TurboCAD Mac
Version 4
IMSI/Design
100 Rowland Blvd.
Novato. CA 94945, USA
Tel: +1-415-878-4000
Fax: +1-415-897-2544
W eb Site
www.imsidesign.com
www.turbocad.com
The material presented in this publication is copyright-protected, ©
1986-2008 by IMSI and may not be reproduced in any form, by any
method for any purpose without the prior written consent of IMSI.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. It is
against the law to copy the software, except in accordance with the
terms of the licensing agreement.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: User Interface
Files and Documents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
File Menu Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
New. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Recent File List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Saving a Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Revert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Close . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Components of the User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Tool Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Smart Pointer & Wireframe Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Location Indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Message Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Status Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Coordinate System Axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Axis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Drawing Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Displaying the Grid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Scroll Bars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Work Layer Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Menu Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Drawing Display Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Show/Hide Axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Show/Hide Work Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Show/Hide Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Grid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
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Drawing at Full Scale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Default versus Selected Object Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Escape Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Right Mouse Button. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Chapter 2: Inserting 2D Objects
Line Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Single Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Mid-Point Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Connected Lines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Parallel Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Arc Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Center-point Arc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3-point Arc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Tangent-point Arc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Circle Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Center-point Circle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Opposite-Point Circle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
3-point Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Tangent Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Ellipse Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
2-point Center Ellipse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Opposite-corner Ellipse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
3-point Center Ellipse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
3-corner Ellipse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Polygon Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Rectangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Inscribed Polygon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Circumscribed Polygon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Star Polygon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Arbitrary Polygon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
ii For updates and support,
Table of Contents
Polygon from Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Spline Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Through-Points B-Spline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Vector Spline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Bezier Spline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Sketch Spline Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Helix Curve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Add Control Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Remove Control Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Fair Spline Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Chapter 3: Selecting Objects
Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Select Chain Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Deselecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Eye Dropper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Chapter 4: Drafting Assistant
Snapping to Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Using Tangents and Perpendiculars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Drafting Assistant Axis Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Customizing the Drafting Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Drafting Assistant Construction Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Displaying Dynamic Construction Lines When Creating
Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Displaying Dynamic Construction Lines with Existing Ge-
ometry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Permanent Stroke Construction Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Using Stroke Construction Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
The Construction Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
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Creating Construction Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Chapter 5: Pen and Fill
Pen Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Color. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Arrowheads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Fill and Crosshatching. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Fill Pattern and Fill Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Crosshatching. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Chapter 6: Layers
Layer Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Manipulating Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Creating New Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Deleting Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Showing and Hiding Layers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Locking and Unlocking Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Making a Layer the Active Work Layer . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Increment Layer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Decrement Layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Layers and Color. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Chapter 7: Editing Geometry
Basic Editing Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Cut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Copy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Copy Pict . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
iv For updates and support,
Table of Contents
Paste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Erasing/Deleting Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Undo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Redo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Advanced Editing Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Change Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Change Layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Grouping Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Arrange Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Align Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Object Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Change Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Change Object Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Simplify Object. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Edit Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
TurboCAD Explorer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Chapter 8: Modifying 2D Objects
Fillet and Chamfer Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
2-entity Fillet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
3-entity Fillet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
2-entity Chamfer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Angular Chamfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
Trim Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Simple Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Divide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Corner Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Divide at Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Connect Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Curve Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Offset Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
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Explode Edge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Chapter 9: Transforming
Transformation Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Rotate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Expand / Shrink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Mirror. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Copy along Path. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Linear Duplicate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Polar Duplicate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Spherical Duplicate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Cylindrical Duplicate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Align Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Transforming Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 72
Moving Objects with the Selection Tool . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Moving Objects to Another Layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Copying Objects Using Geometry Tools . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Copying Objects with the Selection Tool . . . . . . . . . . 174
Sizing an Object with the Selection Tool. . . . . . . . . . . 174
Sizing an Object with the Move Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Sizing with the Expand/Shrink Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Chapter 10: Views and Planes
Viewing Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Zoom Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Dynamic Pan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Dynamic Zoom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Stroke Zoom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Dynamic Rotate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Wireframe, Hidden Line, and Shading . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
vi For updates and support,
Table of Contents
View Displays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
Modifying a View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
Deleting a View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
Redraw Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
Show-Hide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
Tile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Planes and Workplanes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Work Planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
Show Work Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
New Work Plane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
Delete Work Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
Work Plane Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
Setting the Work Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
Work Plane Snapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
Work Plane Dimming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Setting the Origin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Offsetting the Work Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200
Work Plane and Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
Chapter 11: Rendering
Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Directional Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Ambient Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Modifying the Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
Default Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223
User-Defined Lighting Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223
Basic Rendering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Shade Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Render Options and Preferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Basic Rendering and Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Advanced Rendering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Render Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233
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Render Library Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Using the Materials Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Using the Decals Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Using the Backgrounds and Foregrounds Libraries. . . 252
User-defined Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Editing the Rendered Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .257
Material Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Render Material Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Using the Render Material Settings Dialog Box to Edit
Your Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Background and Foreground Editing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Photorealistic Rendering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273
Photorealistic Rendering Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Photorealistic Rendering Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Render to File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Display Last Image Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Photorealistic Rendering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Rendering Fundamentals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291
Section 1: Create the Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Section 2: Lighting the Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Section 3: Make the Environment Come Alive. . . . . . 307
Chapter 12: Surfaces
Introduction to Surface Modeling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317
Selecting Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Display and Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Cutting and Pasting Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Surface Control Vertex Modification . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Surface Primitive Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320
Infinite Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Sphere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
viii For updates and support,
Table of Contents
Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .325
Pyramid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .325
Surface From Curves Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Net Surface Tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .326
Ruled Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328
Skin Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330
Cover Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334
Revolved Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335
Sweep 2 Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .336
Sweep 1 Rail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .337
Tube Surface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .338
Derived Surface Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Offset Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .338
Lofted Surface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .340
Draft Surface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .341
Fillet Surface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .343
Surface Utilities Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Plane/Surface Intersection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344
Curve/Surface Projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .346
Surface/Surface Intersection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .347
Curve/Surface Intersection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .348
Boolean Surface Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .349
Connect Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .351
Split Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .352
Silhouette Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .354
Surface Modification Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Rebuild Surface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .355
Untrim Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356
Surface Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Curvature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .358
Zebra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .361
Normals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363
contact www.turbocad.com ix
TurboCAD Mac
Chapter 13: Solids
Introduction to Solid Modeling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .365
Drafting Assistant and Solids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Solids, Selection and Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Solid Primitive Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .367
