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The [L]ines sub-menu from the drawing editors root menu has several commands that let you control the attributes of line segments in drawings. Additionally the [L]ines sub-menu lets you to delete or alter any line segment in a drawing.

See also the information in Appendix N, in the supplemental documentation section.

Pressing [L] from the [D]raw sub-menu of the drawing editor will also bring up this [L]ine style menu even though [L] is not given in the [D]raw sub-menu command list on the right of the screen. Having the access to the [L]ine style menu duplicated in the [D]raw sub-menu makes changing the line color easier.

The [I]nsert command in the [L]ines edit sub-menu lets you insert a line segment into an element that is not the element with the highest number (normally line segments are appended to the element with the highest number unless you use the [B]egin new element command.)

If you are going to insert many line segments into an element you would do better to use the [C]opy and [E]rase commands from the [E]lements sub-menu to copy the element you want to add line segments to, and so as to make the copy the element the element with the highest number and then erase the original element. In that way lines that you draw will be appended to the element with the highest number, which would be the one you just copied. Lines that are appended are placed after the element, if you want to place new lines before the beginning of the element you can use the Jockey Reverse lines command to reverse the element, then append lines, then reverse the element again, in that way the appended lines will come before the element in reverse of the order they where appended. Lines are appended by using the [0/Ins] key or the mouse [Left] button in the Draw lines sub-menu.

In the [D]raw sub-menu line segments are appended to the element with the highest number unless you use the [B]egin command to start a new element (you should be careful that you use the [B]egin command after the commands that create elements before you start drawing line segments or you will not be able to erase the line segments drawn after the element without also erasing the element itself as well (unless you delete each line one by one, as opposed to erasing an element as a whole) (DANCAD3D (tm) normally appends line segments to the highest numbered element to allow additions to elements you are working on when you quit the program and rerun it or initialize the workspace and load another drawing).)

While drawing you can "un-do" the lines you append to the last element by pressing the [U] key in the Draw lines sub-menu.

The [D]elete command in the [L]ines sub-menu of the drawing editor lets you delete any line segment in a drawing or element. Be sure that the line segment you wish to delete is actually only one line segment and not two line segments end to end! If you have two line segments end to end, use the [P]ull-point command to move one of the end points so you can see where the other end point(s) of the line segment(s) you wish to delete are. Also use the [V]iew option to check the cursor alignment from the [F]ront, [S]ide, and [T]op views to make sure the line segment and cursor are aligned in all three axis. Use the [+] key and [*] key to zoom in and check cursor alignment with the line segments end points.

If you have problems getting the [D]elete command to work it is probably because you are not placing the cursor on the end points of a single line segment. Be careful if you have elements that overlap, since the [D]elete command normally deletes the line with the lowest workspace array index first. The Jockey Reverse lines command might be used to reverse the order of the line segments so that Delete would then delete the last lines drawn first.

While drawing you can "un-do" the lines you append to the last element by pressing the [U] key in the Draw lines sub-menu.

The [P]ull-point command in the [L]ines sub-menu of the drawing editor lets you change the end point of any line segment in the workspace. Options in the [P]ull-point command let you pull one, two, or all the line segments that meet at a given point in the workspace. If the [P]ull-point command is used twice both ends of the line segment can be moved.

If you have several line segments meeting at one point and want to move one of the line segments you can use the option of the [P]ull-point command that will pull the first matching line segment found. Since the first matching line segment found may not be the one you want to move you may need to use the [P]ull-point command several times to spread out the end points of the line segments that meet at the end point of the line segment you want to move. Once you have the end points spread out so the end points are no longer meeting at a common point you can use the [P]ull- point command to place the end points of the line segments you spread out where you want them to be. The [R]apid-pull command is a variation of the [P]ull-point command that lets you pull several points without having to re-enter the [P]ull-point command from the [L]ines sub-menu each time. The [R]apid-pull command is useful in adjusting tool-path drawings for use with DANPLOT.EXE (tm) and DANCAM.EXE (tm).

An alternative to using the [P]ull-point command is to [D]elete the line segment you want to change and [I]nsert a new one. Be aware that if you [D]elete and [I]nsert a line segment the order of the line segments in the element will (probably) no longer be the same. Where the preservation of line segment order is important, such as in a tool path, the [R]apid-pull command should be used exclusively. In other words, instead of inserting or deleting lines you can just move the ones you have around. If you pull both end points of a line segment to the first point of the next line segment you can sort of "hide" it.

