CADPIPE HVAC

Tutorial
CADPIPE HVAC
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 i
CADPIPE HVAC Tutorial
Welcome to the CADPIPE HVAC Tutorial. CADPIPE is an AutoCAD-based HVAC design and
drafting program for preparing two-dimensional and three-dimensional HVAC designs. Using CADPIPE,
you can create drawings and design HVAC systems faster and more accurately than with traditional meth-
ods. You can customize specifications to reflect how you design and install ductwork. CADPIPE stores
your design criteria and creates drawings using your shop specifications.
When you use CADPIPE, you create much more than a drawing. Your CADPIPE drawing is a data-
base containing precise locations, sizes, and attributes of the ductwork you draw. After you complete the
drawing, you can retrieve and analyze this information to generate Bills of Materials for estimating, ordering,
shipping, and installation.
This tutorial is a guide to help you evaluate the CADPIPE HVAC software. It is important that you
have a working knowledge of AutoCAD and have completed and understood the instructional
materials available for the AutoCAD software before attempting this tutorial.
This tutorial is designed to follow an order that reflects how a draftsman would design or draw a duct
system. The HVAC system we used could be designed in any number of more efficient ways but has been
developed to expose you to as many drawing features of the CADPIPE program as possible.

Tutorial Organization
The CADPIPE tutorial has been organized to include many of the timesaving features of the CADPIPE
HVAC program. While it would be impossible to highlight every aspect of the program, we believe that
after completing these exercises you will have a good working knowledge of CADPIPE.
All AutoCAD commands referenced in the tutorial (Zoom Window, e.g.) are shown in CAPITAL
LETTERS while all CADPIPE commands (Walls, e.g.) are shown in bold text. This tutorial is written
under the assumption that you are using a mouse and selecting commands from the toolbars or pull-down
menus. All CADPIPE system prompts are in italics and the appropriate responses are numbered consecu-
tively.
Note: Be sure that you have gone through the instructional materials for your AutoCAD software.
The CADPIPE tutorial assumes that you have a basic working knowledge of AutoCAD.

Installation
If you are evaluating CADPIPE HVAC (running the demo program without hardware locks), the program
will run fully functional for 25 days from the date of installation. This should provide adequate time to
discover the time saving benefits from easily drawing one 3D model, one time, and generating as many
views and sections as necessary that will automatically be updated every time the model is changed. It
virtually eliminates having to draw and redraw multiple orthographic views.

• Place the CADPIPE CD into your CD ROM drive

• If “Autorun” is enabled on your system, the installation screen will appear. ( If not, you will need to
open your Windows Explorer, select the CD ROM drive, and double click on the “startcd.exe” file.
• From the first screen, select the “Install Products” icon.
• On the next screen, select “HVAC.” This will begin the installation process. The following screens
will then appear:
 i
o Welcome screen
o License Agreement
o CADPIPE information
o Installation Type – If you are installing the full licensed version and have been given an
installation serial number, then you should select “Imperial” or “Metric”.

o Demo- If you are evaluating the software, then you should select “Imperial Demo” or
“Metric Demo”. You will not be prompted for an installation serial number.
o User information
o Destination folder
o Select components to install
o Whether you will be running CADPIPE on Architectural or Mechanical Desktop. Select
“no” if you will be running it on straight AutoCAD 2000i, 2002, or 2004.

CADPIPE will then be installed on your system. Remember, if you are running the Demo version, it will
expire after 25 days.

Before You Begin

Make sure you have followed the installation instructions provided with this tutorial CADPIPE program.
Included with your software is a drawing called Hvac.dwg. This is the drawing you will use as you work
through the CADPIPE tutorial.

