Tutorial Vantage Pdms - Hvac Design Volume 1

HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS
Volume 1
Version 11.4
pdms114/man7/doc1
Issue 140502
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Contents
Volume 1
Part I Introduction
1 Read This First

1.1 The Scope of the Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1--1
1.2 Learning to Use PDMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1--1
1.3 Further Training in the Use of PDMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1--2
1.4 Some Terms and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1--3
1.5 How the Guide is Organised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1--4
2 What PDMS Offers You
Part II Getting Started
3 Controlling PDMS
3.1 Accessing the Design Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3--2
3.2 Using the Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3--4
3.3 Using Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3--5
3.4 Using the Tool Bar Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3--6
3.5 The Status Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3--6
3.4 Using Forms and their Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3--6
3.6.1 Using Radio Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3--7
3.6.2 Using Check Boxes (Toggle Buttons) . . . . . . . . . 3--7
3.6.3 Using Text--Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3--7
3.6.4 Using Drop--Down Lists (Option Buttons) . . . . 3--8
3.6.5 Using Scrollable Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3--8
3.6.6 Actioning Form Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3--9
3.7 Alert Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3--9
3.8 Accessing On--Line Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3--9

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4 How Design Data is Stored and Viewed
4.1 How PDMS Stores Design Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4--1
4.2 The Existing Design Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4--3
4.3 Viewing the Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4--4
4.3.1 Defining What Appears in the View . . . . . . . . . 4--5
4.3.2 Manipulating the Displayed View . . . . . . . . . . . 4--7
4.4 Saving the Current Design and Leaving Your Design
Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4--10
5 Routing a Sequence of HVAC Components

5.1 HVAC Component Representation in the Catalogue . . . 5--1
5.2 Restoring Your PDMS Session and Starting the HVAC
Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5--2
5.3 Setting the Current Detailing Specification . . . . . . . . . . 5--5
5.4 Creating Some Administrative Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5--6
5.5 Creating HVAC Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5--7
5.6 How PDMS Represents Composite Components . . . . . . 5--11
5.7 Creating HVAC Components (Continued) . . . . . . . . . . . . 5--12
6 Adding to the HVAC Model

6.1 The Grid/Tiling Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6--1
6.2 Creating Some Side Branches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6--4
7 Completing the Design

7.1 Filling Ductwork Gaps Automatically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7--1
7.2 Adding Stiffening Flanges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7--3
7.3 Automatic Item Numbering and Naming . . . . . . . . . . . . 7--4
7.4 Finishing Off Some Design Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7--6
7.5 Changing the View Representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7--7
8 Checking and Outputting Design Data

8.1 Querying Some Data Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8--1
8.2 Checking for Design Data Inconsistencies . . . . . . . . . . . . 8--2
8.3 Checking for Clashes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8--4
8.4 Generating a Data Output Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8--7
8.5 Plotting the Design Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8--10
8.6 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8--16
Index

ii Version 11.4
Volume 2
Part III Reference Appendices

A The Menu Hierarchies
A.1 The HVAC Designer Application Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . A--1
A.2 The 3D View Menus (Right--Hand Mouse Button) . . . . A--5
A.3 The 3D Aid Constructs Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A--6
A.4 The Reference Definition Application Menus . . . . . . . . . A--7
A.5 The Lists/Collections Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A--7
A.6 The 2D Viewing Plane Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A--8
B The HVAC Design Database
C HVAC Catalogue Guide

C.1 The Basic Features of the Catalogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C--1
C.2 HVAC Branches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C--3
C.3 Rectangular Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C--5
C.4 Circular Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C--19
C.5 Flat Oval Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C--34
C.6 Transformations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C--43
C.7 Branch Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C--48
C.8 Inline Plant Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C--59
C.9 Extra Plant Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C--71
C.10 HVAC Equipment Nozzles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C--79
C.11 Types of Joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C--80
C.11.1 Joints for Components of Any Shape . . . . . . . . C--80
C.11.2 Joints for Rectangular Components Only . . . . C--81
C.12 Design Parameters and Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C--82
D Other Relevant Documentation

D.1 On--Line Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D--1
D.2 PDMS Introductory Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D--2
D.3 PDMS Reference Manuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D--2
D.4 General Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D--3
E Some Sample Plots
Index

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Part I
Introduction

Version 11.4
1 Read This First
1.1 The Scope of the Guide
This guide introduces the facilities provided by Cadcentre for the

design and documentation of interconnected Heating, Ventilation and
Air Conditioning (HVAC) ducting networks. It assumes that you are
already familiar with HVAC design practices, but does not assume
any prior knowledge of computer--aided design systems.
The guide explains the main concepts underlying PDMS and its
supporting applications, and shows how you can apply these to your
own design projects. A key feature of the guide is a hands--on
tutorial exercise which is incorporated throughout, allowing you to
gain practical experience of the ways in which you can use PDMS as
you learn about the powerful facilities which it provides.
This guide does not give step--by--step instructions on how to carry out
specific design functions, since you can access such information as you
work by using the on--line help facilities incorporated into the
program’s graphical user interface. You will be told how to do this at
an early stage.
For fuller information about all aspects of HVAC design (and other
related disciplines) using PDMS, refer to the sources listed in
Appendix D of this guide.
1.2 Learning to Use PDMS
The aim of this guide is to help you to learn to use PDMS and its
supporting applications for your HVAC design work as quickly as
possible. Once you have grasped the basic principles, you will find
that most operations quickly become intuitive.
HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS 1--1

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The best way to learn is to experiment with the product for yourself.
To facilitate this, the initial chapters of the guide comprise two
concurrent sequences of information:
D A hands--on tutorial exercise, which gives a step--by--step

practical introduction to the ways in which you might use the
applications.
D Explanations of the underlying concepts, given at the points
at which each is first encountered as the exercise progresses.
The intention is that you should work progressively through the

exercise, pausing to learn about each new concept as it is introduced.
All steps which make up the exercise are numbered sequentially
throughout the guide. The start and end of each part of the exercise
are marked by lines across the page to separate them from the
general information sections, like this:
1.3 Further Training in the Use of PDMS
Although this guide will teach you to understand the key features of
using PDMS for your HVAC designs, it cannot possibly show you all of
the wide--ranging facilities to which you now have access, nor can it
identify the best ways in which you might use the program to suit
your own individual design practices.
To get the best out of PDMS, it is important that you receive proper
training in its use from a qualified instructor, who can answer your
questions as they arise and give you advice on tailoring your
techniques to best match your objectives. A wide range of training
courses are provided by Cadcentre Ltd, covering all levels of expertise
and all design disciplines. To arrange attendance on such a course,
contact your nearest Cadcentre support office for further details (see
the copyright page at the front of this guide for a link to our web site).
1-- 2 HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

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1.4 Some Terms and Conventions

As you might imagine, a program with the wide--ranging power of
PDMS is necessarily large and, if you had simultaneous access to all
of its features, could be rather daunting. To make the whole program
easily controllable, it is subdivided into convenient functional parts.
These are referred to throughout this guide by the following terms:
D Modules are subdivisions of PDMS which you use to carry out
specific types of operation. You will be mainly concerned with
two modules only: DESIGN, used for creating the 3D design
model and DRAFT, used for generating annotated and
dimensioned drawings of your design.
D Applications are supplementary programs, used in conjunction
with PDMS, which have been tailored to provide easy control of
those operations which are specific to particular disciplines. The
application which we will be using for our HVAC design work is
the HVAC Designer Application.
You can switch very rapidly between the different parts of the
program, so that the distinctions between them become almost
imperceptible, but you need to recognise what is happening when you
select from the different functions available to you from the various
menus.
The following terms and conventions are used throughout this guide
to describe what action to carry out:
Term Description
Click Place the mouse cursor over a specified point, then
quickly press and release the designated mouse
button. If no button is specified, always use the
left-hand mouse button.
Double--click Place the mouse cursor over a specified point, then
click the left--hand mouse button twice in quick
succession.
Pick Click on the required item to select it.
Drag Place the mouse cursor over a specified point, then
press and hold down the designated mouse button
while moving the cursor to a second specified point.
Release the button over the second point.
Enter Type text into the specified dialogue box, then press
the Enter (or Return) key to confirm the entry.

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1.5 How the Guide is Organised
This guide is divided into three parts, including some appendices, as

follows:
D Part I (this part) introduces the guide itself and the HVAC
Designer application which it describes.
D Chapter 1 (this chapter) summarises the scope of the

guide.
D Chapter 2 gives a general overview of the main design
facilities provided within the HVAC Designer application.
D Part II explains, with the help of a worked example, some
essential concepts which you need to understand when you use
the HVAC Designer application.
D Chapter 3 gives you a general guide to using the PDMS

graphical user interface, including an explanation of how to
access detailed on--line help. If you are already familiar
with similar forms and menus interfaces, you should be
able to read through this chapter rapidly. Do not ignore it
altogether, however, as it tells you how to load the HVAC
Designer application which forms the basis for the tutorial
exercise.
D Chapter 4 explains how PDMS stores its design data and
shows you how to view the design model graphically.
D Chapter 5 demonstrates the key features of HVAC design
using PDMS and shows you how to build up a ductwork
sequence component by component.
D Chapter 6 shows you how to extend the basic ductwork
sequence by adding side branches to form a more complex
network. In doing so, it introduces a useful facility for
creating a reference grid which can be used to position
ceiling tiles for locating HVAC grilles etc.
D Chapter 7 explains some ways of finishing off the design
details by using some automated facilities provided by the
application.
D Chapter 8 shows how to check your design for errors and
inconsistencies, and how to generate reports and plots
directly from the design data.

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D Part III comprises the following set of reference appendices:
D Appendix A shows the complete hierarchy of all options

available from the application bar menus, pull--down
menus and submenus in a convenient quick--reference
format.
D Appendix B summarises the database hierarchy which
PDMS uses to store your HVAC design data.
D Appendix C contains annotated illustrations of all of the
HVAC components which are provided in the catalogue
database which forms an integral part of the product.
D Appendix D identifies other sources of information which
supplement, and expand upon, the brief details given in
this guide.
D Appendix E contains some examples of the types of HVAC
layout plots which can be produced easily by using PDMS.
D The guide concludes with an Index, allowing you to refer back to
any specific topics about whose details you need to be reminded.

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2 What PDMS Offers You
PDMS plus the Cadcentre HVAC Designer and related applications

provide a powerful suite of facilities for the creation, analysis and
documentation of interconnected HVAC ducting networks. The design
modelling functions incorporate a degree of ‘intelligence’ which, where
possible, makes sensible decisions about the consequential effects of
many of your design changes, so that you can implement a sequence
of related changes with a minimum of effort.
The emphasis throughout is on maximising both design consistency

and design productivity, so that you need only make a minimum
number of essential design decisions in order to create a reliable and
fully documented ductwork design ready for fabrication and erection.
Modifications to your design may be incorporated at any stage
without fear of invalidating any of your prior work, since data
consistency checking is an integral part of the product. PDMS
automatically manages drawing production, material take--off
reports, etc., by reading all design data directly from a common set of
databases, so that there can be no errors introduced by transcribing
information between different disciplines.
The applications let you check all aspects of the design as the work
progresses, including on--line interdisciplinary clash detection, so that
the chances of errors and inconsistencies reaching the final
documented design are reduced to an exceptionally low level. The
need for expensive on--site modifications is thereby avoided.
The applications, which have been designed by HVAC engineers for

HVAC engineers, are controlled from a graphical user interface. This
means that all design, drawing and reporting operations are initiated
simply by selecting choices from simple menus and entering data into
the appropriate fields on on--screen forms. In most cases you can
select the components you require by picking them from a set of
diagrammatic representations, thus simplifying the user interface

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still further. Should you need guidance on the use of any of the
powerful facilities provided within the application, on--screen help is
available at the click of a button.
Some key features:
D The HVAC Designer application lets you build up and detail
complex ducting networks simply by selecting components from
standard catalogues. By using standard default settings, a
conceptual layout can be created and analysed rapidly, leaving
the design details to a later post--approval stage.
D The application provides facilities for creating rectangular,
circular and oval cross--sectional items. Individual design
components can be selected from over 100 parametric catalogue
items covering all likely requirements, including a range of
auxiliary items such as stiffening frames, access panels, splitter
plates etc., all of which will be accurately detailed in the design
model. The catalogue also includes a range of inline plant items
such as centrifugal and axial fans, air handling units, silencers,
dampers etc., each ready for insertion into the design model in a
single operation.
D User--definable detailing specifications, such as those for
construction materials, ductwork gauge, flange dimensions etc.,
define precise manufacturing requirements. User--definable
default settings ensure compliance with company standards and
a high level of design consistency throughout the project.
D Accurate geometric representation of all design items ensures
reliable clash checking during the design process, leading to
good space management and the early elimination of positional
errors.
D Explicitly positioned design components are interconnected
automatically with implied ductwork as the design of the
ductwork sequence is built up. An autofilling facility is provided
which can then calculate the optimum use of standard ducting
straights to complete the material take--off list for the entire
network.
D Several design aids are incorporated, including a facility for
creating horizontal grids which can be used to position ceiling
tiles. This can greatly aid the layout of building services in an
architectural environment.
2--2 HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

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D HVAC elements may be named in accordance with a predefined

set of rules, so that their positions in the database hierarchy are
always obvious without you having to enter specific texts during
the design process.
D The application’s user interface can be tailored readily to suit the

level of experience of any individual user. In particular,
graphical illustrations of all catalogue items can be displayed if
required to simplify component selection and dimensioning.
D At any stage of your work, you can create reports listing

specified data read from the current database. You can specify a
standard report template, enabling you to derive lists of
commonly required information extremely rapidly, or you can
design a one--off report format to suit any special needs. The
resulting output, which can include data from any design
discipline, sorted in any way you require, can be either displayed
on your screen or sent to a file (for storage and/or for printing).

