IRRICAD Link
Navigating the New Platform
What you need to know to get the most out of the new platform and how to customise IRRICAD Link.
Not to be used without express permission from Lincoln Agritech Ltd.
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1.1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.1 Table of Contents 3 1.2 Nomenclature 5 1.3 Helpful Background Information 6 1.3.1 Profiles and Workspaces 6 1.3.2 Templates 6 1.3.3 Setting Configurations 6 1.3.3.1 All Settings 6 1.3.3.2 Display Settings 7 1.3.3.3 Setting Required Paths 8 1.3.3.4 Log Files 10 1.3.4 Selection Options 10 1.3.4.1 Selecting Multiple Items 10 1.3.4.2 Quick Select 10 1.3.5 Repeating commands 12 1.3.6 Keyboard and Mouse Quick Tools 12 1.3.6.1 Mouse Wheel Uses 12 1.3.6.2 F Key Uses 12 1.3.6.3 Shift Key uses 13 1.3.6.4 Ctrl Key Uses 13 1.3.7 Helpful Commands and Useful Information 13 1.3.7.1 Snaps 13 1.3.7.2 Distance Ruler 14 1.3.7.3 Purge and Audit 14 1.3.7.4 Recover 14 1.3.7.5 Ortho and Polar 14 1.3.7.6 Replacement for Show Area Tool 14 1.3.7.7 More Useful Commands and Info 14 1.3.8 Status Bar Tools 15 1.4 Main Differences to Understand 16 1.4.1 Layers and IRRICAD Layers 16 1.4.1.1 Viewports and Layers 16 1.4.2 Text and Text Styles 16 1.4.2.1 Stacking Text 16 1.4.3 Item Properties / Editing Items 17 1.4.4 Symbols / Blocks 17 1.4.4.1 CAD Blocks (Symbols) 18 1.4.4.2 Management Symbol 18 1.4.5 Printing 18 1.4.5.1 Loading Additional Plot Layouts 18 1.4.5.2 Plotting 18 1.4.6 Sharing Designs 19 1.5 Annotation Scales 20 1.5.1 Default Scale List 20 1.5.2 Displaying Hatches, Gradients, Line Types, Text, Leaders and Dimensions in Layouts 21 1.5.2.1 Creating Presentation Components 22 1.5.2.2 Printing Presentation Components 23 1.5.2.3 Troubleshooting Display Issues 24 1.5.3 Line Type Displays 24 1.6 Customisations 25 1.6.1 Toolbars and Menus 25 1.6.1.1 Customising a Menu in BricsCAD 25 1.6.1.2 Creating a New Toolbar in BricsCAD 29 1.6.1.3 Customising a Menu in AutoCAD 31 1.6.1.4 Creating a New Toolbar in AutoCAD 33 1.6.2 Plot Layouts 35 1.6.2.1 Viewports 35
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1.6.2.2 Legends 35 1.6.2.3 Title Blocks and Logos 36 1.6.2.4 Scaling and Printing 38 1.7 Troubleshooting 39 1.7.1 Can’t Load Irricadmain CUI File 39 1.7.2 No Ribbons or Toolbars Loaded 40 1.7.3 Having Issues with the ARX / BRX not Loading 41
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1.2 NOMENCLATURE
Here is a short list of terms and phrases used through this manual.
CAD –BricsCAD and/or AutoCAD. The CAD program that IRRICAD Link has been installed / plugged in to.
Both – refers to both BricsCAD and AutoCAD, generally relating to a command that can be used in both programs.
Standalone – referring to IRRICAD Pro, Version 9 up to Version 15. Pro has been relabelled as “Standalone” to differentiate from IRRICAD Link.
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1.3 HELPFUL BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1.3.1 PROFILES AND WORKSPACES Profiles contains tools and settings for the environment.
A Workspace is the visual environment or decoration for the loaded profile, for example, a workspace determines which toolbars may be hidden or on.
You can change your profile via Tools|User Profile Manager. You can change your workspace via Tools|Customize or the CUI command.
Our recommendation is that you start with the IRRICAD profile and copy it then customise as required.
Your IRRICAD Link desktop icon contains the switch to automatically load the IRRICAD profile, which loads the IRRICAD Link application, sets various drawing defaults, and loads customized menus and toolbars. Running IRRICAD Link will make the IRRICAD profile the default one for your CAD progam unless you set the required profile switch on your AutoCAD or BricsCAD icon. See Irricad Options|Release Notes – Migrating from IRRICAD Pro Standalone to IRRICAD Link –> Other Helpful Details -> Desktop Short-cuts and Profiles.
1.3.2 TEMPLATES AutoCAD and BricsCAD use file templates in order to start with some pre-determined settings. In IRRICAD Link the default file template (.dwt) is called Irricad-Default – we have one for metric users and one for US units users. The default file template only contains two pre-loaded layout templates. Additional default templates can be found in the Irricad-Layouts .dwt file – one for metric users and one for US units users.
File and Layout templates can be modified. We suggest that if you are going to customise save a copy and customise that one. However, if you do need to go back to the default files and you’ve overwritten them there is a set in the Irricad Link\Config folder, commonly located in C:\Program Files\Irricad\Irricad Link \Config. After editing any layouts you can bring them into your preferred or customised file template.
The latest patch (V16.11) will include an updated set of templates in the Config folder, which include the layout field names/keywords. However ,there is a method that you can follow to add these keywords into your own templates – see Section 1.6.2.3.
1.3.3 SETTING CONFIGURATIONS Here are a few tips that sound easy but can make life with the new platform so much easier if you know about them.
