Keysign the COMPREHENSIVE SIGN DESIGN PROGRAM

KeySIGN THE COMPREHENSIVE SIGN DESIGN PROGRAM

Version 19.5 TOC

Chapter 1 - Introduction 15

1.1 Welcome to KeySIGN 15

1.2 Overview of this Manual 16

1.3 Installing KeySIGN 17

1.4 Softlock Licencing 18

1.5 Error Messages and Backups 18

1.6 Upgrading from Earlier Versions 19

1.7 Conventions Used in this Manual 19

1.8 Help is at Hand 20

Chapter 2 - Drawing Commands 22

2.1 General Concepts 22

2.2 The AutoCAD Window 23

2.2.1 The Ribbon Menus 24

2.2.2 The Command Line 25

2.2.3 The Pull-down Menus 26

2.2.4 The Toolbar Menus 26

2.2.5 The AutoCAD Status Bar 27

2.2.6 The Drawing ‘Canvas’ in a New Document 27

- 2 - 2.3 File Handling Commands 27

2.3.1 Starting New Drawings: NEW, QNEW 28

2.3.2 Opening Existing Drawings: OPEN 28

2.3.3 Saving Your Work: SAVE, QSAVE, SAVEAS 28

2.4 Basic AutoCAD Commands and Functions 29

2.4.1 Grid & Snap Drawing Aid 29

2.4.2 Command Selection 29

2.4.3 Object Selection 31

2.4.4 The Pan Command: PAN 32

2.4.5 The Zoom Command: ZOOM 33

2.4.6 The Line Command: LINE 34

2.4.7 The Polyline Command: PLINE 35

2.4.8 The Arc Command: ARC 36

2.4.9 The Move Command: MOVE 37

2.4.10 The Copy Command: COPY 38

Chapter 3 - Overview of Sign Design with KeySIGN 40

3.1 Design Methodology 40

3.1.1 Sign Design Basics 40

3.1.2 The GRID Drawing Aid Used for Sign Design 41

3.1.3 The SNAP Drawing Aid Used for Sign Design 42

3.1.4 Command Selection 42

3.2 KeySIGN Text 43

- 3 - 3.2.1 Transport Fonts 43

3.2.2 Drawing Transport Font text 44

3.2.3 Text Display Representations 45

3.2.4 Text Kerning 47

3.2.5 Special Keyboard Keys 47

3.2.6 Mixed X-height Signs 48

3.3 Inserting Symbols and Arrows: SYMBOL, ARROW 49

3.3.1 Inserting Symbols: SYMBOL 51

3.3.2 Inserting Arrows: ARROW 52

3.4 Drawing Map Type Signs 52

3.4.1 Some Basic Principles 52

3.5 Drawing Borders 54

3.6 Detailing the Finished Designs 55

Chapter 4 - Detailed Command Reference 56

4.1 Text Commands 56

4.1.1 Transport Font Text: HEAVY, MEDIUM, MWAY and MBAY 56

4.1.2 Destination Block: DESTINATIONBLOCK 59

4.1.3 Drawing Routes and Route Patches: ROUTE 63

4.1.4 Route Cancelled Slash: RTCANCEL 65

4.1.5 Changing the Appearance of Signs and Text 66

Simplex Rep 68

Outlined Rep 68

- 4 - Real Rep 69

4.1.6 Initial Text Settings: KTS_TEXTREPRESENTATIONSETTINGS 69

4.1.7 Real Text 71

4.1.8 Distance Text: MILES 72

4.1.9 Text Limits: UKCMARK 73

4.1.10 Adding Tile Marks to Any Sign Elements: CMARKBOX 74

4.1.11 Primary and Regional Destinations: DESTINATIONS 74

4.2 Bilingual Signing (Wales and Scotland) 75

4.2.1 Accents 76

4.2.2 Bilingual Destinations 78

4.2.3 Welsh Library Signs 80

4.2.4 Welsh Brackets and a Welsh patch 81

4.3 Map Symbol Drawing Commands 83

4.3.1 Standard Round Roundabout 84

4.3.2 Oval Roundabouts 84

4.3.3 Mini Roundabouts 85

4.3.4 Other Layouts 85

4.3.5 Adding an Entry Arm to a Roundabout Symbol: ENTRYARM 86

4.3.6 Adding an Exit Arm to a Roundabout Symbol: EXITARM 86

4.3.7 Adding a Stub Arm to a Roundabout Symbol: STUB 87

4.3.8 Adding a ‘Ghost’ Stub to a Roundabout Symbol: GHOSTSTUB 88

4.3.9 Inserting a Cul-de-sac Symbol on a Roundabout Exit Arm: CULDESAC 89

- 5 - 4.3.10 Implementing the ‘Two Thirds’ Rule on Horizontal Arms: ARM 89

4.3.11 Stretching Map Approach Arms Down to a Border: ENTRY 90

4.3.12 Stretching Exit Arms at any Angle: ARMSTRETCH 90

4.3.13 Junction Arms with signs: TRIARM, ROUNDARM 91

4.3.14 Cross Roads Map Symbols: XRDS 93

4.3.15 Common Road Symbols: 94

4.3.16 Adding a destination arm: MAPARM 95

4.3.17 Drawing Multi-way Junctions: MAPBUILD 95

4.3.18 Colour Filling Map Symbols: MAPSYMBOLJOIN 97

4.3.19 Filleting Joints Between Manually Drawn Map Arms: FILLET1 97

4.4 Alignment, Construction and Spacing Tools 97

4.4.1 ‘Shrink-to-fit’ Construction Boxes: SBOX 97

4.4.2 Destination Block Spacing Tool: BLOCKSPACING 98

4.4.3 Variable Block Spacing: VBLOCKSPACING 99

4.4.4 Alignment Tools: Various commands 99

4.4.4.1 ALIGNLEFTS, ALIGNTOPTOBOTTOM etc. 101

4.4.4.2 ALIGNCENTRES and ALIGNMIDDLES 101

4.4.4.3 CENTREGROUPH and CENTREGROUPV 102

4.5 Border Drawing Commands 103

4.5.1 Sign Border Drawing Commands: ONESTACK, TWOSTACK, THREESTACK AND FOURSTACK 103

4.5.2 Direction ‘Flag’ Sign Borders: FLAG 104

- 6 - 4.5.3 MoD Panel and Flag: MODFLAG, MODPANEL 105

4.5.4 Adding Route Patch Borders to Route Text: PATCH 106

4.5.5 Panel Borders: PANEL 107

4.5.6 Panel Borders with a Cut-out Corner: LPAN 108

4.5.7 Finger Post Border: FINGER 110

4.5.8 Panels and Sign Borders: Automatically resizing for contents 111

4.5.9 Adding Backing Boards: BACKINGBOARD 111

4.5.10 Drawing Sign Border to Size: XBlock 114

4.5.11 Light Baffle / Side Border Extension: BAFFLE 115

4.6 The Automatic Sign Commands 115

4.6.1 The AutoFLAG Command: DDFLAGSIGN 115

4.6.2 Automatic OneSTACK Sign Command: DDONESTACK 120

4.6.3 AutoPARK Sign Command: DDPARK 123

4.6.4 Automatic Text Only Signs Command: DDSIGN 126

4.6.5 Bus Lane Signs: BUSLANE 128

4.6.6 Other Automatic Standard Sign routines: SIGN 129

4.6.7 Sign / Supplementary Plate Command: SIGNANDSUPPPLATE 130

4.6.8 Parking Symbols and Signs: PARK 132

4.6.9 Inserting Bus Symbols: BUS 134

4.6.10 Inserting Hospital Symbols: HOSPITAL 135

4.7 Miscellaneous Sign Design Commands 136

4.7.1 Inserting Direction Arrows: ARROW, ARROWS 136

- 7 - 4.7.2 Colour Filling Signs: BORDERFILLSIGN 138

4.7.3 Changing a Border Colour: CHANGEBORDERCOLOUR 139

4.7.4 Reversing a Sign Colour Fill: UNDOBORDERFILL 141

4.7.5 Removing Symbol Fills: REMOVESYMBOLFILL 141

4.7.6 Adding Detail to the Completed Signs: DDETAIL 142

4.7.7 Adding Panel Details: PANDET 149

4.7.8 Edit a Panel Detail Block: EDITPANELDETAILS 153

4.7.9 Post and Foundation Design: WINDANALYSIS 153

4.7.10 Posts - WBPOST, PPOST & SIGNLIGHT 154

4.7.11 Lane Signs and Arrows: LANESIGNS, LANESIGNARROWS 154

4.7.12 Lane Sign Underline: LANEUNDERLINE 155

4.7.13 Overhead Gantry Arrow: OHARROW 155

4.7.14 Motorway Junction Number Patches: MJUNCT 157

4.7.15 Junction Number Ahead at Distance Sign: JCTNUM 157

4.7.16 Cycle Route Number Patches: CYCLEROUTENUMBER 157

4.7.17 Parking Place Indentifier Patches: CYCLEROUTENUMBER 158

4.7.18 Adding Diversion Symbols: DIVERSIONS 158

4.7.18 Real Text Colour Changing: RT-DUPON and RT-DUPOFF 158

4.7.19 TSRGD Diagram 2716 Underline: DIAG2716UNDERLINE 159

4.7.20 KeySIGN Options: ASIGNCONFIG 159

4.8 Selection Assisting Tools 160

- 8 - 4.8.1 Selection Commands: COPYSIGN, MOVESIGN, SELECTSIGN, ERASESIGN 161

4.8.2 Selection Commands: SGROUP, XSGROUP, MOVEGROUP and GROUPSEL 161

4.8.3 Moving/Copying a Finished Sign to a Map: MOVESIGNTOMAP, COPYSIGNTOMAP 162

4.8.4 Export Sign Design for Use on a Location Plan: EXPORTFORMAPLOCATION 162

4.8.5 Insert a Sign Design from File: INSERTSIGN 164

4.9 Dimensioning and Scaling Commands 165

4.9.1 Scaling Standard Signs: SCALESTANDARDSIGN 165

4.9.2 Stroke Width to Millimetres Conversion with Offset: MMOFFSET 167

4.9.3 ScaleMToSW and ScaleSWToM 167

4.9.4 Setting the Current X-Height: SET_XHEIGHT 168

4.9.5 Dimension Commands: ATS_DIMVERTICAL, ATS_DIMHORIZONTAL 168

4.9.6 Adding the SW Design Dimension to Dimensions: SWINDIMS 170

4.9.7 Checking the Size of a Finished Sign: SIGNSIZE 170

4.9.8 Rounding Sign Dimensions: ROUNDING 171

4.9.9 Producing Scaled Output in a Model View: SCALEVP 172

4.9.10 Quick, Semi-automatic Sign Dimensioning: SDIM 174

4.10 Display Changing Commands 175

4.10.1 Text Display Options: (representations) 175

4.10.2 Toggle the TILE Layer On or Off: TILE 176

- 9 - 4.10.3 Toggle the NOGO Layer On or OFF: NOGO 176

4.10.4 Colour Fill Toggle: BFIL 177

4.10.5 Drawing Background Colour Options: BLACKBACK, GREYBACK, GREYBACK2 and WHITEBACK 178

4.10.6 Changing the Colour of Transport Heavy Text: HEAVY2MAG, HEAVY2WHI 178

4.11 Drawing Labelling Utilities 179

4.11.1 Label Yellow Route Text: YELLOWROUTELABEL 179

4.11.2 Label Standard Sign or Symbol: BLOCKTEXT 179

4.11.3 Label X-Height: LABELXHEIGHT 180

4.11.4 Sign Location Symbol: SIGNSYMB 180

4.12 Miscellaneous Utilities 181

4.12.1 Zoom to Sign Design Area: SIGNSHOP 181

4.12.2 Zoom to Location Map coordinates: ZOOMTOMAP 181

4.12.3 Save MAP View for Quick Zooming: SAVECURRENTMAPVIEW 182

4.12.4 Drawing Titles: DWGTITLE 182

4.12.5 Edit Permitted Sign Variants: SDDATTE 183

4.12.6 Explode and Convert Permitted Variants to Text: UNBLOCK 183

4.12.7 Drawing Tidy Up: DWGTIDYUP 184

4.12.8 Automatically Purging the Drawing: APURGE 186

4.13 Miscellaneous System / Program Commands 188

4.13.1 The ‘What’s New’ Guide: ASIGNWHATSNEW 188

- 10 - 4.13.2 Reloading the KeySIGN Menu: RELOADKEYSIGNMEU 189

4.13.3 Reloading KeySIGN: KSIGN 189

4.13.4 Reset KeySIGN and AutoCAD System Variable to Defaults: RESET 190

4.13.5 Updating the Stored Dimensions for a Symbol: REVISEBLOCK 190

4.13.6 Browse the Sign Library: BROWSESIGNS 192

4.13.7 KeySIGN Command Aliases: ASIGNALIAS 192

Chapter 5 - Standard TSRGD Signs 194

5.1 Warning Signs 197

5.2 Regulatory Signs 199

5.3 Informatory Signs 201

5.4 Bus, Tram and Cycle Signs 203

5.5 Temporary and Road Works Signs 203

5.6 Scaling Standard Signs 204

5.7 Bus Lane Signs: BUSLANE 205

5.8 Adding a Backing board: BACKINGBOARD 208

Chapter 6 - Post and Foundation Design (Wind Loading) 210

6.1 Exporting Sign Face designs from KeySIGN 210

6.2 Exporting to KeyPOST 211

6.3 Roundtrip Launching KeyPOST from KeySIGN 213

6.4 Returning results to KeySIGN 213

Chapter 7 - Sign Design Tutorials 215

7.1 The Flag and Stack Type Signs 215

- 11 - 7.2 Stack Type Advanced Direction Sign (ADS) 1: Creating Destination Blocks. 220

1. Top part of the sign 221

2. Bottom part of the sign 225

3. Putting the two parts together in a “2 stack” border 226

7.3 Stack Type Sign Design 2 228

7.4 Map Type Signs Tutorial 1: A Roundabout ADS. 232

7.5 Map ADS Toolbar 234

7.6 Map type Signs Tutorial 2: Simple Roundabout Sign 237

7.7 Warning & Regulatory Signs on Stack type ADSs. 244

7.8 Plotting 252

Chapter 8 - Manufacturing Features 256

8.1 Change to Cutting Edges 256

8.2 Cutter Bed ‘Plotting’ Routines 256

8.2.1 The Cutter Bed Commands: CUTBED, BESPOKECUTBED and PLANK 257

8.2.1.1 Standard Cutter Bed: CUTBED 257

8.2.1.2 Bespoke Cutter Bed: BESPOKECUTBED 257

8.2.1.3 Determine Best Plank Sign Design: PLANK 258

8.3 Sign Costing Routines: SIGNCOSTINGQUERY 258

8.4 Large Sign Cut: MPLOT 259

Chapter 9 - Customising KeySIGN 260

9.1 The KeySIGN Options dialog: ASIGNCONFIG 260

- 12 - 9.2 Default colours used with fully coloured signs 264

9.3 Editing the Materials List and Rates 264

Chapter 10 - Glossary of KeySIGN commands 268

Chapter 11 - A History of KeySIGN 285

Release History 285

Chapter 12 - Installation 289

12.1 Before you start 289

12.2 The Installation Wizard 290

12.3 Creation of Shortcuts and AutoCAD Profile 290

12.4 Manual creation of the shortcut 291

12.5 Creating or editing the KeySIGN Profile in AutoCAD 292

12.6 KeySIGN Loading Sequence 293

12.7 Command Errors 297

12.8 Licensing Errors 298

Chapter 13 - Glossary of Terms 299

Glossary 303

Index 304

- 13 - Copyright Notice

You may use KeySIGN software only under the terms of your Licence Agreement from Keysoft Solutions Ltd.

KeySIGN software is, and remains, the property of, and copyrighted by, Keysoft Solu- tions Ltd.

KeySIGN documentation is the copyright of Keysoft Solutions Ltd. Any reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

- 14 - Chapter 1 - Introduction

We are grateful that you have purchased our product and trust that you will find it of great assistance in the production of Traffic Sign drawings.

You will discover that not only will KeySIGN save time in the production of drawings but the flexible way in which sign layouts can be altered easily will enable more efficient designs to be achieved. Savings in time and materials mean a saving of money. We feel sure that this system will soon repay its cost.

1.1 Welcome to KeySIGN

KeySIGN originated as a joint development between Traffic Engineers from Humberside County Council and Key Systems. Since its launch at the beginning of 1987, KeySIGN has become the Traffic Sign Design program in the British Isles. At the present time over 1000 licenses are being used by different Authorities, Consultants and Manufacturers, and an active User Group has been formed. The Group regularly meets in the UK to discuss developments and applications. Those who take out the Service Agreement automatically join the Group and are most welcome to send representatives to attend the meetings.

KeySIGN does not remove the need for the expertise of the Traffic Sign Designer. It is assumed that the operator is familiar with the rules for Traffic Sign Design contained in current DfT publications including "Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 7” published by the Department for Transport; with the “Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions” (TSRGD) and its amendment Regulations; all published by TSO; and lastly the Working Drawings published by the DfT on their web site.

- 15 - What KeySIGN does do, is enable designers to make more efficient use of their time and create a more enjoyable and satisfying atmosphere in which to practise their art.

Users will soon appreciate the opportunities available to modify the system to meet their own needs. KeySIGN will continue to be developed and updates will be available from time to time. We are grateful for any suggestions for improvements to the routines and manual. Forms are included at the end of this manual for users to pass on their com- ments. Users who have paid the Annual Service Fee are entitled to updates at no extra charge.

1.2 Overview of this Manual

This Manual gives an initial overview of AutoCAD, and then the KeySIGN add-on system. It then demonstrates many of the features of KeySIGN. This is followed by detailed tutorial examples of the creation of a Flag Sign, a Stack Sign, an Advanced Direction Map Sign and so on.

A brief summary is given of the way in which the posts and foundation sizes can be calculated. This is followed by a chapter devoted to the Manufacturing applications of KeySIGN. A short summary is provided of the way users can customise KeySIGN to their own needs and this is followed by a full Glossary of all KeySIGN commands and a ‘But- ton’ directory for the commonly used toolbar commands operate. A History of Revisions is given followed by a chapter dealing with the installation of the software.

Once users have become familiar with KeySIGN they will undoubtedly wish to explore the many possibilities open to them through AutoCAD, for example for the production of location plans using the bundled add-on application KeyOSC. Additional information can be found in the AutoCAD Manual, and on-line help file.

- 16 - 1.3 Installing KeySIGN

The installation of KeySIGN is very straightforward, but is best undertaken by someone with knowledge of your AutoCAD installation. The following instructions assume that you have already installed AutoCAD and checked that it is running correctly.

KeySIGN does not impose any additional hardware requirements, but, as with AutoCAD, benefits from higher machine processing speed and memory.

When specifying a new PC a good specification will include a graphics card of above average performance, and more than the minimum amount of RAM installed, to accommodate changes in future requirements, and ensure productivity is maintained throughout the life of the PC.

KeySIGN is usually compatible with the latest AutoCAD Releases (including AutoCAD MAP/CIVIL variants), and the previous 4 years of AutoCAD release. It will NOT work with AutoCAD’s earlier than that.

You will need to ensure that you have local administrator rights on the machine on which you install the software and its licencing drivers.

KeySIGN software is supplied via an .exe file that is download from the web and installation consists of running this installer file by double clicking the exe file. This will:

1. Install KeySIGN files and icons. 2. Install licence drivers for different Windows operating systems. 3. Setup a KeySIGN profile for the current user. 4. Create a desktop icon to start KeySIGN (used to start KeySIGN).

- 17 - There are three installation folders used:

1. The main files – C:\Program files\Keysoft Solutions\KeySIGN\, 2. The shared files – C:\Program files\Common files\Keysoft Solutions, 3. The editable files – C:\ProgramData\Keysoft Solutions\KeySIGN.

It is important that users have Read and Write permissions to the C:\Pro- gramData\Keysoft Solutions folder, it subfolders and any files in those folders.

Note

If you have any difficulties or problems with the installation, telephone Keysoft Solu- tions on 03451 303040 for help.

1.4 Softlock Licencing

The KeySIGN program is normally protected from illegal use by means of an authorisation. On standalone systems the first run it will require an authorisation code to be entered. This code can be obtained from the Keysoft website or by contacting support directly. On network license systems the licence authorisation is obtained from a pool of licences on a server each time KeySIGN is used.

1.5 Error Messages and Backups

In the event that KeySIGN abnormally terminates with an error message whose cause is not readily apparent, please write down all details and record what was being done at the time, and call for technical assistance.

- 18 - We strongly recommend that you keep regular backup copies of any work or drawings created.

1.6 Upgrading from Earlier Versions

The default installation directory different for each version of KeySIGN

C:\Program Files\Keysoft Solutions\KeySIGN\.

The installation will therefore not overwrite files in your previous KeySIGN directory

C:\Program files\Keysoft Solutions\KeySIGN\

It would be prudent to retain the previous installation as a backup until you are happy that the update is working to your satisfaction.

Occasionally a minor revision update may be issued such as 19.3 to 19.3.1. In this case the install WILL just update the existing installation files overwriting any older files that need to be replaced. Usually such an update will only be minor fixes and alterations with no significant changes in operation or functionality.

1.7 Conventions Used in this Manual

Paragraphs covering KeySIGN and AutoCAD commands will show the appropriate Rib- bon/Toolbar icon that can be selected to start each command. Not all commands have an icon and in these cases it will be the pull-down menu item that is indicated. This will be indicated for example for the KeySIGN Options command thus: PD: ‘KeySIGN > Pro- gram > Options’

- 19 - In order to avoid repetition of words, the following conventions are used:

Term Description ENTER Means press the ENTER key. This is also known as the RETURN key or NEWLINE key. You will also find that the right button on the mouse usually performs the same function as the ENTER key, although this behaviour can be customised in AutoCAD. ESC Means press the ‘Esc’ key which is found on the top left hand corner of the keyboard. This has the effect of cancelling commands, but may need to be pressed more than one time to come all the way out of some commands. PICK Means press the left hand mouse button to select an item from a menu, an icon from a Ribbon/Toolbar, or an object or coordinate on screen. CTRL The ‘Ctrl’ key usually on the left hand end of the keyboard. SHIFT The ‘Shift’ key to be found on either side of the keyboard. This key is normally used for capital letters or for special characters such as fractions and spaces (see keyboard mapping in Figure 1.5 Keyboard Mapping for Spe- cial Keys and Spaces).

1.8 Help is at Hand

Those that have a Service Agreement are encouraged to use the telephone helpline. Although you are unlikely to face many problems, when you do you can spend unnecessary time trying to resolve it yourself. A phone call will usually resolve the problem in a matter of minutes. Feel free to call us, we are here to help. We can be contacted in any of the following ways:

By Post

Keysoft Solutions Ltd

Ardencroft Court

- 20 - Ardens Grafton

Alcester

Warwickshire

B49 6DP

By Telephone

Tel - 03451 30 30 40

By Email or Web

Email - [email protected]

Web - http://www.keysoftsolutions.com

- 21 - Chapter 2 - Drawing Commands

This chapter contains detailed information about both AutoCAD and KeySIGN commands. It starts with a brief tour of the AutoCAD screen itself. We will also examine the drawing facilities command by command. As such this manual is intended to be used both as a reference and tutorial guide, and to supplement the AutoCAD Manual.

2.1 General Concepts

First, run KeySIGN from the installed shortcut, usually to be found on the Windows Desktop. See Chapter 1 - Installation for full information about installing KeySIGN.

When AutoCAD starts and any new drawings started from the pull-down or Rib- bon/Toolbar menu items subsequently it should load an untitled drawing (called Draw- ing.dwg where n is a number starting from 1). This new drawing will be based on the template drawing supplied ‘Sign.dwt’. Figure 2.1 The ‘New drawing’ dialog showing the valid template file shows the ‘New file’ dialog. Select the file shown when starting new drawings. See 1.1.1 Starting New Drawings: NEW, QNEW for more information about starting new drawings.

Figure 2.1 The ‘New drawing’ dialog showing the valid template file

- 22 - On the very rare occasions in KeySIGN when a completely fresh drawing, not explicitly set-up for sign design, is required, select the small down arrow adjacent to the ‘Open’ button to reveal an option to start the new drawing from scratch.

2.2 The AutoCAD Window

Commands can be started in a number of ways. Provided are pull-down menus and toolbars a fully featured Ribbon menu and also typed on the command line. The Ribbon menu system is tabbed and commonly used commands are better highlighted by virtue of larger icons.

- 23 - 2.2.1 The Ribbon Menus

Shown above is the main KeySIGN Ribbon Tab.

The tabs can be used to switch between sets of AutoCAD and KeySIGN commands. KeySIGN functions are divided amongst 3 ribbon tabs.

On each ribbon tab the commands and functions are sub divided in ribbon panels. These contain the icons and buttons that can be pressed to start that command.

Some of the icons make be access from drop down menus by picking the downward pointing arrow parts.

- 24 - It is possible to customise the display of the ribbon tabs and panels by dragging them around and by turning items on and off, using standard AutoCAD functions. Please read the relevant AutoCAD help material for information on how to achieve this.

2.2.2 The Command Line

At the bottom of the AutoCAD window is an area called the Command Line. Whilst AutoCAD is quite unusual in presenting a command line area, it is a very useful way for users to interact with commands. It shows the command ‘dialogue’, and is the area where prompts for values such as text height or location will be presented.

New commands can be selected when the command line displays “Command:”. Com- mands can be cancelled by pressing ESC. If a command is in progress when a menu item is selected, this will be cancelled.

Figure 2.2 The AutoCAD Command Line

- 25 - Movements of the mouse results in an equivalent movement of the crosshairs on the graphics screen. A more accurate control of the crosshairs can be achieved by holding down the CTRL key and pressing the cursor keys on the keyboard.

2.2.3 The Pull-down Menus

Along the top of the screen there is a series of pull-down menus which can be activated by placing the cursor over the item and pressing the pick button. The pull-down menu will be revealed. Often further cascading sub-menus can be opened by picking the appropriate item on the pull-down.

When the pull-down menus are referred to, e.g. where no Ribbon/Toolbar item exists for the command, it is using the following convention PD: ‘KeySIGN > Program > Options’, which means to select from the KeySIGN pull-down menu an item labelled ‘Options’ on the Program sub-menu. Explore the menu system to learn about KeySIGN and start using commands.

2.2.4 The Toolbar Menus

Toolbars are no longer turned on by default in AutoCAD, but are still provided. If Tool- bars are used they are arranged around the graphics screen. These can be dragged to new positions around the screen if it is so desired. Moving the tool bar close to the sides, top or bottom of the graphics screen will cause it to dock against the side etc. Again please read the relevant AutoCAD material to turn on or off these toolbars.

Each Toolbar displays a series of Button icons. Like other menu items, these activate commands by picking the appropriate icon. Pausing with the mouse cursor over the icon will result in a Tool Tip (written description) being displayed over the button and additional help is also shown on the AutoCAD status bar (see Figure 2.3 – The AutoCAD Status Bar). See Chapter 12 – Button Directory for the KeySIGN Button Directory.

- 26 - An icon with a black triangle in the lower-right corner indicates that a further display of icons will open up when it is selected. This is called a toolbar ‘Flyout’, and can be accessed by clicking and holding down the left mouse (pick) button. After a short delay the flyout appears. An icon on a toolbar flyout can be selected by placing the mouse cursor over the required item and releasing the mouse pick button.

2.2.5 The AutoCAD Status Bar

This is shown in Figure 2.3 – The AutoCAD Status Bar and is very important for assessing the status of various settings and values. For example on the left hand end, the currently loaded version of KeySIGN is shown. The SNAP and GRID setting should generally be on (represented by the ‘button’ shown pressed in) as in the figure.

Figure 2.3 The AutoCAD Status Bar

2.2.6 The Drawing ‘Canvas’ in a New Document

KeySIGN displays a grid of dots on the graphics screen, the (normally) black area in the middle of the AutoCAD Window. This is set at a spacing of four units. Each unit, the drawing unit, equates to one stroke width (s/w), i.e. the basic unit used in traffic sign design. The grid acts like graph paper, providing a simple visual guide for the spacing and alignment of sign elements.

2.3 File Handling Commands

- 27 - The commands shown here are, from left to right QNEW, OPEN and SAVE/QSAVE.

2.3.1 Starting New Drawings: NEW, QNEW

The QNEW command is accessed from the toolbar (left hand toolbar icon as shown above) as shown above. This starts a new drawing based on a template drawing if one has been specified in the AutoCAD Options dialog. If one has not been specified, or when the command is selected from the File pull-down menu (the ‘New’ menu item calls the NEW command), the user is invited to start the new drawing either based on a template which can be selected from a list as shown in Figure 2.1 – The ‘New drawing’ dialog showing the valid template file or a drawing from scratch. The new drawing started at launch and all new drawings started from the pull-down or toolbar item subsequently, should be based on the template drawing supplied ‘Sign.dwt’ (See Figure 2.1 – The ‘New drawing’ dialog showing the valid template file). This file is stored in the AutoCAD release specific folder e.g. C:\Sign162\R2004. If the file is not listed in the file selection dialog, it will be necessary to check the set-up. Check the ‘Drawing Template File Loca- tion’, and the drawing specified for the QNEW command in the AutoCAD Options dialog (Files tab).