The [N]umber and [F]ind commands in the [L]ines sub-menu of the drawing editor let you find the absolute sequential number of any line segment in the workspace. With the [N]umber command the same precautions apply as to the [D]elete command, that you are really marking the end points on one line segment and not two or more line segments end to end. The (array) number of a line segment is not used very much, but can be useful to know if you use the commands in the [N]umerical sub- menu of the main menu. Also knowing the number of a line segment can help you edit ASCII data files in the text editor since the reading of the text cursor line at the top of the text editor screen will be one higher than the sequential number of the line segment number (the first line of the ASCII data file has the macro commands VERSION and ENTER so drawing line segment #1 will be on text line #2 of the ASCII data file.)

If you use the [F]ind command you can use the [R]ecord command to keep the end point data, and later use [J]ump to go back to end points you recorded for drawing new lines.

The [L]ines [E]lement of in the [L]ines sub-menu command tells you what element a line of a given number is currently in. Note that the element a line number is in can change when commands are use to alter or edit elements.

Discussed elsewhere are some commands that transform elements into new elements, e.g. Lathe, Thicken, Window, and Hole. More often you will just want to move elements around or make them larger and smaller using Offset, Magnify, and Rotate. In the drawing editor there are some menus that let you change elements, e.g. Elements, and Jockey.

In most cases you can effect whole drawings, all the elements, by selecting element number 0 as the element to act on and use the workspace Zero point as the reference center point to use. If you are editing just one element you can use the element center for that element as the reference center point. The element center can be used with the Rotate, Flip, and Magnify commands to influence how the element will change, e.g. if you put the center at the corner of a square the square will pivot around its corner, which is a different effect than rotating around its midpoint.

The commands in the elements sub-menu let you [R]otate, [M]agnify, [F]lip, and [E]rase elements by touching the drawing cursor to one of the end points of a line segment. The cursor does not really need to touch the end point if you set the tolerance to a larger value, but generally you want to keep the tolerance small so you will not accidentally "find" the wrong element.

You can also enter the element number of the element you need to effect. The [N]umber command in the [E]lements sub-menu will find the number of any element in the workspace if you forget what an element's number is. You can also use the [U]pdate-list command from the drawing editors root menu to help you figure out what elements go with what numbers by turning off all but one at a time, to see what number goes with what displayed element.

If negative values are entered into the [M]agnify command the axis with the negative value will be inverted (flipped.) Be very careful that you do not enter a value of 0 to the magnify command. Magnifying by 0 will irreversibly squash your drawing into nothing (Magnifying the Z axis by 0 is a useful technique to make a 3D element into a 2D element.) Any axis you do not want to change when you use the Magnify command should be magnified by 1. You can distort elements by magnifying the three axis with different values. If you are making a movie to be projected through an 2X anamorphic lens you can save the perspective projection as a 2D file, initialize and reload, then magnify the 2D perspective element with x=0.5, y=1.0, and z=0 (anamorphic lenses are used to show wide screen movies.) Notice that magnifying by a number larger than 1 makes the element larger, and magnifying by values less than 1 make the element smaller (to reverse magnification re-magnify the element using the inverse of the values used the first time, i.e. magnifying by 0.5 will cancel magnifying by 2.0.)

The [O]ffset command will move an element to any point in the workspace, at any time during the development of a drawing. The term offset is used in electronics to designate relative values, such as the voltages of the x and y centering controls on an oscilloscope. In DANCAD3D (tm) the position of an element is its original position "offset" by some relative (or absolute) distance. In geometry the term for what [O]ffset does is Translate, but I thought naming the command Translate might confuse users as to what it does.

The "center" of each element is important to keep in mind when working with elements. You have the choice of having an element effected relative to the workspace's center Zero point (x=0, y=0, z=0) or the movable center point of each individual element. The center point for the individual elements can be set and changed with the [S]et-center command in the [E]lements menu.

FOR MAGNIFY:
Center Z: Element grows toward or from the center of the workspace.
Center C: Element grows toward or from the selected elements center.

FOR ROTATE:
Center Z: Element rotates (orbits) around center of the workspace.
Center C: Element rotates around the center point set for it.

FOR FLIP:
Center Z: Element flips and goes to the other side of the axis.
Center C: Element flips across a line through the set center point.

