AutoDRAFT User Guide

AutoDRAFT

User Guide

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First published September 2007

© AVEVA Solutions Ltd, and its subsidiaries

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AutoDRAFT User Guide

Contents Page


AutoDRAFTIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:1About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:1Manual Audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:2References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:2

AutoDRAFT Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1AutoDRAFT Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1DRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1AutoDRAFT Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:2

ISODRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:2

Drawing Editor - Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1Drawing Editor Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1DRAFT/ISODRAFT to Drawing Editor Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:2Paper Space/Model Space Viewports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:2Drawing Editor Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:2Drawing Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:3Drawing Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:3

Drawing Editor - Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1Starting the Drawing Editor Directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1Creating the DXF-Format Transfer File from DRAFT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1

12.0i


Creating the DXF-Format Transfer File from ISODRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:2Transferring the DXF Plotfile to the Host AutoCAD Platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:2Starting the Drawing Editor on the Host AutoCAD Platform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:2

Starting the Drawing Editor from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3Starting the Drawing Editor from ISODRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3Notes on the Transfer File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3Drawing Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3Limitations of DXF File Transfer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3FECs Support in DXF Output (PDMS/J users only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:4

Drawing Editor - Autoblanking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1Creating a Blanking Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1Blanking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:4Editing Blanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:5

Drawing Editor - Miscellaneous Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:1Layer Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:1Controlling Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:2Applying AVEVA Colours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:3Loading Text from a File onto a Drawing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:4Copying and Resizing Part of a Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:5Creating a Paper Space Viewport on a Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:7Selecting a Paper Space Viewport on a Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:8Leaving AutoCAD, Without Saving Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:8Leaving AutoCAD, Saving Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:9

Symbol Editor - Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1Symbol Editor Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1AutoCAD Working Practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1Symbol Library Annotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:2

Symbol Editor - Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:1Starting the Symbol Editor Directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:1Starting the Symbol Editor on the Host AutoCAD Platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:1

Starting the Symbol Editor from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:2Setting the Drawing Size in AutoCAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:2

12.0ii


Symbol Editor - Creating Symbol Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1Creating the Symbol Name Attribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1Creating a Block and an Insert of the Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1Redefining a Symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:2

Symbol Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:1Direct Entry to Symbol Editor (using adraftse command) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:1Entry to Symbol Editor from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:2Leaving AutoCAD, Without Saving Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:2Leaving AutoCAD, Saving Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:2Symbol Template Naming Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:3TrueType Texts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:3

Frame Editor - Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:1Frame Editor Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:1AutoCAD Working Practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:1

Frame Editor - Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:1Starting the Frame Editor Directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:1Starting the Frame Editor on the Host AutoCAD Platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:1

Starting the Frame Editor from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:2Setting the Drawing Size in AutoCAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:2

Frame Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:1Direct Entry to Frame Editor (using adraftbe command) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:1Entry to Frame Editor from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:2Leaving AutoCAD, Without Saving Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:2Leaving AutoCAD, Saving Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3Sheet Naming Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3Backing Sheet Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3Overlay Sheet Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3

TrueType Texts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3

AutoDRAFT Working Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A:1Using DRAFT with AutoDRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A:1Suggested Working Practice 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A:1

12.0iii


Suggested Working Practice 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A:1

Using ISODRAFT with AutoDRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A:2Suggested Working Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A:2

AutoCAD to DRAFT Entity and Attribute Mapping. . . . . . . . . . . . . .B:1AutoCAD Entities into DRAFT Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B:1AutoCAD Attributes into DRAFT Attributes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B:1Line Widths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B:3Linestyles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B:3Text Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B:4Support for AutoCAD Bigfont Text (PDMS/J users only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B:6

AutoDRAFT Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:1Drawing Editor Pull-Down Menus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:1Blank Pull-Down Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:1PDMS Draw Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:1

Frame Editor Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:2PDMS Frame Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:2

Symbol Editor Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:2PDMS Symbol Pull-Down Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:3

12.0iv

AutoDRAFT User GuideIntroduction

1 Introduction

AutoDRAFT is an AutoCAD application which gives you an easy way of using AutoCAD toperform 2D drafting on engineering drawings imported from DRAFT, and on isometricdrawings imported from ISODRAFT. It can also create 2D entities for export to DRAFT.

As well as providing access to the full range of AutoCAD’s 2D drafting facilities, AutoDRAFTallows you to transfer drawings from DRAFT and ISODRAFT to enhance them. You canalso use it to create symbols and drawing frames, and then generate macros for theirsubsequent recreation in DRAFT.

You can activate AutoDRAFT directly from a DRAFT or ISODRAFT menu. Alternatively, ifAutoCAD and AVEVA Plant/Marine are running on different machines, you can generate aDXF format file for transfer to AutoDRAFT and AutoCAD by DRAFT and ISODRAFT.

This release of AutoDRAFT has been developed to support AutoCAD Releases 2006 and2007.

AutoDRAFT consists of three sub-systems:• The Drawing Editor, which allows you to add further details to drawings from within

AutoCAD.• The Symbol Editor, which generates DRAFT macros from AutoCAD inserts to create

equivalent symbol template elements in DRAFT.• The Frame Editor, which generates DRAFT macros from drawing frames in AutoCAD

to create equivalent DRAFT backing or overlay sheet elements.

A range of new AutoCAD fonts, developed at AVEVA, is also provided for your use. Thesefonts are supplied in both binary and source formats. These fonts are compatible with allnew and existing AVEVA supplied drafting fonts, and can be transferred to PC-basedsystems. Additionally, AutoDRAFT supports the TrueType fonts registered in the particularPDMS project.

1.1 About this ManualThis manual describes:

• The AutoDRAFT facilities.• How to use the DRAFT and ISODRAFT forms-and-menus user interface to activate

AutoDRAFT directly.• Alternatively, how to create a DXF-format file of a DRAFT or ISODRAFT drawing for

separate transfer to the AutoDRAFT Drawing Editor.• How to create a DRAFT command macro in AutoDRAFT in order to transfer AutoCAD

drawing entities (forming drawing frames and symbol templates) back to DRAFT.• How to use the AutoDRAFT facilities within AutoCAD, using typed-in commands or

menu selections.

12.01:1

AutoDRAFT User GuideIntroduction

This manual does not describe how to use the main AutoCAD facilities. Refer to yourAutoCAD user documentation for this.

1.2 Manual AudienceIt is assumed that those users who are involved with creating drawings in DRAFT andtransferring them to AutoCAD have attended the appropriate DRAFT and/or ISODRAFTtraining courses.

It is further assumed that users who are working on a drawing transferred from DRAFT are(at least) familiar with AutoCAD.

Best use of this manual will be made by those trained in the use both of DRAFT/ISODRAFTand of AutoCAD.

1.3 ReferencesUseful sources of reference are: The DRAFT User Guide.

AutoDesk’s AutoCAD 2006/2007 Reference Manuals.

The ISODRAFT Reference Manual.

12.01:2

AutoDRAFT User GuideAutoDRAFT Facilities

2 AutoDRAFT Facilities

2.1 AutoDRAFT FunctionsAutoDRAFT has three sub-systems:

• The Drawing Editor. This enables a drawing created in DRAFT or ISODRAFT to betransferred to AutoCAD, which can then be used to finish the drawing. The DrawingEditor also adds new functions to those normally available in AutoCAD.

• The Symbol Editor. This enables symbols created in AutoCAD to be converted into aDRAFT command macro which can then be used to create the equivalent symbols asDRAFT database Symbol Template elements.

• The Frame Editor. This enables drawing frames created in AutoCAD to be convertedinto a DRAFT command macro which can then be used to create the equivalent framesas DRAFT database Backing Sheet or Overlay Sheet elements.

Each of the above sub-systems is described in detail in the following chapters of thismanual.

2.2 DRAFT/AutoDRAFT InterfaceWith the Drawing Editor, a DRAFT drawing Sheet is transferred from DRAFT to AutoDRAFTvia a DXF-format file.

With the Symbol Editor and Frame Editor, the DRAFT command macros are created asASCII files. If AutoCAD and the AVEVA software are on the same hardware platform themacro files will be transferred back to DRAFT automatically. See Figure 2:1.: DRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface for an illustration of the DRAFT/AutoDRAFT interface.

12.02:1

AutoDRAFT User GuideAutoDRAFT Facilities

2.2.1 AutoDRAFT Facilities

Figure 2:1. DRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface

2.3 ISODRAFT/AutoDRAFT InterfaceWith the Drawing Editor, you can transfer an ISODRAFT isometric to AutoDRAFT via a DXFformat file.

You cannot transfer an ISODRAFT isometric with the Symbol or Frame Editor.

Figure 2:2. ISODRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface

12.02:2

AutoDRAFT User GuideDrawing Editor - Introduction

3 Drawing Editor - Introduction

3.1 Drawing Editor FunctionsAll AutoCAD facilities are available to Drawing Editor users. AutoDRAFT adds the followingfacilities to the standard AutoCAD system:

• Blank out part of the drawing behind specified drawing items. For example, blank outthe graphics behind a label.

• Create magnified copies of part of a drawing.• Apply AVEVA standard colours to the DRAFT ‘elements’ within an AutoDRAFT

drawing.• Layer control of layers allocated to DRAFT.• Load text from a file onto the drawing.• Create and select viewports containing views of the drawing sheet.

3.2 DRAFT/ISODRAFT to Drawing Editor InterfaceA DRAFT drawing Sheet, or an ISODRAFT isometric, is transferred to AutoDRAFT via aDXF-format file. Where AutoDRAFT/AutoCAD and the AVEVA software are running onseparate hardware you must create the DXF file and manually transfer it from the AVEVAplatform to the AutoDRAFT platform. Where AVEVA and AutoDRAFT share the sameplatform, entering the Drawing Editor will cause the translation from AVEVA format to DXFformat, and the transfer of the file to AutoDRAFT, to take place automatically.

The Drawing Editor drawing file is an AutoCAD drawing file with a set of AutoCAD layersdedicated to drawing information transferred from DRAFT/ISODRAFT (its style table willcontain linestyle definitions generated by DRAFT/ISODRAFT).

