Copyright: (c)Software Engineering, Inc.
Citation: (c)Software Engineering, Inc.


Symmetrica
Symmetrica™

Using the latest in object-oriented programming techniques, Symmetrica™ has been designed to be a fast and easy, yet powerful, architectural drawing program. Its state-of-the-art interface allows total control over your drawings and the elements that make up the drawings. We at Software Engineering, Inc. hope you find Symmetrica™ as enjoyable to use as we did designing it.

For information on some of the key features of Symmetrica™, click the Help Topics button above or choose one of the topics below.

What is Software Engineering, Inc.?

How do I import AutoCAD drawings?

What is an element?

How do I use the Input Box?

What are Snaps?

What is the Detail Gallery?

Useful Key Commands

How can I improve the performance of Symmetrica?


Importing

One important feature of Symmetrica is its ability to easily convert drawings from AutoCAD to Symmetrica. The conversion process is simple and by checking the status of the import, you can get a good feel for how well the drawing was converted.

The Import Status box shows the element conversion statistics of the import.

•	Drawing Elements Created - These are the elements which were created from recognized elements in the AutoCAD drawing.

•	Drawing Elements Spawned - When AutoCAD elements are recognized by Symmetrica as being made up of more than one element, it will spawn the additional elements. These are extra elements which AutoCAD recognized as only one element but Symmetrica recognizes as being made up of two or more.

•	AutoCAD Elements Absorbed - When Symmetrica recognizes two or more elements from AutoCAD that can be treated as one element, it absorbs the extra elements. These are elements that Symmetrica recognizes as one element but AutoCAD recognized as two or more.

•	AutoCAD Elements Ignored - Certain elements in AutoCAD have no relevancy in Symmetrica. These elements are simply ignored.

•	Total Elements Processed - This is the total number of elements created, spawned, absorbed and ignored.

•	AutoCAD Blocks Converted To Symbols - AutoCAD blocks are converted into Symmetrica symbols.

Step By Step

Importing AutoCAD drawings


Exporting

Symmetrica does an excellent job of exporting drawings into AutoCAD format.

The Export Status box shows the element conversion statistics of the export.

•	AutoCAD Elements Created - These are the elements which were created from recognized elements in the Symmetrica drawing.

•	AutoCAD Elements Spawned - When Symmetrica elements are recognized by AutoCAD as being made up of more than one element, it will spawn the additional elements. These are extra elements which Symmetrica recognized as only one element but AutoCAD recognizes as being made up of two or more.

•	Symmetrica Elements Absorbed - When AutoCAD recognizes two or more elements from Symmetrica that can be treated as one element, it absorbs the extra elements. These are elements that AutoCAD recognizes as one element but Symmetrica recognized as two or more.

•	Symmetrica Elements Ignored - Certain elements in Symmetrica have no relevancy in AutoCAD. These elements are simply ignored.

•	Total Elements Processed - This is the total number of elements created, spawned, absorbed and ignored.

•	Symbols Converted To AutoCAD Blocks - Symmetrica symbols are converted into AutoCAD blocks.

Step By Step

Exporting drawings to AutoCAD


Print Setup

The print setup configuration is largely dependent upon the type of printer you have connected to your computer. Refer to the documentation that came with your printer for the proper setup parameters.


Page Setup

The Page Setup box is used for defining how Symmetrica is going to send the drawing to the printer.

Options

If a black and white printout is desired or your printer doesn’t support color, choose this option.

Scaling

Scaling determines the size of the drawing as it relates to the paper size. By default, the drawing will automatically be scaled to the size of the paper specified in Printer Setup.

Positioning

If printing at drawing scale or custom specified scale, you can specify whether the drawing will be positioned in the upper left corner of the paper when printed or centered according to the position of the benchmark.

Margins

The margins can individually be set. They are measured in paper distances.

Step By Step

•	Changing the Page Setup.


Optimizing Recommendations

The following are a few helpful tips that may help improve the overall performance of Symmetrica.

•	Get more RAM to improve overall performance.

•	Turn off snaps that are not necessary. This will improve cursor performance.

•	Save your work periodically. This releases memory allocated for

•	Undo/Redo objects. This is especially important after importing an AutoCAD drawing, which creates an enormous amount of Undo data.

•	Use Windows NT instead of Windows 95.

•	Close other applications.

•	Layer Management - turn off unneeded layers.


Useful Key Commands

The following is a list of useful key commands that either perform certain actions or modify others.

Alt

•	When you select a group of elements by dragging, it creates a rectangular selection cursor. By default, any elements which have locations in the area will be partially selected, if the element supports partial selection. If the Alt key is held down when the selection is made, only elements that are completely within the area will be selected; elements partially in the area will not be selected.

Ctrl

•	When dragging an element or a point of an element, the Ctrl key will perform a copy function rather than a move function.

Esc

•	Clears the text from the text input box, if there's any there.

•	Stops the current command if there is no text in the input box.

Space

•	Stops the current command if there is no text in the input box.

•	Restarts the last command if no command is currently running.


