Drainage Run Presets
DrainPlan uses Run Presets to control how drainage lines look and behave. You can edit the default Foul, Storm, and Combined presets, and create up to three custom presets for systems such as private drainage or trade effluent.
Each preset lets you customise pipe colour, thickness, count, arrow style and size, arrow quantity, and default flow direction, ensuring consistent and professional drawings across your project.
Automatic Line Creation
Lines are automatically created between chambers as you create a drainage run. As you place, move, or adjust chambers, the lines adjust seamless to maintain their connections.
Line Only Mode
Press L while in Edit Mode to enter Line Only Mode. You can freely place bends, allowing you to create drainage runs quickly and precisely.
Creating Runs
[Building Your Drainage System]
Line Direction: You can set the default flow direction in the preset settings. To reverse the direction while drawing at any time, use the spacebar hotkey.
Choose Preset:
Navigate to the Drainage tab and select from either Foul, Combined, or Storm.
Enter Edit Mode:
Once you select a run preset, you will enter Edit Mode. A preview chamber will follow your cursor on the canvas.
Use the chamber keyboard shortcuts to dynamically change the drain type or style before placing it.
Place Chambers:
Use the Left Mouse Button to place chambers onto the canvas,
As you place chambers, a line will automatically be created between them.
Use Q and E to rotate the chamber before placing it.
Create Bends:
Utilize the Right Mouse Button to add bends, enabling you to create slight diversions. This can also be used if you do not wish to show chambers.
Exit Edit Mode:
Once you've finished creating a run, press the Enter key to exit Edit Mode - This will finish the current run.
Note: Once you have finished creating your line, you can always move, remove or add more chambers later.
Creating From Chamber
[Branching From a Chamber]
Note: Ensure you are out of Edit Mode by pressing the Enter key. This allows you to interact with existing chambers. Branching from an Internal Node: Right-click the chamber, select Edit Connections, then choose New Line from the desired node.
Choose an Existing Chamber:
Hover the mouse cursor over a chamber where you want to add an upstream or downstream line.
Prompt for Adding Line:
A prompt will appear next to the chamber, indicating the option to add a line. Look for the "+" symbol.
Entering Edit Mode from Chamber:
Select the prompt to enter Edit Mode from this specific chamber.
Preview Line and Chamber:
Upon entering Edit Mode, you'll see a preview chamber follow your mouse curosr on the canvas
A preview line will show from the chamber you are branching off, too the preview chamber you want to place
Handling Direction:
The preview arrow shows the current flow direction. Press Spacebar to toggle between upstream and downstream before placing the first chamber. The selected direction is also displayed in the top-left corner of the Edit Mode interface.
Exiting Edit Mode:
Once you’ve created the branch and want to finish the run, press Enter to exit Edit Mode.
Connecting to Chamber or Line
[Different ways to connect]
Note: You can connect the line you are drawing directly to an existing chamber or line, follow these steps below to learn more:
Connecting to an Existing Chamber:
In Edit Mode, after placing at least one chamber (or when branching), you can connect directly to an existing chamber instead of placing a new node. Simply left-click an existing chamber to attach the line if the connection is valid. This will exit Edit Mode and complete the run. You cannot connect to the same system you are currently drawing on.
Connecting to Lines for Blind Connection/Junction:
While in Edit Mode, left-click an existing line to initiate a blind connection. You will then be able to position the blind connection point precisely where needed. Left-click again to confirm, and this action will take you out of Edit Mode and create the blind connection.
Combine Mode
[Internal Mode Placement]
Hover over a chamber:
Move your cursor over an existing chamber while in Edit Mode.
Hold Shift:
Hold the Shift key to activate Combine Mode.
A preview of the internal node will appear, along with a zoomed positioning view in the bottom-left corner to help you place it accurately.
Place Internal Node:
Left-click to place an internal node exactly where required inside the chamber.
Continue or Exit Combine Mode:
Keep Shift held to place additional internal nodes in the same chamber
Release Shift to return to normal placement (Placing chambers as usual)
Move to another chamber and hold Shift again to activate Combine Mode for that chamber
Note: To edit, delete, reposition, or branch from a Combine Mode node, left-click the chamber, open Chamber Properties, then select Edit Connections. You can create new lines, remove connections, or drag nodes to reposition them.
Creating Aco Drain
[Adding Aco Drain]
To create an Aco Drain in DrainPlan, follow these steps:
Selecting Aco Drain:
Navigate to the "Drainage Tab" in the top left menu.
Select "Aco" to enter edit mode.
Placing Aco:
While in edit mode, you will see the Aco Drain you are trying to place following your mouse in the viewport.
Use the "R" key to rotate the Aco if needed.
Left-click to place the Aco.
Drawing Lines from Aco:
Once placed, select the small blue dot inside the Aco to begin drawing lines from the Aco.
Connect this line to an existing system if desired.
Quickly drag & Drop Drainage
[Adding Drainage Features]
To create Gully, RWP, SVP, or Node in DrainPlan, follow these steps:
Selecting Gully, RWP, SVP, or Node:
Navigate to the "Drainage Tab" in the top left menu.
Select "Gully," "RWP," "SVP," or "Node" to enter edit mode.
Placing Gully, RWP, SVP, or Node:
While in edit mode, place the Gully, RWP, SVP, or Node on your drawing canvas by left-clicking.
These elements work similarly, automatically creating a line from them.
Chamber Style HotKeys
[Adjust Chamber Style/Type While Placing]
New Feature: You can change the chamber type/style whilst placing using the Chamber HotKeys.
Choose Line Type:
Navigate to the "Drainage" tab in the top left menu.
Select from either "Foul Line", "Combined Line," or "Storm Line".
Enter Edit Mode:
Upon selecting a line type, you will enter "Edit Mode."
In Edit Mode, a transparent chamber will follow your mouse cursor within the viewport.
Use Chamber Hotkeys:
You can now change the type of Chamber using the hotkeys displayed in the top left corner of your screen.
All Hotkeys
M | Manhole (Square, Circle, Triangle) |
I | Inspection Chambers (Square, Circle, Rectangle) |
O | Outfall |
G | Gully (Storm Gully,, Sink Gully) |
S | RWP (Rain Water Pipe) |
T | Tank (Septic Tank, Soakaway) |
C | Control (Hydrobrake, Interceptor) |
P | Point |
R | Rodding Eye |
1 2 3 4 | Change Line Type (Dash, Dot, Hybrid) |
L | Line Only Mode |
SpaceBar | Change Line Direction |
Q & E | Rotate |