FOR OFFSET:
Center Z: Element moves the given distance from the workspace center.
Center C: Element moves the given distance from is current position.

In the Offset command in the numerical sub-menu off of the main menu there is also an option to move the elements center point to a point recorded with the Record point command in the drawing editor's Draw lines sub-menu. If you use this option be sure that the elements center point is set to the point you want the on the element.

You should keep in mind that the point that an element has set for its center does not need to be within the element. Putting the center point for an element at one of its corners is a very useful method of preparing an element for re-positioning by rotation around the point at the corner (the center for an element can be set to any point in the workspace.) When you use the [P]olygon command you will inevitably be using the [R]otate command to re-orient the polygon at some point while working on your drawing, the [P]olygon command puts the polygon's center at the workspace center, you can then reset the location of the center of the polygon with the [S]et-center command.

The element's center point is set using the Set-center command in the Elements sub-menu of the drawing editor. If you save then reload elements the center point can get reset or altered depending on how you saved the element, so it is important to reset the element's center point just before you need to use it.

The [J]ockey element menu was added to DANCAD3D (tm) in version 2.6A to add some additional manipulations of elements. The [M]edian command lets you center an element on any axis or set of axis, and on the element center or the workspace center. The [F]it-size command lets you have an element fit a "rectangular" volume, e.g. if the volume is not a cube the element will be distorted to fit. [R]everse reverses the order of the line segments in an element, and so does not change the appearance of the element, but does let you have an element plot in reverse and so is useful in preparing CNC/CAM tool paths. The [L]evel command lets you "level" an element. The [L]evel command is useful to "level" an element created by using a digitizer tablet to trace a drawing or photograph (it is nearly impossible to tape a photo level to 0.001" on the tablet, so use [L]evel later and you do not need to fuss.) [L]evel works by having you pick two points that line up on the horizontal or vertical, misalignment up to 44.9 degrees is allowed. [S]plit lets you "break" an element into two parts by grouping the lines into two elements, the appearance does not change. The [F]ind-points command in the [L]ines sub-menu can be useful in finding the line segment to [S]plit the element at.

Some additional [J]ockey commands where added in v2.7A, the [P]lotterize, [D]rill points, [O]ptimize, and [C]lean commands.

The [J]ockey [P]lotterize command can be used to make tool paths that work in DANCAM.EXE (tm) from 2D drawing material. Normally DANPLOT.EXE (tm) would be used for engraving and such, but in instances where you want to include such motions in a tool path for the 3D CAM program, the [P]lotterize command can add the up and down motions. Also if you need to export (save) G code, the elements might be put through [P]lotterize beforehand to add needed up and down motions.

The [J]ockey [D]rill points command extracts points, "dots", from lines in an element, and can be used to find the "centers" of symbols in a drawing such as PCB pads or other symbols. If the symbols are odd shaped and the points come out of center, you may be able to shift all the found points to center with the [O]ffset command. The [C]yclize command or the [P]lotterize command might be used on the points found to make a tool path. [D]rill points can also find the first point of each line, as a "dot", in a polygon if the tolerance is set to less than the shortest line segment, and the consecutive detection mode is used. This way a hexagon or other polygon can be used to get points for a "bolt circle" and the Dot cyclize command can then be used to load the tool path cycle for making each hole. See also [L]ink, [P]lotterize, and [D]ot cyclize to use with [D]rill points.

The [J]ockey [O]ptimize command rearranges the lines in a element so that when the element is plotted on a mechanical device less time would be wasted with motion not involved with going to the next set of lines to plot. 2D tool path files and drawings to be plotted on a pen plotter might benefit from use of [O]ptimize.

The [J]ockey [C]lean command derives from the earlier [N]umerical [C]lean command. When points are extracted to traced from a drawing or scanned image, they might benefit from being reset to a grid spacing. The [C]lean command rounds off the position of points in an elements lines, to the range value entered. The [C]lean command would work best on an element of dots or lines that move along a grid pattern. Do not use [C]lean on normal drawings since curves can become jagged if the [C]lean value is more than very small. Dots are line segments that have the same x, y, and z values for both end points, i.e. p1 = p2. Clean may be useful when used with the Drill points command for scanned images of subjects like PCB pads to make all the holes fall on an even "grid," i.e. multiple distances of 0.1 inch,, and such.