Elements

Symmetrica is truly an object-oriented program. The most basic object definition is called an element. This can be illustrated by viewing the properties of a single line element.

Each element is stored with a unique ID in a database created with each new document. Layers can be created in the document and elements assigned to the different layers. You can also make the color of the element assume the color of the layer it is assigned to.

From there, you move up in the hierarchy and find there are different types of elements: line, arc, stretch-box, etc. Different types of elements can additionally have further tiers of properties. For instance, a text box is at its most basic, an element as all objects are. Further, it is a stretch-box element and assumes all the properties of that type of element. More specifically, it is a text stretch box element.

For more information on the different types of elements, click on the element type listed below.

Arc

Circle

Groups

Line Dimension

Line Segment

Point

Polyline

Rectangle

Stretch Box

Symbol

Text Box

Step By Step

Defining Element Properties

Defining Default Element Properties


Benchmark

The benchmark [image] is the current point of reference from which all other measurements are defined. It defines the current location 0’-0”, 0’-0” on the X-Y axis. The benchmark is also used when using perpendicular snaps  or orthographic snaps.

You can define both the color and the diameter of the benchmark.

Step By Step

Moving the Benchmark

Defining Element Properties

Defining Default Element Properties


Arc

Arcs are segments of circles defined by three points.

•	The Center Point is the point around which the arc curves.

•	The Start Point is the first end point.

•	The Sweep Angle determines the direction of the arc from the start point. A positive sweep angle indicates a counter-clockwise arc while a negative sweep angle indicates a clockwise arc.

•	The Point In The Plane is a third point in space used for defining 3 dimensional arcs.

All point positions are relative to the current position of the benchmark. The Line Weight and Color are definable properties.

Step By Step

Creating an Arc

Defining Element Properties

Defining Default Element Properties


Circle

Circles are defined by two points.

•	The Center Point is the point around which the circle rotates.

•	The Radius Point defines the radius of the circle.

•	The Point In The Plane is a third point in space used for defining 3 dimensional circles.

All point positions are relative to the current position of the benchmark. The Line Weight and Color are definable properties.

Step By Step

Creating a Circle

Defining Element Properties

Defining Default Element Properties


Groups

A group is a collection of elements treated as a single stretch box element.

Step By Step

Creating a Group

Defining Element Properties

Defining Default Element Properties


Line Dimension

Line Dimensions are dimension lines defined by two points.

•	The start point.

•	The end point.

Once a dimension lines points have been defined. Symmetrica automatically calculates all other information concerning the dimension line. (i.e. terminators, witness line extensions, etc.)

The Dimension Line Location determines


Line Segment

Line Segments are defined by two points.

•	The start point.

•	The end point.

All point positions are relative to the position of the benchmark. The Line Weight and Color are definable properties.

Step By Step

Creating a Line Segment

Defining Element Properties

Defining Default Element Properties


Point

(New topic text goes here.)


Polyline

Polylines are defined by as many points as needed.

•	The Insertion Point is the starting point of the polyline.

•	As many other vertices as needed..

Polylines have the added ability to automatically close the boundary. This eliminates redundant end points.

All point positions are relative to the position of the benchmark. The Line Weight and Color are definable properties.

Step By Step

Creating a Polyline

Defining Element Properties

Defining Default Element Properties


Rectangle

A rectangle is not an element type in and of itself. It is actually a polyline group.

Step By Step

Creating a Rectangle

Defining Element Properties

Defining Default Element Properties


Stretch Box

Stretch boxes are defined by three points which are three of the corners of the box.

All point positions are relative to the position of the benchmark The border color can be determined by clicking in the Border Color box.

Step By Step

Creating a Stretch Box

Defining Element Properties


Symbols

Symbols are elements that have been grouped together and identified in a database as a separate element.

Step By Step

Creating a Symbol

Placing a Defined Symbol

Defining Element Properties


Text Box

Text Boxes are a type of stretch box element.

The large box at the top shows the text in the box. Theoretically, there is no limit to the amount of characters that can be input into this box.

The font, size and other attributes can be defined by clicking the Choose Font button. The fonts available to you are determined by whatever fonts are currently installed in Windows.

If you want to import a text file into a text box, use the Read Text File button.

Text color allows you to change the color of the text. Click in the box to bring up a palette of colors.

The Fill Background check box determines whether the text box will be opaque or not. If it is checked, the background color will then be determined by the Background Color box. Click on the box and choose the color from the palette displayed.

Finally, the left, right or centered alignment of the text within the text box can be selected with the Horizontal Alignment buttons.

Step By Step

Creating a Text Box


Line Weight

The line weight is the thickness of the line(s) defining the element.


Line Color

The line color determines the color of the line(s) defining the element.


Default Element Properties

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Step By Step

Defining Default Element Properties


Choose Font

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Read Text File

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Changing the Page Setup

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Snaps

Snaps are tools that help place points on the drawing. Each snap will act as a magnet to different types of points in the drawing (i.e. center points, perpendicular points, etc.). When a point is being snapped, the mouse cursor has a circle around it and the element being snapped to has a dotted line bordering it.

