BricscadV12ForAutoCADusers-en US PDF

Ralph Grabowski
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Copyright Information
Fourth edition based on Bricscad V12
18 November 2011
Copyright 2011 by upFront.eZine Publishing,
Ltd. All rights reserved worldwide.
Visit the Bricscad for AutoCAD Users Web site at

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Technical Writer Ralph Grabowski
Copy Editor
Stephen Dunning
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ii
Bricsad V12 for AutoCAD Users
This book is sold as is, without warranty of any kind, either express
or implied, respecting the contents of this book and any disks or
programs that may accompany it, including but not limited to implied
warranties for the books quality, performance, merchantability, or
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Table of Contents
1 Bricscad for AutoCAD Users....................................1

The Entire Bricscad Product Line........................................... 2
Risky Business.................................................................................... 2
Bricsys Business................................................................................. 3
Bricscad CAD Software................................................................................................. 3
Vondle Project Management........................................................................................... 4
Chapoo Bizz................................................................................................................ 4
eBridge....................................................................................................................... 5
The Advantages of Bricscad ................................................. 6

Near-identical User Interface................................................................ 6
Additional Commands and System Variables........................................... 7
Support for Multiple Operating Systems................................................. 7
3D Direct Modeling and Constraints....................................................... 7
APIs........................................................................................................................... 8
Examples of Add-ons.................................................................................................... 9
No-charge Developer Network.............................................................. 9

Lower Purchase and Maintenance Pricing...............................................10
It Makes More than Cents.............................................................................................10
Bricscad is Not IntelliCAD................................................... 11

Whats Missing from Bricscad...............................................................12
System Requirements........................................................ 13
Recommended Hardware.....................................................................13
Operating Systems.............................................................................14
AutoCAD-Bricscad Dictionary.........................................................................................................16
Table of Contents
iii
2 Comparing the User Interfaces.............................17

Comparison of User Interfaces.......................................................................................................18
Summary of User Interface Elements..............................................................................................20
User Interface Variations.................................................... 21

: vs Command:...............................................................................21
Prompt Menu.....................................................................................21
Controlling the Prompt Menu.........................................................................................22
More Command Options...............................................................................................22
Quad Cursor......................................................................................23
Options vs Settings........................................................... 24
Brief Tour of Bricscads Settings Dialog Box............................................25
Opening and Closing Nodes..........................................................................................25
Accessing and Changing Values.....................................................................................26
Realtime Search..........................................................................................................26
Exporting Settings.......................................................................................................27
SetVar Command........................................................................................................27
Properties Palette vs Properties Bar..................................... 28

Properties Bar....................................................................................28
Status Bar..................................................................................................................29
Selection Sets....................................................................................30
DesignCenter vs Drawing Explorer....................................... 31
3 Drawing File Compatibility....................................35

DWG 2012 Compatibility.................................................... 36
How Entities Are Tested......................................................................36
Decoding the Legend..........................................................................36
Problem Entity Summary..............................................................................................37
Better DWG Support with Each Release..........................................................................40
DWG Object Support......................................................... 41

2D Entities Supported.........................................................................41
Geometric and Dimensional Constraints................................................43
Text Entities Supported.......................................................................44
Dimension Entities Supported..............................................................46
Complex 2D Entities Supported............................................................48
iv
3D Entities Supported.........................................................................51
Compatibility of Properties................................................. 55
Compatibility of Layer Properties..........................................................55
Compatibility of Styles........................................................................56
Dimension Styles........................................................................................................56
Leader and Multiline Leader Styles.................................................................................57
MText and Text Styles..................................................................................................57
Multiline Styles...........................................................................................................59
Plot Styles..................................................................................................................59
Table Styles................................................................................................................60
Visual Styles...............................................................................................................61
4 Customizing and Programming Bricscad...............63

Areas of Customization.................................................................................................................64
Options vs Settings........................................................... 65
File Paths..........................................................................................65
User Profiles......................................................................................66
Roaming Profiles.........................................................................................................67
APIs Supported by Bricscad V12 for Linux........................................................................................68
Accessing Hidden Folders.............................................................................................68
Cui vs Customize.............................................................. 69
Importing AutoCAD Menus............................................................................................................70
Customizing Menus in Bricscad........................................... 71

About Copying Files .....................................................................................................................72
Useful Menu Tips.........................................................................................................74
Creating New Menu Items...................................................................75

Macro Metacharacters.........................................................................77
Menu Design Conventions.............................................................................................77
Diesel........................................................................................................................77
Context Menus...................................................................................78
Toolbars ...........................................................................................79
Keyboard Shortcuts ...........................................................................81
Mouse Buttons and Double-click Actions................................................82
Double-Click Actions....................................................................................................82
Tablet Buttons and Menus...................................................................84
Table of Contents
Aliases and Shell Commands...............................................................85

Shell Commands.........................................................................................................86
Other Areas of Customization............................................. 87

Fonts ...............................................................................................87
TrueType Fonts............................................................................................................87
SHX Fonts..................................................................................................................87
PFB Fonts...................................................................................................................87
Font Mapping..............................................................................................................88
eTransmit...................................................................................................................88
Linetypes and Hatch Patterns...............................................................89

Plot Styles.........................................................................................90
Plotter Manager..........................................................................................................91
Supported Files................................................................. 92
Programming Considerations.............................................. 96
Porting AutoLISP to LISP.....................................................................97
Porting DCL to Bricscad................................................................................................97
Porting Diesel to Bricscad.............................................................................................97
Porting VBA to Bricscad (Windows Only)................................................97

Porting ADS to SDS............................................................................97
Porting ARX to BRX............................................................................98
Porting ARX to TX........................................................................................................98
Porting COM to Bricscad......................................................................98

Loading Applications into Bricscad........................................................99
Units.........................................................................................................................99
Third-party Developer Support........................................................... 100

Bricscad V12 Automation Object Model......................................................................... 101
vi
5 Operating the Dual CAD Design Office.................103

Reasons for Operating Multiple CAD Systems ..................... 104
Cost............................................................................................... 104
Solutions to High License Fees.................................................................................... 104
Compatibility................................................................................... 105
Capability........................................................................................ 106
Running Bricscad and AutoCAD in One Office...................... 107

Dividing the Workflow Between AutoCAD and Bricscad.......................... 107
Strategic Implementation.................................................................. 108
Dual OS Office................................................................ 109

Solving the Problems of Porting Software to Linux................................ 109
User Interface .......................................................................................................... 109
APIs........................................................................................................................ 109
Benefits of Linux.............................................................................. 110

Linux is Free............................................................................................................. 110
Linux is Hardware-Efficient......................................................................................... 110
Linux Is Malware-free................................................................................................ 111
Linux is Hardware-compatible..................................................................................... 111
Linux Dual-boots....................................................................................................... 111
Drawbacks to Linux.......................................................................... 112

Lack of identical software........................................................................................... 112
Which Linux? ........................................................................................................... 112
Problematic Installers ............................................................................................... 113
Competing GUIs ....................................................................................................... 114
Table of Contents
vii
Appendices
A Cross-reference of
AutoCAD & Bricscad Command Names................115
X-Commands................................................................................... 134
X-Tools..................................................................................................................... 134
X-Hardware.............................................................................................................. 135
B Cross-reference of
AutoCAD & Bricscad Variables..............................137
C Cross-reference of
AutoCAD & Bricscad Command Aliases................163
D Cross-reference of
AutoCAD & Bricscad Keystrokes and Buttons.....175
Keyboard Shortcuts: Drawing Area.................................... 176
Function Keys.................................................................................. 176
Ctrl Keys......................................................................................... 177
Shift Keys....................................................................................... 179
Other Keys...................................................................................... 180
Keyboard Shortcuts: Text Window & Command Bar............................... 180
Mouse and Tablet Buttons................................................ 181

Mouse Buttons................................................................................. 181
Tablet Buttons................................................................................. 182
viii
chapter 1
Bricscad for
AutoCAD Users
THIS BOOK IS DESIGNED to help you transition from AutoCAD to Bricscad. Here youll learn
about the benefits of using Bricscad in place of AutoCAD. Youll read about the advantages of
switching to this similar CAD package, as well as about some of the transitional issues to watch out
for.
The chapters in this book provide you with information on useful topics, such as DWG file compatibility, differences in the Bricscad user interface and customization, and how the operation of
a dual-CAD design office. The appendices exhaustively cross-reference command names between
the two CAD systems, as well as system variable names, command aliases, shortcut keystrokes, and
mouse button actions.
Now in its fourth edition, this book has been updated with features found in Bricscad V12 and AutoCAD 2012, along with the subtle differences in the Linux version of Bricscad.
Bricscad V12 for AutoCAD Users is meant for you, if you are

an AutoCAD user considering the switch to Bricscad
a firm adding licenses of Bricscad to complement their AutoCAD shop
a company working with clients who use the other CAD package
Or perhaps you are simply wondering about the differences between the market leader, AutoCAD,
and the aggressive up-and-comer, Bricscad. This book is meant for you. Welcome!
Chapter 1: Bricscad for AutoCAD Users
The Entire Bricscad Product Line

Executives at Autodesk have grown the company into a two-billion-dollar-a-year enterprise, the
largest CAD software firm in the history of the world. But dealing with a firm of this enormous size
carries some risk.
Risky Business
Autodesk offers a hundred software packages and bundles (at time of writing). AutoCAD itself
comes in more than twenty variations, such as the LT and vertical versions; it is also available in
complex combinations with Autodesks other software, such as AutoCAD Revit Architecture Visualization Suite and AutoCAD Inventor Routed Systems Suite. It can be tough for potential customers
to determine which one to choose.
Given the large number of programs available from one CAD software company, making purchasing
decisions can be risky, because Autodesk fine-tunes its offerings to maximize profits on behalf of
its shareholders. The software you buy today may not be available tomorrow. In past years, Autodesk abandoned its facilities management software, FMdesktop; halted further development of
its construction management software, Constructware; and orphaned users of Generic CADD, Actrix
Technical, StudioDesk, Mechanical Desktop, Impressions, and other packages.
Once customers decide on which version of AutoCAD to license, salesmen pressure them into
purchasing annual subscriptions. For AutoCAD, the subscription is still optional; for a number other
products, however, annual subscription payments are mandatory, driving up the TCO (total cost of
ownership). To make it more painful to stay off subscriptions, Autodesk last year tripled the upgrade fee to as high as 50% of a products list price. In the case of AutoCAD, this is $2,000.
Autodesk prices tend to be high. Its foundational drafting package, AutoCAD, has a list price of
US$4,000 some 4x to 8x more costly than most other office productivity software. The high
price of AutoCAD is just the start: a previous CEO famously boasted to financial analysts that her
company could make up to 10x more money from customers who move from AutoCAD up a 3D
modeling package. The current CEO has emphasized his plan to increase income from customers
through bundles, which command a higher price tag in exchange for a lower cost of each software
component.
Upon installing the software, customers must agree to onerous terms dictated by Autodesk in its
software license. Most customers never read EULAs (end user license agreements), and so may be
shocked to learn that they are allowing Autodesk to send agents into their private homes and businesses to search for unauthorized copies. The EULA makes it illegal for customers to travel outside
their country with Autodesk software residing on their computer blocking users from taking part
in todays world of globalized business.
In recent years, Autodesk became one of the most litigious of all CAD vendors, launching law suits
against competitors for reasons as trivial as using the color orange for a rectangle on product packaging, or for using the generic DWG file extension in product naming.
Bricscad V12 for AutoCAD Users
Bricsys Business
In contrast to Autodesk, Bricsys makes the choice easy by offering the
following products at reasonable prices:
CAD Software

Bricscad Classic provides budget-priced CAD
Bricscad Pro adds 3D solids modeling, 3D direct modeling, rendering,

and all APIs
Bricscad Platinum adds 3D history-based parametric modeling, 3D

constraints, and parametric parts library
Project Management

Vondle provides browser-based project management; to be renamed Chapoo bizz.
eBridge links Bricscad with Vondle.
Bricscad CAD Software

Bricscad Platinum is the full-featured version of Bricscad: it has everything. The Pro version is almost
identical, leaving out only the parametric-based 3D modeling and 3D constraints. The Classic version costs the least because it leaves out features for which Bricsys has to pay royalties to other
software companies. This means that the Classic version excludes ACIS modeling and editing, and
VBA, BRX, and .Net programming.
Feature
Bricscad Classic
Bricscad Pro
Bricscad Platinum
ACIS 3D solids modeling
Viewing only
Viewing, modeling, and editing
History-based 3D modeling
Viewing only
Viewing only
Direct 3D modeling
Viewing only
Rendering Not available Included Included

Programming
TX
TX, BRX, VBA, and .Net
TX BRX, VBA, and .Net
To read and write DWG and DXF files, Bricscad uses the highly compatible Teigha libraries from
Open Design Alliance. (When ODA renamed DwgDirect to Teigha, it also
renamed the DRX API as TX)
Bricsys doesnt charge customers high prices, doesnt impose mandatory subscriptions, and doesnt sue its competitors. The terms in its
license allow you to use the software in any country, and Bricsys
does not threaten to send agents into your home.
Vondle Project Management

Bricsys offers everyone Vondle, its professional browser-based communication, collaboration, and
project management system. It does not require Bricscad, because it operates in your Web browser.
It is integrated into Bricscad and is available as Vondle Live through IBM LotusLive.
Unlimited access is available to an unlimited number of participants through a yearly flat fee based
on industry type and company size. Vondle project management offers you the following benefits:

Speed. You can view multimegabyte-large drawings in seconds, zooming in on a detail, and examine annotations with fly-over text that lists time stamp and author.
Compliance management. You can follow a continuous audit trail of the entire project process. Vondle
automatically maintains a log file of project activities and participants.
Single access point. You have a repository of all actions, documents, meetings, and participants in a
single location.
No software to install. You work with an ASP (application service provider) system. The software runs on
central servers with guaranteed access 24/7; you only need an Internet connection and a supported Web
browser.
For more information on Vondle, see www.bricsys.com/en_INTL/vondle.
Chapoo Bizz
At time of writing, Bricsys was planning to rename Vondle as Chapoo Bizz. Vondles first name was
Vista, which changed after Microsoft adopted the name for one of its operating systems.
The personal version will be named Chapoo, and works in Web browsers so that it is
OS-independent. It will be made available to every Bricscad V12 user for viewing, sharing, uploading, and managing 50 file formats on 2GB of no-charge online storage space
no subscription required. Files can be shared in Facebook, Twitter, email, or just by
copying a hyperlink .
Versions of Chapoo are being developed for Android and iOS. These cut-down versions
will allow users to view and annotate files.
eBridge
eBridge provides Bricscad with version control, tracks file history, lets others view large CAD files
without downloading, and connects with Vondle. In short, eBridge is the cloud version of eTransmit,
because it connects automatically with Vondles servers and uploads files that you specify. Once files
are on the server, they are checked automatically for modifications, and then updated. It works with
CAD and image files, but not office files, such as Office, OpenOffice, or PDF.
eBridge allows you to give password-protected access to an unlimited number of collaborators

through a user-rights matrix. User actions are all logged, and all project emails are archived. Automated processes are programmed by diagramming them with a workflow engine. The service is
available in 12 languages; works on Windows only.
A thirty-day demo is available from www.bricsys.com/en_INTL/bricscad/ebridge.jsp:
1. Create an eBridge account.
2. Download VondleExplorer (10 MB).
3. Go to Bricscad eBridge, and then logon.
From Bricscad, you access eBridge through File | eTransmit/eBridge/Upload.
The Advantages of Bricscad

Bricscad doesnt just lack the negative aspects of AutoCAD; it has its own advantages. These include
a similar user interface, extra commands and system variables, support for operating systems other
than Windows, built-in direct 3D modeling and editing, 3D constraints, a no-charge developer network, and much lower pricing.
Near-identical User Interface

When you launch Bricscad for the first time, you will notice that it looks very much like AutoCAD
in its Legacy workspace complete with toolbars, menu bar, command prompt, and palettes. See
the figure on the next page. If you dont care for AutoCADs ribbon interface, then you will love
Bricscad for sticking to toolbars and menus.
As amply illustrated by the appendices at the back of this book, Bricscad uses the same names for
many AutoCAD commands, system variables, and aliases. It even has the same keystroke shortcuts.
Those that are missing are probably AutoCAD commands you werent using, such as those for database linkages or surface modeling.
The user interface of Bricscad is available in English and 12 other languages. Chapter 2 describes the
user interface in detail.
Additional Commands and System Variables

AutoCAD boasts more than 1,300 commands and system variables. Bricscad mimics many of them;
in addition, it has a number of useful ones that AutoCAD does not provide.
For example, all object snaps have their own command names, such as Intersection and Midpoint.
Bricscad has a larger number of ways of selecting objects than AutoCAD, such as circular and external selection sets. There ares command for manipulating extended entity data (available in AutoCAD only through programming) and for directly editing 3D models (available in AutoCAD through
an external program).
AutoCAD stores a number of user settings in locations that can be, unfortunately, difficult to access;
some settings are unavailable even through system variables. In contrast, Bricscad summarized all
system variables and options in a single dialog box accessed by the Settings command.
Bricsys adds a large number of useful variables to access and change settings. These are known as
preferences, and include names like BkgColor for specifying the background color of the drawing
area, and CmdLineFontName for setting the name of the font used by the command bar. To change
the values of preferences, you enter their names at the command prompt, through the SetVar command, or in the Settings dialog box.
Support for Multiple Operating Systems

A few years ago, Bricsys rewrote the Bricscad code to make it independent of operating systems.
The company offers versions of Bricscad that run natively on Windows and Linux, and plans to
release one for the Mac OS X operating system in 2012. Currently, you can run the Windows version
on Mac computers through Bootcamp or Parallels.
The company speculates that in the future, Bricscad might even be able to run on operating
systems meant for cell phones (mobile phones or handies) and Web browsers, like Android or
ChromeOS.
For breaking news on Bricscad, sign up for the Bricsys Web sites RSS feed at www.bricsys.com/rss/
rss.jsp ?channel=bcad.
3D Direct Modeling and Constraints

When it comes to 3D design, Bricscad dramatically pulled ahead of AutoCAD in two areas. The V12
Platinum edition can apply 3D constraints and to infer design intent in addition to 2D dimensional and geometric constraints. (The Classic and Pro editions also can apply 2D constraints, as can
recent releases of AutoCAD.)
Also new in the V12s Platinum and Pro editions is built-in direct modeling and editing. While these
actions are possible in AutoCAD, Autodesk encourages users instead to use the bundled Inventor
Fusion software. Unfortunately, while Fusion is running, AutoCAD is frozen.
(These 3D features are possible because of programmers at a Siberian software development firm,
LEDAS. Bricsys liked their software so much that they bought the retail arm, renaming it Bricsys
Technologies Russia.)
Finally, unique to Bricscad is the new Quad cursor, which is meant for use during direct modeling
and editing. When you select a feature, such as a face or edge, it provides quick access to the four
most likely commands needed to manipulate the feature.
APIs
Bricsys is making it easier for third-party developers to adapt their AutoCAD add-ons to Bricscad
just as Bricsys is working to make it easy for AutoCAD users to learn Bricscad. For programmers, this
is done through APIs, short for application programming interfaces, and Bricscad supports almost
the same list of APIs as AutoCAD.
AutoCAD API Equivalent in Bricscad Notes
Action Recorder (*)
Scripts, SCR

AutoCADs Action Recorder scripts cannot be edited;

scripts recorded by Bricscad can be edited.
ActiveX ActiveX In-place editing; not available in Bricscad for Linux.

ADS
SDS

ADS code ported from AutoCAD requires just a recompile using BRX
headers; ADS and SDS are deprecated by Autodesk and Bricsys
ARX
BRX or TX

Ported ARX code requires just a recompile using new BRX headers;
when used with TX (ex-DRX), ported ARX code must be rewritten
AutoLISP
LISP

Ported AutoLISP code runs as-is in Bricscad; no changes needed,

includes support for Vl, Vlr, Vla, and Vlax functions and encryption.
COM
COM
Ported AutoCAD COM code runs as-is in Bricscad; no changes needed;
not available in Bricscad for Linux.
Diesel
Diesel
Ported Diesel code runs as-is in Bricscad; no changes needed
DCL
DCL
Ported DCL code runs as-is in Bricscad; no changes needed
CUI
CUI
Ported AutoCAD menu and toolbar macros work as-in in Bricscad
.Net (managed wrapper classes)

Teigha.NET
Bricscad provides Teigha.NET and extra BRX-managed wrappers;
...
TX
Teigha eXtensions (renamed in V12) from Open Design Alliance;
not available in AutoCAD.
...
VBA
Current AutoCAD VBA code runs as-is in Bricscad for Windows
VBA is deprecated in AutoCAD; not available in Bricscad for Linux.
VSTA ... VSTA is unavailable in Bricscad.
Generally, Bricscad provides a nearly identical subset of equivalent function names. In the case of
non-compiled code, such as LISP and DCL, you just drop it into the Bricscad environment. For compiled code, you recompile it using headers provided by Bricsys to registered developers.
Examples of Add-ons
Independent programmers have written dozens of add-ons that tailor Bricscad for specific applications in the areas of AEC, civil, data exchange, electrical, GIS, survey and mapping, general tools,
HVAC, mechanical, packaging, rendering, and structural design.
Here are a few examples:

ADACX creates and edits ADAC-standard civil infrastructure drawings for Australian Councils.
3DM Export exports Bricscad drawings in Rhinoceros 3DM format.
CivilCAD provides surveying, road construction and design tools, water engineering features, land volume
calculations and real-time 3D simulation.
CADprofi Electrical designs lighting systems, low-tension, power plant, aerial, alarm and other electrical
installations.
GeoBL creates topographic plans, and includes a library with topographic symbols.
StrucPLUS provides a complete set of tools for preparing structural engineering drawings.
For the complete list of applications available for Bricscad, visit the Applications eStore at www.
bricsys.com/common/applications/applicationlist.jsp.
Left to right: CivilCAD2010 and ARKIplan
No-charge Developer Network

Unlike most other CAD vendors, Bricsys does not charge third-party developers. (Autodesk charges
an annual fee of $1,500 and up.) You do not pay a fee to join, you do not pay an annual membership, you do not pay for support, and you do not pay royalties on shipping products.
There is a simple reason why this support network is free. Bricscad decided that to become a successful CAD company, they would encourage the development of many, many add-on applications.
The company feels so strongly about third-party development that it has halted development of its
own add-ons.
Bricsys now concentrates on two things only:

Improving Bricscad
Improving APIs
End users also benefit from APIs. (The application programming interface is the software link
between CAD software and programming languages/compilers.) When a third-party developer
requests an addition to the API, the added code becomes a new feature in Bricscad that end-users
can employ.
Lower Purchase and Maintenance Pricing

The most dramatic difference between Bricscad and AutoCAD is that Bricscad Pro is six times
cheaper than AutoCAD, even with annual maintenance. To put it another way, you can outfit six
workstations with Bricscad Pro for the price of just one with AutoCAD.
You can save even more with Bricscad by switching the operating system from Windows to Linux, as
detailed in Chapter 5.
The list prices at time of writing are as follows:
Item

AutoCAD1
Windows or Mac
AutoCAD LT1
Windows only
Bricscad Platinum2 Bricscad Pro2

Bricscad Classic2
Windows or Linux
License3 $3,995 $1,195 $675 $505 $395

Upgrade4 $1,997 $597 $185 $185 $185
Maintenance
$450/yr
$195/yr
$160/yr
$160/yr
$160/yr
USA pricing only; usually priced higher in other countries

International pricing (one price for all countries)
3
Single-use license; lower pricing available for multi-seat purchases and/or networked versions
4
Upgrade from previous version; upgrades from older versions may be priced higher
1
2
See https://www.bricsys.com/estore/estore.jsp for all details on the pricing of Bricscad products.
It Makes More than Cents

You could ask, Are AutoCADs additional commands worth the $3,325 difference in price? For
some users, it makes sense to pay for the ability to manage sheet sets, generate database links, and
perform 3D mesh modeling.
But other users might think: I can get more mature 3D mesh modeling with Rhino at $1,000, and
then use the Rhino-Bricscad file converter for $95 and still be two thousand dollars ahead. For
example, you could model a boat hull in Rhino, and then draw the 2D details with annotations in
Bricscad. (Rhino is available from Robert McNeel & Associates at www.rhino3d.com/download.htm;
the 3DM converter is sold at the Bricsys eStore.)
10
Bricscad is Not IntelliCAD

Some readers may be familiar with the heritage of Bricscad, and know that it was based originally
on IntelliCAD. Was is the operative word here.
The earliest versions of Bricscad were simply rebranded releases of IntelliCAD, an AutoCAD workalike programmed by the IntelliCAD Technical Consortium. At this time, Belgium-based Bricsys sold
the software primarily in northern Europe.
(A little history: In 1998, the ITC was created by Visio, now part of Microsoft, after deciding it no
longer wanted to be in the CAD market. Visio had originally purchased something named Project
Phoenix from SoftDesk, the largest AutoCAD third-party developer in the world in the mid-1990s.
SoftDesk had begun coding Phoenix after executives worried that Autodesk might cut them off, as
the software giant had done to another major third-party developer. When Autodesk purchased
SoftDesk, the US Federal Trade Commission required it to spin off Phoenix. That was when Visio
made the purchase and renamed it IntelliCAD, but then a few years later it was again spun off, this
time to the ITC. Today, the ITC continues to update IntelliCAD, while consortium members rebrand
the software with additional features for resale in their regions.)
For several years, Bricsys wrote original code for Bricscad, which it contributed to the ITC. This
helped speed up improvements to IntelliCAD, but then Bricsys found that it was writing new code
faster than ITC could integrate it for its members. Bricsys had to decide between forking the code
(creating two versions, their own and an IntelliCAD-compatible one) or going their own way. With
version 8 of Bricscad, they chose the latter.
Not a lot seemed to happen during Bricscad V8 and V9, as the company concentrated on replacing all of ITCs code with its own. As of Bricscad V10, the software became 100% Bricsys, and so the
About dialog box no longer mentions IntelliCAD or Visio.
With releases V10 and V11, the number of features in Bricscad grew, and with V12 grew dramatically, after Bricsys purchased the programming division of Russian software company, LEDAS.
11
Whats Missing from Bricscad

Bricscad doesnt have every feature found in AutoCAD. Ive put together a list of the missing things.
As I update this ebook over the years, I find the list becoming shorter. Here it is as of V12:
Aerial view
Animations (walk and fly) Annotation scaling
AutoPublish
CAD standards
Database links
Dynamic blocks*
Markups
3D mesh modeling
Multiline attributes
Multilines
Multline leaders
Quick properties
Quick view thumbnails
Point clouds
Sheet sets**
3D surface modeling*
Tools palettes**
*) Some entities, such as dynamic blocks, cannot be created by Bricscad, but can be edited when
opened from a drawing created in AutoCAD.
**) Sheet sets and Tools palettes are scheduled to be added during the life of V12.
Chapter 3 provides complete details on which AutoCAD entities work in Bricscad, which mostly
work, and those that dont.
At first glance, a few other AutoCAD features also appear to be missing, but with a second glance
you will find that they have near-equivalents in Bricscad:
AutoCAD Feature
Bricscad Equivalent
Command(s) in Bricscad
Action Recorder
Script recorder
RecScript, StopScript
DesignCenter Drawing Explorer Explorer

eTransmit Email drawings Mail
QLeader Leaders DimLeader
Ribbon Toolbars and menus Toolbar, Customize
VSTA VBA and .Net VBA, AppLoad
Workspaces
12
User profile manager
ProfileManager
System Requirements
IT departments appreciate that Bricscad has milder hardware and operating system requirements
than does AutoCAD. This is significant to them for these reasons:

Design firms can run Bricscad on older computers; it is necessary neither to employ high-end hardware
nor to install the special display drivers AutoCAD requires.
Bricscad can access more RAM and CPU speed headroom on newer computers than does AutoCAD.
Recommended Hardware
Autodesk and Bricsys recommend that your computer meet the following specifications. Note that
AutoCAD 2012 will not run on older CPUs lacking SSE2*.
Hardware AutoCAD Bricscad
CPU:

1.6GHz with SSE2* (XP)

2.0GHz dual-core SSE2 (3D modeling)
3.0GHz with SSE2 (Vista and 7)
Apple Mac Pro 4.1 or later;

Mac mini 3.1 or later (4.1 recommended);
MacBook Pro 5.1 or later (6.1 recommended);
MacBook 5.1 or later (7.1 recommended)
iMac 8.1 or later (11.1 recommended);
MacBook Air 2.1 or later;
Minimum RAM:

2GB (Windows)
3GB (OS X)
1GHz Pentium III-compatible CPU
256MB, plus RAM required by OS
Recommended: More 1GB or more

4GB (OS X)
Hard Disk Space:

2GB for installation (Windows)

3GB recommended (OS X)
Minimum Display:
1024x768 with true color (minimum)
Graphics Board:
Windows: 1280x1024, 32-bit

128MB (minimum) workstation-class;

Pixel Shader 3.0 or greater for 3D;

Direct3D for 3D;

supported brands specified
at www.autodesk.com/autocad-graphicscard

100 MB for program files
1024x768 with true color (minimum)

Any graphics board
OS X minimum: 1,280x800 with truecolor

Recommended: 1600x1200 with truecolor
Pointing Device Mouse (Windows) Mouse

Apple or Microsoft mouse (OS X)

*) SSE2 is short for streaming SIMD (single instruction, multiple data) extension 2. It allows CPUs to assist
with certain math functions and vector transformations of the sort used by CAD applications.
13
Operating Systems
Bricsys supports Bricscad running on several dialects of Linux as well as on new and older releases
of the Windows operating system. Autodesk has not announced a Linux version.
Autodesk has a version of AutoCAD for the Mac, but it is missing numerous commands and most
APIs. For several years, Bricsys announced it would ship a Mac version, but has not done so yet.
Here are the operating system on which the CAD systems run:
AutoCAD Bricscad
... Windows NT
... Windows 2000
Windows XP SP2
Windows XP
Windows Vista SP1
Windows Vista
Windows 7 Windows 7
Mac OS X v10.6.4 or later
Mac (announced but not shipped)
... Ubuntu Linux

... Fedora Linux
... OpenSuse Linux
Linux other
The Windows versions of AutoCAD require Internet Explorer 7 or later; Bricscad does not.
I briefly tested both CAD systems on the developer release of Windows 8, and they seem to run
well.
14
IN SUMMARY, Bricscad operates much like AutoCAD yet is much more economical. In the following chapters, we delve deeper into the themes sketched out by this chapter.
Just as you can try out AutoCAD free for 30 days, you can install and run the Linux and Windows
versions of Bricscad for 30 days at no charge from http://www.bricsys.com. Only Microsofts VBA is
disabled in the trial version. The size of the Bricscad download file is 126MB, more than ten times
smaller than AutoCADs 1.5GB download file.
15
AutoCAD-Bricscad Dictionary
Bricscads terms closely follow AutoCADs jargon, but there are a few differences.
AutoCAD Term Bricscad Equivalent
ADS
SDS (Software development system)
ARX

BRX (Bricscad runtime extension)

TX (Teigha runtime extension)
AutoLISP LISP
DesignCenter Explorer
Implied Intersection 3dIntersection
Intersection 2dIntersection
Object Entity
Options Settings
Osnap Esnap (entity snap)
Palette Pane
VisualStyle ShadeMode
Workspace
Xdata
16
User profile manage
EED (extended entity data)
chapter 2
Comparing the User

Interfaces
BRICSCAD LOOKS LIKE AutoCAD when its workspace is set to AutoCAD Classic, as illustrated on
the next page.
As in AutoCAD, Bricscad defines aspects of its user interface through the content of CUI files, the
values of system variables, and other settings. Overall, AutoCAD has more capability through CUI,
while Bricscad provides more control through its variables.
In this chapter, you learn about the similarities and differences between the user interfaces of the
two CAD systems.
Chapter 2: Comparing the User Interfaces
17
Comparison of User Interfaces
Title bar
At right: Bricscad V12 in Windows

Below: AutoCAD 2012 with Classic workspace
Command prompt
18
Menu bar
Toolbar
Drawing area
Prompt menu
Crosshair cursor
Properties bar
UCS icon
Layout tabs
Coordinates
Text and
dimension styles
Status bar
19
Summary of User Interface Elements

Bricscad and AutoCAD have similar user interface elements, although some are unique to each package. This
table indicates the UI elements present in each CAD package. Those discussed in this chapter are shown in blue.
AutoCAD UI Element
Bricscad Equivalent
Customizable user interface
Customizable user interface
Menu bar (turned off in default workspace)
Menu bar
Toolbars (turned off in default workspace)
Toolbars
Scroll bars (turned off by default)
Scroll bars
Command bar Command bar

Tooltips Tooltips
Layout tabs Layout tabs
Status bar Status bar
Workspaces
User Profile Manager
Ribbon ...
Rollover tooltips ...
QuickView layouts and drawings ...
On the Drawing Screen
Tri-color cursor Tri-color cursor
UCS icon UCS icon
Aperture & pickbox cursors
Aperture & pickbox cursors
... Quad cursor

Grips Grips
Selection highlighting & previews
Selection highlighting & previews
AutoSnap markers & Autotrack vectors
AutoSnap markers & Autotrack vectors
Selection modes: 13
Selection modes: 18
Subentity selection Subentity selection

Steering wheels ...
Navigation cube ...
Command Bar and Mouse
Keyboard input Keyboard input
AutoComplete ...
... Customizable command prompt
Dynamic input Dynamic input
Keyboard shortcuts Keyboard shortcuts
... Prompt (options) menus
Double-click actions Double-click actions
Mouse buttons Mouse buttons
Shortcut menus Shortcut menus
Information Centers
DesignCenter Explorer
Properties palette Properties pane

Tool palettes ...
InfoCenter ...
... Prompts on status bar
Quick Access toolbar ...
Quick Properties palettes ...
20
User Interface Variations

AutoCAD and Bricscad sport user interfaces that look similar to each other. They both have toolbars, a menu bar, dynamic input, palettes, shortcut menus, and so on. There are, however, some
subtle differences surrounding the prompt menu, command prompt, and some of the command
options, which Ill describe here.
: vs Command:
As its command prompt, Bricscad uses : to indicate it is ready for you to enter a command. (AutoCAD uses Command:).
If you prefer the AutoCAD type of prompt, you can change it through the Settings dialog box.
Search for prompt prefix.
Enter any text you like, even something silly.
Prompt Menu
One user interface element is unique to Bricscad: the prompt menu. This is a floating menu that
appears whenever a command contains options. It lets you use Bricscad with the command prompt
area turned off.
For example, the figure below shows the command line window, along with the prompt menu at
the right. As the Circle command progresses, the prompts change and so does the content of this
menu.
Left: The command bar in Bricscad...