Several special commands are used to edit elements that are made from Triangles that are for use with the hidden line display modes. The Divide, Partition, Correct, Revert, and Sort commands are discussed below. These commands have macro equivalents so you should see also the descriptions in Appendix B.

The [H]idden [D]ivide command in the drawing editor's [H]idden sub-menu chops up triangles in a element to help with display problems arising when large and small triangles are close together. Although [D]ivide can help with some sorting problems for hidden line display, the increase in the total number of triangles can greatly increase the triangle sorting time. [D]ivide should be used just on the elements that need their triangles reduced in size. [D]ivide takes the goal length and chops up the triangles, in the selected element, until all of the triangles sides are about shorter than the goal value.

The [H]idden [P]artition command, in the drawing editors [H]idden sub-menu, breaks up chains of line segments into separate elements. This is a specialized command that might have some uses editing elements with contour lines, e.g. where you might want to apply [M]agnify or [O]ffset on one of the contour lines without effecting the others.

Chains of line segments might be generated to a ASCII file by DANCAM.EXE (tm) v2.7 by using a scanning probe. The [P]artition command might be useful in some kinds of editing of scanned profiles.

Some of the conversion modes making ASCII files from BMP or Pixel files may make Chains of line segments that might be partitioned into many elements for editing.

Chains of line segments can be used with the [B]etweens and [W]eave commands, so [P]artition might be needed to separate the chains into separate elements so that some of the contour lines could be edited separately, perhaps by using the [P]ull-point command in the [L]ines sub-menu.

The [H]idden [C]orrect command has various options for dealing with problems that crop up when drawing triangle elements, see also the [R]evert command.

The GENERATE option of [C]orrect calculates the position of the triangles normal p4 point using the values of p1, p2, and p3 in the triangles in an element. The line from p3 to p4 is the triangles normal and usually points outside or away from the element's surface. This command would be used to create or regenerate the normals from triangle data entered manually, or triangle data loaded that does not have the normals calculated properly.

The TRIANGLES option of [C]orrect corrects triangles that have their orientation reversed from their normal's orientation, and forces the triangles to match the normals. This command would only be used to correct a triangle element with triangles that where drawn improperly, and is a seldom used command. See REVERT to reverse both the triangles and normals.

The NORMALS option of [C]orrect corrects normals that have their orientation reversed from their triangle's orientation, and forces the normals to match the triangles. This command would only be used to correct a triangle element with triangles that where drawn improperly, and is a seldom used command. See REVERT to reverse both the triangles and normals.

The LAST option of [C]orrect generates a normal for the last triangle drawn in a triangle element. This is mostly used for its macro equivalent in conjunction with the macro APPEND command, to find the normal of triangles after they are drawn. It just changes the p4 data in the last line drawn in the workspace.

The SET option of [C]orrect lets you set the length of the triangles normals, so that you can see them in the display modes that show the normals. You will want to make the normals long enough to see so that you can tell if you have the triangles drawn the right way around. The REVERT command can be used to reverse the triangles and their normals in the event you have drawn them backwards. To avoid drawing parts of an element backwards, which would cause problems using REVERT since the good part would go bad when the bad part went good, you should use the BEGIN command to work on the elements in parts and display the normals to check each part before you use JOIN to join all of the parts of the elements together.

The VERIFY option of [C]orrect can be used to check a triangle element or a line element to see if there are mixed up elements or some other problems. You are not allowed to mix triangles and free lines in a single element, they must be kept in separate elements. The VERIFY command can scan an element to check for triangles in a line element, or lines in a triangle element. If an error is found you can use the SPLIT or DELETE command to edit the scanned, i.e. verified, element. The VERIFY command has two modes, ALL and QUICK. Normally you would set the ALL mode for VERIFY, but since the ALL mode takes some time, there is also a QUICK option that does not check all the lines in the element and might be used when you are sure that all of your elements are drawn properly, and are being used properly.

The [H]idden [R]evert command changes the orientation of the triangles and or normals, without checking the triangles current state. See also the CORRECT command for some similar options that work differently for correcting problems with how the triangles or normals are oriented.

The TRIANGLES option of the [R]evert command just reverses the triangles, by exchanging the p1 and p2 values. This command would only be used under special conditions to correct improperly drawn triangles, or triangles imported that are reversed. Usually you would use the REVERT BOTH command option to correct both the triangles and normals for triangles that where drawn backwards or got flipped around somehow.

