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Drawing Production

User Guide

AVEVA Solutions Ltd

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First published September 2007
AVEVA Solutions Ltd, and its subsidiaries
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Drawing Production User Guide

Drawing Production User Guide

Contents

Page

Drawing Production
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:1
How this Guide is Organised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:1
Other Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:2

Introducing the DRAFT Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1


Structure and Functions of DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1
General Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Labelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2D Drafting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Drawing Production Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AutoDRAFT Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2:1
2:2
2:2
2:2
2:2
2:3

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1


DRAFT Database Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1
DRAFT Startup Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:2
Toolbars

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:3

Loading an Existing Drawing Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:4

Set up the Hierarchy to Create a Drawing Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1


Create a Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1
Create a Registry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:4
Create Drawings and Sheets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:5

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Font Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:6

Views

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1

Modifying an Existing View to Make it User-defined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1


Defining the Drawlist Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:4
Setting the Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:6
Displaying the Contents of the View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:6

Creating a Sheet with a Limits-defined View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:9


Setting the Contents of the View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:14

Using the 3D View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:1


Manipulating the 3D View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:2

Labelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1
Creating a General Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1
Modify Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:4
Entering and Exiting Modify Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:4
Item Selection and Display Details. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:4
Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:5

Modifying Labels Graphically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:7


2D Positioning Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:10
Gaps in Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:11
Label Leader Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:12
Modifying Design Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:13
Accessing a Design Symbol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:13
Moving a Design Symbol Using the Cursor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:13
Highlighting a Design Symbol Layer or Design Symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:14

Dimensioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:1
Creating Linear Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:3
Deleting Dimension Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:7
Modifying Linear Dimensions Graphically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:7

Angular Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:8


Modifying Angular Dimensions Graphically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:10

Radial Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:10


Modifying Radial Dimensions Graphically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:11

Automatic Drawing Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1

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General ADP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1


ADP Application Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:2

2D Drafting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:1
2D Drafting Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:1
Creating Sheet Note and View Note Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:2
Creating Primitives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:3
Editing 2D Primitives Graphically. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:4

Section Planes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:1


Creating a Section Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:2
Editing a Section Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:3
Editing Stepped Planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:4
Showing the Clipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:6

Additional Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:1


User Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:1
Defining a Menu to Execute a Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:2
Defining a Menu to Display a Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:3

DRAFT Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A:1

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Introduction

Introduction
This guide covers the facilities provided by DRAFT, which is the module used for the
generation of fully annotated engineering drawings directly from design data. The guide
explains the main concepts underlying DRAFT and its supporting applications.
This guide is intended for engineers who are familiar with drafting practices and the basic
Graphical User Interface (GUI) features as described in Getting Started with PDMS.

1.1

How this Guide is Organised


This guide is divided into sections and appendices, as follows:
Introducing the DRAFT gives a general overview of the structure and functions of the
Module
DRAFT module.
Getting Started

describes the DRAFT startup display and how an existing


drawing sheet is displayed. Includes an explanation of the
relevant part of the DRAFT database hierarchy.

Set up the Hierarchy to describes how the elements of the DRAFT hierarchy are
Create a Drawing Sheet created, as necessary to create a new drawing sheet.
Views

describes the setting up of Views, which define the parts of the


model that are drawn on a drawing sheet.

Using the 3D View

explains how drawing Sheets are populated using the 3D View


functionality.

Labelling

describes how Labels are added to items that appear in Views.


Also described is how the appearance of the labels is changed.

Dimensioning

explains how dimensions are added to the engineering items


that appear in Views.

Automatic
Production

Drawing describes how a dimensioned and labelled drawing is


produced automatically.

2D Drafting

explains how text and basic graphical shapes are added to


existing sheets and views.

Section Planes

explains how section planes are created and manipulated.

Additional Facilities

describes a utility for adding menu options to the User Utilities


menu

DRAFT Database

Appendix A - illustrates the DRAFT database hierarchy.

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Introduction

The guide provides an index, allowing the user to refer back to any specific topics.

1.2

Other Documentation
For more detailed information on aspects of DRAFT, refer to the following documentation.
AVEVA DRAFT Administrator Application User Guide
This document explains the basic concepts behind the administration of DRAFT.
AVEVA DRAFT User Guide
This is a command level document which describes the syntax of the DRAFT commands. It
is intended for those wishing to customise the interface or create macros.
AVEVA Software Customisation Guide
This document provides general information on how to use the AVEVA programmable
macro language (PML) to customise the graphical user interface by creating user-specific
forms and menus.

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Introducing the DRAFT Module

Introducing the DRAFT Module

2.1

Structure and Functions of DRAFT


DRAFT is the drawing production module of the AVEVA PDMS platform. It allows the user to
generate fully annotated engineering drawings directly from data in the 3D design model,
created from the DESIGN module. Drawings can be easily updated to reflect changes in the
design model.
Within DRAFT there are applications that are used for specific functions associated with
the production of drawings. These applications are called:

General

Auto Drawing Production

AutoDRAFT.

The functions of the applications are discussed in the following sub-sections.

2.1.1

General Functions
The DRAFT graphical user interface has been designed to allow the user to generate and
retrieve industry-standard engineering drawings quickly and efficiently.
Dimensioning and other annotations can then be added. It is not necessary to make any
calculations or input any data, as all annotation information comes directly from the design
model.
Drawing Creation
The user selects the particular part of the design model and the direction and scale to use.
The design model can be viewed from any angle at any scale, including isometric views,
with perspective if required. The appearance of the 3D graphics is controlled from
representation rules that are pre-defined by the project administrator. This allows different
types of design items to have different line styles applied to them. The required
representation can be selected during view creation.
Various levels of wireline and hidden-line removal can be used. Sectional views can be
generated by the creation of flat or stepped section planes, and there are no restrictions on
the number of planes created or the selection of items that can be sectioned. The scale of
the 3D graphics can be selected from a set of Metric, Architectural and Engineering values,
with the option of an automatic scale selection to use the largest scale possible for the given
design data and drawing sheet size.
Hierarchy
Facilities are available for specifying details of the hierarchy within the DRAFT database for
the location of the drawings and their sheets.

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Introducing the DRAFT Module

2.1.2

Labelling
Labels can be attached to any design element and used to display any attribute of the
element. The user can control the format, content and appearance of the labels, with
suitable project defaults defined by the administrator. Direct reference to the design data,
combined with a simple update annotation operation, means that the annotation always
reflects the current state of the design model. The position and orientation of the labels can
be modified graphically, to ensure a clear drawing layout.
Automatic labelling (Autotagging)
Labels can be automatically generated for a set of design items that match a tagging rule.
The rule sets determine the type of label and which design items the labels will be applied
to. For example, all nozzles that have a bore of >100mm and <300mm with a pressure
rating of #150 could be labelled. After the labels have been created, they can be
automatically updated to reflect any changes to the design model.
When the labels have been created, their positions can be adjusted graphically.

2.1.3

Dimensioning
There are four generic dimension types available in DRAFT, namely, Linear, Angular, Radial
and Pitch Circle Diameter. These allow intelligent dimensions to be created to dimensioning
standards.
Dimensions are calculated directly from the design model. The format, content and
appearance of the dimensions can be controlled. The administrator can define suitable
project defaults.
As with labelling, direct reference to the design data means that the annotation always
reflects the current state of the design model, with a simple update annotation operation.
Once the dimensions have been created, the position and orientation of dimensions can be
adjusted graphically.

2.1.4

2D Drafting
DRAFT's intelligent 2D drafting allows additional 2D annotation (manually drafted graphics
and text) to be generated on the drawing sheet. Operations such as grouping, multiple
copying, rubber banding, nested symbols, symbol libraries, and full element editing
functions are available. This facility is not intended to be used as a drafting application.
Like other DRAFT data, all 2D annotation can be linked to the design data and so can easily
be updated to follow the changes that occur in the design model.

2.1.5

Automatic Drawing Production Application


The Automatic Drawing Production (ADP) application enables annotated drawings to be
produced automatically. The user can set rules that determine how the annotation is
produced. The drawings can then be edited, if necessary, using the normal drawing editing
operations in DRAFT.
The application contains three separate utilities, which are used for different disciplines. The
utilities are:

General ADP

Steelwork Detailing

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Introducing the DRAFT Module

2.1.6

Hangers & Supports ADP.

AutoDRAFT Application
The AutoDRAFT application is the DRAFT two-way interface to AutoCAD. It is an AutoCAD
application for performing 2D drafting on drawings imported from DRAFT.
It is possible to transfer a DRAFT drawing directly across to AutoCAD, where some users
prefer to perform final annotation before drawing issue. The transferred drawing maintains
the exact style and representation as set from DRAFT.
The user can develop symbol libraries and drawing frames in AutoCAD and import these
directly for use in DRAFT prior to returning the drawing from AutoCAD into DRAFT.

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Introducing the DRAFT Module

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Getting Started

Getting Started
This section describes:

3.1

The DRAFT database hierarchy

the startup display

how an existing drawing is displayed.

DRAFT Database Hierarchy

The DRAFT database is a tree structure, which for reference purposes is illustrated in
DRAFT Database. The above hierarchy shows the part of the tree that is relevant to
displaying drawings and sheets.
The World is the top element. The next level down in the structure is a Department. The
World can own several Departments, which are known as its Members, and the World is
known as the Owner of the Departments.
Departments can own Registries, which can own Drawings, which can own Sheets.
For more details of these elements, refer to the DRAFT User Guide.

