Tips

To avoid kicking the dongle when it is attached to your PC, it is a good idea to purchase an USB extension cable. These come in 0.5m to longer lengths and are inexpensive. You can attach the lead to the USB port and the dongle end can be secured to the PC in a position where it does not protrude and is not at risk of being bent or damaged.

Place the first point. Using the keyboard type a length and press the enter key - e.g., 350
Use coordinates to place points by using the keyboard and then pressing enter - e.g., 20,30
Place a point and using the keyboard, type a distance and then the angle
- e.g., 30,<90 (draw a line 30m (or feet) long at an angle of 90 degrees (straight up)).

However, if you have changed the colour, size or line type of any database item (in the database) make sure Update Entities is checked for these changes to be reflected.

If the item has an intercept (requires a start-up pressure) use Misc Hydraulic curve.
If the item does not have an intercept, use Valve curve.

Run recover on V6 designs before importing them into V7 to avoid lines ending at 0,0 only if there is a problem. Repair has been added to overcome problems in the design. If the problem remains, send us the design and database.

Digitising Tips

Do not select "Map to Screen" mode. This can also be available as a check box labelled "Enable Mapping". The option "WYPIWYG" can also have the same effect as the above two options. These modes distort the scale on the screen to match the tablet area. These options can be found in the Control Panel setting for your Digitiser.

If .stn file is read only and won’t allow you to save the design, go the IRRICAD\Designs folder using Windows Explorer and delete the .stn file for that design (may have to change the design currently open or close down IRRICAD in order to do this). With IRRICAD closed down, delete the temporary IRRICAD files in your PCs Temp directory, commonly "C:\Windows\Temp".

If you have backed up your designs on to a CD, the file properties are made 'Read Only'. The copy process to the temporary files retains the Read Only properties. The problem occurs because the temporary files such as ~Des~Int.mdb are read only and the file cannot be opened, written to or saved. If you have previously tried to open a design with read only files, the temporary files in your Temp directory (e.g., C:\Windows\Temp) remain read only and will fail to open a design which does not have read only files. Delete all IRRICAD files from your Temp directory (or change the properties by unchecking Read Only in the properties dialog (highlight the file, right click and select Properties). Check all design files not Read Only, especially after copying a backed design from the CD onto your hard drive.

FAQs

How do I set up a network dongle?

Please download this file for instructions on configuring IRRICAD to use a dongle on the local network.

What do I do if I import a DXF or DWG file with a ViewPort or Reference Frame (a frame appears in IRRICAD but no picture inside the frame)?

1. Import the file (File/Import).
2. Make sure all imported layers are turned on.
3. Start a new design.
4. In the Irricad directory you will find a recently created ~Convert-Model.vcd file if a viewport is present.
5. Import this .vcd file. This will be the file you want.
6. Save the design.

What do I do if I get the error message 'Can't find Import library'?

If you install an upgrade and get error message 'Can't find Import library', uninstall (Control panel) and re-install until message is fixed.

What can I do if management has become confused?

If problems are occurring due to management becoming confused (e.g., when deleting or renaming water supplies or CVs), delete the .wsp file (system flows designated to water supplies) or the .stn file (zones operating on system flows). Same applies to DOS Irricad.

What are the IRRICAD generated files for each design?

.mdb	database
.des	where all the IRRICAD stuff in the design is stored e.g., pipes, valve etc.
.vcd	the VC side of things e.g., pipes are pink lines
.dml	mainline design
.dzf	zone design configuration file
.dzn	zone deisgn file
.stn	where the system flows assigned to zones information is stored
.wsp	where the water supply data is stored
.zne	zone file
.ztm	zone times file
.cer	costing error file

What do I do for a network imbalance error message? (IRRICAD is telling you that the incoming flow or pressure does not equal the outgoing flow or pressure at a junction/outlet)

Check things like: control valve data in the database, multiple water supplies - pressures and flows are slightly different from each other, water supply times do not overlap if the water supplies are supplying totally separate hydrants, check the management.

If a network imbalance does occur, check the reports (inflows and outflows). If the imbalance is minimal it can be ignored. If it is great, IRRICAD has become confused (if multiple water supplies) or there are 'leaky pipes' - something in the system which is allowing the imbalance. Try simplifying the system until you find the problem.

