M.E.P.CAD, INC.
2111 INDUSTRIAL ROAD
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89102
888.239.1345 OR 702.380.3200 702.380.3200
Startup & General ........................... .......................................... ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ....................... ......... 2 Layer Tree ............................ ........................................... ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ................ .. 2 Licensing............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ .................. .... 2 Level-Specific Revisions ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ .............. 3 Australia & New Zealand .......................... ........................................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ .............. 4 Notation ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ .................. .... 5 Parts Added ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ .............. 5 Actions Menu ........................... .......................................... ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ................ .. 6 Alerts Menu ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ .................. .... 6 Interference Checking ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ .............. 7 Alert Targeting............................ ........................................... ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ....................... ......... 7 Alert Controls ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ......................... ........... 7 Auto Draw ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ..................... ...... 7 Connect Pipes To Sprinklers .......................... ........................................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ .................. .... 8 AutoPREP .......................... ......................................... ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ....................... ........ 8 Convert ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ..................... ...... 8 Compare ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ .................. .... 8 Drawing Cleanup ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ..................... ....... 9 Commands Menu ........................... .......................................... ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ....................... ......... 9 File Menu .......................... ......................................... ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ......................10 .......10 Import/Export ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ........................10 ..........10 Hydraulic Reports ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ .................11 ...11 Stock Listing Reports ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ...........................11 .............11 Sway Brace Reports ........................... .......................................... ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ...............12 .12 Finish Menu ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ .................12 ...12 Cleanup Intersections ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ...........................13 .............13 Hydraulics Menu ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ........................13 ..........13 Analysis Reports ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ....................13 ......13 Remote Area ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ...........................13 .............13 Manual Hydraulic Graph ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ......................13 ........13 Parts Database Menu ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ .................13 ...13 Fittings .......................... ......................................... ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ......................14 .......14 Hangers ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ....................15 .....15 Nozzles ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ....................15 .....15 Pipes ........................... .......................................... ............................ ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ ........................15 ..........15 Sway Braces ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ...........................16 .............16 Select Menu ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ .................16 ...16 Settings Menu .......................... ......................................... ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ...............16 .16 Fabrication Standards ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ...........................17 .............17 Tools Menu ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ .................18 ...18 Arcs ............................ ........................................... ............................ ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ ........................18 ..........18 Pipes ........................... .......................................... ............................ ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ ........................18 ..........18 System Areas ............................ .......................................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ........................18 ..........18 Walls ........................... .......................................... ............................ ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ ........................19 ..........19 View Menu ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. ....................19 .....19 Display Rotator ........................... .......................................... ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ......................19 ........19 Wizards Menu .......................... ......................................... ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ...............19 .19
Startup & General AutoSPRINK now designates 32 or 64-bit in its program window. The 64-bit version now checks for the appropriate ODBC database engine upon startup. If it is not in place, a message detailing instructions on how to obtain it appears before automatically closing the program. The logic has been updated for both the detection of unknown parts when merging parts upon startup as well as the placement of alerts. AutoSPRINK now automatically turns off the desktop composition manager. The startup Splash screen has had its timeout duration significantly reduced. It should now disappear after 15 seconds pending an error preventing AutoSPRINK from launching. The 64-bit version of AutoSPRINK now has integrated spellchecking. AutoSPRINK is now available as either a 32 bit or 64 bit application. Both versions can be installed on the same computer, if desired. VR10 drawings can be opened in VR8. A dynamic objects warning will be displayed when opening a VR10 drawing in VR8 but it can usually be ignored. Elements new to VR10 will, of course, not be displayed properly in VR8; VR10 Sway Brace elements may crash VR8 and the Sprinkler Legend in VR10 will not display properly in VR8.
Layer Tree
Layer sorting is now saved with drawings and sorting is maintained when switching between drawings. The Layer Tree no longer disappears when all layers are turned off or one layer is isolated.
Licensing
Keyless licensing has been implemented across the range of M.E.P.CAD products. Use of previous hardware keys (such as USB devices) is now obsolete. Most instances of original licensing requests will be handled directly through M.E.P.CAD support, in order to customize level-specific features. To renew a license, users need only click the ‘Request License’ button on the Licensing dialog, fill out the form that pops up, and, pending approval, enter the corresponding license number (dashes and all) from the resulting email. o Clicking upon the Lock icon on the Licensing dialog displays the duration of the current license as well as the current features of the installed license. o Using a single license across multiple machines is now more convenient than ever with the Net License utility. Now, each license can be prefigured to be installed on a limited number of machines, allowing a set number of users to be active or have the license “checked out” at once. For instance, a license could be configured to be installed on 10 machines, with 5 licenses active at any time. Once the Net License is installed on a machine, the user can click “Renew” to check out the license for a set duration of time. Users can also release the license before the duration runs out by clicking “Release” on the licensing dialog. o Standard licenses can be moved to different machines by clicking the “Deactivate License ” button on the licensing dialog. This releases an installed license for use on another machine.
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Level-Specific Revisions Note: This list of Level Changes is for information only and not intended as a guarantee of features available in any Level.