The NORMALS option of the [R]evert command just reverses the normals, by moving p4 to the opposite side of p3. This command would only be used under special conditions to correct improperly drawn triangles, or triangles imported that are reversed. Usually you would use the REVERT BOTH command to correct both the triangles and normals for triangles that where drawn backwards or got flipped around somehow.

The BOTH option of REVERT is frequently used to correct triangles that are drawn backwards, or to correct a copy of a surface element made of triangles so that the copy can be used as the "back side" of something. Sometimes the LATHE command can end up having all the triangles going backwards (normals pointing inside the shape) because you drew the source line(s) going the wrong way, REVERT BOTH can be used to turn the lathe element "inside out" and fix this problem. If you make an element that has some triangles pointing the right way and some going the wrong way you will need to SPLIT the element up, use REVERT BOTH on the backwards portions, and JOIN the corrected portions back to the correct portions. It is best to use the display modes that show the normals as lines on the screen while drawing so that you can be sure your triangles are going the right way around as you draw. Drawing with your element rotated so that you are working from the front view is best, as always working from the front view might make the goal for the triangle direction less ambiguous to you and the program.

If you use the wrong direction for Thicken the Revert both command might let you correct the direction of the triangles and normals in the thickened element. Ordinarily you want the thicken direction the direction away from the source element's normals p3 to p4 ray.

The [H]idden [S]ort command sorts the triangles in an element from back to front. The display modes that require sorted triangles automatically sort the triangles for the display, but you might want to sort triangles with this command manually for some special reason since the sorted copy made by the display commands is not kept after the screen displays. The [S]ort command is not usually used while drawing.

The Sort command might has some use when combined with the NC Fill tri path command, a.k.a. FILL_TRIANGLES, to give a depth order to the machining of the surface triangles when making a tool path file.

There are two ways to save a G code file from DANCAD3D (tm), you can use the Files Save Industry G code command to convert the "free" line segments in the workspace into G01 movement commands in a G code file, or you can use the NC Output G code command to create a G code file that can contain Rapid move G01, Linear move G01, and Arc movement G02 and G03.

The conversion of a "free" line segment element directly into a series of G01 movements offers the greatest degree of freedom in the creation of the tool path file since any of DANCAD3D (tm)'s drawing tools and editing commands that work with "free" line segments can be used to edit or create the tool path motions. However since movements are as G01 movements the NC machine controller will not be able to use the special properties of the G00, G02, and G03 commands' use of ramping and such.

In those cases where you want to be able to have your NC machine controller use the special ramping properties of G00, G02, and G03 you can use the NC Output G code file command to create a G code file that is more like one that you would write for an NC machine with a text editor, but have the convenience of seeing the tool path motions displayed as lines on the drawing editor screen while you enter the G code commands one by one using the NC Position G00, NC Cutting G01, NC Arc G02 G03, and NC Enter G codes commands. These commands are described below

The disadvantage of using the G output file is that you cannot use the general drawing commands such as Rotate, Flip, Copy, and Magnify. You can combine both methods by saving some parts of your G code file using the Files Save Industry G code command and others using the NC Output G code File command, and mixing them with the Write command manually.

If you want to Append G codes to a G code file, you should use the Files Load Industry G code command to load the tool path lines in the G code file into the drawing workspace so that you will have the last tool position to continue from displayed in the workspace.

The NC POSITION G00 in the drawing editor's [N]C sub- menu command can draw straight lines that make up a path between two points in 2D or 3D space. The option for restriction of the motion to single axis at one time for movements can allow some kinds of machine to perform "rapid feed" since only one drive motor will be turning at a time and the synchronization of the various motors and staggering of motor drive pulses will not be needed.

When the "Output G file" option is active this command outputs G00 move commands to the G code output file. Movements going to the separate output macro are coded with the macro APPEND command, i.e. if the output macro and the output G code file are both active lines drawn using the NC POSITION G00 command will be output to both files.

The CAM program, or NC machine controller, needs to be set up to make "rapid movement" for the feed rate, or line colors, used by NC POSITION G00, or else the movements will just be done as normal "linear" G01 movements.

You should check that the set of lines that make up the "rapid" movements are clear of the work-piece and other things, since the options that are not a point to point linear movement may pass through or hit something if you do not work the tool path around obstacles.

