PractiCAD/ACAD Training Manual

(A Draftsman Guide)
Day 1:

1. Introduction to AutoCAD:

2. Workspace Settings: (Interface)

- How To Set Create/Set Your Workspace
- AutoCAD Classic
- Choose “Window” on Menu Bar for ACAD 2009
- Choose Icon on Tray (bottom)

- 3 Ways To Activate Tools

- Use Menu
- Ex: Menu>Draw>Line
- Use Command Line
- Ex: Type “L” in command line
- F2 Toggle to Review Commands
- Use Express Tool Bars and Ribbons
- Ex: pick “line” tool

- Explanation of Express Tools Bars and Ribbons

- Tool Bars
- How To Turn Tool Bars on/off (PCAD&ACAD)
- How To Put them Vertically/Horizontally
- How To Make the Icons Larger (“Options”>Display)
- How to Create Your Own Toolbar - (optional)
- Working With Your CUI
- How to Create Your Own Toolbar
- See Recommended Tool Bar Settings
 - Ribbons
- To Turn Them on Type “Ribbon” in Command line

- Go to “Window” and Select “Ribbon”

- Minimize to Tabs, Panels, Show Full Ribbon

- How To Close Ribbon

- How To Use Your CUI - (optional)

- How to Create a Ribbon Panel
- Panels Can be Copied From Toolbars **
- Explanation of Rows/SubPanels
- Panel Separator Can Be Moved **

- How To Create A Ribbon Tab

- How To Customize Your WorkSpace with Above -

(optional)

3. Working With Quick Tray Icons

- How To Change Display (Right Click Icons)

- How To Enable Icons or Text
- How To Change Settings

- How To Use “SNAP” - (optional)

- How To Use “GRID” - (optional)

- How To Use “ORTHO”

- F8 Toggle
- Good Tool When Moving Taps (Placing Duct)
- Must Shut It Off When Done **
 - If You Can’t See Duct During Placement Check F8 **

- How To Use “POLAR”

- F10 Toggle
- How To Change Settings
- How To Add Increment Angles
- Options
- Display Polar Tracking Vector **

- How To Use “OSNAPS”

- F3 Toggle (Must be Turned On Always) **
- How To Make Them Active
- Options
- AutoSnap Settings
- Marker and Magnet should be checked **
- Adusting Marker Size
- Endpoint Snap
- Used For All Duct Connections **
- Midpoint Snap
- Used To Locate Center of Lines
- Can Get In the Way of Endpoint Snap etc.
- Node Snap
- Used for Center of Grid Tile, Corner of Walls,
Walls,Edge of GRD’s etc.. **
- Ex: Routing to Edge of Grill
- Nearest Snap
- Used For Edge of Objects
- Ex: Dimensiong Steel to Duct
- Snap From
- Ex: Route Ductline To Wall

- Explanation of the Difference between “Settings” and

Using the “Express Tool Bars”
- Snaps In Tool Bars Are A One Time Snap **
- Ex: Routing To Grill
 - How To Use “OTRACK”
- F11 Toggle

- How To Use Dynamic UCS - (optional)

- How To Use Dynamic Input - (optional)

- Ex: Using a Line Tool

- How To Use LineWeight - (optional)

- How To Use Quick Properties - (optional)

- Adjusting Your Quick Properties in CUI

4. Working With AutoCAD Options

- How To View Options (Right Click Command Line)

- Display Tab
- Use Large Icons For Toolbars
- Colors
- 2D Model Space
- 3D Parallel Projection Set to Black **
- Display Model/Layout Tabs (Checked)
- Adjusting Your Crosshair Size

- User Preferences
- Double Click Editing (Checked) **
- Right Click Customization
- Short Cut Menu Enabled **
- Ex: Edit Fitting, Copy Tap, Select Similar,
Repeat Command, Object Viewer, Properties
 - Drafting
- Aperture Size
- Autotrack Settings Usually All Checked
- Ex: Display Polar Tracking Vector
- Replace “Z” Value With Current Elevation
- Can Turn On/Off With Icon
- Ex: GRD’s on Ceiling Background

- 3D Modeling
- Display View Cube (View Cube Settings)

- Selection
- Pickbox Size
- Noun/Verb Selection (Checked) **
- (Let’s You Work Off Current Selection)
- Use Shift To Add To Selection (Un-checked) **
- Press and Drag (Un-checked) **
- Implied Windowing (Checked) **

