irricad training course · irricad training course irricad training course useful information and...

IRRICAD Training Course

IRRICAD Training Course

Useful Information and

IRRICAD Design Practices Course

Not to be used without express permission from Lincoln Agritech Ltd.

2 •••• Table of Contents Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd IRRICAD Training Course

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Table of Contents •••• 3

1.1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.1 Table of Contents 3

1.2 Importing from Google Earth 5

1.2.1 How to Import from Google Earth............................................................................................... 5

1.2.2 How to Create Contours from Spot Heights ............................................................................... 7

1.2.2.1 First Check Your Spot Height Data ............................................................................... 7

1.2.2.2 Calculate Contours ........................................................................................................ 9

1.2.3 How to Export a Design to Google Earth ................................................................................... 9

1.2.3.1 How to Move the Design to the Correct UTM Coordinates ........................................... 9

1.2.3.2 To View the Design In Google Earth ........................................................................... 11

1.2.3.3 To Export the Design To Google Earth Format - KML/KMZ File ................................ 13

1.3 Elevations 14

1.3.1 Tips for Importing Elevation Information .................................................................................. 14

1.3.2 Tips For Checking Elevation Data ............................................................................................ 14

1.3.3 Large Co-ordinates in Your Design? ........................................................................................ 14

1.3.4 Trim Elevations Tool ................................................................................................................. 15

1.3.5 Understanding Elevation Method Settings ............................................................................... 16

1.4 Floating Layer Manager 17

1.1.1 What Are Layer Groups And How Do You Use Them? ........................................................... 17

1.1.2 Quick Navigation ...................................................................................................................... 17

1.1.3 Quick Tips for Layers ............................................................................................................... 18

1.5 Labelling 19

1.5.1 Automatically Labelling Items on Your IRRICAD Plan ............................................................. 19

1.5.2 Labelling Tips ........................................................................................................................... 19

1.5.2.1 Crop Width Usage ....................................................................................................... 20

1.5.2.2 Label Rounding & Roll Lengths .................................................................................. 20

1.5.3 Use of Hydraulic Automatic Labels .......................................................................................... 20

1.5.4 User Attributes in Automatic Labeling ...................................................................................... 21

1.6 Plotting 23

1.6.1 Plotting Part of your Plan .......................................................................................................... 23

1.6.2 Changing Legend Text Spacing on Plot Layouts ..................................................................... 23

1.6.3 Adding Image Logos to Plot Layouts ....................................................................................... 24

1.6.4 Printing Images ........................................................................................................................ 24

1.6.5 Saving Changes to the File Stamp and Watermark ................................................................. 25

1.6.6 Zoom All Makes Drawing Small? ............................................................................................. 25

1.6.6.1 Message: Warning- coordinates range too large please correct ................................ 25

1.7 Bill of Materials 27

1.7.1 How to Produce a Staged BOM for Staged Designs ............................................................... 27

1.7.2 Do You Use Assemblies? ......................................................................................................... 27

1.7.2.1 Tips .............................................................................................................................. 28

1.8 Database Symbols 29

1.8.1 Making Multi-Coloured Database Symbols .............................................................................. 29

1.8.2 Maintaining Symbol Colours when Exporting to DXF or DWG ................................................ 29

1.8.3 Tips on Creating New Database Symbols: .............................................................................. 30

1.8.4 Setting V11+ DBS Editor to Open Dbs Automatically .............................................................. 31

1.9 Short-Cuts and Tricks 32

1.9.1 IRRICAD Keyboard Short cuts ................................................................................................. 32

1.9.2 Adjusting Irrigation Block Entities ............................................................................................. 32

1.9.3 Converting Geometric Objects to Hydraulic Items ................................................................... 33

1.9.4 Speeding Up Copy Tools Tips .................................................................................................. 34

1.9.5 Changing the Layer of Dimension Entities ............................................................................... 34

1.9.6 Ghosting For the Move and Rotate Tools ................................................................................ 34

1.9.7 Junction Tips ............................................................................................................................ 35

1.9.8 Fixing Toolbar and Layer Manager Issues ............................................................................... 35

1.9.9 Repairing Designs That Won't Open ........................................................................................ 36

1.10 Useful Information & Design Practices 37

1.10.1 Useful Information on the Status Bar ..................................................................................... 37

1.10.2 Setting up User Tools ............................................................................................................. 37

1.10.3 How to Retrieve Automatic Back-Up Designs ........................................................................ 37

1.10.4 Hydraulic Gradelines and Extra Options ................................................................................ 38

1.10.5 Tips for Using Multiple Water Supplies in a Design ............................................................... 39

4 •••• Table of Contents Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd IRRICAD Training Course

1.10.5.1 More than one water supply on a pipe system: ........................................................ 39

1.10.5.2 More than one pipe system on a Design: ................................................................. 39

1.10.5.3 Management Tip: ...................................................................................................... 39

1.10.6 Automatic Naming and Numbering Problems ........................................................................ 40

1.10.7 Understanding Detailed Analysis ........................................................................................... 40

1.10.8 LP Design Tips ....................................................................................................................... 41

1.10.9 Finding Errant Pipes in Your Design ...................................................................................... 43

1.10.10 Automatically Creating 'One Valve per Lateral' Blocks ........................................................ 44

1.10.11 Using Group Spacings in Spray or Tape Blocks .................................................................. 44

1.10.12 Solving Connectivity Issues.................................................................................................. 45

1.10.13 Connectivity Issues During Mainline Design ........................................................................ 46

1.10.14 Changing Database Items Usages Quickly .......................................................................... 46

1.10.15 Rolls or Lengths in BOM and Labels .................................................................................... 47

1.10.16 How to Get GPX Files into IRRICAD ................................................................................... 48

1.11 Making Use of the Forum 49

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Importing from Google Earth •••• 5

1.2 IMPORTING FROM GOOGLE EARTH

1.2.1 HOW TO IMPORT FROM GOOGLE EARTH Firstly ensure you are running the latest version. You can download the latest version (released February 2018) from http://www.irricad.com/irricad/download/Upgrade/ProV10/IrricadGEsetup.exe. Double-click on the saved file and it will install the new version into your existing Irricad Pro folder.

In order to obtain the spot heights from Google you need to have obtained an API key from Google and set it up for billing. Currently the first $200 per month is free of charge. See our Announcements forum post “How To Acquire a Google Maps API Key” for steps on how to do this.

1. Open and new design and save it to ensure the imported image will be saved in the same place as the design. To import an image and/or elevations from Google Earth select File|Import from Google Earth.

2. In the Search field type in the place you wish to go to.

3. Once you have located the required area and have zoomed in or out sufficiently enable the required

options along the top of the window. Note that “Rectify Image” should always be enabled so that items are placed at the correct coordinates and have the correct lengths. If the image is purely for background presentation on a small area where differences are minimal then you could turn off “Rectify Image”. The rectification is greatest close to the poles and minimal close to the equator. Only select “Import Elevations” if you have no other source of elevation data. Select the required density of elevation data. The numbers represent how many columns of data will be imported.

4. Click the [Import] button, then read and understand the warning message before enabling it and clicking

[OK].

6 •••• Importing from Google Earth Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd IRRICAD Training Course

5. Now click to place the top left corner and bottom right corner of the red selection rectangle to show the

area you wish to import.

6. Once the 2nd click is placed the image is imported into IRRICAD. Tip - if you made a mistake in the placement of the first point you can stop and redraw BEFORE you

place the 2nd click by using the <Esc> key on the keyboard. Then click [Import] again, OK the message and place the 1st and 2nd points of the red selection rectangle.


7. ALWAYS check that the lengths or areas on the image are correct with the actual lengths or areas on

site. Google Earth occasionally overlaps images obscuring some of the land area and this is sometimes difficult to see.

Now you are ready to start drawing your design. Tip: If you use a text size larger than 100% (Control Panel | Display | Make text or other items larger or smaller) read the Supprt FAQs forum post If Image is Incorrect Size When Importing From Google Earth for instructions on how to allow for this in the utility before proceeding.

1.2.2 HOW TO CREATE CONTOURS FROM SPOT HEIGHTS

1.2.2.1 FIRST CHECK YOUR SPOT HEIGHT DATA

1. First check that your spot height data is correct. If you find a problem later on then you will need to delete the contours before you can recreate the corrected ones. To do this select Design|Interpolate Elevations, which will also calculate the elevation errors. A message will pop up about Interpolating elevations. Click [Yes]. When the interpolation is finished the Elevation Limits message will appear.

2. If the Max Error is greater than acceptable first check if the max and min elevations are as expected. If

the Min elevation is 0m, and if the data is in world elevations but no-where near the sea (or in Holland!) then this is an error. Click on the blue coordinates next to the Min elevation to be taken to this spot.

In some cases with survey imported data there have been several spot heights on top of one another where one or more had an elevation of 0.00m and one or more had a real elevation, as in this example (Demo2.dez).

3. To delete errant 0.0m elevations draw a spot height and place it in a clear area where you can easily select it using Draw|Spot Height and set it to 0m. Then Select|All and using Delete Type click on the


spot height you have just placed. Match on Height and click OK. Now all 0m height spot heights will be deleted.

4. After every change like step 3 run Design|Interpolate Elevations and take note of the new Elevation

Limits. Now the Min elevation height should be correct.

5. If the Max Error still indicates more than +/-5% click on the blue coordinates next to the Max Error to be taken to this spot height. IRRICAD has indicated that this spot appears to be an anomaly with those around it. A list of the ten highest anomalies can be found in Reports|View Errors.

Note that there can be multiple causes affecting the calculated Max Error and this may or may not be something to worry about. Check the surrounding spot heights and make a designer’s decision if the Max Error is going to adversely affect the pressure at the closest sprinklers.

If the spot height data appears to be acceptable, and there seems to be sufficient data, a typically cause of a significant Max Error could be a coarse grid. If the span of the design is quite large then making the grid finer would mean that the D.E.M. would be more accurate. To rectify the problem go to the Design|Design Parameters|Anaysis Parameters D.E.M. Options section. Enter a larger “Grid Size” number. Alternatively, set the “Grid Size” to 0 so IRRICAD can determine a suitable grid size based on the extents of the design. Re-run Design|Interpolate Elevations. In this example the Max Error was reduced to 0.422m.

