The Pipe is used to simulate the time required to move material from one object to another. It can appear as either a cylindrical pipe, or as a simple conveyor.
Details
The Pipe carries material from one point in the model to another. It is most often needed when the modeller has to take into account the time required to move material from one point to another. It is also used if the modeller needs to send material from multiple objects to a single input port on another object or when material from one output port needs to be split.
The modeller specifies a maximum content and maximum flow rate for the Pipe. The amount of time that it takes material to travel through the Pipe is based on these two values. The maximum flow rate is used as the maximum input and output rate. The actual output rate is based on the rate that material came into the Pipe. The material will go out of the Pipe at the same rate it came in, unless the Pipe "backs up". If one of the output ports does not receive all of the material that the Pipe tries to send, the material in the Pipe "backs up" and more is available to be sent during the next tick.
The modeller also selects an output flow mode. There are three modes available. The first flow mode is called "Flow Evenly." In this mode, the Pipe attempts to divide the output rate evenly between the output ports. The second flow mode is called "First Available." In this mode, the Pipe tries to send all of the material that is ready to be sent to the first output port. If that object can not receive it all, the Pipe tries to send it to the next port, and so on. The third mode is called "User-Defined." This mode allows the modeller to edit the maximum port input and output rates, as well as the port scale factors. The modeller also has access to the AdjustInputRates and AdjustOutputRates functions. Unlike the other fluid objects, the modeller can read but can not change the object input and output rates using these two fields.
The Pipe has no level indicator bar, but does have some visual indications of its state. When the Pipe is empty, it is shown as a solid gray color. When material is moving, the Pipe is shown in the color assigned to it, but that color is fading in and out. When the Pipe is blocked and unable to send, it is drawn in its assigned color and does not change.
The modeller can change the look of the Pipe by editing the Pipe's Layout Table. Each row of the table represents a single, straight section of the Pipe. The modeller can define how long the section is and what its diameter is. They can also specify the angles around the Z and Y axis that the pipe will rotate for the next section. There is also a column that allows the modeller to state whether or not the joint between this section and the next one will be drawn. By editing this table, the modeller can make the Pipe look however they need. The modeller also has the option of displaying the Pipe as a simple conveyor. When the Pipe is drawn as a conveyor, the Layout Table is still followed, only the option to display the joints between sections is ignored.
States
Empty - The Pipe has no material in it.
Filling - The Pipe received material, but no material has been sent out recently.
Starved - The Pipe has material, but has not sent or received any recently.
Flowing - The Pipe has material that is it currently sending downstream.
Blocked - The Pipe has material that it is unable to send downstream. The material in the Pipe is "backing up".
Properties pages
Pipe
Layout
Triggers
Labels
General