Example shown with a line being drawn to the center of a rectangle with Center Point snap enabled.

By using snaps and the grid, very precise drawings can be sketched in a short time. To learn more about the different types of snaps and the grid, go to one of the following topics:

Rounding

Visible Grid

Benchmark

Autobenchmark

Orthographic

Center Point

Locations

Perpendicular

Intersection

Nearest Point


Visible Grid

The grid is a measuring tool which determines the rounding scale.


Orthographic Snap

Orthographic snaps are snaps at angles of 45. The Alt key will toggle orthographic snap while drawing.


Perpendicular Snap

Perpendicular snaps are snaps at right angles to other elements.


Rounding

Rounding determines whether points will snap to the nearest current rounding increment. When rounding is turned off, strange values can be stored for points entered.


Center Point Snap

Center Point snap will find the center of an element.


Location Snap

Location snap will snap to the points that define other elements.


Intersection Snap

Intersection snap will snap to intersections of lines.


Nearest Point Snap

Nearest Point snap will snap along the lines of the element.


Autobenchmark

Autobenchmark forces the benchmark to follow you as you draw elements. It will move from point to point as you draw an element.


Hide/View Benchmark

The benchmark can be hidden from view.

Step By Step

Hiding/Viewing the Benchmark


Mouse Command Detail

The following table summarizes the basic mouse interface, including selection and direct manipulation (drag and drop).

Table A. Interaction Guidelines for Common Unmodified Mouse Actions

Action	Target	Effect on current selection state	Effect on anchor point location	Resulting operation using button 1	Resulting operation using button 2
Press	Unselected element	Clears the active selection.	Resets the anchor point to the element.	Selects the element.	Selects the element.
	Selected element	None	None	None	None
	White space (background)	Clears the active selection.	Resets the anchor point to the button.	Initiates a region (marquee) selection.	Initiates a region (marquee selection)
Click	Unselected element	Clears the active selection.	Resets the anchor point to the element.	Selects the element.	Selects the element and displays its pop-up menu.
	Selected element	None	None	Selects the element.	Selects the element and displays the selection’s pop-up menu.
	White space (background)	Clears the active selection.	None	None	Displays the pop-up menu for the white space.
Drag	Unselected element	Clears the active selection.	Resets the anchor point to the element.	Selects the element and carries out the default transfer operation upon the button release at the destination.	Selects the element and displays the non-default transfer pop-up menu upon the button release at the destination.
	Selected element	None	None	Carries out the default transfer operation on the selection upon the button release at the d3estination.	Displays the non-default transfer pop-up menu upon the button release at the destination.
	White space (background)	Clears the active selection.	None	Selects everything logically included from anchor point to active end.	Selects everything logically included from anchor point to active end and displays pop-up menu for the resulting selection.
Double-Click	Unselected element	Clears the active selection.	Resets the anchor point to the element.	Selects the element and carries out the default operation.	Selects the element.
	Selected element	None	None	Carries out the selection’s default operation.	Selects the element.
	White space (background)	Clears the active selection.	None	Carries out the default operation for the white space.	None


Splitting

It may be desirable to split groups or symbols into their component elements. This can be accomplished by using the split action. Polylines can also be split into component line segments.

Step By Step

•	Splitting Groups

•	Splitting Polylines

•	Splitting Symbols


Arrays

Using arrays makes it easy to duplicate elements across a large area of the drawing.

With the previous settings, an object was duplicated in the following manner:

Step By Step

•	Duplicating Elements Across An Array


Clean Up Intersections

Use Cleaning Up Intersections to divide intersections into separate points on the drawing.

In the example above, Step 1 shows two crossed lines. Step 2 shows the lines after being cleaned up. Step 3 shows how the lines were separated at the intersection and are separate elements.

Not only does it break lines and walls at intersections, it also fuses similar collinear line segments and walls into a single segment. Lines need only overlap to fuse. Walls will only fuse if they share a common end point location and are collinear and the same width etc. Basically they have to look alike on the screen and they will fuse. This capability has not been extended to other elements yet, only to lines and walls. Basically, anything that knows how to break itself also knows how to fuse itself.

Step By Step

•	Cleaning Up Intersections


Round

The Round action will round all the selected elements insertion point to the nearest grid point according to the current rounding increment.

In the example above, Step 1 shows two lines drawn without the Rounding option on. Step 2 shows the lines after being rounded. Notice each end point snapped to the nearest grid point according to the rounding increment. This action should be used with caution.

Step By Step

Rounding


Global Properties

Global properties define properties for everything currently being drawn.


Input Box Tool Bar

The input box is used for entering specific points on the x,y,z axis.

When creating an element, the points for the element can be entered manually. Any combination of units can be used and will be understood. If no units are entered, the output units for this drawing will be used.

The input box is always active when drawing window is active. To clear text from the input box, press the Esc key.

prefix/qualifier/input codes:

a - absolute.

This specifies coordinates relative to the origin of the database. This would not be relative to the benchmark but rather from the starting point of the drawing.  Example: a5,10 would be right 5 units, up10 units from the origin.

r - relative.

