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PocketCAD PRO
Version 4.0
May 2001
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.
ii
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
iii
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
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
iv
INDEX...................................................................................................................117
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
vi
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vii
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1Introduction
Thank you for purchasing PocketCAD PROthe only fully
functional CAD software for Windows powered mobile devices.
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.
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.
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.
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.
10
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.
11
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.
2.
3.
Click the
4.
Type d:\setup.exe (where D is the CD-ROM drive) in the Open text box and
click OK.
5.
6.
Make the connection and then turn on the Windows-powered mobile device.
7.
12
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.
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.
2.
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.
Start button and select the Run command. The Run dialog box
Click the
Start button in the toolbar that is located in the top left corner
of the Windows-powered mobile device.
b.
13
2.
14
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.
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
Local Location: The location of the source .CAD file on your desktop PC
15
3Using CadExchange
Remote Size: The size of the .CAD file on the Windows-powered mobile device
Desktop PC
To:
Method:
From:
To:
Desktop PC
Method:
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.
16
3Using CadExchange
2.
Place the cursor on the selected file, right-click the mouse, and select Update
Mobile File from the shortcut menu that appears.
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.
2.
Select the .CAD file to merge, click the File menu, and select Replay Edits.
17
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.
Highlight one or more .CAD files in the CadExchange window. (Hold down the
Shift key to select multiple files.)
2.
3.
Click the Convert CAD To command and then select DWG or DXF.
DWG or
1.
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.
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.
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.
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.
18
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 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.
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
19
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.
20
Header Bar
Drawing window
6 7
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.
21
22
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
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.
23
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.
Click the Tools button (labeled as number 2 in Figure 3) in the Display Bar. The
menu displays.
2.
Click on OK to save
your changes.
24
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.
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.
25
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.
Figure 9. PocketCAD PRO window with white background and toolbar hidden
26
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 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.
27
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.
Click the down arrow to display the list of choices as shown in the following
examples.
28
29
2.
Click the Color button in the Display bar. The color pallet appears as shown in
Figure 11.
3.
30
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.
31
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
32
Type/Description
Pan
Zoom Previous
Zoom Window
Zoom Extents
Pick Points
Set Points
D/E
Measure
Undo
Type/Description
Redo
Layers
D/E
Change Layer
Select Entity
+
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
Delete
Move
Copy
E/D
Rotate
Trim
Extend
Offset
Points
Circle with
Center Point
33
Type/Description
Circle with 2
Points
Circle with 3
Points
Line
Polyline
34
Sketch
Rectangle
Text
D/B
Insert Block
Explode
Make Block
Type/Description
Write Block
Horizontal
Dimensions
Vertical
Dimensions
Aligned
Dimensions
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.
35
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.
3.
36
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.
Click the Tools menu button on the Display bar. (Refer to Figure 15). A list of
menu options displays.
2.
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:
37
1.
2.
Click on the File option in the menu bar. The following list of commands is
displayed.
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:
Note: The words objects and entities are used interchangeably in this document.
Placing the pen on the screen, moving to the desired point, and lifting the pen
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.
38
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.
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
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.
39
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
40
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.
41
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.
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.
42
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.
43
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.
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.
44
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.)
45
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.
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.
46
6Drawing Tools
The following example shows how to use the Set Points tool to draw a circle with a
radius of 2.25.
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.
1.
2.
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.
47
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.
Circle with Three Points tool. This tool creates a circle by fitting a circle through
three picked points.
Drawing Lines
There are three tools that allow you to draw lines:
Line tool
Polyline tool
Sketch tool
48
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.
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.
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.
49
6Drawing Tools
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.
50
6Drawing Tools
Polyline tool. Polylines are drawing elements that consist of connected lines or
connected arc segments as shown below.
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.
51
6Drawing Tools
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.
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.
52
6Drawing Tools
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.
Note: Pick Points can be set to insure accurate drawing. Set Points can also be used
to draw polylines accurately.
53
6Drawing Tools
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.
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.
54
6Drawing Tools
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.
Arc with Center tool. This tool creates an arc line by specifying the center, start,
and end of the Arc.
55
6Drawing Tools
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.
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.
56
6Drawing Tools
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.
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.
57
6Drawing Tools
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.
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.
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.
Layer names can be as long as you want. There is no character length limit.
58
6Drawing Tools
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.
To look at Layer information, pick the Layer tool in the toolbar. The Layer dialog box
opens as shown in Figure 37.
59
6Drawing Tools
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.
60
6Drawing Tools
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.
