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19-02-2003 17:42
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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- What is an ARX application?
- What do you need to run FDBES?
- Can FDBES run under AutoCAD 14
- Can FDBES run under AutoCAD LT?
- What is the difference between drawing elements with and without FluidCAD?
- What is the DBX and what it is for?
- How to load & unload the menu file?
- How to export FluidCAD drawings to DXF format?
- How to remove elements from the specification list?
- How to delete an element from drawing while keeping it in the specification list?
- What does 3D functionality mean in FluidCAD?
- How to make cross-sections?
- How to make out-of-plane connections?
- Joining of elements not connected on the drawing?
- How to use FluidCAD to perform pressure loss analysis?
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What is an ARX application?
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The abbreviation ARX stands for AutoCAD Runtime Extension, and represents a technology called ObjectARX (developed by Autodesk) that is present in all AutoCAD based software (Architectural Desktop, Mechanical Desktop, AutoCAD itself, and many others) to allow program functionality to be extended by third party applications such as FluidCAD. An ARX application can define its own commands and custom drawing objects and add them to standard AutoCAD, so that they are seamlessly integrated into the interface. These custom made objects have their own set of properties and can be modified and manipulated using commands defined by the ARX application, as well as through the use of regular, built-in AutoCAD commands (copy, mirror, array, stretch, grip edit, etc). In fact, a lot of AutoCAD’s own functionality is implemented using the ObjectARX interface.
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What do you need to run FluidCAD?
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FluidCAD runs as an extension to AutoCAD. Currently, FluidCAD supports the following graphic environments: full or LT version of AutoCAD 2000, 2000i, 2002, and Autodesk Architectural Desktop (ADT) Release 2, 3 and 3.3. Generally, any configuration of hardware that supports AutoCAD (or ADT) itself will also support FluidCAD.
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Can FluidCAD operate under AutoCAD 14?
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The current version of FluidCAD does not support AutoCAD 14, but FluidDesk is considering developing a version of FluidCAD for this older platform. However, you can expect a version of the FluidCAD Object Enabler (FCLoader.dbx) for AutoCAD 14 to appear soon.
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Can FluidCAD operate under AutoCAD LT?
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Autodesk officially does not support the use of third party applications to extend the functionality of LT versions of AutoCAD. However, there are companies who provide software that allows, among other things, AutoCAD LT users to load and use ARX files, including FluidCAD. As of October 2002 there is a version of FluidCAD – Ventpack available especially for AutoCAD LT.
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What is the difference between drawing of the elements with or without FluidCAD?
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Without FluidCAD, designers have to use basic AutoCAD commands such as “line”, “extend”, “trim“, “copy” etc. to draw installations individually, element by element, a process that takes too much time. Using FluidCAD, each element can be inserted through a simple command, and remains an integral unit (AutoCAD block) that has its own properties, appearance, and behavior. Properties of elements already placed can be easily modified using the “Modify element” command. The designer can view and select from the complete range of available sizes, options and accessories for each type of element, allowing quick and easy parameterization. FluidCAD keeps track of the properties for each element, and updates the graphical representation automatically as changes are made – whenever properties are edited or when the object is rotated to a different view, using one of the simple object manipulation commands (move, rotate, and change plane).
Drawing of installations is further simplified through the use of the "continuous drawing" command, which automates placing of elements by showing only the path of ducting, or by the "follow-the-wall" function, similar to " continuous drawing" but using a wall instead as the reference line for the installation to be designed. FluidCAD also automatically generates the list of elements, performs and displays a report of pressure loss analysis, supports dimensioning and insertion of element numbers and information frames on the drawing. FluidCAD contains highly detailed libraries of equipment producers – guaranteeing that only elements currently available in the production catalogue of any given manufacturer are used in the drawing.
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What is the DBX and what it is for?
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FluidCAD objects (elements, dimensions, numbers, information frames) are not built-in AutoCAD objects, but special object extensions defined by the ARX application. Computers without FluidCAD installed only recognize these custom entities as so called “proxy objects” within AutoCAD, and cannot display the corresponding graphical representation. To allow users who do not have a licensed version of FluidCAD to work with files that contain such objects, they need to load the corresponding DBX file (FCLoader.dbx). DBX files are small applications that contain information on the properties and graphics of these special elements. Such a DBX file may be freely distributed, so users without FluidCAD can view and plot FluidCAD objects and elements. If you have a licensed copy of FluidCAD, you only need to use the FCLoader when running Autodesk applications that do not support FluidCAD itself.
Generally, when installing FluidCAD (FluidCAD.arx) or the Object Enabler (FCLoader.dbx) using the setup program, you will not need to manually load these programs. If, for some reason FluidCAD.arx (or FCLoader.dbx) does not load automatically at AutoCAD startup, you can take the following steps to manually load these programs:
To load FluidCAD:
From the "Tools" menu choose "Load application"
Browse to the FluidCAD folder and select the FluidCAD.arx file
Press the "Load" button – FluidCAD is loaded.
