Inserting and connecting pipes

#Inserting a pipe

A pipe is created point by point. If it starts or ends on an existing pipe, LuaCAD places the tee there automatically.

1. On the Pipe page of the panel choose the medium, catalog, nominal size and installation level, then click Insert.
2. Click the start (1): free, at the end of a pipe, or in the middle of a pipe – a branch is created there.
3. Click further points. A click in the middle of another pipe (2) splits it and the tee goes there. Close to the free end of a pipe, the new pipe is connected instead of splitting it.
4. Enter or Esc ends the run – the segments already placed stay.

#Angle, height and distance

• The Space key switches between snap angle (grid from the panel, e.g. 45°) and free.
• A sets, before the first point, a distance to a reference point (e.g. 200 mm from a wall corner); during the run it sets the installation height and the wall distance.
• D types an angle, W picks it with two clicks – the angle grid follows.
• P takes all values of a pipe you click (medium, catalog, DN, height), N only its medium.

#Route line or 3D right away

"Insert as" in the panel: route line draws only the axis; the pipes come with Generate 3D (Tools page). Generate 3D already shows every pipe at the cursor and places pipes, elbows and tees from the catalog while you draw.

#Drawing a multi-pipe run

All pipes of the chosen riser template run in parallel – each in its own medium, with an elbow at every corner.

1. On the Risers/connections page choose a riser template (for example cold water, hot water, circulation) and click Insert multi-pipe run.
2. Click the start (1). At risers or at an existing multi-pipe run each pipe starts at the pipe of its medium, otherwise freely. Before that, P takes pipes from the drawing and E opens the riser template.
3. Click the corners (2). S puts the pipes on the other side, A changes height and wall distance, the Space key switches between snap angle and free.
4. If the run ends on an existing multi-pipe run (3), each pipe connects to the pipe of its medium. Enter or Esc ends the run.

#Picking up pipes from a fixture

Before the first point, P takes the pipes from the drawing: draw a rectangle over existing pipes – or over a fixture or free connections. Each connection becomes a pipe with its medium, spacing and DN; catalog and material stay as set.

#Connecting two pipes

Click two pipes – LuaCAD suggests the possible connections and you choose the right one.

1. Click Connect (Tools page) and click the first pipe (1). Several pipes at once: click next to them and drag a rectangle.
2. Click the second pipe (2). In the middle of a pipe a tee is created, close to its end a corner.
3. If there are several solutions, LuaCAD shows all of them in colour (3). Tab or arrow right/left switches; the yellow one is selected.
4. A click or Enter accepts the yellow solution, Esc discards it. You can then connect the next pair right away.