Import/Export to IFC file format is now available in the Gold and Platinum Levels. The ability to ‘Save and Restore Views’ are now available in Bronze, Silver and Gold Levels. The ‘Welded Branchlines’ and ‘Non-Threaded No-Weld’ reports have been made available in Simple Stocklisting. The ‘Darcy-Weisbach’ Calculation Method is now available to Gold and Platinum. The ‘Antifreeze Expansion Chamber Calculator’ is now available to Gold and Platinum. ‘Create/Split Symbol’ is now available to all levels of AutoSPRINK. ‘Remove Parts Book Item ’ (with or without Stock Listing) is now available to all levels of AutoSPRINK. ‘Set Text Angle’ is now available to all levels of AutoSPRINK. A new menu item is now in place for the ‘Verify Elements’ command for the Simple Interface feature in AutoSPRINK Platinum. The Text Rotator is now available in all levels of AutoSPRINK. Saved and Restored Views are now available in all levels of AutoSPRINK. ‘Color Pipes By’ is now available in the Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels of AutoSPRINK. A Camera Rotator has been added to the Simple Interface for AutoSPRINK Gold and Platinum levels. The First Person fly-out Menu in Gold and Platinum’s Simple Interface has been reduced to 3 buttons: First Person, AutoClip and ‘Windows Clipping Plane (all levels)’. The ‘Sprinkler Definition Wizard’ is now available to all levels of AutoSPRINK, and in both Standard and Simple Interfaces. A new option has been added to Platinum and Gold’s Listing Menu: “Calculate Surface Area”. It is available in both the Standard and the Simple Interfaces, and
is only applicable to pipes.
A new Select command is available: ‘All Like Selected in Rectangle’ . This
command is available to Silver level and above.
A new Deselect command is available: ‘Deselect All Like in Rectangle’. This
command is available to both the Gold and Platinum Simple and Standard Interfaces.
The ‘Display Rotator’ toolbar has been added to all levels of AutoSPRINK. This
tool allows the user to rotate the view of the drawing to custom angles with the click of a button, or to ‘Set’ the rotation of the drawing and the benchmark to a selected element. The following Parts Database menu selections have been added to all levels of AutoSPRINK: 'Remove Parts Book Item', and 'View Parts List'. The option to 'Arrange Sortable Lists' has been added to every level above Bronze. The Lite version of Stock Listing now has a "Welded Fab - Mains & Branchline" report available. The ‘Select All Like Selected’ command now applies to Part Tags a cross all levels of AutoSPRINK. A ‘Zoom to Selection’ button has been added to the ‘View’ toolbar in the Simple Interface for all levels.
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'Misc' and 'Outrigger' pipes have been added to the selectable Types in the Simple Interface for Gold and Platinum. The Multi-Point Wizard command has been added to the Simple Interface menu. System Areas have been removed from Bronze Level to be replaced with Occupancy Area. In the 'Setting \Fabrication Standards \Pipe & Hanger Lengths' tab, the ability to “List short pipes as nipples” is now available in all levels of AutoSPRINK.
Australia & New Zealand There is now an ‘Australia/New Zealand’ option under the Region Settings tab of the Fabrication Standards Menu.
Welded Mains on the Welded reports are no longer rolled to have the most predominant outlet orientation at 0°. The Welded Main stays in the same orientation as shown in the drawing. Remote Areas have been regionalized for Australia/New Zealand. When Aust/NZ settings are loaded, the list of selectable areas will be as follows: AU Ordinary Hazard 1 - 5mm (L/min/m²) density x 72m2 AU Ordinary Hazard 2 - 5mm density x 144m2 AU Ordinary Hazard 3 - 5mm density x 216m2 AU Extra High Hazard (I) - 7.5mm density x 260m2 NZ Ordinary Hazard 1 - 5mm density x 54m2 NZ Ordinary Hazard 2 - 5mm density x 162m2* NZ Ordinary Hazard 3 - 5mm density x 162m2* NZ Extra High Hazard - 10mm Density x 186m2 (* OH 2 & 3 are the same density and area. Can be combined and shown as: Ordinary Hazard 2/3.) In addition, Aust/NZ will comply with the FM Global criteria (FMDS3-26): FM HC-1 = 4L/min/m² Density x 140m2 FM HC-2 = 8L/min/m² Density x 230m2 FM HC-3 = 12L/min/m² Density x 280m2 FM HC-4 = 20L/min/m² Density x 280m2 FM Storage (aka: ESFR) = 12 @345 kPa Both will use: Light Hazard - 4L/min/m² Density x 140m² Residential - 4L/min/m² Density x 84m² Ordinary Hazard 3 Special (I) -5mm density x 360m2 Ordinary Hazard 3 Special (II) -12mm density x 230m2 Ordinary Hazard 3 Special (III) -18mm density x 230m2 Other - 6L/min/m² Density x 140m² ESFR - 12 sprinklers @ 3.447bar (345kPa)
The following changes have been made for 'Aust/NZ \Pipe Outlets \Pipe-O-Let \NZ Threaded Branch' "Takeout" and "Distance to Outlet" dimensions: Pipe Size 25 through 80mm = 150mm (both the same value) Pipe Size 100mm = 200mm Pipe Size 150 through 200 = 250mm
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The following parts have been removed from the database: Aust/NZ \Hanger Components \Components \PIPE BAND Aust/NZ \Fittings \Reducer/Adapter \Malleable Iron \10 Deg Pap End, MI Generic \Pipe \Aust/NZ Pipe, Aust/NZ Med Generic \Pipe \Aust/NZ Pipe, Aust/NZ Lite Aust/NZ \Pipe \Aust Copper Type B Aust/NZ \Fittings \Reducer/Adapter \Cast Iron \Pap End' fittings
Notation