- How To Adjust Your Grip Size

- Profiles
- How to Set Your Profile Current

5. Working With AutoCAD Tools

- How To Use Your Save Icon

- How To Use Your Zoom Extents
- How To Use Your View Tools
- Top, Bottom, Left , Right, SWIsometric etc..
- Can Be Access Through Menu Bar
- How To Use Your Orbit Tool
- How To Use Your Visual Styles
- 2D Wireframe
 - Quicker to Draw **
- Do Not See The Round Pipe Lines **
- Must Use This to Plot **
- Can NOT See Hidden Lines Unless In 2D **
- Can NOT See Liner Unless in 2D **
- 3D Wireframe
- Can See All Lines (Round Pipe) **
- Better For Working In Iso Views etc.. **
- 3D Hidden
- You Will Not See Tags **
- Realistic

- How To Use Your Snaps (Express Tool Bars)

- Endpoint, Midpoint, Node, Nearest
- Good For One Time **
- Ex: Ceiling Grid Node

- How To Use Your Dimension Tools

- How To Use Liner Dimension
- Must Have Snaps On **
- Ex: Center Of Steel To Duct (Nearest Snap)
- Snaps In Fitting Box for Steel/Columns **
- How To Use Aligned Dimension
- How To Use Quick Leader

- How To Adjust Your Dimension Style - (optional)

- Format>Dimension Style>Modify
- Style Saved With Template **

- Lines
- Lineweight, Linetype

- Symbols and Arrows

- Ex: Close Filled Ex: Quick Leader **
- Arrow Size Ex: Quick Leader
 - Text
- Text Appearance
- Text Style Grays Out Text Height **
- Text Placement
- Text Alignment

- Fit - (optional)

- Primary Units
- Format
- Precision
- Zero Suppresion (Un-checked) **
- Ex: Elevation Tag at 10’-0”

- Alternative Units - (optional)

- Tolerances - (optional)

- How To Use The Copy Tool

- Type “CP” or “Copy” in Command Line
- How to Use Your Move Command With Copy
- Ex: @20,20,0 (X,Y,Z) **
- Ex: Hold Mouse in Direction Type 48” **
- Ex: How To Copy GRD’s (Replace “Z”) **

- How To Use Your Move Tool

- Type “M” or “Move” in Command Line

- How To Use Your Rotate Tool

- Type “Ro” or “Rotate” in Command Line

- How To Use Your Array Tool

- Type “Ar” or “Array” in Command Line
- How To Use Your Explode Tool
- Type “Explode” in Command Line
- Polylines Can be Exploded to Lines for AutoSteel **
- Blocks Can Be Made From PCAD Entities and Then
Exploded Back To Normal Duct

- How To Use Your Layer Match Tool - (optional)

- Type “Laymch” in Command Line
- Ex: Need to Match Duct to Different Layer After
After Zone Change

- How To Use Your Layer Isolate Tool

- Type “Layiso” in Command Line
- Ex: Isolate Duct on Supply Layer

- How To Use Your Layer Un-Isolate Tool

- Type “Layuniso” in Command Line

- How To Use Your Layer Off Tool

- How To Turn the Layer Back On

- How To Use Your Line Tool

- Draw A Line By:
- Hold Mouse In Direction and Type Distance **
- Type Distance @X,Y,Z **
- Type @Distance, Angle

- How To Use Your Rectangle Tool - (optional)

- How To Work With Your Layer Properties

- How To Create A Layer
- On/Off
- Layer Freeze
- Layer Lock/Unlock
- Choose A Color
 - Choose A Linetype
- Ex: Hidden Lines for Liner
- Choose A Lineweight
- Ex: Plotting a Line

6. Working With Options In The AutoCAD Menu

- Format
- Drawing Setup
- Units
- Type
- Precision
- Ex: PractiCAD Fitting Box and Standard
Menus Will Follow These Settings **

- Scale - (optional)

- Text Style
- How To Create A Text Style
- PractiCAD Tags Can Follow Text Style **
- Ex: Standard (Default) **

PractiCAD Training Manual

2-3 day Training Schedule:

Day 1:
1. Introduction to PractiCAD: - Intro

2. PractiCAD settings (Organizing Your Desktop)

- Adjusting your Screen’s colors (Display/Options/Colors/3-D
Parallel Needs to be set to “black”

- Loading PractiCAD – type “menuload” in command line…

- Path for ACAD 2009 Windows XP
- C:>Documents and Settings>All Users>Application
Data>ContractorsTools>PractiCAD> R17.2>
2.03.0190>Menu>Practicad.CUI

- Path for ACAD 2010/2011 Vista/Windows 7

- C:>Program Data>Contractors Tools> PractiCAD>
R18.1>2.03.0190>Menu>Practicad.CUI
- Must Show Hidden Files and Folders or You
Will Not see “Program Data” **
- Start>Control Panel>Appearances>
Folder Options>Show Hidden Files….

