The H-Factor

What Machines to Buy Now?

The question now arises, what machine to buy for all this 3D stuff. This from one of our customers

“We just ordered 12 machines: They’ll all be 64 bit with Windows 7 Ultimate loaded… 9 gigs of ram, 10,000 rpm Raptor hard drives, and NVidia 260 video cards with 1.8 gigs of ram on them”

This sounds great to me. Now that the Vista horror show is over, and we work on 64-bit operating systems, it's a good time to take advantage of what is out there.

Now, if he would just send me one to test for a couple of years, I'd be happy...

Saving Your Menu Customizations

This topic comes up after every update. I am going to re-post an earlier post on the Workspaces topic, which covers this as well.

You do not need to create a Workspace in order to save CUI menu changes, but it is a good idea:

In HydraCAD Version 50/51 we have fully implemented Workspaces. These are stored in the CUI (menu) file. A few tips:

To add your own Workspace –

Arrange the screen the way you want it (command line, scroll bars, ribbons, whatever) and pick Save Current As: from the Workspace toolbar

To make your Workspace load upon opening a drawing –

Pick Customize from the Workspace toolbar and then right click on your preferred Workspace and pick Set Default.

To save your Workspace so that it will still be around after you update HydraCAD –

Pick Customize and pick the Transfer Tab. Then, drag your Workspace from the Main CUI File window over to the New CUI folder. Drag over whatever else you want to save (Toolbars, Menus, Ribbon Stuff, Cursor Menu, etc). Then pick the Save command from the New CUI window to save your changes.

To import your Workspace(especially after a HydraCAD update) –

Pick Customize and pick the Transfer Tab. Open your CUI from the New CUI window. Then, drag your Workspace from the New CUI File window over to the New CUI folder. Drag over whatever else you want to bring in (Toolbars, Menus, Ribbon Stuff, Cursor Menu, etc).

In HydraCAD Version 50/51 we have fully implemented Workspaces. These are stored in the CUI (menu) file. A few tips:

To add your own Workspace –

Arrange the screen the way you want it (command line, scroll bars, ribbons, whatever) and pick Save Current As: from the Workspace toolbar

To make your Workspace load upon opening a drawing –

Pick Customize from the Workspace toolbar and then right click on your preferred Workspace and pick Set Default.

To save your Workspace so that it will still be around after you update HydraCAD –

Pick Customize and pick the Transfer Tab. Then, drag your Workspace from the Main CUI File window over to the New CUI folder. Drag over whatever else you want to save (Toolbars, Menus, Ribbon Stuff, Cursor Menu, etc). Then pick the Save command from the New CUI window to save your changes.

To import your Workspace(especially after a HydraCAD update) –

Pick Customize and pick the Transfer Tab. Open your CUI from the New CUI window. Then, drag your Workspace from the New CUI File window over to the New CUI folder. Drag over whatever else you want to bring in (Toolbars, Menus, Ribbon Stuff, Cursor Menu, etc).

Upgrading to Windows 7

Just a quick note to say the following:

If you have Windows XP, then you cannot 'upgrade' to Windows 7. You will have to do a full install of Windows 7 and then reinstall all your software.

If you have Windows Vista, then you will be able to upgrade directly to Windows 7, no re-installation necessary.

That is all

Changing Double-Click Behavior to Change Attribute Edit

Sorry for the long absence. I was just helping wrap up to large projects (hint, hint) that are finally done! News about those next week.

Some of you miss the old (pre-2007) double-click behavior whereas you got a full dialogue of attributes when you double-clicked on a block. AutoCAD changed this some time ago, but with V50/50 and the CUI file, it is very easy to bring back.

1. Type in CUI

2. Pick Partial CUI Files, ACAD, Double Click Actions and then pick Attribute Block, Edit Attribute

3. Erase the first 'e' from _eattedit to make it _attedit under the Macro entry and pick OK

That will do it. Notice you can alter double click behavior for any type of AutoCAD entity. We do this ourselves for one of our HydraCAD entities, the HydraPipe in our own section of the menu.

LAYDEL - A Nasty AutoCAD that should never be used

Don't use Format->Layer Tools->Layer Delete on any of Hydratec's stuff. I fact, I don't recommend using it in architect stuff, either. Here's why - besides deleting everything on the selected layer and the layer name itself, it also redefines all blocks that have a foot in that layer and remove those parts that do.

An example is one of our pipe sizes. If you were to select on when using this command, you would be notified thusly:

******** WARNING ********

There are 4 block definition(s) which reference the layer(s) you are deleting.
The block(s) will be redefined and the entities referencing the layer(s)
will be removed from the block definition(s).

You are about to delete layer "SPRKDATA" from this drawing.

