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PRCAD.MAN
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1992-06-28
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PrintCADD - 3D Reference Guide
Copyright 1991, Birdseye Enterprises Ltd.
Birdseye Enterprises
Box 73, 10060 - 156 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T5P 2P8
Phone (403) 484-3540
or
Contact Greg Bone on CompuServe User I.D. 76150,3364
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
-----------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREWARE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 4
Ombudsman statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 4
What is Shareware ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 4
Disclaimer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 4
Shareware Policy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 5
Order Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 6
Charge Card Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 7
Cheque / Money Orders Form. . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 8
Evaluation Software Order Form. . . . . . . . . . Page # 9
Distribution Licensing Agreement. . . . . . . . . Page # 10
3-D Geometry and Coordinate Systems. . . . . . . . . . Page # 11
Notational Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 11
Axes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 12
User Coordinate Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 12
Units of Measurement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 14
Surfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 15
Starting Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 17
Required Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 17
Required Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 17
Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 19
General Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 19
Menu types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 20
Readouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 21
Command Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 22
Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 22
Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 23
Macros. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 23
Menus and Commands Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 24
Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 24
Draw Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 24
File Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 31
Line menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 36
Curve menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 38
Text menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 41
Dimensioning menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 43
Group menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 47
Surface menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 50
Color menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 54
Layer menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 57
Modify menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 58
Vars menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 61
Zoom menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 65
Redraw menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 67
View Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 70
Window menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 72
UCS menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 76
Touchup menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 78
Print Editor menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 79
Output menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 82
Plot menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 85
3
Print Driver menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 87
System menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 91
Help menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 95
File Makeup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 98
Drawing files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 98
Header Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 98
Font files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 102
Parts files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 103
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 104
Note: In certain instances this guide will refer to pictures and
diagrams. These diagrams are included in the sample and tutor
files and can be loaded into view within PrintCADD 3-D itself.
4
=================================================================
SHAREWARE
=================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ombudsman statement
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PrintCADD 3-D is produced by a member of the Association
of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure
that the shareware principle works for you. If you are
unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP
member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able
to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute
or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide
technical support for members' products. Please write to
the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-
9427 or send a Compuserve message via CompuServe Mail to
ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
----------------------------------------------------------------
What is Shareware ?
----------------------------------------------------------------
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try
software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program
and continue using it, you are expected to register.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial
software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a
few specific exceptions as stated below.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of
software. You should find software that suits your needs and
pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The
Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because
you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low,
prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back
guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer
----------------------------------------------------------------
Users of PrintCADD 3-D must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"PrintCADD 3-D is supplied as is. The author disclaims all
warranties, expressed or implied, including, without
limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for
any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages,
direct or consequential, which may result from the use of
PrintCADD 3-D."
5
---------------------------------------------------------------
Shareware Policy
---------------------------------------------------------------
PrintCADD 3-D is a "shareware program" and is provided
at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it
with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as
part of another system. The essence of "user-supported"
software is to provide personal computer users with quality
software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for
programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find
this program useful and find that you are using
PrintCADD 3-D and continue to use PrintCADD 3-D after a
reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of
$75.00 to Bird's Eye Enterprises Ltd. The $75.00
registration fee will license one copy for use on any one
computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like
a book. An example is that this software may be used by any
number of people and may be freely moved from one computer
location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it
being used at one location while it's being used at another.
Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the
same time.
Commercial users of PrintCADD 3-D must register and pay
for their copies of PrintCADD 3-D within 30 days of first use or
their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be
made by contacting Birdseye Software Ltd..
Anyone distributing PrintCADD 3-D for any kind of
remuneration must first fillout and send a copy of the
distributers form to Birdseye Software Ltd. at the address at the
top of the manual for authorization. This authorization will be
automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as
adhering to its guidelines for shareware
distributors, and such distributors may begin offering
PrintCADD 3-D immediately (However Birdseye Software Ltd. must
still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date
with the latest version of PrintCADD 3-D.).
You are encouraged to pass a copy of PrintCADD 3-D along
to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to
register their copy if they find that they can use it. All
registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of
the PrintCADD 3-D system, a manual, 1/2 hour of support and the
removal of the registration reminder screen from the
program.
6
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Order Forms
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To order PrintCADD 3-D, you can one of the forms built into the
PrintCADD 3-D help system. The form may be printed by pressing
the "F3" function key at each of the help pages
that contain the form.
You may also use one of the forms on the following pages if you
wish.
7
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Charge Card Form
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I would like to order a registered version of PrintCADD 3-D from
the Public software Library.
Payment of $75.00 ($80.00 overseas) by:
Mastercard ( ) Visa ( ) American Express ( ) Discover ( )
Card #: ________________________________________________
Expiry Date: Month: ___________ Year: ___________
Signature: ________________________________________________
Disk Size: 360K ( ) 720K ( ) 1.2M ( ) 1.44M ( )
Send PrintCADD 3-D to (Your Address):
Name: ________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________
City, State: ________________________________________________
Zip Code: ____________________________
Phone #: ____________________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Send this order form to:
Public software Library (PsL)
P.O. Box 35705
Houston, Texas
77235-5705
or Phone:
USA: 1-800-2424-PsL
Elsewhere: 1-713-524-6394
Fax: 1-713-524-6398
Compuserve: ID#: 71355,470
Important!:
The Public software Library telephone
numbers and address are for ordering only.
All questions regarding shipping, support,
site licensing etc., must be referred to
Birdseye Enterprises Ltd. (Address and
Telephone below)
8
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Cheque / Money Orders Form
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I would like to order a registered version of PrintCADD 3-D from
Birdseye Enterprises Ltd.
Payment of $75.00 American Funds
or $85.00 Canadian Funds(GST Inc)
+ $5.00 S&H Overseas orders only
Cheque ( ) Money Order ( )
Disk Size: 360K ( ) 720K ( ) 1.2M ( ) 1.44M ( )
Send PrintCADD 3-D to (Your Address):
Name: ________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________
City, State: ________________________________________________
Zip Code: ____________________________
Phone #: ____________________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Send this order form to:
Birdseye Enterprises
Box 73, 10060 - 156 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T5P 2P8
or Phone:
1-403-484-3540
Fax: 1-403-484-1103
Compuserve: ID#: 76150,3364
Important!:
These numbers are for cheque and money orders
as well as any questions regarding shipping,
support, site licensing etc. All credit card
orders must be referred to the P.s.L. numbers
and address listed above.
9
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Evaluation Software Order Form
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I would like to order an evaluation copy (non-registered) version
of PrintCADD 3-D from Birdseye Enterprises Ltd. This version
does not include the manual or support. It does contain
registration reminder screens.
A further registration is still required if you use this product
for more than 30 days. This 9 disk set (360K) contains all
optimised versions of PrintCADD 3-D.
Payment of $12.50 American Funds
or $15.00 Canadian Funds(GST Inc)
+ $5.00 S&H Overseas orders only
Cheque ( ) Money Order ( )
Disk Size: 360K ( ) 720K ( ) 1.2M ( ) 1.44M ( )
Send PrintCADD 3-D to (Your Address):
Name: ________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________
City, State: ________________________________________________
Zip Code: ____________________________
Phone #: ____________________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Send this order form to:
Birdseye Enterprises
Box 73, 10060 - 156 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T5P 2P8
or Phone:
1-403-484-3540
Fax: 1-403-484-1103
Compuserve: ID#: 76150,3364
Important!:
These numbers are for cheque and money orders
as well as any questions regarding shipping,
support, site licensing etc. All credit card
orders must be referred to the P.s.L. numbers
and address listed above.
10
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution Licensing Agreement
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Anyone wishing to charge people a fee for giving them a copy of
PrintCADD 3-D must have the written authorization of the author,
without which, the distributor is guilty of copyright violation.
To receive such authorization, send this completed application,
along with a copy of your software library's order form to:
Birdseye Enterprises
Box 73, 10060 - 156 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T5P 2P8
Note!: For distributors already recognized by the Association of
Shareware Professionals, this application is not necessary.
Name of Organization: ___________________________________________
Your Name: ______________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Terms of Distribution of PrintCADD 3-D:
1. The fee charged may not exceed $12.50, including postage,
mailer and any other charges.
2. Your library's catalog or listing must state that this
program is not free, but is copyrighted software that is
provided to allow the user to evaluate it before paying.
3. The offering and sale of PrintCADD 3-D will be stopped at
any time the author so requests.
4. Copies must be made from the copy of PrintCADD 3-D sent
to you with this agreement. This is required for control.
5. Problems or complaints about the program will be reported
to the author for investigation.
In return for a license to charge a fee for the distribution of
PrintCADD 3-D, I agree to comply with the above terms of
distribution.
Signed,
______________________________________ ______________
your signature date
11
=================================================================
3-D Geometry and Coordinate Systems
=================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Notational Conventions
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In order to read this manual it is necessary that you understand
the references to the different commands. The menus contained
within PrintCADD 3-D form a "path" system where one menu leads to
the next menu and so on until the end of the path is reached at
which time the "command" is performed.
There are three conventions used in this manual to convey the
"path" that the user must follow in order to perform the
"command".
1 - Square brackets "[" and "]" denote the
selection of a "main" menu item. eg. [Edit]
means select "Edit" from the "main" menu.
2 - Curly braces, "{" and "}" at either end of a
word denote a preview or drop down menu
selection. eg {CAD/CAM} means select the
"CAD/CAM" menu.
3 - Brackets, "<" and ">" at either end of a word
denote a "bracket" menu selection. eg <X Scale>
means select "X Scale" from the "bracket" menu.
eg. [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {Cursor} <3-D>
means select the "Edit" menu from the "main"
menu, then select "CAD/CAM" from the "Edit" menu
that appears, then select "Vars" from the
"CAD/CAM" menu that appears, then select
"Cursor" from the "Vars" menu that appears and
finally select "3-D" from the "Cursor" bracket
menu that appears.
Abbreviations used in this manual:
UCS - User coordinate system
MLB - Mouse Left Button
MRB - Mouse Right Button
12
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Axes
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Three dimensional drafting offers the advantage of creating more
than one view out of a given drawing. You are actually
constructing a model rather than a drawing a view. As such, the
process is somewhat more time consuming than standard 2-D
drafting but not overly slow. You will be rewarded for your
effort with an actual model that can be displayed and printed
from almost any angle or distance. This also reduces the errors
as the process is similar to actual construction and clearances
and design flaws are much more apparent. There is no doubt that
in the long run 3-D drafting and modelling will save you time,
money and effort.
Normal 2-D drafting requires the use of two axes named X and Y.
The X axis is considered the horizontal axis and Y the vertical
axis. Three dimensional drafting requires a third axis called Z.
Z is considered the depth axis.
Normally when looking at a drawing we consider the X axis to
increase in value as it goes to the right and the Y axis to
increase in value as it goes up. In this way we can define any
point on a sheet of paper. This is also true of the "top plan",
default view in PrintCADD 3-D.
In PrintCADD 3-D the Z axis increases in value as the cursor
moves towards the viewer. This allows the user to define any
point in three dimensional space.
Consider though what happens when you decide to view the object
from a front view. The X axis still increases in value from left
to right but the Z axis increases in value as you go up the
screen and the Y axis increases in value as the cursor goes away
from the viewer.
This can be very confusing especially considering there are
literally an infinite number of views of any given object.
Fortunately there is a better way for the user to enter the
points that he wishes into the computer. This is known as a user
coordinate system.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
User Coordinate Systems
-----------------------------------------------------------------
User coordinate systems allow the user to tell the computer which
way he wishes the X, Y and Z axes to run and where the 0 or
origin point should be. The user can set up a new coordinate
system at any time and thus work according to the current view
rather than having to transpose coordinates into the system
ie two inches up the left means two inches deep and so on.
Another ability of the UCS is that since it can be set in any
13
direction you could for instance set it so that the X axis ran
along the bottom edge of a roof while the Y axis would run from
the bottom corner of the roof to the top corner of the roof. The
origin could be a corner of the roof. You could then easily
draw a skylight on the surface of the roof and be guaranteed that
all measurements are in relation with the surface of the roof.
There are several concepts pictured in figure 2 to make note of.
The first is that most of the drawing commands make use of the
current UCS for positioning. Notice how the circle hugs the
surface of the roof. This is because corner A was selected as
the UCS origin, corner B was selected as a point along the X axis
and corner C was selected as a point in the positive Y plane.
Thus when you press your right or left arrows (or move your mouse
left or right) the cursor will travel parallel to the line
between A and B. If you press your up and down arrows the cursor
will travel parallel to the line between A and C. If you press
your numeric keypad + and - keys you will move at right angles to
the surface formed by A B C. Notice how the three lines of the
3-D cursor point in the directions of movement. Another point is
that the readouts at the bottom of the screen, will express these
distances along these axes as offsets from corner A. Notice that
Z = 0 so the cursor is travelling neither above or below the
surface of the roof.
You may also notice that the letters in the corners of the
surfaces lie on the surfaces they represent ie A, B and C lay on
the surface of the roof while D, E and F lie on the front of the
house and G, H and I lie on the side of the house. The word
Skylight however remains parallel to the edges of the screen
because the UCStoView command was used before creating it.
Likewise dimensions, rectangles,circular curves and ellipses are
modified by the current UCS. The degree to which each command is
modified is discussed in the menus section of the manual.
The {Edit} {CAD/CAM} {Surf} {Thickness} command is also modified
by the UCS as the direction of the Z axis determines the
direction in which {Thickness} is applied to a surface.
The last item to notice in the drawing is that you may work in
any view of a drawing including perspective views. This allows
great flexibility in establishing several different UCS's in one
view. The drawing of the house was created in less than 5
minutes because once the view was established it was easy to set
up the UCS D-E-F to draw the door and front window, the UCS G-H-I
to draw the side windows and the UCS A-B-C to draw the skylight.
Also the cursor will grow smaller or larger in size as it goes
further from or closer to the view point making it easier to
judge where you are in the drawing. You may even set up other
views of the same object in different windows and because the
cursor is shown in all views, you will know if you are connecting
to the right point. Each view may even have a different UCS
so that in one window you can work on the side of the house while
in another you could work on the roof.
14
UCS's may seem a little complicated at first but once you realize
there usefulness your job will become much easier.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Units of Measurement
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Another topic to be covered in this chapter is units of
measurement. Units control the dimensioning and measurement of
an object as well as the coordinate readouts at the bottom of the
screen. They also control the way user input is interpreted by
the system. This is usually called "parsing".
The internal composition of the file is known as homogenous.
Homogenous means that when coordinates are entered into the
system the UCS is taken into account and the numbers are
converted to an internal floating point format. The format would
be as if looking at the drawing from top plan view. When a
view is required the angle of the view is taken into account and
the top plan view of the drawing file is read and converted to
this different view. When a readout or dimension is needed by
the user, then the angle of the UCS is taken into account and the
top plan view of the drawing file is converted as before.
The point is, that the internal format can be looked at in a
number of different ways.
The {Units} and {UCSAbsRel} commands also control the way this
drawing file is looked at. The {Units} command has three basic
modes - inch, centimeter and generic. In inch mode the drawing
file is interpreted as inches with 1.000000 being equal to
1 inch. If the {Units} command was set to a centimeter mode then
the 1.000000 internal format would be converted by multiplying by
2.54 to render centimeters. It would also divide user given
coordinates by 2.54 to convert the centimeters given into the
inch format of the database. This allows dual dimensioning. The
generic mode allows a way to use any measurement you wish. As
the numbers are not formatted on input or output but simply taken
as the number given, you can use the {Edit} {CAD/CAM} {Dims}
{Pre/Suffix} command to express the units you are working in. In
this manner 1.000000 could be light years or angstroms.
The {Edit} {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {UCSAbsRel} command controls what the
readouts will be showing. If you select < UCS Absolute > the
readouts will show the cursor's distance along each of the UCS
axes from the origin. If you select < UCS Relative > you will
see the distances along each UCS axis relative to the last
point entered into the system. Selecting < Database > will allow
you to see the homogenous coordinates of the cursor ie the
coordinates that PrintCADD 3-D would store internally.
The final point deals with the way PrintCADD 3-D looks at
rotations. PrintCADD 3-D uses the right hand rule. Normally
when rotations are applied to objects on the screen you will be
asked for two endpoints of an axis to rotate the object about.
The second endpoint is taken by the system to represent the
15
positive direction of the axis. By placing your right hand so
that the fingers wrap around the axis and your thumb points in
the positive direction alongthe axis then your fingers will show
you the directionof rotation. When dealing with polar
coordinates, the system uses the UCS Z axis for the right hand
rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Surfaces
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In PrintCADD 3-D all components of the drawing are grouped into
surfaces. This includes all geometry such as lines and curves as
well as text and dimensions. In some instances the geometry may
be broken down into more than one surface. An example of this is
dimensions where the arrows are on one surface, the leaders or
dimension lines are on another and the text is on yet another.
This allows you to manipulate the text without affecting the
arrows and vice versa. Most surfacing of geometry occurs
automatically within PrintCADD 3-D but there are also ways to
override the process in order to create your own surface
groupings.
There are three basic types of surfaces in PrintCADD 3-D. The
three types are "closed", "open" and "current". The "open" type
is not considered in hidden line elimination and geometry may be
of any type and does not neccesarily have to lie on a single
plane. The "closed" surface must enclose an area and all points
on the surface must be co-planar ie laying on a single plane.
The "current" surface type is assigned to the group of lines that
lies between the last "open" or "closed" surface and what the
user is currently constructing.
Surfaces also control the assignment of layer, line color, line
style, fill color and fill pattern attributes thus all geometry
that lies on a single surface will be of the same layer, color,
style and pattern.
PrintCADD 3-D automatically assigns the "closed" surface type to
rectangles, parallelograms and circles or ellipses with 360
degrees or more of arc. All [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Surf} commands
also assign the "closed" surface type to surfaces constructed as
a result of the command. The "open" surface type is
automatically assigned to all text strings and
dimensions. If one of these automatically assigned entities is
drawn, then the "current" surface is collected into a single
"open" surface and is assigned the current layer, style, pattern
and colors. The automatically assigned surface, (Rectangle,
parallelogram, circle, text, dimension), being drawn is also
assigned these attributes.
By use of the {Mdfy} {SurfLast} command you may assign either a
"closed" or "open" surface type to the current" surface.
All surfaces also have a center or fill point. On closed
16
surfaces this point must lie in the interior of the surface and
be co-planar with all other points of the surface. By careful
use of the {UCS} and {Mdfy} {MovCentPt} commands you can
guarantee the alignment of this point. (Automatic closed
surfaces center this point properly without user intervention)
It is important to realize the exact nature of the surface
groupings performed by PrintCADD 3-D in order to obtain properly
constructed drawings.
In figure 4 a rectangle (A) is drawn and PrintCADD 3-D assigns
the "closed" surface type. Then two lines and an arc (B) are
drawn and collected into the "current" surface. When the 360
degree circle (C) is drawn, PrintCADD 3-D assigns the "open"
surface type to "current" surface (B) and then the "closed"
surface type to (C). Thus in effect the circle command (C) has
created two surfaces, the unassigned "current" surface consisting
of two lines and the arc and the 360 degree circle surface. The
two surfaces are then assigned thickness with the {Edit}
{CAD/CAM} {Surf} {Thickness} command and a hidden line view
(Figure 5) is rendered with the{Edit} {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw}
{QuickHide} command. Notice that surface (B) has not been
considered for this view because it is now an "open" surface but
the surfaces that constitute its "thickness" have been assigned
the"closed" surface type.
The {Thickness} command whose effects are shown in figure 5
points to another important concept of three dimensional geometry
- extruded surfaces.
Extruded surfaces or extrusions are simply the extension of a
surface along a path (Normally the UCS Z axis) into three
dimensional space.
PrintCADD 3-D handles this by breaking down the surface into its
individual line segments and then forming a parallelogram by
taking the two endpoints of the line segment and moving them in
the direction and the distance of the extrusion to form two more
corner points. The two original endpoints and the two extruded
endpoints are then joined to form the extruded sides of the
surface. This continues with each line segment of the surface
until all sides of the surface are formed. Finally a copy of the
original surface is made and placed at the extrusion distance and
direction thus forming a 3-D object.
17
=================================================================
Starting Up
=================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Required Hardware
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This system has been designed to work on an IBM (TM) or IBM
compatible computer system. The system requires a VGA or EGA
video adaptor and 540 K of "free" RAM. Although this software
can operate on a computer with two drives, one of which must be
high density, it is recomended that a hard drive with ample free
space be used.
Birdseye software also manufactures versions of this software
that can use (LIM 4.0 and higher) expanded memory. This will cut
down substantially on the amount of "free" RAM required thus
allowing more TSR programs or utilities. The program "will" load
up in environments that do not have enough memory so refer to
the [File] {DOScoms} <MemLeft> command to decide if you do indeed
have enough memory available. Also see this command in the help
system. Erratic behaviour may result if the value given is below
45000. Any user that has 640K of RAM should be able to reduce
their environment needs to operate this program. For instance,
DOS 4.01 with expanded memory manager, ramdisk driver, himem
driver, diskcache driver and mouse should be able to operate
quite easily, however, if the DOS 4.01 file management utility,
"Shell" or other similar utility is installed, the memory may
fall below requirements.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Required Files
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This system relies on several files to operate successfully. The
files and what they do, are listed below.
README.DOC - A brief description file. All addendums to
the software will also be here.
PRCAD.DOC - This manual file.
PRCAD.EXE - This file is the program. Type "Prcad"
"Enter" to start. The software will not
operate without this file.
PRCAD.HLP - This file is required when the help system is
accessed.
PRCAD.TUT - This file is required for the tutor system to
operate.
PRCAD.DEF - The software will automatically create this
file when PrintCADD is started for the first
18
time. If this file is present before
installation, then delete it! This file may
contain configuration data that is not valid
for your system.
TUTOR*.GVF - These files are drawing files that are
required by the tutor system for the purpose
of their lessons.
TUTOR*.LYR - These files contain layer information for the
tutor drawing files. They are required for the
the tutor drawing files to work properly. If
these files are not available, simply make
copies of a layer file from another drawing that
contains five or more layers and rename
them "TUTOR1.LYR", "TUTOR2.LYR" etc. While the
layer names will not be correct, the system will
be able to load and use the files. This
process can be used on any drawing file. Just
make sure the number of layers in the copied
layer file meets or exceeds the number of layers
in the drawing file that requires a layer
information file.
The following files can be produced by the software.
*.GVF - These are drawing files.
*.LYR - These are layer information files. Each
drawing requires at least one. The name before
the extension in the drawing name and the layer
name must match.
*.FNT - These are fonts. A minimum of one font is
required for text and dimensioning.
*.PRD - These are printer driver files.
*.PLD - These are plot driver files.
*.SRF - These are part files. Each one holds an
individual part.
*.PFL - These files are produced by the system via the
[Output] {Print} {PrintFile} command. Because
of the large amount of disk space required for
these files, there will be no samples of these
files. The user must create one to allow use
of the [Edit] {PrintEd} command. See [Output]
{Print} {PrintFile}.
*.HPG - These files are produced by the system when
the [Output] {Plot} <Port> option is set to
"File".