- How to add the PractiCAD express tool bar icons

- How To Turn on Your Fitting Bins On/Off – 8 Toggle On/Off

buttons - How to Turn Off-On Bins and Containers

- Adjusting Your Containers - How To Modify Your Containers

-Workbox
-Direction Box
-Fitting/Parameter Box (Item Box)
-Elevation Box
-Layer Box
-Log Box

- Splash Screen On/Off – (PractiCAD Options) - Options (General - Wheel

Scroll - Parameters - Show Splash)

3. Setting up Your Fitting Bins and Catalogues:

How To Modify Your Fitting Bins - Full
- How To Create and Delete a Fitting Bin - How To Modify Your Fitting Bins
(Part 1 - Creating and Deleting)

- How To Create/Delete a Custom Catalog - How To Modify Your Fitting Bins

(Part 2 - Creating Catalogues)
- How To Create a Fitting and “Re-name” it
- Bins Do NOT Open Until Single Fitting is Selected **

- How To Re-name a Catalog (show “catalog” in property

box)…Ex: VAV boxes, STO’s, Access Doors
- Explanation of Fabrication Level **

- How To Import/Export Your Fitting Catalogs

- How To Lock/Unlock Parameters - How To Modify Your Fitting Bins

(Part 4 - Locking Down Parameters)

- How To Create Items using our Parametric Fittings (optional)

- Ex: Air Handling Units etc.

- How To Copy/Paste Fittings To and From Catalogs (optional)

- Ex: Good For Piping Catalogs
- You Can Sort The Fields **
- PractiCAD Will Remember Settings **

- How To Use “Designation” (optional)

- You Can Import/Export Designation

- Brief Introduction To AutoTags - How To Modify Your Fitting Bins (Part 3 - Auto
Tags)

4. Working With Your Accessories Libraries:

- Dampers (3 Types)
- How To Create A Rectangular Damper
- Can Use Create Tool To Copy **
 - Different Types Have Different Parameters **
- Ex: Some Are Multi-Blade Dampers
- Explanation of Frame Size X/Y **
- Blades/Frames Can Be Added
- Blades Can Be Controlled To Max Size **
- How To Use Your Offsets/Orientation Angles
- Default Offsets Come From This Section **
- Ex: VD Blade For STO’s/Spin Collars
- How To Add A Handle Left/Right
- How To Add Text To A Damper Handle
- How To Use Your Rod Options
- How To Import/Export Your Dampers
- Rods - (optional)
- Collar - (optional)
- You Can Use Fittings As Spin Collars Too **
- Stiffener - (optional)
- Tie Rod - (optional)
- Turning Vanes - (optional)
- Can Be Saved As A Default **
- Radius Vanes - (optional)
- Round Vanes - (optional)

5. Working With Allowance Libraries:

- Connectors – 3 Types:
- Gap
- Connector Size/Connector Grown/Connector Flange
- Connector Size-Connector Grown = The Distance
You Lose on Each Side of Connection
- Ex: Slip and Drive “59” in Length
- Appearance
- Compatible Connectors **
- How To Set Your Default Connectors
 - If No Connectors Are Set As Compatible
PractiCAD Will Default to Same Connector **
- Allow Incompatible Connectors Junction – Options -
(Un-Checked)**
- Complimentary Connectors (Slip&Drive/Drive&Slip)
- Connector = “Drive&Slip” **
- Orientation = “Depth” **
- Connector Accessory
- Ex: Ductmate Flange **
- Locks - (optional)
- Joints - (optional)
- Seam - (optional)
- Specification
- Material (Fitting) - (optional)
- Liner - (optional)
- To Make Wrap Just Set Negative Numbers **
- Gauge - (optional)
- Material (Piping) - (optional)
- Joint (Piping) - (optional)

5. Working With Fittings:

Fitting Box (Fitting Tab - Full)

- Introduction to the Fitting Box - Fitting Box (Introduction)

- Fitting Box - Fitting Tab

- New/Continue Button - Fitting Box (Fitting Tab - New-Continue)
- “Endpoint Snaps” to connect fittings and other objects
- Press “N” for new, and “C” for continue
- Make Sure ORTHO is Turned Off **
- Make Sure You Are Not Snapped To A Fitting
That Is Somewhere Else on Screen **

- In/Out Button - Fitting Box (Fitting Tab - In-Out)

 - Maintaining Ductline Integrity **
- Check In/Out attachment in “options”
- Using The Nodes To Move Duct and Edit In Different
Directions

- Placement Buttons - Fitting Box (Fitting Tab - Top-Center-Bottom Placement)

- Top/Center/Bottom on X,Z axis for All Objects
- Most of the time fitting tab is set on “center/center” **

