Introduction to Design Line

Considerations ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
Design Line in the Collective Environment ............................................................................................................ 2
Introduction to Design Line Interface in CAD-Duct and CAD-Mech ...................................................................... 2
Introduction to Design Line Interface in EST-Mech EST-Duct and CAM .............................................................. 3
Introduction to CAD Mode .................................................................................................................................. 3
Common Design Line Interface. .......................................................................................................................... 16
Line Options ..................................................................................................................................................... 17
Node Options.................................................................................................................................................... 18
View Options .................................................................................................................................................... 18
Basic Design Line Usage..................................................................................................................................... 24
CAD-Duct ......................................................................................................................................................... 24
CAD-Mech ........................................................................................................................................................ 33
EST-Mech......................................................................................................................................................... 40
EST-Duct .......................................................................................................................................................... 47

Considerations
The purpose of this section is to introduce you to the Design Line interface.
Examples will be kept simple and brief to facilitate the foundational understanding of Design Line and its
components required for advanced Design Line features.
Examples in this document assume you are using the TSI default, imperial, configuration.

Design Line in the Collective Environment

Design Line Setup and Use can affect applications connected to the same database. Consider Design Line
behavior from the perspective of each discipline. Estimators, Designers, Draftsmen, and Fabricators can benefit
from the use of Design Line.

Introduction to Design Line Interface in CAD-Duct and CAD-Mech

1. An additional fly-out menu has been added to the CAD-Duct / CAD-Mech toolbar.
a. The CAD-Duct Design Tools toolbar is the third button from the (Bottom/Right) side of the toolbar.

b. Additional tools include:

i. Flow/Size Calculator
Use the Flow Calculator to determine duct sizes based on Velocity, Flow Rate, Pressure
Drop, and Aspect Ratio. The Flow Calculator dialog remains active until closed by the
user. (Note: Settings used last are stored in Design.ini)
i. Design Size
The Ductulator provides similar, more limited, functionality as the Flow Calculator. Future
releases will not likely include this option.
ii. New Design Line
This command starts a new Design Line in the drawing.
iii. Edit Design Line
Use this command to edit Design Line segments..
iv. Manage Constraints (resize)
Constraints may be edited after Design Line segments have been created.
v. Erase 3D Design
This command will erase all 3D objects associated with the selected Design Line.

Introduction to Design Line Interface in EST-Mech EST-Duct and CAM-Duct

Design Line functions very similarly in the estimating and cam applications.
Introduction to CAD Mode
2. Go to Quick Takeoff.
(Note: The illustration below shows the Quick Takeoff before the CAD Mode option is enabled.)

3. Select CAD Mode from the View menu.

a. The Item Commands Toolbar.

i. Set Attacher
Use the Set Attacher command to manage the Attacher Arrow. The Attacher Arrow is not
used with Design Line. Attacher Arrow functionality is consistent between CAD and EST
applications.
ii. Join
Use Join to connect two fittings after initial placement.
iii. Item Number
Use Show Item Numbers to toggle Item Number annotations on and off.
iv. Elevation
Use Show Items BOD/TOD to toggle Elevation annotations on and off.
v. Size
Use Show Items End Size to toggle Size annotations on and off.
vi. Calculate Duct Size
Use the Flow Calculator to determine duct sizes based on Velocity, Flow Rate, Pressure
Drop, and Aspect Ratio. The Flow Calculator dialog remains active until closed by the
user. (Note: Settings used last are stored in Design.ini)
vii. Ductulator
The Ductulator provides similar, more limited, functionality as the Flow Calculator. Future
releases will not likely include this option.
viii. New Design Line
Use New Design Line to create a new Design Line Object.
ix. End Run
Use End Run to complete Design Line segments. You may also Right Click the mouse
to End Run.
x. Manage Constraints
Use Manage Constraints to change properties of existing constraints.
The following properties may be modified.
1. Name
2. Thickness
3. Color
4. Shape
5. Diameter
6. Width
7. Depth
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8. Velocity

xi. Pick Elevation

Use Pick Elevation to set the current elevation of a Design Line segment equal to that of
an existing segment. (Note: Select an End Point when prompted to select Select Point.)
xii. Pick Constraint
Use Pick Constraint to change the current Design Line segments constraint to that of an
existing segment. (Note: Select an End Point when prompted to select Select Point on
Design Line to Pick Constraint.)
b. The View Toolbar.

i. Select from the available view icons to change View Direction.

