Copyright: Felix Computer Aided Technologies GmbH


  Getting Started

  The Basics of Drawing

  Command Reference

  Detailling the Drawing

  Print and Data Exchange


(C) Copyright 1995-97 Felix Coputer Aided Technologies GmbH
All Rights Reserved

This work is the property of Felix CAT GmbH, and may not be reproduced in whole or in any part in any form (photocopy, microfilm or any other process) or by any electronic process, either for the purpose of multiple copies, or for translation, or for distribution, without the express written consent of Felix CAT GmbH.

Felix CAT GmbH makes  no guarantee, either explicitly or  implicitly for the use of this product with any other single or multiple application software product which may be based on this product, and warrants the quality and workmanship of this product in its current form only.

Felix CAT GmbH is not liable for any contingent or collateral damages  accidental, direct, or indirect, which occur from the purchase or the use of these materials. In case of any responsibility on the part of Felix CAT GmbH can not be made liable for any sum greater than the sum paid for the product described herein.

Any translation of any part or all of the materials contained herein remain the property of Felix CAT GmbH, Berlin.

Felix CAT GmbH reserves  the right to  change or revise any product described herein at its own discretion.  This document describes the  product  at the date of this publication, and may not agree with future versions of this product.

FCAD, GDE, Felix are trademarks Felix CAT GmbH.

DXF is a trademark of Autodesk, Inc.

MS, MS - DOS, and Windows as well as WMF are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation and are registered in the United States of America and/or in other countries.

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Getting Started

... provides information about

   The CAD-Engine

   The Program's User Interface

   Starting, Opening and Saving Drawings

   Configuration

   Controlling the Sequence of Operations


The Basics of Drawing

... provides information about

   Data Entry

   Coordinate Systems

   Drawing Units

   Viewing the Drawing

   Layer

   Entity Properties


Command Reference

... provides information about the commands found in the menus


Detailling the Drawing

... provides information about

   Parts and Attributes / Entity Grouping

   Text

   Crosshatching

   Dimensioning


Import/Export

... provides information about

   Printing and Plotting

   Exchanging Data between Windows and CAD Applications


Getting Started

General Remarks

Starting, Opening and Saving Drawings

The Program's User Interface

Configuration

Controlling the Sequence of Operations


The Basics of Drawing

Coordinate Systems

Precision Aids

Object Snap

Object Selection

Dynamic Preview

Viewing the Drawing

Deleting and Undeleting

Layer and Object Properties


Command Reference;Commands
Command Reference

Menu

File
Edit
Draw
Modify
Detail
Part
Options
View
Window
Help
Command Reference:

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  IJK  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  XYZ  #


Detailing the Drawing

Parts and Attributes

Text

Crosshatching

Dimensioning


Print and Data Exchange

Printer Setup

Printing and Plotting

Print: Colors and Width Configuration

Copy Region to Bitmap

Copy Region to Windows Metafile


A    B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

A

	ABOUT
	ARC
	AREA
	ARENDER
	ARRAY
	ATTDEF
	ATTDEDIT
	ATTEDIT
	ATTMOVE
	ATTROT
	ATTVALUE
	ATTXEDIT


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

B

	BMPOUT


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

C

	CHAIN
	CHAMFER
	CHANGE
	CIRCLE
	CLOSE
	CONFIG
	COPYSELECT
	COPY


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

D

	DELETE
	DELFLK
	DELPARTIAL
	DIMA3P
	DIMA4P
	DIMALI
	DIMBAS
	DIMCENT
	DIMCON
	DIMDIA
	DIMHOR
	DIMOBL
	DIMORD
	DIMRAD
	DIMREST
	DIMROT
	DIMSAVE
	DIMSER
	DIMTHOME
	DIMTMOVE
	DIMTNEW
	DIMTROT
	DIMTYPE
	DIMUPD
	DIMVER
	DIST
	DRAWMODE
	DXFIN
	DXFOUT


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

E

	EDITPAR
	ELLIPSE
	EXIT
	EXPAND
	EXPLODE


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

F

	FCOMPILE
	FHIDE
	FILLET
	FLIP
	FONT


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

G

	GROUP


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

H

	HATCH
	HELP
	HIDE
	HPEDIT


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

IJ

	ID
	INSERT
	INTERSECT


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

L

	LAYER
	LENGTHEN
	LIGHT
	LIGHTEDIT
	LINE
	LINETYPE
	LOADLTYPE


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

M

	MACRO
	MENU
	MIRROR
	MOVE


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

N

	NEW
	NGON


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

O

	OFFSET
	OPEN


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

P

	PALCLOSE
	PALETTE
	PALOPEN
	PAN
	PANDOWN
	PANLEFT
	PANRIGHT
	PANUP
	PARTDEF
	PARTLIB
	PARTEXP
	PASTE
	PCONTOUR
	PLANVIEW
	PLBSETUP
	POINT
	POLY3D
	POLYEDIT
	POLYLINE
	PRECPAR
	PRINT
	PROPEDIT
	PSETUP
	PULLDOWN


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

Q

	QBMPOUT
	QHATCH
	QHPEDIT
	QINSERT
	QLAYER
	QOPEN
	QPRINT
	QWOPEN
	QWMFOUT


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

R

	RCONFIG
	RECTANGLE
	REDO
	REDRAW
	REGEN
	REGENALL
	RENDER
	RING
	ROTATE


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

S

	SAVE
	SAVEALL
	SAVEAS
	SCALE
	SENDALL
	SENDFLX
	SETCOLOR
	SETLAYER
	SETLINETYPE
	SETTINGS
	SETVIEWDIR
	STRETCH


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

T

	TABCONFIG
	TABLET
	TABSECTION
	TCORRECT
	TEXT
	TEXTEDIT
	TGRID
	TICON
	TLMODE
	TORTHO
	TRIM
	TSCREEN
	TSNAP


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

U

	U
	UCS
	UNDELETE
	UNDO


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

V

	VIEW
	VIEWPAR
	VIEWPORT
	VTXEDIT


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

W

	WCASCADE
	WCLOSE
	WICONARR
	WMFOUT
	WOPEN
	WTILE


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

XYZ

	ZOOM
	ZOOMBACK
	ZOOMFAC
	ZOOMFIT
	ZOOMIN
	ZOOMOUT
	ZOOMWIN


A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   IJK   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R  S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   #

#

	2DFACE
	3DFACE
	3DVIEW
	?


Coordinate systems - Summary

Coordinate Systems

The coordinate system of this program allows you to determine every single point of a drawing surface or a drawing object unambiguously through coordinates. These coordinates originate in the coordinate system. The program uses a Cartesian coordinate system consisting of three coordinate axis, of which every pair is arranged orthogonally and which cross at the origin. All axis have the same measurements.

To determine the coordinates of a point, the distances of this point to the x- and y-axis, in a 3-D system also from the z-axis, are measured.

The program differentiates the coordinate system between a world coordinate system (WCS) and the user coordinate system (UCS).

World Coordinate System

The world coordinate system is a permanently installed Cartesian coordinate system that is used as a standard for all drawings. The x-axis measures the horizontal distance, the y-axis the vertical distance from the origin. The z-axis is orthogonal to the x- and y-plane and measures the distance of a point to this plane.

The world coordinate system cannot be changed by the user.

See also:

Drawing Measurement

User Coordinate Systems

UCS Command


Precision Aids - Summary

Precision Aids

The commands and functions that serve as precision aids are:

   Grid Display

   Snap Grid

   Orthogonal Mode

   Object Snap

Control of Precision Parameters
The precision aids can be controlled by the common dialog box, which is activated by clicking the left button of the shown symbol in the vertical control panel or by entering the command PRECPAR.

Individual Precision Aids can be switched on and off and their parameters can be defined within this dialog. There are input fields and control elements for the individual settings. The user may enter numeric values using these fields.

With the buttons in the control panel on the left side of the screen the functions Othogonal Mode, Snap Mode, and Grid Display can be turned on and off.


Object Snap - Summary

Object Snap

Many functions and commands require the definition of an exact position in the drawing. The determination of exact points can be done either by coordinate input or by indicating points. The input of coordinates has the advantage of precise placement, whereas indicating points often has an advantage in speed and ease of handling.

A very efficient method to take advantage of both techniques is to indicate points with precise references to a given geometry with the help of the Object Snap functions.

Object Snapping allows geometrically significant points of existing drawing entities to be found. These points are then used as inputs for a new drawing step.

The Object Snap functions can be activated permanently or be called for a single operation. These techniques are described in the paragraph titled ”Controlling the Object Snap Functions”.

See also

Mode of Operation

Controlling the Object Snap Functions

Object Snap Modes in Detail


Object Snap: Mode of Operation

The object snap functions can not be called separately, but may be used only with a command which requests the input of a point.

The operating principal when using object snap functions is always the same:

1.	Call a command or a function which requires a point;

2.	When the point is requested, answer by calling an individual object snap function or a special object snap mode. The cursor then takes the form of a small box. The command line area displays a message which requests the point.

3.	Select the object with the cursor.

Which geometrically significant point is "picked" during the activity depends on

1. the type of the drawing entity;

2. the respective object snap mode; and

3. the specific point of the object which is chosen.

Object snap modes occasionally offer no practical use. For instance, the user can not define the ending point of a circle, while a line segment has no central point.

On the other hand, it is possible that a drawing entity contains several points to which the criteria of the object snap function correspond. A line entity or an arc, for instance, always have two ending points.

Note:

The object snap function Endpoint does not differentiate in regard to the starting or ending point of an object.

An object snap function identifies, in those a cases, the nearest of the two or more possible points. It determines, when selecting an object by positioning the cursor, which of the possible points will be snapped. The user should always place the cursor as near the desired point on the object as possible.

The illustration below shows the connection between the point selected and the point snapped:

See also:

Controlling the Object Snap Functions

Object Snap Modes in Detail


Controlling the Object Snap Functions

Object Snap: Permanent Activation

Using the dialog box Precision Aids, individual modes of the OBJECT SNAP function can be permanently activated.

Implicit Object Snap: Activating from Case to Case

For the single use activation of a certain mode of the OBJECT SNAP function you can choose between several options:

Snap Palette

The user may use the Snap Palette to call individual object snap modes for singular use in combination with a designing or editing command. This standard palette can be opened when needed and be placed anywhere on the drawing area. The user may now call the object selecting modes by cursor selection. The desired object snap modes can also be included in user-defined palettes with the help of the menu and dialog editor.

Cursor Menu

Another very effective method of calling an individual object snap mode is by activating the Cursor Menu using the middle mouse button.

Keyboard Input

Keyboard input of a command abbreviation is another method of activating the object snap functions. The object snap functions and their abbreviations are as follows:

Object Snap Mode	Object Snap Input Abbreviation
End point	end
Mid point	mid
Center point	cen
Quadrant	qua
Intersection	int
Implied Intersection	imp
Perpendicular to	per
Tangent to	tan
Next point on entity	nxt
Insertion point	ins
Point entity	pnt
Example

See also:

Mode of Operation

Object Snap Modes in Detail


Object Selection - Summary

Object Selection

Many commands, especially the commands for modifying and detailing of objects, presuppose that the objects to be worked on are selected (and highlighted). This can be done by the Object Selection functions.

Object Selection functions can not be called by a separate command, but will always be activated by the program when the current operation requires selection of entities. The request for selection occurs in the command line area with this prompt:

Simultaneously, the program displays functions which may be useful in the current operation in the option bar.

OBJECT SELECT is available for with selecting operation. The user will recognize this fact by the continuous display of the request for selecting objects when marking entities.

All objects selected in subsequent operations will be added to the selecting set. The selecting set includes the sum of all entities selected for an operation. Using the ”delete / add” option ('+' or '-'), it is possible to change the selecting mode between Adding Objects and Removing Objects from a current selection set. The user may add other entities for selecting or erase them as desired.

Selected entities will be shown in highlighted.

After marking all desired entities the user may finish the selection by pressing ENTER: The program will continue with the execution of the command.

See also

Object Selection Modes

Object Selection Modes in Detail

Configuration


Object Selection Modes

In order to select objects the user can employ several modes of OBJECT SELECT. Two standard modes are at your disposal immediately. Other modes are available in the option bar.

The modes can be called by:

 Selecting the proper switch;

 Inputting of the name of the object-selecting mode;

 Inputting the abbreviation for the name of the object-selecting mode.

The abbreviations to choose an object selection mode are as follows:

Window	w
Crossing	c
WPolygon	wp
CPolygon	cp
Fence	f
Last	l
Previous	p
Add	+
Remove	-
Single	si
All	*
See also:

Object Selection Modes in Detail


Dynamic Preview Modes

Dynamic Preview and Rubberbanding

 Dynamic Preview Mode and Rubberbanding are a visual construction aids which allows the user to watch the result of the pending operation before it is executed, and, if required, to make corrections. This feature also facilitates user understanding of commands and options and helps to learn the program.

Rubberband: A Marking Line

In any command that requires selection of two or more points, a marking line (rubberband line) follows the cursor movement. This line connects the last selected point with the current cursor position.

This gives the user a visual impression of the operation and allows a better estimate of distances and angles between the last fixed point and the following point.

The rubberband line is useful both in drawing and in modifying objects.

Used during the drawing process it illustrates:

 the ending point of the next segment of a line, chain or polyline;

 the radius or diameter of a circle;

 the distance between starting- and ending point of an arc; or

 the next corner point of a 2D or 3D plane.

When used during modification of objects it helps show the distance and angle from one base point to a second point, as well as the target point for moving, copying, scaling or other modifying steps.

Object Preview Picture

The Object Preview Picture shows in advance the contours of an object to be designed or modified. It is possible to recognize the consequences of changing of parameters like the radius of a circle or like removing or changing the angle of a copy of the original object. This option allows the user to interactively influence these changes.


Viewing the Drawing

Viewports: Drawing Windows

Zooming and Panning

Parameter for View Commands


Viewports - Summary

Viewports: Drawing Windows

   Viewports

The program is capable of opening as many as four drawings at the same time. Each of these drawings can be viewed in its own window. Further, it is possible to open as many as four viewing windows (viewports) for each drawing so that the drawing may be seen from different angles or so that portions of the drawing can be examined.

Opening Drawing Windows

In order to open a drawing window a drawing must have been created, or an existing drawing must be open. If more than one drawing has been opened, the user should remember that all commands are executed in the active drawing. Open the menu Window and choose the option Open Another Viewing Window (command WOPEN) Before the program opens another window you will be asked to determine the type of view in this new window. Choose a standard view from the menu, and click on OK.

The chosen angle of view can be changed at any time. The new window will be created in standard size and arranged in the manner proscribed with the existing windows.

Changing Drawing Windows

There are two ways to change the ”active” window:

 Clicking on any part of the chosen window with the cursor will activate it.

Open the menu Window, and find where all open drawing windows are listed. The active window will be marked by a check in front of its name. When a new window is opened, it its marked by a number in front of the specific entry.

Closing Drawing Windows

It is possible to close the viewing window, as in all Windows programs, by double-clicking on the system menu area (left corner on top). This activates the command WCLOSE and the window will be closed. This command can also be keyboarded.

Viewpoint / Angle of View

The direction from which an object is viewed is influences the view of the object, and may be changed in many ways inside one drawing window. Each additional view will be portrayed in another viewing window. It is possible for the user to look at a drawing from any point in space that he or she wishes to define. The command 3DVIEW from the pull-down menu VIEW provides the facility to make that definition.

Saving and Retrieving Views

It is convenient when working with different drawing portions to save, and later, to retrieve changes in angles of view, different drawing portions and scales of view. This may be accomplished by using the command VIEW.

See also

Zooming and Panning

Parameter for View Commands


Zooming and Panning

The ZOOM and PAN commands are transparent ones which may be executed while other commands are being executed. It is possible, for instance, to execute the command PANDOWN (move downward) while entering points for drawing an element.

Zooming

The ZOOM commands change the viewing scale of the drawing, or of the portion of the drawing chosen by the user. The absolute ratios of scale of the entire drawing to the included objects chosen remains unchanged.

These variations on the ZOOM command are possible:

 Zoom Window  	ZOOMWIN

 Zoom Back      	ZOOMBACK

 Zoom Fit          	ZOOMFIT

 Zoom In           	ZOOMIN

 Zoom Out        	ZOOMOUT

 Zoom Factor    	ZOOMFAC

Panning

The command PAN moves the visible portion of the drawing to the right, to the left, upward or downwards. It is now easy to look at objects that were previously not visible because they were off the viewing surface. In contrast to the ZOOM command, the drawing scale does not change.

These variations on the PAN command are possible:

 Portion to left   	PANLEFT

 Portion to right	PANRIGHT

 Portion up      	PANUP

 Portion down  	PANDOWN


Parameter for View Commands

Parameters for the Zoom and View Commands

To activate the function View Parameters choose the item of that name from the menu View. Or, using the keyboard, type the command VIEWPAR.

    Zoom Factor

In the entry fields Zoom In Factor and Zoom Out Factor the user may choose the factor by which the drawing on the screen is to be enlarged or reduced. These factors affect only the visible portion of the drawing.

  Pan Factor

In the entry field Pan Factor the user may choose the factor by which the visible portion of the drawing is moved using the command PAN. A pan factor of 0.5, for example, moves the drawing portion to about half of the visible drawing area.


Deleting and Undeleting

  Delete

During the creation of drawings, or, later, the editing, changing or detailing of drawings it may be necessary to deleting certain parts of the drawing.

The program offers the command DELETE to accomplish this operation.

The command DELETE may be used for these drawing entities:

 Individual drawing entities, like lines, circles, rectangles, or for groups of these entities;

 Complex objects;

Complex Objects

Complex objects are:

 Parts and attributes

 Polylines

 Crosshatching

 Dimensioning

To delete groups of entities, the respective group has to be converted to single entities again by the command EXPLODE  Complex Objects.

  Undelete: Withdraw Deletions

Entities which have been deleted by mistake can be restored by the command UNDELETE. This will cause all entities previously deleted to be are restored.

DELETE can be canceled by the function Undo or the command U.

Call the commands

 by selecting the option in the pull-down menu EDIT

 by keyboarding the command in the command line area

 by clicking the symbol


General Remarks

The CAD program runs on a Microsoft Windows® desktop. All essential program steps function, therefore, according to Windows protocols. This is true for pull-down menus, dialog boxes, icons, scroll bars, etc. The desktop provides a series of standard elements whose function and mode match the corresponding elements of the Windows desktop. For example, there are palette buttons for opening new windows, as well as for changing window sizes. Use of these ”standard” Windows control elements will be explained in detail neither in the manual nor in the online help.

The use of this program requires at least a minimum of Windows knowledge. In case of doubt, please consult your Windows manual, Windows Online Help, or other literature on the subject of Microsoft Windows.

See also:

Starting, Opening and Saving

The Program's User Interface

Configuration

Controlling the Sequence of Operations


Starting, Opening and Saving

The program saves drawings as files with the file extension .flx. Each file contains a drawing and, if necessary, up to four views of that drawing. Further in this manual, the term ”drawing” may be used as a synonym with the term ”file”. When the manual mentions ”opening (or closing) a drawing”, it refers to opening or closing of the corresponding file.

Each drawing as well as each view of a drawing will be constructed in a separate window. All view windows of a drawing carry, in the Title Bar of the window, the same file name. They differ from each other in the continuous numbering (0 - 3), which is separated from the file name by a vertical line.

   Starting a New Drawing

A new file has to be opened in order to create a new drawing. The command NEW in the menu File is used for this purpose. Alternatively, a new file can be created by clicking the corresponding system button on the Function Bar.

   To Open an Existing Drawing

In order to continue working on an existing drawing in a later working session, the user must open the drawing. The term ”Load” a drawing will also refer to ”opening” a drawing. The command OPEN in the menu File, is used to do this. This command can also be activated by pressing the command OPEN or by clicking the standard symbol Open in the Function Bar

Closing a Drawing

Closing a drawing indicates that the work on this drawing is finished. The program remains open. If a drawing has been changed before closing there will be a prompt asking whether the file should be saved. This is to prevent unintended loss of work. Select the command CLOSE in the menu File or press the keys CTRL+F4. It is also possible to close the drawing window, as in all Windows programs, by double-clicking on the system menu area (left corner on top): This activates the command WCLOSE and the window will be closed. This command can also be keyboarded.

   Saving Drawing Files

The command SAVE causes the drawings in the active window to be saved. At this time the file will be saved under its present name.

The command SAVEAS also saves the drawing in the current window, like the above mentioned command SAVE. However, it allows the user to save the drawing under a different name, or in a different area.
The SAVEALL command will not only the save the drawing in the current window but also all other open drawings.

Terminating the Program

It is very important to end every working session correctly. The only correct means of terminating the session is by executing the command EXIT in the menu File.

See also:

The Program's User Interface

Configuration

Controlling the Sequence of Operations


The Program's User Interface

The desktop contains a series of standard elements. These are the Menu Bar, the Function Bar, the vertical symbol bar, and the status bar.

In addition, the desktop may also contain several palettes.

The following picture shows a possible standard variant of the desktop. For more information about a desktop element pick inside the picture.


Menu Bar and Pull-down Menus

The separate pull-down menus are arranged in the Menu Bar. Each pull-down menu contains groups of thematically-related commands. The content of the Menu Bar varies depending on the loaded menu file. Different menu files may be loaded, adapting the Menu Bar to the specific necessities of the user.

Menu files can be identified by the extension .mnu.

The program offers the user the opportunity to load different menu files. These files can be individualized menu files, which have been created and adapted by help of the Dialog and Menu Editor, or any of a number of standard menu files supplied with the program.


The Function Bar : Symbols

The Function Bar has its position directly underneath the Menu Bar. It is subdivided in several areas.

The first group of six symbols are situated on the left side of the Function Bar. These are commands from the pull-down menu File which refer mainly to the Opening, Saving and Output of drawings and to the configuration of the desktop.

   New drawing

   Open drawing

   Save drawing

   Printing/plotting

   Configuration

   Loading menus


Command Line and Text Window

The Command Line, or the Text Window, serves as communication between the program and the user. In its default condition, the program uses a Command Line situated directly underneath the Menu Bar that looks like this.

The button  [image]  on the right of the Text Window will allow the user to switch between this mode of display and a bigger Text Window, placed freely on the drawing field.

The default Command Line is fixed in its position on the desktop. It is possible, depending on the chosen script type, change this. With the help of the scroll bar on the right side of the Text Window the registrations can be "rolled" up and down.

This field allows the user to:

- Specify points and values, select objects, and confirm inputs;

- Confirm the selection or input steps by the user (for example, 4 selected);

- Receive messages, indications or warnings from preceding steps user (for example, command not found).

At the same time the Text Window is fulfilling a recording function, the user can read or reconstruct all the program steps of the working session including all inputs made. Again, with the help of the scroll bars on the right side of the Text Window or with the keys Page Up or Page Down the inputs can be "rolled". When performing this function, the Text Window has the advantage of greater clarity.

The Command Line is not to be used for the output lists or output fields of the Info-commands. If such functions are implemented, the Dialog Window should be used.


The Function Bar : Symbols

Another group of four symbols is arranged next to the Command Line. These symbols are for the display of the desktop and the arrangement of the drawings, and are standard Windows functions..

   Switch between Command Line and Text Window

   Call palettes

   Arrange drawing windows in tile format

   Arrange drawing windows in cascade format


Option Fields

The first symbol group are three additional symbols, which pertain to execution of commands.

These are (from the left):

- Interrupt the execution of the command

- Withdraw the last work step

- Restore or nullify the withdrawing of the last work step

The Option is located beneath the Text Window and is subdivided into six option fields. Using those fields enables the user to select and call options to the command. After a command is specified, the options are defined and displayed in the option fields.

Clicking on the desired option will select that option. Hotkeys may also be used, if they are assigned to the options.

The option fields will be changed to correspond with the current status of the drawing. Doing this keeps the number of options shown manageable. If there are no options to the command, these option fields are empty. The option field may change as often as after each step in the drawing.


The Vertical Symbol Bar

The vertical symbol bar is situated on the left side of the screen. That bar includes a permanent series of commands or functions.

Symbols for setting the Drawing Area or adjusting the drawing functions.

The user can control setting or switching the grid and the functions <snap> and <grid> as well as use of the orthogonal mode. These functions are activated by clicking on the appropriate box. A cross in the box indicates an active condition.

Clicking the button at the left side opens the dialog box for setting or adjusting the precision help functions (snap, grid, orthogonal mode and object snap functions).


The Vertical Symbol Bar

The vertical symbol bar is situated on the left side of the screen. That bar includes a permanent series of commands or functions.

Symbols for the control of the layer functions

The top button of this symbol group changes the active layers. After selecting this function, the selection box with the layers currently existing in this drawing will be displayed. The user may choose the layer in which he or she wishes to work by clicking with the pointer.

The second button sets the current linetype. The normal situation in the open drawing will be this linetype, currently defined for the active layer. After choosing this linetype, the user can select another diverging type of line for this layer as well. To do this, enter the desired type of line on the input field.

On the left beneath this button is the symbol for changing the line color. With this button the user can define a line color that changes the layer definition. The user should activate this function using the same procedure as was used for the symbol for changing the line thickness.

On the right is the button for layer control. Clicking this symbol will open the Layer Manager dialog box. In this dialog box you can create, change, and rename layers as well as define their status, the layer color and the type of line.


The Vertical Symbol Bar

The vertical symbol bar is situated on the left side of the screen. That bar includes a permanent series of commands or functions.

Symbols for the control of the drawing views

The third group of symbols serves exclusively to the control the drawing views.

...The four arrows represent the command PAN. Clicking one of the arrow symbols will shift the drawing in that direction.

   The symbol at the left means Zoom Extent. Clicking this symbol will cause the drawing to be displayed so that all of the included entities are shown as large as possible on the drawing surface.

   The symbol at the right means Zoom MAX. After selecting this mode, the user must define the area to be ”zoomed” by selecting two points representing opposite corners of the enclosing ”box”.

   The symbol in the middle of the second row represents the command Zoom Back. This command removes the last zoom command.

  The two symbols in the third row, left and right, contain the function Zoom Out and Zoom In. These commands perform step-by-step increasing or reducing of the screen display by one factor. The user can define that factor in the function display modes.

... Beneath this symbol group is a button which resembles a pair of windshields. This represents the command Redraw. This command will cause the screen display to be reconstructed by those pixels currently in intermediate storage. Pixels which remain on the screen from deleted or revised entities will be deleted by this command.


The Drawing Area

The Drawing Area is the part of the desktop in which drawing entities are created and modified.

Up to four drawings with four viewports each can be opened simultaneously in the Drawing Area. Each drawing and each view will be represented in its own window. The individual windows can be tiled, cascaded, or enlarged to fill the Drawing Area

If more than one window is opened, only one will be the active window. The active window may be recognized by the color in its Title Bar. Only drawings in the active window will be working. A window is selected as the active window by clicking with the mouse or the digitizer on any part of the window or (if there is full screen view) via the pull-down menu Window.

Outside of the Drawing Areas the Cursor assumes the typical Windows pointing shape. Within the Drawing Area the Cursor appears as cross-hairs.


The Title Bar

Every drawing window has at the top a Title Bar. The name of the file will be indicated in this Title Bar. In front of the file name are the complete specifications of the path, with information about the drive, the directory, and any subdirectories in which the file was saved.

If there are several views of one drawing, the separate viewport windows are marked by continuous numbering. This label will appear after the drawing name and will be separated from the name by a vertical line.

When a drawing window is maximized the described specifications will be found in the Title Bar of the desktop.

If the user has opened several files simultaneously, the specification of the file name will facilitate having an overview of the drawings that are working at the time.


Coordinate Symbol

Normally, a coordinate symbol is in the lower left corner of the Drawing Area. This symbol indicates the position of the axes of the coordinate system and provides orientation of the alignment of the current coordinate system.

The user can classify the individual axes of the coordinate symbol by different colors, which increases the clarity of this symbol.

In addition, the coordinate symbol can be faded in and out by the transparent command TICON. (Toggle Icon).


The Status Line

The Status Line is situated at the lower side of the visible desktop. It contains a series of information fields. Brief ”help texts” will appear in these fields. This line also contains the coordinates of the current cursor position.

The first information field from the left serves two functions:

When the Cursor is moved over the symbols of the symbol bars or palettes, a brief description of the commands and functions which will be executed by the chosen symbol is indicated. Information on the function of a command selected from any of the pull-down menu items are also displayed in this field.

This information field will, in addition, display the current distance and angle between the starting point drawing function and the current cursor position. This is helpful to the user when he or she is using the cursor to input the coordinates.

The next information field shows the currently used coordinate system.

- WCS = World coordinate system

- UCS = User coordinate system

The remaining three information fields specify the X-, Y- and Z-coordinates of the current Cursor position, in that order.


Palettes

A series of frequently used commands can be called using symbol fields. Symbols in palettes, arranged in any way, which can contain any command for which the palette is designed.

Commands and functions are called from a palette by clicking on the symbol.

   Loading Palettes

Palettes are files with the file extension .mnp. The command PALETTE is used to load a palette.

See also:

PALCLOSE.

PALOPEN


Configuration

  Command: CONFIG

By calling the CONFIG command, the Cofiguration dialog will appear.

Desktop Configuration: Colors and Font

Tablet Configuration

Shortcuts and Alias Commands

Directory Structure Configuration

Init and Saving Preferences

Savety Preferences

Note: The changes will only become effective once the OK button has been selected. No changes will become effective if you close the dialog window by pressing either the Cancel button or ESC key.


Configuration - Desktop Colors and Fonts

By choosing the Colors... button in the Configuration dialog, a dialog will appear in which you may define the colors to be used in the following user interface elements.

Text window, Font text window, Drawing window, Graphic cursor X, Graphic cursor Y, Graphic cursor Z, Dynamic preview elements (Drag elements) and Option elements

First of all select the element which you wish to alter from the list box. The current color for the chosen element is shown in the area Color of Item.

Please bear in mind that the cursor axis color setting is identical to that displayed in the coordinate axis symbol.

The color values for the background and for the font of the text window titled Command History / Lisp Interpreter are shown based on the primary colors RED, GREEN and BLUE. The colors of the above mentioned windows can be altered by adjusting the appropriate RGB values. You may also use the Color... button in this area which is located in the control panel to allocate a new color. This will then cause the available Windows control panel options to be displayed. Further information regarding the selection and definition of these colors can be obtained from your Windows system documentation.

The color selection for the remaining screen elements (Drawing window background, Crosshair colors, Drag and Selection Color) can be made from the list of standard drawing colors. It is also possible to define further colors by entering a corresponding color index (1...255).

In order to return to the program default colors, select the Default colors... button shown in bottom right-hand corner.

By choosing the Font... button on the main page of the Configuration dialog, a dialog will appear in which you may define the desktop font.

The settings available in the Fonts dialog box affect the way in which information in the command line is displayed. This includes output in the command line, notification and warning displays and input fields. It does not have any influence on Text objects, such as titles which are entered using the text command and inserted into drawings.

Using the options available in the font dialog window it is possible to alter the display parameters utilized in the text window. The options include font type, font style and size. The desired selections can be made consecutively by clicking the appropriate selection fields. The example text displayed in the preview window shows what changes the selected parameters will make.

These changes will only become effective once the OK button has been selected. No changes will become effective if you close the dialog window by pressing either the Cancel button or ESC key.


You find this option in the Configuration Dialog called by the command CONFIG
The CONFIG command can be activated by choosing the [image] symbol in the Function Bar


Configuration - Tablet

By choosing the Tablet... button in the Configuration dialog, a dialog will appear. You may define the tablet menu file name for auto loading. Start tablet menu automatically can be switched on or off.

Calibrating the Tablet

Loading Tablet Menu

The TABSECTION command


Configuration - Shortcuts and Alias Commands

The function key allocation can be used as a very simple and flexible method of personalizing the program to suit individual requirements and work styles.

Using either the individual F1 … F 12 function keys, or combining these with the CRTL and  ALT keys, it is possible to automate up to 48 functions and commands which then become available at the ”touch of a button”.  Most of the 48 alternatives can be freely defined.

The F1 key is allocated to the help function and reserved.

The CRTL+F4 and ALT+F4 key combinations will close the program.

By allocating regularly used commands, such as drawing or editor instructions, object capture, or object selection functions to these keys it is not only possible to simplify your construction work, but also to dramatically increase speed and efficiency.

From the Hot Keys dialog, select the function key, or key combination to which you want to allocate a command from the drop-down list. If this key has already been allocated, the corresponding command will appear in the command display box. If the display remains empty then no command or has yet been allocated to this key combination.

By moving the cursor into the Input field and typing in your desired command or function it is possible to allocate a new command to the selected key. Should you wish to allocate a function or command to a key which already contains an entry, just overwrite the entry with the desired command.

Please note that the parameter changes only become effective once the OK button has been selected. No changes will be made if you close the dialog by either clicking to the Cancel button or pressing the ESC key.

As is the case with function keys, Alias Commands also offer a very simple and effective way of customizing the program to meet the individual needs of the user.  Alias-commands can contain command entries, which are not only made up of a command itself, but also corresponding command arguments, such as parameters. Alias-commands can be defined freely so that

LINE 0,0 210,0 210,297 0,297_C

could be replaced with the alias command A4.  Using this method it would no longer be necessary to input the parameters to draw an oblong to represent an A4 sheet of paper, the same result could be achieved by simply typing A4.

This method of operation not only increases the speed and efficiency with which the command is carried out, but also greatly reduces the risk of input errors.

Alias-commands can be defined by selecting the Alias-command option from the configuration window.

Dialog Control Elements:

Alias Commands List

New

Change

Delete


Alias Commands List

All previously defined Alias-commands are displayed in the selection field.


Define a new Alias Command

By selecting New... it is possible to define a new Alias-Command.  Enter the name and command line, including parameter arguments if necessary.


Change Alias Command

In order to change an already defined alias-command select an item from the selection field and click the Change... button. In the dialog box Change Alias Command enter a new alias name and the built-in command, including parameter arguments if necessary, into the input window.


Delete an Alias Command

In order to Delete an Alias-command select it from the list box and click the delete button.  It is important to note that the command will be deleted immediately, you will not be requested to re-confirm the deletion.


Configuration - Directory Structure

The Directory dialog is used to set up a number of working directories which the program can access during the course of program operation. These various directories enable the program to find files containing information about menus, device drivers for input/output devices etc. which it needs to execute the program correctly.

The directories are created at the time of program installation and are initialized according to a pre-set pattern. By selective alteration of these directories, it is once again possible to customize the program and as such, mold it to your own personal requirements. User defined pull down menus which are needed during program operation are for example stored in special directories.

Dialog Control Elements:

Application Search Path

CFG Directory

Driver Directory

Temporary Directory

Drawing Directory

Key File


Configuration - Init and Saving Preferences

Init Preferences

Choosing the Load Defaults button will restore the default system settings.
To load the settings saved in the INI-File activate Load from File.

Saving Preferences

 Activating the Save Desktop button will save all desktop settings at the moment exiting the program.
To save all settings in the INI-File activate Save to File.


Configuration - Safety Preferences

The section Savety Preferences of the Configuration dialog allows you to activate or deactivate the functions governing the automatic backup of drawing files, as well as locking drawing files so that they cannot be used simultaneously.

Auto-Saving

When activated, this function will save all open drawing files to your disk at regular intervals. This not only ensures that your data is not lost in case of a system fault, but also reduces the effects of follow on defects.

The automatic backup options can be set by clicking the button Automatic Save... in the Configuration dialog. When selected, a sub-dialog will appear.

This dialog enables you to activate or deactivate the automatic backup utility, select the backup file extension names and enter the time intervals at which backups are to be made.

Automatic Save is activated by clicking the approriate check box.  A cross indicates that the function is active.

The field below the automatic backup box is used to enter the file extension name for the backup files. The default entry is BAK.

The intervals at which backup copies are to be made must be entered in the time field.  You may type in any number of minutes, or use the directional arrows to select the desired time.

File Locking

The file locking option controls the creation of so called lock files.  This function is activated or deactivated by clicking the check box.  A cross indicates that the function is active.

Lock files are backup files which the program creates as soon as the drawing file is opened.  They have the same file name as the original file, but are allocated with the .flk default file extension. Lock files are automatically removed as soon as the original drawing file is correctly closed.

When the program is used in a net-work environment, this option prevents files from being used simultaneously by two or more users.

Note: The same situation is encountered should the program come to an unexpected or abrupt end,  (e.g. due to a sudden power failure or program error.) before the open drawing files could be properly closed.  If you attempt to open a locked file, the program will display the locked file notification message.


Controlling the Sequence of Operations

The following paragraph explains the most important steps for the control of the sequence of operations.

Calling Commands and Options

Interrupting the Execution of a Command

Withdrawing a Command (UNDO)

Restoring (REDO)

Repeating Commands

Data Input


Calling Commands and Options;Commands

Calling Commands and Options

Input by Keyboard

Input by keyboard has the advantage of precision. Using this method, the user can construct drawing entities with exact dimensions or with exact placement in the coordinate system.

Values for distances, straight lines and other linear quantities are specified in drawing units, angle values in degrees.

Coordinates are given, in sequence, as the values for the X-, Y- and Z-axes with a comma between.

Please note that a point is used as a decimal sign. A comma serves as dash between the values for the single axes.

When specifying an input value for an angle the sign < (smaller than) comes before the value.

An input sequence on the keyboard might look like this:

LINE
From point: 2.5,0
To point: 	5.75,0
To point: 0,3.25
<ENTER>

Moving an object might would look like this:

Select objects: Selecting
Basis point: 5,2
Target point: @3,0


Calling Commands and Options

Pull-Down Menus

Commands (and their options) can be selected using pull-down menus. The menus and commands may be requested by key sequence (for example,. ALT + F, N for new file) or by clicking the proper option field within its menu.

For some commands, submenus are available. These submenus offer further commands or variations of the command.


Calling Commands and Options

Symbol Fields

A series of frequently used commands can be called using symbol fields.

Permanently displayed symbols in the Function Bar or the vertical symbol bar. These symbol fields represent mainly commands from the pull-down menus File and Display.

Commands and functions are called by clicking on the symbol.


Calling Commands and Options

Palettes

A series of frequently used commands can be called using symbol fields. Symbols in palettes, arranged in any way, which can contain any command for which the palette is designed.

Commands and functions are called from a palette by clicking on the symbol.

   Loading palettes

Palettes are files with the file extension <.mnp>. The command PALETTE is used to load a palette.

See also:

PALCLOSE.

PALOPEN


Calling Commands and Options

Tablet Menu

The program supports the use of a digitizer tablet as input medium and cursor control.

Coordinates for drawing points can be entered as well as commands and functions by the proper symbols.

To control the tablet it is necessary to load a Tablet Menu file.


Interrupting the Execution of a Command

It is possible to interrupt the performance of a command before the command has been completed. This can be useful if a command was activated by accident.

To interrupt the execution of the current command:

- press ESC; or

- click the Cancel button

That will interrupt the execution of the current command, and in the Text Window, the user will see the message *** Cancel ***.


Withdrawing a Command (UNDO)

If the user recognizes that he or she has input an erroneous command, it is possible to withdraw the command.

The program archives all steps made during the task in a list called the Undo List. That list contains a registry of all of the working steps. The steps registered in this list can be withdrawn by using the UNDO function sequentially, each UNDO removing the next sequential step in the task.

Certain commands are not registered in the UNDO LIST. These are commands and functions that control the viewport (Zoom, Pan, Window), set the parameters, and other transparent functions. These steps can not be withdrawn by using UNDO.

The Undo List is kept only with the current session of the program. It will not be saved with the drawing.

Calling the Command

 Click the symbol ”Back” in the Function Bar or palette; [image] or

 Enter U by keyboard and confirm this input by <ENTER>.

Invoking this command will cause the last command made to be withdrawn and all changes in the drawing caused by this command to be canceled.

The command can be repeated until all working steps stored in the UNDO LIST have been canceled. The program will then send out the message UNDO LIST empty.

See also:

Restoring (REDO)


Restoring (REDO)

This command offers the ability to REDO an UNDO. The state of the task is restored to the last state prior to issuing the UNDO. This is only possible if there has been no other command executed between the commands UNDO and REDO.

REDO is used in this fashion:

Call the command REDO by clicking the symbol field Restore; [image] or

Enter the command name REDO into the Text Window.

Only the last relevant working step will be restored.

Another form of restoration is to use the command UNDELETE. That command cancels the last relevant UNDO operation. This is also possible if there have been other drawing or working operations executed between the UNDO and the UNDELETE.


Repeating Commands

During practical experience with the program the user will often need to repeat a command. To repeat the same command either by pull-down menu or keyboard entry would be annoying and inefficient.

The user can repeat the last executed command by pressing the ENTER key or the right mouse button.

The command repeat can be performed as often as is required. Only the standard variant of the corresponding command will be repeated. Other options that were selected will not be used automatically. However, these options are at the disposal of the user, and can be selected again.


> LINE
From point: P1
To point: P2
To point: P3
To point: <ENTER>

> LINE
From point: P4
To point: P5
To point: P6
To point: Close


Data Input

During the drawing process it is often necessary to modify the value of data that has been input during the various steps of design. This occurs when the program needs input values for solutions. In those cases a prompt will appear in the Text Window asking for the entry of a value.

Examples of these required values are:

- Coordinates for defining points of the drawing (starting and ending points, center points, points of contact, inserting points, base and target points);

- Distances;

- Angles;

- Width values (for example,. line width); or

- Number.

