The H-Factor

Reducing Entropy

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Category: HydraCAD

  • Changing the Program Associated with a File Extension

    I had a customer contact me today because he was unable to use any of the internet spawning commands in HydraCAD including Send an Email to Hydratec, Hydratec Website and Hydratec Support Blog (this blog). The cause of his problem was that a browser was not associated with HTML files. Instead, some other program was.…

  • Getting Automatic Main/Line Tags with AutoList

    One of the best features added in HydraCAD V50+ (long overdue IMHO), was the addition of automatic line and main tags.Where are the settings for adding these found? When you start AutoList (SAL), pick the Options button: In the Listing Options, you will find two options pertaining to the tags, one for lines and one…

  • Purging Drawings of DGN (MicroStation) Stuff, Shrinking them Magically

    A customer contacted us about a problem with his drawing as the drawing only had about a hundred heads but was 32+ megs. It turns out that the drawing had a large number of DGN Linetypes, and these really bulked up the DWG file. Before we got to dig too deep into the problem, the…

  • Calculating a Dry System

    From a customer: "Hello.  I have used Hydratec for a number of years and believe it is the best and easiest software to use.  I do have a suggestion.  Is it possible to put a drop-down on the beginning of Hydra-Calc Setup along with the head area, first node, etc. that would allow you to…

  • Showing Armovers as Dashed Lines

    From a longtime customer: Q: What do you think about having the option to do arms as an option for pretty pipes, example why; I have an existing system and the lines and mains are existing and the arms are new so I want the pretty pipes of the existing to be blue dashed and…

  • Adding Ribbon Tabs to Your Workspace

    It is pretty easy to rework your ribbon menus here is how to add one called BIM 360 (Glue) 1. Type in CUI to get to the menu editor 2. Select the Workspace you are used to using – then pick Customize Workspace on the right 3. Expand Ribbon Tabs 4. On the Left, navigate…

  • Installing AutoCAD’s Offline Help

    I really, really don't like the way AutoCAD accesses its help on-line instead of on my local drive. The time lag drives me nuts and if I am away from the internets, I cannot use it, period. Luckily, Autodesk has made it easier than in the last few versions to download and install the offline…

  • Using the CPVC List Command to Generate a Stocklist

    The CPVC command on the Listing toolbar very quickly generates a raw material list for plastic. And, it creates a file that can be imported into HydraLIST to check for availability of fittings and swapping of bushings for other fittings. Once selected, you get a dialog box: The program automatically filters out pipes size larger…

  • Should you buy AutoCAD, or Rent It?

    Autodesk offers renting AutoCAD (and other products) versus an outright buy of them.Does it make sense? Here are some scenarios where rental may make sense: You plan to hire an intern for the summer to help out in your design department   You have a project that will last two or three months and need…

  • Using Grips to Move Multiple Objects

    Grips, IMHO, are the best thing AutoCAD ever added to their program. When they first came out, everyone freaked out (myself included) and we turned them off until we got a better, um, grip on them. Many (most?) people use grips to move a single object. But, they can be handy to use many objects…