Full PrimeCAD Manual

MiTek Industries,
Inc.
PrimeCAD Manual
PrimeCAD User Manual
Contents
Concept...............................................................................................................................8
Entities.................................................................................................................................9
Graphic Properties ......................................................................................................... 11
Pen.................................................................................................................................... 12
Layers............................................................................................................................... 13
Symbols ........................................................................................................................... 14
Attribute Definition.......................................................................................................... 15
Drawing Origin ................................................................................................................ 16
Coordinates ..................................................................................................................... 17
Units of Measurement ................................................................................................... 18
Drawing Scale ................................................................................................................. 19
Selection Set ................................................................................................................... 20
Entity Filter....................................................................................................................... 21
Viewports ......................................................................................................................... 22
Limits ................................................................................................................................ 23
Extents ............................................................................................................................. 24
Hatches ............................................................................................................................ 25
Fonts................................................................................................................................. 26
Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) ........................................................................ 27
Drawing Files and File Conversion.............................................................................. 28
Autosave and Backup .................................................................................................... 29
Printing and Plotting ....................................................................................................... 30
Mouse and Digital Tablet .............................................................................................. 31
Basic Operation .............................................................................................................. 32
Numerical Data Input ..................................................................................................... 33
Entity Input....................................................................................................................... 34
Using the Mouse............................................................................................................. 35
Snap Input Modes .......................................................................................................... 36
Explanation of 9 Kinds of Snap Input Modes............................................................. 38
Constraint Mode ............................................................................................................. 40
Keyboard Input Modes .................................................................................................. 41
Selecting Entities ............................................................................................................ 42
Direct Selection Method ................................................................................................ 43
Direct Transformations .................................................................................................. 45
Translating ....................................................................................................................... 46
Scaling ............................................................................................................................. 47
Mirroring ........................................................................................................................... 48
Right Button Short Menu............................................................................................... 49
Double-Click Editing ....................................................................................................... 50
User Interface ................................................................................................................. 51
Title Bar............................................................................................................................ 52
Menu Bar ..................................................................................................................... 53
Shortcut Keys .............................................................................................................. 53
Getting Help ................................................................................................................ 54
Workspace....................................................................................................................... 55
Sheet ........................................................................................................................ 56
Reference Grid ........................................................................................................... 56
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Scroll Bars ............................................................................................................... 57

Toolbars ....................................................................................................................... 60
Toolboxes .................................................................................................................... 60
File Menu ......................................................................................................................... 61
File>New ............................................................................................................. 61
File>Open............................................................................................................ 61
Drawing Scale Dialog box..................................................................................... 62
File>Merge .......................................................................................................... 63
File>Save ............................................................................................................ 64
File>Save As....................................................................................................... 65
File>Backup Option........................................................................................... 67
Automatic Save ........................................................................................................... 68
Always Create Backup File ....................................................................................... 69
File>Page Setup ................................................................................................. 70
File>Printer Setup .............................................................................................. 70
File>Print ............................................................................................................. 72
Print Range Option................................................................................................. 73
File>Import Bitmap............................................................................................. 74
Edit Menu......................................................................................................................... 75
Edit>Cut ............................................................................................................... 76
Edit>Copy............................................................................................................ 76
Edit>Paste ........................................................................................................... 77
Edit>Erase........................................................................................................... 77
Edit>Erase Last .................................................................................................. 78
Edit>Undo ........................................................................................................... 78
Edit>Undo Undo................................................................................................. 79
Edit>Copy Entity......................................................................................................... 79
Entity Copy>Linear Copy.............................................................................. 79
Entity Copy>Rectangular Copy ................................................................... 80
Entity Copy>Radial Copy.............................................................................. 81
Entity Copy>Parallel ...................................................................................... 82
Entity Copy>Offset......................................................................................... 83
Edit>Select .......................................................................................................... 84
Select Dialog Box ................................................................................................... 85
Edit>Entity Filter ................................................................................................. 86
Selection Filter Dialog Box.................................................................................... 87
View>Limits......................................................................................................... 92
View>Extents ...................................................................................................... 92
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View>Last............................................................................................................ 92
View>Revert Entity Order ................................................................................. 93
View>Pan ............................................................................................................ 93
View>Zoom Window.......................................................................................... 94
View>Zoom In..................................................................................................... 94
View>Zoom Out ................................................................................................. 95
View>Zoom Value .............................................................................................. 95
View>Named View............................................................................................. 96
View>Viewport.................................................................................................... 96
Draw Menu ..................................................................................................................... 98
Draw >Line .................................................................................................................. 99
Line>Individual ............................................................................................... 99
Line>Multiple .................................................................................................100
Line>Autofillet-Sgl........................................................................................101
Line>Double ..................................................................................................101
Line>AutoFillet-Dbl ......................................................................................102
Line>Point-Circle ..........................................................................................103
Line>Circle-Circle .........................................................................................103
Line>Perpendicular......................................................................................104
Line>Line setup ............................................................................................105
Draw>Arc ...................................................................................................................106
Arc>3 Pts [s,m,e]..........................................................................................106
Arc>3 Pts [s,e,m]..........................................................................................107
Arc>3 Pts [c,s,e] ...........................................................................................107
Arc>2 Pts-Angle ...........................................................................................108
Arc>2 Pts-Radius .........................................................................................108
Arc>Quarter Circle .......................................................................................109
Arc>Semi Circle ...........................................................................................110
Arc>Elliptical .................................................................................................110
Draw>Circle ...............................................................................................................112
Circle>Center-Side ......................................................................................112
Circle>Side-Center ......................................................................................113
Circle>2 Pts...................................................................................................113
Circle>3 Pts...................................................................................................114
Circle>Center-Radius ..................................................................................114
Circle>Center-Diameter ..............................................................................115
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Circle>Ellipse ................................................................................................115
Circle>Ellipse-4 Arcs ...................................................................................117
Draw>Polyline ...........................................................................................................118
Polyline>Set Pts-open.................................................................................118
Polyline>Set Pts-close ................................................................................119
Polyline>Rectangle ......................................................................................119
Polyline>Polygon .........................................................................................120
Polyline>Sketch............................................................................................121
Draw>Curve ..............................................................................................................122
Curve>Bezier Curves ..................................................................................122
Curve>Fitted Curves ...................................................................................123
Draw>Marker ............................................................................................................124
Marker>Set Pts.............................................................................................124
Marker>Relative ...........................................................................................125
Marker>Polar ................................................................................................125
Marker>Align.................................................................................................126
Marker>Setup ...............................................................................................127
Draw>Dimension ......................................................................................................128
Dimension>Linear ................................................................................................129
Single Linear Dimension.............................................................................................132
Baseline Linear Dimension .....................................................................................132
Continuous Linear Dimension ....................................................................................134
Dimension>Radial........................................................................................................135
Dimension>Radial>Radius1...........................................................................136
Dimension>Radial>Radius2...........................................................................136
Dimension>Radial>Diameter1 .......................................................................137
Dimension>Radial>Diameter2 .......................................................................139
Dimension>Ordinate ....................................................................................................140
Dimension>Ordinate>X-datum ......................................................................140
Dimension>Ordinate>Y-datum ......................................................................141
Dimension>Angular .............................................................................................142
Angular Dimension of Two Lines ...........................................................................142
Angular Dimension of An Arc .................................................................................143
Dimension>Leader...............................................................................................144
Dimension>Setup .................................................................................................145
Draw>Hatch ..............................................................................................................147
Hatch>Set Pts...............................................................................................148
Hatch>Selection ...........................................................................................149
Hatch>Setup .................................................................................................150
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Draw>Text .................................................................................................................151
Text>Start Pt.................................................................................................151
Text>Aligned.................................................................................................152
Text>Arc ........................................................................................................152
Text>Font Setup ...........................................................................................153
Draw>Solid ................................................................................................................155
Solid>Circle ...................................................................................................155
Solid>Pie .......................................................................................................156
Solid>Chord ..................................................................................................156
Solid>Polygon...............................................................................................157
Solid>Color Setup ........................................................................................157
Draw>Symbol............................................................................................................158
Explanation of X and Y scale factors and Rotation degree ...........................161
Attributes>Export .............................................................................................165
Modify Menu.................................................................................................................166
Modify>Transforms ..................................................................................................167
Modify> Transforms>Translate ...................................................................167
Modify>Transforms>Rotate ........................................................................168
Modify>Transforms>Scale ..........................................................................169
Modify>Transforms>Mirror .........................................................................170
Modify>Transforms>Align (Along the Axis) .............................................171
Modify>Transform>Align Entity..................................................................172
Modify>Trims ............................................................................................................172
Modify>Trims>Corner..................................................................................173
Modify>Trims>Extend .................................................................................174
Modify>Trims>Edge ....................................................................................175
Modify>Trims>Fillet....................................................................................175
Modify>Trims>Chamfer ..............................................................................176
Modify>Trims>Divide...................................................................................177
Modify>Stretch .................................................................................................178
Modify>Join.......................................................................................................179
Modify>Move Point ..........................................................................................179
Illustrated Control Point of Each Entity.....................................................................180
Modify>Explode................................................................................................182
Modify>Change ................................................................................................183
Inquires Menu ...............................................................................................................185
Inquires>Coordinate ........................................................................................185
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Inquires>Area/Perimeter .................................................................................186
Inquires>2Pts Angle ........................................................................................186
Inquires>3Pts Angle ........................................................................................187
Inquires>Distance ............................................................................................188
Inquires>Entity Info ..........................................................................................188
Inquires>Entity List ..........................................................................................189
Tools Menu....................................................................................................................190
Tools>Tools Display ................................................................................................190
Tool Box.........................................................................................................................191
Ribbon............................................................................................................................193
Status Bar ......................................................................................................................194
Rulers .............................................................................................................................194
Tools>Toolbar Editing ..............................................................................................195
Tools>Macro .............................................................................................................197
System>Sheet ......................................................................................................198
System>Units of Measurement .....................................................................199
Units Of Measurement Dialog Box ....................................................................200
System>Grid/Reference Line .........................................................................201
Snap Mode Dialog Box........................................................................................204
System>Origin..................................................................................................207
System>Origin..................................................................................................207
Contents of PrimeCAD.INI..........................................................................................209
Shortcut keys in File Menu commands .................................................................214
Shortcut keys in Edit Menu commands ................................................................214
Shortcut keys in View Menu commands...............................................................215
Shortcut keys for Getting Help ...............................................................................215
Shortcut Keys for Changing Coordinate Types ...................................................215
Shortcut Keys for Moving the Selection Set.........................................................215
Shortcut Keys for Changing Snap Input Modes ..................................................216
Shortcut Keys for Changing Constraint Modes ...................................................216
Shortcut Keys for Using Scroll Bars to Pan the View.........................................216
7
Concept
PrimeCAD for Windows is a computer-aided-design drafting software. It is
different from other types of picture-generating software which manipulate pixels.
All drawing entities in PrimeCAD, except those imported bitmap images (e.g.
BMP, PCX....etc.), are made of vectors (i.e. line segments).
PrimeCAD provides you the tools and flexibility to create precision drawings
quickly and easily. The following sections describe the basic concepts that you
need to know about computer-aided drafting in general and PrimeCAD in
particular.
8
Entities
All drawings are comprised of entities. In PrimeCAD, there are the following entity
types:
- A line is an entity defined by two points: a startpoint and an endpoint.
- An arc is a portion of a circle . It is defined by a centerpoint, a radius line, a

starting angle, and an ending angle.
- A circle is defined by a centerpoint and a radius.
- A polyline is a series of connected lines. It is defined by up to 1000 vertices.

PrimeCAD considers a polyline to be a single entity no matter how many vertices
it has. That is, all segments have the same drawing properties (pen color, pen
style, pen width,and layer).
- A curves is a special entity whose position and shape are determined by three
or more control points. There are two curve types: Bezier and Fitted. Fitted
curves pass through their control points; Bezier curves are drawn toward them.
- Markers are predefined shapes comprised of lines, arcs or circles. They are
used to mark coordinates, line endpoints, directional flow, and so on.
- A text entity is comprised of one or more lines of characters. The characters

can be any size you choose and can be drawn in any True Type fo nt or
PrimeCAD vector font. Drawn texts can be justified horizontally and vertically and
also can be rotated at any angle.
- A dimension is a measurement notation which collect predefined lines, arcs,

markers, and texts. Dimensions are associative. That is, their textual components
are automatically updated as the dimensions are moved or stretched. You can
explode a dimension entity into its comprised entities (lines, arcs, markers and
texts).
- A hatch entity is a crosshatched area enclosed by an entity or group of entities.

The area is filled with a repetitive li ne pattern. PrimeCAD offers 44 kinds of hatch
patterns.
- A solid entity is a polygon, circle or arc filled inside with specified color, but the
border of it is still the current pen color.
- Attributes provide non-graphical information. An attribute definition is just like a

text. But when it is attached to a symbol definition, it acts more like a data base
record (filed-value). The attributes attached on the symbols can be exported to a
spreadsheet or database program to create bill of material lists.
9
- Although PrimeCAD is not a bitmap drawi ng software, it can import images

such as BMP and PCX. An image is treated as a single basic entity which can be
moved and scaled.
- A symbol is collections of any of the entity types listed above. Symbols can be
nested, i.e. symbols can include other symbols inside. A symbol is just a link of
any other basic entities, which can be moved, rotated, scaled, mirrored and so
on. Besides symbols can be saved as symbol libraries for use in other drawings.
10
Graphic Properties
Graphic properties define the appearance of an entity and also specify the layer
which that entity is on. The graphic properties are: pen color, pen width, pen
style, pen style scale, and layer. Graphic properties are assigned to entities
automatically (according to the default settings) when you input or define the
entities. Not has every entity all graphic properties. Some entities have only some
graphic properties. The following lists the graphic properties of individual entity.
Lines, Circles, Arcs, Polylines, Curves, Solids - all graphic attributes.
Markers, Hatches, Texts, Dimensions - pen color and layer.
Placed symbols, Image - layer.
The pen-related settings of graphic properties are defined by selecting the

System>Pen Setup command. A quick way to access the Pen dialog box is to
click the box displaying the pen properties on the ribbon. The settings of layers
are performed on the System>Layer Control command or by clicking on the
button labeled "Layer" at the left end of the ribbon to access the Layer dialog
box.
11
Pen
When you choose the System>Pen Setup Command to set the pen properties,
the Pen dialog box will display, which includes the following controls:
Pen color - The color assigned to an entity. There are 256 pen colors in
PrimeCAD. However, if your monitor display system can only support 16 pen
colors, PrimeCAD can actually show 16 pen colors. Out of 256 pen colors
palette, only 16 pen colors are listed in the pen color list-box for easy access.
You can choose the most used 16 pen colors by yourself from the color palette.
Pen style - The line pattern (e.g., solid, dashed, dotted, etc.) assigned to an
entity. There are nine pen styles:
Solid
Dashed
Hidden
Center
Phantom
Dot
Dashdot
Border
Divide
Pen style scale - The relative pattern size for the line - in other words, it tells how
far apart the dashes are. The pen style scale affects all line types except solid
line, which is continuous. For example:
Dashed
0.5 time
2 times
Pen width - The line thickness assigned to an entity. This width is the real
thickness of a line, not the number of pixels.
12
Layers
Layers are one of the drawing properties. They allow you to organize the entities
in your drawing into groups. Complex drawings tend themselves most readily to
the use of layers. For instance, you could put walls, dimensions, and trusses on
separate layers and create separate printouts for each type of plan. You can also
modify or input in a specific layer. Each drawing can contain up to 256 layers.
13
Symbols
A symbol is a group of entities combined and treated as though they are a single
entity. A symbol can even contain other symbols as components. It is called a
nested symbol. Symbols can be nested to multiple levels. Before you can place a
symbol in a drawing as a basic entity, you must define it. First of all, select a
group of entities and then give them a name, text description (if needed) and
reference point. After a symbol is defined, it can be placed in the drawing. Placed
symbols can be moved, scaled, rotated, duplicated, mirrored and so on, the same
as other entities, but they cannot be otherwise edited without first being
converted back to separate entities. The reason is that a symbol definition does
not include information of comprised entities. Every placed symbol is connected
to its original symbol definition. Therefore, each symbol definition can have
unlimited placed symbols in a drawing. Actually, each time you use a symbol in a
drawing, PrimeCAD does not copy all of the instructions for creating the symbol
to a new location. Rather, you create a new reference instance of a symbol
definition. If the symbol has not been used before in the drawing, a definition and
one instance are created. If the symbol has been used, its definition already
exists in the drawing and only an instance is added. This scheme makes the
drawing file much smaller and more efficient.
Although a placed symbol is a basic entity, it has only layer property. The other
drawing properties (pen color, pen width, pen style) has no meaning to placed
symbols, because all these properties have been included in the comprising
entities of a symbol. A symbol definition can always be used in its original
drawing until you delete it. When you delete a symbol definition, all placed
symbols which are instances of the definition will be deleted together. If you
accidentally delete a symbol definition, choose immediately the Edit>Undo
command to restore it back.
If you want that a symbol can be placed in other drawings, you must save the
symbol definition in a symbol library. A symbol library is one or a group of symbol
definitions developed for use in a specific discipline, organization, or type of
drawing. After a symbol definition is saved as a symbol library, you can call it out
any time and place it in any other PrimeCAD drawings. If you want to delete a
symbol library, you have to do it in File Manager of Windows Application
Program.
14
Attribute Definition
An attribute definition is a basic entity type. It provides non-graphic information of

the drawing. When an attribute definition is first placed in the drawing, it looks just
like a text entity in many ways. What makes the attribute definition different is the
three field ruling the text content of the attribute definition. These three fields are:
attribute name, prompt and default value. When an attribute is defined, only its
name field is shown.
When an attribute definition is included in a symbol definition, it becomes acting

more like a data base record. That means when you place a symbol, the attribute
definition in that symbol will be invoke. Depending on the flags of the attribute
definition, a dialog box will come up asking you to enter attribute values or the
attribute default values which will be used instead. The attributes on the symbols
can be later exported to a spreadsheet or database program to create bill of
material lists.
15
Drawing Origin
All points in a drawi ng are measured from the drawing origin. Points entered
often use the origin as their reference. The origin is the location of coordinate 0,0.
In PrimeCAD, the default position of the drawing origin lies in the lower left corner
of your sheet. If you move the origin, all entities in the drawing move with it. The
drawing origin is represented on the screen as two bold arrows ( ) indicating
the X and Y positive directions. Notice that the drawing origin is not an entity. It
does not appear on printed output.
You can choose not to display the drawing origin on the screen under the
System>Origin command.
16
Coordinates
PrimeCAD uses four coordinate types to locate the positions in the drawing.
Absolute XY Coordinate (X,Y) specifies the locations in terms of horizontal (X

axis)and vertical (Y axis) offset from the origin (0,0).
Relative XY Coordinate (dX,dY) specifies the locations in terms of horizontal (X

axis)and vertical (Y axis) offset from another point.
Absolute Polar Coordinate (R, ) specifies the locations in terms of its distance
and angle from the origin (0,0).
Relative Polar Coordinate (dR, d ) specifies the locations in terms of its

distance and angle from the previous entered point.
In XY coordinate system, the first number is the horizontal offset and the second
number is the vertical offset. In polar coordinate system, the first number is the
radius (distance) from the reference point and the second number is the directed
angle, measured from 0 degrees.
The four coordinate types have their own shortcut key. See Shortcut keys for
Coordinate Types.
17
Units of Measurement
PrimeCAD accepts input in all standard units of measurement, including:
Linear measure - Millimeters, Centimeters, Meters, Feet, Inches, Miles
Area measure - Square Millimeters, Square Centimeters, Square Meters, Acres,

Square Feet, Square Inches, Square Yards, Square Miles
Angle measure - Degrees, Minutes, Degree-Minute -Second, Radians
Most of time, when you are prompted for a value with unit, you can use whatever
unit is convenient for you, even mixing those units or those that use fractions. No
matter what unit-value you enter, when PrimeCAD displays values, it uses the
current units of measurement and the current formats of measurement.
PrimeCAD stores numbers to an accuracy of 6 decimal places or 1/128. The

numbers displayed and printed are, in most cases, rounded to a precision you
specify. Numbers which are editable, such as those in dialog boxes, are shown in
the maximum number of decimal places possible so there is no loss of precision.
Precision is specified using the System >Units of Measurement.
18
Drawing Scale
Drawing scale is the ratio between the physical size of the drawing on printed
output and their real world size. For example, if the drawing scale is 1 :10,
PrimeCAD prints 10 inches of your drawing for every 1 inch of paper. Therefore,
to reduce the scale of your drawing (to appear smaller on the paper), make the
drawing scale ratio less than 1. To enlarge the scale of your drawing, make the
drawing scale ratio larger than 1. This lets you create one drawing that you can
print in many different scales.
19
Selection Set
The selection set is a temporary collection of entities that can be acted upon as a
group. It can contain a single entity, a group of entities, or all of the entities in the
drawing. There are black square handles around the selection set and a black
solid circle handle in the center of it. The handles that surround the selection set
allows you to perform certain transformations , like translate , scale, or mirror, by
dragging them. For more information on the selection set and on the process of
selecting entities, refer to Edit>Select.
20
Entity Filter
The entity filter function allows you to select entities according to their drawing
properties. It is a way of restricting the set of entities in your drawing that will be
selected when using one of the three methods (Single, Window and All drawing)
in the Edit>Select command.
For example, you can define a filter to permit selection of only blue dashed lines
with thickness greater than 1” and only on layer 0. The specifications can be quite
broad or very selective, ranging from choices like all lines, or all entities with red
color, to a rcs on a specific layer drawn with specific line types, line widths, and
colors.
For most users the basic select criteria in the Select dialog box are already
sufficient.
21
Viewports
Normally, the workspace contains a single large window. You can split the
workspace into two, three or four viewports, which allows several different views
of the drawing to be on the screen at the same time.
Each viewport can be zoomed in, zoomed out, or panned independently. The
cursor can be moved from one viewport to another, and points may be set in any
viewport for any of the PrimeCAD commands. For example, you can have two
views of the drawing displayed in two viewports, and zoom one view to get a
detailed view of the drawing. A line can be drawn by setting a point in the zoomed
view and another point in the original view. If there is more than one viewport in
the workspace, you have to specify which viewport you want the command
operated in when you choose a command.
When you split the workspace each viewport can display its own scroll bars if its
drawing limit is larger than its window range and you set the scroll bars visible
under System>Preferences.
22
Limits
Limits is a predefined View command that allows the screen-sheet to be best
fitted in the screen. You can change the screen-sheet size through
System>Sheet. The Sheet option in the Print dialog box matches the output
paper with the screen-sheet size. If the screen-sheet is bigger than the output
paper on your printer or plotters, multiple pages of printer/plotter papers will be
output to make up the screen-sheet. This is the function called Tiling.
See Also
View>Limits
Print Range Option
23
Extents
Extents is a predefined View command that allows the whole drawing to be best
fitted in the screen, no matter how big or small the drawing is. The Extents option
in Print dialog box is to best fit the drawing into the output paper.
See Also
View>Extents
Print Range Option
24
Hatches
PrimeCAD provide 44 types of hatch pattern to annotate a polygon or an
enclosed area. Hatch patterns can be used at any scale , rotated at any angle,
and drawn using any color. Hatching may also be made temporarily invisible to
speed redrawing.
25
Fonts
PrimeCAD supports True Type and PrimeCAD vector fonts. They can be
exploded into polylines. To output to the plotters, PrimeCAD vector fonts are
recommended because most plotters do not support TrueType fonts.
26
Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)

Object Linking and Embedding is a Windows feature that lets you combine
objects from several applications into one integrated document. Then, from inside
that integrated document, you can quickly edit any object using its original
application. PrimeCAD supports object linking and embedding as a source (or
server) application. A source application creates objects that you can embed or
link in documents created with other applications (known as destination or client
applications).
Linking and embedding are similar in that both let you include an PrimeCAD
drawing in other documents and edit the drawing from within the destination
documents. However, there are important differences in how linking and
embedding store drawing information. Embed a drawing if you want to change
the drawing in a document without changing the original drawing. Link a drawing
if you want to include the same drawing in several documents and you want to
update each document if you change the original drawing.
27
Drawing Files and File Conversion

When you open the PrimeCAD system, the system gives a temporary filename,
"Untitled.DGN," as your drawing filename. When you want to save a drawing, the
screen opens a dialog box and prompts you to enter a filename for the drawing.
Drawing files have standard eight-character DOS filenames with the .DGN
extension. The extension filename is used to distinguish from different file
formats. If you don't enter the extension filename, the system will automatically
add default extension filename ".DGN". You can also save a drawing in a file
format supported by PrimeCAD, for example: DXF, PLT, WMF.
Similarly, files from a variety of programs can be imported into PrimeCAD. The
file types supported by PrimeCAD are DXF, DC2 and PLT. Image formats which
can be imported are BMP and PCX.
28
Autosave and Backup

When you draw in PrimeCAD, you create a drawing in the memory of your
computer. It remains there only while the power to your computer is on and
PrimeCAD is running. To avoid loss of your drawing because of power failure or
some unpredictable causes, set the autosave option on. To always preserve the
previous version of your drawing, set the backup option on. For more information
on this, refer to the File>Backup Option command.
29
Printing and Plotting

Drawing can be sent to any printer or plotter supported by Windows. If there is a
bitmap in a drawing, the bitmap can only be set to printers, not plotters (unless
the plotters support bitmaps).
30
Mouse and Digital Tablet

All mice and tablets supported by Windows can be used in the PrimeCAD
interface.
31
Basic Operation
To work smoothly in PrimeCAD, you first need to know some basic operations
regarding to inputting and modifying data or entities in the drawing through the
mouse and the keyboard. This section describes how to perform these basic
operations which include:
• Numerical Data Input

• Entity Input
§ Using the Mouse
§ Snap Input Modes
§ Constraint Modes
§ Keyboard Input Modes
• Selecting Entities
§ Direct Selection Method
§ Command Selection Method
• Direct Transformations
§ Translating
§ Scaling
§ Mirroring
• Right Button Shortcut Menus
• Double-Click Editing
32
Numerical Data Input
In PrimeCAD, often you will be prompted to enter the numerical values. The
numerical information can be applied using any degrees of precision and any
supported unit of measurement. Upon entry it is converted to the current unit of
measurement and displayed at the current degree of precision. The supported
length units and expressions include:
##.##
##.## cm or ##.## CM
##.## m or ##.## M
##.## km or ##.## KM
## km ## m ## cm or ## KM ## M ##CM
#/# cm or #/# CM
# #/# m or # #/# M
##.## '
##.## "
## ' ## " ##/##
(Marker # represents the number from 0 to 9)
The supported angular units and expression include:
##.##
##.## r or ##.## R
## d ## m ## s or ## D ## M ## S
33
Entity Input
In PrimeCAD, entering entities can be done by entering coordinates. Entering
points is probably the most common activity in computer-assisted drawing.
Usually, there are two ways to enter points--by using the mouse and using the
keyboard.
34
Using the Mouse

The actual mechanics of entering a point involve moving the cursor to the
location
you want and clicking the left mouse button. You can know the coordinate of the
point entered from the two boxes at the right end of the status bar.
Operation procedure:
1. Move the mouse to the location you want to specify. You can know the precise
location of the mouse from the coordinate-showing boxes in the status bar.
2. Enter the point by pressing and releasing the left mouse button. Sometimes
there is a red marker (+) to represent the point you entered.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 if the system requires you to enter more points.
4. If you want to exit the entering status and return the system to Ready status, or
return to the last level status, you must press ESC key or the right mouse button.
The action of pressing ESC key or the right mouse button returns you to the
last status. For example: if you need to enter several points, after you entered the
first point and before you enter the second point, pressing the ESC or the right
button will cancel the point you have entered and you are ready to begin to enter
the first point again. If you press ESC or the right mouse button again, you are
not in the entering mode anymore and you are back to the ready status.
35
Snap Input Modes

You must use snap input modes if you want to enter a point precisely at the exact
location. PrimeCAD provides 9 kinds of snap input modes. They are called snap
input modes because they do not force you to pick an exact location but instead
allow you to describe the location with a mouse click. PrimeCAD then "snaps" the
cursor to the exact location.
In PrimeCAD, there are two ways to apply the snap input mode. One is called
local snap, and the other is global snap.
Global Snap - You specify the desired global snap mode on the System>Snap
Mode dialog box or from the Snap drop-down box on the Ribbon. PrimeCAD
snaps the cursor to the location which meets the snap mode condition. If there is
no location qualified for the snap, a point is entered at the location you clicked the
mouse. Global Snap mode is automatically applied through out the whole
operations when on Local Snap mode is applied.
Local Snap - The selected local snap input mode is only applied to the current
selected-to-be point. The local snap mode override the global snap mode. To
invoke the local snap mode, you must press F3 or the mouse middle button
before you enter the point. A pop-up menu with all kinds of available snap modes
is appeared. When no point is qualified for the local snap input, no point will be
entered (not like the global snap mode). Whether the local snap mode is applied
successfully or not, the system will return to the global snap mode again. To
apply the next local snap, you need to press F3 to choose the local snap again.
The following example explains how to use snap input modes. If you want to
draw a line to connect the centerpoints of two circles, the procedures will be :
1. Choose the centerpoint mode from the Snap list box of the ribbon, or choose
System>Snap Mode command from the menu to open a dialog box and then
choose the Centerpoint option button.
Note: The Constraint section in the dialog box should be gray, meaning it is not
working. Please refer to the Constraint section.
2. Choose the Draw>Line>Individual command. The system is in the input status.
3. Click on the first circle. The cursor is snapped to the center point of the circle.
4. Click on the second circle . The cursor is snapped to the center point of this
circle. A line is drawn, see the following picture.
36
The nine snap input modes have their own shortcut keys. Please see Shortcut
Keys-Snap Mode section.
For information on the 9 kinds of snap input modes and their operation
procedure, see Snap Modes.
37
Explanation of 9 Kinds of Snap Input Modes

