Data Exchange E

pdf_doc 06.11.
2003 11:27 Uhr Seite 3
Data Exchange
technical_illustration_redefined
About this Manual
IsoDraw, CADprocess, IsoCompose and IsoView are registered trademarks

of D. Weidenbrück. This manual along with all other documentation and
the program itself are protected by copyright. Reproduction or publishing
of any kind is prohibited without the prior consent of the manufacturer.
This also applies to the program and library.
© 1990-2005 D. Weidenbrück
Warranty and liability aspects are regulated in accordance with the

“General Terms and Conditions” of the manufacturer and the conditions
for use of software products accompanying the program.
All brand and product names are either trademarks or registered

trademarks, owned by their respective proprietors.
We have made every endeavor to make the documentation as

comprehensive as possible and to exclude all errors. Should you
nevertheless discover any errors, we would be grateful if you would notify
us of such.
Contents
Notes for users................................................................................................................ 1
General Information .............................................................................................................. 1

Additional sources of information ................................................................................... 2
IsoDraw and Data exchange................................................................................... 3
A tip to getting started ......................................................................................................... 3
A few basic terms......................................................................................................... 5
File, format and filter ............................................................................................................. 5

Import .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Export ........................................................................................................................................... 8
Format preferences ................................................................................................................ 9
General information on preferences ....................................................................... 10
Preferences for import ........................................................................................................ 11
Preferences for export ........................................................................................................ 12
Import.................................................................................................................................13
Open... ........................................................................................................................................ 13
3D window.......................................................................................................................15
The 3D window in IsoDraw ............................................................................................... 15

The 3D window in IsoDraw CADprocess ...................................................................... 15
Tools in the toolbar ......................................................................................................... 16
“Projection” menu command in the “Window” menu ...................................... 19
Tools from the palette ................................................................................................... 22
Generating 2D illustrations ............................................................................................... 25
Saving as a 3D drawing ...................................................................................................... 25
Export .................................................................................................................................27
Export IsoDraw document ................................................................................................. 27
Adobe Illustrator™ ......................................................................................................29
IsoDraw and import ............................................................................................................. 29

IsoDraw and export .............................................................................................................. 30
Restrictions ......................................................................................................................... 31
Contents
Recommended settings ................................................................................................ 33
Importing ................................................................................................................................. 33
Export ........................................................................................................................................ 34
BMP ..................................................................................................................................... 35

IsoDraw and export ............................................................................................................. 35
Preferences for import ....................................................................................................... 36
Conversion notes ............................................................................................................. 36
Import ....................................................................................................................................... 39
Export ........................................................................................................................................ 39
CALS Raster.................................................................................................................... 41

Import ....................................................................................................................................... 44
Export ........................................................................................................................................ 44
CGM..................................................................................................................................... 45

OptCGM.prf - font matching ........................................................................................... 50
Restrictions ........................................................................................................................ 61
Importing ................................................................................................................................. 63
Export ........................................................................................................................................ 64
DWG .................................................................................................................................... 65

OptDWG.prf - font matching .......................................................................................... 69
Contents
Recommended settings ................................................................................................. 69
Restrictions ......................................................................................................................... 70
Restrictions ......................................................................................................................... 73
Importing .................................................................................................................................. 76
Export ......................................................................................................................................... 77
DXF .......................................................................................................................................79

Scaling .................................................................................................................................. 81
OptDXF.prf - font matching ............................................................................................. 83
Restrictions ......................................................................................................................... 84
Restrictions ......................................................................................................................... 87
Importing .................................................................................................................................. 90
Export ......................................................................................................................................... 91
EPSF .....................................................................................................................................93

Restrictions ......................................................................................................................... 94
Importing .................................................................................................................................. 97
Export ......................................................................................................................................... 97
HPGL....................................................................................................................................99

Preferences for import ..................................................................................................... 100
Restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 100
Conversion notes .......................................................................................................... 100
Contents
Preferences for export ...................................................................................................... 101
Restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 102
Pens ..................................................................................................................................... 102
Import ..................................................................................................................................... 103
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 103
Recommended settings .............................................................................................. 106
IGES ...................................................................................................................................107
IsoDraw and import ........................................................................................................... 108

IsoDraw and export ........................................................................................................... 108
OptIGS.prf - font matching ............................................................................................ 113
Restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 114
Conversion notes ........................................................................................................... 114
Subgroup G1 ........................................................................................................................ 115
Subgroup G2 ........................................................................................................................ 115
Subgroup G3 ........................................................................................................................ 115
Subgroup B1 ......................................................................................................................... 116
Subgroup B2 ......................................................................................................................... 116
Subgroup AF1 ....................................................................................................................... 116
Subgroup AF2 ....................................................................................................................... 117
Preferences for Importing with IsoDraw CADprocess ......................................... 118
OptIGS.prf - font matching ............................................................................................ 123
Restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 124
Restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 127
Importing ............................................................................................................................... 129
Importing with IsoDraw CADprocess ......................................................................... 131
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 138
VRML ................................................................................................................................139
IsoDraw CADprocess and import ................................................................................. 139

IsoDraw CADprocess and export .................................................................................. 139
Restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 143
Restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 145
Importing ............................................................................................................................... 146
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 152
Contents
Wavefront..................................................................................................................... 153
IsoDraw CADprocess and import ................................................................................. 153

IsoDraw CADprocess and export .................................................................................. 153
Restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 157
Conversion notes .......................................................................................................... 158
Preferences for export ..................................................................................................... 159
Restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 159
Importing ............................................................................................................................... 160
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 165
JPEG .................................................................................................................................. 167
IsoDraw and import .......................................................................................................... 167

Import ..................................................................................................................................... 170
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 170
PCX .................................................................................................................................... 171

Import ..................................................................................................................................... 175
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 175
PICT ................................................................................................................................... 177

Import ..................................................................................................................................... 179
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 179
PNG ................................................................................................................................... 181

Contents
Import ..................................................................................................................................... 185
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 185
SVG ....................................................................................................................................187

Restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 190
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 191
Text excerpt .................................................................................................................193

Import ..................................................................................................................................... 195
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 196
Object list.......................................................................................................................199

Export ...................................................................................................................................... 202
TIFF.....................................................................................................................................203

Import ..................................................................................................................................... 208
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 208
WMF..................................................................................................................................209

Contents
Restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 211
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 212
Interleaf ......................................................................................................................... 213

Restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 215
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 216
FrameMaker (MIF) .................................................................................................. 219

Restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 220
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 221
List of Abbreviations .............................................................................................. 223
Index................................................................................................................................. 225
Contents
Notes for users
This manual has been divided into two main parts. The first part provides
you with an introduction to the basic terms used in data exchange and
describes how you use the 3D window to import files. The second part
deals with the file formats that can be read and written by IsoDraw.
General Information
The following styles are used to emphasize special sections of the text in
the documentation:
Scaling button Terms shown in bold type in the body of the text
are keywords in the sections they are found in.
These terms are included in the index. The keyboard
designations shown in bold have not been
included.
structure display Italicized terms are also listed in the index.
Special notes on using the program or tips that can make your work
easier are shown indented and in italics.
The title at the start of each section and a footer on each page tell you
what topic is being dealt with in this particular section.
Notes for users 1

Additional sources of information
You will already have read about the key basic features of IsoDraw in the
"Introduction Manual".
You will find a complete overview and detailed descriptions of the IsoDraw
functions in the "Reference Manual".
In addition to the "Reference Manual", there is also a "Tutorial" on the

installation CD that is intended to help you get started with IsoDraw.
If you want to create macros, the "Macro Language Manual" provides you
with information on this subject. Like the other manuals, this manual is
also available in an electronic version on the CD.
Last but not least, we would like to draw your attention to the "Reference
Card" which summarizes all the keyboard codes. You are certain to find a
number of "short cuts" which will help speed up your work.
If you have purchased IsoDraw CADprocess, the program package includes

the "IsoDraw CADprocess Manual" containing the description of the extra
functions. The examples in the manual will assist you as you learn to work
with 3D data.
2 Notes for users

IsoDraw and Data exchange
If a program is capable of importing and exporting files in foreign formats,
simply listing the names of these formats in the documentation is not
enough. Only in very few cases is it really possible to convert files without
losing any information at all. We paid particular attention to minimizing
such losses while programming IsoDraw and IsoDraw CADprocess.
The parts of the IsoDraw and IsoDraw CADprocess program responsible for
exchanging data are being constantly upgraded. This process is made
necessary by market demands and the appearance of new versions of
other programs.
In order to minimize any problems encountered when exchanging data,

we advise you always to save an original copy of your illustration in
IsoDraw format. In this way, you will always be able to benefit from further
developments of ours in the future.
This manual is designed to make it easier for you to work with files in
foreign formats while using IsoDraw or IsoDraw CADprocess.
A tip to getting started
To gain practice, read in simple files and check the result. Repeat the
conversion with other options and see what the differences are. This will
enable you to find the best solution for your needs. If you encounter any
difficulties, discuss these with users “at the other end”. Often a change in
the settings to the original file can resolve the problem.
IsoDraw and Data exchange 3

4
A few basic terms...
As long as you only use IsoDraw as an illustration tool, you will be spared
the ordeal of having to come to grips with computer jargon. Nevertheless,
data is exchanged between a wide variety of different programs and
computers. This is why you do need to be familiar with a few basic terms
particularly in the case of IsoDraw CADprocess, before you get involved in
exchanging data.
File, format and filter
The term file refers to the space on either a hard disk or floppy disk for
storing information. Try to imagine a file as a parcel. The parcel is stored
in a certain place, while its size and appearance usually provide you with
no clues as to its actual contents. This is just the same with a file. A file is
moved from one folder to another, just like a parcel is taken from one
department to the next.
Opening a file poses no problem in itself. But as with a parcel, it is a

question of whether a program can make any sense of the contents once
a file has been opened.
In general terms, it is the contents of a file that are usually being

referred to when you talk about opening or importing a file.
Let us assume, for example, that the parcel contains a letter, which has
characters, you cannot read. This means that the contents of this letter are
not directly accessible to you. If you know that the letter is written in
Chinese, however, you can call upon a translator, who can then translate
the letter into your own language.
The same applies when you open a file, i.e. you also have to know which
“language” it is written in. The term “language” is what is known as the
format of a file. The format defines the way information is written into a
file. This is helpful in allowing the information to be read again afterwards
without any of it being lost.
A few basic terms... 5

Similarly, if a program is to read a file containing “Chinese” characters, a
translator also has to be brought onto the scene. This translator is known
as a filter in computer terminology. The filter refers to the part of the
program responsible for translating information from one format to
another. It does not matter whether we are talking about translating from
an external to an internal format or vice versa. Since the translation
process to a large extent takes place independently from the main
program itself, filters are often programs in their own right. In IsoDraw, the
filters for all the formats come ready installed in the main program.
Import
What does “importing” a file actually mean? Does opening a file always
imply that a file is imported?
Generally speaking, each program stores its data in its own format. This
means that, besides saving data, which can generally be used, it can also
save attributes specific to this data.
The same applies with IsoDraw. Besides storing pure geometrical data, e.g.
the start and end points of a line, other additional information, which is
important for IsoDraw, is also stored. This not only includes such things as
the attributes of an element, e.g. pen, style or shadow, but also data, which
is only relevant for IsoDraw, e.g. the depth of a thread. Since the “Thread”
element does not exist in this form in any other program, IsoDraw must
write its own format in order to be able to recognize this element as a
thread again later.
When IsoDraw opens one of its files in the way described above, no import
procedure takes place. The information contained in the file is available in
the exact form required by IsoDraw.
The situation is different when you open a file from another program, e.g.
Adobe Illustrator. The same applies, of course, to this program as for
IsoDraw: It stores its data in accordance with its own structure. Adobe
Illustrator does not use ellipses or threads as elements, but Bézier paths
instead. Consequently, an Illustrator file only contains information about
Bézier paths, which Adobe Illustrator is naturally able to read with ease.
This very simplified description should help to illustrate that IsoDraw and
Adobe Illustrator files are fundamentally different from each other.
6 A few basic terms...

Nevertheless, if IsoDraw can read an Illustrator file, it must be converted
into IsoDraw format: Therefore, it is imported.
Losses during transfer

Importing a file thus implies nothing more than a translation process. This
process is not too dissimilar to that of translating a text into another
language. Also in this case it is often not possible to convey all the details
without losing some aspects of the language, e.g. idiomatic expressions.
However, the translator mostly finds a way of expressing the sense of
idiomatic expression using other words.
Importing illustration data functions in a similar way. Most data can be

transferred completely, although there is almost always an amount left
over which contains program-specific details. This data can only be
translated by conveying its “sense”.
This type of translation, however, always results in some information

being lost. This may mean that attributes of an object are lost during the
transfer procedure. For example, a thread converted from IsoDraw into
Adobe Illustrator format can only be depicted as a group of Bézier paths.
It is no longer possible to set the thread depth or diameter in Adobe
Illustrator in the same way as in IsoDraw.
The differences between the two programs become even more acute when
an element cannot be converted properly. HPGL format, for example,
contains no commands for displaying curves, meaning that each curve
has to be converted into a series of short, straight-line segments.
The same naturally applies when a drawing is exported into another

format. IsoDraw contains a large number of elements and attributes
which are not supported in other programs. In which case, you will need
to choose the “least of all evils” when converting a file.

It is possible to measure the quality of a filter by how carefully the
individual attributes are converted. In many instances, just the pure
geometrical data is translated, but it is generally possible to do more.
However, you should keep in mind: the filter is not always to blame if
information is lost.
Export
Exporting a file into another format is the opposite of importing a file.

When a file is exported, the source program generates the foreign format.
The target program, i.e. the program used for reading the file later, is
presented with a file that no longer has to be imported, but only read
instead.
What difference, if any, does it actually make? Which program performs

the translation is absolutely irrelevant, isn’t it?
There are numerous differences. It is important, for example, which of the

two programs is actually capable of performing the translation. For
example, IsoDraw has no difficulties importing or exporting an Illustrator
file. Illustrator however, is unable to handle IsoDraw files. IsoDraw would
have to be used for both importing and exporting files.
The situation is different if a file is to be exchanged between Microsoft

Word and MacWrite, for example. Word can both import and export
MacWrite files and MacWrite can do the same with Word files. In this case,
you can choose which program is to perform the conversion. If you do
have a choice, you can carry out a test to see which of the two programs
converts best.
A further category is the availability of specific programs on a particular

hardware platform. IsoDraw, for example, can generate an Interleaf ASCII
file directly. This file can then be transferred from the Macintosh to the
workstation using either a floppy disk or a network. and then only has to
be opened in Interleaf. Since Interleaf cannot perform a corresponding
conversion, this method had the advantage that the Interleaf user requires
no further software or hardware in order to use an illustration.

Format preferences
Generally speaking, a file format should not be described by its name

alone, since the format definition supports different variants. It is not
simply adequate, for example, to want to generate a “ TIFF file”. You need
to define the color depth or resolution you want to use for saving the file.
A number of variants are possible depending on the format.
You will discover that the quality of the import and export filters
supported by the various programs differ greatly from each other. As a
result, using a filter of lower quality can result in errors that can have a
considerable impact on exchanging files. In many cases, differences
between the programs can be compensated. For example, if a program can
only import pure 2D DXF files, you will need to ensure that only 2D data
are sent to the program.
IsoDraw allows you to perform settings for each format in order to be able
to master the situations described. The settings for the individual formats
differ from each other.
There are separate settings for import and export.
There are two ways of performing these settings. The menu command
allows you to set preferences for each format which are to be used for
import or export. You can also change these preferences every time a file
is imported or exported.
When importing most formats, a dialog window will appear where you
can perform the required settings. When exporting, the dialog window will
appear if you click “Options” (see section “Export”).
If no dialog window containing setting options appears when

importing a file, there may be two reasons for this. Either there are
no special settings for this format or display of the dialog window
has been disabled (see section “Preferences for import”).
Changes you perform in one of these dialog windows will be applied

automatically to the preferences.

General information on preferences
This section will take a general look at how format preferences are used.
Select the command from the menu. A dialog window appears where you
can change any or all of the settings. On the left-hand side you will see a
symbol and designation for each preferences page. Click the symbol of the
format you want to work with. The setting options for the format in
question will be displayed.
The following functions are the same for all formats:
Factory settings
If you click “Factory settings”, all the options will be changed to the values
recommended by the manufacturer.
Undo
Click “Undo” if you wish to undo all the changes already made.
Cancel - OK
Click “Cancel” if you wish to exit the preferences page without making any
changes. Click “OK” to confirm your settings.
The dialog windows, which are displayed when importing, or

exporting files contain additional setting options in some cases.
These are described in the sections relating to the formats in
question.

Preferences for import
Below is an example of the preferences page for format CGM.
Show dialog
If the “Show dialog” box is checked, a dialog window will appear when the
relevant format is imported. If the box is not checked, the file containing
the set preferences will be imported from the preferences page.

Preferences for export
Below is an example of the preferences page for format CGM.
Extension
This entry field contains an abbreviation that is appended to the file name
when a file is exported. You can overwrite the factory setting at this point
if you require. You cannot change this entry in the export dialog window.