This is to help Arris users who are used to using the prefix. It will be ignored.

@ - relative.

This is to help users of AutoCAD who are used to using the prefix. It will be ignored.

p - polar.

This specifies that the numbers entered are distance,angle,angle of inclination. Angles are degree values with 0 being to the right. The value entered is relative to benchmark.

Prefixes can be combined. Example: ap20,30 would be polar coordinates absolute to the origin of the database.

Values

The default units of the values entered are determined by the Units In Which To Display Values (output units) setting in the Number Format Settings for Lengths.

The default is not always the desired units however. Any unit in either standard or metric can be specified on the value entered and any combination of values can be used. For instance the value 6m,10’ would be properly interpreted. Keep in mind however, that the base units specified in the drawing settings is the unit in which every value is stored in the database. Therefore, if the base unit is in feet, Symmetrica will convert the 6m into the standard value of 19’-8 ¼”. The value is rounded in the drawing according to the ?

If no value is entered, the assumed value is 0. Ex: 5,,12 is interpreted as 5,0,12.

Fractional amounts can be entered as well. Ex: 6-3/4,5-1/2. If the output units are set to feet, this would be interpreted as six and three quarters feet by five and one half feet. It could also be input as 6 9,5 6.

Other examples of proper input values would include:

6m 5cm,10’ or 13km,12m 3”. While these examples may seem impractical and perhaps a bit odd, they do illustrate the flexibility of the values that can be entered.

When you enter points using the mouse cursor, they are entered in the plane that is parallel to the XY plane (top) which passes through the benchmark. In other words, they are entered at the Z height of the benchmark.

Sometimes, the XY plane is only a line in the view, such as when viewing from various side angles. In this case, the point is entered in the plane that is parallel to the XZ plane (front) which passes through the benchmark.

In two views, "Left" and "Right", the XZ plane is a line also. In this case, the point is entered in the plane that is parallel to the YZ plane (side) which passes through the benchmark.

The use of the benchmark is important here because it allows you to establish the "Z-level" in the view at which you will draw.


Snap Tool Bar


View Tool Bar


View Tools

Click the button on the tool bar or one of the topics below to see more information on the different view tools.

Redraw

Zoom Rectangle

Zoom All

Last View

Zoom In

Zoom Out

Isometric View

Top View

Back View

Left Side View

Front View

Right Side View

Roll Left

Pitch Up

Roll Right

Yaw Left

Look At Benchmark

Yaw Right

Rotate Left

Pitch Down

Rotate Right


Redraw

There are times when you may need to have Symmetrica redraw the screen. Keep in mind that with very large drawings, this could take a moment.


Zoom Rectangle

The Zoom Rectangle tool allows you to zoom in on a selected area of your drawing.


Zoom All

The Zoom All tool will show the entire drawing on the screen.


Last View

Use Last View to use the last view level you were at.


Zoom In

Zoom In takes you in one increment.


Zoom Out

Zoom Out takes you out one increment.


Isometric View

The Isometric View is a stand off view rotated in three dimensional space.


Top View

The top view of the drawing.


Back View

The back view of the drawing.


Left Side View

The left side view of the drawing.


Front View

The front view of the drawing.


Right Side View

The right side view of the drawing.


Roll Left

(New topic text goes here.)


Pitch Up

(New topic text goes here.)


Roll Right

(New topic text goes here.)


Yaw Left

(New topic text goes here.)


Look At Benchmark

(New topic text goes here.)


Yaw Right

(New topic text goes here.)


Rotate Left

(New topic text goes here.)


Pitch Down

(New topic text goes here.)


Rotate Right

(New topic text goes here.)


Drawing Settings

By default, the description of the drawing is the date and time the document was created. The description is optional but can be used for entering a detailed description of the drawing. Theoretically, there is no limit to the amount of text that can be typed into the description box.

The Drawing Scale establishes the proportion between values expressed in paper units and those expressed in drawing units. You should select the scale at which you plan to print so that your font size selections and etc. produce the correct result. Note that you can print at any scale, regardless of the scale you choose here.

All drawing values are stored in a common Base Unit. You should select the units which are used most frequently in your work to minimize rounding anomalies.

The Status section displays the total number of elements, symbols, etc. in the current document.


Drawing Scale

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View Settings

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Rounding Settings

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Number Format Settings

The Numbers Format Settings deal with the way Symmetrica displays values that are in real world lengths.  as determined by the Drawing and View Settings and the way actual paper distances are scaled to your drawing.

The output units are the default used in the input box and property sheets and anywhere else you enter a value that is in database space. Exception is line weight., font size, .

Paper distances determines how to display units that are known to be paper distances. 72 point text is 1 inch tall this is paper distance.  Look for the words “on paper”.

For instance the margins on the page or arrow heads.

Look at line dimensioning properties for examples of all.


Software Engineering, Inc.