If you are having trouble finding a setting that you used in IRRICAD see Irricad Options|Release Notes – Migrating from IRRICAD Pro Standalone to IRRICAD Link –> Finding Commands in IRRICAD Link for a list of common commands. For a complete list see Irricad Options|Help Topics – Technical Reference -> Complete Command Differences Between Pro V15 and Link V15.5/V16.
BricsCAD Only: Note that when on an option in the Settings / CONFIG dialog if it says “Drawing” on the bottom left then the setting/change will only be in that drawing. This is a good case for making a drawing template.
1.3.3.1 ALL SETTINGS
Most settings can be found in Settings|Settings (BricsCAD only) or via the CONFIG command (both). In BricsCAD if you can’t find what you are looking for there is a ‘search’ field to assist you.
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1.3.3.2 DISPLAY SETTINGS
Your display is customisable and you can set your preferences in the CONFIG.
LWT – line weight toggle. This is also on status bar to actually see different line widths. Because the line weights / line thickness are done in a different way than in IRRICAD Standalone they will not transfer if you are importing a converted DEZ design.
Line Type display – The line type will only display if the annotation scale is set so that the line type is visible at the required zoom.
BricsCAD:- Changing the background colour is found in CONFIG – Program Options – Display – Background Color. You can also access this via the BKG command, however you will need to know the colour number to be able to set this appropriately via the command line.
Cursor / Crosshairs size – This can be set via CONFIG – Program Options – Display – Crosshairs size.
Points display type– the PDMODE and PDSIZE commands. Also located in CONFIG - Drawing - Drafting - Entity Creation – Points (or search for PDMODE). You can have a point or a cross, with or without a circle and/or square. A negative cross size stays the same relative size during zooming, a positive size is the actual mm/m size and will increase or decrease in size whilst zooming. This is a drawing setting not a registry setting and could be something that you might want to set on your file template.
Program Options - Display – Prompt menu - floating options for tools. This is a registry setting. Quick tips of possible options for the current tool.
AutoCAD:- Changing the background colour is found in CONFIG – Display tab – Colours (button) – “2D Model Space”. 7 ••• Helpful Background Information Navigating the New Platform Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd
Cursor / Crosshairs size – This can be set via CONFIG – Display tab – “Crosshairs size”.
Points display type – the PDMODE and PDSIZE commands. You can have a point or a cross, with or without a circle and/or square. A negative cross size stays the same relative size during zooming, a positive size is the actual mm/m size and will increase or decrease in size whilst zooming. This is a drawing setting not a registry setting and could be something that you might want to set on your file template.
1.3.3.3 SETTING REQUIRED PATHS
AUTO SAVE FILES The autosave settings should be set so that each backup is a full save, happens more frequently, and saves to a location that you can access easily. The defaults are for 50% partial saves, every 60 minutes, and saving into your computer’s temp folder.
BricsCAD:- Change these settings via CONFIG - Program Options - Open and Save settings - Program Options – Files - Program Options – Files – File dialogs.
AutoCAD:- Change these settings via CONFIG - Files tab – Automatic Save Location - Open and Save tab.
The best settings are:-
- Have the Save percent set to 0 so that every save is a full rather than a partial save
- Set the “Save Time Interval” to 10 or 15 minutes
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- Have “Create BAK file” enabled
- In the Files section set the Save File path or location to somewhere easy to access, such as your Designs folder
SETTINGS DEFAULT FILES Instead of having to select the file template each time you start a new design here are some tips to streamline this:-
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1. If you use the QNEW command (or the ‘New File’ icon) the new drawing will be based on the file template used for the currently open drawing.
2. You can set the preferred file template in the settings / CONFIG. - In BricsCAD do this in Program Options – Files – Templates, - In AutoCAD do this in Files tab – Template Settings.
1.3.3.4 LOG FILES
In the event of a crash, or reference to past actions, it is helpful to have file logging turned on.
BricsCAD – use the LOGFILEON and LOGFILENAME commands - to confirm that logging is on and the destination and name and path of the log file.
AutoCAD – FILELOGON and FILELOGNAME commands - to confirm that logging is on and the destination and name of the log file.
1.3.4 SELECTION OPTIONS Selected items look and behave a little differently than IRRICAD Standalone:- - Click to select – in BricsCAD it will display as a dashed line with grips, in AutoCAD it will display as a blue line with grips. - Click on a grip to move a vertex - Click elsewhere on the boundary (not on a grip) to move the item.
1.3.4.1 SELECTING MULTIPLE ITEMS
Left to right window is a blue window - only fully included items are selected.
Right to left window is a green window - inclusive – like Standalone’s select crossing.
Shift with window will deselect selected items as per the type of window, or Shift and clicking on a selected item will de-select that item.
DON’T use Ctrl + A! This will also select items on off layers and unseen items – this will be A LOT of items. Use the Select Window options instead.
1.3.4.2 QUICK SELECT
Similar to Standalone’s Selection Filter, where you can build the filter based on item types and match criteria from the dropdown lists.
Selection Filtering in BricsCAD • The selection filter in BCAD is found through the Property panel:
• This gives a new dialog that lets you filter or edit the current selection, or create a new one:
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o Apply to current selection set – filter the currently selected items o Add to current selection set o Remove from current selection set o Add to new selection set • The selection combo is a quick way to select items by type (class):
• Select the IRR_Pipe filter (for example), and you can then further filter by object properties, using logical operators:
Examples: o Set the Type property filter as “Equals ZONE” and click the Add to new selection set button to select all of the ZONE pipes. o Set the Depth filter to “Greater or Equal 600” to find all pipes buried at 600mm or more. o Select all Pipes less than 1m long. o Select all “Design Only” pipes etc.
