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3D vs 2D Environment
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Is the use of 3D getting more popular for commercial work in your area? We do see the larger projects now mandating total 3-D coordination to lower costs and maintain construction schedules.
In cities such as Denver, Co eighty percent of the larger commercial construction projects are requiring 3D coordination. In Las Vegas, NV the largest project in history the eight billion dollar, twenty million square foot City Center project is being built with total 3D coordination as specified. Most of the other larger projects there are also following suit, Cosmopolitan, Fontainebleau, etc.
Most of the plans that come through our office from all different architects are still drawn in 2D.
You can draw in 2D with AutoSPRINK® but with proper training and a little patience you will soon discover that drawing in a totally realistic manner is not only muck quicker and more accurate and it is actually fun. We have and young designers leave our training center stating “ I can’t believe there actually going to pay me to play this video game.”
There appears to be a bit of movement in 3D design drawings, with some local councils (building authorities) requiring submission of 3D models as part of the official approval process. Not sure if this will be the norm though.
AutoDESK promised this several years ago but converting all their legacy code has taken longer than they expected. They also bought a company that utilizes internally intelligent object oriented technology similar to our own 3D design engine “Symmetrica” called Revit. We don’t see building authorities leading the way into 3D design here in the US but we do see the larger projects now mandating total 3D coordination to lower costs and maintain construction schedules.
Can the package work as 2D for a standard job or will we need to keep autocad for these jobs?
Yes, it will work in 2D and no you do not need to use AutoCAD as AutoSPRINK® licenses AutoCAD’s own 3-D import/export engine for total AutoCAD compatibility through 2008 release.
Is 3D really required?
Regardless of 3D requirements AutoSPRINK® allows for total realistic designs that resolve nearly all conflict problems prior to construction while greatly increasing accuracy of installation of all trades.
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| Answers from AutoSPRINK® users |
I noticed that you use AutoSPRINK® design software. Have you used any other software? We use Hydracad and I am not sure that there are not better software packages out there. How do you like AutoSprink, how is their support? - KB
I spent three years in HydraCAD and I would never go back. There is absolutely no comparison between the two. AutoSPRINK® is so far ahead of Hydracad, that I don’t understand how the two can be considered competition. With Hydracad, I felt like I was constantly helping them fix their program and then I got a bill. AutoSPRINK® is very user friendly and the complete 3D environment cannot be matched. Plus, when I have a problem, there is unlimited tech support with a 1-800 number. Enough said. -BJK
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| Capabilities of AutoSPRINK®
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This is a two part question. 1. Can AutoSPRINK® deal with the system if the pump set located at the roof of high rise building (this case some times is required to reduce the pump set pressure capacity by utilizing the gravity effect)? 2. Can AutoSPRINK® deal with a system provided with a two fire pump sets located in different levels of high rise building that feeding a loop system?
Regarding your questions #1 & 2 about high-rise pumping systems, when using AutoSPRINK, creating a 3D model of a fire sprinkler system is quite easy. Because the system is drawn as a 3D model, all static head pressures (gain or loss due to gravity) are hydraulically calculated as they occur within a system. Check point gauges can be added to any point of the virtual model to report static pressures anywhere in the network of piping to determine if prv’s are needed and if so at what pressures. The hydraulic results will prove the adequacy of any pump and piping arrangement in a high-rise building, no matter how complex. There is really no limit as to how many pumps and/or supplies that can be combined in the design of a system. The piping network can include looped or non-looped piping, or any combination of the two, to satisfy the demands of the project.
What other systems can utilize this software? (Foam deluge system, Water mist system,etc.)
A 3D model of any piping network or system type, can be designed in AutoSPRINK. Deluge, Dry Pipe, PreAction, Water Cannon (Monitor Stations), Water-based mist systems or any water-based system can be hydraulically calculated utilizing the universally accepted Hazin-Williams formula. The water supply and discharge piping of a foam system can also be calculated. The foam piping itself, from the foam tanks to the proportioner valve can of course be designed in AutoSPRINK. The calculations for this foam piping are generally provided by the equipment manufacturer.