Import
Open...
Files are always imported in the same way. Selecting the “Open...”
command from the “File” menu opens a dialog window showing the files
on your hard disk or floppy disk. Select “All files” from the pop-up menu.
This setting displays all files in the selected folder irrespective of their
format. You can also select files which have been generated by other
programs or whose format cannot be clearly identified.
If you select and open a file, IsoDraw automatically examines the content
and begins the conversion process to its own data format. If the format of
the selected file is unknown, a corresponding error message will be
displayed.
Further information on command “Open...” can be found in the

Reference Manual.
If the file format can be read, additional dialog windows will appear,
depending on the format, which will enable you to control data import.
The window for format CGM is shown below by way of example. All dialog
windows are described under the individual formats in the “Formats”
section.
Import 13
Clicking “OK” imports the file using the settings you have specified on the
preferences page. If you perform changes, the new settings will be applied
when files are imported and will be adopted automatically into the
preferences. The next time the same file format is imported, the dialog
window will appear with the new settings.
If no additional dialog window appears when importing a file, it

may be that the “Show dialog” option for this format has been
disabled. Further information can be found in the section
“Preferences for formats”.
Since IsoDraw is able to import 3-dimensional CAD data, the 3D window

of IsoDraw appears when such files are imported. The following pages
contain a description of the tools in this window and how they are used.
14 Import
3D window
The 3D window in IsoDraw
IsoDraw can also import 3-dimensional CAD data. For further processing,
this data must first be converted into a 2-dimensional drawing. Therefore,
to allow you to make full use of all the options offered by 3D data, IsoDraw
opens the 3D window when 3D data is imported and gives you the
opportunity there to change the perspective, size and position of the
elements.
The 3D window in IsoDraw CADprocess
The drawing also appears in a 3D window in IsoDraw CADprocess. The 3D

window in IsoDraw CADprocess is different in appearance from the 3D
window in IsoDraw. Because the drawing that has been converted from 3D
data still contains all the 3D information , IsoDraw CADprocess offers a
greater range of tools than IsoDraw. This allows extensive editing of the
drawing. Once you have edited the drawing in the 3D window, the
optimization process represents the last step from the CAD drawing to the
two-dimensional technical illustration. This optimization is another
feature that is different from IsoDraw. The optimization dialog boxes
enable you to influence the result of the conversion to the 2D illustration.
The tools in the 3D window in IsoDraw CADprocess are described in detail
in the "IsoDraw CADprocess" manual.
3D window 15
At first glance, the 3D window differs from a normal IsoDraw window in
that it has a coordinate cross in the middle of the drawing area. The axes
are labeled X, Y and Z and represent the coordinate system for the loaded
assemblies/elements.
You can also see a special toolbar with tools. Unlike a "normal" IsoDraw
illustration that is, of course, 2-dimensional and therefore does not allow
spatial movement, you can now work in three dimensions with the
imported data. If you look closely at the palette, you can see that one row
of tools is “grayed out”. These tools cannot be selected as long as you are
working in the 3D window. The arrow cursor and the three transformation
tools are available for editing the elements. IsoDraw also has the
additional menu command “Projection” in the “Window” menu.
Tools in the toolbar
This toolbar is used to select tools for editing elements. By default, the
toolbar contains all the tools that can only be activated via the toolbar.
A description of the standard toolbar follows.
You can edit the toolbar at any time using the “Toolbar” menu command
in the “Window” menu. You can delete tools or add menu commands. You
can also create an additional toolbar if you wish.
You can find information on how to create and edit toolbars in the
Reference Manual under “Toolbar” in the “Window” menu.
16 3D window
3D hand tool
This tool enables you to freely rotate the drawing “by hand”. After
selecting the hand tool, click the drawing area. If you now move the
mouse with the mouse button pressed down, you can rotate all elements
around several coordinate system axes at the same time. Elements are
freely rotated around their center. Imagine your hand is lying on a ball
that you are rolling over a table. If you move the mouse in the same way,
the elements will be rotated in the same way as the ball. You do not have
to select a specific axis if you want to rotate freely in space in this way.
Centering tool
The information contained in the original file also defines the origin of the
coordinate system. Clicking the Centering tool allows you to align the
elements so that the coordinate origin is at the center point of all
elements.
The Centering tool takes into account all elements in a drawing.

However, it is sometimes the case that a "rogue" point from the CAD
program will also be transferred. In this case, the drawing may
disappear from the screen.
Display tool
Imported drawings are frequently very large. To obtain an overview of all
the elements, the entire drawing needs to be brought into the field of
vision. Clicking the Display tool displays the entire drawing on the screen.
If you first align the drawing to the coordinate system using the Centering
tool, you will easily be able to obtain an overview as you work.
3D window 17
3D Perspective Distance
If you have selected “Perspective” with the “Projection” menu command,
the otherwise grayed out “3D Perspective Distance” tool is activated.
Clicking the icon button opens the following dialog box:
Enter the desired distance. Click "OK" to confirm your entry or "Cancel" to
close the dialog window without making any changes. When the dialog
box is closed, the elements are displayed in the new perspective.
Note that the value for the perspective distance can also be selected
so that the observer is located "inside" the object. This can result in
unwanted projections of elements located behind the observer.
Camera button for 2D projection

Once you have finished you work in the 3D window, you can copy the
entire drawing into a "normal" two-dimensional IsoDraw window. Do this
by clicking the Camera button icon.
18 3D window
“Projection” menu command in the “Window” menu
If you select the “Projection” menu command, a pop-up menu with

projection options is displayed. Each of these options allows you to
change the orientation of the elements in space. Selecting a projection
allows you to define the direction and distance from which you wish to
view the elements. The different types of projection are described below.
The figures show a simple object in the described orientation. To simplify
matters, the hidden lines are not shown.
View X, view Y, view Z

If one of these views is selected, the elements will be displayed from the
precise perspective of the axis in question. If the elements have not been
rotated, this will give you the front view, side view and top view.
Isometric projection top, isometric projection bottom

All elements are displayed in isometric projection. All the dimensions are
shown with perspective reduction. The difference between the two
variants lies in the fact that you are looking onto the elements from above
in the first case and from below in the second.
3D window 19
Dimetric projections 1 to 4
The dimetric projections display the elements so that the major axes are
imaged at angles of 7° and 42°. In the case of variants 1 and 2, you are
looking onto the elements from above and in the case of variants 3 and 4
you are looking from below. The perspective reduction on the axis shown
at an angle of 42° is 50%.
Trimetric projection
Trimetric projection is the most general of all parallel projections. It shows
the elements from the perspective of the Z-axis. Rotating the elements
allows you to generate the orientation you want. All dimensions are
subject to perspective reduction.
20 3D window
Perspective
Select the "Perspectives" projection to display all elements in a central
perspective from the perspective of the Z-axis. Rotating around one of
the axes creates a 2-point perspective, while rotating around two or
more axes creates a 3-point perspective.
The distance from the observer to the object plays an important role with
regard to perspective. Distance has a considerable influence on the
perspective distortion of the elements. If it is small, the distortion is very
large, if it is large, the distortion is small, i.e. parallel lines remain more or
less parallel.
The figure above shows the object at a distance of 150 mm from the
coordinate system origin, while the figure below shows the same object at
a distance of 500 mm.
Select a distance that is somewhat larger, since strong perspective

distortions look unnatural.
When the projection “Perspective” is selected, the “3D Perspective

Distance” tool is activated in the toolbar. After selecting the tool, enter a
distance in the dialog box.
Delete transformation
This command in the pop-up menu allows you to undo various
transformation operations. All elements are returned to the way they were
when they were imported.
3D window 21
Tools from the palette
Moving using the arrow cursor

After selecting the arrow cursor tool in the tool bar, the cursor changes
into an arrow cursor.
You can use the arrow cursor to move all elements along a selected axis.
First select the direction you wish to move them in. You can either move
them on the X-Z plane or along the Y-axis. Either click on the Y-axis or on
the X or Z-axis for the plane. The free axis is highlighted. If you have
selected the X-Z plane, you can move in either X or Z-direction. Holding
the Alt key (Windows) or the Option key (Macintosh) depressed allows
you to move the selection around freely on the plane.
Click the drawing area. Hold the mouse button depressed and move the
mouse. During this process the elements move along the axis. The distance
from the starting point is displayed in the bottom window bar. The
drawing will appear in its new position when you release the mouse
button.
Holding the Shift key depressed when you click on the drawing area will
result in the following dialog window appearing:
Enter the required values for the relevant axes. If you enter a positive
value, the assemblies will be moved in the direction bearing the axis
designation ("X", "Y", "Z"). If you enter a negative value, they will move in
the opposite direction.
Confirm your entry in the dialog window by clicking "OK". The elements
now appear in the new position on the axes. Clicking "Cancel" closes the
dialog window without moving the selection.
22 3D window
Rotation tool
Click the Rotation tool if you want to rotate the elements of the drawing
around one of the three displayed axes. Click the required axis. The axis will
be selected. Click the drawing area and move the mouse in a circle around
the origin of the coordinate system. While moving the mouse, you have a
good view of how the drawing’s position changes. While you are doing
this, the angle of rotation is displayed in the bottom window bar.
If you now want to rotate the elements around another axis, click the axis
in question and repeat the procedure described above.
The text line displays the axis currently selected, i.e. the Y-axis in our
example. Enter the required number of degrees and confirm by clicking
"OK". Clicking "Cancel" closes the dialog window without rotating the
elements.
Scaling tool
It is sometimes the case that CAD drawings are too large to be used as
illustrations. In this case, click the Scaling tool. You can now enlarge or
reduce all the elements in the drawing by clicking the drawing area and
moving the mouse. Move the mouse to the center point of the coordinate
cross to reduce the scale. Dragging it towards the edge of the sheet
enlarges the scale. While moving the mouse, you have a good view of how
the size changes. The scaling percentage is displayed in the bottom
window bar.
3D window 23
When performing scaling operations, it is not important which axis is

selected. Simply enter the required percentage and confirm by clicking
"OK". Clicking "Cancel" closes the dialog window without moving the
elements.
Reflection tool
The Reflection tool can be used to reflect all elements along a selected
axis. Click one of the axes of the coordinate system. The axis will be
selected. Now click the reflection tool. All elements will be reflected
accordingly.
If you now want to reflect the elements along another axis, click the axis
in question and repeat the procedure described above.
24 3D window
Generating 2D illustrations
If you have “preprocessed” elements in the way described, you can copy
all the elements into a “normal” 2-dimensional IsoDraw window. Do this
by clicking the Camera button in the toolbar.
In the background, all 3D elements will now be converted to 2D elements

and copied into a 2D window. You can then specify further views in the
3D window if required. Each time you click the camera button a new file
window will be created containing a "snapshot" of the required situation.
If you only want to create a 2D drawing, hold the Alt key

(Windows) or Option key (Macintosh) depressed while you click the
camera button. The 3D window will be converted immediately to a
normal 2D window. This option is particularly useful if you have
little memory available.
In IsoDraw CADprocess a dialog window appears if you click on the

Camera button in the toolbar. Here you have several setting options for
stylistic features of a Technical Illustration. You can find a detailed
description of the settings in the "CADprocess" Manual.
Saving as a 3D drawing
If you select "Save" or "Save as…" in the "File" menu, you will save the 3D
window together with all the three-dimensional information it contains
in the form of an IsoDraw file. If you reopen this file later, you will be able
to create additional 2D illustrations. Once a CAD file has been converted,
this provides you with repeated access to the 3D data once a CAD file has
been converted without having to repeat the conversion process.
In this way, you can still have IsoDraw convert CAD files automatically
without having to dispense with the manipulation options offered by the
3D window. The files are converted and saved as 3D files. Use the Batch
Tool available separately for this purpose.
3D window 25
26
Export
Export IsoDraw document
The “Export” command allows you to save IsoDraw documents so that

other programs can import them for further processing. A number of
different formats are available for this purpose.
Further information on the “Export...” command can be found in the

Reference Manual.
After this command has been invoked, a dialog window appears where
you can define the file name and format.
If you click “Save”, the file will be saved along with the relevant settings
on the preferences page for the format in question. You can also open
additional dialog windows when exporting files, depending on the format
selected. All dialog windows are described under the individual formats in
the “Formats” section.
Export 27
To change settings, click “Options”. The dialog window for the selected file
format appears. The window for format CGM is shown here by way of
example. Clicking “OK” will export the settings that you have entered on
the preferences page. If you perform changes, the new settings will be
applied when files are exported and will be adopted automatically into the
preferences. The dialog window containing the new settings will be
displayed the next time the same file format is exported.
28 Export
Adobe Illustrator™
Adobe Illustrator™ is a leading program for general graphics work on
Macintosh and PC-compatible computers. Adobe has documented the file
formats of earlier Illustrator versions, so that other programs can read and
write these files. Due to the fact that they are very widespread, a whole
range of graphics programs support the Illustrator format.
Most programs support several older versions of the Illustrator format.

More recent versions of Illustrator will be able to save your files in these
formats.
IsoDraw and import
No other dialog windows appear during the import procedure. The

Illustrator file is converted and displayed in a new window designated
with the name and the extension "iso".
Illustrator only recognizes Bézier paths as elements. IsoDraw allows

you to convert Bézier paths into lines and/or polylines in order to
simplify and speed up your work (refer to menu command "Convert
into polylines" in the Reference Manual).
Adobe Illustrator™ 29
IsoDraw and export
Depending on which option you select, a file will be created in Illustrator

format version 88, 6.0 or 7.0. You can open this file with various general
graphics programs.
The Illustrator 88 format is not allowed to contain raster images.

Consequently, image elements taken from IsoDraw illustrations are
incorporated into the file by first making a slight "detour". Each image
element is treated as if it were a placed EPS graphic. When you open the
file with Adobe Illustrator, no preview will appear, since the file does not
exist as a separate file. During printing, the information is read from the
Illustrator file. When exporting in the Illustrator 6.0 and 7.0 format, raster
images are included and displayed in Adobe Illustrator.
30 Adobe Illustrator™
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the

Illustrator symbol. The following preferences page for export and import
appears:
For the import, you can select whether you want to import the leader lines
used in Illustrator or not. Because these leader lines are not part of the
imported drawing, it is advisable to ignore the leader lines during import.
Restrictions
Text on paths and blends are not converted. Defined patterns on lines and
text are ignored. Raster images have to be included into the Illustrator file.

Illustrator symbol. The following preferences page for import and export
appears:
You can set the following preferences for export:
Version:
You can choose here if the file should be exported compatible with Adobe
Illustrator 7.0™, 88™ or 6.0™ . As a rule, you should select the setting
"Adobe Illustrator 7.0™" to guarantee a better quality. The older formats
88 and 6.0 should only be used if the target program cannot read the
newer version.
32 Adobe Illustrator™
Include EPS files:
This option will only be available if you have placed one or more EPS files
in your illustration. If this check box is selected, the EPS files will be copied
into the export file. The exported file thus becomes largely independent of
the EPS files. This is helpful in reducing the problems encountered when
printing with DTP programs. If you do not select this check box, you must
ensure that the EPS files are archived together with the exported file, as
they will be needed again later during printing or further processing.
Recommended settings
Include EPS files:Adobe Illustrator always searches for the original

version of the placed EPS file. Consequently, the file need not necessarily
be included.
Importing
There is no dialog window for importing Illustrator files.
Export
If you have selected the "Export…" command, set the Adobe Illustrator
format. Clicking "Options" opens the following dialog window for
exporting Illustrator files:
This allows you to check the settings or change your preferences if

required.
34
BMP
BMP is the abbreviation for Bitmap format. This designation refers to the
internal structure of the file, which uses tags in order to store all the
information about an image.
BMP is a widely used format, especially on Windows computers. It is

possible to store scanned images as BMP files and edit them later with a
wide range of programs. BMP is a pure pixel-based format, i.e. when
exporting to BMP, all the elements drawn in IsoDraw are converted into a
raster image.
IsoDraw and import
No other dialog windows appear during the import procedure. The BMP
file is converted into an image element and displayed in a new window
designated “Untitled”. You can copy this image element to any other
illustration you choose.
The options for editing image elements and their use as tracing
templates are described in the Reference Manual.
IsoDraw and export
A BMP file is generated in accordance with your settings. You can use this
file in a whole host of different programs.
Make sure that the target program really does understand all the
settings you make during the export procedure.
BMP 35
There are no preferences for importing BMP files.
Conversion notes
IsoDraw is capable of reading almost every variant of BMP files. This is

regardless of the platform the file has been created on.
Select the “Preferences...” command in the “Edit” menu. Click the BMP
symbol. The following preferences page appears:
You can find more detailed information about the options for
image elements in the “Image elements” section of the Reference
Manual.
36 BMP
Resolution:
The resolution defines how many pixels are present per inch (dpi = dots
per inch). The higher the resolution, the better the quality. This however,
also rapidly increases the size of the file at the same time.
If you set this option, notice how the memory requirement displayed at
the bottom of the window changes.
Border:
This option allows you to specify a border width for the BMP image. This
enables you to isolate your illustration from the background. A 5 mm
border means that a white border of 5 mm will be left around the actual
image.
Dimensions:
This field allows you to specify the dimensions of the BMP file. This is
governed either by the size of the drawing sheet in IsoDraw or the actual
extent of the elements.
Image depth:
The image depth (bit depth) option essentially allows you to control how
many different colors a BMP file can contain. A line-art illustration can
only contain black or white pixels. A grayscale image can contain up to
256 different levels of gray, while color images are limited to 256 colors (8
bits) or any of the settings up to and including 16.7 million colors.
BMP 37
Version:
BMP files are stored in different ways, depending on the operating system
they are intended for. In general, this will be a Windows computer. You
may also create BMP files for OS/2.
Compression:
Here you can choose if the BMP file is compressed or not. Not all programs
can read compressed BMP files.
The settings are governed by your particular needs and are therefore very
flexible. Here are a few tips to help you in special cases:
An illustration is to be converted into a raster image so that it can be used

in programs, which do not support a more suitable format.
Black/white illustrations:
Export your illustration as a line-art drawing. You should obtain a final
resolution of approx. 300 – 400 dpi. Enter 300, for example, if the drawing
is not to be scaled again later. If, however, it is to be reduced by 50 %, a
resolution of 150 dpi will be sufficient.
Grayscale or color illustrations:

