The H-Factor

Many users prefer to use their own colors, linetypes, lineweights etc. when drafting. HydraCAD is set up to do just that. The only thing you cannot do is to change our layer names. But, you can add your own layers if you want.

The best overall approach is to set up your own template, beginning with a copy of our template. Our templates have all the layers in them that we need to run HydraCAD. If you start with our template, make your changes to it and save it as your own template, you are not overriding the rules of ours, and we aren’t stomping on yours after an update. This blog post explains how that should be done: Creating your own templates

Losing HydraCAD Layers

If you use AutoCAD’s PURGE command all unused HydraCAD layers (along with other unused layers) will be removed from the drawing. This is bad.

Rebuilding HydraCAD Layers

Use the Rebuild Layer command in the Hydratools->Tools dropdown menu. Or, type in RBL. This will rebuild all of our layers with their settings. It runs the layer script file that comes with HydraCAD, or the one you created, below.

Going forward, do not use AutoCAD’s Purge command. Instead, use our Super Purge, on the same menu as Rebuild Layers. Or, type in PUR. Super Purge does a deep purge of unused layer and blocks. It then runs our layer script file (layer.scr), which reinserts layers, blocks and dimension styles that HydraCAD requires to operate. Furthermore, it does an AUDIT to automatically fix drawing database errors.

Replacing our Layer Script with Yours

Open a drawing that has the layers set the way you like them. Then, pick Create Layer Script from this Drawing from the HydraTools->Options drop down menu. This will replace HydraCAD’s default layer script with yours.

To replace our settings and add yours, use the Create Layer Script from this Drawing command instead. The next time you use Rebuild HydraCAD Layers (RBL) or Super Purge (PUR), our layer script will be run with your custom settings, not ours.
If you make a mistake and some of our layers are missing or the layer script will not run or locks up, it is easy to get back to our defaults. In that case, use the Restore Original HydraCAD Layers command just below the Create Layer Script from this Drawing command.

 Making a Layer Script with Only Your Layers

This will allow you to retain your own added layers and not have them replaced when you run a HydraCAD update. Open a drawing that has the layers set the way you like them. Then, pick Create Layer Script from this Drawing from the HydraTools->Options drop down menu. This will replace HydraCAD’s default layer script (Layer.scr) with yours.

Then, pick the command named Edit HydraCAD Layer Script just above it. This allows you to edit this new Layer.scr file directly. Be careful in here, as script files are very sensitive to extra characters. However, if you want to make a new layer script with just your added layers, then use this command and do the following:

1. Keep the first line and the last lines in the new Layer.scr
2. Delete lines that refer to our layers and keep only those lines that refer to yours
3. Save this file with the name MYLAYER.SCR
4. Run the Restore Original HydraCAD Layers command. This will restore our Layer.scr to the shipped version

The next time you use Rebuild HydraCAD Layers (RBL) or Super Purge (PUR), our layer script will be run as well as yours.

To also have your layers listed under the HydraCAD Layers filter in the AutoCAD Layer panel, and have your layer descriptions there as well, then do this:

1. Locate the file named LAYER.DAT in the \HES\HydraCAD\Ver50\Programs\Version5# folder
2. Open this file with Notepad
3. Keep the first line and the last lines in the LAYER.DAT
4. Delete lines that refer to our layers and add in lines that refer to your layers, keeping the same format we have. You can also keep our lines and replace our terms with yours
5. Save this file with the name MYLAYER.DAT

The next time you use Rebuild HydraCAD Layers (RBL) or Super Purge (PUR), your layer names will be added to the HydraCAD Layer filter along with your descriptions.

Today’s customer question: “How do you draw an Up/Down sprinkler (Upright on a Tee, with a Pendent Drop) in HydraCAD?”

This is actually easier than it seems. You just have to define the two heads, as usual, and insert them at the same X,Y location (i.e. on top of each other). 

Back in the ‘old days’, designers would draw such a combination using this symbol: 

In this example, we will create the same symbol as far as looks are concerned

 1. Define the Upright head like usual. We suggest using HEAD2 if you haven’t already. That is the symbol that looks like this:

This head should be defined as Attached Directly to a Line or Main

2. Define the Pendent head like usual. We suggest using HEAD5 if you haven’t already. That is the symbol that looks like this:

This head should be defined as On a Drop

3. Insert one of each of them at the location of the bullhead tee. Notice this looks exactly like the old-school head at top

4. Insert a Drop Window around the pendent head(s). Remember that a drop window will only affect heads on a drop, so it is ignored in the case up upright heads

5. Tag it for listing and run it through!

Notice the Drop was tagged with its info

In HydraLIST, this is what got picked up:

Note 1: If you need an upright on a sprig at the same X,Y location as the pendent, then you would defined HEAD2 as being On a Sprig. You would also place a spring window (using the Drop Window command)

Note 2: If you already used HEAD2 or HEAD5 for some other head definition, you can make create other heads that look the same. Find that info here: Creating Sprinkler Heads

From a customer:

“I am trying to create a Trimble point layout for my beam clamps only.  Is there anyway to isolate the #01 Hangers from the #05 Hangers?”

