The H-Factor

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. Tips on using the Autodesk Account can be found on this earlier post: Navigating Autodesk Account

1. From the list at left, Pick User Management:





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.

New Updates for AutoCAD and Revit Released

In the last month or so Autodesk has released updates for AutoCAD 2017 and 2018, as well as Revit 2017 and 2018. These areavailable for download in your Autodesk Account or Autodesk Desktop App.

The following links direct you to the instructions for the updates and the new features added/problems fixed  for each update. I encourage you to read through these.

 

AutoCAD 2018.1.1

Feature	Feature Comments
Xref Layer Property Enhancements	To provide more flexibility for controlling xref overrides, the Layer Settings dialog box, which is accessed from the Layer Properties Manager, includes new controls for managing Xref layer properties. When the option to retain overrides to xref layer properties is turned on with the VISRETAIN system variable, you can now specify which xref layer properties that you want to reload. The various layer property options are stored in the registry as specified by the new VISRETAINMODE system variable. The Layer Properties Manager also includes a new status icon to indicate when a layer associated with an xref includes overrides. Primary commands and system variables: LAYER, VISRETAIN, VISRETAINMODE, XREFOVERRIDE
Views and Viewports	You can now easily create, retrieve, and place model views together with automatically sized and scaled layout viewports onto the current layout. When selected, layout viewport objects display two additional grips, one for moving the viewport, and the other for setting the display scale from a list of commonly used scales. Primary commands and system variables: MVIEW, NEWVIEW
High resolution (4K) monitor support	Support for high resolution monitors continues to be improved in the Update. More than 200 dialog boxes and other User Interface elements have been updated to ensure a quality viewing experience on high-resolution (4K) displays. For the best results, use the Windows 10 operating system and a compatible video card.
3D Graphics Performance	The 3D graphics performance for the Wireframe, Realistic, and Shaded visual styles continues to increase depending on the content of the DWG files tested. For example, the median value for the frames-per-second performance in the six large benchmark models used increased by 37% in the Update as compared to AutoCAD 2018. Primary commands and system variables: 3DORBIT, ZOOM, PAN, VSCURRENT

Readme Page and Release Notes

AutoCAD 2017.1.1

Feature	Feature Comments
Import PDF	PDFSHXTEXT is a command that you can use after you import a PDF file that contains SHX geometry. It converts any selected PDF geometry into multiline text objects that use a matching SHX font. Several popular SHX fonts are supported. However, Asian Big Font SHX geometry is currently not supported. Commands: PDFSHXTEXT , -PDFSHXTEXT , TXT2MTXT
High Resolution Monitor Support(High Pixels per Inch)	In the AutoCAD 2017.1.2 Update, common user interface elements, such as the Layer Manager, Command Line window, Property Palette, File Navigation dialog box, pick box cursor, grips, View Cube, and UCS icon, are correctly adjusted to the Windows setting for the display scale. Note: For the best results, use Windows 10 due to operation system limitations. Use a compatible video card for the best results. Some dialog boxes in vertical products are not optimized for viewing at scales greater than 100% on high resolution monitors.
Object Selection	Objects that are moved off screen during selection in remain in the selection set. All linetype gaps can be selected and available for object snapping when High Quality Geometry is turned on. System variables: SELECTIONOFFSCREEN, LTGAPSELECTION
3D Graphics Performance	The performance and reliability of 3DORBIT is improved for rendered visual styles, especially for models with a large number of small blocks containing edges and facets. Command: VISUALSTYLES