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Getting Started

3.2

DRAFT Startup Display


When DRAFT has loaded, its application window contains the main display window, among
a number of various sub-windows. The application window would typically appear as:

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Getting Started

3.2.1

Toolbars
A number of toolbars specific to DRAFT provide shortcuts to various DRAFT functions.
These toolbars are as follows:

Working Sheet Toolbar


Close/Open
Working Sheet

Closes and Opens a working sheet

Layers Toolbar

The Layers toolbar is used to select a layer, and specify the filter and visibility settings for
that layer.
Layers are grouped by Note or View. To access a layer that belongs to a View other than the
current one, select the required View from the new Current Note or View list of options
before selecting the Layer you require from the layer list, or filtering them by type.
As Notes or Views are selected in the Draft Explorer or from a displayed drawing, the
current layer list is automatically updated in the layer toolbar.

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Getting Started

Create from Default Template Toolbar


Create New
from Default Template

Used to create a new drawing from a default


template selected from the adjacent field.

Use Default Name

Used to specify whether or not a new drawing will be


given a default name or named by the user.

Linear Dimensions Toolbar

Used to create linear dimensions. The button on the end of the toolbar:
, accesses the
Dimensions form from which more linear dimensions, plus angular, radial and pitch
dimensions can be selected.
Lines, Shapes, Symbol and Text Toolbars
These toolbars are used to add various 2D primitives to a drawing.
The button on the end of the Lines toolbar:
,
accesses the 2D Draughting form from which all
2D primitives may be selected.

3.3

Loading an Existing Drawing Sheet


An existing sheet can be loaded and displayed by selecting the sheet in the DRAFT
Explorer and clicking on the
button in the Working Sheet toolbar:

The name of the sheet will be displayed in the Working Sheet toolbar list next to the button
and the currently selected Layer will appear in the Layers toolbar. The sheet will be
displayed in the Drawing Display.

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Getting Started

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Getting Started

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Set up the Hierarchy to Create a Drawing Sheet

Set up the Hierarchy to Create a Drawing Sheet


This section describes how a drawing sheet belonging to a new branch of the DRAFT
hierarchy is created. Also described is a quick method of creating a Drawing Sheet from a
standard template with a single click.
An administrative element can be created only at one level lower than an existing element,
which will then own it. Consequently, to create a drawing in a new branch of the hierarchy,
the upper elements of that branch, firstly a Department and then a Registry, must be
created before the Drawing and its Sheet are created.

4.1

Create a Department
Departments can be created under the World level by selecting Create>Department from
the main menu.
The Create DEPT form is displayed, which allows the user to name the Department.
Alternatively, the user can accept the default name DEPT1, for example, which is shown in
the Name text box. The suggested name will be the lowest department number that does
not already exist.

When OK is clicked on the Create DEPT form, the Department Information form is
displayed.

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Set up the Hierarchy to Create a Drawing Sheet

This form allows the user the opportunity to automatically create a Registry and/or to set up
Attributes of the Department.
Name

Shows the name of the Department

Create Registry

Select checkbox to automatically create a Registry

Attributes

Displays the Department Attributes form.

The range of available attributes can be viewed by clicking on the Attributes button to
display the Department Attributes form, which features four tabs for selection.
Size & Units

With this tab selected the user is able to select the units and set the precision.
Intelligent Text

With this tab selected the user is able to select an output format for the positional code
words.

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Set up the Hierarchy to Create a Drawing Sheet

Pens

With the tab selected the user can set the line colour and style.
Miscellaneous

With this tab selected the user can set various attributes, including note format and
dimension terminator.
The attributes set in this form are default properties of the Registries that will eventually be
created in the branch below the Department. The attributes are cascaded down through the
Registries and Drawings within this Department, but they can be changed at any level. The
default properties of the Sheets are taken from the Drawings element.
In the Pens tab, Standard options of line colour and style are set explicitly by selecting
system-defined settings from the colour, line-pattern and thickness drop-down lists. Clicking
on Pick allows a colour to be selected from a colour palette.
To select a user-defined style, the checkbox is ticked to display, the User-defined line
styles form. A Style Table is selected and then a selection is made from the list of styles.
In the Intelligent Text system there are code words that are used to request the position of
certain elements. These expand to a string providing the location expressed in either the
ENU (East North Up) coordinate system, as an absolute position (XYZ), or as a purely
numerical output (Numbers only).
To accomplish this, two attributes are provided for a number of elements in the DRAFT
database (including DEPT, REGI, DRWG, SHEE, VIEW, LAYE). The setting of these
attributes determines the output format used by the positional code words, and are
determined by the selection made in the Intelligent Text tab. The same output format is
used throughout a given layer.

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Set up the Hierarchy to Create a Drawing Sheet

With the Create Registry checkbox on the Department Information form selected, clicking
OK, creates the Department and displays the Create REGI form.

4.2

Create a Registry
As well as displaying the Create REGI form by selecting the Create Registry checkbox on
the Department Information form, the Create REGI form can also be accessed by
selecting Create>Registry from the main menu.

This form allows the user to enter a name for the Registry in the Name field or accept the
default name. Clicking OK displays the Registry Information form.

This form shows the name of the Registry and gives the user the opportunity to
automatically create a drawing and/or to set up attributes of the Registry.

Name

Shows the name of the Registry

Create Drawing

Allows a drawing to be created automatically if selected

Explicitly

Creates a drawing using the Create options available from


the main menu

From Template

Creates a drawing using a template

Attributes

Displays the Registry Attributes form, allowing the user to


set the attributes of the Registry.

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Set up the Hierarchy to Create a Drawing Sheet

4.3

Create Drawings and Sheets


There are two methods of creating Drawings, Explicitly or From Template. Both methods
are accessed either by selecting the appropriate Create Drawing button on the Registry
Information form, or by selecting Create>Drawing from the main menu.
Explicitly
By choosing to create a drawing explicitly, the user will have to use the Create options on
the main menu bar to create all of its member elements, such as Sheets and their Views.
From Template
With the From Template option selected on the Registry Information form, clicking OK on
the Create DRWG form displays the Create New Drawing from Template form.

This form allows the user to select the source of the template, the drawing size and the
Sheet number of that drawing.
Create

Sets the Creation mode of the form. Options of Drawing


from Template or Sheet from Template are available.

From

Allows an option to be selected from a drop-down list


showing the drawing disciplines that contain the drawing
template libraries.

Template Drawings

Select a drawing from the Drawings list.

Template Drawing Sheets

Select a single sheet from the Sheets list.

Use Default Naming

Select to give default names to created drawings and


sheets.

Use as Default

Select to use created drawing or sheet as a default.

If a drawing is created from a template, several other elements will be created


automatically. The Drawing will own a Sheet, which will own at least one View. The View will
own several Layers.

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Set up the Hierarchy to Create a Drawing Sheet

There may be other elements, such as Sheet Notes, which are used to store text and
primitives for the 2D Drafting.
The Drawing will also own a Library. DRAFT makes extensive use of libraries, most of
which are set up by the System Administrator. Libraries are used to store things like
symbols and Drawlists. General users can only extract information from libraries, not
change them.
Note: Libraries are accessed by the Application automatically and, therefore, the user will
not need to access them directly. The user should not attempt to rename or delete
Libraries, or their members.
Clicking OK on the Create New Drawings from Template form, creates a Sheet having all
the attributes of the template and displays the Sheet in the Drawing Window.
Note: A quick way to create a Drawing Sheet is by simply clicking on the Create New
From Default Template button on the toolbar of the same name:

A Drawing Sheet, automatically named, will appear in the Drawing View based on a built in
template.

4.4

Font Selection
The AVEVA Plant software supports both PDMS fonts and TrueType fonts. PDMS fonts are
provided with the AVEVA product and are therefore immediately available for use. TrueType
fonts are only available if they are present on each workstation running the AVEVA software
and are registered in the project SYSTEM database. The installation and configuration of
TrueType fonts is a system administration function. Up to 23 TrueType fonts can be
registered per project. Once the TrueType fonts are properly configured and registered for
the project, it is possible to use them in the DRAFT application, but only on picture elements
that have been configured to use TrueType fonts. It is not possible to mix True Type and
PDMS fonts on the same sheet.
Elements such as SHEE, BACK, OVER, SHTMPL, SYLB, ISOLB and LALB have a system
attribute TTFENA that determines whether they can accept PDMS or TrueType fonts.
TTFENA (True Type Font Enabled) is a system attribute automatically set on elementcreation that cannot be changed by the user. The rules are:

If the value of the owner's FONT attribute is in the range reserved for PDMS fonts, the
element is marked as accepting PDMS fonts only, (ie TTFENA FALSE).

If the value of the owner's FONT attribute is in the range reserved for TrueType fonts,
the element is marked as accepting TrueType fonts only, (ie TTFENA TRUE).

