CFM/Friction/Velocity Duct Tag?

[ameador]

I am using ABS 2007 for all of this.

I am attempting to make a tag that will read the info in duct and flex duct.
This is the info that the user inputs when placing the duct (under the capacity location).
I want the "capacity" in cfm, the friction in H2O/100ft, and the Velocity in FPM.
I would like this tag to work on duct, flex duct, diffusers, VAV boxes, and other equipment as well (if possible).

I have been reading this thread:
http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=71705

and info from here:
http://www.sonic.net/~odin/lounge/ar.../area_tags.htm

I have a tag that will read the cfm for diffusers and vav's (it puts "?" up for friction and velocity for these items, but I am not that concerned about that). It throws "NA" for all values when it tries to read a duct or flex duct piece, which is a huge concern for me.

I know that OOTB has a tag that does something similar, but it forces the user to type in the cfm, velocity, and friction values, it does not auto-fill in based on the info inside of the duct. I need this tag to update when info is changed in the duct, not when a users goes through and hand modifies stuff.

Can anyone help me out on this?
I think I must be grabbing the wrong PSD info.

I will attach my dwg that has the tag created in it.
I have saved my dwg in the AEC Content location, I am pulling it correctly from the design center, and I did have the PSD, block, and MvBlock info pulled into the dwg that I was testing it on.

[buzz]

ameador,

I have tried to accomplish this same thing but have been unsuccessful so far - it seems that the "Flow" Definition under the "DuctEngineeringData" PSD does not match the "Capacity" that is listed for the duct (same with velocity and pressure).

Maybe Autodesk will fix this in the next release...

-Buzz

[ameador]

Glad to know that I'm not just banging my head on a wall alone.

Have you tried this in other versions Buzz? I've been working in ABS07.

[buzz]

Same problem in 2008 MEP, 2009 MEP, and 2010 MEP...

-Buzz

[ameador]

DOAH! That is multiple levels of uncool!

Thank you for the heads up on it though.
I was hopeful it was "fixed" in the upper versions.

[buzz]

ameador,

I know this is months later, but it might help you out. I noticed something odd about MEP (I am using 2010, but I assume it is the same for previous versions). When you insert air terminals and give them a value for their flow, and then connect them up with some ductwork, and then use the Duct Modify to size the ducts, it creates a manual type PSD named "Vel" (which is by default hidden, but you can show). It gives the value of the velocity in the ductwork (taking liner thickness into account), but the units are m/s. You could create a custom PSD to take that value, convert it to FPM, then use the duct sizes to calculate the pressure drop. This would be semi-automatic (not full auto because you need to use the Duct Modify sizing in order for it to work). I can post some screenshots later to help clarify...

-Buzz