Software Engineering, Incorporated

"Excellence By Design"

Software Engineering, Inc. is a company dedicated to creating excellent quality software for Microsoft Windows. We have established a high standard of excellence for our organization and we are committed to achieving that goal through skill, honesty, integrity, relentless determination, and a meticulous attention to detail.

Specializing in C and C++ object oriented design, our highly skilled team of developers has many years of experience writing software. The experience base at Software Engineering spans many hardware platforms (including mainframes) and operating systems, including Apple, Unix, DOS, and Windows (since version 1.0). We have extensive combined experience in many specialized genres of programming such as Computer Aided Design, network communications, diagnostic tools, monitoring systems, games, client/server applications, SQL, and image processing.

We have developed a powerful new CAD program for Microsoft Windows called Symmetrica™. The extensible nature of its object oriented design allows us to easily derive new custom CAD applications from the Symmetrica CAD engine. The Symmetrica engine can be readily molded to accommodate any specialized CAD application. We would like to develop a new CAD application for you.

If you have software development needs, we would like to talk with you.

For more information about custom software development for Windows, please contact Software Engineering, Inc.

Software Engineering, Inc.

8352 S. Sunnyside Place

Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

Voice: 303-470-7142

Fax: 303-470-1156

sei@freehome.com

Send us a note via e-mail or visit us at www.datapype.net/~sei


Licensing

Proper licensing is vital to the operation of Symmetrica™. Licensing involves a hardware key, license number and password. All of these are available to registered users through Software Engineering, Inc.

Registered users are bound by the enclosed Software License Agreement.

Symmetrica™ is a trademark of Software Engineering, Inc.


Hardware Key

The hardware key is a device which plugs into any standard parallel port. When a valid hardware key is attached, a key symbol will show here. Symmetrica will run without a valid hardware key but will have limited capabilities. A hardware key is available from Software Engineering, Inc.


License & Password

When a valid license number and password is entered, the lock will appear unlocked. Symmetrica will run without a valid license number and password but will have limited capabilities. A license number and password are available from Software Engineering, Inc.


Layers

Layers can best be described as having multiple transparencies with different parts of the drawing on each one. Properties can be changed for each layer or multiple layers can be changed simultaneously.

The first section of the layers box shows the different layers currently defined. It lists names of the layers, the colors assigned to each layer, a count of the number of elements in each layer and the current status options assigned to each layer.

The Status section shows the different options that can quickly be assigned to a layer or layers. These options can also be set through the properties button or by double-clicking on the layer.

•	Read Only - Elements on this layer cannot be selected or modified directly.

•	Snap - Elements on this layer will be located by various cursor snapping methods.

•	Temporary - This layer will not be saved by save or save as

•	Visible - Elements on this layer will be visible when drawing or printing.


Layer Properties

(New topic text goes here.)


Select All Layers

This button will select all layers currently defined.


Creating a new layer

1	On the Settings menu, click Layers. (or click on the Layers button [image] located on the Global properties tool bar.)

2	Click the create button.

3	In the properties box, type in a name and modify the settings as needed for the new layer.

4	Click the OK button.

Tip

•	A new layer can be created on the fly by editing the element properties of any element or group of elements, then typing in a new layer name.


Changing the current layer.

1	On the Settings menu, click Layers. (or click on the Default Layer pull down menu [image] located on the Global Properties tool bar.)

2	Select the layer you want to work with.

3	Click the OK button.


Deleting layers

1	On the Settings menu, click Layers. (or click on the Layers button [image] located on the Global Properties tool bar.)

2	Click the delete button.

3	Click the OK button.

Tip

•	This will delete all elements associated with the layer.


Software License Agreement

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, INC.

Symmetrica™

Copyright - 1996 by Software Engineering, Inc.

All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Symmetrica is NOT public domain or free software. All rights to and in Symmetrica, including but not limited to, copyrights and trade secret rights, belong to Software Engineering, Inc., which retains and holds title to each copy of Symmetrica.

READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING Symmetrica. ANY USE OF Symmetrica INDICATES YOUR FULL ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT.

In this license agreement (“License Agreement”), you, the customer and holder of the license rights granted by this Agreement, are referred to as “Licensee” or “You”; Software Engineering, Inc., the Licensor Corporation, is referred to as “SEI”.

1.1 	Non-Registered (Demonstration) License

1.1 	Evaluation and Registration. In accordance with the terms and conditions of this License Agreement, you are hereby licensed by SEI to use Symmetrica in its non-registered, Demonstration version without charge for evaluation purposes. The non-registered, Demonstration version of this software contains certain limitations on its features and functions. In order to obtain a fully functional version of this software, a registration fee is required. Payments must be in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank. Payments should be sent to:

Software Engineering, Inc.

8352 S. Sunnyside Place

Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80126

303-470-7142

303-470-1156 Fax

SEi@freehome.com

When an order and payment arrangements have been received by SEI, Customer will be sent a License Number and Password to be entered at the start of the software. This will turn your copy of Symmetrica into the licensed Registered version with all the features and functions.