2.3.2 Opening Existing Drawings: OPEN

OPEN (middle toolbar icon as shown above) allows you to go into an existing drawing to edit it. You will find also the file history on the File pull-down menu useful, and also see documentation in the user manual with regard to the Autodesk Design Centre Window which also maintains a history of edited drawings.

2.3.3 Saving Your Work: SAVE, QSAVE, SAVEAS

Type or pick the SAVE command (right hand toolbar icon as shown above) to save the drawing that you are working on to file. It will normally be saved onto the hard disk, but often it will be best to save it to a location on the network filing system if your

- 28 - organisation has one. When issuing this command, if the drawing has not yet already been saved, the normal File Save dialog will be shown. The SAVEAS command always causes the file dialog to be shown. The QSAVE command will show the dialog if the file has not yet been saved, but will simply save the file to its same name if it has.

The QSAVE command (right hand toolbar item as shown above) should be invoked from time to time, especially after a period of intensive work. Like the rest of us, you will probably not use this command often enough, and may live to regret it! It’s a good rule of thumb to SAVE before starting a plot of a drawing. Also be aware that AutoCAD can generate an automatically saved file at predetermined intervals. See the AutoCAD Options dialog (PD: ‘Tools > Options’), on the ‘Open and Save’ tab, ‘File Safety Precautions’.

2.4 Basic AutoCAD Commands and Functions

2.4.1 Grid & Snap Drawing Aid

KeySIGN makes use of ‘SNAP’ and ‘GRID’ functionality which assists with the spacing and alignment of sign elements. It is recommended that the functions should remain switched on to assist with the layout of sign elements as they great help with the positioning of parts of the sign design.

See 1.1.2 The GRID Drawing Aid Used for Sign Design and 1.1.3 The SNAP Draw- ing Aid Used for Sign Design for more information.

2.4.2 Command Selection

Moving the crosshairs, to the pull-down menus along the top of the screen results in menus items being highlighted. Pressing ENTER or the PICK button on the cursor

- 29 - selects the item which is highlighted. Picking the icon buttons on the Toolbars will produce the same result.

The third alternative for command selection is to type in the appropriate word on the keyboard and then ENTER. Many commands have a predefined shorthand version, which can be added to or customised. You will probably find that you use a combination of all methods of command selection as you become familiar with the system.

Many of the commands have a default response. This is identified within the < > brackets. In the example below, the start point for the text is required by default. When the appropriate command is selected a second press of ENTER automatically selects the standard default value. Many commands also present options, for example the text justification options presented with the HEAVY command. To access these options, type any letter(s) that are shown in capitals e.g. TR for top right text justification.

Example command dialogue:

Command: HEAVY

HEAVY13 is the current text style.

or [Cen- ter/BLeft/BRight/TLeft/TRight/MLeft/MRight/Height/Rotation]: (point selected on-screen)

Height: 8.0, Rotation angle: 0.0

Enter text: Destination ↵

Enter text: ↵

- 30 - Command:

2.4.3 Object Selection

Many commands prompt the user to select objects. For example if some objects in a drawing are not wanted then the ERASE command will be used, for which it is necessary to select those objects that should be removed from the drawing. When requested to ‘Select objects’ the screen crosshairs change to a small square (the Pickbox). Using the mouse cursor, move the small square until it lies on top of one of the objects in the drawing for example a line, then press the PICK button. The line changes to a dotted (highlighted) format, to confirm which object has been selected. If you now press ENTER to complete the object selection process, the object(s) selected will be removed from the drawing.

If the wrong line has been selected, before pressing ENTER, you can either press ESC to cancel the command completely, or use the SHIFT key, and reselect the object wrongly selected to remove the object from the current ‘selection set’. Alternatively, enter ‘R’ to access remove ‘mode’ thus removing any objects which you subsequently pick, from the ones previously selected. In remove mode, if you wish to select more objects, to be added to the selection group, enter ’A’ to access ‘add’ mode again, before completing object selection, and select more objects. Always press ENTER to complete the object selection process.

It is also possible to define a window in which all objects totally enclosed in it can be selected. Using the cursor, select a point above and to the left of any lines drawn on the screen and press the PICK button. Move the cursor to the right, and a rectangular window with a solid edge appears. Adjust the position of the cursor until all lines are enclosed within the window and press the PICK button again. The lines selected change to dotted, and pressing ENTER causes them to be selected.

- 31 - An alternative way to define this selection rectangle is to select a point to the right of the items to be selected for the first rectangle corner, then a point upwards (or downwards) and to the left. The window that appears has a dotted edge. This is a crossing window and will select all items within and those that cross the rectangle so defined.

There are several other ways to select objects such as Last, ALL, Fence, WPolygon, CPolygon and Previous and several more. See the AutoCAD manual for further information.

2.4.4 The Pan Command: PAN

The graphics screen can be regarded as a small window behind which is a piece of paper of unlimited size. The window can be moved across the face of the paper by using the PAN command or moved nearer or further away by the ZOOM command. Whilst these are standard AutoCAD commands that can be picked from the pull-down of toolbar menus, it is more usual these days to use the middle wheel button on the mouse where available. Clicking the wheel button down initiates the Pan function until the wheel is released. Position the mouse pointer, which changes when the wheel is clicked down to show a small picture of a hand, at a suitable location in the drawing area. For example if it is required to see a portion of the drawing to the right of the current view, position the cursor to the right of the view. Then click and hold the wheel button, and move the cursor to the new location, i.e. to the left to see a portion of the drawing to the right of the current view. Drag the drawing with the wheel pressed down to reposition the drawing with respect to the drawing window.

The PAN command works slightly differently. Start the command for example by selecting the icon (shown above) from the Standard AutoCAD toolbar. Position the mouse pointer, which will have changed to show a small picture of a hand, at a suitable location

- 32 - in the drawing area. For example if it is required to see a portion of the drawing to the right of the current view, position the cursor to the right of the view. Then click and hold the left mouse button, and move the cursor to the new location, i.e. to the left to see a portion of the drawing to the right of the current view. This can be repeated as required. Exit from the command by pressing ENTER, ESC or by choosing ‘Exit’ from the right-click menu.

2.4.5 The Zoom Command: ZOOM

The graphics screen can be regarded as a small window behind which is a piece of paper of unlimited size. The window can be moved nearer or further away from the face of the paper by using the ZOOM command. Whilst this is a standard AutoCAD command that can be picked from the pull-down of toolbar menus, it is more usual these days to use the middle wheel button on the mouse where available. Rolling the wheel button initiates the Zoom function. Rolling the wheel away from you allows the drawing to be more closely examined, and away allows larger areas of drawing to be shown in the drawing window. It can be seen that the drawing is enlarged or made smaller around the location of the cursor when the wheel is rolled.

The ZOOM command works slightly differently. Typing the command allows the selection of a particular mode of operation. Type ‘W’ for the ‘Zoom by window’ method, or select the icon shown in the middle of the group of three above. You will be asked to specify the first corner of a rectangular area. Do so by moving the cursor crosshairs to one corner of the area which you wish to enlarge, then press the PICK button. You are then asked for the other corner. As the crosshairs move over the screen a rectangular window appears, altering in size as the cursor is moved. When the area contained in the window covers the amount of screen you wish to examine, press the PICK button. The screen will be redrawn with the area of the window enlarged to fill the screen. It is not essential

- 33 - to specify the 'W', picking the first point will cause the computer to assume a window is required.

To return to the previous view select the ZOOM command again. Now enter ‘P’ (for previous) on the keyboard to return to the previous view. Alternatively, select the icon shown on the right of the group of three above.

The Zoom command offers other options, for example ‘E’ (for Extents) to fill the screen with everything that has been drawn on the drawing.

2.4.6 The Line Command: LINE

To illustrate the simple way in which the drawing system operates let’s draw a few straight lines. Select the command from either the ‘Draw’ pull-down menu, or from the toolbar icon shown above. On the command line AutoCAD prompts with the question ‘From point’. Move the mouse cursor to a suitable point on the screen and PICK a coordinate (click the left mouse button). The command line now shows ‘To Point’. Select another suitable point, using the cursor, and press the PICK button. A line will be drawn between the two points. Successive line segments can be drawn in this way.

The sequence is completed by pressing ENTER in response to the ‘To Point’ request.

Note

That if the 'rubber band' line is pulled out in a particular direction (use the ORTHO switch F8 to force Vertical or Horizontal directions) and the distance is typed from

- 34 - the keyboard, the line will be drawn out in the selected direction for the specified distance. This technique for specifying coordinates, in this case a polar coordinate (distance entered directly, and angle taken from angle of the rubber band line) is called Direct Distance Entry.

Note

KeySIGN uses different linetypes to implement different rules from TSM Chapter 7. To ensure that the correct linetype is used when drawing map symbols for example, a warning will be given when using this command. See paragraph 3.7.1 Some Basic Principles for more information.

2.4.7 The Polyline Command: PLINE

Select the command from either the ‘Draw’ pull-down menu, or from the toolbar icon shown above. Choose a starting point on the screen and press the PICK button. Draw a straight line by moving the crosshairs to another point and press the PICK button in the same way as the LINE command above. If you wish to draw an arc enter ‘A’ in response to the request for “Endpoint of line”. Arcs will then be drawn tangential to the previous line and passing through the next selected point. To return to straight line respond with an ‘L’ and ENTER to the request for “Endpoint”.

You can also draw arcs which are not tangential to the previous line by responding with ‘S’ (for Second point) and ENTER. An arc will then be drawn through the end of the previous line, the second point and the next point PICKED. The sequence is once again ended by pressing ENTER in response to ‘Endpoint”.

- 35 - Note

2.4.8 The Arc Command: ARC

Select the command from either the ‘Draw’ pull-down menu, or from the toolbar icon shown above. Choose a starting point on the screen and press the PICK button. Select two subsequent points to complete the arc in the default way that these are drawn.

A very useful tip for drawing map type symbols, to achieve an arc tangential to a line seg- ment, is to press ENTER after drawing a line instead of picking a first point on-screen. The point given by pressing ENTER in response to the ‘Specify start point of arc’ prompt will be the end of the previously drawn line, and the arc then drawn will be tangential to the line.

Arcs can also been drawn in a number of other ways, depending on options chosen during the command. The choice of these options can be automated by selecting the required command from the ‘Draw > Arc’ pull-down sub-menu, for example by specifying a start and end point, and then centre for the arc.

- 36 - Note

2.4.9 The Move Command: MOVE

Object(s) can be repositioned in the drawing using the MOVE command. Select the command from either the ‘Modify’ pull-down menu, or from the toolbar icon shown above. You are asked to ‘Select objects’ that are to be moved in the drawing, and you will notice that a small square (the Pickbox) has replaced the screen crosshairs at the mouse cursor position.

Move the square pickbox until it is over an object such as a line on the drawing and press the PICK button. The line will change to a dotted one to signify that the line has been selected. AutoCAD also reports the selection of the object on the command line, and the total number of objects currently selected. If the line forms part of a block or polyline, the whole of it will become dotted. Always press ENTER to complete the object selection process.

Note

Where a number of lines need moving, you can either pick each line as above or use a window by responding with a ‘W’ for window or ‘C’ for crossing, to the request ‘Select objects’. Only lines and blocks wholly within the solid edged

- 37 - window will be selected. Whereas objects within and crossing the dotted edged 'C' window will be selected.

You are now asked to specify a ‘Base point’. This is just a reference point used to determine the starting point of the movement. The second point requested specifies the finishing point of the move. Use the mouse PICK button to carry out this sequence. You will see that the items selected have moved by the specified displacement between the first and the second points selected.

Note

That this displacement can also be specified using Direct Distance Entry (see the LINE command for information about this in 2.4.6 The Line Command: LINE).

Should you wish to reverse the move just carried out, enter ‘U’ at the command line to Undo the move, or select the Undo icon.

2.4.10 The Copy Command: COPY

You may wish to copy certain details of the drawing from one part to another without erasing the original. This can be done using the COPY command. It works in a similar way to MOVE. The main difference is that instead of objects moving to the new location they are copied to the new location. In addition, if you respond with an ‘M’ to the request ‘Specify

- 38 - base point or displacement:’, you will be able to make multiple copies of the objects selected to a number of different points in the drawing (this is the default behaviour in AutoCAD R2005 or later, but a Multiple option will need to be selected for multiple copies in earlier versions). See the MOVE command above for more information about this command.

- 39 - Chapter 3 - Overview of Sign Design with KeySIGN

KeySIGN has a comprehensive range of commands, functions and options available to draw all types of sign designs.

These are described in general terms in this chapter and in more detail in the next chapter. Further to this hands-on examples are also given in the tutorials later.

3.1 Design Methodology

3.1.1 Sign Design Basics

The contents of a sign face are added to the drawing first and then a sign borders is drawn around the contents. This means each sign border is often a unique size to fit around the contents of that sign design. The designs are always drawn in stroke width units rather than mm.

The individual elements of the signs are assembled using a range of text and symbol commands. These are often positioned automatically, but manual positioning can be achieved using the editing commands for example left or central alignment or spaced using automatic functions.

The steps to a basic sign design may be: Add text and routes, Insert an arrow, place a border around contents.

- 40 - The steps to a map sign may be: Create Map symbol, Add text and routes, Adjust map and/or text, then place a border around contents.

Whilst designing the contents of the sign, route text may need to be included in a patch border and destination blocks or other sign elements may need to be enclosed in panel borders. There are tools to help draw map symbols but standard AutoCAD polylines can also be drawn.

When all the parts of a sign or sections of a multi-stack sign are arranged, sign border drawing routines complete the design and allow the finished design to be dimensioned by allocating an x height.

3.1.2 The GRID Drawing Aid Used for Sign Design

KeySIGN displays a Grid of dots on the graphics screen, set at a spacing of four units. Each unit, the drawing unit, equates to one stroke width (s/w), which is the basic unit used in traffic sign design. Sign face items should be visually aligned with this grid as an aid to correct placement, although much of object alignment and spacing is handled by way of the KeySIGN and AutoCAD commands. After commands have been used to place objects, correct alignment can often be checked visually by reference to the Grid.

Figure 3.1 The ‘grid’ button on the status bar

- 41 - 3.1.3 The SNAP Drawing Aid Used for Sign Design

KeySIGN uses a drawing aid called the Snap setting. This is set-up to constrain the movement of the crosshairs across the screen to ½ stroke width (s/w) intervals. Hold down the CTRL key then each press of the cursor key moves the crosshair ½ s/w. Eight presses of the cursor right key moves the crosshairs 4 s/w to the right, i.e. the same distance as the Grid dot spacing.

Figure 3.2 The ‘snap’ button on the status bar

There are times when you may want to occasionally switched snap off, maybe when working on location plans. Gird and Snap can be quickly turned off or on by clicking on the button shown on the status bar, or by pressing the F9 function key on the keyboard.

When snap is turned off, the crosshairs can be moved to indicate or select any coordinate in the drawing. When enabled, the snap function restricts the coordinates that can be accessed to ½ stroke width (s/w) intervals. Thus spacing of elements can often be achieved by counting a number of ‘jumps’ of the crosshairs across the screen.

3.1.4 Command Selection

Commands can be started by selecting items on various kinds of menu system. In practice many will select commands from a range of places, some from the toolbars, some from the pull-down menus, and some commands started by typing their name or shortened alias. All available commands are shown on the pull-down menus, and many,

- 42 - more commonly used commands are available in an array of toolbars, some shown under a toolbar flyout.

Generally, however, the toolbar items will be used as the main method to select commands. The mouse pointer is placed over the appropriate button on the tool bar and the PICK button pressed. The presence of a toolbar flyout is indicated by a small black triangle at the bottom right hand corner of the toolbar icon. Press and hold the left mouse button for a moment to indicate that AutoCAD should show the flyout. The flyout will show a range of commands related to the top item. Release the left mouse button when over the required icon. Toolbar flyouts are provided as full toolbars in their own right should these be required.

The third alternative for command selection is to type in the appropriate word on the keyboard and then ENTER. There are a range of default command aliases for many KeySIGN and AutoCAD commands, for example ‘L’ for the LINE command, or ‘HV’ for the HEAVY Transport Font text command. You will probably find that you use a combination of all methods of selection as you become familiar with the system.

Many of the commands have a default response. This is identified within the < > brackets. When options are shown with a default in <> brackets, a press of the ENTER key selects (accepts) the default value.

3.2 KeySIGN Text

3.2.1 Transport Fonts

Figure 3.3 The Text section of the KeySIGN menu

- 43 - AutoCAD is supplied with a set of standard text fonts, but for the purposes of KeySIGN a new set has been designed, based on the Department for Transport fonts Heavy, Medium and Motorway.

Note

Any Transport True Type fonts (ttf files) supplied with KeySIGN are diagrammatic only. They are not accurate enough for sign creation, hence why KeySIGN uses its own lettering with the ‘Medium’ and ‘Heavy’ commands.

In previous versions of KeySIGN much use was made of the AutoCAD text styles and their font property. However since version 18, all transport text has been replaced by a special improved object, which can display the text in numerous ways to suit your requirements.

3.2.2 Drawing Transport Font text

The Transport fonts can be drawn using commands of the same name provided on the ‘KeySIGN > Other Text’ pull-down menu. The main two fonts are HEAVY and MEDIUM, these text commands closely mimic the standard AutoCAD DTEXT command. Pick an insertion point, type the destination text, press return an extra time to exit the command.

- 44 - In order to differentiate between the subtly different HEAVY and MEDIUM fonts, on the screen, heavy text appears in a magenta colour. When plotted out the text can appear black, if the plotter/printer is set up to achieve this. However, it should be remembered that the manufacturer will also benefit from this font differentiation, in order to reduce manufacturing mistakes.

Access to other text styles may be required when producing titles for drawings etc. Three of these, Simplex, Complex and Bold are More detailed information about text can be found in the AutoCAD manual.

3.2.3 Text Display Representations

The KeySIGN transport can be displayed in three different ways. Simple (design font), Outline (real letters but unfilled) and thirdly Real (fully coloured letters). These are called representations, and you will notice that not only does display of the text characters change but these representations can also turn on and off tile marks or dotted text boxes, as seen in the image below.

Figure 3.4 Different Transport Font Displays

In each of three representations of the text, the tile marks (in cyan) and/or the dotted text box (like a Chapter 7 text box) can be turned on or off in any combination with any of the three text display representations. Double click on a text item and then use the ‘Rep- resentation’ tab to pick the ‘Tiles’ or ‘Ch7’ Box items.

- 45 - Figure 3.5 Editing Text

Figure 3.6 Different Font Displays with different tile marks

- 46 - 3.2.4 Text Kerning

Note

Even though AutoCAD is not able to accommodate the kerning rules, the KeySIGN text object apply kerning exactly. These specify alternate spacing between the capitals T, V or Y when followed by a lower case a, e, g, r or u; and when an upper case W is followed by an upper case T, V, X, Y or Z. KeySIGN also accommodates the kerning rules in the tiles marks, Ch7 boxes and other constructions box added to a drawing.

3.2.5 Special Keyboard Keys

Figure 3.7 Keyboard Mapping for Special Keys and Spaces

- 47 - Several keys on the keyboard are ‘mapped’ to characters not available on the keyboard such as fractions. Spaces in text are normally proportioned to the text especially with fully justified text such as in this paragraph. However, in sign design a space can only be one of a small number of different specific tile widths. The space bar is used for the standard 2.5 s/w space (4 s/w in the case of motorway fonts); the’|’ key (Shift + ‘\’) enters a single s/w space, the '<' key (Shift + ',') enters a ½ s/w space and the ’^’ key (Shift + ‘6’) enters a 7 s/w space. Press ENTER when the text line is completed. Figure 3.7 Key- board Mapping for Special Keys and Spaces shows the special key mapping. This can be viewed in AutoCAD when no command is running by selecting the appropriate item on the ‘Sign Help’ pull-down menu.

3.2.6 Mixed X-height Signs

Text is normally drawn at a default height of 8.0 drawing units i.e. 8 stroke widths (this is 2 times x-height).

Sometimes it may be necessary to use two sizes of text on the same sign, in which case you will need to change the height to another size. The text commands HEAVY, MEDIUM, MWAY and MBAY provide an option to enter different heights, whilst being created. However height adjustments can also be made at a later stage, by double clicking a text item and entering a height in the edit text dialog.

Often the simplest way of adjusting text is to type all the text at the standard 8sw height, then use the normal AutoCAD SCALE command, to make text larger or smaller. When using the Scale command there is an option ‘R’ (for reference) which is most useful to scale from one size to another without having to calculate scale factors or stroke width heights. Using scale this way helps to visualise which text is ‘normal height’, as the 8sw text is the important text which dictates the size of arrows, border and the x height quoted in the detail block.

- 48 - Since the relationship of x-height to stroke widths is based on the tile height of 8 s/w, the main x-height of a sign will be that to be used for the un-scaled text at 8 s/w tile height and not that of the 80% high text. Note of viewed the other way so that if the main x- height text is scaled up to 10 s/w thus preserving the 80% relationship with the supplementary text, the sign would be deemed to be based on that for the supplementary text i.e. the ‘main’ x-height would be the smaller of the two. On the face of it, this approach would seem to be equally valid, however it is incorrect and will result in incorrect border spacings and widths.

Note

When creating supplementary plates on direction signs, the default text height of 8.0 s/w (drawing units) should be used and a normal sign border added. Then the whole supplementary plate is scaled to 80% of the main x-height (TSM Ch7, Fig- ure 4-15, page 39), using the 80% scaling function. The function not only scales the text but scales border widths and radii and effectively turns the scaled sign border into a panel border.

3.3 Inserting Symbols and Arrows: SYMBOL, ARROW

- 49 - Symbols are mostly positioned automatically by reference to a selected set of objects, for example arrows are inserted adjacent to destinations, with the correct spatial relationship, by selecting the destination text.

If symbols have to be moved or copied to a new location, this can be done using the symbol’s insertion point. The insertion point for most symbols is the correct horizontal displacement from the symbol (usually 2.5 s/w) and is 0.5 s/w below the symbol’s centre line. As such, placement of the symbol along the centre line

Figure 3.8 The Symbol Insertion Dialog

- 50 - Of the text tiles has the correct result of centring the symbol on the text within the tiles (see TSM Chapter 7, Figure 3-9, page 20). Thus any symbol can be moved from its insertion point so that this lines up with the right (or left) hand tile marks of a destination and midway between the upper and lower tile marks of the destination.

3.3.1 Inserting Symbols: SYMBOL

The SYMBOL command can be typed at the keyboard if the symbol reference is known. It is more common, however, that the command will be initiated by selecting a symbol from a pull-down, icon or thumbnail image menu. For many symbols a dialog box appears, shown in Figure 3.8 The Symbol Insertion Dialog allowing the selection of the symbol colour. This is usually specified in relation to the sign class OR on rare occasions by directly selecting the symbol colour. For example the ferry symbols are either black with white vehicles for non-primary signs, or white with black vehicles for dark background signs and panels.

The dialog also requests the sign direction. For many symbols this is the only information required as only one symbol colour is available, for example with tourist symbols. When the symbol is to be used on a sign indicating the straight ahead direction, this is regarded as making a left ‘pointing’ sign, unless in exceptional cases the straight ahead arrow is placed on the right of the destination text. Most symbols are placed on the opposite side of the arrow, i.e. on the right of the destination for left turns. Exceptions to this are parking and airport symbols which are always placed on the left and right of the destination name respectively. The airport symbol is also rotated to point the same was as the direction arrow; or due ‘east’ or ‘west’ on flag signs.

Also specified on the symbol insertion dialog is the placement position with respect to the destination text. For lorry routes where the lorry symbol is typically placed centred

- 51 - beneath the text, choose the options ‘Centred below text’. Final placement of symbols is done by selecting objects or a point on screen at which point the symbol will be drawn.

3.3.2 Inserting Arrows: ARROW

The ARROW command can be typed at the keyboard if the arrow reference is known. It is more common, however, that the command will be initiated by selecting an arrow from a pull-down, icon or thumbnail image menu.

Arrows are inserted using any of the menu items, for example from the Arrows Toolbar (or flyout on the main KeySIGN toolbar), or from the pull-down sub-menu ‘KeySIGN > Arrows’. See the ARROW command covered in detail in 1.1.1 Inserting Direction Arrows: ARROW, ARROWS.

3.4 Drawing Map Type Signs

3.4.1 Some Basic Principles

Map type signs of any type can be drawn very easily within the AutoCAD/KeySIGN environment. Whilst there are very many routines available from KeySIGN to assist with the drawing of road symbols often returning to simple 2D drafting techniques will prove useful. Automating the drawing of map layouts to too high a degree can be restrictive for the designer. The flexibility of AutoCAD completely frees the designer.

Figure 3.9 The LINE, ARC and PLINE Commands Redefined

- 52 - Note

Some spacing rules are unique to Map symbols, and KeySIGN implements these by using a special linetype to draw them. You will see that when any KeySIGN routine, function or block is used or drawn that the linetype called ASIGNMAP is used by default. However, when designing using standard AutoCAD commands, the user must remember to set the ASIGNMAP linetype before drawing. This property can be changed at a later stage, but this must be done before the sign borders are drawn. This important rule is further stressed through a redefinition of the standard AutoCAD commands. When either of the LINE, ARC or PLINE commands is used, the warning message in Figure 3.9 The LINE, ARC and PLINE Com- mands Redefined is shown. This warning can be disabled by placing a tick in the box labelled ‘Don’t show this to me again’.

Whether map symbols are drawn with KeySIGN or AutoCAD commands or a mixture, one rule is worth remembering. For example, on a right-turn sign such as that shown in TSM Chapter 7, Figure 5-3, page 42, an increased gap of 4 s/w (1.5 added to the normal 2.5) is required to the sign border. In the case of the XROADS command a small section of red line, on the NOGO layer is created which KeySIGN picks up when calculating the extents of the contents of the sign, and these small lines need to be included in the selection of objects to be included in a sign border. Thus it is important that these short lines do not become out of position with respect to the map symbol. If any map symbol is to be

- 53 - moved in a drawing, ensure that all the construction lines are also moved. In addition, when map symbols are drawn manually a similar small section of line 1.5 s/w from the symbol should be included.

KeySIGN provides several map type symbol toolbars, but it may be preferred to use only the ‘Map Signs (all)’ toolbar when this kind of sign is repeatedly drawn.

Figure 3.10 The Map Signs (all) Toolbar

3.5 Drawing Borders

After the various contents of a sign have been assembled together, it is a small matter to add a shrink-to-fit border to these. Most of the border drawing commands require the sign contents to be selected and this is normally done by way of clicking two corners of a rectangle (selection window) surrounding the objects. See 1.1.2 Command Selection for more information about object selection. When KeySIGN has calculated the extents of the selected objects a border with the appropriate widths and spacings from the contents will be drawn. After the border has been completed the sign detail dialog may (optionally) appear.

Note

These dimensions are always based on text at 8 s/w high which should always be the main x-height.

- 54 - If a change needs to be made to the design, it will be necessary to erase and redraw the border after the change has been made.

3.6 Detailing the Finished Designs

When a sign design is complete it is usually required that some detailed information be placed with the design. This can include the x-height and colours used in the sign, its overall area and material etc. This process is handled by the DDETAIL command, which can be accessed after any sign border is completed. See 1.1.6 Adding Detail to the Completed Signs: DDETAIL for information about the DDETAIL command.

A user base sign detail block or drawing frame can be used in place of the standard ‘Detail’ sign detail block. It will be worth basing any user based block on the supplied file Frame4.dwg, which should be found in the installed folder. This drawing contains the necessary block attributes, with the correct attributes Tags to make this work correctly. See the AutoCAD manual for more information about block definitions and attributes. All but one of the properties of the attribute definitions found in Frame4.dwg can be changed, but the attribute Tags must remain the same as these identify the correct place for each piece of information.

- 55 - Chapter 4 - Detailed Command Reference

Once you start designing your first few traffic signs, you will quickly appreciate that there are many rules in Chapter 7 that go beyond the basic principles of sign design. You will therefore need to use many other commands in KeySIGN as well as some of the options included in order to achieve a proper sign design for the more involved sign faces.

This chapter explains the KeySIGN commands available in more detail.

4.1 Text Commands

4.1.1 Transport Font Text: HEAVY, MEDIUM, MWAY and MBAY

These commands are used to create destination, route, distance etc text. See the general discussion about transport fonts in 1.1.1 Transport Fonts. They allow any item of text to be created, however, much of the text placed on signs will be created using other

- 56 - commands such as DESTINATIONBLOCK, ROUTE, MILES etc. These largely super- sede the HEAVY, MEDIUM etc commands and will implement borders, spacing rules and so on, within each command procedure.

These HEAVY, MEDIUM text commands closely mimic the standard AutoCAD DTEXT command. When placing text, this should ideally be lined up with the Grid to allow a visual check of alignments when the design is complete. In order to differentiate between the subtly different Heavy and Medium fonts, on the screen, Heavy and Motorway Black (temporary signs) text appears in (by default) a magenta colour.

Note

This colour can be configured so may vary.

