Introducing AutoSPRINK VR11

AutoSPRINK VR11 is the latest update to the outstanding AutoSPRINK line

of fire sprinkler CAD programs for Microsoft Windows. Loaded with new features
and a broad array of internal improvements, AutoSPRINK VR11 is fast,
easy and powerful. Its state-of-the-art interface allows total control over your
drawings and the individual elements that compose them. We at
M.E.P.CAD, Inc. hope you enjoy using AutoSPRINK VR11 as much as we
enjoyed designing it.

AutoSPRINK VR11 is a system so advanced and flexible, yet practical and

cooperative that design is unflinchingly fun. And we're not through yet;
M.E.P.CAD is continually adding new features and exciting enhancements
to keep AutoSPRINK VR11 at the forefront of CAD application technology.

AutoSPRINK VR11: 2011 by M.E.P.CAD, Inc. All rights reserved.

Symmetrica: 1995-2007 by Software Engineering, Inc. All rights reserved.
All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 Table of Contents

I. System Requirements & Installation .............................................................. 3

Minimum System ............................................................................................................ 3
Recommended System .................................................................................................... 3
AutoSPRINK VR11 Installation .................................................................................. 4
II. Windows Basics.............................................................................................. 5
A. Menus ......................................................................................................................... 5
B. Toolbars ...................................................................................................................... 6
C. Directory Navigation .................................................................................................. 6
D. Properties and Function Dialogs: ............................................................................... 8
E. Additional Resources.................................................................................................. 9
III. Using Help .................................................................................................... 10
A. Context Sensitive ..................................................................................................... 10
B. Help Menu ................................................................................................................ 10
IV. AutoSPRINK VR11 Walk-Thru .................................................................. 12
Exercise 1: Importing an AutoCAD Drawing .......................................................... 12
Exercise 2: Placing Columns .................................................................................... 13
Exercise 3: Setting Roof Planes ................................................................................ 15
Exercise 4: Placing a Grid System ............................................................................ 16
Exercise 5: Adjusting the Grid System ..................................................................... 19
Exercise 6: Placing a Tree System ............................................................................ 22
Exercise 7: Joining the Grid and Tree Systems ........................................................ 24
Exercise 8: Auto Peaking & Optimizing the System ................................................ 26
Exercise 9: Finishing the System .............................................................................. 29
Exercise 10: Creating Pipelines and Assigning Make-ons ....................................... 31
Exercise 11: Assigning List ...................................................................................... 32
Exercise 12: Using the Listing Manager ................................................................... 33
Exercise 13: Reporting .............................................................................................. 34
V. Online Resources ......................................................................................... 36
3

I. System Requirements & Installation

Minimum System
Microsoft Windows XP
Intel or compatible CPU with a Math Processor - A floating point math processor is required.
1GB of RAM
Color video card with 256mb of on-board memory.
Display capable of 1280x1024 screen resolution.
1 GB available hard-disk space (Installation space and room for settings files/drawings)
CD-ROM
Internet connection

Recommended System
Operating System - Windows Vista or Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate 64-bit (not the
Home Editions).
Processor Intel Quad Core, i7 or comparable AMD - Speed: close to 3ghz (or greater).
RAM 4GB, but get as much as is affordable with Window 7 64-bit. 8GB is great, 12-16 is best.
Video Card Nvidia GeForce (stressing the word: GeForce) GTX or GTS 400 or 500 series (the
newest). Also, the Nvidia Quadro 4000, 5000, or 6000 series. The ATi FirePro V series (only).
(V3800 is entry level and not recommended.) GDDR5 VRam is highly preferable with all video
cards/chip sets.
Display Monitor capable of 1920x1080 screen resolution.
Hard-Disk Space 3GB of available hard-disk space.
Internet connection
Key to the success of the computer operation with the program is a high quality video
card/chipset, a fast motherboard and the compatibility of all components. The speed of the
system ram should be matched to the FSB of the motherboard.
4

AutoSPRINK VR11 Installation

You must first have Windows, XP, Vista, or Windows 7 loaded and operating properly on your
computer before attempting to install. AutoSPRINK VR11 will not operate on the older
Windows 3.1, 3.11 or 95, 98, NT, 2000, or ME.

Prior to installation, please remove all diskettes from your system floppy drive and terminate all
active applications. For successful operation of your AutoSPRINK VR11 software, the gray
Sentinel Super Pro hardware key contained in this release must be placed in the parallel port of
your computer. As with all hardware installation, please ensure that you properly ground yourself
to prevent static shocks.