19
PAG*.2DF - These files are produced by the system when
additional buffer space is required to hold
all the elements of a drawing file. These
files may be deleted.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Installation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PrintCADD 3-D is contained in 3 self extracting files. The help,
tutor and ascii manual files are contained in a file called
"Help.exe". The sample files are contained in a file called
"Sample.exe". The main executable files and fonts are contained
in one of the following files:
"Prcnone.exe" - Non optimized version
"Prc286.exe" - 286/386/486 optimized version
"Prcex.exe" - L.I.M. optimized version
"Prc28687.exe" - 286/386/486 and math coprocessor optimized
version
"Prc87.exe" - Math coprocessor optimized version
"Prcex87.exe" - Math coprocessor and L.I.M.
"Prcex286.exe" - 286/386/486 and L.I.M. optimized version
"Prcall.exe" - Math coprocessor, 286/386/486 and L.I.M.
optimizations
Copy one of these files into the directory you wish to use and
then make that directory the current directory. Type the name of
the file and press "Enter". The file will then decompress.
Delete the original self extracting file and continue the process
with "Help.exe" and "Sample.exe". Type "PRCAD" and press the
"Enter" key. The software will ask the user to select the
appropriate video driver and reboot itself to this new video
mode. The user may then go to the [System] menu and set the
default characteristics of the system. (See [System] Menu)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
General Control
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PrintCADD 3-D has three basic modes of operation, menu mode, draw
mode and keyboard mode. If you see one of the menus described
below you are in menu mode. If you have a mouse installed you
will also see an arrow shaped cursor.
Draw mode can be recognized by the appearance of a crosshair or
box shaped cursor in the drawing window as well as a prompt
appearing at the top of the screen followed by"@" eg. "Center
point @".
Keyboard mode can be recognized by the appearance of a prompt
followed by either a greater than sign (>) or an equal sign (=).
When the prompt is followed by ">" then the system is expecting
text input (eg. "Drawing name >"). When the prompt is followed
by "=" then the system is expecting numeric input eg. "Zoom level
20
=". In either case anything typed at the keyboard will appear to
the right of the prompt and pressing the "Enter" key will send
the users response to the system.
Menu mode is controlled by a series of drop down, list, preview
and bracket menus that offer the user access to commands or
selections that in turn may make other menus available, prompt
for user input or perform the command directly.
User input may be in the form of typed in text and coordinates
(keyboard mode), cursor selected coordinates (draw mode) or list
selection and bar menu selected answers (menu mode).
If you are using the keyboard you may select commands and menus
by using the right, left, up and down arrow keys to select the
menu item you are interested in and then pressing the "Enter" or
"Return" key to perform the command. Another way of selecting
the command is to press the capitalized letter of the command.
The highlight bar will jump to the command and select. The
"Enter" key does not need to be pressed.
The "Escape" key is used to abort the command unless an explicit
<Exit> or {Exit} command is available within the current menu.
If you are using the mouse you may select the menu item by
placing the mouse arrow on the command and pressing the left
mouse button to highlight the command. Once the command is
highlighted you must again press the left mouse button to invoke
thecommand. Pressing the right mouse button or "MRB" aborts the
command in the same way as the "Escape" key.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Menu types
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The highlight bar on the main menu is controlled by the left and
right arrow keys. A drop down submenu appears below the
highlighted menu item.
Drop down menus are controlled by the up and down arrow keys to
highlight the correct menu selection and then the enter key is
pressed to advance further into the menu tree.
Bracket menus are controlled by the left and right arrow keys.
Once the correct menu item is selected, enter is pressed to
invoke the item.
List menus are controlled by using the up and down arrows to
control the highlight marker. If the highlight is placed on the
top or bottom list item then the list will scroll up or down
several items and allow you to proceed with your selection.
Pressing the "Enter" key will then select the item from the list.
Preview menus are controlled by the up, down, left and right
arrow keys. As each selection is highlighted in the upper
21
section a different set of selections appears in the lower box.
This allows you to preview the commands that are associated with
the upper selections thus allowing easy perusal of the menu
system.
Once you have selected the correct upper menu item you press
enter to drop the highlight to the bottom menu. You may then
select the correct command with the up and down arrows and invoke
the command by pressing enter. Notice how selecting the {Rdrw}
command in figure 12 produces a different set of selections in
the bottom menu than the {Dims} does in figure 13. Once in the
bottom menu pressing escape will take you back to the top menu.
Notice that there is an explicit {Exit} command in the top menu.
This prevents accidentally escaping from the preview menu.
You may also notice in figure 13 that there is a dashed line
around the {Dims} command. This allows you to know which upper
command menu you are currently selecting from. It takes a
certain amount of practice to navigate these menus successfully
but once mastered you will find that it is both easy and
efficient to have the menus set up in this manner. You will find
that a mouse makes this process considerably easier.
In "draw" mode you may control the cursor through use of the
numeric keypad or mouse. If you are using the numeric keypad,
make certain that the "Num Lock" key is off and refer to figure 8
for direction of movement for each key. Pressing the key
produces a {Grid Size} movement of the draw cursor along the UCS
axis corresponding to that key. If the "Shift" key is held
down while the numeric keypad key is pressed the movement will be
10 x {GridSize} allowing you to move much quicker across the
screen.
Once you have positioned the cursor press the "Enter" or "Mouse
left button" to enter the coordinates of the cursor into the
system. Remember you may also press "Escape" or "Mouse right
button" to invoke a snap or enter the coordinate via "keyboard"
mode.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Readouts
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PrintCADD 3-D keeps the user aware of a variety of information
through the use of readouts that change depending on the current
context of the system.
There are three principle areas of the screen that display this
information.
The bottom line of the screen is used to show the current cursor
coordinates while in the {Edit} menu system. Remember that the
coordinates displayed here are in terms of the setting of the
{Edit} {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {AbsRelDBas} command.
22
The top line of the screen displays information that is pertinent
to the {Main} menu, {Edit} menu and {Output} {Print} menu
depending on which is active.
Certain "bracket" menus may also display information on this line
depending upon which information seems relative to the menu.
Each of these readouts are discussed in the menus and commands
section under the menu item that invokes them.
The third area used for readouts is the top line of each window
which displays information that is pertinent to that particular
window and its view. The information in this area may be
scrolled if the window is too small to display all the
information. (See {Edit} {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {WndwRdOut} in menus
and commands section)
Keeping all this information on the screen may seem confusing at
first but once you get used to these readouts and their purposes
you will find that a lot of mistakes can be avoided and that the
software is in fact, easier to use.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Command Execution
-----------------------------------------------------------------
All command references in this manual start at the main menu and
work through the menu tree until the command itself is
performed. Although the complete tree is used in this reference,
in fact, most commands can be accessed more directly by selecting
another command within the current menu or by dropping down one
or more levels and proceeding up another branch of the menu tree.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Help
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the other keys and their functions, the "F1"
function key may be pressed at any time to access context
sensitive help or the indexed help. When the "F1" key is
pressed, the software will display the menu, "Help < Context >
< Index > < Exit >".
If the user selects <Context>, the system will display help on
that particular section of the menu. In most instances, the help
will come up at the beginning of the help section devoted to that
menu system rather than the command itself. The user may have to
page down a few pages to find the exact command. The reason for
this is that there may be important information at the beginning
of the section that will be overlooked by going directly to the
command.
If the user selects the <Index> option, the system will display
the help index. Refer to the [Help] {Index} command for further
information.
23
If the user selects <Exit>, the system will return the user to
the point where the help system was invoked.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Tutor
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The tutor system may be invoked at any time by pressing the "F2"
function key. The software will transport the user to where the
lesson, that was in progress, was left off. See [Help] {Tutor}
for a complete explanation of this command.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Macros
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The macro system allows the user to record a series of keystrokes
and then play them back. This allows the user to automate
processes within the system. You will find that animations,
demos and new commands can be performed using this feature. The
"F3" key may be pressed at any time to start the recording
process. The user will be required to give a name to the macro.
After the name is entered, the system will start recording
keystrokes. In most but not all instances the user should start
the macro with Alt F, Alt E, Alt O, Alt S or Alt H to guarantee
that the macro starts at at the same place in the menu system.
The user should also use the highlighted letter to invoke the
proper menu item or the macro may run a completely different
course through the menu system depending on what state the menu
system was in before the macro was started. At any time during
the recording of the macro, the user may press the "F3" key to
terminate the recording or introduce a timing factor into the
macro.
If the user selects < Timer > from the menu that appears, the
software will prompt for a time in seconds that the system will
pause before issueing the next keystroke during playback. The
pause will be introduced into each subsequent keystroke or untill
the user again presses the "F3" key, selects < Timer > and sets
the time to "0".
In order to play back the macro, the user presses the "F4" key
and selects the macro they wish to play from the list of macros
that appears. The user may also start the macro from the command
line when starting PrintCADD 3-D by typing "Prcad macroname.mac".
eg. "Prcad demo.mac" starts PrintCADD 3-D and then invokes the
"demo" macro.
24
=================================================================
Menus and Commands Reference
=================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Main Menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The main menu appears on the top line of the screen and allows
the user access to the five submenus, [File], [Edit], [Output],
[System] and [Help]. These five sub menus divide the software
into categories that roughly correspond to their names.
There is also one other menu system that may be invoked when the
system is in "Draw" mode. "Draw" mode can be recognized by the
appearance of a cursor in the current drawing window. There will
also be a prompt for some type of point selection ie "Select
first corner point @","Select offset point @". This menu may be
accessed by pressing the escape key or the mouse right button.
You may recognize that several of the menu items seem the same as
those in the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} menu. The difference is these
selections are "Transparent". For instance you may be prompted
"Select start point" at which time you could press escape, select
"Zoom Factor" to zoom in on a section of drawing and continue
with selecting the point.
Although this menu does not appear on the main menu further
references to this menu will be termed [Draw]. This menu has
many important features and will be discussed next. Other main
menu items will be discussed later in this chapter.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Draw Menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The first set of commands in the [Draw] menu deal with snaps and
locks. Snaps will actually enter the point selected into your
drawing file while locks confine the cursor movement to a certain
path but do not enter a point until the enter key is pressed.
Snaps and locks offer a great deal of power and should be
mastered. Three dimensional snaps are slightly different from
their 2-D counterparts and therefore act somewhat differently.
What is important to keep in mind is that a point that is
selected may be a point that lies at a different depth than what
you appeared to select. By having several different windows with
different view angles, this problem can be kept to a minimum - ie
if the selection cursor appears at the correct point in all
views, you have selected the correct point.
Other commands in this menu allow transparent zooming and panning
while another set of commands allow typed in coordinates.
Coordinates may be typed in several different ways depending on
the setting of the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {UCS} {Units} command. If
25
this setting is one of the inch modes (Denoted by "or '), then
input can be in several different methods.
You may type in coordinates 4' 6 7/8", 4 6 7/8, 54 7/8" or
54.875". All would produce the same results. You may also
precede the coordinate with a "-" minus sign to force parsing of
the coordinate as a negative coordinate.
In centimeter mode (Denoted by "cm" or "m") coordinates may be
entered either as 2 m 22.1 cm, 2 22.1, 2m 22 1/10 or 222.1 cm
producing the same result in any case.
In generic mode (No denotation) coordinates may be entered
57.6513 or using scientific notation - ie 5.76513E1 where the
value after "E" represents the power that the mantissa is raised
to. In this case use the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Dims} {Pre/Suffix}
<Suffix> command to supply the units of measurement when
dimensioning.
In general the user should not enter numbers larger than
9,999,999 or smaller than .0000001 as PrintCADD 3-D will have a
chance of overflow values being generated.
[Draw] {NearSnap}
-----------------
This command allows you to place a point on any other point
contained in your current drawing file. Points that reside on
layers that are turned off are not considered.
You would normally use this command by positioning your cursor in
the current window (denoted by a highlighted readout bar)
visually near the point you wish to snap to. You would then
press escape or right mouse button to invoke the [Draw] menu.
Select {NearSnap} and the system will start to find points
that fall visually within [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {Aperture}
range of the cursor. When PrintCADD 3-D finds a point with the
given criteria it will highlight the surface that the point
resides on and place an oversized cursor on the point. This
process will take place in all open windows.
A bracket menu will then appear, "This point ? < Snap >
< Moveto > < Next > < Exit >". If this is the correct point then
select, "< Snap >" and PrintCADD 3-D will snap your cursor to
this position, enter the point into the system and return you to
the current operation. If you select "< Moveto >" the system
will move the cursor to that point but will not enter the point
into the system. If you select, "< Next >", the system will find
the next point that fills the criteria and offer the same bracket
menu again. If you select < Exit > then you will be returned to
where you were before invoking the [Draw] menu.
[Draw] {GridSnap}
-----------------
This command is similar to the [Draw] {NearSnap} command but it
will only find points in the current {VisiGrid}. If a visible
26
grid has not been set up via the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {UCS}
{VisiGrid} command then the [Draw] {GridSnap} command is ignored
and you are returned to where you were before invoking the
command.
Another difference is that {VisiGrids} are not associated with a
surface so their is no highlighting of surfaces before the
Bracket menu prompt.
[Draw] {PerpSnap}
-----------------
This command is normally invoked by placing the first point of a
command and then placing the cursoron the line segment you wish
to snap perpendicularly to. Select the {PerpSnap} command from
the [Draw] menu. PrintCADD 3-D will then highlight the surface
that the line segment resides on and place oversized cursors at
the endpoints of the line segment. A bracket menu will then
appear at the top of the screen "This line ? < Snap > < Moveto >
< Next > < Exit >". If you select, "< Snap >", the system will
snap the cursor to a point that will form a perpendicular between
the first point entered and the line segment or the extension of
the line segment. Because these perpendiculars are three
dimensional in nature a certain view of the snap may seem non
perpendicular but in fact there will be a 90 degree angle formed
in 3-D space. This can be confirmed by measuring the angle with
the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Dims} {Pointer} <Angle> command.
[Draw] {CenterSnap}
-------------------
This command allows you to snap to the center point of a selected
surface. This command is normally used on the automatic closed
surfaces produced by circular and elliptical arcs 360 degrees and
over as well as {CAD/CAM} {Line} {Rectangle} and {CAD/CAM} {Line}
{Prllogram} commands. The reason for this is that the centres of
such surfaces were precisely aligned by PrintCADD 3-D when they
were created.
After placing the drawing cursor on a line segment of the surface
you wish to snap to the center of, invoke the [Draw] {CenterSnap}
command and the system will highlight a surface and place an
oversized cursor at the center of the surface. You will then see
thebracket menu, "Center of this surface ? < Snap > < Moveto >
< Next > < Exit >". If you select "< Snap >", the software will
snap the cursor to the center of the surface and enter this point
into the drawing.
[Draw] {MidPtSnap}
------------------
This command allows you to snap to the precise midpoint of a
selected line segment. Place your drawing cursor within aperture
distance of the line segment you wish to snap to the midpoint of
and invoke the [Draw] {MidPtSnap} command. PrintCADD 3-D will
highlight the surface the line segment resides on and place
oversized cursors at the endpoints of the segment. You will then
see the bracket menu, "This line ? < Yes > < No > < Exit >".
27
Proceed as with all previous snap commands.
[Draw] {Locks} <AlongLock>
--------------------------
This command restricts the cursor to moving along a path that
lies along a selected line segment. It does not enter a point
into the system. The selection process is identical to the
[Draw] {PerpSnap} and [Draw] {MidPtSnap} commands. The command
remains in effect until a point is entered, the drawing command
is aborted or the [Draw] {LocksOff} command is selected.
[Draw] {Locks} <Parallel Lock>
------------------------------
This command is similar to the [Draw] {AlongLock} command except
that the drawing cursor is limited to a path that runs parallel
to the selected line segment. You normally invoke this command
after entering the first point of a command into the system.
This point establishes the offset of the cursor path from the
selected line segment. After selecting the line segment you wish
cursor travel parallel to, the system will confine the path such
that the line between the first point entered and the current
cursor position remains parallel to the selected line segment.
[Draw] {Locks} <Perp Lock>
--------------------------
This command is similar to the [Draw] <ParallelLock> command
except that movement is confined to a path that is perpendicular
(right angle) to the line segment selected and that intersects
the last point entered into the system.
[Draw] {Locks} <Locks Off>
--------------------------
This command aborts any lock that is in effect.
[Draw] {Coords} and {MoveTo} commands
-------------------------------------
The {Coords} and {Moveto} commands are very similar in nature
except that the {Coords} command enters the point into the system
and the {Moveto} command moves the cursor to the position
indicated but does not enter the point into the system.
These commands allow the user to enter points or move the cursor
directly rather than using the mouse or keyboard. This is
normally a more accurate way of describing points as well because
incrementing the cursor by a small amounts may cause additive
errors.
Additive errors are caused by the fact that most real numbers can
not be precisely described by computers. The computer can get
very close, (normally within1/10,000,000 of the real value) but
because this slight bit of error is added with each movement of
the cursor, it may turn into a number that is rather significant.
There are two normal methods of describing points in PrintCADD
3-D. The first is by use of X, Y and Z values that describe
28
distances of travel along each of theses axes or axis
coordinates. The second type is known as polar coordinates.
These are described to the system by a relative point that
describes the starting point, the angle the travel will take in
the current UCS and the distance to travel.
Each of the bracket commands in these two menus offers a way of
supplying one of these points to the system. The bracket menu
commands accept input from the user via the prompts "X =", "Y ="
and "Z =" or "Angle =", "Distance =".
[Draw] {Coords}/{Moveto} <AbsUCS>
---------------------------------
This command allows you to enter coordinates in terms of the
current user coordinate system. For more information read [Edit]
{CAD/CAM} {UCS} section.
[Draw] {Coords}/{Moveto} <RelUCS>
---------------------------------
This command allows you to enter points in terms of relative
offsets along the current UCS X, Y and Z axes. The offsets are
in relation to the last point entered into the system.
[Draw] {Coords}/{Moveto} <DBase>
--------------------------------
This command allows you to enter a coordinate in terms of the
drawing database. These coordinates are in terms of [Edit]
{CAD/CAM} {View} {Top Plan}. It is normally easier to enter
coordinates in other terms as described below unless the user has
a database of points they wish to enter into the system.
[Draw] {Coords}/{Moveto} <PolDeg>
---------------------------------
This command allows the user to enter a polar coordinate into the
system using degrees. The angle is in terms of the current UCS Z
axis and the right hand rule.
[Draw] {Coords}/{Moveto} <PolRad>
---------------------------------
This command allows the user to enter a polar coordinate into the
system using radians. The angle is in terms of the current UCS Z
axis and the right hand rule.
[Draw] {Moveto} <LastPt>
------------------------
This command allows the user to move the cursor to the position
that the system feels was the last point entered into the system.
Because intermediate selections such as [Draw] {UCS} <3point> or
[Draw] {Zoom/Pan} may reset this point the user can assure
himself that this is the correct "last" or "relative" point.
These points are important because the system uses them for
measurement reference, polar coordinates, "parallel" locks and
"perpendicular" locks.
29
[Draw] {Moveto} <SetRel>
------------------------
Normally the system sets the last point entered as the relative
point. This command allows the user to overide this setting with
their own relative point. The user places his cursor on the
point that he wishes the system to use as the "relative" point
and then selects this command. The system will then move the
relative point to the cursor position and return the user to
"draw" mode.
[Draw] {UCSAline}
-----------------
This command is designed to realign the cursor to the current
User Coordinate System. (See [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {UCS} section for
more information.) The <Realine> option of this command causes
the cursor to be adjusted so that it lies precisely on the
{Units} grid established by the last command to set the units.
This is needed because snaps and user entered coordinates may
pull the cursor off of the {Units} grid. For example, your
{Units} grid might be set to ' 1/2" spacing and your [Edit]
{CAD/CAM} {Vars} {RelAbsDbas} is set to < Absolute UCS >.
Snapping to the midpoint of a line might produce a current cursor
position of 3/4". Your cursor would then increment to 1 1/4", 1
3/4", 2 1/4", 2 3/4" etc. not 1 1/2", 2 0/2 ", 2 1/2", 3 0/2"
etc. as shown by coordinate readouts at the bottom of the screen.
The reason is that the readouts merely display to the closest
1/2". It is normally best to establish coordinates by setting
your readouts to {RelAbsDbas} < Relative UCS > to avoid
confusion.
The <Change> option toggles between forcing the cursor to realine
with the {Units} grid at the start of each point selection
(default) or simply allowing the spacing to continue from the
last point selected whether it lies on exact increment of the
spacing grid or not. Because the system realines the cursor
with the UCS grid after each selection, additive errors are kept
to a minimum with this option set on.
[Draw] {CursrSpace}
-------------------
This command establishes a new cursor grid spacing relative to
the current UCS origin. It is especially useful if you find that
your cursor can not get within {Aperture} distance of a point you
wish to snap to because your current grid spacing is too coarse.
You will be prompted for the amount of space to move along the X,
Y and Z axes of the current user coordinate system each time an
arrow key is pressed or the mouse moved.
[Draw] {Zoom/Pan} <Factor>
--------------------------
This command allows you to zoom in or out of a drawing by a
factor. Once the command is selected you will see the prompt,
"Zoom Factor =". Answering to the prompt with a number greater
than 1 causes a magnification of the drawing by the number
indicated. A number less than 1 causes a zoom out or
30
demagnification of the screen. After typing in the factor of
zoom you will be prompted to select a point to zoom about. Press
enter once your cursor is over the point you wish to zoom and the
screen will be zoomed and displayed with the point selected in
the center of the screen. See the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Zoom}
command for more information.
[Draw] {Zoom/Pan} <Level>
-------------------------
This command sets zoom as a factor of the area set for the
current drawing when it was created orlast set with the [Edit]
{CAD/CAM} {Vars} {Limits} command. For example, if your limits
were set to 10' then a {ZoomLevel} of 2 would present an area of
5' x 5' on the screen. A {ZoomLevel} of .5 would present a
screen area of 20' x 20'. At the prompt "Zoom Level =", enter
the new zoom level and you will be prompted for a new center of
zoom. Once the point is selected, the zoom will be performed.
[Draw] {Zoom/Pan} <Previous>
----------------------------
This command allows you to zoom to the last zoom or pan that was
set by one of the zoom commands in the current editing session.
If you have not used a zoom command in the current editing
session then the zoom performs the same as the [Edit] {CAD/CAM}
{Zoom} {Limits} command. This command is especially useful
if you wish to return to your original level of zoom after
zooming in to add detail or snapping to a point.
[Draw] {Zoom/Pan} <PullPan>
---------------------------
This command allows you to pull a section of drawing to a
different position on the screen. You will be prompted for two
different points. The first prompt will be, "Point to Pull @".
Select the point you wish to pull upon. You will then be
prompted, "New position @". Select the point where you wish the
point that was first selected to appear on the screen. Once this
point is selected PrintCADD 3-D will perform the desired panning
action and return you to where you left off.
[Draw] {Zoom/Pan} <ReCenter>
----------------------------
Selecting this command causes a panning motion of the screen such
that the current drawing cursor position becomes the center of
the screen.
[Draw] {Redraw}
---------------
This command will redraw the screen removing any blips or ghosted
entities. (See [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {Redraw})
[Draw] {UCS} <3Point>
---------------------
This command allows the user to set up another UCS by prompting
for three points. The first point is used as the origin point
of the coordinate system. The second point marks a point on the
31
UCS X axis while the third point marks a point in the positive Y
direction. The third point does not have to be on the Y axis.
