New Coding for HVAC Program...

I am trying to write code for a new program and I am not sure where to start. My program will involve the user picking a single line duct layout with air pressures at the end of every run. The program will need to look at the air pressure to know how to double line the run. The main will increase with size as more runs are calculated back to the fan. If anyone is interested in pointing me in the right direction on starting this project please help. Thanks.

Joe

 

How is the text getting placed at the end of the runs? Are you using
Trane software or something similar, or is the user adding the text? If
its the user, start there - write a program that adds the text *and*
adds xdata to the 'run' line so it'll be easier for this program to
access the data.

Otherwise, start with a piece of paper and map out the dsired
functionality. If no xdata, how will the program know wh/where the text
is? Will the user select the run and then the text? Will the user select
the run and your program will 'look' for the text within a given radius
out from the end points? Will the user select anything at all, or can
your program do it based on layers?

Once you've sketched out your program, try and write it to do first one
run and then add another to it. After you can do two back to back, the
rest should be easy because you'll just be expanding on them for the
remainder.
___________________________
Mike Tuersley
CADalyst's AutoCAD Clinic
Rand IMAGINiT Technologies

 

I have a program for HVAC duct designing. You can have a look at it. Comments are welcome.
www.hvacsimular.com

 

Ok. If I use selection sets to get all my lines how do I get that data? I need the start and end point of every line. I am confused. Do I need to use an array and how?

Joe

 

Again, Joe, start with just one line and one piece of text...

- select it
- set a variable to hold the start point
- create a circle of x circumference
- create a selection set of all text [on a unique layer?] and iterate
thru that selection set to see if any intersect with your circle, or
have their start point within your circle. Then expand the circle until
you find something - its going to be a lot of coding
- once you've got that working for this one end, set your code to cycle
both end points
- once it works for both, extend it to work for all lines within a
selection set [this is why xdata would be easier!!!]

As for an array, who knows??? There are any number of ways you could
store the info. I, personally, use scripting dictionaries - faster
because you can search them.
___________________________
Mike Tuersley
CADalyst's AutoCAD Clinic
Rand IMAGINiT Technologies