Execution of Drawings commands

The Filling and Hatch Commands

Ribbon: Annotate - Hatch > Hatch Ribbon: Home – Draw > Hatch Menu: Draw – Hatch… Toolbar: Draw –

Command line: BHATCH, H, HATCH, HATCHCMD

Hatching in nanoCAD means filling the selected area with the predefined pattern.

The Hatch pattern is a predefined pattern used to represent different materials such as steel, concrete, glass and so on. A solid fill can also be used as a hatch pattern.

The hatch can be associative or annotative.

An associative hatch is updated when you change the boundary.

An annotative hatch does not depend upon the boundary.

More details about hatch creating and editing are given in the following sections:

• Hatch dialog box
• Create Hatch;
• Gradient;
• Fast Hatch;
• Fast Gradient;
• Edit hatch.

Hatch Dialog Box

The Hatch dialog box appears to select the hatch pattern and specify options:

Options:

Type and pattern

Type: Drop-down list to select the type of hatch pattern:

The following types are available:

• Predefined
• User defined
• Custom

Pattern: Drop-down list to select the available predefined patterns.

The Pattern option is available only if you set the Type to Predefined.

This button opens the Hatch pattern dialog box.

The dialog box contains the tabs:

• ANSI the hatch patterns of the ANSI standard;
• ISO the hatch patterns of the ISO standard;
• Other Predefined the hatch patterns that are not related to the ANSI and ISO standards;
• GOST samples of shading of materials graphic representations according to GOST;
• Custom the list and patterns of the custom file format *.pat.

By default, hatch samples are located in the C:\ProgramData\Nanosoft\nanoCAD X.X\SHX folder. You can change its

location in the Options settings in the Standard Directories – Hatch Sample Files location. Custom hatch patterns are located in the same folder.

If there is no ANSI, ISO, Other Standard hatches file (ncadiso.pat) in the folder, the following message is displayed:

At that, samples from the GOST, GOST 21.302-2013, and Custom tabs remain available.

Color: Drop-down list to select the hatch color.

Swatch: Displays a preview of the selected pattern.

Click the swatch to display the Hatch pattern dialog box.

Custom Drop-down list to display the available custom patterns.

pattern: The Custom pattern option is only available for Custom type of hatch

pattern.

This button opens the Hatch pattern dialog box.

The available custom hatch patterns display in the left part of tab. The selected pattern displays in the right part:

Angle and scale

Angle: Drop-down list to specify an angle for the hatch pattern

relative to the X axis of the current UCS.

Values can be input from the keyboard.

Scale: Drop-down list to expand or contract a predefined or custom

pattern. Values can be input from the keyboard.

This option is only available if you set the Type to Predefined

or Custom.

The values in the list depend on the set Symbol Scale (the

scale button is located in the right part of the

status bar).

Double Turns on/off the mode to draw a second hatch positioned at

90 degrees to the original hatch.

This option is only available if you set the Type to User

Defined.

Hatch origin Sets the start point to create the hatch.

Some hatches, such as brick patterns, need to be aligned with

a point on the hatch boundary.

By default, all hatch origins correspond to the current UCS

origin.

Use current origin Turns on the mode of origin setting stored in the

HPORIGINMODE system variable.

The origin is set to 0,0 by default.

Specified origin Specifies a new hatch origin.

Click to set new origin Specifies the new hatch origin point on the screen using the

cursor.

Default boundary extents Turns on/off the mode for calculation of a new origin based on the rectangular extents of the boundary for the hatch.

From the drop-down list the following options are available:

• Bottom left

• Bottom right

• Top right

• Top left

• Center

The icon displays the current position of the origin point:

Store as default origin Turns on/off the mode for saving the value of the new hatch origin in the HPORIGIN system variable.

Boundaries

Add: Pick points Determines a boundary from the existing objects that form

an enclosed area around the specified point. The dialog box closes temporarily and you are prompted to pick a point.

Add: Select objects Determines a boundary from selected objects that form an

enclosed area. The dialog box closes temporarily and you are

prompted to select objects.

Remove boundaries Removes from the boundary definition any of the objects that were added previously.

This option is unavailable if you have not specified points or

not selected objects.

Recreate boundary Creates a polyline or region around the selected hatch and optionally associates the hatch object with it.

This option is available when you edit the hatch.

View selection Temporarily closes the Hatch dialog box and displays the currently defined boundaries with the current hatch settings.

This option is unavailable if you have not specified points or not selected objects.

Precalculate contours

The checkbox activates the mechanism for contour preliminary search, which is used to dynamically highlight potential contours under the cursor during the procedure for

adding contours by specifying an internal point ( Add: Pick points button).

A preliminary search for contours is carried out immediately after clicking the Add: Pick points button. The search for contours will be performed only for the drawing geometry that will be displayed in the current view window at that time. If it takes time to search for contours, a window with a progress bar will appear.

The found contours are highlighted under the cursor in green, and if contours with an acceptable gap value are found (the value of the Gap tolerance field) – in red. In this case, the locations of the gaps in the contour are outlined with red circles.

The process of selecting hatch areas when the preliminary contour search mechanism is enabled is described in more detail below in the Creating hatches section.

Options

Associative Turns the associative hatch mode on/off.

Create separate hatches Turns on/off the mode for changing a single hatch object that has several separate boundaries into individual hatch objects.

When this mode is turned on, the hatch will be created for each counter, which representing a separate object.

Draw order: Drop-down list to assign the draw order to a hatch or fill. From the drop-down list the following options are available:

• Do not assign
• Send to back
• Bring to front
• Send behind boundary
• Bring in front of boundary

Temporarily closes the Hatch dialog box to specify boundaries using the hatch properties of a selected hatch object.

Temporarily closes the Hatch dialog box and displays the currently defined boundaries with the current hatch settings.

Press ESC to return to the dialog box.

Expands the Hatch dialog box to display more options.

The More Options section of the Hatch dialog box:

The additional area of the dialog box is expanded by clicking the button.

Islands

Island detection Turns on/off the mode to detect internal closed boundaries

(islands).

Island display style Selects the island display style.

Hatches inward from the outer boundary.

If the hatch encounters an internal island, it turns off hatching

until it encounters another island within the island.

Normal

Hatches inward from the outer boundary. Hatch turns hatching off if it encounters an internal island. This option hatches only the outermost level of the structure and leaves the internal

structure blank.

Outer

Ignores all internal objects and hatches through them.

Ignore

Boundary retention

Retain boundaries Creates boundary objects from the temporary hatch boundaries

and adds them to the drawing.

Object type: Controls the type of the new boundary object.

The following types are available:

• Region
• Polyline

Boundary set Defines the set of objects analyzed when defining a boundary from a specified point. The selected boundary set has no effect when you use Select Objects to define a boundary.

From the drop-down list the following object sets are available:

• Current viewport Defines the boundary set from everything within the current viewport.
• Existing set Defines the boundary set from the objects that you selected with New.

New Sets the maximum size of gaps that can be ignored when objects are used as a hatch boundary.

Gap tolerance

Tolerance Sets the maximum size of gaps that can be ignored when objects

are used as a hatch boundary.

Enter a value, in drawing units, from 0 to 5000 to set the maximum size of gaps that can be ignored when the objects

serve as a hatch boundary.

Any gaps equal to or smaller than the value you specify are

ignored and the boundary is treated as closed.

Inherit options When you use Inherit Properties to create a hatch, these

settings control the location of the hatch origin.

Use current origin Uses the current hatch origin setting.

Using source hatch origin Uses the hatch origin of the source hatch.

Creating Hatch

The process of creating hatch can be divided into several conventional stages.

1. Set hatch parameters in the “Hatch” dialog

Including the selection of the desired hatch pattern in the Pattern drop-down list or in the Hatch Pattern dialog that opens after clicking the button. The graphic structure of the selected pattern will be displayed in the Swatch field.

2. Specify the hatch area

To specify hatch areas, use one of the following methods:

• By specifying a point inside the area bounded by objects (using the Add: Pick point button); or
• By selecting objects that form a closed area (using the Add: Pick point button).

Note

When setting a hatch contour by specifying a point inside a closed area, the following nanoCAD objects are ignored (not taken into account): single-line and multi-line texts, dimensions, leaders and tables.

2.а Selecting hatch areas by specifying points inside contours

The process of specifying points inside hatch contours largely depends on the state of the Precalculate contours checkbox.

Checking the box activates the contour pre-search mechanism, which is used to dynamically highlight potential contours under the cursor during the procedure for adding contours by specifying an internal

point. In addition, this mechanism significantly speeds up the process of specifying contours, since contour recognition occurs not during each mouse click, but in advance, immediately after clicking the

Add: Pick point button.

A preliminary search for contours will be performed only for the drawing geometry that is currently displayed in the current viewport.

Information about the search process dynamics is displayed in the status bar.

The preliminary search for contours is background and during its process you can specify the desired contours by clicking the mouse inside the contour. Selected contours are marked with green dots:

After contours precalculation is completed, the specified contours are selected for hatching and the points are erased. If there are breaks in the contours greater than the Gap tolerance parameter, the point indicator turns red:

A message is displayed suggesting solutions to the detected problem:

To deselect the problematic contours, click OK and click on the red dot again.

After a preliminary search, the found contours are highlighted in green under the cursor:

If you hover the cursor over contours with an allowable gap value (the value of the Gap Tolerance field) – red. In this case, the locations of the gaps in the contour are outlined in red circles:

If you are satisfied with the highlighted contour, you need to mark it by clicking the left mouse button to add it to the set of contours for hatching.

The highlighting of contours added to the set under the mouse cursor turns pink.

It should be taken into account that the operation of preliminary search for contours was performed only for contours that were completely displayed in the viewport at the time of clicking the Add: Pick point button. Therefore, if after clicking this button the drawing area was moved or the view was scaled (zoomed), the search process will begin again.

If, before starting the process of specifying points inside contours, the Precalculate contours checkbox was not selected, then the contours under the cursor will not be highlighted, since the process of recognizing all contours in the current view will not be carried out in advance. However, the process of specifying contours may take longer because each time you click the mouse, an attempt will be made to recognize a closed contour.

If it takes time to recognize the contour, a window with a progress bar will appear.

To exclude a contour that has already been selected, select it again by clicking the mouse.

If for some reason the selection results are not completely satisfactory, press ESC or select the Cancel command in the context menu to cancel the selected contours and return to the Hatch dialog to re-set the selection. The Preview and OK buttons in the dialog that opens will be disabled in this case.

To finish adding contours to the set, press ENTER or select the Enter command in the context menu to return to the Hatch dialog. Upon returning to the dialog, to preview the hatching result, click the Preview button. To complete the command without preview, click OK.

2.b Selecting hatch areas by specifying the objects that form the hatch areas

Click the Add: Pick point button and select the objects that bound the areas to be hatched.

To exclude an object from the selection, click on it again.

If the selection results are not completely satisfactory for any reason, press ESC or select the Cancel command in the context menu to cancel the selected objects and return to the Hatch dialog to re-set the selection. The Preview and OK buttons in the dialog that opens will be disabled in this case.

To finish adding objects to the set, press ENTER or select the Enter command in the context menu to return to the Hatch dialog. Upon returning to the dialog, to preview the hatching result, click the Preview button. To complete the command without preview, click OK.

When you preview the hatch result:

• 1. If the preview of the hatch is satisfactory, click Accept in the command line or click Enter or Accept in the context menu to finish the command. Pressing ENTER also finishes the command.
• 2. If the preview is not satisfactory, select Reject in the command line or click Cancel or Reject in the context menu to return to the dialog box and change the hatch options. Pressing ESC also returns to the dialog box.

To create the hatch using the inherited properties of a selected hatch:

• 1. Click the Inherit properties icon. The Hatch dialog box closes temporarily, to select the prototype hatch.
• 2. Select the hatch object whose properties you want the hatch to inherit. The Preview and OK buttons in the opened dialog box will be blocked.
• 3. After selection, you can right-click in the drawing area and use the options on the context menu to switch between the Pick Internal Point and Select Objects options to create boundaries.
• 4. The order of the rest of the actions corresponds to the order of actions performed when you create a hatch.

Gradient Fill

Gradient filling is sort of filling with effect of smooth transition from one color to another.

Ribbon: Home – Draw > Gradient

Menu: Draw – Gradient…

Toolbar: Draw –

Command line: GRADIENTCMD, GRADIENT

You can set options of gradient filling in Gradient tab of Hatch dialog.

Options:

Color

Color 1 Specifies the first color of gradient filling.

Color 2 Specifies the first color of gradient filling.

Swap colors.

Gradient types

Linear

Enable the mode for creating linear gradient fill

Cylinder Enable the mode for creating cylinder

Curved

gradient fill Spherical

Enable the mode for creating spherical gradient fill

Hemispherical Enable the mode for creating hemispherical gradient fill

Enable the mode for creating curved gradient fill

Inversed (inversion of colors)

Enable/disable the mode for creating

inversed gradient fill.

Spherical gradient fill

Inversed spherical gradient fill

Orientation

Centered Specifies a symmetrical configuration of gradient.

If this parameter is not set, the gradient filling shifts up and left, making the

illusion of light located to the left from object.

Angle Specifies the angle of gradient filling. Angle specified about current UCS and

independently of angle of rotation of hatch.

Parameters of gradient fill can be edited on the Properties bar:

Fast Hatch

Command line: FASTHATCH, FH

Fast Hatch command creates hatch in selected contours using last parameters of Hatch dialog box.

To create a fast hatch:

1. Call Fast Hatch command.

• 2. Specify points inside of contours.
• 3. Click ENTER to create a hatch.

Fast Gradient

Ribbon: Annotate - Hatch > Fast Gradient

Ribbon: Home – Draw > Fast Gradient

Command line: FASTHGRADIENT, FG

Menu: Draw - Fast Gradient

Toolbar: Draw -

Fast Gradient command creates gradient fill in selected contours using last parameters of Gradient dialog box.

To create a fast gradient:

• 1. Call Fast Gradient command.
• 2. Specify points inside of contours.
• 3. Click ENTER to create a gradient.

Overriding Layer for New Hatches and Fills (HPLAYER)

Using the HPLAYER variable, you can override a layer for new hatches and fills. The variable allows you to specify a layer that does not exist in the document. In this case, a layer with this name will be created when creating a new hatch, and it will inherit its properties from layer 0. To use the current layer as a layer for new hatches, enter the dot ”.”.

Modify Hatched Areas

Ribbon: Home - Modify > Edit hatches

Menu: Modify – Object > Hatch …

Toolbar: Modify Object –

Command line: HATCHEDIT

As with any other object, a hatch can be deleted, copied, moved, rotated, etc.

If a hatch is selected, you can change its scale and angle.

Hatch properties are edited in the same Hatch dialog that is used to create hatches.

You can edit the hatch properties in the Hatch dialog box that is used to create the hatch.

The Edit Hatches command allows you to recreate removed hatch boundaries. When you use the Edit Hatch command, the Recreate boundary option will be available in the Hatch dialog box.

To recreate a boundary:

• 1. Start the Hatch command from the Modify – Object
• 2. In response to the command line prompt Select hatch object or [?]: select the hatch for which you want to restore the contour.
• 3. In the Hatch dialog box, click the Recreate boundary icon.
• 4. In the command line or context menu, select the Region or Polyline option to specify the object type to recreate the boundary.
• 5. Select Yes or No In the command line prompt Reassociate hatch with new boundary? [Yes/No] :
• 6. In the Hatch dialog box click OK.

Shape

Command line: SHAPE

Shapes represent the objects described in a special format and are saved in text files with SHP extensions. When compiling form description files (*.shp), files with the SHX extension are generated.

Shapes can be part of the description of complex line types.

SHX-fonts are also described and stored in the SHP-files. Each symbol of this font is a special type of figure.

Shapes are objects that you use like blocks. User-defined shapes are helpful when you need to insert a simple part many times and when speed is important. Blocks are more versatile and easier to use and apply than shapes. However, shapes are more efficient to store and draw.

The nanoCAD delivery (folder C:\ProgramData\Nanosoft**Ошибка! Неизвестное имя свойства документа.** 25.0\SHX) includes three files (with description of forms: GOST 2.303-68.shx, GOST_21_408-2013.shx and ltypeshp.shx)

The GOST 2.303-68.shx file contains the shapes used to describe complex lines types in the GOST 2.303- 68.lin file.

nanoCAD supports shapes created for AutoCAD.

The user has the possibility to create his own forms. To do this, it is necessary to create a form description file with the SHP extension in any text editor or word processor that allows saving texts in ASCII format, and compile an SHX file based on it. To use the compiled file in nanoCAD, it is enough to place it in the folder C:\ProgramData\Nanosoft**Ошибка! Неизвестное имя свойства документа.** 25.0\SHX.

The Shapes command allows you to insert shapes from (*.SHX) files into the document. Selection of the file containing the shapes is carried out in the Choose Form dialog box.

To insert a shape:

• 1. In the Shapes section, choose the file. The slides with graphic images of the available shapes in the file are displayed in the box located in the top right part of the dialog.
• 2. Select the shape to insert and left click on the shape slide or select the shape name from the dropdown Shape list.
• 3. Click OK.
• 4. After closing the dialog box, perform the appropriate actions from prompts in the command line:

Note

You can set the parameter values of the shape using the cursor on the screen, in which case there are dynamic changes in the appearance of the inserted shape, depending on the cursor movement.