[Draw] {UCS} <UCStoView>
------------------------
This command is useful when you find that your cursor does not
seem to allow you to move in a direction that you wish. This is
normally caused because the UCS X or Y axis lies in a direction
that is close to the Z direction of the current view ie moving
along the X - axis of the current UCS is the same as moving
deeper into the drawing. This command aligns the UCS with the
current view such that moving along the X axis causes movement of
the cursor parallel to the bottom of the window while moving
along the Y axis causes movement parallel to the side of the
window. Z axis movement causes no apparent movement of the
cursor but in fact it is moving in the Z direction.
[Draw] {UCS} <UCStoView>
------------------------
This command prompts the user to select a line segment. The
selected line segment will become the UCS X axis. The UCS will
then be adjusted to fall on the surface that the selected line
segment belongs to.
[Draw] {WndwRdOut}
------------------
This command moves the readouts in the window one position to the
left. This is useful if the window you are working in is too
small to display the entire window status line. You can move the
particular readout that you are interested into view in this
manner. For instance, you may wish to keep track of the current
view rotation angles while using the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {View}
{Aim} command. Normally these readouts would not be visible in a
small window. By pressing the {WndwRdOut} command a couple of
times you will shift this readout into view on the current
window.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
File Menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The [File] menu consists of the commands, {Load}, {Create},
{DosComs},{Purge} and {Quit}.
[File] {Load} Command
---------------------
The {Load} command allows you to load previously created drawing
and font files into the system. Selecting the {Load} command
causes another sub menu to appear with the two choices, {Drawing}
and {Font}. Selecting either of these two commands in turn
presents the user with a list menu that contains all the files
that are available in the particular category that you have
selected ie. {Drawing} or {Font}. You then select the file you
are interested in and PrintCADD- 3D loads the file. If you have
selected {Font} you will also be required to press the key that
32
corresponds to the letter you wish to edit. In effect each
letter is its own individual drawing contained within the master
font file. Each of these letter drawings must be contained within
a certain predefined amount of file space so editing previously
created fonts may cause problems. See the [File] {Create}
commands and the File Structure section in the appendix for more
information on font files.
[File] {Create} {Drawing}
-------------------------
The {Create} command allows you to create a new drawing or font
file. After selecting {Create} a menu will appear with the
choices, {Drawing} and {Font}.
If you select {Drawing} you will be prompted for several pieces
of information that will control different aspects of the
drawing. All of this information except the filename may be
changed within the system so if you decide that you have not
answered one of the prompts correctly just continue on and
modify it later. Even the filename may be changed at the DOS
level.
The first prompt will be 'Filename >'. Type in the name you wish
to remember the file by. The name may be up to 8 letters long
and must follow standard disk operating system protocol. This
means that the filename may consist of the letters a-z and A-Z,
the numbers 0-9 and the characters ( ) @ # $ % ^ & ! - _ '
and ~. Any other characters may cause problems. PrintCADD-3D
will append the extension .GVF to the filename.
After entering a filename the system will prompt 'Display Units'
and a menu will appear below the prompt. The system is asking
you for the units of measurement that will be displayed at the
bottom of the screen during object construction. These units
will also be the units that will be written to the drawing when
applying dimensioning to the drawing. Because the system keeps
all points and vectors in terms of floating point inches, a
conversion process is applied to coordinates when they are
entered as well as when they are displayed. For instance if you
were to enter the coordinate 1/4", the system would convert this
to the number .2500000 and store it. Later when dimensioning
the point it would take the coordinate .2500000 and convert it
back to 1/4", 2/8", 1/2", .835 cm etc. depending upon the
display units setting. Notice that 1/2" is actually not accurate
but is as accurate as the system can be to the nearest 1/2". You
may select the display units by using the up and down arrows and
pressing the enter key. With a mouse simply point the arrow at
the correct units and press the left mouse button to invoke the
setting. You may change the units setting later via the [Edit]
{CAD/CAM} {UCS} {Units} command.
The next prompt, when creating a drawing, will be "Area? Length
of longest side >". You must type in the size of the area that
you wish to work in. For instance typing in "10'" would give you
an area of 10 feet by 10 feet to build your drawing in. In
33
actuality it is best to give your drawing about twice as much
size as it needs because this will cut down on the number of
regenerations that will need to be performed when zooming and
panning. This area is also used as the reference point for the
zoom command. A zoom level of 2 would give you an area of 5 feet
by 5 feet if the area had been set at 10 feet originally. This
area can be reset later via the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {Limits}
command.
The system will then blank the current screen and prompt you for
two corners of a rectangle. This rectangle represents the area
of the screen that you wish to assign to your first view window.
As you may create up to four windows, it may be best to leave
some room on the screen in which to place other view windows.
Again, this command can be changed later via the [Edit]
{CAD/CAM} {Wndw} {ReSize} command.
The last three prompts ask for X, Y and Z axis spacing. These
prompts are replied to with a distance that sets the increment
that the drawing cursor will travel with each press of the
arrows. The X-axis is controlled by the left and right arrows,
the Y axis by the up and down arrows and the Z axis by the
numeric keypad plus and minus keys. Too small an increment may
cause the drawing cursor to travel very slowly while too large an
increment may lock the cursor if the spacing carries it past the
edge of the window. You may reset this distance by either the
{Snap} {Grid Size} or the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {UCS} {Grid Size}
commands.
[File] {Create} {Font}
----------------------
This command allows you to create your own font files. Creating
and editing font files can be difficult so a thorough
understanding of font and drawing file structure is necessary to
accomplish this task successfully (See File Structure in
Appendix). You should also be aware of how ASCII codes are
assigned to the different keys on the keyboard. (See
ASCII table in appendix).
Although not absolutely necessary, fonts should always be created
in a 1 inch by 1 inch space. This will allow the font to conform
to other fonts shipped with the system. This also allows easy
scaling of the fonts ie a Y-Scale factor of 12 would make the
letter 1 foot high.
Fonts should be drawn in the default view : [Edit] {View} {Top
Plan}. The basic geometry should not be extended along the Z
axis. While this makes the font 2 dimensional in nature, it
still may be placed at any orientation in 3-D space and extruded
into 3-D afterwards.
Each letter of the font should consist of a single open surface.
This means that you can not use the [Edit] {Line} {Rectangle},
[Edit] {Line} {Prllogrm} or any [Edit] {Curv} command that makes
34
a circular or elliptical arc of 360 degrees or more. The reason
for this is that the system automatically forms closed surfaces
with these commands. This should not really limit the geometry
but rectangles and parallelograms should be made with the [Edit]
{Line} {Line} command instead. Make closed curves by limiting
the arc to 359.9 degrees and join the first and last end points
of the curve with a line.
This command takes you through the same set of prompts and
replies as the [File] {Create} {Drawing} command as well as two
additional prompts.
The first additional prompt is 'Storage per character ='. This
number refers to the amount of file space in words to allocate
for each character in the font file. A word is 2 bytes therefore
typing in 100 would allocate 200 bytes of space for that
character. This is normally enough for about 15 line segments.
Allocating more space would allow more line segments. The values
quoted are only approximate and you should allocate more space
than you feel you will require. Obviously the more room that is
allocated, the more complex the font that can be accommodated by
this space.
The second additional prompt is 'Number of Characters ='.
Characters are assigned space starting with ASCII 32. If you
refer to an ASCII table, you will notice that ascii 32 represents
the space bar ie when you press the space bar your computer
system receives a message from your keyboard that ASCII 32
was pressed. PrintCADD 3-D intercepts that key and sends the
ASCII 32 letter file to your drawing. If you press '!'-
exclamation mark, ASCII 33 is intercepted and the ascii 33 letter
file is sent to your drawing. You will also notice that ASCII 32
to ASCII 126 represent all of the characters in a standard
character set so if you answered 95 to the 'Number of Characters
=' prompt, you would assign space for a complete font ie ASCII 32
to ASCII 126. In truth the PrintCADD 3-D can handle ASCII 127 to
255 as well but these characters are available only by pressing
the 'Alt' key and typing in the ASCII code number on the numeric
keypad.
The 'space bar' key plays an important role in the font file.
When you have finished replying to the previous prompts,
PrintCADD 3-D creates a font file and selects the 'space bar' key
for the current edit letter. The 'space bar' controls the
spacing of the letters via the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Line}
{Rectangle} command. The rectangle size is normally set to the
1" x 1" area size but may be varied to give different spacings.
You must realize that this rectangle is not shown when the 'space
bar' key is pressed but merely referenced for the spacing of the
font. This allows you to control spacing by re-editing the
'space bar' key rectangle via the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Mdfy}
{Delete} command to delete the rectangle and reestablishing the
rectangle via the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Line} {Rectangle} command.
See the [File] {Load} {Font} for information on editing the other
characters.
35
There are three other points to keep in mind when creating and
editing fonts.
1: The system expects that each letter is contained
within its own file space so if one letter of the
font overflows into the next characters file space
the font will be ruined.
2: While you may delete the last point, series or
surface, if you try to delete beyond the beginning
of the letter you may corrupt the font file.
3: Do not use the [File] {Purge} command as it will
also corrupt the file.
One other use of the [File] {Create} {Font} command is to build
'parts'. A part is really nothing more than a two character font
file. When building a part simply reply to the prompts as if
building this two character font and place the actual drawing of
the part in the space assigned to the '!' exclamation mark
character. When prompted for the amount of space for each
letter, reply '110'. Because the letter (part) can not overflow
into another letter's assigned space, this will actually allow
you to build the part as complex as you wish without any fear.
In general you must be quite careful in the editing and drawing
of fonts. Although there are a lot of rules to building a font
file, in practice it is very easy and quick once you get the hang
of it. They are also very flexible when used as parts files.
See [File] {Load} {Font} and [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Text} for more
information.
[File] {DosComs} < Directory >
------------------------------
This command is similar to the MSDOS "dir" command except that
the list of files appears within a list menu. After selecting
<Directory>, another bracket menu will appear, "< Cont > < Mask >
< Directory >". The <Cont> command produces a list of files
according to the <Mask> and <Directory> commands. The <Mask>
command allows you to set a mask using the DOS wildcard
characters "?" and "*". Consult your DOS manual for an
explanation on the use of these characters. The <Directory>
command will prompt the user for the directory they wish to
extract the list of files from.
[File] {DosComs} <Copy>
-----------------------
This command is similar to the MSDOS "copy" command except that
you will be prompted for the file to copy and the name to copy
to. This allows you to make backups and shuffle files around
without leaving PrintCADD 3-D.
[File] {DosComs} <Delete>
-------------------------
This command will prompt for the name of the file to delete.
36
This allows you to delete files without leaving PrintCADD 3-D.
[File] {DosComs} <MkDir>
------------------------
This command allows you to create a new directory without leaving
PrintCADD 3-D. It is similar to the DOS command of the same
name.
[File] {DosComs} <MemLeft>
--------------------------
This command is not normally for user use as the memories
reported are actually used for debugging of the executable file
and report the memory available at this particular time rather
than the memory available after dynamic allocation of different
internal arrays. The "Memory =" should be a minimum of 45000.
[File] {Purge}
--------------
This command removes all deletions from the current drawing file.
If you have been deleting entities in your drawing with the
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Grup} {Delete} command then this command will
return the filespace taken by the entities that have been
deleted. This is possible because the {Grup} {Delete} command
merely marks the selected surface as a deleted entity rather than
actually removing it from the drawing file. Although this
command does not make the drawing file smaller, it does recover
room that may be used for the drawing without increasing the file
size. This will also increase the performance of the file as
the system will not have to deal with them once they have been
purged from the drawing.
[File] {Quit}
-------------
Once you have selected {Quit} you will see the bracket menu,
"Quit < Yes > < No >". Selecting <Yes> will allow you to exit
PrintCADD 3-D. If [System] {Optimize} has been turned on, you
will see the additional bracket menu "Save Edits < Yes > < No >".
This allows you to decide whether you wish to save the changes
you have made to your drawing. See [System] {Optimize}.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Line menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The {Line} menu allows the user to construct several useful
shapes. These shapes are straight edged, as opposed to the
shapes found in the {Curv} menu which have curved edges.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Line} {Line}
------------------------------
The most basic element of a drawing in PrintCADD 3-D is the line.
The {Line} command allows you to create straight line segments in
37
an easy and efficient manner.
When this menu item is selected the system goes into "Draw" mode
and the prompt "Start point @" appears at the top of the screen.
The user may then select the position of the start point.
Remember that the [Draw] menu is available at any time during the
point selection selection process by pressing "Escape" or "MRB".
After selecting this point, the system will display the prompt,
"End point @". When the cursor is moved a "rubber band" line
will form between the point selected and the current cursor
position.
After the end point is selected, the line will solidify in place
and the system will again prompt, "End point @". A rubber band
line will again form between the last point selected and the
current cursor position. This allows the line to be made
"continuously". In order to get back to the "Start point @"
prompt, the user must invoke the [Draw] menu and select {Exit}.
Invoking [Draw] and selecting {Exit} while at the "Start point @"
prompt will take the user back to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
The points will be grouped into the "current" surface till
another command determines the type of surface they form.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Line} {Triangle}
----------------------------------
The system will prompt the user for three points that form the
vertices of the triangle. As the points are selected the system
will form "rubber band" lines between the points to show the
shape of the triangle. If the user selects {Exit} from the
[Draw] menu, the command will abort and the user will be returned
to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
The system will form a "closed" surface and determine a center
point that is mathematically within the confines of the triangle
and lying on it's surface.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Line} {Rectangle}
-----------------------------------
The system will prompt the user for two diagonally opposite
corners of the rectangle. The rectangle will "rubber band"
between the first point selected and the cursor. After selecting
the second point, the rectangle will solidify and the user will
be returned to the {CAD/CAM} menu. The command can be aborted by
selecting {Exit} from the [Draw] menu.
The system will determine the center point of the rectangle and
form a "closed" surface. If the second point lies at a different
depth in the current UCS than the first point, the system will
make sure that the edges of the rectangle that are parallel to
the Y axis will remain parallel while the edges parallel to the X
axis will remain parallel to the y = 0 plane.
38
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Line} {Prllogram}
-----------------------------------
The system will prompt the user to enter three points that
describe three of the corners of the parallelogram. The fourth
corner is inferred from the other three corners. The system will
"rubber band" the parallelogram when the third point is being
selected.
After the third point is entered the parallelogram will solidify
and the user will be returned to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
Selecting {Exit} from the [Draw] menu will abort the command.
The system will calculate the center of the parallelogram and
form a "closed" surface.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Curve menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The {Curv} menu allows the user a number of ways to draw circles,
arcs, ellipses and spline curves. Selecting any of the sub-menu
items in this menu leads to a bracket menu that further modifies
the type of curve that will be generated.
The {PtRadCirc}, {2PtCirc}, {3PtCirc} and {2PtEllipse} commands
all lead to the menu, "< Continue > < Sides >=? < Start >=? <
End >=?", where the question marks are numbers.
The <Sides> option allows the user to set the number of straight
line segments that make up the curve by answering the prompt with
a number between 3 and 256.
The <Start> and <End> option allow the user to set the starting
and ending angles of the circle or ellipse. The system expects
the user to enter these angles in degrees. The angles are
measured from the UCS X axis in a manner that conforms to the
right hand rule. If the difference between the start and end
angles is 360 degrees or more, the system forms a "closed"
surface. If the arc is less than 360 degrees, the arc is held as
a "series" in the "current" surface.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Curv} {PtRadCirc}
-----------------------------------
This command prompts the user for a center point and a point on
the edge of the circle or arc. When the edge point is being
prompted for, a "rubber band" circle or arc will form that shows
the shape the circle will take.
If the cursor is moved off of the current UCS, the distance
between the center point and cursor is measured to form the
radius of the circle. The circle will always remain parallel to
the current UCS and the center will always remain at the first
point that is selected.
39
After selecting the edge point the circle will solidify and
become part of the drawing.
Selecting {Exit} from the [Draw] menu aborts the command.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Curv} {2ptCirc}
---------------------------------
This command forms a circle by prompting for two points that are
on diametrically opposite sides of the circle. When the second
point is being selected, the circle or arc will "rubber band".
If the cursor is moved off of the UCS, a point that is exactly
half way between the two points becomes the center of the
surface. ie if the second point is 2 inches deeper than the first
point in terms of the current UCS, the circle's center will be at
1 inch deep. The distance between the two points is measured to
determine the diameter of the circle. The circle will always
remain parallel to the current UCS.
The [Draw]{Exit} command aborts the command.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Curv} {3PtCirc}
---------------------------------
This command allows the user to form a circle by defining three
points along the edge of it. When the third point is being
selected, the circle will "rubber band".
The circle or arc will always form so that the circle is parallel
to the current UCS and at the depth of the third point entered.
If the two previous points were at different depths, the circle
forms so that if the user was looking directly down on the UCS,
(See [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {UCS} {ViewtoUCS}) the circle will "appear"
to intercept all three points.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Curv} {3PtArc}
--------------------------------
The {3PtArc} command leads to a bracket menu that allows the user
to set the number of <Sides> that the arc will contain. After
selecting <Continue> from this bracket menu, the system will
prompt the user for three points.
The arc will form from the first point through the second point
and end at the third point. When the third point is being
selected, the arc will "rubberband". After the third point is
selected, the arc will solidify and the user will be returned to
the {CAD/CAM} menu. Selecting {Exit} from the [Draw] menu
will abort the command.
This command is similar to the {3PtCirc} command in that the arc
will appear to intercept all three points if the user is looking
directly down on the current UCS. The arc will always remain
parallel to the current UCS and will be at the depth of the third
point entered.
40
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Curv} {2PtEllipse}
------------------------------------
This command allows the user to construct an ellipse. The system
will prompt for two points. The first point defines the center
point of the ellipse. When the second point is being selected,
the ellipse will "rubber band". Each radius of the ellipse,
(major and minor), is defined by the distance the cursor is from
the center point, measured along the current UCS X and Y axes.
To achieve a tilted ellipse, define the UCS so that it is tilted
in respect to the edges of the window. The ellipse always forms
parallel to these two axes and always remains at the depth of the
first point (center point). Placing the cursor at a different
depth does not effect the ellipse as distances are always
measured along the UCS X and Y axes. The ellipse will solidify
once the second point is selected. Selecting {Exit} from the
[Draw] menu aborts the command.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Curv} {PtSpline}
----------------------------------
This command leads to a bracket menu that allows the user to set
the number of points the system will prompt for and the spline
will intercept. The bracket menu also allows the user to set the
number of line segments between each point via the <Chords>
command. The total number of line segments that the system can
generate is 256 so the user will be informed if (<Points> -1) *
<Chords> + 1 exceeds 256.
When <Continue> is selected from the bracket menu, the system
will prompt the user to select each point in turn until the last
point is entered. When the last point is entered, the spline
curve will form through all points selected. Selecting {Exit}
from the [Draw] menu will abort the command.
The {PtSpline} command is fully 3-D in nature so selecting points
that are not on the current UCS will still result in the curve
passing through the selected points. The {PtSpline} command
forms a "series" in the current "surface".
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Curv} {AnchrSplin}
------------------------------------
This command leads to a bracket menu that allows the user to set
the number of <Chords> or line segments between each selected
point. The number of points selected is always three. The other
option in this menu is <AltSpline>. When <AltSpline> is set to
"No" and <Continue> is selected, the user will be prompted for
three points. The first and second points will become the start
and end points of the spline while the third point will define
the path of the spline curve between these two points. When
<AltSpline> is set to "Yes", the spline will start at the first
point, continue through the second point and end at the third
point.
When the third point is being selected, the spline will "rubber
band". This command is fully three dimensional in nature and the
curve will pass through the three points selected whether they
41
all reside on the current UCS or not. Once the third point is
selected, the spline will solidify and the user will be returned
to the {CAD/CAM} menu. The command may be aborted by selecting
{Exit} from the [Draw] menu. The {AnchrSplin} command forms a
"series" in the current surface.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Text menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu system allows the user to annotate their drawings.
Unlike most other 3-D CADD systems, the text in this system is
treated like any other object within the system and can be placed
at any orientation in 3-D space. This allows the user to
build signs or provide the illusion of the text vanishing off
into space. The user should however keep all texts on different
layers so that different views don't show the text upside down
and backwards for instance. Text will always assume the current
line style and line color. Each string of text is given the open
surface type. The {Box}, {StackedBox}, {LeftJustfy},
{RightJstfy}, {Centered} and {Between} commands will always start
by prompting the user for a string of text to place in the
drawing.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Text} {Box}
-----------------------------
This command is perhaps the most flexible of all the {Text}
commands. After entering the string of text, the user will be
prompted "Left bottom corner @". The user will then select the
point that the left, bottom corner of the text will appear at.
After selecting this point the system will prompt, "Length line
@" . The user will then see a "rubberband" line that connects
the first point selected to the cursor. This line controls the
orientation and length of the text. After selecting this point,
a parallelogram will "rubber band" between the points selected
and the current cursor position. The system will also display
the prompt, "Height / Slant corner @". The user may then select
a point that controls the height and slant (italics) of the
letters. Once the third point is selected the system will place
the text string so that it fills the parallelogram and lays flat
on its surface. The parallelogram is fully 3-D in nature, so the
points selected do not need to fall on the current UCS.
The command may be aborted by selecting {Exit} from the [Draw]
menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Text} {StackedBox}
------------------------------------
This command is similar to the {Box} command except that the
letters will fall one below the other like those on a vertical
sign. The system will prompt the user for three corners of a
parallelogram that the text will form to fill. The first point
selected will be the left top corner of the text. The second
point will control the orientation and height of the string
while the third point controls the width and slant of the
42
letters. After the third point is selected the text will form
and the user will be returned to the {CAD/CAM} menu. Selecting
{Exit} from the [Draw] menu aborts the command.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Text} {LeftJustfy}
------------------------------------
After the user enters the string of text, the system will prompt
the user to select a "Start @" point. Once this point is
selected, the text will form to the right of the point. The text
will be aligned so that it runs parallel to the UCS X axis and
the height runs parallel to the UCS Y axis. The depth of the
cursor controls the depth at which the text is placed. The
height and width of the letters are controlled by the settings in
the {TextScale} menu which is discussed later in this chapter.
Selecting {Exit} from the [Draw] menu aborts the command.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Text} {RightJstfy}
------------------------------------
This command is similar to the {LeftJustfy} command except that
the text forms to the left of the point selected. This command
may be aborted by selecting {Exit} from the [Draw] menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Text} {Centered}
----------------------------------
This command is similar to the {LeftJustfy} command except that
the text will be centered about the point that is selected. This
command may be aborted by selecting {Exit} from the [Draw] menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Text} {Between}
---------------------------------
After entering the text string, the system will prompt the user
for a "Start @" and an "End @" point. After entering the second
point, the system will place the text string so that its length
and orientation is controlled by the distance and direction of
the two points selected, ie. the text will form between the
two points. The height of the letters is controlled by the <Y
Scale> factor in the {TextScale} menu. The letters will be
formed so that the height is perpendicular (right angle) to the
line between the start and end points. The height line is also
parallel to the current UCS, ie. adjusting the UCS controls the
direction in which the letters face. This command may be aborted
by selecting {Exit} from the [Draw] menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Text} {FontSelect}
------------------------------------
After selecting this command, the system will display the prompt
"Select font style ~" and display a list of the currently
available fonts. The user must select one of the fonts from this
list. Once selected, the font is used for all subsequent {Text}
and {Dims} commands that create text. A readout in the top right
hand corner of the screen displays the current font while in the
{CAD/CAM} menu.
