No matter what your discipline, one of the tasks of a designer is to make sure that code or ordinance requirements are met. A lot of codes and ordinances incorporate clearance, spacing or directional items that must be complied with.  Verifying compliance is a regular task that could mean embarrassment or possibly a red tag and significant costs if it is not caught in the plans review but does get caught in the field.

Two common code regulatory agencies that have requirements that are perfect for incorporating into blocks are the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and the National Electric Code (NEC).

I have dealt with both myself, and it always adds a little more time than I would like to spend to verify that the necessary clearances are met – especially when plan changes happen.   Now this does not mean I do not want to do this important task, I just want to get it done faster!

In my current field of work, the NEC is what I deal with regularly, and an important concern is that of clearances in front of and around electrical gear. This is a safety issue, and if not met can stop a job in its tracks and possibly cause expensive re-work.

A few years ago I decided to address this by incorporating these clearances in the company’s master blocks. As the blocks got more detailed, they became more useful for not only verifying code clearances but also being able to verify quick electric room layouts.

Visual Clarity

Below is a screen shot of an electrical room without clearances shown.  When looking at this electric room plan, the non-electrical person will often assume the room is too big and has a lot of wasted space, which is something we deal with some building owners and architects.

Figure 1

We don’t want to waste space if possible, but as part of our design, we have to consider, future expansion, ventilation around equipment, and most importantly manufacturer’s and code required clearances.

Below is the same room with clearances turned on.

Figure 2

The clearances shown in Figure 2 above are on a non-plot layer called “E-clearances” (not defpoints).

Note: If you have a bunch of (or any) non-plotting notes and line work on defpoints – please don’t. Defpoints has a purpose, and it’s not for storing your coordination notes and linework.  If you would like an explanation as to why using defpoints is bad, check out the post titled “Layers are a piece of Cake” – my first ever FunctionSense post.

I typically leave this non-plotting coordination layer on as an easy check when there are background changes – to make sure we stay in compliance.

More Useful Data

To make the blocks even more informative, add supplemental data that allows you, your coworkers and any team members that you share your drawings with to stay informed on your design intent. In Figure 2 above, you may notice text in the transformer and clearance lines. The text in the clearance lines lets us know which code situation we fall in based on the voltage and material in front of the gear.  The notes in the transformer tell us what size transformer our layout is based on and how much it weighs in case it needs to be hung from structure.  This may also be helpful for any other team members that we share the drawings with.

Most companies, mine included, use a specific manufacturer as the basis of design.  One of the things I have also started incorporating in manufacturer specific blocks is an additional ‘Visibility State’ that lists the manufacturer’s reference data or specific application notes.

Check out this quick video showing some of the features mentioned above.

There are some pretty cool things you can do to increase your productivity by incorporating code required clearances and other useful data into your dynamic blocks.  Other items we commonly incorporate:

• Ordinance required light pole spacing (based on pole height – visibility state, plots on drawings)
• Coverage patterns for Occupancy sensors (based on multiple manufacturers with different colors, non-plot layer)
• Coverage of Fire alarm strobes based on Candela rating (visibility states, non-plot layer)

Are you incorporating code, ordinance or manufacturer’s data in your blocks for coordination purposes?  If you have a unique idea, I would love to hear about it.  Leave it in the comments or email me.

WES

This is the 11th article in my AutoCAD 101 series – to read about the origination for this series, see the first post here: <Intro>

The last post in this series was about “Dynamic Blocks” on the ‘Rotate’ Parameter and Action. <link>. This post will cover the ‘Flip’ Parameter and Action and the next post will cover the ‘Linear’ Parameter and associated Actions.

Figure A

For this post, once again, I will make a new block – the “Refrigerator” (Fridge).  To demonstrate the ‘Flip’ Parameter and Action, I will create a block that has two visibility states. One state will be for a single door (Top or bottom Freezer) and one will be for a Side-by-Side.  If you are not familiar or comfortable with Visibility States, see the post on Visibility states here.  This block will now give me two Dynamic options in one block and the ability to choose a left or right hand version – common for refrigerators and front load washers and dryers.  Now some would say “it is just a rectangle dude!” – well, I tend to be a bit more detailed, so knowing which way my doors open is important. In addition some would just say – “Mirror the block to get a left or right side door handle or Freezer section.  True this is an option, but if you insert a lot of appliances and re-layout kitchen and laundry designs on a regular basis, you will see how much cooler (and faster) the ‘Flip’ option is.

Below are two views of my basic refrigerator in the original left side option view.

Figure B

You will notice that the image shows the various grips of the block.  the down arrow grip is for choosing the visibility states, and the bottom centered grip is the insertion point.  Note that the insertion point is off the back of the refrigerator – this is because we need space behind it.  This one of those important little details discussed in the “Important Stuff” post about making blocks.