Number

1. Input by keyboard

2. Pointing or Identifying

Coordinates

The different coordinate types can always be entered as absolute or as relative coordinate values.

absolute Coordinates und

relative Coordinates.


Coordinate Filter
Coordinate Filter...

FCAD offers the possibility to use Coordinate Filters when point values are requested. Coordinate Filters allow the user to relate the point value inputs to the X-, Y and Z-coordinates of existing entities.

Some possible inputs that might be requested for point values are:

x, value           	x, y
value, y           	x, y, z
value, value, z	value, y, z
x, value, z       	x, y, value

If the user answers the question with the input: x,10 the user will be requested to enter the x-value separately. It is now possible to catch a second object or the geometrically significant point of an object by using an Object Snap function. The X-value of this point will be interpreted as input value for the original point definition (x,10).

> LINE
From point: P1
To point: x,10
X-coordinate: end
from: P2
To point: 15,y
Y-coordinate: cen
from: P3

Example: Centre of a cube

POINT
Point: X,Y,Z
X-Coordinate: MID
of object: P1
Y-Coordinate: MID
of object: P2
Z-Coordinate: MID
of object: P3


Layer and Object Properties

Layer

Layer Attributes

Layer Manager

Object Properties


Layer - Basic Information

The concept of working with layers is analogous to manual drawing using layers of see-through foil. Parts or portions (which may be functional portions, such as construction lines) of one complete drawing are drawn on different ”foils”, which, imposed on top of one another, form the entire drawing.
Layers are useful in separating objects, such as parts, sub-assemblies, or structural components such as pipe sizes or building materials. They also serve to separate elements such as construction lines, center lines, outlines, and dimension lines, or things that are to be placed in a group, such as foliage in an architectural drawing, or parking areas.

All parameters of a drawing which are active for the entire drawing, like the coordinate system, the Zoom factor, the view arrangement, fonts, attributes, and so forth, are valid for all layers and are always the same.

The advantages of creating a drawing in this fashion, whether working manually or electronically, lie in a clearer construction of the drawing and better control than drawing on a single foil.

It is possible to structure a drawing through formal or content characteristics.

The standard layer is always called Layer 0.

One layer in each drawing will be defined as the active layer. All new objects will automatically be placed on this layer. As long as Layer 0 is the only one existing, it will also be the active layer.

Each layer has a color and linetype associated with it when it is created. Anything drawn on this layer will be drawn with this linetype and color.

Aside from the color and the linetype, there are other attributes of the layer that allow the user switch between ”states”. The states are visibility (on/off), freeze/thaw and lock/unlock.

The layers with their status and their attributes are part of the drawing. They are saved together with the drawing and can be called when re-opening the drawing.

See also:

Layer Attributes

Layer Manager


Layer Attributes

Layer Name

To identify individual layers and differentiate between them, each must have a distinctive name. The name can consist of up to 31 characters. They can be letters, numbers, or special characters like _ (Underline) and $ (Dollar). All characters are automatically capitalized.

Color

Every layer has a color that is user-defined. If a new color is not chosen, the layer will be colored black. The standard color of the layer can be marked in the color box as BYLAYER
It is possible to choose the standard color of a layer from among 255 color shades. Every color has its own number.

Since it is possible to draw on the active layer only, objects still to be drawn will be in the standard color of the active layer, unless a new color was chosen with the option Object Color. If the standard color of the layer is changed using the dialog box for layer control then all drawing elements of this layer that are marked with the color BYLAYER will assume the new color.

Linetype

Similarly, there is a standard linetype that is assigned to the line. If you do not choose another linetype, the Linetype CONTINUOS will automatically be assigned to it.

The chosen linetype is marked in the dialog box BYLAYER. All elements are drawn in the linetype of the layer unless another linetype is chosen for the element.

Visibility

One of the major advantages of working with layers is that it aids the user in visualizing the part, or drawing. The visual clarity of a drawing can be improved greatly through choosing layers properly and ”hiding” the drawing elements. Concentration on meaningful drawing elements makes the drawing and construction much easier.

The visibility of a layer can either be turned ”on” or ”off”. Every layer can be turned ”on” or ”off” independent of any other layer(s). Changing the visibility is done through the Layer Manager.(command LAYER).

Locking Layers

It is possible to ”lock” layers so that the objects or elements contained within the layer may not be changed.

Normally, new layers will be created with the status UNLOCKED. There are no limits inside the normal program functions when working with an unlocked layer.

When a layer’s status is LOCKED it is not possible to change, add, or delete objects from this layer. The status must be changed to UNLOCKED if the user desires to work with the objects of this layers. This function makes it difficult to make an unauthorized drawing change.

It is possible to draw new elements onto locked layers but it is not possible to work with them further. Other options of layer control can also be affected when working with a locked layer. For example, the standard color of the layer may be changed. A locked layer may be designated active, visible or invisible, frozen or thawed.

Thaw / Freeze Layers

The options THAW and FREEZE are functions which control the visibility as well as the influence of the objects within the layer.

A ”frozen” layer is both invisible and locked and thus impossible to change. A frozen layer will not be included in drawing regeneration. When working with very complex drawings, freezing some unneeded layers can increase the speed of drawing considerably.

The option THAW undoes the freezing of a layer. The layer will become visible and changes may be made once more. The active layer of a drawing cannot be frozen.

See also:

Loading Linetypes


Layer Manager

  Commmand: LAYER

Creating new layers, choosing an active layer and controlling all previously described layer characteristics is accomplished through a dialog box. This dialog box is called Layer Manager

Creating a new layer

Changing the active layer

Renaming a layer

Define linetype

Define layer color

Controlling the layer status

Current Layer and Used Layers

In the upper rows of the Layer Manager Dialog Box are a field for the name of the active (current) layer (left window) and a field for the number of defined layers in this drawing.

Layer

Later rows contain combined view and entry fields for layers that still have to be worked on, and a selection box that allows the user to choose between creation of new layers, renaming layers and choosing an active layer.

Properties

There are fields for the layer state and for choosing line types and layer color.

Directly beneath that, in the dialog box, all the existing layers of the drawing are shown. Any of these may be selected and activated with the cursor. The layer color and linetype are also shown there.

The meanings of the abbreviations used are shown here.

Abbreviation	Meaning
ON	Visibility on - The layer becomes visible
OFF	Visibility off - The layer becomes invisible
FRE	Status free, drawing elements can be edited
CLO	Status closed, drawing elements can not be edited
THA	Layer thawed, visible and can be edited
FRO	Layer frozen, invisible and can not be edited, will not be regenerated


Creating a new Layer

A new layer can be created at any time. Newly created layers do not have to have drawing elements right away.

The layers of a drawing are not listed alphabetically or content-specifically, but according to their time of creation. To work effectively it makes sense to plan the layers to be used in advance and create them in a systematic manner.

A new layer is created by performing two steps:

1. Enter the name for the new layer in the entry- and view field for layer adaptation (second row). Remember the limits of naming (see page 68). After that, select the button NEW. The layer will appear following the layer last created.

2. Every new layer has a color 7 (black, if no other is chosen) and the linetype (continuous, if no other is chosen) assigned to. Other linetypes and colors are assigned through selection. More information regarding that point will follow.


Renaming a Layer

1. Choose the layer to be renamed from the layer list of the dialog box.

2. The name appears now in the entry window. Write the new name over the old one.

3. Finish renaming by clicking on RENAME.

4. The renamed layer will be listed under its new name in the dialog box.


Changing the active Layer

1.  Choose the layer which wants to become the active layer from the list in the Dialog Box. The name of the chosen layer will appear in the view Current Layer window;

2.  Verify the choice of the new active layer by clicking on ACTIVE.

3. Check the name of the now active layer in the window. If the layer change has been performed correctly, the name of the chosen layer should appear there.


Define Linetype

A newly created layer will automatically have the linetype CONTINUOUS assigned to it. A new linetype can be defined with the button LINETYPE .

1. Click on Linetype;

2. The available linetypes are shown in the window that appears. Select the linetype to be used; and

3. Verify your choice by clicking on OK.

This will make the selected linetype the standard linetype of this layer. All drawing elements will be drawn with this linetype, which now becomes the linetype BYLAYER

When the linetype is changed in this manner all elements of this layer that were drawn with the former standard linetype will now be drawn with the newly selected linetype.

All elements of the layer that were drawn with a linetype different than the BYLAYER linetype will not be affected by the change.


Define Layer Color

When a new layer is created it will automatically be assigned the layer color 7 (black). A new color can be assigned to the new layer via the click-on field COLOR.

1. Click on Color... . The window shown above will open;

2. Choose a new standard color from among the basic colors or enter a color number (1-255) into the entry window on the right. The chosen color will appear in the window on the bottom;

3. Verify your choice by clicking OK.

This makes the chosen color the ”standard” color of this layer. All elements of this layer will be drawn with this color, which is also called color BYLAYER.

When the standard color is changed, all elements of this layer that were drawn with the standard color will be shown with the new color now designated as the BYLAYER color .

The elements of the layer that were drawn with a color different than the standard color will not be affected by the change.


Controlling the Layer Status

Changing the status of a layer is accomplished by a clicking on the proper field. Characteristics of each layer are displayed in the Dialog Box.

The layer status ”ON - OFF” (controls the display visibility of the layer), ”UNLK-LOCK” (controls access to the layer, UNLK allowing editing, LOCK prohibiting editing), and ”THW-FRZ” (controls ability to see and to edit or change the layer, THW unlocking and making visible, FRZ locking and making invisible) may be changed in two steps:

1. Mark the layer to be changed in the Dialog Box by selection with then cursor. The status changes will be executed for the marked layer.

2. Select the field required for the status change(s).

Remember that the active layer cannot be frozen.


Object Properties

These characteristics are said to be ”properties” of an object:

objects may be placed on a different layer;

objects may have a different color; and

objects may be drawn with a different linetype.

These characteristics are associated with a drawing automatically when it is created. This association is made through the parameters called BYLAYER which are determined for the layer when it is defined. Alternatively, the user may chose (in the manner just ascribed) a special color or linetype for an object.

Setting Current Object Properties

To call on these functions, select the buttons that are found on the control panel on the left-hand bar of the desktop.

Set Current Layer - Command SETLAYER

Set Object Color - Command SETCOLOR

Set Linetype - Command SETLINETYPE

Changing Object Properties

It may be desirable in certain circumstances to change these parameters once into the drawing or layer. In order to do this, the proper command is PROPEDIT.

The command PROPEDIT allows the user to make these changes:

 objects may be placed on a different layer;

 objects may be given a different color;

 objects may be given a different linetype.


Menu File

   File

For detailed information, select one of the following items:

New...	Create a new drawing
Open...	Open an existing drawing
Close	Close current drawing
Save	Save current drawing
Save As	Save current drawing under name
Save All	Save all drawings
Delete File...	Delete file(s): Lock file or any other file
Send...	Sends drawing(s) via MS Mail
Print	Print / Plot current drawing
Printer Setup	Preferences for printing
Layout Mode / Model Space Toggle	Toggle to Layout Mode or back to Model Space
Layout Viewort Control	Create Viewports in Layout Mode / Viewport visibility and display control
Configuration	Preferences for desktop and devices
Palette Manager	Load and exchange palettes
Exit	Exit program


Command NEW
Start a New Drawing

  Command: NEW

A new file has to be opened in order to create a new drawing. The command NEW in the menu File is used for this purpose. Alternatively, a new file can be created by clicking the system button NEW on the Function Bar. Invoking the command will cause the file dialogue box to be displayed.

The program will name the drawing noname_n.flx. The user may now name the drawing with the name of her or his choice.

To determine the storage location of the file select a drive, a directory, and, if required, a subdirectory in the middle part of the dialogue box. If the file name and the storage location are correct, confirm the settings. A new drawing (a new file) has now been created.

If a drawing file already exists with the same name the program will warn the user and require a confirmation so that the existing file can be replaced.

Using Template Drawings

A template drawing may be called in order to start a new drawing. A template drawing is a model which can be used as basis for a final drawing or for the establishment of a drawing environment.

To start a new drawing using a template drawing, activate the check box Load Template in the dialog box New file and then double-click on the button Template Drawing.

The dialog box Template Drawing will be displayed. Select the drawing to be to used as a template drawing and confirm the choice.

See also:

OPEN

SAVE

SAVE AS..

SAVE ALL

CLOSE


Command OPEN
Open an Existing Drawing...

  Command: OPEN

In order to continue working on an existing drawing in a later working session, the user must open the drawing. The term ”Load” a drawing will also refer to ”opening” a drawing.

The command Open... in the menu File, is used to do this. This command can also be activated by keyboarding OPEN or by clicking the standard symbol Open in the Function Bar.

After the entering the command, the user will see the selecting window, and may type in or select a drive, a directory, a subdirectory if it is required, and the File Name.

Read-Only Option

The user may activate the option Read-Only in the dialog box used to open files. To do that, click on the control box beside Read-Only. A cross inside of that box means that this function is active.

The function Read-Only allows the file to be opened in order to be read, but it may not be modified. This is a protective mechanism against inadvertently (or, perhaps, by an unauthorized user, purposefully) modifying or changing the file. After opening in Read-Only, the file can be modified in any way, but the modifications will not be saved.

If the user should try to save a Read-only file, the program will send an error message and ask, at the same time, if the file should be saved under another name. If the changes are to be saved, then the user should answer <Yes> and type another file name in the dialog box that appears.

Find...

If the user does not know the exact name or the storing location of a drawing or file, she or he can look for it by using the option Find. The dialog box Find File will be opened. Select the drives to be checked. Enter the file name of the drawing to be found. The user may use the known wild cards <*> (for any group of characters) and <?> (for any single character).

After the entries are confirmed the program will search for corresponding file names in the indicated drives. All files matching the search criteria will be listed in a result window. The size, construction date and time as well as the location will also be indicated. The user should select the desired file from this list and confirm his or her choice.

See also:

NEW

SAVE

SAVE AS..

SAVE ALL

CLOSE


Command CLOSE
Close a Drawing

Command: CLOSE

Closing a drawing indicates that the work on this drawing is finished. The program remains open. If a drawing has been changed before closing there will be a prompt asking whether the file should be saved. This is to prevent unintended loss of work.

If the user decides to save the drawing, the program will automatically switch to the standard routine to save the drawing under a new name.

Select the command CLOSE in the menu File or press the keys CTRL+F4. It is also possible to close the drawing window, as in all Windows programs, by double-clicking on the system menu area (left corner on top). This activates the command WCLOSE and the window will be closed. This command can also be keyboarded.

See also:

OPEN

NEW

SAVE

SAVE AS..

SAVE ALL


Command SAVE
Save Drawing File

  Command: SAVE

Save

The command SAVE causes the drawings in the active window to be saved. At this time the file will be saved under its present name. The file is ”saved” in the same drawing format and to the same storage device and area as was specified at the time of opening. The file last saved in this area will be replaced.

The command to save can also be invoked from the menu File or by clicking on the symbol Save in the Function Bar.

Local variables will be saved along with the drawing and the enclosed drawing entities current at the time the automatic save occurs. Such settings as the current coordinate system, the dimensioning mode and other adjustments will remain at the user’s disposal.

Auto-Save

To avoid unforeseen loss of data we strongly recommend periodically saving drawings while working on them. For this purpose use the function Save Automatically which can be activated in the configuration dialog window. While an automatic save is occurring the current drawing will not be closed.

See also:

SAVE AS..

SAVE ALL

OPEN

NEW

CLOSE


Command SAVEAS
Save As...

Command: SAVEAS

The command SAVEAS also saves the drawing in the current window, like the command SAVE. However, it allows the user to save the drawing under a different name, or in a different area. The command SAVEAS will require that the user answer these questions, all contained in the dialog box:

- Filename

- File Type

- Drive

- Directory/Subdirectories

This command will then save the work done under the new filename, or in the new storage area.

See also:

SAVE

SAVE ALL

CLOSE


Command SAVEALL
Save All

Command: SAVEALL

The SAVEALL command will not only the save the drawing in the current window but also all other open drawings.

See also:

SAVE

SAVE AS...

CLOSE


Deleting Lock Files
Delete Lock-Files

Command: DELFLK

The program contains a function for deleting the so-called lock-files, called from the menu File, or entered by typing the command DELFLK.

Lock-Files are security files which are created by the program when a drawing file is opened. They carry the same name as the original file and can be identified by the extension .flk. Lock-Files will be deleted automatically, if the drawing files are closed in the normal manner.

This procedure avoids two or more users working on one drawing at the same time when in a networking environment.

If the program is unexpectedly interrupted and the files have not been closed before the interruption, the same situation will occur. If the user tries to re-open a file after an interruption he or she will get the message file locked.

In order to re-gain access to the drawing, the corresponding Lock-Files must first be deleted.

In order to delete these files, first enter the command. Next, the user must perform the standard steps for the selection of files (similar to the steps in opening files). The program will offer the extension .flk as the desired file type.

Delete the offending Lock-File, and the drawing file can again be opened.


Send Drawing(s)
Send Drawing(s)...

Commands: SENDFLX, SENDALL

The command SENDFLX allows you to send the current drawing via MS Mail.

The command SENDALL allows you to send the all active drawings via MS Mail.


Command EXIT
Exiting the Program

Command: EXIT

It is very important to end every working session correctly. The only correct means of terminating the session is by executing the command EXIT in the menu File.

The command EXIT is correctly performed in any of these fashions:

Select the command Exit in the pull-down menu File and confirm.

Press the keys Alt + F4

Double-clicking to the system menu area (see Windows manual)

If there are open drawings which have not been saved, the program will send a safety question. If you confirm, the dialog Save File As will be called.

After saving the drawings (see page 7) the current working session with the program will be finished.

See also:

CLOSE

SAVE

SAVE AS...


Command PRINT
Drawing Output

  Command: PRINT

Start the output of a drawing on the printer/ plotter or plotter by selecting the option Print ... or by entering the command PRINT.

Select one of the options available in the options bar. These options allow the user to determine the size and position of the print zone or the area of the drawing to be output.

View

The currently visible window of the drawing will be copied on the print.

Border

This option determines the print zone so that all objects included in the drawing are covered.

Note that before using this option the drawing must be regenerated (Command REGEN).

Window

Window enables the user to determine the print zone by selecting a window in the drawing. Indicate or enter the coordinates of two diagonal opposite corner points inside the drawing.

The command PRINT controls output of drawings to printers or plotters configured on your system. It uses the Windows print drivers and by this requires that the appropriate drivers have been set up under Windows.

The Print dialog box

After defining the size of the print, the Dialog Box Print will open, and additional print parameters required for the orientation of the print in relation to the edges of the paper format and to the picture size must be set.

The Dialog Box is divided into the areas Configuration, Layout, Color/ Width, Pages and Scaling. It also contains a preview window and selections for OK, Escape and Setup.

The preview window will assist the user in controlling the effects of setting changes in Layout and Scaling.

Printer Configuration Area

The Printer/ Plotter configuration area contains the options for the current Printer/ Plotter and the desired paper size and print resolution (in dpi).

Setup

Selection of the Setup switch allows the user to influence such parameters as the paper feed (printer/ plotter drawer), paper size, format position, resolutions and the number of the copies to be run.

Note that in the SETUP Dialog Box only the settings can be considered and edited which are supported by the selected device.

Layout Area

The parameters of the Layout Area control the size and position of the print on the available format.

Margins

Controls the area that is not to be printed (in mm) at the sides of the page. Enter the desired values in the proper window or select with the Cursor at the right edge of the fields and set the values for margin width.

Fit

Selecting the  option Fit will result in a format-filling picture of the object in the print zone.

This option is activated by default during any print or plot output.  To de-activate, click the control field. A cross in the control field displays the active status of the option.

Note that when the option Fit is active, it is not possible to set the options for scaling.

Fill Area

Fill Area will cause filled polygon areas to be displayed with fill in the print output. If the option not activated, only the contours of filled areas will be output.

The default position of this option is Inactive.  To activate select the control field. A cross in the control field displays the Active status of the option.

Center

Center has a very close relation to the option Fit. Because the relation between the pages of the print zone remains unchanged during Fit, a format-filling picture may only be reached either to the length or width of the picture, but not with both.

Center results in a centered placement of the print zone on the paper in relation to the side which could not have been fitted to the margins of the page.

Note that Center is only available when using the Fit option.

Area Scaling

Area Scaling allows the user to define the exact scale of the drawing.

Note that Area Scaling is only available when the Fit option has been de-activated.

The definition of the picture scale is made in two steps:

1.  Define the size of a drawing unit in mm. Place the cursor in the input field for the drawing unit - mm and enter the desired value.

2.  In the input field Scale enter the scale for the print output or select a value by means of the arrow keys at the right side next to the input field.

The user can view the effects of the inputs in the preview window.

Area Pages

The Area Pages contain a Dialog.  Enter the number of pages to be used in the drawing.

Multiple pages will result when the user has selected a picture scale that results in a print output larger than the selected page size (minus the defined margins).

Area Color / Width

By choosing the Configure button, the Color/Width Configuration Dialog will appear.

Using saved stroke width-attachments

Using saved stroke widths facilitates outputting drawings and assures constant settings.

In the selecting window of the area Color/ Width in the Dialog Window Print the current stroke width will be displayed. Selecting the arrow at the right side of the window will display a list of all saved configurations.  Select the desired configuration.


Printing : Stroke widths and color
Print: Color / Width Configuration Dialog

Area Color / Width defines the widths of the stroke for the output of the printer/ plotter or plotter. This choice of line widths allows a means of structuring a drawing and to improve its legibility.

The definition of stroke widths is made by connecting the stroke widths and the colors or color identification numbers. The current setting of stroke widths can be saved under a name and then, like a parameter, used again for future printing operations.

Every object has been assigned a color that is defined by a color identification number (also called color index) already. For detailed instructions on the definition of colors for layers or for objects, see Layer and Object Properties.

During the preparation of the print output, any defined color can be given a stroke width defined between 0 and 50 mm.

Select the area Color / Width of the Dialog Box Print and then select Config.  The dialog box containing Color/Width Configurations will appear.

Switching Line Width Selection On/ Off

Independent of the correlation of color identification numbers and stroke widths, the option to output different line widths can be switched on or off. Select the control field Use Thickness Settings. A cross in the control field displays the active status of the option.

There is a second control field with the name Print Colors. This field will switch the color printing On or Off.  Of course, the output device must have color capability to print in color.

To activate or de-activate the option Print Colors select the control field. A cross in the control field displays the active status of the option.

Attach stroke widths

Use the selection area for coordinating color and width.

1.	Select the desired color or its color index (color identification number). In the selecting window the color identification number and the present stroke width is displayed. In the preview window Color Index the user can preview the selected color.

2.	Enter the desired value in the input field Stroke Width. A range from 0 to 50 mm is possible. Attach the entered stroke width to the previously selected color by pressing the key Change.

Save Attachments

The program allows the user to save the correlation between line widths and colors.

To do this, enter a name in the area Configuration for the current setting of the stroke widths in the input field there. Switch on the function Save Configuration by selecting that control field.  A cross in the control field displays the active status of the option.

Confirm the settings for the stroke widths by OK.


Printer Installation
Printer Setup

Command: PSETUP

The command PSETUP (Printer/ plotter Setup) or the selection of the option Printer Setup... from the File menu will start the selection and installation of the desired printer or plotter.

The procedure for this installation corresponds to the procedure for installation of a printer/plotter through the system control of Windows.

The user will find detailed instructions regarding the operating mode of the specific options for the printer installation and for installing and connecting a printer or plotter in the Windows Manual or in the output device manual.  Only the most important steps for printer/plotter installation are reviewed in this text.

The command will open a dialog box.

Dialog Control Elements

Printer

In the field Printer/ Plotter the user will specify the printer/ plotter or plotter to be used in the output of the drawing. Select either one of the standard devices defined in the Dialog Box control, or select another printer or plotter which is available under Windows. Output devices which are available are displayed in a list in the selection area under the heading Special Printer. To see the complete list, select the arrow at the right edge of the window. Select from the list of the installed output devices the desired printer.

Orientation

Select the format Portrait or Landscape for the desired alignment of the paper.

Paper

The size of the paper as well as the feed from a particular printer or plotter is controlled from the field Paper. Select the proper size and feed.

Options

The Options switch (at the right edge of the Dialog Box) opens another Dialog Box which contains parameters that are mainly a function of the capability of the device to be connected.


Layout Mode;Paper Space
Layout Mode: Process Drawings for Paper Output and Presentations

One main advantage of working with CAD is, that any plan and construction can be created in real world units. However, nearly any construction at least needs to be printed on paper. Usually this means, that it needs to be plotted in a certain scale.

For that reason, at a certain state during construction, you want to turn over

•	to add to your drawing title blocks,

•	to display different views and regions,

•	to create details of the model,

•	lay out part lists, legends, and annotations and instructions on the drawing sheet.

To serve to solve these task in a flexible manner, the program provides two modes to handle a drawing: Model Mode and Layout Mode. In other words, there are two separate spaces to work on a drawing: Model Space and Paper Space (or Print Space).

The drawing objects in model space constitute the geometry of the model. The objects of paper space reproduce the model in different views and serve to annotate the drawing.

Note: Not in any case the usage of the layout mode is the easy way. If you create a pure 2D drawing, often it is easier to inset (on separate layers) title blocks, part lists, and details in model space, which are scaled to a certain factor to fit to a certain paper size. Even some drawings are created true to scale.

When using layout mode you should always remember that this feature is provided to arrange and lay out a construction for presentation and paper output.

See also:

TLMODE

VIEWPORT


Command TLMODE
Toggle between Model Mode and Layout Mode

Command: TLMODE

To switch from model mode to layout mode and vice versa, type in the command TLMODE (Toggle Layout Mode).

The tiled viewports of the current drawing (displaying the model in different views) are replaced by a single window. The title bar of this window shows the caption Layout:  and the drawing name.

When you switch from model space to paper space the first time, the Layout window is an empty window, which represents a blank drawing sheet. This print space is not blank, if your template drawing already contains paper space objects (in this case paper space usually contains a company title block).

The layout mode made active serves essentially to perform two types of operations:

1.	determination of the sheet size for printing/plotting particularly by insertion of a title block;

2.	creation of viewports which display individual view onto the model.

You can draw in paper space as used to in model space. All the draw and edit commands are available. However, as paper space is designated to lay out drawing output, a number of 3D commands are disabled in layout mode: 3DVIEW, PLANVIEW, RENDER, HIDE, FHIDE, LIGHT, LIGHTEDIT, SETVIEWDIR, WOPEN, and QWOPEN. As described in the following sections, paper space allows to arrange individual 3D views of the model by creating and modifying viewports.

See also:

Layout Mode

VIEWPORT


Command VIEWPORT
Layout Viewort Control

Command: VIEWPORT

The command VIEWPORT allows to create rectangular areas displaying the model in print space and to control the view direction or display portion of the model in those viewports. The options to operate on viewports are: New, ON, OFF, Layer, and View. Next, these functions are described in detail.

Creating Viewports

After switching to layout mode for the first time, usually you will create one or more viewports to show one or more views to your model.

The option New of the command VIEWPORT allows to create these viewports. New is the default option of the command VIEWPORT. After specifying two corners of the viewport, the entire model is displayed in its current extents and in plan view in the newly created viewport.

> VIEWPORT
First corner: 10,10
Opposite corner: @45,25

Then the next step will be to determine the size of the content of viewport to match to a certain scale and to maintain the accuracy of this scale between model space and paper space within these viewports.

Detailed hints and tips to apply appropriate techniques to set and keep a scaled relation between paper space viewports and model space are described later in this section when all the options of the command VIEWPORT have been discussed.

Viewport Alteration using Modify Commands

A Viewport is a drawing entity represented by an rectangle and acts as a container of a certain view to the construction. Theoretically any number of viewports may be created in model space.

Several editing commands can be performed on a viewport entities, because these are treated as drawing objects. You can move a viewport to another position. You can change the size of a viewport with the Stretch or the scale command. In these cases the view inside the viewport is not scaled with the viewport. But, if you scale a viewport the displayed view inside of the viewport is scaled with the same factor as the viewport frame is scale. You can remove viewports from the drawing utilizing the Delete command. Viewports may be copied. Note that, the commands Rotate, Array, Flip, and Mirror modify the position of a viewport (respectively a copy of a viewport), but the edges of the rectangle remain parallel to the X- and Y-axis of the paper space. Also, these commands maintain the displayed view in the rotated or copied viewport.

When editing viewports and when drawing in paper space you can snap to the end point, mid point, etc. of the viewports rectangle, and you can utilize the coordinate filter options.

Turn viewports off and on

The Viewport command options On and Off allow to control the visibility of the contents displayed in existing viewport windows. To turn the visibility of the viewport objects off, choose the option OFF and select the viewport frame or pick to an object inside the frame. To redisplay the representation of the model within a deactivated viewport, choose the option ON and pick to an edge of the corresponding viewport rectangle.

The visibility of the viewport frames can be controlled through layers. Like to any other drawing entity a viewport entity is located on a layer. It is recommended to place viewport entities on one or two specific layers (for example LM_VIEWPORT_ON and LM_VIEWPORT_OFF). Now you can control the visibility of the frames of viewports by turning off or freezing a corresponding layer containing viewports.

Layer control of viewport contents

The VIEWPORT command option Layer allows to manipulate the display of the contents of viewports by freezing and thawing drawing layers. To give an example: The option allows you to display views from individual 3D viewpoints in certain viewports, with only those objects visible which are located on layers named with the prefix 3D_*, whereas other viewports make use of only layers containing detailed 2D objects, which have been placed on layers using the prefix 2D_*, DETAIL_*, DIM_*, etc.

After choosing the option Layer the dialog box to control layer visibility in layout mode is displayed:

The list box on the left hand side the dialog box contains all layers defined in the current drawing. The other list box is meant to determine those layers not to be displayed in the currently selected viewport ("Frozen Layers"). You can alter the visibility mode by marking layer names in one of the two lists and add or remove them from the list of frozen layers with clicks to the > button or < button. To freeze or thaw the status of entire layer groups, you can utilize the edit boxes by specifying strings with wild cards (for example "2D_*") and than click to the Filter button which will highlight all matching layers in the appropriate list.

View control in viewports

The VIEWPORT command option View toggles the layout window into a mode, where the selected viewport is displayed that it covers the entire window. This mode serves to change the view to the model inside of the specified viewport.

> VIEWPORT
First corner: View
Select viewport: Specify viewport
Switch to viewport view ...
Viewport control:

When calling the option View the prompt "Viewport control:" is displayed. The following options are at your disposal: Zoom, Pan, 3DView, View.

Zoom

By intention the default prompt at the command line after choosing the Zoom function says "Zoom Scale factor: ". This will remind you, that - once a scaled relation between model space and paper space has been established - you should manipulate the view within the viewport only via scaled zooming (usually by specifying whole numbers) to maintain the scale. Anyhow, in addition the option bar contains the other zoom options (Window, Extents, Previous) as usual.

Pan

The option Pan solely moves the visible portion within a viewport to a direction specified by two points without changing the scale of the model representation in paper space.

In Viewport control mode any transparent command may be used. By this, you can also utilize the pan functions from the control panel (Pan Left, Pan Right, Pan Up, Pan Down); for example:

Viewport control: 'PANLEFT

3DView

Naturally, the layout mode can be utilized also to illustrate the model from different viewpoints in space. The option 3DView of viewport control allows you to set individual 3D views or predefined views like plan view, front view, left side view.

The option 3DView will open a dialog box similar to the one invoked by the command 3DVIEW in model space.

Note: Using the option 3DView will zoom the content of the viewport to the drawing extents. To achieve a scaled relation between paper space and model space for isometric or other individual 3D views of the model, it is recommended to utilize named views prepared in model space, as discussed next.

View

The option View allows you to display views which have been determined as named views in model space in specified viewports. Effectiveness of working in layout mode can be improved by establishing named views in model mode designed for reuse in the viewports of the paper space, especially if maintenance of a scaled relationship between model and print space is required. See the section Techniques and Tips for Layout Mode below in this chapter for further hints and recommendations.

The option View will open a dialog box similar to the one invoked by the command VIEW in model space.

A particular help is provided with the Show button in the dialog box to Save/Retrieve named views, because this option allows to preview a selected named view in the drawing before confirmation.

Note: When calling the command VIEW in layout mode outside the command VIEWPORT, you can create named views within paper space (for example to zoom fast to portions of the drawing sheet).

Utilizing transparent commands

You can utilize in View control mode all transparent commands. As already mentioned, you can call the functions 'PANLEFT, 'PANRIGHT, 'PANUP, 'PANDOWN from the control panel. Another example is the transparent command 'SETVIEWDIR to set an individual or standard isometric 3D view within a viewport. Or, the transparent command 'DIST, which allows you to measure the distance between two points.

Techniques and Tips for Layout Mode

Create your construction (in model space) in real world units (at scale 1:1). Utilize specific layers for dimensions, hatching, text, etc. When managing and using layers keep in mind, that you might want to illustrate different "logical views" to your model later when presenting or plotting your construction with the aid of layout mode.

At a certain state of the construction process, you will find the need to print out the drawing to present it within your company or to forward it to a manufacturer. In this situation layout mode can help in many cases, to achieve fine paper work:

1.	Switch from model space to paper space using the command TLMODE. The title bar now says Layout: followed by the drawing name.

2.	Set the limits to equal the paper size in those dimensions (units), which will be used when printing (for example A-size, B-size, C-size, ISO-A0, ISO-A1, ISO-A2, ... Letter Portrait, Letter Landscape).

3.	Create a layer for the title block (unless not existent), set it current, and insert your title block in paper space at coordinate origin (0,0). Or, draw a rectangle on a temporary layer with the paper size you will use when printing.

4.	Specify a layer to place the viewports on. Make this layer current before you create new viewports with the VIEWPORT command and make sure to use this specific layer only for viewports. It is recommended to activate the snap mode with applicable units (inch, millimeter, centimeter, ...) when creating viewports.

5.	The next step, once a viewport has been established, is to set up scaling between model and its representation on the drawing sheet. This is the step which sometimes causes headache. The task, to set up the adequate scale for displaying the model, can be prepared already in model space in several ways, especially by:
a.  positioning rectangles on a temporary layer in model space, which meet to viewport windows in paper space at a certain scale;
b.  creating named views in model space with the command VIEW, which then can be retrieved within the viewports in paper space with the option View.

6.	Once the scaled relation is set up, you should avoid uncontrolled zooms in the viewport, and confine yourself to Pan commands and to the ZOOMFAC command (usually specifying whole numbers).

7.	To modify the height or length of a viewport, we recommend to use the command STRETCH or SCALE. The display of the model in the specified viewport will not be scaled with this command. It maintains the scaled relation between model space and paper space.

Keep in mind the "golden rule":

Drawing entities you create in model space can only be edited in model space. Drawing objects you create or insert in paper space can only be modified in paper space.

See also:

Layout Mode

TLMODE


Command MENU
Load Menu

  Command: 'MENU

The program is designed so that it is possible to work with different pull-down menus.

The pull-down menus are stored in menu files with the extension .mnu.


Command PALETTE
Load Palettes...

  Command: 'PALETTE

Load Palette... serves to open and place a Palette onto the program desktop. From the Open File dialog box that is opened the user can select the desired palette file to be loaded.

Every palette opens in its own window. In the title bar of the palette (toolbox) the user will find the name of the palette as well as an ID-number.

See also:

Exchange Palettes

Close Palettes


Command PALOPEN
Exchange Palettes

Command: 'PALOPEN

The PALOPEN command will open a new Palette. If necessary, it replaces another palette.

See also:

Load Palettes

Close Palettes


Command PALCLOSE
Close Palettes

Command: 'PALCLOSE

To remove a palette from the desktop use the PALCLOSE command.

See also:

Exchange Palettes

Close Palettes


Command MACRO
Using Macros

Command: MACRO

Macros are designed to automate the execution of a number of specific instructions or program commands one step at a time, thus eliminating the need to enter the commands or entries each time they are required in the program.

Creating Macros

Macros can be written using any text editor or word processing program which is able to store pure (ASCII) text format i.e. without the addition of any formatting information.

Enter the desired commands and instructions and their corresponding input values into this file in the same order in which the instructions are to be executed.  A description of the individual commands and their necessary inputs can be found in the corresponding chapters of the User's Guide.

Command execution takes place line by line or instruction by instruction when separated by a blank space. Both an end of line or a space character are interpreted as confirmation of the previous entry.

This means that either of the following macros could be used to draw a circle with a mid point at 0,0 and a radius of 10.

Using the Clipboard

A simple and effective method of creating a macro file is made available by using the text window History Function and the Windows clipboard utility.

The text window contains the complete list of program commands and data entries which have been made during the course of a work sitting.  This enables the user to reference and reconstruct every procedure carried out so far.  By either using the scroll bar located on the right hand side of the text window, or alternatively pressing the upward / downward directional keys, the user can ”scroll” through the listed entries.  The Windows clipboard utility can then be used to copy entries into an editor program where they can be stored as a macro file.

Use the following procedure:

1.	Carry out the command steps which you wish to store.

2.	Open the text window and use the mouse cursor to mark the command sequence.

3.	Copy the highlighted section onto the clipboard using the CRTL + INS key combination.

4.	Call up your editor program e.g. Windows Notepad.

5.	Insert the contents of the clipboard into the editor using either CTRL + V or SHIFT + INS

6.	Store the file in the support directory using any file name followed by the .mcr  file extension identifier.

Utilizing Macros (Command MACRO)

The macro utility can be called by entering the MACRO command. The program will then request the file name. It utilizes the pre-defined .mcr file if not specified otherwise.


Sample Macro

These lines define a macro that draws a circle at the coordinates 0,0 with a radius of 10 drawing units:

CIRCLE
0,0
10

An equivalent is (note spaces!):

CIRCLE 0,0 10

Save the file in plain text format and use .mcr as file extension.


Command TABLET
Load Tablet Menu...

Command: TABLET

The program supports the use of a digitizer tablet as input medium and cursor control.

Coordinates for drawing points can be entered as well as commands and functions by the proper symbols.

To control the tablet it is necessary to load a Tablet Menu file. This load is executed automatically during the program start if the tablet configuration has been selected as a portion of the program configuration.

The command TABLET enables the user to change the tablet menu file in the same fashion as the exchange of a Menu file.

To load a Tablet Menu follow this procedure:

1.	Select, from the cascading menu Menu / Customization the item Tablet menu...  The user can also select the Menu symbol in the function bar or input the command TABLET;  then

2.	Select the desired tablet menu file from the dialog box. Confirm the selection by OK.

A tablet can also be loaded by selecting the symbol for program customization. In this case the user must select the file format .mnt. The remainder of the selection is made according to the previously described procedure.

See also:

Tablet Menu Setup (TABCONFIG)

Replace Tablet Menu Section (TABSECTION)


Command TABSECTION
Replace Tablet Menu Section...

Command: TABSECTION

Replace Tablet Menu Section enables the user to load an individual section of the tablet menu, changing the commands and functions of the complete menu.

Enter for this the command TABSECTION or call the function Replace Tablet Menu Section from Menu / Customization under the File menu.

Determine which tablet menu section should be loaded. Identify the desired section by its section number.

Enter the name of the tablet menu file that contains the defined area.

> TABSECTION
Replace Tablet Menu Section
ID (S1...S8) or section name: S1
File name of the new tablet menu description: tabmenu1

The identified area with the commands and functions from the entered file will be restored.

See also:

TABCONFIG

Load Tablet Menu


Command TABCONFIG
Tablet Menu Configuration

Command: TABCONFIG

To utilize a tablet menu as input device, it is required to determine the exact location of the individual tablet menu section (areas). The command TABCONFIG allows you to specify these settings.

How to configure a Tablet Menu

A dialog box assits the user to configure a tablet menu. Follow this procedure to configure your tablet menu:

1.	Select by clicking the section to be configured. Note: In addition to the pointing area you can determine up to 8 tablet menu sections

2.	Click to the button Start Configuration.

3.	With the pointing device of the digitizer identify the upper left corner of the specified tablet menu section. When the point has been picked, the coordinates are shown in the correspondig edit box.

4.	In the same way specify the coordinates of the lower right corner of the menu section.

5.	If neccessary, repeat step 1 and 4 for other tablet menu sections.

6.	Terminate the configuration of the tablet menu areas with OK.

See also:

Load Tablet Menu (TABLET)

Replace Tablet Menu Section (TABSECTION)


Menu Edit

   Edit

For detailed information, select one of the following items:

Undo	Undo previous command(s)
Redo	Redo last Undo
Delete	Erase drawing objects
Undelete	Undo last delete operation
Copy Selection to Clipboard	Copy selected objects to clipboard
Paste Selection from Clipboard	Paste selection set from clipboard
Copy Region to Bitmap...	Create Bitmap from drawing
Copy Region to Windows Metafile...	Create Windows Metafile from drawing
Modify Object Properties...	Change layer, linetype, color of entities
Modify Object Layer...	Transfer objects to a chosen layer
Explode Complex Objects...	Break complex objects down to single entities
Entity Info...	Information about selected objects
Drawing Database Tables...	Drawing Database Tables
Area / Circumference	Calculate area / circumference
Identify Coordinate	Identify point coordinates
Distance / Angle	Measure distance / angle


Command UNDO
Undo

  Command: U

Invoking the command U (for Undo) will cause the last command made to be withdrawn and all changes in the drawing caused by this command to be canceled.

