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CDXF v1.2 DXF Viewer Copyright (c) 1993,1994 Joseph V. Gagliano All Rights Reserved Joseph V. Gagliano P.O. Box 202275 Austin, TX 78720-2275 Internet: jvgagliano@aol.com March 28, 1994 Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Registration Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 CDXF v1.2 REGISTRATION FORM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Packing List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Running CDXF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 CDXF Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 CDXF Screen Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Mouse and Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 CDXF Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Function Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Miscellaneous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 1 ============ Introduction =================================================================== CDXF is a 2-Dimensional DXF (Drawing Interchange File) viewer. DXFs are usually associated with Autodesk's AutoCAD, although many other programs can also read and write them. Basically, a DXF is an ASCII text file which contains information to reproduce a .DWG file in other formats/programs. DXFs are easily created using AutoCAD's DXFOUT function. CDXF is intended for users who frequently need to look at CAD drawings but aren't necessarily CAD experts. It can also be used to view DXFs without the hassle of running AutoCAD. CDXF's minimal memory and disk space requirements make it more "portable." Most full-blown CAD packages aren't. If you need to inspect DXFs and don't want the expense of a full CAD system, CDXF is the way to go. ========= Equipment =================================================================== You will need the following to run CDFX: MS-DOS 3.3 or better 640x480x16 VGA display Mouse 256K free RAM 80x87 Math-coprocessor supported but not necessary ** Hard disk drive optional (but strongly recommended!) If you can run AutoCAD, you probably won't have any trouble running CDXF. A mouse is not necessary to view a file when CDXF is run with the -v option, but none of the CDXF functions are accessible. See "Running CDXF" below. ** CDXF creates a temporary disk file that is about one-half the size of the DXF being viewed. This isn't a problem for small DXFs. However, for a 500K DXF, for example, you will need approximately 250-300K free space in the disk/directory of CDXF. 2 ========== Disclaimer =================================================================== The author, Joseph V. Gagliano, claims no responsibility for any damages caused by the use or misuse of this product. This product is distributed "as is" with no warranty expressed or implied. The author will not be responsible for any losses incurred, either directly or indirectly, by the use of this product. Use this product entirely at your own risk. The author reserves the right to make modifications at any time. Prices are subject to change without notice. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. ======================== Registration Information =================================================================== CDXF is distributed as User-Supported software. It is NOT "Freeware" or Public Domain. You are encouraged to copy and distribute this software freely as long as the files in the Packing List are not removed or altered in any way. If you find it useful, you are encouraged to register your copy. Registering your copy of the software helps the author continue to provide quality software at very reasonable prices. Registration is $25.00 and includes unlimited technical support, a printed and bound manual, and a free upgrade to the next released version of CDXF. Additional copies of CDXF may be obtained for $5.00 each. Orders from outside the U.S. need to include an additional shipping charge of $5.00. Checks and money orders must be drawn on a U.S. bank and must be in U.S. Dollars. Print the registration form (REGISTER.DOC) or include on a piece of paper your name, address, and phone number, and send it along with your payment to: Joseph V. Gagliano P.O. Box 202275 Austin, TX 78720-2275 If you don't have the REGISTER.DOC file, a copy of it is provided on the next page. 3 CDXF v1.2 REGISTRATION FORM Remit to: From: Joseph V. Gagliano _________________________ P.O. Box 202275 _________________________ Austin, TX 78720-2275 _________________________ (512) 259-8927 _________________________ Internet: jvgagliano@aol.com _________________________ Qty Unit Price Total ___ CDXF v1.2 $25.00 ______ ___ Additional Copies of $ 5.00 ______ CDXF v1.2 Subtotal: ______ Shipping outside U.S. @ $5.00 ______ (U.S. Dollars/U.S. Bank) Total: ______ I use 5.25"____ 3.5"____ disks. Where did you receive CDXF? ___________________________ _______________________________________________________ COMMENTS: ____________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ 4 ============ Distribution =================================================================== Feel free to make as many copies of the program as you like and distribute them as you see fit (friends, co-workers, Bulletin Boards...) The only restriction is that _all_ files on the distribution disk (or ZIP file) must be copied faithfully (i.e.: not omitted nor altered.) If any files in the Packing List are missing, please contact the author. ============ Packing List =================================================================== 13x8.FON font file 20x12.FON font file 5x3.FON font file 8x5.FON font file CDXF.DOC CDXF reference manual (this doc) CDXF.EXE CDXF executable program CDXF.RES resource file README up-to-date info about CDXF REGISTER.DOC registration form TEST.DXF DXF for testing 5 ===== Setup =================================================================== First, make a backup disk. Copy all the files from the distribution disk to a blank formatted disk. For example: COPY a:\*.* b:\*.* or DISKCOPY a: a: If you're going to run CDXF from a floppy, use one of the disks as a work disk. If you want to run CDXF from a hard disk, make a directory for it. For example: MD c:\cdxf Now copy all the files from the distribution disk to the CDXF directory. This will be the working directory. For example: COPY a:\*.* c:\cdxf\*.* 6 ============ Running CDXF =================================================================== CDXF accepts a .dxf file as a command line parameter in addition to several switches. If a file name is not found, you will be prompted for one. A command line switch is identified by the "-" that precedes it. Switch Description ------ -------------------------------------------------- v bypasses CDXF's user interface and simply displays the DXF in a full-screen view. If you choose this option, you will not be allowed to access CDXF's functions. Press any key to end the display. f causes CDXF to display the DXF in "fast mode". No texts, fills, or fit polylines are displayed. Once inside CDXF, this option can be toggled-off by the "Fast" button. q suppresses the copyright notice and "Extracting...." This can be useful if you use CDXF in a batch file. Note that the command line switches can be capital letters also. If you don't have a mouse and just want to view a DXF, use the -v option. For example: CDXF test loads test.dxf into CDXF CDXF test -v display test.dxf in a full screen view w/o interface CDXF -v test same as above CDXF test -Q -f loads test.dxf into CDXF in "fast mode". Also disables copyright notice. CDXF prompts you to enter a DXF name 7 ============ Running CDXF (continued) =================================================================== If everything has been entered correctly, you will see the following message (unless you've used the "-q" switch): "Extracting information..." CDXF uses the DXF LIMITS (usually set in AutoCAD by LIMITS function) as its drawing limits. Therefore, anything outside of the limits will not be displayed initially. After a few seconds (depending on the size of the DXF) CDXF will display the DXF and allow you to perform several functions. If you would like to see entities that lie outside the DXF LIMITS, you can use the CENTER function to "pan" around the display. 8 ================ CDXF Limitations =================================================================== The current version of CDXF works only with full DXFs. That is, a DXF containing an ENTITIES section but not a HEADER section, is not allowed. This type of DXF is usually produced using the AutoCAD DXFOUT-ENTITIES function. Future versions may support this. Only "non-anonymous" BLOCKs contained in the BLOCKS section of the DXF will be extracted. "Anonymous" BLOCKs include DIMENSIONs and HATCHes. * IMPORTANT: Any drawing entities contained solely in an "anonymous" BLOCK will not be displayed! If you wish to view these entities with CDXF, you must first EXPLODE them, then DXFOUT. CDXF will faithfully reproduce the following entities: LINE CIRCLE ARC POINT TRACE SOLID CDXF approximates the following entities: PLINE (limited to 100 VERTICES) TEXT INSERT CDXF does not process: SHAPE ATTDEF ATTRIB 3DFACE VIEWPORT DIMENSION PLINEs (polylines) are very powerful drawing tools. With this power comes complexity. PLINEs can have any number of vertices. Each vertex can have a width greater than zero. The PLINE can be curve-fit or spline-fit, etc.... Currently, CDXF does not reproduce curve-fit PLINEs as they should be unless they have been EXPLODED. Future versions of CDXF will correct this. The problem with reproducing TEXTs is representing a scalable vector font with a bit-mapped font. For most purposes, there shouldn't be a problem, but once again, future versions will correct this. 9 ================== CDXF Screen Layout =================================================================== After the DXF is processed, the CDXF view screen appears. On the right is a tool bar with several "buttons". At the bottom is a status bar that contains current information about the cursor