CYPEPLUMBING. "Solar Systems" tab
"Solar Systems" tab work environment
The interface of the "Solar Systems" tab in the CYPEPLUMBING program has three tabs at the top with different work environments: "Installation", "Diagrams" and "Bill of quantities". These environments are similar to those in other CYPE tools and have a system of dockable windows that can be customised to adapt the workspace to the needs of the project.
"Installation" tab
The "Installation" tab has a work environment that can be used to design the solar thermal energy system, both in a 3D view and in any type of 2D view (such as floor plans and elevations). This way, the elements in the system can be entered using the most appropriate view at any given time.
This tab contains:
- A top toolbar containing the tools for managing the catalogues and project options; entering and editing the elements of the solar thermal energy system (solar thermal collectors; accumulator tanks and heat exchangers; fittings, pumps and pipes); and analysing, checking and sizing the system.
- The work area, on the right-hand side of the screen, where the above-mentioned elements are entered, edited and displayed.
- On the left-hand side, several panels with tools for defining the views and levels of the project, managing the visibility of the elements read and configuring the layers and snap options.
"Diagrams" tab
The "Diagrams" tab contains a work environment that generates the diagrams of the solar thermal energy system and creates them on sheets in the desired formats.
This tab contains:
- A top toolbar containing the tools for generating the solar thermal system diagrams; entering and editing the elements that make up the diagrams; and adjusting and configuring the general options and symbols.
- The workspace, on the right of the screen, where the system diagrams are entered, edited and displayed.
- On the left-hand side, a navigation panel between the different diagrams created, which are made up of sheets of editable format and scale.
"Bill of quantities" tab
On the other hand, the "Bill of quantities" tab is used to manage the quantities and bill of quantities of solar thermal energy systems, and it shows the following:
- A top toolbar containing the tools for creating and editing the bill of quantities, as well as those for managing and creating reports.
- A graphic window with its own toolbar, located on the right-hand side, in which it is possible to visualise the different elements of the job.
- A specific area for structuring the bill of quantities, on the left-hand side.
Creating a new job, linking to a project and importing data
When starting the application and clicking on "New", it offers users the chance to create a "New job", which can then be integrated into an existing project in BIMserver.center.
This is selected in the "Project selection" window. On the left-hand side, the user can log in with their BIMserver.center account.
Users can also "Create a new project". In this case, the created project will be visible from BIMserver.center from that moment on.
There is also the option of starting the project without being linked to the BIMserver.center platform. To do this, simply uncheck the box at the top left, "Link to a BIMserver.center project".
Once the new job has been created, the program interface is accessed, which includes a graphic window showing the model or models that have been imported.
At any time during the project, files can be shared or imported via the "BIMserver.center" group at the top right-hand side of the screen.
Importing BIM models
When creating a new job and selecting a project hosted on the BIMserver.center platform from "Select project", the "Import BIM models" window appears, which shows the files contained in that project in IFC format.
The application allows users to include one or more of the existing models in the project. To do this, the "Import" box is checked and accepted.
When accessing the interface, the graphic window will display the imported models. In addition, if they contain this information, it will create the views, levels and floor plans necessary for developing the system model.
Importing configuration
Further on, the program opens the "Configuration" window, which allows the following:
- In the central part, users can select the configuration and the applicable codes from those available for different countries and regions. The selection is made for both the water supply system, developed in the "Water Systems" tab, and the water evacuation system, developed in the "Sanitary Systems" tab.
- The configuration provided by different manufacturers can also be imported via the "Available configurations" menu at the top left.
- Finally, the "Water Systems" and "Sanitary Systems" menus at the top allow the download and management of catalogues of different elements of the water supply and drainage systems.
If this window is closed or cancelled, the program will create the job without importing any settings.
If users wish to subsequently load the configuration or customise it, or manage the job catalogues, they can use the "General options" and "Catalogues" tools in the top toolbar of the "Installation" tab, available in the "Water Systems" and "Sanitary Systems" tabs, respectively.
Generating consumptions and discharges from sanitary equipment
If the BIM model contains information on the sanitary appliances, when creating a new job, the program offers to associate them with the consumption and discharge types defined in the configuration of the building. This automatically generates the consumption and discharge points and arranges them in the model space.
