Copyright: © 1998 Visio Corporation. All rights reserved.
Citation: IntelliCAD Online Help © 1998 Visio Corporation. All rights reserved.


About this manual

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Using IntelliCAD® 98 is part of an integrated documentation set that includes this manual and a comprehensive collection of help resources to give you the information you need to create drawings in IntelliCAD 98 by Visio.

This manual is organized into chapters that parallel how you work in IntelliCAD, according to the tasks you might perform. The tasks are divided and organized into the following work-focused chapters:

Introduction: Chapter 1  An overview of the key features of IntelliCAD plus basic concepts of computer-aided design (CAD) as they apply to IntelliCAD.

Getting started: Chapter 2  Installing IntelliCAD, starting and exiting IntelliCAD, working with toolbars, and selecting commands.

Working with drawings: Chapter 3  Opening an existing drawing and starting a new drawing. Using drawing settings to establish paper size, scale factors, and text height. Using drawing aids such as entity snaps and orthogonal mode to draw accurately.

Creating entities: Chapters 4–5  Working with simple entities such as lines, circles, and arcs and with complex entities such as polygons and spline curves.

Viewing your drawing: Chapter 6  Moving around in the drawing, changing its magnification, creating multiple views, and saving arrangements of windows of the drawing.

Working with coordinates: Chapter 7  Working with Cartesian coordinate systems, specifying two-dimensional and three-dimensional coordinates, and defining your own user coordinate systems.

Working with the Drawing Explorer: Chapter 8  Using the IntelliCAD Drawing Explorer to manage your drawings: controlling layers, linetypes, text styles, coordinate systems, views, and blocks and copying information between drawings.

Getting drawing information: Chapter 9  Working with the additional information in IntelliCAD drawings, calculating areas and distances, and displaying other drawing information.

Modifying entities: Chapter 10  Selecting, copying, rearranging, resizing, and editing entities.

Annotating and dimensioning your drawing: Chapters 11–12  Using text to annotate drawings; using dimensions to annotate the measurement of entities.

Working with blocks, attributes, and external references: Chapter 13  Using blocks and external references to combine entities and data for reuse; creating attribute information to extract for use in other programs.

Formatting and printing paper drawings: Chapter 14  Combining drawings into finished paper layouts and printing copies.

Drawing in three dimensions: Chapter 15  Creating and editing three-dimensional entities, then visualizing them using hidden line removal, shading, and photo-realistic rendering.

Working with other programs: Chapter 16  Sharing drawings and data with other users, documents, and programs.

Customizing IntelliCAD: Chapter 17  Customizing the appearance and operation of the program to suit your needs.


About IntelliCAD
About IntelliCAD 98

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IntelliCAD is designed for anyone who wants a fast and efficient CAD program with all the power and versatility of standard programs such as AutoCAD by Autodesk or MicroStation by Bentley Systems, Inc., at an affordable price. Using today's advanced technology, IntelliCAD integrates the Microsoft Windows 95/NT interface with a powerful CAD engine.

IntelliCAD is compatible with AutoCAD, using most of the same file formats including those for drawings (.dwg files), linetypes, hatch patterns, and text styles. You can also use AutoCAD menu files and run AutoLISP by Autodesk, Inc., programs. If you have written your own ADS (AutoCAD Development System by Autodesk) programs, simply recompile them to link with the IntelliCAD libraries provided on your compact disc. Many third-party ADS programs already support IntelliCAD. If you have a program that is not already supported, ask your software vendor to provide an IntelliCAD-compatible version of their program.

IntelliCAD incorporates all the standard features found in other CAD programs, along with features and capabilities you won't find anywhere else. Its multiple-document interface (MDI) lets you open and work with several drawings at the same time. You can easily copy drawing entities between drawings. In addition, the powerful Drawing Explorer lets you manage information and settings and quickly copy layers, linetypes, and other information between drawings.

IntelliCAD provides you with the appropriate tools for your skill level—whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced CAD user. If you are just starting out with CAD, you may want to use the beginner level, which provides toolbars containing the basic tools such as lines, arcs, and circles. As you become more experienced, you can move to the intermediate level and then to the advanced level, which gives you access to more than 300 commands through toolbars, menus, and keyboard entry. When you install the program, the default setting is the intermediate level; you can change it to either beginning or advanced during installation or you can change it from the Options dialog box on the Tools menu.

With IntelliCAD, you can create two-dimensional and three-dimensional drawings. You can use features such as hidden line removal and shading to help you better visualize your three-dimensional designs.

It's easy to customize IntelliCAD. You can modify menus and toolbars, create custom menus, dialog boxes, command aliases, and scripts, and add custom programs written in any of several programming languages, including LISP (the program's Autodesk AutoLISP-compatible language), SDS™ (Solutions Development System™, the program's Autodesk ADS-compatible language), and Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).


Comparing IntelliCAD and CAD to manual drafting

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IntelliCAD greatly reduces the time and effort it takes to create and revise drawings. Not only can you produce accurate drawings faster, you can also reuse the information in your drawings. These are the primary reasons for making the transition to CAD from traditional, manual drafting on paper.

As with any tool, however, to use it effectively, you need to be familiar with some of the special features, functions, and concepts of CAD. If you are familiar with manual drafting, you'll find some conceptual similarities in CAD as well as some differences.

Drawing to scale

In traditional, manual drafting, you usually determine the scale of the drawing before you even start to draw, because you are working with a sheet of paper of a fixed size. You may have to reduce or enlarge the entity you are drawing to fit within the confines of the paper.

When you create a drawing in IntelliCAD, you draw everything full-size. You determine the type of units in which your drawing is measured. If you are drawing a building, one drawing unit might equal one inch. If you are drawing a map, one drawing unit might equal one mile. Your drawing environment and the CAD drawing file itself are not limited to the size of a particular sheet of paper.

1 drawing unit equals 1 inch.	1 drawing unit equals 1 foot.

As you draw, you can use commands such as Pan and Zoom to work on different portions of the drawing and to magnify the display of the drawing to view small details. These commands have no effect on the actual size of the entities in your drawing; they only affect the way the drawing is displayed on your screen. Only when you print or plot your drawing do you need to set the scale so that the printed drawing fits within a specific paper size.

Using tools

In manual drafting, you use tools such as pencils, rulers, T-squares, templates, erasers, and so on. When you create a drawing in IntelliCAD, you use a mouse instead of a pencil, and you use the mouse to select other tools—commands you select from a menu or a toolbar.

You use some tools to create basic entities, such as lines, circles, and arcs, and other tools to modify existing entities (for example, to copy or move them or to change properties such as color and linetype).

Organizing information

In traditional drafting, you often separate elements such as walls, dimensions, structural steel members, and electrical plans onto separate, translucent overlays. When you want to print the working drawings, you can create several different drawings by combining different overlays.

When you create a drawing in IntelliCAD, you use layers to organize elements in a similar manner. However, the layers feature in CAD offers numerous advantages over physical transparencies. The number of overlays you can combine to print a manually drafted drawing is limited by the printing process. There is no such limitation in CAD. With IntelliCAD, you can define an unlimited number of layers, any of which can be visible or invisible at any time. You can name each layer and assign each its own color and linetype. You can also lock individual layers to ensure that information on those layers isn't altered accidentally.

Use layers to organize drawing information.

Drawing accurately

When you create a manual drawing, ensuring accuracy typically requires a lot of measuring and rechecking. By contrast, IntelliCAD offers a number of drawing aids that assure accuracy from the start. For example, you create and modify entities based on an underlying Cartesian coordinate system. Every location in the drawing has its own x,y,z coordinates. You can also display a grid as a visual reference to your coordinate system.

Every location in the drawing has its own x,y,z coordinate within the underlying Cartesian coordinate system. Point 5,2,0 is 5 units to the right (along the x-axis), 2 units up (along the y-axis), and 0 units (along the z-axis) from the origin (the 0,0, 0 point).

Settings such as snap and entity snaps allow you to draw accurately without specifying coordinates. The snap setting forces the selected points to adhere to the grid increment or to any other increment you set. Entity snaps let you snap to precise geometric points on existing entities—for example, the end point of a line or the center of a circle. Another setting, orthogonal, constrains lines so that they are drawn parallel to the vertical and horizontal axes.

Paper-based drawings lack the high degree of accuracy possible when using CAD. Lines often overlap or fail to meet adjacent lines.	Snap and entity snap force the cursor to adhere to a specified increment or attach to key geometric points on existing entities. You can also constrain lines to vertical and horizontal axes.
Drawing efficiently

In paper-based, manual drafting, you often have to redraw the same entity several times at different scales or from different vantage points. You may also need to redraw the border and title block on each new sheet.

One of the most powerful features of IntelliCAD is that when you create a drawing, you can reuse individual entities, borders, and title blocks as often as you want. You need only draw an entity once; the final printed drawing can show the entity at several different scales and viewpoints.

IntelliCAD provides two drawing environments, or workspaces: model space and paper space. You usually begin working in model space, creating the drawing (a floor plan, a map, or a three-dimensional part) without regard to the final layout on paper. When you are ready to print your drawing, you have the option to switch to paper space, where you lay out the drawing as you want it to appear on a sheet of paper. For example, you can insert a drawing file that contains the standard border and title block that you created. You can define and arrange multiple views of the drawing at appropriate scales and with specific portions visible or invisible—again, without having to redraw the border and title block for each view.

You create the basic drawing in model space.

When you're ready to print or plot your drawing, you can switch to paper space, where you arrange the drawing as you want it to appear on a sheet of paper.

Reusing CAD drawings and entities

When you create a paper drawing manually, you can draw repetitive symbols by tracing a plastic template. After you draw a symbol in IntelliCAD, you can reuse that symbol without having to redraw it. You simply save the symbol as a block. You can then insert copies of that block anywhere in your drawing. You can also save the symbol as a separate drawing for use in other drawings.

You can draw a symbol one time, save it as a block, and then insert multiple copies of that symbol anywhere in your drawing.

In addition, you can reuse entire drawings and insert individual drawings into other drawings. You can also use an external reference, which acts as a pointer to another drawing rather than a copy of the entire drawing. Using an external reference has an added advantage: when you update the externally referenced drawing, each drawing that references it can be automatically updated.

Making changes

To make changes to a paper drawing, you must erase and then redraw. With IntelliCAD, you use commands to modify entities in the drawing. You can move, rotate, stretch, or change the scale of entities. When you want to remove an entity, you can delete it with a single click of the mouse. If you make a mistake while creating or modifying your drawing, you can easily reverse your actions.

You can easily change an entity using commands like move, rotate, stretch, and scale instead of redrawing the entity.

Working with other data and programs

Traditional paper drawings serve only as a means of communicating information between the person who created the drawing and the person viewing the drawing. The drawings contain no more information than what is visually imparted by the creator and seen by the viewer.

IntelliCAD offers rich possibilities for analyzing drawings and attaching additional data to them. For instance, although it may be impractical to count entities in a complex paper drawing, this task is simple in CAD. IntelliCAD can calculate the number of entities in a drawing and compute area and distance.

CAD drawings can also contain information in addition to visible entities. You can attach invisible database information to visible drawing entities and extract the information for analysis in a database or spreadsheet. (Working with information in a database requires a program from a third-party vendor, or you can create your own means of exporting the data in LISP, SDS, or VBA.)

You can extract information stored in the drawing as visible or invisible attributes…	…and use that data for analysis in a database or spreadsheet.
IntelliCAD also makes it easy to share data with other users and programs. For example, using Microsoft ActiveX, you can include IntelliCAD drawings in files created using Visio products or other programs, and you can insert files created using other programs into your IntelliCAD drawings.


Getting more information

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In addition to this user's guide, much of the assistance you need as you use IntelliCAD is specific to the commands you work with on the screen. To obtain immediate information as you work, use these additional sources of information:

ToolTips  To find out what a specific tool on a toolbar does, pause the cursor over it for a moment. A ToolTip appears on the screen.

Status bar  To find out more detailed information about a tool when you pause the cursor over it, look on the status bar at the bottom of the screen.

Online help  IntelliCAD online help is available on the screen when you press F1, choose a command from the Help menu, or click Help in a dialog box. The online help also presents information that does not appear in this manual, including a command reference and a programming reference that describes how to program in LISP and SDS.

IntelliCAD for AutoCAD Users  This manual is for anyone who is already familiar with AutoCAD. It describes the differences between IntelliCAD and AutoCAD and how to make the most of the unique tools provided by IntelliCAD.

Visio Web site:  www.visio.com


About using IntelliCAD

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This chapter helps you get started using IntelliCAD by explaining how to install the software and providing basic information about how to use it.

NOTE This user's guide assumes that you have used other Windows-based programs and are familiar with Windows terminology and techniques.


System requirements

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You need the following software and hardware to install and run IntelliCAD:

•	Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0

•	486-66 or Pentium-based system or compatible

•	Mouse or other pointing device

•	800 x 600 VGA video display (minimum)

•	CD-ROM drive

•	16 megabytes (MB) of RAM (minimum)

•	50 MB of free disk space for a full installation, including sample files, online documentation, and online help


Installing IntelliCAD

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A setup program guides you through the IntelliCAD installation process. The program transfers files from the compact disc to a folder that it creates on your hard disk. The program also creates a menu item on the Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0 Start menu.

During installation, a prompt is displayed for you to select your expertise level. The default is Intermediate. If this is the first time you have used a CAD program, you can change the expertise level to Beginner, which provides basic tools. If you are an experienced CAD user, you can change the level to Advanced, which provides more than 300 commands. You can also change the expertise level from within the program after installation.

Installation starts automatically after you insert the IntelliCAD compact disc into your CD-ROM drive. If installation does not start, you can install IntelliCAD by using the following procedure.


Installing on Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0
Installing on Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0:

1.	Insert the IntelliCAD compact disc into your CD-ROM drive.

2.	Wait for the autorun feature to start, or choose Start > Run.

3.	In the Open field, type d:\setup, where d is the letter assigned to your CD-ROM drive.

4.	Click OK and follow the instructions on your screen.

  Overview


Starting IntelliCAD

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To start IntelliCAD, choose Start > Programs > IntelliCAD > IntelliCAD 98.

When you start IntelliCAD, the program opens a new, blank drawing based on a default template, icad.dwg. Using a template as the basis for a new drawing has several advantages:

•	You can use predetermined units of measure, grid settings, text heights, and other settings appropriate for the type of drawing you're creating.

•	You can predefine special layers.

•	You can include predefined title blocks and borders.

Each time you start IntelliCAD, a Tip of the Day appears on your screen. To display the Tip of the Day dialog box at any time, choose Help > Tip of the Day. To prevent the Tip of the Day dialog box from being displayed, click the check box for Show Tips On StartUp to clear it.


Working in IntelliCAD

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You can work with the IntelliCAD window and its elements in a variety of ways. For example, you can display and rearrange the toolbars, display the command bar, and enable the status bar. The toolbars and command bar can also be floated anywhere on the screen or docked to the edges of the main IntelliCAD window.

A	You can customize the menu bar at the top of the window.

B	You can customize the toolbars, changing the appearance and arrangement of tools and adding your own commands and macros.

C	You can type commands at the command bar. To reposition the command bar, drag it to another location on your screen.

D	Your drawings are displayed in the drawing window.

E	The user coordinate system (UCS) icon indicates the orientation of the drawing in three-dimensional space.

F	The status bar displays information such as the name or purpose of a tool, the current cursor coordinates, layer name, and mode settings.

G	You can move and dock the toolbars to any location on your screen.


Displaying commands on a shortcut menu

Shortcut menus provide quick access to specific commands. A shortcut menu displays when you right-click an entity or a toolbar. The selections presented in the shortcut menu depend on whether you clicked a toolbar or an entity.

When you right-click a toolbar or the status bar the program displays a shortcut menu that lets you toggle the bars on and off. If you select one or more entities and then right-click, the program displays a shortcut menu from which you can choose a command to modify the selected entities. To display a shortcut menu from which you can choose an entity snap, press and hold down the Shift key, and then right-click anywhere within the drawing window.

  Overview


Displaying and hiding toolbars

When you start IntelliCAD the first time, the Standard, Draw 2D, and Modify toolbars are displayed. IntelliCAD provides about a dozen toolbars, which you can customize by adding and deleting tools. You can also move and resize toolbars, and you can create new toolbars. You can use a shortcut menu to display or hide toolbars.

You can also choose whether toolbars are displayed large or small and in color. You can choose to display or hide ToolTips, which provide descriptions of tools that display when you pause your cursor over one for a few seconds. Go to View > Toolbars to make these selections.

Toolbars are either docked or floating. A floating toolbar has a title bar and a Close box, can be located anywhere on the screen, and can be resized. A docked toolbar does not display a title or Close box, cannot be resized, and is attached along one of the edges of the drawing window.

•	To dock a toolbar, drag it to the perimeter of your drawing; to undock it, drag it away from the perimeter.

•	To position a toolbar in a docking area without docking it, press Ctrl while you drag it.

•	To move a toolbar, drag it to a new location.

•	To resize a toolbar, move your cursor to the edge until it changes to a resize arrow, and then drag.

To choose which toolbars to display:

1.	Right-click anywhere on a docked toolbar or the status bar to display the toolbar shortcut menu.

2.	Select the toolbars you want displayed.

3.	If the toolbar does not appear in the shortcut menu, choose Toolbars.

4.	In the Select Toolbars dialog box, choose the toolbars you want displayed, and then click OK.

  Overview


Using the command bar

The command bar is a dockable window in which you type IntelliCAD commands and view prompts and other program messages. To display the command bar, choose View > Command Bar, or press F3. When initially displayed, the command bar is docked between the toolbars and the drawing. It displays the three most recent lines of prompts. You can move the command bar by dragging it.

When the command bar is floating, you can drag the top or bottom of the window to change the number of lines of text it displays. You can dock the command bar at the top or bottom of the drawing.

  Overview


Using the status bar

If you elect not to use the command bar, the status bar displays information about the selected command or tool. It also displays the current cursor coordinates, the name of the current layer, mode settings, and other information about current settings.

A	Information about the current command.

B	Cursor coordinates (x,y,z).

C	Layer name. Double-click to change layers.

D	Drawing color. By default, the color is BYLAYER. Double-click to change colors.

E	Linetype. By default, the linetype is BYLAYER. Double-click to change linetypes.

F	Snap setting. Double-click to toggle on and off.

G	Grid setting. Double-click to toggle on and off.

H	Orthogonal setting. Double-click to toggle on and off.

I	Entity snap setting. Double-click to select entity snaps.

J	Space mode setting. Double-click to select tile mode, model space, or paper space.

  Overview


Using prompt boxes

IntelliCAD commands often provide several options. These options appear in the status bar or command bar and also in a prompt box initially displayed in the upper right corner of the screen. You can move the prompt box by dragging it; future prompt boxes will appear where you last placed it. The options appear as menu selections. Choose the appropriate option by selecting it in the prompt box. To close a prompt box, click the Close box.

The prompt box is displayed by default. To turn off the display of prompt boxes, choose Tools > Options and click the check box to clear it.

  Overview


Selecting commands

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Select commands using any of these methods:

•	Choose a command from a menu.

•	Click a tool in a toolbar.

•	Type the command in the command bar.

•	Press F3.

Some commands remain active until you end them, so you can repeat an action without having to select a command repeatedly. You can end a command by clicking Done in the prompt box or by pressing Esc.


Using commands

You can use most commands while another command is active. For example, while drawing a line, you may want to use the Pan command to move the drawing across the screen to select the end point of the line. You can also change the settings of drawing aids such as snap or grid while other commands are active.

Starting commands using toolbars

To start a command from a toolbar, click a tool and respond to the prompts.

NOTE The available toolbars depend on the experience level that is set. When you install IntelliCAD, you choose the experience level you want. The Intermediate experience level is the default. Toolbar selections shown in this guide are based on the Intermediate experience level unless otherwise noted. To change the current experience level, choose Tools > Options.

Some tools, such as line or arc, contain flyouts, which are options either for using the basic tool with different methods or that contain other, related tools. Flyouts are indicated by a small triangle in the lower right corner of a tool. To display a flyout, click the tool and hold down the mouse button. To select a tool from a flyout, point to the tool you want and then release the mouse button. The tool you select on the flyout becomes the default tool on the toolbar.

Starting commands using menus

To start a command from a menu, choose it from the list of menu options available.

The available menu options depend on the experience level that is set. When you install IntelliCAD, you choose the experience level you want. The Intermediate experience level is the default. Menu selections shown in this guide are based on the Intermediate experience level unless otherwise noted. To change the current experience level, choose Tools > Options.

Starting commands using the command bar

Type a command, and then press Enter. If the command bar is displayed, the command you typed appears there. If the command bar is not displayed, the command you typed appears in the status bar.

Repeating a command

You can repeat the command you just used without having to reselect it by pressing either the spacebar or Enter or by clicking the right mouse button.

TIP If you are using the command bar to type commands, you can type multiple before starting some commands (circle, arc, and rectangle, for example) to repeat a command indefinitely. When you are done with a command, press Esc.

Nesting a command

If you are working in the command bar, you can use another command from within a command, called nesting. To use a command inside an active command, type an apostrophe before you type the command, such as 'circle, 'line, or 'pyramid. You can nest commands indefinitely in IntelliCAD. Many menu and toolbar macros work this way by default; for example, select color, reference grid, zoom, and snap. When you have finished with the nested command, the original command resumes.

  Overview


Using the Prompt History window

The Prompt History window displays a history of the commands and prompts issued since you started the current session of IntelliCAD. By default, the program tracks up to 256 command lines. There is no limit to the number of command lines you can track, but program performance may be degraded if you choose to track an excessively high number of lines.

To change the number of command lines to track:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Options.

•	Type options, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Command Lines To Track field, type the number of command lines you want to display, and then click OK.

TIP To display the Prompt History window, press F2. To close the window, press F2 again.

  Overview


Using scripts

The IntelliCAD Script Recorder captures and saves many of your actions so you can play them back. After you enable the Script Recorder, all commands and options that you type in the command bar are recorded until you type a command to stop recording. When you run the script, the program carries out the recorded commands in succession.

  Overview


Correcting mistakes

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IntelliCAD tracks the commands you use and the changes you make. If you change your mind or make a mistake, you can undo, or reverse, the last action or several previous actions. You can also redo any actions that you reversed.

You can undo multiple actions by typing undo and specifying the number of actions to undo.


Customizing IntelliCAD

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You can tailor many aspects of IntelliCAD to better suit your needs. For example, you can customize its appearance and modify menus and toolbars. You can also create command aliases and add custom programs written in any of several programming languages, including LISP (the program's Autodesk AutoLISP-compatible language), SDS (the program's Autodesk ADS-compatible language), and Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).


Getting online Help

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IntelliCAD includes online Help. It contains some information that does not appear in this book, including a command reference and a programming language reference.

You can display online Help in any of these ways:

•	On the Standard toolbar, click Help ( [image]).

•	Press F1.

•	Choose a command from the Help menu.

•	Click Help in a dialog box.

•	Type help at the command bar.


Saving your drawing

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You can save your drawing at any time.

To save a drawing, use one of the following methods:

•	On the Standard toolbar, click Save ( [image]).

•	Choose File > Save.

•	Type save and then press Enter.

TIP When you save a drawing the first time, the program displays the Save Drawing As dialog box so that you can choose a directory and type a name for the drawing. To save the drawing later using another name, choose File > Save As and type the new name.


Exiting IntelliCAD

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When you have finished working in IntelliCAD, choose File > Exit.


About working with drawings

  How To	  Related Topics

CAD drawings help you organize information for greater efficiency. With IntelliCAD, you can draw entities representing different types of information on various layers and use those layers to control color, linetype, and visibility. IntelliCAD also includes drawing aids that help you draw accurately.

This chapter explains setting up drawings and using built-in drawing aids, including how to:

•	Create new drawings, open existing drawings, and save changes to drawings.

•	Use aids such as the grid, snap, and orthogonal settings to draw accurately.


Creating a new drawing

  How To	  Related Topics

When you start IntelliCAD, the program automatically creates a new drawing based on a template drawing, icad.dwg. This template includes predefined settings such as drawing units, text size, and drawing area. You can either use these settings or change them according to your needs. There is nothing unique about a template drawing. You can use any drawing as a template for future drawings.

You can save many steps by basing a new drawing on an existing template. By doing this, a new drawing will contain all the settings and entities you need. When you open a new drawing from your custom template, you can modify existing settings and delete any entities that you don't need.


To create a new drawing based on a template
To create a new drawing based on a template:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose File > New.

•	Type newwiz, and then press Enter.

2.	Click Use A Template Drawing, and then click Next.

3.	To display the Open Template dialog box, click Browse.

4.	Select the drawing you want to use as the template, and click Open.

5.	Click Finish.

  Overview


Opening an existing drawing

  How To	  Related Topics

You can open and use one of the sample drawings included in the program.


To open an existing drawing
To open an existing drawing:

Use one of the following methods:

•	Choose File > Open.

•	On the Standard toolbar, click the Open tool ( [image]).

•	Type open, and then press Enter.

TIP To quickly open a drawing file that you recently used, choose File > <file name>. The program tracks the last four drawings.

  Overview


Setting up a drawing

  How To	  Related Topics

You can specify individual settings when you create a new drawing or when you modify settings in a drawing created from a template.


Setting the current layer

Layers are like the overlays that you use in manual drafting. You use layers to organize different types of drawing information. Every drawing has at least one layer, the default layer, named "0." Your drawing can also contain an unlimited number of additional layers. When you create an entity, it is created on the current layer.

To set the current layer:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Layers.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Layers tool ( [image]).

•	Type explayers, and then press Enter.

2.	Double-click the layer that you want to make current.

3.	Close the Drawing Explorer window.

  Overview


Setting the current entity color

An entity's color determines how it is displayed and, if you are using a color printer, how it prints. Entities are created in the current color. There are 255 regular colors and two additional color properties that are often referred to as colors.

You can use seven of the 255 regular colors by name: white, blue, cyan, green, yellow, red, and magenta. Each color has a unique number from 1 to 255. The two additional color properties are BYLAYER and BYBLOCK. These color properties cause an entity to adopt the color either of the layer or of the block into which it is inserted. BYLAYER is color number 0, and BYBLOCK is color number 256. In all commands where you would use a color, you can indicate BYLAYER and BYBLOCK as well as by numbers 0 and 256, respectively.

You can choose colors by selecting them from the color dialog box. At the command bar or in some dialog boxes, you specify a color either by name or by number.

When you open a new drawing, entities are created in the color BYLAYER, which adopts the color of the current layer. Initially, layer 0 is both the only layer and the current layer. Its default color is white, so your entities appear as white.

To set the current entity color:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Entity Creation tab.

3.	Click Select Color.

4.	In the Color dialog box, click BYBLOCK, BYLAYER, or the color of your choice, or type the color number in the edit field.

5.	Click OK.

6.	Click OK again.

  Overview


Setting the current linetype

Linetypes help convey information. You use different linetypes to differentiate the purpose of one line from another. A linetype consists of a repeating pattern of dots, dashes, or blank spaces. Linetypes determine the appearance of entities both on the screen and when printed. By default, every drawing has at least three linetypes: CONTINUOUS, BYLAYER, and BYBLOCK. Your drawing may also contain an unlimited number of additional linetypes.

When you create an entity, it is created using the current linetype. By default, the current linetype is BYLAYER. IntelliCAD indicates that the entity linetype is determined by the current layer linetype by assigning the BYLAYER property as the default linetype setting. When assigned BYLAYER, changing the layer linetype changes the linetype of all the entities created on that layer if they were created using the linetype BYLAYER.

You can also select a specific linetype as the current linetype, which overrides the layer's linetype setting. Entities are then created using that linetype, and changing the layer linetype has no effect on them.

As a third option, you can use the linetype BYBLOCK property, in which case new entities are drawn using the CONTINUOUS linetype until you group them into a block. The entities then inherit the current linetype setting when you insert the block into a drawing.

To set the current linetype:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Entity Creation tab.

3.	In the Entity Linetype list, choose the linetype that you want to make current.

4.	Click OK.

  Overview


Setting the linetype scale

You can specify the linetype scale. The smaller the scale, the more repetitions of the linetype pattern are generated per drawing unit. For example, a linetype pattern is defined as a sequence of dashed lines and open spaces, each 0.25 units long. The linetype scale uses the drawing scale factor to determine the length. For example, a scale factor of .5 would reduce the length of each line and space to 0.125 units; a scale factor of 2 would increase the length of each to .5 units.

NOTE Setting the linetype scale too large may result in a line pattern looking like a solid line.

You can control the current entity linetype scale as well as the overall or global scale factor applied to all the entities in the drawing.

To set the current linetype scale:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Entity Creation tab.

3.	In the Linetype Scale field, type or choose the linetype scale that you want to make current.

4.	Click OK.

To change the global linetype scale:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Entity Creation tab.

3.	In the Global Linetype Scale field, type or choose the global linetype scale that you want to change.

4.	Click OK.

  Overview


Setting drawing units

With IntelliCAD, you typically draw at full-size (1:1 scale), and then set a scale factor when you print or plot your drawing. Before you begin drawing, however, you need to determine the relationship between drawing units and real-world units.

For example, you can decide whether one linear drawing unit represents an inch, a foot, a meter, or a mile. In addition, you can specify the way the program measures angles. For both linear and angular units, you can also set the degree of display precision, such as the number of decimal places or smallest denominator used when displaying fractions. The precision settings only affect the display of distances, angles, and coordinates. IntelliCAD always stores distances, angles, and coordinates using floating-point accuracy.

To set the linear drawing units:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Drawing Units tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, choose Linear Units.

4.	Under Unit Types, select a unit type.

5.	Under Precision, type the display precision according to the number of decimal places you want, or click the arrows to select it.

The field above this setting shows an example of the linear unit type at the current precision.

6.	Click OK.

To set the angular drawing units:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Drawing Units tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, choose Angular Units.

4.	Under Unit Types, select a unit type.

5.	Under Precision, type the display precision according to the number of decimal places you want, or click the arrows to select it.

The field above this setting shows an example of the angle unit type at the current precision.

6.	Under Angle Direction, select the direction in which angles increase when you specify a positive angle value.

7.	Under Angle Base, specify the compass location for the zero angle.

For example, by default, angle 0 is at the "3 o'clock" or "east" position.

The adjacent icon shows the current location of the angle base.

8.	Click OK.

  Overview


Understanding scale factors

Instead of drawing to a particular scale, everything you draw in the program is full-size. Although it's a good idea to keep your scale factor in mind when setting up a drawing, you don't need to set the scale until you print it. For example, when you draw a mechanical part 40 inches in length with IntelliCAD, you actually draw it as 40 inches, rather than applying a scale factor as you draw. When you print your drawing, you can assign the scale at which the drawing is to print.

Scale, however, does affect the way a few elements such as text, arrows, or linetypes print or plot in your drawing. For these, you can make adjustments when you first set up your drawing so that they print or plot at the correct size. For example, when you draw text, you need to determine the text size so that when you plot it later at a particular scale, the text height is correct.

After you determine the eventual scale of your finished drawing, you can calculate the scale factor for the drawing as a ratio of one drawing unit to the actual scale unit represented by each drawing unit. For example, if you plan to print your drawing at 1/8"=1'-0", your scale factor ratio is 1:96 (1/8" = 12" is the same as 1 = 96). If you want your printed scale to be 1 inch = 100 feet, your scale factor ratio is 1:1200.

The following table shows some standard architectural and engineering scale ratios and equivalent text heights required to create text that measures 1/8-inch high when you plot the drawing at the specified scale.

Standard scale ratios and equivalent text heights

Scale	Scale factor	Text height
1/16"=1'-0"	192	24"
1/8"=1'-0"	96	12"
3/16"=1'-0"	64	8"
1/4"=1'-0"	48	6"
3/8"=1'-0"	32	4"
1/2"=1'-0"	24	3"
3/4"=1'-0"	16	2"
1"=1'-0"	12	1.5"
1 1/2"=1'-0"	8	1"
3"=1'-0"	4	0.5"
1"=10'	120	15"
1"=20'	240	30"
1"=30'	360	45"
1"=40'	480	60"
1"=50'	600	75"
1"=60'	720	90"
1"=100'	1200	150"
You can use these scale factors to predetermine the size of your drawing to make sure that it fits on a specific size paper when you print it. You control the size of your drawing by the drawing limits. To calculate the drawing limits to match the size of your paper, multiply the dimensions of your paper size by your scale factor.

For example, if the paper you use to print measures 36 inches x 24 inches and you plot your drawing at 1/8"=1'-0" (in other words, using a scale factor of 96), the size of your drawing measured in drawing units is 36 x 96 (or 3,456 units) wide and 24 x 96 (or 2,304 units) high.

Keep in mind that you can print the finished drawing at any scale, regardless of the scale factor you calculate. You can also print on paper of a different size and use the IntelliCAD paper space feature to create different views of your drawing and to position and scale those views differently. The scaling factor is not related to the size of the entities you draw; it simply provides a preliminary guide to help you establish the text height and drawing limits when you begin your drawing. You can change the text height and drawing limits at any time.

  Overview


Setting the text height

The text height setting controls the height of text, measured in drawing units. Set this value initially so that text used for your most common annotations, when scaled to the size at which you will print a drawing, measures 1/8-inch high on the printed drawing.

For example, if you plan to print your drawing at 1/8"=1'-0" and you want your text to be 1/8-inch high in the final drawing, create that text 1 foot high (in your real-world drawing units) so that when you print it, it appears 1/8-inch high on the paper. You must create text 4 feet high that you want to print 1/2-inch high.

To set the text height:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Entity Creation tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, choose Text.

4.	In the Default Text Height field, select the text height or type the text height value that you want.

5.	Click OK.

NOTE The default text height only applies if the current text style height is 0.0. Otherwise, the text height for the current style takes precedence.

  Overview


Setting the drawing limits

You can specify the drawing limits that form an invisible boundary around your drawing. You can use the drawing limits to make sure that you do not create a drawing larger than can fit on a specific sheet of paper when printed at a specific scale.

For example, if you plan to print your drawing at 1/8"=1'-0" (in other words, using a scale factor of 96) on a sheet of paper measuring 36 inches x 24 inches, you can set drawing limits to 3,264 units wide (that is, 34 x 96) and 2,112 units high (22 x 96), which allows a 1-inch margin around the edges of the printed image.

To set the drawing limits:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click either the Coordinate Input tab or the Display tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, choose Limits.

4.	Specify the x-coordinate and y-coordinate of the upper right drawing limit and the lower left drawing limit.

You can also click Select to specify the drawing limits by selecting points in the drawing.

5.	To constrain your drawing to these drawing limits, select Disallow Input Beyond Limits.

6.	Click OK.

  Overview


Setting and changing the grid and snap alignment

  How To	  Related Topics

Grid and snap settings are effective tools to use in your drawing to ensure accuracy. The reference grid and snap spacing are independent; you can use related units, such as snapping at each inch, but grid points only appear at 12-inch intervals.


Setting a reference grid

You can display a reference grid consisting of a regular pattern of dots. This grid is similar to drawing on a sheet of nonreproducing grid paper. Although the reference grid is visible on the screen, it does not print as part of the drawing, nor does it affect where you can draw.

The reference grid extends only to the limits of the drawing, helping you to visualize the boundary of your drawing and to align entities and visualize distances between entities. You can turn the grid on and off as needed. You can also change the spacing of the grid at any time.

To turn the grid on and set the grid spacing:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Coordinate Input tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, choose Snap And Grid.

4.	Under Reference Grid, click the Show Grid check box.

5.	Under Reference Grid Spacing, in the X field, choose the horizontal grid spacing.

6.	Under Reference Grid Spacing, in the Y field, choose the vertical grid spacing.

7.	Click OK.

TIP To toggle the grid display on and off at any time, double-click the GRID setting on the status bar, click the Reference Grid tool ( [image]) on the Settings toolbar, or press F7.

  Overview


Setting snap spacing

Another way to ensure drawing accuracy is to turn on and set snap spacing. When snap is turned on, the program restricts the selection points to predetermined snap intervals. Although it is often helpful to match the grid spacing to the snap spacing or another related setting, the settings do not have to match.

To turn snap settings on and set snap spacing:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Coordinate Input tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, choose Snap And Grid.

4.	Under Snap Settings, click the Snap check box to turn it on.

5.	Under Snap Settings Spacing, in the X field, choose the horizontal snap spacing.

6.	Under Snap Settings Spacing, in the Y field, choose the vertical snap spacing.

7.	Click OK.

TIP To toggle snap settings on and off at any time, double-click the SNAP setting on the status bar, click the Snap tool ( [image]) on the Settings toolbar, or press F9.

In addition to setting the snap spacing, you can change the snap and grid orientation. You can also rotate the alignment of the grid or set it to create isometric drawings.

  Overview


Changing the snap and grid angle and base point

The snap and grid are both normally based on the drawing origin, the 0,0 coordinate in the World Coordinate System. You can relocate the snap and grid origin, however, to help you draw entities in relation to a different location. You can also rotate the grid to a different angle to realign the crosshairs to the new grid angle. If the grid is on, and the grid spacing is 0,0, then the grid defaults to the snap spacing.

To change the snap angle and base point:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Click Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Coordinate Input tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, select Snap And Grid.

4.	Under Snap Settings, click the Snap check box to turn it on.

5.	Under Reference Grid, click the Show Grid check box to turn it on.

6.	Under Snap and Grid Settings, in the X Origin field, type the x-coordinate of the new snap origin.

7.	Under Snap and Grid Settings, in the Y Origin field, type the y-coordinate of the new snap origin.

8.	Under Snap and Grid Settings, in the Rotation field, type the grid rotation angle.

9.	Click OK.

Default grid and snap alignment.	Rotated grid and snap alignment.
  Overview


Using isometric snap and grid

You can use the isometric snap and grid option to create two-dimensional isometric drawings. With the isometric option, you are simply drawing a simulated three-dimensional view on a two-dimensional plane, much the same as you might draw on a piece of paper. Do not confuse isometric drawings with three-dimensional drawings. You create three-dimensional drawings in three-dimensional space.

