TubeCAD Pro v8-20071002
Contents |
NEW User Selection of Prototype File Name for Either INCHES or MILLIMETERS
Prototype TubeCAD files are actual TubeCAD data files used to initialize the drawing setup to your preferences like linear units, text size, blockup styles, etc.
When you start a new drawing, TubeCAD loads a prototype file first. This clears the screen, and completely sets up TubeCAD with the appropriate settings and preferences.
Since TubeCAD is configured with a TubeCAD file, TubeCAD operators have complete control over the initial setup values. You can setup a TubeCAD drawing with your preferences, then save it to a prototype TubeCAD file in the c:\program files\tcadpro\config\prototype folder.
Now we've added more flexibility to this idea because the OPTIONS FILE TAB menu now allows you to select a unique prototype file for BOTH millimeters and inches. (Before, TubeCAD would only allow you to select a single prototype filename.) Right click on the drawing area and select Options to call up this menu.
To see how this works, we've sent two sets of prototype files with this installation of TubeCAD. The first set is:
default_tcad_in.tcd default_tcad_mm.tcd
and the second set is:
clark_tcad_in.tcd clark_tcad_mm.tcd
The first set of prototype files use the standard blockup labels. The second set of prototype files use the CLARK FIXTURES style of blockup. Remember that you can add as many prototype files to the prototype folder as you need. Create a part with all the settings the way you would like, then save the TCD file to the prototype folder. These file sets are just starting examples.
How to Select Another Prototype File
Follow these steps to select a TubeCAD prototype file with the CLARK Fixtures blockup settings for millimeters.
STEP 1: Right click on the TubeCAD drawing area. You will see this pop-up menu.
STEP 2: Choose Options. This menu will appear:
STEP 3: Select the ellipsis button at the end of the "MILLIMETERS Prototype TCD File."
STEP 4: Select a new prototype file.
The new selection will now be stored in TubeCAD until it is changed again. This setup helps TubeCAD Pro understand that you intend to use CLARK fixture blockups from the start.
Be sure to select the appropriate type of file. For example, if the open file dialog shows "MILLIMETERS" in the caption, then only choose one of the TubeCAD files setup to run millimeters. (We've put mm or in in the name to avoid confusion. You can give them any name.)
The Radio Buttons
A new set of radio button controls allow you to choose which one of the two default prototype files is used to clear TubeCAD Pro whenever you start TubeCAD.
New Script Commands for the Command Engine
The Clear All and Set to MILLIMETER or INCH buttons in the TubeCAD toolbar (see below) automatically runs a script (a series of pre-programmed keystrokes) in order to load the correct prototype file into TubeCAD.
[options_prototype_in]and
[options_prototype_mm]in the command engine.
Here is the new script code for presetin.scr:
multicmdopen _openprototype | "[options_prototype_in]" multicmdclose
Here is the script code for presetmm.scr:
multicmdopen _openprototype | "[options_prototype_mm]" multicmdclose
These two values, when typed into the command line, will cause the commmand line to lookup the current default prototype drawing names (either mm or inches), then replace the commands with the pre-selected prototype filenames into the TubeCAD command line automatically.
How to UPGRADE
Please contact Advanced Tubular Technologies for upgrade information.
