4. The Function lists
4.1 Project
4.2 Symbol
4.3 Line
4.4 Circle
4.5 Wall
4.6 Opening
4.7 Dim
4.8 Text
4.9 Room
4.10 Pattern
4.11 Edit
 
4.5 Wall  
 


The wall elements of CYCAS were developed especially with architectural drawing in mind. Walls are 3D-elements that serve several purposes. They are aimed at making the drawing of plans easier as they can be edited for architectural 2D-plan design. On top of that you can check and edit the walls as 3D wireframe models any time you choose to do so.
Thanks to special input and modify functions you can easily and quickly create drawings: You can place openings into wall elements for each level and these openings can already contain a suitable symbol. Further, you can measure walls using the semi-automatic measuring. Walls can be grouped with their dimensions so that any changes made to the wall are reflected in the dimensions.
While editing the plan a 3D-model is automatically built at the same time. The heights of the 3D-elements can be checked and edited in different projections by use of the 3D-menu. Even when still in draft stage you can compute culled or unculled wireframe representations of the data you are entering.
 

  • Wall lines

    Wall lines are part of the wall elements and serve the purpose of visualizing the wall while working on the plan. While working on the plan a wall element resembles a box made up of four lines, the wall lines. The wall lines are also what is taken into account for the semi-automatic measuring. When you place openings in a wall, the wall lines will be interrupted and their display will be corrected, depending on whether or not the opening is displayed with a stop.


 

  • Wall dialog box : ?

    When creating walls the values entered in the dialog boxes are relevant. Define different wall types which are different from each other in their pen and line types and the values controlling base, height and thickness as well as their materials. (See 3.2 Dialog boxes) Normally, it is most useful to enter walls per level of your building.


Name : Here you can call existing settings or create new ones. Use save to add new settings to the list.

Wall thickness : These boxes control the thickness of the wall when creating walls using axes, sides, or angles. When creating a wall using the Wall function these values have no effect as you have to enter two points that control both the length and thickness of the wall.  

Base : 3D input. This controls the position of the wall in space. Base controls the height of the lower end of the wall.

Height : 3D input. This controls the height of the wall, measured from the base (=lower end of the wall) to the upper end, i.e. the entire height of the wall.

Material : Material assignment for output to raytracers or shaders. Choose a material from the list. Any wall you create using these settings will be assigned the material from the current dialog box. Please refer to 5.6 Materials for information on creating new materials.

pen/line Pen : Choose the pen type.

Line : Choose a line type to go with the selected pen.

 


  • Wall function list - input

    The wall function list contains all functions for the creation and editing of wall elements. The upper part of the list is taken by various functions for creating walls. Below that is a button for opening the dialog box and further down you find functions to correct the wall display, followed by functions for wall editing.


   
wall Wall : Enter a wall using two points that are located diagonally across in the wall. In this way you set the length and thickness of the wall at the same time. You should read the garage tutorial to better understand this function.
Example: place the first corner point using the mouse. If you want to enter the elements accurately, you should confirm the first corner point now. Then, use the arrow key to move the second point by X+: 12.99m to the right. The only thing left to do is to enter the wall thickness: Y+: 0.356m. Pay attention to the coordinate display. When the displayed distances are correct, you can confirm the second corner point and the wall is drawn.
wall, axis -Axis : Enter a wall that is centered on an axis. The position of the axis is specified by placing two points. As soon as you confirm the second point of the axis, the wall is drawn centered on the axis using the wall thickness specified in the current Wall dialog box.
wall, side -Side : Enter a wall on one side of which is flush with an imaginary axis. Place two points to set the length of the axis. Confirm the second point of the axis and choose the side of the axis where you want to create the wall. The wall is drawn using the settings made in the current dialog box. Also, you will find information on this function in the tutorial.
wall, angle

wall, angle

-Angle : An angled wall. A wall that is drawn after you specify an angle and a length for it. The axis is created just like you would create an angled line.
You can enter the angle using degrees or radians or by drawing a directional line using two points. (See 3. Basics, Angle input.) Now place the start point of the imaginary axis and confirm it when it has the right position. After that, you can specify the length using numerical input or by placing an end point. The wall is drawn using the settings made in the current dialog box. The angle you entered when first calling this function will be used if you now draw subsequent angled walls, until you abort the function.
 