AutoCAD entities should be added to a drawing on layers other than those allocated toDRAFT. If the DRAFT part of the drawing is updated by overwriting it with a new drawing fileimported from DRAFT, none of the entities on the user-allocated (i.e. AutoCAD) layers willbe lost.

The Drawing Editor can be used to change DRAFT entities displayed in AutoCAD (theDrawing Editor, of course, does not ‘know’ about the DRAFT database hierarchy), but thesechanges will be lost when the DRAFT part of the AutoCAD drawing is next updated from theDRAFT picture.

AutoDRAFT can only be used to create new drawings, or open existing ones, withISODRAFT.

Note: DRAFT Layers referred to in this manual should not be confused with LAYE (layer)database elements in DRAFT. DRAFT layers are AutoCAD layers that have beenallocated to drawing data generated by DRAFT. AutoCAD layers are described in theAutoCAD Reference Manual.

12.03:1


See Figure 3:1.: Layers in AutoDRAFT/AutoCAD for an illustration of the use of AutoDRAFTlayers.

Figure 3:1. Layers in AutoDRAFT/AutoCAD

Note: It is possible, within the Drawing Editor, to map the DRAFT layers onto user-definedAutoCAD layers. See Layer Mapping.

3.3 ConceptsBefore using the Drawing Editor, you should be familiar with the following concepts andterminology.

3.3.1 Paper Space/Model Space ViewportsA drawing sheet transferred from DRAFT or ISODRAFT can be either drawn in modelspace or in paper space in AutoCAD.

3.3.2 Drawing Editor DatabaseA Drawing Editor database is an AutoCAD drawing file containing layers that are allocatedto DRAFT or ISODRAFT drawing elements. You add to this your own AutoCAD layers anddrawing entities.

AutoDRAFT uses special text fonts and linestyles in addition to the standard AutoCADsupplied fonts and linestyles. The fonts and linestyles supplied with AutoDRAFT matchthose used in DRAFT and ISODRAFT.

Important: All DRAFT drawing elements are on layers named ‘GT_’ followed by a number.You should not create layers whose names beginning with ‘GT_’, otherwise anyitems on those layers will be deleted by a DRAFT drawing update operation.

12.03:2


3.3.3 Drawing ScaleA drawing in AutoDRAFT is a model of a drawing sheet from DRAFT/ISODRAFT. All entitiesare created in AutoCAD model space.

Hidden line views of a design model are drawn as scaled views in DRAFT. The drawingdisplayed in AutoCAD is a model of the drawing sheet defined in DRAFT, so the scaledviews drawn in DRAFT are effectively drawn at the same scale in AutoCAD. Thus, if anAutoCAD linear dimension were placed on a line in a DRAFT view it would show the lengthof the line on the paper, not the length of the line on the model. It is recommended that alldimensions are created in DRAFT where the true size of dimensioned items is shown.

3.3.4 Drawing UnitsDRAFT always stores its measurements in millimetres, regardless of the units used fordrawing definition. Consequently, drawings created in DRAFT using INCH or FINCH unitsare transferred from DRAFT to the Drawing Editor with measurements in millimetres.

A special code in the transfer file will specify whether the original DRAFT drawing sheet wasspecified in MM, INCH or FINCH units. INCH/FINCH drawings are scaled from one drawingunit = 1 millimetre to one drawing unit = 1 inch when loaded into the Drawing Editor.

A similar system is employed for ISODRAFT drawings.

12.03:3


12.03:4

AutoDRAFT User GuideDrawing Editor - Getting Started

4 Drawing Editor - Getting Started

There are two methods of starting the Drawing Editor:• Directly. This method is used when AutoCAD and the AVEVA software are on separate

hardware platforms. The (DXF-format) drawing file to be used must be created inPDMS DRAFT/ISODRAFT and manually transferred to the AutoCAD platform.

• From within DRAFT/ISODRAFT. This method is used when AutoCAD and the AVEVAsoftware are on the same hardware platform.The (DXF-format) drawing file to be used is automatically created and transferred tothe Drawing Editor when AutoDRAFT/Drawing Editor is activated from DRAFT/ISODRAFT.

4.1 Starting the Drawing Editor Directly

4.1.1 Creating the DXF-Format Transfer File from DRAFTThis can be done in two ways:

• by typing in a command (PLOT)• by using the DRAFT forms-and-menus user interface

Using the PLOT Command

The PLOT command has a variety of options. A common operation would be to create aplotfile from the current Sheet element, in which case the PLOT command takes the form

PLOT SHEE DXF filename

where filename must always end in .dxf. For example,

PLOT SHEE DXF /SHEET1.dxf

Note: For best results when plotting from AutoCAD, the DXF file should be generated usingthe CUTMARKS OFF option. For example:

PLOT SHEE DXF /SHEET1.dxf CUTMARKS OFF

This is done automatically when the Drawing Editor is activated from the DRAFTforms-and-menus interface.

Note: See Drawing Units for details of an important restriction regarding drawing unitswhen using the PLOT command.

See the DRAFT User Guide for full details of the PLOT command. This section describesthe optional keywords that can be added to the command.

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Using DRAFT’s Graphical User Interface

See the DRAFT User Guide.

4.1.2 Creating the DXF-Format Transfer File from ISODRAFTSee the ISODRAFT on-line help.

4.1.3 Transferring the DXF Plotfile to the Host AutoCAD PlatformThis would normally be achieved via File Transfer Protocol (FTP), the exact method oftransfer being dependent on your network installation.

4.1.4 Starting the Drawing Editor on the Host AutoCAD PlatformNote: In the following, where an AutoCAD drawing database file name needs to be

specified, the .dwg extension is added automatically by the script, and so this mustnot be included in the specified dwg_filename.

Similarly, the transfer file’s .dxf extension must not be included in the specifiedtransfer_filename.

Starting the Drawing Editor is done by running the adraftde script which is supplied as partof the AutoDRAFT package. The script can be used in three ways:

• Creating a New Drawing Editor Drawingadraftde -new dwg_filename -trfile transfer_filename [-model | -paper] where dwg_filename is the required AutoCAD drawing database name, andtransfer_filename is the name of the file transferred from DRAFT or ISODRAFT. -model sets up the drawing in model space, -paper in paper space. If the argument isomitted, -paper is assumed.The steps carried out by this form of the script are:

1. Starts AutoCAD.2. Creates a drawing file (.dwg) (unless you quit from the AutoDRAFT session).3. Loads the AutoDRAFT Drawing Editor program.4. Loads the picture from the transfer file into the drawing layers.5. Leaves you in a Drawing Editor session. The DRAFT or ISODRAFT drawing is

displayed. The current drawing layer is Layer 0.• Updating an Existing Drawing Editor Drawing with a New Picture

adraftde -update dwg_filename -trfile transfer_filename [-model | -paper] where dwg_filename is the name of the required (existing) AutoCAD drawing database,and transfer_filename is the name of the updated version of the drawing file transferredfrom DRAFT.The steps carried out by this form of the script are:

1. Starts AutoCAD.2. Opens the specified AutoCAD drawing file.3. Loads the AutoDRAFT Drawing Editor program.4. Empties all picture layers, without altering any items on user-defined (AutoCAD)

layers.5. Loads the picture from the transfer file into the drawing layers, including any extra

fonts and linestyles required.

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6. Leaves you in a Drawing Editor session. The DRAFT drawing is displayed. Thecurrent layer and the status of user-defined layers are left as they were when youlast saved the drawing.

• Displaying an Existing Drawing Editor Drawing (without updating it) adraftde -open dwg_filename [-model | -paper] where dwg_filename is the name of the required (existing) AutoCAD drawing file.The steps carried out by this form of the script are:

1. Starts AutoCAD.2. Opens the specified AutoCAD drawing file.3. Loads the AutoDRAFT Drawing Editor program.4. Leaves you in a Drawing Editor session. The current layer and the status of user-

defined layers are left as they were when you last saved the drawing.

4.2 Starting the Drawing Editor from DRAFTSelect Draft>AutoDRAFT from the DRAFT main menu; this loads the AutoDRAFT mainmenu bar. Then select Edit>Drawing from the main menu bar to load the AutoDRAFTDrawing Editor form.

4.3 Starting the Drawing Editor from ISODRAFTSee the ISODRAFT on-line help.

4.4 Notes on the Transfer File

4.4.1 Drawing UnitsEntities in transfer files are always measured in millimetres. The units active in DRAFT orISODRAFT when the drawing is sent to AutoDRAFT are added to the transfer file as a DXFcomment. The AutoDRAFT start-up mechanism automatically queries the units and scalesthe DRAFT/ISODRAFT drawing data if INCH units are specified.

Note: If you create a DXF transfer file in DRAFT using the PLOT command (see Creatingthe DXF-Format Transfer File from DRAFT) then the comment inserted into the DXFtransfer file to automate the setting up of AutoCAD units will not be added.

If you then want to read such a DXF transfer file into AutoDRAFT, using INCHES as unitstype, then the transfer file needs to be altered manually by appending the following to theend of the file:

999 PDMS_UNITS INCH

These should be the last two lines of the transfer file. There should be no white space to theleft of this text.

4.4.2 Limitations of DXF File TransferThere is no AutoCAD equivalent to the DRAFT text attribute CSPA (character spacing). Thisattribute will be ignored when generating the DXF file. This results in text strings being adifferent length in DRAFT and AutoCAD.

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4.4.3 FECs Support in DXF Output (PDMS/J users only)Drawings which contain Kanji characters may be output as DXF files from DRAFT andISODRAFT. Both EUC and SHIFT-JIS format font files may be used. Suitable font files aresupplied with the Drawing Editor. The default is EUC. In DRAFT, to obtain output in SHIFT-JIS format, use

PLOT SHEE DXF /sheet1.dxf CUTMARKS OFF SHIFTJS

(CUTMARKS OFF is optional, but recommended.)

It is recommended that EUC format be used for creating DXF files for use with AutoDRAFT.