Note that the 'errors' are simply the differences between the interpolated DEM grid and the values used to create it. Reasons for the errors could be insufficient data, the grid size is too coarse, or incorrect heights. Check the surrounding elevations to determine if the values are acceptable. If they are not, one option is to delete them or set them to a more appropriate elevation.


1.2.2.2 CALCULATE CONTOURS

1. Open a design containing spot heights that have already been checked for errors and select Tools|Calculate Contours.

2. In the dialog change the “Layer” to one you have specifically created (such as Calc. Contours) or, if

you have imported data from Google Earth, to the GE Elevations layer. This means that you immediately have the spot heights and contours on different layers instead of

having to separate them afterwards.

3. Enter the required “Contour interval”. The “No. of contour levels” will update accordingly. 4. Click OK. The contours will be created on the design. Note: Do NOT delete the spot heights. Only the spot heights contain your elevation data. The contours

are merely a visual representation of the spot height data.

1.2.3 HOW TO EXPORT A DESIGN TO GOOGLE EARTH Once a design is completed it can be viewed in Google Earth or exported to Google Earth format (keyhole markup language - kml/kmz). However, in order to do so the location of the design must be in UTM coordinates. This means that if you simply drew a design on the screen without reference to the real world position or imported data that used a different coordinate system the plan will not display in the expected location in Google Earth. If the design is in the ‘wrong’ place according to Google Earth you can always move the design on to the imported Google Earth image. Before you do this, however, first ensure that you will not need to export the design to a surveyor at any time.

1.2.3.1 HOW TO MOVE THE DESIGN TO THE CORRECT UTM COORDINATES

1. Look at the location of your design or imported drawing and note down a set of coordinates from the IRRICAD status bar. This is simply to help you find the design after you import the image from Google Earth, as the design and image may seem to disappear if the distances between them are very great.

2. Now in Import from Google Earth locate the property. (Note that the coordinates noted in step 1 have nothing to do with Google Earth or the coordinate system it uses). Import the


image without elevations unless they are required. You may receive a warning message about coordinates too large. Click [OK].

3. Turn on all of the layers. If you have trouble locating your design use View|GoTo Coords and enter the coordinates noted in step 1. If you have trouble locating the image turn off all the layers except the “GE Image” layer, Zoom All, and note down some close-by coordinates from the IRRICAD status bar.

4. Select the whole design or imported drawing using Select|Window or similar (do NOT use Select|All) and using Modify|Move move the design closer to the location of Google Earth image. Place the design next to the image.

5. Select the whole design again (minus the image). Using Modify|Move pick a reference point that is easily locatable on the image. Move the design to this point.

Tip: If you have noted the precise coordinates of an item or corner on both the design/drawing and that same location on the image then during Move when asked for a reference point type in the coordinates of the item on the drawing and when asked for an offset point type in the coordinates of the item on the image. Then press <Enter>. Note that if the coordinates of these items were noted in steps 1 and 3 then you can go straight from moving the design from far away to the correct location in one step.

6. The image will most likely be on top of the design. If so, select the image and use Modify|Z-Order|Move to Back and then View|Redraw.

7. Adjust if required by selecting the design items again and moving using a new reference point and offset point as applicable.

8. Now run File|Compress. Tip: If you receive a warning message about Coordinates being too large after step 8 this will be

because you left an item behind when you moved the drawing. Make sure all the layers are on before moving items.

Note: When importing from Google Earth the image is set to true north and at zero tilt. If your

imported background’s alignment is not true north you can rotate the design to match the North orientation.


1.2.3.2 TO VIEW THE DESIGN IN GOOGLE EARTH

1. First turn off the image in the Layer Bar, usually the GEImage layer. (Note the design example “View In GE Example.dez” already has this layer turned off).

2. Turn off any other layers that you not want to view, such as the junctions and elevations.

3. Select View|View in Google Earth.

4. The layers have been exported with the design and can be turned on and off as required in the left-hand “Temporary Places” section. Expand the layer to see all the components on the layer, such as valves or pipes.

5. Click on any named item, such as a valve, for specific information.

Tips: If the design spans a UTM zone you will receive a warning message and the design may display in Google Earth in the wrong spot. Go back to Settings|Grid/Origin/GIS and set the UTM zone to the correct zone. For example the above plan (View in GE Example.dez) initially displayed in the sea as the UTM zone was set to 60S where as the starting point is actually in 59S.

If you receive a message that no UTM zone has been defined, which may occur if you have an imported background but no automatically imported Google Earth image, set the UTM zone in Settings|Grid/Origin/GIS before actioning View|View in Google Earth again.

If you are not sure of the UTM zone name in Google Earth go to Tools|Options and enable Show Lat/Long “Universal Transverse Mercator” so you can view these and see which UTM zone your design is in. The world is split into 60 zones and then assigned N (North) or S (South) – above and below the equator.


1.2.3.3 TO EXPORT THE DESIGN TO GOOGLE EARTH FORMAT - KML/KMZ FILE

1. Select File|Export and change the file type to Keyhole markup Language (*.kml; *.kmz).

2. Give the file and a name and click the Save button. 3. In the KML Import/Export Settings select the required export settings. You can read about

what parameter means in Help|Help Topics – Tool and Command Reference -> File->Export-> Export to Google Earth File Format (KML).

4. Click OK on the dialog for the file to be saved to KML format.

14 •••• Elevations Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd IRRICAD Training Course

1.3 ELEVATIONS

1.3.1 TIPS FOR IMPORTING ELEVATION INFORMATION Tip #1: Sometimes when importing elevations, it is not clear which layer(s) to select. To find the name of the layer(s) containing elevations, import the complete drawing using File|Import. By using Change or Object Info, on items which look like they could be contours or spot heights, view the layer name. You now know which layer(s) to import using File|Import Contours. Tip #2: To avoid a double-up of points or lines beneath the spot heights or contours turn off or delete the imported layers, which you determined are the layers containing the elevation information, prior to actioning File|Import Contours. Tip #3: When required to select the relevant elevation layer(s) in the Import Contours dialog, you can highlight more than one by holding down the Ctrl key. In this way more than one layer can be selected before clicking OK. Tip #4: If you are running Pro Version 9 through to Pro Version 10.5 IRRICAD can only handle 32,750 contour segments and spot heights. You can reduce the number of segments by enabling the “Simplify Contours” check box in Settings|Irrigation Items. Start a new design and re-import the elevation layers. If the message still occurs, increase the “Contour Simplification Tolerance” and re-import into a new design. Note simplification only works on polylines. If you have IRRICAD Pro Version 11, IRRICAD no longer has a limit for the number of contour segments or spot heights (using the default ABOS method).

1.3.2 TIPS FOR CHECKING ELEVATION DATA To help you locate any errors in imported elevation data here are some quick tips:-

1. You can use Delete Type to delete erroneous contours or spot heights. If you have elevations at zero (where this is in correct) or at the Irricad ‘no elevation’ value of -3280000ft (-1000000m), simply use Select All, then action Delete Type and click on a ‘bad’ contour or spot height. Match on “Height” and all contours or spot heights with the same height will be deleted (Note this must be done separately for contours and spot heights).

2. A great way to check for errors in the imported elevation data is by using Tools|Highlight Elevations, where IRRICAD will colour code the highest through to the lowest elevations. This will show up any obvious errors in the data.

3. The 3D DEM View found in the Reports menu will also show up even small errors in the imported elevation data.

4. Running Design|Calculate Elevation Errors will show the maximum error between the elevation inputs and the surface of the calculated DEM (see below). If the error is significant, click on the coordinate link to take you to that location. This method typically shows up inconsistencies in the elevation data, such as crossed contours or doubled spot heights. These problems can be fixed by deleting the erroneous data point(s). You may repeat this until the maximum error reported is acceptable, or check Reports|View Errors to see a list of the ten largest elevation errors.

1.3.3 LARGE CO-ORDINATES IN YOUR DESIGN? For those of you who work with a lot of imported drawings this tip will make navigating around, and manipulating, these types of designs much easier. Many imported drawings use a world coordinate system, typically UTM, to accurately reference the location to a particular part of the world. The resulting X and Y coordinates are often very long and therefore difficult to read both onscreen and in reports. Additionally they may also exceed the formatting limits in some parts of Irricad and not be displayed.

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Elevations •••• 15

Setting a “User Origin”, in Settings|Grid/Origin, simply displays all X and Y values relative to the specified origin point. For example let’s say you have a design containing objects having coordinates ranging from 20000 to 20500 in X and 10000 to 10300 in Y. After setting a user origin of 20000,10000 all coordinates displayed would now range between 0 and 500 in X and 0 and 300 in Y. An easy method to set a user origin is:- 1. Place a point, using Draw|Point, at the lower left corner of the extents of the drawing. The exact position isn’t important. 2. Bring up the Object Info dialog for the point (select the point then “Object Info” on the Right Click menu). 3. Now select the coordinates by dragging your mouse and highlighting them, make sure you don’t highlight “P1”. Copy the coordinates (Ctrl +C or click the Copy button) and close Object Info dialog. 4. Go to Settings|Grid/Origin and Paste the coordinates into the “User Origin” edit fields by highlighting the “0” in the “X” field and pasting using Ctrl +V. The coordinates will automatically be inserted into the X and Y fields. 5. Tick the “Enable User Origin” check box and click [OK] on the dialog. Now the coordinates displayed on the screen, in reports and warning messages will now be much more manageable. Notes: The original world coordinates are still retained internally in IRRICAD. This means that when importing another drawing (with the same coordinate system) into the same design, or exporting the design, the world coordinates will be used. You can toggle between the world coordinates and your user coordinates by using the “Enable User Origin” check box. The coordinate “Copy and Paste” method, described in 3. and 4. above, may also be used to insert coordinates into the Goto Coords dialog. Note in versions older than Pro Version 10, each coordinate will need to be copied in to their box individually. The exact position of the user origin can be set to a specific item on the plan e.g. end or corner of a fence line. In this way the coordinates on the design will reflect the distance from this item on the plan.