Do you wish to continue? [Yes/No] <No>:

So, this not only gets rid of everything on SPRKDATA, it also redefines the PIPEX block and removes all the attributes that refer to SPRKDATA, in short - the Length and Diameter. The only fix (if it is too late to UNDO) is to start a new drawing and insert this drawing into it

Autodesk Releases Update 1 for AutoCAD 2010

8/19/09 - Autodesk released Update 1 for AutoCAD 2010. This can be downloaded from Autodesk Update 1 for AutoCAD 2010 - It fixes about 200 things, according to the list of changes found on that webpage.

There do not seem to be any compatibility issues with HydraCAD at this time. Is has fixed some odd errors that some customers have reported seeing.

Thanks Ed from Aero!

Calculating With a Pump but No City Supply in HydraCALC

I have gotten two calls on this in the last two days, so that makes it a good blog topic.

What if you have a pump and a tank, but no city supply? This one is simple:

1. End your piping with the reference point PUMP (any name will do, but be consistent)

2. Set up a pump in the Water Source dialog as follows - Connection = PUMP, Inlet = PUMP and Outlet = PUMP

That's all

Letting HydraCAD Figure the Slope of Sloping Pipe

Many of you know how to specify a sloping pipe. You simply use the Define Sloping Pipe command on the Pipe Elevation flyout of the Piping toolbar. You enter the Rise and Run and then pick the appropriate ends of the pipe depending on how you answered the Low End/High End question.

But what is you don't know the slope? Or you don't feel like figuring it out? Easy: If you input a rise of 0 and a run of 0 the program will calculate the slope and pipe length when you switch to the System Model. To do this, pipe elevation defLines are required on both ends of the sloping pipe. This is similar to the requirement for computer generated Riser Nipple lengths. Just make sure to pipe the pick the appropriate ends of the pipe depending on how you answered the Low End/High End question.

Hydratec Website No Longer Down

The website is back up - at least www.hydracad.com is. It was never 'down', it was just accessible, if that makes sense. Just blame a sequence of providers and hosters for the difficulties if you want.

We are still trying to get the other domain, www.hydratecinc.com going. hopefully tomorrow. Thanks for your patience.

Autodesk Announces New Update Pricing Scheme for 2010

According to Autodesk, starting next March you are going to be charged significantly more to upgrade your one, two or three year-old versions to the newest version. In the past, Autodesk charged a step by step price depending on how old the AutoCAD was. Not anymore. Now, upgrading the three most recent versions will cost 50% of the list price of a new version. Even a one-step upgrade like 2010 to 2011 (anticipated).

Here is their statement:

"Autodesk is introducing a new, streamlined upgrade pricing model on March 16, 2010. Under our current upgrade pricing model, the price of your upgrade depends on which product release you own. After March 15, 2010, your upgrade from any of the three previous software releases will cost 50 percent of the price of a new license, no matter which release you own."

On retired versions, such as AutoCAD 2007 and older, you will now have to pay full price to buy a new version. We do not know yet if this means the Legacy Program is gone forever.

The solution? Get on the Autodesk Subscription Program.

Is this to drive revenue for the rest of the year, only to have them back down at the last moment and go back to the old pricing levels? Time will tell.

More Here: Simplified Upgrade Pricing Begins March 16, 2010

Getting Your AutoCAD 2010 Manuals

Ever notice how the box your new AutoCAD came in keeps getting smaller and smaller? We have.

Once upon a time that box used to be 9 x 12 and 5 inches thick. It contained a hard cover User Manual, and soft cover Customization Guide and LISP Programming Reference Manual. Nowadays there is a small Getting Started booklet and that's it. I am sure their bean counters decided that most people don't read a manual, so why include them? <Editorial> I think they are being cheap. </Editorial>

But there's more, unseen to your eyes. There are now three books (one of them is in three volumes) and you are entitled to one of them free for each seat of AutoCAD you own.

Go to the website: Autodesk Documentation Request and after you fill in your part number and serial number you will be able to select one of three books:

User's Guide
Customization Guide
ActiveX & VBA Developer's Guide

Which will be sent free of charge. No shipping charges either. If you have more than one seat or a network version then you can order a different book for each seat. Collect them all.

Ever notice how the box your new AutoCAD came in keeps getting smaller and smaller? We have.

Once upon a time that box used to be 9 x 12 and 5 inches thick. It contained a hard cover User Manual, and soft cover Customization Guide and LISP Programming Reference Manual. Nowadays there is a small Getting Started booklet and that's it. I am sure their bean counters decided that most people don't read a manual, so why include them? <Editorial> I think they are being cheap. </Editorial>

But there's more, unseen to your eyes. There are now three books (one of them is in three volumes) and you are entitled to one of them free for each seat of AutoCAD you own.

