TECacad 6.

0 User Implementation Guide

Tyco Electronics Corporation Confidential 06 January 2005

Tyco Electronics Corporation Confidential 06 January 2005

Table of Contents
Table of Contents ...........................................................................3 Release Notes ..................................................................................1 Description of Release Contents ...................................................1 System Issues and Limitations......................................................1 Summary of BPIE (s) closed with this release.............................1 User's Guide ...................................................................................3 Chapter 1: Introduction..............................................................3 Background ................................................................................3 TECacad 6.0 Features ................................................................3 Prerequisites - System Requirements.......................................5 Chapter 2: Basic Procedures ......................................................6 Window Features .......................................................................6 Configuring and Running TECacad for the First Time .............6 Default Profile (required)...........................................................7 Custom Profile (optional) ..........................................................7 Additional Configuration Switches (optional)...........................8 Path to AutoCAD (required)......................................................8 TECacad Working Directory (required) ....................................8 Messages ....................................................................................8 Accessing TECacad Functionality.............................................9 TECacad Main Toolbar............................................................10 Regen Toolbar..........................................................................12 TECacad Layer Toolbar...........................................................12 TECmonitor Program - Drawing Conversion..........................13 Template Files..........................................................................14
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Attribute Files ..........................................................................14 Chapter 3: Load Format...........................................................16 How to Insert a TECacad Format ............................................16 Additional information about Blank Formats and Parts Lists .19 Chapter 4: Parts List Table ......................................................20 Inserting a Parts List (after format insertion)...........................20 How to Update or Replace an Existing Format .......................20 Chapter 5: Fill Format..............................................................22 How to Update Attribute Information Using Fill Format........22 Chapter 6: Format Attribute Editor........................................25 How to Edit Format Attributes ................................................25 Chapter 7: Update Address & Logo ........................................27 Chapter 8: Local Note Symbol .................................................28 Chapter 9: TECacad Preferences ............................................29 TECacad Preferences ...............................................................29 How to Set Preferences............................................................29 Chapter 10: Convert/Insert TECacad Layers ..........................32 Convert/Insert TECacad Layers...............................................32 How to Convert/Insert TECacad Layers..................................32 Chapter 11: Restore TECacad Options.....................................33 How to Restore TECacad options............................................33 Chapter 12: Update Custom Plotters/Plot Styles Directories..34 Chapter 13: Backup Custom Mechanical Files ........................36 Chapter 14: Restore Custom Mechanical Files ........................37 Chapter 15: Batch Page Setup....................................................38 Chapter 16: Search For Lead(Pb) Nomenclature ....................39 Chapter 17: Create .ps File for Viewable Creation..................41
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Chapter 18: StarTEC Loader Program ....................................42 Overview..................................................................................42 User Interface...........................................................................42 Chapter 19: TECacad User Documentation .............................44 Chapter 20: TECacad Website...................................................45 Chapter 21: About TECacad......................................................46 Chapter 22: Model View/Layout View ......................................47 Scale.........................................................................................50 Dimensioning...........................................................................50 Layers.......................................................................................50 Notes ........................................................................................51 Chapter 23: Standard Symbols Palette .....................................52 Appendix A: Error Messages......................................................53 General Error Messages ...........................................................53 Menu ........................................................................................53 Appendix B: Upgrading from a Previous Version of TECacad54 Appendix C: Layer and Color Definitions ................................55 INDEX 56

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Release Notes
Description of Release Contents
TECacad is an implementation of EMCS. It is used within AutoCAD to load drawing formats and send drawings to EDC. Please see the Section Users Guide for more information. The latest release of TECacad is currently available from EMCS. Funtional features of this release are: Compatible with AutoCAD This release is compatible with AutoCAD (Mechanical) 2005 only (no previous (Mechanical) 2005 revisions).

System Issues and Limitations

TECacad 6.0 is available for Windows 2000, & Windows XP operating systems only. The first time you run TECacad, a window may pop up for you to select preferences such as format logo, angle projection symbol and company address. EMCS does not support shortcuts on desktops. Therefore, if you encounter problems with shortcuts you created for TECacad or AutoCAD, EMCS will not help you resolve those problems. The first thing you should verify is the target directory (properties, shortcut) is correct for the executable of the program. When you utilize the fill format functionality and select prompt before replacing, you will get a message stating (Do Not Edit This Line) was not found in your attribute file. The browse button does not work for NT systems when using the fill format function. You will have to manually type in the path or copy and paste the path into the dialog box. Unable to use the batch setup routine if you are using a setup containing limits or window for the plot area option. You must some another option like extents or display instead. When using display for the plot area option in the batch page setup routine, then the page setup you are adding to drawings will not be the current setup. It will be added to the drawings, but AutoCAD has a limitation with making it the current setup.

Summary of BPIE (s) closed with this release

Log Description
271 278 307 308 310 312 313 314 316 318 319 321 322 323 324 Default Printer Dont force a black background Change logic for checking ZPR attribute in capture Change the menu entry for TECacad restore options Make user and date attributes update like ZPA att. Allow users to modify rev attribute Enhance batch page setup program New dimstyle for metric only format Do not set default for dimension styles Block pointer problem. Force formats to be loaded on layer zero. Cage code. Retain defaults within the full format program General note triangle Load format stops @ 10 of 20 on multi-sheet files Tyco Electronics Corporation Confidential
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325 327 329

Problems inserting into layout with model button TECMonitor not always notifying outdated formats Move text in Local Note symbol

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User's Guide
Chapter 1: Introduction
Background In response to the demand for 2D design tools, EMCS has selected AutoCAD for use in lieu of and as a compliment to 3D CAD tools (Pro/ENGINEER). AutoCAD is to be used when 2D design and documentation tools make good business sense (over 3D tools). We invite you to review the strategy behind this decision, which is addressed in a white paper entitled, "Management Overview: Role of 2D Design in AMP's CAD Vision". This white paper is available at: http://www.emcs.amp.com/emcs/repts/CADCAM/DOC1/ EMCS recognized the need for compatibility among the various CAD packages. As a result, TECacad was developed to customize AutoCAD so that drawings done in AutoCAD will be consistent with formats, etc., available in MEDUSA and Pro/ENGINEER. Additionally, TECacad provides the capability to release drawings to EDC. By using the TECacad software, and following the drawing and layering standards, the users will all benefit from the consistency of information. Not only will it improve drawing speed between users within departments and when transferring between departments, but creates a standard for drawings that are created by outside vendors and returned to Tyco electronics for ongoing maintenance and product extensions. This is the responsibility of each division to assure that when vendors return drawings, they have adhered to all Tyco Electronics CAD drawing and layering standards. Following of all of these CAD standards will also aid in the highest degree of accuracy when transferring information between AutoCAD, MEDUSA and Pro/ENGINEER using the Tyco translation software TECWORKS. This has been written specifically to map layers, linetypes, colors, symbols, groups, clumps, blocks, viewports etc between various software programs and AutoCAD .dwg formats. TECacad users may include TYCO drafters, designers, engineers, management and system administrators, as well as a limited distribution to vendors.

TECacad 6.0 Features Features of TECacad 6.0 include:

Load Format Inserts a TYCO format into an AutoCAD drawing and allows for the use of Attribute Files to automate setting title block information at the time of the format insertion. Allows for the automated insertion of a table into a Parts List format.