Boundary

Toolbar: Draw –

Command line: BO, BOUNDARY, BPOLY

This command creates a region bounded by a closed polyline (boundary). A boundary can be created from lines, polylines, circles, arcs, ellipses, elliptic arcs, and splines. A boundary can be created from a single closed object or from several intersecting or adjoining end points of the objects bounded by the closed region.

You can calculate area or create a hatch for boundaries.

After starting the command, the Boundary Creation dialog box opens:

To create a region or boundary:

• 1. From the Object type list select the Polyline or Region.
• 2. To search for internal closed boundaries (islands), select the Islands detection checkbox.
• 3. Click the Pick Points icon.
• 4. Specify a point on the drawing for each internal closed boundary from which you want to create a region or a polyline.
• 5. Click OK.

To limit the number of objects included in boundary determination, you can create a new set of boundaries:

• 1. In the Boundary Set section, click the New icon.
• 2. Select the objects on the drawing that define the boundary.

When you select the Current viewport option from the list, the current boundaries set is cancelled, and a new boundaries set is created of all objects within the boundaries of the current viewport.

Region

The command to create a 2D region having a closed boundary and such properties as the centroid and the moment of inertia. Any enclosed area formed from segments, polylines, circles, arcs, ellipses, elliptic arcs and splines can be converted into a region.

The region boundary can be created of connected straight and curved objects having common boundary points. Any intersections or self-intersections of objects are not applicable.

Several regions can be created by one command.

To create a region

• 1. Launch the command.
• 2. Select objects that define the region boundary.

After creating the region, the original objects are not saved.

For region there are two edit modes using grips, which are switched by the object’s round grip :

Mode to move a region by the central square grip

Mode to edit geometry using grips on the contour.

Solid

Ribbon: Home - Draw > Draw Solid

Menu: Draw – Solid

Command line: SOLID

This command creates filled polygons.

The first two points define one edge of the polygon.

Pressing Cancel or ENTER at the fourth font prompt creates a filled triangle. Specifying a fifth point creates a quadrilateral area.

The last two points form the first edge of the next filled area. The prompts Specify third point: Specify fourth point or [Exit]: are repeated. Specifying successive third and fourth points creates further connected triangles and four-sided polygons in a single solid object.

The order of specifying the vertices when you create a quadrilateral area affects the shape:

Options:

Exit Ends the command.

The following prompts are displayed:

Specify first point: Specify point 1.

Specify second point: Specify point 2.

Specify third point: Specify point 3.

Specify fourth point or [Exit]: Specify point 4 or press ENTER to create a triangle

or cancel the command.

Specify third point: Press ENTER to end the command.

Wipeout

Ribbon: Home - Draw > Wipeout

Menu: Draw – Wipeout

Toolbar: Draw –

Command line: WIPEOUT

This command creates a polygonal area that masks underlying objects with the current background color.

The wipeout area is bounded by a frame that you can turn on for editing and turn off for plotting. You can convert a closed polyline consisting of line segments into a masking object.

Masking objects can be created in paper space to hide objects that are in model space.

Note

A masking object must lie above the masked ones.

Command options:

Undo Undoes the last specified point.

This option allows you to undo all the specified points except the start point.

Close Closes the boundary and ends the command.

Polyline Creates a mask boundary from an existing closed polyline.

Frames Selects the visibility of the boundaries.

The following prompt is displayed:

Enter mode or [ON/OFF]:

Options:

ON - Display the boundaries.

OFF - Hide the boundaries.

Command prompts:

Command prompts when creating a contour from a closed polyline:

Command prompts when setting contour visibility mode:

Note

Selecting the boundary visibility mode affects all mask objects on the drawing.

Revision Cloud

Command line: REVCLOUD

Revision clouds are polylines that consist of sequential arcs.

Revision Clouds are used to drawing explanatory labels and markings on the drawings.

When you start the command, the current parameters of the revision cloud are displayed in the command line (for Symbol scale 1:100):

Minimum arc length: 15000.000000 Maximum arc length: 15000.000000 Style: Normal

Note

The last specified arc length value is stored into the registry. To ensure consistency when you use different scale factors, this value is multiplied by the current value of the DIMSCALE system variable, which corresponds to the current value of the Dimension Scale or Symbol Scale.

Command options:

? Calls additional options to select the objects.

Arc length Specifies the minimum and maximum length of the arcs in a revision cloud.

The options opens prompts in the command line:

Specify minimum length of arc <1500.0000>: Specify maximum length of arc <1500.0000>:

The maximum arc length of segments cannot exceed the minimum length by

more than three times.

Object Specifies a closed object (line, arc, circle, ellipse, polyline or spline) to be converted to a revision cloud or to reverse the direction of the arcs in the

revision cloud.

Opposite direction of arcs:

Rectangular Enables the Rectangle cloud type – creating a cloud using two opposite points (similar to the method of constructing a rectangle using two points).

Polygonal Enables the Polygon cloud type – creating a cloud by sequentially specifying three or more points (similar to the method for constructing a closed polyline).

Freehand Enables Freehand cloud type – creating a cloud by specifying its outline with the cursor.

Style Specifies the style of the revision cloud: Normal or Calligraphy.

The option opens the prompt in the command line:

Select arc style or [Normal/Calligraphy]:

Modify Enables cloud editing mode. The option displays prompts in the command line:

Select polyline to modify or [?]: – select an object to edit on the screen and specify the first point on the selected contour;

Specify next point or [First point]: – sequentially specify new cloud points (Polygon type). The last point should lie on the contour;

Pick a side to erase or [?]: – select a part of the cloud to delete on the screen.

To create a cloud:

• 1. Run the Revision Cloud command. The command line will display the current cloud parameters.
• 2. If necessary, change the minimum and maximum arc length by selecting the Arc_length option in the command line and specifying the lengths.
• 3. If necessary, change the cloud type by selecting the Rectangular, POlygonal or Freehand option.
• 4. If necessary, change the cloud style by selecting the Style option and selecting the Normal or Calligraphy style.
• 5. Specify the cloud points one by one. For a rectangle, two opposite ones, for a polygon, at least three consecutive ones, and for the freehand type, draw an outline with the cursor. When the cursor

• approaches the starting point, the cloud outline is automatically closed and the command is completed. You can also press ENTER to complete the cloud creation. The cloud is now built.

• 6. To create a cloud from an existing object, after setting the arc length and style, select the Object option and specify the object on the screen that will be converted into a cloud. The direction of the object’s arcs will be shown on the screen. To reverse the arc direction, select the Yes option in response to the command line prompt Reverse direction [Yes/No]. The cloud is built.

To edit a cloud:

• 1. Run the Revision Cloud command.
• 2. Select the Modify option in the command line.
• 3. At the command line prompt Select polyline to modify or [?]: specify the editing start point on the cloud. You can redefine the first point by selecting the First point option.
• 4. Specify new cloud points one by one. To cancel the last entered point, select the Undo option. You can cancel all specified points except the start point.
• 5. Specify the last point of the new cloud contour (should lie on the contour).
• 6. At the command line prompt Select the side to delete or [?]: specify on the screen the part of the original cloud that will be deleted (highlighted in green).
• 7. The direction of the cloud arcs will be shown on the screen. To reverse the arc direction, select the Yes option at the command line prompt Reverse direction [Yes/No]. The cloud has been edited.

Work with Text

The text you add to your drawings conveys a variety of information. It may be a complex specification, title block information, a label, or even part of the drawing.

In nanoCAD you can create and edit single-line text and multi-line text.

For short entries that do not require multiple fonts or lines, create single-line text. Single-line text is most convenient for titles and labels.

For long, complex entries, such as technical requirements or technical specifications, create multi-line text.

Single-line text, multi-line text, and attribute values can contain fields that are used in cases where the content of the text should depend on the value of a property of a document or other object.

To input text, the vector fonts with an .shx extension are used. These fonts are installed when you install nanoCAD. In addition, it is possible to use the TrueType fonts which are installed in the operating system and have a TTF extension.

To create text with vertical orientation (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean), use vertical TrueType fonts (names begin with the @ sign) or vertical SHX fonts (set in the Text Styles dialog box).

The nanoCAD tools for text creation allow you to select the typeface, set and edit the text height, weight and alignment modes.

Text display quality

The text display quality is controlled by the TEXTQLTY variable. The lower the value of the variable, the less smoothing the text on the screen, but the faster the redraw speed. The variable can take integer values from 0 to 100. By default, TEXTQLTY = 50. Text characters are shown below with TEXTQLTY = 80 and TEXTQLTY = 50.

Text

Menu: Draw – Text > Single-line Text

Toolbar: Draw – Toolbar: Text –

Command line: TEXT, DTEXT

The command allows you to create one or more lines of text. Each text line is an independent object.

To create multiple lines of text, after each line is inputted press ENTER to move the cursor to the next line. You can also start a new line, by specifying it with the cursor on the screen.

To input «degree», «plus/minus», «diameter», you can use the special symbols: %%d, %%p and %%c.

The following combinations are available for text formatting:

• strikethrough text %%K or CTRL+K;
• underlined text %%U or CTRL+U;
• overlined text %%O or CTRL+O.

Press ESC to cancel the command and remove the typed text.

To finish text input, press two times ENTER key or the key combination CTRL+ENTER.

By default, when you input text, the text style that is set as current in the Text Style dialog box is used. If necessary, you can change the text style in the command line immediately after the start of the command.

Command options:

Style Type the name of the text style in the command line.

Justify Selects the mode of text justification.

? The display of all available text styles in the command line.

Command prompts:

When prompted to enter text, the context menu with text editing commands becomes available. This menu is described below in the Editing singleline text chapter.

Rotation mode for rotated text when creating and editing

Rotation variant is set by the option – Rotate text in edit mode in Texts Settings section of Options dialog box (menu Tools – Options).

When the option is enabled in the mode of creating rotated text, only text object is rotated (text line becomes horizontal):

When the option is disabled – the whole drawing is rotated.

Example of rotated text creation with disabled option:

Option Rotate text in edit mode is disabled.

• 1. Input the origin of the text.
• 2. Specify the text height.
• 3. Specify the rotation of the text:

4. After specifying the rotation, the text line remains horizontal for convenience during input. The objects on the drawing will be rotated by the specified angle, but in the opposite direction:

5. Type the text:

6. Finish input with CTRL + ENTER. The image on the screen returns to its normal view:

Multiline Text

Multiline text consists of any number of text lines or paragraphs that fit within a width you specify. It can extend vertically to an indefinite length. Can be split into columns. Multiline text is a single object.

There are more editing options for multiline text than there are for single-line text. For example, you can apply underlining, fonts, color, and text height changes to individual characters, words or phrases within a paragraph.

Draw a rectangular frame by double clicking a point to place multiline text there. Specify the top left corner first and then the bottom right corner.

In the Text format dialog box that opens, set the parameters of the multiline text:

Options:

Text formatting modes

Underlined

Turns underlining on or off for new or selected text.

CTRL + U

Overlined

Turns overlining on or off for new or selected text.

CTRL + O

Copy text format Enables/disables the text format copy function.

The function allows you to copy the following properties within one multiline text: font, height, style (bold, italic, strikethrough, underline, overline), slant, tracking (character spacing), aspect ratio, text color, text alignment (left alignment, center, justify, right, distributed), line spacing, bulleted and numbered list options, paragraph options (indents, tab stops).

To use the function, select a part of the text or place the cursor on the text the properties of which you want to copy. Click the Copy text format button. Select the text to be formatted. To complete the formatting, press ESC or release the Copy text format button.

Stack Converts the selected text with (/) symbol to stacked text with horizontal stack and vice versa.

The text height of the numerator and denominator of fractions, as well as superscript and subscript text, is controlled by the TSTACKSCALE variable. The value of the variable is set as a percentage relative to the height of the main text and can vary from 25 to 125%.

TSTACSIZE=70% $$12\frac{123}{321}$$

By default TSTACKSCALE = 70.

Superscript CTRL+UP ARROW Enables/disables input of superscript characters.

Subscript CTRL+DOWN ARROW

Enables/disables input of subscript characters.

Ruler Enables/disables the ruler display.

The ruler is displayed at the top of the text area and displays the parameters set in the Paragraph dialog:

Double-clicking the width button adjusts the frame width to the text size.

Columns

Columns Creates and edits multiple columns. Opens the list of parameters:

No columns Combines all columns.

Dynamic columns Dynamic columns modes:

• Auto height
• Manual height

Static columns Mode of static columns.

Set from 2 to 6 columns.

All static columns have the same height and alignment in the edges.

Insert column Inserts new column manually CTRL+T

Column parameters Opens the Column Settings dialog.

• Column type select the type of columns to be created.
• Column Number set the number of columns. The parameter is available only for the Static Columns option.
• Height displays and sets the height of the column. The parameter is available for editing Static Columns and Manual Height setting for dynamic columns.
• Width Displays and sets column widths and column spacing. Parameter Total - displays the value of the total width of the text object.

Text alignment

Change alignment Selects the alignment mode for the insertion point and direction

Text position modes

Paragraph Opens the Paragraph dialog.

Tabulatios – selects the type of tabulation:

• setting the position of the left edge of the text line;
• setting the position of the center of the text line;
• setting the position of the right edge of the text line;
• setting the position by the separator character.

Using the Add, Edit, Delete buttons, you can edit the number, type, and value of tab stops.

The following characters can be used as separators: comma, period, or space.

Left indent – sets the indent to the left of the text frame for a paragraph and for the first line of a paragraph.

Right indent – sets the indent to the right of the text frame for a paragraph.

Paragraph alignment – enables/disables the mode for text alignment by: Align left, Align center, Align right, Justified, Distributed.

Paragraph Spacing – sets the spacing before and after a paragraph.

Paragraph Line Spacing – sets the line spacing within a paragraph:

Exactly – sets a fixed interval between lines, changing the height of characters does not affect the line spacing;

At least – sets the minimum line spacing required to fit the largest character in a line. If the text height is less than the specified value, the line spacing is determined by the user value. If the text height is greater than the specified value, the line spacing is equal to the text height;

Multiple – sets the interval as a multiplier to the text height (from 0,25 to 4).

Align left Sets the alignment of the text to the left.

Align center Sets the alignment of the text to the center.

Align right Sets the alignment of the text to the right.

Justified Sets the text mode to justified.

Distributed Sets the text mode to distributed.

Change the case of selected text

Uppercase Changes the selected text to uppercase (replace the lowercase

characters with uppercase).

Lowercase Changes the selected text to lowercase (replace the uppercase

characters with lowercase).

Insert Inserts symbol from the list..

symbol

It is also possible to insert a non-breaking space by the combination of CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR. keys.

Symbols… and Other… open tables with other special symbols.

To quickly insert the symbols “degree”, “plus/minus”, “diameter”, you can use the Insert symbol context menu command:

Line Spacing

Sets line spacing between separate lines in the current or selected paragraph.

1,0x, 1,5x, 2,0x, 2,5x – Set the factor of line spacing as a multiplier on the text height.

More… – displays the Paragraph dialog for selecting additional options for adjusting line spacing.

Drop line spacing– drop line spacing to default of selected or current paragraph. The default multiline text settings will be applied to this paragraph.

Numbering Creates lists with numbers, letters or markers.

Off – numbering in turned off.

Lettered – alphabeting numeration with selected parameters: Lowercase, Uppercase.

Numbered – create numbered list.

Bulleted – create bulleted list with a specified marker: dot or hyphen.

To create a list, select the text and select the desired type of marking or numbering.

To start forming a numbered list, you can enter a number (or a number with a dot) at the beginning of the line and press the TAB key

By entering a letter (with or without a dot) followed by a tab, you can start forming a letter list.

A period or dash with a tab starts the formation of a bulleted list.

It is possible to create several numbered lists at once in one multiline text.

In this case, the numbering of the first list in a multiline text may start not from the first element. To start creating such a list, enter the desired initial value (with or without a dot) and press the TAB. key. The list will begin to form from the specified value.

The TAB key can be used to shift not only the levels of numbered lists, but also the levels of lettered and bulleted lists, with automatic formatting of the correct markings.

To create complex nested lists (letters inside numbered lists, and vice versa), you need to select a regular nested list and change its type.

Insert field Opens Field dialog box to insert field to the text.

Additional options

Determines the forward or backward slant of the text (values from -85 to 85).

A positive angle slants text to the right. A negative angle slants text to the left.

The switching step with arrows is 1, you can enter a value multiple of 0.0001.

Input field for tracking character spacing (values from 0,75 to 4).

Values less than 1 reduce the interval, values more than 1 increase it.

The switching step with arrows is 0.05, you can enter a value multiple of 0.0001.

Widens or narrows the selected characters. (values from 0,1 to 10).

The 1 setting represents the normal width of the letter in this font. Set to more than 1 to increase the width, and set to less than 1 to decrease the width.

The switching step with arrows is 0,1, you can enter a value multiple of 0,0001.

To create multiline text:

• 1. Set the text area by specifying two corners of a rectangle diagonally .
• 2. Set the required options in the Text format dialog box.
• 3. Type the text from the keyboard. To move to a new line, press ENTER.

Note

Text can be overlooked if the font size in the Text format dialog box is set too small compared to the scale of the drawing.

4. To complete typing the multiline text, press the key combination CTRL + ENTER or click OK in the Text format dialog box. You can also click outside the text input area on the drawing to complete the typing of the multiline text. At that, the following prompt to save the changes appears:

Background Mask

Ribbon: Annotate - Text > Hiding the Background

Toolbar: Modify 2 –

Command line: BACKGROUNDMASK

You can specify a background mask for multiline text, for multiline multileader text and for multiline block attribute text. A background mask allows text to appear on an opaque background of a specified size and color.

