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\
\*****
\____________________________________________________________________
\SELECT
\ONE
\OF
\THESE
\MENU
\HEADINGS
\FOR
\HELP
***** SELECT ONE OF THESE MENU HEADINGS FOR HELP *****
____________________________________________________________________
FILE PLOT VIEW DRAW EDIT COPY SPEC MOD CALC
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\FILE
\FILE-MENU
\----------
FILE-MENU
----------
about..
Status
Label
Dir
DOS-Cmd
Menu
Script
New
Load
Revert
Rename
Pack
Pattern
Save
Save-As
End MENU-COMMANDS
Quit ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\PLOT
\PLOT-MENU
\---------------
PLOT-MENU
---------------
Plot-Drawing
Plot-Assembly
Define-Assy.
Edit-Assembly
Delete-Assy. MENU-COMMANDS
List-Assembly ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\VIEW
\VIEW-MENU
\-----------
VIEW-MENU
-----------
Redraw
Hide-All
Show-All
Freeze-All
Thaw-All
Background
Save-View
Pan
Zoom-In
Zoom-Out
Zoom-View
Zoom-Width MENU-COMMANDS
Zoom-Last ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\DRAW
\DRAW-MENU
\--------
DRAW-MENU
--------
Point
Line
Circle
Arc
Ellipse
Text
Box
Path
Polygon
Reg-Poly
S-Poly
Spline
Dimension
Arrow
Dbl-Arrow
Fillet
Chamfer
Tangent MENU-COMMANDS
Wide-Line ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\EDIT
\EDIT-MENU
\---------
EDIT-MENU
---------
Undo
Erase
Move
Drag
Scale
Scale-XY
Rotate
Connect
Mirror
Break
Bend
Trim
Stretch
Edit
Origin
Fill
Front
Change MENU-COMMANDS
List ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\COPY
\COPY-MENU
\------------
COPY-MENU
------------
Copy
Repeat-Copy
Circ-Array
Rotate-Copy
Mirror-Copy
Insert-Part
Part-Array
Circ-Part
Write-Part
Group
Ungroup
Define-Symbol
List-SymDef
Explode-Sym
Replace-Sym
Delete-SymDef MENU-COMMANDS
Draw-Symbol ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\SPEC
\SPEC-MENU
\----------------
SPEC-MENU
----------------
Select-by
Configure
Edit-Patrn
Copy-Patrn
Grid-Specs
Trigrid
Snap-Specs
Text-Specs
Dim-Specs
Dim-Format
UNITS
Feet
Inches
Meters MENU-COMMANDS
mm ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\MOD
\MOD-MENU
\-------------
MOD-MENU
-------------
Ref-Point
Same-X
Same-Y
Center
Midpoint
Endpoint
On
%-Along
Degree
Parallel
Perpendicular
Angle-to...
Bearing
Tangent MENU-COMMANDS
Intersection ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\CALC
\CALC-MENU
\--------------
CALC-MENU
--------------
Coordinate
Bearing
Distance MENU-COMMANDS
Area ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\ICON-EXPLANATIONS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
This is a list of the ICONS located along the right side of
the FastCAD screen, counting from the top of the screen with
ICON #1 to ICON #19 at the bottom. Click on an ICON name for help.
1. ZOOM-IN 11. SIZE-WINDOW
2. ZOOM-OUT 12. MOVE-WINDOW
3. ZOOM-WINDOW 13. ADD-WINDOW
4. ZOOM-CENTER 14. CLOSE-WINDOW
5. ZOOM-EXTENTS 15. GRID-ON/OFF
6. ZOOM-LAST 16. SNAP-ON/OFF
7. LAYERS 17. ORTHO-ON/OFF
8. LINE-STYLES 18. VALUES
9. FILL-STYLES 19. HELP-?
10. CHANGE-WINDOW
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\ZOOM-IN
\1.
ICON #1: ZOOM IN
TEXT EQUIV: ZIN 2.5
The ZOOM IN icon moves the active window 2-1/2 times closer to your
drawing.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\ZOOM-OUT
\2.
ICON #2: ZOOM OUT
TEXT EQUIV: ZOUT 2.5
The ZOOM OUT icon moves the active window 2-1/2 times farther away
from your drawing.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\ZOOM-WINDOW
\3.
ICON #3: ZOOM WINDOW
TEXT EQUIV: ZWIN
ZOOM WINDOW lets you draw a box on the screen to select part of your
drawing for display in the active window. The area of your drawing
that you window will ZOOM to fit the active window.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\ZOOM-CENTER
\4.
ICON #4: ZOOM CENTER
TEXT EQUIV: ZCEN
ZOOM CENTER centers the active window on a new spot in the drawing.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\ZOOM-EXTENTS
\5.
ICON #5: ZOOM EXTENTS
TEXT EQUIV: ZEXT
ZOOM EXTENTS displays your entire drawing in the active window,
shrinking or enlarging the view to fit.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\ZOOM-LAST
\6.
ICON #6: ZOOM LAST
TEXT EQUIV: ZLAST
ZOOM LAST restores the active drawing window to the previous view
magnification and center.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\LAYERS
\7.
ICON #7: LAYERS
TEXT EQUIV: LAYERS
LAYERS displays a dialog box that lets you manage 256 layers,
numbered 0 through 255. (Select the MORE button to get layers 32-255.)
New entities are drawn on the current work layer. To change to a new
layer, select WORK LAYER, then the desired number. FastCAD draws a
double frame around the current work layer.
To hide or display a layer, select the layer number. FastCAD shows
hidden layers in black on white. (Hidden layers are protected from
editing changes and don't show on-screen or when you plot.)
To freeze or thaw a layer, select the FREEZE button, then the layer
number. FastCAD draws a slash through frozen layer numbers. (Entities
on frozen layers are protected from editing changes but you can refer
to them with modifiers.)
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\LINE-STYLES
\8.
ICON #8: LINE STYLES
TEXT EQUIV: LSTYLES
LINE STYLES displays a dialog box from which you can select or modify
any of 16 existing line styles (dot-dash patterns).
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\FILL-STYLES
\9.
ICON #9: FILL STYLES
TEXT EQUIV: FSTYLES
FILL STYLES displays a dialog box from which you can select
any of 24 crosshatch or pattern fill styles for filling polygons,
circleS, arcS, smooth polygons, and other closed entities. Select
the MORE button to see additional patterns. If there is a double box
around TRANSPARENT in the dialog box, the fill style is 0 or clear.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\CHANGE-WINDOW
\10.
ICON #10: CHANGE WINDOW
TEXT EQUIV: none
CHANGE WINDOW selects a new active window for ZOOM commands.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\SIZE-WINDOW
\11.