1. Top
2. Bottom
3. Front
4. Back
5. Left
6. Right
7. Isometric
ii. Use Layer Controls to Lock/Unlock or turn Off/On existing layers.
1. Layers are created automatically by Services. The list of layers will increase as
components from various Services are added to the model.
2. The layers manager provides no interface to create or delete layers.
iii. Use Icons from the Show Items Fly-Out toolbar to control the display of geometry.
1. Each option on the toolbar acts a toggle to display/hide geometry.

iv. 3D Viewer options manage user preferences for CAD Mode and the Design Line
interface.
1. The Options Tab includes system variable settings.

a. Snap Options control the behavior of Snaps in CAD Mode and may
require adjustment to accommodate different methods of takeoff.
i. Polar Snap Angle
Set the incremental Polar Angle value.
ii. Enforce Polar Snap Angle
Turn this option On to force Polar to draw in Incremental
Angles only.
Turn this option Off to allow Polar to draw at any angle, and to
highlight Incremental Angles.

iii. Treat Polar as Ortho

This option is useful for tracing backgrounds. It causes the
selection of points to be less exact. You will only need to get
close to the desired point, and can be assured that the resultant
angle is one of the preferred incremental angles.
iv. Optimizations
b. General Options control the behavior and appearance of the CAD-Mode
workspace.
i. Zoom Factor
Control the speed of Zooms when using the middle wheel on
your mouse.
ii. Default Canvas Size
Default Canvas Size determines the View Extents, Height. The
width is calculated based on your screen size and shape.
iii. Smooth View Transitions
This option is similar to Animations in Windows. Zooms become
gradual, rather than instant.
iv. Transparent Select Window
Turn this option on to display a shaded overlay of the selection
window.
v. Focus Display Style
The focus display style determines how the drawing window in
CAD Mode is displayed when it loses focus to another control.
vi. Graduated Background
This option changes the drawing background to a color gradient .
vii. Offset Silhouette Edge Lines
Silhouette Lines are the projected edges of geometry from any
view.
c. Fly Mode Options control the behavior of CAD Mode during a FlyThrough.
i. Minimum FPS
Minimum Feet Per Second controls the speed of the Fly Mode
utility.
ii. Invert Mouse in Fly Mode
Inverting the Mouse will cause the joystick behavior of the
mouse, during Fly Mode, to be reversed. (IE, press forward to
climb.)
d. Use Annotation Options to control the display and behavior of text in
CAD Mode.
i. Symbol Draw Size
Symbol draw size controls the size of node points and symbols
applied to design line..
ii. Node Draw Scale Factor
A value of 1.0 is the baseline representation of nodes on the
Design Line.
iii. Default Annotation Size
The Default Annotation Size is used if the value is not set
elsewhere by the software. (System Units are applied. Inches)
e. Use Dimension Options to manage the display and behavior of
Dimensions.
i. Dimension annotation alignment
Select from two options:
Align to view created in.
Billboard Horizontally.
ii. Proportional Arrow Heads
Not yet available.

f.

Use Printing Options to manage print output preferences.

i. Printing Method
ii. Print Flat Shaded
iii. Print Polygon Offset
iv. Printing DPI
v. Print Quality

2. The Colors Tab includes system variable settings. Select preferred colors for
components displayed in CAD Mode.

v. Select the Command List to view a list of all system commands.

1. You may type the command name, command abbreviation, or double click
commands to execute.

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11

2. CAD Mode includes a Command Prompt for access to typed commands.

a. You may type a command or command abbreviation when no other
command is active.