Sphere Primitive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Slab Primitive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Block Primitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Cylinder Primitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Cone Primitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Torus Primitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Prism Primitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Pyramid Primitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Ellipsoid Primitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Solids from Curves Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .395
Lathed Solid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Extrude Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Swept Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Cutout Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Protruded Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404
Skinned Solid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406
Pipe Solid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
Solid Feature Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .407
Blend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Chamfer Edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Hole Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415
Boss Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420
Shell Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422
Bend Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422
Assembly Modeling Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .425
Assembly Connect Tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425
x For updates and support,
Table of Contents
Assembly Mate Tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .427
Assembly Align Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .429
Assembly Insert Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .430
Solid Utility Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432
Union Solid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .432
Subtract Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .433
Intersect Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .433
Trim Solid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .434
Split Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .436
Stitched Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .437
Thicken Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .439
Solid Face Modification Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439
Draft Solid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .440
Match Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .441
Offset Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .443
Remove Face. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .444
Replace Face. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .445
Parting Line Solid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .448
Deform Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .450
Draft Evaluation through Advanced Rendering . . . . . . 457
Twist Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .459
Stretch Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .460
Chapter 14: Verify Tools
Geometric Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 461
X, Y, Z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .461
Angle 3 Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .461
Distance Point-to-Point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .462
Minimum Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .462
Length. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .464
Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .464
Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .465
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TurboCAD Mac
Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466
Interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 467
Object Counts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 469
Check Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 470
Surface Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .472
Surface Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472
Chapter 15: Text
Text Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .487
Horizontal Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 487
Text Along a Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 488
Text at an Angle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 489
Bounded Box Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 489
Text Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .490
Text / Font . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 491
Text / Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 491
Text / Style. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 492
Text / Lowercase, Uppercase / Title Caps . . . . . . . . . . 492
Editing Text. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .492
Chapter 16: Dimensions
Introduction to Dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .493
Smart Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 494
Horizontal Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 495
Vertical Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 497
Oblique Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 501
Ordinate Dimension. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 501
Radial Arrow Out Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 504
Radial Arrow In Dimension. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 504
Diameter Arrow In Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505
Diameter Arrow Out Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506
xii For updates and support,
Table of Contents
Angular Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507
Center Mark Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .508
Balloon Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .509
Length Along Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .510
Dimension Appearance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 510
Standards Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .511
Dimension / Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .513
Dimension / Linear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .514
Dimension / Linear Tolerance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .515
Dimension / Angular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .516
Dimension / Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .517
Dimension / Font . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .518
Dimension / Size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .518
Dimension / Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .519
Dimension / Color. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .519
Dimension / Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .519
Dimension / Layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .520
Dimension / Arrowheads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .520
Dimension / Arrow Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .521
Dimension / Witness Lines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .522
Chapter 17: Symbols
Creating and Importing a Symbol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 524
Pre-Installed Symbols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 527
Chapter 18: Preferences and Shortcuts
Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 530
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 531
Drafting Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533
contact www.turbocad.com xiii
TurboCAD Mac
Filing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .534
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .536
Grid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .538
Localization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .540
Drag/Move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .541
Paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .542
Select. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .543
Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .546
Pen and Dimension Preferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 546
Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .547
Creating a New Shortcut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 548
Chapter 19: Printing and Layout
Sheets and Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .549
Model to Sheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 549
Layout Templates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 551
Printing the Layout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 552
Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .552
Page Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 552
Printing a Drawing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 560
Appendix A: Attributes and
BOM
Attributes and BOM Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .565
BOM User Defined Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .567
Appendix B:
Import and Export
Importing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .569
Supported Import Formats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 570
xiv For updates and support,
Table of Contents
Importing Tips and Notations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .573
Exporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 574
Supported Export Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .575
Exporting Tips and Notations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .581
DXF/DWG Translator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 581
IGES Translator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .582
Importing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .582
Exporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .584
Appendix C: Shader Attribute
Definitions
Color Class Attributes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 587
Displacement Class Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 590
Reflectance Class Attributes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 591
Transparency Class Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 593
Texture Space Class Attributes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 595
Background Class Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 595
Foreground Class Attributes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 597
Appendix D: Animation
Animation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601
QuickTime Movies with Camera Movement. . . . . . . 602
Walk Through Animation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 606
Fly By Animation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .608
Paths Animation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609
Backgrounds and Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 610
QuickTime VR Movies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .614
QuickTime VR Panoramic Movie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616
contact www.turbocad.com xv
TurboCAD Mac
xvi For updates and support,
1 User Interface
Files and Documents
To start a new file, go to the main menu and choose File / New . You can have
open as many files as you like.
A drawing can be a simple part or a complex assembly. A new document
opens as “Untitled” and remains untitled until it is saved.
Here are other ways to open files:
• Double-click on the file name to launch the program and open the file.
• By dragging and dropping one or more files into an open drawing,
they are merged into the drawing.
• By pressing the Shift key before dropping multiple files into this
program when no files are open, files are merged into a single new
drawing.
• Drag and drop one or more files onto the program desktop icon. The
files open individually with the program open.
File Menu Commands
The File menu contains commands to manipulate documents.
New
File / New, Command + N
Creates a document. The new document has no name (the title bar shows
Untitled 1), and is set with the default options, such as pen style or
grid display.
If more than one new document is opened, the subsequent documents are
numbered sequentially until they are named by saving.
Open
File / Open, Command + O
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TurboCAD Mac
Opens an existing document. A progress bar appears as the file is opening.
This is especially helpful for large files.
The document appears in the drawing area maintaining the same settings as
they are saved the last time.
The window specifies the document and changes folders, if necessary .
Recent File List
Another way to access files opened recently is through the Recent File List
that appears in the File menu a fter the Quit command. This list contains the
names and paths of the most recent files opened in this program.
The number of files displayed depends on the number selected in the Filing
page of the Preferences window . Up to 20 files can be displayed in this list.
To open a file from the Recent File List, select the file name from the File
menu. If the file has been moved since it was last used and the path is no
longer accurate, this program will ask you to locate the file by providing the
standard Open window.
Saving a Drawing
Save a drawing by choosing File / Save or File / Save As. The file is stored
on the computer in the specified folder.
Save
File / Save, Command + S
Saves the current document to its original folder. If the document has not
been saved previously, the Save As window appears automatically to name
the document and specify the folder in which to save it.
If no geometrical changes are made in the file, the Save command is not
available. Changing an object’s layer is not recognized as a geometrical
change.
Save frequently! It is important to save before performing any intricate,
multistep procedure. That way, if the result is not exactly what is desired, it
is possible to abandon the file by closing it without saving.
2 For updates and support,
Chapter 1 User Interface
Save As
File / Save As
Saves the current document. A window appears to name the current
document, give it a different name, or save it to a different directory . Use th e
Save As command to make a backup of a document.
Making a Backup
Make a backup of the work in case there are many changes and it is
necessary to go back to the original version. Choose File / Save As and save
the file with another name.
Auto Save
This command is found under File / Preferences / Filing and directs the
program to save a backup copy of the work periodically. If your computer
crashes for any reason, the work done up to the last Auto Save will be
recoverable. For more information, see “Filing” on page 534.
Files saved using this feature are placed in the Backup folder within the
program folder.
If Auto Save is turned on in Preferences but geometry is not modified since
the last autosave, the function does not activate.
Revert
File / Revert
Deletes all changes made in the drawing since the file was last saved.
Close
File / Close, Command + F4
Closes the current program document. If other program documents are open,
they remain open when the current document is closed. If changes have been
made since the file was last saved, a window appears. Close the document
with or without saving the changes.
Exit
File / Exit, Command + Q
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Closes the program. If there were changes since the last saving, a window
opens. If more than one document is open, an alert message opens to save
unsaved documents.
Components of the User Interface
When starting TurboCAD Mac, the following window appears.
• Title Ba r : This includes the title of the active document and buttons
for controlling the window including buttons for minimizing,
enlarging and file.
• Menu Bar: Displays the menus of commands and settings. It is
possible to make choices from the menus with the mouse or by using
special key combinations.
• Tool Palette: Drawing and editing tool icons used for constructing,
editing and annotating geometry. Only basic tool palettes are
displayed on initial startup.
• T ool Tip: Hold the cursor over one of the tools, and a brief description
of the tool is displayed. Tool Tips are activated or deactivated by
choosing File / Preferences / General. If a shortcut is assigned to a
tool, the shortcut displays with the tip.
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Chapter 1 User Interface
• Pointer: Shows the active position on the screen. For wireframe tools,
when the pointer is in the drawing area, its shape represents the
current tool.
• Axis: Displays the current view orientation of the x, y and z axis in the
center of the screen.
• Location Indicator: Shows the x, y and z coordinates of the pointer
location at the top of the drawing area.
• Message Line: Displays the name of the current tool and step-by-step
instructions for using the tool. For some tools, the Message Line
includes an additional subpalette.
• Drawing Area: Consists of multiple layers for constructing and
annotating geometry.
• Sta tus Lin e: Displays the coordinate location and other geometric
characteristics of the current obje ct based on the World coordinate
system.
• Coordinate System Axis: Shows the current coordinate system. It is
possible to choose between the default global or world coordinate
system and a user-defined coordinate system.
• Scroll Bars: The scroll bars move around a drawing. The scroll
buttons move one line at a time.
• Work Layer Indicator: Displays the name of the current layer and
provides a menu for changing the work layer, creating a new layer and
accessing the Layer Manager.
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Tool Palettes
A tool palette is a group of related icons that represent tools for drawing,
editing and annotating geometry. This is the main tool palette.
Other palettes can be displayed by selecting them in the Window menu.
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Chapter 1 User Interface
To select a tool from the palette:
1. Click on the first icon of the toolbar and keep the mouse button
pressed. The rest of the toolbar flies out.
2. Choose the icon for the tool you want, then release the mouse.
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3. The flyout toolbar closes, and the tool you selected is now the active
one on the main tool palette.
If you want the fly-out toolbars permanently displayed, click on the first
icon and keep the mouse button pressed. Drag the mouse to some blank
space on the screen, and the toolbar stays there.