Right: ...and the prompt menu displaying equivalent options.
21
You can use the mouse to choose options from the prompt menu, or use the keyboard to type options in the command bar. To cancel the command, press Esc or click Cancel.
In certain cases, the prompt menu does not appear, such as when Bricscad prompts you to select
objects, when commands display dialog boxes, and when the prompt menu is turned off.
Controlling the Prompt Menu

You can specify whether the prompt menu appears, as well as choose its location on the screen. In
the Settings dialog box, enter prompt menu in the search field.
The Dont Display and Display options toggle the display of the prompt menu, while the Cornerrelated options position the prompt menu in one of the four corners of the drawing area.
Or, you can just drag the menu to any convenient location, such as to a second monitor.
The Prompt Menu Flags option turns on the display of additional option names that are normally
hidden in the prompt menu, and they are shown in italic text.
More Command Options

When I showed you the prompt menu, you may have noticed that Bricscads Circle command
contained more prompts than does AutoCADs equivalent. This is not uncommon in Bricscad,
where many commands contain additional options that are useful to drafters, and yet not found in
AutoCAD.
The following table compares the wording of the Circle commands prompts for both programs:
AutoCAD Option Wording
Bricscad Option Wording
Notes
Specify center point
Center of circle
Default option
2P 2Point
3P 3Point
Ttr TanTanRad
... Arc Converts arcs into circles
... Multiple Draws multiple circles
22
Quad Cursor
Introduced with Bricscad V12, the quad incorporates direct modeling and editing commands at the
cursor.
By default, the cursor is turned off, and you see the standard tri-color crosshair cursor. To turn on
the quad cursor, click QUAD on status bar or press F12. Initially the quad cursor consists of a single
button, which displays the icon of the last-used command.
Left to right: The three forms of the Quad cursor.

1. Initial button with most-likely command; 2. Full quad cursor; 3. Options menu.
When you move the arrow cursor into the button, the quad cursor expands by four more buttons.
Three contain commonly-used commands related to the selected entity. The bottom button is
always labeled More; when you click it, it displays a menu of additional options.
The background color of the quad cursor reports the type of selected entity:
Background Color
Type of Entity or Subentity
Pink
Solid
Green
Face
Cyan
Edge
Yellow
Contour
23
Options vs Settings
In AutoCAD, the Options dialog box provides access to the values of many system variables, but
not all of them. The Bricscad equivalent is the Settings dialog box, a greatly expanded version that
takes the concept to its logical conclusion: access to all variables. See Appendix B for the list.
Providing access to over six hundreds system settings is a problem: how can a programmer design a
dialog box that allows the user to access a setting easily? In Autodesks case, the dialog box is segregated into ten tabs and thirty auxiliary dialog boxes!
AutoCADs Options dialog box hosting ten tabs.
In contrast, Bricsys created a single dialog box to access all variables. Its design allows users to
search for any variable by its name, title, and/or description. In addition, the variables can be sorted
into categories or in alphabetical order. The two modes are illustrated below.
Left: Bricscads Settings dialog box in Categorized mode...

Right: ...and in Alphabetic mode.
24
Brief Tour of Bricscads Settings Dialog Box

Because this dialog box is designed so differently from Autodesks, Ill give you a brief tour of its
features. You access the Settings dialog box through the Settings command, the Options alias, or
from the menu, Settings | Settings.
When it opens, the Settings dialog box looks like this:
Toolbar
Search field
Node
Uneditable value
Editable values
Variable name
Help text
Along the top of the dialog box is a toolbar, whose purpose is to make it easier to access any Bricscad variable. The toolbar switches the sort order between
alphabetical and
categorical.
Buttons let you jump directly to the Drawing, Dimensioning, and Program Options sections, and the
Search field lets you enter the name or description of a variable. See the figure below.
Sort by categories
or in alphabetical order
Export variables and

values to CSV file
Go to Drawing, Dimensioning
or Program Options
Enter name to search
Opening and Closing Nodes

To access variables, use the search field described above, or else click the + boxes to open individual sections. Click the - box to close sections. AutoCADs CUI uses a similar node system.
Click + to open node
Click - to close node
25
Accessing and Changing Values

The Settings dialog box segregates settings into three categories:

Drawing settings applying to the drawing, and the the drawing process
Dimension settings specific to dimension variables
Program Options settings related to the user interface and how Bricscad operates
You can use the Settings dialog box to change the values of almost all settings. The only exceptions
are those that are read-only, meaning that you cannot alter them. They are shown in gray text.
The preview area at the bottom of the Settings dialog box uses font styles to indicate the type of
variable:

System variable names are shown UPPERCASE.
Preference variable names are shown in Mixed Case.
Settings unique to Bricscad sport an icon
Name in uppercase
(indicates system variable)
No icon
(indicates sysvar available in
other CAD systems)
Above: Documenting a non-unique system variable.
Below: Documenting a unique user preference.
Name in mixed case

(indicates user preference)
Icon
(indicates item unique
to Bricscad)
To access values, enter part of a variables name or description in the Find field, or else click the +
boxes to open sections. When a value is changed, it turns to boldface a handy way of alerting
you that change has taken place.
Boldface indicates value is changed

Regular face indicates value is unchanged
Changes are made immediately which is why there is no Apply or OK button. To exit the dialog
box, click the x in the upper right corner.
Realtime Search
The realtime search field lets you directly access system variables by name. As you enter the first
few letters, Bricscad immediately jumps to the first name that matches them. You can then click the
left and right arrows to move back and forward through matching candidates.
26
Notice that the color of the search field changes, reporting the status of the search term you entered:
Snow two or more names match the search phrase.

Lime only one (or the last) name matches the search phrase.
Tangerine no names match the search phrase.
Click the
Find button to narrow the search, although I find its best to leave all Find Where options turned on.
Exporting Settings
Click the
Export button to save the variable names and their values in CSV (comma separated
values) format, which can be imported into OpenOffice Calc or another spreadsheet program.
SetVar Command
Bricscad has the same SetVar command as AutoCAD, but you can also enter names of system variables directly at the : prompt. As of V12, you can now also enter the names of preference variables
at the command prompt.
27
Properties Palette vs Properties Bar

When AutoCADs user interface was organized around toolbars, users could glance at a dashboard
of property settings, as illustrated below. In an instant, they could monitor the settings of the workspace, the current layer, the active text style, and so on some ten properties in all.
AutoCADs Classic interface reporting the settings of nine properties.
With the redesign of AutoCADs user interface around the ribbon, seeing properties at a glance
has become more difficult. For example, the Home tab of the 3D Modeling ribbon reports just one
property, layers; some properties are hidden in droplists and other tabs, which is not terribly user
friendly.
AutoCADs 3D Modeling interface reporting just the layer property on the Home tab.
In contrast, Bricscad maintains the dashboard-like experience of a Properties toolbar in its default
configuration.
Both CAD packages share a similar Properties palette, but Bricscad calls its the Property bar.
Properties Bar
The Properties bar in Bricscad operates just like the Properties palette in AutoCAD. There is one
difference, however: Bricscad often employs the Properties bar when AutoCAD instead uses a dialog
box or a contextual ribbon.
For instance, click a hatch pattern in Bricscad, and the Properties bar allows you to edit the parameters of the pattern; in older releases of AutoCAD, double-clicking the pattern displays the Hatch
Edit dialog box or more recently the Edit Hatch contextual ribbon.
You access the Properties bar through the Properties command, or from the menu, Modify|
Properties. It appears automatically when you double-click entities in drawings.
28

Left: Properties palette in AutoCAD.
Right: Properties bar in Bricscad.
Status Bar
The status bar in Bricscad reports not just the status of the drawing, but also the current names of
the text and dimension styles, which AutoCAD does not do.
Prompt area
X, y coordinates
and elevation
Text, dimension style names
Drawing status
Status bar
options
To change a text or dimension style, right-click the current name, and then choose a different one
from the shortcut menu.
In Bricscad, the status bar does double duty: when the command bar is turned off, prompts appear
on the status bar. AutoCAD cannot do this.
29
Selection Sets
As in AutoCAD, you can use Bricscad to assemble complex selection sets through entity locations
(pick, Window, Crossing, and so on) and properties (color, linetype, and so on). Many options are
the same, such as pressing Ctrl+A to select all objects in drawings.
The prompt menu illustrated below lists the names of all of the Select commands options. Recall
that AutoCADs Select command displays no options at all.
Bricscad has additional selection modes missing from AutoCAD:

Outside window selects all entities fully outside of a rectangular window.
Outside polygon selects all entities fully outside of an irregular polygon.
Window circle selects all entities fully within a circle.
Crossing circle selects all entities within and crossing a circle; see figure above.
Outside circle selects all entities fully outside of a circle.
Bricscad uses colors (like AutoCAD) and icons (unlike AutoCAD) to report whether
the selection set is crossing, window, or other.
Left: Making a windowed selection.

Right: Making a crossing selection.
30
DesignCenter vs Drawing Explorer

Bricscads Drawing Explorer is comparable to AutoCADs DesignCenter, but provides somewhat
more information and greater control. Indeed, Explorer centralizes what in AutoCAD are many
separate dialog boxes, such as Layer Manager, UCS Manager, and External References. (Recently,
AutoCAD has also begun to amalgamate commands that perform similar functions, such as Attach.)
You access Bricscads Drawing Explorer through the Explorer command or from the menu: Tools |
Drawing Explorer.
Left: AutoCADs Design Center.

Right: Bricscads Drawing Explorer.
TIP Bricscad has a number of commands that access Drawing Explorer. These commands open it, and then highlight the
related node. For example, the Layer command opens Explorer at the Layers node.
Bricscad includes settings for modifying these named entities, something lacking in AutoCADs
DesignCenter. For example, the Linetypes node lets you load additional linetypes:
31
... and the Dimension Styles node lets you modify the styles:
Drawing Explorer also handles Materials editing...
...and table styles.
32
Drawing Explorer handles the named entities listed in the table below. Those in blue are new to
Bricscad V12.
AutoCADs Bricscads
DesignCenter Node Drawing Explorer Node Notes
Blocks
Blocks
AutoCAD inserts blocks with the Insert command.
...
Coordinate Systems (UCS)
AutoCAD lists UCS names with the UcsMan command.
...
Dependencies
AutoCAD checks dependencies with the eTransmit command.
Dimstyles
Dimension Styles
AutoCAD controls dimension styles with the DimStyles command.
Xrefs
External References
AutoCAD controls xrefs with the ExternalReferences command.
...
Images
AutoCAD lists images with the ExternalReferences command.
Layers
Layers
AutoCAD controls layers with the Layers command.
...
Layer States
AutoCAD controls layer states with the LayerStates command.
Layouts
Page Setups
AutoCAD controls layouts with the PageSetup command.
Linetypes
Linetypes
AutoCAD controls linetypes with the Linetypes command.
Multileaders
...
Bricscad does not create multileaders.
Tablestyles
Table Styles
AutoCAD creates and edits table styles with the TableStyle command.
...
Text Styles
AutoCAD lists text style names with the Style command.
...
Views
AutoCAD lists view names with the View command.
...
PDF Underlays
AutoCAD controls PDF underlays with the PDFAttach command.
...
Lights
AutoCAD controls lights with the LightList palette.
... Materials
AutoCAD controls materials with the Materials palette.
...
Visual Styles
AutoCAD sets the current visual style with the VsCurrent command.
...
Section Planes
AutoCAD specifies section plane properties through SectionPlaneSettings.
In summary, Drawing Explorer is more than a DesignCenter because it centrally gathers commands
for inserting and controlling named entities. By my count, the unified interface of Bricscads Drawing Explorer replaces the equivalent of 16 AutoCADs palettes and dialog boxes.
THIS CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTED the (few) differences between the user interfaces of Bricscad and
AutoCAD. The next chapter examines how both programs display and edit entities in drawing files.
33
34
chapter 3
Drawing File Compatibility
BRICSCAD READS AND Y drawing files compatible with the DWG and DXF files created by AutoCAD 2012 and earlier.
AutoCAD can read and write drawing files in DWG format back to Release 14 (1997); Bricscad go
can back further, all the way to Release 12. DWG 2012 is the same format as DWG 2010.
After converting drawings to DXF format, AutoCAD can go back to Release 12 format; Bricscad can
go all the way back to Release 9 (1987).
This chapter summarizes how well Bricscad reads entities, properties, and styles created by AutoCAD 2012, most of which Bricscad correctly reads, creates, edits, and writes. They are segregated
into the following categories:
Entities
2D entities
Geometric and dimensional constraints
Text entities
Dimension entities
Complex 2D entities
3D entities
Properties
Properties
Layers
Styles
Dimension styles
Leader and mleader styles
Mtext and text styles
Multiline styles
Plot styles
Table styles
Visual styles

Chapter 3: Drawing File Compatibility
35
DWG 2012 Compatibility

Bricscad displays all entities in drawings created by AutoCAD 2012. It does not, however, create
or edit all entities. This chapter provides details on the entities and properties that work fully and
those that dont.
How Entities Are Tested

To test Bricscads compatibility with AutoCAD entities, I employed the following procedure:
1. I drew each entity in AutoCAD 2012, and then saved it in a DWG file.
2. I opened the DWG file in Bricscad V12.
3. I examined each entity for the following characteristics:

Translation does the entity appear in Bricscad?
Visual accuracy does the entity look the same in Bricscad as in AutoCAD?
Editability can Bricscad edit the entity?
Constructability does Bricscad have a command for creating the entity?
4. I made screen grabs of each entity in AutoCAD and in Bricscad to illustrate the similarities and differences
visually.
5. I recorded the limitations I found, if any. The results of these tests are presented on the following pages.
Decoding the Legend

In this chapter, I mark how well Bricscad supports each AutoCAD entity by means of a legend:
Entity Name
read / create / edit
The words in the legend have the following meaning.

read
Bricscad reads the entity from DWG files, and displays it correctly.
create
edit
Bricscad creates the entity.
Bricscad edits the entity.
Any entity that Bricscad can read, create, or edit, it can also write back to DWG files.
There are a few AutoCAD entities that Bricscad does not handle 100% correctly. For example,
Bricscad can read and edit multilines, but it cannot create them. For this reason, this chapter tags
multilines with a version of the read-edit legend that looks like this:
Multlines
AutoCAD
Bricscad *
read
/ / edit
*)
The footnote details the limitation.
The in read / / edit indicates Bricscad cannot do something, create multilines, in this case. The
asterisk provides additional information in a footnote.
36
Problem Entity Summary

Here is a summary of the entities with which Bricscad has problems:
Annotative Text & Dimensions
Bricscad does not support annotative text or dimensions.
Autodesk provides a way for annotative objects to be compatible with AutoCAD 2007 and earlier;
these versions do not support annotative scaling. I presume that this support should work in other
DWG editors, such as Bricscad, but it does not. When AutoCADs Maintain Visual Fidelity for Annotative Objects option (Options | Open and Save) is turned

On scaled representations of annotative objects are saved as anonymous blocks on new layers. The layers keep their original names, but are appended with a digit.
Off multiple representations appear.
I did not, however, see any evidence of these blocks, layers, or multiple representations when these
DWG files were opened in Bricscad. When a DWG file containing annotatively-scaled objects is
opened in Bricscad, the annotations appear as non-annotative objects. They are scaled with the annotative scale factor in effect when the drawing was last saved in AutoCAD.
For example, if a drawing contains annotations scaled at 1:1 and 1:4, and if the 1:4 annotative scale
is current when the drawing is saved, then the dimensions will appear at the 1:4 size when opened
in Bricscad.
Left: DWG file opened in Bricscad with annotative scale set in AutoCAD to 1:1.
Right: Same file opened in Bricscad, but with annotative scale set in AutoCAD to 1:4.
When annotative dimensions are edited in Bricscad, their annotative property is preserved when
opened again in AutoCAD.
Broken Dimensions
Bricscad displays broken dimensions, but cannot create or edit them.
Dynamic Blocks
Bricscad can display dynamic blocks, but cannot create or edit them. The Block Editor environment
is missing. Bricscad changes the look of dynamic blocks through the Properties pane; it cannot
change them using custom grips.
Geographic Location
Bricscad can specify geographic locations, but does not display, create, or edit location markers.
37
Helix
Bricscad displays helixes, but cannot create them. They cannot be edited, except for moving, erasing, and modifying basic properties (color, linetype, and so on).
Inspection Dimensions
Bricscad displays inspection dimensions, but cannot edit or create them.
Jogged Dimensions
Bricscad displays and edits jogged dimensions, but cannot create them.
Layers
Bricscad can read, edit, and write layers, but cannot apply all the formatting AutoCAD does. For
instance, filters, transparency, and per-viewport settings are missing. See the complete list in the
Compatibility of Styles section near the end of this chapter.
Meshes
Bricscad recognizes mesh objects created by AutoCAD, but cannot create or manipulate 3D meshes.
The objects can be edited using basic commands (such as Move, Copy, and Delete), and their basic
properties can be modified, such as color and linetype.
Note that these are the true 3D mesh objects introduced recently to AutoCAD, and not the old
meshes made from polyfaces. Bricscad can create polyface meshes with commands like Ai_Box and
Ai_Sphere.
Model Documentation
Bricscad partially support model documentation, as created by AutoCADs ViewBase command. The
bounding boxes are displayed, but each is filled with a message stating a missing object enabler is
needed. Bricscad does not support the AutoCAD 2012 Model Documentation Object Enabler.
38
MText
Bricscad can read, edit, and write mtext, but cannot apply all the formatting AutoCAD does. For
instance, it does not have columns, nor can it specify line spacing. See the complete list in the
Multilines
Bricscad displays multilines and can edit them with basic commands, such as Move and Delete. It
cannot create multilines. The mline-specific properties can be edited through the Properties bar, as
illustrated below:

Location of vertices.
Mline style; styles need to be loaded into the DWG file by AutoCAD.
Toggle between closed or open mlines.
Suppress start and/or endcaps.
.
Multiline Leaders
Bricscad cannot create mleaders. It can apply basic editing commands (such as Copy and Rotate),
and can can edit their basic properties, such as color and layer through the Properties pane. Bricscad does not support multiline leader styles, and so mleader-specific properties cannot be edited,
such as text, leader, and arrowheads.
Proxies
Bricscad displays proxy objects, but cannot edit them, except for their basic properties (color,
linetype, and so on). Bricscad does not support object enablers, except for AutoCAD Architecture as
provided by Open Design Alliance.
39
Surfaces
Bricscad recognizes surface objects created by AutoCAD, but cannot create surfaces. Bricscads
Extrude and Revolve commands work only with closed objects, and so cannot create surfaces; Bricscad does not have the Loft and Sweep commands.
The surface objects cannot be edited, except for their basic properties (color, linetype, and so on).
Tables
Bricscad can read, edit, and write tables, but cannot apply all the formatting that AutoCAD can. For
instance, it cannot place text at an angle in cells, and cells cannot have double lines. See the complete list in the Compatibility of Styles section near the end of this chapter.
Underlays
Bricscad does not load or display DGN and DWF underlays.
Viewports
Bricscad can create rectangular and polygonal viewports, but cannot invert clipped ones.
Visual Styles
Bricscad can read, edit, and create visual styles, but cannot apply all the properties that AutoCAD
can. For instance, the properties of Occluded Edges and Intersection Edges are not yet implemented. As well, its list of default visual styles is different from AutoCADs. See the complete list in the
Better DWG Support with Each Release

Since the V10 edition of this ebook, Bricscad added support for the following entities in V11:

Arc length dimensions
Modification of dynamic blocks
Fields
Partial support for geographic locations
Lights
PDF underlays
Subdivision surfaces
Since the V11 edition of this ebook, Bricscad added support for the following entities in V12:

Dimensional and geometric constraints
Live sections
Tables
With each release, Bricscad supports more DWG objects, tables, and properties, but at the same
time, Autodesk adds more of these to each release of AutoCAD.
40
DWG Object Support

To read, view, edit, and write DWG files, Bricscad uses the Teigha library from Open Design Alliance.
As ODA adds support for entities, Bricsys adds them to Bricscad.
2D Entities Supported
Bricscad accurately displays the following 2D entities created in AutoCAD 2012:
Arcs
AutoCAD Bricscad
Arc

Circles
AutoCAD Bricscad
Circle

Ellipses
AutoCAD Bricscad
Ellipse

Elliptical arc

Hatches
AutoCAD Bricscad
Patterned

Solid filled

Gradient filled

Islands

Text detection

41
Lines
AutoCAD Bricscad
Line

Points
AutoCAD Bricscad
PdMode 0

PdMode 98

Polylines
AutoCAD Bricscad
Segments

Arcs

Variable width

Fit-curved

Splined

Rays
AutoCAD Bricscad
Rays

42
Solids (2D)
AutoCAD Bricscad
3-sided

4-sided

Splines
AutoCAD Bricscad
Closed

Open

Traces
AutoCAD Bricscad
Tracewid 50

Xlines
AutoCAD Bricscad

Xlines

Geometric and Dimensional Constraints

DimConstraint
AutoCAD Bricscad
Dimensional constraints

GeomConstraint

AutoCAD Bricscad
Geometric constraints

43
Text Entities Supported

Bricscad accurately displays the following text entities created in AutoCAD 2012. The exceptions are
some formatting of mtext and tables, and annotative scaling, as detailed elsewhere in this chapter.
Attribute Defs
AutoCAD Bricscad
Text

Attribute Refs
AutoCAD Bricscad
Attribute references

Multiline attributes
MText AutoCAD Bricscad *

read / create / partial edit
Mtext

*) Bricscad cannot create all aspects of mtext, such as columns. See the complete list in the Compatibility of Styles section at the end of
this chapter.
Tables AutoCAD Bricscad *

Tables

*) Bricscad cannot create all aspects of tables, such as cells with double lines. See the complete list in the Compatibility of Styles section at the end of this chapter.
44
Text AutoCAD Bricscad

Text

Field text

Tolerance
AutoCAD * Bricscad
Tolerance

*) AutoCAD does not fully edit tolerance objects.
45
Dimension Entities Supported

Bricscad supports all aspects of AutoCADs dimension entities, except that it cannot create broken,
inspection, or jogged dimensions.
Aligned
AutoCAD Bricscad
Aligned

Angular
AutoCAD Bricscad
Angular

Arc Length
AutoCAD Bricscad *
read / /
Arc length

*) Bricscad displays arc lengths, but cannot edit or create them.
Diameter
AutoCAD Bricscad
Diameter

DimBreak
AutoCAD Bricscad *
read / /
Break

*) Bricscad displays broken dimensions, but cannot edit or create them.
DimInspect
AutoCAD Bricscad *
read / /
Inspect

*) Bricscad displays inspection dimensions, but cannot edit or create them.
46
DimJogged
AutoCAD Bricscad *
read / / edit
Jogged

*) Bricscad displays and edits jogged dimensions, but cannot create them.
Ordinate
AutoCAD Bricscad
X ordinate

Y ordinate

Radial AutoCAD Bricscad
Radial

Leaders
AutoCAD Bricscad
Leader

Multileaders
AutoCAD Bricscad *
read / /
MLeaders

*) Bricscad can neither create nor edit mleaders, but can edit their basic properties bar (palette), such as color and layer; text and arrow
heads cannot be edited. Bricscad does not support multiline leader styles.
47
Complex 2D Entities Supported

Block Refs
AutoCAD Bricscad
Insert

Dynamic

MInsert

Mirrored

Unequal Scale

Geographic
AutoCAD Bricscad *
read / create /
Location not displayed

*) Bricscad creates geographic positions, but does not display or edit geographic location markers.
Images
AutoCAD Bricscad
Images
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Clipped

Wipeouts

Lights AutoCAD Bricscad
Light

MLines
AutoCAD Bricscad*
read / / edit
Mlines

*) Bricscad cannot create multilines, but can edit them with the Properties bar.
OleFrames
AutoCAD Bricscad
OleFrame

Regions
AutoCAD Bricscad
Region

Shapes
AutoCAD Bricscad
Shape
49
Underlays
AutoCAD Bricscad * partial read / create / edit
*) Bricscad does not display DGN or DWF underlays. DGN image from Axiom Conversion Services; DWF image from
Residential Drafting Services.
DGN

DWF

PDF
*) Bricsys does not support multi-page PDF files.

.
Viewports
AutoCAD Bricscad * read / create / partial edit
Viewport

Clipped
*) Bricscad does not support inverting clipped viewports.
50
3D Entities Supported
Bricscad accurately displays the following 3D entities created in AutoCAD 2012:
3D Faces
AutoCAD Bricscad
3D face

Invisible edge

Helixes
AutoCAD Bricscad *
read / /
Helix

*) Bricscad displays helixes, but cannot create them; helixes cannot be edited by Bricsys, except for
moving, erasing, and modifying basic properties (color, linetype, and so on).

3D Polylines
AutoCAD Bricscad
3D polyline

Polyface Meshes
AutoCAD Bricscad
Mesh
51
Proxy Objects
AutoCAD Bricscad *read / /
Proxy

*) Bricscad displays proxy objects, but cannot edit them, except for their basic properties (color,
linetype, and so on). Bricscad does not support object enablers, except for AutoCAD Architecture.
Sections
AutoCAD Bricscad *
Live Section

*) Bricscad handles all aspects of section planes, except for jogs.

3D Solids
AutoCAD Bricscad
Body

Sweep
52
Box

Cone

Cylinder

Pyramid

Sphere

Torus

Wedge
53
Subdivisions
AutoCAD Bricscad *
read
/ /
3D meshes

*) Bricscad recognizes mesh objects created by AutoCAD, but cannot create or manipulate 3D meshes. The objects can be
edited using basic commands (such as Move, Copy, and Delete), and their basic properties can be modified, such as color
and linetype. (Note that these are the true 3D mesh objects introduced recently to AutoCAD, and not the old meshes made
from polyfaces like Ai_Box and Ai_Sphere.)