The isometric option always uses three preset planes, which are denoted as left, right, and top. You cannot alter the arrangement of these planes. If the snap angle is 0, the three isometric axes are 30 degrees, 90 degrees, and 150 degrees.

When you check the Isometric Snap and Grid option and select an isometric plane, the snap intervals, grid, and crosshairs align with the current plane. The grid is always shown as isometric and uses y-coordinates to calculate the grid spacing. If you select the Draw Orthogonal check box, the program restricts the drawing of entities to the current isometric plane.

TIP To toggle between isometric planes, press F5.

To turn the isometric snap and grid option on:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Coordinate Input tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, select Snap And Grid.

4.	Click to select the Isometric Snap And Grid check box.

5.	Under Isometric Crosshairs, click the option for the isometric plane you want (left, right, or top).

6.	Click OK.

Isometric planes left (A), right (B), top (C).

  Overview


Using the Draw Orthogonal option

  How To	  Related Topics

You can restrict cursor movement to the current horizontal and vertical axes so that you can draw at right angles, or orthogonally. For example, with the default 0-degree orientation (angle 0 at the "three o'clock" or "east" position), when the Draw Orthogonal option is enabled, lines are restricted to 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or 270 degrees. As you draw lines, the rubber-banding line follows either the horizontal or vertical axis, depending on which axis is farthest from the cursor. When you enable the isometric snap and grid, cursor movement is restricted to orthogonal equivalents within the current isometric plane.

NOTE IntelliCAD ignores orthogonal drawing when you type coordinates in the command bar or when you use entity snaps.


To enable orthogonal drawing
To enable orthogonal drawing:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Coordinate Input tab.

3.	Click the Draw Orthogonal check box.

4.	Click OK.

TIP To toggle orthogonal drawing on and off at any time, double-click the ORTHO settings on the status bar, click the Draw Orthogonal tool ( [image]) on the Settings toolbar, or press F8.

  Overview


Using entity snaps

  How To	  Related Topics

Entity snaps enable you to quickly select exact geometric points on existing entities without having to know the exact coordinates of those points. With entity snaps, you can select the end point of a line or arc, the center point of a circle, the intersection of any two entities, or any other geometrically significant position. You can also use entity snaps to draw entities that are tangent or perpendicular to an existing entity.

You can use entity snaps any time the program prompts you to specify a point—for example, if you are drawing a line or other entity. You can work with entity snaps in one of two ways:

•	Enable a running entity snap that remains in effect until you turn it off by choosing an entity snap when no other command is active.

•	Enable a one-time entity snap for a single selection by choosing an entity snap when another command is active. You can also use a one-time entity snap to override a running entity snap.

When using entity snaps, the program recognizes only visible entities or visible portions of entities. You cannot snap to entities on layers that have been turned off or to the blank portions of dashed lines.

When you specify one or more entity snaps, an entity snap target box is added to the crosshairs. In addition, an icon appears adjacent to the crosshair indicating the active entity snap. When you select an entity, the program snaps to the snap point closest to the center of the target box.

TIP If you type the name of the entity snap, you need to type only the first three letters.


To change the size of the entity snap target box
To change the size of the entity snap target box:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Coordinate Input tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, choose Entity Selection.

4.	Under Entity Snap Aperture, change the value in the Aperture field.

5.	Click OK.

  Overview


Setting entity snaps

You can set entity snaps using any of the following methods:

•	Choose Settings > Entity Snap, and choose the entity snap you want to set.

•	On the Entity Snaps toolbar, click one of the entity snap tools.

•	In the command bar, type an entity snap command.

•	In the status bar, double-click ESNAP.

•	Press and hold down the Shift key while right-clicking anywhere within the drawing window to display the entity snap shortcut menu, and then choose the entity snap you want to set.

You can also set entity snaps using the Drawing Settings dialog box. To do this, choose Settings > Entity Snap > Entity Snap Settings. The Drawing Settings dialog box is displayed with the Coordinate Input tab active. In the Entity Snap Modes list, click the check box for each of the entity snaps that you want to set.

TIP When you select an entity snap, a check mark appears next to the entity snap in the menu, the associated tool in the Entity Snaps toolbar is active, and the corresponding box is checked in the Coordinate tab of the Drawing Settings dialog box.

  Overview


Nearest Snap tool

Use the Nearest Snap tool to snap to the nearest point of another entity. You can snap to the nearest point on an arc, circle, ellipse, elliptical arc, line, point, polyline segment, ray, spline, or infinite line that is visually closest to the cursor.

To set the Nearest Snap:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Entity Snap > Nearest Snap.

•	On the Entity Snaps toolbar, click the Set Nearest Snap tool ( [image]).

•	Type nearest, and then press Enter.

  Overview


Endpoint Snap tool

Use the Endpoint Snap tool to snap to the endpoint of another entity. You can snap to the closest endpoint of an arc, line, polyline segment, ray, plane or three-dimensional face. If an entity has thickness, the Endpoint Snap also snaps to the endpoints of the edges of entities.

To set the Endpoint Snap:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Entity Snap > Endpoint Snap.

•	On the Entity Snaps toolbar, click the Set Endpoint Snap tool ( [image]).

•	Type endpoint, and then press Enter.

To snap to the endpoint, select anywhere on the entity near its end point (A).

  Overview


Midpoint Snap tool

Use the Midpoint Snap tool to snap to the midpoint of another entity. You can snap to the midpoint of an arc, line, polyline segment, plane, or infinite line. In the case of infinite lines, the midpoint snaps to the first defined point. If an entity has thickness, the midpoint entity snap also snaps to the midpoints of the edges of entities.

To set the Midpoint Snap:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Entity Snap > Midpoint Snap.

•	On the Entity Snaps toolbar, click the Set Midpoint Snap tool ( [image]).

•	Type midpoint, and then press Enter.

To snap to the midpoint, select anywhere on the entity near its midpoint (A).

  Overview


Center Snap tool

Use the Center Snap tool to snap to the center point of another entity. You can snap to the center of an arc, circle, polygon, ellipse, or elliptical arc. To snap to the center, you must select a visible portion of the entity.

To set the Center Snap:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Entity Snap > Center Snap.

•	On the Entity Snaps toolbar, click the Set Center Snap tool ( [image]).

•	Type center, and then press Enter.

To snap to the center, select anywhere on the visible portion of the entity (A).

  Overview


Perpendicular Snap tool

Use the Perpendicular Snap tool to snap to the perpendicular point of another entity. You can snap to an arc, circle, line, polyline, infinite line, ray, or edge of a plane to form a perpendicular alignment with that entity or with an imaginary extension of that entity.

To set the Perpendicular Snap:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Entity Snap > Perpendicular Snap.

•	On the Entity Snaps toolbar, click the Set Perpendicular Snap tool ( [image]).

•	Type perpendicular, and then press Enter.

To form a perpendicular angle (A) to an entity (B), select anywhere on the entity.

  Overview


Tangent Snap tool

Use the Tangent Snap tool to snap to the tangent point of another entity. You can snap to the point on an arc or circle that, when connected to the previous point, forms a line tangent to that entity.

To set the Tangent Snap:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Entity Snap > Tangent Snap.

•	On the Entity Snaps toolbar, click the Set Tangent Snap tool ( [image]).

•	Type tangent, and then press Enter.

To snap to a tangent, select the entity near the tangent point (A).

  Overview


Quadrant Snap tool

Use the Quadrant Snap tool to snap to the quadrant point of another entity. You can snap to the closest quadrant of an arc, circle, ellipse, or elliptical arc.

To set the Quadrant Snap:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Entity Snap > Quadrant Snap.

•	On the Entity Snaps toolbar, click the Set Quadrant Snap tool ( [image]).

•	Type quadrant, and then press Enter.

To snap to a quadrant, select the entity near the quadrant point (A).

  Overview


Insertion Point Snap tool

Use the Insertion Point Snap tool to snap to the insertion point of an attribute, block, or text entity.

To set the Insertion Point Snap:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Entity Snap > Insertion Point Snap.

•	On the Entity Snaps toolbar, click the Set Insertion Point Snap tool ( [image]).

•	Type insertion, and then press Enter.

To snap to an insertion point, select anywhere on the entity (A).

  Overview


Point Snap tool

Use this tool to snap to a point entity.

To set the Point Snap:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Entity Snap > Point Snap.

•	On the Entity Snaps toolbar, click the Set Point Snap tool ( [image]).

•	Type node, and then press Enter.

To snap to a point entity, select the entity (A).

  Overview


Intersection Snap tool

Use the Intersection Snap tool to snap to the actual intersection in three-dimensional space of any combination of entities. You can snap to the combination of an arc, circle, line, polyline, ray, or infinite line. If the target only covers one entity, the program prompts you to select a second entity and then snaps to the point at which the two entities would intersect if they were of infinite length. You can snap to the vertices of three-dimensional entities and the corners of entities that have thickness.

To set the Intersection Snap:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Entity Snap > Intersection Snap.

•	On the Entity Snaps toolbar, click the Set Intersection Snap tool ( [image]).

•	Type intersection, and then press Enter.

To snap to an intersection, select the intersection (A).

  Overview


Plan View Intersection Snap tool

Use the Plan View Intersection Snap tool to snap to the location in the plan view of the current UCS where two entities would intersect if they were projected onto that plan view. The z-coordinates for the selected entities are ignored; the intersection point uses the current elevation as its z-coordinate. If the target only covers one entity, the program prompts you to select a second entity and then snaps to the point at which the two would intersect in plan view if they were of infinite length.

To set the Plan View Intersection Snap:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Entity Snap > Plan View Intersection Snap.

•	On the Entity Snaps toolbar, click the Set Plan View Intersection Snap tool ( [image]).

•	Type planviewint, and then press Enter.

Select the two entities ([A] and [B]) to snap to a plan view intersection (C).

  Overview


Quick Snap tool

Normally, an entity snap searches all the entities crossing the target and selects the one closest to the center of the target. Use the Quick Snap tool to modify the current entity snap so that the program stops searching for the snap point as soon as it finds one entity with at least one point of the current entity type.

To set the Quick Snap:

•	Type quick, and then press Enter.

  Overview


Clear Entity Snaps tool

Use the Clear Entity Snaps tool to turn off all entity snap settings, regardless of how they were set: by menu, tool, command, or in the Drawing Settings dialog box.

To set Clear Entity Snaps:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Entity Snap > Clear Entity Snaps.

•	On the Entity Snaps toolbar, click the Clear Entity Snaps tool ( [image]).

•	Type none, and then press Enter.

  Overview


About creating simple entities

  Related Topics

With IntelliCAD, simple entities include lines (both finite and infinite), circles, arcs, ellipses, elliptical arcs, points, and rays. In addition, IntelliCAD includes a freehand sketch tool. Entities drawn freehand are also considered to be simple entities.

This chapter explains how to create simple entities using the different ways that you can start the drawing command for each, including how to:

•	Use menu commands on the Insert menu.

•	Use the tools on the Draw 2D toolbar.

•	Type commands on the command bar.

In some cases, there are a number of different ways to create an entity. For the most part, one or two are given here. Refer to the Command Reference in the online help to learn how to create entities using other methods.

When you use a tool or a drawing command, the program prompts you to enter coordinate points, such as end points or insertion points. You can enter the points or distances either using a mouse or by typing coordinate values at the command prompt. As you draw, IntelliCAD also displays a context-sensitive prompt box with appropriate additional options for the type of entity you are drawing.

After you create entities, you can modify them using the entity modification tools.


Drawing lines

  How To	  Related Topics

A line consists of two points: a start point and an end point. You can connect a series of lines, but each line segment is considered a separate line entity.

To draw a line:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Line.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Line tool ( [image]).

•	Type line, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the start point.

3.	Specify the end point.

4.	In the prompt box, choose Done to complete the command.

Start point (A) and end point (B).

The prompt box provides several options as you draw. For example, when you draw the first line segment, you can specify its length or orientation angle. After you draw at least one line segment, you can click Undo to remove the previous line segment. You can click Done to end the line command. After you draw two or more line segments, you can click Close to complete the line command by drawing a line segment that connects to the start point of the first line segment you drew.

If the last entity you drew was an arc, you can also draw a line tangent to and starting from the end point of the arc.


To draw a line as a continuation from the end of an arc
To draw a line as a continuation from the end of an arc:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Line.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Line tool ( [image]).

•	Type line, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Follow.

3.	Specify the length of the line.

End point of previous arc (A) and length of the line (B).

  Overview


Drawing circles

  How To	  Related Topics

The default method for drawing a circle is to specify a center point and radius. You can draw circles using any of the following methods:

•	Center-Radius ( [image])

•	Center-Diameter ( [image])

•	Two points ( [image])

•	Three points ( [image])

•	Radius-Tangent-Tangent ( [image])


To draw a circle by specifying its center and radius
To draw a circle by specifying its center and radius:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Circle.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Circle Center-Radius tool ( [image]).

•	Type circle, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the center point.

3.	Specify the radius of the circle.

Center point (A) and radius (B).

  Overview


To draw a circle tangent to existing entities
 To draw a circle tangent to existing entities:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Circle.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Circle Radius-Tangent tool ( [image]). Go to step 3.

•	Type circle, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Radius-Tangent-Tangent.

3.	Specify the radius of the circle.

4.	Select the first entity to which to draw the circle tangent.

5.	Select the second entity to which to draw the circle tangent.

Radius of circle (A) and tangent lines (B) and (C).

  Overview


Drawing arcs

  How To	  Related Topics

An arc is a portion of a circle. The default method for drawing arcs is to specify three points—the start point, a second point, and the end point. You can draw arcs using any of the following methods:

•	Three points on an arc ( [image])

•	Start point-center-end point ( [image]), or Start point-end point-center ( [image]), or Center-start point-end point ( [image])

•	Start point-center-included angle ( [image]), or Start point-included angle-center ( [image]), or Center-start point-included angle ( [image])

•	Start point-center-chord length ( [image]), or Center-start point-chord length ( [image])

•	Start point-end point-radius ( [image]), or Start point-radius-end point ( [image])

•	Start point-end point-included angle ( [image]), or Start point-included angle-end point ( [image])

•	Start point-end point-starting direction ( [image]), or Start point-starting direction-end point ( [image])

•	Start point-radius-angle ( [image])

•	As a tangent continuation of the previous arc or line ( [image])


To draw an arc by specifying three points
To draw an arc by specifying three points:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Arc.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the 3-Point Arc tool ( [image]).

•	Type arc, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the start point.

3.	Specify a second point.

4.	Specify the end point.

Start point (A), second point (B), and end point (C).

The prompt box provides additional options for drawing arcs. For example, after you specify the start point of an arc, you can choose Angle, Center, Direction, End Point, or Radius. You can select the options in a different order as well. For instance, you can draw an arc by specifying its start point, end point, and radius, or you can specify the start point, radius, and then end point.

  Overview


To draw an arc by specifying its start point, center point, and end point
To draw an arc by specifying its start point, center point, and end point:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Arc.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Arc Start-Center-End tool ( [image]).

•	Type arc, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the start point.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Center.

4.	Specify the center point.

5.	Specify the end point.

Start point (A), center point (B), and end point (C).

  Overview


To draw an arc by specifying two points and an included angle
To draw an arc by specifying two points and an included angle:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Arc.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Arc Start-End-Angle tool ( [image]).

•	Type arc, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the start point.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Angle or type angle.

4.	To draw an arc in a counterclockwise direction, enter a positive value for the included angle.

To draw an arc in a clockwise direction, enter a negative value for the included angle.

5.	Specify the end point.

Start point (A), end point (B), and included angle (C).

If the last entity you drew was an arc or a line, you can also draw an arc tangent to and starting from the end point of the arc or line.

  Overview


To draw an arc tangent to an arc or line
To draw an arc tangent to an arc or line:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Arc.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Tangent Arc tool ( [image]). Go to step 3.

•	Type arc, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Follow.

3.	Specify the end point.

End point (A).

  Overview


Drawing ellipses

  How To	  Related Topics

The default method for drawing ellipses is to specify the end points of one axis of the ellipse, and then specify a distance representing half the length of the second axis. The end points of the axis determine the orientation of the ellipse. The longer axis of the ellipse is called the major axis, and the shorter one is the minor axis. The order in which you define the axes does not matter. The program determines the major and minor axes based on their relative lengths. You can draw ellipses using any of the following methods:

•	Axis-axis ( [image])

•	Axis-rotation ( [image])

•	Center-axis ( [image])

•	Center-rotation ( [image])


To draw an ellipse by specifying the axis end points
To draw an ellipse by specifying the axis end points:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Ellipse.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Ellipse Axis-Axis tool ( [image]).

•	Type ellipse, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the first end point.

3.	Specify the second end point.

4.	Specify the half-length of the other axis.

First axis end point (A), second axis end point (B), and half-length of other axis (C).

  Overview


Drawing elliptical arcs

  How To	  Related Topics

An elliptical arc is a portion of an ellipse. The default method for drawing elliptical arcs is to specify the end points of one axis of the ellipse, and then specify a distance representing half the length of the second axis. Then you specify the start and end angles for the arc, measured from the center of the ellipse in relation to its major axis. You can draw elliptical arcs using any of the following methods:

•	Axis-axis ( [image])

•	Axis-rotation ( [image])

•	Center-axis ( [image])

•	Center-rotation ( [image])


To draw an elliptical arc by specifying the axis end points
To draw an elliptical arc by specifying the axis end points:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Elliptical Arc.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Elliptical Arc Axis-Axis tool ( [image]).

•	Type ellipse, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the first end point.

3.	Specify the second end point.

4.	Specify the half-length of the other axis.

5.	Specify the start angle of the arc.

6.	Specify the end angle.

NOTE IntelliCAD draws elliptical arcs in the direction you specify. Go to Settings > Drawing Settings > Drawing Units tab. In Change Settings For, select Angular Units. The default setting is counterclockwise.

First axis end point (A), second axis end point (B), half-length of other axis (C), start angle of arc (D), and end angle (E).

  Overview


Creating point entities

  How To	  Related Topics

You can draw a point entity formatted as either a single dot or as one of 19 other possible display styles.


To draw a point
To draw a point:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Draw Point.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Point tool ( [image]).

•	Type point, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the location of the point.

  Overview


To draw several points
To draw several points:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Draw Point.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Point tool ( [image]).

•	Type point, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Multiple Points.

3.	Specify the location of each point.

4.	In the prompt box, choose Done to complete the command.

  Overview


Changing the size and appearance of point entities

Changing the size and appearance of point entities affects all point entities already in the drawing, as well as all points that you subsequently draw. Positive values represent the absolute size of the point entity measured in drawing units. Negative values represent a percentage relative to the drawing screen, so that points retain their visual size as you use the zoom command to change the magnification of the drawing.

To change the size and appearance of point entities:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Entity Creation tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, click Points.

4.	Under Point Display Type, select the style you want.

5.	Under Point Size, select the point size, or choose one of the options.

6.	Click OK.

When you regenerate the drawing, all point entities change to reflect the new size and appearance settings.

  Overview


Drawing rays

  How To	  Related Topics

A ray is a line in three-dimensional space that starts at a point and extends to infinity. Because rays extend to infinity, they are not calculated as part of the drawing extents. The default method for drawing rays is to select the start point of the ray and then specify its direction. You can draw a ray in any of the following ways:

•	Horizontal draws the ray parallel to the x-axis of the current UCS.

•	Vertical draws the ray parallel to the y-axis of the current UCS.

•	Angle draws the ray parallel to a specified angle.

•	Bisect draws the ray perpendicular to an existing entity.

•	Parallel draws the ray parallel to an existing entity.


To draw a ray
To draw a ray:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Ray.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Ray tool ( [image]).

•	Type ray, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the start point.

3.	Specify the direction.

4.	To complete the command, press Enter.

Start point (A) and direction (B).

  Overview


Drawing infinite lines

  How To	  Related Topics

Infinite lines are sometimes referred to as construction lines. An infinite line is a line through a given point, oriented at a specified angle in three-dimensional space and extending to infinity in both directions. Because infinite lines extend to infinity, they are not calculated as part of the drawing extents.

The default method for drawing infinite lines is to select a point along the line and then specify the direction of the line. You can draw an infinite line in any of the following ways:

•	Horizontal draws the infinite line parallel to the x-axis of the current UCS.

•	Vertical draws the infinite line parallel to the y-axis of the current UCS.

•	Angle draws the infinite line parallel to a specified angle.

•	Bisect draws the infinite line perpendicular to an existing entity.

•	Parallel draws the infinite line parallel to an existing entity.


To draw an infinite line
To draw an infinite line:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Infinite Line.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Infinite Line tool ( [image]).

•	Type infline, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify a point along the line.

3.	Specify the direction.

4.	To complete the command, press Enter.

Point along the infinite line (A) and the direction (B).

You can also draw infinite lines at a specific angle or at an angle relative to an existing entity.

  Overview


To draw an infinite line at a specified angle relative to another entity
To draw an infinite line at a specified angle relative to another entity:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Infinite Line.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Infinite Line tool ( [image]).

•	Type infline, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Angle.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Reference.

4.	Select the reference entity.

5.	Specify the angle of the infinite line in relation to the selected entity.

6.	Specify the location of the infinite line.

7.	To complete the command, press Enter.

Reference entity (A) and angle in relation to entity (B).

  Overview


Creating freehand sketches

  How To	  Related Topics

A freehand sketch consists of many straight line segments, created either as individual line entities or as a polyline. Before you begin creating a freehand sketch, you must set the length, or increment, of each segment. The smaller the segments, the more accurate your sketch, but segments that are too small can greatly increase the file size.

After you specify the length of the sketch segments, the crosshairs change to a pencil tool. Your freehand sketch is not added to the drawing until you "write" the sketch into your drawing. This means that you temporarily save the segment that you've drawn and the segment length, and you can continue sketching.


To create a freehand sketch
To create a freehand sketch:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Freehand.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Draw Freehand tool ( [image]).

•	Type freehand, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the length of the sketch segments.

3.	Click the mouse button to place the pencil tool ( [image]) on the drawing to begin sketching.

4.	Move the pencil image to draw a temporary freehand sketch.

5.	Click the mouse button to lift the pencil up to stop sketching.

6.	In the prompt box, choose Write, Then Resume to write the temporary freehand sketch into the drawing.

7.	Click the mouse button to put the pencil down again and resume sketching.

8.	Click the mouse button again to lift the pencil up to stop sketching.

9.	In the prompt box, choose Done to write the temporary freehand sketch into the drawing and end the command.

A freehand sketch consists of individual line entities or a polyline.

  Overview


Erasing freehand sketch lines

You can erase temporary freehand sketch lines that have not yet been written to the drawing by choosing the Delete On option in the prompt box. The pencil changes to an eraser tool. You can erase portions of the line when you move the eraser over a temporary freehand line without clicking the mouse button.

To erase freehand sketch lines:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Freehand.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Draw Freehand tool ( [image]).

•	Type freehand, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the length of the sketch segments.

3.	Select a point on the drawing to display the pencil tool and begin sketching.

4.	Click the mouse button to lift the pencil up to stop sketching.

5.	In the prompt box, choose Delete On.

5.	Move the eraser tool ( [image]) to the beginning or end of the freehand sketch line that you drew, and then move it as far along the line as you want to erase.

6.	Click the mouse button to put the pencil tool down to resume sketching.

  Overview


Setting the sketch method and accuracy

Using polylines for freehand sketches makes it easier to go back and edit sketches. You control whether to create freehand sketches using line segments or polylines in the Drawing Settings dialog box. You can also control the length of sketch segments in this dialog box.

To specify lines or polylines when sketching:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Choose the Entity Creation tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, click Freehand Sketches.

4.	Under Freehand Sketching Methods, click either Freehand Command Creates Lines or Freehand Command Creates A Polyline.

5.	Click OK.

  Overview


About creating complex entities

  Related Topics

With IntelliCAD, complex entities include polylines (including rectangles and polygons), spline curves, donuts, and planes. In addition, IntelliCAD includes tools for adding hatching to your drawings.

This chapter explains how to create complex entities using the different ways that you can start the drawing command for each, including how to:

•	Use menu commands on the Insert menu.

•	Use the tools on the Draw 2D toolbar.

•	Type commands in the command bar.

When you choose a drawing command or select a tool, the program prompts you to enter coordinate points, such as end points or insertion points. You can enter points or distances by either using a mouse or typing coordinate values in the command bar. As you draw, the program also displays a context-sensitive prompt box with appropriate additional options for the type of entity you are drawing.

After you create complex entities, you can modify them using the entity-modification tools. Several of these entity types require special editing commands.


Drawing rectangles

  How To	  Related Topics

With IntelliCAD, rectangles are closed polylines with four sides. You draw a rectangle by specifying its opposite corners. The rectangle is normally aligned parallel to the current snap and grid alignment, but you can use the rotated option to align the rectangle to any angle.

To draw a rectangle:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Rectangle.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Rectangle tool ( [image]).

•	Type rectangle, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify one corner of the rectangle.

3.	Specify the opposite corner of the rectangle.

Opposite corners (A and B). Resulting rectangle.

You can edit each side of a rectangle individually using the Edit Polyline tool ( [image]) on the Modify toolbar. You can convert the sides into individual line entities using the Explode tool ( [image]) on the Modify toolbar. You can control whether wide rectangle lines are shown filled or as outlines using the Fill tool ( [image]) on the Settings toolbar.

You can also use the Rectangle tool to draw a square. Instead of specifying the opposite corners, you specify the length of one side and the alignment of the square.


To draw a square
To draw a square:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Rectangle.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Rectangle tool ( [image]).

•	Type rectangle, and then press Enter.

2.	Choose Square.

3.	Specify one corner of the square.

4.	Specify the length of one side of the square by selecting its other end.

The point you specify determines both the size and alignment of the square.

End points of one side of the square (A and B). Resulting square.

TIP To control the width of the rectangle line, choose the Width Of Line option in the prompt box. After you change the width of the line, the new width setting remains in effect for subsequent rectangles until you change it again.

  Overview


Drawing polygons

  How To	  Related Topics

Polygons are closed polylines comprised of a minimum of three and a maximum of 1,024 equal-length sides. The default method for drawing a polygon is to specify the center of the polygon and the distance from the center to each vertex. You can draw a polygon using any of the following methods:

•	Center - by vertex ( [image]) on the Draw 2D toolbar

•	Center - by side ( [image]) on the Draw 2D toolbar

•	Edge ( [image]) on the Draw 2D toolbar

The vertex polygon drawing method creates an equal-sided polygon defined by its center point and the distance to its vertices. You specify the number of sides, the center point, and the location of one vertex, which determines both the size and orientation of the polygon.


To draw a polygon by vertex
To draw a polygon by vertex:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Polygon.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Polygon, Center-Vertex tool ( [image]).

•	Type polygon, and then press Enter.

2.	Type 5 to specify five sides for the polygon.

3.	Specify the center of the polygon.

4.	Specify the vertex of the polygon.

The center (A) and vertex (B). Resulting polygon.

  Overview


Drawing polygons by side

The side polygon drawing method creates an equal-sided polygon defined by its center point and the distance to the midpoint of a side. You specify the number of sides, the center point, and the location of the midpoint of one side, which determines both the size and orientation of the polygon.

To draw a polygon by side:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Polygon.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Polygon, Center-Side tool ( [image]).

•	Type polygon, and then press Enter.

2.	Type 3 to specify three sides for the polygon.

3.	Specify the center of the polygon.

4.	Choose Specify By Side.

5.	Specify the midpoint of the side.

The center (A) and midpoint of one side (B).	Resulting polygon.

You can edit each side of a polygon individually using the Edit Polyline tool ( [image]) on the Modify toolbar. You can convert the sides into individual line entities using the Explode tool ( [image]) on the Modify toolbar. You can control whether wide polygon lines are shown filled or as outlines using the Fill tool ( [image]) on the Settings toolbar.

  Overview


Drawing polylines

  How To	  Related Topics

With IntelliCAD, a polyline is a connected sequence of arcs and lines that is treated as a single entity. You can draw a polyline with any linetype and using a width that either remains constant or tapers over the length of any segment. When editing a polyline, you can modify the entire polyline or change individual segments.

After you specify the start point of a polyline, a prompt box provides several options as you draw, such as length, orientation angle, and width. You can specify different starting and ending widths to create a tapered polyline segment.

After you draw at least one polyline segment, you can use the Undo option to remove the previous segment. After you draw two or more polyline segments, you can use the Close option to complete the command by drawing a segment that ends at the start point of the first polyline segment you drew. Choose Done to complete the command without closing the polyline.

Curved polyline with tapered width.	Polyline with straight segments.	Closed polyline.


To draw a polyline with straight segments
To draw a polyline with straight segments:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Polyline.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Polyline tool ( [image]).

•	Type polyline, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the start point.

3.	Specify the end point of each segment.

4.	To complete the command, choose Close or Done.

Polyline start point (A) and segment end points (B).

With the Draw Arcs option, you can continually draw arc segments until you select the Draw Lines option to go back to drawing line segments. When you draw arc segments, the first point of the arc is the end point of the previous segment. By default, you draw arc segments by specifying the end point of each segment. Each successive arc segment is drawn tangent to the previous arc or line segment. If you choose Close while in the Draw Arcs option, the closing segment is created as an arc.

You can also specify the arc using any of the following methods:

•	Start point, included angle, center point

•	Start point, included angle, radius

•	Start point, center point, end point

•	Start point, included angle, end point

•	Start point, center point, included angle

•	Start point, center point, chord length

•	Start point, direction, end point

•	Start point, radius, included angle

•	Start point, second point, end point

  Overview


To draw a line segment followed by an arc polyline segment
To draw a line segment followed by an arc polyline segment:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Polyline.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Polyline tool ( [image]).

•	Type polyline, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the start point.

3.	Specify the end point.

4.	Choose Draw Arcs.

5.	Specify the end point of the arc segment.

6.	To complete the command, choose Done.

Polyline start point (A), line end point/arc start point (B), and arc end point (C).

You can edit entire polylines and individual segments using the Edit Polyline tool ( [image]) on the Modify toolbar. You can convert the polyline into individual arc and line entities using the Explode tool ( [image]) on the Modify toolbar. You can control whether wide polylines are shown filled or as outlines using the Fill tool ( [image]) on the Settings toolbar.

  Overview


Drawing splines

  How To	  Related Topics

A spline is a smooth curve defined by a set of points. You can use splines to create sculptured shapes such as the cross section of a turbine blade or an airplane wing.


To draw a spline
To draw a spline:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Spline.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Spline tool ( [image]).

•	Type spline, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the first point of the spline.

3.	Specify the second point of the spline.

4.	Specify as many more points as you want.

5.	When you are done specifying points, press Enter.

6.	You can add tangents to the spline, which are lines that give it shape; specify the starting tangent point.

7.	Specify the ending tangent point.

Spline.	Spline with starting tangent point (A) and ending tangent point (B).
  Overview


Specifying fit tolerance

By default, the spline passes through all of the control points. When you draw a spline, you can change this by specifying the fit tolerance. The fit tolerance value determines how closely the spline fits the set of points you specify. For example, a spline fit tolerance value of 0 causes the spline to pass through the control points. A value of 0.01 creates a spline that passes through the start and end points and within 0.01 units of the intermediate control points.

To specify the fit tolerance:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Spline.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Spline tool ( [image]).

•	Type spline, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the first point of the spline.

3.	Specify the second point of the spline.

4.	In the prompt box, choose Fit Tolerance.

5.	To accept the default of 0.0000, press Enter.

To specify a different fit tolerance, type the number, and then press Enter.

6.	Specify the points you need to draw a spline or a closed spline.

  Overview


Drawing a closed spline

You can draw a closed spline, which is a spline for which the start and end points are the same. Because the spline is closed, you specify only one tangent.

To draw a closed spline:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Spline.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Spline tool ( [image]).

•	Type spline, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the first point of the spline.

3.	Specify the second point of the spline.

4.	Specify as many more points as you want.

5.	When you are done specifying points, choose Close in the prompt box.

6.	To complete the command, specify the tangent point.

The beginning and end point (A) of a closed spline.

  Overview


Drawing donuts

  How To	  Related Topics

Donuts are solid, filled circles or rings created as closed, wide polylines. You can draw a donut using one of several methods. The default method is to specify the inside and outside diameters of the donut, and then specify its center. You can then create multiple copies of the same donut by specifying different center points until you press Enter to complete the command.


To draw a donut
To draw a donut:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Donut.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Donut tool ( [image]).

•	Type donut, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the inside diameter of the donut.

3.	Specify the outside diameter of the donut.

4.	Specify the center of the donut.

5.	Specify the center point to draw another donut, or choose Done to complete the command.

Inside diameter (A) and outside diameter (B).

The prompt box provides additional options for drawing donuts. For example, you can specify the width of the donut and two points on the diameter of the donut, or you can specify the width and three points on the donut. You can also draw a donut tangent to existing entities.

  Overview


To draw a donut tangent to existing entities
To draw a donut tangent to existing entities:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Donut.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Donut tool ( [image]).

•	Type donut, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Radius Tangent Tangent.

3.	Specify the width of the donut.

4.	Specify the diameter of the donut.

5.	Select the first tangent entity to which to draw the donut.

6.	Select the second tangent entity to which to draw the donut.

Width (A) and diameter (B) of the donut and tangent entities (C).

You can edit donuts using the Edit Polyline tool ( [image]) on the Modify toolbar. You can convert donuts into arc entities using the Explode tool ( [image]) on the Modify toolbar. You can control whether donuts are shown filled or as outlines using the Fill tool ( [image]) on the Settings toolbar.

TIP You can control the default outside and inside diameter of donuts by choosing Settings > Drawing Settings, and then clicking the Entity Creation tab and choosing the options you want.

  Overview


Creating planes

  How To	  Related Topics

With the Plane tool, you can draw rectangular, triangular, or quadrilateral areas filled with a solid color. The default method is to specify the corners of the plane. After you specify the first two corners, the plane is displayed as you specify the remaining corners. Specify corner points in a triangular manner. The program prompts you for the third point and then the fourth point. If you continue specifying points, the third- and fourth-point prompts toggle until you press Enter to complete the command.


To draw a quadrilateral plane
To draw a quadrilateral plane:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Plane.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Plane tool ( [image]).

•	Type plane, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the first point.

3.	Specify the second point.

4.	Specify the third point.

5.	Specify the fourth point.

6.	To complete the command, press Enter.

After you select the first two points (A) and (B), the sequence in which you select the third (C) and fourth (D) points determines the shape of the resulting quadrilateral plane.

The prompt box provides additional options for drawing planes. For example, you can draw rectangular, square, or triangular planes.

  Overview


To draw a rectangular plane
To draw a rectangular plane:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Plane.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Plane tool ( [image]).

•	Type plane, and then press Enter.

2.	Choose Rectangle.

3.	Specify the first point.

4.	Specify the opposite corner.

5.	Specify the rotation angle.

6.	To complete the command, specify the opposite corner to draw another rectangle, or press Enter.

Opposite corners (A and B) and rotation angle (C).	Resulting plane.

You can control whether planes are shown filled or as outlines using the Fill tool ( [image]) on the Settings toolbar. You can convert planes into individual line entities corresponding to the outline of the plane using the Explode tool ( [image]) on the Modify toolbar.

  Overview


Adding hatching

  How To	  Related Topics

You can add hatching to an area enclosed by existing entities, or you can define the hatch boundaries as you draw. You can also select the hatch pattern from predefined patterns, or you can define a pattern of your own.

When you add hatching, you must specify the hatch pattern as well as its angle and scale.


To hatch an entity using a simple line pattern
 To hatch an entity using a simple line pattern:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Hatch.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Hatch tool ( [image]).

•	Type hatch, and then press Enter.

2.	Choose Hatch With Lines.

3.	Specify the hatch pattern angle.

4.	Specify the space between the lines.

5.	Choose either Yes-Cross-Hatch to apply a second set of lines at a 90-degree angle to the first set or No-One Direction to apply the hatch pattern as a single set of lines.

6.	Select the entities that you want to hatch, and then press Enter.

Select the entity to be hatched (A).	Resulting hatched entity.
TIP To use the default hatch pattern angle and spacing, choose Proceed in the prompt box.

  Overview


Using a predefined hatch pattern

You can apply a complex hatch pattern consisting of a repeating pattern of lines, dashes, and dots. The program supplies more than 70 standard hatch patterns, stored in the icad.pat hatch pattern library file. You can add your own custom hatch patterns to this library file or use other external hatch pattern libraries.

When you apply a predefined hatch pattern, you must specify the hatch pattern name as well as its angle and scale. The most recently used hatch pattern is the default pattern the next time you choose Hatch.

To view a list of predefined hatch patterns:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Hatch.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Hatch tool ( [image]).

•	Type hatch, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose List Patterns.

3.	Press the asterisk key (*), and then press Enter.

A list of hatch patterns is displayed in the Prompt History window, along with a description of each pattern. The following type of information is displayed:

Pattern Type	Description
ANSI31	ANSI Iron
ANSI32	ANSI Steel
ANSI33	ANSI Bronze, Copper, Brass
ANSI34	ANSI Rubber, Plastic
ANSI35	ANSI Refractory material, Fir
ANSI36	ANSI Marble, Glass, Slate
ANSI37	ANSI Lead, Zinc, Magnesium
ANSI38	ANSI Aluminum
2X2BRIKC	ALTERNATE PAIRS OF BRICKS - CO
2X2BRIKS	ALTERNATE PAIRS OF BRICKS - SI
ANCHORLK	UNI-ANCHORLOCK LOCKSTONE PAVIN
APPIAN2	APPLIAN STONE 2 STONE PATTERN
APPIANRN	APPIAN STONE RUNNING BOND
ASPHALT	ASPHALT
BOARD	BOARD PLANKING
BOARDW	WIDE BOARDS
Scroll • <ENTER to view next screen>:

To hatch an area using a predefined hatch pattern:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Hatch.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Hatch tool ( [image]).

