3-D Plumbing diagrams. (Etcetera)

[cgj@jds]

I don't usually do the plumbing diagrams, but the more I think about it, the more the thot appeals to me. Improves project understanding.

Seems like CA, with all the fixtures in place, could somehow display an editable 3-D plumbing diagram. Alas, I'm not a programmer and know not fully whereof I speak.

If CA can't do this yet, is there another add-on program someone could turn me onto?

Same might be kinda cool for electrical circuits.......HVAC??

If you are a plumber, electrician or HVAC installer, please forgive my arrogance for thinking I could possibly comprehend all the difficulties you face in trying to fit your work into my designs. Maybe this would help "bridge the gap".

[rgwhite]

Are you talking of an "isometric" single line diagram? This is easy to do in cad. You need to have a basic understanding of DWV requirements. Also make some traps, fittings, etc. in cad and save to the library.

[cgj@jds]

Yeah, I thot it might be cool to be able to actually see the plumbing, electrical and hvac in a 3-d view. from there, being able to generate a vector generated 2-d isometric to which could be added all the callouts, etc.

I know it would be extremely difficult to make it "real-world", but I think it would aid in making project more clear from design to final inspection. With designer having a more clear picture of drains, vents and the obstructions that are the cause of many-a-headache for the installer, we might actually all benefit from it.

Also, it might help home-owner more fully appreciate the reason that they have to fork over the dinero associated with various phases of their project.

[joey3032]

You can do these things now using different types of polysolids and geometric shapes...it's not that easy but doable. Exporting to Sketchup, with it's ease of quickly dragging, pushing, pulling etc...may be easier to do..and still be in 3D.

[lbuttery]

Here is thread that I started last year about this.

I have some newer versions that I will try to post soonest but lost of stuff going on right now.

http://www.chieftalk.com/showthread....ight=SCHEMATIC


Lew

[jmur]

I've been having some success in X1 drawing under slab waste drainage pipes by using the primitive cylinder for making pipes. Their angles can be adjusted in and from the x,y plane. FYI, 1/4" in 1 foot pitch is 1.19 degrees. Nice 3D fitting symbols (dwg/dxf) are available on the Charlotte Pipe website. What seems to be missing is a convenient way to move these symbols the same way primitive solids are moved.

[sutcac]

Here's another thread on the subject-

http://www.chieftalk.com/showthread....light=PLUMBING

[jmur]

For hydronic radiant heat tubing diagrams, I use LoopCAD.
http://www.loopcad.com/loopcad/LoopCADMain.asp

[lbuttery]

Jeff:

At $450 loopcad seems pricey, does the permit office or the plumber require those diagrams ???


I have a bath that we are going to be doing radiant heat for a remodel and I'm planning on just putting a note on the floorplans.

I'll start a new thread about this.

Lew

[jmur]

Lew,

Requirements for these diagrams probably depends upon location. I bought LoopCAD a number of years ago and don't think it was $450 then. Hydronic radiant systems just interest me. That's my primary reason for having LoopCAD I'm a retired engineer geek. Getting off topic here. John Siegenthaler is the hydronic heating guru in this country. He literally wrote the book. Anyway, on his website, http://www.hydronicpros.com/ , he has a combo deal consisting of LoopCAD plus Hydronic Design Studio Pro for $695. That's a pretty good deal if you're doing heating design work. BTW, I don't have any connection with this company, just passing on some info about something that has been useful to me.

Jeff

[lbuttery]

Here is the latest version of 3D riser diagrams for X1.


Note: that there are multiple layersets, one for each riser diagram:

1. Plumbing DWV

2. Hot/cold

3. Gas


Choose the layerset and then click on the camera

This is a WIP (work-in-progress) and many enhancements are planned.

we may add HVAC and maybe even electrical for running circuits down to the panel or cabel or phone or ...

Lew

[kmlynch]

There is a large set of pre-drawn CAD stuff done in CA called Residential Details 2002. The author has retired, but there might be copies available. Within the designs is plumbing risera done in perspective CAD. One cane edit these in CAD details.

Kenneth M. Lynch, AIBD,CBO
K M Building Design
9 Newman Place
Brookfield, CT 06804

Ph 203-775-0927
Fax 203-775-0928

lynchkenneth@att.net
Website - www.kmbuildingdesign.com

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do"

[lbuttery]

Ken:

I have that collections and I reviewed the two bath plumbing diagram and while I like how the piping is drawn I would not be able to edit them as I don't have that kind of skill.

I like the risers that my partner Joe created as now I can modify them as needed.

It would be nice to show the piping as 3D instead of line-styles.

Maybe we will get plumbing and HVAC tools in X2 ???

Lew