A mask is created for the entire text area. When you resize the text area using grips, the mask (background) is also resized.

Objects can be selected before or after command execution. This allows you to apply the command to several selected heterogeneous objects at once (multiline texts, multileaders, block attributes).

To create a background mask:

Select the multiline text, multiline multileader text or multiline block attribute text.

on the Properties panel, click the button to the right of the Background Mask parameter (the Text section):

Or select the Background Mask item in the context menu, while editing multiline text (or multileader multiline text, or attribute multiline text):

In the dialog that opens, configure the parameters.

Options:

Use Background Mask Whether or not to hide the background of multiline text.

Background Offset The size of the mask margins around the text area.

The coefficient value is tied to the height of the text. If the coefficient value is 1, then the size of the mask corresponds to the size of the text area. With a value of 1.5, the background extends out of the text area by a distance equal to half the height of the text. Cannot be less than 1.

Below is the result for values 1 and 2.8.

Fill color Mask color. Use the current background color or set your own.

To display the text area mask frame on the screen, in the Properties bar, in the Text group, for the Text frame property, select Yes from the drop-down list:

Editing Text

Text objects can be edited like other nanoCAD objects: rotated, removed, copied etc.

Properties of the selected text object can be changed in the Properties bar.

Note

Editing the text content in the Properties bar is available only for single-line text; for multi-line text, you can switch to the content editing mode by clicking the button.

It is also possible to edit a text object using grips:

Single-line text Multiline text

The rectangular grip is basic and is used to change the text object location.

Multiline text corner grips change the size of the text area.

Triangular grips on the faces of a text object allow you to symmetrically change the width or height of the area:

The location of grips depends on the preset text alignment type.

For ease of editing rotated text (single-line and multiline), there is the Rotate text in edit mode mode in the Texts Settings section of the OPTIONS dialog

Rotated (hard to read) is considered text with a rotation angle greater than 28° from the horizontal.

When editing a rotated text object, with the option enabled, only the text object is rotated (displayed horizontally); with the option disabled, the entire drawing is rotated.

The MTEXTFIXED system variable determines the display of hard-to-read text objects while editing (hard-to-read text includes small, large, or rotated text).

To disable the scaling and rotation mode of text objects while editing, set the value of the MTEXTFIXED variable to 0.

Justification of the Text Objects

The command changes the alignment, but does not change the position of single-line or multiline text in the drawing (only the number and position of the grips are changed).

Note

Changing the alignment type with a simultaneous change in the position of the text object (for single-line text) and the text area (for multiline text) is performed by the Justify Text (TJUST) command or Justify property on the Properties bar.

To do this you should first select the text object and then specify the required type of justification in the Properties panel.

Or after running the command, select the text object on the screen and specify the alignment type in the command line or context menu and select the text object in the drawing. Specify the type of justification in the command line or the context menu

Command options:

Editing Text Objects

The command for editing single-line and multiline text objects.

The command can also be called by double-clicking the left mouse button on a text object if the corresponding parameters are set to No in the nanoCAD Design Settings dialog box (PARAMS):

Main options tab, Edit – By double-click section Regular texts and/or Multi-texts parameter.

Editing Single Line Text

You can also start the Edit command from the context menu previously selected the text line in the document.

The command allows you to edit the content of a single-line text directly on the drawing. The content of the selected single-line text is selected and highlighted automatically to completely edit the text. If necessary, you can insert or delete single characters or fragments within the line. For more convenient editing, use the context menu:

Context menu options:

Select all The entire text line will be selected.

Cut Cuts the selected text to the clipboard.

Copy Copies the selected text to the clipboard.

Paste Pastes text from the clipboard.

Undo Undoes the last action.

Redo Redoes the previously undone action.

Insert field Inserts a field.

Insert symbol Inserts a symbol.

Available symbols:

• Degrees (%%d)

• Plus/Minus (%%p)

• Diameter (%%c)

Pressing CTRL+ENTER or clicking on the drawing outside the text line field confirms the changes made and ends editing.

To complete editing without saving changes, press ESC.

Note

Pressing ENTER splits the text string into two lines, each of which is converted into a separate text object upon the command completion.

You can also edit the single-line text in the drawing by double-clicking (if No is chosen for the Regular texts option of the Settings nanoCAD Int dialog box on the Main options tab of the By double-click section (the Tools menu – Design Settings)).

Press CTRL + ENTER or click on the drawing out of the single-line text to confirm changes and finish the editing.

To finish the editing without saving changes, press ESC.

Note

Press ENTER to split the single-line text into two lines, each of which is transformed into a separate text object after the command end.

Editing Multiline Text

In addition to the above methods for editing a multiline text, you can call the Edit MText command:

• from the ribbon Annotate – Text > Edit texts;
• from the command line MTEXTEDIT, MTEDIT;
• in the Properties bar in the Text group, click the button to the right of the Content parameter.

After you run the command and select a multiline text for editing, the same dialog box of the text editor when creating multi-line text opens (for more information, see the «Multiline text» section).

At the end of the work, the multiline text editing command is automatically launched again. The final completion of the work is carried out by pressing the ESC key. You can switch from multiple to single call of the command by selecting the Single value for the Mode option.

The Mode option sets the value for the TEXTEDITMODE system variable, which controls the automatic repetition of the MTEXTEDIT command:

• 0 – Multiple. Enables automatic repetition of the MTEXTEDIT command.
• 1 – Single. Specifies the MTEXTEDIT command to edit a single text object.

To edit the text content and options:

• 1. Select the text fragment in the text box and replace it with new text or type additional text. When text is selected, the following options are available in the context menu: Select All, Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo, Redo, Insert symbol.
• 2. Change the options for the selected text by using the tools of the Text format dialog box.
• 3. To end multiline text editing, press CTRL+ENTER or click OK in the Text format dialog box. You can also click out of the text input area on the drawing to complete text the typing.

Note

Press ESC to cancel the text input and finish the command.

To edit several multi-line text objects sequentially:

• 1. Select in the drawing’s graphic area several multi-line text objects that require editing.
• 2. Run the Edit Multiline Text command.
• 3. Make changes to the first text object and click the OK button on the Text Format toolbar (or click the mouse on the drawing field outside the text input area).
• 4. This opens editing of the next multiline text object. Edit all selected objects sequentially.

Alternative Editing of Text Objects

An alternative command for editing single-line and multiline text objects, allowing you to edit not only the text content, but also some of its parameters.

The command becomes available if the Yes value is set for the corresponding parameters in the Settings nanoCAD (PARAMS) dialog box: Main options tab, Edit section – By double-click the Regular texts and/or Multi-texts parameter.

The command can be called in one of the following ways:

• by double-clicking the left mouse button on a text line,
• by placing the mouse cursor over the text and pressing the right mouse button,
• by the EDIT and FEDIT commands when specifying a text object.

When editing a single-line or a multi-line text, the Text settings dialog box opens:

Options:

Field for displaying and editing the contents of a text string.

Text style Drop-down list for selecting a text style.

Height Drop-down list for selecting the height of characters.

It is possible to enter a value from the keyboard.

Rotation Setting the rotation angle of a text string relative to the X axis.

Color Drop-down list for selecting the color of a text string.

Width factor Field for entering the coefficient of expansion or contraction of

characters.

The value 1.0 is the norm for the width of characters of a

specified font.

Values greater than 1 increase the width of characters, values

less than 1 decrease it.

Oblique Field to enter the character oblique angle.

Fields for displaying/setting whether the width factor and oblique angle of characters in the edited text correspond to the values specified in the text style.

For a text whose width factor and/or oblique angle correspond to those specified in the text style, the boxes are checked in these fields:

If the width factor and/or oblique angle values do not correspond to those specified in the text style, the boxes are not checked:

The width factor and oblique angle input fields display the current values for the text being edited.

To set the width factor and/or oblique angle values of the edited text to correspond to those specified in the text style, check the boxes. The values will automatically change to those specified in the text style:

Sets the alignment of a text object.

The following additional commands are available in the dialog box:

• Insert special symbol opens an additional menu that allows you to select and insert special characters into a text string.
• Notebook the command allows you to paste a piece of text from your notebook.
• Calculator the command allows you to calculate a specific value and insert it into the text.
• Fit text the command defines the size of the frame in which the text should be fit.

Arc Text

Ribbon: Annotate - Text > Text for Arc…

Menu: Modify – Advanced tools > Text for Arc…

Toolbar: Text –

Command line: ARCTEXT

The command creates the Arc Text type object along the curve selected arc.

An arc text is associated with the arc along which it is built. It changes its position and stretch with the change in the length and curvature of the arc itself.

The arc text has its own grips that allow you to adjust the value of its offset above/below the arc and the offset along the arc from its left or right edge.

The arc text options can be edited in the Properties bar or in the Arc Aligned Text Settings dialog box, which opens by double-click on the object.

After running the Text for Arc command, specify the arc (Arc object (ARC)) along which the text should be placed.

After specifying the arc, the Arc Aligned Text Settings dialog box opens:

Options:

Aligning text lines relative to the text area

Drag Wizard Enables/disables the mode of text binding relative to the arc when its curvature changes.

If the mode is enabled, when the curvature of the arc changes, the text changes the parameters of location ( outside/ inside the arc) and direction ( from/ to the center), at that maintaining the visual direction of the text.

If the mode is disabled, the text does not change the parameters of location ( outside/ inside the arc) and direction ( from/ to the center).

Align left The text alignment mode to the left edge of the text area.

Align right The text alignment mode to the right edge of the text area.

Justified The text alignment mode to fit the width of the text area.

Align center The text alignment mode in the center of the text area.

On convex side The button for positioning text on the outside of the arc.

On concave side Button for positioning text on the inside of the arc.

Outward from the center

Button for positioning text so that its base is closer to the center of the arc, and its top is further away.

Inward to the center

Button for positioning text so that its top is closer to the center of the arc, and its bottom is further away.

Text formatting

Underlined Enables/disables underlining of characters.

Bold Enables/disables bold characters. The parameter is only available

for TrueType fonts.

Italic Enables/disables italic characters. The parameter is only available

for TrueType fonts.

Other parameters

Text height Field for entering character height.

Width factor Field for entering character expansion or compression factor. Value 1

is the standard for the character width of the specified font. Values greater than 1 increase the character width, values less than 1

decrease it.

Char spacing Field for entering character spacing. Values less than 1 decrease the

spacing, values greater than 1 increase it.

Offset from arc Field for entering the distance from the arc line to the nearest edge

(top or bottom) of the text line. This parameter is also controlled by

the central text grip.

Offsdet from left Field for entering the indent of a text line from the left end of the arc.

This parameter is also controlled by the left text grip.

Offset from right Field for entering the indent of a text line from the right end of the arc.

This parameter is also controlled by the right text grip.

Text Styles

Ribbon: Home – Annotate > Text Styles

Ribbon: Annotate - Text >

Menu: Format – Text Style …

Toolbar: Styles –

Toolbar: Text –

Command line: ST, STYLE, TEXTPROPSCMD

The text style is a set of parameters to format text objects.

Each text object in the drawing is created using the current text style. If you want to create text using a different text style, you can make another text style current. You can create and use multiple text styles in a single drawing.

nanoCAD comes with the Standard text style.

The default text style is assigned in the Settings nanoCAD (PARAMS) dialog box on the Main options tab in the Design – Default Text Style section.

Text styles are saved with the document in a *.dwg file. They can also be saved for transfer to another computer in a template file (*.dwt).

The Text Styles toolbar is designed to manage text styles and their parameters:

The top of the toolbar displays the name of the current text style, the text style search field, and the following buttons:

Add Style Creates a new text style based on the selected one.

Delete Style Deletes the selected line type from the current document.

Below there is a list of test styles in the form of a table with the following columns:

Status Displays and sets the current text style. The current text style is marked with sign.

All newly created text objects are created using the current text style.

Name Displays and edits the text style name.

Font Drop-down list for selecting a font file that specifies the character style.

Vector fonts with the SHX extension (installed during nanoCAD installation) and TrueType fonts with the TTF extension (fonts installed in the operating

system) are presented.

down

Extra A drop-down list for selecting the font shape.

For TrueType fonts , the following types are available: Italic, Regular, Bold,

Bold Italic.

For SHX fonts, the list is empty, except for Asian alphabets.

When using Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, you can select in the Extra dropdown list an Asian “large” font SHX file, suitable for the Asian language you are

using. If necessary, enable the vertical text writing mode .

Height Displays and edits the character height. Specified in drawing units.

If the height value is 0:

• for single-line texts, a height prompt is displayed in the command line when creating text;

• for multiline texts, the value of the TEXTSIZE system variable is used.

Width factor Displays and edits the width factor of characters (values from 0.1 to 10). The

value 1 is the norm for the width of characters of the specified font. Values greater than 1 increase the width of characters, values less than 1 decrease it.

Oblique angle Displays and edits the oblique angle of characters (values from -85 to 85). A

positive angle value corresponds to a rightward inclination of characters, a

negative value corresponds to a leftward inclination.

Upside Enables/Disables the mode of displaying characters upside down. The

parameter affects single-line text only.

Backward Enables/Disables the mode of displaying characters from right to left. The

parameter affects single-line text only.

Vertical Enables/Disables the mode of vertical text writing. The vertical text writing

mode is available if it is supported by the selected font file.

To sort the list of text styles by any parameter, simply left-click on the header of its column.

The following commands are available in the context menu to perform operations with text styles:

Set current Set the selected text style as current.

New style Creates a new text style based on the selected one.

Rename Style Edits the name of the selected text style.

Delete Removes the selected text styles from the current document.

Creating a Text Style

By default, the text style being created has the properties of the style selected as current. If you select a text style before clicking the Add Style button, the properties of this style will be used for the new text style.

Created styles can be later edited, renamed, or deleted. After renaming a text style, its name is updated in all text objects that use this style.

The name of a text style should contain at least one character and no more than 255 characters. Names should not be duplicated. The following characters are not allowed: < > / \ ” ” : ; ? * | , = `. By default, the text style being created is assigned the name StyleN, where N is the sequence number of the created text style, starting with 1.

To create a text style:

• 1. Select a text style on which the new one will be based.
• 2. Click the Add Style button (or select the New style in the context menu). A new style will be created with StyleN default name.
• 3. To rename, click in the Name column (or select Rename Style in the context menu of the selected style) and specify a new name for the text style.
• 4. In the drop-down list of the Font column, select the font file.
• 5. Specify the remaining font parameters (font shape, height, etc.).
• 6. To set the text style as current, left-click in the icon display column opposite the name of the selected style. The icon indicates that this style is current.

Deleting a Text Style

You can delete text styles that are not used in a document.

You cannot delete the following text styles:

• the Standard service text style;
• the text style being used;
• the current text style, even if it is not used in the document.

Unused text styles can also be removed using the PURGE (-PURGE) command.

To delete a text style:

• 1. Select one or more styles in the list.
• 2. Click the Delete Style button (or select Delete Style in the context menu).

Text Style Dialog

Command line: TEXTPROPSCMDCLASSIC

The command opens the classic version of the Text Style dialog, which is used for compatibility with previous versions of the program.

Options:

Some commands are also available in the context menu, which is called by right-clicking in the text style list field :

To create a text style:

• 1. Click to select the text style on the basis of which the new style should created (the disabled Add new style button becomes available).
• 2. Click the Add new style button. A new style named “Style1” will be created.
• 3. To rename the created style, double-click the text style name, enter your own name and press ENTER.
• 4. Select the font file from the drop-down list.
• 5. Set the remaining font parameters (height, font shape, angle, etc.).
• 6. To set the created text style as current, double-click in the leftmost field opposite the text style. Moving the checkbox to this field indicates that the style is set as current
• 7. Click the Close button to exit the dialog.

To delete a text style:

• 1. Click the text style to be deleted (the disabled Delete style button will become available).
• 2. Click the Delete style button or select the Delete command from the context menu (the style you select to delete should not be the current one).
• 3. Click the Close button to exit the dialog.

Spellchecker

Ribbon: Annotate – Text > Spell Check

Menu: Tools – Spell check

Toolbar: Text –

Menu: View – Toolbars > Functional > Spell check

Command line: SPELL, SP

Check the spelling of all text objects in the drawing on request and realtime.

It is possible to work simultaneously with several documents. Spellcheck results in a previous document are not lost when switching to the next document.

The command opens Spell Check dialog box.

To start checking document objects for spelling errors and start tracking errors in real time, click the button Spell Check. To start checking document objects for spelling errorsand start tracking errors in real time, click the Check button. To check only particular objects, first select them in the drawing field.

Misspelled texts will be underlined with a wavy line in drawing space and will also appear in the list of found errors in the bar.

Parameters of synchronization and visualization of texts with the mistakes found:

Tracks spelling mistakes in real time. All new and changed objects will be checked for spelling. If mistakes are found, the words will be underlined in the drawing field and added to the list of found mistakes on the panel.

Clicking the Complete button also disables spell tracking on new objects.

Check entire document

Checking the text in the model space and on all layouts of the document (not just in the current space)

Auto-pan

Enables/disables automatic navigation in the graphics area of the drawing.

When the auto-pan mode is enabled, the word selected in the list of found mistakes is automatically synchronized with the corresponding text object in the drawing. The text object is positioned in the center of the graphic area for more comfortable viewing and is marked with a frame.

Underline Enables/disables the mode of selecting a text with a mistake. The text selected in the dialog is marked with a dotted frame in the drawing. Other texts with mistakes are underlined with a wavy line.

Settings

Opens the spell check settings dialog where you can:

• Add or exclude specific types of objects from the check.
• Exclude certain types of text from validation.