All Malleable Iron fittings are now noted as "Mal" instead of MI. All Galvanized Malleable Iron fittings are now noted as "Gal Mal" instead of GMI. Street Elbows are now described as "Threaded 90º M&F Elbow" with the Short Description "M&F 90". Service Tees are now described as "Threaded FM&F Tee" with the Short Description "FM&F Tee. Bushings now have the Short Description "O Hex Bush". Threaded Couplings are now described as a "Socket". There is a "Socket" datasheet for these. 'Aust/NZ \Pipe \Litewall Aust/NZ' has seen its Sub Category and Description changed to "Aust/NZ Litewall". Short: "Lite". 'Aust/NZ \Pipe \DI Class 52' has seen its Sub Category changed to "Aust/NZ DI Class 52". Short: "DI 52". 'Aust/NZ \Pipe \Aust Cooper Type B' has seen its Sub Category changed to "Aust/NZ Cooper Class B". Short: "Class B". The 'Generic \Pipe Outlets \Pipe-O-Let \Threaded Pap' Manufacturer has been changed to "Aust/NZ". Short Description "PAP". The 'Generic \Pipe Outlets \Pipe-O-Let \RG Branch' Manufacturer has been changed to "Aust/NZ" and the Description has been changed to "AU Roll Groove Branch". Short Description "RG BCH". The "Distance to Outlet" values have been changed to match the "Takeout" values. Several sizes of Pap Ends have been added. Also, the following ‘Short Descriptions’ have been added for Manufacturer: Aust/NZ, in the corresponding
Categories: o Fittings, Sub-Category: Reducer/Adapter, Sub-Type: Cast Iron, Description: Pap End = Pap
Sub-Type: Malleable Iron, Description: Socket, Mal = Soc, Mal - Hex Nipple, Mal = Hex Nip, Mal - Reducing Socket, Mal = Red Soc, Mal o Sub-Type: Galvanized Malleable Iron, Description: Socket, Gal Mal = Soc, Gal Mal - Hex Nipple, Gal Mal = Hex Nip, Gal Mal - Reducing Socket, Gal Mal = Red Soc, Gal Mal The Material and Description for two existing Australian pipe types have been altered as follows: "AU Med” now reads "Aust/NZ Medium" and "AU Lite" now reads "Aust/NZ Lite". o
Parts Added
The following Pipe Outlets have been added: AU RG Roll Groove Branch, NZ RG Roll Groove Branch, Threaded Pap. Off-plumb Welded outlets have been added as an option, in varying degrees of perpendicularity to their corresponding pipes.
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The ability to add a "Blind Socket" to a pipe has been added. This is a half socket welded to a pipe without a hole. These are used for Threaded Arm-Overs to hang a pipe. The Aquatherm Firestop pipe and fittings have been added to the database. A new Strainer size has been added to the database in the dimensions of: 250mm x 250mm x 300m. Type A and Type B Copper pipes have been added to the database. Aust/NZ \Pipe \Aust Copper Type B, Stick Length 6000mm. Aust/NZ \Fittings \Cap \Cast Iron \Blank End sizes: 150, 250 and 300mm. The 'Distance to Outlet' for the 300mm is: 1.00076mm A new end-prep has been added called a "BE" – a Blank End. This terminating Fitting component prevents Lines and Mains from displaying leaks, in lieu of Capping. o It is a steel plate welded to a P.E. pipe. This steel plate is not included on the stock list. The Fab Shop does this whenever they see 'BE'. Aust/NZ \Pipe Outlets \Pipe-O-Let \NZ Roll Groove Branch. Short Description is "RG BCH". The "Takeout" and "Distance to Outlet" dimensions for: o Pipe Size 25 through 80mm = 100mm (both the same value) o Pipe Size 100mm = 150mm o Pipe Size 150 through 200 = 200mm A 150mm Straight Strainer, Mod. FFP-S01 has been added to the database. Added/cleaned up: Aust/NZ Med 1074, Aust/NZ Litewall and Aust/NZ Copper Class B Pipe. Added new strainers and ¾” PK Series, End-Suction Pump.
Actions Menu The action ‘Reparent Layers of Elements’ has been added. This function retains element
layer structure under a new Parent Layer for selected layers.
Rotation, cut and delete have been changed to be consistent with the copy/drag move when dealing with Groups. The actions are performed based on the lock status of the layer on which the Group exists, rather than the elements of the Group. A new command has been added: “Isolate Layers of Elements ”. This command makes visible only layers that have any selected elements. The ‘Set as Default Element Layer’
button in the layers tab of the detail gallery has been replaced, but the layer right-click option remains. A new Action has been added that allows users to cut specific pieces out of a drawing: ‘Create XREF Using Polyline Boundary ’. This would be used to automatically create separate *.cad drawing files allowing the user to segregate a single drawing into several separate entities to be used as external references, including boundary-derived elements such as ceiling grids. The X-Refs will automatically be loaded into the base drawing as they are created. Each X-Ref will use Absolute-Zero as the insertion point. This will allow easy reloading of any detached X-Ref. Alerts Menu Alert Set Points/Labels have been streamlined; the Alert Label, ID, and Description are now all the same, and will update in the Parts Tree appropriately.
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A field for Alert Labels has been added to the properties dialog for alerts. Further functionality in clearing alerts, once unknown parts become defined in a new drawing, has been implemented. View saving has been implemented in Alert coordination, including clip slider positioning. The display and movement of alert notes in the drawing prior to export has been enabled. Interference Checking
Interference Checking for Symbols/XRefs has been implemented. When in Interference Checking, the ‘Clearance’ dimension line will now always point from the alert's center to the nearest clearance point (normally near edge of element being cleared). A checkbox has been added to the Interference Checking Options dialog that will allow users to filter out same-layer interferences. Beams no longer restrict the clearance below them. ‘Clearance’ bubbles have received a mobility upgrade. They may now move along all available coordinate planes. A new feature has been integrated into both the Alert Control and Targeting pages on the Alert Controls sheet allowing users to calculate new reflection size for Interference Checking.
