The H-Factor

Index to H-Factor Topics

An easy to view list of all H-Factor topics can be found on our index page at H-Factor Index

For technical questions, please email [email protected]

Zoom Extents Leave You Out in Space? Some Strategies

We've all seen this. You have a nice drawing in front of you, but when you do Zoom Extents (or Zoom All), your drawing disappears and you find yourself floating out somewhere near the (ex)planet Pluto. You select all around outside of what you want to see and there is nothing there.

Sometimes you can zoom around out there and find a stray object and just delete and all is fine. Other times you can copy the 'good' stuff and paste it to another drawing. But what if that fails? The stray objects in question could be damaged entities, or text objects with null text, or blocks with nothing in them.

I had a customer send me such a drawing and after decades of just dealing with it, I wanted to dig deeper. I tried a suggestion whereas you do a Zoom Extents (ZE is one of our aliases) and then hit CTRL+A. This highlights everything in the drawing. The idea here is that you can then see more easily those things out in space, because they have an easy to see grip attached. This didn't work for me.

So I found another video with the right suggestion (from Autodesk no less), for me, for this drawing. This is the link: Erase Empty Objects in AutoCAD

This is what it says to do:

1. Type in ERASE
2. Hit CTRL+A to select everything in the current space of the drawing, seen and unseen
3. Holding down the SHIFT button, grab what you want to keep. This will remove them from the selection set Erase will act upon. The remaining objects may or may not be visible
4. Press Enter

In my drawing, out of 80,000 objects, 12 were erased. A subsequent Zoom Extents now worked perfectly.

Exporting to SprinkCAD FDT (Fluid Delivery Time)

HydraCAD has long been able to create a file that can be opened in the JCI/Tyco/SprinkCAD Fluid Delivery Time program. That program is required to open the exported file. Hydratec and SprinkCAD worked together to offer this tool.

The file can be created from HydraCAD using a process similar to AutoCalc. The following is from the HydraCAD manual and the HydraCAD Help file:

Note: The pipe to be exported must be sized. There must be a water supply, at least one flowing head tagged using the Operating Sprinklers command. The drawing should be raised to 3D before executing.

1. The menu command Create Tyco FDT File will create a file that can be opened and calculated in SprinkCALC with the FDT option. Select the command from the HydraTools->Tools->Export menu:

2. An informational message is displayed after launching. Press OK:

3. The below dialog box appears. If the drawing is not already elevated to 3D, pick 1. Raise Drawing to 3D. You will need to restart this command after the drawing is raised in this manner. If the drawing is already raised, pick 2. Generate FDT File:

4. This displays the AutoCalc Setup FDT dialog. None of the settings here affect this particular process, so just pick the Calc button:

If you get an error message, the most probable cause is un-sized pipes. You can cancel the process and size them; otherwise, proceed and fix those pipes in the Tyco program.

5. If there are no errors, the Save As dialog box will appear. Choose a location and give the file a name. The file will have the tych extension:

6. You will get a message stating that you are creating a new file and are given the opportunity to copy the header data from a file you have already created.

Select Yes if you have the Header Data already entered into an existing job.  Select No to open the following dialog box where you can fill in the appropriate information and press OK when you are finished:

7. A message will appear indicating that the file was created. You should now be able to open the file in SprinkCAD FDT:

 

BIM Level of Development (LOD) and How it Relates to HydraCAD

Way back in the olden days of 2014 I wrote a blog entry on BIM LOD. Sometime between then and now they snuck in a BIM Level 350, so I figured it was time to revisit this topic.

From www.united-bim.com 

In the current context, there are six different levels of development that are defined by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). According to AIA, LOD outlines the design requirements at each stage."

(even their nice picture doesn't show six levels)

At LOD 100, which is the pre-design stage, the model consists of 2D symbols and the masses to signify an element’s existence.

At LOD 200, the elements are partially defined by outlining their approximate quantity, size, shape, and location.

By LOD 300, the elements are defined with exact dimensions and their relative positions bolstering precision.

LOD 350 describes the information about an element precisely and outlines an element’s relation and connection with other components.

LOD 400 outlines the basic information about the construction of various elements.

LOD 500, the model begins representing the real-life functions of elements in a real building.

There is a table of examples on their page as well..

