Copyright: This file © TRIUS, Inc. 04/26/96


This file ¸ TRIUS, Inc. 04/26/96yesyesyesyesyesyesDRAFT Choice Helpdc2yesyes26/04/96


Table of Contents

DRAFT Choice for Windows is a 2-Dimensional Computer Aided Design (CAD) program from TRIUS, Inc.  In order to help you get the most out of this Help facility, the Help topics are organized in two categories, as shown below:  Click on either topic, or select Search from the Menu above to find information on a specific item.

	General General Information on how to move around the screen, how to use the built-in calculator, how to select objects, etc.
	Commands Command reference section, explaining what each DRAFT Choice command does.


Commands

Drawing Alter Edit Image Options Plot Symbol Layer Array Circles File Measure Text Grid Complex		Click here to Print an Order Form using Windows Write!


General

Movement  Function Keys Calculator Coordinates Select Modes Units Mouse ClipBoard Option Toggles		Click here to Print an Order Form using Windows Write!


Movement
Keyboard

Once the main menus have been invoked (either by the Alt-First Letter combination, or by moving the Mouse pointer into the main menu area), commands are accessed by pressing the first letter of the command, or  by highlighting the command and pressing [ENTER].

The Arrow keys may be used to either select a command from the current menu, or to move the cross-hair cursor around when entering coordinates, selecting objects, etc.


Mouse
Mouse Operation

Normally, starting Windows already loads the appropriate mouse driver supplied with your MOUSE.  If that is not the case, please, refer to your MOUSE'S operating manual for details on how to install this driver.

Menus may be accessed by simply pointing the mouse pointer to a menu selection and pressing the left mouse  button.

To exit from any menu press the [ESC] key, on the keyboard, or move the mouse pointer outside the menu area and press the Left button mouse.  The mouse & keyboard key equivalence is given below:

•	Left Button = [ENTER]

•	Middle Button = [ESC]

•	Right Button = [ESC]


Function Keys

Many of the options available through the DRAFT Choice menus may also be invoked by simply depressing the appropriate function key, as shown below:

F1 [HELP]

Pressing F1 while in the ready mode of the program invokes the help mode.  To get specific help for the command you are currently accessing, press Alt-F1.

Please, note that when a dialog box is on the screen, the help mode cannot be activated.

F2 [COORDINATES]

Press this function key to enable or disable on-screen echo of drawing cursor position (coordinates).

F3 [CALCULATOR]

Invoke the formula calculator.  The operators and functions available in the calculator are listed under Calculator

F4 [WINDOW/PICK]

Toggle between the WINDOW and PICK selection methods, (see SELECTION METHOD).

F5 [ADD/SUBTRACT]

Toggles selection mode to either add objects to editing selection list or remove objects from the list.

F6 [GRID]

On-screen grid is immediately drawn or erased depending on previous status.

F7 [ISOMETRIC]

Permits drawing in vertical and 30-degree angles (six directions) to produce isometric drawings.  This mode can be adjusted at any time while drawing an object.

F8 [ORTHOGONAL]

Toggles the ORTHO option ON and OFF.  When turned on, all line segments are drawn either horizontal or vertical (four directions).  This mode can be adjusted while drawing an object.

F9 [SNAP]

Toggle the SNAP option ON and OFF.  The snap spacing is set  using the Option, Grid, Snap Horizontal and Vertical commands.  When snap is active the draw cursor is  forced to the nearest snap point.  This mode can be adjusted while drawing an object.

F10 [ATTACH]

Toggles ATTACH option ON and OFF.  When active and a point is indicated, DRAFT Choice will search for the nearest object within the pick  window distance (8 pixels).  If an object is found, DRAFT Choice will determine the closest reference point on the object (according to the attach point selected under Options, Attach), and the cursor will be repositioned at that point.  This mode can be adjusted at any time while drawing an object.

Shift - F1 [UNDO]

Undo cancels any elements created by the last editing  operation and restores any previous objects that were modified.

Shift - F2 [PERPENDICULAR]

Toggles perpendicular mode ON/OFF.  This mode constrains line objects to be oriented perpendicular to the last line created.

