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User Guide

PocketCAD PRO
Version 4.0
May 2001

Arc Second, Inc.

Copyright Notification
Copyright 2001. Arc Second, Inc. PocketCAD is a registered trademark, CadExchange, and
EditTrak are trademarks of Arc Second, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
All rights and privileges for PocketCAD PRO are vested in the patent, trademark, or service mark
owner, and no other person may exercise such rights without express permission, authority, or
license secured from the patent, trademark, or service mark owner.
Notice and Caution
This document and any Arc Second, Inc. product to which it may relate is protected by copyright laws
and international treaties. Arc Second, Inc. reserves the right to make changes to this product and
document without further notice.
Arc Second, Inc. has made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all information in
this document. However, Arc Second, Inc. assumes no liability to any party for any loss or damage
caused by errors or omissions or by statements of any kind in this document, its updates,
supplements, or special editions, whether such errors, omissions, or statements result from
negligence, accident, or any other cause.

Arc Second, Inc.


44880 Falcon Place
Suite 100
Dulles, VA 20191
Voice: (703) 435-5400
Facsimile: (703) 435-5994
E-mail: info@pocketcad.com
Internet: www.arcsecond.com
Web: www.pocketcad.com

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PocketCAD PRO User Guide

Contents
1INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................9
DOCUMENTATION AND SUPPORT ........................................................................................9
USER AUDIENCE ...................................................................................................................9
SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS ..................................................................................................10
CADEXCHANGE AND EDITTRAK ...............................................................................10
WHAT ELSE IS NEW IN POCKETCAD PRO 4.0?...............................................................10

2INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE .................................................................12


INSTALLING MICROSOFT ACTIVESYNC............................................................................12
INSTALLING POCKETCAD PRO .......................................................................................13

3USING CADEXCHANGE ..............................................................................15


THE CADEXCHANGE WINDOW .........................................................................................15
Drag and Drop File............................................................................................................16
Update the .CAD File ........................................................................................................17
Replay Edits .......................................................................................................................17
Convert .CAD to .DWG or .DXF files..............................................................................18

4POCKETCAD PRO CONCEPTS ..................................................................19


PLACE, MOVE, AND LIFT ...................................................................................................19
PICK POINTS AND SET POINTS FEATURES ...................................................................19
TOGGLE BUTTONS ..............................................................................................................20
POCKETCAD PRO WINDOW ............................................................................................21
Setting Autohide ................................................................................................................21
Setting the Keyboard or Pen.............................................................................................22
Using the Tools Menu........................................................................................................23
Setting Drawing Parameters.............................................................................................24
Setting Unit Preferences....................................................................................................28
Selecting the Layer To View .............................................................................................30
Using the Color Pallet........................................................................................................30
POCKETCAD PRO TOOLBAR ...........................................................................................32
ONE-HAND CONTROLS ......................................................................................................35

5USING POCKETCAD PRO ...........................................................................36


CREATING A NEW DRAWING .............................................................................................37

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SPECIFYING POINTS IN A DRAWING ..................................................................................38


EDITING ENTITIES ..............................................................................................................42
SNAPPING TO END POINTS .................................................................................................44

6DRAWING TOOLS.........................................................................................46
USING THE DRAWING TOOLS ............................................................................................46
Drawing Points...................................................................................................................46
Drawing Circles .................................................................................................................46
Drawing Lines ....................................................................................................................48
Drawing Arcs .....................................................................................................................55
Drawing a Rectangle..........................................................................................................56
Using Text...........................................................................................................................57
Using Pick Points ...............................................................................................................58
Using Set Points..................................................................................................................58
Drawing on a Layer ...........................................................................................................58
Using the Dimensions Tools ..............................................................................................61

7BLOCK TOOLS ..............................................................................................63


USING THE BLOCK TOOLS .................................................................................................63
Inserting a Block ................................................................................................................63
Making a Block ..................................................................................................................66
Writing a Block ..................................................................................................................69
Creating Text Attributes ...................................................................................................71
Exploding Grouped Objects .............................................................................................74

8EDITING TOOLS............................................................................................75
USING THE EDITING TOOLS ...............................................................................................75
Selecting Entities................................................................................................................76
Editing Specified Points ....................................................................................................76
Taking Undo and Redo Actions........................................................................................76
Deleting Entities .................................................................................................................76
Moving Entities ..................................................................................................................76
Copying Entities.................................................................................................................78
Rotating Entities ................................................................................................................80
Trimming Entities..............................................................................................................81
Editing Common Boundaries ...........................................................................................82
Offsetting Entities ..............................................................................................................83
Editing Layers....................................................................................................................84
Changing Layers................................................................................................................84
Editing an Object On Its Property Page..........................................................................84

9INQUIRY TOOLS ...........................................................................................93

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USING THE INQUIRY TOOLS...............................................................................................93


Panning ...............................................................................................................................93
Zooming on a Window ......................................................................................................93
Returning to the Previous View........................................................................................94
Zooming to Display all Entities ........................................................................................94
Viewing Properties of Objects ..........................................................................................94
Determining Distance Between Points .............................................................................94

APPENDIX ACADEXCHANGE .....................................................................97


OVERVIEW OF CADEXCHANGE .........................................................................................97
OVERVIEW OF EDITTRAK..................................................................................................98
LAUNCHING A CADEXCHANGE SESSION...........................................................................98
USING THE CADEXCHANGE WINDOW ............................................................................100
Changing the Mobile Device Directory..........................................................................100
File Management Toolbar...............................................................................................101
CadExchange Pull-Down Menu Options.......................................................................102

APPENDIX BLOADING ADD-INS...............................................................113

INDEX...................................................................................................................117

PocketCAD PRO User Guide

List of Tables
Table 1. Tool buttons, names, and descriptions ________________________________ 32

List of Figures
Figure 1. CadExchange window on your desktop PC ___________________________ 15
Figure 2. Drag and drop .DFX or .DWG files in CadExchange ____________________ 17
Figure 3. PocketCAD PRO window _________________________________________ 21
Figure 4. Example showing pen activated instead of Keyboard____________________ 22
Figure 5. PocketCAD PRO extended Tools menu ______________________________ 23
Figure 6. Options dialog box ______________________________________________ 24
Figure 7. Drawing showing the Coordinate Display box _________________________ 25
Figure 8. Background Color change message box ______________________________ 26
Figure 9. PocketCAD PRO window with white background and toolbar hidden ______ 26
Figure 10. Preferences Unit settings _______________________________________ 28
Figure 11. Color pallet selection by object ____________________________________ 30
Figure 12. Layer dialog box _______________________________________________ 31
Figure 13. Color pallet selection by layer_____________________________________ 31
Figure 14. The pop-up menu on a Windows-powered mobile device _______________ 36
Figure 15. PocketCAD PRO window on a Windows-powered mobile device ________ 37
Figure 16. Default view for the Set First Point dialog box________________________ 39
Figure 17. Absolute X/Y page in the Set First Point dialog box ___________________ 40
Figure 18. Relative X/Y page in the Set First Point dialog box ____________________ 41
Figure 19. Using the Select Entity button to pick an entity _______________________ 42
Figure 20. Using two points to pick entities ___________________________________ 43
Figure 21. Pick Points dialog box___________________________________________ 44
Figure 22. Drawing tools _________________________________________________ 46
Figure 23. Circle drawn with Center Point Radius tool __________________________ 47
Figure 24. Circle drawn with Two Points tool _________________________________ 48
Figure 25. Circle drawn with Three Points tool ________________________________ 48
Figure 26. Drawn lines using end points _____________________________________ 49
Figure 27. Setting a specific line angle and distance ____________________________ 50
Figure 28. Drawing using Polyline tool ______________________________________ 51
Figure 29. PocketCAD PRO new polyline buttons ____________________________ 52
Figure 30. Polyline Pick Start/Pick Vertex points ______________________________ 53
Figure 31. Polyline drawing using lines and arcs _______________________________ 53
Figure 32. Freehand drawing using Sketch tool ________________________________ 54
Figure 33. Arc drawn with Three Points tool __________________________________ 55
Figure 34. Arc drawn with Center tool _______________________________________ 55
Figure 35. Rectangle drawing______________________________________________ 56
Figure 36. Text Designer dialog box ________________________________________ 57
Figure 37. Layer dialog box _______________________________________________ 59
Figure 38. Current Layer pull-down list ______________________________________ 60
Figure 39. Example of horizontal dimensioning________________________________ 61
Figure 40. Example of vertical dimensioning__________________________________ 62
Figure 41. Example of aligned dimensioning __________________________________ 62

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PocketCAD PRO User Guide

Figure 42.
Figure 43.
Figure 44.
Figure 45.
Figure 46.
Figure 47.
Figure 48.
Figure 49.
Figure 50.
Figure 51.
Figure 52.
Figure 53.
Figure 54.
Figure 55.
Figure 56.
Figure 57.
Figure 58.
Figure 59.
Figure 60.
Figure 61.
Figure 62.
Figure 63.
Figure 64.
Figure 65.
Figure 66.
Figure 67.
Figure 68.
Figure 69.
Figure 70.
Figure 71.
Figure 72.
Figure 73.
Figure 74.
Figure 75.
Figure 76.
Figure 77.
Figure 78.
Figure 79.
Figure 80.
Figure 81.
Figure 82.
Figure 83.
Figure 84.
Figure 85.
Figure 86.
Figure 87.
Figure 88.
Figure 89.
Figure 90.
Figure 91.

Block tools ____________________________________________________63


Insert Block dialog box __________________________________________64
Example of block inserted in current file _____________________________65
Standard Windows File Open dialog box_____________________________65
Selected entities for Make Block ___________________________________66
Make Block dialog box __________________________________________67
Make Block showing new insertion point ____________________________68
PocketCAD PRO window with block created _________________________68
Write Block dialog box __________________________________________69
Save As dialog box showing block to write ___________________________70
Selection set for Write Block ______________________________________70
Example of new block creation ____________________________________71
Text Designer dialog box _________________________________________72
Property dialog box for attributes___________________________________73
Property table for block insert _____________________________________73
Editing tools ___________________________________________________75
Moving entities by picking 2 points _________________________________77
Moving entities using Set Points ___________________________________78
Copying entities by picking 2 points ________________________________79
Copying entities using Set Points___________________________________80
Rotation Angle dialog box ________________________________________81
Example of trimming ____________________________________________82
Offset tool dialog box____________________________________________83
Example list of layer properties ____________________________________85
Color pallet____________________________________________________85
Object Properties dialog box for a line_______________________________86
Object Properties dialog box for an arc ______________________________87
Object Properties dialog box for a circle _____________________________88
Properties for text _______________________________________________89
Object Properties for polylines_____________________________________90
Object Properties for a block ______________________________________91
Object Properties for a block attribute _______________________________92
Inquiry tools ___________________________________________________93
Example of Measure tool output ___________________________________95
ActiveSync window showing connection to device_____________________99
CadExchange window __________________________________________100
Mobile Directory pull-down in CadExchange window _________________101
CadExchange file management toolbar _____________________________101
CadExchange File menu commands _______________________________102
File Open dialog box ___________________________________________102
Convert to DWG or DXF popup menu _____________________________103
Save As dialog box in CadExchange _______________________________104
Conversion Progress dialog box in CadExchange________________105
Transaction Replay message dialog box ____________________________105
View Transactions shortcut menu in CadExchange____________________106
Example PocketCAD Transaction Log _____________________________107
Desktop version of the CAD file __________________________________109
Properties dialog box ___________________________________________110
CadExchange Connect menu _____________________________________110
CadExchange Tools menu _______________________________________111

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vii

Figure 92.
Figure 93.
Figure 94.
Figure 95.
Figure 96.

viii

CadExchange window - Preferences dialog box ______________________


PocketCAD PRO window Add-ins ______________________________
Loaded Add-Ins dialog box______________________________________
Open dialog box for Add-ins_____________________________________
Unload an Add-in _____________________________________________

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PocketCAD PRO User Guide

1Introduction
Thank you for purchasing PocketCAD PROthe only fully
functional CAD software for Windows powered mobile devices.

ocketCAD PRO is a pen-based Computer Aided-Design (CAD) Application


designed specifically to operate on a Windows-powered Personal Digital
Assistant (PDA).

PocketCAD PRO is best suited to compliment a desktop CAD application. In this type
of arrangement, you can work on a CAD application on your desktop PC and then,
with your Windows-powered mobile device connected to the desktop PC, you can copy
or drag-and-drop files into PocketCAD PRO. In the same manner you can also work on
CAD files on the Windows-powered mobile device and then transfer them back to the
desktop PC.

Documentation and Support


A full PDF copy of the PocketCAD PRO User Guide can be found on our Web site at
www.PocketCAD.com under the Support section.
For questions and technical support you can contact us by phone at (703) 435-5400 or
by e-mail at info@pocketcad.com.

User Audience
The user audience consists of those who use CAD applications and/or depend on
blueprints or design drawings in some aspect of their job. The assumption is made that
the user already has at least limited experience with a CAD application, is familiar
with commonly used CAD terminology, and knows how to run applications in a
Windows-powered mobile device or other mobile device operating environment. The
purpose of the PocketCAD PRO User Guide is to explain how to use PocketCAD PRO
tools to view, design, and edit CAD files on a Windows-powered mobile device.