ICON #11: SIZE WINDOW
TEXT EQUIV: none
SIZE WINDOW lets you resize a drawing window.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\MOVE-WINDOW
\12.
ICON #12: MOVE WINDOW
TEXT EQUIV: none
MOVE WINDOW lets you move one of the eight drawing windows.
Windows may not overlap.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\ADD-WINDOW
\13.
ICON #13: ADD WINDOW
TEXT EQUIV: none
ADD WINDOW lets you add a new drawing window, to a maximum
of eight. Windows may not overlap.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\CLOSE-WINDOW
\14.
ICON #14: CLOSE WINDOW
TEXT EQUIV: none
CLOSE WINDOW removes a drawing window from the screen.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\GRID-ON/OFF
\15.
ICON #15: GRID ON/OFF
TEXT EQUIV: GRIDON, GRIDOFF or ^G
Turns the screen grid pattern on or off. FastCAD draws a
double frame around the icon when GRID is turned on.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\SNAP-ON/OFF
\16.
ICON #16: SNAP ON/OFF
TEXT EQUIV: SNAPON, SNAPOFF or ^S
Turns snap locking on or off. FastCAD draws a double frame
around the icon when SNAP is turned on.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\ORTHO-ON/OFF
\17.
ICON #17: ORTHO ON/OFF
TEXT EQUIV: ORTHON, ORTHOFF or ^O
Turns orthogonal locking on or off. ORTHO makes FastCAD draw lines that
are perfectly vertical or horizontal. ORTHO lock affects all commands
that display a rubber-band cursor, including MOVE and STRETCH. FastCAD
draws a double frame around the icon when ORTHO lock is turned on.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\VALUES
\18.
ICON #18: VALUES
TEXT EQUIV: CVAL or ^V
VALUES displays a dialog box for setting drawing environment switches. You can
also set the switches using control-key combinations: For example, hold down
the "CTRL" key and press "T" to turn tracking on or off (^T).
Switch Text Equivalents Action
GRID [GRIDON/GRIDOFF or ^G] Turn Grid on or off.
GRID VALUE [GRIDV] Set grid spacing.
SNAP [SNAPON/SNAPOFF or ^S] Turn Snap locking on or off.
SNAP VALUE [SNAPV] Set snap spacing.
ORTHO [ORTHON/ORTHOFF or ^O] Turn ORTHO on or off.
XHREQ [XHON/XHOFF or ^X] Require crosshairs with rubber-band.
FRAME [FRAMEON/FRAMEOFF, ^F] Display/hide frames for splines etc.
LOCK [LOCKON/LOCKOFF or ^L] Turn group locking on or off.
TRACK [TRKON/TRKOFF or ^T] Turn tracking display on or off.
ABS [^V A] Absolute coordinate tracking.
REL [^V R] Relative coordinate tracking.
POLAR [^V P] Polar coordinate tracking.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS MENU-COMMANDS
*
\HELP-?
\19.
ICON #19: HELP
TEXT EQUIV: HELP or ?
HELP displays a text screen of subjects for which HELP is
available. This icon gives you HELP information in the middle of
any command. Use the cursor and the left button to select a subject
for HELP.
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\about..
FILE COMMAND: about..
TEXT EQUIV: VER
ABOUT.. displays an alert box with your FastCAD version and
serial number.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Status
FILE COMMAND: Status
TEXT EQUIV: STATUS
STATUS displays a text screen of information about the current drawing.
This information includes the drawing name, number of entities, file
size in kilobytes (K), label, memory usage, and current settings.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Label
FILE COMMAND: Label
TEXT EQUIV: LABEL
LABEL adds a 40-character descriptive label to your drawing. Type the
description, then press RETURN. Select STATUS to see the label for the
current drawing. After returning to DOS, you can see this label by
using the DOS TYPE command to view the FastCAD file.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Dir
FILE COMMAND: Dir
TEXT EQUIV: DOS DIR/P *.FCD
DIR lists drawing files in the current directory.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\DOS-Cmd
FILE COMMAND: DOS-Cmd
TEXT EQUIV: DOS
DOS Cmd lets you run other programs and DOS commands without leaving
FastCAD. You must have enough memory for FastCAD, your current
drawing and the outside program. Memory restrictions are discussed
in the reference section of the manual.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Menu
FILE COMMAND: Menu
TEXT EQUIV: MENU
MENU loads a custom menu file. After selecting a menu filename from
a list, FastCAD loads the new menus, replacing the current set.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Script
FILE COMMAND: Script
TEXT EQUIV: SCRIPT
SCRIPT loads and runs a script file. A script file is a series of
FastCAD commands previously stored in a text file.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\New
FILE COMMAND: New
TEXT EQUIV: NEW
NEW opens a new drawing file called "WORK.FCD", resetting all defaults
to FastCAD's original values. Select RENAME to give the new drawing a
permanent name before saving it.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Load
FILE COMMAND: Load
TEXT EQUIV: LOAD
LOAD opens a different drawing file. When you select LOAD, a text
screen appears listing available drawings. Select the drawing to
edit with the cursor or type the file name. If you enter a
nonexistent file name, FastCAD creates a new drawing file with that
name. You can list drawings in other DOS directories and
sub-directories by selecting them with the cursor. Click on the "\..\"
at the top of the load screen to move up in the directory tree,
then click on the desired sub-directory. You can list drawings on
other drives by selecting the DRIVE box at the top of the LOAD screen
and then the desired drive letter.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Revert
FILE COMMAND: Revert
TEXT EQUIV: REVERT
REVERT restores the current drawing to the last version you saved.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Rename
FILE COMMAND: Rename
TEXT EQUIV: RENAME
RENAME changes the name of the current drawing to the new name which
you enter, but does NOT save it. Select SAVE or END to save the
drawing under the new name.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Pack
FILE COMMAND: Pack
TEXT EQUIV: PACK
PACK compresses your drawing, removing deleted entities and
old versions saved for UNDO. Use PACK to save memory and improve
performance if you have a large drawing and have made many changes.
SAVE, SAVE AS, and END commands do an automatic PACK. You cannot
UNDO after a PACK.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Pattern
FILE COMMAND: Pattern
TEXT EQUIV: PATTERN
PATTERN marks the current drawing as a pattern file, instead of an
ordinary drawing. A pattern file is used as a template for other
drawings. When you load a drawing marked as a PATTERN, FastCAD
loads a copy of it instead and asks you to rename the drawing.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Save
FILE COMMAND: Save
TEXT EQUIV: SAVE
SAVE saves your current drawing to the disk. Use SAVE frequently to
protect your work from power failure.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Save-As
FILE COMMAND: Save As
TEXT EQUIV: SAVEAS
SAVE AS saves a copy of your drawing in a file with a different name.