Creating the Drawing

Click the HVAC icon in the Windows Desktop. Open the drawing called Hvac.dwg. When a drawing
appears on the screen, you will see that some of it is already completed. Use this drawing as you work
through the tutorial. All system prompts in the HVAC tutorial are in italics and your responses are
shown numbered. In addition, the metric equivalent to an imperial measurement appears in brack-
ets: (600).
 iv

Contents
Chapter 1. Menus/Toggles .................... 1-1
Chapter 2. Architectural Features ....... 2-1
Walls .................................................................... 2-1
Beams .................................................................. 2-3
CADPIPE Tools .................................................. 2-5
Grid ..................................................................... 2-6
Chapter 3. Accessories .......................... 3-1
Chapter 4. Starting a Run .................... 4-1
Placing a Flex Connector .................................. 4-3
Returning to Horizontal .................................... 4-4
Other Views ........................................................ 4-5
Chapter 5. Auto-Route ......................... 5-1
Chapter 6. Fittings ................................ 6-1
Chapter 7. Takeoffs and Flex Duct ...... 7-1
Flex Duct and Spin Collars ............................... 7-3
Chapter 8. Generate Reports ............... 8-1
HVAC Reports.................................................... 8-1
Accessory Reports.............................................. 8-2
Chapter 9. Collision Checking ............. 9-1
 1-1

Chapter 1. Menus/Toggles
Provided with the CADPIPE HVAC software are pull-down menus and toolbars containing all the
functions needed to complete HVAC designs and drawings. They are automatically loaded when you start
a CADPIPE session and can be activated from within the drawing.
CADPIPE replaces the AutoCAD standard pull-down menus with a combination of AutoCAD and
CADPIPE pull-downs. The CADPIPE pull-downs available are Rect, Rnd/Oval, CPTools, Arch, Accs,
Spec, and Drawing Sheets.

The HVAC Menu has three main toolbars: Design/Utilities, Rectangular, and Round and Oval.
These toolbars contain many commonly used commands found in the pull-down menus.
Figure 1-1 lists the CADPIPE commands associated with each HVAC toolbar button:

Rectangular Toolbar Round and Oval Toolbar

Configure Configure

Start a Run Start a Run

Join to Join to

Undo Back Undo Back

Auto-Route Auto-Route

Collision Check On/Off Collision Check On/Off

Straight Straight

Cut-to-Length Cut-to-Length

Design/Utilities

Turn Up Accessory Reports

Turn Down Setup Section View

Routing Line HVAC Help

CADPIPE Query

HVAC Reports Figure 1-1

 2-1

Chapter 2. Architectural Features

This chapter will introduce you to important features you can use to create background drawings for
your HVAC designs. In many cases, you will be able to secure working drawings from an architect or
engineering firm and will not have to draw them. To show a few basic architectural funtions available in
CADPIPE HVAC we will place three walls, a ceiling grid, and beams. Select Arch from the pull-down
menu to bring up the Beams, Joists, Lights, Grid, Walls, and Columns functions.

CADPIPE automatically place sall architectural features on their own layers. You can control these
colors and layers by using the Configure command found on the Arch pull-down menu.

Walls
1. Select Walls from the Arch pull-down menu.

Enter the elevation for the bottom of the wall <0”>:

2. Select the default 0” by pressing Enter.

Enter the elevation for the top of the wall <8’> (2500):

3. Select the default 8’ (2500) by pressing Enter.

Enter the wall thickness <6”>:

4. Type 0’-8” (200) and press Enter.

Left/Right/<Select First Point>:

The system is now asking from which side you would like to widen the wall. If you select Left by typing
L, the system widens the wall from the left. If you select Right by typing R, the wall will be widened from
the right. If you select points at this prompt, the system uses those points as a centerline (see Figure 2-1).
 2-2

First Pick Point Second Pick Point

First Pick Point Second Pick Point

Figure 2-1
First Pick Point Second Pick Point

Note: Right and left side of the wall is determined by the direction in which you select the two end
points.