Here's where our software and it's related applications fit in:

LOD 300 

This is your standard AutoCAD / HydraCAD drawing. This is also what Navisworks fits into. And, if you export a HydraCAD drawing to Navis Manage model, it is a precisely drawn model (like the HydraCAD for AutoCAD drawing is) and is defined using exact dimensions, but information is only stored in a few elements

LOD 350

This is your standard HydraCAD for Revit model. Each element has information about the manufacturer, type of fitting, schedule, finish, material, or the like. It also covers Revit models that are generated automatically from HydraCAD for AutoCAD, but you may need to add additional information to some of the elements depending on what the BIM manager wants to see

PS - 

LOD 100 is your basic pen and pencil estimate sketch
LOD 200 is that estimate sketch done in HydraCAD for AutoCAD of even done using Sketch-it or another simple sketch program. It just means that things kind of look like what they are and there is a parts schedule or count
LOD 400 models include all the instructions needed to fabricate and assemble particular elements, even the building
LOD 500 is not used at this time

Here's hoping they don't invent a BIM LOD 375...

Changing a Riser Nipple's Listing Type

When a riser nipple is inserted a property is programmatically set identifying the riser nipple as a Line, Main, Arm-over or Underground for listing purposes. This can be ascertained by looking at the Properties of the rider nipple in question.

Most of the time, the way it is set is perfectly correct. On occasion, however, you might want to list a riser nipple a particular way. This most often happens when a riser nipple connecting a line to a main should be listed as a Main component due to a particular fitting or fabrication method, instead of the default listing configuration of Line. You could change it in the Properties or you can do it a better way:

The Change Riser Nipple Listing Type command will make this easy.  The Edit Riser Nipple command (ERN) on the riser nipple flyout of the Piping toolbar is where you will find it.

Type in ERN and pick the third item on that menu to activate the command.

This command adds a colored diamond to each riser nipple. The color assigned denotes how the riser nipple is defined, for listing purposes.

If you want to change one of those riser nipples, select the Pipes to Change and pick Apply. You will then be prompted to select the riser nipple(s) to change; the ones you select will be filtered based on your above selection.

Picking Exit will clear all the diamonds.

Windows 11 Pros and Cons

So, Windows 11...

The good news (for us at least) is that all our current versions of Hydratec software work well on it. I ran the update on my machine, and my already installed software worked just great. I have also run some of our install without a problem.

What's the bad news? Nothing is broken, but a few big gripes about what they changed for no apparent good reason. They likely changed these to make Win 11 look different than Win 10, and more like a cell phone. That's the worst reason I can think of.

Sadly, the list of things that were changed, but unhelpful has grown long enough to make a list, so here goes - click on the Item in the list, or scroll through to see them all:

List:

The File/Folder Right-Click menu

Placement of the Windows Taskbar

The Windows Search bar

Finding Programs

No Drag and Drop via Windows 11 Taskbar

Individual Items:

Item 1: The File/Folder Right-Click menu

This is the menu that comes up when right-clicking on a file or folder. Along the top are icons for Cut  Copy  Paste  Rename and  Delete. I find these handy, but I just assume click on a word rather than use more brain neurons to think about the pic.

What bugs me is how much is missing. Where is New Folder, for example? I use WinZip a lot, but it's not there either, nor are any third party tools like anti-virus tools. 

To get the expanded right-click menu, you need to pick Show more options. That brings up the 'classic' menu. so, an extra pick. Not convenient.

The Fix:

1. Go to the Command 'DOS' Prompt by entering CMD in the Windows search bar.
2. Copy and paste the following command into the Command Prompt, then press Enter:

   reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve

   If everything goes right, it should say “The operation completed successfully.”

3. Close the Command Prompt window
4. Reboot the computer make the override take effect.

Item 2: Placement of the Windows Taskbar

The Windows Taskbar is now centered in Windows 11, just because:

The Fix:

1. Right-click on any blank part of the Taskbar. Pick Taskbar Settings
2. Pick Taskbar Behaviors at near the bottom of that resulting dialog
   
   
   
   
3. Pick Left from the Taskbar Alignment item. The taskbar will immediately move left
   
   

Item 3: The Windows Search bar

The search bar has been removed from Windows 11. It is now accessible by picking either of the two leftmost buttons, the Windows logo or the Search glass. Not a fan.