For example, in order to create a SHEE, that can accept TrueType fonts, it is necessary that
its owner (a DRWG) has the FONT attribute set to identify a TrueType font. Then, when a
new SHEE is created, it will be marked as accepting TrueType fonts.
As a result it is possible to have a DRWG containing some SHEE elements using PDMS
fonts, and other SHEE elements using TrueType fonts (by changing the DRWG's FONT
attribute between the creation of the SHEEs). Ideally, entire REGI or DEPT elements should

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Set up the Hierarchy to Create a Drawing Sheet

be properly set up to use TrueType fonts, then all subsequently created members will inherit
this setting.
Note: An associated backing sheet (BACK) can restrict the choice of fonts. If the backing
sheet is marked as using PDMS fonts, you cannot switch the font to TrueType. Any
backing sheets (and overlay sheets too) should have compatible TTFENA attribute
settings with the SHEE element with which they are associated.
Forms that previously offered the choice of a font, now can allow the selection of a TrueType
font (provided that the element being modified can accept TrueType fonts).
For example, a DRWG element, that has a backing sheet reference unset, has full freedom
of choice of the TTFENA attribute. Therefore, the Drawing Attributes form would appear
as shown:

The Font drop-down list allows a choice of PDMS or TrueType fonts. For example, if the
*Select a TrueType font option, is selected, the TrueType font selection form is displayed.

This form allows the user to choose the font, including its Bold and Italic settings.

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Views

Views
A View determines which Design Model items are shown on the Sheet that owns the View.
Each View element defines:

the viewing parameters (looking direction, scale, etc),

the size, position and orientation of the View on the Sheet,

the contents of the View (the Drawlist).


If a Sheet has been created from a template, the Sheet will normally contain at least
one View, depending on how the template has been set up by the System
Administrator. An existing View can be modified by using the Modify>View options on
the main menu, or more Views can be created on a Sheet by using the Create>View
options. The user must be at Sheet level or below before a View can be created.

Two methods of defining a View, are User-Defined and Limits-Defined.


User-Defined View
User-Defined Views are used to draw individual items or groups of items in the design
model, when the volume or limits of the items are not known. The size of the frame is
independent of its contents. The scale can be automatically set to fit the design elements
into the available view frame area.
Limits-Defined View
Limits-Defined Views are used to draw the contents of a specified volume of the model. The
limits are defined in project co-ordinates, and are represented by the size of the View frame
at the selected scale. The View frame can include matchlines with text showing the
coordinates of the View limits.
Note: 2D drawing sheets can be populated using the 3D View of the design model within
DRAFT. For further details refer to Using the 3D View.

5.1

Modifying an Existing View to Make it User-defined


An existing View can be modified to make it user defined by modifying the attributes of the
View and setting up a drawlist for it.
Selecting Modify>View>User-defined from the main menu displays the User-Defined
View form, which has a series of tabs for selection.

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Views

General

In this tab the user can apply various settings to define the View.
CE

Select to enter the Current Element.

Title

Enter a title for the View.

View Type

Select a View type from the drop-down list.

Section Mode

Select a mode from the drop-down list.

Style

Select a style from the drop-down list.

Hatching Rules

Set a rule using the drop-down list.

Change Rules

Set a rule using the drop-down list.

Direction

Enter a direction or select one from the drop-down list.

Attributes

Displays an Attributes form.

Stamp Date

Adds the current date to the View.

Show Changes since

Select to show changes from a specific time and date.

Update Design on Apply? Gives the user options for updating or not updating a design.
Apply

Applies the forms setting.

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Views

Reset

Resets the form by clearing all entered settings.

Dismiss

Closes the form.

Scale

In this tab the user can set the scale of the View. The bottom half of the form is similar to that
displayed for the General tab.
Scale

Allows the user the option of selecting the scale from a set of
Metric, Architectural or Engineering values. The Auto Scale
button activates automatic scale selection.

Attributes

Displays an Attributes form.

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Views

Intelligent Text

In this tab the user is able to set the output format of the positioned code words.

5.1.1

Defining the Drawlist Contents


To define which elements are drawn in the View, a Drawlist is set up by selecting
Graphics>Drawlist from the menu on the User-Defined View form to display the Drawlist
Management form.

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Views

The form allows the user to define the Drawlist contents by compiling a list of selected
elements which are to be drawn in the View.
Navigation

Provides a menu of navigation options

Drawlist Library

Allows the selection of a Drawlist Library from a drop-down list

Drawlist

Shows the Drawlist in the selected Drawlist Library

Create

Allows a Drawlist to be created

Create Copy

Allows a Drawlist to be copied

Delete

Allows a Drawlist to be deleted

Clean Up

Allows a Drawlist to be enhanced

Reference List Members

Shows the elements in the Design database

Drawlist Members

Shows the Members of an element which have been added


from the Reference List Members list

Delete Entry

Removes an entry from the Drawlist Members list

Delete All

Removes all entries from the Drawlist Members list

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Views

5.1.2

Add

Adds an element selected in the Reference List Members


list to the Drawlist Members list

Remove

Adds all the members of an element selected in the


Reference List Members list to the Drawlist Members list
and then allows selected members of the element to be
removed from the list.

Setting the Scale


The scale of the View can be set by clicking on the Scale tab of the User-Defined View
form, and selecting a scale from the Scale drop-down list.

5.1.3

Displaying the Contents of the View


To display the contents of the View, the Update Design option button is selected in the
Update Design on Apply? panel at the base of the User-defined View form. On clicking
Apply, the contents of the View are displayed.

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Views

Note: Whenever any settings on the User-Defined View form are changed, Update
Design must be selected in the Update Design on Apply? panel at the base of the
form and Apply clicked (or select Graphics>Update>Design from the main menu)
before any change will be seen.
Note: If a black background to the drawing is not wanted, it can be changed by selecting
Colour Settings>Background Colour from the shortcut menu within the Drawing
View.
Having modified the View to make it user-defined, the View can be displayed by selecting
Display>3D View from the main menu.

An equipment item can be added to the 3D View by:

Left-clicking the item in the Design Explorer and dragging it to the 3D View.

Right-clicking on the item in the Design Explorer and choosing the 3D View>Add
option from the shortcut menu.

Selecting it in the Design Explorer and clicking the Add to View icon on the 3D View
Window toolbar:

Note: An item can be similarly deleted from the 3D View by selecting it and clicking the
Remove from View icon

, also on the 3D View Window toolbar.

DRAFT will add the equipment to the 3D View.

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Views

Any change in the 3D View can be reflected back into the 2D View. There are several ways
of doing this.
The controls shown below determine how the Views are synchronised:

If On Demand is selected in the drop-down list, then the Views will not synchronise until
they are directed to. The following icons can be used to do this:
Update the 3D View to reflect changes made to the 2D View.
Update the 2D View to reflect changes made to the 3D View.
Pick 2D View to associate to the 3D View: This allows the current 3D View
contents to be associated with a different 2D View. When using this tool the user
is asked to identify a 2D View to associate with the current 3D View contents.
This functionality is particularly useful whenever different views are required of
similar content.
The Views can be set so that they automatically synchronise. This can be done by selecting
Auto Update from the drop-down list:

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Views

Selecting Background will do much the same thing, with the difference being Auto Update
synchronises immediately and Background synchronises during idle-time.
Note: Choosing Auto Update or Background can slow the system down significantly if
working with large drawings. These options should be used with care.
Whichever method is used, the two Views are automatically synchronised:

Note: If items are added or deleted from the 2D View the change is not automatically
reflected back into the 3D View. The Update 3D View from 2D View icon, must be
used.

5.2

Creating a Sheet with a Limits-defined View


A Sheet with a Limits-defined View can be created by firstly selecting Create>Sheet>
Explicitly from the main menu to display the Create SHEE form.
Note: The user must be at Drawing level or below in the hierarchy.

Clicking OK displays the Sheet Definition form, which has two tabs. This form can be used
to define a Sheet that does not contain any Views.

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Views

General tab selected:

With this tab selected the user can apply various settings to define the sheet.
Title

Enter a title for the sheet.

Width

Enter a value for the sheet width or select a sheet size


from the drop-down list.

Height

Enter a value for the sheet height.

Final Designer Attributes

Displays an Attributes form.

Backing Sheet

Select an option for the backing sheet.

Apply

Applies the setting to define the sheet.

Reset

Resets the form by clearing all entered settings.

Dismiss

Closes the form.

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Views

Intelligent Text tab selected:

With this tab selected the user is able to select an output format for the positioned code
words.
After making any required changes to the default values set in the Sheet Definition form,
clicking Apply creates the Sheet.
To create a Limits-defined view, Create>View>Limits-defined is selected from the main
menu to display the Create VIEW form.

Clicking OK displays the Limits-Defined View form, which has four tabs.

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Views

General tab selected:

Limits tab selected:

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Views

Scale tab selected:

Intelligent Text tab selected:

The Limits-Defined View form is similar to the User-Defined View form (refer to Modifying
an Existing View to Make it User-defined) but has an additional Limits tab for setting the
limits of the view. It also has a Matchlines check box, which switches matchlines on and off.
In addition the Scale options are slightly different.

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Views

5.2.1

Setting the Contents of the View


Selecting Graphics>Drawlist from the menu at the top of the Limits-Defined View form,
displays the Drawlist Management form (refer to Defining the Drawlist Contents).
A new Drawlist can then be created by clicking the Create button on the Drawlist
Management form to display the Create Drawlist form.

Clicking OK allows the user to create a Drawlist using the Drawlist Management form.
Also on the Limits-Defined View form, selecting Graphics>Drawlist Ref from the menu at
the top of the form, displays the Drawlist Reference form.