Readme Page and Release Notes

Revit 2018.2

• Annotation
  • Fixed an issue in which tags moved when a linked file was reloaded.
  • Fixed an issue causing image files to incorrectly mask label text.
  • Removed the Model Groups category from the Load Tags & Symbols dialog.
• AutoCam
  • Improved stability when clicking context menu items in the View Cube while the Steering Wheel is on.
• Color Fill
  • Fixed an issue that could cause incorrect results when using a color fill scheme set to By range.
• Content
  • Improved accuracy when opening projects that utilize families in plan view.
• Copy/Monitor
  • Improved stability when interacting with the type selector and then completing Copy/Monitor.
• Dynamo Player
  • Improved Revit performance after Dynamo Player is launched and closed.
  • Improved expand/collapse behavior of Watch nodes in Dynamo Player.
  • Improved behavior of Watch nodes in Dynamo Player by collapsing consecutive spaces from String inputs.
• Edit
  • Improved stability when using the split tool.
• File Open/Save/Upgrade
  • Improved stability when upgrading a project that includes a corrupt family.
  • Fixed an issue that could cause unresolved pointer reference errors when opening projects.
  • Improved stability when the pointer pUser of Sketch is null.
  • Improved family loading by remembering the location of the last family loaded into the project.
• Linked Files
  • Improved stability when inserting a Revit link containing invalid or missing phase data.
• Materials
  • Improved stability when exiting painting material in a 3D view.
  • Improved stability when when replacing a material texture in material dialog.
  • Improve stability after creating a new material and dragging it into the local library through material editor.
  • Improved stability when editing materials.
  • Improved stability when quickly double-clicking on the OK button on the Material Browser.
  • Improve stability when working with materials browser to edit material properties and generate thumbnail images.
  • Fix an issue to display the correct material appearance preview.
• Parts
  • Added the ability to copy reinforcement in parts when mirroring the original element.
• Print
  • Fixed an issue with the Print Setup dialog so that work planes print as expected when the option 'Hide ref/work planes' is cleared.
  • Fixed an issue in which the Print dialog became disabled when choosing the Print to PDF print driver with Windows 10 anniversary edition.
• Schedules
  • Improved stability when upgrading the parameter ROOM_SPACE_TYPE_PARAM integer type to ElementId type.

• Sign In/Sign Out - Improved stability when quickly signing out of A360 and closing Revit.
• Sketching
  • Fixed a crash that occurred when editing multi-segment grids.
• User Interface
  • Fixed an issue in which ribbon menus disappeared after performing a print preview.
• Views
  • Improved stability when a view filter included analytic or space categories and the energy analysis tools are disabled in the user interface.
  • Improved stability when reloading an active view that was deleted by another user.
• Worksharing
  • Fixes an issue in the Synchronize with Central operation that mistakenly reports the model is corrupted.
  • Improved stability in workshared files containing sun and shadow settings saved in view templates.

• Architecture
  • Floor
    • Improved stability when setting the thickness of a floor to 0 while in the floor preview dialog.
  • Stair
    • Improved stability when upgrading projects with multistory stairs from Revit 2017 and earlier to Revit 2018.
  • Wall
    • Improved stability when deleting wall elements.
    • Fixed an issue so that wall core edges can be referenced when using the Pick Lines sketch tool.
    • Improved stability when activating auto-dimension and selecting a split edge in the wall preview dialog.
• MEP
  • Conduit
    • Improved stability when editing conduit to connect conduit surface connector.
  • Content
    • Resolved a constraint issue in the Pile Cap family, which caused it to not update correctly after the diameter of Pile-Steel Pipe was changed.
  • Duct
    • Improved stability when connecting a rectangular duct branch to a main run in a section view.
  • Duct/Pipe
    • Fixed an issue that could cause instability when modifying the size of a set of pipe or duct elements.
    • Improved stability when editing size of pipe or duct elements in the Options bar.
  • Electrical
    • Improved stability when changing an electrical circuit frame value.
    • Improved stability when selecting electrical wires.
  • Fabrication
    • Fixed an issue that was preventing pattern 2966 from inserting as a 45 wye.
    • Added support for exporting assemblies through the Export to Fabrication addin.
    • Improved support for mechanical tees in MEP Fabrication autofill tools.
    • Improved the sticky move logic with Fabrication parts to reduce the amount of unwanted downstream propagation.
    • Fixed an issue that caused parts to fail to resize on optimized systems.
  • Linked Files
    • Improved performance when opening a file containing MEP fabrication hangers.
  • Lookup Table
    • Restored ability to use the number type parameter to define a lookup size table column.
  • Mechanical
    • Improved stability when associating a P&ID project with a Revit project.
  • P&ID Modeler
    • Improved stability when exiting Revit after utilizing P&ID Modeler functionality during session.
    • Improved ability to map pumps in a P&ID project.
• Structure
  • Rebar
    • Fixed an issue where the value of the rebar partition parameter was deleted when upgrading from Revit 2017 and earlier projects to Revit 2018.
• API
  • Enabled the FabricationPart.GeometryChecksum property to simplify the checking of fabrication part geometry.
  • Fixed an issue so that the crop box is correctly set using the API.
  • Improved stability when placing a wall-hosted family on a ceiling through Dynamo.

