4.6.4. AUTO mode – Automatic component connecting<br>

### 4.6.4. AUTO mode – Automatic component connecting

In the AUTO mode the editor automatically searches for and proposes a connection point for the component that is being inserted.

The AUTO mode has its field in the lower right-hand corner of the screen (see section 4.2). Blue letters in that field indicate that the AUTO mode is activated. Grey letters mean that the AUTO mode is disabled.

The AUTO mode is indicated when inserting components by diagonal cross marks, which indicate proposed point of placing the component. The component is moved in a manner enabling its connection to the existing structure.

! When placing components, you can switch the AUTO mode on/off using the SHIFT key:
If the AUTO mode is globally disabled, and you need that mode to insert a new module, press and hold the SHIFT key while placing the module.
If the AUTO mode is globally enabled, but it introduces some undesirable effects of pipe-run connecting when inserting a new module, press and hold the SHIFT key while placing the module.
This could be formulated as follows:
AUTO + Shift => AUTO
AUTO + Shift => AUTO

On the “Construction” layer of the appropriate type of worksheet this mode is used when editing rooms with the use of “wall” type components and when editing pipe feeds between heating zones and manifolds, and also when drawing pipe arrangements in a HZ using polylines.

On the “Installation” layer the AUTO mode is used when inserting components or modules. When inserting a module (set of several components saved to toolbar) in the AUTO mode, pipe-runs with no connections are automatically selected. Points of their connection are looked for.

First an attempt is made to connect them to existing connection points. If there are no such points nearby, then an attempt is made to connect pipe-runs to internal points of pipe-runs, and finally to pipe-run segments.

When a module is inserted, attempt is made to maintain the arrangement of pipe-runs, elongating them and moving the whole module, if necessary, to adapt it to the existing system arrangement.

Apart from automatic connecting of pipe-runs, the AUTO mode places the inserted module at the specified (in general data) distance from existing floor. To take an advantage of this feature, place the module on the floor with the AUTO mode enabled. The module will be automatically moved over the floor. You can specify the distance between the radiator and the floor in the “Rdit” tab of the “Project options” window.

¨ To change the default distance from the floor:

1. Select Options / General data” from the menu (F7).

2. Move to the “Edit” tab.

3. Enter the desired value into the “Distance between radiator and floor” field.

The AUTO mode is also used when inserting pipe-runs and pipe-run pairs. When a pair of pipe-runs is inserted the shape of the pipe-runs being inserted is modified in an intelligent manner so as to retain horizontal and vertical segments. Sometimes, however, the automatic positioning of pipe-runs is not proper (particularly when radiator and manifold are connected to a main by means of a pipe-run pair). In this case the use of the Shift key (which disables automatic connecting) and the Ctrl key (which stops modification of existing points) is helpful.

The drawings below illustrate the effect of the use of the Ctrl key (assume that the AUTO mode is on):

- A radiator was inserted before inserting a pair of pipe-runs. Then a pipe-run pair is inserted starting from the bottom:

Ctrl not pressed Ctrl pressed

- As you can see the use of the Ctrl key results in this case in improper positioning of the pipe-runs. There are, however, situations when the use of the Ctrl key brings about positive effects, particularly when connections are made between riser pipe-runs and distribution network.

- For instance, when a radiator and a manifold are connected to a main by means of a pipe-run pair, starting from the radiator, the pipe-runs are not arranged correctly:

Ctrl not pressed Ctrl pressed

- In this case press the Shift key when inserting the terminal point of the pipe-run pair (at the manifold), so that automatic connection is not made:

- In the situation described above, the use of Ctrl and Shift keys is not necessary, if we start inserting the pipe-runs from the manifold main and proceed to the radiator.

! To summarise: when inserting a pair of pipe-runs with the AUTO and ORTO modes enabled does not lead to desired effects, try to insert the pipe-runs starting from the opposite end.

The best way to test the effect of the AUTO mode is to connect a pair of pipe-runs to various components and build an alternately connected riser using the basic module of one-side connection riser on an existing set of floors. Even-numbered storeys should be flipped before inserting.

¨ To create an alternately connected riser:

1. Insert a “One-sided riser E.G.” from the “Risers” tab on the toolbar. This riser is an expanding group, but this feature will not be used here.

2. Select “One-sided riser module” on the toolbar.

3. Make sure the AUTO mode is enabled.

4. Before you insert the module, flip it horizontally using the Ctrl+Tab key combination.

5. Position the module above the existing first storey of the riser.

6. The manner of connecting the module is displayed.

7. Click the left mouse button to insert the storey.

8. You can insert subsequent storeys in the same manner.