====Creating Pipework====

This guide will walk you through the process of creating pipework and connections between your assets.

===Understanding Pipework===

One very important thing to know - an asset can only have **one connection for every relationship type**.

So if your pump supplies water to three different systems, you need to create //one// connection that reaches all three systems - you can't create three distinct water connections. (However, there is an approach in [[ardiveadmin:nodes_advanced]] to help with highly-connected devices).

===Important Notes===

You should consider if you actually **need** pipework in your scene. Often it is complex to build, difficult to create and can be awkward to maintain. We suggest only including extremely important lines.

//Note that the pipework system can be somewhat difficult to use and there are planned changes to this system in the future.//

===Starting the Connection Editor===

The pipe editor can be started from the [[step_one_-_opening_the_editor_interface|editor interface]].

The process is...

1) Select an object that is connected to the pipe you wish to create. We usually suggest choosing the //upstream// asset.

-2) Enter Editing Mode (using the slash/divide key (/) on the numeric keypad.

===Editing an Existing Connection===

To edit an //existing// connection, simply click on it. 

Note that connections have a lower priority for clicking than some other visual elements, so your assets might get in the way of your pipework. If that happens, move the camera to a new position and try again. 

You can then begin to [[Add and Edit Connection Nodes]].

===Creating a Connection===

Press the Connection Editor button at the menu on the bottom of the screen.

You will then be asked //which// of the connections you are planning on drawing.

{{:ardiveadmin:connectionchoice.png?400|}}

In ARDI-VE, you can only create pipes along your **physical relationships**. That means that if you want to connect part A to part B by a length of pipework, ducting or cable, you'll need to ensure that there is a matching physical relationship in the ARDI configuration for those assets.

You can then begin to [[ardiveadmin:create_a_connection|Create A Connection]].