5. Type R followed by Enter.

Select First Point:

6. Select the outside corner of the column (C-1) using the AutoCAD snap feature INTERSECTION
OSNAP (see Figure 2-2).

Figure 2-2

Newwall/Closewall/Quit/Undo/<next point>:

7. Select the outside corner of the column (E-1) using the AutoCAD snap feature INTERSECTION
OSNAP (see Figure 2-2).
 2-3
Newwall/Closewall/Quit/Undo/<next point>:

8. Press Enter to draw the wall.

Repeat the process (Steps 1-8) and create walls between columns A-1 and C-1 and between E-1 and E-2.
Note: The walls drawn will be placed on a layer called WALLS. You can change the color and layer
by using the Configure command found on the Arch pull-down menu.

Beams
1. Select Beams from the Arch pull-down menu.

2. The Select Type of Beam dialog box appears. Click the I-Beam Button (see Figure 2-3).

Figure 2-3

Column/First Point for Beam:

3. Type C followed by Enter.

By selecting a column, CADPIPE automatically sets the beam elevation.

Pick a Column to Place Beam on:

4. Select column A-1.

 2-4
Column/Second Point for Beam:

5. Type C and press Enter.

Pick a Column to Place Beam on:

6. Select column E-1.

Beam Number or Size/<Enter for Database>:

Here you may type a beam number (W12 x 16.5) to select a beam from the database, by entering the
size (12 x 16.5), or press Enter to display the Beam Database dialog box and select from there.

7. Press Enter.

The Beam Database dialog box appears. Scroll through the beam names until you can see W12 x
16.50 (W360 x 110) (Figure 2-4).

Figure 2-4

8. Select W12 x 16.50 (W360 x 110) and set Place By to Bottom.

9. Click OK.

The system places a 12 x 16.5 (360x 110) beam on the drawing.

Note: The beam drawn is placed on a layer called BEAM. You can change the color and layer by
using the AutoCAD LAYER commands.
 2-5
CADPIPE Tools
To move, copy, and erase use the AutoCAD MOVE, COPY, or ERASE commands to move, copy,
and erase graphic items drawn with CADPIPE functions.

Use the Copy command to copy the beam you have just placed.

1. Select Copy by typing copy at the command prompt.

Select objects:

2. Select the beam you have placed and press Enter.

Specify base point or [Displacement/mOde] <Displacement>:

3. Pick the inside corner on column E-1 using the OSNAP intersection. command.

Specify second point or <use first point as displacement>:

4. Type @20’,0 (6000, 0) and press Enter.

Specify second point or [Exit/Undo]:

5. Type @40’,0 and press Enter.

6. Type @60’,0 and press Enter.

The system copies the beam 20’ (6000 mm), 40’, and 60’ in the X direction. Use the AutoCAD View
commands to change the view and see the beams you placed (see Figure 2-5). To return to plan view
select Top View from the View menu.

Figure 2-5
 2-6

Grid
1. Select the Grid command from the Arch pull-down menu.

Select First Point:

2. Select the starting point (E-1 intersection). Be sure to use the AutoCAD OSNAPS (ENDPOINT,
INTERSECTION, MIDPOINT, e.g.) to assist in selecting points. Using ORTHO ON (F8 key) may
also help you to pick intersection points more accurately.

Close/Undo/<Next Point>:

3. Select intersection (E-4).

Close/Undo/<Next Point>:

4. Select intersection (A-4).

Close/Undo/<Next Point>:

5. Select intersection (A-1).

Close/Undo/<Next Point>:

6. Type C followed by Enter to close the area.

Center/Point to Start Grid From>:

Note: If you used AutoCAD ORTHO ON to select the grid boundary, turn it off now by pressing the
F8 key again.

7. Using the AutoCAD INTERSECTION OSNAP, select the lower right corner of the column (A-1) for
the grid starting point.

Figure 2-6
 2-7
The Ceiling Grid dialog box appears (see Figure 2-6).

Make sure the Width (X direction) is set to 24 (600), the Depth (Y direction) to 48 (1200), and the
Elevation to 96 (2400).

8. Click OK.

The system creates a 2 x 4 (600 x 1200) ceiling grid at 8’ (2400 mm) elevation (see Figure 2-7).