Surfaces
AutoCAD Bricscad *read / /
Extrude

Loft

Revolve

Sweep

*) Bricscad recognizes surface objects created by AutoCAD, but cannot create surfaces. The surface objects cannot be edited,
except for their basic properties (color, linetype, and so on). Bricscads Extrude and Revolve commands work only with closed
objects, and so cannot create surfaces; Bricscad does not have the Loft and Sweep commands.
54
Compatibility of Properties
Bricscad supports most of the properties found AutoCAD, including the BYLAYER and BYBLOCK settings:
AutoCAD Property
Bricscad Property
Bricscad Supports...
Annotative ...
Color
Color
...ACI colors and True Colors, but not color books
Elevation Elevation
Hyperlink Hyperlink
Layer
Layer
...all layer names, but not properties listed in the section below
Linetype
Linetype
...all AutoCAD linetypes, provided a .lin file is present

Linetype scale
Linetype Scale
Lineweight Lineweight ...all lineweights
Material
Material

Plot Style
Plot Style
...all AutoCAD plot styles, provided a .stb file is present
Shadow display
...
Thickness Thickness
Transparency
...

Compatibility of Layer Properties

Bricscad supports all of the basic properties of AutoCADs layering system. For instance, DWG files
can contain an unlimited number of layers, with names up to 255 characters long, including special
characters.
But Bricscad does not provide as many controls over layers as does AutoCAD. For example, filters,
transparency, and per-viewport settings are missing. The table and figures below illustrate the differences concisely.
AutoCAD Layer Property
Equivalent Bricscad Property
Bricscad supports...
Status
Current
... only two forms of status: current or not current
Name
Layer Name
... all AutoCAD forms of layer names
On On/Off
Freeze Freeze
Lock Locked
Color
Color
... all AutoCAD colors, except ColorBooks
Linetype

Linetype

... AutoCAD linetypes, provided the .lin file is present
Lineweight Lineweight
Transparency ...
Plot Style

Plot Style

...AutoCAD plot styles, if .ctb or .stb files are present
Plot Plot
New VP Freeze New VP
VP Freeze Curr. VP
VP Color ...
VP Linetype ...
VP Lineweight ...
VP Transparency
...
VP Plot Style ...
Description Description

55
Above: Layer properties in AutoCAD (paper space).

Below: Layer properties in Bricscad (paper space).
Compatibility of Styles
Bricscad supports most of the styles found AutoCAD. Those shown in blue are new to V12:
AutoCAD Style
Bricscad Style
Bricscad supports...
Dimension styles
Multiline styles
Multileader styles
Plot styles
Table styles
Text styles
Visual styles
Dimension styles
...
...
Plot styles
Table styles
Text styles
Visual styles
...all aspects of dimension styles, except annotations

...displays mlines, but cannot create or edit mline styles
...displays multileaders, but cannot create or edit multileaders styles
...all aspects of plot styles
...most aspects of table styles
...all aspects of text styles, except annotations
...many aspects of visual styles

The following section describe styles in greater detail.
Dimension Styles
Bricscad supports all properties of AutoCADs dimension styles and variables, with the exception of
annotative scaling and text direction.
Left: AutoCADs DimStyle dialog box.

Right: Bricscads Drawing Explorer for dimensions.
56
Leader and Multiline Leader Styles

Bricscads support for leader styles is not as extensive as AutoCADs.
Left: AutoCADs QLeader commands Settings dialog box.

Right: Bricscads Leader commands options.
Bricscad cannot create multiline leaders or mleader styles, but can display them and edit the mleaders minimally through the Properties bar.
MText and Text Styles

Bricscad supports all text style options with the exception of annotative scaling and layout orientation.
Above: AutoCADs Style dialog box.
57
Below: Bricscads Explorer for text styles.
Bricscad supports about half of AutoCADs mtext options:

AutoCAD Mtext Function
Bricscad Mtext Function
Style Style
Font Font
Annotative ...
Height Height
Boldface Boldface
Italicized Italicized
Underline Underline
Overline Overline
Undo Undo
Redo Redo
Fractions Fractions
Color Color
Ruler Toggle ...

Dynamic Columns ...
Static Columns ...
Column Properties ...
Text Justification

Text Justification

Paragraph Properties ...
Paragraph Justification
...

Line Spacing ...
Bullets ...
Field Text Field Text
Case Conversion
Case Conversion
Special Characters
Special Characters
Obliquing Angle
Obliquing Angle
Tracking Tracking
Width Factor
Width Factor

Import Text ...
Find and Replace
... Use the Find command
AutoCAPS ...
Character Set ...
Combine Paragraphs ...
Remove Formatting ...
Background Mask ...
Editor Settings
... Use the Settings command

58
Above: AutoCADs mtext editing toolbar.

Below: Bricscads mtext editing toolbar.
Multiline Styles
Bricscad supports the display and selection of styles for multilines in drawings created in AutoCAD,
but cannot create or edit multiline styles. You can change a multiline from one style to another, if
the imported drawing has more than one multline style.
Plot Styles
Bricscad supports both types of AutoCAD plot styles creating and editing them with the PlotStyles and StylesManager commands. The properties supported in plot styles are identical in both
CAD systems:

Color-based styles stored in .ctb files
Table-based styles stored in .stb files
Left: Plot style properties in AutoCAD...

Right: ...and in Bricscad.
The PlotterManager command in Bricscad creates plotter configurations, while the PageSetup
command predefines page setups for plotting just as in AutoCAD.
59
Table Styles
Prior to V12, Bricscad supported just the display of tables and the changing of styles, if the incoming DWG file contained them. As of V12, Bricscad creates and edit table styles with the TableStyle
command just as in AutoCAD. Unlike AutoCAD, however, the TableStyle command calls up the
Table Style section of the ubiquitous Drawing Explorer, as illustrated below. As well, the Bricscad
version does not support all the properties handled by AutoCAD.
Left: AutoCADs table properties edited through the Modify Table Styles dialog box.
Right: Bricscads table properties edited through the Drawing Explorer.
Like AutoCAD, Bricscad can format cells separately as titles, headers, and data.
AutoCAD Table Property
Equivalent Bricscad Table Property
General properties
Table Direction Table Direction
Fill Color Background Color
Alignment Alignment
Text Format ...
Cell Margins Cell Margins
Merge Cells ...

Text properties
Style Style
Height Height
Color Color
Angle ...

Borders properties
Lineweight Lineweight
Linetype ...
Color Color
Double Line ...
Double Line Spacing ...
Apply to Borders
Cell Frame

60
Visual Styles
Bricscad V12 extends its ShadeMode command to display 3D drawings in a variety of AutoCAD-like
visual styles. Bricscad includes the following visual styles:
AutoCAD Visual Style Names
Bricscad Visual Style Names
2dwireframe 2dWireframe
Wireframe 3dWirefreme
Hidden Hidden
Realistic Realistic
Conceptual Conceptual
Shaded Gouraud
shaded with Edges
gOuraud+edges
... Flat
... fLat+edges
... Modeling
... high Quality
shades of Gray
...
SKetchy ...
X-ray ...

Custom visual styles cannot be exported or imported with either CAD package. Bricscads new VisualStyles command opens Drawing Explorer for creating and editing visual styles:
Left: Visual Styles Manager in AutoCAD.

Right: Drawing Explorer for editing visual styles in Bricscad.
61
Bricscad supports many of AutoCADs visual style properties, with the missing ones to be implemented eventually. In a few areas, it has more properties than AutoCAD, as shown by the following
table:
AutoCAD Visual Style Property
Equivalent Bricscad Visual Style Property
Face Settings properties

Face Style Face Style
Lighting Quality
Lighting Quality
Color Color
Monochrome Color
Monochrome Color
Opacity Opacity
Material Display
Material Display

Lighting properties
Highlight Intensity
(not yet implemented)
Shadow Display
Shadow Display

Environmental Settings properties
Backgrounds Backgrounds

Edge Settings properties
Show Show
Color Color
... Width
... Crease Angle

Occluded Edges properties
Show (not yet implemented)
Color (not yet implemented)
Linetype (not yet implemented)

Intersection Edges properties
Show (not yet implemented)
Color (not yet implemented)
Linetype (not yet implemented)

Silhouette Edges properties
Show Show
... Color
Width
Width

Edge Modifiers properties
Extension Lines
JItter (not yet implemented)
Crease Angle
Halo Gap%

62
chapter 4
Customizing and
Programming Bricscad
WHEREAS MOST OF AutoCADs customization takes place with the Cui and Options commands, in
Bricscad the activity takes place in the equivalent Customize and Settings commands.
This chapter provides an overview of customizing and programming Bricscad; see the Customizing
Bricscad ebook for complete details on the topic (www.bricscad.com/estore).
For detailed information on programming Bricscad, refer to the online developer reference, available free at www.bricsys.com/bricscad/help/en_US/V12/DevRef.
Chapter 4: Customizing and Programming Bricscad
63
Areas of Customization
Autodesk and Bricsys provide you with a variety of ways for customizing the look and operation of their CAD
programs. This table list the command name that facilitates each area of customization:
Area of Customization
AutoCAD Command
Equivalent Bricscad Command
Aliases ...1 Customize

Command bar Options Settings
Crosshair cursor Options Settings
Double-click actions Cui Customize
Dynamic input Options Settings
File paths Options Settings
Grips Options Settings
Hatch Patterns
...1 ...1
Keyboard shortcuts Cui Customize

Linetypes ...1 Explorer
Menu bar Cui Customize
Mouse buttons Cui Customize
Plot styles PlotStyle PlotStyle
Quick Access toolbar Cui ...3
Quick Properties palettes
Cui
...3
Ribbon Cui ...3

Rollover tooltips Cui ...3
Scripts Script, ActRecord Script
Selection previews Options Settings
Shell commands
...1 Customize
Shortcut/Context menus
Cui Customize
Status bar
Right-click, Diesel
Right-click, Diesel
Tablet Cui Customize

Tool palettes Customize ...3
Toolbars Cui Customize
UCS icon Options Settings
Workspaces Cui ...3
Notes:
1
Must be edited outside of AutoCAD or Bricscad with a text editor such as Notepad.
2
Double-clicking entities opens the Properties palette (bar) in Bricscad.
3
Not available in Bricscad.
Blue indicates new feature in Bricsacd V12.
64
Options vs Settings
Bricscad and AutoCAD provide extensive options for controlling your CAD drafting environment,
from modifying the look of the user interface to specifying the names of project folders. Most settings are stored in system variables; others are stored in data files, environment variables, or the
Windows registry.
AutoCADs primary interface for changing settings is the dialog box displayed by the Options command, which provides users with access to many but not all system variables. The equivalent
dialog box in Bricscad is called up by the Settings command; in contrast to AutoCAD, Settings provides access to all system variables. See Chapter 2 for details on using the Settings dialog box.
Both CAD programs also employ the command-line-oriented SetVar command for direct access to
certain variables:
AutoCAD provides access to system variables only, but not to environment or registry variables.
Bricsys provides access to system and preference variables (sysvars specific to Bricsys).
File Paths
Bricscad and AutoCAD require drawings to use many support files, which are stored in a number
of folders. Both CAD programs let you specify the paths to these folders. In AutoCAD, paths are
specified in the Files tab of the Options dialog box. In Bricscad, paths are specified in the Program
Options section of the Settings dialog box.
Left: AutoCADs Files tab.

Right: Bricscads Files nodes.
In older, simpler times, support files were simply stored in a folder named \Support. But as Microsoft made Windows more complex, support files became scattered throughout folders on the hard
drives of computers and sometimes not even on the computer you are using.
65
The complexity stems from networking. Different support files are stored in different folders:

Local files stored on the computer you use; these files are specific to each user and each CAD program, such as DWG drawing files and local customization files.
LocalLow files stored like Local files, but with lower integrity level; used by Web browsers when Windows protected mode is on.
Common files stored on the computer you use; these files are common to many programs, such as
fonts and printer drivers.
Temporary files stored anywhere, locally or on the network; these files are created by CAD programs for the duration of the editing session, such as automatic backup files.
Roaming files stored on any computer; these files are specific to you, such as linetypes and hatch patterns, and that can be accessed from any networked computer. See Roamable Profiles later in this chapter.
Network files stored on the network and accessible to everyone, such as blocks and templates; these
files are meant to be shared by everyone.
If you wish, you can point Bricscads support paths to some or all of AutoCADs folders. This is done
through the Program Options section of the Settings dialog box.
User Profiles
Bricscad and AutoCAD both support user profiles, which store your customization settings for each
CAD program. After changing settings with the Options (in AutoCAD) or Settings (in Bricscad) commands, you can save them to .arg user profile files. Profiles allow you to create multiple profiles for
different users and projects.
You can launch Bricscad with a user profile by adding the /P switch to its desktop shortcut. (Rightclick the shortcut icon on the desktop, and then choose Properties from the shortcut menu.) Edit
the Target text like this:

"C:\Program Files\Bricsys\Bricscad V12\bricscad.exe" /P <UserProfileName>
In AutoCAD, user profiles are created and accessed through the Profiles tab of the Options dialog
box. In Bricscad, user profiles are generated through a separate application, UserProfileManager.
exe., which is accessed through the ProfileManger command.
Left: AutoCADs user profiles facility.

Right: Bricscads user profiles application.
66
Because both programs use the same .arg file format, you can import AutoCAD-generated profiles
into Bricscad by following these steps.
In AutoCAD:
1. In AutoCAD, enter the Options command, and then click on the Profiles tab. See figure above.
2. Choose a profile from the list, and then click Export.
3. Select a folder in which to save the profile file, and change the file name, if you wish. Click Save.
4. Click OK to exit the dialog box.
In Bricscad:
1. In Bricscad, from the Tools menu, choose User Profile Manager. See figure above.
2. In the User Profile Manager, click Import.
3. Choose the .arg file exported from AutoCAD, and then click Open.
4. To apply the profile, click Set Current.
5. Click OK to exit the program.
Roaming Profiles
Bricscad and AutoCAD support roaming profiles, which let you roam about the office and use the
CAD software (customized with your settings) on any computer connected to the office network.
Your settings are identified automatically by your login name, which you enter when you access a
computer.
Not all CAD-related files are roamable; some remain local, such as DWG drawings and CUI files.
Roamable and nonroamable files are kept in different folders, whose names vary depending on the
version of Windows running on your computer.
For Windows Vista and 7, files are stored in the following folders:
AutoCAD 2012s roamable files:
C:\Users\<login>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2012\R18.2\enu
Data links
Language packs
Migration
Plot styles (CTB, STB), plotter parameters (PMP), and plotter configurations (PC3)
Support files (CUIX, FMP, LIN, MLN, MNL, PAT, PGP, PSF, UNT, and so on).
AutoCADs nonroamable files:

C:\Users\<login>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2012\R18.2\enu
Template files (DWT, DST, DGN)
Web Services
67
Bricscad V12s roamable files:

C:\Users\<login>\AppData\Roaming\Bricsys\Bricscad\V12\en_US
Plot styles (CTB, STB), and plotter configurations (PC3)
Support files (CUI, FMP, LIN, PAT, PGP, PSF, UNT, and TXT)
Bricscads nonroamable files:

C:\Users\<login>\AppData\Local\Bricsys\Bricscad\V12\en_US
Template files (DWT)

TIP You can change the path to the local and roamable folders with the related system variables LocalRootPrefix and
RoamableRootPrefix.
Accessing Hidden Folders

The local and roaming folders can be difficult to find, because, unfortunately, they are typically hidden by Windows. Here are some ways to access hidden folders:

Make all hidden folders visible through Start | Control Panel | Folder Options | View tab | Show
Hidden Files and Folders. (You can also access the dialog box through the Tools menu, if menus are
turned on for Explorer.)
Or, copy (Ctrl+C) the folder path from this book, and then paste it (Ctrl+V) into the address bar of Explorer.
Or, create shortcuts on your computers desktop to the hidden folders: hold down Ctrl+Alt while dragging the folder name from Explorer onto the desktop.
APIs Supported by Bricscad V12 for Linux

Bricscad V12 for Linux supports the following APIs:

(common object model), which is Windows-only.
All DCL (dialog control language) functions.
All DIESEL functions.
All TX functions.
Many BRX functions, including basic CRT and MFC (Microsoft foundation classes) functions to
facilitate the porting of Windows-based client code. For example, the MFC class CString is widely
used in client code. By providing a similar code-compatible class on Linux BRX, Bricsys avoids the
need to look for a new string class and replace it everywhere. Bricscad for Linux does not
support interfaces that are strongly tied to Windows; this list primarily consists of AcUi/AdUi and
OPM class categories.
Many SDS (software development system) functions; excluded are a few functions that have
68
All LISP functions, excluding VL, VLA, VLAX, and VLR functions, because they depend on COM,
Windows-specific types in their signature.
Cui vs Customize
The Bricscad equivalent to AutoCADs Cui command is Customize. (To access it easily, you can enter
the cui alias.) It displays a dialog box that centralizes customization of the following user interface
elements:

Menus
Context menus (shortcut menus)
Toolbars
Keyboard shortcuts
Mouse buttons (new to V12)
Double-click actions (new to V12)
Tablet overlay menus
Tablet buttons
Command Aliases
Shell Commands
The process for customizing most of these elements is identical. This means that you can learn the
system for one element, such as menus, and then handle any other one, such as context menus or
toolbars.
The Bricscad method differs from AutoCADs, and so as the example below I show you how to customize Bricscad using menus.
You can access the Customize dialog box through the Customize command, the Cui alias, or from
the menu: Tools | Customize. Alternatively, right-click any toolbar and then select Customize.
Notice the dialog box:
69
A couple of items to note. First, when you see a row of dashes that look like -----, this indicates
the position of separator bars, the gray lines that separate groups of menu items.
Container
(File menu)
Menu item
(Open displays a dialog box)
Separator
(------ dashed line)
Second, notice that red dots prefix some menu items. The dots indicate container items, which
are menu items that contain other items. For example, the File menu contains file-related items.
Here are examples of some containers:
BRICSCAD container holds the names of the menu groups. The groups include Main menus (those menu
items seen on the menu bar) and Context menus (also known as shortcut menus, which appear when
you right-click entities).

Main Menus container holds the names of items appearing on the menu bar, such as File and Edit.
File container is the name of the first menu appearing along the menu bar.
Edit container is the name of the second menu on the menu bar.
Importing AutoCAD Menus

Follow these steps to import menu files from AutoCAD:
1. Use the Customize command to open the Customize dialog box.
2. At the right end of Main Customization File field, click the
button.
3. In the Choose a Customize File dialog box, click the Files of Type droplist. Notice the list of file types:
CUI standard menu files used by AutoCAD since release 2007, and by Bricscad since V8.
MNU or MNS legacy menu files used by AutoCAD and by AutoCAD LT prior to release 2007.
ICM IntelliCAD menu files used by Bricscad prior to version 8, and by IntelliCAD-based systems.
Careful: Although Bricscad imports AutoCAD menu files effortlessly, menu picks sometimes do not work,
because AutoCAD macros can contain macro code and metacharacters not supported by Bricscad.
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Customizing Menus in Bricscad

You customize menus in Bricscad through the Customize dialog boxs Menu tab. Here you can add,
edit, and remove items to and from menus. To do so, you right-click an existing menu item, and
then choose an option from the shortcut menu that appears.
In this tutorial, you add the CloseAll command to the File menu, locating it just after the Close item.
(The CloseAll command closes all open drawings.) To change the menu, follow these steps:
1. To open the Customize dialog box, enter the Customize command.
2. When the dialog box appears, click the Menus tab.
Notice that the Main Menus node defines the structure of the currently-loaded menu. The names in the
dialog box, like File, Edit, and so on, match the names on Bricscads menu bar, illustrated below.
71
3. You open containers by clicking

Click the
buttons.
next to the File container. This action reveals the items in the File dropdown menu; both are
illustrated below.
Left: File menu container displayed by Customize dialog box.

Right: Menu items under the File dropdown menu.
4. Move the cursor over the ----- (separator) item thats located below Close.
About Copying Files

Autodesk permits the copying of support files, since the corporation understands that drawings are effectively
disabled when DWG files are sent to clients without these crucial files. Support files that are coded in ASCII
contain the following notice from Autodesk:
Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for any purpose and without fee is
hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice appears in all copies and that both that
copyright notice and the limited warranty and restricted rights notice below appear in all supporting
documentation.
By copying files in whole, you include the notices that Autodesk asks you to preserve.
TrueType Fonts
There is one exception. Some TrueType fonts (.ttf files) are commercial products, and cannot be copied without
payment to the copyright holder. The good news, however, is that all TrueType fonts provided with Windows
and AutoCAD may be copied freely. If a drawing contains copyrighted TrueType fonts, you can often find ones
that look similar but cost nothing.
72
5. Right-click (press the right mouse button). Notice the shortcut menu.
a. Open File container
(Click the +)
b. Right-click separator
(------)
c. Choose Insert item
from shortcut menu
6. From the shortcut menu, choose Insert Item. This action adds a new menu item above the currentlyselected one, the separator line ------.
7. Notice that Bricscad opens the Add Menu Item dialog box, which lists all commands available in Bricscad.
From this list, you can select an existing command or create a new one.
a.Choose Select
Available Tool option
Bricscad fills in
command parameters
automatically
b. Choose Close All
c. Click OK.
a. In the Add Menu Item dialog box, choose the Select Available Tool option. This allows you to select
one of Bricscads built-in commands. (The other option, Create New Tool, is for creating new command macros.)
b. Under the list of Available Tools, open the File item, and then choose Close All. Notice that most of
the parameters are filled in for you, such as Title, Help, and so on.
c.
Click OK. Notice that the Close All command is added to the list under Close.
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8. To ensure the new command is in place and actually works, follow these steps:
a. Close the Customize dialog box by clicking OK.
b. Choose the File menu. Notice that the Close All item has been added.
c.
Click Close All. Does it work correctly? (It should prompt you to save all open drawings that have
changed since being loaded.)
Useful Menu Tips

Not sure which commands can be added to menus? Peruse the list found under Available Tools in
the Customize dialog box. It lists all the commands found in Bricscad, sorted by menu order.
Want to create new commands? Use the Create New Tool option to add your own commands,
which are constructed from other commands, LISP routines, macros, and Diesel instructions.
Whats the difference between Insert and Append? If you were to right-click the File container,
you would see Append Item on the shortcut menu. The names Append and Insert seem similar; heres how they differ:
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Append Item adds the new item at the end of the menu container.
Insert Item adds the new item before the currently selected item.
For the case of the CloseAll tutorial, using Append Item would have added the command to the
end of the File menu, which leads to the extra step of moving CloseAll into position under Close.
Mangled the menu customization? Click the Revert to Defaults button found at the bottom of the
Customize dialog box. Be careful, though, because it removes all prior customizations.
Creating New Menu Items

You add new commands through macros, which Bricscad calls tools. In this tutorial, you create a
tool that consists of two commands: one saves the current drawing, and the second opens the Print
dialog box. Ive named the macro Saven Print, which looks like this:

^C^C_qsave;_plot
Here is how to create the command tool:

1. With the Customize command, open the Customize dialog box. (Alternatively, you can enter its alias, Cui.)
2. In the Menus tabs File item, right-click Print, and then choose Insert Item from the shortcut menu.
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3. Notice the Add New Item dialog box. Choose the Create New Tool option.
a.Choose Select
Available Tool option
b. Choose File toolbox
c. Fill in command
parameters
d. Click OK.
4. Fill in the command parameters.
Use the table below as a guide.

Parameter Name
Text That You Enter Notes
Toolbox
File
Adds the new command to the File category of available tools.
Title
Saven Print
Specifies the name that appears in the File menu.
Help

Saves the drawing, and then

starts the Plot command.
Specifies the help text that appears on the status bar.
Command
^C^C_qsave;_plot

Specifies the macro that cancels the current command, saves

the drawing, and then starts the Plot command.
Image
Specifies the icon, although none is required for menus.
(leave blank)
5. Click OK to exit the Add Menu Item dialog box.

Notice that the new tool is added to the File menu (in the left pane of the Customize dialog box), as well
as to the list of Available Tools (in the right pane).
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In addition, its parameters are shown in the Menu Item pane at the bottom of the dialog box. (Here, you
can edit the parameters, just as with regular commands.)
6. Click OK to exit the Customize dialog box.

7. Test the new item by selecting Saven Print from the File menu.
Macro Metacharacters
Menu items execute macros, which can contain metacharacters. Bricscad and AutoCAD use many of
the same metacharacters. Ive list some of the most common ones here:
Metacharacter
Meaning
^C
Cancels the current command.
Executes the command transparently.
Internationalizes the command.
; Executes Enter.
\
Pauses the macro.
Menu Design Conventions

Bricscad and AutoCAD use many of the same conventions for designing menus. Two of them are
summarized below:
& (ampersand) designates shortcut keystrokes for accessing menu items with the Alt key.
... (ellipsis) indicates the menu item will display a dialog box.
Diesel
AutoCAD and Bricscad can employ the same Diesel expressions in menu macros and LISP routines.
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Context Menus
Bricscad calls shortcut menus context menus, because their content changes, depending on the
context. Context menus are found in the Menus tab and below the Main Menus section.
The screen grab shown below lists the names of context menus provided by default in Bricscad; on
the right are the names of the shortcut menus included with AutoCAD.
Left: Shortcut (or cursor) menus provided by default with AutoCAD.

Right: Context menus provided by default with Bricscad.
As with menus, the list of items in each context container matches that of the shortcut menu. For
instance, when you right-click a selected entity, Bricscad displays the Edit context menu. Here is
what it looks like:
Left: Defining the Edit menu in the Customize dialog box of Bricscad.
Right: Bricscads Edit context menu.
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To customize a context menu, you have same options as you saw with menus:
Left: Pane for customizing a context menu item in Bricscad.

Right: Shortcut menu for adding elements to context menus in Bricscad.
Toolbars
Toolbars are customized in the Toolbar tab of the Customize dialog box. The screen grabs (below)
list the names of toolbars provided by default in both CAD systems.
Left: Toolbars provided by default with AutoCAD, although they are normally turned off.
Right: Toolbars provided by default with Bricscad.
The visibility of AutoCADs toolbars is controlled by the current workspace; by default, all its toolbars are turned off. In contrast, a selection of toolbars are turned on in Bricscad.
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The process for customizing toolbars is identical to that of customizing menus, with two exceptions:

Submenus of toolbars are called fly outs.
Toolbars can contain controls, which menus cannot; control is another name for droplist.
The figure below shows how the items in Customizes Standard tree match the order of the buttons
held by the Standard toolbar.
Left: Content of the Standard tree in Bricscad.

Right: Icons of the Standard toolbar in Bricscad.
You can specify parameters for the toolbar itself and for each button. As in AutoCAD, Bricscad can
specify the initial location and visibility of toolbars. To do so, select a toolbar name, such as Standard, and the edit the settings in the pane shown below:
To edit an individual button, select its name, and then check its properties:
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Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are customized in the Keyboard tab, as illustrated by the screen grab below.
Bricscad has many of the same shortcuts as does AutoCAD; appendix D contains a useful crossreference of all keystrokes shortcuts used by both programs.
You can add and remove shortcuts and their assigned actions. Right-click an existing one, and then
choose an option from the context menu:
Inserting shortcuts follows the same steps as adding menu items. You can enter the following kinds
of shortcuts in the Key field, highlighted in the figure below:

CTRL keys
SHIFT+CTRL keys
Function keys
SHIFT, CTRL, ALT, CTRL+ALT, SHIFT+ALT, SHIFT+ALT, and SHIFT+ALT+CTRL function keys
Bricscacd does not warn you if a key combination is already in use.
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Mouse Buttons and Double-click Actions

The actions of mouse buttons are customized in the Mouse tab, as are double-click actions. (See
figure below.) This tab is new to Bricscad V12.
To access a menu with a mouse button, use the same macro construction as in AutoCAD, as highlighted below.
Double-Click Actions
Double-click actions are customized in the Mouse tab (new to Bricscad V12). In V11 and earlier,
double-clicking an entity caused the Properties pane to appear. This is still the case, but now you
can change the action associated with the entity. For example, double-clicking a hatch pattern executes the HatchEdit command.
The lists of entities that can be double-clicked are nearly identical in Bricscad and AutoCAD, as
shown below. One difference, however, is that some entities are not native to Bricscad; for instance,
it doesnt have extruded surface and lofted surface entities, but the names appear in the list in case
you import a drawing from AutoCAD which contains surfaces, extruded, lofted, or otherwise.
82
Double-click actions are customized by editing the Command field, highlighted in the figure below.
As in AutoCAD, you can add and remove double-click actions. Right-click an existing one, and then
choose an option from the context menu:
Inserting a double-click action involves the same steps as adding a menu item; see Creating a New
Menu Item earlier in this chapter.
Left: Double-clickable objects in AutoCAD.

Right: Entities for which double-click action can be assigned in Bricscad.
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Tablet Buttons and Menus

Tablet overlay menus and digitizer buttons can be customized in the Tablet tab, as illustrated below. The entries under Digitizer Buttons and Tablet Menus look empty because as of Bricscad V11
no tablet menu is loaded with the Default profile.
Left: Default settings for digitizer buttons and tablet overlays in Bricscad.
Right: After a partial CUI file for tablets is loaded in Bricscad.
CUI files and drawings for tablet buttons and overlays can be downloaded from www.bricsys.
com/en_US/download/bcad/tool/Tablet.zip. Once you load a partial cui file, such as tablet.cui or
tablet(acadLike)cui, then these two sections contain entries for tablet buttons and menus. The tablet overlay provided by Bricsys is illustrated below.
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Aliases and Shell Commands

Command aliases are customized in the Aliases tab, as illustrated below. Bricscad has many of the
same aliases as does AutoCAD.
Unlike in AutoCAD, you can create and edit aliases inside Bricscad. Click the Add or Edit button to
see the Edit Alias dialog box illustrated above.
Bricscad uses the same format as does AutoCAD for defining aliases and shell commands, and both
CAD packages store the definition in a .pgp file. Appendix C of this ebook contains a useful crossreference of aliases used by both programs.
There is a difference, however, between the names of the PGP files. In AutoCAD, it is the acad.pgp
file; in Bricscad, default.pgp. Keep the difference in mind when you copy acad.pgp to your Bricscad
installation, because you need to rename the incoming one as default.pgp.
Here is how to load the PGP file from AutoCAD:
1. Use Windows Explorer to copy the acad.pgp file from this folder:

C:\Users\<login>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2012\R18.2\enu\Support
2. Rename it to default.pgp.
3. Place the renamed file in this Bricscad folder:

C:\Users\<login>\AppData\Roaming\Bricsys\Bricscad\V12\en_US\Support
Remember to replace <login> with your Windows login name.
It turns out that you cannot simply use the Program Parameter File field because it does not allow
you to enter a different path.
85
Shell Commands
Shell commands are customized in the Shell Commands tab, illustrated below.
86
Add adds a new shell command; Bricscad uses the same format AutoCAD.
Other Areas of Customization

The Settings and Customize dialog boxes are not the only places where Bricscad customization is
carried out. Below is a review of additional elements that can be modified, including fonts, linetypes, hatch patterns, and plot styles.
Fonts
AutoCAD and Bricscad use the same types of font files:

TrueType (.ttf) fonts
Compiled shape (.shx) fonts
This means Bricscad can use all fonts displayed by any AutoCAD drawing.
TrueType Fonts
Windows controls TrueType fonts. All TTF files are stored in the \windows\fonts folder for use by
all Windows programs. AutoCAD and Bricscad both have access to the same source, and so in Windows there is no need to copy .ttf files to any Bricscad folder.
In Linux, TTF fonts are stored in the /usr/share/fonts/truetype folder.
SHX Fonts
AutoCAD keeps its SHX fonts in the C:\program files\autodesk\autocad 2012\fonts folder. To use
them with Bricscad, you can copy the SHX files to the equivalent folder in Bricsys:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Bricsys\Bricscad V12\Fonts
In Linux, SHX fonts are stored in the /opt/bricsys/bricscad/fonts folder.

