. The maximum # of nodes in a model cannot exceed 9,999; while the maximum node number itself cannot be greater than 99,999. Usually, a node has a numeric designation. In CAEPIPE, occasionally, you may have a need to reference a node followed by a letter such as A/B/C/D/J. These are automatically generated internal nodes. A and B nodes (e.g., 20A, 20B) designate the near and far ends of a Bend node (see section on Bend). J, C and D (e.g., 10J, 10C, 10D) designate a Jacketed pipe and a Jacketed bend (see section on Jacketed Piping).
In the Layout window, node numbers are typed under the column titled Node. A node number may be typed as an integer or an integer followed by one of the letters A/B/C/D/J. Use “Location” type to specify more than one data item at a node (See section on Location).
The starting node in a piping system is always a node of type “From,” which is usually anchored.
Nodes not only act as connect points for elements but also act as locations for providing supports or applying restraints/external forces and moments to the piping system. Each node has six static degrees of freedom (three dynamic), three translational (in x, y and z directions) and three rotational (about x, y and z axes). Any or all of them may be restrained using supports.
Specifying Coordinates
The values typed in the DX, DY and DZ fields on the Layout window are interpreted as offsets from the previous node. If required to specify absolute coordinates for a node (i.e., fix the location of a point in space), the node has to be of type “From” or should have an asterisk (*) at the end of it (e.g., 20*). In these cases, the numbers entered in the DX, DY and DZ fields are interpreted as absolute coordinates of the node rather than offsets from the previous node. If the coordinates for a particular node are duplicated the second set of values is ignored. An asterisk (*) for a “From” node is ignored too.
You can list all coordinates by selecting Coordinates under Misc menu (or click on the Node header or right click on any node number). This feature can be helpful for verifying correctness of the input.
In the Layout window, you can search for a node by using the “Find node” command (under the View menu, or use Ctrl+F), specify a “Node increment” for automatic node numbering (under Options menu), and renumber nodes for a range of rows (under Edit menu)
Automatic Renumbering
When you delete a row with a node number in the Layout window, CAEPIPE automatically renumbers nodes from the top starting with the number you have specified under the main window > File > Preferences > Automatic Renumbering. Note that this is different from the user-performed selective renumbering of a range of rows from the Edit menu.
When turned on, deleting a row triggers an automatic renumbering operation inside the Layout window. So, if you do not want such to happen, turn the feature off from the main window.