8 For updates and support,
Chapter 1 User Interface
You can place as many toolbars as you like this way.
If you want to save your user interface for future files, choose File /
Preferences / General and click the Save Now button.
Smart Pointer & Wireframe Tools
Having selected a tool, move the pointer into the drawing area. The pointer
shape represents the tool.
Some of the pointers, like the Single Line pointer, are simple cross-hairs.
Others, such as the Opposite-point Circle pointer, resemble the tool.
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The pointer, called a smart pointer, displays indicators for multi-step
procedures. Each smart pointer has a dot, the hot spot, showing the next
point to specify. The dot changes position on the pointer during each step of
the construction.
For example, the Opposite-point Circle pointer, illustrated above, shows
that the first click of the mouse places a point on one edge of the circle being
created. After a location is clicked, the hot spot moves to the other side of
the pointer, showing that the next click places a point on the opposite edge
of the circle.
After the second location is clicked, the circle appears. The hot spot moves
back to its original position on the pointer, so another circle can b e cre ate d.
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Chapter 1 User Interface
Location Indicator
The Location Indicator is located next to the Work Layer indicator at the
bottom of the drawing area.
This indicator continuously tracks the pointer location when the pointer is
in the drawing area, displaying the X, Y and Z coordinates of the current
location relative to the origin. The origin (0,0,0) appears in the center of the
screen when a new document is opened. If the Axes are displayed, the origin
is at the intersection of the x, y and z axes.
Message Line
The Message Line across the top of the drawing area provides concise
instructions for the use of the current tool. For example, after selecting the
Center-point Circle tool, the Message Line looks like this:
The instructions in the Message Line for some tools also indicate optional
activities. For example, if you press the Option key while using the
Center-point Circle tool, the next click creates a co py of the last circle with
the center placed where clicked.
Status Line
The Status Line provides measurements, angles, X, Y and Z coordinates and
delta values for the current construction. The current tool determines the
number of status fields and which of the status fields highlights after the
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construction. For example, if the Center-point Circle tool is selected, the
Status Line shows the X,Y and Z coordinates for the center of the circle and
the diameter.
When the last point of the circle is clicked, the diameter (D) entry field
highlights in the Status Line to indicate that it is active. It shows the diameter
of the circle just created. If a new number is typed, and you press Enter, the
diameter of the just created circle changes.
You can change any or all entries in the Status Line. If the entry is changed
before the tool operation, the values automatically register when clicki ng in
the drawing area for the particular operation. If a value is entered after the
geometry is created and you press Enter, the changes are made to the
geometry and no more changes can be made in the Status Line.
The number of decimal places displayed in the data fields is determined by
the Precision setting in the Units page of Preferences.
The Status Line uses the World coordinate system for all values entered in
the data fields. Values can be entered in inches, feet, millimeters,
centimeters, meters and mathematical expressions (ex. 10”+2.54 cm).
When the units in Preferences are set to feet and inches, it’s important to be
aware of the following rules:
• All numbers are assumed to be feet unless accompanied by the unit
symbol, like “ for inches. Entering a 1.5 in the field is read as 1.5 feet.
For 1.5 inches, enter 1.5”, 1.5i, 1.5in, 1.5 inch, etc.
• For fractions of inches, each entry must include the unit symbol. For
example, 5 feet 6 5/8 inches must be entered 5’ 6” 5/8”. Internal ly this
is converted as 5’ + 6” + 5/8”. If the inch symbol is not included with
the fraction, 5/8 will be interpreted as a fraction of a foot.
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Chapter 1 User Interface
Copying and Pasting Status Line Entries
You can copy and paste Status Line text for use in another data field. Use
Command + C to copy and Command + V to paste. The Copy and Paste
commands in the Edit menu cannot be used. These function only for
program data.
Using the Status Fields
Press Tab to move to the right, highlighting the next field. When you press
Enter, the value either change s or the constructi on redraws a ccording to th e
new specifications in the Status Line. Use the mouse to activate a Status
Line field.
Creating Geometry Offset from a Point
The Status Line can be used to create geometry offset from an existing
point.
1. Select the tool to be used.
2. Move the pointer over the control point from which the offset is
desired.
3. Click once to lock onto that point.
4. Finish creating the geometry.
5. With the geometry still selected, click in the appropriate X, Y, or Z
data field in the Status Line, placing the text cursor at the end of the
entry.
6. Type the offset (such as + 3) and press Enter.
7. Continue with the construction.
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Expression Parsing
The Status Line entry fields also accept mathematical, tri gonometric, and
exponential operators. Position the cursor in the text field and type in the
additional operation. Here is a list of functions you can use:
• Addition: x+y
• Subtraction: x-y
• Multiplication: x*y
• Division: x/y. Or you can use x%y - modulo division which returns
the remainder of x/y. The resulting value will always be from 0 to y-1.
• Angles: Angles can have these formats - 45d30m30s, 45d30"30',
45d30', 30"30', 30m30s, 30"30s and 45°30"30
• Absolute Value: abs(x)
• Arc tangent: atan (degrees)
• Arc sine: asin(degrees)
• Arc cosine: acos(degrees)
• Cosine: cos(degrees)
• Sine: sin(degrees)
• Tangent: tan(degrees)
• Smallest Larger Integer: ceiling(x), or ceil(x) - returns a value
representing the smallest integer that is greater than or equal to x.
• Largest Smaller Integer: floor(x) - returns a value representing the
largest integer that is less than or equal to x.
• Degrees to radians: dtor(degrees)
• Radians to degrees: rtod(radians)
• Factorials: factorial(x), or fact(x) - factorial of x. (e.g. fact(4) =
4*3*2*1)
• Logarithms: log(x) - base 10 log, or ln(x) - natural log
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Chapter 1 User Interface
• Exponentials: exp(x) - e to the power of x where ln(exp(x)) = x. Or
x^y - exponentiation (x to the power of y)
• Negatives: neg(x) - negative of x
•pi
• Round: round(x) - rounds to the nearest whole value. For example,
round(1.49) = 1.0, and round(1.51) = 2.0.
• Random numbers: rnd - random value between 0.0 and 1.0
• Square root: sqrt(x) - square root of x
• Remove Fractional Part: truncate(x) - truncates to the whole value.
For example, trunc(1.01)= 1.0, and trunc(1.99) = 1.0.
Coordinate System Axis
The coordinate system axis, at the left of the Status Line, displays the
coordinate system currently set for the file.
Choose either the Global (world coordinate system) or a user-defined
coordinate system. Clicking on the axis displays a menu from which to set
the coordinate system. The default system is the Global coordinate system.
Axis
The Axis displays the current view orientation of the x, y and z axis in the
center of the screen.
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When views are changed, the axis adjust accordingly. Turn off the display
by choosing View / Show Axis. If it is not necessary to display the Axis at
start up, choose File / Preferences / General and deselect the Axis option.
Drawing Area
Use the drawing area for all construction, editing and annotation of
geometry. Think of the drawing area as a sheet of paper of unlimited size
that is used to construct full-size unscaled drawings. Use the scroll bars to
move the sheet so the portion to work on is visible in the window.
Displaying the Grid
If it is necessary to work with a grid in the drawing area, choose View /
Show Grid.
Choose W indow / Snap and the Snap Options window appears. Choose To
Grid and the constructions snap to the grid, meaning that any clicked
geometry point snaps onto the closest grid point.
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Scroll Bars
The scroll bars move the sheet up and down or right and left. Display
different parts of the drawing sheet by dragging the slider of a scroll bar to
the approximate location. For example, the right, center, or left position in
the horizontal scroll bar displays the right side, middle, or left side of the
drawing, respectively.
Click the arrows at the end of the scroll bars to move the sheet one line at a
time.
Work Layer Indicator
The Work Layer Indicator in the lower- left corner of the screen shows
which layer is the current work layer. New geometry goes on the work layer .
To make the construction go on a specific layer, first make it the current
layer.
You can change the work layer in either of two ways:
• Click on the arrow to the left or right of the layer name and the layer
will move backward or forward to another layer.