But AutoCAD also installs TTF versions of its SHX fonts in \windows\fonts folder because TrueType
fonts look much better than SHX fonts. You should use TrueType fonts in your drawings, instead of
SHX fonts. Autodesk continues to provide SHX font files simply to provide compatibility with old
drawings.
If necessary, use the default.fmp file to map SHX font names to TTF ones.
PFB Fonts
AutoCAD also supports the now-rarely-used PostScript .pfb font format, albeit indirectly through
the Compile command, which converts PostScript fonts into SHX format.
It does not matter that Bricscad does not work with PostScript fonts, because they appear in DWG
files as SHX fonts.
PostScript fonts are the default for Linux, but again this does not matter, since neither CAD packages use them directly.
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Font Mapping
Bricscad and AutoCAD support font mapping, which becomes handy when a font is not displayed
in a drawing. This occurs most often when a DWG file is copied from one computer to another, and
the second one doesnt have all the same font files. There are two ways to use font mapping:

Quickn dirty method reads the FontAlt system variable, which specifies the name of the font to use when
the correct one cannot be found. This one font is used for all missing fonts. AutoCAD specifies arial.ttf,
while Bricscad uses simplex.shx.
Comprehensive method uses the FontMap system variable, which specifies the name of a .fmp file. This
file holds a list of font names mapped to alternative ones:
CAD System FontMap Default Folder
AutoCAD acad.fmp C:\Users\<login>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2012\R18.2\enu\Support
Bricscad Windows
default.fmp
Bricscad Linux
default.fmp
home/<login>/Bricsys/Bricscad/Bricscad/V12/en_US/Support
The format of the FMP file is simple, and both CAD systems use the same format; just the content is
different. To show you the format, here are the first few entries of the Bricscad version of the file:
ic-comp;complex.shx
ic-complex;complex.shx
ic-gdt;gdt.shx
ic-ital;italic.shx
ic-italc;italicc.shx
The actual font is listed first, followed by a semi-colon, and then the name of the substitute font. If
you need to, you can copy the file from AutoCAD, rename it to default.fmp, and then paste it into
the folder used by Bricsys.
eTransmit
One way to ensure that Bricsys has all the fonts it needs is to use AutoCADs eTransmit command.
This command collects the DWG file, needed support files, all font files, and any attachments, and
then places them into a folder or a ZIP file.
There is just one problem: by default, the option to include font files is turned off. To include fonts,
click the Transmittal Setups button, click Modify, and then turn on the Include Fonts option.
If you want just a list of needed fonts and other support files, click the View Report button, and
you get a list of required and missing files:
AutoCAD Drawing Standards File References:

MKMStd.dws
AutoCAD Font Map References:

acad.fmp
AutoCAD Compiled Shape References:

Fonts\txt.shx

Fonts\romand.shx
The following files could not be located:

@Arial Unicode MS.(shx,ttf)

Textures\Mats\

PlotCfgs\Sample Floor Plan_Base.stb
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Linetypes and Hatch Patterns

Bricscad and AutoCAD use the same definitions for linetypes, as well as for hatch patterns:

Simple linetypes defined by .lin files
Complex linetypes defined by .lin and .shx files
Hatch patterns defined by .pat files
This means that Bricscad can use linetypes and hatch patterns that have been customized for AutoCAD. If you wish to reuse them from AutoCADs, then copy the .lin, .shx, and .pat files from their
support folder:

C:\Users\<login>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2012\R18.2\enu\Support
...to the Bricscad support folder in Windows:

In Linux, the Bricscad support folder is home/<login>/Bricsys/Bricscad/Bricscad/V12/en_US/Support.

There is one difference: Bricscad uses different file names for default linetype and hatch pattern
files, and so you need to rename them, as follows:
File Type
AutoCAD Default Name
Bricscad Default Name
Notes
Linetypes acad.lin default.lin

acadiso.lin iso.lin ISO-standard linetypes
ltypeshp.shx

ltypeshp.shx

Shape files for complex linetypes
Hatch patterns

acad.pat default.pat

acadiso.pat iso.pat
ISO-standard hatch patterns
As an alternative to copying files, you can import AutoCAD linetype files into Bricscad like this:
1. In Bricscad, use the Linetype command to open the Explorer window at the Linetypes node.
2. Click the New button to display the Load Linetypes dialog box.
3. Click File to access another .lin file, such as acad.lin.
89
4. Use the Look In droplist to navigate to C:\Users\<login>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2012\

R18.2\enu\Support. Replace <login> with your Windows login name.
5. Choose the .lin file you wish to open, and then click Open. The linetypes from AutoCAD are added to the
current drawing.
Linetypes and hatch patterns are customized the same way by Bricscad and AutoCAD, by editing the
related .lin and .pat files with Notepad or another text editor.
As of V12, Bricscad handles customized hatch pattern files whose names differ from default.pat;
these are displayed by the Hatch Pattern Palette dialog box when hatch Type is set to Custom.
Plot Styles
Bricscad and AutoCAD support both color-based and style-based plot styles that allow entities to
look different when plotted. Recall that CTB files are for the older color-based plot style tables,
while STB files are for the newer style-based plot style tables.
To create or edit plot styles in Bricscad, use the PlotStyle command. (Or choose Plotstyle Manager from the File menu.) The figures below show that the style-based plot style tables of both CAD
programs are identical:
Left: AutoCADs STB table.

Right: Bricscads STB table.
90
This means Bricscad can use STB and CTB files created by AutoCAD after you rename them. The
sole difference is the file name of default: AutoCADs default name is acad.stb, while Bricscads
default is default.stb.
Plotter Manager
Bricscad and AutoCAD both support PC3 plotter manager files, which allow users to customize plotter options. Bricscad can use PC3 files created in AutoCAD.
To create and edit plotters in Bricscad, choose Plotter Manager from the File menu, or enter the
PlotterManager command. The figures below show that the plotter configuration editors of both
CAD programs are similar: one significant improvement is that Bricsys lets you choose the system
printer in the Information tab, whereas AutoCAD does not.
Left: Bricscads plotter editor for a system printer.

Right: AutoCADs plotter editor for DWF outpout.
91
Supported Files
In addition to DWG drawing files, Bricscad and AutoCAD employ many additional files. The following tables cross-reference by extension supported files between the two CAD packages.
AutoCAD File
Bricscad File
Notes
Drawing Files
.adt
.adt
Audit log files
.bak
.bak
Backup drawing files
.dwf
.dwf
Design Web format files
.dwfx
...
XPS compatible version of DWF files
.dwg
.dwg
Drawing files
.dws
...
CAD standards files
.dwt
.dwt
Drawing template files
.dxb
...
Binary drawing interchange files for CAD/camera
.dxf
.dxf
Drawing interchange files, ASCII and binary
.sv$
.sv$
Autosaved drawing files
.xlg
.xlg
Xref log files
.$$$
...
Emergency backup files
.$ac
...
Temporary files created by AutoCAD
.$a
...
Temporary files
Support Files
92
.acb
...
AutoCAD color book files
.acl
...
Autocorrect list files
.arg
.arg
User profile files
.atc
...
AutoCAD tool catalog files
.aws
...
AutoCAD workspace files
.blk
...
Block template files
.cfg
.cfg
Configuration files
.chm
chm
Compiled HTML format help files
.chx
...
Standards check files
.cui
.cui
Customize User Interface files
.cuix
...
Customization container files
.cus
.cus
Custom dictionary files
.dbq
...
Database query files
.dbt
...
Database template files
.dbx
...
Database extension files
.dct
.dic
Dictionary files
AutoCAD File
Bricscad File
Notes
.dsd
...
Drawing set description files
.dst
...
Sheet set data files
.err
...
Error log files
.fdc
...
Field catalog files
.fmp
.fmp
Font mapping files
.hdi
...
Heidi device interface files
.hlp
.hlp
Windows-format help files
.htm, .html
.htm, .html
Hypertext markup language files
...
.icm
IntelliCAD menu files
.ies
...
Illumination distribution data files
.ini
...
Configuration (initialization) files
.lin
.lin
Linetype definition files
.log
.log
Log files created by the LogFileOn command
...
.lwi
Base material files
.mli
...
Material library files for rendering
.mln
...
Multiline style files
.mnc
...
Compiled menu files (deprecated as of AutoCAD 2006)
.mnd
...
Uncompiled menu files containing macros (deprecated)
.mnl
...
AutoLISP routines used by AutoCAD menus (deprecated)
.mnr
...
Menu resource files
.mns
.mns
AutoCAD-generated menu source files (deprecated)
.mnu
.mnu
Menu source files (deprecated as of AutoCAD 2006)
.nfl
...
Filter list files
.pat
.pat
Hatch pattern definition files
.ptw
...
Publish to Web settings files
.pwt
...
Publish to Web template files
.rml
...
Redline markup files (obsolete)
.shp
...
Shape and font definition files
.shx
.shx
Compiled shape and AutoCAD font files
.slg
...
Status log files
.ttf
.ttf
Microsoft font files
.txt
.txt
Text message files
.udl
...
Microsoft data link files
.xml
...
Extended markup language files
.xmx
...
External message files
.xpg
...
XML-format tool palette group files
93
AutoCAD File
Bricscad File
Notes
Plotting Support Files

.ctb
.ctb
Color-table based plot parameter files
.pc2
...
Plot configuration parameters files for AutoCAD 2000 (deprecated)
.pc3
.pc3
Plot configuration parameters files since AutoCAD 2000i
.pcp
...
Plot configuration parameters files for AutoCAD R14 (deprecated)
.plt
.plt
Plot files
.pmp
.pmp
Plotter model configuration files
.pss
...
Plot stamp settings files
.stb
.stb
Style-table based plot parameter files
Import-Export Files
94
.3ds
...
3D Studio files
.bmp
.bmp
Windows raster files (device-independent bitmap)
.cdf
.cdf
Comma delimited files
.dgn
...
MicroStation V8 and V7 design files
.dxe
...
Data extraction files created by DataExtraction command
.dxx
...
DXF files created by AttExt command
...
.ecw
Enhanced Compression Wavelet files
...
.emf
Enhanced meta format files
.eps
...
Encapsulated PostScript files
.fax
...
Fax raster plot files
.fit
...
FIT raster plot files
.gif
.gif
CompuServe image files
.jpg, .jpeg
.jpg, .jpeg
Joint photographic expert group files
...
.jp2
JPEG 2000 files
.kml
...
Google Earth files (keyhole markup language)
.kmx
...
Compressed KML files
.pcx
.pcx
Raster format files
.pdf
.pdf
Portable document format files
.png
.png
Portable Network Graphics raster files
.sat
.sat
ACIS solid object files (short for Save As Text) files
.sdf
.sdf
Space-delimited files
.slb
.slb
Slide library files
.sld
.sld
Slide files
.stl
...
Solid object stereo-lithography files
...
.svg
Scalable vector graphics
.tga
.tga
Raster format (Targa) files
.tif
.tif
Raster format (Tagged image file format) files
AutoCAD File
Bricscad File
Notes
.txt
.txt
Space delimited files
.wmf
.wmf
Windows metaformat files
.xls
...
Excel spreadsheet files
API and Programming Files

.actm
...
Active macro source code files
.arx
...
AutoCAD runtime extension files
...
.brx
Bricsys runtime extension files
.cpp
.cpp
ObjectARX source code files
.dce
.dce
Dialog error log files
.dcl
.dcl
Dialog control language descriptions of dialog boxes
...
.drx
Design runtime extension files
.dll
.dll
Dynamic link libraries
.dvb
.dvb
Visual Basic for Applications program files
.fas
...
AutoLISP fast load programs files
.h
.h
ADS/SDS and ARX/BRX/TX function definition files
.lib
.lib
ARX BRX/TX function library files
.lsp
.lsp
AutoLISP/LISP program files
...
.mcr
Macro files
.pgp
.pgp
Program parameters files (external commands and aliases)
.rx
...
Lists of ARX applications that load automatically
.scr
.scr
Script files
.unt
unt
Unit definition files
...
.vbi
VBA project files prior to Bricscad V8
.vlx
...
Compiled Visual LISP files
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Programming Considerations
By supporting almost the same list of programming languages and APIs as does AutoCAD, Bricsys
makes it easy for you to transfer your AutoCAD add-ons to Bricscad:

Bricscad Classic for Windows works with LISP, DCL, Diesel, TX, COM, .NET, and SDS.
Bricscad Pro and Platinum for Windows adds VBA and BRX. You can program with C/C++, VB, VBA, and
VB.NET.
Bricscad Classic for Linux works with LISP, DCL, Diesel, TX, and SDS. None of the Linux versions do not
support VL, VLA, VLAX, and VLR functions, because they depend on COM, which is Windows-specific.
Bricscad Pro and Platinum for Linux add BRX, which you can program with C/C++. Missing are functions
closely tied to Windows, primarily in the AcUi/AdUI and OPM class categories.
When it comes to using programs written for AutoCAD, you can reuse .lsp AutoLISP routines, .dvb
projects or VBA macros (in Windows only), and .dcl dialog control language files with no modification.
For writing C and C++ applications, Bricscad offers its BRX interface, which is code-compatible with
AutoCADs ARX interface. Bricscad supports SDS, which is compatible with AutoCADs ADS interface; SDS is deprecated in both AutoCAD and Bricscad.
AutoCAD API Equivalent in Bricscad Notes
Action Recorder (*)
Scripts, SCR

AutoCADs Action Recorder scripts cannot be edited;

scripts recorded by Bricscad can be edited.
ActiveX ActiveX In-place editing; not available in Bricscad for Linux.

ADS
SDS

ADS code ported from AutoCAD requires just a recompile using BRX
headers; ADS and SDS are deprecated by Autodesk and Bricsys
ARX
BRX or TX

Ported ARX code requires just a recompile using new BRX headers;
when used with TX (ex-DRX), ported ARX code must be rewritten
AutoLISP
LISP

Ported AutoLISP code runs as-is in Bricscad; no changes needed,

includes support for Vl, Vlr, Vla, and Vlax functions and encryption.
COM
COM
Ported AutoCAD COM code runs as-is in Bricscad; no changes needed;
Diesel
Diesel
Ported Diesel code runs as-is in Bricscad; no changes needed
DCL
DCL
Ported DCL code runs as-is in Bricscad; no changes needed
CUI
CUI
Ported AutoCAD menu and toolbar macros work as-in in Bricscad
.Net (managed wrapper classes)

Teigha.NET
Bricscad provides Teigha.NET and extra BRX-managed wrappers;
...
TX
Teigha eXtensions (renamed in V12) from Open Design Alliance;
not available in AutoCAD.
...
VBA
Current AutoCAD VBA code runs as-is in Bricscad for Windows
VBA is deprecated in AutoCAD; not available in Bricscad for Linux.
VSTA ... VSTA is unavailable in Bricscad.

TIPThe RecScript command (script recorder) in Bricscad produces .scr files that can be edited, which makes it more
useful than the Action Recorder in AutoCAD. Since the Action Recorders scripts cannot be edited, it is not really an API.
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Generally, Bricscad provides a nearly identical subset of equivalent function names. In the case
of non-compiled code, such as LISP and DCL, you just drop it into the Bricscad environment. You
recompile compiled code using headers provided by Bricsys.
Detailed information is freely available from the Bricsys online developer reference at www.bricsys.
com/bricscad/help/en_US/V12/DevRef.
Porting AutoLISP to LISP

Most AutoLISP routines work directly in Bricscad. Its LISP engine supports VL and VLA functions,
and LISP reactors (except in the Linux version), as well as encrypted LISP; it does not support compiling to FAS (compiled LISP) files.
You may experience the following issues:

Bricscads command line input can vary slightly from AutoCADs. The solution is to verify the content of all
(command) functions, or avoid using (command) altogether.
Bricscad does not implement a few AutoLISP functions. The solution is to rewrite the code, or to adapt
external libraries.
DOSLib works with Bricscad Pro. It is a free library of LISP-callable functions not found in regular
LISP. See en.wiki.mcneel.com/default.aspx/McNeel/DOSLib.html.
Porting DCL to Bricscad

DCL routines work directly in Bricscad. OpenDCL is fully supported available for Bricscad; see www.
opendcl.com.
Porting Diesel to Bricscad

Diesel routines work directly in Bricscad.
Porting VBA to Bricscad (Windows Only)

AutoCAD and Bricscad for Windows both use DVB files for VBA projects. Releases of Bricscad prior
to V8 use VBI files, which can be converted to VBA for V8 and later. Refer to the VBA conversion
tool at www.bricsys.com/common/vbaconversion. VBA is not available in Bricscad for Linux.
Porting ADS to SDS

ADS code requires only a recompile using the BRX headers.
Since ADS/SDS were developed nearly 20 years ago, Bricsys considers SDS deprecated, meaning
developers should no longer use it. However, for backwards compatibility, Bricsys supports the old
SDS interface. To run an IntelliCAD-style SDS modules on Bricscad, the code must be adapted as
described at www.bricsys.com/bricscad/help/en_US/V12/DevRef/source/SDS_01.htm.
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Porting ARX to BRX

The BRX SDK (Bricscad runtime extension software development kit) is code-compatible with ARX
(AutoCAD runtime extension), so there is no need to convert your code.

In Windows, your application must be compiled with Visual Studio 2005 SP1, or any higher version compatible with version 8.0 of Microsofts CRT and MFC libraries.
In Linux, your application must be compiled with gcc 4.4 or higher.
Porting ARX to TX
Bricsys recommends that you use its own BRX SDK, rather than the TX SDK (Teigha runtime extension) from the Open Design Alliance, because of the following reasons:

BRX does not require any code conversion.
BRX adds all the interfaces specific to the application editor, which are not available in TX.
TX is the new name for the old DRX API. TX has the following differences from ARX:

TX enforces the use of smart pointers in client code.
TXs method of constructing and destructing objects is different from that of ARX.
TXs control flow of error handling is different from that of ARX applications.
TX SDK contains a subset of ARX functionality; editor-related ARX interfaces are missing.
TX has minor differences in the class hierarchy of objects.
TX is available to members of the OpenDesign Alliance at www.opendesign.com.
Porting COM to Bricscad

COM (Common Object Model) is available in Pro versions of Bricscad, and is accessed through programming languages like VB, VBA, VB.NET, C, and C++.
Though Bricscad object model is quite similar to AutoCADs, it is not identical. Nevertheless, most
VBx code written for AutoCAD should work directly under Bricscad. When you find a required element missing from the object model, the Bricscad developer support team is open to creating a
priority build that adds the functions you require.
Bricscad does not support VSTA (Visual Studio Tools for Applications).
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Loading Applications into Bricscad

Bricscad and AutoCAD both use the AppLoad command to load applications.
Above: AutoCADs application loader.

Below: Bricscads application loader.
Units
Bricscad and AutoCAD share the same units conversion file, which is used by functions in LISP, SDS,
and so on. Bricscad calls its file default.unt, while AutoCADs file name is acad.unt.
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Third-party Developer Support

Bricsys notes that There is day to day support for application developers who need assistance porting applications to Bricscad, or simply require technical information about the porting process and
the possibilities. The Bricsys development team has an extended section with dedicated developers
for the different development environments (LISP, COM, ADS, ARX, .NET).
Bricsys does not charge third-party developers, unlike CAD vendors. There is no fee to join, no annual membership, no charge for support, and no royalties on shipping products. Visit www.bricscad.
com/en_INTL/home/developers.jsp for more information.
When third-party developers request an addition to the API, it also becomes a new feature in Bricscad that end-users can employ.
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Bricscad V12 Automation Object Model
101
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chapter 5
Operating the Dual CAD

Design Office
SOME FIRMS OPERATE BRICSCAD exclusively, but others run a mix of Bricscad and AutoCAD. This
chapter explores some of the issues in running a dual-CAD shop, and how to solve them. As well, it
looks at using the Linux operating system as a cost saving alternative to Windows or OS X.
Chapter 5: Operating the Dual-CAD Design Office
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Reasons for Operating Multiple CAD Systems

It has become common for design firms to license more than one brand of CAD package. Examples
include AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD and SolidWorks, and AutoCAD and Bricscad. Its more
work to run two CAD systems instead of just one, so why would design firms cause themselves this
otherwise-unnecessary grief?
Dual-CAD firms typically give these reasons:

Cost
Compatibility
Capability
Cost
For some firms, the $4,000-cost of AutoCAD is expensive, and so the majority of seats run a lowercost package, such as AutoCAD LT or Bricscad. For instance, a 100-seat firm might have a 10/90 split
between AutoCAD and the lower-cost package, saving the firm $315,000 in initial licensing costs.
The following table illustrates the dramatic savings:
Number of Seats
Initial Licensing Cost
Savings
100 AutoCAD
10 AutoCAD, 90 Bricscad
100 Bricscad
$400,000
$ 85,000
$ 50,000
$
0
$315,000
$350,000
I say initial licensing costs, because there are two subsequent costs associated with software, both
optional:

Upgrade fees.
Annual maintenance or support fees. These often include the semi-annual or annual upgrade at no extra
cost.
The situation is particularly acute for firms in developing countries, where starting architects might make
as much as $300 a month. In my opinion, it is disturbing that major software companies charge more
for their programs in these high-growth but poorer countries, thereby placing the software tools out
of reach of many of their target customers. Ironically, these same software companies then complain
about the high rate of piracy in developing countries and fail to see the connection.
Autodesk has different pricing in countries; Bricscad has a single international price for every country.
The non-democratic pricing model puts ethical design firms in a bind. They cannot afford a full house
of expensive CAD software licenses, yet they need to show large clients that they are running a clean
shop with no pirated software.
Solutions to High License Fees
For these firms, one solution is to license mostly lower-cost products, specifically AutoCAD LT, Bricscad, and the like. Indeed, Bricscad provides firms with a much more capable CAD package at half the
price of AutoCAD LT.
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Another solution to saving money is by running the free Linux operating system on computers, instead
of the pricier Windows. The catch is that the CAD vendor must have a version of his software that
runs on Linux. Bricsys does; Autodesk does not.
Linux is doubly cost-effective, because it runs well on older, less powerful computers. Newer releases
of Windows typically require new hardware, if only because the operating system no longer supports
older device drivers or software. Windows 7 is particularly bad for this.
In summary, Bricscad is triply cost-effective:

Bricscad is priced 8x less than AutoCAD, and 2x less than AutoCAD LT.
Bricscad can run on Linux, which is free.
Linux can run on older computers.
Compatibility
Like all responsible, capitalistic corporations, design firms look to reduce their expenses, and so prefer
the lowest-cost system. But in the case of CAD, this may mean losing some compatibility with the
industry standard, AutoCAD.
Autodesk works hard to ensure AutoCAD stays ahead of the competition, whether through technology or through marketing. For instance, when in the mid-1990s, IntelliCAD began threatening sales
of the 10x more expensive AutoCAD, Autodesk launched an marketing campaign that was effective
in warning customers away from the upstart. The marketing campaign claimed that AutoCAD LT was
the only low-priced CAD package that was 100% DWG-compatible with AutoCAD. The problem with
the claim was that it was not entirely accurate at the time: AutoCAD LT in those days could not deal
with all the entities created by AutoCAD.
The 100% Pure DWG situation is more true today than ever before, as Autodesk puts its huge
resources into barreling ahead and adding all kinds of features to AutoCAD, making it increasingly
incompatible with the clones.
For this reason, most design firms have at least one license of AutoCAD to handle clients drawings
that dont reproduce correctly in IntelliCAD or Bricscad. This is not unlike a firm saving money by
standardizing on the free Libre Office package, yet maintaining a license of Microsoft Office to ensure
compatibility with files created by the de facto standard in office software.
The counterweight to Autodesk is the Open Design Alliance. ODA was established originally to document the proprietary DWG format. The organization provides APIs to member organization to allow
them to read and write DWG files. Since its founding in the late 1990s, ODA has expanded its services
by providing programming toolkits that mimic other aspects of AutoCAD, such as the ARX programming interface.
The bad news is that the content of the DWG file changes every year as Autodesk adds more capabilities and object types to AutoCAD. The qualified good news is that Autodesk freezes the format itself
for three years at a time. ODA and its Russian contract programmers do the hard work by figuring out
whats inside DWG. This means that Bricscad, IntelliCAD, and other firms can concentrate on adding
features to their CAD systems.
While Autodesk licenses its own RealDWG API, some 1,200 member companies of ODA are not keen
on relying only on Autodesk for accessing DWG files.
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Capability
Autodesk is barreling ahead, adding features to AutoCAD. In just a few years, AutoCAD gained 3D
mesh modeling, 3D surface modeling, a materials makeover, a direct modeling add-on just to name
a few. The bad news is that I see no way that the clones can replicate all of AutoCAD 2012s functions
in their entirety, or even those of AutoCAD 2002.
The good news is that there is no need to replicate AutoCAD completely. Three-D modeling in areas
of meshes and surfaces is of little interest to heads-down drafters, the majority of whom produce 2D
drawings. Even in hard core 3D CAD environments, such as Catia, recent numbers indicate that more
than 50% of drawings are produced in 2D. Catia, from Dassault Systemes, is high-end 3D modeling
software used by aircraft and automotive firms, among others.
Indeed, ITC has officially given up trying to keep up, and instead plans to concentrate on features that
end-users want in 2D drafting. ITC is the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium, which hires the programmers to update IntelliCAD. The software is then licensed to consortium members, who package the
software for sale to end-users. Bricsys is no longer a member of ITC, and writes its own code. Both,
however, rely on ODA.
Nevertheless, 3D cannot be ignored, yet clones traditionally have been weak in 3D. IntelliCAD and
other clones have achieved what AutoCAD did more than a decade ago. The sole exception is Bricscad,
which recently took two giant strides in beefing up its 3D offerings.