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Automates the filling of format attributes through the use of attribute files. Tyco Electronics Corporation Confidential

attribute files. Format Attribute Editor Local Note Triangle Update Address & Logo Fields TECacad Preferences Convert/Insert TECacad Layers Restore TECacad Options Update Custom Plotter/PlotStyles Dirs Backup Custom Mechanical Files Restore Custom Mechanical Files Batch Page Setup Search for Lead(Pb) Nomenclature Create .ps File(s) for Viewable Creation StarTEC Loader Program TECacad User Documentation TECacad Website About TECacad Provides the ability to update attribute information contained within a TYCO format. Supplies a triangle and text for numbering local notes on drawings. Users specify note # upon symbol insertion. Allows switching between various company logos and changing the City, State, Zip fields in the title block without having to replace the entire drawing format. Allows for user customization of various TECacad settings. Creates all Tyco standard layers within the current drawing file. Resets key Tools-Options Fields Copies Folders from the C: drive to a user specified location to allow user Plotting customizations. Makes a copy of customized Mechanical directories drive to a user specified location prior to a hardware change or software upgrade. Restores customized Mechanical directories drive to a user specified location following a hardware change or software upgrade. Will allow you to revise the page setups on all layout tabs within a specific folder of drawing files. Will search a folder of drawings for lead text. Creates a PostScript file that can be used in TECWorks to create .pdf & .tif files for use as document management viewables Interface to the Tyco document management system. Link to intranet site where users can view/print copies of the TECacad User Guide. Link to Tyco intranet site where users can access AutoCAD information. Provides current software version information for reference purposes.

Other benefits of TECacad 6.0 include: Providing a common working environment among TYCO associates, allowing for consistency with TYCO operating procedures. Reducing re-work and transfer issues. Facilitating incorporation of AutoCAD drawings into the various document control packages used at TYCO.

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Prerequisites - System Requirements Users of TECacad 6.0 must have: A PC running Windows 2000 (SP2 or later), Windows XP Professional (SP1 or later) 256 MB of RAM (minimum) 500 MB hard disk space (minimum) Pentium 800 Mhz or better, or compatible processor 1024 x 768 VGA video display (true color minimum) AutoCAD 2005, and a working knowledge of AutoCAD, including layer management and attribute editing.

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Chapter 2: Basic Procedures

Window Features TECacad 6.0 uses a standard windows dialog interface, which consists of dialog boxes, pull down menus, and toolbars. In addition to the windowing interface, a command line field is displayed at the bottom of the AutoCAD drawing window. This is used for displaying various messages and for entering AutoCAD and TECacad commands. This area is also where you will interact with the non-dialog interfaces to TECacad programs. Configuring and Running TECacad for the First Time Along with custom programs for use in AutoCAD, TECacad also has a Start-up and a Configuration program. You should run the configuration program before running TECacad for the first time. Additionally, you should always start AutoCAD through the TECacad Start-up program. To start TECacad/AutoCAD select the TECacad 6.0 item from the Start Menu. If your TECacad configuration is complete and valid, the TECacad splash screen will display and AutoCAD will start shortly after. If however, any required configuration information is invalid or missing, the dialog in (Figure 2-1) will be displayed.
Figure 2-1

The purpose of this dialog is to inform you of any configuration information that is either missing or invalid, and is preventing TECacad from starting AutoCAD. At this point, you can either select the Configure button or Exit the Start-Up program. If you choose to exit, the configuration problems will not have been resolved and will still require resolution before you are able to successfully start AutoCAD.
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If you choose the Configure button the dialog box in (Figure 2-2) will be displayed.
Figure 2-2

This dialog box belongs to the TECacad Configuration program and can be accessed by selecting the TECacad Configuration item from the start menu. The purpose of this dialog is to provide a tool that allows you to specify required and optional configuration information that will control how AutoCAD and TECacad will run. The configuration options are covered on the following pages. Default Profile (required) The "Default Profile" drop-down list allows you to specify which "flavor" of AutoCAD you would like to run. This value is stored for you, and is read each time that you attempt to start AutoCAD. The available options are AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, Custom, and None. If you select anything other than the Custom option, the Custom Profile field (described below) will not be modifiable. Instead, the option will be defaulted to a known .arg 1 file. The known .arg files only exist if AutoCAD Mechanical has been installed on your system. If AutoCAD Mechanical has not been installed on your system, you should always select either the Custom or the None option. Custom Profile (optional) If you select the Custom option of the "Default Profile" list, described above, then you will need to provide the name of a .arg file, including the full path. You can either type in the name of the .arg file (with full path), or select the "" button next to this field to browse for the file. The Configuration and Start-Up programs require only that this field be non-blank if the Custom option from the drop-down list described above was selected. The programs will not validate that the .arg file specified exists or is valid. In the event that the .arg file does not exist you may receive a startup error from AutoCAD.

See the AutoCAD documentation for a description of .arg files and how they affect profiles.

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Additional Configuration Switches (optional) The "Additional Configuration Switches" field provides a place for you to specify any startup command line options that you prefer to use when starting AutoCAD. For a list of, and descriptions of, startup switches available for AutoCAD consult the AutoCAD documentation. Note that the TECacad Start-Up and Configuration programs do not validate this field. Therefore, any invalid information provided in this field might cause errors in AutoCAD startup. Note: do not provide profile (/p) options in this field. Instead, use the mechanisms described above to specify profile settings. By default TECacad will set the configuration file switch (/c) to the location of your TECacad working directory. If you explicitly provide a configuration file switch (/c) in this field you must specify a .cfg file (with full path). Path to AutoCAD (required) In order to start AutoCAD, TECacad must know where the AutoCAD program can be located. You can type in the full path and AutoCAD executable name (i.e.,c:\EngApps\ADSKacad\Acadm2005\acad.exe) in the space provided. Alternatively you can select the "" button next to this field and use the standard Windows browse dialog to locate the AutoCAD program (i.e. acad.exe). If you choose to browse for AutoCAD, simply double-click on the AutoCAD program file in the file browse dialog once it is located. TECacad Working Directory (required) TECacad uses your TECacad Working Directory to store TECacad template and attribute files, as well as potential AutoCAD configuration information. You can use the Configuration program to change the value of your TECacad Working Directory. To specify a TECacad Working Directory type the full path in the space provided. Alternatively you can press the "" button next to this field and browse for the location. If you choose to browse for this location, the directory must already exist on your file system. If you type in the path without using the browse button, the directory will be created for you. If your TECacad Working Directory does not exist, the TECacad Configuration program will ask you, prior to exiting, if you would like the directory created for you (Figure 2-3). If you select Yes, the directory will be created and various attribute and template files will be placed in this directory.
Figure 2-3

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Messages The Configuration dialog also contains a message window, used to inform you of potential configuration problems and status messages.
NOTE: The message window does not refresh. Therefore, be aware that even after correcting a configuration problem, the message informing you of the problem may still be displayed. If the configuration problem does still exist, a second message should appear informing you so.

