O/T Does anyone know why they have slope in engineer scale in ratio (1:96) instead of architect scale (1/8"). Also, If anyone knows a way that you can just start dropping pipe in at a slope (similar to Fabrication Parts in Revit) I'd love to know too.

I think it must be for people outside the US/UK that use metric.  It is a ratio rather than a foot inches mix.  Now as far as people outsourcing their inch/foot jobs to countries that use metric, I can see where this would be easier to use.