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Copyright © 2004 Randall H. Garrett, dba Apex IV, Limited. All Rights Reserved
PlusDraw End-User License Agreement (EULA)
Apex IV, Limited hereby grants the customer a personal, non-transferable and non-exclusive license
to use the program under the terms stated in this Agreement. Title, ownership and/or rights in and to
the program and the related documentation remain with Apex IV, Limited. Installation and use of this
program is limited to the original customer in accordance with the terms of distribution. You and your
employees and agents are required to protect the confidentiality of the program. You may not
transfer, distribute or otherwise make the program or documentation available to any third party, by
any time-sharing or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Apex IV, Limited. You may not alter
or modify the program. You may not copy or reproduce the program or documentation for any
purpose except with the written permission of Apex IV, Limited. You acknowledge that you are
receiving a LIMITED LICENSE TO USE the program and related documentation and that Apex IV,
Limited retains all rights to the program and documentation. This license remains effective until
terminated. You may terminate this license at any time by returning to Apex IV, Limited, at your
expense, the software and related documentation together with all copies and merged portions in any
form. This license will also terminate immediately upon conditions set forth elsewhere in the
Agreement or if you fail to comply with any term or condition contained herein.
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Table of Contents
Preface.......................................................................................... 1
About PlusDraw........................................................................... 1
System Requirements................................................................. 1
Required Hardware.................................................................... 2
Preferred Hardware.................................................................... 2
Required Software...................................................................... 2
Preferred Software...................................................................... 2
Installation..................................................................................... 2
Establishing the Bluetooth Connection..................................... 2
Manual Setup................................................................................ 5
First Time Communications Setup............................................. 5
Determine Outbound COM Settings........................................... 5
Set COM Settings in PlusDraw................................................... 5
User Interface................................................................................ 6
Document List............................................................................. 6
View Tabs................................................................................... 6
Tab A: Drawing View............................................................ 7
Tab B: Comments View........................................................ 7
Tab C: Results View............................................................. 7
Wall Height Input Dialog............................................................. 9
Page Management Dialog........................................................... 9
Drawing Using the DISTO............................................................ 10
Drawing a Bay Window...........................................…................. 12
Direct Angle Method (45°).....................................…................. 12
Rise-and-Run Method...........................................….................. 13
Editing Lines............................................................…................. 14
Editing with the DISTO....................…........................................ 14
Editing with the PlusDraw KeyPad ........................…................ 14
Deleting Lines..........................................................…................. 15
Open Area...............................................................…............... 15
Closed Area..............................................................…............... 16
Saving and Exporting Files.........................................…............ 16
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Preface
PlusDraw™ is distributed free-of-charge with the Leica DISTO™ plus laser distancemeter. This
software was created by Apex Software in cooperation with Leica Geosystems and is based on
the Microsoft® .NET Compact Framework. Most Pocket PC (
Pocket PC 2000, 2002, or Window Mobile 2003 can utilize this application. PlusDraw is designed
to demonstrate an effective integration between a Pocket PC and the distancemeter. Neither
Leica Geosystems nor Apex Software makes any warranties with respect to the free software and
related documentation, nor on its functionality, and does not offer any support. Please contact
Apex Software for additional information regarding availability of our full-reatured software or
specialized integration with DISTO devices.
Apex Software
6363 De Zavala Road, Suite 200
San Antonio, Texas 78249
USA
210-699-6666 within USA; 011 2106996666
lasermeter.info@apexwin.com
www.apexwin.com
) devices running Microsoft
PPC
About PlusDraw
PlusDraw is designed to provide a simple, yet effective tool to record and process measurements
made with a DISTO plus laser distancemeter. Distances measured with the DISTO plus are
transmitted to the Pocket PC through a Bluetooth wireless connection. This two way
communication between a Pocket PC and the distancemeter permits the simultaneous use of
several technologies to quickly provide perimeter, surface area and volume calculations for any
industry. Use both technologies simultaneously to quickly calculate areas for appraisals,
tiling/carpeting, painting, etc.
Using the DISTO, measure a distance and input a direction. This information is automatically
transferred and graphically displayed on a connected PPC. Once an area is completely drawn,
the calculations are automatic.
System Requirements
PlusDraw is typically installed to the PPC through a host computer such as a desktop PC or
notebook PC. The host must have Microsoft® ActiveSync® or its equivalent present and properly
configured prior to installing the software to a PPC. ActiveSync is usually included on a CD
supplied with the Pocket PC and can also be downloaded here. PlusDraw uses the latest
Microsoft technology available for mobile computers and thus requires the .NET Compact
Framework for correct operation. Pocket PCs using operating systems prior to Windows Mobile
2003 will require the installation of the Compact Framework if it is not already present. The
Compact Framework and installation instruction are available without charge from Microsoft here.