FastCAD doesn't change the name of the current drawing.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\End
FILE COMMAND: End
TEXT EQUIV: END
END is the normal way to leave FastCAD. It saves the current
drawing and returns you to DOS.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Quit
FILE COMMAND: Quit
TEXT EQUIV: QUIT
QUIT returns to DOS but does NOT save your work since the last SAVE.
Use QUIT if you made undesirable changes or only wanted to look at a
drawing without changing it.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Plot-Drawing
PLOT COMMAND: Plot Drawing
TEXT EQUIV: PLOT
PLOT DRAWING prompts you with a dialog box to send the drawing to a
PLOTTER (or printer), NORMAL PLOT FILE or to a SIZED IMAGE FILE.
FastCAD asks several questions specific to your output device, then
asks you to choose a scaling factor and view to plot. See Volume 2,
Chapter 4 (Printing and Plotting) of your FastCAD User's Guide
for more information.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Plot-Assembly
PLOT COMMAND: Plot Assembly
TEXT EQUIV: PLOTA
PLOT ASSEMBLY copies a selected plot assembly that you have previously
defined to your plotter or printer (or to a file), optionally placing
many drawings and/or views on a single sheet. See Volume 2,
Chapter 4 (Printing and Plotting) of your FastCAD User's Guide
for more information.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Define-Assy.
PLOT COMMAND: Define Assy.
TEXT EQUIV: DEFPA
DEFINE ASSEMBLY creates a plot assembly. You divide your plotter's
plottable area into an unlimited number of plot windows, specifying a
drawing, view, and scale for each window. Before defining an assembly
that includes several drawings, it's a good idea to load each drawing
and make notes about the view numbers you wish to plot. See Volume 2,
Chapter 4 (Printing and Plotting) of your FastCAD User's Guide
for more information.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Edit-Assembly
PLOT COMMAND: Edit Assembly
TEXT EQUIV: EDITPA
EDIT ASSEMBLY lets you modify an existing plot assembly. You can change
or delete plot windows and add new windows. See Volume 2,
Chapter 4 (Printing and Plotting) of your FastCAD User's Guide
for more information.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Delete-Assy.
PLOT COMMAND: Delete Assy.
TEXT EQUIV: DELPA
DELETE ASSY removes a plot assembly from the drawing.
FastCAD displays a text screen from which you can select an assembly
to delete. If you delete an assembly by mistake, immediately select
UNDO from the EDIT menu.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\List-Assembly
PLOT COMMAND: List Assy
TEXT EQUIV: LISTPA
LIST ASSEMBLY displays information about a plot assembly. After you
select an assembly from the list, FastCAD displays the assembly's width
and height (the total plottable area). For each plot window in the
assembly, FastCAD lists: location (x,y distance in drawing units from
the lower-left corner of the plottable area), size in drawing units,
drawing to plot (a blank drawing name means plot the current drawing),
view number and scale factor.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Redraw
VIEW COMMAND: Redraw
TEXT EQUIV: REDRAW
REDRAW regenerates your entire screen including the MENU, COLOR bar,
ICON bar and all open drawing windows.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Hide-All
VIEW COMMAND: Hide All
TEXT EQUIV: HIDEA
HIDE ALL hides all but the current work layer.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Show-All
VIEW COMMAND: Show All
TEXT EQUIV: SHOWA
SHOW ALL displays all hidden layers.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Freeze-All
VIEW COMMAND: Freeze All
TEXT EQUIV: FREEZEA
FREEZE ALL write-protects all layers of the current drawing except
the current work layer. Entities on frozen layers can be referenced
with drawing modifiers but can not be edited or erased. If you change
the work layer to a layer which is frozen, that layer is automatically
thawed.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Thaw-All
VIEW COMMAND: Thaw All
TEXT EQUIV: THAWA
THAW ALL un-freezes all frozen layers of the current drawing.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Background
VIEW COMMAND: Background
TEXT EQUIV: BKGND
BACKGROUND selects a new screen background color, which you indicate
by entering a number or selecting a color from the palette. This color
is ignored during plotting.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Save-View
VIEW COMMAND: Save View
TEXT EQUIV: SVIEW
SAVE VIEW remembers a view of your drawing. Each drawing can have
up to 8 numbered views stored with the drawing. When prompted for
"view #(1-8):", type in a view number. The view in the active
window is stored with that view number.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Pan
VIEW COMMAND: Pan
TEXT EQUIV: PAN
PAN shifts your drawing under the active drawing window. FastCAD
prompts "pan from:" and "pan to:". Use the crosshairs or type
coordinates for the selection of these points to indicate the
direction of travel.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Zoom-In
VIEW COMMAND: Zoom In
TEXT EQUIV: ZIN
ZOOM IN moves the active drawing window closer to your drawing. At the
prompt "zoom in by:", type a number to indicate how many times
closer to zoom.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Zoom-Out
VIEW COMMAND: Zoom Out
TEXT EQUIV: ZOUT
ZOOM OUT moves the active drawing window farther away from your
drawing. At the prompt reads "zoom out by:", type a number to indicate
how many times farther out to zoom.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Zoom-View
VIEW COMMAND: Zoom View
TEXT EQUIV: VIEW
ZOOM VIEW recalls one of the eight views you saved with SAVE VIEW
At the prompt "view #(1-8):", type the number of the view
you want to see and press RETURN.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Zoom-Width
VIEW COMMAND: Zoom Width
TEXT EQUIV: ZWID
ZOOM WIDTH tells FastCAD how much of your drawing to display in
the current drawing window. At the prompt "view width:", enter a
value in numerical units or feet and inches. FastCAD changes the view.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Zoom-Last
VIEW COMMAND: Zoom Last
TEXT EQUIV: ZLAST
ZOOM LAST redraws the current window with the previous ZOOM
magnification and position, even if you have used other commands since
the last ZOOM.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Point
DRAW COMMAND: Point
TEXT EQUIV: POINT
POINT draws a single dot (1 pixel) in the drawing. Select a point with
the crosshairs and left button, or type numeric coordinates.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Line
DRAW COMMAND: Line
TEXT EQUIV: LINE
LINE draws one or more lines in the drawing. Use the crosshairs or
type numeric coordinates to select the first point and each successive
point. The command repeats until cancelled by the right button.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Circle
DRAW COMMAND: Circle
TEXT EQUIV: CIRCLE or CIR
CIRCLE draws a circle by one of six different methods. When drawing
a CIRP circle or a CIR2 circle, hold down the shift key and move the
mouse to dynamically move the circle center. The text equivalent of
each method is shown.