Figure 2-7
 3-1

Chapter 3. Accessories
An important feature of CADPIPE is the Accessory function. This function automatically creates and
sizes the many accessory items needed in your HVAC design. With this function you can place grilles,
registers, diffusers, dampers, and numerous other accessory items. All items can be reported in the Bill of
Materials Accessory reports. This part of the tutorial will show you how to place diffusers on our drawing.

1. Select Rct. Diffuser/Rnd Neck from the Accs pull-down menu. The HVAC Accessories dialog box
appears giving you options to size your diffuser (see Figure 3-1).

Figure 3-1

The diffuser neck can be sized two ways: by selecting Use C.F.M. to Size Diffuser and entering a
C.F.M. value in the box C.F.M., or by entering a neck size in the boxes Neck Length and Neck Width.
For this tutorial, enter a size of 8 x 8 inches.

2. Select the Neck Diameter and enter 8.

3. Be sure that the Elevation field says 8’ or 96” (2400). If it does not, select it and enter 8’ or 96”
(2400).
 3-2

There are also options to place a damper in the diffuser and to add a comment, system tag, and area.
This information appears in the Bill of Materials reports, which can be generated when the drawing is
complete. By entering a system designator or area label, any reports generated can be sorted by
system or area.

4. When you have finished, click OK.

Pick location for diffuser:

5. Place the diffusers. The insertion point of the diffuser will be the lower left-hand corner. Use an
‘Intersection’ OSNAP to pick the point on the ceiling grid where the diffuser will be placed (see Figure
3-2 for location of diffusers). Place a Rnd. Neck Diffuser at locations #1, 2, 3, and 4.

6. Select Rct. Diffuser/Rct. Neck from the Accs pull-down. Set the Neck Length to 8 and Elevation to
96. Click OK and place the Rect. Nck diffuser at location #5 (see Figure 3-2).
The number designator on the diffusers (#1, #2, etc.) are for location purposes only and will be
referenced later in the tutorial. Refer to Figure 3-2 for these locations.

Figure 3-2
Press Enter to exit the diffusers command.

When you have finished placing diffusers turn off the ceiling grid layer (GRIDS) in the AutoCAD Layer
Properties Manager.
 4-1

Chapter 4. Starting a Run

This chapter will teach you how to begin drawing a duct layout. Located on the drawing in the lower
left-hand corner you will find UNIT-1, which was created by selecting Fan Unit from the Accs pull down
menu. Use the AutoCAD ZOOM WINDOW command to zoom up to the 48 x 40 x 60 unit located on
the floor. We will begin our duct run by placing a flex connector on the top of the unit (see Figure 4-1).

Figure 4-1

To begin drawing, you must select the System you will use.

1. Select Configure from the Rectangular toolbar or the Rect pull-down menu (see Figure 4-2).

Figure 4-2

The Configure Rectangular dialog box appears (see Figure 4-3).

2. Click on the Rectangular Systems menu and select 2” SA.

3. Make sure the Show Flanges box is checked. With this toggle on, CADPIPE draws flanges on the
appropriate duct according to the specifications for the 2” SA system.
 4-2

Figure 4-3

4. Press the Text Options Tab to access the Configure Text section (see Figure 4-4).

Figure 4-4
 4-3
Make sure that the Next Tag # is 1, the Tag # size is 4” (100), the Text Size 1 is 4” (100), the Text
Size 2 is 4” (100), and the text Style is STANDARD. It is best to turn off most of the text when you begin
to draw vertically. Any text left on will have to be moved in order to read it because the system places it
automatically assuming a plan view orientation.

5. Turn off C1xW1 dimensions, Elevation Measurements, and Lengths/Throats.

6. When you finish setting these parameters, click OK to exit the Configure Rectangular dialog box.

Placing a Flex Connector

1. Select Join to command from the Rect pull-down menu or from the toolbar.

Select a duct to Join to:

Pick the edge of the opening on top of the Fan Unit.