You can also configure the spelling command to run on a separate

thread to process information independently of the platform

thread.

Add to dictionary Adds the word selected from the list of found mistakes to the

exclusion dictionary. After that, such a word will not be considered

a mistake.

Replace identical Replace all found texts with this mistake with the selected option

after pressing the Apply button.

Replace the error with the selected option.

Completes a spell check session in the current document. The

button changes to Check.

To correct texts with errors found in the drawing:

1. In the bar in the list of errors, select the text with the error.

• 2. In the Variants list of variants for replacement, select the line with the correct variant.
• 3. If you need to leave the word unchanged and add it to user dictionary, click Add to dictionary.
• 4. Check the Replace identical box, if you need to replace all found texts with this mistake to the selected variant
• 5. Click Apply to apply changes.

You can use the context menu of selected variants for mistakes or replacement. It duplicates actions available for performing with the selected element.

Find and Replace Text

Toolbar: Text –

Context menu of the drawing area Find and Replace…

Hot keys: CTRL+F

The Find and Replace tool is used to find and replace string values in drawing objects or in the object database of some vertical applications (the Find and Replace in Database command in the Object Wizard dialog box).

The command opens the Find and Replace dialog box:

Options:

Find what: In the Find what field, type the text to be searched for.

Replace with: In the Replace with field, type the text that is required to replace the found lines.

Look in Set the Look in parameter.

The following options are available:

• In whole document
• In current space
• In current selection

The button to define the search area. The button action depends on the context of the Find and Replace command: if the command is called from the Object Manager, the Quick Selection window opens; if the command is called from the Object Wizard dialog (the Search and Replace command in the database), the database section selection window opens.

Find options

or This icon maximizes/minimizes the options list.

Match case: If this is checked, the search is made to match the case of

the letters.

Match whole word: If this is checked, the search is made for whole words; that is letter combinations separated by stops or spaces.

Search in found: Enables/Disables the search in found. This option is accessible after the line search has been made. It restricts the search range.

Use extended options: To search in the object database. The option is available when searching the object database of some vertical applications.

Click the button opposite the parameter and in the window that appears, select advanced search areas.

Use regular expressions Enables/Disables the mode for specifying search patterns using regular expressions.

Regular expressions can be entered independently or using a list. The button opens a window for selecting the required expression from the list:

When you place the cursor on a list line, a tooltip appears with a detailed explanation.

You can use multiple regular expressions together.

An expression is entered in the search field by left-clicking on the expression from the list.

Multi-line text: Switches on/off the multi-line text search mode.

When the mode is on, the Find what and the Replace with fields take the form:

Search in hidden objects Searches text in hidden objects.

Search in blocks Searches text in blocks.

Starts the search procedure.

The search result will be shown in the table:

Replaces all found fragments with the new value.

Starts the process of consecutive replacement of the found fragments.

Passes the next found fragment in the list without replacing it with the new value.

The Next button allows you to move the active row along the table, skipping the next found fragment in the list without replacing it with a new value.

Click this icon to clear the list of found text fragments.

Click this icon to group results by objects.

Click this icon to show the selected text fragment in the table on the drawing or in the database of objects.

Click this icon to open the Text settings dialog box to edit the found text fragment on the drawing.

Clear All:

Group results by objects:

Show object:

Edit object:

Note

Left-click on the headings of the table columns of the search results to sort the found text fragments.

To find and edit the text fragment on the drawing:

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. In the Find what field: enter the search phrase.
• 3. Select the Look in area from the list, or using the additional button.
• 4. Select the search options.
• 5. Click the Find all button. The search process will start, the result of which will be displayed in the table.
• 6. In the search results table, select the required line:

7. Double click on the required line, or click the Show object icon, or select the Show object command from context menu:

8. As a result, there is auto-panning of the found fragment that contains the selected text on the drawing:

• 9. Click the Edit object icon or select the Edit object command from the context menu to open the Text settings dialog box:
• 10. Type the required changes and click OK.

To replace the text:

• 1. Search for objects to be replaced.
• 2. In the Replace with: field, enter the text string with which you want to replace the found strings.
• 3. Click the Replace All or Replace button.

Convert Text to Multiline Text

Ribbon: Annotate – Text > Convert Text to Multiline Text

Menu: Modify – Advanced Tools > Convert text to Multiline Text

Command line: TEXT2MTEXT, T2MT

The command converts the selected single-line text objects to the multiline text.

After conversion, values of the height, color, width factor and oblique of the single-line text objects are saved in the multiline text:

Command options:

? Calls additional options to select the objects.

Settings Opens the Text to mtext conversion options dialog box.

Command prompts:

Select text objects or [?/Settings]:

Select the Settings option and in the dialog box that opens, specify the settings for converting single-line texts. Click ОК.

Select text objects or [?/Settings]:

Select the single-line text objects. Press ENTER to finish the command.

Text to MText Option dialog box

Options

Justify Text

Ribbon: Annotate – Text > Justify Text

Menu: Modify – Advanced tools > Justify text

Command line: TJUST

Changes the justification point of a text object without moving the text.

Changing the type of alignment without changing the position of the text or the text area in the drawing is performed by the Justify Text (JUSTIFYTEXT) command.

The command is useful when you want to alter the position of the Insert object snap (INSertion) for text objects without moving the text.

• 1. Select text object.
• 2. Start the Justify Text (TJUST) command.
• 3. Select the desired type of justifying in the command line or context menu.

Command options:

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Text Fit

Ribbon: Annotate – Text > Text Fit

Command line: TEXTFIT

Menu: Modify – Advanced Tools> Text Fit

This command allows you to stretch or shrink single-line text and move it.

1. Run command.

2. Select text. The first point (bottom left) is selected by default.

3. Specify the second point. Text will be inscribed between two points.

Command options:

Start Point Specify new start point.

Explode Text

Ribbon: Annotate – Text > Explode Text

Menu: Modify – Additional tools > Explode text

Command line: EXPLODETEXT, TXTEXP

You can explode text, to convert it into individual elements – solids (for TrueType texts if TEXTFILL=1 or Text=Filled in command options), polylines (for TrueType texts if TEXTFILL=0 or Text=Boundary in command options) or lines and polylines for SHX fonts. During the command, you can set different exploding options.

If you start Explode command with preselected texts – command will process with previous (or default) settings.

Options:

? Additional options for object selection.

Settings Text explode settings:

[Autoselect/Source/Properties/Text/Exit]

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Settings:

Autoselect Select created objects after explode:

Yes - Select created objects after explode.

No - Do not select created objects after explode.

Exit - Return to Settings.

Source Keep or Erase source text:

Erase - Erase source texts. Keep - Keep source texts.

Exit - Return to Settings.

Properties Specify object properties source:

Original - Keep original text properties.

Current - Use current drawing settings.

Exit - Return to Settings.

Text Fill settings for TrueType texts:

Boundary - Create closed polylines.

Filled - Create solids.

textFill - As displayed, if TEXTFILL=1 – create solids, if

TEXTFILL=0 create polylines.

Exit - Return to Settings.

Exit Return to object selection.

Command prompts:

Select text object for explode or [?/Settings]: Choose Settings.

Settings

Command settings

[Autoselect/Source/Properties/Text/Exi

t]

Select text object for explode or

[?/Settings]:

Specify desired settings. Then choose Exit or press ENTER.

Select text objects for explode, then press ENTER.

Change Text Case

Ribbon: Annotate – Text > Change text case

Menu: Modify – Advanced Tools > Change Text Case

Command line: TCASE

The command for editing case of words, sentences and paragraphs of the selected text.

• 1. Select a part of text.
• 2. Start Change Text Case command.
• 3. Choose desired parameter in the dialog that appears and click OK.

Options:

Sentence case Capitalizes the first letter of sentence and make other letters lowercase.

lower case Makes all letters lowercase.

UPPER CASE Capitalizes all letters.

Title Case Capitalizes the first letter of each word, leaving the remaining letters in

lowercase.

tOGGLE CASE Changes case of each letter (For example: cHAnGE to ChaNge).

Quick Text Mode

Ribbon: Annotate – Text > Contour text

Menu: View – Display > Quick text

Command line: QTEXT

The Quick Text mode hides the contents of text objects on the screen and print. Only bound rectangles instead of text objects or attributes are displayed on screen and print. Redrawing and regeneration of drawings containing a large number of text objects is faster when the Quick Text mode is on.

Qtext mode is disabled Qtext mode is enabled

The Qtext mode replaces all texts of the drawing by bounding boxes. At the same time, there is a possibility to replace with boundaries only the text, the size of which on the screen does not exceed a predetermined number of pixels. To do this, use the option System settings – Rendering optimization – Simplify text less than <…> pixels in the Options dialog box.

Fields

Command line: FIELD

Field is special object that contains properties of other object (primitive, file, document, etc.). Field can be updated automatically as the field value changes.

Field can be inserted to text, multiline text, block attribute.

Note

Field value displays with grey background, which allows it to be visually distinguished from ordinary inscriptions or parts of them, but background does not appear in print.

Note

A field without value display like (----).

FIELD command creates a multiline text object with only one field. Command opens Field dialog box. Set field type and format at the dialog. Then specify start point to insert the field. Field assigned the current text style.

The single-line and multiline text editors have an Insert field… item in their context menus, which also opens the Field dialog box, allowing you to add a field anywhere in the text being edited. In the Text Format bar of the multiline text editor, the button initiates the field insertion. The block attribute definition editing window also has the button that allows you to insert a field into the value assigned to the attribute by default.

”Field” Dialog Box

The Field dialog box opens whenever the user requests to insert a field. In this window, first of all, you need to specify the type of field to be inserted.

Fields vary in type. Field types are divided into categories. Available field types are shown in Field names list. Field category is filter for Field names list.

Often field shows the property of any text object. Available formats for text fields: Uppercase, Lowercase, First capital, Title case, and none if you don’t need to change text format in field.

Field can show the numeric value of the property. For example, polyline area: select Object field name from Objects category.

Then click button and select needed polyline. Select Area property format and precision.

Named object field from Objects category displays names of blocks, views, dimension styles, layers, text styles, linetype styles.

Note

symbols show fields of deleted objects.

Some fields can be context-depended, their value depends on context location – bookmark sheet name, name of plotter for different sheets.

Contextual fields in blocks and external references are not updated when you insert them into a drawing, the field displays the last cached value. Therefore, if you want to use a contextual field in a block, you must insert the field as an attribute.

Fields Categories and Types

All objects are divided into field categories: Date & Time, Document, Plot, Other, Objects. All category shows fields of all categories.

The field types are distributed by categories as follows.

Date & Time:

Create Date Date and time of the file creation.

Date Current date and time.

Plot Date Date and time of the last print.

Save Date Date and time of the last save.

Document:

Author Author from file properties.

Comments Comments from file properties.

CustomProperty Value of custom property from file

properties.

Filename The name of drawing file.

Filesize The size of the last saved version of drawing.

HyperlinkBase Hyperlink base from file properties.

Keywords Keywords from file properties.

LastSavedBy Author of the last save.

Subject Subject from file properties.

Title Title from file properties.

Plot:

DeviceName Name of device for layout plot.

Login Login of current user.

PageSetupName Name of page setup for layout.

PaperSize Paper format.

PlotDate The date and time of the last plot.

PlotOrientation Orientation of paper.

PlotScale Plot scale for layout.

PlotStyleTable The name of plot style table.

Other:

DieselExpression Value of Diesel expression.

SystemVariable Value of system variable.

Objects:

BlockPlaceholder Block reference property. Only accessible in

the block editor

NamedObject Name of named object: layer, style, etc.

Object Value of primitive property.

Formula Math expression, may contain other fields.

Options for fields in this category:

Display value for block reference – the checkbox is displayed only for object properties fields that are located inside the block. For example, when editing a field inside a block attribute definition.

The parameter obliges the property to calculate its value relative to the size and orientation of the block reference in the drawing, and not relative to the internal block description space. So, for example, the coordinates of the center of the object included in the block will be calculated relative to the drawing coordinate system, and not relative to the coordinates of the block definition.

SheetSet Cathegory:

CurrentSheetSetCategory Category in the sheet properties

CurrentSheetSetCustom Value of a Sheet Set Custom Property

CurrentSheetSetCustomerFullName Customer full name of the current sheet set

CurrentSheetSetCustomerShortName Customer short name of the current sheet

set

CurrentSheetSetDescription Description in the Sheet Set properties group

CurrentSheetSetObjectName Object name of the current sheet set

CurrentSheetSetOrganizationName Organization name of sheet set

CurrentSheetSetProjectMilestone Project milestone in the Project Control

group

CurrentSheetSetProjectName Project name in the Project Control group

CurrentSheetSetProjectNumber Project number in the Project Control group

CurrentSheetSetProjectPhase Project phase in the Project Control group

CurrentSheetSetSheetsCount Number of sheets in the current sheet set

CurrentSheetSetVolumeNumber Volume number of the current sheet set

CurrentSheetSetYearOfManufacture Year of manufacture of sheet set

CurrentSheetSubSet Subset name

CurrentSheetTitle Title in the sheet properties

CurrentSheeSetViewTitle Title of the sheet set view

CurrentSubsetCustom Value of custom property of subset

CurrentSubsetSheetsCount Number of sheets in the current subset

CurrentSheetViewNumberAndTitle Combination of Number and Title of sheet

view

Update Field

Ribbon: Insert – Data > Update Fields

Menu: Tools – Update fields

Context menu of Text and Multiline text: Update field

Command line: UPDATEFIELD

Update field manually to see the latest value. Select needed objects and press ENTER , fields in selected objects will be updated.

Select field and open the context menu in Text or Multiline text, find there Update field. Field will display the current value.

FIELDEVAL system variable controls how fields are updated.

Edit Field

Double-click the left mouse button on the field

Context menu of Text and Multiline text: Update field

When editing single-line or multi-line text, the Edit Field option will appear in the context menu if you select the field to edit or position the cursor directly in front of the field. Selecting this menu item will open the Field dialog box, where you can change the field parameters

Note

Attempt to edit field of unknown type, nanoCAD shows the message: Unknown field.

Convert Field to Text

Context menu of Text and Multiline text: Convert field to text

Before using this context menu item, select the field in the open single-line or multi-line text editor or place the cursor directly in front of the field. After this, the Convert field to text item will appear in the menu, with which you can replace the field with text with the current field value

Dimensioning

Dimensions display the geometrical attributes of the objects on the drawing, as well as the distances and angles between them. The dimensions are part and parcel of any drawing.

In general, dimensions can consist of the following items:

• The dimension line indicates the direction and extent of a dimension. For angular dimensions, the dimension line is an arc.
• The extension line is drawn from the measured object to the dimension line.
• Arrows are displayed at the ends of the dimension line. You can use different types of arrows, including tick marks and points.
• The dimension text displays the numerical value of the measured object. The text can also include prefixes and suffixes, for example, symbols of the radius, diameter, degree, etc., as well as tolerances.
• The leader is the line joining together the dimension text and the dimension line to which it belongs. Leaders can be created automatically (when the corresponding options are set), when the text size

does not fit between the extension lines or when you manually drag the dimension text (with grips) to another place.

The four basic types of dimensioning are:

• Linear dimensions display the distance between the specified points. This type includes the following dimensions:
  • horizontal,
  • vertical,
  • aligned,
  • ordinate,
  • group dimension,
  • base dimension and
  • dimensions chain.
• Radial dimensions indicate the radii and diameters of arcs and circles. These include:
  • diameter,
  • radius,
  • big radius.
• Angular dimensions are used to indicate the angles between two segments or three points.
• Arc dimensions display the length of an arc or an arc segment of a polyline.

Dimensions can be associative, non-associative or exploded. Associative dimensions adjust to changes in the geometric objects that they measure.

There are 3 types of associativity between dimensions and drawing objects (or 3 associativity modes):

• Associative dimensions. Automatically adjust their locations, orientations and measurement values when the geometric objects associated with them are modified.
• Non-associative dimensions. Selected and modified with the geometry they measure. Nonassociative dimensions do not change when the geometric objects they measure are modified.
• Exploded dimensions. Contain a collection of separate objects: lines, arrows, arcs and text, rather than a single dimension object. Exploded dimensions do not change when the geometric objects they measure are modified.

To manage the associativity of dimensions, use the Set associativity during insertion of objects option of the Settings nanoCAD Int dialog box on the Main options tab of the Edit section (the Tools menu – Advanced Settings)). The option has two values: Yes – for associative dimensions and No - for nonassociative dimensions. To get the exploded dimensions, you should use the Explode command from the Modify menu.

Note

In nanoCAD, the DIMASSOC system variable does not affect to the associativity of dimensions.

Note

It is not recommended to disable the associative dimensioning mode which is used by default or to explode the associative dimensions without a strong reason.

In nanoCAD, the dimensioning commands are available on the Annotate tab of the ribbon, the Dimensions main menu and the Utilities toolbar:

If necessary, you can use the Dimensions toolbar:

Some Features of nanoCAD’s Dimensioning

Set the Scale for Dimensions

You can specify the size of dimensions in your drawing. Set the scale value using the Scale icon in the status line. Dimension scale affects the size of the dimension geometry relative to the objects in the drawing. At dimensioning, all size elements (height of the dimension text, size of the arrows etc.) are automatically scaled corresponding to the current dimension scale.

The Dimension scale is useful to dimension fragments drawn in the model space at the 1:1 scale. Their scale will change at arrangement on the worksheet.