Editing tools
In the "Edit" group of the main toolbar of the "Installation" tab, either in the "Water Systems" tab or in the "Sanitary Systems" tab, the following tools can be found:
Label
The options in this menu allow the following operations to be performed on the element labels:
Move tag in 2D mode | Moves the selected tag on the element's floor plan. | |
Move tag in 3D mode | Moves the selected tag in the 3D space. | |
Move tag to the initial point | Returns the tag of the selected element to the initial point. | |
Show/hide tag | Shows or hides the selected element's tag. | |
Place or remove the reference line of the tag | Shows or hides the line linking the tag to the selected element it refers to. | |
Rotate tag | Rotate the tag over its position. | |
Label | Edits the composition of the labels of different categories of elements and the size of the text. |
Edit
The options in this menu allow the following editing operations to be carried out on the elements of the system entered in the model:
Edit | Edits the parametric properties of the selected element in the model. | |
Delete | Deletes a previously entered element. | |
Move element | Moves an element or a node of an element. | |
Move a group of elements | Moves a group of elements. | |
Rotate element | Rotates an element about the "x", "y" or "z" axis. | |
Rotate a group of elements | Rotate a group of elements. | |
Copy | Creates a copy of one or more elements. | |
Assign | Assigns the parametric properties of the selected element to other elements. | |
Symmetry (copy) | Copies a selection of elements with symmetry with respect to a vertical plane defined by two points. | |
Symmetry (move) | Moves a selection of elements with symmetry about a vertical plane defined by two points. | |
Copy onto another floor plan | Creates a copy of the selected elements in the desired floor plans. This feature is only available on floor plans. | |
Measure lengths on plan | Measures lengths and angles between points defined in the model. If a closed outline is selected, it also indicates the area. | |
Projection | Switches to the plan projection (XY plane) in the work area. |
Search
Searches for an element by entering a text with its full reference or part of its reference.
- Only whole word (optional)
If this box is checked, only the elements that match the entered text in full will be searched for.
When doing this, the program locates the element in the model by means of magenta lines in the main directions of the space and an enveloping volume of the same colour.
Drawing
The options in this menu allow the following drawing resources to be entered in a plan view:
Elevation | Enters an elevation between two selected points, indicating the line colour, line thickness, and text size. | |
Line | Inserts a line between two selected points, indicating its colour and thickness. | |
Text | Enter a text and a reference line, indicating its colour, the line thickness and the text size. | |
Text box | Enter a left-aligned, right-aligned or centred text box, indicating the colour and size of the text, the properties of the frame and the background fill. | |
Arc | Enter an arc and, optionally, its radius, indicating the line colour, line thickness and text size. | |
Circle | Enter a circle and its radius or diameter, optionally, indicating the line colour, line thickness, and text size. | |
Rectangle | Enter a rectangle and, optionally, its area, indicating the line colour, line thickness and text size. | |
Area | Enter a dotted polygon and, optionally, its area, indicating the line colour, line thickness, and text size. | |
Polyline | Inserts a polyline by points, indicating its colour and thickness. | |
Edit | Edit the properties of the selected drawing resource. | |
Delete | Deletes the selected drawing resources. | |
Move | Moves the selected drawing resource or parts of it. | |
Assign | Enter a circle and its radius or diameter, optionally, indicating the line colour, line thickness, and text size. |
Tools in the "Bill of quantities" group
In the "Bill of quantities" group of the main toolbar of the "Installation" tab, in both the "Water Systems" tab and the "Sanitary Systems" tab, the following tools can be found:
Filter
Opens a filter manager where users can create filters on the left-hand side and assign them to the desired elements of the system on the right-hand side.
Add
Creates a filter and assigns it to the selected elements in the workspace.
Delete
Unassigns filters from the selected elements in the workspace. If all elements of a filter are unassigned, the filter is removed.
Edit
Edits the assignment of filters for the selected element in the workspace.
View
Generates a visualisation of the elements in the model by colouring them according to the filter they are assigned to.
The filters created and assigned to the elements allow for better control of bill of quantities generation.
Results output for solar thermal system
View results on screen
After the analysis, the program displays the results in the tooltip or information text that appears when the cursor is placed on an element in the system, as well as the compliance of the checks carried out on it. To do this, the "Show information texts" option in the top right-hand toolbar must be checked.
Reports of checks by element
In the editing panel of each element, users can consult the report of specific checks through the corresponding option.
This report includes information with the reference and description of the element, together with a table showing a description of each "Check" carried out, the limit and calculated "Values", and the "Status" of compliance.
This tool is equivalent to the "Consult the checks carried out" option, accessible from the "Calculation" group in the top toolbar.
Graphical analysis of results
By means of the "Graphical analysis of results" option in the "Analysis" group in the top toolbar, the calculated values of different magnitudes are displayed by colouring the elements of the solar thermal energy system.