2. Select Flex Connector from the Rect pull-down menu. It is found under the Others submenu.

A Fitting Specifications Menu for the Flex Connector appears (see Figure 4-5). To change any dimension,
double-click on it in the Fitting Dimensions section.

Figure 4-5

Since we ‘Joined to’ the opening of the Fan Unit, the system already knows the correct cheek 1 and
wrapper 1 values.
 4-4

3. Click OK to place the flex connector and return to the drawing.

The system automatically places the flex connector and turns Auto-Spec on (AS on). This means the
system will correctly size and place the next piece of duct we select.

1. Select Cut to length from the Rect pull-down menu or from the toolbar.

Join/Length:

2. Type 12 (300) and press Enter.

The system places a 12” straight piece of duct attached to the flex connector. You can see this in the
ISO view.

Returning to Horizontal
To get back to horizontal and continue drawing in plan view, you must select an elbow. For the pur-
poses of this tutorial we will use a radius elbow.

1. Select the Elbows Right turn, 90 Deg Rad-Rad from the Rect pull-down menu.

The Select Angle dialog box appears, allowing you to select the direction angle for the elbow to return
to Horizontal (see Figure 4-6).

2. Select 90 and then click OK.

Figure 4-6
 4-5

Other Views
You may check your progress so far by using the AutoCAD VIEW commands (see Figure 4-7). When
you have finished, return to plan view to continue drawing.

Figure 4-7

Now that you have returned to plan view, you will want to turn on Lengths/Throats text so that the
system will automatically annotate your drawing.

1. Select Configure from the Rect pull-down or toolbar.

2. Click the Text Options tab to access the Text configuration.

3. Turn on Lengths/Throats by selecting the box.

4. Click OK.
 5-1

Chapter 5. Auto-Route
The CADPIPE Auto-Route feature allows you to draw long runs of duct from one location to another
with speed and ease. Auto-Route will allow you to place multiple straights and elbows without individually
selecting each piece.

1. Select Auto-Route from the Rect pull-down menu or toolbar.

The HVAC Auto-Route dialog box appears (see Figure 5-1).

Figure 5-1

2. Set the Type of Auto-Route to Angled.

3. Set the Type of Elbow to Square.

4. Set the Elbow Angle Selection to Enter. This toggle allows you to enter a specific Elbow Angle to
be used in the auto-route.

5. Set Minimum Straight to 18 (450). This sets the shortest possible straight duct drawn in the auto-
route to 18” (450). Anything less is added to the throat of an elbow.
 5-2

6. Make sure that the Elbow Angle is set at 90.

7. Turn Rubberband on.

8. Click OK.

Pick end point of Auto-Route:

As you drag the cursor, the routing follows and the number of default lengths and leftover distance is
displayed on the screen.

9. Select an endpoint along column centerline B. Drag the auto-route until you end with a full straight joint
and pick a point (see Figure 5-2).

Figure 5-2
 6-1

Chapter 6. Fittings
This section will show you the procedure for selecting and placing transitions and other fittings on the
drawing. Be sure that Auto-Spec is on before you begin. The Auto-Spec On/Off toggle is found in the
Rect pull-down menu.

1. Select Transition from the Rect pull-down menu.

The Fitting Specifications Menu for transitions appears, allowing you to set new dimensions (see
Figure 6-1). Because Auto Spec is on, the entering cheek and wrapper dimensions are set to the last
fitting. You can not change these dimensions (cheek 1, wrapper 1), but you can modify all other dimen-
sions.

Figure 6-1

2. Double click on the text Cheek 2 and change its value to 30.

3. Double click on the text Wrapper 2 and change its value to 18.
 6-2

4. Select Cheek Offset 2 by double clicking on it.

The Fittings Dimensions dialog box appears (see Figure 6-2).