When you have finished configuring TECacad, select the OK button. The Configuration program will then store your Configuration options and copy any missing files to your TECacad working directory. Before exiting, a dialog box will be displayed allowing you to run AutoCAD at this point. If you select "YES", the TECacad Start-Up program will be run and AutoCAD should start shortly after. If you select "NO", the Configuration program will exit and you can start AutoCAD later, at any time, through the TECacad Start-Up program. Note that once your valid configuration options have been stored you do not need to run the Configuration program again unless you wish to change your configuration or your configuration becomes invalid. Accessing TECacad Functionality You may access most of the various TECacad programs in three ways: By selecting the desired program from the TECacad pull-down menu (Figure 2-4).
NOTE: The location of the TECacad pull-down menu is not fixed. Instead it is dynamically inserted in the first available position.
Figure 2-4

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TECacad Main Toolbar By selecting the appropriate icon on the TECacad toolbar (Figure 2-5)
Figure 2-5

Load Format Parts List Table Fill Format Format Attribute Editor

Preferences Local Note Symbol Update Address and Logo

By typing the desired command in the AutoCAD command line. Available commands (along with icon if applicable) include: Load Format, (tec_lf) Inserts a TYCO format into an AutoCAD drawing and allows for the use of Attribute Files to automate setting format attributes at the time of the format insertion. Parts List Table, (tec_pl) Allows for the automated insertion of a table into a Parts List. Fill Format, (tec_ff) Automates the filling of format attributes through the use of attribute files. Format Attribute Editor, (tec_ae) Provides the ability to update attribute information contained within a TYCO format. Update Address and Logo, (tec_up) Allows you to change a formats corporate logo and the company address on your current drawing.. Local Note Symbol, (tec_tri) Allows user to load a triangle symbol and stipulate the number to be place within the triangle. TECacad Preferences, (tec_pr) Allows for user customization of various TECacad default settings.

The TECacad Main 6.0 toolbar will automatically display when you start AutoCAD. The TECacad toolbar "floats", and you may change its shape and/or move it to the screen location of your choice. You cannot customize the individual icons on the TECacad toolbar, however you can adjust the size of its buttons: Right-click anywhere on the toolbar and select customize. A toolbar dialog box, (Figure 2-6), is displayed. Select "Large Buttons" to increase the size of the toolbar icons. Select "Close" to activate the new size.
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NOTE: This will affect all AutoCAD toolbars, not just the TECacad toolbar.
Figure 2-6

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Regen Toolbar The TECacad REGEN toolbar (Figure 2-7) will execute the AutoCAD drawing regeneration commands.
Figure 2-7

Regen Regenall
TECacad Layer Toolbar

Dimregen

The TECacad Layer toolbar (Figure 2-8) allows you to create lines text and hatching that conforms to the Tyco AutoCAD standards.
Figure 2-8

Changes your current layer to 011_OBJ, Linetype Continuous, and starts the PLINE command. Changes your current layer to 006_NTE, Linetype Continuous, and starts the MTEXT command. Changes your current layer to 004_DIM1, Linetype Continuous Changes your current layer to 005_CRH, Linetype Continuous, and starts the BHATCH command. Changes your current layer to 011_CNT, Linetype Center Changes your current layer to 011_CPL, Linetype Phantomx2, and starts the PLINE command. Changes your current layer to 011_HID, Linetype Dashed2, and starts the PLINE command. Changes your current layer to 011_PHA, Linetype Phantom, and starts the PLINE command. Changes your current layer to 027_CON, Linetype Dashed, and starts the XLINE command.

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TECmonitor Program - Drawing Conversion TECacad's drawing monitoring program detects when a drawing containing a TECacad format is loaded into the AutoCAD editor. If the loaded drawing contains a TECacad format and is a preTECacad 6.x format, the monitoring program will update the format to be compatible with TECacad 6.0.
NOTE: This is a non-geometric update, so you should not see visible changes to the drawing. However, some attribute information is updated to increase the compatibility of the old format with various TECacad 6.0 programs. Also note that the updated format is not truly a TECacad 6.0 format and as such, some incompatibility may still exist. w TIP: To ensure full compatibility run LOAD FORMAT which will replace the format with a TECacad 6.0 equivalent. Please refer to "Replacing an Existing TYCO Format" in Chapter 3.

Since there is no visible indication that a TECacad format has been updated, the Monitor program displays a dialog box, (Figure 2-9), when an update occurs. You may elect to save the updates to the drawing now or later. Once the updates have been saved, this dialog box should not appear again for the current drawing.
Figure 2-9

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You may choose to not have this dialog box displayed in the future by selecting "Don't show me this window" at the bottom of the dialog box. If this option is selected, the monitoring program still continues to update old TECacad formats. However, instead of displaying the update dialog box, a message notifying you of the update is displayed in the AutoCAD command line. You may turn the dialog notification back on by using the TECacad Preferences tool, discussed earlier in this chapter. Template Files TECacad 6.0 provides two template files, tecacad.dwt and tecacadiso.dwt. These template files contain layers and dimension styles consistent with TECacad standards for English and Metric formats respectively. The files are copied to your TECacad Working Directory the first time you run TECacad and when TECacad detects that these files are missing. You can configure AutoCAD to display the template files in its Start-up dialog (Figure 2-10) by changing your template file directory in your AutoCAD Tools-Options or by copying the template files to the current location specified for template files.
Figure 2-10

Attribute Files Attribute files reside in your TECacad Working Directory and are merely text files that list the named attribute (to the right) and allow you to replace the default (usually "-") with a value suited to that field. Three default attribute files (Metric, English and Sample) are provided and will automatically be copied to your TECacad Working Directory the first time you run TECacad and when TECacad detects that these files are missing. The Metric attribute file is named "metric.att" and the English attribute file is named "english.att".

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w TIP: These files should be modified in an editor (for example, NotePad) of your choice, in advance, for attributes that rarely change from one drawing to the next. For example, Drawn By, Tolerances, Heat Treat, Materials, etc.

Personal attribute files are files that you copy from either the Metric or English .att files and rename. You may maintain as many customized attribute files as you wish. One personal attribute file is provided for you by default (Sample.att) and can be customized in the same manner as the Metric and English attribute files.
NOTE: Any program that prompts for the name of an attribute file will by default look in your TECacad Working Directory for that file.

w TIP: Attribute files need not be complete, i.e., an attribute file need not contain an entry for each possible attribute. Therefore, you may wish to make smaller attribute files that contain subsets of attributes. For example, you may wish to create an attribute file that only contains revision information that can be used by the Fill Format program each time the revision changes on a drawing (refer to Chapter 4 for more detailed information).

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Chapter 3: Load Format

Load Format is used to insert a TECacad format with title block into an AutoCAD drawing. In addition, you can use the Load Format program to replace an existing TECacad format in an AutoCAD drawing. Since the release of TECacad 4.0, you can insert more than one format in a .dwg file which now gives you the advantage of placing sheets such as 1 of 3, 2 of 3 & 3 of 3 into the same .dwg file.

How to Insert a TECacad Format You can insert a TECacad format through one of the following methods: Select "Load Format" from the TECacad pull-down menu, Select "Load Format" from the TECacad button bar, or Enter tec_lf at the AutoCAD command line. 1. The TECacad dialog box (Figure 3-1) allows you to select the type of format you wish to insert.
Figure 3-1

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Methodology

Select: Paper Space / Model Space, or Model Space Only

We strongly encourage you to work within a Paper Space methodology. If this is not feasible and you choose Model Space Only, you will be required to draw primary view geometry, i.e., top, front, right 1:1. If you wish to work with metric dual dimensions you should select Metric. Otherwise the ISO dim styles will not be available to you. Note that not all format/size combinations are available. Drawings with a blank format cannot be sent to EDC. Formats are inserted 1:1 in Paper Space. This number represents the scale displayed in the title block. When inserting the format into Model Space, this option will scale the format around the geometry.

Units

Select: English or Metric

Size

Select: A0, A1, A2, A3 or A4 Select: Customer, Restricted, Generic, Parts List, Contact or Blank Format

Scale

Enter a number to represent the desired scale.

Insert Parts List Table

Check box to automatically load a Parts List Table onto a Parts List Format. Check box to save current selected settings as your default.

