Powerful Way to Extract BOM of Parametric Pipe Support in AutoCAD Plant 3D

Are you wondering how to extract BOM of parametric pipe support correctly?

If you’re working with custom parametric pipe supports in AutoCAD Plant 3D and struggling to generate a Bill of Materials (BOM) — you’re not alone. One common issue is that even after creating parametric components using Python, their metadata does not show up in the Piping.dcf SQL database, making BOM extraction nearly impossible through traditional means.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to extract BOM of parametric pipe support correctly — using the PipeRouting SDK API, sample DLLs, and external tools. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate developer, this post outlines everything you need to know to succeed.

Table of Contents

1. What’s the Problem with SQL BOM in Plant 3D

2. The Right Way to Extract BOM of Parametric Pipe Support

3. Step-by-Step: Load PipeRouting SDK DLL in Plant 3D

4. Use the FittingEdit Command to Access Dimensions

5. How to Export to Excel or Report/Isometric

6. Helpful Links and Resources

7. Key Takeaways

What’s the Problem with SQL BOM in Plant 3D

When you create parametric pipe supports using Python or Plant 3D’s custom scripting, your dimensions (L1, H1, W1, etc.) are stored as part of the component geometry — but not written into the SQL database (Piping.dcf). As a result, your custom parts may show up in the project, but their dimensional data will not appear in standard BOM tables or reports.

Here’s a visual breakdown of this issue:

Dimensions like L1, H1, and W1 are visible in the support model but do not appear in the SQL database. This prevents automatic BOM generation for parametric parts.

The Right Way to Extract BOM of Parametric Pipe Support

To extract BOM data for these supports, Autodesk recommends using the PipeRouting SDK API provided through its AutoCAD Plant 3D developer tools.

This API allows you to:

• Access and read geometry parameters

• Use commands like FittingEdit to modify and extract dimensions

• Export the data to Excel or include them in custom BOM reports

This method does require some knowledge of .NET (C#) programming, but it’s currently the only supported way to access parametric pipe support data programmatically.

Step-by-Step: Load PipeRouting SDK DLL in Plant 3D

Follow these steps to set up and use the SDK:

Step 1: Download the SDK

Get the AutoCAD Plant 3D SDK from Autodesk APS:
https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/autocad-plant-3d-and-pid

Step 2: Load the DLL in AutoCAD Plant 3D

1. Open AutoCAD Plant 3D.

2. Use the NETLOAD command.

3. Browse to:
   PipeRouting\bin\x64\Debug\PipeRouting.dll

4. Load the DLL.

Once loaded, you’ll be able to use the commands provided by the SDK.

Use the FittingEdit Command to Access Dimensions

After loading the DLL, try using the FittingEdit command to select your custom pipe support in the drawing. This lets you:

• View the dimension parameters (L1, H1, etc.)

• Modify or extract values

• Extend functionality using C# scripts

Available SDK Commands:

• PipeRoute

• FittingAdd

• FittingEdit

• FittingSubstitute

If FittingEdit does not show up, check that the correct DLL was built and loaded using Visual Studio.

How to Export to Excel or Report/Isometric

You now have the dimensions — but how do you use them in reports?

Option 1: Export to Excel

• Modify the C# SDK code to write values to .xlsx

• Use libraries like EPPlus or ClosedXML

Option 2: Add to BOM / Reports

• Extend the report schema to include new custom fields

• Create custom Report Creator templates in Plant 3D

• Optionally, script isometric annotations

Exporting to isometric drawings may require editing the Isoconfig.xml or using Project Setup tools.

Helpful Links and Resources

• Plant 3D SDK API Overview

• Plant 3D Idea Station — Support Parametric BOM 

Key Takeaways

• Parametric support dimensions are not saved to the SQL database by default.

• To extract them, you must use the PipeRouting SDK API and C# programming.

• Once accessed, you can export the data to Excel or use them in custom BOM reports.

• Autodesk has not yet enabled this as a built-in feature — but several community threads are pushing for it.

Related Posts You May Like

• How to Create Custom Pipe Supports in Plant 3D

• AutoCAD Plant 3D vs Revit MEP — Which One Should You Use?

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