Shift - F3 [ARC DIRECTION]

Changes the direction for drawing arcs, clockwise/counterclockwise.  During a drawing operation the end points of  the arc are also exchanged.

Shift - F4 [PURGE]

Purges the Undo buffer.  As elements are being deleted,  they are not removed from memory, but rather they are tagged for deletion  and placed in a special buffer, so that multiple UNDOs may be performed.  PURGE clears up the RAM used by this buffer.

NOTE that once the buffer is purged, the UNDO command cannot recover any elements deleted prior to the PURGE operation!


Calculator

Calculator icon.  Once invoked, the following operators and functions are available (It should be noted that not all of these functions are available as selectable buttons, but they may be entered The calculator in DRAFT Choice for Windows is invoked by pressing the F3 key or selecting the using the keyboard):

+	Addition
-	Subtraction
*	Multiplication
/	Division
^	Raise to Power

EXP(X)  = Exponential

SIN(X)  = Sine of X (X in degrees)

COS(X)  = Cosine of X (X in degrees)

ABS(X)  = Absolute value of X

TAN(X)  = Tangent of X (X in degrees)

ACOS(X)  = Arc Cosine of X (Result in degrees)

ASIN(X)  = Arc Sine of X (Result in degrees)

ATAN(X)  = Arc Tangent of X (Result in degrees)

INT(X)  = Integer Portion of X

LOG(X)  = Logarithm (base 10) of X

LN(X)  = Natural logarithm of X

MOD(X,Y)  = Modulo division; return the remainder of X divided by Y.

PI  = Return constant value 3.14159265

SQRT(X)  = Square root of X

IF(X,A,B)  = Returns A if x>1, B if X=0

NOTE: You may enter a formula when a numeric value is requested by any dialog window or input box.  The above operators and functions may be combined for complex calculations, e.g.:

SQRT(36) * LOG(100) + 10 will result in the value of 22


Drawing

The DRAW menu contains all the DRAWING commands available in DRAFT Choice. To precisely locate the start and end points of an object, just type the XY coordinate at any time, using Absolute, Relative, Polar, Bearing, Traverse, or Close coordinates.

LINE

Draws LINES between consecutive points until ESC is pressed

BOX

Draws a horizontally-aligned BOX between two points

CIRCLE

Draws a CIRCLE using the mode selected under Draw, Circle, Setup (Radius, Diameter, Points, Ellipse)

TEXT

Places TEXT on desired screen location with variable Size, Angle, Font... as specified under Draw, Text, Setup.

ARC

Draws an ARC (portion of circle).  The direction of the drawn ARC is controlled by the Shift-F3 key.

POLYGON

Draws a regular POLYGON with a user specified # of equal sides

BEZIER

Draws a flexible curve between two points.  The two end- points are fixed first and the curve is dynamically flexed.


Complex

Allows creation of a COMPLEX line, from the types described below.

SPLINE

A smooth curve (N-th degree, see File, Configure, Level) is fitted through the specified vertices.  Please, note that this value should normally not be set higher than 3 to 4.

FREEHAND

Pixel oriented FREEHAND drawing.  Press ENTER and start drawing, until you press  ESC.  Note that as you are drawing freehand, the program will automatically break the  created line into multiple complex segments based on the number of control points needed to uniquely identify each segment.

POLYLINE

A complex line is created (single entity) made up of a collection of straight lines.

TAPE

Double line (simulating a tape) is drawn as a single entity.

MODIFY

Allows you to modify properties of Complex Entities.

Double

Creates a polyline composed of parallel line segments.  Like a double line.

Join

Connects lines or complex entities into a single complex object.  Joining is  based on the order the segments are selected and the proximity of their end points.

Control

This command is used to change the location of control points of complex entities.


Coordinate Types
Coordinates

A number of different coordinate systems are supported by DRAFT Choice for Windows.  All coordinates are entered prefixed by a letter indicating the type of system, followed by the X and Y coordinates separated by a comma.  The different systems  and types of coordinates are explained below:

Absolute

Based on the Cartesian (rectangular) system.  Absolute locates a point at the specified X and Y distance from 0,0 ( usually, from the lower left corner of the drawing pad).