Figure 6-2

5. Click the Center Offset button and then OK.

CADPIPE HVAC automatically centers the transition. If you leave the wrapper offset at 0, the fitting
will remain on top. If you wish to center the wrapper, repeat steps 4 though 5, but select Wrapper Offset,
Flat on Top.

6. Click OK on the fittings specification menu to place the fitting.

Now, continue to draw your run.

7. Select Straight from the Rect Toolbar or pull-down menu.

Notice that the system automatically places elevation text and cheek and wrapper text (see Figure 6-3).
Any time these dimensions change, the system automaticallys places the text.
 6-3

Figure 6-3

8. Repeat step 7 twice to place two more straights.

9. Select another transition and change Cheek 2 to 24 (600), Wrapper 2 to 12 (350), set the Cheek
Offset 2 to center, and select OK. Refer to steps 1 through 5 to review this process.

10. Add three more straights using the Straight command on the Rect pull-down menu or toolbar.

Notice that the system automatically changes the joint connection on the straight ducts when the size is
changed. These parameters are set up in the System Specifications files for the system 2” SA (see Figure
6-4).

Figure 6-4
 6-4
11. Select a Tee-Left Turn Sqr-Sqr from the Rect pull-down menu.

The Fitting Specifications Menu appears (see Figure 6-5).

Be sure that Throat 1 is 6 (150) and that Cheek 2 and Cheek 3 are 12 (300). If they are not, change
them now and click OK to draw the tee.

Figure 6-5

Because we placed a left-turning Tee, the next fitting selected will be attached to the left outlet of the tee.

12. Select Cut to length from the Rect pull-down menu or from the toolbar.

Join/Length:

13. Type 18 and press Enter

14. Select Square to Round/Ovals from the Rect pull-down menu.

The Fitting Specifications Menu for Square to Round appears (see Figure 6-6).

15. Double click on Diameter 2. Change the dimension to 8 (200).

16. Set the Wrapper Offset 2 and Cheek Offset 2 to Center Offset. You can select them from the
picture of the fitting or double click on the text.
 6-5

Figure 6-6

17. Change the Length by double clicking on the text and enter 12 (300).

18. Click OK.

After placing the Square to Round transition, you can

attach flex duct to the diffuser.

19. Select Flex Duct/Spin Collar from the Accs pull-down

menu.

The Flex Duct/Spin Collar dialog box appears (see

Figure 6-7).

Figure 6-7
 6-6

20. Set the Only Draw Flex Duct toggle on by picking the box. A check mark appears in the box indicat-
ing that the toggle is activated. Also, set the Graphic Representation to Solid by clicking the radio
button.

21. Click OK.

Select an end of an item to Join to:

22. Pick diffuser #3 to join to.

The correct size flex duct will be drawn to the diffuser (see Figure 6-8).

Figure 6-8

To attach duct the opposite outlet of the tee, use the Join to command.

23. Select Join to a Run from the Rect pull-down menu or from the toolbar. Then pick the other outlet of
the tee. You must pick the line that represents the exit end of the fitting (see Figure 6-9).

Repeat the process above (steps 12 to 23) to place a straight, a Square to Round transition, and to
attach flex duct to the diffuser at location #4. You may have to place more than one duct (a combination of
straight and cut-to-length duct) depending on the location of diffuser #4.
 6-7

Figure 6-9
 7-1

Chapter 7. Takeoffs and Flex Duct

This section will show you how to use the flex duct feature for placing a takeoff, and how to auto-route
to a diffuser. Using the AutoCAD VIEW commands to zoom up on the area C-2 – C-3 of the drawing
(see Figure 7-1).

Figure 7-1

1. Select Takeoffs from the Rect pull-down menu.

You have the option to place a Radius or Square takeoff with or against the flow. Flow refers to the
direction in which you have drawn the duct and not necessarily to airflow.

2. Select the Radius option under the With Flow title.

The Placement Options dialog box appears (see Figure 7-2).

3. Select Auto-Route to Diffuser.

Figure 7-2
 7-2

The HVAC Auto-Route dialog box appears (see Figure 7-3).