To load FluidCAD automatically when AutoCAD is started:
From the "Tools" menu choose "Load application"
Press the "Contents" button (in the frame “Startup Suite”)
Press the "Add" button
Browse to the FluidCAD folder and select the FluidCAD.arx file
Press "Add" and close the window using the "Close" button – FluidCAD is loaded and added to the list of startup applications loaded automatically with AutoCAD.
To load the Object Enabler, FCLoader.dbx:
From the "Tools" menu choose "Load application"
Browse to the FluidCAD folder and select the FCLoader.dbx file
Press the "Load" button – FCLoader is loaded.
To load FCLoader.dbx automatically when AutoCAD is started:
From the "Tools" menu choose "Load application"
Press the "Contents" button (in the frame “Startup Suite”)
Press the "Add" button
Browse to the FluidCAD folder and select the FCLoader.dbx file
Press "Add" and close the window using the "Close" button – FCLoader is loaded and added to the list of startup applications loaded automatically with AutoCAD.
FluidCAD and FCLoader can not be unloaded from memory as long as FluidCAD supported element exist in any of the opened drawings. Automatic loading of FluidCAD and FCLoader can be prevented using the following procedure:
From the "Tools" menu choose "Load application"
Press the "Contents" button (in the frame “Startup Suite”)
Select the file that you don’t wish to load automatically (FluidCAD.arx or FCLoader.dbx)
Press the "Remove" button
Close the window using the "Close" button – the selected file is deleted from the list of startup applications loaded automatically with AutoCAD.
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How to load & unload the menu file?
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If you used the setup program to install FluidCAD and selected the option to automatically load the menu, you don’t need to load the menu manually. Proceed as follows if you didn’t use the setup program or if for any other reason you have to load the menu file yourself:
Select the "Menus" option from the "Customise" submenu found in the "Tools" section of the main AutoCAD menu bar
Press "Browse" in the AutoCAD "Menu customization" dialog window that appears, navigate to the FluidCAD folder, select the "FluidCAD.mns" file and confirm with the "Open" button
Press the "Load" button in the AutoCAD "Menu customization" window
Select the "Menu Bar" tab at the top of the window
Select "FluidCAD" from the list of menus on the left
In the "Menu bar" list on the right, mark the position of the AutoCAD main menu where you would like the FluidCAD submenu to be inserted.
Press the "Insert" button – the FluidCAD menu is loaded.
To remove the menu:
Select the "Menus" option from the "Customise" submenu found in the "Tools" section of the main AutoCAD menu bar
Select the "Menu Bar" tab in the dialog window that appears
Select "FluidCAD" from the list labeled "Menu Group"
Press the "Remove" button – the FluidCAD menu is removed and will not be opened when AutoCAD is started again.
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How to export FluidCAD drawings to DXF format?
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Certain incompatibilities can arise when exporting drawings that contain FluidCAD elements to DXF files (elements drawn in FluidCAD can disappear). That happens because FluidCAD creates objects that are not standard AutoCAD objects. A special command “converts objects” was introduced in Ventpack version 1.1 to convert special FluidCAD elements into simple AutoCAD blocks. Having performed this conversion, you can save the drawing in DXF format without problems, allowing any CAD application supporting this format to open your files. Note – conversion of objects is a non-reversible command (it is not possible to undo this command once the file has been saved), preparing material specifications and performing pressure loss calculations cannot be accomplished on the converted file. Before executing the conversion, a backup copy should be made.
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How to delete elements from the specification list?
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FluidCAD elements inserted on the drawing appear automatically in specification lists generated by the program, regardless of whether they have been assigned a specific number. To prevent an element from being included in the specification list, the “Include in listing” option should be unchecked in the “Element properties” window for that element. When excluded from the list of elements, the number can be arbitrarily assigned – this value will only appear on the drawing, and not in the generated lists. When performing the “cross sectioning” command, all elements generated in the section view all have the “Include in listing” check box unchecked by default, so that they are not repeated in the list of elements. You can also remove elements from the specification by simply deleting them from the drawing.
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How to delete element from drawing while keeping it in the specification list?
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FluidCAD includes a function which offers the user an option to include in the list of elements objects that have been exploded using the standard AutoCAD “explode” command. After FluidCAD elements have been exploded, the program displays a dialog box asking the user whether he wants to keep the exploded elements, so that they continue to be included in listings and in pressure loss analysis. This function is useful in many cases, for example, when the user wants to customize the appearance of an element or to manually remove hidden lines. It is even possible to remove all lines left after objects are exploded, in this case, the object remains in the list of elements but is not shown on the drawing at all. Such exploded objects actually remain on the drawing, but they are placed on a special layer (specified in the drawing settings as option “Layer for exploded elements”) which is hidden by default.
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What does 3D functionality mean in FluidCAD?
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FluidCAD works fundamentally in the 2-dimensional plan view. However, it is possible to use certain 3D functionality implemented in the program. Only one restriction is imposed: elements should be oriented on the drawing only in such a way that the viewing plane is perpendicular to one of their three main coordinate axes. The program remembers the elevation of each element, so that after placing the first element (and specifying its elevation from the ground level), the elevation of subsequent elements in the installation is automatically calculated based on the position of the preceding element. This way, the third dimension of designed installations may be managed easily.