•	Type hatch, and then press Enter.

2.	Type the name of the hatch pattern you want to use.

To use the default, press Enter.

3.	Specify the hatch pattern scale.

4.	Specify the hatch pattern angle.

5.	Select the entities to be hatched, and then press Enter.

Hatch patterns are added to the drawing as blocks, so the entire hatch is treated as a single entity. You can add a hatch as a collection of entities (an exploded hatch) by preceding the hatch pattern name with an asterisk (*), for example *board.

Although you can use an existing entity to define the area you want to hatch, after you draw the hatch, it is independent of the entity itself. To move both the entity and its hatch, select them both.

NOTE Hatch patterns are memory intensive and can take a considerable amount of time to draw. Hatch patterns inserted as exploded entities use even more memory. To improve performance, add hatching as one of the last steps when you create a drawing, or insert hatches on a separate layer that you can freeze as you continue to work on your drawing.

  Overview


Using hatch styles

You can use the Style option to control the way hatching is applied by selecting one of the three hatch styles:

•	Standard: Begins hatching at the outermost boundary. If no entities are encountered, everything within the boundary is hatched. If other entities are encountered, hatching is applied between the first and second boundaries, then no hatching is applied between the second and third boundaries, then hatching is applied between the third and fourth boundaries, and so on. The default hatch style is Standard.

•	All: Hatches everything within the outermost boundary without regard to any entities within that boundary.

•	Outer: Begins hatching at the outermost boundary and stops hatching at the first inner boundary encountered.

Standard.	All.	Outer.
To specify the hatch style:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Hatch.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Hatch tool ( [image]).

•	Type hatch, and then press Enter.

2.	Choose Specify Style.

3.	Choose All, Outer, or Standard.

4.	Continue with the hatch command.

  Overview


About viewing your drawing

  Related Topics

IntelliCAD provides many ways to display and view your drawing. You can also change various display settings to speed up the display or printing of a drawing. This chapter explains how to:

•	Navigate within a drawing by scrolling and panning.

•	Change the magnification of a drawing by zooming in and out.

•	Work with multiple windows or views of a drawing.

•	Control the display of elements to optimize performance when working with large or complex drawings.


Redrawing and regenerating a drawing

  How To	  Related Topics

As you work on a drawing, visual elements may remain after the completion of a command. You can remove these elements by refreshing, or redrawing, the display.


To redraw (refresh) the current window display
 To redraw (refresh) the current window display:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Redraw.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Redraw tool ( [image]).

•	Type redraw, and then press Enter.

Information about drawing entities is stored in a database as floating point values, ensuring a high level of precision. Sometimes a drawing must be recalculated, or regenerated, from the floating-point database to convert those values to the appropriate screen coordinates. This occurs automatically. You can also manually initiate a regeneration. When the drawing is regenerated, it is also redrawn.

To regenerate the current window, type regen in the command bar. If more than one window is displayed, type regenall to regenerate all the windows.

  Overview


Moving around within a drawing

  How To	  Related Topics

You can move the view of a drawing displayed in the current viewport by scrolling or panning. Doing this changes the portion of the drawing you are viewing without changing the current magnification. Scrolling lets you move around in the drawing horizontally and vertically. Panning lets you move the drawing in any direction.

Using scroll bars

Each drawing window contains vertical and horizontal scrollbars that you can use to navigate within the drawing. The size of the scroll box in relation to the scroll bar indicates the current level of drawing magnification. The position of the scroll box in relation to the scroll bar indicates the location of the center of the drawing in relation to the extents of the drawing (the smallest rectangle containing all the entities in the drawing).


Using the pan command

You can move the drawing in any direction using the Pan tool ( [image]) on the View toolbar. Panning shifts or slides the view of the drawing horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The magnification of the drawing remains the same; only the portion of the drawing displayed changes.

The default method of using the Pan tool is to move a specified distance or to a specific location by specifying a pan base point and a pan displacement point. This method lets you pan in any direction, including diagonally. The cursor changes to a hand ( [image]) when the Pan tool on the View toolbar is active.

To pan the drawing:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Pan.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Pan tool ( [image]).

•	Type pan, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the pan base point.

3.	Specify the pan displacement point.

TIP You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to quickly pan through your drawing in small increments.

Select the pan base point (A) and then select a second point (B) to specify the pan displacement.	Result.
  Overview


Changing the magnification of your drawing

  How To	  Related Topics

You can change the magnification of your drawing at any time by zooming. The cursor changes to a magnifying glass ( [image]) when a Zoom tool is active. Zoom out to reduce the magnification so you can see more of the drawing, or zoom in to increase the magnification so you can see a portion of the drawing in greater detail. Changing the magnification of the drawing affects only the way the drawing is displayed; it has no effect on the dimensions of the entities in your drawing.

Zooming in and out

One of the easiest ways to change the magnification of the drawing is to zoom in or out by a preset increment. On the View toolbar, the Zoom In tool ( [image]) doubles the current magnification of the drawing. The Zoom Out tool ( [image]) reduces the magnification of the drawing by half. The portion of the drawing located at the center of the current viewport remains centered on the screen as you zoom in and out.

Zoom in.	Zoom out.


Zooming using a window

You can magnify a specific area of a drawing by specifying the corners of a rectangular window around it. The lower-left corner of the window becomes the lower-left corner of the new area displayed.

To zoom in to an area using a window:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Zoom > Window.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Zoom Window tool ( [image]).

•	Type zoom, and then press Enter.

2.	Select one corner of the window around the area you want to magnify.

3.	Specify the opposite corner of the window around the area you want to magnify.

To specify a rectangular window around the area you want to magnify, select first one corner (A) and then select the opposite corner (B). Result.

  Overview


Displaying the previous view of a drawing

After you zoom in or pan to view a portion of your drawing in greater detail, you may want to zoom back out to see the entire drawing. On the View menu, the Zoom Previous tool ( [image]) lets you restore the previous view. Selecting this tool repeatedly steps back through up to 25 successive zoomed or panned views.

  Overview


Zooming to a specific scale

You can increase or decrease the magnification of your view by a precise scale factor measured relative to the overall size of the drawing or in relation to the current display. When you change the magnification factor, the portion of the drawing located at the center of the current viewport remains centered on the screen.

To change the magnification of the view relative to the overall size of the drawing, type a number representing the magnification scale factor. For example, if you type a scale factor of 2, the drawing appears at twice its original size. If you type a magnification factor of .5, the drawing appears at half its original size.

You can also change the magnification of the drawing relative to its current magnification by adding an x after the magnification scale factor. For example, if you type a scale factor of 2x, the drawing changes to twice its current size. If you type a magnification factor of .5x, the drawing changes to half its current size.

To zoom to a specific scale relative to the current display:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Zoom > Zoom In.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Zoom In tool ( [image]).

•	Type zoom, and then press Enter.

2.	Type the scale factor, followed by an x (such as 2x).

3.	Press Enter.

  Overview


Combining zooming and panning

You can specify the point you want at the center of the view when you change the drawing magnification. You can specify the point you want at the lower left of the view when you change the magnification of the drawing with the Zoom Left tool ( [image]) on the View toolbar. With the exception of the Zoom Window tool, the other Zoom tools zoom in or out from the center of the current view.

To change the center of the current view:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Zoom > Center.

•	On the Zoom toolbar, click the Zoom Center tool ( [image]).

•	Type zoom, press Enter, and then in the prompt box, choose Center.

2.	Select the point you want located at the center of the new view.

3.	Specify the zoom scale factor or the height of the drawing in drawing units.

Current view showing the point to be centered in the new view (A) and the new view zoomed using a scale factor of 2x.

  Overview


Displaying the entire drawing

You can use the Zoom All tool ( [image]) on the View toolbar to display an entire drawing. If you have drawn any entities outside the defined limits of the drawing, the extents of the drawing are displayed. If you drew all entities within the limits of the drawing, the drawing is displayed all the way to the drawing limits.

The Zoom Extents tool ( [image]) on the View toolbar displays the drawing to its extents, making the image fill the display to the greatest possible magnification.

Zooming extents.	Zooming entire drawing.
  Overview


Displaying multiple views

  How To	  Related Topics

When you begin a new drawing, it is displayed in a single window. You can view the drawing in a second window, or you can divide one window into multiple windows. You can also open and display multiple drawings.

Working with multiple views

You can open and work with several views of the same drawing simultaneously. There are two methods for dividing the current drawing into multiple views:

•	Open a new window of the open drawing.

•	Divide the current window into multiple views.

After you divide a single window into multiple windows, you can control each window separately. For example, you can zoom or pan in one window without affecting the display in any of the other windows. You can control the grid, snap, and view orientation separately for each window. You can restore named views in individual windows, draw from one window to another, and name window configurations individually so you can reuse them later.

As you draw, any changes you make in one window are immediately visible in the others. You can switch from one window to another at any time, even in the middle of a command, by clicking the window's title bar.

Opening a new window

You can open additional windows to create more than one view of a drawing. To open a new window, choose Window > New Window. After you open a new window, you can change its display without affecting any of the other windows.

Working with multiple drawings

With the multiple-document interface (MDI) feature, you can open more than one drawing window at a time. Because you can open and work on several drawings at one time, you can copy, cut, or paste an entity from one drawing to another. Each drawing window that you open and work on retains in the Prompt History log all the commands that you perform, but the command line does not indicate when you have switched windows.

If you move an entity from one window to another and then want to undo this action, you must undo it in both drawings for it to take effect. If you copy an entity from one window to another and then want to undo that action, you must undo it from the drawing into which you copied the entity. If you cut and paste an entity and then want to undo that action, you must undo it in both drawings.

Working with multiple windows

When you open more than one window for a single drawing, each window is assigned a unique number (for example, mydrawing:1, mydrawing:2, and so on). If your current window is maximized, you can switch to another open window by selecting its name from the bottom of the Window menu.

The names of other open drawings appear at the bottom of the Window menu. You can also use the Cascade, Tile Horizontally, and Tile Vertically commands to arrange all the open windows and drawings. To arrange all the windows and drawings into a stack of identically sized windows, choose Window > Cascade. Arranging windows and drawings in this way makes it easy to see the title bar for each window.

To arrange all the windows and drawings horizontally so they are placed in order from top to bottom, choose Window > Tile Horizontally. Arranging windows and drawings in this way displays each open window. The windows are resized to fit within the available space.

To arrange all the windows and drawings vertically so they are placed side by side, choose Window > Tile Vertically. Arranging windows and drawings in this way displays each open window. The windows are resized to fit within the available space.


Dividing the current window into multiple views

You can divide a drawing window into multiple tiled windows. You can control the number of windows created and the arrangement of the windows. The Viewports tool also lets you save and restore named window configurations and display a list of the current and saved window configurations.

To create multiple views:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Viewports.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Viewports tool ( [image]).

•	Type viewports, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Create 2 Viewports, Create 3 Viewports, or Create 4 Viewports.

3.	In the prompt box, choose the viewport orientation.

You can divide a drawing window into two windows arranged vertically (A) or horizontally (B); three windows arranged left (C), right (D), above (E), below (F), vertically (G), or horizontally (H); or four tiled windows (I).

To join two views:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Viewports.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Viewports tool ( [image]).

•	Type viewports, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Join.

3.	Click anywhere inside the window you want to keep.

4.	Click anywhere inside the adjacent window you want to join to the first window.

5.	Press Enter.

  Overview


Saving window configurations

You can save the current window arrangement as a named configuration so that you can recall it to the screen later. The number and placement of the windows are saved exactly as they are currently displayed. The settings for each window are also saved.

To name and save a window configuration:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Viewports.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Viewports tool ( [image]).

•	Type viewports, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Save.

3.	Type a configuration name, and then press Enter.

The name can be up to 31 characters in length and can contain letters, numbers, the dollar sign ($), hyphen (-), and underscore (_), or any combination.

To restore a named window configuration:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Viewports.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Viewports tool ( [image]).

•	Type viewports, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Restore.

3.	Type the name of the window configuration you want to restore.

  Overview


Controlling visual elements

  How To	  Related Topics

The number of entities in your drawing and the complexity of the drawing affect how quickly IntelliCAD can process commands and display your drawing. You can improve overall program performance by turning off the display of certain visual elements, such as solid fills and text, while you work on the drawing. When you are ready to print your drawing, turn on the display of these elements so your drawing prints the way you want.

You can also improve performance by turning off entity-selection highlighting and the display of marker blips created when you select locations in the drawing.


Turning Fill on and off

You can reduce the time it takes to display or print a drawing by turning off the display of solid fill. When Fill is turned off, all filled entities, such as wide polylines and planes, display and print as outlines. When you turn Fill on or off, you must redraw the drawing before the change is displayed.

To turn Fill on or off:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Fill.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Fill tool ( [image]).

•	Type fill, and then press Enter.

2.	Choose View > Redraw.

Fill on.	Fill off.
TIP On the Settings menu, a check mark appears next to the Fill command when it is turned on and the Fill tool on the Settings toolbar is activated.

  Overview


Turning Text display on and off

Text entities require a considerable amount of time to display and print. You can reduce the time it takes to display or print a drawing by enabling Quick Text. For example, if you're doing a preliminary check plot of a drawing, you may want to turn Quick Text on to speed up printing. When Quick Text is enabled, text entities are replaced by rectangular boxes that indicate the outline of the area occupied by the text. When you turn Quick Text on or off, you must regenerate the drawing before the change is displayed.

To turn Text display on and off:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type qtext, press Enter, and then in the prompt box, choose On or Off.

2.	Click the Display tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, click Display.

4.	Select or clear the Enable Quick Text check box.

5.	Click OK.

6.	To regenerate your drawing, do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Regen.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Regen tool ( [image]).

•	Type regen, and then press Enter.

Quick Text off.	Quick Text on.
  Overview


Turning Highlighting on and off

You can improve overall program performance by turning highlighting off. When you select entities to modify, the program highlights them using a dashed linetype. This highlight disappears when you finish modifying the entities or when the entities are cleared. Sometimes highlighting entities can take a considerable amount of time.

To turn Highlighting on and off:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Setting tool ( [image]).

•	Type highlight, press Enter, and then in the prompt box, choose On or Off.

2.	Click the Display tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, click Display.

4.	Select or clear the Highlight Item When Selected check box.

5.	Click OK.

  Overview


Turning Blips on and off

You can turn Blips off. They are the temporary markers that appear on the screen when you select an entity or location. Blips are only visible until you redraw the drawing. You cannot select Blips; they are used only for reference and never print.

To turn Blips on and off:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type blipmode, press Enter, and then in the prompt box, choose On or Off.

2.	Click the Display tab.

3.	Under Change Settings For, click Display.

4.	Select or clear the Show Marker Blips check box.

5.	Click OK.

Blips on.	Blips off.
  Overview


About working with coordinates

  Related Topics

For accuracy in a drawing, you can locate specific points by entering coordinates as you draw or modify entities. When you create two-dimensional entities, you enter two-dimensional coordinates; for three-dimensional entities, you specify three-dimensional coordinates.

You can also specify coordinates in relation to other known locations or entities in a drawing. In particular, when you work in three-dimensional drawings, it is often easier to specify coordinates in relation to a two-dimensional working plane, called a user coordinate system (UCS).

This chapter explains how to work with coordinates, including how to:

•	Use two-dimensional and three-dimensional coordinate systems.

•	Specify absolute and relative coordinates.

•	Specify polar, spherical, and cylindrical coordinates.

•	Define and manipulate user coordinate systems.


Using Cartesian coordinates

  How To	  Related Topics

Many commands in IntelliCAD require that you specify points as you draw or modify entities. You can do so by selecting points with the mouse or by typing coordinate values in the command bar. The program locates points in a drawing using a Cartesian coordinate system.

Understanding how coordinate systems work

The Cartesian coordinate system uses three perpendicular axes—x, y, and z—to specify points in three-dimensional space. Every location in a drawing can be represented as a point relative to a 0,0,0 coordinate point, referred to as the origin. To draw a two-dimensional entity, you specify horizontal coordinate positions along the x-axis and vertical coordinate positions along the y-axis. Thus, every point on a plane can be represented as a coordinate pair comprised of an x-coordinate and a y-coordinate. Positive coordinates are located above and to the right of the origin; negative coordinates are located to the left and below the origin.

The three perpendicular axes of the Cartesian coordinate system.

When you work in two dimensions, you need enter only the x- and y-coordinates; the program assumes that the z-axis value is always the current elevation. When you work in three dimensions, however, you must also specify the z-axis value. When you look at a plan view of your drawing (a view from above, looking down), the z-axis extends straight up out of the screen at a 90-degree angle to the xy plane. Positive coordinates are located above the xy plane, and negative coordinates are below the plane.

All IntelliCAD drawings use a fixed coordinate system, called the World Coordinate System (WCS), and every point in a drawing has a specific x,y,z-coordinate in the WCS. You can also define arbitrary coordinate systems located anywhere in three-dimensional space. These are called user coordinate systems (UCSs) and can be located anywhere in the WCS and oriented in any direction.

You can create as many user coordinate systems as you want, saving or redefining them to help you construct three-dimensional entities. By defining a UCS within the WCS, you can simplify the creation of most three-dimensional entities into combinations of two-dimensional entities.

To help you keep your bearings in the current coordinate system, the program displays a coordinate system icon. When you begin a new drawing, you are automatically in the WCS, indicated by the letter W in the icon. When you display a drawing in plan view, you see the coordinate system icon from the top, with the z-axis directed straight toward you. When you display a three-dimensional drawing in a view other than plan view, the coordinate system icon changes to reflect your new viewpoint.

TIP The visible portions of the axes are the positive directions.

WCS icon.	Plan UCS icon.	3D View WCS icon.
Understanding how coordinates are displayed

The current position of the cursor is displayed as x,y,z-coordinates in the status bar and, by default, updates dynamically as you move the cursor. You can toggle the coordinate display to static mode by pressing F6, so that it updates only when you select a point in the drawing.

You can also change the coordinate display to a different dynamic mode that shows the distance and angle (rather than x,y,z-coordinates) when the program displays a rubber-band line. To do this, choose Settings > Drawing Settings and select the Display tab. Under Coordinate Display, select the option for Coordinates In Polar Form For Distance And Angle Selection.

The coordinates display on the status bar shows the current cursor position.

You can control the coordinate display from the Drawing Settings dialog box.


Finding the coordinates of a point

To find the x,y,z-coordinate for a point on an entity, such as the end point of a line, select an appropriate entity snap (such as Endpoint) before selecting the entity. If you have no entity snaps set, the x,y-coordinates of the point you specified is displayed, with the z-coordinate equal to the current elevation.

To find the coordinate of a point in the drawing:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Inquiry > ID Coordinates.

•	On the Inquiry toolbar, click the ID Coordinates tool ( [image]).

•	Type idpoint, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the point for which you want to find the coordinates.

If the command bar is activated, the x,y,z-coordinates for the point you selected display in the command bar.

If the command bar is not activated, the Prompt History window displays, showing the x,y,z-coordinates for the point you selected.

  Overview


Using two-dimensional coordinates

  Related Topics

When working in two dimensions, you specify points on the xy plane. You can specify any point as an absolute coordinate (or Cartesian coordinate), using the exact x-coordinate and y-coordinate locations in relation to the origin (the 0,0 coordinate point at which the two axes intersect), or as a relative coordinate in relation to the previous point. You can also specify points using relative or absolute polar coordinates, which locate a point using a distance and an angle.

Entering absolute Cartesian coordinates

To enter absolute Cartesian coordinates, type the coordinate location of the point in the command bar. For example, to use absolute Cartesian coordinates to draw a line from the origin (0,0) to a point 3 units to the right and 1 unit above the origin, start the Line command and respond to the prompts as follows:

Start of line: 0,0

Angle • Length • <End point>: 3,1

Drawing a line using the absolute Cartesian coordinate method.

When using absolute Cartesian coordinates, you need to know the exact point locations for anything you draw. For instance, to use absolute Cartesian coordinates to draw an 8.5-unit square with its lower left corner at 4,5, you must determine that the upper left corner is at coordinate 4,13.5, the upper right corner at 12.5,13.5, and the lower right corner at 12.5,5.

Entering relative Cartesian coordinates

Another, simpler method is to use relative Cartesian coordinates: you specify a location in the drawing by determining its position relative to the last coordinate you specified. To use relative Cartesian coordinates, type the coordinate values in the command bar, preceded by the at symbol (@). The coordinate pair following the @ symbol represents the distance along the x-axis and the y-axis to the next point relative to the previous point.

For example, to draw an 8.5-unit square with its lower left corner at 4,5 using relative Cartesian coordinates, start the Line command and then respond to the prompts as follows:

Start of line: 4,5

Angle • Length • <End point>: @8.5,0

Angle • Length • Follow • Undo • <End point>: @0,8.5

Angle • Length • Follow • Close • Undo • <End point>: @-8.5,0

Angle • Length • Follow • Close • Undo • <End point>: C

Drawing a square using the relative Cartesian coordinates method; enter C to Close.

The first relative coordinate (@8.5,0) locates the new point 8.5 units to the right (along the x-axis) from the previous point of 4,5; the second relative coordinate (@0,8.5) locates the next point 8.5 units above (along the y-axis) the previous point, and so on. Entering C (for Close) draws the final line segment back to the first point specified when you started the Line command.

Entering polar coordinates

Using relative polar coordinates makes drawing a square tilted at a 45-degree angle a simple task. Polar coordinates base the location of a point on a distance and angle from either the origin (absolute coordinate) or from the previous point (relative coordinate).

To specify polar coordinates, type a distance and an angle, separated by the angle bracket (<). For example, to use relative polar coordinates to specify a point 1 unit away from the previous point and at an angle of 45 degrees, type @1<45.

To draw the square from the example in the previous section, "Entering relative Cartesian coordinates," this time tilted at a 45-degree angle, start the Line command and then respond to the prompts as follows:

Start of line: 4,5

Angle • Length • <End point>: @8.5<45

Angle • Length • Follow • Undo • <End point>: @8.5<315

Angle • Length • Follow • Close • Undo • <End point>: @8.5<225

Angle • Length • Follow • Close • Undo • <End point>: C

Drawing a tilted square using the relative polar coordinates method; enter C to Close.

NOTE This example, like all examples in this guide, assumes the program's default settings: Angles increase counterclockwise and decrease clockwise. Thus, an angle of 315 degrees is the same as -45 degrees.


Using three-dimensional coordinates

  Related Topics

Specifying coordinates in three-dimensional space is similar to working in two dimensions, except that you also use the z-axis to locate coordinates. Three-dimensional coordinates are represented in the format x,y,z (for example, 2,3,6).

Using the right-hand rule

To visualize how IntelliCAD works with three-dimensional space, use a technique known as the right-hand rule. Hold up your right hand in a loose fist with your palm facing you. Extend your thumb in the direction of the positive x-axis and your index finger upward in the direction of the positive y-axis. Then extend your middle finger straight toward you in the direction of the z-axis. These three fingers are now pointing in the positive x, y, and z directions, respectively.

You can also use the right-hand rule to determine the positive rotation direction. Point your thumb in the positive direction of the axis about which you want to rotate, and then curl the rest of your fingers toward your palm. These fingers are curling in the positive rotation direction.

The right-hand rule helps you determine the positive direction of the x-, y-, and z-axes and the positive rotation direction.

Entering x,y,z coordinates

When working in three dimensions, you can specify x,y,z coordinates as absolute distances in relation to the origin (the 0,0,0 coordinate point at which the three axes intersect) or as relative coordinates based on the last point selected. For example, to specify a point 3 units along the positive x-axis, 4 units along the positive y-axis, and 2 units along the positive z-axis, specify the coordinate 3,4,2.

Entering spherical coordinates

When working in three-dimensional space, you can use spherical coordinates to specify a three-dimensional point by entering its distance from either the origin (absolute distance) or the last point (relative distance), along with its angle in the xy plane and its angle up from the xy plane. In spherical format, you separate each angle with the open angle bracket (<).

Thus, to draw a line from the origin to a point 10.2500 drawing units away, at an angle of 45 degrees from the x-axis and 35 degrees from the xy plane, start the Line command and then respond to the prompts as follows:

Start of line: 0,0,0

Angle • Length • <End point>: 10.2500<45<35

When you draw a line from a start point (A) to an end point (B) using spherical coordinates, you specify its length (C, in this case 10.2500 units), the angle in the xy plane (D, in this case 45 degrees), and the angle from the xy plane (E, in this case 35 degrees).

Entering cylindrical coordinates

When working in three-dimensional space, you can also use cylindrical coordinates to specify a three-dimensional point. You specify a point by entering its distance from either the origin (absolute distance) or the last point (relative distance), its angle in the xy plane, and its z-coordinate value.

In cylindrical format, you separate the distance and angle with the open angle bracket (<) and separate the angle and z value with a comma. For example, to draw a line from the last point to a point 7.4750 units away, at an angle of 27 degrees from the x-axis in the xy plane and 3 units up in the z direction, start the Line command and then respond to the prompts as follows:

Start of line: (select point A)

Angle • Length • <End point>: @7.4750<27,3

When you draw a line from a start point (A) to an end point (B) using cylindrical coordinates, you specify its length (C, in this case 7.4750), the angle in the xy plane (D, in this case 27 degrees), and the distance in the z direction (E, in this case 3 units).


Using xyz point filters

  Related Topics

Point filters provide a method of locating a point in a drawing relative to another point without specifying the entire coordinate. Using a point filter, you can enter partial coordinates and then the program prompts you for the remaining coordinate information. To use xyz point filters, respond to the prompt for a coordinate with a filter in the following form:

.coordinate

where coordinate is one or more of the letters x, y, and z. The program then prompts you for the filtered coordinate(s). For example, if you type .xy, the program prompts you to select a point whose xy coordinate you want, then prompts you for the z-coordinate. The filters .x, .y, .z, .xy, .xz, and .yz are all valid filters.

Using point filters in two dimensions

You can use point filters when you work in two dimensions to locate points in relation to existing entities. For example, to draw a circle centered in a rectangle, start the Circle command and then respond to the prompts as follows:

2Point • 3Point • RadTanTan • Arc • Multiple • <Center of circle>: .y

Select Y of: mid

Snap to midpoint of: (select the left side of the rectangle)

Still need XZ of: mid

Snap to midpoint of: (select top of the rectangle)

Diameter • <Radius>: (specify radius of circle)

You can use point filters to center the circle by separately selecting the midpoints of two sides of the rectangle (A and B) and then specifying its radius.

Using point filters in three dimensions

You can use point filters when you work in three-dimensional space to locate points in two dimensions and then specify the z-coordinate as the elevation above the xy plane. For example, to begin drawing a line from a point with a z-coordinate 3 units above the center of a circle, insert the circle, and then start the Line command and respond to the prompts as follows:

ENTER to use last point • Follow • <Start of line>: .xy

Select XY of: cen

Snap to centerpoint of: (select a point on the circle)

Still need Z of: 3 (locates the starting point 3 units above the center of the circle)

Length of line: (specify the length of the line)

You can use point filters to draw a line by first selecting a point in the xy plane (A), specifying the z-coordinate (B), and then specifying the length of the line (C).


Defining user coordinate systems

  How To	  Related Topics

When working in three-dimensional space, you can define a user coordinate system (UCS) with its own 0,0,0 origin and orientation separate from the World Coordinate System. You can create as many user coordinate systems as you want, and then save and recall them as you need them to simplify construction of three-dimensional entities.

For example, you can create a separate UCS for each side of a building. Then, by switching to the UCS for the east side of the building, you can draw the windows on that side by specifying only their x- and y-coordinates. When you create one or more user coordinate systems, the coordinate entry is based on the current UCS.

User coordinate system aligned with the front wall of the house.


Defining a user coordinate system

To define a user coordinate system, you can use any of the following methods:

•	Specify a new origin and points on the positive x- and y-axes.

•	Specify a new origin and point on the positive z-axis.

•	Align the UCS with an existing entity.

•	Rotate the current UCS around any of its axes.

•	Align the UCS with its z-axis parallel to the current viewing direction.

•	Align UCS xy plane perpendicular to the current view.

When you define a new UCS, the UCS icon changes to indicate the origin and orientation of the new UCS.

To define a user coordinate system by specifying a new origin and points on the positive x- and y-axes:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > User Coordinate Systems.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the User Coordinate Systems tool ( [image]).

•	Type setucs, and then press Enter.

2.	In the User Coordinate Systems dialog box, click Explore UCSs.

3.	In the Drawing Explorer, be sure that Coordinate System(s) is selected, and click the New Item tool ( [image]).

4.	In the prompt box, choose 3 Point.

5.	Select the new origin.

6.	Select a point on the positive x-axis.

7.	Select a point in the positive y direction.

8.	In the Drawing Explorer - Coordinate System(s) dialog box, type the name for the new UCS, and then close the dialog box.

Define the new UCS by selecting the origin (A), a point on the positive x-axis (B), and a point in the positive y direction (C).

  Overview


Using a preset user coordinate system

IntelliCAD lets you select a preset UCS. The six planes defined by looking along the x,y,z-axes align the UCS with the top, left, front, bottom, right, or back, based on either the WCS or the current UCS in effect when you select the tool. You can also select the previous UCS, align the UCS to the current view, or select the WCS.

When you select a UCS, the cursor orientation and UCS icon change to reflect the new UCS. The display does not change, however, unless you select the Change View To Plan View Of The Selected UCS check box.

After you align the UCS to a preset user coordinate system, you can use the Drawing Explorer to save the UCS. To do this, in the Drawing Explorer window, choose Edit > New > UCS, and then select Current.

To select a preset user coordinate system:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > User Coordinate Systems.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the User Coordinate Systems tool ( [image]).

•	Type setucs, and then press Enter.

2.	Under Set The Selected UCS Relative To, select either Current UCS to change to the new UCS by reorienting relative to the current UCS or WCS to base the new UCS orientation on the WCS.

3.	Under Select UCS, click the button corresponding to the UCS you want as the new current UCS.

  Overview


About working with the Drawing Explorer

  Related Topics

The Drawing Explorer provides a powerful and convenient way to maintain and manage many of the features and settings of your drawings. You can use the Drawing Explorer to work with layers, linetypes, text styles, coordinate systems, named views, and blocks within the current drawing or to copy this information between drawings.

This chapter explains how to use the Drawing Explorer to:

•	Manage elements related to settings and entities in your drawings.

•	Organize information on layers and manage layers.

•	Create and use linetypes.

•	Load text fonts and create text styles.

•	Select and control coordinate systems.

•	Save and restore named views.

•	Save, insert, and manage blocks.


Using the Drawing Explorer

  How To	  Related Topics

The Drawing Explorer opens in its own, separate window, which you can move or resize. To display the Drawing Explorer, use one of the following methods:

•	Choose Tools > Drawing Explorer.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the Drawing Explorer tool ( [image]).

•	Type explayers, and then press Enter.

TIP Onthe Settings menu, you can use the Explore Layers, Explore Blocks, Explore Views, Explore Coordinate Systems, Explore Linetypes, and Explore Text Styles commands to display the layers, blocks, views, coordinate systems, linetypes, and text styles for the current drawing in the Drawing Explorer window. Tools for these commands also appear on the Settings toolbar.

A	Tools on the Standard toolbar provide controls common to all elements.

B	The Elements pane shows an outline view containing the name of every drawing currently open and the six elements you can control in each drawing.

C	You can collapse the element outline for a given drawing by clicking the minus (-) symbol.

D	You can expand the element outline by clicking the plus (+) symbol.

E	The settings pane shows the named settings for the selected element.

F	Other toolbars appear, depending on the selection in the Elements pane.

Using the Drawing Explorer, you can create, delete, or modify any of the settings for the currently selected element for a given drawing. You can also copy the contents of any element from one drawing to another. The Drawing Explorer contains its own Standard toolbar and Edit menu, which provide the following standard functions:

Drawing Explorer tools

Tool	Function

( [image]) New Item	Creates a new layer, linetype, style, coordinate system, view, or block.
( [image]) Current	Makes the selection current.
( [image]) Cut	Cuts the selection to the Clipboard.
( [image]) Copy	Copies the selection to the Clipboard.
( [image]) Paste	Pastes the selection from the Clipboard into the appropriate list of a different drawing.
( [image]) Delete	Deletes the selection from the list.
( [image]) Properties	Displays the properties for the selection.
( [image]) World	Sets the current coordinate system to the World Coordinate System.


Copying settings

A particularly powerful feature of the Drawing Explorer is its capability of copying many of the settings—layers, linetypes, text styles, coordinate systems, views, or blocks—from one drawing to another. If you have more than one drawing open, the Drawing Explorer makes it easy to reuse information. For example, when you copy layers from one drawing to another, the layer names as well as their linetypes, colors, and other settings are also copied, but not the entities on those layers.

To copy layers from one open drawing to another open drawing:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Layers.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Layers tool ( [image]).

•	Type explayers, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Elements pane, select the drawing from which you want to copy layers.

3.	If necessary, click the plus (+) symbol to expand the Elements list for the drawing, and then click Layer(s).

4.	In the Layer(s) Settings In Drawing list (right pane), select the layers you want to copy.

5.	Choose Edit > Copy, or click the Copy tool ( [image]).

6.	In the Elements pane, select the drawing to which you want to copy the layers.

7.	If necessary, click the plus (+) symbol to expand the Elements list for the drawing, and then click Layer(s).

8.	Choose Edit > Paste, or click the Paste tool ( [image]).

  Overview


Deleting settings

You can use the Drawing Explorer to delete many of the items that appear in the Elements list. You can delete a layer, linetype, text style, coordinate system, view, or block.

Because you may have already created entities on a particular layer or using a particular linetype or text style, deleting one of these elements requires that you make certain choices from options the program presents. For example, if you attempt to delete a layer, the program prompts you to specify whether you want to move any entities from that layer to another layer. Every drawing has at least one layer, the default layer, named "0." You cannot delete or rename this layer. Your drawing can also contain an unlimited number of additional layers, each of which you assign a unique name.

If you try to delete a linetype, the program prompts you to specify whether you want to convert all entities drawn using that linetype to a different linetype. If you attempt to delete a text style, the program prompts you to specify whether you want to convert all text entities created using that style to a different style.

To delete a layer and relocate its entities to another layer:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Layers.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Layers tool ( [image]).

•	Type explayers, and then press Enter.

2.	From the Layer Name list, select the layer that you want to delete.

If that layer is the current layer, layer 0 automatically becomes the current layer.

3.	Choose Edit > Delete, or click the Delete tool ( [image]).

4.	From the dialog box, click Change.

5.	In the drop-down list, double-click the layer to which you want to relocate entities.

  Overview


Organizing information on layers

  How To	  Related Topics

Layers in IntelliCAD are like the transparent overlays you use in manual drafting. You use layers to organize different types of drawing information. In IntelliCAD, each entity in a drawing exists on a layer. When you draw an entity, it is created on the current layer.

You can control the visibility of layers. When you turn a layer off, entities drawn on that layer are no longer visible and they do not print. Although a layer may be invisible, you can still select it as the current layer, in which case new entities are also invisible until you turn the layer back on. Entities on invisible layers can also affect the display and printing of entities on other layers. For example, entities on invisible layers can hide other entities when you use the Hide command to remove hidden lines.

You can also freeze and thaw layers. Entities drawn on frozen layers do not display, do not print, and do not regenerate. When you freeze a layer, its entities do not affect the display or printing of other entities. For example, entities on frozen layers do not hide other entities when you use the Hide command to remove hidden lines. In addition, you cannot draw on a frozen layer until you thaw it, and you cannot make a frozen layer current.

You can lock or unlock layers. The entities on a locked layer are still visible and will print, but you cannot edit them. Locking a layer prevents you from accidentally modifying entities.

Each layer has its own color and linetype. Entities you draw on a particular layer are displayed in the color and linetype associated with that layer unless you override these settings. You control all of the associated settings for layers using the Layers elements in the Drawing Explorer.

To display layers in the Drawing Explorer, use one of the following methods:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Layers.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the Drawing Explorer tool ( [image]).

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Layers tool ( [image]).

•	Type explayers, and then press Enter.

A	Select Layer(s) to display the Layers settings.

B	Lists named layers in the current drawing. A check mark indicates the current layer.

C	Displays the color assigned to each layer.

D	Displays the linetype assigned to each layer.

E	Indicates the visibility status of each layer.

F	Indicates the frozen or thawed status of each layer.

G	Indicates the locked or unlocked status of each layer.

H	Sorts the layers by that property when you click a column head.

When Layers are displayed, three tools on the Layer toolbar provide the following functions:

( [image]) Layer On/Off	Toggles the selected layers on and off.
( [image]) Freeze/Thaw	Freezes or thaws the selected layers.
( [image]) Lock/Unlock	Locks or unlocks the selected layers.


Creating and naming layers

You can create an unlimited number of layers in every drawing and use those layers for organizing information. When you create a new layer, it is initially assigned the color white (or black, depending on your system settings) and the linetype CONTINUOUS. By default, a new layer is also visible. After you create and name a layer, you can change its color, linetype, visibility, and other properties.

To create a new layer:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Layers.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Layers tool ( [image]).

•	Type explayers, and then press Enter.

2.	Choose Edit > New > Layer.

The program adds a new layer to the layers list, with the default name NewLayer1.