If the links provided are no longer valid, visit http://www.microsoft.com for information.
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2
Note: Older devices may require updated drivers (e.g. cummunication drivers) to function
properly with the DISTO plus. Visit the PPC manufacturer's web site for information and driver
updates.
Required Hardware
Pocket PC (PPC) with the ability to use Bluetooth® technology.
n
Preferred Hardware
PPC with
n
Bluetooth technology.
built-in
Required Software
Microsoft® ActiveSync®.
n
Microsoft® .NET Compact Framework.
n
n Operating system: Microsoft
®
Pocket PC 2000, 2002, or Windows Mobile 2003.
Preferred Software
Operating system: Windows Mobile 2003.
n
Installation
Installing PlusDraw
Synchronize the PPC with the desktop PC using Microsoft ActiveSync.
n
Insert the PlusDraw CD and follow the onscreen instructions on the desktop PC and the PPC.
n
Establishing the Bluetooth Connection
PlusDraw will automatically attempt to determine the proper connection settings to allow the
hardware (PPC) to properly communicate with the DISTO device using the Bluetooth technology.
If PlusDraw is unable to establish the connection automatically or through any method(s)
described in this section, refer to the section titled Manual Setup.
Each time PlusDraw is used in conjunction with the DISTO, a connection between the PPC and
the DISTO will need to be established.
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3
the connection
A solid Bluetooth symbol indicates that the
Turn on the DISTO.
Turn on Bluetooth: The Bluetooth
symbol will be visible and flashing.
Turn on 2nd Function Layer: ‘2nd’
will be visible on the DISTO display.
Image 1
Open the PlusDraw program (
the drivers that are installed, one of these three scenarios will occur:
1) The PPC will automatically display a list of nearby Bluetooth devices to which it may
connect.
2) The PPC will automatically connect to the DISTO device (assuming the DISTO is on and
the Bluetooth symbol is flashing). A beeping sound can be heard and the Bluetooth image
will stop flashing on the DISTO.
3) Nothing visible happens.
For
scenario 1
, if the DISTO device is on and the Bluetooth symbol is blinking, DISTO will be
listed as an available connection (
Browser (
Bluetooth symbol will stop flashing and a new sketch file will open (
) to make the connection. Once the PPC is connected to the DISTO, the
Image 2
Start | Programs | PlusDraw
). Simply tap on the DISTO selection in the Bluetooth
Image 2
2nd indicates that the device is in the 2nd
Function Layer*: All blue colored items are
active and usable.
*Refer to the DISTO manual for more
n
DISTO is connected to the PPC.
n A flashing Bluetooth symbol indicates that
the DISTO is waiting to connect to the
). Depending on the PPC device and
Image 3
). Begin drawing.
Image 2
Select DISTO to make
Image 3
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the connection
For
scenario 2
drawing.
, once PlusDraw has been launched, a new sketch file will open (
Image 3
). Begin
For scenario 3, access the Bluetooth Manager (Image 4) to scan for available devices and select
the DISTO unit (
Once the Bluetooth Manager is accessed for the device, a list of available connections will be
displayed. If the DISTO device is on and Bluetooth is active (Bluetooth symbol blinking), DISTO
will be an available connection. Simply select the DISTO to make the connection. The Bluetooth
symbol will stop flashing.
Image 5).
Select DISTO to make
Image 4
Once connected to the DISTO, a new sketch file will open (
Image 6
If the devices do not connect in any manner described above, PlusDraw will need to be
configured manually as described in the following section.
Image 5
). Begin drawing.
Image 6
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Tap the Bluetooth Icon (or the
Manual Setup
First Time Communications Setup
NOTE: Follow these instructions only if the PPC and the DISTO failed to connect as
described in the previous section.
The setup procedure described in this section may be required for certain devices. If the PPC
does not connect to the DISTO device as described in the previous section, the communication
settings in PlusDraw must be changed to match the settings found on the PPC. After these
settings are made, reattempt connection of the PPC to the DISTO as described in the previous
section.
Determine Outbound COM Settings
Access the Bluetooth Settings for the PPC, and locate the Serial Port settings. Make a note of
the
Outbound COM Port
Image 7
Tap OK.
Set COM Settings in PlusDraw
Open the PlusDraw program (
the outbound COM setting for the PPC.
value as shown in
equivalent for your device)
and then Bluetooth Settings
Start | Programs | PlusDraw
image 8
.
Image 8
Remember this value
) and set the COM setting to match
Image 9
Set to match the PPC’s
outbound COM port setting.
Tap on the icon.