For example, two views are drawn in the model space at the 1:1 scale. The first view will be placed on the layout at 1:1, the second view (based on its actual size) at 1:10. For dimensioning in the model space, you must specify the dimension scale as 1:1 for the first view and 1:10 for the second view. All elements of dimensioning of the first view will have values determined by the dimension style (for example, the height of the dimension text – 2.5 mm, the length of the arrows – 2.5 mm, etc.). The value of the second view dimensions will be automatically increased by 10 times (the height of the dimension text in the model space will be 25 mm, the length of the arrow – 25 mm), so that the dimensions are displayed correctly (the height of the dimension text – 2.5 mm, the length of the arrows – 2.5 mm, etc.) when this view is inserted on the layout.

When you change the dimension scale, the dimensions are not recalculated automatically.

To change any size of dimension scale, it is necessary to select it and select the required scale in the Measurement scale menu.

To set drawn dimensions to the current dimension scale, it is necessary to select the Set to selection command in Measurement scale menu and select the required dimensions on the drawing.

For more information on using scale, see «Symbol scale and measurement scale» section.

Dimensioning with a Single Auto Command

Ribbon: Home, Annotate – Dimensions > Auto

Menu: Dimensions – Auto

Toolbar: Utilities –

Command line: MDIM

You can set all dimensions in nanoCAD using a single command – Auto (the Dimensions menu) or Dimensions (on the Utilities and the Dimensions toolbars).

It is recommended to turn on the snap mode to maximise the facilities for dimensioning with a single command; set the required type of snap as a permanent snap. Switch on the Automatically turn on snap: Nearest, Endpoint, Quadra option in the nanoCAD – Options dialog box on the Main tab of the Edit section (the Tools menu – Settings parameters).

Start the Auto command and select any dimensions from the context menu by right clicking:

or by selecting the appropriate option in the command line:

Insert dimension or [Auto/aLigned/Horizontal/Vertical/Radial/Diametral/Big radius/ArC/Ordinate/angUlar/cHain/Use database/Properties/Groupped]:

You can also set dimensions on the drawing directly after starting the Auto command.

When you move the cursor over any graphic entity (segment, segment of polyline, arc or circle) it will be highlighted automatically:

When the graphic entities are highlighted, nanoCAD displays the secondary symbols near the cursor that serve as prompts for the user. The secondary symbols indicate what dimension will be drawn if you left click on the graphic entity:

– linear dimension (horizontal, vertical or parallel);

– angular dimension;

– baseline dimension.

This method is used for dimensioning relating to a graphic primitive.

When you move the cursor along the highlighted primitive, the corresponding snap markers are displayed at its characteristic points. You can use it to specify the initial points of the extension lines:

This method is used for dimensioning the elements of a drawing consisting of several graphic primitives.

nanoCAD allows you to place the dimensions at given distances from each other, not only in base dimensions, but also at linear dimensioning. The distance by which the new dimension should be spaced from the existing one, is specified by a base-line spacing option in the Modify dimension style dialog box on the Lines tab.

To do this, it is necessary to specify the position of the dimension line and slowly move the cursor from the existing dimension line. When you draw near a specified distance, the new dimension line will be “attracted” to the required position. The color of the secondary character displayed near the cursor changes from red ( , or ) to blue ( , or ):

Dimension line is not at the specified distance

Dimension line is at the specified distance

At dimensioning, you can set the extension line oblique by holding the CTRL key and moving the cursor in the desired direction.

To change the position of the dimension text, hold the SHIFT key and move the cursor to the first or second extension line (by default, the dimension text is located in the center of the dimension line).

During dimensioning, you can use the Edit dimension dialog box to specify the required properties and options for the executable dimension. To do this, it is necessary to select the Properties option in the command line or context menu. The dimensioning command is not interrupted.

The dimensions are applied in a cyclic mode, i.e. when applying one dimension, the command does not stop its work, but offers to set the next dimension or select another type of dimension.

To delete an erroneous dimension, there is a context menu command Undo. The command can also be started by CTRL+Z hot keys. The command is available when setting the dimension after specifying the dimension number.

To finish dimensioning, press ESC or select Cancel from the context menu.

You can dimension chamfers and fillets during their creation. Turn on the Measure chamfer or Measure fillet mode in the Chamfer or Fillet dialog box.

Linear Dimensions

Aligned Dimension

Ribbon: Home, Annotate - Dimensions > Aligned

Menu: Dimensions Aligned

Context menu when calling any dimension: Aligned

To apply a dimension, you need to:

Toolbar: Utilities –

1. Select the snap type in the command line:

Command line: MDIMALI

nEarest snap gets object – dimensions the entire selected object;

nEarest snap gets point (by default) – sets the dimension nodes at the selected location on the object.

2. Specify the end nodes of the dimension depending on the selected snap type:

nEarest snap gets object – specify the object, the end nodes of the dimension will be the end points of the object;

nEarest snap gets point – specify the start and end nodes on the selected object.

3. Place the dimension number.

When setting a parallel dimension, an auxiliary marker appears .

Horizontal Dimension

Context menu when calling any dimension: Horizontal

Command line: MDIMHOR

Vertical Dimension

Context menu when calling any dimension: Vertical

Command line: MDIMVER

Setting linear dimensions with the Linear command

Ribbon: Home, Annotate – Dimensions > Linear

Menu: Dimensions – Linear

Toolbar: Utilities, Dimensions –

Command line: DIMLINEAR

Setting linear dimensions with a horizontal, vertical or rotated dimension line.

• 1. Specify the starting points of the first and second leaders or press ENTER to select an object.
• 2. Select the dimensioning option in the command line or context menu.
• 3. Specify the position of the dimension line.

Command options:

Mtext Enters multiline text. The Text Format bar opens.

Text Enters or changes dimension text in the command line.

Horizontal Sets a horizontal dimension.

Vertical Sets a vertical dimension.

Rotated Sets the dimension at a certain angle.

• Specify the rotation angle of the dimension line on the screen or in the command line.

Fill Angle Changes the rotation angle of the dimension text.

• Specify the rotation angle of the dimension text on the screen or in the command line.

Setting linear dimensions by Auto command

Menu: Dimensions – Auto

Command line: MDIM

Toolbar: Utilities, Dimensions –

To dimension you can use also the Horizontal, Vertical and Aligned dimension commands.

Depending on the position of the placement point, the dimensions can change to horizontal, vertical or parallel.

Switching to “parallel” is performed when the cursor hits the middle part of a segment with a length of L/4 (where L is the segment length), i.e. L/8 to each side from the middle of the segment. For example, an almost horizontal segment with a length of ~100 mm (0.0) - (100.1) has a switching interval of 37.5 - 62.5:

Interval 0-37.5

Interval 37.5-62.5

Interval 62.5-100

To specify the horizontal dimension of the line:

1. Place the cursor over the line to show its dynamic highlighting and display the auxiliary marker . Left click to confirm the selection:

2. Move the cursor up or down until the auxiliary symbol or is displayed. Select the location of the dimension. Left-click to fix the selected position :

To specify the vertical dimension of the line:

3. Place the cursor over the line to show its dynamic highlighting and display the auxiliary marker . Left click to confirm the selection:

4. Move the cursor to the right or left until the auxiliary symbol or is displayed. Select the location of the dimension. Left-click to fix the selected position:

To specify the aligned dimension of the line:

5. Place the cursor over the line to show its dynamic highlighting and display the auxiliary marker . Left click to confirm the dimensioning:

Move the cursor to the right or to the left until the auxiliary symbol :

6. or is displayed. Select the location of the dimension. Left-click to fix the selected position:

For dimensioning between two parallel line segments:

1. Place the mouse cursor over the first segment to highlight it dynamically and display an auxiliary marker . Left-click to confirm the selection:

2. Place the mouse cursor over the second segment to highlight it dynamically. Left-click to confirm the selection. This displays the linear dimension between the two parallel segments:

3. Move the cursor to the right or left until the auxiliary symbol or is displayed. Select the location of the dimension. Left-click to fix the selected position:

To draw the dimension from a point to a line segment:

1. Place the mouse cursor over the segment to highlight it dynamically and display the auxiliary marker

. Left-click to confirm the selection:

Place the mouse cursor:

2. over the point. Left-click to confirm the selection. This displays the linear dimension from the point to the segment:

3. Select the location of the dimension. Left-click to fix the selected position:

Ordinate Dimensioning

Ribbon: Home, Annotate – Dimensions > Ordinate Menu: Dimensions – Ordinate Toolbar: Utilities – Context menu when calling any dimension: Ordinate Command line: MDIMORD

To specify the ordinate dimensions:

1. Specify the first point of the first dimension:

2. Specify the second point of the first dimension:

3. Specify the dimension line location:

4. Select the first dimension (highlighted in green). All subsequent dimensions will be linked to it. Or select the Base option in the command line or context menu and specify the first dimension:

5. Specify the end point of the second ordinate dimension :

Diameter Dimensioning

For dimensioning the diameter of a circle:

1. Place the cursor over the circle to show its dynamic highlighting. When setting a diameter dimension using the Auto command, an auxiliary marker appears. Left click to confirm the dimensioning selection:

Choose the location of the dimension:

2. Left click to fix the chosen location:

For dimensioning the diameter of a circle using characteristic points:

• 1. Turn on the Quadrant snap.
• 2. Start the Auto command.
• 3. Place the cursor over the circle to the first defined point. Left-click to select the end point of the first extension line of the dimension. Left click to confirm the dimensioning:

4. Move the cursor to the second characteristic point of the circle and left click to specify the endpoint of the second extension line of the dimension.

Move the cursor to display the auxiliary symbol: or . Select the location of the dimension. Left-click to fix the selected position:

Radial Dimensioning

Ribbon: Home, Annotate - Dimensions > Radius

Menu: Dimensions – Radius dimension

Toolbar: Utilities –

Context menu when calling any dimension: Radius

Command line: MDIMRAD

To draw the radius of a circle:

1. Place the cursor over the circle to show its dynamic highlighting. Left click to confirm the selection:

Choose the location of the dimension

2. Left click to fix the chosen location:

To draw the arc radius:

1. Place the cursor over the arc to show its dynamic highlighting. When you set a radial dimension using the Auto command, an auxiliary marker appears. Left click to confirm the selection:

Choose the location of the dimension

2. Left click to fix the chosen location of the dimension:

Options for dimensioning the arc radius:

Big Radius

Ribbon: Home, Annotate - Dimensions > Auto

Ribbon: Home, Annotate – Dimensions > Big Radius

Menu: Dimensions – Big radius

Toolbar: Utilities –

Context menu when calling any dimension: big RAdius

Command line: DIMJOGGED, DJO

The big radius command creates jogged dimensions for circles and arcs.

To draw the big radius:

1. Place the mouse cursor over the arc to highlight it dynamically. When setting a radial dimension using the Auto command, an auxiliary marker appears. Left-click to confirm the selection:

2. Select the location of the dimension. Left click to lock the selected position:

3. Select the location of the text. Left-click to fix the selected position:

Angular Dimensions

To draw the angle between two segments:

1. Place the cursor over one of the segments to show its dynamic highlighting. When you set an angular dimension using the Auto command, an auxiliary marker appears. Left click to confirm the selection:

2. Place the cursor over the second segment to show its dynamic highlighting. When you set an angular dimension using the Auto command, an auxiliary marker appears. Left click to confirm the dimensioning:

Choose the location of the dimension:

3. Left click to fix the selected location:

For dimensioning the angular dimension using characteristic points:

1. Place the cursor over the circle on which holes are located and specify the center of this circle (vertex of angle):

2. Specify the second point of the angular dimension (first hole center):

3. Specify the third point of the angular dimension (second hole center):

4. Select the location of the dimension. Left-click to fix the selected position:

Angle Ordinate Dimension

Ribbon: Home, Annotate - Dimensions > Angle ordinate

Menu: Dimensions – Angle ordinate dimension

Command line: DIMAORD

To set an angular ordinate dimension:

1. Create the first angular dimension. It will be used as a reference point. First, specify the center, then the extreme points of the angle:

2. Select the location of the dimension. Left-click to fix the selected position:

3. Place the mouse cursor over the angular dimension to highlight it dynamically. An auxiliary marker appears. Left-click to confirm the selection:

4. Build the following angular ordinate dimensions in sequence:

Smart Grips for Angular Ordinate Dimension

• 1. Dimension move grip.
• 2. Dimension endpoint grips.
• 3. Dimension extension line position and value grip.
• 4. Extension line position grip.

Arc Length

This command creates an arc length dimension. Arc length dimensions measure the distance along an arc or polyline arc segment.

To differentiate between the arc dimensions and the linear or angular dimensions, the arc symbol is displayed above the dimension text by default.

For dimensioning the arc length dimension:

1. Place the mouse cursor over the arc to highlight it dynamically. Left-click to confirm the selection:

Choose the location of the dimension:

2. Left click to fix the chosen location:

For dimensioning the length of Circle part:

1. Place the cursor over the arc to show its dynamic highlighting. Click at the start point of dimensioning part of circle.

2. Place the mouse cursor over the circle to highlight it dynamically. Left-click at the end point of the measured part of the circle;

Zselect the position of the dimension line

3. Click to fix chosen location.

Offset Dimension

Command line: DIMOFFSET

The command allows you to construct a dimension similar to the outline of the selected object. Offset dimension is indicated by an arc over the value.

To set an angular offset dimension:

• 1. Select the method for specifying the object in the command line or context menu. The frEe method is used in paper space when it is necessary to set a dimension on an object located in an inactive viewport. In all other cases, the sElection method is used.
• 2. Specify the object from which the dimension will be created. The selected object can be: segment, arc, spline, polyline, circle or ellipse.

Specify the first insertion point (the starting point of the dimension).

3. To automatically set dimensions at the end points along the entire length of the object, press the SPACEBAR key or right mouse button (does not work for closed objects).

4. Specify the second insertion point (the end point of the dimension reference), if the SPACEBAR or the right mouse button was not pressed.

5. Select the location of the dimension line. Left-click to fix the selected position:

The command will continue to work in a cyclic mode. To exit the cyclic mode, press the ESC key.

Smart grips for offset dimension

• 1. Dimension value placement grip.
• 2. Extension line position grips.
• 3. Dimension endpoint grips.

Group Dimension

The Group dimension command allows you to simultaneously apply several vertical or horizontal dimensions.

To set a group dimension:

1. Select all objects to be dimensioned. Press ENTER to complete the selection of objects:

2. Select the location of the dimension line. Depending on the cursor movement direction (vertical or horizontal), a chain of vertical or horizontal dimensions is dynamically displayed.

An auxiliary symbol or is displayed. Left-click to fix the selected position:

When setting dimensions for objects that have a small length, intersecting arrows are automatically replaced with tick marks or dots if the appropriate value is set for the Arrows in chains setting (Setting nanoCAD (PARAMS) – Symbols tab – Dimensions section):

Baseline Dimension

Toolbar: Utilities, Dimensions –

Context menu when calling any dimension: Base

Command line: DBA, DIMBASELINE, CHAINBASE

Baseline dimensions are a sequence of dimensions measured from one base point.

Baseline dimensions can be linear, ordinate or angular.

Before constructing baseline dimensions, at least one linear, ordinate or angular dimension must be applied to the object.

To construct linear baseline dimensions:

1. Select the specified dimension as a base (the dimension from which the linear dimensions will begin to form):

2. Set the end point of the first dimension:

3. Set the end points of the remaining dimensions in sequence, press ENTER to complete the command:

Each new dimension is placed at a specified distance from the previous one. The dimension offset value is set by the Baseline spacing parameter in the Lines tab of the Modify Dimension Style dialog.

To construct ordinate baseline dimensions:

Ordinate base dimensions are constructed similarly to constructing ordinate dimensions.

1. Select the specified dimension as a base (the dimension from which the ordinate dimensions will begin to form):

2. Set the end point of the first dimension:

3. Set the end points of the remaining dimensions in sequence, press ENTER to complete the command:

To construct angular baseline dimensions:

1. Select the specified dimension as a base (the dimension from which angular dimensions will start to form):

2. Set the end point of the first dimension:

3. Set the end points of the remaining dimensions in sequence, press ENTER to complete the command:

Continue Dimension

A dimension chain is a sequence of dimensions counted from the end of the previous dimension (the beginning of each new dimension coincides with the end of the previous one).

Dimension chains can be linear, ordinate or angular.

Before constructing dimension chains, at least one linear, ordinate or angular dimension must be applied to the object.

To construct a linear dimension chain:

1. Select the specified dimension as a base (the dimension from which the linear dimensions will begin to form). When setting up a chain using the Auto command, an auxiliary marker appears:

2. Set the end point of the first dimension:

3. Set the end points of the remaining dimensions one by one, press ENTER to complete the command:

To construct an ordinate dimension chain:

An ordinate chain of dimensions is constructed similarly to constructing linear ordinate dimensions and angular ordinate dimensions.

1065

1. Select the specified dimension as a base (the dimension from which the ordinate dimensions will begin to form):

2. Set the end point of the first dimension:

3. Set the end points of the remaining dimensions one by one, press ENTER to complete the command:

To build an angular dimension chain:

1. Select the specified dimension as a base (the dimension from which angular dimensions will start to form). When setting the chain using the Auto command, an auxiliary marker appears:

2. Set the end point of the first dimension:

3. Set the end points of the remaining dimensions one by one, press ENTER to complete the command:

Dimensions Editing

Dimensions are edited in the Properties bar and in the Edit dimension dialog box.

Editing Dimensions in the Properties Bar

Value – dimension value.

Prefix – text before the value.

Symbol – drop-down list to select a symbol before the value.