With V11, Bricsys added a higher-priced Platinum Edition that offered 3D history-based parametric modeling, known as X-Solids. It included a parametric parts library, called X-Hardware. Quite frankly, however, I
find X-Solids not easy to use, because it requires filling in dialog boxes with the dimensions of 3D bodies,
and it is incompatible with existing ACIS-based 3D solid models.
With V12, Bricsys added 3D direct modeling and constraints to all editions.
The following table summarizes these points:
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Feature
Classic Edition
Pro Edition
Platinum Edition
2D Constraints
3D Constraints
3D Design Intent
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
3D Solid Modeling
3D Direct Modeling
3D History Modeling
View only
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Running Bricscad and AutoCAD in One Office

To run more than one CAD system in your office successfully, it is crucial to take the time to understand the differences between them. There are many differences, because the abilities of AutoCAD,
Bricscad, and AutoCAD LT differ.
This ebook is your primary reference; you may find it helpful also to refer to my The AutoCAD Illustrated Quick Reference (Delmar Publishers), which lists all commands in alphabetical order, along with
every commands options and all the ways of launching each command. It is available for all versions
of AutoCAD since Release 12.
Establish an in-house workflow to assign appropriate tasks to each CAD system, as described in the
section following. When features are missing, find workarounds. For instance, when Bricscad cannot
handle certain entities, you can xref drawings from AutoCAD. Bricscad can display nearly anything that
AutoCAD can draw, but does not create or edit every entity.
In brief, Bricscad has the following capabilities:
Activity Bricscad can...
View
Edit
Create
...display nearly all AutoCAD 2012 entity types, even if it cannot edit or create them.
...edit most AutoCAD entities, although sometimes only through the Properties pane.
...create many AutoCAD entities, but fewer than it can edit.
See chapter 3 Drawing File Compatibility for the nitty gritty detail on each and every DWG 2012 object.
Dividing the Workflow Between AutoCAD and Bricscad

You probably are well acquainted with the workflow in your office, the route that drawings take through
the office often from the general to the specific.
For instance, one of my clients has the following workflow:
1. Receive DWG drawing files from architects.
2. Review the dimensions on received drawings for dimensional accuracy.
3. Create overall elevation views the buildings faces, and plan views of each floor.
4. Draw up assembly drawings for fabricators.
5. Make detail drawings of every item, and then generate bills of materials.
6. Plot drawings on B- or C-size paper.
7. Send completed paper drawing sets to clients and fabrication shops.
As much as possible, work is done in Bricscad, since it operates on the majority of workstations. Only
the work Bricscad cannot do is handled by AutoCAD.
The design firm figured out the CAD features they employ in their office, and then created two lists:
(a) features that work in both BricsCAD and AutoCAD and (b) those that work only in AutoCAD.
Here are the lists they created, along with brief notes on their usefulness to their workflow. These lists
are not exhaustive, but specific to the needs of one particular design firm.
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Features that Work in BricsCAD & AutoCAD

Usefulness
Template DWT files
Field text
Hyperlink command
Geometric and dimensional constraints
Explorer / DesignCenter, Tool Palettes*
Sheet sets*
LISP / AutoLISP
CUI / Customization
Very useful to speed up initial drawing creation

Very useful for automating text
Very useful for linking to other drawings
Dimensional constraints very useful for sizing objects
Probably useful for sharing and accessing content
Very useful for organizing groups of drawings
Useful for automating some routine drafting
Some aspects useful for combining commands
*) Due to be added to Bricscad during the life of V12
Features Specific to AutoCAD
Usefulness
Measure and Divide

QDim
DimBreak, DimSpace, DimJoggedLine
Annotative scaling
Measure is useful for placing QDim dimensions

Useful when used with Measure
Very useful
Not useful
Active Recorder
Data extraction, tables, and spreadsheets
Drawing Views (in AutoCAD 2012)
Overkill
LayTrans command
Dynamic UCS
Creating dynamic blocks
Check Standards commands, DWS files
Mleaders, editing, styles

Useless
Very useful
Probably useful for generating 2D plans from 3D
Useful for cleaning up drawings
Useful for bulk editing layer names in incoming drawings
Not better than their own solution
Useful for creating complex linetypes
Too limited in scope to be useful
Very useful for joining multiple leaders into one;
and for lining up leaders neatly
Strategic Implementation
While some employees may be keen to implement more efficient drafting methods on Bricscad and
AutoCAD, it pays to place one in charge of CAD management and training. Here is the plan one design
firm arrived at:

Upgrade all licenses of BricsCAD to the latest version, and dual OS (Linux and Windows); decide on
the split between the Pro and Platinum versions.
Introduce a few seats of Inventor for handling specific 3D constructions, as well as forms of automated drafting of which AutoCAD is incapable. (Inventor licenses include AutoCAD free.)
Determine the split between assigning drafting tasks to AutoCAD and BricsCAD stations, recognizing
the limitations of BricsCAD.
Automate as much of the 2D drafting as possible.
Create a steering group to ensure the new techniques are disseminated throughout the firm; think
about hiring local trainers for specific topics; create a CAD programmer position; and ensure that
progress occurs.
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Review the implementation in a years time.
Dual OS Office
To save money further, some firms switch some of their workstations from Windows to Linux. One
firm told me that replacing Windows with the free Linux operating system saves them 10% of their
annual IT budget.
AutoCAD is not available for Linux, but Bricscad is. Bricsys is working hard to ensure that all of the
features in the Windows version operate properly in the Linux version.
Solving the Problems of Porting Software to Linux

The part of the CAD system that deals with geometric objects is not the problem in porting. (Porting
is the term used to describe the process of making a software program work correctly with another
operating system.) The problems lie behind the scenes, specifically in the areas of programming interfaces and user interface elements.
Even for a large, wealthy firm like Autodesk, porting CAD programs to other operating systems is a
difficult undertaking, because most of todays CAD software is intimately intertwined with the Windows operating system. Microsoft deliberately made it easy for programmers to write software for
WIndows, but at the cost of making it excruciatingly difficult to tear themselves away. For instance,
a programming team at Autodesk took 18 months to rewrite AutoCAD for Mac and OS X, and even
then something like 30% of commands were left out of the initial release, as were most APIs.
Admittedly, a mere five years ago, no CAD programmer would have dreamed of writing code for anything other than Windows. (Or perhaps OS X. A few CAD firms, such as Graphisoft and Vectorworks,
had begun on the Mac twenty years ago, and since developed their software simultaneously for OS X
and Windows. The foresight means no pain for them today!) Now, however, the plausible choices have
quadrupled to include Android and iOS on portable devices, and Linux and OS X on desktop systems
-- in addition to Windows on desktop and portable devices.
User Interface
To fix the two problem areas, Bricsys undertook two significant programming projects. The first was to
write the user interface using wxWidgets (www.wxwidgets.org). This allows Bricscad to look the same
on Linux, OS X, Windows, and mobile operating systems.
How should a ported program look? This is a serious question that faces software companies. Should
a CAD program look the same on all operating systems? If it does, then current users feel comfortable
switching. This is the approach Bricsys took, and so the Linux version looks the same as the Windows
version.
Or, should the CAD program look like each operating system? If so, then new users might feel comfortable starting with it. This is the approach Autodesk took with AutoCAD for Mac, which looks like
a program written for OS X, very different from the Windows version.
APIs
The second project was even more difficult, mimicking the Windows programming interface, something
that no other CAD vendor attempted. (In the general computing world, there have been efforts, like
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those of Wine, VMware, and Win4Lin.) Programmers at Bricsys had to write the code for Linux that
Microsoft normally provides for Windows.
Note that this problem affects only programming languages that depend greatly on the operating system, such as Visual LISP, .Net, and ARX or BRX. The OS problem does not affect customization internal
to the CAD system, such as menu and toolbar macros, LISP routines, and scripts.
The end result ensures that add-ons written in Windows work in Linux. Here is a list of the APIs ported
by Bricsys to Bricscad for Linux V12.
Table of Supported APIs
LISP functions, excluding VL, VLA, VLAX, and VLR functions, because they depend on Windows-only COM
DCL functions.
DIESEL functions.
TX functions.
BRX functions, excluding interfaces that are strongly tied to Windows, such as AcUi/AdUi and OPM categories.
SDS functions, excluding Windows-specific types.
Benefits of Linux
Running Linux on computers instead of Windows has several benefits. These include the following items.
Linux is Free
Linux is free, as are subsequent upgrades. While Windows is included free with every new computer
(actually, you pay a hidden cost of about $20), upgrades are not. Upgrading from an older version of
Windows costs US$120 per computer, or more. Here is the annualized cost to upgrade OS licenses on
100 computers every three years:
Windows OS
Linux OS
Savings
$4,000/year
$0/year
$4,000/year
Desktop Linux is now similar enough to Windows that many users cannot tell the difference, particularly those users who dont care about the UX (user experience), but care primarily about getting the
work done. Indeed, some CAD operators at one design firm subsequently asked the IT staff to install
Linux on their home computers, after experiencing it at work.
Linux is Hardware-Efficient
Linux runs more efficiently than Windows. This means it can run CAD software faster on older hardware
for more years than does Windows. Whereas Windows today can barely function on computers with
just 1GB RAM, Linux has no problem. This is because Microsoft programmers were instructed by
founder Bill Gates to assume computers have infinite memory and CPU speeds, which they do not. As
a result, Windows was written inefficiently. In contrast, Linux was based on Unix, an operating system
from the 1970s, which was written with ultra-efficiency to run well on computers with barely any
memory and very slow CPUs. The ethos of efficiency has carried into the our current decade successfully.
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Linux Is Malware-free
Linux has fewer irritants than Windows. It does not suffer from malware attacks, such as viruses, since
the number of Linux computers is too small for virus writers to bother with.
My favorite feature about Linux is that after updates are applied to Linux, you do not reboot the
computer, as you must with Windows and OS X. You just keep right on working. Since OS X is based
on Unix, as is Linux, I am surprised that OS X needs reboots following updates.
Heres a funny thing: it is easier to get used to OS X if you are already familiar with Linux, than coming from Windows.
Linux is Hardware-compatible
Linux runs on the same computers as Windows, unlike OS X, which is locked to Apple hardware. To
try out Linux, you can install on existing Windows computer; to try out OS X, you have to buy all new
hardware, and get used to different keyboard and trackpad interactions.
(A tip: If you have to get OS X, save some money by buying the Mac mini with the maximum amount
of RAM available, and then hook up your own monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I find the mini is more
flexible than the MacBook.)
Linux Dual-boots
Linux has dual-booting built-in, unlike Windows. This means that one computer can run both Linux
or Windows, one at a time. When the computer starts, a Linux utility called grub lets you choose
between running Linux or Windows. All my notebook computers are dual-booting; I usually run Linux,
because it is more efficient. But when I need to use a program available only on Windows, then I shut
down the computer, and then start it with Windows.
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(OS X also includes a dual-boot facility, called BootCamp.)

The drawback to dual-boot is that it runs just one operating system at a time. If you wish to run two
(or more) at the same time, then you can use a free virtual manager program, such as VmWare Player
(www.vmware.com) and Oracle Virtual Box (www.oracle.com/technetwork/server-storage/virtualbox/
downloads/index.html). These programs let you run, say, Linux in a window (or full screen) inside
Windows, and even copy and paste between them.
Drawbacks to Linux
Linux never conquered the desktop the way it took over in all other areas of computing, such as Web
servers, mainframe computers, smartphones, and embedded computing. Microsofts monopolistic
practices for many years were effective in locking out competitors, such as Apple and Linux.
Linux is confusing, because it can feel different from Windows, it has hundreds of versions and several
graphical user interfaces from which to chose, and can have problems installing software, sometimes.
Because it is different, it does not always have all the same software that Windows users are used
to. Because there is so much choice in the number of versions of Linux, users can end up making no
choice. And when software wont install, you wont use it.
Lack of identical software.
Much of the basic software you run on Windows is available on Linux, such as Libre Office, which runs
identically on Linux, OS X, and Windows. If you use Microsoft Office on Windows, then youll be running Libre Office on Linux. Other basics are also available in multi-OS versions, such as Web browsers
(Chrome, Firefox, and Opera), image processing (Picasa), music and video playback (VLC), and Skype.
Linux comes with a ton of utilities; after all, it was written by geeks for themselves. For instance, the
built-in screen grab software is much more sophisticated than the one for Windows or OS X.
But it cannot run AutoCAD and other powerhouse software found on Windows and OS X, such as
PhotoShop and InDesign -- except through a Windows emulator, such as Wine. I find that emulators
are not efficient (runs the software slower) and not 100% compatible (some software and some software functions dont operate.)
I recommend using native software, and I would rather do without than run software in an emulator
or in a virtual machine. In this case, Bricscad for Linux becomes the obvious choice.
Which Linux?
There are many more versions of Linux than there are of Windows. There is the source version written by Linius Torvald, after whom Linux is name. Then there are primary distributions, with names like
Debian, Ubuntu, Gentoo, Fedora, Red Hat, Mandriva, and Slackware.
For every primary distribution, there are dozens of variants. This page at Wikipedia lists the names of
more than 100 distributions and variants: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_distributions.
So, it can be hard no, confusing to choose one. (Here is a list of downloadable LiveCDs:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_live_CDs). In one way, it does not matter, since they all operate pretty
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much in roughly the same way; indeed, they work similarly to Windows and even more similarly to OS X.
Because they are free, you can download a bunch of them and try them out. Downloads are often
available as LiveCD format. You download the file (in .iso format) that you burn to a CD, and then you
can run Linux from the CD drive and/or install onto a computer. In this case, I recommend using a
virtual machine (VmWare or Virtual Box) to install a Linux distribution temporarily, unless you have a
computer whose hard drive you can wipe. (You can run Linux off a CD or USB stick, but then it runs
slowly, and you get a bad first impression!)
As for me, I use Mint Linux. It is based on the most popular dialect of Linux, Ubuntu, and so it can
use .deb (Debian) installation files designed for Ubuntu. Better than Ubuntu, however, Mint includes
all the extra that make starting with Linux less painful, such as common applications, drivers, and
codecs. www.linuxmint.com
Problematic Installers
The biggest headache for new and medium-term Linux users is installing software. Many times, installing
software goes without a hitch; other times, it does not work well and is a major pain. The problem exists
because Linux first expected users to install software through the command-line interface; later, a GUI
was added, and then different distributions came up with different ways of making installs easier. When
you have hundreds of versions of Linux, youre bound to end up with dozens of installers. Someone
once said in another context that more choice leads to less stress, but I disagree.
Major Linux vendors and software providers are fixing the problem in two ways: (a) though Windowslike installers, which operate nearly automatically; and (b) through OS X-like software libraries build
into the operating system.
113
Here is a list of the major distributions and the installer software they use:
Linux Distribution
Package File
Package Manager
Debian GNU/Linux
Fedora Linux

OpenSUSE Linux
All others
.deb
.rpm
.rpm
.tgz
dpkg
RPM
RPM
tar
At its Web site, Bricsys lists the download files in the following formats:
If the variant you used is based on Debian, then you click the DEB file button. I used Mint Linux, which
is based on Ubuntu (which is based on Debian), and so I download .deb files.
Competing GUIs
If you have hundreds of dialects of Linux, then you are going to have several user interfaces. Thats
right: Linux offers easily replaceable graphical user interfaces. (This is also possible in Windows, but
few have any desire to change from Microsofts design.)
There used to be a big split over which interface to use with Linux, KDE or Gnome. (I prefer Gnome.)
Today, there is also Unity, which is designed for the smaller screens of netbooks and portable devices.
This chapter provided you with practical advice on running a design firm with both AutoCAD and
Bricscad, along with the pros and cons of replacing Windows with the Linux operating system.
114
appendix A
Cross-reference of
AutoCAD & Bricscad
Command Names
THIS APPENDIX LISTS the names of commands found in AutoCAD and Bricscad. The list is sorted
alphabetically by command name for both CAD packages, and shows the equivalent command name if
there is no exact match.
Commands specific to the X-related parametric 3D solid functions in Bricscad Platinum are listed separately at the end of this appendix. Not included are undocumented commands by either vendor, the
names of hard wired aliases, and deprecated commands.

Command names new to Bricscad V12 are shown in blue.
11
indicates the command was new to AutoCAD 2011.
12
indicates the command is new to AutoCAD 2012.
Appendix A: Cross-reference of AutoCAD & Bricscad Command Names
115
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
Notes on Differences
A
About About
AcisIn AcisIn
AcisOut AcisOut
ActBasepoint ...
ActManager ...
ActRecord
...
In Bricscad, use RecScript
ActStop
...
In Bricscad, use RecScript
ActUserInput ...
ActUserMessage ...
AdCenter / AdcClose
...
AdcNavigate
...
...
AddInMan
11
In Bricscad, use Explorer

Bricscads VBA COM Add-In Manager
AddSelected ...
Adjust
...
In Bricscad, use ImageAdjust
Ai_Box Ai_Box
Ai_Cone Ai_Cone
Ai_Dish Ai_Dish
Ai_Dome Ai_Dome
...
Ai_EdgeSurf
In AutoCAD, use EdgeSurf
Ai_Mesh
...
In Bricscad, use Mesh
Ai_Pyramid Ai_Pyramid
...
Ai_RevSurf
In AutoCAD, use RevSurf
...
Ai_RuleSurf
In AutoCAD, use RuleSurf
Ai_Sphere Ai_Sphere
...
Ai_TabSurf
In AutoCAD, use TabSurf
Ai_Torus Ai_Torus
Ai_Wedge Ai_Wedge
Align Align
AllPlay ...
AmeConvert ...
11
AnalysisCurvature ...
11
AnalysisDraft ...
11
AnalysisOptions ...
11
AnalysisZebra ...
AniPath ...
AnnoReset ...
AnnoUpdate ...
Aperture Aperture
...
Apparent
In AutoCAD, use -Osnap Apparent
AppLoad AppLoad
12
AppAutoLoader ...
Arc Arc
Archive ...
Area Area
Array / 12 ArrayClose Array
12
ArrayEdit ...
12
ArrayPath
116
...
In Bricscad, use Array
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
12
ArrayPolar
...
12
ArrayRect
...
...
In Bricscad, use AppLoad
Arx
Attach
...
In Bricscad, use ImageAttach, Xref, PdfAdjust
AttachURL
...
In Bricscad, use Hyperlink
AttDef AttDef
AttDisp AttDisp
AttEdit AttEdit
AttExt AttExt
AttIPedit ...
AttRedef ...
AttSync ...
Audit Audit
AutoConstrain
...
In Bricscad, use the GcCoincident commands AutoConstrain option
AutoPublish ...
B
Base Base
BAttMan ...
BEdit
...
In Bricscad, use Properties to edit dynamic blocks
BESettings ...
BHatch BHatch
Blipmode Blipmode
12
Blend ...
Block Block
BlockIcon
...
Required by AutoCAD for old drawings
BmpOut BmpOut
Boundary Boundary
Box Box
Break Break
BRep ...
Browser
Browser
C
Cal
Cal
Bricscad displays Windows Calculator
Camera ...
...
Center
In AutoCAD, use -Osnap Center
Chamfer Chamfer
ChamferEdge
...
In Bricscad, use DmChamfer
Change Change
CheckStandards ...
ChProp ChProp
ChSpace ...
Circle Circle
12
ClassicGroup
ClassicImage
...
In Bricscad, use Group
...
In Bricscad, use Image
117
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
ClassicLayer
...
In Bricscad, use Layer
ClassicXref
...
In Bricscad, use Xref
CleanScreenOn ...
CleanScreenOff ...
Clip Clip
Close Close
CloseAll CloseAll
Color Color
CommandLine
CommandLine
CommandLineHide CommandLineHide
Compile
...
Required only for converting PostScript font files
Cone Cone
12
ContentExplorer / Close
ConstraintBar
...
In Bricscad, use Explorer ...
ConstraintBar
ConstraintSettings ...
Convert
...
Required only for old AutoCAD drawings
ConvertCTB ConvertCTB
ConvertOldLights
...
ConvertOldMaterials
...
ConvertPStyles ConvertPStyles
11
ConvToNurbs ...
ConvToSolid
...
ConvToSurface ...
Copy Copy
CopyBase CopyBase
CopyClip
CopyClip
...
CopyEData
Copies xdata between entities
CopyHist CopyHist
CopyLink
...
Supported in a future release of Bricscad
CopyToLayer ...
CUI
CUI
Executes Bricscads Customize command
CuiExport ...
CuiImport ...
CuiLoad
CuiLoad
CuiUnload CuiUnload
CustomerInvolvementProgram ...
Customize
Customize
In AutoCAD, use CUI
CutClip CutClip
11
CvAdd ...
11
CvRemove ...
CvHide ...
11
CvShow ...
11
CvRebuild ...
Cylinder Cylinder
D
DataExtraction
...
DataLink
...
118
In Bricscad, use AttExt or TableExport
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
DataLinkUpdate ...
11
DcAligned
DcAligned
11
DcAngular
DcAngular
11
DcConvert
DcConvert
11
DcDiameter
DcDiameter
11
DcDisplay ...
11
DcForm ...
11
DcHorizontal
DcHorizontal
11
DcLinear
DcLinear
11
DcRadius
DcRadius
11
DcVertical
DcVertical
DbConnect / DbClose
...
DbList DbList
In AutoCAD, use AttEdit
...
DdAttE
...
DdEdit Renamed EditText in AutoCAD 2010
...
DdEModes Displays Settings for entity creation
...
DdFilter
...
DdGrips Displays Settings for grips
DdPtype
DdPtype
...
DdSelect Displays Settings for entity selection
DSettings
DSettings
...
DdSetVar
...
DdSTrack Displays Settings for snap tracking
Displays DdFilter selection menu

In Bricscad, displays Settings for points
Displays Settings dialog box
DdVPoint DdVPoint
DdUcs
DdUcs Displays Explorer for named UCSs
Delay Delay
DelConstraint
DelConstraint
...
DelEData
Erases xdata from entities
DetachURL
...
DgnAdjust ...
DgnAttach ...
12
-DgnBind
...
DgnClip ...
DgnImport
...
DgnExport ...
DgnLayers ...
DgnMapping ...
DimConstraint
DimConstraint
...
Dish
Draws 3D solid dishes
Dist Dist
DistantLight DistantLight
Divide Divide
...
DmAngle3D
3D angle constraint (Platinum edition only)
...
DmChamfer
In AutoCAD, use EditInFusion
...
DmCoincident3D
3D coincident constraint (Platinum edition only)
...
DmConcentric3D
3D concentric constraint (Platinum edition only)
...
DmContraintsBar
Toggles the 3D Constraints bar
...
DmDistance3D
3D distance constraint (Platinum edition only)
119
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
...
DmExtrude
...
DmFillet
...
DmMove
...
DmParallel3D
3D parallel constraint (Platinum edition only)
...
DmPerpendicular3D
3D perpendicular constraint (Platinum edition only)
...
DmPushpull
In AutoCAD, use PushPull
...
DmRadius3D
3D radius constraint (Platinum edition only)
...
DmRevolve
...
DmRotate
...
DmTangent3D
3D tangency constraint (Platinum edition only)
...
Dm3dFix
3D fix constraint (Platinum edition only)
...
DmUpdate
Updates 3D model to satisfy constraints (Platinum edition only)
...
Dome
Draws 3D solid domes
Donut Donut
DownloadManager ...
Dragmode Dragmode
DrawingRecovery
...
In Bricscad, use Recover
DrawingRecoveryHide ...
DrawOrder DrawOrder
...
DrawOrderByLayer
Draw order controlled through layer names
DSettings DSettings
DsViewer ...
DView DView
DwfAdjust ...
DwfAttach ...
DwfClip ...
DwfFormat ...
DwfLayers
...
...
DwgCodePage
In AutoCAD, use DwgCodePage system variable
DwgProps DwgProps
DxbIn
...
DxfIn DxfIn
DxfOut DxfOut
Dimensions
Dim
Dim
Dim1 Dim1
DimAligned DimAligned
DimAngular DimAngular
DimArc DimArc
DimBreak ...
DimBaseline DimBaseline
DimCenter DimCenter
DimContinue DimContinue
DimDiameter DimDiameter
DimDisassociate DimDisassociate
DimEdit DimEdit
120
Required only for CAD\camera support
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
DimInspect ...
DimJogged ...
DimJogLine ...
...
DimLeader
DimLinear
DimLinear
In AutoCAD, use Leader
DimOrdinate DimOrdinate
DimOverride DimOverride
DimRadius
DimRadius
DimReassociate ...
DimRegen DimRegen
DimRotated
DimRotated
DimSpace ...
DimStyle DimStyle
DimTEdit DimTEdit

E
EAttEdit EAttEdit
Edge ...
EdgeSurf EdgeSurf
...
12
EditInFusion
EditEData
Edits xdata
...
In Bricscad, use Dm... (direct editing) commands
Elev Elev
Ellipse Ellipse
...
Endpoint
In AutoCAD, use -Osnap Endpoint
Erase Erase
eTransmit eTransmit
ExAcReload ...
12
Exchange
...
...
In Bricscad, use www.bricsys.com/en_INTL/support
ExpBlocks
In AutoCAD, use AdCenter
Explode Explode
...
Explorer
In AutoCAD, use AdCenter
Export Export
ExportDWF
...
In Bricscad, use DwfOut
ExportDWFx
ExportLayout ...
ExportPDF
...
In Bricscad, use PdfOut
ExportSettings ...
-ExportToAutocad
...
ExpUcs
In Bricscad, use Explorers UCS section
Extend Extend
...
Extension
In AutoCAD, use -OSnap Extension
ExternalReferences / Close
...
In Bricscad, use Xref
Extrude Extrude
121
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
F
11
FbxExport ...
11
FbxImport ...
Field Field
...
Files
Displays Windows File Explorer
Fill Fill
Fillet Fillet
11
FilletEdge
Filter
...
In Bricscad, use DmFillet
...
In Bricscad, use DdFilter
Find Find
FlatShot
FlatShot
...
Flatten
Flattens 3D objects with thickness
Freespot
...
In Bricscad, use SpotLight
Freeweb
...
In Bricscad, use WebLight
G
11
GcCoincident
GcCoincident
11
GcColLinear
GcColLinear
11
GcConcentric
GcConcentric
11
GcEqual
GcEqual
11
GcFix
GcFix
11
GcHorizontal
GcHorizontal
11
GcParallel
GcParallel
11
GcPerpendicular
GcPerpendicular
11
GcSmooth
GcSmooth
11
GcSymmetric
GcSymmetric
11
GcTangent
GcTangent
11
GcVertical
GcVertical
GeographicLocation GeographicLocation
GeomConstraint
12
GetLink
GotoUrl
GeomConstraint
...
...
In Bricscad, use OnWeb
Gradient Gradient
11
GraphicsConfig
...
GraphScr GraphScr
Grid Grid
Group Group
12
GroupEdit
...
H
Handles
Handles
Inoperative in AutoCAD
Hatch Hatch
HatchEdit
...
11
HatchGenerateBoundary ...
11
HatchSetBoundary ...
11
HatchSetOrigin ...
122
In Bricscad, use Properties; supported in a future release of Bricscad
AutoCAD Command
11
Bricscad Command
HatchToBack
HatchToBack
Helix ...
11
HideObjects ...
Help Help
Hide
Hide
In AutoCAD, use for wireframe mode only
HidePalettes ...
Hyperlink Hyperlink
HyperlinkOptions HyperlinkOptions
I
Id Id
12
IgesImport ...
12
IgesExport ...
-Image
Image
In Bricscad, use Explorer for placing images
ImageAdjust
ImageAdjust
In Bricscad, use Properties for adjusting images
ImageAttach ImageAttach
ImageClip ImageClip
...
ImageFrame
In AutoCAD, use ImageFrame system variable
ImageQuality ImageQuality
Import Import
Imprint
...
In Bricscad, use SolidEdit commands Imprint option
Insert Insert
...
InsertAligned
Inserts multiple and mirrored blocks
...
Insertion
In AutoCAD, use -OSnap Insertion
InsertObj InsertObj
Interfere Interfere
Intersect Intersect
11
IsolateObjects ...
...
Intersection
In AutoCAD, use -OSnap Intersection
Isoplane Isoplane
J
Join Join
JpgOut ...
JustifyText ...
L
LayCur ...
LayDel
...
Layer / LayerClose
Layer
LayerP
...
LayerPalette
...
In Bricscad, use Explorer for layers.

LayerPMode ...
LayerState
LayerState
In Bricscad, use Explorer for layer states.
LayFrz LayFrz
LayIso LayIso
123
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
LayLck
LayLck
LayMch
...
LayMCur
LayMCur
LayMrg
...
LayOff
LayOff
LayOn LayOn
-Layout Layout
LayoutWizard
...
To be supported in a future release of Bricscad
LayThw LayThw
LayTrans ...
LayULk LayULk
LayUnIso LayUnIso
LayVpi ...
LayWalk ...
Leader Leader
Lengthen Lengthen
...
LicEnterKey
Enters Bricscad license key
...
LicProperties
Displays license information
Light Light
LightList / LightListClose
LightList
In Bricscad, use Explorer for lights
Limits Limits
Line Line
Linetype
Linetype
In Bricscad, use Explorer for linetypes
List List
LiveSection
LiveSection
Load Load
Loft ...
LogFileOn
LogFileOn
LogFileOff LogFileOff
LtScale LtScale
LWeight
LWeight
In Bricscad, use Settings for lineweights
Mail
Attaches current drawing to new email message
M
...
12
ManageUploads ...
Markup / MarkupClose
...
MassProp
MassProp ...
11
MatBrowserOpen / Close
Materials
In Bricscad, use Explorer for browsing materials
MatchCell ...
MatchProp
MatchProp ...
Materials
In Bricscad, use Explorer for editing materials
MaterialAttach
...
In Bricscad, use Properties to assign materials
MaterialMap
...
11
MatEditorOpen / Close
Measure Measure
MeasureGeom
...
In Bricscad, use Area, Dist, MassProp
Menu Menu
...
124
MenuLoad
In AutoCAD, use CuiLoad
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
...
MenuUnload
In AutoCAD, use CuiUnload
Mesh
Mesh
Bricscad draws polyface meshes
11
MeshCap ...
11
MeshCollapse ...
MeshCrease
...
11
MeshExtrude ...
11
MeshMerge ...
MeshOptions ...
MeshPrimitiveOptions ...
MeshRefine
...
MeshSmooth ...
MeshSmoothLess
...
MeshSmoothMore ...
MeshSpin ...
MeshSplit ...
MeshUncrease ...
12
Messages ...
...
11
MigrateMaterials
Midpoint
In AutoCAD, use -OSnap Midpoint
...
MInsert MInsert
Mirror Mirror
Mirror3d Mirror3d
MLeader ...
MLeaderAlign ...
MLeaderCollect ...
MLeaderEdit ...
MLeaderStyle ...
MlEdit ...
MLine ...
MlStyle ...
Model
...
In Bricscad, click Model tab
Move Move
...
MoveEData
Moves xdata between entities
MRedo
...
In Bricscad, use Redo multiple times
MSlide MSlide
MSpace MSpace
MtEdit
...
In Bricscad, use Properties
MText MText
MtProp
...
In Bricscad, use Properties
Multiple Multiple
MView MView
MvSetup ...
N
11
NavBar ...
NavSMotion / NavSMotionClose
...
NavSWheel
...
125
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
NavVCube ...
12
NCopy ...
...
Nearest
In AutoCAD, use -Osnap Nearest
NetLoad ...
New New
NewSheetset ...
NewShot ...
NewView ...
...
NewWiz
In Bricscad, begins new drawings with wizard
...
Node
In AutoCAD, use -OSnap Node
...
None
In AutoCAD, use -OSnap None
O
ObjectScale ...
Offset
12
Offset
OffsetEdge ...
OleConvert ...
OleLinks OleLinks
OleOpen
OleOpen
OleReset ...
OleScale ...
12
OnlineDrawings ...
...
OnWeb
Opens Bricsys.com home page; in AutoCAD, use Browser
Oops Oops
Open Open
OpenDwfMarkup ...
12
OpenOnline ...
OpenSheetset ...
Options Options
Ortho Orthogonal
-OSnap OSnap
12
OverKill ...
P
PageSetup PageSetup
Pan Pan
...
Parallel
Parameters / ParametersClose
...
PartiaLoad ...
-PartialOpen ...
PasteAsHyperlink ...
PasteBlock PasteBlock
PasteClip PasteClip
PasteOrig PasteOrig
PasteSpec PasteSpec
PcInWizard ...
126
In AutoCAD, use -OSnap Parallel
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
PdfAdjust ...
PdfAttach PdfAttach
PdfClip PdfClip
PdfLayers PdfLayers
...
PdfOptions
Settings for PDF exports
PEdit PEdit
...
Perpendicular
In AutoCAD, use -OSnap Perpendicular
PFace PFace
Plan
Plan
PlaneSurf ...
PLine PLine
Plot
Plot
In Bricscad, operates like AutoCADs -Plot command
PlotStamp
...
In Bricscad, use Print commands Plot Stamp option
PlotStyle PlotStyle
PlotterManager PlotterManager
PngOut ...
Point Point
11
PointCloud ...
11
PointCloudAttach ...
11
PointCloudIndex ...
PointLight PointLight
Polygon Polygon
PolySolid ...
PressPull
...
In Bricscad, use DmPushpull
Preview Preview
...
11
Print
In Bricscad, operates like AutoCADs Plot command
ProjectGeometry ...
Properties
Properties
PropertiesClose PropertiesClose
PSetupIn
PSetupIn
PSpace PSpace
Publish ...
PublishToWeb ...
Purge Purge
Pyramid Pyramid
Q
QDim ...
QLeader
...
In Bricscad, use Leader
QNew QNew
...
QPrint
Plots directly without dialog box
QSave QSave
QSelect
...
In Bricscad, click Quick Select button in Properties pane
QText QText
QuickCalc / QcClose
...
In Bricscad, use Calc
...
Quadrant
In AutoCAD, use -OSnap Quadrant
....
Quick
In AutoCAD, use -OSnap Quick
127
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
QuickCui ...
QuickProperties ...
Quit Quit
QvDrawing / QvDrawingClose
...
In Bricscad, use Window menu
QvLayout / QvLayoutClose
...
In Bricscad, layout tabs
R
Ray Ray
Recover Recover
...
ReassocApp
Reassociates apps with xdata
RecoverAll
...
In Bricscad, use Recover
...
RecScript
Begins recording a script file
Rectang Rectang
Redefine
Redefine
Redo Redo
Redraw
Redraw
RedrawAll RedrawAll
RefClose RefClose
RefEdit RefEdit
RefSet RefSet
Regen
Regen
RegenAll RegenAll
RegenAuto RegenAuto
Region Region
Reinit Reinit
Rename
Rename
In Bricscad, use Explorer
Render Render
RenderCrop ...
RenderEnvironment
...
RenderExposure ...
-RenderOutputSize
RenderPresets
...
RenderWin
...
ResetBlock ...
Resume Resume
RevCloud RevCloud
Reverse ...
Revolve Revolve
RevSurf RevSurf
Ribbon / RibbonClose
...
Rotate Rotate
Rotate3D Rotate3D
RPref / RPrefClose
...
RScript RScript
...
RtPan
In AutoCAD, use 3dPan
...
RtRot
In AutoCAD, use 3dOrbit
...
RtRotX
128
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
...
RtRotY
...
RtRotZ
...
RtZoom
In AutoCAD, use 3dZoom
RuleSurf RuleSurf
S
Save
Save
...
SaveAll
Saves all open drawings
SaveAs SaveAs
...
SaveAsR12
Saves drawings in R12 DWG format
SaveImg
...
To be supported in a future release of Bricscad; in Bricscad, use Export, MSlide
Scale Scale
ScaleListEdit
ScaleListEdit
ScaleText ...
Script Script
...
Scrollbar
Toggles scroll bars
Section Section
SectionPlane
SectionPlane
SectionPlaneJog ...
SectionPlaneSettings
SectionPlaneSettings
SectionPlaneToBlock
SectionPlaneToBlock
...
Security
In Bricscad, use Explorer for section plane settings

