From time to time a Windows update will cause havoc with AutoCAD or another program you may be using. There is a way to 'roll back' updates, as described in this How-to-Geek web publication:
How to roll back or uninstall a problematic windows update
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Recent Posts
- Modifying a Sprinkler Head to Display Differently in Navisworks
- Using The AutoCAD 2020 Purge Command
- Installing Hydratec Software Silently
- Toolbar/Ribbon Button Sizes and Colors
- Adding or Removing Inch Marks on Pipe Diameters; or Changing Drawing Setup
- Moving Multiple Riser Nipple Tags Together Using Grips
- Creating Your Own Templates
- Autopeaking a Grid
- Using a Tank as a Water Supply
- Setting Your Workspace to be the one that Shows up When you Open HydraCAD
July 2019
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January 10, 2018
December 28, 2017
Aligning Heads When Using a Head Guide
From a customer a little while back:
Q: I would like the head guide to have an option to spot the head based on the last one (with Ortho on so they line up). Kind of like the insert multiple sprinklers Or add the option to the “insert multiple” where you can access the head guide. I am using the custom guide to layout heads in an attic and am having a hard time getting them to line up.
A: This one took me a little bit to figure out. Changing the program for Head Guide is problematic, since we are taking advantage of a specific feature available inside AutoCAD - one that I won't bore you with, but is not used very often by drafters, if ever. Because if the way it works, we can't just make it do other things while running it. There is, however, another way to achieve what this custom wants as a result. And that means activating a command before running Head Guide. That command is SNAP (not, OSNAP). Setting the SNAP point will make the cross-hairs move in an Ortho-like motion. We already have a command to automate this - Align Crosshairs with Ceiling.
This is the room. We can use a head guide to run a line of heads up the middle:
Pick Align Crosshairs with Ceiling on the Sprinkler Toolbar.
Picking this will ask you to select a base point. Select a corner of the room, or even the midpoint of the lower leg
The cross-hairs will now jump in 1 foot increments as you move them. This will work, but it may be a little too 'jiggly' for some. To change the SNAP increment, type in SNAP at the command prompt and type in the desired increment. 2' would probably be best for most situations. But, if you have specific spacing requirements, you could set it to that. A reminder - SNAP can be toggled on and off with the F9 key.
Pick on of the four Head Guide commands. i am using the first one, the Standard guide.
Now, hover the Head Guide over the insertion point of the first head. Then, left click and insert the head.
Next, move the cross-hairs up to the next insert point and left click again, until you have your heads spotted.
Remember, hit F9 to turn off SNAP or pick Align Crosshairs with Ceiling again. That will turn off SNAP before prompting you to pick another insertion point to align.
December 26, 2017
Pointing HydraCALC (or HydraCAD/HydraLIST) to Look in Other Job Folders
ustomer from Sweden asked the following this week:
"I have a question about HydraCALC, is there a way to change the default path for where the program initially finds its projects to open?
For instance, now when I press OPEN, it always open “C:\HES\HydraCALC\Ver50\Data\Jobs”, we have our projects in a different location, so for me it would be nice if I could change the default location into our project folder."
The way to do this is through the desktop shortcut for HydraCALC. Right-click on the shortcut and pick Copy. Then right-click somewhere on your desktop and pick Paste. This will give you a second shortcut to work with, while preserving the original one,
Right-click on the shortcut and pick Properties. Then, pick the Shortcut Tab. Notice the Start in: field. That tells HydraCALC where to look for Jobs when you open or save one.
Change the Start in: field to be the location you want. Pick OK
Right-click again on the shortcut and pick Rename. Give the shortcut an appropriate name, so you can find it next time.
You can make as many shortcuts as you like, setting each one to a different job location. The same goes for HydraLIST and HydraCAD.
December 22, 2017
Creating Sprinkler Head Symbols in HydraCAD
Want to make your own symbols? Easy
Want to use the same symbol for two different temperature heads? Easy
The answers all come down to the same thing. The second one albeit a little differently. And...a trick concerning the word 'same'
The answer is to start with an existing HydraCAD head, making changes to it (or not) and saving it.