Relative

Based on the Cartesian (rectangular) system.  Relative locates a point at the specified X and Y distance from the last point entered.

Polar

Based on the polar system.  Locates a point at the specified R and theta (vector and angle, entered in this order!).  R is relative to the origin.

Bearing

Locates a point at the specified R and theta (vector and angle, entered in this order!).  R is relative to the last entered point.

Traverse

Similar to the Polar and Bearing types, but the angle (theta) is measured clockwise, relative to the last direction.

Close

Draws a straight line to the first point selected when the Draw command was invoked.  Useful in creating closed polygon shapes.


Edit

The EDIT commands directly act upon objects allowing them to be erased, duplicated, translated, rotated, mirrored, or combinations thereof.

COPY

COPY element(s) to another location in the drawing

MOVE

MOVE elements(s) to another location in the drawing

ERASE

ERASE selected elements (UNDO may be used to recover them)

SCALE

SCALE element(s) up or down according to user-specified X and Y factors.  This will change the actual element size, unlike Image, Window which will simply change  the view temporarily while the scaled object size remains constant.

ROTATE

ROTATE element(s) by a user-specified angle about selected point.

NOTE: (+) angles are rotated counter-clockwise (-) angles are rotated clockwise

XTEND

EXTENDS the length of one line to intercept with another identified line.

ARRAY

Creates an ARRAY of multiple copies (see ARRAY topic for more info).

FLIP/MIRROR

Flip/MIRROR element(s) about vertical axis.

TRIM

Erases parts of lines extending beyond a user-specified boundary.

BREAK

BREAKS a single line into two lines at the user-specified points, deleting the segment between the points

OFFSET

Creates a parallel copy at a specified offset distance

CORNER

Modifies the intersection of two non-parallel lines using either a fillet, a chamfer or a simple corner intersection.

TWEEN

Transmute from a shape to another by multiple copy morphing.

WARP

Permits dynamic skewing, shearing and scaling of objects.


Alter

The ALTER commands directly act upon the primary characteristics of selected objects.

TEXT

Allows editing of existing TEXT.  Original text is entered using the Draw, Text,Place command.

STYLE

Allows the type of line drawn and thickness of line to be changed

FILL

Allows the FILL, bit-mapped pattern of selected complex elements to be changed

HATCH

Allows the vector based HATCH fill pattern of selected complex elements to be changed

UNITS

ALTERS the UNITS of measurement used for selected object(s).  Notice that the units to be used for a specific drawing are specified when the File, New command is invoked.

EXPLODE

Converts complex entities into equivalent line segments.  For example, EXPLODE will convert a box to four line segments.

RUBBER

Stretches objects into new shapes while dynamically modifying any entities attached to them.


Image

The IMAGE commands allow you to adjust the position of the viewing window with respect to the drawing and the overall size of the drawing displayed on the screen.

UPDATE

Redraws the entire screen (removes remnants of objects and places new toggling options into affect)

WINDOW

Enlarge elements in specified WINDOW to fill the entire screen.  Notice that this does not change the actual size of the drawn entities, it simply changes the scale they are viewed at.  The Edit, Scale command should be used to change the physical size of drawn elements. The same also applies for the Half and Double commands.

LASTVIEW

Returns to the LAST (previous) magnification and view

PAN

Drags the entire drawing up, down, left, right

DOUBLE 2x

Increases the viewed portion of the drawing to DOUBLE its  size

HALF x0.5

Reduces the viewed portion of the drawing to HALF its size

ALL

Displays the entire drawing on the screen using the largest scale possible


Option
Options

The OPTIONS menu allows you to change the parameters that directly effect the entire drawing.  These changes will stay in effect until the parameter is changed again or until the program is exited.

Note: Changes can be saved to the configuration file (DCWIN.INI).

GRID

Displays a user-specified X-Y GRID on the screen (aids in drawing)

TOGGLE

TOGGLES certain options ON/OFF.