Image 10
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Tap OK. Once the COM port settings match, the previously described manual setup
procedure will not be required.
User Interface
The term
User Interface
etc.) that allow you to interact with the software. This section describes the different display
views, buttons, and tools that respond to your input(s).
Document List
If at least one sketch file has been created, the Document List will be the first screen that opens
when PlusDraw is started (
files to be created, and allows changing of the communication ports. Saved sketches are located
in \
My Documents\Apex
refers to all of the visible features and controls (toolbars, buttons, tabs,
). This screen displays saved sketch files, allows new sketch
Image 11
folder on the PPC.
-Tap here to create a new sketch file.
-Tap here to access PlusDraw’s COM
settings.
-Tap here for information on PlusDraw.
Image 11
View Tabs
The data for an opened sketch can be seen in three distinct views. Each view can be accessed
by tapping on any of the three available tabs shown in
information about a single sketch. The tabs are as follows:
Tab A: Drawing View – displays a graphical drawing of the area.
Tab B: Comments View – displays textual information about the area (e.g. comments).
Tab C: Results View – displays the calculations for the area.
. All three tabs display
Image 12
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last two lines will be drawn automatically. Otherwise, the line needed to
Tap on any tab shown in
to display the corresponding view.
Image 12
Image 12
Tab A: Drawing View
This view will display the sketch based on measurements taken with the DISTO plus. Think of it
as the primary “sketching” view that displays a graphical representation of the area. Notice the
icon set on the bottom toolbar. These icons are tools that can be used while in any view.
Starts a new sketch file.
Saves the current sketch file using the current name or another
name.
Opens page management dialog.
Exports all sketch pages to image files and their data to Pocket
Excel® files. The button remains depressed until the images and data
have been exported. See the section titled Saving and Exporting Files
for more information.
Use this icon to zoom in or out on the sketch in specified
increments from 75% to 400%.
Tap to quickly close a rectangle. If the result is a rectangle, the
close the area will be automatically drawn.
Image 13
Opens wall height input dialog.
Toggles the Help/Status bar on/off. The status bar displays
measurement inputs when using the PlusDraw Keypad (Image 26).
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The first field is intended for the name (example: customer name,
Tab B: Comments View
This view will allow information about the sketch page to be entered. Any information can be
entered in the fields shown in
Image 14
; however, their intended use is described below:
n
property name).
The second field is intended for the floor or level name (example:
n
first floor, second floor).
The third field is intended for room name (example: kitchen,
n
bedroom 1, bedroom 2). If the field is left blank, the page number
will be inserted in the field automatically.
n The fourth field is intended for additional comments or
observations.
Image 15
Image 15
Image 14
Tab C: Results View
This view will display calculation information gathered from measurement inputs.
Displays surface area.
Displays perimeter.
Displays wall height.
Displays cubic volume.
Note: If a wall height is not provided, wall surface area and volume will not be calculated. In
addition, calculations that display a tilde (~) indicate that the value has been rounded to the
nearest hundredths place.
Displays wall surface area.
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measurement will
Wall Height Input Dialog
Tapping on the toolbar will open the wall height input dialog (
dialog, specify the wall height for the current area. This value will be used to calculate the cubic
volume and the wall surface area.
Once the dialog opens, measure the wall height using the DISTO and press the Enter key using
the 2nd function layer on the DISTO device. The measured value will be entered for the wall
height, and the dialog window will close.
Note: If the PlusDraw keyboard is used to input the wall height, tap OK to close the dialog
window.
Image 16
). From within this
DISTO
be automatically entered.
Image 16
Page Management Dialog
Use pages to organize multiple rooms or areas in a single sketch file. Each sketch file can
contain a virtually infinite number of pages, depending on the PPC’s available resources.
Tapping on the toolbar will open the page management dialog (Image 17). From within this
dialog, pages can be added, deleted, inserted, or sorted.
Image 17
Adds a blank page to the current sketch file. The page is
added to the end of the list.
Deletes the selected page from the sketch file.
Allows a sketch page to be inserted. The page will be
inserted before (above) the highlighted page.
Allows the pages to be sorted based on the direction
selected.
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Sketch 1
The page names are generated from the
This version of PlusDraw allows one area to be drawn per page, and the data shown on each of
the View Tabs (tabs A, B, and C -
To properly select a page, tap the desired page and then tap OK. The Drawing View (Tab A) will
open to display the sketch for the selected page. Tabs B and C will display information for that
specific sketch.
shows the relationship of a single sketch file (named
Image 18
data in field 3 of tab B. If this field is left
blank, the pages will be numbered
numerically (e.g. 1, 2, 3, etc.)
Image 18
) relates to the selected page.