3.	Type a name for the new layer over the highlighted default name, and then press Enter.

4.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

TIP You can also create a new layer by selecting the Layer(s) element for a drawing and clicking the New Item tool ( [image]).

To change a layer name in the current drawing:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Layers.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Layers tool ( [image]).

•	Type explayers, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the layer in the Layer Name list.

3.	Choose Edit > Rename.

4.	Type the new layer name, and then press Enter.

5.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

NOTE You cannot rename the 0 layer.

  Overview


Setting the current layer

When you create new entities, they are drawn on the current layer. To draw new entities on a different layer, you must first make that layer the current layer. To make a layer current, you can double-click the layer name in the Layer Name list.

To make a layer current:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Layers.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Layers tool ( [image]).

•	Type explayers, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Layer Name list, select the layer you want to make current.

3.	Choose Edit > Current.

4.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

TIP You can make a layer current by selecting it in the Layer Name list and clicking the Current tool ( [image]).

To set the current layer to that of an existing entity:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Set Layer by Entity.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Set Layer by Entity tool ( [image]).

•	Type setlayer, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entity to set the current layer.

  Overview


Controlling layer visibility

A layer can be visible or invisible. Entities on invisible layers are not displayed and do not print. By controlling layer visibility, you can turn off unnecessary information, such as construction lines or notes. By changing layer visibility, you can put the same drawing to multiple uses.

For example, if you are drawing a floor plan, you can draw the layout of light fixtures on one layer and the location of plumbing lines on another. By selectively turning layers on and off, you can print the electrical engineering drawings and the plumbing drawings from the same drawing file.

When you turn a layer off, entities drawn on that layer are no longer visible. When you turn the layer back on, it is redrawn.

To turn layers on or off:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Layers.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Layers tool ( [image]).

•	Type explayers, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Layer Name list, select the layers you want to turn on or off.

3.	Choose View > On/Off.

The On/Off column shows the new setting.

4.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

TIP To easily toggle a layer on and off, select it in the Layer Name list and click the Layer On/Off tool ( [image]).

You can also freeze layers to improve the performance of operations such as zooming and panning or producing hidden lines or shaded images. When a layer is frozen, entities drawn on that layer are no longer visible.

To freeze or thaw layers:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Layers.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Layers tool ( [image]).

•	Type explayers, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Layer Name list, select the layers you want to freeze or thaw.

3.	Choose View > Freeze/Thaw.

The Frozen column shows the new setting.

4.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

TIP To easily toggle the freeze/thaw setting of a layer, select it in the Layers list and click the Freeze/Thaw tool ( [image]).

  Overview


Locking and unlocking layers

Locking a layer makes it easy to refer to information contained on the layer, but prevents you from accidentally modifying its entities. When a layer is locked (but visible and thawed), its entities remain visible but you cannot edit them. If you lock the current layer, you can still add new entities to it. You can also change the linetype and color associated with a locked layer. Unlocking a layer restores full editing capabilities.

To lock or unlock layers:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Layers.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Layers tool ( [image]).

•	Type explayers, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Layer Name list, select the layers you want to lock or unlock.

3.	Choose View > Lock/Unlock.

The Locked column shows the new setting.

4.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

TIP To easily toggle the locked/unlocked setting of a layer, select it in the Layer Name list and click the Lock/Unlock tool ( [image]).

  Overview


Setting the layer color

Each layer in a drawing is assigned a color. IntelliCAD uses the BYLAYER color as the default color setting for Entity Creation so that new entities are drawn in the color of the layer on which they are inserted (set in the Drawing Settings dialog box).

Using the Drawing Explorer, you can set or change the color assigned to one or more layers. Changing a layer's color automatically changes the color of all entities on that layer with the BYLAYER color.

To change the layer color for one or more layers:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Layers.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Layer(s) tool ( [image]).

•	Type explayers, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Layer(s) list, select one or more layers.

3.	Using one of the following methods, open the Layers dialog box:

•	Choose Edit > Properties.

•	Click the Properties tool ( [image]).

•	With the cursor in the right pane of the window, right-click to display the shortcut menu, and choose Properties.

4.	Click Select Color.

5.	In the Color dialog box, click the color you want for the selected layer(s).

6.	Click OK.

7.	To complete the command, close the Layer(s) dialog box, and then close the Drawing Explorer window.

NOTE You can also assign a specific color to an entity, which overrides the layer's color setting. When you create a new entity, use the Settings > Colors > Select Colors command to change the current color. For an existing entity, select the entity, right-click for the shortcut menu, and choose Properties. You can then change the entity's color in the Entity Properties dialog box.

  Overview


Setting a layer's linetype

Each layer uses a default linetype (a repeating pattern of dashes, dots, or blank spaces). Linetype determines the appearance of entities both on the screen and when printed.

It's a good idea to assign the BYLAYER linetype to any entities that you draw on that layer. IntelliCAD uses the BYLAYER linetype as the default linetype setting for Entity Creation (in the Drawing Settings dialog box).

Using the Drawing Explorer, you can set or change the linetypes assigned to one or more layers. Changing the linetype assigned to a layer changes the linetype of all entities drawn on that layer with the BYLAYER linetype.

NOTE Only those linetypes already set in the drawing can be assigned to layers. For more information about setting additional linetypes, see the section, "Working with linetypes."

To change the linetype assigned to one or more layers:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Layers.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Layers tool ( [image]).

•	Type explayers, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Layer Name list, select one or more layers.

3.	Using one of the following methods, open the Layer(s) dialog box:

•	Choose Edit > Properties.

•	Click the Properties tool ( [image]).

•	With the cursor in the right pane of the window, right-click to display the shortcut menu, and then choose Properties.

4.	In the Linetype list, click the linetype that you want.

5.	To complete the command, close the Layer(s) dialog box, and then close the Drawing Explorer window.

NOTE You can also assign a specific linetype to an entity, which overrides the layer's linetype setting. When you create a new entity, use the Settings > Explore Linetypes command to change the current linetype through the Drawing Explorer. For an existing entity, select the entity, right-click for the shortcut menu, and choose Properties. You can then modify the entity's linetype in the Entity Properties dialog box.

  Overview


Working with linetypes

  How To	  Related Topics

A linetype consists of a repeating pattern of dots, dashes, or blank spaces. You can use different linetypes to represent specific kinds of information. For example, if you are drawing a site plan, you can draw roads using a continuous linetype or property lines using a border linetype consisting of dashes and dots.

By default, every drawing has at least three linetypes: CONTINUOUS, BYLAYER, and BYBLOCK. You cannot rename or delete these linetypes. Your drawing may also contain an unlimited number of additional linetypes. You can load more linetypes into the program from a linetype library file or create and save linetypes you define.

To display the Drawing Explorer Linetype(s) elements using any of the following methods:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Linetypes.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Linetypes tool ( [image]).

•	Type expltypes, and then press Enter.

A	Select Linetype(s) to display the Linetypes settings.

B	Lists names of linetypes loaded in the current drawing. A check mark indicates the current linetype.

C	Describes linetypes loaded in the current drawing.

D	Sorts the linetypes by that property when you click a column head.


Setting the current linetype

You normally draw an entity using the linetype assigned to the current layer, indicated as BYLAYER. You can also assign linetypes on a per-entity basis, which overrides the layer's linetype setting. A third option is to assign the BYBLOCK linetype, whereby you draw new entities using the default linetype until you group them into a block. The entities inherit the current linetype setting when you insert the block into the drawing.

To set the current linetype:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Linetypes.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Linetypes tool ( [image]).

•	Type expltypes, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Linetypes list, select the linetype you want to make current.

3.	Choose Edit > Current.

4.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

TIP You can make a linetype current either by selecting it in the Linetypes list and clicking the Current tool ( [image]) or by double-clicking the linetype name.

  Overview


Loading additional linetypes

Before you can select a new linetype to use in a drawing, you must either create the linetype definition or load a predefined linetype from a linetype library file (*.lin). IntelliCAD includes a linetype library file, icad.lin, which contains more than 100 predefined linetypes.

To load a new linetype from a linetype library:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Linetypes.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Linetypes tool ( [image]).

•	Type expltypes, and then press Enter.

2.	Using one of the following methods, open the Linetype dialog box:

•	Choose Edit > New > Linetype.

•	Click the New Item tool ( [image]).

•	With the cursor in the right pane of the window, right-click to display the shortcut menu, and then choose New > Linetype.

3.	Click Choose From File.

4.	Select the linetype library file, and then click Open.

5.	Select the linetype you want to load.

6.	Click OK, and then close the window.

  Overview


Creating new linetypes

In addition to loading predefined linetypes from a linetype library file, you can create new linetypes. You can save new linetypes you create to a linetype library file for use in other drawings.

To create a new linetype:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Linetypes.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Linetypes tool ( [image]).

•	Type expltypes, and then press Enter.

2.	Using one of the following methods, open the Linetype dialog box:

•	Choose Edit > New > Linetype.

•	Click the New Item tool ( [image]).

•	With your cursor in the right pane of the window, right-click to display the shortcut menu, and choose New > Linetype.

3.	In the Description field, type the linetype description.

You can type anything in this field that will help you remember the purpose or appearance of this linetype. For example, it is helpful to type text or symbols such as __..__.. that approximate the appearance of the linetype.

4.	In the Linetype Definition field, type the linetype definition.

The definition consists of positive and negative numbers. A positive number draws a solid line segment for the specified number of drawing units; a negative number creates a gap for the specified number of units; a zero (0) creates a dot.

5.	Click OK.

The program adds the new linetype to the linetypes list with the default name, NewLinetype1.

6.	To enter a name for the new linetype, type over the highlighted default text, and press Enter.

Do not use spaces between words in the new linetype name.

7.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

To change a linetype name:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Linetypes.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Linetypes tool ( [image]).

•	Type expltypes, and then press Enter.

2.	From the Linetype name list, select the linetype you want.

3.	Choose Edit > Rename.

4.	Type the new linetype name, and then press Enter.

5.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

NOTE You cannot rename the CONTINUOUS, BYBLOCK, or BYLAYER linetypes.

  Overview


Working with text fonts and styles

  How To	  Related Topics

When you add text to a drawing, it is created using the current text style. The text style determines the font, size, angle, orientation, and other text characteristics.

Every drawing has at least one text style, named Standard, which initially uses the txt font. You cannot delete the Standard style, but you can rename it or modify it. For example, you can change the font or the obliquing angle applied to the font. You also can use an unlimited number of additional text styles in your drawing.

To display the Drawing Explorer text Styles element, use any of the following methods:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Text Styles.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Text Styles tool ( [image]).

•	Type expstyles, and then press Enter.

A	Select Style(s) to display the Styles settings.

B	Lists names of text styles defined in the current drawing. A check mark indicates the current style.

C	Displays the height assigned to the text style.

D	Displays the width factor assigned to the text style.

E	Displays the oblique angle assigned to the text style.

F	Displays the font on which the style is based, including the path and font file name.

G	Click any column head to sort the styles by that property.


Creating new text styles

Fonts are character sets that consist of letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and symbols. Each font is stored in its own font file. Text styles apply additional formatting to fonts. You can create multiple text styles based on the same font, changing the various characteristics to alter the appearance of the font. To create a new text style, you assign formatting characteristics to a font.

IntelliCAD uses *.shx and *.shp font files and provides a selection of fonts. These fonts are located in the IntelliCAD/Fonts directory. You can also use any font designed to work with AutoCAD. Many fonts are available from third-party vendors.

To create a new text style:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Text Styles.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Text Styles tool ( [image]).

•	Type expfonts, and then press Enter.

2.	Choose Edit > New > Style.

3.	Select the font on which you want to base the new style, and then click Open.

The program adds a new style to the text styles list with the default name, NewStyle1.

4.	Type the name for the new style by typing over the highlighted default text, and then press Enter.

5.	To complete the command, close the window.

TIP You can also create a new text style by selecting the Styles element and clicking the New Item tool ( [image]).

  Overview


Modifying text styles

A new text style is initially assigned default values for height, width, oblique angle, and other characteristics. You can change these values for both new and existing text styles. You can also change the font assigned to the text style. If you change the font or orientation properties of a text style assigned to text previously inserted in the drawing, all text using that style is regenerated to reflect the changes. Obliquing angle and height, if specified, are given by the style definition when text is created, but are not updated for existing text when the style is changed.

To modify a text style:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Text Styles.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Text Styles tool ( [image]).

•	Type expfonts, and then press Enter.

2.	Select one or more styles that you want to modify.

3.	Use one of the following methods to open the Style(s) dialog box:

•	Choose Edit > Properties.

•	Click the Properties tool ( [image]).

•	With the cursor in the right pane of the window, right-click to display the shortcut menu, and choose Properties.

4.	Make the style property changes you want.

5.	To complete the command, close the Styles(s) dialog box, and then close the Drawing Explorer window.

  Overview


Setting the current text style

When you insert text in a drawing, the text is created using the current text style. You can also select a different text style when you create text.

To set the current text style:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Text Styles.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Text Styles tool ( [image]).

•	Type expfonts, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Text Style Name list, click the style you want to make current.

3.	Use one of the following methods to make the style the current style:

•	Choose Edit > Current.

•	Click the Current tool ( [image]).

•	With the cursor in the right pane of the window, right-click to display the shortcut menu, and choose Current.

4.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the Drawing Explorer window.

TIP To easily make a text style current, select it in the Text Style Name list, and then click the Current tool ( [image]). You can also double-click the text style name in the Text Style Name list.

  Overview


Working with coordinate systems

  How To	  Related Topics

When you create entities in a drawing, they are located in relation to the drawing's underlying Cartesian coordinate system. Every drawing has a fixed coordinate system called the World Coordinate System (WCS). You cannot delete or modify the WCS.

Your drawing may contain additional coordinate systems, however, each with its own 0,0,0 origin and orientation. You can create as many user coordinate systems as you want, and then save and recall them as you need them.

For example, you can create a separate user coordinate system (UCS) for each side of a building. Then, by switching to the UCS for the east side of the building, you can draw the windows on that side by specifying only their x and y coordinates.

You can create and then switch between various user coordinate systems by selecting Coordinate Systems in the Drawing Explorer.

To display the Coordinate System(s) element, use one of the following methods:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Coordinate Systems.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Coordinate Systems tool ( [image]).

•	Type expucs, and then press Enter.

•	Display the User Coordinate Systems dialog box by choosing Settings > User Coordinate Systems, and then click Explore UCSs.

A	Select Coordinate System(s) to display the Coordinate Systems settings.

B	Lists names of coordinate systems defined in the current drawing. A check mark indicates the current coordinate system.

C	Displays the origin of the coordinate system in relation to the WCS.

D	Displays the x-axis direction of the coordinate system in relation to the WCS.

E	Displays the y-axis direction of the coordinate system in relation to the WCS.

F	Click any column head to sort the coordinate systems by that property.


Defining new user coordinate systems

You can define new user coordinate systems in the Drawing Explorer. Use one of the following methods to define a new user coordinate system from the Drawing Explorer:

•	Choose Edit > New > UCS.

•	Click the New Item tool ( [image]).

•	With your cursor in the right pane of the window, right-click to display the shortcut menu, and choose New > UCS.

  Overview


Setting the current user coordinate system

When you draw new entities, they are created in relation to the current coordinate system. You can select the current UCS from the Drawing Explorer.

To set the current UCS from the Drawing Explorer, use one of the following methods:

•	Double-click the UCS name in the UCS Name list.

•	Select the UCS in the UCS Name list, and then choose Edit > Current.

•	Select the UCS in the UCS Name list, and then click the Current tool ( [image]).

  Overview


Using named views

  How To	  Related Topics

As you work on a drawing, you may find that you frequently switch among different portions of it. For example, if you are drawing the floor plan of a house, you may zoom in to particular rooms of the house and then zoom out to display the entire house. Although you can repeat the Pan and Zoom commands to do this, it is much easier to save various views of the drawing as named views. You can then quickly switch between these views. You can save and later restore named views using either the View command or the View(s) element in the Drawing Explorer.

To display Views in the Drawing Explorer, use one of the following methods:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Views.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Views tool ( [image]).

•	Type expviews, and then press Enter.

A	To display the Views settings, select View(s).

B	Lists names of views defined in the current drawing.

C	Displays the height of the view in drawing units.

D	Displays the width of the view in drawing units.

E	Displays the center point of the view, expressed as a two-dimensional coordinate in the WCS.

F	Click any column head to sort the views by that property.


Saving named views

You can save the view displayed in the current window as a named view. After you save a named view, you can restore that view in the current window at any time.

To save the current view as a named view using the View command:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Save/Restore View.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Save/Restore View tool ( [image]).

•	Type view, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Save.

3.	Type a name for the view, and then press Enter.

4.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

To save a portion of the current view as a named view using the Drawing Explorer:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Views.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Views tool ( [image]).

•	Type expviews, and then press Enter.

2.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Edit > New > View.

•	On the Drawing Explorer toolbar, click the New Item tool ( [image]).

4.	In the prompt box, choose Window.

5.	Specify the first corner of the view window.

6.	Specify the opposite corner of the view window.

7.	Rename the new view, and then press Enter.

Do not use spaces between words in the new linetype name.

8.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

TIP You can also create a new view by selecting the View(s) element in the Drawing Explorer and clicking the New Item tool ( [image]).

  Overview


Restoring named views

After you save one or more named views, you can restore any of those views in the current window using either the View command or the Drawing Explorer.

To restore a named view using the View command:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Save/Restore View.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Save/Restore View tool ( [image]).

•	Type view, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Restore.

3.	Type the name of the view you want to restore, and then press Enter.

Use one of the following methods to restore a named view from the Drawing Explorer:

•	Select the view name in the list of View settings, and then choose Edit > Current.

•	Select the view name in the list of View settings, then click the Current tool ( [image]).

•	Double-click the view name in the View list.

  Overview


Working with blocks and external references

  How To	  Related Topics

Blocks represent a special type of entity that, once saved, can be inserted and manipulated in the drawing as a single entity. A block can consist of visible entities such as lines, arcs, and circles as well as visible or invisible data called attributes. You can use attributes to track things such as part numbers and prices and to export attribute information to an external database. You can also track the number of parts by counting the number of times a block has been inserted into the drawing. Blocks are stored as part of the drawing file.

External references have similar uses to blocks. Using external references, you can attach entire drawings to your current drawing. Unlike a block, however, an external reference does not become part of the current drawing.

You can save blocks in the Drawing Explorer. You can also use the Drawing Explorer to manage and insert copies of blocks. The Drawing Explorer lists the names of all blocks contained in the current drawing, along with other information about each block or external reference.

To display blocks in the Drawing Explorer, use one of the following methods:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Blocks.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Blocks tool ( [image]).

•	Type expblocks, and then press Enter.

A	To display the Blocks settings, select Block(s).

B	Lists names of blocks and external references defined in the current drawing.

C	Displays the name and path for external references.

D	Displays the number of occurrences of the block in the current drawing.

E	Click any column head to sort the blocks by that property.

When blocks are displayed, additional tools on the Block toolbar provide the functions described in the following table:

Additional tools on the Block toolbar

Tool	Function
( [image]) Images	Displays a small image of each block.
( [image]) Details	Displays information about each block.
( [image]) Insert	Inserts a block.
( [image]) Insert External File Blocks	Inserts a drawing available from disk as a block.
( [image]) Save Block to Disk	Saves selected block as independent .dwg file.
( [image]) Attach Drawing	Attaches drawing as an external reference.
The Images view of blocks in the Drawing Explorer shows you a small image of each block or external reference. Click the Images tool ( [image]) to switch to the Images view.

The Images view shows an image of each block in the selected drawing. Click an image to select it.


Creating a block

You can combine any number of entities into a single block. After you create a block, you can insert copies of it into a drawing. Each block insertion is treated as a single entity; for example, you can rotate or scale each block when you insert it. The program adds the name of the new block you insert to the Block Name list in the Drawing Explorer.

To create a block:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Blocks.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Blocks tool ( [image]).

•	Type expblocks, and then press Enter.

2.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Edit > New > Block.

•	On the Drawing Explorer toolbar, click the New Item tool ( [image]).

3.	Specify the insertion point for the block.

4.	Select the entities to be combined into the block, and then press Enter.

The program adds a new block to the blocks list, with the default name NewBlock(1).

5.	To rename the block, right-click to display the shortcut menu, choose Rename, type a name for the new block over the highlighted default name, and then press Enter.

6.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

  Overview


Inserting a block

You can insert into a drawing any block listed in the Block Name list in the Drawing Explorer.

To insert a block:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Blocks.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Blocks tool ( [image]).

•	Type expblocks, and then press Enter.

2.	In either the Details or Images view, select the block to be inserted.

3.	On the Drawing Explorer toolbar, click the Insert tool ( [image]).

4.	In the drawing, specify the insertion point.

5.	Specify the x, y, and z scale factor and the rotation angle, or in the prompt box, select Done.

6.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

TIP You can also insert a block by choosing Tools > Drawing Explorer, and then double-clicking the name of the block you want to insert in the Block Name list.

  Overview


Inserting a drawing as a block

You can insert as a block another drawing into the current drawing. After you do this, the block name is added to the Block Name list in the Drawing Explorer. Changes made later to the inserted drawing will not be reflected in this drawing.

To insert a drawing as a block:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Blocks.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Blocks tool ( [image]).

•	Type expblocks, and then press Enter.

2.	On the Drawing Explorer toolbar, click the Insert External File Blocks tool ( [image]).

3.	In the Insert Block dialog box, select the drawing you want to insert, and then click Open.

4.	In the drawing, specify the insertion point.

5.	Specify the x, y, and z scale factor and the rotation angle, or in the prompt box, select Done.

6.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

  Overview


Attaching a drawing as an external reference

You can attach another drawing to the current drawing as an external reference and insert a copy of the drawing into the current drawing. The name of the external reference drawing is added to the Block Name list. Changes made later to the referenced drawing will appear in this drawing when you reload the external reference.

To attach an external reference:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Blocks.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Blocks tool ( [image]).

•	Type expblocks, and then press Enter.

2.	On the Drawing Explorer toolbar, click the Attach Drawing tool ( [image]).

3.	In the Select File to Attach dialog box, select the drawing you want to attach, and then click Open.

4.	In the drawing, specify the insertion point.

5.	Specify the x, y, and z scale factor and the rotation angle, or in the prompt box, select Done.

6.	To complete the command and return to your drawing, close the window.

  Overview


Saving a block as a separate drawing

You can save a block as a separate drawing, and then you can open and modify that drawing as you would any other drawing.

To save a block as a separate drawing file:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Blocks.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Blocks tool ( [image]).

•	Type expblocks, and then press Enter.

2.	In either the Details or Images view, select the block you want to save.

3.	On the Drawing Explorer toolbar, click the Save Block to Disk tool ( [image]).

4.	In the Save Block dialog box, select the folder in which you want to save the block.

5.	In the File Name field, type a name for the new drawing file (or accept the default, in which case the new drawing name is the same as the name of the block), and then click Save.

  Overview


About getting drawing information

  Related Topics

IntelliCAD stores accurate, detailed information about all the entities in your drawing. You can get details about an existing drawing and its entities using the tools for measuring distances and calculating areas. You can also track the amount of time you spend editing a drawing. This chapter explains how to:

•	Measure distances along an entity.

•	Measure distances and angles.

•	Divide an entity into a number of equal segments.

•	Calculate areas.

•	Display information about entities in a drawing.

•	Track the amount of time spent editing a drawing.

Many of the functions described in this chapter require that you set IntelliCAD to the Advanced experience level.


Specifying measurements and divisions

  How To	  Related Topics

You can divide a line, arc, circle, or polyline into a number of equal segments or mark off intervals of a specific length along an entity. (Note that divide is not the same as break.) For example, you may want to place station-point markers every fifty feet along the centerline of a roadway or divide the plan view of a window into three equal-width sections of glass, placing a mullion at each division point.

To specify measurements and divisions, use these commands:

•	For the length of the segments, use the Measure command.

•	For the number of equal-length segments, use the Divide command.

You can measure or divide arcs, circles, lines, and polylines. With either command, you can identify the segments by placing either a block or point entity at the end of each interval. If you use points, you can snap to the ends of intervals using the point entity snap. The appearance of the point entities is determined by the current point display type, which you control in the Drawing Settings dialog box.

To use a block as the marker, the block must already be defined in the current drawing. You can further indicate whether to rotate the block to align perpendicular to the entity you are measuring or dividing.

Block not aligned with entity.	Block aligned with entity.

IntelliCAD begins measuring or dividing based on the point at which you select the entity and the type of entity with which you are working. For most entities, measuring starts from the end point closest to the point you used to select the entity. If you select the entity to be measured or divided using a method other than pointing (for example, using a window or fence selection), the program prompts you to specify the end from which you want to begin measuring.


Measuring intervals on entities

You can mark specified length increments along a selected entity using either a point entity or a block.

To measure intervals along an entity and mark them using point entities:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Measure.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Measure tool ( [image]).

•	Type measure, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entity.

3.	Specify the segment length, and then press Enter.

When you select the entity by pointing, intervals are measured from the end closest to the point at which you select the entity (A). Blocks or point entities (B) are placed along the entity at the specified interval.

To measure intervals along an entity and mark them using blocks:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Measure.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Measure tool ( [image]).

•	Type measure, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entity.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Insert Blocks.

4.	Type the name of the block you want to insert as the marker.

5.	In the prompt box, choose either Yes-Align Blocks to rotate each insertion of the block so that its vertical alignment is always perpendicular to the entity or No-Do Not Align to insert each copy of the block with a zero rotation angle.

6.	Specify the segment length, and then press Enter.

  Overview


Dividing entities into segments

You can place markers along a selected entity, dividing that entity into a specified number of equal-length segments. You can use either a point entity or a block to mark the segments.

To divide an entity into segments and mark them using point entities:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Divide.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Divide tool ( [image]).

•	Type divide, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entity.

3.	Specify the number of segments, and then press Enter.

When you select the entity by pointing, divisions are marked beginning from the end closest to the point at which you select the entity (A). Blocks or point entities (B) are placed along the entity to mark it in equal intervals.

To divide an entity into segments and mark them using blocks:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Divide.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Divide tool ( [image]).

•	Type divide, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entity.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Insert Blocks.

4.	Type the name of the block you want to insert as the marker.

5.	In the prompt box, choose either Yes-Align Blocks to rotate each insertion of the block so that its vertical alignment is always perpendicular to the entity or No-Do Not Align to insert each copy of the block with a zero rotation angle.

6.	Specify the number of segments, and then press Enter.

  Overview


Calculating areas

  How To	  Related Topics

You can calculate the area and perimeter of a polygon based on a series of points you specify or enclose with a circle or closed polyline. You can also determine the area of several combined entities and add or subtract the area of one or more entities from a total combined area.

Calculating areas defined by points

You can find the area and perimeter of any closed region by specifying a series of points. The program calculates the area and perimeter of the space that is enclosed by an imaginary polygon consisting of straight-line segments connecting each point.

To calculate the area defined by points you specify:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Inquiry > Area.

•	On the Inquiry toolbar, click the Area tool ( [image]).

•	Type area, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the first point.

3.	Specify the second point.

4.	Continue specifying points in sequence to define the perimeter of the area you want to measure.

As you select each successive point, the resulting polygonal area is displayed on the screen.

5.	To complete the calculation, press Enter.

The area and perimeter of the region you defined is displayed. For example, the following type of information may be displayed:

Area = 11.0583, Perimeter = 15.3092

Select the points (A, B, C) that form a closed polygonal region. The area and perimeter of the region are then calculated.


Calculating areas of closed entities

You can find the area of any closed entity. In addition, the program calculates either the circumference or the perimeter of the entity, depending on the type of entity you select.

To calculate the area of a closed entity:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Inquiry > Area.

•	On the Inquiry toolbar, click the Area tool ( [image]).

•	Type area, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Find Area Of One Entity.

3.	Select the entity.

The following type of information is displayed:

Area = 62.3837, Circumference = 27.9989

  Overview


Calculating combined areas

You can find the total area of several combined regions by specifying points or by selecting entities. You can also subtract the areas of entities or polygonal regions from a running total.

To add areas to calculate a combined area:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Inquiry > Area.

•	On the Inquiry toolbar, click the Area tool ( [image]).

•	Type area, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Add Areas Together.

3.	Using one of the following methods, identify the first area:

•	Specify points defining a closed polygonal region, and then in the prompt box choose Done Specifying Area.

•	In the prompt box, choose Add Entities To Area, select the entities you want to add, and then press Enter to complete the calculations.

4.	To complete the command, choose Done in the prompt box.

To subtract areas when calculating a combined area:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Inquiry > Area.

•	On the Inquiry toolbar, click the Area tool ( [image]).

•	Type area, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Add Areas Together.

3.	Using one of the following methods, identify the first area:

•	Specify points defining a closed polygonal region, and then in the prompt box choose Done Specifying Area.

•	In the prompt box, choose Add Entities To Area, select the entities you want to add, and then press Enter to complete the calculations.

4.	In the prompt box, choose Subtract Areas.

5.	Using one of the following methods, identify the area to be subtracted:

•	Specify points defining a closed polygonal region, and then in the prompt box choose Done Specifying Area.

•	In the prompt box, choose Subtract Entities From Area, select the entities you want to subtract, and then press Enter to complete the calculations.

6.	To complete the command, choose Done in the prompt box.

To calculate the area of the gasket using the Area command, first add the area of the entire gasket (A), then subtract the areas of the two circles (B and C).

As you select entities, the program displays the calculations. If the command bar is displayed, the information appears there. If the command bar is not displayed, the program opens the Prompt History screen and displays the calculations. The following type of information is displayed:

Entity • Add • Subtract • <First point>: Choose Add Areas Together

Adding: Entity • Subtract • <First point>: Choose Add Entities to Area

Adding area: <Select entities>: Select the first entity

Area = 64.6259, Perimeter = 33.3049

Total length = 33.3049

Total area = 64.6259

Adding area: <Select entities>: press Enter

Adding: Entity • Subtract • <First point>: Choose Subtract Areas

Subtracting: Entity • Add • <First point>: Choose Subtract Entities from Area

Subtracting area: <Select entities>: Select the first entity to subtract

Area = 3.1597, Circumference = 6.3012

Total length = 27.0036

Total area = 61.4662

Subtracting area: <Select entities>: Select the second entity to subtract

Area = 3.1597, Circumference = 6.3012

Total length = 20.7024

Total area = 58.3066

Subtracting area: <Select entities>: Press Enter

Subtracting: Entity • Add • <First point>: Choose Done

  Overview


Calculating distances and angles

  How To	  Related Topics

You can calculate the distance between any two points you select. The following information is displayed:

•	The distance between the points, measured in drawing units.

•	Their angle in the xy plane.

•	Their angle measured from the xy plane.

•	The change (delta) in the x, y, and z distance between the two points.


To calculate the distance between two points and their angle
To calculate the distance between two points and their angle:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Inquiry > Distance

•	On the Inquiry toolbar, click the Distance tool ( [image]).

•	Type distance, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the first point.

3.	Specify the second point.

The following type of information is displayed:

Distance = 13.2850, Angle in XY Plane = 31º, Angle from XY Plane = 0º

Delta X = 11.3878, Delta Y = 6.8418, Delta Z = 0.0000

Use the Distance command to calculate the distance (A) between two points (B and C), the angle in the xy plane (D), the angle from the xy plane, and the delta x (E), delta y (F), and delta z distance between the two points.

TIP To use specific points on selected entities, use entity snaps to select the precise points on the entities.

  Overview


Displaying information about your drawing

  How To	  Related Topics

You can display a variety of information about a drawing and the entities it contains, including:

•	Information in the drawing database about selected entities.

•	The current drawing status.

•	The time spent working on the drawing.

This information is displayed in the Prompt History window and in the command bar.


Displaying information about entities

You can display information about the selected entities. The information varies, depending on the type of entities you select. All of the listings display the following information:

•	Entity type.

•	Layer.

•	Color.

•	Linetype.

•	The location of the entity (its xyz coordinates relative to the current UCS).

•	The current space (model space or paper space).

•	The size of the entity (the information varies, depending on the entity type).

To display information about an entity:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Inquiry > List Entity Info.

•	On the Inquiry toolbar, click the List Entity Info tool ( [image]).

•	Type list, and then press Enter.

2.	Select one or more entities.

3.	Press Enter.

TIP To return to the drawing window, press F2.

The following type of information is displayed:

------ Circle 1 ---------------------------------------------------

                   Layer: 0

                   Color: BYLAYER

                Linetype: CONTINUOUS

                  Handle: 4C

           Current space: Model

            Center point: X= -5.8583 Y= 7.2752 Z= 0.0000

                  Radius: 4.4562

           Circumference: 27.9989

                    Area: 62.3837

  Overview


Displaying the drawing status

You can display information about the current status of the drawing, including:

•	Drawing name.

•	Limits.

•	Insertion base point.

•	Snap and grid settings.

•	Current layer, color, and linetype.

•	Current settings for various modes (fill, grid, orthogonal, snap, blips, and so on).

To display the drawing status:

Advanced experience menu level

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Inquiry > Drawing Status.

•	Type status, and then press Enter.

The following type of information is displayed:

Current drawing name:	Site Plan
Drawing limits are:	X=0.0000 Y=0.0000 Z=0.0000
	X=12.0000 Y=9.0000 Z=0.0000
Paper space limits are:	X=0.0000 Y=0.0000 Z=0.0000
	X=12.0000 Y=9.0000 Z=0.0000
Screen width (pixels):	971
Screen height (pixels):	569
Insertion base is:	X=0.0000 Y=0.0000 Z=0.0000
Snap resolution is:	X=0.5000 Y=0.5000 Z=0.0000
Grid spacing is:	X:0.5000 Y:0.5000 Z=0.0000
Current layer:	0
Current color:	BYLAYER
Current linetype:	BYLAYER
Current elevation:	0.0000
Current thickness:	0.0000
Fill:	on
Grid:	off
Ortho:	off
Snap:	off
Blips:	off
Drag:	on
Command echo:	on
Positive angle direction:	Counterclockwise
Angular units:	Decimal degrees
  Overview


Tracking time spent working on a drawing

You can display information about the amount of time you have spent working on the drawing, including:

•	The date and time the drawing was created.

•	The date and time the drawing was most recently saved.

•	The total amount of time spent working on the drawing.

•	The time spent working on the drawing during the current editing session.

The program also reports the elapsed time spent working on the drawing during the current editing session. You can turn the elapsed-time timer on and off or reset it to zero.

To display the timer information:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Inquiry > Time Variables.

•	On the Inquiry toolbar, click the Time Variables tool ( [image]).

•	Type time, and then press Enter.

2.	Select any of the prompt box options:

•	Choose Timer On to turn the elapsed timer on.

•	Choose Timer Off to turn the elapsed timer off.

•	Choose Display Timer to redisplay the timer information.

•	Choose Reset Timer to reset the elapsed timer to zero.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Cancel to complete the command.

Each time you display the timer information, the following type of information is displayed:

The current time is Fri Dec 19 09:58:43 1997

Drawing was created on:     Wed 17 Dec 1997 at 16:17:59.8090

Drawing was last updated on: Thur 18 Dec 1997 at 09:58:43.3040

Total editing time:          1  2: 35:4.2345

Elapsed timer (on):          0  1: 21:5.6324

  Overview


About modifying entities

  Related Topics

IntelliCAD provides many editing tools for modifying a drawing. You can easily move, rotate, stretch, or change the scale of drawing entities. When you want to remove an entity, you can delete it with a few clicks of the mouse. You can also make multiple copies of any entity and copy entities from one drawing to another.

You can modify most entities using general-purpose editing commands. Some complex entities require special commands to modify specific properties. Most of these tools and commands are located on the Modify toolbar and the Modify menu. This chapter explains how to:

•	Select entities using entity selection methods and grips.

•	Change the properties of entities.

•	Rearrange entities by moving or rotating.

•	Resize entities by stretching, scaling, extending, trimming, or editing their lengths.

•	Break and join entities.

•	Edit polylines.

•	Explode entities.

•	Create chamfers and fillets.


Selecting entities

  How To	  Related Topics

You can create a selection set that consists of one or more entities before you modify them. Use any of the following methods to create a selection set:

•	Choose a command or tool first, and then select entities.

•	Select entities first, and then choose a command or tool (most entities).

•	Select entities by pointing, and then use grips to modify them.


Displaying selected entities highlighted

You can specify whether to display selected entities highlighted, which makes the selection set easier to see. By default, the highlighting feature is turned on.

To turn the highlighting feature on or off:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Display tab.

3.	In the Change Settings For box, select Display.

4.	Select or clear the Highlight Item When Selected check box.

5.	Click OK.

  Overview


Entity selection methods

When you choose a command that requires you to select entities (when you're deleting or changing entity properties, for example), you can use any of the following selection methods, which are displayed in a prompt box:

•	Select all entities: Selects all entities in the current drawing.

•	Add to set: Adds one or more additional entities to the selection set.

•	Subtract from set: Removes one or more entities from the selection set.

•	Previous selection: Selects entities included in the previous selection set.

•	Last entity in drawing: Selects the entity most recently added to the drawing.

•	Window-Inside: Selects entities contained entirely within a rectangular selection window.

•	Crossing window: Selects entities contained within or crossing the boundary of a rectangular selection window.

•	Outside window: Selects entities falling completely outside a rectangular selection window.

•	Window polygon: Selects entities contained entirely within a polygon selection window.

•	Crossing polygon: Selects entities contained within or crossing the boundary of a polygon selection window.

•	Outside polygon: Selects entities falling completely outside a polygon selection window.

•	Window circle: Selects entities contained entirely within a circular selection window.

•	Crossing circle: Selects entities contained within or crossing the boundary of a circular selection window.