ATTACH

Selects the default point of ATTACHMENT to be used in conjunction with the [F10] key.  If this option is active, then each point specified by the user attaches to an existing element according to the Attach options (see Options menu).

FILL

Selects the default bit-mapped FILL pattern

HATCH

Selects the default vectorized HATCH pattern

STYLE

Selects the default line STYLE and Thickness

UNITS

Selects the default measure of UNITS

Marks

Allows the user to specify the type of reference mark to use

Calculator

Invokes the on-screen scientific calculator.

Background

Permits the user to select the background color from an on-screen presented selection.


Plot
Print/Plot

To produce a hard copy or create a file of your drawing, select the File, Plot  option.  The default Windows Print/Plot Driver will be used.

Left

Set the Left Margin (in the paper units specified when starting the program, i.e., mm, in).

Right

Set the Right Margin (in the paper units specified when starting the program, i.e., mm, in).

Top

Set the Top Margin (in the paper units specified when starting the program, i.e., mm, in).

Bottom

Set the Bottom Margin (in the paper units specified when starting the program, i.e., mm, in).

Fit (Scaling)

The complete drawing is scaled up or down to fit in the selected paper size.  Normally, this option is selected if a scaled printout is desired.

Screen (Scaling)

The visible portion of the drawing is scaled up or down to fit in the selected paper size.

The dialog window that appears on the screen, also displays the paper and image width and height as the above margins are being modified.   Options like paper orientation, print quality, etc. are specified through the File, Plot, Options command.  Printer Drivers and Devices are selected through the generic Windows  Main Printers, Setup menu.

Factor

Allows the plotted image to be scaled up or down as the user desires.

Enhance

If this option is checked, the printout is much darker, however, printing time is increased.   Applies to printers ONLY, not plotters!


File

The FILE commands allow you to Save or Load created drawings and to Import and Export information to/from other programs.

NEW

Removes the current drawing and any existing symbols from memory, and optionally sets the drawing size and scale settings

Open

Load a drawing file from the disk

Save Drawing

SAVE a drawing file to disk, using the current filename (it overwrites the file already on disk).

Save As

SAVE a drawing file to disk, using a new filename specified by the user.

EXPORT

EXTRACT portion of the current drawing in the following formats:

DCW - DRAFT Choice for Windows format

SYM - DRAFT Choice symbol format, et .SYM
DXF - Data transfer format standardized by Autodesk
WPG - DrawPerfect file format
PLT - HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language) file, also referred to as a plot file
DCH - DRAFT Choice for DOS and DRAFT Choice Plus format

IMPORT

IMPORT (retrieve) a file into the current cursor location without erasing the current drawing.  The following types of files can  be imported:

DCW - DRAFT Choice for Windows format

DCH - DRAFT Choice for DOS format

SYM - DRAFT Choice symbol format, ext .SYM
DXF - Data transfer format standardized by Autodesk
WPG - DrawPerfect file format
PLT - HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language) file, also referred to as a plot file
FNT;Primary - Primary DRAFT Choice font file
FNT;Secondary - Secondary DRAFT Choice font file
BMP - Windows Graphics file
PIC - AS-EASY-AS and Lotus 1-2-3 Graphics file

CONFIGURE

Set the DRAFT Choice CONFIGURATION settings to be stored in the  DCWIN.INI file (If the Save Configuration Option is selected).

Aspect

(Screen Aspect Ratio)

Level

The highest order polynomial used for the spline curves

Primary

The file name of the primary font to be used by the program.

Secondary

The file name of the secondary font to be used by the program.

Print Size

Default Width and Height of the printed image.

Arrow

Default arrow size in current units..

Tools

On/Off checkmarks that set the following options:

Edit Tools  Make the Horizontal Tools bar (the one containing the buttons for Layer, Fill patterns, Clip icon, etc.) visible (if checked) or invisible (if not checked).

Position Bar  Make the Position Tools bar (the one containing the X-Y coordinate display area, etc.) visible (if checked) or invisible (if not checked).

Draw Tools  Make the Vertical Drawing Tools bar (the one containing the buttons Draing lines, circles, boxes, etc.) visible (if checked) or invisible (if not checked).