Alert Targeting
An indicator has been added to the Alert Targeting dialog for reflection clearance distances. In addition, an indicator for clearance from reflection (e.g. to clarify issues like when two elements hit each other's reflections) has been added.
Alert Controls
Set Points now automatically snap to the nearest column. The option has been added to the Change Reflection function to allow the center-of-transform to be at the top, bottom, centerpoint, left, right, front, or back. The unnecessary ‘Change Note Image’ button has been removed from Alert Controls, in lieu of the addition of a functioning “Capture Image” button.
The "Capture Reference Elevation" button has been added to Alert Controls to set FF height. The option has been added to turn reflection dimension lines on/off. The objective indicator bubble is now placed on a locked layer, so users do not inadvertently change or delete it.
Auto Draw Auto Hangers have undergone a significant improvement in logic when distributing hanger amounts to a specified sector.
Arm Around logic has been greatly improved, for the purpose of pathing around fittings connected to the ends of pipes.
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The 'Auto Hangers' function will again place hangers on pipes even when there is nothing to hang on to. Pipe ends now change before Auto-Fitting is enabled with "Allow pipe ends to change..." so as to not create an issue when there are mixed end-preps at an intersection. A new tool to automatically place bushings per user option has been added. This feature takes a reducing fitting and adds a bushing to create the reduction. This new command only operates on a reducing fitting. Connect Pipes To Sprinklers
An additional Rooster-Tail option has been added for Style #5. If the user wants to have a 0'-0 fixed dimension, between the upright sprinkler and the fitting, they can now zero-out the “Minimum fitting tolerance” and “Min. distance between existing and new fittings”. ‘Connect Pipes to Sprinklers Style 5’ will no longer automatically cause pipes to
fail if they are below the minimum length, but will instead display a red circle on the pipe. Connecting Flex-Drops to Fittings and Outlets has been greatly improved.
AutoPREP Convert
The ‘2D-3D Convert’ functions have been removed from the AutoPrep menu.
The conversion logic has been improved when using the ‘Lines to 3D Beams’
function. Line conversion will no longer occur on lines that are invisible, and “ditto ” boundary specs are now correctly determined. The ‘Convert Symbols to 3D Columns’ function now accommodates for symbols without attribute data. The ‘Convert Lines to Beams’ function now prompts the “cleanup” functionality for both unconverted text and unconverted symbols. Distance calculation have been improved for ‘Convert Lines to Beams’ to better allow for text and line orientation, as well as cases when the text insertion point is not near the line center. The option to filter “ditto” text/attributes has been added to the ‘Convert Lines to Beams’ function.
Compare
Compared drawings now open when the comparison is complete. Revision Clouds are now off by default. Default comparison colors have changed to the following: o Red = Deleted o Dark Blue = Added o Light Grey = No Change The option has been added to automatically display/not display the ‘End Compare’ dialog when re-opening a drawing that has been previously compared. The ‘End Compare’ dialog has had a “Delete” function added for each of the groups (New / Old / Unchanged) in a “compare” .cad drawing.
The distance Revision Clouds highlight their target elements is now user-editable. 8
AutoPREP Compare settings (colors, Rev Cloud Settings, etc.) are now saved into the Registry, instead of the drawing. The Compare system now creates a destination folder if one does not already exist. Color options have been made available to the Revision Clouds check boxes in the Compare Review dialog. Check boxes for Revision Cloud controls now turn off (become unchecked and disabled) if their counterpart in Isolate Compare is unchecked.
Drawing Cleanup
The Drawing Cleanup dialog has been streamlined; all options remain intact, and few were moved to the actual AutoPREP pull-down menu. The “Zoom To” option in the Symbol List now zooms to only one entity in the
drawing, and not the collective; the Zoom level is now also editable from the previous 20% default. The Symbol List has received some notable improvements: A “Filter Out” field has been added, the dialog now has a check-box for sorting by count, the list retains its scroll-value, selecting a nested symbol now zooms to an instance, and some speed improvement have been made. The "Symbols->Columns" button has been removed from the AutoPREP Cleanup dialog. A new feature has been added to the Symbols dialog in the AutoPREP Cleanup system. “Remove Elements From Symbols” can be found in the “Edit” dialog. So that users can move around the main screen, when in the Layer option of Drawing Cleanup, the dialog is now modeless. Nested Symbols are now differentiated, allowing users to select symbols within a parent symbol and delete them as they see fit, rather than the entire symbol. When the 'Filter' check-box is selected in the AutoPREP Layer Cleanup dialog, the same-named layers are now consolidated into one entry. AutoPREP Cleanup dialogs now display “Done” instead of “OK” , in order to avoid confusion when users mean to run a selected action. AutoPREP Wizard actions are now recorded into a log for reference. In the ‘Cleanup Layers’ dialog, the “Move Layers To” button has been disabled when there is no layer selected. After the command has been issued, the dialog now also retains the selection. A ‘Pick Block’ button has been added to the Cleanup symbols dialog. The ‘Cleanup Symbols’ dialog now adds a flashing cue to selected symbols when they are selected.
Commands Menu The ‘Convert Lines To Walls’ command now has a progress bar with a cancel button, as
well as both the 'single lines' and 'parallel to solid wall' options.
Convert crosshatch to ceiling has seen a significant improvement in performance.
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File Menu An Option has been added to the Page Setup Dialog under the ‘Misc. Options’ tab to ‘Pause between each report when running multiple reports. This option is intended for use in alleviating printer errors that may stem from printing multiple Remote Areas.
The File->Open dialog now remembers the last file extension chosen. AutoPREP licensing is now available beneath the File submenu. The date format displayed on reports will now reflect the user’s regional settings. Batch printing now ‘Prints continuously’ by default.
