Introduction
FluidFlow offers extensive customization options, enabling users to tailor both the flowsheet workspace and the environment to their specific workflow requirements. Properly configuring these settings can significantly improve modeling efficiency, enhance visual clarity, and ensure consistency across projects.
This guide explains how to access and configure flowsheet options, create and manage environment sets, and apply best practices to optimize your FluidFlow experience—helping you work more efficiently while maintaining design accuracy.
Customizing Flowsheet Options
Accessing Flowsheet Settings
To access Flowsheet customization options:
Navigate to the Options menu in the main toolbar
Select Flowsheet from the dropdown menu
The Flowsheet Options dialog will appear with multiple tabs for different settings categories
Note: Changes made in the Flowsheet Options dialog can be applied to either the current model only or to all open models. Select Apply Changes to All Open Flowsheets to implement the changes across all open flowsheets.
Flowsheet Options Settings
General
The General tab contains fundamental settings that affect the overall appearance of the flowsheet such as:
Flowsheet width & height
Scale - 10% to 400%
Grid style - Fine, Coarse, or Hide
Snap options - Isometric, Orthogonal, or None
Background color
Crosshairs color
Elements
The Elements tab allows you to show or hide certain labels including:
Unique Names: Show or hide component identifiers
Node/Pipe Numbers: Display numerical identifiers for network elements
Warnings Highlight: Control how warning indicators appear on components
Other customizable options include:
Highlight color
Warning color
Minimized node icons - reduces clutter in large models
Pipe ends and arrowheads scaling
Properties on Flowsheet
The Properties on Flowsheet feature helps visualize results by displaying them directly on your flowsheet. Configure these settings to enhance your visual feedback:
Show/Hide Properties: Toggle visibility of property information
Make Properties Transparent: Toggle transparency of property displays
Sort Input and Result Names: Organize properties alphabetically
Input Properties Background: Customize the color for input values
Result Properties Background: Customize the color for calculated results
Font Settings: Modify text appearance for better readability
Flybys
Flybys provide quick information when you hover your mouse over components:
Show/Hide Flybys: Toggle visibility of popup information
Flyby Transparency: Adjust the opacity of flyby windows
Flyby Alignment: Control the position of flyby information relative to components
Background Color: Customize the appearance of flyby windows
Graphic Objects
This tab allows you to control the visibility of text annotations, images, charts, tables and other graphic objects (rectangles, round rectangles, circles) on the flowsheet.
Miscellaneous
Split Pipe on Insertion: When enabled, automatically divides pipes when components are added to them
Example: If you add a valve to a 10-meter pipe with this option enabled, FluidFlow automatically creates two 5-meter pipes connected to the valve.
Auto Rectangular Selector: Activates the Rectangular Selector automatically with click-drag actions
Auto-scroll flowsheet: Automatically scrolls the flowsheet to display components selected from the data palette list when they're not visible
JSON export settings: Controls whether to include results in JSON files and use result property names in JSON exports
Automatic Backups: Enables periodic automatic saving of your work
Applying Flowsheet Settings
After configuring your preferred options:
Apply to All Open Networks: When checked, applies changes to all currently open models
Default: Saves your current settings as the default for new models
Reset to Defaults: Restores original FluidFlow settings
Creating and Managing Environment Sets
Understanding Environment Sets
Environment Sets store collections of settings that control various aspects of the FluidFlow working environment, including:
Default component input values
Unit systems and decimal precision
Calculation result display preferences
Export options for reports and data transfers
Flyby content configuration
FluidFlow includes two default Environment Sets upon installation:
System International: Uses metric units (meters, kilograms, Pascals)
US Basic: Uses imperial units (feet, pounds, psi)
Creating a Custom Environment Set
Rather than modifying the defaults, it's recommended to create a custom Environment Set:
Select an existing Environment Set from the Options toolbar that best matches your needs
Navigate to Options → Environment → Save Environment in the main menu
Enter a filename (e.g., "Project A Environment" or "Metric Pump Testing"), then click Save to create a renamed copy
Customize the settings as needed
Changes will automatically be saved for the selected Environment Set
Key Environment Set Functions
You can access and modify Environment Set components using these function keys:
Function Key | Purpose | Common Use |
F4 | Component Defaults | Change default settings for each component |
F5 | Excel Columns | Select which data columns export to spreadsheets |
F6 | Flyby Options | Customize information shown in component flybys |
F7 | Report Columns | Configure data for documentation exports |
F8 | Visible Results | Select which parameters appear in Results |
F9 | Result Units | Set measurement units and decimal places |
F4: Default Component Settings
Customize the default values for new components.