Start the command from the main KeySIGN toolbar, or from the ‘KeySIGN > Other Text’ pull-down menu items. You will be asked to pick a start point for the text in the drawing as well as a number of options:

Command: or [Cen- ter/BLeft/BRight/TLeft/TRight/MLeft/MRight/Height/Rotation]:

The default justification option is bottom left, i.e. that the point selected in the drawing will be the lower left corner of the text. Unlike the DTEXT command you will not then be prompted for the height and rotation for the text. This is assumed to be 8 and 0 respectively. If another height or rotation is required this can be defined by accessing the

- 57 - options in the normal way, by typing the letters that are capitalised in the list of options. If choosing a different height, this can be done by an absolute value of drawing units, or by way of a percentage of the default height. For example on TSRGD sign diagram number 2108 the ‘supplementary’ text is scaled to 80% of the main x-height text. See 1.1.2 Com- mand Selection for an example command dialogue.

As each line of text is typed, pressing ENTER allows additional lines of text to be typed. Additional lines will appear directly below previous lines, with a zero vertical spacing gap. This is appropriate for example when a destination is split onto two lines (in this case using the centre justification option). A different starting point can be selected on screen for successive lines of text if these should be separated on the sign.

To end the command when all text has been entered simply press ENTER twice. The first ENTER is taken as a prompt for a new line of text below the preceding line, the second ENTER (no further text entered) is taken as a cue that no further text is required.

Sometimes it may be necessary to centre one destination above another, or to right jus- tify a route with respect to a destination. This can be done by choosing the appropriate justification option at the beginning of the text commands. For example typing ’C’ for centre in response to “Starting Point...” the point selected will be used for a centre point for the text typed. Lines typed with a justification option will be justified at the end of the command.

If you are creating a list of destinations you will need to correct space each line of text and each block of route destinations. To achieve the correct vertical spacing there is a BlocSpacing command in the alignment menu.

- 58 - However it may be simpler and quicker to use the DestinationBlock command below, as this creates the text and spacing altogether in one go.

4.1.2 Destination Block: DESTINATIONBLOCK

This command is used to create complete destination blocks. In TSM Chapter 7, paragraph 3.22, page 21, a destination block is described as ‘a place name and its associated route number’. This can take several different forms and layouts, and may or may not actually include a route number. The DESTINATIONBLOCK command provides a ‘one-stop’ method to create these, and automates the choice of transport font and colour, whether a route patch is required, and any spacing rules.

Figure 4.1 The Destination Block Command Dialog

- 59 - The dialog works by drawing each block individually and then returning for the next route, use ‘draw’ again and ‘draw’ again for each route until pressing finish.

Note

nd The add 2 route button is only for one route block that might have two or three numbers.

- 60 - à à à

So the first step of creating the list of destination blocks is to consider each route and break the list into separate blocks.

Now the dialog can be used. So first choose the class of background on which the text will be sited, e.g. Primary or Non primary. It doesn’t matter if it is in a panel or the main sign, it is the background colour behind the route the sign will be of class Primary. Next the destination(s) can be entered, and the route text that this list sits in front.

Now enter the destination text and route number. On occasion it will be necessary to specify that the actual route itself is to be shown on a direction sign as a destination. In this case simply check (ensure a tick is shown in) the check box labelled ‘Route is Destin- ation’.

- 61 - The command will also examine the route text to determine the class of route entered. If this contains the letter ‘M’ the Route class choice will be changed to motorway; if ‘B’ to Non-primary; and if ‘A’ it will be change from Motorway.

Note

No change will be made if the existing choice is shown as primary or non-primary (A roads are not necessarily primary routes). Depending on the choice of route and sign/panel class the dialog should show whether a route patch is required and whether a border is appropriate (i.e. on dark background signs).

Normally the route object(s) will be placed to the right of the destination text, but the optional arrangement, which may reduce the width of a sign is to place the route below the destination(s) can be accommodated. If this is required, simply choose the appropriate position for the route with respect to (w.r.t) the destination. If more than one destination is entered, and the route adjacent to (the right of) the destination, this will be centred on the destinations. When three destinations are entered, the route text should be placed below these. This avoids any potential confusion that a route centred on three destinations is the route only for the central destination. The choice for placement will be adjusted automatically when three destinations are entered.

When the required destination(s) and route have been entered, click the draw button to choose a position for the text items in the drawing. The point selected will be used for the lower left corner of the first destination. The ‘Group items’ option will apply only to the route and its patch border(s). After the text is drawn, the dialog will reappear, allowing multiple destination blocks to be created, each below or above the preceding one. Press ‘Finish’ to complete the command.

- 62 - 4.1.3 Drawing Routes and Route Patches: ROUTE

This command, also found on the ‘KeySIGN > Other Text > Route’ pull-down menu, brings up the dialog box shown in Figure 4.2 The Route Dialog, in which all aspects of routes on signs are controlled.

The ROUTE command is a simple ‘one-stop’ means to create route numbers and takes away the need to know which transport font is appropriate, whether a route patch is required, and the precise spacing rules.

Figure 4.2 The Route Dialog

- 63 - Enter the route in the box at the top of the dialog. This can be entered as simply as a13 for example, or m69. The dialog examines the entry and processes it accordingly. It will ensure that the text entered is capitalised, contains a one stroke width gap character ‘|’ and has brackets if appropriate i.e. for a motorway route on a primary route sign (the motorway can be reached via the route shown).

The command will also examine the route text to determine the class of route entered. If this contains the letter ‘M’ the Route class choice will be changed to motorway; if ‘B’ to Non-primary; and if ‘A’ it will be change from Motorway.

Note

If the sign or panel class shown is not as required, select the appropriate one. Depend- ing on the choice selected, the dialog should again show whether a route patch is required, and whether this will need a border.

An optional arrangement which may reduce the width of a sign is to place the route below the destination(s). If this is required, simply choose the appropriate position for the route with respect to the destination. If more than one destination is reached via a route, when placed adjacent (to the right of) the destination, the text will be centred on the destinations. When three destinations are entered, the route text should be placed below these. This avoids any potential confusion that a route centred on three destinations is

- 64 - the route only for the central destination. The choice for placement will be adjusted automatically when three destinations are entered.

When the required route and options have been selected, click the OK button to choose a position for the route text in the drawing. This is done by selecting destinations. Altern- atively, press enter to select a position in the drawing not associated with a destination. The point selected will be used for the lower left corner of the route.

The ‘Group items’ option applies to the route when it is drawn in a patch and makes selection of the route items a little easier. Group selection can be disabled. See the AutoCAD manual for more information on the PICKSTYLE setting. KeySIGN provides a means to control this setting also by way of a simple command on the ‘Sign Utils > Selec- tion > Enable group selection’ pull-down menu.

4.1.4 Route Cancelled Slash: RTCANCEL

Also available on the 'KeySIGN > Design > Route cancelled slash' pull-down menu, this routine generates a route cancelled slash (TSM Ch7 2003, page 99, 11.1 to 11.3, required in situations when a road has been renumbered.

Figure 4.3 Route Cancelled Slashes

- 65 - To place a route cancelled slash, simply select a single (route) text object. Only one item is expected as there are no specified rules to apply a slash to a patched route. This means that selection of the item cannot be done by way of a window or crossing box. As soon as the text item has been selected, a red bar will be immediately drawn over the route text. This consists of two elements, a surrounding border placed on layer ‘Outer_ Border’ and a coloured fill (solid hatch) is placed on the ‘Redfil’ layer.

4.1.5 Changing the Appearance of Signs and Text

There are three ways of displaying the transport text in a sign. These function will also change the display of the sign, patch and panel borders. These commands can also be typed at the Command line, selected from the pull-downs menus or toolbar icons. They can be found in the drop down KeySIGN -> Text -> Utilities.

- 66 - SIMPLEREP – should be used for most design activities.

OUTLINEDREP – used for cutting actual signs and outline type of sign drawings.

REALREP – used for fully colour text and sign faces.

These commands can change all text or a number of selected text in one usage, rather than the representation tab of text editing, which only affects one text item at a time.

In previous versions all text had to be one font throughout a drawing, now a since version 18 enables individual text items to be switched about between the three different text representations. This enables some signs to be shown one way whilst other shown another way. The Simplerep, Outlinedrep & Realrep commands ask for the text to be selected and then change just those selected items.

An example of the different displays is shown in the Figure below. The commands also modify layer settings to suit the purpose for which each font display was intended.

Figure 4.4 Different Font Displays

- 67 - Simplex Rep

Outlined Rep

- 68 - Real Rep

Each of the three text displays can have the tile marks or a chapter 7 box added or turned off individually. This can be done through the ‘edit text’ dialog, by double clicking a text object.

4.1.6 Initial Text Settings: KTS_TEXTREPRESENTATIONSETTINGS

This command allows you to have the transport text just the way you like it. With all the different combinations and options in the way text is displayed then different users have different preferences for the display of their transport text. In order that you don’t need to keep changing text after it is drawn, this command allows you to pre-set the default way any text is created from the Medium, Heavy, DestinationBlock, etc. commands.

Figure 4.5 Default text representations dialog

- 69 - There are three sections of defaults you can choose within this command.

The first part allows you to say all text created will be Simple, Outlined or Real depending on your preference.

The second part allows you to say ‘if simple then display the tile marks’, ‘if real then display the chapter 7 boxes’, etc. Then whenever the representation is changed or new text is added the display of the representation can be pre-set.

The third part is an option for the Medium & Heavy buttons. Rather than have these button mimic the AutoCAD dtext command then it is possible to set this to ‘dialog’ which will open the ‘edit text’ dialog to create transport text where you can type the destination into the dialog and it will appear on the screen as you type. This would allow you to alter the representation and display as you type the destination.

- 70 - If you alter these settings then you can ‘save’ these new defaults which will save the defaults for next time, or if you just want to alter them for the current drawing session these use the ‘set for session’ button.

4.1.7 Real Text

In older KeySIGN version ‘Real Text’ has been developed to enable a traffic sign to be fully coloured in AutoCAD. It had the advantage that the Real Text characters are more accurate as any font available. The characters are the originals produced by the DfT and can therefore be used for the full size manufacture of Traffic Sign legends and where appropriate full sign faces.

These days the real text is now built into the normal display mechanism of the text fonts. It still inserts a series of individually drawn character blocks into the KeySIGN drawing but KeySIGN now uses them internally just like a font and it appears to all intent and purposes that the user now just sees it exactly like a font option.

There are a number of ‘Real Text Commands’ that were used previously that now have less need to be used, but are maintained for compatibility reasons.

- 71 - 4.1.8 Distance Text: MILES

This command invites you to specify the various mileages required and creates them with the appropriate 7 s/w separations indicated with a red construction line. There are two sets of rules for laying distance text out dependent on the number of distances 10 miles or greater (in double figures). Where there is one or no distances in double figures, the distances are centred on the units column (TSM Ch. 7 2003, paragraph 4.15, page 35, Figure 4-11 diagram 2103). Otherwise the fractions, units, tens and hundreds are centred in columns respectively (TSM Ch. 7 2003, paragraph. 3.32, page 26, Figures 3- 22 and 23).

Figure 4.6 Mileage Layout

- 72 - To lay distances out automatically select this command from the toolbar or ‘KeySIGN > Other Text > Mileages’ pull-down menu. You will be prompted to enter one or more distances (top down). To finish entering distances press ENTER to choose the Transport font that they will be drawn out in.

Select a position at the end of the longest destination (it is helpful here for accuracy to use an object snap such as end point in combination with either text corner marks or a construction box). The distances will be laid out and a construction line shown 7 s/w away from the distance text. After the text is drawn it can be selected and moved so that the minimum gap of 7 s/w, measured between the distance and the place name on the same line, on the line immediately above or on the line immediately below each is maintained.

4.1.9 Text Limits: UKCMARK

- 73 - This routine allows the user to highlight the corners of a line of legend with tile corner marks which will remain after the DOTOFF routine has been used. You are prompted to select the items of text to which the corner marks will be applied. A choice is also given as to whether this should be done globally to all the Transport font text in the drawing. When the required text has been selected press ENTER and the corner marks will then automatically appear. If kerning rules apply the tile corners of the text limits are adjusted accordingly and therefore may not match the visible tile corners of the DOTON text.

The UKCMARK command allows the manual positioning of text by reference to the corners of a text object using AutoCAD object snaps. However, the command has been superseded by the SBOX command and the alignment tools for this purpose.

4.1.10 Adding Tile Marks to Any Sign Elements: CMARKBOX

In a way similar to the UKCMARK command, it is possible to place the cyan tile corner marks around any selected sign element(s). This can be done on newly created custom symbols unique to a specific authority, for example the symbol for the new Wembley Sta- dium. When a custom symbol is used in KeySIGN it should ideally be drawn with corner marks as other symbols, on a layer called TILE with the colour property BYLAYER. These can be drawn automatically using this command. At the end of the command, the size (rectangular extents) of the selected objects is reported.

4.1.11 Primary and Regional Destinations: DESTINATIONS

- 74 - This dialog based routine shown below, is only accessible from the pull-down menu. It provides the list of DfT approved destinations allowed in each county, and the main regional destinations for example The NORTH, The MIDLANDS or SCOTLAND.

Choose a country/region category, followed by a county (if available) and finally a primary destination. Ensure that the destination text will be created in the appropriate Transport font, heavy or medium. Click the OK button to select a position for the bottom left corner of the destination text in the drawing. If the Heavy font is selected this will be drawn in the colour configured for Heavy text.

Figure 4.7 Primary Destinations Dialog

4.2 Bilingual Signing (Wales and Scotland)

In Wales and Scotland additional sign rules are in use to achieve bilingual sign designs. KeySIGN includes a number of functions to be able to achieve this sign designs. They

- 75 - can be accessed from the KeySIGN -> Bilingual menu section.

The panel can be turned on and off using the normal AutoCAD functions. However LOADWELSHMENU and UNLOADWELSHMENU commands are also provided to achieve this.

4.2.1 Accents

- 76 - Figure 4.8 Adding Accents to Welsh Text

The appropriate accents can be applied to either Scottish or Welsh destinations using this command.

First the text should be typed without any accent, then use this command to add an accent to a letter.

When using the function, (i) select the required accent from the dialog shown, (ii) the select the text in the drawing to which the accent is to be applied, (iii) KeySIGN will then show a list format dialog from which the letter requiring the accent can be selected.

- 77 - This will add that accent to the selected character.

Scottish bilingual destinations normally only use the ‘Grave accent’, which is drawn slightly differently to the Welsh grave accent. For this reason there is an option available to choose the required way the grave should be displayed.

4.2.2 Bilingual Destinations

and

These commands maintain a gazetteer of places names in both English and their bilingual name text. These can quickly create destination without having to double check spellings each time. You can you just create either text singly or more normally both names are required and then there is a choice of which text comes first. They can be inserted at a selected point on the screen.

Figure 4.9 Welsh Place Name Gazetteer

- 78 - Figure 4.10 Scottish Place Name Gazetteer

- 79 - 4.2.3 Welsh Library Signs

In Wales, more than just bilingual destinations are used. There is therefore a library of standard signs that can be inserted into the drawing. The library is available in Welsh top and English top variations.

- 80 - 4.2.4 Welsh Brackets and a Welsh patch

In a few place there is a need to use compass points with routes numbers, such as M4 (E) or M4(W). When these are created on a sign the Bilingual versions of the compass points are also required. The use of these are shown in image below, where the Welsh and English route text takes up two lines.

When brackets are required around the ‘two line’ route number then double height brackets are used. The WELSHBRACKETS command is used for this and application of the brackets is effected by way of selecting the text to which they are required.

- 81 - Note

The bracket blocks include a fill, which may or may not be required, and may or may not be visible. Visibility of colour fills can be altered using the BFIL command.

A special route patch is needed to incorporate the 2 line route numbers with the large bracketed information. The normal PATCH command expects only a single object to be selected for the patch so MULTIROUTEPATCH command allows the selection of the various objects required for a dual language route which incorporates a direction as in the example below. Simply select the objects required for the patch and press ENTER to finish selecting. The command follows on from there as for the normal PATCH command. A colour choice dialog is shown in which the requirement for a border (patch on dark background sign i.e. motorway route on a primary sign) can be specified.

Figure 4.11 Bilingual Route Patch

- 82 - 4.3 Map Symbol Drawing Commands

Figure 4.12 The Map Signs Toolbars

These routines allow various map symbols for junctions to be created. They are drawn with an outline that will plot black (on white paper), with a red border which represents the minimum separation between the map symbol and any object placed alongside them. In other words the red ‘NOGO’ lines indicate a no-go area. These red lines are held on a separate layer called ‘NOGO’ which can be toggled on or off, independently of other object’s layers. If the NOGO lines are not visible the NOGO layer will need to be switched on to ensure that objects are not placed too near to any map symbol. See the NOGO command for information about how to toggle the visibility of this layer.

Note

KeySIGN uses a specific linetype to determine the appropriate border spacing. If drawing map type symbols manually ensure that these are drawn with the ASIGNMAP linetype.

- 83 - 4.3.1 Standard Round Roundabout

Insert the symbol at a point selected in the drawing. This should be shown with its surrounding NOGO line indicating the minimum separation from the roundabout to any object placed near it. If it is not already showing, when the symbol has been placed in the drawing, the map toolbar should be shown. As with many of these basic symbols the actual geography of the junction will be built up using additional commands such as ENTRYARM, EXITARM and STUB.

4.3.2 Oval Roundabouts

The procedure for Oval roundabouts is very similar to that for circular ones apart from some initial adjustments to ensure that the cut out is correctly positioned in relation to the vertical. To see how this works pick the oval roundabout symbol and select a position in the drawing where it will be inserted. Rotate it, with the cursor, to a suitable alignment, for the layout of the junction. An automatic cut-out is now performed at the correct angle from the horizontal, if the roundabout is not rotated too far from the vertical. The rule shown in TSM Chapter 7, Figure 5-13, page 50 is followed. Once the cut out encroaches onto the parallel sides it ceases to function correctly and manual trimming and filleting (radius 1 s/w) may be required to finish the cut-out. When the cut-out is aligned along a straight edge, it is preferable to ensure that the gap is parallel.

As with many of these basic symbols the actual geography of the junction will be built up using additional commands such as ENTRYARM, EXITARM and STUB.

- 84 - 4.3.3 Mini Roundabouts

Two sizes of mini roundabout and double mini roundabout are provided. The smaller one should NOT be used with primary route arms and the user is prevented from adding such arms. As with many of these basic symbols the actual geography of the junction will be built up using additional commands such as ENTRYARM, EXITARM and STUB.

4.3.4 Other Layouts

A small number of special junctions are available by picking this command as shown in the thumbnail image menu shown in Figure 4.13 The Roundabout and Other Layouts Image Menu.

Figure 4.13 The Roundabout and Other Layouts Image Menu

- 85 - 4.3.5 Adding an Entry Arm to a Roundabout Symbol: ENTRYARM

This command presents the dialog shown in Figure 4.15 The Entry Arm Width Selec- tion Dialog offering a choice of entry arm width. For Primary routes select the 6 s/w option, for numbered Non-primary routes select the 4 s/w option and for un-numbered local routes select the 2.5 s/w option. Once the appropriate width has been selected, select the outer circumference of the roundabout symbol. The entry arm will immediately be placed on the roundabout symbol at the bottom.

4.3.6 Adding an Exit Arm to a Roundabout Symbol: EXITARM

- 86 - This command presents the dialog shown in Figure 4.15 The Entry Arm Width Selec- tion Dialog offering a choice of exit arm width. For Primary routes select the 6 s/w option, for numbered Non-primary routes select the 4 s/w option and for un-numbered local routes select the 2.5 s/w option. Once the appropriate width has been selected, select the outer circumference of the roundabout symbol. It is then necessary to indicate the rotation of the exit arm which is done simply by moving the crosshairs around the roundabout as required. Select a point on-screen to finalise the angle. Don’t be tempted to press Enter as this will indicate the default angle which is to the east (right) of the symbol unless of course this is the required angle.

Figure 4.14 A Straight Ahead Exit Arm on a Roundabout

The exit arm will look something like the one shown in Figure 4.14 A Straight Ahead Exit Arm on a Roundabout leaving the junction straight ahead. It can be seen from the Figure that there are multiple NOGO lines. These indicate various rules which come into play depending on the destinations to be placed adjacent to the arm, and of course to the angle of the arm. See TSM Chapter 7, Figure 5-2, page 41 and Figure 5-4, page 42 for more information about the correct use of these red lines.

4.3.7 Adding a Stub Arm to a Roundabout Symbol: STUB

- 87 - This command presents the dialog shown in Figure 4.15 The Entry Arm Width Selec- tion Dialog offering a choice of stub arm width. For Primary routes select the 6 s/w option, for numbered Non-primary routes select the 4 s/w option and for un-numbered local routes select the 2.5 s/w option. Once the appropriate width has been selected, select the outer circumference of the roundabout symbol. It is then necessary to indicate the rotation of the stub arm which is done simply by moving the crosshairs around the roundabout as required. Select a point on-screen to finalise the angle. Don’t be tempted to press Enter as this will indicate the default angle which is to the east (right) of the symbol unless of course this is the required angle.

Figure 4.15 The Entry Arm Width Selection Dialog

4.3.8 Adding a ‘Ghost’ Stub to a Roundabout Symbol: GHOSTSTUB

On signs similar to TSRGD Diagram 2010.1, adding exit arms as ghost stubs only, improves the clarity of the route being indicated to avoid a prohibition. This command follows the same format for the STUB command excepting that there is no option for the width of the stub. For the other ‘T’ and crossroad junction stubs, insert the signs 2010.1 and 2010.2, or use the symbols available from the ’Other Layouts’ thumbnail image menu.

- 88 - 4.3.9 Inserting a Cul-de-sac Symbol on a Roundabout Exit Arm: CULDESAC

This command is used to place a cul-de-sac symbol on a roundabout exit arm. The command prompts for the background of the sign, either dark or light. Then, as with the EXITARM command, select the outer circumference of the roundabout symbol and lastly, select a point on-screen to indicate the angle for the exit arm. On dark background signs the red bar will have an additional white border around it.

4.3.10 Implementing the ‘Two Thirds’ Rule on Horizontal Arms: ARM

This is a routine which will allow you to stretch automatically a horizontal exit arm of a map type sign so that its length is two thirds of the distance along the Destin- ation/Panel/Symbol combination below it. The rule is shown in TSM Ch 7, figure 5-2, Page 41. After picking the command ARM from the toolbar you are asked to select the objects below the arm, so that their extents and a two thirds point can be calculated. Alternatively, enter ‘p’ to pick the objects’ extents manually. With this option, the prompts ask for a point to be selected to indicate the inside edge of the destination etc, and then the outside edge of the destination etc. If the objects have been selected, it is necessary to specify which way the arm is facing. The routine will then automatically extend the arm for the required distance, two thirds along the elements below the arm. This routine is only designed for use on horizontal exit arms.

- 89 - Example command dialogue:

Command: Arm

Pick Tip of Arm: (point at tip of arm selected on-screen)

Select objects below exit arm or [Pick extents manually]: (objects selected on-screen)

Select objects: 3 found

Select objects: ↵

Direction of exit [Left/Right] : ↵

Command:

4.3.11 Stretching Map Approach Arms Down to a Border: ENTRY

This command is designed for use on any junction ‘entry’ arm which should be stretched to a point 1.5 s/w above the bottom inner border. The routine should be used once the outer border of the sign has been drawn. You will be asked to "Select the mid point of the approach arm" (bottom edge) then the "Inner border at the Bottom of the sign". The entry arm is then stretched to a point the appropriate distance within the sign border.

4.3.12 Stretching Exit Arms at any Angle: ARMSTRETCH

Enables a non-horizontal arm to be stretched along the alignment of the arm. It is found

- 90 - on the ‘KeySIGN > Map Signs > Stretch any angle arm’ pull-down menu. The command requires a point on one side of the exit arm to be selected, followed by a point at the tip of the arm. A temporary polar snap angle is set-up allowing for a visual (dotted) guide line to be created whenever the cross hairs are lined up along the angle of the selected arm. To complete the stretch, select a point along the guide line.

Figure 4.16 Signs on Junction Arms

4.3.13 Junction Arms with signs: TRIARM, ROUNDARM

and

These functions create an arm and sign together. They do not add a sign to an existing arm (in which case use of AutoCAD trimming would be needed).

Where warning is required, of a hazard or regulation which is reached via a route leaving the junction, this is indicated by various signs inset into the appropriate leaving arm.

- 91 - These routines allow such signs on arms to be drawn. You have to indicate the lightness of the sign background to ensure the appropriate additional white border is provided when dark background (Primary, Tourist and Motorway) signs are being designed.

Pick the triangular symbol for Warning signs and the Circular symbol for Regulatory signs from the toolbar or pull-down menu. A thumbnail image menu is presented showing all the signs authorised for use on map signs TSM Chapter 7, Appendix D, page 149). Click the sign required and then the "Insert" button. Select the arm size and click one of the light or dark background options. Yellow and white backgrounds are the only light colours.

Select the roundabout symbol and drag the direction of the route out, or pick a point on a map symbol, where the route of the arm is to be centred, then drag out the direction of the arm. Signs of the appropriate size, at the normal distance, with the correct gaps and borders (if needed) will be drawn. The outer section of the warning sign arm will have to be adjusted and some other manual adjustments (use STRETCH) may be required to ensure correct clearances, from adjacent elements of the sign, are maintained.

Circular signs are inserted without the need for further attention excepting where it is not appropriate to show a continuation of the exit arm beyond the sign e.g. No Entry round- els. However, the triangular signs require the use of TRIM and STRETCH to finish off the design. The exit arm stub should be a minimum length = width and the length of the continuation tips should be 1.5 x width.

Important

Remember to remove the tip of the arm when associated with a No Entry sign.

- 92 - 4.3.14 Cross Roads Map Symbols: XRDS

Selecting this routine opens the dialog shown in Figure 4.17 The Crossroads Dialog. Select the appropriate size of arm for each leg of a cross roads. Selecting the "None" option will create a T junction. The "Draw" button invites you to pick the location for the centre of the map symbol.

One rule is worth remembering. For example, on a right-turn sign such as that shown in TSM Chapter 7, Figure 5-3, page 42, an increased gap of 4 s/w (1.5 added to the normal 2.5) is required to the sign border. In the case of this XRDS command a small section of red line, on the NOGO layer, is created which KeySIGN picks up when calculating the extents of the contents of the sign. Thus it is important that these short lines do not become out of position with respect to the map symbol. If any map symbol is to be moved in a drawing, ensure that all the construction lines are also moved.

Figure 4.17 The Crossroads Dialog

- 93 - 4.3.15 Common Road Symbols:

These insert map symbols and arms that can be used as a basis for a map sign. Within the ‘bend symbols’ insertion routine an option to specify bend to right or left is given and the appropriate symbol is displayed.

Other arms can then be added often by use of the MAPARM routine.

- 94 - 4.3.16 Adding a destination arm: MAPARM

It may be necessary to add an additional arm to an existing map symbol for example as shown in Figure 4.18 Adding a Destination Arm.

This routine invites you to select a point on an existing symbol where the route of the new arm is to be centred. Drag out the direction in which the arm should point then confirm if the filleting at the base of the arm is correct. Joining the various elements and colour filling the competed symbol can then be carried out with the MAPSYMBOLJOIN command (see 4.3.18 Colour Filling Map Symbols: MAPSYMBOLJOIN).

Figure 4.18 Adding a Destination Arm

4.3.17 Drawing Multi-way Junctions: MAPBUILD

- 95 - This routine allows you to create a non-roundabout junction such as K junctions or Y junction or more complex like that shown in Figure 4.19 Building Complex Crossroad Junctions.

Arms of specified sizes, at irregular angles can be selected.

Note

The arms are created in a clockwise direction following the initial insertion of the approach arm. The option to join and fill the map symbol is included in the routine. Arms can subsequently be stretched using the ARMSTRETCH command (see 4.3.12 Stretching Exit Arms at any Angle: ARMSTRETCH).

Note

The fill will not be stretched so if further editing of the drawn symbol is required, e.g. lengthening of any exit arm, or conversion to a stub arm choose the option not to fill the symbol when this is offered.

Figure 4.19 Building Complex Crossroad Junctions

- 96 - 4.3.18 Colour Filling Map Symbols: MAPSYMBOLJOIN

The MAPSYMBOLJOIN command provides a routine that is used on the map type symbols used on ADS signs. It converts the individual lines that make up the map symbol into a continuous polyline by joining these. A black or white colour fill is then applied. This process is now built in to the BORDERFILLSIGN command (see 1.1.2 Colour Filling Signs: BORDERFILLSIGN).

4.3.19 Filleting Joints Between Manually Drawn Map Arms: FILLET1

When a situation arises, which requires two map arms to be joined, this should usually be done using a fillet (small curve) with a 1 s/w radius. This simple command can be used in place of the standard AutoCAD FILLET command, and will set the fillet radius to 1 automatically. See the AutoCAD help manual for more information about the FILLET command.

4.4 Alignment, Construction and Spacing Tools

4.4.1 ‘Shrink-to-fit’ Construction Boxes: SBOX

A construction box is created around selected entity or entities e.g. text symbols etc. The user can then use the box and its contents to centre either horizontally or vertically using the Object Snap MIDPOINT or ENDPOINT for an appropriate corner or side. The command essentially replaces the UKCMARKS command for construction lines.

- 97 - The construction lines created are placed on the NOGO layer in the linetype specified in the KeySIGN options dialog (see Chapter 1 - Customising KeySIGN).