1) First, completely power down your system.

2) Next, plug the hardware key into your machine. There are two different types of keys:

a) USB Key: This is the most common type of hardware

key. Place the key into the USB port. Be gentle and do not force it into the slot.

b) Parallell Key: This key connects to your parallel

port on the back of your computer. Plug the printer
cable directly into the hardware key. It should be
invisible to any operations of your computer while in
place. Tighten the lugs to secure it in place. Be careful
not to over-torque the lugs.

The Key Driver software installed with your

AutoSPRINK VR11 program will locate the proper
hardware key upon program activation.

3) Continue on to the software installation.

Note: If you are using a local printer, one which is not

a network printing device, and your printer normally connects to your system's printer port, then in
order to use AutoSPRINK VR11 and have it recognize your hardware security key, you must
have the printer power on and the printer must be active (not in power save or sleep mode).

You must run the setup program to place files on your hard disk. You will follow the same steps
whether you're installing AutoSPRINK VR11 for the first time or as a new (upgrade) version.
Insert the AutoSPRINK VR11 CD into your CD-ROM drive and wait for the installation menu to
appear. (If Autorun is disabled, double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop then double-
click your CD-ROM drive icon.) Choose from the installation options and follow the on-screen
directions.
5

II. Windows Basics

The AutoSPRINK VR11 interface is similar to that of most Windows applications. The program
displays a menu bar along the top of the screen with numerous menu titles. Selecting a command
from one of these menus will perform an action, display a submenu (for items with an arrow after
them) or open a dialog box (for items with an ellipsis after them). Additional commands and
procedures are executed from toolbars, each accessed at the respective icon group and activated
or deactivated from the View menu.

A. Menus
The Main Menu Bar runs across the top of the AutoSPRINK
VR11 screen display, offering access to the program's major
functions. To display a menu, simply click on the desired title
or press Alt followed by the underlined letter in the menu
name. For example, pressing Alt-F on your keyboard
accesses the File menu.

Menu items are grouped according to the types of

operations they perform. There are several ways in which
you can choose a menu item that performs
an action or displays a dialog box.

In any displayed menu, click on an item with the mouse, use

the arrow keys to navigate items sequentially then strike
Enter to execute, or press the letter key that corresponds to
the underlined character in the item title. If the item displays
a submenu, use any of the techniques above to choose
entries in the submenu. In all menus, press the Esc key to
exit. (Note that you will obtain greater speed in using
AutoSPRINK VR11 if you learn the keyboard shortcuts for
commonly used commands).

1) Active Items
Active menu items are available to perform operations in the
current drawing
or to access a submenu.
2) Dimmed Items
When a menu title is dimmed, that selection is currently
unavailable due to
conditions within the drawing or program.
3) Checked Items
A check mark to the left of a menu item indicates that an
attribute is applied or a function is in effect. You may uncheck the item if you wish to deactivate
the effect.
4) Submenus
An arrow to the right of a menu item indicates a submenu with a list of related items to be
displayed. Choosing a submenu entry will either perform an action or open a dialog.
6

B. Toolbars
AutoSPRINK VR11 is designed to be easy
to use, and the easiest way to invoke
commands is through toolbar icons. These
small images are mounted on buttons to
indicate the function performed
by clicking the button. Toolbars are groups
of buttons that activate
related operations.

Toolbars can be moved around the screen

to optimize drawing space, and the
Toolbars submenu under View on the
Main Menu Bar controls visibility. Tool tips
appear in the Status bar when the
cursor lingers over a button. Use the
mouse to move toolbars around the
screen or dock them along the window
margin.

1) Inactive Buttons
Inactive buttons are grayed-out much
like dimmed menu items. Buttons are
inactive when the function they perform
is not applicable to the current drawing
or a higher level license is required. For
example, if there are no selected
elements, then many tools will be
inactive.

2) Active Buttons
Active buttons feature fully colored
icons. Clicking them initiates an
operation, opens a dialog or equips the
cursor to place elements in the drawing.

3) X Button
The X button ( ) appears in the top right-hand corner of toolbars left floating on the screen.
To turn off, or remove the toolbar from the screen, click the X button. Toolbars can be returned
to the screen by accessing the Toolbars submenu under View on the Main Menu bar or by
right-clicking in an empty toolbar dock and
choosing from the pop-up menu.