After selection the User will be returned to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
Pressing "Escape" or "MRB" aborts the command.
43
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Text} {TextScale}
-----------------------------------
This command leads to a bracket menu that displays the current X
scale and Y scale settings and offers the user three choices.
Selecting <X Scale> will cause the system to display the prompt
"X scale =". At this prompt the user will type in the size that
he wishes the width of the letters to assume. Remember that
fonts are normally built on a scale of 1" x 1" so typing in 12
would cause letters 1' in width. Similarly typing in a <Y Scale>
of 12 would cause the system to produce letters 1' high.
The other menu option available is <Auto>. When this command is
selected, the system looks at the {AutoSize} setting in the
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} menu and automatically determines the <X
Scale> and <Y Scale> of the letters, ie. if the <AutoSize>
setting is 8" then the scale will be set so that the letters are
8 inches high and 8 inches wide in the drawing. When these
values are set to your satisfaction, press the "Escape" key or
"MRB" to return to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dimensioning menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu system allows the user to dimension his drawing in an
easy and efficient manner. Although the dimensions are not
"associative", they are so easy to construct and manipulate that
redimensioning is still extremely easy. Dimensions should be
assigned there own layers so that reverse views of the dimension
may be turned off. This is because dimensions are also 3
dimensional in nature. Because of the number of options that are
available through this menu virtually any type of dimensioning
may be constructed. The dimensions will assume the current
line style and line color. The dimensions are broken down into
three surfaces. The "witness" or "extension" lines are
considered one "open" surface. The arrows and dimension lines
are considered as one "open" surface and the dimension text is
considered as one "open" surface. This allows the user to
control the color and style of these surfaces individually.
The measurements will be formatted to the current setting of the
{CAD/CAM} {UCS} {Units} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Dims} {Aligned}
---------------------------------
This command allows the user to dimension the distance between
two points. The user will be prompted to select three points.
The first two points selected are the points whose distance is
being measured. When the third point is being selected a
parallelogram will "rubber band" between the points selected and
the current cursor position. The parallelogram roughly describes
the shape that the final dimension will take. When the third
point is selected, the "extension" lines will form along two
edges of the parallelogram and the dimension lines and arrows
will form along the side opposite the first two points selected.
The text will form in accordance with the setting in the {Dims}
44
{Placement} menu. If the placement is set to <Aligned>, the text
will form aligned with the dimension lines and arrows. In this
case the parallelogram describes the "facing" of the text as well
as the slant applied to the text. If the user selects the same
point for the third point as the second point, the system will
form a dimension without extension lines. The arrows will
form so that they point at the first and second points selected.
The text will "face" according to the setting of the UCS. The
user may select {Exit} from the [Draw] Menu to abort the command.
[Edit] {Cad/CAM} {Dims} {Horizontal}
------------------------------------
This command allows the user to form horizontal dimensions. The
user will first be prompted, "Dimension line location @". The
location of this point determines the location of the dimension
lines and text. The dimension lines and text will be formed such
that they are parallel to the UCS X axis and intercepting this
point (or would intercept if the dimension lines were longer).
The next two prompts are the points to be dimensioned. The
system will measure the horizontal distance along the UCS X axis
between these two points and form the dimension. Notice that the
orientation of the UCS defines the distance, alignment and
"facing" of the text. This allows the user to do dimensioning
that is not normally possible. (See DIMGAP.GVF Illustration)
Because dimension lines are always parallel to the UCS X axis,
{Dims} {Placement} will react the same no matter what the
setting. The user may select {Exit} from the [Draw] to abort the
command.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Dims} {Vertical}
----------------------------------
This command allows the user to form vertical dimensions. The
user will first be prompted, "Dimension line location @". The
location of this point determines the location of the dimension
lines and text. The dimension lines and text will be formed
such that they are parallel to the UCS Y axis and intercepting
this point (or would intercept if the dimension lines were
longer). The next two prompts are the points to be dimensioned.
The system will measure the vertical distance along the UCS Y
axis between these two points and form the dimension. Notice
that the orientation of the UCS defines the distance, alignment
and "facing" of the text. This allows the user to do
dimensioning that is not normally possible. (See DIMGAP.GVF
Illustration) The user may select {Exit} from the [Draw] menu
to abort the command.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Dims} {Pointer}
---------------------------------
This command allows the user to make dimensions that need to be
routed around objects in the way. It also allows the user to
form angular dimensions. The user will be prompted, "First point
@". This point defines where the arrow head will appear. The
Next prompt is "Next point @". This point determines the
orientation of the arrow head as well as drawing a dimension line
45
between the two points. The system will continue to prompt for
"Next point @", allowing the user to route the dimension line
around objects in the drawing until the user selects {Exit} from
the [Draw] menu. The system will then draw the arrow head on the
first line segment and display a bracket menu, "Dimension < Text
> < Length > < Angle > < None >".
If the user selects <Text>, the system will prompt the user for a
string of text that will be placed "left justified" at the last
point the cursor was resting on.
If the user selects <Length>, then the system will prompt the
user to select two points. The system will measure the distance
between these two points and place the length, "left justified"
at the last point the cursor was resting on before {Exit} was
selected from the [Draw] menu.
If the user selects <Angle>, the system will prompt the user for
three additional points. The three prompts will be, "First angle
point @", "Angle center point @" and "Last angle point @". The
system will then measure the angle formed by these three points
and display the bracket menu "Angle < Degrees > < Radians >".
The user must select select the appropriate dimension type. The
system will then prompt the user "Decimal points (0 to 6) =".
The user must type in the number of decimal points of accuracy
that this measurement will be displayed in. Note that if the
measurement is 89.999 and the user selects 2, the system will
format this number as 90, ie. number is rounded and trailing
zeros are dropped. The system will then place the angular
dimension, "left justified" at the last point the cursor was
resting on before {Exit} was selected from the [Draw] menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Dims} {ArrowType}
-----------------------------------
When this command is selected a drop down menu will be displayed
with 15 (0-14) styles of arrowheads. Highlight the appropriate
style and press "Enter" or "MLB" to select as the current style.
The readout in the top left corner of the screen will display the
current style.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Dims} {ArrowScale}
------------------------------------
When this command is selected the system will display the bracket
menu "Arrow < X Scale > = ? < Y Scale > = ? < Auto >". The
question marks will be the current scale of the arrows.
Selecting <X Scale> will allow the user to change the scaling of
the arrow parallel to the dimension line while selecting <Y
Scale> allows the user to change the scaling perpendicular to the
dimension line. Although the scaling of the arrows is not quite
identical to that of the fonts, it is close enough that setting
one equivalent to the other will produce a dimension that looks
proper.
The <Auto> command uses the value of the {CAD/CAM} {Vars}
46
{AutoSize} setting to configure the scaling of the arrows.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Dims} {Overlap}
---------------------------------
This command is used to offset (underlap) the extension lines
from the object being dimensioned and to extend the lines beyond
the tips of the arrow heads in the dimension. When this command
is selected, the system will display the bracket menu, "Extension
Overlap < Arrow > = ? < Object > = ? < Auto >". The question
marks will be the current settings of the overlap. If either
<Arrow> or <Object> is selected, the user will be prompted for a
value. This value is parsed in the same manner as any length
measurement, ie the value must be in terms of the current setting
of the {CAD/CAM} {UCS} {Units} menu. However, the units shown by
the question mark always reflect the measurement in terms of
floating point internal units, normally inches. eg. units parsed
in cm. units are converted to inches for display of overlap. A
negative number indicates underlap and a positive number
indicates overlap. After these numbers are set, press "Escape"
or "MRB" to return to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
The <Auto> option sets the overlaps to the size specified in the
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {AutoSize} command. In this case, the
<Object> setting is actually negative {AutoSize} causing an
underlap on the object side of the extension lines.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Dims} {Suppress}
----------------------------------
When this command is selected, the system will display the
bracket menu "Suppress < Ext1 > = ? < Ext2 > = ? < Arw1 > = ? <
Arw2 > = ?". The question marks will toggle between "No" and
"Yes" when each item is selected. This allows the user to
suppress the system from creating either the extension lines or
arrowheads on a particular side of the dimension. "Ext1" and
"Arw1" refer to the side of the dimension that corresponds to the
first point selected while "Ext2" and "Arw2" correspond to the
second point selected. After these menu items are set, press
"Escape" or "MRB" to return to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Dims} {Pre/Suffix}
------------------------------------
This command allows the user to add a prefix or suffix to the
dimension. One possibility for this ability is to dimension a
drawing in units other than those shown in the {CAD/CAM} {UCS}
{Units} menu. By selecting a generic unit, ie. no ', ", cm, m
suffix, and then selecting an appropriate setting for the
<Suffix>, (eg. angstroms, light years), the user may dimension
the drawing with his new unit of measurement. This may also be
used when tolerances must be shown in the drawing. Press
"Escape" or "MRB" to return to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Dims} {Placement}
-----------------------------------
When this command is selected, the system displays the menu,
"Text Placement < Aligned > < UCS >". Selecting <Aligned> causes
47
dimension text to be aligned with the dimension line while
selecting <UCS> causes the dimension text to align with the UCS
X axis.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Dims} {Orientate}
-----------------------------------
When this command is selected, the system displays the menu,
"Text Orientation < Standard > < Stacked >". The <Stacked>
option makes the dimension text form one letter on top of the
next like a vertical sign. The <Standard> option causes the
dimension text to appear normally.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Dims} {DualDim}
---------------------------------
When this command is selected, the system displays the menu
"Dimensioning < Single > < Dual > < Prompt >".
The <Single> option uses the setting in the {CAD/CAM} {UCS}
{Units} menu when forming the dimension. This is the normal way
that dimensions are done.
When <Dual> is selected, the system displays a menu identical to
the {CAD/CAM} {UCS} {Units} from which the user picks the units
to be displayed for the second dimension. This is normally one
of the metric units settings if the user is working with ft inch.
The system will then form dimensions with the second dimension in
brackets next to the first.
The <Prompt> option causes the system to prompt the user for the
text that will appear in the dimension. The prompt will happen
after the dimension points are selected.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Group menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu allows the user to work on a group of surfaces at one
time. All of the commands in this menu force the user to define
the group of surfaces before carrying out the command. The group
selection process is identical for each command in this menu.
When any one of the {Grup} commands is selected, the system will
display the menu, " < New Group > < Previous Group >".
If <New Group> is selected, the system will discard all surfaces
in the previous group (if any) and proceed.
If <Previous Group> is selected, the system will keep any
previously selected surfaces (if any) and proceed.
The system will then display the selection menu,"< Add > <
Subtract > < BoxAdd > < Finish >".
If <Add> is selected, the user will be prompted, "Select Surface
48
@" and the system will go into "Draw"mode. The user must then
place his cursor on the edge of a surface he wishes to "Add" to
the group and press "Enter" or "MLB". The system will then
search the drawing for surfaces that fall within aperture range
of the cursor. If a surface is found, the system "ghosts" the
surface and displays the standard "Snap" menu, "This surface ? <
Snap > < Moveto > < Next > < Exit >". If the user selects <Snap>
or <Moveto>, the system will add this surface to the selection
set.
If the user selects <Next>, the system will attempt to find the
next surface within aperture range. If one is not found, the
user is returned to the selection menu. If <Exit> is selected,
the user is returned to the selection menu.
If <Subtract> is selected, the user will again be prompted to
"Select Surface @". Again, the same process will be followed to
subtract or remove the selected surface from the selection set.
If <BoxAdd> is selected, the user will be prompted for two
opposing corners of a "rubber band" box. All surfaces that fall
entirely within the box will be added to the selection set.
If <Finish> is selected, the user will continue on with the steps
necessary to complete the {Grup} command.
If "Escape" or "MRB" is pressed, the system will abort the {Grup}
command.
The maximum number of surfaces that can be collected into one
group is controlled by the {Vars} {Groupsize} command and the
amount of available memory in the system. The user may purchase
a version of PrintCADD 3-D that allows very large selection sets
if they have expanded memory.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Grup} {Move}
------------------------------
After establishing the selection set, the system will prompt for
two points, "Origin @" and "Offset @". These points establish the
direction and distance that the group will be moved, ie. if the
second point is 2' to the left and 3' above the first point, then
the group will be moved 2' to the left and 3' up. If {Exit} is
selected from the [Draw] menu, the command will be aborted.
After the two points are selected the system will move the group
and perform the regeneration.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Grup} {Scale}
-------------------------------
After establishing the selection set, the system will prompt the
user for a scale factor. If the user types in a number less than
1, the group will be scaled smaller. If the number is larger
than 1, the group will be scaled larger. If the user presses
"Escape", the command will abort.
49
After the scale factor has been entered, the user will be
prompted, "Origin Point @". This point serves as the point from
which the scaling will be referenced. It is normally in the
center of the surfaces to be scaled because all scaled surfaces
will be pulled towards or pushed away from this point,
depending on whether the scaling makes the group larger or
smaller. The further the surface is from the origin, the more
that the surface will travel from its placement before the
{Scale} command.
After the origin point is selected, the system will scale the
group and perform the regeneration.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Grup} {Rotate}
--------------------------------
After establishing the selection set, the system will display the
bracket menu, "< Continue > < Rotation Angle > = ?". The
question mark will be a number, in degrees, that the system will
rotate the object around the user selected axis of rotation. A
rotation of 180 degrees would, for instance, perform a
"mirroring" of the surface. All rotations are performed
according to the "right hand rule".
If the user selects <Rotation Angle> the system will prompt for
an angle, in degrees, to rotate the group.
Once the user has established the "rotation angle" and selected
<Continue>, the system will prompt the user to select two points
that form the axis of rotation. The second point is positive in
relation to the first point, therefore the thumb of the right
hand would point from the first point towards the second
point when figuring out the direction of the rotation.
After these two points are selected, the system will rotate the
group and perform the regeneration.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Grup} {Copy}
------------------------------
After establishing the selection set, the system will prompt for
two points, "Origin @" and "Offset @". These points establish
the direction and distance that the copy of the group will be
moved, ie. if the second point is 2' to the left and 3' above the
first point, then the copy of the group will be moved 2' to the
left and 3' up from where the original group was. If {Exit} is
selected from the [Draw] menu, the command will be aborted.
After the two points are selected, the system will copy the group
and perform the regeneration.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Grup} {ChangeColr}
------------------------------------
This command changes the color, linestyle, pattern, pattern
foreground color and pattern background color of the selected
group to the current system settings.
50
These colors and attributes are shown in the two icons in the top
left hand corner of the screen while in the {CAD/CAM} menu. To
change these settings see [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Colr}.
After the selection group is established, the system will
regenerate the drawing with the new colors.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Grup} {ChangeLayr}
------------------------------------
This command changes the layers of the selection set to that of
the current layer setting. The current layer setting is shown on
the top line of the screen beside the "Layr=" readout while in
the {CAD/CAM} menu. See [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Layr} for information
on setting the current layer.
After the selection group is established, the system will
regenerate the drawing with the surfaces in the selection set
established on the new layer.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Grup} {OpenSurf}
----------------------------------
This command changes all surfaces in the selection set to the
"open" surface type.
After the selection group is established, the system will
regenerate the drawing with the new surface types.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Grup} {CloseSurf}
-----------------------------------
This command changes all surfaces in the selection set to the
"closed" surface type.
After the selection group is established, the system will
regenerate the drawing with the new surface types.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Grup} {Delete}
--------------------------------
This command deletes all selected surfaces from the drawing.
After the selection group is established, the system will
regenerate the drawing with the selected surfaces deleted from
the drawing.
After several uses of this command, use the [File] {Purge}
command to return the file space associated with these deleted
surfaces into drawing space.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Surface menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu is used for producing three dimensional objects by
using surfaces that already exist within the drawing. Rectangles
can be turned into into cubes or pyramids, circles can be
transformed into tubes, globes and cones and splines can be
51
joined to form meshes. These are just a few of the
possibilities. With a little practice and a thorough
understanding of the commands virtually any 3-D object can be
made.
It is normally best to have at least one other window with an
alternate view to confirm that these commands have performed as
expected. The reason for this is that some commands may look
like they have done nothing while others may look like they have
done the job but both may be simply an optical illusion
produced by the current view angle. See individual commands for
more information on these effects.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Surf} {Thickness}
-----------------------------------
This command is used to extrude a surface along the Z axis of the
current UCS by a user defined amount. When the command is
selected, the system will display the prompt, "Select surface @".
The user must move the cursor close to the edge of the surface
being extruded and press "Enter" or "MLB". The system will then
display the standard surface "snap" menu to verify surface
identification. After the user has verified the surface, the
system will display the prompt, "Thickness =". The user then
types in the thickness he wishes the surface to have and the
system extrudes the surface the required thickness along the
UCS Z axis. Keep in mind that, if your view is aligned with the
UCS and the window is in parallel projection mode, the thickness
will not be seen until the view is rotated.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Surf} {Extrude}
---------------------------------
This command is similar to the {Thickness} command except that
the extrusion is performed along a user specified axis rather
than the UCS Z axis. The user must be careful to add a certain
amount of depth to the extrusion or the surfaces will be coplanar
and not 3-D in nature even though they appear at first glance to
be 3-D.
The user will be asked to select and verify the surface that
needs to be extruded. After verification, the system will prompt
for two points, "Origin @" and "Offset @". These two points show
the system the direction and distance of the extrusion. For
instance if the offset point is 2' to the left, 1' above and 3'
deeper than the origin point, then the surface will be extruded
2' to the left, 1' up and 3' deep.
After the second point is entered, the system will form the
extrusion and return the user to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Surf} {CutToPlane}
------------------------------------
This command allows the user to "cut" an extrusion with a defined
cutting plane. This would, for instance, allow the user to mate
a rectangle defining the top of a chimney to the roof of a house.
52
The user will be asked to select the surface that requires
extrusion. This is done by the normal surface selection process.
Once the surface is selected, the system will ask the user to
specify the depth of the extrusion. If the surface does not meet
the cutting plane before the specified depth, the system will
work in a similar manner to the {Thickness} command. It is
therefore necessary to specify a distance that is beyond the
depth of the cutting plane.
The system will then prompt the user to select three points that
specify the cutting plane. In the case of the chimney rectangle
to roof extrusion the user would specify three corners of the
roof. The system will then form the required extrusion and
return the user to the {CAD/CAM} menu. It should be noted that
the extrusion is not "capped" by another surface.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Surf} {Join}
------------------------------
This command is used to join one surface to another surface.
Normally the surfaces are of the same shape but of different
sizes. For instance joining a circle to another circle of 0
radius could result in a cone. Joining a square to another
square with 0 length sides could result in a pyramid.
While this command is very powerful, it has a number of pitfalls.
As the first line segment in one surface is joined to the first
line segment of the second surface, an "hourglass" shape might
happen if one circle was constructed from a front plan UCS and
the other circle was constucted from a back plan UCS. Even if a
single line, constructed left to right, was joined to another
line, constructed right to left, this "hourglass" shape would
appear. If the user is trying to join two complex surfaces it
may be best to join the surface to a scaled copy of itself. If
one surface has more line segments than another surface, the
segments are joined until one of the surfaces runs out of
segments.
Virtually all of the problems associated with this command can be
solved with a little experimentation.
When this command is selected the system will ask the user to
select and verify the two surfaces to be joined. After the
second surface is selected, the system will "join" the two
surfaces and the user will be returned to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Surf} {Revolve}
---------------------------------
This command allows the user to revolve a surface about a user
defined axis of revolution, producing revolved surfaces.
One of the things to keep in mind when using revolved surfaces,
is the number surfaces that will be produced by the command. For
instance, revolving a 256 <Sides> circle into a 256 <Sides> globe
will produce 256 x 256 surfaces. The 65,536 surfaces will
53
take over 5 megabytes of hard disk space and an extremely long
time to render. As well, the limit to the number of closed
surfaces in one view on which hidden line elimination can be
performed, is 8000, so producing an object of this complexity
serves very little purpose.
When this command is selected, the system will display the
bracket menu, "< Continue > < Sides > = ? < End Angle > = ?".
The <Sides> option allows the user to establish the number of
"sides" that the object will have. The more sides, the smoother
the surface. The <End Angle> option establishes the angle, in
degrees, through which the surface is revolved. When <Continue>
is selected the system will prompt the user to select and verify
the surface to be revolved. After the surface has been
established, the system will prompt the user for two points on
the axis of revolution, "First rotation axis point @" and
"Second rotation point @". As normal, the second point is
positive in relation to the first point and shows the direction
of the thumb for the right hand rule.
After the second point is selected the system will revolve the
surface and return the user to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Surf} {RadArray}
----------------------------------
This command allows the user to make radial arrays of the surface
selected. A radial array is simply an object where copies of the
selected surface are laid down in a circle or arc.
When this command is selected, the bracket menu, "< Continue > <
Sides > = ? < End Angle > = ?", will appear. The <Sides> option
establishes the number of copies that the radial array will have
while the <End Angle> option establishes the amount of angle, in
degrees, that copies of the surface will be distributed through.
After the user selects <Continue> the surface will prompt the
user to select and verify the surface to be copied. After
verification of the surface, the user will be prompted to select
two points that describe the rotation axis. The second point is
positive in relation to the first point and describes the
direction in which the thumb points, in the right hand rule.
Once the rotation axis has been established, the system will form
the radial array and return the user to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Surf} {Surf Part}
-----------------------------------
This menu allows the user to insert previously constructed parts
into the drawing. See [File] {Create} {Font} for information on
the construction of these parts.
When this command is selected the user will be prompted to select
the part for insertion from a "list" menu. Once the part has
been selected, the system displays the bracket menu, "< Box >
< Stacked > < Between > < Left > < Right >".
54
These commands correspond to similar selections in the [Edit]
{CAD/CAM} {Text} menu.
The <Box> option will prompt the user to select three corners of
a "rubber band" parallelogram that describe the shape and
"facing" of the inserted part. Once the third corner of the
parallelogram is selected, the system will insert the part and
return the user to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
The <Stacked> option is similar to the <Box> option except that
if the points are entered in the same order, the "surf part" will
be rotated by 90 degrees. This basically allows the algorythm to
fit a different set of selection points.
The <Between> option allows the user to place the part between
two points. After the user selects <Between>, the system will
display the "scaling" menu, "< X scale > = ? < Y scale > = ? <
Auto >". This menu allows the user to establish the size of the
object along the Y axis. The <X scale> option is ignored as
the part will be "stretched" along the X axis to fill the gap
between two user selected points. The <Auto> option scales the
object so that it will become the size set in the [Edit]
{CAD/CAM} {Vars} {AutoSize} command. To continue, the user must
press "Escape" or "MRB". The user will then be prompted, "Start
@" and "End @". These are the two points that the part will
be placed "between". Once the second point is selected the
system will insert the part in the drawing and return the user to
the {CAD/CAM} menu.
The <Centered> option will again allow the user to select the <X
scale> and <Y scale> of the part by use of a "scaling" menu.