By default, the program shows the minimum and maximum values of each factor obtained in the analysis for the entire system. However, the colour scale can be adjusted according to the specific ranges of minimum and maximum values defined in the corresponding dialogue box.
Reports
The program can print the following reports directly from the printer or generate HTML, PDF, TXT, RTF or DOCX files.
The reports are obtained via the "Reports" option in the top left-hand area of the interface.
Consumption and solar capture demand
The reports on consumption and solar capture demand include the following:
- Design criteria
Displays a report with the expressions and design criteria for the solar collection and storage elements of the system. The following sections are included:- Conditions of use
- Solar energy production calculation
- Solar thermal collectors
- Accumulator tanks
- Results
Displays a report with the analysis results of the solar collectors in the system.
- Code checks
Displays the report of detailed checks of each of the solar thermal collectors and accumulator tanks in the system.
- Materials
Displays a report including the materials used in solar thermal collectors and accumulator tanks.
Hydraulic circuit
The hydraulic circuit reports include the following:
- Design criteria
Displays a report with the expressions and design criteria of the elements in the hydraulic circuit of the system. The following sections are included:- Hydraulic analysis
- Pipes: reference, description, catalogue and entered data for the design and checking
- Results
Displays a report with the analysis results of the hydraulic circuit elements in the system (accumulator tanks, horizontal pipes, vertical pipes).
- Code checks
Displays the detailed check report for each of the pipes in the system.
- Materials
Displays a report including the materials used in the pipes of the system.
Bill of quantities
This section is used to print the following reports with the information entered in the "Bill of quantities" tab:
- Quantities
- Price justification
- Bill of quantities
- Detailed priced bill of quantities
- BOQ summary
Document configuration
To create documents that incorporate the information of several selected reports together, the options in the right-hand section on document configuration are used. The following data can be configured for each document:
- Title
- Description
- Page header (optional)
- Project; Location; Developer; Author; Date
- Reports to be included
The "Document" option is used to print the document created.
The "Document styles" can also be modified using the corresponding option.
Drawings in DWG, DXF or PDF format
The program can be used to print the drawings of the job on any graphic peripheral configured on the computer or to create DWG, DXF or PDF files.
Editing the drawing allows the following options to be configured:
- Selecting categories of elements to be included in the drawing (Supply, Return, Spaces, Roofs, Nearby buildings and other obstacles, Editing resources)
- Keys by drawing / Keys by building
- Symbols (optional) (Type, Reference, Symbol)
- Pipe catalogue (optional) (Reference, Description)
- Accumulator tank catalogue (optional) (Reference, Description)
- Options
- Show scale (optional)
- Show DXF (optional)
- Include the .glTF files in the drawings (optional)
- Generate vector images (optional)
- Resolution (96 ppp / 150 ppp / 300 ppp / 600 ppp)
- Diagrams (optional)
- Selecting 2D or 3D views to be drawn
- Scale
- Details
The drawings can be obtained via the "Drawings" option at the top left of the program's general interface.
Results of the "Bill of quantities" tab
If the work is completed in the "Bill of quantities" tab, the program can obtain the following documents:
- Exporting the bill of quantities in FIEBDC-3 format (BC3)
- Bill of quantities reports (in HTML, PDF, TXT, RTF or DOCX format)
GLTF file compatible with BIMserver.center
When the project is exported to the BIMserver.center platform, an IFC file and a 3D model in GLTF format are automatically exported for the integration of the installation model in the Open BIM project, allowing it to be visualised:
- on the online platform
- in the BIMserver.center app for iOS and Android
- in virtual reality and augmented reality
- in other CYPE programs
Tools in the "3D view" group
In the "3D view" group of the main toolbar of the "Installation" tab, either in the "Water Systems" tab or in the "Sanitary Systems" tab, the following tools can be found:
3D view
This opens a 3D viewer where the elements read from the BIM model and the elements entered in the different tabs of the program are displayed together.
Visibility
This isolates the display of the elements selected in the work area in all views of the model, hiding the rest.
Redraw
This displays all elements in the model in all views, undoing the operation performed by the "Visibility" option.
Integration into the BIMserver.center platform
Many of CYPE's programs are connected to the BIMserver.center platform and allow collaborative work to be carried out via the exchange of files in formats based on open standards.
Please note that, to work on BIMserver.center, users can register on the platform free of charge and create a profile.
When accessing a program connected to the platform, the program connects to a project in BIMserver.center. This way, the files of the projects that have been developed collaboratively in BIMserver.center are kept up to date.