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3. System Prompts are displayed in the lower left corner of the application window.

c.

The Draw Style toolbar is used to change visual styles.

i. Select icons to change the current visual style in CAD Mode. Icons descriptions are listed
from left to right.
1. 3D Wireframe
2. 2D Wireframe
3. Hidden 3D Wireframe
4. Solid
5. Shaded
6. Solid + Edge Lines
7. Shaded + Edge Lines
8. Transparent (Note: Use the transparent button in conjunction with solid or
shaded options.)

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d. The Snap Mode toolbar is used to manage Snap functions in CAD Mode.

i. Icon descriptions are listed from left to right. (Note: Snap icons are toggles. If toggled on,
they act as Running Snaps.)
1. Snap Ortho
With Snap Ortho, you can only create lines parallel to the X and Y axis. Snap
Polar will be disabled when Snap Ortho is active.
2. Snap Polar
With Snap Polar, you will be able to create lines at any angle in the drawing.
Polar will alert you visually when you are tracking on specified incremental
angles. Snap Ortho will be disabled when Snap Polar is active.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Snap to End
Snap to Mid
Snap to Nearest
Snap to Node
Object Snap Tracking
a. Object Snap Tracking projects polar intersections based on acquired
snap points and incremental polar angles. (Note: Temporary Tracking is
currently not available.)
b. Tracking: If you hover until the snap glyph turns blue, you can track from
the acquired snap point.

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e. The Commands toolbar contains tools to manipulate geometry in CAD Mode.

i. Command descriptions are listed from left to right.

(Note: Use Esc Esc or Right Click to exit commands.)
1. Move Objects
a. Move Objects may be used to move all geometry in CAD Mode.
b. This command ends as soon as the second point is selected.
2. Rotate Objects
a. Rotate Objects is restricted to moving fittings and straights. It is disabled
for Design Line.
b. This command does not repeat.
3. Edit Objects
a. Use Edit Objects to make an inactive Design Line active
b. Use Edit Objects to change parameters on drawing components in CAD
Mode.
c. Edit Objects is restricted to editing one item at a time.
d. This command does not repeat.
4. Copy Objects
a. Use Copy Objects to copy any geometry in CAD Mode.
b. Copy Objects continues to copy the selected items each time the left
mouse is clicked. (Copy Continuous)
c. Right click to end the command.
5. Rotate View
a. Use Rotate View to orbit the model freely.
b. Right Click to end this command
6. Delete Selection
a. Delete Selection may be used to eliminate Design Lines and
components from the model.
b. This command ends when the confirmation dialog box is closed
(Yes/No).
7. Zoom to Fit
a. Use Zoom to fit to display the extents of the model in CAD Mode.
b. This command does not repeat.
8. Zoom to Selected Region
a. Zoom to Selected Region may be used to zoom into a particular area in
the drawing.
b. This command does not repeat.

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Common Design Line Interface.

Notice that Services and Design Line tools are presented consistently in all applications.
Compare the two illustrations below:
1. EST-Mech (Left)
2. CAD-Mech (Right)

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Line Options
1. Line options include:

a. Create
Use Create to Start a New Design Line. This is the same command as the icon for New
Design Line.
b. Trace Design Lines
Use Trace to convert lines, Plines, and 3d polylines into a design line. (Note: This option
is disabled in CAM and EST applications.)
c. Combine
Use Combine to join two or more design lines into one. (The two lines must be
intersecting.)
d. Copy
Copy segments of a design line. (Note: You should Calculate first to get terminals if
they are part of your design.)
e. Change Constraints
Use this command to edit a single segment of the Design Line. The Constraint editor
should be used to modify the behavior of constraint definitions after they have been
applied to the model.
f. Edit
This command displays the Line Editor. Users may change orientation of fittings on each
line segment.
g. Delete
Delete individual segments of a Design Line.