Can sometimes be fixed by reducing the Mainline Analysis factor. Usually indicates the system is extremely unbalanced hydraulically - caused by wrong elevations or valves or outlets or pumps or something.

What do I do when I get the error message 'Database Exception error, Couldn't find file C:\Windows\TEMP\~Des~Int.mdb' (3024)?

• Check the internal database for the design is in the same directory as the design.
• Make sure you have enough disk space.
• Have a look in your Temp folder and see if there is a ~Des~Int.mdb there (with Irricad closed) delete it and try again.
• Make sure that there is a Skeleton.mdb in your Irricad folder.
• Check the internal database is not a read-only file (right click on the internal database - the database belonging to your design with the same name - select properties and uncheck Read-Only if it is checked).
• Restart and see what happens.

Cannot place hydraulic items on new design, only on old designs

Have you edited a database creating one which has a problem? (This will not apply if the old designs use the same database as the new designs).

It may be that for some reason IRRICAD isn't creating the internal database. Check to see if the file ~Des~Int.mdb is present in the temporary directory (usually "C:\Windows\Temp"). If it hasn't created a recent ~Des~Int.mdb, make a copy of the Skeleton.mdb and place the copy in the temp directory, renaming it to ~Des~Int.mdb.

Check that the Skeleton.mdb still exists in the Irricad directory, and that the temp directory still exists (or that the path hasn't been changed to a non-exsistent folder - e.g. are there other recent ~Irricad type files in the "C:\Windows\Temp" directory. In a DOS box type SET. It will list your TMP directory and TEMP directory. Look in the directories listed - is there a ~Des~Int.mdb file in either of these?)

If IRRICAD is failing to create the temporary internal database, re-install IRRICAD.

Sentinel Key or driver is missing

If the old dongle driver had been installed when Version 7 is installed, the new driver does not overwrite the old driver as it should.

• Remove the old driver - double clicking on SENTW95.exe (which is found in C:\Windows\System\Rnbosent), select the Functions menu and then select Uninstall driver.
• Delete the Rbosent folder.
• Restart the computer.
• Install the new sentinel driver - open the Driver directory on the installation CD. Double-click on Setup.exe.

Having trouble importing DWG files

Import dwg files from hard drive, not network drive.

DBS5 error message

If IRRICAD can't find Irricad.mdb, it is because the database has not been copied from the disk. Copy Irricad.mdb form the disk into \Irricad\Database folder. Right click on Irricad.mdb and select Properties. Uncheck 'Read Only'. Click OK.

You can also receive this message if you have installed a very old version (pre 7.47 or 3.47) on to a Vista machine.  Dao350.dll has not registered or has not been installed.

Disappearing risers

Look in database and make sure height is 0 and not junk. If it is junk, it was converted from a very old database. Change to 0. Reselect in design.

Why do my lines on a black background disappear when I print or preview the print job?

If you have a black background, then use white lines so you can see them on the black background, in print preview and on a print job, these lines will disappear as white cannot be seen on a white background. Change the background colour to something other than white. Alternatively black lines are shown as white lines on a black background and are printed as black.

Why do my hydraulic objects disappear when I move the fill underneath them?

Fills can be moved to back (Plot Template/Move Fills to Back) for geometric objects if the fill is accidently moved on top of the drawing. If the fills are turned off (Drawing Items, uncheck Fills to turn them off or if the DRAWING layer is turned off) they still tend to be selected. When items are moved a new object is created and the old one deleted, hence the fill which was behind everything is now on top of everything. This principle will also work for re-creating the hydraulic objects so they are on top of the fill.

The fills must be turned on so you can see them. Use the Select All tool and then select the Select Object tool and click on the Fill to de-select it. This means that everything is selected except the fill. The trick is to move the plan and then move it back exactly where it was before. We will use direct distance entry to do this. Select Move and use Snaps/Endpoint to snap to the end of a line or pipe you can easily see as the Reference point. Type 300,<0 and press Enter on the keyboard (change the distance e.g. 300 to suit your plan size - the aim is to move everything away from the existing drawing) for the Offset point. Everything in your plan except the fill will be re-drawn in the new place. Now do the opposite. Select Move and use Snaps/Enpoint to connect the the same line or pipe used previously as the Reference point. Type 300,<180 and press Enter as the Offset point. Everything should be moved back to exactly where it was before, with the fill underneath.