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.
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.
61
6Drawing Tools
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.
62
7Block Tools
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.
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.
63
7Block Tools
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.
64
7Block Tools
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.
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.
65
7Block Tools
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.
2.
Pick the Make Block command. The Make Block dialog box appears as shown in
Figure 47.
66
7Block Tools
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.
67
7Block Tools
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.
68
7Block Tools
Writing a Block
Write Block tool. This tool creates a separate file from either:
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
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.
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.
69
7Block Tools
4.
5.
Use the pen to pick the name for the new file when prompted to do so.
Use the Select tool to select the desired objects as shown in Figure 52.
7Block Tools
2.
Pick the Write Block tool. The Write Block dialog box appears with the radio
button checked for Current Selection.
3.
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.
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.
Pick the Text tool. The Text Designer dialog box appears as shown in Figure 54.
71
7Block Tools
2.
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.
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.
72
7Block Tools
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.
73
7Block Tools
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.
Open the drawing in the PocketCAD PRO window that contains the grouping
that you want to explode.
2.
3.
74
8Editing Tools
8Editing Tools
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.
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.
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8Editing Tools
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.
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
76
8Editing Tools
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.
2.
3.
4.
Pick Point 2 on the screen. Figure 58 shows the objects in both their original and
new positions.
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.
2.
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.
77
8Editing Tools
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.
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.
2.
78
8Editing Tools
3.
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.
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.
2.
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.
79
8Editing Tools
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.
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.
2.
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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8Editing Tools
5.
Click on the OK button in the Header Bar. PocketCAD PRO rotates the selection
about the specified base point.
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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8Editing Tools
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.
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8Editing Tools
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.
2.
Pick the Offset tool. The Offset dialog box appears as shown in Figure 64.
3.
4.
Click on the OK button in the Header Bar. You are returned to the PocketCAD
PRO window.
5.
6.
83
8Editing Tools
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.
1.
2.
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.
6.
Click on the OK button in the Header Bar to save the edits. The entity that you
had selected is updated.
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.
84
8Editing Tools
Pick on the Layer property and a list box displays the available layers that you
can choose from.
2.
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.
85
8Editing Tools
The dialog boxes for the entity types are shown on the following pages.
Lines
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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8Editing Tools
Arcs
About arcs . . .
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.
87
8Editing Tools
Circles
About circles . . .
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.
88
8Editing Tools
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
89
8Editing Tools
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.
90
8Editing Tools
Blocks
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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8Editing Tools
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.
92
9Inquiry Tools
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.
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.
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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9Inquiry Tools
3.
1.
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.
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.
94
9Inquiry Tools
Note. The Options Settings (Tools menu>Options>Options dialog box) control the units
that the values display in.
95
9Inquiry Tools
96
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.
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:
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
97
Appendix ACadExchange
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.
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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Appendix ACadExchange
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.
4.
5.
99
Appendix ACadExchange
The columns (left to right) in the window display the following information:
The location of the mobile device where the remote files are located
100
Appendix ACadExchange
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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Appendix ACadExchange
FILE
The File menu allows you to perform the commands shown below:
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.
102
Appendix ACadExchange
2.
3.
Note: You can also convert the files by dragging and dropping DWG/DXF files from
Windows Explorer into the CadExchange window.
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.
3.
1.
2.
1.
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.
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Appendix ACadExchange
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:
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.
2.
Place the cursor on the selected file, right-click the mouse, and select Update
Mobile File from the shortcut menu that appears.
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Appendix ACadExchange
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.
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.
105
Appendix ACadExchange
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.
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.
4.
106
Select the log that you want to view and it displays as shown in the example
below.
Appendix ACadExchange
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.
2.
3.
1.
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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Appendix ACadExchange
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.
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.
2.
3.
Select Open Desktop File. The AutoCAD window and your file appear as shown
in Figure 88.
1.
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.
108
Appendix ACadExchange
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.
2.
3.
Select Properties. The Properties dialog box appears as shown in Figure 89.
1.
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.
109
Appendix ACadExchange
4.
Exit
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.
2.
110
Appendix ACadExchange
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.
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
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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Appendix ACadExchange
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.
2.
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.
112
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.
4.
Click the Tools button in the lower left corner of the window. A menu of
commands displays as shown below.
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.
113
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.
114
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.
8.
Pick OK to exit from this dialog box after loading the Add-in.
115
116
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
117
Index
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
118
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
119
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
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
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
Index
U
unselect entities in a drawing 41
update the mobile file 17
123
Index
124