While there isn’t a direct way, there is an indirect one. There is a way to grab a selection set based on an attribute value. This involves one of my favorite commands: FIND

Type in FIND. Press Enter

Check the List results check box. This opens up the bottom half of the above dialog

Type #01 in the Find what: edit field. Hangers are easy because of the formatting of the text, there isn’t any other text that looks like #01

Pick the Find button. This gives you a count of the values that match your search string

Pick OK

Pick the Create Selection Set (All) button at right. You can also select individual items from the list and pick the Create Selection Set (Highlighted) if you need to fine-tune which blocks get selected

This gives you a selection set of all the items that have the string #01 in them, zoomed in

You could then move these objects outside the boundary, by a specified amount and moving them back again when you need to

Please also see this post on how to change Hanger numbers for already inserted hangers: Changing Hanger Numbers

To be able to use HydraCAD with a background drawing, you need to do these simple steps:

Step 1 – Start a new drawing using one of the HydraCAD templates. Answer the scale question if asked. This is non-negotiable!

Step 2 – Insert the background drawing into the new HydraCAD drawing, exploded. Meaning, checking the Explode option

If you need help with the new AutoCAD 2020 Insert command, read this post: Using the AutoCAD 2020 Insert Command

That’s really all you have to do to start working!

Next Steps

To convert existing sprinkler heads into HydraCAD heads, read this post: Working With Background drawings #1 – Changing Sprinkler Head Symbols

To convert existing piping into HydraCAD piping, read this post: Working With Background Drawings #2 – Changing Piping

If you are not happy with the colors or line-types of the existing steel, walls, ceilings, structures, etc – then feel free to change them. But, this does not need to be done to use HydraCAD effectively

If the background drawing has existing piping, you may be able to use that piping for HydraCAD.

The ‘may’ all hinges on how the original author drew the piping. Is it from center of head to center of head (or fitting)? Is it from edge of head to edge or head (or fitting). Is it simply drawn through all heads and couplings on a line or main, without stopping at each head? Are they really polylines?

If they are polylines, Explode them first. This will break them into segments.

If they drew the other ways, you can convert them like this:

Step 1: Isolate the layer of the piping by typing PC to pick the current layer, and pick one of the pipes. You can also use AutoCAD’s Layer Isolate tool.

Step 2: Type in AF to turn all the layers off except for that current layer.

Step 3a: Select all of the pipe you want in the Main layer and pick SPRKDAT1 from the layer drop-down list
Step 3b: Select all of the pipe you want in the Line layer and pick SPRKDAT2 from the layer drop-down list
Step 3a: Select all of the pipe you want in the Underground layer and pick SPRKDAT3 from the layer drop-down list
Step 3a: Select all of the pipe you want in the Armover layer and pick SPRKDAT4 from the layer drop-down list

If they are only drawn edge to edge, you will have to turn on all the layer and use Grips or Extend to make the pipes reach the center / insert point of our heads and couplings.

If they are drawn through all the entities, you will have to break them up into segments. You can use AutoLine and AutoMain to do this relatively painlessly.

Say you have a background drawing that has sprinkler heads already laid out, but they aren’t HydraCAD sprinkler heads. What to do?

Zeroth – Do what you should always do with a background drawing. That is, start a New drawing using one of the HydraCAD templates, and then insert your drawing into it, exploded.

First – you can stop laughing, because some of these backgrounds have a good quality sprinkler layout, unlike years past.

Second – it helps to know if the sprinkler heads are blocks or circles. Or something else.

If ‘something else’, then their isn’t much we can help with other than telling you to latch onto an Osnap that is useful with the existing heads and use the Insert Multiple Sprinklers command to copy a new head to that osnap on all the existing heads, one by one.

But, if it they are blocks or circles, then we can help.

Step 1: Define the new heads you will need using the usual method – Select Sprinkler

Step 2: Insert one of each new head type to a place on the drawing that will be easy to locate when the time comes.

Step 3: Use the Change Block command! It is found in HydraTools->Modify->Blocks->Change Blocks (or type CHB) 

When that comes up,take a look at the dialog box. You can change blocks or circles using this tool:

 For Blocks

Pick Select Existing and pick one of the existing heads. Then, pick Select New and grab one of the ew heads you inserted.

There are two overhauled commands in AutoCAD 2020 that are used pretty often; and that have changed considerably. One is the PURGE command, which I covered in an earlier post. The other is INSERT, which I will cover here.

Insert has changed considerably, in that it is considerably more complicated. Typing it in yields an Insert palette:

The Current Drawing tab shows all the blocks currently defined in the drawing, whether or not they have been actually inserted. From this tab, you can pick or drag and drop the blocks into the drawing.

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The Recent tab shows you the most recently inserted blocks, giving you a smaller list to choose from. however, this requires that you set up a cloud storage system to synch with. View the Help on this tab if you want to proceed

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To insert a block from another drawing, however, select the Libraries tab. The first time you use this command, the Libraries tab will be blank with a note to the effect of Open Block Libraries. 

Picking that, you will be asked to select a drawing to access, or, you can pick the Library Book symbol, below, for this same purpose:

Picking a drawing will display all of the blocks defined within that drawing. You can drag or drop these blocks into your drawing.

If you want to insert the entire drawing, such as in the case of a background to work off of, select the very first block in the upper left. This is the entire drawing. I suggest checking the Explode and Insertion Point boxes when inserting. I do not recommend the drag and drop feature for this, as the entire drawing has to get loaded in before you can ‘drop’ it where you want it

Finally, now that you have been forced to read all of this, if you want to use the good old Insert command from days of yore, simply type in CLASSICINSERT to do so!