C. Directory Navigation
Opening files is very straightforward using
Windows conventions. To help remember
the location of a file saved long ago, use
the Windows Find facility of the Start
menu prior to selecting the
Open dialog box. To open a drawing file in
AutoSPRINK VR11, simply choose Open
in the File menu and select the desired
file.
7

1) Directory Dialog Box with Drop Down

The Directory dialog box displays the name of the selected
folder or drive. To view the contents of other drives and folders,
choose from the tree structure of the drop-down list. If you want
to open a file from a floppy disk or CD, insert the disk containing
the desired file and select the appropriate drive.

2) Scroll List
The Scroll List displays the contents of the open drive or folder. Use the scroll box slide or the
arrow keys to navigate the list. To select a file, click on the title or scroll with the up/down keys
until the title is highlighted. With the file selected, press the Open button, strike the Enter key or
double-click on the title to access it.

a) Drives
Most likely, your computer has three or more drives: an A drive for 3 " floppy disks,
a C drive that serves as your computer's main internal storage
location and a D drive for CD-ROMs. If your hard drive is
partitioned, each partition appears as a separate drive, starting
with D.

b) Folders
Folders represent directories that can contain both files and other
folders. When navigating the Directory Tree, open folders with a
left-click of the mouse. In the Scroll List, double-clicking on
a folder shows its contents.

c) Files
Files can be anything from text documents to images to program activators. Files are units
of stored information to be accessed from the Scroll list.

3) File Name Box

Enter the title of the desired file in the File Name box and click Open to access it, or select the
desired file with a left-click of the mouse on the appropriate title in the Scroll List and the title will
appear in the File Name box. If the document you're looking for is not stored in the current drive
or folder, you may enter or navigate the path to the document.

4) Files of Type Box

Files are associated to programs by the extension following the title. For example, drawing files
end in .cad, text files end in .txt and bitmap images end in .bmp. To view another file type, use the
drop-down list and change the setting.

5) Open & Cancel Buttons

With a title highlighted in the Scroll List or entered in
the File Name
box, click the Open button to access it. The Cancel
button closes
the Open menu, as does the Esc key or the X button
in the upper
right-hand corner.
8

D. Properties and Function Dialogs:

Property menus display the characteristics of selected elements,
and function dialogs control the nature of activated operations. For example, highlighting the
benchmark and either double-clicking it or clicking the Properties icon on the Actions toolbar will
open the Benchmark Properties dialog. In similar fashion, selecting Column Grid from the
Wizards menu will take you through a whole series of dialogs where parameters for the column
grid may be manipulated.

1) Tabs
Tabs present additional menu pages of related functionality
grouped under the name given. Click on a tab to
bring it to the front of the dialog.

2) Check Boxes
Check boxes represent three
options: activation, deactivation or
not available. They are selected
with by clicking the left mouse
button. A checked box indicates
that an option is active. A grayed
box means the current setting will
not be changed. On Properties
dialogs, a gray state represents a
value that differs between multiple
selected elements and that the
individual elements will retain their
specific values when
OK is clicked.

3) Fields
Enter specific values in fields to
adjust the associated
features.

4) Drop Down Lists

A drop-down list is a space-saving
method of providing several
options.

Click on the arrow to display the list

of available options.

5) Buttons
Clicking a button does one of four things: performs a task,
selects an
option, opens a dialog or closes a dialog.
9

E. Additional Resources
If you are unfamiliar with Microsoft
Windows conventions or wish
to learn about Microsoft Windows, you
may find books such as
The Big Basics Book of Windows
helpful. Learning the basics including
pop up menus, moving and sizing
windows, and other Windows features
will prove helpful before attempting to
operate AutoSPRINK VR11. On the
other hand, if you are adventurous and
persistent, you can figure out the
Windows system with no training by
jumping right in and exploring
AutoSPRINK VR11.
10

III. Using Help

AutoSPRINK VR11 features both Context Sensitive and menu accessible help files. Though most
aspects of AutoSPRINK VR11 are easily discerned from their title, familiarity with Windows
software or working knowledge of sprinkler system equipment, there are subtle attributes that the
casual user might not discover. The help files document these advanced features in addition to
basic operations.

A. Context Sensitive
Context-Sensitive Help provides direct access to specific topics thus eliminating the hassle of
index navigation and the frustration of search engine quirks. Context Sensitive Help is a swift and
sure way to reach information quickly on items of immediate interest.

1) What's This? Button

Click the What's This? button, place the question mark over the object you need
information about and click again. The associated help topic will open automatically.