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Part II
Getting Started

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3 Controlling PDMS
This chapter introduces the techniques for controlling PDMS using

the graphical user interface which you will see on your screen. To do
this, we will begin the tutorial exercise by entering PDMS and
accessing that part of the program which you will use to specify your
HVAC design data.
It is assumed that you are already logged in to your workstation and

that you know enough about its operating system to enable you to run
a program such as PDMS from an appropriate directory. It is also
assumed that you know how to open and manipulate windows on your
computer by using the mouse. If not, you first need to read the
manuals supplied with your computer system or seek advice from
your computer systems department.
In order for you to use the tutorial exercise, the HVAC Designer
application and the sample PDMS project (Project SAM) supplied
must have been correctly installed and you must have been given
read/write access to the project databases. This procedure, which
should have been carried out by your PDMS administrator as part of
the product installation sequence, is beyond the scope of this guide.
Important Note:
The precise appearance of the graphical user interface used to control
PDMS depends on the hardware platform on which you are running
the program, particularly on whether your workstation uses an NT or
a Unix operating system. What you see on your screen may therefore
differ in detail from the illustrations in this guide (which are based on
the NT version). The positions and names of the individual controls
will not differ significantly, but their shapes and methods of use may
not be quite as shown. Follow the descriptions of how to use the
interface with this in mind.

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Controlling PDMS
3.1 Accessing the Design Environment
Exercise begins:
1. Start PDMS. The CADCENTRE PDMS Login form requires you

to specify the following information for your intended session:
S The name of the Project in which you want to work. Enter
SAM.
S Your allocated User Name and Password. Enter HVAC
for each.
S The parts of the project database (i.e. which Multiple
Database or MDB) you want to work in. Enter HVAC.
S The type of operation you want to carry out on the project
data (i.e. which functional Module of PDMS you want to
use). Select Design. (The Read Only button must remain
Off, so that you can modify the database as you work.)
S Whether you want to start from the application’s default
settings (Load from Macro Files) or from a customised
setup saved during an earlier session (Load from Binary
Files). Select Macro Files.
You can either type in each entry explicitly, or click the down
arrow next to the text--box and select the required option from
the resulting list.
The settings which you need to enter are as follows:
Enter password
HVAC
Click OK and wait while the application is loaded. The resulting

window is:

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Controlling PDMS
Main Menu Bar

Main Tool Bar
Members List
3D Graphical View
3D View Tool Bar
Status Bar
D Main Menu Bar the area from which you select the principal
commands. The title bar of this window shows the current PDMS
module and its sub--application (if relevant) in which you are
working; in this case, the General application of the Design
module.
D Main Tool bar provides short--cuts to some common

operations and standard settings via icon buttons and
drop--down option lists.
D Members List shows your current position in the database

hierarchy. You can move to a different point in the database by
using the left--hand mouse button to pick the required item in
the list.
D 3D Graphical View the window in which you will display the

design model graphically as it is being built up. Note that this
window has a pop--up menu, selectable by using the right-hand
mouse button, from which you will select options to control the
ways in which the model is represented. It also has its own tool
bar, the 3D View Tool Bar.

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Controlling PDMS
D Status Bar displays information about the current status of

your operations. It is located across the bottom of the main
window.
You can reposition or minimise these windows at any time by using
the standard window management facilities provided by your
workstation (but do not close them in this way).
3.2 Using the Mouse
You use the mouse to steer the graphics cursor around the screen and
to select or ‘pick’ items by using the mouse buttons. The buttons
perform different tasks depending on the type of window, and the
position within the window, where the cursor is positioned. The
appearance of the cursor will change according to the type of display
item that is underneath it.
The functions of the buttons are:
Left-- Hand Button:
The left--hand button is the main button for selecting items. On a
graphical view, clicking the left--hand button with the cursor over a
design element results in that element becoming the current
element (that is, the design item on which you want to carry out the
next operation). In a sequence of menus, dragging with the left--hand
button activates the command represented by the highlighted menu
option when the button is released. On a form, the effect depends on
the type of gadget that has been selected see Section 3.6 for details.
Middle Button:
The principal use of the middle mouse button in DESIGN is to
manipulate a graphical view.
Right-- Hand Button:
The principal use of the right--hand mouse button in DESIGN is to
access the menu options specific to the graphical view window.
3.3 Using Menus
There can be three types of option in a pull--down or pop--up menu:

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Controlling PDMS
Options shown as plain text: selecting one of these initiates an

CE
action immediately.
Options followed by three dots: selecting one of these displays a

Clashes...
form on which to select options, enter data, etc.
Reports
Options followed by a triangular pointer: selecting one of these
displays a subsidiary menu giving a further range of options.
Throughout this guide, related selections from menus are shown in

abbreviated form by using the > symbol as a separator. Thus, the
sequence Utilities>Reports>Create means ‘select Utilities from
the main menu bar, then select Reports from the resulting
pull--down menu, then move the cursor to the right and select Create
from the resulting submenu’.
3.4 Using the Tool Bar Buttons
The tool bar is displayed immediately below the main menu bar in the
application window. It contains a number of icon buttons which let
you carry out common tasks without searching for the options in the
menus.
The actions of the buttons are explained in the on--line help. If you
pause the cursor over a button, a tool--tip pop--up will remind you of
the function of the button. To activate a button, simply click on it.
NOTE: The tool bar can be switched off, or displayed with larger
icons. To do so, select Settings>System from the main
menu bar and then set the required options on the resulting
System Settings form.
3.5 The Status Bar
The status bar (the Status Form on Unix systems) displays messages
telling you what actions the application is carrying out. You should
look at it frequently, especially if the system appears to be waiting for
you to do something, since it will always prompt you for any input or
action which is required to carry out the next step of your current
activity.

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If the prompt lets you repeat a task an unspecified number of times,

such as picking a selection of items using the cursor, you must press
the Escape key (or click the Escape button on the Status Form )
when you have finished to indicate that you are ready to move to the
next operation.
3.6 Using Forms and their Controls
Forms are used both to display information and to let you enter new
data. Forms typically comprise an arrangement of buttons of various
types, text--boxes, and scrollable lists. Input to a form is usually
via a combination of mouse and keyboard, the mouse being used to
select appropriate controls and the keyboard to enter data.
While you have access to a form, you may change a setting, return to
the initial values, accept and act on the current data, or cancel the
form without applying any changes, according to the nature of the
form.
This section describes how to use the principal types of gadget that
you will see on the various forms.
3.6.1 Using Radio Buttons
Radio buttons are used to select one, and only one, from a group of
options. The selection is mutually exclusive, so that selecting one
option deselects others in that group automatically.
They typically have the following appearance:
Radio button On
Radio button Off
To change the selected radio button in a group, click the required

button.
3.6.2 Using Check Boxes (Toggle Buttons)
Check boxes (toggle buttons on Unix systems) are used to switch an

option between two states, typically On and Off. Unlike radio buttons,

Version 11.4
Controlling PDMS
they do not interact, so that you can select any combination to be On

at the same time.
NT
Check box On
Check box Off
3.6.3 Using Text--Boxes
Text--boxes are the areas where you type in alphanumeric data such
as names or dimensions. A text--box will usually have a label to tell
you what to enter.
When you first open a form which contains text--boxes, the first
text--box on the form will be current and a text editing cursor (a
vertical bar) will be displayed in the box. A text--box often contain a
default entry (e.g. unset) when first displayed. Some text--boxes will
accept only text or only numeric data, and entries with the wrong
type of data will not be accepted.
To enter data into a text--box:
D Click in the box to insert the text editing cursor.

D Type in the required data, editing any existing entry as
necessary. (You may need to delete the existing entry first.)
D When you have finished, confirm the entry by pressing the

Enter (or Return) key. Any text--box with an unconfirmed
setting is highlighted by a yellow background.
3.6.4 Using Drop--Down Lists
Drop--down lists let you choose one option from a multiple selection.
The list will usually have a label to tell you what you are setting and
will show the current selection.

NT Drop--Down List
North

Version 11.4
Controlling PDMS
To change the setting, click on the down arrow or button face to reveal
the full list of available options, then pick the required option.
3.6.5 Using Scrollable Lists

A scrollable list is displayed as a vertical list of options within the
form, with vertical and horizontal scroll bars along its sides. To select
an option, click on the line you want. The selected line will be
highlighted.
Some scrollable lists let you make only a single selection, so that
selecting any option deselects all others automatically. Other lists let
you make multiple selections, with all selected options highlighted
simultaneously. To deselect a highlighted option in a multiple--choice
list, click on it again (repeated clicks toggle a selection On and Off).
3.6.6 Actioning Form Inputs

Most forms include at least one control button which is used either
to enter the command option represented by your current form
setting, to cancel any changes made to the form since you opened it,
or to close the form.
The common control buttons have the following actions:
Button Action
OK Enters the current form settings as command inputs
and closes the form.
Apply Enters the current form settings as command inputs
and leaves the form displayed for further use.
Cancel Cancels any changes made to the form’s settings and
closes the form.
Reset Cancels any changes made to the form’s settings and
leaves the form displayed for further use.
Dismiss Closes the form, keeping the current settings.
Some forms contain more specific types of control button which carry
out particular command options (as indicated by the text on the
button face; e.g. Add or Remove).
3.7 Alert Forms

Alert forms are used to display information such as error messages,
prompts and requests for confirmation of changes. You should respond

Version 11.4
Controlling PDMS
by carrying out the task prompted for or by clicking on the control

buttons on the form (usually an OK or Cancel button).
3.8 Accessing On--Line Help
Most bar menus end with a Help option. Where available, on--line
help gives detailed instructions on the use of the forms and menus via
which you control each application.
The Help option gives you the following choices from its sub--menu:
Help>on Context
This gives you help on any window currently visible in the display.
When you select this option, the cursor changes to a question mark
(?). Move the question mark into the window on which you want help
and click the left--hand mouse button.
Help>Contents
This displays the Help window so that you can find the required topic
from the hierarchical contents list.
Help>Index
This displays the Help window so that you can find all topics relevant
to a selected keyword.
Help>About
This displays information about the current operating system on your

computer and about the versions of PDMS and its applications to
which you have access.
Pressing the F1 key at any time will display the help topic for the
currently active window (equivalent to Help on Context for the
current window).
Exercise continues:
2. Experiment with each of the Help options until you understand

the search and navigation facilities for finding specific items of
information. Use the Help>on Context option to read the help
texts for any forms which you can currently see on your screen.

Version 11.4
Controlling PDMS
3. When you are ready to continue, close any forms which you have
been experimenting with as follows:
D If a form has a Dismiss button, click this button.

D If a form has its own menu bar, select Control>Close from that
menu.
D Close any Help windows which are displayed by double--clicking in
the control box in the top left--hand corner of each window.
Alternatively, select File>Exit from the Help window’s menu bar.
Do not close the Members List or the 3D View windows, as you
will use these in the next parts of the exercise.
You are recommended to make full use of the on--line help facilities
whenever you want clarification of any operations during the later
steps of the exercise.