Gridpoint - snap to nearest grid point. You can set up the grid point interval in
the System>Grid/Line command. Gridpoints are not necessarily shown on the
screen for this mode to work.
Nearest Point - snap to the nearest endpoint or control point of an entity.
Centerpoint - snap to the center of a selected arc, ellipse, elliptical arc or circle
by clicking anywhere along the arc or circle itself.
Intersection - snap to the intersection of two selected entities. This input mode
allows you to specify the intersection point of two entities by clicking anywhere
near the intersection mode. If there are more than one intersection points, the
one which is closer to the location you click will be selected.
Tangent point - snap to the tangent point on a selected arc or circle (measured
from previous point). This snap mode allows you to specify the tangent point on
an arc or circle from the previous point by clicking anywhere along the arc or
circle.
On-entity - snap to the nearest point on a selected line. This input mode allows
you to select a point on an existing entity by clicking near the entity. The on-entity
snap mode can be used to select any point on an entity, not just the nearest
endpoint or control point of it.
Quadrant - snap to the nearest quadrant point. This input mode allows you to
specify a point at 0, 90, 180, 270 degrees on a n arc or circle by clicking near the
point. You can modify the interval to a finer granularity using the System>Snap
Mode command.
Endpoint - snap to an entity endpoint.
Midpoint - snap to the midpoint of a selected entity. This snap mode allows you
to specify the midpoint of a line, arc, polyline segment, etc. by clicking anywhere
on it.
38
#Gridpoint input mode snaps to nearest grid point. This input mode allows yo u to
specify points by snapping to the reference grid at the snap interval. Where the
gridpoints are is set under the System>Grid/Line command. Gridpoints are not
necessarily shown on the screen for this mode to work.
# Gridpoint
39
Constraint Mode
When you choose the System>Snap Mode to open the Snap dialog box, the first
section of it is Constraint Mode. Turn on the Constraint checkbox allows you to
choose among three constraint options: Normal, Vertical or Horizonta l. The three
constraint modes provide a level of control beyond that afforded by the snap input
modes. They allow you to modify the coordinates of a point by "locking" it into
horizontal, vertical, or normal (horizontal or vertical) alignment with the previous
point or line. The constraint mode is applied after the snap mode when entering
coordinates.
Horizontal - Only points in horizontal alignment with the previous point can be
entered.
Vertical - Only points in vertical alignment with the previous point can be entered.
Normal - Only points in vertical or horizontal alignment with the previous point
can be entered, depending on the entered points are closer to the vertical or
horizontal angle from the previous point.
For the shortcut keys to change between constraint modes, see Shortcut Keys -
Constraint Modes.
40
Keyboard Input Modes

In addition to entering points with the mouse, you can also input points by
specifying coordinates through keyboard. Four coordinate input modes allow you
to enter points from the keyboard. This type of input is useful when some element
of an entity's geometry is known. The two boxes at the right end side of the
Status Bar not only display the cursor position but also can be used to enter point
coordinate values. There are four types of coordinate displayed in that area:
Absolute XY - An input mode that allows you to specify a point in terms of x- and
y-offset from the drawing origin (0,0). For example, a point five units to the right
and ten units above the drawing origin is represented by the coordinates 5,10.
Relative XY - An input mode that allows you to specify points in terms of x- and
y-offset from the previous point. For example, a point 100 units to the right of and
30 units below the previous point is represented by the coordinates 100,-30.
Absolute Polar - An input mode that allows you to specify a point in terms of a
radius (distance) and angle (theta) from the drawing origin (0,0). For example, a
point six units from the drawing origin in a 45 degree direction is represented by
the coordinates 6,45.
Relative Polar - An input mode that allows you to specify points in terms of
radius and angle from the previous point. For example, a point 50 units from the
previous point in a 60 direction is represented by the coordinates 50,60.
By single clicking (left button) on the coordinate-type label, you can change the
coordinate type. For example, if the current coordinate mode is X and Y (absolute
XY), clicking once changes X to dX, Y to dY, (i.e. relative XY); Clicking once
again changes dX to R, dY to , (i.e. absolute polar); Clicking once again
changes R to dR, to d , (i.e. relative polar). The coordinate shown in the area
reflects the snap and lock mode adjustments. The coordinate shown area also
serves as the coordinate input area when you enter points from the keyboard.
After entering the first coordinate, you can press the Tab key to move the cursor
to the right side of the coordinate shown area. When you finish typing the second
coordinate, press Enter to accept the point.
For the shortcut keys to change between coordinate types, see S hortcut Keys-
Coordinates.
41
Selecting Entities
Often, when you want to apply Edit or Modify command on some entities, you
must select those entities first. For example, the Cut, Copy, Entity Copy
commands on the Edit menu, and the all Transforms commands and Join, Move
Point, Explode, Change commands on the Modify commands require you select
entities before you perform any action on them. On the other hand, all Trim
commands on the Modify menu require you specify entities after choosing
commands.
Once an entity or group of entities is selected, you can use menu commands or
the selection handles to make changes.
There are two methods for selecting entities: the direct selection method and the
command selection method. The command selection method is to use the
Edit>Select and Edit>Entity Filter commands to select entities.
42
Direct Selection Method

Selecting entities with the mouse is called direct selection. You can use this
method to select one entity at a time or to select a group of entities inside a
rectangular region.
To select a single entity, use the left mouse button to click on the entity. Entity
highlighting and the appearance of selection handles confirm that the entity is
selected.
To select entities by region, click and drag from one corner of the region to the
other. A rubberband rectangle follows the cursor until you release the mouse
button. If you drag from left-top corner to right-bottom corner, the rubberband
lines appear to be solid. All entities that are completely inside the solid
rectangular window are selected when you release the button. If you drag from
right-bottom corner to left-top corner, the rubberband lines appear to be dotted.
All entities that are partially inside the dotted rectangular window are selected
when you release the button. The group of selected entities is called selection
set.
The entities in the selection set are surrounded by handles and displayed in a
contrasting pen color and/or style you choose. The selection handles are
comprised by black rectangular control points around and a black solid circle in
the center. To specify the pen color and style used to highlight selected entities,
choose the System>Preferences command and adjust the Selection Highlighting
Method controls in the Preferences dialog box.
Sometimes, you may find that it is difficult to select some entities. One possible
reason is that the Selection Radius is set too small or too large. The Selection
Radius means you use the head of the mouse cursor as centerpoint and the
value of Selection Radius as the radius to draw an invisible circle. If this
selection circle intersects with an entity, this entity will be considered eligible. An
entity is hard to be selected if the selection radius is set too small. However, if too
large, the selected entity may not the one you want. Adjust the radius in the
Preferences dialog box to best fit your need.
Sometimes, if two entities are too close to each other or overlapped, you may
always select an entity you don't want. In PrimeCAD, selection priority of an entity
is according to the drawn order. That is, if two entities met criteria of selection,
the one drawn first will be selected first. The solution of this is to choose the
Revert Entity Order command on the View menu. The drawing order of entities
will be reverted after the command and you can easily now select the latter.
Usually, when you select another entity, the previous selected entity returns to
normal status. You can use direct selection to add or delete entities from any
selection set. To toggle individual entities in or out of the selection set, hold the
Shift key down while you click on them. To toggle groups of entities inside
rectangular areas in or out of the selection set, hold the Shift key down while
surrounding them with region selection boxes.
43
Note: when you add or delete entities from any selection set, the range of
selection handles is changed.
If you don't want to do direct selection under Ready status, turn off the "Direct
Select Mode under Ready" checkbox in the Preferences dialog box.
See Also
Selection Set
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Direct Transformations
The entities in the selection set are surrounded by handles. The selection
handles are composed by black rectangular control points around and a black
solid circle in the center.
3 2 3
1 4 1
3 2 3
1. Change size toward left/right

2. Change size toward up/down
3. Change size toward 4 directions the same time
4. Move the selection set
The handles allow you to perform certain transformations, just though you were
using commands on the Modify>Transform cascading menu. By dragging the
selection handles in specific ways, you can perform the equivalent of a Translate,
Scale, or Mirror command. The major difference is that, in most cases, the
transformations are visually rather than mathematically guided.
By using the Ctrl key, you can also copy the selection set as you perform the
transformation.
See Also
Translating
Scaling
Mirroring
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Translating
Translating a selection set from one point to another is accomplished by dragging
the reference point in the center of the selection set. Direct translation has two
kinds: Absolute Translation and Relative Translation.
Operation Procedure of Absolute Translate:
1. Move the mouse to the center reference point. The cursor changes to the
crosshair shape. Press down the left button and drag the mouse to the new
location. The rubberband rectangle of selection set is moving together.
2. Release the left button in the desired location. The selection set is moved to
the new place. You can use snap input mode to choose the new location.
Operation Procedure of Relative Translate:
1. Using the right mouse button, drag the center reference point of selection set
to a new place. Notice that the rubberband rectangle is not moving with the
reference point.
2. Release the right button in the new place and the reference point is placed
there. You can use snap input mode to choose the new location. Now, the
selection set is still in the original place.
3. Using the left mouse button, drag the reference point to another place. This
time, the rubberband rectangle is moving together. Release the left button and
the reference point is placed at the second place.
4. As soon as you release the mouse button, the selection set is translated by the
distance and direction between the two specified points.
Note: To leave a copy of the selection set in the original position as you move,
hold the Control key down before you last release the left mouse button.
See Also
Modify>Transforms>Translate
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Scaling
Scaling with the mouse is accomplished by dragging one of the eight selection
handles. To scale vertically and horizontally by different factors, drag one of the
corner handles while pressing the Shift key. If the Shift key is not pressed down,
the scaling will be proportional. To scale in one direction at a time, drag a side,
top or bottom handle.
To leave a copy of the selection set at the original size as you scale, hold the Ctrl
key down before you release the left mouse button.
See Also
Modify>Transforms>Scale
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Mirroring
Mirroring with the mouse is accomplished by dragging a side, top, or bottom
handle across the selection set and beyond the opposite handle.
To leave a copy of the selection set at the original location, hold the Control key
down during the operation.
See Also
Modify>Transforms>Mirror
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Right Button Short Menu

Any time when an entity is selected, you can press the right mouse button on the
selection set to access the pop-up shortcut menu. The right mouse button menu
provides quick access to some editing and modifying commands applicable to the
selected entities. The shortcut menu includes the Cut, Copy, Move Point,
Explode, and Change commands, and the Transforms and Copy Entity sub-
menus.
49
Double-Click Editing
When you use mouse left-button double-clicking on a selected entity, the system
will open a "Change" dialog box which includes the characteristics of the entity.
You can edit the drawing parameter of the select entity. If there is more than one
entity selected, the Change dialog box will just show the graphic properties which
are common to all selected entities.
See Also
Modify>Change
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User Interface
The PrimeCAD screen consists of the following components:
• Title Bar
• Menu Bar
§ Shortcut Keys
§ Getting Help
• Workspace
§ Sheet
§ Grid/Reference Line
§ Scroll Bars
• Ribbon
• Rulers
• Status Bar
• Toolbars
• Toolboxes
Note: The toolbox, status bar, toolbar, ribbon and ruler can be hidden if you
prefer. For information on customizing the display see the Tool>Tools Display
command.
51
Title Bar
The title bar is a horizontal bar at the top of the window, which displays the name
of the active application and the name of the current drawing. If PrimeCAD is
running in a window rather than maximized, dragging the title bar moves the
entire window on the desktop.
Note: You can also toggle between windowed and maximized (full-screen) modes
by double-clicking on the title bar.
52
Menu Bar
The menu bar displays all PrimeCAD commands across the top of the application
window below the title bar. A command is an instruction that tells PrimeCAD to
do something. Some commands carry out an action immediately; others display a
dialog box so that you can select options.
There are some ways to choose menu commands in PrimeCAD. They are the
standard means by which commands are chosen in any Windows application.
To choose a command from a menu: Point to a menu name on the menu bar
and click the left mouse button. Then, point to a command name on the
cascading menu and click the left mouse button. Some commands have
cascading sub -menu. At this time, you need the third click to choose the desired
command. A command name followed by an ellipsis (...) indicates that the
command has additional options you can use to refine the function of the
command.
Using the keyboard: To make the menu bar active, press the ALT key and then
press the underlined letter in the menu name to display a menu. To choose a
command, press the underlined letter in the command name. For example, to
choose the Line>Individual command from the Draw menu, press ALT, D, L, I.
If you select a menu by mistake, you can close the menu without choosing a
command by clicking outside the menu or pressing the ESC key twice.
Also, PrimeCAD puts most common commands in the toolbox for you easily to
choose. Toolboxes are not customizable, but toolbars are. You can customize the
toolbar by adding the commands used often in them.
Shortcut Keys
In addition to the methods of choosing a command described in the Menu Bar

section, there are single-key or key combination shortcuts for certain frequently-
used commands. Whe n a shortcut is available for a command, it is listed on the
menu, to the right of the command name. For example, the shortcut key to
access the File>Open command is Ctrl + O.
For all shortcut keys available in PrimeCAD, please see Appendix B Shortcut
keys.
53
Getting Help
Anytime you need instant information on menu command, drawing and editing
procedure and concepts, there are several shortcut key way to access PrimeCAD
Help besides using commands on the Help menu.
1. You can display Help during most drawing and editing operations by pressing
F1.
2. You can display Help for a dialog box-related command by pressing F1 when
the dialog box is shown (the message area in the status bar prompts you to do so
to see related topic).
3. You can display Help on every menu command by pressing Shift + F1 and
choosing the command or the toolbar button. (Notice that the cursor changes its
shape to prompt you to choose a command after you press Shift + F1)
54
Workspace
The large area in the center of the PrimeCAD screen is the workspace. This is
where your drawing is displayed and where all work on the drawing is performed.
The workspace can look different, based on your setting. Its basic components
include:
• Screen Sheet
• Grid/ReferenceLine
• Scroll Bars
Reference
Grid
Screen Ribbon
Sheet
Menu Bar
Rulers
Status Bar-- Status Bar--

Message Area Coordinate
Value Boxes
55
Sheet
The large rectangle that appears in the workspace when you load a drawing, is
the sheet. While you can draw outside the sheet, only that portion that falls within
the sheet is normally printed. By default the sheet size is set as the default printer
or plotter page size when you start a new drawing. You may change the drawing
sheet size under the System>Sheet command. The size of the sheet is your
drawing limits.
The shaded bands along each edge of the sheet are called the margins.
Together, they represent the area where your output device can't print or the area
where you don't want it to print. You can draw in the margins, but any part of a
drawing that falls in this area does not normally appear in printed output. The
default margins are based on your current printer or plotter.
The width of each margin is specified in the File>Page Setup dialog box. To
access it, choose the File>Page Setup command. You can't set a margin value
less than the hard margin in your printer or plotter. Setting a margin value to less
than the hard margin will have no effect. In this case, the hard margin value is
used.
If the selected sheet is larger than the printer page output will be automatically
tiled onto multiple pages. Please see Page Tiling .
Page Tiling
If the screen sheet is larger than the page currently defined in the printer/plotter,
the output can be tiled onto multiple pages if you choose the Sheet Print Range
Option in the Print dialog box. If you would like the tiling effect to be showed on
the screen sheet, you need to turn on the Show Tile checkbox. in the Sheet
dialog box. Please refer to the System>Sheet command.
If you prefer that the sheet not be displayed on the screen, you can disable it by
choosing the System>Sheet command, then turn off the Show Sheet checkbox
or direct turn off the Sheet checkbox on the Ribbon bar.
Reference Grid
The reference grid is an screen drawing aid which consists of a pattern of lines
and dots representing the grid visually. The reference grid, combined with
gridpoint snap mode, provides an easy way to enter points at specific intervals. In
addition to the grid snap interval, you can specify the frequency of lines and dots
that are displayed for reference. The System>Grid/Reference Line command
allows you to specify the grid snap interval and rotated angle from a specified
reference point and the pattern of lines and dots based on it. Since the reference
grids are only visual drawing aid, they does not appear on printed output.
The color, base reference point, rotate angle, and visibility of the reference grid
and lines are optional item which user can turn on/off or define their own values.
All these settings are specified under the System>Grid/Reference Line
56
command. If the drawing sheet is set visible, the reference grids will be filled with
the sheet. If not, they will be filled with the whole workspace.
Scroll Bars
Scroll bars are not always shown on the screen. Only that you set Show
Scrollbar and drawing limits larger than screen range will make scroll bars
shown. The visibility of scroll bars is set in the Preferences dialog box. Usually,
the way to make drawing limit larger than screen range is choosing the
View>Zoom In or View>Zoom Window command to magnify a drawing. Also, you
can choose the View>Viewport command to split the workspace into up to four
separate panes. A pane is a rectangular area in the workspace that displays a
specific view of the current drawing. It is helpful to see several parts of your
drawing at once. When you split the workspace, each pane can show its own
scroll bars if its drawing limits are larger than its window range and each pane
displays a separately controllable view of the current drawing.
When scroll bars are shown, there are a horizontal and a vertical scroll bar
located at the bottom and right edges of the workspace window. Scroll bars
contain markers, called scroll boxes, that indicate the vertical and horizontal
location of the cursor in a drawing.
The following keys control the moving of the scroll bars in the active pane. The
basic unit for scroll bar movement is Pixel. You can set up the one-time horizontal
and vertical moving distance of scroll boxes in the System>Preferences dialog
box.
Ruler
The rulers appear on the top and left portions of the workspace. The unit on the
rulers is Inch in Imperial system and Millimeter in Metric system. They show the
real-world size represented by the current viewport in your drawing area. You can
hide the rulers if you need more drawing area and show them again as needed.
Ribbon
The ribbon appears just below the menu bar. It is the primary means by which
you specify the current layer ; specify the current pen properties ; choose a
coordinate snap input mode; display or hide the drawing sheet and reference
gridpoints/lines. The free space at the right side of the ribbon allows you to place
some often-used command icons. Under the standard VGA resolution (640x480),
the free space allows you to place three command icons. The higher resolution,
the more command icon can be placed.
If any entities are selected when you make a change on the ribbon, the
graphic properties (layer and pen properties) of the selected entities are updated
with the new setting.
57
Layer The layer control allows you to open the Layer dialog box to create
a new layer, modify the current layer, save and load entities to a specific layer
and to move selected entities to a specific layer. To choose a layer, click on the
arrow at the right end of the drop-down list box labeled "Layer," then click on the
name of a layer from the list that appears. For information on creating, changing,
and deleting layers, refer to the discussion of the System>Layer Control
command .
Pen The pen control allows you to open the Pen dialog box to choose
the current pen color, pen style and pen width for new entities and to change the
pen properties of any entities that are selected. To open the Pen dialog box, click
on
the Pen Box. For information on setting pen properties, refer to the discussion of
the System>Pen Setup command.
If you use the ribbon to change the color, style, or width of selected entities,
the new properties will not display until the selected entities are deselected. This
is because selection highlighting overrides the actual pen settings.
Snap The snap control allows you to change the global snap mode.
See Also
Pen
Snap Input Modes
Status Bar
The status bar shows information and messages at the bottom of the PrimeCAD
Window that help you use PrimeCAD. It provides the information about the
position of the cursor and the status of current system conditions. The status bar
has two components: the message area and coordinate value boxes.
See Also
Tools>Tools Display
58
Message Area
The long rectangle that occupies the left end of the status bar is called the
message area. It is here that PrimeCAD describes commands, prompts you for
input, and displays program messages.
Anytime you are confused about what is happening or what you should be doing,
the chances are good that the message area offers a clue. For example, to see
the meaning about a toolbar button, point to the button. The information about the
function of the toolbar button appears in the message area. If you are in the
middle of a draw operation, the message area provides step-by-step instructions.
Coordinate Value Boxes

The two edit boxes located on the right side of status bar show the current
coordinate type and coordinate values. You can change the coordinate type by
clicking on the coordinate type texts. Coordinate type changes among Absolute
XY, Relative XY, Polar Coordinate, and Relative Polar Coordinate. X and Y
represent absolute coordinate input mode; dX and dY are relative coordinate
input mode; R and represent distance and angle for absolute polar input mode;
dR and d are relative polar input mode. For information about inputting values
in the coordinate edit boxes,
please refer to the "Keyboard Input Modes".
See Also
Coordinates
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Toolbars
PrimeCAD allows you to place commands from the menu bar to the toolbar. Each
tool icon in the toolbar represents a specific menu command. Basically, there is
no limit of the tool icons placed in the toolbar. You usually choose the common-
used commands for your operation convenience. Please refer to the
Tool>Toolbar Editing command about how to customize the toolbar. If you need
larger workspace, you can set the toolbar invisible or place the toolbar at the right
or left side of the workspace based on your habit. See the Tool>Tools Display
command. The setting of the toolbar is saved in the "_default.bar" file, which is
located in Windows directory.
Toolboxes
The toolboxes are similar to the , but not exactly the same. The toolboxes are the
moveable window that appears in the upper left corner of the workspace when
you start PrimeCAD. On the other hand, the toolbars can only be placed at the
left or right side of the workspace. The command icons in the toolboxes are
offered by the system. On the other hand, the toolbars are customizable.
Each tool in the toolbox represents a specific menu command or operating mode.
Because there are many more tools can be displayed at once, the tools are
divided into 20 sets, with only one tool from each set is visible at a time.
Clicking on a tool in the toolboxes is the same as choosing the equivalent

command from the menu bar. PrimeCAD behaves the same way no matter which
method you use. To choose a tool, click on its toolset. If the tool you want is not
visible, hold the mouse button down for a moment. When the pop-out for the
toolset appears, drag the cursor to the tool you want and release the button. The
tool is chosen. Like the toolbar, you can choose not to display the toolbox on the
screen under the Tool>Tools Display command.
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File Menu
The commands on the File menu allow you to perform the following functions:
• New - Create a new drawing.

• Open - Open an existing drawing.
• Merge - Merge another drawing into the current drawing.
• Save - Save the current drawing
• Save As - Save the current drawing in another filename or another file format.
• Backup Option - Backup a drawing file in the .~GN and .BAK.
• Page Setup - Set up the printer/plotter paper margins
• Printer Setup - Set up printers/plotters.
• Print - Print out.
• Import Image File - Import the bitmap image file.
• Exit - Exit PrimeCAD
File>New
The File>New command is used to create a new drawing file. primeCAD cleans
the
current drawing and creates a new drawing named "Untitled.DGN". All drawing
parameter values in the previous sessions are reset to the default va lues (System
parameters still remain the values you set before until you change them.) When
you select this command, if the current drawing has unsaved changes, a
message box appears to prompt you whether to save it before the drawing is
cleared. Notice that every time you start the program, PrimeCAD also create an
untitled new drawing file.
File>Open
The File>Open command is used to open a previously saved drawing. If the
drawing was one of the last four PrimeCAD used, you can also open the drawing
by choosing the drawing name from the bottom of the File menu.
To open an existing drawing
1. From the File menu, choose Open. The Open dialog box appears.
File Name Lists files in the current directory and provides a box for you to type
or
select a filename
List Files of Type Lists the file formats supported by PrimeCAD.
Directories Lists the directories available on the current drive.
Drives Lists the drives available on your system.
Preview Shows the bitmap image of the highlight drawing in the File Name
list box, (if there is any bitmap information in this highlighted drawing file.)
61
2. In the File Name box, type or select the name of the drawing you want to
open. If you want to open a file other than a .DGN file, like DXF, PLT or DC2 file,
select a select a different type of file from the List Files of Type box.
3. Choose OK button to load in the file you select.
4. If the drawing you want to load in is not a DGN file, but DXF, PLT or DC2 file,
PrimeCAD displays the Drawing Scale dialog box to give you the options of how
to place the imported drawing.
5. Choose a scale option from the box. Then, choose OK to close the dialog box.
To Open a recently opened drawing
PrimeCAD displays a list of the four most recently opened files near the bottom of
the File menu. The first drawing listed is the one opened the most recently.
1. Select the File menu.
2. Click the name of the drawing you want.
See Also
More About Opening an Existing Drawing
Drawing Scale Dialog box

There are three option buttons in the drawing scale dialog box to let you specify
the scale of the imported drawing.:
Bestfit in the sheet (or screen) - Based on the size of the screen sheet on the
screen, this option will bestfit the imported drawing in the screen sheet by
adjusting the drawing scale . If the sheet is set invisible, PrimeCAD will try to fit
the drawing into the whole workspace.
Bestfit in a user specified box - This option will prompt you to specify a
rectangle and the drawing will be best fitted into this rectangle.
Use the same scale - This option will use the original drawing scale and origin of
the imported drawing.
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More About Opening an Existing Drawing

Specifying Files in the File Name Box - You can select the drawing you want to
open from the File Name box in the File>Open dialog box, or you can type the
filename directly into the File Name box if you know the exact name of the
drawing and do not want to scroll through the list to find it.
Using Wildcards in the Filename - You can limit which files are listed in the
Files box by typing wildcard characters in the File Name box and choosing OK.
The valid wildcard characters are a question mark(?) and an asterisk(*). The
question mark stands for any single character in the same position as the
question mark and the asterisk stands for any number of character in that same
position. For example, to see all .DGN files in the current directory, type *.DGN in
the File Name box and choose OK. To see all .DGN file whose filenames begin
with "CAD", type CAD?.DGN in the File Name box and choose OK.
Changing Disk Drives or Directories - When you first choose the File>Open
command, the Files box lists the files in the current directory on the current drive.
To list files in another directory, select the directory name in the Directories box
and choose OK. To list files in another drive, select the drive name in the Drives
box and choose OK. PrimeCAD lists the files in the directory or on the drive you
select, and also changes the current directory or drive to the directory or drive
you select. To change to the directory above the current directory, if there is one,
select the double dots ([..]) in the Directories box. You can also type the full path
name for the file in the File Name box rather than selecting the drive in the Drives
box or selecting the directory in the Directories box.
Supported File Types - The List Files of Type box allows you to specify the
type of file you want to open. The native format for PrimeCAD is .DGN, but you
can open drawings in PrimeCAD that were originally created with different CAD
application, such as DXF, WMF, DC2, and PLT.
File>Merge
The File>Merge command allows you to add another drawing to the current
drawing and merge together into a single drawing.
To merge another drawing into the current drawing:
1. From the File menu, choose Merge. A dialog box similar to the File Open
dialog box appears.
2. In the File Name box, type or select the name of the drawing you want to
merge. If you want to merge a file other than a .DGN file, do one of the following:
... Select a different type of file from the List Files of Type box.
... Type the complete path in the File Name box.
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3. Choose OK button. The Merge dialog box is replaced by the Scale and Origin
dialog box which contains four options:
Use Original Scale - this option is to use the original drawing scale in the current
drawing.
Fit in the Box (Change Entity Size) - this option is to change the merged
entities size to fit in the specified box.
Fit in the Box (Change Drawing Scale) - this option is to fit the merged entities
into the specified box by changing the drawing scale instead of entities size.
User Specify - this option is to let users decide the merged drawing’s origin and
scale (both X and Y scales).
4. Choose OK to merge the drawing. If you select the second or third option in
the Scale and Origin dialog box, PrimeCAD will prompt you to specify a
rectangle to fit in the merged drawing.
File>Save
The File>Save command is to save the current drawing. When you open a
drawing,
primeCAD copies it from the disk and displays the copy on the screen. As you
work, you are actually making changes to the copy of the drawing temporarily
stored in the computer's memory. To keep your latest work safely on the disk,
you should periodically save your document. You should also save backup
copies of important documents. For information about backing up your work, see
File>Backup option.
There are two commands you can use to save a drawing: File>Save and
File>Save As . Choosing the File>Save command saves your drawing under the
same name and in the same directory with which it was last saved, replacing the
previously saved version of the drawing. PrimeCAD does not close the drawing
when you save it, so you can continue to work on it after saving it. If a drawing
has never been saved before, the Save command is equivalent to the Save As
command.
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File>Save As
The File>Save As command is to save the current drawing under a new filename,
in a
different file format, in a different directory, or on another disk. You also choose
the File>Save As command for the first time of saving a drawing.
To save a new or existing drawing as a new drawing file:
1. Choose File>Save As command. The Save As dialog box appears. If the

drawing has never been saved before, you can also choose the File>Save
command. PrimeCAD still displays the File Save As dialog box.
2. If you want to save the drawing under a different name from the one proposed,
type the name for the drawing. For guidelines on naming files, see "More About
Saving a Drawing".
3. To save the drawing in a different directory or drive from the one shown, do
one of the following:
...Select the drive letter in the Drives list box or select the directory name in the
Directories list box.
...Type the complete path in the File Name edit box.
For more information on changing drives and directories, see "More About
Opening an Existing drawing".
4. Make sure that the correct file type is shown at List Files of Type list box. For
more information on file types, see "More About Saving a drawing".
5. Choose OK.
If you type a filename that already exists within the directory you have
designated, PrimeCAD displays a message asking whether you want to replace
the existing file with the active drawing. Choose the Yes button to save the new
drawing and replace the old one, or choose the No button and type a different
filename, Choose the Cancel button to return to the drawing without saving it.
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More About Saving a Drawing