1.3.4 TRIM ELEVATIONS TOOL Preparing a design often requires that elevation data is imported from an external file. In some cases (from some government websites for example) the data you obtain may cover a much larger area than what is required for your particular design. The Trim Elevations tool enables contours to be trimmed to a specified polygon. Contours, and spot heights, may then be deleted within or outside the lasso. Advantages of reducing the quantity of elevation data in this way are:-

− In IRRICAD Pro Version 10.5 and older there is a limit on the number of contour segments that can be processed. Decreasing the number of contour segments by trimming the elevations, so that they just span the hydraulic design area, will help to comply with this limit. Note that Pro Version 11, due for release shortly, can handle an unlimited number of contour segments.

− Decreasing the number of contour segments will increase the speed of redrawing, and interpolation of, elevation data.

− Increasing the accuracy and performance of the Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The DEM grid is calculated over the area spanned by the elevation data and therefore a larger area of contours requires a larger DEM grid size to maintain the same accuracy. The calculations for DEMs with large grid sizes can take some time.

− Zoom All will zoom only to the extents of your irrigation design area.

16 •••• Elevations Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd IRRICAD Training Course

Trim Elevations is accessed from the Tools menu, instructions for its use may be found in the Tool and Command manual under Help|Help Topics.

1.3.5 UNDERSTANDING ELEVATION METHOD SETTINGS When preparing a design many plans contain elevation data. Various settings in IRRICAD control how elevation data is interpolated and utilised during the design process. The following information will help to understand the effect and use of some of these settings. Pro Version 11 introduced the ABOS method which is generally faster and better represents likely topography for non-uniform slopes and in situations where elevation data is sparse. Some points to note for this method are:- Unlike the AEI method there is no limit on the number of contour segments or spot heights that can be processed. Continuing to simplify contours, during Import Contours, is however desirable as this will improve both general graphical performance and the speed of interpolation. If this method is used, it may be best to set the “Contour Simplification Tolerance” to a lower value (for example 0.2 m) to ensure that imported contours are reasonably smooth (Settings| Irrigation Items "Contours") Using the ABOS method means that every elevation, used in a design, is calculated from the DEM grid. If the "D.E.M. Grid Size" to set to 0 the grid size will be determined automatically so that a reasonable level of accuracy is maintained. Note that in some circumstances this may result in a large grid and consequently interpolation may be slow on low powered machines. Some other useful tips are:- ABOS or AEI methods can be selected in Design|Design Parameter|Analysis Parameters - "D.E.M. Options". The ABOS method is the default for all new designs. Regardless of the elevation method used (ABOS or AEI), the grid spans the area covered by elevations. Therefore if the extents of the elevations are much greater than the hydraulic design, care should be taken that effective grid size is sufficient. Trimming elevations to the extents of the hydraulic design will also increase accuracy as the grid will be finer over the smaller area. The "Max Error" reported in the "Elevation Limits" dialog is a useful indication if the grid size is acceptable and/or there are some inconsistencies in the elevation data. The top 10 inconsistencies will be listed in the View Errors Report, if any of these errors are significant then the elevation data at the specified location should be checked. Some typical problems with elevation data include: contours crossing or very close together; spot heights inconsistent with neighboring contours or spot heights. If no elevation inconsistencies are found, increase the grid size and re-run.

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Floating Layer Manager •••• 17

1.4 FLOATING LAYER MANAGER

1.1.1 WHAT ARE LAYER GROUPS AND HOW DO YOU USE THEM? It is common to import background information for your design and this can cause very cluttered drawings with many layers which are hard to navigate around. When preparing a design it is not necessary to display all items on the plan at all times. Layers control the display of items on the plan. Every item has a “Layer” property. “Layer Groups” are a quick way to control the visibility of groups of layers in one action. Layer Groups are designed to remember which layers are on and off so that you can quickly move between different sets of what is visible on the screen. For example one layer group may be called “Hydraulic Plan” and only have layers containing hydraulic items on, with all imported layers turned off. Another example is a group which includes only the layers you want visible for the final print. To create a layer group:- 1. Open the Layer Bar (select Right-click|Layers|Layer Bar or View|Layer Bar). 2. Turn off Layers that you want off by unchecking the View columns for those layers. 3. Click on the Groups tab at the bottom of the Layer Bar. 4. In the middle of the Layer Bar is a field where you can enter a name for the group e.g., Hydraulic Plan. 5. Click the icon for Add Group. The layers which are visible in this group will be listed in the lower window. 6. Go back to the Layers tab and adjust the visibility of the layers to form a new group. 7. Repeat steps 3-6 and give each group a new name. 8. Now you can quickly navigate between the layer groups as needed, double clicking to activate a group.

1.1.2 QUICK NAVIGATION On large designs it can be a time consuming process to go to each part of the plan, for example each green on a golf course. If you find yourself always zooming in to the same blocks, zones or greens, you may find Layer Views a great way to quickly navigate around your design. To save Layer Views:-

1. Have the Layer Bar open (select Right-click|Layers|Layer Bar or View|Layer Bar) - you will see this on the right-hand side of your screen.

2. Zoom in to an area e.g., Green 1.

3. Click on the Views tab at the bottom of the Layer Bar.

4. At the bottom of the Layer Bar is a field where you can enter a name for the view e.g., Green 1.

5. Click the icon for Add View.

6. If you wish the current set of on/off layers to be saved at the same time with the same name check the “Auto sync layer groups” check box to create a Layer Group.

7. Repeat steps 2-6 and give a new name for each view.

Now you can quickly navigate around your design with ease by double-clicking on a View name.

18 •••• Floating Layer Manager Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd IRRICAD Training Course

1.1.3 QUICK TIPS FOR LAYERS Tip #1:- Did you know there is a fast way to move multiple items to one layer? Step 1) Use one of the selection tools to highlight the items you wish to move. Step 2) Right-click on the required layer in the Layer Manager and select Move Selection To Layer. If the Layer Manager is not visible on the right-hand-side it can be displayed via View|Layer Bar. All the selected items have now been moved to the specified layer. Tip #2:- After importing files into IRRICAD you may wish to disable the display of some items to allow a clearer view when drawing the design. To avoid having to look for the required layer, in a long list of newly imported layers, you can turn off the layer with a single click. Step 1) Highlight one of the items on the layer you wish to turn off. Step 2) Right-click and select Layers|Hide Layer. To turn the layer on again Right-click|Layers|Show Layer.

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Labelling •••• 19

1.5 LABELLING

1.5.1 AUTOMATICALLY LABELLING ITEMS ON YOUR IRRICAD PLAN When preparing a design it is often necessary to assist installers and clients by placing descriptions of components and design information on the plan. This can be very time consuming for designs containing a large number of items. IRRICAD includes a feature where descriptive text (labels) can be automatically generated for hydraulic items, contours and electrical items . This is achieved via Tools|Create Labels and the Labels option in the Settings menu. The format of the labels generated is defined, in the text dialog of Settings|Labels, by entering Keywords and plain text. Keywords are reserved words enclosed by hashes (#) for which IRRICAD substitutes the specific value for each individual item. A complete set of keywords can be found in the On-line help - Technical Reference Appendix I and in the drop-down box in the Labels text dialog. For example if you wish to generate labels that include the number of laterals (rows) for your irrigation blocks you would use the #NUMROW# keyword. This will automatically include the actual number of laterals in the label for each block. To distinguish this number from other numbers in the label you can also add some text to describe it e.g. No. of Lats: #NUMROWS# which will then be displayed as No. of Lats: 46. More than one line of text or multiple keywords can be used in any label. The diagram below shows the Zone (or Area) name, the irrigation area with the area unit, the number of laterals, the lateral spacing, the actual design flow with units, the downstream valve pressure with units and the shift or system flow number. The creation of labels is controlled by two factors:- - Which item types are enabled via the check boxes in Settings|Labels and - The items that are currently selected on the screen. For example, if only the “Irri. Blocks” type is enabled in Settings|Labels, then only irrigation block entities can be labelled. The only irrigation block entities that will be labelled are those which are selected (highlighted with Select Object or any other Select tool) when Tools|Create Labels is applied. In this way, only some irrigation blocks can be labelled instead of all of them. If you wish to label all the irrigation blocks then Select|All can be used. In the diagram below, “Irri. Blocks”, “Zone Pipes” and “Contours” have been enabled, the required items selected and then labels created by invoking Tools|Create Labels. You can also specify background colours, borders and the position of the text in relation to the item it is labeling. Details of the steps required to apply automatic labels can be found in the on-line Help – Tool and Command Reference->Settings->Labels.

1.5.2 LABELLING TIPS Last week we talked about automatically labeling items on your IRRICAD plan. To help with that process here are some tips to help make using Labels easier and quicker.

• When adding keywords on different lines, you must click in the text box with the mouse before pressing the <Enter> key as <Enter> will also add the currently selected keyword if the cursor is still in the drop-down box. A quick way to add many keywords is to select them all from the drop-down box and then click in the text box and insert all required spaces, carriage returns and extra text.

• The #NAME# keyword inserts the names of valves, water supplies, areas and mainline outlets e.g. “Zone No. 1”. #DESC# is used to label items with their database description e.g. “50mm Gate Valve” while #LABEL# uses the short description from the “Label” field in the database.

• Based on the “Length Allowance”, if the label for a pipe is too long for the pipe segment and “Check Label Length” is enabled, the label will not display.

• If you are labelling pipes with flow or velocity, uncheck “Combine Pipe Labels” since each pipe segment can potentially have a different flow and velocity.

20 •••• Labelling Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd IRRICAD Training Course

• Pipes can only have a combined label if the angle of the pipe segments is less than the “Angle Tolerance” setting.

• Zone submains can have a combined label, where each pipe size is only labelled once. Submains are defined as zone pipes which feed spraylines or tapes. Mainline pipes can only have a combined label if there are no branches coming off the pipe segments.

• If you change a setting that will affect the format of existing labels, e.g. the font size, then simply use Tools|Update Labels to make the changes. Note this will reapply settings to all labels of the types that are checked in “Settings/Labels”. Items only need to be selected/highlighted if you are creating new labels for those items.