Version 11.4
4 How Design Data is Stored and Viewed
In this chapter we will look at the ways in which design data is stored
by PDMS and how the design model represented by this data can be
viewed and manipulated.
Although this guide is about the design of HVAC ducting networks, in
practice you will usually route your ductwork with reference to some
predefined design items such as the framework, floors and ceilings of
a building. To show how this is done, we will consider briefly how
these other items might be defined in PDMS, as well as looking at
how we route sequences of HVAC components and ducting within
them.
Before we start to create HVAC design data, it is important that you

know how such data is stored and accessed in the PDMS databases,
so that you will understand the terminology which you will encounter
during the design process. This is explained in the following section.
4.1 How PDMS Stores Design Data
All PDMS data is stored in a hierarchic or ‘tree’ format (similar to the

way in which you use a hierarchy of directories and subdirectories to
access your computer files). In the case of a PDMS Design database,
the topmost data level is called the World (usually represented by the
symbolic name /*), below which are the administrative sublevels Site
and Zone.
The names used to identify database levels below Zone depend on the
specific engineering discipline for which the data is used. In the case
of HVAC design data, the lower administrative levels (and their
PDMS abbreviations) are HVAC and Branch (BRAN). Each HVAC
can represent any portion of the overall ducting network. Each

Version 11.3
How Design Data is Stored and Viewed
Branch within an HVAC represents a single sequence of components

running between two, and only two, points known as the Branch
Head and the Branch Tail. Each Branch represents items with a
common specification. The data which defines the physical design of
the individual HVAC components is held below Branch level.
To represent the parts of the building within which we will route our
ductwork, we use a different administrative level below Zone, namely
the Structure (STRU) level. The physical design of each part of the
building is represented by a set of basic 3D shapes known as
Primitives, held below Structure level (in the examples which follow
we use only rectangular BOX primitives). Holes through items are
represented by Negative Primitives (we use negative boxes, NBOX
primitives, where HVAC ducting is to pass through the walls).
Together, these hierarchic levels give the following overall format:
WORLD (/*)
SITE SITE
ZONE ZONE
HVAC STRUCTURE
BRANCH Design data defining structural shapes

(primitives and negative primitives)
Design data defining individual HVAC components
(straights, bends, offsets, threeway connectors, inline plant etc.)
All data is represented in the database thus:

D Each identifiable item of data is known as a PDMS element.
D Each element has a number of associated pieces of information
which, together, completely define its properties. These are
known as its attributes.
Every element is identified within the database structure by an
automatically--allocated reference number and, optionally, by a
user--specified name. Additional items of information about an
element which could be stored as attribute settings include:
D Its type
D Its physical dimensions and technical specifications
D Its physical location and orientation in the design model

Version 11.4
Some attribute settings must be defined by you when you create a

new element, others will be defined automatically by PDMS.
The vertical link between two elements on adjacent levels of the

database hierarchy is defined as an owner--member relationship.
The element on the upper level is the owner of those elements
directly linked below it. The lower level elements are members of
their owning element. Each element can have many members, but it
can have only one owner.
When you are modifying a database (for example, when you are
creating new elements or changing the settings of their attributes),
you can consider yourself to be positioned at a specific point within
the hierarchy. The element at this location is called the current
element (often abbreviated to CE).
You can navigate from any element to any other, thereby changing the
current element, by following the owner--member links up and down
the hierarchy.
In many cases, commands which you give for modifying the attributes
of an element will assume that the changes are to be applied to the
current element unless you specify otherwise, so you must understand
this concept and always be aware of your current position in the
database hierarchy. The Members List (see Section 3.1) will always
show you this information.
4.2 The Existing Design Hierarchy
In order to provide a starting point for the HVAC routing exercise, the
sample database supplied already contains a simplified
representation of a building built up from sets of box shapes. In this
and the following section, we will look at this model in terms of its
hierarchic structure and its 3D representation.

Version 11.3
Exercise continues:
4. Look at the Members List, which shows the element hierarchy

which currently exists in the /HVAC multiple database.
Navigate up and down the hierarchy by clicking on the various

elements. You will see that there are already a Site and a Zone
(with the names /HVACSITE and /HVACZONE, respectively),
and that the Zone owns several Structures (STRUs). Each
Structure (whose name gives a clue to its function) owns one or
more Boxes representing the various parts of the building.
(If you or other users have accessed this database before, the list
may contain other elements as well.)
4.3 Viewing the Design
In order to see what the design model looks like, and to enable us to
identify design items by simply pointing to them rather than by
navigating to them in the Members List, we will display the existing
design in a 3D View window and learn how to manipulate this
display.
First we will set the scale of the view, then the viewing direction, and
finally we will specify which design elements we want to see and how
we want them to be represented.

Version 11.4
4.3.1 Defining What Appears in the View
Exercise continues:
5. We want to see the whole of the building within which we are

going to route our HVAC network, so navigate to the zone
/HVACZONE in the Members List. Position the cursor in the 3D
View window and hold down the right--hand mouse button to
display the pop--up menu. Select Limits>CE (CE means Current
Element). This adjusts the scale of the view automatically such
that it corresponds to a volume just large enough to hold the
chosen element(s); in this case, the Zone.
6. Again using the 3D View menu, select Iso>Three to set an

isometric view direction.
7. If the graphical view background colour is not already black,

select Settings>Background from the 3D View menu (if this
option does not appear on the menu, select Settings>Long
Menus and try again). Select Black from the resulting
Background Colour palette.
8. Select either Display>Drawlist from the main menu bar or

Control>Drawlist from the Members List menu bar. The
normal Members List will be replaced by an extended version
entitled Members+Draw. This lets you build up a list of all
elements which you want to display, as shown in the Drawlist
scrollable list in the lower part of the form. If this list already
contains entries, click the All button in the Remove From
Drawlist section to empty the list (the view should now show no
design elements).
In order to make it easier to distinguish between the various

parts of the building, we will display the set of boxes represented
by each Structure in a different colour.
In the Add To Drawlist section of the form, click the Colour

button and select Black from the resulting Drawlist Element
Add Colour form. Notice how the pane next to the Colour
button changes to show the currently selected colour. Now pick
the Structure /HVACFLOOR in the list in the upper part of the
form and click the Add CE button in the Add To Drawlist
section to enter the selection into the Drawlist, thus:

Version 11.3
Select item to
add to
Drawlist
Select colour in
which item is to be
displayed
Click to add
item to
Drawlist
Now use the same sequence to add /HVACWALLS in Blue,

/HVACCOLS (columns) in Green, and /HVACBEAMS in
Cyan. Note that you do not add /HVACROOF, so that you can
see inside the building as you create the HVAC components in
the next chapter.
When you have finished, set the current colour to Grey, ready to
display the HVAC components which we will create in the next
chapter.
Select Control>Close from the menu on the Members+Draw

form to remove the form from the screen and replace it by the
normal Members List. Notice how the colour palette is dismissed
automatically when you dismiss the Members+Draw form.

Version 11.4
You should now see the building representation, something like

this:
Pick
mode
prompt
Vertical
slider
Status line showing view direction, manipulation mode etc. Horizontal slider
NOTE: If the horizontal and vertical sliders are not visible, select
Settings>Borders from the 3D View menu to display them.
9. Observe the effect of selecting different view directions from the
Look and Iso menu options provided by the 3D View menu.
Revert to Iso>Three when you have finished.
4.3.2 Manipulating the Displayed View

You can manipulate the displayed model view in a number of ways.
The three basic operations which we will look at here are:
D Rotate the view
D Pan the view across the display area
D Zoom in or out to magnify or reduce the view
The current manipulation mode is shown in the status line at the
bottom of the 3D View window (it is set to Rotate in the preceding
illustration).
To change the view manipulation mode, look at the View Control
options on the pop--up menu. The options of interest are Zoom, Pan
and Rotate.

Version 11.3
Alternatively, you can change the manipulation mode by pressing one

of the function keys, or by using the 3D View tool bar buttons, thus:
F2 or selects Zoom mode
F3 or selects Pan mode
F5 or selects Rotate mode
Exercise continues:
10. Select Rotate mode. Position the cursor in the view area and
hold down the middle mouse button, then move the mouse slowly
from side to side while watching the effect on the displayed
model. The initial direction of movement determines how the
view appears to rotate; starting with a left or right movement
causes the observer’s eye--point to move across the view. Now
release the mouse button, hold it down again and move the
mouse away from you and towards you; this time the observer’s
eye--point should appear to rotate up and down around the
model.
Repeat the rotation operations while holding down the Control
key. Note that the word Fast appears in the status line and that
the rate of rotation is increased. Now repeat the same actions,
but this time hold down the Shift key. Note that the word Slow
appears in the status line and that the rate of rotation is
decreased.
For an alternative way of rotating the model, try dragging the
horizontal and vertical sliders to new positions along the view
borders. You can rotate the model in this way at any time,
regardless of the current manipulation mode.
11. Select Pan mode. Position the cursor in the view area and hold
down the middle mouse button, then move the mouse slowly in
different directions. Note that it is the observer’s eye--point
which follows the mouse movement (while the viewing direction
remains unchanged), so that the displayed model appears to
move in the opposite direction to the mouse; in effect, you move
the mouse towards that part of the view which you want to see.
Repeat the pan operations while holding down first the Control
key (to increase the panning speed) and then the Shift key (to
decrease the panning speed).

Version 11.4
12. Select Zoom mode. Position the cursor in the view area and hold
down the middle mouse button, then move the mouse slowly up
and down. Moving the mouse away from you (up) zooms in,
effectively magnifying the view; moving the mouse towards you
(down) zooms out, effectively reducing the view. Note that these
operations work by changing the viewing angle (like changing
the focal length of a camera lens); they do not change the
observer’s eye--point or the view direction.
Repeat the zoom operations while holding down first the

Control key and then the Shift key.
13. Position the cursor at the top of one of the corner columns and
click (do not hold down) the middle mouse button. Notice how
the view changes so that the picked point is now at the centre of
the view. Whenever you click the middle button, whatever the
current manipulation mode, you reset the centre of interest.
Switch to Zoom mode (if not already selected), set the centre of
interest to the grille in the front wall, then zoom in for a
close--up view of the grille. You will find this a very useful
technique when making small adjustments to the design.
14. To restore the original view when you have finished, check that
your current element is /HVACZONE and reselect ISO>Three
and Limits>CE.
4.4 Saving the Current Design and Leaving Your

Design Session
Even though you have not yet made any changes to the design
database, this is a suitable point at which to demonstrate how to store
the current design at any stage of a PDMS design session and how to
record your screen layout so that you can start your next design
session in exactly the same state that you ended the current one.
Exercise continues:
15. To update the database so as to store the design model in its

current configuration, select Design>Save Work from the main

Version 11.3
menu bar or click the button. (It is wise to use this function
periodically as you build up a design, so that you do not have to
start from the beginning in the event of loss of work due to an
unforeseen interruption, such as a power failure.)
16. To save your current screen layout and display settings, so that
next time you use the application you can rapidly restart from
where you interrupted your design session, select Display>
Save>Forms & Display from the main menu bar.
17. To leave your current PDMS design session and return to the
operating system, select Design>Exit from the main menu bar.
If you had made any changes since your last Save Work
operation, you would be asked if you wanted to save them; in the
present situation, you will just be asked to confirm that you
want to leave PDMS.
In the next chapter, we will install a simple HVAC ducting network

into the building model.

Version 11.4
5 Routing a Sequence of HVAC
Components
In this chapter we will route an HVAC network between the grilles in

the building walls, positioning a selection of HVAC components
within the ducting runs. Before we do so, we will expand the earlier
information about how the design data is stored and accessed in
PDMS.
5.1 HVAC Component Representation in the Catalogue
Each HVAC component is represented in the PDMS catalogue by

three types of data:
D The physical shape of the component is defined by a set of

geometric primitives.
D In order that the component can be manipulated and linked to

adjacent HVAC items, all principal points needed to define its
position, orientation and connectivity are identified by
uniquely--numbered ‘tags’. These tags, which have both position
and direction, are called p--points. Each p--point is identified by
a number of the format P0, P1, P2 etc., while the principal inlet
and outlet points for the logical flow direction through the
component are also identified as p--arrive (PA) and p--leave
(PL). P0 always represents the component’s origin position,
while P1 is the same as p--arrive and P2 is the same as p--leave.
D The settings of all variables needed to distinguish a component

from others with the same geometry and p--point sets are defined
by parameters. The values of these are defined to suit the
specific design requirements.

