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. The Function lists  
 

This chapter describes all function lists. The function lists are structured according to the kinds of functions they contain. The menu Project offers various functions dealing with files and settings. The Line, Circle, Wall, Opening, Dim, Text, Room, Pattern, 3D and Unit menus deal with the different element types. The Edit function list is of a more global nature and contains functions which can be applied to all types of elements. Finally, the Symbol menu offers (besides clipboard functions) the management of the symbol catalog.

  • All function lists are structured alike and adhere to the following layout:

At the top of the list you find functions for creating new elements. Below these input functions, you have access to the dialog boxes (if available). Further down, you find functions for altering elements. And at the very bottom, you will always find the function Delete.

In order to take full advantage of this chapter, it is recommended to read chapter 3. Basics in advance.

This chapter contains a description of every function. It gives you notes on their special features. Instructions on how to use each function are given. This chapter was written with the intention to answer specific questions quickly.

The Edit function list is special, because it offers functions for working on all elements in all projections. It is described at the end of this chapter. Within the Edit function list, you should pay special attention to the Move / Point function. It offers many ways to edit or correct elements: e.g. for the compound measurement and for editing 3D elements in the different projections.
The Line function list is described very detailed. The function lists following are structured in analogy to the Line function list.


 
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4.1 Project  
 

  • Project function list

    The menu Project contains file operations. Here you can save and load your drawings. Settings are used for customizing the working environment of CYCAS. For more detailed information please refer to 8.1 Appendix, Settings. The menu Project also contains functions for output to printer or plotter. (For details on printing, see 7. Output.)


 

Load : Load a drawing.

Save : Save a drawing. All elements on all layers will be saved. The following information is saved along with the drawing: the scale and the Settings in the menu Project.  

Scale : Here you can choose the scale. Since all drawing elements are created using a 1:1 scale, the scale, you define here controls the display of the drawing on your screen. It effects the size of the text display (and the dimension figures) and the size of the line types. Thus, you are able to view your drawing as WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) before printing or plotting.

File import and export. Please refer to 8.3 Data exchange for detailed information on using the DXF format. Output of 3D-data to rendering programs and the output using vector graphics formats are described at 8.4 Export.

Tools, Remove Duplicates : All line, circle, and arc elements that are directly drawn on top of each other will be removed from the active layer. This tool is useful for cleaning up some DXF data.

New : This function removes all elements and gives you a clean state for beginning a new drawing.


 
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4.2 Symbol  
 

A symbol is a group which consists of an arbitrary number of elements. Symbols are created by selecting elements and by saving them in a symbol file.

There are two major applications for symbols: You can use them to place furniture on a plan, e.g. a WC or a table, by loading the appropriate file from the symbol library of CYCAS. You can also create symbols of your own and maintain them in the symbol library. The other application is to group several elements in order to move them between the layers.


  • Symbol function list

    This list contains functions dealing with the loading, the saving and the creation of symbols. It also contains functions for maintaining the Symbol libraries. Functions such as cut, copy, and paste are found in the menu Clip additionally.


 

Load : Load symbols. Select the desired symbol file name and load it. You will find that symbol attached to the mouse pointer now. Place the origin of the symbol in the drawing. You may specify a rotation angle. To do this, simply place a direction point somewhere in the drawing area - the symbol then will be rotated by the angle of the imaginary line reaching from the symbol's origin to that direction point. (See 3. Basics, Angle input.) If you place the direction point above the origin in a vertical line, the symbol will be turned by 90 degrees. If you confirm the direction point at the same position as the origin, the symbol will not be rotated.  

Save : Create symbols of your own. Choose which elements are to be saved as one symbol. Now, the only thing left to do is to choose an origin for it. (Later on, you can place it into your drawing by positioning that origin point.)

Remove : Remove a symbol from the symbol library. Choose the symbol file for deletion.


  • Library : Symbol library management.

New : This function is used to create new directories for your symbol libraries.

Remove : Delete the directory of the symbol library.


 

  • Group : All symbols you load form a group automatically. In the selection menu, you may activate the elements as a group. But, single elements being part of a group can also be edited one by one. Nevertheless, they remain members of the group.

Create : Create a new group. Select all those elements you want to group together.

Ungroup : Disband a group. Choose a group that is to be split back into its member elements.


 

  • Clipboard : The following functions can also be found at the menu Clip.