HydraCAD heads are stored in the \HES\HydraCAD\Ver50\Programs\heads folder by default. (you can specify a central location as well per this post: Specify a Central Location for Sprinkler Heads)
To make a new symbol follow these easy steps
- Open the head drawing most similar to the one you want (ie HEAD1, HEAD2, HEAD15)
- Using SaveAs, give the drawing a new name
- Change the symbol as desired and save it
Example - Making a new head symbol
1. Open HEAD7
2. Immediately SaveAs HEAD30 (immediately, so that you don't save over the original)
3. Make Changes to head, as desired and Save it
The 'trick' concerning wanting to use the same symbol for two like heads, but of different temperatures is as follows:
Example - Using the same symbol for two different temperature heads
1. Open HEAD7
2. Immediately SaveAs HEAD7A
That's it! When you are defining sprinkler heads, just define one as 165º and the other as 212º (or whatever)
December 20, 2017
Using Long Descriptions in HydraLIST
From a customer in Indiana:
Q: Over the past few years we have added several items to our database and many of the items require a long description. I have tried to abbreviate as much as I can but I am unable to get the description small enough to fit in the “Item” description box in HydraLIST. Is there any way of getting this to be more than 30 characters long. Thanks for all you help.
A: From co-worker Paul McKenna - We have had a long description in HydraLIST for some time now although most people do not use them
You must be in the General Data section where you alter the data associated with HydraLIST. In there, pick P/N Table
The items that have long descriptions will have the description highlighted in orange.
The long description is accessed by right clicking on the fitting description.
Enter the long description and pick OK to save the description. Pick cancel to return to the P/N Table without saving. Pick Delete to remove the long description and return to the P/N table. Pick Audit to eliminate long descriptions that are in the long description file but have not entries in the P/N table. Long descriptions can be added to the database when picking sprinklers for the Head Selector or Valves for the Valve selector by answering ‘Yes’ when prompted when collecting data.
Long Descriptions are included in the data when exporting or importing data in the P/N table. You will see the Long Description when you print out the Raw Materials List
December 18, 2017
Using a Bell Reducer in HydraCAD
A customer asked last week: How do I properly use a 4x3 Bell Reducer so that it lists correctly?
The answer, according to my co-worker Bill McKenna:
1. A coupling should already be on the pipe intersection where the diameters are changing
2. Select the coupling type required for the Bell Reducer being used:
The Diameter selected at right will fill in the ? mark - IE picking 4" will complete the 4 x 3 Reducers
3. Use Single Coupling to insert the Bell Reducer
Select the SMALLER diameter pipe for the insert. A coupling should already be on the pipe intersection where the diameters are changing. The command will break the pipe selected and add a block representing the reducer and a coupling.
Result: An OVERRIDE block will also be inserted. The 0'-3" long pipe inside the reducer will not be included in the stocklist created by AutoList.
Note: The diameter found in the reducer should be the larger of the two sizes. The point of the reducer should always be towards the smaller diameter pipe.
In HydraLIST:
October 30, 2017
Listing Vic 001 / 009 Ells and Coupling
From a Customer, via a co-worker:
I have a quick question. How to I list 001 Victaulic 90’s and 009 Victaulic Couplings? Is there an equivalent? I cannot seem to locate them in HydraLIST
The answer depends on which program is being used:
For AutoList in HydraCAD:
Change your fitting mapping to one of the available Firelock Fitting with 009 Coupling Groups - that's all it takes
For HydraLIST:
All of the part numbers for these fittings are included in the standard part number database.
In the MISC Input - key in 009 or 26F Firelock Fittings into the Search field and pick FIND to display all the fittings. Enter quantities and select Clean Up when done to remove those items that are not quantified
October 26, 2017
Giving Users Authorization to Use Autodesk Products
You buy an Autodesk Subscription, but are stymied when trying to install it on a user's machine? Yeah, so are a lot of people. Autodesk does not do a good job of explaining how user access works, IMHO.
Here is a typical scenario:
ABC Sprinkler Company buys two AEC Industry Collections. Johnny B. is the Contract Manager. He got that designation by being the one who ordered the software or who we understood to be the one who is going to handle the deployment of the software. He downloads the software from Autodesk Account and puts the install files on the company server. He then tells Bobby D. to install it. Bobby does so, but cannot actually use the software because he is told...
Contact your administrator to request permission to use this product.
...when he tries to use it. What happened?
This page from Autodesk explains it a bit, but i will try to go further than that.
Why did it fail?
Because each user must be specifically and explicitly given access to each product they are expected to use.
Why does Autodesk do this?