1.1 	Distribution. Provided that you verify that you are distributing the entire non-registered, Demonstration version, (which shall include this License Agreement), you are hereby licensed to make as many copies of Symmetrica as you wish, provided further that you conspicuously and appropriately publish on each such copy file a valid copyright notice as follows: “Copyright - 1996 Software Engineering, Inc.”; you are further licensed to give such exact copies of the non-registered, Demonstration version to anyone; and, to distribute the non-registered, Demonstration version of Symmetrica in its unmodified form via electronic means. There is no charge for any of the above.

You are specifically prohibited from charging, or requesting donations, for any such copies, however made. You are specifically prohibited from distributing the software and/or documentation with other products (commercial or otherwise) without prior written permission from SEI.

2.1 	Registered License

Upon attainment of a License Number and Password as provided in paragraph 1.1, above, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this License Agreement, SEI grants to Licensee a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use and install Symmetrica and related materials described herein, including License Number and Password, on the number of central processing units specified for use with the License Number.

Licensee may copy the Registered version of Symmetrica, including License Number and Password, for back-up purposes only, for use as a replacement in the event the original is destroyed. Licensee may make any number of copies for such back-up purposes, provided that Licensee conspicuously and appropriately publishes on each such copy file a valid copyright notice as follows: “Copyright - 1996 Software Engineering, Inc.”

Licensee shall not distribute, assign, sublicense or otherwise transfer the registered License Number and Password to others, and this License Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of any such transfer.

3.1 	Description of Other Rights and Limitations

3.1 	Licensee may not modify, reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble Symmetrica, except and only to the extent that such activity is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation.

3.1 	Symmetrica is licensed as a single product. Its component parts may not be separated for use on more than one computer.

3.1 	Licensee may not copy, sublicense, assign, distribute or transfer Symmetrica, or any rights granted herein, except as expressly provided under this License Agreement. Any attempt otherwise to copy, sublicense, assign, distribute or transfer Symmetrica or such rights is void and your license to use Symmetrica under this License Agreement shall be automatically terminated. However, parties who have received Symmetrica from you with this License Agreement will not have their licenses terminated so long as such parties remain in full compliance with this License Agreement.

3.1 	This License Agreement is effective until terminated, which Licensee may do at any time. This License Agreement will terminate if Licensee fails to fully comply with any of the terms and conditions of the License Agreement. Upon termination of this License Agreement for any reason, Licensee shall destroy the Symmetrica Program together with all copies, modifications and merged portions in any form. All provisions of this License Agreement relating to disclaimers of warranties, limitation of liability, remedies, or damages, and SEI’s proprietary rights shall survive termination.

4.1 	Copyright

All title and copyrights in and to Symmetrica (including but not limited to any images, photographs, animations, video, audio, music, text, and applets, incorporated into Symmetrica), the accompanying printed materials, if any, and all copies of Symmetrica, are owned exclusively by SEI.

5.1 	U.S. Government Restricted Rights

Symmetrica and documentation is provided with RESTRICTED RIGHTS. The use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of The Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 52.227-7013, or subparagraphs (c)(1) and (2) of the Commercial Computer Software Restricted Rights at 48 CFR 52.227-19, as applicable. Manufacturer of Symmetrica is Software Engineering, Inc., 8352 S. Sunnyside Pl., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

6.1 	Disclaimer of Warranty

THIS SOFTWARE AND THE ACCOMPANYING FILES ARE SOLD “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY WARRANTY AS TO PERFORMANCE. Because of the various hardware and software environments into which Symmetrica may be put, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, SEI DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, WITH REGARD TO Symmetrica.

7.1 	Limitation of Remedies

Because it is impossible for SEI to know the purposes for which you acquired Symmetrica or the uses to which you will put Symmetrica, Licensee assumes full responsibility for the selection of Symmetrica, and for its installation and use and the results of that use. ANY LIABILITY OF SEI WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE.

THESE ARE YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES for any and all claims that you may have against SEI arising out of or in connection with Symmetrica, whether made or suffered by you or a third party.

IN NO EVENT WILL SEI BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PARTY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE Symmetrica, EVEN IF SEI HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. (Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the foregoing exclusion or limitation may not apply to you.) In no event shall SEI’s total liability exceed the amount you paid in license or registration fees for the right to use a single copy of Symmetrica. SEI’s software pricing reflects the allocation of risk and limitations on liability contained in this License Agreement.

8.1 	General

8.1 	This License Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Colorado.

8.1 	This License Agreement constitutes the parties’ entire Agreement, and a complete merger of all antecedent offers, counteroffers, negotiations and agreements.

8.1 	This Agreement shall not be amended, except in writing signed by all parties or their authorized representatives.

8.1 	In the event that a Court of competent jurisdiction enters judgment declaring any material provision or portion thereof of this Agreement invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

8.1 	In the event of a dispute concerning this License Agreement, the prevailing party in any litigation or arbitration arising out of or relating to this License Agreement shall be entitled to an award of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

LICENSEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT AND AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS. LICENSEE FURTHER AGREES THAT THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT IS THE COMPLETE AND EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN LICENSEE AND SEI, AND SUPERSEDES ANY PROPOSAL OR PRIOR AGREEMENT, ORAL OR WRITTEN, AND ANY OTHER COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT.