• Position the pointer over the Work Layer Indicator, then click the
mouse button. All available layers are then displayed in a pop-up
menu from which a different layer can be select to be the current work
layer. Drag to the new work layer. All new geometry is placed on
that layer. It is also possible to create a new layer and display the
Layer Manager from the Work Layer Indicator.
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Menu Bar
The program menus contain related commands and settings.
• File: Commands that effect entire documents, including opening and
closing files, setting preferences and defining the Page Setup.
• Edit: Commands to select and manipulate objects. These include
copying and pasting as well as changing an object’s direction,
resolution, layer and type.
• Layout: Commands and settings that specify the drawing area and
provide program features and functionality such as the Grid, Layer
Manager, Group and Align.
• View: Commands for displaying the document such as choosing and
setting views and zoom options.
• Planes: Commands for choosing and defining the work plane.
• Pen: Commands that specify pen characteristics (color, weight, and
pattern), polygon patterns, polygon fill, crosshatching and arrows.
• Text: Commands that set the font, size, style and case of the text
(lower, upper and title capita ls).
• Dimension: Specify dimensions, their format and tolerance.
• Verify: Commands to obtain information about the file and specific
objects in the file. These include properties of an object, direction,
curvature and object counts.
• Window: Displays tool palettes, the T u rboCAD Explorer, etc.
• Help: Offers PDFs of the manuals links to the T urboCAD website for
updates and support.
Drawing Display Commands
This section covers features that assist you when drawing geometric objects.
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Chapter 1 User Interface
Show/Hide Axis
This command in the View menu toggles the display of the Axis symbol at
the drawing origin. The Axis establishes the direction of the x, y and z axes.
The Axis can clarify the geometry location when rotating the view.
z
y
x
Show/Hide Work Plane
This command in the Planes menu toggles the display of the Work Plane
icon on the geometry. The graphic below shows the work plane set to the
Top plane.
Show/Hide Points
This command in the Edit menu toggles the display of the control points for
selected objects.
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Grid
The grid overlays the drawing and can help to create and align geometry.
The grid is made up of horizontal and vertical lines of dots. The grid
commands are found in the Planes menu. Set the Grid preferences (spacing,
the number of divisions, display appearance and startup options by choosing
File / Preferences / Grid.
Drawing at Full Scale
Whether designing or drafting a highly detailed blueprint, the geometry
should be created at its actual size. This program constructs the part using
full-scale specifications and then sets the vis ual scale of the drawing. In this
way, the part dimensions to its true-to-life measurements. Drawing at full
scale has the following advantages:
• Scaling mistakes are eliminated.
• Dimensions are automatic. (It is necessary to dimension manually if
the drawing is not at full scale.)
• Associative dimensions update when the object is edited (manual
dimensions do not).
• The size relationship of imported parts is compatible.
Once the project is drawn, it can be dimensioned and scaled visually to fit
into a standard drawing size, if needed, with the File / Page Setup
command. Regardless of how the drawing is set up, the actual size of the
geometry remains constant unless it is edited.
To ensure that the geometry is contained within a specified page bounds at
a 1:1 scale, the page bounds can be displayed.
When a new document is opened, the drawing area is an infinitely large
sheet so that anything can be designed at full size. As a simple example,
here's how to draw and view a line 83 feet long:
1. Draw a line, specifying 83' for the length.
2. The line extends off the screen.
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Chapter 1 User Interface
3. Choose View / Zoom All. The entire 83 foot line is visible on the
screen.
Using the draw to scale/Zoom All method, it is easy to create accurate
full-scale drawings which are displayed at any magnification. The actual
size of an object is not affected by zoom magnification or reduction.
Zoom All magnifies or reduces all objects on the drawing to fill the
screen— regardless of the size of the objects.
Default versus Selected Object Settings
When no object is selected, any setting changes made to Selectable Points,
Grid, Axis, Show Points, Construction Lines, User-defined plane, Pen, Text,
Dimension, tool palettes (choice, status and location) and Render become
the default for all open files and the current session. When an object is
selected, any change made will only affect the object.
Escape Key
When geometry becomes quite complex, the time required for operations to
complete will inevitably lengthen. It i s possible to interrupt the comm and by
pressing the Esc key.
You can also use the Esc to deselect both and object and the tool. Press Esc
once to deselect an object, such as this line. Press it again to deselect the
current tool, returning to the Selection tool.
Right Mouse Button
You can access certain commands through the right mouse button. If you
have a one-button mouse, these commands are available by pressing the Ctrl
key and pressing the mouse button.
Different sets of commands display depending on whether the button is
pressed while on or off an object or when a drawing view is activated.
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Right-clicking in Blank Space
If you right-click (or Ctrl+click) in blank space, this popup menu will
appear:
• Zoom Commands: These are the same commands that appear in the
View menu. See “Zoom Commands” on page 179.
• Dynamic Pan, Zoom, Rotate: These are the same commands that
appear in the View menu. See “Dynamic Pan” on page 181. You will
perform the operation once and then the icon reverts back to the
selected tool. If you want to perform multiple operations, press Shift
before selecting the command. When the Shift key is released, the
icon reverts back to the selected tool.
• View: This command displays all default views and any user-defined
views.
• Planes: Displays the same commands as those in the Planes menu,
with the exception of the Show Work Plane command.
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• Select All: You can select all objects in the drawing, or just specific
types of objects.
• DeSelect: Deselects any selected objects.
• Show All / Hide All: You can show or hide all objects, or just specific
types of objects.
Right-clicking on An Object
If objects are selected, and you right-click on one of the selected objects, the
following popup menu appears:
• Hide, Show Only: Hide or show the selected objects.
• Resolution: Displays a menu to change the object’s resolution to
Super Fine, Very Fine Medium or Coarse.
• Style, Color, Weight, Pattern: Displays menus that enable you to
change properties of the selected objects. The More option lets you
define your own property.
• Layer: Changes the object’s layer to any layers in the file, whether or
not a layer is hidden. If you choose More, you can create a new layer.
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• Edit Objects: Opens the Edit Objects window.
• Change Object Type: Enables you to choose a new type of object.
• Save as Symbol: Enables you to create a symbol from the selected
objects. See “Symbols” on page 523.
• Object Name: The name of the object appears in the menu. Change
the object’s name by clicking on the name.
• Object Characteristics: For a wireframe object, the menu also
provides its geometric characteristics. For example, if you right-click
on a circle, you will see its diameter and circumference.
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2 Inserting 2D Objects
Line Tools
These tools create various types of line segments and points. While creating
a line, the coordinate locations, line length and angle from horizontal appear
in the Status Line. All geometry appears in the current pen specifications for
color, weight and pattern.
Values for each line tool can be entered in the Status Line to update a line
after it is created.
Single Line
Draws a line between two points. Click points to draw a line.
1. Click to place the first endpoint of the line.
2. Move the cursor to a new location. A rubberband image appears that
previews the line.
3. Click to place the last point of the line.
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The Status Line contains the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the beginning, the
relative location of the end (delta X, delta Y and delta Z), the line length, and
the angle from horizontal. (If any of the fields do not display, click the arrow
at the right end of the Status Line). Once a line is drawn, the Length field is
active in the Status Line.
Drawing a Line Perpendicular to Another Object
1. Construct the object, then activate Single Line.
2. Move the mouse along the object until the “on” notation appears.
3. Drag straight away from the object in a perpendicular direction, and
the “perpendicular” notation will appear.
Drawing a Line Tangent or Perpendicular to an Arc, Circle or Ellipse
1. Construct an arc, circle, spline or ellipse, then activate Single Line.
2. Move the mouse along the object until the “on” notation appears.
3. Drag away from the object in a tangnet direction, and the “tangent”
notation will appear.
Mid-Point Line
Creates a line by its midpoint and line endpoint.
Click the line’s midpoint, then an endpoint.
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Chapter 2 Inserting 2D Objects
Connected Lines
Draws lines in which the endpoint of one line segment is the beginning point
of the next.
1. Click to place the first endpoint of the first segment.
2. Click additional endpoints for the next segments.
If you make a mistake, choose Undo to remove the last segment.
3. End the series of segments by pressing the Esc key or double-clicking
the last endpoint.