Because without user access being specified, users would be able to 'hoard' as many products as are available (i.e. AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks), possibly leaving those that really need it out in the cold.
What must be done?
User Access must be granted. This is done by the Contract Manager. They must log into their Autodesk Account and give the users access
1. On the left, notice the Users item. Pick Users:
2. A list of users will appear:
3. Pick Edit Access for the user you are working with. Check the Assign box for all products you want to give them access to
4. Pick Save. In a few moments the User screen will update with the Products and Services showing the number of programs they can access
Now, the user will be authorized to use those seats. They must log in with their own Autodesk Account information in order to get that authorization.
October 17, 2017
September 14, 2017
AutoListing Loose Material, Kits and Assemblies Part 1 - Add Loose Material Command
There are many ways of adding loose material and kits to a HydraCAD drawing in order to get them listed. Some are old(er) and many are newer. All of these are on the Listing Toolbar. These do not need to be attached to pipes or sprinkler heads in order to have them list. They simply need to be inserted within the system boundary you are using (if one) on your drawing.
The first one of these is the Add Loose Material (2DS) command found on the fly-out associated with the fifth button on the Listing toolbar.
This command includes a diversity of items, of which three are listable:
- A complete set of Victaulic master details, courtesy of that manufacturer - not listable
- A table of 2D fittings and valves
- Miscellaneous loose items and kits
- Prebuilt 2D Risers
Victaulic Master Details
These details were furnished by the Victaulic Corporation. They include a library all their water supply and fire sprinkler valves and fittings. Insert these as needed into the drawing. Please note - these details will not be picked up by the AutoList command
Loose Fittings
This command opens up a drawing containing many individual valves and fittings. These are AutoList ready. Simply copy and paste them from the opened drawing into your drawing, or right-click and drag and drop them from here to there.
Miscellaneous Fittings
Opens up a different drawing, from which items can be copied and pasted exactly like the Loose Fitting command above. However, unlike the Loose Fittings command, these are not graphic details, but blocks containing text.
These 'details' are notable in that they:
- The text is not text but a block that uses text as it's attribute
- The text used corresponds to the part or kit as it is defined, by default, in HydraLIST
- The part number corresponding to the text description is also contained within the block, as is the diameter, if relevant
Take a look at the upper left of the Misc-Items drawing:
Double click on the PIPE GREASE item, below
Note the DESCription and the Part Number (P/N) (and SIZE). If you were to look at the data in HydraLIST, you would find this part listed under that number.
Again, select the items you want to list and copy and paste (or drag and drop) into your drawing to have them listed.
Note: You can make your own additions to this archive of items by copying and pasting any one of the text/blocks to another location in the Misc-Items drawing. Then, just double click and change the settings to something you want to list, keeping in mind that the P/N is how it finds the items in HydraLIST, not the description.
Looking at the right side of the Misc-items drawing, you will notice not individual items, but kits.
Likewise, these work just like the individual items at left (and described just above) but they correspond to kits or assemblies of items, also defined in HydraLIST.
2D Risers
This is an older command, but one that works like the above two commands. It contains risers that are pre-built for both Imperial and Metric unit systems, Wet and Dry. This command has largely been superseded by the 3D Riser tools found in the toolbar of the same name.
Again, copy and paste, or drag and drop these in your drawing.
August 01, 2017
July 21, 2017
Hanger Text Options
From a customer:
"I have a question about modifying hanger symbols. Here’s the issue, many times the Lister's complain that our plans are too busy, because pipe diameters lay over hanger numbers, etc. I know we can use the auto cleanup but I really want to eliminate the hanger # & either modify an existing symbol or add a new one let’s say an X instead. Then I want to be able to access it from the menu in setup, is that possible & how do I go about it?"
Modifying the hanger is a different issue - I will go over that at some time in the future. But, right now, there is a lot that can done concerning the data shown by the hanger!
Here we have the Hanger Setup dialog box:
Note the three check boxes circled.
The first two let you hide the following:
Hanger Number (#3, i.e.)
Hanger Length (1-0), i.e.)