The command can be repeated until all working steps stored in the UNDO LIST have been canceled. The program will then send out the message "Undo List is empty".

Note: The command U allows only to withdraw drawing database modifications. It does not undo  modifications of the view. Use ZOOMBACK to restore a previous view.

See also:

Command REDO


Command REDO
Redo (Restore an Undo Operation)

  Command: REDO

The command REDO offers the ability to Redo an Undo. The state of the task is restored to the last state prior to issuing the command U (or UNDO).

This is only possible if no other command has been executed between the commands U (or UNDO) and REDO which have changed the drawing database.

REDO is used in this fashion:

Call the Redo function by clicking the Redo symbol, or
Enter REDO at the command line.

Note: Only the last relevant working step can be restored.

See also:

Command U


Command DELETE
Delete

  Command: DELETE

During the creation of drawings, or, later, the editing, changing or detailing of drawings it may be necessary to delete certain parts of the drawing.

Call the command

by selecting the option Delete in Edit menu; or

by clicking the Delete symbol from the Edit palette;

by entering DELETE in the command line area.

After calling the command the request to select the objects to be deleted will appear. The program offers (in the option bar) a series of methods for object selection.

For a deleting operation as many objects can be selected the user desires. When the object selection is complete the selected entities will be deleted without another confirmation, by simply pressing ENTER.

See also:

Command UNDELETE


Command UNDELETE
Undelete: Withdraw Deletions

  Command: UNDELETE

Entities which have been deleted by mistake can be restored by the command UNDELETE.

Call the command

by clicking the UNDELETE symbol;

by selecting the option Undelete in the menu Edit; or

by keyboarding UNDELETE in the command line area.

This will cause previously deleted entities to be are restored.

See also:

Command DELETE


Command COPYSELECT
Copy Selection to Clipboard

Command: COPYSELECT

The command COPYSELECT copies selected objects from the drawing and places them on the clipboard. The selected objects remain in the drawing.

The command COPYSELECT is useful especially to copy objects from one drawing to other drawings. COPYSELECT places these objects onto the clipboard. Use the PASTE command to paste them from the clipboard into other drawings.

To copy objects onto the clipboard: First specify the base point for later insertion of the objects and then select the objects to be copied to the clipboard.

> COPYSELECT
Insertion base point:
Select objects:

Note:  Do not confuse this command with the COPY command found in the Modify menu which make copies of objects in the current drawing. The objects selected with COPYSELECT remain in the clipboard, ready to be placed in another drawing. They will remain on the clipboard until you place new objects on it with the COPYSELECT command.


Command PASTE
Paste Selection from Clipboard

Command: PASTE

The command PASTE copies objects from the clipboard to a user-defined location in the current drawing.

Use the command to copy graphic data from other drawings into your current drawing. You can copy objects from a drawing to the clipboard with the COPYSELECT command, then paste copies into other open drawings.

To paste FelixCAD objects from the clipboard into the current drawing:

1.	Choose the PASTE command.

2.	Specify the insertion point.

3.	The objects of the clipboard contents appear highlighted, attached to the cursor. You drag the highlighted objects to position them in the drawing.

4.	Specify the scale factor for insertion

5.	Specify the rotation angle

Example:

> PASTE
Insertion point:
Scale factor <1>:
Rotation angle <0>:

When inserting the objects from the clipboard you can also specify the scale factor and/or rotation angle before you indicate the insertion point by choosing the appropriate option from the context bar when prompted for the insertion point:

> PASTE
Insertion point: Factor
Scale factor <1>: .5
Insertion point: Rotation
Rotation angle <0>: 90
Insertion point:

Note: The objects selected with COPYSELECT remain on the clipboard, ready to be placed in another drawing, until you place new objects on it with the COPYSELECT command.

To copy objects within the current drawing it is recommended to use the COPYor ARRAY command found in the Modify menu.


Copy Region to Bitmap

Command: BMPOUT

Call the command either by keyboarding BMPOUT or by selecting Copy Region to Bitmap... from the menu Edit.

The following options allow the region to be copied into a bitmap:

Window: Define a window by setting two points.

View: The complete current view will be exported into a bitmap.

Extents: The region to be copied is defined by the extent of the drawing.

Next, specify the Width and Height of the bitmap in Pixel Units (10...2000 pixel).

Finally, you may choose whether the bitmap should be written into a File or copied to the Windows Clipboard.

Note: The bitmap remain in the clipboard until you clear it. Place new objects on it with the RENDER, BMPOUT, WMFOUT or other command, or Cut or Copy in other Windows applications.


Copy Region to Windows Metafile

Command: WMFOUT

Call the command either by keyboarding WMFOUT or by selecting Copy Region to Windows Metafile... from the menu Edit.

The following options allow the region to be copied into a WMF vector format file:

Window: Define a window by setting two points.

View: The complete current view will be exported into a bitmap.

Extents: The region to be copied is defined by the extent of the drawing.

Finally, you may choose whether the picture should be written into a File or copied to the Windows Clipboard.

Note: The WMF vectors remain in the clipboard until you clear it. Place new objects on it with the RENDER, BMPOUT, WMFOUT or other command, or Cut or Copy in other Windows applications.


Command PROPEDIT
Modify Object Properties...

  Command: PROPEDIT

The function Modify Properties... permits the user to re-enter the dialog boxes that set the properties of entities, and make changes in Color, Layer, and Linetype.

The function is found in the menu Edit and may also be entered by keyboarding the command PROPEDIT.

As with the other commands in this set, first ”pick” one or more objects. Then press RETURN, or use the right-hand cursor button.

The dialog box that appears displays the current properties Color, Layer, and Linetype of the entities selected. You may then edit these properties.


Explode complex objects
Explode Complex Objects...

  Commands: EXPLODE, XPLODE

Parts and other complex objects, like polylines, crosshatches, and dimensioning, inserted in the drawing constitute one single drawing object.

In this mode, it is not possible to edit any single one of the entities that make up the Part. If, for any reason, there is a requirement to edit one of the entities comprising a Part, then the Part must be ”exploded” (broken into its individual entities).

The explosion of complex objects is executed by the command EXPLODE, or by selecting and activating the option Explode Complex Objects... in the Edit menu.

When the object selection is complete, the objects (parts, polylines, crosshatches, or dimensions) will be exploded.

Now the user may choose any of the entities for editing.

Note: It is important to realize that, if there was a variable attribute attached to the Part, this attribute will be lost. Instead, an attribute name will appear.


Identify Coordinate

Command: 'ID

The transparent command 'ID (identify coordinate) determines the coordinates of a point to be indicated displays that information.

The function Identify Coordinate may also be selected from the menu Edit.

Using the command

Indicate the point to be determined with the Cursor. If it is a geometrically significant point of a drawing object (for instance,. corner point, center of a circle, intersecting point of two lines etc.) use the Object Snap functions.

The coordinates will appear in the display.

> ID
Point: P1
X: 1.27 Y: 4.45 Z: 0.0


Command DIST
Distance / Angle

Command: 'DIST

The transparent command Distance / Angle will determine the distance or angle between two points and display them in the text window:

the absolute distance (range);
the Distance on the X-, Y- and Z-axis;
the Angle on the XY-plane; or
the Angle on the XY-plane.

The points may be arbitrary points which do not have to be part of a single drawing object.

The function Distance / Angle operates as follows:

determine the two points required by selecting them with the Cursor, using the Object Snap functions or by input of the coordinates; then

the distance and angle between the two points will be displayed.

The term Distance is understood to mean the absolute distance between points.

The terms Delta X, Delta Y and Delta Z designate the distance between the two points in the direction of the respective axis of the coordinate system. All length values are given in drawing units.

Angle in the XY-plane measures the angle to the second point starting from the X-axis. It always displays the lesser-valued angle, no matter what the rotation direction.

Angle from the XY-plane measures the angle between the first and the second point from the XY-plane to the Z-axis. It is assumed that the first point lies on the XY-plane.


Command AREA
Area / Circumference

Command: AREA

This function defines the circumference and the area of one or more drawing objects and displays the values. For objects which do not have width, the length instead of the circumference will be displayed. The areas of single objects can be added or subtracted.

Using Area / Circumference

To determine the circumference and the area of one or more objects proceed as follows:

Define the drawing object to be examined. Determining the circumference (or the length )and the area of an object is done by defining points which describe the geometry of the object. The preferred method of selection is by using the cursor and Object Snap functions, but inputting the coordinates of the points is also okay. Pressing RETURN at the request Next Point: will finish the selection.

Object: Regular Areas

”Regular” geometric areas (of circles, arcs, closed polylines) can be evaluated by choosing the Object option.

Add or Subtract Areas

Select the first partial area or determine the points for describing the area geometry. The determined values will be displayed in the text window.

Select the option AddArea to add a partial area, or SubArea to subtract a partial area, from the total area.

The values (circumference /length and area) for the total area will be displayed in the text window.

When partial areas are added or subtracted from an area, the total area after the addition or subtraction is regarded as the new parameter value unless the user explicitly selects a contrary option from the Options Bar.

The Options Bar will display only that option which is not active at the moment.

See also:

System variable AREA


Import DXF-File

Command: DXFIN

The command DXFIN reads a DXF file specified as argument to the command and opens the file as FLX drawing.

DXFIN is performed at command line and is provided especially for Lisp programming.

Specify the the name of the file to be imported. If necessary, enter the exact path of the import file.


Export DXF-File

Command: DXFOUT

The command DXFOUT allows to export the current drawing as DXF file.

DXFOUT is performed at command line and is provided especially for Lisp programming.

Specify the name and the exact storing location for the export file.


Command UNDO
Undo Control (for Lisp Programs)

Command: UNDO

The program archives all steps made during the task in a list called the Undo List. The steps registered in this list can be withdrawn by using the UNDO function sequentially, each UNDO removing the next sequential step in the task.

Certain commands are not registered in the Undo List. These are commands and functions that control the viewport (Zoom, Pan, Window), set the parameters, and other transparent functions. These steps can not be withdrawn by using UNDO.

The Undo List is kept only with the current session of the program. It will not be saved with the drawing.

The command can be repeated until all working steps stored in the Undo List have been canceled. The program will then send out the message "Undo List is empty".

Options

Canceling the last work step (the first step appearing in the Undo List) is the normal mode of this function. The function can be altered to perform groups of UNDO steps as well, by following this procedure:

Enter UNDO in the Command Line area.
Define the number of steps to cancel by entering a number; or
Select an option from the option bar.

Control

The option field ”Control” allows access to these options for controlling the UNDO process:

All
By selecting this switch you indicate that all (chosen) working steps are selected for the UNDO function.

None
No steps are registered in the UNDO LIST. The command is switched off.

Once
This option fixes the number of the steps you can cancel at the value 1. Only the last working step is registered in the UNDO LIST.

Erase
Selecting this switch causes erasure of the current UNDO LIST.

Comment
This option is a Switch that will trigger a prompt asking for the confirmation of the user’s intentions. After selecting this field the option bar will show the possibilities ON and OFF. The active status will always be indicated as the preset value. The user may change this value, or go with it.

The options Group-B, Group-E and Group-D allow the user to select groups of steps. A number of defined procedures can be canceled with a single UNDO.

Group-B

This switch defines the Beginning of the selected group. This ”beginning” may be canceled, and any previous registrations in the Undo List remain in the list.

Group-E

This option defines the End the group of working steps.

Group-D

This option specifies that the group of steps selected for UNDO be Deleted. The individual steps remain in the UNDO LIST and can be canceled one by one.

The two following options, Mark and Back, allow the user to ”mark” the listed steps of a task, and cancel all un-marked steps.

Mark

This option defines the current state of the drawing as a state that can then be restored by the option Back.

Back

This option restores the task to the previously marked state.

See also:

Command REDO

Command U


Menu Draw

   Draw

For detailed information on the drawing commands, select one of the following items:

Line	Draw lines (continuous or segments)
Circle	Draw circles
Arc	Draw arc segments
Ngon	Draw Ngons
Rectangle	Draw reactangles
Ellipse	Draw ellipses
Chain	Draw 2D-Polylines (straight segments / constant width)
Polyline	Draw polylines (with arc segments)
Polyline	Create a polyline boundary contour
Filled faces	Draw filled faces
Rings	Draw rings and filled circles
Construction points	Insert Construction points
3D-Faces	Draw 3D-Faces
3D-Polylines	Draw 3D-Polylines (straight segments)
Parameters	Set Parameters for Draw Commands


Command LINE
Line

  Command: LINE

LINE is the command used to draw lines or line segments or connect lines to existing lines or arcs.

Inputs to the command are two points; the starting point and the ending point of the line.

Options

Continuous

Continuous is the standard option when drawing lines, and,will automatically be used when no other option is chosen. It allows the user to draw line segments in sequence until the command is terminated.

The command will request a start-point for the line, and will continue to request points until it is terminated. Each subsequent point will be connected to the previous point by a line.

From Point:
To Point:
To Point:
...

Undo

The option Undo can be used repeatedly to erase the last drawn line segment of a single Continuous line command.

Close

The option Close connects the last drawn point Pn with the start point P1 in the Continuous line command.

To terminate the command, press RETURN or ESC.

Line Segments

The option Segments allows the creation of single line segments, as opposed to continuous lines.

Line Segments are useful when the particular line that is being drawn may be used as a ”segment” to attach some appendage to in the future, as a segment to which a perpendicular, for example, is to be attached.

As with continuous lines, determine the start- and end-point of the first segment. The program will continue to ask for start- and end-points.

The difference is that the lines drawn are now recognized as individual line segments, and not as one continuous line.

To end the drawing of line segments, press RETURN

Append

The option Append allows the connection of a line to either the start or end-point of another line or arc.

Choose the line or arc that is to be connected to the line still to be drawn.

Line to line

Select an element by choosing an already existing line or arc. Remember that the new line will be connected to that point of the line or arc that lies closest to the chosen point.

When appending a line to a line, select the line to which the appended line will connect. The point (start or end) of that line closest to the selected point on the line will be the start point for the new line.

Line to arc

To append a line to an arc, select the arc to which the line is to be appended. The prompt will ask for the length of the line. Either keyboard the length, or ”pick” the length with the cursor. For precision, it is better to keyboard the length.

The appended line will be connected to the end point of the arc as a tangent.

To end the command press RETURN or ESC.


Command CIRCLE
Circle

  Command: CIRCLE

There are several ways, geometrically, to describe a circle. The program allows the user to choose from among these ways, and draw the circle in the most convenient manner.

A circle can be drawn by the choosing of one of the following options:

Center of the circle and radius or diameter;

Two Points on the circumference

Three Points on the circumference

Two Tangents

These options will appear on the Option Bar when the command circle is active.

Options

Center (Center Point)

Since this option is the most often chosen, it has been selected as the ”standard” option and is activated automatically if no other option is chosen. The first prompt for this option will be the location of the Center Point; the second will ask for the radius. If the circle being drawn is preceded by another circle, the last radius will appear at the prompt as an option. To verify the option, just press RETURN; to change the option, enter or ”pick” a new radius.

If it is more convenient to enter the diameter than the radius, the user may choose that option from the option bar.

2P

If the circle is to be tangent to two other lines, this option is handy.

The prompt will ask for two points in succession. Again, the points may be ”picked” using OSNAP, or may be entered from the keyboard.

3P

This option allows the user to draw a circle by choosing three points on the circumference of the circle. It is convenient to use when the circle must intersect three tangent lines, or when drawing the circle within a polygon.

The prompt will ask for three points successively. The user may point to these points on the screen, perhaps using the option object snap, or enter the coordinates through the keyboard.

Radius

This geometry is particularly useful when the radius of the circle is a known, and the center point is undefined, or when the radius follows from geometry already established.

This function starts drawing the circle from the center. The circle is defined by a value for the radius and the determination of a center point.

These options are for entering the radius:

Verify the last entered value by pressing RETURN;

Enter a new value for the radius manually; or

”Pick” the radius on the screen. This option is especially useful when the radius follows from the geometry and only has to be copied.

After entering the radius, the center point of the circle has to be determined. Do this either manually or using a mouse to point on the screen.

End this option by pressing RETURN or ESC.

Diameter

The use and the implementation of this option follows exactly the use and implementation of the option Radius except that instead of choosing the radius of the circle, the user must specify the diameter.

Tangent

This option, frequently used, will draw a circle of given radius or diameter tangent to two lines.

The first prompt will ask for the tangent elements. ”Pick” these objects on the screen or enter their coordinates manually.

After choosing the second object, enter the radius of the circle to be drawn. The radius of the last circle drawn is used as an option by the program. Verify this choice by pressing RETURN or choose a new value manually or by ”picking” it on the screen.

The circle will be placed so that it touches, tangentially, the two chosen elements with its circumference.

If the chosen radius is smaller than the distance of the two objects to each other, the circle will be moved in the direction of the imaginary point of intersection, so that the defined radius will touch the extension of the elements.

If a tangential intersection is impossible (parallel lines, two circles or two arcs as chosen objects), the program gives the following message: "Circle does not exist!"


Command ARC
Arc

  Command: ARC

There are several ways, geometrically, to describe an arc, just as with a circle. The program allows the user to choose from among these methods, and draw the arc in the most convenient manner.

The following options for drawing an arc are available:

Three Points (starting point, second point, end point);
Two points and radius;
Two points and angle of opening;
Two points and center point;
Two points and tangents through starting point;
center point, starting point and angle; or,
center point and two angles.

Variations of the options of this command may combine some of the basic geometry inherent to each method.

All arcs will be measured to the left, starting from the positive x-axis. It is important to recognize this directional convention. To ”pick” points for the construction of arcs, the user should always use the option OSNAP.

Options

The options are displayed in the Option Bar when the command is active.

3Point

Since the method most used for drawing arcs is to select three points on the arc, that is the option chosen as the ”standard”, or default, option. It will be used if no other option is chosen.

The arc to be drawn is defined by three points. At the prompt, enter the starting point, a second point on the arc’s circumference and the end point of the arc. Remember the directional convention; the arc is described to the left starting with the positive X-axis.

Starting point: P1
Second point: P2
End point: P3

This option is also available in other options of the drawing command ARC.

SEnd (Starting point - End point - Radius/Angle)

Using the option SEnd, the user may create arcs with only the starting point and end point defined. The ”arc” of the element is defined by entering or ”picking” a third point on the circumference or by specifying an angle.

The basic variation of this option simply follows the prompts, entering the starting point and end point and the radius of the arc by ”picking” or by entering through the keyboard.

Starting point: P1
End point: P2
Radius: Value

When the user is ”picking” the radius of the arc, it must be remembered that the distance of the center point to the x-axis of the end point of the arc is important, not its distance to the y-axis.

It is also possible to enter a radius, an angle or a direction from the starting point instead of the starting point and the end point. To do that, choose the option Angle or Starting point.

Option Angle

With this option the arc is defined by the included angle of the arc (angle between the starting point, the center point of the arc and its end point), the starting point, and the end point. The prompts will request a value with the words Included angle:

Enter that value either through the keyboard, or by ”picking” a value. When picking a value, remember that the x-axis is the point of reference, not the last point entered.

Direction

The arc is defined by a tangent which touches the arc at its starting point, next to its starting point and end point.

Since the starting point of the arc is already defined, it is only necessary to define a tangent by keyboarding or ”picking” another point on the element to be tangent. The program will ask the user to pick or enter the coordinates of a point with the word Direction.

SCenter (Starting point - End point - Center point)

This is a variation of the option SEnd, in which the arc is drawn by determination of the starting point, the end point and a center point.

Choose the option Center point from the options panel after having entered the starting point. Enter the coordinates of the center point manually or ”pick” them with the cursor. The arc is defined when the end point is entered.

It is also possible to end the arc by entering an angle manually or ”picking” it instead of the end point. The program expects a closed angle and defines it as the angle between the starting point, the center point and the end point of the arc.

CStart

The option CStart draws the arc starting from the center point.

After choosing the option CStart from the options panel, define the center point. Then enter the starting point and the end point of the arc (it is possible to enter a closed angle instead of the end point).

Center point: P1
Starting point: P2
End point: Angle

CRadius

CRadius also starts an arc by defining the center point. After that, determine the radius as well as the starting angle and the ending angle of the arc to be drawn. A rubberband line that starts in the center of the arc helps the user to determine the points to enter for the angle.

Center point: P1
Radius: r
Starting angle: P2
Ending angle: P3

Append

It is possible to append, or connect, arcs to lines or other arcs with the option Append. The arc is determined by two points, the starting point being the connection point, and the end point of the new arc.

First choose a line or an arc to which the new arc should be appended. Then determine the end point of the arc to be drawn.

Choose the line or arc: P1
End point: P2


Command NGON
Polygon (N-gon)

  Command: N-GON

The command N-gon is used to draw regular polygons. It is possible to draw polygons with up to 1024 sides, a value which should lie above any practical need.

When using this command, three options, based on different principles of construction, are available:

definition of the length of sides of the polygon;
definition of a center point and a radius of a circle outside ; or
definition of a center point and a radius of a circle inside.

Select the command for drawing a polygon and choose one of the options from the options panel:

Sides
Outside
Inside

Options

Length of the sides

Sides is the standard option for drawing regular polygons. It will be used if no other option is chosen.

The regular polygon is defined by the length and placement of one side.

To draw a regular polygon, enter the number of its sides first. To do that, enter a value between 3 and 1024 and verify this entry by pressing RETURN.

If there have been polygons drawn previously, then a number will appear in the prompt. That number is the number of sides of the polygon drawn last. The user may elect to use that number by simply pressing RETURN.

After specifying the number of sides, determine the starting point and the end point of the first side either by entering the coordinates or by ”picking” it with the cursor. Remember that the polygon will be drawn counterclockwise, starting from the first side.

> NGON
Number of sides <4>: 6
First corner point of the side: P1
Distance or second point of the side: P2

Circumscribing the Polygon

Outside

The option Outside defines a polygon by determining a center point and the distance to its corner points. This distance is the radius of a circle that contains the polygon, a point on whose circumference all corner points of the polygon lie.

After entering the number of sides, choose the option Outside from the Option Bar.

Determine the center point of the polygon by entering its coordinates or ”picking” it. Next, determine the distance to its corner points. The polygon will be drawn counterclockwise, starting from the first corner point.

> NGON
Number of sides <4>: 6
Center point of the polygon: P1
Distance to its corners: P2

Inside

Inside allows the polygon to be defined by the circle whose circumference touches each side of the polygon at its mid-point.

Choose the option Inside, then enter the number of sides. Next determine the center point of the polygon by entering its coordinates or ”picking” it; then determine the radius of the circle. The polygon will be drawn counterclockwise, starting from the thus defined side.

> NGON
Number of sides <4>: 6
Center point of the polygon: P1
Distance to its corner points: P2


Command RECTANGLE
Rectangle

  Command: RECTANGLE

The command RECTANGLE enables the user to construct rectangles of any size and side ratios.

When the command is active, the option Width is available in the options bar:

Rectangles are drawn by entering or ”picking” two opposite corners.

The option Width, shown in the Option Bar, allows the user to enter or pick a numeric value for the thickness of the line. To use the last entered value (which will be offered by the prompt) just press RETURN.

> RECTANGLE
First point of the rectangle: P1
Opposite corner point: P2

or

> RECTANGLE
First point of the rectangle: Width
Width <0.05>:
First point of the rectangle: P1
Opposite corner point: P2


Command ELLIPSE
ELLIPSE

Command: ELLIPSE

The command  ELLIPSE allows to draw a full ellipse. Two initial options are provided to draw ellipse-shaped polygons: Center (default) and Endpoints.

The default variant is to identify Center point of the ellipse first and then specifying the primary radius (endpoint of the first axis) and secondary radius (endpoint of the second axis). Note, that the specification of the primary radius already specifies the orientation of ellipse.

> ELLIPSE
Center point:
Primary radius: @3<45
Secondary radius: 2

An alternate way to draw an ellipse is provided by the option Endpoints, where you first specify the startpoint and the endpoint of the major axis and then specifying the secondary radius (by entering a numerical value or by rubberbanding and picking the radius from the midpoint of the major axis).

> ELLIPSE
Center point: Endpoint
First axis endpoint:  Startpoint of the major axis
Second axis endpoint: Endpoint of the major axis
Secondary radius:

The ellipse will be creates as closed polyline with straight line segments.


Command CHAIN
Chain

  Command: CHAIN

Chain is a combination of the commands Line and Polyline.

Chain makes it possible to draw continuous lines in a manner similar to the command Line using the option Continuous. The procedure is the same as drawing continuous lines.

But there are some important differences in drawing lines, polylines, and chains:

first, Continuous Lines draws each different segment as a separate element. That way each element can be chosen separately using the Object Selection function. The continuous line in a chain, in contrast, is one element which can only be chosen as a whole for editing or for other purposes;

second, for the continuous line drawn as a Chain it is possible to choose the width of the line. This is similar to the command Polyline. The width value last entered for a polyline will be offered as a possible width for the next chain, and vice versa; and

finally, (differently from Polyline) it is only possible to choose one width of line for the entire line when drawing a Chain.

A Chain is drawn by describing the points that will be the starting point and end point of each chain segment. The end point for each segment will serve as the starting point for the next segment. A single width of the line must also be specified.

> CHAIN
First point: P1
Next point: P2
Next point: P3
...

You can terminate the Chain command by pressing RETURN or ESC.

Options

The following options will be available in the options panel:

Width

The option Width allows the user to define the width of the entire line. The width must be specified before entering the first point. Picking or entering the first point is understood as a verification of the predetermined value.

The last entered value (also from the Polyline option) will be used as a predetermined value. Verify this predetermined value by pressing RETURN or enter a new value for the width.

Undo

The option Undo allows the user to undo the last step taken. In other words, the last-drawn segment will be erased. The end point of the previous segment is then used as a starting point of the next segment. Undo’s can be repeated as long as a single segment exists.

Close

The option Close allows the user to draw a closed polygon. The two end points of the chain will be connected to each other and the command will be terminated.


Command POLYLINE
Polyline

  Command: POLYLINE

Polylines are drawing elements that consist of connected lines or connected arc segments. Different elements can be of different widths. The width of a polyline segment can be defined differently for the starting- and end-point.

A polyline is defined as one element and treated as such for further operations (like Edit, or Undo), in contrast to continuous lines drawn with the command Line.

Polylines will always be drawn with solid fill.

Select the command for drawing polylines and choose an option from the Options Bar:

Arc
Width
Halfwidth
Back
Closing
Append

Polyline segments are always drawn by defining their starting point and end point and their width, regardless if they are arcs or lines.

The program expects that the user will want to draw more than one segment when drawing a polyline. After drawing one segment the user will be asked to name another end point for a new polyline segment. The starting point will be the end point of the segment last drawn.

The user can end the drawing of the Polyline by pressing RETURN or ESC.

First point: P1
Next point: P2
Next point: P3
...

Options

Width / Halfwidth

The options Width and Halfwidth are available from the Options Bar to assist in defining the width of a polyline segment. Width defines the entire width of a polyline segment, whereas Halfwidth defines the width as the distance of an imaginary centerline to one side of the polyline.

Verify the last entered value by pressing RETURN or enter a new width manually or by ”picking” it.

The following rules are in effect when using both options:

If the user chooses the option Width or Halfwidth before determining the starting point for the first polyline segment, then the chosen width is valid for the entire length of the segment.

If the user chooses the option Width or Halfwidth after entering the starting point for the first polyline segment, it is possible to enter different values for the width at the starting point and end point.

The last chosen width will be used for all following polyline segments on its entire length. To determine another width, choose the option Width or Halfwidth again.

Arc

Polylines has an option for drawing arcs, and a width may be correlated to the arced polyline. The method of drawing arcs is identical to drawing elements using the command ARCS.

To draw polyline arcs with a special line width, follow these steps:

determine the first point of the arc. This can also be the end point of the previous polyline segment when drawing a polyline;

call up the chosen option, Width or Halfwidth, and enter the parameters for the starting width and ending width.

Determine the other parameters for drawing arcs using the same procedure as drawing ”regular” arcs.

Append

Append allows the user to connect a polyline with another line or an arc.

Choose the element (line or arc) to which the polyline still to be drawn is to be appended. Call the options Width or Halfwidth, if required, and determine the parameters for the starting width and the ending width.

Polyline to Line

To choose an object, select an already existing line. Remember that the polyline will be connected to the end point of the line which is closest to the point selected when choosing the element.

To append a polyline, the user must now determine the end point of the line to be connected. This point will be appended to the end point of the chosen existing line.

Polyline to Arc

To append a polyline to an existing arc, the user must enter a polyline length after choosing the existing arc. A polyline with the specified length will be connected tangentially to the end of the arc.

To end the polyline (appending), press RETURN.

Undo

The option Undo allows the user to ”undo” the last step taken. The end point of the last segment may then used as a starting point of another segment if required. Undo’s can be repeated as long as a segment exists. The last segment will be erased with each successive UNDO.

Close

The option Close allows the user to draw a closed polygon. The two end points of the chain will be connected to each other and the command will be terminated.

See also:

POLY3D


Command PCONTOUR
Polyline Contour

  Command: PCONTOUR

This command allows to create a closed polyline on top of (overlapping) objects which make up a closed boundary. Such a polyline contour can serve for hatching regions of the drawing with the HATCH command or to determine the area or circumference of a region with the AREA command (applying the option Object).

From the menu Draw, choose Polyline Contour. At the command prompt, enter PCONTOUR.

It is recommended to set a specific layer before invoking the command (like a hatch or contour layer), because the polyline contour will overlap entirely or partially existing drawing entities.

After call the command, you are prompted to select objects to be examined to find the contour.

Important Note: At this point, it is not required to select only those entities which should make up the contour. You might enter the option All as object selection mode. However, the specification of a reduced selection set can improve the boundary finding because the command evaluates fewer objects.

After the selection set to be examined has been created, the following Ray Casting methods for contour finding are available to find the next boundary object:

Nearest sends radial rays from the pick point you specify (see below) to the nearest object.

+X sends a linear ray in the positive X direction from the pick point you specify to find an entity.

-X sends a linear ray in the negative X direction from the pick point you specify to find an entity.

+Y sends a linear ray in the positive Y direction from the pick point you specify to find an entity.

-Y sends a linear ray in the negative Y direction from the pick point you specify to find an entity.

Next you are prompted to pick the point to start examination of the given selection set.

Once a boundary object has been found in the direction of the specified pick point, the command traces the boundary in a counterclockwise direction.

After analysing the specified selection set successfully, a closed polyline will be produced covering the boundaries of overlapping drawing entities.


Command 2DFACE
Filled Faces

  Command: 2DFACE

2D Faces make it possible to draw solid filled planes that have straight-line borders. This is done by creating and connecting any number of three- or four- cornered planes. It may be done continuously or using segments. It is also possible to connect 2D planes to already existing 2D faces.

2D Faces are always drawn by determining the corner points (three or four). The option Close is available to draw triangular planes so that the third entered point is connected with the starting point of the plane.

Indication

Remember, when defining the end points of the edges, that the succession in which these points are entered influences the resulting shape.

The user should always specify the end points of the edges in the same direction. If the end points of the edges of a plane are determined clockwise or counterclockwise, a ”butterfly” effect results.

Options

Continuous Filled Faces

”Continuous” is the standard option for drawing filled planes; it will be used automatically if no other option is chosen.

When drawing rectangular planes, determine the end points of the edges. Remember that the first and third and the second and fourth point are connected. The edges will make up the plane.

After determining the end points of the first two edges, the user may enter additional points, and they will be used as third and fourth edge (and so on) points for another plane immediately connected to the first one. To terminate the command, press RETURN.

Close

To draw a triangular plane, enter three end points for two of the edges successively, and choose the option Close from the options panel or enter the command Close manually.

Filled Face Segments

The option Segments is used to draw a single rectangular or triangular filled plane. In contrast to the option Continuous, this option will end after the entry of the points required for the plane.

Appending Filled Faces

This option makes it possible to append newly created planes to already existing ones. It is only possible to append a plane to the edge last drawn.

After entering the option Append, choose a side from an existing plane to which the new plane is to be appended. Determine the corner points of appending planes.

> 2DFACE
Choose a side: Choice
Third point: P5
Fourth point: P6
...

Terminate the command by pressing RETURN.


Command RING
Rings

  Command: RING

Rings is a special case of a closed polyline. It is used to draw solid rings or circles. Two concentric circles are drawn, the smaller one is the inner diameter, and the larger one the outer diameter, of the ring. The space between the circles will be filled.

Rings can now be edited using any of the editing commands for polylines and will behave just like a polyline object.

The last entered values will be used as an option for the next entry when drawing rings. If the user want to keep using the same values, just enter a new center point. This step can be repeated as often as needed, always creating identical rings.

> RING
Center point: P1
Center point: P2
...

Diameter

To determine new values for the inside or outside diameter, just choose the option Diameter from among the options panel.

With this option it is possible to determine the inside and outside diameter of the rings to be drawn either via keyboard or by pointing on the screen.

> RING
Center point of the ring: Diameter
Inside diameter <0.5000>: 0.750
Outside diameter <1.0000>: 1.250
Center point: P1
Center point: P2
...

It is possible to draw as many identical rings as required by simply determining their center points.

Filled Circle

A filled circle is a special case of rings. It is a ring with the interior diameter equal to zero.


Command POINT
Construction Points

  Command: POINT

It is possible to insert points of construction into a drawing using this function.

The form and size of the points of construction to be inserted is determined by specifying these parameters using Drawing Parameters (DRAWMODE).

Options

Point (Individual Points of Construction)

This option is activated automatically when calling upon this command and thus does not have to be called up separately.

Determine the position of the points to be inserted either via keyboard or via pointing on the screen.

The command remains active after the insertion of the first point, and the user can repeat this procedure as often as is required. End this function by pressing RETURN.

Measure (Using Construction Points to Measure)

Measure allows the user to insert points of construction on lines, polylines, circles and arcs in a defined spacing.

That dissects the elements into sections of a certain size. The drawing object is not cut into different pieces but remains one complete object.

Select the option Measure from the options panel.

Remember that all objects that are not an exact multiple of the length of the segment will have a remainder.

Choose a drawing element and determine the spacing of the segments (in drawing units), either by entering a numerical value or by cursor picks.

The insertion of the points into lines, polylines and arcs will be done beginning at the starting point of the segment and progressing to the end point. When inserting points of construction into a circle, the starting point lies at the intersection of the radius which has its starting point at the center point of the circle and is in the direction of the positive x-axis.

Segments

Segments makes it possible to separate lines, polylines, circles and arcs into segments of equal length by inserting points of construction. The size of the segment is determined by the length of the distance to be dissected and the number of construction points to be inserted.

In contrast to the option Measure, there will not be a remainder when using the option Segments.

The object being segmented is not cut into different pieces but remains one complete object.

Choose the option Segments from the options panel.

Now choose an object, and determine the number of segments into which the object is to be segmented. The number of segments should be a whole integer between 2 and 4096.

The insertion of points of construction into lines, polylines and arcs is done starting from the beginning of the segment and progressing to its end point, without inserting a construction point at the beginning or at the end. When inserting points of construction into a circle, the starting point lies at the intersection of a radius which begins at the center of the circle and continues along the positive x-axis.

See also:

DRAWMODE


Command 3DFACE
3D-Faces

  Command: 3DFACE

The 3D Faces drawing function creates three or four sided surfaces ”in space”, or, in other words, in an X, Y, Z coordinate system. The difference between 2D and 3D surfaces is that the 3D surfaces are not shown as solid areas, but are drawn as wire frame models.

The 3D Faces definition points are fixed in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction so that one edge of a 3D surface is used as the base line for the next 3D surface.

The user may also draw ”invisible” lines, a function which may increase the clarity of complicated 3D structures.

Options

Continuous

The option Continuous is the default option when drawing 3D surfaces.

To draw a continuous 3D surface, define the corner points in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

For a triangular surface, define all three corner coordinates and then end the drawing with the Close option located. The last defined coordinate will then be joined to the first coordinate location, forming a triangle, and the drawing will be completed.

> 3DFACE
First point: P1
Next point: P2
Next point: P3
Next point: Close

For a rectangular 3D surface, define the four corner coordinates. After having completing the fourth entry, the last coordinate will be joined to the origin, thus creating a four sided object.

This process is then continued. The user will be asked to define further points or coordinates. The next 3D surface to be defined will use the last drawn line as the starting point or base line for the next 3D surface.

End the 3D surface drawing process by pressing the RETURN key.

> 3DFACE
First point: P1
Second point: P2
Third point: P3
Fourth point: P4
Third point: P5
Fourth point: P6
Third point: P7
Fourth point: P8
... and so on.

3D-Face Segments

To draw a single 3D Face use the Segment option. The method is almost identical to that just described.

> 3DFACE
First point: P1
Second point: P2
Third point: P3
Fourth point: P4

In contrast to the Continuous option, the drawing process will end with the definition of the fourth point and the consequent closing of the contour. No further surfaces will be ”connected”.

This option also allows the use of the Close function, thus enabling triangular shaped 3D surfaces to be created.

Should the user wish to add further 3D surfaces to an existing one, this can be achieved at any time by utilizing the Append option.

Append

This option allows the user to connect new 3D surfaces to existing objects. First select the edge which is to act as the base line for the connection, then proceed by defining the required corner points for the new 3D surface.

The Append option will automatically change the mode to Continuous. This means that after having connected one 3D surface the user can define additional pairs of coordinates to create more surfaces.

Invisible Edges

The Invisible option is used to draw hidden lines in a 3D-Face. This feature is particularly useful when dealing with complex drawings containing a large number of 3D surfaces. The use of hidden lines will make the drawing more understandable.

This function is available for all modes used in 3D surface drawings. The function must be activated prior to the definition of the starting coordinate of the invisible line.


Command POLY3D
3D-Polyline

Command: POLY3D

3D Polylines are drawing elements created from straight line segments. It is possible to define 3D coordinates for each individual 3D Polyline control point (start and end points of the individual segments).

The user may include curved segments in 2D polylines, but this is not possible with 3D polylines. It should also be noted that each individual element is assigned a standard width of zero.

As opposed to a line characteristic created using the line drawing command, the program treats 3D polygon characteristics as a single item, this also applies when the object is being processed with the edit or undo functions.

3D Polyline may be accessed by selecting the option from the menu item 3D Entities, in the Draw menu, or by typing in the command POLY3D.

Conclude the 3D Polyline function by pressing the RETURN key.

> POLY3D
First point. P1
Next point: P2
Next point: P3
Next point: P4
Next point: RETURN

Options

Undo

The Undo option allows the user to undo the last line created. The end point of the last remaining segment will act as the starting point for the next segment.

The Undo function can be repeated as many times as necessary until the Undo List is empty. Each Undo step will erase the last drawn 3D polygon element.

Close

This option enables the user to create closed 3D Polygon objects.

Either selecting Close from the options bar or typing the close command at the keyboard will cause the last two remaining end points to be joined together.

See also:

2D Polylines


Drawing Modes
Drawing Modes...

Command: DRAWMODE

Dialog Control Elements

Parameters may be activated, inactivated, or changed. All changes in parameters will remain for the next object drawn only, and then, if further changes are required, must be changed again. The changes will not affect all drawn objects until the active view has been regenerated.

Linetype Scaling Factor

Linetype Scaling Factor determines a scaling factor for the line pattern selected. The line patterns are shown extended (long dash lines, for instance) or contracted (short dash lines, for instance) according to this scale. The value shown will always be 1.00. To change this scale, enter a new factor and verify it.

Remember that, after a regeneration of the drawing, the scales of line patterns that have been drawn already will be adjusted to the new value.

Filling Solid Entities

Fill Solid Entities specifies whether or not to ”fill” a polygon. Polygons are closed 2-D planes, or polylines with a width greater than zero.

A cross in the box indicates whether or not the ”fill” function is activated.

Remember that activating the function is required in order to draw filled planes. If the option Fill Solid Entities is deactivated, then the option Fill Polygons will not be available in the Dialog Box Print/ Plot.

Attribute Display Modes

This option the user to choose the desired method of display of attributes. The options are:

Show as Defined	all attributes are displayed according to their definition.
Show Nothing	all attributes are made invisible, e.g. their status is defined as invisible.
Show All	all attributes are displayed, independently of how their attributes were defined.
Choose a display option by clicking its field.

3D Frame Visibility

If, in the display of 3-D views, intersections or lines that are ”behind” other drawing segments are to be hidden, then the user should select the option normal. If, on the other hand, all intersections are to be displayed, then the selection should be show all.

Arc Segments

Arcs and circles, understandably, are always displayed as a series of short straight-line segments.

In this area the user selects the number of segments that will appear in the definition of any arc or circle that is drawn. The number selected may be any whole number between 8 and 1024. A smaller number will make the arcs or circles appear ”jagged”; a larger number will tend to smooth them out. The default number used is 48.

Remember that a large number of line segments in an arc or circle will tend to a slow the performance, whereas a small number of segments will increase working speed.

Point Representation

This area allows the user to choose between 20 different display forms for construction points

The point forms will be actualized when the drawing is regenerated.

Point Size

The user chooses the size of the construction point in this area.

Absolute	The size of the construction points is determined in the absolute scale of drawing unit .
Relative	The display of the construction points is determined relative to the size of the visible drawing plane.
This parameter defaults to Absolute, and uses 5.00% of the drawing unit size as the size of the construction point.


