Building Mechanicals is a free industrial extension available in the Marketplace (refer to Image 1 below). This extension gives you access to CET’s HVAC symbols. You will be able to draw cylindrical or rectangular ducts in a straight and curved direction. CET also provides 2 types of junctions, 1) a reducer junction and 2) a straight-tee junction.

Image 1: Building Mechanicals components tab

Like the Wall Drawing components tab, you will find the Appearance settings section at the top, in which you can control how the HVAC is displayed in the drawing and determine the HVACs physical parameters via the Building Mechanicals settings (shown in Image 2 below).

Image 2: Building Mechanicals settings button

Building Mechanicals settings: Opens the Building Mechanicals settings window to configure the HVACs elevation, cylinder diameter, and rectangular width & height. Also, at the bottom is the option to move the HVACs only when the Building Mechanicals tab is active.

Image 3: HVAC Appearance mode

HVAC (appearance/visibility): Determines how the HVACs are displayed in the drawing (Image 3).

• Normal: Solid duct.
• Transparent: Displays the HVAC as a red (Default colour) translucent duct (3D view only). The colour can be changed beside the drop-down menu.
• Hidden: Hides the HVAC from view.

HVAC

As seen in Image 4 below, when inserting the HVAC, a quick green property box will appear where you can choose the type of duct to insert and other parameters such as the elevation, cylinder diameter, and rectangular width & height.

Image 4: Inserting an HVAC

However, unlike Walls, after the second click of inserting the HVAC, you have the option to continue where you last clicked for making a curved or a mitred elbow (refer to the above Image 5).

Image 5: Curved or Mitered Elbow option

As shown in Image 6, once the symbol is placed, you can modify the existing parameters in the quick green property box, just like in the Building Mechanicals settings dialogue. In addition, there is an option “Open-ended” where you can decide whether to make the duct Open or Close-ended.

Image 6: Quick Green Property Box for Straight Ducts

Junctions

There are 2 types of Junctions to choose from, as mentioned earlier.

Reducer Junction

As can be seen in Image 7, the Reducer Junction would snap into place with the existing ducts and automatically determines the end dimensions and type of profile to use. Once inserted, you may alter the desired output dimensions in the quick green property box should you want the Junction to reduce or increase in output end. Besides that, you also have the option to “Show Label” for the Junctions (Visible in the 2D Drawing View).

Image 7: Reducer Junctions

Straight-Tee Junction

From Image 8, the Straight-Tee Junction is similar to Reducer Junction, where they will snap into place and auto-detect the type of profile to use based on the provided Duct. However, while inserting the Straight-Tee Junction, you can choose which side of the Tee Junction you would like to snap on first, as shown in Image 9 below. Once the Junction is inserted, you can change the dimensions of the other 2 free ends through the quick green property box.

Image 8: Straight-Tee Junction

Image 9: Straight-Tee Junction Snap Options