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
 
4.8 Text  
 


Inscribing drawings.

A text element may be a single line of text or a block of text. A text block consists of several lines that have one joint text starting point. You can edit or correct the text content and you can change the text size or the formatting of the text. For editing you select the text using the option Element. Or, you activate text elements using the option Range and you set the range around the text starting points. The size of text displayed depends on the display scale. (See 4.1 Project, Scale.)
 

  • Text dialog box : ?

    The Text dialog box allows you to change the attributes of the text. You can change the font, the text size, the width, and the distance of the single characters. The settings made in the text dialog box also effect the inscription of rooms done in the Room function list.


 
text, character

Line spacing : Select the distance between two lines of text. The values you enter here are considered a multiple of the text size.

Character width : Choose the width of the single characters. This value also is a multiple of the text size.

Character space : Here you can set the distance between the different characters. These values also are a multiple of the text size.

text, font Font : Load a font. (On Linux: Import TrueType fonts at the menu Project, Import, TrueType Font.)
pen / line Choose the line and pen type for the text.

The preview area in the dialog box allows you to check the settings you have made.  

  • Text function list - input

    You can enter text line by line or you can use the editor. The editor enables the usage of the clipboard functions of your system for inserting text into CYCAS. Call the editor by pressing the E -button next to the text input function.

    When you start entering text, you can choose the formatting right away, or you can change it later on using Alter. The text start points are displayed as small crosses in the guide line color. (See 8.1 Settings, View, Guide points.)


Text : Enter text at an arbitrary angle. First, you enter the angle, either by entering a numeric value or by placing a directional line. After that, you need to place the start point of the text using the mouse. The text formatting is done relatively to this start point.

Once you have confirmed this point you can enter the actual text. The text you enter appears in the input line below the drawing area first. Pressing enter adds the line to the drawing. You could enter another line now. Only if you hit enter twice (once for ending the line, a second time to confirm) the text input is finished.

In case you have the editor button E activated, a window opens where you may enter your text or paste it via clipboard functions.

0 degree : Enter horizontal text. All input is done like for Text, only that you do not need to specify an angle.

90 degrees : Enter vertical text. The input is done just like for 0 degree.

Tip :If you are working with single lines of text, you can add further lines to an existing line of text. Simply snap-to the start point of a line of text. If you confirm this point, you can add text in the next line automatically.  

format, text Format : Choose the text formatting:
  • Right aligned : Text start point at the right end.
  • Left aligned : Text start point at the left end.
  • Centered : Text start point at the center.
  • Justified : Text start point at the left and a point that controls the width of the justification.

size, text Size : Specify the text size. Choose an input dimension for the text sizes at 8.1 Setting. Input.
 

  • Alter - correcting texts

Content : Change the content of a text element. After the activation the text will be displayed at the input line below the drawing area. You can edit it here. Pressing enter applies the changes. Blocks of text will be displayed in the text editor for the correction.

Format : Change the formatting of text. Choose the formatting at the Format area, then select the text. Leave the selection menu by clicking OK. The text selected will be formatted accordingly. If you want to justify the text, you need to enter the width of justification additionally. The width is measured beginning at the start point of the text.

Size : Change the size of texts. You adjust a new size for the text in the function list first, then you select the text.

Style : Change the font. Choose the new font in one of the dialog boxes. The new font will be assigned to the texts activated. The settings for the width, the space of the characters and the line spacing will be changed as well.


 
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4.9 Room  
 


Inscribing rooms.

This function list serves the purpose of inscribing rooms with their area and volume. A room is an element that consists of the room area and the room texts. First of all, you have to specify the room area. You can measure the area of rectangular rooms as wells as use polygons to measure the area of more complex rooms. After you have entered the room borders the area can be computed easily. Finally, you have to position the room text. The room text can contain up to four different kinds of information: the room name, the room number, the room area and the room volume. If you change a room, e.g. the position of its walls, the area and volume are altered automatically. To achieve such a recalculation you need to apply the function 4.11 Edit, Moving of points for moving the walls and the room borders.
 

  • Room dialog box : ?