The NC CUTTING G01 in the drawing editor's [N]C sub- menu command is for drawing tool path lines that go directly from point to point in 3D or 2D space. The main reason for using this command rather than the drawing sub-menu is that when the "Output G file" option is active commands G01 will be output to the output G code file.

If you forget to have the output G code file in NEW or APPEND, you can save line elements by using the [F]iles [S]ave [I]ndustry [G]code command as G01 movements, and edit or combine that data with data saved with the "Output G file" option by using the [W]rite command.

The NC ARC G02 G03 in the drawing editor's [N]C sub- menu command works like the G code commands for parts of a circle or arc, and lets you set the plane, starting point, center point, and ending point of an arc "curve".

If the OUTPUT G FILE command is in NEW or APPEND the equivalent G code commands, i.e. G02 or G03, will be coded to the G code output file. The EXPORTFILE macro command is used in the output macro file to code the G02 and G03 commands as G code data for the macro LOAD GCODE command to carry out when the output macro is Run later.

The NC ENTER G CODES command in the drawing editor's [N]C sub-menu lets you enter a block of G code commands and have them loaded into the workspace. By using this command you can enter one "block" at a time in order to single step through a set of G codes and see the result on the drawing editor screen as each "block" is entered.

Since the workspace uses absolute coordinates, using absolute coordinates might be best. If a relative or incremental movement is needed you must include G91 at the start of the block to tell the controller that the block is relative to the cursor position.

If you want to enter G code commands that continue over more than one block, e.g. G40, G41, G42, you will need to use the Write command to insert them in the right places, and the Files Load Industry G-code command to reload the G code file with the inserted commands, because this NC Enter G-codes command only accepts one block at a time in its present revision.

This command can be useful for inserting M codes into the open G code output file as well.

The NC OUTPUT G FILE command in the drawing editor's [N]C sub-menu works with the NC POSITION G00, NC CUTTING G01, NC ARC G02 G03, and NC ENTER G CODE options in the [N]C sub-menu to create a G code output file that can be used to save what is drawn using those commands as G code data rather than saving the data just in the workspace or as an output macro file.

The G code data output might be edited with the [W]rite command, or loaded with the LOAD GCODE command.

If you are going to use other commands beside NC POSITION G00, NC CUTTING G01, NC ARC G02 G03, and NC ENTER G CODE to alter elements or draw parts of the tool path, you will need to work with the elements in the workspace, and then save the G codes using the SAVE GCODE command since the G code output command cannot mimic all of the drawing editor commands since the G code command set does not have commands that correspond to the manipulations that elements can be put through in the drawing editor before being executed, the execution normally takes place at the end of each block in the G code file.

The NC OUTPUT G FILE command can be used to see on the drawing editor screen how the G code commands will look as they are entered and appended one by one to the G code output file, this visual display of each G code block might make the coding of you G code file easier than just using the [W]rite command and trying to visualize the tool path in your mind.

You can use the Files Load Industry G-code command to load a G code file saved by using the NC Output G file command, so that you can see if there are some mistakes in the output file. The way any particular NC controller, or CAM program, will interpret the output G code file may be different from how my Files Load Industry G-code command interprets the output G code file so you should check for any differences in how the output G code file will be interpreted before you try to use any output G code files to make something or operate a machine.

If there are differences in how my Load G code command and some machine controller interprets the output G code file, you might use the Load G code command in DANCAD3D (tm) to load the output G code file and then use the Save G code commands to convert all of the G codes, including any G40, G41, and G42 commands, into just G01 commands that might not create such difference issues.

The commands in the [E]lements sub-menu do their job well, but sometimes it is faster and easier if you can see how elements will look in relation to the other elements while they are moved (offset), rotated, and magnified. The commands in the [O]n-screen sub- menu work best on elements that have fewer that 500 line segments (fewer than 50 works best on '286 computers) and a '486 or faster computer.

The [D]rag command in the [O]n-screen sub-menu of the drawing editor lets you move elements around on the screen to visually position them. You can zoom in and out with the [+] and [- ] keys while inside the [D]rag command, in order for you to see the fit of the elements better. The [D]rag command is most useful when you are using a mouse to move the drawing cursor, because the element can be moved rapidly across the screen, then moved into final position by moving the mouse slowly (use the [M]ove command to set the cursor movement increment.)

The [D]rag command can be set to automatically be activated when an ALIAS symbol has been loaded. See the [PgUp] command in the [D]raw sub-menu of the drawing editor.

