The H-Factor

This entry combines one little-known command (Smart Array) with a little-known feature of a more common command (AutoLine).

Inserting Heads using Smart Array

Let's say you have a large room with a suspended ceiling like this, and you want to space heads throughout that room, but do not want to calculate how many rows and colunms you will need. This is where Smart Array comes in. See below:

And you want to add heads to it, center of tile or otherwise.

1. Set up your head like usual

2. Insert that head in the center of the first tile you want a head in, like this:

PS – You should be using the Align Crosshairs with Ceiling command for situations like this!

3. Start the Smart Array command from the Sprinkler toolbar

4. Pick that first head. You will be asked if this is the location of the next head. The idea of this command is to 'steer' over to the location of the next head in both the X and Y directions. Since it is not where the next head goes, pick No

5. Make sure SNAP is on (F9) and drag your crosshairs to the right 12' and pick that point. This is the X spacing for these heads. This is still not where the next item goes, so again answer No

6. Again, drag your crosshairs up 10'' and pick that point. This is
the Y spacing for these heads. This is  where the next item
goes, so answer Yes and the spacing will be set

7. Now, pick the extreme upper right corner to show the entire space to be filled with these heads. I usually pick beyond the wall of the room itself, and without an object snap, to be sure I have enough heads. You can always erase extra ones

8. You will be given the calculated results concerning this room, and given a chance to proceed or bail

This will insert heads thusly:

You can now simply move the rightmost heads into the ceiling grid and be done with heads

Using AutoLine to Connect Heads

9. The next step is to draw the branch lines wherever you want them, and then offset them as need and connect the heads using armovers. The good news is that AutoLine does this for you, so use AutoLine to Draw Lines and Locate Lines and then fill out the dialog box and you have your system:

Next, I will review using Bayspace and AutoLine to achieve a similar result.