PocketCAD PRO User Guide

1Introduction

System Specifications
PocketCAD PRO runs on any Windows powered mobile device such as a Windowspowered mobile device or Handheld PC. It is compatible with most desktop CAD
applications and reads AutoCAD DWG and DXF files from Release 12 through 2000i.
The program stores data in 3D double precision.
In addition to PocketCAD PRO 4.0, Microsofts ActiveSync is required to enable the
Windows-powered mobile device to connect to the desktop PC. A cradle or direct cable
connection from the Windows-powered mobile device to the desktop PC is also
required. This connection for file transfer can be made via a USB port, serial port, or
network connection, depending on the capabilities of your desktop PC.

CadExchange and EditTrak


CadExchangeTM is a new companion application that is included with PocketCAD PRO
4.0. Installed on your desktop PC, it eliminates the need for the file filters that were
required in earlier versions of PocketCAD PRO. The purpose of CadExchange is to
provide you with an easy, fast and user-friendly way to better control information and
move files between the desktop PC running a CAD application and the Windowspowered mobile device running PocketCAD PRO. CadExchange provides a Windowsbased graphical user interface and is used instead of Microsofts ActiveSync.

NEW

EditTrakTM is a merge technology that makes it possible for PocketCAD PRO to replay
and merge field changes into the desktop CAD file back at the office. The introduction
of EditTrak is a significant enhancement to PocketCAD PRO because it eliminates any
problem of lost data. Through the use of EditTrak the original file is never converted
it is simply updated. Please note that EditTrak only works when using CadExchange
instead of ActiveSync.
Chapter 3 explains the basics of CadExchange. Refer to Appendix A for detailed
information about the features and use of CadExchange and EditTrak.

What Else Is New In PocketCAD Pro 4.0?


NEW

In addition to the CadExchange application and EditTrak merge technology, numerous


updates have been made to PocketCAD PRO 4.0 to enhance usability and extend its
capabilities. These enhancements are noted below and are explained in detail in the
appropriate chapters.
User Interface Features:
Easier File Save and Open
Extended Options now include setting a Point Size and Elevation for drawing
Hint Window
Preferences now include better Unit support

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PocketCAD PRO User Guide

1Introduction

NEW

Architectural

Survey

Engineering

Decimal

Fractional

Extended Capabilities
Accommodation for third party Add-ins
Multiple Undo and Redo
2D and 3D polylines
Points
Additional methods of selection
Better support of color (256 color picker window)

This symbol appears in various chapters beside the new tool features that have been
added in this release of PocketCAD PRO.

PocketCAD PRO User Guide

11

2Installing the Software

2Installing the Software

icrosofts ActiveSync software must be installed and running in order for


CadExchange to control the files between your desktop PC and the
Windows-powered mobile device. If you purchased a Windows-powered
mobile device from us with your order of PocketCAD PRO, you need to
complete the following installation and setup. The Microsoft ActiveSync CD is in the
sealed Microsoft Outlook package that is inside the Windows-powered mobile device
box.

Note: You must install and configure ActiveSync on your desktop PC before physically
attaching the Windows-powered mobile device to the computer.

Note: Even though you will be using CadExchange instead of ActiveSync to convert
and work with your CAD files, ActiveSync has to be installed for CadExchange to work.

Installing Microsoft ActiveSync


Do the following to install ActiveSync on your desktop PC:
1.

Close all open programs.

2.

Insert the Microsoft ActiveSync CD into the CD-ROM drive.

3.

Click the

4.

Type d:\setup.exe (where D is the CD-ROM drive) in the Open text box and
click OK.

5.

Follow the on-screen instructions. The installation wizard prompts you to


physically attach the Windows-powered mobile device to the computer.

6.

Make the connection and then turn on the Windows-powered mobile device.

7.

Take one of the following actions.

12

Start button and select Run.

If you have a cradle for the Windows-powered mobile device:


a.

Attach the AC adapter to the cradle.

b.

Attach the cable from the cradle directly into the desktop or laptop
computer. Be sure that your Windows-powered mobile device rests
securely in the cradle.

If you do not have a cradle for the Windows-powered mobile device:

PocketCAD PRO User Guide

2Installing the Software

Connect the Windows-powered mobile device directly to the desktop PC with


a cable. The ActiveSync software automatically detects the type of physical
connection that you establish.
8.

Click Yes when the New Partnership dialog box appears on the computer screen,
asking if you want to establish a partnership. Respond to all questions that the
wizard presents. When you click Finish the setup will be complete.

Why Establish a Partnership?


The Windows-powered mobile device can maintain a partnership with two computers,
be they desktop or laptop computers. Thus a partnership allows you to keep the same
contact information on your desktop PC at work, the desktop or laptop computer at
home, and the Windows-powered mobile device. No matter where you are, you can
have the information that you want at your fingertips.
Tip: We recommend that you simplify the task of getting started with your Windowspowered mobile device by selecting only one computer partnership at this time. Refer
to the ActiveSync on-screen help for instructions on creating an additional partnership.
Once you have established a partnership, your desktop PC and Windows-powered
mobile device can synchronize and you can proceed with the installation of PocketCAD
PRO.

Installing PocketCAD PRO


Perform the following steps to install PocketCAD PRO and CadExchange on your
Windows-powered mobile device:
1.

Close all open programs on your desktop PC.

2.

Insert the PocketCAD PRO CD into the CD-ROM drive.

3.

Click the
appears.

4.

Type: D:\pcadpro.exe (where D is the letter of the CD-ROM drive) in the Open
text box and click OK.

5.

Follow the on-screen instructions. Be sure that CadExchange is selected for


installation. The installation proceeds to completion.

Start button and select the Run command. The Run dialog box

Do the following to confirm that the installation was successful:


1.

Verify that the PocketCAD PRO program was installed correctly:


a.

Click the
Start button in the toolbar that is located in the top left corner
of the Windows-powered mobile device.

b.

Select Programs. A PocketCAD PRO icon should appear in the Programs


window.

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2Installing the Software

2.

Verify that CadExchange was installed by checking to see if the CadExchange


icon appears on the Desktop, as shown below, on your desktop PC:

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PocketCAD PRO User Guide

3Using CadExchange

3Using CadExchange

his chapter presents the basics of CadExchange to help you get started
quickly. Refer to Appendix A for a detailed explanation of the CadExchange
window, features, menu options, commands, and toolbar buttons.

Note: Though the CadExchange window appears in your desktop PC, it is actually
showing the files that are present on your Windows-powered mobile device.

The CadExchange Window


To open the program, double-click on the CadExchange icon that is located on the
desktop of your desktop PC. The CadExchange window appears as shown below:
Menu options

Current directory on the mobile device

File Management toolbar

Figure 1. CadExchange window on your desktop PC

Note: PocketCAD PRO uses its own file format called .CAD. All references to .CAD
files note to the files present on the Windows-powered mobile device.
The columns (left to right) in the window display the following information:

Remote file: Name of the .CAD file on the Windows-powered mobile device

Status: The status of that file

Last Update Date: The last time is was updated

Local Location: The location of the source .CAD file on your desktop PC

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3Using CadExchange

Remote Size: The size of the .CAD file on the Windows-powered mobile device

CadExchange allows you to move information between the Windows-powered mobile


device and the desktop PC in the following ways:
From:

Desktop PC

To:

Windows-powered mobile device

Method:

Drag and drop file from desktop to CadExchange window


Update .CAD file in the CadExchange window

From:

Windows-powered mobile device

To:

Desktop PC

Method:

Replay transactions (merge) in the CadExchange window


Convert .CAD to .DWG or .DXF in CadExchange window

Drag and Drop File


To send a copy of the desktop PC CAD file to the mobile device, do the following:
1.

Open both Windows Explorer and CadExchange so that you can see both
windows on the computer screen.

2.

Select the appropriate directory in the Mobile Directory list box in the
CadExchange window.

3.

Browse in Windows Explorer to find the CAD file that you want to move.

4.

Select, drag, and drop the .DFX or .DWG file into the CadExchange window, as
shown in Figure 2.

Note: You can drag and drop multiple files.

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PocketCAD PRO User Guide

3Using CadExchange

Figure 2. Drag and drop .DFX or .DWG files in CadExchange

Update the .CAD File


To send updates from the desktop PC .DFX or .DWG file to the corresponding drawing
.CAD file on the Windows-powered mobile device, do the following:
1.

Highlight a .CAD file name in the CadExchange window.

2.

Do either of the following:

Click the File menu and select Update Mobile File.

Place the cursor on the selected file, right-click the mouse, and select Update
Mobile File from the shortcut menu that appears.

CadExchange displays the progress of the update in a Conversion Progress dialog


box.

Replay Edits
Tip: Make sure that you do not have the source file open in your desktop CAD
application when you use this procedure. Most desktop CAD applications lock open
files and this prevents CadExchange from opening the file and performing the merge.
To replay (merge) any file edits from the Windows-powered mobile device to the
desktop PC file, do the following in the CadExchange window:
1.

Select the .CAD file to merge and click the


the toolbar.

2.

Select the .CAD file to merge, click the File menu, and select Replay Edits.

PocketCAD PRO User Guide

Replay Transactions button on

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3Using CadExchange

3.

Place the cursor on a selected .CAD file, right-click the mouse, and select Replay
Edits from the shortcut menu that appears.

A message informs you of the successful merge.

Convert .CAD to .DWG or .DXF files


You can convert a .CAD file on the Windows-powered mobile device to a .DWG or .DXF
file that the desktop CAD application can recognize. Perform one of the following
options to convert a .CAD file:
Option 1: Use the Convert CAD To command in File menu:
1.

Highlight one or more .CAD files in the CadExchange window. (Hold down the
Shift key to select multiple files.)

2.

Click the File menu. A list of commands appears.

3.

Click the Convert CAD To command and then select DWG or DXF.

Option 2: Use the

DWG or

DXF toolbar button:

1.

Highlight one or more .CAD files in the CadExchange window.

2.

Click the

DWG or

DXF button.

Option 3: Use the file shortcut menu (Note: can only be done to one file at a time):
1.

Highlight a .CAD file in the CadExchange window.

2.

Place your cursor on the highlighted file and right-click the mouse.

3.

Select Convert to DWG or Convert to DXF from the popup menu that appears.

Option 4: Use Convert to CAD and then set the preferences:


1.

Click the Convert to CAD button. The Open dialog box appears, allowing you to
browse the desktop PC system.

2.

Select the type of file that you wish to create on the desktop.

3.

Click the File menu and the Save As command. The Save As dialog box appears.

4.

Select the location and file name for the file to be converted.

5.

Click the Save button.

Tip: To set format and version preferences, select the Tools menu and the
Preferences command in the CadExchange window. The settings are described in the
Preferences section in Appendix A.

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PocketCAD PRO User Guide

4PocketCAD PRO Concepts

4PocketCAD PRO Concepts

he primary use for PocketCAD PRO is to provide the design professional with
a mobile, yet effective CAD tool for quickly viewing, modifying, or creating
drawings. The goal for the product has been to keep the process simple while
maintaining accuracy. This section highlights important concepts and
features that you need to understand to effectively use PocketCAD PRO.

Place, Move, and Lift


PocketCAD PRO uses a pen-to-screen interaction called Place, Move, and Lift, meaning
that points are received when the pen is lifted from the screen as opposed to when the
pen is placed onto the screen. This allows the user more control in locating points,
particularly when the physical environment that you are working in is not entirely
stable or you have to hold your Windows-powered mobile device in the palm of your
hand while drawing. The process works as follows:
1.

Place your pen on the screen to enter the start point, of a line, for example.

2.

Move the pen over the screen to the location you desire.

3.

Lift the pen from the screen to record the end point of the line

The same place, move and lift is used for all PocketCAD Pro commands.

Pick Points and Set Points Features


To create drawings there are essentially two key features that you need to master:

Using Pick Points to get an entity feature quickly

Using the Set Points to specify exact point coordinates

The Pick Points feature allows you to place the pen on the PocketCAD PRO window
and drag the tip near an existing entity. Given the right settings, the cursor will
automatically snap to that particular point as the pen nears a pick point. For example,
if you have end points turned ON, the pen will be snapped automatically to the end
point of any line within range as you drag your pen around the window.
The Set Points feature allows you to specify the exact coordinate that you want to use
when drawing. This coordinate can be an absolute coordinate or a relative coordinate,
as referenced from a picked point on the screen. Relative points reference a base point.
They can be specified using either distances along the X and Y-axis or they can be
located using a polar distance and direction from a base point. Set Points can be used

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4PocketCAD PRO Concepts

for both drawing and editing objects. For example, you can use Set Points to move a
selection set an exact distance and direction.
You will be most productive with PocketCAD PRO when combining the Pick Points
and Set Points features. For example, when drawing a line you can use Pick Points to
pick the end point of an existing line to set the start point. Then, using that start
point, you can set the end point with Set Points and can specify a distance and
direction.

Toggle Buttons
The toggle button is an important feature that you will use in PocketCAD Pro. An
example of a toggle button is the Line tool button. When you pick the Line tool button
you are working with the Line command. All toggle buttons in the Toolbar work in this
manner. If you pick the line tool button before completing the drawing of a line, it will
reset the command.

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PocketCAD PRO User Guide

4PocketCAD PRO Concepts

PocketCAD PRO Window


The window shown in Figure 3 appears when you launch PocketCAD PRO on your
Windows-powered mobile device. You will remain in the line command until you pick a
different command.

