Here are some commonly asked questions about MiniCad+ and some tips supplied by our Technical Support staff.
Q - Why do I see minor changes in numbers entered for a object’s size in an old file? For example, a line is drawn 8"-0" long and the file is closed. Later the file is reopened and the line is reshaped but it appears as 7'- 11 4095/4096".
A - MiniCad+ uses a rectangular grid to store all objects, with 4096 dpi the default for fractional feet and inches. For example, when you draw a line, each point is stored as a pair of offsets from the origin(one in the x-direction and one in the y-direction). The problem occurs when you specify objects by angle, such as creating a 1” long line at 30°. MiniCad+ must translate this length and angle into a rise and run so that it can be stored on the rectangular grid system.
run = cos(30°) x 4096 = 3547.24
Thus with a 30°, 1” line (4096 units long), the second endpoint will be offset 3547/4096” in the x-direction.
MiniCad+ only rounds dimension line read-outs, all other read-outs such as the Data Bar, Reshape… boxes, creation boxes, etc. will show true distances. If you snap to this endpoint, the x-position in the Data Bar will read this unusual fraction. By resetting the origin to this endpoint, the grid will shift and allow you to snap and properly using this endpoint as a base.
Q- When I Copy and Paste an object from one layer to another or from one drawing to another, how can I maintain registration?
A- Hold down the Option key and select Paste. The command will change to "Paste in Place" which will maintain registration through layers or across drawing files.
Q- When I go to "Scale" under the "Page" menu, I see a series of preset scales. What do I do if I want a scale that is not shown?
A- When you click on "Scale" a dialog box appears with the "Paper scale" highlighted. Any scale ratio may be typed into this box, including a number preceded by a decimal such as .5. The program defaults to 1" = 1". Therefore to obtain a scale of 1" = 200' type in 2400. Individuals using a 1 to 1 scale may wish to move some objects to another layer and change the scale to 2X or 4X so the detail of small objects may include dimensions that fit within the witness lines.
Q- How can I easily move an object with a mouse click?
A- Turn on the constraint that allows snapping to the object at the point you wish to snap (Snap to intersection if you wish to snap to an intersection, etc.). Hold down the Command key and type R. A dialog box will appear. Use the Next Click button to place the object. Move the cursor to the object to which you wish to snap. When the snap dot appears, click the mouse to set the object to be moved.
Q- How do I stop a screen redraw?
A- Hold down the Command key and type a period(.). NOTE: This may take a few moments to take effect and may not be possible in all circumstances.
Q- Why is there a alert sound when the OK button of a dialog box is clicked instead of my input being accepted?
A- This occurs when the data input into the box cannot be accepted by the program. For example, using an "o" (alphabet character) vs. an "0" (numeric character) in the dimension of an object to be created will cause a beep. You may also have deleted a default field in the dialog box that need a entry. If this is the case, enter a zero into the field.
Q- I input thirteen and a half inches but my object is sixty-five and a half inches? Why?
A- A space must be placed between the 13 and the 1/2 or the program reads131/2 (one hundred thirty-one divided by two).
Q- Why doesn't screen hints work all the time?
A- You toggle screen hints on & off with the Y key. If Screen Hints don't appear, hit the "y" key once and they will reappear.
Q- I have Show/Snap/Modify selected in the Layers menu. Why can't I snap to or modify another layer?
A- You can only Show/Snap/Modify if the layers are the same scale and/or projection.
Q- I try to make a Class invisible or grayed, but it remains visible. Why?
A- The active class is always visible, regardless of its visibility status. If the class you are trying to gray or make invisible is still selected in the Data palette, or mode bar, it will remain visible. To make it become grayed or invisible, simply select another class in the Class list on the Data palette. If you need to see a grayed or invisible class, select it from the Data palette and it can then be seen.
Q- Why, when I do a Sort on Names in the Worksheet, does Room 2 follow Room 19 and not Room 1?
A- Text strings are sorted from left to right. Room 2 has one space between the "m" and the "2". Room 19 also has one space between the "m" and the "1". Since "1" is less than "2" it appears first. The solution is to add an extra space in the name between the "m" and the "2" in "Room 2".
Q- Why do I get a strange line across my paper when I plot? It's not in my drawing.
A- Chances are this is an overflow problem; you are trying to plot a C,D, or E size drawing at a resolution higher than Apple hardware can consistently handle. Most often, lowering your resolution to 508 dpi will solve the problem.
Q- When I print a drawing, I am given a Dialog Box that tells me “Technical Sheets Aren’t Meant For Printing.” Why?
Why, when I plot, do I get a dialog asking for another sheet of paper? Why, when printing, does the drawing not center?
A- Check Drawing Size under the Page menu to make sure that you have selected one of the forty-two tiles on the left and not the “Technical Sheets” on the right. The “Technical Sheets” option is for users who need to check the size of their drawings against the paper size of technical drawings but who lack a plotter driver. If you have a driver, use the “Chooser” to select your driver, then use the page setup to set the paper size. If you lack the driver, be sure to select the proper page range to tile your drawing. The program defaults to the top left tile when initially opened. Check to see how many pages are selected in the tiled area (one blackened tile represents one page), then check to see which driver is selected and give the appropriate printing area of that driver when you do a Page Setup under the File menu.
Q- Why is the resolution of the output from the clipboard so bad when I copy a object from MiniCad+ and paste it into another program? The resolution is just as bad when I Export as PICT. Why?
A- The clipboards resolution is only 72 dpi (and images on the clipboard are converted to PICT); MiniCad+’s resolution is 4000 dpi. If you copy/cut & paste within MiniCad+, the high resolution is retained. If however, you copy/cut & paste to another program, the clipboards 72 dpi resolution is all you get.
Q- Can I recover a damaged file?
A- If you hold down the Option key the Open command in the File menu becomes the
Recover command. When accessed, a copy of the file will be opened, with as much data retained as possible. The original damaged file remains unchanged.
Q- Can MiniCad+ open AutoCAD files?
A- MiniCad+ can open & modify files created in AutoCAD as long as they are saved in “.DXF” format. Any program that can save as .DXF can have it’s files opened in MiniCad+. (For more information, see the separate file in this folder called "DXF Import/Export")
Q- Is a MiniCad+ worksheet compatible with Microsoft Excel?
A- You can export a worksheet, (or selected part of a worksheet) into Excel, or any
other common spreadsheet program. All data (values) created in MiniCad+ are
retained when an MiniCad+ worksheet is exported into the spreadsheet program. You can Export into the spreadsheet using Tab delimited, Comma delimited, SYLK, DIF, WKS, or text formats. Not all methods will retain the same information, so read the documentation for your spreadsheet for import instructions and limitations.