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| Compatibility with other CAD programs |
It appears as though we are going to be building our drawings on top of the architects and structural engineers drawings who will be using a programme called Archicad. Do you know if yours can talk to this software?
As long as the program can communicate with AutoCAD with .dwg or .dxf it should import and export within AutoSPRINK. We can also easily make this a condition of sale with no cost or obligation if for some strange reason it does not.
Can both the drawing and the plot sheets be exported from AutoSPRINK® to AutoCAD?
Everything is exportable to AutoCAD from AutoSPRINK. The model space can be exported to a base drawing in modelspace (DWG) and the multiple plot sheets can be exported to separate DWG files. The plot sheet exports can then be used as direct X-Refs (or as inserted blocks) within AutoCAD's paperspace as title blocks, etc. for multiple layouts (plot sheets). View ports would have to be added to these plot sheets to approximate the AutoSPRINK® plots, but the exporting and AutoCAD setup should be pretty straight forward; and not too time consuming. Nothing should have to be redrawn. View titles, notes and details may have to be cut & pasted so its not exactly "pushbutton" but it is do-able in a reasonable amount of time. The AutoSPRINK® views (and pictures) are converted to bitmaps within the exported drawing; and, though not live viewports, they are exact representations of what is shown in the AutoSPRINK® drawing. We are researching the possibility of converting AutoSPRINK® views into viewports in AutoCAD, but this isn't available just yet
Can both the drawing and the plot sheets be exported from AutoSPRINK® to AutoCAD? Additional Information
Normally, only the AutoSPRINK® drawing is exported to modelspace and used to satisfy contract requirements for AutoCAD files. Alternately: selected elements in an AutoSPRINK® drawing can also be merged into the original AutoCAD drawing and all of the Architect's/Engineer's paperspace layouts would allow them to view and print drawings in their original AutoCAD context. Using either of these two methods, anything that was done directly on AutoSPRINK® plot sheets would not be included so the abovementioned method would be a better alternative. If printable electronic files are needed, AutoSPRINK® drawings can be plotted to PDF files (using 3rd party software) and are very presentable and reproducible representations of AutoSPRINK plots.
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| Cost and licensing of AutoSPRINK®
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How much will AutoSPRINK® cost to set up including licences, training and support?
Click Here to find a Local M.E.P.CAD Representative in your area for more information.
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Country or Region-specific questions
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I imagine certain local equipment and practices (Australia) may differ slightly from the US. Does your packge have the facilities to include local installation/fabrication methods?
Yes, you can customize it by easy data base entry including custom welded fittings that are the norm in Australia.
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Drawing Other Types of Systems with AutoSPRINK®
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Can we draw in ductwork, cable trays, plumbing, etc. for co-ordination if no-one else on the design team is doing so?
The program contains easy modeling and conversion tools that automatically convert simple lines to 3-D objects or models
Can we draw in smoke detectors and other fire alarm equipment
Yes and you can also use a sister program to AutoSPRINK® called AlarmCAD to greatly assist with this task as well. It will also generate all required reports, calculations and even a bill of materials.
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Fire codes and compliant design using AutoSPRINK®
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Can AutoSPRINK® draw a code-compliant system?
AutoSPRINK® does not update for any fire code requirements. You as the designer can set up your settings in AutoSPRINK® to follow whatever the local codes require, but there is no automation in our system to do that for you.
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How does AutoSPRINK® work?
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I was wondering how AutoSPRINK® works as a stand alone program
It has its own object oriented, internally intelligent 3-D design engine called Symmetrica. The program is licensed with Autodesk’s own import/exportengine to provide complete AutoCAD compatibility thru the 2008 release. It is much faster and totally accurate as you are working with exact models “Building and system components” of all objects similar to assembling a real world system. This allows for complete accuracy as each system component is exacting is all aspects and “Knows internally” its Size, “Take out dimensions”, End preps, Location and elevation, Relationship to all other objects, Hydraulic loss and/or C-factor and even Material and installation labor Cost per item. In short, each system component contains everything it needs to perform real time totally accurate hydraulic calculations, provide flawless stock lists, and check for conflicts with structure and other trades with the push of a button.
