Program updates are free. Visit www.upperspace.com and follow the links for 'downloads'. You'll find links for all versions of DesignCAD so you can download the latest update.
Register your DesignCAD. If you ever lose your serial number we can read it back to all registered users. Find out how to register through the Help menu.
You can click on the 2D tool located on the main toolbar (directly beneath the menu bar) to change from 2D to 3D drawing mode.
You can click on the Double-line Tool located on the main Toolbar (directly beneath the menu bar) to automatically offset any line, curve or arc drawn.
Orthogonal Mode lets you toggle into and out of constraints for drawing straight lines. Just press the H key on your keyboard while drawing a line.
The Point Select mode allows you to move points on objects with great precision. Just choose Point Select Mode from the Options menu or click the Point Select Mode button.
You can click the right mouse button to bring up a context sensitive menu of common commands, or to snap to the nearest point in the drawing.
To repeat the last drawing command, press F3.
To cancel the current drawing command or undo a point set (such as when setting points for a line) press the Esc key.
You can use Undo repeatedly, using Ctrl-Z key, Undo on the toolbar, or Undo from the menu. Redo will undo an Undo.
To move objects in front of or behind others, change their stacking order in the Edit / Selection sub-menu.
Use the Cursor options to set the cursor step size. This makes it easy to move the cursor certain distances in the drawing with the arrow keys.
You can trim multiple lines against each other using the Trim Multiple Lines command (in the Edit Trim / Extend Sub-menu).
Use the Shift key with the arrow keys to move the cursor smaller distances (known as small steps). Set those distances in the Small Cursor Step Size field in Options.
DesignCAD's OpenGL shading allows you to rotate shaded or hidden line removed objects in real-time. When you shade the design, be sure "Hardware Acceleration" is selected.
The Workspace Configuration in DesignCAD's File menu can be used to set up and save your favorite options so that they will automatically be applied to new drawings.
Try the Tangent snap tool (at the bottom of the Snap toolbox) to snap lines tangent to an existing line.
The DesignCAD toolboxes can be moved, docked, enabled, and disabled.
You can control the resolution (in pixels) of DesignCAD's images as you save them, regardless of which format you use.
Images can be rotated. Just select any inserted image and press R to start the Rotate command.
In 3D drawing, DesignCAD Tile automatically shows the front, top and side view next to the main view. This makes it easy to follow the cursor in 3D space.
The new Double-Line Mode toolbar controls the offset distance of objects in Double-line Mode.
The Paper Space mode allows you to create professional templates and print drawings scaled to fit your standard paper sizes.
Use the Batch Convert command (in the File menu) to import several DXF, IGES, DWG, WMF, HPGL, or XYZ files at once.
You can enter a formula in DesignCAD whenever a number is required. For example, you could enter "sqrt(15) / 3", "45*4/3" or "cos(30)" when asked for a distance.
You can Print the current view only. This is great for printing a zoomed area of the screen. This tool is found on the Main Toolbox beside Print Preview.
To set a point using a certain horizontal and vertical distance from another point in the drawing, use the Point Relative command.
Use Batch Print, (in the File menu) to print multiple drawings at one time and to automate printing.
To set a point a certain distance and angle from another in the drawing, use Point Polar.
You can print as Black and White only or Print with OpenGL shading by checking those options in the Print Dialog box.
To create custom colors just double-click on an existing color on the color pallet.
DesignCAD's Print dialog box is organized using tabs to make it easier to use, try it out !!
Use the Double Line mode to draw walls with an automatic offset.
Paper space templates don't have to be rectangular. They can be almost any shape. Click the Paper space mode icon on the toolbar.
You can right-click on any toolbox to bring up the show/hide menu for all the toolboxes.
The Section Copy command makes it easy to copy a section of the drawing to the clipboard.
To quickly move one point of an object use Point Select Mode. Click the Point Select Mode button and then select the item you want to edit. Select any point(s) by dragging around it/them and drag the point(s).
The Convert Double-Line command (located in the Edit menu) allows you to offset any existing lines just by clicking on it.
You can use the Duplicate command for quick copy and paste operations within the same drawing window.
Cut Edge and Cut Corner allow you to chamfer corners of 3D objects.
To add a 3D drawing to your web page, export the drawing as a VRML file.
Use Animation Mode to record action within a design using keyframe animation. Export the animation in either vrml or avi format and use it on Web pages.