  • Correcting the wall representation

    In order to correctly display walls in the plan it is mandatory that there are no gaps or breaks. The following functions are capable of removing dividing lines between walls and thus correct the wall display. These functions are intentionally not applied automatically, as there are certain situations when walls must not be displayed continuously. If you are e.g. working on several sections of a building, the dividing lines must be displayed. On top of that it should be possible to keep full control over the single wall elements.


Connect : This function serves the purpose of connecting single wall elements to each other. The lines where the walls meet are removed. Activate the wall elements to be connected to each other. The undesired dividing lines are then removed. Two walls can be properly connected only if their wall lines incide. Note: If wall elements overlap or intersect, they can not be properly connected.

-All : All walls are connected to each other.  


Separate : Reverts back to the single wall elements. Walls which are already connected can be activated one by one in order to disconnect them again.
Example: A wall element that had already been connected to others has been moved. These elements are not displayed correctly anymore, i.e. they have open ends. Choose Separate to revert them back to their initial state.

-All : All walls are separated.  


  • Modifying of wall elements

    Modify walls using the functions explained below. Please also refer to the Line function list for there the functions to modify elements are explained in depth. Keep in mind that in prior walls only can be edited lengthwise.


Join : Join two walls at the point where they intersect. Using this function can mean that the walls are made longer or shorter. The segment of interest is always to one side of the point where the walls intersect. Click on the segment that you want to keep. As soon as you select the second wall, the function is executed. (Also see the Garage Tutorial.)

Attach : Extend walls until they meet a line or wall line. This function can be used to make walls longer. First, choose to which line or wall line you want to extend. Then, use the selection menu to activate all walls that you want to extend to the first selected line. The line up to which the others will be extend is considered to be of infinite length for the purposes of this function.  

Extend : Extends a wall to the next intersection with a different wall line or line. Depending on which end of the wall you click on it will be extended to the next intersection that lies in that direction. The elements to which you want to extend the wall are not considered to be of infinite length.

Erase : Erase a part of a wall. Activate a wall from which you want to erase a part. This function can be used to divide, shorten, or split single wall elements. Specify two points which mark the stretch to be erased, if this stretch contains an opening, the opening will be removed. You can split walls by using the same point as the start and end point for erasing.

Alter height : Change the wall height of an existing wall. Choose the wall to which you want to assign a new height. Enter new base and height values using the keyboard. Right-click on a wall to check its height.



 
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4.6 Opening  
 


The CYCAS' openings are developed especially for architectural representation. These openings can be placed into wall elements only. Therefore, openings are regarded as sub-elements of walls. Is is useful to sort and enter the openings per level of your building, for they are mainly designed to make working on the plan view more easy. If you place an opening into a wall, the wall is split up and at that position the opening is inserted. This is done with the symbol chosen in the respective dialog box.

Furthermore, you can assign values controlling 3D, such as heights and basis. These values are understood in relation to the respective wall. If you are using the 3D values, a 3D model is build up right away.  


  • Opening / Window / Door dialog box : ?

    First of all, you may choose the symbol for the opening. In case, the symbols offered do not fit your project, you can create symbols of your own and place them into the empty opening by using the Symbol functions. Further on, you can control the detailed position of the opening in the wall.


dialog box, name Name : Use this field to choose the dialog box settings.
base, height Base : These values determine the height of the bottom end of the opening. The base is measured from the bottom of the wall in which the opening will be placed.

Height : Here you can enter the height of the opening measured from the base; i.e. the true height of the opening.  

width, depth Stop width : An opening with a wall stop. You can enter the width of the stop. This width determines how far the stop will reach to the inside, measured from the simple opening. If "0.0000" is chosen here, the opening is drawn without a stop.