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Node Options
1. Node options include:

a. Define Source
Use this command to change the source of a Design Line. The Source of a Design Line
is used in conjunction with the service flow direction to determine proper fitting
placement.
b. Terminals
Select Terminals to change terminal height, assign flow, or define terminal directions.
c. Fill
Use the Fill option to draw 3D components associated with design nodes. This is useful if
you only want to see 3D graphics for design nodes (terminals).
d. Delete
Use the Delete option to remove segments from the design line.
View Options
1. View options include:

a. Annotate
Toggle Design Line annotations on and off using this option.
b. Calculate
Calculate causes the Design Line to "re-evaluate" the solution for current parameters.
This option may be more necessary depending on which constraints are used.
(Example: Systems constrained by pressure drop rely on calculations to determine
terminal velocities.)
(Note: It is also be necessary to Calculate one time before node annotations are
displayed / changed.)
c. Fill in 3D
Fill in 3D applies components from the current service to the active Design Line segment.
Fill in 3D causes the Design Line to calculate.
d. Fill Auto Hangers
Use Fill Auto Hangers to apply hangers to a Design Line, without redrawing fittings and
straights. This feature is particularly useful with Revdesign. (Note: Remember Fill in 3D
redraws everything on the Design Line. Fill Auto Hangers only redraws hangers.)
e. Calculate Pressure Drop
Use the Calculate Drop dialog to show the breakdown of a Design Line by sections and
circuits. Calculate the maximum pressure drop of the Index Run to size equipment.
f. Resize
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This Option has been replaced and will be discontinued.

g. Settings
Use the Settings interface to control Design Line annotation display.
(Note: This dialog may also be accessed from the Design Entry Tab of the service
database editor.)

i. Each Service stores its own Design Annotation Settings.

1. The Design Annotation Settings dialog box displays settings for the
current service.
ii. Line and Node Annotation Settings
1. Show / Hide Design Line Attribute Text.
2. Assign Prefixes and Suffixes to Annotations.
3. Select the desired Text size.
4. 4UP is an Annotation display type.
a. The 4UP annotation method is not relevant to this document.

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2. Shape and Line options

vi. Shapes may be assigned to Design Line segments by selecting one of the three shape
icons on left of the Shape and Line option toolbar.

vii. Selecting the Change Shape Automatically button enforces Service based preferences.

viii. Three options are available in the Line Option fly-out menu.
1. Normal Line Mode
2. Flex Fill Line Mode
3. Routed Line Mode

ix. Selecting the Auto-Vertical Changes button enables assumed vertical connectivity
between Design Line segments.

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3. Restriction Prompts
x. Previous versions of Design Line included Restriction Prompts. This feature is renamed
Design Entry. You will be prompted to enter the desired size for each Design Line
segment.

xi. You may also choose to be prompted for constraint values as they applied to the current
service.

4. Elevation
The elevation specified is maintained for the current Design Line Segment.

5. Ceiling
The ceiling height specified is applied to terminal objects. (For example: A ceiling height of 8-0
would automatically place diffusers at that elevation, and calculate drops as related to main or
branch runs.)

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6. Fix By
This new option represents a cross-section of the routed shape. Users specify the desired
relationship between the Design Line and components applied to it.

Selecting the Bottom Middle option

components are oriented Flat On Bottom.

By default the Fix by

will cause design line to insure that

option is set to centerline.

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7. Offset
Use Offset to specify an offset elevation while routing Design Lines.
a. Offset will be grayed out if the Elevation option is not used.
b. Type in the positive or negative distance (change in elevation) and continue selecting
points.

8. Add Riser
Use the Add Riser button to view change in direction graphics immediately.
a. While routing a Design Line, change the Elevation value and left click the Add Riser
button. (Note: The riser will be added if you do not click the Add Riser button. You will not
see the riser graphics until you right click to end the Design Line segment.)