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AutoDRAFT User GuideDrawing Editor - Autoblanking

5 Drawing Editor - Autoblanking

The Drawing Editor enables you to blank out selected parts of a drawing. This could beused, for example, to blank out the graphics behind a label. There are three principaloptions:

• Create a blank (in the form of a shape (usually a rectangle) defining the outline of ablank).

• Hide items covered by a blank (and make the blank itself invisible).• Edit a blank (various options).

These operations, and the different ways of performing them, are described below.

Note: Blanks are automatically placed on a special layer called PDMS_BLANKS, even ifthis is not your current layer.

When a drawing is updated, any drawing items other than text which were not covered byblanks return to the default state, which is covered. Editing Blanks describes how to uncoverselected drawing items.

Note: DRAFT can perform the blanking as well, and the blanked out parts would be thentransferred to AutoDRAFT unchanged. This chapter discusses the blanking, that canbe done in AutoDRAFT on parts that have not been blanked out by DRAFT.

5.1 Creating a Blanking ShapeThis operation allows you to create a three- or four-sided shape which can be used to blankout parts of the drawing. This would commonly be used to blank out graphics behind a label,as shown in Figure 5:1.: Use of Blanking (entities blank) to hide graphics behind a Label.

Figure 5:1. Use of Blanking (entities blank) to hide graphics behind a Label

Command: pdms_blank_create

Menu Selection: Blank>Create

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Initial Prompt: Entities/Irregular/<First corner>:

Use: <First corner>

This is the default option, which creates a rectangular blanking area.

1. Move the mouse pointer and click (left-hand button) on the firstcorner of the rectangle. The prompt changes to:

Angle/<Other corner>2. Move the mouse pointer and drag the dotted rectangle that

appears out to the desired size/position. Click again. The promptchanges to:

Select objects not to blank: Select objects:

At this point you can select objects which you do not wish to becovered by the blank. For example, if blanking a label by using ablanking rectangle, you would usually still wish to see the labelborder, the label text and the leader line. Because text cannot behidden by a blank, it will remain shown when the blankingoperation is carried out.

3. Move the small square over an object you do not wish to blankand click. Repeat as necessary, finally pressing Enter at theSelect objects prompt.(If you do not wish to select any objectsnot to be blanked then simply press Enter straight away.)

The Angle option above enables you to create a rectangular blank atan angle to the principal axes. A possible use of this option could beto blank out graphics behind angular dimension text.

Selecting this option (by pressing A after the > character) givesanother prompt which allows you to specify the angle either by typingin a value or by pointer hit. When specifying the second corner of therectangle, a line will follow the pointer which represents a diagonal ofthe blanking rectangle.

At this point the blanking rectangle will appear, but the objects withinit will not be blanked. See Blanking for how to carry out the blankingoperation.

An example of ‘rectangle blanking’ is shown in Figure 5:2.: Use ofBlanking (rectangular blank) to hide graphics behind a Label. Notethe gaps in the entities behind the blank. ‘Entity blanking’ can beused to give a blank which does not leave such gaps. See Figure5:1.: Use of Blanking (entities blank) to hide graphics behind a Label.

This method of blank creation also works if you are using theAutoCAD UCS (User Coordinate System) facility.

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Figure 5:2. Use of Blanking (rectangular blank) to hide graphics behind a Label

Irregular

This option (selected by pressing I after the > character) creates anirregular three- or four-sided shape.

1. Move the mouse pointer and click (left-hand button) on the firstcorner of the shape. The prompt changes to:

First point:2. Move the mouse pointer and drag the small square that appears

out to the desired position. Click again.3. Repeat step 2 twice more. At the prompt:

Last Point: define the last point as before, or press Enter to produce atriangle.

At this point the blanking shape will appear, but the objects within itwill not be blanked. See Blanking for how to carry out the blankingoperation.

Entities

This option (selected by pressing E after the > character) allows youto define a blanking rectangle which surrounds the selected entities.Selecting this option changes the prompt to:

Select objects:

Click on the required entities. When the last entity has been selectedpress Enter.

You will then be given the option to enter a value for the Angle of therectangular blank. If you press Enter at this prompt, the rectangularblank calculated will be unrotated.

At this point the blanking rectangle will appear, but the objects withinit will not be blanked. See Blanking for how to carry out the blankingoperation.

Note: When the blanking operation is carried out, all entities exceptthose selected will be hidden.

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.

5.2 BlankingThe blank creation operations described in the previous section produce outlines of blankswhich can be used to preview the blanks that you have defined. Hiding the graphics behindthe blanks is carried out as described below.

The entities option is useful for blanking out graphics behind labels. The picture on the right-hand side of Figure 5:1.: Use of Blanking (entities blank) to hide graphics behind a Label has been produced by defining the label border as the (sole) blanking entity.

Note: When using the Entities option, the extent of a blank iscalculated from the entities chosen. The entities that may beselected are Points, Lines, Traces, Solids, Circles, Arcs,Polylines, Inserts, Text, Attribute Definitions, Inserts withAttributes (invisible attributes are ignored) and combinationsof the above. User coordinate systems are taken into accountwhen these blanks are created.

The following entities will not blank correctly:

Outsized Text Text, such as some of the mathematical symbolswhere it is wider than the specified text width, willextend over the blank boundary.

Oblique Text The oblique element of this text is ignored.

Vertical Text Vertical text is ignored.

Other ThickEntities

Donuts and wide polylines are treated as if theyhave zero width.

‘Complex’ Inserts Non-uniformly scaled blocks are treated as if theyare uniformly scaled. Externally referenced blocks(xrefs) are ignored.

Shapes Ignored.

Dimensions Ignored.

Viewports Ignored.

3D Entities 3D Faces, 3D Meshes and 3D polylines areignored.

Other 3D entities, such as a cylinder made from acircle with thickness will be blanked around, butwill probably not finish up being covered.

Command: pdms_blank

Menu Selection: Blank>Blank

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5.3 Editing BlanksThe blank editing operations allow you to:

• hide and show the boundaries of blanks• erase blanks• cover and uncover entities hidden by blanks.

Use: There are no command arguments or prompts. The picture isredrawn with objects ‘behind’ blanks being hidden. Any visible blankboundaries will become invisible.

Note: pdms_blank temporarily removes all lines on the drawing thatare hidden by blanks. The hidden lines will reappear the nexttime the drawing is regenerated.Normally the drawing will be displayed with hidden linesshowing. Blanking can be a time-consuming process, so it isrecommended that it is only done just before producing a plot.The recommendations given in the AutoCAD ReferenceManual for the hide command also apply to pdms_blank.Text cannot be hidden by a blank. Items above the world axesXY plane will not be hidden by a blank. Blanking will only workon entities drawn on the Z=0 plane. In AutoDRAFT, Z=0 is thelocation of the drawing sheet.

Plotting a blanked drawing

AutoCAD plotting should be configured so that hidden lines areremoved.

In order to plot a drawing in AutoCAD where blanks hide the entitiesbehind them, but where their outlines are invisible, the plot must beactivated from the main AutoCAD menu. If a plot is sent from insidethe AutoCAD drawing editor, any invisible blanks will be ignored,showing the entities behind them.

Command: pdms_blank_edit

Note: Only blanks created by AutoDRAFT can be edited using this facility. You cannotedit blanks applied automatically by DRAFT.

Menu Selection: Blank>Visible, Blank>Invisible, Blank>Cover, Blank>Uncover,Blank>Erase

Initial Prompt: Visible/Invisible/Cover/Uncover/Erase:

Use: Visible Invisible

Blank>Invisible (or I at the command prompt) will make all visibleblank boundaries invisible.

Blank>Visible (or V at the command prompt) will make all invisibleblank boundaries visible.

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Note: Blank boundaries are drawn as purple (AutoCAD colour 194)solid lines.If you wish to create a new blank, all invisible blanks must firstbe made visible.pdms_blank makes blanks invisible. In order to see them aftera pdms_blank command use pdms_blank_edit Visible.pdms_blank_edit Invisible will fail if PDMS_BLANKS is thecurrent layer, returning an error message. To recover from thiscondition, make a layer other than PDMS_BLANKS thecurrent one.

Cover Uncover

Blank>Uncover (or U at the command prompt).

(Use following a Blank>Create operation but before a Blank>Blankoperation.) The prompt changes to:

Select objects to uncover:Select objects:

Click on the entities that you require not to be hidden by the coveringblank. The hit entity will be highlighted. When the last entity has beenselected press Enter.

When the next Blank>Blank operation is carried out, the hit entitieswill not be hidden by the blank.

Blank>Cover (or C at the command prompt) can be used to mark as‘covered’ entities which had previously been marked as ‘uncovered’.The prompt changes to:

Select objects to cover:Select objects:

Click on the entities that you require to change from being marked as‘uncovered’ to ‘covered’. The hit entity will be highlighted. When thelast entity has been selected press Enter.

When the next Blank>Blank operation is carried out, the hit entitieswill be hidden by the blank.

Note: If an object is uncovered it will be seen on top of all blanks, ifit is covered it will be covered by all blanks. It is not possibleto have a single object covered by one blank, but uncoveredby another.

Erase

The prompt changes to

Select blanks to erase:Select objects:

Click on the boundaries of the blanks you wish to erase. The hit blankwill be highlighted. When the last blank has been selected pressEnter.

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The picture will be redrawn with the outlines of the hit blanks nolonger shown.

Items hidden by erased blanks will still be hidden. Use the AutoCADregen command to redisplay the ‘unblanked’ items.

Note: If blanks are not visible they will be made visible by this optionso they can be selected at the Select objects: prompt. If anyobjects other than blanks are selected they will not be erased.Blanks can also be deleted with the AutoCAD erasecommand.

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12.05:8

AutoDRAFT User GuideDrawing Editor - Miscellaneous Facilities

6 Drawing Editor - Miscellaneous Facilities

Miscellaneous facilities available in the Drawing Editor enable you to:• map the DRAFT layers onto user-defined AutoCAD layers;• control layer visibility and the susceptibility of layers to regenerate operations;• apply AVEVA standard colours to DRAFT layers;• load text from a file onto a drawing;• copy/resize part of a drawing;• create/select paper space viewports;• leave AutoCAD avoiding the AutoCAD main menu.