CIR2 Draw a circle from 2 points
CIR3 Draw a circle from 3 points
CIRP Draw a circle from center and point on circle
CIRR Draw a circle from center and radius
CIRD Draw a circle from center and diameter
CIRT2C Draw a circle tangent to two circles
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Arc
DRAW COMMAND: Arc
TEXT EQUIV: ARC
ARC draws an arc according to one of several methods. The four
methods of drawing an arc are listed below with their text
equivalents.
ARCR ARC drawn by center, radius, start angle, end angle.
ARCS ARC drawn by center, start point, end angle.
ARC3 ARC drawn through three points.
ARCB ARC drawn through three points; point 3 makes
a dynamic bulge for shaping the ARC.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Ellipse
DRAW COMMAND: Ellipse
TEXT EQUIV: ELIP
ELLIPSEs can be drawn by the following methods. See the reference
section of the manual for details.
Center & 2 axis
Circle at angle to window
Inclination & length
Elliptical arc
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Text
DRAW COMMAND: Text
TEXT EQUIV: TEXT
TEXT adds lettering to your drawing. When TEXT is selected, EasyCAD
places a window in the center of the screen in which text appears as
you type. Even though the window has multiple lines, the text will
be a single line in your drawing. You can use the keyboard arrows to
move around in the text window and the DEL key to remove characters.
Press RETURN when you have finished. A dynamic cursor appears. Text
can be placed anywhere in the drawing screen. If you hold down the
SHIFT key and move the mouse, the text will grow or shrink (this size
becomes the new default text height). When you type another line of
text, press RETURN or the right button to accept the default origin
(one line below the origin of the last text you drew) or use the mouse
to pick another spot in the drawing. Select XHREQ from the VALUES
dialog box or type CTRL-X to activate crosshairs.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Box
DRAW COMMAND: Box
TEXT EQUIV: BOX
BOX draws a rectangular polygon with perfectly horizontal and
vertical sides. The box is specified by any two diagonal corners.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Path
DRAW COMMAND: Path
TEXT EQUIV: PATH
PATH draws a routed connection between two endpoints. A path looks like
a series of connected lines but is more like an open-ended polygon with
at least 2 but not more than 126 nodes.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Polygon
DRAW COMMAND: Polygon
TEXT EQUIV: POLY
POLYGON draws a closed shape with no less than 3 and no more than 126
sides. Change the shape of a polygon with BEND, BREAK, STRETCH, or
EDIT. Polygons may be filled.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Reg-Poly
DRAW COMMAND: Reg Poly
TEXT EQUIV: RPOLY
REG POLY (Regular POLYGON) is a shortcut command for drawing regular
polygon entities like equilateral triangles, squares or hexagons. You
specify the number of sides, the center of the polygon, and where one
of the corners between the sides falls.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\S-Poly
DRAW COMMAND: S Poly
TEXT EQUIV: SPOLY
S POLY (Smooth Polygon) draws a closed curved shape defined by a
series of node points called a frame. The S POLY must have at least
3 nodes and no more than 126 nodes. The frame which defines the nodes
can be turned on or off from the VALUES icon. Smooth polygons can be
modified with EDIT commands such as BEND, BREAK, STRETCH or EDIT.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Spline
DRAW COMMAND: Spline
TEXT EQUIV: SPLINE
SPLINE draws a smooth curve defined by a series of node points called a
FRAME. The curve touches the first and last points and follows an
average path among the other nodes. A spline must have at least 3 but
not more than 126 nodes. The frame which defines the spline can be
turned on or off from the VALUES icon. Splines can also be modified
with EDIT commands such as BEND, BREAK, STRETCH or EDIT.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Dimension
DRAW COMMAND: Dimension
TEXT EQUIV: DIM
FastCAD draws associative DIMENSIONs to measure distances and angles.
When you change the drawing, FastCAD updates the dimensions to report
the new measurements. Below are the four types of dimensions with their
text equivalents in brackets.
HORIZONTAL [DIMH] Measures only horizontal distance
VERTICAL [DIMV] Measures only vertical distance
PARALLEL [DIMP] Measures linear distances at any angle
ANGULAR [DIMA] Measures distance in degrees
RADIUS [DIMR] Measures the radius of the arc or circle.
NOTE RADIUS [DIMRN] Works just like RADIUS, except that the arrows fall
outside the arc or circle.
DIAMETER [DIMD] Measure the diameter of a circle (or arc).
NOTE DIAM. [DIMDN] Works just like DIAMETER, except that the arrows
fall outside the arc or circle. Interior arrows are
omitted. Note-style diameter dimensions without a
leader can be distinguished from leaderless note
radius dimensions by the letter phi (φ) in the
dimension text.
@
ORDINATE [DIMO] Shows the relative horizontal or vertical distance
from a given origin point (not the distance between
points). An ordinate dimension entity consists of
an origin leader and a series of additional
leaders, each of which measures the horizontal or
vertical distance from the origin.
In new drawings, FastCAD draws dimensions with these properties:
- Height of dimension text = 0.20 units
- Text position (linear dimensions only) = inside arrowheads
- Text angle (vertical dimensions only) = normal (lined up with arrows)
- Arrowhead angle = 24_
- Arrowhead length = 125% of text height
- Arrowhead style = #5 (filled arrowheads)
- Font = #1 (a blocky, quick-drawing font)
- Number of decimal places (for Numeric and Metric formats) = 3
- Dimension measurement format = Feet & Inches
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Arrow
DRAW COMMAND: Arrow
TEXT EQUV: ARROW
ARROW draws an entity similar to a path with an arrowhead at the first
node point. The arrowhead's shape and size are determined by the DIM
SPECS command. Select ARROW from the DRAW menu and the prompt reads
"1st point:". This is where the tip of the arrowhead will be. The
prompt then reads "next point:" and you may add additional nodes.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Dbl-Arrow
DRAW COMMAND: Dbl Arrow
TEXT EQUIV: DARROW
DBL ARROW draws an entity just like an arrow except that it has
arrowheads on both ends. The arrowhead's shape and size are
determined by the DIM SPECS command.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Fillet
DRAW COMMAND: Fillet
TEXT EQUIV: FILLET
FILLET draws an arc entity between two lines, two arcs, or two circles,
creating a smooth, rounded corner (the two entities must be the same
type). You can add a fillet to entities that cross, lines that
are already connected at their endpoints and non-parallel lines that
don't meet. FastCAD first prompts for the two entities to fillet.