Menu Modify

   Modify

For detailed information, select one of the following items:

Move	Moves drawing elements
Copy	Copies drawing elements
Rotate	Rotate drawing elements
Scale	Enlarges or reduces drawing elements
Mirror	Mirrors drawing elements (original objects remain)
Flip	Mirrors drawing elements and deletes original objects
Stretch	Strechs drawing elements
Arrays	Creates multiple copies of drawing elements and arrange them at random, in rows, on a circle or arc
Offset	Creates congruent pictures of lines, circles, arcs and 2D-polylines
Trim	Trim entities to cutting edge
Expand	Extend entities to boundary edge
Fillet	Filleting between two entities
Chamfer	Chamfer intersection of two entities
Intersect	Trim/extend two entities to intersection point
Lengthen	Lengthen / Shorten line or arc
Delete Partial	Delete partial segments of entities
Edit Entire Polyline	Polyline editing
Vertex Editing	Modify vertex of polyline
Change	Change geometry of lines...
Modify Parameters...	Parameters for Modify Commands


Command MOVE
Move

  Command: MOVE

The command is used to move objects within the coordinate system.

The first prompt will be to select the object to be moved. Multiple objects may be selected, and they will be moved together in exactly the same relationship as they are currently placed. Select the object or objects, and confirm the selection by pressing RETURN.

Options

Basepoint

It is the standard reference point for moving objects. It denotes the point that the user is choosing as the base from which to begin the command.

Rel. Point

The prompt will then ask for distances in the X, Y, and Z direction. Enter these values (if there is no Z value enter only the X and Y values). The move will occur when the values are verified.

Quick Move

This method of accomplishing the move is to simply pick up the object(s) with the cursor, and ”rubberband” them to the new desired location. This works well if no particular precision is required.


Command COPY
Copy

  Command: COPY

Duplicating drawing objects

This function allows the user to copy drawing elements and put them at a specified place.

The copies created by this command are exact copies of the selected entities. All entity attributes such as layers, line type, color, and all other attributes are copied as well as the outline of the object(s).

Options

Basepoint

If Basepoint is the selection, enter the basepoint, then, as prompted, the Target Point (the position to which the Copy is to move). The copy will be made in the position specified.

Rel.Point

Rel.Point may be chosen if the copy is to be placed in a position relative to the current image of the object.

The prompt will ask for the relative points by specifying the move in the X, Y, and Z directions. If the move is to be made in the X and Y directions only, simply do not specify a Z delta. The copy will be placed in the specified position.


Command ROTATE
Rotate

  Command: ROTATE

Rotate will serve to rotate an entity or entities through an angle, about an axis.

As with the other modification commands, Rotate requires the selection of the object/ objects to be rotated. There are several methods suggested by the Option Bar of selecting the object(s). Choose a method, and make the selection.

Options

Basepoint

The command will prompt for the Basepoint. The Basepoint is the point about which the rotation will occur. It is handy to pick a corner, or a center, but any point may be picked that will give the desired result. Enter, or pick, the Basepoint.

Note that the Basepoint may not be a point on the described geometry of the object or objects, but may fall off of their geometry.

The next prompt will ask for the angle of rotation. The user may elect, through the Option Bar, either the Angle of Rotation, or a Reference Angle.

Angle of Rotation

The option Angle of Rotation is the standard option. It is used if no other option has been selected.

Angle will prompt the user for a rotation angle. Enter that angle, and rotation will take place to the specified angle.

Reference Angle

The Reference Angle will ask the user to specify the angle at which the object is now placed, and then prompt for a New Angle, to which the object will be rotated. Rotation will always be counter-clockwise. As before, rotation will occur about the base point.


Command SCALE
Scale

  Command: SCALE

The Scale command allows the user to change the ”scale” of the objects, that is, to enlarge or reduce them while keeping all proportions the same.

The first prompt will be to select the object(s) to be scaled. Use one of the options presented in the Options Bar for this. Remember that if more than one object is selected, the objects will be treated as one by the command.

The next prompt will be to identify the Basepoint, and that should be done as it was in the two previous commands. This will bring up the Options Bar with the following options:

Sc.Factor
Reference

Options

Scaling Factor

The option Scaling Factor is the standard option for scaling objects; and is used if no other option has been selected.

Note that it is important to realize that the Basepoint, if is a part of the selected object, will hold its original position during the scaling, while all the other points will be moved by the same relative values in direction of the X- and Y-axis. As in other cases, however, the user may select any other point, whether on or off the geometry of the object(s). In this case, the distance from the Basepoint to all of the other points that comprise the object will be changed by the same scale factor.

To continue, enter a scaling factor. The use of a scaling factor bigger than 1 results in enlarging the selected objects by this factor. A scaling factor between 0 and 1 results in reducing the objects by that factor.

For instance, the factor <3> enlarges the selected objects three times, while the factor <0.25> results in reducing the objects to one-quarter of their original size.

Reference

This option allows an exact change of the size of an object to a particular scale.

For instance, if the user were to enlarge an object with a side length of 3.45 drawing units up to 6.90 drawing units, he or she would first have to calculate the scaling factor. Reference, however, facilitates this calculation by the input of a reference length (here 3.45) a precise changing of the size up to the desired scale (here 6.90), without the user having to calculate a scaling factor.

To use this variation of scaling, select the option Reference from the Option Bar. Enter the Reference length, and then enter the New length that is desired.


Command FLIP
Flip

  Command: FLIP

The command Flip contrasts to the Mirror command in that the original object does not remain in its original position; it is simply ”flipped” about an axis specified by the user.

The selected objects have, after ”flipping”, the same relative position to the symmetry axis as they had prior to ”flipping”, but are now ”flipped” in a new direction.

The reflection axis can be defined freely, or parallel to the X-axis or the Y-axis

The first prompt will be for object selection.

Next, select one of the options for choosing the axis from the option bar:

Axis

The option Axis allows the user to freely define the flip axis. It is the standard option for axis definition, and is used when no other option has been selected.

Define the position of the axis by the indicating two points or by the input of their coordinates. The axis can have any alignment toward either the objects or the axes of the coordinate system.

If the mirror axis should run through any of the points of existing geometry of the object(s), you should specify object snap functions to define the points precisely.

Horizontal Flip

To flip the marked object about a horizontal axis choose the option Horizontal. This option creates a flip axis which runs parallel to the Y-axis of the coordinate system. Only a single point is required to define this axis.

Vertical Flip

To flip the marked object about a vertical axis choose the option Vertical. This option creates a flip axis which runs parallel to the X-axis of the coordinate system. Only a single point is required to define this axis.


Command MIRROR
Mirror

  Command: MIRROR

Mirroring drawing objects produces identical copies of selected entities, which are placed in a ”mirrored” position about an axis specified by the user.

The selected objects have, after ”mirroring”, the same relative position to the symmetry axis as they had prior to ” mirroring”.

The mirror axis can be defined freely, or parallel to the X-axis or the Y-axis

In order to use the command the user must select an object to be mirrored. Select the object or objects, remembering that the selection of multiple objects will result in the treatment of the objects as one.

The next prompt will ask for the definition of the mirroring axis.

Options

Mirroring With a Free Axis

The Option Axis allows the user to freely define the mirror axis. It is the standard option for mirroring objects and is used when no other option has been selected.

Select this option, then define the position of the mirror axis. This can be made by indicating two points or by inputting their coordinates. The mirror axis can have any alignment with regard to the objects to be mirrored as well as with regard to the axes of the coordinate system.

If the mirror axis should run through points of an existing geometry (for instance, along a solid edge), the user should employ the object snap options for precise definition.

Mirroring on a Horizontal Axis

To choose a horizontal mirroring axis, select the option Horizontal. This option creates a mirror axis which runs parallel to the Y-axis of the coordinate system. Its exact position is indicated by a single point.

Mirroring on a Vertical Axis

To choose a vertical mirroring axis, select the option Vertical. This option creates a mirror axis which runs parallel to the X-axis of the coordinate system. Its exact position is indicated by a single point.

Note: Mirroring Text

If there is text associated with the selected object or objects, it is likely that the user does not want to mirror that text. In order to mirror the text it is necessary to activate an option called Text Mirroring. Activating this option will result in the text also being mirrored.


Command STRETCH
Stretch

  Command: STRETCH

The Stretch command facilitates a change of position of selected entities, but allows them to hold their relation to other entities of an object. Using this command, entities forming the borders of the object may be stretched.

In drawing practice, stretching is useful for the enlargement or reduction of objects in only one direction (in contrast to scaling) or for moving single entities inside of one contour.

Like all the commands and functions for changing or editing, the prior selection of entities is prerequisite.

Careful planning must be done in the selection of entities for stretching. During stretching, the method of selection has an influence on the question of which entities are moved and which entities are stretched.

•	All entities included totally in the selecting windows will be moved;

•	All entities crossing the selecting window will be stretched (lengthened); and

•	All other drawing entities will retain their position and shape.

After having completed object selection, choose an option for stretching from the Option Bar..

Options

Basepoint

The option Basepoint is the standard option for moving entities. It is used if no other option has been selected.

The option is useful for moving selected drawing entities to a particular position and for ”stretching”, or moving, entities on a border without changing the relationship to the border. The target position may be a point defined by coordinates of a position determined by the geometry of the object.

Next, determine the end point of the stretch. The basepoint for the stretch will be moved to the end point.

Displacement

The option Displacement allows stretching selected entities by a straight line (a vector). After selecting the objects, select the option from the Option Bar. Enter the value for the move, a straight line, in the form X,Y, (Z).


Command ARRAY
Array

  Command: ARRAY

The command Array represents a variant of Copy, except that Array will create multiple copies, and they can be arranged at random, or in rows, or in vertical order, or on a circle, or on an arc.

The entities created by the command are exact copies of the selected entities in that all entity attributes such as layers, line types and color are copied.

After entering the command, select an option from the Option Bar:

Individual
Rectangular
Circ-NRot
Circ-Rot

Options

 Individual

This mode allows the user to copy the Array as many times as is required during one command sequence and place them at random on the drawing area.

The use of this option is very similar to the command Copy.

After choosing the option, select the entities to be copied using the selection modes described in the Option Bar. Always confirm object selection by pressing RETURN.

Determine the Basepoint for the copying. A particularly discreet point in the geometry or in one of the selected objects (edges, corners, intersecting points etc.) will be useful. Next, either input the coordinates of the target point(s) or ”pick” the points for placement of the Array. The program will create a copy of the Array after each definition of a target point.

As long as the command remains active the user can produce and place as many copies as are required. Terminate the function by pressing ESC or RETURN.

 Rectangular

This option will arrange the Array copies in rows or columns. The use of this function is the same as was the use of the Individual mode.

Determine the number of the columns and rows in which the Array copies should be arranged. Define the distance between the columns and the rows.

Note that, when planning the arrangement, the rows and columns must be in the positive X or Y-axis. This infers that the original Array is situated in the lower left hand corner of the quadrant plus-XY. If it is not located there, it may be useful to move the original Array before attempting to begin defining the copying positions. Use the command Move to do this.

Array on a circle

The Array can also be reproduced in a circular path. The circle (arc) itself is not displayed on the screen.

The reproduction of the Array is described as follows:

the center of the circle (arc)

the number of times the Array is to be reproduced;

the included angle of the arc (360 if the path is to be a full circle) to be filled;

There are two ways to reproduce the Array on a circular path.

 Placing the Arrays Without Rotation

This Option, will arrange the reproductions on the circle (arc) in the same alignment to the principal axes as the original Array.

Define the center of the circular path. Then determine either;

the number of the entities to be arrayed (including the original); and
the included angle of the circle (arc),

or

the included angle of the circle (arc); and
the included angle between the Arrays to be reproduced (measured between the reference points of the objects).

Note that, during the planning of the reproduction of the Array on a circle, that the circle (arc) runs counter-clockwise from the starting point. For a clockwise rotation enter negative values for the angle inputs.

  Placing the Arrays With Rotation

This option will rotate the Arrays when placing them on the circular path. The Arrays will be rotated in the same direction as the circle arc that describes the path of reproduction. The rotation angle will correspond to the angle between the Arrays (measured between the reference points of the Arrays).

After selecting the command, choosing the objects in the Array, and choosing the option Ci.Rot from the Option Bar, define the center of the circular path and then determine either;

the number of the entities to be arrayed (including the original); and
the included angle of the circular arc,

or

the included angle of the circular arc; and
the included angle between the entities to be arrayed (measured between the reference points of the objects).

As parameter value for the Arc angle there is always used the standard value 360 degree, i.e. the copies are arrayed on a full circle, if this value has been confirmed.

Please note during the planning of the arraying on a circle of multiple copies, that the circle (arc) runs from the starting point, that is the original object anti-clockwise. For a clockwise rotation please enter negative values for the angle inputs.


Command OFFSET
Offset

  Command: OFFSET

Offset creates congruent pictures of lines, circles, arcs and 2D-polylines. This command enables a copy of a selected entity to be created and placed a distance from the original entity. The original entity(s) stays in position.

The operating mode of the command depends on the type of drawing entity:

For lines and polylines identical copies are created and moved in the direction of the X or Y-axis.

For circles and arcs copies are also created, but, in addition, they will be scaled by a selected factor. As a basepoint for scaling the center of the original circle or arc is used. In this way, concentric circles or arcs are created.

Options

Offset for Lines/ 2D-Polylines

After entering the command, select the line(s) or polyline(s) that are to be offset by ”picking” with the cursor. Then either select the distance for the offset by picking, or select Distance from the Option Bar, and enter the offset distance. Then answer the prompt ”Side to Offset?” with a point on the desired side.

Offset for Concentric Circles/ Arcs

Concentric circles or arcs can be created with a radius or diameter smaller or larger than the original entity.

After having selected the objects to be offset, the position of the offset is determined as follows:

by indicating, or picking, a point;
by input of coordinates of a point on the circle or arc; or
by using the option Distance from the Option Bar (see below).

Distance

The option Distance, selected from the Option Bar, allows the offset to be created a specific distance from the original entity.

Next, determine the distance between the original entity and the offset. Do by either a numeric value input (in drawing units) or by cursor selection.

Then, point (and click) with the cursor to the side of the original entity on which the offset is to occur.


Command TRIM
Trim

  Command: TRIM

Trim is selected from the menu Modify, or keyboarded by typing TRIM.

The first prompt for this command will be a request to identify the entities to make up the ”cutting edge”. These entities will be the ones that will result in the ”trimmed” intersection of lines. Pick these entities with the cursor.

The next prompt will ask to select the entity to trim. That selection should be the portion of the cutting edge entities that the user wishes to dispose of. Again, select this entity or entities with the cursor. As the entities are selected, they will be ”trimmed”, and the trimmed portion will disappear from the drawing.


Command EXPAND
Expanding

  Command: EXPAND

The command Expand allows the user to edit objects which should have common boundary edges. Parts of objects can be expanded to the intended boundary edge. This command makes possible the precise closure of polygons, and the extension of entities to the proper boundary edge.

The command EXPAND is selected from the menu Modify, or keyboarded by typing the command EXPAND.

During the execution of the command the drawing entities to be expanded are extended. They do not change direction. A line will remain a line, an arc an arc.

Select the entities which are to serve as boundary edges for the entities to be expanded. These entities will remain unchanged. There are object selection functions in the Option Bar.

Then select the entities to be expanded. In doing this, make sure that the selecting window of the cursor is on the part to be trimmed.

The expansion of selected entities is always executed from the endpoint which lies nearest to the cursor when it selected the entity.

If more then one boundary edge has been selected, the entity is expanded to the first boundary edge first. ”Picking” a second time will result in the expansion being continued to the second boundary edge.


Command FILLET
Fillet

  Command: FILLET

Often two solid edges do not intersect in acute or right angles. With the Fillet command solid edges can be filleted quickly and precisely.

The command Fillet may be chosen from the menu Modify, or may be keyboarded by typing FILLET.

The first prompt will request the selection the two lines whose intersection is to be filleted. These can also be lines of an object such as a rectangle.

Options

The following options will be shown in the Options Bar.

Polyline

The option Polyline allows the user to use the command Fillet for polylines, which are treated as a single entity. This command will fillet the entire polylines.

Radius

The option Radius will defined the radius for the fillet. The program will always offer the value of the last radius used in the current command operation.

Trim (Off)

Trim functions as a switch. It decides whether the parts of lines which lie beyond the fillet are erased or not

If the switch in the Options Bar displays the term Trim, you can switch off the function Trim by clicking the switch. It will then change to Trim (Off).

If the switch in the Options Bar displays Trim (off), by clicking the switch the function will change to Trim.


Command CHAMFER
Chamfer

  Command: CHAMFER

The command Chamfer is found in the menu Modify, or may be keyboarded by typing CHAMFER.

The first prompt will ask for the entities to be chamfered. Select those entities by picking them with the cursor.

In the Options Bar, the option Distance will appear.

There are two choices: either select, and enter, a distance for the chamfer, or choose to ”pick” the distance for the chamfer. The distance for the chamfer must be specified for both of the intersecting entities, since there are often non-symmetrical chamfers.

The option Trim (Off), or Trim, functions in exactly the same manner as described with the command Fillet, as does the option Polyline.

See also:

FILLET


Command INTERSECT
Intersect

  Command: INTERSECT

Intersect is a special case of trimming that causes intersecting lines to be trimmed following the intersection.

Enter the command by selecting the option Intersect from the menu Modify or by typing the command INTERSECT.

Select the two lines to be trimmed. Make the selection by picking, and be sure to make the pick on the segment of each line that is to remain.

See also:

TRIM


Command LENGTHEN
Lengthen

  Command: LENGTHEN

Lengthen provides the ability to change the length of existing lines or arcs.

Unlike the command EXPAND, Lengthen extends an entity to a specific value or in a particular ratio (percentage value) of the original size.

Entities will be only lengthened in their existing direction. All entities will always be lengthened on the end, which lies closest to the point where the cursor was positioned during the selection.

Options

Angle

To lengthen arcs, you can use the option Angle. This option functions like a switch. Selecting it from the Option Bar has the effect of causing all following selected options are to be related to the included angle of the arc.

Dynamic

Lengthen normally works in the Dynamic mode. This mode is active after the selection of a drawing entity and needn’t be selected from the Option Bar. After any lengthening operation the mode will return to Dynamic, no matter which of the options has been used.

In the Dynamic mode the line or the arc will be lengthened to a point or to an angle indicated the cursor. A preview will show, during this operation, the result of the command.

In addition to the standard mode Dynamic, the following modes are available for lengthening lines and arcs from the Option Bar:

Total

Total allows the entity to be lengthened to a dimension that is defined. The dimension will apply to either the length of a line or to the circumference of an arc. To assist the user, the current length of the selected entity is displayed in parentheses.

If the option Angle been selected the included angle of the arc is displayed instead of the length, and the input should also be the additional angle required.

Percent

Percent will permit the entity to be lengthened by a defined ratio of the original size. This percentage value relates to either line length or the circumference of an arc. For instance, the input of the percent value 200 doubles the length of the line or the arc, the value 50 diminishes it to the half of the original value.

If the option Angle has been selected, the input of the percentage value will apply to the arcs original angle.

Relative

Relative lengthens a line or an arc by a value which is defined by indicating as distance between two points. This is an advantage if the entity is to be lengthened by a straight line.

Again, if the option Angle has been selected, determine the angle by which the arc is lengthened by indicating two points in the X-Y plain.


Command DELPARTIAL
Delete Partial

  Command: DELPARTIAL

Delete Partial will cause a part of a line, circle, or arc to be erased.

These entities can also be divided by this command. The result of such a division will be two independent entities which can be edited, or have other operation performed on it, separately.

Deleting Part of a Line

Deleting part of a line is the standard option for this command. to perform this deletion, determine the end points of the part of the line to be deleted. The line will be divided at this point, and the portion of the line between the two points will be deleted.

If the entity is a circle, that part is separated and deleted which lies clockwise between the first and the second dividing point. A straight segment of a polyline with a width greater than zero will be separated at a right angle to the line.

Separating Drawing Entities

To separate or ”break” an entity you the option 1Point out of the option bar.

Determine the point on the entity where the separation is to occur. It may be wise to use the Object Snap functions to increase the precision of the input. The edited object will be cut into two parts which can be edited, or otherwise operated upon, separately.

A circle can not be divided or broken by the input of a point. In this case the program will send the respective error message.


Command POLYEDIT
Modify Polylines

  Command: POLYEDIT

The command may be entered from the pull-down menu Modify, or may be keyboarded by typing POLYEDIT.

Polylines may be modified in the following fashion:

editing of a Polyline as a whole;
filleting of a polyline;
chamfering of a polyline; and
editing individual polyline segments by editing their control points.

Polyline Editing

Select the option from the sub-menu Modify Polyline, or type POLYEDIT. The command allows the user to:

open or close the Polyline;
join the polyline with other drawing entities such as line, arc or polyline;
change the width of the whole polyline; or
undo the last step.

The first option panel will display the Option Open or Close, depending on whether the selected polyline is currently opened or closed. Note that the option Back is only available after the execution of the first operation under the command.

Close / Open

The option Close joins the start and end points of the polyline with a straight polyline segment. The width of this segment equals the ending width of the end point of the last drawn polyline.

The option Open is a possible option if the polyline to be edited has already been closed during drawing, or in a successive working step. The polyline segment between the start and end points of the polyline will be deleted.

Join

Join allows lines, arcs and other polylines to be joined with the selected polyline. The prerequisite to this is that the polyline to be edited and the object to be joined meet in one ending point.

Indicate after the calling of the option Join the drawing entity to be joined. The polylines chosen are now joined as one entity.

Width

Width offers the opportunity to change the width of the polyline. Polylines which have different start and end widths as single segments can be made a uniform width for all segments.

Define the desired width of the polylines by numeric input or indicating a width with the cursor. As a ”help” parameter for this input, the value used last for the width of the polyline segment to be joined will be displayed. This value may be used by pressing RETURN.

Undo

Undo will remove the last operation. The POLYEDIT command is continued, and the user will see the request "Input:".

See also:

VTXEDIT

If the vertices only are to be edited, that option may be picked from the sub-menu, or keyboarded by typing VTXEDIT.


Command VTXEDIT
Vertex Editing

  Command: VTXEDIT

Editing of single segments of a polyline is done through the command Vertex Editing. This command allows the user to change the vertices, the start and end points, of the polyline. The vertices of a polyline segment can be inserted, deleted, and moved. Also, the width of the polyline segments can be changed.

Select the function by selecting the option Vertex editing in the submenu Modify Polyline of the  menu Modify, or by typing the command VTXEDIT.

Vertex Selection

Select the polyline containing the vertex to be edited. The selection of the polyline will also cause the selection of the vertex containing the start point as the first vertex to be edited.

The vertex selection may be changed by ”stepping” through the vertices using the Next and Previous. The user should experiment with these selections until he or she understands how they work.

The selected control point will always be marked by a ”rubberband” line joining the selected point with the current cursor position.

After selecting the control point to be edited, select one of the editing options from the Options Bar:

Insert

The option Insert allows the addition of vertices, and thereby of further segments, to an existing polyline.

Define (either by picking with the cursor or by input of coordinates) the position of the additional vertex.

The width of this new segment will correspond to the values for the width of the polyline at the bordering control points before the addition of the new segment.

After inserting a segment the command VTXEDIT stays active. The user may select another operation or complete the use of the command by pressing ESC.

Move

The option Move enables the user to relocate a vertex of the polyline to a new position.

First determine the vertex to be relocated. Then define (by ”picking” with the cursor or by input of coordinates) the new position of the chosen vertex. The vertex will then be moved to this position. Other segments of the polyline will remain unchanged.

The command will remain active. Finish editing the polyline segments by pressing ESC.

Delete

Define the vertex to be deleted in the same fashion as was used with the previous options. Then select the option Delete from the Options Bar.

The segment which has its starting point in the selected vertex will be deleted. The previous (in order of drawing) segment will be lengthened to the next control point.

The command VTXEDIT remains active. Select another option or finish editing the polyline segments by pressing ESC.

Width

Width allows the width of single segments of a polyline group to be changed.

Define the vertex to be deleted in the same fashion as was used with the previous options. Then select the option Width from the Options Bar.

Input, or select with the cursor, the desired width of the polyline segment. The width of the selected segment will be changed according to the inputs.

The command VTXEDIT remains active. Select a another operation or finish editing the polyline segments by pressing ESC.

See also:

POLYEDIT


Command CHANGE
Change

Command: CHANGE

The command Change serves to edit of entities including lines, circles, arcs, text, attributes and parts with regard to their geometrical character or their attributes.

The command is called by typing the command CHANGE or by selecting Change from the Modify menu.

Select the entity to be edited using the functions shown in the Options Bar.

During the changing operation the user may wish to be supported by the preview provided by Dragmode. Select this mode from the Options Bar.

The attributes or geometry that can be changed depends on the entity. In the following paragraphs is a summary of the possible operations, listed by the type of entity

Line

One of the two ending points of the line may be moved to a new position, while the length of the line remains the same.

If the end point of a line is moved without using Dragmode, the point to be moved must be the point nearer the selection point. If Dragmode is activated, the point which lies nearer to the cursor position will be moved. By changing the cursor position the end point of the line to be moved can be changed.

Circle

Change reference geometry can only alter the diameter or radius of a circle. After the object selection, determine a point by either ”picking” it, or by coordinate input. The diameter or radius will be enlarged or reduced accordingly.

Arc

Arcs may be changed as were circles.

Text

To change text, these attributes, or parameters, may be changed. Existing values are displayed as parameters and can be taken over by pressing RETURN.

Insertion point of the text object
Text style
Text height
Rotation angle
Text string (character sequence)

Attribute definition

These attributes can be changed;

Inserting point;
Text style;
Text height; and
Rotation angle

These are specific characters of those attributes that may lend themselves to change:

Name
Request
Parameter value

The constant or variable (parameter) value of an attribute can be changed. Value is that part of the attribute which is written, together with the part, into the drawing. It may either name the part or contain information about the part. Enter new values (sequence of characters or numeric input).

You find detailed information to the characters of attributes in the section Parts and Attributes.

Part

The user may change the insertion point and/ or the rotation angle of a part. The existing values are displayed as parameters and can be repeated by pressing RETURN.

Insertion point of a part
Rotation angle

Dragmode, with its dynamic preview capability, is automatically activated during the change of this attribute.


Parameters for Modify Commands
Parameters for Modify Commands...

Command: EDITPAR

The function Modify parameters allows the user to define a series of parameters, which are used as preset values for some editing functions. These parameters are mirroring of text entities, trimming and chamfering, and the radia of fillets.

Modify parameters is called by selecting that option from the pulldown menu Modify or typing in EDITPAR. A dialog box willappear.

Mirror / Flip

Mirror / Flip determines the position and orientation of text objects in the drawing.

Activate MIRROR / FLIP by checking the box MIRROR TEXT inthat position from the dialog box Edit Parameters.

Activating the option will cause the text objects to be mirrored, with the orignal text object retained.

With the option de-activated, the text objects will be copied, but not mirrored, about the specified axis.

Offset Distance

Offset determines the parameter value for the distance in which an object will be offset when the command OFFSET is used. This value defines the distance of each point of a copy from the original drawing entity. There is more detail on the command OFFSET in this chapter. Enter the desired value in the input area.

Note that, during a working session the value used last will always be displayed as the parameter value for the next call to the command.

Fillet / Chamfer

This area decides whether the trim function is used by default when these commands are called, or wheter a separate TRIM will be requiered.

Trim Mode

Trim Mode, when activated, will cause the erasure of those parts of objects which lie between, inside, or outside of intersecting points. For more detail see the TRIM command.

Fillet Radius

This field allows the user to specify a fillet radius as a default value. Enter the desired value in the input area. Please note thereby that during a working session the value last used will always be displayed as the parameter value for the next call to that command.

Chamfer Distances

This values establish default values for the chamfer distance from the point of intersection. Each value may be specified independently of the other.


Menu Detail

   Detail

For detailed information, select one of the following items:

Text...	Generate text in drawing
Modify Text...	Modify text
Fonts...	Load Font / Set Text-Style
Compile Font...	Compile source shape file to binary font file
Hatch...	Create cross-hatchings
Modify Hatching...	Edit an associative hatching
Dimensioning	Create and modify dimensioning objects


Text Objects

A text entity is defined by the following properties. These properties are assigned during the creation of the text entity. Any of them may be changed after the creation of the original entity.

The properties and characteristics of text objects are:

A Character string, which represents the content of a text object. All characters or special characters may be used for this string.

The Font (type face) - the program contains a series of standard fonts, that can be used in creating text objects. Font files are marked by the extension .fsh.

The Text height (height of characters) defined in drawing units.

The Alignment of the text objects - determines the horizontal and vertical position of the character string relative to the insertion point of the text object. The character string can run right or left from the insertion point, or the insertion point may be situated centered in the character string. The vertical alignment of the text objects may be above, center, base line, or below. Any text object can be rotated during insertion as well.

The Insertion point of the object. The insertion point (and the alignment) of a text object determines its position in the drawing. The insertion point can be defined by coordinate input or by selecting the point with the cursor.

Commands:

TEXT	Drawing text characters

TEXTEDIT	Modifying text

FONT	Creating and modifying text style definitions

FCOMPILE	Compiling source shape files to binary font files


Text
Text...

Command: TEXT

The TEXT functions are used for inserting text into drawings. They provide labeling, create legends, descriptive notes, and other text elements in a drawing. Most of these commands and options are found under the menu Detail.

The command TEXT comes up with a dialog box, which allows to input text and to set several parameters for the text to be added to the drawing:

Text input

Text is entered into the input field in the upper area of the dialog dox. The cursor will be positioned in this field upon the opening of the dialog dox, so the user may start the input of the text immediately.

The text editor in this dialog dox offers the basic functions for editing a text input. Incorrectly entered text can be marked and erased just as with a word processor.

When the text entry is completed, the user should make any of the changes that are desirable and within the capabilities of this dialog dox. The changes possible are discussed below.

When a line or block of text is complete, press ENTER.

Insertion point

The Dialog Box offers two methods to define the insertion point. The insertion point may be entered using (absolute) coordinates (boxes are available for input of the X-,Y- and Z-coordinates). The second option is to define the insertion point interactively. The option Interactive must be checked to activate this option.

Options

The following options aid the user in determining the height, the rotation angle, and the font (typeface) of the text objet to be inserted.

Height

Define the size of the text in the Height edit box. Enter the desired text height in drawing units.

Angle

Define the insertion angle of the text object by this input field. Any rotation is possible, and the text can also be aligned to vertical or sloping objects. Parameter value for this is a rotation angle of 0 degrees (the text object is inserted horizontally). For a counter-clockwise rotation, enter a positive value; and for a clockwise rotation, enter a negative value between 0 and 360.

Font

A window allows the user to define the font. The list of available fonts is displayed in this window. Select the desired font from this list.

Alignment

The alignment of the text object(s) can be specified by the following options:

Position

Defining an Insertion Reference point determines the position and the alignment of the text object in relation to the insertion point of the text object. For this a reference point on the text object is defined. uring insertion of the text object this reference point is coordinated with the insertion point.

If the reference point, for instance, is situated at the lower left corner of the text object the text will run to the right.

In total there are twelve reference points available for the user’s choice. They are represented by the initials of the locating corner (or center) of the text block. UL, for instance, represents the Upper Left corner of the block. Select the position for the reference point by filling the circle.

Align

Align allows text objects to be rotated and scaled during insertion. The rotation angle and the scaling factor are defined by indicating two points on the drawing. These are the procedures for using Align:

1.	activate the option by clicking the box Align at the lower left side of the Dialog Box Text. The options insertion point, text height, angle and position will not be available any longer. The parameters required for alignment result from the definition of two points during the insertion of the text object. The reference point of the text object is positioned left justified, lower corner;

2.	confirm the use of the option Align by clicking OK;

3.	enter the first point for insertion of the text object. This point is interpreted by the program as both the insertion point and the first point for the rotation angle and scaling factor;

4.	enter the second point, which completes the definition of the rotation angle and the scaling factor, and sets the text height.

Fit

Fit enables the simultaneous rotation and expansion of a text object during the insertion. The text object is not scaled, that is, the text height remains unchanged, while the string is expanded or compressed to fit. The procedure is:

1.	activate the Fit option in the dialog box;

2.	after inputting the text string(s) confirm the settings by clicking OK;

3.	the prompt will be for the first point - it may be specified or ”picked” - do this;  then

4.	the prompt will be for the second point - specify or ”pick” this point.

The text will be fit between the two points, rotated so that it follows the line between the points.

Center

Center enables the user to insert a text object with both vertical and horizontal alignment centered. Text height and rotation angle may be chosen.


Command TEXTEDIT
Modify Text...

  Command: TEXTEDIT

You can modify an existing text line in the drawing by selecting Modify Text… from the menu Detail.

Select an text entity in the drawing. The dialog box Text Edit is displayed which is similar to the dialog to create text (with exemption that only one line can be edited). The dialog box is filled with the parameters attached to the selected entity.

If the check box labeled Interactive is marked, you will be prompted to relocate the text when exiting the dialog. Otherwise you can change the insertion point coordinates in the dialog box, if desired.

> TEXTEDIT
Select a text:
    <Dialog box appears to edit the selected text line>
Insertion point:

See also:

TEXT

RTEXT

FONT


Command FONT
Font... (Defining or Text Styles)

Command: FONT

The command FONT allows the user to load fonts from the font files and customize them to the requirements of the drawing. The dialog box will display available font types, and offers an option so that fonts may be added.

Selecting an existing font and making changes in it or adding a new font are done in the same way and are, therefore, discussed as one operation.

New Font

To add a new typeface open the Text Style dialog box and select New... The New Text Style dialog box will open. Define the new font style, and confirm with OK.

If the font is located in another file, select the Find button from the New Text Style dialog box. The dialog box called Open Font File will open. Enter the name of the desired font file in the input field Font File or select a file using the function Find ... .

Modifying a Font Definition

After the new font has been selected its properties can be edited using the Modify Text Style dialog box. If the option Modify... was selected, these additional editing steps may be used for existing font:

Options

•	Height (point size) is expressed in drawing units. Entering a numeric value for Height gives the font a fixed height which can not no longer be changed when inserting a text object using this font. If change in the font height may be required, the user should keep the height parameter at a 0 value. The font height may then be defined in the dialog box Text, entered from the menu Draw, or entered by typing TEXT.

•	Width Factor controls the width of the characters in relation to the height. This ratio is called the Aspect Ratio.

•	Obliquing Angle defines the inclination of the characters in relation to a horizontal (X axis) line. Input values between 0 and 180 result in an inclination to the right (forward), values above 180 to an inclination to the left (backward). Practically, values between 0 and 30 or between 180 and 210 are meaningful.

•	Backward, when selected, will produce a mirror-image display of the text.

•	Vertical, when selected, will product characters aligned vertically.

•	Bottom Up, when activated, will produce characters displayed upside down.

It is possible to combine these settings, although in some cases the combination of properties may interfere with each other.

Note: Some type fonts do not support all of these options. For instance, some fonts can be aligned vertically. On others, there is no change in aspect ratio permitted.

Confirm the settings of the properties by selecting OK. Fonts added or changed in this manner can now be used for creating or editing text objects.

Note: Defined text styles are saved with the drawing file only with a reference to the corresponding font file. They are available any time that the drawing is opened if the corresponding font file is found in the programs directories.

See also:

TEXT


Command FCOMPILE
Compiling a Source Shape File to a Binary Font File

Command: FCOMPILE

The program uses binary font files which allow to define text styles (see command FONT) in the drawing. Defined text styles can then be set and used with the commands TEXT, TEXTEDIT, ATTDEF, ATTDEDIT.

Binary font shape files (.fsh) provide less loading time and improved memory usage. A number of those FSH files are delivered with the program.

Application specific or customized font shapes can be defined in plain text in shape files of type FNT or SHP. Before they can be used in a drawing, it is required to compile these source files to binary font files.

To conert a source shape file to a binary font file

1.	call the commant FCOMPILE

2.	specify the .fnt or .shp file name in the file dialog box,

3.	in another file dialog box, enter the name of the binary font file of type .fsh to be created for later usage in text commands.

See also:

FONT


Cross-hatching
Hatch...

Command: HATCH

Hatching (or cross-hatching) a drawing adds meaning to the drawing, and helps to differentiate the materials, the areas, or any of a number of other unique attributes.

Applying hatch marks or filling certain areas with distinctive patterns can greatly increase the clarity and legibility of a drawing. In a number of specialized applications there are norms and specifications which demand the use of specific hatch markings within a construction drawing.

Hatch... enables the user to use pre-defined hatch patterns to fill selected areas of the drawing. With the aid of a dialog box, the user is able to select the desired hatch pattern from a list and display this example in the preview window. The preview function simplifies the creation of new patterns and makes it easy to alter existing ones.

Hatch Patterns

A Hatch Pattern is comprised of a number of elements. This program already contains a number of typical hatch patterns used in various standard fields of application. The user may also choose to use other hatch patterns for specialized circumstances.

Hatch patterns are stored using the .pat file extension name.

Hatch Pattern Elements

Hatch Lines

A hatch pattern can contain a number of individual or diverse line types.

Hatching Angle

The lines of a hatch pattern can be arranged at any chosen angle. Standard hatch patterns are usually either made up of horizontal or vertical lines, but may also be drawn at a 45° angle, or at any other angle. A hatch angle of 0° defines a horizontal line. A positive angle value will cause the lines to slant in a counter-clockwise direction, while a negative value will cause a slant in a clockwise direction.

Line Spacing

The spacing between the lines of a hatch pattern is measured in drawing units. The default line spacing is set to one (1) drawing unit. Altering the line spacing is possible to adjust a pre-defined hatch pattern to suit the proportions of any given drawing element.

With the command QHATCH, experienced users can choose to bypass this option completely and use the keyboard to input the procedures directly.


Command HPEDIT
Modify Hatching...

Command: HPEDIT

You can change an exiting associative hatch by choosing this command or entering HPEDIT.

It allows you to add additional objects to the set of enities to be hatched, as well as change the hatch pattern.

> HPEDIT
Select an associative hatch:
Select additional elements? <N>:

The routine then displays the Hatch Pattern dialog box to select the type of hatching desired.

Note:

QHPUPDATE is the command line version of the HPEDIT command provided for usage in Lisp routines, Macros, etc.


Dimensioning Summary

Dimensioning

Dimension Drawing Commands:

DIMHOR	Horizontal Linear Dimension
DIMVER	Vertical Linear Dimension
DIMALI	Aligned Linear Dimension
DIMROT	Rotated Linear Dimension
DIMORD	Ordinate Dimension
DIMDIA	Diameter Dimension
DIMRAD	Radius Dimension
DIMCENT	Center Mark
DIMA3P	Angular Dimension 3 Points
DIMA4P	Angular Dimension 4 Points
DIMSER	Serial Dimensioning
DIMCON	Continuing Dimensioning
DIMBAS	Baseline Dimensioning
Dimension Editing Commands:

DIMUPD	Update Dimensions
DIMOBL	Dimension Orientation Editing
DIMTNEW	Edit Dimension Text
DIMTMOVE	Move Dimension Text
DIMTROT	Rotate Dimension Text
DIMTHOME	Re-Align Dimension Text
Dimension Style Commands:

DIMTYPE	Modify Dimension Type
DIMSAVE	Save Dimension Type
DIMREST	Restore Dimension Type


DIMHOR
Horizontal Dimensioning

  Command: DIMHOR

Horizontal dimensioning is linear dimensioning that measures the distance between two points or the linear extension of an object parallel to the X axis.

To use this command, define two points of measurement (DEFPOINTS).

The program also offers the user the chance to select a specific dimensioning object function from the Options Bar. Activate this function by choosing the Select button. Lines, polylines, circles and arcs may now be selected. Point to the desired object with the selection cursor. The start and end points, or the diameter of the object, will be interpreted automatically and used for the measurement calculations.

Once the points of measurement have been defined, the user will be asked to choose a position for the dimensioning line.

The distance between the two points will be measured along the x axis and displayed.

Pressing the RETURN key will verify the calculated value and insert it into the drawing.

> DIMHOR
1. Point: P1
2. Point: P2
Dimension line positioning: P3
Dimension text <2.50>: Return

or

> DIMHOR
1. Point: Select
Select line, polyline, circle, arc: P1
Dimension line positioning: P2
Dimension text <2.50>: Return


DIMVER
Vertical Dimensioning

  Command: DIMVER

Vertical dimensioning is linear dimensioning that measures the distance between two points or the linear extension of an object parallel to the X axis.

To use this command, define two points of measurement (DEFPOINTS).

The program also offers the user the chance to select a specific dimensioning object function from the Options Bar. Activate this function by choosing the Select button. Lines, polylines, circles and arcs may now be selected. Point to the desired object with the selection cursor. The start and end points, or the diameter of the object, will be interpreted automatically and used for the measurement calculations.

Once the points of measurement have been defined, the user will be asked to choose a position for the dimensioning line.

The distance between the two points will be measured along the x axis and displayed.

Pressing the RETURN key will verify the calculated value and insert it into the drawing.

> DIMVER
1. Point: P1
2. Point: P2
Dimension line positioning: P3
Dimension text <2.50>: Return

or

> DIMHOR
1. Point: SELECT <CR>
select line, polyline, circle, arc: P1
Dimension line positioning: P2
Dimension text <2.5000>: Return


DIMALI
Aligned Dimensioning

  Command: DIMALI

Aligned dimensioning is a type of linear dimensioning which measures the absolute distance between two points (or the linear extension of an object), regardless of the relative position of the axes. This makes it possible to dimension lines, edges and spaces etc. which are not located on the principal axes of the coordinate system.