If you have only used grayscales in your illustration, you should export it
as a grayscale image. With color illustrations, a great deal depends on the
number of colors you have used. This governs the image depth. By
carefully selecting the correct image depth, however, you can reduce the
number of colors in a color illustration which may be currently “too good”,
e.g. if you want to reduce the size of the file.
The same tips apply for the resolution and compression as for black/white
images.
38 BMP
Import
There is no dialog window for importing BMP files.
Export
If you have selected the “Export…” command, set the BMP format. Clicking
“Options” opens the following dialog window for exporting BMP files:

required.
BMP 39
40
CALS Raster
CALS is the abbreviation for Continuous Acquisition and Lifecycle
Support. This expression was defined by the US Department of Defense
(DoD) and stands for standardization of documentation. The standards
define CALS Raster as the format for raster files.
Scanned images can be stored in the CALS Raster format and further
edited in other programs. CALS Raster is a pure pixel-based format, i.e.
when exporting to CALS Raster, all the elements drawn in IsoDraw are
converted into a raster image.
IsoDraw and import
No other dialog windows appear during the import procedure. The CALS
Raster file is converted into an image element and displayed in a new
window designated “Untitled”. You can copy this image element to any
other illustration you choose.
IsoDraw and export
A CALS Raster file is generated in accordance with your settings. You can
use this file in a whole host of different programs.
CALS Raster 41
There are no preferences for importing CALS Raster files.
Select the “Preferences...” command in the “Edit” menu. Click the CALS
Raster symbol. The following preferences page appears:
Manual.
42 CALS Raster
Resolution:
Border:
This option allows you to specify a border width for the CALS Raster. This
enables you to isolate your illustration from the background. A 5 mm
border means that a white border of 5 mm will be left around the actual
image.
Dimensions:
This field allows you to specify the dimensions of the CALS Raster file. This
is governed either by the size of the drawing sheet in IsoDraw or the actual
Edit header
If you want to generate CALS Raster files in accordance with the VDAIS or
CALS specifications, you should select the appropriate option. This adds
special, precisely defined comments to the CALS Raster file. You can
change a number of these entries. To do that, click the “Edit header”
button. The following dialog window opens:
CALS Raster 43
The settings depend in most cases on directives which have to be

regarded. In general, the resolution should be min. 200 dpi.
Import
There is no dialog window for importing CALS Raster files.
Export
If you have selected the “Export…” command, set CALS Raster format.
Clicking “Options” opens the following dialog window for exporting CALS
Raster files:

required.
44 CALS Raster
CGM
CGM is the abbreviation for Computer Graphics Metafile. Within the CALS
Initiative (Computer-Aided Acquisition and Logistic Support), CGM has
been defined as a standard format for device-independent 2D files. The
purpose of the CGM file is to store all illustrations so that they can be read
and interpreted unambiguously by compliant programs.
CGM is used as a standard format in many different industries. Among

them are aerospace (ATA, AECMA), automotive (J2008), Defense (CALS),
Telecommunications, Petrochemical industry and others. An area of
growing importance for the use of CGM files is the Web environment
(Internet and Intranets). Here, intelligent graphics in the WebCGM format
are used to generate interactive catalogs and manuals.
CGM is defined as a standard in ISO 8632. The first issue appearing in 1987
described CGM version 1 and attracted a number of significant criticisms.
One particularly unfortunate aspect was its very small stock of graphic
primitives, since no Bézier or spline curves were defined at all. This means
that all curves have to be written as polylines, a fact that leads to major
disadvantages during further processing.
The communication difficulties become even more apparent if one

remembers that the Bézier curve constitutes a key element of almost all
PostScript-oriented programs running on various platforms (PostScript
knows only the Bézier path!). In addition, there is no direct link to
PostScript.
Following a small expansion by a number of segments and other details in

1990 (version 2), an extended version of the ISO standard was published
in 1992 and now incorporates version 3 of CGM. This version is much
better suited for storing high-quality illustrations.
CGM version 3 was extended to include "Application structures" in 1995

and therefore gave rise to CGM version 4. This means that non-graphic
information can now also be saved in the CGM file. This combination
allows a whole series of possibilities regarding interactive graphics, hot
spots, hyperlinking, etc.
CGM 45
The current version of the CGM standard was published beginning of the
year 2000 and contains several corrections of former releases. No new
functionality has been added.
In 1998, the CGM Open Consortium had been founded, an organization,

which aim it is to promote and further develop CGM. Software
manufacturers as well as customers who use CGM have joined here to
cope with the challenges around the work with CGM. Together with the
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), CGM Open has developed the
WebCGM profile, which standardizes the use of CGM files in Internet
environments.
IsoDraw provides the most extensive support for reading and writing CGM
files currently on offer. You can even set CGM as the standard format so
that only CGM is used instead of the IsoDraw format. This setting is
described in the following paragraphs.
IsoDraw and import
A dialog window appears when a file is imported. The CGM file is

converted and displayed in a new window designated with the name and
the extension "iso".
IsoDraw and export
A CGM file is generated in accordance with your settings. There are a

whole host of variants which you can control using a dialog window.
46 CGM
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the CGM
import symbol. The following preferences page appears for import:
You can set the following preferences for the import process:
Restricted Text:
When reading CGM version 1 files, very often differences in font sizes
appear. This problem stems from the fact that in version 1 the font size of
text elements cannot be defined exactly. The import might then lead to
changes of the size depending on the used font.
Apart from that there are many CGM files where text elements have not
been saved correctly. With this setting you can define how simple text
elements of versions 1 and 2 should be read. As a rule, the setting "boxed-
cap" is used. Do only take another option if the result is not satisfying.
More details on the different variations of text elements can be found in
the CGM standard.
CGM 47
Clip to VDC extent
The VDC extent is a frame defined for the drawing. When you select this
option, the frame is used as a mask. All elements located outside this
frame are masked during import.
Import pictures
This option allows you to define whether or not to import all the pictures
in the CGM file. If the box is checked, all pictures are imported. If only a
particular picture is to be imported, leave the box unchecked. You can
then enter which picture is to be imported in the "only picture no.:" entry
field next to the checkbox.
only picture no.:

Here you can enter the number of the picture that is to be imported.
Page size
In the pop-up menu, define what size the drawing sheet should be after
the import. If "default" is set, the drawing is placed after import in the
IsoDraw drawing sheet currently set. Alternatively, the VDC extent, i.e. the
drawing frame from the imported file, can also be set as the page size.
Background
In IsoDraw, if "use" is selected, a rectangle the size of the VDC extent is
created during import and filled with the specified background color. To
prevent unnecessary rectangles, these rectangles with the background
color can be ignored. If you set "ignore B/W", rectangles with the most
frequently occurring black or white background are ignored. If another
color has been created for the background, this will be especially taken
into account. Only if you select "ignore" does no rectangle appear,
regardless of the background color.
Default values
As a rule, a CGM file contains information on how line caps and line joins
are to be executed. If this is not the case, the values set here are used. You
can find out how the options set affect the representation in section
"Attributes, The pen window" in the Reference Manual.
48 CGM
Scaling
The bottom left corner of the dialog window contains the Scaling
button, which you will already be familiar with from the Export
command. Clicking this button opens the scaling dialog. You can use it
to enlarge or reduce the drawing during the importing stage.
Clicking "OK" confirms your entry, clicking "Cancel" aborts the operation.
Options
The following dialog window appears if you click "Options":
The list will show all the important CGM element types, which IsoDraw can
convert. A tick at the start of the line indicates that this element type will
be imported, while a dash indicates that all file elements of this type will
be ignored when the file is imported.
The setting for each individual type can be reversed by selecting and
clicking it. The fields on the right-hand side are provided as an aid in
locating the various element types.
CGM 49
Many CGM elements can exert an influence on the entire file or
subsequent elements. You should therefore deactivate elements
only if you know CGM well or are experiencing problems with a
specific file.
Clicking "OK" confirms your entry. If you click "Cancel", all elements are
imported.
Create a PRF file

If you click this button, a text file is created which allows you to match
fonts when reading or writing CGM files. Furthermore, some rarely used
options can be defined here.
PRF files allow you when making conversions to first define your specific
requirements relating to the conversion process. Important points include
optimum font matching and/or substitution and the setting of various
graphics options.
OptCGM.prf - font matching
Section: Font Table Export

Use this section to specify which font types the
font types used in your IsoDraw illustration are to
be converted to.
Options: i <:>italics
b <:> bold
bi <:> bold and italics
Notation: Source font(options);target font;
Examples: Helvetica;HELVETICA;
Helvetica,i;HELVETICA_OBLIQUE;
Helvetica,b;HELVETICA_BOLD;
Helvetica,bi;HELVETICA_BOLD_OBLIQUE;
The font table export is not used if you have chosen WebCGM or ISO 8632
as profiles. In these cases, the font type is written into the CGM file as it
was in the IsoDraw file.
50 CGM
Section: Font Table Import
font types occurring in the imported CGM file are
to be converted to.
Options: i <:>italics
b <:> bold
bi <:> bold and italics
Examples: HELVETICA;Helvetica;
HELVETICA_OBLIQUE;Helvetica,i;
HELVETICA_BOLD;Helvetica,b;
HELVETICA_BOLD_OBLIQUE;Helvetica,bi;
The settings for the various options are governed essentially by your
specific needs.
You should pay particular attention to the drawing scale. There are various
ways for defining the size of a CGM file. For example, you can base the
drawing on metric dimensions. It is also possible, however, to create a
CGM file using an independent system of units (abstract scaling). This
allows the reading program to scale the drawing to the size it considers
most appropriate. In this case, the drawing will be matched to the actual
sheet size used for the IsoDraw drawing.
CGM 51
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the CGM
export symbol. The following preferences page appears for export:
Profiles:
This allows you to specify whether you want to generate a general CGM
file or one, which satisfies the requirements of one of the listed standards.
52 CGM
ISO 8632:1999
A CGM file is created which regards the ISO standard only. If you choose
this profile, also IsoDraw specific information is written into the file that
is helpful if CGM is used as archiving format.
WebCGM
A CGM file according to the WebCGM recommendation is created. The
exact description of the recommendation can be found under
http://www.w3.org/graphics/WebCGM.
ATA GREXCHANGE V2.4 ...

A CGM file is created which corresponds to the indicated version of the
ATA profile.
ATA GREXCHANGE 2.5/IsoDraw

This profile should only be used by users who want to create CGM files
that are compatible with IsoDraw 4. This profile corresponds to the setting
"ATA GREXCHANGE" plus additional IsoDraw Application Structures in
IsoDraw 6.
CALS MIL-D-28,003A
This Defense specification defines the CALS profile that is used in many
military areas. The newest version points to the ATA and the WebCGM
profile instead of defining an own profile. Therefore, the ATA profile is
applied with this setting.
SAE J2008
The J2008 specification points to the ATA profile. Therefore, the ATA profile
is applied with this setting.
Model Profile
The Model Profile is the reference profile that is used in the ISO standard.
It is rarely used in practice and is only supported to complete the picture.
CGM 53
ISO ISP 12071
This profile series was an attempt to generate a general profile that could
be used in all areas. Also these profiles are rarely used in practice.
The most important profiles are ATA and WebCGM. Many industries have
decided for the ATA profile. It is the mostly used profile. WebCGM is
especially for the use on Web pages and differs only slightly from the ATA
profile.
In accordance with S1000D

If CGM files in accordance with S1000D are to be generated, first select
one of the profiles ATA GREXCHANGE V2.6 to 2.9. We recommend setting
the newest profile, ATA GREXCHANGE V2.9. The box next to “S1000D” can
only be selected after the profile has been chosen. Click in the box to set
the option.
Use CGM as native file format

If this box is selected, CGM is used as the native format for "Save" and
"Save As…". You will be able to identify this by CGM being first in the pop-
up menu. If you only want to save every now and then a file in CGM
format, you can dispense with this setting.
This setting is especially recommended if in larger projects only CGM is

used.
If this setting is active, the startup dialog window of IsoDraw shows

the sign "CGM native".
54 CGM
Added features
If you click "Options", the following dialog box appears:
Not all combinations of these options are permissible and therefore, other
options may or may not be accessible depending on the profile which has
been set.
Version:
This pop-up menu allows you to specify the CGM version you want to
generate. You can choose between four different versions, which have
been defined since the beginnings of CGM.
You will probably encounter version 2 only rarely in practice, since it

features only minor extensions to version 1. The choice between versions
1 and 3 is quite clear-cut: version 3 is the better format by far. You should
CGM 55
only select version 1 for compatibility reasons. The difference between
version 3 and 4 lies only in the so-called Application Structures that are
used to define graphical objects on the illustration.
You should, as a rule, select version 4 to save your illustrations. The other
versions should only be used if the target program cannot read the file
otherwise. The lower the version is chosen, the bigger the losses will be.
Encoding:
The third pop-up menu is employed to define the type of encoding used
for the file. The encoding defines the internal structure of the file. It only
affects how the file is stored and not what is stored. In most cases, only
binary encoding is permitted. The text encoding is normally only used for
test purposes and is excluded in most profiles.
VDC-Type:
VDC is the abbreviation for Virtual Device Coordinates. This describes the
coordinate system in which the CGM file is stored. The only fact you need
to know in this regard is that a number of programs only accept integers
as coordinates whereas most programs use real numbers. If "32 bit
Integer" is set, the accuracy is greater than if "16 bit Integer" is set. The
setting "Real" enables the highest accuracy in the file.
56 CGM
Compression Color:
This option influences the compression of image elements in CGM files,

which do not only contain black and white information, but grayscale or
color images. Uncompressed raster images greatly increase the size of the
CGM file. You can therefore choose to compress these parts of the CGM
file. Various procedures are used for compression and achieve different
compression levels.
In CGM versions 1 and 2, raster images are stored as so-called cell arrays.
These may only be stored uncompressed or using run length compression.
From version 3 on, raster images may be compressed in Tiled Raster Arrays
with efficient compression schemes. For grayscale or color images, JPEG
and PNG compressions are allowed.
Compression B/W:
This option influences the compression of image elements in CGM files,

which contain black and white information (Bitmaps).
In CGM versions 1 and 2, raster images are stored as so-called cell arrays.
These may only be stored uncompressed or using run length compression.
From version 3 on, raster images may be compressed in Tiled Raster Arrays
with efficient compression schemes. For black and white images, the fax
compressions G3 and G4 as well as the PNG compression are allowed.
CGM 57
Text type:
Although all profiles have exact directives for storing text elements, most
problems when reading or writing CGM files appear around text elements.
Therefore, you have the option to define exactly the text type to tailor
your file for the target program. As a rule, select "RT basic" (Restricted text
basic) for versions 1 and 2, and "RT boxed-cap" from version 3 on. You
should only take another option if the target program encounters
problems. Detailed information about the different text types can be
found in the ISO standard.
Write as:
If you export the file as version 1 or 2, this menu becomes available as

soon as you select the text type "RT basic". Here you can then define how
the text is exported, if the simple Restricted Text Type of version 1 is used.
The setting should be "boxed-cap". You should only take another option if
the target program encounters problems.
Generate a separate picture for every layer

Some older programs treat several CGM pictures in one file as one single
representation. Each picture is seen as a separate layer. This is not
standards-compliant, but is still used in practice. You have therefore the
option to influence the export accordingly.
Export ellipses as polylines

Some programs cannot handle ellipses in CGM files correctly. Among
those are for example some versions of Microsoft Word. To avoid these
problems, you can convert here the ellipses into polylines if you wish.
58 CGM
Replace .iso with .cgm in links
If you have created hyperlinks in your illustration, which point to other
illustrations, you can switch the link to CGM if you wish. If the link pointed
for example to a file named "abc.iso", the hyperlink in the CGM file will
point to the file "abc.cgm".
VDC extent
The VDC extent is the frame within which the elements of the drawing are
located. You can use the three options to define the size of this frame. If
you select "Include all points", the frame is selected so that all element
points are contained within the frame. Under "Bounding box of visible
elements", the extent of the frame is restricted to the elements. The center
point of an ellipse with a large radius is ignored with this option if, for
example, it lies outside elements. The extent of the frame will then be
correspondingly smaller. If you select "Page size", the frame will be the
same size as the drawing sheet of the IsoDraw file.
Linestyle handling
These options are used to set how the styles used in IsoDraw are
converted. For CGM versions 1 and 2, you can only select between the top
two options.
If you select "Mapping", a suitable standard style is used for the IsoDraw
styles in CGM format. For instance, an IsoDraw dotted style would become
CGM style "dotted". Only IsoDraw styles for which no standard style can
be found are split into line pieces.
If you select "Split into line pieces", all IsoDraw styles that are not created
in "solid" style are converted into line pieces or individual points.
For CGM versions 3 and 4, all IsoDraw styles can be defined as a CGM style.
If "Create LETD for non-solid linetypes" is selected, all pens that have no
solid style in IsoDraw are defined. If "Create LETD for all linetypes" is
selected, all IsoDraw styles are defined. If you have selected CGM versions
3 or 4, you should set one of the definition options.
The abbreviation "LETD" stands for "Line and Edge Type Definition".
CGM 59
The settings, which are possible for the various CGM options, are restricted
by the different profiles. Nevertheless, the choice is not easy. You should
therefore generate CGM files to suit the given application.
The CGM file is to be used in other applications, e.g. computer

publishing systems.
In this case, you should check exactly which type of CGM files the target
program can read. Most programs currently support only CGM of version
1 from 1987. This format recognizes no curve definitions and has
disadvantages when compressing pixel data.
If you export your illustrations as CGM version 1 files, you should

also archive an original of the IsoDraw file, since the structural
losses are considerable even if the printout is correct.
You can then use the IsoDraw file at a later date to generate CGM version
3 or 4 files, e.g. if your computer publishing system supports this version.
The CGM file is only to be exchanged between IsoDraw systems,

but at the same time must be compliant with one of the standards
CALS, J2008 or ATA.
In this case, you can generate CGM version 4 files immediately. If pixel
data is saved, you should activate CCITT group 4 and JPEG or PNG
compression.
In this way you can generate a CGM file that complies with the
latest standards. At the present time, however, this file can only be
read by a small number of other programs.
60 CGM
You have to generate CGM files in future, since you are affected
by e.g. ATA regulations.
You should in any case archive the IsoDraw originals. You can then use
these files to attain the best possible CGM quality in future (including
automatically through AppleScript). This will allow you to make full use of
the capabilities offered by computer publishing systems, which at the
current time are restricted in their ability to read CGM files.
You want to generate WebCGM files.