This form allows the user to select the newly created Drawlist which is to be used in the
Limits-defined View.
Setting the Limits and Scale on the Limits-Defined View form, then selecting Update
Design and clicking Apply, will display the drawing with a Limits-defined View.
Note: If the Matchlines checkbox has been selected and the Matchlines overlap the Sheet
frame, this can be corrected by selecting Frame>Position>Cursor>Top Right from
the menu at the top of the Limits-Defined View form and clicking on the Sheet
where the top right corner of the view is to be repositioned to fit in the available
space.

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Views

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Views

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Using the 3D View

Using the 3D View


The 3D View Window in DRAFT allows the user to assemble and manipulate Design
elements to populate drawing sheets.
This allows the user to examine the content of the drawings in 3D view, before establishing
the view content as a 2D drawing.
However, the 3D View window also offers powerful facilities to enable the manipulation of
2D drawings.

The Display controls allow the user to display the list content, add selected components to
the 2D View Content list, and remove all items from the list.
Clicking on the Show View Content icon,
displays the View Content form which shows
what is in the 2D drawlist. An entry can be removed from the list by right-clicking on it and
then on the Remove Selected box.

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Using the 3D View

The View Content list shows the elements which have been added to the 2D and 3D Views
in DRAFT.
Note: The View Content list will not be updated even if Auto Update is set if the Update 2D
Viewlist button,
Clicking the Scale icon,

is unset.
displays the Scale form:

This option allows the Frame to be scaled to the drawing. The Scale form allows the user to:

Choose whether the scale is shown as a numeric ratio (Metric), or in Architectural or


Engineering styles.

Instruct DRAFT to calculate a scale so that the elements in the drawlist will just fit within
the View, using the Auto Scale button. The actual scale will be displayed in the Scale
text box.

Alternatively, a value can be typed directly into the text box on the toolbar:

Any changes to scale are reflected immediately on the 2D display.

6.1

Manipulating the 3D View


The 3D View can be manipulated using the functionality contained in the window itself and
then reflect those changes back into the 2D View. The 3D View can be rotated and moved
using the View manipulation buttons to the left of the display window.
The Viewfinder (the magenta box) can be interactively resized, repositioned and rotated.
Resize and Rotate changes made to the Viewfinder give equivalent changes in the 2D View.

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Using the 3D View

The Viewfinder represents the view that will be projected into the 2D View; that is, it can be
imagined as a window through which a 2D snapshot of the 3D design can be taken.

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Using the 3D View

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Labelling

Labelling
There are two types of Label, General Labels (GLAB) and Symbolic Labels (SLAB). Their
characteristics are as follows:

7.1

General Labels consist of text derived from the design model. These labels are
discussed in this section.

Symbolic Labels are generated from templates (which can contain 2D primitives,
including text), defined by a reference to a Symbol Template (SYTM). These labels
are not described in this Guide.
The relevant part of the DRAFT hierarchy is simply that the Views own Layers that in
turn own the labels.

Creating a General Label


Selecting Create>Label>General/Symbolic from the main menu displays the Labels form
with the General Labels tab selected.

This form allows the user to enter the settings required for creating a label.

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Labelling

Create New

Select to create a new label.

Create Copy

Select to create a copy of an existing label.

Attach to

Select an element type to be labelled from the drop-down list. The list
has two parts: the top part displays a list of menus for different types
of elements and the bottom part displays a list of Common Elements.

Re-Attach

Select to re-attach a label.

PPoint

Enter a P-Point or select the Cursor button to pick a P-Point.

Pline

Enter a P-line or select the Cursor button to pick a P-line.

Rotate

Enter a value for the rotation along the P-line Axis.

Blanking

Select checkbox to activate blank margins.

Blank Margin

Enter a value for the blank margin.

Attributes

Select an attribute from the drop-down list.

Offset

Set an offset from the drop-down list.

Apply

Applies the form settings.

Create Gaps

Displays the Gap Manager form.

Dismiss

Closes the form.

DRAFT automatically selects the Label layer in anticipation that the user is going to create
Labels. The Label layer, along with Drawing layers for dimensions, notes and tags are
created automatically as members of a View.
The Label layer can also be selected in the Layers toolbar and in the History toolbar.
Layers toolbar
History toolbar

The Layers toolbar simply shows the Drawing Layer the user is currently working on. The
History toolbar displays a history of the current elements that have been selected (the left/
right arrows are used to select recently accessed elements).
To begin creating a new Label, Create NEW is clicked on the Labels form, and then the
Label layer is selected in Draft Explorer.
The user is prompted (in the main window status area) to identify the Design elements to be
labelled.
Each item of equipment is identified by clicking on it in the Drawing display or the 3D View.
As an item of equipment is clicked on, a label containing the name of the equipment will be
created at the origin of the equipment and will appear in the 2D View only.
When each item of Equipment has been labelled, pressing Esc returns to normal operation.

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Labelling

The Labels will appear in the Drawing Window at the origins of the Equipment that have
been selected.

The contents of the label are set by default to be the Name of the labelled element. The
contents can be changed by selecting Text Contents from the Attributes drop-down list on
the General Labels tab of the Labels form. The Modify Text form is then displayed.

The textbox on the form shows the content of the label. This can be normal text directly
entered and which appears in the label, or Intelligent Text for which the information in the
label is automatically taken from the DESIGN database

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Labelling

The default #NAME entry is an example of Intelligent Text. It is one of many different
attributes, which are listed in the Intelligent Text form. This contains a selection of
commonly used code words, and is displayed when Intelligent Texts is selected on the
Modify Text form. The intelligent text can be selected and copied into the Modify Text form
using the Insert and Append buttons. The Insert button takes into account the current
position in the text pane when inserting the text.

7.2

Modify Mode
Modify mode is used to modify Dimensions, Labels and 2D Geometry by graphical
interaction.
There are many other non-geometrical modifications, such as changing the appearance of
the text and linestyles that can only be carried out using the main menu Modify option.

7.2.1

Entering and Exiting Modify Mode


To enter Modify mode, the

button is clicked on the Drawing Display Window toolbar.

DRAFT will exit from Modify mode when:

Modify Mode button is clicked again,

a new Sheet or Library is loaded,

the design, model, picture or annotation are updated

While the user is in Modify mode, the View can still be controlled by zooming and panning,
as normal.

7.2.2

Item Selection and Display Details


The item (in this case a label) for modification is selected by left-clicking on it. It is then
displayed in the current highlight colour. The item selected can then be modified or another
item selected for modification.
When the label is selected, several hotspots are displayed. Initially the Attachment and
Connection point hotspots for the leader line (if leader lines have been selected for the label)
are on a single point, adjacent to the label.

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Labelling

The arrangement of the hotspots becomes apparent when the label is moved from its initial
position. The following illustration shows the label moved upwards and to the right:

The position of the label can be moved by left-clicking and dragging its outline.
By left-clicking and dragging a hotspot, the angle of the label or the geometry of the leader
line can be modified.

7.2.3

If the Esc key is pressed while the item is selected, no changes to the item will be
made.

When the pointer is moved away from a modifiable item and the left-hand mouse
button is clicked, the changes will be saved, and the display shows the new
arrangement.

Whether or not the changes are saved, DRAFT will still be in Modify mode and the user
can continue to pick other items for modification.

Positioning
Once an item or hotspot has been selected in Modify mode, the Modify Mode shortcut menu
can be displayed by clicking the right-hand mouse button.
Options on this menu, apart from the default 2D Cursor hit option, allow the user to choose
a position for a leader line hotspot with relation to an existing line, or lines, of the displayed
engineering drawing.

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Labelling

The 2D cursor hit option, causes the item or hotspot, when selected, to be moved to, and
follow, the position of the mouse pointer position. When the mouse button is released, the
hotspot remains at the latest position.
When an option is selected that specifies the position related to a line of the engineering
drawing, as the hotspot is dragged over a line or lines that can satisfy the option, the line(s)
will be highlighted. The hotspot snaps to the appropriate position and will remain there when
the mouse button is released. For example, if the Centre Point of option is selected the
hotspot will snap to the centre of any arc or circle it moves over.
If no position has been found that satisfies the selected menu option, when the mouse
button is released, the item will be dropped at the pointer position.
Menu options that are not applicable to the current element are greyed out.
The menu options applicable to leader lines and their methods of use are shown in the
table.
Note: These options do not apply to moving text.
Menu Option

Method of Use

2D cursor hit

Drag hotspot to the required position. This is the default, which is


reset each time a new element is picked.

End Point of

Drag the hotspot over a line or arc, which will be highlighted when
recognised

Mid Point of

Drag the hotspot over a line, which will be highlighted when


recognised.

Centre Point of

Drag the hotspot over a circle or arc, which will be highlighted


when recognised.

Intersect at

Drag the hotspot over two lines that actually intersect. The items
will be highlighted in turn.

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Labelling

Menu Option

Method of Use

Intersect between

Drag the hotspot over two lines whose extensions intersect. The
items will be highlighted in turn.

Nearest to

Drag the hotspot over any DESIGN or DRAFT item. The point will
snap to the nearest point on the item.

The 2D positioning menu is automatically reset to 2D cursor hit when an element is first
picked.