These operations, and the different ways of performing them, are described below.

The available options allow you to turn DRAFT and user-defined layers on and off, and to‘freeze’ and ‘thaw’ them, enabling you to distinguish easily the DRAFT and non-DRAFTparts of the AutoCAD drawing.

6.1 Layer MappingThis facility allows you to automatically move entities from DRAFT layers to AutoCAD layersby mapping the DRAFT layers onto user-defined AutoCAD layers. (These user-definedlayers will be created automatically if they do not already exist.)

The operation of this facility depends upon the contents of a user-defined text file namedpdmslaymap.txt, which must exist in the user’s local directory and which must have readaccess. Each line of the file may contain the following four fields:

1. The name of the DRAFT layer.2. The name of the corresponding user-defined AutoCAD layer.3. The colour number for the AutoCAD layer (in the range 1-255).4. The linestyle for the AutoCAD layer (in the range 1-255).

Note: Not all of the above need be included. Fields 1. and 2. are compulsory. The allowableoptional fields are 3. or 3. and 4. (i.e. having fields 1., 2., and 4. only would beillegal).

Each field should be separated by a single space or a <tab> character only. Comment textmay be inserted, denoted by having ‘$*’ as the first two characters of the line.

If the AutoCAD layer does not exist it will be created with the supplied colour and linestyle. Ifit does exist then the supplied colour and linestyle will be ignored. If the colour number is notsupplied, and if the AutoCAD layer is to be created, then it will be created using colour 7(white). Similarly, if the linestyle is not supplied, and if the AutoCAD layer is to be created,then it will be created with linestyle GTSOLID.

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6.2 Controlling Layers

Command: pdms_layer_mapping

Menu Selection: PDMS Draw>PDMS Layer Mapping

Initial Prompt: Do you want to apply layer mapping ? <NO>:

Use: Press Enter to abort, or enter yes (or YES) and press Enter toproceed.

Assuming the pdmslaymap.txt file exists and is correctly structured,the appropriate actions (see above) will be carried out.

Example: Suppose pdmslaymap.txt contains the following text, and that layerLAY1 does not currently exist on the drawing, but that LAY2 does:

$*First layerGT_1 LAY1 5 GTSOLID$*Second layerGT_2 LAY2 6 GTDASH

On applying the layer mapping utility, AutoDRAFT will move allentities from DRAFT layer GT_1 to AutoCAD layer LAY1. Layer LAY1will be created in colour 5 (blue), and linetype GTSOLID. All entitieson DRAFT layer GT_2 will be moved to AutoCAD layer LAY2. Sincelayer LAY2 already exists the supplied colour number (6, magenta)and linestyle (GTDASH) will be ignored. Note that empty DRAFTlayers will not be deleted. (It is suggested that these empty layers areremoved by using the AutoCAD PURGE command.)

An entity whose linestyle is set to BYLAYER on its DRAFT layer willalso have its linestyle set to BYLAYER when it is moved to theAutoCAD layer. However, if the linestyle setting for an entity differsfrom that of the owning DRAFT layer, then the entity-level setting willbe preserved when it is moved to the AutoCAD layer. This rule alsoapplies to the colour attribute.

If an ‘update’ operation is applied (i.e. if the Update existingDrawing button is pressed on the AutoDRAFT Drawing Editorform; see the DRAFT User Guide) to a drawing which has alreadyhad the pdms_layer_mapping command applied to it, then it is likelythat multiple copies of some or all of the DRAFT entities will appearon the drawing. It is therefore not advisable to apply thepdms_layer_mapping command to a drawing which requires furtherDRAFT updates.

Command: pdms_layers

Menu Selection: PDMS Draw>PDMS Layers, PDMS Draw>User Layers

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6.3 Applying AVEVA ColoursThis option allows you to apply AVEVA standard colours to DRAFT layers on a DrawingEditor drawing.

Initial Prompt: User/<Pdms>:

Use: (Whether User or DRAFT is selected, the resulting options are thesame.)

ON

(Type ON or make On selection from pull-down menu.)Appropriate layers are turned on.

OFF

(Type OFF or make Off selection from pull-down menu.)Appropriate layers are turned off.

Freeze

(Press F or make Freeze selection from pull-down menu.)Appropriate layers are ‘frozen’, i.e. they will not be regenerated by anAutoCAD regen command.

Thaw

(Press T or make Thaw selection from pull-down menu.)‘Unfreezes’ the appropriate frozen layers.

Note: pdms_layers controls all PDMS (DRAFT) (GT_) layers or allother (user) layers with a single command. The layer controlsON, OFF, Freeze and That are described in the AutoCADReference Manual.

Command: pdms_colour (or pdms_color)

Menu Selection: PDMS Draw>PDMS Colours

Initial Prompt: User/<Pdms>:

Use: (Simply type the command or make the menu selection; there are noarguments or options)

Note: Each DRAFT (GT_) layer on a Drawing Editor drawingcorresponds to a colour used in the drawing, so all entities ina given colour appear on the same AutoDRAFT layer. Eachentity on the DRAFT layers has the default AutoCAD colourattribute BYLAYER. The DXF output does not specify layercolours, so all entities appear in the default AutoCAD colour 7(white). This facility gives you the ability to colour entities to match thecolours used by DRAFT. If you want to see the DRAFTcolours reproduced in AutoCAD the pdms_colour function willapply colours close to the full range of standard PDMScolours (1 - 272) to layers ‘GT_1’ through ‘GT_272’.

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6.4 Loading Text from a File onto a DrawingThis option allows you to load lines of text from an ASCII file onto a drawing.

General points: • If colours have already been set for the DRAFT layers they willbe changed by pdms_colour.

• If individual entities have been assigned specific colours theywill be unaffected by the pdms_colour command.

• If entities have been coloured individually, and you want them toappear in the layer colour, then you should use the AutoCADchprop command to change their colours to BYLAYER.

Command: pdms_textfile

Menu Selection: PDMS Draw>Load Text

Initial Prompt: Filename of text file:

Use: Enter the name of the text file, with extension (if present).

Left/Centre/Right/<start point>:

Click where you wish the text to start, or select one of the justificationoptions (by pressing L, C or R as appropriate). The justificationoptions will give:

Start point:Centre point:or End point:

prompts. Click at the required justification point. The default is leftjustified.

The remaining prompts are:

Height <default>:

where default is the AutoCAD default text height. This will be the lasttext height used, or the starting default (0.2). A height of at least 10times the AutoCAD starting default (for metric drawings) isrecommended.

Press Enter to accept the default value, input a new value, or definethe text height by clicking on a point above the text start point.

Rotation angle <default>:

where default is the AutoCAD default rotation angle. This will be thelast angle used, or the starting default (0).

Press Enter to accept the default value, input a new value, or definethe angle by clicking on a suitable point.

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6.5 Copying and Resizing Part of a DrawingThis option allows you to copy a specified group of objects, with the option to give the copya different size to the original.

Line Spacing (range -0.5 to 3.0) <default>:

where default is the AutoCAD default line spacing. This will be thelast spacing used, or the starting default (0).

Press Enter to accept the default value, or input a new value.

See Note: below for further details.

Block Name/<None>:

If you wish the text to be placed in a block then input the block name,otherwise just press Enter.

Note: Text is loaded from a file onto the current layer on thedrawing. The start point is always located at the top of theinput text. Text height and rotation are specified in the sameway as the AutoCAD text command.

Line spacing factor (LSF) specifies the gap between lines oftext. It is measured as a proportion of the text height. If LSF=0(the default) the lines are positioned one below the other withno gap. If LSF=1, one blank line is left between each line oftext.

If LSF=-0.2 then the lines of text will overlap. Note that textfonts allow for spacing above and below characters in thefont. This means that the text body itself may not overlap withadjacent lines of text for small negative LSF (e.g. -0.1).

If a block name is specified the text loaded onto the drawing isput into a block of that name and an INSERT created on thedrawing. If no block name is specified then the text is loadedonto the drawing as individual text entities.

If a block name is used more than once, then previousexamples of blocks with that name will be redefined (toconform to the new settings) should you respond positively tothe Redefine it? prompt.

The MONOTXT font (or any other fixed-spaced font) isrecommended when loading in column style reports.

Command: pdms_copy

Menu Selection: PDMS Draw>Copy Magnify

Initial Prompt: Select objects:

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Use: Click on the objects you wish to copy/magnify. Press Enter to finishselecting.

Base point or displacement:

Click on the base point, i.e. the ‘from’ point for the copy operation.This would usually be on or within one of the selected objects, but itmay be displaced. See Figure 6:1.: Definition of Base Point for CopyOperation (point 1).

Figure 6:1. Definition of Base Point for Copy Operation

Second point of displacement:

This is the ‘to’ point of the copy operation. See Figure 6:1.: Definitionof Base Point for Copy Operation (point 2).

Magnify base point/<None>:

Pressing Enter at this point will give a same-size copy of the selectedgroup of objects.

To produce a resized copy, click on the point that you wish to be thebase point for the resize operation. Again, this would usually be on orwithin one of the selected objects, but it may be displaced. SeeFigure 6:2.: Definition of Base Point for Magnify Operation (Resultingmagnified object shown dashed).

Figure 6:2. Definition of Base Point for Magnify Operation

<Magnification factor>/Reference:

The default input for this prompt is simply a value, for example ‘2’ willgive a copy twice as large as the original. (If you wish to produce acopy smaller than the original, input a value less than 1.)

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6.6 Creating a Paper Space Viewport on a DrawingThis option creates a paper space viewport and makes it the current viewport.

Pressing R (for ‘Reference’) gives two further prompts:

Reference length: New length:

This option enables the copy to be magnified in an absolute senserather than a relative sense. It works in exactly the same way as theReference option of the AutoCAD scale command; see the AutoCADReference Manual.