You should in any case archive the IsoDraw originals. WebCGM can store
only a few hyperlink types at the moment, so that e.g. self-defined object
infos get lost.
Select version 4 and the compression types CCITT Group 4 and JPEG or
PNG.
Restrictions
Fonts
The use of any PostScript fonts is not allowed in most of the CGM profiles.
Only with the selection "WebCGM" or "ISO 8632" fonts are written
without modification into the file. In all other cases the fonts must be
matched to one of the allowed font types. This is done in the file
"OptCGM.prf".
Placed documents
Placed documents cannot be saved in CGM files.
Restrictions through standards

A number of restrictions apply if you want to generate files that comply
with e.g. CALS. These restrictions are described in the relevant standards.
CGM 61
Conversion notes
When exporting IsoDraw files, some of the elements will be converted into
several CGM elements, since CGM cannot recognize e.g. ellipses with
blends. The following table summarizes how the element types are
assigned.
IsoDraw element is converted to

Line/polyline Polyline
Rectangle Polyline
Polygon Polyline
Ellipse Elliptical Arc
POLYLINE (for blends)
Bézier path POLYBÉZIER, POLYGON or POLYLINE
Inner thread As several ellipses
Outer thread As several ellipses
Marker No conversion
Text Text
POLYGON / ELLIPSE
(text background)
Image element Cell array
TILE RASTER ARRAY (if possible)
Group GROBJECT (if possible)
Callout,
consisting of individual elements. These can be: Text, Line, Polygon,
Rectangle, Ellipse. The conversion of the individual elements corresponds
to the IsoDraw elements listed.
Additional hints
Our CGM filters are subject to continuous testing. We react immediately
to modifications in the standards and profiles, in the generation of which
we are actively participating. There are only few details in CGM, which
IsoDraw does not support. If you find one or detect any other error, we are
grateful for comments.
For testing purposes, we use internally the test suite prepared by NIST
(National Institute of Science and Technology, http://www.nist.gov/cgm).
As a syntax-checking program we recommend MetaCheck, which is used
by all CGM specialists.
62 CGM
Importing
If you have selected command "Open…", select "All files" in the dialog
window. When selecting a file in CGM format, the following dialog
window appears for importing CGM files:

required.
The dialog window does not appear by default. If you want the dialog
window to appear when opening a file, you must click the "Show dialog"
check box on the preferences page (see Preferences for import).
CGM 63
Export
When you have selected the "Export…" command, set CGM format.
Clicking "Options" opens the following dialog window for exporting CGM
files:

required.
64 CGM
DWG
DWG is the file format of AutoCAD. Due to the broad use of AutoCAD, it
gained such an importance that a consortium was founded (http://
www.opendwg.org) to establish DWG as a standard format.
DWG is able to describe both 2D and 3D data, though the number of

defined elements is limited to those types used in AutoCAD.
Unambiguous transfer is generally possible. Difficulties arise due to the

fact that line thicknesses and fills can only be defined for specific
elements. Consequently, the graphics capabilities are very limited.
IsoDraw and import
Several dialog windows appear when importing files. When DWG files are
opened, the 3D window will also appear if the files contain 3D
information.
IsoDraw and export
A file is generated in DWG format. AutoCAD and many other programs can
read this file.
DWG is a CAD format and not a graphics format such as those you
will be familiar with from general graphics applications. You must
therefore expect to lose graphics information if you want to export
illustrations from IsoDraw to a CAD program using DWG. There is
also little purpose in archiving IsoDraw illustrations in CAD
databases if you lose substantial amounts of information in the
process.
DWG 65
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the DWG
Platform:
You can set the platform for the import process. Your selection depends
on which platform the original file was generated with.
Drawing unit:
Files in DWG format do not indicate the system of units they have been
generated in. The first step therefore when importing is for IsoDraw to
determine the maximum coordinates of the file.
Initially, the values obtained are interpreted as millimeters. If the resulting

sizes are very small in IsoDraw, you can select another unit, e.g. inches,
from the pop-up menu below. Ensure that the dimensions in IsoDraw are
not too large. These preferences should only be set on the preferences
page if you know the extent of the files.
66 DWG
Convert polylines into circles and lines:
AutoCAD contains 2D polylines made up of arcs and line segments. It is
possible when importing files to generate the polylines as unconnected
circles and lines. If the box is not checked, the elements concerned are
converted into Bézier paths and interlinked.
Ignore variable width of polylines:

A further feature of polylines is that they can have variable line
thicknesses in AutoCAD, i.e. one end of a polyline can be wider than the
other. If the appropriate box is checked, the polyline is converted into a
Bézier path that is filled and the line thicknesses are displayed. In other
cases, a constant line thickness is used.
Ignore width factor for text elements:

DWG files generally specify a factor defining the ratio of the text height
to the text width. As a result, text elements need to be scaled horizontally,
since the width and spacing of PostScript fonts differ from those used in
AutoCAD. However, this scaling operation is superfluous due to the fact
that the width of PostScript fonts is governed by the font size. If you
ignore this factor, the width of the text element will be determined from
the width and spacing of the PostScript characters.
Ignore height and elevation:

If this setting is selected, only the top element is imported where several
identical elements are located on top of each other. The associated
connecting lines are also ignored. This reduces the storage requirement
and makes working with the IsoDraw file easier.
Scaling
command. Clicking this button opens the scaling dialog. Here you can
indicate whether to enlarge or reduce the drawing during the importing
stage. As described under "Drawing units", you should only set the scale if
you want to import several files of approximately the same extent.
DWG 67
Options
The list will show all DWG types, which IsoDraw can convert. A tick at the
start of the line indicates that this element type will be imported, while a
dash indicates that all file elements of this type will be ignored when the
file is imported.
Because of the small number of element types in DWG, dimensions

cannot be removed from the drawing quite as cleanly as with IGES.
Many programs do not write dimensions into the DWG file as a
"Dimension type", but as a series of lines and texts.
imported.
68 DWG
Create a PRF file
If you select this preference, a text file will be created which shows you
how the DWG text fonts will be converted. IsoDraw interprets these font
types and assigns a defined font type in each case.
requirements relating to the conversion process.
OptDWG.prf - font matching

be converted to.
Options:
Examples:

be converted to.
Options:
The dimensions displayed are sometimes very large, which may be due to
the fact that an element in the CAD program (e.g. an empty text element
or a point) was located well outside the drawing area. If the dimensions
displayed are not particularly small you should use the "mm" setting
initially. If the drawing is then too large, you can import it again using a
scale factor.
DWG 69
The best settings for the remaining options are:
Convert polylines into circles and lines: No
Ignore variable width of polylines: Yes
Ignore width factor for text elements: Yes
Ignore height and elevation: Yes
Restrictions
IsoDraw is able to process all the important geometric elements of DWG

files. Shapes, attributes and extensions (e.g. AME) are ignored.
Conversion notes
The following list shows how these elements can be converted.
DWG element is converted to

LINE Line
POINT Line (only when extruded)
CIRCLE Ellipse
SHAPE No conversion
ELLIPSE Ellipse
SPLINE Bézier path
TEXT Text
ARC Ellipse
TRACE Polygon
SOLID Polygon
INSERT Group
ATTDEF Text
ATTRIB Text
POLYLINE Ellipses and lines or Bézier path or surface
LINE 3D Line
FACE 3D Polygon or surface
DIMENSION Group
RAY Line
XLINE Line
MTEXT Text
LEADER Line
70 DWG
DWG element is converted to
MLINE No conversion
LWLINE Ellipses and lines or Bézier path
PROXY LWLINE or HATCH
HATCH No conversion
VIEWPORT Viewport (multiple for same elements)
All line styles defined in the DWG file are converted to IsoDraw line styles.
You can then select these styles in the usual way from the "Line style"
menu.
The individual elements in a DWG file are assigned colors. A new IsoDraw
pen is created for each color. Following import, you can assign these pens
the required line thicknesses. Width information for polylines is also
converted to IsoDraw pens.
Furthermore, you can define in the file “OptDWG.prf“ for each DWG color
index how the color indication in IsoDraw should be interpreted. This
allows you to convert for example a white line in AutoCAD into a black line
with a certain line width in IsoDraw. The single entries are described in the
file "OptDWG.prf".
DWG 71
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the DWG
Platform:
You can set the platform for the export process: Your selection depends
on which platform the file is to be used on.
AutoCad Release
Here you can select in which AutoCad version the file is to be exported.
The setting should correspond to the target program.
While many programs support DWG, they usually do so either

incompletely or inaccurately. Two settings are therefore provided which
allow you to bypass known problems:
Convert ellipses into...

If ellipses are exported as 3D arcs, elements of the type ARC are generated
in DWG and have their own coordinate system. Consequently, after the
export the elements can also be processed as ellipses. If however, the
72 DWG
ellipses are exported as 2D polylines, elements of the type POLYLINE will
be generated.
Convert Bézier curves into...

It is also possible to select between 3D and 2D when exporting Bézier
curves. POLYLINE elements are obtained in both cases. The 3D polylines are
true curves, while the 2D polylines are exported as a polyline.
If the CAD program can process 3D elements, leave both options set to 3D.
If you encounter problems, you should first set the ellipses to 2D elements
and then the Bézier curves. Trial and error is the best solution in this
regard.
Restrictions
Not all elements and attributes in IsoDraw can be depicted as DWG

elements.
Masked elements
The element used as a mask and all masked elements are grouped
together, but remain visible.
Show fill window

Fills cannot be depicted in DWG format.
Shadow
Shadows cannot be depicted in DWG format.
Pens
It is not possible in DWG to define line thicknesses except by converting
all elements to polylines. Since polylines are particularly laborious to edit,
however, IsoDraw employs a different system.
DWG 73
Each element is assigned a color when it is exported. Every IsoDraw pen
generates a different color. If, when plotting the file from e.g. AutoCAD,
you use plotter pens for each color that match the respective line
thicknesses, the appearance on the paper will be correct.
Line width transitions on ellipses are exported as polylines of

variable width. If the drawing is scaled, these transitions will
naturally also change. Note that you will then have to use other
pens to ensure that the transitions once again match the line
thicknesses.
Since a pen can only be exported as a color, the information on the color
of the pen is lost.
Image elements and EPS documents

These elements cannot be converted, since DWG has no corresponding
element types.
74 DWG
Conversion notes
several DWG elements, since DWG cannot recognize e.g. ellipses with
assigned.

Line LINE
Rectangle LINE
Ellipse ARC
(Elliptical arcs with individual coordinate system,
blends as polylines) or POLYLINE
Bézier path POLYLINE (3D or 2D)
Polygon LINE
Text Text
EPS documents No conversion
Image elements No conversion
Callout,
Rectangle, Ellipse. The conversion of these individual elements
corresponds to that of the IsoDraw elements listed.
DWG 75
Importing
If you have selected the "Open…" command in the "File" menu, select "All
files" in the dialog window. When selecting a file in DWG format, the
following dialog window appears for importing DWG files:
This window indicates the extent of the drawing in X, Y, and Z directions.

The arrows point to the dimensions obtained when the drawing is
imported into IsoDraw. Initially, the values obtained are interpreted as
millimeters. If the resulting sizes are very small in IsoDraw, you can select
another unit, e.g. inches, from the pop-up menu below. Ensure that the
dimensions in IsoDraw are not too large.
Scaling:
command. Clicking this button opens the scaling dialog that you can use
To set the drawing unit and scale, refer to sections "Drawing unit"
and "Scaling" under "Preferences for import".
You can also check all other settings here or change your preferences if
you wish. Clicking "OK" starts import of the DWG file, clicking "Cancel"
aborts import of the file.
76 DWG
Export
When you have selected the "Export…" command, set DWG format.
Clicking "Options" opens the following dialog window for exporting DWG
files:

required.
DWG 77
78
DXF
DXF is the abbreviation for Drawing Exchange Format. DXF was used
originally as an exchange and database format for AutoCAD. Over the
course of time, however, the ease with which it can be interpreted has
made it into a standard format, particularly in the PC world.
DXF, too, is able to describe both 2D and 3D data, though the number of
defined elements is limited to those types used in AutoCAD.
Unambiguous transfer is generally possible. Difficulties arise due to the

fact that line thicknesses and fills can only be defined for specific
elements. Consequently, the graphics capabilities are very limited.
IsoDraw and import
Several dialog windows appear when importing files. When DXF files are
opened, the 3D window will also appear if the files contain 3D
information.
IsoDraw and export
A file is generated in DXF format. AutoCAD and many other programs can
read this file.
DXF is a CAD format and not a graphics format such as those you
illustrations from IsoDraw to a CAD program using DXF. There is also
little purpose in archiving IsoDraw illustrations in CAD databases if
you lose substantial amounts of information in the process.
DXF 79
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the DXF
Platform:
on which platform the original file was generated with.
Drawing unit:
Files in DXF format do not indicate the system of units they have been
generated in. The first step therefore when importing is for IsoDraw to
determine the maximum coordinates of the file. Initially, the values
obtained are interpreted as millimeters. If the resulting sizes are very small
in IsoDraw, you can select another unit, e.g. inches, from the pop-up menu
below. Ensure that the dimensions in IsoDraw are not too large. These
preferences should only be set on the preferences page if you know the
extent of the files.
80 DXF
Convert polylines into circles and lines:
AutoCAD contains 2D polylines made up of arcs and line segments. It is
possible when importing files to generate the polylines as unconnected
circles and lines. If the box is not checked, the elements concerned are
converted into Bézier paths and interlinked.
Ignore variable width of polylines:

A further feature of polylines is that they can have variable line
thicknesses in AutoCAD, i.e. one end of a polyline can be wider than the
other. If the appropriate box is checked, the polyline is converted into a
Bézier path that is filled and the line thicknesses are displayed. In other
cases, a constant line thickness is used.
Ignore width factor for text elements:

DXF files generally specify a factor defining the ratio of the text height to
the text width. As a result, text elements need to be scaled horizontally,
since the width and spacing of PostScript fonts differ from those used in
AutoCAD. However, this scaling operation is superfluous due to the fact
that the width of PostScript fonts is governed by the font size. If you
ignore this factor, the width of the text element will be determined from
the width and spacing of the PostScript characters.
Ignore height and elevation:

If this setting is selected, only the top element is imported where several
identical elements are located on top of each other. The associated
connecting lines are also ignored. This reduces the storage requirement
and makes working with the IsoDraw file easier.
Scaling
command. Clicking this button opens the scaling dialog. Here you can
indicate whether to enlarge or reduce the drawing during the importing
stage. As described under "Drawing units", you should only set the scale if
you want to import several files of approximately the same extent.
DXF 81
Options
The list will show all DXF types, which IsoDraw can convert. A tick at the
start of the line indicates that this element type will be imported, while a
dash indicates that all file elements of this type will be ignored when the
file is imported.
Because of the small number of element types in DXF, dimensions

cannot be removed from the drawing quite as cleanly as with IGES.
Many programs do not write dimensions into the DXF file as a
"Dimension type", but as a series of lines and texts.
imported.
82 DXF
Create a PRF file
how the DXF text font types will be converted. IsoDraw interprets these
font types and assigns a defined font type in each case.
OptDXF.prf - font matching

be converted to.
Options:
Examples:

font types occurring in the imported DXF file are
to be converted to.
Options:
The dimensions displayed are sometimes very large, which may be due to
the fact that an element in the CAD program (e.g. an empty text element
or a point) was located well outside the drawing area. If the dimensions
displayed are not particularly small you should use the "mm" setting
initially. If the drawing is then too large, you can import it again using a
scale factor.
DXF 83
The best settings for the remaining options are:
Convert polylines into circles and lines: No
Ignore variable width of polylines: Yes
Ignore width factor for text elements: Yes
Ignore height and elevation: Yes
Restrictions
IsoDraw is able to process all the important geometric elements of DXF

files. Shapes, attributes and extensions (e.g. AME) are ignored.
Conversion notes
DXF element is converted to

LINE Line
POINT Line (only when extruded)
CIRCLE Ellipse
SHAPE No conversion
ELLIPSE Ellipse
SPLINE Bézier path
TEXT Text
ARC Ellipse
TRACE Polygon
SOLID Polygon
INSERT Group
ATTDEF Text
ATTRIB Text
POLYLINE Ellipses and lines or Bézier path or surface
LINE 3D Line
FACE 3D Polygon or surface
DIMENSION Group
RAY Line
XLINE Line
MTEXT Text
LEADER Line
84 DXF
DXF element is converted to
MLINE No conversion
LWLINE Ellipses and lines or Bézier path
PROXY LWLINE or HATCH
HATCH No conversion
VIEWPORT Viewport (multiple for same elements)
All line styles defined in the DXF file are converted to IsoDraw line styles.
You can then select these styles in the usual way from the "Line style"
menu.
The individual elements in a DXF file are assigned colors. A new IsoDraw
pen is created for each color. Following import, you can assign these pens
the required line thicknesses. Width information for polylines is also
converted to IsoDraw pens.
Furthermore, you can define in the file "OptDXF.prf" for each DXF color
index how the color indication in IsoDraw should be interpreted. This
allows you to convert for example a white line in AutoCAD into a black line
with a certain line width in IsoDraw. The single entries are described in the
file "OptDXF.prf".
DXF 85
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the DXF
Platform:
AutoCad Release
Here you can select in which AutoCad version the file is to be exported.
The setting should correspond to the target program.
While many programs support DXF, they usually do so either incompletely

or inaccurately. Two settings are therefore provided which allow you to
bypass known problems:
Convert ellipses into...

If ellipses are exported as 3D arcs, elements of the type ARC, which have
their own coordinate system, are generated in DXF. Consequently, after
the export the elements can also be processed as ellipses. If however, the
86 DXF
ellipses are exported as 2D polylines, elements of the type POLYLINE will
be generated.
Convert Bézier curves into...

It is also possible to select between 3D and 2D when exporting Bézier
curves. POLYLINE elements are obtained in both cases. The 3D polylines are
true curves, while the 2D polylines are exported as a polyline.
If the CAD program can process 3D elements, leave both options set to 3D.
If you encounter problems, you should first set the ellipses to 2D elements
and then the Bézier curves. Trial and error is the best solution in this
regard.
Restrictions
Not all elements and attributes in IsoDraw can be depicted as DXF

elements.
Masked elements
Show fill window

Fills cannot be depicted in DXF format.
Shadow
Shadows cannot be depicted in DXF format.
Pens
It is not possible in DXF to define line thicknesses except by converting all
elements to polylines. Since polylines are particularly laborious to edit,
however, IsoDraw employs a different system.
DXF 87
Each element is assigned a color when it is exported. Every IsoDraw pen
generates a different color. If, when plotting the file from e.g. AutoCAD,
you use plotter pens for each color that match the respective line
thicknesses, the appearance on the paper will be correct.
Line width transitions on ellipses are exported as polylines of

variable width. If the drawing is scaled, these transitions will
naturally also change. Note that you will then have to use other
pens to ensure that the transitions once again match the line
thicknesses.
Since a pen can only be exported as a color, the information on the color
of the pen is lost.