Figure 7-3

Set the Minimum Straight to 10 (250) and click OK.

Select a duct to join to:

4. Pick the straight duct adjacent to the second transition, across from diffuser #5.

Select a diffuser to join to:

5. Select diffuser #5.

The Fitting Specifica-

tions Menu dialog box
appears (see Figure 7-4).

Figure 7-4
 7-3

This menu appears so that you can move the takeoff up or down from the center of the duct by
setting an Offset from Cent dimension.

6. Click OK.

The system auto-routes rectangular duct to the diffuser (see Figure 7-5). Return to plan view when you
are finished.

Figure 7-5

Flex Duct and Spin Collars

This feature of CADPIPE automatically sizes and places a spin collar on the duct and attaches flex to the
diffuser. It sizes the flex and spin collar according to the neck size of the diffuser and automatically calcu-
lates the length of flex needed. If the spin collar needs a length of round pipe added to maintain flex lengths
for your job, the system automatically places one. A report of all flex duct and spin collars sorted by size
can be run from the Accessory function. Flex duct and spin collar features are found on the Accessory
menu. Using the AutoCAD ZOOM WINDOW command, zoom up to the area shown below (see Figure
7-6).
 7-4

Figure 7-6

1. Choose Flex Duct/Spin Collar from the Accs pull-down menu.

The Flex Duct/Spin Collar dialog box appears (see Figure 7-7).

2. Deactivate the toggle Only Draw Flex Duct by selecting

the box.

3. Under Placement on Duct select Side. This will allow

you to place the spin collar onto the side of the duct.

5. Under Graphic Representation select Solid. This

option places the Flex Duct as AutoCAD Solids.

4. Click OK.

Select a duct:

6. Pick the side of duct #13 next to the 2nd transition to

place the spin and flex (see Figure 7-8).

Select an end of an item to Join to:

7. Pick diffuser #2 (see Figure 7-8).

The system automatically sizes and places the spin collar

and flex duct.

Select a duct:
Figure 7-7
8. Select duct #9 (see Figure 7-8).
 7-5

8. Select diffuser #1 (see Figure 7-8).

Note: The system allows you to continue to place flex without returning to the Accessory menu.

9. Press Enter to exit the command.

Figure 7-8
 8-1

Chapter 8. Generate Reports

CADPIPE HVAC software includes a report generator for creating material and shipping reports of the
ductwork and accessory items.

HVAC Reports
This feature generates reports of all the straight duct and fittings on the drawing.

1. Select HVAC Reports from the Edit toolbar or the CP Tools pull-down.

The Shipping Report box appears (see Figure 8-1). This box gives you the options to select what
ductwork you wish to include in your report.

2. Select Rectangular from the Report Kind section.

3. Select Straight Duct Report from the Report Type section.

This report gives you a listing of all default length duct on the drawing (see Figure 8-2). Remember that
only duct visible on the drawing is counted. If you turn off a layer that includes ductwork, those fittings are
not included in the report. This feature allows you to separate systems by using the layer command so that
you can run a separate report of each system. You can enter a Job Description and it will be included on
 8-2
the report. There are also five different output types available for your report.

4. Choose Display as the Report Output type and click Process Report.

As the system searches the database, the prompt Generating Report … appears. When it finishes, a
copy of the report appears.
Note: Be sure that your printer is online before you attempt to print a report.

5. Click OK to return to the drawing.

Accessory Reports
Accessories reports will create a Bill of Materials for all accessories on the drawing. Remember that
only the accessories on active layers (layers that are visible) will be included in the report.

1. Select Accessory Reports from the CPTools pull-down or the Edit toolbar.

The Accessory Report box appears (see Figure 8-3).

You have a number of options as to the Kind of report you wish to run and how you want the data
sorted. Sort Type only works if you have included a system name or area location at the time of place-
ment. Flex Unit Length allows you to establish the amount of flex duct contained in each unit or box of
flex duct that you purchase. The report will total all lengths of flex and compute the number of boxes you
need to purchase for each size.