- How To Use Your Routing Methods – Fitting Box (Fitting Tab -

Routing Methods)
- Piece, Exact, Smart, Up, Down, Single
- Exact/Smart can be Dragged Between Points **
- When Using Single Between Points that are
close, sometimes you need to shrink the length **
- How To Route a Double Transition Offset **
- Can Rotate 90 Degrees **

- When Routing Duct with “Exact/Smart”, fitting is

chosen from “AutoDuct” Selection - **
- Example: Round/Spiral Duct

- When Routing Duct the Length is chosen from

“Default Stock Lengths” (options tab) ** - Options (General -
Default Stock Lengths - Minimal Leftover)
- Fabrication Level Must Be “Label Only” **

- How To Use Your Lock/Unlock Button

- Can Be Used for Routing **
- Can NOT Be Unlocked From ACAD Parameter Box
- Can Be Unlocked Using “Edit Fitting”

- How To Save as Default

- Ex: Saving your Vanes in Square/Radius Elbows **
- How To Adjust Your Wheel Scroll Parameters - (optional) - Options
(General - Wheel Scroll - Parameters - Show Splash)

- How To Place Down Fittings –

- How To Place Down Duct on the X,Y, and Z axis
How To Place Down Duct (X,Y,Z-axis)
- “R” for Rotation
- Use “R” for Right/Old-X Axis
- Use “F” for Front/Old-Y Axis
- Use “B” for Back to Z Axis
- Elevation Box Will Read Only 1 Value When Your
Duct is Elevated Dependent Upon In/Out Node **
- How To Use Your Direction Box
- Axis/Mid Axis/All (Works like Polar)
- How To Change the Angle (Round Pipe) **

- How To Use Dx,Dy,DZ - How To Place Down Duct (Dx,Dy,Dz)

- Ex: Placing Duct away from a wall
- Ex: Placing a Fire Damper in a wall
- Reset Key **

6. Working with Fittings (Advanced Options)

- How To Apply Specifications to Objects (Work Box)
- Apply for New/Entire Drawing/Current Selection

- How To Apply a Zone/System#/Floor to Objects -

- How To Use Your Identification Box
- Job Name/Drawing Name

-Zone/Floor/System Number
- Shows Up on Label **
- How To Use Your Special Instructions
- Can Use Multiple at Once **
- Can Freely Type Into All Fields **
- How To Import/Export Identification Items
- How To Use Your “Continue” Options for Duct
- Trace Specification/Zone Etc.
- Set Current Specification/Zone By Current Selection
- Recommended to Have Both Checked **
- How To Change Specification In Middle of Duct Line
- Ex: After VAV Box
- Size Read Only - options button
- Use Enter To Complete a Field

- How To Use Your Ductline Editing - Options (General - Ductline Editing)

- Change Duct To Transition
- Transition is Chosen From AutoDuct **
- Keep Duct Size After Turn
- How To Adjust The Nodes For Editing - Options (Ductline Editing -
Advanced Features)

- How To Use AutoCAD commands with Fittings: (optional)

- How To Create Blocks/Explode entities
- Copy/Mirror/Move etc…
- Rotate/Mirror Not Good For Tags **

7. Working with the Elevation Box:

Elevation Box (Full - Part 1-4)

- Introduction – Setting Current Elevations - Elevation Box (Part 1 Intro-

Setting Current Elevations)
- How To Place Duct at an Elevation and Edit later

- How To Place Relative Top/Bottom – Elevation Box (Part 2 - Relative Top-

Bottom)
- How To Create/Delete A New Elevation Point

- Quick Views - Elevation Box (Part 3 - Quick Views)

- Dx,Dy,DZ - Elevation Box (Part 4 - Dx, Dy, Dz)

- Ex: Placing GRD’s on 2-D Ceiling Plan **
- How To Work With Elevation Marks
- How To Set Drawing To New Relative 0 **
- Can Be Done At Then End of Drawing
- Ex: How To Create An Elevation Mark **
- How To Work With Multiple Slab Heights **
- How To Use Your Relative Mark Tags

8. Working With Taps:

- How To Place Down Taps

- “T” for Taps
- Set On Fitting In/Out
- Orientation Near/Far/Top/Bottom
- “Near and Far” are dictated by Airflow
- Rotation
- “Mount” Shop/Field
- Tap In/Tap Out - Center/Side
- Parameter Box Retains Settings **
- If last 2 parameters in box are the same value then fitting is
centered to the duct and will always appear that way first if
left as last setting **
- How To Use A Pick Point For Tap Placement
- Ex: Center Taps To Grill **
- Ex: Center Taps To Midpoint between GRD’s **

