Managing the HydraCALC Database

The main database file for HydraCALC is Master.DAT which resides in the folder \HES\HydraCALC\Ver50\Data\Setup. This file contains all your pipe, fitting, and valve data.

An up-to-date version of Master.DAT is found in Sharefile as a 'HydraCalc Data Update' file. After its installation it replaces any pipe types and fittings you may have edited on your system. If you edit your file regularly we recommend you backup and store it in a personal folder on your computer. If you want to save the changes you made before updating, copy your Master.DAT to another folder before updating or simply redo your edits to the new file.

The PreDef.DAT file specifies the connections between parts in the database and the manufacturers' description PDFs. This file is also updated and part of the Data Update available via Sharefile.

How to Update your Entire Database

Data spec updates for pipe and fitting are found in Sharefile. You will need a verified Sharefile account to download it. Navigate to the Sharefile folder HydraCALC Complete Data Update and download the file HydraCALC Complete Data.zip to your computer's Downloads folder then unzip/extract the files. You will find an application file named SETUP/SETUP.EXE which you'll run to update your database.

How to Load Single Items

Alternatively go to the menu [Utilities|Alter Pipe/Fittings] then click [Utilities|Load Single File}. A dialog box will open at the local \ImportExport folder. Review the Fittings Files (.hft) or Pipe Files (.hpt) to view what's available. Select and press OPEN, the item will be added to the list. You can also select Load All Files and all files in the ImportExport folder will be imported. Click SAVE to finalize the update.

To display the new fittings in your right-click fitting display, assign a Short Name (A - Z or Aaa to Zzz) to it. Take care to avoid duplicating Short Names that may already be used.