Symmetrica™ is a trademark of Software Engineering, Inc.


New Window

This menu item will make a new duplicate of the current window.


Cascade

This will cascade all windows currently opened.


Tile

This will tile all windows currently opened.


Arrange Icons

This will arrange the icons of the desktop.


Clean House

Cleaning house is way to free up system resources should you run short.

Resetting the Undo/Redo database information will eliminate all Undo and Redo references up to the current point. This does not turn the Undo/Redo function off, it simply clears out the current log and starts a new one. The information will continue to accumulate.

Discarding unreferenced symbols will clear from the symbol table all the extra symbol information that isn’t used in the current drawing.

 By removing illogical elements, you clear the drawing of oddball pieces that get left behind by such things as accidental mouse clicks, etc.


Detail Gallery

The Detail Gallery is an area where you can store pieces of drawings for use at a later time. When Symmetrica loads, the Detail Gallery is hidden from view as seen below.

By clicking and dragging the bar to the right of the Tools tool bar, the Detail Gallery will be revealed.


Creating a new document

1	On the File menu, click New. (or click on the New button [image] located on the tool bar.)

Tip

•	To name the new file, click the File menu, and then click Save As.


Opening a document

1	On the File menu, click Open. (or click on the Open button [image] located on the tool bar.)

2	In the Look In box, click the drive that contains the document you want to open.

3	Below the Look In box, click the folder that contains the document you want to open.

4	Click the document's name, or type it in the File Name box.

Tips

•	If you don't see what you're looking for, click a different file type in the Files Of Type list.

•	To open a document you opened recently, click its name at the bottom of the File menu.


Closing the current document

1	On the File menu, click Close.

Tip

•	If the document has not been saved, Symmetrica will ask whether you wish to save the document or not.


Saving a document for the first time.

1	On the File menu, click Save or Save As. (or click on the Save button [image] located on the tool bar.)

2	Type in a file name.

3	Select the location where you want to save this file.

4	Click the Save button.


Saving changes to a document

1	On the File menu, click Save. (or click on the Save button [image] on the tool bar.)

Tip

•	To save an existing document with a new name, click Save As, and then type a new name in the File Name box.


Printing a document

1	On the File menu, click Print. (or click on the Print button [image] located on the tool bar.)

2	Select the desired printer, number of copies, etc. and click the OK button.


Print Preview

To see how your document will look before you print it

1	On the File menu, click Print Preview.

2	Zoom in on sections of the drawing by clicking on the desired area.

Tip

•	To return to the previous view from Print Preview, click the Close button.


Undoing/Redoing an action

Undo:

On the Edit menu, click Undo to back up one action. (or click on the Undo button [image] located on the tool bar.)

•	The Undo file is kept for every action since the session began.

Redo:

On the Edit menu, click Redo to move forward one action that was undone. (or click on the Redo button [image] located on the tool bar.)


Copying infomation between documents
Copying information between documents

1	In the document that contains the information you want to copy, select the information by highlighting it.

2	On the Edit menu, click Copy. (or click on the Copy button [image] located on the tool bar.)

3	In the document where you want the information to appear, click the place where you want to put the information.

4	On the Edit menu, click Paste. (or click on the Paste button [image] located on the tool bar.)

Tips

•	You can paste the information multiple times.

•	Elements from Symmetrica will appear in scale in any other program.

•	Paste places elements relative to the benchmark.


Deleting Elements

1	Select the element(s) you want to delete.

2	To remove elements so that you can place it in another part of the document, click Edit, and then click Cut. (or click on the Cut button [image] located on the tool bar.)

3	To remove elements entirely from the document, press the DEL (Delete) key.

Tips

•	To cancel a selection, click anywhere in the document.

•	To undo a deletion, click Edit, and then click Undo.

•	To select all the elements in a document, click Select, and then click All.


Creating an Arc

1	On the Tools menu, click Arc. (or click on the Arc button [image] located on the tool bar.)

2	Click the point on the drawing where you want the center of the arc to be located.

3	Click the point on the drawing where you want the starting point of the arc to be located.

4	Click the point on the drawing where you want the ending point of the arc to be located.

Tip

•	Holding down the Alt key while clicking will enable Orthographic snap.

•	Use the Input Box Tool Bar to enter specific points.


Creating a Circle

1	On the Tools menu, click Circle. (or click on the Circle button [image] located on the tool bar.)

2	Click the point on the drawing where you want the center of the circle to be located.

3	Click the point on the drawing where you want the perimeter of the circle to be located.


Creating a Line Segment

1	On the Tools menu, click Line Segment. (or click on the Line Segment button [image] located on the tool bar.)

2	Click the point on the drawing where you want the starting point to be located.

3	Click the point on the drawing where you want the ending point to be located.

Tip

•	Holding down the Alt key while choosing the end point will enable Orthographic snap.