- How To Edit Taps

- Can Move Using Move Commands
- How To Move Taps Between Ducts **
- Ex: Turn ORTHO On (F8) and Use ACAD
Move **
- If You Place Taps On Joints You Lose
Duct Line Integrity **
 - Ex: Change Parameter in Tap Parameter Box **
- To Re-Attach A Tap You Must Use Nearest
Snap (Elevation Will Be Wrong)**
- How To Change Elevation Of Taps
- Change Elevation Box **
- Change Tap Parameter Box **

- How To Copy Taps

- Use ACAD Copy Tool
- Use “Copy Tap” Right Click Option
- Ex: Use Pick Point To Copy Tap **

- How To Use Your DuctLine Editing Tool

- Automatic is Set Based On Current Selection **
- Use It Again To Remove Marks **
- Nothing Can Be Highlighted For This To Work

- How To Use Your Flex Automatic Tool

- Duct/Air Devices
- Current Selection/Interactive Selection

- 3 Types of Routes
- Use End Of Existing Duct
- Use Flex
- Un-Checked Routes Pipe **
- AutoDuct Chooses Fittings **
- Checked Routes Flex
- Set Maximum Length **

- Ex: Spin Collar Fitting/Pipe to GRD

- Use Spin Collar
- Uses Spin Collar Accessory (Better To Use
Fitting) **
9. Working with Architecturals:

- How To Place Down Slabs

- Fitting Box - Slab Tab - Fitting Box (Slab Tab)

- How To Place Down Columns –

- Fitting Box - Column Tab - Fitting Box (Column Tab)
- Column Placement – (Top/Center/Bottom)
- Ex: Placing a Column on top of a slab
- Snap To (Top/Center/Bottom)
- How To Use Array (optional)

- How To Place Down Steel - How To Place Down Steel (Parts 1-5)
- Fitting Box - Steel Tab - Fitting Box (Steel Tab)
- Slope Y/X
- Y set to “distance between heights” and X to “0”
- Steel Placement Buttons – Top/Center/Bottom
- How To Place Down Steel w/1elevation point (horizontal) -
How To Place Down Steel (Part 1 - Horizontal - 1 Elevation Point)

- How To Place Down Steel between 2 fixed points - How To

Place Down Steel (Part 5 - On Top of Columns)
- Ex: Between two columns
- Explanation of ACAD snaps with steel (optional)

- How To Place Down Steel with 2-D AutoCAD line - How To

Place Down Steel (Part 3 - Using 2-D Drawings)

- How To Place Down Steel with 2 elevation points - How To

Place Down Steel (Part 2 - Sloped - 2 Elevation Points)
- Polar Negates the 2 Elevation Value **
nd

- How To Place Down Steel Between Beams

- How To Use Your “Snaps” (Steel Tab)
- Allows You to Dimension off Center Line **
- How To Attach Steel between 2 beams on different
slopes - How To Place Down Steel (Part 4 - Pitched Steel on Slope)
 - How To Match the Angle of Slope and Copy

- How To Use Your Steel Automatic Tool

- How To Use Your Create Layout From Lines Tool
- PolyLines Must Be Exploded **
- Working With Your Steel Automatic Options
- Normal - “Top/Current”
- Rotation Usually “0”
- Hold By Top/Center/Bottom
- Start Elevation/End Elevation
- By Absolute/Layout
- Remove Layouts

- How To Place Down Bar Joists

- Fitting Box - Bar Joists Tab
- Bar Joists Elevation Points (Top/Center/Bottom)
- How To Place Seat on Beams at different heights

- How To Place Down Walls

- Fitting Tab - Wall Tab - Fitting Box (Wall Tab)
-Wall Placement (Left/Center/Right)
- How To Place Down Walls
- Rectangular - How To Place Down Walls (Rectangular)
- Round - How To Place Down Walls (Round)
- Custom - How To Place Down Walls (Custom)
- Take AutoCAD commands like X,Y,Z
- “C” for Complete Wall

- How To Place Down Ceiling Grids - How To Place Down Celing Grids
- Fitting Box – General Tab - Fitting Box (General)
- “C” for Center or “X/Y” for offsets
- Can be edited on the fly…

- How To Place Down GRD’s (Grills/Registers/Diffusors)

- Fitting Box - General Tab - Fitting Box (General)
 - Airflow = CFM **
- How To Snap to the Ceiling Grid - How To Place Down Diffusors
- Must Use Node Snap **
- How To Create A Side Wall Grill - (optional)