The Fix: There isn't one

You can pick either of the two buttons, above and start typing your search term. Or, you can use the Windows logo key + S to search. Hovering over the search icon show the three most recently searched items.

You can remove the search icon from the taskbar by navigating to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar items and then turning off the Search option.

Item 4: Finding Programs

In Windows 10, you could pick the Windows Start button and navigate through the list to find the program you wanted to run. In Windows 11, yup, an extra click.

The apps you see when you hit the Windows logo key include some useful ones, but many are there to show how they know what the cool kids are using. Social media apps, Xbox and Prime Video. Blech. They really could have improved this if it was auto-populated with your most used apps. Nope.

You again pick the Windows Start button, but then pick All apps to see what you used to see for free:

You can select an app from here, right-click and choose Pin to Start to get it on the default screen.

Microsoft even has a web page explaining the differences between 10 and 11. By the very act of writing this, they should have realized it was a bad idea to add an extra click. Find all apps and programs comparison

The Fix: - There isn't one

Item 5: No Drag and Drop via Windows 11 Taskbar

Until Win 11, you could drag an item (like a file) down to the taskbar and pause for a moment over another application (like Outlook or Teams). The app would then open up and you could drop the item into something in that app. No longer! In Win 11 you get the No Go icon when you hover over the taskbar with dragged item in hand. Apparently they are using a new programming interface to rewrite the taskbar, but why they would not implement this is ridiculous.

So, you need to have both apps displayed and position them so that you can move the file from one app to another without losing focus.Ugh.

The Fix: A third party app. this one, available on the Microsoft Store, says it will do it. I have not tried it myself.

Drag and Drop Toolbar for Windows 11

Until I find something else to gripe about, have a good week!

Defining Sprinkler Head Part Numbers for AutoList

Taking into consideration the large number of sprinkler heads available, we decided not to clutter up the database and avoided predefining most of them. This means that you will often run an AutoList and find that the Miscellaneous tab in HydraLIST has a number of yellow highlighted head entries without a description. That is because the part number for those heads does not exist.

The printed instructions for this process can be found in the HydraLIST Manual on page 2-75. We will summarize below:

Steps

1. Go through all the usual steps to properly set up your sprinklers in the drawing, including choosing the part number
   
   
   
   

2. After AutoList, you get something like this in HydraLIST, because the part number is not in the database
   
   
   
   

3. To get these heads into the database, you need to be in HydraLIST. Choose the sprinkler head again, using the Heads button
   
   
   
   

4. This time, you will have the option to add the head to the database, after you pick the Collect Selected Head Data button
   
   
5. You will see a series of two dialog boxes. Answer in the affirmative
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. The part will be added to the database and ready to use as well as the long description
   
   
   
   This will take care of individual sprinkler types. To build part numbers for all heads of a specific manufacturer, you can use the HydraLIST database Import function
   
   

       

To share with others and distribute around the office: Copy the \HES\Hydlist\Ver50\Data\Setup folder from computer to computer, or copy just these two files:

Quick Assist - A Screen Sharing/Control App that is part of Windows 10

Quick Assist is built into Windows 10 and allows for remote control connections to other computers. No downloads or other software needed!

1. Type in Quick Assist at the Windows Search bar. You are given two simple options when it launches
   
   
   
   If you want to take control or see another person's computer, choose the Give assistance option. If someone wants to connect to you, use the Get assistance option
   
   
   
2. For example, Pick Assist another person. The app will connect to the netherworld and await confirmation with the other user
   
   
   
   
3. Have the other person launch Quick Assist as well. Supply them the six-digit code you see. Once they type that number in on their end (by typing it into the Code from assistant box in Step 1), you will be connected and given sharing options.
   
   
   
   
4. Choose your option

Resetting AutoCAD's Hidden Messages

I never knew about this option until Googling about it today related to a customer reported problem.

The problem was related to an old AutoCAD bug which allows a build up of a great number of annotation scales. This will cause a fatal error at various times in a drawing session. But, it won't cause a problem on other machines if the following dialog were set to Always perform...

I had chosen that Always perform... option on my computer, so when reloading the drawing to get this screen capture and send it to our customer, the dialog did not come up, because I told it not to. How to reset it?

Go into AutoCAD Options and select the System tab.