Once the scaling is established, the user must press "Escape" or
"MRB" to continue. The user will then be prompted to select the
point at which the part will "center" around. Once this point
is selected, the system will draw the part so that it aligns with
the UCS X and Y axes at the scale selected. The user will then
be returned to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
The <Left> and <Right> options are identical to the <Centered>
option except that the part will be left justified or right
justified to the point selected.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Color menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The settings in this menu establish the color and style of lines
within a surface as well as the pattern and color of the fill for
the surface. The surface will not assume these characteristics
until the surface is established as an "open" or "closed"
surface type, ie. the "current" surface will simply assume the
characteristics of the surface established previously until the
"current" surface becomes either "closed" or "open" type. Even
then the screen needs a "redraw" to see the true colors. This
may seem a little confusing at first but really shouldn't be a
55
concern as these colors can be changed very easily via the [Edit]
{CAD/CAM} {Grup} {ChangeColr} command. See the "Surfaces"
section in "3-D geometry and Coordinate Systems" chapter.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Colr} {Line Color}
------------------------------------
When this command is selected the system will display a drop down
menu with 15 choices for line color. Select the color that you
wish the "current" surface and all subsequent surfaces to assume
for the lines that mark the edge of the surface. After
selection, the arrow icon, second from the left at the top of the
screen, will show the color selected.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Colr} {Line Style}
------------------------------------
When this command is selected a drop down menu will appear that
allows the user to select 1 of 15 line styles that the "current"
surface and all subsequent surfaces will assume. This is the
style of the lines that outline the edge of the surface. After
selection, the arrow icon at the top of the screen, will show the
style selected.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Colr} {PattFgdCol}
------------------------------------
This command allows the user to select 1 of 15 colors that will
be used as the "foreground" color of the pattern used for filling
the interior of "closed" surfaces. The pattern icon in the top
left hand corner of the screen will reflect the color selected.
The user must use the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {Quickhide} command
to actually show the surfaces with the selected colors.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Colr} {PattBgdCol}
------------------------------------
This command allows the user to select 1 of 15 colors that will
be used as the "background" color of the pattern used for filling
the interior of "closed" surfaces. The pattern icon in the top
left hand corner of the screen will reflect the color selected.
The user must use the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {Quickhide} command
to actually show the surfaces with the selected colors. This
command will do nothing if the current pattern is solid as the
solid pattern has no background attribute.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Colr} {SysPattern}
------------------------------------
This command allows the user to select 1 of 15 patterns numbered
0 to 14 built in to PrintCADD 3-D. The second pattern, "1", in
the list is especially useful as it blends the foreground and
background colors to produce many other colors. The pattern icon
in the top left hand corner of the screen will reflect the
pattern selected. The user must use the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw}
{Quickhide} command to display the drawing with the surfaces
patterned accordingly.
56
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Colr} {UsrPattern}
------------------------------------
This command allows the user to select 1 of 15 patterns numbered
15 to 29 that the user has designed via the [Edit] {CAD/CAM}
{Colr} {UsrPattMake} command. The pattern icon in the top left
hand corner of the screen will reflect the pattern selected. The
user must use the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {Quickhide} command to
display the drawing with the surfaces patterned accordingly.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Colr} {UsrPattMake}
-------------------------------------
This command allows the user to design their own patterns for use
in drawings. The patterns designed, are held in the "Prcad.def"
file so if the user wishes to transfer drawings using these
patterns to another system then the "Prcad.def" file should be
transferred as well. If the user does not transfer this file,
the surfaces which use these patterns will simply use the pattern
that is defined in the target system. If the user redefines a
user pattern, all surfaces using the user pattern will assume the
new pattern definition.
When this command is selected, the system will display the user
pattern menu. The user must then select the pattern "slot" they
wish to edit. Once the pattern "slot" has been selected, the
system will prompt the user for 8 numbers between 0 and 255.
These numbers are converted to there binary (base 2) equivalents
to form an 8 by 8 pattern where the binary 1's assume the pattern
foreground color and the binary 0's assume the pattern background
color.
Number typed in Binary equivalent
------------------------------------------------------
1 00000001
1 00000001
1 00000001
255 11111111
16 00010000
16 00010000
16 00010000
255 11111111
------------------------------------------------------
The preceding table would produce a "brick" pattern.
After definition of the pattern the system will use the defined
pattern as the current system pattern. The pattern icon in the
top left hand corner of the screen will reflect this pattern.
Due to a bug in the Microsoft (Copyright) Professional
Development System 7 and QuickBasic (Copyright) compilers, the
system, (PrintCADD 3-D), may decide that the pattern has a chance
of locking the system when used and require the user to redefine
the pattern. Even so, some patterns may be overlooked and the
user should be aware of some rules when designing the pattern.
57
1 - The first number in the pattern must be non zero.
2 - Do not use 2 consecutive numbers that are 0.
3 - Test the pattern before using in a drawing
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Layer menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu is used to divide the drawing into manageable blocks of
information. As a drawing becomes more complex, different
operations performed on the drawing will take more time to
complete. This is especially true of operations that require
screen regenerations. There also may be times when it would
be advantageous to "turn off" parts of the drawing before
printing. For instance, text might be displayed backwards
because the current view is looking from behind the text. Yet
another use of layers is to allow surfaces that have been
assigned the "open" surface type to be displayed in hidden line
and "quickhide" views. This allows the user to display text or
dimensions via the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {DrawLayer} command
even though it has been"hidden" from the drawing.
All surfaces are assigned to a layer. When the layer is "locked
off", the layer will not be shown or recalculated when a
regeneration is performed. This can save a lot of time if the
layer is not needed. For instance the user could "lock off" the
"living room", "bedroom" and "kitchen" layers while working on
the "bathroom" layer. After finishing the "bathroom" layer the
other layers could be "locked on" to show the complete view.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Layr} {Select}
--------------------------------
This command allows the user to select the layer to be used from
a list menu that displays all of the available layers in the
drawing. The "current" surface and all subsequent surfaces will
be assigned to this layer. If the layer is currently "locked
off" then it will be "locked on" automatically. The current
layer is displayed beside the "La=" readout on the top line of
the screen.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Layr} {Create}
--------------------------------
This command allows the user to create a new layer for use in the
current drawing. The system will display the prompt, "Layer Name
>". The user may use up to 13 letters to "name" the layer. Once
the name is entered the layer will become the current layer. The
user may create up to 255 layers per drawing.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Layr} {Lock}
------------------------------
This command allows the user to turn a layer on or off. This
command has no effect on the current layer because the current
layer may never be turned off.
58
When this command is selected, the system will display a list
menu of all the layers in the current drawing. Beside each layer
name is either a "-" or a "X". The "-" means the layer is turned
off while the "X" means the layer is turned on. The user must
select the layer to toggle the layer on or off. Once the layers
are set to the user's wishes, press "Escape" or "MRB" to return
to the {CAD/CAM} menu. A window regeneration must be performed
before the command takes effect.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Layr} {Change}
--------------------------------
This command allows the user to change the name associated with a
layer. This is especially useful for changing the name, "No
Name", that is automatically assigned by the system to the first
layer of the drawing.
When this command is selected, the system will display a list of
all layers in the drawing. The user must select the name to be
changed. Once the layer name is selected the user will be
prompted for a new name to assign to the layer. The user types
in the new name and the system will change the name and make
this layer the current layer before returning the user to the
{CAD/CAM} menu.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Modify menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This "modify" menu allows the user to change the position of
points and allows the user to assign the "closed" or "open"
surface type to the "current" surface. It also allows the user
to delete items starting with the last point entered all the way
back to the beginning of the drawing.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Mdfy} {Move Point}
------------------------------------
This command allows the user to move any visible point in the
drawing to a new location. When using this command it is
normally a good idea to make sure that the current UCS lies
parallel to any "closed" surface(s) that contain points to be
moved. This assures that the point will be moved to a point that
is co-planar with the other points on the surface.
The system will display the prompt, "Point to move @", and
display a box shaped cursor. The user must move the box so that
it surrounds the point to be moved and press "Enter" or "MLB".
The system will highlight the surface that the point belongs to,
place an oversized cursor on the point and then display the snap
menu, "This point ? < Snap > < Moveto > < Next > < Exit >". If
the user selects <Snap> or <Moveto> the system will move the
cursor so it rests on the point and display the prompt, "New
location @". The user must then move the cursor to the new
location and press "Enter" or "MLB" or use other items available
in the [Draw] menu to relocate the point. Once the new location
point is established, the system will display another bracket
menu, "< Another Point > < ReDraw > < RegenAll >". Selecting
59
<Another Point> will allow the user to move another point. The
<Redraw> option will redraw the current window with the points at
there new positions and return the user to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
The <RegenAll> option will update all windows and return the user
to the {CAD/CAM} menu. If the user presses "Escape" or "MRB",
the system will redraw the window if a point has been moved or
return the user directly to the {CAD/CAM} menu if a point has
not been moved.
It is important to note that in certain instances the user must
move two points to achieve the desired effect. For instance the
user may have to move both the start point and the end point of a
360 degree circle or rectangle to keep the surface "closed". In
these instances, it is possible to use the <Near Snap> option
from the [Draw] menu to provide precise alignment of these two
points.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Mdfy} {MoveCentPt}
------------------------------------
This command allows the user to move the "center" or "fill" point
of a surface. The command works in an identical manner to the
{Move Point} command except that box cursor must be moved so that
it straddles an edge of the surface whose center point is being
moved and the snap menu places the over sized cursor at the
current center point position of the surface.
The user should not move the center points of rectangles, 360
degree circles, parallelograms or surf parts as these points have
been aligned precisely by the system and provide a useful
reference point for the {CenterSnap} command.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Mdfy} {Stretch}
---------------------------------
This command allows the user to stretch a selected portion of the
drawing to a new location. It is useful when modifying portions
of the drawing to become shorter or longer. It is also a fast
method for relocating a portion of the drawing.
The user will be asked to draw a box around the portion of the
drawing that needs to be "stretched". All points (vertices)
within this box will be affected. This includes the center
(fill) points that fall within the box so be sure that that your
"stretch" does not modify these points so they fall outside of
the surface or you will be forced to use the {Mdfy} {MoveCentPt}
command to realine the center points with the interior of the
surface.
Once the box is drawn, the program will prompt the user to select
two points that specify the distance and the direction of the
"stretch".
Once these two points are selected, the system will display the
bracket menu, "< Redraw > < RegenAll >. If the user wishes to
update the current window only, the <Redraw> command will provide
the faster alternative.
60
After the user has selected the appropriate command, the system
will redraw or regenerate to the new view and return the user to
the {CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Mdfy} {SurfLast}
----------------------------------
This command allows the user to assign the "closed" or "open"
surface type to the "current" surface.
When this command is selected, the system displays the bracket
menu, "< Closed Surface > < Open Surface >". In either case, if
the current surface contains any entities, the user will be
prompted, "Center point @". The user must then place the cursor
at the position for the center point and press "Enter" or "MLB".
If the user presses "Escape" or "MRB", the surface will still be
formed but the center point will be automatically assigned by the
system. If there are no entities in the "current" surface, then
the user will not be prompted for a center point but will be
returned to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Mdfy} {DeleteLast}
------------------------------------
When this command is selected, the system will display the
bracket menu, "< Regen > < RegenAll > Delete last - < Line > <
Series > < Surface >".
If the user selects <Line>, the system will delete the last line
segment entered into the drawing file. If the line is part of a
"closed" or "open" surface, then the surface is turned into the
"current" surface. The system will place a "blip" at the end
point the line being deleted from the system. If the line being
deleted is the first line in a line series, then the system will
place a "blip" at both ends of the line segment. This command
can be selected continuously until the whole the drawing file is
deleted.
If the user selects <Series>, then the last line series entered
into the drawing file will be deleted. All points in the line
series will be marked with "blips" by the system. This command
can be selected continuously until the whole drawing file is
deleted.
If the user selects <Surface>, the last surface entered into the
drawing file will be deleted. This command can be selected
continuously until the whole drawing file is deleted. The system
will draw blips at each point on the surface being deleted.
If the user selects <Regen>, the system will regenerate the
current window with the deleted entities removed.
If the user selects <RegenAll>, the system will regenerate all
windows with the deleted entities removed.
The user must be careful with this command as it will even delete
lines, series and surfaces that are assigned to layers that have
61
been "turned off".
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Vars menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu allows the user to assign settings to various system
variables.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {AbsRelDbas}
------------------------------------
This menu allows the user to select the manner in which the
readouts at the bottom of the screen display the cursor
coordinates. When the user selects this command, the system
displays the bracket menu, "Display Coordinates < UCS > <
Relative > < Database >".
If the user selects <UCS>, the system will display the
coordinates in terms of distances from the the UCS origin along
each axis of the current UCS. This is normally termed as
"absolute" coordinates.
If the user selects <Relative> the system will display
coordinates in terms of distances from the last point entered
along each axis of the current UCS. These coordinates are usually
termed as "relative".
If the user selects <Database>, the system will display
coordinates in terms of PrintCADD 3-D's internal database. This
"absolute" coordinate system is identical to the UCS invoked when
a drawing file is first created. It basically conforms to a top
plan view with the origin in the center of the {Limits} setting.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {Aperture}
----------------------------------
The setting of this variable controls several facets of PrintCADD
3-D. It controls the size of the cursor and the size of the area
that the snap search will look at on the screen when searhing for
snap objects.
When this command is selected, the user is prompted to enter a
number between 1 and 25. This number is multiplied by the length
of a horizontal pixel unit in the current window to give a length
that is used by the system for the aforementioned sizes. This
allows the user to set cursor size and snap radius as apparent
screen size rather than as a givenlength. Even after a "zoom" or
selection of another window the size will remain in pixels and
therefore allow the user to know how close he must come to an
object to have it selected by a snap. The user will also be able
to judge the distance with a greater amount of certainty because
the size of the cursor reflects the size of this snap distance.
62
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {CursorType}
------------------------------------
When this command is selected, the system will display the
bracket menu, "< + > < X > < Box > < 3-D >".
When <+> is selected, the drawing cursor will take on the shape
of "+". It will be the width and height of the {Vars} {Aperture}
setting.
When <X> is selected the drawing cursor will take on the shape of
"X". It will be the width and height of the {Vars} {Aperture}
setting.
When <Box> is selected the drawing cursor will take on the shape
of a square box. It will be the width and height of the {Vars}
{Aperture} setting.
When <3-D> is selected the drawing cursor will be formed from
three intersecting lines. One line will run parallel to the UCS
X axis, one line will run parallel to the UCS Y axis and one line
will run parallel to the UCS Z axis. The three lines will
intersect at the current cursor position. Each line will be
three times the size of the {Vars} {Aperture} setting. The
reason for this is that the directions of the UCS axes will be
much more evident with a longer line. Each line will be a
different color. In perspective viewing mode the cursor will
grow smaller as it goes away from the eye position and grow
larger as it gets nearer to the eye position. It will be equal
to the {Vars} {Aperture} setting at the viewing distance set when
the window was put into "perspective" mode. The 3-D cursor will
be shown only in the current drawing window. Other windows will
use the "+" cursor. This prevents the cursors in other windows
from over shooting the floating point accuracy of the system when
they are put close to the view point of their own windows.
One general note on all cursors is that when the cursor falls
behind the viewing point in "perspective" viewing mode it will
not reflect the true position of the cursor. If the cursor in
the "current" window "freezes" while in "perspective" viewing
mode it is an indication that the cursor either is behind the
"clipping" point or that the user would be moving the cursor
behind the clipping point, if it was moved any further. The 3-D
cursor will normally become extremely large before this happens
reflecting it's closeness to the view point.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {Blipmode}
----------------------------------
This command allows the user to control the shape of "blips" left
on the screen when a point is entered into the system. "Blips"
mark a point that has been selected on the screen. They are
temporary in nature and will dissapear after a window "redraw"
or "regenerate" command.
The command works similarly to the {Vars} {CursorType} command
except the bracket menu that appears has an additional option.
63
The additional option is <Off> which stops the system from using
"blips" when a point is entered. Even when {Blipmode} is set to
"off", the system may still leave blips for certain commands.
The [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Mdfy} {DeleteLast} is an example of this
type of command.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {DragLevel}
-----------------------------------
This command is used to set the number of "elements" that will be
displayed when the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {View} {Aim} <File> command
is used. See the "PrintCADD 3-D Files" section of the manual for
more information on "elements".
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {Limits}
--------------------------------
This command allows the user to specify the amount of area that
will be shown on the screen at a zoom level of 1. This area also
controls the size of the regeneration area. The user will always
see a dashed or dotted white line around the regeneration area.
The size of this box on its shortest side will be the length of
the {Limits} setting unless the user has used a {Regen-New} or
<Regen-New> command to temporarily override the size of the
regeneration field. In this case, the user may reset the
regeneration box by performing a {Zoom}{ Limits} and {Rdrw}
{Regen-new} command to set the regeneration limits back to the
former setting. No matter what the size of the regeneration
field though, the zoom level readout at the top of each window
will show the amount of zoom as a reflection of the {Limits}
setting. For more information see the [File] {Create} {Drawing}
command.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {WindwRdOut}
------------------------------------
This command allows the user to shift the readouts at the top of
the current window one readout field to the left thus allowing a
different set of values to be displayed. The "Wind=" readout
shows the number which is associated with a window. The first
window created is assigned "1", the second, "2", the third, "3"
and the fourth, "4". This allows the user to select the
appropriate window when using the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Wndw}
{Select} command.
The "Zm=" readout tells the user the level of "zoom" that a
window has.
The "Proj=" readout tells the user whether the window is a
parallel projection, "Prll" or a perspective projection, "Persp".
The "View= X rotation, Y rotation, Z rotation" tells the user the
amount of rotation around the X, Y and Z view axes.
The "Winsiz= X length by Y length" tells the user the length of
the window along the X and Y axes.
The "Pixsiz= X pixels by Y pixels" tells the user the dimensions
64
of the window by the number of screen pixels that it covers.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {AutoSize}
----------------------------------
This command allows the user to set up the scaling that the
system will use for the <Auto> commands. These include the
{Text} {TextScale} <Auto>, {Dims} {ArrowScale} <Auto>, {Dims}
{Overlap} <Auto> and the various {Surf Part} <Auto> commands.
This means that text, dimensions, arrowheads and overlap may be
kept consistent throughout the drawing.
When this command is selected, the system will display the
bracket menu, "Automatic sizing < Length > < Pixels >". When the
<Length> option is selected the user will be prompted to enter
the length that these various entities will become. The <Pixels>
option allows the user to enter this size in horizontal pixel
lengths of the "current" window. In this manner the user will be
better able to judge the size that the entities will become, in
comparison to the overall drawing.
After the user has entered the appropriate size, the system sets
all affected scales to this size. If the user then sets the
scale to another value, within the individual scaling menus, they
may select <Auto> from the scaling menu to return to this
"master" scale.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {auToaline}
-----------------------------------
The <Change> option toggles between forcing the cursor to realine
with the {Units} grid at the start of each point selection
(default) or simply allowing the spacing to continue from the
last point selected whether it lies on an exact increment of the
spacing grid or not. (See [Draw] {ucsAline})
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {cuRsorsize}
------------------------------------
This command prompts the user for a drawing cursor size. The
size is converted to horizontal pixel units.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {Grupsiz}
---------------------------------
This command allows the user to set the maximum size of the
groups that can be obtained with the {Grup} commands and {View}
{Aim} command. The system will prompt the user for a maximum
group size in surfaces. This command gives the user control over
memory allocation performed by the system. If the user needs to
move a large group of objects, then the system will take memory
that is allocated to the hidden line commands and make it
available to the group commands. Likewise by setting the group
size to a smaller value, the system will make more memory
available to the hidden line commands thus allowing more surfaces
to be analyzed during these commands. The expanded memory
versions of PrintCADD 3-D allow much larger groups for either of
these commands.
65
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Zoom menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu allows the user to perform "zooming" and "panning".
A "zoom" is where the drawing is enlarged as if put under a
magnifying glass. "Zooms" are in terms of the {Limits} setting.
For instance, if the {Limits} of the drawing was set to 10 feet
then a "zoom" level of 2 would produce a visible area of 10
divided by 2 or 5 feet by 5 feet in the window. A "zoom" of 5
would produce an area of 2 feet by 2 feet.
A "pan" is where the drawing is moved left, right, up or down to
show an area of the drawing that was not visible in the window
before the "pan" was performed. A "pan" is normally needed after
a "zoom" because by "zooming" into the drawing causes portions
of the drawing to not be visible.
"Zooming" and "panning" have been optimized to perform as
quickly as possible because the user will normally perform a
great many of these operations when making a drawing.
From time to time, when the user "Zooms" into a drawing a large
amount, (normally over 50), the system may display the prompt,
"Incomplete Redraw < Continue > < Regen-New >". This means that
the system may have "cut" certain line segments out of the view
because they caused a coordinate "overflow" condition. In more
cases then not, the drawing will still look fine to the viewer
because the "zoomed" view does not contain the points that were
"cut" out. In this case the user can select <Continue> without
any consequences. If the user finds that these "cuts" did affect
his view then he may select <Regen-New> to regenerate the drawing
at this new level of "zoom". However when the view is "zoomed"
back out only the small portion of the view that was <Regen-
New>'ed will be visible. In this case the user should perform an
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Zoom} {ZoomLimits} and [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw}
{Regen-New} to re-establish the "zoom" and regeneration limits
back to the original view and size.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Zoom} {Factor}
--------------------------------
When this command is selected, the system will display the
prompt, "Zoom factor =". The user must then type in the zoom
factor required. The zoom factor is a number that represents the
amount that the current view will be "zoomed" by. For instance,
if the current "zoom" level is 4 and the user types in 3 at the
prompt, then the "zoom" level will become 12.
Once the "zoom" factor has been established, the system will
display the prompt, "Zoom center @". The user must select the
point in the current window that the view will be "zoomed"
around. This point will become the center of the window in the
"zoomed" view.
66
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Zoom} {Level}
-------------------------------
When this command is selected, the system will display the
prompt, "Zoom level =". The user must then type in the level of
zoom required. Once the "zoom" level has been established, the
system will display the prompt, "Zoom center @". The user must
select the point in the current window that the view will be
"zoomed" around. This point will become the center of the window
in the "zoomed" view. The current "zoom" level is shown on the
readout line of each window.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Zoom} {ZoomScale}
-----------------------------------
This command should be used if the user wishes to produce
printfiles or plotted output at a specific scale. The program
will zoom the current window so that it produces a specific scale
on the hard copy material. The {QuikPrint} command, however,
will not print to this scale.
When this command is selected, the user will be prompted for the
width of the page that the hard copy is being scaled for. The
user must answer this prompt in units appropriate for the setting
of the {UCS} {Units} menu.
The program will then prompt the user for a scale factor. This
factor is in terms of the area represented by the window to the
physical area that will be produced by the plot or printfile.
For example, if the user replied 50 to the prompt, the system
would produce a scale where 1 unit in the plot represented 50
real units.
After the user has given an appropriate scale, the system will
zoom the current window so that printed or plotted output will
assume this scale. The program will then return the user to the
{CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Zoom} {WndwZoomIn}
------------------------------------
This command allows the user to draw a box around the area that
they wish to "zoom" into. The system will display the prompt,
"Zoom box corner @". The user must then select one corner of the
box. The system will then display the prompt, "Zoom box
opposite corner". As the user moves the cursor, a "rubber band"
box will form between the first point selected and the current
cursor position. The user then positions the box so it surrounds
the area to be zoomed and presses "Enter" or "MLB". The zoom
will be performed so that the area within the box fills the
window.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Zoom} {WndwZmOut}
-----------------------------------
This command allows the user to draw a box around the area that
the current view within the window will be put into. This causes
a zoom out action. The prompts are similar to the {WndwZoomIn}
command.