4.4.2 Destination Block Spacing Tool: BLOCKSPACING

This command is used to position destination blocks. In TSM Chapter 7, paragraph 3.22, page 21 a destination block is described as ‘a place name and its associated route number’. This can take several different forms and layouts, and may or may not actually include a route number. It is important that the spacing between these is correctly achieved to give a consistent and clear layout. Once destination blocks have been created, perhaps by the DESTINATIONBLOCK command (see 1.1.2 Destination Block: DESTINATIONBLOCK) the BLOCKSPACING command correctly aligns and spaces selected destination blocks. Some examples of vertical block spacing are shown in Fig- ure 4.20 Vertical Block Spacing Examples.

As with the alignment tools, the command will move one selected set of objects in relation to a second selected set of objects which will not be moved in the drawing. The two sets of objects are selected in turn, separated by a press of the ENTER key to complete each selection. The first set of objects selected will be moved in the drawing. The second set is described as the reference or static objects.

Figure 4.20 Vertical Block Spacing Examples

- 98 - 4.4.3 Variable Block Spacing: VBLOCKSPACING

This command does the same as the BLOCKSPACING command (see 4.4.2 Destin- ation Block Spacing Tool: BLOCKSPACING) but allows for any value to be entered for the spacing. This command would be used to achieve the non-standard spacing used between bilingual destinations or groups of these, or to cater for other non-standard spacing rules on various standard TSRGD signs.

4.4.4 Alignment Tools: Various commands

- 99 - The following tools are for automatically aligning sets of sign face objects. One selected set of objects will be moved in relation to a second selected set of objects which will not be moved in the drawing. The two sets of objects are selected in turn, separated by a press of the ENTER key to complete each selection. The first set of objects selected will be moved in the drawing. The second set is described as the reference or static objects.

If it is imagine that a shrink-to-fit rectangle is drawn around the selected objects, reference points such as the edges of the rectangle around one set is lined up with the other, So for example with the ALIGNLEFTS command at the end of the command the two sets of objects’ left hand edges will be positioned on the same vertical line or coordinate in the drawing.

Note

Each tool will move objects in only one direction, thus often two commands will be needed to make objects touch. To this end, the ‘Object/Verb’ way of working is most useful.

The commands support the ‘Object/Verb’ way of working, selecting the objects to be moved without reference to any command. When any alignment command is then selected from the menu with objects already selected and gripped, the commands prompt to select the reference objects. The initial pre-selected set will then remain highlighted and a series of commands can be selected to bring objects into line. Press ESC to unselect the highlighted objects.

Also on this toolbar and pull-down sub-menu is a command to centre any objects vertically within either a polyline or two selected points; one to centre any objects hori-

- 100 - zontally within either a polyline or two selected points; and a command to centre arrows vertically within a border.

4.4.4.1 ALIGNLEFTS, ALIGNTOPTOBOTTOM etc.

A series of aligning tools are available to line up a set of selected element(s) with another set of selected element(s). The routines are also to be found on the ‘Sign Utils > Align’ pull-down sub-menu.

The ALIGNTOPTOBOTTOM, ALIGNBOTTOMTOTOP, ALIGNLEFTTORIGHT and ALIGNRIGHTTOLEFT commands all align opposite edges of the shrink-to-fit rectangle, and can be used in any order. It is most likely, however, that one set of objects will already be positioned in the drawing and therefore will not want to be moved. Care must be taken to choose the correct combination of command, and the order of selection of the sets of objects.

These commands only move objects in one direction, either to the left or right, or up or down. This direction is indicated by the small arrow on the alignment toolbar icons. To effect a complete move, it may be necessary to use a combination of at least two of these commands.

4.4.4.2 ALIGNCENTRES and ALIGNMIDDLES

These two functions enable selected elements to be centred horizontally or vertically with respect to the position of a second group of selected elements.

- 101 - The routines enable selected element(s) to be moved in a particular direction, by a particular amount. Elements can be selected before or after picking the command from the toolbar.

These commands only move objects in one direction, either to the left or right, or up or down, so it may be necessary to use other commands described in this section to effect a complete move.

4.4.4.3 CENTREGROUPH and CENTREGROUPV

Commands to centre a number of objects within either a polyline or between two selected points, either vertically or horizontally provide for several design rules. For example lane sign arrows must be centred in the ‘lane’ on the sign and the lane width is variable since its size is determined by the length of the destination(s) above it. The objects are centred within the polyline or selected points in terms of the centre of an imagined shrink-to-fit rectangle around them.

If objects are to be centred within a polyline, simply select this and then immediately select the object(s) to be moved. Press ENTER to finish selecting objects. KeySIGN will then make calculations and move the objects accordingly.

If objects are to be centred between two selected points, press ENTER and then select the two points. After these have been selected carry straight on to select the object(s) to be moved. As before press ENTER to finish selecting objects. KeySIGN will then make calculations and move the objects accordingly.

- 102 - 4.5 Border Drawing Commands

4.5.1 Sign Border Drawing Commands: ONESTACK, TWOSTACK, THREESTACK AND FOURSTACK

These routines are used after the text and symbols for a sign face design, have been put together in the correct relationship. They provide the finishing touch encapsulating the finished design into a final form. The terms used to refer to multi-direction signs are two ‘stack’, three ‘stack’ and four ‘stack’.

For ‘multi-stack’ signs it is not necessary to place elements from separate parts of the sign accurately on the drawing relative to adjacent parts. All that is required is that the selection sequence for the border commands be adhered to i.e. the straight ahead part selected first to ensure that it appears as the top part of the sign, left pointing next and lastly right pointing for the bottom. The border commands will pull together all of the sep- arately selected parts of the sign into one single multi-stack border.

- 103 - The routines are called up by picking the appropriate border command from the toolbar or pull-down menu system. You will be prompted to select the objects to be included in each part of the sign, and the most effective way is to put a selection window around the items. This requires less accuracy and therefore allows faster operation. A previous option (now removed from this command) allowed for the area of the sign objects to be selected. This should never now be required, however, for those who know and still may like to use this option, new commands have been defined and these are to be found on the ‘KeySIGN > Borders: panels/flags/stack > More’ pull-down sub-menu.

The old way of defining the area requires you to pick the opposite corners of the tex- t/symbols. There must in any case be sign elements between these points so it is best to assist with the selection if a construction box has been drawn using the SBOX command. Do not make any allowance for gaps between text etc and border, this is done automatically. If a red cross appears below a symbol or panel use this, if appropriate, when determining the lowest point on the sign.

When the objects or points have been selected the routine pulls each group of tex- t/symbols into position, separating them by the appropriate panel dividers with associated fillets which differ depending on the contents of the top panel. Junction name text is adjusted in position as are right pointing panels and finally the outer border is drawn.

After the border has been drawn you are asked if you want details of the sign. See 1.1.6 Adding Detail to the Completed Signs: DDETAIL for more information about adding sign details. See also the DDONESTACK command in 1.1.2 Automatic OneSTACK Sign Command: DDONESTACK.

4.5.2 Direction ‘Flag’ Sign Borders: FLAG

- 104 - After picking the flag symbol from the toolbar you are given the option to state whether the flag is left or right pointing and then the items to be included in the border should be selected. The command will automatically draw the chevron and borders at the correct size.

Note

Where there is a long line of legend/symbol/mileage in the centre of the block the right pointing sign may need adjustment to reduce the distance from text to chevron to the minimum of 2 s/w. An option to display the 2 s/w NOGO area is offered.

After the border has been drawn you are asked if you want details of the sign. See 1.1.6 Adding Detail to the Completed Signs: DDETAIL for more information about adding sign details. See also the DDFLAGSIGN command in 1.1.1 The AutoFLAG Command: DDFLAGSIGN.

4.5.3 MoD Panel and Flag: MODFLAG, MODPANEL

and

The special requirements of flag signs and panels to Ministry of Defence establishments specified in TSM Chapter 7, Figure 3-8, page 19 is catered for with these routines. The flag sign border command MODFLAG colours the border red, with a white background. The panel command MODPANEL colours the borders and background red and white, and offers to draw a white border around this for when the panel is to be used on a dark background sign.

- 105 - 4.5.4 Adding Route Patch Borders to Route Text: PATCH

See also the ROUTE command in 1.1.3 Drawing Routes and Route Patches: ROUTE which has largely superseded this command.

Note

It is most unusual to have Route numbers without brackets when enclosed in a patch.

A patch is the small coloured rectangle around a route number. First type the appropriate Route Number using Heavy text for routes on light background signs (non-primary), and Medium for a route on dark background signs (primary, motorway, tourist or lorry route).

Note

Remember the 1 s/w space required between route letter and number. This is done by pressing the Shift + ‘\’ key combination (the ‘|’ character).

Start the PATCH command from the icon or pull-down menu, noting that this applies to both green and blue patches. You will be prompted to select the route number by picking it directly. The command only expects a single object to be selected so it will not be possible to define a selection window or crossing box. When multiple routes are required such as ‘(M1 North, M25)’ then this should be typed as a single item of text. There is no need to press Enter to move on from the object selection part of the command, a small

- 106 - colour choice dialog (shown below in the PANEL command description) is immediately presented. This is designed with a wheel mouse in mind. Simply roll the mouse wheel to select the appropriate colour. Choose whether the patch will require a white border (on dark background signs only). A small colour flash can also be added if required although this command, covered in paragraph 4.7.6 Adding a Small Colour Flash to Borders: BGROUND and designed to show the sign colouration, has largely been superseded by the BORDERFILLSIGN command covered in 1.1.2 Colour Filling Signs: BORDERFILLSIGN.

4.5.5 Panel Borders: PANEL

Panels are the areas of a sign which are coloured to signify the classification of the exit road from the junction where it differs from the classification of the road on which the sign is sited. For example a non-primary side road off a Primary route would be indicated by a white panel on a green background sign. Where both the background and the panel are dark colours (e.g. blue panel on green background) there is an additional 0.5 s/w border. Select the command from the menu to call the panel routine. You have the option to select the items to be included within the panel by picking them (or use a select win-

- 107 - dow) or DEFINE the size of the panel by picking the bottom left and top right corners of the text tile marks/symbols etc.

Before the border can be drawn the panel colours, and whether a border is required must be specified in a small choice dialog shown above right. This is designed with a wheel mouse in mind. Simply roll the mouse wheel to select the appropriate colour.

4.5.6 Panel Borders with a Cut-out Corner: LPAN

The 1994 Regulations allowed panels to be displayed on the sign face with cut-outs in one corner to allow for a wrap around effect on junction arms. LPAN, functions like the PANEL border command by giving the option to select the items to be included within the panel by picking them (or use a select window) or DEFINE the size of the panel by picking the bottom left and top right corners of the text tile marks/symbols etc.

Figure 4.21 Correct Use of Cutaway Panels

This no longer needs a special command, as ANY normal rectangular panel can be changed into an L-shaped one by using the blue corner grip and dragging that corner inwards. The grip will only be shown when the panel is selected and highlighted. It will

- 108 - also only be on corners that can be altered (if any). The menu command for L shaped panels just draws and normal one then highlights the panel to allow a corner to be dragged inwards.

Note

The cut-out should be the minimum needed to fit around an arm rather than the maximum cut-out possible determined by the text layout as shown above.

Figure 4.22 The blue corner grip to create an L shape or cut away.

When the regular panel is drawn (before cutting away the corner), then the panel colours, and whether an additional white border is required, must be specified in a small choice dialog. This is designed with a wheel mouse in mind. Simply roll the mouse wheel to select the appropriate colour.

- 109 - 4.5.7 Finger Post Border: FINGER

The Regulations incorporate an option for Finger post signs. This routine allows the user to place the simple border around the destination in the same way as other sign border commands operate. A dialog box shown in Figure 4.23 The Finger Post Dialog allows the shape of the pointed part of the finger to be chosen together with options to fillet the plate. See TSM Chapter 7, paragraphs 7.13 to 7.17 and Figure 7-5, page 81 for design rules for these signs.

Figure 4.23 The Finger Post Dialog

- 110 - 4.5.8 Panels and Sign Borders: Automatically resizing for contents

Whether you have drawn a panel or created a 1stack sign etc. then the borders are automatically created around those items. These borders also resize automatically if the contents alter. This can be particularly useful if you have created the final sign design (even coloured it), then decide to adjust the sign face. The borders will now adjust again to fit where ever the contents are positioned and also any details about the border size and colour will be adjusted to the new size.

This can be seen with the following two signs.

Figure 4.24 Automatic resizing sign and panel borders

4.5.9 Adding Backing Boards: BACKINGBOARD

- 111 - Where hazards generate a higher than normal concern about safety, high conspicuity backing boards can be used. Signs mounted on common grey backing boards are also often used. This command is found on the Flyout tool bar below the One Stack icon , and also on the ‘KeySIGN > Borders > Backing Board’ pull-down menu. Selecting the command produces the dialog box shown in Figure 4.25 The Backing Board Dialog. The design rules for these boards can be found in TSM Chapter 7, paragraphs 14.19 – 14.24, pages 136 – 138.

Figure 4.25 The Backing Board Dialog

- 112 - Regulatory and Warning Signs options have a fixed border offset but the Direction Sign option allows the user to select width of border. The radius of corner fillets is user defin- able in all cases. The end result of applying a backing board to the steep hill signs is shown above right.

If a supplementary plate is required within the backing board, ensure that the standard warning or regulatory sign is scaled correctly. These are all drawn based on an assumed x-height of 100mm which means that when placed alongside a supplementary plate with a different x-height the proportions will not be correct unless the standard sign is scaled. See the command SCALESTANDARDSIGN covered in 1.1.1 Scaling Stand- ard Signs: SCALESTANDARDSIGN. To include a supplementary plate within the backing board, select the plate option and specify the x-height for the plate.

- 113 - Note

If colour filling is required, it is essential that the supplementary plate is colour filled before the backing board is drawn.

4.5.10 Drawing Sign Border to Size: XBlock

Figure 4.26 The XBLOCK Command Dialog

There are some signs in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) which do not strictly follow the design rules. These are mainly signs of either fixed legend or a limited variation in legend and they appear on plates of a fixed size. These plates are the type which used to be used at road works, for example, bearing legends such as ROAD CLOSED AHEAD.

- 114 - The command shows a small dialog in which to specify the sign type (stack or flag), if an inner border is required, the x-height, width and height of the plate. The routine then draws a rectangle or flag border of the specified size on which you can arrange the appropriate legend. See also the DDSIGN command in 1.1.4 Automatic Text Only Signs Command: DDSIGN.

4.5.11 Light Baffle / Side Border Extension: BAFFLE

The addition of an extra piece of usually grey back-plate material to act as a light baffle or to allow a sign to be mounted spanning a wide footpath can be drawn easily. The routine asks the user to select whether a Light Baffle or Side Extension is required, then to pick the DETAIL block of the appropriate sign. Next, the additional height or total width of the extra plate is entered. A new outer border of the whole plate is created which can be placed as required. Once this has been done, an extra block of information is added to the existing DETAIL block showing the overall dimensions of the amended sign.

4.6 The Automatic Sign Commands

4.6.1 The AutoFLAG Command: DDFLAGSIGN

Creates a basic flag sign automatically from simple dialog box based entry. As such it offers the user a completely automatic way of creating a variety of simple flag signs with up to three destinations and associated route numbers or symbols. Patches are created (with borders if necessary); text, background and border colours are assigned; and spacings introduced automatically. Even the text height is automatically calculated upon entry of the 85%ile speed, if known.

- 115 - Figure 4.27 The Automatic Flag Sign Dialog

Call the routine from the menu system or the 'KeySIGN > Automatic Signs' pull-down sub-menu to show the dialog shown below.

Type destinations and routes, or distances or symbols as required. Boxes which have a downward pointing arrow on the right-hand side provide you with alternatives that can be selected. Simply pick the arrow and a list will appear. Pick the appropriate item from the list. In this way the ‘Sign classification’ can be selected e.g. Non-Primary or Tourist or Cycle etc. As this is done the basic colour of the sign appears in the box below. The current x-height is also displayed in this box.

- 116 - The Class (of road) will automatically change to ‘Motorway’ if an M is used in the Route No., but you will have to indicate if an A class route is ‘Primary’ or ‘Non-Primary’. Route numbers will automatically be placed in patches, if appropriate. A warning message will appear if brackets are missing from Route Nos. in patches.

Destinations sharing route numbers are accommodated by using the ditto “ symbol in the second destination route No. box. In this case the Route No. will be centred vertically on the two destinations. Where three destinations share the same Route No. the number will appear on a fourth line.

Two word destinations such as ‘Market Weighton’ can be entered on one line but if it is required on two lines, type the + sign between the two words’ e.g. ‘Market+Weighton’. The program will then centre one word over the other.

Capital letters will be automatically incorporated if destinations are entered in lower case letters. Spaces will be added to route numbers if omitted.

Mileages can be entered into the ‘Mileage’ box. Fractions can be entered thus ‘2 1/2’. The program will automatically convert the 1/2 characters into the single Transport Font text character. The program will not accept fractions with mileages greater than 3 as required by TSM Chapter 7, paragraph 3.34, page 29.

Symbols are added by typing the appropriate reference number in the ‘Symbols’ box. If the reference number is not known type a '?' in the symbols box and ENTER. The Tour- ist Symbols icons will appear. Find and select the appropriate symbol, then pick the "OK"’ button. The appropriate symbol reference will now be displayed.

- 117 - If you wish to alter the x-height or have it automatically calculated from the 85%ile speed pick the ‘X height & Material options’ button. Enter the new x-height or an 85%ile speed. This screen also allows the type of material to be changed e.g. Class 1 or Diamond grade etc.

Once the details have been entered pick the ‘Draw’ button. You will be returned to the standard KeySIGN screen and asked to select a suitable point to draw the sign. This will be about midway along the top of the sign. If you click “Yes” on the ‘Do you want to add sign detail information?’ prompt, the usual sign detail dialog appears (see 1.1.6 Adding Detail to the Completed Signs: DDETAIL for more information about the DDETAIL command).

The Automatic Flag routine does not compensate for destinations etc being tucked into the chevron. However an option to insert the 2 s/w NOGO line can be accepted and the stretch routine then used to manually modify the design.

Figure 4.28 The Completed Automatic Flag Sign with Colour Fill

- 118 - Use the DDETAIL command to change the calculated sizes by selecting the "Border" button. Pick the outer border to automatically recalculate the sign size.

If the routine has been completed by answering all the prompts you will find that the previously entered information is still there if the Automatic Flag Routine is called up again. This enables you to modify the results with very little effort.

Note

Left and right pointing flag signs are created by picking the appropriate button in the ‘Direction’ box.

The sign design entered in the dialog can be stored by picking the ‘Save details’ button and specifying an appropriate name for the *.afs file. Picking the ‘Files (browse box)’ will allow any *.afs file to be selected and the details brought back into the Automatic Flag Sign window.

Converting the text to the duplex form by typing "DUPLEX" at the command line will show a view similar to the fully colour filled sign shown in Figure 4.28 The Completed Automatic Flag Sign with Colour Fill.

Note

The present Automatic Flag routine does not allow mileages to be specified on signs if route numbers are incorporated nor will it allow mileages with more than

- 119 - one symbol per line. We suggest you create the sign, erase the border, add the additional information then apply the Flag border as described in 1.1.2 Direction ‘Flag’ Sign Borders: FLAG.

Figure 4.29 The Automatic One-Stack Sign Dialog

4.6.2 Automatic OneSTACK Sign Command: DDONESTACK

- 120 - This command creates a one stack sign automatically from destination information. Auto- matic OneSTACK follows similar lines to the Automatic FLAG routine. Pick the toolbar button or select the AutoSTACK item from the ‘KeySIGN > Automatic Signs pull-down sub-menu. The ‘data entry’ dialog is shown in Figure 4.29 The Automatic One-Stack Sign Dialog.

By specifying that the ‘Humber+Bridge’ line is in a Tourist panel (last column) the program creates the necessary panel incorporating the tourist symbol and then centres the arrow on the whole assembly.

Note

The use of the ‘+’ sign to force Humber Bridge onto two lines, one centred automatically over the other.

- 121 - Figure 4.30 The Completed Automatic One-Stack Sign

Arrows are selected by clicking on the arrow image. The program will automatically sense if a 14 or 16 s/w arrow is required for the straight ahead destinations, dependent on the overall height of the contents of the sign.

Note

The straight-ahead arrow is normally on the left of the destination. However where a sign is mounted so that traffic can proceed past either side of the sign e.g. at a motorway slip, it is permissible to show the arrow on the right of the destination to

- 122 - emphasise that ahead destinations are reached by keeping on the main route.

Like the Automatic FLAG routine the details of the Automatic One-PAN sign can be saved to a plain text file with the extension *.aop.

When the details have been edited, select an approximate position for the sign to be drawn. The completed sign is shown in Figure 4.30 The Completed Automatic One- Stack Sign. The full power of these automatic routines can be appreciated by going back into the routine and modifying say, the sign classification from Non-Primary to Primary. With no further input the program changes font styles and adds borders to panels and patches before resizing the sign. A further example can be seen if a change is made from a left turn arrow to a right turn, reversible symbols are mirrored.

Note

The user can make use of this routine to create groupings of text, patches, symbols and panels etc for use on other types of signs. Just create the single stack sign with "Arrow Box" clicked to "No Border". Then use the SGROUP command (see 1.1.2 Selection Commands: SGROUP, XSGROUP, MOVEGROUP and GROUPSEL) to treat the group as one item.

4.6.3 AutoPARK Sign Command: DDPARK

This routine is a very flexible addition to an area of sign design that has many complex rules. Pick the toolbar button or select the AutoPARKING item from the ‘KeySIGN >

- 123 - Automatic Signs’ pull-down sub-menu. Pick the area displaying the small sign until one of the desired formats is displayed. The Waiting restriction text is shown to the left. You can modify the times etc to coincide with the Traffic Regulation Order. The dialog based entry is shown in Figure 4.31 The Automatic Parking Dialog.

Figure 4.31 The Automatic Parking Dialog

Loading restrictions can be added by clicking the "Loading" box and making the appropriate changes to times etc. Arrows can also be added where appropriate.

Figure 4.32 The Loading Plate Dialog

- 124 - Signs can be given titles e.g. ‘Pedestrian Zone’ by clicking the Plate title if relevant as for example in TSRGD sign Diagram number 663. Additional plate titles can be added and saved for future use by clicking the "Add" button.

Note

The word spacings used in these signs are not the usual 2.5 s/w so take great care to keep the spacings supplied with the initial signs, when altering times.

Figure 4.33 The Finished Automatic Parking/Loading Plate

- 125 - Note

In the above display the MOVE command has been used to relocate the Detail box from below to the side of the sign and the sign has been colour filled.

When the sign is satisfactory, remember to give the sign a reference (you cannot draw the sign without one), click the "Draw" button. The finished sign should look like the one shown in the Figure 4.33 The Finished Automatic Parking/Loading Plate.

4.6.4 Automatic Text Only Signs Command: DDSIGN

This command is used for text only signs. The routine is selected by picking the icon shown above from the main KeySIGN toolbar, or the AutoTEXT item from the ‘KeySIGN

- 126 - > Automatic Signs’ pull-down sub-menu. The user is presented with a dialog box as shown in Figure 4.34 The DDSIGN Dialog for Diagram 7015 Variant.

Type in the appropriate sign text, give the sign a reference, select the type of text and choose any special text sizes and line spacings. The routine allows you to save the designed sign as a block which can be recalled without the need to redesign it.

Note

The block definition resides only in the current drawing. To use the sign in other drawings, use the standard AutoCAD WBLOCK command. See the AutoCAD manual for more information about this command.

Figure 4.34 The DDSIGN Dialog for Diagram 7015 Variant

- 127 - Options are available to create the text without a border and, as on the other automatic sign routines, you can specify an 85%ile speed and the computer will give you the correct x-height to use

Clicking the "Draw" button will produce the sign shown in Figure 4.35 The Completed Automatic Text Only Sign.

Figure 4.35 The Completed Automatic Text Only Sign

4.6.5 Bus Lane Signs: BUSLANE

Located on the Flyout tool bar below the Informatory Sign Icon, the Bus Lane Sign icon will display the dialog box shown in Figure 1.3 The BUSLANE Command Dialog: TSRGD Diagram 960. It is used to create bus lane signs of the type TSGRD diagram number 958,959 and 960.

- 128 - Figure 4.36 The SIGN Command Showing Dialog Box Entry

4.6.6 Other Automatic Standard Sign routines: SIGN

There are many signs which are not pre-drawn and part of the Sign Library. A list of these can be found on the ‘KeySIGN > Automatic Signs > Other Signs’ pull-down sub- menu. It is common, however, to use the SIGN command for any standard sign as well as browsing for the signs from the various thumbnail image menus like the one shown in Figure 1.1 The Transport Warning Signs Image Menu. Simply type the SIGN command and in response to the command enter the sign diagram number for example 547.7. If there is an automatic routine for creating the sign to the diagram number entered, as in this example, a unique dialog of the type illustrated in Figure 4.36 The SIGN Command Showing Dialog Box Entry is shown. This will give the permitted variants for the sign, for example ‘Disabled’, ‘Blind’ and ‘Deaf’. Since an arrow is also permitted for this sign, click for one and its direction by picking on the image of the arrow as required.

Figure 4.37 TSRGD Sign to Diagram 547.7

- 129 - 4.6.7 Sign / Supplementary Plate Command: SIGNANDSUPPPLATE

This dialog based routine contains a pop-list from which the diagram number of a standard sign can be selected. The appropriate alternative supplementary plates available for the sign are then displayed.

Select the sign required (for example 524-1), the type of backing board (say yellow), the alternative supplementary plate (say 525 "Low gear now") and choose the background option (say Background fill). The standard size is displayed and other options can be chosen as appropriate.

- 130 - The sign can now be inserted onto your drawing. If the sign is to be used on a direction sign, it will be drawn at a height in stroke widths as specified in TSM Chapter 7, Appendix D, page 149. Because the steep hill sign has a variable gradient you will be asked to specify this. Don't forget to include the "%" symbol. The text will still be displayed in the DOTON format so you will need to UNBLOCK the sign and apply Real Text to the gradient to display it in its final form shown in Figure 4.38 Automatic Sign and Supplementary Plate Dialog.

Figure 4.38 Automatic Sign and Supplementary Plate Dialog

- 131 - Note

If a different sign size is selected then an appropriate alternative size for the plate lettering must also be used.

4.6.8 Parking Symbols and Signs: PARK

The PARK command brings up a dialog choice shown in Figure 4.39 The ‘P’ Parking Symbol and Sign Dialog. This allows for a

Figure 4.39 The ‘P’ Parking Symbol and Sign Dialog

Range of the ‘P’ parking symbols and signs to be drawn. Selecting the first option gives the simple ‘P’ symbol on its own. Secondly, a blue patched symbol with no border for use on light background signs. The third option provides the same blue patched ‘P’ symbol with a white border for use on dark background signs.

The fourth option provides a blue patched ‘P’ symbol with a number of spaces within the patch. This can be with or without border depending on the sign background colour. This

- 132 - routine can be started using the PSPACES command which should be typed at the command line or can be used as a menu macro for a customised menu.

Figure 4.40 Automatic ‘P’ Sign Dialog

Lastly, the ‘Sign with number of spaces’ hides an array of choices of signs which are variants of TSRGD Diagram numbers 2505, 2506, 2507 and 2508. A variant of a sign (the advanced direction equivalent) is set up ready to draw in the dialog shown in Figure 4.40 Automatic ‘P’ Sign Dialog. The routine then draws the sign shown in Figure 4.41 A Variant of TSRGD Sign Diagram 2507.

Figure 4.41 A Variant of TSRGD Sign Diagram 2507

- 133 - 4.6.9 Inserting Bus Symbols: BUS

This item shows the dialog in Figure 4.42 The BUS Command Dialog from which the required bus symbol can be selected. Simply click on the required symbol. Unlike other symbols where the sign direction needs to be entered, the direction is chosen by way of the different symbols. For example it can be seen that the left pointing bus shows the pas- senger door, whereas the right pointing symbol shows the driver’s window.

Figure 4.42 The BUS Command Dialog

- 134 - 4.6.10 Inserting Hospital Symbols: HOSPITAL

This item shows the dialog shown in Figure 4.43 The HOSPITAL Command Dialog from which the required hospital symbol can be selected. The symbols are for use on direction signs, and if used on a dark background sign, require a white outer border. The symbols are inserted in the same way as other symbols, and include a colour fill. If these are required in other arrangements, for example with the ‘A & E’ patch to the side of the ‘H’ patch then the symbol will need to be broken down into its component parts using the standard AutoCAD EXPLODE command. The individual elements can then be manip- ulated as required.

Note

These symbols should not be confused with TSRGD diagram number signs

Figure 4.43 The HOSPITAL Command Dialog

- 135 - 4.7 Miscellaneous Sign Design Commands

4.7.1 Inserting Direction Arrows: ARROW, ARROWS

- 136 - It is unlikely that the ARROW command will ever be typed. If it is, the command will prompt for the required arrow reference. Arrows are referenced on (approximate) clock numbers such as ‘9o’ and ‘3o’ for left and right arrows respectively. The full list is as follows: 12o14 and 12o16 (the suffix relates to the arrow height), 11o, 10o, 9o, 7o, 1o, 2o, 3o and 5o. Entering a ‘?’ at the command prompt to see a slide on-screen for a quick reference.

