Provides options for creating new materials and editing material attributes, such
as end preparation, bore, and dimensions. You can also use the Material Builder to
remove materials from the database. To open the Material Builder, select Insert New Material 
or Edit Material 
on the Database window toolbar. You can also select Insert > New Material.
The Material Builder window is divided into four main sections: the tree view (1), the material diagram control (2), the main data area (3), and the Sizes grid (4). The window also includes a horizontal toolbar and a status bar.
Material Builder Toolbar
Displays icons for commonly used commands. Many of the commands on this toolbar are identical in name and functionality to those on the Material Editor horizontal toolbar.
The commands on the horizontal toolbar impact the state of the currently active database,
including the item group and filter settings.
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Show Only Pipe limits the display of materials in the current database to pipes. Affects the display of materials in the Material Builder and in the Database window. |
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Show Only Fittings limits the display of materials in the current database to fittings. Affects the display of materials in the Material Builder and in the Database window. |
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Show Only Flanges limits the display of materials in the current database to flanges. Affects the display of materials in the Material Builder and in the Database window. |
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Show Only Gaskets limits the display of materials in the current database to gaskets. Affects the display of materials in the Material Builder and in the Database window. |
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Show Only Valves limits the display of materials in the current database to valves. Affects the display of materials in the Material Builder and in the Database window. |
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Show Only Instruments limits the display of materials in the Material Builder tree view to instruments. Affects the display of materials in the Material Builder and in the Database window. |
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Show Only Miscellaneous Items limits the display of materials in the Material Builder tree view to miscellaneous items. Affects the display of materials in the Material Builder and in the Database window. |
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Show Only Supports limits the display of materials in the Material Builder tree view to supports. Affects the display of materials in the Material Builder and in the Database window. |
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Show Only Bolts limits the display of materials in the Material Builder tree view to bolts. Affects the display of materials in the Material Builder and in the Database window. |
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Show Only Welds limits the display of materials in the Material Builder tree view to welds. Affects the display of materials in the Material Builder and in the Database window. |
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Show Only Additional Materials limits the display of materials in the Material Builder tree view to additional materials. Affects the display of materials in the Material Builder and in the Database window. |
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Show All displays all the materials that reside in the current database. Affects the display of materials in the Material Builder tree view and in the Database window. |
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Filter Builder opens the Filter Builder dialog in which you can create and apply filters. See Filters. |
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Turn ON/OFF Filter toggles on and off the current filter. Affects the display of materials in the Material Builder and in the Database window. |
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Copy Material copies the selected material to the Material Editor internal clipboard. For more information, see Copy and paste materials between components. |
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Paste Material pastes the data that currently resides on the Material Editor internal clipboard. See Copy and paste materials between components. |
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Material Wizard opens the Material Wizard utility. This utility automates the process of creating item code, description, and SKEY data for new materials. See Use the Material Wizard to define item code and description data. |
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Validate Size Grid reviews the entries in the Sizes grid to ensure sure that the values are valid. Also fills in empty cells where possible and adds missing unit values. |
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Sort Size Grid (Small to Large Bores) sorts the bore sizes in the Sizes grid from small to large. |
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Sort Size Grid (Large to Small Bores) sorts the bore sizes in the Sizes grid from large to small. |
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Save saves the changes to the active database. |
Material Builder Tree View
The tree view in the Material Builder is similar to the tree view in the Database window. However, unlike the tree view in the Database window, the Material Builder tree view displays component types that are empty. That
is, they currently have no materials within them. Component types that are empty display
in the tree view with the 
icon, whereas those that are populated display with the 
icon. As such, when you are creating materials for your database, you can tell at
a glance what still needs to be done in terms of materials that need to be added.
The item group that initially displays upon opening the Material Builder corresponds
to the item group that is active in the Database window. However, you can use the Show Only commands on the Material Builder horizontal toolbar to change the group that is currently
displayed. For example, if you select Show Only Valves 
, then the Material Builder tree view displays only valves.
Expanding an item group node displays its respective component types, and expanding the node of a component type displays the individual materials within it.
As in Windows Explorer, use 
and 
to navigate through the tree view, expanding and closing nodes.
When you select a material in the tree view, the software retrieves its information from the active database and displays it in the main data area, the material diagram control, and the Sizes grid.
Material Builder Main Data Area
The main data area of the Material Builder allows you to view, define, and edit material data. When you select an item type in the tree view, the software retrieves its material data from the MDB Information table and displays it in the main data area. In the example below, a globe valve is selected in the tree view (1); the software retrieves the necessary material data and displays it in the main data area (2).
When you create a new material, you use the main data area to define the required item attributes. You can also use the main data area to edit material data, and then update the database with the new attribute data.