Suffix – text after the value.

Text under – text under the dimension shelf.

Real value – read-only, Yes by default.

Automatically control the measurement scale in the viewport – the property is available only in layouts. This property controls the influence of the style measurement scale. Yes – changing the style measurement scale value affects the dimension measurement scale. No – changing the style measurement scale value does NOT affect the dimension measurement scale. When changing the measurement scale from outside, the property will be automatically reset, i.e. the value will become No.

Editing Dimensions Using Grips

Editing with grips is the fastest and most efficient way to change dimensions, since manipulations are performed with the mouse cursor, which minimizes access to menus and toolbars.

By default, the Stretch (GRIP_STRETCH) mode is set for editing dimensions with grips.

Dimensions have multifunctional grips for text and arrows. A dynamic menu of editing modes appears when you hover over a grip:

For the selected grip, it is possible to cycle through the parameters by pressing the CTRL key. Items in the dynamic menu can be selected either with the mouse cursor or with the UP ARROW / DOWN ARROW keys on the keyboard.

Grip settings are performed in the Handles section of the OPTIONS dialog.

To edit a dimension using multi-purpose grips:

• 1. Select the dimension.
• 2. Select the multi-purpose grip and press the CTRL key to select an editing option. Or move the cursor over the multi-purpose grip, open the dynamic menu and select an editing option from the dynamic menu.
• 3. Move the cursor to dynamically display the change to the object.
• 4. Left-click to fix the change.

Text editing grip

Stretch – stretches the dimension (further or closer to the object). The Base point, Copy options are available in the command line, as for regular grips.

Move with Dim Line – moves text and dimension line.

Move Text Only – moves text to any place in the drawing without changing the dimension line position.

Move with Leader – places text on the leader.

Above Dim Line – places text above the dimension line (or to the left of the dimension line for vertical dimensions)

Center Vertically places the center of the text on the dimension line.

Reset Text Position – places text in the default position (for the current dimension style).

Arrow editing grip

Stretch – stretches the dimension (further or closer to the object). The command line has the same command options as for regular grips.

Flip Arrow – changes the arrow direction.

Editing a Dimension in the Edit Dimension Dialog

Context menu of the dimension: Edit

By right-clicking on the dimension (the dimension is highlighted in green) or double-clicking the left mouse button on the dimension (the Dimensions parameter should be set to Yes in the Settings nanoCAD (PARAMS) dialog, on the Main Options tab, in the Edit section – By Double-click)

Command line: EDIT, FEDIT

The Edit dimension dialog box:

The window is divided into an area of text

input fields with the name of the size type and a set of size formatting commands.

The structure of the input fields for the dimension text:

Options:

Dimension type:

Name of the dimension type (for example, Linear dimension, Diameter dimension, Angular dimension etc.).

Prefix: The prefix consists of the text input field and the Symbol button.

If the dimension does not have a special symbol that is set as the default prefix, the button is displayed without an image: . Click the icon to open the panel to select a symbol:

If a special symbol from the panel is set by default, it appears on the button:

A prefix specified in the Edit dimension dialog box has precedence over a prefix set by default.

Example of dimension text with a prefix consisting of the text and special symbol:

Nominal value:

Field to display and edit the nominal value of the dimension text.

Suffix: This field displays the suffix of the dimension text set by default, such as the chamfer angle designation:

In the same field, you can set the value of a custom symmetrical fit of the dimension:

Fit designation: The fields display the specified fit values of the dimension.

Depending on the way the fits are written (the Fit view button), the values in the fields can be displayed in different ways:

Note: The input field for a note for the dimension is used to create the hyperlink to the item that contains the technical conditions that define the general requirements for several dimensions. For example, in this field you can type the star symbol (*) to denote the reference dimension (having the corresponding item in the technical conditions).

The second line of the dimension text:

An example displaying the dimension text consisting of two lines:

Buttons

First arrow and Second arrow allow you to select the arrow type.

Click to open the panel and select the required arrow type:

These buttons are used to turn on/off the modes for placing text in the Square, Round or Pointed brackets.

The Text on leader button switches the mode for displaying the text on the leader.

Example:

Mode is on Mode is off

Text in rectangle button is used to switch the mode for displaying the dimension text in a rectangle.

Use this button to choose the method of writing the fit.

Click to open the following panel:

The Fit table button opens the Fits dialog.

The Calculate value button opens the calculator to calculate values.

This button opens the Text settings dialog box to change the style, height and color of the dimension text.

The Match Properties button temporarily closes the Edit dimension dialog box to select the dimension whose properties should be copied to the editable dimension.

The button opens the Text settings dialog box to change the style, height and color of the dimension text.

The Text Settings dialog box:

Options:

Text style The drop-down list to select the text style.

Color The drop-down list to select the text color.

Height The drop-down list to select the height of the symbols.

It is possible to type the values from the keyboard.

Right-clicking in an input field opens a context menu with additional commands. The presence of a particular command in the context menu depends on the purpose of the field.

To set the dimension fit:

1. Click the button .

2. In the panel that appears, select the method of writing the tolerances:

• 3. Click the button .
• 4. In the opened Fits dialog box, select the required values:

Oblique Dimension

Command line: DIMOBLIQUE

Changes the oblique angle of dimension. The function is useful when extension lines conflict with other features of the drawing. The oblique angle is measured from the X axis of the UCS.

Command prompts:

Break and Restore Dimensions

If necessary, you can use breaks to improve the readability of the graphical information and exclude errors in the dimensions on the drawing. The Break dimension command, unlike the Explode command from the Modify menu, does not break the completeness of the dimension and does not result in a loss of the association with the object.

Essentially, the Break dimension command does not remove the dimension part, but places a mask on it.

To break the dimension (or rather, to place the mask), it is necessary to select two points on the dimension or extension line that define the location and length of the mask.

When you edit the dimension or an object that intersects dimension, the dimension mask (break) will not be updated automatically. So after moving the dimension or editing an object that intersects dimension, you should first restore the dimension and then add a dimension mask (break) again.

Dimension Break

Creates a break in the dimension. When you create a break, turn on the Nearest snap (or switch on the To turn the object snap “Nearest” on automatically during an insert of objects option in the nanoCAD – Options dialog box on the Main tab of the Edit section (PARAMS).

Command option:

Command line: MDIMBREAK

Unbreak Removes the breaks in the selected dimension.

The following prompts are displayed:

When you select a dimension, the Break line command will be available from context menu.

Dimension Restore

Command line: MDIMUNBREAK

Removes the dimension breaks created by the Break dimension command.

The following prompt is displayed:

When you select dimension, the Unbreak lines command will be available from the context menu.

Breaking and Unbreaking a Dimension in the Command Line

Command line: DIMBREAK

Command options:

? Opens additional options for selecting objects.

Multi Selects multiple dimensions to edit.

Command prompts:

the dimension line.

Remove Removes all dimension breaks on the

selected dimensions.

Explode Dimensions

In some cases, it is necessary to explode a dimension into separate parts – lines, arrows, arcs and dimension text. To perform this operation, use the Explode (EXPLODE) command from the Modify menu.

It is strongly recommended not to explode the dimensions unless there is a specific need.

Dimension Styles

A dimension style is a named collection of dimension settings that control the appearance of dimensions, such as arrowhead style, text location and lateral tolerances.

Controlling of the dimension styles is carried out in the Dimension Style Manager dialog box:

Options:

Current style: Displays the name of the current dimension style.

Styles: Displays a list of the dimension styles in the drawing.

Preview of: Shows a graphic representation of the style selected in the Styles list.

Sets the style selected under Styles as the current one.

Displays the Creating style dialog box where you can define a new

dimension style.

Changes the options for the style selected in the list.

Changes the options for the current dimension style.

Compares the properties of two dimension styles.

Deletes the selected dimension style.

To set the current dimension style:

1. Select the required style from the Styles list.

2. Click the Set Current button.

To create a new dimension style:

1. In the Styles list, select the style from which you want to create a new one.

2. Click the New button**.**

3. In the Creating style dialog box, type a name for the new style:

Options:

New style name: Specifies the new dimension style name.

Start with: Sets the style to use as a basis for the new one.

Use for: Creates a dimension sub style that applies only to specific dimension types.

The following sub styles are available:

• All dimensions
• Linear dimensions
• Angular dimensions
• Diameter dimensions
• Radial dimensions
• Ordinate dimensions
• Leader dimensions
• 4. Click OK.
• 5. In the Modify dimension style dialog box that appears, set the required options for the new dimension style.

To modify a dimension style:

• 1. In the Styles list, select the required style.
• 2. Click the Modify button**.**
• 3. In the Modify dimension style dialog box that appears, set the new options for the dimension style to be modified.

To change the options for the current dimension style:

• 1. In the Styles list, select the current dimension style (if you select any other style, the Override button will not be available).
• 2. Click the Override button**.**
• 3. In the Modify dimension style dialog box that appears, override the options for the current dimension style.

To compare two dimension styles:

• 1. In the Styles list, select the first dimension style which you want to compare.
• 2. Click the Compare button**.**
• 3. In the Compare Dimension Styles dialog box, from the With list select the second dimension style for comparing:

Options:

Compare: Drop-down list to select the first dimension style for comparing.

With: Drop-down list to select the second dimension style for comparing.

Found differences:

Description: List of the properties of the compared dimension styles.

Variable: List of the dimension variables that define the compared properties.

Use this button to copy the comparison results to the clipboard.

The Compare Dimension Styles dialog box can be used to view a list of all the properties of any dimension style. To do this, select the same dimension style in the Compare and With lists:

To delete a dimension style:

• 1. In the Styles list, select the style that you want to delete.
• 2. Click the Delete button.

Modify a Dimension Style

The properties of new dimensions are set and options for existing dimension styles are modified in the Modify dimension style dialog box.

The name of the dimension style being modified is displayed in the dialog box title:

The Modify dimension style dialog box contains the following tabs:

• Lines

• Symbols and arrows
• Text
• Fit
• Primary units
• Alternate units
• Tolerance

The window in the upper right corner of each tab displays a graphical preview of the properties of the dimension style being modified.

The “Lines” Tab

Sets the properties of dimension lines and extension lines:

Options:

Dimension lines

Color: Displays and sets the color for the dimension line.

LineType: Sets the linetype of the dimension line.

Lineweight: Sets the lineweight of the dimension line.

Extend beyond ticks: Specifies the distance to extend the dimension line past the extension line when you use ticks and no marks for arrowheads.

Examples:

1. Extend beyond ticks: 2

2. Extend beyond ticks: 0

Baseline spacing: Sets the spacing between the dimension lines of a baseline dimension.

Suppress: Dim line 1, Dim line 2

Suppresses the display of dimension lines.

Examples:

1. Dim Line 1 suppresses the first dimension

2. Dim Line 2 suppresses the second dimension line

Extension lines

Color: Sets the color for the extension lines.

Linetype ext line 1: Sets the linetype of the first extension line.

Linetype ext line 2: Sets the linetype of the second extension line.

Lineweight: Sets the lineweight of the extension line.

Suppress: Ext line 1, Ext line Suppresses the display of extension lines.

Examples:

2

1. Ext Line 1 suppresses the first extension line

2. Ext Line 2 suppresses the second extension line

Extend beyond dim lines: Specifies the distance to extend the extension lines above the dimension line.

Examples:

1. Extend beyond dimension line: 1.25

2. Extend beyond dimension line: 0

Offset from origin: Sets the distance to offset the extension lines from the points on the drawing (object) that define the dimension.

Examples:

1. Offset from object: 0.625

2. Offset from object: 0

Fixed Length Extension Lines Enables fixed length extension lines.

Length: Sets the total length of the extension lines.

The “Symbols and Arrows” Tab

Sets the format and placement for arrowheads, center marks, arc length symbols and jogged radius dimensions:

Options:

Arrowheads

First: Sets the arrowhead for the first dimension line.

When you change the first arrowhead type, the second arrowhead

automatically changes to match it.

Second: Sets the arrowhead for the second dimension line.

When you change the second arrowhead type, the first arrowhead does

not automatically change to match it.

Leader: Sets the arrowhead for the leader line.

Arrow size: Displays and sets the size of arrowheads.

Center marks

None: Creates no center mark or centreline.

Mark: Creates a center mark.

Line: Creates a centerline.

Size: Displays and sets the size of the center mark or centreline.

Arc length symbol

Preceding

Places arc length symbols before the dimension text.

Dimension Text:

Above Dimension Text:

Places arc length symbols above the dimension text.

None: Suppresses the display of arc length symbols.

Radius dimension jog

Jog angle: Determines the angle of the transverse segment of the dimension line in

a jogged radius dimension.

The “Text” Tab

Sets the format, placement, and alignment of dimension text:

Options:

Text appearance

Text style: Lists the available text styles.

Displays the Text styles dialog box where you can create or modify

text styles.

Text color: Sets the color for the dimension text.

Fill color: Sets the color for the text background in dimensions.

Text height: Sets the height of the current dimension text style.

If a fixed text height is set in the Text Style (that is, the text style height is greater than 0), that height overrides the text height set

here.

Fraction height scale: Sets the scale of fractions relative to the dimension text.

This option is available only when Fractional is selected as the Unit Format on the Primary Units tab. The value entered here is

multiplied by the text height to determine the height of dimension

fractions relative to dimension text.

Draw frame around text

When selected, draws a frame around the dimension text.

Text placement

Vertical: Controls the vertical placement of the dimension text in relation to the dimension line:

• Centered – Centers the dimension text between the two parts of the dimension line.

• Above - Places the dimension text above the dimension line. The distance from the dimension line to the baseline of the lowest line of text is the current text gap.

• Outside - Places the dimension text on the side of the dimension line farthest away from the first defining point.

• JIS - Places the dimension text to conform to a Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) representation.

Horizontal: Controls the horizontal placement of the dimension text along the dimension line in relation to the extension lines:

• Centered – Centers the dimension text along the dimension line between the extension lines.

• At Ext Line 1 - Left justifies the text with the first extension line along the dimension line. The distance between the extension line and the text is twice the arrowhead size plus the text gap value.

• At Ext Line 2 - Right justifies the text with the second extension line along the dimension line. The distance between the extension line and the text is twice the arrowhead size plus the text gap value.

• Over Ext Line 1 - Positions the text over or along the first extension line.

• Over Ext Line 2 - Positions the text over or along the second extension line.

Offset from dim line: Sets the current text gap, which is the distance around the dimension text when the dimension line is broken to accommodate the dimension text.

This value is also used as the minimum length required for dimension line segments.

Text is positioned inside the extension lines only if the resulting segments are at least as long as the text gap. Text above or below the dimension line is placed inside only if the arrowheads, dimension text and a margin leave enough room for the text gap.

Examples:

1. Offset from dim line: 0.625

2. Offset from dim line: 0

Text alignment

Horizontal: Places text in a horizontal position.

Aligned with dimension line:

Aligns text with the dimension line.

ISO standard: Aligns text with the dimension line when text is inside the extension lines, but aligns it horizontally when text is outside the extension lines.

The “Fit” Tab

Controls the placement of the dimension text, arrowheads, leader lines and the dimension line:

Options:

Fit options Controls the placement of text and arrowheads based on the

space available between the extension lines.

Either text or arrows

(best fit):

Moves either the text or the arrowheads outside the extension

lines based on the best fit.

Arrows: Moves the arrowheads outside the extension lines first, then the

text.

Text: Moves the text outside the extension lines first, then the

arrowheads.

Both text and arrows: When not enough space is available for text and arrowheads, both

are moved outside the extension lines.

Always keep text between ext lines: Always places the text between the extension lines.

Suppress arrows if they don’t fit inside extension lines:

Suppresses arrowheads if not enough space is available inside the extension lines.

Text placement Sets the placement of the dimension text when it is moved from the default position; that is, the position defined by the dimension style.

Beside the dimension line:

If selected, moves the dimension line whenever the dimension text is moved.

Over dimension line, with leader:

If selected, dimension lines are not moved when text is moved. If text is moved away from the dimension line, a leader line is created connecting the text to the dimension line.

The leader line is omitted when text is too close to the dimension line.

Over dimension line, without leader:

If selected, dimension lines are not moved when text is moved.

Scale dimension features

Use overall scale of: Sets a scale for all dimension style settings that specify size,

distance or spacing, including text and arrowhead sizes.

Draws dimension lines between the measured points, even when

Scale dimensions to Determines a scale factor based on the scaling between the

layout: current model space viewport and the paper space.

Fine tuning

Place text manually: Places the text at the position you specify at the Dimension

Line Location prompt.

Ignores any horizontal justification settings.

Draw dim line between

ext lines: the arrowheads are placed outside the measured points.

The “Primary Units” Tab

Sets the format and precision of the primary dimension units and sets prefixes and suffixes for the dimension text:

Options:

Linear dimensions

Unit format: Sets the current units format for all dimension types except Angular.

Precision: Displays and sets the number of decimal places in the dimension text.

Fraction format: Sets the format for fractions.

Options are available if you have set the Fractional or Architectural values

in the Unit format option.

Decimal separator: Sets the separator for decimal formats.

Options are available if you have set the Decimal value in the Unit format

option.

Round off: Sets rounding rules for dimension measurements for all dimension types

except Angular.

For example:

1. If you enter a value of 0.25, all distances are rounded to the nearest 0.25 unit.

2. If you enter a value of 1.0, all dimension distances are rounded to the nearest integer.

The number of digits displayed after the decimal point depends on the Precision setting.

Prefix: Includes a prefix in the dimension text.

You can enter text or use control codes to display special symbols.