Only enabled when the Format chosen is a Parts List.

Store settings as defaults

2. Click "Cancel" to discontinue loading a format or "Insert" to immediately load the format and return to the drawing editor. 3. By clicking the "Attribute File tab in the Load Format dialog box the page in (Figure 3-2), is displayed. Please refer to Chapter 2 for more detailed information on attribute files.

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Figure 3-2

To select a Personal attribute, type the full path at the Attribute File Name field or use the browse button to locate the desired attribute file. By default TECacad looks in your TECacad working directory for attribute files. By double clicking on the Sample Image, TECacad automatically loads the indicated attribute file in a MS NotePad editor. Save your changes and exit Notepad before continuing to the next tab. The Store settings as defaults box may be checked so that the current settings will be the default for future execution of the Load Format program. This box should only be checked when updating your default selections. 4. Click the "Title Block" tab if you are satisfied with your attribute selections. Click "Cancel" to discontinue loading a format or "Insert" to immediately load the format with the current Attribute selection and return to the drawing editor. 5. By clicking the "Title Block" tab the next Load Format dialog box, (Figure 33), is displayed, allowing you to preview the Document Management required attributes stored in the attribute file you chose from Step 2. You may modify any of these values before actually inserting the format.

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Figure 3-3

NOTE: You are not modifying the attribute file itself, only the associated attributes in the format being inserted.

Once you are satisfied with the Document Management attribute values, click "Insert". The format will be loaded into your drawing editor with the specified Attribute information added. You may use the "Cancel" button to discontinue loading a format or click on one of the previous tabs to continue proper selection of your drawing format. Additional information about Blank Formats and Parts Lists Any format type being inserted should result in the same choices as above with the exception of Blank formats and Parts Lists. When inserting a Blank format, you will not be prompted to select an attribute file, nor will you be able to preview Document Management attribute information. You may insert a table at the same time you insert a parts list format by selecting the "Insert Parts List Table" box in (Figure 3-1).

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Chapter 4: Parts List Table

Inserting a Parts List (after format insertion)

You may choose to insert the table portion of a Parts List format after the initial format Loading. This can be accomplished by one of the following methods: Select "Parts List Table" from the TECacad pull-down menu, Select "Parts List Table" from the TECacad button bar, or Enter tec_pl in the AutoCAD command line.
NOTE: The Parts List must be a TECacad 6.x format. Also, the program does not limit users from adding parts lists over top of one another. Be careful not to re-run this command over an existing Parts List. It will result in overlapping text and geometry.

How to Update or Replace an Existing Format You can also use the Load Format program to replace a TECacad format in an AutoCAD drawing. You may wish to do this to update an older format or to change sizes, format, etc., of an existing format. If you run the Load Format program while in a drawing that already contains a TECacad format, the behavior is nearly the same as inserting a format into a new drawing. The following options and defaults differ: Before being prompted as in Step 1 above, you will be asked if you wish to transfer the attribute information from the old format to the new one, (Figure 4-1). Select "YES" or "NO". If you select "NO", the behavior will be identical to that of inserting a new format. Regardless of your choice, after completing the dialog routine, the current format will be replaced with the new one.

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Figure 4-1

1.

If you select to REPLACE the existing drawing format and transfer the attribute information, the following choices differ:

2. The values for Format Type, Size, Scale, etc., will be defaulted to the values of the format being replaced, if the Load Format function was able to determine their values (not available on all pre-TECacad 2.x formats). You may override any of these defaults as necessary; for example, if you were replacing an A4 format with an A3 format. 3. You will not be prompted to select an attribute file; rather the attribute information used to complete the new format will come from the format being replaced. 4. The Attribute File tab will contain the values found in the format being replaced, if available (not always available in pre-TECacad 3.x formats), rather than from an attribute file. If you select the option to REPLACE the existing drawing format and DO NOT transfer the attributes, it is as though you were placing a format onto the drawing for the first time. If you choose the option, to INSERT an additional drawing format on another layout, you have the choice of adding additional formats onto additional layout tabs. You are restricted to one format per tab, but you can make as many new tabs as you wish. Your limit with this process will be determined by the quantity of information included with each of your formats. If your drawings are extremely busy then you will reach a max point with your RAM that will limit your workstation response time.

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Chapter 5: Fill Format

The Fill Format program may be used to update the attribute information in a TECacad format at any time. You may wish to use this program to selectively update certain attributes (such as revision information), or, if you opted not to use an attribute file at the time the format was inserted, this program can be used to fill out the entire format. How to Update Attribute Information Using Fill Format You can access Fill Format through one of the following methods: Select "Fill Format" from the TECacad pull-down menu, Select "Fill Format" from the TECacad button bar, or Enter tec_ff in the AutoCAD command line.

After starting the program, the first Fill Format dialog box, (Figure 5-1), is displayed. Select an attribute file to be used in filling out the format. Additionally, two check-boxes (Prompt Before Replacing, and Preview EDC Information) are available to control the default behavior of Fill Format.
Figure 5-1

NOTE: These options are independent of each other, i.e., selecting one does not affect the behavior of the other.

1.

If you select "Preview EDC Information" and "OK", the next Fill Format dialog box, Figure 5-2, is displayed. This dialog contains the EDC-required attributes defaulted with information from your attribute file. You may modify any of these values before continuing. Tyco Electronics Corporation Confidential 06 January 2005

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Figure 5-2

NOTE: You are not modifying the attribute file itself, only the associated attributes in the format being inserted.

2. Once you are satisfied with the attribute values, select "OK", and the format will be updated with the new attribute information. 3. While updating the attributes in the format, if the Fill Format program detects an attribute that is located in the drawing but is not found in your attribute file and you did not select the "Prompt Before Replacing" option, the drawing's current value will be replaced with a "-". If, however, you did select "Prompt Before Replacing", the dialog box, Figure 5-3, is displayed each time this situation occurs
Figure 5-3

The dialog box (Figure 5-3) indicates which attribute is being investigated and the drawing's current value for that attribute. If you select "Retain drawing's current value", the attribute in question will not be modified. If you select "Replace drawing's value with a "-", the drawing's current value for the attribute in question will be overwritten with a "-". The last two options, "Replace All (Don't Prompt Anymore)" and "Retain All (Don't Prompt Anymore)", are to be used when interactivity is no longer desired. For example, if you know at some point that you want all remaining attributes in the drawing (that do not exist in your
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attribute file) to be replaced with dashes, select "Replace All (Don't Prompt Anymore)". From that point on, each time an attribute in the drawing that does not exist in your attribute file is encountered, the drawing's current value is replaced with a -.
w TIP: When creating a new AutoCAD drawing, you could use an attribute file called "new.att" to fill in the minimum required attribute fields. When a revision change occurs to that same drawing, you might use an attribute file called "rev.att". This file may contain only the attributes necessary to update the drawing for a revision. In this scenario, you would want to Retain all of the attributes that were not listed in the "rev.att" and only update those attributes that had changed.

Regardless of whether you chose "Preview EDC Information" or "Prompt Before Replacing" (or both, or neither), after all the attributes in the format have been updated, the Fill Format program notifies you that the program completed.
w TIP: You can control the default status, i.e., checked or not, of "Preview EDC Information" and "Prompt Before Replacing" by using the TECacad Preferences dialog under the "Fill Format" tab.

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Chapter 6: Format Attribute Editor

The Format Attribute Editor allows you to add or update all specific attribute information relating to a TECacad drawing utilizing a multi-tab dialog box.