Improvements

• Added support for changing service and/or size on MEP Fabrication parts.
• Improved the offset tag to use the string defined in the centerline duct settings.
• Improved filter color consistency with fabrication parts.
• Improved PCF output to report out the material specification.
• Added support for user defined notes in the PCF output.
• Added support for elbow angles in the PCF output.
• Added support for Instrument angle parts in the PCF output file
• Improved the usability of the Section Box shape control to more reliably detect cursor adjustment.
• Added the API RevitLinkType.GetLinkedFileStatus() to determine whether a Revit link is loaded, unloaded, or missing
• Added arrows in canvas to indicate which duct or pipe connector is highlighted in the Select Connector dialog while placing analytical pipe connections or using the Connect Into command.
• Improved P&ID modeler performance when associating a rvt project with a P&ID project.
• Improved task dialog to let users edit P&ID settings if no mapping relationship between P&ID class and Revit family is found.

Readme Page

Release Notes

Revit 2017.2.2

• Annotation
  • Improved display of generic annotation within families when placed above color filled region, such as a room or area.*
• Families
  • Improved the stability of project files when copy-pasting families across documents.*
• File Open/ Save/ Upgrade
  • Fixed an issue that could cause unresolved pointer references errors when opening files.
• IFC
  • Improved stability while exporting IFC files.*
• Keynotes
  • Fixed an issue to improve the accuracy of keynotes near the crop region boundary.*
  • Improved consistency for keynotes when the numbering method is set to By Sheet and elements exist above the view cut plane.*
• User Interface
  • Improved stability when pressing and holding the mouse button and interacting with the Properties panel on button release.
• Worksharing
  • Improved stability in workshared files containing sun and shadow settings saved in view templates.

• File Open/ Save/ Upgrade
  • Improved a performance issue that occurs when opening a file includes MEP fabrication hangers.*

Readme Page

Release Notes

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:

1. The text is not text but a block that uses text as it's attribute
2. The text used corresponds to the part or kit as it is defined, by default, in HydraLIST
3. 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.

Hardware Recommendations for Revit, AutoCAD and Navis

We often get asked about hardware requirements for Hydratec software. We generally follow the Autodesk requirements because AutoCAD, Navis and Revit put the most demands on the computer.

For Revit:

Here is the Autodesk page for Revit requirements: System Requirements for Revit 2021. Other Revit versions can be looked up as well.

Notes: We recommend the Revit 2021 - Performance: Large, complex models specs, with 32Gb RAM or more

For AutoCAD:

Here is the Autodesk page for AutoCAD requirements: System Requirements for AutoCAD 2021. Other AutoCAD versions can be looked up as well.

Notes:

1. Make sure the hardware also meets the Additional Requirements for Large Datasets, Point Clouds, and 3D Modeling section at the bottom part of that page
2. Configure with a minimum of 16Gb RAM for AutoCAD

For Navisworks Manage:

Here is the Autodesk page for Navisworks Manage requirements: System Requirements for Navisworks 2021. Other Navis versions can be looked up as well.

For All Three:

It is imperative that the video card you get is approved by Autodesk for the application and version you will be using. Autodesk has a page where you can check that out: Autodesk Certified Hardware page. Gaming cards are not acceptable for CAD work!