The user will be asked to define two points of measurement (DEFPOINTS). As an alternative the program offers the user the chance to select a specific dimensioning object function. Activate this function by choosing Select from the options bar This allows lines, polylines, circles and arcs to be selected. Point to the desired object with the cursor. In the case of lines, polylines and arcs the start and end points of the object will be interpreted automatically and used for the measurement calculations.

The first point of a circle will be defined as a point situated along the perimeter of the circle. The second point will be obtained by drawing a straight line from the first point, through the center point of the circle, to the opposite side of the perimeter of the circle.

Once the points of measurement have been chosen, the user will be asked to define a position for the dimensioning line. This can be done either by entering the relevant coordinates, or with the cursor.

The absolute measurement between the two points will be displayed. Pressing the RETURN key will accept the calculated value. The dimension will be inserted into the drawing and shown on a horizontal plain.

> DIMALI
1st Point: P1
2nd Point: P2
Dimension line positioning: P3
Dimension text <2.5000>: RETURN

or

> DIMALI

1st Point: SELECT <CR>
select line, polyline, circle, arc: P1
Dimension line positioning: P2
Dimension text <2.5000>: RETURN


DIMROT
Rotated Dimensioning

  Command: DIMROT

Rotated dimensioning is also a type of linear dimensioning which measures the distance between two points, or the linear extension of an object, at a angle which can be freely determined.

When dimensioning the distance between two points (or an object with linear extension) at an angle greater or less than 90°, the space allocated to the dimension will always be smaller than the absolute dimension measurement. This procedure is equivalent to looking at an object from a specific angle and establishing the visible length from a different view point.

The user will be asked to define the angle at which the dimensioning is to appear in relation to the axial alignment of the coordinate system. This can be done by entering the coordinates at the keyboard, or by using the cursor to click on two points.

The first figure entered defines the angle between the direction of the negative Y axis and the first dimension line as seen in a clockwise direction. The apex of this angle is determined by the position of the first point of measurement.

If the user defines the angle at which the dimensioning is to take place by selecting two separate points, then a perpendicular line will be drawn at 90° to the extension lines.

After having determined the dimensioning angle, the user will be asked to define two points of measurement (DEFPOINTS). As an alternative, the program offers the user the chance to select a specific dimensioning object by clicking the Select  function from the Options Bar. This will allow lines, polylines, circles and arcs to be selected. Point to the desired object with the selection cursor.

The start and end points of a line, polyline or arced object will be interpreted automatically and used for the measurement calculation.

The first point of a circle will be defined by the program as the next point situated along the circle perimeter. The second point is obtained by drawing a straight line from the first point, through the center intersection of the circle and on to the opposite side of the circle perimeter.

In contrast to objects which have a linear extension, this method will always measure and display the exact diameter of a circle. Only the position of the dimensioning extension lines will be affected when using rotated dimensioning.

Once the points of measurement have been chosen, the user will be asked to define a position for the dimensioning line.

The distance between the two points will be displayed at the designated angle orientation. Pressing the RETURN key will accept the calculated value and cause it to be inserted horizontally into the drawing.

> DIMROT
Angle of rotation <0>: 60
First Point: P1
Second Point: P2
Dimension line positioning: P3
Dimension text <2.50>: RETURN

or

> DIMROT

Angle of rotation <0>: 60
First Point: Select
Select line, polyline, circle or arc: P1
Dimension line positioning: P2
Dimension text <2.50>: RETURN


DIMORD
Ordinate Dimensioning

  Command: DIMORD

Ordinate can be used to determine the X and Y coordinates of a point and enter it into the drawing. These coordinates can either represent a point within the drawing, or be that of a geometrically significant point of a drawing entity.

The X and Y options will be displayed within the options bar. By selecting one of the options the user can determine whether the X or Y coordinate value is to be defined. Click the corresponding button, bearing in mind that the X value is set as the default and will therefore automatically be used if no other option is selected.

The user will then be prompted to select the point to be measured. Type in the coordinate values, or select with the cursor. If the location represents a specific point on an entity, enlist the help of OSNAP.

The program will ask for LEADER LENGTH; this requires that the user enter the EXTENSION LINE position and also determines the physical location of the measurement value text. The extension line originates at the point to be measured and connects to the measurement value text.

Use the cursor to select the position at which the measurement value is to be displayed. This figure can be positioned at any alignment and distance from the dimensioning line. To help, the program draws a line from the selected coordinates to the current cursor position. This illustrates the distance and alignment between the two positions. Select the desired position with the cursor.

If the dimension is not placed horizontally or vertically in relation to the measurement point, then the extension line will appear in orthographic mode and not as a straight line. An example of this is shown in the above diagrams.

The program will display the calculated coordinate.  The value can be confirmed by pressing the RETURN key, or amended as required. The user may type in any alpha-numeric sequence, thus enabling the point to be titled as required.

> DIMORD
Coordinate point: X
Coordinate point: P1
Extension length: P2
Dimensioning text <20.00>: RETURN


DIMDIA
Diameter Dimensioning

  Command: DIMDIA

Diameter dimensioning is used to display dimensions of circles and arcs. Unlike the horizontal or vertical dimensioning functions, no measurement lines are shown, in this case a single extension line is used to show the relationship between the value and the object itself. The diameter symbol signifies that this is a special dimensioning feature used only in circle and arc dimensioning.

The first prompt will ask for the specific circle or arc. Select with the cursor. Please note that the point at which the user selected the object will be defined as the point at which the dimensioning extension line will connect to the element.

QUADRANT OSNAP will help the user to select specific points on the circle or arc. After selection, the program will display the corresponding diameter measurement. This can be confirmed with the RETURN key or amended as required.

The second prompt will ask for the position of the extension line. Select a coordinate at the required distance from the object

The alignment of the extension line will have been fixed by the position of the two selected points and cannot be altered. The extension line will be drawn along an imaginary straight alignment, which extends from the middle point of the object to the measurement point as defined during object selection (DEFPOINT).

The extension line and measurement text will be displayed and a cross (+) will automatically appear at the center of the circle of arc.

> DIMDIA
Select circle or arc: P1
Dimensioning text <24.00>: RETURN
Extension length: P2


DIMRAD
Radius Dimensioning

  Command: DIMRAD

Radius dimensioning is carried out in the same way as diameter dimensioning, the only difference being that a radius dimension is calculated instead of a diameter measurement.

> DIMRAD
Select circle or arc: P1
Dimensioning text <24.00>: RETURN
Extension length: P2


DIMCEN
Center Marks

  Command: DIMCEN

Center marking can only be used in conjunction with circles and arcs. It is used to position a mid point mark (+) at the center of a given object.

The function is carried out in a single step. The user will be asked to select the desired circle or arc. Use the cursor to select the required element.

If a circle or arc is correctly selected the mid point mark will automatically appear.  If it is not correctly selected the user will be urged to re-select the object.

> DIMCEN
Select circle or arc:


DIMA3P
Angle Dimensioning 3P

  Command: DIMA3P

This function uses 3 measurement points which are placed at the apex and legs of an angle. This function not only allows the user to calculate the interior angle between the two legs, but also the exterior angle.

The user will be asked to select the vertex position. Either type in the coordinates, or select with the cursor. It is suggested that the user use the Object Snap options whenever applicable.

Define a point on each of the legs of the angle.

Define the location of the dimensioning arc by selection with the cursor. The dynamic preview function will assist the user in gaining a visual impression of the result. The position chosen for the dimensioning arc will also decide which angle, (interior or exterior) is to be dimensioned.

After confirmation, the program will display the measured value. This can be confirmed with RETURN, or amended as required.

> DIMA3P
Identify vertex: end
of object: P1
First point: P2
Second point: P3
Position dimension arc: P4
Dimensioning text <60>: RETURN


DIMA4P
Angle Dimensioning 4P

  Command: DIMA4P

The difference between these two angle functions is that the angle 4P dimension is based on four points of measurement. These could be placed at the end points of two lines, or at the tangent of the end points of an arc.

Both the interior and exterior angles can be measured and dimensioned.

The first prompt will ask for the appropriate objects. (lines, polylines, arcs or circles.)

> DIMA4P
Select line, polyline or arc: P1
Select line, polyline or arc: P2
Dimensioning text <60°>: RETURN

Note: It is not possible to measure the angle between two parallel lines.


DIMSER
Serial Dimensioning

  Command: DIMSER

Serial dimensioning is carried out in the same way as described above for Continuing dimensioning. However, where only one additional dimension can be added to an existing dimension with Continuing dimensioning, Serial dimensioning enables the user to link as many dimensions as required. This assumes that at least one dimension already exists which can be used as a basis for the rest.

It is only possible to add dimensioning of the same type since the additional dimensioning will inherit the properties of the existing dimensioning:

Select the dimensioning which is to act as the basis for the series, taking care to place the selection cursor as close as possible to the point at which the Continuing dimension is to be linked.

The dimensioning is based on two points of measurement. The starting point for the series dimensioning will be the point which lies closest to the click point at the time of object selection.

In addition to Select and End, which are the same for Serial dimensioning as for Continuing, two other selections are possible from within the series dimensioning function bar:

Continue and Baseline.

Continue allows the user to link one additional dimension and should be selected when creating serial dimensioning. As this is the default option it only needs to be confirmed with the RETURN key. Alternatively, click the appropriate button as displayed in the options bar.

Baseline allows the user to create baseline dimensioning, parallel to the existing linear dimensioning. This function is described in the next section. Select the second point by typing in the coordinates or selecting with the cursor. Whenever possible use OSNAP.

The program will display the calculated dimension. This value can either be altered, or confirmed with RETURN. The user will not be asked to position the dimensioning line, as it will automatically be placed in line with the existing dimensioning.

> DIMSER
Select a dimension: P1
Series <continuous> RETURN
2nd Point: P2
Dimension text <2.50>: RETURN
Series <continuous>: RETURN
2nd Point: P2
Dimension text <2.50>: RETURN
…
ESC

By re-selecting the Continue option, it is possible to repeat the above steps for as many times as dimensions are required. The creation of additional dimensioning can be terminated by pressing the ESC key.


DIMCON
Continuing Dimensioning

  Command: DIMCON

Continuing dimensioning is a variation of linear dimensioning in which existing dimensioning is continued or extended. Here a second dimension is linked to an existing dimension so as to create a dimensioning chain. Continuing dimensions can only be created, when a drawing already contains an existing linear dimension which can be used as a basis for the chain.

A continuing dimension always inherits the same properties as the existing dimensioning. For this reason it is only possible to connect dimensioning of the same type. For instance, a new horizontal dimension can only be added or linked to an existing horizontal dimension.

A message will appear in the text window requesting the selection of an existing dimension. Select the desired dimension, taking care to place the selection cursor as close as possible to the point at which the continuing dimension is to be linked.

The dimensioning is based on two points of measurement. The starting point for the continuing dimension will be the point which lies closest to the selection point at the time the object is selected

Choose the second point by entering the relevant coordinates, or by selecting with the cursor. Whenever possible, employ the object -snap to- function.

The program will display the calculated dimension. This value can either be altered, or confirmed with RETURN. The user will not be asked to position the dimensioning line, as this will automatically be placed in line with the existing dimensioning.

> DIMCON
Select a dimension: P1
2nd Point: P2
Dimension text <2.50>: RETURN


DIMBAS
Baseline Dimensioning

  Command: DIMBAS

Baseline adds a second measurement line to the drawing, parallel to the already existing dimensioning lines. This allows the user to read the cumulative dimension between two end points, extending over a number of individual dimensions within a chain.

This type of dimensioning assumes that a form of linear dimensioning already exists. The appendixes dimension will inherit the same properties as the existing measurements.

With the cursor, mark the starting point of the dimensioning chain, taking care to utilize the same direction of measurement as laid down during the creation of the individual dimensions within the chain.

Select the second point to be used for the baseline dimension by entering the coordinates at the keyboard or with the cursor. Whenever possible enlist the help of OSNAP.

The program will display the calculated dimension.  This value can either be altered, or confirmed with RETURN. The user will not be asked to position the dimensioning line, as this second line will automatically be drawn at a given distance from the existing dimensioning lines.

> DIMBAS
Select a dimensioning line: P1
Second Point: P2
Dimensioning text <20.50>: Return


DIMUPD
Update Dimensioning

  Command: DIMUPD

After changing the current dimensioning style, all new dimensions will be created in line with the new criteria. Using the Update Dimension function it is possible to update all of the existing dimensions so that they comply with the new dimensioning style settings.

Using one of the object selection functions found in the options bar, mark or select the dimensions which are to be updated so as to reflect the new dimensioning style.

It is possible to update individual, group or all dimensions contained within a drawing at one time. Confirm the selection process by pressing RETURN. The marked dimensions will then be updated to conform to the new dimensioning style. The program will display a x dimensions found notice telling the user how many dimensions have been updated.

The following dialog examples will help to make the definition of dimensions more clear and elucidate the necessary selection process.

> DIMUPD
Select Dimension(s): Fence
First Fence point: P1
Endpoint of the line: P2
Endpoint of the line: P3
RETURN
Select Dimension(s): All
2 Dimensions found

or

> DIMUPD
Select Dimensions(s): All
Select Dimensions(s): RETURN
3 Dimensions found!


DIMTROT
Rotate Dimensioning Text

  Command: DIMTROT

Using this function, it is possible to rotate the dimensioning text of an dimension generated bevor.

After calling the function, first enter the rotation angle, then select the one or more dimensioning text objects. Press RETURN to finish the object selection. The selected dimensioning text will be rotated.


DIMTNEW
Modify Dimensioning Text Value

  Command: DIMTNEW

This command allows the user to edit and modify the dimensioning text value.

After calling the function, enter the new dimensioning text value. Select one or several dimensioning objects to be changend.

Press RETURN to close the object selection. The dimensioning text of the selected objects will be modified.


DIMTMOVE
Move Dimension Text

  Command: DIMTMOVE

This function allows the user to move the dimensioning text of existing dimensioning objects.

After calling the function, select a dimensioning object. Move the dimensioning text by "pointing" a new insertion point for the text object.

See also:

Undo Repositioning


DIMTHOME
Undo Repositioning

  Command: DIMTPOS

This command undoes the moving of the dimensioning text and returns it to the original position.

After calling the command, select the dimensioning objects, which dimensioning text was moved. Close the object selection by pressing RETURN.

See also:

Move Dimensioning Text


DIMOBL
Modify Dimension Orientation

  Command: DIMOBL

This function allows the user to modify the orientation of existing lineare dimensioning objects.

Call the command and enter the angle for the dimension orientation. Select one or several dimensions, to be modified in its orientation.


DIMTYPE
Dimensioning Styles

  Command: DIMTYPE

Dimensioning is controlled by the Dimensioning dialog box. To access the Dimensioning dialog box, type in the DIMTYPE command or, from the Detail menu, then DimensionType.

Use the style name, input and selection dialog to either store the current settings as a dimensioning style, or to select a pre-defined style as the default.

The buttons described below each open additional dialog windows in which individual dimensioning parameters can be defined.

Dialog Options

General Settings

Scale

Scale value enlarges or reduces the size of all dimensioning elements (apart from the dimension value itself) and allows the dimensioning elements to be scaled to suit the aspect ratio of the drawing.

Linear factor

Linear factor converts the measured drawing units into a dimension figure. The default value is 1.

Precision

Precision defines the number of decimal places to which the measurement will be carried.

Dim. Layer

The layer in which the dimensioning values are stored is identified by the name entered in the dimensioning layer selection field. Select the layer required or enter a new layer name.  It is prerequisite that the option has already been activated by clicking the appropriate control box. A check mark indicates the current status of the option.

Zero Suppression

The Zero suppression field decides the treatment of the display mode for zeroes.

Drag mode/ Associative

The last two control boxes activate or deactivate either the ”rubberband” mode and / or the associative character of the dimensioning.

Lines and Arrows

Extension lines are the lines which extend the object dimensions outside the perimeter of the measured object, assuming that dimensioning is to take place outside of these perimeter constraints. These lines, and the nature of the arrowheads to be used, are defined in the Dialog Box Lines and Arrows.

Lines

The fields in tyhis area decide the characteristics of the extension and dimension lines.

Extension Lines

This area defines the spacing required for the extension lines.

Distance allows the user to choose the space between the object and the point at which the extension lines begin. A value = 0 indicates that the lines will start directly on the object itself.

Extension dictates how far the extension lines should extend past the dimensioning line.

The control boxes marked Invisible can be used to suppress either one or both of the extension lines in the drawing.

Dimension Lines

Dimension lines either connect the object edges, or the extension lines of the object which is to be measured. The dimensioning text is written along this line.

Increment sets the spacing between successive dimensioning lines which use the same extension lines.

Extension allows the user to enter the measurement by which the extension lines should run past the dimensioning lines. This value can only be entered when the Slash option has been selected as the dimension arrow type.

The field Interior Lines or Always Interior Lines decides whether dimensioning lines should be allowed to extend past the extension lines.

Center Mark and Lines

This area defines the existence and size of a cross-mark indicating a circle center point. It also defines whether or not dashes or strokes should be added to the center point cross or not.

Arrows

This field allows the user to select the type of arrowhead to be used.

Blocks

This area describes the length of the arrow head. Only the size selection of this area is normally active. Block Name is active only when the arrow style selected is User. The size of the Block to be used is defined here.

Block Name

Active only when the arrow style selected is User, this field decides the Block Name. The name commonly in the field is ARROW.

Separate Blocks

This field either allows or suppresses the use of divided or separate arrow blocks. When activated, it is also possible to define which elements should be used at either end of the dimensioning line.

Tolerance and Alternative Dimensioning

The tolerance settings control the tolerance, both the maximum and minimum values, allowed. The control fields activate or deactivate the display of these elements. A check mark in either of the control windows shows the current status of the individual options.

Values for the positive or negative tolerance are entered in the field marked Values. These fields also enable the user to type in a line of text (String).

The Alternative mode options control the use of a second, alternative dimensioning method. This mode, when activated, will allow dual dimensioning in metric and imperial values.

Factor

The conversion factor between the two units of measurement can be entered in the factor field.

Decimals

The number of decimal places selected will appear in the decimal display.

Alternative string

Alternative string should contain a description or title of the second unit of measurement.

Dimension text

These dialog window fields determine the position and look (size, style, spacing) of the dimensioning text.

Text position, Text always horizontal, and Vertical text position

These fields serve to define the position of the text with respect to the dimension lines.

Dimension text style,  Dim text

These fields define the style and size of the text, and the distance separating text lines.

The prefix and suffix fields enable the user to type in a character string which will appear before or after the dimensioning text. For example, this field may be used to display the unit of measurement.

The < > character decides whether the character string will appear before or after the dimensioning text. For example, approx. <> ft. entered in this field would produce the following dimensioning : approx. 12 ft..

Colors

The dialog window allows colors to be assigned to the dimensioning lines, extension lines and dimensioning text (dimension value, alternative dimensioning, tolerances, limit values, unit of measurement etc.)

Select the appropriate element and allocate a color from the displayed selection box. 256 standard colors are available in addition to the BYLAYER and BYBLOCK options.


DIMSAVE
Save Dimensioning Style

Command: DIMSAVE

The DIMSAVE command allows the user to combine the individual settings or parameters and store them in a named dimensioning style. This facility enables the user to store and recall a number of different styles, each of which can be used for an individual working environment.

Architectural dimensioning, tolerance dimensioning or country and language specific options are examples of this (such as for individual units of measurement or labeling).

The use of pre-defined dimensioning styles removes the need to constantly change the dimensioning settings, simplifies the actual drawing procedure and in general makes the job of dimensioning easier.

It should be noted that dimensioning styles can only be stored together with the current drawing and are, therefore, only available for use from within that drawing. In order to use pre-defined dimensioning styles in other drawings, they should be created and stored in one of the template drawings, or loaded from a pre-defined prototype drawing.

Procedure for Saving

Select the command Modify Dimension from the menu Detail. From the palette, select the icon representing the Dialog Box Dimension. Enter the proper settings and values from this dialog box. In the first field in this box, name the dimensioning template with a descriptive name.

Before entering the name of a dimensioning style, it is possible to list the file names which have already been allocated. To do so type a question mark (?) in the input field and press RETURN.

Dimensioning style names may be up to 31 characters long and can consist of any alpha-numeric input except special symbols. Up to a maximum of two umlauts can be used in any one name, but these should be avoided if at all possible. No differentiation is made between upper and lower case characters as all entries are automatically converted to upper case.

Confirming the selected name will cause the dimensioning style to be stored.

In order to achieve a clearer overview, it is possible to list all of the file names which begin with a particular character chain by entering the chain at the input field. The wildcard pattern option * can also be used to substitute a complete character chain. When used in a search routine this will cause all of the existing file names to be listed. If the user wishes to search for specific dimensioning style files, type in the desired character chain followed by the * character. For example, ar* would result in a list of all files beginning with AR.

> DIMSAVE
Name of the dimensioning style or ? for a complete list: ?
List of dimensioning styles <*>: ar*
ARCHITECTURE01
ARCHITECTURE02

Listing the existing dimensioning styles will complete the save dimensioning style function. Pressing RETURN will restart the option and save the current dimensioning settings.

> DIMSAVE
Name of the dimensioning style, or ? for a complete list:
ARCHITECTURE03

See also:

DIMSTYLE


DIMREST
Reinstating a Dimensioning Style

Command: DIMREST

This function allows the user to reinstate a stored style file so that it can be reinstated as the current style. All of the stored style settings will be retrieved and used by the system for future dimensioning. Any dimensions which were created prior to the definition of the new style can also be updated (DIMUPD) so that they, too, adhere to the conventions of the new style settings.

This is done by using the DIMUPDATE command which is explained in the following section of the chapter.

Restoring a dimensioning style is achieved up by entering the DIMREST command.

The program will follow this command by displaying the name of the current dimensioning style in the text window. The user will then be requested to choose the dimensioning style which is to be used as the current default. The program options bar offers the user two methods by which to select the required dimensioning style.

either type in the name of the stored dimensioning style, remembering that the user can list all of the dimensioning styles already contained within the particular drawing; or

use the cursor to select the desired dimensioning style.

Select the Style by Typing the Name.

Enter the style name at the appropriate input field. By clicking the list button shown in the options bar the user can display all of the available dimensioning styles.

In order to achieve a clearer overview, it is possible to list all of the file names which begin with a particular character chain by entering the chain at the input field. The standard DOS default * can also be used to substitute a complete character chain.

When used in a search routine this will cause all of the existing file names to be listed. If the user wishes to search for specific dimensioning style files, type in the desired character chain followed by the * character. For example, ar* would result in a list of all files beginning with AR.

> DIMREST
Current dimensioning style: Architecture03
Name of the dimensioning style: List <?>
List dimensioning styles <*>: arch*
ARCHITECTUR01
ARCHITECTUR02
ARCHITECTUR03

Listing the existing dimensioning styles will complete the Save Dimensioning Style function. Pressing RETURN will restart the option and save the current dimensioning settings.

> DIMREST
Name of the dimensioning style: Architektur03

Selection by Pointing

After the program has displayed the current dimensioning style, choose the SELECT option field and choose the desired dimensioning style with the cursor. The program confirms the userr selection and verifies it by displaying the new dimensioning style in the text window.

> DIMREST
Current dimensioning style: Architecture
Name of the dimensioning style: Select
Select a dimension: P1
Current dimensioning style: Arch_Detail

See also:

DIMTYPE


Menu Part

   Part/Symbol

For detailed information, select one of the following items.

Part / Symbol Library	Insert part from library
Part Library Setup	Create or modify part library
Insert Part	Inserting internal or external parts
Edit Part Attributes...	Edit attribute infos of a part
Modify Part Attributes (one by one)	Modify attribute location / value
Define Part	Define part by selection
Write Part File	Write objects to external part file
Define Attribute	Define attribute of part
Modify Attribute Definition	Edit attribute definition
Externally Referenced Drawings	Attach and organize externally referenced drawings
Group	Entity grouping


Parts and Attributes

  Parts

A part is a complex object which consists of several drawing entities or objects. After an entity or group of entities is selected and defined as a Part, it is saved under a Part name and treated as one single entity for future operations.

Defining Internal Parts

External Parts

Inserting Parts

Exploding Parts

Part/Symbol Library

  Attributes

Attributes are, in general, text objects which are related to or joined to Parts.  They are treated together with the Part as a whole object.  The text objects may be constant, or variable.  They may be visible, or hidden.  There may be a single Attribute with a Part, or several.

Using Attributes, the parts can be further defined by textual information.

Defining Attributes

Inserting Parts with Attributes

Editing Attributes

Attribute Modification


Parts

Using Parts allows the user to create a drawing using existing entities. These entities, defined as Parts, may contain single objects, groups of objects, partial drawings or complete drawings, among other possibilities. The principle feature of these entities is that they are inserted into a drawing as a ”whole” entity, and not a group of single entities.

Often existing parts, construction groups or aggregates have only to be designed once.  A drawing can be created quickly using those parts.

Properties of Parts

A part is a complex object which consists of several drawing entities or objects. Examples of those objects can be:

- basic entities or objects, such as lines, circles, arcs, etc.;

- drawing entities or objects with hatches, dimensioning or details;

- complete drawings; and

- drawings already defined as Parts.

After an entity or group of entities is selected and defined as a Part, it is saved under a Part name and treated as one single entity for future operations.

Editing, Changing, and Deleting always will always effect the defined part as a whole. A special command allows a part to be dismantled (exploded) into its original components.

A part can be inserted in an existing drawing by selecting the command INSERT. This command will facilitate changes in the scale and the rotation angle so that the part may be ”fitted” to the current drawing. When the part is inserted into the drawing, all of its defined properties (layer, color, line type) will be inserted with it.

The part will be inserted on a layer, as it was defined. If the part contains another layer (for instance, if the part is a group of parts, each on its same layer) which does not exist in the current drawing, that (those) layer(s) will be created in the current drawing during the insertion of the part.  The exception to this rule is entities of a part that are situated on  Layer 0.  These entities will automatically be inserted on the current layer.

Internal and External Parts

Internal and external parts are treated differently with regard to storage location and with regard to relationship with the current drawing.

Internal Parts are parts which have been created and stored in the current drawing. They are internal to the current drawing.  they may be reused in the current drawing, but are not available for use in other drawings without an additional operation.

External Parts, on the other hand, are created and stored as separate drawing files. They may be used independent of the current drawing.  It is good management to ”group” these parts with functionally similar parts in a library, and name that library so that it may be used repeatedly.

By building these libraries, the user will facilitate her or his drawing tasks greatly.

Attributes

A part can be given Attributes.  Whereas the drawing of the part may adequately describe its physical outline or dimensions, Attributes are used to describe other physical characteristics.  A piece of lumber 2 inches by 4 inches by 8 feet, for instance, may be of redwood, or fir, or a hardwood.  This characteristic cannot be shown by the physical outline of the piece of lumber, but it can be described as an Attribute, and, if the piece of lumber is in a library as a part, that attribute can be carried with it into any drawing the user desires.

See also:

Defining Internal Parts

External Parts

Inserting Parts

Exploding Parts


Attributes

It is important to understand the procedures for working with Attributes. The attachment of Attributes to entities or parts can facilitate the drawing process, and help create a more meaningful drawing. It also helps set the stage for further design work using the drawing parameters, since Attributes can lend meaning to strengthen of materials calculations and other engineering requirements.

Attributes are, in general, text objects which are related to or joined to Parts. They are treated together with the Part as a whole object. The text objects may be constant, or variable. They may be visible, or hidden. There may be a single Attribute with a Part, or several.

Using Attributes, the parts can be further defined by textual information.  This information may be used to label Parts in the drawing, or may be used to contribute to a data base program for analysis later in the engineering process.

Attribute Data

The Name is the designation of the Attribute under which it is integrated in a part. Especially if a part contains more then one Attribute, the name is the most important criteria for the effective usage of the Attribute.

The Request is a component of the Attribute which can be displayed during the insertion of the Part in the command line area. Normally, the request contains the invitation to enter a variable Attribute value.

The Value is that portion of the Attribute which is written, together with the Part, into the drawing. It can be constant or variable, visible or transparent.

Parameters for an Attribute

The following parameters for an Attribute may be defined during the creation of the Attribute, and edited later in the design process.

- Insertion point

- Font options, specifically Font name, font height and font angle

- Reference point for insertion

- Visibility, whether visible or hidden

- Attribute value, whether constant or variable.

See also:

Defining Attributes

Inserting Parts containing Attributes

Editing Attributes


Command PARTLIB
Part / Symbol Library...

Command: PARTLIB

The command PARTLIB in the menu Parts allows the user to manage drawing files such as project drawings, template drawings, part files, or symbol files.

A library is defined by a parameter file (of file type .plb) and a set of drawing files assembled in a directory where the library parameter file is located.

The command PARTLIB called with the name of a parameter file (for example, c:\felixcad\drawing.plb) will display a dialog which allows you to select a drawing to be inserted. The advantage of the command is that it displays all drawings with a preview bitmap, with verbal information in a list box.

Within the dialog box the user will see the preview of the drawings and information about the drawing.

There are two modes for the list box:

 In Info Mode the drawings are displayed together with the verbal information.

 In Quick Mode the drawings are displayed only with their preview bitmap.

The other buttons of the dialog have the following functions:

 Close: Closes a dialog without further action

 File Info: Opens a dialog to display and to change the file information.

 Open: This opens the selected file as separate drawing.

 Insert: This button lets the user insert the drawing into your current drawing.

See also:

Setup and Manage Part Libraries

This section describes how to create PLB files to customize the PARTLIB command to personal needs.


Command PLBSETUP
Part Library Setup...

Command: PLBSETUP

The command PLBSETUP (Part Library Setup) allows the user to setup up new part libraries and/or modify existing part libraries.

The command provides dialog boxes that:

 select the drawing files to be included in a library;

 set preferences for part or symbol insertions from the library; and

 set the parameters which determine the layout and options of the part library Dialog Box.

PLBSETUP creates files of type .plb. These files store the parameters for a single part library. A part library is called by using the command PARTLIB, and then specifying the name of a .PLB file. No knowledge of structure or syntax of the .PLB format is required to use the PLBSETUP command.

Specifying the Drawing Files Belonging to a Part Library

The dialog box Part Library Setup allows the user to specify the drawing files to be incorporated into the individual library. He or she can only choose drawing files from one folder (directory). It is not necessary to include all of the drawings in a folder. This allows the user to maintain all of the drawings used for part or symbol insertions within one directory, and at the same time permits the creation of multiple ”thematically separated" libraries.

To add drawings to the current library highlight the file names in the left side file list of the dialog box and then click to the button > to insert them to the file list making up the library. The buttons ( <, > ) permit removal of drawing files from the list of part library files. When only one specific file is selected from either of the list boxes, the preview image of the drawing will be displayed in the Preview Area. The buttons >> and. << allow the user to easily move file names from one list to the other.

Insertion Parameters

It is possible to pre-define insertion parameters for the files added to a library. Select one, more than one, or all entries from the list of the library files and then select Modify. Next, activate the option Activate insertion parameters and enter the default values of the Scale Factor and the Rotation Angle for insertion.

Part Library Dialog Box Layout and Options

Using the Part Library Options dialog box, the user can determine the layout and the available buttons and options of the dialog box which comes up when calling this individual library with the PARTLIB command:

The edit box Title allows the user to enter a name for the dialog box of the part library.

Preferences for the Preview List

Preview List Style lets the user specify whether the part library Dialog Box should start up with a single column or multi column style of the list showing the drawing previews)

Sort by... helps the user determine whether the drawing preview list should be sorted by name (usually determined for part libraries) or by date (usually determined for project libraries).

Buttons assists the user in deciding options provided in the Dialog Box for a specific Part Library.

Open allows the user to open a selected drawing for modification.

Insert allows the user to insert a selected drawing into the current drawing as part.

Explode allows the user to specify whether the part should be inserted as complex object (block), or exploded (broken down to single entities).

Info allows the user to open the Drawing Information sub-dialog of the specific library.

Set "Explode" mode as default sets the preference (activated/deactivated) for the mode of the button Explode.

Allow drawing info editing specifies whether the user may alter drawing file information stored with the drawing database.

Enable preview list style switch determines whether the library Dialog Box should contain the Quick Mode / Extended Mode button, which, in turn, allows the user to toggle between single column and multi column style in the file preview list.

Use default info tags determines whether default info tags (Project, Name, Drawing No., Draftsman, Notes) or user defined info tags are used when drawing information is displaced in the Drawing Information Dialog Box of the PARTLIB command.

Modify, in the preferences area, allows the user to determine individual tags for the file info fields used in the specific library (for example; manufacturer, price, etc. in a library managing purchased parts).

See also:

Part /Symbol Libraries


Insert part
Insert Part ...

  Commands: INSERT, QINSERT

The command INSERT offers broad support for the user in its Dialog Box. The command QINSERT is the command line version of the command. The command macro QINSERT ? allows fast insertion of internal parts (parts already defined in the drawing).

The command INSERT provides selection areas for:

 selection of external parts;

 definition of the insertion point, scale factors, and rotation angle, with future choices of using coordinate/ numeric input or cursor selection;

 all parameter values may be reset; and

 the Part may be ”exploded” into its components.

Selecting a Part

To select the Part to be inserted, type the name of the Part (or select an existing Part) in the field Part Name. Use the buttons External and Internal to select the correct Part listing.

Defining the Insertion Point

Defining of the Insertion Point either by entering the proper coordinate values, or by selecting Interactive, and ”picking” the point with the cursor.

Scale Factor

The Scale Factor input areas will offer the 1.0 as the default XYZ scale factor. This will insert a part at its original size. Remember that a scale factor greater than 1.0 will increase the size of the part, and a factor less than 1.0 will reduce the size of the part to the percentage of the original size specified by the Factor.

The option Interactive allows the user to define the size of the Part during the insertion as well. To insert the Part using the Interactive option, simply define by opposite corners the rectangle into which the Part is to fit.

Since dragmode is active during this operation, the user will have the benefit of seeing the selection results before confirming the selection.

Rotation Angle

The Rotation Angle can be set from the Dialog Box. Enter a value for the Rotation Angle in the proper input window. For counter-clockwise rotation enter a positive value, for clockwise rotation enter a negative value between 0 and 360 degrees

Default

Default allows the user to reset the parameters for the Insertion Point, the Scaling Factor and the Rotation Angle back to the original parameter values.

Exploded

Exploded allows the user to ”explode” the part into its component entities. Exploding will cause the loss of the characteristics that were retained as a part.


Inserting Parts containing Attributes

The insertion internal or external parts which include Attributes is done the same as inserting parts without Attributes. If variable Attribute values are used the request for input of Attribute text is added.

Enter the desired Attribute value in the command line area and confirm the input or confirm a possible parameter value by pressing RETURN. If the part contains several variable Attributes, repeat the input of Attribute value the required number of times. The part will be inserted in the specified position.

See also:

Insert Parts


Edit part attributes
Edit Part Attributs...

  Command: ATTXEDIT

If only the Attribute values shall be changed, please use the command ATTXEDIT or call the function Edit Part Attributs... from the menu Part.

After the calling of the command you will be requested in the command line area to select the part of which the Attributes shall be edited. For this it is enough to click the desired part with the cursor at any spot. You can always select only one part.

After the selection of the part the program calls a dialog box.

In the window the Requests (left) and the current Values (right) of the Attributes included in the selected part are listed. Select the Attribute value to be changed. The selected value is transferred to the editing field (below) and can be edited.

See also:

Modify Part Attributs


Modify part attributes
Modify Part Attributes...

  Command: ATTEDIT

Enter the command ATTEDIT in the command line area or select Modify Attributes... from the Part menu.

The first prompt will request that the part be selected. Make this selection either by naming the part, or by selecting the part with the cursor.

After the part selection, a dialog box will appear. The editing process from this point is very similar to the procedure followed in the creation of an Attribute, except that the name is now displayed, and cannot be changed.

If a part contains several Attributes, individual Attribute values can be displayed in the input field Value using these external. Clicking the right double arrow will display the next Attribute, while clicking the left double arrow will display the previous Attribute is displayed. Which Attribute can at this moment be edited results from the name display above the input field.

See also:

Edit Part Attribute


Define part
Define Parts...

  Command: PARTDEF

Select the function Define Part... from the menu Part, or enter the command PARTDEF via the keyboard.

Part Name

Names of parts can contain up to 31 characters. In addition to letters and numbers the special characters $, - , and _ are allowed. The box is not case-sensitive.

Enter the name of the part in the input field of the Dialog Box. Existing Parts are listed in the selection window below. If one of those parts is required, select the part from the Selection Window using the cursor.

If there are parts of the same name already in the selection box, a message will appear so stating. The message will give the user the option of choosing a new name, or of re-defining the existing part.

The user may also, in this Dialog Box, elect to delete the part in the original drawing. The appropriate box should be checked to exercise this function.

After this choice has been made, verify the selections of the Dialog Box by OK. the Box will close, and the part will have been created.

Insertion point

Each part must have a defined insertion point.

The insertion point is a reference point that enables the user to position the part properly during insertion. The insertion point of a part is also the basepoint for changing the scale, or for use as a rotating point for rotation during the insertion.

Any point on - or even off of - the part may be selected as the insertion point. Typically, users will select the left lower edge, the center of an object, or some other discreet point of the geometry as the insertion point. It is a good idea to use the Object Snap options for this selection, as it insures precision.

Object selecting

Next, the user must select the object or objects that will make up this part. To do this, the Option Bar furnishes several options. After selection, confirm by pressing.


Write part file
Write Part File ...

Command: PARTEXP

Write Part File... works identically to the function Part Definition... (Command PARTDEF) but is used to export parts.

Both functions serve to define entities of a drawing or to define the whole drawing as a part. The part names, the insertion point of the part and/ or the drawing entities are defined or selected.


Command ATTDEF
Define Attribute...

  Command: ATTDEF

Attributes are, in general, text objects which are related to, or joined to, Parts. They are treated together with the Part as a whole object. The text objects may be constant, or variable. They may be visible, or hidden. There may be a single Attribute with a Part, or several.

Using Attributes, the parts can be further defined by textual information. This information may be used to label Parts in the drawing, or may be used to contribute to a data base program for analysis later in the engineering process.

An Attribute consists mainly of three components; its name; its request; and the value. There are also a series of options which can be elected during the creation of an Attribute.

The Name is the designation of the Attribute under which it is integrated in a part. Especially if a part contains more then one Attribute, the name is the most important criteria for the effective usage of the Attribute.

The Request is a component of the Attribute which can be displayed during the insertion of the Part in the command line area. Normally, the request contains the invitation to enter a variable Attribute value.

The Value is that portion of the Attribute which is written, together with the Part, into the drawing. It can be constant or variable, visible or transparent.

The following parameters for an Attribute may be defined during the creation of the Attribute, and edited later in the design process.

Insertion point;
Font options, specifically Font name, font height and font angle;
Reference point for insertion;
Visibility, whether visible or hidden; and
Attribute value, whether constant or variable.

Dialog Options

Attribute Name

Enter the name of the Attribute in the input field. This is the name that the Attribute will carry as it is joined to the Part, so it is important to use as descriptive a name as possible. When a part contains several Attributes, the name is an important criteria for effective use of the Attribute. An Attribute name can consist of up to 31 characters, including the special characters _ (Under line) and $ (Dollar).

Request

The Request is a textual component of the Attribute which can be displayed during the insertion of the Part in the command line area. Normally the Request contains an invitation to enter a variable Attribute value.

Request can consist of up to 256 possible characters. Blanks and special characters are allowed.

The user may enter in this input field, for instance, ”Enter norm term”. This would be a variable. A typical answer to Request would be to enter information like ”Schedule 40 steel pipe”.

The answer to Request is interpreted as an Attribute value and as such inserted in the drawing (see below).

Occasionally the entering of a request can be omitted. This would be the case especially when the part is using a constant Attribute value (see below).

Value

The Value is that component of the Attribute which is written, with the Part, into the drawing. It serves as a designation of the Part and contains information to be analyzed. Its content is determined either by the input in the input window Value or by the answer to Request (see above). An Attribute Value can consist of up to 256 possible characters. Blanks and special characters are allowed.

Insertion Point

There are two options in defining this point in the Dialog Box; the entry of absolute coordinate values in the X, Y, and Z axes, or Interactive.

Interactive allows the user to define the Insertion Point by the cursor. By filling the control box marked Interactive, the user can exercise this option. The advantage to this option is that Dragmode is active as well, offering a preview of the positioning.

Text Options

With the help of the text options the user may determine the height (font size), the rotation and the Font style of the Attribute text.

Define the font size by the input field Height. Enter the desired text height in drawing units, not in text points.

Via the input field Angle, specify the insertion angle of the Attribute value. For an counter-clockwise rotation enter a positive value, for a clockwise rotation enter a negative value, between 0 and 360 degrees.

A selection window is available to define the Font style. A list of the available fonts is displayed. Select the desired Font style.

Reference Point

The Reference Point determines the position and alignment of the text object in relation to the Insertion Point of the Attribute. To this end, a Reference Point is defined on the text object. During insertion, this point will be coordinated with the Insertion Point.

If the reference point, for instance, is the lower left corner of the text object, then the text will run from the Insertion Point to the right, and the lower edge of the text will be located at the height of the Insertion Point.