• Once labels are in the format that you commonly use, you can click [Save as Defaults] and then every new design will initially use these settings.

• Label settings are however Design Specific – any changes to the default set of label settings is retained with each individual design.

• To place multiple labels on contour lines use the Tools|Multi-label option after enabling contours for labelling in Settings|Labels.

• The On-line help Technical Reference Appendix I contains the full list of the keywords, their description and if the keywords can be used generally or only for Irrigation Block Entities.

1.5.2.1 CROP WIDTH USAGE

The crop width is the actual width of the crop itself not the row spacing. For example the row spacing may be 2m but the crop width is actually only 1m wide on each row. If you wish to label the area with the crop coverage rather than the total area encompassed by the block, you can do so using a “Crop Width” value in conjunction with the #IRRAREA# label keyword. “Crop width” affects the calculation of the area for Irrigation Blocks,(specified by the #IRRAREA# label keyword) in the follow ways .

• If “Crop Width” is unchecked (the default) then the area is calculated using:- - Total Lateral Length * Lateral Spacing. • When “Crop Width” is enabled then the area specified by #IRRAREA# is calculated using:-

- With Lateral Groups: Total Lateral Length / Num Laterals per Group * Crop Width. - Without Lateral Groups: Total Lateral Length * Crop Width.

• Note that if “Crop Width” is greater than the Group Spacing + (Number of Laterals per Group – 1) * Lateral Spacing, or the Lateral Spacing (with no groups) then the normal method is used to calculate the area.

• #IRRAREA# is used for Irrigation Block Entities only, where as #AREA# can be used for the area of other objects.

1.5.2.2 LABEL ROUNDING & ROLL LENGTHS

• It is possible to round numeric values in labels to a ‘nearest value’. • The format for rounding is keyword-semicolon-number: • e.g #KEYWORD;0.1# - meaning: round the value of ‘keyword’ to the nearest 0.1. This would give

one decimal place of accuracy; similarly 0.01 would give two decimal places etc. • Keywords which can be rounded are:

− #LENGTH# − #LENGTH3D# − #ROLLS# − #ROLLS3D# − #AREA# − #IRRAREA#

• Two keywords, #ROLLS# and #ROLLS3D#, are available, such that pipe lengths can be displayed as a number of ‘rolls’ (based on the roll length of the pipe type in the database – see the Pipe Fitting MatchingTable).

1.5.2.3 CREATING ALTERNATIVE LABELS FROM EXISTING KEYWORDS

It is now possible to perform basic arithmetic operations using existing keywords to create alternative labels. The format is as follows:

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Labelling •••• 21

#<keyword><operator>[<number>]# Where:

• <keyword> is an existing keyword • <operator> depicts addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), division (/), power (^), modulus (|

subtraction giving absolute result) or modulo (% remainder after division). • <number> may be a constant number or another keyword.

For example, to automatically increase the length by 10m/ft:-

- The keyword is LENGTH - The operator is + - The number is 10

Therefore the new keyword is #LENGTH+[10]#

Note that the decimal points are specified in the normal way, for example:

#LENGTH;0.001+[10]#

1.5.3 USE OF HYDRAULIC AUTOMATIC LABELS Previously we covered labeling items on your IRRICAD plan and tips to help make using Labels easier and quicker (Tip of the Week #2 and #3). This week we will share tips about hydraulic labels - used to label pipes, valves, outlets, water supplies and pumps with pressure, flow or velocity. Tip #1: If hydraulic labels are generated before Design is run then the nominal flow will be shown or, if a pressure or velocity label, N/A will appear. When generated or updated after Design has been run, the actual flows, pressures and velocities will be used in the labels. Tip #2: When labeling pipes with flow or velocity, uncheck the “Combine Pipe Labels” check box as each pipe segment can potentially have a different flow and velocity. If “Combine Pipe Labels” is enabled stars will appear in the label. Tip #3: Some keywords will work on Irrigation Block Entities only. A list of Irrigation Block Entity keywords is provided in the Technical Reference, Appendix I, found in Help|Help Topics. We have included a pdf for you to download and use as a reference to help with where and when to use these hydraulic labels. The keywords in the list are colour coded to help show which group of items they will work with, for example Mainline only. The types of items the keywords can be used with are displayed by a Y in the ‘type’ columns.

1.5.4 USER ATTRIBUTES IN AUTOMATIC LABELING Did you know that you can attach user defined attributes to hydraulic items? For example, information about crops in a zone can be added to a control valve or irrigation block and subsequently used in labels and reports.

22 •••• Labelling Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd IRRICAD Training Course

If you wish to have this information displayed on the design you can specify this in the automatic labeling tool.

To display the attributes:-

1. Add the key word #USER# to the item label e.g., control valve or as the image below shows, an irrigation block.

2. Create the label (Tools|Create Label).

There are several options for how the attribute information can be displayed. You can read about these options in Help|Help Topics User Manual-> Enhancing the Presentation of Plans>Automatic Labeling>User Attributes and User Keywords.

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Plotting •••• 23

1.6 PLOTTING

1.6.1 PLOTTING PART OF YOUR PLAN In some situations you need to plot only part of your plan. How do you make the printed job look like it is a viewport looking at this section only? To plot only a part of your plan, enable the “Keep Fills” check box when creating the Plot Layout. This places a fill under the legend area and outside of the border so that unwanted parts of your plan are not seen through these areas. If no fill is appearing make sure:

• “Keep Fills” is checked in Draw|Plot Layout. • Display “Fills” is enabled in Settings|Drawing Items.

• Try another template as you may have deleted the fills previously when editing the template. • Remember to place fills in these areas when modifying or creating your own plot templates.

1.6.2 CHANGING LEGEND TEXT SPACING ON PLOT LAYOUTS If the text in the legend area of your plot layout is too close together or too far apart you can make changes to the plot template to fix this. The line spacing for a legend is set when the legend is created (i.e. using the Plot Template menu item). The default spacing is 50% but it is reasonably easy to change by editing the template. Here is a brief explanation how:-

1) Turn off fills in Settings|Drawing (located at the top on the right-hand side) to make it much easier to select items. Redraw to refresh the screen.

2) Open the template you want to change using Plot Template|Edit Template.

3) Select the legend symbol you want to change. Note the legend symbol contains a fill, a placeholder line or symbol and #TEXT#. With the fills off, the edge of the fill will be a white rectangle. The Select|Window will need to be large enough to encompass the whole legend symbol or Select|Crossing can be used within the legend. Now explode the legend into its constituents using Modify|Explode.

4) Use Select|Window to select the symbol/line and the #TEXT#.

5) Now hold the Shift key and use Select Object to select the fill.

6) Select Plot Template|Make Legend. Select the type of legend (Pipe, Symbol or Combined). The "Order" depicts in which order IRRICAD will fill this legend (for example if there is more than one pipe legend, is this the primary (#1) legend or the secondary legend (#2). The "Line Spacing" is the value to change - the percentage is based on your text size. Adjust as required.

24 •••• Plotting Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd IRRICAD Training Course

7) Repeat for the above process for all legends where you wish to change the spacing.

8) Select everything including the fills outside the border and select Plot Template|Fills to Back.

9) Select everything and then click Plot Template|Save Template. In general it is a good idea to give the templates you change a new name.

10) Turn fills back on in Settings|Drawing. For more information about editing templates please see Help|Help Topics Chapters Technical Reference > Appendix I: Keywords for Labels and Plot Templates and Tutorials > Plot Templates.

1.6.3 ADDING IMAGE LOGOS TO PLOT LAYOUTS (IN IRRICAD STANDALONE) Did you know you can now add an image of your company logo, or other raster images, to plot templates? These images will subsequently be automatically displayed in your Plot Layouts. You can do this in IRRICAD Pro 10.5 or later, here’s how:-

1. Open your template using Plot Template|Edit Template.

2. Turn off “Fills” in Settings|Drawing Items. This step isn’t absolutely necessary but it makes editing the template much easier.

3. Select File|Import Image and browse for your image.

4. Place your image where required on the plot template. If replacing the keywords #FLAG# or #CONA# (i.e your Company name), or an existing symbol version of your logo, you may wish to delete these before placing the image.

5. Images can be embedded for ease of sharing templates - Use the Change tool to enable “Embed” if required. To have a cleaner look uncheck the “Show Border” option.

6. If you turned the “Fills” off, turn them back on again.

7. Select the entire template, including the fills around the outside, and save using Plot Template|Save Template.

Next time you use this template the logo/image should be automatically included in the plot layout.

Some tips to help with this process are:

- A good place to store image files, used in plot templates, is the Symbols\template folder commonly located in C:\Program Files\AEI Software\IRRICAD Pro 10.

- It is best not to use the “Relative Path” option for the image. This ensures that the plot layout will always be able to find the logo/image file regardless of where designs are saved.

- Remember to select (highlight) the whole template before actioning Save Template.

1.6.4 PRINTING IMAGES There are two ways to control the printing of images in your design in Version 10.5+.

Each image can be individually controlled - double-click on the image (or highlight and select Change) and check or uncheck "Show Image".

The layer(s) on which the images are on can have the Print column checked or unchecked as required. This can be done in Settings|Layers or the Layer Bar (View|LayerBar or Right-click|Layers|LayerBar).

If you cannot see the image in the print preview, it will not be printed.

Pre Version 10.5, the printing of all images is solely controlled by the "Print Images" setting in Settings|Image. You will not see the images in the print preview, only the outline.

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Plotting •••• 25

1.6.5 SAVING CHANGES TO THE FILE STAMP AND WATERMARK Did you know that IRRICAD can place a file date/stamp or a watermark on your printout? This can be done in File|Print [File Stamp]. Did you know that you can save the changes to the file stamp and watermark text for your next IRRICAD session? 1. Go to File|Print. 2. Click on the [File Stamp] button. 3. Change the File Date/Stamp font size and/or the font. 4. Add the text for the watermark if applicable. 5. Remember to enable the "Add Stamp" and "Use Watermark" check boxes as required. 6. Click [OK] on the Print Stamping dialog. 7. To save the changes in the currently loaded preset click the [Modify] button on the main Print dialog (underneath the "Presets" field). Alternatively to save these changes as a new set of presets, click the [Add] button and enter the name of the new preset. If you have saved a new set of presets you can load the appropriate presets for each print job.