position, zoom factor, etc. The rest of the screen is the actual display of the DXF. You can now use the mouse to navigate around the display or use the tools. ================== Mouse and Keyboard =================================================================== Although most of CDXF's functions are accessible through the tool bar, it is necessary to perform some functions with the keyboard. CDXF was designed to allow the user to select a function with the keyboard, then complete the function with the mouse. After a few minutes with CDXF, you will probably find this method the easiest. While we're on the subject of the mouse, let's talk about some terms. When you see the word "click", that means to quickly press and release the (left) button. "Drag" means to click the (left) button and move the mouse pointer/cursor to a different position, then click it again. The right mouse button is generally used to "back-up" or escape from a function. Currently, the right mouse button is active only while using the "SNAPSHOT" and "PHOTO" functions. ====== Colors =================================================================== All entity colors are determined BYLAYER. Manual color settings are ignored. 10 ============== CDXF Functions =================================================================== Button Key(s) Description ------------------------------------------------------------ ZOOM OUT O,o Zooms display out to LIMITS. ZOOM WINDOW W,w Zooms display to a user defined window. CENTER C,c Centers the display at user defined point. INFO I,i Displays information about the .dxf file. DISTANCE D,d Calculates a distance between two points. SNAPSHOT F9 Takes a "snapshot". (PHOTO) F10 Takes a "photo". QUIT Q,q Quits CDXF. (LAYER) F5 Lets you toggle LAYERS on/off. Fill F,f Toggles the FILLMODE (on/off). Fast Toggles the FASTMODE (on/off). Grid G,g Toggles the GRIDMODE (on/off). (Background) B,b Toggles the background color (light/dark). ===================== Function Descriptions =================================================================== ZOOM OUT Use this function to redisplay the DXF at 1x zoom factor. Remember, CDXF only displays the drawing LIMITS as set in the DXF (not EXTENTS). Any part outside of the LIMITS will not be displayed. 11 ZOOM WINDOW This function will zoom in on a window similar to AutoCAD's zoom-window function. After selection, the pointer will change to an arrow with a "W" by it. Move the pointer to one corner of the window. Now click the LEFT mouse button and size the window to the desired limits, then click the LEFT button again. CDXF will redisplay the DXF given the new window. * SEE NOTE at the end of this section. CENTER Choose this function to define a new center of the display. After selection, the pointer will change to a cross-hair. Move to position you wish to have as the center of the display and press the LEFT mouse button. CDXF will redisplay the DXF with the new center. This is similar to AutoCAD's PAN command. CENTER does not affect the zoom factor. * SEE NOTE at the end of this section. INFO This function pops-up a window that displays information about the current DXF. It will show: Example INFO window +-------------------------------------+ | test.dxf | | Origin : AutoCAD R10 | | Created: 13:10:03 09-23-93 | | Edited : 15:45:32 10-04-93 | | Edit time: 01:34:65 +----+ | | | OK | | | Press any key to continue. +----+ | +-------------------------------------+ Press a key or click on the "OK" button to return. 12 DIST The DIST or distance function allows you to determine a distance between two points on the display. After selecting DIST, the pointer will change to an arrow with a "D" by it. Move the pointer to the start point then click the LEFT mouse button. You can now drag the pointer to any point on the display. Click the LEFT mouse button again to choose an endpoint. The status bar on the bottom shows the start point, the current end point, the delta-x and delta-y distances and the actual distance between the two points. * SEE NOTE at the end of this section. SNAPSHOT This is function allows you to take a "snapshot" of the DXF being displayed. The "snapshot" is actually 100 x 100 pixel, 16 color .PCX file that is created by CDXF. Simply click on the SNAPSHOT button, then move the mouse cursor (it will change to a camera with a 100 pixel square box around it) to the area you want to capture. You are allowed to take up to 999 per session. That is if you have registered. Unregistered users are only allowed 12. CDXF will attempt to create a subdirectory called "album" (under the current working directory). The .PCX files will be saved as "\album\sshot___.pcx" , where "___" is replaced by the number of the snapshot. For example, the first snapshot would be "sshot000.pcx", then "sshot001.pcx", etc. If CDXF can't create "album", it will save the file in the current working directory. * SEE NOTE at the end of this section. (LAYER) This function is only accessible through the F5 key. LAYER control allows you to turn layers on and off. When