Creating an Arc Segment
After completing at least one segment, you can create a tangent arc off of
the last line by pressing and holding the Option key, and clicking or
dragging to the next point. You can continue creating arcs after arcs as long
as the Option key is pressed.
The radius of arcs created with this method cannot be edited in the Status
Line.
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Parallel Line
Draws a line parallel to an existing line.
1. Create the line to which you want the new line to be parallel, and
activate Parallel Line.
2. Click and drag from the desired line, then release the mouse to create
the new parallel line. The distance field is active in the Status Line and
displays the distance from the original line.
3. You can also type the offset value and press Enter. This value will
appear in the Offset field.
Point
You can only pick points through point tool.
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Chapter 2 Inserting 2D Objects
Three options for drawing points. To change the appearance of points, press
the Option key for the Point Symbols window.
The subpalette in the Message Line contains the three Point tools: Pick
Point, Point on Curve, and Point on Surface.
Pick Point
Create individual points.
Click a point in the drawing area. The Status Line shows the X, Y, and Z
coordinates of the point.
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Point on Curve
Places a series of points distributed equally along a line, circle, ellipse, arc
or spline. This tool cannot be used on polygons created using one of the
Polygon tools.
1. In the Status Line, enter the number of points you want to create on the
curve.
2. Select the curve. To select more than one curve, press and hold the
Shift key.
3. Points are equally distributed along the curve. For closed curves, the
start and endpoint are the same.
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Chapter 2 Inserting 2D Objects
Point on Surface
Places a series of points distributed equally along a surface.
1. In the Status Line, enter the number of points to distribute along the
surface in two perpendicular directions: U and V.
2. Select the surface. To select more than one surface, press and hold the
Shift key.
3. Points are equally distributed in a grid like pattern across the surface.
Arc Tools
These tools create various types of arcs. While creating an arc, the
coordinate locations, and radius / diameter appear in the Status Line. All
geometry appears in the current pen specifications for color, weight and
pattern.
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Values for each arc tool can be entered in the Status Line to modify an arc
after it is created.
Center-point Arc
Draws an arc based on three points: the center point, the start point and the
endpoint of the arc.
1. Click the center point of the arc.
2. Click the start point of the arc, which will also define the radius.
3. Click the end point of the arc.
To construct an arc greater than 180°, create one that is less than 180° first.
Activate Select, and double-click the arc to open the Edit Objects window,
where you can enter the desired angle.
The Start and End Angles refer to the angles tangent to the arc point, relative
to the work plane.
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Chapter 2 Inserting 2D Objects
3-point Arc
Draws an arc through three specified points.
1. Click the first endpoint of the arc.
2. Click a point along the arc.
3. Click the end point of the arc.
For each of the three clicks that define the arc, if you keep the Option key
pressed, and click a tangent object, the arc will be tangent to that object at
the nearest tangency point.
Tangent-point Arc
This tool first creates a line, then creates an arc tangent to the line and erases
the line.
First Click Second Click
Third Click
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1. Click the start point. This is both the starting point of the arc and the
starting point of the temporary tangent line.
2. Click the endpoint of the tangent line.
3. Click the endpoint of the arc. The arc is drawn between the first and
last clicked points, tangent to the line between the first and second
points.
Circle Tools
These tools create various types of circles. While creating a circle, the
coordinate locations, and radius / diameter appear in the Status Line. All
geometry appears in the current pen specifications for color, weight and
pattern.
Values for each circle tool can be entered in the Status Line to modify a
circle after it is created.
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Chapter 2 Inserting 2D Objects
Center-point Circle
Draws a circle specified by the center point and diam eter.
1. Click the center of the circle.
2. Click the second point, which determines the circle's radius.
Opposite-Point Circle
Draws a circle specified by the diameter.
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Click two points to define the diameter.
3-point Circle
Draws a circle through three selected points.
Click the three points through which the circle will pass.
If you click an object while holding the Option key, the circle will be tangent
to that object. You can use this tangent method for multiple circle points.
Tangent Circle
Draws a circle tangent to two objects.
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Chapter 2 Inserting 2D Objects
1. Enter the circle diameter in the Status Line.
2. Click the two objects to which the circle is to be tangent.
3. If the tangency is not what you want, press the Option key to get the
alternative tangency placement.
Ellipse Tools
These tools create various types of ellipses. While creating an ellipse, the
coordinate locations, lengths of the control rectangle, and angles appear in
the Status Line. All geometry appears in the current pen specifications for
color, weight and pattern.
An ellipse is defined by its major and minor diameters, the start and end
angles, and the center. The start and end angles specify the start and end
location of the ellipse, measured from the major axis.
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This ellipse has a start and end angle of 90° and 180°.
Y
X
Values for each ellipse tool can be entered in the Status Line to modify the
object after it is created.
2-point Center Ellipse
Draws an ellipse inscribed within a rectangle defined by two specified
points: the center point and one corner of the rectangle.
1. Click to set the center of the ellipse.
2. Click to set the corner of the control rectangle inscribing the ellipse. If
the two points are on the vertical or horizontal axis, a straight line is
drawn.
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Chapter 2 Inserting 2D Objects
Opposite-corner Ellipse
Draws an ellipse inscribed in a rectangle specified by opposite corners.
Click both corner points of the control rectangle. If the two points are on the
vertical or horizontal axis, a straight line is drawn.
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3-point Center Ellipse
Draws an ellipse inscribed within a parallelogram calculated from three
specified points: a center point, a midpoint of a side, and a corner of the
parallelogram.
1. Click to set the center of the ellipse.
2. Click to set the midpoint of the side of the control parallelogram.
3. Click to set the corner of the control parallelogram. If the three points
are on the vertical or horizontal axis, a straight line is drawn.
40 For updates and support,
Chapter 2 Inserting 2D Objects
3-corner Ellipse
Draws an ellipse inscribed in a parallelogram defined by three corners.
1. Click to set one corner of the control parallelogram.
2. Click to set another corner of the parallelogram.
3. Click to set the final corner of the parallelogram. If the three points are
on the vertical or horizontal axis, a straight line is drawn.
Polygon Tools
These tools draw rectangles and several types of polygons. The polygon is
drawn with the current pen specifications for color, weight and pattern.
Values for each polygon tool can be entered in the Status Line to update a
polygon after it is created.
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Each of these tools, except for Polygon fr om Curves, provides two options
for creating polygons, Single Line and Smart Polygon. These options are
available in the Message Line.
Single Line: Polygons are composed of individual lines that can be
modified independently. These polygons can be filleted, chamfered,
extruded, revolved, or offset.
Smart Polygon: These are true polygons, whose width and height can be
modified. These objects cannot be modified using the 2D wireframe tools,
however, it is possible to perform 3D operations such as extrudes, blends
and revolutions on these entities. To perform these operations on a smart
polygon with 2D wireframe tools convert it into individual lines by
choosing Edit / Change Object Type and select the line option.
Rectangle
The rectangle tool provides four ways to create rectangles.
Corner
MidpointCenter
CornerCorner
The subpalette in the Message Line contains the four rectangle tools
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Center/Corner Rectangle
Draws a rectangle by defining the center and corner points.
Click the center of the rectangle, then click a corner point. You can also enter
the width and height in the Status Line.
Diagonal Rectangle
Draws a rectangle by defining two opposite corner points.
Click the two rectangle corner points. You can also enter the width and
height in the Status Line.
To create a square, click the se cond point along on the 45° construction line.
To draw a square from the center rather than opposite corners, use one of the
other polygon tools, and specify four sides.
Center/Axis Rectangle
Draws a rectangle using the center, midpoint and corner.
1. Click the center point of the rectangle.
2. Click the midpoint of a rectangle side.
3. Click the opposite side of the rectangle.
You can also enter the width and height in the Status Line.
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Corner/Axis Rectangle
Draws a rectangle by defining adjacent corners and a point on the opposite
side.
1. Click the first corner of the rectangle.
2. Click an adjacent corner.
3. Click a point on the opposite side.
You can also enter the width and height in the Status Line.
Inscribed Polygon
Creates a polygon in which the radius of the circumscribing circle
determines the location of the polygon’s vertices.