2) F1 Function Key
Pressing the [F1] function key accesses the help file contents page. Holding the [Shift] key and
pressing the [F1] key activates Context-Sensitive Help. The associated help topic will open
automatically.

B. Help Menu
The Help menu opens from the Main Menu Bar, offering access to the
AutoSPRINK VR11 Help table of contents, the tutorial video table of
contents, the AutoSPRINK VR11 Help
index, support contact information and the
Tip of the Day.

1) Help Topics
Help Topics opens the AutoSPRINK VR11
Help table of contents. Select the
desired topic on the left side of the window
and view it on the right side.
Highlighted words, raised buttons and topic
titles listed under Related Topics are links
to related information.

2) Tutorial Videos
Tutorial videos guide the user through numerous AutoSPRINK
VR11 processes and tool functions with animated instruction.
Use these to actually see how something is done(including all
menus accessed and functions selected) and to see the end
result of a series of steps for purposes of comparison.
11

3) Index
Selecting Index on the Help menu brings up the AutoSPRINK VR11 Help index. Index keywords
are listed alphabetically on the left side of the window, and selecting one opens a related topic on
the right. If the keyword appears in more than one topic, a dialog box showing a list of the
possible topics will appear; select the desired topic from this dialog box.

4) Support

When you've reached the end of your rope (or perhaps even before then), it's time to contact
Technical Support. The Technical Support department may be reached through the M.E.P. CAD
website, E-mail, fax, or phone (see contact information below).
12

IV. AutoSPRINK VR11 Walk-Thru

Note:
Various toolbars are required to perform the exercises provided here. If a toolbar is not open, go
to the Tools menu and select the desired toolbar from the Toolbars submenu. Also, toolbars are
shown floating in the pictures accompanying these exercises; toolbars may be docked in your
workspace.

Exercise 1: Importing an AutoCAD Drawing

1) From the Main Menu bar, open the File menu and
select Import. The Import AutoCAD Drawing dialog will
open to the My Documents folder. To locate the sample
drawing, open the Program Files folder on the C Step 1
drive, then the M.E.P.CAD folder, and then the
AutoSPRINK VR11 folder. (C:\Program
Files\M.E.P.CAD, Inc\AutoSPRINK VR11).

2) In the Import AutoCAD Drawing dialog, find the file

Sample.dwg. Double-click on the file.

3) The Import AutoCAD Drawing dialog now appears,

and the progress bar indicates the transfer of information.
When the colored circle ceases to flash and the
progress bar is full, click OK to continue.

4) Now is a good time to save the drawing. From the

File menu, select Save As and enter
Sample Drawing in Progress in the File Name box. Click
Save.

Step 2

Step 3
13

Step 1
Exercise 2: Placing Columns

1) Use the Zoom Area mouse gesture command (hold

the wheel or middle button down and slide the magic
wand diagonally from lower left to upper right across
the desired viewing area) to enlarge the northeast corner
of the structure in the drawing.

2) From the Main Menu bar, open the Tools menu and
select Column.

3) Click the Intersection 2D Snap icon on the

Snaps toolbar and place the cursor over the inside
corner of the wall. A solid circle will form around the
cursor with a dashed rectangle along the upper wall
when the appropriate position is reached. Left-click to
place the column.

4) Use the Zoom All mouse gesture command (hold

the wheel or middle button down and slide the mouse
diagonally from upper right to lower left), and then
Zoom Area the southeast corner of the structure. Snap
to the wall intersection and place the column. Place
columns in each remaining corner of the structure.
There are six corners; make sure each has a column. Step 2

Step 3

Step 4
14

5) On the top left wall, Zoom Area to the corner where Step 5
the two walls meet.

6) Activate End Point snap and deactivate

Intersection snap on the Snaps toolbar.

7) Place the column at the corner location.

8) While on the toolbar, click the Move Benchmark

icon on the Select toolbar and snap the benchmark to
the column.
Step 7

9) Click the Zoom All icon on the View toolbar.

10) Open the Tools menu and select Column.

11) Deactivate End Point Snap and activate

Perpendicular 2D Snap.
Step 9

12) Zoom Area along the bottom wall directly south of

the benchmark. Move the cursor along the wall. A solid
circle will appear around the cursor and a dashed
rectangle around the inner side of the wall when the
cursor is in the correct position. Left-click to place the Step 12
column.

13) Zoom All and strike the Space Bar to cancel the
Column tool.