Text sizing options have been implemented for all Reports. Import/Export
Interior IFC elements are now snap-able. The Manufacturer for additional AutoSPRINK components has been added to IFC export; Text in drawings now exports/imports as well. Exported drawings that include cylinders with equal start and end radii have had their exported size significantly reduced due to a streamlining of cylinder processing. The Import dialog for AutoCAD drawings has been changed to make the 'Use GDI Rendering' option unchecked by default, as well as an option to disable "ReScale Symbols". This has significantly improved both the import time as well as the performance of the drawing once loaded. Trying to directly open a ".dwg" file now launches the import function. The option to disable the “AS_” tag from layer names when exporting to a .dwg file has been added. Pipeline serialization has been changed to allow for .mdr files to be properly converted and opened. A check has been added to confirm write permission before the export process is initiated on a drawing opened from a Network location. The IFC export function now, by default, only exports the currently selected elements. If no selection exists, then the entire drawing will be exported. This functionality has been reflected in the menu item prompt text. Batch importing .dwg files now retains the names of their AutoCAD counterparts. If an AutoPREP Cleanup Wizard has been saved for a previously imported .dwg file, and a new .dwg file of the same name (newer date or even the same file) is selected to be imported, the saved Wizard will now be preselected for "AutoPREP Wizard to run" during import. Batch importing .dwg files now offers a progress bar and no longer requires the
user to press an ‘Ok’ button. In the “Additional Options” for exporting to .dwg, the ability to export
pipes/fittings/hangers without a block has been added for sizing purposes. The option to view failed ‘Object Enablers’ has been added as the “Enabler Status” button in the import dialog. It is only interactive when an object has failed to load.
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The Filename box on the Import dialog no longer clears when switching folders; Instead, checks have been implemented to prevent an unwanted file load attempt when switching folders. An option has been added to the Import dialog to bind X-Refs before importing. This new option provides a noticeable improvement in performance when importing files with X-Refs. The import progress bar has been improved to let users know that the process is still going on during possible pauses due to drawing complexities. The option to un-nest symbols in a drawing, after import, has been added. The "Select All" & "Deselect All" buttons have been added to the Additional Export Options dialog. IFC import/export has been implemented as a more direct interface with Revit, MicroStation, etc. The IFC export function, by default, exports only the currently selected elements. If no selection exists, the entire drawing will be exported. ‘Import \ Batch DWG’ will automatically name the new files ba sed on the imported dwg files. When using 'Batch DWG': The new AutoSPRINK drawings will assume the name of the AutoCAD drawings being imported. Example: CA-08-10.dwg would become: CA-08-10.cad, CA-08-11.dwg would become: CA-08-11.cad, etc. When an AutoPREP (Cleanup) Wizard is applied during batch import, the new drawing name for CA-08-10.dwg would be: CA-08-10 clned.cad, etc. Pipes will now be exported as 'Thick' circles to a DWG file. The circle element is the pipe body. The outlets, etc. still draw as a mesh. It will be in a block with attributes for the pipe. This will better allow collision detection in AutoCAD. BIM compliant Pipe attributes show the following example information: Category: Pipe - Sub-Category: Schedule 40 - Description: Pipe, Schedule 40 - Size: 1” - Cut Length: 9’-6” - Elevation: 12’-6” - Manufacturer: Generic - General Category: Fire Sprinkler System, CSI Code: 10520.
Hydraulic Reports
A new option has been added to the Hydraulic Reports: ‘Riser Tags’ can now report a negative required supply pressure as 0. Hydraulic Reports will now display names for respective Supply elements. Selectable options include: “Water Supply”, “Tank Supply”, “FDC Supply”, or even a user-defined name. A ‘Clear Report Selection’ button has been added to the Hydraulic Reports dialog. In addition, selected reports shall stay selected unless there is a change in Report Format. The Contractor address information tab has been expanded to allow specific address fields to be edited. The ‘In-Rack Demand’ field in the NFPA Hydraulic Summary report now accommodates for two Remote Areas calculated together.
Stock Listing Reports
The field size for Trim Kit part names in the Trim Package Report has been increased. The Trim List Report has seen its Total Components field consolidated to address redundant listing. Pipes without pipelines will now show up in material summary and loose material reports when the 'Do not include in pipeline creation' option is selected.
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When exporting a stock list to Hydralist (.hlf), a message has been added identifying an invalid save path when it involves special characters (such as brackets). Exporting the ‘Pipelines’, ‘Threaded Pipelines’, and ‘Welded Pipelines’ reports during Stock Listing now assigns different file names for each report, so as to not overwrite the prior report. The Stock Listing Reports option "Use Non-Threaded No-Weld Reports" has been changed to be off as default. The ‘Non-Threaded No-Weld report’ will now include all Branchline pipes of size 2 ½ “ or larger, regardless of whether they belong to a Threaded or Welded Branchline. A new sub-report has been added to Stock Li sting: ‘Multiple Connections Diagram’. This report takes only the sprinkler-system components from the list area and generates a static image detailing the following properties: o Labels on pipes (Diameter, Cut-Length, End-Prep) o Dimensions (indicating extents and length of each pipe cut) o Weld indicators (rounded triangle is the standard indicator) Both Welded Mains and Welded Branchlines will now show end make-ons in their respective reports. The "Use Non-Thread No-Weld report" option now includes qualifying 2½" and larger Line pipes on the report. The previous implementation, to ignore Line pipes, was part of the original intent of this option, however, it is now modified by the size of the pipe involved (since Thread Stations cannot normally handle anything larger than 2" pipe). The “Finish” property has been added behind the word “Description” in the header of the “…Summary” and Loose Material reports.