Guidelines for Naming Drawings - PrimeCAD drawings can have any
acceptable DOS filename. This means that the filename can be a maximum of
eight characters plus an extension of up to three characters. The filename and
extension are separated by a period (.). Filename extensions are used to
distinguish between the types of files. If you do not add a filename extension to
document filenames, PrimeCAD adds the file extension for you depending on the
file type you select in Save Files as Type list box. The PrimeCAD native file
extension (.DGN) is the default. If you type in a different file extension name from
the one in Save Files as Type, PrimeCAD will still use the extension name
specify in Save Files as Type.
Saving to and from Different File Formats - If you have opened a drawing that
was created with a different CADD program, PrimeCAD automatically convert it
to DGN format. If you want to save it in other formats like DXF, PLT or WMF , you
need to specify the file type in the Save File as Type box in the File Save As
dialog box which lists the file formats supported by PrimeCAD.
To save a PrimeCAD drawing with a different file format:
1. From the File menu, choose Save As.
2. In the File Name box, type a new name for the drawing.
3. In the Save File As Type box, select the file format.
4. Choose OK.
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File>Backup Option
The File>Backup Option command provides two options that can help you
recover your work in the event of a power failure or other problems with your
computer. You must select one or both of the following options before the
problem occurs for them to be of use. When you choose this command Backup
Option dialog box appears which includes the two backup options - Automatic
Save and Always Create Backup File.
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Automatic Save
When you open the Backup Option dialog box and you have the Automatic
Save check box selected, PrimeCAD saves your drawing for you at specific
intervals between choosing File>Save or File>Save As commands. If there is a
power outage or system failure, you can retrieve your work from the autosave
backup files (.~GN) by renaming ~GN extension to DGN, and use File>Open to
open it. Automatic Save does not take the place of the Save command which
completely saves and updates the versions of a drawing on disk each time you
choose it. Any time you choose the Save or Save As commands, PrimeCAD
deletes the autosave backup file (.~GN) for the drawing you are saving.
PrimeCAD creates the files again at the next autosave interval for drawings
active at that time. If you choose to quit PrimeCAD, PrimeCAD deletes all of the
autosave backup files.
To save drawings automatically at regular intervals :
1. From the File menu, choose Backup Options.
2. Select the Automatic Save check box.
3. In the Time Interval box, type or select how often (in minutes) you want
PrimeCAD to save your work in ~GN.
4. Choose OK.
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Always Create Backup File
When you open the Backup Option dialog box and you have the Always Create
Backup File check box selected, You already set up your drawing so that each
time you save the drawing, PrimeCAD saves the old version of the drawing in a
backup file. This way you can always keep the last two versions of a drawing on
your disk: the version you just saved and the previous version. PrimeCAD
maintains only one backup of the drawing, which is always the version previous
to the current version. To create the backup file, PrimeCAD renames the old
version by giving it the .BAK extension before saving the current version.
To create a backup copy when you save
1. From File menu, choose Backup Option.
2. Select Always Create Backup File check box.
3. Choose OK.
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File>Page Setup
The File>Page Setup is used to set the output paper margins. Margins specify
the amount of space between the edge of the paper and the printed area on the
top, bottom, left, and right sides of the page. By default, the margins are set equal
to the built-in margins on your printer. You can change the output margins to suit
your purpose.
To set the output paper margins:
1. Choose File>Page Setup command. The Printer Page Setup dialog box
appears.
The dialog box displays the hard margins for your printer. Setting a margin value
less than the hard margin will have no effect, the hard margin value is used.
2. Type values in the margin edit boxes to change the printed paper margins.
3. Choose OK. The margins are represented by the gray area on the screen
sheet.
File>Printer Setup
You select the installed printers you want to use with the File>Printer Setup
command. Your printer selection remains in effect, until you specify otherwise.
Because different printers have different printing capabilities, the standard print
options on the Print Setup dialog box vary from printer to printer. Print options are
printer-specific settings such as the page orientation or the manner in which
paper feeds through the printer. When you install a new printer, you must set the
Printer option in the Print Setup dialog box to indicate the printer you want to use
with a printer-driver file. Additionally, Windows sets other print options that should
work for your printer in most situations. You can change these settings to do such
things as use a different paper size or change the way paper feed through the
printer.
To select printer setup options
1. From the File menu, choose Print Setup. The Printer Setup dialog box
appears, displaying the current print options for the printer-driver file you are
configuring.
Printer - Specifies the printer you want to use

Paper Source - Specifies the tray or bin feeder option if your printers uses single
sheet of paper. A Tractor setting assumes your printer prints on paper that feeds
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continuously into the printer on tractor wheels. On some printers, you can choose
to feed paper manually.
Paper Size - Specifies a fixed paper size such as letter, legal, or A4
Orientation - Controls landscape (horizontal) or portrait (vertical)
Options - Select from the unique options available for that printer.
Most printer can accommodate different paper sizes, orientations, and paper
sources. You can set the default paper size, orientation, and paper source for
your drawings in this dialog box. You can also use the Page Setup command to
set the output paper margins.
2. In the Printer box, select the printer you want to use, if more than one is
available.
3. Choose the Option button, if necessary, to open another dialog box, which is
different from printer to printer. You can setup your printer options in detail in this
dialog box.
4. Choose OK.
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File>Print
Once you select a printer in File>Printer Setup and set the appropriate paper
margins in File>Page Setup , you are ready to print. The output quality mainly
depends on your
printers/plotters capabilities and their associate drivers. Notice that it is a good
idea to save your drawing before you print. That way, if a printer error or other
problem occurs, you won't lose any of the work you have done since you last
saved.
To print a drawing :
1. Choose the Print command from the File menu, the Print Dialog Box will
appear, which contains five print range options .
2. Choose an appropriate Print Range Option.
3. Choose OK to print. A dialog box displays on the screen to let you know that
PrimeCAD is printing your drawing.
To print more than one copy of a drawing
1. Choose File>Print.
2. In the Copies edit box, type the number of copies you want to print.
3. Choose OK.
To print to file
You can save a printed version of a drawing in a file if you want to print it later or
transfer it to another program.
1. Choose File>Print.
2. Select the Print to File check box.
3. Choose OK. A dialog box appears to ask you to enter the file name.
4. Type a name for the file to which you want to print.
5. Choose OK.
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Print Range Option
When you choose the File>Print command to open the Print dialog box, there are
five print range options in it to let you choose:
Sheet - This option is to print your drawing entities which are inside the defined
screen paper size or inside the defined drawing limits. If the defined screen
paper (i.e., your drawing limits) is bigger than the actually output paper,
PrimeCAD will tile the output. That is it will output multiple pages to make up the
whole screen sheet..
Extent- This option is to print the entire drawing in one page. That is PrimeCAD
try to best fit the whole drawing in the output paper.
Selection- This option print out the selected highlighting entities. To enable this
option, you must have made the selection set before you choose the File>Print
command.
Viewport - If there are more than o ne viewport in PrimeCAD, this option will
enabled. After you press OK, PrimeCAD will prompt you to specify the viewport
you want to output. This option just print out entities inside the specified viewport.
Everything outside this viewport is not printed.
Named View - This option is to print out the view you have previously saved. If
there is no saved views to print, this option will be disabled. To know more about
Named View, see the View>Named View command. Notice that if the view you
are about to print has more than one viewport, every viewport will be printed out
in separate pages.
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File>Import Bitmap
Even though PrimeCAD is not a bits image software, it allows you to import
image file and treat it as a basic entity. You can zoom in, zoom out or pan the
image file but you can not edit the bits in it. Also, image file can only be outputted
to printers, not plotters.
To import image file:
1. Choose the File>Import Bitmap command, a dialog box similar to File Open
dialog box appears.
2. Select a type of file from the List Files of Type box. Currently, PrimeCAD
supports BMP and PCX files.
3. Enter or select the desired bitmap file in the Filename box.
4. Choose OK.
5. After you choose OK, the screen cursor prompts you to specify a rectangular
window for the imported image file. You can also press the right button to insert
the bitmap at the position of the cursor using its original size.
File>Exit
This command terminates the PrimeCAD session and returns to the Windows
desktop.
To quit PrimeCAD
1. Select File>Exit, or press Alt +F4.
If you have made changes to the current drawing, PrimeCAD displays a

message box asking if you want to save the changes. Choose Yes to save the
changes or No to discard them. Choose Cancel to continue working in PrimeCAD
without saving. If you choose Yes, but haven't given the drawing a name,
PrimeCAD displays the Save As dialog box.
In addition to using the File>Exit command and press Alt + F4, there are two
other ways to end a PrimeCAD session:
... Double-click the Control-menu box.

... Choose Close from the Control menu.
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Edit Menu
The Edit menu provides many commands to make editing individual objects or
groups of objects in your drawing simpler and faster. These commands include:
• Cut
• Copy
• Paste
• Erase
• Erase Last
• Undo
• UndoUndo
• CopyEntity
§ Linear Copy
§ Rectangular Copy
§ Radial Copy
§ Parallel
§ Offset
• Select
• Entity Filter
Most of the Edit command follow what is called the object-action approach. This
means that you select the entity(s) you want to edit first, then the Edit command
is selected from the menu or the toolboxes. So if an Edit command appears gray
on the menu or does not execute from the toolboxes or toolbars, make sure you
have a valid selection set to act upon.
While editing your drawing, keep in mind that you can undo most editing actions
by choosing the Edit>Undo command. You can set up the Undo levels in
System>Preference dialog box up to 25 levels.
See Also
Selecting Entities
Edit>Select
Edit>Entity Filter
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Edit>Cut
The Edit>Cut command is used to remove the selected entities from the drawing
and
place them on the Windows Clipboard. An object placed on the Windows
Clipboard remains there until you choose the Cut or Copy command again, when
it is replaced with the new object. You can use the Edit>Paste command to paste
it back into PrimeCAD or into another Windows application as many times as you
like. Generally, if you just want to delete the drawing entities, Use Edit>Erase
command will be more efficient. But if you want to move the drawing entities to
another application or between PrimeCAD drawing session, you need to use Cut
or Copy command to do it.
The entities you placed in the Windows Clipboard can be embedded into another
application supporting Object Linking and Embedding client features (destination
document). To edit the embedded object, simply double -click on the object in the
document opened by that application.
To cut selected entities:
1. Select the entities you want to cut.
2. Choose Edit>Cut.
3. The selected entities are deleted from the drawing and moved to the
Windows Clipboard.
See Also
Object Linking and Embedding
Edit>Copy
The Edit>Copy command is used to make a copy of the selected entities and
place them on the Windows Clipboard. An object placed on the Clipboard
remains there until you choose the Cut or Copy command again, when it is
replaced with the new object. You can use the Edit>Paste command to paste it
back into PrimeCAD or into another Windows application as many times as you
like.
The differences between Copy and Cut are that the selected entities which are
copied to Clipboard remain in the drawing, and the copied entities in the
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Clipboard can be either link to or embed into another Object Linking and
Embedding client application. The cut entities can only be embedded.
To copy selected entities:
1. Select the entities you want to copy.
2. Choose Edit>Copy. The selected entities are copied to Windows

Clipboard.
See Also
Object Linking and Embedding
Edit>Paste
The Edit>Paste command allows you to copy or embed the object on the
Clipboard into your PrimeCAD drawing. The object which PrimeCAD can paste
from the Clipboard are: PrimeCAD entities, embedded objects, text and bitmap.
To paste an Clipboard object into your drawing:
1. Choose Edit>Paste . The entities will be copied from the Clipboard into the
drawing.
2. PrimeCAD prompt you to specify a window or rectangle to fit in the pasted

object. You can also press the right button to place the object at its original size
at the position of the cursor .
Edit>Erase
The Edit>Erase command allows you to specify the entities you want to remove
from the drawing. If there is a selection set, when you select this command, this
selection set is erased. If you change your mind about what you have erased or
accidentally deleted them, use the Edit>Undo to restore the erased entities.
To erase selected entities from your drawing:
1. Choose Edit>Erase. If there is a selection set, this selection set is

erased.
2. Select the entities to erase.
3. The entities will be removed from the screen and deleted from the
drawing.
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Edit>Erase Last
The Edit>Erase Last command removes the last entity of any type drawn from
the
drawing. This command can be repeated to delete numerous entities in the
reverse order in which they were drawn. If you change your mind about what you
have erased or accidentally deleted it, use the Edit>Undo to restore the erased
entity.
This command is very useful for correcting errors immediately after they happen,
because you can easily remember what you just drew. If you haven't drawn
anything for a while, play it safe and use the Edit>Erase command to erase what
you have selected.
To erase last drawn entity:
1. Choose Edit>Erase Last.
2. The last drawn e ntity will be removed from the screen and erased from the
drawing.
Edit>Undo
The Edit>Undo command reverses the last action you performed. All commands
in Draw Menu, Edit Menu and Modify Menu can be undone by the Undo
command. You can Undo up to your last 25 actions. Choose the desired undo
levels in the System>Preferences dialog box. If you don't like the results of a
Draw, Edit or Modify command, choose Undo as the next action.
Remember that Undo does not consider itself as a last action, meaning that you
cannot use Undo to reverse itself. If you accidentally undo something, use the
Edit>Undo Undo command to redo your undo.
This command is very useful for correcting errors immediately after they happen,
because you can easily predict what will be undone. If you haven't changed
anything for a while, change the entities you don't like instead of using this
command.
To undo the last action:
1. Choose Edit>Undo.
2. The last action you performed is reversed.
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Edit>Undo Undo
The Edit>Undo Undo command reverses the last action undone with the Undo
command. You can use this command only after an Undo; otherwise, it has no
effect. That is, as long as the previous continuous Undo commands have
reached the undo effects and the operation of these Undo commands were not
interrupted by any drawing, editing or modifying action, you can operate the Undo
Undo command the same times to restore the entities you drew before.
To redo the last undo:
1. Choose Edit>Undo Undo.
2. The last Undo action you performed is reversed.
Edit>Copy Entity
Edit>Copy Entity is different from Edit>Copy command. Edit>Copy is to copy

objects from the drawing to the Windows clipboard. The Edit>Copy Entity is to
copy entities within the drawing itself. There are five kinds of copy command in
this sub-menu to let you make entity copies. The first three commands in the
Copy Entity sub-menu (Linear, Rectangular and Radial) require you first select
the entity you want to copy before you select these commands. The other two
commands, Parallel and Offset, are selected first and then the system prompts
you to select the entities to be paralleled or offset.
The drawing changes made by the Copy Entity command can be undone if a
mistake is made. Simply select Edit>Undo from the menu.
Entity Copy>Linear Copy
The Linear command allows you to duplicate entities a number of times in a

straight line, at any angle and distance.
To duplicate the selected entities in one direction:
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1. Select the entity or group of entities to copy. The selection set is highlighted.
2. Choose the Edit>EntityCopy>Linear command. The Linear Copy dialog box

appears.
3. Enter the desired number of copies in the Number of Copies edit box. The
default number is 1.
4. Choose a method button from the Displacement box to specify the copy
direction and offset distance of the selection set.
If you choose Pick Two Points option, after pressing the OK button, PrimeCAD
will ask you specify two points as the "From" and "To" points. The first copy is
placed according to the distance and direction specified by the two points, from
the original; the second copy is placed at the same distance and direction from
the first copy, and so on.
If you choose Distance and Angle , enter a desired offset distance in Distance
edit box and angle in Angle edit box. Press OK button. The first copy is placed at
the distance and direction specified in the edit boxes, from the original; the
second copy is placed at the same distance and direction from the first copy, and
so on.
Entity Copy>Rectangular Copy
The Rectangular command allows you to copy the selected entities at two
directions to create a rectangular array. This is a useful feature for creating rows
and columns of identical spaced copies of an entity or group of entities.
To duplicate selected entities in two directions to create a rectangular

array:
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2. Choose the Edit>Entity Copy>Rectangular command. The Array Copy dialog

box appears.
3. In the X Column, enter the desired number of copies in the Number of Copies
edit box, and the offset distance in the Spacing edit box.
4. In the Y Row, enter the desired number of copies in the Number of Copies edit
box and the offset distance in the Spacing edit box.
5. Choose the OK button. An array of duplicated entities will be created.
Entity Copy>Radial Copy
The Radial command allows you to copy the selected entities to create a circular
array. This is a useful feature for creating radial patterns of a entity or group of
entities in identical intervals.
To duplicate selected entities around a circle or arc:
2. Choose the Edit>Entity Copy>Radial command. The Radial Copy dialog box
appears.
3. Enter the desired number of copies in the Number of Copies edit box.
4. Enter the desired span angle of each copy in the Degree to Span for Each
Copy edit box. When entering span degree, the angle direction is determined by
the current angle orientation as defined in the Units of Measurement dialog box.
For more information, see System>Units of Measurement. By default,
counterclockwise is positive.
81
5. Turn on the Keep Upright checkbox if you want the selected entities to remain
in their present orientation. By default the entities are rotated about the
centerpoint.
6. Choose the OK button. You will be asked to locate the reference point, which
is the center point about which each rotated copy will be made. This point can be
away from the selected entities to create a circular pattern, or within the entities
to create multiple entities rotated on top of themselves.
7. Select the reference point. The selected entities will be evenly duplicated by
the span angle you specified.
Entity Copy>Parallel
The Edit>Entity Copy>Parallel command allows you to draw entities that pass
through specific points and are parallel to an existing selected entity. The Parallel
command only works on an entity once. Some entities do not allow you to do the
parallel. The entities you can do the parallel include lines, arcs, circles and
polylines but some problems may occur when you use the Parallel command on
polylines. For example, line segments are too short or too long. In these cases,
system will trim them automatically. The drawn entity from the Parallel command
is actually a new entity but its graphic properties are all the same as the
paralleled entity.
To draw a entity parallel to an existing entity:
1. Choose the Edit>Entity Copy>Parallel command. Note that the cursor changes
to indicate that selecting an entity is required.
2. Select an entity in the drawing. The cursor changes to the moving shape. A
parallel entity appears, moving with the cursor to change the size and location.
3. Select a point that establishes the location of the new entity. The new entity is
drawn and is parallel to the selected entity.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished drawing parallel
entities.
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5. Use Esc or right mouse button to cancel the command.
Entity Copy>Offset
The Edit>Entity Copy>Offset command is similar to the Parallel command,

allowing you to draw an entity parallel to an existing selected entity. But when you
use the Offset command, you must specify an offset distance and the location of
the new entity.
To draw an entity a specific distance from an existing entity:
OFFSET 2
1. Choose the Edit>Entity Copy>Offset command. The Offset dialog box appears.
2. Enter the desired offset distance in the dialog box.
3. Choose OK button to execute this command. The cursor changes to indicate

that selecting an entity is required.
4. Select an entity in the drawing.
5. Select any point at one side of the selected entity to specify the offset direction.
The new entity is drawn with the specified offset to the selected entity.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as necessary until you are finished drawing offset
entities.
When you offset a circle or an arc inside, the entered offset in the dialog box
must be the same or less than its radius value. Otherwise, the Offset command
does not work, because you can not create a circle or an arc with negative
radius.
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Edit>Select
The Edit>Select command allows you to select or deselect a series of entities by

a variety of methods. The entities you select/deselect by using Edit>Select
command are appended or removed from the current selection set. The Select
command is different form the direct selection method, in the way that the
selection need to pass through at least some kind of selection criteria or a
selection filter. The direct selection method allows you to make selections without
the selection filter restriction.
When you choose the Select command, the Select dialog box appears. You can
choose either Select or Deselect entities. Also you set up a simple selection
criteria on the graphic properties. You can have three different methods to select
or deselect entities - Entity, Window and All Drawing. The selection criteria in the
Select dialog box is only a subset of the selection filter. To fully exploit the
complexity of the selection process, you choose command Entity Filter or press
the Filter button in the Select dialog box to define you own selection filter.
Some major editing functions incorporate this selection process. You can select
or deselect a group of objects in a drawing based on their location, their type, and
their characteristics. This interactive selection method will make editing your
drawing much easier. For information about setting specific filter criteria, see the
Entity Filter command. However, if you would like to select/deselect entities only
based on their drawing properties, that is, entity type, color, layer and symbol,
you can set these selection criteria in the Entity, Color, Layer and Symbol drop-
down list boxes in the Edit>Select dialog box instead of going through the
Edit>Entity Filter command.
The Select command only selects/deselects objects and does not perform any
actions on the selected entities.
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Select Dialog Box
When you choose the Select command, the Select dialog box appears.
PrimeCAD provides two entities selection mode. One is Select mode, the other is
Deselect mode. The selecting process will first check whether or not the selected
entity/entities satisfied the selection criteria which you set up in the Entity, Color,
Layer, and Symbol drop-down list boxes. If the conditions are satisfied, the
selecting process further checking if Apply Filter is on or not. If Apply Filter is
on, the requirement you set up in Edit>Entity Filter will also need to be satisfied
for the entity/entities to be selected/deselected.
You can use the following three methods to select or deselect entities. That the
selected entities are added into or removed from your selection set depends
upon you choosing Select option button or Deselect option button.
Single - This option allows you to select/deselect one entity at a time.
Window - This option allows you to place a window around the entities you want
to select. The window is defined by selecting two points on opposite corners of a
rectangular area. After selecting the first point you will see a rubber-banding
rectangle which moves with the cursor. Locate the second corner to define the
window. When you turn on this option, the Window Select Range box at right
side is enabled. There are two options in the box, turn on either one.
... Entities Complete Inside: Only those entities entirely within this window are
selected/deselected.
... Entities Partial Inside: Any entity which is partially or totally inside this window
is selected/deselected.
All drawing - All entities in the drawing will be selected /deselected.
When you make selections, you can see the selected entities are highlighted and
the selection handles appear around the extents of the selected entities. This is
useful for repositioning your entire drawing onto the sheet. As to the information
about setting up entity highlighting style, refer to the System>Preferences
command.
Filter - Pressing the Filter button can invoke the Selection Filter dialog box. You
can set up your more complicate selection criteria in this dialog box. All your
selecting/deselecting actions in the Select command are filtering through Entity
Filter if the Apply Filter option is on.
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Edit>Entity Filter
The Edit>Entity Filter command allows you to set up a more complicate selection
filter. In the Select dialog box , if you set Apply Filter on, the selecting process
checks whether or not the entity/entities match the requirements specified in the
filter before the entity/entities can be selected. Setting up the selection filter is a
way of restricting the set of entities in your drawing that will be selected when
applying the Select command. You can restrict the entities that will be selected
to a single type of entity and/or a single set of characteristics. The essential
process is:
1. Define a filter
2. Choose the Edit>Select command and turn the Apply Filter on.
3. Make selections
(Note that the selection filter will not affect the directing selection method)
For example, you can define a filter to permit selection of only blue arcs. Then
when you place a Window to make your selection only the blue arcs in that
window will be selected. All other entities within the window you specified
ignored. The specifications can be quite broad or very selective, ranging from
choices like all lines, or all entities with red color, to arcs on a specific layer drawn
with specific line types, line widths, and colors.
When you choose Edit>Entity Filter, the Selection Filter dialog box appears.
There are five drawing properties comprised of five qualifiers that can be used
and combined with each other to generate a selection filter.
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Selection Filter Dialog Box
When you choose Edit>Entity Filter, the Selection Filter dialog box appears.
There are five drawing properties comprised of five qualifiers that can be used
and combined with each other to generate a selection filter.
Entity
Selects entities based on their entity types, i.e. line, arc, circle. The drop-down list
box displays all different types of entities you can use to construct your selection
filter.
Color
Selects entities based on their pen colors. The drop-down list box displays all
valid pen colors you can use to construct your selection filter.
Layer
Selects entities based on their layer names. The drop-down list box displays all
the layer names defined for the current drawing. Select the layer name(s) you
want to restrict the selection process.
Style
Selects entities based on their pen style . The drop-down list box displays all the
valid pen styles you can use to construct your selection filter.
Thickness
Selects entities based on their pen width. The drop-down list box displays all
relational operator you can use. Specify the relational operator and enter the
desired pen width to construct you selection filter.
The Type drop-down list box in the dialog box contains five drawing attributes
which we mentioned above, and four Boolean operators (AND, OR, XOR, and
NOT) to construct the selection filter. We set drawing property qualifiers and use
Boolean operators to join those qualifiers. If there is no operator specified to join
the qualifiers, the default is AND.
For each Boolean operator, there is a pair of corresponding Begin and End. For
example , "***Begin And ***" and "***End And***","*** Begin Or ***" and "*** End
Or ***" and so on.. Qualifiers are put in between each pair of Boolean operator.
You can specify up to 255 qualifiers in one selection filter.
AND operator is to create the logical intersection of two or more selection

qualifiers. The entities must satisfy all qualifiers inside the AND pair to be
selected. For example, the following statement selects all entities that are arcs
AND that are also green:
***Begin And***
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Entity = Arc
Color = Green
***End And ***
The following filter is obvious incorrect one, because no entity has two
types.
***Begin And***
Entity = Arc
Entity = Line
***End And ***
OR operator is to create the logical union of two or more selection qualifiers.

The entities must satisfy at least one qualifier inside the OR pair to be selected.
For example, the following statement selects the entities which are either arcs or
pen colors are green:
***Begin Or ***
Entity = Arc
Color = Green
***End Or ***
NOT operator can only has one qualifier inside its pair. It is to create the
logical negation of the qualifier. The entities are selected when they do not satisfy
the condition specified in the qualifier. For example, the following statement
selects all entities that are not arcs:
***Begin Not ***

Entity = Arc
*** End Not ***
XOR means the exclusive OR. This operator accepts exactly two qualifiers. A
entity is selected if it satisfy the first qualifier, but not the second one, or satisfy
the second qualifier, but not the first one. In other word, the entities selected
cannot satisfy both qualifiers or neither. It must satisfy one and only one of them.
For example, the following statement selects the entities which are arcs
without green pen color, or the entities which are not arcs but has green pen
color.
*** Begin Xor ***

Entity = Arc
Color = Green
*** End Xor ***
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Enclosing part of a selection statement in the pair of Begin and End is evaluated
before the parts that are outside the pair of Begin and End. For example, the
following statement selects entities that are arcs AND that are either green OR
red:
*** Begin And ***

Entity = Arc
***Begin Or ***
Color = Green
Color = Red
*** End Or ***
*** End And ***
Changing the pair of Begin and End position in a selection statement can
dramatically cha nges which entities are selected. The following example uses the
same qualifiers and operators as the previous statement, but selects entities that
are either arcs with green color OR entities with red color:
*** Begin Or ***

*** Begin And ***
Entity = Arc
Color = Green
*** End And ***
Color = Red
*** End Or ***
After you select an item to be desired qualifier in Type box, you choose Add to
List button. The item is added in the selection filter and showed in the Filter
window. The Filter list box is used to display the actual selection statement as it
is being built by combining qualifiers and operators. This area is for display
purposes only, you can not edit the statement here. If you want to delete an item
from the selection sta tement, choose the Delete List Item button. If you want to
clear the whole selection statement, choose Clear Filter List.
Named Filter
After you complete a selection filter, you can save it for later use. Enter a name in
the Named Filter box for the current displaying filter and then choose Save As
button. Later, you can recall the selection statement from the drop-down list box
which includes all named filters. You can use Delete button to delete a named
filter from the list. The selection statement that you build is effective as long as
you are still in PrimeCAD session. If you quit PrimeCAD without saving it, you
cannot recall it next time you start PrimeCAD.
Match
You can use this option to input the qualifier which matches the graphic
properties of a specified entity in the drawing. After you press Match button, the
Selection Filter dialog box disappears, and PrimeCAD prompts you to select the
entity which you want to match. After you select the entity, the Selection Filter
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dialog box appears again. The qualifier which matches with the graphic
properties of the selected entity is put in Filter list box.
When a filter construction is completed, choose OK button. If there is something

wrong, a warning message will come out. If everything is all right, the dialog box
disappears. If you invoke the Selection Filter dialog box from within
Edit>Selection dialog box, after you close the Selection dialog box, you start to
select entities with a specified selection method (Entity, Window or All Drawings)
with or without Apply Filter.
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View Menu
The View commands are used to display the drawing on the screen in a number
of different ways. None of the View commands actually changes the size of the
drawing or anything in it. They just make the drawing look bigger or smaller, like a
camera, to let you work on it easier. When you zoom in the drawing (to make it
look bigger) or pan the drawing (moving the drawing paper up, left, bottom, or
right on the screen), the horizontal scroll bar and vertical scroll bar will appear
whenever necessary if the scroll bar option is set in System>Preferences.
All commands on this menu, except Revert Entity Order and the Delete option
in the Named View dialog box, can not be undone.
The commands on this menu can be issued from within other commands (nested
commands).
• Redraw
• Limits
• Extents
• Last
• Revert Entity Order
• Pan
• Zoom In
• Zoom Out
• Zoom Window
• Named View
• Viewport
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View>Redraw
The View>Redraw command just redisplays the drawing without zooming or

panning. This command is useful for cleaning up the screen after erasing or
moving an object that didn't go away completely. Or, if erasing one object caused
part of something else to vanish. Using this command, you can keep your screen
clean, clear and showing you what the drawing really looks like.
The Redraw command draws the screen in the order you drew the entities. A
complex redraw can be a time-consuming work, but it does not have to interrupt
your work. PrimeCAD allows you to perform most operations during redraw. To
interrupt a redraw, simply continue working normally. PrimeCAD senses idle
moments in your work and continues the redraw only during those moments.
View>Limits
The View>Limits command changes the display so you are looking at the area
enclosed by the drawing limits (defined by the screen sheet), whether or not you
have drawn anything to the limits. The limits basically are set by the drawing
paper size which you select from the System>Sheet. For example, if you select 8
1/2" x 11" paper, then the drawing limits are 8 1/2" x 11 ". The display you see
from View>Limits is the way new drawings are displayed when you start.
When you select View>Limits, the display will be redrawn to show the entire area
within the limits. If the limits are not exactly proportional to the screen area, extra
space appears along either axis to make up the difference.
View>Extents
The View>Extents command performs the bestfit to the whole drawing on screen.
The whole drawing is displayed on screen as large as possible, even if the
drawing extends outside the boundaries of the sheet.
View>Last
Every time you perform a zoom command, PrimeCAD remembers the scale
factor and the location of screen center of the previous view you were looking at.
When you select View>Last command, the p revious view scale factor and
location of screen center is recalled and return to the last view. Objects you have
drawn since zooming the last zoom will show up when you use the Last
command, even though they weren't there the last time. In other words, the
drawing on that display will always be current. PrimeCAD can remember the
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previous 2 views. Using Last command several times in a row will zoom you back
and forth between three views.
To return to the last zoom performed:
1. Select the View>Last command. The screen is redrawn to display the previous
view.
2. Repeat step 1 as necessary until the view you want is displayed or until you
return to the sheet default view.
You don't have to wait until a view is completely drawn before selecting
another View>Last command. For instance, if the view you want was displayed
two views ago, simply select two View>Last command in a row.
View>Revert Entity Order
Normally, when the drawing is redrawn, PrimeCAD starts with the first entity
drawn and proceeds through all the entities in the drawing to the last one. This
happens when you do a Redraw command or any other command that causes
the screen to redraw. If you want to redraw starting with the latest entity back to
the first, select Revert Entity Order. Entities will then be redrawn in reverse order
(newest to oldest) until you select Revert Drawing Order again. This can be
useful during selection. When you select an entity, PrimeCAD checks all entities
starting from the one which is drawn first. When the checking routine encounters
more than one entity which is considered eligible for selecting, it takes the one
which is drawn first. Therefore sometime you need to revert the entities in order
to select the right entity.
After you revert the entity order, the original first entity becomes the last
one, and, therefore, every newly created entities will be attached after it.
View>Pan
The View>Pan command allows you to position the drawing around on the
screen in stead of using scroll bars. This does not change the zoom value factor
in any way, it just changes the part of the drawing you are looking at.
To pan a drawing:
1. Select the View>Pan command. The cursor changes its shape and prompts
you to specify a location to be the new center of the screen.
2. Select a location on the drawing that you want to be in the center of the screen
after the Pan. All of the objects in the drawing has now shifted and the location
you picked is now at the center of the screen.
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View>Zoom Window
The View>Zoom Window command allows you to magnify a portion of the

drawing to fill the screen by specifying a rectangle or window defined by two
points in opposite corners. The location and magnification of the zoom depend o n
the size and location of the zoom window. Remember Zoom Window can only
zoom in the drawing, i.e. make the drawing look bigger, not zoom out which
makes the drawing look smaller.
To zoom with a window:
1. Select View>Zoom Window. The cursor becomes the Zoom Window Cursor,
and you are asked to place a rectangular window.
2. Locate one corner of the window. A rubber banding rectangle appears

beginning at this position to surround the area that you want to expand.
3. Select the opposite corner of the window. The display is redrawn showing the
area you have identified in the window.
When you use Zoom, you need to keep the screen proportions in mind. If your
defined rectangular window is very wide, the height may not fill the screen, and
vice versa. The rest of the drawing takes up the space that the window does not
fill.
To return the drawing to its original size and location, you can select View>Last.
View>Zoom In
The View>Zoom In command is like moving closer to the drawing. The objects
will appear larger on the screen by a specified factor. You specify the zoom factor
in the System>Preferences dialog box. The zoom factor is the relative size you
want the drawing to became. For example, the default value is 2, that is, Zoom In
always makes things appear twice as large. You can Zoom In repeatedly and get
closer and closer to some entities that you want to see in great detail.
Remember, the drawing is not really getting larger, you are just getting a closer
view of it.
To zoom in by a specified factor:
1. (optional) Choose the System>Preference command and enter a value in

zoom in/zoom out factor edit box.
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2. Choose the View>Zoom In command. The cursor becomes the Zoom In