67
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Zoom} {ZmPrevious}
------------------------------------
This command causes the view to return to the view before the
last zoom or pan command was selected. For instance, if the user
zoomed in to a level of "5" and then zoomed out to a level of
"2", then selecting {ZmPrevious} would cause the screen to zoom
back to a level of "5". If the user pans to the left 20 feet
and then selects {ZmPrevious}, the view would pan back to the
right 20'.
If there was no previous zoom or pan command in the current
drawing session, then the system will perform a {ZoomLimits}
command.
If the viewing angle has changed, the system will zoom the view
so that the previous zoom level is achieved and the center point
(cursor position when zoom or pan performed) is again centered in
the view, but the view angle will not be changed.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Zoom} {ZoomLimits}
------------------------------------
This command zooms the view to a zoom level of "1" and pans the
view so that the database origin, (0, 0, 0), is in the center of
the window. This command is very useful if the user has
inadvertently "lost" the view, as it resets the view to original
zoom and pan coordinates.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Zoom} {PullPan}
---------------------------------
This command allows the user to "pull" another section of the
drawing into view. When this command is selected, the system
will display the prompt, "Point to pull @". The user must then
select the point on the drawing he wishes to "pull" on. The
system will then prompt the user, "New position @". The user
must then select point that the first point selected will appear
at on the screen. After this point is selected, the system will
pan the view so that the first point selected will appear at the
position of the second point selected.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Zoom} {ReCenter}
----------------------------------
This command pans the view so that the current cursor position
becomes the center of the view in the current window.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Redraw menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu gives access to commands that provide hidden line
elimination and shading of the view. There are also utility
commands that redraw and regenerate the view. Although the
hidden line algorythms are quite rudimentary and may not provide
a perfect rendering of the view, the user may, through use of the
tools provided in this menu, touch up the view so that it is
accurate. The <Truesort> algorythm is normally very accurate in
68
parallel projections but does not work as well in perspective
projections because of the distortion of surfaces caused by the
projection. What is lost in precision of the view, is gained via
the speed of the rendering process. These algorythms are
substantially faster than other, more accurate, algorythms.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {ReDraw}
--------------------------------
This command redraws the current window eliminating blips or
ghosting that may have occurred during use of other commands
available in the system.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {ReGenerate}
------------------------------------
This command is used when the regeneration area requires re-
centering. This is not normally required, if the regeneration
area has been set approximately twice as large as the drawing
area via the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Vars} {Limits} command, but it
will be invoked automatically by the system when certain other
commands are used.
The user will normally know when a regeneration is required by
the system because the bracket menu, "Regenerate < Auto > <
NewCenter >" will appear on the top line of the screen.
The way in which the <Auto> option works depends on whether the
current window is in "perspective" view mode or "parallel" view
mode.
In "perspective" mode the screen will regenerate at the current
zoom level around exactly the same point that was used for the
previous regeneration, ie. the drawing will pan back so this
point is centered and then do the regeneration.
In "parallel" mode the screen will regenerate around the center
of the current window at the current zoom level. The drawing
will not pan.
The <NewCenter> option allows the user to select the point at
which the drawing will regenerate around. The system will
display the prompt, "View center @" and the user must then select
the point that the regeneration will be centered about. This
point will become the center of the window in the new
regeneration.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {RegenAll}
----------------------------------
This command will regenerate all windows that are currently open.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {QuickHide}
-----------------------------------
This command performs hidden line elimination and shading on the
view in the current window. The surfaces will be filled with the
patterns that were established when they were drawn. The system
will also display the information line, "Sorting XXXX surfaces
69
YYYY surfaces available.". "XXXX" will be a number that
indicates the number of surfaces in the current window. "YYYY"
will be a number that depends upon the amount of available RAM in
the computer and indicates the maximum number of surfaces that
PrintCADD 3-D can handle. This information may flash by to
quickly to see unless there are a significant amount of surfaces
in the current view. The surfaces are sorted according to the
distance of the center point of each surface from the view point.
The surfaces are then displayed starting with the surface whose
center point is furthest from the view and working towards the
surface whose center point is closest. As each suface is
displayed it blocks out those surfaces behind it. In many cases
this produces very good results while in others the results may
not be as good. In virtually all cases however, the user will be
able to get a good idea of the relative view point and the depths
of the various surfaces. This will allow the user to re-order
the surfaces with other commands available in this menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {HiddenLine}
------------------------------------
This command works in a similar fashion to the previous
{QuickHide} command except that the surfaces will be screen
background color. This gives the illusion of hidden line
elimination but the surfaces will not be patterned or shaded.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {FillSurf}
----------------------------------
This command allows the user to fill surfaces whose "center" or
"fill" point was not within the window when the {QuickHide}
command was performed. It also allows the user to "pull"
surfaces that should not have been blocked to the front of the
view. This essentially allows the user to re-order the surfaces
so that the view in the window is correct.
When this command is selected, the system will display the
prompt, "Select surface @". The user must then place the cursor
so that it falls within "aperture" range of an edge on the
surface. The system will then display the snap verification
menu. After the user has verified the surface that he wishes
to fill, the system will display the prompt, "Fill point @". The
user must then select a point on the interior of the surface to
be filled. The system will then fill the surface with the colors
and patterns that were selected for it when it was drawn.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {PullSurf}
----------------------------------
This command is similar to the {FillSurf} command except that the
user does not need to select the fill point. The system will use
the center point that was established when the surface was drawn.
If the fill point is not within the window the surface will not
be filled.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {LinSurf}
---------------------------------
This command is identical to the {FillSurf} command except that
70
the surface will be filled with the screen background color thus
performing hidden line elimination rather than shading of the
surface.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {NoClearRdw}
------------------------------------
This command does not clear the screen before doing a redraw.
This command is useful if the user has used a dashed line style
for surfaces that have had hidden line or shading done on them.
The hidden lines will then appear as dashed lines in the window.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {OutLinSurf}
------------------------------------
This command allows the user to outline a hidden or open surface.
The user will be asked to select and verify the surface. The
system will then draw that particular surface. This command is
useful if the user wishes to reveal text or dimensions that were
hidden by the hidden line elimination. This command has a down
side in that the user must know where the surface was before the
hidden line elimination was done because it will be hidden.
Usually this isn't a problem but the user may wish to use the
{DrawLayer} command, discussed next, to perform this operation.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {DrawLayer}
-----------------------------------
When this command is selected the system will display a list of
layers used in the drawing. The user must select the layer they
wish to have drawn. This command is very useful if the user
needs to reveal text or dimensions in a hidden line view of the
drawing. By keeping the items that need to be revealed in a
separate layer, the user will be able to reveal them with this
command.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
View Menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu allows the user to rotate the viewing angle of the
drawing. Through a combination {View}, zoom and pan the user
will be able to derive any view of the drawing they wish.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {View} {RotateXYZ}
-----------------------------------
This command allows the user to set the viewing angle by telling
the system the amount of rotation around each of the three
principle axes of the database. The drawing will always be
revolved about the database origin, (0, 0, 0). This command is
easy to use, if the user only needs rotation about one of the
axes, but becomes considerably more complicated when two or three
axes are used. The system always considers X rotation, then Y
and finally Z. The user may wish to use other methods within
this menu to accomplish these complex rotations and then note the
view angles in the readout of the window for reuse.
When this command is selected, the system will first display the
71
regeneration menu, "Regenerate < Auto > < NewCenter >". In this
instance the <NewCenter> option is probably the best as the
system will center the view about this point once the view
rotation has been done to the database. The system will then
display, in turn, the prompts, "X rotation =", "Y rotation =" and
"Z rotation =". The user must answer these prompts with a number
that represents the degrees that the database will be revolved
about each axis. After the last prompt is answered, the system
will perform the view rotation.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {View} {Aim}
-----------------------------
This command allows the user to perform a "dynamic" rotation of
the drawing using either a "selection set" of surfaces in the
drawing or the first {Vars} {DragLevel} amount of drawing
"elements" that fall within the boundaries of the window at the
view angle being shown.
When this command is selected the system will display the
regeneration menu, "Regenerate < Auto > < NewCenter >". Again
the <NewCenter> option is probably the best as the user will be
able to select the point that the view will keep centered in the
window.
The system will then display the bracket menu, "Aim type < File
> < Group >". The <File> option uses the {Draglevel} setting to
determine the number of elements that will be displayed for
"aiming" purposes while the <Group> option allows the user to
select the surfaces they wish to use as an "aiming" device.
If the <Group> option is selected the user will have to go
through a selection process that is identical to that of the
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Grup} commands. This group, however, is a
completely different "group" than those used in the {Grup}
commands, so the <Previous Group> option is only valid if you
have already selected an "Aim" selection set, not a {Grup}
selection set. See [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Grup} menu for information
on establishing selection sets. After the selection set is
established the system will display the "Aim" bracket menu.
If the <File> option is selected the system will go directly to
the "Aim" menu, "< Axis > = X <-90> <-45> <-10> <-5> <-1> <1>
<5> <10> <45> <90> < Regen >".
The <Axis> option will toggle between "X", "Y" and "Z" and
represents the axis about which rotation will be done.
The <numbers> represent the amount of rotation that will be
applied to the selected axis. When one of the <numbers> is
selected the "elements" or "selection set" will be rotated around
the given axis thus allowing the user to "aim" the view.
The <Regen> option will cause the drawing to be regenerated with
the new view and return the user to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
72
If the user presses "Escape" or "MRB" the system will redraw the
old view and return the user to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {View} {TopPlan} ... {LeftPlan}
------------------------------------------------
The various "Plan" views allow the user to select the direction
in which the view is directed. {TopPlan} is the original view
when the drawing is first created. All other {Plan} views refer
to other directions of view. The user will be prompted to use
<Auto> or <NewCenter> and then the view will be regenerated with
the appropriate viewing angle. After the drawing is regenerated,
the system will display the menu, "Set UCS to view < Yes > < No
>". This menu allows the user to make certain that the UCS and
view correspond. If the user selects <Yes> the system will
perform a command identical to that of the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {UCS}
{UCStoView} command and then return the user to the {CAD/CAM}
menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {View} {ViewToUCS}
-----------------------------------
This command allows the user to align the view to the current
UCS. After this command is performed, the view will be aligned
so that the user is looking directly down on the current UCS.
The origin of the UCS will be in the center of the window, the
bottom and top of the window will be parallel to the X axis of
the UCS and the left and right borders of the window will be
parallel to the Y axis of the UCS. Once the user is comfortable
with the idea of "User Coordinate Systems" and how they are used
and created, they will find that this is probably the easiest
manner in which to get a view. The user can use a combination of
{CAD/CAM} {UCS} {3Point} and {ViewToUCS} to precisely align the
window in a certain viewing direction. See [Edit] {CAD/CAM}
{UCS} {3Point}.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {View} {Look}
------------------------------
When the user selects this command the system "hides" the
{CAD/CAM} menu, allowing the user to see anything that lies under
it. To have the menu return, press any key or mouse button.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Window menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PrintCADD 3-D can have up to 4 windows. Each window can have an
independent view angle, zoom, pan and projection type. Each
window will show where the cursor lies in relation to its own
view angle and all "rubber band" drawing entities will show
independently in each window as the entity is being placed. This
allows the user to visually assure themselves that the drawing is
being properly constructed in 3-D space. Each window also has
its own independent UCS, allowing the user to select windows
without having to go through the process of re-setting or
adjusting the UCS. Windows may be any shape allowing the user to
utilize the screen space to it's maximum, ie long narrow windows
73
for tall objects and long side views or square windows for
symetrical objects.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Wndw} {Select}
--------------------------------
This command allows the user to select the "current" window.
Many commands relate to the "current" window. For example, when
the user selects {Redraw}, the "current" window redraws, if the
user selects {UCS} {3Point} then the UCS is for the "current"
window, if the user selects a {Zoom} command then the zoom is
performed in the "current" window.
The current window can be recognised by the fact that it's upper
"readout" line is highlighted. The window's "letter" will be
visible in the upper left hand corner of the readout (That is if
the readout has not been "shifted" via the {Vars} {WndwRdOut}
command). The {Select} command uses this number to identify
which window is being selected.
When this command is selected, the system displays the menu, "<
Window A > < Window B > < Window C > < Window D >". After the
user selects the window that they wish to make "current", the
system will regenerate the selected window and highlight the
upper readout bar. The user will then be returned to the
{CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Wndw} {Create}
--------------------------------
When this command is selected, the system will display the
regeneration menu. The system is referring to the current
window, not the one that is being created. After the user has
selected the appropriate response, the system will display the
prompt, "Upper left window corner @". The cursor will not be
restricted to the current window but will be free to move
throughout the "window area". The [Draw] menu will not be
available for use. The user must then move the cursor to the
point that they wish to use as the upper left corner of the
window. Unlike other drawing commands the window corner will be
entered whether the "Enter", "Escape", "MLB" or "MRB" is pressed.
Although windows are allowed to overlap this may become confusing
because two cursors and two drawing objects will appear in the
same window. This may have other uses though, especially when
used in conjunction with screen capture utilities or the DOS
graphics command.
After the user has selected this point, the system will display
the prompt, "Lower right window corner @". The system will
"rubber band" a box between the previously selected point and the
cursor, allowing the user to visualize where the window will
appear. Once this point is selected, the system will form a
window and regenerate the drawing oriented in a "Top Plan"
fashion within this window. This window will be given a number
and will become the current window.
74
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Wndw} {Close}
-------------------------------
When this command is selected, the system will display the menu,
"Window to close ? < Window A > < Window B > < Window C >". In
fact, only those windows which are allowed to be closed, will be
shown in brackets to the right of the prompt. The current
window can never be closed. Once the user has selected the
appropriate window to be closed, the system will blank the area
that the window used to cover andreturn the user to the {CAD/CAM}
menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Wndw} {Resize}
--------------------------------
After this menu item is selected, the system will display the
regeneration menu. After the user has selected the appropriate
resonse, the system will blank the area that the current window
used to be in and display the prompt, "Upper left window corner
@". The user must then select the position on the screen where
the upper left window corner will appear. The system will then
display the prompt, "Lower right window corner @". A "rubber
band" box will appear between the previously selected point and
the cursor. Once the second corner of the box is selected, the
system will regenerate the window and the user will be returned
to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Wndw} {Projection}
------------------------------------
This menu allows the user to select from two different types of
projection. The "parallel" projection receives it's name from
the fact that the "projectors" remain parallel even as they go
further into the distance. On the other hand, the "perspective
projectors" converge towards a single point as they go further
from the viewing position. "Projectors" are lines that run
parallel to the "view" Z axis. If the user does either a
{ViewToUCS} or a {UCStoView} then the "view" Z axis and the UCS Z
axis will be in the same direction.
The parallel projection is useful from a drafting stand point
because the X and Y lengths can be measured directly from the a
plan view without fear that lines which are parallel but at a
greater distance will be smaller.
The perspective view gives a much more realistic view of an
object. The depth of objects can be conveyed because items grow
smaller as they get further away.
When this command is selected, the system will display the menu,
"< Parallel > < Perspective >".
If the user selects <Parallel>, the system will display the menu,
"Regenerate < Auto > < NewCenter >". After the user has selected
the appropriate response the system will regenerate the window to
a "parallel" view and return the user to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
If the user selects <Perspective>, the system will display the
75
prompt, "Vanishing Point @". The user must select the point to
which all of the projectors will eventually converge.
Once the vanishing point is selected, the system will display the
prompt, "Viewing distance =". If the viewing position is closer
to the object, then the perspective effect will be more
pronounced and vice versa. The user may use the standard
methods, based on the setting of {UCS} {Units}, for giving this
distance to the system. The view point will be set back this
amount of distance from the plane that is parallel to the current
view and intersects the database origin.
Once the viewing distance is set, the system will display the
prompt, "Clipping distance =". The clipping distance is measured
from the eye, forward. This allows the user to cut away walls or
other obstructions that lie between the view point and the object
that the user wishes to view. Again, this length may be given in
units that correspond to imperial, metric or scientific depending
on the setting of the {UCS} {Units} setting.
The system will then display the regeneration menu. After the
user has responded appropriately, the system will regenerate the
view in perspective mode.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Wndw} {Aspect}
--------------------------------
This command adjusts the aspect of the current window to provide
the user with a "square" view. This command is needed because
not all monitors offer an exact ratio of four units width to 3
units height. This is the normal ratio that PrintCADD 3-D uses
internally when presenting the drawing in the window. This ratio
is normalized to a value of 1 for the user. The user may find
the exact value for use on his monitor by drawing a large square
on the screen, making sure that the UCS and view are aligned.
The user must then measure the square on each side with a ruler.
The level of aspect, to make the square appear square, is then
the ratio of the height of the square over the width of the
square.
When this command is selected, the system will display the
prompt, "Aspect (.1-10) =". The user must then type in the ratio
that they require. The system will then display the regeneration
menu and will regenerate the window with the correct aspect after
the appropriate selection is made.
One other use for this command may be to square up {Quik Print}'s
made in the [Output] menu. By experimentation with the {Aspect}
menu item a user should be able to make these prints appear with
the proper aspect no matter what the printer and video mode.
This is what PrintCADD 3-D does automatically when doing
{PrintFile}'s.
76
-----------------------------------------------------------------
UCS menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu controls most of the aspects of the user coordinate
system. As the UCS controls the behaviour of a great many of the
commands in PrintCADD 3-D, the user should have a thorough
understanding of this term and it's application. The user may
want to review the chapter on 3-D geometry and coordinate systems
at the beginning of the manual.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {UCS} {3Point}
-------------------------------
This command allows the user to establish a user coordinate
system via the use of three points. The user will be prompted,
in turn, to select the origin of the UCS, a point on the X axis
of the UCS and a point in the positive Y direction of the UCS.
The system will then be able to determine the directions in which
all three axes of the UCS run, as well as to align the cursor so
that it runs parallel to these three axes when the appropriate
keys are pressed or the mouse is moved.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {UCS} {UCStoView}
----------------------------------
When this command is selected, the system aligns the UCS so that
the origin is in the center of the window, the X axis runs
parallel to the top and bottom of the window, the Y axis runs
parallel to the left and right sides of the window and the Z axis
runs perpendicularly to the window. The UCS is thus aligned with
the view. This command is especially useful if the user wishes
to keep text square to the view.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {UCS} {ucstoSurf}
----------------------------------
When this command is selected, the system prompts the user to
select a line segment. This line segment is used as the UCS X
axis. The system then realines the UCS so that it falls on the
surface that the line segment belongs to.
[Edit {CAD/CAM} {UCS} {Origin}
------------------------------
This command alines the UCS so that it corresponds directly to
the internal database maintained by PrintCADD 3-D. This conforms
to the top plan view with the origin in the center of the window,
established when the drawing was first created.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {UCS} {CursrSpace}
-----------------------------------
This command sets the amount of space that the cursor will jump
parallel to the current UCS axes when the appropriate key is
pressed or the mouse moved. Mouse movement is actually governed
by a multiplier effect that detects the speed of the mouse as
well, but the movements will be a multiple of the basic spacing
units in the X and Y directions. It is important to note that,
as the cursor moves towards the view point in perspective viewing
77
mode that these jumps seem to get larger. In fact the jump
remains the same, but the divergence of the projectors as they
approach the view point becomes larger. This is consistent with
the fact that although an inch at 100' can barely be seen while
at 1' away from the eye it is easily seen. In either case 1 inch
remains 1 inch. When this command is selected the system will
prompt, "X axis spacing =", "Y axis spacing =" and "Z axis
spacing =". The user may respond to these prompts with a length
that is consistent with the current setting of the {UCS} {Units}
command. The user will be returned to the {CAD/CAM} menu after
these prompts are answered.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {UCS} {Units}
------------------------------
This menu item controls the type of units that the system will
display in the coordinate readouts at the bottom of the screen.
It also controls the units that the dimensioning utilities will
apply to the drawing as well as the way in which lengths are
parsed by the system.
When this command is selected, the system will display a list
menu that contains 43 different formats, in 3 groups, for use
within the program. The first 21 use imperial measurements, the
next 15 are metric, while the last 7 are "generic".
If the user selects any one of the first 21 formats, the system
will parse user input as imperial measurements. The coordinate
readouts will format according to the format displayed in the
list menu and all dimensions, other than angular, will use this
format.
Choosing one of the other two groups will have the same effect.
The user may freely choose any unit, at any time, however, the
"generic" input will be stored in the file as inches. Generic is
useful when dimensioning because the ', ", m and cm signs can be
replaced by the users own "suffix", (See {CAD/CAM} {Dims}
{Pre/Suffix}).
After the user has selected the measurement, the system will
return the user to the {CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {UCS} {VisiGrid}
---------------------------------
This command allows the user to create a grid that can cover any
parallelogram shaped surface. The user can use this grid for
[Draw] {GridSnap} snaps. The user may align the grid at any
orientation in 3-D space.
When the user selects this command, the system will display the
menu, "Grid Type < Off > < Dot > < Line >".
The <Off> command allows the user to turn the current grid off.
The grid will not dissapear until a {Redraw} or {Regenerate} is
performed. The grid will, however, become inactive.
78
The <Dot> command draws a grid with dots while the <Line> command
draws a grid of intersecting lines. In either case, if one of
these commands is selected, the system will display the prompt,
"First corner @". The user must then select a point for the
first corner of the parallelogram that describes the grid. This
corner is the "origin" of the grid. The grid will be measured
outward from this point along the two edges of the parallelogram.
After this point is selected, the system will prompt for the
second and third corners of the parallelogram. The system will
"rubber band" the parallelogram, allowing the user to visualise
the shape of the grid.
After all three points on the parallelogram are selected the
system will display the prompt, "Grid spacing origin @". This
point will be used as the relative point of the grid spacing.
After this point is selected, the system will display the prompt,
"Grid spacing offset @". The distance between these two points
determines the spacing that will be applied to the grid.
The system will then draw the grid and return the user to the
{CAD/CAM} menu.
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Exit}
-----------------------
When this command is selected the user will be returned to the
"Main" menu.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Touchup menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu system is identical to the {CAD/CAM} menu system. The
difference between these two menus lies in the fact that most of
the commands are temporary. The user can then have a drawing
that contains a house plan and pull a view from the drawing. He
may then "touch it up" with dimensions, "title it" and
"personalize it" with a client's name before printing it. All of
these changes will be temporary. The user can then exit the
program and when the drawing is retreived again, the changes will
be gone.
Not all changes are temporary. If the user uses the {Grup} or
{Mdfy} menu items on objects in the drawing file, that were in
place before entering the "Touchup menu", then these items will
be changed.
If the user enters the {CAD/CAM} menu system, the system will
warn the user that changes will be lost and then regenerate the
drawing with all changes eliminated.
Refer to the {CAD/CAM} commands for information regarding the use
of each command.
79
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Print Editor menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu system allows the user to edit "Printfiles". It
performs bitmap oriented editing on these files. Some of the
uses for this feature include adding borders to the file, using
"freehand" drawing to "sign" the file or enhancing a feature of
the {Print Plot} that did not stand out when printed.
Essentially, the user has control over each dot that the printer
will print. The user may even keep a Printfile of a drawing with
nothing in it and use this feature to draw and print quick
sketches.