Auto Window   If this option is checked then the Window-Selection-Mode is automatically invoked in the Pick-Selection-Mode is active and the user clicks in an area with no selectable entities.

Button Hints  If this option is checked, when the mouse pointer rests on one of the icons, a short description of the icons function appears on the screen.

Cursor

The type of cross hair cursor to be used (Solid, Dotted, or Small)

Save Settings

Save the configuration options in the DCWIN.INI file. (See users manual for description of all settings saved in DCWIN.INI).

GETINFO

Display information about available memory, symbols, number of elements, etc.

PLOT

Invokes the Printing process of the program, where you can specify margins, output, etc.

EXIT

Exits the program, back to the Windows Task manager, or whatever other task manager the program was started from.


Measure

The MEASURE menu allows you to determine and label distance, areas, and interior angles of the objects being created.

DIMENSION

Places a DIMENSION line on the screen with end point  arrowheads and a text string representing the distance  between 2 points.  The user is also presented with a dialog that allows the placement of the dimension line at X current units offset from the item being dimensioned.

COORDINATE

Places a COORDINATE object (text indicating position)

RADIUS

Draws a RADIUS and AUTO dimensions between center and end points

DIAMETER

Similar to Radius

ANGLE

Determines the interior ANGLE between two points

LEADER

Draws an angled note LEADER line with arrowhead

BOUNDARY

Auto-dimensions specified object

ARROW

Places an arrow element in the drawing.

QUERY

Accesses the QUERY sub-menu:

LENGTH

Determines the LENGTH between two points

ANGLE

Determines the intersecting ANGLE between two lines

AREA

Determines the total AREA enclosed by an irregular  polygonal shape

OBJECT

Displays OBJECT information on selected element (Type,  Style, XY Coordinates,...)


Layer

DRAFT Choice permits you to work on up to 128 different LAYERS which can be thought of as transparent overlays.  All objects drawn will be placed on the layer active at the time.

USE

When the Layer, Use command is invoked, or the Layer icon is selected, you are presented with a dialog window that permits you to change a number of options.

ID

The current Layer ID number is displayed and a new number may be entered (0-128)

Name

An alphanumeric name (up to 9 Characters) may be entered Identifying the Layer.

Protect (P)

If the Flag is turned ON, then the entities on the selected Layer cannot be edited.

Visible (V)

This flag determines whether a specific Layer will be visible, or not.

Make All Options Global

If Global is selected, then the current Protect/Visible status is set for all layers.

COLOR

Allows separate COLORS to be selected for each LAYER

Note:"OPTION, TOGGLE, Black on White" must  be disabled

MOVE

Allows elements to be MOVED into a different LAYER


Array

The ARRAY command combines a copy and rotation operation of user-specified objects.

LINEAR

Creates a LINEAR array of elements.  Each element can still be rotated on its own axis by specifying the appropriate value for ANGLE.

CIRCULAR

Creates a CIRCULAR array of elements.  Each copy is rotated about a center of rotation by a given angle.

VOLUME

Create a pseudo 3-D image by rotating and copying a complex line about a user-specified angle.

NUMBER OF COPIES

TOTAL number of elements to create.

ANGLE

Offsets each copy by the specified angle. Different than the angle of rotation for circular array. Each copy is rotated about its own axis by this angle.

SCALE PER COPY

Change the size of each successive copy by this SCALE factor.  Allows you to generate images that seem to disappear in 3-D.

TOTAL ANGLE

Angle through which the block of elements will be rotated.   NOTE: Applies to CIRCULAR type arrays only


Setup (Circle)
Circles

CIRCLE types can be specified through "DRAW, CIRCLE, SETUP".  Selected CIRCLE type stays in effect until modified again.  Radius is the default mode.  The following four modes are available:

RADIUS

(Draws a circle by specifying the RADIUS) Select center of circle, press ENTER Expand circle to desired RADIUS, and press ENTER to finalize

DIAMETER

(Draws a circle by specifying the DIAMETER)  Select first point (on desired circumference), press ENTER.  Indicate second point (on desired circumference), press ENTER.