Both Manufacturer and Part Numbers have been added as fields within the ‘Material Summary’ (all), ‘Loose Material’, and ‘Sprinkler Summary’ reports. The ability to "Select Elements In Drawing" has been added as a right-click option to the Statistics field on the Listing dialog Sprinkler SIN has been added to Purchase Orders.
Sway Brace Reports
Sway Brace G-Factor calculator has been added. Results now update the Total Load upon application. Seismic Wire and clips have been added to Sway Bracing materials. New Sway Brace properties options have been added to Display 3D Models in addition to the plan symbol; U-Hook (bottom-mounted), Side or Top connection and to Flip Brace (to one side or the other). o The angle and the length of the brace material are established by the user. By using the grip on the end of the element, the user is also able to stretch the brace pipe into place. Any manual adjustments are reflected in the properties of the brace. The vertical and/or horizontal angle adjustment is limited to the range established in the Fastener Orientation set by the user.
Finish Menu Pipe Labeling has been improved. Text of varying size and height should no longer interfere with placement.
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Plastic End Preps now harmonize with non-CPVC piping. Cleanup Intersections
Curved pipes are now broken for fittings when Cleanup Intersections is ran. Sprinkler outlets can now be placed on a Curved Pipe when Cleanup Intersections is ran. The Cleanup Intersections command now recognize zero-length pipes.
Hydraulics Menu Analysis Reports
There is now a pop-up warning when “the available flow [from the supply] is not sufficient to meet the demand ”. The path determination logic for flow routes has been greatly improved. Multiple nodes may now be selected in the Node Analysis tab. Fixed pressure loss in hose valves is now being applied in the hydraulic calculation in accordance with Fire Department requirements. The fields have been widened for the pump section on the NFPA Hydraulic Analysis report to allow for longer text if needed. Per NFPA code, nozzles and sprinklers are now treated the same: Friction loss shall be excluded for the fitting directly connected to a sprinkler or a nozzle. Hydraulic calculation for static pressure has received some logical improvements: o o o
The initial starting point is now the ‘active’ (flowing) supply.
The routine is now prevented from running through closed valves. Other supplies are now allowed as a starting point when appropriate.
Remote Area
The 3D option for ESFR Remote Areas is now always enabled. Density and Coverage will now show for all sprinklers (including XRef'd sprinklers) except those in a Remote Area box. The Remote Area Table will now include every BOR gauge that has a non-zero flow. If there is more than one gauge displayed in the table, the gauge name will be included. The 'Total Hose Streams' now also includes the inside (Hose/Hydrant) flows.
Manual Hydraulic Graph
A user-input field for Flow and Pressure of the desired plot point has been added. A leader line has been added to the Manual Hydraulic Graph to accommodate for the possible interference of notations. The option to specifically graph a supply curve has been added to the Manual Hydraulic Graph, to allow for marking the 20psi point with a label, for example.
Parts Database Menu Browsing for Details and Textures in the Parts Tree has had its default path changed to “C:\ProgramData\ AutoSPRINK 10” (for Windows 7), and “C: \Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\ AutoSPRINK 10” (for Windows XP).
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The ability to substitute User Database Descriptions has been added. The descriptions are not saved to the database however, but rather, they are stored within each individual drawing. When a new parts book is updated, Material Lists now allow for user-defined lists to be transferred. Importing user parts with a finish that has been removed from the distributed database now correctly changes the defined finish to "None" upon import. The backup parts database has been moved from C:\Program Files to C:\ProgramData to allow for new security changes in recent renditions of Windows. A new option has been added to the Parts Database Menu: "Synchronize Part Numbers of Default and Selected Elements". An option has been added to the Merge Parts Database dialog under the Database Utilities to 'Gather "Is Visible..." flags for distributed Items'. This allows users to disallow the selection of certain parts during a merge, should they so desire. The Sprinkler Definition Wizard now allows users to select multiple items in each descriptor by holding the Ctrl button on the keyboard. The ‘Data Sheet Location’ fie ld in the Parts Book Editor tab (under Item Data) has had its
character limit raised from 75 to 200 to accommodate for lengthier internet addresses. Data Sheet filters now correctly set extensions for .pdf, .doc. or all. The ability to define user symbols as the display for parts has been implemented. ‘Complex Symbols’ have been added that can be used to automatically overlay an imported Manufacturer‘s detailed 3D valve and trim arrangement or a valve and trim
detail that has been drawn in AutoSPRINK. These are applied via the Database Menu. Fittings
A new option has been added to the properties of Couplings; “Smart Coupling”
allows for the controlled splitting of pipelines at designated couplings, which will break the Pipelines. Pipeline direction points to the coupling (Smart Coupling is an end point). The 1¼", 1½" and 2" CPVC Male Adapters have been added to the database. All FireLock grooved fittings have been moved to a Ductile Iron Sub-Type. The “DI” from their description has be en removed, as it is redundant. The Takeout values for SCI Concentric & Eccentric Flanged Reducers have been updated in accordance with Manufacturer standards. Half Socket Reducer has seen the following sizes added: o 2 x 1½, o 2 x 1¼, o
1½ x 1¼,
¾x½ Threaded Reducers and Half Sockets have seen the sizes ½ and ¾ added. PEX Brass & Polymer fittings have been added to the database. o
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Hangers
Trapeze Hangers have been improved. Changed #01T, #02T and #03T hanger length modifiers to the values o provided. For the sake of 3D coordination, the Length Modifiers for Pipe type Trapeze hangers need to be changed. The offset that the user inputs will place the trapeze pipe at that distance o from the Roof Plane. The length modifier will only affect the rod length from the trapeze pipe to the pipe being hung. o New Hanger details: #01T, #02T and #03T. The calculation of extra rod length to use for U-Hooks has been changed to reflect more realism in the fabrication process. U-Hook hangers will now make an initial calculation for the extra rod length required to form the hanger. This calculation is performed when the hanger is first placed in a drawing and at any time the hanger size changes. Lag bolts have been added to U-Hook hangers at the appropriate sizes. The default rod has been changed to "Black Steel Rod" for all U-Hook hangers. Quantity for the rod on hanger detail reports now shows the total rod for that part/size. U-Bolt and U-Hook hangers are now treated as if they have rods for rodlength/size purposes in accordance with fabrication standards for rounding. For consistency in 3D coordination, U-Bolt hangers (#04S) are now shown similar to U-Hook hangers only with straight legs. The "Is Length Quantity" option in the database for the ‘Clevis Hanger’ component has been deselected by default, as it was producing a length quantity in the 'Hanger Material' tab and in the Stock List Trim kit. The available trapeze sizes for Hangers has been greatly increased. Some new hangers have been added to the parts database: “Trapeze – Angle Iron” 06T, 07T and 08T. The Rounding Value for Hangers is now user-defined and editable.