Stop depth : Here you can enter the depth of the wall stop. The values entered here are measured from the outside of the wall to the inside. The depth also controls the position of the opening symbol inside the actual opening.

symbol Symbol : Choose the symbol to be inserted.
 

  • Opening function list

The Opening function list has this structure: At the top you find the functions for creating openings, doors, and windows. Located below that are the ? -buttons for calling the respective dialog boxes; followed by options for entering elements using a pre-defined width indicated in the next line. If the ! -button is pushed in, these widths will be used. The different opening types only differ concerning the kind of symbol that is placed in the opening automatically. opening function list
 


Opening : Choose the wall in which you want to create an opening. The position and size of the opening is determined by placing two points. If the !-button is active a pre-defined opening width next to the ! is used. So, you have to choose into which direction the opening should face. Once the position of the opening has been confirmed, you decide which side of the wall is to be considered the outside by clicking on it. Therefore, the opening symbol can be placed correctly.

!

If the ! button is pressed in, the opening width next to it will be used. Then, you have to place one point only, that is the starting point of the opening. The opening will start at this point and will be as wide as the numerical value indicates. The direction in which the opening will be placed is controlled using the mouse. If you choose a different width, it will be used under the described conditions.  

Door : This function enables you to achieve a display indicating a door leaf in your plan view. The input options are in analogy tpo those of the Opening. Additionally, you have to specify the position of door leaf. Do this by using the mouse. The position of the door leaf can be changed easily by calling the Alter - Door function later on.

Window : Use this function for creating openings with a symbol representing a window. This function works in analogy to the Opening function.  


  • Alter - correcting openings

    The functions following allow you to change the symbols used in the openings. Decide, by choosing either Opening, Window, or Door about what symbol from what dialog box is to be inserted. The position, width, and outside of the opening remain unchanged.


Opening : Change the opening symbol. Choose an opening and the symbol of the current opening dialog box is inserted.

Door : Change the door symbol. Choose the opening that is to be altered with the symbol of the current door dialog box. Moreover, his function can be used for changing the position of the door leaf easily.

Window : Change the window symbol. Choose an opening that is to be displayed with a different window symbol.  


Height : Here you can change the heights of all openings after they already have been created. Enter the new base and total height for the opening in the input line below the drawing area. Then, choose the openings to which the new heights should be assigned.  


Dissolve : This function may be used for dissolving opening symbols. Choose the openings the symbols that you want to dissolve. Then, the display of the symbol is converted to line and circle elements which can be edited as usual.

Remove : Remove openings. This function allows you to delete openings. Any opening you click on with the mouse pointer (which turns into an X-mark shape) will be removed immediately and the wall will be restored. If the wall was connected to other walls, these connections will be removed.


 
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4.7 Dim  
 


Dimension chains are elements consisting of several single dimensions. If you change one dimension of a chain, the entire chain will be re-computed and re-displayed. You may enter dimension chains manually or semi-automatically. Entering them manually means, that you snap-to single points of the drawing which are to be measured. Using semi-automatic measuring you may create dimension chains being computed by using intersecting lines. You place these lines in a way that they intersect wall elements in your plan.<
Above this, there are several ways to correct existing dimension chains: You can add, delete, and change single measuring points. The display of the dimension chains is determined in the respective dialog boxes. The text size on the screen depends on the scale set in 4.1 Project, Scale.
Optionally, you can use "compound" dimension chains. "Compound" means that any changes made to the drawing are reflected in the dimension chains automatically.  


  • Dimension chain dialog box : ?

    The settings in these dialog boxes effect the graphical display of the dimension chains. You can choose the font, font size, the measuring guide lines, the measuring point, and the dimension figures. A list of all options:


 
  • Figures : Handle the display of the dimension figures as follows:

dim, figures Size : Here you can choose the text size for the dimensional figures. Choose an input dimension for the text sizes at 8.1 Settings, Input.

