Selecting a fitting from the ribbon panel activates the Place Component settings dialog, where you can manage the schema parameters (DG instance properties). Also, the contextual Placement tab appears on the ribbon, that provides placement settings options for the currently selected fitting.

The generic placement settings, along with the unique set of dimensional and data parameters from the datagroup system provide the core workflow used to accurately position mechanical components within a system.

Component categories

Placing duct employs automatic fitting placement logic that senses the dimensional properties of the duct and orientation in 3D space of the AccuDraw Compass to correctly select combinations of elbows, transitions, takeoffs and coupling components to maintain connectivity throughout the route.

Notable Properties

Duct Insulation/Lining

The insulation and lining characteristics for rectangular ductwork allows exterior insulation as well as interior lining that will maintain the clear opening area of the duct opening by increasing the outer connection size. This feature meets industry acceptance and re-size geometry accordingly with internal lining application. Implements industry standards into the 3D model by resizing duct geometry to accurately model unobstructed internal duct dimensions. Industry standard refers to Lining as an internal insulation and the geometric extents of the duct must be adjusted accordingly to represent the "clear" internal opening of the duct (i.e., a 12 x 12 duct with 1" internal lining is actually a 14 x 14 duct with a 12 x 12 internal opening). Using positive integers through the datagroup system, adding lining types and adjusting duct sizes when lining is applied bring the duct and fittings to industry standards.

Properties display clear opening dimension

The Lining Thickness adds in the end dimensions and keeps the clear opening of required size. For example, for a 18 x 12 size duct, a 1" lining would add in the width and depth and derive the outside dimension as 20 x 14, used for computing material requirements.

Lining adds acoustic balance and reduces noise. Using the Lining Thickness property to component adds lining graphics. Similarly, the Insulation Thickness determines efficiency of keeping the inside flow unaffected from changes in outside temperature over the length of duct. Several lining types are available in the DataGroup Lining Material field and the user defined lining thickness will adjust the connection parameters for all duct, fittings and attached components based on that input.

1 - Duct Insulation thickness; 2 - Duct Lining

Duct Insulation and Lining material

The color properties of insulation symbology apply to both insulation and lining.

Snap to Insulation and at elevation

Snap point is possible to use to determine and annotate component elevations (Elevation Callout). The snap feature can have snap to either component or insulation level.

Snap to duct insulation, at an elevation

Notable Property Options

Set as Default AutoFitting Option – Saves the settings from the active duct, and applies them to duct tool as defaults.

Manufacturer Catalog – Edits the current Catalog having standard properties assigned to the duct, that had set in the Properties via selecting a catalog name.

Notable Placement settings

Justification – Nine placement points are available when routing. These options are useful when routing around obstacles, and become powerful design aides when routing with justification.

Single-Line mode – When activated, the routing workflow draws the model in a single line schematic.

Match – Placement options activate matching behaviors that sense and apply to the active component the attributes of existing components.

There are three types of duct. Rectangular, Round and Flat Oval. Round also includes a special type of duct component. Flex duct. The list of ducts available in Duct group is compiled in the Duct Types topic.