Multiple Networks in a Project
Create multiple independent heat networks in one project, switch the active network and copy or move network objects between networks
Overview
A VICUS Districts project can contain any number of independent networks. Each network has its own nodes, routes and settings. Exactly one network is the active network: the network panel, all topology tools, pipe sizing and the calculations all refer to it. Selected nodes and routes of other networks can be copied or moved into the active network.
Switching the active network
- The Network: combo box at the very top of the network panel – the selection sets the active network.
- In the navigation tree, all networks appear below the Networks entry; the active network is highlighted in bold.
Non-active networks remain visible in the scene (unless hidden via the light-bulb icon in the navigation tree) but are not edited or calculated.
Creating a new network
When drawing pipes and nodes, a combo box selects the target network; the plus button next to it opens the Add network dialog (New network name:) and creates an empty network. The GIS import also creates its own network in the project when importing a network.
Adopting objects into the active network
If nodes or routes are selected that belong to a non-active network, the Add to current network button appears at the top of the network panel. It opens the Assign to current network dialog with the question of whether the selected network objects should be copied or moved:
| Option | Effect |
|---|---|
| Copy | The selected nodes and routes are copied into the active network; the source network remains unchanged. |
| Move | The objects are adopted into the active network and removed from the source network. Mixer nodes that still have routes of the source network attached remain there. |
The action can be undone with the undo function.
Typical use cases
| Use case | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Construction phases | Create each expansion step as its own network. To calculate an expansion state, adopt the relevant parts into an overall network via Copy. |
| Variants | Duplicate a network by selecting all objects and copying them into a newly created network; then vary the route layout or pipes and compare results. |
| Relocating a subnetwork | Select a subnetwork that was accidentally drawn or imported into the wrong network, set the target network active and adopt the selection via Move. |
Notes
- The Network is connected: display in the General & topology tab always refers to the active network. After merging subnetworks, Find network parts helps to track down remaining isolated parts.
- Copied objects receive new IDs; references to pipes and plants from the databases are preserved.
Practical tip:
Use multiple networks in one project deliberately to keep planning variants cleanly apart. Since each network carries its own nodes, routes and settings, you can, for example, keep different route layouts or pipe ranges in parallel and directly compare the steady-state results – without overwriting the original variant. Give the networks meaningful names (by double-clicking in the navigation tree) so that you keep the overview.