Select the Hidden Messages Settings button

Select the messages you want to un-suppress in the future. I really don't know how many possible dialogs can show up here, but these are the ones I have, apparently, selected on my machine.

 

 

Layers Tools and Custom Layer Settings with HydraCAD

Many users prefer to use their own colors, linetypes, lineweights etc. when drafting. HydraCAD is set up to do just that. The only thing you cannot do is to change our layer names. But, you can add your own layers if you want.

The best overall approach is to set up your own template, beginning with a copy of our template. Our templates have all the layers in them that we need to run HydraCAD. If you start with our template, make your changes to it and save it as your own template, you are not overriding the rules of ours, and we aren't stomping on yours after an update. This blog post explains how that should be done: Creating your own templates

Losing HydraCAD Layers

If you use AutoCAD's PURGE command all unused HydraCAD layers (along with other unused layers) will be removed from the drawing. This is bad.

Rebuilding HydraCAD Layers

Use the Rebuild Layer command in the Hydratools->Tools dropdown menu. Or, type in RBL. This will rebuild all of our layers with their settings. It runs the layer script file that comes with HydraCAD, or the one you created, below.

Going forward, do not use AutoCAD's Purge command. Instead, use our Super Purge, on the same menu as Rebuild Layers. Or, type in PUR. Super Purge does a deep purge of unused layer and blocks. It then runs our layer script file (layer.scr), which reinserts layers, blocks and dimension styles that HydraCAD requires to operate. Furthermore, it does an AUDIT to automatically fix drawing database errors.

Making a Custom Layer Script

Open a drawing that has the layers set the way you like them. Then, pick Create Layer Script from this Drawing from the HydraTools->Options drop down menu. That's it!

You will notice a command named Edit HydraCAD Layer Script just above it. This allows you to edit the layer.scr file directly. We do not recommend this, as script files are very sensitive to extra characters. Use the Create Layer Script from this Drawing command instead. The next time you use Rebuild HydraCAD Layers (RBL) or Super Purge (PUR), our layer script will be run with your custom settings, not ours.

If you make a mistake and some of our layers are missing or the layer script will not run or locks up, it is easy to get back to our defaults. In that case, use the Restore Original HydraCAD Layers command just below the Create Layer Script from this Drawing command.

 

 

Drawing an Up/Down Sprinkler - Putting an Upright and Pendent on the same Tee

Today's customer question: "How do you draw an Up/Down sprinkler (Upright on a Tee, with a Pendent Drop) in HydraCAD?"

This is actually easier than it seems. You just have to define the two heads, as usual, and insert them at the same X,Y location (i.e. on top of each other). 

Back in the 'old days', designers would draw such a combination using this symbol: 

In this example, we will create the same symbol as far as looks are concerned

 

1. Define the Upright head like usual. We suggest using HEAD2 if you haven't already. That is the symbol that looks like this:

This head should be defined as Attached Directly to a Line or Main

 

2. Define the Pendent head like usual. We suggest using HEAD5 if you haven't already. That is the symbol that looks like this:

This head should be defined as On a Drop

3. Insert one of each of them at the location of the bullhead tee. Notice this looks exactly like the old-school head at top

4. Insert a Drop Window around the pendent head(s). Remember that a drop window will only affect heads on a drop, so it is ignored in the case up upright heads

5. Tag it for listing and run it through!

Notice the Drop was tagged with its info

In HydraLIST, this is what got picked up:

 

Note 1: If you need an upright on a sprig at the same X,Y location as the pendent, then you would defined HEAD2 as being On a Sprig. You would also place a spring window (using the Drop Window command)

Note 2: If you already used HEAD2 or HEAD5 for some other head definition, you can make create other heads that look the same. Find that info here: Creating Sprinkler Heads

 

 

 

 

Using FIND to Isolate Different Hanger Types

From a customer:

"I am trying to create a Trimble point layout for my beam clamps only.  Is there anyway to isolate the #01 Hangers from the #05 Hangers?"