More commonly, however, the command will be started by selecting a menu item, either from the Arrows toolbar (or flyout of the main KeySIGN toolbar) or from the ‘KeySIGN > Arrows’ pull-down menu. Alternatively, the ARROWS command shows a thumbnail image menu from which any available arrow can be selected.

The arrows will normally be inserted by selecting the destinations etc that will be reached by taking the direction shown. For example in the sign shown in Figure 1.15 A Variant of TSRGD Sign Diagram 2507 the ‘Saturday only’ text and the patched ‘P’ symbol will be selected. Like other symbols the arrow is placed such that its centre line is 0.5 stroke widths above the centre line of the selected text. As such, placement of the symbol along the centre line of the text tiles has the correct result of centring the symbol on the text within the tiles (see TSM Chapter 7, Figure 3-9, page 20). If an arrow is required to be placed in non-standard positions for example a straight ahead arrow to the right of a destination, it is possible to press Return when the command is expecting objects to be selected, for manual insertion. Arrows can be centred in a sign border using the CARROW command (shown on the right hand end of the toolbar above).

Overhead gantry sign arrows are drawn using the OHARROW command (see 4.7.13 Overhead Gantry Arrow: OHARROW). Arrows for lane signs, found on a separate menu, are inserted against lane sign elements manually, and can be centred horizontally within the ‘lanes’ on the sign using the CENTREGROUPH command (see 1.1.4.3 CENTREGROUPH and CENTREGROUPV).

- 137 - 4.7.2 Colour Filling Signs: BORDERFILLSIGN

Should a fully coloured view of any sign be required, all that is required with this command is to select all the entities that comprise the finished sign design. The command will colour fill borders and backgrounds and correctly order them in the display (see also the pull-down menu item ‘Tools > Display Order’), so that when printed the correct colours are displayed.

Note

Problems may occur if using this routine on a drawing created with KeySIGN version 15 or earlier.

If the sign includes a map type symbol it may be necessary to select its outline in response to the next prompt. If it hasn’t already been, the map symbol is automatically joined as a closed polyline, and filled in. Text is automatically converted to Real Text and everything else (standard signs and symbols) is colour filled as appropriate.

The colour filling process can be undone at any time using the UNDOBORDERFILL command (see 4.7.4 Reversing a Sign Colour Fill: UNDOBORDERFILL). This command requires simple selection of the sign detail block or the sign border. Selection of the sign border is possible reliably even if the colour fill hatches are showing.

- 138 - The previous command BORDERFILL has been retained for compatibility with sign designs created with version 15 or earlier of KeySIGN. See also the BGROUND command for adding simple colour flash to the corner of sign, panel and patch borders.

4.7.3 Changing a Border Colour: CHANGEBORDERCOLOUR

On occasion, it may be necessary to change a sign border’s colour. Standard AutoCAD methods can be used to visually change just the colours, but for the purposes of colour filling, this command must be used. The CHANGEBORDERCOLOUR command will change the colours of the sign borders as required, and also some internally stored information that is used in the colour filling stage (BORDERFILLSIGN command covered in 4.7.2 Colour Filling Signs: BORDERFILLSIGN).

Note

Beware, however, that if changing from a dark background sign to a light background, or vice versa that the sign will need to be redesigned. In other words where for example Transport Medium is the appropriate font for a dark background sign such as on a Primary route, conversion to a non-primary sign with a light background would require the Transport Heavy text. Due to the different character tile widths, spacings to routes, between destination blocks etc. would need to be altered. In addition route patches and many symbols would require additional patch borders to be removed or added.

This command, which can be found as the ‘Sign Utils > Colour Fill > Change Border Col- our’ pull-down menu item, will normally be run by selecting two outer sign borders. Since it can also be used to edit panels and patches it may also be used to select just a single

- 139 - inner border for changing. The dialog shown in Figure 4.44 Changing Sign Class (Border Colours) should show the colours of the inner (and outer) border(s) selected. To change these, simply select a sign class. If non-standard colours are required choose ‘Choose Colours’ from the list of sign classes, then browse for these by pressing the “Select” buttons.

Figure 4.44 Changing Sign Class (Border Colours)

- 140 - 4.7.4 Reversing a Sign Colour Fill: UNDOBORDERFILL

Use this command to reverse the changes made to a finished design after applying colour fills using the BORDERFILLSIGN command (see 4.7.2 Colour Filling Signs: BORDERFILLSIGN). Simply select the sign border to remove the colour fills, and to reverse the conversion of text to Real Text.

4.7.5 Removing Symbol Fills: REMOVESYMBOLFILL

If it is required to show a finished design in both its design (DOTON) appearance alongside a fully coloured up sign (after applying the BORDERFILLSIGN command), then the first thing to note is that since the colour fill layers need to be switched on, any symbol or standard sign in the drawing will also show its colour fills. So any symbol on the DOTON, un-filled sign will in fact also be shown filled. To achieve a display with no fills at all, whilst also showing colour fills elsewhere in the drawing, this command can be used to remove individual fills from symbols and arrows etc.

Simply select the symbol, standard sign or other block as required. The colour fills will be removed and the block redefined with a suffix ‘-unfilled’.

Note

If the colour fill layers are not switched on at the time, no change can be seen, but use of the BFIL command (see 1.1.4 Colour Fill Toggle: BFIL) will show that the fills have been removed.

- 141 - 4.7.6 Adding Detail to the Completed Signs: DDETAIL

This routine is offered each time a sign border has been drawn. A dialog box is presented with information about the sign reference; x-height; the colours of letters, background and borders; and class of material etc. These are then used to calculate the final height, width and cost of the sign.

The specified and calculated details, sign face colours and material class etc may be inserted below the sign. The details can include a scheme reference, although the sign detail can be displayed in any form. Since the detail drawing or block that is used is set in the ‘KeySIGN Tools > Program > Options’ dialog, any drawing can be selected such as a drawing frame containing attributes and the logo for the organisation. Any changes made to the scheme name in this dialog are saved immediately.

A sign reference must be entered. This would be a reference used in the contract documentation, sign schedules and location plans. It is not possible to proceed from the dialog (except using the Cancel button) until a sign reference has been entered.

Figure 4.45 The DDETAIL Sign Detail Dialog

- 142 - An appropriate sign face material should be selected. The list of materials presented, and the default material is fully configurable. See Chapter 1 - Glossary of KeySIGN commands for further details. The pricing option, should this be required, is linked to the sign area and the material choice.

The two buttons labelled “Border” and “Select” will only be used to identify a specific sign to add detail to, or to edit an existing sign detail. Thus if this dialog is shown directly after a sign border has been drawn, it will not be necessary to use these buttons.

- 143 - In the ‘Sizes’ area, an x-height can be directly entered if a suitable one is known. If not, an appropriate size can be selected, based on either Local Transport Note 1/94, Appendix A, or the method to be described in TSM Chapter 2. Both of these are dependent on a measured 85th percentile speed. In the example dialog shown to the right, a speed of 45 mph was measured, and this results in a recommended x-height of 100mm for advance direction signs (ADS). If space is short in terms of the available width for the sign, a smaller x-height can be selected to check for fit.

The alternative and recommended method, however, is to be included in the forthcoming TSM Chapter 2, and provides a calculated x-height based on several criteria. These include the actual measured 85th percentile speed, the distance from middle of the

- 144 - outermost driving lane to the edge of carriageway, the sign offset, the half width of the sign and the number of destinations shown on the sign. Since the calculations include the sign width, and are used to calculate an x-height, itself used to arrive at the sign width, the calculation process is an iterative one.

It is possible to further refine the finished sign dimensions either by entering a width or height in millimetres in the main dialog. When a value is entered in each box, the other two boxes are updated to reflect the new value. The design height in stroke widths remains unchanged. All calculated values can optionally be rounded to the nearest 5mm if the appropriate check box is ticked.

- 145 - Included with the details should be the main sign face colours, text, sign background and border, This is selected by way of a pop-list showing available road classes and sign type such as Non-primary, Primary or Motorway.

If you click to place a tick in the ‘Price’ check box in the dialog, a material rate file can be selected from a normal file selection dialog to put a price to the sign. The default file supplied, ‘Material.rat’, contains prices set against each material, and a series of sign area price bands. Alternatively, a rate can be entered directly in the ‘Rate’ box.

Note

The prices in the default file supplied should not be used. See the MATERIALS command in Chapter 1 - Glossary of KeySIGN commands for more information about configuring the available list of materials, the default material and the rates and area bands.

A user based sign detail block or drawing frame can be used in place of the standard ‘Detail’ sign detail block. It will be worth basing any user based block on the supplied file Frame4.dwg, which should be found in the installed folder. This drawing contains the necessary block attributes, with the correct attributes Tags to make this work correctly. See the AutoCAD manual for more information about block definitions and attributes. All but one of the properties of the attribute definitions found in Frame4.dwg can be changed. The attribute Tags must not be changed, as these identify the correct place for each piece of information.

Figure 4.46 The Use of Multiple Sign Detail Blocks

- 146 - A different sign detail block can be selected before exiting this dialog, if for example a different block is required for a specific sign. Many users prefer to use a drawing frame for the sign detail, but may temporarily want to use the standard KeySIGN detail block to detail each individual sign on a common backing board. One example of such a drawing is shown in Figure 4.46 The Use of Multiple Sign Detail Blocks. In this case ‘Fram4’ is configured in the Options dialog (see Chapter 1 - Glossary of KeySIGN commands), but the individual signs have been detailed using the standard detail block selected before exit from the DDETAIL dialog.

Figure 4.47 The Standard Sign Detail Dialog

- 147 - If a user based block contains additional attributes such as location information and notes, it will be necessary to place a tick in the ‘Edit other details next’ check box so that these can also be edited.

It is also possible to place a detail block for standard signs. The detail used for this has the same name as the detail block configured in the KeySIGN Options dialog, with the prefix ‘ss_’. See Chapter 1 - Glossary of KeySIGN commands for more information about configuring the detail block. If a user based, customised block is used such as a drawing frame to contain and display the sign details, then there must be one with this prefix available to AutoCAD, either in the KeySIGN folder or somewhere on AutoCAD’s Support File Search Path.

To detail a standard sign, simply insert the sign in the drawing, and then start the DDETAIL command. Click the button labelled ‘Border’ to create a new detail block. When a standard sign is selected, a different dialog will be shown as shown in Figure

- 148 - 4.47 The Standard Sign Detail Dialog. This works similarly to the standard detail dialog with the exception that a list of standard heights, and the default for the selected sign will be shown, the area calculations are handled differently and a mounting height can be entered. The area calculations can be made to show the true sign area where for triangular signs the rounding of the corners leads to a reduction in the area calculated. A warning of the basis for the calculations will be shown in the detail block.

Figure 4.48 A Standard Sign Detail

4.7.7 Adding Panel Details: PANDET

- 149 - The increasing use of panels and supplementary plates on signs mean that the standard sign detail block does not always convey sufficient information. This routine adds supplementary boxes to the side of signs which contain information about the colour of panel backgrounds and text. A leader connects the panel detail box to the appropriate panel.

Pick the PANDET command from either the ‘Utilities (general)’ toolbar, the flyout on the main KeySIGN toolbar (under the DDETAIL command icon) or from the ‘Sign Utils > Labels and Detailing’ pull-down menu. You will be prompted to select the coloured border, even if an outer border is appropriate for the panel. It is, however, possible to select the outer white border. Either way, when the panel is surrounded by a white border, the command should determine the colours, and the dimensions of the outer border. In these cases, both borders will be highlighted by AutoCAD using the normal broken line appearance.

Figure 4.49 The Panel Details Dialog

- 150 - Once the panel border(s) have been selected, a dialog is presented, shown in Figure 4.49 The Panel Details Dialog in which it is possible to review and/or adjust the panel dimensions and colours. As with the DDETAIL command, the x-height, width and height dimension boxes are linked dynamically, altering values in one (on pressing ENTER) updates values in the others. The actual design size for the panel is shown in stroke widths (s/w).

Before pressing the OK button to place the panel detail, please check all the values in the dialog are as required. The final actions are to select a location for the panel detail, a point in the middle of the block shown in Figure 4.50 A Panel Detail, and lastly a point to attach the leader to the block.

- 151 - Note

The leader starts at the point selected on the panel, thus if the position for the panel detail is to the left of the sign, select a point on the panel, when prompted at the start of the command, on the left hand side of the panel. It would even make sense to use the midpoint object snap to select the panel edge.

Example command dialogue:

Command: PANDET

Pick COLOURED panel border (at point for leader start):

Select object: (coloured polyline selected on-screen)

Outer border found.

(the dialog shown in Figure 4.49 The Panel Details Dialog appears)

Pick panel detail location: (point selected on-screen)

Pick edge of Panel Detail Box (leader end): (point selected on-screen)

Command:

Figure 4.50 A Panel Detail

- 152 - 4.7.8 Edit a Panel Detail Block: EDITPANELDETAILS

Please refer to the PANDET command covered in 4.7.7 Adding Panel Details: PANDET. The difference with this command to edit an existing panel detail is that unlike the PANDET command which requires the panel border to be selected, this command requires a panel detail to be selected.

If the position of the panel detail is to be changed, it is possible to use standard AutoCAD commands such as stretch, or it may even be easier to simply erase the existing detail and create a new one in the required location using the PANDET command.

4.7.9 Post and Foundation Design: WINDANALYSIS

- 153 - See Chapter 1 - Post and Foundation Design (Wind Loading) for complete information about wind loading calculations, and post and foundation design.

4.7.10 Posts - WBPOST, PPOST & SIGNLIGHT

The posts are only shown in diagrammatic form but they are correctly dimensioned when the user answers the prompts with actual design values. A symbolic light unit can be inserted on the top of signs. Use the OSNAP - ‘Quad’ option to fit the light unit exactly on the top point of triangular and circular signs. A symbol for sign plate and post is also available for location display on an OS map (see 1.1.4 Sign Location Symbol: SIGNSYMB).

4.7.11 Lane Signs and Arrows: LANESIGNS, LANESIGNARROWS

These types of signs fall into 2 categories.

Lane signs which have destination and routes – These gernally have arrowsunderneath the destination blocks. Accessed from the Arrow menu these symbols can be inserted from a series of thumbnails. Make sure the NOGO layer is switched on when these are being used so that the insertion point of the various symbols will become apparent.

Standard lanes signs with no text, such as diag 868, 872 or 877 type of signs. This give access to a thumbnail image menu showing the different pre-drawn TSRGD standard lane signs available in the library.

- 154 - 4.7.12 Lane Sign Underline: LANEUNDERLINE

On Lane signs, where two or more lanes lead to the same direction, a horizontal bar is used (TSM Chapter 7, paragraph 6.3, page 72). See TSRGD for examples of this, e.g. Diagram 2018 or 2019. In previous versions, a simple block was inserted that had to be stretched to fit the width of the shared destination(s). This new command asks for the destination block(s) to be selected, the width is calculated and the line is drawn below accordingly.

The routine will also prompt for the sign class so that if the lane underline is included on a colour filled sign, that this is coloured correctly. This step may disappear in future versions.

4.7.13 Overhead Gantry Arrow: OHARROW

The arrow used on overhead gantries, is available on the arrow toolbar and via the pull- down menus. This command calculates, from the number of lanes, the lane width and the x-height, the correct position of the required number of lane arrows. These can be moved vertically to be incorporated into one or more overhead gantry signs.

The TSM Chapter 7 states in paragraph 9.4 (page 86) that ‘downward pointing arrows should be centred over the traffic lanes to which they apply. In some cases it may be necessary to extend the width of the sign to cover the appropriate lanes. When this is done, the horizontal spacing rules do not change, except that the gaps to the side borders are increased (the legend being centred horizontally on the sign). The horizontal

- 155 - bar is always positioned 2.5 s/w from each side border (i.e. it may extend beyond the legend above). The sign should cover at least three-quarters of the width of any lane to which it applies.’

To this end, when the situation arises through a combination of lane width and x-height, red lines are drawn to ensure when selected for a border to be drawn that the correct border gaps are introduced. This rule is specified to remind users by way of the dialog shown in Figure 4.51 TSM Chapter 7, Paragraph 9.4 (page 86) Rule Alert.

Figure 4.51 TSM Chapter 7, Paragraph 9.4 (page 86) Rule Alert

Example command dialogue:

Command: OHarrow

Number of lanes <2>: 3 ↵

Lane width (millimeters) <3650>: ↵

Enter x-height (mm) <100.0>: ↵

One s/w is 25.0mm, therefore distance between arrow tips is 146.0 s/w.

- 156 - Select insertion point over nearside lane, on bottom of destination underline: (point selected on-screen)

Command:

4.7.14 Motorway Junction Number Patches: MJUNCT

This command is also available on the pull-down 'KeySIGN > Borders > Motorway Junc- tion No.’. Junction numbers were frequently designed at the wrong size partly because the x-height has to be one size below that of the main text. The current regulations now have the text size always 80% of the main size. When you pick the symbol you are asked to specify the junction number. You are advised to place the junction number into position after placing the border round the main sign. The new regulations allow the junction number to be placed at locations other than the bottom left corner.

4.7.15 Junction Number Ahead at Distance Sign: JCTNUM

Generates a junction number sign with the distance to the junction incorporated. The details of the design of this sign can be found in TSM Chapter 7, Figure 10-9, page 97.

4.7.16 Cycle Route Number Patches: CYCLEROUTENUMBER

- 157 - Generates a route number associated with cycle routes, and places this against a cycle symbol. The cycle symbol is inserted at the start of the command procedure in the same way as any other symbol insertion.

4.7.17 Parking Place Indentifier Patches: CYCLEROUTENUMBER

Generates a parking code patch. The text height and patch size is adjusted to the correct dimension required for use on other types of signing.

4.7.18 Adding Diversion Symbols: DIVERSIONS

The range of Diversion symbols, proscribed in the Regulations, are available from the general symbols toolbar flyout, or from the ‘KeySIGN > Diversion Symbols’ pull-down menu item.

4.7.18 Real Text Colour Changing: RT-DUPON and RT-DUPOFF

RT-DUPON changes the colour of Transport Heavy Real Text blocks from magenta to white and RT-DUPOFF reverses the change. The command mimics the DOTON and DUPLEX commands in this respect and, as with these commands helps to ensure that the manufacturer knows which font is intended.

Figure 4.52 TSGRD Diagram 2716 Sign Showing Underline

- 158 - 4.7.19 TSRGD Diagram 2716 Underline: DIAG2716UNDERLINE

Whilst this underline is not for use on a Lane sign, the command can be found on the Lane Signs and Symbols thumbnail image menu alongside the lane sign underline command. The underline used on this specific diagram number follows rules not imple- mented anywhere else and so can be drawn by way of this command. Simply select the text to be underlined. See Figure 4.52 TSGRD Diagram 2716 Sign Showing Under- line for an example of the finished design.

4.7.20 KeySIGN Options: ASIGNCONFIG

This routine calls up a dialog box which allows a number of variables to be altered, either for the duration of the Current drawing session or saved for future use. Please see Chapter 1 - Customising KeySIGN for complete information about this dialog and the configuration and set-up of KeySIGN. The KeySIGN Options dialog is also shown in Fig- ure 4.53 The KeySIGN Options Dialog below.

Figure 4.53 The KeySIGN Options Dialog

- 159 - 4.8 Selection Assisting Tools

These commands assist with the selection and editing of signs and groups of sign elements. The various elements of a sign, including constructions lines, fills, tile marks etc are placed on separate layers to enable different views to be defined, e.g. for manufacture or for display/consultation purposes. Unless all layers are turned on, it can be possible to fail to select all sign elements.

- 160 - 4.8.1 Selection Commands: COPYSIGN, MOVESIGN, SELECTSIGN, ERASESIGN

COPYSIGN, MOVESIGN and SELECTSIGN can be used to ensure all sign elements are selected. Selection is simply by way of a single click on either the outer sign border or of the sign detail block. Three commands are provided, for moving or copying sign elements, and secondly for editing the sign in any other way such as for erasing or rotating for example. All three commands turn all the sign design layers on so that all the various elements can be selected. The copy and move commands will then restore the layers to their states prior to the use of the command, the SELECTSIGN command simply leaves the sign elements selected for use with any standard AutoCAD command in the object/- verb method. The previous layer states will need to be restored manually using the standard AutoCAD command LAYERP.

4.8.2 Selection Commands: SGROUP, XSGROUP, MOVEGROUP and GROUPSEL

The SGROUP command enables the user to select a group of items, such as destination with route number and associated patch, and group them together so that they can be treated as a single item for the purposes of moving, copying, scaling etc. The command is only available on the ‘Sign Utils > Selection Tools > Group sign elements’ pull-down menu. The command XSGROUP will undo the group link i.e. ‘explode’ the group.

Note

This may be necessary before applying the BORDERFILLSIGN routine.

- 161 - GROUPSEL toggles the ability to select a group of elements with the pick of one item within the group, and simply toggles the value of the standard AutoCAD variable PICKSTYLE.

MOVEGROUP is an older command that is perhaps a little redundant, having now been overtaken by the construction box command SBOX. However, it does provide a ready way to move a selection of objects, without the need for a construction box to be drawn. When a set of sign elements has been selected, a rectangle is placed onto the crosshair- s/cursor that can be moved into position as required, e.g. a set of destinations over a map type exit arm. Pressing space before selecting a final position for the elements changes the ‘insertion’ point for the rectangle, cycling between lower left, lower middle, lower right etc.

4.8.3 Moving/Copying a Finished Sign to a Map: MOVESIGNTOMAP, COPYSIGNTOMAP

This command automates both the selection of the sign and zooming between the design space (SIGNSHOP) and the OS map coordinates. It is provided to cater for the situation whereby AutoCAD cannot perform a sufficiently large zoom from the location of the sign design in a drawing to the OS coordinates for indicating it’s location on a map. As AutoCAD improves this is increasingly less likely, however, when it is not possible to zoom to the map during a move or copy operation, the sign must often be moved more than once.

4.8.4 Export Sign Design for Use on a Location Plan: EXPORTFORMAPLOCATION

- 162 - This command covers the situation when, for the purposes of showing a sign’s location, an image of the sign is to be placed in another drawing. Whilst copying and pasting the selected sign to and from the Windows clipboard (from the pull-down menu ‘Edit > Copy (Ctrl + C)’), can be used, this method does not take into account any scaling factors that are appropriate in terms of sign design. For example, the unit of sign design will not be the same as that used in a mapping application hence the imported signs may be greatly over sized. This command has been designed to be used in conjunction with the INSERTSIGN command covered below.

Note

If a colour filled sign is to be used, it is likely that the draworder information will be lost. This can be true of both the process used with these commands, or using the Windows Clipboard. In that eventuality it will be necessary to import the location plan into the sign design drawing, rather than the other way around.

Figure 4.54 The INSERTSIGN Command Dialog

- 163 - The new drawing file created from a finished design, so that this may be inserted into another location plan, will use the required x-height so that the sign can be scaled accurately. Selection of the sign is simply by way of the sign detail block, and the x-height used is taken from the detail block. The new drawing can be used in other applications such as KeyLINES or KeySIGNALS to create a 3D sign for use in a ‘Driver’s Eye View’. Alternatively see the INSERTSIGN command, which will also be available in KeyLINES etc.

4.8.5 Insert a Sign Design from File: INSERTSIGN

This command handles the scaling and location of sign design imported from an external file. The dialog, shown in Figure 4.54 The INSERTSIGN Command Dialog is

- 164 - essentially a mimic of the standard AutoCAD INSERT command dialog, with the exception that scaling is handled differently. To scale the inserted sign drawing, which should ideally have been created using the EXPORTFORMAPLOCATION command (see 4.8.4 Export Sign Design for Use on a Location Plan: EXPORTFORMAPLOCATION), choose the correct x-height and a suitable scaling factor. This is set to 5 by default, a value that provides a good size for location plans. A sign inserted at a scale of 1 will often look too small on location plans. Adjust this as necessary.

4.9 Dimensioning and Scaling Commands

4.9.1 Scaling Standard Signs: SCALESTANDARDSIGN

When designing combined standard signs and supplementary plates into a backing board it is usually necessary to change the size of the standard sign. These are drawn in the design environment where the unit is stroke widths, based on an assumed x-height of 100mm. Most supplementary plates use smaller x-heights, but in any case if an x- height other than 100mm is required then this command will make the necessary adjustment. The standard sign itself can also vary in height, depending on the choice available in TSRGD. These are listed for each sign to be scaled.

Example command dialogue:

Command: ScaleStandardSign

Standard signs drawn in stroke widths at x-height of 100mm.

(the following dialog is shown)

- 165 - Select sign(s) to scale: (warning sign selected on-screen)

Select objects: 1 found

Select objects: ↵

Base point: mid ↵

Of (point selected at midpoint of lower edge of sign)

Selected objects have been scaled up by a factor of 1.6. x-height set at 62.5mm

- 166 - Command:

Note

Because the x-height in this example is less than the assumed value of 100mm for the warning sign, the effect of this command is to scale the sign up. This is counter intuitive, but is correct as it is required that the text be smaller than 100mm.

4.9.2 Stroke Width to Millimetres Conversion with Offset: MMOFFSET

Accessible on the ‘Sign Utils > Dimensions > Offset (millimetres)’ pull-down menu only, the command creates an offset line at a distance, specified in millimetres, but drawn in stroke widths calculated from a given x-height. For example this allows for a symbolic representation of the size of a piece of artwork or a hole to be cut in a sign face for a variable message unit to be shown.

4.9.3 ScaleMToSW and ScaleSWToM

These two routines, available from the ‘Sign Utils > Dimensions > Scale’ pull-down menu, allows selected element(s) to be scaled from millimetres to stroke widths (MToSW) and from stroke widths to actual size in millimetres (SWToM). Normally this routine will be used when displaying signs on an OS map background, although further scaling may be required to show the sign at a more appropriate size on a map. It is also

- 167 - commonly used to scale standard signs which in KeySIGN are drawn into the design area in stroke widths, and based on an assumed x-height of 100mm.

4.9.4 Setting the Current X-Height: SET_XHEIGHT

KeySIGN maintains a variable which stores the current x-height, which is in turn used to convert the drawing unit (the stroke width) into a real measurement (mm) for dimensioning. If the value of x-height shown in the DDETAIL or PANDET dialogs, or anywhere else in KeySIGN is changed, this will change the current, stored value.

Note

If you wish to dimension any sign using the standard AutoCAD commands, make sure that the current x-height is correct for the sign being dimensioned.

4.9.5 Dimension Commands: ATS_DIMVERTICAL, ATS_ DIMHORIZONTAL

and

WARNING these commands are provided to ensure the correct x-height is used to convert from the design units to millimetres. If the standard AutoCAD dimensioning commands are to be used, this is best carried out immediately after running the DDETAIL routine. That routine sets a variable which stores the current x-height in use, which is in turn used to convert the drawing unit (1 s/w) into a real measurement (mm) for dimensioning. If you wish to return to the dimensioning routine at a later stage make sure that

- 168 - the current x-height is correct for the sign being dimensioned. Use the command SET_ XHEIGHT covered in paragraph 4.9.4 Setting the Current X-Height: SET_XHEIGHT (under ) to ensure this variable is correctly set.

Decide on either a vertical or horizontal dimension and pick the appropriate item from the ‘Sign Utils > Dimensions’ pull-down menu. The commands will prompt for the x- height, to ensure the correct conversion from design units to millimetres is made. Now pick the start and end points for the dimension measurement, and then pick the location for the dimension line which will then be displayed on the drawing.

You can opt to switch the addition of the measurement in stroke widths on or off by picking the item ‘S/w in dimensions’ from the ‘Sign Utils > Dimensions’ pull-down menu. This starts the SWINDIMS command covered in paragraph 4.9.6 Adding the SW Design Dimension to Dimensions: SWINDIMS.

Figure 4.55 Dimensioning a Standard Sign

- 169 - 4.9.6 Adding the SW Design Dimension to Dimensions: SWINDIMS

KeySIGN adjusts several dimensioning settings to ensure that dimensions are given in real units. If the design units are required as shown in Figure 4.55 Dimensioning a Standard Sign, then this command can be used to toggle the setting to on, or off if these are not required.

4.9.7 Checking the Size of a Finished Sign: SIGNSIZE

This command allows for a check of the size of a sign, patch or panel border. It reports the converted (real) dimension in millimetres of any border selected based on the x- height entered. It can be seen from the example command dialogue that the design dimensions are also reported, and that the value will or will not be rounded to the nearest 5 mm depending on the setting of ROUNDING.

Example command dialogue:

Command: SignSize

x-height (mm) <100.0>: ↵

or [Define area]: (border selected on- screen)

Border selected is 76.1 s/w wide by 40.0 s/w high.

- 171 - At 100.0mm x-height, border selected is 1902mm wide, by 1000 mm high.

Command: Rounding

Sign dimension rounding is ON.

Command: SignSize x-height (mm) <100.0>: 75 ↵

or [Pick points (manually define)/Default (S25E)]: ↵

Select block: (block selected on-screen)

Working

Written (new) definition of block ‘S25B’ to file.

Height - 13.00 s/w, Width - 40.00 s/w.