Determines whether VBA macros may run
SecurityOptions SecurityOptions
Seek
...
In Bricscad, visit sites such as tracepartsonline.com and grabcad.com
Select Select
11
SelectSimilar ...
SelectURL
...
...
SelGrips
In AutoCAD, use Ai_SelAll
SequencePlay ...
SetByLayer ...
SetiDropHandler ...
...
Settings Displays Settings dialog box
...
SetUCS
In AutoCAD, use UcsMan
SetVar SetVar
...
Shade
In AutoCAD, use VsCurrent
-ShadeMode ShadeMode
Shape Shape
12
Share ...
ShareWithSeek ...
Sheetset
...
SheetsetHide ...
Shell Shell
ShowPalettes ...
SigValidate ...
...
Singleton
Sketch
Sketch
In AutoCAD, use SDI system variable
Slice Slice
129
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
Snap Snap
SolDraw
...
Solid Solid
SolidEdit
SolidEdit
SolProf
SolProf
SolView
...
SpaceTrans ...
Spell Spell
Sphere Sphere
Spline Spline
SplinEdit
...
To be supported in a future release of Bricscad; in the meantime, use Properties
SpotLight SpotLight
Standards ...
...
Start
Starts applications
...
StatBar
In AutoCAD, use StatBar system variable
Status Status
StlOut
...
...
StopScript
Stops recording to script file
Stretch Stretch
Style
Style
In Bricscad, use Explorer for styles
StylesManager StylesManager
Subtract Subtract
SunProperties / Close
SunProperties
11
SurfBlend ...
11
SurfExtend ...
11
SurfFillet ...
11
SurfNetwork ...
11
SurfOffset ...
11
SurfSculpt ...
11
SurfTrim ...
11
SurfUntrim ...
Sweep ...
SysWindows SysWindows
T
Table
Table
TablEdit
TablEdit
TableExport
TableExport
TableStyle
TableStyle
Tablet Tablet
TabSurf TabSurf
...
Tangent
In AutoCAD, use -OSnap Tangent
Text Text
TextEdit
....
In Bricscad, use DdEdit
TextScr TextScr
TextToFront
TextToFront
Thicken
...
130
In Bricscad, use DmExtrude
AutoCAD Command
TifOut
Bricscad Command
...
In Bricscad, use Bmpout
Time Time
12
TimeLine ...
TInsert ...
...
TipOfDay
Displays tips for using Bricscad
Tolerance Tolerance
-Toolbar Toolbar
ToolPalettes / ToolPalettesClose ...
Torus Torus
TpNavigate ...
Trace Trace
Transparency Transparency
TraySettings ...
TreeStat ...
Trim Trim
...
TxtExp
Explodes text
U
U U
Ucs Ucs
UcsIcon UcsIcon
UcsMan
...
In Bricscad, use SetUcs
ULayers
...
Undefine
Undefine
Undo Undo
12
Ungroup
...
In Bricscad, use Group
Union Union
11
UnisolateObjects ...
Units Units
UpdateField UpdateField
UpdateThumbsNow ...
12
Upload ...
12
UploadFiles ...
Url
In AutoCAD, use Browser
VbaIde
VbaIde
Autodesk has deprecated VBA
VbaLoad
VbaLoad
VbaUnload
VbaUnload
VbaMan
VbaMan
VbaRun
VbaRun
VbaStmt
...
View
View
In Bricscad, use Explorer for views
...
12
ViewBase ...
12
ViewEdit
...
In Bricscad, use SolProf
ViewPlay ...
ViewPlotDetails ...

131
AutoCAD Command
12
Bricscad Command
ViewProj ...
ViewRes ViewRes
12
ViewSetProj ...
12
ViewStd ...
12
ViewUpdate ...
VisualStyles / VisualStylesClose
VisualStyles
In Bricscad, use VisualStyles in Explorer
VLisp
...
In Bricscad, use text editor and VL functions
...
VmlOut
Exports drawings in VML format
VpClip VpClip
VpLayer VpLayer
VpMax
...
VpMin ...
VPoint VPoint
VPorts VPorts
VsCurrent
...
In Bricscad, use ShadeMode
VSlide VSlide
VsSave
...
In Bricscad, use VisualStyles in Explorer
VTOptions ...
W
WalkFlySettings ...
WBlock WBlock
...
WCascade
Cascades windows
...
WClose
Closes the current window
...
WCloseAll
Closes all windows
WebLight WebLight
Wedge Wedge
...
WhTile
Tiles window horizontally
...
WiArrange
Arranges iconized windows
WhoHas ...
WipeOut WipeOut
WmfIn
...
WmfOpts
...
WmfOut WmfOut
WorkSpace
...
In Bricscad, use User Profiles in Settings
WsSave
...
WsSettings
...
...
WvTile
Tiles windows vertically
X
XAttach
XAttach
XBind
...
XClip XClip
XEdges ...
XLine XLine
XOpen
132
...
AutoCAD Command
Bricscad Command
Xplode Xplode
...
XRef
-XRef
-XRef
Explorer for external references
Z
Zoom Zoom
#
...
2dContext
In AutoCAD, use a 2D template file
...
2dIntersection
3D 3D
3dAlign ...
3dArray 3dArray
3dClip ...
...
3dContext
In AutoCAD, use a 3D template file
3dCOrbit
...
In Bricscad, use RtRot
3dConfig
...
...
3dConvert
Converts ACIS to polyface meshes
...
In Bricscad, use 3D DWF option of Export command
3dDistance
3dDwf
11
3dEditBar ...
3dFace 3dFace
3dFly ...
3dFOrbit
...
...
3dIntersection
3dMesh 3dMesh
3dMove
...
In Bricscad, use Quad cursors Move option
3dOrbit
...
3dOrbitCtr ...
11
-3dOsnap ...
3dPan
...
In Bricscad, use RtPan
3dPoly 3dPoly
3dPrint ...
3dRotate
...
In Bricscad, use Quad cursors Rotate option
3dScale ...
3dsIn ...
3dSwivel
...
3dWalk
...
3dZoom
...
In Bricscad, use RtZoom
133
X-Commands
The following command names are unique to Bricscad Platinum, which adds parametric 3D solids and
parts libraries to Bricscad.
X-Tools
X-Tools create and edit 3D solids parametrically:
Xarrayp creates polar arrays of solids by copying and rotating a selected solid about an axis.
Xarrayr creates arrays of solids by copying a selected solid in a rectangular pattern.
Xbox creates 3D solid boxes.
Xchamfer bevels edges of solids.
Xcone creates 3D solid cones.
Xcsolids displays a dialog box for the most-commonly used X-Solids solid
creation and modification functions.
Xcucs displays a dialog box for X-Solids UCS, to pick, define or recall
UCS settings.
Xcut cuts 3D solids using 2D profiles as cutting tools.
Xcview displays a dialog box for X-Solids View, to pick, define or
recall View and Viewport settings.
Xcylinder creates 3D solid cylinders.
Xdia suppresses X-Solids dialog boxes, and forces command-line interpretation.
Xexplode breaks down solids into faces or wireframe entities.
Xextract extracts copies of faces or edges of solids, or edges of regions, as separate entities.
Xextrude creates 3D solids by extruding 2D objects.
Xfillet rounds edges of solids.
Xintersect creates solids by intersecting two or more solids.
Xlist displays the CSG tree of selected X-Solids solids.
Xoffset creates new solids by offsetting all faces of selected solids at user-specified distances.
Xpunch punches holes in 3D solids using 2D profiles as punching tools.
Xpurge removes the editing data (history or CSG data) from selected solids.
Xquickdraw creates 2D geometry instantly from selected solids for the completion of multi-view orthographic and
isometric drawings.
Xretract separates solids by undoing the most recent Boolean operation applied to it.
Xretractall explodes composite solids into their component primitives.
Xrevolve creates 3D solids by revolving 2D entities.
Xsection invokes the Section command to create 2D regions of the cross sections of solids through user-specified
planes.
Xshell subtracts the interior from existing solids to create thin-walled solids.
Xslice slices solids with planes.
Xsolidedit edits all aspects of X-Solids solids, including primitives, composites, primitive components of composites, and solid arrays.
Xsphere creates 3D solid spheres.
Xsubtract creates solids by subtracting one or more solids from other solids.
134
Xsweep creates 3D solids by extruding 2D entities along paths.

Xtorus creates 3D solid tori.
Xtrim trims 3D solids using 2D profiles.
Xucs defines new UCSs or restores saved UCSs.
Xunion creates solids by joining two or more solids.
Xviews gives command-line access to the Next and Previous entries in the list of views used in the current session.
Xwedge creates 3D solid wedges.
X-Hardware
X-Hardware creates and edits 3D library parts parametrically.
Xbar creates bars.
Xbearing creates bearings.
Xcrossrecessscrew creates cross recess screws.
Xhardware repeats the last X-Hardware command.
Xhardwarechange edits X-Hardware solids.
Xhexcapnut creates hex cap nuts.
Xhexcastlenut creates hex castle nuts.
Xhexflangenut creates hex flange nuts.
Xhexheadscrew creates hex head screws.
Xhexnut creates hex nuts.
Xhexslottednut creates hex slotted nuts.
Xhexwashernut creates hex washer nuts.
Xkey creates keys.
Xoptions opens the X-Hardware Setup dialog box.
Xpem creates pems.
Xpin creates pins.
Xpipe creates pipes.
Xring creates rings.
Xrivet creates self-clinching PEM-brand fasteners.
Xsetscrew creates set screws.
Xshape creates profiles.
Xslotrecessscrew creates slot recess screws.
Xsocketheadscrew creates socket head screws.
Xsprocket creates sprockets.
Xsquarenut creates square nuts.
Xthread creates threads.
Xwasher creates washers.
Xwingnut creates wing nuts.
135
136
appendix B
Cross-reference of
AutoCAD & Bricscad Variables
THIS APPENDIX COMPARES the names and values of documented variables found in AutoCAD and
Bricscad. The names of variables are sorted alphabetically. Bricscad also uses preference variables, which
typically are unique to Bricscad. The tables use the following notations:

System variables and preference names new to Bricscad V12 are shown in blue.
Bricscad variables unique in Linux are shown in red.
PREFS
11
indicates the system variable was new to AutoCAD 2011.
12
indicates the system variable is new to AutoCAD 2012.
indicates the name is a preference variable in Bricscad.
Both CAD programs can change the values of variables, at least those that are not read-only. At the
command line, enter the SetVar command, and then the name of the system or preference variable.
For dialog boxes, use the following commands:

For AutoCAD system variables, enter the name in the SysVDlg command.
For Bricscad system and preference variables, enter the name in the search field of the Settings command.
Appendix B: Cross-reference of AutoCAD & Bricscad Variables
137
AutoCAD
AutoCADs Bricscads Bricscad Preference &

System Variable Names Default Values
Default Values System Variable Names
Notes on Variables Unique to Bricscad
A
AcadLspAsDoc
0 0
AcadLspAsDoc

AcadPrefix c:\users\... C:\Users\...

AcadPrefix
AcadVer
18.2 18.0Bricscad
AcadVer
AcisOutVer
70 70
AcisOutVer
ActPath "" ...
ActRecorderState
0 ...
ActRecPath
c:\users\... ...
ActUi
6 ...
AeceipInProgress
off ...
AFlags
16 0
AFlags

...
1 AllowTabExternalMove PREFS
Allows one tab to be moved to another
...
1 AllowTabMove PREFS
Allows tabs to be moved horizontally
...
1 AllowTabSplit
Allows tabs to be split
PREFS
AngBase
0 0
AngBase
AngDir
0 0
AngDir
AnnoAllVisible
1 ...
AnnoAutoScale
-4 ...
AnnotativeDwg
0 ...
ApBox
0 0
ApBox
Aperture
10 10
Aperture

12
AppAutoLoad 14 ...
AppFrameResources pack://application... ...

11
ApplyGlobalOpacities 0
...
Area
0 0
Area

12
ArrayEditState 0 ...
12
ArrayType 0 ...
AttDia
0 0
AttDia
AttIpe
0 ...
AttMode
1 1
AttMode
AttMulti
1 ...

...
3 AttractionDistance PREFS
Specifies grips attraction distance
AttReq
1 1
AttReq
AuditCtl
0 0
AuditCtl
AUnits
0 0
AUnits
AuPrec
0 0
AuPrec

12
AutoCompleteDelay 0.3 ...
12
AutoCompleteMode 15 ...
AutoDwfPublish
0 ...
AutomaticPub
0 ...

...
1 AutoMenuLoad
...
1 AutosaveChecksOnlyFirstBitDbMod PREFS Checks only the first bit of DbMod for autosave
AutoSnap
63 63
AutoSnap

...
138
Bricscad 12 for AutoCAD Users
171 AutoTrackingVecColor PREFS

0 AxisMode
X=0 Y=0 Z=0 AxisUnit
Specifies color of the tracking vector

Toggles axis display
Specifies axis units
AutoCAD

System Variables Names Default Values
B
BackgroundPlot
2 ...
BackZ
0 0
BackZ
BActionBarMode
1 ...
BActionColor
7 ...

...
"" BaseFile
Specifies path & name of default template file
BConStatusMode
0 ...

BDependencyHighlight 1 ...
BGripObjColor
141 ...
BGripObjSize
8 ...
BindType
0 0
BindType

...
256 BkgColor PREFS
Specifies background color
...
256 BkgColorPs PREFS
Specifies paper space background color
BlipMode
0 0
Blipmode
BlockEditLock
0 ...
BlockEditor
0 ...

... C:\Users\...
BlocksPath PREFS
Specifies path to blocks for Insert command
BlockTestWindow
0 ...
BParameterColor
170 ...
BParameterFont
simplex.shx ...
BParameterSize
12 ...
BpTextHorizontal
1 ...
BtMarkDisplay
1 ...
BvMode
0 ...
...
1 CacheLayout PREFS
Toggles caching of layouts
CalcInput
1 ...
CameraDisplay
0 0
CameraDisplay
CameraHeight
0 0
CameraHeight
CAnnoScale
01:01:00 AM ...
CAnnoScaleValue
1 ...

CaptureThumbnails 1 ...
CBarTransparency
50 ...
CConstraintForm
0 ...
CDate
20090722.2 20090722.15
CDate
CDynDisplayMode
0 ...
CeColor
bylayer BYLAYER
CeColor
CeLtscale
1 1
CeLtScale
CeLtype
bylayer BYLAYER
CeLtype
CeLweight
-1 -1
CeLweight
CenterMt
0 ...

11
CeTransparency ByLayer ...
ChamferA
0 0.5
ChamferA
139
AutoCAD

ChamferB
0 0.5
ChamferB
ChamferC
0 1
ChamferC
ChamferD
0 0
ChamferD
ChamMode
0 0
ChamMode
CipMode
0 ...
CircleRad
0 0
CircleRad

11
ClassicKeys 0 ...
CLayer
0 0
CLayer
CleanScreenState
0 ...

...
7 ClipboardFormat PREFS
...
1 CliState
...
0 CloseChecksOnlyFirstBitDbMod
Specifies the default DWG format for Clipboard

Reports visibility of command line

PREFS
Does not save drawing if it was only viewed
CMaterial
bylayer ""
CMaterial
CmdActive
1 1
CmdActive
CmdDia
1 1
CmdDia
CmdEcho
1 1
CmdEcho

CmdInputHistoryMax 20
...
...
...
#000000 CmdLineEditFgColor
...
Courier New CmdLineFontName PREFS
...
...
...
#000000 CmdLineListFgColor
...
: CmdLnText
#f8f8f8 CmdLineEditBgColor PREFS
10 CmdLineFontSize
PREFS
Specifies command line background color

Specifies command line foreground color
Specifies command line font name
Specifies command line font size
PREFS
#ffffdd CmdLineListBgColor PREFS
Specifies command line list background color

PREFS
Specifies command line list foreground color

Specifies prompt prefix
CmdNames
setvar Options
CmdNames
CMleaderStyle
standard ...
CMlJust
0 0
CmlJust
CMlScale
1 1
CmlScale
CMlStyle
standard STANDARD
CmlStyle

...
1 ColorX
Specifies X axis color
...
3 ColorY
Specifies Y axis color
...
5 ColorZ

...
0 ComAcadCompatibility

Specifies Z axis color

PREFS
Checks registry for compatibility with V8

applications
Compass
0 0
Compass

...
0 ConstructionAutoAdd PREFS
...
0 ConstructionAutoHide PREFS
...
...
0 ConstructionUseColor PREFS
...
0 ConstructionUseLayers PREFS
...
0 ContinuousMotion PREFS
161 ConstructionColor PREFS
ConstraintBarDisplay 1 ...
ConstraintBarMode 4095 ...
11
ConstraintInfer 0 ...
ConstraintNameFormat 2
...
ConstraintRelax
0 ...
140
Toggles motion continues after mouse released
AutoCAD


ConstraintSolveMode 1 ...
12
ContentExplorerState 0 ...
Coords
1 1
Coords
CopyMode
0 0
CopyMode
CPlotStyle
bycolor ByColor
CPlotStyle

CProfile <<unnamed profile>>
...
CrossingAreaColor 100
DEFAULT CProfile
1 CreateViewports
Creates viewports in new layouts
3 CrossingAreaColor
CShadow
casts and receives shadows ...
CTab
model Model
CTab
CTableStyle
standard STANDARD
CTableStyle

...
11
11
1 CtrlMouse
Toggles meaning of mouse shortcuts
CullingObj 1 ...
CullingObjSelection 0 ...
CursorSize
5 5
CursorSize
CVPort
2 2
CvPort
D
DataLinkNotify
2 ...
Date
2455035.85 2455035.63
Date
DbcState
0
0 DbcState
DblClkEdit
on ...
DbMod
5 0
DbMod
DctCust
c:\users\... ""
DctCust
DctMain
enu en_US.dic
DctMain

2 ddBetweenKnots PREFS
Distance between knots on NURBS surfaces
0 ddFastMode PREFS
Displays faster, but makes more display errors
0 ddGridAspectRatio PREFS
Specifies the grid aspect ratio
0 ddMaxFacetEdgeLength PREFS
Maximum edge length of cell sides
1000 ddMaxNumGridLines PREFS
15 ddNormalTol PREFS
0 ddPointsPerEdge
0 ddSurfaceTol PREFS
1 ddUseFacetRes
Maximum grid lines for subdivisions

Maximum normal deviation between normals
PREFS
Specifies the number of points per edge

Maximum distance between facet and true edge
PREFS
Toggles the use of FacetRed sysvar
DefaultGizmo
0 ...
DefaultIndex
0 ...
DefaultlLghting
1 ...

DefaultLightingType 1 ...
DeflPlStyle bycolor ByColor

Deflplstyle
DefPlStyle
bycolor ByColor
DefPstyle
DelObj
1 1
DelObj
DemandLoad
3 3
DemandLoad
DgnFrame
0 2
DgnFrame
DgnImportMax
10000000 ...
DgnMappingPath
c:\users\... ...
141
AutoCAD

DgnOsnap
1 1
DgnOsnap
DiaStat
1 1
DiaStat

11
Digitizer 0 ...
...
0 DisplaySnapMarkerInAllViews PREFS
Toggles snap markers in all viewports
...
1 DisplayTooltips PREFS
Displays snap tooltips
DispSilh
0 0
DispSilh
Displays silhouette curves
...
1 DispPaperBkg
Toggles paper space background
...
1 DispPaperMargins
Toggles paper space margins
Distance
0 0
Distance
DivMeshBoxHeight
3 ...
DivMeshBoxLength
3 ...
DivMeshBoxWidth
3 ...
DivMeshConeAxis
8 ...
DivMeshConeBase
3 ...
DivMeshConeHeight 3 ...
DivMeshCylAxis
8 ...
DivMeshCylBase
3 ...
DivMeshCylHeight
3 ...
DivMeshPyrBase
3 ...
DivMeshPyrHeight
3 ...
DivMeshPyrLength
3 ...

DivMeshSphereAxis 12 ...
DivMeshSphereHeight 6 ...
DivMeshTorusPath
8 ...

DivMeshTorusSection 8 ...
DivMeshWedgeBase
3 ...

DivMeshWedgeHeight 3 ...
DivMeshWedgeLength 4 ...
DivMeshWedgeSlope 3 ...
DivMeshWedgeWidth 3 ...
...
...
1 DmAutoUpdate
127 DmRecognize
Toggles auto updates of 3D constrained models

Determines which 3D constraints are applied
DonutId
0.5 0.5
DonutId
DonutOd
1 1
DonutOd
DragMode
2 2
DragMode

...
1 DragOpen
DragP1
10 10
DragP1
DragP2
25 25
DragP2
DragVs
""
...

DrawingPath
"C:\Users\..." DrawingPath
DrawOrderCtl
3 3
DrawOrderCtl
DTextEd
2 ...
DwfFrame
2 2
DwfFrame
DwfOsnap
1 1
DwfOsnap
DwgCheck
1 0
DwgCheck
DwgCodepage
ansi_1252 ANSI_1252
DwgCodepage
142
Inserts or opens dragged files
AutoCAD

DwgName
drawing1.dwg Drawing1.dwg
DwgName

DwgPrefix c:\users\... C:\Users\...

DwgPrefix
DwgTitled
0 0
DwgTitled
DxEval
12 12
DxEval

DynConstraintDisplay 1 ...
DynConstraintMode 1 ...
DynDiGrip
31 31
DynDiGrip

...
142 DynDimColorHot
Specifies dynamic dimension hot color
...
142 DynDimColorHover
Specifies dynamic dimension hover color
...
1 DynDimDistance
Specifies dynamic dimension distance
...
1 DynDimLineType
Specifies dynamic dimension line type
DynDiVis
1 1
DynDiVis

12
DynInfoTips 1 ...
65 DynInputTransparency PREFS
Specifies transparency of dynamic input fields
DynMode
-3 2 DynMode
DynPiCoords
0 ...
DynPiFormat
0 ...
DynPiVis
1 ...
DynPrompt
1 ...
DynTooltips
1 ...
Dimensions
DimADec
0 0
DimADec
DimAlt
off 0
DimAlt
DimAltD
2 2
DimAltD
DimAltF
25.4 25.4
DimAltF
DimAltRnd
0 0
DimAltRnd
DimAltTd
2 2
DimAltTd
DimAltTz
0 0
DimAltTz
DimAltU
2 2
DimAltU
DimAltZ
0 0
DimAltZ
DimAnno
0 ...
DimAPost
"" "" DimAPost
DimArcSym
0 0
DimArcSym
DimAssoc
2 2
DimAssoc
DimASz
0.18 0.18
DimASz
DimAtFit
3 3
DimAtFit
DimAUnit
0 0
DimAUnit
DimAZin
0
0 DimAZin
DimBlk
"" "" DimBlk
DimBlk1
"" "" DimBlk1
DimBlk2
"" ""
DimBlk2
DimCen
0.09 0.09
DimCen
DimClrD
0 0
DimClrD
DimClrE
0 0
DimClrE
143
AutoCAD

DimClrT
0 0
DimClrT

DimConstraintIcon 3 ...
DimDec
4 4
DimDec
DimDle
0 0
DimDle
DimDli
0.38 0.38
DimDli
DimDsep
. .
DimDsep
DimExe
0.18 0.18
DimExe
DimExo
0.06 0.06
DimExo
DimFit
3 3 DimFit
DimFrac
0 0
DimFrac
DimFxl
1 1
DimFxl
DimFxLon
off 0
DimFxLon
DimGap
0.09 0.09
DimGap
DimJogAng
45 45
DimJogAng
DimJust
0 0
DimJust
DimLdrBlk
"" "" DimLdrBlk
DimLfac
1 1
DimLfac
DimLim
off 0
DimLim
DimLtEx1
"" "" DimLtEx1
DimLtEx2
"" "" DimLtEx2
DimLtype
"" "" DimLtype
DimLUnit
2 2
DimLUnit
DimLwD
-2 -1
DimLwD
DimLwE
-2 -1
DimLwE
DimPost
"" "" DimPost
DimRnd
0
0 DimRnd
DimSah
off 0
DimSah
DimScale
1 1
DimScale
DimSd1
off 0
DimSd1
DimSd2
off 0
DimSd2
DimSe1
off 0
DimSe1
DimSe2
off 0
DimSe2
DimSho
on on DimSho
DimSoxd
off 0
DimSoxd
DimStyle
standard STANDARD
DimStyle
DimTad
0 0
DimTad
DimTDec
4 4
DimTDec
DimTFac
1 1
DimTFac
DimTFill
0 0
DimTFill
DimTFillClr
0 BYBLOCK
DimTFillClr
DimTih
on 1
DimTih
DimTix
off 0
DimTix
DimTm
0 0
DimTm
DimTMove
0 0
DimTMove

DimTofl off 0
DimTofl
DimToh
on 1
DimToh
144
AutoCAD

DimTol
off 0
DimTol
DimTolj
1 1
DimTolj
DimTp
0 0
DimTp
DimTSz
0 0
DimTSz
DimTVp
0 0
DimTVp
DimTxSty
standard STANDARD
DimTxSty
DimTxt
0.18 0.18
DimTxt
DimTxtDirection
off ...
DimTzin
0 0
DimTZin
DimUnit
2 2
DimUnit
DimUpt
off 0
DimUpt
DimZin
0 0
DimZin
E
EdgeMode
0 0
EdgeMode
Elevation
0 0
Elevation

...
0 EnableAttraction PREFS
Enables grips attraction
...
1 EnableHyperlinkMenu
...
0 EnableHyperlinkTooltip PREFS
PREFS
Toggles hyperlink menu

Toggles hyperlink tooltips
EnterpriseMenu
. ...

11
ErHighlight 1 ...
ErrNo
0
0 ErrNo
Expert
0 0
Expert
ExplMode
1 1
ExplMode

ExportEplotFormat 2 ...
ExportModelSpace
0 0
ExportModelSpace
ExportPageSetup
0 ...
ExportPaperSpace
0 ...

ExtMax
-1e+20,-1e+20,-1e+20-1e+20,-1e+20,-1e+20 ExtMax
ExtMin
1e+20,1e+20,1e+20 1e+20,1e+20,1e+20 ExtMin
ExtNames
1
1 ExtNames
F
FacetErDevNormal
40 ...

FacetErDevSurface 0 ...
FacetErGridRatio
0 ...

FacetErMaxEdgeLength 0 ...
FacetErMaxGrid
4096 ...
FacetErMeshType
0 ...
FacetErMinUGrid
0 ...
FacetErMinVGrid
0 ...

FacetErPrimitiveMode 1 ...
FacetErSmoothlev
1 ...
FacetRatio
0 0
FacetRatio
FacetRes
0.5 0.5
FacetRes
145
AutoCAD


11
FbxImportLog 1 ...
FieldDisplay
1 1
FieldDisplay
FieldEval
31 31
FieldEval
FileDia
1 1
FileDia
FilletRad
0 0
FilletRad

11
FilletRad3d 1.0 ...
FillMode
1 1
FillMode
FontAlt
simplex.shx simplex.shx
FontAlt
FontMap
c:\users... default.fmp
FontMap
Frame
3 ...

12
FrameSelection 1 ...
FrontZ
0 0
FrontZ
FullOpen
1 1 FullOpen
FullPlotPath
1 ...
G
GeoLatLongFormat
0 1
GeoLatLongFormat

GeoMarkerVisibility 1 1
GeoMarkerVisibility
GfAng
0 ...
GfClr1
rgb:000,000,255 ...
GfClr2
rgb:255,255,153 ...
GfClrLum
1 ...
GfClrState
1 ...
GfName
1 ...
GfShift
0 ...

11
GlobalOpacity 0 ...
...
2 GlSwapMode
Sets swap mode for GL graphics
...
252 GridAxisColor
Specifies color of grids axis lines
GridDisplay
2 3
GridDisplay
Specifies extent of grid display
GridMajor
5 5
GridMajor

...
253 GridMajorColor
Specifies color of major grid lines
...
254 GridMinorColor
Specifies color of minor grid lines
GridMode
0 0
GridMode

11
GridStyle 0
1 GridStyle
Toggles grid between dots and lines
GridUnit
0.5000,0.5000 10,10,10
GridUnit

...
1 GridXyzTint
Toggles coloring of x,y,z grid lines
GripBlock
0 0
GripBlock
GripColor
150 160
GripColor
GripDynColor
140 140
GripDynColor
GripHot
12 240 GripHot
GripHover
11 150 GripHover

11
GripMultifunctional 3 ...
GripObjLimit
100 100
GripObjLimit
Grips
1 1
Grips
GripSize
5 5
GripSize
146
Specifies color of custom grips
AutoCAD

GripSubobjMode
1 ...
GripTips
1 ...