- How To Place Down Flex

- Fitting Box – General Tab
- How To Place Down Flex at end of pipe - How To Place Down Flex
(End of Pipe)
- How To Change the Appearance of Flex - How To Change The
Appearance of Flex
- How To Add flex to a Spin Collar - (optional) - How To Place Down
Flex (Manual Spin In)
- How To Use AutoFlex for Spin Collar - (optional) - How To Place
Down Flex (Auto-Flexing)
- How To Bend Your Flex -

- How To Change Your Architecturals into Single Line Mode -

Options (General - View Mode)

10. Working with Accessories:

- How To Place Rods Inside a Fitting - (optional)

- How To Place Vanes Inside a Fitting - (optional)

- Radius Vanes
- Rect/Round Elbows have Vanes as a parameter **
- Ex: Square Elbow, Round Mitered Elbow

- How To Place Insert a Spin Collar - (optional)

- You Must Click Spin Collar Icon Again To Remove It **

- How To Insert Dampers - (optional)

- “Name” of Damper is Reportable **
- “Damper Type” is for visual style only **

- How To Use Acoustic Liner

 - Duct automatically changes size when entered in Fitting
Box

- Working with Layers and Accessories (Brief explanation)

- How To Toggle Accessory Layers On/Off
- How To Change Line Type/Line Weight/Color etc…
- Line Scale needs to be changed (can use automatic) **
- Only Shows Accessories Layer Type/Scale in 2-D **

Day 2-3:

11. How To Use Your Layer Mechanism:

Options (Layers - How to Predefine Your Layers)

- Creating Automatic Layering -

- Setting your default layer per object
- Setting up Your Conditions
- Ex: Supply/Return (Zone) for Fittings
- Ex: Set up tag that goes to 2 layers Automatically
- Explanation of “Name” and “Catalog Name” **
- Explanation of “If Zone Exists” **
- Make sure to use correct order of Conditions **
- Can Use Up/Down Arrows To Change This
- Make sure you use legal Characters **
- Ex: Can not use <>/\”:;|,* **
- How To Set up a template for layering - (optional)
-How To Import/Export Your Layers

12. How To Create Custom Tags: Tags (Full - Except Custom)

- How To Create A General Tag - (optional) - Tags (General)

- How To Create An Input Size Tag - Tags (Input Size)
- How To Choose an Icon
- Extension is C:>Program Files>Contractors
Tools>PractiCAD>17.0>1.03.0113>Graphics>then
choose macro/tag **
- How To Change the Icons - (optional)
- Optional Layering for each tag
- How To Use Your Text Style
- If you don’t use Text Style you use Font/Height **
- Working with Length and Precision
- Draw Connection Line
- How To Add a Frame
- All of these parameters can be changed on the fly **
- How To Place Down a Tag
- How To Use “Edit Tag” **

- How To Create A Property Tag - (optional) - Tags (Property)

- How To Create A “Custom Tag” - Tags (Custom - Full - Part 1-8)
- All Types of Tags can be created with Custom Tags except
Elevation Tags **

- How To Create A Size Tag - Tags (Custom Part 1 - Stacked Text)

- Hit “New” while highlighted creates a copy **
- How To Size Your “Field”
- Choosing Your Target for Properties
- How To Build an Expression
- How To Combine “Text with a Property”
- Must use the “+” key **
- How To Choose Your Field Type
- No units/String/Length/Angle/Custom
- Choosing Your Precision
- How To Add Your Borders
- Choosing Your Font/Height/Text Style
- Works for individual fields **
 - Elevation Mark with Name - (optional)
- Tags have Import/Export Buttons **

- How To Create A Diameter Tag -

- Using the Character Map ** - Tags (Custom Part 8 - Character
Map)
- Ex: Diameter symbol of Arrow (%%C) **

- How To Create An Elbow Tag - (optional) - Tags (Custom Part 2 -

Elbow Tag)

- How To Create A Radius Tag - (optional) - Tags (Custom Part 3 -

Radius Tag)

- How To Create A Steel Tag - (optional) - Tags (Custom Part 4 - Steel

Tag)
- How To Use “Name” in a Tag **

- How To Create A Transition Tag - (optional)

- Simple Transition Tag - Tags (Custom Part 5 - If Then Else - TU-TD
Tag)
- How To Use Your If,Then,Else Function
- Advanced Transition Tag - Tags (Custom Part 6 - If Then Else - TF-
TU-TD Tag)
- How To Use Your Absolute Function

- How To Design A GRD Tag - Tags (Custom Part 7 - Either-Or - Diffusor

Tag)
- How To Use Your Either-Or Function
- Using Your Custom Fields (CFM) **
- Adjusting Your Fields
- Ex: Using System# for Model#