Version 11.4
Routing a Sequence of HVAC Components
For example, a rectangular three--way component (or branch

connector) might be represented in the PDMS catalogue as follows:
P0
P2 (origin) P3
(P-- leave or PL) (branch connection)
P1 (P-- arrive or PA)
where the two curved duct sections form the component’s geometry
set and the four p--points form its point set (the fourth p--point, P3,
lets you control the direction of the branch connection arm when you
incorporate the component into your design). The dimensions of the
component, and other constructional details, are represented in the
catalogue by parameters whose values are set to suit the design
requirements.
5.2 Restoring Your PDMS Session and Starting the

HVAC Application
Exercise continues:
18. Restart PDMS and enter the Design Constructor module (as in
Step 1), but this time set the Load From button on the
CADCENTRE PDMS Login form to User’s Binary. When
loading is complete, your screen should look the same as it did
when you saved the layout in Step 16.
(If you intend to continue from where you finish at the end of
any PDMS session, it is always quicker to use the Display>
Save> Forms & Display option so that you can reload the
binary files in this way, rather than to reload the applications
from their source macros each time you use the Design module.
You can revert to the most recently saved layout at any time by
selecting Display> Restore> Forms & Display.)

Version 11.4
19. So far, we have been working in DESIGN’s ‘general’ application

mode, where the menus and facilities available are common to
all engineering design disciplines. We will now start the HVAC--
specific application, which tailors the functionality of the
DESIGN module to suit the explicit needs of the HVAC designer.
From the General Application menu bar, pick Design>HVAC
Designer to load the HVAC application.
When loading is complete, the application window will include
some extra options, thus:
20. Rather than having to use these menu options for every
operation, all of the principal functions for creating, positioning,
orientating and connecting HVAC elements are available from
within a single form. To display this form, select Create>
HVAC. The resulting form, called the Heating, Ventilation, Air
Conditioning (HVAC) form (which we will refer to simply as the
HVAC form), may be viewed in either of two formats: a brief
version or a full version (as shown in the following illustration).
The brief version uses drop--down lists to show the elements

available for selection when you are creating a design, whereas
the full version uses scrollable lists for this purpose (and also
offers some more complex positioning options).
The full version is recommended while you are learning to use

the application, but you may prefer to use the brief version if
your screen is small or of low resolution. To switch between
them, select Control>Use Full/Brief Form from the HVAC
form’s menu.

Version 11.4
Brief version Full version
21. To suit user preferences, depending on the level of experience

and the type of design work being undertaken, the appearance
and behaviour of the forms used for creating and modifying
HVAC components can be customised. To do so, select Control>
Style Options from the HVAC form’s menu. On the resulting
HVAC Form Style form, set all options to On except the
OK/Cancel Forms button, like this:
These settings have the following effects:
D Show Local Views On will display a small 3D graphical

view showing the current component in its design context.
D Local Views Shade On will show local views in
colour--shaded (as opposed to wireline) representation.

Version 11.4
D Show Pixmaps On will automatically display diagrams

showing component geometries to help you select items
from the catalogue.
D Show Forms On will display a create/modify form
automatically when you add a new component to the
design, so that you can adjust the default dimensions
and/or orientation as required.
D OK/Cancel Forms Off means that component
create/modify forms will have Apply/Dismiss buttons
(instead of OK/Cancel buttons), so that they remain
available for repeated use until dismissed explicitly.
These settings give you the maximum amount of help as you
start to learn about the application. You can change any of them
when you wish, as you progress through the exercise.
5.3 Setting the Current Detailing Specification
When you select components from the HVAC catalogue, their

constructional details are determined by the current detailing
specification. This setting is shown, and can be changed, by the
drop--down list immediately below the main menu bar and toolbar.
When you first display the HVAC form, this specification is set
automatically to TUTORIAL, like this:
This specification gives access to a range of catalogue components

suitable for use with this exercise. You could, if you wished, select a
different specification for each HVAC Branch, but we will use the
same specification for the whole of the design exercise.

Version 11.4
5.4 Creating Some Administrative Elements
Before we can create the individual components which will make up

our HVAC network, we must first create the HVAC and Branch
elements which govern their positions in the database hierarchy, as
explained in Section 4.1.
Exercise continues:
22. Check that your current element is the zone, /HVACZONE,

below which the HVAC design data is to be stored. From the
Categories list on the HVAC form, select PDMS Branches.
From the Available Types list, select HVAC System Element.
You will see a Create HVAC form.
In the HVAC Name text--box, enter HTESTHVAC. Click Apply

to create the HVAC element, then Dismiss to remove the form.
23. With the Categories selection still set to PDMS Branches,

select Main Branch Element from the Available Types. You
will see an HVAC Main Branch Element form.
Enter the Branch Name as HTESTB1.
The Specification is set automatically to the current detailing

specification (TUTORIAL). Leave this as it is.
Set the Branch Head Shape to Rect (rectangular).
In the Head Direction text--box, enter N (this will be the

direction looking along the ductwork run from the head position
towards the first component).
Enter Duct width AA (the Arrive A dimension) as 1000 and

Duct depth AB (the Arrive B dimension) as 500.
Use the Insulation Thickness option button to select 50 mm

(this will add 50mm of insulation automatically to each surface
of all components and ducting owned by the branch).
We will specify the position of the Branch Head by picking a

p--point at the centre of the hole in the front wall of the building.
To do so, use the Head Start drop--down list to select ID Design
PPoint and then click Apply. When prompted by the status bar
to ’Identify design ppoint’, use the cursor to pick P5 of the

Version 11.4
’negative box’ representing the hole in the wall. To find the

correct p--point, zoom in close to the area of interest (see Step 13
if you have forgotten how to do this) and position the cursor on
the edge of the box as you press and hold down the left--hand
mouse button; the p--points will appear as dots. Move the cursor
over the centre of the southernmost face with the mouse button
held down. The status bar will show the identity of each p--point
as the cursor passes over it; release the button over P5.
Dismiss the HVAC Main Branch Element form.
That completes the creation and definition of the first branch within
which we will build up a sequence of HVAC components.
NOTE: The distinction between a main branch and a side branch
in the PDMS Branches category is simply one of
convenience; in PDMS terms they are the same type of
element. A main branch requires that you position and
orientate its head explicitly, whereas a side branch takes its
head position and orientation from a branch connection
point (P3) on an existing three--way component (see diagram
in Section 5.1). We will use the latter facility later in the
exercise.
5.5 Creating HVAC Components
It is usual to build up your HVAC design by adding components

sequentially, starting at the branch head, and positioning and
orientating each component as you proceed. We will follow this
method.
(For an advance look at the overall configuration which we will be
creating in this chapter, see the diagram on page 5--16.)
Exercise continues:
24. The first component we will create is a rectangular straight

which we will position outside the building, aligned with the
hole in the wall at which we positioned the branch head, like
this:

Version 11.4
Straight will be
created here N
It will then be Branch head is here
moved to here It will be moved to here
NOTE: The diagrams used throughout this exercise are for

illustrative purposes only and are not to scale.
Select Rectangular from the Categories list. Because we set

Show Pixmaps to On in Step 21, the Available Types list will
be supplemented by a palette of diagrams showing what the
available options look like. Click on the Straight diagram in the
top left--hand corner of the palette. (If you had chosen not to
display the diagrams, you would select Straight from the
Available Types list.) You will see a Rectangular Straight form
which has data fields for all parameters needed to fully define
the component.
The initial data settings on these component definition forms are

determined by a set of default values read from a file, so that you
need to enter only a minimum amount of data in most instances.
To see what the parameters mean in terms of the component’s
geometry, click the Picture button on the form. You will see an
HVAC Component form containing a dimensioned and annotated
diagram showing how the component is defined in the catalogue;
compare the data fields on the Rectangular Straight form with
the diagram (see Appendix C for a full set of these diagrams).We
will use the defaults, so select Control>Close to remove the
HVAC Component form and then click Apply on the Rectangular
Straight form. Dismiss the Rectangular Straight form. The
rectangular straight will be created and positioned with its PA at

Version 11.4
the branch head, so that it is inside the building (as shown in

the above diagram).
25. We must now move the straight to the required position. To do

so, we will use the component manipulation features on the
HVAC form. Look at the area labelled POSITION on the form.
In the text--box next to the Move by button, enter the required
displacement; in this case, enter S5000D96. As soon as you
press Return to confirm the data, the straight will be moved.
26. To check that the straight is in the correct position, select

Query>Position>Origin from the main menu bar. The position
will be shown in an HVAC Command Output window. It should
read: E 3048 mm S 5125 mm U 3300 mm.
27. We will now reposition the branch head so that it coincides with
the PA of the straight. To do this, look at the area labelled
CONNECT on the HVAC form. Set the drop--down lists in the
bottom row to read HVAC Branch Head to First Member.
This connects (and therefore repositions) the head of the current
branch to the PA of the first component in its members list,
which is the straight (this is, of course, the only branch member
so far).
NOTE: We could have positioned the branch head here when we

first created it (in Step 23), but this would have required us
to calculate its coordinates explicitly. It is usually easiest, as
here, to position a new item relative to an existing design
point and then to move it later.
28. The last operation will have made the branch (more precisely,
the branch head) the current element. Each new component is
created immediately after the current component in branch list
order, so before we create the second component in the branch,
navigate to the straight by clicking on it in either the Members
List or the 3D View.
We will now position a fire damper where the ducting will pass
through the wall. Select Inline Plant Equipment from the
Categories list and then select Rectangular Fire Damper
from the displayed types. On the Rectangular Fire Damper form,
name the component as required (say, FD1) and leave all
parameter settings at their default values (click the Picture
button to see their relevance). Notice that the local view at the

Version 11.4
right--hand side of the Rectangular Fire Damper form shows the

existing straight (remember, we set Show Local Views to On in
Step 21). Click Apply to create the fire damper.
29. When first created, the fire damper is positioned so that its PA is
coincident with the PL of the preceding straight. We will now
move it so that it fits within the wall.
Fire damper
moved to here
N
Fire damper
created here
In the POSITION area of the HVAC form, set the Through

option button to ID Element. When prompted to identify an
element, pick any part of the southernmost wall. The fire
damper will be moved forward along its axis (i.e. towards the
North) until it lies in the plane of the wall. (You will not now be
able to see the fire damper in the 3D View, since it will be hidden
within the negative box which represents the hole through the
wall.)
Notice how the gap between the straight and the fire damper is
filled automatically by a length of implied ducting in the 3D
View (implied ducting is not shown as an element in the
Members List). We will see how to replace implied ducting with
catalogue straights in a later stage of the exercise.
30. Change the 3D View direction to Look>Plan North, so that you

see a view similar to that illustrated in the preceding diagrams.
31. Create a Rectangular Square Bend with all default settings

except the Leave Direction. Set the latter to W, so that the
bend orientation is as follows:

Version 11.4
PL of
bend
Note: Implied ducting shown by lighter

shading than the HVAC components in all
diagrams
OK the warning message; its significance will be explained in

Section 5.6.
Notice that the Members List now shows two new elements, one
representing the bend ducting, the other representing the set of
air deflectors within it (since it is a square bend requiring
turning vanes; SPLR = Splitter). To see the deflectors inside the
bend, switch the 3D View temporarily to wireline mode (use the
Settings> Shaded option on the 3D View pop--up menu, or
press F8, to toggle between colour--shaded and wireline views).
5.6 How PDMS Represents Composite Components
It is important at this stage that you understand the concept of

having more than one PDMS element to represent a single HVAC
component, since this means that you must be particularly careful
that you are at the correct position in the branch members list when
you want to refer to such a component. (You saw a message warning
you of this when you created the square bend containing the
deflectors.)
If you navigate to the square bend simply by picking it with the
cursor, your current element will most likely be the outer ducting. The
‘subcomponent’ which completes the item’s representation, namely the
deflector set, comes after the bend in the branch members list. You
must therefore navigate to the element representing the deflectors
before you create another component which is to follow the bend in
the branch order.