How to Edit Format Attributes You may access the Format Attribute Editor by selecting: "Format Attribute Editor" from the TECacad pull-down menu, The "Format Attribute Editor" button from the TECacad toolbar, or By entering the command tec_ae in the AutoCAD command line.

Several tabs are displayed at the top of the Attribute Editor, (Figure 6-1). Each tab contains one or more specific attributes found in a format. You may modify any of the attributes that are not grayed out, attributes that appear on more than one tab will be updated in all locations at once if appropriate. Once you have made all required changes select OK". All attributes in the drawing will be updated at once.
NOTE: If you select "Cancel", selections made on all tabs will be cancelled.

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Figure 6-1

TECacad will also detect if the current format is a Blank format and will display an alternate dialog box (Figure 6-2) that contains only attributes found on a Blank Format.
Figure 6-2

NOTE: With TECacad 4.0, you received the capability of having multiple drawing formats within a single .DWG file. By utilizing the check boxes (shown above) you can have these fields updated on any or all of the formats within the drawing file.

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Chapter 7: Update Address & Logo

The Update Address & Logo program allows the TECacad users to revise their company address and company logo in the title block. In previous revisions of TECacad, the users were required to change their address and choice of logos by resetting these values in TECacad Preferences and then replace their format with the Load Format program and choose the option NOT to use the existing drawing attributes. Now, when you run the Update Address & Logo program, you will get the dialog box shown in Figure 7-1. There are check boxes to individually change one or both of the fields. When you make your selections and choose the Update button, your information on your drawing will be updated immediately without the need to reload a format.
Figure 7-1

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Chapter 8: Local Note Symbol

The Local Note Symbol program allows the TECacad users to place a local note triangle on their drawings containing a numerical text.

You may access the Local Note Symbol program by selecting: "Local Note Symbol" from the TECacad pull-down menu, or The "Local Note Symbol" button from the TECacad toolbar. Enter tec_tri in the AutoCAD command line.

The Local Note Symbol dialog box is displayed, (Figure 8-1) and allows for the user to enter the desired local note number in the Number field. Then selecting the Select Insertion Point button allows the user to place the completed symbol onto their drawing at the appropriate location.
Figure 8-1

NOTE: If you select "Cancel", selections made on all tabs will be canceled.

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Chapter 9: TECacad Preferences

TECacad Preferences TECacad allows you to configure your Preferences. The first time you run AutoCAD using TECacad 6.0, the TECacad User Preferences dialog box is displayed. Please review the default settings at this time to ensure that the default configuration suits your needs. NOTE: If your personal Preferences information is deleted or becomes corrupted, the TECacad Preferences dialog will automatically be displayed the next time you start AutoCAD. You may manually access the Preferences dialog by selecting: "TECacad Preferences" from the TECacad pull-down menu, or Select "TECacad Preferences" from the TECacad button bar, or By entering the command tec_pr at the AutoCAD command line

Several tabs are displayed at the top of the TECacad User Preferences dialog box. Each tab contains various settings that control the general behavior of one or more of the TECacad programs. How to Set Preferences To set Load Format Preferences (Figure 9-1)
Figure 9-1

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1.

Select the "Load Format" tab at the top of the dialog box.

2. Select your preference for projection symbol. The default is third angle. The selected projection symbol will be inserted into the format at the time of insertion. 3. Enter your site's address. For most users in the U.S., the default provided should be accurate (this information will also be updated in a format at insertion time). 4. Select your secondary language preference. If the language you select exists on the format to be inserted, the layer containing the selected language will be turned on automatically at the time of insertion. The default is none.
NOTE: Not all formats contain all possible secondary language layers.

5. Select your format logo. Users have the ability to choose various corporate logos including AMP, TYCO Electronics, Raychem and Potter & Brumfield. With Rev 5.x the logos for Alcoswitch & Buchanan were also added. Your choice will automatically be placed into the format title block. 6. If you check the Display drawing Path Attribute (ZPA) on drawing formats box, this will turn on a piece of attribute text in the bottom left corner of your format in the exterior border that will display the current directory path location of the drawing. This is very useful when plotting the drawing. 7. To set Fill Format Preferences (Figure 9-2) these preferences control the default behavior of the Fill Format program. Please refer to Chapter 4 for information on how these settings are used.

Figure 9-2

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8. To set General Preferences (Figure 9-3) 9. The Update Notification preference controls the default behavior of the drawing monitoring program (TECmonitor). Please refer to the section below for information on the TECmonitor program.
Figure 9-3

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Chapter 10:
Convert/Insert TECacad Layers

Convert/Insert TECacad Layers

The Convert/Insert TECacad layers program gives you the ability to create the Tyco Electronics standard layers with their corresponding color and linetype within your current drawing file and also convert existing drawing entities to Tyco Electronics standards. How to Convert/Insert TECacad Layers You can access the Convert/Insert TECacad Layers program through one of the following methods: Select " Convert/Insert TECacad Layers " from the TECacad pull-down menu (Figure 10-1). Enter tec_layers in the AutoCAD command line.
Figure 10-1

The selection will run the TECStandardizeLayers.arx program and will:

1. Insert the C:\Engapps\TECacad\6.0\Formats\TECacad.dwg file into your current drawing which contains the Tyco Electronics standard layers with their corresponding color and linetype. 2. Check your current drawing for entities that it can convert to Tyco Electronics standard entities. (ie. text to the 006_NTE layer, dimensions to 004_DIM1 layer etc)

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Chapter 11:

Restore TECacad Options

The RestoreTECacad Options program changes settings of various system variables to the Tyco recommended settings. How to Restore TECacad options You can access the RestoreTECacad Options program through one of the following methods: Select " " from the TECacad pull-down menu (Figure 11-1). Enter tec_restore in the AutoCAD command line.
Figure 11-1

The selection will run the RestoreTECacad Options program and will change various AutoCAD TOOLS-OPTIONS settings from the standard AutoCAD settings to the preferred Tyco Electronics standards. For a look at the standard Tyco Electronics OPTIONS settings, please go to http://www.emcs.amp.com/AMPacad/tips-tricks/Tools-Options.pdf

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Chapter 12:

Update Custom Plotters/Plot Styles Directories

In the past, when users tried to create their own plotter configurations or custom plot style tables, they received an error message stating that they did not have write access to the needed parts of their C:\ drive. The solution to this problem was to copy the plotters and plot styles folders to their TECacad Working Directory (H:\TECacad) and then using Tools-Options, they could re-aim their AutoCAD session to look to their home directory for these setups. With TECacad 5.x, this process that used to be all a manual process, now will be done automatically upon each users first running of the new software release. If for some reason the program would need to be run after the initial startup of the software you can select Update Custom Plotters/Plot Styles Directories from the TECacad pull-down menu will open the Update Custom Plotters/Plot Styles Directories dialog box (Figure 12-1)

Figure 12-1

The default path names are filled in for the Plotters and Plot styles folders in the users TECacad working directory. By selecting OK, these folders will be automatically copied from the users C:\ drive to their H:\ drive. If you desire to have your Plotters and Plot Styles directories copied to a shared department folder rather than to your individual Home directory, simply select the browse buttons and browse to the new folder locations, then select OK

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NOTE: This program performs the necessary copy commands, but the users are still required to re-aim AutoCAD to look to their

TECacad working directories.

When the copy process is finished, you will receive the message on your AutoCAD Command line stating Copy Complete.