These elements cannot be converted, since DXF has no corresponding
element types.
88 DXF
Conversion notes
several DXF elements, since DXF cannot recognize e.g. ellipses with blends.
The following table summarizes how the element types are assigned.

Line LINE
Rectangle LINE
Ellipse ARC
(Elliptical arcs with individual coordinate system,
blends as polylines) or POLYLINE
Bézier path POLYLINE (3D or 2D)
Polygon LINE
Text Text
EPS documents No conversion
Image elements No conversion
Callout,
DXF 89
Importing
files" in the dialog window. When selecting a file in DXF format, the
following dialog window appears for importing DXF files:
This window indicates the extent of the drawing in X, Y, and Z directions.

The arrows point to the dimensions obtained when the drawing is
imported into IsoDraw. Initially, the values obtained are interpreted as
millimeters. If the resulting sizes are very small in IsoDraw, you can select
another unit, e.g. inches, from the pop-up menu below. Ensure that the
dimensions in IsoDraw are not too large.
Scaling:
command. Clicking this button opens the scaling dialog that you can use
To set the drawing unit and scale, refer to sections "Drawing unit"
and "Scaling" under "Preferences for import".
you wish. Clicking "OK" starts import of the DXF file, clicking "Cancel"
aborts import of the file.
90 DXF
Export
When you have selected the "Export…" command, set DXF format. Clicking
"Options" opens the following dialog window for exporting DXF files:

required.
DXF 91
92
EPSF
EPSF is the abbreviation for Encapsulated PostScript File. PostScript™ is a
page description language, which is primarily used for driving PostScript
printers. In addition, it is also very important for incorporating graphics
into DTP or computer publishing programs.
The EPS file has one major advantage and one major disadvantage. The
advantage is that it can be printed out in excellent quality on any
PostScript-compatible printer and incorporated in any PostScript-
compatible program.
The disadvantage, however, is that interpreting this file is an extremely

time-consuming process, as PostScript is a highly complex language
which is more like a programming language than an graphic format in the
traditional sense of the word. PostScript should therefore only be used
when graphics are to be incorporated into a DTP program. This will ensure
high-quality results without the DTP program having to know what the
file actually contains, e.g. vector data or pixel data.
The Adobe Illustrator format is an interesting subset of PostScript.

This format is both the specific Adobe Illustrator format and a
complete EPS file. It is supported by a large number of graphics
programs on numerous hardware platforms. There is, however, just
one point to note here – although an Illustrator file is an EPS file,
not every EPS file is an Illustrator file!
IsoDraw and import
You can place EPS files from other programs on an IsoDraw drawing (refer
to the "Place…" command in the "File" menu in the Reference Manual).
IsoDraw and export
A file is created in PostScript format. You can place this file in almost any
DTP, computer publishing or graphics program.
EPSF 93
No additional options are available for the import procedure.
Restrictions
Restrictions apply when editing these placed files. You will not be able to
edit individual elements of an EPS file.
This does not, however, include EPS files that have been created with
IsoDraw itself. It is possible to open and convert these files using the
"Open…" command from the "File" menu. It is only advisable to use this
method, however, when the original IsoDraw file has been lost.
If an EPS file has been created using Adobe Illustrator™, you can
open it if it has been saved in either Illustrator format version 7.0 or
older. For further information, refer to the descriptions of these
formats.
94 EPSF
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the EPS
You can set the following export options:
Preview:
During the export procedure, you can specify whether or not PostScript
files are to contain a preview for screen display. DTP programs use this
preview in order to display the placed graphic in their own documents.
The preview type depends on the hardware platform where the file should
be used. The screen preview can only be used by programs of the selected
platform. If you want to use PostScript files on another platform, export
without preview.
EPSF 95
Embed Type 1 fonts
When this option is selected, the fonts used are embedded in the EPS file.
If this option is not selected, the fonts used must be available on the
operating system when the EPS file is opened.
Preview:
If the file is to be processed later using Macintosh or Windows programs,
you should create a preview. If the file is to be copied onto other
platforms, you should leave the preview out.
Refer to the notes about scaling the export file in the Reference
Manual. As a rule, you can scale EPS files to an A4 or A3 format if
you have drawn in a larger scale.
96 EPSF
Importing
There is no dialog window for importing EPS files.
Export
When you have selected the "Export…" command, set EPS format. Clicking
"Options" opens the following dialog window for exporting EPS files:

required.
EPSF 97
98
HPGL
HPGL is the abbreviation for Hewlett Packard Graphics Language.
Originally HPGL commands were only used to drive plotters. However, the
fact that virtually every CAD program was able to generate a plot file in
this format meant it was an obvious move to interpret these files. This
option was particularly interesting in the early days of CAD when
manufacturers had few ambitions in terms of high-quality data exchange.
HPGL is a relatively “dumb” format. It naturally follows the logic of a

plotter, a logic that is not intended for structuring graphics files. What is
more, the possibilities offered by HPGL are generally not utilized by CAD
programs, e.g. texts are written as a series of lines instead of using the
integrated fonts. For the same reason, the graphics capabilities are
restricted to those of the plotter pens. HPGL files can only contain 2D data.
HPGL files are also very large and, after being imported, result in a
profusion of polylines or individual elements, which can only be reduced
to normal proportions again by specific optimization.
A successor has now been defined in the form of HPGL/2 that is able to
offer considerably better graphics capabilities.
IsoDraw and import
No further dialog windows appear when opening an HPGL file. The HPGL
file is converted and displayed in a new window designated “Untitled”.
IsoDraw and export
A file is generated in HPGL format. Numerous other programs can read

this file. You can also use it to print out your drawing on a plotter. Every
plotter is equipped with a program, which allows you to send HPGL files
to the plotter.
HPGL 99
There are no preferences for importing HPGL files.
Restrictions
HPGL/2 files can only be imported if they contain no PCL commands.
Conversion notes
IsoDraw processes all the important geometric elements of an HPGL file.

Circles, arcs and texts also appear as such in IsoDraw. All movements of the
plotter pen are shown as Bézier paths.
After the files have been imported, Bézier paths can be converted to
polylines if required (see menu point “Convert” in the “Element” menu).
100 HPGL
Select the “Preferences...” command in the “Edit” menu. Click the HPGL
symbol. The following preferences page appears for export:
Reference point P1
HPGL files are generally used for driving plotters. A reference or starting
point therefore needs to be defined for the plotter when exporting. This
starting point is the bottom left corner of the drawing.
Enter the required dimensions measured from the edge of the sheet.
Remember that not every plotter is able to plot right up to the edge of the
sheet.
HPGL 101
Sort export by plotter pens
When exporting a file, all elements are generally arranged in the way they
appear in an IsoDraw drawing, i.e. elements located at the rear of the
illustration are drawn first. If the HPGL file is then employed on a plotter
that uses pens, the pen will have to be changed for virtually every element
since the line thicknesses of the elements change frequently.
In order to avoid this, check the relevant box. All elements or element parts
requiring pen 1 are then plotted first, followed by all elements requiring
pen 2, etc.
Restrictions
When exporting IsoDraw files, every effort is made to depict as many

attributes as possible in HPGL format. However, it is not possible to
describe all elements and attributes in HPGL.
Fonts
All text elements are saved in the HPGL standard font.
Masked elements
Show fill window

Fills cannot be depicted in HPGL format.
Pens
Line thicknesses and colors of pens cannot be used in HPGL, since plotter
pens are generally used for making plots. When printing out plots, you
should therefore ensure that you use pens whose thickness and color
match those used in IsoDraw.
Shadow
Shadows cannot be depicted in HPGL format.

These elements cannot be converted, since HPGL has no corresponding
element types.
102 HPGL
Import
There is no dialog window for importing HPGL files.
Export
If you have selected the “Export…” command, set HPGL format. Clicking
“Options” opens the following dialog window for exporting HPGL files:
Convert line styles into single elements:

If you select this setting, all dashed elements will be converted into
individual small element segments, i.e. a single line in IsoDraw produces a
number of small line segments in HPGL.
Advantage:
The drawing retains the appearance you have defined in IsoDraw.
Disadvantage:
The small element segments can only be edited with difficulty if you use
HPGL to import an IsoDraw file into a program that is unable to read any
better formats.
HPGL 103
Assign styles:
IsoDraw supports several standard styles. You can also create free styles
(see command “Edit style…”). HPGL, however, uses a different system for
presenting dashed lines. There are two ways to cancel out these
differences effectively: by converting to individual elements, as described
in the preferences, or by assigning styles. Click “Assign styles”. A further
dialog box appears:
You can use this dialog window to assign every IsoDraw style to an HPGL
style. The window shows you the name of the IsoDraw style (in this case
“Solid”). Located below this is a pop-up menu from which you can select
the required HPGL style. Clicking “Next” brings you to the next IsoDraw
style. Clicking “Last” returns you to the previous IsoDraw style in the list.
Clicking "OK" confirms your selection. The file is exported. Clicking

“Cancel” returns you to the previous dialog window.
104 HPGL
Assign pens:
You can then assign a plotter pen to each IsoDraw pen. Clicking “Assign
pens” displays the following dialog window:
A plotter generally uses 6 or 8 pens. Which pens you use is therefore

important for achieving the required line thicknesses. The line thicknesses
set in IsoDraw are written to the HPGL file but can only be used by raster
plotters. This command is ignored for pen plotters.
The upper section of this window shows the name and line thickness of
the IsoDraw pen concerned. Located below it is a pop-up menu from
which you can select a plotter pen. When the file is exported, this pen is
assigned to all elements drawn with this IsoDraw pen.
Clicking “Next” displays the next IsoDraw pen in the dialog window,
clicking “Last” returns you to the previous pen. The assignment is only
performed for those IsoDraw pens actually used for the drawing.
Here, too, you conclude your entry by clicking “OK”. Click “Cancel” to stop
the drawing being exported.
HPGL 105
Ensure you assign the pens correctly; otherwise you will lose the line
thickness. You should sort the pens if you want to print out a drawing,
otherwise do not sort them.
In most cases, you will convert line styles to individual elements in order
to retain the appearance.
106 HPGL
IGES
IGES is the abbreviation for Initial Graphics Exchange Standard. IGES is
very widespread in the CAD world. It can describe both 2D and 3D data.
Although its graphics capabilities are limited, it has the particular
advantage that it can transfer design details very precisely. In addition to
the usual graphic primitives such as lines or circles, it can also describe
very complex elements such as surfaces, bodies, dimensions, composite
elements and representation parameters.
In practice, the problems often lie in the finer points. In most cases, it is
possible to define an element in a variety of ways – a fact that can lead to
communication problems between programs. The absence of any
uniformity in the description and the lack of any vehicle for monitoring
the quality of an IGES file can often result in substantial losses or even
prevent transmission altogether.
In an endeavor to reduce this risk, efforts are being undertaken to limit the
scope of the IGES standard by creating subsets, which are processed on
the basis of specific conventions. Two terms in particular are important in
this regard: VDAIS and CALS.
The German Motor Industry Federation (VDA) has defined various groups
of elements, which need to be interpreted in a very precise manner.
Consequently, a program capable of reading and writing IGES in
accordance with the VDAIS specification must also specify the relevant
group in order to define the file complexity this program can be expected
to handle. Conversely, the IGES files generated by this program must be
restricted to those elements defined in the specified group.
The CALS specifications are very similar in purpose. Three classes are
defined which set out the scope of the interpretation and the form it is to
take. The first class relates to technical illustration, the second to design
drawings and the third to electrical/electronic applications.
These restrictions were introduced in the hope of making the results of

IGES transfers more predictable and of improving quality. IsoDraw
supports groups 1 and 2 of the VDAIS and classes 1 and 2 of the CALS
specification. The elements covered by VDAIS agree for the most part with
the specification of the American CALS initiative.
Another problem with IGES files is their size. IGES is by far the largest
format in terms of file size. Even small parts can easily generate files of
several megabytes. This can mean slower network transfers and may result
IGES 107
in storage problems for the reading program. Consequently, only those
parts actually required should be selected in the writing program in order
to minimize the file size. In the majority of cases, it may therefore be
expedient, for example, to deactivate all dimensions, drawing frames and
texts.
The graphical capabilities are naturally limited with a CAD format. While
line thicknesses and line style patterns can be accommodated in an IGES
files without any difficulty, the interpretation results of reading programs
differ very considerably. Often, attributes of this type are ignored almost
completely.
IsoDraw and import
One or more dialog windows appear when you import a file. IsoDraw
performs an automatic check to determine whether the file contains 3D
elements and, if so, it opens the 3D window so that you can specify how
the elements are to be transformed. An IGES file can contain several
drawings (Entity 404). These are generally the actual elements to be
converted and the drawing frame with a text field, which is stored
separately from the drawing itself. You can prevent unwanted data from
being imported by making the appropriate selections.
Every possible combination can occur here in practice. In many

cases, all the data – including the frame – will be included in the
drawing or no drawing element will be used at all.
IsoDraw and export
A file is generated in the IGES 4.0 format. This file can be read by programs
that are able to read IGES 4.0 or later.
IGES is a CAD format and not a graphics format such as those you
illustrations from IsoDraw to a CAD program using IGES. There is
also little purpose in archiving IsoDraw illustrations in CAD
databases if you lose substantial amounts of information in the
process.
108 IGES
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the IGES
Import symbol. The following preferences page appears for import:
Platform:
on which platform the original files were generated with.
IGES 109
Check best 'View' automatically
If several view elements are listed in the drawing to be imported, the best
view element will be selected automatically. You can also select additional
view elements, if you want to import these.
Ignore invisible elements

Some IGES files contain elements, which are marked as invisible, but still
should be used for conversion. With this setting you can define if these
elements should be used or not.
Entity 102 as Bézier paths

If the "Entity 102 as Bézier paths" box has been selected, this IGES element
type will be converted to a Bézier path. Otherwise, single elements are
generated, which are not joined.
Annotation Elements
A drawing can contain what are known as annotations. These may take
the form of texts in the text field, for example. The annotations will be
imported if the relevant check box is selected.
Elements that are not assigned to a view (410) will be used

The two buttons below this allow you to control the use of elements that
are not assigned to any specific view entity.
As a rule (and as per IGES definition), the description of an element

contains information on the views (Views 410) in which it is to be used. In
the absence of any special views, there will naturally be no such
information, though this situation has been allowed for.
Problems may occur from time to time if several views have been defined.
In cases where elements have not been assigned to any view, they are to
be used in every view in accordance with the IGES definition. This means
that all elements concerned have to be copied into every view. If large files
are involved, this procedure can lead to storage problems. In the case of a
3D file with several cross-sections, which have all been defined as views,
for example, this can take up several MB of memory space. This is
obviously undesirable in most cases. You should therefore select which of
the variants suits you best.
You should note, however, that the definition of a view generally

incorporates a transformation that changes the existing elements. If they
110 IGES
are used outside the view, they may not appear at the correct position in
the drawing.
Scaling
Options
The window allows you to activate or deactivate each IGES element type
individually. A check mark at the start of the line indicates that this
element type will be imported, while if there is no check mark, all file
elements of this type will be ignored when the file is imported. The setting
for each individual type can be reversed by selecting and clicking it. The
fields on the right-hand side are provided as an aid in locating the various
element types.
IGES 111
If you only want to import elements of CALS class 1, for example, you
would click "CALS, Class 1". Only those types in this class would then be
selected.
imported.
Create a PRF file

how the IGES text font types will be converted. IsoDraw interprets these
graphics options.
112 IGES
OptIGS.prf - font matching
The numbers of the fonts available in IGES

0 Symbol font (no longer recommended).
1 Default style for ASCII character set.
2 LeRoy.
3 Futura.
6 Comp 80.
12 News gothic.
13 Lightline gothic.
14 Simplex roman.
17 Century schoolbook.
18 Helvetica.
19 OCR-B [ISO 1073].
1001 Symbol font 1.
1002 Symbol font 2.
1003 Drafting font.
2001 Kanji [ISO 6226].
3001 Latin-1 alphabet.