Nozzles
Orifices on nozzles now format with the Diameter formatter. The formatter is overridden with a forced decimal value and a minimum of 3 decimal places. The following Nozzles have been added to the database: ¾” 1¼”& 1½” NPT (Male) & ½”, ¾”, 1”, 1¼”, 1½” & 2” NPT (Female).
A new option has been added to Nozzle Properties dialog: ‘Draw spherical cap on spray cone’. It is reliant on ‘Show Spray’ being checked, which is now off as default. An “Orifice Size” field has been added for user input. Orifice Size is searchable in the drawing (‘Select All Like Selected’) for a specific size and orifice size is printed on the listing reports. ‘Spray Indicator’: changed “Angle” to “Angle of Cone” and added optional “Width of Cone”. The option to “Draw spherical cap on spray cone” has also been added.
Pipes
AquaPex pipes in the following sizes have been added to the database: 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 1/2", 2", and 3". The British Pipe of type "BS, 1387" has been added to the parts database in varying, metric diameters.
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The properties and default properties of a Pipe Outlet should now correctly display the following selections: Pipe-O-Let, Mechanical Tee, Pipe-to-Pipe Outlet and Welded Outlet. The ‘ZurnPEX Ultra Tubing’ and ‘ViegaPEX Ultra Tubing’ pipes have been added to the parts database in varying diameters. They are distributed parts beneath the manufacturer's name. The default roughness for all pipes has been addressed and it is no longer necessary to re-type the C-Value to update their calculations. ‘Pipe Finish’ is now available through the Parts Book Editor. Many of the inside diameters for Ductile Iron underground pipes have been amended for accuracy.
Sway Braces
The following Sway Brace Tables have been updated in accordance with recent NFPA standards: Maximum Load (Fpw) in Zone of Influence (lb): o Table 9.3.5.3.2(a) - reduced Maximum Loads. This isn't marked as being changed but the loads for 2010 are less than for 2007. o Table 9.3.5.3.2(b) - reduced Maximum Loads. This isn't marked as being changed but the loads for 2010 are less than for 2007. o Table 9.3.5.3.2(c) - added Table for Schedule 5 Steel Pipe o Table 9.3.5.3.2(d) - added Table for CPVC Pipe o Table 9.3.5.3.2(e) - added Table for Type M Copper Tube o Table 9.3.5.6.2 Seismic Coefficient Table - expanded Ss and modified Cp values Maximum Horizontal Loads for Sway Braces o Table 9.3.5.8.7(a) - reduced Max. Horizontal Loads o Table 9.3.5.8.7(b) - reduced Max. Horizontal Loads o Table 9.3.5.8.7(c) - reduced Max. Horizontal Loads Sway Braces should now allow for user-defined material. A new utility has been added to Sway Braces that allows users to calculate seismic design. The ‘G-Factor Calculator’ has been fully implemented into AutoSPRINK in accordance with USGS resources, and makes use of mode Standards set by the NFPA, IBC, or UBC. 3D models of Sway Braces have been implemented as an optional addition to plan symbols.
Select Menu When using the ‘Select All Like Selected’ command, the ability to select the pipe labels for ‘Diameter’ and ‘Length’ separately has been added.
The option to Select elements that are either/or New, Existing, or Deleted (for categorical comparison) has been added. The ability to ‘Select All Like Selected in Rectangle’ has been added. Likewise, the ability to ‘Deselect All Like Selected in Rectangle’ has also been added, where elements are
chosen from a fly-out menu.
Settings Menu The ‘zoom all’ command now executes after a .dwg file is set as the background.