•	Outside circle: Selects entities falling completely outside a circular selection window.

•	Point: Selects any closed entities that surround the selected point.

•	Fence: Selects entities crossing a line or line segments.

In addition to these methods, you can select entities that match a particular set of properties—for example, all entities on a particular layer or drawn in a certain color.

You can also use a few selection methods automatically, without displaying the prompt box. For example, you can simply click to select entities or you can use a Window-Inside or Crossing Window by defining the opposite corners of a rectangular selection window. The direction in which you define the points of the rectangle (left-to-right or right-to-left) determines which type of window you create.

  Overview


To create a Window-Inside
To create a Window-Inside:

1.	Click to select a point in the drawing.

2.	Click to the right of the first point to select a second point in the drawing.

Window-Inside by selecting the first (A) and second (B) points.	Resulting selection.
This method is most commonly referred to as simply a window or selection window.

  Overview


To create a Crossing Window
To create a Crossing Window:

1.	Click to select a point in the drawing.

2.	Click to the left of the first point to select a second point in the drawing.

Crossing Window by selecting the first (A) and second (B) points.	Resulting selection.
In addition to a rectangular window, you can define a selection window using other shapes such as a polygon, circle, or fence (a multisegmented line that selects entities it crosses).

  Overview


To select entities using Window Polygon
To select entities using Window Polygon:

1.	Activate an entity modification command.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Window Polygon.

3.	Specify the vertices of the polygon.

4.	To complete the selection polygon, press Enter.

Window Polygon by specifying the vertices of the polygon (A, B, and C).	Resulting selection.
  Overview


To select entities using Fence
To select entities using Fence:

1.	Activate an entity modification command.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Fence.

3.	Specify the end points of the Fence segments.

4.	To complete the Fence, press Enter.

Fence by specifying the end points of the fence segments (A, B, and C).	Resulting selection.
  Overview


Choosing the command first

When you choose an entity modification tool or command, the program prompts you to select entities and displays a prompt box from which you can choose a selection method. You can select individual entities or use other techniques such as selection windows to select multiple entities.

When you select entities, you add them to the selection set. After you select at least one entity, you can remove entities from the selection set. To finish adding entities to the selection set, press Enter. Most entity modification commands then act on the entire selection set.

  Overview


Selecting entities first

You can select entities first and then choose how to modify them. As you select each entity, it is highlighted with small squares called grips, which appear at strategic points on the entity.

The locations of the grips depend on the type of entity selected. For example, grips appear at the end points and midpoint of a line, at the quadrant points and center point of a circle, and at the end points, midpoint, and center of an arc.

Examples of grip locations.

After you select one or more entities, you can choose an entity modification command, such as Copy or Move, from the Modify menu or toolbar. You can also click the right mouse button to display a shortcut menu containing the entity-modification commands appropriate for the selected entities, and then choose the command from the menu.

When you select entities and then issue a command, the program immediately acts on the entities you've selected. In many cases, a command-specific prompt box provides additional options for that editing operation. If you want to modify the selection set at that point, right-click to display the prompt box with the selection options and choose the option you want. To redisplay the command-specific prompt box, right-click again.

You remove an individual entity from the selection set by selecting it again. To remove all the entities from the selection set, press Escape.

  Overview


Turning grips on and off

You can turn the use of grips on and off and control the size and color of grips.

To change grip settings:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type ddgrips, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Drawing Settings dialog box, click the Display tab.

3.	In the Change Settings For list, click Grips.

4.	Change the desired settings, and then click OK.

  Overview


Editing with grips

To use grips for editing, you select the entity to display the grips, and then click a grip to make it active. The grip you select depends on the type of entity you're modifying and the editing operation you're performing. For example, to move a line entity, drag it by its midpoint grip. To stretch the line, drag one of the end-point grips. You do not need to enter a command when using grips.

  Overview


Changing the properties of entities

  How To	  Related Topics

You can change the layer, thickness, linetype, color, and linetype scale of one or more entities. Depending on the type of entity or entities you select, you can also change other properties, such as the start point and end point of lines, the center point and radius of circles, and the vertices of polylines.

In the Entity Properties dialog box, changes that you make in the Layer, Thickness, Linetype, Color, and Entity Linetype Scale fields affect all selected entities. If you select several entities that all have different properties, the default value initially is Varies. Changes that you make in the entity tabs, such as Circle, Line, and Arc, affect all selected entities of that type. You can select the entities to be changed using any entity selection method.


To change the properties of entities
To change the properties of entities:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Properties.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Properties tool ( [image]).

•	Type entprop.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

3.	Make changes to the properties you want to change, and then click OK.

  Overview


Deleting entities

  How To	  Related Topics

You can remove entities from the drawing. You can delete entities using any of the entity-selection methods.


To delete a selection set
To delete a selection set:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Edit > Delete.

•	On the Standard toolbar, click the Delete tool ( [image]).

•	Type delete, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

TIP Typing the Undelete command restores the most recently deleted selection set. If you have made additional modifications since deleting the entities, use Undelete rather than Undo to restore those entities without reversing those modifications.

  Overview


Copying entities

  How To	  Related Topics

You can copy one or more entities, making one copy or multiple copies within the current drawing. You can also copy entities between drawings.

You can use any of the following methods to copy entities within the current drawing:

•	Create a copy at a location referenced from the original.

•	Create a copy aligned parallel to the original.

•	Create a copy as a mirror image of the original.

•	Create several copies in a rectangular or circular pattern.


Copying entities within a drawing

You can duplicate entities within the current drawing. The default method is to create a selection set and then specify a starting point, or base point, and an end point, or displacement point, for the copy. You can also make multiple copies or copy the selection set to a location you specify, using a direction vector.

To copy a selection set once:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Copy.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Copy tool ( [image]).

•	Type copy, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

3.	Specify the base point.

4.	Specify the displacement point.

Entity to copy (A), base point (B), and displacement point (C).	Result.
To make multiple copies of a selection set:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Copy.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Copy tool ( [image]).

•	Type copy, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Multiple Copies.

4.	Specify the base point.

5.	Specify the displacement point of the first copy.

6.	Specify the displacement point of the next copy.

7.	Continue specifying displacement points to place additional copies.

8.	To complete the command, press Enter.

To make multiple copies of an entity, select the entity to copy (A), specify the base point (B), and then specify the displacement points (C, D, and E).	Result.
  Overview


Copying between drawings

You can use the Windows Clipboard to cut or copy entities from one drawing to another. Cutting removes the selected entities from the drawing and stores them on the Clipboard. Copying duplicates the selected entities from the drawing and places them on the Clipboard.

To cut entities to the Clipboard:

Select the entities you want to cut.

•	Choose Edit > Cut.

•	On the Standard toolbar, click the Cut tool ( [image]).

•	Type cutclip, and then press Enter.

To copy entities to the Clipboard:

Select the entities you want to copy.

•	Choose Edit > Copy.

•	On the Standard toolbar, click the Copy tool ( [image]).

•	Type copyclip, and then press Enter.

Anything that you can copy to the Clipboard can be pasted into a drawing. The format in which the program adds the Clipboard contents to the drawing depends on the type of information in the Clipboard. For example, if you copy IntelliCAD drawing entities to the Clipboard, the program pastes them into the drawing as IntelliCAD entities. If you copy objects to the Clipboard from other programs, they are pasted into the current drawing as embedded ActiveX objects.

To paste entities from the Clipboard:

Use one of the following methods:

•	Choose Edit > Paste.

•	On the Standard toolbar, click the Paste tool ( [image]).

•	Type pasteclip, and then press Enter.

  Overview


Making parallel copies

You can use the parallel feature to copy selected entities and align them parallel to the original entities at a specified distance. You can make parallel entities using arcs, circles, ellipses, elliptical arcs, lines, two-dimensional polylines, rays, and infinite lines.

Making parallel copies of curved entities creates larger or smaller curves, depending on which side of the original entity you place the copy. For example, placing a parallel copy of a circle outside the circle creates a larger concentric circle; positioning the copy inside the circle creates a smaller concentric circle.

To make a parallel copy by specifying the distance:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Parallel.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Parallel tool ( [image]).

•	Type parallel, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the distance by selecting two points or by entering a distance.

3.	Select the entity to copy.

4.	Specify which side of the entity on which to place the parallel copy.

5.	Select another entity to copy, or press Enter to complete the command.

To make parallel copies, specify the distance between copies by entering a distance or selecting two points (A and B), select the entity to copy (C), and specify which side to place the copy on (D).	Result.
To make a parallel copy passing through a point:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Parallel.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Parallel tool ( [image]).

•	Type parallel, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Through Point.

3.	Select the entity to copy.

4.	Specify the point for the entity to pass through.

5.	Repeat steps 3 and 4, or press Enter to complete the command.

To make a parallel copy passing through a point, select the entity to copy (A) and then specify the through point (B).

  Overview


Mirroring entities

You can create a mirror image of selected entities. You mirror the entities about a mirror line, which you define by specifying two points in the drawing. You can delete or retain the original entities.

To mirror entities:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Mirror.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Mirror tool ( [image]).

•	Type mirror, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

3.	Specify the first point of the mirror line.

4.	Specify the second point of the mirror line.

5.	In the prompt box, choose one of the following:

•	Yes-Delete Entities to delete the original entities.

•	No-Keep Entities to retain the original entities.

To mirror entities, select the entity to mirror (A), and then specify the first point (B) and second point (C) of the mirror line.	Result.
  Overview


Arraying entities

You can copy entities in a rectangular or polar (circular) pattern, creating an array. For a rectangular array, you control the number of copies in the array by specifying the number of rows and columns. You also specify the distance between each. For a polar array, you control the number of copies that comprise the array and whether to rotate the copies.

To create a polar array:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Array.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Array tool ( [image]).

•	Type array, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Polar.

4.	Specify the center point of the array.

5.	Specify the number of items to array, including the original selection set.

6.	Specify the angle the array is to fill, from 0 to 360 degrees.

The default setting for the angle is 360 degrees. Positive values create the array in a counterclockwise direction; negative values create the array in a clockwise direction.

7.	In the prompt box, choose one of the following:

•	Yes-Rotate Entities, to rotate entities as they are arrayed.

•	No-Do Not Rotate, to retain the original orientation of each copy as it is arrayed.

To create a polar array, select the entity to copy (A), specify the center point of the array (B), and then specify the number of items to array and the angle the array is to fill.

To create a rectangular array:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Array.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Array tool ( [image]).

•	Type array, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Rectangular.

4.	Type the number of rows.

5.	Type the number of columns.

6.	Specify the distance between the rows.

7.	Specify the distance between the columns.

To create a rectangular array, select the entity to copy (A), type the number of rows and columns, and then specify the distance between each row (B) and column (C).

  Overview


Rearranging entities

  How To	  Related Topics

You can move one or more entities, and you can also rotate entities about a specified point.


Moving entities

You can move entities around within the current drawing or from one drawing to another. The default method is to create a selection set and then specify a starting point, or base point, and an end point, or displacement point, to define the relocation of the entities. You can also relocate the entities using a direction vector.

To move a selection set:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Move

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Move tool ( [image]).

•	Type move, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

3.	Specify the base point.

4.	Specify the displacement point.

To move an entity, select it (A), and then specify the base point (B) and the displacement point (C).	Result.
You can also move entities using grips. To move an entity using grips, select the entity to display its grips and then click a grip and drag it. The grip you select depends on the type of entity you're modifying. For example, to move a line entity, select the midpoint grip. To move a curved entity, such as an arc, circle, or ellipse, select the center point grip. Not all entities can be moved using grips.

To move an entity using grips:

1.	Select the entity.

2.	Click a grip to select it.

3.	Drag the entity where you want to relocate it.

4.	Click to release.

  Overview


Rotating entities

You can rotate entities about a specified point at a specified rotation angle or by an angle referenced to a base angle. The default method rotates the entities using a relative rotation angle from their current orientation.

To rotate a selection set:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Rotate.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Rotate tool ( [image]).

•	Type rotate, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

3.	Specify the rotation point.

4.	Specify the rotation angle.

To rotate an entity, select the entity to rotate (A), and then specify the rotation point (B) and the rotation angle (C).

To rotate a selection set in reference to a base angle:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Rotate.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Rotate tool ( [image]).

•	Type rotate, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

3.	Specify the rotation point.

4.	In the prompt box, choose Base Angle.

5.	Specify the base angle.

6.	Specify the new angle.

To rotate an entity in reference to a base angle, select the entity (A), specify the rotation point (B), select the base angle and pick point (B) again (or type the @ symbol), specify the second point (C), and then specify the point representing the new angle (D).

  Overview


Resizing entities

  How To	  Related Topics

You can change the size of an entity or set of entities by stretching, scaling, extending, trimming, or editing their lengths.


Stretching entities

You can change the size of entities by stretching them. When you stretch entities, you must select the entities using either a crossing window or a crossing polygon. You then specify a displacement distance or select a base point and a displacement point. Entities that cross the window or polygon boundary are stretched; those completely within the crossing window or crossing polygon are simply moved.

To stretch an entity:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Stretch.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Stretch tool ( [image]).

•	Type stretch, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Crossing Window or Crossing Polygon.

3.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

4.	Specify the base point.

5.	Specify the second point of displacement.

To stretch entities, select them using a crossing window (A) or crossing polygon, and then specify the base point (B) and displacement point (C).

To stretch an entity using grips, you select it to display its grips and then select a grip to make it the active grip. This becomes the base point. Then you move the active grip to a new location. The grip you select depends on the type of entity you're modifying. For example, to stretch one corner of a rectangle, select the corner point grip. To stretch a line, select the end point grip. Not all entities can be stretched using grips.

To stretch an entity using grips:

1.	Select the entity.

2.	Click a grip to activate it.

3.	Drag the grip.

4.	Click to release.

To stretch an entity using grips, select the entity (A), select a grip (B), and drag the grip to its new location (C).	Result.
  Overview


Scaling entities

You can change the size of the selected entities by scaling them in relation to a base point. You can change the size of entities by specifying a base point and a length, which is used as a scale factor based on the current drawing units, or by specifying a scale factor. You can also use a scale factor referenced to a base scale factor, for example, by specifying the current length and a new length for the entity.

To scale a selection set by a scale factor:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Scale.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Scale tool ( [image]).

•	Type scale, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

3.	Specify the base point.

4.	Specify the scale factor.

To scale an entity by a scale factor, select the entity (A), then specify the base point (B) and the scale factor.	Result.
You can also scale some entities using grips. To scale an entity, you select the entity and then click a grip. You then change the size of the entity by moving the grip. The grip you select depends on the type of entity you're modifying. For example, to scale a circle, select a quadrant point grip.

To scale an entity using grips:

1.	Select the entity.

2.	Click to a grip to select it.

3.	Drag the grip.

4.	Click to release.

To scale using grips, select the entity (A), click a grip (B), and scale the entity by dragging the grip to its new location (C).	Result.
  Overview


Extending entities

You can extend entities so that they end at a boundary defined by other entities. You can also extend entities to the point at which they would intersect an implied boundary edge. When using this tool, you first select the boundary edges and then specify the entities to extend, selecting them either one at a time or using the fence selection method.

You can extend arcs, lines, two-dimensional polylines, and rays. Arcs, circles, ellipses, lines, splines, polylines, rays, infinite lines, and viewports in paper space can act as boundary edges.

To extend an entity:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Extend.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Extend tool ( [image]).

•	Type extend, and then press Enter.

2.	Select one or more entities as boundary edges, and then press Enter.

3.	Select the entity to extend.

4.	Select another entity to extend, or press Enter to complete the command.

To extend entities, select the boundary edge (A), and then select the entities to extend (B).	Result.
To extend an entity to an implied boundary:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Extend.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Extend tool ( [image]).

•	Type extend, and then press Enter.

2.	Select one or more boundary edges, and then press Enter.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Edge Mode.

4.	In the prompt box, choose Extend.

5.	Select the entity to extend.

6.	Select another entity to extend, or press Enter to complete the command.

Select the boundary edge (A), and then select the entities to extend (B).	Result.
To extend several entities using the fence selection method:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Extend.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Extend tool ( [image]).

•	Type extend, and then press Enter.

2.	Select one or more boundary edges, and then press Enter.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Fence.

4.	Specify the first point of the fence.

5.	Specify the second point of the fence.

6.	Specify the next fence point, or press Enter to complete the command.

Select the boundary edge (A), and then specify the first point (B) and second point (C) of the fence.	Result.
When you extend a wide polyline, its center line intersects the boundary edge. Because the end of the polyline is always cut at a 90-degree angle, part of the polyline may extend past the boundary edge. A tapered polyline continues to taper until it intersects the boundary edge. If this would result in a negative polyline width, the ending width changes to 0.

A tapered polyline (A) continues to taper until it intersects the boundary edge (B).	Result.
  Overview


Trimming entities

You can clip, or trim, entities so they end at a cutting edge defined by other entities. You can also trim entities to the point at which they would intersect an implied cutting edge. When you use this tool, you first select the cutting edges and then specify the entities to trim, selecting them either one at a time or using the fence selection method.

You can trim arcs, circles, lines, open two-dimensional and three-dimensional polylines, and rays. Arcs, circles, lines, polylines, rays, infinite lines, and viewports in paper space can act as cutting edges. An entity can be both a cutting edge and one of the entities being trimmed.

To trim an entity:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Trim.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Trim tool ( [image]).

•	Type trim, and then press Enter.

2.	Select one or more cutting edges, and then press Enter.

3.	Select the entity to trim.

4.	Select another entity to trim, or press Enter to complete the command.

To trim entities, select the cutting edge (A), and then select the entities to trim (B).	Result.
To trim an entity to an implied boundary:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Trim.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Trim tool ( [image]).

•	Type trim, and then press Enter.

2.	Select one or more cutting edges, and then press Enter.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Edge Mode.

4.	In the prompt box, choose Extend.

5.	Select the entity to trim.

6.	Select another entity to trim, or press Enter to complete the command.

Select the implied boundary edge (A), and then select the entities to trim (B).	Result.
To trim several entities using the fence selection method:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Trim.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Trim tool ( [image]).

•	Type trim, and then press Enter.

2.	Select one or more cutting edges, and then press Enter.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Fence.

4.	Specify the first point of the fence.

5.	Specify the second point of the fence.

6.	Specify the next fence point, or press Enter to complete the command.

Select the boundary edge (A), and then specify the first point (B) and second point (C) of the fence.	Result.
  Overview


Editing the length of entities

You can change the length of entities or the included angle of arcs. You can change the length of an entity using the following methods:

•	Dynamically drag the end point or angle.

•	Specify an incremental length or angle measured from an end point.

•	Specify the new length as a percentage of the total length or angle.

•	Specify a new length or included angle.

You can change the length of arcs, lines, and open polylines.

To change the length of an entity by dragging:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Edit Length.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Edit Length tool ( [image]).

•	Type editlen, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Dynamic.

3.	Select the entity you want to change.

4.	Specify the new end point or included angle.

Select the entity (A), and then select the new end point (B).	Result.
  Overview


Breaking and joining entities

  How To	  Related Topics

You can break an entity into two parts, removing a portion of the entity in the process. You can also join two entities into a single entity.


Breaking entities

You can break an entity into two parts. You can break arcs, circles, ellipses, lines, polylines, rays, and infinite lines. When using this tool, you must specify two points for the break. By default, the point you use to select the entity becomes the first break point; however, you can use the First option to select a separate break point from the one that selects the entity.

To break an entity:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Break.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Break tool ( [image]).

•	Type break, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entity.

3.	Specify the second break point.

Select the entity (A), and then specify the second break point (B).	Result.
To select an entity and then specify the two break points:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Break.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Break tool ( [image]).

•	Type break, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entity.

3.	In the prompt box, choose First.

4.	Specify the first break point.

5.	Specify the second break point.

Select the entity (A), and then specify the first (B) and second (C) break points.	Result.
TIP To break an entity in two without removing a portion of the entity, specify the same point for the first and second break points by typing the at sign (@) and pressing Enter instead of specifying the second break point.

  Overview


Joining entities

You can join two entities into a single entity. You can join either two lines or two arcs. The two lines must be parallel; the two arcs must share the same center point and radius.

When you join two lines, the farthest end points remain at their existing locations; the program draws a new line between these points. Arcs are joined counterclockwise, from the first arc you select to the second.

To join two entities:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Join

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Join tool ( [image]).

•	Type join, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the first arc or line.

3.	Select the second arc or line.

Select the first arc or line (A), and then select the second arc or line (B).	Result.
  Overview


Editing polylines

  How To	  Related Topics

You can modify any type of two-dimensional or three-dimensional polyline. Entities such as rectangles, polygons, and donuts, as well as three-dimensional entities such as pyramids, cylinders, and spheres, are all variations of polylines that you can edit.

You can edit a polyline by opening or closing it, by changing its overall width or the widths of individual segments, and by converting a polyline with straight line segments into a flowing curve or an approximation of a spline. In addition, you can use the Edit Polyline tool to edit individual vertices, adding, removing, or moving vertices. You can also add new segments to an existing polyline, change the linetypes of a polyline, and reverse the direction or order of the vertices.

To modify a polyline, you first select the polyline and then select a polyline editing option. The available options vary depending on whether the selected polyline is a two-dimensional or three-dimensional entity. If the selected entity is not a polyline, the Edit Polyline tool provides the option of turning it into one. You can convert only arcs and lines into polylines. If several arcs or lines are joined endpoint to endpoint, they can all be selected and turned into one polyline.

To convert an entity into a polyline:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Edit Polyline.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Edit Polyline tool ( [image]).

•	Type editpline, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entity.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Yes-Turn Into Polyline.

4.	In the prompt box, choose another option, or choose Done to complete the command.


Opening and closing polylines

When you close a polyline, the program draws a straight polyline segment from the last vertex of the polyline to the first vertex. Opening a polyline removes the closing segment. When you select a polyline for editing, the prompt box displays either the Open or Close option, depending on whether the polyline you select is closed or open.

To close an open polyline:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Edit Polyline.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Edit Polyline tool ( [image]).

•	Type editpline, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the polyline.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Close.

4.	In the prompt box, choose another option, or choose Done to complete the command.

Closing an open polyline adds a straight polyline segment between the first (A) and last (B) vertex.	Result.
  Overview


Curving and decurving polylines

You can convert a multisegment polyline into a smooth curve using either the Fit or Spline options. The Fit option creates a smooth curve connecting all the vertices. The Spline option computes a smooth curve that is pulled toward the vertices but passes only through the first and last vertex. The Decurve option removes Fit or Spline curves and arcs, leaving straight segments between the vertices.

To fit a curve to a polyline:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Edit Polyline

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Edit Polyline tool ( [image]).

•	Type editpline, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the polyline.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Fit.

4.	In the prompt box, choose another option, or choose Done to complete the command.

Original polyline.	After applying Fit curve.
After applying spline.
  Overview


Joining polylines

You can add an arc, line, or polyline entity to an existing open polyline, forming one CONTINUOUS polyline entity. To join an entity to a polyline, that entity must already share an end point with an end vertex of the selected polyline.

When you join an entity to a polyline, the width of the new polyline segment depends on the width of the original polyline and the type of entity you are joining to it:

•	A line or an arc assumes the same width as the polyline segment for the end vertex to which it is joined.

•	A polyline joined to a tapered polyline retains its own width values.

•	A polyline joined to a uniform-width polyline assumes the width of the polyline to which it is joined.

To join an arc, line, or polyline to an existing polyline:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Edit Polyline

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Edit Polyline tool ( [image]).

•	Type editpline, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the polyline.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Join.

4.	Select the arc, line, or polyline to join.

5.	In the prompt box, choose another option, or choose Done to complete the command.

  Overview


Changing the polyline width

You can change the width of an entire polyline, applying a uniform width to the entire entity or tapering the polyline uniformly along its entire length.

To apply a uniform width to an entire polyline:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Edit Polyline.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Edit Polyline tool ( [image]).

•	Type editpline, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the polyline.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Width.

4.	Specify the new polyline width.

5.	In the prompt box, choose another option, or choose Done to complete the command.

To taper a polyline uniformly along its length:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Edit Polyline.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Edit Polyline tool ( [image]).

•	Type editpline, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the polyline.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Taper.

4.	Specify the starting width.

5.	Specify the ending width.

6.	In the prompt box, choose another option, or choose Done to complete the command.

  Overview


Editing polyline vertices

You can use the Edit Vertices option to modify individual polyline vertices. When you select this option, the program switches into a special vertex editing mode and places an x on the first vertex. The x indicates the vertex you are editing. The Next and Previous options move the x to the next or previous vertex. You can only edit one vertex at a time.

When editing vertices, you can modify the polyline in the following ways:

•	Convert a polyline segment into a curve by specifying a new tangent angle.

•	Break a polyline into two separate polylines.

•	Insert a new vertex after the current vertex.

•	Move the current vertex.

•	Straighten the polyline segment between two vertices.

•	Change the width of the polyline segment between two vertices.

To move a polyline vertex:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Edit Polyline.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Edit Polyline tool ( [image]).

•	Type editpline, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the polyline.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Edit Vertices.

4.	In the prompt box, choose Next Vertex.

Repeat until the x reaches the vertex you want to move.

5.	In the prompt box, choose Move.

6.	Specify the new location for the vertex.

7.	In the prompt box, choose another option, or choose Exit to stop editing vertices.

8.	In the prompt box, choose another option, or choose Done to complete the command.

Select the polyline (A), move the current vertex marker to the vertex you want to move (B), and then specify the new vertex location (C).	Result.
To taper the width of an individual polyline segment:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Edit Polyline.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Edit Polyline tool ( [image]).

•	Type editpline, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the polyline.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Edit Vertices.

4.	In the prompt box, choose Next Vertex.

Repeat until the x reaches the first vertex of the segment you want to taper.

5.	In the prompt box, choose Width.

6.	Specify the starting width.

7.	Specify the ending width.

8.	In the prompt box, choose another option, or choose Exit to stop editing vertices and update the display.

9.	In the prompt box, choose another option, or choose Done to complete the command.

Select the polyline (A), move the current vertex marker to the first vertex of the segment you want to taper (B), and then specify the new starting and ending widths for that segment.	Result.
  Overview


Exploding entities

  How To	  Related Topics

You can convert a complex entity, such as a block or polyline, from a single entity into its component parts. Exploding a polyline, rectangle, donut, or polygon reduces it to a collection of individual line and arc entities that you can then modify individually. Blocks are converted to the individual entities, possibly including other, nested blocks that composed the original entity.

With the following exceptions, exploding an entity usually has no visible effect on the drawing:

•	If the original polyline had a width, the width information is lost when you explode it. The resulting lines and arcs follow the center line of the original polyline.

•	If you explode a block containing attributes, the attributes are lost, but the original attribute definitions remain.

•	Colors and linetypes assigned BYBLOCK may appear different after exploding an entity, because they will adopt the default color and linetype until inserted into another block.


To explode an entity
To explode an entity:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Explode.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Explode tool ( [image]).

•	Type explode, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities to explode.

3.	Press Enter.

  Overview


Chamfering and filleting entities

  How To	  Related Topics

You can chamfer or fillet entities. A chamfer connects two nonparallel entities with a line to create a beveled edge. A fillet connects two entities with an arc of a specified radius to create a rounded edge. If both entities you are working with are on the same layer, the chamfer or fillet is drawn on that layer. If they are on different layers, the chamfer or fillet is drawn on the current layer.

The Chamfer/Fillet settings in the Drawing Settings dialog box controls the fillet and chamfer settings. The portions of the entities that extend beyond the chamfer or fillet are normally deleted when you create the chamfer or fillet. You can retain these original entities, however, by changing the settings in the dialog box.


Chamfering entities

You can connect two nonparallel entities by extending or trimming them and then joining them with a line to create a beveled edge. You can chamfer lines, polylines, rays, and infinite lines. When creating a chamfer, you can specify how far to trim the entities back from their intersection (distance-distance method), or you can specify the length of the chamfer and the angle it forms along the first entity (distance-angle method).

When chamfering a polyline, you can chamfer multiple segments between two selected polyline segments, or you can chamfer the entire polyline.

To chamfer two entities using the distance-distance method:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Chamfer.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Chamfer tool ( [image]).

•	Type chamfer, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Chamfer Settings.

3.	In the Drawing Settings dialog box, select the Entity Modification tab.

4.	Under Chamfer Distances And Angles, click Distance-Distance.

5.	Under Chamfer Distances And Angles, specify the first and second chamfer distances.

6.	Click OK.

7.	Select the first entity.

8.	Select the second entity.

Select the first (A) and second (B) entities. The chamfer is drawn, based on the first (C) and second (D) chamfer distances.

To chamfer two entities using the distance-angle method:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Chamfer.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Chamfer tool ( [image]).

•	Type chamfer, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Chamfer Settings.

3.	In the Drawing Settings dialog box, select the Entity Modification tab.

4.	Under Chamfer Distances and Angles, click Distance-Angle.

5.	Under Chamfer Distances and Angles, specify the chamfer distance and angle.

6.	Click OK.

7.	Select the first entity.

8.	Select the second entity.

Select the first (A) and second (B) entities. The chamfer is drawn, based on the distance measured along the first entity (C) and the angle (D) formed with the first entity.

To chamfer all vertices in a polyline:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Chamfer.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Chamfer tool ( [image]).

•	Type chamfer, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Polyline.

3.	Select the polyline.

Original polyline.	Result after chamfering.
To chamfer selected vertices in a polyline:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Chamfer.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Chamfer tool ( [image]).

•	Type chamfer, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the polyline along the segment where you want to begin the chamfer.

3.	Select the polyline along the segment where you want to end the chamfer.

Select the polyline along the (A) and (B) segments.	Result after chamfering.
  Overview


Filleting entities

You can connect two entities with an arc of a specified radius to create a rounded edge. You can fillet pairs of line segments, straight polyline segments, arcs, circles, rays, and infinite lines. You can also fillet parallel lines, rays, and infinite lines. When filleting a polyline, you can fillet multiple segments between two selected segments, or you can fillet the entire polyline.

To fillet two entities:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Fillet.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Fillet tool ( [image]).

•	Type fillet, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Fillet Settings.

3.	In the Drawing Settings dialog box, specify the fillet radius.

4.	Click OK.

5.	Select the first entity.

6.	Select the second entity.

Select the first (A) and second (B) entities.	Result after filleting.
To fillet an entire polyline:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Fillet.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Fillet tool ( [image]).

•	Type fillet, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Polyline.

3.	Select the polyline.

Original polyline.	Result after filleting.
To fillet selected vertices in a polyline:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Fillet.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Fillet tool ( [image]).

•	Type fillet, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the polyline along the segment where you want to begin the fillet.

3.	Select the polyline along the segment where you want to end the fillet.

Select the polyline along the (A) and (B) segments.	Result after filleting.
When you fillet circles and arcs, more than one fillet can exist between the entities. The point at which you select the entities determines the fillet.

Select entities (A and B).	Results after filleting.
You can fillet parallel lines, rays, and infinite lines. The first entity must be a line or ray; the second entity can be a line, ray, or infinite line. The diameter of the fillet arc is always equal to the distance between the parallel entities. The current fillet radius is ignored.

Original entities.	Result after filleting.
  Overview


About working with text

  Related Topics

You can insert text into your drawing and control its appearance, allowing you to provide additional information for your CAD drawings. This chapter explains how to:

•	Create line text.

•	Create paragraphs.

•	Create new text styles.

•	Format text.

•	Change text.

•	Check for misspelled words.


Creating text

  How To	  Related Topics

When you create text, you end each line of text by pressing Enter. Each line of text is created as a separate entity that you can modify.


To create text
To create text:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Text.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Text tool ( [image]).

•	Type dtext, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the insertion point for the first character.

3.	Specify the height of the text.

4.	Specify the text rotation angle.

5.	Type the text, and then press Enter at the end of each new line.

6.	To complete the command, press Enter again.

TIP If you've already created text and want new text to appear immediately below the previous text, choose Insert > Text. When prompted for an insertion point, press Enter. The new text will keep the same height and rotation angle as the previous text.

  Overview


Creating paragraph text

  How To	  Related Topics

Paragraph text consists of one or more lines of text or paragraphs that fit within a boundary width that you specify. Each paragraph text entity you create is treated as a single entity regardless of the number of individual paragraphs or lines of text it contains.

When you create paragraph text, you first determine the paragraph's boundary width by specifying the opposite corners of a rectangle. The paragraph text automatically wraps so that it fits within this rectangle. The first corner of the rectangle determines the default attachment point of the paragraph text. You can change the location of the attachment point in reference to the rectangle, and you can determine the direction in which text flows within the rectangle. You can also select the text style, text height, and the rotation angle of the entire paragraph text entity.


To create paragraph text
To create paragraph text:

1.	Type mtext, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the first and second corners of the text area.

3.	In the MText dialog box, type the paragraph text you want.

4.	To create individual paragraphs within the paragraph text entity, press Enter and continue typing for each new paragraph that you want.

5.	Make the selections you want for the Attachment Point, Font, Rotation Angle, Drawing Direction, and Height.

6.	Click OK.

TIP You can paste text from the Clipboard into the MText dialog box.

  Overview


Working with text styles

  How To	  Related Topics

When you add text to a drawing, it uses the current text style. Text style determines the font, size, angle, orientation, and other characteristics.

Every drawing has a default text style, named Standard, which initially uses the icad.fnt font. You cannot delete the Standard style, but you can rename it or modify it. You can change the font, the size of the font, and the obliquing angle applied to it. If you change the font or orientation of an existing style, all existing text entities created using that style are automatically updated to reflect the new font or orientation. Changing any other characteristic has no effect on existing text. You also can create and use an unlimited number of additional text styles.

The text style determines the characteristics shown in the following table.

Style characteristics

Characteristic	Default	Description
Style name	Standard	The name of the style, up to 31 characters.
Font file	icad.fnt	The font file on which the style is based.
Text height	0	The character height. A value of 0 prompts for text height upon insertion.
Width factor	1	The horizontal expansion or compression of the text. Values less than 1 compress the text; values greater than 1 expand the text.
Obliquing angle	0	The slant of the text, in degrees. Negative values slant the text to the left; positive values slant the text to the right.
Backward	No	Determines whether text appears backward.
Upside down	No	Determines whether text appears right-side up or upside down.
Vertical	No	Determines whether text has a horizontal or vertical orientation.


To create a new text style
To create a new text style:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Explore Text Styles.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Explore Text Styles tool ( [image]).

•	Type expfonts, and then press Enter.

2.	Choose Edit > New > Style.

3.	In the Select Font dialog box, select the name of the font you want to use, and then click Open.

4.	Type a new text style name, or press Enter to accept the default name.

5.	Choose Edit > Properties.

6.	In the Styles dialog box, enter the values you want to use in the Text Measurements fields.

7.	Click the check boxes to indicate how you want the printed text to appear.

8.	Close the Drawing Explorer dialog box.

9.	To begin using the new style, choose Insert > Text.

10.	In the prompt box, select Use Defined Style.

  Overview


Formatting text

  How To	  Related Topics

When you create text, you choose the text style and set the alignment. The style determines the font characteristics for the text. For line text, the alignment determines how the text aligns with the text insertion point. For paragraph text, the alignment determines the location of the attachment point in relation to the paragraph text boundary and the direction in which text flows within the boundary.


Setting the text style

You can set the text style before you specify the insertion point. You select the text style by typing the name of a previously defined style.

To specify a text style:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Text.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Text tool ( [image]).

•	Type dtext, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Use Defined Style.

3.	Type the name of a previously defined text style, and then press Enter.

To display a list of available text styles, type a question mark (?) and then press Enter.

4.	Specify the text insertion point.

5.	Specify the text height.

6.	Specify the rotation angle.

7.	Type the text line, and then press Enter.

8.	To complete the command, press Enter again.

  Overview


Setting the text alignment

When you create text, you can set the text alignment before you specify the insertion point. You set the alignment by choosing it in the prompt box. By default, text is left justified. You can align text at the left, center, or right and at the top, middle, or baseline of the text or at the bottom of descending letters.

A	Top left

B	Middle left

C	Left

D	Bottom left

E	Center

F	Bottom center

G	Bottom right

H	Baseline

I	Right

J	Middle right

K	Top right

L	Middle

M	Middle center

N	Top center

You can also align text so that it fits or aligns between two points. The align option creates text that scales up or down while maintaining a constant height/width ratio; the fit option expands or compresses the text to fit between the two points. However, do not apply the align or fit options to existing text created using the DTEXT tool.

Text aligned between two points maintains a constant height/width ratio.	Text fit between two points expands or compresses to fit.
To specify the text alignment:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Text.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Text tool ( [image]).

•	Type dtext, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose an alignment option, or choose Justification Options to display all the justification options.

3.	Specify the text insertion point, and then continue creating the line text.

  Overview


Setting the paragraph text alignment

When you create paragraph text, you can set the text alignment by specifying the attachment point location in relation to the paragraph text boundary and the direction in which text flows within the boundary. You can set the paragraph text alignment either in the prompt box displayed after you specify the first corner of the paragraph text boundary, or from the MText dialog box. You can specify the attachment point at the top-left, top-center, top-right, middle-left, middle-center, middle-right, bottom-left, bottom-center, or bottom-right. The paragraph text can flow left to right, right to left, top to bottom, or bottom to top.

  Overview


Including special text characters

You can use control codes to overscore or underscore text or to include special characters. Both overscore and underscore can be active at the same time. To include control codes, as you type text, type two percent symbols (%%) followed by the special control code or character. A single percent sign is treated as a normal text character. The triple-percent control code is provided for those instances where a control-code sequence must follow a percent sign in the text.

