Patent ID: 7991597

Claim:
A method implemented in a computer system for creating a three-dimensional system model of a hydraulic system, comprising: (a) constructing a two-dimensional (2D) connectivity model in a computer system, wherein the 2D connectivity model comprises a plurality of node points and a plurality of segments interconnecting the node points using a node-segment convention for the hydraulic system; (b) constructing a three-dimensional (3D) segment model for each of said plurality of segments of the two-dimensional (2D) connectivity model by receiving a selection of a segment in the two-dimensional (2D) connectivity model and launching a segment modeling interface for the selected segment, to construct the 3D segment model by: (i) receiving an orientation for the selected segment; (ii) receiving fitting information for the selected segment and building a list of pipes and fittings in a fittings section corresponding to the constructing of the 3D segment model; (iii) generating 3D coordinates for the selected segment based on the orientation and the fitting information; and (iv) while constructing the selected segment, automatically determining by the computer system whether the 3D coordinates for the selected segment conflict with a previously constructed 3D segment model by comparing respective 3D coordinates and indicating a conflicting portion in an error warning output to the user when a conflict having been determined, thereby reducing a potential for errors in subsequent hydraulic calculations; (c) constructing a 3D system model of the hydraulic system by combining each 3D segment model constructed in step (b) in an integrated 3D view; wherein step (b) further comprising splitting a selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models, upon receiving a user-selection of a position in the list of pipes and fittings in the fittings section, by inserting a junction at a location in the selected 3D segment model corresponding to the position in the list to split the selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models.