    In the Room dialog box you choose the room inscription. Choose which information you want to be shown in the inscription. For calculating areas you have to select whether you want the area to be multiplied by a factor. On top of that, you can choose the pen and line type for the room texts. The text style is copied from the current Text dialog box of the Text function list. In Settings, Input, Room inscription you decide about details on computing the room areas, about details on the inscription, and about which measurement units you want to use.


 

base, height, factor Base : Enter the base.

Height : Enter the room height.

Factor : Enter the factor by which you want to multiply the room area. (E.g. 0.97 to account for the 3% the plaster takes off the raw area.)  

room, inscription Description : If this button is pushed in, you can assign a room description, respectively, a name for the room.

Number : Optionally, you can inscribe rooms with or without a room number.

Area : If this button is pushed in, the computed area of the room is displayed. This area can be multiplied by a factor of your choice.

Volume : If this button is pushed in, the volume of the room is displayed as well.

pen / line Select the pen and line type for the room inscription.
 

  • Room function list - input

    In order to have the areas of rooms computed, you counter draw them. Enter these areas by using polygons or ranges (frames). An area can consist of several sub-areas which can be added to or subtracted from each other. Once you have entered the room area, you position the inscription. Surely, you can make changes to the room inscriptions later on. The text layout is set in the current dialog box of the Text function list.

  • Input : For each room you have to choose the area which has to be calculated. Using Input you create initial elements to which you could Add further areas.

Polygon : Describe a more complex formed area. Draw the polygon lines by following the borders of the room. Those room lines are initially displayed in the color of guide lines. As soon as you close the polygon the area can be computed. For details on the entering polygons see 3.7 Polygons.

After entering the polygon you must place the text start point to which the room inscription will be aligned. After you have confirmed that point the computed values are displayed. If you are using a room description and/or a room number you must enter those in the input line below the drawing area first. As soon as you confirm the last line of the input field, you are done.  

Area : The area of a rectangle is computed. Draw a frame that incides with the room borders. As soon as you confirm the second point of the frame, you can inscribe the room just as you would for a polygon.  

  • Add : Using these functions you can extend existing areas or polygons. If the + -button in front of the function buttons is pushed in, the areas you enter now will be added to the existing one, otherwise it will be subtracted.

Polygon : Extend or reduce a room by a new polygon area. Choose a room for extension. Then, enter the new polygon area. Close the polygon for recomputing the room area.

Area : Extend a room by a new range. Choose an existing room and enter the new area. The room area will be recomputed.  

  • Alter - correcting the room inscription

Description : Change the content of the room description. Choose the room and enter the new text in the input line.

Number : Change the room number.

Factor : Change the factor for calculating the area. Select a room and the area is recomputed accordingly.

Height : Re-enter the base and height of a room.  

Inscription : You may alter the inscription using this function. As soon as the settings in the dialog box to suit your needs, select the rooms to be changed. If you have e.g. switched off the room number, the respective information will not be displayed anymore. The value of the room number is, however, stored and thus can be switched on later.

Position : Choose a new text start point for the room.


 
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4.10 Pattern  
 


Patterns are elements that fill areas in your drawing. Patterns can be created of lines, of dots, or of colored fillings. You can fill a roof area with schematic shingles, you could simulate the tiles of a bathroom floor, or you could design your drawing with colored fillings. The Pattern element consists of the pattern itself and of the corner points of the constructed area. Use the Move / Point function to change the filled area moving these corner and polygon points. The input functions offer several options for creating and extending patterns. Polygons can be used to fill complex areas, but you can create rectangular patterns as well.
 

  • Pattern dialog box : ?

    Several options for creating patterns are offered in the pattern dialog box. Choose whether the pattern should be made up out of one or two lines, out of points, or out of a colored filling.

    The 2 lines pattern type can be used to create a large amount of different patterns. For each line you can change the pen and line type as well as the angle and distance of the two lines.


Examples: A pattern, such as a roof pattern, consists e.g. of one line type that has an angle of 90 degrees and a distance of 30cm.
The pattern of reinforced concrete could consist of two lines in two different line types. Both running at an angle of 45 degrees. If you choose the same distance for both lines, the lines will be drawn offset by half the distance.  

dialog box, pattern

Type

1 Line : The pattern will be made out of one line.

2 Lines : Combine two line types for the pattern.

Points : Create a pattern just like you would do for a 1 Line type pattern. Space controls the distance of the points. Angle controls the angle of the imaginary line on which the points are distributed then.