be converted to.
Notation: Source font;number of target font;
Examples: Arial;1;

to be converted to.
Notation: Number of source font;target font;
Examples: 18;Helvetica;
IGES 113
The wide variety of options and the variants in IGES make it difficult to
make recommendations. In general, however, the information you no
longer wish to use is best removed while you are still in your CAD system.
When importing IGES files with several views, it is generally sufficient to

import one view and rotate the 3D model to the correct orientation.
A number of CAD systems write IGES files where the scale of the object
does not agree with that of the drawing. In such instances, files from the
program using the Imperial system (inches) may be imported as though
they were metric files. The result is a file that is far too small. In cases of
this type, you should use the scaling dialog to set the scale to 2540%
when importing. This is the factor required for converting inches to metric
values.
Restrictions
IGES is so extensive that no program supports all the element types found
in IGES. IsoDraw is also restricted to the most important elements. The
following list shows the conversions that are possible.
Conversion notes
IsoDraw can process all element types grouped together under Part 1 of
the VDAIS specification. It can also read most element types of Part 2. This
specification contains rules on how specific elements of an IGES file are to
be read and converted.
Part 1 contains subgroups G1, G2, G3, B1 and B2, while Part 2 contains
subgroups AF1 and AF2. The following pages show how the elements of
these subgroups are converted.
114 IGES
Subgroup G1
Type Shape Name is converted to
100 - Circular Arc Ellipse
102 - Composite Curve Group of individual elements
104 1 Conic Arc, Ellipse Ellipse
2 Conic Arc, Hyperbola Polyline
3 Conic Arc, Parabola Polyline
106 1 Coordinate Pair Polyline
1 Coordinate Pair Vertices Polyline
110 - Line Line
112 - Parametric Spline Curve Bézier path
116 - Point Line (length 0)
124 - Transformation Matrix Transformation of
the elements concerned
402 7 Group Group
Subgroup G2
106 2 Coordinate Triple Polyline
12 Coordinate Triple Vertices Polyline
Subgroup G3
106 3 Coordinate Sextuple Group of lines
13 Coord. Sextuple Vertices Group of lines
108 - Plane No conversion
114 - Parametric Spline SurfaceGroup of Bézier paths *
118 1 Ruled Surface Group of individual elements *
120 - Surface of Revolution Group of individual elements *
122 - Tabulated Cylinders Group of individual elements *
* With IsoDraw CADprocess, all entities are converted to surface elements.
IGES 115
Subgroup B1
106 31 Section Group of lines
40 Witness Line Group of lines
202 - Angular Dimension Group of individual elements
206 - Diameter Dimension Group of individual elements
210 - General Label Group of individual elements
212 - General Note Text
214 all Leader Group of lines/polygons
216 - Linear Dimension Group of individual elements
218 - Ordinate Dimension Group of individual elements
220 - Point Dimension Group of individual elements
222 - Radius Dimension Group of individual elements
Subgroup B2
108 - Plane No conversion
402 3 Views Visible Elements are assigned to views
404 - Drawing Group of individual elements
406 16 Drawing Size No conversion
410 - View Group of assigned individual
elements
Subgroup AF1
126 - Rational B-Spline Curve Bézier path
polynomial form)
128 - Rational B-Spline SurfaceGroup of Bézier paths *
polynomial form)
142 - Curve on Param. Surface Bézier path
144 - Trimmed Param. Surface Group of individual elements *
116 IGES
Subgroup AF2
126 - Rational B-Spline Curve Bézier path
Bézier path (rational
form)
128 - Rational B-Spline SurfaceGroup of individual elements *
Bézier path (rational Group of Bézier paths *
form)
In addition to the entities listed in the VDAIS specification, the following

types can also be read:

130 - Offset Curve Bézier path
132 - Connect Point Group of individual elements
140 - Offset Surface Group of individual elements *
141 - Boundary Bézier path
143 - Bounded Surface Group of individual elements *
186 - Manifold Solid Group of individual elements *
B-Rep Object
228 - General Symbol Group of individual elements
230 - Sectioned Area Fill
304 2 Line Font Definition Line style
308 - Subfigure Definition Group of individual elements
312 - Text Display Group of individual elements
314 - Color Definition Colors
320 - Network Subfigure Group of individual elements
Definition
402 - Form 18 Flow Group of individual elements
402 - Form 9, 13, 16 Group of individual elements
408 - Singular Subfigure Group of individual elements
Definition
412 - Rectangular Array Group of individual elements
Subfigure Instance
414 - Circular Array Group of individual elements
Subfigure Instance
416 - Ext. Ref. Group of individual elements
420 - Offset Surface Group of individual elements
IGES 117
Preferences for Importing with IsoDraw CADprocess
IsoDraw CADprocess supports additional options, which are provided

specifically for importing 3D IGES files.
When these options are selected, all the assemblies defaulted by the
generating CAD system are detected when IGES files are imported.
IsoDraw CADprocess also creates an Object Info for each of these
assemblies. A hotspot can also be generated if required.
These additional functions over and above those offered by IsoDraw mean
that a different preferences page is displayed for selecting import
preferences.
118 IGES
Select assemblies:
If you select this option, the "Selection of Structures" dialog window
appears when the file is opened. You can use this to select, which
assemblies are to be imported. If you do not select this option, all
assemblies in the file will be imported.
Create object information for assemblies:

The pop-up menu allows you to select one of the two setting options.
If you select "No hotspot", an object info is created for each assembly. The
name in each case corresponds to the designation assigned in the CAD
system for the particular assembly. If you select "Lines of object", a
hotspot will be generated in addition to the object info. This allows you
to trigger an action later by simply clicking the object.
If you do not select the option, the name "Group" will appear in the Object
window for each assembly once import has been completed.
Scaling
IGES 119
more…
Clicking the "more…" box opens the following dialog window:
Check best 'View' automatically

If several view elements are listed in the drawing to be imported, the best
view elements will be selected automatically. You can also select
additional view elements, if you want to import these.
Ignore invisible elements

Some IGES files contain elements, which are marked as invisible, but still
should be used for conversion. With this setting you can define if these
elements should be used or not.
Entity 102 as Bézier paths

If the "Entity 102 as Bézier paths" box has been selected, this IGES element
type will be converted to a Bézier path. Otherwise, single elements are
generated, which are not joined.
Annotation Elements
A drawing can contain what are known as annotations. These may take
the form of texts in the text field, for example. The annotations will be
imported if the relevant check box is selected.
120 IGES
Elements that are not assigned to a view (410) will be used
The two buttons below this allow you to control the use of elements that
are not assigned to any specific view entity.
As a rule (and as per IGES definition), the description of an element

contains information on the views (Views 410) in which it is to be used. In
the absence of any special views, there will naturally be no such
information, though this situation has been allowed for.
Problems may occur from time to time if several views have been defined.
In cases where elements have not been assigned to any view, they are to
be used in every view in accordance with the IGES definition. This means
that all elements concerned have to be copied into every view. If large files
are involved, this procedure can lead to storage problems. In the case of a
3D file with several cross-sections, which have all been defined as views,
for example, this can take up several MB of memory space. This is
obviously undesirable in most cases. You should therefore select which of
the variants suits you best.
You should note, however, that the definition of a view generally

incorporates a transformation that changes the existing elements. If they
are used outside the view, they may not appear at the correct position in
the drawing.
Platform:
on which platform the original files were generated with.
IGES 121
Options
When making imports into IsoDraw CADprocess, only surface elements are
generally required for converting 3D data into a Technical Illustration.
These surface elements are edited so as to ensure the best possible quality
of illustration. They are selected automatically by clicking "Solids +
Surfaces".
Create a PRF file

how the IGES text font types will be converted. IsoDraw interprets these
graphics options.
122 IGES
OptIGS.prf - font matching
The numbers of the fonts available in IGES

0 Symbol font (no longer recommended).
1 Default style for ASCII character set.
2 LeRoy.
3 Futura.
6 Comp 80.
12 News gothic.
13 Lightline gothic.
14 Simplex roman.
17 Century schoolbook.
18 Helvetica.
19 OCR-B [ISO 1073].
1001 Symbol font 1.
1002 Symbol font 2.
1003 Drafting font.
2001 Kanji [ISO 6226].
3001 Latin-1 alphabet.

be converted to.
Notation: Source font;number of target font;
Examples: Arial;1;

to be converted to.
Notation: Number of source font;target font;
Examples: 18;Helvetica;
IGES 123
The wide variety of options and the variants in IGES make it difficult to
make recommendations. In general, however, the information you no
longer wish to use is best removed while you are still in your CAD system.
When importing IGES files with several views, it is generally sufficient to

import one view and rotate the 3D model to the correct orientation.
A number of CAD systems write IGES files where the scale of the object
does not agree with that of the drawing. In such instances, files from the
program using the Imperial system (inches) may be imported as though
they were metric files. The result is a file that is far too small. In cases of
this type, you should use the scaling dialog to set the scale to 2540%
when importing. This is the factor required for converting inches to metric
values.
Restrictions
IGES is so extensive that no program supports all the element types found
in IGES. IsoDraw is also restricted to the most important elements. The
following list shows the conversions that are possible.
124 IGES
Platform:
IGES 125
Identification of sender and receiver
An IGES file allows you to enter details about the sender and receiver of
this file. You can also specify the author and your company’s name. These
entries are optional and can be made in the relevant fields on the
preferences page. Entries for individual files should be made in the dialog
window for "Export".
Header
If you want to generate IGES files in accordance with the VDAIS or CALS
specification, you should select the appropriate option. This adds special,
precisely defined comments to the IGES file.
You can change a number of these entries. To do that, click the "Edit
header" button. Different dialog windows will appear depending on the
particular standard which has been set; the figure below shows the dialog
window for CALS Class II:
126 IGES
Header: If you do not specifically want to generate a file in one of the

standards, you should set VDAIS. The quality of transfer will not be
affected by any entries made in the comments fields.
Restrictions
Fonts
All text elements are saved in the IGES standard font. Since it is only
possible in IGES to specify the height and width of a text, the sizes will
differ slightly from the representation in IsoDraw. If you want to use a
special font type in IGES, change the font table in the file "OptIGES.prf".
Patterns and Hatchings

Bitmap patterns and hatchings are not transferred.
Masked elements

These elements cannot be converted since IGES has no corresponding
element types.
IGES 127
Conversion notes
several IGES elements, since IGES cannot recognize e.g. ellipses with
assigned.

Line/polyline 110 Line
Rectangle 110 Line
Ellipse 104 Elliptical Arc
112 Parametric Spline Curve
(for blends)
Bézier path Parametric Spline Curve
Polygon 110 Line
Marker - No conversion
Text 124 Transformation Matrix
212 General Note
112 Parametric Spline Curve
(text background)
Callout,
128 IGES
Importing
files" in the dialog window. When a file is selected in IGES format, the
following dialog window opens for importing IGES files:
Drawing Entities:
An IGES file can contain several drawings (Entity 404). These are generally
the actual elements to be converted and the drawing frame with text field,
which is stored separately from the drawing itself. You can prevent
unwanted data from being imported by making the appropriate
selections.

The dialog window contains a list of the drawings (Entity 404). Click the
name of the relevant drawing in the list. The tick at the start of the line
indicates that the drawing will be imported. If you do not want this, click
the tick until a dash appears.
IGES 129
View Entities
The view elements (Entity 410) contained in the file are now listed for each
drawing you want to import. These define the orientation in which the
elements are to be depicted. Select the views that are to be used from the
list.
Here, too, you should first select the relevant view and then click the tick
to specify whether or not the view element concerned is to be used.
you wish.
After confirming by clicking "OK", the drawing will be imported. Clicking

"Cancel" terminates the import process for the entire file.
130 IGES
Importing with IsoDraw CADprocess
window. When a file is selected in IGES format, the following dialog
window opens for importing IGES files:
The settings for "Select assemblies" and "Create object information for
assemblies" correspond to the settings in the import preferences dialog
window. You can change the settings by clicking them with the mouse.
more…
Clicking the "more…" button opens the following dialog window:
IGES 131
Drawing Entities:
An IGES file can contain several drawings (Entity 404). These are generally
the actual elements to be converted and the drawing frame with text field,
which is stored separately from the drawing itself. You can prevent
unwanted data from being imported by making the appropriate
selections.

The dialog window contains a list of the drawings (Entity 404). Click the
name of the relevant drawing in the list. The tick at the start of the line
indicates that the drawing will be imported. If you do not want this, click
the tick until a dash appears.
View Entities
The view elements (Entity 410) contained in the file are now listed for each
drawing you want to import. These define the orientation in which the
elements are to be depicted. Select the views that are to be used from the
list.
Here, too, you should first select the relevant view and then click the tick
to specify whether or not the view element concerned is to be used.
you wish.
After you have confirmed by clicking "OK", the drawing will be imported
with these entries. Clicking "Cancel" exits the dialog window.
You have now completed all your import preferences in the dialog
window. Clicking "Cancel" terminates the import process for the entire file.
Clicking "OK" confirms that you are happy with your entries. The IGES file
will be converted and is displayed in the 3D window for further editing.
132 IGES
If you have chosen "Select assemblies", a further window opens.
Find structures in data

If you select this option, all specified assemblies or elements will be
recorded together with their names and structures. Clicking "OK" in the
dialog window opens a further dialog window entitled "Selection of
Structures". This displays the recorded assemblies and elements of the file
in structured form. If the file appears in the 3D window after import is
complete, you will find the same structures in the Object window.
Read structures from ……igs.xml

If the file already has a structure file, the name of the file will be displayed
here. Selecting this option results in the IsoDraw 5 CADprocess accessing
a file already saved in XML format for selection of the structures. This cuts
import time quite considerably, particularly when files are very large. In
situations where the option cannot be selected despite there being a
structure file (grayed out), the latter will no longer be located at the
original storage location. You can search the file by clicking "File…".
IGES 133
The following dialog box appears:
Click the file you require. Clicking "Open" returns you to the "Read
Structures" dialog window. The file name is displayed. The file is used for
the structure display.
If the file name has been changed, the wrong file selected or the contents
do not agree with the current file, the structure file will be rejected. The
option can then no longer be selected (grayed out). Repeat the search or
recreate the structure via "Find structures in data".
Clicking "Cancel" returns you to the opening dialog window for the import
process. Clicking "OK" confirms that you are happy with your entries.
134 IGES
A further dialog window opens:
"Selection of Structures" shows the assemblies and elements together

with their names in a tree structure. Clicking the symbol in front of the file
name opens the top level of the structure. Clicking the symbol with the
CTRL key (Windows) or the Command key (Macintosh) depressed
displays the complete tree structure of the assemblies. Clicking the symbol
in front of the file name again closes the structure display.
You can use the structure display to specify which assemblies are to be
imported. Clicking the name selects an assembly. If you click the name
with the Control key (Windows) or Command key (Macintosh)
depressed, you can select several assemblies in succession. If you hold the
Shift key depressed, all the assemblies between the one, which is already
selected, and the one you are currently clicking will be selected. Clicking
on the far right, behind the name of the assembly, tells you whether an
assembly will be imported or not. A tick indicates that the assembly will be
imported.
The functions of the five keys below the structure display will help you to
specify which assemblies or elements are to be imported.
IGES 135
Select all
Click this button if you wish to select all assemblies. This function is useful
if you only want to import individual assemblies. Once you have made
your selection, click the "Ignore" button. Then choose your assemblies one
after the other while holding the Control key (Windows) or Command
key (Macintosh) depressed. Select the assemblies by clicking "Select".
Remove selection
Clicking this button removes the selection. Whether an assembly in the
selection has been selected or ignored remains unaffected by the removal.
Invert selection
Clicking this button cancels selection of the selected assemblies and, at
the same time, selects all other assemblies in the structure. Like "Select
All", this function is useful if you only want to import individual
assemblies. Select the assemblies you want to import. Then click the
"Invert Selection" button. All assemblies in the structure that you do not
want to import are now selected. Then click the "Ignore" button.
Selecting
If you have selected "Find structures in data" a tick indicates all assemblies
and/or elements in the file. The tick indicates that the assembly will be
imported.
If you use the saved structure file (XML format), for example, you can also
select assemblies or elements without ticks. Select all the assemblies you
require. Click the "Select" button. A tick appears after all the names. If an
assembly has been selected which contains "subassemblies", these are also
selected automatically.
136 IGES
Ignore
All assemblies, which are displayed without a tick, are not imported. You
can cancel selection of assemblies. Select the assemblies you do not want
to import. Click the "Ignore" button. The tick behind the name disappears.
If an assembly that contains subassemblies is not ticked, all the
subassemblies will also be ignored.
Export
Selecting "Export" lets you save the file structures.
If you want to import a file for the first time, you should save the file
structures first, which is particularly important with large files. You can
use this structure file for recent imports of the IGES file (see "Read
Structures" dialog window). This not only saves time, but is also useful if
you want to always ignore specific assemblies or elements. Clicking
"Export" opens the following dialog window:
The file name is already defaulted. Clicking "Save" saves the file in XML
format. Clicking "Cancel" exits the dialog window without saving the file.
Once you have completed your settings in the "Selection of Structures"

dialog window, click "OK". The file is converted and appears in the 3D
window for further processing. Clicking "Cancel" returns you to the "Read
Structures" dialog window.
IGES 137
Export
When you have selected the "Export…" command, set IGES format.
Clicking "Options" opens the following dialog window for exporting IGES
files:

required.
138 IGES
VRML
VRML is the abbreviation for Virtual Reality Modelling Language. This
format can describe three-dimensional models and scenes, including light
sources and surface structures.
VRML has now become a standard for 3D graphics on websites. Objects

can be moved and rotated freely with appropriate viewers.
The VRML format always contains 3D data. This means that IsoDraw
CADprocess must be used for importing. Since only the outline structure
is important for the Technical Illustration, only VRML elements that can be
converted to surfaces or lines are imported. If assembly structures are
present, these are adopted similarly to the IGES format.
IsoDraw CADprocess and import
Several dialog windows appear during the import process depending on

the default setting. IsoDraw CADprocess then opens the 3D window for
you to transform the elements as you wish.
IsoDraw CADprocess and export
You can only export data from the 3D window when you are working in
the 3D window. A VRML file is generated which you can then use in
programs that support VRML.
VRML 139
In a similar way to the IGES format, IsoDraw CADprocess supports

additional options designed specifically for importing VRML files. When
these options are selected, all the assemblies defaulted by the generating
system are recognized when VRML files are imported. IsoDraw CADprocess
also creates an Object info for each of these assemblies. A hotspot can also
be generated if required.
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the VRML
140 VRML
Select assemblies:
appears when the file is opened. You can use this to select which

The pop-up menu allows you to select one of the two setting options. If
you select "No hotspot", an object info is created for each assembly. The
name in each case corresponds to the designation assigned in the
generating system for the particular assembly. If you select "Lines of
object", a hotspot will be generated in addition to the object info. This
allows you to trigger an action later by simply clicking the object. If you
do not select the option, the name "Group" will appear in the Object
Create reading buffer for all file sizes