14) Save the drawing by using the Save icon on the

Main toolbar.
15

Step 2

Exercise 3: Setting Roof Planes

1) We are now going to divide the drawing into two

parts: the large rectangular area to the right and the
smaller rectangular area to the lower left. From the
View Rotator toolbar, select Zoom Camera to Area and
stretch a box around the large bay.

2) From the View Rotator toolbar, select Isometric

View. Holding down the [Ctrl] key, select each of the four
columns at the corners of the large bay.
Step 3a

3a) From the Main Menu bar, open the Roof Planes
menu and select Automatic Roof Planes. 3b) A roof plane
will appear over the four columns you selected (i.e. Step 3b
the large bay). Left-click in empty space to clear the
selection.

4) Use the scroll bars to bring the small bay into the
view field. Ctrl Select the columns at the corners of the
small bay (as you did in step 3 for the large bay).

5) From the Roof Planes menu, select Automatic Roof

Planes once more. A roof plane will appear over the
small bay. Left-click in empty space to clear the selection.

6) Lets take the opportunity to Save our drawing.

Step 5
16

Step 1

Exercise 4: Placing a Grid System

1) Click the Top View icon on the View toolbar and

Zoom Area the northeast corner of the drawing.

2) In the Parts Tree, click the tab Layers and left-click

on Roof Plane (in the first column of information) to
select this layer, then left-click the eye icon (in the
second column). The eye icon will disappear, and the
roof plane will become invisible.

3) Deactivate Perpendicular snap and activate

Intersection 2D Snap. Step 2
4) From the Main Menu bar, open the Tools menu and
select Supply.

5) Maneuver the cursor over the column until it snaps to

the wall corner (i.e. the inner side of the horizontal wall
is enclosed with a dashed rectangle). Do not click the
left mouse button, but keep the cursor at this location.

6) With the cursor in place, type S-5,-2 in the Input Box

and press Enter. This will place the supply 5' to the
west (i.e. -5 on the X-axis) and 2' south (i.e. -2 on the
Y-axis) relative to the current snap location (i.e. the S
input modifier before the X and Y coordinates). Press
the Space Bar or right-click to terminate the supply tool.

Step 3

Step 4
17

7) Left-click on the supply to select it.

Step 10

8) From the View Rotator toolbar, select

Previous Camera Position and then Isometric
View.
Step 11

9) Deactivate Intersection snap and activate

End Point snap.

10) From the Main Menu bar, open the Wizards

menu and select 3 Point System.

11) Snap the cursor to the top of the northeast

column of the large bay and left-click, then to the Step 12
top of the southeast column and left-click and
then to the large bays southwest column and
left-click.

12) At this point, the 3 Point System

Introduction page appears. Note the current
Step 13
location of the benchmark on the drawing. Enter
0 in the Current Elevation field and click Next.

13) The Branch Line and Sprinkler Spacing

page now appears. Make entries and settings
here as follows:
-- Maximum Coverage Area per Sprinkler:
130.00
-- Maximum Spacing: 12-6
-- Minimum Spacing: 6-0
-- Obstructions Perpendicular to the Cross Main:
Click Treat obstruction as solid.
-- Obstructions Perpendicular to the Branch Line:
Click Treat obstruction as an open web.
-- Min. gap to leave between branch lines, sprinklers,
18

and open-web obstructions?: 2-0

14) Click the Include Obstruction Layers button. Step 14

In the resulting dialog, click the boxes next to BM and
JST in the list to mark them with an X; all other boxes
should be empty. Click OK to return to the wizard,
then click Next.

15) The Cross Main and Feed Main Positioning page

will appear. Make entries and settings here as follows:
-- Feed Main Positioning: Click Create grid system.
Step 15
-- What is the distance from the right side of the
boundary to the primary cross main?: 13-0
-- What is the distance from the left side of the
boundary to the secondary cross main?: 13-8
-- Feed Main Connection: Click the Connect to
Currently Selected Element box. (This will connect
the system you are creating to the supply you
placed in the drawing in step 6.)
-- The Distance between Cross Mains figure will Step 16
update automatically. Click Next when done.

16) The Elevations and Slopes page will appear. Make

entries and settings here as follows:

-- Elevations: Click Offset from Roof Plane to the

right of both Sprinkler and Branch line.
-- Offset from roof plane: -1-0 for both sprinklers and
branch lines. (Remember that offset is measured
from the bottom of the sprinkler, not the deflector.) Step 17
Click Next when done.