The final prompt of the copy/magnify operation is

Copy to current layer No<Yes>:

The magnified copy will be created on the current layer unless youreply No (press N). Note that any objects put onto PDMS ‘GT_’ layerswill be lost when the picture is updated with the latest version of thedrawing from DRAFT.

Command: pdms_view_create

Menu Selection: PDMS Draw>Create Viewport

Initial Prompt: Select region to view First point:

Use: Click on one corner of the part of the drawing that you wish to becontained within the viewport.

Other corner:

Drag out the rectangle which appears, and click on the other corner.

Position new viewport:

A rectangle representing the new viewport moves with thecrosshairs. Click on the required position.

Magnify - base point/<None>:

Pressing Enter at this point will give a same-size copy of thewindowed group of objects, and the viewport creation operation willbe complete.

To produce a resized copy, click on the point that you wish to be thebase point for the resize operation. (Should this point be outside theviewport, the viewport will be displaced as illustrated in Figure 6:2.:Definition of Base Point for Magnify Operation.)

<Magnification factor>/Reference:

The default input for this prompt is simply a value, for example ‘2’ willgive a copy twice as large as the original. (If you wish to produce acopy smaller than the original, input a value less than 1.)Pressing R(for ‘Reference’) gives two further prompts:

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6.7 Selecting a Paper Space Viewport on a DrawingThis option selects a paper space viewport and makes it the current viewport, thus enablingall of the AutoCAD facilities to be used within it.

6.8 Leaving AutoCAD, Without Saving ChangesThis option allows you to leave AutoCAD without saving changes, avoiding the AutoCADmain menu.

Reference length: New length:

This option enables the copy to be magnified in an absolute senserather than a relative sense. It works in exactly the same way as theReference option of the AutoCAD scale command; see the AutoCADReference Manual.

Note: The drawing should be zoomed out to the edge of the drawingsheet in order that the new views are seen in their correctposition with respect to the sheet. (See also Paper Space/Model Space Viewports.)

Command: pdms_view_sel

Menu Selection: PDMS Draw>Select Viewport

Initial Prompt: Select a viewport

Use: Click on the boundary of the viewport you wish to make current.

Note: When a DRAFT drawing is loaded into AutoDRAFT it isplaced in a paper space viewport which is the same size asthe sheet.

pdms_view_sel must be used to select a viewport; it is notpossible to make a viewport current simply by pressing thepick button inside its boundary.

Command: pdms_quitacad

Menu Selection: PDMS Draw>PDMS QuitAcad

Initial Prompt: Quit AutoCAD - Are you sure? Yes/No:

Use: Press Y (or type YES or YE) to quit; anything else will not quit.

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6.9 Leaving AutoCAD, Saving ChangesThis option allows you to leave AutoCAD while saving changes, avoiding the AutoCAD mainmenu.

Command: pdms_endacad

Menu Selection: PDMS Draw>PDMS EndAcad

Use: (No prompt; simply type in the command or make the menuselection.)

Note: The drawing will be saved over any existing drawing of thesame name.

12.06:9


12.06:10

AutoDRAFT User GuideSymbol Editor - Introduction

7 Symbol Editor - Introduction

7.1 Symbol Editor FunctionsThe Symbol Editor allows you to create symbol templates in AutoCAD and transfer thetemplate graphics into a DRAFT Symbol Library (SYLB element). The symbol templatesmust be constructed from a subset of AutoCAD entities and attributes which can bereproduced in DRAFT. You can create those entities using any AutoCAD geometrydefinition facilities, including hatching, spline curve fitting and offsetting.

The Symbol Editor reads AutoCAD drawing entities and creates a DRAFT command macrothat reproduces AutoCAD block inserts as Symbol Templates (SYTM elements) in DRAFT,each owning 2D primitives.

If any of the SYTMs thus defined already exist in the current DRAFT Symbol Library thenthe old 2D primitives are deleted and replaced by the new definition.

See Symbol Editor - Getting Started, Symbol Editor - Creating Symbol Templates andSymbol Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files for details of how to use the SymbolEditor.

7.2 AutoCAD Working PracticesSymbol templates can be created using standard AutoCAD functions. The specialrequirements for drawing organisation are as follows:

• Each symbol template is represented by a Block insert which is constructed fromAutoCAD entities that can be translated into DRAFT entities by the pdms_symbolscommand (see Symbol Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files).

• Each symbol block must have an AutoCAD attribute (ATTRIB) called PDMS_NAME.The DRAFT symbol name is given in response to the PDMS_NAME attdef commandprompt when the symbol Block is inserted on a drawing. (See Creating a Block and anInsert of the Block.)

• Symbol template inserts should be on a separate layer from any annotation for thesymbol templates. Annotation may be sent to DRAFT by using the AutoDRAFT FrameEditor - see Chapters 11-13.

• The drawing limits must match the size of the Symbol Library sheet in DRAFT (seeSymbol Library Annotation).

Note that 3D AutoCAD entities in symbol inserts cannot be sent back to DRAFT. Attributesentities on the top-level Insert are ignored (other than the PDMS_NAME attribute). Entitiessmaller than 0.01mm may be ignored or simplified. Symbol inserts can contain the followingAutoCAD entities:

• Line• Point

12.07:1

AutoDRAFT User GuideSymbol Editor - Introduction

• Circle• Arc• Text (with Generation Normal)• Inserts which contain 2D primitives as specified above, including any Attributes.

7.3 Symbol Library AnnotationIn DRAFT, symbol templates are stored in Symbol Library (SYLB) elements. Each SYLB islike a drawing sheet containing pictures of all the symbol templates in the library.

In order to add annotation to the symbol templates it is necessary to create a Backing Sheet(BACK) element in DRAFT which is used as a backdrop on the symbol library sheet.

The annotation should be on layers separate from the symbol template graphics in thesymbol blocks. This enables you to freeze the layer(s) containing the symbol templategraphics and create a backing sheet from the remaining annotation layer(s) using theAutoDRAFT Frame Editor.

In DRAFT, you must add a reference to the backing sheet from the SYLB element (BSRFattribute) to see the symbol templates and annotation together.

12.07:2

AutoDRAFT User GuideSymbol Editor - Getting Started

8 Symbol Editor - Getting Started

There are two methods of starting the Symbol Editor:• Directly. This method is used when AutoCAD and the AVEVA software are on separate

hardware platforms.• From within DRAFT. This method is used when AutoCAD and the AVEVA software are

on the same hardware platform.

8.1 Starting the Symbol Editor Directly

8.1.1 Starting the Symbol Editor on the Host AutoCAD PlatformNote: In the following, where an AutoCAD drawing database file name needs to be


Starting the Symbol Editor is done by running the adraftse script which is supplied as part ofthe AutoDRAFT package. The script can be used in two ways:

• Creating a New Symbol Editor Drawingadraftse -new dwg_filename where dwg_filename is the required AutoCAD drawing database name.The steps carried out by this form of the script are:

1. Starts AutoCAD.2. Creates a drawing file (.dwg) (unless you quit from the AutoDRAFT session).3. Loads the AutoDRAFT Symbol Editor program.4. Leaves you in an AutoDRAFT Symbol Editor session with an empty drawing.

• Opening an Existing Symbol Editor Drawing adraftse -open dwg_filename where dwg_filename is the name of the required (existing) AutoCAD drawing database.The steps carried out by this form of the script are:

1. Starts AutoCAD.2. Opens the specified AutoCAD drawing file.3. Loads the AutoDRAFT Symbol Editor program.4. Leaves you in a Symbol Editor session with an existing drawing displayed.

12.08:1

AutoDRAFT User GuideSymbol Editor - Getting Started

8.2 Starting the Symbol Editor from DRAFTSee the DRAFT Administrator Application User Guide.

8.3 Setting the Drawing Size in AutoCADThe size of the AutoCAD drawing should match the size of the symbol library (SYLB) sheet.When setting up a symbol templates drawing in AutoCAD the limits should be set such thatthe lower left corner is at 0,0 and the upper right corner is at the upper right corner of thesheet. The AutoCAD command limits is used to specify drawing limits. For example an A0metric sheet would be specified by:

Command: limits

ON/OFF/<Lower left corner><current value>: 0,0 Upperright corner<current value>: 1189,841

An E size sheet (44”x34”) would be specified by:

ON/OFF/<Lower left corner><current value>: 0,0 Upperright corner<current value>: 44,34

12.08:2

AutoDRAFT User GuideSymbol Editor - Creating Symbol Templates

9 Symbol Editor - Creating Symbol Templates

The Symbol Editor allows you to create symbol templates in AutoCAD as AutoCAD blocks.A block, and an insert of the block, are created. (Blocks may, of course, be created usingstandard AutoCAD commands, but the AutoDRAFT Symbol Editor provides a method whichis optimised for the creation of blocks to be used as symbol templates in DRAFT.)

The procedure for creating a symbol template is:

1. Create the symbol graphics using lines, points, circles, arcs and text.2. Create an AutoCAD attribute called PDMS_NAME for the symbol name.3. Create a block and an insert of the block.