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Basic Design Line Usage

CAD-Duct
This example uses the SA LP service from the default, imperial, TSI configuration. The constraints defined in this
service are based on Velocity.
Because velocity is the only constraint applied to the service, users are prompted to select constraints with predefined velocity. Design Line uses information in the database, combined with preferred velocity values, and
terminal requirements to size ductwork.
1. Open a blank drawing.
a. Make sure your limits will allow you to draw in an area of at least three hundred feet square.
b. Zoom Extents.
2. Select the SA LP service from the service and section toolbar.
3. Select New Design Line button from the fly-out menu.

4. The following settings should be adjusted per the following illustration.

a. Select Mains in the constraint pull down.
b. Set elevation to 168 inches.
c. Set Ceiling to 96 inches .

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5. Notice the command line is prompting you to Select Start:

6. Use direct coordinate entry to establish a main route for the duct system.
a. The first segment is 20 long.

b. Right click one time to stop routing the main.

25

7. Change constraints to Branches and select Nearest on the existing route.

a. Right click one time after each branch is drawn.
b. Repeat nearest to draw another branch.

26

8. Change constraints to Terminals and select Nearest on the existing route.

a. Right click one time after each terminal run is drawn.
b. Repeat nearest to draw another terminal run.

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9. Select the GRD tab in the service.

a. Select the third icon (DIFF).
b. Select the end point of each terminal run.

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.
10. From the Node menu, select Terminals
11. Highlight all terminals in the list, right click, select User and define the desired flow. (250cfm)
a. Flow rates are stored for future use.
b. User may be the only option available to you.

12. Select Fill in 3D from the View Menu.

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a. Examine the model to see how the Design Line filled components.
i. User defined settings determine which fittings are used on the Design Line.

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ii. Change constraint properties to modify fitting selection.

1. Select Manage Constraints from the main toolbar.

2. Change shape on the Branches constraint to Round.

a. Choose Apply.
b. Choose Fill in 3D.
c. Choose OK.

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b. Notice changes where branches meet mains and where terminal runs intersect branches.

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CAD-Mech
This example uses the CHWR and CHWS services from the default, imperial, TSI configuration. The constraints
defined in this service are based on Size.
Because user preferences dictate that sizes will be entered as the Design Line is defined, no flow calculations will
be performed in this example.
1. Open a blank drawing.
a. Make sure your limits will allow you to draw in an area of at least three hundred feet square.
b. Zoom Extents.
2. Select the CHWR service from the service and section toolbar.
3. Select New Design Line button from the fly-out menu.

4. The following settings should be adjusted per the following illustration.

a. Set the Size to 6.
b. Set elevation to 168 inches.
c. Ceiling elevation will not be used in this example.

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5. Notice the command line is prompting you to Select Start:

6. Use direct coordinate entry to begin the piping main.

a. The first segment is 20 long.

34

b. Change the Size to 4 and continue routing.

c. Change the Size to 2 and continue routing.

d. Right click one time to end the main run.

35

e. Change the elevation to 120 and select nearest on the main to create a branch.
f. Right click one time to end the segment.

36

g. Select the Valves / Accessories tab.

i. Choose the SOV icon and place valves at desired locations.

7. Select Fill in 3D from the View Menu.

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a. Inspect the model to view results of Design Line fitting placement.

b. User preferences are applied by the Design Line.
i. Butterfly valves are applied to pipes larger than 2.
ii. Transitions from Carbon Steel to Copper employ proper dielectrics.
iii. Ball valves are applied to pipes 2 and smaller.

8. Performing Fill in 3D after changing to a different service or service template will apply different
preferences and fittings to the same route.
a. Select the CHWS service from the service and section toolbar.
b. Select Fill in 3D from the View Menu.

c. Inspect the model to view results of Design Line fitting placement.

d. User preferences are applied by the Design Line.
i. Butterfly valves are replaced with grooved valves.
ii. Transitions from Carbon Steel to Copper are now accommodated by grooved fittings..
iii. Ball valves have been changed from threaded to soldered.

38

39

EST-Mech
This example uses the CHWR and CHWS services from the default, imperial, TSI configuration. The constraints
defined in this service are based on Size.
Because user preferences dictate that sizes will be entered as the Design Line is defined, no flow calculations will
be performed in this example.