Special text characters

Control code	Function
%%o	Toggles overscore mode on and off.
%%u	Toggles underscore mode on and off.
%%d	Draws a degree symbol (º).
%%p	Draws the plus or minus symbol (±).
%%c	Draws the circle diameter symbol (Ø).
%%%	Forces a single percent sign.
%%nnn	Draws special character number nnn.
Text created using special text characters: Ut wisi %%uenim%%d ad%%p%%u minim %%c %%oveniam.

  Overview


Changing text

  How To	  Related Topics

You can edit the text itself, and you can modify text as you would any other drawing entity, such as copy, delete, mirror, array, move, rotate, and scale.


To edit text
To edit text:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Edit Text.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Edit Text tool ( [image]).

•	Type ddedit, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the text entity.

3.	In the Text field, edit the text, and then click OK.

  Overview


To change text properties
To change text properties:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Edit Text.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Edit Text tool ( [image]).

•	Type ddedit, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the text entity.

3.	Change the text properties you want.

4.	Click OK.

  Overview


Checking spelling

  How To	  Related Topics

The spelling checker checks the spelling of text in the current drawing. You can check the spelling of one or more selected text entities.


To check spelling
To check spelling:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Spelling.

•	On the Standard toolbar, click the Check Spelling tool ( [image]).

•	Type spell, and then press Enter.

2.	Do one of the following:

•	To check spelling for the entire drawing, in the prompt box, choose Select All Entities.

•	To check spelling for one or more entities, select the text entities, and then press Enter.

3.	Use the controls in the dialog box to correct any misspelled words.

  Overview


About dimensioning your drawing

  Related Topics

The IntelliCAD dimensioning tools let you add measurements to your drawing. You can quickly add dimensions by simply pointing to entities. You can also add tolerance symbols to your drawings.

The program's many dimensioning variables let you control the appearance of the dimensions. With dimension styles, you can save dimension variable settings so you can reuse them without having to re-create them.

This chapter explains how to:

•	Create linear, angular, diameter, radius, and ordinate dimensions.

•	Create leaders and annotations.

•	Edit dimensions.

•	Use dimension styles and variables.

•	Add geometric tolerances.


Understanding dimensioning concepts

  Related Topics

You can create five basic types of dimensions: linear, angular, radial, diameter, and ordinate. You can create dimensions for existing entities by selecting them, or you can create dimensions by selecting points within the drawing. For example, you can create a linear dimension either by selecting the entity to be dimensioned or by specifying the first and second extension line origins.

A	Radius dimension.

B	Vertical linear dimension.

C	Angular dimension.

D	Linear continued dimensions.

E	Aligned dimension.

F	Diameter dimension.

G	Horizontal linear dimension.

H	Linear baseline dimension.

When you create a dimension, the program draws it on the current layer, using the current dimension style. Each dimension has an associated dimension style, which controls the appearance of the dimension, such as the types of arrowheads, text style, and colors of various components. You can modify existing dimension styles by changing one of the dimension variable settings and then updating the dimension style to reflect the new settings.

Each dimension you create consists of several parts. A dimension line shows where a dimension begins and ends. When you create an angular dimension, the dimension line is a dimension line arc that subtends the measured angle.

Extension lines, also called projection lines, are lines that extend away from the entity for which you are creating a dimension, so that you can place the dimension line away from the entity. Arrowheads form the termination at each end of the dimension line.

Dimension text contains the measured dimension and can also include prefixes, suffixes, tolerances, and other optional text. As you insert dimensions, you can control the dimension text and specify its position and orientation.

A	Extension line.

B	Arrowhead.

C	Dimension line.

D	Dimension text.

Dimensions can also contain other optional components. A leader is a line leading from a feature of the drawing to an annotation. Leaders begin with an arrowhead, and you can use them to place a dimension away from the dimension line or to add notes. When you create a radial dimension, you can add a center mark, which is a small cross that marks the center of a circle or an arc, or center lines, which are crossing lines that extend out from the center of a circle or an arc.

Leader.	Center mark.	Center line.


Creating dimensions

  How To	  Related Topics

You can create dimensions by:

•	Selecting the entity to dimension and specifying the dimension line location.

•	Specifying the extension line origins and the dimension line location.

When you create dimensions by selecting an entity, the program automatically places the extension line origins at the appropriate definition points based on the type of entity you select. For example, the definition points are located at the end points of arcs, lines, and polyline segments. When you create dimensions by specifying the extension line origins, the points you specify determine the definition points. To establish these points precisely, use entity snaps.


Creating linear dimensions

Linear dimensions annotate linear distances or lengths and can be oriented horizontally, vertically, or aligned parallel to an existing entity or to the selected extension origin points. After you create a linear dimension, you can add a baseline dimension or a continued dimension. A linear baseline dimension inserts an additional dimension from a common first extension line origin of a previous linear dimension. A linear continued dimension continues a linear dimension from the second extension line of a previous linear dimension.

TIP To select precise ordinate points, use entity snaps.

To create a horizontal or vertical dimension:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Linear.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Linear tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimlinear, and then press Enter.

2.	Press Enter, and then select the entity to dimension.

Or, you can insert the dimension by specifying the first and second extension line origins.

3.	Specify the dimension line location.

To insert a linear dimension by selecting the entity, select the entity (A) to dimension, and then specify the dimension line location (B).	Result.
To insert a linear dimension by selecting the extension line origins, select the first extension origin (A), select the second extension origin (B), and then specify the dimension line location (C).	Result.
To create an aligned dimension:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Aligned.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Aligned tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimaligned, and then press Enter.

2.	Press Enter, and then select the entity to dimension.

Or, you can insert the dimension by specifying the first and second extension line origins.

3.	Specify the dimension line location.

To insert an aligned dimension by selecting the entity, select the entity (A) to dimension, and then select the dimension line location (B).	Result.
To insert an aligned dimension by selecting the extension line origins, select the first extension origin (A), select the second extension origin (B), and then specify the dimension line location (C).	Result.
To create a linear baseline dimension:

NOTE Before you can use this procedure, you must first create a dimension.

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Baseline.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Baseline tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimbaseline, and then press Enter.

2.	To select a starting dimension, press Enter.

3.	Select the next extension line origin, and then press Enter.

Or press Enter, and then select an existing dimension for the baseline. Select the origin of the next extension line, and then press Enter.

The program automatically places the new baseline dimension above or below the previous dimension line. The distance between the two dimension lines is determined by the Baseline Offset value in the Dimension Settings dialog box.

To add a baseline dimension to an existing linear dimension, select the existing dimension (A), select the next extension line origin (B), and select as many additional points as you want (C).

Result.

To create a linear continued dimension:

NOTE Before you can use this procedure, you must first create a dimension.

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Continue.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Continue tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimcontinue, and then press Enter.

2.	To select a starting dimension, press Enter.

3.	Select the next extension line origin, and then press Enter.

Or press Enter, and then select an existing dimension to continue.

4.	To add continued dimensions, continue selecting extension line origins.

5.	To end the command, press Enter twice.

To add a continued dimension to an existing linear dimension, select the existing dimension (A), select the next extension line origin (B), and select another extension line origin (C).

Result.

  Overview


Creating angular dimensions

Angular dimensions annotate the angle measured between two lines. You can also dimension an angle by selecting an angle vertex and two end points. After you create an angular dimension, you can add a baseline dimension or a continued dimension. An angular baseline dimension inserts an additional dimension from a common first extension line origin of a previous angular dimension. An angular continued dimension continues an angular dimension from the second extension line of a previous angular dimension.

To dimension an angle encompassed by an arc:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Angular.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Angular tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimangular, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the arc.

3.	Specify the dimension arc location.

To dimension the angle subtended by an arc, select the arc (A), and then specify the dimension arc location (B).	Result.
To dimension an angle between two lines:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Angular.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Angular tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimangular, and then press Enter.

2.	Select one line.

3.	Select the other line.

4.	Specify the dimension line location.

Select one line (A), select the other line (B), and then specify the dimension line location (C).	Result.
  Overview


Creating diameter and radius dimensions

Diameter and radius dimensions annotate the radii and diameters of arcs and circles. You can optionally include center lines or center marks.

To create a diameter dimension:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Diameter.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Diameter tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimdiameter, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the arc or circle.

3.	Specify the dimension line location.

Select the circle (A), and then specify the dimension line location (B).	Result.
To create a radius dimension:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Radius.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Radius tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimradius, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the arc or circle.

3.	Specify the dimension line location.

Select the circle (A), and then specify the dimension line location (B).	Result.
  Overview


Creating ordinate dimensions

An ordinate dimension annotates the perpendicular distance from an origin or base point (the origin of the current UCS). Ordinate dimensions consist of an x- or y-coordinate and a leader. An x-ordinate dimension measures distances along the x-axis; a y-ordinate dimension measures distances along the y-axis.

As you select ordinate points, the program automatically determines whether the point is an x- or y-ordinate based on which direction you drag the second point. You can also specify whether the ordinate represents an x- or y-ordinate. Ordinate dimension text is always aligned with the ordinate leader lines, regardless of the text orientation specified by the current dimension style.

Ordinate dimensions measure the distance along the x- or y-axis from an origin to a selected ordinate point.

To create an ordinate dimension:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Ordinate.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Ordinate tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimordinate, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the point for ordinate dimension.

3.	Specify the ordinate leader end point.

Select the ordinate point (A), and then specify the ordinate leader end point (B).

TIP To select precise ordinate points, use entity snaps.

  Overview


Creating leaders and annotations

Leaders consist of a line or series of lines that connect a feature in a drawing to an annotation. Generally, you place an arrowhead at the first point. An annotation, created as dimension text, is placed immediately adjacent to the last point. By default, the text placed at the end of the leader line consists of the most recent dimension. You can also type an annotation as a single line of text.

To create a leader and an annotation:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Leader.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Leader tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimleader, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the starting point of the leader.

3.	Specify the end point of the leader line segment.

4.	Specify additional leader line segment end points.

5.	After you specify the last end point, press Enter.

6.	Type the annotation, or press Enter to accept the most recent dimension as the default annotation.

Specify the starting point of the leader (A) and the end point of the leader line segment (B).	Result.
  Overview


Editing dimensions

  How To	  Related Topics

You can use grips to edit entity dimensions. You can also edit the dimension text. You can rotate dimension lines and dimension text at any angle, and you can reposition the dimension text anywhere along the dimension line.


Making dimensions oblique

Extension lines are normally created perpendicular to the dimension line. You can change the angle of the extension lines, however, so that they tilt relative to the dimension line.

To make oblique extension lines:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Make Oblique.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Make Oblique tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimedit, press Enter, and then choose Oblique Lines in the prompt box.

2.	Select the linear dimension, and then press Enter.

3.	Type the obliquing angle, and then press Enter.

Select the dimensions to be made oblique (A), and then type the obliquing angle.	Result.
TIP To align the oblique angle if you don't know the exact number, use snaps to pick two points on the entity.

  Overview


Editing dimension text

You can rotate the text of an existing dimension, move the dimension text to a new position, or replace selected dimension text with new text. You can also restore dimension text to its original position as defined by the current dimension style.

When you rotate or replace selected text, you specify the change first and then select one or more dimensions to which to apply the change. All the selected dimensions are updated simultaneously.

To rotate dimension text:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Rotate Dimension Text.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Rotate Dimension Tex tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimedit, press Enter, and then in the prompt box, choose Rotate Text.

2.	Type the new dimension text angle, and then press Enter.

3.	Select the dimensions to be rotated, and then press Enter.

Select the dimensions to be rotated (A), and then type the rotation angle.	Result.
To move dimension text:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Reposition Dimension Text.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Reposition Dimension Text tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimtedit, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the dimension to reposition text.

3.	Select the new text position.

Select the dimension to be moved (A), and then select the new text position (B).	Result.
To restore dimension text to its home position:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Restore Text Position.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Restore Text Position tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimedit, press Enter, and then choose Restore Text in the prompt box.

2.	Select the dimension text to restore, and then press Enter.

To replace existing dimension text with new text:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Edit Dimension Text.

•	On the Dimensioning toolbar, click the Edit Dimension Text tool ( [image]).

•	Type dimedit, and then in the prompt box, choose Edit Text.

2.	Type the new dimension text, and then press Enter.

3.	Select the dimensions to be replaced, and then press Enter.

  Overview


Understanding dimension styles and variables

  How To	  Related Topics

Dimensions that you insert are created using the current dimension style. You can create, save, restore, and delete named dimension styles.

Dimension styles provide a way for you to change various settings that control the appearance of dimensions. You can then save those settings for reuse. If you don't define a dimension style before creating dimensions, the program uses the Standard dimension style, which stores the default dimension variable settings. Each option in the Dimension Settings dialog box relates to a variable that you can set manually. See the online Command Reference.


To create a dimension style
To create a dimension style:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose > Settings > Dimension Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Dimension Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type setdim, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Dimension Settings dialog box, click New.

3.	Type the name of the new dimension style.

4.	Click Create.

5.	In the Dimension Settings dialog box, click one of the other tabs, and then change the dimension settings as necessary.

Repeat this step for each tab, as needed.

6.	To end the command, click OK.

To rename a dimension style:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose > Settings > Dimension Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Dimension Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type setdim, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Dimension Settings dialog box, click Rename.

3.	In the Rename list, click the dimension style to be renamed.

4.	In the To box, type the new dimension style name.

5.	Click Rename.

6.	Click OK.

To delete a named dimension style:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose > Settings > Dimension Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Dimension Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type setdim, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Dimension Settings dialog box, click Delete.

3.	Select the dimension style to delete.

4.	Click Delete.

5.	Click OK.

  Overview


Controlling dimension arrows

You can control the appearance and size of arrowheads or tick marks placed at the ends of dimension lines. Any changes you make affect the current dimension style. The image tile on the right side of the dialog box shows the appearance of dimensions based on the current dimension style settings.

You can choose from a number of different arrowhead types. You can specify different arrowheads for each end of a dimension line. The Start arrow corresponds to the first extension line; the End arrow corresponds to the second extension line. The Arrow Size value determines the size of the arrowhead, measured in drawing units. You can also use tick marks instead of arrowheads.

To choose an arrowhead:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Dimension Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Dimension Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type setdim, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Arrows tab.

3,	Select the check box for User-Defined Arrowhead.

4.	In the Start or End list, click to select the starting or ending arrowhead, respectively.

5.	Click OK.

  Overview


Controlling dimension format

You can control the way dimension text and arrowheads are placed in relation to the dimension lines. Any changes you make affect the current dimension style. The image tile on the right side of the dialog box shows the appearance of dimensions based on the current dimension style settings.

The program determines whether both dimension text and arrowheads will fit between the extension lines by comparing the distance between the extension lines to the size of the dimension text, the size of the arrowheads, and the amount of space required around dimension text. The program applies the best fit method based on the available space. If possible, both the dimension text and arrowheads are placed between the extension lines. You can determine how text and arrowheads are placed if both will not fit between the extension lines using the Fit Method settings on the Dimension Settings dialog box.

Text and arrowheads placed outside extension lines.	Text placed between extension lines and arrowheads outside extension lines.	Text placed above dimension line with a leader connecting the text to the dimension line.
To format dimensions:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Dimension Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Dimension Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type setdim, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Format tab.

3.	Click the Fit option that you want.

4.	Click OK.

  Overview


Controlling line settings

You can control settings affecting dimension lines, extension lines, and center marks. Any changes you make affect the current dimension style. The image tile on the right side of the dialog box shows the appearance of the dimensions based on the current dimension style settings.

A	Extend past dimension.

B	Baseline offset.

C	Offset from origin.

To set the color for dimension lines:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Dimension Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Dimension Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type setdim, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Lines tab.

3.	Under Dimension Lines, click Select Color.

4.	In the Color dialog box, click the dimension line color, and then click OK.

5.	Click OK.

  Overview


Controlling dimension text

You can control the settings affecting the appearance of dimension text. Any changes you make affect the current dimension style. The image tile on the right side of the dialog box shows the appearance of the dimensions based on the current dimension style settings.

Text between extension lines aligned horizontally.	Text between extension lines aligned with dimension line.
To align dimension text with the dimension line:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Dimension Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Dimension Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type setdim, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Text tab.

3.	Select the Align Inside Text With Dimension Line check box.

4.	Click OK.

  Overview


Controlling dimension units

You can determine the appearance and format of the primary and alternate dimension units. The image tile on the right side of the dialog box shows the appearance of the dimensions based on the current dimension style settings.

Round off distance set to .01 (original dimension before rounding).	Round off distance set to 0.25.	Round off distance set to 1.0.
To round off dimensions:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Dimension Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Dimension Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type setdim, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Units tab.

3.	In the Round Linear Dimensions To field, type or select the nearest value to which you want dimensions rounded off.

4.	Click OK.

  Overview


Adding geometric tolerances

  How To	  Related Topics

Geometric tolerances indicate the maximum allowable variations in the geometry defined by the drawing. IntelliCAD draws geometric tolerances using a feature control frame, which is a rectangle divided into compartments.

Each feature control frame consists of at least two compartments. The first compartment contains a geometric tolerance symbol that indicates the geometric characteristic to which the tolerance is applied, such as location, orientation, or form. For example, a form tolerance may indicate the flatness or roundness of a surface. The geometric tolerance symbols and their characteristics are shown in the following table.

Geometric tolerance symbols

Symbol	Characteristic	Type

	Position	Location
	Concentricity or coaxiality	Location
	Symmetry	Location
	Parallelism	Orientation
	Perpendicularity	Orientation
	Angularity	Orientation
	Cylindricity	Form
	Flatness	Form
	Circularity or roundness	Form
	Straightness	Form
	Profile of a surface	Profile
	Profile of a line	Profile
	Circular runout	Runout
	Total runout	Runout
The second compartment contains the tolerance value. When appropriate, the tolerance value is preceded by a diameter symbol and followed by a material condition symbol. The material conditions apply to features that can vary in size. The material condition symbols and their meanings are shown in the following table.

Material conditions

Symbol	Definition

	At maximum material condition (MMC), a feature contains the maximum amount of material stated in the limits.
	At least material condition (LMC), a feature contains the minimum amount of material stated in the limits.
	Regardless of feature size (RFS), indicates that the feature can be any size within the stated limits.
The tolerance value can then be followed by primary, secondary, and tertiary datum reference letters, along with the material conditions of each datum. Datum reference letters are generally used as reference tolerances to one of up to three perpendicular planes from which a measurement is made, although datum reference letters can also indicate an exact point or axis.

A	Geometric characteristic symbol.

B	Diameter symbol.

C	Tolerance value.

D	Material condition symbol.

E	Datum reference.

When two tolerances apply to the same geometry, you can also add a composite tolerance consisting of a primary tolerance value followed by a secondary tolerance value. To make a tolerance even more specific, it can also contain a projected tolerance consisting of a height value followed by a projected tolerance symbol. For example, you can use a projected tolerance to indicate the perpendicularity of an embedded part.


To add a geometric tolerance
To add a geometric tolerance:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Dimensions > Tolerance.

•	On the Dimensions toolbar, click the Tolerance tool ( [image])

•	Type tolerance, and then press Enter.

2.	To display the geometric tolerance symbols, on the first line click the Sym box.

3.	Click to select the geometric tolerance symbol.

4.	Under Tolerance 1, click the Dia box to add a diameter symbol.

5.	In the field, type the first tolerance value.

6.	To display the material condition symbols, click the M.C. box.

7.	Click to select the material condition.

8.	Under Tolerance 2, repeat steps 4 through 7 to add a secondary tolerance value, if appropriate.

9.	Under Datum 1, type the primary datum reference letter.

10.	To display the material condition symbols, click the M.C. box.

11.	Click to select the material condition.

12.	Repeat steps 9 through 11 to add a secondary and tertiary datum, if appropriate.

13.	On the second line, repeat steps 2 through 12 to add composite tolerances, if appropriate.

14.	In the Height box, type a projected tolerance zone height value, if appropriate.

15.	To insert a projected tolerance zone symbol, if appropriate, click the Projected Tolerance Zone box.

16.	Click OK.

17.	In the drawing, specify the location of the feature frame.

  Overview


About working with blocks, attributes, and external references

  Related Topics

Blocks, attributes, and external references provide mechanisms for managing entities in your drawings and for including additional information with the standard drawing entities. With blocks, you can combine numerous entities into a single entity and then reuse it, inserting multiple copies. With attributes, you can associate text, such as part numbers or prices, with blocks and then extract the text-attribute information to a separate file, such as a database, for further analysis. With external references, you can link separate reference drawing files to the current drawing to combine information without adding the contents of the reference drawings to the current drawing. If you make changes to the referenced file, all references are updated automatically.

This chapter explains how to:

•	Create, insert, and redefine blocks.

•	Create, edit, and insert attributes.

•	Extract attribute data to a separate file.

•	Attach and work with external references.


Working with blocks

  How To	  Related Topics

Usually, blocks are several entities combined into one that you can insert into a drawing and manipulate as a single entity. A block can consist of visible entities such as lines, arcs, and circles, as well as visible or invisible data called attributes. Blocks are stored as part of the drawing file.

Blocks can help you better organize your work, quickly create and revise drawings, and reduce drawing file size. Using blocks, you can create a library of frequently used symbols. Then you insert a symbol as a block rather than redrawing the symbol from scratch.

After you create a block from multiple entities, you save it once, which also saves disk space. You insert only multiple references to a single block definition. You can change the block definition to quickly revise a drawing, and then update all instances of the block.

If you insert a block that contains entities originally drawn on layer 0 and assigned color and linetype BYLAYER, it is placed on the current layer and assumes the color and linetype of that layer. If you insert a block that contains entities originally drawn on other layers or with explicitly specified colors or linetypes, the block retains the original settings.

If you insert a block that contains entities originally assigned color and linetype BYBLOCK, and the block itself has the color and linetype BYLAYER, those entities adopt the color and linetype of the layer onto which they are inserted. If the block is assigned an explicit color or linetype, such as red or dashed, those entities adopt those qualities.

A procedure called nesting occurs when you include other blocks in a new block that you are creating. Nesting is useful when you want to combine and include small components, such as nuts and bolts, into a larger assembly and you need to insert multiple instances of that assembly into an even larger drawing.


Creating blocks

The tools and commands for creating blocks appear on the Tools toolbar and the Tools menu, respectively, when you set the program to the Advanced experience level. You can also use the Drawing Explorer to create blocks.

You can create blocks in two different ways:

•	By saving a block for use within the current drawing only.

•	By saving the block as a separate drawing file that you can insert into other drawings.

When you create a block, you specify its name, its insertion point, and the entities that comprise the block. The insertion point is the base point for the block and serves as the reference point when you later insert the block into a drawing.

To create a block for use within the current drawing:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Create Block.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the Create Block tool ( [image]).

•	Type block, and then press Enter.

2.	Type a name for the block, and then press Enter.

3.	Specify the insertion point for the block.

4.	Select the entities that you want in the block, and then press Enter.

The block is created and exists only in the current drawing. The entities you select are removed from the display, because they are now part of the block.

5.	To restore the original entities to the drawing while retaining the new block, type undelete or oops.

NOTE If you frequently restore original entities after you define a block, you can customize the program to add the Undelete command to a menu or toolbar.

You can create a block as a separate drawing file that you can insert into other drawings.

To save a block as a separate drawing file:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Save Block to Disk.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the Save Block to Disk tool ( [image]).

•	Type wblock, and then press Enter.

2.	In the File Name field, type the name of the drawing file you want to create.

3.	Click Save.

4.	In the prompt box, choose one of the following:

•	Multiple Blocks: This option saves one or more existing block entities to a separate drawing file. When prompted, type the name of the block(s).

•	All Entities: This option immediately saves the entire drawing to a separate drawing file.

•	Select Entities: This option saves those entities you select to a separate drawing file. When prompted, specify the insertion point for the block, select the entities for the block, and then press Enter.

NOTE When saving multiple blocks or saving the entire drawing as a separate drawing file, the program assigns the 0,0,0 coordinate as the insertion base point. You can change the base point by opening the drawing and redefining the block.

  Overview


Inserting blocks

You can insert blocks and other drawings into the current drawing. When you insert a block, it is treated as a single entity. When you insert a drawing, it is added to the current drawing as a block. You can then insert multiple instances of the block without reloading the original drawing file. If you change the original drawing file, those changes have no effect on the current drawing, unless you redefine the block by reinserting the changed drawing.

When you insert a block or drawing, you must specify the insertion point, scale, and rotation angle. The block's insertion point is the reference point specified when you first created the block. When you insert a drawing as a block, the program takes the specified insertion point as the block insertion point. You can change the insertion point, however, by first opening the original drawing and redefining the block.

To insert a block:

1.	Display the Insert Block dialog box by doing one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Block.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Block tool ( [image]).

•	Type ddinsert, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Insert Block dialog box, under Insert, click Block Name.

3.	In the Block Name box, select the name of the block you want to insert.

4.	Click Insert.

5.	Specify the insertion point for the block.

6.	Specify the x, y, and z scale factors and the rotation angle, or press Enter to accept the default values.

TIP You can also use the Drawing Explorer on the Settings menu to insert blocks.

To insert an entire drawing into the current drawing:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Block.

•	On the Draw 2D toolbar, click the Block tool ( [image]).

•	Type ddinsert, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Insert Block dialog box, under Insert, click From File.

3.	Type the path and the drawing file name. Or click Browse to specify the file from the Insert Drawing dialog box, and click Open.

4.	Click Insert.

5.	Specify the insertion point for the block.

6.	Specify the x, y, and z scale factors and rotation angle, or press Enter to accept the default values.

NOTES You can specify the insertion point, scale factors, and rotation angle in the Insert Block dialog box before inserting the block. You can also control whether the block is exploded back into its original component entities after insertion. Under Positioning, clear the Position Block When Inserting check box, and specify the appropriate coordinates. If you want to explode the block immediately, select the Explode Upon Insertion check box.

A	Click and then enter the path and drawing file name to insert the entire drawing file as a block.

B	Click to position block when inserting.

C	Specify the insertion point, scale factors, and rotation angle before you insert the block (available only when Position Block When Inserting is cleared).

D	Click to explode the block on insertion.

E	Specify columns, column spacing, rows, and row spacing.

F	Click to insert the block.

G	Click to select the block insertion point in the drawing before inserting the block (available only when the Position Block When Inserting check box is cleared).

  Overview


Redefining blocks

You can redefine all instances of a block within the current drawing. To redefine a block that was created in the current drawing, you create a new block using the same name. You can update all the blocks in the current drawing by redefining the block. If the block was inserted from a separate drawing file that was subsequently updated, reinsert that block to update all other instances in the current drawing.

To redefine a block in the current drawing:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Create Block.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the Create Block tool ( [image]).

•	Type block, and then press Enter.

2.	Type the name of the block you want to redefine, and then press Enter.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Yes-Redefine Block.

4.	Specify the insertion point for the block.

5.	Select the entities for the block, and then press Enter.

The block is immediately redefined, and all instances of the block in the drawing are updated. The entities you select for inclusion in the block are removed from the drawing, because they are now part of the block.

TIP To restore the original entities to the drawing while retaining the new block, type undelete or oops.

You can update all instances of a block inserted from a separate drawing by reinserting the drawing.

  Overview


Exploding blocks

You can explode an inserted block to its original component entities. When you explode a block, only that single instance of the block is affected. The original block definition remains in the drawing, and you can still insert additional copies of the original block. If you explode a block that contains attributes, the attributes are lost, but the original attribute definitions remain.

Exploding dissociates component entities to their next simplest level of complexity; blocks or polylines in a block become blocks or polylines again.

To explode a block:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Explode.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Explode tool ( [image]).

•	Type explode, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the block.

3.	Press Enter.

  Overview


Working with attributes

  How To	  Related Topics

An attribute is a particular entity that you can save as part of a block definition. Attributes consist of text-based data. You can use attributes to track such things as part numbers and prices. Attributes have either fixed or variable values. When you insert a block containing attributes, the program adds the fixed values to the drawing along with the block, and you are prompted to supply any variable values.

After you insert blocks containing attributes, you can extract the attribute information to a separate file and then use that information in a spreadsheet or database to produce a parts list or bill of materials. You can also use attribute information to track the number of times a particular block is inserted into a drawing.

Attributes can be visible or hidden. Hidden attributes are not displayed or plotted, but the information is still stored in the drawing and written to a file when you extract it.


Defining attributes

You add an attribute to a drawing by first defining it and then saving it as part of a block definition. To define an attribute, you specify the characteristics of the attribute including its name, prompt, and default value; the location and text formatting; and optional modes (hidden, fixed, validate, and predefined).

To define an attribute:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Define Attributes.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the Define Attributes tool ( [image]).

•	Type ddattdef, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Define Attribute dialog box, type the name, prompt, and default value.

3.	Under Insert Coordinates, specify the location of the attribute, or click Select to select a point in the drawing.

4.	Under Attribute Flags, select the optional attribute modes.

5.	Under Text, specify the text characteristics.

6.	To add the attribute to the drawing, do one of the following:

•	Click Define to add the attribute and keep the dialog box active so you can define another attribute.

•	Click Define And Exit to add the attribute and end the command.

A	Type the name you want to assign to the attribute.

B	Enter the identifying prompt information displayed when you insert a block containing the attribute.

C	Enter the default or constant value. For variable attributes, the default value is replaced by the actual value when you later insert a block containing the attribute.

D	Specify the x-, y-, and z-coordinates for the attribute insertion point.

E	Select to create a hidden attribute.

F	Select to create a fixed-value attribute.

G	Select to create an attribute whose value must be validated when you later insert a block containing the attribute.

H	Select to create an attribute whose value is defined and not requested when you later insert a block containing the attribute, but that you can edit after the block is inserted.

I	Click to add the attribute and keep the dialog box active so you can define another attribute.

J	Click to add the attribute and end the command.

K	Specify the text rotation angle, or click to specify the rotation angle by selecting two points in the drawing.

L	Specify the text height, or click to specify the height by selecting two points in the drawing.

M	Choose the text justification.

N	Choose the text style from those styles already defined in the drawing.

O	Click to specify the attribute insertion point by selecting a point in the drawing.

  Overview


Editing attribute definitions

You can edit an attribute definition before you associate it with a block and before it is saved as part of a block definition.

To edit an attribute definition:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Edit Text.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Edit Text tool ( [image]).

•	Type ddedit, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the attribute definition text to edit.

3.	Modify the attribute name, prompt string, default value, and other attribute definition characteristics.

4.	Click OK.

A	Modify the name assigned to the attribute.

B	Modify the identifying prompt information displayed when you insert a block containing the attribute.

C	Modify the attribute insertion point.

D	Modify the attribute text style and appearance.

E	Modify the attribute insertion flags to create hidden, fixed-value, validated, or defined attributes.

  Overview


Attaching attributes to blocks

You can attach attributes to a block after you define it and select it as one of the entities to include. Include the attributes when the program prompts you for the entities to include in the selection set for a block. After the attribute is incorporated into a block, the program prompts you each time you insert the block, so you can specify different values for the attributes each time you insert it into a new drawing.

You can edit the attribute values of a block that has been inserted into a drawing.

To edit an attribute attached to a block:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Edit Block Attributes.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the Edit Block Attributes tool ( [image]).

•	Type ddatte, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the block to edit.

The Edit Block Attributes dialog box displays all the attributes attached to the block you select.

3.	Edit the attribute values as necessary.

4.	Click OK.

A	Identifies the name of the block.

B	Displays the names of all attributes attached to the block.

C	Click to select attribute.

D	Type the new value for the selected attribute.

E	Click to update the attribute values and exit.

F	Displays the values of each attribute attached to the block.

G	Displays the prompts for each attribute attached to the block.

  Overview


Extracting attribute information

You can extract attribute information from a drawing and save it to a separate text file for use with a database program. You can save the file in any of the following formats:

•	Comma Delimited Format (CDF): Contains one line for each instance of a block, with individual attribute fields separated by commas. Character string fields are enclosed with single quotation marks. You must specify a template file when extracting to a CDF file.

•	Space Delimited Format (SDF): Contains one line for each instance of a block. Each attribute field has a fixed length; there are no separators or character string delimiters. You must specify a template file when extracting to a SDF file.

•	Drawing Exchange Format (DXF): Creates a subset of a standard DXF file (a *.dxx file) containing all the information about each block, including the insertion points, rotation angles, and attribute values. No template file is required.

Before extracting attributes to a CDF or SDF file, you must create a template file. The template file is an ASCII text file that specifies the attribute data fields to be written in the extract file. Each line of the template file specifies one attribute field. IntelliCAD recognizes 15 different fields, which contain elements such as the block name, the x-, y-, and z-coordinates of its insertion point, the layer on which it is inserted, and so on. You can include any of these fields. The template file must include at least one attribute name.

Each line in the template file must start with the field name. Block name and insertion-point values must begin with BL:. The next nonblank character must be either a C (indicating a character string field) or an N (indicating a numeric field). This character is then followed by three digits indicating the width of the field (in characters). The final three digits indicate the number of decimal places (for numeric fields). In the case of character fields, the last three digits must be zeros (000). A typical template file is similar to the one shown here:

A	Field name.

B	Block name. Block names must begin with BL:.

C	Insertion point. Insertion point values must begin with BL:.

D	Attribute tags.

E	Number of decimal places for numeric fields or 000 for character fields.

F	Field width for character or numeric fields.

G	C for character fields; N for numeric fields.

To create a template file:

1.	Create a template file using any ASCII text editor (such as Windows Notepad or Windows WordPad) or a word-processing program such as Microsoft Word.

2.	Include the necessary fields in the template file.

3.	Save the template file in ASCII text format.

To extract attribute information:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Extract Attributes.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the Extract Attributes tool ( [image]).

•	Type ddattext, and then press Enter.

2.	Click Select, specify the entities from which to extract attributes, and then press Enter.

3.	Specify the format of the extracted file.

4.	For CDF and SDF formats, specify the template file.

5.	Specify the extract output file.

6.	Click Extract.

A	Click to select blocks in the drawing containing attributes you want to extract.

B	Click to specify the format of the extracted file.

C	Specify the template file for CDF and SDF extracts.

D	Specify the extract output file.

E	Click to extract attributes.

F	Click to specify the output file using a file dialog box.

G	Click to specify the template file using a file dialog box.

H	Indicates the number of blocks with attributes selected for extraction.

  Overview


Working with external references

  How To	  Related Topics

You can link entire drawings to the current drawing as external references. Unlike inserting a drawing as a block, in which you add all the entities from the separate drawing into the current drawing, external references attach a pointer to the external file. The entities in the external reference appear in the current drawing, but the entities themselves are not added to the drawing. Thus, attaching an external reference does not significantly increase the size of the current drawing file.

External references provide additional capabilities not available when you insert a drawing as a block. When you insert a drawing as a block, the entities are stored in the drawing. Any changes you make to the original drawing are not reflected in the drawing in which you inserted it. When you attach an external reference, however, any changes you make to the original drawing file are reflected in the drawings that reference it. These changes appear automatically each time you open the drawing containing the external reference. If you know that the original drawing was modified, you can reload the external reference anytime you're working on the drawing.

External references are useful for assembling master drawings from component drawings. Use external references to coordinate your work with others in a group. External references help reduce drawing file size and ensure that you are always working with the most recent version of a drawing.


Attaching external references

Attaching a separate drawing to the current one creates an external reference. The external reference appears in the drawing as a block definition, but the drawing entities are linked rather than added to the current drawing. If you modify the linked drawing, you can reload the external reference so that the current drawing reflects the latest version of the external reference.

When you attach an external reference, its layers, linetypes, text styles, and other elements are not added to the current drawing. Rather, these elements are also loaded from the referenced file each time you reload the external reference. Attached reference files can themselves contain other, nested reference files. When you attach an external reference, any nested references contained in the file also appear in the current drawing.

You can attach as many copies of an external reference file as you want. Each copy can have a different position, scale, and rotation angle.

To attach an external reference:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > External Reference.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the External Reference tool ( [image]).

•	Type xref, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Attach.

3.	Specify the drawing file to attach as an external reference, and then click Open.

4.	Specify the insertion point for the external reference.

5.	Specify the x, y, and z scale factors and the rotation angle, or choose Done to accept the default values.

  Overview


Detaching external references

To completely remove an external reference from your drawing, you must detach the reference file. Deleting the external reference does not remove elements such as layers and linetypes added to the current drawing.

To detach an external reference:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > External Reference.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the External Reference tool ( [image]).

•	Type xref, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Detach.

3.	Type the name of the external reference you want to detach from the drawing, and then press Enter.

  Overview


Reloading external references

If you modify a drawing that is attached to the current drawing as an external reference, you can update the current drawing to display the latest version of the external reference drawing.

To reload an external reference:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > External Reference.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the External Reference tool ( [image]).

•	Type xref, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Reload.

3.	Type the name of the external reference you want to reload, and then press Enter.

NOTE The program automatically reloads all external references each time you open a drawing containing external references and each time you print or plot a drawing containing external references.

  Overview


Overlaying external references

When a drawing that contains overlaid external references is itself attached or overlaid as an external reference in another drawing, the overlays do not appear as part of the external reference. Use overlaying when you want to see reference geometry in a drawing, but you do not need to include that geometry in drawings that will be used by others.

To overlay an external reference:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > External Reference.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the External Reference tool ( [image]).

•	Type xref, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Overlay.

3.	In the Select File to Overlay dialog box, specify the drawing file to be overlaid as an external reference, and then click Open.

4.	Specify the insertion point for the external reference.

5.	Specify the x, y, and z scale factors and the rotation angle, or choose Done to accept the default values.

  Overview


Changing the path for external references

If the file associated with an external reference is moved to a different directory or renamed, the program displays a message indicating that it cannot load the external reference. You can reestablish the link to the file by changing the path for the external reference.

To change the external reference path:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > External Reference.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the External Reference tool ( [image]).

•	Type xref, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Path.