12
GroupDisplayMode 2 ...
...
0 GsDeviceType PREFS
Specifies graphic system device
GtAuto
1 ...
GtDefault
0 ...
GtLocation
1 ...
H
HaloGap
0 0
HaloGap
Handles
1 1
Handles

11
HatchBoundSet 0 ...
HatchType 0 ...
11
11
HelpPrefix C:\Program..." ...
HidePrecision
0 0
HidePrecision
HideText
on 1
HideText
HideXrefScales
1 ...
Highlight
1 1
Highlight

...
142 HighlightColor
...
0 HighlightEffect
Specifies highlight color

Specifies how colors are used for highlighting
HpAng
0 0
HpAng

11
HpAnnotative 0 ...
HpAssoc
1 1 HpAssoc

11
HpBackgroundColor "." ...
HpBound
1 1
HpBound

11
HpBoundRetain 0 ...
11
11
HpColor "." ...
HpDlgMode 2 ...
HpDouble
0 0
HpDouble
HpDrawOrder
3 3
HpDraworder
HpGapTol
0 0
HpGapTol
HpInherit
0 ...

11
11
HpIslandDetection 1 ...
HpIslandDetectionMode 1 ...
11
12
HpLayer Use Current ...
HpMaxArea 100 ...
HpMaxLines
1000000 ...
HpName
ansi31 ANSI31
HpName
HpObjWarning
10000 10000 HpObjWarning
HpOrigin
0.0000,0.0000 0,0
HpOrigin
HpOriginMode
0 ...

11
12
HpQuickPreview On ...
HpQuickPreviewTimeout 2 ...
HpScale
1 1
HpScale
HpSeparate
0 0 HpSeparate
147
AutoCAD

HpSpace
1 1
HpSpace

...
11
0 HpStyle
Determines hatching of islands
HpTransparency "." ...
HyperlinkBase
.
. HyperlinkBase
I
ImageFrame
1 1
ImageFrame
ImageHlt
0 0
ImageHlt
Impliedface
1 ...
IndexCtl
0 0
IndexCtl
InetLocation
http://www.auto
desk.com http://www.bricsys.com InetLocation
InputHistoryMode
15 ...
InsBase
0.0,0.0,0.0 0;0;0
InsBase
InsName
. . InsName
InsUnits
1 1
InsUnits

InsUnitsdefSource 1 1
InsUnitsdefSource
InsUnitsdefTarget 1 1
InsUnitsdefTarget
IntelligentUpdate 20 ...
InterfereColor
1 "ByLayer"
InterfereColor
InterfereObjVs
realistic ""
InterfereObjVs
InterfereVpVs
3d wireframe

"" InterfereVpVs
IntersectionColor 257 ...
IntersectionDisplay off 0
IntersectionDisplay
ISaveBak
1 1
ISaveBak
ISavePercent
50 50
ISavePercent
Isolines
4 4
Isolines

...
0 IsRedSdkHardwareRenderingSupported PREFS

Determines if RedSdk fully supports rendering

hardware
LargeObjectSupport 0 ...
LastAngle
0 0
LastAngle
LastPoint
5.7,13.5,0.0 0;0;0
LastPoint
LastPrompt
lastangle
: options LastPrompt
Latitude
37.8 37.7950
Latitude
LayerDlgMode
1 ...
LayerEval
0 ...
LayerEvalCtl
1 ...
LayerFilterAlert
2 ...
LayerNotify
0 ...
LayLockFadeCtl
50 ...

12
LayoutCreateViewport 1 ...
LayoutRegenCtl
2 2
LayoutRegenCtl
LegacyCtrlPick
0 ...
148
AutoCAD

LensLength
50 50
LensLength

...
...
0 LicFlags
"" (Read Only) LicKey
30 LightGlyphColor PREF
Specifies if components are licensed

Reports software license number
Specifies color of light glyphs (icons)
LightGlyphDisplay 1 1
LightGlyphDisplay
LightingUnits
2 0
LightingUnits
LightsInBlocks
1 ...

1 LightWebGlyphColor PREF
Specifies color of glyphs of web lights
LimCheck
0 0
LimCheck
LimMax
12.0000,9.0000 12;9
LimMax
LimMin
0.0000,0.0000 0;0
LimMin
LinearBrightness
0 ...
LinearContrast
0 ...

...
1 LispInit

Determines if LISP variables and functions are

preserved between drawing sessions
Locale
enu enu
Locale

LocalRootPrefix c:\users\... c:\users\... LocalRootPrefix
LockUi
0 ...
LoftAng1
90 1.5708
LoftAng1
LoftAng2
90 1.5708
LoftAng2
LoftMag1
0 0
LoftMag1
LoftMag2
0 0
LoftMag2
LoftNormals
1 1
LoftNormals
LoftParam
7 7
LoftParam
LogExpBrightness
65 ...
LogExpContrast
50 ...
LogExpDaylight
2 ...
LogExpMidtones
1 ...

LogExpPhysicalScale 1500 ...
LogFileMode
0 0
LogFileMode
LogFileName
c:\users\... "" LogFileName
LogFilePath
c:\users\... c:\users\...
LogFilePath
LogInName
<login>
Bricscad user LogInName
Longitude
-122.39 -122.3940 Longitude
LtScale
1 1
LtScale
LUnits
2 2
LUnits
LuPrec
4 4
LuPrec
LwDefault
211 25
LwDefault
LwDisplay
off 0
LwDisplay

...
0.55 LwDispScale
Specifies lineweight display scale
LwUnits
1 1
LwUnits
11
MaxBrowserState 0 ...
11
MaterialsPath "" ...
...
0 MacroRec
Reports that macro is being recorded
149
AutoCAD

MacroTrace 0.0
0.0 MacroTrace
MaxActVp
64 64
MaxActVp
MaxHatch
100000
100000 MaxHatch
MaxSort
1000 1000
MaxSort

11
MaxTouches 0 ...
MButtonPan
1 1
MButtonPan
MeasureInit
0 1
MeasureInit
Measurement
0 1
Measurement
MenuBar
0 ...
MenuCtl
1 1
MenuCtl
MenuEcho
0 0
MenuEcho
MenuName
c:\users\... default
MenuName
MeshType
1 ...

...
...
11
1 MiddleClickClose PREF
Closes tabs with middle-button click
732374555 MilliSecs
MirrHatch 0 ...
MirrText
0 0
MirrText
MLeaderScale
1 ...
ModeMacro
"" "" ModeMacro
MsOleScale
1 1
MsOleScale
MsLtScale
1 ...
MTextColumn
2 ...
MTextEd
internal Internal
MTextEd
MTextFixed
2 2
MTextFixed
MTextToolbar
2 ...
MTJigString
abc ...

MyDocumentsPrefix c:\users\... ...
11
NavBarDisplay 1 ...
NavsWheelMode
2 ...

NavsWheelOpacityBig 50 ...
NavsWheelOpacityMini 50 ...
NavsWheelSizeBig
1 ...

NavsWheelSizeMini 1 ...
NavvCubeDisplay
1 ...
NavvCubeLocation
0 ...
NavvCubeOpacity
50 ...
NavvCubeOrient
1 ...
NavvCubeSize
4 ...

...
4 NFileList
Specifies length of recent file list
NoMutt
0 0
NoMutt
NorthDirection
0 0
NorthDirection

...
1 NumVect

150
Specifies number of vectorizers to use for

parallel processing
AutoCAD

11
ObjectIsolationMode 0 ...
ObscuredColor
257 257
ObscuredColor
ObscuredLtype
0 0
ObscuredLtype
OffsetDist
-1 1
OffsetDist

...
0 OffsetErase
Determines whether Offset erases source entities
OffsetGapType
0 0
OffsetGapType
OleFrame
2 2 OleFrame
OleHide
0 0
OleHide
OleQuality
3 3
OleQuality
OleStartup
0 0
OleStartup
OpenPartial
1 1
OpmState
OrthoMode
0 0
OrthoMode
OsMode
4133 4133
OsMode
OsnapCoord
2 2
OsnapCoord
OsnapHatch
0 ...
OsnapZ
0 0
OsnapZ
OsOptions
3 ...
P
PaletteOpaque
2 ...

1 PanBuffer PREF
Buffers pans
PaperUpdate
0 0
PaperUpdate

ParameterCopyMode 1 ...
ParameterStatus 0 ...
...
1 PdfEmbeddedTtf PREFS
Embeds fonts in PDF output
PdfFrame
1 1
PdfFrame

...
1 PdfLayersSetting PREFS
Includes layers in PDF files
...
0 PdfLayoutsToExport PREFS
Exports content of all layouts
PdfOsnap
1 1 PdfOsnap

...
297 PdfPaperHeight PREFS
...
0 PdfPaperSizeOverride
...
210 PdfPaperWidth PREFS
...
0 PdfShxTextAsGeometry
...
1 PdfSimpleGeomOptimization PREFS
Optimizes geometry in PDF files
...
0 PdfTtfTextAsGeometry
Exports TTF text as geometry
...
1 PdfUsePlotStyles PREFS
...
1 PdfZoomToExtentsMode
Overrides paper height in PDF files

Overrides paper size in PDF files
PREFS
Overrides paper width in PDF files

Exports SHX text as geometry
PREFS
PREFS
Uses plot styles when plotting to PDF

PREFS
Zooms to extents mode in PDF files
PdMode
0 0
PdMode
PdSize
0 0
PdSize
PeditAccept
0 0 PeditAccept
PEllipse
0 0
PEllipse
Perimeter
0 0
Perimeter
Perspective
0 0
Perspective
PerspectiveClip
5 ...
151
AutoCAD

PfacevMax
4 4
PFaceVMax
PickAdd
1 1
PickAdd
PickAuto
1 1
PickAuto
PickBox
3 3
PickBox
PickDrag
0 0
PickDrag
PickFirst
1 1
PickFirst
PickStyle
0 1
PickStyle
_PkSer ""
"" _PkSer
Platform
varies

...
varies Platform
0 PLineCache PREF
Creates a cache of polyline vertices
PlineConvertMode
0 ...
PlineGen
0 0
PlineGen
PlineType
2 2
PlineType
PlineWid
0 0
PlineWid

...
...
c:\users\... PlotCfgPath PREFS

"" PlotId
Specifies plotter configuration path

Deprecated; included for compatibility
PlotOffset
0 ...

...
c:\program files... PlotOutputPath PREFS
Specifies path to plot output folder
PlotRotMode
2 2 PlotRotMode

11
PlotTransparencyMode 1 ...
...
c:\users\... PlotStylePath PREFS
...
0 Plotter
Specifies path to plot styles
PlQuiet
0 0
PlQuiet

11
PointCloudAutoUpdate 1 ...
11
PointCloudDensity 15 ...
11
11
PointCloudLock 0 ...
PointCloudRtDensity 5 ...
PolarAddAng
. . PolarAddAng
PolarAng
90 90
PolarAng
PolarDist
0 0
PolarDist
PolarMode
0 0
PolarMode
PolySides
4 4
PolySides
Popups
1 1
Popups
12 PreviewCreationTransparency 60 ...

...
30 PreviewDelay PREF
Delays highlighting of subentities under cursor
PreviewEffect
2 2
PreviewEffect

11
PreviewFaceEffect 1 ...
PreviewFilter
7 7
PreviewFilter

...
7 PreviewSubEnts
Determines which subentities are highlighted
PreviewType
0 0
PreviewType

...
1 PreviewWndInOpenDlg PREFS
...
"." PrintFile
...
Bricscad Product
...
1 ProgBar
...
Bricscad Program
ProjectName .
152
. ProjectName
Displays preview window in Open dialog box

Reports the product name
Toggles progress bar
Reports the product name
AutoCAD

Specifies project names & search paths
...
"" ProjectSearchPaths PREFS
ProjMode
1 1
ProjMode

12
PropObjLimit 25000 ...
...
3 PromptMenu
...
0 PromptMenuFlags
Toggles prompt menu

PREFS
Toggles hidden prompts
ProxyGraphics
1 1
ProxyGraphics
ProxyNotice
1 1
ProxyNotice
ProxyShow
1 1
ProxyShow
ProxyWebSearch
0 1
ProxyWebSearch
PsLtScale
1 1
PsLtScale
PsolHeight
4 80
PsolHeight
PsolWidth
0.25 5
PsolWidth

PsProlog .
"" PsProlog
PsQuality
75 75 PsQuality
PStyleMode
1 1
PStyleMode
PStylePolicy
1 1
PStylePolicy
PsVpScale
0 0
PsVpScale
PublishAllSheets
1 ...
PublishCollate
1 ...
PublishHatch
1 ...
PUcsBase .
. PUcsBase
Q
QpLocation
0 ...
QpMode
1 ...
QaFlags 0
0 QaFlags
QtextMode
0 0
QtextMode

...
...
...
1000 QuadHideDelay PREF

500 QuadShowDelay PREF
1 QuadToolTips
PREF
Delay showing Quad cursor after mouse movement

Delay showing Quad after entity highlighted
Toggles display of tooltips with Quad cursor
QvDrawingPin
0 ...
QvLayoutPin
0 ...
R
RasterDpi
300 ...
RasterPercent
20 ...
RasterPreview
1 1
RasterPreview
RasterThreshold
20 ...

...
5 RealtimeSpeedup PREFS
Skips messages during realtime pan
...
1 RealWorldScale
Renders materials at real-world scale factor

11
11
Rebuild2dCv 6 ...
Rebuild2dDegree 3 ...
Rebuild2dOption 1 ...
11
11
RebuildDegreeU 3 ...
11
RebuildDegreeV 3 ...

153
AutoCAD

11
RebuildOptions 1 ...
11
RebuildU 6 ...
RebuildV 6 ...
11
...
11
C:\Users\... RecentPath PREFS
Specifies recently used path
RecoveryAuto 0 ...
RecoveryMode
2 ...
RefEditName
""
"" RefEditName
0 RefEditLockNotInWorkset PREFS
...
Locks entities not being edited by RefEdit
RegenMode
1 1
RegenMode
RememberFolders
1 1
RememberFolders

...
0 Re_init
RenderQuality
1 ...
RenderUserLights
1 ...

...
1 RenderUsingHardware PREF
Toggles use of hardware for rendering
ReportError
1 ...

...
0 RevCloudArcStyle PREFS
...
0.38 RevCloudMaxArcLength
...
0.38 RevCloudMinArcLength PREFS
RibbonContextSelect 1 ...
RibbonContextSelLim 2500 ...
RibbonDockedHeight 0 ...
12
Specifies revision cloud arc style

PREFS
Specifies revision cloud max arc length

Specifies revision cloud min arc length
RibbonIconResize 1 ...
RibbonSelectMode
1 ...
RibbonState
1 ...

Roamablerootprefix c:\users\... c:\users\... RoamableRootPrefix
11
RolloverOpacity 0 ...
RolloverTips
1 ...
RtDisplay
1 1
RtDisplay
... 1
SaveChangeToLayout PREFS
Saves print changes to layout
SaveFidelity
1 1
SaveFidelity
SaveFile
c:\users\... ""
SaveFile
SaveFilePath
c:\users\... C:\Users\...
SaveFilePath

... 1
SaveFormat PREFS
Sets the DWG file format
SaveName
Drawing1.dwg ""
SaveName

...
1 SaveRoundTrip
Saves entities to preserve them
SaveTime
10 0
SaveTime
ScreenBoxes
0 ...
ScreenMode
3 1
ScreenMode
ScreenSize
1366.0,499.0 784.0;506.0
ScreenSize

...
...
256 ScrlHist
0 Sdi
SelectionAnnoDisplay
1 ...
SelectionArea
1 1 SelectionArea
154
Specifies number of lines saved in history

Toggles single-document interface
AutoCAD

SelectionAreaOpacity
25 25
SelectionAreaOpacity

11
SelectionCycling 0 ...
SelectionPreview
3 3
SelectionPreview

11
SelectSimilarMode 130
...
SetByLayerMode
127 ...
ShadEdge
3 3
ShadEdge
ShadeDif
70 70
ShadeDif
ShadowPlaneLocation
0 ...
ShortcutMenu
11 2
ShortcutMenu

12
ShortcutMenuDration 250 ...
...
0 ShowFullPathInTitle PREFS
Displays full path in title bar
ShowHist
1 ...
ShowLayerUsage
0 ...
ShowmotionPin
1 ...
12 ShowPageSetupForNewLayouts 0 ...

...
1 ShowScrollButtons PREF
Toggles display of scroll buttons
...
0 ShowTabCloseButton
...
0 ShowTabCloseButtonActive PREF
Toggles display of Close button on active tab
...
1 ShowTabCloseButtonAll PREF
Toggles display of Close button on all tabs
...
1 ShowTabControls PREF
Toggles display of tabs
...
1 ShowWindowListButton
Toggles display of Close button on tabs
PREF
PREF
Toggles display of droplists
ShpName
"" ""
ShpName
SigWarn
1 ...

...
0 SingletonMode PREFS
Toggles multiple Bricscad instances
SketchInc
0.1 0.1
SketchInc
SkPoly
0 0
SkPoly

11
SkTolerance 0.5
...
SkyStatus
0
SkyStatus

SmoothMeshConvert 0 ...
SmoothMeshGrid
3 ...

SmoothMeshMaxFace 838300 ...
SmoothMeshMaxLev
4 ...
SnapAng
0 0
SnapAng
SnapBase
0.0000,0.0000 0;0
SnapBase
SnapIsoPair
0 0
SnapIsoPair

...
2 SnapMarkerColor PREFS
...
6 SnapMarkerSize PREFS
...
2 SnapMarkerThickness
Specifies snap marker color

Specifies snap marker size

PREFS
Specifies snap marker thickness
SnapMode
0 0
SnapMode
SnapStyl
0 0
SnapStyl
SnapType
0 0
SnapType
SnapUnit
0.5000,0.5000 0.5;0.5
SnapUnit
SolidCheck
1 1
SolidCheck
SolidHist
1 ...
SortEnts
127 96
SortEnts

11
SplDegree 3 ...
155
AutoCAD

...
0 spaAdjustMode PREF
...
0 spaGridAspectRatio
...
0 spaGridMode PREF
...
0 spaMaxFacetEdgeLength
...
512 spaMaxNumGridLines PREF
...
0 spaMinUGridLines
Maximum number of grid lines in u direction
...
0 spaMinVGridLines PREF
Maximum number of grid lines in v direction
...
15 spaNormalTol
...
-1 spaSurfaceTol PREF
...
1 spaTriangMode
...
1 spaUseFacetRes PREF
Smooths triangles

Specifies aspect ratio of cell grids
PREF
Specifies location of grids

PREF
PREF
Maximum length of a side of cell

Maximum number of grid lines in subdivisions
Specifies the normal tolerance
PREF
Maximum distance between facet edge and surface

Specifies which mesh is triangulated
PREF
Toggles use of FacetRes sysvar
SplFrame
0 0
SplFrame
SplineSegs
8 8
SplineSegs
SplineType
6 6
SplineType

11
SplKnots 0 ...
11
SplMethod 0 ...
12
SplPeriodic 1 ...
...
c:\users\... SrchPath
Specifies search paths for support files
SsFound
""
...
SsLocate
1 ...
SsmAutoOpen
1 ...
SsmPollTime
60 ...
SsmSheetStatus
2 ...

StandardsViolation 2 ...
Startup
0 0
Startup
StatusBar
1 ...
StepSize
6 ...
StepsPerSec
2 ...

SubobjSelectionMode 0 ...
SunStatus
0 ...

11
11
SurfaceAssociativity 1 ...
SurfaceAssociativityDrag 1 ...
11
11
SurfaceAutoTrim 0 ...
SurfaceModelingMode 0 ...
SurfTab1
6 6
Surftab1
SurfTab2
6 6
Surftab2
SurfType
6 6
SurfType
SurfU
6 6
SurfU
SurfV
6 6
SurfV

...
0 SvgBlendedGradients PREF
...
".png" SvgDefaultImageExtension PREF
Specifies default file name extension
...
0 SvgGenericFontFamily PREF
Specifies name of generic font family
...
0 SvgHiddenLineRemoving PREF
Toggles hidden-line removal per viewport
...
"" SvgImageBase
Specifies path to folder for saving SVG files
...
"" SvgImageUrl PREF
...
1 SvgLineWeightScale
156
PREF
Toggles use of blended gradients
Specifies URL for locating SVG files

PREF
Specifies pixel width of lineweights
AutoCAD

...
768 SvgOutputHeight
Specifies height in points (72 points per inch)
...
1024 SvgOutputWidth
...
6 SvgPrecision
PREF
PREF
PREF
Specifies width in points

Specifies double-floating point precision
SyscodePage
ansi_1252 ANSI_1252
SysCodePage
...
25 TabControlHeight PREF
Height of document tab in pixels
TableIndicator
1 ...
TableToolbar
2 ...
TabMode
0 0
TabMode

...
0 TabsFixedWidth PREF
Forces all tabs to have the same width
Target
0.0,0.0,0.0 0.0;0.0;0.0
Target
Taskbar 1 ...
TbCustomize
1 ...

12
TbShowShortcuts On ...
TdCreate
2455034.61 2455035.58
TdCreate
TdInDwg
1.24 1.16E-008
TdInDwg
TduCreate
2455034.9 2455035.88
TduCreate
TdUpdate
2455034.61 2455035.58
TdUpdate
TdUsrTimer
1.24 1.16E-008
TdUsrTimer
TduUpdate
2455034.9 2455035.88
TduUpdate

... c:\users\... TemplatePath PREFS
Specifies path to templates folder
TempOverrides
1 ...

TempPrefix c:\users\... ""

TempPrefix
...
0 TextAngle
Stores last-used angle for text
TextEditor
0 ...
TextEval
0 0
TextEval
TextFill
1 1
TextFill

TextOutputFileFormat 0 ...
TextQlty
50 50
TextQlty
TextSize
0.2 0.2
TextSize
TextStyle
standard STANDARD
TextStyle
... C:/program...
TextureMapPath
Specifies path to texture map folders
Thickness
0 0
Thickness
ThumbSize
1 ...
TileMode
1 1
TileMode

...
1 TileModeLightSynch
Synchronizes lighting in all viewports
TimeZone
-8000 -8000 TimeZone
ToolTipMerge
0 ...
Tooltips
1 1 Tooltips

12
12
TooltipSize 0 ...
TooltipTransparency 0 ...
*_ToolPalettePath
C:\Users\... ...
TraceWid
0.05 0.05
TraceWid
TrackPath
0 0
TrackPath
157
AutoCAD


11
TransparencyDisplay 1 ...
TrayIcons
1 ...
TrayNotify
1 ...
TrayTimeout
0 ...
TreeDepth
3020 3020
TreeDepth
TreeMax
10000000 10000000
TreeMax
TrimMode
1 1
TrimMode
TSpaceFac
1 1
TSpaceFac
TSpaceType
1 1
TSpaceType
TStackAlign
1 2
TStackAlign
TStackSize
70 70
TStackSize
... 1
TtfAsText
12
Ucs2dDisplaySetting 1 ...
12
Ucs3dParaDisplaySetting 1 ...
12
Ucs3dPerpDisplaySetting 1 ...
UcsAxisAng
90 90
UcsAxisAng
UcsBase
WORLD "" UcsBase
UcsDetect
1 ...
UcsFollow
0 0
UcsFollow
UcsIcon
3 3
UcsIcon

...
UcsName
""
0 UcsIconPos
Toggles non-origin UCS icon position
"" UcsName
UcsOrg
0.0,0.0,0.0 0;0;0
UcsOrg
UcsOrtho
1 ...

12
UcsSelectMode 1 ...
UcsView
1 ...
UcsVp
1 1
UcsVp
UcsXDir
1.0,0.0,0.0 1;0;0
UcsXDir
UcsYDir
0.0,1.0,0.0 0;1;0
UcsYDir
UndoCtl
53 1
UndoCtl
UndoMarks
0 5
UndoMarks
UnitMode
0 0
UnitMode
UOsnap
1 ...
UpdateThumbnail
15 ...

...
1 UseOutputFolder PREFS

Uses current folder or folder specified by

PlotOutputPath
Reuses previous print settings
...
0 UseRegistryValues PREFS
UserI1-5
0 0
UserI1-5
UserR1-5
0 0
UserR1-5
UserS1-5
"" "" UserS1-5

158
...
0 UseStandardOpenFileDialog PREFS
Displays additional folder in file dialog boxes
AutoCAD

...
...
...
Bricsys _VendorName
Reports the vendors name
"12.1.13 (UNICODE)" _VerNum

100.0.64 VersionCustomizableFiles
Reports the version number

PREFS
Reports version number of CUI and PGP files
ViewCtr
18.9,8.7,0.0 18.9,8.7,0.0
ViewCtr
ViewDir
0.0,0.0,1.0 10.4;4.5;0.0
ViewDir
ViewMode
0 0.0;0.0;1.0
ViewMode
ViewSize
14.65 16
ViewSize
ViewTwist
0 0
ViewTwist
VisRetain
1 1
VisRetain

12
VpControl 1 ...
VpLayerOverrides
0 ...

VpLayerOverridesMode 1 ...
VpMaximizedState
0 ...
VpRotateAssoc
1 ...

11
11
11
VsCurvatureHigh 1.0 ...
11
VsCurvatureLow -1.0 ...
VsCurvatureType 0 ...
VsDraftangleHigh 3 ...
11
VsDraftangleLow -3 ...
11
VsZebraColor1 "Rgb:255,255,255" ...
11
VsZebraColor2 "Rgb:0,0,0" ...
11
VsZebraDirection 90 ...
11
11
VsZebraSize 45 ...
VsZebraType 1 ...
VsBackgrounds
1 ...
VsEdgeColor
byentity ...
VsEdgeJitter
-2 ...
VsEdgeOverhang
-6 ...
VsEdges
1 ...
VsEdgeSmooth
1 ...

11
VsEdgeLEx -6 ...
VsFaceColorMode
0 ...
VsFaceHighlight
-30 ...
VsFaceOpacity
-60 ...
VsFaceStyle
0 ...
VsHaloGap
0 ...
VsHidePrecision
0 ...
VsIntersectionColor "7 (white)" ...

VsIntersectionEdges 0 ...
VsIntersectionLtype 1 ...
VsIsoOnTop
0 ...

VsLightingQuality 1 ...
VsMaterialMode
0 ...
VsMax
119.3,59.5,0.0 1E+20,1E+20,1E+20 VsMax
VsMin
-81.3,-42.1,0.0 -1E+20,-1E+20,-1E+20 VsMin

159
AutoCAD

VsMonoColor
"Rgb:255,255,255" ...

VsObscuredColor "ByEntity" ...
VsObscuredEdges
1 ...
VsObscuredLype
1 ...

11
11
VsOccludedColor "ByEntity" ...
VsOccludedEdges 1 ...
11
VsOccludedLtype 1 ...
VsShadows
0 ...
VsSilhEdges
0 ...
VsSilhWidth
5 ...
VtDuration
750 ...
VtEnable
3 ...
VtFps
7 ...
W
WhipArc
0 0
WhipArc
WhipThread
1 3
WhipThread
WindowAreaColor
150 5
WindowAreaColor
WmfBkgnd
off 0
WmfBkGnd
WmfForegnd
off 0
WmfForeGnd

...
2 WndlMain
...
0 WndlScrl
...
1 WndlStat
...
1 WndlTabs
...
0 WndlText
...
2162.0;202.0 WndPMain
...
40.0;40.0 WndPText
...
1160.0;760.0 WndSMain
Reports main window size
...
1120.0;720.0 WndSText
Reports text window size
12
Reports window state, maximized or other

Toggles scroll bars
PREFS
Toggles status bar

PREFS
Toggles layout and model tabs

Reports text window state
Reports top left window position
Reports top left text window
WorkspaceLable 0 ...
... 1
WorkspaceSecurity
Enables macros
WorldUcs
1 1
WorldUcs
WorldView
1 1
Worldview
WriteStat
1 1
WriteStat

11
WsAutosave 0 ...
WsCurrent
2D drafting
& annotation ...

X
XClipFrame
2 0
XClipFrame

...
1 XDia PLAT
XDwgFadeCtl
70 ...
XEdit
1 1
XEdit
XFadeCtl
50 50
XFadeCtl
XLoadCtl
2 2
XLoadCtl
160
Toggles dialog box or command line for X-Solids
AutoCAD

XLoadPath
c:\users\... C:\Users\...
XLoadPath
XRefCtl
0 0
XRefCtl
XRefNotify
2 ...
XRefType
0 ...
Z
ZoomFactor
60 60
ZoomFactor
ZoomWheel
0 ...
3dConversionMode 1 ...
3dDwfPrec 2 ...
11
3dOsMode 11 ...
3dSelectionMode 1 ...
161
162
appendix C
Cross-reference of
AutoCAD & Bricscad
Command Aliases
THIS APPENDIX COMPARES the command aliases defined by AutoCAD and Bricscad. The list is
sorted alphabetically by command name.

Aliases added to Bricscad V12 are shown in blue text.
ICAD
I1
Indicates alias names included by Bricsys for compatibility with IntelliCAD.
Indicates alias names added to AutoCAD 2011. No aliases were added to AutoCAD 2012.
Both CAD programs can define new aliases and modify existing ones.

To customize aliases in AutoCAD, use the Command Aliases button on the ribbons Express Tool tabs
Tools panel.
To customize aliases in Bricscad, use the Customize commands Keyboard Shortcuts node.
Appendix C: Cross-reference of AutoCAD & Bricscad Command Aliases
163
AutoCAD Command
AutoCAD Alias
Bricscad Alias
Bricscad Command
A
ActRecord arr
...
-ActStop -ars
...
ActStop ars ...

ActUserInput aru
...
-ActUserMessage -arm
...
ActUserMessage arm
...
AdCenter
...
adc, content, dc, dcenter
Align al
al Align
AllPlay aplay ...

11
AnalysisCurvature
curvatureanalysis
...
11
AnalysisDraftAngle
draftangleanalysis
...
11
AnalysisZebra
zebraanalysis
...
...
ap Aperture
...
planviewint ICAD Apparent
AppLoad ap
...
Arc
a Arc
Area
aa
aa Area
-Array -ar ...