Version 11.4
Branch Members:
...
PL previous component
bend ducting (BEND)
deflector set (SPLR)
next component
...
PA
(We will see further examples of composite components and

subcomponents when we add stiffening flanges and access panels to
our HVAC ductwork in the next chapter.)
5.7 Creating HVAC Components (Continued)
Exercise continues:
32. With the square bend’s deflector set as your current element,
create a Rectangular Radiused Bend. Set its Inside Radius
to 100 and check that its Leave Direction is N.
Position the new bend in the plane of the westernmost wall by

using POSITION Through ID Element on the HVAC form and
picking either the wall or, if still using a plan view, the beam
above it.
Now move the bend to fit just inside the wall, and downwards so
that the ducting leaving it will pass under the beam across the
building roof, by using POSITION Move by E800D150. The
result should be:
Duct to pass
under beam
Broken line here shows

components are misaligned

Version 11.4
33. Since we have moved the radiused bend downwards, its inlet
(PA) is not vertically aligned with the outlet (PL) of the
preceding component. This is indicated in the 3D View by a
broken line between the components (rather than implied
ducting). To compensate for this, we will now insert a mitred
offset section between the two components.
Remember that the new component will always be added

immediately after the current element, so navigate back to the
previous bend (or, more accurately, the deflector set of the square
bend). Then create a Rectangular Mitred Offset.
In order to calculate the length and correct amount of offset

needed to fit the new component into its available space, we will
use a very powerful facility which does this automatically.
Simply click the Fit button on the Rectangular Mitred Offset
form. The calculated data will be entered into the parameter
data fields: note, for example, that the A Offset is now set to
150.
When you have completed the creation, zoom in close to the

mitred offset and view it from different angles to see how it has
been adjusted to fit between the two bends.
34. Navigate to the last component in the branch (the radiused

bend). Create a second radiused bend with the default Inside
Radius (0.5 means 0.5 x duct width) and with its Leave
Direction East, in the following position:
New bend (this beam will

here be used as a ref-
erence in Step
35)

Version 11.4
First position the bend in the plane of the northernmost wall

(using Through ID Element and then picking the wall or beam
above it); then move it South by 1500 mm (using Move by
S1500).
35. The next item which we want to add is a circular section silencer,
but in order to fit this, we must first insert a square--to--round
transformation piece.
From the Categories list select Transformations, then from

the Available Types select Square to Round. Enter the Duct
Diameter as 750. Position the transformation piece in line with
the first beam reached in the branch--creation direction, shown
striped in the preceding diagram, then move it a further 300 mm
East.
Now select the Inline Plant Equipment component category

and create a Circular Silencer. Name the item SILE1 and set
the Outer Diameter to 950.
36. We will now add another transformation piece to revert back to

rectangular ducting. Instead of specifying this from first
principles, we will create a copy of the existing transformation
piece and reverse it to achieve the desired round--to--square
result.
On the HVAC form, click the Create Copy ID button. When

prompted, pick the square--to--round transformation which you
want to copy. On the Square to Round Transformation form, set
the Flip Circ/Rect option to Yes; this interchanges the PA and
PL points so as to reverse the component’s direction. When you
complete the creation operation, the HVAC layout should look
like this:

Version 11.4
Square Circular Round to

to round silencer square
37. The next item to be added will be a threeway component, so that

we can connect another branch into our existing branch later in
the exercise. From the Rectangular category, create a Square
Threeway with both the Duct Width LA (leave A dimension)
and Second Width (for the branch connection) set to 800 and
with the Leave Direction set to S.
Move the threeway component along the branch axis to achieve a

gap between it and the preceding component (the round--to--
square transformation) of 1500 mm. To do so, enter 1500 in the
text--box next to the Distance button on the HVAC form. (Note
that this operation lets you specify the required result, namely
the gap between the PL of one component and the PA of the next,
rather than having to calculate the movement required to
achieve it.)
To check that the gap is correct, navigate back to the

round--to--square transformation and select Query>Gap to
next from the main menu bar.
38. Return to the square threeway component and create a

Rectangular Radiused Bend with default dimensions and
with its Leave Direction set to East. Align the bend with the
hole in the easternmost wall by using the Through ID Element
option. Note that the current branch direction (i.e. the PL
direction of the previous component) was changed to South by
the threeway item, so the bend will move South until it is
aligned with the picked element.

Version 11.4
39. Create a Rectangular Fire Damper (like the one we created

and positioned in Steps 28 and 29), name it FD2, and position it
through the hole in the easternmost wall.
40. Finally, to complete the branch definition, connect the Branch

Tail to the fire damper (i.e. to the Last Member of the branch).
(This uses the same method that we used to connect the branch
head in Step 27.)
The final HVAC configuration should be as follows:
square round unconnected P3

to to ready to attach a
radiused round square side branch
bend
threeway
connector
1500
circular
silencer
Branch
tail
radiused fire
vertical bend damper
offset
radiused
bend
N
fire square bend (inc.
damper deflector vanes)
straight
Branch
head
41. Save your design changes.
That completes the creation of our main branch. In the next chapter,
we will add some side branches and demonstrate a convenient utility
for representing ceiling tiles which incorporate ventilation grilles. We
will also replace all of the implied ducting with appropriate standard
straights.

Version 11.4
6 Adding to the HVAC Model
In the preceding chapter we created a sequence of HVAC components

to form our main branch. In this chapter we will extend this model by
adding some side branches.
We will begin by using some facilities for setting out a working grid
and positioning ceiling tiles within it, so that we can then use these
tiles as references for positioning HVAC grilles.
6.1 The Grid/Tiling Utility
With reference to our existing design model, the next part of the
HVAC ducting network which we are going to design will feed two
ceiling grilles above the small room in the northeast corner of the
building. In order to position these grilles, we will use a facility which
lets you set out a horizontal grid and a ceiling tile layout based on a
specified datum point.
The grid/tiling utility is used in three stages:
1) Specify a setting--out point (S.O.P.) to represent the datum
from which grid line positions are to be calculated.
2) Create grid lines at specified intervals, referenced from the
S.O.P., in a horizontal plane.
3) Add tiles at specified positions in the plane of the grid.
Exercise continues:
42. If your screen is getting too full, you can temporarily close the
HVAC form (Control>Close from its menu bar), since we will
not need to use it for the next few steps in the exercise. Navigate
to the zone which owns the design model, namely /HVACZONE.
The grid/tiles will be created below this hierarchic level.

Version 11.4
Adding to the HVAC Model
43. From the main menu bar, select Utilities>HVAC Tiles/Grid

Layout>Setting Out Point. You will see an HVAC Grid Setting
Out Point form.
Enter the S.O.P. Name as HTESTSOP1 and enter the Setting

Out Point Height as 2700 (which is the elevation of the ceiling
in which we will eventually position the grilles).
Click OK on the HVAC Grid Setting Out Point form. You will be
prompted to pick the S.O.P. position using the cursor in a plan
view. We actually want to position the S.O.P. at the centre of the
room’s ceiling, which has the coordinates E15000 N9000 U2700.
Rather than trying to pick this point precisely, pick any point in
the ceiling plane to create the S.O.P., then move it to the exact
position required. To do the latter, select Position>Explicitly
(AT) from the main menu and enter the coordinates on the
Explicit Position form (ignore the Positioning Control form). The
S.O.P. is represented by a DISH element in the PDMS hierarchy;
it will appear in the 3D View as a small sphere.
44. We will next define a horizontal reference grid through the

S.O.P. datum point (i.e. a grid in the plane of the ceiling), with
the grid lines spaced out from the S.O.P. in both directions.
Select Utilities>HVAC Tiles/Grid Layout>Grid from S.O.P.

You will see an HVAC Layout Grid from SOP form.
Leave the East/West and North/South Grid Spacing

separations set to the default of 600.
Click OK. You might be prompted to identify the S.O.P. from

which the grid line positions will be calculated (unless it is
already the current element): if so, pick the S.O.P. which you
have just created. You must now define the horizontal
rectangular area which represents the grid boundaries. You will
be prompted to pick first the South--West corner and then the
North--East corner in a plan view. Pick the corresponding
corners of the room (i.e. the intersections of the beams at these
corners).
Since our room is 6000 x 6000 mm, the 600 mm grid line spacing
will give us 10 grid squares in each direction within the ceiling
area, like this:

Version 11.4
Pick NE
corner
second
= S.O.P.
= Tiles to
be added
Pick SW
corner first
NOTE: If the room were not rectangular, you could build up an

overall grid by using abutting rectangles based on separate
setting--out points.
45. To complete this part of the exercise, we will create two tiles in
the ceiling grid where we want to install HVAC grilles (as shown
by the shaded and striped grid squares in the preceding
diagram).
Select Utilities>HVAC Tiles/Grid Layout>Apply Tiles in

Grid. You will see an HVAC Apply Tiles in Grid form.
Leave the East/West and North/South Tile Width dimensions

set to the default of 600. (They do not have to be the same size as
the grid squares, but will usually be so in practice.)
Click OK. You might be prompted to identify the S.O.P. whose

grid will be used to position the tiles. Even though there is only
one, pick the S.O.P. to confirm your intentions.
You will now be prompted to identify the locations at which you

want to insert tiles. Pick the grid squares marked and in
the preceding diagram (the picked points snap to the nearest
half tile, so you don’t need to be too precise). Then press the
Escape key to indicate that you have finished adding tiles.

Version 11.4
6.2 Creating Some Side Branches
We next want to create a side branch which runs from a take--off

point on the main branch and which passes between the tile positions.
We will then add two more side branches running from points on the
first side branch to the tile positions (remember that you need a
separate branch for each length of ducting between two points).
We will complete the network by adding a fourth side branch, leading

to an angled outlet mesh, from the unconnected arm of the square
threeway component.
Before we can create our first side branch, we must insert a suitable
connector into the main branch so that we have a point to which we
can connect the side branch head.
Exercise continues:
46. Navigate to the existing threeway item. We will insert another

branch connector immediately after it in the branch sequence.
Redisplay the HVAC form (Create>HVAC) if you dismissed it

earlier and, from the Branch Connectors category, create a
Flat Oval ‘A’ Boot component.
Set the Boot Width to 610, the Boot Depth to 152, the B
Offset to 100, and the Boot Direction to E.
We want the oval ducting to pass along the centreline of the

ceiling, so position the current component so that its outlet is
aligned with the S.O.P. datum at the ceiling’s centre (using the
Through ID Element facility on the HVAC form), thus:

Version 11.4
P3
P3 of boot
Boot connector connector
with flat oval side aligned with
P3
outlet S.O.P.
47. From the PDMS Branches category, create a Side Branch (off
main).
Enter the Branch Name as HTESTB1.1 (showing that it is a

side branch of main branch HTESTB1) and set its Insulation
Thickness to 50 mm. Leave the Specification option button
set to the current default; that is, to the same specification as the
main branch.
Since you are creating a side branch, it is assumed that you will
connect its head to a free P3 point on an existing component. Set
the Connect Head to option button to Branch Connector to
show the type of component to which this connection will be
made. Click Apply. When prompted, pick the flat oval boot
connector. (Note that you can pick any part of the component;
the new branch head will always be connected to its P3 point.)
48. As the first member of the new side branch, create a Flat Oval
Straight with its Width Direction set to N.
49. We are now going to create two circular boot connectors from
which to route outlets to the two tile positions. We are going to
create these and position them before we create the straight to
which they will be connected, so that the boots can be positioned
relative to the tiles and the length of the straight can then be
adjusted to suit the boot positions.