Selection Filtering in AutoCAD • The selection filter in ACAD is found through the Property panel “Quick Select” button:
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• This show the following dialog, which allows filter in much the same way as described for BCAD above:
1.3.5 REPEATING COMMANDS CAD tools are generally one action tools and therefore exit the tool immediately upon completion, e.g., drawing one line. However, pressing the space bar will repeat the last action. You can also set this for your right-click button however we don’t recommend this.
IRRICAD tools have been made to be as they were in Standalone. If they remained in the tool until you exited the tool then that is how they operate in Link as well. If drawing a pipe, for example, note that pressing Esc once will stop the current pipe and pressing Esc twice (double-escape) will exit the tool.
1.3.6 KEYBOARD AND MOUSE QUICK TOOLS
1.3.6.1 MOUSE WHEEL USES
As per normal you can zoom in and out with the mouse wheel based on the location of the cursor.
Double-clicking the mouse wheel activates the ZOOM EXTENTS command and is extremely handy.
1.3.6.2 F KEY USES
The F keys have been preset to the following actions or command:-
F1 - When in a current command press F1 for help. F1 when not in a command then get full BricsCAD or AutoCAD help.
F2 - command history.
F3 - toggle Snaps (ESNAP / OSNAP) on and off.
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F4 - toggle Tablet on and off.
F5 - cycle through Isoplan options. For an IRRICAD design the common setting is “Top”.
F6 - toggle Dynamic UCS on and off (User Coordinate System).
F7 - toggle Grid on and off
F8 - toggle Ortho mode on and off. The Shift key also toggles Ortho mode.
F9 - toggle Snap on and off. This is snaps for the grid, not ESNAP/OSNAP
F10 - toggle Polar tracking on and off.
F11 - toggle Object Snap Tracking on and off.
1.3.6.3 SHIFT KEY USES
The Shift key toggles Ortho mode on/off. Ortho is also toggled via the F8 key.
The Shift key is also used as the ‘opposite’ key. If an item is selected in order to deselect hold Shift key and click on item or use the select window options. Shift also works for trim/extend, copy, move and erase tools.
Shift + 2 for the @ symbol (relative coords based on last point).
Shift will lock a guideline on STRACK and POLAR when enabled.
1.3.6.4 CTRL KEY USES
Ctrl + 1 = hide / unhide Properties bar (BricsCAD only)
Ctrl + 2 = Drawing Explorer (Tools|Drawing Explorer). This will open on the section last used.
1.3.7 HELPFUL COMMANDS AND USEFUL INFORMATION
1.3.7.1 SNAPS
ESNAPS is OSNAPS in AutoCAD. If snaps are on but you need another one mid task (e.g., midpoint) can select from the toolbar or Prompt menu to over-ride others temporarily.
Snap Tracking STRACK on the status bar is “Snap tracking”, which assists you to connect to virtual points. For example, if you hover over the virtual intersection of two existing lines then you can place a point of object at this location.
If you select a tool, for example action CIRCLE, you can hover over as many virtual points from existing items as you want to snap track with, using these lines to find where you want to base the circle and then click to start drawing the circle. The Shift key will lock a guideline.
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1.3.7.2 DISTANCE RULER
This is a handy tool to measure distances of or between items. Use the DIST command or select from the Tools|Inquiry menu.
When elevation is present (3D lengths) don’t read the distance off the screen but press Enter and read the command line for an accurate reading.
You can use ESNAPS / OSNAPS to choose points.
1.3.7.3 PURGE AND AUDIT
It is a good habit to form to clean drawings sent to you before starting an IRRICAD design. You can run PURGE more than once to remove items that were referenced but weren’t purged in the earlier action. It is best to do this prior to selecting any IRRICAD tools or actions.
Running AUDIT on file that have been sent to you is also a good habit to form. Then any issues in the drawing will be fixed prior to starting the IRRICAD design.
1.3.7.4 RECOVER
It is not usually a good idea to use RECOVER on IRRICAD designs as this can completely break the file. However, if you have trouble opening a non-IRRICAD drawing from someone you can repair it by running RECOVER before opening the drawing.
1.3.7.5 ORTHO AND POLAR
Ortho and Polar modes constrain the mouse to specific angles. ORTHO is used for straight lines at 0, 90, 180, 270, 360 degrees whereas POLAR is used for straight lines for all other angles. Move the mouse until the guideline appears. The Shift key will lock a guideline.
POLAR tracking cannot be on when ORTHO is on therefore turning POLAR on will turn off ORTHO if it is on.
1.3.7.6 REPLACEMENT FOR SHOW AREA TOOL
For existing closed polylines the area is shown in the object properties. However, the tool most similar to IRRICAD’s Show Area tool in Standalone is Draw|Boundary… or Draw|Boundary Polyline … this will create a polyline (much like IRRICAD Standalone’s Seed Polygon) from which you can get the area.
1.3.7.7 MORE USEFUL COMMANDS AND INFO
Polygons and rectangles are described as polylines in the Properties bar.
Revision cloud (located in the Draw menu) is a tool used to emphasise changes and usually also contains a revision number (in triangle). If the revision cloud is ‘reversed’ this usually means that the enclosed item is ‘on hold’.
Solid fills are hatches. The command is HATCH. The FILLMODE command toggles the hatch display on and off.
Array / Path Array – this is “Associative” so that you can stretch path and array items will follow.
JOIN will fill in the gaps between separate entity as long as they are aligned.
ROTATE – use the base angle option to make the rotation based on an existing angle – pick points along the base.
LENGTHEN – click on which end you want length change to occur on.
