The H-Factor

Purging Out All the Bad Stuff

The updated Purge All Unused Layers and Blocks (PURG) in Rev 2 of V50.01 goes further, fixes more and is easier to use than our older command.

The new command purges the drawing, runs an AUDIT and then purges it again. Try it.

Denoting a Peaked Roof with Multiple Pitches

A wooden roof with dormers - many of us see the all the time, but how to label it so that HydraCAD can elevate it properly - that is another thing.

The drawing below shows how to handle this. If you download and install the HydraCAD V50.1 Rev2 update from our website, this drawing will be installed into your Training Drawings folder reachable through HydraTools->Tools->Training Drawings

Deleting an Info Sheet in HydraCALC

From a Customer:

I have a suggestion for your next revision: The info sheet button could have a pull down tab so that a different info sheet can be used.

Quite often I will use the first calc, modify it and do a standpipe calc. The only problem is the info sheet can not be changed. So I have to copy my input and transfer it all over to a new sheet so that I can bring in the right information sheet. Making the info sheet tab a pull down tab that gives us more choices would be very nice.

Answer - When you want to get rid of an info sheet, open it up and pick the File pull down on that info sheet and pick Clear Data/Change Form!

Looking up Part Numbers in HydraLIST

From a customer question:

...for the Part Masks, I was hoping there was a quicker, easier way to bring them up and/or print out a matrix to use when I am (or others less experienced in Hydratec software are) looking for parts (or specific manufacturers) to bring into a model.

The PN LookUp button has been added to the P/N Table in the General System Data window and in the miscellaneous Items tab of the project data window. This button allows access to the items that appear in the Fittings Dialog Popup in Lines and Mains as well a new set of miscellaneous item descriptions.

To find an item pick the PN LookUp button, select a Fitting Class and then an Item type and all the items for the section appear in the window for your use. In addition to the traditional items that appear in the dialog popup there is a new group of items that can be displayed for use only for miscellaneous items.

The new category of items is setup in the Fittings Table in the General System Data window with the traditional items that are setup in the window. Fitting Class can be set up for VALVE, HANGER, MISC and any other class of items that will be listed as loose items. Descriptions of items can be set up for each item to be picked in each class. A part mask should be entered to match each description. The mask for the miscellaneous items used question marks to fill the mask for the wild card characters. The number of outlets, Takeout A and Takeout B are set to 0. The question marks in the part mask distinguish the items to be listed as miscellaneous form the traditional items which are made on the
mains and lines.

Click here for the full pdf and an example

Autodesk Announces an Assistance Program

I don't imagine this will help too many sprinkler designers out there, but Autodesk has announced the following program:

• Free Software License*: Any student license of AutoCAD®, Revit® Architecture, Autodesk® Inventor® Professional, and/or AutoCAD® Civil 3D® software.
• Free Online Training: On-demand training available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Reduced-Cost Classroom Training:  Many Autodesk Authorized Value Added Resellers and Autodesk Training Center (ATC®) partners are offering classroom  training at their training facilities for free or for a significantly reduced fee.  (Offerings will vary, please check with your local reseller or ATC to get details)
• Certification: Certification preparation and exams available at discounted rates.

Complete details are at: Autodesk Assistance Program.

One Warning - Drawings produced by the Student Version will have an Educational Stamp written across every plot. There is no practical way to remove this, since Student versions are not to be used for commercial work.

Yet Even More About Sizing Armovers

Lets say you have a ton of branch lines with retrofitted armovers that go off in all directions. There is no easy way to size these, right?

Try this:

Size all your branch lines by selecting the Lines option in the Size Pipe toolbar. Also select Use Directional Filter and select either Horizontal or Vertical, depending on your branch line direction.

Now that all your branch lines are sized, size the armovers as follows - In Size Pipe choose your Diameter, select the Lines option, deselect Use Directional Filter and then select Do Not Resize Pipes Already Sized. This will ensure that only the armovers will get sizes. Now pick all the branch lines and armovers.

Problem solved?