When this command is selected, the system displays a list of all
available Printfiles as well as the prompt, "Select printfile to
edit _".
The system then blanks the screen and displays a box within a
box, an "X = 0" readout, a "Y = 0" readout and the prompt, "Pan
mode @". The user will be able to move the inner box via the
keyboard or mouse. The outer box represents the printfile as it
would look if printed to paper while the inner box represents the
amount of that file that the screen can hold for editing at one
time. Because the printfiles vary in their "aspect" according to
the printer that the printfile was destined for, the inner box
may not bear a resemblance to the screen shape. The "X" and
"Y" readouts at the top of the screen tell the user how many
inches the inner box is away from the top corner of the "paper".
As this system can print long Y axis plots the Y readout may
continue to grow even though the box seems to have hit the bottom
of the paper. Similarly, when panning up, the readout will
continue to decrease even though the inner box is touching the
outer box.
After the user has selected the area that needs editing, the
system will load the selected area to the screen and display the
menu, "< Draw > < Line > < Blot > < Fill > < Bitpan > < Reload >
< Exit >".
[Edit] {PrintEd} <Draw>
-----------------------
If the user selects <Draw> the system will go into a "freehand"
drawing mode, the prompt, "Press Scroll Lock to toggle draw
mode", as well as a cursor, will appear. The user may use the
numeric keypad and "Shift" keys to move the cursor. When using
the keys, the user must press "Scroll Lock" "on" to start drawing
and "Scroll Lock" "off" to move the cursor without drawing.
If the user has a mouse then the mouse will draw while "MLB" is
pressed and stop once it is released.
The user must press "Escape" or "MRB" to exit back to the
{PrintEd} menu.
80
[Edit] {PrintEd} <Line>
-----------------------
If the user selects <Line>, the system will go into a line
drawing mode, the prompt, "Start point @", as well as a cursor,
will appear. The user may use the numeric keypad and "Shift"
keys to move the cursor. This command is very similar to the
[Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Line} {Line} command in the way that it
works. After the user has selected the start point, the system
will display the prompt, "End point @". The system will "rubber
band" a line between the start point and the cursor. After the
user selects an end point, the line will solidify and the system
will continue to display the prompt, "End point @". The user may
continue to draw lines or press "Escape" or "MRB" to exit back to
the start point prompt. At this point the user can either, move
the cursor and select another start point or, press "Escape" or
"MRB" to exit back to the {PrintEd} menu.
[Edit] {PrintEd} <Blot>
-----------------------
If the user selects <Blot>, the system will display another
bracket menu, "< Continue > < Mode > = "Blot" or "Erase" < Size
> = 10".
If <Mode> is selected the system will toggle between "Blot" and
"Erase". In "Blot" mode the person will be able to draw with a
square shaped drawing tool. In "Erase" mode the user will be
erasing with this tool.
The <Size> command allows the user to change the size of the
square drawing tool to between 1 and 30 pixels along a side.
When <Continue> is selected, the system will display the prompt,
"Press scroll to toggle blot mode @" and a cursor will appear.
The user may use the numeric keypad and "Shift" keys to move the
drawing tool. When using the keys, the user must press "Scroll
Lock" "on" to start bloting or erasing and "Scroll Lock" "off" to
move the tool without drawing.
If the user has a mouse then the mouse will erase or blot while
"MLB" is pressed and stop once it is released.
The user must press "Escape" or "MRB" to exit back to the
{PrintEd} menu.
[Edit] {PrintEd} <Fill>
-----------------------
This command allows the user to "grab" a pattern and use it to
fill an area. The user will be able to "match" a pattern that
already exists in the drawing.
When this command is selected, the system will display the
prompt, "Place box around pattern you wish to duplicate @", and a
box shaped cursor will appear on the screen.
The system will "grab" the pattern that falls under this box when
81
"Enter" or "MLB" is pressed. The system will then display the
prompt, "Fill @", and the box shaped cursor will turn into a
"crosshair" style cursor. The user must then select the area to
fill. The area should be totally enclosed or the fill pattern
will "leak" out the sides of the area. This pattern may not be
identical to the pattern selected due to a bug in the Microsoft
PD7 (C) and QuickBasic (C) compilers as documented in the
PrintCADD 3-D help files. The system will adjust patterns that
have a chance of locking the computer, into patterns that
shouldn't lock the computer. If this happens to one of the
patterns the user has selected and the results when filling the
area are unsatisfactory, then the user should select <ReLoad>
from the {PrintEd} menu.
The user should be aware of the fact that intricate patterns that
fill inside of other intricate patterns can take an extremely
long time to do their job.
[Edit] {PrintEd} <BitPan>
-------------------------
This command allows the user to pan to another portion of the
print file. When the user selects this command, the system
displays a virtually identical panning menu to the one
encountered when the {PrintEd} menu was entered. The one
difference is that there will be a third box on the page. This
third box represents the area that you were just working on. In
this manner you will be able to judge the next area that you may
have to work on a little easier.
After the user selects the new area, the system will save the
current area if the user has worked on it, and pan to the new
area. The user will be returned to the {PrintEd} menu.
[Edit] {PrintEd} <ReLoad>
-------------------------
This command allows the user to "reload" te area of the print
file that they were working on, thus erasing any changes that may
have been made to the drawing. This can come in handy if a
"fill" has leaked out the edge of a surface and blotted the
entire area.
When this command is selected, the system will reload the screen
and return the user to the {PrintEd} menu.
[Edit] {PrintEd} <Exit>
-----------------------
When the user selects this command, the system saves the {Print
Plot} file, if the user has made any changes, and then
regenerates the drawing that was being worked on before the
{PrintEd} menu was entered. It then returns the user to the
[Edit] menu.
82
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Output menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu system allows the user to get hardcopy from the
drawings. It is designed to work with most IBM (C) 8 and 24 pin,
Epson (C) 8 and 24 pin and Tandy (C) 24 pin dot matrix printers.
The system also prints to Laserjet (C) printers. Most other
printers on the market are compatible with one of these printers.
[Output] {Print} {Printer}
--------------------------
When this command is selected, the system will display the
prompt, "Select print driver _" along with a list of all print
drivers available for use. The user must select the print driver
that he wishes to use. This is the driver that will be used by
PrintCADD 3-D for printing the drawing. Although these driver
files may be renamed at the DOS level by the user, when shipped
by Birdseye software, these drivers are named according to a
code. The first 8 letters of the print driver file name
represent the code.
The first two letters of the code indicate the manufacturer of
the printer. These codes are, "IB" for IBM (C), EP for Epson
(C), TA for Tandy (C) and HP for Hewlett Packard (C). The next
two numbers indicate the number of pins the printer has, "08"
for 8 pin printers, 24 for 24 pin printers and "01" for laser
printers. The next letter indicates whether the printer is
laser, "L" or dot matrix, "D". the final three numbers indicate
the horizontal resolution, in dots per inch, of the print driver.
All printer driver file names have the extension, ".PRD".
[Output] {Print} {Port}
-----------------------
When this command is selected, the readout at the top of the
screen will switch from "Lpt1" to "Lpt3" and then "Com1" to
"Com4" and finally back to "Lpt1". This represents the DOS
printer port towards which output will be directed. See your DOS
manual if you do not understand these terms. If the user has a
serial printer, then they should use the DOS "Mode" command to
set the baud rate and appropriate protocol for the serial port.
Look under "Mode" in the DOS manual that comes with your computer
for information on how to set this protocol.
[Output] {Print} {Shading}
--------------------------
"Shading" cause the system to interpret the color of the pixel as
a group of four dots. When this command is selected, the readout
at the top of the screen, "Shade =", will toggle between "Yes"
and "No".
The "Yes" option effectively halves the resolution of the
printing in both the vertical and horizontal directions but
allows the user to produce printings that are shaded according to
83
the color of the pixels.
The "No" option simply prints the pixel as a single dot if it is
not background color. This provides the highest resolution
available but the user should make use of "patterns" to determine
the shading of the various surfaces within the drawing.
[Output] {Print} {PrintFile} <Create>
-------------------------------------
This command allows the user to produce files, that may later be
printed, that are formatted to the width of the page and the
"aspect" of the printer driver. This means users can use their
printers as long Y axis plotters.
These files may also be edited via the [Edit] {PrintEd} commands.
These files are constructed from the current view in the current
window. They are formatted so that the current view width will
exactly format to the width of the page defined in the current
printer driver. The length of the printed page will keep the
same ratio as the current window displays on the screen. ie if
the window shows an area of 2 feet in width by 3 feet in length
and the print driver has a width of 8 inches then the length of
the printout will be 12 inches. The scale of this drawing would
be 8 inches to 24 inches or 1 to 3. By use of the {Zoom}
{ZoomScale} command the user may set the scale of the printfile
to whatever is needed.
As the resolution of the print driver increases, and the length
to width ratio increases, the amount of information that must be
processed increases dramatically, eg. a laser printfile at 300
dpi and 10 inches in length will have to encode 300 x 300 x 8 x
10 or 7,200,000 printer dots and requires a printfile of over
900,000 bytes.
For these reasons it helps to have a fast computer and ample disk
space when doing very high resolution printfiles. Also remember
that the shape of the window plays an important roll in
determining the file size.
When this command is selected, the system will display the
prompt, "Printfile name >". The user must reply with an 8 or
less letter name for the file using standard DOS conventions.
This name will then have the extension, ".PFL" appended to it.
The system will then display the menu, "Filesize = ????K Redraws
= ?? < Touchup > < Continuous > < Abort >". The size of the
file is shown in kilobytes and the "Redraws =" refers to the
number of redraws that the system will have to perform in order
to create the required printfile. This allows the user to
establish some sort of reference to the resources that are
required before proceeding with the printfile.
If the user selects <Touchup>, the system will display the
message "Creating printfile ..." and proceed to allocate disk
84
space for the printfile. The system will then draw a portion of
the drawing in the current window formatted to the aspect of the
printer. This may cause some distortion of the shown picture if
the aspect of the screen and the printer driver are not the same.
The system will also display the menu, "< Cont > < Abort > <
QHide > < LHide > < OutLn > < FSurf > < LSurf > < DLay >". This
menu allows the user to perform various "touchups" to what is
shown before it is saved to the file.
The <Cont> command proceeds to save what is shown to the
printfile and then redraws the screen with a different portion of
the drawing shown and displays the "touchup" menu once more.
This process is repeated until all sections of the drawing have
been drawn and touched up. The system will then redraw the view
that was originally in the window and return the user to the
{Print} menu.
The <Abort> command allows the user to abort this process. The
file will be erased from disk and the system will return to the
{Print} menu.
All other commands in this menu work identically to the commands
shown in the follwing table and the user should refer to these
other commands for explanations on their use and purpose.
Menu Item Refer to
------------------------------------------------------
<QHide> - [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {QuickHide}
<LHide> - [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {HiddenLine}
<OutLn> - [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {OutLinSurf}
<FSurf> - [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {FillSurf}
<LSurf> - [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {LineSurf}
<DLay> - [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Rdrw} {DrawLayer}
------------------------------------------------------
If the user selects <Continuous>, the system will create the file
as before but will not stop to display the "touchup" menu between
each redraw.
If the user selects <Abort>, the system will abort the process
and return the user to the {Print} menu.
[Output] {Print} {PrintFile} <Print>
------------------------------------
When this command is selected, the system will display a list of
all printfiles. The user must then select the printfile to be
printed. The system will then display the menu, "Get printer
ready < Continue > < Abort >".
If the user selects <Continue>, then the system will print the
printfile to the currently selected printer port and then return
the user to the {Print} menu.
The <Abort> command aborts the printing process and returns the
user to the {Print} menu.
85
[Output] {Print} {QuickPrint}
-----------------------------
This command allows the user to dump the contents of the current
window to the printer. The print is not corrected for aspect so
the user must use a print driver that is similar in aspect to the
current video mode or perform a correction of the aspect using
the [Edit] {CAD/CAM} {Wndw} {Aspect} command.
When this command is selected the system displays a box within a
box overlaid on the current screen. The user may use the arrow
and shift keys or the mouse to move the inner box. The outer box
represents a sheet of paper while the inner box represents the
shape and the positioning of the printed output.
After the user has positioned the box correctly they must press
"Enter" or "MLB" in order to continue the operation.
The system will then display the menu, "Get printer ready <
Continue > < Abort >".
If the user selects <Continue>, then the system will print the
printfile to the currently selected printer port and then return
the user to the {Print} menu.
The <Abort> command aborts the printing process and returns the
user to the {Print} menu.
[Output] {Print} {Exit}
-----------------------
This command returns the user to the main menu.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Plot menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This command allows the user to send output to the plotter or to
a file as HPGL. Your plotter must be compatible with this
plotting language. The user can also build plot drivers that
provide custom setup of the plotter.
When this command is selected, the software will display the
menu, "< Port > = Lpt1 < MirrorX > = 0 < MirrorY > = 0 <
MakeDriver > < Plot >".
Each time the <Port> option is selected, the software will cycle
through the ports, "Lpt1", "Lpt2", "Lpt3", "Com1", "Com2",
"Com3", "Com4" and "File".
When the <File> option is selected, the system will prompt for a
filename when the <Plot> option is selected. If one of the "Com"
options is selected, the user must set the appropriate
communications parameters via the DOS "Mode" command. For
information on this command, refer to the DOS manual for your
computer.
86
The <Mirror> options allow the user to flip the file about the
"X" or "Y" plotting axes. When a zero, (0), is displayed, it
means that the axis will not be flipped. To mirror the axis
simply select the appropriate <Mirror> option and the zero, (0),
will turn to a one, (1).
The <MakeDriver> option allows the user to customize their own
plot driver. When this command is selected, the software will
prompt the user for several pieces of information. Some of this
information is measured according to the settings of the [Edit]
{CAD/CAM} {UCS} {Units} menu so be aware of the way it is being
parsed ie don't use metric if you are giving the units in inches.
"Initialization codes >"
The software requires the user to type in a string of letters or
"escape" codes that set the plotter in HPGL mode and initialize
the plotter. The normal initialization code for HPGL plotters is
simply, "IN;". If the user requires that escape codes be sent to
select HPGL mode, then they must use the "Alt" key in conjunction
with the numeric keypad to create the appropriate code. eg "Alt"
"27" would produce the ASCII code # 27 or "Escape". The system
will display the code as a left pointing arrow. The user may
also rotate the plot with the sequence "RO90;". This would put
an HPGL laser printer into "landscape" mode. The user could
invoke a clipping window via the, "IW;" command. The user might
also try executing a laser printer macro that printed the company
logo on the paper before plotting. These are just a few of the
ways that initialization codes can be used to produce customized
plots.
"Finish codes >"
These codes are the same as the initialization codes except that
they are sent to the plotter at the end of the plotting sequence.
The user could send a page feed command or return the plotter to
its previous mode.
"Plot width ="
The user must type in the width of the plot. This data will be
parsed according to the {UCS} {Units} setting. Make different
drivers for different sized plots.
"Plot length ="
The user must type in the length of the plot.
"Step size ="
The user must type in the stepping size for the plotter. It is
normally .001 inches. On some lasers it may be 1/1024 inches.
Check the plotter manual for this specification.
87
"Number of pens (1-15) ="
The user must type in the number of available pens on this
plotter. Any color in the drawing that is higher than this pen
number is converted to the highest available pen number.
"Number of styles (1-15) ="
The user must type in the number of line styles that the plotter
supports. Any line style in the drawing that is higher than this
pen number will be converted to the highest available style
number.
HPGL laser printers normally have 7 styles, "ST;" and "ST1;" to
"ST6". "ST0;" is not supported.
"Name for driver file >"
The user must type in a name, 8 letters or less, that they wish
to remember their newly created driver by. The system will
append the extension, ".PLD", to the name given and save the plot
driver. The user will then be returned to the {Plot} menu.
The <Plot> option invokes the plotting process. The software
will first display a list of plot drivers from which the user may
select the one they wish. If the <Port> option is set to "File",
the system will then prompt the user for the name that they wish
to remember this plot file by. The user must type in a name that
is 8 characters or less and the system will append the extension,
".HPG" to the filename. The system will then send the plot
commands to the file.
The "File" option is very useful when debugging plot drivers
because HPGL files can normally be loaded into a word processor
for analyzing the output. The user will find that they can also
use the DOS, "Copy" command to send this file to the port of
their choice.
To "Scale" plots, the user must use the {Zoom} {ZoomScale}
command to scale the window so that it conforms with the width of
the output device. Plots will be clipped exactly to the view in
the current window. They will however, exactly fit the width
denoted in the <MakeDriver> command.
After the system has finished plotting, the user will be returned
to the {Plot} menu.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Print Driver menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This command allows the user to "build" printer drivers.
PrintCADD 3-D is shipped with pre-made printer drivers that cover
most types of printers but the user may find that on their
personal clone printer, the print is not quite square or that
88
they need access to other modes of printing not normally
available. This command allows the user to take care of these
situations as well as being able to customize page sizes and take
advantage of wide body printers.
In order to take advantage of this feature, the user must be
familiar with escape codes and in particular the escape codes
used on the printer in question. For this reason it is almost a
necessity that the user have his or her printer manual available.
The user must also know the printing resolutions of the printer
in question.
All escape codes are entered as decimal numbers, so if the
printer lists hexadecimal escape codes, then these must be
converted to base 10 before proceeding. Likewise, if the printer
manual lists letter codes, then the user must use an ASCII table
to cross reference the actual decimal ASCII value of the letter
before proceeding. Fortunately most printer manuals list all
three of these values as well as the resolutions of the different
printing modes.
When the system requests the values for an escape sequence or
control code, the user enters a single number between 0 and 255.
The system will then again display the same request so that
another number between 0 and 255 may be entered.
Once the user has entered all the codes for a particular
sequence, they must press the "escape" key to proceed to the next
prompt.
Several of the prompts ask for actual values and in this case the
user must simply type in the particular value rather than the
ASCII code for the value.
The following section explains each prompt and gives examples of
the appropriate response for each prompt. Text following the
semi colons (;) are comments. "Enter" means press "Enter" or
"Return" key. "Escape" means press "Escape" or "Esc" key. For
further information examine the PrintCADD 3-D help system and the
sample printer drivers given therein.
"Setup code ="
The system requires the user to enter the control or escape
sequence that sets the appropriate page size, paper feed and if
required top of form set. This sequence is sent by system before
printing begins.
IBM (c) 24 pin triple density (180 horizontal DPI) X24
Setup code = 27 "Enter" ; 27 means escape
Setup code = 65 "Enter" ; 65 n/72 inch paper feed
Setup code = 8 "Enter" ; 8/72 inch paper feed
Setup code = 27 "Enter" ; escape sequence
Setup code = 50 "Enter" ; make paper feed active
89
Setup code = 27 "Enter" ; escape sequence
Setup code = 67 "Enter" ; page length, top of form
Setup code = 0 "Enter" ; required filler
Setup code = 11 "Enter" ; 11 inch page
Setup code = "Escape" ; next prompt
"Line start code ="
This code is sent before the graphics information is sent to the
printer. It normally sets the appropriate graphics mode.
Line start code = 27 "Enter" ; escape sequence
Line start code = 91 "Enter" ; bit image mode
Line start code = 103 "Enter" ; bit image mode
Line start code = "Escape" ; next prompt
"Name code ="
This code will be one of "IBM", "Epson", "Tandy" or "HP". This
code determines the way in which the system will format the
length of line data which needs to be sent in conjunction with
the graphics mode selection. The "IBM" code is designed for
formatting this information according to IBM X24 modes. Note
that IBM 8 pin printers actually use the "Epson" method of
formatting this data. The "Epson" code formats data for Epson 8
and 24 pin printers as well as IBM 8 pin printers. The "Tandy"
mode sends data in accordance with Tandy's older 24 pin printers
ie DMP 2100, 2100p and 2110. I believe most newer Tandy printers
use "Epson" modes. The "HP" code formats data for HP laserjets
and compatibles. These codes must be entered by converting each
letter in the code to the corresponding ASCII value as follows.
Name code = 73 "Enter" ; ASCII "I"
Name code = 66 "Enter" ; ASCII "B"
Name code = 77 "Enter" ; ASCII "M"
Name code = "Escape" ; Next prompt
"Tail code ="
This prompt is used by IBM 24 pin printers to inform the printer
of the actual image mode selected. It is referred to as the tail
code because this code is sent after the line length data but
before the actual data itself.
Tail code = 11 "Enter" ; 180 DPI Triple Density
Tail code = "Escape" ; Next prompt
"CRLF code ="
This code is the carriage return, line feed code. It is not
normally used on HP laserjets. Some printers send automatic line
feeds when a carriage return is sent so this code must be set
according to each printer. It usually consists of "13", carriage
Return and "10", line feed.
90
CRLF code = 13 "Enter" ; Carriage return
CRLF code = 10 "Enter" ; Line feed
CRLF code = "Escape" ; Next prompt
"Form feed code ="
This code causes a form feed to be sent after the current print.
In some cases it may be better to ignore this code so that
printing may resume where the last print left off.
Form feed code = 12 "Enter" ; Form feed
Form feed code = "Escape" ; Next prompt
"Number of pins ="
This prompt refers to the number of pins in the print head of the
dot matrix printer. For HP Laserjets and compatibles the user
must answer "1". In 8 pin printing modes on 24 pin printers the
user must answer "8".
Number of pins = 24 "Enter" ; 24 pins
"Total pin columns ="
This refers to the total number of pin columns across the page.
The user may adjust this number to a narrower page than is
actually available if they wish but on laser printers the number
must be an even multiple of 8.
Total pin columns = 1440 "Enter" ; 180 DPI x 8"
"Columns per inch ="
Enter the number of print columns in 1 inch as described in the
printer manual for a particular mode of printing.
Columns per inch = 180 "Enter" ; 180 DPI
"Rows per inch ="
The user must refer to the printer manual to determine the number
of rows per inch. Note that a lot of IBM compatible 24 pin
printers actually only print 180 rows per inch meaning that the
line feeds and rows per inch may have to be adjusted to work
properly.
Rows per inch = 216 "Enter" ; 72/8 LFPI * 24 pins
"Print driver name >"
The system needs an 8 or less character name to save the file by.
The system will then append ".PRD" to this name, save it and make
it the current printer driver for the system. The system will
then return to the [Output] menu. If the user presses "Escape"
at this prompt, the system will not save the print driver.
91
Print driver name > IB24D180 "Enter" ; finished
-----------------------------------------------------------------
System menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu system allows the user to set system configuration
parameters. The settings in this menu will be saved in the
"PRCAD.DEF" file and will be restored each time the system is
started. If this file is present before the initial setup, ie it
has been copied from another computer to your own, and the system
does not seem to work properly or at all, even though it should,
then it could be because of invalid information contained in this
file. In this case, the user should delete the file and the
system will automatically create a new "PRCAD.DEF" file on the
next invocation of the PrintCADD 3-D.
[System] {Video}
----------------
This menu allows the user to select the video mode for their
particular computer. In the standard version of PrintCADD 3-D
there are three different selections available.
{EGA 640x200 16 color}
This selection allows the user that has an EGA video card
connected to a CGA monitor to use the system. It is also the
default video mode as this mode can also be viewed on EGA and VGA
monitors that have been connected to EGA or VGA video cards. The
640x200 refers to the screen resolution in this video mode.