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With DYN on (Dynamic Input) you can hover over grips (when selected) and see the dimensions of the closest sides.
OVERKILL – removes double-ups of lines. If have lines ontop of each other OVERKILL gets rid of superflous lines. Be craeful using this on an IRRICAD design.
ERASE – use the ‘outside’ window option to delete far off / unseen items.
C for Close.
The Draw Order option is in right-click menu after selecting the item.
1.3.8 STATUS BAR TOOLS
Turn on and off what tools you want accessible or visible on the Status Bar by clicking the last field and selecting or deselecting items.
RT on status bar is rollover tips.
Notes
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1.4 MAIN DIFFERENCES TO UNDERSTAND
1.4.1 LAYERS AND IRRICAD LAYERS Layers are managed by the CAD Layer Manager. Here you can create new layers or set properties for layers.
IRRICAD needs to know what layers you would like the different entities to go on to automatically. This version of IRRICAD allows complete control over this. For example, if you want Spot Heights and Contours to always be on their own layers:-
1. In the Layer Manager create a new layer IRR_SPOT_HEIGHTS.
2. Edit the name of the Elevations layer e.g. IRR_CONTOURS and close the layer manager
3. In Irricad Options|Layers set the required layer for each description, e.g., set “Contours” to IRR_CONTOURS and “Spot Heights” to IRR_SPOT_HEIGHTS .
4. When finished click the [Save as Defaults] button and then [OK] .
Now each new IRRICAD design will have these settings.
The layer manager can also be accessed by:- - Ctrl + 2 – Layers option - LA - via Tools|Drawing Explorer – Layers option
When in the layer manager Ctrl + A will select all layers so you can turn them all off or all on.
Freezing a layer – effectively makes these items not exist. Performance enhancement. Might need to REGEN when unfreezing the layers.
Isolate layers – this function will leave on the selected item’s layer and turn all others off. You can select multiple items for this action. It can be accessed via the LAYISO or ISOLATELAYERS command.
1.4.1.1 VIEWPORTS AND LAYERS
Each viewport has its own settings and when in paperspace you can stop layers from printing by turning them off in the “VP Freeze” column in the Layer Manager. Note that you should not do this to the VPORT layer as you need to see the viewport outline to be able to print to scale.
1.4.2 TEXT AND TEXT STYLES There are two types of text – TEXT and MTEXT (multi-text). MTEXT is completely customisable after being placed, can have multiple lines, can contain fields, and is therefore the most versatile of the two options.
CAD uses Text Styles instead of individual properties. One of the advantages of this is that any changes are globally applied, negating the need to edit each piece of text individually. You can also set a particular size for a text style, though this can be set to be a manually specified text height. See Tools|Drawing Explorer| Text Styles.
1.4.2.1 STACKING TEXT
Text can be stacked vertically or horizontally:- For example 100/5000 – highlight and click button in 100 MTEXT becomes /5000 or
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Additionally, to include a superscript of subcript letter or number the “^” symbol is used (located above the #6 key). The position of the character and required super/sub-scripted text is important. For example:- - for 500m 3 type 500m3^ and highlight the “3^” before clicking the ‘stack’ button - for BROWN 5 type BROWN^5 and highlight the “^5” before clicking the ‘stack’ button.
1.4.3 ITEM PROPERTIES / EDITING ITEMS Editing IRRICAD items is the same as you are familiar with – double-click on the item. If the item is part of an irrigation block then you will be asked to select the irri block or the single entity.
Some editing of CAD items can be done via the properties bar. In BricsCAD this is usually on the right- hand side. Other properties, such as length, angle, etc., are not editable however circle radii, diameter, etc., are editable.
Note that for polygons, lines and polylines you cannot edit the length or length of the sides. It is therefore important to enter the correct length of each side when inputting the item. There are many ways to do this. One way is setting the “dimension” option after the actioning the tool. Another way is by direct entry when dynamically drawing the object. For this 2 nd method set the dynamic input on via the DYN command.
1.4.4 SYMBOLS / BLOCKS What we know as symbols in standalone IRRICAD are called ‘Blocks’ in CAD.
If you have any database symbols that you created for use in the Standalone version you can transfer these over into the new format.
To do this:-
1. Draw the symbol(s) in IRRICAD Standalone via the Draw|Symbol tool and export to DWG format – you can place many symbols on the one design if you wish. For best results ensure that the AutoCAD Windows colour map is selected in Settings|Import/Export Settings - DWG Width Export . 2. Open the host CAD (note that if the symbols will be used in both programs it is best to convert them in AutoCAD ©). Open the new dwg file via File|Open. 3. Select the symbol and EXPLODE it. 4. Rescale the symbol components to fit within approximately 1 x 1 square, using the SCALE tool, and move them to coordinates 0,0 using the MOVE tool and entering 0,0 . This will ensure that the size of entities created with this symbol will conform to the existing base database symbol size setting. 5. Then select the symbol components and run the WBLOCK function to write to a DWG file. In the dialog select the “Object” or “Entities” option and the “Pick point” for the base point. Enter a file name and browse for the path. Click [OK]. Database symbols will need to be saved into the \Symbols\Database installation folder, commonly located in C:\Program Files\Irricad\Irricad Link xx\Symbols\Database. 6. Choose the base insertion point by clicking (normally the center or on a corner of the symbol depending on your requirements). Note that when converting database symbols choosing a suitable point is important as this will be where pipes etc., connect to.
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1.4.4.1 CAD BLOCKS (S YMBOLS )
To place blocks use the Insert|Insert Block tool.
The best way to make CAD blocks is to use WBLOCK so that you can select the folder to save it in to. This also allows you to select an insertion point.