3-POINT CIRCLE

(Draws a circle by specifying 3 points on the circumference) Select first point on circumference, press ENTER.  Specify second point on circumference, press ENTER.  Select third point on circumference, press ENTER to finalize.

NOTE:Points should not be specified in a straight line.  That would result in a circle with an infinite radius!

ELLIPSE

Draws an ellipse, rather than a circle.  The ellipse is dynamically modified as the cross-hair cursor is moved.

ASPECT RATIO

Ratio of horizontal to vertical diameter.


Grid

The GRID option allows you to individually specify an X and Y construction GRID.  The GRID is represented by a dot at each XY intersecting coordinate.

The SNAP option allows you to constrain the movement of the cursor to exact user-specified spacing of the SNAP grid.  When drawing an object, the  coordinates are rounded to the nearest SNAP point.

GRID

Draws  a horizontal (X-spacing) and vertical (Y-spacing) GRID on the screen.  GRIDS can be used with SNAP to restrict drawing only on the intersections of the grid lines

SNAP

Draw cursor to SNAP points like a magnet.  If SNAP is turned on, then the START and END point of every line segment drawn will be moved to the closest SNAP point.  If the SNAP and GRID sizes are the same, then all line segments drawn will be on the grid points.

DOT SIZE

This option allows the user to select a small or large dot to be used for the on-screen grid overlay.  Large dots make the grid easier to see but might interfere with detailed work, when the user is zoomed in.


Symbol
Symbols

DRAFT Choice gives you the ability to create SYMBOL libraries.  By defining the SYMBOL once, and then using the SYMBOL by name many times, you will save time, effort and computer memory when creating drawings.

SYMBOLS created within a drawing are saved with the drawing and can also be saved to a SYMBOL file (.SYM) by using the "FILE, EXPORT, SYM" command.  SYMBOLS extracted to a .SYM file can be called up into any drawing file with the "FILE, IMPORT, SYM" command.

USE

USE a predefined SYMBOL composed of primitive elements.  A dialog box is presented that contains icons for 12 symbols in the currently loaded symbol library.  Additional symbols may be displayed by using the vertical scroll bar.  Alternatively, the pick list may be used to select symbols by name.

The X and Y scale factor fields may be used to scale the symbol and the angle field may be used to rotate it prior to clicking on O.K. and attempting to place it in the drawing.

Pressing ESC will exit the symbol placement mode.

MAKE

Assigns a block of elements to a SYMBOL name. The block can  then be used as an object anywhere in the drawing.

1.Enclose the element(s) to be part of the defined SYMBOL in  the selection window

2.Supply the name to be used for the defined SYMBOL

3.Define a reference point for the SYMBOL

NOTE: The reference point identifies the SYMBOL position when it is used

DELETE

Deletes a SYMBOL from the current SYMBOL library

EXPLODE

Returns the selected SYMBOL to its original entities.

1.After MAKING and USING a SYMBOL, enclose the SYMBOL to be  EXPLODED in the selection window

2.The SYMBOL will now return to its original entities (i.e. A SYMBOL created from a box and a circle when EXPLODED will take the original form of the box and circle)

RESET

Deletes ALL SYMBOLS from the current SYMBOL library.

CAUTION: All "unexploded" symbols, already placed in the drawing, will be deleted as well.

NOTE: When a new drawing file is loaded or "FILE, NEW" is selected, all SYMBOLS will be removed from memory


Text

TEXT can be placed anywhere on the screen with a user-specified height, width, angle, and spacing.  You can further specify the placement of TEXT with respect to the cursor location; left, center, or right justified.

PLACE

Select the point where the TEXT is to be PLACED

NOTE:TEXT fonts can be selected through the "File, Import, FNT;Primary and File, Import, FNT;Secondary" menus.

SETUP

SET the TEXT options described below:

HEIGHT

Set the HEIGHT for all printed TEXT

WIDTH

Set the WIDTH for each character of printed text

ANGLE

Set the ANGLE for which the printed TEXT will be displayed

SPACING

Set the SPACING between lines of printed TEXT

LEFT

Print all TEXT LEFT-justified about selected point

CENTER

Print all TEXT CENTERED about selected point

RIGHT

Print all TEXT RIGHT-justified about selected point

FIT

Scales the entered text automatically so that it fits between two user-selected points.