Another tool, the “cross-sectioning” command can be used to further aid in planning of the “third dimension”. With its help, selected elements can be copied in such a way that they are reoriented to form the section view of the originals. It is possible to continue the installation from these cross-sectioned copies in the new viewing plane, so that elements not visible in the top view can also be drawn.
Despite operating primarily in a 2D environment while drawing the installation on the floor plan view, it is possible to insert sections of vertical duct running up or downwards using elbows, in order to change the elevation of further horizontal ducting. “Auxiliary cross-section” is the newest tool to aid the designing of vertically oriented installations on these views. It allows moving of selected elements to a cross section, where they can be modified, rotated, shifted, and even new elements can be added. Selecting the “auxiliary cross-section” command once again, modified and added elements return to the original plan view.
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How to make cross-section?
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One of the useful functions provided by FluidCAD to aid designing of installations in 3D is the “cross-sectioning” command. This function copies elements selected by the user and changes their position and orientation so that they correspond to the required cross-section view of the installation. New elements are automatically excluded from the specification list (the “Include in listing” option in the property window is unchecked). This way, cross-sectioned elements that are in fact copied and ”superimposed” are not listed twice in the specification. If the original elements were numbered before the cross section is made, new elements will automatically receive the corresponding number assigned to the original.
To perform the “cross-sectioning” command, the designer must select the elements to be included in the operation and then show the "ground" line and sectioning direction on the drawing, which will be used by program to generate the section view. Elements are copied and automatically rotated, the designer must only complete the remaining architectural elements (ceilings, walls, etc.).
Users of the program should be aware, that cross-section views cannot be generated in all cases. FluidCAD can generate cross sections only for these elements for which one of the local (own) symmetry axes is parallel to the section line.
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How to make out-of-plane connections?
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FluidCAD allows elements to be connected even when their connectors are parallel to the viewing plane (facing upwards or downwards). To do this, you should select the element with such a connector, select the “auxiliary cross-section” command, show the baseline of the building and the direction of cross sectioning. The selected element(s) will be shifted to the section view, where the connector facing up or down has become perpendicular to the viewing plane, so that it can be easily joined to another element. Once the new element has been drawn and attached, the “auxiliary cross-section” command should be performed once again to return both elements to the original projection.
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Joining of elements not connected on the drawing?
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At this time, only elements actually connected on the drawing preserve airflow and pressure loss data across different the installation. We will resolve this problem in an upcoming release of FluidCAD, so designers will have the possibility to make two, otherwise unoccupied connectors act as if they were connected, keeping continuity of the installation. It will also be possible to use this functionality across different AutoCAD drawings, so that large installations can be drawn floor by floor, enabling automatic pressure loss analysis for these more complicated designs.
At present time, automatic verification of airflow an calculations of pressure drops can be performed only when all elements are continuously connected, i.e. when the installation is uninterrupted and there are no missing elements.
Fluid Desk Sp. z o.o. will introduce the new function of remote joining of elements in the next version of FluidCAD. This will allow the joining of two connectors with different orientations, situated in different positions on the drawing – in effect, this will enable the maintaining of continuity even between plan and cross section views. This function would allow also joining of elements of the same system that are located in two different AutoCAD drawings. Furthermore, it will be possible to determine flows and perform pressure loss calculations even in installations running through several floors and spread out across several different drawings.
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How to use FluidCAD to perform pressure loss calculation?
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FluidCAD can automatically perform pressure loss analysis for ventilation installations. However, certain settings should be determined before starting designing to ensure the correct results. When first defining a system for which calculations will be performed, the type of system (supply, exhaust, intake, outtake) must be specified, and the “Flow calculations” and “Pressure loss analysis” options should both be enabled.
When drawing the installation itself, care should be taken to ensure that the direction of airflow through the ducting is properly determined. Special markers are displayed for this purpose in the “Flows” tab of the “Element properties” window. The direction of flow is indicated by a marker appearing next to the “special connector”, that is, the connector carrying air from the ventilator to the element in question for supply and outtake, or from the element to the ventilator in case of exhaust or intake installations. For supply and discharge systems, air flows into the “special connector”, and for exhaust and intake systems air flows out through this connector.
While drawing installations, it is the designer’s responsibility to ensure that air quantities are correctly set at the endpoints, and that the information required for pressure loss calculation is entered for each element (such as effective flow area and the value of zeta), especially when the element library does not contain detailed information to calculate these values by default. The program, if the “Flow calculation” option is enabled for the given system, automatically calculates air quantity requirements at all other points in the installation based on the endpoints, updated after each change. It is the designer’s responsibility to verify that the capacity of ventilator on the suction and delivery sides is equal – the program gives a warning in the case when these two values are different.
Once the system design is completed and all data entered, pressure losses in ducting between the ventilator and each endpoint is automatically calculated (the “Pressure loss analysis” option should be enabled in the “System settings” window). The result of this calculation can be verified in the “Flows” tab of the “Element modification” window, displayed by the “Pressure loss analysis“ command and also in the information frames inserted on the drawing during “Numbering and dimensioning”. Whenever modifications are made in the installation, all data contained in information frames is automatically modified.
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