In general, AutoCAD demands the most RAM while Revit demands the most processors. Navis does not require as much as these two. So, a Quad-Core Processor with 16 to 32 GB of RAM should cover all three products.

Manufacturers 

We currently use the Dell Precision series for desktops and Latitude series for laptops. We recommend the ones found in the Small Business section of Dell's website.

We also now use Boxx computers as well. These are designed specifically for CAD applications. We use the Apexx series for desktops and the GoBoxx SLM for laptops.

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:

 

Critical Update: AutoCAD / AutoCAD LT 2018.0.2

We received an urgent notice from Autodesk today:

"Autodesk discovered a mistake with the AutoCAD 2018.0.1/AutoCAD LT 2018.0.1 release that will cause the software to expire and no longer start on June 1, 2017. The issue was quickly resolved by releasing the AutoCAD 2018.0.2/AutoCAD LT 2018.0.2 update; however, we believe approximately 5,000 customer accounts have not installed the fix.

To avoid any unnecessary product or service interruption Autodesk is taking immediate action by reaching out to affected customers. We strongly encourage you and your organization to become familiar with this situation (and the fix) by reading the customer email that was sent to you. Updates must be installed before June 1, 2017."

This is not much notice! But, here is the text of the fix email for your information:

Critical Action Required: Install AutoCAD 2018.0.2/AutoCAD LT 2018.0.2 Update

You are receiving this email because either you or one of the AutoCAD users in your organization has been identified as the user of the AutoCAD 2018.0.1 or AutoCAD LT 2018.0.1 Update.

A few weeks ago, we explained a mistake that was made with the 2018.0.1 Update and quickly resolved the issue by releasing the AutoCAD 2018.0.2/AutoCAD LT 2018.0.2 Update*. As this update fixes a defect that would cause the product to not start, it is critical for users who installed the initial 2018.0.1 Update to install the AutoCAD 2018.0.2/AutoCAD LT 2018.0.2 Update as soon as possible and before June 1, 2017.

Here’s how to do so in three easy steps:

Step 1: Sign in to your Autodesk Account
Step 2: Choose Product Updates on the MANAGEMENT page.
Step 3: You will see the option for the AutoCAD 2018.0.2 or AutoCAD LT 2018.0.2 Update. Pick the option that is applicable to your product, download and install it. The AutoCAD 2018.0.2 Update applies to the products listed below*.

Important Notes:
The 2018.0.1 version is listed in About dialog for AutoCAD 2018 and AutoCAD LT 2018 as version O.61.0.0. Once updated to the 2018.0.2 version, it will be shown as O.72.0.0.
If you do not install the AutoCAD 2018.0.2 Update by June 1, 2017, the product will not start and will display the following pre-release product error message:

 

Creating New Symbols for Flexible Sprinkler Connections

Q: A Customer asked today: "I need to add some head symbols into the (classic) flex head selector options. We are using head 18 and head 9 which are not found in the selections.  Can you help me add them so they are available?"

Here are the simple steps to do that with ours or your newly created head symbols. Please note this is for the Classic Flexible Sprinkler Connection tool, not the new one. The new one does not require separate head details.

A: If you look in the C:\HES\HydraCAD\Ver50\Programs\HEADS\FlexHeads\Flex Representations folder you will see all of the standard head the symbols:

1. Open the heads you want as FSC representations by opening them from the \HES\HydraCAD\Ver50\Programs\HEADS folder
2. In each drawing, do a SAVEAS to the \HES\HydraCAD\Ver50\Programs\HEADS\FlexHeads\Flex Representations folder. Use the next name in the sequence (Flex_O, Flex_P)
3. Change all the items in each new drawing to be in the DETAILS layer
4. Save the drawings

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

 

 

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!

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.

AutoCAD 2017 SP1 Released

The first Service Pack for AutoCAD 2017 was released a couple of weeks ago. I have had no troubles with it over the last two weeks.

The update can be downloaded from the Autodesk Knowledge Base at: AutoCAD 2017 SP1

The Readme file that accompanies the update explains how to install it and what changes were made. View here: Readme

 

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.