While there isn't a direct way, there is an indirect one. There is a way to grab a selection set based on an attribute value. This involves one of my favorite commands: FIND

 

1. Type in FIND. Press Enter

    2. Check the List results check box. This opens up the bottom half of the above dialog
    3. Type #05 in the Find what: edit field. Hangers are easy because of the formatting of the text, there isn’t any other text that looks like #05
    4. Pick the Find button. This gives you a count of the values that match your search string

    5. Pick OK
    6. Pick the Create Selection Set (All) button at right. You can also select individual items from the list and pick the Create Selection Set (Highlighted) if you need to fine-tune which blocks get selected

    7. This gives you a selection set of all the items that have the string #05 in them, zoomed in

    8. You could then move these objects outside the boundary, by a specified amount and moving them back again when you need to

Please also see this post on how to change Hanger numbers for already inserted hangers: Changing Hanger Numbers

 

Hanger Rod Cut Lengths - What Controls Them?

From a customer today (paraphrased):

"I’m having issues with HydraLIST keeping my rod cut lengths to the ½” length I assign it even with noting it as “CL”. It wants to always round up to nearest inch. This is primarily the 06 hanger I’m using. Is there a setting that forces this rounding?"

The answer is yes, there probably is. It may be a default setting in the data we ship, or it may be a company setting your organization created.

To the point, some companies use studs instead of cut rod for inch or two-inch length up to a certain value, like 6" or 12".

The documentation that covers this is in the HydraLIST manual which can be accessed by picking the Help pulldown in HydraLIST. This topic can be found on page 7-223. In it we look at a Type 01 hanger, but the rules apply to the other hangers as well. Viewing or changing all setup rules in HydraLIST is done by accessing the General Data by using the button shown below:

This is what it tells us:

The Makeup of a Type 01 Hanger

In HydraLIST, pick the General Data button. Select the Assembly Table tab with Use Hanger Grid not checked. Pull down the Assembly Number list and select the 01 60 hanger. This is a top beam clamp hanger which is a type 01 hanger. The 60 in the assembly number indicates that it is a hanger for 6-inch pipe.

The list of parts for this hanger appear in the lower section of the screen. There are part numbers for a rod, a 1/2" beam clamp, a 6" hanger ring, and a part number for the labor required to build the assembly.

If center-to-center distances are selected in the Hanger Project screen, the rod cut length must be calculated. For this reason, this item must be entered in a special way. Under the Quantity column is the formula L-6. When the hanger list is processed, the computer looks up the center-to-center distance from the Hanger Project screen, and subtracts 6 inches from it for the pipe ring takeout. The length remaining is the cut length of the hanger rod.

If cut length entries are entered in the Hanger Project screen, then L is taken as the length of the hanger rod and no takeout calculation is performed.

Hanger Sub-Assemblies

Note the part number for the threaded rod entry. It is #1/2ROD. This is a sub-assembly which is used so that the correct rod part number may be pulled from stock based on a range of sizes. Any assembly which begins with a # is a sub-assembly.

View the #1/2ROD assembly by finding it in the Assembly Number pull down list.

This is the #1/2ROD sub-assembly which ships with HydraLIST. The Quantity field specifies the range of lengths that are valid for the job entry. If the entry falls within the criteria, then the third character is executed. For example, on the first line the Quantity characters are 0,99999999,L. This is interpreted as any rod from 0 inches to 99999999 inches (a very long length!) is to be processed and printed as the length (L) entered in the Project screen. Note, the criteria in this column must be separated by commas. If you wish to have your hanger rods listed to have lengths as entered in the Project data screen, then use this option.

With the first line present, none of the other lines are executed since the first line will satisfy any rod requirement.

If your shop prefers to use studs which are pre-cut to length, then delete the first line so that the subsequent lines may be used by the process program.

The next line, Line 2, has an entry of 0,2,1. This is interpreted as any rod from 0 inches to 2 inches long will require 1 of part number 6027005020 to be removed from stock for the job. This part number relates to a 1/2" X 2" All Threaded Stud.

Line 3, has an entry of 2,3,1. This is interpreted as any rod from 2 inches to 3 inches long will require 1 of part number 6027005030 to be removed from stock for the job. This part number relates to a 1/2" X 3" All Threaded Stud.

This selection of threaded studs continues until 6" is reached. At this point, line 7 is executed. Line 7 has an entry of 06,99999999,L. This is interpreted as any rod from 6 inches to 999999999 inches (also a very long length) is to be processed and printed as the length (L) entered in the Project screen with the part number 6027005000 which relates to 1/2" All Threaded Rod.

