VariCAD VariCAD Table of Contents 1. Foreword .......................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Introduction to VariCAD ................................................................................................................. 2 3. VariCAD Installation ....................................................................................................................... 3 Installing Upgrades ....................................................................................................................... 3 Hardware and Software Requirements .......................................................................................... 5 32-bit and 64-bit Versions ................................................................................................... 5 4. Files and Directories Used by VariCAD .......................................................................................... 6 Running VariCAD the First Time ................................................................................................. 6 Default VariCAD Files ................................................................................................................. 6 Converting 2D/3D Objects to and from Other Formats.................................................................. 6 How 3D Objects Are Converted to STEP or IGES ............................................................... 7 Creation of STL format........................................................................................................ 7 Directories .................................................................................................................................... 8 5. Getting Started ............................................................................................................................... 10 VariCAD User Interface ............................................................................................................. 10 Working with Multiple Monitors ....................................................................................... 10 2D/3D Area ....................................................................................................................... 10 Status Bar .......................................................................................................................... 10 Toolbar Icons .................................................................................................................... 11 Dialog Windows - Cancel and Back Buttons...................................................................... 11 Mouse Buttons ............................................................................................................................ 11 3D Mouse ................................................................................................................................... 12 Invoking and Running VariCAD Functions ................................................................................ 12 Finishing VariCAD Functions ........................................................................................... 13 Stepping Back within a Function ....................................................................................... 13 Selecting Objects between Functions ................................................................................. 13 Additional Options within Functions ................................................................................. 14 Creating, Opening and Saving VariCAD 2D/3D Files ................................................................. 14 Backing up Your Files ................................................................................................................ 17 Working with Multiple Files ....................................................................................................... 17 Copy and Paste .................................................................................................................. 17 Switching between 2D and 3D .................................................................................................... 18 Undo and Redo ........................................................................................................................... 18 Dragging Objects ........................................................................................................................ 19 Dragging Increments ......................................................................................................... 19 Turning off Detection Temporarily ............................................................................................. 20 6. System Settings (Preferences) ........................................................................................................ 21 Backing up Your Configuration .................................................................................................. 22 Colors ......................................................................................................................................... 23 7. 2D Drawing..................................................................................................................................... 25 Displaying the 2D Drawing Area ................................................................................................ 25 iii Changing the View Using the Mouse and Keyboard .......................................................... 25 Display Functions .............................................................................................................. 25 Rebuilding Functions ......................................................................................................... 25 Zoom Functions ................................................................................................................. 25 Saving Views .................................................................................................................... 26 2D Display Settings .................................................................................................................... 26 2D Circle Display Settings ................................................................................................. 26 Cursor Settings and Coordinate Listing .............................................................................. 26 Types of 2D Objects ................................................................................................................... 27 2D Drawing Attributes - Units, Formats, Scale ........................................................................... 27 Units .................................................................................................................................. 27 Format and Sheet Border ................................................................................................... 27 2D Drawing Scale.............................................................................................................. 30 Attributes of 2D Objects ............................................................................................................. 30 Working with 2D Layers ................................................................................................... 30 2D Object Colors ............................................................................................................... 32 Line Types......................................................................................................................... 33 Visibility of 2D Objects ..................................................................................................... 34 Work Sets ................................................................................................................................... 34 2D Coordinate System ................................................................................................................ 35 2D Drawing Aids ........................................................................................................................ 35 Grid ................................................................................................................................... 35 Construction Lines............................................................................................................. 36 Creating Construction Lines .............................................................................................. 36 Deleting Construction Lines .............................................................................................. 36 Creating Multiple Construction Lines ................................................................................ 36 Temporary Construction Lines .......................................................................................... 38 Transient Construction Lines ............................................................................................. 39 Increment Cursor Mode ..................................................................................................... 39 Ortho Mode ....................................................................................................................... 41 Selecting 2D Objects .................................................................................................................. 42 Methods of Selecting ........................................................................................................