In total there are twelve Reference Points available. Select one of them with the cursor. The Reference Points represent the initials of the position on the text object. BL, for instance, represents Bottom Left, while UR represents Upper Right. Center positions are available as well.

Align

Text objects may be rotated or scaled during the process of insertion by using the function Align. Determination of a rotation angle as well as a scaling factor is made by indicating two points in the drawing using the cursor.

Activate the option Align by filling the circle marked ”Align”. Activating this option will remove the options Insertion Point, Height, Angle, and Reference Point. Align requires that the user pick two points on the drawing. The text object will be placed left justified on this baseline.

Confirm the use of the option Align after the input of the string by clicking OK.

Then simply follow the prompts for a first point, then a second point. The first point is interpreted as the Insertion Point, the second point sets the angle of insertion. The second point will also determine a scaling factor, which will, in turn, determine the text height.

Fit

Fit enables the user to rotate and expand a text object during the insertion. The text object is not scaled, so the text height remains unchanged, but the text string is expanded or compressed as required by the Fit. The procedure for this option is:

Activate Fit by clicking the panel with this name at the lower left side of the dialog window Text. The options Insertion Point, Angle and Reference Point will not be available. The parameters required for Fit are two points which must be defined during the inserting of the text object. The reference point of the text object is automatically positioned left justified on the basis line;

Answer the prompt for ”first point”. This point is interpreted by the program as the Insertion Point. It is also the point of rotation for the rotation angle and the first point for the expansion factor; then

Indicate the second point. This will determine the rotation angle and expansion factor , and set the text height.

Center

Center allows fast insertion of a text object with the vertical and horizontal alignment centered. Text height and rotation angle may be specified in the normal fashion.

Flags

Visibility

Invisible is a switch panel that controls the visibility of the Attribute Value. A cross in the control box displays active status of the option.

If Invisible is activated, the Attribute Value will not be displayed during the insertion of the Attribute in the drawing. this is the option to choose if the Attribute contains information to be analyzed later that does not have to be displayed on the drawing.

It is also convenient to use this option when there are so many Attributes that to show them all would make the drawing to ”busy”, confusing the drawing.

Constant

This switch panel is used for switching between constant and variable Attribute values (see above). A cross in the control box displays the active status of the option.

With Constant activated, the text entered in the Value field will be written as a constant Attribute Value in the drawing. There will be no opportunity to insert any variable data.

With Constant de-activated, the request at the command line to insert variable Attribute Values will appear.

Preselect

The Preselect mode allows the user to create Attributes that accept their default values.

With Preselect active, Attribute Values are not requested. The Preselect mode is the most flexible mode, since the mode allows the user to edit preselected Attribute Values after insertion by using the editing commands.

Verify the entries by OK switch or by pressing RETURN. The Attribute will be inserted as specified.


Command ATTDEDIT
Edit Attribute Definition...

Command: ATTDEDIT

You can modify an existing attribute definition by using the ATTDEDIT command. Select an attribute definition in the drawing. Immediately a dialog box is displayed which is similar to the dialog to create attribute definitions.

If the check box labeled Interactive is marked, you will be prompted to relocate the attribute definition when exiting the dialog. Otherwise you can change the insertion point coordinates in the dialog box, if desired.

> ATTDEDIT
Select a attribute definition:
    <Dialog box appears to edit attribute definition parameters>
Insertion point:

Hint: ATTDEDIT makes it easy to create several similar attribute definitions. Just copy a master attribute definition and then edit the name and request parameters with the ATTDEDIT dialog.

See also:

ATTDEF


Command XLINK
Externally Referenced Drawings

Command: XLINK

Externally Referenced Drawings serve especially to

 create assembly drawings from different files

 insert detail drawings into a finished one

 temporarily reference another drawing in the current drawing

Often, the biggest benefit of using externally referenced drawings is given within a running project with a workgroup creating several drawings and details in a network.

Another advantage is that within the current drawing only a link to a referenced drawing is stored but not the entire entity and symbol database information of the referenced file.

In several situations, the usage of externally referenced drawings is more convenient and applicable then inserting external parts into the current drawing as blocks.

XLINK command: Control externally referenced drawings

The XLINK command allows to create a link to an external drawing and to control externally referenced drawings (also called Xrefs) in the current drawing.

Differences to Part Insertions

Although the treatment of linked drawings is basically similar to those of part insertions (block insertions), the some fundamental differences are:

A Xref establishes a link to another drawing file, but it does not become a permanent part of the current drawing.

Dependent Symbols

When attaching an external file, those symbol tables are loaded into current drawing, which are required to display the referenced coincident to its original: layers, linetypes, text styles, dimension styles, and block definitions.

The program utilizes the following sheme to name dependent symbols in the current drawing:

         Logical_Xref_Name| Dependent_Symbol_Name

For example, the layer names of an externally referenced drawing attached with the logical name SHAFT are listed as:

        SHAFT|CONSTRUCTION

        SHAFT|DETAILS

        SHAFT|DIMENSION

Other dependent symbol table entries like linetypes or blocks will carry the same naming convention.

Note, that you cannot redefine or rename dependent symbols. Also, dependent blocks cannot be inserted and a dependent layer cannot be made the current layer.

But the dependent symbol conventions allow you to control the visiblity, the colors, and the lintypes of externally referenced drawings. The layer dialog box displays the names of the dependent layers and you can apply the options On/Off, Thaw/Freese, Linetype, and Color on them.

The logical name prefix makes it easy to distinguish the dependent layers from the layers originally defined in the current drawing.

To keep the visibility and displayy settings over subsequent sessions, make sure to set the system variable VISRETAIN to 1. By default VISRETAIN is set to a value of 0, which means that visibility and display modifications made to the dependent layers are not maintained when you leave the current drawing.

The Dialog Box Externally Referenced Drawings

The dialog box displays a list box and a column of option buttons.

The list box displays the following information on externally referenced drawing files which have been inserted into the current drawing

1. the logical name assigned to it when the file was attached, and

2. the path and filename of the referenced drawing

The options available to manage externally referenced drawings are provided in a column of buttons:

Attach	Insert an external drawing file into the drawing as block
Reload	Update externally referenced drawing to display its current state
Path	Relocate/redirect or alter source of the referenced file
Bind	Transform an externally referenced drawing to an ordinary block in the drawing
Detach	Delete an externally referenced drawing from the current drawing and erase the dependent symbols from the drawing database tables
These options are described in detail in the following sections.

Attach

The Attach option allows you to insert an external drawing as a block to the current drawing.

To attach (set up a link and insert the contents) to an external drawing file:

1. The standard file dialog box allows you to specify the drawing you want to attach to the current drawing.

2. Within the dialog box Attach External Drawing, a unique Logical Name (block name) needs to be determined for the associated referenced file. The program suggests to use the name of the file. However, in many cases it is recommended to use a short logical name, because the logical name will be used as prefix for the names of dependant symbol names for layers, linetypes, etc.

3. The other options of the dialog box let you specify preferences for the insertion and are identical to those found in the dialog box of the INSERT command (insertion point, scale factor, and rotation angle), as described above in this chapter.

The drawing attached is based on the most recently saved version of the drawing file.

Reload

The option Reload allows you to update and external reference any time during a current drawing session. Any Reload reflects any subsequent modification made to the external file.

Note, that when you open a drawing which contains externally referenced drawings, these are displayed automatically in their current state. When working on a project in a workgroup over a network, it might be neccessary to update one or more external references while you are working on a current drawing. The program will reload the specified drawing(s) in the shape as they have been saved most recently.

To reload externally referenced drawings in a current drawing session,

1. select the external reference to be updated from the list box

2. click the Reload button

Path (Relocate or alter source of the referenced file)

Occasionally the storage location of an externally referenced drawing might have been changed or the referenced file has been renamed. Also, if might happen that, when sending the project files including referenced drawings to someone else, the path to the referenced files needs to be updated.

In such a situation the option Path of the dialog box allows you to re-establish the path to the referenced drawing, to reload a renamed referenced file, or to replace an referenced drawing by another file.

To edit or relocate the path to a previously linked reference drawing,

1. select the external reference to be relocated from the list box

2. click the Path button

From now on, the link to the referenced file will be maintained as specified and the data of the referenced file will be updated from that source.

Bind

In certain situations it is useful to make an externally referenced drawing a permanent part of a drawing, for example when you need to send the drawing to someone else or if it has been finalized and is going to be archived. Binding the referenced drawing to the current drawing has the advantage that there is no need to gather an assembly of drawings within an archive or mail.

The option Bind of the XLINK command allows you to transform an externally referenced drawing to an ordinary block in the drawing. Once you bind an externally referenced drawing, the link to it is broken and you will no longer see any modifications made in the original referenced file.

Bind also incorporates the layers, linetype definintion, text styles, and dimension styles into the current drawing. Within each corresponding dependent symbol name, the vertical bar symbol (|) is replaced by a new three character symbol $n$, where n is a number which is usually 0. For example, the layer name HOUSE|BASEMENT will be altered to HOUSE$0$BASEMENT.

To bind one or more external references to the current drawing,

1. select the corresponding entries in the list box of the dialog box

2. click the Bind button

Detach

Externally referenced drawings which are not needed any longer in the current drawing can be removed from the base drawing with the Detach option. This will remove all of its dependent layer, linetype, and block references as well.

Note: Although you can erase an externally referenced drawing with the DELETE command, it is recommended to use the Detach option of the XLINK command, as this operation will also remove the Block definition from the drawing database.

To remove one or more external references from the current drawing,

1. select the corresponding entries in the list box of the dialog box

2. click the Detach button

Open

As the Multiple Document Interface allows you to display up to four drawings on the desktop, the option Open of the dialog box allows you to open an externally referenced drawing simultanously on the CAD desktop. This allows you to modify a referenced drawing, for example, if you have detected discrepancies or inconsistencies in the linked drawing which needs to be fixed.

To open a referenced drawing in another drawing window (viewport),

1. select the external reference you want to open from the list box

2. click to the Open button

Once you have modified a referenced drawing, save the drawing (and, if the modification has been finished, close it). To display the revised external reference in the master drawing, call the command XLINK and reload the corresponding file (see above: Reload).

Insert

The option Insert allows to insert another copy of the Xref choosen from the list box into the current drawing. You may then define the insertion point, the scale factor and the rotation angle for that additional instance of the external drawing in the current drawing.

You can move, scale, rotate, and copy externally referenced drawings. But, you cannot explode an external reference.

Note:

You should not remove a Xref from the current drawing with the DELETE command, because it does not purge the Xref block definition from the drawing database and the associated symbols will be maintained. To remove an external reference correctly from the current drawing, it is recommended to use the Detach option of the XLINK command.

The Insert option, however, can serve to reinsert an external reference which accidently has been deleted.

See also:

XINSERT


Command GROUP
Grouping Entities

Command: GROUP

Drawing entities can be combined in Groups. Grouping entities allows the user to manipulate all entities within the Group in a single operation (Moving, Rotating, Mirroring, or Scaling, for example).  Single entities of a Group may still be edited individually (for example, intersecting or stretching).  Entities may be removed or added to a Group at any time. An object may be a member of more than one Group. Groups may be contained in other Groups. Group definitions are stored in a distinct table of the drawing database.  Groups are maintained in this fashion from one drawing session to the other.

Differences Between ‘Parts’ and ‘Groups’

A Part (a block) has its own insertion point.  A Group has none. A Part can occur multiple times within the drawing. If a block is redefined, all of its occurrences are updated. Groups are not treated like that. Groups can, however, be copied. A Group that originates from another Group that has been copied is a separate union of entities. Each Group has a unique name.

Note: If an entity which is member of a Group is included in a part definition, the entity is deleted from the drawing and removed from the Group.

The Command GROUP

To group entities, or to manage and manipulate Groups, use the command GROUP. The options within the command are:

Create	Brings entities into a newly named Group
Explode	Abolishes a Group definition
Rename	Alters the name of an existing Group, especially of anonymous groups
Add	Adds drawing objects to an existing Group
Remove	Removes drawing objects from a Group
Selectable	Determines whether a Group is selectable or not
Creating Groups

To create a group, first determine a unique name. The name will be required to identify the group later for a number of command options. In addition, specify whether the group should be selectable or not (see below).

To define a new group,

1. call the command GROUP with option Create,

2. specify a unique group name (max. 31 characters),

3. if desired, enter a description (max. 64 characters),

4. determine whether the group should be selectable or not (the default is Yes), and

5. select the drawing objects, which should belong to the named group.

To create a group using Command Line:

> GROUP
Select option: Create
Group name: G1
Description: Screw
Should the group be selectable (Yes/No)? Yes
Select objects: Select the entities which should belong to the group

Exploding Groups

Group definitions may he abolished by using option Explode of the GROUP command.  When a group definition is dissolved the corresponding entry in the group table is deleted in the drawing database.

The only way to abolish a group definition is by abolishing its name.

To explode a group,

1.	choose the command GROUP with its option Explode,

2.	at the prompt "Group name: " enter the name of the group, to be exploded.

Because a single entity may belong to multiple groups and groups may be part of other groups, the Explode option does not allow the user to pick an entity within a group to explode the group.

Renaming Groups

The name of a group may be changed by using the GROUP command Rename. It is useful to employ this method when ”anonymous” groups that have been created by copy commands exist. The system will automatically apply anonymous names to copies group (**A1, **A2, etc.) which exist through the use of one of the commands like COPY, MIRROR, or ARRAY.

To rename a group,

1. call the command GROUP with its option Rename;

2. at the prompt "Current group name: " enter the name of the group (for example "*A0");

3. at the prompt "New group name: " enter the name of the specified group (for example "Screw_Copy1")

Add / Remove Entities

Two other options of the command GROUP are provided to allow the user to integrate additional entities into an existing group or to remove entities which are currently in the group.

After a group name is specified, the entities which belong to the group are highlighted.

 To add entities to an existing group, simply ‘pick’ the entities that are to be added (they will not be highlighted).

 To remove entities from an existing group, ‘pick’ the highlighted entities that are to be removed

Note:  Should all entities be deleted from a group, remember that the group will still exist as long as it has a name!

Working with Groups

Editing commands will treat all entities in a group as a single object.  Commands like MOVE, ROTATE, or COPY will act on the entire group.

If the user should select an object for one of these commands at the prompt, that selection will lead to the automatic selection of all  group entities.

A typical prompt of a command like this would be:

Select objects:

The rule is: In commands which allow  multiple selection, identifying a single entity of a group is a selection of all entities belonging to the group(s). When the user is prompted to select multiple objects, he or she may choose the object selection option Group from the options bar, and enter a group name to select all of the entities belonging to the group.  Groups, therefore, can also be named selection sets.

Other MODIFY commands (Offset, Lengthen, Intersect, Trim, etc.) request a single entity in one or more steps (usually to modify the geometry of drawing entities). A typical prompt for a command like this would be:

Select entity (Line, Circle, Arc, 2D-Polyline):

In this case single selection is being used. Any time the user is prompted to select a single entity, the group does not matter. These commands modify the geometry of single selected entities even though those entities belong to a group. The modified entities will remain members of the group. This feature makes allows great flexibility in working with GROUPS and provides significant advantages for the user compared to using BLOCKS.

The following table summarizes the editing commands and describes how entities which are member of a group will be processed when using each command.

DELETE

Selecting a single entity will select all entities of the group, unless the Object Selection Mode Single has been used. When a single entity of a group is deleted, the entity is removed from the group definition.

MOVE, ROTATE, SCALE, FLIP

Selecting a single entity will select all entities of the group, unless the Object Selection Mode Single has been used.

MIRROR, COPY, ARRAY

Selecting a single entity will select all entities of the group, unless the Object Selection Mode Single has been used.  The system will apply anonymous names to copied groups ("*A1", "*A2", etc.) that are created by the use of these commands.

STRETCH

Those entities belonging to a group which have been selected using the object selection modes Crossing or Cpolygon will be stretched.

TRIM, EXPAND

The prompt to ”Select cutting edges” or ”...boundary edges” will include all entities of a group, unless the Object Selection Mode Single has been used.

OFFSET, FILLET, CHAMFER, LENGTHEN, INTERSECT

These commands always prompt the user to select a single entity to be modified. That an entity belongs to a group does not matter in these operations.  Single entities altered by these commands will remain in the group.  If new entities originate from these commands they will not be automatically included in the group.

DELPARTIAL, REJOIN

When an entity (line, circle, arc or 2D-Polyline) is broken into two or more entities by partial deletion, only one of the entities will remain in the group. When an entity which has been broken into two or more pieces is rejoined, the newly created entity is no longer member of any group, even if one or  more of the pieces was part of a group.

PARTDEF, HATCH, HATCHEDIT

Selecting a single entity will select all entities of the group, unless the Object Selection Mode Single has been used. This also applies to the command HATCHEDIT when the user is prompted to select additional objects: to be included to the set of entities for associative hatch editing.

TEXTEDIT

The text entity retains its association to its group if the command TEXTEDIT is used to modified text.


Command XINSERT
Attach an external drawing file to the current drawing

Command: XINSERT

The command XINSERT is processed similar to the XLINKcommand applied with the Attach option. The command is provided for convenience, allowing directly to attach an external drawing to the current drawing.

See also:

XLINK


Command DINSERT
Preload Parts

Command: DINSERT

The command PINSERT incorporates an external block into the current drawing without creating an instance of the block in the drawing. This variant can be seen as discrete insertion.

The main purpose of this command is

 to preload parts (blocks) for later use

 to load table definitions defined in a template drawing (layers, linetypes, text styles, dimension styles, etc.)

The only request of the command is to specify the file name of the external part be be brought in, but not actually be inserted into the drawing. Only the symbol tables will be enhanced by those (additional) entries found in the descrete inserted drawing.

This command is provided especially to be used in the programming interfaces.

See also:

INSERT


Menu Options

   Options

For detailed information, select one of the following items.

Settings...	Preferences and Modes
Layer Manager...	Layer organization and modes
Set Layer...	Direct layer setting
Layer by Reference	Set layer by selecting reference entity
Set Linetype...	Set linetype
Load Line Types...	Load Linetype(s)
Set Color...	Set color
Set Thickness...	Set object extrusion thickness
Drawing with Precision...	Set snap, grid, object snap, etc
Drawing Setup Parameters...	Set up unit system and decimal places


Command SETTINGS
Settings

Command: SETTINGS

The command SETTINGS, which can be selected from the Options pull-down menu or by keyboarding Settings, is the main command to set the parameters and modes of the drawing environment.

PRECPAR

DRAWMODE

EDITPAR

VIEWPAR


Quick Layer Setting
Quick Layer Setting...

Command: SETLAYER

This function allows the user to switch the active layer. It is not possible to create a new layer or to change any characteristics of the existing layer through the selection of this button. These changes must be made in the fashion described above in Layer Control.

The letters in front of the layer names show the status of the characteristics visibility, access, and thawing/freezing. They have the following meaning:

•	ON = On (Visibility)
OFF = OFF (Visibility)

•	U = Unlocked (Access)
L = Locked (Access)
T = Thawed (Thawing/Freezing)

A frozen layer cannot become the active layer, so that choice will not appear for the current layer.

Highlight a layer in the list with the cursor and verify your choice by clicking on OK.

See also:

Layer Manager


Change Linetype
Change the Linetype...

Command: SETLINETYPE

For reasons of clarity, the user may want to draw different objects with different linetypes than the one marked BYLAYER.

Remember that a new linetype has to be chosen before drawing a new object.

To change the linetype of an object afterwards use the command PROPEDIT (Property edit).

To change the linetype, select the button ”Linetype...” in the symbol panel.

The dialog that opens now is the same as the function Layer Control.

1. Select the field ”Linetype...” in the vertical control panel;

2. Choose a linetype from the list;

3. Verify the choice by clicking on OK.

See also:

Load Linetypes...


Load Linetype
Load Linetype(s)...

Command: LINETYPE

LINETYPE allows the user to choose the lintype that will be displayed on the segment of the drawing that is currently active, and only on that segment.

Linetypes that were loaded with the drawing model are available in the present drawing.

Again, the linetype chosen with this option will not become the active linetype for all further drawings. It will only be added to the list of linetypes that are available.

In the dialog Open Linetype File the file filter has already been programmed to be .lin.

The dialog box Linetype will open. Choose the linetype(s) and verify the choice with OK.

Linetypes that were loaded with a drawing will be saved along with the drawing so as to be available at a later time.


Set Color
Quick Color Setting...

Command: SETCOLOR

With the SETCOLOR command the user can define a line color that changes the layer definition.


Set Thickness
Thickness

Command: THICKNESS

By applying the Thickness property to drawing entities, you can create a three-dimensional effect of certain entities. Such extrusion of entities creates the illusion of depth.

Thickness is displayed with the following objects:

  Line

  Arc

  Circle

  2D-Polylines

  2DFace

The Thickness property is also displayed, if the entities listed above are drawn with a dash-dot pattern or if these are wide polylines.

As commands like NGON, RECTANGLE, ELLIPSE, RING, or CHAIN create 2D-polylines, Thickness setting is applied them.

Thickness can also be assigned to other drawing objects (3D-polylines, 3D-faces, text, attributes, attribute-definitions, block insertions, dimensions, hatchings, ...), but the program will not display the extrusion of those objects.

To set a current preference for subsequent drawing, set the THICKNESS system variable. Type in the system variable name and enter a numeric value. To turn off applying Thickness for further drawing, type in THICKNESS and set the value to zero.

To alter the Thickness of drawing object, use the PROPEDIT command.

Applying Object Selection and Object Snap on extruded entities

When selecting entities which are displayed with extrusion thickness or when snapping to them, keep these two rules in mind:

  Object Selection: When you are requested to select objects, the program will recognize picking extrusion lines as if the base entity has been selected.

  Object Snap: When you snap to extrusion line of entities that have a thickness, the program will find the appropriate point of the base entity.

Treatment of extruded objects in Rendering and Hidden Line Removal

Objects that have a thickness are recognized in the Render and Hidden Line Removal commands (ARENDER, RENDER, HIDE, FHIDE).


Precision Aids Parameters

Command: PRECPAR

   The precision aids can be controlled by the common dialog box, which is activated by clicking this button in the vertical control panel. The dialog box allows to switch on and off the individual drawing precision functions.

Grid Display

Activate or de-activate the grid by clicking the check window on the upper left in the box Grid Spacing. A cross in this check box indicates the grid display is active.

In the input area Factor enter the value that defines the relation of the grid points to the snap grid. Alternatively, the user can specify a predefined value by clicking available buttons.

Snap Grid

Activate or de-activate Snap Grid by clicking the check box on the upper left side in the area Snap Grid. A cross in the check box signals that the snap grid is switched on. From the dialog box, select the input fields Width and Height, and enter values for the horizontal and vertical distances between the points of the snap grid. Units of measurement for these values are, again, drawing units. The value 1.00 represents the distance of one drawing unit.

Using the palette button ( = ) for the value Width enables the user to choose a vertical value equal to the horizontal value.

The input fields marked ”Origin” in this box enable the user to define the origin of the snap grid on the X and the Y-axis. The desired coordinates for the origin should always be entered.

Sample

Orthogonal Mode

Activate or de-activate Orthogonal Mode by clicking the check box.

ORTHOGONAL MODE: Drawing and Modifying Objects

Object Snap

Using the dialog box Precision Aids, individual modes of the object snap function can be permanently activated (running object snap mode).

For this purpose use the control window for the desired mode. A cross in the control window indicates that the mode is active. Clicking the switch OFF will de-activate all of the object snap modes.

If several object snap modes are to be permanently activated, the user can differentiate between the modes by the selected point of a object. For example, if the modes ”Endpoint” and ”Intersection” are activated, then if the point selected on the entity is nearest an end point, that will be selected. If it the selected point is nearest the intersecting point of two or more entities, then ”Intersection” will be applied.

Cursor

Allows to specify the Select Box  and Snap Box  size.


Drawing Setup Parameters

Command: UNITSETUP

The program allows you to set the number of decimal places of accuracy used in dimensioning and the type of angular units used by running the UNITSETUP command. These settings are saved with each drawing, so can be set differently in each drawing if desired.

The Linear Units can be set from zero to eight decimal places using:

  Decimal Units

  Fractional Units

  Architectural Units (Feet and Inches)

  Engineering Units (Feet and Inches)

  Scientific Units (Scientific exponential notation)

The Angular Units can be set from zero to eight decimal places using:

  Decimal Degrees

  Degrees / Minutes / Seconds

  Grads

  Radians

  Surveyors Quadrant Angles (N,S,E,W with deflection from North and South)

Orientation

In addition, the system allows you to modify which direction causes the angles to increase. The default setting is for Counter Clockwise increasing angles (CCW). You can set it to increase in a clockwise direction by selecting the Compass Angles (CW) radio button.

Angle Zero Direction

The system allows you to specify a different direction for Zero degrees. This is of interest to different special disiplines. For example Surveyors normally set zero degrees as ”up” on the page. This allows for the correct display of angle and distance when drawing lines on the screen. The display on the status bar is updated depending upon the settings of the angle zero direction and the orientation.


Command TSNAP
Toggle Snap Grid Mode

Command: TSNAP

Snap Grid ON / OFF


Command TGRID
Toggle Grid Display Mode

Command: TGRID

Grid Display ON / OFF.


Command TORTHO
Toggle Orthogonal Mode

Command: TORTHO

Orthogonal Mode ON / OFF


Menu View

   View

For detailed information on the viewing commands, select one of the following items:

View Manager...	Saving / Retrieving views
Pan	Moving the visible portion of the drawing
Zoom	Changing the viewing scale of the drawing
3D View...	3D view control
Set Plan View to Construction Plane	Set view planar to the current User Coordinate System (UCS)
Fast Hide	Create hidden line bitmap
Hidden Line Drawing...	Create hidden line drawing
Render	Create rendered bitmap
Render Parameters...	Common Preferences for Rendering
Insert Light...	Place light source for rendering
Edit Light Parameters...	Edit light parameters for rendering
User Coordinate System	User Coordinate System control
View Parameters...	Settings for view commands


Command VIEW
View Manager... (Saving / Retrieving Views)

Command: VIEW

It is convenient when working with different drawing portions to save and later to retrieve changes in angles of view, different drawing portions, and scales of view. This may be accomplished by using the VIEW command.

Save a Named View

When selecting the option VIEW, the present portion will be saved as a user-defined view.

It is possible to choose between the options View and Window. The option Window allows the selection of a part of the present portion and will save this part only as a user-defined view.

Enter the name for the view to be saved in the following dialog box and verify this with OK.

Retrieve a Named View

A previously saved view can be retrieved through the same function, and can then become the present view. Follow these steps:

1.	Choose one of the saved views in the dialog's list box;

2.	Click onto the Show button. The selected view will then become the present view;

3.	Close the dialog box with OK to accept to display the choosen view. Choosing to abort will retain the previous view.

Delete the Name of a Defined View

Views that are no longer needed can be removed from the table of named views as follows:

1.	Choose one of the names of a defined view in the list box;

2.	Click onto the Delete button. The view will be removed from the list immediately.


Panning
Pan

Command: 'PAN

The command PAN moves the visible portion of the drawing to the right, to the left, upward or downwards. It is now easy to look at objects that were previously not visible because they were off the viewing surface. In contrast to the ZOOM command, the drawing scale does not change.

The PAN commands are transparent ones which may be executed while other commands are being executed. It is possible, for instance, to execute the command PANDOWN (move downward) while entering points for drawing an element.

The user should remember that, when moving the drawing, it appears that the visible objects are moving in the direction of the command. The reason for this is that the PAN commands act , as does a photographer, to move the ”camera”, not the picture

'PANUP	Portion up
'PANDOWN	Portion down
'PANLEFT	Portion to the left
'PANRIGHT	Portion to the right
After selecting one of these commands, the visible drawing portion will immediately be moved in that direction. The amount of movement is determined by a factor that is saved as a system variable that can be entered through the configuration for the screen.

See also:

ZOOM command


Pan: Portion to the left
Portion to the left

Command: PANLEFT

After selecting this command, the visible drawing portion will immediately be moved to the left.

The amount of movement is determined by a factor that is saved as a system variable that can be entered through the configuration for the screen.


Pan: Portion to the Right

Command: PANRIGHT

After selecting this command, the visible drawing portion will immediately be moved to the right.

The amount of movement is determined by a factor that is saved as a system variable that can be entered through the configuration for the screen.


Pan: Portion Up

Command: PANUP

After selecting this command, the visible drawing portion will immediately be moved up.

The amount of movement is determined by a factor that is saved as a system variable that can be entered through the configuration for the screen.


Pan: Portion Down

Command: PANDOWN

After selecting this command, the visible drawing portion will immediately be moved down.

The amount of movement is determined by a factor that is saved as a system variable that can be entered through the configuration for the screen.


Zoom

The ZOOM commands change the viewing scale of the drawing, or of the portion of the drawing chosen by the user. The absolute ratios of scale of the entire drawing to the included objects chosen remains unchanged.

These variations on the ZOOM command are possible:

Zoom Window	ZOOMWIN

Zoom Back	ZOOMBACK

Zoom Fit	ZOOMFIT

Zoom In	ZOOMIN

Zoom Out	ZOOMOUT

Zoom Factor	ZOOMFAC

The ZOOM commands, like most other commands for view control, are transparent commands that can be called up and executed at the same time another command is being executed.

For example, it is possible to execute the command ZOOMOUT while at the same time entering points when drawing an element. The screenplot will be enlarged by a pre-determined factor.

> LINE
From point: P1
To point: P2
To point: 'ZOOMOUT
To point: P3
To point:


Zoom Window

  Command: ZOOMWIN

The ZOOMWIN command allows a chosen portion of a drawing to be shown in the largest possible scale. The drawing portion is specified by a box. Identify opposite corner points with the cursor or enter the coordinates manually.

> ZOOMWIN
First corner: P1
Second corner: P2


Zoom Back

  Command: ZOOMBACK

The command ZOOMBACK allows to undo the last ZOOM command and recreates the prior drawing portion. The deleted scale is saved as the last used scale and may now be called again.

Using this command allows the user to switch quickly between two definite portions in order to view an object as a whole, or to see its details more clearly.

It is still possible to recreate the last scale if another operation has been performed.


Zoom to Fit

  Command: ZOOMFIT

The command ZOOMFIT allows the user to show the drawing with all its elements as large as possible on the viewing area.

The user should remember that points of deleted or modified elements that may still be saved in the drawing can influence the results. These points will be completely deleted when a drawing is regenerated. Thus, before zooming to the largest possible drawing size, the user should consider doing a REGEN.


Zoom In
Zoom In - Nearer to Objects

  Command: ZOOMIN

The ZOOMIN function enlarges the viewing window with each successive use by a factor determined by a given value.


Zoom Out
Zoom Out - Away from Objects

  Command: ZOOMOUT

The ZOOMOUT function is the opposite of the zoom-in function. It reduces the viewing window with each successive use by a factor determined by a given value.


Zoom Factor

Command: ZOOMFAC

The command ZOOMFAC allows the user to zoom with specified scale factor.


3D View Control
3D View Control...

Command: 3DVIEW

It is possible for the user to look at a drawing from any point in space that he or she wishes to define. The command 3DVIEW from the menu View provides the facility to make that definition.

The program uses as its standard viewing angle the top view (also called Plan View). At this angle the xy-plane is viewed from the direction of the positive z-axis, and the drawing or construction plane is parallel to the screen.

Additionally, FRONT, BACK, LEFT, RIGHT, and BOTTOM are possible standard views.

See also:

SETVIEWDIR

View Manager: Saving / Retrieving Views


Plan view
Set Plan View to Construction Plane

Command: PLANVIEW

The PLANVIEW command sets the view planar to the current User Coordinate System (UCS).

See also:

3DVIEW

UCS


Fast Hide

Command: FHIDE

In contrast to the HIDE command which creates a new drawing, the command FHIDE displays a hidden line view in the current drawing.

This representation is maintained until the drawing window is refreshed by a REDRAW, REGEN, ZOOM, or PAN command. This hide command provides you a utility to get a visual impression of the 3D model from the current viewpoint.

Note that you can continue to draw in this display mode, even utilizing the object snap functions.

The command FHIDE is based on the OpenGL system from Microsoft which allows high performance hidden line removal and rendering.

See also:

HIDE


Hide
Hidden Line Drawing...

Command: HIDE

The HIDE command allows you to create a separate drawing which contains a representation of the current view of the drawing with hidden lines removed.

Alternatively, those lines (or edges) which are computed as hidden from the current view point may be placed on a special layer named HIDELAYER in the target drawing. When working with the drawing containing the hidden line representation, you can turn on or off this layer at will or, remove all the lines on that special layer - except those you want to maintain intentionally for demonstration purposes.

Sometimes it is useful not to suppress the hidden lines, but to display all of these lines, for instance to demonstrate certain constraints. In such a case we recommend to set a certain linetype (for example, a dotted linetype) for the layer HIDELAYER in the target drawing.

See also:

FHIDE


Animated Rendering

Command: ARENDER

Rendering allows you to create an image of your 3D drawing that illustrates very realistically the model or plan.

ARENDER provides automatic rendering in a separate window of the program.

It runs without the need of setting lights.

The command allows animated rendering with fast zoom and rotation of rendered object.

Use the left mouse button to rotate on the x/y plane and the right mouse button to zoom on the z plane.

Use the Auto-Rotate option from the system menu to let the model rotate automatically. Use the left mouse button (drag with button hold down and then release) to determine rotation speed.

See also:

RENDER


Rendering
Render

Command: RENDER

Rendering allows you to create an image of your 3D drawing that illustrates very realistically the model or plan. To increase the realism the rendering may perform smooth shading on the objects that meet at a specific angle and evaluate the lights set in the drawing.

Using rendering you visualize and present your 3D geometry like it would appear as if it has been constructed or built.

To render the current viewport of a drawing call the command RENDER. The command is immediately performed after you have specified where to display or output the rendered view:

|   Screen   |     File     |  Clipboard  |

The rendering is based on the preferences set with the RCONFIG command and evaluates the light sources found in the model. The command LIGHT allows you to place lights in the drawing and define their type and settings. The command LIGHTEDIT is used to modify the  settings of light sources.

See also:

RCONFIG


Render Settings

Command: RCONFIG

The command RCONFIG displays a dialog box to view and set general preferences for subsequent rendering.

The button Defaults resets the preferences to default values (shown in the illustration above). This is convenient, because a number of settings can influence the performance of render computations dramatically.

The option Output to Screen controls whether the rendered polygons are output on the screen (to the front buffer) during computations or are written into a display buffer before presenting the rendered image. If this check mark is not set, the rendered image is not displayed before the entire rendered image is computed.

The option Use Lights allows you to activate or deactivate the use of light sources. If disabled, the program generates - in computer graphic terms - a simple shading of the 3D model, otherwise the inserted lights are utilized during the rendering.

Three other options allow users who are familiar with computer graphics and advanced rendering techniques to save time when careful drawing methods have been used during the creation of a 3D model: Polygon Orientation CCW, Two-sided Lightning, and Backface Culling. It is recommended to use the default values if you are not familiar with these terms.

The option Smooth Colors in Polygons specifies whether upon each individual polygon surfaces smoothing colors are computed or not. Applying an adequate light environment allows smooth coloring on individual surfaces.

The option Anti-Aliasing allows you to control the process of smoothing jagged edges caused by aliasing. Aliasing is a term in computer graphics. It describes certain display effects like the staircase effect seen on diagonal lines displayed in a drawing. Anti-Aliasing can reduce those artifacts.

Turn anti-aliasing on for high-quality rendered images. To improve the rendering significantly you can choose between 2, 3, 4 or 8 passes with the anti-aliasing algorithm. Because multiple passes will increase the rendering time dramatically, anti-aliasing should be applied only for high-quality image output (usually when rendering to a file).

By default the anti-aliasing option is disabled.  It produces a faster output for viewing a rendered image on the graphics display,  and  you do not normally notice the elimination of artifacts on the computer screen.

See also:

RENDER


Light Source Insertion
Render Lights: Inserting Light Sources

Command: LIGHT

Ambient light is given any time, but linear, point and spot light sources must explicitly placed in the 3D model.

The command LIGHT is provided to insert light sources into the drawing.

Note, that although you can insert as many light sources you can have only eight light sources turned on.

When inserting a light into the drawing a dialog box is displayed to allow you to define several settings and parameters for that light, among them the color and the intensity of the light source.

Lights sources are represented in the drawing as complex objects (drawing objects of type block).

A light insertion will always be placed on a layer with the name RENDER_LIGHTS.

See also:

3DVIEW


Light Source Editing
Render Lights: Editing Light Sources

Command: LIGHTEDIT

You may modify the settings of an inserted light source later with the command LIGHTEDIT.

This command requests you to select a light, represented by a block insertion.

Then the dialog box Light Sources opens in which you can alter the current preferences for the chosen light.

Light Source Relocation or Removal

To change the location of a light or the lights direction you can use the standard modify commands MOVE and ROTATE. To remove a light source from the drawing call the command DELETE.

See also:

3DVIEW


Command UCS
User Coordinate Systems

Command: UCS

It is possible to create as many user coordinate systems for one drawing as wanted. The user coordinate system will be saved along with the drawing and can be used again when opening the drawing later on.

Active coordinate system

From all the user coordinate systems in one drawing only one or the world coordinate system can be the active coordinate system, that means with its parameters active.

Choosing a coordinate systeme as active is done in a dialog box. Using the same dialog box it is possible to rename, create or delete already exitsing user coordinate systems.

Create new user coordinate system

User coordinate systems are always created in two steps. First the parameters of the user coordinate system (place of the origin and direction of the coordinateaxis) are determined, second follows the saving under a specific name. Thus it is possible to use the user coordinate system as an active coordinate system again, without having to determine the parameters again.

To create a user coordinate system enter the command UCS. Through the message ucs origin <0,0,0> in the textwindow you are asked to enter the coordinates of the origin of the user coordinate system. The coordinates <0,0,0,> are offered as a help. If you don’t want to change the origin of the coordinate system then verify this choice through enter. Otherwise please enter new coordinates and verify this entry also with return.

After calling upon the command UCS, the following options for interaktively determining the place of the origin of the user coordinate system and the direction of its axis are presented..

Control	World	Z-direction	3point	View	Rotation

The option Control calls up a dialog box, that can be used to create or choose a new active coordinate system, or to rename or delete already exitsing user coordinate systems. How to use this dialog box will be shown later on in connection to the saving of the parameters of a user coordinate system.

The option World chooses the world coordinate system to be the active coordinate system. This allows to go back to the world coordinate system quickly without having to open the dialog box of the command control.

Z-Direction

The option z-direction changes the parameters of the coordinate system in the following two steps:

1.	The origin is determined through entering the new coordinates in the format of x,y,z or through choosing a point .

2.	The direction of the axis of the coordinate system can be determined through fixing the z-axis..

To do that, choose a point through which the positive z-axis, starting from the (perhaps newly defined) origin, should go. The x- and y-axis will not be turned and remain the same. The xy-plane will now be lifted to correspond orthogonally to the z-axis.

> UCS
UCS origin <0,0,0>: Z-axis
UCS origin <0,0,0>: Enter
Point on the positive z-axis: P1

3Point

The option 3point makes it easy to adjust a coordinate system to a drawn object in space. This is advantageous for constructing elements, where the drawingplane is neither parallel to the viewing plane nor to the axis of the presently active coordinate system.

It is easiest to adjust a user coordinate system with the 3point option when the points that are to be defined are selected with the cursor using the objectcatch-function. This way the coordinate system is easily adjusted to the specific working situation.

1.	Choose the origin first through entering the coordinates in the format x,y,z or through pointing to it.

2.	After that, choose a point, through coordinate entry or through pointing to it, through which the positive x-axis should run. This way the axis is unambiguously determined.

3.	The place or direction of the other axis can be determined through the fixation of a point in the positive area of the xy-plane. This point does not necessarily have to lie on the y-axis.

For practical reasons you should locate the necessary points so, that they are oriented at the plane of the drawing object at which the user coordinate system should be adjusted. For example, choose the cornerpoints of this plane with the objectcatch option. The chosen plane then becomes the drawing plane. All elements drawn after that will be drawn according to this plane.

> UCS
UCS origin <0,0,0>: 3Point
UCS origin <0,0,0>: P1
Point on the positive x-axis: P2
Point on the positive xy-plane: P3

View

This option adjusts the user coordinate system parallel to the active viewingplane, the screen Through this the viewing plane and the drawing plane are brought into harmony.

To call up this option, click onto its operation field. No further points will be asked before adjusting the user coordinate system. The x-axis of the coordinate system now lies parallel to the actual viewing plane horizontally, the y-axis is oriented vertically and the z-axis is orthogonal to that.

Rotation

Through the option rotate it is possible to rotate the active coordinate system around one axis. The angle of rotation and the direction of the rotation can be chosen randomly

To call up the option rotation, please click onto its field among the options.

Wit one call-up it is possible to rotate the coordinate system around one axis only. If you want to rotate the coordinate system around 2 or 3 axis, please repeat the following steps for each axis.

1.	First determine the axis around which the coordinatsystem should be rotated. Either enter its character or click onto its optionfield (X,Y,Z), which will appear after the activation of the rotate option.

2.	Now determine the direction and angle of the rotation. This is done by entering or pointing an angle.

The angle of the rotation can be determined either by entering it manually or by the pointing of 2 points. The orientation point for the angle of the rotation is always the positive x-axis of the active coordinate system.

Entering a positive value for the angle of rotation results in a rotation to the left, a negative value (for example -30) results in a rotation to the right.