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The calculation of VEC (minimum required volume) has been added to the Antifreeze Expansion Chamber Tool in accordance with NFPA 2007 A7.6.3.2. An option was added to the Settings pull-down menu to "Ignore Lines During Cleanup Intersections". A new feature has been added to the Drawing submenu. Users may now select entries from Outlook to fill in text fields in the Contractor, Customer and Job Information pages. Buttons can be found on each of the pages that resemble an open book, this button will link directly into an Outlook address book. The ability to pre-set default attributes for the following Text Tables has been added: Supply Table, Remote Area Table, Parts Legend, Price Area Text Table and Bill of Material. A new utility has been a dded to the ‘Fluid/Antifreeze Properties’ section under the Calculator tab in the Hydraulic Calculations submenu that references Antifreeze densities for the purpose of calculating Expansion Chamber capacity. Fabrication Standards
There is now a 'United Kingdom' option under the Region Settings tab of the Fabrication Standards Menu. This enables a new report to populate the Hydraulic Reports section, entitled 'Sprinkler Installation Flow Demands'; This report graphs the Pressure by the Water Flow, detailing System Demand Curve, Supply, and Qmax plots. An option has been added to the Fittings tab to “Allow Pipe ends to change in threaded/grooved majority intersections” during Harmonization. This allows the pipe ends to automatically change when an intersection has mixed threaded and grooved end-preps. Also added this option to the 'Harmonization' section of the 'Automatic Fittings' dialog. Harmonize will change pipe ends in these cases: If 2Threaded & 1-Grooved, change Grooved to Threaded; If 2-Grooved & 1Threaded, change Threaded to Grooved. An option has been added to the Fittings tab, to “Use Grooved Concentric Reducer instead of a Grooved Reducing Coupling” during Auto-Fitting. The minimum ‘Pipes to Consider Typical’ option on the ‘Pipeline’ tab has had its
limit increased drastically: the old limit was 99, this has been increased to 9999.
In the ‘Hanger Rod’ section of the ‘Pipe And Hanger Lengths’ tab, a few changes
have been implemented: o “Round Pre-Cut Rod Length to nearest” has been changed to “Minimum increment for cut lengt hs on hangers” and defaults to ‘1’. o o
The option to ‘Round all rod lengths to nearest’ has been added. The option to ‘Always round UP rod lengths to nearest’ has been added,
and is selected by default. If a Pipe Group is changed so that the present diameter is not available, the closest option is now selected. In addition, if the previous Pipe Group is once more selected, the new diameter will now stand, rather than reverting back to the previous diameter. Smart Pipe and Pipe Group options and settings are now able to be saved to their own, single Settings file with the extension “.pfs”. This is able to be called upon within any drawing, and a “Restore Defaults” option remains beneath
Fabrication Settings, should the custom settings become undesirable.
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Tools Menu Snap hangers to Flex-Drops has been implemented. This is in consideration of NFPA recommendation to add a hanger to any Flex-Drop that is 6ft or more in length.
Columns have been given the ability to be named (e.g. "Col A-6"); This name can then be used when snapping an alert Set Point to the column. Fittings/Pipe Ends can now be designated as capped with no listing or leaking required.; Now, under a Fitting’s Outlet properties, is the option ‘No Fitting Needed’. Polytriangles can now behave just as roof planes do for the purpose of elevating hangers, pipes, etc. The Angle Dimension Tool has been added. This tool prompts users to locate the first and opposite locations on two connected elements to measure the angle between them. Arcs
Several new options for the drawing of Arcs have been implemented. Now users may draw using various styles of point-setting and input angles as designated by the following options: o Center, Start, End o Start, End, Radius o Start, Center, Angle o Center, Start, Angle o 3-Point Pipes
Curve Pipes will now fillet so that new pipes will match the existing pipes being filleted. Plain-Ends can now automatically make-on to Butt-Welds, and vice versa. The default Smart Pipe UG material override for "C" Group was shown as CPVC. This has been changed to UDG PVC 150. The Smart Pipe list of selectable pipe Material is now limited to those pipes where the Size is actually available in the database. A warning is now given to the user that there are no Smart Pipe sizes available when a material override is selected that does not have any available sizes in the selected material. The ability to draw Curve Pipes has been implemented. Curved piping can be drawn in a full or partial circle or, when pipes are selected, pipes can be filleted to a user-defined radius.
System Areas
The System Area tool can now be used to isolate the hydraulic information (sprinkler count, system volume and nodes to be reported on the Node Analysis). The Node Analysis report also filters out nodes with a 0.0psi. Sprinkler Legend information can now be tagged/linked to a System Area. Sprinkler Legends can now be used to filter sprinklers by selected System Areas. A “Do Not Update” option has been added to this, defaulting to Off, unless a System Area is selected.
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The option to Select All Sprinkler System Components within a System Area has been added. A 3D Volume option has been added, defined by height to isolate system components vertically. A “Select All Sprinkler System Components” command has been added to the right-click context menu. Riser tags (both element and printed report) can now filter Total Sprinklers by selected System Area(s). The ability to “Filter Total Air Volume” by selected System Area(s) in the Hydraulic Summary report has been added.
Walls
The Arc Wall Tool has been implemented to draw curved/arced wall segments. Arced walls default to the Wall layer, not to layer 0. Users may draw using various styles of point-setting and input angles as designated by the following options: o Center, Start, End o Start, End, Radius o Start, Center, Angle o Center, Start, Angle o 3-Point
View Menu The First Person fly-out in the Simple Interface has been streamlined to 3 buttons: First Person, AutoClip and Windows Clipping Plane. Display Rotator
The display rotator tool now has its own rotation member, independent of the benchmark's rotation. The purpose of this tool is to rotate the entire display to any desired angle for drawing or plotting. To use: Select a Line element that is on the desired angle, or type in the angle, and click the ‘Set Display Rotation’ button.
Wizards Menu A new option has been added to Automatic Hangers –Special Conditions: Sections 9.2.3.4 and 9.2.3.5: “Maximum System Pressure Exceeds 100psi”.
A new option has been added to Automatic Hangers -Spacing: "Locate hangers a fixed distance from far end of threaded pipes". The 3 Point Wizard now takes slope into account for the purpose of sprinkler spacing. The option has been added to right click menu items for boundary elements to restart the command in the Multi-Point Wizard. Many improvements have been mad e to ‘Wizards \ Place Hangers’. Code related options have been included and control over hanger placement for welded line and main piping has been greatly improved.
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