---
title: "Metric Tutorial Chapter 2 - Creating the Network"
canonical: "https://help.innovyze.com/space/infodrainage2020v2/16416944/Metric%20Tutorial%20Chapter%202%20-%20Creating%20the%20Network"
format: markdown
---
| **File/s needed: ** |
| --- |
| Click to download the [**Metric Tutorial Model files**](https://help-innovyze.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/16417714/ID2020.2_Metric_tutorial_files.zip?version=1&modificationDate=1614652343000&api=v2). |

## Object Templates

Object Templates allow parts of the network design process to be automated with pre-defined structures.

1. Continue working on your previous file or open **C****AD Import****.iddx**, but save it to a file called **Creating a Network.iddx.**
2. Turn off the **Surface** and **Deluge** layers in the Tree View.
3. Create an object by going to **File > Object Templates**.> Macro (inline-media-image)

  
  
Templates can be made for any object, but for this example, we will only use a Manhole template.
4. Select **Junctions** then click the **+** icon to add a new manhole.> Macro (inline-media-image)
5. InfoDrainage will prompt us for a name to save this template (use **ID_Metric_Intro_Tutorial.idtx**). Click **Save**.
6. Enter a name to identify this manhole (use **Manhole Template**) and enter in a **Depth** of 2 m.> Macro (inline-media-image)
7. The other values are left as zero as they can be extracted from the CAD and Surface Data. Click the Cross button to exit out of the **Template** form. Data is automatically saved.

## Drawing the Network

1. Select the **Snap** option in the **Plan** ribbon. This precisely attaches paths to drawings depicted from the CAD data.> Macro (inline-media-image)
2. Go to the **Build** ribbon and select **Add Network**. Select the **Manhole Template** template, which we have just created, using the drop-down menu immediately to the right of the **Add Network** button.> Macro (inline-media-image)
3. Start by left-clicking near the houses in the South West of the catchment and continue to connect the manholes downstream, as seen in the following image. Finish the path by pressing the **Esc** key.
4. Click on the **Select Tool** in the Toolbox, otherwise more manhole will be created when you click on the Plan view.> Macro (inline-media-image)
5. The default font size makes the view difficult to distinguish so it is useful to change the labels to make it easier to read. Right-click on the **Plan** and open the **Display Settings **form to change this. Select the **Plan** tab and enter **4 m** as the **Text Height **then close the form.> Macro (inline-media-image)
6. Click the **Connections** button in the **Build** ribbon, or double-click on **Connections** in the **Tree View**,** **and rename “Pipe(x)” to “Px" as shown below. Click **OK**.> Macro (inline-media-image)

> Macro (inline-media-image)
7. To rename the manholes, select the **Tables** button from the **Build** ribbon. Select the **Junctions** tab in the **Tables** dialog, click the little junctions icon > Macro (inline-media-image)

 then expand and turn on all the tick boxes. It may then be necessary to close the Table and open it again. Then enter the new names below. Click **OK **to apply the changes.> Macro (inline-media-image)

> Macro (inline-media-image)
8. Plan colours can be changed for better visibility. Right-click on the Plan view and select **Display Settings. **It is also possible to lock layers when you are happy with their location.> Macro (inline-media-image)
9. Next, we will add the other part of the branch line. Using the **Add Network** button on the **Build** ribbon, add in a branch line from the West of the catchment to **MH8**. Press the Esc key to connect the new branch to **MH8.**
10. Open the **Connections** again and renumber the new pipes from **P14** up to **P18**.
11. Open the **Tables** and renumber the new manholes from **MH15** up to **MH19**.

## Catchment Areas

The catchment areas can now be defined, either by manually digitising them or importing them. In this example, they will be imported.

1. From the **Import** ribbon, select **Inflows (From CAD).**  
> Macro (inline-media-image)
2. Locate the .dwg file used previously and then click **Next**.> Macro (inline-media-image)
3. Click **Deselect All** then turn on the** Areas** layer and click **Next** again.> Macro (inline-media-image)
4. You can leave the default **Catchment Area** template selected and click **Finish.**  
> Macro (inline-media-image)
5. The areas will automatically be assigned to the upstream of each branch. To move the icon, **Click** with the left mouse button and hold down the **Shift** key on the keyboard to drag it separately to the area **Outline**. The **Catchment Areas** can be renamed if needed. > Macro (inline-media-image)
6. Save the file.