Why do my white fills look and print as black?

The white you are using is a special white that can be used on black backgrounds showing white on the screen but printing black when printed. You need to download a new VGA.pal (from the Support FAQ on the website). This file has been made available as a self-extracting zip file. Download it and double-click on the file. The VGA.pal need to be saved in your \Irricad folder. Now select the white on the left-hand side of the colour palette underneath the black.

Error: Cannot Rename File

If this error occurs during design, it is generally caused by a long path to your TEMP folder. Download a new FortDesign.dll and save it in your Irricad folder. This file has been made available as a self-extracting zip file. Download it and double-click on the file.

Why does IRRICAD tell me the bitmap was created successfully when I can't see anything on the screen?

The program we use to import bitmaps into IRRICAD has the following limitations:

1. Colour on your display, not the actual bitmap colour. This means if your monitor / display settings are using 16 bit colour try changing it to 256 colours in Control Panel|Display Settings and reimporting the file.
2. No of pixels in the bitmap e.g., 800 x 600. Try decreasing this in another program e.g. GIMP, Paint Shop Pro, etc.
3. Width of the picture in pixels. Wide pictures are more likely to fail than long pictures. Once again try decreasing the width in another program e.g. GIMP, Paint Shop Pro, etc.

Apparently 2 and 3 are very important, but if 1 works, it is a simple change.

Why do my new database symbols display as a Question Mark?

When creating new database symbols and then selecting them for use in the database there is minor bug where IRRICAD needs to be closed while browsing and assigning the new symbol to a database item. If IRRICAD is running during this assigning process, the new symbol will not be added to the design's internal database and will be displayed as a question mark.

Why am I not able to add new items to the database?

Check that you have not made a replica of the database using Microsoft Access. A replica can not assign numbers to the items you are adding to the database. A replica can also be made if you drag a database in to My Briefcase. You need to find the original database and use this is as your IRRICAD working database in order to be able to add new items.

Error Importing Library Function

This error will occur if the wrong version of VCLink32.dll is present. This will happen if you have not had a full installation of IRRICAD for some time. To upgrade the version of VCLink32.dll click here.

You will also receive this message if you have unzipped the vc300dll.zip to import a file in mm. Unzip the vc301dll.zip to replace the VCLink32.dll with the correct version. Click here to download an upgraded version of vc300dll.zip.

To import dwg and dxf files in mm correctly

Visual CADD has introduced a bug where importing in mm is actually importing in inches. You can unzip the vc300dll.zip contents in the Irricad folder to overwrite the existing files, then import your dwg or dxf file in mm (remember to set the import units in Settings|Units to mm). Once the drawing has been imported, unzip the vc301dll.zip contents in the Irricad folder to replace the 300dll files. If you do not replace the 300dll files with the 301dll files after importing you may be introducing bugs and problems we do not know about.

Click here to download the vc300dll.zip. Click here to download the vc301dll.zip.

Illegal Operations reported upon exiting IRRICAD

If IRRICAD displays two Illegal Operation messages on exiting, and will sometimes crash on opening IRRICAD or loading a design, and you do not see the IRRICAD splash screen when opening IRRICAD, it is because the splash screen is missing. Check in your Irricad folder (commonly "C:\Program Files\AEI Software\Irricad") and you will see the IcSplash.bmp is missing. If you have a file named Splash.bmp, rename this to IcSplash.bmp. If you cannot find a Splash.bmp file to rename, click here to download the file and save it in your Irricad folder.

Why does Autocad 2000 fail to open my exported design dxf file?

Autocad 2000 does not like symbols with a name containing &, + or - signs in the dxf files. If you are going to be exporting many designs as dxf files, particularly if you are placing electrical items in the design, it is suggested you change the symbol name so it does not contain any of these symbols. For example, the classic controller symbol is Circle&C. This can be changed to Circle_C (underscore symbol) if you wish. To do this:

• 1. Start a clean design and use Draw|Symbol to load the Circle&C symbol (uncheck Dynamically size so the symbol comes in at 1in x 1in (2.54cm x 2.54cm)).
  2. Explode the symbol, then select everything and select Tools|Create Symbol.
  3. Check the Database check box and type in a new name e.g. Circle_C.
  4. Open the database and change your controller symbol to be Circle_C instead of Circle&C (click the ... button and browse for the new symbol in the \symbols\database folder). Save the changes.
  5. Do this for all items using the Circle&C symbol.
  6. Save Changes to close the database.
  7. Go back to IRRICAD and make sure the Update Entities from Database check box is checked in Settings|Irrigation Items.
  8. Load your design, save the design and close IRRICAD.
  9. Re-run IRRICAD and everything will be updated and you can now export the file and import it into Autocad without Autocad complaining.