2. Select Flex Duct and Process Report to produce the report (see Figure 8-4).
 8-3

Figure 8-3

Figure 8-4
 9-1

Chapter 9. Collision Checking

One of the biggest challenges encountered in ductwork design is interference checking. CADPIPE
provides you with two collision checking features that will alert you to possible interference problems on
your drawing. These features ensure that potential problems in coordination and installation are avoided,
saving time and money. Interactive Collision Checking can be activated at any time during the drawing
process. When activated, the system alerts you any time there is interference with any 3-D object on the
drawing. With Collision Checking on (CC on), you will notice CADPIPE takes an instant longer to place
fittings. This delay occurs because the system is searching the database for interfering objects before it
places each piece. For this reason, CADPIPE allows you to toggle collision checking on or off so you can
use it only when drawing in an area that presents potential interference problems. The Batch Collision
Checking feature can be activated after the drawing is completed and searches and highlights any interfer-
ence problems on the drawing, allowing you to correct the problems before the drawing is issued. For this
tutorial, only the interactive Collision Checking feature is used.
To demonstrate the collision checking feature, we will draw a piece of straight duct and collide with our
main duct run.

1. Select Start a run from the Rect pull-down menu.

Digitize new Top of Duct elevation <KB Option>:

2. Press Enter.

Starting Top of Duct elevation <11’-8 3/8”>:

3. Type 10’-5” and press enter to set the elevation.

Digitize start point:

4. Select a point on your drawing as shown in figure 9-1.

Specify Angle or [Up/Down] <90.000>:

5. Set the drawing angle to 90.

Figure 9-1
 9-2

6. Turn on collision checking by selecting the Coll Chk On/Off toggle from the Rect pull-down.

7. Continue to select straight duct from the menu. The system automatically alerts you when a collision
occurs. The colliding ducts change color and a Collision Alert box appears (see Figure 9-2). At this
point, you have several options from which to choose.

Figure 9-2

8. Click View Collision.

The system automatically changes views and isolates the collision for you (see Figure 9-3). Using the
View (Pre-View) Entities dialog box, you may change this view. You can zoom up or out on the view,
rotate the view up, down, right, or left, and remove hidden lines using the HIDE command (see Figure 9-3).

When you have finished viewing, return to the drawing by selecting OK. The Collision Alert box
reappears (see Figure 9-2).
 9-3

Figure 9-3

9. Select Query Duct ….

The Collision Query box lists the pieces of duct or fittings that are in collision. The size, top elevation,
and bottom elevation of each piece is listed, and the dimension and direction to correct the problem are
calculated (see Figure 9-4).

10. Click OK.

Figure 9-4
 9-4
The Collision Alert box returns to allow you to Continue to draw and do nothing about the collision or
to Reject the last piece of duct or fitting drawn so that you can avoid the collision.

11. Select Reject.

Because you know the amount you need to drop down to clear the interference, you can continue.

12. Select a Radius Offset from the Rect pull-down menu.

The Fitting Specifications Menu appears (see Figure 9-5).

Figure 9-5

13. Select Wrapper Offset 2 and change it to -8 (-200).

This will move the fitting down 8 inches (200 mm).

14. Select the Cheek Offset 2 and change it to <0>. You can do this by typing 0 or by clicking the
Center Offset button.

15. Activate Radius Wrapper by clicking on the button.

This will place the radius on the wrapper side of the fitting and the straight side on the cheek side of the
fitting.
 9-5
16. Select OK.

Now that you have cleared the interference, you can continue to draw (see Figure 9-6).

17. Draw another straight.

You might want to change a view to see that you have cleared the interference with the AutoCAD VIEW
commands.

This concludes the CADPIPE HVAC tutorial. We hope that you have found it helpful in your evaluation
of some of the features available in CADPIPE.

Figure 9-6
9-6