17) The System Components page will appear. Make

entries and settings as follows:

-- Update riser detail pipes with component properties:

Click this box so it is checked.
-- Accept the rest of the defaults.
Click Finish.

18) When the wizard is finished, Save your drawing.

Step 18
19

Exercise 5: Adjusting the Grid System

1) Click the Top View icon on the View Step 2

toolbar.

2) From the Main Menu bar, open the Select

menu, scroll down to Every in a Rectangle,
open the Sprinkler submenu and choose All
Sprinklers.

3) Stretch a box around the entire second

vertical row of sprinklers from the left. Press
the Space Bar to clear the cursor.

4) Enter 4" in the Input Box and press the

[Enter] key. This will move the sprinkler heads
4" to the east (+4 on the X-axis).

Step 3

Step 4
20

5) Zoom Area the northeast corner of the large bay,

then click the Isometric View icon on the View toolbar. Step 6

6) Click the Move Benchmark icon on the Select toolbar

and place the benchmark at the intersection of the Feed
Main and the Feed Riser. The grid will now be positioned
at the level of this intersection. Right-click or press the
Space Bar to clear the cursor.

7) Switch to Top View.

8) Left-click and drag to stretch a box around the entire

riser detail to select it.

9) Click the Rotate Selection icon on the Actions toolbar

then enter 180 in the box and click Rotate. This will rotate
the riser detail 180 around the Z-axis.

Step 8
10) Left-click in an empty area to de-select the riser
detail.

Step 9
21

11) As you begin to stretch a box around the FDC,

hold down the [Alt] key. This will select both the
FDC and the pipe to which it is attached. (If anything Step 11
else is selected, while still holding the [Alt] key, hold
down the [Ctrl] key and click on it to deselect it.)

12) With the FDC selected, drag it northward. The

pipe to which it is attached should stretch as you
drag the FDC. Press [Shift] while holding [Alt] to
toggle Ortho snap.

Step 12
13) Once the FDC is beyond the north wall of the
large bay, release the left mouse button and the
[Alt] key.

14) Left-click in an empty area of the drawing to

clear the cursor then Zoom All and Save.

Step 13

Step 14
22

Exercise 6: Placing a Tree System

1) From the View toolbar, select Zoom Camera to Area Step 1

and stretch a box around the small bay.

2) Switch to Isometric View.

3) From the Main Menu Bar, open the Wizards menu and
choose 3 Point System.

4) Snap the cursor to the top of the northeast column of

the small bay and left-click, snap to the top of the
southeast column and left-click, then snap to the top of the
southwest column and left-click.

5) At this point, the 3 Point System Introduction page Step 4

appears. Note the current location of the benchmark on
the drawing. Enter 0 in the Current Elevation field and
click Next.

Step 5
23

6) The Branch Line and Sprinkler Spacing page now

Step 6
appears. Make entries and settings here as follows:
-- Maximum Coverage Area per Sprinkler: 130.00
-- Maximum Spacing: 12-6
-- Minimum Spacing: 6-0
-- Obstructions Perpendicular to the Cross Main: Click
Treat obstruction as solid.
-- Obstructions Perpendicular to the Branch Line: Click
Treat obstruction as an open web.
-- Min. gap to leave between branch lines, sprinklers,
and open-web obstructions?: 2-0

7) Click the Include Obstruction Layers button. In Step 7

the resulting dialog, click the boxes next to BM and JST
in the list to mark them with an X; all other boxes
should be empty. Click OK to return to the wizard, then
click Next.

Step 8
8) The Cross Main and Feed Main Positioning page will
appear. Make entries and settings here as follows:

-- Feed Main Positioning: Click Create tree system.

-- What is the distance from the right side of the
boundary to the primary cross main?: 30-2
-- The What is the distance from the right side of the
boundary to the secondary cross main figure will
update automatically. Step 10
Remaining defaults are satisfactory. Click Next when
done.

9) The defaults on the 3 Point System Elevation and

Slopes dialog are also acceptable, so click Next.

10) The System Components page will appear. Make

entries and settings as follows:
Step 11
-- Update riser detail pipes with component properties:
Click this box so it is checked.
-- Uncheck the boxes next to Feed Main Properties,
Feed Riser Properties, and Supply Properties.
-- Accept the rest of the defaults.
Click Finish.

11) When the wizard is finished, Zoom All, click Top

24

View and Save.