Version 11.4
With the oval straight as the current element, create a Circular

Boot from the Branch Connectors category. Set the Boot
Diameter to 150 and the Inner Extension to 76. Set Distance
from Leave to 100 and leave Boot Direction as N. This boot
will be positioned 100 mm back from the PL of the straight on
which it will be mounted (which is only implied at this stage).
Now move the boot so that it is aligned through the
northernmost tile (shown as in the diagrams).
Create a second Circular Boot with Boot Diameter 150 and
Inner Extension 76, but this time set Distance from Leave to
700 and Boot Direction to S. This Distance from Leave
dimension positions the boot 700 mm back from the PL of the
previous boot. Since the previous boot was set back 100 mm from
its PL, the difference between the boot positions corresponds to
the 600 mm offset between the two tile positions. The result is as
follows:
tile
main 100
branch first circular boot
straight
side PLs of both
branch circular boots
oval are here
second circular boot
boot 700
N
tile
50. We will now replace the implied ducting between the circular
boots with a straight component. Because the boots are
subcomponents, as defined in Section 5.6, you must first
navigate back two positions in the Members List to the existing
straight in this side branch. Now create a second Flat Oval
Straight and use the Fit button to achieve the required length
between the PL of the first straight and the PLs of the circular
boots. (The calculated Length should be shown as 2525.)
51. To complete this first side branch, we will add a cap to close the
end of the last straight. Navigate to the last component in the

Version 11.4
Members List (i.e. the southernmost circular boot) and create a

Flat Oval Cap End. (Remember that the PL of this boot is as
shown in the preceding diagram, not within the boot volume
itself, so that the cap should be positioned correctly and will
appear in the correct list order.) Finally, connect the Branch
Tail to the Last Member of the branch (i.e. the cap).
52. Our second side branch will run from the northermost circular
boot to a grille in the adjacent tile. Navigate to the first side
branch (/HTESTB1.1) and create a new side branch named
HTESTB1.1.1 with 50 mm insulation thickness. Connect the
head of the new side branch to the circular boot connector.
53. Create a Circular Straight with Length set to 750. To see

what types of leave joint are available, click the Choose button
next to the Leajoint field. From the resulting Choose Joint form,
select Male Socket & Spigot Joint and click OK. The
Leajoint field will be updated to show MALE.
54. Create a Circular Internal Damper with default settings.
55. Create a Circular Flexible Bend with its Leave Direction

set to D (down). Position the bend so that it is aligned through
the appropriate tile. (We will come back to this bend and adjust
its dimensions to fit later.)
56. From the Transformations category, create a Circular to

Rectangular Spigot Box. Set the following parameters: Duct
Width LA = 300; Duct Depth LB = 300; Rectangular Box
Height = 75; Circular Extension = 50; Circular Joint =
MALE.
57. From the Inline Plant Equipment category, create a

Rectangular Grille In Line. Set the parameters as follows:
Name = GRIL1; End Width = 400; End Depth = 400; Grille
Length = 50; ‘A’ Extension = 0.
We want the grille to fit within the tile volume, so set the
Position At option button on the HVAC form to ID Element
and, when prompted, pick the tile. The origin of the grille will be
positioned at the origin of the tile.
(At this stage the PL of the spigot box and the PA of the grille
will have become misaligned, so you will see a broken line
between them rather than a length of implied ducting.)

Version 11.4
58. Having positioned the grille correctly, we will now go back along
the current side branch and adjust the other components to fit.
First, position the spigot box directly on top of the grille. To do

so, navigate to the spigot box (PLEN = Plenum in the Members
List) and select Position At Next from the HVAC form’s
positioning options.
Now adjust the dimensions of the flexible bend so that it fits

correctly between the internal damper (at its PA) and the spigot
box (at its PL). To do so, navigate to the flexible bend and click
the Modify CE button on the HVAC form. This will redisplay
the Circular Flexible Bend form, but note that the option button
at the top of the form is now set to Modify rather than Create.
Click the Fit button on this form to recalculate the dimensions
necessary for a correct fit. (The calculated Arrive Extension
should be set to 120 and the Leave Extension to 225.)
59. Complete the definition of the side branch by connecting its tail
to the grille. The side branch /HTESTB1.1.1 should now look
like this (looking towards the West):
Head
flexible
circular straight bend
cross--section of
oval side branch spigot
/HTESTB1.1 circular boot fire damper box
connector inside straight
grille
Tail
60. Repeat the sequence described in Steps 52 to 59 to create a

similar side branch, named /HTESTB1.1.2, from the second
circular boot to a grille (/GRIL2) positioned in the other tile.
(Remember to navigate up to the level of branch /HTESTB1.1
first.)
The overall layout of the HVAC ducting in the vicinity of the

room should now look like this (note that the different shades
here show the branch hierarchy, not the distinction between
catalogue components and implied ducting as in the other
diagrams):

Version 11.4
fourth side branch will go here
side branch / side branch

HTESTB1.1 /HTESTB1.1.1
main branch
/HTESTB.1
side branch
/HTESTB1.1.2
61. We will now complete the network by connecting an angled

outlet grille to the side arm of the square threeway component
(top--left in the preceding diagram). To do so, we must create a
fourth side branch.
Navigate to the threeway item. Create a side branch named

/HTESTB1.2 with insulation thickness 50mm. Set the Connect
Head to option button on the HVAC Side Branch form to
Threeway Item and, when prompted, pick the threeway
component.
62. Create a Rectangular Radiused Bend. Because we want the

bend to turn in the ‘B’ direction (click the Picture button for
clarification), click the Transpose width/depth button. The
Duct Width AA should now be 500 and the Duct Depth AB
should be 800. Set the Angle to 135, the Inside Radius to 100,
and the Leave Direction to D.
63. Create a Rectangular Radiused Splitter which will fit inside

the bend (i.e. it is a sub--component of the bend). Set the
Splitter Radius to 200. If you are using a colour--shaded view,
switch to wireline mode (Graphics>Shaded or F8 key) to see
the splitter.
64. Create a Rectangular Mesh End, using default settings, to

complete the branch. Connect the branch tail to the last member
in the usual way.

Version 11.4
This side branch will now have the following configuration

(looking towards the East):
135 square
radiused threeway
bend main branch
radiused
splitter Head
Tail
mesh end
65. Finally, to complete the network, we will insert two sets of air
turning vanes into the square threeway component to control the
air flows (similar to those which we saw in the square bend in
Step 31). Navigate to the square threeway component and switch
to wireline view (if not already set) so that you can see what
happens next.
Create the first set of Rectangular Turning Vanes. Change
the Duct Width AA to 500 and leave the other settings at their
defaults. Note in particular that the Leave Throat is 150 and
that the Direction towards leave radio button is selected.
Now create a second set of Rectangular Turning Vanes. This
time set the Duct Width AA to 500, the Leave Throat to 650
and select the Direction opposite leave radio button.
The result, and the significance of the settings used, are
illustrated in the following diagram:
P3 of threeway
Direction opposite leave

(second set)
PA of threeway
Direction towards leave 650 from leave throat

(first set)
150 from leave throat
PL of threeway
PA and PL of both deflectors

Version 11.4
That completes the conceptual design of the basic HVAC network. In

the next chapter we will look at some ways in which we can enhance
this design further.

Version 11.4
13 Completing the Design
In this chapter we will look at some facilities for enhancing the basic
HVAC design model. The main features described are:
D Automatic replacement of implied ducting in gaps by catalogue
straights.
D Automatic addition of stiffening flanges to ductwork items.
D Automatic item numbering of HVAC components.
13.1 Filling Ductwork Gaps Automatically
When we created the main branch, /HTESTB.1, we concentrated on

specifying components with specific functions, such as bends, side
connection points, silencers and dampers. Most of the gaps between
these components were left undefined and were filled by lengths of
implied ducting to complete the representation shown in the 3D View.
To enable the design to be prefabricated, it is necessary to specify the
fixed lengths of ductwork (i.e. ductwork straights) required between
these components, so that a full material take--off list can be
generated. The application includes a powerful facility which can
calculate the optimum combination of standard and non--standard
straights needed to fill each gap and then create the corresponding
components in the design database automatically.
Exercise continues:
131. Navigate to the main branch /HTESTB1. We will first identify

what gaps exist in the branch. To do so, select
Utilities>Autofill with Straights>Show Gaps from the main
menu. You will see a Highlight Implied Ductwork form showing
the name of the current branch at the top.

Version 11.4
Completing the Design
Click Apply. The scrollable list area of the form will show the
location (i.e. the preceding component) and length of each gap,
and the calculated combination of straights needed to fill it. At
the same time, all corresponding lengths of implied ducting will
be highlighted in the 3D View. The list for /HTESTB.1 should
show seven gaps, thus:
Compare the list with the highlighted items in the 3D View.
132. We will now fill each gap with the calculated combination of
straights. Still at /HTESTB1, select Utilities>Autofill with
Straights>Fill Gaps. You will see a very similar form to the
previous one, this time called Autofill with Straights.
Click Apply. Once again you will see a list of all identified gaps,
as in the preceding diagram, but this time the specified straight
lengths will be created automatically to replace the implied
ducting. Check the Members List to see the new elements.

Version 11.4
133. To check that the autofilling operation was carried out correctly,
repeat Step 131. You should now see the message No Gaps To
Show. Do not dismiss the form yet.
Now check that there are no gaps in any of the four side
branches. To do so, navigate to each in turn, click the CE button
at the top of the Highlight Implied Ductwork form, then click the
Apply button. In each case you should see the No Gaps To
Show message. (If not, go back and correct any errors in your
design before proceeding.)
13.2 Adding Stiffening Flanges
A utility is provided for calculating the optimum numbers and

positions of stiffening flanges needed to support ductwork items. The
configuration of the flanges is tailored to suit the component geometry
in each case. You can then create and position such flanges
automatically.
Exercise continues:
134. Navigate to first straight in the main branch (i.e. the

southernmost straight). To calculate the number of stiffeners
needed for this length of ducting, select the Rectangular
category on the HVAC form and create Stiffening. You will see a
Rectangular Stiffening form showing the calculated
requirements for the current element. Note in particular the
number of stiffening flanges required (Spec Requirement): in
this case 5.
To create all of the stiffening flanges as specified on the form,
click the Apply the Spec Requirement button. The five
flanges will be created and positioned automatically. Note that,
in the branch membership hierarchy, they are treated as
subcomponents of the straight (as explained in Section 5.6).
135. Repeat the preceding process to stiffen the next straight which,
being shorter, requires only four flanges.
136. Now, proceeding along the branch, add stiffeners to the square
bend, the mitred offset, and the radiused bend. Notice how the

Version 11.4
stiffening flanges are configured to suit the different component

shapes, like this (different shading identifies individual
components; heaviest lines show flanges joining components
together):
mitred vertical offset

(1 stiffener)
square bend (4
stiffeners)
radiused bend (2
stiffeners)
fire damper
second straight (4
stiffeners)
first straight N
(5 stiffeners)
13.3 Automatic Item Numbering and Naming
The item numbering facility automatically allocates sequential item

numbers to all HVAC components and gives each item a name of the
format /PREFIXnumber, where /PREFIX is a user--definable string
and number is the allocated number. Subcomponents (air deflectors,
stiffening flanges etc.) are numbered as decimalised subsets of their
‘owning’ components.
Inline plant items, which will usually already be named, do not have
their names changed.
Exercise continues:
137. We will autonumber all HVAC items in our current design

model, so navigate to the owning HVAC element /HTESTHVAC
and select Utilities>Automatic Itemising from the main
menu. You will see an HVAC Itemising form.

Version 11.4
Enter the Naming Prefix as /HTEST/ITEM and leave the

Start Number set to 1. When you click Apply you will see an
HVAC Command Output window listing all HVAC items and
their allocated numbers.
Compare the entries in this itemising list with those in the

Members List. You will see that each item (except any inline
component) is named in the Members List using the specified
prefix /HTEST/ITEM suffixed by the item number. For example,
the first two straights in the main branch, and their stiffening
flange subcomponents, appear as follows (the numbers like
=15312/112 etc. are internal database reference numbers, which
you can ignore):

Version 11.4
13.4 Finishing Off Some Design Details
We will now complete some design details which we could not do

earlier because they involve the ductwork straights which we have
only recently created to replace the implied ducting.
First we will modify some joint types to suit the final design, then we
will insert an access panel into the side of a length of ducting.
Exercise continues:
138. When the lengths of implied ducting leading to the two fire
dampers were replaced with straight components, the connecting
joints will have been assumed to remain as default flanged
joints. In fact, the fire dampers require raw edge joints, such
that the ducting simply fits over the damper inlet and outlet.
To modify the inlet joint for either damper (i.e. the leave joint for
the straight), navigate to the preceding straight and click the
Modify CE button on the HVAC form. On the resulting
Rectangular Straight form (in Modify mode), click the Leajoint
Choose button and, from the Choose Joint form, select Raw
Edge Joint, slip over 40mm. The leave joint field will now be
set to RE40. Apply the change.
Repeat this for the inlet to the other damper.
To modify the outlet joint between the first damper and the
square bend (i.e. the arrive joint of the bend), navigate to the
bend and click Modify CE. On the resulting Rectangular Square
Bend form, click the Arrjoint Prev button. The arrive joint field
will be set to RE40 by automatic reference to the previous
component, namely the fire damper. Apply the change.
139. We will now insert an access panel, whose catalogue definition
includes a predefined working volume, into the side of the last
straight. (The reason for doing this will become clear when we
look at clash checking in the next chapter.)
Navigate to the appropriate straight (the short one, named
HTEST/ITEM21 by the itemising utility, connected to fire
damper FD2).
Create a Rectangular Access Panel. From the Select Size
options, which show all panel sizes available in the catalogue,

Version 11.4
select 400x350; then click the first Transpose width/depth

button to give the required configuration (i.e. 350 W x 450 H).
When created, the panel appears in the 3D View as a rectangular
plate standing slightly proud of the ducting surface. In the next
section we will look at its ‘hidden’ geometry in more detail.
Run the automatic itemising utility again so that the access

panel is included in the item list.
13.5 Changing the View Representation
We have already seen how to control which design elements appear in

the 3D View by using the Drawlist to add or remove items as
required. We have also seen how to control the viewable volume and
the viewing direction by using the Limits and Look options from the
3D View’s pop--up menu. We will now see how you can further refine
the view by specifying different levels of detail for the items being
displayed.
Exercise continues:
140. The amount of detail shown in the 3D View for different types of
component is controlled by the current representation settings.
To see what these settings are, select Settings>Graphics>
Representation from the main menu. You will see a
Representation form. We will look at just two of its options here.
The geometric representation of a catalogue component can

include, in addition to its normal physical shape, an
obstruction volume which represents the space around the
component needed for maintenance or operational access. The
access panel created in Step 139 is an example of such an item.
To see what the obstruction volume looks like, set the
Obstruction option to Solid on the Representation form and the
Update all Graphics button to On: click Apply.