Cursor, and you are asked to specify the new center of the screen.
3. Select a location on the drawing that you want to be in the center of the
screen after the Zoom In. All of the objects in the drawing appear larger by the
specified factor.
View>Zoom Out
The View>Zoom Out command is the opposite of the Zoom In command. It is like
moving further away from the drawing. The objects will appear smaller on the
screen by a specified factor. You specify the zoom factor in the
System>Preferences dialog box. The zoom factor is the relative size you want the
drawing to became. For example, the default value is 2, that is, Zoom Out always
makes things appear half as large. You can Zoom Out repeatedly and get further
and further from the drawing to see more of it. Remember, the drawing is not
really getting smaller, you are just moving further from it.
To zoom out by a specified factor:
1. (optional) Choose the System>Preference command and enter a Zoom Out

factor in Zoom In/Zoom Out factor box.
2. Choose the View>Zoom Out command. The cursor becomes the Zoom Out
Cursor, and you are asked to specify the new center of the screen.
screen after the Zoom Out. All of the objects in the drawing appear smaller by the
specified factor.
View>Zoom Value
The View>Zoom Value command allows you to zoom the drawing at some
proportion of its actual size by giving a zoom factor value. This command is
similar to the Zoom In and Zoom Out commands, but instead of using the default
zoom factor value you set in the System>Preferences, you specify the zoom
factor dynamically. The zoom factor values greater than 1 make drawing entities
look larger than they really are; values less than 1 make drawing entities smaller
than their actual size. These changes are only on the screen and do not affect
the actual size of the drawing. If you try to use a negative value, you will get a
value of 1.
To zoom a drawing by a specified factor:
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1. Choose View>Zoom Value. The Zoom Factor dialog box appears.
2. Enter a zoom factor.
3. Choose OK.
screen after the zoom. The drawing will be regenerated at the new zoom
value.
View>Named View
The View>Named View command is to save the current view configuration as

part of the drawing file so that you can return to this view configuration later. Note
that View>Named View command does not save the entity information, only
remember the zoom factor and the position of the screen center of a view. If the
entities are removed from the view location which we previous saved, when you
retrieve it, the entities will not be there. You can delete the view name, if you do
not need it anymore.
To save , recall and delete a custom view:
1. Choose the View>Named View. The Named View dialog box appears.
2. If you want to name the currently displayed view, enter a name in the view
name edit box, then choose Add.
You can type a name up to 20 characters long. If you type a name previously
assigned with Named View command, PrimeCAD will warn you the name you
entered already exists and ask you whether you want to overwrite it or not.
3. If you want to restore a named view, just select the name from the name list
box, then choose View. The selected view will be displayed on the screen.
4. If you want to delete a named view, select the name from the name list box,
then choose Remove. The selected view is deleted. If you accidentally delete a
named view, you can choose the Edit>Undo command to restore it.
View>Viewport
As a drawing becomes larger and more complex, views become a critical part of
the drawing process. Sometimes you need to work on different parts of a drawing
at the same time. The View>Viewport command allows you to divide the drawing
area up to 4 viewports, each with a separate view of the drawing. These views
can be zoomed independently. The cursor can be moved from one viewport to
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another, and points may be set in any viewport for any of the PrimeCAD
commands.
For example, you can have two views of a drawing displayed, and zoom in one
viewport to get a detailed view of the drawing, A line can be drawn by setting a
point in the zoomed view and another point in the original view.
When you select the view commands like Limits, Extents, Redraw, Pan, Zoom
Window, Zoom In, Zoom Out and Zoom Value, if there are more than one
viewports, PrimeCAD will ask you to specify one viewport which you want the
view command to apply on.
To divide the viewport:
1. Choose View>Viewport. A selection of the different viewport configurations is

displayed.
2. Select the button of the desired viewport configuration.
3. Choose OK. That viewport configuration will then be used on the PrimeCAD
drawing screen.
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Draw Menu
The Draw menu provides the function of inputting entities. Some entities, such as
lines, arcs, circles, polylines and curves, consist of a single component. These
are known as base entities. Others, such as markers, dimensions, hatches, texts,
solids and placed symbols, are comprised of several entities that are treated as a
single e ntity. These are known as compound entities.
There are usually several ways to draw a specific entity. Basically, when you
enter an entity, you first need to provide coordinate points which can decide the
position and shape of the entity. The actual mecha nics of entering a point involve
moving the cursor to the location you want and clicking the left mouse button.
You can also enter points by specifying their coordinates from the keyboard.
Refer to the Entity Input.
Snap Input Mode: When you use the mouse to enter points, you can use snap
input modes to help you enter points precisely without knowing exact
coordinates.
Subsidiary coordinate-entering marker: When you select a point for drawing

an entity, a +-shaped blip displays at the specified place on the screen. This +-
shaped blip is only a subsidiary maker, representing the specified point.
Cancel A Draw Command: When you are finished with one draw command and
ready to begin another or you want to cancel the current drawn entity, you must
press ESC key or the right mouse button. Usually, this action returns you to the
last status. For example: if you are drawing a line, after you entered the first point
and before you enter the second point, pressing the ESC or the right button will
cancel the point you have entered and you are ready to begin to enter two points
for a new line. If you press ESC or the right mouse button again, you are not in
the Line command anymore and you are back to the ready status for executing a
new command. However, in some commands, for example: polylines and curves,
pressing the right button, after you entered some points, would mean you are
finished drawing the polyline or curve. You need to press the right button again to
quit the current command.
Erase the Last Input Entity: After you have input the entity, you can use
Edit>Erase Last command or Edit>Undo command to remove the last input
entity.
The following commands are available from the Draw menu:
• Line
• Arc
• Circle
• Polyline
• Curve
• Marker
• Hatch
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• Text
• Dimension
• Solid
• Symbol
• Attributes
See Also
Snap Input Modes

Explanation of 9 kinds of snap input modes
System>Snap Modes
Draw >Line
The commands on the Draw>Line cascading menu allow you to add individual
lines to a drawing. With Line commands, each line segment you create is a
separate entity. Even when you draw a series of lines with common endpoints,
the individual lines in the series remain separate. Each line segment has its own
graphic properties (color, style, width, and so on). These are important concepts
to remember when editing.
The followings are the simple description of each line command:
• Individual line - draw discontinuous line segments by clicking on the start point
and dragging to the end point of each line.
• Multiple line - draw continuous line segments by clicking on the start point of
the first line and clicking on the end point of subsequent lines.
• AutoFillet-Sgl - draw continuous line segments. Corners are automatically
trimmed.
• Double - draw a pair of continuous line segments a fixed distance apart.
• AutoFillet-Dbl - draw a pair of continuous line segments a fixed distance apart.
Corners are automatically trimmed.
• Point-Circle - draw lines tangent to an arc or a circle.
• Circle-Circle - draw lines tangent to two arcs or circles.
• Perpendicular - draw lines perpendicular to existing lines.
• Line setup - set up the defa ult values for Double-line offset distance, the
minimum inclined angle, fill-inside mode and autofillet radius.
Line>Individual
The Draw>Line>Individual command allows you to add individual lines to a

drawing. It is useful when you need to draw a single line or a series of lines that
do not touch each other. When you use the Draw>Line>Individual command, you
99
alternately select startpoints and endpoints. You use the current pen to draw the
lines.
To draw separate, unconnected lines:
1. Choose the Draw>Line>Individual command.
2. Select a startpoint. A rubberband line appears beginning at the selected point.
3. Select an endpoint. A line is drawn between the selected points.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as often as necessary until you are finished drawing
individual lines.
Line>Multiple
The Draw>Line>Multiple command allows you to draw a series of individual lines

that have common end points. This command is useful when you need the visual
effect of a polyline and the ability to edit the graphic properties of each segment
individually. When you use the Draw>Line>Multiple command, each interim point
you select establishes the end point of the previous line and the start point of the
next.
To draw a series of lines with common end points:
4
2
3
1
1. Choose the Draw>Line>Multiple command.
2. Select a start point. A rubberband line appears beginning at the selected point.
3. Select one or more endpoints. Each point ends the previous line and begins a
new line.
4. Click the right button to complete the command.
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5. Repeat step 2, 3 and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing multiple
lines.
6. Use Esc or right mouse button again to exit the command.
Line>Autofillet-Sgl
The Draw>Line>AutoFillet-Sql command allows you to automatically fillet

between lines that are drawn consecutively. Fillet means rounding off corners by
trimming back the lines and inserting an arc. To what extent auto -fillets are
allowed is determined by the fillet radius value as defined in the Draw>Line>Line
setup dialog box. For information on changing this value, see Draw>Line>Line
setup.
To draw a series of lines with common end points and auto-fillet:
2 4
1 3
1. Choose the Draw>Line>AutoFillet-Sql command.
2. Select a start point. A rubberband line appears beginning at the selected point.
3. Select one or more endpoints. Each point ends the previous line and begins a
new line. Every two segments are auto-filleted by the angle defined in the Line
Setup dialog box.
5. Repeat step 2, 3 and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing Autofillet-
Sgl lines.
Line>Double
The Draw>Line>Double command allows you to draw successive pairs of parallel

lines. Similar to Draw>Line>Multiple in operation, the Draw>Line>Double
command generates two points for each point entered. You define the left and
right offset for the pair of lines in relation to the input points in the Line Setup
dialog box. You can also fill the inside of the double lines by set Fill Inside Mode
on. Also in order to prevent you from drawing lines that will double back on
themselves, you must set up a double line minimum angle. It prohibits you from
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drawing a double line whose angle, relative to the previous line, is less than the
specified. For information on changing this value, see Draw>Line>Line setup.
To draw double lines:
Left Offset
{
{ Right Offset
1
3
1. Choose the Draw>Line>Double command.
3. Select one or more endpoints. Each point ends and trims the previous pair of
lines and begins a new pair. The inclined angle between two pairs of lines must
be larger than the minimum set inclined angle.
5. Repeat step 2, 3 and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing double
lines.
Line>AutoFillet-Dbl
The Draw>Line>AutoFillet-Dbl command allows you to draw consecutive lines

and round off corners by trimming back the lines and inserting two arcs. This
command is basically like Draw>Line>Double in operation, except the endpoints
between two lines will be filleted automatically according to the fillet-radius value
in Line Setup dialog box.
To draw double lines with auto-fillet:
4
Left Offset
{
Right Offset
{
1 3
1. Choose the Draw>Line>AutoFillet-Dbl command.
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3. Select one or more endpoints. Each point ends and trims the previous pair of
lines and begins a new pair. Every two segments are auto -filleted by the fillet-
radius defined in the Line Setup dialog box.
5. Repeat step 2, 3 and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing Autofillet-
Double lines.
To what extent auto-fillets are allowed is determined by the fillet radius value.
Line>Point-Circle
The Draw>Line>Point-Circle command allows you to draw a tangent line between

a point and an arc or circle if there exists a tangent line. For each arc or circle,
the tangent line is drawn to the side closest to where you select the entity.
To draw a line tangent to a pair of point and arc or circle :
1. Choose the Draw>Line>Point-Circle command.
2. Select an arc or circle on the side which you want the line tangent to.
3. Select a point outside the arc or circle. A tangent line is drawn.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished.
Line>Circle-Circle
The Draw>Line>Circle -Circle command allows you to draw a tangent line

between two arcs, two circles or an arc and a circle if there exists a tangent line.
For each arc or circle, the tangent is drawn to the side closest to where you
select the entity.
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To draw a line tangent to a pair of arcs and/or circles:
1. Choose the Draw>Line>Circlr-Circle command.
2. Select an arc or circle on the side which you want the line tangent to.
3. Select a point on a second arc or circle on the side which you want the line
tangent to. A tangent line is drawn.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished.
Line>Perpendicular
The Draw>Line>Perpendicular command allows you to draw a line that is

perpendicular to a specified line, arc or circle and that ends at a selected point.
Note that the new line does not have to touch the specified entity.
To draw a line perpendicular to an existing line:
1. Choose the Draw>Line>Perpendicular command.
2. Select a line, an arc or a circle in the drawing.
3. Select an endpoint. A line perpendicular to the specified entity is drawn.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished drawing

perpendicular lines.
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Line>Line setup
The Draw>Line>Line Setup command allows you to establish drawing

parameters that are used in AutoFillet-Sgl, AutoFillet-Dbl and Double command.
To change these values:
1. Choose the Draw>Line>Line setup command, the Line Setup dialog box
appears.
2. Input the desired left offset of the double line.
3. Input the desired right offset of the double line.
4. Input the minimum angle value for double lines
5. To fill entities, select the Fill Inside check box.
6. Input the desired radius of the auto -fillet. Offsets and radius have to be positive
values.
7. Choose OK button to finish the setup or CANCEL button to cancel this

command.
105
Draw>Arc
The commands o n the Draw>Arc cascading menu provide a variety of ways to

add arcs to a drawing. An arc is a portion of a circle or an ellipse. A arc is stored
by its center, radius, starting angle and ending angle. The menu has the following
commands.
• 3 Pts [s,m,e]
• 3 Pts [s,e,m]
• 3 Pts [c,s,e]
• 2 Pts-Angle
• 2 Pts-Radius
• Quarter Circle
• Semi Circle
• Elliptical
Arc>3 Pts [s,m,e]
The Draw>Arc>3 Pts [s,m,e] command allows you to draw an arc by specifying
its start point, a point along the arc and end point.
To draw an arc by specifying its start point, a point along the arc and
end point:
2
3
1. Choose the Draw>Arc>3 Pts [s,m,e] command.
2. Select the start point.
3. Select a second point. A rubberband arc appears, moving with the cursor. This
way makes it easy to visualize the arc being drawn.
4. Select the endpoint and the arc is drawn.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing arcs.
106
Arc>3 Pts [s,e,m]
The Draw>Arc>3 Pts [s,e,m] command allows you to draw an arc by specifying
its start point, end point and a point along the arc.
To draw a n arc by specifying its start point, end point and a point along
the arc:
3
2
1. Choose the Draw>Arc>3 Pts [s,e,m] command.
2. Select the start point.
3. Select the end point. A rubberband arc appears, moving with the cursor.
4. Select a point along the arc and the arc is drawn.
Arc>3 Pts [c,s,e]
The Draw>Arc>3 Pts [c,s,e] command allows you to draw an arc by specifying its
centerpoint, start point, and end point.
To draw an arc by specifying its centerpoint, start point, and end point:
1
3
1. Choose the Draw>Arc>3 Pts [c,s,e] command.
2. Select a point for the center of the arc.
3. Select the beginning point of the arc. A dragged arc appears, moving with the
cursor.
4. Enter the ending point and the arc is drawn.
107
Arc>2 Pts-Angle
The Draw>Arc>2 Pts-Angle command allows you to draw an arc by specifying its
center, start point, and the arc angle.
To draw an arc by specifying its center, start point, and the arc angle:
Entered Angle
1
1. Choose the Draw>Arc>2 Pts-Angle command.
2. Select the arc center. A rubberband line appears, moving with the cursor.
3. Select the arc starting point. The Angle dialog box appears.
4. Enter the arc angle in the dialog box. When entering the angle, the angle
direction is determined by the current angle orientation defined in the
System>Units of Measurement
5. Choose OK to accept the setting and close the dialog box. An arc is drawn.
6. Repeat steps 2, 3, 4, and 5 as necessary until you are finished drawing arcs.
Arc>2 Pts-Radius
The Draw>Arc>2 Pts-Radius command allows you to draw an arc by specifying

its
endpoints and its radius.
To draw an arc by specifying its endpoints and radius:
108
Entered Radius
1. Choose the Draw>Arc>2 Pts-Radius command.
2. Select a start point. A rubberband line appears, moving with the cursor.
3. Select an end point. The Radius dialog box appears.
4. Enter the arc radius in the dialog box. The linear unit is determined by the
current linear unit defined in the System>Units of Measurement.
5. Choose OK. An arc is drawn.
6. Repeat steps 2, 3, 4, and 5 as often as necessary.
Arc>Quarter Circle
The Draw>Arc>Quarter Circle command allows you to draw an arc by specifying

its endpoints and the arc swapped angle is always 90 degrees.
To draw an arc by specifying its endpoints with 90-degree swapped

angle:
1. Choose the Draw>Arc>Quarter Circle command.
3. Select an end point. An arc is drawn in the counterclockwise direction.
4. Repeat steps 2, and 3 as necessary until you are finished drawing quarter
circles.
5.Use Esc or right mouse button to cancel the command.
109
Arc>Semi Circle
The Draw>Arc>Semi Circle command allows you to draw an arc by specifying its
endpoints and the arc swapped angle is always 180 degrees.
To draw an arc by specifying its endpoints with 180-degree swapped

angle:
2 1
1. Choose the Draw>Arc>Semi Circle command.
3. Select an end point. An arc is drawn in the counterclockwise direction.
4. Repeat steps 2, and 3 as necessary until you are finished drawing semi circles.
Arc>Elliptical
The Draw>Arc>Elliptical command allows you to draw an oval-arc by specifying

its center, radius of long-axis and short-axis, start angle, and end angle.
To draw an elliptical arc:
2
3
5
1. Choose the Draw>Arc>Elliptical command.
2. Select the center point. A rubberband line appears, moving with the cursor.
3. Select a second point. The li ne appearing on the screen is the long -axis radius,
and then you can see an ellipse appears, moving with the cursor to change its
size.
110
4. Select the other point to determine the short-axis radius and the ellipse is
drawn.
5. Select the start angle and a line is drawn to represent this angle.
6. Select the end angle and an oval-arc is drawn in the counterclockwise

direction.
7. Repeat steps 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 as necessary until you are finished drawing

elliptical arcs.
111
Draw>Circle
The commands on the Draw>Circle cascading menu allow you to draw circles in
your drawing. The menu has the following commands:
• Center-Side
• Side-Center
• 2 Pts
• 3 Pts
• Center-Radius
• Center-Diameter
• Ellipse
• Ellipse-4 Arcs
Circle>Center-Side
The Draw>Circle>Center-Side command allows you to draw a circle by specifying

its center and a point along the circle.
To draw a circle by specifying its center and a point along the circle:
1 2
1. Choose the Draw>Circle>Center-Side command.
2. Select the center point. A rubberband circle appears, moving with the cursor.
3. Select the second point. The circle is drawn and pass through this point.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished drawing center-side
circles.
112
Circle>Side-Center
The Draw>Circle>Side-Center command allows you to draw a circle by specifying

a point along the circle and its center.
To draw a circle by specifying a point along the circle and its center:
2 1
1. Choose the Draw>Circle>Side-Center command.
2. Select a point which the circle will pass through. A rubberband circle appears,
moving with the cursor.
3. Select the center point. The circle is drawn.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished drawing side-center
circles.
Circle>2 Pts
The Draw>Circle>2 Pts command allows you to draw a circle by specifying a pair
of points on opposite sides of the circle. The distance of the two points
determines the diameter and the middle point of them determines the center of
the circle.
To draw a circle by specifying two opposite points:
2 1
1. Choose the Draw>Circle>2 Pts command.
2. Select a point along the circle. A rubberband circle appears, moving with the
cursor.
3. Select a point on the opposite side of the circle. The circle is drawn. The
distance between the two points is the diameter of the circle.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished drawing 2 pts circles.
113
Circle>3 Pts
The Draw>Circle>3 Pts command allows you to draw a circle by specifying any
three points along the circle:
To draw a circle through three points:
2 1
1. Choose the Draw>Circle>3 Pts command.
2. Select a point along the circle. A rubberband line appears, moving with the
cursor.
3. Select a second point along the circle. A rubberband circle appears, moving
with the cursor.
4. Select a third point along the circle. The circle is drawn.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing 3 pts
circles.
Circle>Center-Radius
The Draw>Circle>Center-Radius command allows you to draw a circle by

specifying its center and its radius value.
To draw a circle by specifying its center and radius:
Entered Radius
1
1. Choose the Draw>Circle>Center-Radius command.
2. Select a center point. The Radius dialog box appears.
3. Enter the radius value of this circle.
114
4. Choose OK. The circle is drawn.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing center-
radius circles.
Circle>Center-Diameter
The Draw>Circle>Center-Diameter command allows you to draw a circle by

specifying its center and its diameter value.
To draw a circle by specifying its center and diameter:
Entered Diameter
1
1. Choose the Draw>Circle>Center-diameter command.
2. Select a center point. The Diameter dialog box appears.
3. Enter the diameter value of this circle .
4. Choose OK. The circle is drawn.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing center-
diameter circles.
Circle>Ellipse
The Draw>Circle>Ellipse command allows you to draw an ellipse. In a normal

ellipse, the minor axis is perpendicular to the major axis. When you draw an
ellipse, the first point entered is its center point; the second one specifies the half
length of one axis and rotated angle; the third one specified the half length of the
other axis.
To draw an ellipse:
115
1. Choose the Draw>Circle>Ellipse command.
2. Select a center. A rubberband line appears beginning at the selected point.
3. Select an endpoint to determine the radius of the major axis. An ellipse

appears, moving with the cursor to change its size and location.
4. Select an endpoint to determine the radius of the minor axis. The ellipse is
drawn.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing ellipses.
116
Circle>Ellipse-4 Arcs
The Draw>Circle>Ellipse-4 Arcs command allows you to draw an ellipse

consisting of 4 arcs. The operation of this command is the same with the
Draw>Circle>Ellipse command.
To draw an ellipse consisting of 4 arcs:
2
Arc
3
Arc
1
Arc
Arc
1. Choose the Draw>Circle>Ellipse-4 Arcs command.
2. Select a center. A rubberband line appears beginning at the selected point.
3. Select an endpoint to determine the radius of the major axis. An ellipse

appears, moving with the cursor.
4. Select an endpoint to determine the radius of the minor axis. The ellipse is
drawn.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing 4-arc
ellipses.
117
Draw>Polyline
The commands on the Draw>Polyline cascading menu allow you to add polylines
and polygons to a drawing. The menu has the following commands:
• Set Pts-open
• Set Pts-close
• Rectangle
• Regular Polygon
• Sketch
Be careful not to confuse polylines with individual lines. While a ordinary line is
defined by a start point and an end point, a polyline has a startpoint, an endpoint
and one or more vertices along the way. All segments of a polyline have the
same layer, color, style, and width and are treated as a single entity.
In PrimeCAD, polygons and rectangles are merely the special case of polylines.
Also See
Graphic Properties
Polyline>Set Pts-open
The Draw>Polyline>Set Pts-open command allows you to add individual polylines

to a drawing. In operation, it is very similar to the Draw>Line>Multiple command:
To draw a polyline :
4
2
3
1
1. Choose the Draw>Polyline>Set Pts-open command.
3. Select one or more additional vertices.
4. Click the right mouse button to complete the polyline.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing open
polylines.
118
Polyline>Set Pts-close
The Draw>Polyline>Set Pts-close command allows you to draw polylines with

closed shape. In operation, it is very similar to the Draw>Polyline>Set Pts-open
command.
To draw closed shape polylines:
4
2
3
1
1. Choose the Draw>Polyline>Set Pts-close command.
2. Select a vertex. A rubberband line appears, moving with the cursor.
3. Select two or more additional vertices.
4. Click the right mouse button to complete the polyline. The last vertex is
connected to the start point to form a closed polygon.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing close
polylines.
Polyline>Rectangle
The Draw>Polyline>Rectangle command provides a quick method of drawing a

rectangle.
To draw a rectangular polygon:
1. Choose the Draw>Polyline>Rectangular command.
119
2. Select one corner of the rectangle. A rectangle appears beginning at the

selected point, moving with the cursor.
3. Select the opposite corner. The polygon is drawn.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished drawing rectangles.
Polyline>Polygon
The Draw>Polyline>Polygon command allows you to draw a polygon by

specifying the length of one side and the number of sides. The side number of
the Polygon can be any between 3 and 1000.
To draw a polygon:
1 2
Side Number=5
1. Choose the Draw>Polyline>Polygon command.
2. Select a point. A rubberband line appears, moving with the cursor.
3. Select the other point to determine the first side of the polygon. The Side
number of Polygon dialog box appears.
4. Enter the side number. PrimeCAD draws the polygon in the counterclockwise
direction.
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished drawing polygons.
120
Polyline>Sketch
The Draw>Polyline>Sketch command allows you to simulate freehand drawing.