For example:

Entering the control code %%c displays the diameter symbol.

When you enter a prefix, it overrides any default prefixes such as those used in diameter and radius dimensioning.

Suffix: Includes a suffix in the dimension text.

You can enter text or use control codes to display special symbols.

When you enter a suffix, it overrides any default suffixes.

Measurement scale

Scale factor: Defines the linear scale options.

It is recommended not to change the value set by default – 1.

For example:

If you enter 2, the dimension for a 100 millimetre line is displayed as 200

millimetres.

The value does not apply to angular dimensions and is not applied to

rounding values or to plus or minus tolerance values.

Apply to layout dimension only: Applies the measurement scale factor only to dimensions created in layout

viewports.

It is recommended to disable the setting.

IMPORTANT! Changing the scale value of the style’s dimensions in the setting changes the value in the already set dimensions of the same style.

Zero suppression

Leading: Suppresses leading zeros in all decimal dimensions.

For example:

0.3000 becomes .3000.

Trailing: Suppresses trailing zeros in all decimal dimensions.

For example:

30.0000 becomes 30.

0 feet: Suppresses the feet portion of a feet-and-inches dimension when the

distance is less than one foot.

For example:

0’-6 1/2” becomes 6 1/2”.

Options are available if you have set the Engineering or Architectural

values in the Unit format option.

0 inches: Suppresses the inches portion of a feet-and-inches dimension when the

distance is an integral number of feet.

For example:

1’-0” becomes 1’.

Options are available if you have set the Engineering or Architectural

values in the Unit format option.

Angular dimensions

Unit format: Sets the angular units format.

Precision: Sets the number of decimal places for angular dimensions.

Zero suppression

Leading: Suppresses leading zeros in angular decimal dimensions.

Trailing: Suppresses trailing zeros in angular decimal dimensions.

The “Alternate Units” Tab

Specifies the display of alternative units in dimension measurements and sets their format and precision:

Options:

Display alternate

units:

Adds alternative measurement units to the dimension text.

Alternate units

Unit format: Sets the unit format for alternative units.

Precision: Sets the number of decimal places for alternative units.

Multiplier for all units:

Specifies the multiplier used as the conversion factor between primary

and alternative units.

For example:

To convert inches to millimeters, enter 25.4.

The value has no effect on angular dimensions and it is not applied to the rounding value or the plus or minus tolerance values.

Round distance to:

Sets rounding rules for alternative units for all dimension types except Angular.

For example:

• 1. If you enter a value of 0.25, all alternate measurements are rounded to the nearest 0.25 unit.
• 2. If you enter a value of 1.0, all dimension measurements are rounded to the nearest integer.

The number of digits displayed after the decimal point depends on the Precision setting.

Prefix: Includes a prefix in the alternative dimension text.

You can enter text or use control codes to display special symbols.

For example:

Entering the control code %%c displays the diameter symbol.

When you enter a prefix, it overrides any default prefixes such as those used in diameter and radius dimensioning.

Suffix: Includes a suffix in the alternative dimension text.

You can enter text or use control codes to display special symbols.

When you enter a suffix, it overrides any default suffixes.

Zero suppression

Leading: Suppresses leading zeros in all decimal dimensions.

For example:

0.3000 becomes .3000.

Trailing: Suppresses trailing zeros in all decimal dimensions.

For example:

30.0000 becomes 30.

0 feet: Suppresses the feet portion of a feet-and-inches dimension when the

For example:

0’-6 1/2” becomes 6 1/2”.

distance is less than 1 foot.

Options are available if you have set the Engineering or Architectural values in the Unit format option.

0 inches: Suppresses the inches portion of a feet and inches dimension when the

distance is an integral number of feet.

For example:

1’-0” becomes 1’.

Options are available if you have set the Engineering or Architectural

values in the Unit format option.

Placement

After primary

value:

Places the alternative units after the primary units in the dimension text.

Below primary

value:

Places the alternative units below the primary units in the dimension text.

The “Tolerances” Tab

Controls the display and format of the dimension text tolerances:

Option:

:

Tolerance format

Method Sets the method for calculating the tolerance:

• None - Does not add a tolerance.

• Symmetrical – Adds a plus/minus expression of tolerance in which a single value of variation is applied to the dimension measurement. A plus-or-minus sign appears after the dimension. Enter the tolerance value in Upper Value.

• Deviation – Adds a plus/minus tolerance expression. A plus sign (+) precedes the tolerance value entered in Upper Value, and a minus sign (-) precedes the tolerance value entered in Lower Value.

Note

If you input a minus sign (-) before an upper maximum deviation value, the value will be displayed with a minus sign (-) on the drawing.

Note

If you input a minus sign (-) before a lower maximum deviation value, the value will be displayed with a plus sign (+) on the drawing.

• Limits – Creates a limit dimension. A maximum and a minimum value are displayed, one over the other. The maximum value is the dimension value plus the value entered in Upper Value. The minimum value is the dimension value minus the value entered in Lower Value.

• Basic – Creates a basic dimension, which displays a box around the full extent of the dimension.

Precisio Sets the number of decimal places.

Upper Sets the maximum or upper tolerance value.

value: When you select Symmetrical in Method, this value is used for the tolerance.

Lower Sets the minimum or lower tolerance value.

value:

Scaling Sets the current height for the tolerance text.

for height:

The ratio of the tolerance height to the main dimension text height is calculated.

Vertical position

:

Controls the text justification for symmetrical and deviation tolerances:

• Bottom - Aligns the tolerance text with the bottom of the main dimension text.

• Middle - Aligns the tolerance text with the middle of the main dimension text.

• Top - Aligns the tolerance text with the top of the main dimension text.

Zero suppression

Leading: Suppresses leading zeros in all decimal dimensions.

For example:

0.3000 becomes .3000.

Trailing: Suppresses trailing zeros in all decimal dimensions.

For example:

30.0000 becomes 30.

0 feet: Suppresses the feet portion of a feet and inches dimension when the

distance is less than 1 foot.

For example:

0’-6 1/2” becomes 6 1/2”.

Options are available if you have set the Engineering or Architectural

values in the Unit format option.

0 inches: Suppresses the inches portion of a feet-and-inches dimension when the

distance is an integral number of feet.

For example:

1’-0” becomes 1’.

Options are available if you have set the Engineering or Architectural

values in the Unit format option.

Alternate units tolerance

Precision: Displays and sets the number of decimal places.

Zero suppression

Leading: Suppresses leading zeros in all decimal dimensions.

For example:

0.3000 becomes .3000.

Trailing: Suppresses trailing zeros in all decimal dimensions.

For example:

30.0000 becomes 30.

0 feet: Suppresses the feet portion of a feet-and-inches dimension when the

distance is less than 1 foot.

For example:

0’-6 1/2” becomes 6 1/2”.

Options are available if you have set the Engineering or Architectural

values in the Unit format option.

0 inches: Suppresses the inches portion of a feet-and-inches dimension when the

distance is an integral number of feet.

For example:

1’-0” becomes 1’.

Options are available if you have set the Engineering or Architectural

values in the Unit format option.

Multileader

Creating a Multileader

Ribbon: Home, Annotate– Leaders – Multileader

Menu: Draw > Mleader…

Toolbar: Mleaders –

Command line: MLEADER

Multileader is a drawing drafting object and, as a rule, is a straight line or a spline with an arrow at one end and multiline text object or block at the other. A text or block are connected with the leader line by a short horizontal line – landing.

The visual representation of a multileader, as well as its other parameters, can be edited when it is being created or on the Properties functional panel. For example, it is possible to show or hide a landing, leader lines, create a frame around the text, change the point of block attachment, edit parameters of multiline text, incl. set background mask, etc.

The appearance of the leader arrow can be selected from the list of standard ones on the Properties bar:

To create a new type of arrow in a drawing, first create a custom arrow block and select the Custom… value in the list. In the Select Custom Arrow Block dialog box that opens, specify the block that is available in the drawing:

It is convenient to adjust the multileader location on the screen with help of functional grips.

Command options:

Leader landing first Start constructing with specifying the location of the multileader

landing.

Content first Start constructing with specifying the location and entry of the

text or specifying the block (depending on the type of

multileader content specified in the options).

Leader arrowhead Start constructing with specifying the location of leader line

first arrowhead.

Options Additional options for constructing the multileader.

Leader type Specify the leader line type: straight, spline or not display the

leader line.

Leader landing Specify whether to display the multileader landing and the

landing line size.

Content type Specify the content type of the multileader being created: block,

multiple text or no content.

Maxpoints Number of points for the leader line. By default 2, i.e. one leader

line segment is created.

Command prompts:

Specify the location of leader arrowhead or [leader landing first /Content first/Options]:

Define the option or [Leader type/Leader landing/Content type/Maxpoints/First angle/Second angle/Exit options]: Query for the location of the arrowhead or the content, depending on the selected order of multileader construction. Additional options can be adjusted by selecting Options.

Displayed when Options is selected in the previous query.

Removing Leader Lines from the Multileader

Ribbon: Home, Annotate – Leaders – Multileader Edit Remove

Menu: Modify – Object – Multileader > Remove Multileader

Toolbar: Mleaders –

Command line: MLEADEREDITREMOVE

To remove a leader line, it is necessary to select it on the multileader object in the drawing. The leader line is deleted immediately after its selection.

Adding Leader Lines to the Multileader

Ribbon: Home, Annotate – Leaders – Multileader Edit Add

Menu: Modify – Object – Multileader > Add Multileader

Toolbar: Mleaders –

Command line: MLEADEREDITADD

To add a leader line:

1. Select the desired multileader in the workspace.

2. Specify the point of arrowhead location for each added leader line.

3. Press ENTER to finish.

Aligning Multileaders

Ribbon: Home, Annotate – Leaders – Multileader Align

Menu: Modify – Object – Multileader > Align

Toolbar: Mleaders –

Command line: MLEADERALIGN

Aligns the selected leaders and spaces them at equal intervals in accordance with the preset options.

Command options:

Options Specifies options for spacing and aligning the selected multileaders.

The command memorizes and by default uses the align method

specified last time.

Distribute The leaders landings with the content will be evenly distributed

between two points specified on the screen.

Make leader segments Places content so that last leader lines segments in the selected

parallel multileaders become parallel.

Specify spacing Specifies the value of spacing between landing lines for the selected

multileaders.

Use current spacing

Uses the current spacings inside the content of multileaders.

Command prompts:

Select multileaders or [?]: Specify the multileaders to be

Select multileader to align or [?/Options]: Select the leader on which the rest

aligned or distributed depending on the operation selected in the command options.

should be aligned.

The query is displayed in the beginning of the align operation. The type of alignment operation is preset in the command options (Options option).

Collecting Multileaders

Ribbon: Home, Annotate – Leaders – Multileader Collect

Menu: Modify – Object – Multileader > Collect

Toolbar: Mleaders –

Command line: MLEADERCOLLECT

Collecting several multileaders containing blocks in one with horizontal or vertical location of blocks.

Command options:

Vertical Specifies options for spacing and aligning the selected multileaders.

The command memorizes and by default uses the align method

specified last time.

Horizontal Leader landings with the content will be evenly distributed between

two points specified on the screen.

Wrap Specifies a width value for a wrapped multileader collection.

Specify wrap

width

Wrap width.

Number Maximum number of blocks per row in the multileader collection.

Command prompts:

Select multileaders or [?]: Specify the multileaders to be

collected. Multileaders without blocks will be excluded from the selection. The blocks will be placed

in the order of selecting

multileaders. An extension line of the last selected leader will be

saved.

Specify the position of collected multileader or

[Vertical/Horizontal/Wrap]:

Select the method to collect multileaders (horizontal or vertical) and specify the location of its content in the drawing workspace.

Multileader Style Manager

Ribbon: Home, Annotate – Leaders –

Toolbar: Mleaders –

Command line: MLEADERSTYLE

The command opens the Multileader Style Manager dialog box, where it is possible to create and modify the multileader styles.

Multileaders are created with the style displayed in the drop-down list on the Mleaders panel or on the ribbon in the Draw tab in the Leaders group.

Options:

Styles List of multileader styles in the document. Its content is

regulated by the List drop-down list.

List Specifies what styles should be displayed in the Styles list: all

document styles or only current ones.

Preview of A preview window that displays the assumable image of the

multileader created with use of style selected in the Styles

list.

Set current Makes current the style selected in the Styles field.

New Opens the Create New Multileader Style dialog box to create

a new style based on that selected in the Styles field.

Clicking of the Continue button opens the Modify Multileader Style dialog box described below.

Modify Opens the Modify Multileader Style dialog box to edit the

style selected in the Styles field.

Delete Deletes the style selected in the Styles field.

A context menu is also available in the Styles field. In addition to the listed actions, there it is possible to rename the selected style:

Modifying Multileader Style

The Modify Multileader Style dialog box opens when you edit the current or create a new style.

In the left part the dialog contains three tabs with adjustable parameters, and in the right one – the preview area displaying the multileader in accordance with the current options.

Leader Format tab

Options:

Leader Structure tab

Landing settings Automatically include landing Automatic addition of the landing when creating a multileader. If the option is

disabled, the landing will not be added.

Set landing distance Determines the fixed distance for the

multileader landing line.

Scale Annotative Annotation of multileader. It is not used in the

current program version. The option allows you to correct the object automatically for similar display in one and the same size or

scale irrespective of the type scale.

Scale multileaders

to layout

Scales the multileader in accordance with the

current layout.

Specify scale Specifies the scale of multileader.

Content tab

Notes

Mechanical Note

This command opens the Mechanical note dialog box to set the mechanical note options:

Options:

Use the icons to add/remove text input fields and to add a border:

Adds an additional input field. Removes the input field where the cursor is located. Switches a leader display - simple note. Switch a leader display - multiline note. Frames the text under the landing.

Use the icons to select the style of the extension line:

Controls the output of the last line in a multiline note without a landing.

Use the icons to select the text alignment method:

By left edge.

By center.

By right edge.

Other icons and options:

The Insert special symbol icon opens the panel with the table of special symbols, to select and insert them at the current cursor position in the text input field.

The Notepad icon opens the Notepad dialog box.

The Match properties icon temporarily closes the dialog box to specify the inserted leader whose properties should be copied and applied to the newly-created leader.

The Add extension line icon is used to insert additional extension lines. The icon works and is active if at least one leader line is set.

The Global options button opens the Settings nanoCAD dialog box – Symbols tab.

By default, the Mechanical Note contains one input field for the caption above the leader landing.

The Simple note and Multiline note commands are used to edit the presence of additional landings.

The Add string and Delete string commands are used to edit the number of leader landings. If a simple note is used, these commands control the presence of text below the landing.

NOTE The following hotkeys are available for the Add string command: CTRL+ENTER – adds a landing below the selected landing; SHIFT+ENTER – adds a landing above the selected landing.

Right-click in the text field and choose the required menu item:

When you open the context menu on the leader arrow (without selecting the leader), a dialog box for selecting the arrow type will appear:

To create a mechanical note:

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is enabled

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. In the Mechanical note dialog box, select the required leader options.
• 3. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 4. Click OK.
• 5. Specify a point on the object to which the leader arrow will be directed.
• 6. In the command line or the context menu, select the type of leader line arrow:

None – Creates the extension line without an arrow.

Arrow – Creates the extension line with an arrow.

Point – Creates the extension line with a point.

7. Select an option and specify the leader position on the drawing.

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is disabled

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. Specify the point on the object to which the leader arrow will be directed.
• 3. In the command line or the context menu, select the type of leader line arrow:

None – without an arrow; Arrow – with an arrow; POint – with a point.

• 4. Place the leader landing on the drawing.
• 5. In the Mechanical note dialog box, select the required leader parameters.
• 6. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 7. Click ОК.

Construction Note

This command opens the Construction note dialog box to set the note options:

Options:

Buttons to add borders:

Managing multiline text output above the leader. The transition to another line is performed by the CTRL+ENTER key combination.

Framing the text under the leader.

Use the icons to select the style of the extension line:

None.

Arrow.

Point.

Open arrow.

Half-arrow.

Oblique.

Use the icons to select the text alignment method:

By left edge.

By center.

By right edge.

Other icons and options:

The Insert special symbol icon opens the panel with the table of special symbols, to select and insert them at the current cursor position in the text input field.

The Notepad icon opens the Notepad dialog box.

The Match properties icon temporarily closes the dialog box to specify the

inserted leader whose properties should be copied and applied to the newly-

created leader.

The Add extension line icon is used to insert additional extension lines. The

button works and is active if at least one leader line is set.

Angle step of extension line

Drop-down list to select inclination.

In the list the following inclinations are available:

• Custom the extension line is placed arbitrarily (by default);
• 15 the extension line is placed in step multiples of 15°;
• 30 the extension line is placed in step multiples of 30°;
• 45 the extension line is placed in step multiples of 45°;
• 90 the extension line is placed in step multiples of 90°.

Note

If the Inclination step of extension line option is set to Custom, it is possible to place the extension line landing orthogonally in the ORTHO (F8) mode. When enabling the ORTHO mode via the SHIFT key, the Object Snap (F3) must be enabled.

The Options button opens the nanoCAD Design Settings dialog box – Symbols tab.

The default positional leader contains two input lines. The first line is for the caption above the leader landing, the second line is for the caption below the landing.

Right-click in the text field and choose the required menu item:

When you open the context menu on a leader arrow (without selecting the leader), a dialog box for selecting the arrow type will appear:

To create a construction note:

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is enabled

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. In the Construction note dialog box, selectthe required note options.
• 3. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 4. Click OK.
• 5. Specify a point on the object to which the leader arrow will be directed. To select an object, select the sElection command in the command line or the context menu. To freely specify a point on the drawing, select the frEe command.
• 6. Place a leader landing on the drawing.