7.3

Modifying Labels Graphically


This Section describes how to modify the geometry of a Label. Similar information is
provided for Dimensions (refer to Modifying Linear Dimensions Graphically and Modifying
Angular Dimensions Graphically) and 2D Geometry (refer to Editing 2D Primitives
Graphically).
The Name label for Nozzle C1101-N6 is used in the illustrations and the feedback colour is
cyan.
The Model Editor icon
required label is selected.

is clicked on the Drawing Display Window toolbar and the

The label outline is dragged away from the equipment using the Model Editor.

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Labelling

The Bend point at the mid point of the leader line in now visible, as are the hotspots, which
consist of:

The Rotation handle

The Attachment point

The Connection point.

The bend point is picked and dragged to put a bend in the leader line. A second bend point
will be created. This point can be moved as well, if required.
Note: If the user wants to re-select the label, then the label itself must be picked.
The attachment points and the connection point can be moved to create gaps and offsets. A
dashed line will then appear between the arrow hotspot and the default position of the point.
As an example, the illustration shows the connection hotspot dragged down and to the right.

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Labelling

When the leader line and label are positioned as required, the arrangement is saved by
clicking on the background away from the label and leader line. The label and leader line are
then shown in the pre-selected colour.

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Labelling

7.4

2D Positioning Menu Options


The 2D positioning options available from the shortcut menu are:
2D cursor hit

The cursor position. This is the default, which is reset each time a new
element is picked. If the Snap to Grid option
is on, positions will be
snapped to the grid, not to the 2D position setting.

End point of

Move the hotspot over a line or arc

Mid point of

Move the hotspot over a line

Centre point of

Move the hotspot over a circle or arc

Intersect at

Move the hotspot over two items which actually intersect. The items will
be highlighted in turn.

Intersect
between

Move the hotspot over two items whose extensions intersect. The items
will be highlighted in turn

Nearest to

Move the hotspot over any DESIGN or DRAFT item. The point will snap
to the nearest point on the item

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Labelling

7.5

Gaps in Labels
The Gap Manager form is used to create and delete gaps in lines, such as label leader
lines, and linear, angular and radial dimension, and projection lines.
The form is displayed by clicking the Create Gaps button on the Labels form:

The Gap Manager form displays.

The form will be greyed out if the Current Element is not on an element type that allows
gaps to be created (SLAB, GLAB, DPOI, DPPT and DPBA). The
button allows the user
to navigate by picking a label to create and delete gaps on, and is never greyed out, except
when the graphics are in pick mode.
The form is tracking and so will grey out and grey in when the user navigates around the
drawing and database. It contains the following tool buttons:
Button

Function
Allows the user to select and navigate to a label in the 2D view.
Creates a single gap on the current label. Click on the leader line of the label
where the gap is to be created.
Creates a number of gaps on the current label using the same method as
above. Press the Cancel button on the qualifier form when finished. Note that
no more than 10 gaps per label are allowed.
Creates a gap of varying gap distance. The first click defines the start point of
the gap and the second click defines the end point. A ghost line circle is
displayed between the first and second pick as feedback (in the feedback
colour) so that the user can see how big the gap will be after the second click.
Creates many of the previous 2 point gaps as required. No more than 10 gaps
on one label can be created.
Deletes a single gap by clicking on or near the gap to be deleted.
Deletes many gaps on the current label; this is similar to the previous method.
Deletes all gaps on the current label. Note the user will not be asked if they
are to be deleted.

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Labelling

7.6

Label Leader Attributes


The options to set the Leader Line style and colour are common to several different types
of primitive in DRAFT. Styles and colours can be set in two ways: either Standard or User
Defined. Standard options of colour, thickness and style are set explicitly by selecting
system defined settings from the drop-down lists. User-defined options are selected from
examples displayed on a form.
Note: Changing the style and colour only affects the current Label. If the attributes are to be
changed for any new Labels that have been created, the Layer attributes will need to
be changed. A new label will then have to be created to see the effect.
The label is clicked on to make it the Current Element and then Modify>Label>Definition is
selected from the main menu. The Labels form is displayed.

Leader Line is selected from the Attributes drop-down list. The Label Leader Attributes
form is displayed.

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Labelling

This form allows the user to change the standard settings of line colour and style.
CE

Enters the Current Element in the field.

Leader

Select from drop-down list of options.

Leader Line Colour and Style

7.7

Colour

Select a colour from the drop-down list or use the Pick facility to
select a Colour from the View.

Style

Select a style from the drop-down list of options.

Terminator

Select a line terminator from the drop-down list of options.

Clearance

Enter a value for the clearance.

Size

Enter a value for the size.

Modifying Design Symbols


2D Symbolic Representation of design items is covered in the DRAFT User Guide. Design
symbols are created and deleted automatically by DRAFT as part of the annotation of the
View, and the user subsequently has much less control over these elements than other
forms of annotation.

7.7.1

Accessing a Design Symbol


A design symbol (DESSYM) is accessed in the same way as a label element, i.e. by left
clicking on it. (In addition, the query commands Q LABEL and Q DESC also work for a
design symbol.

7.7.2

Moving a Design Symbol Using the Cursor


A design symbol can be moved by left-clicking on it with the cursor and dragging it to its new
position (in the same way that a label element is moved). Once moved, the symbol
automatically shows a leader line to where the design element should be. It is also possible
to modify a design symbols position, orientation and leader line (if one exists) using the
Graphical Interaction Mode, unless these attributes have been locked by the administrator.

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Labelling

7.7.3

Highlighting a Design Symbol Layer or Design Symbol

Highlighting a Design Symbol Layer in the DRAFT window.


The Design Symbol Layer (DSLAYE) is selected in the DRAFT Explorer for a View
displayed in the DRAFT Window. With the cursor anywhere in the DRAFT window, a
right-click shortcut menu is displayed and Highlight CE is selected to highlight the
current element (i.e. the DSLAYE).

Highlighting a Design Symbol in the DRAFT window.


A Design Symbol (DESSYM) is selected in the DRAFT Explorer or the cursor is placed
over it and left clicked in a view displayed in the DRAFT Window. Then, with the cursor
anywhere in the DRAFT Window, a right-click shortcut menu is displayed and
Highlight CE selected to highlight the current element (i.e. the DESSYM).

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Dimensioning

Dimensioning
The types of dimensions are Linear (LDIM), Angular (ADIM), Radial (RDIM) and Pitch Circle
Diameter (PDIM). Their appearances are shown in the following illustration.
Dimension

Example

Linear

Angular

Radial

Pitched
Circle

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A Dimensions form is accessed by selecting Create>Dimension>Dimension Toolbar


from the main menu. The form contains illustrations of various types and styles of
dimension. Clicking on the required style of a linear or angular dimension leads to the
Linear/Angular Dimensions form.
Illustrations of linear dimensions also appear on the Linear Dimensions toolbar. The
toolbar method of selecting a dimension style is more convenient than the use of the Create
Linear Dimension and Create Angular Dimensions forms. Refer to Creating Linear
Dimensions and Angular Dimensions.
Linear tab selected:

Angular tab selected:

Radial tab selected:

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Dimensioning

Dimensioning elements are created under Layers owned by Views, as shown in the
diagram. Different types of dimension are created at different layers. All these elements will
be created automatically as a View is dimensioned.

8.1

Creating Linear Dimensions


The elements of a simple linear dimension are shown in the diagram.

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Dimensioning

The diagram illustrates the following features:

On the drawing, a pair of Dimension Points relates to a pair of points in the Design
model.

From each of these dimension points, a Projection Line is drawn on the drawing,
Offset in a direction defined by the user.

Between the parallel projection lines, Dimension Lines are drawn. These have
Terminators (normally arrows)

Each dimension and projection line may have text associated with it.

The various elements (Projection line, Dimension line, etc) of the dimensions are shown in
the Members form as DPPT1, DPPT2 etc, owned by the dimension, for example, LDIM.
Note: The values shown in the dimension text are taken directly from the 3D Design model.
If the points associated with the dimension points are moved in DESIGN, the
dimension can be updated automatically by selecting Graphics>Update>
Annotation.
A Linear Dimension between the nozzles along the centre of an equipment can be created
by selecting the appropriate Dimensions layer in the Draft Explorer and selecting
Create>Dimension>Dimension Linear from the main menu. The Create Linear
Dimension form is then displayed.

This form allows the user to apply settings for the Dimension and Projection Lines.
View

Shows the name of the selected view.

Direction

Shows the direction of the selected view.

Type

Select from the drop-down list of options: Chain (chained),


Tail (parallel) or Truncate (truncated parallel).

Dimension Line
Direction

Select line direction from drop-down list of options.

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Dimensioning

Derived Direction

Select a derived direction using the Derived button.

Terminators

Default set. Select from drop-down list to enter a different


terminator.

First Terminator

Default set. Select from drop-down list to enter a different first


terminator.

Projection Line
Text

Select from a drop-down list of options.

Angle

Default set. Enter a different value, if required.

Note: All dimensions in DRAFT are defined with respect to 3D World directions.
Once the Create Linear Dimension form has been populated, clicking OK displays the
Linear/Angular Dimensions form.

This form is used to create the points that define the Dimensions and form the link with the
3D Model element.
The list on the left of the form sets how Dimension Points are created. Item is selected in the
list. This will create the dimension point at the origin (P0) of the design primitive.
Create

Creates a point. The default is that this button must be used for
each point.
Allows several points of the same type to be created one after the
other. Selecting the symbol ticks the adjacent checkbox.