9.1 Creating the Symbol Name AttributeA typical attdef command sequence would be:

9.2 Creating a Block and an Insert of the Block

Command: attdef

Initial Prompt: Attribute modes - Invisible:N Constant:N Verify:N Preset:N Enter(ICVP) to change, RETURN when done:

Use: set modes as required in response to the initial prompt. Theremaining prompts and required responses are:

Attribute tag: enter PDMS_NAME

Attribute Prompt: enter Enter DRAFT symbol name(for example)

Default attribute value: press Enter (or Return)

Justify/Style/<Start point>: as for text command

Height<default>: as for text command

Rotation angle<default>: as for text command

Command: pdms_make_symbol

Menu Selection: PDMS Symbol>Make Symbol

12.09:1

AutoDRAFT User GuideSymbol Editor - Creating Symbol Templates

9.3 Redefining a Symbol1. Create the new symbol graphics and DRAFT attribute.2. Create a block containing the new symbol definition. If the specified block name

already exists the following prompt is given:Block name already exists Redefine it? <N>

If the reply is N or if Enter is pressed, the block command exits without changing anything.If the reply is Y, any inserts of that block are redefined.

select point (= origin of DRAFT symbol template) select symbol graphics and attribute enterrequired factor or press Enter enter required angle or press Enter

Initial Prompt: Enter Symbol Block Name:

Use: enter the desired block name in response to the initial prompt. Theremaining prompts and required responses are:

Insert base point: select point (=origin of DRAFT symboltemplate)

Select Objects: select symbol graphics and attribute

Scale factor<1>: enter required factor or press Enter

Rotation angle<0>: enter required angle or press Enter

Finally, enter the required DRAFT symbol name. The promptdisplayed will be that defined when the ATTDEF command was used,for example:

Enter DRAFT symbol name:

Note: If desired, the AutoCAD block and insert commands may beused instead of the above sequence. If this option is taken up,do not use differential scale when defining the insertionscale factor.

12.09:2

AutoDRAFT User GuideSymbol Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files

10 Symbol Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files

The procedure for this depends on whether:• you have entered the Symbol Editor directly (AutoCAD and DRAFT not linked together

on same hardware platform);• you have entered the Symbol Editor from DRAFT (AutoCAD and DRAFT on same

hardware platform).

10.1 Direct Entry to Symbol Editor (using adraftse command)

Command: pdms_symbols

Menu Selection: PDMS Symbol>Write Symbol

Initial Prompt: Select Objects:

Use: select the required block inserts. The remaining prompts and requiredresponses are:

Inch/<MM>: enter required units (defaultmillimetres)

DRAFT Symbol LibraryName <CE>:

enter name of destination DRAFTSYLB element (default ‘currentelement’)

DRAFT Command Filename: enter a filename for the commandmacro (note: the .mac suffix,conventional in AVEVA applications, isnot automatically added)

The above procedure will create the macro file and save it in thecurrent directory. This can then be run from the command line usingthe $M/ command (having first navigated to the correct databaseposition if the CE option was selected), or the relevant DRAFT menuoption may be used - see the DRAFT Administrator Application UserGuide.

Note: The ways in which AutoCAD entities and attributes are mappedto DRAFT elements and attributes are described in Appendix B.

12.010:1


10.2 Entry to Symbol Editor from DRAFT



Command: pdms_symbols

Menu Selection: PDMS Symbol>Write Symbol


Use: select the required block inserts

In this case the units, DRAFT Symbol Library name and commandfile name have already been specified on entry to AutoDRAFT, andso need not be reinput.

Having selected the required block inserts, AutoCAD will outputmessages indicating the number of inserts read and the number ofsymbols output. Having exited AutoCAD, the SYTM elements will beautomatically created as members of the destination SymbolLibrary.




Use: Press Y (or type YES ) to quit; anything else will not quit.




Note: DRAFT will read in the macro created to produce the requiredSymbol Templates (SYTM elements) in the current SymbolLibrary.

12.010:2


10.5 Symbol Template Naming ConventionsThe Symbol Template name must be a valid database name.

If the name has already been defined in the current DRAFT Symbol Library, the old 2Dprimitives are deleted and replaced by the new definition.

If the name has already been used for any other database element, the process will beaborted.

10.6 TrueType TextsThe TEXT entities rendered using TrueType fonts must be follow certain rules:

• only the TrueType fonts that have been registered in the given PDMS project may beused;

• in AutoCAD the user must create first the appropriate Text Style, referring the givenTrueType font. The name of the style must start with 'TTFN' followed by the font IDassigned to the given font in the PDMS project.

• Unicode texts are not supported• MTEXT entities are not supported - use the TEXT entities instead

Example: If the PDMS project assigns the font Arial to the font ID 6 and the font Times NewRoman to the font ID 18, then:

• only the above fonts may be used• the style name for the Arial font should be 'TTFN6', and for Times New Roman -

'TTFN18'.

12.010:3


12.010:4

AutoDRAFT User GuideFrame Editor - Introduction

11 Frame Editor - Introduction

11.1 Frame Editor FunctionsThe Frame Editor allows you to create DRAFT Backing Sheets from AutoCAD drawings.The most common use of Backing Sheets in DRAFT is to store standard drawing frames.These can be used by DRAFT as a backdrop to its drawing sheets.

The Frame Editor reads AutoCAD drawing entities and creates a DRAFT command macrothat reproduces the picture in DRAFT. The mapping from AutoCAD entities to DRAFTentities is described in AutoCAD to DRAFT Entity and Attribute Mapping.

The Sheet command file can be read into a DRAFT Sheet Library (SHLB) element in thedatabase. A BACK database element will be created, which owns one or more NOTEelements containing the 2D primitives.

It is also possible to create DRAFT Overlay Sheets with the Frame Editor. An Overlay Sheetin DRAFT has similar properties to a Backing Sheet. The Frame Editor can create OverlaySheet (OVER) database elements containing one or more Sheet Note (NOTE) elements.The Sheet Note contains all the 2D primitives on the sheet.

Overlay Sheets could be used to combine a DRAFT drawing sheet with detail graphicsdrawn in AutoCAD. The graphics imported from AutoCAD can then be stored, drawn andplotted within DRAFT.

If the specified Backing Sheet or Overlay Sheet already exists in the specified DRAFT SheetLibrary then the old 2D primitives are deleted and replaced by the new definition.

See Frame Editor - Getting Started and Frame Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files fordetails of how to use the Frame Editor.

11.2 AutoCAD Working PracticesA Backing/Overlay Sheet can be created using standard AutoCAD functions. The onlyspecial requirement for a Sheet is that it is constructed from AutoCAD entities that can betranslated into DRAFT entities (see AutoCAD to DRAFT Entity and Attribute Mapping). Notethat 3D AutoCAD entities cannot be sent back to DRAFT. AutoCAD entities smaller than0.01mm will not be transferred. The AutoCAD entities that can be reproduced in DRAFTare:

• Line• Point• Circle• Arc• Text (with Generation Normal)• Attribute (Visible, with Generation Normal)

12.011:1

AutoDRAFT User GuideFrame Editor - Introduction

• Inserts which contain 2D primitives as specified above

12.011:2

AutoDRAFT User GuideFrame Editor - Getting Started

12 Frame Editor - Getting Started

There are two methods of starting the Frame Editor:• Directly. This method is used when AutoCAD and PDMS are on separate hardware

platforms.• From within DRAFT. This method is used when AutoCAD and PDMS are on the same

hardware platform.

12.1 Starting the Frame Editor Directly

12.1.1 Starting the Frame Editor on the Host AutoCAD PlatformNote: In the following, where an AutoCAD drawing database file name needs to be


Starting the Frame Editor is done by running the adraftbe script which is supplied as part ofthe AutoDRAFT package. The script can be used in two ways:

• Creating a New Frame Editor Drawingadraftbe -new dwg_filename where dwg_filename is the required AutoCAD drawing database name.The steps carried out by this form of the script are:

1. Starts AutoCAD.2. Creates a drawing file (.dwg) (unless you quit from the AutoDRAFT session).3. Loads the AutoDRAFT Frame Editor program.4. Leaves you in an AutoDRAFT Frame Editor session with an empty drawing.

• Opening an Existing Frame Editor Drawing adraftbe -open dwg_filename where dwg_filename is the name of the required (existing) AutoCAD drawing database.The steps carried out by this form of the script are:

1. Starts AutoCAD.2. Opens the specified AutoCAD drawing file.3. Loads the AutoDRAFT Frame Editor program.4. Leaves you in a Frame Editor session with an existing drawing displayed.

12.012:1

AutoDRAFT User GuideFrame Editor - Getting Started

12.2 Starting the Frame Editor from DRAFTSee the DRAFT Administrator Guide, Chapter 14.

12.3 Setting the Drawing Size in AutoCADThe size of the AutoCAD drawing should match the size of the Sheet Library (SHLB) sheet.When setting up a Frame Editor drawing in AutoCAD the limits should be set such that thelower left corner is at 0,0 and the upper right corner is at the upper right corner of the sheet.The AutoCAD limits command is used to specify drawing limits. For example an A0 metricsheet would be specified by:

Command: limits

ON/OFF/<Lower left corner><current value>: 0,0 Upper rightcorner<current value>: 1189,841

An E size sheet (44”x34”) would be specified by:

ON/OFF/<Lower left corner><current value>: 0,0 Upper rightcorner<current value>: 44,34

12.012:2

AutoDRAFT User GuideFrame Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files

13 Frame Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files

Having drawn the required Sheet graphics in AutoCAD, the procedure for creating thecommand macro for import into DRAFT depends on whether:

• you have entered the Frame Editor directly (AutoCAD and DRAFT not linked togetheron same hardware platform).

• you have entered the Frame Editor from DRAFT (AutoCAD and DRAFT on samehardware platform).

13.1 Direct Entry to Frame Editor (using adraftbe command)

Command: pdms_sheet

Menu Selection: PDMS Frame>Write Sheet


Use: select the required entities. The remaining prompts and requiredresponses are:

Inch/<MM>: enter required units (defaultmillimetres)

Over/<Back>: choose to create Overlay orBacking Sheet

DRAFT Sheet Library Name<CE>:

enter name of destination DRAFTSHLB element (default ‘currentelement’)

BACK Sheet name:* enter a valid database name for thebacking sheet

DRAFT Command Filename: enter a filename for the commandmacro (note: the .mac suffix,conventional in AVEVA applications,is not automatically added)

12.013:1


13.2 Entry to Frame Editor from DRAFT


OVER Sheet Name: if Over has been chosen earlier

The above procedure will create the macro file and save it in the currentdirectory. This can then be run from the command line using the $M/command (having first navigated to the correct database position if theCE option was selected), or the relevant DRAFT menu option may beused - see the DRAFT Administrator Guide.

Note: The ways in which AutoCAD entities and attributes are mappedto DRAFT elements and attributes are described in AutoCAD toDRAFT Entity and Attribute Mapping.