The [D]rag command can be used to visually adjust the location of a cutting tool outline, relative to an outline of the desired shape, in the preparation of tool paths for use with DANCAM.EXE (tm) or DANPLOT.EXE (tm).

You can build a Symbol library of three dimensional shapes like tools and holders, vises and chucks, even your whole lathe or mill so you can see exactly how the tool movements you make will appear when the tool path is executed on the machine! The [U]p-date list from the drawing editor root menu will let you turn the display of the elements on and off to make visualizing easier. Be sure to change view points frequently while you draw a tool path and keep an eye on the x, y, and z readings at the top of the drawing editor screen so you do not make any silly mistakes (if you have the Automatic [O]utput Macro feature turned on you will be able to edit out (from the output macro with the text editor) any silly mistakes you might make and continue adding line segments to your tool path.)

There are several important things you should know about the drawing editor to make your using DANCAD3D (tm) most efficient.

The re-drawing of the screen is much faster if you have the WYSIWYG turned off (if any thickened line attributes were given to lines in the drawing.) For the most part you should only have the WYSIWYG turned on when you are inspecting the fit of lines (principally lettering) that have a line thickness greater than one. To turn the WYSIWYG on or off select command [W]YSIWYG from the [S]et-up sub-menu of the drawing editor. In order to have the WYSIWYG display the proper line width and dot-dash spacing the global scale MUST be set to the value that will be used when the drawing will be printed out (or if the drawing is to be made into a 2D file the scale ratio used to save (normalize) the 2D file.)

If the [G]rid command is used from the drawing editors [S]et-up sub-menu the main menu [C]hange command MUST be used to set the global (world) scale to the value that will be used when the drawing is to be printed out or made into a 2D file (such as a DXF, PostScript, or HPGL file.) The amount you can zoom out when the layout grid is used is limited by the grid spacing since having zoomed out very far would produce grid dots much to close together to be useful (therefore turn the layout grid off if you need to zoom out a great deal from the normal amount that is displayed on the drawing editor screen.) If you have the layout grid turned on and are zoomed in tremendously then quit DANCAD3D (tm), when you run DANCAD3D (tm) again and enter the drawing editor you may get an error message telling you to use the drawing editors [S]et-up sub-menu to change the grid dot spacing. To avoid the layout grid spacing error message turn off the layout grid before you quit the drawing editor when you are done drawing.

The [U]p-date list command in the drawing editors root menu lets you turn "off" the display of any element(s) in the drawing workspace as seen from inside the drawing editor. When your drawing has several elements of lettering or other complex elements you should use the [U]p-date list command to turn the lettering or other complex elements "off" when you are not specifically involved with working around or on them. Turning elements off in the drawing editor should not effect saving or printing the elements, but you may want to turn all the elements "on" so you can see that they all look correct before you save or print the final version of a drawing (be careful of entering element numbers in commands when some elements are hidden by being turned "off" since you might accidentally alter an unseen element.) The [U]p-date list makes an excellent way of seeing what element numbers go with the displayed elements on the screen. Using the [E]rase command, and also some of the other commands, can change the element numbers of several elements at once, so if you get mixed up, use the [U]p-date list to see what the current sequential numbers of the elements in the workspace currently are.

When you are drawing you should use the [B]egin command in the [E]lements or [D]raw sub-menus to begin a new element before you draw line segments. If after using the [B]egin command you decide that you do not want to draw line segments, you should use the [E]rase command to erase the "empty" element you began before you use the other commands that automatically begin a new element. Empty elements can cause some confusion, so I mention here that you can avoid such confusion by erasing any empty elements that might occur.

The commands in the [O]n-screen sub-menu of the drawing editor are meant to be used on fast computers, and with elements that have fewer than a few hundred line segments (or more like a a dozen line segments.) The [D]rag command works very well with loading symbol files since symbols are usually not overly complex (the Alias symbol feature has an automatic Drag option.) If you need to manipulate whole drawings it is usually easier to workout the scale ratio or rotation angle manually and then use the commands in the [N]umerical sub-menu of the main menu.

In some other drawing programs the drawing editor might be where your creation ends, but in DANCAD3D (tm) the drawing editor is only the start of the creation of the raw material for animation and manufacturing. After making your drawing elements you can use the text editor to write and edit macros to transform your drawings and elements into dynamic simulations and have the elements be used for automated actions such as printing a series of drawings, or making a set of tool path files.