Creating a Polyline

1	On the Tools menu, click Polyline. (or click on the Polyline button [image] located on the tool bar.)

2	Click the point on the drawing where you want the starting point to be located.

3	Click the point on the drawing to place each successive point.

Tip

•	Holding down the Alt key while choosing each point will enable Orthographic snap.


Creating a Rectangle

1	On the Tools menu, click Rectangle. (or click on the Rectangle button [image] located on the tool bar.)

2	Click the point on the drawing where you want the first corner of the rectangle to be located.

3	Click the point on the drawing where you want the opposite corner of the rectangle to be located.

Tip

•	To create a square, hold down the Alt key while placing the opposite corner.


Moving the Benchmark

1	On the Tools menu, click Benchmark. (or click on the Benchmark button [image] located on the tool bar.)

2	Click the point on the drawing where you want to place the benchmark.


Creating a Group

1	Select the elements you want to make part of the group.

2	On the Actions menu, click Group. (or click on the Group The Selection button [image] located on the Actions Toolbar.)

Tip

•	Right click on an element for a pop-up menu of actions.


Defining Element Properties

1	Click on the element in the drawing you want to check properties on.

2	On the Settings menu, click Properties.

Or

1	Double click on the element.

Or

1	Right click on the element.

2	Click on Properties from the menu that pops up.

Related Topics

•	Global Properties

•	Default Element Properties

•	Elements


Defining Default Element Properties

1	On the settings menu, click Default Properties.

2	From the pop down menu, click on the element whose properties you want to set.

3	Enter the values desired.

4	Click the OK button.

Related Topics

What are Default Element Properties?


Creating a Symbol

1	Select the elements you want to make part of the symbol.

2	On the Actions menu, click Create Symbol. (or click on the Create Symbol button [image] located on the Actions Toolbar)

4	On the Create Symbol dialog box that appears, type in a name for this symbol or choose from the list of default names.

5	Click the OK button.

Tips

•	Be sure to have the benchmark placed correctly. It will become the insertion point for the new symbol.

•	Right click on an element for a pop-up menu of actions.


Importing AutoCAD drawings

1	On the File menu, click Import.

2	In the Look In box, click the drive that contains the drawing you want to import.

3	Below the Look In box, click the folder that contains the drawing you want to import.

4	Click the drawing's name, or type it in the File Name box.

5	When the drawing is finished importing, click OK on the Import Status box.

Tip

•	For a detailed description of the Import Status box, see Importing.


Exporting drawings to AutoCAD

1	On the File menu, click Export.

2	Type in a file name for this AutoCAD drawing.

3	Select the location where you want to save this file.

4	Click the Save button.

Tip

•	For a detailed description of the Export Status box, see Exporting.


Creating a Text Box

1	On the Tools menu, click Text. (or click on the Text button [image] located on the Tools tool bar.)

2	Locate the first corner of the Text box.

3	Locate the second corner of the Text box.

4	In the Text Box Properties box, type in the text you want in the Text Box and define it’s properties.

5	Click the OK button.


Placing a Defined Symbol

1	On the Tools menu, click Symbol. (or click on the Symbol button [image] located on the Tools tool bar.)

2	Place the insertion point of the symbol by clicking the point on the drawing.

3	Edit the properties of the symbol and selected the name from the drop down list.

Tip

•	Manually enter the coordinates in the input box to more accurately place the insertion point on the drawing.


Splitting Symbols

To split a symbol into it’s original elements

1	Select the symbol you want to split.

2	On the Actions menu, click on split and select symbol from the pop-up menu.


Splitting Polylines

To split a polyline into individual lines

1	Select the polyline you want to split.

2	On the Actions menu, click on split and select polyline from the pop-up menu.

Or

1	Right click on the polyline and select Split Polylines from the pop-up menu.


Splitting Groups

To split a group into it’s original elements

1	Select the group you want to split.

2	On the Actions menu, click on split and select Group from the pop-up menu.

Or

1	Right click on the group and select Ungroup from the pop-up menu.


Duplicating Elements Across An Array

(New topic text goes here.)


Cleaning Up Intersections

(New topic text goes here.)


Selecting groups of elements

There are numerous ways of selecting various groups of elements. Select from the methods below:


All

To select all elements in a document

On the Select menu, click on All.

Tip

•	The shortcut key is ‘F4’.


Every

To select every element of a specific type

1	On the Select menu, click on Every

2	From the pop-up menu, click on the type you want to select.


Line Crossing

To select line elements crossing a defined path

1	On the Select menu, click on Line Crossing

2	Click on the point of the drawing you want to have as the starting point, then on the point you want to have as the ending point.

3	All line elements crossing the defined line are then selected.


Rectangular Crossing

To select all rectangular elements crossing a defined path

1	On the Select menu, click on Rectangular Crossing

2	Click on the point of the drawing you want to have as the starting point, then on the point you want to have as the ending point.

3	All rectangles crossing your defined line are then selected.


Invert Selection

To deselect all currently selected elements and select all other elements

On the Select menu, click on Invert Selection


Deselect All

To deselect all elements

On the Select menu, click on Deselect All