Step 1

Exercise 7: Joining the Grid and Tree Systems

1) Click the Zoom Camera to Area icon on the Step 2

View toolbar and stretch a box around the small bay
cross main from the fourth to the sixth branch line
from the top.

2) Right-click on the cross main and choose Get

Defaults from Selection from the pop-up menu.

3) On the Tools toolbar, click the Pipe icon.

4) Deactivate End Point snap and activate

Intersection 3D Snap.

5) From the View menu, select Isometric View.

6) Snap the cursor to the base of the riser nipple where the fifth
branchline crosses the small bay cross main (Do not left-click!)
and enter S,-5' in the Input Box. Step 3

When the dashed box forms around the cursor, strike the
[Enter] key.

Step 6
25

Step 8
7) Deactivate Intersection snap, activate
Perpendicular 3D Snap and hold down the Shift key
to toggle Ortho.

8) Snap the cursor to the near side cross main of the

grid system and left click. (Note: You may have to
zoom out a bit to see both cross mains.)

9) Press the Space Bar to deactivate the Pipe tool.

Step 10

10) Select the cross main that now joins the grid and
tree systems then click the Zoom Camera to Selection
icon on the View toolbar.

11) Ctrl Select the other two cross mains so that all
three are highlighted, then click the Cleanup
Intersections icon on the Actions toolbar.

12) Left-click in an open space to cancel the selection

then click the Top View, Zoom All and Save icons.

Step 11
26

Step 1
Exercise 8: Auto Peaking & Optimizing the System

1) Use Zoom Camera to Area to stretch a box around the

southwest corner of the small bay.

2) Deactivate Perpendicular 3D Snap and activate Center

snap.

3) Click the Point-to-Point Dimension icon on the

Tools toolbar.

4) Snap the cursor to a sprinkler head and left-click,

then snap the cursor to an adjacent sprinkler head along
the same branchline and left-click. Draw the cursor Step 3
slightly northward and click again. The distance between
the two sprinklers on which you clicked will appear.

5) Deactivate Center snap and activate

Perpendicular 3D Snap.

Step 6
6) With the Point-to-Point Dimension tool still activated,
click on the branchline between the sprinklers you
clicked in step 4, then snap the cursor to the next
branchline northward and left-click. Draw the cursor
slightly eastward and left-click again. The distance
between the two points will appear but offset from your
last measurement for readability.

7) Press the Space Bar to deactivate the Point-to-Point

Dimension tool.
27

8) From the Settings menu, choose Default

Properties. Click Remote Area and choose Standard
from the submenu. Step 8

9) On the Properties dialog, choose Ordinary Group II

from the Occupancy Classification drop-down. Enter
the distances you just measured with the Point-To-
Point Dimension tool in the Sprinkler Head Spacing
along Branchlines box and the Distance between
Branchlines box. Enter 0 in the Angle of Remote Area
box and Click OK.

10) Click the Remote Area icon on the Tools toolbar

then place the cursor in the southwest corner of the
small bay and left-click.
Step 9

11) Right-click in open space to deactivate the Remote

Area tool and select the new remote area by clicking on
the line that forms its boundary.

Step 10
28

12) Click the Auto Peak icon on the Actions toolbar and
then the Continue button on the dialog. Auto Peak
automatically locates the area of greatest system demand. Step 12

13) Zoom All and use Zoom Camera to Area to stretch a

box around the remote area boundary.

14) With the remote area boundary still selected, choose

System Optimizer from the Actions toolbar. The System
Optimizer displays System Demand Characteristics,
Supply Information and a Pipe List. Create a Snapshot
records the current drawing, allowing you to experiment
with various pipe characteristics. We don't wish to alter the
system at the moment, so click Cancel.

15) Zoom All and Save.

Step 14
29

Exercise 9: Finishing the System Step 1

1) From the Main Menu bar, open the Select menu,

scroll down to Every and choose All Sprinkler System
Components.

2) Click the Cleanup Intersections icon on the Actions

toolbar.

3) From the Main Menu bar, open the View menu and
select Show Leaks. Click Show All on the Show Leaks
pop-up menu.

4) From the Main Menu bar, open the Autodraw menu

and select Fittings

Step 3

Step 4
30

5) Make sure that Harmonize Pipes and Fittings and

Replace the Fitting with the Correct One are Step 5
checked, then click Do It.

6) Click OK on any dialogs that pop up, and when the

function is finished, left-click in open space to deselect all
items.

7) From the Main Menu bar, open the Select menu,

scroll down to Every, and from the Pipe submenu
choose Cross Main.