However, you can simply highligt the required items and use Ctrl + C. This will give the block a random name. Then Edit|Paste as Block (Ctrl + Shift + V). Alternatively, use Edit|Copy with Base Point to have precise control over its placement.
EXPBLOCKS will open the Drawing Explore – Blocks for the Block List for the current drawing.
If you make a block and have many copies you can change one block and all entities will update. To do this double-click on one of the blocks. This will open the Reference Edit dialog. Click OK and make the required changes, e.g., additions / hatches etc., then use REFCLOSE and save the changes. All of the same entities will update.
1.4.4.2 MANAGEMENT SYMBOL
The management symbol is now available under the Insert|Block tool.
1.4.5 PRINTING Although you can print from the Model space the usual way will be to print from a layout with the legend and title block present.
1.4.5.1 LOADING ADDITIONAL PLOT LAYOUTS
Additional layouts can be added by right-clicking on a Layout tab and selecting “From template…”. Additional IRRICAD templates can be select from the Irricad_Layouts DWT file.
1.4.5.2 PLOTTING
The procedure includes:-
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- Zooming to or positioning the part of the plan to print
- Setting the scale
- Setting up the print parameters, printer, etc.
- Printing.
Line Weights You can toggle lineweights on and off in the Model Space via the “LWT” on the status bar. Default lineweights for future mainline and zone pipes can be set in Irricad Options|Irrigation – Design Specific .
The issue with seeing lineweights in the layout or print preview is the screen resolution. Line weights may not display in the Layout (also controlled via LWT) however they will print as long as you have “Plot Entity Line Weights” enabled. If you are using a Plot Style then in the Form View section of the Plot Style table you should see “Use object Lineweight” enabled for each colour.
If you preview an A4 (A) or A3 (B) sized print then you may see the different lineweights quite easily. When you preview larger paper sizes, such as A2 (D) or A1 (E), it looks like the lineweights aren’t being printed however it is simply the scaling of the page to the screen size. If you print to PDF and zoom in (100%+ scaling as applicable) you will see the different lineweights.
To Print in Colour Make sure that ‘Plot Styles’ is not on in the page Setup or that the default plot style is selected. If you have selected another plot style option make sure that the plot style is going to print in colour if you want a colour print. You can edit the existing plot styles or create your own.
1.4.6 SHARING DESIGNS If you need to send a design away to someone else:-
To send drawing with images or xrefs go to File|eTransmit/Upload then click @ button. Pick and choose what to send. [Transmit]. You can set save format/version. You can also set all to Relative path (update image paths, update xrefs paths) and output to a folder or zip file.
If you XREF an IRRICAD design into an IRRICAD design you won’t be edit the XREF through the current design – you will need to open the original drawing and edit it. Note that you won’t be able to connect these two designs together and are for viewing purposes only.
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1.5 ANNOTATION SCALES
Annotation scales are used to display hatches, gradients, line types, text, leaders and dimensions regardless of the printing scale.
1.5.1 DEFAULT SCALE LIST If you have started a new design using the IRRICAD file template this is prepopulated with scales that most of you are familiar with using in IRRICAD designs:-
However, if you are sent a background from someone else it is likely that the drawing will not contain the IRRICAD scales. You can add scales on the fly via the SCALELISTEDIT function though fixing the Default Scale List will mean that you only have to do this once.
To add the required scales to the default scale list:- - in BricsCAD V18+ use DEFAULTSCALELIST
- in AutoCAD via CONFIG – User Preferences tab – Default Scale List button:-
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A list of common scales is located in Irricad Options|Help Topics - User Manual > How to Customize BricsCAD® / AutoCAD© - Editing Layout Templates - IRRICAD Scales. This list will also help you with the required format if you want to add some additional scales. Close IRRICAD Link so that these chnages are saved to the registry.
Once you have created the Default Scale List, and saved it to the registry, you can update the scales available in any drawing by actioning SCALELISTEDIT and clicking the green ‘reset’ button.
1.5.2 DISPLAYING HATCHES , GRADIENTS , LINE TYPES , TEXT , LEADERS AND DIMENSIONS IN LAYOUTS Presentation components can be drawn at a set size or, alternatively, scaled automatically via an annotation setting.
When these types of items are created they can be set to have “Annotative” on or off. - Text – by setting in Tools|Drawing Explorer|Text Styles – click on the Annotation column for the current style (e.g. Standard) to toggle on and off - Dimensions and Leaders - by setting in Tools|Drawing Explorer|Dimension Styles – ISO – “Annotative” to set to Yes or No - Hatch – in the Hatch dialog box enable or disable “Annotation”.
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When enabled, the annotative scale allows these presentation elements to be automatically adjusted and appear consistent when plotted at different scales. Items can have several annotation scales to match the plotting scales.
Annotative scales can be set in :- - the model space on the status bar. If it is not present right-click on the far right end of the status bar and select “Annotation Scale” - the item (e.g., hatch) itself – based on the model space annotation scale at the time of creation but can be modified via Properties - the Viewport annotation scale.
1.5.2.1 CREATING PRESENTATION COMPONENTS
The model space annotation scale is used when annotative items are created, if the items settings are set to have Annotative on. For example, if the Annotation Scale is set to 1”:50’ when you create an annotative hatch, then the annotative scale for the hatch will also be 1”:50’.
Additional Annotation Sacles can be added to an item by: 1. Select the item to view the Properties. 2. Right-click on the “Annotative Scale” field. 3. Click the [Add] button and select an additional scale as required.
4. Repeat until all required scales have been added.
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This means that this hatch will be printable when the “Annotation Scale” setting for the Viewport matches one of these three object scales.