- How To Create Your Elevation Tags - Tags (Elevation - Full - Part 1-2)
- Visible For Absolute/Relative Top-Bottom
- Top/Center/Bottom
- Prefix – Suffix
 - By Start Point of Connection Line - Tags (Elevation Part 2 -
Point Elevation)
- Point Elevation Tool **
- Using Custom Tags for Elevation **
- Start of Steel/End of Steel

- How To Create An Arrow Tag - (optional) - Tags (Arrow)

13. How To Place Down Your Tags:

Automatics (Tagging - Full)

- There are two Types of Tagging Placement -

- Automatics (Used for Tutorial)
- Auto Tags **

- How To Set Up Your Tag Placement (Automatics) -

- Tag Tab (Choosing your Tag)
- Selection Tab - Automatics (Tagging - Selection Tab Part 1)
- Choosing Your Target Object -
- Choosing Your Selection Set - Automatics (Tagging - Selection
Tab Part 2)
- Ductline, Ductline Forward/Backwards etc…
- With Or Without Branches
- Always Or Change In -
- Size
- Direction
- Elevation
- Top/Bottom
- Previous/Selected/Next

- Conditions Tab - Automatics (Tagging - Condition Tab)

- Choosing Your Fittings
- Ex: Width of Duct = Different Fonts

- Placement Tab –
- Layers/Views - Automatics (Tagging - Placement Tab - Part 1 Layers-
Views)
- Ex: Cross Section Tags

- Direction Interval - Automatics (Tagging - Placement Tab - Part 2

Direction Interval)
- Setting up the wheel **
- How To Create and Delete Angle Intervals
- Centerline of Duct Dictates Angle **
- You Can Input Your Own Size Breaks **

- Using Your Simple Tab For Placement - (optional)

- In/Center/Out - Automatics (Tagging - Placement Tab - Part 3
Simple Offsets)
- 1 Offset is Along Center Line +/-
st

- 2nd Offset is Away/Toward Centerline

(Perpendicular) **
- Text Direction - Automatics (Tagging - Placement Tab - Simple -
Text Direction)

- Using Your Advanced Tab For Placement -

- In/Center/Out/Heel/Throat/Crotch
- Offset Axis X,Y,Z,
- “Special” is for Heel Tags - (optional)
- Text Direction
- Top-Bottom
- Bottom-Top
- Left-Right
- Along the Layout
- Counter Layout
- Along the Joint
- Counter Joint
- Text Rotation
- Hold Text By:
- Shift Text
- Along the Text +/-
 - Across the Text +/-

- How To Set Up Your Tags (AutoTags)

- Can Have Multiple AutoTags **
- Can Use “Name” or “Catalog Name” for Selection **
- How To Use Your Copy Automatic Tool **

14. Working With Automatics:

- Using Your “Tools” as Automatics -
- Each can be used once or set as an icon for quick use
- Takeoff/Piece Number/Selection/Etc…
- Tools remember last setting **

- How To Use Your Piece Numbering - Automatics (Piece Numbering)

- Selection/Condition/Placement Same as Tagging
- Tag Tab
- Place Tag -
- Can be used to number 1st then tagged later **
- Prefix/Suffix
- Start From Current Number
- Uses Number From Workbox **
- Start From Number
- Same Piece Numbers for Identical Entities (Options) -
Options (General - Piece Numbering Identical Entities)
- Differentiate By Specification - (optional)
- Differentiate By Special Instructions - (optional)
- Will update Automatically
- Ex: Adding an Accessory

- How to Use AutoDuct Automatics - (optional)

- 2 Methods - Routing&Detailing
- Interactive Connector Selection (Selection Tab)
- SingleWall/Double Wall
- Rect/Round/Oval
- Fitting Selection
 - Straight Duct
- Use Default Duct Y/N
- Use Fitting Straights Y/N
- Use Variable Length Duct
- Transitions
- Minimal Straights

- Interactive Layout Selection (Selection Tab) - (optional)

- Working With Layout Lines -
- Fitting Box - Layout Tab - Fitting Box (Layout Tab)
- How To Place Down Layout Lines - How To Place
Down Layout Lines
- Direction Distance
- X,Y,Z, commands

- How To Create Layouts From Lines - (optional)

- Adding CFM **

- How To Split Layout Lines - (optional)

- How To Detail From A Layout Line - (optional)

- Sizing Methods
- Equal Size
- Equal Velocity
- Equal Friction Loss
- No Sizing
- Choosing Air Velocity
- Standard Sizes

- How To Create Selection Automatics - Automatics (Selection - Part 1 -

Fittings)
- Selection Tab/Condition Tab is same as Tagging
- Interactive Selection Tab **
- Parameters Tab
- Without Tags/With Tags/Tags Only
- Append/Replace Selection Set **
 - How To Target Tags with Selection Automatics
- Current Selection **
- By Selected Entity **
- Choose Type of Tag - General/Custom/Property Etc…