PRIMARY

When Toggled ON, any TEXT created from that point will use the selected Primary font (FONT file selected with "FILE, IMPORT, FNT;Primary")

SECONDARY

When Toggled ON, any TEXT created from that point will use the selected Secondary font (FONT file selected with "FILE, IMPORT, FNT;Secondary")

In addition to the Primary and Secondary fonts, which are fonts specifically designed for DRAFT Choice, the user may also select from the list of TrueType fonts installed in Windows.


Toggles

A check mark next to a TOGGLE switch indicates it has been activated.  The following is a list of TOGGLE switches available:

COORDINATE

Display the X-Y cursor COORDINATES.

NOTE: When enabled, delta X and delta Y COORDINATES are also displayed.

Reference MARKS

Displays the object reference MARK  type selected under the "Options, Marks" menu.

TEXT VISIBLE

Displays all TEXT in the current drawing. When TOGGLED OFF, only lines are displayed in place of text (faster screen updates)

BLACK ON WHITE

Set your color monitor to Black and White mode

FILL BITMAPS

All complex objects created will contain the default FILL (paint) pattern when TOGGLED ON.  Faster screen updates when toggled OFF.

LINE STYLE

All lines created will use the default line thickness and STYLE when TOGGLED ON, and a thickness of SLIM when TOGGLED OFF.  Faster screen updates when toggled OFF.


Units

The UNITS menu allows you to indicate the current dimensions to use when mapping screen coordinates.  Normally, Units are specified when invoking the File, New command, or the Alter, Units command for specific entities.  The available units include:

mm -  Dimensions in MILLIMETERS

meter -  Dimensions in METERS

km -  Dimensions in KILOMETERS

inches -  Dimensions in INCHES

ft-in -  Dimensions in FEET and INCHES

feet -  Dimensions in Decimal FEET

yards -  Dimensions in YARDS

miles -  Dimensions in MILES

NONE -  Does not Display any dimension Units, just the nymerical value.

FIX -  Fixes the number of decimal places to display for UNITS

FRACTION -  This option is only effective when the inches unit type has been selected.  It automatically displays any fractional inches in a dimension in terms of  (fraction/2^n), where n is the integer that closest matches the fractional dimension.  So, the fractional part of dimentions appears as 1/2, 1/8, 1/16 instead of 0.5, 0.25, 0.03125.


SelectMode
Selection Method

Two methods are available for selecting an object for editing/altering the WINDOW method and the PICK method.

WINDOW

Place cursor at the upper left-hand corner of selected element, and press [ENTER].  Then move down to the lower right-hand corner of the element and insure that the reference mark (X) is enclosed within the resulting window.  Note that the upper-left/lower-right corner sequence is not important.  It is IMPORTANT, however, to include the reference mark of the entity of interest.

PICK

The Pick Mode allows you to select only one object for editing (useful when many reference marks are close together).  A small box will appear.  Place the box on top of the object and press [ENTER].  If the object was successfully selected the element will be redrawn with phantom dotted lines.

Note: SELECTION OF ELEMENTS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL ESC IS PRESSED!

There is also an intelligent way of using the pick/window selection mode in DRAFT Choice.  If the autowindow flag in the File, Configuration menu of the program is set, then if you are in the pick selection mode and have just clicked in an area where there is no element under the small pick cursor, the selection mode automatically switches from pick mode to window mode.


Clipboard
WIN

This set of commands is used to exchange information between DRAFT Choice and other Windows applications through the Windows Clipboard.

Copy Text

Copy selected Text from the current drawing into the Windows clipboard.

Copy Bitmap

Copy a selected portion from the current drawing into the Windows clipboard., as a bitmap.

Paste Text

Pastes Text from the Windows clipboard into the current drawing.

Paste Bitmap

Pastes bitmapped graphics from the Windows clipboard into the current drawing.

Logo

Displays information in opening screen.