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Chapter 13:

Backup Custom Mechanical Files

This program is for users of the AutoCAD Mechanical Power Pack (MPP) add-on software package that have created their own custom symbol library screw assemblies. It can be found within the TECacad pull-down menu. When the users choose to save off a custom assembly, there is currently no capability to BROWSE to a folder where they want the assembly saved. They have to settle for the MPP default folder. The problem that occurs is that when new releases of AutoCAD software are placed onto the users hard drive, the old release is deleted, thus deleting the custom libraries. When the Backup Custom Mechanical Files program is run prior to a new software release, your Command prompt will state: Backing up files. This may take a few minutes. The program will perform a copy process of the user created libraries, from the users hard drive, to their TECacad working directory. When complete, you will receive the message shown in Figure 131.
Figure 13-1

After the new AutoCAD/TECacad software is copied and configured onto the users hard drive, there is another program called Restore Custom Mechanical Files (See Chapter 14) that will perform a copy from the users TECacad working directory, back to his/her hard drive.

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Chapter 14:

Restore Custom Mechanical Files

This program is for users of the AutoCAD Mechanical Power Pack (MPP) add-on software package that have created their own custom symbol library screw assemblies. It can be found within the TECacad pull-down menu. When the users choose to save off a custom screw assembly in MPP, there is currently no capability to BROWSE to a folder where they want the assembly saved. They have to settle for the MPP default folder. The problem that occurs is, when new releases of AutoCAD software are placed onto the users hard drive, the old release is deleted, thus deleting the custom libraries. Chapter 13 describes a program called Backup Custom Mechanical Files that copies the users custom symbol library files from their hard drive to their TECacad working directory. After the new AutoCAD/TECacad software is configured onto the users hard drive, you can then run this Restore Custom Mechanical Files program that basically performs a copy from the users TECacad working directory, back to his/her hard drive. When you run the program you will have the dialog box displayed in Figure 14-1 displayed on your screen. Enter the path or browse to where your custom symbol libraries were backed up. Then select OK
Figure 14-1

Your AutoCAD Command prompt will state Restoring the customised files. This may take a few minutes. When complete you will receive the message shown in Figure 14-2.
Figure 14-2

Your custom MPP symbols will now be accessable.

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Chapter 15: The Batch Page Setup program

Batch Page Setup

You can access the Batch Page Setup program through one of the following methods: Select " Batch Page Setup" from the TECacad pull-down menu (Figure 15-1). Enter tec_pagesetup in the AutoCAD command line.
Figure 15-1

This will open the Batch Page Setup dialog box (Figure 15-2). This is where you select the page setup that you prefer for all the drawings in a specific folder.
Figure 15-2 Select to use the current files page setup or browse to a folder where you have created a file that contains the desired page setup criteria

Select the desired page setup name

Browse to the folder that contains the files that you wish to change the plotting parameters. Select the files that you wish to change Note: All the drawings selected will be saved in the current AutoCAD release revision.

Note: This program will only run in Vanilla AutoCAD. It will not run in Mechanical Power Pack. Otherwise you may receive the error message shown in Figure 15-3 Figure 15-3

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Chapter 16:

Search For Lead(Pb) Nomenclature

The Search For Lead(Pb) Nomenclature program You can access the Search For Lead(Pb) Nomenclature program through one of the following methods: Select " Search For Lead(Pb) Nomenclature " from the TECacad pull-down menu (Figure 16-1). Enter tec_leadsearch in the AutoCAD command line.
Figure 16-1

This program will provide a search for specific words in your current drawing file that the user may pre-determine. There is a default text file located at C:\ENGApps\TECacad\6.0\lib\lead-strings.txt that contains the following drawing search words. tin-lead tin lead tin-ld SnPb 60/40 93/7 90/10 63/37 112-24112-26112-23Mil-P-81728A SAE-AMS-P-81728

When you start the program, you will be presented with a dialog box that requires you to select the location of the Lead text string file (Figure 16-1).

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Figure 16-2

Note: If you wish to edit or create your own search text (.txt) file, simply copy the lead-string.txt file to your home directory or a shared department area, edit and save the file. Then, when running the Search For Lead(Pb) Nomenclature program, select the Browse button and browse to your custom text file location. After selecting the desired text search file, you will next see the Text Replace dialog box (Figure 16-3). While searching your drawing, if an occurrence of your search text is found, it will display in the Old Text field of the dialog box. There is also a field for New Text. This displays text to replace the Old Text Each time this occurs, you have 4 options.
1. 2. 3. 4. You can select OK to allow the new text to replace the old text. You can replace the new text with another text string and select OK. Select the Skip button to pass by this string. Select Cancel to quit out of the program Figure 16-3

As you select OK, the program will step to the next occurrence of the search text until it no longer finds a matching text string.

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Chapter 17:

Create .ps File for Viewable Creation

The Create .ps File for Viewable Creation program You can access the Create .ps File for Viewable Creation program through one of the following methods: Select " Create .ps File for Viewable Creation " from the TECacad pull-down menu (Figure 17-1). Enter tec_sedc in the AutoCAD command line.
Figure 17-1

A file will be created in the same folder as the original .dwg file and you will see the path for this in your Command line. Command: Created postscript file: H:\Drawing1_Layout1.eps Also when completed, you will get the alert dialog box shown in Figure 17-2
Figure 17-2

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Chapter 18:
Overview

StarTEC Loader Program

The purpose of this program is to bulk load AutoCAD drawings into StarTEC. All of the drawings to be bulk loaded must follow these requirements: All must be the same type (for example tooling, customer, restricted) All must reside in the same directory and no other AutoCAD drawings may exist in the directory that are not also being bulk loaded. All must contain a valid Tyco format with valid attribute values in the title block.

This program can be found in the TECacad menu. The user will be notified of any errors or problems when checking the files into STARTEC. Any errors can be found in the log files generated by the program. The user will be notified of the log file names when errors occur. User Interface A dialog box will open when the program is launched. All of the fields of the dialog box must be correctly completed before the bulk load can begin. The dialog box contains the following fields: Staging Directory: This field is the directory where the files to be bulk loaded are stored. Every drawing stored in this directory will be bulk loaded into STARTEC. Document Type: This field is the type of documents to be bulk loaded into STARTEC. All of the drawings in the staging directory must be the same type. Valid types are Production, Customer, Customer Restricted, Customer Version and Tooling. State: This field is the state of the documents to be bulk loaded into STARTEC. All of the drawings in the staging directory must be the same state. Valid states are Complete and Concept. Status: This field is the status of the documents to be bulk loaded into STARTEC. All of the drawings in the staging directory must be the same status. Valid statuses are Preliminary, Active, Obsolete and Superseded. Access Group: This field is the access group who can retrieve the drawings after they have been loaded into STARTEC. This field is case sensitive so the case of the letters in the access group name must be exact. All of the drawings in the staging directory must have the same access group. Automatically load documents into STARTEC: By default this field is on and will automatically load all of the documents into STARTEC. If this field is turned off, then the data file will be created for a manual batch check into STARTEC.

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Figure 18-1: STARTEC Loader Program User Interface

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Chapter 19:

TECacad User Documentation

This User Guide is available for download at http://www.emcs.amp.com/AMPacad/docs/main.htm on the TECacad website. By selecting the TECacad pull-down menu and selecting TECacad User Documentation, you will automatically have your browser started and will be attached directly to the TECacad User Guide download web page. When you select your version to download, this will start your Adobe Acrobat Reader software and will display the file. From here you can print copies of the manual

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Chapter 20:

TECacad Website

By selecting the TECacad pull-down menu and picking TECacad Website, your internet browser will be started and you will be automatically directed to the Home page of the Tyco TECacad users webpage (Figure 20-1). It is recommended that you mark this as one of your favorites.
Figure 20-1

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Chapter 21:

About TECacad

The About TECacad program provides current version and other general information, including:
Product Information Version Developed by Release Date System Information Free Memory Free Disk Space

You may access the About TECacad program by selecting: "About TECacad" from the TECacad pull-down menu, or Enter tec_ab in the AutoCAD command line.