Notice that all of these rules effectively round the rod length up to the nearest inch (for this assembly). Others may go every two inches, for example.

Please refer to Chapter 7 of the HydraLIST manual for more details about this subject.

The HydraCARDs Knowledge Base - Online

A few months ago we went live with our new HydraCARDs Knowledge Base. The former one used a database that was updated and posted monthly. The new one is online and updated and new cards are available as soon as we update or create them!

Accessing

Most of our update and installs now include a shortcut to the web address for HydraCARDs. Further, HydraCAD, HydraCALC and Hydratec for Revit all link to this new database. However, no actual software is required to access the new HydraCARDs. All you need to do is to point your browser at https://hydracards.hydracad.com/

Once there, you will see an easy to read and use Knowledge Base. The most current cards will be featured right up top.

Browsing by Program

Picking the Software drop down menu will let you see all the cards pertaining to that program

This will display a page that shows all the cards for that program. The total number of cards is at the upper left. The Page drop down will let you skip ahead. The Next button will go to the next group of cards.

The View button at right will open the error card for that one. Notice that cards can now include graphics and hyperlinks, making these much easier to use.

Saving Your Favorites

If you find a card that helps you, it is really easy to save it so you can find it again. How? 

Notice that each card has it's own URL:

This means you can create a Bookmark folder for HydraCARDs in your Browser, and save your favorite cards in there:

 

 

 

 

 

Viewing Product Data Sheets in HydraCALC

Most users do not realize that HydraCALC has long had the ability for users to look at the tech data sheets for pipe, fittings and curves. These are accessed through the Alter Pipe and Fittings command in the Utilities drop down menu.

 

To view the tech data sheets:

1. Pick the Utilities drop down menu
   
   
2. Pick Alter Pipe and Fittings

You will see some items in black and some in red. the black ones have PDF tech data sheets assigned to them, the red do not (yet).

To view the tech sheet

    3. Select the item you want to view the sheet for (I usually select the number at the far left, to avoid making data changes.

    4. Pick the View PDF button (second from right)

This brings up the tech data sheet!

Notes

Note 1: If you do not see fittings that appear here, or are looking for updated or new ones, you can download the latest from our Support Site or run the latest HydraCALC Update. You will be given an option to update your system with the latest data

Note 2: Users have the ability to reference their own data sheets and add ones as well. However, the tool we include for this can be complex and hard to work with. So, please feel free to ask us to update or add tech data sheets for any items you use or find incorrect. Thanks!

More info:

To see how to reference fittings, here is a blog post showing an example. Again, feel free to ask us to add the fittings for you: How to Add Fittings in HydraCALC

To see how to add new pump or device curves, see this: Creating Pressure Curves in HydraCALC

To see how to have pipe types show up in the pipe selection window, see this: Choosing which Pipe Types appear in HydraCALC

Working With Background Drawings #0 - Beginning with the Background

To be able to use HydraCAD with a background drawing, you need to do these simple steps:

Step 1 - Start a new drawing using one of the HydraCAD templates. Answer the scale question if asked. This is non-negotiable!

Step 2 - Insert the background drawing into the new HydraCAD drawing, exploded. Meaning, checking the Explode option

If you need help with the new AutoCAD 2020 Insert command, read this post: Using the AutoCAD 2020 Insert Command

That's really all you have to do to start working!

Next Steps

To convert existing sprinkler heads into HydraCAD heads, read this post: Working With Background drawings #1 - Changing Sprinkler Head Symbols

To convert existing piping into HydraCAD piping, read this post: Working With Background Drawings #2 - Changing Piping

If you are not happy with the colors or line-types of the existing steel, walls, ceilings, structures, etc - then feel free to change them. But, this does not need to be done to use HydraCAD effectively

Working With Background Drawings #2 - Changing Piping

If the background drawing has existing piping, you may be able to use that piping for HydraCAD.

The 'may' all hinges on how the original author drew the piping. Is it from center of head to center of head (or fitting)? Is it from edge of head to edge or head (or fitting). Is it simply drawn through all heads and couplings on a line or main, without stopping at each head? Are they really polylines?

If they are polylines, Explode them first. This will break them into segments.