Click on the Start button to


view the Program options.

Click on the OK button to access


File Open and Save options.

Display Bar features:


1 Menu options/commands

Header Bar

2 Tool Select button


3 Toolbar Show/Hide button also displays the tool currently in
use

Drawing window

4 Current Layer pull-down list


Toolbar

5 Color selection button


6 Keyboard pop-up for text entry
7 Control mode for text entry
Display bar
Clear current selection
Add to selection set
Remove from selection set

6 7

Figure 3. PocketCAD PRO window

Setting Autohide
PocketCAD PRO uses an Autohide function to create a pop-up Toolbar to optimize
window space. When set to Autohide, simply click on the Show/Hide button (labeled as
number 3 in Figure 3) in the Display Bar and the Toolbar pops up. When you select a
tool, it will again close the Toolbar. You can also set Show/Hide in the Options dialog
box that is described later.

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4PocketCAD PRO Concepts

Setting the Keyboard or Pen


PocketCAD Pro provides a keyboard (labeled as number 6 in Figure 3) in the Display
Bar, so that you can use your pen to pick out the letters and numbers that you want to
type into text boxes. If you click on the arrow to the right of the Keyboard icon, a
shortcut menu pops up and you have the option to select Character Recognition
instead of Keyboard. Character Recognition activates the pen for writing as shown in
Figure 4 and the pen icon then displays in place of the Keyboard icon in the Display
Bar.

You can pick out letters and


numbers on the Keyboard or
write with the pen in the lined
area.
A Keyboard or pen icon
displays beside the arrow,
based on the selection that
you made.

Figure 4. Example showing pen activated instead of Keyboard

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PocketCAD PRO User Guide

4PocketCAD PRO Concepts

Using the Tools Menu


The Tools menu (designated as number 1 in Figure 3) has been expanded to provide
more options as shown below.

Figure 5. PocketCAD PRO extended Tools menu


File > includes the following options:

New: Allows you to open a new file to create a new drawing. The file is named
untitled.cad until you save it and give it a different name.

Open: Lets you open an existing drawing. One of the following occurs when you
pick this option:

The File Open dialog box appears so that you can select a file

You are prompted to save the existing file

Save: Causes the current drawing to be saved under its present name.

Save As: Displays the Save As dialog box where you can save the current drawing
under a different name

Preferences: Displays the Preferences dialog box that allows to you set unit
parameters.

Options displays the Options dialog box that allows you to set the drawing
parameters.

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Addins displays the Loaded Add-Ins dialog box where you can load or unload
extensions for PocketCAD PRO. Refer to Chapter 2 for more information about this
capability.
About shows you vendor and version information.
Exit lets you quit the application.

Setting Drawing Parameters


Before you begin to use PocketCAD PRO you need to set some basic parameters that
will apply to all drawings. You can do this as follows:
1.

Click the Tools button (labeled as number 2 in Figure 3) in the Display Bar. The
menu displays.

2.

Select Options. The Options dialog box appears as shown in Figure 6.

Click on OK to save
your changes.

Figure 6. Options dialog box


This dialog box lets you set the drawing options for the following:

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Set Template/No Template. Click on the Template button to select a template


and a File Open dialog box appears. Browse to the file that you want to use as a
template and double-click on it. You are returned to the Preferences dialog box
with a template drawing selected.
If you do not want to use a template drawing, click on the No Template checkbox
and the Template file will be cleared.
You can use any drawing as a template and create new drawings from it. Changes
that you make to the new drawing do not affect the template. When you use an
existing drawing as a template, all information is passed on to the new drawing.

Coordinate Display. Click on the checkbox to have the Coordinate Display box
displayed as shown in Figure 7. This feature is useful when you are drawing or
editing entities in the PocketCAD PRO window and you want to know the
coordinate location of the pen as it moves around.
It is auto sensing, meaning that it moves automatically to a different corner of the
PocketCAD PRO window as your pen approaches, so as not to interfere with your
drawing.
When unchecked the Coordinate Display box does not appear.

Figure 7. Drawing showing the Coordinate Display box

Set Black Background. Click on the checkbox if you want the background color
of the PocketCAD PRO window to be black. Leave the box unchecked if you want
the background color to be white.
PocketCAD PRO must be stopped and restarted in order for the background
change to take affect properly. The Background Notice message box appears when
you change the color. Click on the OK button which will automatically restart the
PocketCAD PRO.

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4PocketCAD PRO Concepts

Figure 8. Background Color change message box

Set Auto-hide Toolbar. Click on this checkbox if you want the toolbar to be
hidden. Leave the box unchecked if you want the toolbar to automatically display
on the PocketCAD PRO window. You can always display the toolbar by clicking on
the Show/Hide button (labelled as number 3 in Figure 3) in the Display Bar.
Figure 9 shows how the PocketCAD PRO window looks when the toolbar is hidden.

The window background can be


set to black or white.
You can display or hide the
Toolbar.

Figure 9. PocketCAD PRO window with white background and toolbar hidden

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Set Text Height. Type a number into this text box to specify the height of text in
a drawing.

Set Point Size. Type a number into this text box to specify the point size of the
drawing. The examples below show how different settings change the appearance.

This example shows a Point


size value of 5. No matter how
you zoom the drawing the
Points will always be displayed
the same size

This example
shows a Point
size value of 0.

Elevation. Type a number into this text box to specify the Z value to be used when
creating new objects.

Click on the OK button in the Header Bar of the window to save the settings. The
values that you set remain consistent across drawing sessions until you change them.

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Setting Unit Preferences


Greater capability has been provided for units. You can set units for a drawing as
follows:
1.

Click the Tools button (labeled as number 2 in Figure 3) in the Display Bar. The
menu displays.

2.

Select File and then select Preferences. The Units dialog box appears as shown
below.

Figure 10. Preferences Unit settings


3.

Click the down arrow to display the list of choices as shown in the following
examples.

Base units set the value


that defines the units to
be used in the drawing.

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Example Report Formats:


Scientific 1.55E+01
Decimal 15.50
Engineering 1'-3.50"
Architectural 1'-3 1/2"
Fractional 15

Examples of Systems of Angle


Measurement:
Decimal degrees: 60.0000
Degrees/minutes/seconds: 60d00
Radians: 0.3654r

Dimension precision establishes how


far behind the decimal point should be
when displaying a dimension.

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4PocketCAD PRO Concepts

Selecting the Layer To View


Click the Layer pull-down arrow (labeled as number 4 in the Display bar in Figure 3)
to see a list of the layers in the drawing that is displayed in the PocketCAD PRO
window. Click on one of the layers in the list to view that layer.

Using the Color Pallet


A color button (labeled as number 5 in Figure 3) has been added to the Display Bar at
the bottom of the PocketCAD PRO window. This button allows you to set color in two
ways:

Specific to the selected object

Specific to a selected layer

To assign a color by object, do the following:


1.

Select the object to color in the drawing.

2.

Click the Color button in the Display bar. The color pallet appears as shown in
Figure 11.

3.

Click on a color grid to select the desired color.

Figure 11. Color pallet selection by object


To assign a color to a layer in the drawing that you are working on, do the following:

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1.

Click the Layers tool button in the Toolbar. The Layer dialog box displays as
shown in Figure 12.

2.

Select the layer that you want to assign a color to and click the Properties button.
The color pallet appears as shown in Figure 13.

3.

Click on the color that you want.

Click the layer to color.

Figure 12. Layer dialog box

Click the color that you want.

Figure 13. Color pallet selection by layer

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4PocketCAD PRO Concepts

PocketCAD PRO Toolbar


There are four major categories of tools that you will use in PocketCAD PRO to
perform various functions:

Drawing tools (D)

Block tools (B)

Editing tools (E)

Inquiry tools (I)

Some tools can perform more than one function, and thus fall into more than one
category. For example, Set Points allows you to do both Drawing and Editing. Many of
the tool buttons also provide access to dialog boxes where you can use the pen to select
or edit various parameters.
Table 1 shows each Toolbar button, the tools name, the type of tool/function, and the
its description. The letter designation under Type stands for drawing (D), block (B),
editing (E), and inquiry (I). The buttons in the table appear in the order that you see
them on the Windows-powered mobile device, reading from left to right. You may want
to print out these pages and use them for a handy reference as you are learning how to
use PocketCAD PRO.
Table 1. Tool buttons, names, and descriptions

Button Tool Name

32

Type/Description

Pan

Slides the drawing across the window as you move the


pen in the direction that you want the view to move.

Zoom Previous

Returns you to the previous view.

Zoom Window

Zooms in on a specific region of the drawing after you


specify the opposite corners of a rectangle with the
pen, through place, move and lift.

Zoom Extents

Zooms the drawing into a position that will display all


entities in the drawing within the PocketCAD Pro
window.

Pick Points

Snaps to a specific point as the tip of the pen nears an


existing object.

Set Points

D/E

Specifies the coordinate either an Absolute


coordinate or a Relative coordinate on an X-Y axis that
is referenced from a picked point on the window.

Measure

Displays the distance between two picked points on


the window.

Undo

Steps back through the previous operations that you


just completed.

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Button Tool Name

Type/Description

Redo

Does a redo of the undo operations that you recently


performed.

Layers

D/E

Organizes a grouping of drawing entities that overlay


on a drawing. An object is drawn on the layer that is
set to current. A new drawing has one default layer 0.

Change Layer

Moves selected entities from their existing layer to the


current layer.

Select Entity

Selects a set of objects to edit. Also allows for multiple


edits to be performed on the same selection set.
+

Clears the current selection set.

+
Switches to the Add method, allowing
selected objects to be added to the selection set by
using the Crossing window method.
+
Switches to the Remove method, allowing
objects to be removed from the current selection set
using the Crossing window method.
Object Property
Page

Displays the properties of a selected object for viewing


and editing purposes. Allows you to view/edit: lines,
circles, arcs, text, polylines, rotation, blocks, and block
attributes. Layer, Color, and defining values can be
changed for any object.

Delete

Deletes selected entities.

Move

Moves selected entities a distance and direction as


defined by two picked points.

Copy

E/D

Copies selected entities a distance and direction as


defined by two picked points.

Rotate

Rotates selected entities according to the selected


base point.

Trim

Selects entities to be cut after you select the cutting


edge and the entity to trim.

Extend

Edits entries that should have common boundary


edges after you select the entity to serve as the
boundary edge and the entity to be expanded.

Offset

Offsets an entity after you select the distance, the


entity to offset, and the side to offset toward.

Points

Inserts a point entity into the drawing.

Circle with
Center Point

Creates a circle using a center point and a radius.

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Button Tool Name

Type/Description

Circle with 2
Points

Creates a circle using two points to define the


diameter.

Circle with 3
Points

Creates a circle by fitting a circle through three picked


points.

Line

Creates a line by specifying the two endpoints.

Polyline

Creates polylines that are connected line and arc


segments - from a start point until you lift the pen or
close the polyline.
Line:
Arc: Forces the segment between
vertexes to be drawn as line or segments. This button
toggles between line and arc.
Direction: Controls the direction of an Arc that is
being drawn.
Undo Vertex: Removes the last vertex from the
Polyline allowing the user to redo the last point.
Close. Closes the polyline by drawing a segment
between the last point and the start point of the
polyline. The segment can be either an arc or a line
depending on how the mode is set

34

Sketch

Creates a freehand polyline that traces the motion of


your pen as you move around the window.

Arc with Center

Creates an arc line by specifying the center, start, and


end of the arc.

Arc with 3 Points

Creates an arc line by specifying three points on the


arc.

Rectangle

Draws a rectangle by selecting the two corner points.

Text

D/B

Creates text or text attribute for use within blocks. (An


attribute is a storage location within a block that allows
you to update the text without having to redefine the
block).

Insert Block

Inserts one or more blocks located at a selected point.

Explode

Explodes objects that are comprised of more than one


object (such as blocks and polylines) to one level deep
to their base object.

Make Block

Creates blocks (groups of objects treated as one)


based on the selected objects.

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Button Tool Name

Type/Description

Write Block

Creates a separate file from an internally defined block


or from objects selected in the window.

Horizontal
Dimensions

Linear dimensioning that measures the distance


between two points parallel to the X-axis.

Vertical
Dimensions

Linear dimensioning that measures the distance


between two points parallel to the Y-axis.

Aligned
Dimensions

Linear dimensioning that measures the absolute


distance between two points regardless of the relative
position of the axes.

One-Hand Controls

One of the goals of designing software specifically for the Windows-powered mobile
device platform is to provide one-handed access to data. To accomplish this goal, the
Pan and Zoom features in PocketCAD PRO have been enabled to work through a
switch control that is located on the Windows-powered mobile device. You can
manipulate the switch control with one hand.
There are typically two types of switches:

Rocker Control. A rocker control is usually located on the upper left side of the
Windows-powered mobile device with an associated directional icon that appears
on the PocketCAD PRO Display Bar (as shown above). As you move the rocker
control up or down the directional arrow on the icon shows the action that you are
performing. To switch the mode between vertical/horizontal panning and in/out
zoom, you press the rocker control in directly and let go. Clicking the rocker control
repeatedly will cycle through the Pan Vertical, Pan Horizontal, and Zoom modes.