There are 640 horizontal pixels and 200 vertical pixels. Aspect
of the screen is automatically compensated for.
{EGA 640x350 16 color}
This selection can be used by used when the user has an EGA or
VGA monitor connected to an EGA or VGA video card. There are 640
horizontal pixels by 350 vertical pixels in this mode. Screen
aspect is automatically compensated for.
{VGA 640x480 16 color}
This selection requires that the user possess both a VGA card and
VGA monitor. There are 640 horizontal pixels and 480 vertical
pixels. This normally provides the user with a 1 to 1 aspect
ratio as the horizontal to vertical ratio is the same as the
screen width to screen height ratio in most instances.
ie 640 / 480 = 4 / 3
In the future Birdseye Software will be providing drivers for, or
versions of, PrintCADD 3-D that provide other screen resolutions
and compatibilities. Contact Birdseye Software for more
information.
92
[System] {Colors}
-----------------
This selection allows the user to customize the colors of various
parts of PrintCADD 3-D. The user must select the particular item
from the pop up menu that appears and then another pop up menu
will appear with all available colors for that menu item. The
user must then highlight the appropriate choice and press "Enter"
or "MLB". The system will then return the user to the item menu.
If the user presses "Escape" or "MRB" then the system will not
change the color setting for that menu item.
The menu items and a brief explanation of each follows below.
{Top Text}
This menu item changes the color of the top menu bar. This is
normally referred to as the main menu.
{Menu Text}
This item changes the color of the menu items that appear in the
various drop down, pop up and bracket menus that appear in the
system.
{Data Text}
This menu item changes the color of the various readouts that
appear on the top and bottom lines of the screen.
{Help Text}
This menu item controls the color of the text that appears in the
help reference.
{Error Text}
This menu item controls the color of error messages.
{WindowLine}
This menu item controls the color of the lines that frame each of
the drawing windows.
{Input Text}
This menu item controls the color of the text that is typed in by
the user.
{MenuLine}
This menu item controls the color of the lines that frame the pop
up and drop down menus.
93
{ShadowLine}
This menu item controls the color of the shadow that displays to
the right and below pop up and drop down menus.
{Cursor}
This menu item controls the color of the drawing cursor. When
the 3-D cursor type has been selected, it selects the color of
the X axis line. The Y axis line will assume the color of the
next color higher on the color menu while the Z axis color will
be one higher color than the Y axis (2 higher than X axis).
[System] {Palette}
------------------
This menu allows the user to set the color of each color in the
various color menus. Although only 15 colors are available in
the color menus, each one of these colors can be set to 1 of 16
colors in EGA 640 x 200 mode, 1 of 64 colors in EGA 640 x 350
mode or 1 of 262,144 colors in VGA 640 x 480 mode. (See [System]
{Video})
The system will first display a pop up menu with all 15 colors
displayed on it. The user must highlight and select the color
slot that they wish to change.
The method of establishing the new color for this color slot will
now depend on the current video mode.
In EGA 640 x 200 mode the user will be prompted to select a
number between 0 and 15. The user must then type in the number
of the color they wish to use in this slot. The system will
change the color of the slot and return the user to the color pop
up menu. The user may then select another color slot to change
or press "Escape" or "MRB" to return to the [System] menu.
In EGA 640 x 350 mode the user will be asked to type in a red,
green and blue intensity value. The intensity values in this
mode are between 0 and 3 with 3 being the highest intensity
available. For instance a red value of 3, a green value of 0 and
a blue value of 0 would give a bright red. A red value of 3 , a
green value of 3 and a blue value of 3 would give bright white.
The VGA 640 x 480 mode is identical to the EGA 640 x 350 mode
except that the intensity values for red, green and blue can be
varied between 0 and 63.
[System] {Mouse}
----------------
This menu allows the user to enable or disable the ability of the
system to use a mouse. The user must have a valid Microsoft (c)
or compatible mouse and driver in order to enable this option.
If in doubt, try it. There are also many digitizing tablets,
trackballs and other types of devices that are compatible with
this interface so look at the reference manual that comes with
94
the input device to see if it will work. Birdseye Software would
be appreciative if users would notify us of devices they have
tied and the results. We may even be able to write drivers for a
particular type of device if we receive the appropriate
information for the device.
[System] {Keyboard}
-------------------
This menu allows the user to select the appropriate keyboard
driver for the system in question. If in doubt, select each
driver in turn and see if the keyboard responds properly. It is
normally the arrow keys that won't work properly if the wrong
driver has been selected.
[System] {Directry}
-------------------
When this command is selected the system will display the menu,
"Directory < Drawing > = ?" where "?" will be replaced by either
"Off" or "On".
If the "?" = "Off", then selecting <Drawing> will cause the
system to display the prompt, "Drawing files path >". The user
must respond with the name of a valid path name to a directory
that the system will use to store the drawing files in. The path
name must include a drive identifier ie a:, b:, c: etc.. The
system will then turn the <Drawing> setting to "On" and return
the user to the [System] menu.
If the user prefers to leave the setting at "Off", the system
will use the directory that PrintCADD 3-D resides in for storing
the drawing files.
This menu may only be accessed before a file is loaded into the
system.
[System] {Optimize}
-------------------
This command allows the user to take full advantage of RAM disks
to increase the overall filing speed of the system. Certain
commands may very well double or more in speed.
Another advantage of this command is to insure file integrity.
The system is forced to work on a copy of the drawing file rather
than the drawing file itself. This means that if the computer
happens to lock up due to power failure, static or other problem,
then the original file is in no danger of being corrupted. At
the end of any editing session on a file the system will prompt
the user as to whether or not they wish to save the editing
session. If the user responds affirmatively then PrintCADD 3-D
will copy the contents of this temporary file back to the
original file thus updating the original. If the user responds
negatively then any edits in the current session will not be
saved.
95
When this command is selected, the system will display the menu,
"Optimize < Drawing > = ? < Redraws > = ?" where the question
marks will be replaced by either "Off" or "On".
The <Drawing> refers to an "optimization" of the drawing files
while the <Redraws> option allows the user to optimize the
temporary "redraw" files. In either case when the command is
selected, the system will prompt the user for a valid path, that
includes a drive identifier, where the temporary copy of the file
will be stored. If the user has set the path to a RAM disk then
the overall operation of commands on the file will be quicker.
As redraw files are only temporary in any case, the user should
only optimise these files if a RAM disk has been set up.
This menu may only be accessed before a file is loaded into the
system.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Help menu
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This menu system gives the user access to online help on most
aspects of PrintCADD 3-D. It also contains some useful utility
routines.
[Help] {Index}
--------------
This menu item allows the user to access the index of the help
system. When this command is selected, the system will display a
two column menu that contains various subjects. The user must
highlight the appropriate subject and press "Enter" or "MLB".
The system will then display help on the subject selected. The
user may use the "Page Up" keys or "Page Down" keys to display
more help or place the mouse cursor on the <PgUp> or <PgDn> at
the bottom of the page and press "MLB". Pressing the "F3" key
will send the current page of help to the printer on Lpt1
while pressing the "Escape" key will return the user to the
index.
The index itself has three pages that can be accessed by the
"Page Up" and "Page Down" commands. The third page is provided
for users to set up their own index as provided by the [Help]
{HelpEdit} command.
[Help] {Tutor}
--------------
The tutor system was designed to give the user their first step
through the PrintCADD 3-D environment. The user can accesss the
tutor system at any time by pressing the "F2" function key. This
allows the user to leave off in the lesson, perform a set of
actions required by the lesson, and continue on with the lesson
by pressing the "F2" key. The tutor system will remember where
the lesson was left off.
96
The tutor system is broken down into 10 lessons that cover most
of the major aspects of PrintCADD 3-D. The system also uses
tutor graphics files to convey some of the concepts. The
"PRCAD.TUT" file and the "TUTOR*.GVF" files must reside in the
startup directory for the system to find them.
When {Tutor} is selected, the software will display the menu,
"Tutor lesson = 1 < Current > < Next > < Previous > < First > <
Exit >".
Selecting the <Current> option continues on with the lesson in
progress. (In this case #1).
Selecting the <Next> option progresses to the start of the next
lesson, (In this case, the start of #2).
Selecting the <Previous> option causes the system to go to the
start of the previous lesson, (In this case there is no lesson
previous to #1, so the lesson will goto the start of lesson #1).
The <First> option takes the user to the start of lesson #1.
The < Exit> option takes the user back to the [Help] menu system.
[Help] {HelpEdit}
-----------------
This command allows the user to set up there own help screens and
index page. This is especially useful if the user has created
parts files, print drivers or fonts whose names are cryptic
because of the 8 letter limit enforced by DOS. The user may then
pass on this information by distributing their parts files with
the appropriate help imbedded in the help system. This command
may also be useful for shareware distributors that might like to
promote themselves or another product that could be used in
conjunction with this package. In effect the user will be able
to advertise within the product itself.
When this command is selected, the system will display the menu,
"< Edit > < Link > < Exit >".
If the user selects <Edit>, the system will display the prompt
"Page (3, 181-200) >". Selecting page 3 allows the user to edit
the index while pages 181 to 200 can be the actual help pages.
After the user has replied to the prompt, the system will then
display the appropriate page and go into edit mode. The editor
will display a box shaped cursor where the current letter will be
placed. The cursor is always in "overwrite" mode except when
being moved with the arrow keys.
The "Enter" key returns the cursor to the left border of the
page.
The "Backspace" key moves one character to the left blotting the
character to the left.
97
The user may also move the cursor by moving the mouse pointer to
a point on the page and pressing "MLB".
The user must press "Escape" to save the page and return to the
"< Edit > < Link > < Exit >" menu.
If the user selects <Link>, the system will prompt the user for
the column and row number of the index as well as the page that
this index should be linked to.
The <Exit> command returns the user to the [Help] menu.
[Help] {Rescue}
---------------
This command resets various system variables back to their
default values. This command is useful when the user has
adjusted colors or sizes of various system variables to values
that will cause visibility problems.
98
=================================================================
File Makeup
=================================================================
This section of the manual is devoted to explaining the actual
makeup of the individual files.
This information, while not necessary, may provide help to the
user who is mystified by some of the terms and what they actually
mean. This information may also be used by those who have some
programming experience, to produce file transfer or file
modification utilities. While the information in this section is
correct at the current time, Birdseye Software reserves the right
to change the files and there makeup as seems appropriate.
Having said that, we will attempt to keep the routines in their
current state and merely add to what is available. Changes to
the file design, that are currently being considered, will be
noted in each section.
If you have made a utility that you believe could be of use to
people using PrintCADD 3-D, you should contact Birdseye Software
and we will make an effort to advertise your utility in our help
system.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Drawing files
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Drawing files in PrintCADD 3-D can be recognized by the ".GVF"
extension on the name. The coordinates used in the files are
single precision 32 bit floating point IEEE numbers. These
numbers are of the standard used by most programming languages.
All coordinates are a group of three of these numbers where the
first number represents a distance along the X axis, the second
number is measured along the Y axis and the third number is
measured along the Z axis.
All coordinates entered into PrintCADD 3-D are converted from
polar, metric, UCS offsets, etc., to an inch based internal
format that marks the points as offsets from a top plan view.
The files also use signed 16 and 32 bit integer formats for other
types of information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Header Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------
All drawing files are preceded by a header section that defines
the various defaults for the file.
The first section of the header defines the 4 possible windows
available to the drawing. Each window consists of the following
99
data fields.
Information Format
------------------------------------------------------
Left corner of current view Single Floating
Lower corner of current view Single Floating
Right corner of current view Single Floating
Upper corner of current view Single Floating
Available flag 2 Byte Integer
Active flag 2 Byte Integer
Graphics cursor type 2 Byte Integer
Currently executing routine 2 Byte Integer
Left corner of highlight 2 Byte Integer
Lower corner of highlight 2 Byte Integer
Right corner of highlight 2 Byte Integer
Upper corner of highlight 2 Byte Integer
Left pixel corner 2 Byte Integer
Upper pixel corner 2 Byte Integer
Right pixel corner 2 Byte Integer
Lower pixel corner 2 Byte Integer
Left pixel clip 2 Byte Integer
Upper pixel clip 2 Byte Integer
Right pixel clip 2 Byte Integer
Lower pixel clip 2 Byte Integer
Rotation around X axis Single Floating
Rotation around Y axis Single Floating
Rotation around Z axis Single Floating
Sine of X rotation Single Floating
Cosine of X rotation Single Floating
Sine of Y rotation Single Floating
Cosine of Y rotation Single Floating
Sine of Z rotation Single Floating
Cosine of Z rotation Single Floating
Cursor offset UCS X Single Floating
Cursor offset UCS Y Single Floating
Cursor offset UCS Z Single Floating
Cursor offset X Single Floating
Cursor offset Y Single Floating
Cursor offset Z Single Floating
Parallel - Perspective flag 2 Byte Integer
View point X Single Floating
View point Y Single Floating
View point Z Single Floating
Zoom level Single Floating
UCS origin X Single Floating
UCS origin Y Single Floating
UCS origin Z Single Floating
UCS cosine X axis X move Single Floating
UCS cosine X axis Y move Single Floating
UCS cosine X axis Z move Single Floating
UCS cosine Y axis X move Single Floating
UCS cosine Y axis Y move Single Floating
UCS cosine Y axis Z move Single Floating
UCS cosine Z axis X move Single Floating
UCS cosine Z axis Y move Single Floating
100
UCS cosine Z axis Z move Single Floating
Viewing aspect Single Floating
Previous zoom level Single Floating
Vanishing point X Single Floating
Vanishing point Y Single Floating
Center of window X Single Floating
Center of window Y Single Floating
Center of window Z Single Floating
cursor override Single Floating
------------------------------------------------------
After the four windows comes the general information for the
file.
Information Format
------------------------------------------------------
Video mode 2 Byte Integer
First measurement suffix 3 Char String
Second measurement suffix 3 Char String
First measurement divisor 4 Byte Integer
Second measurement divisor Single Floating
Third measurement divisor Single Floating
Measurement system 2 Byte Integer
Left drawing limit Single Floating
Lower drawing limit Single Floating
Right drawing limit Single Floating
Upper drawing limit Single Floating
Cursor speed X axis Single Floating
Cursor speed Y axis Single Floating
Cursor speed Z axis Single Floating
Text X scale Single Floating
Text Y scale Single Floating
Arrows X scale Single Floating
Arrows Y scale Single Floating
Current layer Single Floating
Padding 6 Bytes
------------------------------------------------------
The actual drawing information then follows the header. This
section is organized according to 2 byte integer codes that
represent the type of information and following specification
fields for each code.
Closed surface 2 byte integer code = 30
Open surface 2 byte integer code = 31
Current surface 2 byte integer code = 32
These surface types are all followed by the following
specification fields
End of surface file address 4 Byte Integer
Layer number 2 Byte Integer
Center point X
Center point Y
Center point Z
101
Color
Line type
Pattern foreground color
Pattern background color
Pattern type
Following the surface type and specification fields, the program
will place data that belongs to that surface. Their are three
basic data types that belong to surfaces, the continuous line,
the circular curve and the spline curve.
Continuous line 2 byte integer code = 4
Number of data points 2 Byte Integer
Data X coordinate Single Floating
Data Y coordinate Single Floating
Data Z coordinate Single Floating
Data X coordinate Single Floating
Data Y coordinate Single Floating
Data Z coordinate Single Floating
etc. for number of data points
Number of data points 2 Byte Integer
Continuous line 2 byte integer code = 4
Notice that the coordinate values are terminated by the number of
data points and the continuous line code. This allows the
program to look both backwards and forwards through the data
file.
Circular curve 2 byte integer code = 11
Number of data points 2 Byte Integer
Reserved Single Floating
Reserved Single Floating
Reserved Single Floating
Reserved Single Floating
Number of data points 2 Byte Integer
Data X coordinate Single Floating
Data Y coordinate Single Floating
Data Z coordinate Single Floating
Data X coordinate Single Floating
Data Y coordinate Single Floating
Data Z coordinate Single Floating
etc. for number of data points
Number of data points 2 Byte Integer
Circular curve 2 byte integer code = 11
Other curve 2 byte integer code = 10
Number of data points 2 Byte Integer
Reserved 2 Byte integer
Number of data points 2 Byte Integer
Data X coordinate Single Floating
Data Y coordinate Single Floating
Data Z coordinate Single Floating
102
Data X coordinate Single Floating
Data Y coordinate Single Floating
Data Z coordinate Single Floating
etc. for number of data points
Number of data points 2 Byte Integer
Other curve 2 byte integer code = 10
Be advised that other types of data blocks are being considered.
The surface groups are terminated by a surface end sequence.
Closed surface end 2 byte integer code = 33
Surface start address 4 Byte Integer
Closed surface end 2 byte integer code = 33
Open surface end 2 byte integer code = 33
Surface start address 4 Byte Integer
Open surface end 2 byte integer code = 33
Current surface end 2 byte integer code = 0 or -1
The 0 or -1 code also marks the end of the file. Any data past
this point will be meaningless. This code will very rarely be a
-1, but may if last session was not terminated properly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Font files
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Font files are virtually identical to drawing files in that they
have the same header and consist of the same data types. There
are, however, differences in the way they are laid out, and in
the way they are imported and portrayed by the software.
1. The font file actually consists of one header
and several partitions. Each partition can
contain one letter and each letter consists of
one surface.
Font File Addressing
------------------------------------------------
-----+ File
Header information ª Start
ª
-----ª
Space for the spacebar character ª ASCII 32
-----ª
Space for the letter ! ª ASCII 33
-----ª
Space for the letter " ª ASCII 34
-----ª
Space for the letter # ª ASCII 35
-----ª
Space for the letter $ ª ASCII 36
103
-----ª
Space for the letter % ª etc.
------------------------------------------------
2. Remember that the spacebar character contains
the bounding rectangle. If the rectangle is
made thinner, then the letters will space more
closely or even overlap. Conversely, if the
rectangle is made wider, then the gap between
letter will become larger.
3. Each ASCII code has an equal amount of drawing
space. The amount of space is determined when
the font is created by the users answer to the
prompt, "Character space in words (2 bytes) >".
4. There are a maximum of 224 ASCII code spaces.
as 0 through 31 can not be used out of the
total 256 ASCII codes. The user may use the
"Alt" key and the numeric keypad to access
codes above 126. ie "Alt" 251 = ASCII 251
5. When the character is brought into the drawing,
the program looks only at the first surface in
the character space therefore any surfaces
beyond the first are ignored. The character's Z
axis information is also ignored. The character
is then scaled, rotated and translated to the
position in the drawing that was dictated by the
user.
6. There is a font header that resides between the
padding bytes of the normal header. It contains 2
additional pieces of information that are used to
calculate the offset of each letters individual file.
Number of characters 2 Byte Integer
Space per character 2 byte integer
Code for space bar starts here
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Parts files
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Part files are created in the same manner as the font files
except that they consist of only two characters, the spacebar
code and the exclamation mark character. After this two
character font has been created, it must be renamed with the
extension, ".SRF". This allows the system to see it as a part.
104
=================================================================
Index
=================================================================
Aligning view to UCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 72
AlongLock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 27
Aperture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 61
Arcs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 39
Arrow heads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 45
Aspect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 75
Automatic grid alinement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 64
Automatic sizing/scaling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 64
Axes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 11
Blips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 62
Blot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 80
CenterSnap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 26
Changing colors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 49
Changing layers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 50
Circles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 38
Closed surfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 60
Closing surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 50
Closing windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 74
Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 91
Coordinate parsing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 24
Coordinate Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 11
Coords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 27
Copying objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 49
Copyright. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 4
Creating layers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 57
Creating printfiles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 83
Creating windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 73
Cursor grid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 76
Cursor size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 64
Cursor spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 76
Cursor type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 62
Curve menu
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 38
Cutting extrusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 51
Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 91
Deleting lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 60
Deleting objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 50, Page # 60
Deleting points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 60
Dimensioning menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 43
Distribution Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 10
Drag Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 63
Draw menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 24
Drawing
Create. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 32
Load. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 31
Drawing files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 98
Drawing limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 63
Ellipses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 40
Erasing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 80
Expanded memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 17
Extension lines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 46
Extrusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 16, Page # 51
105
File copying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 35
File corruption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 94
File deleting
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 35
File directories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 35, Page # 94
File makeup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 98
File Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 31
Fill colors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 55
Fill pattern editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 56
Fill patterns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 55
Filling printfiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 80
Filling surfaces
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 69
Font
Create. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 33
Load. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 31
Font file makeup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 102
Font selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 42
Freehand drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 79
General Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 19
Grids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 77
GridSnap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 25
Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 47
Maximum size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 64
Header information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 98
Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 22
Help editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 96
Help index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 95
Help menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 95
Hidden line elimination. . . . . . . . . . . Page # 68, Page # 69
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 19
Joining surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 52
Keyboard driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 94
Layer locking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 57
Layer menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 57
Layer selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 57
Layer visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 57
Line
Print editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 80
Line styles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 55
Lines
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 36
Locks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 24
Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 23
Menu colors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 92
Menu types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 20
Menus and Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 24
MidPtSnap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 26
Modify menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 58
Mouse driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 93
MoveTo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 27
Moving objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 48
Moving points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 58
NearSnap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 25
Object colors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 54
106
Object patterns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 55
Open surfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 60
Opening surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 50
Order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 6
Output menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 82
Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 93
Pan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 30, Page # 67
Printfiles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 81
Parallel Lock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 27
Parallel projections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 74
Parallelograms
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 38
Part file makeup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 103
Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 53
Perp Lock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 27
PerpSnap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 26
Perspective projections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 74
Plan views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 72
Plot drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 86
Plot menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 85
Plotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 82, Page # 85
Polar coordinate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 28
Print drivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 87
Print editor menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 79
Printfiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 79
Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 82
Projections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 74
Purge
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 36
Quick prints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 85
Quit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 36
Radial arrays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 53
Ram disks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 94
Readout coordinates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 61
Readout units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 77
Readouts . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 21, Page # 31, Page # 63
Rectangles
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 37
Redraw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 30, Page # 68
Redraw menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 67
Regenerate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 68
Relative point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 29
Required Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 17
Required Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 17
Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 97
Revolved surfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 52
Right hand rule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 14
Rotating objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 49
Rotating views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 70
Scaling objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 48
Scaling plots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 66, Page # 87
Selection sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 47
Maximum size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 64
Shareware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 4
Association of Shareware Professionals. . . . . . . Page # 4
107
Ombudsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 4
Sizing windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 74
Snap aperture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 61
Snaps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 24
Splines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 40
Stretch command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 59
Surface menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 50
Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 15
System menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 91
Text menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 41
Thickness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 51
Touchup menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 78
Triangles
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 37
Tutor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # 23, Page # 95
UCS. . . . . . . . . . Page # 12, Page # 29, Page # 30, Page # 76
UCS menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 76
Units of Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 14
Unobstructed views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 72
User coordinate systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 76
Variables menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 61
Video drivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 91
View menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 70
View rotations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 70
Viewing angle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 70
Visigrids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 77
Window aspect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 75
Window closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 74
Window creating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 73
Window dumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 85
Window menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 72
Window selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 73
Window sizing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 74
Zoom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 29
Factor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 65
Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 66
Limits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 67
Previous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 67
Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 66
Zoom menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page # 65