The H-Factor

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.

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

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

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).

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.

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

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

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

6. Pick OK to finalize your changes

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

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.