Command: pdms_sheet

Menu Selection: PDMS Frame>Write sheet


Use: select the required entities.

In this case the units, DRAFT Sheet Library name, sheet elementname and command file name have already been specified on entryto AutoDRAFT, and so need not be reinput.

Having selected the required entities, AutoCAD will output messagesindicating the number of entities read and the number output. Havingexited AutoCAD, the BACK (or OVER) element will be automaticallycreated as the first member of the destination Sheet Library, with amember NOTE element having 2D Primitives as its own members.




Use: Press Y (or type YES ) to quit; anything else will not quit.

12.013:2



13.5 Sheet Naming ConventionsThe names assigned to Backing Sheets and Overlay Sheets which are to be created by animported command macro will be treated as described below.

13.5.1 Backing Sheet NameThe Backing Sheet name must be a valid AVEVA database name.

If the name has already been used for a Backing Sheet in the specified Sheet Library whenthe command macro is read into DRAFT, it will be assumed that this is a replacementdrawing. All graphics on the old Backing Sheet will be deleted and the new graphics read into replace it.

If the name has already been used for any other database element in the PDMS databasethen the command file will be aborted.

13.5.2 Overlay Sheet NameThe rules for Overlay Sheets are the same as those for Backing Sheets with one exception -if an Overlay Sheet already exists in the Sheet Library, and it contains a VIEW element, itwill not be overwritten.

13.6 TrueType TextsWhen using the TrueType fonts in the TEXT entities, the same rules apply, as in the SymbolEditor (see TrueType Texts for details).




Note: DRAFT will read in the macro created to produce the requiredBACK/OVER elements in the current Sheet Library.

12.013:3


12.013:4

AutoDRAFT User GuideAutoDRAFT Working Practices

A AutoDRAFT Working Practices

A.1 Using DRAFT with AutoDRAFTIt is difficult to describe a simple sequence of steps for using DRAFT with AutoDRAFTbecause they can be combined in a number of different ways depending on users’requirements. The examples below describe two different ways of using DRAFT withAutoDRAFT

A.1.1 Suggested Working Practice 1Most of the drawing annotation is done in AutoCAD. The final drawing is an AutoCADdrawing, not a DRAFT drawing. Plots are output using AutoCAD. DRAFT is used to createviews of design geometry with labels and dimensions.

The Frame Editor may not be required if all drawing borders are to be added in AutoCAD.

The Symbol Editor may be used at the beginning of a project to create a DRAFT symboltemplate library for ‘intelligent’ symbolic labels.

For each drawing sheet:• Create hidden-line views of the design in DRAFT.• Dimension the drawing in DRAFT• Add ‘intelligent’ labels in DRAFT (i.e. those containing information extracted from the

database using the intelligent text system).• Send the drawing Sheet to the Drawing Editor.• Add drawing frame, symbols, text notes, detail views etc. using AutoCAD functions.• Plot the drawing using AutoCAD plotting

To update a drawing:• Update hidden-line views in DRAFT, including dimensions and labels.• Send the drawing to the Drawing Editor.• The Drawing Editor removes the original DRAFT layers from the AutoCAD drawing

file and replaces them with the updated DRAFT picture. Original AutoCAD additions(on AutoCAD layers) remain unchanged, but AutoCAD additions on DRAFT layers willbe lost.

A.1.2 Suggested Working Practice 2Most of the drawing is created in DRAFT. Symbols and backing/overlay sheet libraries arecreated in AutoCAD. The final drawing is a DRAFT drawing. Plots are output using theAVEVA plotting facility. The Drawing Editor is used to add hatching and other details.

The Symbol Editor and Frame Editor are used at the beginning of a project to createSymbol Template and Backing/Overlay Sheet libraries in DRAFT.

12.0A:1

AutoDRAFT User GuideAutoDRAFT Working Practices

For each drawing sheet:• Create a sheet, specifying a border from a backing sheet library.• Create hidden-line views of the design in DRAFT.• Dimension and label the drawing in DRAFT.• Add symbols from the symbol template library, along with other annotation.• If necessary, send the Sheet to the Drawing Editor.• Add graphics using AutoCAD functions• Use the Frame Editor to send drawing items added in AutoCAD back to an Overlay/

Backing Sheet in the DRAFT database• Delete the AutoCAD drawing• In DRAFT, reference the Overlay/Backing Sheet from the Drawing Sheet• Plot the drawing in using the AVEVA plotting facility.

To update a drawing:• Update hidden-line views in DRAFT, including dimensions and labels.• If it is necessary to send the drawing to the Drawing Editor, delete from the AutoCAD-

generated Backing/Overlay Sheet any drawing items to be replaced in AutoCAD.• Send the Sheet to the Drawing Editor, creating a new (temporary) AutoCAD drawing.• Add new drawing items and send to a new Overlay/Backing Sheet in DRAFT.

A.2 Using ISODRAFT with AutoDRAFTIt is difficult to describe a simple sequence of steps for using ISODRAFT with AutoDRAFTbecause they can be combined in a number of different ways depending on users’requirements. The example below describes one way of using ISODRAFT with AutoDRAFT

A.2.1 Suggested Working PracticeMost of the drawing annotation is done in AutoCAD. The final drawing is an AutoCADdrawing, not a DRAFT drawing. Plots are output using AutoCAD. ISODRAFT is used tocreate isometric views of the design.

For each drawing:• Send the drawing to the Drawing Editor.• Add drawing frame, symbols, text notes, detail views etc using AutoCAD functions.• Plot the drawing using AutoCAD plotting

Note: With ISODRAFT, AutoDRAFT can only be used to create new drawings or openexisting ones.

12.0A:2

AutoDRAFT User GuideAutoCAD to DRAFT Entity and Attribute Mapping

B AutoCAD to DRAFT Entity and Attribute Mapping

B.1 AutoCAD Entities into DRAFT ElementsThe table below shows the mapping from AutoCAD entities into DRAFT elements. AnyAutoCAD entities not mentioned in the table are ignored, and will not be represented in theDRAFT database.

All AutoCAD entities must be in model space. They can be drawn in the world coordinatesystem, or they can be drawn in a User Coordinate System (UCS) providing that the Z-axisof the UCS is in the same direction as the World Z-axis.

B.2 AutoCAD Attributes into DRAFT AttributesThe table below shows the mapping from AutoCAD attributes into DRAFT attributes. AnyAutoCAD attributes not mentioned in the table are ignored, and will not be represented inthe DRAFT database.

AutoCAD Entity DRAFT Element

Line Line (STRA)

Point Point (MRKP)

Circle Circle (CIRC)

Arc Arc (ARC)

Text Text (TEXP)

Attribute Text (TEXP)

Insert Expanded into 2D primitives as specified above. Insert mustnot be differentially scaled.

AutoCAD Attribute DRAFT Attribute

Linetype

DRAFT preconfigured GTlinestyles

GTSOLID NLSTYLE SOLID

GTDASH NLSTYLE DASHED

12.0B:1


GTDOT NLSTYLE DOTTED

GTCHAIN NLSTYLE CHAINED

GTLDASH NLSTYLE LDASHED

AutoCAD standard linestyles

Centre, Dashdot NLSTYLE CHAINED

Dashed, Hidden NLSTYLE DASHED

Dashedx2, Hiddenx2 NLSTYLE LDASHED

Dot NLSTYLE DOTTED

Border NLSTYLE DDASHED (colour 1 only)

Divide NLSTYLE DDOTTED (colour 1 only)

Phantom NLSTYLE DCHAINED (colour 1 only)

others NLSTYLE SOLID

DRAFT new linestyles (loaded aspart of forms-and-menu interface)

GTDDASH NLSTYLE DDASHED

GTDDOT NLSTYLE DDOTTED

GTFDOT NLSTYLE FDOTTED

GTDCHAIN NLSTYLE DCHAINED

GTTCHAIN NLSTYLE TCHAINED

Width

= 0 No change to the line style

≠ 0 Make the style THICK

Line Colour

1 - 255 the closest match in the PDMS colour table

Text

Height CHEI

Width (for fitted text) No mapping Width (for fitted text)

Angle ADEG

Font

PDMS HORTXT font FONT 1

PDMS HTXnn font DRAFT Equivalent - Font nn

PDMS HTX-nn font DRAFT Equivalent extension character - Font nn

HTX63 font DRAFT Symbolic character


12.0B:2


B.3 Line WidthsThere are eleven line widths in DRAFT, 0mm to 2mm. Please note that the original DRAFTsettings for linewidths (thin and thick) are still supported. These are equivalent to linewidthsof 0mm and 0.4mm.

In AutoCAD all lines, circles and arcs are thin.

The mapping from AutoCAD to DRAFT is:• all entities with zero width are DRAFT thin lines

The mapping from DRAFT and ISODRAFT to AutoCAD is:• all eleven line widths are mapped correctly

B.4 LinestylesLinestyles are scaled differently in DRAFT and AutoCAD. The AutoCAD linetype scale isignored, so dash and gap lengths may not match between the two systems. However, thelinestyles listed in the table will have a similar pattern of gaps and dashes.

Roman FONT 3

Italic FONT 4

TrueType font (style TTFNnn) FONT nn

other FONT 1

Vertical alignment

Top ALIG TB

Middle ALIG HB

Bottom ALIG BB

Baseline ALIG BASE

Horizontal alignment

Left, fit and aligned JUST L

Centre JUST C

Right JUST R

Oblique forwards Forward slope font variant

Oblique backwards Backward slope font variant (not supported for TrueType texts)

Generation flags Always normal

Text Colour

1 - 272 the closest match in the PDMS colour table


12.0B:3


Note: User defined linestyles are now available in DRAFT. AutoDRAFT will export (andmaintain) these linestyles correctly in AutoCAD.

In order to export any user defined linestyles, AutoDRAFT creates a file calledpdmsuser.lin in the local directory. This file is only used by AutoDRAFT during thecurrent session, after which it is deleted. You should note that AutoDRAFT will notwork if a file called pdmsuser.lin already exists in the local directory.