FastCAD normally trims or extends the selected lines to meet the fillet
arc, so when filleting lines that intersect, click on the part of the
line you want to keep. FastCAD next asks for the fillet radius. If
you specify a fillet radius of 0, FastCAD trims or extends the lines
to their intersection point. FastCAD draws the fillet arc. The prompt
now reads "Trim ends [Y]:". Press RETURN or click the right button to
accept the default (trim ends) or type N to leave ends untrimmed.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Chamfer
DRAW COMMAND: Chamfer
TEXT EQUIV: CHAMFER
CHAMFER draws a line entity which intersects two other lines,
creating a bevelled corner. You can add a chamfer to lines that
cross, lines that are already connected at their endpoints, or
non-parallel lines that do not meet.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Tangent
MODIFIER: Tangent
TEXT EQUIV: TAN
TANGENT as a MODifier selects a point on a circle or arc that forms
a tangent from the last point selected. Pick the side of the arc or
circle you want the line to be tangent to.
DRAW COMMAND: Tangent
TEXT EQUIV: TANGENT
TANGENT as a DRAW command draws a line entity that is tangent to two
circles or arcs. Pick the side of the arc or circle you want the line
to be tangent to.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Wide-Line
DRAW COMMAND: Wide Line
TEXT EQUIV: WLINE
WIDE LINE draws wide, connected line segments with an optional fill
pattern. Use FILL to unFILL or reFILL existing wide lines. If
outlines are off, FastCAD leaves the ends of the wide line open.
Use an undefined pattern (#25 and up) to get unfilled, open-ended
lines. Use the same edit commands on wide lines as on polygons.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Undo
EDIT COMMAND: Undo
TEXT EQUIV: UNDO
UNDO reverses the last change to the drawing (only one level of undo--
use REVERT to undo all changes since the last SAVE). After completing
a command, select UNDO to put the entities back the way they were or to
remove the newly added entities. You can use UNDO until you select a
new command, PACK, SAVE or close your drawing. Some commands
cannot be undone.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Erase
EDIT COMMAND: Erase
TEXT EQUIV: ERASE
ERASE removes the selected entities from your drawing. To recover the
erased entities, immediately select UNDO from the EDIT menu. UNDO
only works on the last entity drawn or edited.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Move
EDIT COMMAND: Move
TEXT EQUIV: MOVE
MOVE moves selected entities in relation to the rest of the drawing.
After you select the entities to be moved, FastCAD prompts "move
from:". Select a point on the entities you want to move with the
crosshairs or by typing in coordinates. The prompt now reads "to:".
Select a second point with the cursor or by typing in coordinates and
the entities will be moved. The from and to points indicate a relative
displacement.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Drag
EDIT COMMAND: Drag
TEXT EQUIV: DRAG
DRAG lets you move selected entities dynamically--you see the entities
moving onscreen. After you select entities to drag, the prompt reads
"move from:". Select a point somewhere among the entities you want to
drag. The exact location isn't important. Now the prompt reads "to:".
As you move the mouse, the entities move to follow. If snap locking is
turned on, the entities jump to snap points. Press the left mouse
button when the entities are where you want them.
Note: Modifiers do not work with the DRAG command. To move entities
using modifiers, use the MOVE command.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Scale
EDIT COMMAND: Scale
TEXT EQUIV: SCALE
SCALE shrinks or enlarges selected entities. After selecting the
entities to be scaled, the prompt reads "scale by [1]:". You can
enter a scale factor such as "2" for doubling the size or ".5" for half
the original size of the entities. FastCAD next asks for the
"scale center:" which is the point around which the entities will
be scaled.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Scale-XY
EDIT COMMAND: Scale XY
TEXT EQUIV: SCALEXY
SCALE XY reshapes selected entities, scaling them by different amounts
horizontally (x) and vertically (y).
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Rotate
EDIT COMMAND: Rotate
TEXT EQUIV: ROTATE
ROTATE turns selected entities around a specified center. You can
accept the previously used rotation angle, type in a new angle,
or use a math operator (* or /) to divide or multiply the default
angle. FastCAD next prompts "rotation center:". This is the point
around which the entities are rotated.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Connect
EDIT COMMAND: Connect
TEXT EQUIV: CONNECT
CONNECT attaches one entity to another, changing the entity selected
to fit the entity it is connected to. The changes FastCAD makes to
the selected entity can include scaling, rotating, and moving it in
order to fit the other entity. The connection is specified by two
sets of points. FastCAD asks you to select point #1 on the entity
that will be changed, and the corresponding point on the second entity,
where the connection will occur. You select a second set of points
in the same manner, and the first entity is changed to fit the second.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Mirror
EDIT COMMAND: Mirror
TEXT EQUIV: MIRROR
MIRROR transforms an entity into a mirror image of itself. Select the
entities to mirror. Select the starting and ending points of the mirror
axis at the prompts "mirror line start:" and "mirror line end:".
FastCAD flips the entities.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Break
EDIT COMMAND: Break
TEXT EQUIV: BREAK
BREAK makes gaps in all entities except points, ellipses, text, and
dimensions. When you BREAK a filled entity, FastCAD erases the fill
pattern.
Special cases: Entity broken Replaced by
-----------------------------------------
circle arc
polygon path
smooth polygon spline
arrow arrow and path
double arrow two single arrows
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Bend
EDIT COMMAND: Bend
TEXT EQUIV: BEND
BEND will bend a selected line to a specified point, making two lines
from the original line. This method can be used to add a node (corner)
to an existing polygon, path, arrow or wide line. It can also add a
new node to a spline or smooth polygon frame.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Trim
EDIT COMMAND: Trim
TEXT EQUIV: TRIM
TRIM cuts back or extends a line to a new endpoint. The prompt reads
"line to trim:". Select a point on the part of the line you want to
keep. Now the prompt reads "trim to:". Select a new endpoint for the
line and FastCAD erases the end of the line opposite the selection
point, beyond the "trim to" point.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Stretch
EDIT COMMAND: Stretch
TEXT EQUIV: STRETCH
STRETCH reshapes most entities by moving some of their end or node
points in relation to the others. When prompted for "stretch points
in [window]:", place a window around the point(s) that you will stretch
on the entity. Stretch moves points, circles, and text without
reshaping them.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Edit
EDIT COMMAND: Edit
TEXT EQUIV: EDIT
Edit is a general-purpose command that lets you edit text, ordinate
dimensions, or polygon-type entities (like polygons and splines).
EDIT works differently depending on the kind of entity you select.
Please note: EDIT uses the keyboard arrow keys, so be sure NUM LOCK
isn't turned on when you use this command.
TEXT: edits any single line of text without retyping it. Use the
arrow keys, HOME key, DEL key, BACKSPACE and END to move around and
manipulate text.
POLYGON entities: reshapes polygons, paths, wide lines, arrows,
double arrows, smooth polygons, regular polygons, and splines. FastCAD
draws a rubber-band cursor anchored to the first node. Press ESC to
see a help summary for modifying the entity and press the right mouse
button to leave EDIT.