1.5.2.2 PRINTING PRESENTATION COMPONENTS
Each Viewport has its own scale. When printing an IRRICAD design the usual way to specify the print scale is to set the Viewport “Standard Scale” to the required IRRICAD Scale. Setting the Viewport “Annotation Scale” will also reset the “Standard Scale” to the same value. You can, of course, make the “Standard Scale” different from the “Annotation Scale”, however do this after setting the “Annotation Scale”.
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1.5.2.3 TROUBLESHOOTING DISPLAY ISSUES
If the item does not display as required:- - Check that the required annotation scale has been added to all annotative items. You can add additional scales in the Properties bar “Annotative” field - Set the Viewport annotation scale by highlighting the viewport rectangle and in the Properties bar and change the “Annotation Scale” to the known required annotation scale. (Note that the default for IRRICAD layouts is 1”:10’ (US units) or 1:10,000 (metric units)). or - Set “Annotative” to No in your hatches or items - you can use Quick Select to do this in one action.
Note that if you are annotating the model, such as placing dimensions that are required on all layout views, then you should be setting the appropriate annotation scale for the dimension text to display as required. If you annotate the paper space, so that it is only visible in the one layout, then the dimension etc., will be automatically scaled.
1.5.3 LINE TYPE DISPLAYS For the different line types to display in the Model space you need to have the MSLTSCALE set to 1 – which is turning this setting on. Then the current annotation scale is applied to the line types. Select asuitable scale as discussed in the previous chapter.
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1.6 CUSTOMISATIONS
1.6.1 TOOLBARS AND MENUS The toolbars and menus are completely customisable. One reason you may want to customise a menu or toolbar could be because you have custom reports. In IRRICAD Standalone any report FPC file added to the Reports location is automatically included in the refreshed reports list. That is not the case with BricsCAD or AutoCAD and, although you can access the custom reports via the command line, in order to have them present in the menu or toolbar they will have to be added individually.
1.6.1.1 CUSTOMISING A MENU IN BRICS CAD
These notes are based on BricsCAD 2017.
1. Enter CUI in the command line or right-click on a toolbar and select Customize…
2. Go to the “Menus” tab and in both panes minimise “BRICSCAD”.
Left Pane: The left panel is the arrangement of the commands in the menus/toolbars/ribbons etc. Right Pane: The right panel is the commands. This is where you would add new commands. These new commands can be dragged over to the correct position in the left panel. The right panel is the information about each command. For example, here you can see the macro that the menu item/toolbar icon will run when actioned.
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3. To insert a new command go the right-hand pane and open the ‘group’ that you want to add the tool to, such as “Reports”. Select a silimar report, e.g., “BOM with Costs” and right click. Now select the “Insert Tool” option.
4. Enter a title, some decriptive information and the command. You can copy an existing tools command and then just make the required adjustments. For a report command you willalso need “^c^cIRR_REP;” followed by the exact report file name, e.g. “BOMEXPORT.fpc”.
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5. Browse for the image file that you want to use. We recommend that you select a large and small image. If the file is already loaded select the “Resource” image option. If not, select the “Bitmap” image option.
Or
If you would like more numbered report icons (up to #99) please contact [email protected].
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6. After making the new command drag it from the right pane into the correct position in the left pane.
7. Click OK when finished to save the changes. Your new command will now be available in the menu.
Once the new command has been created it can be used for both Menus and Toolbars. You can also remove items from the left pane via right-click|Delete.
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Note that if you want to permanently replace a report with a customised report template simply change the command to point to the new template file.
1.6.1.2 CREATING A NEW TOOLBAR IN BRICS CAD
These notes are based on BricsCAD 2017.
1. To create a new toolbar right-click on an existing toolbar in the left pane and select “Insert toolbar”.
2. Enter a new toolbar name, for example “Reports”.
3. Drag the toolbars up or down in to the to required position.
4. Highlight the new toolbar and set the required properties. For example, I have set the Position to “Top” and the Default Display to “Add to Workspaces”.
5. Drag commands from the right pane over to the left pane. I have dragged 4 different reports into the new Reports toolbar.
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6. Click OK when finished to save the changes.
7. In the Model space you will need to turn on the new Report toolbar. Right-click on any toolbar area and open the “IRRICAD” option. You will see your new toolbar in the list. Click on it to turn on. Your new toolbar will appear. Drag to position it as required. Close BricsCAD and re-open to save the change permanently.
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1.6.1.3 CUSTOMISING A MENU IN AUTO CAD
These notes are based on AutoCAD 2017.
1. Enter CUI in the command line.
2. Change to the irricadacadcui.cuix file. This filters out all the other non-IRRICAD commands so that the IRRICAD commands are easy to see and find.
3. Make the dialog full screen so you can see the [Apply] button at the bottom right.
Top left panel: This is the arrangement of the commands in the menus/toolbars/ribbons etc. Bottom left panel: This is the command list. This is where you would add new commands. These new commands can be dragged up to the correct position in the top left panel. Right panel is the information about each command. For example, here you can see the macro that the menu item/toolbar icon will run when actioned.
4. To insert a new command go the the bottom left panel and find similar commands to the one you want to create, such as the “BOM” report, and highlight it.
5. Now click the new command icon, which is located at the top of this panel.
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A new command “Command 1” will be created.
6. Highlight “Command 1”. The details can now be added on in the right-hand panel. Enter a name, some decriptive information and the macro command. You can copy an existing tools command and then just make the required adjustments. For a report command you will also need “^c^cIRR_REP;” followed by the exact report file name, e.g. “BOMEXPORT.fpc”.