Filling : Activates the colored fillings.

 

Line 1

Space : Choose the spacing for repeating the first line.

Angle : Choose the angle for the first line type.

Select the pen and line type for the first line.


Line 2

Space : Choose the spacing for repeating the second line.

Angle : Choose the angle for the second line type.

Select the pen and line type for the second line.


Color

Adjust a color in the color selection.  

  • Pattern function list - input

    In order to enter a pattern you create the area in which the pattern shall be placed first. You can create those areas with polygons or with rectangular frames. You can extend them by either adding or removing further areas. You may also change the pattern in different ways, e.g. by editing the space, the angle, or the origin.

  • Input : Use these functions for the creation of your patterns. You can Add further areas later on.

Polygon : This is an area that is determined from a polygon. Enter the polygon lines. These lines will be displayed using the guide line color until you close it - then the polygon will be filled. (See 3.7 Polygons.) The pattern now has its reference point at the origin of the drawing area. From this point on the space between the lines of your pattern are calculated.

Area : A rectangular area is to be filled with a pattern. Enter a frame for placing the pattern.  

  • Add : The following two functions offer you three possibilities.

    1. Extend a pattern by a new area in a different place. The new area will be filled using the pattern of the existing elements.

    2. Extend a pattern by a new area directly adjacent to it. Snap-to the corner or polygon points of the existing area and the new area will be combined with the existing one.

    3. Remove areas from a pattern. Create a new area completely within the existing one and it will be subtracted forming a hole.


Polygon : Extend or reduce a pattern by a new polygon area. Select the pattern you want to extend and then enter a new polygon.

Area : Extend or reduce a pattern by a rectangular area. Apart from the different shape this function is identical to -Polygon.

add / reduce, pattern

 

  • Alter - correcting patterns

Pattern : Use a different pattern. Choose a new pattern in the dialog box. Then, activate the pattern to be replaced. The selected pattern area will be filled using the new pattern.

  • - S : Alter single patterns. Choose single patterns by clicking the mouse. The patterns will be altered by the current settings within the pattern dialog box.
  • - A : Alter all patterns of the same type. Exchange all patterns of one type by a new type.

Angle : Change the angle of the pattern line types. Select the pattern to be edited. Now, enter the angle in either one of the possible ways. The pattern is rotated then.

Space : Change the pattern line spacing. Select a pattern and enter the new spacing. Make sure that the spacing does not get to wide for the area you want to fill.  

Origin : Place the origin of the pattern. When you fill an area with a pattern, it is usually aligned to the absolute origin of the drawing area. This function serves the purpose of positioning the pattern exactly, so that the area can be filled evenly.

Dissolve : Patterns consist of their corner and polygon points and their filling. By dissolving them, they are transformed into single line elements. Therefore, these line elements can be edited and modified like any other line element.


 
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4.11 Edit  
 


The Edit function list offers you functions for editing all drawing elements. Elements can be moved, rotated, copied, etc.

The following paragraphs solely deal with editing in two dimensions. Notes on editing in three dimensions are found at the end of chapter 5, in 5.5 Editing in 3D.

To start with, the description of the Edit functions deals with the moving of elements. Once you have read and understood that part, you are able to use the remaining edit functions easily, for they are of the same structure. After that, the editing of points is described. By using the Move / Point function you can achieve compound measuring and the correction of area computations in the plan. At the beginning of every Edit function you use the selection menu first, in order to activate the elements for modification. (See 3.3 Selection menu, Activating elements.) Once you have made your choice, you enter the data necessary for the respective Edit function.
 

  • Moving elements

Move : The elements you want to move are activated within the selection menu first. When you are done with the selection, you click OK. Now, you have to specify the distance by which you want to move these elements. There are two ways to do this:

1. Enter the distance numerically in the input line below the drawing area. To do so, you have to choose the direction in which you want to move first. The selected elements will be moved from their initial position by that distance. You may continue moving the elements until you confirm or abort the function.

2. Set the distance for moving by placing two points. In order to do that, you have to place a start and an end point of that distance using the mouse. Both of these points can be moved using the keyboard if necessary. Once you confirm the end point, the elements will be drawn at the new position. The elements will be displayed in white, which means that you could continue moving them, until you abort the function.
Example: You want to move an element by a distance which is given already by another element in your drawing. Snap-to the points of the reference element and the active elements are moved by that distance. (See the Garage Tutorial, example for copying a wall.)