Go to the website: Autodesk Documentation Request and after you fill in your part number and serial number you will be able to select one of three books:

User's Guide
Customization Guide
ActiveX & VBA Developer's Guide

Which will be sent free of charge. No shipping charges either. If you have more than one seat or a network version then you can order a different book for each seat. Collect them all.

Changing Attribute Color, Height, Style and Rotation

Unbeknownst to many, HydraCAD has a command (shortcut CAP) that will change many properties of attributes within a block. I have used it mostly for changing the text style used or the color (usually set be the background author) of attributes, but it does more than that.

This command is also available on the HydraTools->Modify->Attributes menu and the HydraTools toolbar

Controlling Xref Fading in AutoCAD 2010

In 2010, xref'd layers are shown faded by default. According to JTB World there is a new AutoCAD variable that controls that: XDWGFADECTL

Go to tools > options > display tab > and at the bottom right corner find FADE CONTROL. Under it is xref display.

Or, type it in, and set it as you desire (from AutoCAD sysvar reference):

XDWGFADECTL

Type:	Integer
Saved in:	Registry
Initial value:	70

Controls the dimming for all DWG xref objects.

The valid XDWGFADECTL system variable value is between -90 and 90. When XDWGFADECTL is set to a negative value, the Xref Fading feature is not turned on, but the setting is stored.

0	DWG xref objects are not faded.
>0	When the value is positive, controls the percent of fading up to 90 percent.
<0	When the value is negative, xref objects are not faded, but the value is saved for switching to that value by changing the sign.

This and a list of other new 2010 variables can be found at JTB World New 2010 Variables

Changing the Size of Riser Nipples in V50/V51

From a Customer:

I was wondering if there is a way of changing the size of the “new” riser nipples (HYDRAPIPES)? I feel it is to small and when you pretty pipe and plot your drawing you can’t see the nipple, just the font.

Answer:

Yes, there is.

1.Type in SDO or pick the SMaRTools Options button from the HydraCAD SMaRT toolbar.

2. Pick the HydraPipe Settings tab.

3. Pick the Restore HydraCAD Defaults button. This usually does it. If you want a different size than that, then specify that in the Global Riser Diameter Settings fields to the left.

Turning Your Library of Blocks into a Tool Palette

I posted about this before, but not concerning a wholesale replacement of your blocks with tool palettes.

If you have a large library of your own details and blocks, you can convert entire folders at a time to tool palettes by using the Design Center:

1. Press CTRL+3 to open the tool palette (if not already open)
2. Now open up the Design Center using CTRL+2
3. Navigate to the folder where you have the blocks you want added to the palette
4. Right-click on the folder and pick Create Tool Palette

Repeat as necessary

This will create a palette named after the folder you selected and containing all the blocks in that folder.

See this post for more general details

Obtaining Updated HydraLIST Manual Content

From a customer:

Q: Is the latest HydraLIST Manual dated 1999?

A: Yes. The printed manual is for the most part very accurate. However, the Help file is constantly updated - usually with every HydraLIST update and even some partial updates. In addition, there was a new manual created specifically for the HydraLIST Select (50.16) Update and produced in PDF form. Also, the How Do I....? Feature in the Help file is also updated regularly.

For the HydraLIST Select (50.16) Update Manual:

Pick the Help pulldown menu in HydraLIST and pick the HydraLIST PDF Manuals item. From here you will get a few choices. Pick 'HydraLIST Select Update Manual_V50.0.16.pdf' for documentation on all the new Select features. Pick 'HydraLISTv50-14.pdf' for the original 1999 manual in PDF form.

For the Newest Features in Each Version:

Pick the Help pulldown menu in HydraLIST and pick Contents. From here you can select the How Do I....? item to see how to use many of the new features.

Creating Screen Captures

I hope everyone who is able to, is enjoying the end of their long holiday weekend.  I'll be taking  Memorial Day off in a couple weeks, so I thought I'd take another shot at adding to Art's great contributions to the H-Factor.

One of the best ways to convey your message in an email is via a screen capture.  I've been sent many screen captures over the years, but on occasion, I get a copy of the user's entire screen in an 8MB .BMP format file.  There are a couple tools you can use which will make your file smaller and more concise.

If you're using Windows Vista, there is a very handy application called the Snipping Tool.  You can find it by going to "Start|All Programs|Accessories|Snipping Tool".  The application window (shown below) will open up and your screen will look 'disabled' (for lack of a better term).

At this point, select window points around the area you would like to capture by clicking the start and end points.  Then, select the "File|Save As" command.  I usually save my files as .PNG files or .JPG files.  Either one works fine.  Make a note of where the file was saved to.