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:

Using the Rename Tool in AutoCAD to Rename Layers, Blocks, and Other Things

I had no idea this command existed, but found it when looking for a better way to rename a layer after a customer reported an error while running an AutoList.

The cause of the error was that the pipe block layer, SPRKDATA, was built in the drawing as sprkdata (lower case). While may of HydraCAD's routines are trained to work with either lower or upper case names, this routine was not.

Enter the RENAME command. As you can see from the dialog below, you can use it to rename many things in the drawing.

There are also command line options, to automate the renaming of many layer at once, for example. Such a procedure will be added to checkups in a future HydraCAD update, to eliminate such problems.

Using the Properties Palette Quick Select Feature to Select Riser Nipples

Say you need to select all 1" riser nipples but don't want to go through a large drawing looking for and selecting them individually. How to do that? This way:

1. Select all items in the drawing. Alternatively, you could just isolate the riser nipple layer and select those

 

2. Open the Properties palette by Right-Clicking and picking Properties or hit CTRL+1

3. Pick the drop down list and pick HYDRAPIPE. This is the internal name of our riser nipples. All other items are now ignored

4. Pick the Quick Select button

5. Pick HYDRAPIPE under Object type then diameter under Properties, then type in 1 under Value. Make sure Include in new selection set is selected and pick OK

6. You now have a selection set of only 1 inch riser nipples. You can change the diameter, length or whatever at this point

Note: if you use inch marks on your diameters, then you would need to type in 1" as the Value in Step 5, above.

Align Crosshairs with Ceiling Working Again (Thanks to AutoCAD 2016/2015 Fixes - Updated)

I was playing around with some lights and noticed that the Align Cross-hairs with Ceiling command works once again as it used to. That means that once again it only takes one pick to find an Intersection in a ceiling grid (or any hatch pattern)!

This ability disappeared with AutoCAD 2015. I had reported it as a bug back then, but the word snuck through that it was deliberately disabled by Autodesk because of performance issues associated with parsing through so many potential intersections in large hatch patterns as users selected objects or panned around.

I had installed AutoCAD 2016 SP1 late last year, but did not get around to reading the release notes (for shame) until I noticed this yesterday, and read them. It is reported as a bug fix, which is a bit of a stretch, but it's all good, as long as it was addressed.

Service Pack 1 also makes official Windows 10 compatibility. While earlier versions seem to work just fine on Win10, AutoCAD 2016 SP1 is the only version that Autodesk will support on Windows 10.

For AutoCAD 2015, install the AutoCAD 2015 SP2 Hatch Intersection Osnap Hotfix

For AutoCAD 2016, install the AutoCAD 2016 Service Pack 1 and make your sprinkler and light insertion a whole lot easier.

For AutoCAD 2017, it just works

Importing Parts into HydraLIST

Each HydraLIST update makes dozens of new parts and hundreds of new part numbers available for importing into the HydraLIST database. However, many people don't know this. Here is how to import parts:

In HydraLIST, pick the General Data button:

In the Data screen, on the P/N Table tab pick the Import Data button:

This will open a file dialog where you can select the data file to import. The contents vary based on what version(s) of HydraLIST you have installed. The screen shot below is from V50.21, which will set the standard for quite a while:

Pick the type of part to add. I picked 2-Grooved. I then picked Date Modified to sort by date and picked one of the new Victaulic I-R Fitting files:

This brings in the parts and their descriptions, weights, etc.

Pick Save Spreadsheet to save these to the database. The, pick the Project Data button to return to the Input screens

Done!

Keep a lookout for new parts after an update. And, feel free to contact us for parts you may be missing or would like to see in the database.

Designating Exclusion Zone Around Sprinkler Heads for Clash Detection

So, you want to have an area carved out around sprinkler heads so that other trades don't impinge on your space (yeah, good luck with that!) but aren't sure how. Well, It's pretty easy - what you need to do is to edit some of our sprinkler heads and basically draw a 'cylinder' around them.