Cut : Cut elements from a drawing and store them. The elements will be stored in a clipboard. Elements from the clipboard can be placed somewhere else by calling the Paste function. Activate the elements to be stored in the clipboard, then choose an origin for them. The elements will be removed from the drawing. Elements remain in the clipboard until they are overwritten by subsequent cut or copy operations.

Copy : This function is very similar to Cut, but the elements are not actually cut from the drawing. They remain in the drawing and a copy of them is saved in the clipboard.

Paste : Paste the elements currently contained in the clipboard back into a drawing. In case you want to rotate them, you set a direction point. (In doubt, please refer to the Load ing of a symbol.) And, of course, you can simply confirm the origin in order to paste it without any rotation.


 
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4.3 Line  
 


  • Line function list

    This function list contains operations dealing with the creation of lines and shapes of several lines. You will find each line function described in detail and illustrated by sketches. For basics on the input of single points, please read chapter 3. We also recommend to go through the tutorial at the beginning of this manual.
    During input always keep an eye on the help bar below the drawing area. It gives you little notes on what is expected for input. In the lower part of the function list you choose the pen and line type for the lines to be drawn.


 

    
line Line : Draw a line. Place two points, one for the starting and one for the ending of the line. As soon as you confirm the end point the line is drawn.

x-line X- Line : The starting point determines the position of a horizontal line that is as long as the X-distance from the start to the end point.

y-line Y- Line : Similar to X-line. The starting point determines the position of a vertical line that is as long as the Y-distance from the first to the second point.

line, angle

line, angle

A- Line : Angle line. This function is used to draw lines with an exact angle and length. The angle has to be specified first. You can either enter the angle numerically or create a directional line using two points. Angles are measured counter-clockwise. After that the starting point of the angled line has to be placed. This point can be moved by using the arrow keys and by a numerical input, until it is confirmed. Then, you enter the length of the line. You can either enter it numerically or set a point using the mouse. After that the line is drawn. You can draw further angled lines using the same angle, until you choose a different function.

line, parallel Parallel : There are two ways to create parallel lines.

Parallels at a distance to an existing line. Numerically you enter the distance between the new line and the existing line. The mouse pointer appears as an X-mark which means that you must select an element, in this case the existing line. Both normal and wall lines can be used. Once you have selected this line, you will see a preview of the new line to either side of the line you have just selected. The only thing left to do is click on the side on which you want the new line to appear. You can keep using this function with the distance you initially specified, until you abort the function (by right-clicking outside the drawing area) or you select a new function.

Parallels through a point. This is a variant of the method mentioned above. First of all, you must select an existing line, after that you need to place a point through which the parallel should run.


line, orthogonal Orthogonal : Create a line that stands orthogonal (rotated by 90 degrees) to an existing line. Select a line or wall line on which you want to construct an orthogonal. After that, you need to place a point through which the orthogonal will run and a second point to set the length for the orthogonal line.

line, frame Frame : There are two ways to create a frame:

Enter a frame by placing two points. The two points mark opposite corner points of a rectangle or square. A frame consists out of four line elements. The points always must be located diagonally across in order to unambiguously determine the X and Y distance.

To draw an inner or outer frame at a distance to an existing frame. Enter negative numbers to create an inner frame, positive numbers for an outer frame. After specifying the distance value, you only need to snap-to the corner points of the existing frame. The function remains active and the distance will be re-used, until you abort the function or choose a different function.


 

N-Polygon : Draws a polygon around a center point. Enter the number of corners. Place the center point and then choose the size by placing a corner point. The center point can be moved using arrow keys and numerical input until it is confirmed. The size of the N-polygon can also be set by using the keyboard to enter a distance from the center to the corners. The function remains active and the initially specified number of corners is re-used.
 

  • Modifying of lines

    The following functions are used to modify or edit line elements. Each kind of drawing element, such as lines, circles or walls, has its own set of modify functions. Whenever placing single points the input rules explained in chapter 3. Basics, apply.


All set points which mark line segments or single points need not be located on the element to be modified. All points are projected orthogonally.  

line, join Join : Join two lines at the point where they intersect. Using this function can mean that the lines are made longer or shorter. The segment of interest is always to one side of the point where the lines intersect. Click on the segment that you want to keep. As soon as you select the second line, the function is executed.

Join and add a line. This function is very similar to the Join function. In addition to joining the two lines a miter is added. When calling this function you specify a length for the miter first. Then, activate the two lines to be joined. The miter is the orthogonal of the angle secant of the two lines. The pen and line type of the line that was selected first will also be used for the miter.