@
ORDINATE dimensions: adds or deletes dimension points and their
leaders. (EDIT doesn't let you move dimension points--use STRETCH for
that.) After you select a dimension, the prompt reads "Delete dimension
point". Use the cursor and left button to select leaders to delete, or
press the right mouse button to begin adding dimension points. Now the
prompt reads "Add dimension point". Use the cursor and left button to
select new points to dimension, or press the right button to leave EDIT.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Origin
EDIT COMMAND: Origin
TEXT EQUIV: ORIGIN
ORIGIN redefines the location of point (0,0) in the current drawing.
The UNDO command does not work with ORIGIN.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Fill
EDIT COMMAND: Fill
TEXT EQUIV: FILL
FILL lets you change the FILL (crosshatch) pattern of polygons,
smooth polygons, boxes, circles, wide lines and arcs. After selecting
the entities to change, select a fill style by typing a pattern
number or by selecting the FILL icon and clicking on a style.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Front
EDIT COMMAND: Front
TEXT EQUIV: FRONT
FRONT brings entities that you select to the of your screen.
For example, a filled polygon drawn after a line appears to be in
front of the line on-screen, hiding it. You can use FRONT to move
the line in front of the polygon. Note: the UNDO command does not
work for FRONT. If you turn group locking off, then move part of a
group to the front, that entity or entities will no longer be in
the group.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Change
EDIT COMMAND: Change
TEXT EQUIV: CHANGE
CHANGE lets you change the properties of selected entities. FastCAD
asks you which property to change, which entities to change,
and what the new value is. The property choices are listed below.
LAYER STYLE COLOR
WIDTH HEIGHT ANGLE
FONT TEXT DIM Text Pos
Nr Dec Pl
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\List
EDIT COMMAND: List
TEXT EQUIV: LIST
LIST displays the following information about each entity
selected.
* Type of entity;
* The x,y coordinates of significant points (start, end,
center, node points, etc.);
* Length and angle of lines;
* Area of polygons;
* Layer, color, and line style numbers.
LIST brings up a text screen displaying a scrolling list of entities
and information. At the end of the list, press any key to return to
the drawing. Press CTRL-S to pause scrolling, any key to resume.
Press CTRL-C to return to the drawing.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Copy
COPY COMMAND: Copy
TEXT EQUIV: COPY
COPY allows you to copy one or more entities within a drawing. After
you select the entities to copy, FastCAD asks you for an origin point.
After selecting the origin point, you select the destination point,
or "copy to" point. The origin point and destination point determine
a displacement, or how far the copy will be made from the current
position. These points may be selected with the mouse or by typing
in coordinates. FastCAD will continue to prompt "copy to" for
additional copies of the same entities.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Repeat-Copy
COPY COMMAND: Repeat Copy
TEXT EQUIV: REPEAT
REPEAT COPY makes a rectangular array of copies. After you select
entities to copy, FastCAD asks for the number of columns and rows,
including the original. The next prompt reads "repeat origin:".
This is a base point that FastCAD uses to determine spacing
between copies. The last prompt reads "2nd row, 2nd column:". This
offset from the starting point tells FastCAD both the vertical and
horizontal spacing you want between parts in the array. FastCAD draws a
rubber-band cursor from the "repeat origin" to the current position to
help you judge the spacing. Use the cursor to select the point.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Circ-Array
COPY COMMAND: Circ Array
TEXT EQUIV: CARY
CIRC ARRAY (Circular Array) makes multiple copies arranged in rings.
The prompt reads "# of copies:". Enter the total number of objects in
each ring, including the original. The prompt reads "# of rings:".
Enter the number of objects in each spoke. Select the "array center:"
and "copy origin:". Now select the "angle between spokes [even]:". For
copies evenly spaced around a full circle, accept the default. If you
told FastCAD to make more than one ring of copies, the next prompt
reads "distance between rings:" (the distance from the first copy
in each ring to the origin of the next). Enter a measurement in
FastCAD UNITS or in FEET and INCHES.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Rotate-Copy
COPY COMMAND: Rotate Copy
TEXT EQUIV: ROTCPY
ROTATE COPY works like ROTATE, except that instead of rotating the
selected entities themselves, it makes a rotated copy, leaving the
originals in place.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Mirror-Copy
COPY COMMAND: Mirror Copy
TEXT EQUIV: MIRCPY
MIRROR COPY creates a mirror image copy of the selected entities
about any axis. Select entities to be copied. At the prompts
"mirror line start:" and "mirror line end:", use the cursor,
modifiers or type numerical coordinates to indicate the endpoints of
the mirror axis.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Insert-Part
COPY COMMAND: Insert Part
TEXT EQUIV: PART
INSERT PART places any FastCAD drawing into another drawing as a part.
You can insert an element over and over without having to draw it each
time, such as a drawing of a chair etc. After you select the part
(drawing), FastCAD prompts you "scale by [1]:". Press the right button
to accept the default scale in brackets or type in a new scale. The
prompt now reads "rotate by [0]:". Accept the default or type in a new
angle. The last prompt reads "insert at:". Use the crosshairs or type
in coordinates to select the insertion point for the part. All the
entities of the part are now GROUPED together in the drawing. The
(0,0) point of the part will be the insertion point in the drawing.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Part-Array
COPY COMMAND: Part Array
TEXT EQUIV: PARY
PART ARRAY builds a rectangular array from multiple copies of a part
file, arranging the parts in regularly spaced columns and rows.
After selecting a part file and insertion point, give the number of
columns (vertical) and rows (horizontal) you want. When prompted
for "2nd row, 2nd column:", give the offset for vertical and horizontal
distance between parts in the array. FastCAD draws a rubber-band
cursor from the "insert at:" point to the current position to help
you judge the spacing. When you select a point, FastCAD draws the
array.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Circ-Part
COPY COMMAND: Circ Part
TEXT EQUIV: CPARY
CIRC PART (Circular Part Array) inserts multiple parts arranged in
rings. Select CIRC PART from the COPY menu and then select a PART
file and enter a scale factor. The next prompt reads "rotate by [0]:".
The default (no rotation) aligns each part with the spoke it is in.
Next FastCAD asks "# of spokes:" and "# of rings:". Enter the number
of objects in each ring and each spoke. Now select "array center:" with
the crosshairs. The next prompt reads "1st part at:". Select an
insertion point for the first part (on the inner ring of the first
spoke). Now enter "angle between spokes [even]:". If you want parts
evenly spaced around a full circle, accept the default. If you told
FastCAD to insert more than one ring, the prompt reads "distance
between rings:". Enter a measurement and FastCAD inserts the parts.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Write-Part
COPY COMMAND: Write Part
TEXT EQUIV: WRITE
WRITE PART saves selected entities from the current drawing as a
separate drawing. When you select WRITE PART, FastCAD displays a
list of existing drawings and asks for a file to hold the new part.
