Working with network objects

This article provides instructions on how to create new network objects in the KeyAqua Nexus system. 

Learn about:

• Available network objects
• Basic structure of the object panes
• Creation of new network objects
• Handle drawing options and other features related to object creation

Network objects available

When you click the Createtool, Nexus displays a categorized list of object types that can be placed in the network. Each object type represents a specific asset; such as a duct, manhole, valve, branch or pumping station and opens an object pane where its geometry and properties can be defined.

Each object pane also adapts its contents based on the selected object type. For example, Water ductpane provides material and diameter selections and Water manholepane contains lid‑related properties. Each object type mainly displays attributes that are relevant to documenting and managing that particular asset.

Objects are organized by network:

• General 
• Water Network
• Sewer Network
• Heat Network (additional)

Layout of the object pane

Objects in KeyAqua Nexus can be created through an object pane that opens when selected from the Createmenu or by selecting an existing object from the map. The object pane allows users to create objects, edit the object’s geometry, update property information, and manage related documents.

Although the available fields differ between object types, the function of the object pane remain consistent with and exception of the Structure tab. Each pane contains three or four tabs:

1. Geometry – contains tools for creating and modifying an object’s geometry. The content varies depending on whether the object is a point, line, or polygon, but the workflow is similar for all geometry types.
2. Details – contains all property information related to the selected object. Fields are grouped into sections that contain information related to the object. Mandatory fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
3. Attachments – is used to store external documents related to the object. These may include installation instructions, inspection reports, field photos, permits, or any other supporting files.
4. Structure (available only for ducts) - contains additional information related to the selected object, such as Renovation details.

Creating a new object

There are several ways you can create new objects in the KeyAqua Nexus system. You can start from scratch or you can use existing objects information as a base for the new object. Always select the correct object from Createmenu. For example, use the Water ductpane to create a new water duct, and the Sewer branchpane to create new sewer branch.

To create a new object in your network, follow these steps:

1. Click Createfrom the Side bar.
2. Choose the correct object pane from one of the four drop-down menus.
   1. General 
   2. Water network
   3. Sewer network
   4. Heat network (additional)
3. Specify the location of the object by defining its geometry on the map. Read more: Geometry of a line object and Geometry of a point object.
4. You are also able to edit information of a new network object you are drawing. Before clicking Create, you must fill at least all the mandatory fields in the Details (marked with an asterisk (*)) tab:
   
5. Click Create from the object pane.
6. After creating the object, you can add additional information, such as renovation details, on the Structure tab.

Geometry of a line object

1. Start defining the geometry of a line object by clicking the required starting point on the map using the left mouse button. 
2. Continue by digitizing each required point one at a time. Click the left mouse button at each location where the line should change direction or continue. 
3. Finally, end the digitization by clicking the left mouse button twice at point where you want your line object to end.

You can also place a line object on the map by entering its coordinates manually. At the top of the menu, you can add a new vertex to the geometry grid by clicking the plus (+) symbol. You can also import or export coordinates to and from the system as needed by clicking More options. 

• Enter the longitude coordinate in the N field.
• Enter the latitude coordinate in the E field.
• Enter the height coordinate in the Z field.

Drawing options of a line object

• From Snapping, you can choose whether the object you create snaps to another object’s point or the nearest point. When Point is selected, draw the end of the line object to the point object and left-click to snap it, then right-click to finish snapping and drawing:
• The Following function allows line objects to follow existing elements, such as ducts. 
  • When you select Completely under the Following option, you can point to the starting point of a duct. The line object will then automatically follow the entire path of the duct and continue digitization from its endpoint.
  • If you only want the line to follow part of the duct, choose the Partially option. This lets you follow the duct up to a specific point, after which you can continue digitizing freely.
• To draw a line parallel to an object at a defined distance, specify the desired Distance in the drawing settings.
• Snap to lid: Gives the line object the Lid elevation value of the point object it snaps to if that point object is a manhole. For any other point object, it gives the line object the point object’s Elevation value. Enable snapping to use this feature.

Geometry of a point object

Define the geometry of a point object by clicking the left mouse button at the required location on the map.

You can also place an object on the map by entering its coordinates manually. You can also import or export coordinates to and from the system as needed by clicking More options. 

• Enter the longitude coordinate in the N field.
• Enter the latitude coordinate in the E field.
• Enter the height coordinate in the Z field.

Drawing options of a point object

• From Snapping, you can choose whether the object you create snaps to another object’s point or the nearest point. When Point is selected, place the point object on top of the end of the line object and left-click to snap it, then right-click to finish snapping and drawing:
• Cut linear object when snapping option allows you to cut a linear object and place. Enable Snapping to use this feature.
• Height to lid: Gives the point object the same height to Elevation field as the line object it snaps to. For manholes the height value will be added to Lid elevation.
• Coord from form:
• Cut linear object when snapping: Splits the line object into two parts at the point where the point object snaps to it. Enable snapping to use this feature.
• From the Placement scale menu, choose the desired scale for object creation. New objects will be sized proportionally according to the selected scale, ensuring they appear correctly in outputs such as printouts—for example, at a 1:2000 scale, individual objects will be clearly visible.

Start and end node information

Connections shows the point objects that the line object is connected to at its beginning and at its end. Click Open formto open the details of the connected object.:

• Beginning connection: The point object connected to the beginning of the line object, for example a manhole.
• Ending connection: The point object connected to the end of the line object. The field is empty if the end of the line is not connected to any object.

Catalog

The Catalog feature allows you to save network object's property values as templates. Templates store predefined values that can be applied when creating new objects.

The Catalog is available from the Createtool and can contain templates for different network object types, such as water ducts, sewer ducts, and other network assets.

Saving an object template to the Catalog

You can create a new template from an existing object, or from an object currently being created when all the mandatory fields are filled.

1. Open the desired object pane.
2. Enter the property values you want to reuse (at least fill all the mandatory fields marked with an asterisk (*)).
3. Open the Actions menu in the upper-right corner:
4. Select Save into catalog.
5. Enter a name for the template and click Create:
6. The template is then stored in the Catalog and becomes available for future use:

Set as default

When a template is Set as the defaultfrom the Options, its stored attribute values are automatically loaded whenever the corresponding object type is created. Every object type can have its own default template.

The current default template is marked with a checkmarkon the list. To remove the default selection, click Remove from defaultsfrom the Options:

If no templates are set as default, the object opens with empty fields.

Duct renovation information

The renovation information on a water duct and sewer duct is saved on the Structure tab. Renovation can take place either for the entire duct between two nodes, for a defined length, or for some other section of the duct. If renovations have been saved for the duct, they are listed on the tab. 

To store renovations in the selected duct, click Add new renovation from the Structure tab tools.

The renovation information includes the mandatory fields, Duct ID, Swagelining category and Method, and the non-mandatory fields Lining part, Year, Length, Material, Brand, Thickness, and Diameter.