Join and add an arc. This function is very similar to the Join function. In addition to joining the two lines an arc is added. When calling this function, you specify a radius for the arc in advance. Then, you activate the two lines to be joined. An arc will be added between the two lines.
Example for application: rounded furniture, sinks, toilet bowls, etc.  

 
line, attach Attach : Extend lines until they meet a line or wall line. Choose to which line or wall line you want to extend. The element you select will be displayed in pink color. Then use the selection menu to activate all lines that you want to extend to line initially selected. The line up to which the others will be extend is considered to be of infinite length for the purposes of this function.

line, extend Extend : Extends a line to the next intersection with a different 2D-element or a wall line. Depending on which end of the line you click the line will be extended to the next intersection that lies in that direction. The elements to which you want to extend the line are not considered to be of infinite length.

line, erase Erase : Erase a part of a line. Activate a line. Now specify two points which mark the stretch to be erased. The marked part of the line then will be erased from memory. You can use this function to shorten lines or to cut a piece from the middle in order to create two line elements. Also, you may split lines by using the same point as the start and end point for erasing.
 

Delete part : Deletes a line segment. A line segment is the part of a line that is located between points of intersections a line has with other objects. Any segment you click on using this function will be deleted from memory. If the selected line only has one object it intersects with, the segment between that intersection and the end point is deleted. Only the part of the line you clicked on will be deleted. If a line has no intersections with other objects, it is deleted entirely.

Cut with : One line is marked as the cutting line and used to cut all selected lines it crosses. First, select the line to use as your "cutting tool" and then activate all lines that are to be cut by that line. After that, you could delete some of the parts cut.
 

Delete : Deletes elements from memory. After choosing the Delete function the Selection menu appears. All activated elements are displayed in white. When you leave the selection menu by clicking on the OK button, all activated elements are deleted. The Delete function is located at the bottom of every function list.

pen / line

Depending on the current combination of pen colors and line types, the elements will be drawn accordingly. The pen and line selection in the function lists mutually effect each other. However, the settings made in the dialog boxes are not effected by this.


 
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4.4 Circle  
 

  • Circle function list

    The Circle function list contains input functions for circles, arcs, ellipses, and splines. You can create circles and arcs that are parallel to existing elements or you can modify them with functions such as Extend, Erase and Delete-Part. In analogy to the Line functions, the pen and line types are selected in the lower region of this list of functions.

 

Circle : Circle around a center point. Place the center point using the mouse and move or confirm it. After that, you specify the radius by either placing a point on the circle circumference using the mouse, or you enter the radius numerically.

-3 Point : Create a circle using three points. Enter three points that are to be located on the circumference of the circle.


Arc : Enter an arc by specifying a center point, a start point, and an end point. First, place the center point, then you place the start point and the end point. If you move the mouse now, CYCAS shows you a preview of the two possible arcs; choose one by clicking at it.

-3 Point : Create an arc using three points. All three points lie on the circumference of the arc. The first point you place determines the start point, the third point determines the end point of the arc.
 

Ellipse : Place the center of the ellipse. A second point placed relatively to the first one sets the difference between the primary and secondary center.

-Frame : Draw an ellipse inside a bounding box. Place the two corner points of the bounding box. Confirming this, the second point the ellipse will be drawn inside the bounding box.  


Parallel : There are two ways to create parallel circles, arcs, or ellipses:

A parallel at a distance to an existing circle, arc or ellipse. Enter the distance numerically. Activate a circle, an arc or an ellipse. Then, choose on which side the new element is to be drawn. You may continue drawing new circles, arcs or ellipses with that certain distance.

A parallel circle, arc, or ellipse through a point. First, activate an existing circle, arc or ellipse. Then, place a point through which the new element should pass.  


Extend: This function extends arcs or ellipses. The extension is calculated from that end you click on up to possible intersections with other elements.

Erase : Erase a part of a circle, an arc, or an ellpise. Activate such an element and place two points on it. Inbetween these two points the erasing is done counter-clockwise.

Delete-Part : Delete segments of circles, arcs or ellipses. The part you click on between two points of intersection is deleted immediately. In case the element has no intersections it is deleted on the whole.  


Spline : A curved line between two points. Set the start point and end point of the spline and place two control points that effect the shape of the curve.

-Dissolve : Dissolves a spline into single lines. These lines can be edited separately now.


 
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