8) From the Main Menu bar, open the Autodraw menu Step 6
and select Couplings The defaults are acceptable,
so choose Do It.

9) Left-click in open space to deselect all items. Go to

the Parts Tree window and select the Layers tab.
Find the Roof Plane layer and turn the eye icon back
on to display your roof planes.

11) Zoom All and Save.

Note:
You cannot perform the remaining exercises
without the Stock Listing feature licensed on
your computer. If Stock Listing is unavailable
Step 7
to you, CONGRATULATIONS, consider your
drawing complete and give yourself a big pat
on the back!

Step 8
31

Exercise 10: Creating Pipelines and Assigning Make-ons

1) Open the Select menu and choose Every. From the Step 1
submenu, choose Pipe and then All Pipes.

2) Open the Listing menu, choose Pipelines, and from

the submenu, choose Create Pipelines & Make-Ons.

3) The Create Pipelines & Make-Ons function generates

the listing aids that illustrate assembly order and factory
attached fittings via the options presented on the Create
Pipelines & Make-Ons dialog. This feature affects only
items currently selected in the drawing. The defaults are
acceptable, so click Create Pipelines & Assign
Make-Ons to begin the process.

4) Once the function is complete, click the Save icon

on the Main Menu bar.

Step 2

Step 3
32

Exercise 11: Assigning List

1) From the Select menu, open the Every in

Step 1
Rectangle submenu and choose All Sprinkler System
Components then stretch a rectangle around the
small bay.

2) From the Listing menu, choose Assign List Area.

Enter "Small Bay System Components" in the Assign
List Area box before clicking OK.

3) All selected sprinkler components are now assigned

to the newly created list area and, as those components
retain their selection state, there is no need to repeat
the selection process for them before we establish a
new price area.
Step 2

4) Left-click in open space to clear the selection and

click the Save icon.

Step 3
33

Exercise 12: Using the Listing Manager

Step 2
1) From the Listing menu, choose Listing Manager.

2) On the Listing Manager dialog, click the Job tab and

enter "Sample" in the Job Name box.

3) Return to the List Areas tab and notice that Small

Bay System Components appears in the Description
column. Left-click to highlight Small Bay System
Components, then click the Generate Bill of
Material(s) button below.

Step 3
4) Click OK on the BOM dialog. The cursor is now
equipped to place a chart of the BOM into the drawing,
so move the cursor south of the small bay and left-click
to insert the chart.

5) Left-click in open space to clear the selection and

click the Save icon.

Step 4
34

Exercise 13: Reporting

1) Open the File menu, and from the

Printing submenu, choose Stock
Listing Reports.

2) Make sure Small Bay System

Components is checked in the List
Areas window and click Generate
Report Data.

3) When the process is complete,

there should be data in the Pipe
Statistics section, indicating the
scrap percentage for each pipe type
and diameter. There should also be a
set of reports listed to preview or print.
The list of reports is data dependent
and will only show reports for which
data exists.
35

4) Click in the box next to the Material Summary Step 4

report and click the Preview button. The Material
Summary report is displayed.

5) Close the preview and click Done.

6) Deslect the Small Bay by clicking in white space

located around the drawing, Zoom All, then click
Isometric View on the View toolbar.

7) Left-click in open space to deselect all items.

Step 6

8) Save the drawing.

CONGRATULATIONS, your sample drawing

is now complete. Welcome to the world of
AutoSPRINK VR11!
36

V. Online Resources
A. The Website
Be sure to check out the M.E.P.CAD website.
The website is an excellent resource for
information on new AutoSPRINK features,
answers to common questions, authoritative help
files and news about what you can expect from
M.E.P.CAD in the future.

Taking feedback from our tech support personnel

and consumer response, we're constantly
working to improve our software and refine our
help materials.

Thus, M.E.P.CAD Online is the ideal vehicle to

relay current, comprehensive information on
topics of immediate interest.

B. The Forums
From the M.E.P.CAD website, you can easily join
the AutoSPRINK message forum. Supported by
a community of users and developers, the forum
is a tremendous resource. Application questions
a programmer might not consider can be
answered by experienced users, knowledgeable
in the realities of computer aided design, and
software performance issues may be addressed
by those actually composing the code.

Subscribers can also respond to the topics and

questions posted by others; sharing experience
is what the forum is all about. Picking up tips and
tricks from fellow users will greatly enhance your
productivity with AutoSPRINK VR11.