The the number of sides can be specified in the Status Line, and the default
number is six (hexagon). The Status Line contains a diameter field for the
inscribing circle.
1. Click the center of the polygon.
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Chapter 2 Inserting 2D Objects
2. Click a point on the circumference of the circumscribing circle to
complete the polygon.
Circumscribed Polygon
Draws a polygon in which the radius/diameter of the circle determines the
midpoint of the sides.
The the number of sides can be specified in the Status Line, and the default
number is six (hexagon). The Status Line contains a diameter field for the
circumscribing circle.
Click the center of the polygon, then click the midpoint of one of the sides.
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Star Polygon
Creates a star polygon by its center, inside and outside vertexes.
1. In the Status Line, Enter the number of vertices for the star polygon.
2. Select the center point.
3. Select an outside vertex.
4. Select an inside vertex.
If you press Shift, you can create a non-symmetric star.
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Arbitrary Polygon
Draws a polygon with the number of sides determined by chosen points.
1. Click points around the polygon.
2. Click the last point to close the polygon at its starting point. Or
double-click to place the last point away from the starting point, and
the polygon will be closed automatically.
Polygon from Curves
This tool creates a polygon from the curves you choose. The curves do not
have to be connected to create a polygon. If these curves are not connected,
the tool adds curves to complete the polygon. The polygon created when a
curve is missing depends on the order of the curve selection.
Once the polygon is created a parent/child relationship has been established
between the original curves and the polygon. The original curves selected
are still available for editing and any change made will affect the polygon.
Due to this same parent/child relationship, in order to move the polygon and
retain the relationship, you must select the curves and the polygon. You can
break the relationship by selecting them and choosing Edit>Remove Links.
See Chapter 24, “Editing Commands” for more information.
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The graphic below on the left represents five different curves. The graphic
on the right is the one polygon created after using the tool.
Using the Polygon from Curves Tool
1. Select the tool. The Message Line reads, Polygon from Curves: Select
a collection of curves [Shift = Extend].
2. Select all the desired curves. If you are selecting the curves
individually, hold down the SHIFT key before beginning your
selection.
A polygon is created from those curves.
There are no entries in the Status Line.
Spline Tools
These tools NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines). These NURB
splines are smooth curves created by a complex mathematical formula.
NURB splines provide designers with two interrelated functions. First,
curvature continuity remains intact when the curve is changed. Kinks don't
develop as the spline is altered. Second, NURB splines provide localized
control of a complex curve by changing the control points. These properties
are essential in aerodynamic design.
Values for each spline tool can be entered in the Status Line to update a
spline after it is created.
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Chapter 2 Inserting 2D Objects
r
Through-Points B-Spline
Draws a spline through specified points. Use this tool to make the B-spline
to interpolate a collection of points. The interpolation algo rithm is based on
predefined B-spline blending functions, control point locations and
imposing curvature continuity across the curve length. This results in a
smooth spline created through the points.?
Spline is drawn th
placed with mous
1. Click the points for the vectors of the spline.
2. Double-click the last point, or press the Esc key.
When creating a spline that crosses over itself, the Drafting Assistant is not
able to find that intersection. This is by design.
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P
Point placed here
Vector Spline
Draws a spline using vectors determined by the specified points. This tool
uses each placed point that as the vertex of a vector for the spline it creates.
Vector splines are smooth curvature, continuous B-splines created from the
defined control polygon. The polygon influences the shape (position and
tangencies) of the spline. Except for the start and end points, the control
polygon does not necessarily lie on the spline.
Point placed here
Point placed here
oint placed here
Point placed here
Choose Edit / Show Points to display the control points used to define the
spline. Points can be selected for editing the spline, which enables you to
smooth the spline to eliminate inflections. To determine whether or not the
spline has inflections, choose Verify / Curvature. (An inflection is located
where the curvature changes from one side of the spline to the other.)
1. Click the points for the vectors of the spline.
2. Double-click the last point.
The spline is tangent to the first and last vectors, and passes between the
remaining control points.
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Bezier Spline
Draws curvature-continuous (C2) splines through a series of points. At each
control point, it is possible to control the direction and the magnitude of the
tangent. After creating a spline with this tool, you can move the control
points, change the slope (direction) and the influence of a control point
using the spline vector.
The influence of a control point is determined by the length of the control
point’s vector . The longer the vector , the greater the influence a control point
has on the spline. You can adjust the length of control point vector while
maintaining the slope. The top picture shows a Bezier spline, a selected
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control point and the direction it will be moved to change the influence
while maintaining the slope. The bottom picture shows the spline with a
longer vector.
1. Click the points of the spline.
2. Double click the last point.
Sketch Spline Tool
The Sketch Spline tool samples points as the cursor moves and creates a
smooth spline through the sampled data. Once selected this tool has two
options, the Sketch Spline tool and Sketch on a Surface tool.
Using the Sketch Spline Tool
1. Select the tool. The Message Line reads, Sketch Spline: Press and
drag mouse (Option=AutoClose).
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2. Click and drag the mouse on the screen.
3. Release the mouse button to create the sketch.
These options are located in the message line. Select the Sketch on a
Surface tool to add spline based sketches to any surface.
Using the Sketch on a Surface Tool
1. Select the tool. The Message Line reads, Sketch on Surface: Select
surface or solid to sketch on (Option=AutoClose).
2. Select the surface or solid to sketch on.
3. Click and drag the mouse over the selected surface, keeping the points
on the surface.
4. Release the mouse button to complete the sketch.
Helix Curve
Draws a curve based on its start point, end point, pitch, diameter, length, and
draft angle. The endpoint defines the length and orientation of the helix.
Pitch is the distance between helix peaks (two adjacent turns of the helix).
The number of turns in the helix is equal to the length of the helix divided
by the pitch. The draft angle must be a value less than 90°.
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You can create a standard helix (left picture, below), a spiral (middle
picture) by entering zero for the helix length, or a swept solid using a helix
with a draft as the sweep path.
1. In the Status Line, enter the Pitch, Diameter , Length and Draf t Angle.
Press Tab to jump to the next field.
2. Click the start and end point of the helix. A right-handed helix is
created. If you want a left-handed helix, there is an option for this in
the Edit Object window.
Add Control Point
Adds another control point to an existing spline, both within the spline, and
outside of the spline to extend it.
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1. Click on the spline to add a point.
2. Click the desired locations for the new control points.
To see the new control points, as well as the existing control points, first
select the spline and then choose Edit / Show Points, or use the Edit
Objects window to specify whether the control points are visible or hidden.
Remove Control Point
Removes a control point from an existing spline. A spline must have more
than two control points to use this tool.
1. If the control points of the spline are not displayed, select the spline
and choose Edit / Show Points.
2. Pick the control point to be removed.
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Fair Spline Tool
The Fair Spline command provides a tool to globally smooth a curve.
Fairing a spline optimally moves control vertices to locations that minim ize
large curvature variations. Curves eligible for fairing are limited to vector
splines. It's helpful to watch the control vertices move as you fair the spline
with the Edit:Show Points command. You can also use the Verify:Curvature
tool to visually inspect the curvature graph of a curve.
Using the Fair Spline Tool
1. Select the tool. The Message Line reads, Fair Spline: Select curve to
fair.
2. Click on the spline which you will fair.
The status line displays a move tolerance value for the tool. The move
tolerance is the maximum distance a spline control vertex will be allowed to
move towards its optimal position.
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3 Selecting Objects
Once objects are constructed, it is possible to change them.
Modifying with a Tool
1. Select the tool.
2. Select the object to be modified.
For example, use the Divide tool to divide a curve into multiple
pieces.
Modifying with a Menu Command
1. Select the object.
2. Specify the action for the selected object.
For example, select a circle and the n chang e the pen p attern to Ce nter
to indicate a bolt-hole circle.
Objects
A single piece of geometry is an object.
Several objects that have been grouped with the Group command are also
an object and are selected when any member in that group is clicked.
A point is an object, too. Every type of geometry contains one or more
points, sometimes called control points. A line has two control points, one
at the beginning and one at the end of the line. Selecting an object and
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choosing Edit / Show Points , the points are visible on the selected object .
Selecting a point without selecting the geometry it defines, the program
treats the point as an object.