Button Control. This is usually a large control that is located on bottom front of
the device. It consists of a center Zoom button that is surrounded by four separate
buttons with built-in directional arrows for left, right, up, and down. With this
control you simply click on the appropriate button to perform the desired Pan or
Zoom function. There is no associated icon with this type of control.

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5Using PocketCAD PRO

5Using PocketCAD PRO

etting started with PocketCAD PRO is easy. There are different ways to
launch the program, depending upon the type of Windows-powered mobile
device that you have. They are explained as follows:

1.

Turn on the Windows-powered mobile device and the Today window appears.

2.

Start icon in the upper left corner of the window. The pop-up
Click on the
menu shown in Figure 14 appears.

Click on the Programs


Menu and then click on the
PocketCAD icon.

Figure 14. The pop-up menu on a Windows-powered mobile device

3.

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Do one of the following to launch PocketCAD PRO:

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5Using PocketCAD PRO

For Windows-powered mobile devices: Click on the PocketCAD icon that was
created on your program folder.

For Handheld PCs: Click on the PocketCAD icon in the Programs menu or
the PocketCAD icon on the desktop.

The PocketCAD PRO window appears as shown in Figure 15.

Figure 15. PocketCAD PRO window on a Windows-powered mobile device

Refer to the PocketCAD PRO Toolbar section in Chapter 4PocketCAD PRO


Concepts for an explanation of each tool in the Toolbar.

Creating a New Drawing


Do the following to create a new drawing in PocketCAD PRO:
1.

Click the Tools menu button on the Display bar. (Refer to Figure 15). A list of
menu options displays.

2.

Click File. A list of commands displays.

3.

Select New.

On some Windows-powered mobile devices the menu bar displays in the lower left
hand corner of the window and the menu commands actually open from the bottom of
the display upwards. If you have this type of device, do the following to create a new
drawing:

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1.

2.

Click on the File option in the menu bar. The following list of commands is
displayed.

Create a New Drawing

Open an Existing Drawing

Save your current drawing

Save your current drawing as another name

Access the preferences controlling your drawing.

Select the command to Create a New Drawing.

Now that you have created a new drawing, you are nearly ready to begin drawing in
PocketCAD PRO. But first, there are three functions that you need to learn more
about:

Specifying points in a drawing with the Set Points tool

Editing entities (objects in a drawing) with the Select tool

Snapping to end points with the Pick Points tool.

Note: The words objects and entities are used interchangeably in this document.

Specifying Points in a Drawing


PocketCAD PRO allows you to specify points in a drawing by doing any of the
following:

Placing the pen on the screen, moving to the desired point, and lifting the pen

Clicking on the Set Points button in the Toolbar

Picking the points on the screen

Refer to the section Place, Move, and Lift in Chapter 4 for an explanation of the
place, move, and lift function.
Set Points tool. When you click on this button the Set First Point dialog box
appears as shown in Figure 16. The Set Points tool makes it easy to set the location of
the next point that you want to use. By entering the X and Y components of a point or
specifying a distance and direction from a Base Point you can set the next point. The
default setting for specifying the next point is Relative Distance and Direction from the
Base Point.

Note: The Base Point is the last point of the last drawn entity. In the case of a line
being drawn last it will be the end point. In the case of circles it will be the center of the
last circle drawn.

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Set Points always tracks what you are doing in the drawing or editing process. It
displays the point it is setting in the title bar of the Set Points dialog box.

Click OK to save
your settings.
Select a tab according to
how you want to select
the next point.

Click the button to


backspace in the
current text box
Click the button to reset
Angle and Distance to 0.0

Select pre-defined
angle options.

Number pad.

Figure 16. Default view for the Set First Point dialog box

The following buttons appear in the Set First Point dialog box when the Relative
Distance and Direction from the Base Point tab is selected:
Pick Base

Picking this button closes the Set First Point dialog box and
allows you to pick a point from the screen. Using Pick Points
here makes it easier to get the desired point.

Use Last

This button is provided in case you select a Pick Base point


but need to use the last point.

Pick Angle

Picking this button closes the Set First Point dialog box and
allows you to specify an angle by picking two points from the
screen. Using Pick Points here makes it easier to get the
desired point.

Pick Distance

Picking this button closes the Set First Point dialog box and
allows you to specify a distance by picking two points from
the screen. Using Pick Points here makes it easier to get the
desired point.

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Pick a Predefined
Angle

Pick the desired angle and that value will be placed in the
Angle text box. The pallet of commonly used angles is there
for your convenience.

Number Pad

The number pad allows you to easily use the pen to supply
input. To pick your own angle or distance, click on the Pick
Angle or Pick Distance text box and then select your numbers
from the number pad.

Reset

Picking this button sets the value of the Angle and Distance
boxes to 0.0.

Backspace

The backspace button lets you use the pen to control input.
Click in the box you want to work in and click on the
Backspace button until you reach the desired value.

Foot

This button allows you to use feet and inch notations for
distance. Valid formats are:
6 3- = 75.5 inches
63.5 = 75.5 inches
6.5 = 78 inches
Note: The inch sign is not required.

Figure 17 shows the Set First Point dialog box with the Absolute X/Y tab selected:

Figure 17. Absolute X/Y page in the Set First Point dialog box

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On this page of the Set First Point dialog box you can enter the absolute X and Y
coordinates of a point. The result is based from the Origin of (0,0)regardless of what
the Base Point is set to. Negative values are valid and will result in a position either to
the left, below, or both from the Origin Point of (0, 0).
Figure 18 shows the Set First Point dialog box with the Relative X/Y tab selected:

Figure 18. Relative X/Y page in the Set First Point dialog box

On this page of the Set First Point dialog box you can set the point by entering the X
and Y distances from the Base Point. In the example in Figure 18 it is the first point
being set. Negative values are valid and will result in a position either to the left,
below, or both from the Base Point.

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5Using PocketCAD PRO

Editing Entities
Most of the editing tools in PocketCAD PRO require that you first make a selection of
the entities that you want to edit. The tool that enables you to make selections of
single or multiple objects is the Select Entity tool. You can use this tool to select
individual objects or sets of objects, regardless of the tool that you ultimately intend to
use.
Select Entity tool. In order to perform editing commands you must first pick one
or more entities to edit. To select an entity in the PocketCAD PRO window, click on the
Select Entity button and then pick the entity that you want to edit. You can add
entities to the current selection set by clicking on the + sign (shown in the figure
below) and picking each entity that you want to add to the selection set. To remove
entities, click the sign and select the entities to remove from the selection set.
Entities that are picked with the Select Entity tool display a dashed line as shown in
Figure 19.

Figure 19. Using the Select Entity button to pick an entity

Selection sets can also be made using a crossing window that you generate by picking
two points with the stylus. All entities contained completely within and crossing the
rectangle are selected (or deselected) for editing. The selected entities display a dashed
line as shown in Figure 20.

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New Select Entity tool


buttons

Figure 20. Using two points to pick entities

To aid in the build up of objects within a selection, the following new buttons have
been added to the Select Entity tool:
Clears the current selection set.
Switches to the Add method, allowing selected objects to be added to the selection
set by using the Crossing window method.
Switches to the Remove method, allowing objects to be removed from the current
selection set using the Crossing window method.

Tip: Remember that the active tool in PocketCAD PRO is the one that is selected and
it remains active until you toggle that tool off or pick another tool.

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Snapping to End Points


The Pick Points tool in PocketCAD PRO determines how your pen operates in the
drawing window, depending upon the parameters that you set up.
Pick Points tool. This tool allows you to place the pen on the PocketCAD PRO
window and drag the tip near an existing entity. Given the correct settings, the cursor
automatically snaps to that particular point as the pen nears a pick point.

Click on the Pick Points tool to view the Pick Points settings. The Pick Points dialog
box appears as shown in Figure 21. If you use any of the Pick Point settings, Pick
Points displays a plus when you move the pen near a snap point. Pick Points can be
turned on or off in the middle of a command sequence.

Figure 21. Pick Points dialog box

Note: Calculating Intersections takes processor time. For best performance only use it
when you need to. As devices become more powerful this will become less of an issue.

The following settings are available for the Pick Points tool:
Orthogonal Mode. Orthogonal Mode constrains pen movement to the horizontal or
vertical directions.

Note: Use care when drawing Rectangles with Orthogonal Mode ON. It is easy to
specify the opposite corners along the same line with Orthogonal Mode ON.

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Grid Spacing. Grid settings restrict your cursor movement to specified intervals. The
points that you pick with your pen are locked into alignment based on the value set in
the Spacing text box.

A change in the snap grid affects only the coordinates of new points. Objects already in
the drawing retain their existing coordinates. The grid is invisible.
Intersection. Intersection snaps to the overlap of objects such as lines, arcs, circles and
polylines.
End. End snaps to the closest end point of objects such as lines, arcs, circles and
polylines.
Insert. Insert snaps to the base or insertion point of text or a block.
Point. Point snaps to any defined point in the drawing.
Midpoint. Midpoint snaps to midpoint of lines.
Center. Center snaps to center point of arcs and circles.
Quadrant. Quadrant snaps to closest quadrant of an arc or circle. (Quadrants are
defined as 0, 90, 180, and 270 degree positions.)

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6Drawing Tools

6Drawing Tools

his chapter explains how to use the drawing tools in PocketCAD PRO. You
can draw circles, lines, polylines, arcs, rectangles, text, layers, and
dimensions.

Using the Drawing Tools


The figure below shows the drawing tools that are available. Refer to the section
PocketCAD PRO Toolbar in Chapter 4PocketCAD PRO Concepts for a description
of each tool.

Figure 22. Drawing tools

Drawing Points
Points tool. This new tool allows you to pick points on the screen. The points act
as nodes to which you can snap objects. The display size of points is determined by the
value that is set in the File>Options page. The current elevation sets the value of the Z
coordinate. To insert Points, pick the Point tool and then pick one or more points on
the screen.

Drawing Circles
There are three types of circles that you can generate in PocketCAD PRO.
Circle with Center Point and Radius tool. This tool creates a circle via a center
point and a radius. The first point requested is the center point. The next point sets
the radius distance. When using the Set Points dialog box it is the Center that is
retained as the Base Point.

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The following example shows how to use the Set Points tool to draw a circle with a
radius of 2.25.

Figure 23. Circle drawn with Center Point Radius tool

Do the following to draw the circle:


1.

Pick the Circle with the Center Point Radius tool.

2.

Place your pen on the screen and move it into position and lift it. This action sets
the Center point.

3.

Pick the Set Points tool. The Set Second Point dialog box opens. (The Base Point
is the first point you picked on the window.)

4.

Set the radius by typing 2.25 into the Distance text box. This action sets a second
point at a distance of 2.25 units away from the Center point. The result will be a
Circle drawn centered at the point you picked with a radius of 2.25.

Concentric Circles. Do the following to draw concentric circles:

1.

Draw the first circle as described in the previous Steps 1 through 4.

2.

Pick the Circle with the Center Point Radius tool.

3.

Pick the Set Points tool. The Set First Point dialog box opens. Remember that the
last point of a circle is the center point. Click on the OK button. This sets the first
point of the new circle to the center point of the last circle.

4.

Pick the Set Points tool again. The Set Second Point dialog box opens. Repeat
Step 4 again, typing your new radius distance in the Distance text box. The
result will be a concentric circle.

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6Drawing Tools

Circle with Two Points tool. This tool creates a circle using two points to define
the diameter. Even when using the two-point method of drawing circles the last point
will be the center point.

Figure 24. Circle drawn with Two Points tool

Circle with Three Points tool. This tool creates a circle by fitting a circle through
three picked points.

Figure 25. Circle drawn with Three Points tool

Drawing Lines
There are three tools that allow you to draw lines:

Line tool

Polyline tool

Sketch tool

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6Drawing Tools

Line tool. This tool creates a straight line by specifying the two end points.
Figure 26 shows an example of a drawn line specifying two end points.

Figure 26. Drawn lines using end points

You can also draw a line using the Set Points tool as shown in Figure 27. For example,
you could pick a point on the screen and draw a line 12 units long at a 45-degree angle
from the point picked, as follows:
1.

Pick the Line tool.

2.

Place your pen on the screen and move to the desired position and lift. This
enters your start point.

3.

Pick the Set Points tool. The Set Second Point dialog box appears.

4.

Pick the Predefined 45-degree button and the result will be placement of 45 in
the Angle text box.

5.

Use your pen to click in the Distance text box. Using the pen, click on 12.25 in the
number pad.

6.

Click on the OK button in the Header Bar. The result will be a line that is 45
degrees from the point picked.

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6Drawing Tools

Figure 27. Setting a specific line angle and distance

Do the following if you want to draw continuous lines:


1.

Draw the first Line as shown previously in Steps 1-6.

2.

Pick the Set Points tool. The Set First Point dialog box opens. The Last Point of a
Line is its endpoint point. Click on the OK button. This action sets your start
point to the end point of your last line.

3.

Pick the Set Points tool again. The Set Second Point dialog box opens.

4.

Repeat Steps 4-6 in the previous procedure, typing your distance and direction.
The result will be continuous line segments.

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6Drawing Tools

Polyline tool. Polylines are drawing elements that consist of connected lines or
connected arc segments as shown below.