Sketch actually generates a polyline segment at each cursor movement.
To draw a "freehand" polyline :
1. Choose the Draw>Polyline>Sketch command.
2. Click a start point of a polyline, then drag the cursor. As long as you hold the
left mouse button down, segments are added to the polyline.
3. Release the mouse button to end the polyline .
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished sketching.
121
Draw>Curve
The commands on the Draw>Curve cascading menu allow you to add smooth
curves to a drawing. These curves includes the following two kinds:
• Bezier Curves
• Fitted Curves
You specify the control points for a curve. A minimum of three control points are
required for drawing curves. Bezier curves are pulled toward the control points.
You do not enter curves directly. Rather, you enter a series of control points and
the curve is generated automatically. Fitted Curves are drawn through a set of
control points you enter. Like a polyline, a curve behaves as a single entity.
Curve>Bezier Curves
The Draw>Curve>Bezier Curves command allows you to draw a curve that is

"drawn toward" intermediate control points rather than passing directly through
them (except start point and end point.) The smoothness of a curve is controlled
by the number of segments between control points. You may specify the number
of segments in the System>Preferences dialog box. A rubberband curve will be
displayed as the points are set, making it easy to visualize where the curve will
be drawn. This may appear a little slow on large curves or on slower computers.
To draw a Bezier curve that is "drawn toward" specific points:
2 4
1 5
3
1. Choose the Draw>Curve>Bezier command.
2. Select a starting control point. A line appears beginning at the selected point.
3. Select two or more additional control points. The line becomes a curve, moving
with the cursor.
4. Click the right mouse button to complete the curve.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing Bezier
curves.
122
Curve>Fitted Curves
The Draw>Curve>Fitted Curves command allows you to draw a curve through
specific points. The mathematical formula used to determine the curve is a cubic
spline. The smoothness of a curve is controlled by the number of segments
between control points value. You may specify the number of segments in the
System>Preferences dialog box.
To draw a curve that passes through specific points:
2 4
1 5
3
1. Choose the Draw>Curve>Fitted Curves command.
2. Select a starting control point. A line appears beginning at the selected point.
3. Select two or more additional control points. The line becomes a curve, moving
with the cursor.
4. Click the right mouse button to complete the curve.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as often as necessary.
123
Draw>Marker
The commands on the Draw>Marker cascading menu allow you to insert special
predefined shapes in the drawing. The menu has the following commands:
• Set Pts
• Relative
• Polar
• Align
• Setup
You can control the shape and size of a marker. For information about setting up
the shapes and sizes of markers, please see Draw>Marker>Setup. A marker is a
compound entity. That is, even though it behaves as a single entity, it is often
comprised of multiple base entities, such as lines, arcs, and circles. A marker can
not be scaled, rotated, or mirrored. It can only be assigned the pen color, but not
pen style and pen width.
Marker>Set Pts
The Draw>Marker>Set Pt command allows you to insert a marker at a specified
location.
To add a marker at a specified location:
1. Choose the Draw>Marker>St Pt command. The cursor changes to a crosshair

and a marker shape appears, moving with the cursor.
2. Select a location for the marker by clicking left mouse button. The marker is
inserted.
3. Repeat steps 2 as necessary until you are finished inserting markers.
124
Marker>Relative
The Draw>Marker>Relative command allows you to insert a marker respect to a

reference point. That is, use the reference point as the temporary origin (0,0), and
then specify the X and Y offset for the marker.
To add a marker relative to a reference point:
Enter dX, dY
1
1. Choose the Draw>Marker>Relative command.
2. Select a relative point on the drawing area. The Point-Relative dialog box
appears.
3. Enter the offset-X and offset-Y values in the dialog box.
4. Choose OK. A marker is inserted at the relative location to the reference point
5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 as often as necessary until you are finished inserting

markers.
Marker>Polar
The Draw>Marker>Polar command allows you to insert a marker respect to a

temporary origin by specifying the polar coordinate. That is, you express location
in terms of distance and angle measured from 0 degrees (X axis). The
counterclockwise direction is always positive. If the distance you enter is 0, the
marker is inserted at the reference point.
To add a marker relative to the specific point by polar coordinate:
Enter dR, d
1
125
1. Choose the Draw>Point>Polar command.
2. Select a relative point on the drawing area. The Point-Polar dialog box
appears.
3. Enter the distance and the angle values in the dialog box.
4. Choose OK. A marker is inserted at the specified position relative to the

reference point
5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 as necessary until you are finished inserting markers.
Marker>Align
The Draw>Marker>Align command allows you to insert a marker at the end of a

line, polyline , or arc you select.
To add a marker to the endpoint of a line, polyline, or arc:
1. Choose the Draw>Marker>Align command. The cursor changes to prompt you

to select an entity.
2. Click on the entity near the end where you want a marker to attach.
3. Repeat steps 2 as necessary until you are finished inserting markers.
126
Marker>Setup
The Draw>Marker>Setup command allows you to change the shape, size, and
rotation angle of a drawing marker that is used for all Marker commands.
To change the shape and size of the default marker:
1. Choose the Draw>Marker>Setup command. The Marker dialog box appears.
2. Select the desired shape from the Point Shapes drop-down list box. The
provided marker shapes are as follows:
3. Enter the desired width of this shape in the Width box.
4. Enter the desired height of this shape in the Height box.
5. Enter the desired rotation angle of this shape in the Angle box.
6. Choose OK button to accept the setting and close the dialog box.
127
Draw>Dimension
The commands on the Draw>Dimension cascading menu allows you to

automatically generate the dimensions of any part of your drawing, using one of
the following dimension functions:
• Linear Dimensions
§ Horizontal
§ Vertical
§ Alignment
§ Rotation
§ Line
• Radial
§ Radius1
§ Radius2
§ Diameter1
§ Diameter2
• Ordinate
§ X-datum
§ Y-datum
• Angular
• Leader
• Setup
The dimension is viewed as a single entity, not separately lines, arrowheads, arcs
and texts. Therefore, using the Undo command will clear all the entities of last
dimension (including extension lines, arrowheads, text, and so on.) When a
dimensioning point is moved, the system automatically recalculates and re-labels
the dimension This is called "associative dimensioning."
You set up the dimension parameters in the Dimension Parameter dialog box.
For information on this dialog box, see the Draw>Dimension>Setup command.
128
Dimension>Linear
The Draw>Dimension>Linear command allows you to measure the distance

between two points. The linear dimension unit is based on the linear settings in
the System>Units of Measurement command. There are five kinds of linear
dimension: Horizontal, Vertical, Alignment, Rotation, and Line .
Dimension>Linear>Horizontal
This command allows you to dimension the horizontal distance between points.
Horizontal dimensions can be any of the three modes of linear dimensions:
single, baseline or continuous.
Single
2"
Baseline 2"
3"
Continuous 2" 2"
Dimension>Linear>Vertical
This command allows you to dimension the vertical distance between points.
Vertical dimensions can be any of the three modes of linear dimensions: single,
baseline, or continuous.
2"
3"
2"
2"
2"
Single Baseline Continuous
129
Dimension>Linear>Alignment
This command allows you to add linear dimensions: single, baseline , or

continuous , aligning them with the 2 points you select. The distance measured is
not horizontal or vertical distance but the "straight line" distance between two
points, at the angle defined by those points. If the two selected points align
horizontally or vertically, the dimension result of the Alignment command will be
the same as that of the Horizontal command or the Vertical command.
"
2
"
3
Single
"
"
2
2
Baseline
"
2
Continuous
130
Dimension>Linear>Rotation
This command allows you to add single , baseline, or continuous linear

dimensions at a specified angle that you specify in the dialog box. If you enter 90
degrees or 0 degrees in the dialog box, you can get the vertical or horizontal
dimension.
1
Single
" 2
"
Baseline
1
"
1
"
Continuous
1
"
Dimension>Linear>Line
This command allows you to dimension the selected lines. Therefore, you only
need to select the line, not the two endpoints when you want to dimension a line
entity. The dimension text will align with the dimension li ne which is parallel to the
selected line.
131
Single Linear Dimension

The single linear dimension is totally independent, which has nothing to do with
any other dimensions in the drawing. Every single dimension has its own
startpoint and endpoint.
To draw a series of single linear dimensions:
1. Selecting the Draw>Dimension> Setupcommand. The Dimension Parameter

dialog box appears. Select the Single option button in the Mode section and then
choose OK.
2. Choose Horizontal, Vertical, Alignment, Rotation or Line command.
3. Enter the rotation angle in the Angle dialog box if you choose the
Draw>Dimension> Linear>Rotation command.
4. Select the location of the first dimensioning point. Frequently, a snap input
mode is applied to precisely locating the point.
5. Select the location of the second control point. The cursor changes to the
moving shape. Moving the cursor to the location where you want to place the
dimension. Press the left mouse button. The calculated dimension is drawn.
6. Repeat step 4 and 5 as necessary until you are finished drawing single
dimensions.
When the dimension text is too large to be placed between two extension lines,
the system will automatically place the text outside the extension lines. Whether it
is outside left extension line or right extension line depends on the location of the
cursor. The dimension text will be placed outside the extension line close to the
cursor in this situation.
Baseline Linear Dimension
Baseline linear dimensions are arranged in stair-step fashion with each

dimension in a series extending from a single extension line. That is, use the first
extension line of the first dimension as base for the following dimension
calculation and dimension line placement.
To draw a series of baseline dimensions:
1. Selecting the Draw>Dimension>Setup command. The Dimension Parameter

dialog box appears. Select the Baseline option button in the Mode section and
then choose OK.
132
2. Choose Horizontal, Vertical, Alignment, or Rotation command.
Draw>Dimension>Linear>Rotation command.
5. Select the location of the second point. The cursor changes to the moving
shape. Moving the cursor to the location where you want to place the dimension.
Press the left mouse button. The calculated dimension is drawn.
6. Repeat step 5. Every specified point adds a new dimension extended from the
original extension line of the first dimension.
133
Continuous Linear Dimension

Continuous linear dimensions are a series dimension lines chained together. That
is, use the second extension line of the last dimension as the first extension line
of next dimension.
To draw a series of continuous dimensions:
1. Selecting the Draw>Dimension> Setup command. The Dimension Parameter

dialog box appears. Select the Continuous option button in the Mode section
and then choose OK.
2. Choose Horizontal, Vertical, Alignment, or Rotation command.
Draw>Dimension>Linear>Rotation command.
5. Select the location of the second point. The cursor changes to the moving
shape. Moving the cursor to the location where you want to place the dimension.
Press the left mouse button. The calculated dimension is drawn.
6. Continue selecting points. Every specified point adds a new dimension to the
chained dimensions.
134
Dimension>Radial
The Draw>Dimension>Radial command allows you to measure the radius or the
diameter of a circle or an arc. The Radial command has two methods for Radius
and Diameter dimensions individually -- Radius1, Radius2, Diameter1, and
Diameter2. The two methods are similar to each other in operation except the
format of the dimension. Users can choose the dimension format suitable to their
needs. The radial dimension unit is based on the linear settings in the
System>Units of Measurement command.
135
Dimension>Radial>Radius1
To dimension the radius of an arc or circle , using the Radius1

command:
3
1"
2
1. Choose the Draw>Dimension>Radial>Radius1 command. The cursor changes

to prompt you to select an arc or a circle.
2. Select a circle or arc to be dimensioned. The entity is highlighted and a radius

line starting from the center appears, moving with the cursor.
3. Select a point for the angle of the arrow. Then, you can move the cursor to
drag the extension line .
4. Select a point where the text is to be located. The dimension information will
then be calculated and placed in the drawing.
An arrow is drawn from the center to the inside edge of the circle or arc. The
angle of the arrows is defined by the center point and the selected point of step 3.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing radius
dimensions.
Dimension>Radial>Radius2
To dimension the radius of an arc or circle, using the Radius 2

command:
3
R1"
2
1. Choose the Draw>Dimension>Radial>Radius2 command. The cursor changes

to prompt you to select an arc or a circle.
136
2. Select a circle or arc to be dimensioned. The entity is highlighted and a radius

line appears, moving with the cursor.
An arrow is drawn from the selected point of step 3 to outside edge of the circle
or arc. The angle of the arrows is defined by the center point and the selected
point of step 3.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing radius
dimensions.
Dimension>Radial>Diameter1
To dimension the diameter of an arc or circle, using the Diameter1

command:
3
2"
2
1. Choose the Draw>Dimension>Radial>Diameter1 command. The cursor

changes to prompt you to select an arc or a circle.
2. Select a circle or arc to be dimensioned. The entity is highlighted and a

diameter line appears, moving with the cursor.
Arrows are drawn through the center of the circle or arc to each opposite end of
the circle or arc. The angle of the arrows is based on the angle of the selected
point of step 3.
137
5. Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing diameter
dimensions.
6. Use Esc or right mouse button to cancel the command .
Note that if the specified point of step 3 is inside of the selected arc or circle, the
dimension information is calculated and placed in the drawing immediately and
then you can skip step 4. Whether the dimension text is placed inside or outside
depends on the size of the entity.
48 MM
2 2
60 MM
1 1
138
Dimension>Radial>Diameter2
To dimension the diameter of an arc or circle, using the Diameter 2

command:
3
2
d2"
1. Choose the Draw>Dimension>Radial>Diameter2 command. The cursor

changes to prompt you to select an arc or a circle.
2. Select a circle or arc to be dimensioned. The entity is highlighted and a

diameter line appears, moving with the cursor.
An arrow is drawn from the selected point of step 3 to the circle or arc. The angle
of the arrows is based on the angle of the selected point of step 3.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing diameter
dimensions.
Note that if the specified point of step 3 is inside of the selected arc or circle, the
dimension information is calculated and placed in the drawing immediately and
then you can skip step 4. Whether the dimension text is placed inside or outside
depends on the size of the entity.
48 MM
2 2
60 MM
1 1
139
Dimension>Ordinate
The Draw>Dimension>Ordinate command allows you to label either the X
coordinate or Y coordinate of specified points. This point can be either relative to
the drawing origin, or relative to a temporary ordinate origin. The ordinate
dimension unit is based on the linear settings in the System>Units of
Measurement command.
Dimension>Ordinate>X-datum
To dimension the X coordinates of points:

1"
1. Choose the Draw>Dimension>Ordinate>Ordinate-X datum command. The Set

Reference Point dialog box appear.
2. There are three origin option buttons in the dialog box. Choose Use Origin as
Reference Point button, Select Reference Point After OK button or enter the
origin coordinates in the Reference Point XY text boxes.
3. Choose OK to accept the setting.
4. If you chose the Select Reference Point After OK button, select a point that
will be the reference point or origin for the subsequent points to be dimensioned.
5. Select a point to be measured. A small " + " marks the point. You can see a
rubberband line , moving with the cursor.
7. Repeat step 5 and 6 as necessary until you are finished drawing X ordinate
dimensions.
140
Dimension>Ordinate>Y-datum
To dimension the Y coordinates of points:
3
1"
1. Choose the Draw>Dimension>Ordinate>Ordinate-Y datum command. The Set

Reference Point dialog box appear.
2. There are three origin option buttons in the dialog box. Choose Use the
Drawing Origin as Reference Point button, User Select After OK button or enter
the origin coordinates in the XY text boxes.
3. Choose OK to accept the setting.
4. If you chose the User Select After OK button, select a point that will be the
reference point or origin for the subsequent points to be dimensioned.
5. Select a point to be measured. A small " + " marks the point. You can see a
rubberband line , moving with the cursor.
7. Repeat step 5 and 6 as necessary until you are finished drawing Y ordinate
dimensions.
141
Dimension>Angular
The Draw>Dimension>Angular command allows you to measure the inner angle
or outer angle between two non-parallel lines or measure the angle of an arc. The
angular dimension of two lines can be one of the three dimension modes--Single,
Baseline or Continuous. The angular dimension of an arc can only be Single
dimension mode. You determine the dimension mode in the Dimension
Parameter dialog box. For information on this dialog box, see the
Draw>Dimension>Setup command.
Angular Dimension of Two Lines
To dimension the angle of two lines:
2
3
61.9°
1. Choose the Draw>Dimension>Angular command. The cursor changes to

prompt you to select lines and/or polylines, or an arc.
2. Select a pair of lines defining the angle to be dimensioned. The lines are
highlighted.
Notice that the dimension line moves among the four angles as you move the
cursor around the intersection point.
3. Select a point where the dimension text is to be located. The dimension

information will then be calculated and placed in the drawing.
4. If you chose the Single dimension mode in the Dimension Parameter dialog
box, repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished drawing single
angular dimensions.
If you chose the Baseline dimension mode in the Dimension Parameter dialog
box, you only need to select one additional line when you repeat step 2. This is
because the first selected line of the first dimension remain selected and will be
treated as base for the following dimension calculation. Then, repeat step 3 until
you are finished drawing baseline angular dimensions.
142
78.7°
33.7°
If you chose the Continuous dimension mode in the Dimension Parameter

dialog box, you only need to select one additional line when you repeat step 2.
This is because the second selected line of last dimension remain selected and
will be treated as the first selected line of next dimension. Then, repeat step 3
until you are finished drawing continuous angular dimensions.
45.0°
33.7°
Angular Dimension of An Arc
To dimension an arc angle:
2 124.7°
1.Choose the Draw>Dimension>Angle command. The cursor changes to prompt

you to select lines and/or polylines, or an arc.
2. Select the arc you want to measure. An arc appears, moving with the cursor.
3.Select a point where the dimension text is to be located. The dimension

information will then be calculated and placed in the drawing. The angular
dimension unit is based on the angle settings in the System>Units of
Measurement.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished drawing arc angular
dimension.
143
Dimension>Leader
When you dimension radiuses and diameters, you may find that leaders can be
used to place the dimension text outside of circles or arcs. Actually, you can
choose the Draw>Dimension>Leader command to create an extensive arrow to
place specified text far from the dimensioned entity. It provides a convenient way
to add notes linked to specific points in a drawing. The Leader command is a
special Polyline command, which allows you to create an extension line starting
with an arrow or special shape to locate dimension text. Unlike other dimensions,
leaders are not saved in the drawing as a single entity. Instead, markers,
polylines, and text strings are saved separately. This makes it much easier to edit
the components of the leader later.
To add leaders (text linked by a leader line to specific points):
3 4
Leader Dimension
1 2
1. Choose the Draw>Dimension>Leader command.
2. Select a point for the arrowhead (or other markers, depending on the default in
Dimension Parameter dialog box). A line appears, moving with the cursor.
3. Select one or more vertices. Each vertex ends the previous segment and
begins a new one.
4. Press the right mouse button to end the polyline. The polyline is drawn and the
String dialog box appears.
5. Enter the desired string in the String dialog box.
6. Choose OK button to execute this command. The marker and text are drawn.
7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 as necessary until you are finished drawing leader
dimensions.
144
Dimension>Setup
The Draw>Dimension>Setup command allows you to set up the dimension

parameters in the Dimension Parameters dialog box to be used in Dimension
command.
The Dimension Parameter dialog box is divided into several sections. Not is
every item in the dialog box applicable to all types of dimension.
Dimension Modes---- There are three dimension modes, which are only
applicable to Linear dimensions (except Line) and Angular dimensions (except
arc angle). For information about the operation of these dimension modes, please
see the Linear command and Angular command.
Prefix---- Enter the text string which will be added in front of dimension text. The
prefix is merely a text label.
Suffix---- Enter the text string which will be added after dimension text. The suffix
is merely a text label.
Tolerance----The Tolerance is a checkbox, which can be turned on or turned off.

When you check this box, you must enter the amount of tolerance allowed in the
Plus and/or Minus text box. The plus and minus tolerances should be entered as
positive values.
Show----The Show section controls the display of left extension line, right
extension line and dimension line.
Dimension Line
4"
Left Extension Line Right Extension Line
Extension lines. Extension lines are short lines that extend from an
entity, or from a point close to an entity. These lines indicate the points where you
are dimensioning from. There are left extension line and right extension line.
Dimension line. Dimension line runs from one extension line to the
other and indicates the length or angle that you want to dimension. In linear
dimensioning, it is always a straight line but not necessary horizontal or vertical.
In angular dimensioning, it is an arc. There are arrow heads at either end of the
dimension line.
Text Direction----This section allows you to select the orientation of the

dimension text from horizontal to aligning the text along the leader or dimension
line. The text can be placed in the dimension line or Above the dimension line.
Offset ---- Specify the desired text offset distance from the dimension line in the
Offset text box.
145
Text: Text:
Direction-Alignment Direction-Alignment
Placement-In Placement-Above
"
"
2.8
2.8
Text: Text:
Direction-Horizon Direction-Horizon
Placement-In Placement-Above
2.8" 2.8"
Leader----Special markers which are called "leaders" appear at both ends of a

dimension line, and at one end of a leader line (see Leader command). Select
one shape from the Leader drop-down list box to set the leader type and specify
the width and height for the selected marker in the Width and Height text boxes.
4.0" 4.0"
4.0" 4.0"
Extension Line----There are two text boxes in this section, Overhead and Gap.
Overhead is the dista nce an extension line runs bast the dimension line. Gap is
the distance that separates an extension line from the control point being
dimensioned. The gap distance setting allows you to snap onto endpoints of a
line and still leave a gap between the entity and the extension lines.
Overhead { 5"
Gap {
146
Draw>Hatch
The commands on the Draw>Hatch cascading menu allow you to add hatch
pattern in the drawing.
• Set Pts
• Selection
• Setup
Before you hatch a closed area, boundaries must be described, which can be
made of any combination of straight lines, arcs, and circles. Since rectangles and
regular polygons are made of line segments, and ellipses are made of arcs, these
can form boundaries as well. The entities which can not form hatch boundaries
are curves, solid entities, markers, dimensions, texts and hatches itself. Hatch
entities save memory space, but waste time in calculation.
147
Hatch>Set Pts
The Draw>Hatch>Set Pts command allows you to draw a polyline with hatch
inside. Using this command you can hatch areas that do not yet exist, or you can
overlap existing entities. You create the area by defining the end points of the
boundary. The area defined by straight lines between the selected points is
hatched when you finish defining the boundary. You must select at least three
points for this command to work. If you have left the boundary open, PrimeCAD
will close off the boundary for you using an imaginary line. For example, if you
select the four corners of a rectangle and then press the mouse right button to
complete the drawing, PrimeCAD adds a boundary between the first and last
points you indicated. The inserted hatch style is according to the values setting of
hatch pattern, spacing and angle in the Draw>Hatch>Setup command. The color
of hatch pattern is the current pen color. The pen style and pen width have no
meaning to hatch patterns.
To draw a polyline with hatch inside:
2 1
4
1. Choose the Draw>Hatch>Set Pts command.
3. Select one or more additional vertices. Each one ends the previous segment
and begins a new one.
4. Click the right mouse button to end the polyline. A polyline with hatch inside is
drawn.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as often as necessary.
If you want to display the boundaries of hatched entities, you have to turn on the
Show Outline checkbox in the Draw>Hatch>Setup command.
148
Hatch>Selection
The Draw>Hatch>Selection command allows yo u to hatch inside existing entities.

If the selected boundary item is simply a circle or a rectangle, hatch pattern is
drawn inside directly and ended with the boundary. If you want to hatch more
complex entities, even like a circle inside a triangle, you must carefully specify
boundaries you want to hatch inside so that the hatch pattern won't pass through
into the circle. PrimeCAD hatches areas from the outmost to the inner and stops
the action when it meets the first boundary. Then, begins the action from the next
boundary. When it meets inner boundary again, system takes turns of turning on
and turning off the hatch action. The inserted hatch style is according to the
values setting of hatch pattern, spacing and angle in the Draw>Hatch>Setup
command. The color of hatch pattern is the current pen color. The pen style and
pen width have no meaning to hatch patterns.
To fill existing entities with a hatch pattern:
1 2
1. Choose the Draw>Hatch>Selection command.
2. Select all the entities you want to hatch inside.
3. Click the right mouse button to end the selection. These selected entities are
filled with the specified hatch pattern.
If a selection set exists before you choose the Draw>Hatch>Selection

command, the hatch pattern is automatically drawn inside after you choose the
Selection command.
If you want to display the boundaries of hatched entities, you have to turn on the
Show Outline checkbox in the Setup command.
If you hatch several areas in the Draw>Hatch>Selection command and use the
Modify>Transforms>Translate command to move them later, you will find that
these hatch areas is only a single entity. Only using the Erase Last command
once can erase them all and any editing command like Move, Copy and Erase
will influence all hatches drawn the same time. You can choose the Erase Last
command to clear them and try again if the hatch scale and rotation angle of
hatch areas are not correct. A hatch can be exploded into separate line entities
by the Modify>Explode command. Exploding hatches just likes exploding a
symbol. You may find that if the hatches are drawn wrong, clearing the whole
149
hatches and drawing them again will be easily than moving their location or
boundaries.
Hatch>Setup
The Draw>Hatch>Setup command allows you to change the default hatch

pattern, the scale of the pattern, the rotation, and whether or not the boundaries
are displayed. When you change one of these options, the next hatch placed in
the drawing will use the new settings; existing hatches are not affected.
To change the settings of the hatch:
1. Choose the Draw>Hatch>Setup command. The Hatch Patterns dialog box

appears.
Hatch Pattern - This option allows you to select the pattern you want to use for
hatched areas. You can select any pattern among 44 types provided by the
system. PrimeCAD shows the selected pattern style in the sample box.
Rotation Angle - This option is used to set the rotation of the hatch pattern.
When entering angles, the angle direction is determined by the current angle
orientation defined in the System>Units of Measurement.
Scale - This option allows you to change the scale factor that will be used for
future hatch placements. The scale factor affects the interval between hatch
pattern lines.
Boundary - This option determines the display of hatch boundaries on and off.
The effect of changing boundary display will show up the next time the display is
changed by a Zoom In or Zoom Out command. If you want to see the effect right
away, use the Redraw command.
2. Select the desired hatch pattern, change the values set of Scale and Rotation
Angle, and turn on or turn off the Show Outline checkbox.
3. Choose OK to accept the setting and close the dialog box.
150
Draw>Text
The commands on the Draw>Text cascading menu allow you to place texts into a
drawing. The menu has the following commands:
• Start Pt
• Aligned
• Arc
• Font Setup
Text entities consist of one or more lines of characters. Text can be entered with
any pen color, assigned to any layer, and drawn in any of the PrimeCAD fonts or
TrueType fonts. Text is always drawn with a solid pen style and a width of 1 pixel.
Text can be justified horizontally and vertically. PrimeCAD defines text entered
from the Text input box in terms of a basepoint, height, aspect ratio, an angle to
specify direction, and the text itself. This is because text is primarily used for
annotation.
Text>Start Pt
The Draw>Text>Sta rt Pt command allows you to add text to a drawing at a

specific location.
To insert text at a specific point:
PRIMECAD
1
1. Choose the Draw>Text>Start Pt command. The Text dialog box appears.
2. Enter the text in the input box.
3. In the Justification section, select desired horizontal and vertical text

justification.
4. Choose the OK button to execute the command, the Font button to open the
Font Setup dialog box (please see the Draw>Text>Font Setup command), the
Import button to import text files which are ASCII format, or the Cancel button to
cancel the command. The import text file can only be as big as 4096 characters.
5. If you chose the OK button, a rubberband box is displayed showing the size,
location, and angle that the text will be displayed. The location of the cursor on
the rubberband box is based on your selection in the Justification section.
Select a location for the box cursor. The text is drawn.
151
In PrimeCAD, the default setting of text is left-justified. As you select the

horizontal and vertical justifications for the text basepoint in the dialog box, you
can clearly insert the text strings at your desired place. Text can be placed
anywhere in the drawing.
Text>Aligned
The Draw>Text>Aligned command allows you to fit text into a window by defining
two opposite corners.
To insert text into a rectangular window:
PRIMECAD 2
1. Choose the Draw>Text>Aligned command. The Text dialog box appears.
3. Choose the OK b utton to execute the command, the Font button to open the
Font Setup dialog box (please see the Draw>Text>Font Setup command), the
Import button to import text files which are ASCII format, or the Cancel button to
cancel the command. The import text file can only be as big as 4096 characters.
4. If you chose the OK button, select the first point. A rubberband box appears,
moving with the cursor. Select the second corner. The text is fitting into the
specified rectangular window.
PrimeCAD automatically adjusts the height and width of the text . The Aligned
command disable the default height and width settings and also the Justification
section in the dialog box is grayed out.
Text>Arc
The Draw>Text>Arc command allows you to place text along an arc. The arc on
which the text is drawn is similar to the 3-point arc in the Draw>Arc>3-Pts[s,m,e]
command.
To place text along an arc:
RI MECAD
P 2
3
1
1. Choose the Draw>Text>Arc command. The Text dialog box appears.
152
3. Choose the OK button to execute the command.
4. Select the beginning point, any point along the arc except endpoint and the
ending point to determine an arc. The text is drawn along the arc
counterclockwise or clockwise depending on the direction of entering the three
points of the arc.
For the Arc command, the Justification section in the dialog box is grayed out.
Text>Font Setup
The Draw>Text>Font setup command allows you to open the Font Setup dialog
box and to define the font used in the Text commands. The settings in the dialog
box includes:
Option - PrimeCAD provides two font options- PrimeCAD Font and TrueType
Font.
Font Name - This drop-down list box lists the supported font name under
PrimeCAD Font and TrueType Font. The Sample box displays the looks of the
selected font.
Size - This section defines the height and the width of the default font.
Spacing - This section controls the spacing between characters and between
strings.
Characters. Use the Characters text box to set the real space between
characters in text lines. The space between characters is a percentage of the text
size. The default is 20 percent, which means that between each pair of letters is a
space one-fifth the width of the letter. If you want to spread the letters, type a
larger number, if you want to crowd the letters, type a smaller number. The text
spacing cannot be set to a negative value. You must make sure you have
Proportional Spacing turned on. After changing the between character spacing,
all new text entered into the drawing will have the new spacing. Previously
entered text will not be changed. Notice that setting the between character
spacing will have no effect on True Type fonts.
Lines. Use the Lines text box to specify the distance between lines of text.
The value you enter is a percent of text size. The default is 100 percent, which
means that the space between two lines of text is one time the height of the text.
The space is measured from the reference point for the first line to the reference
point for the second line. If you want more space between lines, type a large
number; if you want less space, type a smaller number. After changing the line
spacing, all new text entered into the drawing will have the new spacing. The
minimum practical value is 100% which will cause virtually no space between one
153
line and the next. If the between line space is less than 100% the lines will
overlap. The between line spacing cannot be set to a negative value.
Pitch - This section controls whether the text is fixedly or proportionally spaced.
When you select the Fixed button, all characters are mono spaced - an "i" takes
up the same amount of space as a "w". When you select the Proportional
button, the distance between characters is determined by the between character
percentage and the width of the character - an "i" takes less space than a "w".
This option has no effect on the TrueType font.
Angle - This section controls whether the text placed in the drawing is rotated or
slant. The Slant option allows you to create italic text in your drawing. When the
slant is 0 (the default), the text characters are drawn straight up and down. If you
want text slanted to the right, enter a positive angle such as 15. If you want it
slanted to the left, enter a negative number. The maximum slant is 90, in either
direction. After changing the text slant or rotation angle, all new text entered into
the drawing will be drawn with the new slant or rotation angle. Previously entered
text will not be changed. The Slant angle has no effect on TrueType fonts.
154
Draw>Solid
The commands on the Draw>Solid cascading menu allow you to create circles,
pies, chords, or polygons filled with a color you choose. The paint color is set in
the Draw>Solid>Setup command. The outlines of these entities are still drawn by
the current pen color and style. When you execute the Solid commands, if there
is a selection set, the Solid commands will apply to this selection set if possible.
Otherwise the selection set will be deselected. For example, if one circle is
selected, it will be automatically painted when you choose the Draw>Solid>Circle
command; if the selected entity is an arc, it will be automatically painted when
you choose the Draw>Solid>Pie or Draw>Solid>Chord command.
Similar to the Draw>Hatch>Selection command, by applying the Solid>Circle or