If they drew the other ways, you can convert them like this:

Step 1: Isolate the layer of the piping by typing PC to pick the current layer, and pick one of the pipes. You can also use AutoCAD's Layer Isolate tool.

Step 2: Type in AF to turn all the layers off except for that current layer.

Step 3a: Select all of the pipe you want in the Main layer and pick SPRKDAT1 from the layer drop-down list
Step 3b: Select all of the pipe you want in the Line layer and pick SPRKDAT2 from the layer drop-down list
Step 3a: Select all of the pipe you want in the Underground layer and pick SPRKDAT3 from the layer drop-down list
Step 3a: Select all of the pipe you want in the Armover layer and pick SPRKDAT4 from the layer drop-down list

If they are only drawn edge to edge, you will have to turn on all the layer and use Grips or Extend to make the pipes reach the center / insert point of our heads and couplings.

If they are drawn through all the entities, you will have to break them up into segments. You can use AutoLine and AutoMain to do this relatively painlessly.

 

 

 

Working With Background drawings #1 - Changing Sprinkler Head Symbols

Say you have a background drawing that has sprinkler heads already laid out, but they aren't HydraCAD sprinkler heads. What to do?

Zeroth - Do what you should always do with a background drawing. That is, start a New drawing using one of the HydraCAD templates, and then insert your drawing into it, exploded.

First - you can stop laughing, because some of these backgrounds have a good quality sprinkler layout, unlike years past.

Second - it helps to know if the sprinkler heads are blocks or circles. Or something else.

If 'something else', then their isn't much we can help with other than telling you to latch onto an Osnap that is useful with the existing heads and use the Insert Multiple Sprinklers command to copy a new head to that osnap on all the existing heads, one by one.

But, if it they are blocks or circles, then we can help.

Step 1: Define the new heads you will need using the usual method - Select Sprinkler

Step 2: Insert one of each new head type to a place on the drawing that will be easy to locate when the time comes.

Step 3: Use the Change Block command! It is found in HydraTools->Modify->Blocks->Change Blocks (or type CHB) 

When that comes up,take a look at the dialog box. You can change blocks or circles using this tool:

 

For Blocks

Pick Select Existing and pick one of the existing heads. Then, pick Select New and grab one of the new heads you inserted.

If you check Do All occurrences..., then all the existing heads of the same selected existing type will get converted. Do this once for each kind of head.

 

For Circles

Pick Change Circle. Pick Select Existing and pick one of the existing heads. Then, pick Select New and grab one of the new heads you inserted.

All circles matching the diameter and layer of the circle you selected will get converted. Do this once for each kind of head.

 

 

Step 5: Sometimes original blocks are not inserted with a 'normal' scale factor. This is pretty easy to notice. If, after you convert your heads, some or all of them need to be re-scaled, start this command again and select Scale Block. Pick Select Existing, like before. Then choose Do all occurrences... You will be prompted for a new scale factor. Enter this.

 

That's it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using the AutoCAD 2020 Insert Command

There are two overhauled commands in AutoCAD 2020 that are used pretty often; and that have changed considerably. One is the PURGE command, which I covered in an earlier post. The other is INSERT, which I will cover here.

Insert has changed considerably, in that it is considerably more complicated. Typing it in yields an Insert palette:

The Current Drawing tab shows all the blocks currently defined in the drawing, whether or not they have been actually inserted. From this tab, you can pick or drag and drop the blocks into the drawing.

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The Recent tab shows you the most recently inserted blocks, giving you a smaller list to choose from. however, this requires that you set up a cloud storage system to synch with. View the Help on this tab if you want to proceed

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To insert a block from another drawing, however, select the Libraries tab. The first time you use this command, the Libraries tab will be blank with a note to the effect of Open Block Libraries. 

Picking that, you will be asked to select a drawing to access, or, you can pick the Library Book symbol, below, for this same purpose:

Picking a drawing will display all of the blocks defined within that drawing. You can drag or drop these blocks into your drawing.

If you want to insert the entire drawing, such as in the case of a background to work off of, select the very first block in the upper left. This is the entire drawing. I suggest checking the Explode and Insertion Point boxes when inserting. I do not recommend the drag and drop feature for this, as the entire drawing has to get loaded in before you can 'drop' it where you want it

Finally, now that you have been forced to read all of this, if you want to use the good old Insert command from days of yore, simply type in CLASSICINSERT to do so!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting Access to AutoCAD When Invalid Serial Number Comes Up

The above error is common these days. And, it isn't you that is to blame (or us, for that matter). Who do we blame? Why, the Big A of course...

