Did you know that you can convert geometric objects to hydraulic items? This means imported block boundaries, pipelines, outlets, valve or hydrant placements can be converted to the required hydraulic items without having to spend the time to draw over them.
• Block boundaries can be converted to Irrigation Block entities providing the imported boundary is a closed polygon.
• Single lines and polylines can be converted to pipes, spraylines or tapes.
• Curves can be converted to tapes or closed curves to irrigation areas and irrigation block entities.
• Symbols, points or circles can be converted to water supplies, pumps, valves, outlets, or misc. hydraulic items.
The process to convert items is:
a) For pipes
1. Select the lines to be converted to pipes using the Select tools.
2. Now choose Zone|Pipe or Mainline|Pipe either from the menu or the tool bar.
3. Click OK on the message “Do you wish to convert selected items to pipes".
4. The highlighted lines will be converted to pipes.
This multiple selection method can also be used for tapes and spraylines. Multiple symbols, points or circles can be selected to be converted into outlets, valves, pumps and misc. hydraulic items in one go.
b) For Irrigation block entities
1. Select the polygon to be converted to an Irrigation Block using Select Object.
2. Now choose the Tape or Spray Irrigation Block option from either the menu or tool bar.
3. Click OK on the message “Create Block/Block Entities from selected items".
4. The highlighted polygon will be converted to an irrigation block entity.
This single selection method is required for irrigation blocks, blocks and irrigation areas. Single selection is also required for converting a symbol, point or circle into a water supply.
Tips to know about converting:
#1) Multiple lines, symbols, points or circles can be selected before converting.
#2) Only one polygon can be converted at a time to an irrigation area or an irrigation block entity and only one point object into a water supply.
#3) Do not have your selection filter on as this will stop the pipes connecting to each other or to outlets, etc.
#4) For mainline items connection works best if you convert lines into pipes before converting symbols into outlets.
#5) Zone|Cut Pipe will connect to existing zone items it crosses whereas Zone|Pipe will not connect to existing zone items, unless they are at the ends of the pipe. It is ideal to zoom in when converting items to pipes to avoid confusion with short segments of pipes during the converting process.
#6) For zone items convert symbols into outlets first and then the lines into Zone|Cut Pipe, which will connect to any outlets or zone items within the connection tolerances.
#7) Pipes will only connect to each other if the original lines start and finish within the connection tolerances.
#8) For any outlets or valves not connected to the pipes after conversion, use Tools|Connect Outlets or Tools|Connect Valves to complete.
#9) Block boundaries need to be one object (polygon) to convert into irrigation areas or irrigation block entities.
#10) The above methods can also be used to convert geometric items to electrical items.