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is disabled

1. Run the command.

Specify the point on the object to which the leader arrow will be directed. To select an object, select the sElection command in the command line or the context menu. To freely specify a point on the drawing, select the frEe command.

• 2. Place the leader landing on the drawing.
• 3. In the Construction note dialog box, select the required leader parameters.
• 4. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 5. Click ОК.

Comb Leader Note

This command opens the Comb leader note dialog box to set the comb leader note options:

Options:

Buttons to add borders:

• Managing multiline text output above the leader. The transition to another line is performed by the CTRL+ENTER key combination.
• Framing the text under the leader.

Use the icons to select the style of the extension line:

Use the icons to select the text alignment method:

Other icons and options:

The Insert special symbol icon opens the panel with the table of special symbols, to select and insert them at the current cursor position in the text input field.

The Notepad icon opens the Notepad dialog box.

The Match properties icon temporarily closes the dialog box to specify the inserted leader whose properties should be copied and applied to the newlycreated leader.

The Add extension line icon is used to insert additional extension lines. The button works and is active if at least one leader line is set.

The Select line icon is used to switch the comb orientation parallel to the specified line on the drawing. The icon is available when you edit the comb leader note inserted into the drawing.

Angle step of extension lines:

Drop-down list to select inclination.

In the list the following inclinations are available:

• Custom the extension line is placed arbitrarily (by default);
• 15 the extension line is placed in step multiples of 15°;
• 30 the extension line is placed in step multiples of 30°;
• 45 the extension line is placed in step multiples of 45°;
• 90 the extension line is placed in step multiples of 90°.

Comb orientation of extension lines:

Drop-down list to select the comb orientation of the extension line.

The following options are available in the list:

• Custom the extension line comb is set arbitrarily (by default);
• Horizontal the extension line comb is set horizontally;
• Vertical the extension line comb is set vertically.

The Options button opens the nanoCAD Design Settings dialog box – Symbols tab.

The default comb leader note contains two input lines. The first line is for the caption above the leader landing, the second line is for the caption below the landing.

Right-click in the text field and choose the required menu item:

When you open the context menu on a leader arrow (without selecting the leader), a dialog box for selecting the arrow type will appear:

To create a comb leader note:

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is enabled

.

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. In the Comb leader note dialog box, select the required leader options.
• 3. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 4. Click OK.
• 5. Specify the leader’s position and press ENTER to end.
• 6. Specify the leader’s position and angle. In the command line the following prompts are displayed: [Horizontal /Vertical /Parallel]. The Parallel option allows you to choose the direction of a comb leader note parallel to any line on the drawing.
• 7. Specify the landing position on the drawing.

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is disabled

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. Specify the required number of leader lines (the object is highlighted when specifying the position), and press ENTER to finish.
• 3. Specify the inclination of the extension lines. Options for switching the comb orientation are available in the command line and the context menu: [Horizontal/Vertical/Parallel]. The Parallel option allows you to select the direction of the extension line comb parallel to any segment in the drawing.
  • 4. Place the leader landing on the drawing.
  • 5. In the Comb leader note dialog box, select the required note options.
  • 6. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 7. Click ОК.

Section Note

This command opens the Section note dialog box to set the note options:

Options:

Use the icons to select the text alignment method:

Use the icons to select the secant type:

Single-stroked line. Double-stroked line.

Other icons and options:

The Insert special symbol icon opens the panel with the table of special symbols, to select and insert them at the current cursor position in the text input field.

Node address Input line to specify the Node Address.

number

The Options button opens the nanoCAD Design Settings dialog box – Symbols tab

The Section note leader contains two input lines by default. The first input line consists of two fields for specifying the Node (sheet) number. The second input line is for specifying the Node Address.

Right-click in the text field and choose the required menu item:

When you open the context menu on a leader arrow (without selecting the leader), a dialog box for selecting the arrow type will appear:

.

To create a section note:

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is enabled

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. In the Section note dialog box, select the required note options.
• 3. Click OK.
• 4. Enter the required text into the text fields
• 5. Specify the first line of the structure to be cut, perpendicular to which the section line of the leader will be located. To select an object, take the sElection command in the command line or the context menu. To freely specify a point on the drawing, select the frEe command. The modes are switched by pressing the SPACEBAR key.
• 6. Specify the second line of breaking construction.
• 7. Specify the landing position on the drawing.

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is disabled

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. Specify the first line of the structure to be cut, perpendicular to which the section line of the leader will be located. To select an object, take the sElection command in the command line or the context menu. To freely specify a point on the drawing, select the frEe command. The modes are switched by pressing the SPACEBAR key.
• 3. Specify the second line of the structure to be cut.
  • 4. Place the leader landing on the drawing.
  • 5. In the Section note dialog box, select the required note options.
  • 6. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 7. Click ОК.

Note for Multilayered Constructions

Toolbar: Utilities, Notes –

Command line: NOTEM

This command opens the Note for multilayered constructions dialog box to set the note options:

Options:

Use the icons to add/remove text input fields and to add border:

• Remove the input field where the cursor is located.
• Managing multiline text output above the leader. The transition to another line is performed by the CTRL+ENTER key combination.
• Line on first string.
• Framing the text under the leader.
• Managing output in a multiline note of the last line without the leader.

Use the icons to select the style of the extension line:

Use the icons to select the text alignment method:

By left edge. By center.

By right edge.

Other icons:

The Insert special symbol icon opens the panel with the table of special symbols, to select and insert them at the current cursor position in the text input field.

The Notepad icon opens the Notepad dialog box.

The Match properties icon temporarily closes the dialog box to specify the inserted leader whose properties should be copied and applied to the newly-created leader.

The Select line icon is used to switch the comb orientation parallel to the specified line on the drawing. The icon is available when you edit the comb leader note inserted into the drawing.

The Options button opens the nanoCAD Design Settings dialog box – Symbols tab

By default, the Note for Multilayered Constructions contains 5 input fields.

The Add string and Remove string commands are used to edit the number of fields.

Right-click in the text field and choose the required menu item:

When you open the context menu on a leader arrow (without selecting the leader), a dialog box for selecting the arrow type will appear:

To create a note for multilayer constructions:

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is enabled

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. In the Note for Multilayered Constructions dialog box, select the required note options.
• 3. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 4. Click OK.
• 5. Specify a point on the object to which the leader arrow will be directed.
• 6. Specify the landing position on the drawing.

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is disabled

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. Specify the point on the object to which the leader arrow will be directed.
• 3. Specify the landing position.
• 4. In the Note for Multilayered Constructions dialog box, select the required note options.
• 5. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 6. Click ОК.

Node Note

This command opens the Node note dialog box to set the note options:

Options:

Use the icons to select the text alignment method:

By left edge.

By center.

By right edge.

Other icons and options:

The Insert special symbol icon opens the panel with the table of special

symbols, to select and insert them at the current cursor position in the text

input field.

The Notepad icon opens the Notepad dialog box.

The Match properties icon temporarily closes the dialog box to specify the inserted leader whose properties should be copied and applied to the newly-

created leader.

Node (sheet) number

An input line consisting of two fields to indicate the Node and Sheet number.

Node address Input line to specify the Node Address.

Inclination step of extension

lines:

Drop-down list to select the inclination.

In the list the following inclinations are available:

• Custom - the extension line is placed arbitrarily (by default);

• 15 - the extension line is placed in step multiples of 15°;

• 30 - the extension line is placed in step multiples of 30°;

• 45 - the extension line is placed in step multiples of 45°;

• 90 - the extension line is placed in step multiples of 90°.

The Options button opens the nanoCAD Design Settings dialog box – Symbols tab

The node note contains two input lines by default. The first input line consists of two fields for specifying the Node (sheet) number. The second input line is for specifying the Node Address.

Right-click in the text field and choose the required menu item:

When you open the context menu on a leader arrow (without selecting the leader), a dialog box for selecting the arrow type will appear:

To create a node note:

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is enabled

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. In the Node note dialog box, select the required note options.
• 3. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 4. Click OK.
• 5. Specify the oval/circle center.
• 6. Specify the oval/circle size.
• 7. Place the landing in the drawing.

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is disabled

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. Specify the center of the leader oval/circle.
• 3. Set the size of the leader oval/circle.
• 4. Place the leader landing on the drawing.
• 5. In the Node note dialog box, select the required note options.
• 6. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 7. Click ОК.

Linear Aligned Note

This command opens the Linear aligned note dialog box to set the note options:

Options:

Managing multiline text output above the leader. The transition to another line is performed by the CTRL+ENTER key combination.

Use the icons to select the text alignment method:

Other icons:

The Insert special symbol icon opens the panel with the table of special symbols, to select and insert them at the current cursor position in the text input field.

The Match properties icon temporarily closes the dialog box to specify the inserted leader whose properties should be copied and applied to the newly-created leader.

The Select line icon is used to override the insertion place of the extension line. The icon is available when you edit the marks of linear constructions inserted into the drawing.

The Auto repeat icon allows you to mark several linear constructions without a repeated command call. For each new leader, the Linear constructions marking dialog box will open to set new options for the leader, for example, new text.

The Multiple insert icon allows you to mark several linear constructions without a repeated command call. All leaders are drawn with same options and with the same text. To exit the cycle, press ENTER.

The Options button opens the nanoCAD Design Settings dialog box – Symbols tab.

By default, the Linear aligned note contains 2 input fields.

The first field is for the caption above the linear structure, the second is for the caption below the linear structure.

Right-click in the text field and choose the required menu item:

When you open the context menu on a leader arrow (without selecting the leader), a dialog box for selecting the arrow type will appear:

To create a linear aligned note:

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. In the Linear aligned note dialog box, select the required note options.
• 3. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 4. Click OK.
• 5. Select line of construction, on which the mark will be located.
• 6. Specify the text position.

Chain Note

The command opens the Chain note dialog box to set the note options:

A chain note has several coaxial (collinear) leader points connected successively.

If the first leader node is placed on a straight line segment, the note will be located perpendicular to this segment.

Options:

Managing multiline text output above the leader. The transition to another line is performed by the CTRL+ENTER key combination.

Framing the text under the leader.

Use the icons to select the style of the extension line:

Point.

Open arrow.

Half-arrow.

Oblique.

Use the icons to select the text alignment method:

By left edge.

By center.

By right edge.

Other icons:

The Insert special symbol icon opens the panel with the table of special symbols, to select and insert them at the current cursor position in the text input field.

The Notepad icon opens the Notepad dialog box.

The Match properties icon temporarily closes the dialog box to specify the inserted leader whose properties should be copied and applied to the newly-created leader.

The Add extension line icon is used to insert additional extension lines. The icon is available when you edit a chain note inserted into the drawing.

The Global options button opens the Settings nanoCAD dialog box – Symbols tab

By default, a chain note contains two input lines. The first line is for the caption above the leader landing, the second line is for the caption below the landing.

Right-click in the text field and choose the required menu item:

When you open the context menu on a leader arrow (without selecting the leader), a dialog box for selecting the arrow type will appear:

To create a chain note:

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is enabled

• 1. Run the command.
• 1. Run the command.
• 2. In the Chain note dialog box, select the required note options.
• 3. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 4. Click OK.
• 5. Specify the first leader node. To select an object, take the sElection command in the command line or the context menu. To freely specify a point on the drawing, select the frEe command.
• 6. Specify the next leader nodes.
• 7. After specifying the last node, press ENTER.
• 8. Place a leader landing on the drawing.

The Show dialog before inserting the object option is disabled

• 1. Run the command.
• 2. Specify the first leader node. To select the object in the command line or the context menu, select the sElection command. To freely specify a point on the drawing, select the frEe command.
• 3. Specify the next leader nodes.
• 4. After specifying the last node press ENTER.
  • 5. Place a leader landing on the drawing.
  • 6. In the Chain note dialog box, select the required note options.
  • 7. Enter the required text into the text fields.
• 8. Click ОК.

Editing the Leaders

When editing the leaders, the same dialog box as when creating these leaders will be opened, but some additional icons that are blocked when creating leaders will be available (for example, the Add extension line, Select line and others).

You can open a dialog to edit a leader by:

• placing the mouse cursor over the leader (the leader is highlighted in green) and clicking the right mouse button;
• selecting the leader, clicking the right button and selecting the Edit command in the context menu;
• double-clicking the left mouse button on the leader (in the nanoCAD Design Settings (PARAMS) dialog on the Main Options tab in the Edit section – By Double-click, the Program Objects parameter should be set to Yes);
• using the EDIT and FEDIT commands.

The In-place edit (IPEDIT) command or left-clicking on a leader while holding down the CTRL key allows you to edit a leader text directly in the drawing.

When you open the context menu on a leader arrow (without highlighting the leader), a dialog box appears to select the type of arrow:

You can also change the arrow type and size in the Properties bar:

It is very easy to edit leaders with grips (for more information, see “Advanced grips”).

You can also detach, append and edit extension lines with the appropriate commands from the Draw menu – the Notes item or from the Utilities toolbar.

Detach Leader

To detach a leader, it is necessary to select it in the drawing. The leader will be detached immediately after its selection.

Append Leader

To append leader:

• 1. Specify a point on the object(arrow position point).
• 2. If necessary, specify the number of intermediate points forming a break of leader.
• 3. Specify a point on the required leader inserted in the drawing, to finish the command.

Edit Leader

To edit leader:

• 1. Select a leader in the drawing.
• 2. Specify a point on the required leader to fix a new position for the leader.

Tables

The command opens the Create table dialog box to insert a new table. The dialog box is divided into 3 parts: the table type selection section, table options and additional insert options:

To create a non-standard table:

• 1. Click the Custom table item.
• 2. Use the numeric entry fields to set the parameters for the custom table. The number of rows or columns and cell sizes can be altered later when the table is first edited. When filling in the Columns and Rows fields, the first field is the length, the second is the quantity.

To insert a standard table:

• 1. Click the Load from base item.
• 2. A standard table can be inserted from the nanoCAD library:

3. Choose the desired table type in the dialog box. All basic standard tables are present in the nanoCAD library.

To insert a table from a file:

1. Click the Load from file item.

2. Click the Browse button and select the table file.

Supported formats:

• tbl tables format;
• dat data file or text file;
• mdb, accdb Microsoft Access database (for 32-bit Windows only);
• xls Microsoft Office Excel table;
• xlsx Microsoft Office Excel 2007 table;
• csv table, cells are divided by commas;
• txt standard text file;
• xml XML document.

When loading a table from *.xlsx, *.xls files, select an Excel document sheet and specify the range in the Query field. By default, the range of all data on the selected sheet is specified. If necessary, you can manually specify your own range or specify a named Excel range.

The Use origin format switch determines whether the cell formatting from the source document should be transferred to the table being created.

To do this:

1. In the Source query line, enter the required list from the document.

Note

In the table properties, the Source file line displays the path to the initial table.

2. Then in the Table edit dialog box click the Update table from external source icon.

To import tables from files, it is possible to drag a file from the browser to the Table edit dialog box.

When dragging a file from the browser into the table field, the imported table is added to the existing table.

When dragging a file from the browser into the dialog box field, the imported table replaces the existing table

To generate an object base report:

• 1. Click the Object based report item.
• 2. To choose the required objects, click the Select button:

3. Setting of search conditions is carried out in the Quick Selection dialog box:

4. Which attributes of the chosen objects the report is based on are also set in this dialog box. The attributes to be included in the report are switched by tags in the list or switches:

Buttons:

The report with a template of a view is created in the table:

=Iff(Exist(Object.”AttributeName”);Object.”AttributeName”;"")

This expression checks the existence of the given attribute line with the AttributeName name and uses its value in the cell. Otherwise, it leaves a cell empty:

The number of columns in the table is defined by the number of chosen attributes.

If the objects group was previously selected on the drawing and the Tables command is activated, then you will be offered the option to create an object-based report.

To import table from Excel:

1. Select the Import from Excel item.

Note

The document should be opened to make this item active.

The Use origin format switch determines whether the cell formatting from the source document should be transferred to the table being created.

2. Click OK and specify the table insertion point in the drawing:

To import a table from the clipboard

To make this option active, a table should be stored in the clipboard (for example, by copying an area from an Excel sheet).

Additional table insertion options

Table insertion point

One of four possible options shall be selected.

The row numbering method:

If the Bottom to top box is checked, the rows will be numbered in reverse order.

Work with Excel

Importing table from Excel

Ribbon: Annotate – Tables – Import from Excel

Menu: Draw – Table > Import Table

Toolbars: Tables, Utilities –

Command line: TABLEEXCELIMPORT

The command transfers data from an open MS Excel workbook sheet:

• 1. In the open Excel sheet, select the cells whose data you want to import into the nanoCAD table.
• 2. Go to the nanoCAD window, to the table editor and click the Import from Excel button.
• 3. The data will be transferred to the table.

Exporting table to Excel

Ribbon: Annotate – Tables – Export to Excel

Menu: Draw – Table > Export to Excel

Toolbars: Tables, Utilities –

Command line: TABLEEXCELEXPORT

The command is designed to transfer tabular data to MS Excel. After running the command, a new Excel workbook is opened and all tabular data is transferred to it, preserving the cell formatting set in the table .

IMPORTANT! The following data is not transferred from nanoCAD tables to Excel:

• –nanoCAD blocks;
• Formatted text;
• Formulas that do not correspond to Excel format.

Editing a table in the Properties bar