Array ar
ar Array
-AttDef -att
-at -AttDef
AttDef
at, ddattdef
att, ddattdef
...
AttDef
ad AttDisp
-AttEdit
-ate, atte
-AttEdit
AttEdit
ate, ddatte, ddattext
AttEdit
-ate
AttExt ddattext
-ax -AttExt
...
ax, ddattext
AttIpEdit ati
AttExt
...
B
...
backgrounds ICAD Background
BAction ac ...
...
ba Base
BClose bc ...
BcParameter cparam
...
BEdit be ...
...
bm Blipmode
-Block -b
-b -Block
Block

164
b, acadblockdialog,
b Block
bmake, bmod
-Boundary -bo
-bo -Boundary
Boundary
bo, bpoly
bo, bpoly
Boundary
AutoCAD Command
AutoCAD Alias
Bricscad Alias
BParameter param
Break br
Bricscad Command
...
br Break
BSave bs ...
BvState bvs ...
C
Camera cam ...
Chamfer cha
cha Chamfer
Change -ch
-ch Change
CheckStandards chk
...
Circle c
c Circle
-Color
-col,-colour
-col, -colour
Color

col, colour, ddcolor,

ddcolour
col, colour, ddcolor, Color

ddcolour, setcolor ICAD
-Color
CommandLine cli
...
ConstraintBar cbar
...
ConstraintSettings csettings
...
Copy
Copy
co, cp
co, cp
...
cl CopyLink
...
cui Customize
CTableStyle ct
...
11
CvAdd
insertcontrolpoint
...
11
CvHide
pointoff
...
11
CvRebuild
rebuild
...
11
CvRemove
removecontrolpoint
...
11
CvShow
pointon
...
Cylinder cyl
cyl Cylinder
D
DataExtraction dx
...
DataLink dl
...
DataLinkUpdate dlu
...
DbConnect dbc
...
DdEdit ed
ed DdEdit
DdGrips gr
gr DdGrips
...
se DdSelect
DdVpoint
vp

vp, viewctl,
setvpoint ICAD
DelConstraint delcon
Dist
di
DdVpoint
...
di Dist
Divide div
div Divide
Donut
do, doughnut
do, doughnut
DrawingRecovery drm

Donut
...
165
AutoCAD Command
AutoCAD Alias
Bricscad Alias
Bricscad Command
DrawOrder dr
dr
DrawOrder
DSettings
ddrmodes, rm
DSettings
ds, ddrmodes, se
DsViewer av
...
DView dv
dv DView
...
dx
DxfOut
Dimensions
...
dimension Dim
DimAligned
dal, dimali
dal, dimali
DimAligned
DimAngular
dan, dimang
dan, dimang
DimAngular
Dimarc dar ...

DimBaseline
dba, dimbase
DimCenter dce
dba, dimbase
DimBaseline
dce Dimcenter
DimConstraint dcon
...
DimContinue
dco, dimcont
dco, dimcont
DimContinue
DimDiameter
ddi, dimdia
ddi, dimdia
DimDiameter
DimDisassociate dda
...
DimEdit
ded, dimed
ded, dimed
DimJogged
jog, djo
DimJogline djl
DimEdit
...
...
DimLinear
dli, dimlin, dimhorizontal,

dimrotated, dimvertical

dli, dimlin,
DimLinear
dimhorizontal,
dimrotated, dimvertical
DimOrdinate
dor,dimord
dor, dimord
DimOrdinate
DimOverride
dov,dimover
dov, dimover
DimOverride
DimRadius
dra,dimrad
dra, dimrad
DimRadius
DimReassociate dre
...
...
-dst -DimStyle
DimStyle
d, dst, dimsty, ddim

d, ddim, dimsty, ds, DimStyle

dst, expdimstyles,
setdim ICAD
DimTedit
dimted DimTedit
dimted
E
EditShot eshot
...
...
ate EAttEdit
Ellipse el
el Ellipse
Erase
e, delete
Erase
...
xb ExpBlocks
Explode x
x Explode
-Export -qpub ...

Export
exp
exp, dwfout
ExportDwf edwf
166
Export
...
AutoCAD Command
AutoCAD Alias
Bricscad Alias
Bricscad Command
ExportDwfx edwfx
...
ExportPdf epdf
...
-ExportToAutocad aectoacad
...
...
uc, dducs
ExpUcs
Extend ex
ex Extend
ExternalReferences er
Extrude ext
...
ext Extrude
F
Fillet f
f Fillet
Filter
fi
fi
FlatShot fshot
Filter
...
G
GeographicLocation
geo, north, northdir
geo
GeographicLocation
GeomConstraint gcon
...
Gradient gd
...
...
g Grid
-Group -g ...
Group g ...

H
-Hatch
-h
-h, -bh
-Hatch
Hatch
h, bh
h, bh
Hatch
HatchEdit he
11
HatchToBack
he HatchEdit
hb
Hide hi
...
hi Hide
HidePalettes poff
...
I
...
idpoint ICAD Id
-Image -im ...

Image
im
im, expimages ICAD Image
ImageAdjust iad
iad
ImageAdjust
ImageAttach iat
iat
ImageAttach
ImageClip icl
icl ImageClip
Import imp
imp Import
-Insert -i
-i -Insert
Insert
i, ddinsert
i, ddinsert, inserturl
Insert
...
insal InsertAligned
InsertObj io
io InsertObj
167
AutoCAD Command
AutoCAD Alias
Bricscad Alias
Bricscad Command
Interfere inf
inf Interfere
Intersect in
in Intersect
11
IsolateObjects
isolate
...
...
is Isoplane
J
Join j ...

L
-Layer -la
-la -Layer
Layer
la, ddlmodes

la, ddlmodes,
explayers ICAD
Layer
LayerState
las
LayerState
las, lman
...
setlayer
LayMcur
ICAD
-Layout lo ...
Leader
lead
le, lead
Lengthen
len
len, editlen
Leader
Lengthen
ICAD
...
lighting Light
ll LightList
Line
l, 3dline
Line
-Linetype
-lt, -ltype
-lt
-Linetype
Linetype
lt, ltype, ddltype

lt, ddltype,
expltypes ICAD
Linetype
List
li, ls
List
li, ls, showmat
Ltscale lts
Lweight
lts LtScale
lw, lineweight
...
M
Markup msm ...
11
MatBrowserOpen
MatchProp
168
mat, rmat
...
ma, painter
MatchProp
ma
MaterialMap setuv
setuv MaterialMap
Materials
mat, finish, rmat
mat, rmat, finish
Materials
Measure me
...
MeasureGeom mea
...
MeshCrease crease
...
MeshRefine
...
refine
MeshSmooth smooth
...
MeshSmoothLess less
...
MeshSmoothMore more
...
MeshSplit split
...
MeshUncrease uncrease
...
AutoCAD Command
AutoCAD Alias
Bricscad Alias
Bricscad Command
Mirror mi
mi Mirror
Mirror3d
3m, 3dmirror
3dmirror
Mirror3d
MLeader mld
...
MLeaderAlign mla
...
MLeaderCollect mlc
...
MLeaderEdit mle
...
MLeaderStyle mls
...
MLine ml ...
Move m
m Move
...
msnapshot ICAD MSlide
MSpace ms
ms MSpace
-MText -t ...
MText
mt, t
MView mv
mt, t
MText
mv MView
N
NavSMotion motion
...
NavSMotionClose motioncls
...
NavSWheel wheel
...
NavVCube cube
...
NewShot nshot
...
NewView nview
...
...
ddnew NewWiz
O
Offset o
o Offset
...
undelete, unerase
Oops
Open
op
Open
Options
op, preferences

cfg, config, prefs,

preferences
Options
...
ortho, or
Orthogonal
-Osnap
-os, esnap
-OSnap
openurl, dxfin
-os
Osnap
os, ddosnap

os, ddosnap,
Osnap
ddesnap, setesnap ICAD
P
-Pan -p ...
Pan
p, -p
Pan
-Parameters -par
...
Parameters par
...
-PartialOpen partialopen
...
PasteSpec pa
PasteSpec
pa
169
AutoCAD Command
AutoCAD Alias
Bricscad Alias
Bricscad Command
PEdit
pe
pe, editpline ICAD PEdit
PLine
pl
pl, polyline ICAD PLine
Plot
print, dwfout
...
PlotStamp ddplotstamp
Point
po
...
po Point
11
PointCloud
pc
...
11
PointCloudAttach
pcattach
...
11
PointCloudIndex
pcindex
...
PointLight freepoint
Polygon pol
...
pol Polygon
PolySolid psolid
...
Preview
pr,pre
pre, ppreview
Preview
Properties

props, ch, mo,

ddchprop, ddmodify
pr, props, ch, mo, Properties

ddchprop, ddmodify
ICAD
PropertiesClose prclose
prc
PSpace ps
ps PSpace
PublishToWeb ptw
PropertiesClose
...
-Purge -pu
-pu -Purge
Purge pu
pu Purge
Pyramid pyr
pyr Pyramid
Q
QLeader le
...
...
n QNew
...
qt QText
QuickCalc qc
...
QuickCui qcui
...
Quit
exit
exit Quit
QvDrawing qvd
...
QvDrawingClose qvdc
...
QvLayout qvl
...
QvLayoutClose qvlc

R
Rectang
170
rec, rectangle
rec, rect, rectangle Rectang
Redraw r
r Redraw
RedrawAll ra
ra
Regen re
re Regen
RegenAll rea
rea RegenAll
Region reg
reg Region
...
ri Reinit
-Rename -ren
-ren -Rename
RedrawAll
AutoCAD Command
AutoCAD Alias
Bricscad Alias
Bricscad Command
Rename
ren
ren, ddrename
Rename
Render rr
rr Render
RenderCrop rc
...
RenderEnvironment fog
fog
RenderEnvironment
RenderPresets
rp, rfileopt
roptions
RenderPresets
RenderWin
rw, rendscr
rendscr
RenderWin
Revolve rev
rev Revolve
Ribbon dashboard ...

RibbonClose dashboardclose
...
Rotate ro
ro Rotate
...
3r, 3drotate
RPref
setrender RPref
rpr
Rotate3d
S
Save saveurl
sa Save
SaveAs dxfout ...

Scale sc
sc Scale
Script scr
scr Script
Section sec
sec Section
...
selgrip SelGrips
SectionPlane splane
...
SectionPlaneJog jogsection
...
SectionPlaneToBlock generatesection
...
SequencePlay splay
...
...
ucp, dducsp
SetUcs
SetVar set
set SetVar
...
sha Shade
ShadeMode
vscurrent
sha, shade
ShadeMode
SheetSet ssm
...
ShowPalettes pon
...
...
freehand
Slice sl
sl Slice
Sketch
Snap sn
sn Snap
Solid
so
so, plane ICAD Solid
Spell
sp
sp Spell
ICAD
Spline spl
spl Spline
SplinEdit spe
spe SplinEdit
Standards sta
...
Stretch s
s Stretch
...
font* -Style
Style
st, ddstyle

st, ddstyle, expstyle, Style

expstyles, expfonts ICAD
Subtract su
su Subtract
171
AutoCAD Command
AutoCAD Alias
...
Bricscad Alias
Bricscad Command
sun SunProperties
11
SurfBlend
blendsrf
...
11
SurfExtend
extendsrf
...
11
SurfFillet
filletsrf
...
11
SurfNetwork
networksrf
...
11
SurfOffset
offsetsrf
...
11
SurfPatch
patch
...
11
SurfSculpt
createsolid
...
T
Table tb ...
TableStyle ts
...
Tablet ta
ta Tablet
...
-t -Text
Text
tx
dt, dtext
Text
TextEdit tedit ...

Thickness th
TileMode
th
ti, tm
Thickness
...
...
ti Time
Tolerance tol
tol Tolerance
Toolbar to ...
ToolPalettes tp
...
Torus tor
tor Torus
Trim tr
tr Trim
U
Ucs dducs ...
UcsMan
uc, dducs, dducsp
Union uni
...
uni Union
UnisolateObjects
unhide, unisolate
...
-Units
-un
-un -Units
Units
un, ddunits
un, ddunits
Units
V
...
vba VbaIde
-View -v
-v -View
View
v, ddview

v, ddview,
expviews ICAD
View
ViewGo vgo ...
172
ViewPlay vplay
...
-VisualStyles -vsm
...
AutoCAD Command
AutoCAD Alias
Bricscad Alias
VisualStyles
vs, vsm
Bricscad Command
...
...
vl VpLayer
VPoint
-vp

-vpoint, -viewpoint, VPoint

viewpoint ICAD
VPorts
vw, vport, viewports VPorts
viewports
...
vs, vsnapshot ICAD VSlide
VsCurrent vs
...
W
-WBlock -w
...
WBlock
WBlock
w, acadwblockdialog
...
closeall WCloseAll
Wedge we
we Wedge
...
wi WmfIn
...
wo WmfOut
X
XAttach xa
xa XAttach
-XBind -xb ...

XBind xb
-xb XBind
XClip
xc
clip XClip
XLine
xl
xl, infline ICAD XLine
-XRef -xr
-xr -Xref
XRef
xr, expxrefs ICAD Xref
xr
Z
Zoom z
z Zoom
3
3dAlign 3al ...
3dArray
3a
3a, array3d
3dArray
3dFace
3f,
3f, face
3dFace
...
mesh 3dMesh
3dMove 3m ...
3dOrbit
3do, orbit
3dPoly 3p
...
3p 3dPoly
3dPrint
3dp, 3dplot,
rapidprototype
...
3dRotate 3r
...
173
AutoCAD Command
AutoCAD Alias
Bricscad Alias
Bricscad Command
3dScale 3s ...
3dWalk
174
3dnavigate, 3dw
...
appendix D
Cross-reference of
AutoCAD & Bricscad
Keystrokes and Buttons
THIS APPENDIX COMPARES the default shortcut keystrokes and buttons defined by AutoCAD and
Bricscad. They are sorted into the following groups:
1. Keystrokes used in the drawing area

Function keys
Ctrl keys
Shift keys
Other keys
2. Keystrokes used in the Text window and Command bar

Ctrl and Other keys
3. Mouse and tablet buttons

Mouse buttons
Tablet buttons
Keystrokes new to Bricscad V12 are shown in blue. Both CAD programs can define new shortcuts
and buttons, and modify existing ones. Keystroke shortcuts are customized in the following ways:

In AutoCAD, use the Cui commands Keyboard Shortcuts node.
In Bricscad, uses the Customize commands Keyboard tab.
To learn how to customize Bricscad, see the Customizing Bricscad ebook available for purchase
from the www.Bricsys.com Web site.
Appendix D: Cross-reference of AutoCAD & Bricscad Keystrokes and Buttons
175
Keyboard Shortcuts: Drawing Area

The following keystroke shortcuts operate in the drawing area.
Function Keys

AutoCAD Action
AutoCAD
Command(s)
Keystroke
Shortcut
Bricscad
Command(s)
Bricscad Action
Displays the Help dialog box
Help
F1
Help
Selects entire objects during subentity selection
...
Shift+F1 ...
Toggles between text and graphics windows

TextScr
F2
GraphScr
Selects vertex subobjects
...
Toggles object snap mode
-Osnap
Displays the Help dialog box
TextScr
GraphScr
Toggles between Text and Graphics windows
Shift+F2
CliState
Toggles the command bar
F3
Osnap T
Selects edge subobjects
Shift+F3
StatBar
Toggles the status bar
Toggles 3D object snap mode
3dOsnap
F4
Tablet T
Toggles tablet mode
Selects face subobjects
...
Shift+F4
ScrollBar
Toggles the scroll bars
Closes the current drawing

Close
Ctrl+F4
WClose

Closes the current drawing; this function

is provided by Windows
Closes all drawings, as well as AutoCAD

Quit
Alt+F4
Quit

Closes all drawings, as well as Bricscad; this

function is provided by Windows
Cycles through isoplanes
Isoplane
F5
Isoplane
Cycles through isoplanes
Selects solid history
Shift+F5 ...
...
Toggles dynamic UCS mode
F6
Cycles through coordinate display modes
UcsDetect
Coordinate T
Switches to the next drawing

(Windows)
Ctrl+F6
(Windows)

Switches to the next drawing; this function

is provided by Windows
Toggles display of the grid
GridMode
F7
Grid T
Toggles the display of the grid
Toggles orthogonal mode
OrthoMode
F8
Orthogonal T
... ...
Shift+F8
VbaMan
Displays VBA Manager dialog box
Runs VBA macros
VbaRun
Alt+F8
VbaRun
Displays Run Bricscad VBA Macro dialog box
Toggles snap mode
SnapMode
F9
Snap T
Toggles snap mode
Toggles polar tracking
SnapType
F10
SnapType
Toggles object snap tracking
PolarMode
F11
PolarMode
Toggles object snap tracking
... ...
Shift+F11
AddInMan
Displays the Add-in Manager dialog box
Opens the VBA editor, not included with 2010-12
VbaIde
Alt+F11
VBA
Opens the Visual Basic Editor
Toggles dynamic input

DynMode
F12
QuadDisplay
Toggles the Quad cursor*
* Cannot be redefined with Customize
... ...
Ctrl_F12
...
Toggles subentity selection mode*
* Cannot be redefined with Customize

176
Ctrl Keys

AutoCAD Action
AutoCAD
Command(s)
Shortcut
Keystroke
Bricscad
Command(s)
Bricscad Action
Overrides LockUI
...
Ctrl ... ...
Selects sub-objects
Properties
Ctrl+1
PropertiesOff
Toggles Properties palette

Properties
PropertiesOff
Toggles Properties bar

Displays Drawing Explorer
Toggles DesignCenter palette

AdCenter
AdcClose
Ctrl+2
Explorer
Toggles Tools palette

ToolPalettes
ToolPalettesOff
Ctrl+3
... ...
Toggles Sheet Set Manager palette

SheetSet
SheetSetHide
Ctrl+4 ...
...
Toggles dbConnect palette

dbConnect
dbClose
Ctrl+6 ...
...
Toggles Markup Set Manager palette

Markup
MarkupClose
Ctrl+7 ...
...
Toggles QuickCalc palette

QuickCalc
QcClose
Ctrl+8 ...
...
Toggles Command Line palette

CommandLine Ctrl+9
CommandLineHide
CommandLine Toggles command bar

CommandLineHide
Toggles CleanScreen mode

CleanScreenOn Ctrl+0 ...
CleanScreenOff

Selects all non-frozen objects

*) AutoCAD uses an AutoLISP routine
(ai_SelAll) *
Ctrl+A
Toggles group mode

**) AutoCAD uses an undocumented command
**
Ctrl+Shift+A ...
...
Toggles snap mode
SnapMode
Ctrl+B
Snap T
Toggles snap mode
Copies selected objects to Clipboard
CopyClip
Ctrl+C
CopyClip
Copies selected objects to Clipboard
Copies selected objects with base point
CopyBase
Ctrl+Shift+C
CopyBase
Copies selected objects with base point
Toggles dynamic UCS
UcsDetect Ctrl+D
Switches to the next isoplane
Isoplane
Ctrl+E
Isoplane
Switches to next isoplane
OsMode
Ctrl+F
-Osnap T
Toggles entity snap mode
GridMode
Ctrl+G
Grid T
Toggles pick style
PickStyle
Ctrl+H
PickStyle
Toggles pick style
Toggles display of open palettes
HidePalettes
Ctrl+Shift+H ...
...
Coords
Ctrl+I
Toggles constraint inference
SelGrips All
Selects all non-frozen objects
... ...
Coords
Ctrl+Shift+I ...
...
177

AutoCAD Action
AutoCAD
Command(s)
Shortcut
Keystroke
Bricscad
Command(s)
Bricscad Action
... ...
Ctrl+J
;
Repeats the last command
Displays the Hyperlink dialog box
Hyperlink
Ctrl+K
Hyperlink
Displays Hyperlink dialog box
Toggles orthographic mode
OrthoMode
Ctrl+L
Orthogonal T
Toggles orthographic mode
...
Ctrl+M
;
Displays the Select Template dialog box
New
Ctrl+N
New
Displays the New Drawing dialog box
Displays the Select File dialog box
Open
Ctrl+O
Open
Displays the Open Drawing dialog box
Displays the Plot dialog box
Plot
Ctrl+P
Print
Displays the Print dialog box
Toggles the Quick Properties palette
QuickProperties
Ctrl+Shift+P
OpmState
Toggles the Properties bar
Closes drawings and AutoCAD
Quit
Ctrl+Q
Quit
Closes drawings and Bricscad
Cycles through viewports

*) AutoCAD uses an undocumented command
^V **
Ctrl+R
^V
Cycles through viewports
Saves the current drawing
Qsave
Ctrl+S
QSave
Saves the current drawing
Displays the Save Drawing As dialog box
SaveAs
Ctrl+Shift+S
SaveAs
Displays the Save Drawing As dialog box
Toggles tablet mode
Tablet
Ctrl+T
Tablet T
Toggles tablet mode
SnapType
Ctrl+U ...
...
Pastes objects from Clipboard
PasteClip
Ctrl+V
PasteClip
Pastes entities from Clipboard
Pastes objects from Clipboard as a block
PasteBlock
Ctrl+Shift+V
PasteBlock
Pastes entities from Clipboard as a block
... ...
Ctrl+Alt+V
PasteSpec
Displays the Paste Special dialog box
Toggles selection cycling
...
Ctrl+W ...
...
Cuts selected objects to Clipboard
CutCut
Ctrl+X
CutClip
Cuts selected entities to Clipboard.
Redoes the last undo
Redo
Ctrl+Y
Redo
Redoes the last undo
Undoes the last command
Ctrl+Z
Undoes the last command
Displays layout tab to the left of the current one
Layout Set
Ctrl+PageUp ...
Displays layout tab to the right of the current one
Layout Set
Ctrl+PageDown ...
Cancels current command
Esc
Ctrl+[
^C
Esc
Ctrl+\
^C
178
Shift Keys
Note: Shift keys are temporary overrides in AutoCAD. Shift key-combinations are not supported by Bricscad.

AutoCAD Action
AutoCAD
Command
Shortcut
Keystroke
Bricscad
Command
Bricscad Action
Orthographic
Ortho
Shift
OsMode
Shift+A ...
...
Overrides object snap: Center
-OSnap Cen
Shift+C ...
...
Disables all snapping and tracking
-OSnap Non
Shift+D ...
...
Overrides object snap: Endpoint
-Osnap End
Shift+E ...
...
Disables all snapping and tracking

Orthomode
Osmode
Snapmode
Autosnap
Shift+L
Overrides object snap: Midpoint
-OSnap Mid
Shift+M ...
...
Overrides object snap: Endpoint
-OSnap End
Shift+P ...
...
Toggles object snap tracking mode
PolarMode
Shift+Q ...
...
Enables object snap enforcement
OsnapOverride
Shift+S ...
...
Overrides object snap: Midpoint
-OSnap Mid
Shift+V ...
...
Toggles navigation wheel
NavSWheel
Shift+W ...
...
Toggles polar mode
AutoSnap
Shift+X ...
...
UcsDetect
Shift+Z ...
...
Overrides object snap: Center
-OSnap Cen
Shift+, ...
...
Enables object snap enforcement
OsnapOverride
Shift+; ...
...
Toggles polar mode
AutoSnap
Shift+. ...
...
-OSnap Off
Shift+ ...
...
Toggles object snap tracking mode
PolarMode
Shift+] ...
...
UcsDetect
Shift+/ ...
...
... ...
179
Other Keys

AutoCAD Action
AutoCAD
Command
Keystroke
Bricscad
Command

Bricscad Action
Erases selected objects
Erase
Erase
Erases selected objects
...
PageUp
Pan PgU
Pans up
...
PageDown
Pan PgD
Pans down
...
Shift+Left
Pan PgL
Pans left
...
Shift+Right
Pan PgR
Pans right
...
Shift+Up
Pan PgU
Pans up
...
Shift_Down
Pan PgD
Pans down
Del
Keyboard Shortcuts: Text Window & Command Bar

AutoCAD Action
Keystroke
Bricscad Action
Executes the command or option
Enter or Spacebar
Executes the command or option
Repeats the previous command
Enter or Spacebar
Repeats the previous command
Cancels the command or option
Esc
Cancels the command or option
Displays previous command
Up
Displays previous command
Displays next command in command history
Down
Displays next command in command history
Moves cursor to the left
Left
Moves cursor to the left
Moves cursor to the right
Right
Moves cursor to the right
Moves cursor to the start of the command line
Home
Moves cursor to the start of the command line
Moves cursor to the end of the command line
End
Moves cursor to the end of the command line
Toggles between insertion and overwrite mode Ins ...

Deletes characters to the right of the cursor
Del ...

Backspace
Deletes characters to the left of the cursor
Selects all text in Text window Ctrl+A
(Right-click, and then choose Select All from shortcut menu)
Copies selected text to Clipboard
Ctrl+C
(Right-click selected text, and then choose Copy from the shortcut menu)
Pastes text from Clipboard to command line
Ctrl+P
Cuts selected text to the Clipboard
Ctrl+X
180
(Right-click, and then choose Paste from the shortcut menu)
...
Mouse and Tablet Buttons

The following tables compare the actions of mouse and tablet buttons in AutoCAD and Bricscad.
Mouse Buttons
AutoCAD customizes the definitions of mouse buttons in the Mouse Buttons and Double-click Actions
nodes of its Customize User Interface dialog box.
Bricscad customizes mouse and double-click buttons in the Mouse tab of the Customize dialog box (new
to Bricscad V12).
AutoCAD Action
Mouse Button
Bricscad Action
Picks objects*
1 (left)
Picks objects
Displays grips shortcut menu
2 (right)
Displays object snap shortcut menu
3 (center)
Pans in real time
Cancels the current command
4 ...
Toggles snap mode
5 ...
Toggles ortho mode
6 ...
Toggles grid display
7 ...
Changes the coordinate display
8 ...
9 ...
Toggles tablet mode
10 ...
Zooms in real time *
Wheel
Zooms in real time
Edits selected object(s)
Double-click 1 (left)
Edits selected object(s)
Shift+2 (right)
Displays entity snap shortcut menu
Rotates viewpoint in 3D
Shift+3 (center) ...
...
Ctrl+1 (left)
Ctrl+2 (right)
Swivels viewpoint in 3D
Ctrl+3 (middle)
...
Zooms viewpoint in 3D
Ctrl+4
...
Note:
*) The actions of the pick button (#1) and wheel cannot be customized.
181
Tablet Buttons
AutoCAD customizes the definitions of stylus and puck buttons in the Tablet Buttons node of its Customize
User Interface dialog boxs Legacy section.
Bricscad customize buttons in the Digitizer Buttons node of the Customize dialog boxs Tablet tab. The action
of Button 1 cannot be changed. By default, however, no tablet menu (or partial CUI) is loaded by Bricscad with
the default profile, and so the entries under Digitizer Buttons and Tablet Menus are empty, initially.
Left: Tablet button definitions in AutoCADs CUI dialog box.

Center: Default tablet definition in Bricscads Customize dialog box.
Right: Tablet definition in Bricscad after loading tablet(acadLike).cui.
The solution is to download partial CUI files and drawings for tablet buttons and overlays from www.bricsys.
com/en_US/download/bcad/tool/Tablet.zip. Once you load the tablet.cui or tablet(acadLike)cui partial CUI files,
then these two sections contain entries for tablet buttons and menus.
The table lists the meaning of stylus and puck buttons used with tablets. Italicized text indicates the actions
when the partial CUI file tablet(acadLike).cui is loaded into Bricscad with the MenuLoad command.
182
AutoCAD Action
Tablet Button
Bricscad Command
Bricscad Action
Picks objects
...
Picks objects
$p0=GRIPS $p0=*
$p0=SNAP $p0=*
^c
Toggles snap mode
'_snap;_t
Toggles snap mode
Toggles ortho mode
'_orthogonal;_t
Toggles ortho mode
'_grid;_t
Changes the coordinate display

8

'_.COORDS $M=$(if,$(and,$(getvar, Changes the coordinate display

COORDS),2),0,$(+,$(getvar,COORDS),1))
'_isoplane;;
Toggles tablet mode
10
'_tablet;_t
Toggles tablet mode
Shift+2
$p0=SNAP $p0=*
The tablet overlay provided by Bricsys is illustrated below.
183
184

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Bricsad V12 for AutoCAD Users

1 Bricscad for AutoCAD Users....................................1

The Advantages of Bricscad ................................................. 6

No-charge Developer Network.............................................................. 9

Bricscad is Not IntelliCAD................................................... 11

2 Comparing the User Interfaces.............................17

User Interface Variations.................................................... 21

Properties Palette vs Properties Bar..................................... 28

DesignCenter vs Drawing Explorer....................................... 31

3 Drawing File Compatibility....................................35

DWG Object Support......................................................... 41

Bricsad V12 for AutoCAD Users

4 Customizing and Programming Bricscad...............63

Accessing Hidden Folders.............................................................................................68

Customizing Menus in Bricscad........................................... 71

Useful Menu Tips.........................................................................................................74

Creating New Menu Items...................................................................75

Tablet Buttons and Menus...................................................................84

Aliases and Shell Commands...............................................................85

Other Areas of Customization............................................. 87

Linetypes and Hatch Patterns...............................................................89

Porting VBA to Bricscad (Windows Only)................................................97

Porting COM to Bricscad......................................................................98

Third-party Developer Support........................................................... 100

Bricsad V12 for AutoCAD Users

5 Operating the Dual CAD Design Office.................103

Running Bricscad and AutoCAD in One Office...................... 107

Dual OS Office................................................................ 109

Benefits of Linux.............................................................................. 110

Drawbacks to Linux.......................................................................... 112

Mouse and Tablet Buttons................................................ 181

Bricsad V12 for AutoCAD Users

an AutoCAD user considering the switch to Bricscad

a firm adding licenses of Bricscad to complement their AutoCAD shop

Chapter 1: Bricscad for AutoCAD Users

The Entire Bricscad Product Line

Bricscad V12 for AutoCAD Users

Bricscad Classic provides budget-priced CAD

Bricscad Pro adds 3D solids modeling, 3D direct modeling, rendering,

Bricscad Platinum adds 3D history-based parametric modeling, 3D

Vondle provides browser-based project management; to be renamed Chapoo bizz.

eBridge links Bricscad with Vondle.

Bricscad CAD Software

ACIS 3D solids modeling

Viewing, modeling, and editing

Viewing, modeling, and editing

Viewing, modeling, and editing

Viewing, modeling, and editing

Viewing, modeling, and editing

Rendering Not available Included Included

TX, BRX, VBA, and .Net

TX BRX, VBA, and .Net

Chapter 1: Bricscad for AutoCAD Users

Vondle Project Management

For more information on Vondle, see www.bricsys.com/en_INTL/vondle.