The About TECacad dialog box is displayed, (Figure 21-1).

Figure 21-1

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Chapter 22:

Model View/Layout View

One of TECacads features is to utilize both paper space and model space to enhance your drafting session, and reduce time consuming drafting practices. Note that since AutoCAD 2000, paper space drawings are now referred to as Layouts. Layout views are an advanced AutoCAD technique, and will not benefit even the most advanced user, if not used correctly. This document assumes that the user is knowledgeable in AutoCAD, and is fluent with changing layers, colors, creating text, lines, and dimensions. Layout views were originally available in AutoCAD Rev 12, but seldom used. With AutoCAD Rev 13, 14, 2000, 2002 & 2004 came new functionality. To better enhance and streamline the users day-to-day activities, layout views are utilized to meet the users needs. There have been many problems in the past due to irregularly sized and scaled drawings. Layouts eliminate these problems by maintaining the part or drawing and the format at a scale of one to one (1:1). How do we do that? This is a common question. It is difficult for a user to visualize the part remaining 1:1, while the format or title block also remains 1:1. Doesnt one of them have to be scaled to fit the other? Ordinarily this would be true. In the past, users had two distinct ways of scaling within the drawing. They could scale the format to fit the part, or scale the part to fit the format. This has been a controversial issue for many years, but is solvable. The Model/Layout environment is comprised of three different states. These three states have unique properties. The first of the three states is Model space and can be accessed by selecting the Model tab at the bottom left of the drawing area. In Model space, you may draw your model, drawing, or object at any x,y position you are comfortable with. You need not start in the first quadrant, or even keep your drawings within one quadrant. This power allows the user to keep notes, sketches, etc. around the part without affecting the drawing. Anything drawn in model space will be confined to that area. Entities entered within Layouts will not be visible or editable in Model space. You will draft all objects at 1:1, and will not scale the parts using the scale command. The second state, which is called Layout paper space, holds the format(s) or title block information and general notes. This information is editable only in this space, and must start at the x,y position of 0,0. The format will be 1:1, and reside on a Layout tab, and depending on the units (mm or inches), there will be a 25.4 times difference between the two unit sizes.

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Note: With the TECacad 4.0 release, users were no longer limited to placing only one format at a time on any single .DWG file. You can place a separate format on each layout. This will aid user when producing drawings with multiple sheets (ie..1 of 3, 2 of 3, 3 of 3) Think of a Layout as a sheet of paper. It holds your format, and needs a representation of your drawing or model put within its boundaries. To create this representation of your part, we need to cut a hole in our paper, and look through it to see our model. After a hole is created, adjustments need to be made to the representation for the appearance of scaling. This representation, which has been mentioned, is the third state called Layout Model Space. This space displays all objects on layout paper space and layout model space in the current display at once. This allows the user to properly scale, using the zoom command, and orient the model or drawings in the format or title block. Note that the scaling done is not done by the scale command; it is done by the zoom command. The format and notes, when in Layout Model space mode, are visible, but not selectable. It is there, for reference only. The model itself is editable, but it is not recommended to edit your drawing in this space. This space is primarily used to zoom, pan, and move objects to properly locate them on the drawing. Please note that all corrections to the model should be made in the model view, all corrections to the format or title block and notes should be made in Layout paper space, and all orientation of the two together should be made in Layout model space. The first step for creating a new drawing is to load a drawing by selecting Load Format from the TECacad pulldown screen menu. A detailed description of inserting the format is described in Chapter 3 Load Format of this document. At this point you are done with any modifications to your format until after your geometry is created. You can switch between model space and layouts by using the tabs at the bottom of the drawing area. You can also use the Tilemode (TI) command, which may be executed from the command line and will aid you in determining the mode you are currently utilizing and also give you the opportunity to switch between model space and layouts. [A value of 1 indicates you are in model space mode and a value of 0 indicates you are in layout mode] Geometry is created in model space (tilemode is set to 1). As mentioned earlier in this document, all geometry is created at a scale of 1:1. Adding text, notes, dimensions and details will be discussed later. When geometry creation is complete it is then time to switch back to layout mode. You enter layout mode by selecting the Layout tab (tilemode is set to 0). When you are back in layout mode your format will once again be displayed. The next step is to create a viewport to allow geometry created in model space to be displayed within your layout. The viewport line should be placed on the Viewport layer The Mview command or the View Viewports menu pick from the View pulldown menu creates views in paper space. Also, you can utilize the Viewport toolbar for this purpose (Figure 22-1)
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Figure 22-1

Several options are available with the MVIEW command: ON/OFF/Fit/Hideplot/Lock/Object/Polygonal/Restore2/3/4/<Fit>:

ON OFF Fit Hideplot Lock Displays layout model space objects within selected viewports. Disables the display of all model space objects within selected viewports. Fit creates a viewport the same size as the graphics window. Hideplot controls removal of hidden lines in selected viewports when the layout is plotted. Once you've set the viewport scales, if you zoom into the paper space geometry in the viewport, you are changing the viewport scale at the same time. By locking the viewport scale first, you can zoom into view different levels of detail in your viewport without altering the viewport scale. Specifies a closed polyline, ellipse, spline, region, or circle to convert into a viewport. The polyline you specify must be closed and contain at least three vertices. It can be self-intersecting, and it can contain an arc as well as line segments. Creates an irregularly shaped viewport using specified points. The prompts are similar to those displayed when you specify a polygonal clip boundary for external references (xrefs), but you can specify arcs when you create a polygonal viewport boundary. Creates the number of viewports defined by the number you choose. Variations as to how they are displayed differ based on the number you choose. Creates a layout paper space viewport configuration equivalent to a model space viewport configuration saved with Vports command. Creates a viewport based on a boxed in location you define by picking two opposite corners of an area. The current model space view is displayed in the newly created viewport.

Object

Polygonal

2,3,4

Restore Fit

To switch between multiple viewports in layout model space, the border of a viewport window can be chosen by clicking on it with your mouse. The border of the current viewport will be highlighted by a thick line. To change viewports just mouse click in the desired viewport. Viewports can be erased while in paper space by executing the Erase command and picking the border of a viewport. Viewports can be relocated by using the Move command and resized by picking a corner of the viewport and dragging the viewport to a new size.

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Note: Objects created in layout mode such as viewports can only be edited in paper space. Objects created in model space can only be edited in model space. Scale After placing the viewports into your layout, you may need to scale the areas within the viewports. Each viewport works independently so you can use several viewports to create details of your geometry. This can be done one of two ways. You can turn on the Viewports button bar and use the Scale field (Figure 22-2) or it can be done on the command line with the Zoom XP option. XP stands for times paper space. If you need to display your 1:1 geometry at 2 times its actual size you would type 2XP at the Zoom command prompt. The zoom command scale factor works in actual scale, so if at any point you need to go back to viewing your geometry in the viewport 1:1 you would set Zoom to 1XP.
Figure 22-2:

Dimensioning All dimensions should be created in paper space, paying attention to placing them on the proper layer. The transpatial dimensioning capability of AutoCAD will automatically scale the dimension size to the individual viewport scales. (Note: Be sure to go to DIMENSION SCALE MODIFY FIT tab and choose the Scale Dimensions to Layout (paperspace) radio button to assure proper viewport scaling.) Layers The easiest way to manipulate layers while using paper space/model space is to use the Vplayer command. VPLAYER makes a layer visible in one or more viewports and invisible in all other viewports. The VPLAYER command can be used only while you are working in a layout tab. Several options are available with this command: ?/Freeze/Thaw/Reset/Newfrz/Vpvisdflt:
? Freeze Thaw Lists frozen layers of a selected viewport Freeze layer(s) of a selected viewport. Freeze multiple layers separated by commas or use wildcarding to specify a series of layers. ex. 004-DIM* Thaw layer(s) of a selected viewport. Thaw multiple layers separated by commas or use wildcarding to specify a series of layers.