Both Hanger Number and Length (showing just the tick mark)
The third check box lets you show the info, but reduce the footprint of the text by stacking it
Some pictures of what these look like:
From left to right:
Nothing Hidden
Number Hidden
Length Hidden
Number and Length Hidden
Nothing Hidden, but with Stack Text checked
One or more of these should take care of the problem
Note: If you change your mind about the display of these attributes, you can always change it later by using the Hide Attribute command found in the HydraTools menu. This command can also be used to Unhide the Attributes:
May 30, 2017
May 19, 2017
December 08, 2016
Networking a Desktop Subscription of an Autodesk Product
A few years ago I posted the basics about setting up a network version of AutoCAD and/or a Building Design Suite. A customer called today asking how to do it with a new AEC Industry Collection he just bought. I told him I wasn't sure how to do that, as I wasn't sure myself if the procedure changed. We found the procedure very quickly in Autodesk Account, however!
First Rule: Buy a network version of the product you want to use! (he had)
Procedure:
In Autodesk Account, note the Network License Manager Quick Link
Pick that and you will be brought to this page: Install Network License Manager
This page has instructions for two paths -
1. Installing from Autodesk Media
2. Download from Autodesk and Install
Pick the proper path and follow the instructions. Any help you need can be obtained through the help system and contacts within your Autodesk Account
October 03, 2016
Converting Text (DTEXT) to MTEXT
If you have a drawing with paragraphs of text all written in individual lines, you may find it troublesome to change the fonts, size of text, add formatting, or, heavens forbid, adjust the room the paragraph takes up. These individual lines are composed of old-school text tools like Dynamic Text (DTEXT), or regular text (TEXT).
Multiline text (MTEXT) is far superior in all ways. You can create several paragraphs of text as a single multiline text (mtext) object. With the built-in editor, you can format the text appearance, columns, and boundaries. But, what if you don't feel like retyping existing TEXT into MTEXT?
Express Tools to the rescue. Pick Express Tools, then pick Text. You will find the Convert Text to Mtext command there. Just select the text to convert, and it is converted!
September 29, 2016
Adjusting Long Segments of Coupled Pipe
Some couplings result in a 1/8" or more pipe separation, after they are added to pipe. On long runs of pipe, the multiple separations accumulate, and result in a pipe that is too long overall. For example, a run of pipe with 16 couplings can result in the pipe creeping 1/8" per coupling for a total of 0-2". A pipe segment somewhere in the run of main should be adjusted 2" shorter so the overall main length will be correct.
The example below shows mains that are a total of 168'-0" long from end to end. The main on the bottom has couplings cut in at exactly 10'-6" - resulting in 16 pieces exactly 10'-6" long. The main on the top has couplings cut in at 10'-6 1/8" - resulting in 15 pieces rounded to 10'-6" long and 1 piece 10'-4" long. Pipe dimensions are rounded to the nearest 1/2" or 1/4" so the extra 1/8" in each pipe segment does not show up in the reported length. The INSTALLED length of both mains will end up being 2" longer than the total of the added "pipe length dimensions".
After installation the bottom main will be 168'-2" long.
After installation the top main will be 168'-0" long as required.
August 18, 2016
August 16, 2016
Adding Miscellaneous Priced Items to a Stocklist
Many companies keep their HydraLIST database pricing current, at least to the best of their abilities given how often prices change. If you enter a part number into HydraLIST, the pricing gets pulled up when the list is processed. If you use certain parts regularly, it makes sense to update the HydraLIST Database with those prices. This can be done one-by-one or with one of the Wizard in HydraLIST.
But what if you just need to add some items that you only use once in a while, and don't feel like adding to the database. Can those be priced? Yes, they can.
On the Miscellaneous tab enter in the Quantity and Item descriptions. Instead of typing in the (non-existent) part number, type in the price instead, as seen below:
When the list is processed (assuming at least one of the pricing reports is turned on), these items will be priced under the Special Order Items, with the prices extended.
Note, however, that the items are not grouped with like items, but are instead tossed into the Special Order Items category. If you want them to show up with their buddies, then define them in the database.
August 02, 2016
Rounding to the Nearest Inch for CPVC Jobs
From a long-time customer and friend:
'I had a question about center to center dimensions on pipe. We do tons of CPVC, and the ½” increments aren’t necessary. Can I force 1” increments on the center to center dimensions?"
This can be done by setting the default drawing pipe dimension rounding to the nearest inch. The pipe must be sized before this process is begun.
Pick 3D Modeling Options (3MO) from the 3D Modeling toolbar:
Pick the HydraPipe Settings tab and set the Rounding to 1". Pick Apply:
Raise the drawing to 3D. When it is brought back to 2D, you will see the pipe sizes are now to the nearest inch:
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