If you are pre-loading any user defined linestyles into AutoCAD (for example, via theacad.lsp file) which use the same names as any of your DRAFT user-definedlinestyles exported via AutoDRAFT, the pre-loaded linestyles will be used inpreference to DRAFT ones.

B.5 Text FontsIf a non-AVEVA text font is used in AutoCAD the height of the text will be the same in bothsystems, but the length of the text will differ. The mapping of non-AVEVA fonts on to fontnumbers in DRAFT assumes that the default Font family definition is in use for the project.

AutoCAD width factor and vertical text path are ignored. AutoCAD underlining will beinterpreted as DRAFT underlining. AutoCAD overscore codes are ignored. Positive obliqueangle is interpreted as forward shear. Negative oblique angle is interpreted as backwardshear. Non-standard text-generation flags are ignored.

AutoCAD special symbols degree, plus/minus and diameter symbol will be converted to theappropriate DRAFT special symbol.

AutoCAD special character numbers are ignored. AutoCAD Bigfont text cannot be generallytransferred - but see below. However special characters in the AutoCAD fonts, that havebeen defined to work with AVEVA, will be reinterpreted back into the equivalent specialcharacters in DRAFT.

Text in styles HTX-nn will be assumed to be AVEVA extension font characters (e.g. Latin-1or Latin-2) and will be sent back to the AVEVA application as ESC-X sequences.

To simplify the transfer of files between systems which have restrictions on filenamelengths, a convention for file naming has been adopted that never produces filenames witha prefix greater than eight characters long. The system does this by:

• The first five digits of the old font file names have been condensed to two alphanumericcharacters.

• The prefixes ’f’, ’ef’, ’of’ and ’sf’ have been shortened to their first letter.• As DOS is case-insensitive, UPPER CASE is used for prefixes (TESTFILE etc.) with

lower case letters for the suffix (.txt for example).

The condensation method mentioned in point one above is designed to be reasonablymemorable. The initial two digits of the old file name are re-encoded as follows:

Initial code New Code Meaning

01 L Latin

02 G Greek

03 C Cyrillic

04 A Arabic

12.0B:4


The next three digits of the old file name (which represent the character set) become:

Note: The re-use of character set ‘L’ is not important, as the fonts concerned are madedistinct by the alphabet letter.

The current range of alphabets and character-sets supported is represented as:

05 H Hebrew

11 X Chinese

12 J Japanese

13 K Korean

09 O Oddments (1 byte)

Initial Code New Code Meaning

004 B British

006 A American

100 1 ‘right-hand’ half of Latin-1





018 G Greek

537 R Russian

521 D German (Deutsch)

998 R Russian mixture (Latin-Cyrillic)

999 P PDMS symbols

058 X Chinese basic

087 J Japanese basic

126 L ‘right-hand’ half of Latin-Greek

144 L ‘right-hand’ half of Latin-Cyrillic

127 L ‘right-hand’ half of Latin-Arabic

138 L ‘right-hand’ half of Latin-Hebrew

Old Code New Code Meaning

01004 LB Latin, British

01006 LA Latin, American

01100 L1 ‘right-hand’ half of Latin-1

Initial code New Code Meaning

12.0B:5


The prefix of one to three initial letters becomes a single letter, as described above:

Letter Meaning

TrueType fonts can be used in addition to the native PDMS ones. See TrueType Texts fordetails.

B.6 Support for AutoCAD Bigfont Text (PDMS/J users only)Kanji text in EUC-format AVEVA fonts may be transferred back to DRAFT using the Frameand Symbol Editors. This is sent back to DRAFT as byte pairs in &~. . . . . . & sequences.Transfer of text in SHIFT-JIS PDMS fonts is not supported, nor is FECs text in non-AVEVAfonts.





01521 LD Latin, German

02018 GG Greek

02126 GL ‘right-hand’ half of Latin-Greek

03537 CR Cyrillic, Russian

03144 CL ‘right-hand’ half of Latin-Cyrillic

04127 AL ‘right-hand’ half of Latin-Arabic

05138 HL ‘right-hand’ half of Latin-Hebrew

09998 OR Latin-Cyrillic (obsolete)

11058 XX Chinese (basic set)

12087 JJ Japanese (basic set)

F Filled Font }

O Outline Font } 1-byte fonts

U Uniform Width Font }

E EUC Encoding } 2-byte fonts

S Shift-JIS Encoding }

Old Code New Code Meaning

12.0B:6

AutoDRAFT User GuideAutoDRAFT Menus

C AutoDRAFT Menus

The AutoCAD Reference Manual describes command input to AutoCAD from the commandline and from standard screen menus.

The functions described in this document are defined as commands entered via thekeyboard at the AutoCAD Command: prompt.

AutoDRAFT customises the standard AutoCAD menus by the addition of the AutoDRAFToptions.

Note that the appropriate Autodesk, Inc. copyright notices apply to the AutoDRAFT menufiles which are derived from an original AutoCAD menu file.

C.1 Drawing Editor Pull-Down Menus. . . Blank PDMS Draw

C.1.1 Blank Pull-Down Menu

C.1.2 PDMS Draw Pull-Down MenuThe PDMS Draw menu contains all of the AutoDRAFT Drawing Editor functions except forblanking.

Visible Make blank boundaries visible (pdms_blank_edit Visible)

Invisible Make blank boundaries invisible (pdms_blank_edit Invisible)

Blank Hide covered items (pdms_blank)

Create Create a new blank (pdms_blank_create)

Erase Erase blanks (pdms_blank_edit Erase)

Cover Choose items to be covered by blanks (pdms_blank_edit Cover)

Uncover Choose items to be uncovered so they are not hidden by blanks(pdms_blank_edit Uncover)

PDMS Layers > Display Layers submenu (pdms_layers PDMS command)

User Layers > Display Layers submenu (pdms_layers USER command)

PDMS Colours Sets PDMS layers to PDMS colours (pdms_colour)

12.0C:1


Layers Submenu

The layers submenu is used to control both the PDMS layers and the non-PDMS layersthrough the pdms_layers command

C.2 Frame Editor Pull-Down Menu. . . PDMS Frame

C.2.1 PDMS Frame Pull-Down Menu

C.3 Symbol Editor Pull-Down Menu. . . PDMS Symbol

Load Text Load text from a text file onto the drawing (pdms_textfile)

Copy Magnify Copy and scale part of the drawing (pdms_copy)

Select Viewport Select viewport by picking viewport boundary (pdms_view_sel)

Create Viewport Create viewport containing a magnified view of a region of thedrawing sheet (pdms_view_create)

PDMS EndAcad Ends an AutoCAD session, saving the current drawing andautomatically exiting from the main menu screen.

PDMS QuitAcad Quits an AutoCAD session without saving the current drawing, alsoautomatically exiting from the main menu screen.

On Switch layers on

Off Switch layers off

Freeze Freeze layers

Thaw Thaw layers

Write sheet Write PDMS Backing or Overlay sheet command file(pdms_sheet)



12.0C:2


C.3.1 PDMS Symbol Pull-Down Menu

Make symbol Make symbol template block & insert (pdms_make_symbol)

Write symbol Write PDMS symbol template command file (pdms_symbols)



12.0C:3


12.0C:4

Index


AAutoCAD

leaving saving changes . 6:9, 10:2, 13:3leaving without saving changes 10:2, 13:2working practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1

AutoCAD Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:1AutoCAD Bigfont Text Support . . . . . . . . B:6AutoCAD Entities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:1AutoCAD to DRAFT Entity Mapping . . . . B:1AutoDRAFT

facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1working practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A:1

AutoDRAFT Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:1AVEVA Colours

applying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:3

BBacking Sheet Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3Blank Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:1Blanked Drawing

plotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:5Blanking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:4Blanking Shape

creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1Blanks

editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:5Block

creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1Block Insert

creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1

DDRAFT

using with AutoDRAFT . . . . . . . . . . A:1DRAFT Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:1DRAFT Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:1DRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface . . . . . . . . 2:1DRAFT/ISODRAFT to Drawing Editor Interface

3:1Drawing

copying part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:5resizing part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:5

Drawing Editorautoblanking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:1functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1pull-down menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:1starting directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1starting from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3starting from ISODRAFT . . . . . . . . . 4:3starting on the Host AutoCAD Platform 4:2

Drawing Editor Database . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:2Drawing Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:3Drawing Size

setting in AutoCAD . . . . . . . . . 8:2, 12:2Drawing Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:3, 4:3DXF File Transfer

limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3DXF Plotfile

transferring to the Host AutoCAD Platform 4:2

DXF-Format Transfer Filecreating from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1creating from ISODRAFT . . . . . . . . . 4:2

12.0Index page 1


FFECs Support in DXF Output . . . . . . . . . 4:4Frame Editor

deriving DRAFT command files . . . 13:1direct entry using adraftbe command 13:1entry from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:2functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:1introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:1pull-down menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:2starting directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:1starting from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . 12:2starting on the Host AutoCAD Platform 12:1

IISODRAFT

using with AutoDRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . A:2ISODRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface . . . . . 2:2

LLayer Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:1Layers

controlling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:2Line Widths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:3Linestyles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:3

OOverlay Sheet Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3

PPaper Space Viewport

creating on a drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:7Paper Space/Model Space Viewports . . 3:2PDMS Frame Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . .C:2PDMS Symbol Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . .C:3

SSheet Naming Conventions . . . . . . . . . 13:3Symbol

redefining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:2Symbol Editor

creating symbol templates . . . . . . . . 9:1deriving DRAFT command files . . . 10:1direct entry using adraftse command 10:1entry from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:2functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1pull-down menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:2starting directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:1

starting from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:2starting on the host AutoCAD Platform 8:1

Symbol Library Annotation . . . . . . . . . . . 7:2Symbol Name Attribute

creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1Symbol Template Naming Conventions 10:3

TText

loading from a file onto a drawing . . 6:4Text Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:4Transfer File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3True Type Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:3

12.0Index page 2

AutoDRAFT User Guide

Documents