Solid>Polygon on the selection set which is comprised o f circles and polygons,
PrimeCAD can paint the selection set from the outmost to the inner and stops the
action when it meets the first boundary. Then, begins the action from the next
boundary. When it meets inner boundary again, system takes turns of turning on
and turning off the painting action.
Solid>Circle
To draw filled-inside circles:
1. Choose the Draw>Solid>Circle command.
2. If there is an existing selection set, the command will try to execute on it, just
like Draw>Hatch>Selection command. Otherwise the operation is similar to the
Draw>Circle>Center-Side command: select a point as the center point and
another point as the side point. The solid circle is drawn.
3. Repeat step 2 as necessary until you are finished drawing filled-inside circles.
155
Solid>Pie
To draw filled-inside pies:
1. Choose the Draw>Solid>Pie command.
2. If there is a selection set with only one selected arc, this command will apply to
it. Otherwise select a point as the center point. A rubberband line appears,
moving with the cursor.
3. Select a second point along the circle. A rubberband pie appears, moving with
the cursor.
4. Select a third point to complete the pie. The solid pie is drawn.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as necessary until you are finished drawing pies.
Solid>Chord
To draw filled-inside chords:
2
3
1. Choose the Draw>Solid>Chord command.
2. If there is a selection set with only one selected arc, this command will apply to
it. Otherwise the operation is similar to the Draw>Arc>3-Pts(s,m,e) command:
select the beginning point, a point along the arc and the ending point. PrimeCAD
adds a boundary line from the starting point to the ending point to form a chord
and fill inside with the specified color.
3. Repeat step 2 as necessary until you are finished drawing chords.
156
Solid>Polygon
To draw filled-inside polygons:
2
4
3
5
1
1. Choose the Draw>Solid>Polygon command.
2. If there is an existing selection set, the command will try to execute on it, just
like Draw>Hatch>Selection command. Otherwise the operation is similar the
Draw>Polyline>Set Pts-Close command: Select three or more vertices. Each one
ends the previous segment and begins a new one. Press the right mouse button
to complete the polyline . The system connects the starting point with the last
vertex to form a polygon and fill inside with the specified color.
3. Repeat step 2 as necessary until you are finished drawing painted polygons.
Solid>Color Setup
To setup the filled-inside color:
1. Choose the Draw>Solid>Color Setup command. The Color Setup dialog box
appears.
You can choose the desired color in the Basic Color section or mix by yourself to
get the desired color. If you want to define your own color, select Define Custom
Color option button and move the (<) beside the color box up and down to mix
colors to get the desired color. When you move the (<), the values in the Hue,
Sat, Lum, Red, Green and Blue boxes change as follows and you can see the
color-mixed result in the sample box.
2. Change the current color settings.
3. Choose OK to accept the settings and close the dialog box.
157
Draw>Symbol
The Draw>Symbol command are used to create , place, edit, save and load
symbols. A symbol is a group of entities that is placed at a specified position as a
single entity. You can enlarge, shrink, stretch, rotate. or even mirror a placed
symbol. Before you can place symbols into the drawing or share them between
drawings, you need to define them first. Once a symbol is defined or created, it is
first saved in the symbol tables so that you can select and place it in the drawing
as many times as you want. Each symbol has a name associate with it. You
define a symbol by specifying a name, its base point, and probably some
description text about this symbol. If you want to share the defined symbol with
other drawings, you need to save it to disks as a symbol library (no just define it)
and then load it into other drawings.
Symbols are the powerful and efficient ways for creating something once and
using it many times within a drawing and for sharing between drawings. When a
symbol is placed in the drawing, you actually place a instance of this symbol.
Only the placed position , X and Y scales, rotation angle, and a point reference to
the original defined symbol are saved for each instance of the symbol. Using
symbols helps reduce the amount of memory used by your drawing. When you
load or create a symbol the drawing uses just as much memory as the original
entities that went into the symbol. However, each symbol placement uses only a
small amount of memory because it references the original symbol definition.
Because a placed symbol acts as a single basic entity, you cannot edit a single
entity inside the placed symbol. If you want to edit the entity, you need to explode
the placed symbol back to its composed entities. See Modify > Explode for more
information.
To provide the non-graphic information about a symbol, you need to define the
attributes in the form of text and include them in the symbol definition. When you
place a symbol in the drawing, PrimeCAD will prompt you to input the information
about this symbol according to its associated attributes. Later, if you need to
create Bill of Materials information for your drawing, or to exchange data with a
data base program, or a spreadsheet program, Attributes functions are the ones
that let you do this kind of things. For more information about attributes see
Draw>Attributes.
158
Symbols>Define
The Symbols>Define command is used to define an existing portion of the
drawing as a symbol. This command uses all the entities in the selection set to
create a symbol definition. Before you can select this command, you must make
a selection set.
To create a symbol definition:
1. Select the entities to be used in the definition. This selection set can contain
other placed symbols, since PrimeCAD allows you to create nested symbols .
2. Choose the Draw>Symbols>Define command. The Symbol Definition dialog

box appears.
3. Enter a name up to 20 characters for the symbol. Choose a name that will help
you or someone else identify the symbol without too much guesswork.
4. (optional) If you want to replace the selected entities with this symbol, check
the Replace Entities With This Symbol checkbox. It is like you delete the
selected entities and then place an instance of this defined symbol here.
5. Select a symbol base point by choosing one of the six option buttons:
• The lower left corner of the selection set.
• The top left corner of the selection set.
• The lower right corner of the selections set.
• The top right corner of the selection set.
• The center of the selection set.
• User Select option allows you to pick the basepoint in the drawing area after
selecting the OK button.
6. Enter a description of the symbol into the Description text box if you want. This
information helps you identifying the purpose of this symbol.
7. Choose OK.
8. If you chose the User Select option in the base point definition, you are now
be prompted to select the symbol base point. You may click anywhere in the
drawing to set the base point.
9. The symbol definition is saved to the symbol-table in memory.
At this point a new symbol definition has been created. If you checked the
Replace Entities With This Symbol checkbox, a symbol instance was placed in
the drawing. If not, no instances of the symbol exist and the selection set does
not become a symbol instance. The selection set remains as individual entities.
To replace the selection set with a symbol instance, delete the selection set and
then choose the Draw>Symbols>Place command to place a symbol instance.
You can check to see if your symbol was really defined by checking the symbol
159
list in the Symbol Placement dialog box. The names of all defined symbols are
added to the list as soon as they are defined, so if your symbol was defined, it
should appear on this list. Once a symbol is defined, it is available to this drawing
until it is deleted by the Draw>Symbol>Edit. When the drawing is saved, the
symbol definitions are saved within the drawing. But if you want to use the
symbol definitions in other drawing, you must save the definition to a disk file.
See the Draw>Symbols>Save command.
Symbols>Place
The Draw>Symbols>Place command is used to select and place a symbol into a
drawing at a specified location. This is done in much the same way that you
would place text or any simple entity. A placed symbol is a single entity. But
among many graphic properties assigned to an entity, only the Layer property is
meaning for a placed symbol. Other graphic properties, such as pen color, width,
and style, however, do not apply to the symbol as a whole. Instead, the symbol
entities retain their individual graphic properties. When you place a symbol, you
can enlarge, shrink, stretch, mirror, or rotate it.
To insert a symbol:
1. Choose the Draw>Symbols>Place command. The Symbol Placement dialog

box appears.
2. Select the name of the symbol from the drop-down list box. The Description
box displays the description of the symbol entered when you defined the symbol.
You could view the symbol in the Picture box when you selected through the
drop-down list box.
3. Select a method to place and resize the symbol among two option buttons:
• Set Point : Place the symbol by setting a reference point. You can modify the
rotation angle and scale of the symbol before placing it. Type the new rotation
degree in the Rotation box to rotate a symbol around its basepoint and/or type
the new X and Y scale factors in the X Scale box and the Y Scale box respect
to its base point. See the Explanation of the X and Y scale factors and
Rotation degree.
• Window : Place the symbol by selecting two opposite corners of a window.

The size of the window determines the size of the symbol. The symbol will not
be rotated.
4. Choose a placed reference point different from the original reference point if
needed. This will work only when you chose Set Point method to place the
symbol.
5. Choose the OK button.
6. If you chose the Set Point option, select a point in the drawing for the new
placement location. The symbol is placed with new rotation degree and scales
you specified.
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If you chose the Window option, the cursor changes its shape to prompt you
define a window. Select two points in opposite corners to define a rectangular
window. The symbol will be fitted in this windows as large as it can.
See Also
Graphic Properties
Explanation of X and Y scale factors and Rotation degree
Scale Factors: specifying the X and Y scale factors is the same as that in the
Modify>Transforms>Scale. The scale factors always apply to the original
definition and orientation. If the X scale factor is larger than the Y scale factor, the
symbol placement will be stretched horizontally. If the Y scale factor is larger, it
will be stretched vertically. Scale factors larger than 1 make symbols larger. For
example, if both X and Y scales are set at 2, symbols will be placed at twice their
normal sizes. Scale factors smaller than 1 make symbols smaller. For example, if
both the X and Y scale factors are 0.25, symbols will be one quarter their normal
sizes. At a scale factor of 1 for both X and Y, symbols will be placed at their
original sizes. To place mirror images of symbols, one of the scale factors should
be negative, depending on whether you want to mirror around a vertical or
horizontal line. To flip the symbol left to right, set the X scale to -1 and the Y scale
to 1. To flip the symbol top to bottom, set the X scale to 1 and the Y scale to -1.
Rotation degree: the specified rotation degree is used to rotate the symbol
around its basepoint like the operation of the Modify>Transforms>Rotate
command. When entering angles, the angle direction is determined by the current
angle orientation as defined in the Units of Measurement dialog box. The rotation
value can be anywhere between -360 and +360 degrees.
Symbols>Edit
The Draw>Symbols>Edit command allows you to change the name and
description of a symbol definition in the current drawing. When you choose the
Draw>Symbols>Edit command, the Symbol Change dialog box appears:
The dialog box displays a list of all the symbols defined in the drawing. After
selecting a symbol from the list box, its name will be displayed in the Name box,
and the Description will be filled in if the information exists. There are three
possible actions.
• Name: A Symbol Change dialog box displays after you choose this
command button. You can change the symbol name and description. Once
the information is correct, choose the OK button for all references to the
symbol within the drawing to be updated to the new symbol information. The
new name and description are attached to the symbol definition.
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• Attribute: An Attribute Edit dialog box displays after you choose this
button. You edit all attributes which associate with this symbol definition in this
dialog box. You can change the attribute name, the default attribute value, the
prompt text , and visible and prompt checkboxes. You select the attribute
definition you want to edit in the list box. The selected attribute will show up in
the edit boxes (Field, Value and Prompt) and also the corresponding
visible/prompt checkboxes. After you have made changes, press Change
button to confirm. If you like to change the font style for the selected attribute,
press Font button. After you have done, press Close.
• Delete: You can delete a symbol definition and all placements for the
selected symbol from the drawing file. Great care must be exercised in using
this command. It is for major editing purposes only, not for erasing individual
symbols. To erase individual symbols, use Erase on the Edit menu. Make
sure you are not going to need this symbol again in this drawing. Remember,
all existing placements of this symbol are going to be erased. The definition of
the symbol is removed from the drawing file and the name is removed from
the menu. If you remove a symbol in error you can use the Edit>Undo
command immediately to bring it back. The Delete command button does not
remove saved symbols from the symbol library of your hard disk, so if you
have saved the symbol you can still load it and use it in this, or other
drawings. To remove the file from your disk, delete it using the Windows File
Manager.
• Close: The Close command button will end the dialog box.
Symbols>Load
The Draw>Symbols>Load command is used to load previously stored symbols
from disk for use in the current drawing. This command does not actually place
the symbols anywhere in the drawing; it simply brings them into symbol-table of
the current drawing file for subsequent use with the Draw>Symbols>Place
command. All symbols that are loaded are available for placement in the current
drawing.
To load a symbol into the current drawing file:
1. Choose the Draw>Symbols>Load command. The Open Symbol Library

dialog box appears.
2. Type the name of the symbol you are looking for in the File Name box, or
select it from the list below. You can choose the Preview button to preview the
symbol you selected to make sure it is what you want.
3. Choose the OK button.
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Symbols that can not be found usually generate a message that indicates an
incorrect source drive or sub directory. Also, you should check for typing errors.
The symbol directory is defined in section [Paths] of PrimeCAD.INI.
Symbols>Save
The Draw>Symbols>Save command saves selected symbol definitions or all
symbol definitions to a symbol library on disk for use in other drawings. The
symbol will be stored in the default path defined in PrimeCAD.INI under a
specified file name, followed by the extension .SYM. An image file will be also
created with the extension BYM. This image file is the means of providing
Preview capability in Draw>Symbols>Load command. When you choose the
Draw>Symbols>Save command, the Save Symbols dialog box appears.
There are two option buttons to choose in the dialog box:
Save All Symbols: You can save all symbol definitions currently defined in the
drawing into the symbol library.
Save Selected Symbols: You can save one or more symbol definitions into the
symbol library.
Enter a file name in the File Name text box. The filename can be a maximum of
eight characters. The extension symbol file name in PrimeCAD is SYM. If the file
name you entered already exists, PrimeCAD displays a message box asking if
you want to overwrite the existing file. Choose Yes to overwrite the file or No to
enter another new name. Choose Cancel to return to Save Symbol dialog box.
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Draw>Attributes
The attributes command is mainly used to attach non-graphical information to

symbols. Before you can attach an attribute to a symbol definition, you must
define it first. Each attribute definition contains three parts: Name, Value and
Prompt, and also two flags: Visible and Prompt. When an attribute is defined and
placed in the drawing, it is just like a basic entity called “attribute definition” with
only the Name displayed. It acts more like the text entity at this point. You make
the attribute definition as part of the selection set and define this selection set as
a symbol definition. When a symbol with attribute definitions is placed in the
drawing, PrimeCAD will prompt you to enter the attribute value according to the
attribute definition settings
Attributes, like the text , can be placed using any color, any supported fonts and
rotated at a specified angle. Attributes can be displayed or hidden from the view.
You can also direct PrimeCAD to place the attributes without prompting you to
enter values.
Attributes can be exported for use in other programs. The current format support
is CSV (Comma Separated Values).
The Draw>Attributes cascading menu includes the following two commands:
• Define Attributes
• Export Attributes
Attributes>Define
The Draw>Attributes>Define command defines an attribute. After an attribute is
defined and placed in the drawing, you can make it a part of a symbol definition.
You can direct PrimeCAD to show/hide the attributes and also prompt the input
from the users.
To define an attribute:
1. Choose the Draw>Attribute>Define command. The Attribute Definition dialog

box shows up, which contains some edit boxes.
• Field: The Field is used as the name of attribute to distinguish from other
attributes. You can enter up to 80 characters in the Field.
• Value: The default value of this attribute.
• Prompt: The text string which will be presented to the user asking
information about this attribute.
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• Visible and Prompt: Checkboxes to turn on or turn off. If the Visible

checkbox is off, the attribute is hidden. If Prompt checkbox is off, the attribute
will just use the default value instead of asking users to input.
• Font: Set the font style for the attribute text .
2. Enter the attribute name, value and prompt string in the edit box and also set
the Visible and Prompt flags if necessary.
3. Choose OK. You will see a text box moving with the cursor. Place the text box
at the appropriate location. The attribute name is displaced. Visible and Prompt
checkboxes have no effect at this moment before the attribute is contained in a
symbol definition.
Attributes>Export
The Draw>Attributes>Export command can export attributes for use in other

programs. The current format support is CSV (Comma Separated Values).
To export attributes:
1. Choose the Draw>Attributes>Export command, The Attribute: Save As dialog

box shows up, which is similar to the File>Save As dialog box.
2. Type in any legal name in the File Name edit box and press OK.
3. The attributes are saved to the file with the CSV (Comma Separated Values)
format.
4. You can then load this file to other programs to do further processing.
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Modify Menu
After you have created your drawing, you will find out that you often need to
modify you drawing. PrimeCAD provides a number of enhanced editing
capabilities to allow you to modify a drawing in many ways. We place all these
capabilities in Modify Menu, including:
• Transforms
Translate
Rotate
Scale
Mirror
Align (Along the Axis)
Align Entity
• Trims
Corner
Extend
Edge
Fillet
Chamfer
Divide
• Stretch
• Join
• Move Point
• Explode
• Change
Some of the Modify commands perform on the selection set, such as Transforms
commands, Join, Move Point , Explode and Change. These commands are
grayed out if no selection set exists. The other commands like Trim and Stretch
prompt you to select entities after you choose the commands. If a Modify
command appears gray on the menu or does not execute from the toolboxes or
toolbars, make sure you have a valid selection set to act upon.
See Also
Selecting Entities
Edit>Select
Edit>Entity Filter
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Modify>Transforms
The Modify>Transforms commands let you move, scale, rotate, mirror and align
your drawing by applying a specific transformation command to the selection set.
All the functions in this sub-menu requires you to make the selection set first
before you execute the command. Many of these functions can also be
performed directly using the selection set handles. For more information about
modifying directly, see the "Direct Transformation" in Basic Operation.
When you select a command from this menu, a corresponding dialog box will
appear. In these corresponding dialog boxes, Leave Origin is an option
common to all except Align. When this option is checked, the entities in the
selection set will be left in their original locations and the transformation will be
applied on to a copy, creating additional entities. The newly created entities
become the new selection set. If this box is not checked, the transformation will
be applied to the original selection set without making any copy.
The drawing changes made by the Transforms command can be undone if a

mistake is made. Simply select Edit>Undo from the menu.
The Transforms sub -menu contains the following commands:
• Translate
• Rotate
• Scale
• Mirror
• Align (Along the Axis)
• Align Entities
Modify>Transforms>Translate
The Translate command allows you to move the selected entities a relative
distance defined by two points or by a distance value and a angle value.
To move selected entities from one location to another:
1
1. Select the entity or group of entities to move. The selection set is highlighted.
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2. Choose the Modify>Transforms>Translate command. The Translate dialog box

appears.
3. Choose a displacement method from the Translate dialog box. Turn on the
Leave Original checkbox if you want to move the selected entities and at the
same time leave a copy at the original place.
If the Pick two points option is chosen, after pressing OK button, you will be
prompted to select two points in the drawing as the "From" and "To" points. The
entities you have selected will be moved from their current location to the new
location according to the distance and direction defined by these two points.
If you choose Distance and Angle, enter a translating distance in Distance edit
box and angle in Angle edit box and, then, push OK button. The entities you have
selected will be moved from their current location to a new location according to
the distance and angle values you just entered.
See Also
Translating in the Direct Transformations Section
Modify>Transforms>Rotate
The Modify>Transforms>Rotate command allows you to rotate the selected

entities by specified angle respect to a specified reference point. When entering
angles, the angle direction is determined by the current angle orientation defined
in the Units of Measurement. For further information, see System>Units of
Measurement.
To rotate selected entities:
Enter Rotation
Angle
1. Select the entity or group of entities to rotate. The selection set is highlighted.
2. Choose the Modify>Transforms>Rotate command. The Rotation dialog box

appears.
3. Enter rotation angle in the Rotation Angle edit box. .
4. Turn on the Leave Original checkbox if you want to leave a copy in the original
place.
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5. Press OK button.
6. Locate a reference point. The selected entity set will be rotated by the
specified angle respect to the reference point.
Modify>Transforms>Scale
The Modify>Transforms>Scale command allows you to change the sizes of

selected entities respect to a specified reference point. You will be asked for the
X and Y scale factors and a reference point. The X scale factor determines the
relative entity size along the X axis respect to the reference point, and Y scale
factor determines the relative height of the entities respect to the reference point.
For example, if both X and Y scales are set at 2, entities will be re-scaled at twice
their prior sizes respect to a selected reference point. At a scale factor of 1 for
both X and Y, entities will be placed at their original sizes. To make a mirror
image of the selected entities, enter negative scale values. Negative X scale
factor will make a mirror image respect to the Y-axis across the reference point,
and negative Y scale value make a mirror image respect to the X-axis across the
reference point.
For Arc and Circle entities, only X-scale factor value is used. That means
Circles and Arcs do not stretch into elliptical shapes when the X and Y scale
factors are different. Circles and arcs will retain their circular shapes and be
redrawn based on the new locations of their construction points.
To scale the selected entities about a reference point:
Enter Scale
1
1. Select the entity or group of entities to move. The selection set is highlighted.
2. Choose the Modify>Transforms>Scale command. The Scale dialog box

appears.
3. Enter the X scale factor in the X-scale edit box and Y scale factor in the Y-
scale edit box.
4. Turn on the Leave Original checkbox if you want to leave a copy in the original
place.
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5. Push OK button.
6. Locate the scale reference point to which the scale transformation will refer.
The selected entities will be scaled by the specified value respect to the
selected reference point.
See Also
Scaling in the Direct Transformations Section
Modify>Transforms>Mirror
The Modify>Transform>Mirror command allows you to create mirror images of

selected entities respect to an axis or line you specified. This command is useful
when drawing anything symmetrical, as only half of the drawing needs to be
drawn. The Mirror command can then be used to create the other half.
You will be asked for a reference line as a "mirror line". This is the location of the
imaginary mirror that will produce the new entities. The reference line can be any
angle. After specifying the reference line, the selected entities will be mirrored.
To make a mirror image of selected entities:
1. Select the entity or group of entities to mirror. The selection set is highlighted.
2. Choose the Modify>Transforms>Mirror command. The Mirror dialog box

appears.
3. Turn on the Leave Original checkbox if you want to copy the transformation.
4. Press OK button.
5. Select the start point of the reference line about which the mirror
transformation is to be performed. A rubberband line will appear.
6. Select the end point of the reference line . The selected entities will be mirrored
respect to the reference line.
For PrimeCAD vector font characters and TrueType font characters, the
mirror images just look like the rotated text characters. To make real mirror
170
images for text characters, you need to explode them to polylines or painted
polygons then do mirroring. Also, for dimension entity, the extension and
dimension lines can be mirrored, but dimension texts will always be readable.
That is, the mirrored dimension texts just look like the rotated texts. If you want
true mirror images of dimension texts, explode them first using the
Modify>Explode command.
See Also
Mirroring in the Direct Transformations Section
Modify>Transforms>Align (Along the Axis)
The Align (Along the Axis) command aligns the selected entities along a new
axis, performing a translation and a rotation. This is accomplished by specifying
an original axis and a new axis. The distance from the first point of the original
axis to the first point of the new axis determines the relative displacement
distance to the selection set. The difference between the angle of the original axis
and the angle of the new axis determines the angle of rotation.
To align selected entities along a new axis:
1 2
1. Select the entity or group of entities to be aligned.
2. Choose the Modify>Transforms>Align(Along the Axis) command.
3. Select a point that defines the startpoint of the original axis. A rubberband line
displays the axis.
4. Select a point that defines the endpoint of the original axis. This axis sets the
basepoint and base angle for the transformation.
5. Select the new axis startpoint. A rubberband line displays the axis.
6. Select the new axis endpoint. The relative distance between the startpoints
determines the translation distance, while the relative angle between the axes
determines the angle for rotation. The selected entities will be translated the
relative distance and rotated the relative angle.
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Modify>Transform>Align Entity
The Align Entity command allows you to align a group of entities vertically or
horizontally respect to a specified entity.
To align selected entities with a specified entity:
1. Select the entity that you want to align other entities to.
2. Choose the Modify>Transforms>Align Entity command. The Align Option

dialog box appears.
The top three options are related to the horizontal alignment (bottom, center, and
top). The bottom three options are related to the vertical alignment (left, center,
and right).
3. Choose the alignment option you desire and press OK to close the dialog box.
The cursor prompts you to select entities to be aligned.
4. Select aligned-to-be entities. Press the right button to finish the selection.
5. All secondary selected entities are aligned to the first selected entity depending
on your alignment option.
Modify>Trims
The Modify>Trims commands are used to clean up and refine entities. These
commands allow you to clean up entity intersections, create exact corners, add
rounded and beveled corners, and divide entities.
After you choose any command from the Trims sub-menu, PrimeCAD will prompt
you to select the appropriate entities you want to trim. When you choose the
Trims commands, if there is a selection set exists, the selection set will be clear.
Generally speaking, when trimming between entities or trimming one entity

against the other entity, the ends which you specify on the entities are always he
ends you want to keep (if the entities you trim are meant to be shortened) or to
extend (if the entities you trim are meant to extended). Also it is often possible for
more than one intersection to occur between entities To eliminate unexpected
results, you should select the entities as close as possible to the actual
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intersection point and also adjust the selection sensibility in the

System>Preferences dialog box whenever necessary.
The drawing changes made by the Trims command can be undone if a mistake is
made. Simply select Edit>Undo from the menu.
The Modify>Trims sub-menu contains the following commands:
• Corner
• Extend
• Edge
• Fillet
• Chamfer
• Divide
Modify>Trims>Corner
The Modify>Trims>Corner command trims a line , arc, or elliptical arc to the point
of intersection with another line, arc, circle , ellipse, elliptical arc, or marker, so
they meet precisely at a corner. The trimmed lines are maintained at its original
angle and is extended or shortened to meet the other entity.
To form a corner between two entities:
1 2
1 2
1. Choose the Modify>Trims>Corner command.
2. Select the end of the first entity (line , arc, or elliptical arc) which you want to
trim.
3. Select the end of the second entity which you want to trim. If the entity you
select is a circle or marker, it does not matter how you select it. The selected
entities will be trimmed to form a corner if possible. If the second selected entity
is a circle or marker, the first selected entity will extend or shorten to meet the
circle or marker.
4. Repeat step 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished trimming.
5. Click the right mouse button or press the Escape key to exit the command.
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Modify>Trims>Extend
The Modify>Trims>Extend command trims a line or arc so that its endpoint is

precisely on its intersection with another entity (line, arc, circle, ellipse, elliptical
arc or marker). This command will not affect the second selected entity because
it only serves as trimming edge.
To extend or shorten a line, arc or elliptical arc to another:
2
1
2
1
1. Choose the Modify>Trims>Extend command.
2. Select the end of a line or arc which you want to trim.
3. Select the second entity. The first selected entity will then be trimmed (either
extend or shorten) to the second one.
4. Repeat step 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished trimming.
If two entities do not meet when one of them has been extended,
PrimeCAD will extend the first entity to the point where they would intersect if the
second entity was longer.
1 2
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Modify>Trims>Edge
The Modify>Trims>Edge command trims a series of lines and/or arcs with

another entity (line, arc ,circle , ellipse, elliptical arc, and marker). This is similar to
the Extend command, except you trim several entities at once. The selected
entities can be either extended or shortened to meet with the trimming entity.
To trim multiple entities against a single entity:
4
1
5
2 3
1. Choose the Modify>Trims>Edge command.
2. Select the ends of all entities which you want to extend or shorten.
3. Press right mouse button to complete selecting trimmed entities.
4. Press left button to select the edge, the entity that you want to trim the other
entities to. All the entities selected in step 2 will be trimmed to the edge.
Modify>Trims>Fillet
The Modify>Trims>Fillet command trims or extends two non-parallel lines, arcs,

and/or circles, creating a rounded corner at the intersection point by adding an
arc of a specified radius. The Fillet command automatically uses the graphic
properties of the second entity you pick as the ones of the newly created arc.
To round off the intersection of two entities:
1 2
1. Choose the Modify>Trims>Fillet command.
2. Select the first entity by selecting it on the portion you want to keep.
3. Select the second entity, again, on the portion you want to keep. The Fillet
Radius dialog box appears to prompt you to enter the fillet radius.
4. Enter the desired size of fillet radius. Then, choose the OK button.
The two entities will be trimmed or extended as required, and the filleted arc is
inserted.
175
5. Repeat step 2, 3 and 4, as necessary until you are finished filleting corners.
If the fillet radius is set to zero, this command will have the effect of a Corner
command, trimming and extending each of the two entities until they meet each
other. If the fillet radius is set too large, the command has no effect on these two
entities.
See Also
Graphic Properties
Modify>Trims>Chamfer
The Modify>Trims>Chamfer command is very similar to the Modify>Trims>Fillet

command, except that instead of an arc, another line is inserted at the
intersection of two existing non-parallel lines to give the effect of a cutting -off
corner, or bevel. The distances from the intersection of the two lines to the point
where each line is to be chamfered, is set by the Distance dialog box. The
Chamfer command automatically uses the graphic properties of the second line
you pick as the ones of the newly created line.
To chamfer or bevel the intersection of two lines:
1 2
1. Choose the Modify>Trims>Chamfer command.
2. Press left b utton to select the first line to chamfer, near the intersection to be
trimmed on the portion you want to keep.
3. Press left button to select the second entity, again, near the intersection to be
trimmed on the portion you want to keep. The Chamfer Distance dialog box
appears to prompt you to enter the chamfer distances. As the Chamfer command
works with two lines, two specified distances are needed, one for each line.
4. Enter the desired chamfer distances for each line. Then, choose the OK
button. The two lines will be trimmed or extended as required to fit a third line into
the corner between the two you have selected.
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5. Repeat step 2, 3 and 4, as necessary until you are finished chamfering

corners.
If the chamfer distance is set to zero, this command will have the effect of
a Corner command, trimming and extending each of the two lines until they meet
each other.
See Also
Graphic Properties
Modify>Trims>Divide
The Modify>Trims>Divide command is used to separate an entity or entities into

multiple pieces at their intersection points. This command allows you to pick any
combination of lines, arcs, or circles, and generate new lines, and/or arcs based
on the intersection point of the selected entities. The following results are
possible in this command:
• One line is divided into two lines with new end points at their intersection.
• One arc is divided into two arcs with new end points at their intersection.
• In any divide operation involving a circle, the circle will be converted to a single
arc, with its starting and ending points at the intersection nearest to the point
selected. The arc can then be modified using other Trims commands.
To separate an entity into multiple entities:
Line Line
1
Line
2
Line Line
Arc Arc
2
Line Line
1
Arc
1. Choose the Modify>Trims>Divide command.
2. Select a line, arc or circle which you want to be divided.
3. Select the intersecting entity. The first selected entity will be divided.
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4. Repeat step 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished dividing entities.
After a "divide" has been performed, you do not probably see any changes in the
selected entity. However you can select the newly divided entities individually or
the Inquires>Entity List to verify the operation was performed correctly.
Modify>Stretch
The Modify>Stretch command allows you to stretch the selected entities within
the specified rectangular window by a relative distance. A stretch window is a
rectangle defined by two points in opposite corners. Only the points within the
window are stretched. For example, given a line with only one of its endpoints
within the stretch window, the point outside of the window remains anchored
while the point inside the window moves the relative distance and angle
designated. This causes the line to lengthen shorten or rotate depending on the
relative distance and direction specified. In the case all the endpoints on a
selected entity are inside the stretch window, all the endpoints will be moved, so
the entity is translated not stretched, but remains unchanged in length and
angle.
To stretch entities within a specified window:
1. Choose the Modify>Stretch command. The cursor shape is changed to prompt

you to define a window.
2. Define the stretching window by setting two points in opposite corners of a

rectangle around the entities you want to stretch.
3. Select a point to be the start point of moving vector of the transformation.
4. Select a point to be the endpoint of moving vector of the transformation.