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Importing Other Trades' Drawings into AutoSPRINK®
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What is the procedure envisaged by the designers of the package? For example, is the background info prepared by others?
In many cases it is but the program has many tools to greatly simplify conversion from 2-D drawings to realistic 3-D models.
Does it work with the architect drawing the base building?
Yes.
Does it work with the structural engineer adding the beams?
The program can import any AutoCAD based 2-D or 3-D designs including any AutoCAD add-on designs such as X-Steel etc. that interact with AutoSPRINK® as semi-intelligent Polly triangles. AutoSPRINK’s built-in conflict recognition and resolution tools will recognize all imported overlay drawing objects and react to them.
Does the package allow for us to create a 3D model of the buiding and structure if other designers engineers and architects are operating on coventional 2D drawings?
Yes, and we are completing a new program call AutoPREP that will make this procedure nearly automatic. This drawing was produced from 2-D design drawings in less than one day.
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Learning and using AutoSPRINK®
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What is the learning curve for AutoSPRINK?
Because of its windows based user friendly interface and the fact that your working with exact replica’s of system components AutoSPRINK® is by far the easiest program to learn and use in the world. You will actually be able to design, hydraulically calculate (instantaneous) and stock list a system to a building in the first day of class. After the one week basictraining you should be at your current level of production (with much more accuracy) that will continueto improve indefinitely {Guarantee}. We suggest attending our (3) day intermediate class and the (2) day advanced classes within a four to six week interval thereafter. In doing so, we have testimonials indicating between 50 to over 200 percent increases in production with greatly increased accuracy, detailing and overall design dissemination to both the approving agencies and field crews.
I am used to drawing in 2D with HydraCAD. How difficult will it be for me to learn to work in 3D with AutoSPRINK?
We realize most designers are reluctant to even consider the seemingly daunting task of designing in 3-D. The program can perform in 2-D as well as 3-D but with surprisingly simple to learn and use 3-D conversion tools designers soon begin realizehow they ever lived with out it. Try to imagine the installers increased production level from designs produced to the exacting tolerances allowed by designing systems within a real world building model. Combine that with theease of automatically placing both horizontal and vertical (*Star*) dimensioning, instantaneously placing isometric piping details make it effortless to assist the field installation even more! Realistically, shouldn’t that be the fire sprinklers designers ultimate goal? AutoSPRINK’S IS!
How will support and training work as we are on the other side of the world (Australia)?
We have trainers in the US, much of Europe and Australia. Please see our website and/or call for details.
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Licensing and Networking AutoSPRINK®
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Licensing and Networking AutoSPRINK®
Yes.
When we purchase the software, how many dongle keys will be provided with the software? Can I install the software on several PCs, so I can use the dongle key with any of these PCs?
There is a hardware lock (dongle key) provided for each program purchased with a license name and password. They may be networked together to share information from a central server, but each individual computer must have its own USB hardware key lock. The key may be used on several different computers but not at the same time. ie: We have clients that work on one computer at the office and then take their key home to work on a different computer there.
Is it enough to install the software and provide the dongle key for the central server only ?
This is not an option at this time
Is there is a multi-user version? As our main office is located in Dubai and we are in different country rather than the other branches in other cities in UAE or other countries in Middle East, is there is a possibility to install the software in the main server and use it from any of the branches via internet? If so is there is any special requirement in this regard?