Autodesk is in the process of switching from serial number driven activation to user account (email) driven activation. The problem is that they still have their feet in two places (one in the boat and one on the shore), and they can't quite get either into the boat or out of it. This is causing many longtime AutoCAD users to run into the above problem. Users who are buying their first Autodesk product generally don't have the same problem, but may still run into a variation of it. Furthermore, some bad habits the long time users began years ago are finally coming home to roost.

Here is some background and how to 'fix' it:

Background - many companies with more than one user of Autodesk actually have only one person registered to use the software, and all others log in as that user to access Autodesk. This is what is causing the failure when an additional license is added. This situation must be corrected before proceeding. While this generally worked when AutoCAD used perpetual licenses,, it does not work with the current subscription scheme. Note: it also could send up a flag to Autodesk, resulting in an audit!

Some unbreakable rules:

• Each user must have their own Autodesk Account set up
• The contract administrator account (this is the email address on the license certificate) must be used to create these individual users
• Each user must be given rights to use the software
• AutoCAD (or whatever Autodesk product) must be activated on each registered users' machine

Here are the steps to address the problem:

1. Log into Autodesk Account using the email and password of the contract administrator. If this person should not be the admin, or no longer works there, or has changed their email address, contact us and we can change the administrator to whom you designate

2. Create a user account for each user that needs access by picking Manage Products and Downloads

3. Pick User Management from the left

4. Add a User from the options found. There are two variations of this screen. One has a list of users already there and one has small panels, one for each user. One has an entry field where you type in the email address of the user followed by a comma, firstname, lastname ([email protected],John,Doe). Multiple users can be created by this method. The other method is below. It has a line for each entry. Do not check the I'd like to assign products to the user(s) now option for this example

5. Locate the user just created. Pick Edit Access or Assign Products. Note that this user in the beginning does not have any products assigned to them

6. Check the products to Assign to this user. If no seats are available, you may have to click on one of the other users and release a seat. The other users may be company officers or purchasers or the contract administrator that do not require Autodesk software anyway

After you check the products, pick Save. The new user now has access. But their software is not yet registered

7. Close any Autodesk products you might have open

8. Locate the Autodesk Desktop App. You may have a shortcut on your desktop ad/or it might be in the Start menu. It also might already be active in the active programs panel accessed in the lower right of your screen

9. Once the app is open, pick the account name at upper right. This is probably not your user account, but the person who installed it earlier or your contract administrator. Pick Sign Out

10. Pick the same location on the dialog and pick Sign In. Enter your user credentials

This gives your access to those products to which you have been assigned. The problem is that your software doesn't yet know it. This is where things get a little crazy.

11. Open AutoCAD. You will get a splash screen asking you to use the software for 30 days (or whatever is left of your trial, unregistered version) or Activate. Pick Activate

The activation will most likely fail. You will then be asked to enter a serial number. When you do, you will be told Invalid Serial Number entered. Even though your were given this serial number by Autodesk itself. Yep. This is why we had to create this blog post...

Here is the workaround:

12. Cancel the activation

13. When you get back to the AutoCAD activation screen, pick Run (if necessary, reopen AutoCAD) to get into the software

14. Once in AutoCAD, locate your user account in the upper right. Pick Manage License

15. Pick Activate. Pick Single User. Your activation should now be completed and you will be allowed into AutoCAD. To test, close AutoCAD and re-enter it

Two previous blog posts discussed Giving Users Rights and Navigating Autodesk Account. Read these for further information.

Turning off Riser Nipple Text when Plotting

Want to keep riser nipples from showing both center and cut length when plotting? Tried to freeze or turn off layers?

AutoCAD has a newish feature that will help you do just this. Its call VP Freeze for Viewport Freeze.

Open the Layer palette. Find the HPipesCGen layer. Click the Square Sun icon in the New VP Freeze column. This will freeze this layer in viewports!

This modification has been added to HydraCAD V56.04 and V55.05. A change made to HydraCAD templates and layer script so that the HPipesCGen layer is set to default this way.