1.6.6 ZOOM ALL MAKES DRAWING SMALL? After importing files there may be information a large distance away from the drawing details. The drawing will appear as a small dot on the screen. Another symptom is difficulty in centring the plan in the Print Preview dialog. To rectify this situation follow these steps:-

1. Locate and zoom in to the drawing.

2. Use Select Window to highlight the drawing details.

3. Use Modify|Invert Selection. This will de-select the drawing.

4. Wait until the drawing is de-selected and then action Delete.

5. Select Zoom All. The drawing should now fill the screen. Note that if additional layers are displayed the issue may reappear and then the above steps can be repeated. Note: If the span of coordinates is greater than 12.5km the “Scale” field in Settings|Grid/Origin/GIS will have a value of 20. The print preview will fill the screen however the dialog scale will be 20 times smaller. The print will print at the correct plot layout scale.

1.6.6.1 MESSAGE: WARNING- COORDINATES RANGE TOO LARGE PLEASE CORRECT

Warning - coordinates range too large please correct and then run Compress. This message will appear if the span of coordinates is greater than 66km (41 miles). It usually indicates that the imported file has a point or items far from the main plan. This means that when Zoom All is used the plan

26 •••• Plotting Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd IRRICAD Training Course

itself will become very small on the screen. To overcome this remove the items that are not included in the plan area by:- 1. Turn on all imported layers. 2. Zoom into the plan and using Modify|Select|Window draw a window around the plan. 3. Use Modify|Invert Selection to de-select the plan and select the far-off items. 4. Press the [Delete] key or use Modify|Delete. 5. After the items have been deleted run File|Compress. 6. Save the design. Due to the added support for large coordinates a “Scale” field has been included in Settings|Grid/Origin/GIS. If the span of coordinates is larger than 12.5km (20.8 miles) the scale will be greater than 1 and the print preview may show a very small plan. The above steps will reduce the span of coordinates and reset the "Scale" to 1.

Notes

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Bill of Materials •••• 27

1.7 BILL OF MATERIALS

1.7.1 HOW TO PRODUCE A STAGED BOM FOR STAGED DESIGNS There may be several reasons for wishing to produce a staged Bill Of Materials. Possibly the whole system was designed initially but only the first stage will be installed this year or you are adding on to an existing system. Previous to IRRICAD Pro 9.5 you would highlight and delete the sections not required for the bill of materials. "Scope" was introduced to the component dialogs to specify the options Design + BOM, Design Only or BOM Only. The Design Only option is very useful for staged Bill of Materials. Scenario #1 - Adding on to an existing system:- In this scenario part of the system is already installed and the next stage has not been designed. Before adding on to an existing system select the entire plan and use Change to change the scope to the Design Only option so these items will no longer appear in the Bill of Materials reports. Now add the new part of the system. The new components will automatically be Design + BOM by default, meaning they will be included in Design and appear in the Bill of Materials reports. If Fitting Selection is used, the connection between the old and the new will be selected if required. Scenario #2 - A two-stage design:- The two stage design has two scenarios - cost Stage 1 only or cost Stage 2 only. In either option, the Select|Lasso is required to careful lasso and highlight the components in the stage not required for this bill of materials report. When selected, use Change to change the scope from Design + BOM to the Design Only option. If Fitting Selection is used, the connection between stage 1 and stage 2 will be selected if required. Only the unchanged stage will appear in the Bill of Materials reports. Tips: Note DO NOT use Change Type as many different types of items will be selected and all need to be changed in one action. BOM Only is used for items such as flushing manifolds on tape blocks, automatically placed using the Tape Irrigation Block tool. Note that the flushing manifold automatically placed for a Spray Irrigation Block is also BOM Only however this can be changed by lassoing the flushing manifold and changing the "Scope" to Design + BOM, if you wish to size or analyse the flushing manifold. To size the flushing manifold on the sprayline design only Velocity Design can be used.

1.7.2 DO YOU USE ASSEMBLIES? Assemblies are a way of representing a group of components by a single item in the database. Assemblies are used to place a group of predetermined items on the design or to control the items selected during fitting selection. Some advantages of using assemblies are that an assembly is selected in preference to multiple components when solving junctions during Computer Selection of Fittings. The assembly will contain the components you require for this design type and once an assembly is made, it can be re-used in other designs. Assemblies are also listed in the reports. Examples could include:

• A controller assembly containing a controller, transformer, rain switch, pedestal mount and cabinet etc.

• Lateral fittings including cray clips. • A valve assembly containing a control valve, isolating valve, valve box, wire joiners etc. • Swing joint assemblies for residential and turf sprinklers. • Riser assemblies for valves. • Air / vacuum release valve assemblies.

The Database Editor Manual will walk you through the process of creating an assembly - see the Chapter on Database Details - Assemblies. .

28 •••• Bill of Materials Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd IRRICAD Training Course

1.7.2.1 TIPS

During the Computer Selection of Fittings process IRRICAD only takes account of the connection types of the assembly as a whole, not the connection types of individual components in the assembly. IRRICAD does not ensure that the components in the assembly can be physically connected together. It is up to you to ensure all the required connections are available in the assembly. In the improved Pro Version 11 Database Editor you can edit the quantity of any item contained in the assembly. When creating an assembly ensure you add the item the assembly in based on. If you have created a valve assembly, also include a valve in the assembly or if an outlet assembly similarly include an outlet. IRRICAD takes into account the headloss/flow/pressure characteristics in the assembly item. It does not use these factors from the components included in the assembly. You will need to manually include or edit any headloss equation factors where required. As items are added to the assembly the cost of the individual items are totaled. The cost of an individual item is updated in the assembly if the item's price is edited. If you are using Computer Selection of Fittings and have created a control valve assembly with risers included, make sure the control valve is set at the same depth as the pipes so IRRICAD does not also automatically select riser pipes and elbows for the junctions. There are methods to control how the items in the assembly are listed in the bill of materials or costing reports. See the Database Editor Manual chapter in the Help on Database Structure -> About Assemblies.

Notes

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Database Symbols •••• 29

1.8 DATABASE SYMBOLS

1.8.1 MAKING MULTI-COLOURED DATABASE SYMBOLS Did you know you can specify multi-coloured symbols for some database items? This feature has been available since IRRICAD Pro Version 10. All “point” database items may be displayed as multi-coloured symbols with the exception of outlets (including nozzles) which, being compound symbols, are inherently multi-coloured. Instructions on the creation, and use, of multi-coloured database symbols are set out below. 1. Start a new design. 2. To maintain the correct relative sizing, with existing database symbols, it is important that the dimensions of your new symbols fit within a 100 x 100 inch square. 3. An easy way to maintain the correct size is to set your "Distance" units to inches (in Settings|Units ) and then draw a 100 x 100 inch rectangle. Now draw the items which will make up the symbol inside the rectangle in the colours required. 4. Delete the Rectangle drawn in Step 3. 5. Now highlight the items that you have drawn using Select Window. 6. Select Tools|Create Symbol and click the "Database" radio button.

7. Click [OK]. 8. When selecting your new symbol for the first time in the database editor click the browse button on the right-hand side of the "Plotting Symbol" field and select your new symbol. 9. Check "Use symbol colour(s)” and this database item will be displayed as your multi-coloured symbol in designs. Note that if you leave this field unchecked then the symbol will be displayed in the specified “Plotting Colour”.

1.8.2 MAINTAINING SYMBOL COLOURS WHEN EXPORTING TO DXF OR DWG As we discussed last time you can make multicoloured symbols for use in the database. Typically, however, items in the database don’t have the “Use symbol color(s)” option selected. Symbols for items using this system are drawn on the plan in the “Plotting Colour”. Visual CADD (the CAD engine we use) handles placement colour differently from AutoCAD and consequently the colour of the items will be lost (this doesn’t apply to outlet and nozzles) when exported to DXF or DWG. To overcome this we have redrawn the default database symbols. When used with a modified Color Export map the symbol colours will be properly displayed in AutoCAD.

30 •••• Database Symbols Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd IRRICAD Training Course

The new symbols and the colour mapping will be defaults in IRRICAD Pro Version 11.5 which is due for release in May/June 2012. Meanwhile you can follow the steps below to help export symbols on your plan at the right colour for pre IRRICAD Pro V11.5 versions. To export a design to DXF or DWG and maintain the symbol colours:- 1. Download the NewDbsSymbols.zip file and extract the files into your \Symbols\Database folder (commonly located in C:\Program Files\AEI Software\IRRICAD Pro 10\Symbols\Database) and overwrite the existing symbols. 2. Draw your design plan. 3. When ready to export go to Settings|Import/Export Settings. 4. Click on the Color Export tab. 5. Select the "Use Custom Map" option. 6. Change the map to AutoCAD Windows. 7. Scroll down until you see 254 in the left-hand VCadd Color column. Change the mapped number in the DWG Color column to 0 (zero). (Note you will only need to do Step 7 and 8 once).

8. Click [Save Map]. 9. Click [OK] to close the dialog. 10. You are now ready to export to DXF or DWG. Always set the Color Export map to AutoCAD Windows when exporting to DXF/DWG to maintain the database symbol colours.

1.8.3 TIPS ON CREATING NEW DATABASE SYMBOLS: Last time we explained how to make sure that the colours of hydraulic items in your design are exported and displayed correctly in AutoCAD. However if you are creating your own single-colour database symbols how do you make sure that they will be exported in their "Plotting Color" (the colour selected in the database)? Here's how:- 1. Set the "Current Color" in Settings|Drawing Items to 254 (2nd to last on the colour palette) before drawing the individual items that make up the symbol.

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Database Symbols •••• 31

2. As explained in Tip of the Week #33 colour 254 will need to be mapped to DWG colour 0 in the Export Color map to ensure that the colour is displayed correctly in AutoCAD. Notes: See Tip of the Week #32 for instructions on how to create symbols. Follow steps 1 to 8, but make sure the items making up the symbol are drawn in colour 254 only. For Step 9 select the "Plotting Color" and do not check "Use symbols color(s)" option.

