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]

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.

 

Using Copy and Paste in AutoCAD

Many of us use Copy and Paste in AutoCAD. Often when using Paste, we try to eyeball and line up the block we are pasting, or use OSNAPS.

But there are better ways!

The Edit drop down menu in AutoCAD has more than one command to copy and paste:

 

Cut is cut

-but-

Copy is copy without a specific base point. This makes it hard to align and place properly

Copy with Base Point allows you to select a base point, making it easy to line up the block between sheets or other objects

Paste asks for a placement point, you have to eyeball it or make sure you used Copy with Base Point so you can line up properly

Paste as Block brings in all that was Cut or Copied as a single entity

Paste to Original Coordinates is handy, as it does not require that you specify a base point. Say you need to copy the plan view of a stairway detail from one drawing to another, and naturally, you want to keep the valve and piping arrangement in the same relative position on each drawing. This is where Paste to Original Coordinates comes in handy

Note: You can also use the Copy with Base Point command from the same drop down. Select a common reference point, like the corner of the stairway. Then use the Paste command and you will see that your cross-hairs reflect that point.

Creating an Inventory Deduction File for Transfer to an External Program

Some customers need to produce a modified Raw Materials List to send to their accounting department so the items can get inventoried and/or billed. Here is how you do that:

*Note: These steps are outlined in the HydraLIST manual in the How Do I? section*

When the user processes a job, they need to check the Create Inventory Transfer File (ITF) option

This will create a small file in their \HES\Hydlist\Ver50\Data\Inven folder, that matches the Job Name and has an extension of ITF. This is an ASCII text file and can be opened in whatever you like.

Here is how you read that file

From the HydraLIST Manual, pages 8-283 through 8-285

 

Making Mains and Branch Lines Stand Out - LWDISPLAY

In even a regular-sized drawing it can be hard to determine what is a main, what is a wall, what is a partition, etc. Some people use the Pretty Pipes command to help with this, but that has a few drawbacks, especially when it makes it hard to select objects.

Lineweights can make that easier, it updates automatically as new piping is drawn and it does not add any drawing elements, making selection easier.

 

In this small drawing, note the unremarkable look of the Lines and Mains at left:

With Lineweights turned on, it looks like this:

The lines and mains pop out and are easy to recognize. Underground and Armovers also stand out, if present.

Lineweights are defined by layer. Opening up the Layer palette, note the Lineweight column.

These are the default HydraCAD layers, as defined in our templates and layer scripts. If you do not see the Lineweights defined, you may be using an old template.

 

The LWDISPLAY command applies these Lineweights to the drawing elements.

Type it in, and answer ON to see the lineweights, or select the Show / Hide Lineweight button on the bottom of the AutoCAD screen.

If you do not see this option, select the Customization button at far right and select LineWeight to turn it on

 

 

 

 

Shortcuts / Aliases - AutoCAD vs HydraCAD

HydraCAD and AutoCAD both have methods of creating typing shortcuts/aliases to commands. HydraCAD does not (usually) use the same key sequences as the AutoCAD does. I say usually, because sometimes AutoCAD adds new commands, and therefore new shortcuts, and we don't go back and change ours just to stay out of their way. HydraCADs aliases take precedence over AutoCADs because of the way both programs are loaded.

The AutoCAD aliases can be changed easily. Many people (including myself) change 'C' to be COPY instead of the default CIRCLE, for example.

The AutoCAD aliases are stored in the ACAD.PGP file in the \Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20##\UserDataCache\en-us\Support folder, where ## is the last two digits of the version of AutoCAD you are using. You can edit this file using a plain text editor, or by using the AutoCAD Express tool Command Alias Editor, which is far easier.

HydraCAD does not overwrite the ACAD.PGP file. Instead, the HydraCAD aliases are in a different file. HydraCADs aliases are stored in a file named HC_ALOAD.LSP, located in the \HES\HydraCAD\Ver50\Programs\Version## folder, where ## is the version of HydraCAD you are using. It can also be customized by using a text editor (like NOTEPAD), but you must be more careful when editing this file than with the ACAD.PGP.

Opening HC_ALOAD.LSP, you will see how we define aliases. We actually use LISP functions to create them.

Example:

Let's say you want to use the key sequence RT for an AutoCAD command. This will require two steps. You will need to add RT to the AutoCAD alias list (ACAD.PGP) and either remove it from the HydraCAD list (riskier), or rename the existing HydraCAD sequence to something else (easier).

Before you open the HC_ALOAD.LSP file, save a backup copy of it, in case something goes wrong.

Locate the RT alias in the HydraCAD list. Now, change RT to be RMT. Save the file

Open the ACAD.PGP file using the express tool mentioned above.

Scroll down to the Rs. Notice that RT is not being used. That is good.

Pick the Add button. Type in RT. In the AutoCAD Command filed, either type in ROTATE or scroll through the list of commands available.

Pick OK. Pick OK again. Close AutoCAD/HydraCAD and reopen. Your alias should work now.

PS - A complete list of HydraCAD aliases can be found by picking the List of HydraCAD Shortcuts command from the HydraCAD pulldown menu. You can edit this file to update this list to reflect your changes. Future updates will probably replace this file and the HC_ALOAD.LSP file, so make sure you have copies of your work to bring back if necessary.