1. Begin with a blank Job file.

a. Make sure you are in Quick Takeoff mode. Select the

Quick Takeoff button.
b. Make sure you are in CAD Mode. Select CAD Mode from the View menu.

2. Select the CHWR service from the service and section toolbar.
3. Select New Design Line button from the fly-out menu.

40

4. The following settings should be adjusted per the following illustration.

a. Set the Size to 6.
b. Set elevation to 60 inches.
c. Ceiling elevation will not be used in this example.

1. Notice the command line is prompting you to Select Start

Point:

41

2. Use direct coordinate entry to begin the piping main.

a. The first segment is 20 long.

42

b. Change the Size to 4 and continue routing.

c. Change the Size to 2 and continue routing.

d. Right click one time to end the main run.

43

e. Change the elevation to 120 and select nearest on the main to create a branch.
f. Right click one time to end the segment.

44

g. Select the Valves / Accessories tab.

i. Choose the SOV icon and place valves at desired locations.

3. Select Fill in 3D from the View Menu.

45

a. Inspect the model to view results of Design Line fitting placement.

b. User preferences are applied by the Design Line.
i. Butterfly valves are applied to pipes larger than 2.
ii. Transitions from Carbon Steel to Copper employ proper dielectrics.
iii. Ball valves are applied to pipes 2 and smaller.

4. Performing Fill in 3D after changing to a different service or service template will apply different
preferences and fittings to the same route.
a. Select the CHWS service from the service and section toolbar.
b. Select Fill in 3D from the View Menu.

c. Inspect the model to view results of Design Line fitting placement.

d. User preferences are applied by the Design Line.
i. Butterfly valves are replaced with grooved valves.
ii. Transitions from Carbon Steel to Copper are now accommodated by grooved fittings..
iii. Ball valves have been changed from threaded to soldered.

46

EST-Duct
This example uses the SA LP service from the default, imperial, TSI configuration. The constraints defined in this
service are based on Velocity.
Because velocity is the only constraint applied to the service, users are prompted to select constraints with predefined velocity. Design Line uses information in the database, combined with preferred velocity values, and
terminal requirements to size ductwork.
1. Begin with a blank Job file.

a. Make sure you are in Quick Takeoff mode. Select the

Quick Takeoff button.
b. Make sure you are in CAD Mode. Select CAD Mode from the View menu.

2. Select the SA LP service from the service and section toolbar.

3. Select New Design Line button from the fly-out menu.

47

4. The following settings should be adjusted per the following illustration.

a. Select Mains in the constraint pull down.
b. Set elevation to 168 inches.
c. Set Ceiling to 96 inches .

5. Notice the command line is prompting you to Select Start Point:

48

6. Use direct coordinate entry to establish a main route for the duct system.
d. The first segment is 20 long.

e. Right click one time to stop routing the main.

49

7. Change constraints to Branches and select Nearest on the existing route.

f. Right click one time after each branch is drawn.
g. Repeat nearest to draw another branch.

50

8. Change constraints to Terminals and select Nearest on the existing route.

h. Right click one time after each terminal run is drawn.
i. Repeat nearest to draw another terminal run.

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9. Select the GRD tab in the service.

j. Select the third icon (DIFF).
k. Select the end point of each terminal run.

52

.
10. From the Node menu, select Terminals
11. Highlight all terminals in the list, right click, select User and define the desired flow. (250cfm)
l. Flow rates are stored for future use.
m. User may be the only option available to you.

12. Select Fill in 3D from the View Menu.

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n. Examine the model to see how the Design Line filled components.
i. User defined settings determine which fittings are used on the Design Line.

54

ii. Change constraint properties to modify fitting selection.

1. Select Manage Constraints from the main toolbar.

2. Change shape on the Branches constraint to Round.

a. Choose Apply.
b. Choose Fill in 3D.
c. Choose OK.

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o. Notice changes where branches meet mains and where terminal runs intersect branches.

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