Delete

Allows a Dimension Point to be deleted.

Re-Attach

Allows a label to be re-attached.

Gaps

Displays the Gap Manager form.

Ppoint

Enter a P-point.

Auto-show Linear
Dimensions

Select to automatically show linear dimensions.

Note: The
symbol must be off if Dimension Points are to be created in different
ways, or if the 3D Pos, Cursor or Matchline positioning options are to be used.

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By clicking on Create, the nozzles can be picked in sequence in either the 2D View or in the
3D View. The name of the item, P-point or P-line under the cursor will be highlighted in a tool
tip as the cursor moves around, and pressing the button will select it.

Pressing Esc finishes the process and the distances between the nozzles are then
dimensioned as shown in the illustration.

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Dimensioning

8.1.1

Deleting Dimension Points


A dimension point can be deleted by clicking on an element of the particular dimension to
make it the Current Element and either selecting Delete from the shortcut menu over the
DPPT (Dimension Point) element in the Draft Explorer or selecting Delete>CE from the
main menu.
In either case, clicking Yes in the Confirm message box that is displayed, deletes the
dimension point.

8.1.2

Modifying Linear Dimensions Graphically


Modifying linear dimensions graphically is limited to changing the length of the projection
lines, moving projection lines to the other side of the dimensioned item, and changing the
standout distance of the text.
Dimensions can be modified graphically by entering the Modify mode and moving the
dimension elements similarly to modifying Labels, as discussed in Modify Mode.
To enter Modify Mode,

is clicked on the Drawing Display Window toolbar.

The length of the projection line can be increased by selecting and dragging the dimension
line in the required direction, and then clicking on the background. The new projection line
will be shown in the 2D View.
The text standout distance can be increased by selecting the outline of the text box and
dragging it to the required position, and then clicking on the background. The text will be
displayed at the new standout distance.
This illustration is an example the modified dimensions. Continue to experiment with
modifying the dimensions, as you wish.

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Dimensioning

8.2

Angular Dimensions
To create the angular dimension between two nozzles on an equipment, the appropriate
Dimensions layer is selected, and then Create>Dimension>Dimension Angular is
selected from the main menu. The Create Angular Dimension form is displayed.

This form allows the user to apply settings for the Dimension and Projection Lines.
View

Shows the name of the selected view

Type

Select from the options in the Type drop-down list. The adjacent
drop-down list allows clockwise and anticlockwise options for the
direction in which the items are picked in sequence.

Dimension Line
Terminators

Default set. Select from drop-down list to enter a different


terminator.

First Terminator Default set. Select from drop-down list to enter a first terminator.
Projection Line
Text

Select from a drop-down list of options

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Dimensioning

The dimension will have its origin that is the point from which the angular dimension
directions will radiate, at the origin of the element picked.
Once the Create Angular Dimension form has been populated, clicking OK displays the
Linear/Angular Dimensions form. This is the same form as displayed for Linear
Dimensions, and it is used in the same way. Refer to Creating Linear Dimensions.
With the
symbol switched on, and the Create button clicked, the user will be
prompted to pick the items to be dimensioned. The nozzles are picked in the order either
clockwise or anticlockwise, set in the Create Angular Dimension form.
Clicking on the background or pressing the Esc key will show the dimensions in the 2D
View.

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Dimensioning

8.2.1

Modifying Angular Dimensions Graphically


Modifying angular dimensions graphically is limited to changing the offset and standout
distances.
To increase the offset of the dimension click
enter Modify Mode.

on the Drawing Display Window toolbar to

The dimension line is selected and dragged away from the origin of the projection lines, until
the required position is reached. Then clicking on the background or pressing Esc, shows
the modified dimension in the 2D View.

8.3

Radial Dimensions
To create a radial dimension on an Equipment, Create>Dimension>Dimension Toolbar is
selected from the main menu. The Dimensions form is displayed and the Radial tab is
selected.

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Dimensioning

When the required radius style is selected, the user is prompted to pick the item to
dimension. On picking the item, the radial dimension will be shown in the 2D View.

The Radial Dimensions form is then displayed which allows the user to modify radial
dimensions.

8.3.1

Modifying Radial Dimensions Graphically


You can modify Radial Dimensions graphically in a similar way to modifying other dimension
types. Refer to Modifying Linear Dimensions Graphically and Modifying Angular Dimensions
Graphically.

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Dimensioning

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Automatic Drawing Production

Automatic Drawing Production


This section provides an introduction to Automatic Drawing Production (ADP) in DRAFT.
There are three ADP utilities:

9.1

General ADP, for the production of General, Pipework and Equipment drawings. This is
covered below.

Steelwork Detailing ADP. This is not covered in this document.

Hangers and Supports ADP. This is not covered in this document. (For further
information, refer to Pipework Support Design User Guide.)

General ADP
The General ADP Utility uses special drawing sheets, referred to as Backing Sheets, which
enable schedules and lists of reference drawings to be generated and placed on the
drawing sheet automatically. It also uses intelligent keyplans (in the form of overlays),
which can be used to define the limits of the models shown on the drawings.
ADP depends on having rules set up to define how different types of drawing will be created
and annotated. There are defaults rules supplied as part of the sample project, which will be
used in this exercise. Changing the defaults is a System Administration task, and so is
outside the scope of this manual (see DRAFT Administrator Application User Guide).
The ADP forms can be used to create an annotated and dimensioned view on a drawing
sheet.
To do this the ADP application is entered by selecting Draft>Auto Drawing Production
from the main menu. If no sheet is currently displayed, the Drawing Selection form displays
allowing the user to select the required sheet. Alternatively, the sheet can be selected using
Draft Explorer.

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Automatic Drawing Production

9.1.1

ADP Application Menu


Once the application has been loaded, the ADP application menu is displayed across the
top of the window. The Create and Modify menus are exclusively for ADP.

Selecting Create>General ADP>Drawing from the main menu displays the Create DRWG
form.
Note: The Drawing will be created under the current Registry, assuming that the Current
Element is a Registry or lower.
If the user is at a higher level, and more than one Registry is available, the user will
be prompted to move to the Registry required, by selecting it in the Draft Explorer.

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Automatic Drawing Production

Clicking OK on the Create DRWG form, displays the Modify General ADP Drawing form.

This form allows the user to enter a title and date for the drawing, and provides access to
creating a ADP sheet.
CE

Select to show the Current Element.

Frame

Select a Backing Sheet from the drop-down list.

Title

Enter an appropriate title for the Drawing.

Date

Populated automatically with the current date.

Drn

Populated automatically with the drawers ID.

Apply

Applies the populated fields in the Drawing.

Create ADP Sheet

Displays the Create SHEE form.

Dismiss

Closes the form.

Once the fields on the Modify General ADP Drawings form have been populated, and the
Apply and Create ADP Sheet buttons have been clicked, the Create SHEE form is
displayed.

Clicking OK on the Create SHEE form shows the Backing Sheet in the Drawing display
Window and displays the Modify General ADP Sheet form.

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This form allows the user to modify the ADP Sheet and provides access to creating the ADP
View.
CE

Select to show the Current Element.

Frame

Populated with the previously selected Backing Sheet.


Selecting the button displays the contents of the adjacent
field.

Title

Enter a Title if required.

Keyplan

Select a keyplan from the drop-down list. This will define the
limits of the drawing.

Area

Select from the drop-down list of options. The list becomes


available once a keyplan has been selected.

Reference Drawings

Displays a list of Reference Drawings which can be accessed

Apply

Displays the keyplan in the appropriate area of the sheet.

Create ADP View

Displays the Create View form.

Dismiss

Closes the form.

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Automatic Drawing Production

The Keyplan
button on the Modify General ADP Sheet form can be used to zoom
into the keyplan area.

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Automatic Drawing Production

Clicking the Frame


to full frame.

button on the Modify General ADP Sheet form, returns the View

With all the fields set on the Modify General ADP Sheet form, clicking the Create ADP
View button, displays the Create VIEW form.

The Function of the View is set in the form so that a View will be created which references
a corresponding file.
Clicking OK on the Create View form, displays the Modify General ADP View form.

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Automatic Drawing Production

This form allows the user to define the Drawing View based on general settings and limits
imposed either by the drawlist or keyplan.

CE

Select to show the Current Element.

Function

Populated with the selected function.

Modify

Displays the Modify General ADP Sheet form

Defaults

Displays a Defaults form.

General Settings
Drawlist

Select how the Drawlist is to be defined from the drop-down list of


options. For example selecting the Volume Defined option allows
the drawing to be defined by the values in the direction boxes at the
bottom of the form.

Modify

Displays the Drawlist Management form.

Style

Select a Style from the drop-down list.

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Automatic Drawing Production

Type

Select a Type from the drop-down list.

Direction

Select a direction for the frame position from the drop-down list.

Automatic

Sets the frame position automatically.

Cursor

Allows the frame position to the be picked in the View with the
cursor.

Limits
From Drawlist

Allows the limits of the drawing to be defined according to the


Drawlist Setting.

From Keyplan

Allows the limits of the drawing to be defined according to the


selected keyplan.

Update Aids

Provides access to updating aids.

Matchlines

Displays matchlines on the drawing View if the checkbox is


selected.

From

Enter the required values in the From direction boxes, if required.