Options available in CYPEPLUMBING
In the "BIMserver.center" group of the main toolbar of the "Installation" tab, either within the "Water Systems" tab or within the "Sanitary Systems" tab, there are features requires for using CYPEPLUMBING together with other BIMserver.center tools.
Update
Updates information contained in models previously imported into the project or imports new models if desired.
Share
Exports the information of the model developed with CYPEPLUMBING to BIMserver.center to share it with other users, including its 3D representation, the analysis reports, the bill of quantities and the system drawings.
During the export process, users can define the information related to the identification of the files to be exported and select the information to be exported from each of the three tabs in the program,"Water Systems", "Sanitary Systems" and "Layout":
- Name
- Description
- Water Systems
- Document (optional)
- Bill of quantities reports (optional)
- Bill of quantities (FIEBDC-3) (optional)
- Sanitary Systems
- Documento (optional)
- Bill of quantities reports (optional)
- Bill of quantities (FIEBDC-3) (optional)
- Layout
Direct connection to other programs
CYPEPLUMBING can be directly connected to Open BIM tools that allow users to continue their work, importing the geometry of the elements in the system in order to carry out their detailing with specific solutions.
These options can be used to send the CYPEPLUMBING BIM model to the following programs:
- Terrain SDP - Water Systems
- Terrain SDP - Sanitary Systems
Importing and sharing files
On the far right-hand side of the main toolbar of the "Installation" tab, either within the “Water Systems” tab or within the "Sanitary Systems" tab, are the tools for importing and sharing files with water supply or water evacuation system information:
These features make it possible for several users to work on different files simultaneously. When the data entry is finished, the information in the files can be dumped and collected in a single file using these options.
Import
Imports a PLW file with the information of the water supply system (in the "Water Systems" tab) or a PL file with the information of the water evacuation system (in the ‘Sanitary Systems’ tab).
When using this option, the "Import (Water Systems)" or “Import (Sanitary Systems)” window opens, with the following options:
- Select file
Selects a file from the extensions mentioned above and specifies its path. - Delete the information from the existing file (optional)
Activates or deactivates the elimination of the information of the file on which the import is carried out, including the geometry of the existing elements in the system and the options defined in the configuration of the job.
After accepting, the program loads the geometry of the elements in the system saved in the imported file at the same coordinates as in the original file.
Share
Generates a PLW file with the information of the water supply system (in the "Water Systems" tab) or a PL file with the information of the water evacuation system (in the "Sanitary Systems" tab) and saves it in the specified path.
When using this option, the "Share (Water Systems)" or "Share (Sanitary Systems)" window opens, with the following option:
- Select directory
Selects the directory where the file will be saved.
After clicking "Accept", the program generates a file in the specified directory with the same name as the CYPEPLUMBING job and with one of the previously mentioned extensions.
Layer configuration of the solar thermal system
Within the "Installation" tab of the "Solar Systems" tab, the options that configure the display of layers in the model are found in the "Layer configuration" panel, which is located by default on the left side of the interface.
These options are used to activate or deactivate the display in all views of the different categories of elements of the solar thermal system, as well as the plan outline of the spaces, roofs and neighbouring buildings and other obstacles read from the BIM model, as well as the editing resources entered using the drawing tools in the "Edit" group:
- Supply (optional)
- Return (optional)
- Spaces (optional)
- Roofs (optional)
- Nearby buildings and other obstacles (optional)
- Editing resources (optional)
In addition, the elements of the water supply system and the water drainage system entered in the "Water Systems" and "Sanitary Systems" tabs can be displayed by activating the following checkboxes:
- Water Systems (optional)
- Sanitary Systems (optional)
Snapping options for solar thermal systems
Within the "Installation" tab in the "Solar Systems" tab, the options that configure the snapping and adjust the display of the model elements are found in the "Snap options" panel, located by default on the left-hand side of the interface.
These options allow the following parameters to be set for all model views:
- Element
Element category reference. - Snap (optional)
Activates or deactivates the snapping of the elements in the selected category. - Symbols (optional)
Activates or deactivates the symbolic representation of the elements of the model. - 3D (optional)
Activates or deactivates the three-dimensional or volumetric representation of the elements of the model. - Opacity
Adjusts the opacity of the 3D representation of the elements by entering a value between 0 (completely transparent) and 100 (completely opaque).