1.8.4 SETTING V11+ DBS EDITOR TO OPEN DBS AUTOMATICALLY The Pro Version 11 and 12 Database Editor has several new settings. One enables setting the editor to open with the default database or the last used database. These settings can be accessed in the Tools|Options dialog. Enable "Open database on startup:" and select the Default database or Last database as preferred.

32 •••• Short-Cuts and Tricks Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd IRRICAD Training Course

1.9 SHORT-CUTS AND TRICKS

1.9.1 IRRICAD KEYBOARD SHORT CUTS IRRICAD incorporates a number of keyboard and mouse shortcuts that help to speed up the operation of various tools. Here is a selection of these that you may find useful:-

• Double-clicking on an item when in Select Object operates the change tool on the item. • To bring up the change dialog, for a Block Entity, hold down the <Alt> key while clicking on any child

component of the block entity. • If you using the Select Object tool in “Single Select” mode, (see Settings|Mouse) you can hold down

the <Shift> key to highlight subsequent items. • In “Single Select” mode clicking empty space clears the current selection. • Pressing the <Esc> key twice in quick succession clears the current selection and returns you to the

default Select Object tool.

• Redrawing a large design may be stopped by pressing the <Esc> key. • To place control valves and mainline outlets without having to view and “OK” the Zone Name dialog,

hold the <Shift> key down when clicking to locate them. The default zone name will automatically be accepted and the dialog will not appear.

• All Copy tools have a “no dialog” shortcut, which repeats the last copy without showing the dialog each time. To action, hold the <Shift> key for the 2nd and subsequent copies.

1.9.2 ADJUSTING IRRIGATION BLOCK ENTITIES As you may know the irrigation block entities, once placed, are a single item and minor adjustments may seem difficult to make. However, here are some tips to help you make the minor adjustments you require. Tip #1: To adjust the boundary of the irrigation block entities such as Spray Irrigation Block or Tape Irrigation Block use the Move Point tool on the Area lasso.

1. Select the Area lasso around the block.

2. Select Modify|Move Point.

3. Move the selected point of the lasso to the new position. In this way you can move the boundary, which will lengthen and shorten the laterals, or perhaps remove extraneous “short” laterals. Notes: The amount of adjustment than can be achieved in this manner is limited by the number of points in the Area lasso. The minimum length of a lateral to be drawn is based on the setting in Design|Design Parameters "Min Lateral Length". Tip #2: To move or delete on irrigation block entities hold the Shift key down and then click on the item. This allows a lateral to be deleted or its end moved.

1. Select Delete or Move as required.

2. Hold the Shift key down.

3. Click on the lateral to be deleted or on the lateral junction to move.

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Short-Cuts and Tricks •••• 33

1.9.3 CONVERTING GEOMETRIC OBJECTS TO HYDRAULIC ITEMS Did you know that you can convert geometric objects to hydraulic items? This means imported block boundaries, pipelines, outlets, valve or hydrant placements can be converted to the required hydraulic items without having to spend the time to draw over them.

• Block boundaries can be converted to Irrigation Block entities providing the imported boundary is a closed polygon.

• Single lines and polylines can be converted to pipes, spraylines or tapes. • Curves can be converted to tapes or closed curves to irrigation areas and irrigation block entities. • Symbols, points or circles can be converted to pumps, valves, outlets, or misc. hydraulic items.

The process to convert items is:- a) For pipes 1. Select the lines to be converted to pipes using the Select tools. 2. Now choose Zone|Cut Pipe or Mainline|Cut Pipe either from the menu or the tool bar. 3. Click OK on the message “Do you wish to convert selected items to pipes". 4. The highlighted lines will be converted to pipes. This multiple selection method can also be used for tapes and spraylines. Multiple symbols, points or circles can be selected to be converted into outlets, valves, pumps and misc. hydraulic items in one go. b) For Irrigation block entities 1. Select the polygon to be converted to an Irrigation Block using Select Object. 2. Now choose the Tape or Spray Irrigation Block option from either the menu or tool bar. 3. Click OK on the message “Create Block/Block Entities from selected items". 4. The highlighted polygon will be converted to an irrigation block entity. This single selection method is required for irrigation blocks, blocks and irrigation areas. Single selection is also required for converting a symbol, point or circle into a water supply. Tips to know about converting: #1) Multiple lines, symbols, points or circles can be selected before converting. #2) Only one polygon can be converted at a time to an irrigation area or an irrigation block entity. #3) Do not have your selection filter on as this will stop the pipes connecting to each other or to outlets, etc. #4) For mainline items connection works best if you convert symbols in to mainline outlets and use

Mainline|Cut Pipe to convert the lines into pipes that will connect to the existing mainline outlets. #5) Zone|Cut Pipe will connect to existing zone items it crosses whereas Zone|Pipe will not connect to existing zone items, unless they are at the ends of the pipe. #6) For zone items convert symbols into outlets first and then the lines into Zone|Cut Pipe, which will connect to any outlets or zone items within the connection tolerances. #7) Pipes will only connect to each other if the original lines start and finish within the connection tolerances. #8) For any outlets or valves not connected to the pipes after conversion, use Tools|Connect Outlets or Tools|Connect Valves to complete. #9) Block boundaries need to be one object (polygon) to convert into irrigation areas or irrigation block

entities. You can use the Draw|Polygon Seed tool in standalone IRRICAD to create a complete polygon.


#10) The above methods can also be used to convert geometric items to electrical items.

1.9.4 SPEEDING UP COPY TOOLS TIPS When preparing a design it is sometimes necessary to replicate existing items on a plan. Copy tools allow you to do this and depending on the tool used, can align and space items as required. All Copy tools have a 'no dialog' shortcut, which repeats the last copy without showing the dialog each time. For example to speed up Offset copy you can: 1) Draw an arc (for example). 2) Select Offset copy, click the arc and enter a fixed offset distance. 3) Copy the arc to the inside. 4) Offset copy is still selected so, HOLD SHIFT and click the new arc. 5) Copy the new arc at the same offset, to the inside. 6) HOLDING SHIFT, keep clicking the new arcs to repeat the copy as many times as required. Tip: be sure to select the Copy tool before clicking on the object. If the object is selected before the Copy tool is invoked, the tool will only be active for one action.

1.9.5 CHANGING THE LAYER OF DIMENSION ENTITIES In the current versions of IRRICAD and FastQuote the only method to edit dimensions after placement is to explode and edit the constituents. However, it may be useful to control the display of dimensions separately from other items. What can you do if you have already drawn the dimensions and they are not on the layer you want? Tips: To change the layer select more than one dimension and use Change (instead of Change Type). If you only have one dimension on the plan first draw a temporary line. Then select the line and the dimension and use Change to edit the layer. Now remove the temporary line. Of course the layer can be set for the dimensions before they are drawn. (The default layer is controlled in Settings|Layers - Current Layers "Drawing").

1.9.6 GHOSTING FOR THE MOVE AND ROTATE TOOLS

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Short-Cuts and Tricks •••• 35

The ghosting density for the move and rotate tools can be changed by editing the SysSett.vcenv file in Notepad or other text editors. This file is found in the folder where IRRICAD Pro 10.5+ has been installed (commonly located in C:\Program Files\AEI Software\Irricad Pro 10). 1.Close IRRICAD. 2. Open the SysSett file in a text editor. 3. Search for 'Drag' until you find the entry <DragPixDensity>16</DragPixDensity>.

4. You can change the '16' to any number between 4 and 64. '4' has more dots and is therefore easier to see where as '64' has less dots.

1.9.7 JUNCTION TIPS Did you know that now you can have the junctions permanently on but not print them in IRRICAD Pro Version 11+? In Settings|Layers or the Layer Bar simply uncheck the "Print" column for the required layer. In this way junctions won't be printed but can still be visible on the plan, which is useful for checking connections during design creation. For more on the Layer Bar see Tip of the Week topics # 8 and # 25.

1.9.8 FIXING TOOLBAR AND LAYER MANAGER ISSUES Sometimes IRRICAD toolbars will no longer dock correctly or the Layer Manager does not display despite being enabled in the “View” menu. Issues similar to these can often be fixed by re-creating the configuration file. To re-generate the configuration file:- 1. Close IRRICAD. 2. Using "My Computer" or "Windows Explorer" browse to the Irricad “\Config” folder (typically C:\Program Files\AEI Software\Irricad Pro 12\Config ). 3. Rename the Winicad.ini - for example to WinicadOld.ini. It is best not to delete this file just in case it is not corrupted and you would like to retain your current set of personalised settings.


4. Restart IRRICAD. Note the content and location of the toolbars will be reset to the installation defaults so you will need to redo any customisation. Similar problems with the IRRICAD Database Editor and Curve Fit utility may be remedied by following steps 1-4 above but renaming “Irribase.ini” instead of “Winicad.ini”.

1.9.9 REPAIRING DESIGNS THAT WON'T OPEN You may be aware that if a design needs repairing you can use File|Repair. However what do you do if you cannot open the design? You can repair the design before opening by: 1. Select File|New to load a clean untitled design. 2. Select File|Repair and then select the design to be repaired.

Notes

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Useful Information & Design Practices •••• 37

1.10 USEFUL INFORMATION & DESIGN PRACTICES

1.10.1 USEFUL INFORMATION ON THE STATUS BAR A variety of useful information can be displayed on the “Info panel” which is located on the status bar in the 3rd panel from the right-hand side of the screen. Much of the information relates to the object(s) currently selected including UID, connections, item count, cumulative length, elevation and depth, cumulative area and cumulative nominal flow. In addition the Z coordinate (elevation), of the current cursor position, may also be displayed. All the panel options can be selected via a pop-up menu, accessed by right-clicking the panel, or by left clicking to cycle through the available options (the shortcut key combination <Ctrl>+<Shift>+ I may also be used). The current values of all options are displayed on the menu. The pop-up menu also allows all objects connected to the current object to be selected (<Ctrl>+<Shift>+C shortcut). Note that the elevation interpolation process needs to have been completed (either explicitly or as a result of running one of the design processes) in order for the Z coordinate to display.