Figure 28. Drawing using Polyline tool

A polyline is treated as one object for the purpose of performing further operations
such as move, copy, rotate, and so forth.
The following new polyline buttons have been added for better control of this tool:
Line:
Arc: Forces the segment between vertexes to be drawn as line or arc
segments, whichever is set. This button toggles between line and arc.
Direction: Controls the direction of an Arc that is being drawn.
Undo Vertex: Removes the last vertex from the Polyline allowing the user to
redo the last point.
Close. Closes the polyline by drawing a segment between the last point and the
start point of the polyline. The segment can be either an arc or a line depending on
how the mode is set.

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When you select the Polyline tool, the


polyline buttons appear on the bottom
of the PocketCAD PRO window

Figure 29. PocketCAD PRO new polyline buttons

Note: Polylines have a property that allows for area calculations.


To create a polyline do the following:
1.

Pick the Polyline tool. The polyline tools display at the bottom of the PocketCAD
PRO window. PocketCAD PRO prompts you, via a message at the bottom of the
window, to pick a starting point (P1), and then a vertex (P2).

2.

Pick a starting point.

3.

Pick the first vertex. The program expects you to draw more than one segment so
the Pick next vertex message continues to display. The example in Figure 30
shows that the Pick Start and first Vertex points have been picked and the
program is waiting for the third vertex.

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Refer to Editing an Object


On Its Property Page in
Chapter 8Editing Tools to
see how to edit polylines.

Figure 30. Polyline Pick Start/Pick Vertex points

You can change from drawing line segments to drawing arc segments by toggling the
line button to arcs. The example in Figure 31 shows a combination of line and arc
segments.

Figure 31. Polyline drawing using lines and arcs

Note: Pick Points can be set to insure accurate drawing. Set Points can also be used
to draw polylines accurately.

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Sketch tool. This tool creates a polyline that traces the motion of your pen as it
moves around the window. Figure 32 shows an example of a polyline drawing.

The polyline is constructed of short line segments whose lengths are determined by
your Zoom factor. If you are zoomed in, your sketch will create a higher resolution
polyline than if you were zoomed out.
Do the following to draw a polyline with the Sketch tool:
1.

Pick the Sketch tool in the toolbar.

2.

Place your pen on the window and draw the shape that you want to create. When
you lift the pen a polyline will be created.

Note: Pick Points will be ignored when you are using the Sketch tool, as the intended
use of this tool is to record the freehand movement of the pen as you draw.

Figure 32. Freehand drawing using Sketch tool

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Drawing Arcs
There are two types of arcs that you can generate in PocketCAD PRO. Arcs are drawn
in a counter-clockwise direction.

Arc with Three Points tool. This tool creates an Arc line by specifying three
points on the Arc. You are to supply three points as if you were moving along the Arc.

Figure 33. Arc drawn with Three Points tool

Arc with Center tool. This tool creates an arc line by specifying the center, start,
and end of the Arc.

Figure 34. Arc drawn with Center tool

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Drawing a Rectangle
Rectangle tool. This tool creates a Rectangle using two points to represent the
opposite corners of the box. For example, do the following to draw a rectangle that is 5
units wide by 4 units tall:

1.

Pick the Rectangle tool.

2.

Place your pen on the screen and move to the desired position and lift. This
action enters your start point.

3.

Pick the Set Points tool. The Set Second Point dialog box opens.

4.

Select the Absolute X/Y tab. Use the pen and number pad to enter 5 in the X
Coordinate text box and 4 in the Y Coordinate text box.

5.

Click on the OK button in the Header Bar. The result will be a Rectangle with a
length of 5 units in the X direction and 4 units in the Y direction, as shown in
Figure 35.

Note: The second point picked is the last point for rectangles. Also it is valid to use
negative numbers in the Set Points dialog box. This gives you the control to draw the
rectangle from any of the four corners.

Figure 35. Rectangle drawing

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Using Text
Text tool. This tool creates a string of Text located at a point that you select.
When you pick the Text tool, PocketCAD PRO waits for you to select a point on the
window. When you lift the pen the Text Designer dialog box appears as shown in
Figure 36.

Type the text string in


this text box.

The Attribute Definition


feature is optional. Click the
checkbox ON (checked) if
you want to use this feature.

Figure 36. Text Designer dialog box

This dialog box allows you to specify the text string that you want to insert into the
drawing. You can also set an alternate text height as well as set the angle that you
want the text to be rotated at. The rotation angle is based on rotating around the
picked point in a counter clockwise motion. PocketCAD PRO defines 0 degrees as the
position that is located horizontally to the right from the selected point.

PocketCAD PRO remembers the last text height you used, so once it is set it will
remain the same until you change it.

A special feature of the Text tool also allows you to create attribute definitions for use
in blocks. Attributes are storage locations within blocks that allow you to update text
information without having to redefine the block. Refer to the Creating Text
Attributes section in the Chapter 7Block Tools for information on using text
attributes in blocks.

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Using Pick Points


Pick Points tool. This tool was described previously. Refer to the Snapping to
End Points section Chapter 5Using PocketCAD PRO for detailed information about
the tool.

Using Set Points


Set Points tool. This tool was described previously. Refer to the Specifying
Points in a Drawing section in Chapter 5Using PocketCAD PRO for detailed
information about the tool.

Drawing on a Layer
Layers tool. A layer is a grouping of drawing entities that overlay on a drawing.
Using layers helps you to organize your drawing. This tool allows you to select the
layer on which you want to create a drawing. You should note the following
information about Layers:

In the Layers dialog box that appears when you pick the Layers tool, you can
perform drawing setups for layers and you can also edit the setups.

When you create a new drawing, it has one default layer: 0.

You can have one layer or many layers.

Entities are drawn on the layer that it is set to current.

It is the color of the layers that controls the color of the entities. For example, if
layer WALL is assigned to color RED then all entities drawn on layer WALL will
be RED. However, you can override object colors by changing object properties.

By controlling whether a layers state is ON or OFF you can change the


appearance of your drawing to display only the information on the layers that are
turned ON.

Turning OFF layers that are not being used helps the performance of PocketCAD
PRO.

You can add layers, specify the active layer, or rename layers.

Duplicate layer names are not allowed.

Layer names can be as long as you want. There is no character length limit.

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Note: Your desktop CAD application may limit the number of characters allowed in a
layer name. Please review your desktop CAD application documentation for specific
details.

To work effectively, plan the layers to be used in advance and create them in a
systematic manner. Creating a Template Drawing with your layers already created is
the most effective way to use the Layers tool.
Layers can be controlled using one of two methods.

The Layer Dialog Box, which allows you to add new layers and gives you absolute
control over the all layer properties.

The Current Layer Pull-Down List, which is the pull-down list box on the
PocketCAD PRO window Display Bar that shows all the layers currently ON in the
drawing. Picking a name from this list allows you to set that layer to the current
layer.

These two methods will be described in succeeding sections.


Using the Layer Dialog Box

To look at Layer information, pick the Layer tool in the toolbar. The Layer dialog box
opens as shown in Figure 37.

Current Layer pulldown list box

Figure 37. Layer dialog box

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From the Layer dialog box you can do the following:


Create a new Layer. You can create a new layer at any time. Newly created layers do
not have to have drawing entities on them right away. The layers of a drawing are not
listed alphabetically, but according to their time of creation.

Do the following to create a new layer:


1.

Pick the New Layer button and New Layer 1 is added to the layer table. The
name New Layer 1 increments to New Layer 2 if New Layer 1 already exists.

2.

Pick the text of the layer name and then select the Properties button. The
Properties dialog box appears. Through that box you can change any property of
the layer name, color, or state.

3.

Click on the OK button in the Header Bar. Every new layer is assigned the color
7 (black).

Set the Current Layer. To set the current layer simply highlight the text of the layer
name you want to be current and pick the Set Current button. A red check mark
indicates the current layer. Also see the section, "The Current Layer Pull-down List"
as an alternative way to set the current layer.
Change a Layers State. By controlling whether a layers state is ON or OFF, you can
change the appearance of your drawing to display only the information on the layers
that are turned ON.

The checkbox next to a layers name indicates whether the layer is ON or OFF.
Checked is ON. Simply click on the checkbox to toggle the state OFF and ON. The
current layer cannot be turned OFF.
Define a Layers Color. Pick the text of the layer name that you want to assign a color
to and then select the Properties button. The color pallet displays and you can select
the color that you want.
Using the Current Layer Pull-down List

You can see all the layers that are currently turned on in a drawing by clicking on the
down arrow in the Current Layer pull-down list on the Display Bar that appears under
the Toolbar. You can pick a name from this list to set that layer to the current layer.
Figure 38 shows an example of the Current Layer pull-down list.

Figure 38. Current Layer pull-down list

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Using the Dimensions Tools


There are three dimension tools available for your use in PocketCAD PRO. They are
described in this section.

Note: Use the Pick Points tool to get to quickly select the definition points.
Note: The third point specifies where the extension line will be drawn but it also
defines the center point of the text to be placed.

Horizontal Dimensions tool. Horizontal dimensioning is linear dimensioning that


measures the distance between two points (definition points) parallel to the X-axis.

To use this command, first define two points of measurement and then define a third
point to locate where the text of the dimension and arrowheads are to be located.
Figure 39 shows an example of horizontal dimensioning.

Figure 39. Example of horizontal dimensioning

Vertical Dimensions tool. Vertical dimensioning is linear dimensioning that


measures the distance between two points (definition points) parallel to the Y-axis.

To use this command, first define two points of measurement and then define a third
point to locate where the text of the dimension and arrowheads are to be located.
Figure 40 shows an example of vertical dimensioning.

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Figure 40. Example of vertical dimensioning

Aligned Dimensions tool. Aligned dimensioning is a type of linear dimensioning


that measures the absolute distance between two points, regardless of the relative
position of the axes. This makes it possible to dimension spaces that are not located on
the X or Y-axes.

To use this command, first define two points of measurement and then define a third
point to locate where the text of the dimension and arrowheads are to be located. The
absolute measurement between the two points will be inserted into the drawing as
shown on an aligned plane.
Figure 41 shows an example of aligned dimensioning.

Figure 41. Example of aligned dimensioning

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7Block Tools

he block tools allow you to group and ungroup entities, move them to different
layers or files, and edit the text in blocks.

Using the Block Tools


The figure below shows the block tools. Refer to the section PocketCAD PRO Toolbar
in Chapter 4PocketCAD PRO Concepts for a description of each tool.

Figure 42. Block tools

Inserting a Block
Insert Block tool. This tool inserts a block located at a selected point. PocketCAD
PRO can insert blocks that are already defined in the drawing or you can insert other
PocketCAD PRO files as blocks into the current drawing. PocketCAD PRO uses the
following rules concerning block definitions:

If you insert a file with the name of a block that is already defined in the drawing,
PocketCAD PRO uses the definition of the file being inserted.

If you have a nested block (a block inside a block) in a file that is being inserted and
there is a block in the drawing with that same name, you can redefine the existing
block or the original definition will rule.
Do the following to insert a block that is already defined within the current
PocketCAD file:
1.

Pick the Insert Block tool. The Insert Block dialog box appears as shown in
Figure 43.

2.

Click OK on the Header Bar and the Insert Block dialog box closes. PocketCAD
PRO waits for you to select a point on the window.

3.

Lift the pen and the block is inserted into the drawing, as shown in Figure 44.

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If internal blocks are defined within a drawing, click on the Block button and a list of
the blocks that are defined appears. You can select the one that you want.

This is a block file that is


currently selected for
insertion into the drawing.

Figure 43. Insert Block dialog box

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Figure 44. Example of block inserted in current file

Along with blocks that are defined within the PocketCAD file you can insert other
PocketCAD files into your current drawing to create blocks. Do the following to insert
another PocketCAD file into your drawing to create blocks:
1.

Pick the Insert Block tool. The Insert Block dialog box appears.

2.

Click on the File button. The standard Windows File Open dialog box appears as
shown in Figure 45. Browse to find the CAD file that you want to insert.

3.

Double Click on the file or click on the file and hit OK to insert it. You are
returned to the Insert Block dialog box.

4.

Set the X and Y Scale Factors and the Rotation Angle for the file that you are
inserting.

5.

Click on the OK button in the Header Bar. The Insert Block dialog box closes.
The block is inserted.

Figure 45. Standard Windows File Open dialog box

Inserted files have an insertion Base Point of (0, 0). When you insert a PocketCAD file
into your drawing, the path of that file is recorded. That directory then becomes the
default directory for where you get your symbols. If you put your symbols in the same
directory PocketCAD PRO will always open that folder when you insert a file.

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Making a Block
Make Block tool. This tool creates blocks (groups of objects treated as one) based
on the currently selected objects in your drawing. Do the following to create a block:

1.

Pick the Select tool to highlight group of objects that you want to block, as shown
in Figure 46.

Figure 46. Selected entities for Make Block

2.

Pick the Make Block command. The Make Block dialog box appears as shown in
Figure 47.

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Figure 47. Make Block dialog box

3.

Supply a name for the new block or pick the name of an existing internal block to
redefine it.

4.

Supply the X/Y base points for an Insertion Point, if you require one other than
0,0.

Note: The use of Pick Points makes Step 4 easier and more accurate (See Chapter 5
for how to use the Pick Points tool.

5.

Click on the OK button in the Header Bar. You are returned to the PocketCAD
PRO window with the Make Block tool active. In the Figure 48 example a new
insertion point was specified in Step 4 and it now appears in the window.