Version 11.4
Zoom in close to the access panel and see how its appearance has
changed. The effect, exaggerated here for emphasis, is as follows:
access
panel
obstruction
volume
To reset the normal view, redisplay the Representation form and

set Obstruction to Off, leave Update all Graphics set to On,
and click OK.
141. The holes through the walls, where the fire dampers are
situated, may be shown either as boxes (specially shaded to show
that they represent negative boxes, i.e. holes) or as true holes. So
far we have used the shaded box representation so that we could
pick the holes graphically to identify them. To switch to a more
realistic representation, set the Holes Drawn button to On,
leave Update all Graphics set to On, and click Apply.
Look carefully at each hole in turn. You will now be able to see
the ducting and fire dampers where they penetrate the walls.
That completes the introduction to the basic HVAC routing

operations. In the following parts of the exercise we will look at some
ways of checking the design model and outputting some design data
derived from the database settings.

Version 11.4
8 Checking and Outputting Design Data
To ensure maximum design integrity, the HVAC application lets you

check the data in several ways so that any potential mistakes are
drawn to your attention. In this chapter we will look at the methods
of checking for errors and inconsistencies in the HVAC layout, and for
clashes (spatial interferences) between design elements.
We will then look at two ways of outputting design data derived from
the HVAC model: the generation of a tabulated report showing the
material required to build the design, and the creation of a plot
showing the HVAC layout.
NOTE: Most of the facilities used here are available from all design
applications, so you can readily check and output data from
any combination of design disciplines.
8.1 Querying Some Data Settings

First, we will look at some ways in which you can query specific data
settings as you build up the design model, so that you can check
detailed design points at any stage.
Exercise continues:
77. Navigate to the square threeway component and then select

Query> Item Details> Brief Description from the main
menu. You will see a summary showing the component’s type,
key dimensions and joint specifications, like this:

Version 11.4
Checking and Outputting Design Data
Repeat this operation for some other components (and

subcomponents).
78. Navigate to the first (i.e. southernmost) straight and select
Query>Item Details>Item Number. The resulting output,
which will say Item Number 1, will be appended to the output
from the previous query. Compare the result with the data
illustrated at the end of Section 13.3.
79. At any component, select Query>Item Details>Insulation
Depth. The resulting output should always say Insulation 50
mm, since we specified this insulation thickness when we
created each branch.
80. Use the following Query options for several different types of
component:
Query>Position>Origin
Query>Position>Position PA
Query>Position>Position PL
Compare the results with the catalogue definitions for the
corresponding components, as illustrated in Appendix C.
8.2 Checking for Design Data Inconsistencies
The data consistency checking utility reports the following types of

occurrence (and other similar errors) in the design:
D Branch head or tail reference not set
D Branch head or tail reference type not valid
D Adjoining components have incorrectly ordered PA and PL
points; for example, one component may have been flipped while
its neighbour was not
D Distance between a component and a connected neighbour, or
between a component and the branch head or tail, is not valid
D Neighbouring connected components, or a component and the
branch head or tail, have their PA/PL misaligned
D Arrive or leave joint has wrong connection type

Version 11.4
Exercise continues:
81. To check your design for data consistency errors, select

Utilities> Data Consistency. You will see a Data Consistency
Check form. We will use the default settings for all data checking
operations.
You can send the error report either to your screen or to a file.
We will view it on screen, so select the Output: Terminal
button.
The Check: list lets you specify how much of the design model
you want to check in a single operation. We will check each
branch separately, so select Branch from the list.
Navigate to any component in the main branch /HTESTB1 and

click Apply to initiate the data checking process. The resulting
diagnoses will be shown in the scrollable text area at the bottom
of the form, like this:

Version 11.4
(These two messages remind you that the head and tail of the
branch have not been explicitly terminated and are not
connected to any external items. Each branch end would
normally be connected to, say, an air handling unit or to some
other ductwork in an adjacent design zone.)
Repeat the check for each of the side branches in turn (for the
purposes of this exercise, ignore any messages which you receive
as a result).
It is good practice to run a data consistency check whenever you have

created or modified any significant amount of the design, typically
before you do a Savework operation.
8.3 Checking for Clashes
The types of clash identified depend on two factors:

D The obstruction levels of the clashing elements
D The current touch and clearance tolerances
Obstruction Levels
All design primitives and all catalogue primitives have an obstruction
attribute (OBST) which defines the physical type of obstruction which
the primitive represents:
D A hard obstruction (OBST=2) represents a rigid and
impenetrable object, such as a steel beam or a plant vessel.
D A soft obstruction (OBST=1) represents a volume which is not
solid but which needs to be kept clear for access.
D Any primitive with OBST=0 represents a freely accessible
volume and is ignored for clash checking purposes.
Extent Of Clashing
As well as distinguishing between hard and soft clashing items, the
checking utility recognises three categories of clash between them,
depending on how far the two primitives intrude on each other’s
allocated space. These categories are:

Version 11.4
D A physical clash: the primitive volumes overlap by more than a

specified amount. This usually means that a definite
interference exists.
D A touch: the primitives either overlap by less than the amount
needed to cause a clash or are separated at their closest point by
less than a specified distance. This may simply mean that one
item is resting upon another as intended, or it may indicate a
problem.
D A clearance: the primitives are separated at their closest point
by more than the amount necessary to constitute a touch but less
than a specified clearance distance. This represents a ‘near
miss’, which you may want to investigate.
These three classes are illustrated below for the clash specifications:
Touch limits: 5mm overlap to 2mm gap
Clearance limit: 8mm
so that the following criteria apply:
D If the items overlap by more than 5mm, a clash is reported
D If the items overlap by less than 5mm, a touch is reported
D If the items do not overlap but are separated by less than 2mm,
a touch is reported
D If the items are separated by more than 2mm but less than 8mm,
a clearance is reported
D If the items are separated by more than 8mm, no interference is
found
overlap > 5mm overlap < 5mm gap < 2mm 2mm < gap < 8mm
A Physical Clash Touches A Clearance
The Clash Detection Process

Each element which is to be checked for clashes has its own geometry
checked against that of all other elements which are specified by a

Version 11.4
current obstruction list. Items which are not in the obstruction list
are ignored during the clash checking operations. By default, the
obstruction list includes all elements in the database, so that each
element to be clash checked is tested against every other element. To
control the amount of checking carried out in a large database, you
can restrict the obstruction list to a few specific elements and/or you
can specify a 3D volume (the clash limits) within which the clash
checking is to be confined.
To highlight the locations where clashes are found, the clashing and
obstruction items are shown in contrasting colours in the graphical
view (two shades of red, by default).
Exercise continues:
82. We will use the default values for all clash checking settings. To
see what these are, select Settings>Clasher>Defaults to
display the Clash Defaults form. Think about the meaning of
each setting shown (refer to the preceding introduction); then
Cancel the form.
83. We will check all of our HVAC components for clashes against
the building structure. The default obstruction list (all elements
in the current design database) will include both structural and
HVAC items. To edit this, select
Settings>Clasher>Obstruction> List. You will see an
Add/Remove Obstruction Items form which is used in a similar
way to the Drawlist form (as introduced in Step 8). Remove all
current entries and then Add the structural design data only
(i.e. /HVACFLOOR, /HVACROOF, /HVACWALLS, /HVACCOLS
and /HVACBEAMS).
84. Navigate to the element holding all the HVAC design data which
you want to check (i.e. /HTESTHVAC) and select
Utilities>Clashes. You will see a Clash Display form. The
left--hand side of this form controls the clash checking process;
the right--hand side consists of a 3D view in which you can look
in detail at any clashes diagnosed. Select Control>Check CE
from the form’s left--hand menu bar to run the clash checking
process and, when completed, study the Clash List which shows
any clashes found.
In our case this should show one clash only, with the description

Version 11.4
1 SH CLASH /HTEST/ITEM21.1
This identifies a soft--hard (SH) clash between the obstruction

volume associated with the access panel (which we added in Step
139 and which is illustrated in Step 140) and the adjacent wall.
To see this properly in the form’s 3D view, set the graphics
representation to show obstruction volumes (as explained in
Step 140) and zoom in close to the access panel. Notice how the
clashing items are highlighted in shades of red (if they are not,
repeat the Check CE operation to regenerate the clash data).
85. To see more information about the clash, select Query>Clash>
Detail from the Clash Display form’s menu bar. You will see a
Clash Detail form as follows:
Obstruction
volume for
access panel
Adjacent
wall
Location
of clash
NOTE: If the Auto Clash button is set to On, thus: , each new
element that you create is checked immediately for clashes
as the design is built up. This can slow down progress when
you are adding many new elements, but is very useful when
you want to add a few new items to an existing design which
has already been checked for clashes.
8.4 Generating a Data Output Report
The reporting utility lets you read selected information from the
database and present the output in a tabulated format. Each report
can be customised by specifying some or all of the following:

Version 11.4
D Where the output is to appear (on the screen or in a file ready for
printing).
D An introductory header which is to appear at the beginning of
the report.
D The page length (if the report is to be paginated).
D The page layout, including number and positions of columns,
column headings, etc.
D Any headers and footers which are to appear at the top and
bottom of each page.
D The selection criteria which define which data settings are to be
included in the report.
Once such a report has been designed, its specification can be saved
for future use in the form of a report template file. The ways in
which you define how a given report is to be generated and presented
are beyond the scope of this exercise, but we will look at the results of
the process by using a pre--prepared template which outputs a
material take--off list showing the length of tube needed to build our
design. (You will probably use your company’s standard templates for
most reports anyway, in which case this is the method you would
normally use in practice.)
Exercise continues:
86. Select Utilities>Reports>Run to initiate the reporting process.

You will see a File Browser listing all files in the current
reporting directory (specified by your System Administrator as
part of the project set--up procedure). Check that you are in the
...\REPORTS\TEMPLATES directory. All files with a .tmp suffix
are report templates. Select hvac_list.tmp, which has been
designed to produce a list of the principal components (omitting
subcomponents and branch connectors) in the HVAC design.
Click OK on the File Browser.
87. To run the report defined by the chosen template, you must
specify two things (as determined by the rules within the
template): where the report is to appear, and what part of the
database hierarchy is to be read when extracting the required
types of data. When you OK the File Browser to specify the
template, a Report Details form appears which lets you do this.

Version 11.4
Leave the Filename text--box empty (which will send the report
to the screen automatically). In the Hierarchy text--box, enter
/HTESTHVAC, since we want to list the components for the
whole of the HVAC network. Click OK to run the report.
88. The tabulated report output will be displayed in a Command

Output window which is opened automatically, like this:

Version 11.4

Version 11.4
This report lists all principal components in the specified

network (in this case the whole of our HVAC design model) in
branch head--to--tail order. The type and key dimensions for each
component are tabulated as predefined by the template; any
other properties could have been added (see list in Section C.10),
and the sequence sorted into a different order of priority, if
required by the template designer. For example, the inline items
shown with Item Number 0 could have been identified by
another column showing the component names.
8.5 Plotting the Design Model
PDMS’s drawing module provides very powerful facilities for

generating annotated and dimensioned plots of all or part of the
design model. We will use just a small part of this power to produce
an isometric plot of our HVAC layout using default settings only.
Exercise continues:
In order for the drawing facilities to apply the correct rules for
representing HVAC items, we must set a design attribute which will
tell the drawing module how to interpret the design data. The
attribute used for this purpose is the Function attribute of the
parent Zone.
89. Navigate to the Zone which holds the HVAC design data
(/HVACZONE) and select Modify>Attributes. You will see a
Modify Attributes form listing the current settings for the Zone.
The Function attribute will probably say unset; it is this
setting which we need to change.
Select the Function line in the list. You will see a small
Function form showing the current setting. Edit the text to
replace unset by Heating. OK/Apply the changes.
We must now switch from the DESIGN module, which we have been
using to create the design model, to the DRAFT drawing module.