To

Enter the required values in the To direction boxes, if required.

Scale

Select the scale using the drop-down lists.

Nearest

Selects automatically the scale which show the complete drawing


in the View.

Set Scale

Sets the scale according to the entered values.

Tagging

Allows tagging to be included in the View.

Schedules

Allows schedules to be included in the View.

Attributes

Allows attributes to be included in the View.

Apply

Applies the settings in the Modify View form.

Update

Displays the View Update form.

Dismiss

Closes the form.

Once the Modify General ADP View form has been populated with the required settings,
clicking Apply accepts the settings and displays the Drawing View with the specified
elements included.

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Automatic Drawing Production

Selecting the Update button on the Modify General ADP View form displays the View
Update form.

This form allows the user to specify which elements in the View will be updated.

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Update

Select the options for updating from Design Graphics,


Schedules, Tagging, Annotation, Piping, Equipment and
Gridline.
Note: Automatic Savework is on by default.

Log File
Directory

Populated with the current directory.

File Name

Enter the file name or select the Browse button to open a


browser.

Messages

Select the message format from the drop-down list.

Update Now

Actions the Drawing View creation process.

Create Batch Macro

Creates a batch macro for the Drawing View.

Dismiss

Closes the form.

After selecting the Update options of the View Update form and clicking the Update Now
button, messages will appear in the Status Bar giving information about the creation
process, which can take a few minutes. On completion of the creation process, the Drawing
View will be displayed.

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2D Drafting

10

2D Drafting
DRAFTs 2D Drafting facility is used for adding manually-drafted graphic and text details to
drawings that have been generated by DRAFT from the DESIGN database. The facility is
not intended to be a used as a drafting package.
This section is an introduction to 2D Drafting in DRAFT.
There are three sets of menu options specific to 2D Drafting:
Draw

Enables 2D Primitives and Local Symbols to be drawn.

Construct

Enables lines and other primitives to be constructed using


existing primitives.

Edit

Enables the user to change the attributes of a primitive, move


primitives and nodes, insert gaps in lines, trim lines and arcs,
rotate primitives, reduce a symbol to its components and
manipulate groups.

The Draw and Edit functions are covered in this section.

10.1

2D Drafting Hierarchy
The basic geometric shapes and text that can be drawn are called Primitives. The
primitives exist in the DRAFT hierarchy as members of NOTEs, VNOTs elements, or
Symbol Templates (SYTMs).
By default, the NOTE and VNOTE (View Note) elements will be created automatically
whenever a Sheet or Layer element is created, but additional ones can be created if
required.
Primitives that exist as members of VNOTs may have their dimensions and positions
defined in terms of 3D Design values.
Note: Whenever a VIEW is created, a number of Layers are automatically created, one of
which will be reserved for Notes. Additional Layers can also be created if required by
selecting Create>Layer from the main menu.
The following diagram shows the 2D Drafting part of the DRAFT hierarchy. It shows the
related elements and at what level in the hierarchy they may be created. All of these
elements, with the exception of extra Layers, can be created as extra 2D elements are
added to the Sheet or View.

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10.2

Creating Sheet Note and View Note Elements


To create a Sheet Note, the Sheet is selected in the Draft Explorer and Create>Note is
selected from the main menu. The Create NOTE form is then displayed.

Accepting the default name and clicking OK creates the Note.


Depending where in the hierarchy the user was positioned when the Note was created, a
Sheet Note (NOTE element) or a Layer Note (VNOT element) will be created, as
appropriate. To create a NOTE the user must be positioned at a SHEE element or below,
but not below a VIEW element, whereas to create a VNOT the user must be positioned at a
LAYE element or below. As the Notes are created, they are added to the list of Notes at the
right-hand side of the toolbar.

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10.3

Creating Primitives
To create primitives, with a NOTE (or VNOT) element as the current element,
Draw>Primitives is selected from the main menu. The 2D Draughting form is displayed.

The form has four tabs: Lines, Shapes, Symbols and Text.
Holding down the left-hand mouse button over an icon reveals a display of alternative icons.
Moving to the required icon and then releasing the mouse button selects the icon.
For all primitives except Symbols (the
icon), the Point Construction Option Form
displays. The prompt text included in this form tells the user what to do next. The text will
vary according to the type of primitive being created, as shown in these examples.

The default Option is 2D Cursor hit. This enables the selected primitive to be positioned
free-hand picking the point(s) requested, in the appropriate position(s) on the drawing.
If the primitive is a graphic, it is drawn as the points are selected. Depending on the type of
graphic, it may be necessary to click on Cancel on the Point Construction Option Form
when the final point has been selected, in order to complete the graphic.
If the primitive is Text, only one point is selected and the Modify Text form is then displayed.

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2D Drafting

This form allows the user to enter the required text and select its format.

10.4

CE

Select to show the Current Element.

Intelligent Texts

Displays the Intelligent Text form.

Create

Allows text to be created in the text box.

Copy

Allows text to be copied from the text box.

Font

Select font format from the drop-down lists.

Just

Select the text justification from the drop-down lists.

Height

Enter a value for the text height.

Char Space

Enter a value for the character spacing of the text.

Line Space

Enter a value for the line spacing of the text.

Angle

Enter a value to set the angle at which the text will be shown on the
drawing. The default is set at 90.

Apply

Inserts the text on the drawing.

Dismiss

Closes the form.

Editing 2D Primitives Graphically


As with Labels and Dimensions, 2D primitives can be edited graphically.
To carry out this editing, the Model Editor icon
clicked to enter Modify mode.

on the Drawing Display Window toolbar is

The general action is to select the primitive and then select and drag one of the hotspots
until the required result is achieved. Then click on the background.

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2D Drafting

The

icon is clicked again to leave the Modify mode.

The individual primitives, and how they may be modified, are now described.
Arcs

A hotspot at the centre of the arc, to allow the whole arc to be moved.

A hotspot at each end of the arc, to allow the corresponding end of the arc to be
repositioned. The repositioning will be such that the bulge factor remains the same.

A hotspot mid way round the arc. This may be moved anywhere, and the bulge factor
will adjust appropriately.

A dotted line cross and four hotspots round the centre. The arc can be made to rotate
about its centre by rotating any of these hotspots.

Circles

A hotspot at the centre of the circle to allow the whole circle to be repositioned.

A hotspot on the circumference, which will allow the radius of the arc to increase or
decrease as it is moved, while the centre remains fixed.

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Diamonds

A hotspot in the centre of the diamond to allow the whole diamond to be moved.

A hotspot at each end of the axes. These hotspots can be moved along their axis, and
the axis will alter length as it moves.

A dotted line cross and four hotspots round the centre. The diamond can be made to
rotate about its centre by rotating any of these hotspots.

Ellipses

A hotspot at the centre of the ellipse to allow the whole ellipse to be moved, with its
major axis parallel to its original position.

A hotspot at one end of the major axis. This hotspot can be moved along the major
axis. The length of the major axis changes as the hotspot moves.

A hotspot at one end of the minor axis. This will be constrained to move only
perpendicular to the major axis, and can be used to increase the length of the minor
axis.

A dotted line cross and four hotspots round the centre. The ellipse can be made to
rotate about its centre by rotating any of these hotspots.

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Hexagons

A hotspot in the centre of the hexagon to allow the whole hexagon to be moved.

A hotspot at each corner. These enable the hexagon to be resized.

A dotted line cross and four hotspots round the centre - the hexagon can be made to
rotate about its centre by rotating any of these hotspots.

Lines

A hotspot in the middle of the line to allow moving of the whole line parallel to its
original position.

A hotspot at each end to allow the associated end of the line to be moved. This may
involve rotation or lengthening of the line. The other end of the line remains fixed.

Rectangles (and Tables)

A hotspot in the centre of the rectangle to allow the whole rectangle to be moved
parallel to its original position.

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2D Drafting

A hotspot in the centre of each of the edges. These will enable the rectangle to be
stretched in that direction. The opposite edge will remain fixed, and the opposite sides
remain parallel.

A hotspot on each corner. This will enable the rectangle to be enlarged in such a way
that the opposite corner remains fixed, and the opposite sides remain parallel to each
other.

A dotted line cross and four hotspots round the centre - the rectangle can be made to
rotate about its centre by rotating any of these hotspots.

Symbols

A hotspot in the centre of the symbol to allow the symbol to be moved.

A dotted line cross and four hotspots round the symbols origin - the symbol can be
made to rotate about its origin by rotating this hotspot.

Text

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2D Drafting

A box round the text. Picking and dragging this box causes the text to move.

A dotted line circle and four hotspots round the centre. The text can be made to rotate
about its centre by rotating any of these hotspots.

Triangles

A hotspot in the centre of the triangle to allow the whole triangle to be moved parallel to
its original position.

A hotspot at two of the edges of the triangle. Moving either of these enables the triangle
to be resized while the other hotspot remains fixed. (Note that the triangle remains
equilateral.)

A dotted line cross and three hotspots round the centre. The triangle can be made to
rotate about its centre by rotating this hotspot.

Views

If view frames are not visible, the user can select the View Frames on/off option on the
right-click popup menu from the main display.

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2D Drafting

Hotspots on view frames cannot be snapped to construction points, but they can be
snapped to the grid.