The prompt now reads "part origin [0,0]". Select the origin point
and then the entities to be included in the part file. The entities
are copied to the file.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Group
COPY COMMAND: Group
TEXT EQUIV: GROUP
GROUP combines multiple entities, so that they act like a single
entity. Groups can also be nested in other groups. When you insert
parts with INSERT PART, PART ARRAY, or CIRC PART ARY, each part becomes
a group. For editing purposes, groups can temporarily be broken
throughout your drawing by selecting the LOCK switch in the VALUES
ICON dialog box to turn group LOCK on or off. Note: GROUP cannot
be cancelled by UNDO. UNGROUP must be used to cancel a group.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Ungroup
COPY COMMAND: Ungroup
TEXT EQUIV: UNGROUP
UNGROUP permanently removes a single level of grouping from selected
entities. Since entities can be part of more than one group, you may
have to use UNGROUP more than once.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Define-Symbol
COPY COMMAND: Define Symbol
TEXT EQUIV: DEFSYM
A SYMBOL is a named collection of entities that make a complex object
but that act like a single entity. To create a symbol definition,
draw the picture, then give it a name (up to 8 characters) and origin
using Define Symbol. The entities that make up the symbol will be
moved to the drawing's invisible symbol area and can be referenced by
Draw Symbol. The entities seem to disappear; select UNDO if you want
them to reappear. Note: UNDO does NOT cancel the effects of DEFSYM.
Symbol definitions are part of the current drawing only.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\List-SymDef
COPY COMMAND: List SymDef
TEXT EQUIV: LISTSYM
LIST SYMDEF provides information about symbol definitions available in
the current drawing. The prompt reads "Definition to list [all]*:".
Press the right button to see a list of names of all the symbol
definitions in the drawing. Type a symbol name and press RETURN to see
detailed information on one symbol. Type "*" to see detailed
information on all available symbol definitions.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Explode-Sym
COPY COMMAND: Explode Sym
TEXT EQUIV: EXPSYM
EXPLODE SYM converts selected symbol references into ordinary FastCAD
entities that you can edit. EXPLODE SYM will make your drawing larger.
It makes your drawing much faster to work with. To modify a symbol and
all references to it, EXPLODE one of the symbol references and modify
it as desired. Next use DELETE SYMDEF to get rid of the original
symbol definition (all references to that name become invisible).
Finally, use DEFINE SYMBOL to define the exploded and modified symbol
with the original name. The symbol references (except the exploded
one) reappear after a REDRAW.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Replace-Sym
COPY COMMAND: Replace Sym
TEXT EQUIV: REPSYM
REPLACE SYM renames selected symbol references so they refer to a
different symbol definition. For example, you could change a
landscaping plan by selecting references to the definition GARDENIA
and replacing them with images of the definition CAMELLIA.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Delete-SymDef
COPY COMMAND: Delete SymDef
TEXT EQUIV: DELSYM
DELETE SYMDEF deletes a symbol definition. If the current drawing has
references to the deleted definition, the references disappear from the
screen, however, they are still in the drawing. If you make a new
symbol definition with the same name, these references reappear the
next time you REDRAW the screen. This lets you update symbolS
throughout your drawing.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Draw-Symbol
COPY COMMAND: Draw Symbol
TEXT EQUIV: SYMBOL
DRAW SYMBOL adds symbol references to your drawing. A symbol is an
image of a SYMBOL DEFINITION that you have stored in the invisible
symbol area of your drawing with the DEFINE SYMBOL command. You can
scale and rotate each symbol as you insert it.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Select-by
SPEC COMMAND: Select by
TEXT EQUIV: SELECT
SELECT BY displays a dialog box that lets you set the selection method
used for commands under the EDIT and COPY menus. You can select
EACH, WINDOW, or DIALOG. If you choose either EACH or WINDOW, the
dialog box will not be displayed with other choices for selecting
entities. If you choose DIALOG, the dialog box will be displayed each
time FastCAD asks you to select an entity.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Configure
SPEC COMMAND: Configure
TEXT EQUIV: CONFIG
CONFIGURE customizes many aspects of FastCAD. You can change the
colors of icons, frames around menus and items in dialog boxes. You
can also change the minimum allowable distance between grid dots and
also change the EACH pick aperture . You can turn on or off selected
entity highlighting, dynamic cursors, and fill pattern color for
foreground and background. New fonts and external procedures can
also be installed with this command.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Edit-Patrn
SPEC COMMAND: Edit Patrn
TEXT EQUIV: EDPAT
EDIT PATRN (Edit pattern) allows you to create your own fill pattern
or modify an existing one. There are two pattern definitions:
RASTER, for displays and printers, and VECTOR, for pen plotters.
See Appendix 5 in the FastCAD Reference Guide for more information.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Copy-Patrn
SPEC COMMAND: Copy Patrn
TEXT EQUIV: CPYPAT
COPY PATRN lets you copy an existing fill style to one of the unused
pattern boxes. If you wish to edit one of the existing fill patterns
with EDIT PATRN, copy the pattern to an unused pattern box and edit
it there.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Grid-Specs
SPEC COMMAND: Grid Specs
TEXT EQUIV: GRIDV
GRID SPECS sets the spacing between grid dots. When prompted, type
in new values for horizontal and vertical dot spacing or press
RETURN to keep the old values. Values may be specified in units,
feet, or inches, and may be fractions, decimals, or whole numbers.
Use a math operator (* or /) to multiply or divide by the current
spacing. GRID SPECS can also be set in mid-command by using the
VALUES icon.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Trigrid
SPEC COMMAND: Trigrid
TEXT EQUIV: TRIGRID
TRIGRID creates a special GRID which you can use to draw entities at 60
degree angles. FastCAD prompts you for the horizontal spacing which
you can set with any of the usual methods and then calculates the
vertical spacing and displays the grid dots.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Snap-Specs
SPEC COMMAND: Snap Specs
TEXT EQUIV: SNAPV
When SNAP locking is turned on, FastCAD rounds coordinates you select
visually to the nearest snap point. Snap spacing is related to grid
dot spacing. You can snap to every grid dot, and to points in between
grid dots. When you select SNAP SPECS, the prompt reads "snap points
per grid unit [ ]:". You can accept the default or type a new number.
For example, to set 2 snap points per line between grid dots, type "2".
Using SNAP SPECS always turns snap locking on.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Text-Specs
SPEC COMMAND: Text Specs
TEXT EQUIV: TSPEC
TEXT SPECS lets you specify HEIGHT, ANGLE, FONT, LINE SPACING and
JUSTIFICATION for text you are about to draw. FastCAD displays a red
box around the current selection. Use the CHANGE command to change
these properties for existing text.