Example: If your projects typically use Schedule 5 pipes instead of Schedule 40, you can change the default pipe schedule to avoid manually updating each new pipe.
To modify default component settings:
Press F4 or navigate to Options → Environment → Component Defaults
Select the component type (e.g., Steel Pipe or Duct)
Modify the default values (length, classification, etc.)
Click OK.
F5 and F7: Configuring Export Options
Control what data appears when exporting to Excel or other supported files:
F5 determines which columns appear in Excel exports
F7 configures content for other reports
For both options, you can select:
Input parameters (green banner)
Calculation results (purple banner)
F6: Customizing Flyby Information
Configure the content that appears when hovering over components:
Press F6 or navigate to Options → Environment → Flyby Options
Select the component type to customize
Check or uncheck parameters to show or hide them in the flyby display
Click OK.
Tip: For complex models, consider showing only the most critical parameters in flybys to reduce clutter and improve readability.
F8: Results Tab Configuration
Control which calculation results appear in the Results tab:
Press F8 or navigate to Options → Environment → Visible Results
Select the component type to customize
Check parameters to display them or uncheck to hide them
Parameters can be selected individually or in groups by checking block headers
F9: Units and Decimal Places
Customize units of measurement and result precision:
Press F9 or navigate to Options → Environment → Result Units
For each parameter type, select the desired unit and number of decimal places
Additionally, configure gas volumetric conditions and solids-based preferences
Example: Change NPSH unit from meters of fluid with 1 decimal place to feet of fluid with 3 decimal places for more precise analysis.
Applying and Managing Environment Sets
After configuring your Environment Set:
It will be available for selection in the Options toolbar for future use
You can switch between different Environment Sets at any time, even mid-project
Sets can be exported and shared with other FluidFlow users
Best Practices
Create environment sets tailored to specific types of projects or client requirements
Choose a background color that provides good contrast with your components
Enable the grid for complex layouts to assist with component alignment
Always duplicate default Environment Sets before customizing to maintain originals
Use descriptive names for custom Environment Sets that indicate their purpose
Enable automatic backups to prevent data loss during customization
Configure flybys to show only essential information to reduce visual clutter
Standardize settings across a team to ensure consistency in projects
Periodically review your settings to ensure they still match current project needs
FAQs
Q: Will Flowsheet changes affect existing projects?
A: Yes, if "Apply to All Open Networks" is selected. Otherwise, changes apply only to the current model.
Q: Can I revert to original settings if I don't like my customizations?
A: Yes, by selecting Reset to Defaults in the Flowsheet Options dialog or switching back to one of the default Environment Sets.
Q: Are Environment Sets file-specific or program-wide?
A: Environment Sets are program-wide and can be applied across multiple projects. They're not tied to specific model files.
Q: Can I share my Environment Set with colleagues?
A: Yes, you can save your Environment Set, locate it in the Preferences folder, and share it with other FluidFlow users.
Q: Do I need to restart FluidFlow after changing Environment Sets?
A: No, changes take effect immediately without requiring a restart.
Q: Can I have different Environment Sets for different types of projects?
A: Yes, you can create multiple specialized Environment Sets and switch between them as needed.
Q: Will changing units in the Environment Set require recalculation of my model?
A: No, changing units only affects how results are displayed, not the underlying calculations.
Conclusion
Customizing Flowsheet options and Environment Sets in FluidFlow allows you to create a modeling environment that matches your specific workflow requirements. By tailoring these settings, you can improve visual clarity, reduce repetitive tasks, and ensure consistency across projects.
Investing time in properly configuring these options yields significant benefits: increased productivity, reduced errors, and clearer communication of design intent through standardized presentations.
Properly configured customization settings transform FluidFlow from a powerful calculation tool into a personalized engineering environment that enhances productivity, improves model clarity, and ensures consistent, high-quality deliverables across your projects.