Version 11.4
90. Select Design>Modules>Draft>Macro Files.
When the DRAFT applications have been loaded from their

macro files, you will see the DRAFT General menu bar and an
empty 2D view window called Main Display (analogous to the
3D View window which we have been using in DESIGN), thus:
Drawing sheet will be displayed here
We must next set up an administrative hierarchy to define how plots

are to be stored (in a real project this would probably have been done
for you already). The parts of the hierarchy with which we are
concerned here are as follows:

Version 11.4
DEPARTMENT
(DEPT)
REGISTRY LIBRARY
(REGI) (LIBY)
DRAWING LIBRARY
(DRWG) (LIBY)
SHEET Standard symbols, annotations etc.

(SHEE)
VIEW
Design database elements to be drawn
91. Select Create>Department and name the element

HVACDEPT. Click OK. You will now see a Department
Information form. Attributes set at Department level are
cascaded down to all lower levels. To set them, click the
Attributes button to display a Department Attributes form. On
the latter form:
D Select the A4 drawing sheet size (note that this sets the
Width and Height automatically).
D Leave all pen definitions, hatch patterns and terminators at
their default settings.
D From the Ruleset Reference options, select
/DRA/PRJ/REPR/GEN/HVAC.
D Set Backing Sheet Reference to Reference and select
/DRA/MAS/BACKS/MET/A4_Land. This will apply
standard borders and data areas to all drawings created in
this Department.
The settings should now look like this:

Version 11.4
D Click Apply, then Dismiss.

Check that the Create Registry button on the Department
Information form is set to On and OK this form. You will see a
Create REGI form.
92. Name the Registry HVACREGI and click OK. You will see a
Registry Information form. Note that all attribute settings for
the Registry have been copied from its owning Department (any
individual attribute cascaded in this way can be overwritten at a
lower level if required).
Set Create Drawing to On and select Explicitly. Click OK.

You will see a Create DRWG form.
93. Name the Drawing HVACDRWG and click OK. You will see a
Drawing Definition form. Enter the Title as HVAC View. Note
that the Date and Drawn By entries are derived automatically
from your system log--in data. Click Apply, then Dismiss.

Version 11.4
That completes the setting up of the drawing administration

hierarchy; we are now in a position to define the content of a drawing
sheet ready for viewing and plotting.
94. Select Create>Sheet>Explicitly and OK the Create SHEE
form. The Main Display view will show the backing sheet
specified in Step 91. You will also see a Sheet Definition form.
Note that all attribute settings have been cascaded down from
Department level. Click Apply, then Dismiss.
The detailed design data, extracted directly from the Design database,
is applied to the sheet in the form of individual Views.
95. Select Create>View>User--defined and OK the resulting form.
A User-defined View form will be displayed, and a default
rectangle will be added to the Main Display to show where the
design data for this view will be plotted.
We will plot a single view on the sheet, so we will first resize the
default view area to fill the available space. To do so, select
Frame>Size>Cursor from the User-defined View menu. The
resulting Point Construction Option form lets you choose various
ways of identifying the extremities of the required area. Using
the 2D Cursor Hit method, pick points just inside the top--left
and bottom--right corners of the drawing area within the backing
sheet layout.
On the User-defined View form, enter the Title as ISO3 View;
set the Type to Global Hidden Line; and set the Direction to
ISO3 (select this using the options available from the middle of
the three Direction gadgets).
The part(s) of the design model which are to be plotted are
specified by means of a drawlist (similar to the way in which the
content of a 3D View was specified in DESIGN). Select
Graphics>Drawlist from the User-Defined View menu to
display the Drawlist Management form. In the Reference List
Members list, navigate to the HVAC element which holds the
complete HVAC network (/HTESTHVAC) and click the Add
button to add it to the drawlist.
We must now set the drawing scale so that the plotted model
representation fits sensibly into the area available on the sheet.
First click the Auto Scale button on the User-defined View form
and notice how the precisely calculated scale is displayed in the

Version 11.4
adjacent text--box. To modify this to the nearest smaller standard

scale, click the Nearest button. The chosen standard scale will
now be displayed (e.g. 1/150). Click Apply to implement the new
scale calculation. The final settings will look something like this:
Click the Update Design button to plot the drawlist element(s)

in the Main Display at the chosen scale, thus:

Version 11.4
This is as far as we will go in this exercise, although the full range of

2D drafting facilities available is extensive, allowing you to add
dimensioning and labelling data derived directly from the design
model, and to add any other specific 2D annotation which you require.
8.6 Conclusion
That concludes both the tutorial exercise and this introduction to

some of the ways in which PDMS and the CADCENTRE applications
can help you in your HVAC design work. We hope that working
through this book has given you an insight into the potential power of
PDMS and that you will have gained sufficient confidence to explore
some of the more advanced options on your own.
For further technical details, refer to the sources of information listed

in Appendix D.
If you have not already done so, you are strongly advised to attend
one or more of the specialised PDMS training courses, which will
show you how to get the maximum benefits from the product in your
own working environment (see Section 1.3).

Version 11.4
Index
3D view, 3--4 Clash checking

checking process, 8--5
clash limits, 8--6
A
extent of clash, 8--4
Access panel, 7--6 obstruction levels, 8--4
Air turning vanes, 6--10 obstruction list, 8--5
Application principles, 8--4
definition, 1--3 Clash limits, 8--6
loading, 5--3 Clashing extent, 8--4
Attribute, definition, 4--2 Clearance, definition, 8--5
Composite component,
representation, 5--11
B Control button, 3--9
Branch Copying existing components, 5--14
definition, 4--1 Current element, definition, 4--3
main and side branches, 5--7
side, 6--4 D
Data consistency checking, principles,
Branch head, definition, 4--2
8--2
Branch head/tail, connecting, 5--9 Database hierarchy
Branch tail, definition, 4--2 Design data, 4--2
Button Draft data, 8--12
control, 3--9 Design data, checking, 8--2
option, 3--8 Design database hierarchy, 4--2
radio, 3--7 Design parameters, 5--1
toggle, 3--7 Design session, ending, 4--10
Detailing specification, 5--5
Display
C
restoring, 5--2
CE, 4--3 saving, 4--10
Check box, 3--7 Draft applications, loading, 8--11
Clash, definition, 8--4 Draft database hierarchy, 8--12
HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS Index--1

Version 11.4
Index
Draft module, 8--11 Item naming, 7--4

Drawlist, 4--5 Item numbering, 7--4
Ducting, implied, 5--10 Item numbers, querying, 8--2
Itemising, 7--4
E
Element, definition, 4--2 J
Ending design session, 4--10 Joints, specifying, 7--6
L
F
Leaving design session, 4--10
Forms and display, saving, 4--10
Limits, setting for view, 4--5
Function attribute, setting for
DRAFT, 8--10 List, scrollable, 3--8
M
G
MDB selection, 3--2
Gaps between components
Member, definition, 4--3
filling automatically, 7--2
Members list, 3--4
measuring, 5--15, 7--1
Geometry set, 5--2 Menu, pull--down, 3--5
Menu bar, 3--4, 3--5
Graphical view, 3--4
Module, definition, 1--3
Grid, for tiling, 6--2
Module selection, 3--2
Mouse buttons, functions, 3--4
H
Multiple database selection, 3--2
Hard obstruction, 8--4
Head, of branch. See Branch head
N
Help, on--line, 3--9
Naming, automatic, 7--4
Holes, representation, 7--8
Negative primitive, definition, 4--2
HVAC Designer application, loading, Numbering, automatic, 7--4
5--3
HVAC element, definition, 4--1
O
HVAC form, 5--3
Obstruction levels, 8--4
Obstruction list, 8--5
I Obstruction volume, representation,
Implied ducting, 5--10 7--7
Insulation, querying, 8--2 On--line help, 3--9
Isometric view, 4--5 Option button, 3--8
Item details, querying, 8--1 Owner, definition, 4--3
Index--2 HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

Version 11.4
Index
P S
P--arrive, 5--1 Save work facility, 4--9
Saving design changes, 4--9
P--leave, 5--1
Screen layout
P--point
restoring, 5--2
definition, 5--1 saving, 4--10
p--arrive, 5--1 Scrollable list, 3--8
p--leave, 5--1 Setting out point (SOP), 6--2
point set, 5--2 Side branch, 6--4
Panning view, 4--7 Site, definition, 4--1
Soft obstruction, 8--4
Parameters, catalogue components,
5--1 Specification, detailing, 5--5
Status bar, 3--4, 3--6
Password entry, 3--2
Status form, 3--6
Physical clash, definition, 8--4
Stiffeners, adding, 7--3
Plotting facilities, 8--11 Structure, definition, 4--2
Point set, 5--2 Subcomponent, 5--11
Position, querying, 8--2 Submenu, 3--5
Primitive
T
definition, 4--2 Tail, of branch. See Branch tail
geometry set, 5--2 Text box, 3--7
Project selection, 3--2 Tile, positioning, 6--3
Prompts, 3--6 Toggle button, 3--7
Pull--down menu, 3--5 Tool bar, 3--4
Touch, definition, 8--4
Training courses, 1--2
R
U
Radio button, 3--7
User name entry, 3--2
Reports
generating, 8--7 V
principles, 8--7 View
templates, 8--8 3D/graphical, 3--4, 4--4
centre of interest, 4--9
Representation
panning, 4--7
holes, 7--8 rotating, 4--7
obstruction volumes, 7--7 zooming, 4--7
Rotating view, 4--7 View direction, 4--5
HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS Index--3

Version 11.4
Index
W
World, definition, 4--1
Z
Zone, definition, 4--1
Zooming view, 4--7
Index--4 HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

Version 11.4

Tutorial Vantage Pdms - Hvac Design Volume 1

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HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

CADCENTRE MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO THIS

E Copyright 1994 through 2002 Cadcentre Limited

Cadcentre Ltd, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HB, UK

1 Read This First

2 What PDMS Offers You

Part II Getting Started

HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

5 Routing a Sequence of HVAC Components

6 Adding to the HVAC Model

7 Completing the Design

8 Checking and Outputting Design Data

HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

Part III Reference Appendices

B The HVAC Design Database

C HVAC Catalogue Guide

D Other Relevant Documentation

E Some Sample Plots

HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

1.1 The Scope of the Guide

This guide introduces the facilities provided by Cadcentre for the

1.2 Learning to Use PDMS

HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS 1--1

D A hands--on tutorial exercise, which gives a step--by--step

The intention is that you should work progressively through the

1.3 Further Training in the Use of PDMS

1-- 2 HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

1.4 Some Terms and Conventions

HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS 1--3

1.5 How the Guide is Organised

This guide is divided into three parts, including some appendices, as

D Chapter 1 (this chapter) summarises the scope of the

D Chapter 3 gives you a general guide to using the PDMS

1-- 4 HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

D Part III comprises the following set of reference appendices:

D Appendix A shows the complete hierarchy of all options

HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS 1--5

PDMS plus the Cadcentre HVAC Designer and related applications

The emphasis throughout is on maximising both design consistency

The applications, which have been designed by HVAC engineers for

HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS 2--1

2--2 HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

D HVAC elements may be named in accordance with a predefined

D The application’s user interface can be tailored readily to suit the

D At any stage of your work, you can create reports listing

HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS 2--3

HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

This chapter introduces the techniques for controlling PDMS using

It is assumed that you are already logged in to your workstation and

HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS 3--1

3.1 Accessing the Design Environment

1. Start PDMS. The CADCENTRE PDMS Login form requires you

Click OK and wait while the application is loaded. The resulting

3--2 HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS

Main Menu Bar

3D View Tool Bar

D Main Tool bar provides short--cuts to some common

D Members List shows your current position in the database

D 3D Graphical View the window in which you will display the

HVAC Design Using VANTAGE PDMS 3--3

D Status Bar displays information about the current status of

3.2 Using the Mouse

3.3 Using Menus