* Height * Angle * Font
* Spacing * Right/Center/Left Justification
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Dim-Specs
SPEC COMMAND: Dim Specs
TEXT EQUIV: DSPEC
DIM SPECS sets the height and position of text and arrows for
individual dimensions. Arrowheads can also be modified for
ARROWHEAD KIND, ANGLE, and SIZE. Dimensions can be modified as to
text font, height, and number of decimal places shown. A red box
appears around the current selection. Below is a list of properties.
Item Property
--------------------------------------------
Dimension | Height, Font, DecPL
Arrowhead | Kind, Angle, Size
Text Placement | Over, INside, Left, Right
Dim Kind | Norm, Zero
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Dim-Format
SPEC COMMAND: Dim Format
TEXT EQUIV: DFMT
DIM FORMAT (DIMension FORMAT) controls the unit format FastCAD uses
to display dimensions throughout your drawing. FastCAD displays a red
box around the current selection.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\UNITS
SPEC COMMAND: UNITS
TEXT EQUIV: UNITS
UNITS defines FastCAD UNITS to anything you wish. Select UNITS from the
SPEC menu and the prompt reads "inches per drawing unit [ ]:" with the
default in brackets. You can accept the default conversion or type a
new number of inches per unit. For example, to define each drawing UNIT
as one mile, type 63360 (5280 feet per mile x 12 inches per foot) and
press RETURN. You can use a math operator (* or /) to multiply or
divide the current conversion factor in brackets.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
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\Feet
SPEC COMMAND: Feet
TEXT EQUV: UNITS 12
FEET makes each FastCAD UNIT equal to 1 FOOT.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
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\Inches
SPEC COMMAND: Inches
TEXT EQUV: UNIT 1
INCHES makes each FastCAD UNIT equal to 1 INCH.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
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\Meters
SPEC COMMAND: Meters
TEXT EQUIV: UNITS 39.37
METERS makes each FastCAD UNIT equal to 1 METER.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
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\mm
SPEC COMMAND: mm
TEXT EQUIV: UNITS .03937
MM makes each FastCAD UNIT equal to 1 millimeter.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Ref-Point
MODIFIER: Ref Point
TEXT EQUIV: REF
REF POINT (Reference Point) lets you set a new reference point for
relative coordinates and for modifiers. FastCAD normally uses the
last point you selected for a drawing or editing command.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Same-X
MODIFIER: Same X
TEXT EQUIV: SAMEX
SAME X aligns points vertically with the reference point by keeping the
X coordinate the same as the last point (reference point).
MENU-COMMANDS
*
\Same-Y
MODIFIER: Same Y
TEXT EQUIV: SAMEY
SAME Y aligns points horizontally with the reference point by keeping
the Y coordinate the same as the last point (reference point).
MENU-COMMANDS
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\Center
MODIFIER: Center
TEXT EQUIV: CEN
CENTER locks points to the center of existing entities. Refer to
the manual for the effect of CEN on various entities. Function key
F1 may also be used.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Midpoint
MODIFIER: Midpoint
TEXT EQUIV: MID
MIDPOINT locks points to the midpoint of existing entities. Refer
to the manual for the effect of MID on various entities. Function key
F3 may also be used.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
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\Endpoint
MODIFIER: Endpoint
TEXT EQUIV: EPT
ENDPOINT locks points to the endpoints or nodes of existing
entities. Refer to the manual for the effect of EPT on various
entities. Function key F5 may also be used.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\On
MODIFIER: On
TEXT EQUIV: ON
ON locks to a point mathematically on the nearest entity. Function
key F9 may also be used.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
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\%-Along
MODIFIER: % Along
TEXT EQUIV: %
% ALONG (Percent Along) locks to a point at a specified percentage of
the reference entity's length. For most reference entities, % Along
treats the nearest endpoint to the selection point as the beginning.
Refer to the manual for the effect of "% Along" on various entities.
Function key F7 may also be used.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Degree
MODIFIER: Degree
TEXT EQUIV: DEG
DEGREE selects a point at a specified number of degrees around
an arc or circle.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Parallel
MODIFIER: Parallel
TEXT EQUIV: PRL
PARALLEL locks the rubber-band cursor parallel to an existing reference
entity. The reference entity can be anything except an arc, circle or
ellipse. Splines and smooth polygons must have the frame turned on.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Perpendicular
MODIFIER: Perpendicular
TEXT EQUIV: PRP
PERPENDICULAR locks the rubber-band cursor perpendicular
to (at right angles to) an existing reference entity. The reference
entity can be anything except an arc, circle or ellipse. Splines and
smooth polygons must have the frame turned on.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Angle-to...
MODIFIER: Angle to...
TEXT EQUIV: ANG
ANGLE TO locks the rubber-band cursor at a specified angle to an
existing reference entity. The reference entity can be anything
except an arc, circle or ellipse. Splines and smooth polygons must
have the frame turned on.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Bearing
MODIFIER: Bearing
TEXT EQUIV: BRNG
BEARING used as a MODifier locks the rubber-band cursor to a bearing
angle that you specify.
CALC COMMAND: Bearing
TEXT EQUIV: BRNG
BEARiNG used as a CALC command allows you to measure the bearing angle
of a selected entity. Bearing angle is measured counterclockwise with
0 degrees being at 3 o'clock.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
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\Intersection
MODIFIER: Intersection
TEXT EQUIV: INT
INTERSECTION locks to the point where two entities (two lines, a line
and a circle, or a line and an arc) intersect. The two entities do not
actually have to cross.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Coordinate
CALC COMMAND: Coordinate
TEXT EQUIV: ID
COORDINATE finds the x,y coordinates of any location in your drawing.
Select a point with the crosshairs, or use a modifier, and FastCAD
displays the x,y coordinates in a message box, using the current
dimension specs.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
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\Distance
CALC COMMAND: Distance
TEXT EQUIV: DIST
DISTANCE calculates the distance between two points. Select points
at the "distance from:" and "to:" prompts. FastCAD displays the
distance in drawing units in an alert box. The LIST command (EDIT
menu) can also be used to find the length of an existing line entity.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
*
\Area
CALC COMMAND: Area
TEXT EQUIV: AREA
AREA calculates the area bounded by an imaginary polygon. FastCAD
prompts for the starting point for additional points of the polygon.
Press the right button to complete the last side of the polygon and
the area will appear in the center of the screen. The LIST command
from the EDIT menu can also be used to find the area of an existing
polygon entity.
MENU-COMMANDS
ICON-EXPLANATIONS
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