When you add or edit a removal operation, the Smart Pipe Removal Operation Editor dialog box opens. Removal operations have two sets of parameters, Settings and Conditions.

1. Click the Settings tab to edit settings.
   • Preserve Network Integrity—Select Preserve Network Integrity if you want Skelebrator to ensure the topological integrity of your network will not be broken by a removal operation. All non-junction node elements (valves, tanks, pumps and reservoirs) will remain connected to the network, and the network will not be disconnected by Skelebrator. Total system demand will be preserved. Any junctions marked as non-removable will also remain connected to the network.
   • Remove Orphaned Nodes—Select Remove Orphaned Nodes if you want Skelebrator to find and automatically remove any nodes left disconnected from the network after removal operations. (Orphaned or disconnected nodes are solitary nodes no longer connected to any pipes. By virtue of the nature of pipe removal, junctions can be left disconnected.) Note that Skelebrator does not remove any orphaned nodes that were orphaned prior to skeletonization. This option is not available if the preserve network integrity is not selected. If you leave this option unchecked, your model will contain junctions not physically connected to the hydraulic network, which will result in warning messages when you run your model.
   • Loop Retaining Sensitivity—Adjust the loop retaining sensitivity in order to control how sensitive the pipe removal algorithm is to retaining loops in your model. The lower the setting is, and in the absence of any other limiting conditions, the higher number of loops will be retained in your model (i.e., loops are less likely to be broken). Conversely, a higher setting will favor retaining less loops in your model. Use this setting in tandem with Skelebrator's preview feature to get a feel for the effect of the various settings. This option is only available if you have selected the Preserve Network Integrity option.
2. Click Conditions to edit or create pipe conditions. You can add more than one condition.
3. Click Add to add pipe conditions. You can add more than one condition.
4. Or, select an existing condition and click Edit to modify a selected condition.

The condition editor allows you to define pipe conditions that determine which pipes are included in the Smart Pipe Removal process. It is acceptable to define an operation that has no conditions (the default). In this case no pipes will be excluded from the skeletonization based on any of their physical attributes alone.