Note: Do not rename the existing symbol Circle&C. You can delete it after you created a new Circle_C file and replaced it in the database items.

DWG files do not mind &, + or - signs in them. Autocad does not like the Outlet symbol to be a filled symbol - you will not see that compound symbol come through in the DWG file. Autocad does not like the Outlet symbol to be Blank. Autocad does like black (colour) symbols - though this might depend on the associated nozzle symbol.

Why does the Print dialog crash the next time I select File|Print after cancelling the dialog previously?

This problem has been seen on NT 4.0+ operating systems and with an HP Design Jet 500 on Version 7.3. Turn off 'Enable Bi-Directional Support' in Printer Properties|Port Settings (in the Printer folder).

I have found an 25 pin to 9 pin adaptor for the dongle, but IRRICAD still does not find it. What is wrong?

The dongle (Sentinel or hardware key) can only plug into the Parallel port (LPT1). No parallel ports are 9 pin so you are plugging the dongle into the COM port. Unplug the dongle and plug it into the printer port and plug the printer cable into the back of the dongle.

When I select File|Print, IRRICAD crashes in the printer driver e.g. HPGLRTL3.drv.

The printer which IRRICAD is pointing to does not exist in your Printers folder anymore. Open the Vcadd3.ini file in the Irricad folder (commonly "C:\Program Files\AEI Software\Irricad") and find the line Device= (near the bottom of the file). Delete the name of the printer making sure that the text Device= remains. Save the file. Now open IRRICAD and select Draw|Plot Layout and select the printer. Click Save As Defaults. Everything should work now.

I get the message 'CAD Initialisation failed' after upgrading.

This happens when you install the upgrade in a different folder than where IRRICAD is actually installed. The message occurs because the Winicad.exe cannot find the other program files required to run the program.

Laptops running Windows 2000 or XP may not find the Sentinel.

• Go into Control Panel|System|Device Manager and open Ports (COM & LPT).
• Highlight the Printer Port (LPT1) and right click to select Properties.
• Click on the Port Settings tab and select the option 'Always use an Interrupt Request'.
• As long as an interrupt request has been assigned the the LPT port in the BIOS, the Sentinel can now run.

XP Operating systems have a Compatibility setting - do not set this to Win95/98/ME for IRRICAD

Right click on Winicad.exe or the icon you use to run IRRICAD on your desk top and select Properties. Select the Compatibility tab and uncheck the Compatibility mode check box to set the Compatibility Settings to Off. These settings are off by default so you have turned it on. IRRICAD will not be able to find the dongle (Error E033A - Security key not Found) if the compatibility is set to Win95 or Win98/ME.

Management (Assign System Flows... or Zone Operating Times) always tells me the times are wrong?

IRRICAD does not like the time / date separators to be anything other than (:) or (/). Go into the Control Panel|Regional Settings and select the Date tab. Change the date separator to : or /, then go into the Time tab and do the same. This problem has been fixed in v7.37.

Cannot get the Import/Export dialog to show in version 7.4 or later?

IRRICAD sometimes does not show the Import / export dialog in version 7.4. To get the import / export dialog to appear:

• Close down IRRICAD
• Go into windows explorer (Right click on 'Start | Explore')
• Navigate to '...Program Files | AEI Software | IRRICAD'.
• Open file 'Alias.cmd', in an editor (e.g., Notepad)
• Use 'Edit | Find', and type in the search criteria "DWGImpExp".
• When it finds this line, edit it so that it reads "TBW, DWGImpExp".
• Save the file, and exit
• Open IRRICAD and the dialog should appear under Settings | Import/Export Settings.

Error on opening IRRICAD: 'The VCADD DLL could not load because of a memory conflict. Error code 487-676c0000. Please report this error to Tritools' ?