7. Make sure that you replace the automatic “Element ID” with something sensible and starting with “irr_ “. These names will be all you will see in some other places (rather than the description or file name). 8. Browse for the image file that you want to use. We recommend that you select a large and small image. If the file is already loaded, at the top of the right panel select the “Small image” or “Large Image” image option respectively before clicking on an icon. If the required icon file is not loaded click the brose button […] to select the required isons for the large and small images.
If you would like more numbered report icons (up to #99) please contact [email protected] .
9. After making a new command [Apply] the changes.
10. In the top left panel open the “Menu” option and then the required menu option, such as “Reports” and any required sub menus, such as “Costing/BOM Reports”.
Now drag the new command from the bottom left panel up to the required position in the top panel. Click [Apply] and [OK]. Your new command will now be available in the menu.
Once the new command has been created it can be used for both Menus and Toolbars. You can also remove items from the top panel by right-click|Remove.
Note that if you want to permanently replace a report with a customised report template simply change the command to point to the new template file.
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1.6.1.4 CREATING A NEW TOOLBAR IN AUTO CAD
These notes are based on AutoCAD 2017.
1. To create a new toolbar right-click on the “Toolbars” optionin the top left panel and select “New Toolbar”. A new toolbar “Toolbar 1” will be created at the bottom of the list of available toolbars.
2. Drag the toolbars up or down in to the required position.
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3. Highlight “Toolbar 1” and in the right panel edit the properties. In my example I am making a Reports toolbar and have set the Position to “Top” and the Default Display to “Add to Workspaces”. Note that the selected “Orientation” will override any position you drag the toolbar to in the Model view.
4. Now drag commands from the bottom pane up to the top pane, into the required toolbar. I have dragged 4 different reports into the new Reports toolbar.
5. Click OK when finished to save the changes and [Apply] to close the dialog.
6. In the Model space move the new toolbar to where you want it. Then enter the command WSAUTOSAVE 1 as this will save your current CUI and workspace.
You can lock the location of your new toolbar (so that it isn’t accidentally moved) by right-clicking it and selecting Lock Location|Docked Toolbars/Panels (if floating was not selected in the above properties).
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Also note that the position of the toolbar is governed by its workspace settings: If you move a toolbar upon restart it will be back in the position saved in it workspace:
1.6.2 PLOT LAYOUTS IRRICAD Link comes complete with a range of layouts. These can be customised for different orientations, paper sizes, title blocks, company logos, etc.
1.6.2.1 VIEWPORTS
To create a viewport go to View|Paper space views and simply place top left and bottom right corners (MVIEW). Can also turn an existing object, e.g. circle, into a viewport by using the VPORT OBJECT command and selecting the item.
For use in IRRICAD the Viewport has to be set up correctly so that the correct topographical scale can be automatically calculated. More detail is available in Irricad Options|Help Topics - User Manual > How to Customize BricsCAD® / AutoCAD© - Editing Layout Templates - Setting the Correct Scale of the Viewport.
1.6.2.2 LEGENDS
Legends are much more customisable than they are in IRRICAD Standalone and you can edit them very easily as required to create the desired legend in each design.
Select Irricad Tools|Populate Legend to create legends or to update the legend after any changes. Once the legend has been populated you can easily make any required changes by selecting a legend rectangle and double-clicking on the the grey outline of a legend to bring up the properties:-
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The legend type can be Pipe , Symbol , or Combined . The other attributes specify the size or length of the symbol or pipe, and text. Adjust as required as per your preference. Note that the IRR_LEGSPACING is a percentage of the text size.
If you want to change the line weight for the ‘pipes’ in the legend you can do so by setting the required size in the layer properties for the IRR_LEGEND layer.
1.6.2.3 TITLE BLOCKS AND LOGOS
Adding Additional Keywords to the Layout: When editing a Layout template you may wish to add additional field names to auto-populate the layout with required information.
The available field names are:
Layout Field Names Use IRR_CompanyLegalName Company name - from Irricad Options|Company - Company Formal Name IRR_DesignDate Design date - from Irricad Options|Design Details - Headings Date. Date is created when design is started IRR_Designer Designer - from Irricad Options|Miscellaneous - Designer IRR_DesignSite Design title / site - from Irricad Options|Design Details - Headings Site IRR_ClientName Client name - from Irricad Options|Client - Client Name IRR_DesignNotes Design notes - from Irricad Options|Design Details - Headings Notes / Comments IRR_BranchCity Branch city - from Irricad Options|Company - Branch City
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IRR_CompanyAddress Company address - from Irricad Options|Company - Company Address IRR_CompanyPhone Company phone - from Irricad Options|Company - Company Phone IRR_CompanyFax Company fax - Irricad Options|Company - Company Fax IRR_JobAddress Job address - from Irricad Options|Design Details – Miscellaneous Job Address IRR_QuoteNumber Quote number - from Irricad Options|Design Details – Miscellaneous Quote Number IRR_DesignDescription Design Details Description IRR_ClientShortName Client Details Short Name IRR_ClientAddress Client Details Address IRR_ClientHomePhone Client Details Home Phone IRR_ClientWorkPhone Client Details Work Phone IRR_ClientFax Client Details Fax IRR_ClientCode Client Details Code (3 chars only) IRR_EndDate End Date IRR_StartDate Start Date IRR_AcceptanceDate Acceptance date IRR_RepCode Rep Code IRR_RepName Rep Name IRR_LaborHours Labor Hours IRR_Mileage Mileage IRR_InstallCost Installation Cost IRR_Signitary Signitary IRR_SignitaryTitle Signitary Title IRR_LaborCost Labor Cost IRR_MileageCost Mileage Cost IRR_TaxRate Tax Rate IRR_CompanyShortName Company Short Name IRR_CompanyName Company Full Name IRR_BranchCode Branch Code IRR_BranchName Branch Name IRR_BranchPhone Branch Phone IRR_BranchFax Branch Fax IRR_BranchAfterHoursPhone Branch After Hours Phone IRR_BranchContact Branch Contact
For more information read Irricad Options|Help Topics – Technical Reference -> Appendix I: Labels and Plot Layouts -> Plot Layout Fields Names.