NOTE: The time it takes to make a simple block like this is small compared to the time you save each time you insert it.  And the more options you add to it – the more flexibility and time you save.  For instance, if you have (4) common refrigerator sizes, maybe more for a professional kitchen designer, and you add all the looks and sizes in to Visibility states and add flip options, you can keep everything in one block, one insertion, one edit… Make sure your most common used version is your default visibility state.

To create the ‘Flip’ option, I need to add both the ‘Flip’ Parameter and the ‘Flip’, Action.

Flip

Parameter:

• On the Parameter Tab of the Block authoring Palette, select ‘Flip’
• Select the base point for the Flip (bottom of Fridge)
• Select the endpoint of the Flip line (top perpendicular to bottom of Fridge)
• Place the label just above the Fridge

Action:

• To save editing later – because we have multiple Visibility States, select the button that shows  all objects (filled box over open box on Block Editor Toolbar)
• On the Action Tab of the Block authoring Palette, select ‘Flip’
• Select the Flip Parameter from the previous step (arrow on bottom of Fridge)
• Select everything
• Right click on the Flip Label and set Object Visibility to ‘Show for All states’
• Test the block to make sure it is functioning properly – pick on the arrow and your block should ‘Flip’
• Once I verify it is all good, I moved the Flip “Arrow” to the top of the Fridge for easier access

Below are two views of my final refrigerator in the right side option view.  You will notice that the image now shows the ‘Flip’ arrow grip.

Figure C

In the next post, I will cover the Linear Parameter and it’s associated Actions.  That will wrap up Dynamic blocks and I will move in to External References.

If you run into a snag with any of this or you would like a copy of the blocks created here, email me at walt@functionsense.com

WES

This is the 10th article in my AutoCAD 101 series – to read about the origination for this series, see the first post here: <Intro>

The last post in this series was about “Dynamic Blocks” on points. <link>. This post will cover the ‘Rotate’ Parameter and Action and the next post will cover the ‘Flip’ Parameter and Action.

Figure A

For this post I will break away from the Electrical world and create a new block that anyone can use: “North-Arrow”.

One thing that is typically the case with a North arrow is that unless your building is perfectly square or rectangular and can fit across the sheet with one side facing True North, your North angle needs to rotate, and it is not always in perfect 45 degree angles.  What I have seen a few Architects do, is to provide a ‘Plan North’ and a ‘True North’.  This feature can be included in the block.

I will start by creating the basic block with a circle, a set of cross hairs, a thick polyline for the True North line and an indicator for Plan North.  The block combines a few previous Parameters, so it will also have:

• Two visibility states, one for just a basic North arrow and one for both Plan and True North.
• The option to choose to be inserted by the left, right or center point of the North Arrow

Below is the basic Visibility states of the North arrow.  I know they are “Basic”, you can make your own as pretty as you would like.

Figure B

Below is the block in the editor, showing all the parameters.  The steps for doing the multi-insert points were covered in the last post and the Visibility States were covered in a previous post also.  Remember, that for ‘Insertion’ points, the exclamation points are ok.  This image shows three insertion points, the Rotate Parameter/Action and the Visibility state drop-down arrow.

Figure C

To create the ‘Rotate’ option, I need to add both the ‘Rotate’ Parameter and the Rotate, Action.

Rotate

Parameter:

• On the Parameter Tab of the Block authoring Palette, select ‘Rotation’
• Select the center of the circle for the basepoint
• For the radius I choose just past the end of the line that I will be rotating
• For default rotation angle, I type ‘0’ (Zero)

Action:

• On the Action Tab of the Block authoring Palette, select ‘Rotate’
• Select the Rotation Parameter from the previous steps
• Select the line you will be rotating
• Test the block to make sure it is functioning properly
  • Turn ortho off and on to see it smoothly rotate or go in 90 degree steps

If I switch the visibility state to to ‘True vs Plan North’ view, I lose my rotation option.  This is because when I set up the ‘Rotate’ option the ‘Standard North’ view was the view I had selected as current.  I want the rotate option in both views; fortunately this is a simple fix.   Using crossing, I select the Angle Parameter and Rotate Grip, right click to select  ‘Object Visibility’ and then choose ‘Show for All States’.  Testing again shows the rotation option in both states.  You can do this same step to Hide an Action from a specific Visibility State.

Figure D

One thing I do not like is that the “dot” that is the grip for rotation is 90 degrees off from my line I am rotating.  Once again, easy fix.  I select the Rotation Grip and drag it to where I want it – at the top of the thick polyline.  When gabbing items in the Dynamic block if your not sure what you have, look at the properties palette and it will let you know if it is a parameter or Action what it is – See below.

Figure E

In the next post, I will cover the flip Parameter and Action.

If you run into a snag with any of this or you would like a copy of the blocks created here, email me at walt@functionsense.com.

WES