you choose this option, a window will appear. Layer names will be on the left followed by a line that represents the color and LTYPE that layer is displayed with. A control button precedes the layer name. To toggle a layer, click on it's control button. When finished, click on OK. 13 (PHOTO) This function is only accessible through the F10 key. It's similar to SNAPSHOT in that it "captures" a .PCX file. This function allows you to "photo" an area that you specify. The area is limited by available memory. If a photo fails (not enough memory), you will hear a beep. Try again with a smaller area. The captured "photo" will be saved similarly to SNAPSHOTS as "photo___.pcx". See SNAPSHOT above for details. Unregistered users are limited to one PHOTO per session. QUIT simply ends the program. Fill This function toggles the FILLMODE. Some drawing entities, such as SOLIDs and TRACEs, can be filled. By "filled," it is meant that the entity is "colored-in" or painted with that entity's color. Default is "off" unless set in the DXF. Fast This function toggles the FASTMODE. If on, no texts, fills, or fit polylines will be displayed. Subsequent redraws thus should be faster. Grid This function toggles the GRIDMODE. When "on," a grid of dots is displayed starting at LIMMIN and ending at LIMMAX. Grid spacing is set by GRIDUNIT. Default GRIDMODE is "off" and default GRIDUNIT spacing is 1.0 x-direction, 1.0 y-direction. (Background) There is no tool bar button to change the background color. To toggle the background color between light (gray) and dark (black), press the "b" or "B" key. * NOTE: If you select this function from the tool bar, the pointer will jump to the center of the display. This gets you back to the display quickly. ============= Miscellaneous =================================================================== CDXF uses FONTLIB v1.1 to display TEXT entities. 14 ========= Glossary =================================================================== "Anonymous" means, when dealing with BLOCKS, that the BLOCK was created by ACAD (or another third-party application). DIMENSIONs are "anonymous", until they are EXPLODEd. AutoCAD is a computer-aided drafting program developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc., which is also known as ACAD. There are several versions of ACAD, the latest being release 12. BLOCKS contain lines, circles, etc. grouped together. Blocks are displayed with the AutoCAD INSERT function. Only "non-anonymous," INSERTed BLOCKS are displayed by CDXF. Buttons control most of CDXF's functions. To "press a button," move the mouse cursor to it and press the left mouse button. BYLAYER is a term used in ACAD to determine what color to use for an ENTITY or BLOCK. In ACAD, you can also set color BYBLOCK or set an ENTITY's color manually to any entity. CDXF displays all ENTITIES and BLOCKS BYLAYER. DIMENSIONS are "anonymous" BLOCKS. They are not displayed by CDXF unless they are EXPLODEd. DWG is a proprietary file format that AutoCAD uses to store its drawing files. Information about this file format is not revealed freely as is information about the DXF format. Although it would be more convenient to simply view a DWG file, it is impractical in the scope of CDXF since it changes for each ACAD version. DXF is the file name extension used for Drawing Interchange Files. The DXF format was created by Autodesk for AutoCAD. DXF are usually in an ASCII text format, although there is now a binary format available (no relation to a DXB file). CDXF must receive an ASCII text DXF. 15 ========= Glossary (continued) =================================================================== DXFOUT is the AutoCAD command to create a DXF from the current drawing (.DWG). For CDXF, use the entire drawing when creating a DXF, i.e., don't choose the "ENTITIES" option from the DXF command. Choose an accuracy of six (6) decimal places for best results. ENTITIES are drawing images or references to images. The most common are: LINE, PLINE, CIRCLE, ARC, POINT, SOLID, TRACE, TEXT, and INSERT. EXPLODE is an ACAD command that breaks a BLOCK, PLINE or DIMENSION into its individual ENTITIES. EXTENTS are the maximum display limits that are needed to display a drawing. CDXF uses the drawing LIMITS. FILLMODE determines if fill-capable entities are actually filled. This can be toggled on or off in ACAD or CDXF. GRIDMODE determines if a grid is displayed. This can be toggled on or off in ACAD or CDXF. GRIDUNIT determines the x and y spacing of the grid. HEADERS contain the setup information in a DXF. LIMITS are the drawing limits usually set in ACAD. CDXF uses these as its own drawing limits. LIMMAX is the upper-right (x,y) coordinate set by LIMITS. LIMMIN is the lower-left (x,y) coordinate set by LIMITS. PCX is a bitmap file format. This format is easily imported into many popular word processors and desktop publishers. Status Bar displays current CDXF information. TABLES contain layer and linetype information in a DXF. Tool Bar contains the buttons that control most of CDXF's functions.