The H-Factor

Using a Central Location (Drive Path) for Sprinkler Heads

Added in V52.4/V53.01, this new feature allows users to specify a central location (drive path) to look for sprinkler head symbols, so that all users have access to the same symbols.

This is done by editing the HCAD_ENV.INI file found in the 50.3/Version53 folder and adding the full path to the head library next to a configuration variable called HEAD_LOC. This variable may or may not be in your file already. If not, add it so it appears in the location as seen in the example, below. Note: The path must be followed by a back slash -again, see the example.

Example: The user wants to store heads in a central location called G:\MyCompanyHeads. This requires that the following line be added to the HCAD_ENV.INI file: HEAD_LOC=G:\CompanyHeads\

Then, the corresponding folder name must be created on the server in its entirety and populated with sprinkler heads, including the flexible sprinkler connections. Our suggestion is to copy the standard HydraCAD head folder and subfolders (C:\HES\HydraCAD\Ver50\Programs\HEADS) to the server or central location and then replace or add heads as necessary. A sample of the INI file is seen below, for reference.

Navigating the Autodesk Subscription Center

The Autodesk Subscription Center is where many of us are dragged kicking and screaming to get our updates, but it has a great deal of useful information. You can get previous versions, download installations and patches, and check you serial numbers and product key. You can also assign rights to users in your organization. This must be done before than can have access to the software. For help assigning software to users, view this link Assigning Autodesk User Rights

Go to the Autodesk Subscription Site

Create an account if you have not done so already. Otherwise, log in using the username and password associated with your companie's subscription. This is the 'Subscription Coordinator' on file with Autodesk. If you do not know who this is, contact us and we can tell you.

From the screen that appears when you log in, select Access your Subscription Benefits to get Software Updates, Serial Numbers, Product Keys and Contract Information. You can also separately Request Technical Support from Autodesk.

To Download an Installation / Update

Step A1: Selecting Access your Subscription Benefits brings you to the main feature screen, below

Step A2: Pick Get Your Upgrade to get any current or previous version that you are entitled to. Pick the version/product desired.

I picked the 2015 button in the AutoCAD section, as seen below:

Step A3: Notice that you are now given an option to download the product. If you want to know the serial number(s) of the software, pick the Serial Numbers tab (image below), otherwise download the install / update

To Find Your Serial Numbers and Product Keys

Step B1: Pick Contract Administration from the left menu

 

Step B2: Pick Coverage Report.

This will open up a new browser window listing your serial numbers and relevant information.

Step B3: Pick on the twelve digit contract number to display all serial numbers and product keys under that contract. You will notice that each serial number is also clickable. Clicking on each serial number will bring you back one or more versions, also with serial numbers and product keys. these may also, in turn, be clickable.

To Request an Earlier Version of AutoCAD

This link shows you how this is done. You currently may request up to three earlier versions back.

How to request a license to use previous versions of Autodesk software on Subscription

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploding the Unexplodable

A long time customer of ours (good guy, has poor taste in baseball teams) emailed me a drawing in which he could not explode the bulk of the building. Some research produced a solution - the block was specified to not allow exploding when it was created. This, fortunately, is easily correctable.

A LISTing of the block gives the hint as to the cause:

Notice it says Allow exploding: No

This can be changed by typing in B or BLOCK to bring up the Block Definition dialog box. Then, select the block you want to explode - in this case it is NORTH COMPLEX, as given by the LIST command, above.

Notice that the Allow exploding check box is deselected. Select that box to add the check mark and pick OK.

You will be asked to confirm the redefinition of the block. Select Redefine block.

You will now be able to EXPLODE the block at will

Using the Lasso Selection Method in AutoCAD 2015

Possibly the coolest new feature of 2015 is the Lasso. This new selection mode lets you freehand a selection set of virtually any shape, quickly and (sometimes) easily. It can be used anytime you are selecting objects.

When presented with the familiar Select Objects: prompt, just hold down the left mouse button and drag the cursor - you will be drawing a Lasso! There are three modes - Window, Crossing and Fence. Hit the Spacebar (as noted at the command line) to cycle through these three choices while lassoing. Let go of the mouse button when done with a lasso and continue selecting (or removing) objects using another lasso or other selection method.

It will take some practice to get used to the flow of a lasso, so try it out a few times to get familiar with the ins and outs of this option.

 

Importing Layout Tabs from a Drawing or a Template

There are two ways of doing this. the first involves the Design Center and is, perhaps, the now preferred method:

Design Center Method

1. Open the drawings or template you want to copy from, and to
2. Switch to the 'to' drawing - the one that needs the layout tabs
3. Open Design Center (from the AutoCAD Standard toolbar, or Ctrl+2 or type ADDCENTER)

4. Click on the Open Drawings tab
5. Select the Layouts to be copied from the 'from' drawing (the one that contains the layouts)
6. Select the Layout(s) you want to copy and Right Click on them. Pick Add Layout(s)

Import From Template (or Drawing) Method

1. Right Click on any Model or Layout tab in your drawing. Pick From Template...

2. If you are going to import a Layout from a template, then just select the template and pick Open. To import from a drawing, pick the Files of Type drop down list at the bottom of the ensuing dialog and pick Drawing (*.dwg) and select the drawing you want to pull Layouts from
3. Either way, you will get a list of available Layouts from that drawing. Pick the one you want or use the usual Windows selection keys like Ctrl and Shift to select more than one