The H-Factor

Reducing Entropy

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Adding Hanger Types to HydraLIST

If you want to use a new type of hanger, or are a fab shop that gets a job from a contractor that uses a hanger type that you do not have, it is easy to add that new hanger type to your own machine. A hanger is an assembly, and an assembly is just…

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Welcome

Recently our previous blog service (Typepad) ended their business – so, we have a new home. It will take a bit to get images back and displaying properly, but we are working on it! Final pageview count of original Typepad blog: 387,232

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Using a Non-Standard Pipe Type in HydraCALC

A customer called today asking how to enter a 1″ black plastic underground pipe for the calc. This particular situation sounded unique enough that I did not tell him to add that pipe type to our database, as I would have if he expected to see this pipe type used repeatedly. I told him to…

art's avatar by art
September 2026
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  • LAYDEL – A nasty AutoCAD command that should never be used

    Don't use Format->Layer Tools->Layer Delete on any of Hydratec's stuff. I fact, I don't recommend using it in architect stuff, either. Here's why – besides deleting everything on the selected layer and the layer name itself, it also redefines all blocks that have a foot in that layer and remove those parts that do.

    An example is one of our pipe sizes. If you were to select on when using this command, you would be notified thusly:

    ******** WARNING ********

    There are 4 block definition(s) which reference the layer(s) you are deleting.
    The block(s) will be redefined and the entities referencing the layer(s)
    will be removed from the block definition(s).

    You are about to delete layer "SPRKDATA" from this drawing.

    Do you wish to continue? [Yes/No] <No>:

    So, this not only gets rid of everything on SPRKDATA, it also redefines the PIPEX block and removes all the attributes that refer to SPRKDATA, in short – the Length and Diameter. The only fix (if it is too late to UNDO) is to start a new drawing and insert this drawing into it

  • Calculating With a Pump but No City Supply in HydraCALC

    I have gotten two calls on this in the last two days, so that makes it a good blog topic.

    What if you have a pump and a tank, but no city supply? This one is simple:

    1. End your piping with the reference point PUMP (any name will do, but be consistent)

    2. Set up a pump in the Water Source dialog as follows – Connection = PUMP, Inlet = PUMP and Outlet = PUMP

    PUMP

    That's all

  • Letting HydraCAD Figure the Slope of Sloping Pipe

    Many of you know how to specify a sloping pipe. You simply use the Define Sloping Pipe command on the Pipe Elevation flyout of the Piping toolbar. You enter the Rise and Run and then pick the appropriate ends of the pipe depending on how you answered the Low End/High End question.

    But what is you don't know the slope? Or you don't feel like figuring it out? Easy: If you input a rise of 0 and a run of 0 the program will calculate the slope and pipe length when you switch to the System Model. To do this, pipe elevation defLines are required on both ends of the sloping pipe. This is similar to the requirement for computer generated Riser Nipple lengths. Just make sure to pipe the pick the appropriate ends of the pipe depending on how you answered the Low End/High End question.

    Slopingpipe

  • Changing Attribute Color, Height, Style and Rotation

    Unbeknownst to many, HydraCAD has a command (shortcut CAP) that will change many properties of attributes within a block. I have used it mostly for changing the text style used or the color (usually set be the background author) of attributes, but it does more than that.

    CAP

    This command is also available on the HydraTools->Modify->Attributes menu and the HydraTools toolbar

  • Controlling Xref Fading in AutoCAD 2010

    In 2010, xref'd layers are shown faded by default. According to JTB World there is a new AutoCAD variable that controls that: XDWGFADECTL

    Go to tools > options > display tab > and at the bottom right corner find FADE CONTROL. Under it is xref display.

    Or, type it in, and set it as you desire (from AutoCAD sysvar reference):

    XDWGFADECTL

    Type: Integer
    Saved in: Registry
    Initial value: 70

    Controls the dimming
    for all DWG xref objects.

    The valid XDWGFADECTL
    system variable value is between -90 and 90. When XDWGFADECTL is
    set to a negative value, the Xref Fading feature is not turned on,
    but the setting is stored.

    0

    DWG xref objects are
    not faded.

    >0

    When the value is positive,
    controls the percent of fading up to 90 percent.

    <0

    When the value is negative,
    xref objects are not faded, but the value is saved for switching
    to that value by changing the sign.

    This and a list of other new 2010 variables can be found at JTB World New 2010 Variables

  • Turning Your Library of Blocks into a Tool Palette

    I posted about this before, but not concerning a wholesale replacement of your blocks with tool palettes.

    If you have a large library of your own details and blocks, you can convert entire folders at a time to tool palettes by using the Design Center:

    1. Press CTRL+3 to open the tool palette (if not already open)
    2. Now open up the Design Center using CTRL+2
    3. Navigate to the folder where you have the blocks you want added to the palette
    4. Right-click on the folder and pick Create Tool Palette

    Repeat as necessary

    This will create a palette named after the folder you selected and containing all the blocks in that folder.

    See this post for more general details

  • Creating Screen Captures

    I hope everyone who is able to, is enjoying the end of their long holiday weekend.  I'll be taking  Memorial Day off in a couple weeks, so I thought I'd take another shot at adding to Art's great contributions to the H-Factor.

    One of the best ways to convey your message in an email is via a screen capture.  I've been sent many screen captures over the years, but on occasion, I get a copy of the user's entire screen in an 8MB .BMP format file.  There are a couple tools you can use which will make your file smaller and more concise.

    If you're using Windows Vista, there is a very handy application called the Snipping Tool.  You can find it by going to "Start|All Programs|Accessories|Snipping Tool".  The application window (shown below) will open up and your screen will look 'disabled' (for lack of a better term).