PrimeCAD uses this point to calculate the relative distance and direction from the
startpoint.
5. The entities inside the defined window will be stretched from their current
location according to the distance and direction defined by the moving vector.
178
6. Repeat step 2 to 5 as necessary until you are finished stretching entities.
Some entities, like circle , arc, text and symbol will not be stretched, instead
they are moved just like the command Modify>Transforms>Translate.
Modify>Join
The Modify>Join command allows you to join all the selected lines and/or
polylines into one or more new polylines. Before you can select this command, a
group of selected entities must have been made. For information on selection,
see the Edit>Select command. The Join command will try to join the whole
selection into one single new polyline if possible. If the selection cannot be joined
into one single polyline, multiples new polylines will be created, and each of new
polylines will consist of as many selected lines/polylines as possible.
To join lines/polylines as one or more polylines:
Line Line
Line Line Polyline
1. Make a selection set which consists of lines and/or polylines.
2. Choose the Modify>Join command.
3. All the selected lines and/or polylines will be joined into a single polyline if
possible, or several polylines if it needs to do so. You can use the Inquire>Entity
List command to verify the result. If you are unsatisfied with the result, select
Edit>Undo to undo the Modify>Join command.
Modify>Move Point
When you select Modify>Move Point command, the control points on the selected
entity will be shown. You can move the control points to change the shape of an
entity, or add control points to an entity if it is a polyline, curve, hatch or painted
polygon. For most entities, you can use this command to change their sizes
and/or shapes. You can use snap input modes to move points or specify the
location for new- added control points.
. The basic steps to move a control point on a selected entity are:
1. Select the entity which you want to change its shape, size or location.
179
2. Choose the Modify>Move Point command. The selected entity is highlighted

and the control points on it are represented by the marker ( ). When you move
the cursor to the control points, the cursor changes its shape to indicate that you
can move this control point.
3. Select the point you want to move, press down the left mouse button and drag
the point to the new location. If you want to add points on the outlines of some
specific entities, like polylines, hatches, curves and painted polygons, move the
cursor to the outline and drag the outline to the new location. A new point is
added on the entity at the new location specified.
Please see Illustrated Control Point of Each Entity for the pictures showing the
control points which you can move on each type of entity.
Illustrated Control Point of Each Entity

When you use the Modify>Move Point command, the control points on each type
of entities will be shown as below:
• Line:
• Arc, Painted Pie, Painted Chord, Hatch Arc
• Circle, Painted Circle, Hatch Circle
• Ellipse
• Polyline, Painted Polygon, Hatch Polyline, Curve
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For the polyline-type entities, moving a point will affect both of the lines that share
that end point. Another feature of the Move Point command on Polyline-type
entities is that you can add points to the entities by dragging a outline segment to
a new location. See the fo llowing pictures.
• Marker
You can move the endpoint of a marker, but you cannot change its size or shape.
• Text
ME C
RI A
D
P
PrimeCAD
Characters entered with the Text>Starting Pt and Text>Aligned commands have
four movable points at the corners of text string box. You can move any one to
adjust the size of the text . If the text is entered by the Text>Arc command, the
Move Point command treats the text as an arc, that is, there are three points you
can move, one at each end and one on the center of the bulge of the arc.
• Symbol
Symbol
Only the reference point of a symbol can be moved. If the symbol you are moving
has an attribute attached to it, the attribute will not be moved. To move both a
symbol and an attached attribute, use the Modify>Transforms>Translate
command.
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• Attributes
MODEL
Though there are no visible points on an attribute to pick, you may still use Move
Point to re-position it. Very similar to a text line, you may select an attribute by
picking or snapping to the lower left corner of the first character.
• Dimensions
Dimensions have different number of control points depending on which kind of

dimensions you specify. Linear Dimensions and Ordinate Dimensions have five
points. Two for each extension line and one for dimension text. Radial
Dimensions and Angular Dimensions have only one moving point for the
dimension text. In Leader Dimensions, text string and leader are separate
entities. The text string has four moving points just like the regular text string. The
leader is actually a marker, so Move Point treats it as such.
Modify>Explode
The Modify>Explode command will break up an entity into the lesser elements so
that you can edit or modify its individual components. The result of an explode
operation depends on the entity being exploded. The allowable explosions are:
• Symbols into their individual entity parts

• Dimensions into lines, markers and texts
• Text Blocks into strings
• Text Strings into characters
• Text Characters into polylines
• Hatches and Polylines into lines
• Arcs and Circles into polylines or arcs
• Curves into polylines
• Solid entities into non-solid entities
Elements from exploded entities will stay on the same graphic properties as the
original ones. An Explode command can only explode a symbol to its previous
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base entities. If a symbol includes other symbols (a nested symbol), you probably
need to explode that symbol several times before it completes returning to its
most basic entities.
Explosion is one level at a time. For example, if you want to explode a block of
text into separate line segments, you need to explode this text block into strings
first; select all the text strings and explode them into characters; select all
characters and explode them into polylines; select all the polylines and explode
them into lines.
To explode an entity into basic segments:
1. Select the entity or group of entities to explode. The selection set is

highlighted.
2. Choose the Modify>Explode command. The Explode dialog box appears.
3. Check on the types of entities you want to be exploded. If you select to

explode Circles or Arcs into arcs or polylines; and/or Curves into polylines,
specify the desired number of segments to use in the Segments boxes.
4. Choose the OK button. The selected entities are exploded.
After an explode has been performed, no visual change in the entities is

apparent. However you can select the newly exploded entities individually or
choose the Inquire>Entity List to verify the operation was perform correctly. If you
are unsatisfied with the e xplosion, choose Edit>Undo to return to the previous
status.
Modify>Change
The Modify>Change command is used to change certain characteristics of

drawing entities. You select a entity or a group of entities first, then choose the
Modify>Change command. You can also use the mouse left button to double -
click on the selected entity/entities to execute Change command. Depending on
what type of entity/entities you select, a corresponding dialog box appears to let
you change the properties of the selected entity/entities.
If a single entity is selected, the corresponding Change dialog box of each entity
type is shown. Only those characteristics that can be changed for a specific entity
will be shown or enabled in the dialog boxes.
If the "Properties" button in the dialog box is enabled, you can press the button.
A Properties dialog box appears.
If the selection includes more than one entity, when you double-click on the
selection, the Properties dialog box appears. You can change Pen properties in
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the dialog box. The changes you make in the Properties dialog box may not
apply to all the selected entities. For example, the marker entity has no Pen Style
property; if you make change to Pen Style, it will not affect the marker entity at all.
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Inquires Menu
The commands on the Inquires menu provide you the following information:
• Coordinate
• Area and Perimeter
• 2Pt Angle
• 3Pt Angle
• Distance and Length
• Entity drawing property information such as entity geometry, pen color, pen
style, pen width, layer name and so on.
• Entity count list
Inquires>Coordinate
The Coordinate command displays the coordinate information of a selected point.

Generally, a point has two types of coordinate information: the world coordinates
and the sheet coordinates. The world coordinates are the horizontal and vertical
distances, respectively, from the drawing origin (0,0) to the specified point. The
sheet coordinates of a point are the horizontal and vertical distances,
respectively,
from the lower left corner of the sheet on printed or screen output. World and
sheet coordinates are identical when the drawing scale is 1 :1 and the drawing
origin is located at the lower left corner of the sheet.
To display the coordinates of a point:
1. Choose the Inquires>Coordinate command.
2. Select a point in the drawing. You may use any of the Snap Input Mode (for
information about snap input mode, refer to the System>Snap Modecommand) to
help locating the point. A dialog box with coordinate information appears.
3. When you finish examining the coordinates, choose OK to continue executing

the Coordinate command.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to inspect other point coordinate information.
The coordinates displayed in the Coordinate dialog box are expressed in the
current units of length. This is controlled by the Linear setting in the Units of
Measurement dialog box. To access this dialog box, choose the System>Units of
Measurement command.
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Inquires>Area/Perimeter
The Area/Perimeter command displays the number of points, the area, and the
perimeter of an irregular polygon. The operation of this command just likes the
command Draw>Polyline>Set Pts-Close. You draw a closed polyline, that is a
polygon. The drawn polygon does not really become a part of the drawing. It is
drawn only to specify an area for calculation. If the first and last point are not in
the same location, an imaginary line will connect those two points to close the
shape and then the system calculates the area and perimeter of this close shape.
If you want to know the area or perimeter of an existing close entity in a drawing
such as circle, polygon, and rectangle, you have to choose the Inquires>Entity
Info command.
The area displayed is expressed in the current units of area, which is controlled
by the Area setting in the Units of Measurement dialog box. To access this dialog
box, choose the System>Units of Measurement command.
To display the area and perimeter of a temporary polygon:
1. Choose the Inquires>Area/Perimeter command.
2. Select the vertices for the polygon using any combination of snap and
constraint modes. (Information on these in the System>Snap Modecommand).
Rubberband lines follow the cursor to indicate the shape of the temporary
polygon.
3. Click the right mouse button to finish the polygon. The Area/Perimeter dialog
box appears, displaying the number of vertex points, the area, and the perimeter
of the specified irregular polygon.
4. When you finish examining the polygon's area and perimeter, choose OK to
continue executing the Area/Perimeter command.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 as necessary.
6. Click the right mouse button press the Escape key to exit the command.
Inquires>2Pts Angle
The angle defined by two points is measured, based on a zero angle being
directly to the right of the first point, counterclockwise to the line defined by these
two points if you set the counterclockwise direction is positive. If you set the
clockwise direction is positive, the angle measured is based on a zero angle
being directly to the upside of the first point, clockwise to the line defined by two
points.
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The angle is expressed in the current angle unit which is controlled by the Angle
setting in the Units of Measurement dialog box. See the System>Units of
Measurement command. You may use Snap Input Mode to select these two
points.
To display an angle defined by two points:
1. Choose the Inquires>2Pt Angle command.
2. Select a point at the base of the angle.
3. Select the ending point. The 2 PT Angle and XY Delta dialog box appears,
displaying the angular information of the second point with respect to the first.
4. When you finish examining the angle, choose OK to continue executing the
2Pt Angle command.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as necessary.
Inquires>3Pts Angle
The angle defined by 3 points just likes the angle defined by an arc. The first
point entered defines the center of the arc. The next two points entered define
the starting point and the ending point of this arc. You may use Snap Input Mode
to input these three points.
The angle displayed is always positive in this command. If you want to know
the angle of an existing arc entity in a drawing, you have to choose the
Inquires>Entity Info command.
To display an angle defined by three points:
1. Choose the Inquires>3Pts Angle command.
2. Select a point for the center of the arc.
3. Select the beginning point of the arc. A rubberband arc appears to mark the
temporary angle. Note that the angle is always positive counterclockwise.
4. Enter the ending point. The 3 PT Angle dialog box appears, displaying the
angular information.
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5. When you finish examining the angle, choose OK to continue executing the 3 -
pt Angle command.
6. Repeat steps 2, 3, 4, and 5 as necessary.
Inquires>Distance
The Inquires>Distance command displays a linear distance based on two or more

input points. Basically you are drawing a temporary line or lines to show the
distance you want. You may use Snap Input Mode to enter these points. The
distance displayed is expressed in the current units of length, which is controlled
by the Linear setting in the Units of Measurement dialog box. To access this
dialog box, choose the System>Units of Measurement command.
To display the distance between two points:
1. Choose the Inquires>Distance command.
2. Select a point. A rubberband line appears beginning at the selected point.
3. Select an additional point or more. A polyline is drawn between the selected

points.
4. Click the right button to discontinue selecting points, and the Distance dialog
box appears, displa ying the number of points and distance between the points.
5. When you finish examining the distance, choose OK to continue executing the
command.
6. Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 as necessary until you are finished examining

distances.
7. Click the right mouse button or press Escape key to exit the command.
Inquires>Entity Info
The Inquires>Entity Info command displays the entity geometry, layer, pen,
enclosed area, perimeter, and any other related information for a specific entity.
When you choose the Inquires>Entity Info command, if there is an existing
selection entity, a dialog box immediate appears with information on the selected
entity; otherwise, PrimeCAD prompts you to select the entity you want to
investigate. The numerical information is formatted in the current units of
measurement specified under the System>Units of Measurement command .
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To display information on an entity:
1. Select the Inquires>Entity Info command. If there is an entity selected, the

Entity Information dialog box immediately appears, listing information on the
selected entity; otherwise PrimeCAD prompts you to select the entity you want to
investigate.
2. Select on the entity. The Entity Information dialog box appears.
3. Press OK to examine more entities.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until you are finished examining entity
information.
5. Click the right mouse button or press Escape key to exit the command.
Inquires>Entity List
This command is used to display the amount of each entity type in the drawing
To display the amount of each entity type in the drawing:
1. Choose the Inquires>Entity List command. The Entity List dialog box appears,
listing the amount of each entity type in the drawing.
2. When you finish examining the total list, choose OK.
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Tools Menu
The commands in this menu let you show/hide tools (ribbon, toolbars, toolboxes,
status bar, and rulers), edit the tool bar, and run the PrimeCAD Basic macro
language.
The commands in the Tools menu include:
• Tools Display
• Toolbar Editing
• Macro
Tools>Tools Display
The Tools>Tools Display command allows you to control the visibility of optional
user interface components. You can control which tools are displayed on your
workspace. The displaying setting you set with this command takes effect
immediately and remain in effect through the current drawing session and future
sessions, until you change them. When you choose the Tools Display command,
PrimeCAD displays a dialog box, including the following checkbox:
• Ribbon
• Status Bar
• Toolboxes
• Toolbars
• Rulers
The toolbox is a floating command-palette which you can move around. The
Toolbars allow you to choose its location either at the left side or right side of the
screen.
To display or hide the tools:
1. Choose the Tools>Tools Display command. The Tools Display dialog box
appears:
2. Change settings in the dialog box as necessary.
3. Choose OK to accept the settings or Cancel to exit the command.
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Tool Box
The toolbox is the movable window that appears in the left side of the drawing
area when you start PrimeCAD. Each tool in the toolbox represents a specific
menu command. Because there are many more tools than can be displayed at
once, the tools are divided into 20 sets, with only one tool from each set visible at
a time. The visible tool is the one most recently chosen.
Clicking on a tool in the toolbox is the same as choosing the equivalent command
from the menu bar. For instance, if you choose the Draw>Line>Individual
command from the menu or type "Alt+D,L,S" from the keyboard, the
Draw>Line>Individual tool is chosen in the toolbox. When you click on a tool, it
becomes current and appears as a shaded or "pressed" button. The remaining
tools appear as normal buttons. To choose a tool, click on its toolset. If the tool
you want is not visible, hold the mouse button down for a moment. When the
pop-out for the toolset appears, drag the cursor to the tool you want and release
the button. The tool is chosen. If you do not recall the meaning of a tool, click on
it and hold the mouse button down. As you drag across the pop-out, a description
of the command by the tool appears in the message area at the bottom of the
screen.
The toolboxes are divided into 20 sets. They are:
Left Side
• File commands
• Edit commands
• Transforms commands
• Modify commands
• Line commands
• Arc commands
• Circle commands
• Polyline commands
• Curve commands
• System commands
Right Side
• View commands
• Copy Entity commands
• Trims commands
• Marker commands
• Dimension commands
• Hatches commands
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• Text commands
• Solid commands
• Symbol commands
• Inquire commands
See Also
Tool Boxes in the User Interface
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Ribbon
The ribbon appears just below the menu bar. It is the primary means by which
you specify the drawing graphic properties (layer, pen color, pen style , pen width,
pen style scale). If any entities are selected when you make a change on the
ribbon for the default graphic properties, PrimeCAD will prompt you whether or
not you want to update the graphic properties of the selected entities with the
new setting. If you use the ribbon to change the color, style, or width of selected
entities, the new properties will not display until the selected entities are
deselected. This is because selection highlighting overrides the actual pen
settings.
Layer - The layer control allows you to change the current layer and/or to move
selected entities to a new layer. To choose a layer, click on the arrow at the right
end of the drop-down list box titled "Layer", then click on the name of a layer from
the list that appears. For information on creating, changing and deleting layers,
refer to the discussion of the System>Layer Control command. A quick way to
access the Layer Control dialog box is to click on the Layer button. This action
has the same effect as choosing the System>Layer Control command.
Pen - Next to Layer is the Pen setting box. When you click on the Pen setting
box, the Pen setting dialog box appears. For more information about Pen setting
see System>Pen Setup.
Snap Input Mode - Next to Pen setting box is the Snap Input Mode drop-down
list box.
Sheet - This checkbox allows you to show/hide the sheet.
Grid - This checkbox allows you to show/hide grid dots a nd grid reference lines
on the drawing area.
Next to Grid checkbox is a series of command buttons that you can customize.
See PrimeCAD.INI.
See Also
Ribbon in the User Interface

Layers
Pen section in Concept
Snap Input Modes
Explanation of 9 kinds of snap input modes
System>Snap Mode
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Status Bar
The Status Bar displays brief information about the currently selected command
or the current state of the PrimeCAD drawing area. At the right side of status bar
is the coordinate displaying area. You can input coordinate by keyboard in this
area, and also change coordinate displaying mode. See Keyboard Input Modes
section in Basic Operation.
See Also
Status Bar in the User Interface section
Rulers
The rulers show the real-world size represented by the current view in your
drawing area. You can hide the rulers if you need more drawing area and show
them again as needed. Rulers appear along the top and left side of the drawing
area. The unit on the rulers is Inch in Imperial system and Millimeter in Metric
system. As you use the Zoom tools to zoom in and zoom out of your drawings,
the marks on the rulers expand and contract to reflect to current view.
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Tools>Toolbar Editing
The Tools>Toolbar Editing command allows you to customize the toolbar, so that
it contains buttons for the commands you use most often. You can add, move
and delete buttons from the toolbar. The toolbar setting you set with this
command takes effect immediately and remain in effect through the current
drawing session and future sessions, until you change them.
To add a command to the toolbar:
1. Choose the Tools>Toolbar Editing command. The Toolbar Edit dialog box
appears:
2. select the Add Buttons option.
3. Choose OK. The cursor shape is changed to prompt you to select and add a
command to the toolbar.
4. Choose the command you want to add to the toolbar. The command tool icon
is added to the bottom of the toolbar.
5. Repeat step 4 as necessary until you are finished adding commands to the
toolbar.
6. Click right mouse button or the ESC key to exit the command.
To exchange button positions in the toolbar:
appears.
2. select the Move Buttons option.
3. Choose OK. The cursor shape is changed to prompt you to select a butto n to
move in the toolbar.
4. Select the button you want to move, press down the left mouse button, and
drag this button to the desired place.
5. Release the mouse left button. This dragged button is swapped with the button
at this position.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each button you want to change its position.
To delete a command button from the toolbar:
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appears.
2. select the Delete Buttons option.
3. Choose OK. The cursor shape is changed to prompt you to delete a button
from the toolbar.
4. Select the button you want to delete. This button is deleted from the toolbar.
5. Repeat step 4 for each button you want to delete.
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Tools>Macro
When you select this command, a dialog box like File Open comes out. You can
execute the macro by double-clicking on the macro file name in the list box or
type the macro name (with full path if necessary) in the edit box and press OK
button. The macro file extension is PBL (PrimeCAD Basic Language). As for how
to write a macro for PrimeCAD, refer to Macro Language User Manual.
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System>Sheet
The System>Sheet command allows you to define the size of the sheet which is
displayed in the drawing area. The sheet represents the anticipated drawing
limits. You had better set the size of the sheet before you set the other drawing
parameters The size of the sheet is not limited to the size of the paper in your
printer/plotter. It can be smaller or larger. If it is larger than the page currently
defined in the Printer Setup dialog box, scaled output is tiled onto multiple
pages. The screen sheet size matches with the printer/plotter paper size and
orientation at startup, and each time you choose the File>New command. When
you choose View>Limits command, the screen sheet is best fitted in the drawing
area.
The settings take effect as soon as you choose OK. You can see the sheet on
your screen change to the size and orientation you selected.
To define the size of the sheet on screen:
1. Choose the System>Sheet command. The Sheet dialog box appears, which is
divided into several sections.
Size - There are two sizing methods to choose from: Standard and Custom. For
Standard size choose a standard U.S. or metric sheet size from the drop-down
list box. For Custom size enter the desired sheet width and height.
Orientation - When you choose a sheet size from the Standard drop-down list
box, choose an orientation as well. Portrait orientation means vertical. Reader
holds page with short edge at top. Landscape orientation indicates that the long
side of the paper is to be at the top of the drawing.
Show Sheet - This checkbox controls the visibility of the sheet.
Show Tile - If the defined drawing sheet is larger than the page currently defined
in the Printer Setup dialog box, scaled output is tiled onto multiple pages
(according to the Print Range option in the Print dialog box). If you would like to
see the tiling situation on the screen, you must turn on the Show Tile checkbox
here.
2. Change the settings in the dialog box as necessary.
3. Choose OK to accept the settings or Cancel to return to the original setting.
See Also
Sheet in the Fundamental Part
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System>Units of Measurement
The System>Units of Measurement command allows you to specify the units of

measurement used in dimension, inquiries, dialog boxes and so on. It has no
effect on how you input the numerical data. It only establishes a default unit for
each type of measurement. In PrimeCAD, there are three types of measurement:
Length, Angle and Area. When PrimeCAD display units, it displays in the unit and
format which you specify here. Also when you input numerical values without
providing the unit, PrimeCAD assumes that the default unit is used. For example,
when you input 2.5, PrimeCAD assumes it is 2.5 " if the current default is Inch, or
2.5 cm if the current default unit is Centimeter. In Units of Measurements, you
can also specify the precision of numerical values. PrimeCAD allows you to
specify the precision of number up to 6 decimal digits and fraction up to 1/128.
To set units for the current drawing:
1. Choose the System>Units of Measurement command. The Unit dialog box

appears, which contains three sections.
2. Change settings in the dialog box as necessary.
3. Choose OK to accept the settings or Cancel to return to the original setting.
See Also
Units of Measurement in the Fundamental Part
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Units Of Measurement Dialog Box
When you choose the System>Units of Measurement command. The Unit dialog
box appears, which contains three sections:
Linear - The first drop-down list box in this section allows you to specify the
default unit for linear measurements. This includes coordinates, lengths, sizes,
and so on. Nine options are available: Inches, Feet, Feet and inches, Inches and
fraction, Feet and fraction, Feet-Inches and fraction, Meters, Centimeters, and
Millimeters. The Precision drop-down list box allows you to specify the precision
at which linear measurements are displayed and printed. The list of precision
setting depends on the measurement system you chose displaying decimal
fraction or just fraction. They have no effect on internal precision. The Format
drop-down list box allows you to specify the format at which linear measurements
are displayed and printed.
Area - The first drop-down list box in this section allows you to specify the default
unit of measurement for area. Eight options are available: Square inches, Square
feet, Square Yard, Acres, Square millimeters, Square centimeters, Square
meters, and Hectares. The Precision drop-down list box allows you to specify
the precision at which area measurements are displayed and printed. It has not
effect on internal precision.
Angular - The first drop-down list box in this section allows you to specify the
default unit for angular measurements. Four options are available: Degrees,
Minutes, Degree-Minute-Second, and Radians. The Precision drop-down list box
allows you to specify the precision at which angular measurements are displayed
and printed. It has no effect on internal precision. The Format drop-down list box
allows you to specify the format at which angular measurements are displayed
and printed. The Orientation drop-down list box allows you to switch between
counterclockwise and clockwise rotation angles. When counterclockwise angles
are used, positive rotation is counterclockwise and zero degrees is at the three
o'clock (X-axis) position. When clockwise angles are used, positive rotation is
clockwise and zero degrees is at the twelve o'clock (Y-axis) position.
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System>Grid/Reference Line
Grid dots and reference line are used to help you precisely locate the position
you want on the screen. Use this option with Grid Point in Snap Input Mode to get
the best result.
The System>Grid/Reference Line command allows you to specify the distance

between grid dots and grid lines. The grid dot intervals are based on the real
distance; the reference line interval is based on dot-unit. The lines and dots
provide a visual reference only. They do not affect drawing. The horizontal and
vertical settings for the grid can be specified separately, and you can also specify
the base point and rotation angle for the grid dots when necessary.
To define the reference grid:
1. Choose the System>Grid/Reference Line command. The Grid dialog box

appears.
2. In the Dot Interval section, select the desired color from the drop-down list box
for the grid dot. Then, in the X-Start and Y-Start boxes, enter a base point to set
the starting point for the grid dots. If you do not enter any coordinates, the system
supposes that you want the grid dots drawn from the origin (0,0). Then, enter the
distance between each dot for the X and Y directions. The distance determines
how far apart the dots of the grid will be. If you want the grid dots displayed,
check the Show Grid Dot checkbox. If either spacing (X or Y) is set to zero, the
grid cannot be used or displayed. The rotation angle is set between +180
degrees and -180 degrees.
3. In the Line Interval section, select the desired color from the drop-down list
box for the grid reference line . Then, enter the distance between each line for the
X and Y directions. The distance is based on the grid dot-unit. For example, if you
set the reference line interval as 2 grid dot-units, it displays the grid reference line
every other grid dot. If you enter 10, reference line appears at every tenth dot
starting from the grid base point, and so on. If you want the grid lines displayed,
check the Show Grid Line checkbox.
If the drawing sheet is displayed on the screen, the grid dots and reference
lines will only be filled with the sheet. If not, they will be filled with the whole
workspace.
The new grid dot/reference lines will be displayed according to your settings.
Sometimes you might not see the grid even if you turn on the Show Grid Dot
checkbox. For example, if you set the spacing between each dot is 12" and your
zoom value is very large, you may not see the grid dot/reference lines, because
you are viewing at an area that is smaller than one foot square. The other case
which the grid dot/reference lines will not show is that the spacing between dots
201
is too small. If the spacing between each dot is smaller than 10 pixels , you will
not see the grid dot/reference lines.
202
System>Snap Mode
The System>Snap Mode command allows you to control the way points are
selected on the screen. You do not need to pick an exact location but instead
describe the location with a mouse click. PrimeCAD then snaps the cursor to the
exact location, which make your drawings precise and accurate. Using snap
modes ensures that points, lines and entities meet mathematically precisely,
instead of just looking like they do. More, you can check the Constraint On box
in the dialog box to provide a level of control beyond that afforded by the snap
modes. They allow you to modify the coordinates of a point by locking it into
horizontal, vertical, or normal (perpendicular) alignment with the previous point or
line.
In PrimeCAD, there are two ways to apply the snap input mode. One is local
snap, and the other is global snap. The snap mode you specify in the
System>Snap Mode is global snap and you use F3 or the mouse middle button to
invoke the local snap mode menu.
Local Snap - The selected local snap input mode is only applied to the current
selected-to-be point. To select the next snap point, you need to invoke the local
snap mode again, otherwise the global snap mode will be applied.
Global Snap - If the local snap is not selected, the global snap is applied.
To choose a snap mode:
1. Choose the System>Snap Mode command. The Snap Mode dialog box
appears. There are 10 checkboxes for Snap Input Modes and three checkboxes
for Constraint Modes. In the Snap Box Size edit box, enter the desired snap box
size in pixel.
2. Choose a desired Constraint mode and Snap Input Mode.
3. Set the size of the snap box size in the Snap Box Size.
See Also
Snap Input Modes
203
Snap Mode Dialog Box
When you choose the System>Snap Mode command. The Snap Mode dialog
box appears, which contains the following sections:
Constraint On - This option allow you to modify the coordinates of point by

locking it into horizontal, vertical, or normal alignment with the previous point.
After turning on the checkbox, choose one of the three constraints.
• Normal
Only points in perpendicular alignment to the previous points can be
entered. It may be aligned to ve rtical or horizontal depending on which axis the
point is closer to.
• Vertical
Only points in vertical alignment with the previous point can be entered.
• Horizontal
Only points in horizontal alignment with the previous point can be entered.
Snap Input Mode - There are 10 options to control the way points are selected
on the screen.
• Grid Point
This mode causes the cursor to snap to the nearest grid point, regardless of
whether or not the grid is displayed. Remember that the grid will not display if the
interval between each grid is less than 10 pixels. The location of grid dots are
based on the setting in the Grid/Reference Line command.
• Nearest Point
This mode causes the cursor to snap to the closest control points. About the
locations of the endpoints and control points of entities, see the following
illustrations.
Line --- Arc, Solid Pie, Solid Chord, Hatched Arc ---
Circle, Solid Circle, Hatched Circle --- Ellipse ---
204
Polyline, Solid Polygon, Hatched Polyline --- Curve ---
Marker --- Symbol ---

Symbol
Text ---
PrimeCAD
Dimension ---
• End Point
This mode causes the cursor to snap to the nearest endpoint.
Line --- Arc, Elliptical Arc ---
Polyline --- Text ---
PrimeCAD
• Middle Point
This mode causes the cursor to snap to the middle point of an entity.
Line --- Arc ---
205
Polyline --- Text ---
PRIMECAD
• Center Point
This mode causes the cursor to snap to the center of a selected arc or circle in
the drawing.
• Intersection
This mode cause the cursor to snap to the intersection of two crossing entities.
The crossing entities can be lines, circles or arcs. The point where two entities
touch (such as the tangent point between a line and a circle) is also considered
an intersection. See the following illustrations:
• Tangent
This mode causes the cursor to snap to the tangent point on a selected arc or
circle.
• On Entity
This mode causes the cursor to snap to the nearest point on a selected entity. It
does not look for end points, middle points, intersections, or any other geometric
properties of the entity in question; it just makes sure your point is really touching
the entity. This option is very similar to the Nearest Point; however, it can find any
point on the entity, not just the entity's control or reference points.
• Quadrant
This mode causes the cursor to snap to the nearest quadrant point. You can
specifies the number of snap points available on arcs and circles for more than
four by choosing a setting from the drop-down list box. The default setting is
4@90degree.
• Snap Off
This box lets you turn off Snap Input Modes. The selected point is the point
located by the cursor with no any adjustment.
206
System>Origin
The System>Origin command allows you to change the origin for your drawing.
There are four options to choose from the Drawing Origin dialog box as the
drawing origin: Bottom Left, Center, XY and Pick. Bottom Left and Center of
sheet use those locations to define the drawing origin. To enter the origin in sheet
coordinates choose XY and the enter the coordinates into the text boxes. To
enter an alternate origin choose User Pick After OK and you are prompted to
select a point for the drawing origin. The default location of the drawing origin is
bottom left of the sheet.
To specify the drawing origin:
1. Choose the System>Origin command. The Drawing Origin dialog box

appears.
2. Choose one of the four options in the dialog box. Enter the XY coordinate
values if you choose the XY option.
3. Check on the Show Origin if you want to show the drawing origin on the
screen. The origin is represented on the screen by the symbol( ).
4. Choose OK to accept the settings or Cancel to return to the previous setting.
5. Select a point to be the drawing origin if you chose the User Pick After OK
option.
See Also
Drawing Origin in the Fundamental Part
207
System>Drawing Scale
The System>Drawing Scale command allows you to specify the scale of the
current drawing. All entities in PrimeCAD are drawn in their real world size. Scale
is defined as the ratio of sheet size to world size. The sheet value is how big an
entity will appear on printed output. The world value is the actual real world size
of the entity. In a drawing whose scale is at 1/4" = 1', an object that is one-quarter
inch long on scaled output represents an object that is actually one foot long. The
default scale is 1 : 1. Though PrimeCAD allows you to set any scale you want,
typical scales have been provided in the Preset Scale box for convenience.
The Match option button in the Drawing Scale dialog box allows you to select two
points in the sheet and specify the desired actual distance (world size) between
the two points. PrimeCAD will then automatically adjust the drawing scale. This
option is useful if you would like the entities remain their current size in proportion
to the output page.
To specify the scale for the current drawing:
1. Choose the System>Drawing Scale command. The Drawing Scale dialog box
appears.
If you would like to change the drawing scale to a common scale or custom
scale:
2. Choose a commonly used scale from the Preset Scales drop-down list box.
The scale is automatically copied to the Sheet and World boxes. Or enter the
scale in the Sheet (Output) and World (Actual) text boxes
3. Choose OK to accept the settings or Cancel to return to previous setting.