Both variants can be used as often as you wish and can be combined arbitrarily.
 

  • Moving points

Move : If you choose the buttons Point and Active in the selection menu, it is possible to activate single points of the elements. These points are displayed in white.

The following text lists several possibilities for moving points:

Line : If you move one point of a line, the other one remains uneffected. As you can see, this can be used to distort, lengthen, shorten, etc. lines.

Wall : Move corner points of wall elements. If you move a single point of a wall, the wall gets distorted. If you select the two points of a wall ending, you can lengthen or shorten it.

Opening : Move corner points of openings. Activate the corner points of an opening and move the points within the opening plane in order to change the size of the opening. If you move an opening outside the wall plane it is removed automatically.

Dim : Move measuring points of dimension chains. If you move measuring points that are not linked to points of other elements, the dimension figures of the chain are recomputed.
In case the compound measuring is active: Move the corner points of wall elements that are linked to the measuring points. Once you confirm the change, the dimension chain will be recomputed.

Text : Move the starting point of text. This results in moving the entire line of text or block of text.

Room : Move corner and polygon points of room borders. When moving such points of room borders the area and volume of the room are recomputed. If you move the text start point of the inscription, the position of the room text is changed.

Pattern : Move corner and polygon points of patterns. When moving points of patterns, the area of the pattern is redrawn and filled anew.
 

  • Edit function list

    For each of the functions described as follows, you must activate the elements to be modified first by using the selection menu. Click on OK to finish the selection and you can enter the values by which you want to move, copy, or rotate those elements. The input rules explained in 3.1 Point input apply to all edit functions. All functions remain active, until you select a new one or abort it by right-clicking outside the drawing area.


Copy : Make a copy of the active elements and move the copy. This one works like Move in every other respect.

Multi : Create multiple copies. Set a start point of the elements at which the multiple copies can be controled. Positioning a target point results in getting a copy at a new position. Each time you set a new target point another copy is created.  

Series : Create a series using a linear distance. Select the elements for the series. Now, enter the number of copies in the input box, counting the initial element as one. The distance is specified just as you would do for the Move function.  

series polar Polar : Create a polar series around a center. Within an angle a certain number of elements can be distributed. First, you choose the number of elements (counting the initial element as one). Now, you place the center of rotation. Finally, you have to enter the angle over which the elements are to be distributed. (For entering the angle, please refer to 3. Basics, Angle input.)

Rotate : Rotation around a center. Set the center by using the mouse. Then, you choose the angle around which the objects are to be rotated. If the + -button is pushed in, copy of the element is created for rotation.  

Mirror : Mirror over an axis. Select the elements for editing. Place two points in order to create a mirror axis (imaginary line). Then, the elements are mirrored to the other side of the axis. If the + -button is pushed in, a copy is created instead of mirroring the original.
Example: Enter the mirror axis by placing and confirming the first point. Move the second point 5m up. As soon as you confirm the second point of the mirror axis, the elements are mirrored at this imaginary, vertical line.  

Stretch : Change the size of elements in relation to a fixed point. Place a fixed point. After that, you enter a factor numerically; in detail one for the X- and one for the Y- direction of the 2D coordinate system. The elements then are stretched by those factors. Alternatively, you could specify the factor by placing two points at a certain distance.

Example: You want to print or plot a drawing in a scale of 1:50, but within this drawing one part shall be displayed in the scale of 1:10. Stretch this part by a factor of 5 in both directions, the X- and the Y- coordinate.
 

  • The edit function can be used to change the pen and line type of every element, independent of the settings made in the dialog boxes or function lists.

Alter : Change the pen and line type of elements. First, select the new pen and line type, then select the elements to be changed. Click on OK to apply the changes.

  • You can also alter the pen and line type of elements drawn in the guide line color, in order to make them "real" elements. If the GL+ button is pushed in, all active elements are converted into guide lines. After that they are no longer printed or plotted.

Pen : Only the pen type is changed. The line type remains unchanged.

Line : Only the line types are changed, the pen type remains unchanged.


 
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