Command:

Figure 4.58 The KeyABOUT Dialog

- 191 - 4.13.6 Browse the Sign Library: BROWSESIGNS

In addition to the SIGN command which can be typed into the AutoCAD Command Line at any time for inserting standard signs when the TSRGD diagram numbers are known, it is possible to browse the sign library directly. This is done by starting an instance on Win- dows Explorer in the sign library. It is helpful to view the drawing files by their thumbnails. This can be set by choosing Thumbnails from the View pull-down menu.

4.13.7 KeySIGN Command Aliases: ASIGNALIAS

PD: ‘KeySIGN Tools > Program > KeySIGN command aliases’

Along with the method of starting commands by selecting items from (toolbar) icon and pull-down menus, it is also possible to type commands. Many commands are long and not always easy to remember (although many names are reasonably self explanatory) so a system for defining command aliases is provided. AutoCAD also provides for this, for example ‘L’ can be entered at the command line (see 1.1.2 The Command Line for more information) and the LINE command will be started. KeySIGN provides default values for many commands such as HV for the HEAVY text command.

The ASIGNALIAS command opens the alias configuration file ‘Asign.pgp’ in Notepad so that it can be edited. This effectively puts AutoCAD on hold so it will be necessary to close Notepad to return to AutoCAD. The format to define a command alias is described in the file.

Care must be taken when creating new command aliases, so that an alias is not chosen that is already assigned to a standard AutoCAD command. AutoCAD command aliases take priority. The following are guidelines will ensure the correct working of a command alias.

- 192 - .

1. Test the alias chosen first so as not to use one defined by the AutoCAD alias file 'ACAD.PGP' (AutoCAD alias will over-ride any defined in this file). 2. Try the first character of the command, then try the first two, then the first three or for commands such as ASIGNALIAS try ‘AA’. 3. Ignore "DD" at the beginning of a command. 4. An alias should reduce a command by at least two characters and be memorable.

When you exit from Notepad AutoCAD will be reactivated and the asign.pgp file will be reloaded, thus updating the command alias definitions immediately.

- 193 - Chapter 5 - Standard TSRGD Signs

Many of the vertically mounted traffic signs shown in the TSRGD have no permitted variants. These are referred to as standard signs. A library of these is provided, and it is often required that these be shown in the drawings.

Although KeySIGN was originally created to help with the design of Direction Signs, the system has been expanded to provide many of the standard signs used in Traffic Man- agement schemes. A small number of warning and regulatory signs can be shown on direction signs, and all are available to show in location plans. Routines to provide the variable message features of steep hill signs etc are automatically called up when appropriate. Newer routines to provide sub plates, backing boards, numbers of lanes and a range of vehicle types have now been included to enhance the use of KeySIGN.

Bearing in mind the design unit for sign design, and therefore in the KeySIGN design environment is the stroke width; and that in the drawing of the standard signs in TSRGD are dimensioned in millimetres, a scale factor has been applied. It would not have been appropriate either to show these at real height for example 0.6 (m) or 600 (mm) of a drawing unit high as this would have been either too small or too large in comparison with direction sign designs so a conversion has been made in the drawing of these signs.

The signs have all been drawn based on an assumed x-height of 100mm, and at the default size shown in TSRGD. For example Diagram number 501 has a default height of

- 194 - 600mm. Since an x-height of 100mm (4 s/w high lower case letter ‘x’) means one stroke width is 25mm this sign is drawn at (600 ÷ 25) 24 s/w high.

The various thumbnail image menus are shown using a command. Whilst it is unlikely that these will ever be typed at the AutoCAD Command line, they do allow for command repetition. So if a number of signs are needed the thumbnail menu can be brought back up by simply pressing ENTER.

The commands available to show thumbnail image menus are as follows:

WARNINGSIGNS All Warning signs WARNINGLAYOUT Warning signs related to road layout WARNINGHANDSA Warning signs for humans and animals WARNINGTRANS Warning signs related to transportation WARNINGWEATHER Warning signs related to weather WARNINGTRAMRAIL Warning signs for Tram and Rail facilities REGULATORYSIGNS All Regulatory signs REGULATORYMOVEMENT Regulatory signs for vehicle movement REGULATORYUSER Regulatory signs for vehicle or road type INFORMATORYSIGNS Informatory signs LANESIGNS Dedicated Lane signs PARKINGSIGNS Parking signs BUSTRAMCYCLESIGNS Signs relating to Bus, Tram and Cycle TEMPORARYSIGNS Road Works signs BUSLANE Bus lane signs

Figure 5.1 The Transport Warning Signs Image Menu

- 195 - - 196 - 5.1 Warning Signs

The standard warning signs have been grouped into:

l Road Layout

l Humans and Animals

l Transport

l Weather and Miscellaneous.

l Rail and Tram

Thumbnail display menus are used to help with selection thereby making the knowledge of the actual reference numbers unnecessary.

So for example if the warning sign for a tractor is required, select the Transport icon from the Warning signs toolbar flyout (see 1.1.4 The Toolbar Menus for information about toolbar flyouts). Alternatively use the ‘KeySIGN > WARNING Signs > Transport’ pull- down menu item. The dialog box shown in Figure 1.1 The Transport Warning Signs

- 197 - Image Menu is shown. Double-click the tractor sign then pick the point on your drawing where you want the sign to be inserted.

Some signs have built in permitted variants, for example the sign for a steep hill. This is obtained in the same way, from the ‘Road Layout’ thumbnail image menu, but after the sign is inserted you will be prompted to state the gradient of the hill. Type in the gradient, say 15%, including the ‘%’ character and the sign will change to the appropriate gradient.

Figure 5.2 Edit Permitted Sign Variants Dialog

Note

Some signs can be placed on direction signs. These are listed in TSM Chapter 7, Appendix D, page 149. When inserting any of these signs an additional option is given. Enter ‘f’ so that the sign is inserted at the correct size.

The sign may appear in one of several ways when it is inserted. See the signs shown in Figure 5.3 Different Displays for Standard Signs, (a) – all the colour fill layers switched off; (b) with fill layers on, but gradient still text (attribute) object attached to the sign and (c) after the UNBLOCK command has converted the variable attribute into text which has then been changed with Real Text to produce the full display.

- 198 - Figure 5.3 Different Displays for Standard Signs

(a) (b) (c)

Note

The command BFIL will toggle colour filled layers on and off and should be used to synchronise these.

5.2 Regulatory Signs

The standard regulatory signs have been grouped into:

- 199 - Thumbnail display menus are used to help with selection thereby making the knowledge of the actual reference numbers unnecessary.

So for example if a regulation relates to the type of road user e.g. HGV, Pedestrian, Horse rider, height restriction, etc choose the USER category and if it relates to movement e.g. No right turn, 40mph limit, No Entry, etc use the MOVEMENT category.

- 200 - Some signs have built in permitted variants, for example the sign for a height restriction. This is obtained in the same way, from the ‘User’ thumbnail image menu, but after the sign is inserted you will be prompted to state the height limit.

Note

The sign may appear in one of several ways when it is inserted. See the signs shown in Figure 1.2 Different Displays for Standard Signs, (a) – all the colour fill layers switched off; (b) with fill layers on, but gradient still text (attribute) object attached to the sign and (c) after the UNBLOCK command has converted the variable attribute into text which has then been changed with Real Text to produce the full display.

Note

The command BFIL will toggle colour filled layers on and off and should be used to synchronise these.

5.3 Informatory Signs

A third section of library signs for information signage can be found in the ‘More signs’ menu drop down.

- 201 - These signs are mostly in the 800 and 7010 series of TSRGD reference numbers. Selec- tion is similar to Warning Signs etc.

Remember that if a sign is of the same design but the colour may not be appropriate, then there are always the AutoCAD functions to edit signs. For example the chevron signs are supplied with a blue background, being used most often on Motorways. But if they are required on a Principal road or other class of road the properties of the background can be edited. Place the sign on the drawing in the normal way e.g. the 2 mark countdown Ref 824. Use BFIL to switch on the colour fills if not already displayed, then use the EXPLODE command to make the sign editable. Pick the blue background then pick PROPERTIES, then layer GREENFIL. By virtue of the colour of the background of the sign being set to BYLAYER and the colour of the GREENFIL layer being set to green, the background will automatically become green when the layer is changed. Alternatively, see the command CHANGEBORDERCOLOUR if the sign is not yet filled.

- 202 - 5.4 Bus, Tram and Cycle Signs

Signs in the 950 and 960 series of TSRGD references are covered in this section. They are called up in the same way as the previous groups. So for example if you wish to select a contra-flow bus lane (TSRGD diagram number 960), with cycles allowed, pick the appropriate diagram, which in KeySIGN is called 960A, from those displayed. Pick the INSERT button then choose the insertion point on the screen.

Figure 5.4 An Example of Sign Diagram 960

This can be edited if there is only one lane for normal traffic, however there is now a routine which automatically creates the many variations available in these signs. See 1.1.5 Bus Lane Signs: BUSLANE for more information about the BUSLANE command.

5.5 Temporary and Road Works Signs

- 203 - This command shows a thumbnail menu of the signs available from Schedule 13 of the TSRGD (schedule 12 in previous TSRGD). The menu contains miscellaneous Warning, Informatory and Regulatory Signs for Road Works etc. The command can be found on the main KeySIGN pull-down menu. The first page of the thumbnail menu is shown in Figure 5.5 The Thumbnail Temporary and Road Works Signs.

Figure 5.5 The Thumbnail Temporary and Road Works Signs

5.6 Scaling Standard Signs

Due to the nature of sign design, signs are normally designed in sw units (stoke widths). However standard library signs are often just symbols with no text and are always quoted in the TSRGD in mm sizes, so they need to be scaled by an appropriate ratio.

- 204 - The standard practice is to keep text designs at 8sw height, so the same principle is followed when design supplementary exception and yards plates. KeySIGN will therefore scale standard warning and regulatory signs to fit the supplementary plate. It is not recommended to scale the supplementary plate to fit the sign.

At the end of every standard sign insertion a function to do this scaling will be automatically started. This is almost like allocating an imaginary x height to a standard sign. This was shown in 1.1.1 Scaling Standard Signs: SCALESTANDARDSIGN.

The command can be used a second time (or more) to rescale a standard sign, after it has been placed in the drawing. This can be also useful to use if you have forgotten what scale you originally used when you inserted the sign.

5.7 Bus Lane Signs: BUSLANE

Located on the Sign -> More Sign drop down below the Informatory Sign Icon, the Bus Lane Sign icon will display the dialog box shown in Figure 5.8 The BUSLANE Com- mand Dialog: TSRGD Diagram 960.

Figure 5.6 TSGRD Diagram Number 958 Sign

- 205 - Check buttons allow options to be chosen to use the normal bus symbol or the local bus symbol, to include cycles and/or taxis, or to restrict it to cycles only. The type of sign can also be chosen if it is to be an advance sign, one for the start of the restriction or used as a repeater along the restricted route. Alternatively, a contra-flow sign can also be chosen. In the latter case the number of lanes available for normal traffic can also be selected. So if a contra-flow lane for local buses and cycles with one opposing lane was to be chosen the dialog box would be completed as shown in Figure 5.8 The BUSLANE Command Dialog: TSRGD Diagram 960.

Where a time plate is relevant, check the selection box and the bottom half of the dialog box becomes available, enabling the times to be varied as appropriate. So a sign to TSRGD Ref 958 can be combined with a Sign Ref 961 by filling in the dialog box as shown in Figure 5.7 The BUSLANE Command Dialog: TSRGD Diagram 958 with the following results shown in Figure 5.6 TSGRD Diagram Number 958 Sign.

Figure 5.7 The BUSLANE Command Dialog: TSRGD Diagram 958

- 206 - Figure 5.8 The BUSLANE Command Dialog: TSRGD Diagram 960

- 207 - 5.8 Adding a Backing board: BACKINGBOARD

This command generates the high conspicuity and grey backing boards used to emphasise the presence of Warning Signs or improve the appearance of sign assemblies. The dialog that the command presents shows various options, for example board colour, x-

- 208 - height, sign height and so on. Depending on whether a warning, regulatory or direction signs will be selected options will be made available as appropriate.

Figure 5.9 The Backing Board Dialog

- 209 - Chapter 6 - Post and Foundation Design (Wind Loading)

KeySIGN has functions built in to send data and sign designs into other systems.

6.1 Exporting Sign Face designs from KeySIGN

Within KeySIGN, once a sign face design has been completed, it is possible to export this for use in KeyPOST or other programs. It is worth ‘Colour Filling’ the final design so that the fully coloured sign can be viewed in full in the application, and shown better in any output or report. The command can be found on the pull-down menu or the Ribbon.

The first item ‘acad format’ replaces the intelligent sign objects with plain raw cad blocks and lines, which can be useful for CAD systems which don’t have KeySIGN installed.

The second item creates a snap shot image of the sign. This can be a png file or just copied to windows clipboard ready for pasting in another application.

- 210 - The third items just extracts a single face from the current drawing and saves it is normal format into another dwg.

These items can be useful for creating a block that can be inserted into location plans.

6.2 Exporting to KeyPOST

Specific items on the menu are available to send data back and forth to the KeyPOST structural analysis program.

Figure 6.1 KeyPOST Export/Import menu items

For export to KeyPOST click ‘Sign and Data for KeyPOST’. This will bring up the dialog shown in Figure 6.2 Export to KeyPOST dialog.

The dialog shown below is provided to allow multiple signs to be exported as an assembly. This therefore requires and Assembly Reference to be entered, and each subsequent sign added will use this as a prefix for its reference. The dialog below shows the Proposal Reference of ‘Proposal1’. And the sign added has the reference ‘MySign’.

- 211 - Figure 6.2 Export to KeyPOST dialog

The export creates a number of files (image, data etc.), and it is necessary to be able to find these for importing into KeyPOST. Check the ‘Files Export Folder’ and browse to a different location if required.

Once all of the signs required in the assembly have been added, click ‘Export Assembly’ to create the files in the specified location. A number of operations are carried out. When this is complete the message shown in Figure 6.2 Export to KeyPOST dialog allows KeyPOST (if installed) to be launched and the process completed.

Figure 6.3 Launching KeyPOST after export

- 212 - 6.3 Roundtrip Launching KeyPOST from KeySIGN

This will Launch KeyPOST directly from within KeySIGN using the icon shown. It pre- forms 3 steps as one function (i) Create an export, (ii) Launch KeyPOST, and (iii) Import the result back into KeySIGN.

6.4 Returning results to KeySIGN

Click on the icon shown, which is shown next to or below the icon for exporting to KeyPOST. This allows for the results of the calculations to be imported (see Figure 6.4 Import from KeyPOST options). A choice is first offered for import from KeyPOST, or the legacy results file from the KeySIGN Post and Foundation module. Click ‘Import from

- 213 - KeyPOST’ to select the output file containing the results. This will have the same name as the exported assembly.

Figure 6.4 Import from KeyPOST options

The results are shown in an AutoCAD block so can be edited, or the block amended to include additional attributes if required.

Figure 6.5 Foundation and post details imported from KeyPOST

- 214 - Chapter 7 - Sign Design Tutorials

7.1 The Flag and Stack Type Signs

Start AutoCAD, or start a new drawing using the pull-down menu item ‘File > New’. This will start a file selection dialog from which the normal KeySIGN template drawing file should be selected to start a new drawing.

Figure 7.1 The File New Dialog Showing the Available Template Drawings

A blank screen should be displayed with the exception of the grid of dots. As an example we will go through the basic process of designing a Tourist information sign with the legend ‘Humber Bridge’ split on two lines. The sign will show the tourist symbol used to represent a viewpoint

- 215 - For brown signs, as with any dark background signs, the text font is Medium, so for the text for this sign select the MEDIUM command from the main KeySIGN toolbar or directly from the KeySIGN pull-down menu. The second line of a single destination should be centred under the first line, therefore respond to the request for a start point for the text, when the options for the text commands are shown, with a ‘C’ and then Enter. Using the mouse, select a suitable point on-screen for the centre of the text. It is useful as always to select a point that lines up with the Grid of dots.

Figure 7.2 The Completed Flag Sign Tutorial

When the centre point is selected, type the text ‘Humber’ (without the single quotes). Press Enter to move the cursor onto the next line down to type an additional line, and then type in ‘Bridge’. At this point it appears that the computer has ignored your request for the text to be centred. Pressing Enter twice finishes the command (no additional lines required). At this point the centre justification is calculated.

- 216 - To introduce the view point symbol, select this from the ‘Tourist Outdoor’ thumbnail image menu. Click the View Point (T9) image then the "Insert" button (double-clicking is also supported). Select the "Left" button to indicate which way the sign is pointing, and finally select the sign objects that the symbol will go with, in this case the two text objects ‘Humber’ and ‘Bridge’. Use of a Window to select the objects is recommended. Lastly, confirm the selection by pressing ENTER. The routine will locate the 14 s/w high View- point symbol in the correct position 2.5 s/w to the right of the legend and 0.5 s/w above the horizontal centreline of the two lines of legend.

All that remains is for the flag chevron and border to be added. Pick the FLAG command’s toolbar or ribbon menu icon. Tell the computer we want a left facing sign by picking the button labelled as such. Select the items to be included on the sign by clicking two corners of a window around the text and viewpoint symbol, and then press ENTER to end the selection stage. The flag border and chevron are now automatically drawn. Now tell the computer that we do not want to display the 2 s/w offset line inside the chevron.

You are now asked if you require the Sign Detail Block, so pick the "Yes" button. The dialog box shown in Figure 7.3 The DDETAIL Dialog for Tutorial Flag Type Sign is displayed

Figure 7.3 The DDETAIL Dialog for Tutorial Flag Type Sign

- 217 - Type a reference for the sign in the box labelled for this. This may be used later in the post size calculations. Now change the x-height to say 75 (mm). The program may identify the sign as being of type tourist, if not, select this sign type from the list. Ensure that the background colour is Brown. Ensure that the other items displayed are satisfactory then pick the "OK" button, "Proceed" from the ‘Really Sure’ confirmation dialog showing the final area for the sign and OK the ‘Edit KeySIGN attributes’ dialog if it appears.

- 218 - The entries are then displayed below the sign face together with the calculated height, width and area of the sign.

If you would like to indicate background colours without using the full colour option, you can add the background colour to a small area of the sign. Use the BGROUND command which can be started from the ‘Sign Utils > Colour Fill > Colour Flash’ pull-down menu item. Select an inner corner of the border (usually at the top) of the sign by placing the selection box over the inner radius where you require the coloured 'triangle'. The solid triangle will be drawn and you may be asked to specify its colour (the default value is the colour previously specified as background). When you have responded the triangle will automatically change to the specified colour.

A command BORDERFILLSIGN, to fully colour the sign is fully described in 1.1.2 Col- our Filling Signs: BORDERFILLSIGN.

There are a number of ways to produce the opposite handed sign. It is probably best to copy the text, and then insert another symbol using the same procedure. The SYMBOL command will position the symbol on the correct side of the destination (opposite to the chevron) and mirror any directional symbols. Then just redraw the FLAG border.

Destinations/Symbols/Mileage etc should be 2 s/w from the chevron. Left pointing flags are not a problem but where a middle line of text on a right pointing flag is the longest it may be possible to reduce the length of the sign. Use the 2 s/w offset construction line, offered in the Flag routine, then use the STRETCH command to enclose the pointed end of the flag and chevron and stretch it back so that the construction line lies on the right hand tile mark of the long destination. Often, however, it will not be necessary to do this, especially if either a benefit is gained by spanning an urban footway with the longer variation, or if the two opposite approach signs are to be mounted back-to-back.

- 219 - To plot the finished sign, see 1.1 Plotting.

7.2 Stack Type Advanced Direction Sign (ADS) 1: Creating Destination Blocks.

- 220 - The design of the “2 stack” ADS shown right, would not be recommended due to the number of destinations included, but has been chosen to explain some of the many different items and spacings that may be encountered when designing a direction sign.

It is normal practice when doing a multi-stack type of sign, to put together each section of the sign in turn, as if they are individual signs. The sign border is created towards the end as one combined border which pulls the top and bottom sections together into the correct positional relationship.

We will start by assembling the destination blocks.

1. Top part of the sign

a. Type the destinations using the ‘Medium’ text command.

Note

When typing the route text, it is important to remember the small space (1 s/w) that is required between the ‘M’ and the ‘25’. Use the Shift + ‘\’ key combination for the ‘|’ symbol used to represent to gap.

By picking new points on the screen for each subsequent line it is possible to position the next line of destination so as to allow room for patches and vertical spacing between destination blocks.

- 221 - b. For the ‘Roman villa’ medium text needs to be picked again, this time using the ‘c’ option to centre those two lines.

Alternatively, if the ‘c’ option is omitted, the text lines can be centred using the appropriate alignment tool.

c. Using the ‘Route’ command the route numbers can be added.

It is possible to use route for the whole M25 destination, but the ‘Patch’ command is used as an alternative to add the patch border lines to route number text. This command is very like the ’Panel’ command described below.

- 222 - d. The symbol is added to the text ‘Roman villa’. This is automatically positioned after selecting the text.

The Left/Right choice dialog also controls which side of the destination the symbol will be inserted and will also reverse the symbol if required by the rules.

By picking new points on the screen for each subsequent line it is possible to position the next line of destination so as to allow room for patches and vertical spacing between destination blocks.

e. Using the ‘Panel’ command the ‘Roman villa’ text and symbol can be selected to be put inside a brown panel with a border.

After the panel border is drawn, choose the appropriate colour and whether a border is required (dark backgrounds).

- 223 - f. Using the ‘BlockSpacing’ command each of the 4 items are positioned under each other.

The 4 rules for Block Spacing (TSM Ch. 7 Figure 3-15, Page 24) are applied automatically when using this command. The actual gap applied is quoted on the command line.

Remember that there are two separate selections required. 1st the items to be moved, 2nd the static (reference) items to which the 1st set are aligned.

g. The final item to be added to this part is the arrow.

Remember to select all objects in the section so that the arrow is correctly located both vertically & horizontally

- 224 - 2. Bottom part of the sign

a. As the destinations are inside a white panel then ‘Heavy’ text command is used to type them. Normally these are shown in a purple colour to distinguish between the two main fonts.

Again rough gaps have been deliberately used between each destination for later alignment.

b. The route command is used again to add the route numbers next to each destination. No border will be required in the light background, non-primary panel. This ensures the correct application of the Line Spacing rules (TSM Ch.7 Figure 3-14, Page 23).

c. Next the block spacing command aligns each destination one at a time.

Line spacing rules are automatically applied to the A122 and the B470 positioning.

- 225 - d. The ‘Panel’ command is again used to add a white panel around the whole of the destinations.

e. Then a diagonal arrow is added to the outside of the panel by selection all the objects in the bottom part of the sign.

3. Putting the two parts together in a “2 stack” border

a. The 2 stack border routine requires the selection of all objects in one section at a time.

Select objects for the top part of the sign first. Keep an eye on the command line to see which section is being selected

- 226 - b. After the border is drawn the sign detail block is added, where options for x-height, colours and material are selected.

Note

The 2nd section is moved and aligned under the 1st. It is useful to consider leaving room for this when creating the destinations for the 1st part. The sign can then be copied and coloured if required using the ‘BORDERFILLSIGN’ command.

- 227 - 7.3 Stack Type Sign Design 2

Figure 7.4 The Completed Stack Type Sign Tutorial

Pick MEDIUM text and enter 'C' to centre each line of text. Type in 'Humber' and press Enter for a second line. Type 'Bridge' then pick a point on-screen approximately one tile height below. The text cursor icon should move to the new point. Now type 'Skidby', again pressing Enter for a second line. Type 'Windmill' and pick a further point, again about one tile height below. Finally, type 'Hull', then Enter followed by 'Marina' and Enter again twice more to finish the text entry.

- 228 - Select the icon (Outdoor Tourist Attractions), then the Viewpoint symbol from the thumbnail menu shown. Insert the symbol against the text ‘Humber Bridge’ by placing a selection window around the text ‘Humber Bridge’, and pressing RETURN to finish the selection procedure.

Hold the pick button over the icon then drag the pointer down to and release the pick button. The straight ahead arrow is selected for placement against the destination objects. Select these, the two lines of text and the Viewpoint symbol, to place the arrow.

Figure 7.5 The DDETAIL Dialog for Tutorial Stack Type Sign

- 229 - In a similar way select and insert the Windmill symbol (Buildings section) and Historic Dockyard symbol (Transport Section) on the appropriate tile marks of ‘Windmill’ and ’Marina’. In the case of the Marina symbol you will be again prompted to specify which direction the sign faces.

In a similar way pick the left pointing arrow from the toolbar flyout and insert it against the text ‘Skidby Windmill’, then pick the 'Other arrows' icon and select the 45 degree

- 230 - right pointing arrow from the icons displayed and insert it by selecting the text ‘Hull Mar- ina’.

Now pick the three stack border icon from below the borders toolbar flyout, or ‘KeySIGN > BORDERS: Panels/Flags/Stacks > 3 Stack’ pull-down menu. Place a window around each group of text and symbols to select them in turn, remembering to press RETURN after the contents for each part of the sign have been selected.

Now the computer takes over by moving everything into position and drawing the appropriate borders, panel dividers and justifying right pointing destinations. Enter information in the DDETAIL dialog box as required (see 1.1.6 Adding Detail to the Completed Signs: DDETAIL).

A final check can now be made off the design of the sign by switching off the NOGO layer and the TILE layer and changing to the duplex font. All this can be achieved by typing 'DUPLEX'. Try also typing 'DOTON' and 'DOTOFF' to see how they alter the presentation of the sign. You can normally assume that if the sign looks reasonable it will be satisfactory.

For a final display the button will allow the sign to be fully coloured, if required. More information on this routine is given in Chapter 1 - Detailed Command Reference.

To plot the finished sign, see 1.1 Plotting .

- 231 - 7.4 Map Type Signs Tutorial 1: A Roundabout ADS.

Earlier we did a Stack type ADS, here are the steps to creating the roundabout ADS shown below:

Figure 7.6 The Completed Map Signs Tutorial

1. Following the principle of – “centre first, border last”. The first item to select is the round part of the roundabout map. There are 6 icons for the different roundabout centre parts.

- 232 - This one is a normal, round roundabout centre (the 1st icon)

The red line around this and other symbols is called the ‘NOGO’ line and is used for positioning other items.

2. The arms are then added. The entry and exit arms can be 3 different widths depending on the classification of the road they represent. – see TSM Chapter 7, paragraph 5.2, page 41.

There are 3 icons for the arms - Entry, Exit & Stub arm exit

2a. The entry arm is added, (6 s/w for the green background / primary route)

Remember to pick the outer line of the symbol (KeySIGN needs to know the radius due to the many different roundabout symbols)

- 233 - 2b. The exits arms are added. 4 s/w for the left arm, 6 s/w for the ’11 o’clock arm, 4 s/w for the 1 o’clock arm & 2½ s/w for the right-turn exit to suit the classes of each road.

”Ortho” can be used for the left and right angles. To create symmetry the angles of 120 and 60 are “typed in” for the other two arms.

7.5 Map ADS Toolbar

One of the significant benefits of using map type ADS's is that you can give a representation of the junction ahead to the driver. Junctions come in many shapes and sizes this can lead to many different and unusual maps needing to be drawn.

- 234 - The above examples are a few, just taken from the previous TSRGDs.

Most of these map signs can be drawn using standard AutoCAD commands such as: line, polyline, arc, offset, fillet (radius 1) etc. Remember that the width of any of the arms including the approach arm is related to the classification of the road they represent

- 235 - However to assist the users in creating a map layout KeySIGN provides a number of tools.

1. The Crossroads (XRDS) command

- 236 - Because there is an option for each arm for ‘none’, it is possible to produce not just crossroads layouts, but various T-junction maps

7.6 Map type Signs Tutorial 2: Simple Roundabout Sign

The sign shown in Figure 7.7 Map Type Sign Tutorial contains many of the design features of map signs and it will serve as an example to try out the various routines and AutoCAD commands that you will use in the day to day design of this type of sign.

Figure 7.7 Map Type Sign Tutorial

- 237 - Using the KeySIGN toolbar, pick the roundabout symbol icon. Insert the roundabout symbol onto the screen by picking a point in the centre. An additional tool bar should have appeared so pick the icon then select the appropriate size of approach arm from the dialog box, small (2.5 s/w wide) for minor roads, large (6 s/w) for Primary Routes and medium (4 s/w) for numbered Non Primary routes. The insertion point request asks you to "Pick the outer Circumference of the roundabout" and provides you with a small box at the intersection of the screen crosshairs. Lay this box over the outer circle of the roundabout symbol on the screen and press the PICK button. The entry arm is automatically positioned on the roundabout.

If you prefer to use the pull-down menu you will find the routine on ‘KeySIGN > Map Sign: ROUNDABOUTS > Roundabout’.

- 238 - Now pick the icon. Again you are asked to select the circle on which the arm is to be inserted. This time you also need to choose the angle at which the arm is inserted. You will notice that movement of the mouse will result in the arm rotating about the centre of the roundabout symbol. You can either press the PICK button when you have selected a suitable position or type in the number of degrees measured anticlockwise from the right pointing horizontal. In other words, entering ‘180’ will produce an arm pointing to the left.

Note

The use of ORTHO (F8) will force arms to be inserted at the 90 degree intervals.