Width : Here you can set the width of the single characters. The value you enter is a multiple of the text size.

Space : The distance from one character to the next is set in this box. Again, the value you enter is a multiple of the text size.

dim, font Font : Choose a font.  
dim, display Here you select the display of the dimension figures:
  • Architecture : all numbers are given using meters and centimeters, e.g. : 1.01, 36 (up) 5
  • M : all numbers are given using meters, e.g. : 1.01, 0.365
  • CM : all numbers are given using centimeters e.g. : 101, 36.5
  • MM : all numbers are given using millimeters e.g. : 1010, 365
  • INCH: all numbers in inch
  • FEET: all numbers in feet
  • IMP 1/1 - 1/64 : all numbers are given using imperial scales in different accuracies from 1/1" up to 1/64"
The display of the dimension figures is not effected by the dimensions you are using when entering the elements. (See Appendix 8.1 Settings, Input.)

pen / line Choose the pen and line type for the dimensional figures.
 

  • Chain : For layouting the dimension chains these options are available:

dim, chain HLine : Here you can change the length of the measuring guide lines. The value you enter here is a multiple of the text size.

Space : The distance from the dimension figures to the dimension line is specified here. The value is a multiple of the text size.

dim, measuring point Measuring point : Choose the display of the measuring point.
pen / line Here you can choose the pen and line type for the chain line.
 

  • Dimension chain function list - input

    First of all, a short overview over this function list: At the top of this list the input functions are located. After that the ? -button for the dimension chain dialog box follows. Below that, functions for editing dimension chains are located. You can add height measurements or you add or remove measurement points. The Alter section contains functions for editing single aspects of a chain. The following paragraph describes exactly how a dimension chain is created. Any further input functions are variants of the one described here.


dim

dim

Dim : Enter a dimension chain which has an arbitrary angle. First, choose the angle of the dimension chain. You can do so by either entering it numerically or by creating a directional line. A single point determines the start position of the dimension chain. An imaginary line of the specified angle passes through this point. Now, snap-to single points which are to be measured - every point is projected onto the line and added to the chain. Per each point you place a further dimension is added to the chain. The chain is displayed in white until you abort the function. After that the dimension chain is drawn according to the settings made in the current dimension chain dialog box. You may keep adding further dimension chains using the same angle.
Example: You want to measure the stop of an opening alongside an angled wall in a room.
 

0 degree : Enter horizontal dimension chains. Follow the steps as if entering a normal chain, but you do not need to specify an angle.

90 degrees : Enter vertical dimension chains. It works in analogy to 0 degree.  

Auto : All wall lines in one dimension plane are measured in one dimension chain. First of all, you need to specify the angle for the dimension chain. As usual, you can either enter a value numerically, or you describe the angle with an imaginary line.
Now, place one point in order to set the position of the dimension chain. Do this as described above for the Dim -function. Now, you have to specify in which plane you want to perform the measuring. The single steps: two points control the line of intersection along which the points of intersection with the wall lines are computed. The first point controls the plane of intersection in the specified angle and forms the start point. The second point controls the end point of the line of intersection. As soon as you confirm the second point the points of intersection between the line of intersection and the wall lines are computed and the dimension chain is drawn.  


+ Point : Add measuring points. Activate the dimension chain to which you want to add a point. Now, add new points by snapping-to those points of the drawing that you want to measure additionally. For each point you snap-to a new dimension is calculated and added to the chain.

- Point : Remove measuring points. Choose the chain to be corrected. Then, snap-to the points on the chain you want to remove. The points are deleted and the dimensions remaining are recomputed.

