• Author / Uploaded
• Ivonn Ochoa

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BASIC TRAINING WORKBOOK Settings

Copyright 2013 M.E.P.CAD, Inc. This work is the sole property of M.E.P. CAD, Inc. and may not be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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AUTOSAVE ( FILE / AUTOSAVE): The AutoSave dialog box provides options for automatically saving your work so that it can be recovered in case of a power failure or system crash. These include the time interval between automatic saves, as well as the location on your hard disk where autosave files are stored. Make entries in this dialog box as follows: • • •

Check the check box at the top of this dialog box to enable autosaving. Note that only documents that have had changes made to them will be automatically saved. Time Interval to Save Modified Documents: Enter a number of minutes between automatic saves. The default value is 10 minutes. Folder in Which to Save Documents: Enter a directory path for the location where autosave files should be stored, or click on the button to the right of this field to browse for a directory. Note: The default autosave directory is the main application directory for AutoSPRINK.

If you need more information on what is contained in a directory before selecting it as a destination for autosave files, click the Explore Folder button. This will close the AutoSave dialog and launch Windows Explorer. All files and settings should be stored locally on the C:\ drive. If you are saving on a network or Profile folder on a network, it may take extra time to process commands in AutoSPRINK.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT (SETTINGS / DRAWING / PROJECT MANAGEMENT):

The Project Management tab feature allows the user to enable the document to keep track of version changes. In order to do this, check the Managed Document checkbox at the top of the dialog. Note that the drawing must be initially saved before activating this feature. Whenever a file with Project Management turned on is saved, a dialog box will appear. Enter any notes regarding the changes made in this version if desired, and click OK. The drawing will be saved, and the file name will be incremented with a version number. These notes and the version number will then be displayed in the Project Management tab.

RENDER SETTINGS (SETTINGS / RENDER): Surface Tessellation, Maximum Text detail, & Crosshatch density: These settings control the number of facets that are used to create curved surfaces, the sharpness of the text, and the maximum density of crosshatches that will be displayed (otherwise you will see a ‘Hatch Too Dense To Display’ message). The settings shown will produce good results without

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taxing your hardware:

DRAWING SETTINGS (SETTINGS / DRAWING): By default, the Description of the drawing is the date and time the document was created. The description is optional but can be used for entering a detailed description of the drawing. Theoretically, there is no limit to the amount of text that can be typed into the description box. All drawing values are stored in a common Base Unit. You should select the units that are used most frequently in your work to minimize rounding anomalies. The CAD system will not reliably calculate values smaller than 1/100,000th (one onehundred-thousandth) of the document base unit. Thus, if the document base unit is set to Meter, the smallest value that will reliably be calculated is 1/100th of a millimeter. The Drawing Scale establishes the proportion between values expressed in paper units and those expressed in drawing units. Use Change Scale to select the scale at which you plan to print so that your font size, selections, etc. produce the correct result. Note that you can print at any scale, regardless of the scale you choose here.

NUMBER FORMAT SETTINGS (SETTINGS / FORMAT): Lengths and Hanger Lengths Tab: This setting controls the rounding value of the pipe cuts shown on the drawing. This does not control the information sent to the stocklisting sheets (see Module 5 Stocklisting for this info).

Diameters Tab: This setting controls the rounding value of the pipe diameters. This should never be set larger than 1-1/4”, otherwise 1-1/4” pipe would be labeled as 1-1/2”!

HYDRAULIC CALCULATIONS SETTINGS (SETTINGS / HYD CALCS): Dynamically Renumber Node Tags: This option is turned on by default. As a result, the renumbering sequence automatically changes to the next preferred sequencing increment (specified by users) as additional Remote Areas are placed in the drawing. It is highly recommended that this be turned off after placement of remote areas.

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FABRICATION STANDARDS SETTINGS - PIPES (SETTINGS / FAB STANDARDS / PIPES TAB): Pipe Types are used to tell AutoSPRINK what use the pipe will serve. The user specifies which pipe types are to get outlets and which are to get fittings during the Cleanup Intersections process. The preferred end type for each pipe type is also specified. This is used when setting the pipe type in the Pipe Properties toolbar. When a pipe type is chosen, the end type displayed will automatically change to the preferred if possible. It may not be a possible end type for the material of pipe in which case no end type will be displayed and the user will need to manually choose an appropriate end type for the pipe. When a user chooses a pipe size from the Pipe Toolbar (Simple Interface), then places the pipe, the type of pipe placed is dependent upon the Smart Pipe rules. A pipe's properties including pipe size, pipe type-group, and pipe material are defined by the Smart Pipe rules. The pipe size and pipe material is listed in the Smart Pipe area of the Fabrication Standards dialog. Smart Pipe will automatically place an individual pipe type based on the specific rules set for that pipe. For example, if a pipe's maximum Branch Line size (or cutoff) is set to 2” and the user selects 3” from the Pipe toolbar, the pipe drawn will be a Cross Main according to the Smart Pipe Rules (see help menu for more info).