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Figure 48. Make Block showing new insertion point

6.

Click on the OK button in the Header Bar. The items that you had blocked off
disappear from the PocketCAD PRO window, as shown in Figure 49, indicating
that a block was created.

Figure 49. PocketCAD PRO window with block created

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Writing a Block
Write Block tool. This tool creates a separate file from either:

An internally defined block

Objects selected from the window

If there is nothing selected in the PocketCAD PRO window when you pick the Write
Block tool, the default is that you must pick the name of an internally defined block.
However, if you have selected objects, then you are given the choice to use what is
selected or pick a name of an internally defined block from the pull-down list in the
Display Bar.
Writing an Internally Defined Block

To write out an internally defined block do the following:


1.

Clear any selection set that appears in the PocketCAD PRO window.

2.

Pick the Write Block tool. The Write Block dialog box appears as shown in Figure
50.

Block pull-down list

Figure 50. Write Block dialog box

3.

Pick the desired block to write out from the Block pull-down list box. The Save As
dialog box appears, as shown in Figure 51, displaying information about the
block that you selected.

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Figure 51. Save As dialog box showing block to write

4.

Click on the OK button.

5.

Use the pen to pick the name for the new file when prompted to do so.

Writing Objects Selected from the Window

Do the following to write out a selection set of objects:


1.

Use the Select tool to select the desired objects as shown in Figure 52.

Figure 52. Selection set for Write Block


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2.

Pick the Write Block tool. The Write Block dialog box appears with the radio
button checked for Current Selection.

3.

Reset the Base Point if you do not want to use 0,0.

To change the Base Point from 0,0 pick the Select tool and the Write Block page
closes. Use Pick Points to select some other point as the Insertion Point and then pick
the Make Block tool again.

4.

Click on the OK button. A new block named "new_cubicle" is created as shown in


Figure 53.

Figure 53. Example of new block creation

5.

Click on the OK button and you will be presented with the Save As file dialog
box. Supply a file name and click on OK to create the file.

Creating Text Attributes


Text tool. This tool allows you to create a text attribute for use within blocks.
Attributes are storage locations within blocks that allow you to update the text
information without having to redefine the block. The steps required to create
attribute definitions are similar to creating text.

Do the following to create attribute definitions:


1.

Pick the Text tool. The Text Designer dialog box appears as shown in Figure 54.

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Figure 54. Text Designer dialog box

2.

Toggle the Attribute Definition to ON (checked). The Attribute Definition values


populate the dialog box as shown in Figure 55.

3.

Supply a Tag, using the pen to pick the name from the keyboard.

4.

Supply the Prompt that you want displayed when you access the block with this
definition in it.

5.

Toggle the desired mode for the definition to ON (checked). Select from the
following:

Invisible. Specifies that attribute values will not be displayed when you
insert the block.

Constant. Fixes the attributes value for block insertions.

Verify. Requires you to verify that the attribute value is correct when you
insert the block.

Preset. Sets the default attribute value when you insert the block

6.

Click on the OK button in the Header Bar to add the attribute object to the
drawing.

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Figure 55. Property dialog box for attributes

When inserting blocks with Attribute Definitions you are presented with a Property
dialog box, as shown in Figure 56, in which you must supply an initial value.

Figure 56. Property table for block insert

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Exploding Grouped Objects


Explode tool. Some drawings are comprised of more than one object. For
example, blocks and polylines are compound objects. With this tool you can explode
(ungroup) these objects one level deep to their base object.

Note: In the case of nested Blocks (Blocks inside of Blocks) it may take more than one
explode procedure to get to the base objects.

To explode a block or polyline, do the following:


1.

Open the drawing in the PocketCAD PRO window that contains the grouping
that you want to explode.

2.

Pick the grouping to explode by clicking on it with the pen.

3.

Pick the Explode tool.

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8Editing Tools

he editing tools provide great flexibility in controlling and changing objects


that you have created in your drawings. This chapter explains how to use the
editing tools in PocketCAD PRO.

In particular, the Object Property Page, which displays the properties of a selected
object, is very useful for quickly editing lines, circles, arcs, text, polylines, rotation,
blocks, and block attributes.
Edit commands are not persistent like draw commands. Once you pick an edit tool and
perform the edit task, you are returned to the control of the tool that was active when
you initiated the edit. In a typical edit, you may do the following:
1.

Open the drawing that you want to edit.

2.

Click on the Select tool. Select or pick an entity to edit. To add additional items to
the selection set, make sure the + sign is selected before selecting additional
items. To remove items from the selection set, click on the sign and then click
on selected objects to remove them from the selection set. For further
information on selecting (or deselecting entities) please refer to Chapter 5,
Editing Entities.

3.

Click on the edit tool that you want to use and pick on the selected entities. The
edit command executes.

Using the Editing tools


The figure below shows the editing tools. Refer to the PocketCAD PRO Toolbar
section in Chapter 4PocketCAD PRO Concepts for a description of each editing tool.

Figure 57. Editing tools

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Selecting Entities
Select Entity tool. This tool allows you to select a set of entities to edit. This tool
was described previously. Refer to the Editing Entities section in Chapter 5Using
PocketCAD PRO for detailed information about the use of the tool.

Editing Specified Points


Set Points tool. This tool serves a dual purpose. It allows you to both specify
points in a drawing and edit them through the Set Points dialog box. This tool was
described previously. Refer to the Specifying Points in a Drawing section in Chapter
5Using PocketCAD PRO for detailed information about the Set Points dialog box
where you can perform edits.

Taking Undo and Redo Actions


Undo tool. Click on this tool to cancel out the last action that you performed in
the PocketCAD PRO window.
Redo tool. Click on this tool to recreate the last action that you performed in the
PocketCAD PRO window.

Deleting Entities
Delete tool. Click on this tool to delete selected entities.

Moving Entities
Move tool. This tool moves a selection of entities a distance and direction as
defined by two picked points. As with all edit functions, Move requires you to select the
entities that you want to move. Make your selection and then click on the Move button.
PocketCAD PRO waits for you to pick two points to define the distance and direction to
move the selection set.

If you select multiple objects to move, they will be moved together in exactly the same
relationship as they are currently placed.
When performing a move command, the first point that you select is the reference
point for moving the objects. The second point that you select defines the distance and

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direction that you want the selected objects to move. You can pick points on the
window using Pick Points and Set Points.
To perform a move using two points from the window, do the following:
1.

Create your selection set.

2.

Pick the Move button

3.

Pick Point 1 on the screen.

4.

Pick Point 2 on the screen. Figure 58 shows the objects in both their original and
new positions.

Figure 58. Moving entities by picking 2 points

Using the Set Points tool with the Move tool gives you complete control over the final
position of the selected entities. To perform a Move using Set Points, do the following:
1.

Use the Select tool to select the entities to move.

2.

Pick the Move tool.

3.

Place your pen on the screen and pick ANY position and lift. This sets the base
point.

4.

Pick the Set Points tool. The Set Second Point dialog box appears as shown in
Figure 59.

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Figure 59. Moving entities using Set Points

5.

Pick values for the Angle and Distance text boxes, using the pen and number
pad. You can use the Pick Angle button to set the Angle by picking two points on
the window. You can also use the Pick Distance button set the distance by
picking two points from the window.

6.

Click on the OK button in the Header Bar.

Copying Entities
Copy tool. This tool allows you to copy a selection of entities a distance and
direction as defined by two picked points. Pick the Copy tool and PocketCAD PRO
waits for you to enter two points to define the distance and direction to copy the
selection set to.

You can select multiple objects and they will be copied together in exactly the same
relationship as they are currently placed.
When performing a Copy command, the first point that you select is the reference
point for copying the objects. The second point that you select defines the distance and
direction that the selected objects are to copy to. You can pick points on the window
using Pick Points and Set Points.
To perform a copy using two points from the window, do the following:
1.

Create your selection set.

2.

Pick the Copy button

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3.

Pick Point 1 on the screen.

4.

Pick Point 2 on the screen. Figure 60 shows the objects in both their original and
new position. This was done to help you visualize the process. In reality, the
selected items would no longer appear on the drawing.

Figure 60. Copying entities by picking 2 points

Using the Set Points tool with the Copy tool gives you complete control over the final
position of the selected entities. To perform a Copy using Set Points, do the following:
1.

Use the Select tool to select the entities to move.

2.

Pick the Copy tool.

3.

Place your pen on the screen and pick ANY position and lift. This sets the base
point.

4.

Pick the Set Points tool. The Set Second Point dialog box appears as shown in
Figure 61.

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Figure 61. Copying entities using Set Points

5.

Pick values for the Angle and Distance text boxes, using the pen and number
pad. You can use the Pick Angle button to set the Angle by picking two points on
the window. You can also use the Pick Distance button set the distance by
picking two points from the window.

6.

Click on the OK button in the Header Bar.

Rotating Entities
Rotate tool. This tool allows you to rotate drawing entities on the PocketCAD
PRO window. To perform a Rotate action, do the following:

1.

Pick the Select tool and select the entities to rotate.

2.

Click on the Rotate tool.

3.

Pick a base point for the rotate action on the drawing. The base point is the point
about which the rotation will occur. It is handy to pick a corner or a center, but
you can pick any point that will produce the desired result. The Rotation Angle
dialog box appears as shown in Figure 62.

4.

Pick the angle on the number pad. The numbers appear in the Rotation Angle
text box. The Rotation Angle used is always counter-clockwise around the base
point. Negative values are valid for rotation angles and result in a rotation in the
clockwise direction.

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5.

Click on the OK button in the Header Bar. PocketCAD PRO rotates the selection
about the specified base point.

Figure 62. Rotation Angle dialog box

Trimming Entities
Trim Command. This tool allows you to trim an entity as shown in Figure 63.
Valid cutting edge objects include lines, arcs and circles. Exactly what is trimmed
depends on where you make a selection on the cutting edge and the selected entity. For
best results when picking these entities, pick near where the point of intersection
occurs.

The Trim tool in PocketCAD PRO allows you to select multiple cutting edges before
you trim any entities.
Do the following to trim an entity in a drawing:
1.

Pick the Trim tool. PocketCAD PRO then waits for two selections to be made on
the drawing.

2.

Select the entity or entities that will be the cutting edge or edges.

3.

Select the entity that will be trimmed. The portion to be cut is determined by
which side of the cutting edge you pick the entity to be cut. As the entities are
selected, they are trimmed and the trimmed portion disappears from the
drawing.

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Figure 63. Example of trimming

Editing Common Boundaries


Extend tool. The Extend tool allows you to edit entities that should have common
boundary edges. Parts of objects can be expanded to the intended boundary edge. Valid
boundary objects include line arcs, and circles.

Exactly what is Extended depends on where you select on the boundary edge and
extended entity. The Extend tool in PocketCAD PRO does require that you reselect the
boundary edge before you can extend an entity. However because of PocketCAD PROs
persistent commands, you are working under the Extend tool until you choose
something else.
Do the following to edit common boundary edges:
1.

Click on the Extend tool. PocketCAD PRO then waits for two selections to be
made.

2.

Select the entity that will serve as boundary edge. This entity will remain
unchanged.

3.

Select the entity to be expanded. The extension of a selected entity is always


executed from the end point, which lies nearest to the pen where it selected the
entity.

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Offsetting Entities
Offset tool. The Offset tool copies a selected entity a distance from the original
entity. The original entity remains in its original position. The type of drawing entity
offset dictates how the new entity is created. Valid offset objects include line arcs, and
circles.

For lines, identical parallel copies are created at a distance that you define in the
Offset dialog box. For circles and arcs concentric copies are created. They are also
scaled by a selected factor that is based on the distance used in the Offset dialog box.
The center of the arc or circle is the base point for this scaling.
To perform an offset, do the following:
1.

Select the entity to offset using the Select tool.

2.

Pick the Offset tool. The Offset dialog box appears as shown in Figure 64.

3.

Supply an offset distance in the Offset text box.

4.

Click on the OK button in the Header Bar. You are returned to the PocketCAD
PRO window.

5.

Pick the entity to offset in the window.

6.

Pick the side to offset toward. The command executes.

Figure 64. Offset tool dialog box

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Editing Layers
Layers tool. This tool serves a dual purpose. It allows you to both draw on and
edit the layers in a drawing. A layer is a grouping of drawing entities that overlay on
a drawing. Refer to the Drawing on a Layer section in Chapter 6Drawing Tools for
detailed information on the Layers dialog box where you can perform edits.

Changing Layers
Change Layer tool. The Change Layer tool allows you to move selected entities
from their existing layer to the current layer. To change a layer, do the following:

1.

Select the entities that you wish to change. Use the Current Layer Pull-down list
to set your current layer to where you want the selected entities to go.

2.

Pick the Change Layer button and all the selected entities will be moved to the
current layer.

Editing an Object On Its Property Page


Object Property Page tool. The Object Property Page exposes the properties of a
selected object for inquiry and editing. This page lets you view/edit: lines, circles, arcs,
text, polylines, rotation, blocks, and block attributes. To display or edit the properties
of an entity you will typically do the following:

1.

Open a drawing in PocketCAD PRO.

2.

Select an entity to view/edit.

3.

Click on the Object Property Page tool. The dialog box for the selected entity
(such as line, circle, and so forth) appears with its properties displayed.

4.