+ Height : Adds a height dimension. Activate a single dimension of a chain to which you want to have an additional height measured. Enter the value using the keyboard. The height dimension is added to the chain centered below the dimension line. This function also can be used for altering height dimensions. Choose a dimension and enter a new value.


 
dim, radius Radius : Measure the radius of a Circle or an Arc. First, you choose the element to be measured. Now, set the point which defines the position of the dimension display.
dim, diameter Diameter : Measure the diameter of a Circle or an Arc. Activate the element you want to measure and set the position at which the dimension shall be drawn.
dim, angle Angle : Add a dimension measuring an angle. Using this function you can draw a dimension which measures the angle between two imaginary lines. To do this, three points need to be entered. Start positioning the center point that lies at the intersection of the two lines. The display of this dimension will be drawn using an arc to which the dimension figure will be attached to. Therefore, you need to enter a start point and an end point of the arc counter-clockwise. Doing this, the inner angle will be measured. The other way around, you would achieve the measurement of the outer angle of the arc between the lines.
dim, heights Heights : This function allows you to enter a dimension chain designed with several height measuring points. First, you place the position of the dimension chain. Then, you snap-to those points you want to be added to the chain.
 


  • Compound measurement

    You may perform "compound" dimensioning of your drawing. In the menu Project under Settings, Dim activate the option "Link to element". (See Appendix 8.1 Settings, Dim.) Then, start creating dimension chains with these settings. Now, you can edit drawing elements using the Move / Point function and the dimension chains are re-computed automatically. (See 4.11 Edit, Moving points.)

    Doing the compound dimensioning, those points are of interest that you initially snapped-to during the creation of the chain. For each measuring point you snapped-to a "note" is created and displayed in the drawing. This note is understood as a link between the measuring point of the chain and the point of the element. Using the Move / Point function you may activate points of an element that was measured in compound and as a result the linked point(s) of the dimension chain are activated at the same time. If you move the points of the element now, the points of the dimension chain are moved as well and the chain is recomputed. Alternatively, you have can edit the dimension chain independently. To do so, activate the points in the chain for moving them. Then, the linked points of the related drawing elements will be high-lighted. You can decide now, whether you wish to alter the points of the drawing elements, or not. If you want to alter them, you need to activate those points explicitly.

    compound dimensions

    Example : You performed a compound measuring of the plan and now you want to move a wall between two rooms. You activate the corner points of the wall using the Edit / Move / Point function. At the same time the points of the linked dimension chain are activated. Move those points by the distance desired - as soon as you confirm the operation, the dimension chain will be recomputed.


 

  • Alter - correcting dimension chains

Value : Change the value of a single dimension figure. Activate the dimension figure that needs correction and enter the new value using the keyboard. Now, this change is marked with an asterisk in front of the new value as a reminder. The position of the measuring points remain uneffected. The asterisk will not be printed or plotted.

Example : For very slight changes that do not mandate moving the measuring point it is easier to simply change that respective dimension figure. Therefore, if inaccuracies occurred while entering drawing elements, you can simply correct the values displayed in the dimension chains. Calling the Original function afterwards, the actual dimension chain will be restored.


Move : Move single dimension figures in order to improve the layout of the chain. Move one figure at a time. As usual, you activate the figure to be edited first. Specifying the direction where to move is done by using the mouse or the arrow keys followed by a numerical input. Hereby, the X and Y directions for moving are rotated according to the angle of the dimension chain. Figures that have been moved can be put back in their initial position by calling the Original function.

Example: A 90 degrees dimension chain needs to be edited in a way that a value such as "11.5" does not reach inside the measuring bars: If you move the dimension figure using the arrow up key, it is moved to the left. (Also refer to Appendix 8.1 Settings, Dim, Move figures.)  

Size : Change the text size of the dimension figures. Activate the dimension chain using the selection menu and enter a new size. If the text size is changed, the other settings of the dialog box remain unchanged for they are expressed as a multiple of the text size.

Style : Activate the dimension chains to which you want to assign different settings of the dialog box. The new font is read from the currently active dialog box.

Original : Reverts the dimension chain back to its initial state. Any corrections made using Value, Move and concerning the single dimensions are undone. You have to choose which dimension chain you want to revert to original state.


 
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