3.	Type the name of the external reference whose path you want to change.

4.	Type the new path, and then press Enter.

  Overview


Binding external references to drawings

External references are not part of the drawing. Rather, they are links to an externally referenced file. To provide a copy of a drawing containing external references to someone else, you must also provide all the external reference files. In addition, the person receiving the drawings must either re-create the same paths you used when linking the external references or change the paths for the external references.

The Insert command in the External Reference feature lets you insert an externally referenced drawing as a block. To provide a copy of a drawing that contains an external reference, it is best to insert the external reference as a block.

To insert an external reference as a block:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > External Reference.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the External Reference tool ( [image]).

•	Type xref, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Insert.

3.	Type the name of the external reference you want to insert into the drawing, and then press Enter.

To provide a copy of a drawing that contains external references, it is often easier to first bind the external references to the drawing. Binding the external references makes them a permanent part of the drawing, which is the same as inserting a separate drawing as a block.

To bind an external reference to a drawing:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > External Reference.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the External Reference tool ( [image]).

•	Type xref, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Bind.

3.	Type the name of the external reference you want to bind to the drawing, and then press Enter.

  Overview


 About formatting and printing paper drawings

  Related Topics

To print a copy of your drawing, you can use workspaces to organize different views. You can print a copy of the drawing exactly as you created it, or you can switch to paper space and create multiple views. You can then control which portion of your drawing prints and at what scale.

This chapter explains how to:

•	Switch between paper space and model space.

•	Create floating viewports.

•	Print or plot your drawing.


Using paper space and model space

  How To	  Related Topics

When you first start a drawing session, your initial working area is called model space. Model space is an area in which you create two-dimensional and three-dimensional entities based on either a World Coordinate System (WCS) or a user coordinate system (UCS). Your view of this area is a single viewport that completely fills the screen, which is also called a tiled viewport. You can add viewports, each showing the same or different two-dimensional or three-dimensional views, all of which are also tiled, with their edges touching. You can work in only one of these viewports at a time, and you can print only the current viewport.

Model space with tiled viewports (tilemode = 1).

IntelliCAD provides an additional workspace, called paper space. Paper space represents the paper layout of your drawing. In this working area, you can create and arrange different views of your drawing similar to the way you arrange detail drawings or orthogonal views on a sheet of paper. You can also add annotations, create a border, and create a title block.

The paper space views that you create are floating rather than tiled. In paper space, you can place the viewports anywhere on the screen; their edges can be touching or not; and you can print them all at the same time. You do not need to use paper space to print your drawing, but it offers several advantages.

Paper space with floating viewports (tilemode = 0).

After you switch from model space to paper space and arrange different views of your drawing, each view is created as a floating viewport, and each viewport is treated as a separate entity that you can move, copy, or delete. In paper space, you cannot modify the individual entities within the viewport, and zooming or panning the drawing affects the entire drawing.

To edit the entities rather than the layout, you can switch to a third workspace, called model space with floating viewports. In this workspace, each viewport functions as a window into your model space drawing. You can click any of the floating viewports to make it the current viewport, and then add or modify entities in that viewport. Any changes you make in one viewport are immediately visible in the other viewports. Zooming or panning in the current viewport affects only that viewport.

Status bar workspace indicators

Indicator	Workspace
TILE	Model space, with tiled viewports
MODEL	Model space, with floating viewports
PAPER	Paper space


To switch to paper space
To switch to paper space:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Workspaces.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Workspaces tool ( [image]).

•	On the status bar, double-click the workspace indicator.

•	Type pmspace, and then press Enter.

2.	Click Paper Space.

3.	Click OK.

The first time you switch to paper space, your drawing seems to disappear. This is normal. When you switch to paper space, you must create at least one floating model space viewport to see your work.

  Overview


To switch to model space with floating viewports
To switch to model space with floating viewports:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Workspaces.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Workspaces tool ( [image]).

•	On the status bar, double-click the workspace indicator.

•	Type pmspace, and then press Enter.

2.	Click Model Space, With Floating Viewports.

3.	Click OK.

  Overview


To switch to model space with tiled viewports
 To switch to model space with tiled viewports:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Workspaces.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Workspaces tool ( [image]).

•	On the status bar, double-click the workspace indicator.

•	Type pmspace, and then press Enter.

2.	Click Model Space, With Tiled Viewports.

3.	Click OK.

When you switch from model space with floating viewports to model space with tiled viewports, your floating viewports seem to disappear. This is normal. Floating viewports do not display when you switch to this workspace. They are retained, however, and display normally when you switch back to model space with viewports.

  Overview


Preparing a layout

  How To	  Related Topics

When you begin working on a drawing, it consists of a single view of your model in a tiled model space viewport. You may have created additional tiled viewports by dividing the drawing space into multiple windows, but each is a separate tiled model space viewport.

In paper space, you can create floating viewports and arrange them on the screen to simulate the paper on which you will print a copy of your drawing. You can separately control the view, scale, and contents of each floating viewport.

When you switch to paper space, all of your model space viewports disappear. You must create at least one floating viewport to see your work.


Creating floating viewports

You can create floating viewports anywhere inside the drawing area. You can control the number of viewports created and the arrangement of the viewports. The Paper Space Views tool also lets you create viewport configurations based on window configurations previously saved using the Viewports tool ( [image]).

To create floating viewports:

1.	Make sure that tilemode is set to OFF.

a.	At the command bar, type tilemode, and then press Enter.

b.	In the Setvar prompt box, choose Off.

2.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Paper Space Views.

•	On the Views toolbar, use the Paper Space Views tool ( [image]).

•	Type mview, and then press Enter.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Fit To View, Create 2 Viewports, Create 3 Viewports, or Create 4 Viewports, or specify two opposing corners to create a custom viewport.

4.	In the prompt box, choose the viewport orientation.

5.	Do one of the following:

•	To arrange the viewports to fill the current graphic area, in the prompt box, choose Fit To Screen.

•	Specify the corners of a bounding rectangle in which to fit the viewports.

TIP When you create a floating viewport, the program creates the viewport border on the current layer. You can make viewport borders invisible by creating a new layer before you create floating viewports and then turning off that layer after you create the viewports. To select the viewport borders, you must turn that layer back on before you can rearrange or modify the viewports.

You can create a single floating viewport, or you can divide the graphic area into two viewports arranged vertically (A) or horizontally (B); three viewports arranged left (C), right (D), above (E), below (F), vertically (G), or horizontally (H); or four viewports (I).

To name and save a viewport configuration:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Viewports.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Viewports tool ( [image]).

•	Type vports, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Save.

3.	Type a configuration name, and then press Enter.

The name can be up to 31 characters in length and can contain letters, numbers, the dollar sign ($), hyphen (-), and underscore (_), or any combination.

To restore a named viewport configuration as a paper space view:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Paper Space Views.

•	On the Views toolbar, use the Paper Space Views tool ( [image]).

•	Type mview, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose Restore Viewports.

3.	Type the name of the viewport configuration you want to restore, and then press Enter.

  Overview


Modifying floating viewports

After you create floating viewports, you can modify them as needed. In paper space, you can snap to the viewport borders using entity snap. You can also copy, delete, move, scale, and stretch viewports as you would any other drawing entity. Modifying the viewport while in paper space does not affect the entities within the viewport.

After you create floating viewports, you can modify the entities in the viewport by switching to model space with floating viewports. Select one of the viewports to make it the current viewport, and then modify the entities in the viewport using any entity modification command. Changes you make are immediately reflected in all the viewports. Changes you make to the grid, snap settings, zoom magnification, or viewpoint orientation, however, affect only the current viewport.

To edit the contents of a floating viewport:

1.	Switch to Model Space With Floating Viewports.

2.	Click a floating viewport to make it current.

3.	Edit the drawing.

The tools that affect the drawing display and viewpoint orientation operate the same within floating model space viewports as within tiled model space windows with the exception of the zoom tools. When you work in paper space, you can control the scale of views in floating viewports by specifying a scale factor relative to paper space units by appending the suffix xp to the scale factor. For example, to increase the scale of the entities in the viewport to twice the size of paper space units, type 2xp. To decrease the scale to half the size of paper space units type .5xp.

To change the scale of a floating viewport relative to paper space:

1.	Switch to model space with floating viewports.

2.	Click a floating viewport to make it current.

3.	Choose View > Zoom > Zoom.

4.	Type the zoom scale factor relative to paper space, and then press Enter.

  Overview


Printing or plotting your drawing

  How To	  Related Topics

You can print or plot your drawing on any Microsoft Windows-compatible printer or plotter. The printing tools with IntelliCAD let you determine which portion of the drawing to print. The printed drawing includes what is visible on the screen and within the print area you specify. You can print or plot the entire drawing or a selected portion. Specify the print area by selecting options in the Print dialog box.

You can control the position of the drawing on the paper by specifying the origin of the print area, the location of the lower left corner of the plot area, in relation to the lower left corner of the paper. The origin is normally set to 0,0, which places the lower left corner of the print area as close to the lower left corner of the paper as the printer or plotter can print. You can specify a different origin, however, by specifying different coordinates.

When you create a drawing, you generally draw entities full size. When you plot the drawing, you can specify the scale of the resulting print or let the program adjust the size of the drawing to fit the paper. To plot the drawing at a specific scale, specify the scale as a ratio of drawing units to printed units.

You can also include a date and time stamp, your name and company name, or other header and footer information at the top or bottom of the print. The Print Preview tool lets you see what the print will look like before you print the drawing.


To preview the drawing before printing
To preview the drawing before printing:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose File > Print Preview.

•	On the Standard toolbar, click the Print Preview tool ( [image]).

•	Type ppreview, and then press Enter.

2.	After checking the preview image, do one of the following:

•	To print the drawing, click Print to display the Print dialog box.

•	To return to the drawing, click Close.

A	Click to zoom in.

B	Click to zoom out. If you have zoomed in several times, click multiple times to restore the entire preview image.

C	Click to display the Print dialog box.

D	Click to display the Print Settings dialog box.

E	Click to close the preview and return to the drawing.

  Overview


To print a drawing
To print a drawing:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose File > Print.

•	On the Standard toolbar, click the Print tool ( [image]).

NOTE Clicking the print tool prints the drawing immediately with the current settings.

•	Type print, and then press Enter.

2.	Under Print Area, select the area you want to print.

3.	Under Print Scale, specify the scale of the printed output.

4.	Change any other print settings as required.

5.	Click OK.

  Overview


Using plotter drivers

To plot your drawing, the program sends the output to any printer driver in up to 256 colors, but with no width specified. Initially, the plot will have a uniform fine width that is the finest line that the plotter device can produce. The driver then passes colored vectors to the printer, which creates color output on color printers and grayscale output on laser printers. (Color output that converts to grayscale on a laser printer usually is unacceptable by CAD users for final plotting.)

With the Print dialog box, you can map all colors to black and set all line weights to the width you choose by selecting the number of printed pixels you want for the line width. For example, if you choose a 600-dot-per-inch printer and enter 1 in the Printed Line Weight field, it prints as an approximate .002-inch line width. You must use a value appropriate to your printing capabilities. With these features, you can meet most nonpresentation plot needs.

For final plotting or to gain additional control of the output, use the WinLINE plotter driver by Software Mechanics Pty, Ltd., to select the line weight and color mapping features required for professional-quality output (up to 16 pens). The WinLINE driver is the recommended driver for plotting IntelliCAD drawings on large-format output drivers. (Refer to the Beta readme for installation.)

The following illustrations show the Windows 95 and the Windows NT 4.0 color mapping dialog boxes for the WinLINE drivers.

Common Windows 95/NT 4.0 Print Setup dialog box. Press (A) to access WinLINE Driver Property dialog box.

Windows NT 4.0 WinLINE Property dialog box.

Windows 95 WinLINE Property dialog box. Press (A) to access Carousel Library configuration dialog box.

Carousel Library dialog box. Press (A) to load the existing carousel library settings. Press (B) to save new carousel library settings.

  Overview


About drawing in three dimensions

  Related Topics

Paper drawings typically represent two-dimensional views of three-dimensional entities. With IntelliCAD, you can create three-dimensional models of three-dimensional entities.

This chapter explains how to:

•	View entities in three dimensions.

•	Create three-dimensional entities.

•	Edit entities in three-dimensional space.

•	Display hidden-line and shaded views of three-dimensional entities.

The tools and commands for many of the functions described in this chapter appear on the Draw 3D toolbar and the Insert menu, respectively, when you set the program to the Advanced experience level.


Viewing entities in three dimensions

  How To	  Related Topics

You can view an IntelliCAD drawing from any position in three-dimensional space. From any selected viewing position, you can add new entities, modify existing entities, and generate hidden-line and shaded views. The tools for these methods are on the View toolbar.


Setting the viewing direction

You view three-dimensional drawings by setting the viewing direction. The viewing direction establishes the viewing position, the Cartesian coordinate corresponding to the viewpoint looking back at the origin point, the 0,0,0 coordinate. When you view a drawing from the default viewpoint (0,0,1), you see a plan view of the drawing.

On the View toolbar, you can view a three-dimensional drawing using any of the following methods:

•	Preset Viewpoints ( [image])

•	Dynamic View Control ( [image])

•	Plan View ( [image])

You can change the viewing direction to look at the drawing from a different vantage point or to work on a three-dimensional model from a different orientation.

To set a new viewing direction:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Preset Viewpoints.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Preset Viewpoints tool ( [image]).

•	Type setvpoint, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the preset view you want to use.

You can dynamically rotate the viewpoint within the xy plane and relative to the xy plane, and you can pan and zoom the drawing. As you change the viewpoint settings, the drawing display automatically updates.

To dynamically set a view direction:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Dynamic View Control.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Dynamic View Control tool ( [image]).

•	Type viewctl, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the appropriate tools to dynamically change the viewpoint.

3.	To complete the command, click OK.

You can set the current viewing direction to the plan view of the current UCS, a previously saved UCS, or the WCS.

To display a plan view of the current drawing:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Plan View.

•	On the View toolbar, click the Plan View tool ( [image]).

•	Type plan, and then press Enter.

2.	In the prompt box, choose one of the following:

•	Current displays the plan view of the current UCS.

•	UCS displays the plan view of a saved UCS. The program prompts you for the name of the UCS.

•	World displays the plan view of the WCS.

  Overview


Creating three-dimensional entities

  How To	  Related Topics

IntelliCAD supports two types of three-dimensional models:

•	Wire-frame models, which consist of lines and curves that define the edges of a three-dimensional entity. You can create a wire-frame model by drawing lines, arcs, polylines, and other two-dimensional entities anywhere in three-dimensional space. Wire-frame models have no surfaces; they always appear as outlines. Because you must individually draw and position each entity that makes up a wire-frame model, creating them can be exacting and time-consuming.

•	Surface models, which consist of both edges and the surfaces between those edges. You create surface models by applying elevation and thickness to two-dimensional planar entities or by using specific three-dimensional entity-creation commands. Surface models consist of individual planes forming a faceted, polygonal mesh.


Applying elevation and thickness

By default, the program creates new two-dimensional entities with a zero elevation and thickness. The easiest way to create a three-dimensional entity is to change the elevation or thickness properties of an existing two-dimensional entity.

The elevation of an entity is its z-coordinate position in relation to the xy plane in which the entity is drawn. An elevation of 0 indicates that the entity is drawn on the xy plane of the current UCS. Positive elevations are above this plane; negative elevations are below it.

The thickness of an entity is the distance it is extruded above or below its elevation. A positive thickness extrudes the entity upward in the positive z direction of the entity; a negative thickness extrudes it downward in the negative z direction. The thickness is applied uniformly to the entire entity. You can extrude any two-dimensional entity into a three-dimensional entity by changing the thickness of the entity to a nonzero value. For example, a circle becomes a cylinder, a line becomes a three-dimensional plane, and a rectangle becomes a box.

Two-dimensional entities.	Two-dimensional entities with thickness added.
You can create three-dimensional entities using any of the following methods:

•	Draw two-dimensional entities in three-dimensional space.

•	Convert two-dimensional planar entities into three-dimensional entities by applying elevation and thickness.

•	Convert two-dimensional planar entities into three-dimensional entities by revolving or extruding.

•	Create three-dimensional entities such as boxes, cylinders, cones, domes, spheres, and wedges.

You can change the default elevation and thickness properties to create new two-dimensional entities with an elevation and thickness already applied.

To set the current elevation:

1.	Display the current elevation setting by doing one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Elevation.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Elevation tool ( [image]).

•	Type elev, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the New Current Value For Elevation, and then press Enter.

To set the current thickness:

1.	Display the current thickness setting by doing one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Thickness.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Thickness tool ( [image]).

•	Type thickness, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the New Current Value For Thickness, and then press Enter.

To set the current elevation and thickness using a dialog box:

1.	Display the Drawing Settings dialog box by doing one of the following:

•	Choose Settings > Drawing Settings.

•	On the Settings toolbar, click the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]).

•	Type settings, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the 3D Settings tab.

3.	In the Change Settings For list, click Surfaces.

4.	To change the current thickness, in the Current 3D Thickness box, type a new thickness value or click the arrows to select a new thickness.

5.	To change the current elevation, in the Current 3D Elevation box, type a new elevation value or click the arrows to select a new elevation.

6.	Click OK.

To change the thickness and elevation of an existing entity:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > Properties.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the Properties tool ( [image]).

•	Type entprop, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entity, and then press Enter.

IntelliCAD displays the Entity Properties dialog box. The exact appearance of the dialog box depends on the type of entity you select.

3.	To change the thickness, in the Thickness box, type a new thickness value or click the arrows to select the new thickness.

4.	To change the elevation, in the Z coordinate box, type a new elevation value or click the arrows to select the new elevation.

5.	Click OK.

  Overview


Creating three-dimensional faces

You can create a three-dimensional face, which consists of a section of a plane in three-dimensional space. You define a three-dimensional face by specifying the x,y,z coordinates of three or more corners. After you specify the fourth point, the program continues to prompt you for additional faces by alternating prompts for the third point and fourth point to allow you to build a complex three-dimensional entity. Each three- or four-sided plane is created as a separate three-dimensional face entity.

To create a three-dimensional face:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Face.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Face tool ( [image]).

•	Type face, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the first point of the three-dimensional face.

3.	Specify the second, third, and fourth points.

4.	Specify the third and fourth points for additional faces.

5.	To complete the command, press Enter.

TIP Any or all edges of a three-dimensional face can be invisible to allow you to more accurately model entities with holes in them. As the program prompts you for the corner points, in the prompt box, choose Invisible Edge to make the next edge invisible.

An example of a three-dimensional model created using three-dimensional faces.

  Overview


Creating rectangular meshes

You can create a three-dimensional rectangular mesh consisting of four-sided polygons. You determine the size of the mesh by specifying the number of vertices along the primary (M-direction) and secondary (N-direction) mesh axes and then specifying the coordinates for each vertex.

To create a rectangular mesh:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Mesh.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Mesh tool ( [image]).

•	Type mesh, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the number of vertices along the primary mesh axis.

3.	Specify the number of vertices along the secondary mesh axis.

4.	Specify the coordinates for each vertex.

Specifying the coordinates for the last vertex completes the mesh and ends the command.

TIP Although creating rectangular meshes manually can be exacting, they are useful for representing complex surfaces such as three-dimensional terrain models. The Mesh tool is most useful when combined with scripts or LISP programs that mathematically calculate the coordinates of the vertices.

An example of a three-dimensional terrain model created using rectangular meshes.

  Overview


Creating polyface meshes

You can create a polygon mesh consisting of faces connecting three or more vertices. You first determine the coordinates of each vertex and then define each face by entering the vertex numbers for all the vertices of that face. As you create each face, you can control the visibility and color of each edge and assign them to specific layers.

To create a polyface mesh:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Polyface Mesh.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Polyface Mesh tool ( [image]).

•	Type pface, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the coordinates of each vertex.

After each vertex that you specify, the next vertex number is displayed and you are prompted for the coordinates of the vertex. Specify the coordinates and then press Enter. Continue to specify the coordinates for each numbered vertex.

3.	To finish specifying vertex coordinates, press Enter.

4.	Specify the vertex numbers that define the first face.

You specify the face by entering the vertex numbers that were previously defined when you specified coordinates in step 2. Each face can be composed of three or more numbered vertices.

5.	To finish defining the first face, press Enter.

6.	Specify the next face by entering its vertex numbers.

7.	To complete the command, press Enter.

TIP To make an edge invisible, type the vertex number as a negative value.

  Overview


Creating boxes

You can create rectangular boxes or cubes. A box consists of six rectangular surface planes. The base of the box is always parallel to the xy plane of the current UCS. You position the box by specifying either a corner or the center of the box. You determine the size of the box by either specifying a second corner and the height; defining the box to be a cube and then providing its length; or specifying the length, width, and height.

To create a box:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Box.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Box tool ( [image]).

•	Type box, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the first corner of the base.

3.	Specify the other corner of the base.

4.	Specify the height.

First corner of the base (A), the other corner of the base (B), and the height (C).

  Overview


Creating wedges

You can create three-dimensional wedges consisting of five surface planes. The base of the wedge is always parallel to the xy plane of the current UCS with the sloped face opposite the first corner. The height is always parallel to the z axis. You position the wedge by specifying either a corner or the center of the wedge. You determine the size of the wedge by either specifying a second corner and the height; defining the wedge based on a cube having a given length; or specifying the length, width, and height.

To create a wedge:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Wedge.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Wedge tool ( [image]).

•	Type wedge, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the first corner of the base.

3.	Specify the other corner of the base.

4.	Specify the height.

First corner of the base (A), the other corner of the base (B), and the height (C).

  Overview


Creating cones

You can create three-dimensional cones defined by a circular base and tapering to a point perpendicular to its base. The base of the cone is always parallel to the xy plane of the current UCS; the height of the cone is always parallel to the z axis. You position the cone by specifying the center of the base. You determine the size of the cone by specifying either the radius or the diameter of the base and the height.

To create a cone:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Cone.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Cone tool ( [image]).

•	Type cone, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the center of the base of the cone.

3.	Specify the radius.

4.	Specify the height.

Center of the base (A), the radius of the base (B), and the height (C).

  Overview


Creating pyramids

You can create tetrahedrons (three-sided pyramids) or four-sided pyramids. The sides of the resulting pyramid can meet at a point (the apex) or can form a three- or four-edged top. The sides of a four-sided pyramid can also meet along a ridge defined by two points. The base of the pyramid is always parallel to the xy plane of the current UCS. You position the pyramid by specifying the corner of the base. You determine the size of the pyramid by specifying the base points and either the apex, the corners of the top surface, or the end points of the ridge.

To create a tetrahedron:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Pyramid.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Pyramid tool ( [image]).

•	Type pyramid, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the first point for the base of the pyramid.

3.	Specify the second and third points.

4.	In the prompt box, choose Tetrahedron.

5.	Specify the apex of the tetrahedron.

The first point (A), second point (B), and third point (C) of the base, and the apex (D).

To create a pyramid with a planar top:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Pyramid.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Pyramid tool ( [image]).

•	Type pyramid, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the first point for the base of the pyramid.

3.	Specify the second, third, and fourth points.

4.	In the prompt box, choose Top Surface.

5.	Specify the first point on the top surface of the pyramid.

6.	Specify the second, third, and fourth points.

The first point (A), second point (B), third point (C), and fourth point (D) of the base, and the first point (E), second point (F), third point (G), and fourth point (H) of the top surface.

  Overview


Creating cylinders

You can create cylinders defined by a circular base. The base of a cylinder is always parallel to the xy plane of the current UCS; the height of a cylinder is always parallel to the z-axis. You position a cylinder by specifying the center of the base. You determine the size of a cylinder by specifying either the radius or diameter of the base and the height.

To create a cylinder:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Cylinder.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Cylinder tool ( [image]).

•	Type cylinder, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the center of the base of the cylinder.

3.	Specify the radius.

4.	Specify the height.

Center of the base (A), the radius of the base (B), and the height (C).

  Overview


Creating spheres

You can create spheres. The latitude lines of a sphere are always parallel to the xy plane of the current UCS; the central axis is always parallel to the z-axis. You position a sphere by specifying its center point. You determine the size of a sphere by specifying either its radius or its diameter.

To create a sphere:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Sphere.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Sphere tool ( [image]).

•	Type sphere, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the center of the sphere.

3.	Specify the radius.

Center (A) and radius (B) of the sphere.	The resulting sphere.
  Overview


Creating dishes

You can create a three-dimensional dish. The latitude lines of a dish are always parallel to the xy plane of the current UCS; the central axis is always parallel to the z-axis. You position a dish by specifying its center point. You determine the size of a dish by specifying either its radius or its diameter.

To create a dish:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Dish.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Dish tool ( [image]).

•	Type dish, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the center of the dish.

3.	Specify the radius.

Center (A) and radius (B) of the dish.

  Overview


Creating domes

You can create a three-dimensional dome. The latitude lines of a dome are always parallel to the xy plane of the current UCS; the central axis is always parallel to the z-axis. You position a dome by specifying its center point. You determine the size of a dome by specifying either its radius or its diameter.

To create a dome:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Dome.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Dome tool ( [image]).

•	Type dome, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the center of the dome.

3.	Specify the radius.

Center (A) and radius (B) of the dome.

  Overview


Creating tori

You can create a three-dimensional donut or ring-shaped entity known as a torus. The diameter of a ring is always parallel to the xy plane of the current UCS. A torus is constructed by revolving a circle about a line drawn in the plane of the circle and parallel to the z-axis of the current UCS. You position a torus by specifying its center point. You determine the size of a torus by specifying its overall diameter or radius and the diameter or radius of the tube (the circle being revolved).

To create a torus:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Torus.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Torus tool ( [image]).

•	Type torus, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the center of the whole torus.

3.	Specify the radius of the whole torus.

4.	Specify the radius of the body of the torus.

Center (A) and radius of the whole torus (B), and the radius of the body (C).

  Overview


Creating ruled surface meshes

You can create a ruled surface, which is a three-dimensional polygon mesh that approximates the surface between two existing entities. You select the two entities that define the ruled surface. These entities can be arcs, circles, lines, points, or polylines. Both entities must either be open or closed, except that when one entity is a point, the other entity can be either open or closed.

To create a ruled surface mesh:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Ruled Surface.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Ruled Surface tool ( [image]).

•	Type rulesurf, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the first defining entity.

3.	Select the second defining entity.

Select the first (A) and second (B) defining entities.	The resulting ruled surface mesh.
TIP To control the density of the mesh, change the values for the Number of M-Direction Surfaces. Choose Settings > Drawing Settings, and then click the 3D Settings tab. Under Change Settings For, select Surfaces. Under Surface Settings, change the Number of M-Direction Surfaces value. Or, on the Settings toolbar, use the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]) to display that dialog box.

  Overview


Creating extruded surface meshes

You can create an extruded surface, which is a three-dimensional polygon mesh that approximates the surface generated by extruding a path curve along a direction vector. You select the two entities that define the path curve and direction vector. The length of the direction vector determines the distance the path curve is moved along the direction vector. The extruded entity can be an arc, circle, line, or polyline. You can choose a line or open polyline as the direction vector. The resulting mesh consists of a series of parallel polygonal planes running along the specified path.

To create an extruded surface mesh:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Extruded Surface.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Extruded Surface tool ( [image]).

•	Type tabsurf, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entity to extrude.

3.	Select the extrusion path.

Select the entity to extrude (A) and the extrusion path (B).	The resulting extruded surface mesh.
TIP To control the density of the mesh, change values for the Number of M-Direction Surfaces. Choose Settings > Drawing Settings, and then click the 3D Settings tab. Under Change Settings For, select Surfaces. Under Surface Settings, change the Number of M-Direction Surfaces. Or, on the Settings toolbar, use the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]) to display that dialog box.

  Overview


Creating revolved surface meshes

You can create a surface of revolution, which is a three-dimensional polygon mesh that approximates the surface generated by rotating a two-dimensional profile around an axis. You select the two entities that define the profile and the axis. You also specify the starting angle and the number of degrees to revolve the profile.

Revolving the profile 360 degrees creates a closed three-dimensional mesh. The Number of M-Direction Surfaces value determines the mesh density (the number of mesh segments) in the M-direction (around the axis of revolution). The N-Direction Mesh Density value determines the mesh density (the number of mesh segments) in the N-direction (along the axis of revolution).

To create a revolved surface mesh:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Revolved Surface.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Revolved Surface tool ( [image]).

•	Type revsurf, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entity to revolve.

3.	Select the entity to be used as the axis of revolution.

4.	Specify the starting angle.

5.	Specify the number of degrees to revolve the entity.

Select the entity to be revolved (A) and the axis of revolution (B).	The resulting revolved surface mesh.
TIP To control the density of the mesh, change the values for the Number of M-Direction Surfaces and N-Direction Mesh Density. Choose Settings > Drawing Settings, and then click the 3D Settings tab. Under Change Settings For, select Surfaces. Under Surface Settings, change the Number of M-Direction Surfaces and N-Direction Mesh Density values. Or on the Settings toolbar, use the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]) to display that dialog box.

  Overview


Creating edge-defined Coons surface patch meshes

You can create a surface called a Coons surface patch, a mesh connecting four edges. You select the entities that define the edges. Edge entities can be arcs, lines, or polylines. The four edge entities must form a closed loop and share end points. A patch is a bicubic surface (one curve extends in the M-direction and the other in the N-direction) interpolated between the four adjoining edges. You can select the edges in any order. The first edge you select determines the M-direction of the mesh.

To create an edge-defined Coons surface patch mesh:

Advanced experience level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > 3D Entities > Coons Surface.

•	On the Draw 3D toolbar, click the Coons Surface tool ( [image]).

•	Type edgesurf, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the first edge.

3.	Select the second, third, and fourth edges.

Select the entities to be used as the four edges (A, B, C, and D).	The resulting Coons surface patch mesh.
TIP To control the density of the mesh, change the value for the Number of M-Direction Surfaces and N-Direction Mesh Density. Choose Settings > Drawing Settings, and then click the 3D Settings tab. Under Change Settings For, select Surfaces. Under Surface Settings, change the Number of M-Direction Surfaces and N-Direction Mesh Density values. Or on the Settings toolbar, use the Drawing Settings tool ( [image]) to display that dialog box.

  Overview


Editing in three dimensions

  How To	  Related Topics

You can copy, move, rotate, mirror, and array two-dimensional and three-dimensional entities in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional space. When you modify three-dimensional entities in two-dimensional space, you modify the entity in relation to the current UCS.


Rotating in three dimensions

You can rotate selected entities about a specified axis in three-dimensional space. You select the entities to rotate and then define the axis of rotation by specifying two points; selecting an existing entity; aligning the axis with the x-, y-, or z-axis of the current UCS; or aligning the axis with the current view.

To rotate an entity about an axis in three dimensions:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > 3D Rotate.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the 3D Rotate tool ( [image]).

•	Type rotate3D and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities to rotate, and then press Enter.

3.	Choose from one of the following options: Entity, Last, View, Xaxis, Yaxis, Zaxis.

4.	Specify the rotation angle.

5.	Specify the reference angle.

Select the entities to rotate (A), specify the end points of the axis of rotation (B and C), and then specify the rotation angle (D).	Result after rotating the entities.
  Overview


Arraying in three dimensions

You can copy selected entities and arrange them in a three-dimensional rectangular or polar (circular) pattern. For a rectangular array, you control the number of copies in the array by specifying the number of rows and columns and the number of levels. You also specify the distance between each. For a polar array, you specify the axis around which to array the entities, the number of copies of the entities to create, and the angle subtended by the resulting array.

To create a three-dimensional rectangular array:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > 3D Array.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the 3D Array tool ( [image]).

•	Type 3Darray, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Rectangular.

4.	Type the number of rows in the array.

5.	Type the number of columns.

6.	Type the number of levels.

7.	Specify the vertical distance between the rows.

8.	Specify the horizontal distance between the columns.

9.	Specify the depth between the levels.

To create a three-dimensional rectangular array, select the entity to copy (A), type the number of rows, columns, and levels, and then specify the distance between each row (B), column (C), and level (D).

To create a three-dimensional polar array:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > 3D Array.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the 3D Array tool ( [image]).

•	Type 3Darray, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

3.	In the prompt box, choose Polar.

4.	Type the number of copies to make, including the original selection set.

5.	Specify the angle the array is to fill, from 0 to 360 degrees.

The default setting for the angle is 360 degrees. Positive values create the array in a counterclockwise direction; negative values create the array in a clockwise direction.

6.	In the prompt box, choose one of the following:

•	Yes-Rotate Entities, to rotate entities as they are arrayed.

•	No-Do Not Rotate, to retain the original orientation of each copy as it is arrayed.

7.	Specify the center point of the array.

8.	Specify a second point along the central axis of the array.

To create a three-dimensional polar array, select the entity to copy (A), type the number of copies to make, specify the angle the array is to fill (B), and then specify the center point of the array (C) and a second point along the central axis of the array (D).

  Overview


Mirroring in three dimensions

You can create a mirror image of selected entities in three-dimensional space. You mirror the entities about a mirror plane that you define by specifying three points; selecting an existing two-dimensional planar entity; aligning the plane parallel to the xy, yz, or xz plane of the current UCS; or aligning the plane with the current view. You can delete or retain the original entities.

To mirror an entity about a three-dimensional plane:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Modify > 3D Mirror.

•	On the Modify toolbar, click the 3D Mirror tool ( [image]).

•	Type mirror3D, and then press Enter.

2.	Select the entities, and then press Enter.

3.	In the prompt box, choose 3 Points, or press Enter to select the default.

4.	Specify the first point on the mirror plane.

5.	Specify the second and third points on the plane.

6.	In the prompt box, choose one of the following:

•	Yes-Delete Entities to delete the original entities.

•	No-Keep Entities to retain the original entities.

Select the entity to mirror (A), and then specify the first point (B), second point (C), and third point (D) defining the mirror plane.	The resulting mirrored entity.
  Overview


Hiding and shading
Hiding, shading, and rendering

  How To	  Related Topics

As you create three-dimensional entities, the program displays both wire-frame and surface models in wire-frame view, which makes it difficult to visualize your three-dimensional models. To better visualize the model, you can remove all the lines that are hidden behind other entities or surfaces when seen from the current viewpoint.

Shading goes a step further by removing hidden lines and then assigning flat colors to the visible surfaces, making them appear solid. Shaded images are useful when you want to quickly visualize your model as a solid object, though they lack depth and definition.

Rendering provides an even more realistic image of your model, complete with light sources, shadows, surface material properties, and reflections, giving your model a photo-realistic look. When you render a model, the program removes hidden lines and then shades the surface as though it were illuminated from an imaginary light source.

Wire-frame model.	Hidden-line image.	Shaded image.	Rendered image.


Creating hidden-line images

Creating a hidden-line view of your drawing removes all the lines that are hidden behind other surfaces when seen from your vantage point. When you remove hidden lines or shade a model, the program treats the entities differently, depending on how you created them. Wire-frame models always appear transparent, because they have no surfaces. Surface models appear filled, with surfaces applied to all visible sides of the model.

To create a hidden-line image, use any of these methods:

•	Choose View > Rendering > Hide.

•	On the Rendering toolbar, click the Hide tool ( [image]).

•	Type hide, and then press Enter.

Before creating a hidden-line image.	After removing hidden lines.
  Overview


Creating shaded images

Creating a shaded image of your drawing removes hidden lines, and then applies shading to the visible surfaces based on their entity color. Because they are intended to provide a quick visualization, shaded images do not have a light source and use continuous colors across surfaces, causing them to appear flat and unrealistic.

To create a shaded image, use any of these methods:

•	Choose View > Rendering > Shade.

•	On the Rendering toolbar, click the Shade tool ( [image]).

•	Type shade, and then press Enter.

To control the appearance of the shaded image, choose Settings > Drawing Settings, and then click the 3D Settings tab and select the options you want. You can shade the surfaces and edges of the model in four different ways:

•	Faces shaded; edges not highlighted.

•	Faces shaded; edges highlighted in the background color.

•	Faces filled in the background color; edges drawn using the entity color (similar to a hidden-line view).

•	Faces filled using the entity color; edges highlighted in the background color.

See the online Command Reference for more information about shading images.

  Overview


Creating rendered images

Creating a rendered image of your drawing removes hidden lines, and then shades the surface as though it were illuminated from multiple light sources.

Full rendering creates a photo-realistic image of your model, complete with light sources, shadows, surface material properties, and reflections. You can illuminate your image with spotlights, distant lighting to simulate sunshine, and ambient light. If you choose not to customize the light sources, the program generates default light sources for you.

Rays from these imaginary light sources are traced as they refract off the surfaces of the model, a process called ray tracing. Ray tracing determines where shadows fall and how reflections on shiny materials such as metal and glass appear. You can modify the reflective properties of the materials that make up your model to control how the light rays reflect off its surfaces.

Full rendering automatically creates a base on which your model is displayed, if you don't already have one, so it does not appear suspended in space. A background is also automatically added to the image. A background such as a cloudy sky or an imported raster graphic such as a stone wall can also be added behind the image, making it even more realistic.

To create a quickly rendered image, use any of these methods:

•	Choose View > Rendering > Render.

•	On the Rendering toolbar, click the Render tool ( [image]).

•	Type render, and then press Enter.

To create a fully rendered image, use any of these methods:

•	Choose View > Rendering > Full Render.

•	On the Rendering toolbar, click the Full Render tool ( [image]).

•	Type fullrender, and then press Enter.

Fully-rendered image.
  Overview


 About working with other programs

  Related Topics

IntelliCAD offers great flexibility in its capability to be used with other programs. You can include an IntelliCAD drawing in a Microsoft Word document or insert a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet containing a parts list into an IntelliCAD drawing. To include IntelliCAD drawings in other programs and documents from other programs in IntelliCAD drawings, you either link or embed them. You can also save IntelliCAD drawings in other file formats that can be used directly with other programs or send IntelliCAD drawings to co-workers via electronic mail.