> UCS
UCS origin <0,0,0>: Rotate
Rotate around x-, y-, or z-axis: Z
Rotation um Z-Achse <0>: 30

Controlling the UCS

Of course it would not be very userfriendly and not very effective for the precision of your work, if you had to make the above adjustments every time. Therefore the program offers a comfortable possibility to save and organize pre-defined user coordinate systems. The parameters of the active coordinate system are gathered in a user coordinate system and saved along with the drawing.When saving, the user coordinate system gets a definite name. Once a user coordinate system is saved, it can always be called up again to be the active coordinate system. They can also be renamed or deleted.

The necessary steps to gather and organize user coordinate systems are executed through a dialog window. To open this window please choose the option user coordinate system-manager, which is found when using the standard menue in the pull-down menue view

Also it is possible to open a dialog window by entering the command UCS and choosing the option Control.

Create a new UCS

The creation of a user coordinate system is done in two steps

1.	Arrange the coordinate system with the previously described options z-direction, 3point, view and/or rotate.

2.	Open the dialog window through the option command and arrange a new user coordinate system. Now the parameters of the active coordinate system are saved.

For the following directions it is essential that the first step has already been taken, e.g. the coordinate system has been adjusted.

The dialog box has an option which is called user coordinate system name. Enter the name of the new user coordinate system in this field. The name can fill as many as 32 spaces and may contain alphabetical characters, numbers, as well as the fill-in characters - (dash) and _ (underline), but no free spaces. It is not differentiated between capital letters and small letters, all characters will be changed to capital letters.

After entering the name click onto the button New and verify your entry. The name of the new user coordinate system appears in the window below the entry- and change window. All useable coordinate systems in this drawing are listed there.

Please remember, that all changes made in the dialog box user coordinate system are registered only when you leave the dialog box through clicking onto ok.

Renaming a user coordinate system

It may be necessary to rename user coordinate systems in order to have a clear name or association

1.	Choose the user coordinate system to be renamed out of the list in the choice window by clicking onto it with the cursor. The chosen coordinate system is accentuated through color. At the same time the name of the chosen user coordinate system appears also in the entry- and change window.

2.	Click onto the window with the cursor or enter it by repeatedly pressing the tabulator key, and then change the name of the user coordinate system into its new version.

3.	After that, click onto the field rename. This verifies the renaming and the new name of the user coordinate system appears in the choice window.

Please remember that the world coordinate system cannot be renamed.

Please remember, that all changes made in the dialog box user coordinate system are registered only when you leave the dialog box through clicking onto ok.

Erasing a user coordinate system

Erasing a user coordinate system is similar to renaming a user coordinate system

1.	Choose the user coordinate system to be deleted in the choice window by clicking onto it with the cursor and marking it so.

2.	Click onto the field delete. The user coordinate system is then deleted, its name no longer appears in the choice window.

Please remember, that the world coordinate system cannot be deleted. Please remember, that all changes made in the dialog box user coordinate system are registered only when you leave the dialog box through clicking onto ok.

Changing the active coordinate system

In every drawing it is possible to create as many user coordinate systems as you wish next to the world coordinate system, but only one user coordinate system can be the active coordinate system.

The active coordinatsystem is that coordinate system, whose parameters are active (e.g. place of the origin, adjustment of the axis).

1.	Choose the user coordinate system to be active in the choice window by clicking onto it with the cursor and thus marking it. The name of the chosen coordinate system appears at the same time in the entry- and changewindow.

2.	Click onto the field active. The user coordinate system thus becomes the active coordinate system.

3.	The field active user coordinate system shows the name of the active coordinate system. Please check there, that the name of your chosen coordinatesysstem appears there.

The change of the active coordinate system are registered only when you leave the dialog box through clicking onto ok.

Change to the previous coordinate system

To change to a previous coordinate system there exits an option in the dialog window user coordinate system. It enables to quickly change between two coordinate systems. When clicking onto this field you will change to the previous coordinate system without another entry or verification.


Parameters for View Commands
View Parameters...

Command: VIEWPAR

Various parameters may be selected to define the direction and general size and shape of a given view.

There are values for ZOOM and PAN of the view on the screen, and selections to be made to determine visibility of the grid and the coordinate system.

Dialog Control Elements

Zoom / Pan

In the entry field Zoom In Factor and Zoom Out Factor the user may choose the factor by which the drawing on the screen is to be enlarged or reduced. These factors affect only the visible portion of the drawing.

In the entry field Pan Factor the user may choose the factor by which the visible portion of the drawing is moved using the command PAN. A pan factor of 0.5, for example, moves the drawing portion to about half of the visible drawing area.

Viewing a circle and its segments

For technical reasons, arcs and circles cannot be shown with one curved line. They are shown as line segments adjoining each other.

The option Circle Resolution determines the number of arc segments used to create arcs and circles.

A low value for the amount of arc segments used will make the arc and circles look like polygons. A higher value will make them seem round. The standard value for arched segments is 48. The user may exchange this value for any value between 8 and 1024 arched segments in the edit box.

Determining the Grid or Coordinate Symbol

It is possible to activate or deactivate the display of the Grid and/ or the coordinate system through the option gridvisibility and the symbol of a coordinate system.

To display the grid and the symbol of the coordinate system just click with your mouse on one of the two control fields. An ”x” in the control field will indicate the active status of this option.

The determination of the grid, especially the distance between the gridpoint, takes place in the dialog box Precision Aids, opened by selecting its field or by entering the command Precpar by the keyboard.

In addition to the choice of whether or not to display the coordinate system the user may choose the colors of the coordinate axes and the symbols of the coordinate system. These choices are made available from the window called Configuration. Open this window by clicking on its symbol on the symbol panel or by entering the command CONFIG.

Before closing the window, the user must remember to verify the entries with OK or end the task or operation with the Cancel option.


Command TICON
Coordinate Symbol (Toggle)

Command: 'TICON

The transparent command TICON toggles the Coordinate Icon on or off.


Command SETVIEWDIR
Set View Direction (Macro)

Command: SETVIEWDIR

It is possible for the user to look at a drawing from any point in space that he or she wishes to define.

The user must respond to the prompt for the definition of the point of view. The correct response will be the spatial coordinates of the viewpoint:

> SETVIEWDIR
Point of view (X,Y,Z): 2,3,-5

The command is meant to be used within palettes and menus to retrieve standard side views or isometric views.

See also:

3DVIEW

Saving/Retrieving Views


Menu Window

   Window

For detailed information, select one of the following items.

Cascade Windows	Cascade all drawing windows
Tile Windows	Tile all drawing windows
Arrange Icons	Arrange all drawing window icons
Redraw	Refresh current drawing window
Regenerate	Regenerate current drawing
Regenerate all Drawing Windows	Regenerate all drawings
Open New Viewport...	Open new viewport of current drawing
Copy Viewport...	Copies a viewport of current drawing
Close Viewport	Close current drawing viewport


Cascade Drawing Windows

  Command: 'WCASCADE

Arrange drawing windows in cascade format.


Tile Drawing Windows

  Command: 'WTILE

Arrange drawing windows in tile format.


Arrange Icons

Command: 'WICONARR

Arrange all drawing window icons.


Command REDRAW
Redraw

Command: 'REDRAW

Refresh current drawing window.


Command REGEN
Regenerate

Command: REGEN

Regenerate current drawing.


Command REGENALL
Regenerate All

Command: REGENALL

Regenerate all drawings.


Open new viewport
Open new viewport of current drawing

Command: WOPEN

In order to open a viewing window a drawing must have been created, or an existing drawing must be open. If more than one drawing has been opened, the user should remember that all commands are executed in the active drawing.

From the menu Window choose the option Open Another Viewing Window....

Before the program opens another window you will be asked to determine the type of view in this new window. Choose an individual viewpoint or a standard view from the dialog box, and click on OK.

The chosen angle of view can be changed at any time. The new window will be created in standard size and arranged in the manner proscribed with the existing windows.


Copy drawing viewport
Copy a drawing viewport

Command: QWOPEN

The option Copy Viewport on the Window menu allows you

- to make a quick copy of the current viewport or

- a plan view by choosing the desired option button.


Close drawing viewport
Close current drawing viewport

Command: WCLOSE

It is possible to close the current viewport, as in all Windows programs, by double-clicking on the system menu area (left corner on top). This activates the command WCLOSE and the window will be closed. This command can also be keyboarded.


Menu Help

   Help

For detailed information, select one of the following items.

Help...	Help Window
Tutorial	Tutorial Exercises
About...	Program Information
Toggle Command Line Window	Turn Command Line ON/OFF


Help

Commands: ? / HELP

Hot Key: F1

Context sensitive Help


Command Line On / Off
Turn Command Line Window on/off

  Command: 'TSCREEN

Toggles the Command Line Window on or off.

The Command Line, or the Text Window, serves as communication between the program and the user. In its default condition, the program uses a Command Line situated directly underneath the Menu Bar.

The button T on the right of the Text Window will allow the user to switch between this mode of display and a bigger Text Window, placed freely on the drawing field.

See also:

Command Line and Text Window


Command ABOUT
About

Command: About

The ABOUT box reports

- Copyright

- Program Version

- User name

- Serial number

- Physical Memory

- Disk Space


System Variables - Summary

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  XYZ

A

ACTDB

ANGBASE

ANGDIR

AREA

ATTDIA

ATTMODE

ATTREQ

AUNITS

AUPREC

C

CDATE

CECOLOR

CELTYPE

CHAMFERA

CHAMFERB

CIRCLERAD

CIRCLERES

CLAYER

CMDACTIVE

CMDECHO

CMDNAMES

CVPORT

D

DATE

DBMOD

DEFANGBASE

DEFANGDIR

DEFAUNITS

DEFAUPREC

DEFDIMZIN

DEFLUNITS

DEFLUPREC

DIASTAT

DIMALT

DIMALTD

DIMALTF

DIMAPOST

DIMASO

DIMASZ

DIMBLK

DIMBLK1

DIMBLK2

DIMCEN

DIMCLRD

DIMCLRE

DIMCLRT

DIMDLE

DIMDLI

DIMEXO

DIMEXE

DIMGAP

DIMLAYER

DIMLFAC

DIMLIM

DIMLINE

DIMPOST

DIMRND

DIMSAH

DIMSCALE

DIMSE1

DIMSE2

DIMSHO

DIMSOXD

DIMSTYLE

DIMTAD

DIMTFAC

DIMTIH

DIMTIX

DIMTP

DIMTM

DIMTMSTR

DIMTOFL

DIMTOH

DIMTPSTR

DIMTSTYLE

DIMTSZ

DIMTVP

DIMTXT

DIMZIN

DISTANCE

DWGNAME

DWGPREFIX

DWGWRITE

E

ELEVATION

ERRNO

EXPERT

F

FCTEMPLATE

FCVERSION

FILEDIA

FILLETRAD

FILLMODE

G

GRIDMODE

GRIDUNIT

H

HIGHLIGHT

HPANG

HPDOUBLE

HPFILE

HPNAME

HPSCALE

HPSPACE

HPUSRANG

I

INSBASE

INSNAME

L

LANGUAGE

LASTPOINT

LASTVAR

LIMMAX

LIMMIN

LSPALOAD

LTSCALE

LUNITS

LUPREC

M

MIRRTEXT

O

OFFSETDIST

ORTHOMODE

OSMODE

P

PALETTE1

PANSCALE

PDMENUNAME

PDMODE

PDSIZE

PERIMETER

PLATFORM

PLINEWID

POLYSIDES

PREVCMD

R

RINGDIA1

RINGDIA2

S

SCREENMODE

SCREENSIZE

SELECTBOX

SERNUMBER

SNAPBASE

SNAPBOX

SNAPMODE

SNAPUNIT

SPLFRAME

T

TABMENUNAME

TEXTSIZE

TEXTSTYLE

TRIMMODE

U

UCSFOLLOW

UCSNAME

UCSORG

UCSXDIR

UCSYDIR

UNDOCTL

USERI1

USERR1

USERS1

V

VIEWCTR

VIEWDIR

VIEWSIZE

VIEWTWIST

W

WORLDUCS

XYZ

ZINSCALE

ZOUTSCALE


ACTDB

The variable ACTDB (Active Database) returns the ID number of the currently active drawing database which is currently active. Because up to four drawings may be opened simultaneously, this variable may contain one of the values as follows:

-1  =  No drawing database opened

0   =  First drawing database active

1   =  Second drawing database active

2   =  Third drawing database active

3   =  Fourth drawing database active

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Integer (-1 ... 3)

Initial value	-1, because normally no drawing is opened when the program starts up.

Commands

The variable is reset if one of the commands NEW, OPEN, or CLOSE has been executed successfully.

See also

Lisp functions (flxnames ...) and (getactvport ...);
Local system variable CVPORT (Current viewpoint).


AREA

This variable returns the area computed by the most recently executed command AREA in the current session with the program. Note: The variable is not drawing sensitive.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Real

Initial Value	0.0

Commands

The variable is reset by the usage of the command AREA.

See also

Global system variables PERIMETER and DISTANCE.


CDATE

The variables CDATE (Current Date) return the current date and time. The calendar date returned is as follows:

YYYYMMDD.HHMMSSmm
== (Year Month Day . Hour Minute Second Millisecond).

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Real

Value	Current date and time of the computer system

Example	19950907.12055239


CIRCLERAD

This variable allows to sets the default value for the radius requested by the command CIRCLE (Circle Radius).

Properties

Status	Read / Write (not stored )

Type	Real

Initial Value	0.0

Command

If the variable is set to 0.0,  the command CIRCLE does not display a default value when the user is prompted for a radius or a diameter. Any other value is displayed as default, which might be accepted by the user by pressing RETURN. The variable is influenced by the command CIRCLE itself. As soon as the user has specified a radius or a diameter the variable is set to that value.


CIRCLERES

Determines the number of line segments used to display circles and arcs in the drawings (Circle Resolution).

Valid integer values lie in the range between 8 and 1024.

Note:

•	The higher the value, the more ideal the displaying of arcs and circles.

•	The lower the value, the better the performance when dynamically dragging arched objects during entity generation or selection and when redrawing or regenerating a drawing viewport.

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the CFG file)

Type	Integer (8 ... 1024)

Default Value	48

Command

The variable may be modified by the user via the dialog command DRAWMODE in the option box Circle Segments.


CMDACTIVE

This variable (Command Active) allows the developer to evaluate the type of a currently active command. A bit code is returned with a meaning as follows:

Bit 1 = Standard command
Bit 2 = Standard and transparent command
Bit 4 = Macro script

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Integer (Bit-Code)


CMDECHO

This variable (Command Echo On/Off) allows the developer to set a preference for the mode a statement using the LISP function (command ...) is performed as follows:

0 = OFF	      The command sequences are not visible for the user

1 = ON    	      The command sequences are visible for the user

Properties

Status	Read / Write (not saved)

Type	Integer

Default Value	1

Command

Not influenced by a built-in command.
Programming: See function (command ...).


CMDNAMES

This variable (Command Names) allows the developer to retrieve in his routines the name(s) of the currently active command(s).

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	String

Examples	"LINE", "LINE ‘ZOOM"

Example

> LINE

  From point: 'ZOOM

  Zoom scale factor: (progn (setq x (getvar "cmdnames"))(princ x)(princ))

  LINE'ZOOM


DATE

This variable returns the current date and the current time in the Julian Date format.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Real

Return Value	Current date / time of the computer system

Example	2449968.64956018

See also

Global system variable CDATE.


DEFANGBASE

If no template drawing is used when the user creates a new drawing, this variable (Default Angle Base) allows to set a default value for the zero degree angle direction. As reference point for the direction serves the positive X axis of the current user coordinate system.

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the system’s CFG file)

Type	Real

Default Value	0.0


DEFANGDIR

If no template drawing is used when the user creates a new drawing, this variable (Default Angle Direction) sets the default direction when angle are specified by the user as follows:

0 = Counter-clockwise

1 = Clockwise

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the system’s CFG file)

Type	Integer (0 | 1)

Default Value	0


DEFAUNITS

If no template drawing is used when the user creates a new drawing, this variable (Default Angular Units) allows the programmer to determine the unit format to enter or to measure angles as follows:

0 = Decimal Degrees

1 = Degrees/Minutes/Seconds

2 = Grads

3 = Radians

4 = Surveyor's Units

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the system’s CFG file)

Type	Integer (0 ... 4)

Default Value	0


DEFAUPREC

If no template drawing is used when the user creates a new drawing, this variable (Default Angular Units Precision) determines the standard setting for the number of decimal places to be displayed when prompting the user for angle specifications. A setting of up to eight decimal places is valid.

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the system’s CFG file)

Type	Integer (0 ... 8)

Default Value	0


DEFDIMZIN

If no template drawing is used when the user creates a new drawing, this variable (Default Dimension Zero Inches) determines the display mode of dimensions.

Note: The meaning of the integer values (in the range between 0 and 16) is documented in the description of the local system variable DIMZIN.

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the system’s CFG file)

Type	Integer  (0 ... 16)

Default Value	0


DEFLUNITS

If no template drawing is used when the user creates a new drawing, this variable (Default Linear Units) allows the programmer to determine the standard setting for linear unit format used in the drawing as follows:

1 = Scientific

2 = Decimal

3 = English: Engineering

4 = English: Architecture

5 = Fraction

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the system’s CFG file)

Type	Integer  (1 ... 5)

Default Value	2


DEFLUPREC

If no template drawing is used when the user creates a new drawing, this variable (Default Linear Units Precision) allows the programmer to determine the standard setting for the number of decimal places of linear units. A value up to 8 decimal places is accepted.

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the system’s CFG file)

Type	Integer (0 ... 8)

Default Value	2


DIASTAT

This variable (Dialog Status) allows the programmer to retrieve the status, how the most recently dialog box of a built-in GDE command called by the user has been exited. Allows to retrieve the exit status of a dialog when inside a LISP program a built-in dialog-command has been called.

0 = Dialog has been terminated by OK

1 = Dialog has been terminated by Cancel

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Integer

Initial Value	0

See also

Global system variables CMDNAMES, CMDACTIVE, LASTVAR.


DISTANCE

This variable (Distance) returns the value of a length respectively distance measurement most recently performed by a call of the command ‘DIST.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Real

Initial Value	0.0

Commands

The variable is reset if the user has performed the command ‘DIST.
Note: This variable is drawing-sensitive.


ERRNO

This variable (Error Number) may contain an error number set by the system if a built-in API function could not be executed error-free.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Integer

Initial Value	0


EXPERT

This variable allows the developer to set on or off  a so called Expert Mode for his file operations.

0 = Requests may display warnings or security prompts in some cases

1 = Requests do not display warnings or security prompts

Properties

Status	Read / Write (not saved)

Type	Integer

Default Value	0


FCTEMPLATE

This variable allows the programmer to set the default name (including drive and path) for the template drawing used when the user executes the command NEW. No template drawing is pre-set, if a null string ("") is specified.

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the system’s CFG file)

Type	String

Example	"c:\applic\template.flx"

Command

Note: The user has the possibility to specify another template drawing or to disable the usage of a template drawing with the command NEW. The user's specification is written to the system variable FCTEMPLATE.


FCVERSION

This variable returns the name and the version number of the Graphic Developer’s Engine based application.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	String

Example	"FCAD 1.1"


FILEDIA

This variable (File Dialog) may be set or evaluated by the developer to determine, if for certain commands a dialog box or a command line request sequence is used.

0 = Dialog Box version of the command is used

1 = Command prompts parameters at the command line

Properties

Status	Read / Write (not saved)

Type	Integer (0 | 1)

Default Value	1


HIGHLIGHT

This variable is used to determine, if selected drawing objects are marked by highlighting them. The variable may be set to:

0 = OFF

1 = ON

Properties

Status	Read / Write (not saved)

Type	Integer (0 | 1)

Default Value	1


LANGUAGE

This variable allow to determine the language used by the CAD kernel Graphic Developer’s Engine (GDE). Currently two values are accepted:

1 = German

2 = English

Properties

Status	Read / Write (not saved)

Type	Integer

Default Value	1 (read from INI file)


LASTVAR

This variable (Last Variable) allows the developer to retrieve the most recently called system variable.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	String

Example	"PDMENUNAME"


OFFSETDIST

This variable (Offset Distance) sets the default value for the command OFFSET when prompting the user for the distance between the original objects (contour) and the copy of the objects.

Properties

Status	Read / Write (not saved)

Type	Real

Initial Value	0.0

Command

The variable is probably re-written when the user executes the command OFFSET.


PALETTE1 ... PALETTEn

This variable returns the filename of a palette number n currently loaded and displayed on the desktop. The variable returns in a string the filename including drive and path.

If no palette has been loaded indexed as n, the variable returns a null string ("").

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	String

Example	"C:\APX\AP_DRAW.MNP"

Commands

PALETTE, PALMAN, MENÜ


PANSCALE

This variable (Pan Scale) specifies the factor for the PAN commands ‘PANRIGHT, ‘PANLEFT, ‘PANUP, and ‘PANDOWN, which move the view of the current viewport up or down or to the left or right.

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the system’s CFG file)

Type	Real

Default Value	0.5

Commands

The variable may be set by the user with the DISPPAR command.


PDMENUNAME

This variable (Pull-down Menu Name) returns the filename including drive and path of the currently used pull-down menu.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	String

Example	"c:\applic\applic.mnu"

Command

MENU


PERIMETER

This variable returns the value of the perimeter computed by the most recently usage of the command AREA.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Real

Initial Value	0.0

Command

AREA

See also

Global system variable AREA.


PLATFORM

This variable returns a string to identify the operating system platform of the Graphic Developer’s Engine (GDE).

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	String

Value	"Microsoft Windows" (16bit) or "Win32" (32bit)


POLYSIDES

This variable (Polygon Sides) allows to set the default value for the command NGON when prompting the user to enter the number of sides of the regular polygon to be drawn. The value of type integer can lie in the range between 3 and 1024.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer (3 ... 1024)

Default Value	4

Command

The setting is updated when the command NGON is used.


RINGDIA1

This variable (Ring Diameter 1) specifies for the built-in command RING the preference value for the inner diameter .

Properties

Status	Read / Write (not saved)

Type	Real

Default Value	0.5

Command

The variable is probably reset if the command RING has been used.


RINGDIA2

This variable (Ring Diameter 2) specifies for the built-in command RING the preference value for the outer diameter .

Properties

Status	Read / Write (not saved)

Type	Real

Default Value	1.0

Command

The variable is probably reset if the command RING has been used.


SCREENMODE

This variable returns a flag to evaluate, if the Lisp/History window is active.

0 = Lisp/History text window is active

1 = Lisp/History text window is closed

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Integer

Initial Value	0 (the text window is not displayed "on top" when a new session with the program is started)

Command

The command ‘TSCREEN re-sets this variable. The variable is only of interest for LISP programming, which allows to set the History/Lisp text window on top with the function (textscr) and to remove the text window with the functions (graphscr) to not overlap the drawing windows.


SCREENSIZE

This variable (Screen Size) returns the size of the current viewport of the current drawing in pixels (X, Y). The value 0,0 indicates, that no drawing is opened.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Screen coordinates (in pixels)

Example	550,283

Note

The commands ‘WTILE and ‘WCASCADE as well as the Windows operations Full Screen, Maximize, Minimize, etc. lead to a reset of the system variable.


SELECTBOX

This variable allows to retrieve and set the size (in pixels) of the Select Box cursor which is used when prompting the user to select objects.

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the system’s CFG file)

Type	Integer

Default Value	5

Commands

The transparent command 'PRECPAR allows the user to specify an appropriate value for his current needs.


SERNUMBER

This variable returns the serial number of the user’s program license. The serial number is also displayed in the dialog displayed by the ‘INFO command.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	String


SNAPBOX

This variable (Snap Cursor Box) sets the size of the snap area in pixels for object snap functions.

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the CFG file)

Type	Integer

Default Value	5

Commands

The transparent command 'PRECPAR allows the user to specify an appropriate value for his current needs.


TABMENUNAME

This variable (Tablet Menu Name) returns the filename including drive and path of the currently used tablet menu. It returns a null string ("") if no tablet menu is used.

Properties

Status    	Read-Only

Type      	String

Example	"c:\applic\aptablet.mnt"

Commands

MENU, TABLET


UNDOCTL

This variable sets the status for the function to undo steps performed by a function or command. Also, it returns the current default value. The setting is bit-coded as follows:

Bit 1: Undo disabled

Bit 2: Undo all elements

Bit 3: Undo the last element or the last group

Bit 4: Undo Messages On/Off

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer (bit coded)

Default Value	2


ZINSCALE

This variable (Zoom In Scale) specifies the zoom factor for the transparent command ZOOMIN.

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the system’s CFG file)

Type	Real

Default Value	0.5

Commands

The user may set a new value by using the dialog command VIEWPAR.


ZOUTSCALE

This variable (Zoom Out Scale) specifies the zoom factor for the transparent command ZOOMOUT.

Properties

Status	Read / Write (saved in the system’s CFG file)

Type	Real

Default Value	2.0

Commands

The user may set a new value by using the dialog command VIEWPAR.


ANGBASE

Determines a default value for the zero degree angle direction (Default Angle Base). As reference point for the direction serves the positive X axis of the current user coordinate system.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	0.0


ANGDIR

Determines the default direction when angles are specified by the user as follows:

0 = Counter-clockwise

1 = Clockwise

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	0


ATTDIA

Controls the mode for attribute requests when inserting parts.

0 = Attribute request at command line

1 = Attribute request in a dialog box

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	1

Command

The variable influences the command QINSERT which is used by LISP programmers in functions to insert parts or by advanced users to integrate part insertions into menus and palettes.


ATTMODE

Controls the visibility of attributes in the drawing (Attribute Mode). Valid values are:

0 = Hide all attributes (set to invisible)

1 = Visibility as determined within the attribute definition (visible | invisible)

2 = Display all attributes (visible)

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer (0 | 1 | 2)

Default Value	1

Command

DRAWMODE. See also command ATTDEF for variable value 1.


ATTREQ

Determines the mode of requests of attribute values when parts (which contain attribute definitions) are inserted. Valid values are:

0 = Attribute value requests are suppressed

1 = Attribute value requests performed normally

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	1

Command

INSERT


AUNITS

Determines the unit format for input or measurement of angles as follows:

0 = Decimal Degrees

1 = Degrees/Minutes/Seconds

2 = Grads

3 = Radians

4 = Surveyor's Units

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	0

Command

 - - -


AUPREC

Determines the number of decimal places for angles. The angular unit precision is specified by an integer value between 0 (no decimal places) and 8 (eight decimal places, e.g. 0.000000001)

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer (0 ... 8)

Default Value	0


CECOLOR

This variable determines the current color when entities are drawn.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	"BYLAYER" (= 256)

Command

'SETCOLOR


CELTYPE

This variable specifies the current linetype when drawing entities. The argument of the variable contains the name of the linetype.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	String

Default Value	"BYLAYER"

Command

'SETLINETYPE. See also command LINETYPE.


CHAMFERA

Determines the default value of the trim distance, in world units, associated with the first entity the user clicks on when using the edit command CHAMFER. The variable is updated when the user specifies another distance when being prompted.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	0.0

Command

CHAMFER


CHAMFERB

Determines the default value of the trim distance, in world units, associated with the second entity the user clicks on when using the edit command CHAMFER. The variable is updated when the user specifies another distance when being prompted.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	0.0

Command

CHAMFER


CLAYER

Determines the Current Layer. The argument of the variable contains the name of the layer.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	String

Default Value	"0"

Command

'SETLAYER, LAYER.


CVPORT

This variable allows the LISP programmer to retrieve the identification number of the Current Viewport.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Integer

Default Value	1

See also

Lisp functions (getactvport) and (setactvport) in chapter 5.


DBMOD

This variable allows the programmer to returns a bit-coded modification status of the drawing database.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Bit-Code


DWGNAME

Returns the complete name of the current drawing as string.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	String

Default Value	"c:\applic\noname_0"


DWGPREFIX

Returns the drive and the path of the current drawing.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	String

Default Value	"c:\applic\"


DWGWRITE

Specifies the access mode to drawings of type DWG and allows protection of DWG files when these should only be displayed. Valid values are:

0 = Read-Only

1 = Read/Write

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer


ELEVATION

Specifies the value for an elevation (Z axis) in the current user coordinate system. This might be used as temporary construction plane.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	0.0


FILLETRAD

Determines the default value for the Fillet Radius when the command FILLET is used.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	0.0

Command

FILLET


FILLMODE

Controls the fill mode for entities of type Polyline and 2D-Face. Valid values are:

0 = Display entities not filled

1 = Display entities filled

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	1

Commands

2DFACE, POLYLINE, CHAIN, NGON, RING


GRIDMODE

Turns displaying a grid on or off. The dots of the grid are displayed in the XY distances as specified by the system variable GRIDUNIT and in the area specified by the system variables LIMMIN and LIMMAX.

0 = Off

1 = On

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	0

Command

'PRECPAR


GRIDUNIT

Specifies the horizontal and vertical distances (x, y) between the grid dots when  grid display is turned on (see system variable GRIDMODE).

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	2D-Punkt

Default Value	0.0,0.0

Command

'PRECPAR


HPANG

Determines the hatch angle of a pattern file based hatch pattern. See the variables HPFILE, HPNAME, and HPSCALE.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	0

Command

HATCH


HPDOUBLE

Determines if the built-in quick hatch pattern is drawn with single lines or with crossing lines. Valid values for this flag a:

0 = Single line hatch pattern

1 = Double line hatch pattern (cross)

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	0

Command

HATCH


HPFILE

Determines the current complete filename for the hatch pattern file. If  the variable contains a null string ("") no hatch pattern file is set to allow pattern selection in the Hatch dialog box.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	String

Example	"c:\applic\ansi.pat"

Command

HATCH


HPNAME

Determines the default name of a hatch pattern based on a hatch pattern file. If the variable contains a null string ("") the hatching commands uses the built-in quick pattern for hatching (see HPSPACE, HPANGLE, and HPDOUBLE).

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	String

Default Value	""

Command

HATCH


HPSCALE

Determines the scale factor for a hatch pattern based on a hatch pattern description file.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	1.0

Command

HATCH


HPSPACE

Determines the distance between the lines of the standard quick pattern. See also HPNAME, HPDOUBLE, HPUSRANG.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	1.0

Command

HATCH


HPUSRANG

Determines the hatch angle of a built-in quick hatch pattern (single line or cross pattern; see also the system variable HPDOUBLE).

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	0

Command

HATCH


INSBASE

Determines the base point for parts when writing selected entities to file to define a part. Note: The command PARTEXP does not request a base point when creating a drawing file representing a part when the entity selection method is used.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	3D point

Default Value	0.00,0.00,0.00

Command

PARTEXP. See also DEFPART.


INSNAME

Determines a default part name for the INSERT command. The variable is updated when the user specifies another part in the INSERT dialog. If the variable contains a null string (""), no default part name is set.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	String

Default Value	""

Command

INSERT


LASTPOINT

Returns the coordinates of the point specified by the last point input within a drawing or editing command function. May also be set.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	3D Point

Default Value	x, y, z


LIMMAX

Determines the upper right XY coordinates for the display of a grid in the drawing. May also, in some cases, be interpreted as drawing sheet corner.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	2D Point

Default Value	12.0, 9.0

Command

- - -


LIMMIN

Determines the lower left XY coordinates for the display of a grid in the drawing. May also, in some cases, be interpreted as drawing sheet corner.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	2D Point

Default Value	0.0, 0.0

Command

- - -


LSPALOAD

Determines the file name of a LISP file which is loaded automatically when the drawing is opened. Recommended for use especially in template drawings to perform certain application specific tasks (e.g. evaluation of application specific configuration files).

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	String

Default Value	""

Command

- - -


LTSCALE

Determines a common scale factor for linetypes. This allows to adjust the display of dashed, dash-dotted, or dotted lines to the drawing and plotting scale.

The dash lengths specified in the linetype definition (in drawing units) are multiplied with the factor specified in the variable LTSCALE. The variable accepts floating point values which must be greater than zero.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	1.0

Command

'DRAWMODE. See also: LAYER, LINETYPE, 'SETLINETYPE.


LUNITS

Determines the mode for the linear unit format used in the drawing. Valid values are:

1 = Scientific

2 = Decimal

3 = English: Engineering

4 = English: Architecture

5 = Fraction

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer  (1 ... 5)

Default Value	2

Command

- - -


LUPREC

This variable (Linear Units Precision) determines the number of decimal places of linear units. A value up to 8 decimal places is accepted.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	2

Command

- - - -


MIRRTEXT

This variable (Mirror Text) determines, if text is reflected or retains direction when selected by the MIRROR or FLIP command.

0 = Mirror text

1 = Retain text direction when mirrored

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	1

Command

MIRROR, FLIP


ORTHOMODE

This variable turns the orthogonal drawing mode on or off.

0 = Off

1 = On

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	0

Commands

PRECPAR, 'TORTHO


OSMODE

This variable (Object Snap Mode) sets an explicit object snap mode for drawing and editing. To set more than one object snap mode explicitly, the sum of the following valid value must be specified. Valid values for the bit-coded argument of the system variable are:

Value	Meaning
0	No explicit object snap
1	End point
2	Mid point
4	Center point of arcs and circles
8	Insertion point of text, parts, part and attribute definition and anonymous blocks like dimensioning and hatching
16	Quadrant of arcs and circles
32	Intersection point
64	Insertion point
128	Perpendicular to
256	Tangent to
512	Next point on nearest entity

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	0

Command

'PRECPAR


PDMODE

Determines the symbol used to display point entities in the drawing.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer (0 ... 20)

Default Value	0

Command

'DRAWMODE


PDSIZE

Determines the size of point entities in the drawing.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	0.0

Command

'DRAWMODE


PLINEWID

Determines the default value for the width when polylines are drawn with one of the commands POLYLINE, CHAIN, NGON, or RECTANGLE.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	0.00

Commands

POLYLINE, CHAIN, NGON, RECTANGLE


PREVCMD

Returns the most recently called or executed command in a string even if the command has been canceled. The variable returns both a built-in command of the graphics engine and a command provided by a so-called "c:" function defined within the user interface. If the most recently called command has been a lisp expression, like (setq a 4.7), or an unknown command, the variable contains the string "PREVCMD". The variable is of interest only for programming.

Properties

Status    	Read-Only

Type      	String

Example	"_line"


SNAPBASE

Determines the origin (x, y) for the snap grid.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	2D Point

Default Value	0.00,0.00

Command

'PRECPAR


SNAPMODE

Determines the snap mode. If snap mode is turned on, the cursor movements and the coordinates identified are locked to the nearest point on the snap grid. If turned on, this mechanism is disabled.

0 = Off

1 = On

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	0

Commands

'PRECPAR, 'TSNAP


SNAPUNIT

Determines the horizontal and vertical distance of the points on the snap grid.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	2D Point

Default Value	1.00, 1.00

Command

'PRECPAR


SPLFRAME

Determines how to display the edges of entities of type 3DFACE which have been set to invisible are currently displayed. The value may be as follows:

0 = Edges of 3D Faces are displayed as defined (visible or invisible)

1 = All edges of 3D Faces are displayed visible

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	0

Commands

'VIEWPAR. See also: 3DFACE.


TEXTSIZE

Determines the default value of the text size proposed by the command TEXT or ATTDEF for entity creation.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	0.2

Commands

TEXT, ATTDEF


TEXTSTYLE

Determines the default value for the text style proposed by the command TEXT or ATTDEF for entity creation. The string must contain a valid text style name already stored in the STYLE table of the drawing database. A text style can be loaded, defined, or re-defined with the command FONT.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	String

Default Value	"STANDARD"

Commands

TEXT, ATTDET. See also: FONT.


TRIMMODE

Determines the trim mode used when executing the command FILLET or CHAMFER as follows

0 = OFF: The selected lines to be filleted or chamfered are not modified

1 = ON:  The selected lines are trimmed when filleted or chamfered

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer (0 | 1)

Default Value	1

Command

EDITPAR, FILLET, CHAMFER


UCSFOLLOW

Determines, if the alteration of the user coordinates system (UCS) causes an automatic change to the plan view of the new UCS.

0 = Off: A new UCS does not change the view

1 = On: Plan view follows automatically to an UCS alteration

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer (0 | 1)

Default Value	0

Command

'VIEWPAR


UCSNAME

Returns the name of the current user coordinate system (UCS). If the variable is a null string (""), the UCS is unnamed.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	String

Default Value	""


UCSORG

Returns the coordinates of the origin of the current user coordinate system (UCS).

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	3D Point

Default Value	0.00,0.00,0.00


UCSXDIR

Returns the coordinates for the direction of the X axis of the current user coordinate system.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	3D Point

Default Value	1.00,0.00,0.00


UCSYDIR

Returns the coordinates for the direction of the Y axis of the current user coordinate system.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	3D Point

Default Value	0.00,1.00,0.00


USERI1  ... USERI5

Stores a user-defined integer in the one of the variables USERI1 through USERI5.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Integer

Default Value	0


USERR1  ... USERR5

Stores a user-defined floating point number in the one of the variables USERR1 through USERR5.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	Real

Default Value	0.00


USERS1  ... USERS5

Stores a user-defined string number in the one of the variables USERS1 through USERS5.

Properties

Status	Read / Write

Type	String

Default Value	""


VIEWCTR

Returns the coordinates (of the current user coordinate system) of the center point of the current viewport.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	2D Point

Default Value	x, y


VIEWDIR

Returns the coordinates (of the current user coordinate system) containing the view direction of the current viewport.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	3D Point

Default Value	0.00,0.00,1.00


VIEWSIZE

Returns the height in drawing units of the visible drawing portion (view) in the current viewport.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Real

Default Value	9.00


VIEWTWIST

Returns the view angle to the current viewport.

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Real

Default Value	0.0


WORLDUCS

Indicates, if the current user coordinate system (UCS) is identical with the world coordinate system (WCS). In this case the variable contains the integer value 1; otherwise 2.

1 = UCS is identical to the WCS

2 = UCS does not correspond to WCS

Properties

Status	Read-Only

Type	Integer (1 | 2)

Default Value	1


DIMALT

0 = OFF (default) | 1 = ON

Disables or enables alternate unit dimensioning.


DIMALTD

0 .. 8 (Default: 2)

Determines the number of decimal places for alternate unit dimensioning if the variable DIMALT is set to 1 (see above) .


DIMALTF

Real (Default: 1.0)

Determines the scale factor for alternate unit linear dimensioning if the variable DIMALT is set to 1 (see above).


DIMAPOST

String (Default: "")

Determines a string appended to the measurement of an alternate unit dimension if the variable DIMALT is set to 1 (see above). Valid for all dimensions with exception of angular dimensions.


DIMASO

0 = OFF | 1 = ON (default)

Disables or enables associative dimensioning.

If associative dimensioning is turned on, all dimensions are created as anonymous block and can be modified and updated as a unique object. Also, the dimension is associated to its defining points in the geometry.

If associative dimensioning is turned off, all entities of the dimension are created as single lines, arrows, text, etc. An association to the geometry is not maintained.


DIMASZ

Real (Default: ...)

Determines the size of arrows at the end of dimension lines.


DIMBLK

String (Default: "")

Determines the name of an arrow symbol block replacing the normal arrow at the ends of dimension lines.


DIMBLK1

String (Default: "")

Determines the name of an arrow symbol block replacing the normal arrow at the starting point of a dimension line, if DIMSAH is set to 1 (see below).


DIMBLK2

String (Default: "")

Determines the name of an arrow symbol block replacing the normal arrow at the ending point of a dimension line, if DIMSAH is set to 1 (see below).


DIMCEN

Real (Default: ...)

Determines the size (in drawing units) of center marks when circles or arcs are dimensioned with one of the commands DIMCENT, DIMRAD, or DIMDIA. Positive values determine that only a center mark is drawn. Negative values determine that center lines are drawn.


DIMCLRD

0 .. 256

Determines the color number assigned to dimension lines, arrowheads, and dimension line leaders.


DIMCLRE

0 .. 256

Determines the color number assigned to dimension extension lines.


DIMCLRT

0 .. 256

Determines the color number assigned to dimension text.


DIMDLE

Real

Determines the length of the extension of the dimension line past the extension line(s) when ticks are replacing the normal arrowheads.


DIMDLI

Real

Determines the offset distance of dimension lines when base line dimensioning is applied.


DIMEXO

Real

Determines an offset of extension line starting point from the measured entity.


DIMEXE

Real

Determines a value for the length the end of extension lines exceed the dimension line.


DIMGAP

Real

Determines and offset distances around the dimension text to be maintained when the dimension label is located in between the dimension line.


DIMLAYER

String (Default: "")

Determines a layer dimensions are forced to be placed on, if the variable contains a valid string of an existing layer. A null string ("") specification determines to use the current layer for dimension objects.


DIMLFAC

Real (Default: 0.00 = not used)

Forces all linear dimensioning measurements (including diameter, radius, and ordinate dimensioning) to be multiplied with a factor specified by this dimension variable and generates dimension text containing the result of that multiplication. DIMLFAC has no effect on angular dimensioning. The factor is used as a multiplier only in the case that DIMLFAC is non-zero. The DIMLFAC variable is especially applicable when dimensioning scaled details.


DIMLIM

0 = OFF (default)  |  1 = ON

Determines that the string values of the variables DIMTP and DIMTM are used as dimension label to create limit dimensioning. When DIMLIM is set to 1 (on), DIMTOL is set to 0 (off).