IRRICAD on initial installation comes up with the above error.

• In Windows Explorer (Right click on the START button | Explore) and navigate to where the demo version has been installed (this is typically "C:\Program Files\AEI Software\IRRICAD").
• In this folder, find a configuration settings file called 'VCADD.ini'. Please note that the file extensions on your PC may be turned off, and the file name could appear as VCADD.
• Open this in a text editor (right click on the file and 'open with' and choose Notepad)
• In this file find the section called VCDefaults (note that the sections are denoted by [] around the section title, e.g. [VCDefaults]). If there is not a [VCDefaults] section, please make one by typing in [VCDefaults] at the end of one section (go to the end of a section line and press enter to enter a new line and type it in).
• Under this section add:
  NTBase=676c
  NTSize=64
  These need to be on separate lines with no spaces in between them.
• Save the file and then launch IRRICAD. IRRICAD should now load up.

'Inventory' report in versions 8.0 to 8.08 produce blank rows when exporting data to Excel

If when saving the inventory report as a text file, then opening Excel and 'Data | Import', the data that imports has blank rows in it, the following is a fix.

Download the following report template file and save (overwrite the existing) report template to the reports folder in the IRRICAD installation (normally "C:\Program Files\AEI Software\IRRICAD 8\Reports"). Click here to download the inventory.fpc.

What do I do if IRRICAD crashes on saving (version 8.0 to 8.08)?

'An application error has occurred. VisualCADD will try and save your drawings...'

If this occurs you will need to send us your SYSSETT.ENV file. This is located in the main IRRICAD folder.

• Open windows explorer (Right click on the Start button | Explore)
• Navigate to the path of the main IRRICAD folder.
• Locate the SYSSETT.ENV file.
• Send this file to

We will amend it and send it back to you. You will need to save it back in the same place that you got it from.

"IrriBase.exe - Illegal System DLL Relocation" error on opening the database editor

If you get the error:

The system DLL user32.dll was relocated in memory, the application will not run properly. The relocation occurred because the DLL C:\WINDOWS\system32\HHCTRL.OCX occupied an address range reserved for Windows system DLLs. The vendor supplying the DLL should be contacted for a new DLL.

A fix can be downloaded and applied from the following location http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935448/

Irricad crashes on importing an image file

mage is located and the image is set to relative path, then IRRICAD will crash. Import the image as 'Remember path' or move the image to a location on the same drive as the design, before importing it into IRRICAD.

IRRICAD stops responding when importing an AutoCAD file.

One reason that IRRICAD may stop responding when importing an AutoCAD file is that the AutoCad file may contain layouts, i.e., paper spaces. Normally when this is the problem a prompt offering to save the model space will be displayed. Once this model space is saved, IRRICAD then stops responding. The options for getting the drawing into IRRICAD at this stage are:

1. Terminate the Irricad application:
   1. CTRL+ALT+DEL
   2. Task Manger
   3. Applications Tab
   4. Highlight Design Name.des - IRRICAD
   5. Right-click and choose "End Task"
   6. Restart Irricad and import the saved model space .vcd file. Please note that the filename of the resulting .vcd file will be the same as the AutoCAD file followed by '-model.vcd'.
2. Delete all the layouts in AutoCad. There are various ways to do this:
   1. Deleting the Layout Tabs
      1. Open the design in AutoCad.
      2. With the Model tab as the focus (i.e., clicking the Model tab so that the top window is this tab), right-click on the Layout tab.
      3. The layouts can be deleted one by one or all at once. To delete the layouts all at once, 'Select all layouts'.
      4. With the Model tab as the focus, right-click on the Layout tab again.
      5. Delete.
      6. Save the file as a different name 'File | Save As' (so that you retain the original file) and then import it into IRRICAD
   2. Selecting objects to save to a DXF file.
      1. Open the design in AutoCad and ensure that the Model tab is the front tab.
      2. Turn all the layers on by "Express | Layers | Turn all layers on" or manually for each layer.
      3. View | Zoom all.
      4. File | Save As.
      5. Change the 'Save as type' to Release 14.
      6. Options | DXF Options tab.
      7. Check 'Select objects'.
      8. OK | Save.
      9. Click on the top right of the screen and then the bottom left to select all the objects.
      10. Check the file name and location, then press the return key.