1.10.2 SETTING UP USER TOOLS Often other programs are used during the design process for a variety of tasks, for example a pump selection utility. To quickly access other applications inside IRRICAD you can add entries into the User Tools menu. The trick to setting up a new item is finding the required application file. This can be done in two ways:- 1). Use the browse button in the dialog to find the application. Most applications will be found under C:\Program Files in their installed folder such as the Database Editor application, “IrriBase” commonly found in C:\Program Files\AEI Software\IRRICAD Pro 10 folder: 2). Find the shortcut on your desktop or in the Start | All Programs list. Right-click on the shortcut and select Properties. Copy all the information in the “Target” field and paste it into the “Command” field in the User Tools|Customize dialog: You can now run these programs by going to the User Tools menu and selecting the required application. For more information on how to set up User Tools, please refer to the Tool and Command Reference manual in Help|Help Topics.

1.10.3 HOW TO RETRIEVE AUTOMATIC BACK-UP DESIGNS If the system crashes (e.g. a power failure) you will lose any changes made to the design since the last File|Save unless Auto back-up is enabled. Auto back-up saves the design periodically to the specified back-up folder, commonly located in C:\Program Files\AEI Software\Irricad Pro 10\Backup – it DOES NOT save over your design files. To recover an Auto back-up file run IRRICAD. Select File|Open and browse for the Nameofyourdesign~~Backup.des file in the Irricad Pro 10\Backup folder. Remember to do this before Auto back-up runs again. Resave the design to the original design name in the \Designs folder. Auto back-up cannot save if the back-up design is open. Notes: - In Pro Version 10+ you can specify the back-up folder in Settings|Miscellaneous.

38 •••• Useful Information & Design Practices Copyright Lincoln Agritech LtdIRRICAD Training Course

- Back up designs are removed every 7 days or as specified in Settings|Miscellaneous.

1.10.4 HYDRAULIC GRADELINES AND EXTRA OPTIONS The selection methods are:-

• Click on a mainline, junction, outlet, misc. hydraulic item, pump or valve and action Hydraulic Gradeline to view the gradeline from the selected item back to the water supply.

• Select single or contiguous multiple mainline pipes and action Hydraulic Gradeline to view the hydraulic gradeline for that section of selected pipes, as in previous versions.

• Select one submain pipe and action Hydraulic Gradeline to view the hydraulic gradeline for zone, complete with latreal pressure band.

• Select one lateral and action Hydraulic Gradeline to view the hydraulic gradeline for the lateral. Did you know that you can change the style of the Hydraulic Gradeline and specify printing preferences? To access extra options press E and D together on the keyboard, when Hydraulic Gradeline is open. These settings will allow you to customize the presentation of the Hydraulic Gradeline. Different "Themes" or styles can be selected for the Hydraulic Gradeline. "Print" preferences, including the setting of margins, can be specified here. Note that these settings do not 'stick' so any preferences will need to made each time you wish to print a new Hydraulic Gradeline. There are many other things you can adjust in these settings, but be aware the changes you make may affect the final output. The good news is that changes made will have no effect on the underlying data in your design.

1.10.5 ZONE PRESSURE AND FLOW MAPS A graphical representation of the flow or pressure variation in a zone can be created using the Reports|Show Zone Flow Map or Reports|Show Zone Pressure Map functions.

The flow or pressure map dialog shows the limits for the zone, as well as the actual maximum and minimum emitter flows or pressures in the zone.

The maps can be created using the zone limits, a good option for troubleshooting, or custom limits, a good option for conveying the variation to the client.

For connected spraylines individual circular fills can be placed at the location of each emitter if required.

A legend can be created and placed on the left-hand side of the flow map. The legend can be moved using the Move tool.

Tape Block Spray Block


1.10.6 TIPS FOR USING MULTIPLE WATER SUPPLIES IN A DESIGN Some pipe systems have more than one water source supplying them. Alternatively a property may contain more than one separate pipe system. Here are some pointers to help with these types of designs.

1.10.6.1 MORE THAN ONE WATER SUPPLY ON A PIPE SYSTEM:

Situation A: where the water supplies are supplying the same zones:- Tip #1: All water supplies must have non-zero values entered for the Design and Maximum Head, use the same value for both. Tip #2: Adjust the pressures in the water supplies until the flow equals the quantity available from each water source. This is a complex situation to solve and so it is an iterative process. A small pressure change in the water supply may have a large effect on the resultant flow. Tip #3: Only Velocity Design can be used to size pipes. Tip #4: If you are using pumps in your design the solution is based on the pump curves and it is not necessary to make manual iterations. Situation B: where the water supplies are supplying different zones:- Situation B tips only apply to IRRICAD Pro Version 10 and later.

Tip #1: You can ask IRRICAD calculate the required system pressure by unchecking the “Calculate Pressure?” check box.

Tip #2: LP Design can be used to size pipes, for branching systems only.

1.10.6.2 MORE THAN ONE PIPE SYSTEM ON A DESIGN:

Only applies to IRRICAD Pro Version 10 and later. Tip #1: You can set the water supply pressure to 0 so that IRRICAD will work out required system pressure. Tip #2: LP Design can be used to size pipes, for branching systems only. Tip #3: If a water supply assigned to a valve is not physically connected to it, the design process will fail giving error DES_485.

1.10.6.3 MANAGEMENT TIP:

Since IRRICAD Pro Version 10 you can assign ranges of system flows to the water supplies (this is particularly useful if there are more than 18 system flows) by:-

• In Assign Zones to System Flows, for each water supply, specifying ranges in this format1-10,15-20 etc.

• In one of the tabular management options, if System #1 has system flows 1 to 10 and 15 to 20 and System #2 has system flows 11 to 14, you can enter these as ranges as per the picture below:

Each range requires two columns. The -ve before each number tells IRRICAD it is part of a range and not the specific system flow number.


1.10.7 AUTOMATIC NAMING AND NUMBERING PROBLEMS Valves, mainline outlets, areas and water supplies in a design are automatically named and numbered using the patterns defined in Settings|Names. However the deletion of auto-numbered items may cause the subsequent numbering to be inconsistent. Some tips to help are:- Reset Numbering

If you have deleted a group of contiguously numbered named items you can reset the start of the numbering in the “Number from” field of Settings|Names. For example if you deleted a set of control valves named “Zone no. “ 11 to 20, then typing 11 into the “Number from” field would cause the automatic naming to begin at “Zone – 11” for subsequently placed valves. Using Default Name

Right-click|Default Name can be used to temporarily change the base name of the automatic numbering system before placing the items e.g. Block ~~~ instead of Zone no. ~~~. For example before placing control valves select Right-click|Default Name and type in the new name e.g. Block ~~~. Now place your valves. All the zone names will be Block 1, Block 2 etc. until another tool is selected. The ~~~ in the dialog is the automatic numbering so do not delete it unless you know where to find it on your keyboard! Note that temporarily changing the base name after placing auto-numbered items does not restart the numbering. Go in to Settings|Names and enter 1 into the “Number from” field. With Block Irrigation entities, the Default Name is grayed out in the Right-click menu and cannot be used in this manner.

1.10.8 UNDERSTANDING DETAILED ANALYSIS Do you know that IRRICAD offers Detailed Analysis in the Design options? What is Detailed Analysis and how does it differ from Analyse?

The method used in Design/Analyse assumes nominal flows when calculating pressure loss and is much like working out the hydraulics by hand. For example if you have specified a pressure of 20m at each sprinkler, Design/Analyse calculates the pressure loss in the system by assuming all the flows are the same - based on the 20m of pressure.

However, if you field-tested the pressure it would not be 20m at each outlet. Detailed Analysis calculates the resultant flow from the actual pressure at each sprinkler. In some situations, this can make a significant difference to the flows and friction losses and therefore impact on your choice of pipe sizes and pumps.

Things You Should Know About:

- Zone Design|Detailed Analysis requires the valve pressure to be set in Design|Zone Design Configuration. Initially the valve pressure from a normal analysis or pipe sizing run may be used .

- Design/Analyse can give quite conservative results and in a non-PC system it pays to run Detailed Analysis as a check before finalizing your design.

- Detailed Analysis is only useful on non-pressure compensating outlets - where the flow changes with the pressure.

- Do not use Detailed Analysis when using demand points or PC emitters (well you can use it but the flow won't change!)

- To use Detailed Analysis in the Mainline Design set the water supply pressure first. Note is it only useful for Mainline Outlets with non-PC nozzles.


1.10.9 LP DESIGN TIPS LP Design is the pipe sizing method which sizes pipes to meet the pressure range for the outlets. In the sizing calculations IRRICAD also trades running cost against capital cost to select appropriate pipe sizes. Note that the trading running cost against capital cost can be disabled in Design|Design Parameters|Hydraulic Parameters. However, if the pipe retail prices are all the same, e.g., 0.00, or are not relative to the different sizes then sizes may increase and decrease along the zone or mainline if trading running cost against capital cost is enabled. This is correct as per the mathematical computation with the information provided. A low or zero capital cost will cause LP Design to select larger pipes as they require a smaller running cost. However, if trading running cost against capital cost is turned off the cheapest pipe that suits the required size will be selected. To aid LP Design to select decreasing pipe sizes ensure pipes contain retail prices, even if the price is simply relative to the other sizes and classes.

1.10.10 ECONOMIC REPORTING The overall long term cost of a design to a client is more than just the initial capital cost of the equipment. One of the major sources of associated on-going cost is the power required to operate the system, referred to as running costs. Three Bill of Material reports provide information on these additional costs, reporting the annualized capital cost, annual running cost and total annual cost for the specified term. This information is very useful to compare the total cost of different system options and provide the most economical solution for the client.

The total costs and parameters used for each design can be viewed in the B.O.M with Costs, Zone/Mainline BOM, and Zone Summary/Mainline BOM reports. Note that reported costs are effected by any selection set and “Design Only” scope implementation (capital costs only) being used.