This chapter explains how to:

•	Save and view snapshots.

•	Use IntelliCAD with other Visio programs.

•	Use object linking and embedding.

•	Export IntelliCAD drawings to other file formats.

•	Send drawing files via e-mail.


Saving and viewing snapshots

  How To	  Related Topics

You can save snapshots of a drawing to view later. A snapshot saves the current drawing in either *.emf, *.wmf, or *.sld format exactly as it appears on the screen. A snapshot is not a drawing file. You cannot edit or print the snapshot; you can only view it.

You can use snapshots in the following ways:

•	Make presentations by showing snapshots of your drawings.

•	Reference a snapshot of a drawing while working on a different drawing.

•	Present a number of snapshots as a slide show by using scripts.

When you view a snapshot, it temporarily replaces the current drawing. When you refresh the display of the current drawing (by redrawing, panning, zooming, minimizing, maximizing, or tiling), the snapshot image disappears, and you are returned to the current drawing.

You create a snapshot by saving the current view as a snapshot. A snapshot does not include any entities on layers that are not currently visible. The contents of the snapshot also depend on the current drawing space. In model space, the snapshot shows only the current viewport. In paper space, the snapshot contains all visible viewports.


To create a snapshot
To create a snapshot:

1.	Display the drawing exactly as you want to capture it as a snapshot.

•	Choose Tools > Make Snapshot.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the Make Snapshot tool ( [image]).

•	Type msnapshot, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Create Snapshot dialog box, specify the name of the snapshot file you want to create.

3.	From the Files Of Types list, choose either *.emf, *.wmf or *.sld.

4.	Click Save.

The current drawing remains on the screen, and the snapshot is saved to the directory that you specify. You can view previously saved snapshots, and you can also view snapshots created using AutoCAD.

  Overview


To view a snapshot
To view a snapshot:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > View Snapshot.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the View Snapshot tool ( [image]).

•	Type vsnapshot, and then press Enter.

2.	In the View Snapshot dialog box, specify the name of the snapshot file you want to view.

3.	Click Open.

IntelliCAD displays the snapshot in the current drawing window.

  Overview


Working with other Visio products

  How To	  Related Topics

You can insert objects from other Visio products into IntelliCAD drawings by either embedding them into or linking them to your drawings. You can view IntelliCAD drawings directly in Visio programs and then add your comments on a separate annotation layer.


To view an IntelliCAD drawing in a Visio program
To view an IntelliCAD drawing in a Visio program:

1.	In Visio, choose File > Open.

2.	Under Files Of Type, select IntelliCAD Drawing (*.dwg).

If your Visio program does not list IntelliCAD Drawing (*.dwg) as an option, then save the drawing in AutoCAD format, and Under Files Of Type, select AutoCAD Drawing (*.dwg).

3.	Under Look In, find the folder that contains the file you want and select it.

4.	Click Open.

  Overview


Using data from other programs in IntelliCAD drawings

  How To	  Related Topics

You can include data from other programs in IntelliCAD drawings by using either embedding or linking. The method you choose depends on the type of object or file you want to include in your IntelliCAD drawing and what you want to do with it after it is there.


Embedding objects into drawings

Embed an object into your IntelliCAD drawing when you want to keep all the data you work with in one file or if you want to transfer the file to other computers. You can embed data from programs that support object linking and embedding.

For example, if you want to distribute data about a department's computer equipment along with an IntelliCAD drawing of the department's floor plan, you can embed a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet into the floor plan.

When you embed data from another program, IntelliCAD becomes the container for that data. The object embedded in the IntelliCAD drawing becomes part of the IntelliCAD file. When you edit the data, you open its program from within the IntelliCAD drawing.

Any changes you make to the embedded data exist only in the IntelliCAD drawing, so it is not necessary to keep that data in a separate file. If the data does exist in a separate file, the original file does not change when you modify the embedded object in IntelliCAD. Also, changes to the original file do not affect the embedded object in the IntelliCAD drawing.

To embed another program's object into an IntelliCAD drawing:

1.	Open the file that contains the data you want.

2.	In the file, select the data you want to embed in the IntelliCAD drawing.

3.	Choose that program's command to place data on the Clipboard.

Usually, you choose Edit > Copy.

4.	In the IntelliCAD window, display the drawing in which you want to embed the object.

5.	Choose Edit > Paste, or click the Paste tool ( [image]) on the Standard toolbar.

The data on the Clipboard is pasted into the drawing as an embedded object. The object appears in the center of the view, but you can select and move it by moving the cursor.

To embed an object from an existing file within IntelliCAD:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Object.

•	Type insertobj, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Insert Object dialog box, click Create From File.

3.	Specify the file by doing one of the following:

•	Type a path and file name in the File box.

•	Click Browse to select the file using a file dialog box.

4.	Select Display As Icon if you want that program's icon to appear in the drawing instead of the data.

5.	Click OK.

The first page of the file appears in the IntelliCAD drawing, unless you chose to display it as an icon. You can select the object and drag to reposition it.

To create a new embedded object from within IntelliCAD:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Insert > Object.

•	Type insertobj, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Insert Object dialog box, click Create New.

3.	From the Object Type list, select the type of object you want to create, and then click OK.

The program for creating that object opens within IntelliCAD. If the program is compatible with ActiveX, it opens in place (within the other program) in the IntelliCAD drawing; otherwise, the program opens in its full window.

4.	Create the object in the other program.

5.	If the program is running within the other document (in place), click anywhere outside the embedded object to close the program.

If the program is running in its full window, choose File > Exit.

  Overview


Linking objects to drawings

If another program supports ActiveX, you can link its data to IntelliCAD drawings. Use linking when you want to include the same data in many files. When you update the data, all links to other files reflect the changes.

For example, if you created your company logo in an ActiveX-compatible drawing program, and you want to include it in the title block of every drawing you create with IntelliCAD, you can link it to each IntelliCAD drawing. When you change the original logo in the drawing program, the IntelliCAD drawing updates automatically.

When you link data from another program, the IntelliCAD drawing stores only a reference to the location of the file in which you created the data. You link data from a saved file, so IntelliCAD can find the data and display it.

Because linking adds only a reference to a file, the data does not significantly increase the file size of the IntelliCAD drawing. However, links require some maintenance. If you move any of the linked files, you need to update the links. In addition, if you want to transport linked data, you must include all linked files.

You can update a linked object automatically every time you open the drawing or you can do so only when you specify. Anytime a link is updated, changes made to the object in its original file also appear in the IntelliCAD drawing, and the changes also appear in the original file if they were made through IntelliCAD.

To link a file to an IntelliCAD drawing:

1.	Save the original file.

Because a link consists of a reference to the original file, you must save the file before you can link to it.

2.	In the original file, select the data you want in the IntelliCAD drawing.

3.	Choose that program's command to place data on the Clipboard.

Usually, you choose Edit > Copy.

4.	Display the IntelliCAD drawing to which you want to link the file.

5.	In IntelliCAD, choose Edit > Paste Special.

6.	In the Paste Special dialog box, select Paste Link.

7.	Click OK.

To create a linked object from within IntelliCAD:

1.	Display the IntelliCAD drawing in which you want to display the linked object.

•	Choose Insert > Object

•	Type insertobj, and then press Enter.

3.	In the Insert Object dialog box, click Create From File.

4.	Specify the file by doing one of the following:

•	Type a path and file name in the File box.

•	Click Browse to select the file using a file dialog box.

5.	Select the Link check box.

6.	Select Display As Icon if you want that program's icon to appear in the drawing instead of the data.

7.	Click OK.

The first page of the file appears in the IntelliCAD drawing, unless you chose to display it as an icon. You can select the object and drag to reposition it.

  Overview


Editing an embedded or linked object from within IntelliCAD

You can modify an embedded or linked object in its original program from within IntelliCAD. When you modify an embedded object, you change only the object in IntelliCAD, not its original file (if you pasted the object from an existing file). When you modify a linked file, however, you open and change the original file.

Most programs include a submenu of actions you can perform on an embedded or linked ActiveX object. Usually, the commands for editing ActiveX objects are Edit and Open. If the object is embedded and its program supports in-place editing, the Edit command opens the object in place. The Open command opens the object in the full program window. In IntelliCAD, this command appears at the bottom of the Edit menu.

To edit an embedded or linked object:

•	In the IntelliCAD drawing, double-click the object.

If the object is embedded and the program in which you created the object supports in-place editing, the object opens in place.

If the object is linked, or if its program does not support in-place editing, the other program opens in its full window and displays the object.

  Overview


Using data from IntelliCAD in other programs

  How To	  Related Topics

You can use any of the following methods to include IntelliCAD data in a document created in another program:

•	Embedding

•	Linking

•	Exporting

The method you choose depends on the capabilities of the other program and how you want to work with the IntelliCAD data after you've placed it in the other document.

NOTE Every method except exporting uses ActiveX to integrate data from different programs. With ActiveX, you can open IntelliCAD from within the other program to modify the IntelliCAD drawings.


Embedding drawings

When you embed an IntelliCAD drawing, it becomes part of the other program's document file. When you edit the drawing, you edit only the version that is embedded in the other document.

Embedding is useful when you don't want to maintain a link to the IntelliCAD drawing for the data you include in the other document. Edits made to the this new drawing do not affect the original drawing. To transfer the file to other computers, you can transfer all the data in one file, but embedded objects increase the file size.

From within a document in a program that supports ActiveX, such as Microsoft Word, you can either create a new embedded IntelliCAD drawing or embed an existing IntelliCAD drawing.

To create an IntelliCAD drawing in another document:

1.	In the document, choose Insert > Object (or the equivalent command for that program).

2.	In the dialog box, click the options for creating a new file.

3.	Under Object Type, choose IntelliCAD Drawing, and click OK.

4.	Create the IntelliCAD drawing.

5.	If IntelliCAD is running in its own window, choose File > Exit.

If IntelliCAD is running within the other document (in place), click somewhere in the document outside the IntelliCAD drawing to close IntelliCAD.

6.	To edit the IntelliCAD drawing from within the document, double-click the drawing.

TIP You can also embed an existing IntelliCAD drawing from within another document. Follow step 1 in the preceding procedure, and then click the option for creating an object from an existing file.

To embed selected IntelliCAD entities:

1.	In IntelliCAD, select the entities you want to embed.

2.	Choose Edit > Copy (or press Ctrl+C).

3.	Open the document in which you want to embed the entities.

4.	Choose Edit > Paste (or the equivalent command).

To embed an entire IntelliCAD drawing:

1.	Open the document in which you want to embed the drawing.

2.	Choose Insert > Object.

3.	Click the Create From File button.

4.	Click Browse, and then choose the file you want to embed.

5.	Click Insert, and then click OK.

  Overview


 Editing an embedded IntelliCAD object in place

In many ActiveX-compatible programs, you can edit an embedded IntelliCAD object without leaving the program (or container application). This is called in-place editing. A different set of IntelliCAD menus and toolbars temporarily replaces most of the menus and controls in the active window while you edit the IntelliCAD object.

To edit an embedded IntelliCAD object in place:

1.	In the container application, double-click the embedded IntelliCAD object.

A different set of IntelliCAD menus and controls appears.

2.	Edit the IntelliCAD drawing.

3.	Click anywhere outside the drawing window to exit the in-place editing controls.

  Overview


Linking drawings

When you link an IntelliCAD drawing to another document, the other document contains only a reference to the IntelliCAD drawing file, rather than the actual drawing. You link data in a saved IntelliCAD file so that the other program can find the data and display it.

Linking works well when you want to include the same IntelliCAD data in more than one document. When you update the data, you need only update it in one location. The versions that are linked to other documents reflect the changes automatically.

Linking an IntelliCAD file to another document does not increase the file size the way embedding an IntelliCAD object does. However, links require more maintenance. To transport the data, you must make sure to transfer all linked files to the other computer.

To link an IntelliCAD file to another document:

1.	Open the drawing you want to link.

NOTE Because a link is a reference to a file, you can only link files that are saved to a location on a disk. If you haven't saved the drawing you want to link, choose File > Save.

2.	In the other program, open the document in which you want to include the IntelliCAD drawing.

3.	Choose that program's command for inserting objects.

In Microsoft Office programs, choose Insert > Object. In the Object dialog box, click the Create From File tab. Specify the name of the drawing file you want to link. Select the Link To File check box, and then click OK.

The drawing appears in the document, with a link to the original IntelliCAD file.

  Overview


Dragging IntelliCAD drawings into other programs

If the other program in which you want to include IntelliCAD drawings is compatible with ActiveX, an alternative to pasting drawings with menu commands is to drag drawing file icons from the Windows Explorer into the other document. Dragging and dropping drawings does not use the Windows Clipboard, so data on the Clipboard is not affected.

When you drag an IntelliCAD drawing file from the Windows Explorer, you link or embed the entire drawing in the other document. When you drag the file, the cursor changes in response to the action you take.

How the cursor changes

Cursor appearance	Action
	Drag to embed the selected file to the other document.
	Cannot drop drawings in that document.
TIP Before you drag a drawing, position the Windows Explorer window and the other program's window so you can see the file icon and the document in which you want to drop it.

To drag and embed drawings into another document:

•	Select the icon for the drawing file, and then drag the drawing into the document.

  Overview


Exporting drawings

You can save or export IntelliCAD drawings in a number of different formats for use with other programs. When you save a drawing in a different format, the program saves all the entities in the drawing to the new file. When you export a drawing, you choose which entities are included in the new file.

You can export a drawing in any of the following formats:

•	As an AutoCAD Drawing file (*.dwg). You choose the specific AutoCAD version (R14, R13, R11/12, R10, R9, R2.6, or R2.5).

•	As an ASCII AutoCAD Drawing Interchange file (*.dxf). You choose the specific AutoCAD version (R14, R13, R11/12, R10, R9, R2.6, or R2.5).

•	As a binary AutoCAD Drawing Interchange file (*.dxf). You choose the specific AutoCAD version (R14, R13, R11/12, R10, R9, R2.6, or R2.5).

•	As a slide file (*.sld).

•	As an Enhanced Windows Metafile (*.emf).

•	As a Windows Metafile (*.wmf).

To export a drawing to a file:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose File > Export To File

•	Type export, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Export Drawing As File dialog box, under Save As Type, choose the file format.

3.	Specify the name of the file you want to create.

4.	Click Save.

5.	In the prompt box, choose the entity-selection method, and then create the selection set.

6.	When you have finished selecting entities, press Enter.

  Overview


Sending drawings through electronic mail

You can send an IntelliCAD drawing to another user via e-mail. IntelliCAD is compatible with electronic-mail programs that support the Messaging Application Program Interface (MAPI) protocol.

To include a drawing file in an e-mail message:

1.	While the drawing file is open, choose File > Send Mail.

If your mail program is not already running, it starts; a new e-mail message containing the IntelliCAD icon and file name appears.

2.	Address the message, type any accompanying information, and send the e-mail message as you would any other message.

To view an IntelliCAD file sent by e-mail:

•	Open the e-mail message, and then double-click the IntelliCAD icon.

NOTE IntelliCAD must be installed on the computer used to open drawings in e-mail.

  Overview


About customizing IntelliCAD

  Related Topics

You can customize IntelliCAD in a number of ways. For example, you can change the appearance of many aspects of the program and modify the existing menus and toolbars or create new ones. This chapter explains how to:

•	Set the program's preferences.

•	Customize menus and toolbars.

•	Customize the keyboard.

•	Create aliases for frequently used commands.

•	Create and use scripts.

•	Use add-on programs with IntelliCAD.


Setting and changing options

  How To	  Related Topics

You can change many of the options that control the program's behavior and appearance, such as how often it automatically saves a backup copy of your drawing, the experience level, and the background color of the graphics screen. Following are descriptions of each of the options that you can control.


To change any of the options settings
To change any of the options settings:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Options.

•	Type config, and then press Enter.

2.	Change the settings you want.

3.	When you have finished, click OK.

  Overview


Setting the search path

The search path setting controls the location of support files such as fonts, LISP routines, menus, and blocks. The program searches directories for support files in the following order:

•	The IntelliCAD program directory.

•	The current drawing directory.

•	The Windows search path.

•	The search path specified in the Options dialog box.

You can specify a search path by entering complete directory paths in the Search Path box. Choose Tools > Options and make the appropriate entries. You can specify multiple directories by using a semicolon to separate individual directory names; for example, c:\intellicad\fonts;c:\mydrawings.

  Overview


Setting the template drawing

When you create a new drawing, the program bases the drawing on the default template drawing. By default, the file icad.dwg is the template drawing. To use a different template drawing, choose Tools > Options and click Browse to specify the template drawing file name that you want.

  Overview


Saving your drawings automatically

To avoid losing data in the event of a power failure or other system error, save your drawing files often. You can configure the program to periodically save your drawings automatically. Choose Tools > Options and select the Enable AutoSave check box. The Time setting determines the interval between automatic saves. The program restarts this interval timer whenever you save the drawing file.

When AutoSave is enabled, the program creates a copy of your drawing. The file is saved to the same directory as the drawing file, with the file extension specified in the MyDrawing box (by default, sv$).

  Overview


Setting the experience level

You can control which menus and tools are available by setting the experience level. During installation, the default setting is for the Intermediate experience level. You can choose from the following experience levels:

•	Beginner: Menus and toolbars display only basic commands.

•	Intermediate: Menus and toolbars display most two-dimensional entity creation and modification commands.

•	Advanced: Menus and toolbars display all available commands.

If you want to change your experience level, choose Tools > Options and set the experience level you want.

  Overview


Setting the command lines to track

The program keeps track of the commands and command prompts you used most recently. You can control the number of lines in this window that are kept in memory as you work. The default value is 256. You can display them in the Prompt History window. If you want to change the number of command lines to track, choose Tools > Options and set the value you want.

  Overview


Displaying prompt boxes

When a command offers several options, a prompt box is displayed with those options. If you prefer to select options by typing, you can turn off the prompt boxes by clearing the Display Prompt Boxes check box. Choose Tools > Options and click the check box to clear it.

  Overview


Automatic Menu Loading

The first time you start IntelliCAD, a default menu is loaded, and the Automatic Menu Loading check box on the Options dialog box is checked. The Automatic Menu Loading feature allows you to load drawings with associated menus without overwriting the default menu. To turn off the Automatic Menu Loading option, choose Tools > Options, and clear the check box for Automatic Menu Loading.

  Overview


Setting the graphics screen color

By default, drawings are displayed on a black background. You can change this color and specify the background screen color that you want. Choose Tools > Options to change colors.

  Overview


Setting the axis colors

To help you differentiate the x-, y-, and z-axes, a different color is assigned to each. You can change the default colors to any color you want. Choose Tools > Options to change colors.

  Overview


Customizing menus

  How To	  Related Topics

You can customize a current menu and save your changes as an IntelliCAD menu file. You can also load both existing IntelliCAD (*.icm) and AutoCAD (*.mnu, *.mns) menu files. You customize menus using the Customize dialog box.

To display the Customize dialog box, use one of the following methods:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize.


Creating new pull-down menus and commands

You can create a new pull-down menu by inserting a menu item at the top level of the menu tree. Then, you can add commands to the new menu item. You can also add submenus and modify existing menu names and commands, adding, deleting, and rearranging the menu names and commands.

To create a new pull-down menu:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Menus tab.

3.	In the Menu Tree, select the menu name above which you want to add the new menu.

4.	Choose Insert > Menu Item.

5.	Type a name for the new pull-down menu, and then press Enter.

6.	Click Close.

To see the new menu, you must perform the following steps for adding a command to the menu.

To add a command to a pull-down menu:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Menus tab.

3.	In the Menu Tree, select the pull-down menu to which you want to add the new command.

4.	Choose Insert > Menu Sub-Item.

5.	Type a name for the new command, and then press Enter.

6.	Assign a command string to the command you added by doing one of the following:

•	In the Available Commands list, choose the command, and then click Add Command.

•	In the Command edit box, type the command string, and then click Add Command.

7.	In the Help String edit box, type the text to be displayed in the status bar when the cursor is positioned over the new command.

8.	To add another command, repeat steps 3 through 7.

9.	When you have finished, click Close.

TIP When you type a name for a new command, you can specify an access key by including an ampersand (&) immediately preceding the letter you want to use as the access key. Be sure not to assign the same access key to more than one menu or command within any particular pull-down menu. For example, if you add a command named Quick Line to the Insert menu, including an ampersand immediately preceding the letter Q causes that letter to appear underlined in the menu. You can then select that command by displaying the menu and pressing the Q key on the keyboard.

To rename a menu item:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Menus tab.

3.	In the Menu Tree, select the menu item you want to rename.

4.	Click Rename.

5.	Type a new name for the menu item by typing over the highlighted name, and then press Enter.

6.	Click Close.

To delete a menu item:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Menus tab.

3.	In the Menu Tree, select the menu item you want to delete.

4.	Click Delete.

5.	In the confirmation dialog box, click Yes to delete the menu item.

6.	Click Close.

NOTE Deleting a menu item that has sub-items below it in the menu tree also deletes all those sub-items.

  Overview


Setting the experience level for menus

You can set the experience level for menu items you create and change the experience level for existing commands.

To set the experience level for a command:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Menus tab.

3.	In the Menu Tree, select the command.

4.	Click Options.

5.	In the Menu Customization Options dialog box, under Experience Level, select the experience levels that you want for the command.

6.	Click OK.

7.	Click Close.

NOTE Select all the experience levels above the lowest level you want to use. Commands appear in the menu only at the experience levels you specify. If you select Intermediate without also selecting Advanced, the commands will appear only when you set the experience level to Intermediate.

  Overview


Saving menu files

The program automatically saves any changes you make to the current menu. You can also create and save your own custom menus. The program automatically saves all menu files with a *.icm file extension.

To save the current menu to a file:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Menus tab.

3.	Click Export.

4.	In the Select Menu File dialog box, specify the directory and file name you want to use to save the menu file.

5.	Click Save.

6.	Click Close.

NOTE Saving a menu does not save any toolbars that you created or modified.

  Overview


Loading menu files

You can replace the current menu file with other custom menus. The program loads both AutoCAD (*.mnu, *.mns) and IntelliCAD (*.icm) menu files.

To load a menu file:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Menus tab.

3.	Click Import.

4.	From the Files Of Type list, choose either *.icm, *.mnu or *.mns.

5.	Select the menu to load.

6.	Click Open.

7.	Click Close.

NOTE Loading a new menu replaces only the menu. It does not replace any custom toolbars you may have defined.

  Overview


Customizing toolbars

  How To	  Related Topics

IntelliCAD provides toolbars so that you can access frequently used commands. You can customize these toolbars by adding or removing tools or by rearranging the organization of the tools to better suit you. You can also create custom toolbars. Toolbars are saved as an integral part of the program. Although you cannot export custom toolbars for use by others, you can load toolbars created as part of AutoCAD menus. You customize toolbars using the Customize dialog box and selecting the Toolbars tab.

To display the Customize dialog box, use one of the following methods:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize.


Creating a new toolbar

You can create a new toolbar by dragging a tool from the Customize dialog box and dropping it anywhere except on another toolbar. The program immediately creates a new toolbar and assigns it a default name. Then, you can add additional tools to the new toolbar. You can also add, delete, or modify tools on any existing toolbar.

When you create a toolbar using tools from the Buttons area of the Customize menu, the ToolTip, Help String, and Command fields are filled in automatically with default information. You can edit this information for each tool.

To create a new toolbar:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Toolbars tab.

3.	In the Categories list, choose a category to display its associated tools.

4.	Click and drag a tool onto an open area of the screen.

5.	Modify the ToolTip, Help String, and Command fields as needed.

6.	Click close.

To add a tool to a toolbar:

1.	Make sure the toolbar you want to modify is visible.

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Toolbars tab.

3.	In the Categories list, choose a category to display its associated tools.

4.	Click and drag a tool onto the toolbar.

5.	Modify the ToolTip, Help String, and Command fields as needed.

6.	To add another tool, repeat steps 4 through 6.

7.	When you have finished, click Close.

To delete a tool from a toolbar:

1.	Make sure the toolbar you want to modify is visible.

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Toolbars tab.

3.	Drag the tool you want to delete from the toolbar onto the Customize dialog box.

4.	Click Close.

To add space between tools on a toolbar:

1. Make sure the toolbar you want to modify is visible.

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Toolbars tab.

3.	On the toolbar, drag the tool away from the tool beside it.

To avoid accidentally deleting a tool, do not drag a tool more than halfway past the edge of the toolbar.

4.	Click Close.

  Overview


Naming toolbars

When you first create a toolbar, the program assigns it an arbitrary name, such as ToolBar1, ToolBar2, and so on. The toolbar name is displayed on the title bar when the toolbar is floating. You can rename a toolbar at any time.

Choose View > Toolbars to display the Select Toolbars dialog box. In this dialog box, you can rename toolbars, turn the display of toolbars on and off, choose to display large or small tools, choose to display toolbar tools in color or black and white, and control the display of ToolTips.

To rename a toolbar:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose View > Toolbars.

•	Type tbconfig, and then press Enter.

2.	From the Toolbars list, choose the toolbar that you want to rename.

3.	In the Toolbar Name field, replace the current name with the new toolbar name.

4.	Click OK.

  Overview


Creating flyouts

A flyout displays a set of additional tools under a single toolbar tool. IntelliCAD uses flyouts to organize related tools and to conserve space on toolbars. A flyout is indicated by a small triangle in the lower-right corner of a tool. When you click a flyout tool, the other tools on the flyout extend out from the original tool so you can select one of them. The flyout tool you select then becomes the default tool on the toolbar. You can add your own flyouts to toolbars.

To add a flyout to a toolbar:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Toolbars tab.

3.	Select the Insert As Flyout check box.

4.	In the Categories list, choose a category to display its associated tools.

5.	Click and drag a tool onto the tool on the toolbar that you want to use as a flyout.

6.	Modify the ToolTip, Help String, and Command fields as needed.

7.	To add another flyout tool, repeat steps 4 through 6.

8.	Click Close.

  Overview


Setting the experience level for toolbars

You can set the experience level for toolbar tools you create and change the experience level for existing tools.

To set the experience level for a tool:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Toolbars tab.

3.	Go outside the dialog box to a toolbar, and click a tool to select it.

4.	Go back to the Customize dialog box, and click Options.

5.	Under User Level, select the experience levels you want for that tool.

6.	Click OK.

7.	Click Close.

NOTE Select all the experience levels above the lowest level you want to use. Tools appear in toolbars only at the experience levels you specify. If you select Intermediate without also selecting Advanced, the tool will appear only when you set the experience level to Intermediate.

  Overview


Creating custom toolbar tools

IntelliCAD provides tools for all available IntelliCAD commands. These tools appear on the Toolbars tab of the Customize dialog box. You can also create your own custom tools and incorporate them into your custom toolbars. To add a custom tool to a toolbar, you must first add one of the program's standard tools and then replace it on the toolbar with your custom tool.

You create custom tools as .bmp files using any paint or illustration program capable of saving to a bitmap (*.bmp) format. Because you can configure toolbars to display either large or small tools and to display tools either in color or monochrome, create four different versions of each custom tool. Create custom tools using the following dimensions:

•	Small tools: 16 x 15 pixels.

•	Large tools: 24 x 22 pixels.

NOTE If you attempt to use bitmaps that do not match these dimensions, the program will stretch or shrink (rather than crop) the bitmaps to fit the specified size. The resulting tools may not appear as originally intended.

To add a custom tool to a toolbar:

1.	Make sure the toolbar you want to modify is visible.

•	Choose Tools > Customize

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Toolbars tab.

3.	Go outside the dialog box to a toolbar, and click a tool in the toolbar to select it.

4.	Go back to the Customize dialog box, and click Options.

5.	In the Toolbar Customization Options dialog box, under Button Bitmaps, click the Browse tool adjacent to the Small, Color Button list to display the Select Bitmap dialog box.

6.	Select the bitmap you want to use for the small color tool.

7.	Click Open.

8.	Repeat steps 6 through 8 for the large color tool, small black and white tool, and large black and white tool versions of your custom tool.

9.	When you have finished, click OK.

10.	Click Close.

  Overview


Importing toolbars

Toolbars are saved as an integral part of IntelliCAD. Although you cannot export custom toolbars for use by others, you can load toolbars created as part of AutoCAD (*.mnu, *.mns) menus. Importing an AutoCAD menu file from the Toolbars tab of the Customize dialog box loads only the toolbar section of the menu file.

To import a menu file:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Toolbars tab.

3.	Click Import.

4.	Select the menu you want to load.

5.	Click Open.

6.	Click Close.

NOTE Importing an AutoCAD menu file from the Toolbars tab of the Customize dialog box replaces any custom toolbars you may have defined. Importing the menu file in this way, however, does not affect the current menu.

  Overview


Customizing the keyboard

  How To	  Related Topics

IntelliCAD provides keyboard shortcuts so you can access frequently used commands. You can customize these shortcuts and add new shortcuts using the Customize dialog box.

To display the Customize dialog box, use one of the following methods:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize.


Creating a new keyboard shortcut

To create a new keyboard shortcut, you first define a new shortcut key combination and then assign a command string. You can select the command from the list of available commands or type commands in the Command field.

To create a new keyboard shortcut:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Keyboard tab.

3.	Click New.

4.	In the Press New Shortcut Key field, type the shortcut key combination you want to use for the new keyboard shortcut.

5.	Assign a command string to the keyboard shortcut by doing one of the following:

•	In the Available Commands list, choose the command, and then click Add Command.

•	In the Command field, type the command string, and then click Add Command.

6.	Click Close.

To redefine an existing keyboard shortcut:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Keyboard tab.

3.	In the Defined Keys list, select the shortcut you want to change.

4.	In the Command field, change the command string assigned to the keyboard shortcut by doing one of the following:

•	Use the text cursor to delete the current command string, choose a new command in the Available Commands list, and then click Add Command.

•	Edit the command string in the Command field.

5.	Click Close.

To delete an existing keyboard shortcut:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Keyboard tab.

3.	In the Defined Keys list, select the shortcut you want to delete.

4.	Click Delete.

5.	Click Close.

  Overview


Saving keyboard shortcut files

IntelliCAD automatically saves any changes you make to the current keyboard shortcuts. You can also create and save your own keyboard shortcut files. The program saves keyboard shortcut files with a *.ick file extension.

To save the current keyboard shortcuts to a file:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Keyboard tab.

3.	Click Export.

4.	Specify the directory and file name you want to use to save the keyboard shortcut file.

5.	Click Save.

6.	Click Close.

  Overview


Loading keyboard shortcut files

You can replace the current keyboard shortcut file with other custom keyboard shortcut files.

To load a keyboard shortcut file:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Keyboard tab.

3.	Click Import.

4.	Select the file to load.

5.	Click Open.

6.	Click Close.

  Overview


Creating aliases

  How To	  Related Topics

IntelliCAD provides aliases for many commands. You can use aliases to issue frequently used commands by entering one or two letters rather than the entire command name. The program also uses aliases to maintain command name compatibility with AutoCAD. You can customize these aliases and add new aliases. You customize aliases using the Customize dialog box.

To display the Customize dialog box, use one of the following methods:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize.


Creating, redefining, and deleting aliases

To create a new command alias, you first define the alias and then assign it one of the available IntelliCAD commands.

To create a new alias:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Aliases tab.

3.	Click New.

4.	In the Alias field, type the new alias.

5.	In the Available Commands list, select the command you want to assign to the alias.

6.	Click Assign.

7.	Click Close.

To redefine an existing alias:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Aliases tab.

3.	In the Aliases list, select the alias you want to change.

4.	In the Available Commands list, select the command you want to assign to the alias.

5.	Click Assign.

6.	Click Close.

To delete an existing alias:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Aliases tab.

3.	In the Aliases list, select the alias you want to delete.

4.	Click Delete.

5.	Click Close.

  Overview


Saving alias files

IntelliCAD automatically saves any changes you make to the current aliases. You can also create and save your own alias files. The program saves alias files with a *.ica file extension. You can also save alias files for use with AutoCAD by saving the files with a *.pgp file extension.

To save the current aliases to a file:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Aliases tab.

3.	Click Export.

4.	From the Save As Type list, choose either *.ica or *.pgp.

5.	Specify the directory and file name you want to use to save the alias file.

6.	Click Save.

7.	Click Close.

  Overview


Loading alias files

You can replace the current alias file with other custom alias files. The program loads both AutoCAD (*.pgp) and IntelliCAD (*.ica) alias files.

To load an alias file:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Customize.

•	Type customize, and then press Enter.

2.	Click the Aliases tab.

3.	Click Import.

4.	From the Files of Type list, choose either *.ica or *.pgp.

5.	Select the alias file to load.

6.	Click Open.

7.	Click Close.

  Overview


Creating and replaying scripts

  How To	  Related Topics

IntelliCAD can record anything you type on the keyboard and any points you select in the drawing. You can save all of these actions to a script file (with the *.scr extension) and then repeat them by replaying the script. You can use scripts for successively repeating commands, showing snapshots in a slide show, or batch plotting. You can also load and run script files created for use with AutoCAD.

Scripts are a form of text file. A script file contains one line of text or other data for each action. For example, when you type a command and press Enter, it is recorded on a line in the script file. When you select a point in the drawing, the coordinate of that point is recorded on a line in the script file. You can also create script files outside IntelliCAD using a text editor (such as Windows Notepad or Windows WordPad) or a word processor (such as Microsoft Word) that saves the file in ASCII format. The file type must be .scr.

Script files can contain comments. Any line that begins with a semicolon is considered a comment. The program ignores these lines when replaying the script. The undo feature reverses the last command performed by the script.

After you activate the Script Recorder, every keyboard entry you make and any points you select in a drawing are recorded until you stop the Script Recorder. You can play back your script at any time.

CAUTION The script recorder does not record your use of toolbars, menus, or dialog boxes. Using these elements while recording a script causes unpredictable results.


To record a script
To record a script:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Record Script.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the Record Script tool ( [image]).

•	Type recscript, and then press Enter.

2.	Specify the name of the script file you want to create.

3.	Click Save.

4.	Type commands on the keyboard.

The Script Recorder records all keyboard entries and all points you select in the drawing, saving everything to the script file.

  Overview


To stop recording
To stop recording:

Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Stop Recording.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the Stop Recording tool ( [image]).

•	Type stopscript, and then press Enter.

  Overview


To replay a script
To replay a script:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Run Script.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the Run Script tool ( [image]).

•	Type script, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Run Script dialog box, specify the name of the script file you want to run.

3.	Click Open.

The program immediately runs the script, performing all the actions originally recorded.

  Overview


To append a script
To append a script:

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Record Script.

•	On the Tools toolbar, click the Record Script tool ( [image]).

•	Type rescript, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Record Script Window, click the Append To Script check box.

3.	Select the existing script file to append.

4.	Click Save.

5.	Click Yes to Replace Existing File prompt.

6.	Repeat the procedure to enter additional commands and steps.

TIP To invoke a script automatically when you load IntelliCAD, in Windows Explorer, double-click a script file.

  Overview


Programming IntelliCAD

  How To	  Related Topics

Another way you can customize IntelliCAD is to add custom programs written in any of several programming languages that run within IntelliCAD, includeing LISP.

You can run many programs originally created for use with AutoCAD in IntelliCAD. Specifically, you can use programs written entirely in AutoLISP in IntelliCAD with no modification. You can also run many ADS programs originally written for use with AutoCAD in IntelliCAD after first recompiling them using the IntelliCAD run-time libraries. Many AutoCAD third-party programs are compatible with IntelliCAD.

Creating custom programs for use with IntelliCAD is beyond the scope of this manual. For information about programming for IntelliCAD, see the online help for the IntelliCAD Programmer's Reference.


Using LISP routines

IntelliCAD supports the LISP programming language and is completely compatible with AutoLISP, the implementation of the LISP language in AutoCAD. This means that you can load and run any AutoLISP program written for use with AutoCAD.

To load a LISP routine:

Advanced experience menu level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Load LISP or SDS Application.

•	Type appload, and then press Enter.

•	Drag and drop the LISP file into IntelliCAD.

2.	In the Load Application Files dialog box, click Add File.

3.	Select the LISP file that you want to load, and then click Open.

4.	Click OK.

TIP You can also load a LISP routine by typing (load "d:/path/routine.lsp") in the command bar (you must include the parentheses and the quotation marks), where d:/path is the drive and path where the LISP routine is located on your computer and routine.lsp is the LISP routine file name.

To run a LISP routine:

Advanced experience menu level

1.	Do one of the following:

•	Choose Tools > Load LISP or SDS Application.

•	Type appload, and then press Enter.

2.	In the Load Application Files dialog box, choose the routine you want to run (make sure that it is the only one selected), and then click Load.

Some LISP routines are created in such a way that you can run them by simply typing the name of the routine, or by typing a keyword, directly in the command bar. If nothing happens when you attempt to run the LISP routine from within the Load Application Files dialog box, turn on the display of the command bar or Prompt History window by choosing View > Prompt History Window and look for an entry that is similar to the following:

Loading D:\path\routine.lsp

C:KEYWORD

where D:\path\routine.lsp is the complete drive, path, and file name of the LISP routine. You may need to scroll back several lines in the command bar or Prompt History window to find the lines indicating where the LISP routine was loaded. If you see an entry that looks like this, you can run the LISP routine by typing the name of the routine or keyword appearing after the C drive designation. For example, if you loaded a LISP routine named drawbox.lsp and see the designation C:DRAWBOX in the command bar or Prompt History window, you can run the LISP routine by typing drawbox in the command bar.

  Overview