When editing a dwt file you should not access any IRRICAD tasks as this ‘breaks’ the file for use in IRRICAD Link. Therefore, in order to add IRRICAD field names to the dwt template follow the below steps:-
1. Make sure you have applied the 16.09 or later patch. This will install the required lsp file. Run AutoCAD or BricsCAD without IRRICAD Link loaded. To do this make sure that the profile switch on the desktop icon is set to the default or required AutoCAD or BricsCAD Profile. For more information read Irricad Options|Help Topics – Overview and Installation -> Troubleshooting the Installation -> Default BricsCAD or AutoCAD Loads IRRICAD Menus .
2. In Model space APPLOAD the "Irricad Custom Props.lsp" located in the "Config" folder of your IRRICAD Link installation (e.g., C:\Program Files\Irricad\Irricad Link AutoCAD 2018\Config). Now action the IRRICADPROPS command and the custom properties will be applied to the current file.
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3. Go to the required layout tab and action MTEXT, specify the location for the field on the screen and press
4. Select the required field name and click OK on both the dialog and formatting bar. The new field will contain dashes until it is populated.
5. To modify the text size double-click on the field and change the text style and enter the required height. Click OK.
Note that layouts can be saved to a separate file and added to any template or drawing as required. To save the current layout enter LAYOUT SA. To save the complete the template simply use the normal Save options.
Adding Images to a Layout:- It is a good idea to add the image as an OLE so that the image is not a XREF with potentially other entities being introduced. If you embed a raster image in a DWG file as an OLE object the image will be saved completely within the DWG file. Follow these steps:
1. Open the raster image in an image editing application, such as Microsoft® Paint or Adobe® Photoshop.
2. Click Edit menu > Select All, or press CTRL+A.
3. Click Edit menu > Copy, or press CTRL+C.
4. In AutoCAD, click Edit menu > Paste Special or PASTESPEC.
5. In the Paste Special dialog box, select the options Paste and Picture (Metafile) and then click OK.
6. Place the image in the drawing.
The image will probably have a frame and you can set how this displays and prints:-
OLEFRAME 0 – no frame shown and frame does not print OLEFRAME 1 – frame will be visible and will also print OLEFRAME 2 – the frame will be visible (good for repositioning) however frame will not print.
1.6.2.4 SCALING AND PRINTING
Once you have zoomed and set the scale correctly you can lock the display - highlight the viewport boundary and in the Properties bar change the “Display Locked” setting to Yes . This ensures that if you accidentally scroll when in model space it won’t change the current zoom/placement.
Enter PRINT, or right-click on the layout tab and select Print…, and select the required printer. Preview if required and when ready click the [Print] button. You may wish to enter a “Plot Offset” in the dialog. Alternatively, centralize the plan/legend before printing – close the dialog and in the Layout use Ctrl + A to select all before moving.
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1.7 TROUBLESHOOTING
Firstly note that cui files live in C:\Users\vivierj\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2018\R22.0 \enu\Support or C:\Users\vivierj\AppData\Roaming\Bricsys\BricsCAD\V18x64 \en_US\Support as per the CAD version.
Secondly note that templates live in C:\Users\vivierj\AppData\Local\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2018\R22.0 \enu\Template or C:\Users\vivierj\AppData\Local\Bricsys\BricsCAD\V18x64 \en_US\Templates as per the CAD version.
1.7.1 CAN ’T LOAD IRRICADMAIN CUI FILE
In AutoCAD enter CONFIG and go to Files – Customisation Files – Main Customisation Files.
In BricsCAD enter CONFIG and go to Program Options - Files – Menu name.
If the Irricadmainacad or Irricadmainbcad is there check the folder itself. If the cui files are not present you can copy them over from your installed IRRICAD Link Config folder, commonly located in D:\Program Files\Irricad\Irricad Link AutoCAD2018\Config or D:\Program Files\Irricad\Irricad Link BricsCAD18\Config. 39 ••• Troubleshooting Navigating the New Platform Copyright Lincoln Agritech Ltd
1.7.2 NO RIBBONS OR TOOLBARS LOADED As long as the CUI files are present and specified as above then the problem is likely the workspace. For IRRICAD you will want to be using the “Irricad Standalone” or “Irricad Addon” workspace. Commonly, if you are an existing user of AutoCAD or BricsCAD, you will want to use the “Irricad Addon” workspace as this will add to your existing customisation rather than replace it.
The command WSCURRENT will tell you what your current workspace is. You can reset this in the command line or use CUI to open the user interface customisation dialog. Set the required workspace as your current workspace then [Apply] and [OK].
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1.7.3 HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ARX / BRX NOT LOADING Go to CONFIG – Files. Add the location of the ARX or BRX file to the “Support File Search Path”and the “Trusted Locations”. [Apply] and [OK] and restart IRRICAD Link.
If the issues persist use APPLOAD command to make sure the arx/brx file is being loaded. If it isn’t, add it and include it in the history so that it always loads.
One way to check if IRRICAD is loaded is to type IRR_ - you should then see a list of IRRICAD commands.
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