The categories of solar thermal system elements available for configuration are as follows:
- Solar thermal collectors
- Solar thermal collectors with accumulator tanks
- Accumulator tanks
- Heat exchangers
- Fittings
- Pumps
- Pipes
Generating and laying out solar thermal energy system diagrams
The "Diagram" tab, available at the top of the "Solar Systems" tab, allows users to automatically generate the diagrams of the solar thermal system from the model information developed in the "Installation" tab, or to create them manually using the available drawing tools:
- To create the diagrams from scratch, the necessary format sheets are first created using the options on the left-hand side. Then, the schematic elements are entered in the work area on the right-hand side using the options in the top toolbar.
- To generate the layouts automatically, the "New" option at the top is used. It is then possible to modify the generated diagrams in the work area using the options in the top toolbar.
Composite drawings can be selected in this tab to be printed together with the rest of the drawings of the job using the corresponding options.
Diagram management
The diagrams of the solar thermal energy system are made up on sheets of different formats. The tools for creating and managing diagrams are located on the left-hand side of the interface.
The following features can be configured when creating or editing a diagram:
- Reference
- Description
- Paper format
The available paper formats can be configured in ‘General Options’. - Orientation (Landscape / Portrait)
- Scale factor (%)
Options in the "Project" group
In the "Project" group of the top toolbar, the program offers the following utilities:
General options
This configures the available paper formats and table types, the units of measurement, and the graphic representation of the elements of the solar thermal energy system diagrams, defining their colour and symbols.
Symbols
Used to create and edit the symbols of the system elements by means of a drawing editor. The symbols contained in DXF, DWG or DWF files saved on disk can be imported. These symbols can be selected in the configuration defined for each element under "General options
Options in the "Diagram" group
In the "Diagram" group of the top toolbar, the program offers the following options:
Update results
Updates the information available for generating new diagrams with the results of the analysis.
New
Automatically generates the diagram of the solar thermal system if the model contains the appropriate information.
The diagrams generated can be further modified using the tools available at the top.
Tools for entering diagram elements
These options allow users to freely enter these elements in the diagram of the solar thermal system:
- Solar thermal collector
- Solar thermal collector with accumulator tank
- Fitting
- Pump
- Storage tank
- Heat exchanger
- Pipe
In each of them, the following parameters are defined:
- Reference
Reference of the particular element. - Drawing options
Selects the symbol previously defined in the "Drawing options" of the "General options".
Reference line
Enters a reference line. These lines can be used to indicate the layout of the diagram elements on the different floors of the building.
User tables
Inserts legends or tables with complementary information in the diagrams.
When a table is created, it can be "Generic", for which the number of rows and tables is specified and the content of its cells is filled in a free editor, or "Key" type, in which case it can be "Automatically generated" according to the elements arranged in the diagram.
Table types can also be managed via the corresponding option in the "General options".
Editing tools
The options in this menu are used to perform the following operations to edit the elements of the system diagram:
Edit | Edits the parametric properties of the selected element in the model. | |
Copy | Creates a copy of one or more elements. | |
Move element | Moves an element or a node of an element. | |
Move a group of elements | Moves a group of elements. | |
Delete | Deletes a previously entered element. | |
Rotate | Rotates an element. | |
Measure lengths on plan | Measures lengths and angles between points defined in the model. If a closed outline is selected, it also indicates the area. |
Drawing tools
The options in this menu are used to enter the following drawing resources:
Elevation | Enters an elevation between two selected points, indicating the line colour, line thickness, and text size. | |
Line | Inserts a line between two selected points, indicating its colour and thickness. | |
Text | Enters a text and a reference line, indicating its colour, the line thickness and the text size. | |
Text box | Enter a left-aligned, right-aligned or centred text box, indicating the colour and size of the text, the properties of the frame and the background fill. | |
Arc | Enter an arc and, optionally, its radius, indicating the line colour, line thickness and text size. | |
Circle | Enter a circle and, optionally, its radius or diameter, indicating the line colour, line thickness, and text size. | |
Rectangle | Enter a rectangle and, optionally, its area, indicating the line colour, line thickness and text size. | |
Area | Enter a dotted polygon and, optionally, its area, indicating the line colour, line thickness, and text size. | |
Polyline | Inserts a polyline by points, indicating its colour and thickness. | |
Edit | Edit the properties of the selected drawing resource. | |
Delete | Deletes the selected drawing resources. | |
Move | Moves the selected drawing resource or parts of it. | |
Assign | Assigns the properties of a drawing resource to others. When selecting a drawing resource, resources with the same properties are highlighted in orange. |
Licenses and related modules
CYPE programs are activated via electronic licenses which may contain one or more modules. The list of modules compatible with each program may vary depending on the product purchased and the type of license.
To consult the list of modules compatible with this program, go to "CYPE program modules".
Please note that the list of modules available in the license will depend on the product purchased.