After extensive testing of the software available for multi-user networked version licensing, we determined that the speed degradation and security issues were too great to make the application practical for our users. Thus the program is currently only available for single station licensing. As a suggested alternative: We allow our software to be installed on computers in multiple locations, and run without being licensed (no hardware lock/dongle), for review of drawings created on licensed stations. These unlicensed installation would be somewhat limited in that the hydraulic calculator would not be fully functional, stock listing would not be available and drawing changes could not be saved. The drawings however would be fully editable. If changes were desired, a screen shot could be made of the changes and sent to the person that was using the licensed software for final drawing edits.
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Other MEPCAD Products- AutoPREP®
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What is AutoPREP?
We are also solving what we feel after using AutoSPRINK® on some very, very large projects is the biggest problem of all- importing, exporting and cleaning up the enormous AutoCAD drawing files on these huge projects. Cleaning up large drawings and continually issued revisions is a a big issue and is needed no matter what CAD format you are using. We have developed an AutoCAD automated cleanup wizard that makes this task almost instantaneous. Drawings that took nearly 40 hours to cleanup are being completed in less than ten minutes. The wizard also has a “learn” mode that remembers what the user did to clean up the drawing previously per architect and can be set per drawing as well. Then the next time a revised drawing is received the user can import it exactly as he wants with the push of a button. We plan on making the routine a part of AutoSPRINK® immediately after release and take it to the next step to automatically highlight the changes in the revised drawing (such as moved or added walls), etc.
Can you explain more about AutoPREP?
It is now not only automatically cleaning up all the drawings but also flawlessly converting all beams from simple lines to 3D objects. Try to imagine only one person preparing all design drawings including clean-up and beam conversion to elevation for all its designers for a 150 million dollar backlog of work! That also includes constant revision updates and additions. We will be adding its capability to the next release of AutoSPRINK® so AutoCAD import and constructing a 3D model will be almost automatic as revising a drawing will be.
Can you explain more about AutoPREP?
It will not onlyclean-up cad files prior to design it will automatically prepare the entire set of drawings based on what was done on the initial drawing of the set. From then on it will remember everything done to the set to make revision drawing input literally a push of a button. It will also highlight all revision changes within the new drawing for immediate recognition for re-design and/or pricing. A second licensing feature will be automated simple 2-D line design into a 3-D internally intelligent model. 3-D beam conversion is now complemented with 3-D column conversion. In AutoSPRINK® we can then automatically add 2-D wall conversion combined with the 3-D columns for automated roof planes and “raise to roof” features. We are also implementing object enablers for importing 3-D elements as well. It will soon be much simpler to utilize the non-AutoCAD AutoSPRINK® program than to use any AutoCAD based design package.
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Other MEPCAD Products- AlarmCAD®
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I use Notifier (or Edwards or Siemens) for my alarm solutions, does AlarmCAD support these devices?
AlarmCAD currently is available through some fire alarm manufacturers, but any user can add new parts to the database, incorporating commonly used parts quite easily.
Does AlarmCAD also include Security design component features?
Some elements related to security systems are currently available, but any user can add new parts to the database.
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Other MEPCAD Products- AutoLIST®
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If a manufacturing company had stock listing needs – could they use AutoLIST separate – and what benefit would it offer them to support their customers who use AutoSPRINK?
Currently the listing program works off the design components and so the AutoLIST program by itself would not hold value, but there is currently development underway for a fabrication application. We’d be happy to let you know as soon as something is available.
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Pipe Hangers- Placement of
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Pipe Hangers – are they associated in the program?
Pipe hangers are placed automatically – including cut lengths which you can set to space to beams and joist at the Ø elevation or you can even place hangers at their intersection in space with a predefined length or “cut” them to the roof planes.
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Plotting with AutoSPRINK®
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I'm hoping that your program is faster and easier to use than Hydracad and that your 2d plans are just as fast and easy to generate as Hydracads are. I'm also hoping the plans plot clearly for submittals and for the fitters.
The Plots are extremely clear. Please view the following link for examples:
Click Here for Example Plot Sheets
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Latest Release New Features
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What are some of the new features in the lastest release?
Click Here to view the lastest features list
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Preguntas en Español
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