The parameters used to calculate the annual running costs are the “Default pump efficiency (%)”, “Power Cost/kWh”, and “Operating hours / yr” located in Design|Design Parameters|Economic Parameters. The parameters used to calculate the annualized capital costs are the “Default interest rate (%)”,and “Economic


term (years)”, also located in the Economic Parameters. Note that the operating hours and economic term will be used even when “Trade capital costs vs running cost” is not enabled.

An important factor in this calculation is the “Operating Hours / yr” parameter which is used, along with the relative contribution of each system flow, to calculate the annual run time for each system duty. Each system duty’s running cost is then added to report the total annual running costs of the entire system.

For example, if there are four system flows and three system flows operate for one hour each and the fourth system flow operates for three hours then if 2000 hours per year specified the first three system flows will run for 333.33 hours and the fourth for 1000 hours per annum. The annual run time for each system flow is then used to calculate running costs for water supplies and pumps that pertain to it.

For multiple unconnected systems in a single design the “Operating Hours / yr” should reflect the combined number of hours each mainline is operating per annum. If the systems have different annual operating hours it is important to alter the system flow run times so the relative run time is in proportion to the annual run time of each system. For example, if one system runs for 1000 hours per annum and the other system for 1500 hours per annum the total operating hours should be set to 2500. Set the run times for the system flows in the first system to 1 hour each and set the run times for the system flows in the second system to 1.5 hours each.

Only the BiIl of Materials with costs reports show the additional economic reporting as these reports include any rounding or extra % allowance as specified in the Pipe Fitting Matching Table.


1.10.10.1 CALCULATE RUNNING COSTS

As part of the new Economic reporting feature the water supply dialog contains a check box to control whether the cost of producing the duty for this supply is included in the calculations. When there is no running cost directly associated with a supply (for example when a pump is included downstream, as part of a water supply scheme, or a gravity system) then the field should normally be unchecked. For water supplies where the automatic calculation of pressure has been specified this option would usually be enabled.

Tip: To include a pump in the capital costs without placing a pump in the hydraulic design add a pump (or item of similar value) via Design|Miscellaneous Costs.

1.10.11 FINDING ERRANT PIPES IN YOUR DESIGN Occasionally you may detect, via the reports, a short length pipe that you wish to change or delete. Locating the errant pipe on the plan can sometimes be difficult so here are a set of steps to help:-

1. Go to Zone or Mainline|Pipe and draw an example the errant pipe outside the design area.

2. Select All. Use Change Type.

3. Click on the pipe you have just drawn.

4. Change the line width to 15 and click OK.

5. Enable Match on "Pipe" and Change on "Line Width" in the Match/Change dialog and click OK.

You should now find it easier to locate the pipe on the plan.


1.10.12 AUTOMATICALLY CREATING 'ONE VALVE PER LATERAL' BLOCKS Sometimes you may have the situation where each lateral in a block operates on its own valve.

Here is an easy way to draw the layout:-

1. Draw the entire block as one item using Spray Irrigation Block or Tape Irrigation Block as required.

2. Select the block (Alt + Select Object on a block entity or Select Object on the Area lasso around the block).

3. Select Tools|Subdivide.

4. Under Slices enter the "Number of Rows" as 1 and the "Gap" as 0.

5. Under Cuts select "None".

6. Accept the preview - it should show only 1 lateral in each subdivision.

The block is re-drawn with only one lateral in each subdivision with its own valve.

1.10.13 USING GROUP SPACINGS IN SPRAY OR TAPE BLOCKS Do you know about a relatively new feature in IRRICAD which specifies the grouping of laterals? For example you could have a lateral row spacing of 2.7m, but after 10 laterals there is a larger gap of 5m before returning to the row spacing of 2.7m for the next group of 10 laterals and so on.

However, what if the grouping does not start at the edge of the block? What if the block starts with 5 rows at 2.7m apart, then a 5m gap, then 10 rows, then a 5m gap and 10 rows until the end of the block? The "User Defined" option specifies where IRRICAD is to begin drawing the set of 10 laterals. 1. Before your create your block, either by converting an existing polygon or drawing it, draw a temporary line where the first lateral of the first group of 10 will be placed (this is 15.8m from the edge of the block or from where the first lateral will be - a spacing of 4 laterals from the edge/first lateral plus 5m).

2. When drawing or creating the block the "Spacing" is 2.7m in this example, the "Group Spacing" is 5m and the "No. laterals/Group" is 10.

3. Select "User Defined" for the lateral direction.

4. When asked to show the lateral direction, draw the lateral overtop of the line placed in #1. You can use Snaps|Endpoint to be precise for both points.

5. IRRICAD will then start the groups of 10 from this point and therefore only have room to place 5 from this

point back to the edge of the block.


6. You can remove the temporary line if you wish. Note that if your irrigation block is existing and you wish to make changes to achieve the correct grouping, simply place the temporary line and use the "User Defined" option as specified above.

1.10.14 SOLVING CONNECTIVITY ISSUES Sometimes outlets, valves, or water supplies are not connected to the pipe system and it may be difficult to determine exactly where the break is. Here are some tips to help solve connectivity issues. The Check Outlet Connectivity tool checks if outlets are connected to a control valve and also checks if control valves are connected to a water supply. If outlets or control valves are unconnected they will be marked with a red crossed circle: Although the break may not necessarily be located where the symbol is displayed the visual arrangement of the symbols does give a good indication of where the problem may be:- 1. If all the outlets in the zone are marked as unconnected it is likely the break is between the valve and the first outlet in the zone.

• Check if there is a junction symbol at the valve and if so, move the junction or the valve to connect them.

• Use Move to check the junction at the valve stub on the submain. Similarly if all valves are marked as unconnected it is likely the water supply is not connected to the mainline. 2. If only a portion of the outlets or valves are unconnected the break can usually be located at one end of the pipe which runs between the connected portion and the unconnected portion. 3. There should not be a junction visible where point objects such as valves, outlets or water supplies connect to pipes. The junction will disappear when connected. 4. If the break is not at the water supply, valve or outlet sometimes the break is at one of the junctions along the pipeline. You may see where the junction is not square and actually are two junctions at not quite the same place and therefore are not connected. Use Select Window to highlight the junction and then use Object Info. If more than one junction is listed in Object Info without a short pipe segment this is where the pipe ends do not connect.

4. When drawing the hydraulic design the Snap mode must be set to "Connect". If the Snap mode is "Place" no hydraulic items will connect. The Snap panel on the Status Bar will always display your current Snap mode:-


1.10.15 CONNECTIVITY ISSUES DURING MAINLINE DESIGN Continuing with the theme of connectivity issues, sometimes you may receive a message during Mainline Design that a valve (or mainline outlet) is not connected. This can occur even though Check Outlet Connectivity reported that all items were connected, when more than one water supply is in the design.

Although Outlet Connectivity checks if control valves are connected to a water supply it cannot tell if the valves are connected to the "right" water supply. If valves or mainline outlets are supplied by the wrong water supply (as per Management) then the above message will occur during the mainline design process.

This message will also occur when a system contains more than one water supply but one of the water supplies is no longer connected to the pipe - therefore the water supply cannot supply the assigned valves. Tip Scenario: There are two separate systems on a design and in practice all valves are running at the same time. You cannot assign all zones and water supplies to one system flow (station). Both water supplies would then be assigned to System Flow 1, but Water Supply 2 and its zones must be on a different system flow (because WS 2 is not physically connected to the other zones on System Flow 1). Assign all zones on Water Supply 2 to System Flow 2. Then each system will operate autonomously.

1.10.16 CHANGING DATABASE ITEMS USAGES QUICKLY To change usage codes quickly in the Database Editor follow the steps below:-

1. In the grid view enter the required Usage option, e.g, L, in the Usage column.

2. In a similar manner to Excel, with the mouse left-click and hold the bottom right corner of the cell where a cross appears.


3. Drag the corner down until encompassing all the cells requiring the same usage code.

4. Let go of the left mouse button. The usage code will now appear in all cells within the dragged window.

Another method is to highlight a group of cells, with the required usage code, and copy them using Ctrl + C. Paste the copied cells by clicking on the first cell in the group requiring the change and using Ctrl + V.

1.10.17 ROLLS OR LENGTHS IN BOM AND LABELS Bill of Materials reports display the quantities of pipe based on the 3D distance by default. However, commonly the number of lengths or rolls is required rather than the meterage/footage.

In order to have the number of lengths, or rolls, of pipe appear in the Bill of Materials reports enter the meterage/footage in the Roll/Len column in Design|Pipe Fitting Matching Table.

For example, in the image below, 6(m) has been entered as the roll/len for PVC. Subsequent BOM reports will now display the number of lengths required for each PVC pipe size.


Once you have entered a Roll/Len in the Pipe Fitting Matching Table you can also apply this value to pipe labels by using the #ROLLS# or #ROLLS3D# keywords.

Note the Rounding or Rolls/Len entries are not used in the Costing reports.

1.10.18 HOW TO GET GPX FILES INTO IRRICAD Some GPS units will not allow you to export to DXF but will allow export to GPX format which IRRICAD cannot import directly. The way around this is to convert the file to KML, which IRRICAD supports, and there are many free on-line converters that will convert your GPX file to KML and KML to GPX, such as "GPX2KML". (gpx2kml.com). It is a quick and easy process to convert the file to KML and import it into IRRICAD. Tip: Make sure you only export the last survey from the unit so that the file you import into IRRICAD does not span more than one UTM Zone.

IRRICAD Training Course Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd Making Use of the Forum •••• 49

1.11 MAKING USE OF THE FORUM

Did you know that IRRICAD has a Users’ forum? To sign up to the Forum:- 1. Go to http://www.irricad.com/irricad-support/irricad-forum . 2. Scroll to below the posts and click on REGISTER. 3. Fill in the Registration form. 4. We will activate you as a member of the IRRICAD Forum. 5. Once your account is activated login and subscribe for all the topics you are interested in. To subscribe to the "Tips" simply:- 1. Logon to the Irricad forum (http://www.irricad.com/irricad-support/irricad-forum). 2. Click on the Topic Heading - Tips. 3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and find and click on the ‘Subscribe Forum’ link.

4. Subscribe to other forums such as Announcements and Support FAQs.

irricad training course · irricad training course irricad training course useful information and...

Documents