Click on a property to edit. Other dialog boxes, list boxes, or the keyboard may
pop up if applicable. In some instances you may want to use Pick Points or Set
Points to make the property changes.

5.

Make your edits.

6.

Click on the OK button in the Header Bar to save the edits. The entity that you
had selected is updated.

Editing Layers and Colors

Each entity type contains some unique properties as well as common properties such
as Layer and Color that you can change on the Object Property Page. The example in
Figure 65 shows the list of layer properties for a line entity.

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To change the Layer property, do the following:


1.

Pick on the Layer property and a list box displays the available layers that you
can choose from.

2.

Pick a layer and click the OK button.

To change the Color of a layer, do the following:


1.

Pick on the Color property and a color pallet displays as shown in Figure 66.

2.

Pick the color that you want from the pallet and click the OK button.

Figure 65. Example list of layer properties

Figure 66. Color pallet

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The dialog boxes for the entity types are shown on the following pages.
Lines

Figure 67. Object Properties dialog box for a line

About lines . . .

Both the Start Point and End Point of a Line can be reset.

The Property page hides when you pick the value in the Start or End point text
box.

You can then pick from window, using Pick Points or Set Points to change the
value of the end point.

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Arcs

Figure 68. Object Properties dialog box for an arc

About arcs . . .

You can reset the Center Point.

The Property page hides when you pick the value in Center Point text box.

You can then pick from window, using Pick Points or Set Points to reset the value
of the Center Point.

The Radius, Start Angle or End Angle can also be reset by picking the in the
respective text box. The number pad pops up so that you can use the pen to pick a
new value.

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Circles

The number pad pops up


so that you can use the
pen to pick a new value.

Figure 69. Object Properties dialog box for a circle

About circles . . .

You can reset the Center Point.

The Property page hides when you pick the value in Center Point text box.

You can then pick from window, using Pick Points or Set Points to reset the value
of the Center Point.

The Radius can also be reset by picking the value in the respective text box.

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Text

Figure 70. Properties for text

About text . . .

You can edit the text string by picking the Text Value text box and updating the
text.

You can pick in the Insertion Point text box to change the Insertion Point.

Then pick from the window, using Pick Points or Set Points to reset the Insertion
Point.

The Rotation, Height, and Width can be can also be reset by picking the in the
respective text box. The number pad pops up so that you can use the pen to pick
values.

You can reset Horizontal and Vertical Justification by using the pull-downs to
choose the desired value

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Polylines

The area bounded by


the polyline is displayed
here. Area is displayed
both as square units and
square units divided by
144 (square feet).

Figure 71. Object Properties for polylines

About polylines . . .

You can update Polyline vertices by picking in the appropriate Vertex text box.

You can then pick from the window, using Pick Points or Set Points to reset the
Vertex Point.

The bulge field has been added. The bulge factor is the amount of curvature at a
vertex point. It is, mathematically, the tangent of 1/4 of the included angle of an
arc segment. If the arc goes clockwise from the start point to the endpoint, then
the bulge is negative. Using the direction button during creation controls whether
this is a positive or negative number. A bulge of 0 indicates a straight segment. A
bulge of 1 is a semicircle.

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Blocks

Figure 72. Object Properties for a block

About blocks . . .

You can pick in the Insertion Point text box to change the Insertion Point.

Then pick from window, using Pick Points or Set Points to reset the Insertion
Point.

You can reset the Rotation, X Scale, and Y Scale by picking the in the respective
text box.

The number pad pops up so that you can use the pen to enter values.

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Block Attributes

Figure 73. Object Properties for a block attribute

About block attributes . . .

You can update Attribute Values, when detected within a block, by picking in the
attribute text box that you want to change.

You can provide a new value that will update when you click on the OK button in
the Header Bar.

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9Inquiry Tools

nquiry tools allow you to manipulate your drawings in ways that will enhance
your viewing and use of them. This chapter explains how to use the inquiry tools.

Using the Inquiry Tools


The figure below shows the inquiry tools that are available. You can pan, zoom, see the
previous view, zoom to show the entire drawing, view the properties of drawn objects,
and measure distances.
Refer to the PocketCAD PRO Toolbar section in Chapter 4PocketCAD PRO
Concepts for a description of each tool.

Figure 74. Inquiry tools

Panning
Pan tool. This tool slides your drawing across the window in the direction that
you are moving the pen. When you pick you pen up the drawing is refreshed. To pan,
pick the Pan tool, place the pen on the window, and move the drawing as you wish.
The entire drawing moves as a unit.

Zooming on a Window
Zoom Window tool. This tool lets you zoom in on a specific region of your
drawing. This region is defined by specifying opposite corners of a rectangle with your
pen. The Zoom Window tool is the only tool that does not use the Place, Move and Lift
method. To use the Zoom Window tool, do the following:

1.

Pick the Zoom Window tool.

2.

Place the pen down to set one corner. Slide the pen to another position without
lifting it from the window.

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3.

Lift the pen to define the other corner of the rectangle.

Returning to the Previous View


Zoom Previous tool. Pick the Zoom Previous tool to return to the previous view.
PocketCAD PRO remembers the last 20 views that you specified.

Zooming to Display all Entities


Zoom Extents tool. Pick the Zoom Extents tool to zoom the drawing into a
position that displays all entities in the drawing.

Viewing Properties of Objects


Object Property Page tool. This tool serves a dual purpose. It displays the
properties of a selected object for both inquiry and editing purposes. It allows you to
view/edit: lines, circles, arcs, text, polylines, rotation, blocks, and block attributes.
Refer to Chapter 8Editing Tools for detailed information about the tool.

Determining Distance Between Points


Measure tool. This tool displays the distance between two picked points on the
window. To use this tool, do the following:

1.

Select the Measure tool.

2.

Place the pen down and move it across the window to the desired location for the
first point. When you lift the pen the first point is recorded.

3.

Repeat the same step to locate the second point.

The display updates in real-time while the second point is being located. The display
stays present until you pick the next tool or take another measurement. Figure 75
shows an example of the output that the Measure tool generates.

Tip: For best results use Pick Points to select precise object features.

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Figure 75. Example of Measure tool output

Note. The Options Settings (Tools menu>Options>Options dialog box) control the units
that the values display in.

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Appendix ACadExchange

Appendix ACadExchange

his Appendix explains in detail the use of CadExchange, the PocketCAD PRO
4.0 companion application that uses EditTrak technology to merge changed
field data into the desktop drawing file back at the office. CadExchange is
automatically installed on your office computer when you install PocketCAD
PRO 4.0 and a desktop icon is created that allows you to access the features of
CadExchange.
EditTrak is an integral part of the CadExchange application. It was designed to
address the loss of data problem that can occur during file conversions. File conversion
problems do not occur with EditTrak because the program is designed to simply
update, rather than convert, the original file.

Overview of CadExchange
Typically, Microsofts ActiveSync program is used to handle the transfer of files
between the mobile device and the desktop. Although CadExchange uses ActiveSync to
make the connection between the device and the desktop, it greatly expands
ActiveSyncs capabilities and is thus a separate application with merits of its own.

Note: You must have ActiveSync loaded and operational in order for CadExchange to
work.

CadExchange performs the following major functions:

Moves files back and forth between the desktop and mobile device

Merges changes made in PocketCAD PRO back into the file on the desktop

CadExchange provides two ways to send files from the desktop PC to the mobile
device:

Drag and drop

Update mobile file procedure

CadExchange provides two ways to get files from the mobile device back to the
desktop:

Convert and copy the CAD file to either a DWG or DXF file

Merge the changes from the CAD file into either a DWG or DXF file

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In addition to choosing the format that you want CadExchange to use for file transfer,
you can now also select the format version from those shown below:
For DWG files: R13, R14, 2000
For DXF files: R12, R13, R14, A2000
The real power of CadExchange is in its merge and update capabilities. CadExchange
allows all entities to remain in AutoCAD except for the changes and additions that
need to be merged. In this way the features and objects that PocketCAD PRO does not
support (such as Layouts or 3D solids) are preserved.

Overview of EditTrak
EditTrak is part of the CadExchange application. The core of the EditTrak technology
is its capability to replay the field edits. As a mobile user edits a drawing in the field,
PocketCAD PRO silently logs all changes. PocketCAD PRO logs creation of new
geometry, the moving, copying, rotating, editing, or erasing of existing geometry,
creation or manipulation of layers, or any other editing done to the CAD file. When the
mobile user saves the file, this log is written out to the file system of the device,
allowing CadExchange to later merge the updates into the corresponding desktop file.
EditTrak files are given the same name as the drawing file, with the date and time
appended, followed by a .txn extension. For example, editing and saving sample.cad
could result in an EditTrak file named sample-2001-04-01-10-56-36.txn. Each time the
file is saved on the mobile device, a new EditTrak file is created. Thus, over several
editing sessions of a particular CAD drawingwith no synchronization in between
multiple EditTrak files will be created.
Although you cannot view the EditTrak .txn files on the mobile device, you can be
assured that they contain the information required to replay the changes and update
the desktop file. The desktop application, CadExchange, provides the mechanism to
replay these files. After EditTrak files are successfully replayed on the desktop, they
are automatically removed from the mobile device.

Launching a CadExchange Session


To initiate a CadExchange session, do the following:
1.

Make certain that your mobile device is plugged into the cradle that is attached
to your desktop PC.

2.

Push the Async button on the cradle or double-click the ActiveSync icon on the
Desktop. A bright green circle in the task bar indicates whether or not you are
connected.

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3.

Verify that ActiveSync has connected the device to your desktop by double
clicking on the green icon. The Microsoft ActiveSync window appears as shown in
Figure 76. Close or minimize the window once you verify the connection.

Figure 76. ActiveSync window showing connection to device

4.

Double-click on the CadExchange icon that is located on the Desktop, as shown


below. The CadExchange window appears as shown in Figure 77.

5.

Perform the desired actions.

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Using the CadExchange Window


This section explains the features of the CadExchange window.
Menu options

Current directory on the mobile device

File Management toolbar

Figure 77. CadExchange window

You can perform commands in the CadExchange window as follows:

By using the buttons on the file management toolbar

Through the pull-down menus in the menu bar

By right-clicking on a highlighted file and accessing a popup menu

The columns (left to right) in the window display the following information:

Remote file name

The status of that file

The last time is was updated

The location of the source file

The size of the remote file

The location of the mobile device where the remote files are located

Changing the Mobile Device Directory


You can change the working directory on your Mobile Device by using the pull-down
menu in the Mobile Directory list box, as shown in the figure below. This setting
impacts other functions that copy files to and from the Mobile device.

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Figure 78. Mobile Directory pull-down in CadExchange window

File Management Toolbar


The toolbar, as shown below, appears in the CadExchange window and provides a
quick way to perform the basic tasks necessary to keep the mobile device and desktop
PC files in synchronization.

Figure 79. CadExchange file management toolbar

Convert to CAD
Convert to DWG

Convert to DXF
Replay Transactions (merge)
Delete Selected File
Display Properties
The use of these buttons is explained in the next section, which describes the
corresponding menu commands.

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CadExchange Pull-Down Menu Options


This section explains the functions of the commands that display under each menu
option in the CadExchange window.

FILE
The File menu allows you to perform the commands shown below:

Figure 80. CadExchange File menu commands

Convert to CAD

The command allows you to convert and transfer a selected DWG file to a CAD on the
mobile device. The CAD file is copied into the current mobile directory that displays in
the Mobile Directory text box in the EditTrak technology window.
To use the command do the following:
1.

Select Convert to CAD. The File Open dialog box appears as shown below,
allowing you to browse the system to select the drive, directory, and file that you
want.

Figure 81. File Open dialog box

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2.

Highlight the file (one or more) to convert to CAD.

3.

Click the Open button.

Note: You can also convert the files by dragging and dropping DWG/DXF files from
Windows Explorer into the CadExchange window.

Convert CAD to DWG

or DXF

The command enables you to bring files from the mobile device back to the desktop.
Perform one the following procedures to convert a CAD file to DWG or DXF:
Use the command on the pull-down File menu:

1.

Highlight one or more files in the CadExchange Window. (Hold down the Shift
key to select multiple files.)

2.

Click the Convert CAD To command.

3.

Select DWG or DXF.

Use the toolbar button:

1.

Highlight one or more files in the CadExchange Window.

2.

Click the Convert to DWG or Convert to DXF button.

Use the file shortcut menu:

1.

Highlight a file in the CadExchange window.

2.

Place your cursor on the highlighted file and right-click the mouse.

3.

Select Convert to DWG or Convert to DXF from the popup menu that appears, as
shown below.

Figure 82. Convert to DWG or DXF popup menu

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Use Convert to Cad and then set the preferences:

1.

Click the Convert to CAD button. The File Open dialog box appears, allowing you
to browse the system.

2.

Select the type of file that you wish to create on the desktop.

3.

Click File and then Save As. The Save As dialog box appears as shown in the
following example:

Figure 83. Save As dialog box in CadExchange

4.

Select the location and file name for the file to be converted and click the Save
button.

Note: The format and version of the file are controlled through the preference settings
as described in the Preferences section.
Update the Mobile File

The command allows you to update the drawing file on your mobile device. Do the
following to perform the command:
1.

Highlight a remote file name in the CadExchange window.

2.

Do either of the following:

Click the File menu and select Update Mobile File.