If you'd like the existing entities remain their current size in proportion to
the page:
2. Choose the Match option button.
3. Select two points on the sheet. The Distance dialog box appears to prompt
you to enter the desired actual distance between the two points.
4. The new drawing scale applies to the drawing and all entities remain their
current size in proportion to the page.
PrimeCAD automatically simplifies the ratio you enter so it is expressed in the

form 1 : n or n : 1 in the current units of measurement. For instance, if you enter
the ration 1/4" : 1', the next time you access the Drawing Scale dialog box, you
will find the ratio expressed as 1" = 48".
See Also
Scale in the Fundamental Part
208
Contents of PrimeCAD.INI
When you run PrimeCAD, it reads in PRIMECAD.INI file to set up some drawing
environments. If the PRIMECAD.INI is missing, PrimeCAD use the default values
in the system. PRIMECAD.INI is a ASCII text file located in Windows directory.
You can use any text editor to modify this file. But when you save, you must save
it in ASCII format so that PrimeCAD can recognize it. When you set up
PrimeCAD on you hard drive, the set up program will automatically create a
PRIMECAD.INI for you.
When you exit PrimeCAD, the environment settings in Preferences dialog

(Systems>Preferences) and the settings in Tools Display dialog box
(Tools>Tools Displays...) with some other settings are all saved to
PRIMECAD.INI.
The PRIMECAD.INI file contains several sections, each of which consists of a

group of related settings. The sections and settings are listed in the
PRIMECAD.INI file in the following format:
[section name]
keyname=value
In this example, [section name] is the name of a section. The enclosing brackets
([ ]) are required, and the left bracket must be in the leftmost column on the
screen.
The keyname=value statement defines the value of each setting. A keyname is

the name of a setting. It can consist of any combination of letters and digits in
uppercase or lowercase, and it must be followed immediately by an equal sign
(=). The value can be an integer, a string, or a quoted string, depending on the
setting.
You can include comments in initialization files. You must begin each line of a
comment with a semicolon (;).
[Settings] - Most of Preferences settings is stored in this section.
[Display] - The settings in Tools Display dialog box is stored in this section.
[Paths] - The directories for drawing, symbol and macro are specified here.
[Recent File List] - The full names of the most recently used files are located
in this section
[Ribbon] - The icons which are listed in the Ribbon right end side
[Macro] - the macro files which are executed when PrimeCAD startup.
209
[Display]:
ShowStatusbar = < 0 or 1 >
Default: 1
Purpose: Status bar is on of off. 1 - On, 0 - Off
ShowRibbonbar = < 0 or 1 >

Default: 1
Purpose: Ribbon bar is on or off. 1 - On, 0 - Off
ShowToolbar = < 0 or 1 >

Default: 0
Purpose: Toolbar is on or off. 1 - On, 0 - Off
ShowToolbox = < 0 or 1 >

Default: 0
Purpose: Toolbox is on or off. 1 - On, 0 - Off
ShowSheet = <0 or 1>

Default: 1
Purpose: Screen sheet is on or off. 1 - On, 0 - Off
ShowGridDot = <0 or 1>

Default: 1
Purpose: The reference grid dot is on or off. 1 - On, 0 - Off
ShowGridLine = <0 or 1>

Default: 1
Purpose: The reference grid line is on or off. 1 - On, 0 - Off
ShowOriginMark = <0 or 1>

Default: 1
Purpose: The origin marker is on or off. 1 - On, 0 - Off
ShowRecentFileList = < 0 or 1 >
Default: 1
Purpose: The most recently used file list is on or off. 1 - On, 0 - Off
ShowScrollbar = < 0 or 1 >

Default : 0
Purpose: The scroll bars are on or off. 1 - On, 0 - Off
ShowRuler = < 0 or 1 >

Default: 1
Purpose: The ruler is on or off. 1 - On, 0 - Off
[Paths]:
210
ExeDir = <Dirver:\Path>
Default : It depends on where you install you PrimeCAD
Purpose: Locate where the PrimeCAD executables are
SymbolDir = <Dirver:\Path>
Purpose: Locate where the PrimeCAD symbol libraries are
DrawingDir = <Dirver:\Path>
Default: It depends on where you install you PrimeCAD
Purpose: Locate where the PrimeCAD drawing files are
MacroDir = <Dirver:\Path>
Purpose: Locate where the PrimeCAD macro files are
[Macro]:
Run1 = <Macro File Name>
Default : None
Purpose: Identity the first macro which is executed when start up the PrimeCAD
Run2 = <Macro File Name>

Default : None
Purpose: Identity the second macro which is executed when start up the
PrimeCAD
[Settings]:
UndoLevel = <1 to 25 >
Default : 10
Purpose: Set up the Undo levels.
ZoomFactor = <1 to 32637 >

Default : 2
Purpose: Set up the Zoom factor for Zoom In and Zoom Out commands in View
menu.
SelectionAreaRadius = <1 to 32637 >

Default : 5
Purpose: Set up the selection radius of the cursor. The unit is in pixel.
VertScrollBarUnit = < 1 to 300 >

Default : 50
Purpose: Set up the scrolling distance of the vertical scroll bar. The unit is in
pixel.
211
HoriScrollBarUnit = < 1 to 300 >

Default : 0
Purpose: Set up the scrolling distance of the horizontal scroll bar. The unit is in
pixel.
WarningBeep = < 0 or 1 >

Default : 1
Purpose: Set the warning beep. 1 means the beep is on, 0 means the beep is off.
MaximizeWindow = < 0 or 1 >

Default : 1
Purpose: Whether or not the PrimeCAD window should be maximized at startup.
SelectionOnIdle = < 0 or 1 >

Default : 1
Purpose: Whether or not the direct selection mode is enable when the system is
in idle.
HighlightColor = < 0 to 255 >

Default : 30
Purpose:
HighlightStyle = < 0, 1 or 2 >

Default : 0
Purpose:
CurveSegment = < 1 to 255 >

Default : 8
Purpose:
SnapBoxSize = < 1 to 32676 >

Default : 10
Purpose:
212
[Ribbon]:
The right end side of Ribbon (the space after Grid checkbox) can be used to
place icons. You can place as many icons as you want. Normally, under the VGA
resolution, you can place three icons. The higher the resolution is, the more icons
you can place. The format for this section is:
Index = Sep, {Pixel Number]

index = Number
index = Number, Number, [, Number]
Index - the icon’s order in the Ribbon.

Number - the menu item’s position in the Menu bar.
Sep - the default gap between icons.
For example:
0 = Sep - It means the first icon placed is a “gap” (space). This way the
subsequent icons can be a little away from Grid checkbox.
1 = 0 ,1 - It means the second icon placed is the menu item Open.

“0” represents the first popup menu on the Menu bar (i.e. File ), “1” represents the
second menu item under that popup menu (i.e. Open).
2 = Sep, 10 - It means the third icon placed is a “gap” again with. This “gap” is 10
pixel wide.
3 = 1, 7, 2 - It means the fourth icon placed is the menu item Radial Copy.
“1” represents the second popup menu on the Menu bar, “7” represents the
eighth menu item (a sub-menu) under that popup menu, “2” represents the third
menu item under that sub-menu. And it is the Radial Copy command .
If there is no [Ribbon] section in PRIMECAD.INI, the system default will be used.

That is Undo and Undo Undo will be placed after Grid checkbox on the Ribbon.
[Recent File List]:

In this section, the most recently used file names (up to 4 file names) are listed
and attached to the end of File menu for easy access.
File1 = <Path\File Name>

213
Shortcut Keys
In PrimeCAD, there are single-key or key combination shortcuts for certain

frequently-used commands and operation modes. When a shortcut is available
for a command, it is listed on the menu, to the right of the command name.
Keyboard shortcut keys are available for the following commands and functions:
• Certain File commands

• Certain Edit commands
• Certain View commands
• Getting Help
• Changing Coordinate Types
• Changing Snap Input Modes
• Changing Constraint Modes
• Moving the selection set
• Scrolling the view with scroll bars
Shortcut keys in File Menu commands

Use the follo wing shortcut keys to choose certain commands from the File menu
Press Command
============== =============================
Ctrl + N File>New
Ctrl + O File>Old
Ctrl + S File>Save
Alt + F4 File>Exit
Shortcut keys in Edit Menu commands

Use the following shortcut keys to choose certain commands from the Edit menu
Press Command
============== =====================================
Ctrl + X Edit>Cut
Ctrl + C Edit>Copy
Ctrl + V Edit>Paste
Del Edit>Erase
Ctrl + Del Edit>Erase Last
F7 Edit>Undo
Ctrl + F7 Edit>Undo Undo
F9 Edit>Select
F10 Edit>Entity Filter
214
Shortcut keys in View Menu commands

Use the following shortcut keys to choose certain commands from the View menu
Press Command
============== ===================================
F5 View>Redraw
Ctrl + L View>Limits
Ctrl + E View>Extents
Ctrl + P View>Pan
Ctrl + I View>Zoom In
Ctrl + Z View>Zoom Out
Shortcut keys for Getting Help

Use the F1 to display Help during most drawing and editing operations. You can
also display Help for a dialog box-related command by pressing F1 when the
dialog box is shown.
Shortcut Keys for Changing Coordinate Types
Press Change To
============== ===========================================
A Absolute XY Coordinate Mode (X,Y)

R Relative XY Coordinate Mode (dX,dY)
K Absolute Polar Coordinate Mode (R, )
P Relative Polar Coordinate Mode (dR, d )
Shortcut Keys for Moving the Selection Set
Press Function
===================== ======================================
Shift + Left Arrow Move the selection set left one grid snap interval
Shift + Right Arrow Move the selection set right one grid snap interval
Shift + Up Arrow Move the selection set up one grid snap interval
Shift + Down Arrow Move the selection set down one grid snap interval
215
Shortcut Keys for Changing Snap Input Modes
Press Change To
============== =======================================
G Gridpoint snap mode

N Nearest snap mode
E Endpoint snap mode
M Midpoint snap mode
C Center point snap mode
I Intersection point snap mode
T Tangent point snap mode
O On-Entity snap mode
Q Quadrant point snap mode
F Turn snap mode off
Shortcut Keys for Changing Constraint Modes
Press Change To
============== =========================================
L Normal constraint mode

V Vertical constraint mode
H Horizontal constraint mode
S Turn constraint mode off
Shortcut Keys for Using Scroll Bars to Pan the View
Press Function
============== ========================================
Left Arrow Scroll the view to the left at the set horizontal distance
Right Arrow Scroll the view to the right at the set horizontal distance
Up Arrow Scroll the view up at the set vertical distance
Down Arrow Scroll the view down at the set vertical distance
Home Scroll the view to the left four times of the set horizontal
distance
End Scroll the view to the right four times of the set horizontal
distance
PageUp Scroll the view up four times of the set vertical distance
PageDown Scroll the view down four times of the set vertical distance
216
INDEX
A
Always Create Backup File · 69
Angular Dimension of An Arc · 151
Angular Dimension of Two Lines · 150
arc · 7, 36, 82, 84, 89, 101, 103, 105, 106, 107, 109, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 122, 133, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146,
150, 151, 152, 154, 161, 162, 164, 165, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 193, 200, 219
Arc>2 Pts-Angle · 3, 112
Arc>2 Pts-Radius · 3, 113
Arc>3 Pts [c,s,e] · 3, 111
Arc>3 Pts [s,e,m] · 3, 111
Arc>3 Pts [s,m,e] · 3, 109
Arc>Elliptical · 3, 115
Arc>Quarter Circle · 3, 113
Arc>Semi Circle · 3, 115
associative · 7, 135
attribute definition · 8, 13, 171, 174
Attributes · 4, 8, 167, 174, 175, 193
Attributes>Define · 174
Attributes>Export · 175
autosave · 27, 68
B
backup · 27, 64, 67, 68, 69
Backup Option · 2, 60, 67, 68, 69
Bestfit · 61, 62
Bezier · 3, 7, 128, 129
bitmap · 6, 8, 28, 60, 61, 74, 77
BMP · 6, 8, 26, 74
C
Cancel A Draw Command · 100
Change · 5, 40, 43, 47, 48, 64, 166, 171, 176, 195, 203, 211, 212, 230, 231
characters · 7, 63, 66, 98, 160, 161, 162, 163, 168, 172, 174, 181, 194, 195
circle · 7, 34, 36, 41, 43, 82, 84, 89, 101, 105, 106, 107, 109, 117, 118, 119, 120, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 158, 164,
165, 184, 185, 186, 188, 189, 190, 199, 219
Circle>2 Pts · 3, 118
Circle>3 Pts · 3, 119
Circle>Center-Diameter · 3, 120
Circle>Center-Radius · 3, 119
Circle>Center-Side · 3, 117, 164
Circle>Ellipse · 3, 120, 121, 122
Circle>Side-Center · 3, 118
client applications · 25
Command Selection Method · 30
Concept · 6
Constraint Modes · 1, 5, 30, 38, 216, 231
Contents of PrimeCAD.INI · 223
Continuous Linear Dimension · 141
coordinate types · 15, 39
Coordinate Value Boxes · 58
Copy · 2, 40, 47, 75, 76, 77, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 158, 204, 227, 229
Copy Entity · 47, 80
CopyEntity · 75
curves · 7, 100, 128, 129, 156, 191
Cut · 2, 40, 47, 75, 76, 77, 229
217
D
DC2 · 26, 61, 63
dimension · 7, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 181,
194, 212
Dimension>Angular · 150
Dimension>Leader · 153
Dimension>Linear · 3, 136
Dimension>Linear>Alignment · 137
Dimension>Linear>Horizontal · 136
Dimension>Linear>Line · 138
Dimension>Linear>Rotation · 138
Dimension>Linear>Vertical · 136
Dimension>Ordinate · 148
Dimension>Ordinate>X-datum · 148
Dimension>Ordinate>Y-datum · 149
Dimension>Radial · 142
Dimension>Radial>Diameter1 · 144
Dimension>Radial>Diameter2 · 146
Dimension>Radial>Radius1 · 143
Dimension>Radial>Radius2 · 143
Dimension>Setup · 154
Direct Selection Method · 1, 30, 41
Direct Transformations · 1, 30, 43, 178, 180, 181
Directories · 61, 63, 65
Double-Click Editing · 1, 30, 48
Draw>Attributes · 174
Draw>Dimension · 3, 135, 136, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 148, 149, 150, 151, 153, 154
Draw>Hatch · 156
Draw>Solid · 164
Draw>Symbol · 167
Draw>Text · 160
Drawing files · 26
drawing limit · 20, 55
drawing properties · 7, 11, 12, 19, 85, 88, 89
Drawing scale · 17
Drawing Scale · 17, 62
Drives · 61, 63, 65
DXF · 26, 61, 63, 66
E
Embed · 25
endpoint · 7, 36, 102, 107, 109, 121, 122, 123, 133, 139, 162, 182, 185, 190, 193, 218
entities · 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 18, 19, 30, 32, 36, 40, 41, 42, 43, 47, 48, 56, 64, 73, 76, 77, 78, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86,
88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 94, 95, 97, 98, 100, 108, 131, 135, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 164, 167, 168, 169, 176, 177, 178,
179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 194, 195, 196, 202, 206, 216, 217, 219, 221
entity filter · 19
Entity Filter · 1, 2, 19, 40, 75, 85, 86, 88, 89, 229
Entity Input · 1, 30, 32
Erase · 2, 75, 76, 77, 78, 158, 171, 229
Erase Last · 75, 100, 158
Erase the Last Input Entity · 100
Exit · 60, 74, 229
Explanation of X and Y scale factors and Rotation degree · 170
Explode · 5, 40, 47, 176, 194, 195
Extents · 1, 2, 22, 93, 94, 230
F
File Menu · 60, 61, 63, 66, 68, 69, 70, 72, 227, 229
Merge · 2, 60, 63, 64
New · 2, 60, 211, 229
218
Open · 2, 51, 60, 61, 63, 68, 74, 172, 210, 227
File Name · 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 172, 175, 225, 227, 228
Fitted curves · 7
Fitted Curves · 3, 128, 130
fonts · 24, 160, 162, 163, 174
G
Getting Help · 2, 5, 49, 52, 230
Graphic properties · 9
Grid/Reference Line · 5, 49, 55, 214, 217
Guidelines for Naming Drawings · 66
H
handle · 18, 45, 46
hatch · 7, 23, 156, 157, 158, 159, 191
Hatch>Selection · 158
Hatch>Set Pts · 157
Hatch>Setup · 159
I
Illustrated Control Point of Each Entity · 192
import · 8, 74, 160, 161
Import Image File · 60
Inquires Menu · 197
Inquires>2Pts Angle · 199
Inquires>3Pts Angle · 200
Inquires>Area/Perimeter · 199
Inquires>Coordinate · 197
Inquires>Distance · 201
Inquires>Entity Info · 201
Inquires>Entity List · 202
J
justification · 7, 160, 161
K
Keyboard Input Modes · 1, 30, 39
L
Last · 2, 78, 93, 94, 95, 229
layer · 7, 9, 11, 12, 19, 55, 56, 85, 88, 89, 123, 160, 197, 202, 206
Limits · 1, 2, 21, 93, 94, 211, 230
line · 6, 7, 10, 19, 20, 34, 36, 38, 80, 83, 88, 89, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 112, 113, 114, 115,
116, 119, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 128, 130, 133, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 143, 144, 145, 146, 148, 149, 150, 151,
153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 162, 165, 170, 180, 181, 182, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 194, 195, 199, 201, 214,
216, 219, 223, 224
Line>AutoFillet-Dbl · 3, 104, 105
Line>Autofillet-Sgl · 3, 103
Line>Circle-Circle · 3, 106
Line>Double · 3, 104
Line>Individual · 3, 34, 51, 102, 204
Line>Line setup · 3, 103, 108
219
Line>Multiple · 3, 102
Line>Perpendicular · 3, 106, 107
Line>Point-Circle · 3, 105
Linear Copy · 2, 75, 80
List Files of Type · 61, 63, 64, 65, 74
M
Marker>Align · 3, 133
Marker>Polar · 3, 132
Marker>Relative · 3, 132
Marker>Set Pt · 131
Marker>Setup · 3, 134
Markers · 7, 9
Menu Bar · 1, 49, 51
Message Area · 58
mice and tablets · 29
mirror · 18, 167, 169, 170, 177, 179, 180, 181
Mirroring · 1, 30, 46, 181
Modify Menu · 176
Modify>Join · 190
Modify>Stretch · 189
Modify>Transforms · 177
Modify>Trims · 183
Modify>Trims>Chamfer · 187
Modify>Trims>Corner · 184
Modify>Trims>Divide · 188
Modify>Trims>Edge · 186
Modify>Trims>Extend · 185
Modify>Trims>Fillet · 186
More About Opening an Existing Drawing · 63
More About Saving a Drawing · 66
Move Point · 4, 40, 47, 176, 191, 192, 193, 194
N
Named View · 2, 73, 93, 98
Numerical Data Input · 1, 30, 31
O
Object Linking and Embedding · 1, 25, 76, 77
Offset · 2, 75, 84, 155
P
Page Setup · 2, 54, 60, 70, 71, 72
Pan · 2, 5, 93, 95, 96, 230, 231
Parallel · 2, 75, 83, 84
Paste · 2, 75, 76, 77, 229
PCX · 6, 8, 26, 74
pen color · 7, 9, 10, 12, 41, 56, 90, 131, 157, 158, 160, 164, 169, 197, 206
pen style · 7, 9, 10, 12, 56, 89, 131, 157, 158, 160, 197, 206
pen style scale · 9, 10, 206
pen width · 7, 9, 12, 56, 89, 131, 157, 158, 197, 206
pixels · 6, 10, 215, 217
plotters · 21, 24, 28, 60, 72, 74
PLT · 26, 61, 63, 66
polygon · 7, 23, 124, 125, 166, 191, 199
polyline · 7, 36, 100, 102, 123, 124, 127, 128, 133, 153, 157, 166, 190, 191, 192, 199, 201
Polyline>Polygon · 3, 125
220
Polyline>Rectangle · 3, 124
Polyline>Set Pts-close · 3, 124
Polyline>Set Pts-open · 3, 123
Polyline>Sketch · 3, 127
Preview · 61, 172
PrimeCAD vector fonts · 7, 181
Print · 2, 21, 22, 54, 60, 70, 72, 73, 211
Print Range Option · 73
Extent · 73
Named View · 73
Selection · 73
Sheet · 73
Viewport · 73
Printer Setup · 2, 60, 70, 72, 211
R
Radial Copy · 2, 75, 82
Rectangular Copy · 2, 75, 81
Redraw · 93, 94, 95, 159, 230
reference point · 12, 15, 44, 54, 55, 83, 132, 133, 148, 149, 162, 169, 170, 178, 179, 180, 193
Revert Entity Order · 2, 41, 93, 95
Ribbon · 5, 34, 49, 54, 55, 206, 224, 227
Right Button Short Menu · 1, 47
Right Button Shortcut Menus · 30
Rotate · 178
rotation · 7, 8, 12, 23, 54, 83, 120, 131, 163, 170, 174, 179, 181, 182
Rulers · 5, 49, 207
S
Save · 2, 60, 64, 65, 66, 68, 74, 91, 172, 173, 175, 229
Save As · 60, 64, 65, 66, 68, 175
Saving to and from Different File Formats · 66
scale · 4, 10, 17, 18, 23, 45, 61, 62, 64, 94, 158, 159, 169, 170, 177, 179, 180, 197, 221
Scaling · 1, 30, 45, 180
Scroll Bars · 2, 5, 49, 55, 231
Select · 2, 18, 19, 40, 42, 61, 64, 65, 68, 69, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 88, 89, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 102,
103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 109, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 128, 130,
131, 132, 133, 134, 139, 140, 141, 143, 144, 145, 146, 148, 149, 150, 151, 153, 155, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162,
165, 166, 168, 169, 170, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 195, 197, 199, 200, 201,
202, 208, 209, 220, 221, 229
Selecting Entities · 1, 30, 40
selection set · 18, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 73, 75, 77, 81, 82, 85, 86, 158, 164, 165, 166, 168, 169, 174, 176, 177, 178,
179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 191, 195, 230
Sheet · 2, 5, 21, 49, 54, 206, 211, 221
Shortcut Keys · 1, 5, 35, 38, 39, 49, 51, 229, 230, 231
Single Linear Dimension · 139
Snap Input Mode · 100, 197, 200, 201, 206, 214, 216, 217
Snap Input Modes · 1, 5, 30, 34, 36, 216, 219, 231
Snap Mode Dialog Box · 217
solid entity · 7
Solid>Chord · 165
Solid>Circle · 164
Solid>Color Setup · 166
Solid>Pie · 165
Solid>Polygon · 166
source application · 25
startpoint · 7, 102, 104, 105, 123, 139, 157, 182, 190
Status Bar · 5, 39, 49, 56, 207
Subsidiary coordinate-entering marker · 100
Supported File Types · 63
symbol · 8, 12, 85, 159, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 174, 175, 190, 193, 194, 220, 223, 225
nested · 8, 12, 93, 168, 194
221
symbol definition · 12, 13, 167, 168, 171, 174

Symbols>Define · 168
Symbols>Edit · 171
Symbols>Load · 172
Symbols>Place · 169
Symbols>Save · 172
System>Drawing Scale · 221
System>Origin · 220
System>Snap Mode · 216
System>Units of Measurement · 212
T
temporary filename · 26
text · 7, 8, 12, 13, 77, 135, 138, 139, 140, 141, 143, 144, 145, 146, 148, 149, 150, 151, 153, 154, 155, 160, 161, 162,
163, 167, 168, 169, 171, 172, 174, 175, 181, 190, 193, 194, 195, 220, 221, 223
Text · 160
Text>Aligned · 161
Text>Arc · 161
Text>Font Setup · 162
Text>Start Pt · 160
Tiling · 21, 54
Title Bar · 1, 49, 50
Tool Box · 204
Toolbar Editing · 208
Toolbars · 2, 49, 59, 203
Toolboxes · 2, 49, 51, 59
Tools Display · 203
Tools Menu · 203
Tools>Macro · 210
Transform>Align Entity · 182
transformations · 18, 43
Transforms · 4, 40, 44, 45, 46, 47, 158, 170, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 190, 193, 204
Transforms>Align (Along the Axis) · 181
Transforms>Mirror · 180
translate · 18
Translate · 177
Translating · 1, 30, 44, 178
True Type fonts · 7
U
Undo · 2, 75, 78, 80, 100, 171, 225, 227, 229
UndoUndo · 75
units of measurement · 16, 202, 212, 221
Units Of Measurement Dialog Box · 213
Using the Mouse · 1, 30, 33
V
vectors · 6
vertices · 7, 123, 124, 153, 157, 166, 199
Viewport · 3, 55, 93, 99
viewports · 20, 55, 73, 99
W
WMF · 26, 63, 66
Workspace · 2, 49, 53
222
Z
Zoom In · 2, 55, 93, 96, 97, 98, 159, 225, 230
Zoom Out · 2, 93, 97, 98, 159, 225, 230
Zoom Window · 2, 55, 93, 96
223

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Scroll Bars ............................................................................................................... 57

- A line is an entity defined by two points: a startpoint and an endpoint.

- An arc is a portion of a circle . It is defined by a centerpoint, a radius line, a

- A circle is defined by a centerpoint and a radius.

- A polyline is a series of connected lines. It is defined by up to 1000 vertices.

- A text entity is comprised of one or more lines of characters. The characters

- A dimension is a measurement notation which collect predefined lines, arcs,

- A hatch entity is a crosshatched area enclosed by an entity or group of entities.

- Attributes provide non-graphical information. An attribute definition is just like a

- Although PrimeCAD is not a bitmap drawi ng software, it can import images

Lines, Circles, Arcs, Polylines, Curves, Solids - all graphic attributes.

Markers, Hatches, Texts, Dimensions - pen color and layer.

Placed symbols, Image - layer.

The pen-related settings of graphic properties are defined by selecting the

An attribute definition is a basic entity type. It provides non-graphic information of

When an attribute definition is included in a symbol definition, it becomes acting

Absolute XY Coordinate (X,Y) specifies the locations in terms of horizontal (X

Relative XY Coordinate (dX,dY) specifies the locations in terms of horizontal (X

Relative Polar Coordinate (dR, d ) specifies the locations in terms of its

Linear measure - Millimeters, Centimeters, Meters, Feet, Inches, Miles

Area measure - Square Millimeters, Square Centimeters, Square Meters, Acres,

Angle measure - Degrees, Minutes, Degree-Minute -Second, Radians

PrimeCAD stores numbers to an accuracy of 6 decimal places or 1/128. The

Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)

Drawing Files and File Conversion

Autosave and Backup

Printing and Plotting

Mouse and Digital Tablet

• Numerical Data Input

Numerical Data Input

The supported angular units and expression include:

Using the Mouse

Snap Input Modes

2. Choose the Draw>Line>Individual command. The system is in the input status.

Explanation of 9 Kinds of Snap Input Modes

Nearest Point - snap to the nearest endpoint or control point of an entity.

Endpoint - snap to an entity endpoint.

Keyboard Input Modes

Direct Selection Method

1. Change size toward left/right

Operation Procedure of Absolute Translate:

Operation Procedure of Relative Translate:

Right Button Short Menu

In addition to the methods of choosing a command described in the Menu Bar

Status Bar-- Status Bar--

Coordinate Value Boxes

Clicking on a tool in the toolboxes is the same as choosing the equivalent

• New - Create a new drawing.

List Files of Type Lists the file formats supported by PrimeCAD.

Directories Lists the directories available on the current drive.

Drives Lists the drives available on your system.

3. Choose OK button to load in the file you select.

To Open a recently opened drawing

1. Select the File menu.

2. Click the name of the drawing you want.

More About Opening an Existing Drawing

Drawing Scale Dialog box

More About Opening an Existing Drawing

To merge another drawing into the current drawing:

To save a new or existing drawing as a new drawing file:

1. Choose File>Save As command. The Save As dialog box appears. If the

More About Saving a Drawing

Begin Not

* Begin Xor *