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FABRICATION STANDARDS SETTINGS - FITTINGS (FITTINGS TAB): The Fittings tab page includes options to turn on AutoSPRINK's Parts Book Harmonization. Harmonization verifies each fitting for proper connection (end prep and size) and attempts to find a valid fitting in the Parts Book for each bad connection. The four options available will further define the degree of harmonization. The primary function is the ability to have AutoSPRINK automatically find proper fittings at intersections and match pipe ends to attached fittings. In this case, the word "proper" refers to finding the fitting that is the correct size and type, of those available in the Parts Book, to fit a given intersection. When AutoSPRINK creates a system (in a wizard for example,) it places fittings where they are required, but does not pay attention to the exact, proper fitting that would belong at the intersection unless this option is checked. This is an optional setting, because AutoSPRINK can hydraulically calculate a system whether or not the fittings are matched to the proper Parts Book listings. As long as there are no leaks, the system will calculate properly. On the other hand, if Stock Listing is performed, it is very important to ensure the system is Harmonized, with proper fittings, to create an accurate Stock List.

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FABRICATION STANDARDS SETTINGS – PIPE & HANGER LENGTHS (PIPE & HANGER LENGTHS TAB): The Pipe & Hanger Lengths tab allows a user to adjust values that affect Pipe and Hanger lengths in the drawing. The first section contains editable fields that users can adjust as needed. The List short pipes as nipples option is turned on by default, with a maximum nipple size of 1'. This option must be unchecked if exporting the list to an hlf file as hydralist does not understand nipples from AutoSPRINK. The angle at which pipes are considered vertical is 75°, though the setting can be changed. This controls the appearance and behavior of pipes that are not level. For example, if a pipe is at a 70° angle and the vertical setting is at 75°, the pipe will not be considered a riser nipple unless the setting is changed to less than 70°. This also affects how the pipe is labeled (normal label vs angled). Minimum Allowable Pipe Lengths This table allows a user to create, edit, and/or delete the minimum allowable pipe lengths. The default total & cut lengths appear until a user makes any changes. Pipe Cut Lengths The minimum increment for cut lengths on pipes is set at ½ ", but can be adjusted. Carry-overs can be taken care of in one of two ways: Round as you go, or Add all errors together and apply to starter piece. The second option is on by default. The second option offers sub-choices, and users can choose to apply those carryovers to the Primary or Secondary Starter piece, split evenly between the two, or always round up on the starter piece(s). Update cut lengths on pipes dynamically and Apply takeouts to cut lengths for underground pipe are alternative options, and are not turned on by default. Hanger Rod As an added convenience, Pre-Cut Hanger Rods can be used, and users enter their maximum lengths (rounds to the nearest ¼ " if necessary). To alleviate the amount of extra material, the Pre-Cut Hanger Rod length will round to the nearest ¼ " if necessary. There is also an option to toggle how it will be rounded. If Pre-Cut Hanger Rods are used, their lengths will display in the Material Summary during Stock Listing. Pre-Cut Rods will also be listed separately from other hanger rods in the Hanger Material and Loose Material reports. This option must also be unchecked if exporting the list to an hlf file.

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SAVING AND USING YOUR SETTINGS (FILE / OPTIONS): Drawing Settings Some settings are stored in each drawing file. These settings are generally limited to settings that are required to properly restore the drawing between sessions. Settings restored from the drawing file override all other setting initializations. Creating a Settings File All of the settings described in this module can now be saved into a file.

1. File / Save Settings As… Name the file, saving it in a location you will then navigate to in the next step. The settings file provides a location for storing settings between drawing sessions. Default properties elements are stored in the settings file.

2. SELECT THE THIRD OPTION AS SHOWN IN THE PICTURE AND NAVIGATE TO THE SETTINGS FILE YOU JUST CREATED. Each new file created will now have these settings. Many different settings files can be created. To save settings to the default file, use the Save Settings command. To save settings to a file of your choice (as in the steps above), use Save Settings As... A settings file loaded during the file open process overrides program default settings but does not override settings stored in the drawing file. Note: A settings file that is loaded after a drawing is opened overrides all corresponding settings in the drawing. All settings should be stored locally on the C:\ drive. If you are saving on a network or Profile folder on a network, it may take extra time to process commands in AutoSPRINK.

Load Sequence When a new drawing is created or an existing drawing is opened, settings are initialized from several sources. The program initializes all values to a valid default. Settings can be loaded from a settings file. Settings are loaded from the existing drawing file. For a new drawing, the following takes place: Settings are initialized to internal program defaults. Settings are loaded from a configured settings file. Thus, only settings that are later stored in the file will override program defaults. For an existing drawing being opened, the following takes place: Settings are initialized to internal program defaults. Settings are loaded from configured settings files. Settings are loaded from drawing files. Thus settings that are stored in the drawing will override all other setting initializations. Load Settings Settings are loaded from a selected settings file. All settings that are loaded override corresponding drawing settings. The settings file loaded when the New or Open menu items are chosen can be configured. By default, the last settings file saved is the default settings file. You may also choose to use program defaults, in which case no settings file is

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loaded during New and Open. A settings file of your choice can also be employed once its location has been specified. The Save Settings command preserves the current settings under a default file name. The name is shown on the file options dialog box. The configuration of the startup settings file does not affect the location of the settings that are stored by the Save Settings command.

CREATING AND SAVING LAYERS: Load settings and create Layers

Layer Settings Files

Save Layer settings

The current structure and status of layers can be saved to a file for later use. This is convenient for restoring layer status flags or an entire layer structure. Right-click in white space or on a column heading to see a pop-up menu of commands for loading and saving layer settings files.

Save Settings: Records the current layer structure and status flags to a file with a .LYS extension. Load Settings: Retrieves the layer status flags from a .LYS file but does not create layers that do not exist. Use this command to restore status flags only. Load Settings and Create Layers: Retrieves the layer status flags from a .LYS file and creates layers that do not exist. Use this command to restore a layer structure.

End of Settings

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