HydraCAD's default 3D head folder is \HES\HydraCAD\Ver50\Programs\Heads\3dHeads. All of our stock 3D heads are in this folder.

1. In AutoCAD/HydraCAD, open one of those heads (In this case, I opened 3DHead1). Immediately save it with a different drawing name, in order to reduce the chance that you will break the original. In this case I am using SaveAs to name it 3dHead1-WithClearance.

The next step is to create an object around the head which will act as needed. While there is more than one way to do this, the best way is to draw a circle at the needed distance from the head. Why circles and not something fancier like an actual Cylinder? Circles are relatively 'light' space wise and won't bog your drawing down. This means they are lean and mean when it comes to display time and drawing size.

2. Switch to the INTERFERENCE Layer. If this layer does not exist, simply create it with a color of White.

3a. Start the CIRCLE command. Pick the Center Osnap and pick the Center of the sprinkler throat as the center point of the circle.

3b. Pick on the Diameter option and type in 24 for a 2' exclusion zone.

This results in a circle thusly:

4a. Give the circle some depth (thickness) so that it can form a 'barrier'. Select it, right click and pick Properties

4b. Set the Thickness to -6. This makes the extrusion go downward from the origin point. If this were an upright head, you might enter (+)6 instead

This results in:

5. Lastly, this cylinder must be converted to a Surface so that Navis can recognize it as a solid. Type in CONVTOSURFACE and pick the cylinder.

Resulting in:

6. After the head is saved, it must be assigned to a sprinkler head type in the drawing. This is done in the Sprinkler Setup command in the Definition screen - Choose 3D Head Block

Once the model is raised to 3D in HydraCAD this 'zone' will appear as such:

And in Navis, like this:

Generating Stacked Fractions (Updated)

A customer we were training recently wanted to know how to create 3/8 and 5/8 fractions for use in hanger details. The wanted to know if we have those in our fonts. We do not. However, AutoCAD can automatically generate those, and any other fraction you can dream up, using the MTEXT command (not TEXT).

If you start the TEXT command, and enter 3/8, that is just what you will get:

But, if you start the MTEXT command and type in 3/8, this happens automatically:

But what if you want a diagonal fraction, not a horizontal one? There is a way to do that, too!

Start the MTEXT command and type in 3#8 (instead of 3/8). This will produce the following:

You can even create them without the slash at all. Type in 3^8 and you will get:

If you want to make the formatting permanent, AutoCAD has something for that as well.

Highlight the stacked fraction within the MTEXT - You can double click the text to be put into edit mode. Then, select the fraction and right click or double click. Pick the Stack Properties menu item.

This will give you access to the Stack Properties dialog box, where there are more options than you probably ever wanted to know about:

If you pick the AutoStack button, you will be able to change the default behavior to a diagonal slash, among other things

Pick OK when done, set other things how you like them, pick Defaults and Save Current Settings.

 

FYI - You can start the MTEXT command either typing it in or using the MTEXT button on our HydraCAD Utility toolbar

Getting Hangers to Use Steel Depth When Calculating Rod Length

Hanging from bottom of steel is not as prevalent as it used to be, but it is still done often enough. A change was made recently to HydraCAD to allow quicker use of the Steel Depth blocks added to steel (or any material) structures. If these steel depth blocks are inserted, the program can now reference them more easily.

First, you will need these blocks inserted. To do that, use the Size Steel (SS) command from the Steel toolbar:

Select the steel members to be sized. Again, keep in mind you can insert these on concrete or timber members as well

 

After you draw the pipe and label building elevations, you are ready to add the hangers.

The one important item of note in the Hanger Setup dialog box is the checking of the Bottom option in the Hang From section (above). This must be checked to use the Steel Depth blocks.

Next, use the Steel Hang (STH) command to insert the hangers:

Check the Use Steel Depth Blocks option:

When you pick the steel members to be hung to, the steel depth will be read from the block attached to that steel and subtracted from the rod length. If there is no steel depth block, no hangers will be inserted.