Place the cursor on the selected file, right-click the mouse, and select Update
Mobile File from the shortcut menu that appears.

CadExchange displays the progress of the update as shown in the following


Conversion Progress dialog box.

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Figure 84. Conversion Progress dialog box in CadExchange


Replay Transactions

The command enables you to replay (merge) any file edits from the mobile device.
Warning: Make sure that you do not have the source file open in your desktop CAD
package. Most desktop CAD systems lock open files and this prevents CadExchange
from opening the file and performing the merge.

To perform the replay, do any of the following:

Select the files to merge and click the Replay Transactions button on the
toolbar.

Select the files to merge, click the File menu, and select Replay Transactions.

Place the cursor on a selected file, right-click the mouse, and select Replay
Transactions from the shortcut menu that appears.

A message such as the following appears:

Figure 85. Transaction Replay message dialog box

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View Transactions

The command lets you view edits made to a drawing file via your Internet Explorer
prior to updating the desktop file.
To use the command, do the following:
1.

Highlight the desired file in the CadExchange window.

2.

Place the cursor on the selected file and right-click the mouse.

3.

Select View Transactions in the shortcut menu that pops up. A transaction log
name displays, as shown in the following example.

Note: Depending on the file that you selected, there could be more than one name
displayed. Some CAD files may have multiple transaction logs.

Figure 86. View Transactions shortcut menu in CadExchange

4.

106

Select the log that you want to view and it displays as shown in the example
below.

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Appendix ACadExchange

Figure 87. Example PocketCAD Transaction Log

Clear All Transactions

The command lets you delete EditTrak transaction files that are associated with the
selected CAD file. Perform either of the following procedures to delete the files from
the mobile device:
Use the command on the pull-down menu:

1.

Select a CAD file in the CadExchange Window.

2.

Click the File menu.

3.

Select Clear All Transactions.

Use the file shortcut menu:

1.

Select a CAD file in the CadExchange window.

2.

Place your cursor on the highlighted file and right-click the mouse.

3.

Select Clear All Transactions from the popup menu that appears.

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Delete

The command allows you to delete selected files from the mobile device. To delete files
do any of the following:

Select the files to delete and click the Delete button on the toolbar.

Select the files to delete, click the File menu, and select Delete.

Place the cursor on a selected file, right-click the mouse, and select Delete from the
shortcut menu that appears.

Open Desktop File

The command enables you to launch the desktop CAD system to display and review
the original source of the CAD file. To display the desktop CAD file, do either of the
following:
Use the command on the pull-down menu:

1.

Select a file in the CadExchange Window.

2.

Click the File menu.

3.

Select Open Desktop File. The AutoCAD window and your file appear as shown
in Figure 88.

Use the file shortcut menu:

1.

Select a CAD file in the CadExchange window.

2.

Place your cursor on the highlighted file and right-click the mouse.

3.

Select Open Desktop CAD File from the popup menu that appears. The AutoCAD
window and your file appear as shown in Figure 88.

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Figure 88. Desktop version of the CAD file


Properties

Each CAD file possesses its own set of properties. The command allows you to view the
properties of a CAD file. To display a files properties, do either of the following:
Use the command on the pull-down menu:

1.

Select a file in the CadExchange Window.

2.

Click the File menu.

3.

Select Properties. The Properties dialog box appears as shown in Figure 89.

Use the file shortcut menu:

1.

Select a file in the CadExchange window.

2.

Place your cursor on the highlighted file and right-click the mouse.

3.

Select Properties from the popup menu that appears. The Properties dialog box
appears as shown in Figure 89.

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Figure 89. Properties dialog box

4.

Click Close when you are finished.

Exit

The command allows you to exit from the CadExchange application.

CONNECTION
Most of the time if you are connected via ActiveSync you will probably be connected to
CadExchange. However, there may be times when you want to control your
connection. The Connection menu provides such functionality.

Figure 90. CadExchange Connect menu


Connect

To connect CadExchange to your mobile device, do the following:


1.

Ensure that ActiveSync is connected.

2.

Click the Connection menu and select the Connect command.

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Disconnect

To disconnect CadExchange from your mobile device, click on the Connection menu
and then select Disconnect. You can use ActiveSync to disconnect as well.
Refresh

There is no automatic refresh for the display of files in the CadExchange window. It is
recommended that you select the Refresh button after you delete or drag and drop
files. The Refresh action initiates a scan of the mobile device and displays the files
that are currently located in the working directory.
Tip: If ActiveSync is not connecting, try removing the connecting cable, resetting the
device, and then plugging the device back into the connection cable (or cradle).

TOOLS
The Tools menu provides access to Preference settings and the Advance tools of
CadExchange.

Figure 91. CadExchange Tools menu


Preferences

This command allows you to set the format and version of the DWG and DXF file types
that are created when you transfer files from the mobile device to the desktop CAD
system. You can also:

Set the directories where the CadExchange and Transaction Replay system files
are stored

Create a .BAK backup file prior to the merge of transaction files by putting a
checkmark in the Backup Desktop File Before Replaying Transaction box

To use the command do the following:


1.

Click the Tools menu option and select Preferences. The Preferences dialog box
appears as shown in Figure 92.

2.

Set the DWG format and version in the DWG Save Format pull-down list box.
Your choices are: R13, R14, 2000.

3.

Set the DXF format and version in the DXF Save Format pull-down list box. Your
choices are: R12, R13, R14, A2000

4.

Click OK.

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Figure 92. CadExchange window - Preferences dialog box

Note: If you are replaying transactions CadExchange will store the file in its original
format.

Advanced

There may be times when you want to copy CAD files from your mobile device but you
do not want them converted yet. This might occur if there is an issue with a file and
technical support or Arc Seconds Engineering department needs to see the file. It
might also occur if you want to copy a library of symbols from one mobile device to
another.
To move files from the mobile device to the desktop without converting them, do the
following:
1.

Select the files that you want to move.

2.

Click the Tools menu.

3.

Click Advanced and then select Transfer CAD File To Desktop. A File Save dialog
box appears.

4.

Set the directory where you want the file moved to.

5.

Click Save.

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Appendix BLoading Add-Ins

Appendix BLoading Add-Ins

his is a new capability in version 4.0. Add-ins are extensions to PocketCAD


PRO that are made using the PocketCAD SDK. They provide third party
developers with the tools to extend PocketCAD PROs capability. Add-ins can
range from simple utilities to full blown applications.

Do the following to load an Add-in:


1.

Turn on the Windows-powered mobile device (or the Palm or Hand held PC). The
Today window appears.

2.

Click on the Start icon in the upper left corner of the window. A drop-down
menu displays. Choose the Programs option.

3.

Click the PocketCAD PRO icon to start the program.

4.

Click the Tools button in the lower left corner of the window. A menu of
commands displays as shown below.

Figure 93. PocketCAD PRO window Add-ins

5.

Click Addins. The Loaded Add-Ins dialog box appears as shown in Figure 94.
This dialog box allows you to load or unload Add-ins.

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Appendix BLoading Add-Ins

Figure 94. Loaded Add-Ins dialog box

6.

Click the Load button to load an Add-in. The File Open dialog box appears as
shown in Figure 95. Browse the system to find the Add-in to load.

Note: On Windows-powered mobile devices the Add-ins must be located in the My


Documents directory or a sub-directory of My Documents.

Figure 95. Open dialog box for Add-ins

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7.

Double click on the PRX file to add it into PocketCAD PRO. Any buttons that are
associated with that Add-in will appear in the toolbar.

A check mark to the


left of the Add-in
denotes that it will be
loaded automatically
the next time that
PocketCAD PRO is
launched.

To unload an Add-in, highlight


it in this dialog box and click
the Unload button.

Figure 96. Unload an Add-in

8.

Pick OK to exit from this dialog box after loading the Add-in.

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Index

Index

A
Add-ins
definition of 113
Loaded Add-Ins dialog box 114
purpose 113

B
blocking tools 63

C
CadExchange
description of 10
File Management toolbar 101
file transfer methods 16
launching a session 98
main window 15, 100
overview of 97
replay transactions (merge) 17
use of 97
CadExchange command
Connection>Advanced>Transfer to CAD File 112
Connection>Connect 110
Connection>Disconnect 111
Connection>Refresh 111
File>Clear All Transactions 107
File>Convert CAD to DWG or DXF 103
File>Convert to CAD 102
File>Delete 108
File>Exit 110
File>Open Desktop File 108
File>Properties 109
File>Replay Transactions 105

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Index

File>Update Mobile File 104


File>View Transactions 106
Tools>Preferences 111
CadExchange menu options
Connection 110
File 102
Tools 111
concentric circles 46
continuous lines 49
convert CAD to DWG or DXF files 17
create a new drawing
editing entities 41
Select tool 41
snapping to end points 43
Pick Points tool 43
specifying points 37
Set Points tool 37

D
dialog boxes
Color pallet 29
Insert Block 64
Loaded Add-Ins 113
Make Block 64
Object Property 85
Offfset Tool 83
Options 23
Pick Point Settings 43
Rotation Angle 81
Set First Point 38
Text Designer 72
Unit Preferences 27
Write Block 69
drag and drop files from decktop to mobile device 16
drawing tools 45

E
editing tools 75
EditTrak
description of 10

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Index

overview of 98
use of 98

H
hide the toolbar 21

I
inquiry tools 93
installation
Add-ins 113
CadExchange 14
Microsoft ActiveSync 13
PocketCAD PRO 14

M
merge files from mobile device to desktop 17

N
New PocketCAD PRO 4.0 features
list of 10

P
pen style 19
place, move, and lift 19
Pick Points tool
overview 19
PocketCAD PRO
description of 9
display bar 20
main window 20, 35
one hand controls 34
button control 34
rocker control 34
Options dialog box 23
Options settings
Auto-Hide Toolbars 25
set background color 24

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Index

set elevation 26
set point size 26
set text height 26
turn on coordinate display 24
use a template 24
Preferences settings
set units 27
Start menu 35
start the program 35
support for 9
Web site 9
PocketCAD PRO display bar
Color pallet button 29
Layer View button 29
Pen/Keyboard toggle button 21
Show/Hide toggle button 21
Text entry button 20
Tool dependent availability
Polyline Arc button 33, 50
Polyline Close button 33, 50
Polyline Direction button 33, 50
Polyline Line/Arc button 33, 50
Polyline Undo Vertex button 33, 50
Select Entity Add button 32, 42
Select Entity Clear button 32, 42
Select Entity Remove button 32, 42
Tool Select button 31
Tools menu button 22

S
select entities in a drawing 41
set absolute X/Y coordinates 40
set drawing parameters 23
Set Points tool
overview 19
set the relative distance and direction from the base point 38
set the relative X/Y coordinates 40
set unit preferences
angular units 28
dimension precision 28
display mode 28
System Specifications 10

120

PocketCAD PRO User Guide

Index

T
toggle button usage 20
toggle to keyboard or pen 21
Toolbar 31
Block Tools 63
Blocks 63
Explode Objects 74
Text Attributes 71
Drawing Tools 45
Arcs 54
Circles 45
Dimensions 60
Layers 57
Lines 47
Pick Points 57
Points 45
Rectangle 55
Set Points 57
Text 56
Editing Tools 75
Common Boundaries 82
Copy 78
Delete 76
Layers 84
Move 76
Object Properties Page 84
Offset 83
Rotate 80
Select 76
Set Points 76
Trim 81
Undo and Redo 76
Inquiry Tools 93
Measure 94
Object Properties Page 94
Pan 93
Zoom 93
Table showing button icons, tool names, and descriptions 31
types of tools 31
Tools
Aligned Dimensions tool 61
Arc with Center tool 54
Arc with Three Points tool 54
Change Layer tool 84
Circle with Center Point and Radius tool 45
Circle with Three Points tool 47
Circle with Two Points tool 47
Copy tool 78

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121

Index

Delete tool 76
Explode tool 74
Extend tool 82
Horizontal Dimensions tool 60
Insert Block tool 63
Insert Block dialog box 63
Layers tool 57, 84
Layer dialog box 58
Line tool 48
Make Block tool 66
Make Block dialog box 66
Measure tool 94
Move tool 76
Object Properties Page tool 84
view/change arcs 87
view/change block attributes 92
view/change blocks 91
view/change circles 88
view/change layers 84
view/change lines 86
view/change polylines 90
view/change text 89
Offset Tool 83
Pan tool 93
Pick Points tool 43
Modes 43
Pick Points dialog box 43
Points tool 45
Polyline tool 50
Polyline tool buttons 50
Rectangle tool 55
Redo tool 76
Rotate tool 80
Select Entity tool 41
Set Points tool 37
Set Points dialog box 37
Sketch tool 53
Text tool 56
Create Attributes 71
Text Designer dialog box 72
Trim tool 81
Undo tool 76
Vertical Dimensions tool 60
Write Block tool 69
Write Block dialog box 69
Zoom Extents tool 94
Zoom Previous tool 94

122

PocketCAD PRO User Guide

Index

Zoom Window tool 93


Tools menu options 22
About 23
Addins>Loaded Add-ins dialog box 23
Exit 23
File>New 22
File>Open 22
File>Preferences 22
File>Save 22
File>Save As 22
Options>Options dialog box 22

U
unselect entities in a drawing 41
update the mobile file 17

PocketCAD PRO User Guide

123

Index

124

PocketCAD PRO User Guide

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