The H-Factor

The Slope Entire System command was added to the Piping toolbar (Define Pipe Elevation flyout) a while back, but many still do not know of its existence, or how to use it. With it, you are able to specify a slope for your mains and a (maybe different) slope for your lines and slope the whole tree system with one pick, as in a dry system, for example.

Picking this command gives a series of command line options.

Settings

This one is actually last, but may be the one you usually use first. Use it primarilly to set the Rise and Run of the slope. Type in 'S' and then type in 'M' for Main Set Slope or 'B' for Branch Set Slope and enter your desired slope. Use the Current Settings option at the first command line prompt to set what the defaults are

One Segment

This will allow you to pick one straight run of piping, starting from the end of the selected pipe

All connected pipes

This will place slope markers on all connected system piping starting from the end of the selected pipe. One slope marker will be added for each straight run of pipe. Use a Stop Marker to prevent the slope from continuing

Computer Determined Slope

This will place slope markers on a straight run of pipe (like the One Segment option). The rise/run is set to 0, which tells the computer to calculated the slope based on pipes labeled with known elevations. See related sloping blog entries: Denoting Sloping Pipe (such as in a stairwell) and Letting HydraCAD Figure the Slope of Sloping Pipe for more on this

Insert Stop Marker

This will insert a marker which will prevent the slope from continuing

Current Settings

Displays a dialog box showing the current settings

?

Opens the help file