Outlines
Outlines are created by the following icons on the Draw form:

There are two type of outline:

Polyarc - A series of connected arcs and lines

Spline - A smooth bi-cubic curve connecting the points on the outline

An outline may be closed, but this property is not preserved if the user chooses to move one
of the ends and not the other.
Both types of outline may be picked and dragged to a new position. The detailed
modification behaves differently, as described below:
Polyarcs

A hotspot at each end of the arc or line. Moving either of these will move the endpoint
of that arc or line (in the same way as for arcs or lines above), and will also move the
endpoint of the next arc or line connected to that same endpoint.

A hotspot at the mid point of the arc/line. Moving this will change the bulge factor of the
arc/line and could thus change a line into an arc.

If the user clicks on a hotspot, it becomes selected and changes colour to be white.
The user can then select from the pop-up menu either:
Delete point:

If it is an endpoint, the whole arc or line is deleted. If it is a mid


point, the arc becomes a straight line. The first point cannot be
deleted.

Insert After:

The user then picks a new position on the screen, and a new
straight-line span is created from the end of the currently selected
span, and connected to the following one.

Splines

A hotspot at each vertex. Moving any of these will cause the curve to be recalculated
dynamically.

If the user clicks on a hotspot, it becomes selected and changes colour to be white.
The user can then select from the pop-up menu either:
Delete point:

The point is deleted, and the curve recalculated without it. The first
point on the outline cannot be deleted.

Insert After:

The user then picks a new position on the screen, and a new
curve is calculated which includes this point positioned after the
selected hotspot.
A new point cannot be placed before the first one.

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Drawing Production User Guide


Section Planes

11

Section Planes
From the 3D View the user can create, manipulate and manage Section Planes. Section
Planes are shown on the 2D view at the same time as the 3D view. The
button allows
the user to access planes functionality.
Show Section Planes

Activates Section Planes and displays the Section


Planes form.

This form allows planes to be created and amended.

New Section Plane

Creates a new Section Plane in the 3D View. This is


effectively a stepped plane with just two points defined.

Indicate Section Plane Indicates which side of the plane is being clipped.
Clipping
Add to Clipping List

Adds the currently selected element to the clipping list.

Remove from Clipping Removes the currently selected element from the clipping
List
list.
Show Clipping List

Shows the clipping list for the Section Planes. Each


section plane can have a selective clipping list. The
contents of each list can be displayed in a selected
colour.

Section Planes

Shows the name of the View and the identity and


properties of each plane.

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Section Planes

11.1

Creating a Section Plane


Clicking on
in the Section Planes form creates a new Section Plane in the 3D View. All
Section Planes are displayed as green, transparent planes. The origins of the planes are
indicated by a cross (X). An arrow indicates the normal to the plane. Section Planes are
always created across the full span view and to the full depth of the model. They can then
be moved and edited according to the users requirements.

To amend a Section Planes details, highlight the plane and select the required option from
the right-clicked shortcut menu:
Modify

Displays the Modify Plane form.

Redefine Points

Allows the user to redefine the points to make a stepped plane


using the pointer in the 3D View.

Highlight

Highlights the selected plane.

Shown

Displays/hides the selected plane in the 3D View.

Delete

Deletes the selected plane. The user is asked if the VSEC


referencing the section plane is also to be deleted. If yes, the user
is then asked to confirm the deletion of the section plane. Note that
the user may not wish to delete the plane if it is a library plane
referenced by a number of VSECs.

Clipped

Sets the section plane to clip/unclip specified elements.

Flip

Switches the side of the plane to be clipped. This is displayed as


perpendicular lines on the side of the plane to be clipped.

Highlight Clip List

Highlights elements selected for clipping.

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Section Planes

11.2

Colour

Selects the colour displayed for the selected plane from the
associated menu.

Transparent

Switches between displaying the plane as transparent or opaque.

Editing a Section Plane


After a section plane has been created in the 3D View, the position of the plane can be
manipulated in the 3D View. This is carried out by highlighting the particular plane and using
the displayed manipulation handles to reposition the plane in the 3D View.

The handles can be used to drag the plane to a new location.

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Section Planes

With the manipulation handles selected, a right-click shortcut menu can also be used to
orient the plane:

11.3

Enter Value

Enter a rotation value about the current point.

Orient to Point

Allows the plane to be orientated to a selected point on the view.

Align with direction

Aligns the selected plane with a selected direction.

Align with...

Aligns the plane with a selected element.

Rotate Handle

Provides the above options for the selected rotation handle.

Editing Stepped Planes


Stepped planes can be edited by selecting the plane in the 3D View and then selecting Edit
Steps which allows steps to be created and manipulated in the plane.
To insert a step in a plane, Insert Step After is selected from the enabled shortcut menu.
The steps position and rotation can then be amended by selecting the step and using the
manipulation handles to move the step to the desired orientation.

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Section Planes

By selecting Insert Step After, a new step can be created after the selected step and then
positioned as required.

This process can be repeated until the plane has the required number of steps. If necessary,
a step can be removed by selecting the Delete option from the right-click shortcut menu.

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Section Planes

11.4

Showing the Clipping


Clicking on the Indicate Section Plane Clipping
icon displays the side of the plane that
will be clipped. Perpendicular lines to the plane show the side to be clipped.

The clipping list is displayed by clicking on the Show Clipping List


icon on the Section
Planes form. Then by selecting Highlight Clipping List from the right-click shortcut menu,
the user is able to highlight clipped items in the list.
Selecting Flip from the right-click shortcut menu, changes the side of the plane to be
clipped.

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Drawing Production User Guide


Additional Facilities

12

Additional Facilities
Whilst not part of DRAFTs core functions, there are other general facilities available to
increase productivity whilst using DRAFT.

12.1

User Utilities
This facility allows the user to create menus in DRAFT. To access the facility,
Utilities>General Utilities is selected from the main menu. The User Utilities form is
displayed. Selecting Control>Define from this forms menu bar, displays the Utilities
Definitions form.

This form allows the user to define menus to execute DRAFT command syntax or to
display a DRAFT form.
Currently Defined

Shows what has been currently defined for the menu.

Remove

Removes the menu definition from the Currently Defined box.

Heading

Enter the title of the main menu to be defined.

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Additional Facilities

12.1.1

Description

Enter the title of the pull-down.

Commands

Select checkbox to enter the required command.

Formname

Select checkbox to enter the name of a form.

Add

Adds the menu definition to the Currently Defined set.

Replace

Allows an individual menu definition entry to be replaced.

Save

Saves the menu definition.

Cancel

Cancels the menu definition.

Defining a Menu to Execute a Command


The title of the main menu to be defined and the title of the pull-down menu are entered in
the respective Heading and Description Fields. Then the required command (the DRAFT
User Guide contains the syntax of all the DRAFT commands) is entered in the Commands
field.
Clicking Add adds the menu definition to the Currently Defined set and clicking Save
saves the definition.
When next selecting Utilities>General Utilities, the menu that has been defined will
appear in the User Utilities menu bar.
The example shows a menu which will execute the command: Colour 1 Black

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Additional Facilities

12.1.2

Defining a Menu to Display a Form


This follows a similar procedure to defining a menu to execute a command, except the
Commands check box must be cleared. This then enables the Formname check box to be
selected. The name (not the title) of a form can then be entered in the Formname field.

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Additional Facilities

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Drawing Production User Guide


DRAFT Database

DRAFT Database

WORLD

STYLWL

LIBY

GLYTB

LSTYTB

FSTYTB

GLYPH

LINEST

FILLST

OLINES

HPATTE

DEPT

(see overleaf)

REPO

REGI

DRWG
LIBY

TEXT

(see overleaf)
REVI

SHEE

TEXT

OLAY

NOTE

REVI

VIEW

(see overleaf)
LAYE

ADIM

LDIM

PDIM

RDIM

VNOT

RRUL

GLAB

HRUL

SLAB

VSEC

TAGR

(see overleaf)

Note: Automatically created system elements are not shown.

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DRAFT Database

Note: Automatically created system elements are not shown.


Not all elements shown are discussed in this manual.

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Drawing Production User Guide

Index

Numerics

Drawlist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:14

2D Drafting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:1
2D Positioning Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:6
2D Primitives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:3
Modifying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:4
3D View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:1

Label
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:3
Gaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:11
Leader Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:12
Modifying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:7
Layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:1
Limits-defined View
Creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:9
Linear Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:3
Creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:4
Deleting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:7
Modifying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:7

ADP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1
Angular Dimensions
Creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:8
Modifying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:10
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1
Automatic Drawing Production
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1
Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1

Font Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:6

Creating Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1

Main Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:2


Modify Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:4

Database Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1, 4:1


Department
Creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1
Design Symbols
Modifying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:13
Dimensioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:1
DRAFT Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A:1
Drawing
Creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:5
Creating automatically . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1

N
NOTE (Sheet Note) element . . . . . . . . 10:1

P
Primitives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:3
Creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:3
Modifying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:4

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Drawing Production User Guide

R
Radial Dimensions
Creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:10
Modifying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:11

S
Section Planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:1
Clipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:6
Creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:2
Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:4
Manipulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:3
Sheet
Creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:5, 5:9
Startup Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:2

T
Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:3

U
User Utilities
Creating Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:1
User-define View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1

V
View
Creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:9
Modifying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1
Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1
VNOT (View Note) element . . . . . . . . . 10:1

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