Product(s):	AECOsim Building Designer
	Version(s):	08.11.09.866
	Environment:	N\A
	Area:	Plumbing Design
	Subarea:	N\A

Problem Description

Is there any way to connect pipes to plumbing equipment such as sinks or tubs, where hot and cold water lines would be added and/or for drainage?  There do not seem to be any snap or connection points on these components nor auto-sizing.  Other components such as valves do offer this ability. 

Steps to Resolve

Yes, components available from the V8i Plumbing Fixtures task such as sinks, toilets and showers, are different from those under Valves, Drains, Pumps, etc..   These Plumbing Fixtures are structurally the same as those available from the Architectural tasks; i.e., User Defined, and are primarily composed of meshes so have no physical connection points or related DataGroup parameters (their “connection” properties are simply data).  However, Valves, Drains, etc., do include an actual Connection End Type property along with the physical connection points.

In AECOsim Building Designer V8i the best alternative may be to use an equivalent RFA if one is available.  However, in AECOsim Building Designer CONNECT Edition, Plumbing Fixtures such as sinks and tubs do have connection points for hot & cold supply and drainage, making it much easier to connect corresponding pipes.  Once connected, the components will be treated as a group when using the Move Component tool. 

Original Author:

Steve Cocchi