Proceed in a similar way with the other leaving arm and the stub selected via the icon. Do not worry at this stage about the length of the arms. These are edited later when, with the destinations in place, it is known how long these should be made.

We are now ready to deal with the text. We will use a feature in the Automatic One Stack routine. Pick the icon or the ‘AutoONESTACK’ menu item from the ‘KeySIGN > Auto- matic Signs’ pull-down sub-menu. The DDONESTACK command dialog box will appear.

The sign is on a Primary Route so PICK the arrow on the ‘Sign classification’ list box and highlight ‘Primary’. Now pick the black box in the ‘Select arrow /Direction’ area until the ‘No arrows’ title appears and ensure that the ‘Draw Border’ check box is not ticked. Now PICK the box below ‘Destinations’ and type ‘Leeds’, then PICK the box below and type 'Humber Br.' and finally type 'Goole' on the third line.

- 239 - PICK the box below ‘Route’ and opposite ‘Leeds’ and type ‘(M|62)’ and ENTER.

Note

What happens if you type in '(m62)’ - your mistakes will be rectified.

You will also notice that the ‘+ Class’ box has changed to ‘M'way’. Add '(A|15)' and ' (A|614)' to the second and third Route boxes.

Note

The system cannot tell if an A road is a primary or non-primary so you will have to select that information when appropriate.

Now pick the "Draw" button on the dialog box. It will tell you to fill in a reference before you can proceed. Type a reference in the box provided, and click on the "Draw" button again. Pick a point on the screen clear of the roundabout symbols and you should find that the correctly assembled text group is drawn out. Erase the arrow.

Now select the 'Construction box around sign elements' from the 'Sign Utils' pull-down, and select all the elements in the group. Use ‘Sign Utils > Selection Tools > Group Sign elements’, to create a single element with the default reference ‘M62’. Now move the whole text block and the surrounding box into position over the forward route arm of the roundabout. Make sure that the red NOGO lines are displayed around the roundabout and arms. If they are not visible type 'NOGO' at the AutoCAD command prompt to toggle them on.

- 240 - Use the MOVE command, selecting any item in the Group. For the ‘base point’, use the Object Snap - MIDpoint (automatically appears as a small triangle when the selection box is over the line and in the vicinity of the line's mid point) and select a point near this on the bottom edge of the construction box.

Use the tip of the inner red NOGO line above the forward arm as the ‘displacement point’ for the MOVE, so that the text lies above the arm as shown in Figure 7.8 The Default Location for Exit Arm Destination Text.

Figure 7.8 The Default Location for Exit Arm Destination Text

Note

The outer NOGO line around the arm would be used if the text group were contained within a panel or a patch was necessary around the ‘(A614)’ route number.

Now for the side destination, this will consist of black lettering in a white panel so pick the icon and select a point on the left hand side of the screen. Enter the destination

- 241 - ‘Docks A|1033’ and press Enter. Now pick the icon and browse through the symbols to find the appropriate ferry symbol, double-click it, select the sign type (non-primary), then the option for the symbol to be positioned below text. Select the ‘Docks’ text. The ferry will be automatically be positioned 0.5 s/w below ‘Docks’.

Pick the PANEL command icon . Follow the prompts, there will be no need for a border for a white panel on a green background nor is there merit in showing the colour flash for this exercise.

Adjust the dialog box entries and options accordingly, and then create the panel by using the ‘Select’ option to place a box around the text and Ferry symbol.

Use MOVE again to position the panel under the roundabout arm. PICK the border, Docks and ferry then ENTER. Use the OSNAP APP (for APParent intersection). This identifies a point where two lines would meet if they were extended. When the MOVE command asks for the base point type in ‘APP’ then move the cross-hairs over the right hand edge of the panel. Pick the point when the coloured symbol is displayed. Now move the cross-hairs over the top edge of the panel and a yellow should appear just off the top right of the panel radius, where the two extended sides would meet. Finally for the 'second point of displacement' use the OSNAP INTersect and pick the intersection of the outer red NOGO line below the arm, and the red circle around the roundabout. The red NOGO lines mark the areas on which text and symbols should not encroach.

Note

If you zoom closely to this insertion point you will see that there is a further pos- sibility of moving the panel slightly to the right if needed for complete accuracy.

- 242 - Now pick the MEDIUM text font icon again and type the junction name ‘SAMMY'S

POINT’ somewhere above the rest of the sign information.

The system reacts in a special way if all the text is in upper case and there is no arrow, as it should be for junction name titles, so it is important not to use lower case letters.

We now draw the border around the sign. Pick the button or ‘2 Stack’ from the

‘KeySIGN > BORDERS..’ pull-down sub-menu. Pick ‘SAMMY'S POINT’ and then press ENTER to confirm selection. Then pick two corners of a window to select the remainder of the sign information and ENTER again to complete this second selection. The whole assembly will be moved into its correct position and the appropriate borders drawn. When a border has been drawn you are asked if a ‘Sign detail block required?’. Responses are the same as those in earlier routines (see the DDETAIL command in 1.1.6 Adding Detail to the Completed Signs: DDETAIL).

The horizontal arm and approach arm lengths have to be adjusted. To extend the approach arm, pick the button on the Map Roundabout ADS tool bar. PICK the base of the approach arm then pick the bottom inner border of the sign. The arm will be stretched to 1.5 s/w above the inner border. Don't worry that the NOGO lines have been distorted, they are no longer required.

Lengths of horizontal arms should be adjusted to two thirds of the distance from inside to the outside edge of adjacent text/symbol/panel by using the ARM command. Pick the button on the Map Roundabout ADS tool bar. Firstly you are asked to pick the tip of the arm, then pick sign elements below the arm (it is sufficient to pick the panel border), then indicate whether the arm is pointing left or right. The arm will then be extended the correct distance. Again don’t worry about NOGO lines.

- 243 - Finally switch the NOGO layer and TILE layer off and switch to the DOTOFF (duplex) font, for a final inspection of the finished sign. Typing 'DUPLEX' will achieve all these changes. Try typing 'DOTON' and 'DOTOFF' to see the changes made. DOTON should be used when designing, DOTOFF when plotting out many signs on a location plan.

When you are familiar with the system, the procedure should take about 10 - 15 minutes. You can now either plot out the sign or see if any adjustments can be made to reduce the overall size and hence save money. For example, the straight ahead destinations could be moved to the left slightly. This may not be strictly in accordance with the rules, but there is a certain amount of discretion, provided that the sign continues to be of reasonable appearance. It has been found the savings in the order of 10% can often be achieved by reassessing the original sign layout.

To plot the finished sign, see 1.1 Plotting.

7.7 Warning & Regulatory Signs on Stack type ADSs.

The regulations allow the use of a limited number of the Regulatory & Warning Signs to be shown on advance direction signs.

Here are the steps to creating this sign, taken from TSM Chapter 7, Figure 4-12, page 37.

- 244 - To start, place the destination text and route no. onto the drawing using the command DESTINATIONBLOCK (or the HEAVY and ROUTE commands together).

The sign(s) can be accessed from the icons

or just type SIGN, then the TSRGD Diagram number 529.

Do NOT pick an insertion point straight away, in order that the sign is the correct size to appendix D of TSM Chapter 7 - page 149, it is necessary to use the ‘F’ option for ‘direction sign Face’. The sign is then inserted at 20 s/w high, as stated on the command line.

- 245 - Next a normal “1 stack” sign is created for the distance plate

Note

miles & yards = normal text but if abbreviated to ‘yd’s or ‘m’ then different spacings apply. See Ch7 page 10 fig 2- 2.

The outer border is deleted (dark background) and the whole plate scaled by 0.8 (80%)

Next a series of alignments are done to position the plate under the triangle and then get both signs to the left of the destination text.

1½ s/w between sign and plate,

2½ s/w between signs and destination.

à à

- 246 - à

Note

The final ½ s/w movement higher for the sign than the text. This is so that the spacing above or below the sign & text is correct to the panel border.

The signs and destination are then put in a green panel using the PANEL command (with no white border as the non-primary panel background is white)

- 247 - The arrow is then added and finally the “1 stack” border routine used, to create the finished sign.

If desired a copy of this sign can be ‘colour filled’ to give the complete sign face image shown below.

Hey Voila

If two warning signs are required (be warned this can make the sign prohibitively large). They are often be inserted at different sizes. (20 & 24 s/w in the following example)

- 248 - Chapter 7, paragraph 4.27, page 40 requires them both to be at the same size as the larger one, so:

The scale command can quickly be used with the “R” reference size option.

A series of alignments can then be used to position the signs side by side.

Gap between signs is 0.1x roundel diameter or 4 s/w if two triangles. – Ch7 figs 4-13, 4- 16 & 4-17

- 249 - A ‘1 stack’ sign is added next using the HEAV text command, followed by the ‘1 stack’ border command again.

- 250 - Lastly, use the alignment tools to aligning the plate to the two signs - centred (ALIGNCENTRES) and below (TOPTOBOTTOM), with a gap of 2.5 s/w below (use the Move Tools for this).

The signs should then be aligned next to the text, 2.5 s/w away.

After which the arrow can be added.

- 251 - A ‘1 stack’ border finishes the sign, which can then be coloured to give: the Final Sign Face.

7.8 Plotting

To fill the screen display with the whole drawing PICK the Zoom sub-menu from the View pull-down menu, then the ‘Extents’ item or double-click the wheel mouse if available. Then PICK ‘Plot...’ from the File pull-down menu. You are now presented with the dialog shown in Figure 7.9 The Plot Dialog for R2012, which allows many conditions to be placed on the plotted output. We will tell the program to plot the extents of the drawing and ask that it be fitted to an A4 sheet.

Figure 7.9 The Plot Dialog for R2012

- 252 - In R2004 or earlier, having chosen an A4 or larger format plotter/printer from the Plot Device tab, switch to the Plot Settings tab. For the Plot Area, pick the ‘Display’ ‘radio-button’ option. Now select ‘Scaled to Fit’ from the Plot Scale pop-list. Check to see if everything is set correctly by picking the “Preview” button on the bottom of the dialog. This is always worth doing to be reassured that the output will be correct, and to save paper and money. Right-click the mouse to see a small menu in the plot preview window. If all looks acceptable choose ‘Plot’ to print the drawing as previewed, or ‘Exit’ to return to the Plot dialog if any changes are required.

If the preview was not satisfactory check:

- 253 - 1. the ‘Paper size’ 2. the Drawing and/or paper orientation 3. the Plot scale

Plotting scales always generate some confusion. The easy way is to respond 'Scaled to Fit'. The area selected for plotting will then be scaled to fit the specified paper size.

An alternative to an ‘unscaled’ plot fitting the chosen paper size, is to choose a ‘Custom’ scale from the ‘Plot scale’ pop-list, and then to enter a value for the (plotted) ‘mm’ and then a value for how many (drawing) units this should equal. So for accurate scaling of a sign design (into which equation must also be added the relationship between the drawing unit, the stroke width, and the x-height), fill these boxes in, in the form a mm = b units, where "a" is the size of 1 s/w, and "b" is the desired scale.

Note

The lower case ‘x’ is half the tile height, i.e. 4 s/w, therefore 1 s/w is equal to the x- height divided by four.

Therefore, if the sign has an x-height of 100 mm one s/w is 100 ÷ 4 i.e. 25, and if the plotted scale is to be 1/20th, then respond to the scale prompt by entering "25 mm = 20 units" (see below). A sign with 200mm x-height plotted at 1/25th would require "50mm = 25 units" to be entered etc.

- 254 - Note

If two text sizes are shown on the same sign make sure that the letter size used is that which remains at 8 units tile height on the drawing.

If everything is satisfactory pick the button and the sign should be printed out.

- 255 - Chapter 8 - Manufacturing Features

8.1 Change to Cutting Edges

These button is similar to the ‘outline representation’ command. It will turn the text and sign border into lines with no fills, but it will also turn off any nogo lines, tile marks and other construction boxes.

This should leave the sign in a state that is ready to be sent to a manufacturing cutter.

8.2 Cutter Bed ‘Plotting’ Routines

These options on the ‘KeySIGN > Manufacturing’ pull-down menu allow overlays to be placed on a sign drawing which show the area of the cutting bed, the layout of various width planks and combinations of plate layouts scaled correctly for the x-height of the sign. By manoeuvring the plates and planks around the finished sign design, the most efficient layouts can be achieved to minimise cutting along lines of text and material wastage etc.

The cutter bed drawings will need to be configured to each cutter.

- 256 - 8.2.1 The Cutter Bed Commands: CUTBED, BESPOKECUTBED and PLANK

8.2.1.1 Standard Cutter Bed: CUTBED

CUTBED simply inserts a block called Cutbed. If this is not already defined in the current drawing it will be inserted from a drawing in the KeySIGN folder. The Cutbed.dwg file can be edited as required. More usefully the BESPOKECUTBED command allows for variable x-height and cutter bed width and height to be entered. By manoeuvring the CUTBED block around on the finished sign design, the most efficient, cost effective layouts can be achieved.

8.2.1.2 Bespoke Cutter Bed: BESPOKECUTBED

PD: ‘KeySIGN Tools > Manufacturing > Bespoke CUTBED’

This command provides a means to draw any size cutter bed block, and at a scale specified by the x-height entered. See the command dialogue below for more information about this simple to use command.

Example Command Dialogue:

Command: BespokeCutbed (the following dialog is shown to prompt for the x-height)

Width of cutter bed <1700> (mm): ↵

- 257 - Height of cutter bed <1300> (mm): ↵

Calculated cutter bed dimensions in s/w: 90.67 w x 69.33 h

Pick bottom left corner for cutting area: (point selected on- screen)

Command:

By manoeuvring the CUTBED block around on the finished sign design, the most efficient, cost effective layouts can be achieved.

8.2.1.3 Determine Best Plank Sign Design: PLANK

This command provides a way for a manufacturer to determine the best cut positions when a sign face design will be placed on a plank based substrate. It is always best to avoid having a plank cut line close to the edges of a row of letters. The command simply inserts a pre-drawn block, with specific plank widths and gaps that can be dragged into position as appropriate. See also the command MPLOT covered below.

8.3 Sign Costing Routines: SIGNCOSTINGQUERY

These routines are issued on request.

- 258 - PD: ‘KeySIGN > Manufacturing > Sign Costing…’

These routines allow detailed estimates of labour times and costs of manufacture to be estimated from a sign design. They do require a significant amount of data, prices and detailed unit labour costs to be collected and entered into the system to be effective. Please contact us on 03451 303040 for more information.

8.4 Large Sign Cut: MPLOT

PD: ‘KeySIGN > Manufacturing > Large Sign Cut’

This routine is designed for manufacturers who operate flat bed cutters and who are manufacturing large signs such as overhead gantry signs. The routine breaks the sign down into individual cut windows and enables long cuts to be made. The routine is particularly relevant to transparent materials.

When a sign design has been completed this routine will allow for repeated plots of plank based signs and allows for a small overlap between planks to improve the finished product. Please contact us for more information about this Command.

- 259 - Chapter 9 - Customising KeySIGN

9.1 The KeySIGN Options dialog: ASIGNCONFIG

The current scheme name can be edited here. This is also shown on the DDETAIL dialog. Any changes made to the scheme name in the DDETAIL dialog are saved immediately.

The defaults for x-height and the price per square metre of sign face can be specified.

Figure 9.1 The KeySIGN Options Dialog

- 260 - Round Sign Face Dimensions to nearest 5mm – controls the rounding of dimensions calculated in the detail block. TSM Chapter 7, paragraph 2.22, page 13 recommends rounding signs to the nearest 5 mm. Turning off this setting will result in dimensions being calculated to the nearest 1 mm which many, especially the manufacturers, find preferable.

Automatic Zooming – controls the automatic zooming to a newly finished sign (after the border commands) such that it will fill the display.

- 261 - NOGO points – sets whether red crosses are created to help generate appropriate off- sets to borders etc. (this is now mainly redundant and should normally be off).

Always show sign detail dialog – After sign borders have been drawn, by default a question is asked as to whether the DDETAIL dialog, used to generate a sign detail block should be shown. This question can be switched off (completely bypassed), and the dialog always shown if this option is checked.

Construction box Linetype – The SBOX command (see 1.1 Alignment, Construction and Spacing Tools) can be configured in this dialog to use any available linetype. The default linetype ‘KeySIGNDot’ is designed to resemble closely the method used in TSM Chapter 7 for indication the tile extents of text. It may, however, be that a continuous linetype is preferred. Be aware that AutoCAD sometimes shows the dotted linetypes as a continuous line, depending on the current zoom (i.e. if the dots are too close together when viewing the signs relatively small on-screen). The linetype will always be regen- erated correctly when plotting.

Colours – Alternative colours to the standard ones, for Magenta, Brown and Yellow etc can be specified. The dialog used to configure colours is shown in Figure 1.1 The KeySIGN Colour Configuration Dialog. This dialog has a command in its own right, SETKEYSIGNCOLOURS, which can be selected from the Program toolbar or pull-down sub menu.

Save dimensions for Wind analysis – controls the creation of text files when the sign detail is generated. These files are used by the Wind Loading program and store the sign dimensions. These files can optionally be stored in a specific folder, or in the current folder.

- 262 - Note

The current folder will often change depending on a number of factors. This could be the drawing folder, but may also be unpredictable if drawings from more than one folder are currently open. In addition, browsing for other types of file such as linetype or hatch definition files can also change the current folder. It is recommended that a specific folder is configured.

Detail block/filename – the drawing block used to display the calculated sizes and other details of the sign can be specified, usually either ‘detail’ or ‘frame4’ (an example drawing frame containing the sign details and post and foundation design).

Material/Rates filename – the name of the default Materials price rate file can be specified. See the MATERIALS command, covered in 1.1 Editing the Materials List and Rates, for further information about the contents of and configuring these rate files.

Temporary file folder – the temporary folder used by KeySIGN can be configured. This should ideally be the Windows temporary folder. Check that you have permissions to create, edit and delete files in the folder specified.

The options specified in this dialog can be saved so that they are in force every time a drawing is opened or newly started. If one more options are required only for a single drawing session, these can simply be selected and the dialog exited using the OK button (without saving). The saved options can be restored at any time by selecting the defaults button (this restores the saved values and WILL NOT restore ‘factory’ defaults).

- 263 - 9.2 Default colours used with fully coloured signs

Figure 9.2 The KeySIGN Colour Configuration Dialog

9.3 Editing the Materials List and Rates

- 264 - This dialog based command is used to configure the available sign face materials that will be shown in the DDETAIL dialog, the default material, and rates for each based on different area bands.

Users can create additional files, from the ‘MATERIAL.RAT’ file provided, for different manufacturers, annual tenderers or customers etc. The files can be edited to customise the prices used.

When the command is started, a file selection dialog is presented. Select the appropriate material rate file. The materials and rates contained in the selected file are then read into the dialog. This file can be saved to a different file name, perhaps with the name of the sign manufacturer supplying the rates, for example ‘ACME Signs.dat’.

- 265 - In the first area labelled ‘Materials’ the material list is shown. This can be added to and materials removed. The order of the list can be changed using the move up and down buttons, and lastly the default material (the one most commonly used) can be set.

Figure 9.3 Editing the Material Area Bands

In the ‘Rates..’ area, a rate can be entered for each material type. This can be set-up on a banded basis, thus different rates depending upon the economies of scale can be used. Select a row in the list of rates to edit the rate for a specific area band, for the current material selected in the top list.

When entering a large number of rates, for example an annual update, tick the ‘Auto update with ENTER key’ check box. When a rate has been entered, pressing ENTER moves the ‘cursor’ or current area band forward one. Thus rates can be quickly entered using the keyboard alone, therefore, without the need to use the mouse to click each entry before it can be edited.

- 266 - If different area banding is required, press the button labelled ‘Edit area bands’. The dialog shown in Figure 9.3 Editing the Material Area Bands is presented. Since there can be no gaps between bands, only the upper limit is edited.

To save any changes to the currently selected file or to another file, use the ‘Save’ or ‘Save As’ buttons respectively.

- 267 - Chapter 10 - Glossary of KeySIGN commands

Command Function ABOUTKEYSIGN provides information about version in use, main directory name, contact telephone and email address, direct link to Keysoft Solutions web site and information about your System AddToImageMenu allows user to create customised symbols for adding to a library image menu file AddToImageMenuFile allows user to add customised symbols to specified menu file ALIGNLEFT aligns element(s) with position of other selected element(s) ALIGNRIGHT ditto ALIGNTOPS ditto ALIGNBOTTOMS ditto ALIGNMIDDLES ditto ALIGNCENTRES ditto ALIGNBOTTOMTOTOP ditto ALIGNTOPTOBOTTOM ditto ALIGNLEFTTORIGHT ditto ALIGNRIGHTTOLEFT ditto ALLSYMBOLS displays an image menu of all the symbols used in KeySIGN ALLTOURISTSYMBOLS displays icons of all the tourist symbols used in KeySIGN APURGE allows the cleaning up of drawings by removing all unused blocks etc with out the need to confirm each removal. It can only be used as the first command after opening a drawing. ARM stretches horizontal arms of map type signs to a point calculated on two thirds of the width of the des-

- 268 - Command Function tination group to which it relates ARM2 etc allows the 2.5, 4 and 6 s/w exit arms to be added to roundabouts. ARMSIGN inserts arms with warning or prohibitory signs onto roundabouts and straight arms. Warning signs still need some final trimming and stretching. ARMSTRETCH enables an inclined arm to be stretched in the same direction in which it is pointing, using Polar tracking ARROW Prompts for an arrow reference to insert next to destination block(s) ARROWS displays an image menu of the arrows available in KeySIGN for selection ASC generates the ASCII code value of a typed character ASCols list colours allocated to layers, as set up in ASIGNCONFIG KSIGN reloads KeySIGN ASIGNALIAS displays abbreviated KeySIGN commands stored in ASIGN.PGP ASIGNCONFIG allows various settings to be switched to control the creation of wind analysis files, rounding up rules, automatic zooming and the type of detail box display, variables, file names, colours etc ASIGNMOVE moves selected element(s) in a particular direction by a particular amount [Toolbar only] AsignWhatsNew displays the ‘Whats New.htm’ file which lists improvements toeach version of KeySIGN AssociateSignBorder Links an existing sign to an existing detail block (used for KeySIGNbase) ATS_BUILD displays the KeySIGN version (build) being used ATS_DimHorizontal sets up a horizontal dimension routine with factor to convert from s/w to mm using specified x-height ATS_DimVertical sets up a vertical dimension routine with factor to

- 269 - Command Function convert from s/w to mm using specified x-height ATSdata loads the KeySIGN data file (‘ATS_Data.lsp’) BACKINGBOARD creates high conspicuity and grey backing boards BAFFLE adds a light baffle or side extension of a specified size to an existing sign design BFIL appears as "Colour fill on/off" on the pull-down, toggles the colour filling, of text and standard signs, on and off. Bfilloff switches off colour filled layers Bfillon switches on colour filled layers BGRD Toggles the BGRD layer on and off only relevant to KeyROADWORKS created drawings BGROUND creates a solid coloured triangle denoting the background colour of a sign BLACKBACK changes the background colour of the graphics screen to Black BLOCKSPACING Automates spacing between adjacent destination/route blocks BLOCKTEXT Adds the appropriate block name as a text label for a symbol BORDERFIL full colour fill of signs for display purposes BROWSESIGNS opens Windows Explorer in the Sign Library directory BUS displays the options of bus symbols available for selection BusLane Starts routine to create variety of bus lane signs BUSTRAMCYCLESIGNS displays an image menu of signs relating to bus, cycle and tram activities CARROW vertically centres an arrow on border CENTREGROUPH aligns selected element(s) centrally on the horizontal

- 270 - Command Function centre line of a polygon or between two points CENTREGROUPV aligns selected element(s) centrally on the vertical centre line of a polygon or between two points CHANGEBORDERCOLOUR Change sign class, and also allows drawings of signs, created in earlier versions of KeySIGN, to be modified to enable BORDERFILL to work CHR generates the keyboard character for a given ASCII number CleanWindFile removes details of previously created signs from file which generates list of signs in Wind Loading dialog window, also allows data to be sorted in file CLONE Start the appropriate AutoCAD command to allow a duplicate of a object to be drawn, on same layers using same linetypes etc. CLOSEPL creates single closed polyline from elements of map sign layout symbol CMARKBOX generates marks at the corners of a rectangle enclos- ing the selected items COPYSIGN enables a copy of the sign to be made by picking the sign border or the detail block COPYSIGNTOMAP copies a selected sign and automatically zooms to a previously specified map view to enable the display of the sign, on the map, to be completed Countblocks Counts number of blocks that have been inserted into drawing CYCLEROUTENUMBER inserts a cycle symbol and a specified route number patch on the appropriate side of a selected destination CULDESAC starts routine for drawing culdesac arms on roundabout CUTBED draws outline of limits of cutter bed to allow arrangement of items to be cut

- 271 - Command Function DDETAIL appears as "Sign Detail" on pull-down menu and generates information about a designed sign. It asks the user to specify or confirm x-height, sign class, and then calculates the area and price of the sign. NB use of FLAG and ONESTACK border etc will offer DDETAIL automatically.