When you select this check box, the entire file is imported in a single
operation. This speeds up the import process. If you do not select this
option, the file will be accessed frequently during import. Since
considerable memory is needed for importing the file in its entirety, you
should only choose this option if your hardware is configured accordingly.
VRML 141
Scaling
Options
The window allows you to activate or deactivate each VRML element type
individually. A check mark at the start of the line indicates that this
element type will be imported, while if there is no check mark all file
elements of this type will be ignored when the file is imported.
142 VRML
Use viewpoints
Here you can select a view (viewpoints) to be imported. If you want to
import a particular view, select “Predefined viewpoint” and enter the name
of the view in the input field. If the entry does not match the name
exactly, the option will be dispregarded during import. When “Select from
list” is chosen, the “VRML Viewpoints” dialog box appears during import.
Then select the required view.
Click “OK” to confirm your settings in the dialog box. If you click “Cancel”,
all elements are imported and viewpoints ignored.
Generally speaking, all element types must be selected in the Options

dialog window.
Restrictions
VRML contains many element types that are not required for generating
a Technical Illustration. For example, information on colors, light effects,
movements and camera positions. IsoDraw CADprocess is therefore
limited to the elements that are actually needed. The following list shows
the conversions that are possible.
VRML 143
Conversion notes
VRML element is converted to

Box Surface
Cube Surface
Cone Surface
Cylinder Surface
Sphere POLYLINE (3D or 2D)
Elevation Grid As several ellipses
Point Set Group of short lines
Indexed Line Set Group of lines
Indexed Face Set Surface
Extrusion Surface
144 VRML
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the VRML
export icon. The following preferences page appears:
Apart from the basic settings, there are no preferences for exporting VRML
files.
Restrictions
When exporting 3D data from IsoDraw CADprocess, every effort is made

to depict as many attributes as possible in VRML. However, it is not
possible to describe all elements and attributes in VRML.
VRML 145
Importing
window. When a file is selected in VRML format, the following dialog
window opens for importing VRML files:

146 VRML
Read structures from ……wrl.xml
here. Selecting this option results in the IsoDraw CADprocess accessing a
file already saved in XML format for selection of the structures. This cuts
import time quite considerably, particularly when files are very large.
In situations where the option cannot be selected despite there being a

The following dialog window appears:
VRML 147

Shift key depressed, all the assemblies between the one which is already
selected and the one you are currently clicking will be selected. Clicking on
the far right, behind the name of the assembly, tells you whether an
imported.
148 VRML
Select all
Remove selection
Invert selection
Selecting
imported.
VRML 149
Ignore
All assemblies, which are displayed without a tick, are not imported. You
can cancel selection of assemblies. Select the assemblies you do not want
to import. Click the "Ignore" button. The tick behind the name disappears.
If an assembly that contains subassemblies is not ticked, all the
Export
use this structure file for recent imports of the VRML file (see "Read
Structures" dialog window). This not only saves time, but is also useful if

150 VRML
If you have selected “Select from list” under “Viewpoints” in the
preferences dialog box, the following dialog box now appears:
In this dialog box, you can define which view (viewpoint) is to be imported.
Once you have selected the required view, click “OK”. The file is converted
and appears in the selected view for further editing in the 3D window. If
you select “None”, the drawing appears in the 3D window as defined in the
file.
VRML 151
Export
There is no dialog window for exporting VRML files.
Exporting into VRML format is only possible with IsoDraw CADprocess,

and only if there is imported 3D data in the 3D window. This data is then
exported from the 3D window in its current state of editing. Only surface
elements are exported. The object names and object structure are also
exported.
152 VRML
Wavefront
The Wavefront format was originally developed for the “Advanced
Visualizer” software. It is used for describing objects in a realistic form for
film and video.
It is particularly popular with 3D animation software.
Wavefront contains information on 3D geometry, material, light and

movement.
The files can be in both ASCII format and binary form. IsoDraw CADprocess
can import only files in ASCII format. You can recognize these by their
extension “.obj”.
The Wavefront format always contains 3D data. This means that IsoDraw
CADprocess must be used for importing. Since only the outline structure
is important for the Technical Illustration, only Wavefront elements that
can be converted to surfaces or lines are imported. If assembly structures
are present, these are adopted similarly to the IGES format.
IsoDraw CADprocess and import
Several dialog windows appear during the import process depending on

the default setting. IsoDraw CADprocess then opens the 3D window for
you to transform the elements as you wish.
IsoDraw CADprocess and export
You can only export data from the 3D window when you are working in
the 3D window. A Wavefront file is generated which you can then use in
programs that support Wavefront.
Wavefront 153
In a similar way to the IGES format, IsoDraw CADprocess supports

additional options designed specifically for importing VRML files. When
these options are selected, all the assemblies defaulted by the generating
system are recognized when VRML files are imported. IsoDraw CADprocess
also creates an Object info for each of these assemblies. A hotspot can also
be generated if required.

Wavefront import symbol. The following preferences page appears for
import:
154 Wavefront
Select assemblies:
appears when the file is opened. You can use this to select, which

The pop-up menu allows you to select one of the two setting options. If
you select “No hotspot”, an object info is created for each assembly. The
name in each case corresponds to the designation assigned in the
generating system for the particular assembly. If you select "Lines of
object", a hotspot will be generated in addition to the object info. This
allows you to trigger an action later by simply clicking the object. If you
do not select the option, the name "Group" will appear in the Object
Create reading buffer for all file sizes

When you select this check box, the entire file is imported in a single
operation. This speeds up the import process. If you do not select this
option, the file will be accessed frequently during import. Since
considerable memory is needed for importing the file in its entirety, you
should only choose this option if your hardware is configured accordingly.
Wavefront 155
Scaling
Options
The window allows you to activate or deactivate each Wavefront element

type individually. A check mark at the start of the line indicates that this
element type will be imported, while if there is no check mark, all file
elements of this type will be ignored when the file is imported.
156 Wavefront
imported.
Generally speaking, all element types must be selected in the Options

dialog window.
Restrictions
Wavefront contains many element types that are not required for
generating a Technical Illustration. For example, information on colors,
light effect and movements. IsoDraw CADprocess is therefore limited to
the elements that are actually needed. The following list shows the
conversions that are possible.
Wavefront 157
Conversion notes
Wavefront element is converted to

Face Surface
Line Line
Group Group (with names)
158 Wavefront

Wavefront export icon. The following preferences page appears:
Apart from the basic settings, there are no preferences for exporting
Wavefront files.
Restrictions
When exporting 3D data from IsoDraw CADprocess, every effort is made

to depict as many attributes as possible in Wavefront. However, it is not
possible to describe all elements and attributes in Wavefront. Object
names and the object structure are not exported.
Wavefront 159
Importing
window. When a file is selected in Wavefront format, the following dialog
window opens for importing Wavefront files:

160 Wavefront
Read structures from ……obj.xml
here. Selecting this option results in the IsoDraw CADprocess accessing a
file already saved in XML format for selection of the structures. This cuts
import time quite considerably, particularly when files are very large.
In situations where the option cannot be selected despite there being a

The following dialog window appears:
Wavefront 161

Shift key depressed, all the assemblies between the one, which is already
selected, and the one you are currently clicking will be selected. Clicking
on the far right, behind the name of the assembly, tells you whether an
imported.
162 Wavefront
Select all
Remove selection
Invert selection
Selecting
imported.
Wavefront 163
Ignore
All assemblies, which are displayed without a tick, are not imported.
You can cancel selection of assemblies. Select the assemblies you do not
want to import. Click the "Ignore" button. The tick behind the name
disappears. If an assembly that contains subassemblies is not ticked, all the
Export
use this structure file for recent imports of the Wavefront file (see “Read
Structures” dialog window). This not only saves time, but is also useful if

164 Wavefront
Export
There is no dialog window for exporting Wavefront files.
Exporting into Wavefront format is only possible with IsoDraw

CADprocess, and only if there is imported 3D data in the 3D window. This
data is then exported from the 3D window in its current state of editing.
Only surface elements are exported. Object names and the object structure
are not exported.
Wavefront 165
166
JPEG
JPEG is a raster format that is widely used on Internet pages. It is possible
to store scanned images as JPEG files and edit them later with a wide
range of programs. JPEG is a pure pixel-based format, i.e. when exporting
to JPEG, all the elements drawn in IsoDraw are converted into a raster
image.
JPEG is suitable especially for grayscale and color images. For black and
white images (bitmaps) PNG and TIFF with Fax Group 4 compression are
more advantageous.
A specialty of JPEG is the fact that the image quality is influenced by the
compression. You have the choice to compress the image more to obtain
a smaller file while at the same time losing some of the quality.
IsoDraw and import
No other dialog windows appear during the import procedure. The JPEG
file is converted into a raster element and displayed in a new window
designated “Untitled” if the name already exists as an IsoDraw file. If it
does not yet exist, the name of the JPEG file will be used. You can copy
this raster element to any other illustration you choose via the clipboard.
IsoDraw and export
A JPEG file is generated in accordance with your settings. You can use this
JPEG 167
There are no preferences for importing JPEG files.
Select the “Preferences...” command in the “Edit” menu. Click the JPEG
Manual.
Resolution:
168 JPEG
Border:
This option allows you to specify a border width for the JPEG image. This
enables you to isolate your illustration from the background. A value of
e.g. 5 means that a white border of 5 mm will be left around the actual
image on all sides. The image therefore becomes 10 mm wider and higher.
Dimensions:
This field allows you to specify the dimensions of the JPEG file. This is
Image depth:
many different colors a JPEG file can contain. A grayscale image can
contain up to 256 different levels of gray. A color image can contain up to
16.7 million colors.
Quality:
This slider allows you to adjust the level of compression for the file. If you
slide the slider to the right the quality will be retained. The file will be
somewhat larger. Slide the slider to the left to reduce the file size. The loss
of quality may be significant.
JPEG 169
Import
There is no dialog window for importing JPEG files.
Export
If you have selected the “Export…” command, set the JPEG format.
Clicking “Options” opens the following dialog window for exporting JPEG
files:

required.
170 JPEG
PCX
PCX is a raster format that has been in use on Windows computers for a
long time.
It is possible to store scanned images as PCX files and edit them later with
a wide range of programs. PCX is a pure pixel-based format, i.e. when
exporting to PCX, all the elements drawn in IsoDraw are converted into a
raster image.
IsoDraw and import
No other dialog windows appear during the import procedure. The PCX file
is converted into an image element and displayed in a new window
IsoDraw and export
A PCX file is generated in accordance with your settings. You can use this
PCX 171
There are no preferences for importing PCX files.
Select the “Preferences...” command in the “Edit” menu. Click the PCX
Manual.
172 PCX
Resolution:
Border:
This option allows you to specify a border width for the PCX image. This
enables you to isolate your illustration from the background.
A 5 mm border means that a white border of 5 mm will be left around the
actual image.
Dimensions:
This field allows you to specify the dimensions of the PCX file. This is
Image depth:
many different colors a PCX file can contain. A line-art illustration can
PCX 173
Compression:
The compression option allows you to markedly reduce the size of the PCX
file without affecting the quality of the image. Not all programs are able
to read compressed PCX files.

is not to be scaled again later. If, however, it is to be reduced by 50 %, a
resolution of 150 dpi will be sufficient.

images.
174 PCX
Import
There is no dialog window for importing PCX files.
Export
If you have selected the “Export…” command, set the PCX format. Clicking
“Options” opens the following dialog window for exporting PCX files:

required.
PCX 175
176
PICT
The PICTure format from Apple Macintosh is a format that is understood
by virtually every program running on this platform. It is used first and
foremost if an illustration is only to be presented on the screen, e.g. in a
presentation or an electronic catalog. A PostScript file delivers far better
results in print.
The PICT format is also used for saving scanned images, e.g. photos.
IsoDraw supports the PICT format only on Apple Macintosh

computers.
IsoDraw and import
No other dialog windows appear during the import procedure. The PICT
file is converted into an image element and displayed in a new window
IsoDraw and export
A PICT file is generated which you can then process in other Macintosh
programs.
PICT 177
There are no preferences for importing PICT files.
Select the “Preferences...” command in the “Edit” menu. Click the PICT
Apart from the basic settings, there are no preferences for exporting MIF
files.
178 PICT
Import
There is no dialog window for importing PICT files.
Export
There is no dialog window for exporting PICT files.
PICT 179
180
PNG
PNG is the abbreviation for Portable Network Graphic. The World Wide
Web Consortium (http://www.w3.org) has designed this raster format
specifically for Internet pages. It is possible to store scanned images as
PNG files and edit them later with a wide range of programs. PNG is a pure
pixel-based format, i.e. when exporting to PNG, all the elements drawn in
IsoDraw are converted into a raster image.
IsoDraw and import
No other dialog windows appear during the import procedure. The PNG
file is converted into a raster element and displayed in a new window
does not yet exist, the name of the PNG file will be used. You can copy this
raster element to any other illustration you choose via the clipboard.
IsoDraw and export
A PNG file is generated in accordance with your settings. You can use this
PNG 181
There are no preferences for importing PNG files.
Select the “Preferences...” command in the “Edit” menu. Click the PNG
Manual.
Resolution:
182 PNG
Border:
This option allows you to specify a border width for the PNG image. This
Dimensions:
This field allows you to specify the dimensions of the PNG file. This is
Image depth:
many different colors a PNG file can contain. A line-art illustration can
Filter:
This menu allows you to select a filter that is used to prepare the data for
the compression. The choice depends on the capabilities of the target
program.
PNG 183

is not to be scaled again later. If, however, it is to be reduced by 50%, a
resolution of 150 dpi will be sufficient. The scaling factor will become an
aspect to consider when deciding on the resolution.
The resolution of the output device is also important. If the target printer
has a resolution of only 200 dpi, it would be wasting space to work with
300 dpi.
Check to see whether, and if so which, compressions you can use. The
simplest way to tell the quality of the compression is by looking at the size
of the file.

images.
184 PNG
Import
There is no dialog window for importing PNG files.
Export
If you have selected the “Export…” command, set the PNG format. Clicking
“Options” opens the following dialog window for exporting PNG files:

required.
PNG 185
186
SVG
SVG is the abbreviation for Scalable Vector Graphics. The World Wide Web
Consortium (http://www.w3.org) has developed this format, which
represents a second way apart from WebCGM to use vector graphics on
Internet pages.
IsoDraw and import
Files in this format cannot be imported by IsoDraw.
IsoDraw and export
An SVG file is generated which you can be use in programs that support
SVG. If you have an SVG viewer installed you can use the file on Internet
pages.
SVG 187
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the SVG
File format
Here you can select whether the file is to be exported uncompressed or

compressed.
Raster images
If the file contains raster images, you should export these with the setting
"embed". The other option creates a link to the then external raster images.
The raster images are saved in JPEG or PNG formats.
188 SVG
Illustration size:
Here you can select how the SVG file is to be displayed when opened. If
“scalable illustration” is selected, the illustration is displayed to fit the
current window size. If the illustration is exported with fixed size, it will be
shown in the actual dimensions.
Dimensions:
This field allows you to specify the dimensions of the SVG file. This is
Encoding
The pop-up menu is used to define the type of encoding used for the file.
The encoding defines the internal structure of the file. It only affects how
the file is stored and not what is stored.
Hotspot regions:
When hotspots have been created in IsoDraw, they can be exported in two
ways. With “use visible geometry only”, actions are triggered on the
exported illustration simply by clicking on the outlines of the objects. If,
on the other hand, paths for hotspot regions have been created during
export, clicking on the whole object region triggers the action.
SVG 189
Object attributes:
Here you can select whether or not you want to export the object
attributes. If the attributes are to be exported, each attribute is given a
namespace.
Restrictions

attributes as possible in the SVG format. However, it is not possible to
describe all elements and attributes in SVG.
EPS documents
These elements are not converted.

Patterns and hatchings will not be converted.
Object infos
Only the object ID and hyperlinks in URI form will be exported.
190 SVG
Export
When you have selected the "Export…" command, set SVG format. Clicking
"Options" opens the following dialog window for exporting SVG files:

required.
SVG 191
192
Text excerpt
Text excerpt is one of IsoDraw’s own formats and therefore differs from
the other formats IsoDraw supports. It is used for writing the contents of
all the text elements in an IsoDraw illustration into an ASCII file, which can
then be edited with any word processing program, e.g. for translation
purposes. The text excerpt of a file can only be used with the file to which
it belongs, as it is otherwise impossible to assign to a file.
IsoDraw and import
If you wish to import a text excerpt back into the original illustration, start
by opening the illustration in IsoDraw. Proceed by opening the text excerpt
of this illustration. The texts will be imported into the illustration and
replace the original contents of the text elements.
IsoDraw and export
When exporting as a text excerpt, only the text elements of the active
illustration are affected. All other elements remain unaffected.
Text excerpt 193

There are no preferences for importing text excerpt files.
Select the “Preferences...” command in the “Edit” menu. Click the text
excerpt symbol. The following preferences page appears:
Apart from the basic settings, there are no preferences for exporting text
excerpt files.
194 Text excerpt

Import
There is no dialog window for importing text excerpt files.
If the file name of the illustration does not match the name of the text
excerpt, the following dialog window will appear:
Clicking “Yes” allows you to import the text excerpt even if the names do
not match. However, you should only do this if you have changed the file
name after exporting the text, otherwise click “No”.
Once you have imported the text excerpt, check all the text elements,
since the text element formatting may need to be modified due to
changes in the text length.
Text excerpt 195

Export
There is no dialog window for exporting text excerpt files.
If you wish to export the illustration opposite as a text excerpt, for

example, you will be provided with an ASCII file, which you will be able to
open with any word processing program. This file will look something as
follows:
%ITEDO IsoDraw Text

Schraube
%Title: TextExp1.iso
0000000001 "Schraube"
Zahnrad
0000000002 "Zahnrad"
The first two lines identify the file and must not be changed. They are
followed by the texts for the individual text elements. First comes a 10-
digit number that must not be changed either. This is the identification
number of the text element in the illustration. It is followed in quotation
marks by the content of the text element. This content can now be
changed:
Screw %ITEDO IsoDraw Text
%Title: TextExp1.iso
0000000001 "Screw"
Gear wheel
0000000002 "Gear wheel"
After the text excerpt has been imported into the original illustration (see
Import), the texts are once again assigned to the text elements.
196 Text excerpt

Texts may contain all characters in the ASCII character set. The quotation
mark character (“) receives special treatment, however. If a text element
contains this character, it must be preceded by a backslash (\):
0000045981 "Only in \"Version

Only in "Version A" A\""
Texts covering several lines are also written into the text file in this form:
0000045231 "Line 1
Line 1
Line 2
Line 2
Line 3 Line 3"
Text excerpt 197