If you are using Windows XP, you're still stuck with Microsoft Paint, but there a couple options when you make your screen capture. 

1a. You can use the PRINT SCREEN button to capture your screen, however this copies your entire screen to the clipboard. 

1b. Another option is to use ALT+PRINT SCREEN as this will only copy the current window to the clipboard.

2. Once your clipboard contains your screen image, go to "START|Programs|Accessories|Paint"

3. In Paint, go to Edit|Paste, and you'll see your image in the window.  Edit your image as necessary.

4. Save the image by going to "File|Save As".  Give the file a name, but before you click OK, note the area which says "Save as type".  Change this from a .BMP to either a .JPG or a .PNG.

Now that you've saved your screen capture, email the file to us and we'll be that much closer to answering your question.

Getting the Mouse Wheel to Display the HydraCAD Cursor Menu

Those of you who have set the option to use the third button/wheel as the cursor menu may have noticed that you get the condensed AutoCAD cursor menu, not the expanded HydraCAD cursor menu. Somewhere along the line AutoCAD 'broke' the way cursor menus are supposed to load, with the result being that AutoCAD's takes precedence unless you redirect it.

First of all, two things

A. Pick HydraTools->Options-> to set your wheel to your desired behavior using one of the last two items

B. The HydraCAD cursor menu can always be displayed by holding down the SHIFT button and Right-Clicking your mouse.

To get the HydraCAD Cursor menu when you press the wheel, you need to modify the CUI. So:

1. Type in CUI and press Enter
2. Locate the HCAD Shift+Click Button 2 entry as seen below
3. Highlight the Macro code and right-click to pick Copy

4. Now, slide down and locate the ACAD Partial CUI File entry for Click Button 3 as seen below
5. Highlight the Macro code and right-click to pick Paste

6. Pick OK to finalize your changes

This customization will stick around 'forever' unless you reinstall AutoCAD.

Using Overrides to list GOLs at Top or Bottom of Riser Nipples with V50

From a Customer, with a response by our guest commentator, Bill McKenna

Art,
I'm hoping you can help or direct this to someone else who can help.  We are using AutoCAD MEP 2008 and HydraCAD Version 50.1 Revision 2

The attached drawing is having a problem with the OVERRIDE -> TEE -> "Groove-O-Let Sid Out".  I have various notes on this drawing indicating how I have defined mains and lines for stocklisting.  When using this override block various errors show up in the stocklist on all (4) lines.  Can you look at this and tell what the problem is?

On a side note it looks as if the in OVERRIDE -> TEE -> "Groove-O-Let Sid Out", "Groove-O-Let Bottom", "Groove-O-Let Top" all use standard couplings.  In the attached drawing I have inserted groove-o-lets with firelock couplings.  What override do we use for groove-o-lets with firelock couplings?

Answer:

The V50 AutoLIST program is slightly different from the V45. Many of the overrides that were used in V45 as they are no longer required. The GOL outlets are one of the areas that will see this change.

 

In the V45 there was a GOL override for a Side outlet as well as Top and Bottom outlets.  This was required because V45 needed to define the type of outlet and the coupling associated with the outlet when it was inserted at a riser nipple. Therefore, the Top and Bottom GOL overrides needed to be set up for both STANDARD & FIRELOCK grooved couplings. The Top and Bottom GOL overrides reported the outlet type and the coupling on the riser nipple to HydraLIST.

 

In V50 the "Groove-O-Let Sid Out" override is the only GOL override needed because the AutoLIST program treats riser nipples differently.  When you insert the override at a riser nipple the command will ask if it should be inserted at the Top or Bottom.  The override should only report the outlet type at the end of the riser nipple to HydraLIST.  The listing tag inserted at the riser nipple will define the material for the grooved coupling (STANDARD or FIRELOCK).

 

Note: If you use "Groove-O-Let TOP" or "Groove-O-Let BOT" overrides in V50 AutoLIST an extra grooved coupling will be reported to HydraLIST.

 

In a future update you will see a trimmed down override list and only be able to find a Welded Grooved Outlet "GOL" TEE shape override.  The Welded Grooved Outlet will actually be a copy of the "Groove-O-Let Sid Out" with a new name in the override list.  For now use the "Groove-O-Let Sid Out" for ALL Welded Grooved TEE Outlets in any position with any grooved coupling type.

Transferring V45 Menu Setup/Workspaces to V50

According to me coworker, George, this seems to work fine even through we did not explicitly ship CUI files with V45. I believe you will be able to do it as long as you are staying on the same AutoCAD version or newer when you go to V50 from V45.

To transfer them, see my earlier post: Workspaces in V50