The routine can also be used to edit existing detail information and add a new DETAIL block to a sign previously created without one DDFLAGSIGN presents the user with a data entry screen for the automatic creation of a flag sign DDONEPAN presents the user with a data entry screen for the automatic creation of a one panel stack sign DDONESTACK ditto DDPARK presents user with range of parking signs and allows time/day details etc to be altered. Also allows loading plates to be added DDSIGN allows user to create text only signs with or without borders Del_rt_spaces Deletes invisible Real Text spaces from drawing (which are not created in recent DELCMARKS appears as "Delete corner marks" on pull-down, and does just that! DELETENORMTEXT enables normtext (the original doton text transferred to the NORMTEXT layer when Real Text is applied) to be erased DELNOGO Sets up a filter to select only NOGO lines and then starts the erase command DelNogoLayer removes ALL contents of the NOGO layer DELPOINTS appears as "Delete NOGO points" on pull-down,

- 272 - Command Function deletes NOGO points i.e. red crosses DESTINATIONS provides a list of the Regional destinations applic- able to each county Area DIMENSIONINDWGUNITS converts a specified distance in millimetres to strokewidths (based on current x-height being used) DIST measures the distance between two designated points. In addition to the direct measurement, DIST also provides the ‘x’ and ‘y’ displacements. KeySIGN redefines the standard AutoCAD built in command to allow multiple measurements to be taken from a single selected point. DOTON Puts KeySIGN into design mode by switching on the Transport font character tile corner marks, and turns on the design aids such as the Grid and NOGO layers DOTOFF switches on the Transport font character tile corner marks DTU, DWGTIDYUP removes a selected number of unwanted items from an KeySIGN drawing once the design has been completed DUPLEX, DUPON switches the type styles Heavy Medium and Motor- way to the duplex form DWGTITLE enables the drawing title to be added automatically to a drawing UPDATEDWGTITLE Automatically updates an existing drawing title block (or calls the DWGTITLE command if none found) EDITPANELDETAIL displays a list of the panel entries for editing ENTRY stretches approach arm to 1.5 s/w above bottom sign border ENTRYARM allows the 2.5, 4 and 6 s/w entry arms to be added to roundabouts EXITARM allows the 2.5, 4 and 6 s/w exit arms to be added to

- 273 - Command Function roundabouts EXPORTFORMAPLOCATION creates a DWG file of created sign to be used on a separate location plan FASTCURVE allows the symbol to be inserted in left or right orientation FF a utility to find the location of a specified file in your system FINGER creates the finger post type border for signs in very rural locations. FIT selects the appropriate text size to allow the sign to fit a predetermined width or height to suit site restrictions FLAG draws the chevron and border at the correct distance from legends and/or symbols and optionally inserts DETAIL. FOURSTACK, FOURPAN draws a four panel stack sign. Usually used when the top panel relates to a junction name. FRAME inserts series of frames over sign design, for finished drawing GENERALSYMBOLS displays icons for all the general symbols used in KeySIGN GetObjectLength displays the length of a selected object in drawing units GREYBACK changes the background colour of the graphics screen to Grey GROUPSEL toggles group selection on / off HEAVY starts the command for the 8 units high, Heavy text font used for light background signs HEAVY2MAG converts heavy text to magenta colour HEAVY2WHITE converts heavy text to white/black (pen7) colour Hospital displays the options for hospital symbols used on dir-

- 274 - Command Function ections signs INFORMATORYSIGNS displays the range of Informatory signs available INSERTSIGN displays list of KeySIGN symbols used in current drawing JCTNOM generates a patch with junction number and mileage KEYABOUT displays information about current Keysoft Solutions software being used on the computer KeyOSCMenu the Ordnance Survey Map handling modules provide free with Keysoft Solutions applications LabelXHeight provides a label to indicate specified x-height LANESIGNARROWS displays the arrows available for use on Lane Signs LANESIGNS displays many of the standard Lane Signs which can be editted where

variations are required LAYEROFF switches the layer off that contains a selected object LPAN draws border around block of destinations etc then provides

option to cut out corner to fit around map arm LoadWelshMenu automatically loads additional menu for Welsh sign design requirements MAPARM allows arm to be added to a map route symbol MAPBUILD creates and irregular juction layout from arms of specified width and

alignment MAPSYMBOLJOIN creates single closed polyline from elements making up a map type symbol MATERIALS enables the files (*.RAT files) containing information about sign face material rates to be edited MBAY starts the command for the 8 units high, Motorway text font used for routes on temporary motorway

- 275 - Command Function signs MEDIUM starts the command for the 8 units high, Medium text font used for dark background signs MILES appears as "Distance Text" on pull-down and creates a vertical list of correctly spaced mileages MJUNCT creates the junction number patch for insertion on sign. MMOFFSET creates an offset line at a distance which is supplied in millimetres and converted and drawn in stroke widths calculated from the current x-height MODARROW creates the red arrow required on MoD signs MODFLAG the equivalent flag creation with the necessary colour changes

for MoD signs MODPAN the equivalent command to PANEL to draw an MoD panel which requires a further border when used on dark background signs MOVEGROUP enables a group of selected sign elements to be moved 'enbloc' MOVESIGN enables a sign to be selected, by picking the outer border or detail

block, and then moved MOVESIGNTOMAP enables a sign to be selected, by picking the outer border or detail block, and then moved to a preselec- ted map view MULTIROUTEPATCH creates a patch around more than one route horizontally or vertically aligned (used for bilingual Welsh routes such as ‘M4 (W)’ which would have ‘(Gn)‘ also in the patch MWAY starts the command for the 8 units high, Motorway text font used for routes on motorway signs

- 276 - Command Function NATIONALSYMBOLS displays the symbols specific to England Scotland and Wales NOGO switches a layer on/off which displays zones close to route symbols in which text and symbols should not encroach ONESTACK, ONEPAN creates the 1.5 border around selected text and symbols. PANDET appears as "Panel Detail" on pull-down and inserts a small information list to display colour of text, background and size of panels and patches within sign. PANEL creates a panel border around selected elements on a sign PARK provides the various options relating to the use of the 'P' parking symbol, car park numbers and automatic descriptions. PARKINGSIGNS displays a range of standard parking signs PATCH draws Motorway and Primary route patches around route numbers PLANK provides grid of planks to overlay on sign design to determine best position of joints PLATE provides grid of standard aluminium sheets to determine best position of joints POLYJOIN appears as "Join all lines/arcs" on pull-down menu, joins items into continuous polyline. Use before filling map-type symbols or using the SHOP1 routine. POLYWIDTH enables a number of selected polylines to have their width changed. POSROUTE positions a selected route (and patch) correctly in relation to destination. POSTLIST inserts the details of post sizes and foundations etc. which have been calculated in WIND, into a draw-

- 277 - Command Function ing. PPOST inserts symbolic posts with prompts for diameter, mounting height and planting depth. PROUTE appears as "Route on Primary Sign" on pull-down and creates the Yellow Medium Text route number. PSPACES creates a 'P' plate with the specified number of car parking spaces. PURGERTEXT purges drawing of all unused real Rext characters RDBT provides alternative roundabout designs. Real Text converts Transport text fonts into accurate, cutable, filled fonts REGULATORYMOVEMENT displays library of regulatory signs relating to restrictions on type of movement REGULATORYSIGNS displays library of all the regulatory signs available in KeySIGN REGULATORYUSER displays library of regulatory signs relating to restrictions on type of user RELOADKEYSIGNMENU as it implies this routine reloads the KeySIGN menu RemoveSymbolFill removes the colour fills from selected symbol(s)

RESET customisable set of defaults contained in RESET.SRC file RESTORELAYER restores layer settings that existed when STORELAYER command was used REVERSERTEXT Resets Realtext back to DOTON, DOTOFF or DUPON variants REVISEBLOCK resets information about symbol to ensure the system uses the correct location when it is being it is being inserting ROUNDARM displays the available regulatory signs for insertion on Map type sign arms

- 278 - Command Function ROUNDING Toggles rounding of sign dimensions to the nearest 5 mm On/Off ROUTE handles all aspects of routes on signs eg patches etc. RTCANCEL produces route cancelled slash RTEXT substitutes highly accurate individual character blocks for strings of text. Allows kerning of characters and hatching for presentation purposes. Can be applied to one line at a time or Globally for the whole drawing. Can also distribute string of characters along a polyline. Realtext can also be typed directly into a drawing without the need to convert sign fonts RTEXT_SELECT converts Transport fonts to accurate individual letter blocks RTEXT_SETUP introduces realtext blocks into drawing to enable Real Text to function RTEXT_TYPE enables realtext to be typed direct from the keyboard RT-DUPON Changes the colour of HEAVY realtext blocks to white. See also RT-DOTOFF RT-DOTOFF Changes the colour of HEAVY realtext blocks to magenta. See also RT-DUPON RTL aligns a previously typed word to be spaced out along a polyline and converted to Real Text SAVECURRENTMAPVIEW creates a view which the system will automatically return to when other commands are used SBORDER Fills in borders of signs and patches SBOX draws a construction box around a group of elements SCALEDFRAME inserts a drawing frame into ‘Paper Space’ Layout SCALESTANDARDSIGN scales a standard sign to match a specific sign’s x- height. All standard signs are drawn at an assumed

- 279 - Command Function x-height of 100mm in the design environment. When used with a supplementary plate of a different x- height the standard sign needs to be scaled ScaleMToSW scales elements down from full size in millimetres to s/w ScaleSWToM scales elements up to full size, in millimetres, from s/w based on current x-height SCALEVP appears as "Scale sign size" on pull-down menu and creates a correctly scaled version of the sign within a previously inserted frame Schedule12Signs Displays roadworks signs available SDDATTE appears as "Edit Sign Information" on pull-down and allows users to edit a greater number of lines than the standard DDATTE command SDIM semi automatic dimensioning of sign element positions SEETABLES lists layers, blocks, linetypes and text styles used in current drawing SELECTSIGN selects the whole sign with contents from one pick of border or relevant Detail block(which must be in usual position below sign) SET_xheight resets the value of x-ht to enable dimensioning of signs to show real measurements SetKeySIGNColours displays colours allocated to KeySIGN layers with option to change them to meet users preferences SGROUP groups a selection of elements so they can be handled as a single element SIGN allows user to specify a sign diagram number to be inserted in drawing SignAndSuppPlate generates routine to select standard sign with ability to select relevant sub plate options and then draws assembly with further option to include backing

- 280 - Command Function board SIGNCOSTINGQUERY an optional routine to calculate detailed sign costing based on labour rates as well as material costs SIGNCOSTINGPRINT an optional routine to create output on the drawing from the above calculations SIGNCOSTINGDETAILS an optional routine to save the above calculations to file SIGNLIGHT insert a top-mounted light unit symbol on sign border SIGNSHOP activates optional routine for use by manufacturers SIGNSIZE appears as "See sign size" on pull-down menu and calculates the size of a sign for a specified x- height SIGNSTAT appears as "KeySIGN current settings" on pull- down, displays settings being used in drawing session SIGNSYMB inserts a symbol representing a post and sign plate, for use on a map base SIGNTABLET creates a virtual KeySIGN tablet template on the screen, enabling commands to be activated by picking appropriate areas of the template STORELAYER stores layer settings at time command is used. See RESTORELAYER STUB enables choice of stub widths to be inserted onto roundabout symbols. STUB4 (etc) will automatically select the 4 sw (etc) wide stub to be inserted on roundabout SUPPLATEONSIGN reduces size of normally designed sign to 80% when used as supplementary plate on map type sign SWINDIMS enables s/w value, in addition to real measurements, to be displayed in dimensions SYMBOL enables specified symbol reference to be inserted

- 281 - Command Function on appropriate side of destination SYMBOLS provides a library of available symbols THREESTACK, THREEPAN assembles three sets of text/symbols in correct position (stack) and draws appropriate borders around and between them TILE toggles Tile layer On/Off to show or hide tile marks on symbols TITECURVE allows the symbol to be inserted in left or right orientation TOURISTAMENITY displays all the tourist symbols, featuring Amenities TOURISTANIMAL displays all the tourist symbols, featuring Animals TOURISTBUILDINGS displays all the tourist symbols, featuring Buildings TOURISTHISTORICAL displays all the tourist symbols, featuring Historical associations TOURISTOUTDOOR displays all the tourist symbols, featuring Outdoor activities TOURISTTRANSPORT displays all the tourist symbols, featuring Transport TRIARM inserts route arm, containing warning sign, onto roundabout symbol. Some additional TRIMming and STRETCHing may be required to

complete the design TrimFactor fudge, to overcome AutoCAD problem, which sets up a zoom level

to allow roundabout arms etc to be correctly created UKCmarksGlobal adds corner marks to all strings of Transport text in drawing UNBLOCK* explodes a sign block with variable text converting the attributes Trimthreshold sets up a factor used when creating signs on junction arms TWOSTACK, TWOPAN assembles two sets of text/symbols in correct position (stack) and draws appropriate borders around

- 282 - Command Function and between them UKCMARK marks the outer edges of text strings so that when using DOTOFF the limits are still visible. The tiles also take account of the kerning rules to AutoCAD text which can be edited or converted to Real Text UndoBorderFill removes colour fills from direction signs and undoes realtext UNDORTEXT restores original KeySIGN texts (DOTON etc) after Real Text has been used UserSigns lists signs created by user and filed using AddToImageMenu File UserSymbols ists symbols created by user and filed using AddToImageMenu File VBlockSpacing moves one destination or other sign element to a specified variable distance above or below another destination. See also BLOCKSPACING WARNINGHANDA displays a library of warning signs relating to humans and animals WARNINGLAYOUT displays a library of warning signs relating to road layout WARNINGSIGNS displays a library of all the warning signs WARNINGTRAMRAIL displays a library of warning signs relating to tram and rail crossings WARNINGTRANS displays a library of warning signs relating to transport problems WARNINGWEATHER displays a library of warning signs relating to weather and miscellaneous problems WBPOST generates a symbolic dimensioned wide base post WELSH provides the welsh equivalent to an english destination name WELSHACCENT generates options for inserting alternative welsh accents over text

- 283 - Command Function WELSHBRACKETS creates large brackets to encompass welsh and english names WHITEBACK changes the background colour of the graphics screen to White WINDANALYSIS, WIND15 calls up a program which reads the dimensions of signs previously designed in KeySIGN and calculates post and foundation sizes YELLOWROUTELABEL a labelling utility to enable specified text to be added to a drawing with an appropriate leader XBLOCK produces FLAG and OneSTACK signs to pre-specified dimensions XRDS generates automatic cross road map symbol from specified arm widths XSGROUP breaks up group of sign elements previously grouped ZOOMTOMAP zooms to a predesignated view in the drawing displaying map information. See SAVECURRENTMAPVIEW

- 284 - Chapter 11 - A History of KeySIGN

Release History

May 1986 AutoSIGN development started in Traffic Section of Humberside County Council December AutoSIGN launched by Key Systems 1986 June 1987 AutoSIGN 2.0 issued. New features include STACK signs, Arm function, WIND post size calculation and DUPLEX text styles together with many minor modifications November AutoSIGN 2.5 issued. New features include all TOURIST symbols 1987 issued to date, Dimensioning routines, revised TEMPLATE and Manual and many minor modifications November AutoSIGN 9.0 issued. New features include PULLDOWN menus, expan- 1988 ded standard sign library and many minor improvements March 100th copy sold 1989 May 1989 AutoSIGN wins the Peat Marwick McLintock PC User award for best software application in the personal productivity category March AutoSIGN 10 issued. Features include FIT routine to select appropriate 1990 x-height to fit site requirements, additional assistance in sign design in form of pull-down menu help slides and NOGO area, additional symbols and improved efficiency of operation July 1991 200th copy sold December AutoSIGN 11 released. Features included Frames, Four pan, Armsign, 1991 Junction Numbers, UKCMARK, Posts and Lighting units April 1993 AutoSIGN 12 released in anticipation of new regulations. Features included LPAN, SET x-ht, S/w in dimensions, Panel details, Detail revision, Baffle, Xblock, Lane signs March Sales pass 300 mark 1994

- 285 - August AutoSIGN 13 released to incorporate new regulations. Fonts redefined 1994 and extended, Flag and Stack sign routines modified, patches and panels modified, LPAN modified, extended range of standard signs, efficiency of routines improved, mini roundabouts extended, WIND program rewritten to work on all platforms, Real Text included, Dimensioning improved, greater use made of pull-down menus including all tablet routines. July 1995 New Automatic FLAG and Automatic ONEPAN introduced;

Real Text and TILEMARK improved. Additional signs added and many other minor improvements. April 1996 400th copy sold January AutoSIGN 10 years old 1997 April 1997 Version 14 released. New Automatic PARKING and TEXT only routines introduced. Improvements to selection of items to be included in sign face and detail block information, standard signs colour filled, WIND loading extended, better output displays, more flexible interactive editing of sign details, range of signs extended, mileage routine, better block insertion, customisable features, mapping facilities January 500th copy sold 1998 April 1999 600th copy sold November Manual produced in A4 format resulting in page revisions no longer 1999 being relevant December Version 15 released. Automatic colour flood to produce realistic signs, 1999 Regional and Welsh Destination libraries, backing board routines, many new functions to help move and position sign elements, and many other improvements to routines. The package is also supplied with KeyOSC the Key Ordnance Survey Companion for map handling and plotting and AutoCAD 2000 compliant. October 700th copy sold 2000 September 800th copy sold

- 286 - 2001 April 2002 Version 16 released with over 20 new routines and 25 improvements to existing routines July 2002 900th copy sold July 2003 Version 16.1 released with support for AutoCAD 2004 and inclusion of the changes in the TSRGD 2002

1000th copy sold September AutoSIGN 16.2 issued 2004 April 2006 AutoSIGN becomes KeySIGN, and v17.1 is issued July 2007 KeySIGN v17.2 is issued, for compatibility with AutoCAD R2008. July 2008 KeySIGN v17.2.3 is issued, for compatibility with AutoCAD R2009. May 2009 KeySIGN v17.3 is issued, for compatibility with AutoCAD R2010. July 2010 KeySIGN v17.4.0 is issued, for compatibility with AutoCAD R2011. November KeySIGN v17.4.1 is issued with enhancements, fixes and extended sign 2010 library. August KeySIGN v17.4.2 is issued, for compatibility with AutoCAD R2012 and 2011 64 bit support. March KeySIGN v17.5.0 is issued, to provide support for the TSRGD Amend- 2012 ment Regulations 2011. June 2013 KeySIGN v18.0 is issued, phase 1 of more intelligent sign objects. Sign text and Sign borders improved. April 2015 KeySIGN 19.0 is issued, stability improvements April 2016 KeySIGN 19.1 is issued, provide support for the Traffic Sign Regulations and General Directions 2016 April 2017 KeySIGN 19.2 is issued, for compatibility with AutoCAD R2018. 3D Sign structures can now be created. January KeySIGN 19.3 issued, updated engine for compatibility with other 2018 product improvements. June 2018 KeySIGN 19.4 issued, compatibility for AutoCAD R2019

- 287 - Please see the document entitled ‘What’s New.pdf’ for a complete detailed software revision history. A link to the document can be found in the KeySIGN Help menu.

- 288 - Chapter 12 - Installation

Details of the installation procedure are given below.

12.1 Before you start

KeySIGN has been designed for use with any system that can run full AutoCAD. It will not work with LT version of AutoCAD due to its software limitations.

The system requirements are no more onerous that those specified for AutoCAD, so please read its knowledge pages and help documentation for specifics.

The latest version of KeySIGN is designed for use on the latest version of AutoCAD and 4 years of previous versions. It will work with the equivalent verticals of AutoCAD like Civil and Map.

As KeySIGN is an ‘add-on’ application to AutoCAD, it will be necessary to install AutoCAD first. Please ensure that AutoCAD is working correctly before proceeding with the KeySIGN installation. When the correct operation of AutoCAD has been checked, follow the procedure outlined below.

Note

It is necessary to log in as a System Administrator to carry out the installation of KeySIGN.

- 289 - KeySIGN is supplied by an EXE file that is downloaded from the web. It can be installed by saving this file locally double clicking on the .exe file.

12.2 The Installation Wizard

The installation program is in the form of a install ‘Wizard’, with a number of straightforward steps. It is STRONGLY recommended that the default choices are taken as this can assist with any support should this be required at a later date. In which case it just a case of picking ‘Next’ and ‘Next again, until the final OK button is pressed.

The default location for KeySIGN is in a folder (directory) in the Program Files folder.

‘C:\Program Files\Keysoft Solutions\KeySIGN\version’.

12.3 Creation of Shortcuts and AutoCAD Profile

The installation will normally create a shortcut on the Windows Desktop. This should be used to start and initialize the KeySIGN program before opening a dwg. Use ‘Open’ inside AutoCAD to open a file rather than just double clicking on an existing dwg.

If the program has not created a shortcut, it will be necessary to do this manually. The installation wizard will also create KeySIGN shortcuts for each release of AutoCAD installed in the Windows 'Start' menu under:

'Programs > Keysoft Solutions > KeySIGN

- 290 - The shortcuts on the desktop of start menu will normally open an AutoCAD Profile spe- cifically configured to ensure that KeySIGN is loaded and works properly with AutoCAD. If no profile exists then it will automatically be created the first time a user uses the shortcut icon.

For manual profiles you will need also to complete the following steps:

12.4 Manual creation of the shortcut

If a shortcut has not been created, this will need to be done manually. Locate the shortcut to AutoCAD, and copy it to the Window Desktop (for easy access). Rename it to ‘KeySIGN’. Then right-click on the new shortcut and choose Properties from the menu that appears. Append the following text (starting from the ‘/p’) to the ‘Target’ in the Short- cut tab of the properties dialog. This explicitly references the KeySIGN Profile (/p) and the KeySIGN template drawing file (/t).

Note

The spaces either side of the ‘Target line’ switches /p and /t.

“… \Acad.exe” /p “KeySIGN194” /t “C:\Program Files\Keysoft Solu- tions\KeySIGN\19.4\R23\Sign.dwt”

Note

The template file (Sign.dwt) referred to should be the one in the KeySIGN specific

- 291 - sub folder, e.g. R22 in the example above. Change this to R20 if running KeySIGN with R2015 or 16 (or MAP/Civil 3D equivalents), (or R21 for R2017) etc.

Check that the ‘Start In’ folder correctly specifies the location where drawing files will be stored. This will normally be on a network drive. Lastly, change the icon to one of those supplied in the KeySIGN folder.

12.5 Creating or editing the KeySIGN Profile in AutoCAD

To run KeySIGN with AutoCAD, it may be necessary under certain circumstances to create or edit the AutoCAD Profile, which controls the loading of applications, such as KeySIGN, manually. You will know whether this is necessary because KeySIGN will fail to load correctly.

a. When AutoCAD has finished starting, you will see the word ‘Command:’ in the white area at the bottom of the AutoCAD window (the ‘Command’ line). The ‘Options’ dialog can be started by clicking on the ‘Tools’ pull-down menu at the top of the AutoCAD window, and choosing ‘Options’ from this menu. Alternatively, type OPTIONS at the AutoCAD command line. b. Select the ‘Files’ tab on the left of the ‘Options’ dialog. Click on the ‘+’ symbol to the left of the ‘Support File Search Path’ item to expand the branch of the tree. c. Add the following 2 folders* to the top of the support file search

path in the following order, using the ‘Add’, ‘Browse’ and ‘Move Up’ buttons:

C:\Program Files\Keysoft Solutions\KeySIGN\19.4\R23 (top entry)

- 292 - C:\Program Files\Keysoft Solutions\KeySIGN\19.4

d. Expand the ‘Drawing Template File Location’ branch and change the folder specified to the following:

C:\Program Files\Keysoft Solutions\KeySIGN\19.4\R23

Note

The folders quoted here are based on the default installation folder offered during the installation. Substitute the actual installation folder if this is different.

Note

The template file (Sign.dwt) referred to should be the one in the KeySIGN specific sub folder, e.g. R23 in the example above. Change this to R20 if running KeySIGN with R2015 or 16, or AutoCAD Map/Civil 3D 2016 (or R21 for R2017).

12.6 KeySIGN Loading Sequence

When KeySIGN loads, at the start of the AutoCAD session or when each new drawing is started or existing one is opened, the following loading sequence, which includes the successful loading of KeyOSC, should be seen.

Regenerating model.

- 293 - AutoCAD menu utilities loaded.

KeySIGN menu utilities loaded.

Command: Loading KTS_CUIUtils

KTS_CUIUtils Load completed

Command: KTS_ProductStartup

... using CUIUtils version 1.7.0.1

Using KTS_doc.xml for name KTS_Productname

Using KTS_doc.xml for name KTS_ProductVersion

Checking user menu...

Checking user menu complete existing menu OK. existing menu OK.

Command:

UK Primary Destination Gazetteer loaded OK.

KeySIGN function definitions loaded.

Command:

KeySIGN v19.2 for AutoCAD 2016 - English initialising

- 294 ------

Looking for KeySIGN licence, please wait...

Command: OK.

Loading KeySIGN data and settings file

'C:\...... \ATS_Data.lsp' v18.0.0 31/01/2012 OK.

Licensed to: Keysoft Solutions, Serial number 9876.

Your competency level is currently set to 'Expert'.

Redefining inbuilt commands... done.

Fonts installed OK.

KeySIGN colour dependent plot style already installed OK.

Loading KeySIGN settings from Windows Registry.. OK.

Loading sign face Material/Rates file:

'C:\program files\Keysoft Solutions\keysign\19.3\material.rat'

(default material: 'Class R3B (12899-1:2007)')

OK.

- 295 - Post and Foundation design program v4.20.9 (06/02/2012) loaded OK.

Sign Shop detailed costings program v2.0 (14/01/2009) loaded OK. v2.0.31

(10/06/2011) v2.2.3 (14/06/2011) v2.0.3 (10/11/11) v1.0.3.2 (20/02/2012) v1.1.4

(10/06/2011)

Creating command shortcuts (aliases) from file:

'C:\signdev\asign.pgp'

OK.

Loading user settings file:

'C:\signdev\settings.src'

OK.

KeySIGN functions loaded OK.

Command:

Note

The message ‘Looking for KeySIGN license, please wait... OK.’. See below if the licence is NOT found.

- 296 - You should also see the KeySIGN pull-down menus ‘KeySIGN’, ‘Sign Utils’, and ‘Sign Help’. When the toolbars are first shown, AutoCAD will resize the drawing area. This results in a message *Cancel*, which can be ignored.

Note

Both the pull-down menus and the message ‘KeySIGN functions loaded OK’ must be present to show that KeySIGN has loaded correctly.

12.7 Command Errors

When using commands, sometimes problems can occur which result in the failure of the command before it completes. Commonly, this results in the following or similar message:

KeySIGN has encountered a problem: bad argument type

This can arise depending on the exact sequence of commands used prior to the error. Reloading and/or resetting the software can often clear these errors. See the commands KeySIGN and RESET for more information about resetting KeySIGN. Alternatively, close and reopen the current drawing, or exit and restart AutoCAD.

Errors can arise as a combination of the software and settings within the current AutoCAD drawing. Reloading the drawing is unlikely to be a cure in this case. It is often helpful from a support, as well as a defect resolution perspective to know exactly what was being done prior to the error. This can be done by copying and pasting the text from the AutoCAD text window. Press F2 in AutoCAD to see the text window. Additionally, it

- 297 - can be essential to have a copy of the drawing saved at the time of the error. This can then be sent to Keysoft Solutions for testing with KeySIGN.

12.8 Licensing Errors

If you receive a message relating to the Keysoft Solutions licencing, this is no indication that any of the installation steps described above have not been completed correctly. It will, however, be necessary to diagnose and correct the problem with the software lock- ing.

1. Is the licence standalone or networked? 2. If the licence is standalone, has the correct authorisation number been entered? 3. If the licence is networked, is the networked server issuing the licence running and accessible? 4. If networked can other machines use the network licences or have they all been used up?

If you have any problems or need advice with the installation of KeySIGN, please do not hesitate to contact Keysoft Solutions on 03451 303040 for help.

- 298 - Chapter 13 - Glossary of Terms

See also the Glossary of Terms in the AutoCAD help file.

Term Description Attribute A text string associated with a block attribute that identifies a par- Tags ticular attribute during extraction from the drawing database Block An AutoCAD block is a single entity (usually) comprising more than one entity. For example, the road traffic signs are placed on the drawing as a single entity and can be moved or copied by selecting any part of the sign. AutoCAD stores a definition of each block within the drawing and displays any instances of the block by reference to this block definition. Changing the block definition thus updates every instance of a block Block Attrib- Objects that are included in block definitions to store alphanumeric utes data. Attribute values can be predefined or specified when the block is inserted. CAD Computer Aided Design software Command This area at the bottom of the AutoCAD Window shows the command Line ‘dialogue’, and is the area where prompts for values such as text height or location will be presented. Cross hairs The ‘target’ controller and at the position of the mouse pointer in the graphics/drawing area of the AutoCAD window. A type of cursor con- sisting of two lines that intersect. Draworder A method of controlling which objects are seen above/below other overlapping objects ENTER ‘Return’ on the keyboard. Pressing Enter when drawing lines for example is effectively a ‘null’ entry which commonly ends the command/process. When a value such as a circle radius is prompted, Enter will be used to pass a typed value to the program. Note that the terms ‘Return’ and ‘Enter’ are used interchangeably. Also, use the

- 299 - Term Description enter/return key to enter valid data when requested. GRID An array of dots on the AutoCAD drawing screen that does not form part of the drawing, but assists visually with the layout of sign elements. NOGO A layer containing sign construction lines. On map type symbols these show the minimum distance that any object can be placed near to the symbol, i.e. a ‘no go’ area. Notepad Standard plain text file editor provided with Windows. A shortcut to this program is usually found on the ‘Start > Programs > Accessories > Notepad’ menu. Object Snap AutoCAD entities have various defining points. For example a line has two endpoints and one mid point. A circle has a centre point, and four quadrant points. These defining points can be found automatically using object snaps when selecting points. Read the AutoCAD manual for detailed information about object snaps. Other Object Snaps (OBJS) include intersection, extended/apparent intersection, perpendicular, nearest and insertion point. OBJS can be selected using the OBJS toolbar. Right click on a toolbar to see a list of menu groups and toolbars. The OBJS toolbar is in the ACAD menu group. Orthogonal or The setting constrains successive points selected on screen to hori- the ORTHO zontally or vertically aligned points. setting OS Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey provide a range of map sets, the most detailed of which is the Landline series. Often referred to as OS maps, mapping or OSMAPS. May also be used to refer to the Win- dows Operating System. Pickbox Objects are selected by clicking it with your pointing device. It is a square box on the mouse cursor that must touch some part of the object to select it. Polyline Linear object in an AutoCAD drawing made up of one or more line or arc segments joined together. Has properties such as width not avail-

- 300 - Term Description able with line or arc objects. Also called PLINE after the command to create these. Profile AutoCAD can store multiple sets of options (preferences). These are stored in a profile, for the current user that is logged on to the PC. Pro- files can be edited by selecting Options from the Tools pull-down menu, on the Profiles tab. It is a mechanism to enable individual users to customize AutoCAD to suit their individual preferences, and is the mechanism by which KeyROADWORKS is loaded. Pull-Down The command menus located at the top of the AutoCAD Window, Menu such as ‘File’, ‘Edit’ and ‘View’. KeySIGN supplies three pull-down menus. REGEN or To update a drawing's screen display by recomputing the screen Regeneration coordinates from the drawing database. Return ‘Enter’ on the keyboard. Takes its name from mechanical typewriters for a carriage return. Pressing Enter when drawing lines for example is effectively a ‘null’ entry, which commonly ends the command/process. Note that the terms ‘Return’ and ‘Enter’ are used interchangeably. Rubber band The line drawn from a point on-screen to the position of the cross line hairs. Service With a valid Service Agreement (SA), Keysoft Solutions provides free Agreement updates when they become available; hotline telephone support; and User Group Membership. Selection Set Set of objects selected during the process of a command. Selection sets are built up using a range of techniques such as by Window, Crossing box or Window Polygon. SNAP Snap mode restricts the movement of the crosshairs to intervals that you define. When Snap mode is on, the cursor seems to adhere, or "snap," to an invisible rectangular grid. In KeySIGN the SNAP interval is set to 0.5 s/w. Status Bar The bottom part of the AutoCAD Window, below the Command Line, important for assessing and setting the status of various settings and

- 301 - Term Description values. Also shows the coordinate display and the version of KeySIGN that is loaded. Template This is a drawing that will contain settings, blocks, layers, styles etc, Drawing suited for the specific drawing activity and used as a template for new drawings Toolbar Fly- Additional toolbar command icons available from below some toolbar out icons. Availability of a flyout is indicated by the presence of a small black triangle in the lower right corner of the icon. TSM Chapter The Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 7, 2013, which covers in detail the 7 design rules for traffic signs. Supplemented by the Working Drawings, supplied by TSO (ISBN 978-0-11-553222-1). TSO The Stationary Office TSRGD The Traffic Sign Regulations and General Directions 2016, supplied by TSO (ISBN 9780111300152). User Group An annual meeting (twice yearly in the case of KeySIGN) where users can discuss problems with the products, feedback wishlist items and see new enhancements and commands. Working The design of many signs is not covered in sufficient detail in TSM Drawings Chapter 7. These signs have a DfT drawing showing these specific rules.

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My Term My definition

- 303 - Index

Bilingual text

spacing 99

Chapter 7 Reference 65

Dimensions

rounding 174

Scale

standard sign 165

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