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Reset Newfrz

Restore the default visibility defined by the Vpvisdflt option. Reset multiple layers separated by commas or use wildcarding to specify a series of layers. Create new layers that are frozen in all viewports. This option is most useful for making layer(s) intended to be displayed in only one viewport. Multiple layers can be defined at one time by separating the layers by commas or use wildcarding to specify a series of layers. Specifies the default visibility, frozen or thawed for specific layer(s) in subsequently created viewports. This option does not affect existing layers. Multiple layers can be frozen or thawed at one time by separating the layers by commas or use wildcarding to specify a series of layers. This command is useful when used with the XREF command.

Vpvisdflt

Notes General notes and triangle note numbers shall be placed on the layout in paper space and shall be placed on layer 006_NTE. The symbol for numbering a note (triangle & text) can be found on the TECacad Symbols button bar. The symbol includes an attribute for the text #, so when you load the symbol, it will query you for the required note number prior to placement onto your drawing.

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Chapter 23:

Standard Symbols Palette

With TECacad 5.x, you received access to various standard Tyco Symbols. These symbols are also included with the TECPro software. In order to access these symbols in AutoCAD, the best procedure is to start the AutoCAD Design Center (TOOLS-AutoCAD Design Center). Browse to the C:\Engapps\TECacad\6.0\lib folder and right mouse click on the Symbols.dwg file. Select to Create a new tool palette. The Symbols.dwg drawing is shown below in Figure 23-1.
Figure 23-1

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Appendix A:

Error Messages

General Error Messages Unable to locate TECacad Installation. Unable to obtain function pointer. Unable to load library. Unable to load <filename>.arx Unable to update system registry, TECacad may not function normally. Menu
You may receive an error from AutoCAD the first time TECacad attempts to load its menu and toolbar. You can ignore this error message. Missing TECacad menu or button bar.

Re-start TECacad/AutoCAD. If problem persists, contact your administrator. Re-start TECacad/AutoCAD. If problem persists, contact your administrator. Re-start TECacad/AutoCAD. If problem persists, contact your administrator. Re-start TECacad/AutoCAD. If problem persists contact your administrator. TECacad could not save configuration/preference information. If TECacad begins to act abnormally, contact your administrator.

If you continue to receive an error from AutoCAD, contact your administrator.

Type the command tec_lam at the AutoCAD command prompt. If you still do not have a TECacad menu or button bar contact your administrator.

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Appendix B: Upgrading from a Previous Version of TECacad

1. If you are upgrading from a previous version of TECacad (pre 6.x), you should be aware of the following items: Check to see if TECacad appears in your AutoCAD search path more than once. You can check this from AutoCADs Tools-Options (previously preferences). If directories referring to TECacad (other than 6.0) do exist, remove them from AutoCADs search path. Consult your AutoCAD documentation if you need more information on how to do this. If you have created custom menus and/or toolbars, you will have to issue the AutoCAD command MENULOAD and browse to the location of your menu (.mnu) files (recommended path H:\TECacad\Menus\_____.mnu) select your menu file and OK to recombine AutoCADs menu with your own. If you have created custom plotter setups either in your H:\TECacad folder or a shared department area, you will be required to go again to your TOOLS OPTIONS area and repoint AutoCAD to look to this area for your plotter & Plotstyles areas.

2.

3.

4.

5.

If you have created any custom fastener assemblies in Mechanical Power, prior to receiving the new upgrade you should run the Backup Custom Mechanical Files program that was supplied with TECacad 4.x This will copy the custom assembly files from your C:\ drive to your H:|\ drive. Then after receiving the AutoCAD/TECacad upgrade, you must run the Restore Custom Mechanical Files program from the TECacad dropdown menu.

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Appendix C: Layer and Color Definitions

The Tyco layer naming conventions is used to provide a means of segregating different AutoCAD entity types and to facilitate MEDUSA legacy translations. It includes a description to better clarify their purpose. The following table lists the default layer names, color assignments and corresponding line types. Users may add their own layers as required. To extend the TECacad convention, retain the first 7 to 9 characters (depending on the default name) and append your specific designation to the end of the layer name. For example, if you have an assembly consisting of many different parts that you wish to segregate by layer, the following naming conventions could be used for one of the parts: 011_obj_right_actuator_arm. Additionally, all viewports should be placed on the viewports layer.

Layer
004_DIM1 005_CRH 006_NTE 009_WLI 011_CNT 011_CPL 011_HID 011_OBJ 011_PHA 022_OUT 027_CON *040_FOR *041_TXT 042_CHA Viewports 100_ARG 101_FRN 102_GRM 103_SPN 104_BRZ 105_JPN 106_ITL 107_KOR

Description
Dimension Layer Crosshatching Layer Note Layer Waterline/Weldline Center Line Layer Cutting Plane Layer Hidden Line Layer Object Line Layer Phantom Line Layer Outline for Translated File Construction Line Layer Format Lines and Some Permanent Text Format Text with Attributes Charts Layer Viewports Outline Layer Title Block Translation for Argentina Title Block Translation for France Title Block Translation for Germany Title Block Translation for Spain Title Block Translation for Brazil Title Block Translation for Japan Title Block Translation for Italy Title Block Translation for Korea

Color
Yellow Cyan Yellow White Yellow Green Cyan 104 Cyan White White Green White Cyan White White White White White White White White White

Linetype
Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous Center Phantom2 Dashed Continuous Phantom Dashed Dashed Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous

*Users may not add information to these layers. 06 January 2005 Tyco Electronics Corporation Confidential
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INDEX

A
About TECacad, 4, 50 Format Attribute Editor, 4, 10, 11, 26, 40, 45

B
Backup Custom Mechanical Fields, 4 Backup Custom Mechanical Files, 37 BPIE, 1

L
layer, 59 Layers, 54 Load Format, 3, 10, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 Local Note Symbol, 29 Local Note Triangle, 4 Logo, 28

paper space, 51 Parts List Table, 3, 10, 18, 20, 21 Personal attribute, 19 Plot Styles, 35 Plotters, 35 Preview EDC Information, 25

T
TECacad configuration, 6 TECacad Preferences, 11, 14, 25, 30 TECacad User Documentation , 4, 48 TECacad Website, 4, 49

R
Restore Custom Mechanical Fields, 4 Restore Custom Mechanical Files, 38

C
color, 59

U
Update Address, 28 Update Address & Logo Fields, 4 Update Plotter/PlotStyl es Folders, 4

D
Documentation, 48

M
model space, 51

S
Send to EDC,

F
Features, 3 Fill Format, 3, 10, 16, 23

O
operating systems, 1

10, 33, 34, 40, 42, 45 StarTEC Loader Program, 4, 46 System Requirements, 5

W
Website, 49

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