When selecting an object, its appearance shows that it is selected in a
specific color. The default selected color is red. It is possible to change this
color, as well as choose other settings for selecting objects by choosing File
/ Preferences / Select.
For details, see “Select” on page 543.
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Selection
Selects one or more objects (curves, solid edges, faces, points, etc.) in the
drawing area. The graphic here shows the selection of a solid face.
Use the Selection tool to edit previously created geometry. Click on the
object to be edited and use the Status Line to edit the parameters of the
object.
• To select a single object, activate Selection and click the object you
want to select.
• To select more than one object, press the Shift key while clicking
objects. Y ou can also drag a selection fence around multiple objects. If
any objects are selected and you want to deselect them, press Shift and
click on the objects to deselect.
• If you activate Selection and double-click on an object, you will open
the Edit Object window. See “Edit Objects” on page 127.
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• If you click where the program identifies more than one object, you
will see the Ambiguity Box. Click the correct object in this box to
select the object you want.
• To select all objects in the file, press Command + A. Or you can
double-click on the Selection tool icon. Objects on hidden layers are
not selected.
Selecting Points
1. Chose the Selection tool.
2. Drag a selection fence around the location of the point. The selected
point displays as a square.
When a point is selected, the entire curve highlights, however the edits
will affect only the selected point.
Selecting points differs from selecting objects because points are not always
visible.
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Being able to select points is useful in two situations: stretching selected
geometry (described later in this chapter) and control point selection for
transformations.
To toggle the display of control points, choose Edit / Show/Hide Points
Command. This will display endpoints, midpoints, center points and vertex
points for selected objects. When points are displayed, select a point by
clicking it. If points are not displayed, select a point by dragging a selection
fence around the location of the point.
To show points for an ind ividual selection, choose Window / Edit Objects
and change the control points setting from Hidden to Visible.
When selecting and dragging a line, the line and the endpoints move. By
selecting and dragging only an endpoint of the line, the endpoint moves and
the line length changes while the other endpoint of the line remains fixed.
The appearance of a selected point is not affected by the zoom scale or the
line width of the geometry.
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When pressing the Shift + Command keys and clicking an object, the
display of the object’s points toggles on or off. If the points are hidden when
clicking the object, the points display.
Selectable Points Command
This command in the Edit menu selects points that aren't displayed. When
Selectable Points is not set, points cannot be selected by dragging a fence.
If points are displayed, click the point to select it. If points are not displayed,
to select a point, drag a selection fence around it. The following example
illustrates the use of Selectable Points.
Selection Mask Command
Window / Selection Mask
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This command in the Window menu limits selection by object type, layer
and color. Only objects that are highlighted in the window ar e selecte d. Th e
object type list includes such things as points, lines, splines, solids, text,
dimensions, images, symbols, groups, lights, decals, draw view, cross hatch,
etc.
For example, if circles are not highlighted when choosing Select All,
everything but the circles is selected. In this way, select such combinations
as only blue splines or only red objects on a particular layer.
1. Open the Selection Mask. The highlighted items respond to all
selection methods and can be detected by the Drafting Assistant.
2. Click the items to select so they are highlighted. While the window is
visible, select, create and edit geometry. Move the window if it covers
geometry you work on. The Selection Mask resets itself to the default
setting of Select All after the box is closed.
If layers are added when the Selection Mask window is displayed, the
window automatically updates.
Select Chain Command
This command selects curves that are connected to the selected object. To
use the Select Chain command:
1. Select the beginning of a curve as shown by the arrow in the left
graphic below.
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2. Choose Edit / Select Chain.
All objects connected to the start or end are selected, as in the right
graphic below.
Deselecting
To deselect an object, click anywhere in the drawing area where there is no
object, or click any of the creation tools in the tool palette.
To deselect an object that was selected in a multiple selection operation,
while the objects are still selected, use the Shift key and click the objects to
deselect.
Eye Dropper
This tool copies object characteristics, such as line font, color, pattern, and
arrowheads from one object to another.
1. Select the object with the characteristics to be copied .
2. If you do not want all object characteristics copied, press the Option
key to display the Eye Dropper Filter window.
3. Deselect any items in the window that do not need to be copied.
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4. Select the objects to receive the characteristics. The object’s
characteristics change to those of the referenced object.
This tool does not affect the resolution, dimensions, iso lines or the size and
shape of the object.
It is also possible to select the object before selecting the tool. Doing so,
select the reference entity and the object automatically changes.
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66 For updates and support,
4 Drafting Assistant
The Drafting Assistant thinks like a drafter. It automatically knows where
construction lines are typically wanted and displays them temporarily whe n
they are necessary.
The Drafting Assistant also makes it easy to select existing points for
construction by displaying information about the pointer’s location in the
drawing area. If a Drafting Assistant notation displays when clicked, the
construction snaps onto the geometry precisely, without requiring finely
tuned eye-hand coordination or tedious selection of special modifiers,
modes, or other specialized construction tools.
Snapping to Geometry
When the pointer is in the drawing area, it has a snap point function. The
snap point locks onto specific points on existing objects as the pointer is
moved near them.
The Drafting Assistant tells you when the snap point is on an object.
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The Drafting Assistant also displays information about the location of the
snap point. This information appears either beside the pointer or next to the
object itself.
The following points are indicated by the Drafting Assistant:
• center: The center of an arc or circle is indicated here. Move the
pointer across the arc or circle to display on for the arc or circle, then
move the pointer near the center to display the center point notation.
• endpoint: This shows the endpoint of lines, arcs, circles, ellipses
and splines.
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• midpoint: The midpoint of lines, arcs, circles, ellipses and splines is
indicated.
• intersection: This shows the intersection of two curves including
geometry, construction lines and Drafting Assistant alignments.
• quadrant: These designate the quadrant points on an arc or circle
displayed at 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, 9 o’clock and 12 o’clock.
• vertex: The vertices of an ellipse, spline, or dimension point are
shown this way.
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Using Tangents and Perpendiculars
Clicking a point on an arc or circle and dragging the pointer away at about
a 45° angle, the Drafting Assistant locks onto the tangent. Dragging away at
a 90° angle the Drafting Assistant locks onto a perpendicular.
Holding down the mouse button, the line remains tangent or perpendicular
while the ending point is dragged around the object.
This is a useful feature if, for example, it is necessary to create a line from
and tangent to an existing circle to the tangent point of another circle.
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Once a line is tangent to the circle, it can be dragged to the tangent point on
the other circle, with the tangency maintained at both ends.
The Drafting Assistant locks onto a tangent or perpendicular only when the
Drafting Assistant starts from the on notation. It is not possible to begin
from a specific point, such as endpoint, quadrant or vertex.
Drafting Assistant Axis Locking
The Drafting Assistant supports locking to the X, Y or Z axis. T o lock to one
of these axis hold down the corresponding key on the keyboard (X, Y or Z).
The Drafting Assistant will only show alignment points in that axis.
Customizing the Drafting Assistant
When first initializing the program, the Drafting Assistant automatically
activates. Customize the Drafting Assistant by using the Snaps command.
Each of these snap options have shortcut equivalents. See “Shortcuts”
on page 547 for more information on using Shortcuts.
You can also customize using the Drafting Assistant page of the Preferences.
See “Drafting Assistant” on page 533.
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Choose Window / Snaps. This displays the Snaps window and activates
and deactivates the different snap modes of the Drafting Assistant.
When an option is activated the Drafting Assistant operates in the followi ng
manner as a pointer moves across geometry:
• Enable: Enables the Drafting Assistant. Snaps that are checked
display. Deselecting this option turns the Drafting Assistant off.
• Endpoints: Displays object endpoints.
• Midpoints: Displays object midpoints.
• Curve Intersections: Displays intersections between objects display.
• Curve On: Displays the point nearest to the pointer with an on
notation.
• XYZ Align: Displays alignments along the x, y and z axes.
• Tangents/Perpendiculars: Displays tangents and perpendiculars for
the geometry.
• Face On: Displays a face notation for solid objects.
• Edge On: Displays all notations normally associated with curves,
such as endpoint, midpoint, and vertex for solid objects.