DIMLINE

0 = OFF (default)  |  1 = ON

Determines whether the inner dimension line of linear and circle/arc dimensioning is forced to be drawn as single line (on) or not (off).

The DIMLINE variable is especially applicable when dimensioning diameters and radii.


DIMPOST

String (Default: "")

Determines a text prefix, suffix or both, for dimension label created with following dimension commands. These strings surround the dimension measurement value computed. The string <> used in the variable setting serves to separate prefix and suffix specification; otherwise the string supplied is used as suffix.

Example: A variable value of "Approx. <> m" might result in the dimension text Approx. 12 m


DIMRND

Real (Default: 0.00)

Determines to round all dimension measurements to the setting of this variable. For example, a DIMRND value set to 0.5 results to round all dimensions represented in the dimension text to the next 0.5 value.


DIMSAH

0 = OFF (default)  |  1 = ON

Determines whether separate arrowhead symbol blocks are allowed (on) or not (off). The arrow blocks used are specified by the variable settings of DIMBLK1 and DIMBLK2 (see above).


DIMSCALE

Real (Default: 1.0)

Determines a general scale factor applied on all scalar dimension variables (e.g. text size, arrow size, tick size, extension line offset, ...).

Note: This variable does not take effect on the measured values (lengths, angles, or coordinates) by the linear, radial, angular, and ordinate dimensioning commands.


DIMSE1

0 = OFF | 1 = ON (default)

Determines whether the first extension line is displayed (1) or not (0).


DIMSE2

0 = OFF | 1 = ON (default)

Determines whether the second extension line is displayed  (1) or not (0).


DIMSHO

0 = OFF | 1 = ON (default)

Determines whether the dynamic dragging mode is used when creating or modifying dimensions. Note: This variable is not stored in a dimension style.


DIMSOXD

0 = OFF(default) | 1 = ON

Suppresses dimension lines drawn outside the extension lines.


DIMSTYLE

Contains the name of the current dimension style which can be set with the DIMTYPE command.


DIMTAD

0 = OFF (default) | 1 = ON

Determines, if set to 1 (on), to place dimension text above the dimension line. Then a single solid dimension line is drawn beneath the dimension text. If activated, the variable takes effect,

•	if the dimension text is drawn between the extension line (see DIMTIX) and at the same angle as the dimension line; or

•	if the dimension text is placed outside of extension lines.

If DIMTAD is set to zero (off) the vertical location of dimension text in relation to the dimension line is controlled by the DIMTVP variable (see below).


DIMTFAC

Real

Determines a scale factor for the text height of tolerance values relative to the general dimension text height.


DIMTIH

0 = OFF | 1 = ON (default)

Forces dimension text to be drawn horizontally in linear, diameter, or radius dimensioning, when the dimension text is placed between the extension lines. When set to 0 (off), the angle of the dimension text takes the angle of the dimension line.


DIMTIX

0 = OFF (default) | 1 = ON

Forces dimension text to be drawn in between the extension lines.


DIMTP

String

Determines a value for the positive value of a plus/minus tolerance to be drawn. The tolerance value is only drawn if either DIMTOL or DIMLIM is set to 1(on).


DIMTM

String

Determines a value for the negative value of a plus/minus tolerance to be drawn. The tolerance value is only drawn if either DIMTOL or DIMLIM is set to 1(on).


DIMTMSTR

String

Determines an additional string for the negative value of a plus/minus tolerance to be displayed behind the dimension text. See also: DIMTPSTR.


DIMTOFL

0 = OFF | 1 = ON

Forces, if set to 1 (on), a dimension line to be drawn between the extension lines even when the dimension text is placed outside the extension line.

For dimension and radius dimensioning the variable has an additional meaning: If at the same time the variable DIMTIX is turned off (0) and DIMTOFL is turned on (1), the dimension line and the arrowheads are drawn inside the circle or arc, but the leader line and the dimension text are placed outside the circle or arc.


DIMTOH

0 = OFF | 1 = ON (default)

Forces dimension text to be drawn horizontally in linear, diameter, or radius dimensioning, when the dimension text is located outside the extension lines. When set to 0 (off), the angle of the text outside of extension lines takes the angle of the dimension line.


DIMTPSTR

String

Determines an additional string for the positive value of a plus/minus tolerance to be displayed behind the dimension text. See also: DIMTMSTR.


DIMTSTYLE

Determines the text style used when dimension text is created or modified. The string must contain a valid text style name already stored in the STYLE table of the drawing database. A text style can be loaded, defined, or re-defined with the command FONT. If the variable is set to a null string (""), the current text style specified in the local variable TEXTSTYLE (see above) is used.


DIMTSZ

Real (Default: 0.0)

Determines the length of ticks, if tick symbols are replacing arrowheads.

If the variable setting of DIMTSZ is 0, arrows are drawn.

If the variable value is > 0 ticks are drawn with the size resulting from the product of BEMSLG*BEMFKTR.


DIMTVP

Real

Allows to adjust the vertical offset of the dimension text in relation to the dimension line. The dimension text can be placed above or below the dimension line. The magnitude of the vertical offset of the dimension text is the product of  text height and the current variable setting: DIMTXT*DIMTVP.

The DIMTVP value is only used, if DIMTAD (see above) is set to off (0).


DIMTXT

Real

Determines the height of dimension text in dimension labels by a floating point number greater than zero, unless the current dimension text style has a fixed height.


DIMZIN

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12

Determines the display mode of dimension text to suppress leading and/or trailing zeros in dimensions. The integer value affects dimension text as follows:

  0  =  Suppress zero feet and suppress precisely zero inches

  1  =  Display zero feet and display precisely zero inches

  2  =  Display zero feet, but suppress zero inches

  3  =  Suppress zero feet, but display zero inches

  4  =  Suppress leading zeros in all decimal dimensions

  8  =  Suppress trailing zeros in all decimal dimensions

12  =  Suppress leading and trailing zeros in all decimal dimensions

Note: The values 0 trough 3 affect feet/inch dimensioning only. The values 4, 8, and 12 is applied on decimal dimensions.


Orthogonal Mode

Orthogonal Mode limits the movement of the cursor so that it will only move parallel to the axes of the current coordinate system. This makes it much easier to design and place parallel, or ”running”, lines or objects.

In the standard World Coordinate System (WCS) the orthogonal lines will run horizontally or vertically from the base point.

If Orthogonal Mode is activated, it is only possible to indicate points which are located on a line running parallel to one of the axes of the coordinate system. Such a line is also called an ”orthogonal” line.

NOTE: Orthogonal Mode is effective only when ”picking” points using the Cursor. Input of non-orthogonal points is possible by keyboard input while the orthogonal mode is activated.


Snap Grid

Snap Grid covers the drawing area with an invisible grid. With Snap Grid activated, the cursor can only select points which are positioned directly on the grid. For the user, this means that starting- and ending-point, center, and any other specific point which can be defined will always be exactly on a grid point.

The distance between the point of the grid as well as the position of its zero point can be selected by the user. The grid will always follow the axes of the current coordinate system.


Grid Display

Grid Display covers the drawing area with a visible latticed point grid and offers a visual impression of the distances, angles and other relations of the objects with themselves.


Object Snap

Object Snap functions facilitate finding and "catching" geometrically significant points of already existing drawing objects. These can be end points, intersections, center points, and so forth.

The individual modes of Object Snap functions can be called for any single selection operation from the proper palette or via the cursor menu (middle mouse button) or be activated (permanently) using the Precision Aids dialog box (PRECPAR command).

See also:

Object Snap Modes


ORTHOGONAL MODE aids in designing by allowing:

Lines, chains and polylines only to be designed along lines parallel to the axes of the coordinate system);

Changes of direction when drawing lines, chains or polylines are always perpendicular to the current axes;

Construction points for geometrical objects such as radius, diameter, arcs, ellipses, ending points for polylines, chains and so forth will always be parallel to the axes of the coordinate system.

When the user is modifying objects, ORTHOGONAL MODE means:

Points for scrolling, scaling, rotating and so forth will be exactly parallel to or perpendicular to the axes of the defined base point. Objects or copies will be scrolled, stretched and so forth either parallel or perpendicular to the starting point.

The ORTHOGONAL MODE is effective to use in drawing and modifying rectangular aligned geometry.


Example Snap Grid:

XY-Origin:	1.0,1.25

Width	1

Height:	1

Entering these parameters, assuming the horizontal and the vertical distance between the points of the snapping grid is one drawing unit will enable the user to pick points:

- whose X-coordinates have the value 1 or a multiple of it; and

- whose Y-coordinates exceed the whole-numbered coordinate values by 0.25 drawing units.


Example: Activating Object Snap function 'END'

> LINE
From point: P1
To point: end
of object: P2
To point:

...


Input by keyboard

Input by keyboard has the advantage of precision. Using this method, the user can construct drawing entities with exact dimensions or with exact placement in the coordinate system.

Values for distances, straight lines and other linear quantities are specified in drawing units, angle values in degrees.

Coordinates are given, in sequence, as the values for the X-, Y- and Z-axes with a comma between.

Please note that a point is used as a decimal sign. A comma serves as dash between the values for the single axes.

When specifying an input value for an angle the sign < (smaller than) comes before the value.

The program offers the possibility to use Coordinate Filters when point values are requested. Coordinate Filters allow the user to relate the point value inputs to the X-, Y and Z-coordinates of existing entities.


Pointing or Identifying

”Pointing”, or ”identifying”, is taken to mean the input of points, straight lines, angles and other quantities by mouse or digitizer or other cursor control device.

This form of value input is recommended when the user must relate existing drawing entities. For instance, the center of a circle might be defined by the intersection of two lines. In this case it is easier to indicate a point resulting from the construction in order to define its coordinates.

The coordinates of the current Cursor position will interpreted directly as a pair of coordinates or, in some cases, as differential to the coordinates of a starting point. The clarity of this kind of value input is guaranteed by the dynamic preview. In doing this the user will get a kind of preview picture of the result of his or her action.

Using the Object Snap functions assures that the accuracy of the coordinate input by pointing will be improved. The construction points like the starting or ending points, the intersection points, the center points, the perpendicular point etc. can be ”pointed” with acceptable precision.

The program offers the possibility to use Coordinate Filters when point values are requested. Coordinate Filters allow the user to relate the point value inputs to the X-, Y and Z-coordinates of existing entities.


Absolute Coordinates
Absolute Coordinates...

Typ of coordinate	Input	Example

Cartesian	X,Y,Z	3,8,6

Polar	distance<angle	7.5<45

Spherical (3D)	distance<angle,Z-coord	7.5<45,12.2

Cylindrical(3D)	distance<angle1<angle2	7.5<45<33


Relative Coordinates
Relative Coordinates...

Typ of coordinate	Input	Example

Cartesian	@deltaX,deltaY,deltaZ	@3,8,6

Polar	rel. distance<angle	@7<45

Spherical (3D)	rel. distance<angle,Z-coord	@7.5<45,12.2

Cylindrical (3D)	rel.distance<angle1<angle2	@7.5<45<33


Transparent Commands

A series of commands and functions are at your disposal even when another command has been called and is being executed. These commands are called transparent commands.

They include commands and functions for:

- changing the configuration of the drawing area (for example,. ZOOM, PAN) or the window functions (for example,. WCASCADE, WTILE);

- controlling precision (grid, Snap, Ortho, Object snap functions);

- switching between Command Line area and Text Window;

- loading or closing palettes;

- calling the info functions; and

- calling the Help function.

After the execution of the transparent command the program continues to execute the original command.

If transparent commands are called using the Command Line area, an apostrophe must be placed before the command. For instance: 'ZOOMOUT.

Otherwise transparent commands can be called as usual by clicking the proper option in the pull-down menus or by choosing the proper symbol.

Transparent commands can not be executed if:

- the program is performing input of a sequence of characters; or

- a dialog or selecting window of another command is opened.


Viewports: The View Windows

The program is capable of opening as many as four drawings at the same time. Each of these drawings can be viewed in its own window. Further, it is possible to open as many as four viewing windows (viewports) for each drawing so that the drawing may be seen from different angles or so that portions of the drawing can be examined.

The different viewports of one drawing are kept in order by a running count in the title of the window. This number appears right after the name of the drawing and is separated from the name by a vertical line. These different windows can be arranged in Tiles, Cascaded, or enlarged to fill the entire drawing area. If more than one window exists, then only one window can be the ”active” window.  The active window is identified by the color of the title panel. The user may pick a window to be the active window by clicking on any part of the window with the cursor.


Drawing Measurement

The distance between two integer coordinates is called a drawing measurement. A line from point 0,1 to point 1,1 has a length of 1 drawing measurement. When drawing inside a coordinate system you can create objects at a 1:1 ratio, avoiding calculation- and other measurement errors.

The drawing as a whole or any excerpt from it can be printed or plotted in any scale. You save the trouble of creating complete drawings and detail drawings in different measurements.

See also:

Coordinate Systems

User Coordinate Systems

UCS


User Coordinate System

A user coordinate system can be freely defined by the user, having the world coordinatesysstem as a basis. The following changes can be made in a user coordinate system:

The origin can be moved to any point in the world coordinate system.

The user coordinate system can be angled or turned around one or more axis in relation to the world coordinate system.

Using the user coordinate system, for example, it is possible to change the location of the drawingplane in such a way that it always lies parallel to the objects that are to be drawn, making the construction of 3-dimensional objects much easier.


Standard Views

- Top (Plan View)

- Front

- Left

- Right

- Back

- Bottom


Standard Layer - Layer "0"

The standard layer is always called Layer 0. It is generated automatically by the program when a new drawing is created. The layer color 7 (black) as well as the linetype continuous is automatically established for this layer. This layer cannot be erased or renamed.


Lock Files
Lock Files (.flk)

Lock files are backup files which the program creates as soon as the drawing file is opened.  They have the same file name as the original file, but are allocated with the .flk default file extension. Lock files are automatically removed as soon as the original drawing file is correctly closed.


Application Search Paths
Application Search Path

This directory contains the support files required for pull down menus, shading and patterns, line definitions and layouts as well as the toolbar configuration files.


Configuration Directory
CFG Directory

The configuration directory contains the current drawing editor configuration details.


Driver Directory

Directory for device driver interface files (currently only tablet driver interface DLL; normally same as kernel directory)


Temporary Directory

Directory for temporary user-specific files (UNDO-List and Display-List files)


Drawing Directory

Default directory for drawings


Key file

The key file contains the Hot Key Definitions and Alias Commands defined by the user.


Pallettes

Palettes are tool boxes which contain a number of  buttons linked to various commands and instructions.

These windows can be placed anywhere on the screen and act as an alternative method of calling up commands, in addition to those already offered by Pull-down menus or direct input.


Menu Files

Menu files are saved using the .mnu file extension. They can be embedded into the program using the MENU command. The Dialog and Menu Editor enables you to create or alter pull-down menus.


Template Drawing
Template Drawings

When creating a new drawing you are given the option of using pre-defined templates. These templates are a form of specimen drawing, which either act as a basis for your finished work, or set up the required drawing environment.

The main advantage of using templates is that all elements and settings of an already existing drawing can be adopted and as such do not need to be re-entered.

This is particularly useful for parameters such as drawing boundaries, frames, guidelines, measurement settings, views etc. In order to facilitate this, a number of local variables containing stored settings are loaded along with the template.  These settings are then used to display the drawing, drawing elements and objects.


User Coordinate Systems

A User Coordinate System (UCS) can be freely defined by the user, having the world coordinatesysstem as a basis.

The following changes can be made in a user coordinate system:

The origin can be moved to any point in the world coordinate system.

The user coordinate system can be angled or turned around one or more axis in relation to the world coordinate system.

Using the user coordinate system, for example, it is possible to change the location of the drawingplane in such a way that it always lies parallel to the objects that are to be drawn, making the construction of 3-dimensional objects much easier.


Palette Manager

The user may control palette opening and display and the exchange of palettes on the program surface. Select Palette Manager from the menu File.

In the selection area of the Dialog Box, all of the palettes which are currently at the user’s disposal are shown.

Select the desired palette. Underneath the selection area are three switches with the designations ”Palette 1”, Palette 2”, and so forth, to ”Palette 10”. By selecting one of the ten switches the user can assign an identification number (for example, Palette 1) to the palette. If there is another palette with the same ID-number already opened, this palette will be closed and replaced by the new palette having that ID number.

When the palette is opened the selecting window will close. If no palette is to be opened or replaced the user may close the window by selecting Cancel.

If the user wants to include customized palettes in the Palette Manager she/ he should proceed as follows:

Edit the file <Menu name>.pal, which is situated in the \APPLIC directory. For instance, if the user menu is called fcad.mnu, the user must edit the file fcad.pal . The structure of the file is:

Palette description 1

palette1.mnp

Palette description 2

palette2.mnp

and so forth.

The palette description will be found in the list shown in the Palette Manager Dialog Box, and the line following will always name the palette file. The user can complete or delete the entries as he or she wishes.


Dialog Menu Editor
Dialog and Menu Editor

The Dialog and Menu Editor is an independent module incorporated within the program. This module allows the user to create or change their own pull-down menus, palettes (tool boxes) and dialog boxes.


Selection Set
Selection Set...

A collection of selected entities is called a selection set.


FLISP
FLISP...

With FLISP your CAD system provides a flexible LISP Interpreter. LISP suits to the needs of technically-skilled people.

FLISP is a complex tool to enhance the power of your application in many ways. The built-in LISP Interpreter allows to add functions and routines tailored to your individual needs.

One of the advantages of LISP is the short learning curve. In a short time you will be able to exploit the capabilities provided by this programming interface when working with your CAD application.


Text Window...

The Command Line, or the Text Window, serves as communication between the program and the user. In its default condition, the program uses a Command Line situated directly underneath the Menu Bar.

The button T on the right of the Text Window will allow the user to switch between this mode of display and a bigger Text Window, placed freely on the drawing field.


Coordinate Symbol

Normally, the program puts a coordinate symbol in the lower left corner of the Drawing Area. This symbol indicates the position of the axes of the coordinate system and provides orientation of the alignment of the current coordinate system.

The user can classify the individual axes of the coordinate symbol by different colors, which increases the clarity of this symbol.

In addition, the coordinate symbol can be faded in and out by the transparent command TICON (Toggle Icon).


Select Box
Select Box...

Indicates the pixel size of the cursor window when selecting objects.


Snap box
Snap Box...

Indicates the pixel size of the cursor window when using the object snap option.


Object Snap Modes
The Object Snap Modes (1 of 3)

 END Endpoint

The Object Snap function ”End” snaps to the end point of a line or of an arc.

Planes or the edges of solids are also interpreted as lines, and end points of planes and solids can be trapped by the mode ”end point”.

 MID Point

Snaps to the center of a line or an arc.

Planes, or the edges of solids, are also interpreted as lines, and may be snapped by the mode ”mid-point”.

 CEN - Center Point

Snaps to the center of a circle or an arc.

 QUA - Quadrant

Snaps to the nearest quadrant of a circle or an arc.
Quadrants refer to the points of a circle or an arc, situated on the circumference at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees. These are the intersecting points of the axes of a coordinate system upon whose origin lies the center of the circle or the arc with the circumference of this circle or arc. Only the next visible quadrant of an arc can be snapped.
NOTE: For further operations, the command ROTATE will not rotate the quadrants with the object.


The Object Snap Modes (2 of 3)

 INT - Intersection Point

Snaps to the intersection points of lines, arcs and circles or any other combination of them.

 PER - Perpendicular to...

This mode requires that a starting point for a function has already been selected. Activating the Object Snap mode will relate this point to the snapped point.
For instance, when a perpendicular is desired, the ending point for the perpendicular is picked, and the Object Snap mode Perpendicular is chosen. The result will be a perpendicular line from the ending point to the chosen entity.

 TAN - Tangent

Similarly, this mode requires that a starting point for a function has already been selected. Activating the OBJECT SNAP mode will relate this point to the snapped point.
For instance, when a tangent to a circle is desired, the ending point for the tangent line is picked, and the Object Snap mode Tangent is chosen. The result will be a tangent line from the ending point to the chosen entity.


The Object Snap Modes (3 of 3)

 NXT - Next Point on Entity

This mode snaps to the next situated point of an object, when at least one point of this object lies within the borders of the selecting cursor window. This ensures that entities which are designed or modified by use of the OBJECT SNAP function share actually a point with the selected object.
If the user selects a point on the space without using this OBJECT SNAP function it is possible that the selected point is not on the desired object. The two objects would not have a common point, or a ”closure”.

 INS - Insertion Point

Snaps to the insertion point of a part insertion, an attribute or a text object.

 PNT-Point

Snaps to a point which was created by the drawing command POINT.


Object Selection Modes
Object Selection Modes (1 of 3)

Window
A (rectangular) selecting window is defined by two diagonal opposite corner points. Position the cursor on the first corner of the selecting window and select that point.
The user must take care that no object is inside the cursor window (box) during the fixing of the first corner point. Otherwise the option "Crossing" will be active instead of the option selecting window and the object which is situated in the cursor box will be marked.
Determine the second corner point of the selecting window. This will select and mark all of the entities which are entirely within the window frame described.
The command line will again display the prompt to select objects. Continue the object selection operation with the same or another selection mode, or terminate it by pressing ENTER.

Crossing
When selecting an object by Crossing only entities whose contours touch, or ”cross”, the window frame will be chosen.
Position the cursor so that its window crosses the contour of the desired drawing entity and select to mark the object.
An object will not be marked if the cursor is only situated on the area which is included by the contours of the entity, without touching the contour itself. In this case the program will activate the selection mode ”Window” and interpret the input as the first corner point of the window.


Object Selection Modes (2 of 3)

WPolygon
The mode Window Polygon functions in principle by the same proceeding as the option ”Window”. This means, that all drawing entities are marked whose contours are entirely inside of the selection window.
The difference between the two modes is in the form of the selecting window. The mode Window Polygon allows the user to design an irregular window with as many corner points as are desired. This allows more flexibility in selecting that does ”Window”.
To use WPolygon, first define in succession the corner points for the selecting window. The ”preview” mode (from the option bar) will offer a preview of the emerging polygon.
The corner points for the selecting window can be defined in a clockwise or counter-clockwise series. The program allows the polygon lines to cross or intersect themselves and to shape "loops".
ENTER will conclude the definition of the selecting window. All objects that lie totally inside of the window will be marked.

CPolygon
By the selecting mode Crossing Polygon there can also be created a irregularly formed window with as many corner points as you like. All objects that lie inside of the selecting window or are crossed by the window frame will be marked.
Define successively (clockwise or counterclockwise) the corner points for the selecting window. The preview mode will offer a preview of the emerging polygon.
The program also allows the polygon lines to cross or intersect themselves and shape "loops".
ENTER will conclude the definition of the selecting window. All objects that lie totally inside of the window or are crossed by it will be marked.


Object Selection Modes (3 of 3)

Fence
The Object Selection option Fence represents an effective variant of a crossing selection mode. The object to be selected will be not be closed or crossed by a window, but only "cut through" by a line, or ”fence”.
The line of the fence can be defined by as many points as the user desires, and the fence may even intersect or cross itself.
ENTER will conclude the definition of the fence line. All objects which are touched or crossed by the line will be marked and added to the selecting set.

Last
The Object Selection option Last marks the last drawn entity and adds it to the selecting set.
It does not have a memory function, that is, it is not possible to add to the selecting set the entity created during subsequent ”last” operations by repeated calling of the option.
Note: If the last drawn entity lies on a ”frozen” layer you will receive the message in the command line area that no entity was selected.

All
The Object Selection option All, which is called by the input of ALL or the abbreviation A marks all entities included in the drawing with the exception of those located on frozen layers and adds them to the selecting set.

Previous
The Object Selection option Previous (P) restores the previous selecting set. All entities are marked (and highlighted), which have been selected by the previous selecting operation.
Note: This mode has the same restrictions as the modes ”Last” and ”All”, in that entities which are located on a frozen layer will not be marked, entities on a locked layer will be marked but cannot be handled.

Remove Mode / Add Mode
The last field of the option bar contains a toggle button to switch between adding objects to the current selecting set and removing objects from the selecting set.
The mode Add Objects is the default active mode, so the user can select further objects and add them to the selecting set at any time.
By selecting the button Remove in the option bar the user changes the selection mode to Remove Objects. Objects already selected and marked will be removed from the selection set by this change.

Single Selection Mode
The option Single, which is called by the abbreviation SI, de-activates all Object Select modes for the next and subsequent operations, with the exception of the ”standard” modes WINDOW and CROSSING.
Note: This option is not offered in the option bar, but may to be called by keyboard input.


Resource Manager
Resource Manager Options

The Resource Manager options allow the user to use different customization commands.

Select Resource Manager from the menu File.

The cascading menu contains the the following commands and functions:

Run Dialog and Menu Editor...	Calls the FelixCAD Dialog and Menu Editor
Run Bitmap Editor...	Starts the MS Paint Bitmap Editor to create, modify or view a bitmap file (.bmp)
Palette...	Loads a palette (toolbox) specified in the Palette File Dialog Box to the desktop (.mnp)
Menu...	Sets a pull-down menu specified in the Menu Dialog Box as current menu (.mnu)
Load Lisp File...	Loads a specified Lisp file (.lsp)
Run Macro...	Executes a specified Macro File (.mcr)
List File...	Displays the contents of resource text files (.lin, .pat, etc.)
Editor...	Calls the Windows Text Editor (Notepad.exe) to edit a resource file


Command COPYPROP
Copy Object Properties

 Command: COPYPROP

This command allows you to change the properties of selected objects to those attached to a specified reference entity.

Only the properties that are common to all objects (layer, linetype, color) are transferred to the selected objects.

To change the properties of a selection:

1. Select a single reference entity.

2. Select one or more objects to be changed.

Command line example:

> COPYPROP
Select entity for reference properties:
Select objects to modify. Select objects:


Modify object layer
Modify Object Layer ...

  Command: PROPLAYER

This command transfers selected objects from their current layer to a chosen layer. Call the command keyboarding PROPLAYER or by selecting Modify Object Layer... from the menu Edit.

To modify the layer property of drawing objects:

1.	Select the drawing entities to be transfered to another layer.

2.	In the dialog box choose a target layer and confirm the selection by OK.


Info Objects
Entity Info...

  Command: EINFO

The command EINFO lists information about the defining data of selected objects in the Entity Information dialog box.

The Clipboard option in the dialog box will copy the displayed information to the Windows Clipboard.


Drawing Database Tables
Drawing Database Tables...

  Command: TABLES

Call the command by keyboarding TABLES or select Drawing Database Tables... from the menu Edit.

These overviews can be requested:

Draw and Display Parameters
Layer
Line Types
Fonts
Part Definitions
Referenced Parts
Dimensioning Types
Hatching Parameters
Namend Views
User Coordinate systems

The Clipboard option will copy the displayed information to the Windows Clipboard.


Command TRAPEZOID
Trapezoid

Command: TRAPEZOID

With the command TRAPEZOID it is possible to draw a single conical element (trapezoid) on the active layer.

Start this function through choosing the like-named option in the menu Draw, its palette symbol, or through entering the command TRAPEZOID.

After entering the point and insertion angle, the conus is defined by its length and the diameter of its top and bottom. To do that, determine the needed points successively through pointing or entering the values or coordinates manually.

The conus can also be drawn using a Ratio of tapering. To do that, press RETURN after the question of the diameter of the second side and enter a tapering ratio at the asking.


Command REJOIN
Rejoin broken Lines or Arcs

Command: REJOIN

Rejoin will unite separated lines segments which remain aligned in one direction, or of arc segments which share the same center and the same radius.

This function will also reunite separated line or arc segments that have been divided by the command DELPARTIAL (Delete partial).

Select the command, then pick the entities to be rejoined.

> REJOIN
Select first entity (line or arc): P1
Select second entity (line or arc): P2

See also:

Delete partial


Command RTEXT
Reference Text...

Command: RTEXT

With the Reference Text utility new text is entered in a dialog box with a matching style and attributes of one previously entered. Simply pick a text entity and overwrite the string in the dialog box. Then specify the location of the new text entity in the drawing. The new text will have the same font, height, width factor, rotation angle and layer as displayed in the dialog. The command scheme is:

> RTEXT
Select reference text:
<Dialog box to edit text>
Insertion point:

See also:

TEXT


Command TCORRECT
Correct Text

The function Correct Text .... allows the user to edit text entities and attribute definitions. It is possible to correct texts or text attributes as well as to change the font or the point size.

Call the function Correct Text by keyboarding TCORRECTor select Correct Text .... from the pulldown menu Detail.

First, you are requested to select the text lines or attribute definitions. You may use the usual object select functions. Finish the object selection by ENTER. You can incorporate the desired corrections in all selected line globally, or line by line. Choose an option from the shown box:

Global Edit

Single Line Modifacation

Global Correcting

Dialog Box

In the upper area all text attributes, which can be changed, are listed. Via the marking array Remain you can enter, for any text attribute, whether this attribute is to be changed globally or should remain unchanged. If you switch off for instance, the box below the "text height", you can enter a new value for the text heigth. All selected text lines will be changed to this text height.

The lower part is a search function. Please enter a string in the line Search-String, indicating what "name" should be located, and, below, what string should replace it.

The program then replaces any desired Search-String by a new string.

Single Line Modification

Dialog Box

With the Single Line Modification you can change the same text attributes.

In the line Cur (Current) actual values are displayed. Enter the new values in the corresponding fields of the line New.

Checking the box Further ... will input the new values you have selected. The box Restore restores the previous inputs (Line Old).

When you leave the dialog box by the switch Update, the changes are executed. The switch Close ignores all changes made and askes if you want to end the text correction or to continue with the next line.

See also:

TEXTEDIT


Attribute Modification

The program offers several utilities to edit and modify attribut text entities. These utilities can be chosen from the Modify Attribut Text sub-menu in the pulldown menu Parts.

Edit Attribut Text Value

Call the utility by keyboarding ATTVALUE or select Edit Attribut Text Value from the sub-menu Modify Attribut Text. ATTVALUE allows the user to select a single attribute of a part insertion and change its value at the command line:

> ATTVALUE
Select attribute of part: P1
New value for attribute <47>: 48

Move Attribut Text

Call the utility by keyboarding ATTMOVE or select Move Attribut Text from the sub-menu Modify Attribut Text. Use the command ATTMOVE to select a single attribute of a part insertion and modify its location:

> ATTMOVE
Select attribute of part: P1
Target point: P2

Rotate Attribut Text

Select Rotate Attribut Text from the sub-menue Modify Attribut Text or call the utility by keyboarding ATTROT. The command ATTROT allows the user to select a single attribute of a part insertion and modify its rotation angle:

> ATTROT
Select attribute of part: P1
New angle <0>: 90


Export Attribut Information

  Command: ATTEXP

Writes attribute information to a file.

With this function, the user can extract attributes for parts or entities from the user drawing and save these in a CDF-format file. This is important when transferring and analyzing information from the drawing to or from programs for further processing

Proceed as follows

Enter the command ATTEXP or enter the function by selecting the menu point Export Attribut Information ... in the pull-down menu Part.

Select the objects whose attributes are to be analyzed and the information which to be exported. The usual object select functions in the Options Bar are available. Confirm the object selection by OK;

Select attributes

The left-most table lists the attributes which have been selected for export. An N indicates that it is a numeric value, and a C indicates that a character string is to be exported.

The next number displays the length of the field input for the attribute. For numeric values, the number of the decimal digits is also displayed.

Switches for Adding and Deleting attributes to the selection list are placed underneath the selection table. To delete attributes from the list, mark one or more lines in the list and select the switch Delete.

Select Part Properties for Export

The user can select which part properties are to be included in the CDF-file in a manner similar to adding attributes.

Select the switch Adding / Changing below the display and selection field for the parts and properties.

All of the properties which can be exported will be shown in the selection area. Select a property by selecting the marked field. Enter the desired number of characters for the field width and, if necessary, edit the number of decimal digits.

Change Field Separators

In the CDF file all fields are separated by Field separators. Non-numeric fields are included in text separators. These values can also be changed in this box.

View and Write CDF Files

When the user has selected all of the information desired, determine the name of the output file. A list will appear in the field CDF file. The switch '...' on the right side next to the input field for the file name displays a file selection box.

The switches Display and OK allow the user to search the drawing for the parts with the selected attributes, and the output in the CDF format is prepared. If the user selects the switch Display, a file will not be written, but will be displayed in a tabular Dialog Window.

From this window individual lines, or all lines, can be copied to intermediate storage (Clipboard) so that they can be easily processed by other Windows programs.


Set Layer by Reference

The QLAYER utility provides an alternative way of layer control which is, in some situations, more appropriate and direct. The user can set, turn off, freeze, lock, or unlock a layer by picking a reference entity.

Select the function Set Layer by Reference from the Options pulldown menu or call it by typing QLAYER.

Choose one of the options from the Options Bar:

Off	Lock	Freeze	Unlock	On	Thaw
The option Set is the standard option for QLAYER; and is used if no other option has been selected.

For example, if the user chooses the option Set, the routine will prompt:

Select reference entity to set layer:

The layer on which the picked entity is located will now be the current one.

The command also provides options to turn disabled layers on or to thaw frozen layers in a dialog box. All layers with the corresponding mode are highlighted in a list box. When the user chooses the OK button all marked layers in the list box will be turned on or frozen. Before clicking the OK button, the user can deselect marked items in the list box.


Coordinate Input - Summary

Coordinate Input

During the drawing process it is often necessary to enter Coordinates for defining points of the drawing (starting and ending points, center points, points of contact, inserting points, base and target points)

Coordinates are entered in the following formats:

Cartesian Coordinates

Cartesian Coordinates define a point by its X-, Y-, and Z-values. These values are entered separated by a comma. A point is used as a decimal sign.

If no Z-value is entered it will be interpreted as Z=0.

Polar Coordinates

Polar Coordinates define a point by its distance from the coordinate origin and the angle in the XY-plane (from the X-axis). The two values are separated by the sign < (smaller than).

For example, the value input 10<60 defines a point with the distance of 10 drawing units from the origin of the coordinate system and an angle of 60 degree from the X-axis.

Spherical Coordinates

Spherical Coordinates define a point by its distance from the coordinate origin, the angle in the XY-plane, and the angle to the XY-plane.

For instance, the value input 10<60<45 describes a point with the distance of 10 drawing units from the origin of the coordinate system, an angle of 60 degree from the X-axis in the XY-plane, and an angle of 45 degrees from the XY-plane in direction to the Z-axis.

Cylindrical Coordinates

Cylindrical Coordinates define a point by its distance from the coordinate origin, the angle in the XY-plane and its Z-value. Distance and angle are separated by < , angle and Z-value by comma.

For example, the input 10<60,5 defines a point with the distance of 10 drawing units from the origin of the coordinate system, an angle of 60 degree from the X-axis in the XY-plane, and a Z-value of 5 drawing units.

This table gives an overview of the input formats of the different coordinate types, both for absolute as for relative coordinates.

The different coordinate types can always be entered as absolute or as relative coordinate values.

Absolute Coordinates...

Absolute Coordinates use as their reference (starting) point the origin of the current coordinate system, or, in the case of angle values, the angle to the XY-plane of the coordinate system.

Typ of coordinate	Input	Example

Cartesian	X,Y,Z	3,8,6

Polar	distance<angle	7.5<45

Spherical (3D)	distance<angle,Z-coord	7.5<45,12.2

Cylindrical(3D)	distance<angle1<angle2	7.5<45<33

Relative Koordinates...

Relative Coordinates use as their starting point the last defined point. Relative coordinates are selected by adding a sign @ before the value.

Typ of coordinate	Input	Example

Cartesian	@deltaX,deltaY,deltaZ	@3,8,6

Polar	rel. distance<angle	@7<45

Spherical (3D)	rel. distance<angle,Z-coord	@7.5<45,12.2

Cylindrical (3D)	rel.distance<angle1<angle2	@7.5<45<33


Creating the Drawing

Setting up a drawing

To customize a drawing to your needs and requirements, you should be familiar with some basic terms and principals.

Template drawing

Drawing in real world units (Scale 1:1)

Determine paper scale when printing or plotting

Coordinate systems

Units, Angles, Precision

When you start a new drawing, you should check the settings of the drawing environment with the SETUP command and/or the following commands:

1. Determine the linear unit system 	(Commands: LUNITS, LUPREC)

2. Determine the angular unit system	(Commands: AUNITS, AUPREC, ANGBASE, ANGDIR)

3. Determine the sheet size	(Commands: LIMMIN, LIMMAX)

4. Check precision aid parameters	(Command:  PRECPAR)

5. Check layer structure	(Command:  LAYER)

6. Check line types	(Command:  LINETYPE)

7. Check defined text styles	(Command:  FONT)

All described settings are stored with the drawing. When opening a new drawing, you can specify a Template Drawing. In such drawings you can have already set up all parameters and modes for your specific works. New drawings based on template drawings will come up with the corresponding parameters. A template drawing is stored as an ordinary drawing file. So, it can also contain drawing entities (for example a frame or title block), a certain layer structure, pre-loaded line types, various text styles and even pre-defined views.


Drawing in real world units (1:1 scale)

In a hand-drafted drawing you draw to a scale. For example, a 1=2 or half-scale would cause all dimensions to be half the real-world size. You would use an engineer's or architect's scale to draw a two-inch line, one inch long which is half the size of the real-world distance. However, full-scale represents the real-world distances, and drawing at full-scale, a two-inch distance would be drawn at two inches.

If you have experience in drafting, you are used to having to choose the scale before drawing one line. While drawing, however, you always draw in full scale. For people with drafting experience drawing in full scale is somewhat unusual. Remember these important rules:"

        1.  Draw in full scale.

        2.  Choose the scale when you plot.


Choose the drawing scale when you plot

Unlike board drafting, FelixCAD has no scale rules to work with. Object lines are drawn to full scale.

Because the plotter utility does the scaling, everything on the drawing is scaled as it is being plotted.

This means that the text, dimensions, border, and title block are also scaled.  Thus on a drawing plotted at a scale of 1=2 (half-scale), a 12" line will be plotted 6".


Units, Angles, Precision

For entering and displaying coordinates and distances the following unit systems are available:

Scientific 	1.234E+01

Decimal	12.340

English: Engineering	1'-0.340''

English Architectural	1'-0 3/8''

Fractional	12 3/8

For Input Precision of Linear Units you can choose from 0 to 8 decimal places.

And, you can select one of the following Angle Measurement Units:

Decimal degree	45.0000
Degree/Minutes/Seconds	45d0'0''	d = Degree; ' = Minutes; '' = Seconds
Grads	50.0000g
Radians	0.7854r
Surveyors	N 45d0'0'' O
For Precision of Angle Specification you can choose from 0 to 8 decimal places.

The standard Angle 0 Direction is East, or, as on a clock face, at 3 o'clock. Any other direction may be specified.

The angle direction can be determined as Counter-clockwise (CCW) or Clock-wise.


Coordinate systems

The coordinate system of this program allows to determine every single point of a drawing surface or a drawing object unambiguously through coordinates. These coordinates originate in the coordinate system. The program uses a cartesian coordinate system consisting of three coordinateaxis, of which every pair is arranged orthogonally and which cross at the origin. All axis have the same measurements.

To determine the coordinates of a point, the distances of this point to the x- and y-axis, in a 3-D system also from the z-axis, are measured.

The programm differentiates the coordinate system between a world coordinate system (WCS) and the user coordinate system (UCS).

World Coordinate System

The world coordinate system is a permanently installed cartesian coordinate system that is used as a standard for all drawings. The x-axis measures the horizontal distance, the y-axis the vertical distance from the origin. The z-axis is orthogonal to the x- and y-plane and measures the distance of a point to this plane.

The world coordinate system cannot be changed by the user.

User Coordinate Systems

The user coordinate system can be freely defined by the user, having the world coordinatesysstem as a basis. The following changes can be made in a user coordinate system:

The origin can be moved to any point in the world coordinate system.

The user coordinate system can be angled or turned around one or more axis in relation to the world coordinate system.

Using the user coordinate system, for example, it is possible to change the location of the drawingplane in such a way that it always lies parallel to the objects that are to be drawn, making the construction of 3-dimensional objects much easier.


Tutor Exercises

Exercises

The exercise part of Tutor contains drafting exercises illustrating the basic commands of FelixCAD.
It provides a continuous course of instruction with learning sequences structured by degree of difficulty.

How to do an exercise

To organize the steps of an exercise - starting with an exercise selection up to ending with the evaluation of the drawing - a palette as illustrated below is provided:

This palette is displayed automatically if you choose, within the tutorial palette, the item Exercises - Step by Step or enter the command EXERCISE.

The symbols in this palette have the following meaning:

Dialog to select a new exercise

Exercise task and assistance for the selected exercise in a dialog box

Evaluation of the user's drawing

Task and assistance for the current exercise in the Help window set always on top of the desktop

Parameter setting for the evaluation program

Exercise Assistance

The following types of assistance are provided for each exercise:

 graphically illustrated task

 verbal description of the task

 sample solution presented in a demo slide show

 Help for the commands which you are practicing throughout the drawing

You can call these features to support you any time when you are doing an exercise.

When you have finished the exercise drawing, you can start the Evaluation Program, which tests the drawn entities on validity. This control program recognizes faulty, missing and superfluous elements.

Any faulty or superfluous entities will be highlighted.

You can configure the evaluation program. For example, you can disable the checking of certain object properties (like layers).