HydraDOCs

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Getting into HydraCAD ​

The Installation program will place a HydraCAD icon on your desktop. Double click on it to start the program.

You can also open it from the Windows Start menu. Start > Hydratec Version 50 Software > HydraCAD V56.

Double-clicking on the drawing file to open it is not recommended since the wrong AutoCAD profile may load if that is done.

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HydraCAD opens with the Startup dialog box. Select the Use a Template tab.

A number of HydraCAD templates are available.

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They include:

1. Hydracad imperial with named plot styles and paper space views.dwt has a number of standard sheet layouts where the title blocks are in Paper space. This template includes the HydraCAD plot styles that control line types and colors.

2, Hydracad metric with named plot styles.dwt is intended for metric drawings. The HydraCAD plot styles are included. The Units and Dimension styles are set up for metric.

*Tip*– If you want to customize your own template, including layer colors, paper space title blocks, etc., open one of our templates from AutoCAD, cancel the Drawing Setup dialog box (shown below) and make your changes. When done, Save the template to some other name to avoid overwriting the default templates.

All templates will set up the HydraCAD Layers for you. The first template is our most popular. When selected, press OK.

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The Drawing Setup dialog box will appear. Select Metric or Imperial for the Units.

The Diameter Format area controls how the pipe diameters will be labeled. Enter a Prefix or Suffix that you would like to appear ahead or behind the diameter value. For example, you may want to place the inches (” ) sign after the pipe diameter. For metric you may want to blank out the Suffix and enter a nominal diameter symbol as a Prefix. The f sign is generated by entering %%C in the Prefix box.

If you select a template with paper space views, leave the Insert Border box unchecked and press OK.

If you select a template without paper space views and you want your title block to be in Model space, check the Insert Border box. Pick the Drawing Scale from the pull-down menu or enter a scale in the boxes to the right.

Pick a Sheet Size from the pull-down list. If you require a custom sheet size, enter these values in the X and Y boxes.

The Border Line Width controls the thickness of the border line. The value is in inches or millimeters.

The Paper Edge to Border controls the tolerance required by your plotter to plot a mounted page. Most plotters can plot within the ½” default. When you press OK, HydraCAD will insert the border for you. If you are switching unit systems, close and then reopen HydraCAD again to reload the prototype drawing.