198
Object list
Object lists are created in IsoDraw and, depending on their use, can be
exported as tab-delimited text files or XML files.
A tab-delimited text file is used when generating callouts in IsoDraw. An

exported XML file allows you to save data regarding graphic objects
outside the graphic. The files generated can be used in XML companion
files and opened and edited by all XML-compatible programs.
IsoDraw and import
Object lists cannot be imported.
IsoDraw and export
Depending on the setting, an object list is exported either as a tab-

delimited text file or as an XML file.
Object list 199

Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the object
list symbol. The following preferences page appears:
Initially, you can select whether the file is to be exported as a tab-

delimited text file or an XML file. The choice of format is determined by
how the data is to be used.
Attributes
Along with the IDs, names and object tips, any further attributes can also
be saved for the object list in both file types.
The two other options only apply for exporting as an XML file. Object
attributes can be copied as XML attributes or as elements in their own
right.
Element names
The settings here can only be selected if the object list is exported as an
XML file.
200 Object list

The "Object type" is generally used as the element name. However, you can
also enter your own element designations for name elements, layer
elements and file elements under "Use other".
Object list 201

Export
When you have selected the "Export…" command, select the object list.
Clicking "Options" opens the following dialog window for exporting object
lists:

required.
If you change the default export format ("txt" or "xml") here, you must
change the extension accordingly when the export is complete. Although
the file is exported in a newly set format, the extension is nonetheless
used in accordance with the format from the preferences dialog window.
202 Object list

TIFF
TIFF is the abbreviation for Tagged Image File Format. This designation
refers to the internal structure of the file, which uses tags in order to store
all the information about an image.
TIFF is the standard format for image processing. It is possible to store

scanned images as TIFF files and edit them later with a wide range of
programs. TIFF is a pure pixel-based format, i.e. when exporting to TIFF, all
the elements drawn in IsoDraw are converted into a raster image.
This format was developed by the Aldus Corporation and has since been
upgraded by several new versions. The large number of different variants
often makes it difficult to use these files in other programs, as the number
of defective files increases with each new variant.
IsoDraw and import
No other dialog windows appear during the import procedure. The TIFF file
is converted into a raster element and displayed in a new window
does not yet exist, the name of the TIFF file will be used. You can copy this
raster element to any other illustration you choose via the clipboard.
IsoDraw and export
A TIFF file is generated in accordance with your settings. You can use this
TIFF 203
There are no preferences for importing TIFF files.
Conversion notes
IsoDraw is capable of reading almost every variant of TIFF files. This is

regardless of the platform the file has been created on. IsoDraw supports
all the important types of compression.
Select the “Preferences...” command in the “Edit” menu. Click the TIFF
Manual.
204 TIFF
Resolution:
Border:
This option allows you to specify a border width for the TIFF image. This
Dimensions:
This field allows you to specify the dimensions of the TIFF file. This is
Image depth:
many different colors a TIFF file can contain. A line-art illustration can only
contain black or white pixels. A grayscale image can contain up to 256
different levels of gray, while color images are limited to 256 colors (8 bits)
or any of the settings up to and including 16.7 million colors.
TIFF 205
Compression:
The compression option allows you to markedly reduce the size of the TIFF
file without affecting the quality of the image. Pack bits or group 3 or
group 4 fax compressions are suitable for line-art images. Group 4
compression in particular produces remarkable results. Unfortunately, not
all programs support this compression.
You use either LZW or LZW2 compression for grayscale or color images.
You should always choose LZW2 if the target program can read this
compression.
Byte order:
The computer world is divided into two camps – the Little Endians and the
Big Endians. This simply refers to the way individual processors read and
write bytes. For example, Big Endians include the Motorola and PowerPC
families, while Little Endians include Intel processors. A good program will
take account of the differences when a TIFF file is read. For other programs,
you can specify the required byte sequence.
206 TIFF

is not to be scaled again later. If, however, it is to be reduced by 50%, a
resolution of 150 dpi will be sufficient. The scaling factor will become an
aspect to consider when deciding on the resolution.
The resolution of the output device is also important. If the target printer
has a resolution of only 200 dpi, it would be wasting space to work with
300 dpi.
Check to see whether, and if so which, compressions you can use. The
simplest way to tell the quality of the compression is by looking at the size
of the file.

images.
TIFF 207
Import
There is no dialog window for importing TIFF files.
Export
If you have selected the “Export…” command, set the TIFF format. Clicking
“Options” opens the following dialog window for exporting TIFF files:

required.
208 TIFF
WMF
WMF is the abbreviation for Windows Meta File. This format has been
developed by Microsoft as a common format for Windows programs. It
can contain raster as well as vector data.
IsoDraw supports WMF only on Windows computers.
IsoDraw and import
When opening a WMF file a dialog window is shown. The WMF file is
converted and displayed in a new window designated “Untitled”.
IsoDraw and export
A WMF file is generated which you can then use in programs that support
WMF.
WMF 209
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the WMF
symbol. The following preferences page for import and export appears:
Import as image element

WMF files can contain complex drawing commands. Not all of them can
be mapped onto IsoDraw elements. Therefore you have the choice to
convert the WMF data into an image element that corresponds to the file’s
content.
210 WMF
Select the "Preferences..." command in the "Edit" menu. Click the WMF
You can choose between two file formats when exporting. Selecting
“Write Windows Metafile” saves the data in standard WMF format for
Windows with the extension “wmf”. Clicking “Write Enhanced Metafile”
produces an EMF file with the extension “emf”. Files of this format are not
compatible with WMF files and require 32-bit Windows systems.
Restrictions

attributes as possible in WMF. However, it is not possible to describe all
elements and attributes in WMF.
EPS documents
WMF 211
Export
There is no dialog window for exporting WMF files.
212 WMF
Interleaf
Interleaf is a widespread publishing system. It allows users to generate
graphics with its own tools. This enables users to post-edit graphics,
provided that they are imported in the correct Interleaf format.
This format is the Interleaf ASCII format. Interleaf treats illustrations

stored in this format as if they had originally been generated in Interleaf.
IsoDraw and import
IsoDraw cannot read Interleaf files directly. However, ITEDO provides a

special conversion service for converting the graphic frames from
Interleaf 6.0 ASCII files to IsoDraw files.
IsoDraw and export
An Interleaf ASCII a file is generated which you can import with Interleaf
5.x or Interleaf 6.
Interleaf 213
Select the “Preferences...” command in the “Edit” menu. Click the

Interleaf symbol. The following preferences page appears:
Convert line styles into single elements

If you select this setting, all dashed elements will be converted into
individual small element segments, i.e. a single line in IsoDraw produces a
number of small line segments in Interleaf.
Advantage:
The drawing retains the appearance you have defined in IsoDraw.
Disadvantage:
The small element segments can only be edited with difficulty in Interleaf.
214 Interleaf
Create a PRF file
how the used fonts will be converted to Interleaf fonts.
In most cases, you may want to export dashed lines as individual elements
in order to retain their appearance.
Restrictions

attributes as possible in Interleaf format. However, it is not possible to
describe all elements and attributes in Interleaf.
Fonts
Rotated text elements are exported as outline objects. It is not possible to
import transformed text elements in Interleaf.
Masked elements
EPS documents
Line thicknesses
Interleaf can only process line thicknesses between 0.125 and 6.125 pt.
This is always to be borne in mind when you are working with “hoses”
(thick black shadow and slightly thinner white pen).
Interleaf 215
Export
If you have selected the “Export…” command, set the Interleaf format.
Clicking “Options” opens the following dialog window for exporting
Interleaf files:
Assign styles:
IsoDraw supports several standard styles. You can also create free styles
(see command “Edit style…”). Interleaf, however, uses a different system
for presenting dashed lines. There are two ways to cancel out these
differences effectively: by converting to individual elements, as described
in the preferences, or by assigning styles.
216 Interleaf
Click “Assign styles”. A further dialog window appears:
You can use this dialog window to assign every IsoDraw style to an
Interleaf style. The window shows you the name of the IsoDraw style (in
this case “Solid”). Located below this is a pop-up menu from which you
can select the required Interleaf style. Clicking “Next” brings you to the
next IsoDraw style. Clicking “Last” returns you to the previous IsoDraw
style in the list.
Clicking "OK" confirms your selection. The file is exported. Clicking

“Cancel” returns you to the previous dialog window.
Interleaf 217
218
FrameMaker (MIF)
FrameMaker is also widely used in technical documentation. MIF is the
abbreviation for Maker Interchange Format (MIF). FrameMaker uses this
format for importing graphics. Once the graphics have been imported,
FrameMaker also allows you to edit them.
ITEDO supplies the CGM filters for FrameMaker. Thus the CGM
support provided inside FrameMaker is comparable to the one
inside IsoDraw. This is a trouble-free way to exchange files between
FrameMaker and IsoDraw.
IsoDraw and import
Files in this format cannot be imported by IsoDraw.
IsoDraw and export
A FrameMaker MIF file is generated which you can import with

FrameMaker.
FrameMaker (MIF) 219

Select the “Preferences...” command in the “Edit” menu. Click the MIF
Apart from the basic settings, there are no preferences for exporting MIF
files.
Restrictions

attributes as possible in FrameMaker format. However, it is not possible to
describe all elements and attributes in FrameMaker.
Fonts
It is not possible to import transformed text elements in FrameMaker.
220 FrameMaker (MIF)

Masked elements
EPS documents

Patterns and hatchings will not be converted.
Export
There is no dialog window for exporting MIF files.
FrameMaker (MIF) 221

222
List of Abbreviations
Shortcut............. Name................................................................... Page
CAD ...............................Computer Aided Design..................................................................... 14

AI.....................................Adobe Illustrator....................................................................................29
DTP ................................Desktop Publishing .............................................................................. 33
EPS.................................Encapsulated Postscript..................................................................... 33
BMP ..............................Bitmap format ....................................................................................... 35
CALS .............................Continuous Acquisition and Lifecycle Support........................ 41
CGM .............................Computer Graphics Metafile ........................................................... 45
ATA ................................Air Transport Association.................................................................. 45
GREXCHANGE ......GRaphics EXCHANGE.......................................................................... 53
SAE ................................Society of Automotive Engineers .................................................. 53
VDC ...............................Virtual Device Coordinates............................................................... 56
ISO .................................International Standards Organization......................................... 58
CCITT ............................Comite Consultatif International de Telegraphie et de
..........................................Telephonie ............................................................................................... 60
PS....................................PostScript ................................................................................................ 61
DWG .............................file format of AutoCAD...................................................................... 65
DXF ................................Drawing Exchange Format ............................................................... 79
EPSF..............................Encapsulated Postscript File ............................................................ 93
HPGL ............................Hewlett Packard Graphics Language ........................................... 99
PCL.................................Printer Command Language......................................................... 100
IGES ..............................Initial Graphics Exchange Standard .......................................... 107
VDAIS ..........................IGES interface of the VDA.............................................................. 107
VDA ...............................German Motor Industry Federation........................................... 107
IGS .................................file name extension of IGES files ................................................ 133
VRML ...........................Virtual Reality Modelling Language .......................................... 139
Wavefront ...............Format for describing 3D geometries ....................................... 153
JPEG..............................Raster format for images............................................................... 167
Dpi..................................Dots Per Inch....................................................................................... 168
PCX ................................Raster format by the ZSoft company....................................... 171
PICT ...............................PICTure file........................................................................................... 177
PNG ...............................Portable Network Graphic............................................................. 181
SVG................................Scalable Vector Graphics................................................................ 187
ASCII ............................American Standard Code for Information Interchange.... 197
TIFF................................Tagged Image File Format.............................................................. 203
LZW ...............................Lempel, Ziv, Welch (compression algorithm)......................... 206
WMF ............................Windows Meta File ........................................................................... 209
MIF ................................Maker Interchange Format............................................................ 219
List of Abbreviations 223

224
Index
2-point perspective ....................................................................................................... 21

3D information................................................................................................................ 15
3D window............................................................................................ 14, 15, 65, 79
3-point perspective ....................................................................................................... 21
A
Annotations................................................................................................................... 110
Arrow cursor..................................................................................................................... 22
B
Bitmap format................................................................................................................. 35
BMP symbol...................................................................................................................... 36
C
CALS Raster symbol....................................................................................................... 42
Camera button ...................................................................................................... 18, 25
Centering tool.................................................................................................................. 17
Central perspective........................................................................................................ 21
CGM export symbol....................................................................................................... 52
CGM import symbol ...................................................................................................... 47
Conversion ........................................................................................................................ 25
Coordinate system......................................................................................................... 16
D
Display tool....................................................................................................................... 17
Distance.............................................................................................................................. 21
Distance, for 3D perspective...................................................................................... 18
Drawing unit .......................................................................................................... 76, 90
DWG export symbol ...................................................................................................... 72
DWG import symbol...................................................................................................... 66
DXF export symbol......................................................................................................... 86
DXF import symbol ........................................................................................................ 80
Index 225
E
EPS files.............................................................................................................................. 33
EPS symbol ....................................................................................................................... 95
F
File........................................................................................................................................... 5
File format ........................................................................................................................ 13
File structures................................................................................................... 137, 150
Filter........................................................................................................................................ 6
Format ......................................................................................................................... 5, 27
H
Hand tool .......................................................................................................................... 17
Hotspot .................................................................................................... 119, 141, 155
HPGL symbol................................................................................................................. 101
I
IGES export symbol.................................................................................................... 125
IGES import symbol ....................................................................................... 109, 118
Illustrator symbol.................................................................................................. 31, 32
Interleaf symbol........................................................................................................... 214
J
JPEG symbol.................................................................................................................. 168
M
MIF symbol .................................................................................................................... 220
226 Index
O
Object info.............................................................................................. 119, 141, 155
Object list symbol........................................................................................................ 200
Object lists...................................................................................................................... 199
Object window ..................................................................................... 133, 146, 160
P
PCX symbol .................................................................................................................... 172
PICT symbol.................................................................................................................... 178
PNG symbol ................................................................................................................... 182
Preview ............................................................................................................................... 95
Projection .......................................................................................................................... 19
R
Reflection tool................................................................................................................. 24
Rotation tool.................................................................................................................... 23
S
Scaling button ............................ 49, 67, 76, 81, 90, 111, 119, 142, 156
Scaling dialog .............. 67, 76, 81, 90, 111, 114, 119, 124, 142, 156
Scaling tool....................................................................................................................... 23
Standard toolbar ............................................................................................................ 16
Structure................................................................................................. 133, 146, 160
Structure display .............................................. 134, 135, 147, 148, 161, 162
Structures....................................................................................................................... 164
SVG symbol.................................................................................................................... 188
Index 227
T
Tab-delimited text file .............................................................................................. 199
Text excerpt symbol ................................................................................................... 194
TIFF symbol .................................................................................................................... 204
Toolbar................................................................................................................................ 16
Tools .................................................................................................................................... 16
Tree structure ........................................................................................ 135, 148, 162
V
VRML export icon ....................................................................................................... 145
VRML import symbol................................................................................................. 140
W
Wavefront export icon ............................................................................................. 159
Wavefront import symbol....................................................................................... 154
WebCGM profile............................................................................................................. 46
WMF symbol ..................................................................................................... 210, 211
X
XML file ........................................................................................................................... 199
XML format .................................................................... 137, 147, 150, 161, 164
228 Index

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pdf_doc 06.11.

2003 11:27 Uhr Seite 3

IsoDraw, CADprocess, IsoCompose and IsoView are registered trademarks

Warranty and liability aspects are regulated in accordance with the

All brand and product names are either trademarks or registered

We have made every endeavor to make the documentation as

General Information .............................................................................................................. 1

IsoDraw and Data exchange................................................................................... 3

A tip to getting started ......................................................................................................... 3

A few basic terms......................................................................................................... 5

File, format and filter ............................................................................................................. 5

The 3D window in IsoDraw ............................................................................................... 15

Export IsoDraw document ................................................................................................. 27

Adobe Illustrator™ ......................................................................................................29

IsoDraw and import ............................................................................................................. 29

IsoDraw and import ............................................................................................................. 35

IsoDraw and import ............................................................................................................. 41

IsoDraw and import ............................................................................................................. 46

IsoDraw and import ............................................................................................................. 65

IsoDraw and import ............................................................................................................. 79

IsoDraw and import ............................................................................................................. 93

IsoDraw and import ............................................................................................................. 99

IsoDraw and import ........................................................................................................... 108

IsoDraw CADprocess and import ................................................................................. 139

IsoDraw CADprocess and import ................................................................................. 153

JPEG .................................................................................................................................. 167

IsoDraw and import .......................................................................................................... 167

PCX .................................................................................................................................... 171

IsoDraw and import .......................................................................................................... 171

PICT ................................................................................................................................... 177

IsoDraw and import .......................................................................................................... 177

PNG ................................................................................................................................... 181

IsoDraw and import .......................................................................................................... 181

IsoDraw and import ........................................................................................................... 187

Text excerpt .................................................................................................................193

IsoDraw and import ........................................................................................................... 193

IsoDraw and import ........................................................................................................... 199

IsoDraw and import ........................................................................................................... 203

IsoDraw and import ........................................................................................................... 209

Interleaf ......................................................................................................................... 213

IsoDraw and import .......................................................................................................... 213

FrameMaker (MIF) .................................................................................................. 219

IsoDraw and import .......................................................................................................... 219

List of Abbreviations .............................................................................................. 223

structure display Italicized terms are also listed in the index.

Notes for users 1

In addition to the "Reference Manual", there is also a "Tutorial" on the

If you have purchased IsoDraw CADprocess, the program package includes

2 Notes for users

In order to minimize any problems encountered when exchanging data,

A tip to getting started

IsoDraw and Data exchange 3

File, format and filter

Opening a file poses no problem in itself. But as with a parcel, it is a

In general terms, it is the contents of a file that are usually being

A few basic terms... 5

6 A few basic terms...

Losses during transfer

Importing illustration data functions in a similar way. Most data can be

This type of translation, however, always results in some information

The same naturally applies when a drawing is exported into another

A few basic terms... 7

Exporting a file into another format is the opposite of importing a file.

What difference, if any, does it actually make? Which program performs