Modifying a Sprinkler Head to Display Differently in Navisworks

A Customer asked me the following question (paraphrased):

Q: I am currently designing an apartment bldg using sidewall sprinklers for the top level. And this is also a BIM project so our piping is imported into Navis Works. If you look at the attached sidewall 2D photo. You will see that I have the sidewall attached to piping inside of the wall. (this is so HydraLIST will list the fitting as a 1 x ½ CPVC sprinkler elbow). However in my model the piping and sprinkler are hidden inside of the wall. ... (I would like to) make the sidewall sprinkler protrude from the wall so it is visible in the Navis Model.

I removed a wall panel in Navis so you can see the pipe and sprinkler in the attached sidewall model photo:

A: The solution here is not to modify the piping arrangement in 2D so that the 3D model looks the 'right' way. The key is to instead modify the 3D Sprinkler Head Block. When you define a sprinkler head, one is already chosen for you as a default. You have the option to specify which 3D head will be used:

If you pick 'Choose 3D Head Block <', you will be directed to the \HES\HydraCAD\Ver50\Programs\HEADS\3dHeads folder. There, you will find two or three dozen 3D heard representations. These are assigned to each defined sprinkler head type when created. They show in the 3D model generated when you raise the building up.

Find the representation closest to the head style you want and then open that drawing directly in HydraCAD. Modify it as you see fit and do a SaveAs to give it a new name (so you don't replace any of our default values).

Using The AutoCAD 2020 Purge Command

There are two overhauled commands in AutoCAD 2020 that are used pretty often. One of the is the PURGE command. The other is INSERT, which I will mention in a future post.

A customer had trouble getting the rings and other elements of hangers to show up properly when they ran 3D Hangers. I am still not sure how the problem occurred, but the gist is the hanger rings were somehow defined as other objects. My co-worker, Bill McKenna, my suggested that might be the problem, so I used the new Purge command to track them down. Here is how I figured out which blocks were mis-defined and fixed them.

In the drawing, I typed in PURGE. It takes a little while to load up, because it does a great deal of drawing scanning

Note the selection tree that shows up. Kind cool.

I picked Find Non-Purgeable Items to see what Blocks might be candidates 

I then picked the + next to Blocks. 

Many of the first few defined blocks really stand out. Why? Because 60 is the part number category for Hangers, making these likely candidates.

Picking the first one shows what is wrong right away. The hanger ring (10 being 1 inch) is somehow defined as a ski-pole. The solution is to erase all seven '60' blocks (one for each size) and purge them out. Except, they cannot be purged because they are inserted in the drawing.

So, I turned all the layers on using the AO (all on) command. I then type in DL for Delete Layer and selected one of the ski-poles inserted where the 3D hanger ring should be. This deleted over 4000 items from the HCAD-3d_Hangers layer.

Now I could to a PURGE again and be able to select the mis-defined blocks and purge them.

i checked each of the seven 'bad' blocks and picked Purge Checked Items. I was now able to create the 3D Hangers properly.

Installing Hydratec Software Silently

Many IT professionals like to 'push' installs onto user machines, and they don't want to sit on each user's machine and click the Next and OK buttons repeatedly.

There is a way to record the steps used to install our software, and replay those steps on each user's station.

The Silent Install options for InstallShield installer

Switch	Notes
/s	Silent mode. For an InstallScript project, the command Setup.exe /s runs the installation in silent mode, by default based on the responses contained in a response file called Setup.iss in the same directory
/r	Record mode. In order to run an InstallScript project installation program in silent mode, you must first run Setup.exe with the /r option to generate a response file, which stores information about the data entered and options selected by the user at run time. Running an InstallScript installation program with the command Setup.exe /r displays all the run-time dialogs, and stores the data in a file called Setup.iss, created inside the system’s Windows folder. response file name and location, use the /f1 option, described below.
/f1	Specify alternative response file name and path Using the /f1 option enables you to specify where the response file is (or where it should be created) and what its name is, as in Setup.exe /s /f1"C:\Temp\Setup.iss". Specify an absolute path; using a relative path gives unpredictable results. The /f1 option is available both when creating a response file (with the /r option) and when using a response file (with the /s option)
/f2	Specify alternative log file name and path When running an InstallScript installation in silent mode (using the /s option), the log file Setup.log is by default created in the same directory and with the same name (except for the extension) as the response file. The /f2 option enables you to specify an alternative log file location and file name, as in Setup.exe /s /f2"C:\Setup.log". Specify an absolute path; using a relative path gives unpredictable results.

Example: Start the installer silently

Setup.exe /s

From: http://www.silentinstall.org/InstallShield

Toolbar/Ribbon Button Sizes and Colors

AutoCAD 2015 introduced a Dark Color theme to add to what is now called a Light theme. In all, there are four (or six!) basic configurations. Dark and Light, regular and large buttons. These are accessed via the OPTIONS command and found on the Display tab of that command.

The default is the dark theme with regular buttons, which many find hard to read. Many also find the large buttons to help considerably, or choose the Light theme with either large buttons or not. This is what the four can look like:

Light Theme / Large Buttons

Light Theme / Regular Buttons

Dark Theme / Large Buttons

Dark Theme / Regular Buttons

Furthermore, AutoCAD 2020 changed the Dark theme to be dark blue instead of the dark grey of earlier versions, in acknowledgement of the difficulty of seeing the button pictures clearly

Dark Theme 2020 / Large Buttons

Dark Theme 2020 / Regular Buttons

The regular buttons are still too small in my opinion, but the large dark looks better. A future update will make our button images transparent so they present better - right now they have a shadow around them of the dark grey color.

Also notice the Ribbon buttons do not get larger by selecting Large. Will they change that in the future? Who knows...