- How To Create Your Export Automatics - Automatics (Export - PractiCAD)

- Selection/Conditions are the same as Tagging
- Group Tab -
- How To Sort By Groups
- Ex: Plasma/Coil Line
- Limit Fittings By Quantity
- Limit Fittings By Entities
- No Limit
- Path Tab
- Path
- Name
- Delimeter
- Sample
- Show Fittings Before Export

- Importing In PractiCAM - Automatics (Export - PractiCAM)

- How To Create A Collision Checking Automatic - Automatics (Collision

Checking)
- On/Off Mode When Drawing Duct **
- Two Objects/Group/All/Ductline
- Checking Objects Against One Another
- Mark Size
- Clear Collision Before Check

- How To Create An AutoCAD Automatic - Automatics (Commands - Full -

Part 1-2)
- Ex: - Change Color - Automatics (Commands - Part 1 - Change Color)
- \n = return ** - Automatics (Commands - Part 2 - Enter Key)
- Ex: Change Layer To Exported
- How To Use Your AutoFlex Automatics - (optional)

- How To Use Your Hiding Automatics -

- Selection
- LineType/Color

- How To Use Your Hanger Automatics – (optional)

- How To Create A Hanger (6 Basic Types)
- Choose Fitting/Pipe
- Choose Your Selection
- Connect To Slab/Steel/Bar
- Choose Interactive/All Drawing/Current Selection
- Choose View (Top/Current)
- 2 Types of Spacing Placement
- Distance between Hangers
- Minimal Distance Between Connectors **
- Number of Straights Between Hangers
- Choose Your Hanger Gap

15. Working With Ultimatics:

Ultimatics (Creating Ultimatics)
- Creating an Ultimatic
- Order is important **
- Move Up/Move Down
- Ex: Select Duct with Tags and Erase
- How To Edit Inside Your Ultimatics
- Use Edit Automatic
- Move Forward/Backward Arrows **

16. Miscellaneous Tools:

- How To Use Your Partial View -
- Adjusting Your Views and Shading
- Remembers Your Last Setting **
- How To Use Your Cross Sectioning -
- Letter
- Notation
- Header
- Choosing Your Selection Set
- Cross Section View
- Depth of View **
- Create Auto Tags **

- How To Use Your Ductulator - (optional)

- Width/Depth = Equivalent Round
- Constant Section

- How To Create Your Equipment Catalogues -

- How To Create A New Library
- How To Create/Edit New Parameters
- Name
- Type
- String/Length/Angle/Custom
- How To Add/Delete A “List” **
- Category
- Geometry/Tap/Technology/Identification/Etc…
- How To Create/Delete New Catalogues
- How To Create/Delete A New Item
- File Name - Importing a DWG **
- Parameters will be seen but NOT modifiable **
- How To Add Designation
- How To Add AutoTags to Equipment
- Ex: Air Handling Units

- How To Create A Report - (optional)

- Selection Tab
- Adding A Selection Set (Adds to Sketch)
- Choosing Your Entities
 - Using Your Conditions
- Can Use “Catalog Name” **
- Adding/Deleting A Group
- Use One Record For Identical Items
- Sketch Tab
- Creating Your Fields
- Can Split Them By Clicking **
- Must Have Field Empty Before Deleting **
- Page Header/Footer
- Page Number
-Page Count
- Document
- Usually Used For Name of Report
- Each Selection Gets a Header/Footer
- Detail Field
- Work Like Custom Tag Fields
- Properties Dependent Upon Selection Set **
- Quantity/Sum Quantity/Item Count **
- Page Setup Tab
- Create Entity
- Print
- Export To Excel

17: Steps To Setting Up Your PractiCAD:

- 1st Set Up Your Catalogues With Proper Names
- Fittings
- Ex: VAV’s, STO’s, Fire Dampers, Access Doors
Etc… (Especially Purchased Items)
- Accessories
- Ex: Dampers, Vanes, Liner Etc…
- Architectural
- GRD’s
- 2nd Set Up Your Tags (AutoTags/Automatics)
- Tag All Duct Tool
- Replace All Duct Tool
- Update Layering Tool (optional)

- 3rd Set Up Your Piece Numbering

- Numbering Automatics (No Tags)
- Tags Only Current Selection
- Delete Piece Number Tool

- 4th Set Up Your Automatic Layering

- Set Up All Zones, Specs Etc..
- Design A Template

- 5th Set Up Your Reports

- Ex: Fire/Smoke Damper Reports, Purchased
Round/Flex

- 6th Set Up Your Exporting Automatics (Groups)