The Split by Distance and Split by Points commands will break a double-line and cap the opening automatically. It's ideal for inserting holes for doors and windows.
Use the shortcut keys for faster access to commands.
You can customize the shortcut keys in the keyboard options (press Q for Options and select the Keyboard tab).
The Line Connect command connects double lines where they were broken. This is useful to "heal" a line after deleting a door or window from it.
DesignCAD has a built-in calculator. You'll find it under the Tools menu.
DesignCAD's AutoTrace BMP command is will allow you to trace over any image in the drawing window and convert it to vectors so you can edit it.
It's a good idea to save your drawing often, either manually or with Autosave.
You'll find the option to add additional light sources to a drawing in the Options dialog box. Keep the option for "move with eye" selected to move the light sources with the viewing angle in DesignCAD.
You can pre-assign colors to layers for a cleaner more professional drawing.
DesignCAD can be automated through our OLE interface through Visual C++, Visual Basic, Delphi, C++ Builder, or others.
To edit any given entity just select the object in the drawing, and enable the Info Box.
DesignCAD's Sweep command allows you to specify a variable pitch and radial offset to make true helical shapes likes cork screws, threaded bolts, and coiled springs.
Any DesignCAD drawing can be used as a symbol. Simply save your file in the desired location on your hard drive and use the symbol load command to place it in another drawing.
DesignCAD offers over 11 pre-drawn 3D primitives to help you get up and drawing in 3D quickly.
A macro can save lots of time if you do repetitive tasks. To make a macro, select Macro Record from the tools menu. Then do the task to be repeated in DesignCAD, and stop the macro recording.
The Solid Exclusive Or command subtracts the volume in common of two solid objects.
You can press Q to bring up the Options tabs, and then set any of the DesignCAD options.
The Solid Segregate command allows you to cut out the volume in common of two solid objects.
You can assign a shortcut key to a DesignCAD command or macro using the keyboard options.
Solid Add allows you to click on multiple solid objects to define several different objects as the same solid for better subtraction results.
You should keep backup copies of all your important work.
The Slice By Curved Surface command allows you to model more organic shapes by using a curve as the slicing solid.
You can place different parts of your drawing in various layers just by selecting them and using the Info Box.
Make a custom toolbox to access frequently used commands. Select the Toolbox options tab.
DesignCAD's Drawing Info command shows an Entity Tree for easily keeping track of drawing objects.
The Selection Filter can be used to select only those items in a certain layer, color, or entity type.
The Snap Grid causes the mouse to jump in specific increments so you can set points precisely, for example, at the nearest centimeter.
For online technical support, click on the web site button in Help, About DesignCAD.
Anti-aliasing makes the jagged lines look smoother in a shaded drawing.
You can use any JPG file as a texture for the 3D texture mapping.
You can quickly edit a dimensions text using the Info Box and the Fixed Text option.
The "Same As" tool makes it a snap to give one object the same color, layer, and linestyle information as another. The "Same As" tool uses an image of a pointing hand.
You can enter distances in DesignCAD in "feet and inches" form. For instance, 6'4" is equivalent to 6.33333. You can also enter formulas such as 6+1/3.
The rotate, scale, and circular repeat command use the handle for the center of rotation or scaling. Use Set Handles to position the handle for these commands.
In point select mode, you can draw a box around more than one point to move several points at once.
DesignCAD's new Open GL display allows you to manipulate your 3D drawing in real time while it is shaded or has hidden lines.
You can easily resize a part of your drawing using the resizing handles found in the options menu.
Apply a hatch pattern between double-lines automatically. On the Double-Line toolbar, turn on the option to apply a hatch. Click the Hatch button and select the hatch you want.
Use DesignCAD's Import and Export commands to communicate with AutoCAD and most other CAD programs, through DXF or DWG file formats.
You can save a circle as a Circle, Line, or Plane at the time of creation.
DesignCAD features full on-line help. Browse through it whenever you have the time.
DesignCAD features full context sensitive help. Just press Shift + F1 then click on any command icon or menu item to bring up help on that item.
To change the accuracy of dimensions and displays, check the Coordinate Precision settings in the General Options and Dimension Options menus.
You can get help by e-mailing support@upperspace.com. Technical support is a free service to registered customers.
For fast and easy Doors and Windows use the Insert Door or Window Command from the Draw menu.