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• Work Plane: Creates a curve using referencing points on 3D objects
but confined to the current 2D work plane. This snap works best when
the current work plane is being viewed. See the example here for
clarification.
Example: To reference points from three objects, display the Work
Plane icon for the Front plane.
Change the view to front and draw a curve using the points from the
objects with the help of the Drafting Assistant.
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Change the view to see the curve aligned with the current work plane.
The dotted lines show that the curve aligns with the object points.
• To Grid: Snaps to grid alignment points when using the grid.
• Plane Only: Shows snap points for objects only on the current work
plane.
Drafting Assistant Construction Lines
In addition to snapping onto geometry, the Drafting Assistant displays
dynamic construction lines. The three types of construction lines used most
frequently—vertical, horizontal and 45° angle lines—display automatical ly
during construction. These construction lines appear temporarily to help
align geometry. Once a point is set, the Drafting Assistant constructi on line
disappears so that the drawing is not cluttered with extraneous lines.
Dynamic construction lines extend automatically from the last point
created. To activate other points so the Drafting Assistant displays
construction lines relative to them, simply move thepointer over the
geometry to activate or “wake-up” its control points, then move away
horizontally or vertically.
Of course, there is also the option to create permanent construction lines and
other shapes, as described later in this chapter.
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After indicating the first endpoint of a line, move the pointer horizontally,
vertically, or in a 45° direction, and the dynamic construction line appears.
The figure here illustrates a 45° construction line relative to the endpoint of
an existing line.
Displaying Dynamic Construction Lines When Creating Geometry
1. Click a point to begin new geometry.
2. Move the pointer away from the point horizontally, vertically, or at a
45° angle.
3. While the construction line is visible and the Drafting Assistant
displays on, click the next point.
The point is placed exactly on the construction line, even though the
pointer wasn’t exactly on that line while clicking. The dynamic
construction line disappears.
Displaying Dynamic Construction Lines with Existing Geometry
1. On selected geometry, without pressing the mouse button, move the
pointer over an existing point. The point notation (endpoint or
midpoint, for example) shows that the point is active.
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2. Move the pointer horizontally or vertically. A construction line
appears through the point.
3. While the construction line is visible and the Drafting Assistant
displays on, click the desired point in the construction.
The point is placed exactly on the construction line, even though the
pointer wasn’t exactly on that line while clicking. The dynamic
construction line disappears.
The figure here illustrates intersecting construction lines drawn through two
existing, active points.
Permanent Stroke Construction Lines
In addition to the Drafting Assistant’s dynamic construction lines, it is
possible to create construction lines that display until they are hidden or
removed.
Stroke construction lines are lines created with the mouse. Press the
Command key and drag the mouse horizontally or vertically. Working in the
drawing area, the Drafting Assistant helps to place the stroke precisely.
Construction lines automatically appear on the Construction layer, not
the work layer of the drawing. Having inadvertently deleted the
Construction layer, it recreates the next time a construction line is created.
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Hide the construction layer to view or print the drawing without
construction lines. Construction lines can be selected in the usual manner
from any layer; the Construction layer doesn’t have to be the work layer.
To get rid of all construction lines, choose Layout / Delete Constructions.
Everything on the construction layer deletes and not just the construction
lines.
Using Stroke Construction Lines
Construction lines are as long as the dimensions of the viewing area of the
screen or the printing region (as designated in Page Setup in the File menu),
whichever is larger.
For example, using the Connected Lines tool, create a construction line that
extends through the center of a circle:
1. Press the Command key.
2. Move the pointer near the center of the circle. The Drafting Assistant
snaps onto the center point.
3. Drag the mouse vertically or horizontally away from the midpoint.
The construction line appears through the center in the process of
creating connected lines after releasing the Command key .
The Construction Command
Command + K
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Stroke construction lines are useful for creating lines through existing
points. To create a construction line at a location other than an existing point
or at a particular angle, use the Construction command. This command
creates a construction line on the construction layer of the current document.
Specify the angle of the construction line or the offset from a reference point
defined by the X, Y coordinates. The asterisk shows that the values can be
specified by clicking or dragging the mouse; values can also be typed into
the fields.
The distance dragged will always be entered in the Offset data field as a
positive value, regardless of the direction dragged.
Only one set of values can be entered for a new construction line at a time.
Multiple angles or offsets cannot be entered to create multiple construction
lines.
Specifying the Construction Line Angle with the Mouse
1. Click the Angle field.
2. Drag a vector in the drawing area. The angle of the vector line appears
in the Angle field.
Specifying the Construction Line Offset with the Mouse
1. Click the Offset field.
2. Drag the offset distance in the drawing area.
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The dragged distance appears in the Offset field. Be aware that the
offset is determined by the angle of the construction line as shown.
Specifying X, Y Coordinates with the Mouse
The coordinates of the last specified point appear in the X and Y fields, but
they can be changed by doing the following:
1. Click the X field.
2. Enter new coordinates
or
In the drawing area, click the location of the point through which the
construction line should pass. The coordinates are entered
automatically for both the X and Y fields.
Creating Parallel Construction Lines
It is possible to create parallel construction lines by creating one
construction line using this field, then creating new lines with the Parallel
Line tool.
Creating Construction Geometry
Non-construction geometry is placed on the work layer. It is possible to
create temporary construction geometry, such as arcs or circles, by making
the construction layer the work layer, creating the geometry and switching
to another layer to continue the work.
1. Choose Layout / Layer Manager.
Tech Note:
When creating
construction geometry on
the construction layer,
change layers before
creating the actual
geometry. Choose
Layout>Delete
Constructions to delete
everything on the
construction layer and not
just construction lines.
Choose Undo to restore
the geometry and move it
to another layer.
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2. Click in the work layer column just to the left of Construction. (Move
the pencil to that layer.)
3. Click OK. The Layer Manager closes and the Construction layer is
now the work layer. The Work Layer Indicator at the bottom left of the
screen shows the current layer.
4. Create the geometry for construction.
5. When the construction geometry is complete, make another layer the
work layer by changing the layer in the Layer Manager or the W ork
Layer Indicator.
6. Continue the work.
Once the construction geometry is no longer necessary, choose the
Constructions Layer from Layout/ Layers and click the Delete icon to
remove all geometry on the construction layer. You can also select
construction lines to delete and press the Delete key.
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5 Pen and Fill
Pen Settings
There are three options for setting pen characteristics, pen color , weight and
pattern. It is possible to change the pen characteristics for selected objects
or choose one or more of these characteristics as the default setting for a file.
To change the pen settings:
1. Select the object.
2. Choose Pen / Color, Weight or Patter n and select any one for the
selected object.
This change only affects the selected objects. It does not affect the default
setting for future objects created. To change a pen characteristic so that all
future objects have that characteristic, choose the characteristic without
having any object selected.
Style
Pen / Style
Contains commands for creating and modifying pen styles. A pen style is a
collection of pen attributes such as color, weight and pattern.
User Pen Styles are available globally and not just per drawing. New pen
styles are automatically saved in a PenStyles.ini file so they are available for
all drawings once a new style is created.
Pen Styles are dynamic. This means that after pen styles are created and
assigned to a drawing, it is possible to go back and modify the pen style and
have all objects using that pen style update.
The first three menu options provide tools to easily create, delete and
modify user defined pen styles. The next nine pen styles are factory-set and
can only be changed by hand editing the PenStyles.ini file.
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TurboCAD Mac
To create a new pen style, choose Pen / Style / New from the drop down
menu. Specify the name, color, weight, pattern and scale. All pen styles
created are listed below the pre-installed pen styles.
To delete a pen style ch oose Pen / Style / Delete from the drop down menu
and choose one of the user-created styles. The pre-installed pen styles
cannot be deleted.
To modify a pen style choose Pen / Style / Modify from the drop down
menu. Change the style in the window and press Apply for the changes to
take effect.
Color
Pen / Color
There are 256 color options including 239 user definable colors and 17
predefined colors. Each definable color can be assigned independently from
the 16.7 million colors available. The color you select will become the color
of the pen.
The color submenu displays eight of the defined colors by name, including
black, white, red, yellow, green, cyan, blue and magenta.
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