This post has been edited since my original post was so far misled as to the cause that it is just confusing.
I'm noticing differences in behavior between CAMduct versions 2021 and 2026 with respect to handling the relationship between an item's spec and its material. An enforcement or something is kicking in that was not an issue before and it's causing frustrating behavior for our users. I want to get some defaults that just work.
In 2021, say you have a service with a service spec that is 4"WG pressure class. You also have an item that is CID 220 and originally of the Structural pattern group and no default spec applied.
In 2021, if I draw this item from the pallet for my HVAC service, it can give it Galvanized material while still being on the Structural spec. Sometimes, if I change the material, it clear the spec to "No Spec", but in my case, Galvanized did not do this. I'm not sure really what drives that behavior.
But regardless, I would not ever change the item specification and force a change to the material.
In 2026, however, that does happen. So if I start item entry for this pattern, it may appear to be drawing it as Galvanized on Structural spec, but if I either hit "redraw" or "accept", it seems to enforce the structural spec and wipe the material out or try setting it back to Carbon steel.
If I set the spec to "not set", I can then go and fix the material. But if I assign the specification again, the material changes.
Summary: In 2021, changing material could affect spec, but changing spec did not affect material. This allowed some odd combinations but the process was humming. In 2026, they affect each other and this means a slew of items that expected previous behavior are now being set to Carbon Steel, which we do not want.