    Snipping

    At this point, select window points around the area you would like to capture by clicking the start and end points.  Then, select the "File|Save As" command.  I usually save my files as .PNG files or .JPG files.  Either one works fine.  Make a note of where the file was saved to.

    If you are using Windows XP, you're still stuck with Microsoft Paint, but there a couple options when you make your screen capture. 

    1a. You can use the PRINT SCREEN button to capture your screen, however this copies your entire screen to the clipboard. 

    1b. Another option is to use ALT+PRINT SCREEN as this will only copy the current window to the clipboard.

    2. Once your clipboard contains your screen image, go to "START|Programs|Accessories|Paint"

    3. In Paint, go to Edit|Paste, and you'll see your image in the window.  Edit your image as necessary.

    4. Save the image by going to "File|Save As".  Give the file a name, but before you click OK, note the area which says "Save as type".  Change this from a .BMP to either a .JPG or a .PNG.

    Snipping2

    Now that you've saved your screen capture, email the file to us and we'll be that much closer to answering your question.

  • Getting the Mouse Wheel to Display the HydraCAD Cursor Menu

    Those of you who have set the option to use the third button/wheel as the cursor menu may have noticed that you get the condensed AutoCAD cursor menu, not the expanded HydraCAD cursor menu. Somewhere along the line
    AutoCAD 'broke' the way cursor menus are supposed to load, with the
    result being that AutoCAD's takes precedence unless you redirect it.

    First of all, two things

    A. Pick HydraTools->Options-> to set your wheel to your desired behavior using one of the last two items

    B. The HydraCAD cursor menu can always be displayed by holding down the SHIFT button and Right-Clicking your mouse.

    To get the HydraCAD Cursor menu when you press the wheel, you need to modify the CUI. So:

    1. Type in CUI and press Enter
    2. Locate the HCAD Shift+Click Button 2 entry as seen below
    3. Highlight the Macro code and right-click to pick Copy

    CUI1

    4. Now, slide down and locate the ACAD Partial CUI File entry for Click Button 3 as seen below
    5. Highlight the Macro code and right-click to pick Paste

    CUI2

    6. Pick OK to finalize your changes

    This customization will stick around 'forever' unless you reinstall AutoCAD.

  • Using Overrides to list GOLs at Top or Bottom of Riser Nipples with V50

    From a Customer, with a response by our guest commentator, Bill McKenna

    Art,
    I'm hoping you can
    help or direct this to someone else who can help.  We are using AutoCAD
    MEP 2008 and HydraCAD Version 50.1 Revision 2

    The attached drawing
    is having a problem with the OVERRIDE -> TEE -> "Groove-O-Let Sid
    Out".  I have various notes on this drawing indicating how I have
    defined mains and lines for stocklisting.  When using this override block
    various errors show up in the stocklist on all (4) lines.  Can you look at this and tell what the problem is?

    On a side note it
    looks as if the in OVERRIDE -> TEE -> "Groove-O-Let Sid Out",
    "Groove-O-Let Bottom", "Groove-O-Let Top" all use standard
    couplings.  In the attached drawing I have inserted groove-o-lets with
    firelock couplings.  What override do we use for
    groove-o-lets with firelock couplings?

    Answer:

    The V50 AutoLIST program is
    slightly different from the V45. Many of the overrides
    that were used in V45 as they are no longer required. The GOL outlets are one
    of the areas that will see this change.

     

    In the V45 there was a GOL
    override for a Side outlet as well as Top and Bottom outlets.  This was
    required because V45 needed to define the type of outlet and the coupling
    associated with the outlet when it was inserted at a riser nipple. Therefore,
    the Top and Bottom GOL overrides needed to be set up for both STANDARD &
    FIRELOCK grooved couplings. The Top and Bottom GOL overrides reported the
    outlet type and the coupling on the riser nipple to HydraLIST.

     

    In V50 the "Groove-O-Let
    Sid Out" override is the only GOL override needed because the AutoLIST
    program treats riser nipples differently.  When you insert the override at
    a riser nipple the command will ask if it should be inserted at the Top or
    Bottom.  The override should only report the outlet type at the end of the
    riser nipple to HydraLIST.  The listing tag inserted at the riser nipple
    will define the material for the grooved coupling (STANDARD or FIRELOCK).

     

    Note: If you use
    "Groove-O-Let TOP" or "Groove-O-Let BOT" overrides in V50
    AutoLIST an extra grooved coupling will be reported to HydraLIST.

     

    In a future update you will see
    a trimmed down override list and only be able to find a Welded Grooved Outlet
    "GOL" TEE shape override.  The Welded Grooved Outlet will
    actually be a copy of the "Groove-O-Let Sid Out" with a new name in
    the override list.  For now use the "Groove-O-Let Sid Out" for
    ALL Welded Grooved TEE Outlets in any position with any grooved coupling type.

  • For the old timers out there (like me) – 30 Old Computer Ads

    It is always fun when a new technology comes out because, well, everything is new. And,there are always a lot of choice until Darwin whittles them down to the survivors. Plus you young punks think you know it all but you really missed out on all the fun 🙂

    30 Old Computer Ads

    Take the Franklin Ace1200 special features:

    Apple II-compatible
    128K of RAM
    Built-in floppy disk drive
    80 column card (note: no monitor included)
    Serial interface
    Parallel interface
    Upper and lower case (sounds like an infomercial – "You get your upper AND your lower case keys – not just one!)
    Numeric pad

    I miss the fun of the first three color game, or first game with sound…