Image 12
Sketch 1)
Tab A
and its pages:
Tab B
Drawing Using the DISTO*
Note: PlusDraw will receive distance measurements in units (meters by default) set on the
DISTO device. The unit of measure should not be changed during sketching. Refer to the
DISTO manual for information on setting the unit of measure prior to connecting to PlusDraw.
To properly draw and calculate an Area using both PlusDraw and the DISTO device, you must
first establish a connection between the PPC and the DISTO as described in the previous
sections.
Kitchen
(page 1)
Bedroom 1
(page 2)
Bedroom 2
(page 3)
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Bluetooth connection
R
Before placing a line (when
Once a connection is established, follow the steps outlined below:
1) Make sure the 2nd Function Layer is activated on the DISTO- Press and ensure ‘2nd’
is displayed (Image 19).
and 2nd Function
Layer are active.
Image 19
2) If the devices are properly connected, and no pocket sketches have been created with
PlusDraw or Pocket Apex™, the Drawing View (
as explained in the previous section) will
TAB A
be displayed. You are ready to begin drawing an Area. However, if a sketch was previously
saved, every time the two devices are connected and PlusDraw is opened, the Document List will
display (
). If this is the case, tap the new sketch icon on the toolbar. The Drawing
Image 11
View will display.
3) Take a distance
measurement
using the DISTO*.
4) Input a
will be drawn in the direction that was indicated (
using a directional key on the 2nd Function Layer. In PlusDraw, a red line
direction
Image 20).
.
Image 20
*For more specific information on drawing using the DISTO product, please refer to the DISTO manual. The
DISTO manual contains helpful information on activating Bluetooth on the DISTO device for use with
PlusDraw, and for using the 2nd Function Layer. This layer will be used to send wall
measurements/directions directly to PlusDraw.
5) Press the
shown in
Image 21.
key (2nd Function Layer). The line will be placed and colored black as
ENTER
it is red in color), the line length
can be quickly changed by
adding or subtracting
measurements taken with the
DISTO. For example, if you
have measured an 8 meter line
to the right and the line is still
Image 21
red, you can measure 3 meters
to the left, and the resulting line
will be 5 meters in length.
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R
6) Continue drawing the Area in the same manner as described in steps 3-5 above. To properly
calculate the area measurements, the area will need to be completely closed. Assuming all other
measurements are accurate, the last line of the area does not need to be measured. Tap the
Close icon on the PlusDraw toolbar to automatically draw the last line and close the area. In
this version, once an area is closed, it can not be reopened.
R Measurement ¨ Direction ¨ Enter
Smaller measurements can be directly entered using the PlusDraw keyboard shown in the section
titled Editing with the PlusDraw Keypad. Use the number pad to input measurements, and use the
directional arrows keys to denote the line direction.
Note: Dependent on the scale (size) of the area, line dimensions may not display at the default
zoom level to avoid crowding of the text. Zooming into a line may display its dimension, but some
lines may not display dimensions at any zoom level. To see a list of all dimensions, use the
export feature . The dimensions will be listed in the Pocket Excel (see section titled
Saving
and Exporting Files) file in order, from the leftmost top corner and continuing clockwise.
Drawing a Bay Window
Direct Angle Method (45°)
Diagonal buttons are used
to draw 45° angles.
Drawing direction
Angles of 45° can be drawn quickly by using the diagonal buttons on the 2nd Function Layer*
(
Image 22)
. Follow the steps below to draw the bay window shown in the example:
Verify that the 2nd Function Layer* on the DISTO is enabled.
n
n Measure the length of wall A.
Press the up-right angle button. The line will be red.
n
Press
n
for the next wall is expected.
Now, continue drawing the bay window in a similar fashion:
Measure and draw wall B as normal.
n
n Measure wall C in the same manner as outlined above for wall A.
on the DISTO. The line is black to denote that the line has been placed and input
Enter
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* Refer to the DISTO manual for more information on measuring and the 2nd Function Layer.
Rise-and-Run Method
Note: Rise-and-run measurements are generally less precise than direct angle
measurements.
Drawing direction
Y = Rise
Image 23
Using the DISTO, begin drawing the bay window by drawing wall A (or the first angled wall).
Follow these steps:
Verify that the 2nd Function Layer* on the DISTO is enabled.
n
n Measure the rise (also shown as Y above).
Input the direction (i.e. upward direction). The line is red and ready for the ‘run’ measurement
n
shown above (X).
Measure the run.
n
n Input the direction (i.e. right). The line is red and angled.
Press
n
for the next wall is expected.
Now, continue drawing the bay window in a similar fashion:
Measure and draw wall B as normal.
n
n Measure wall C in the same manner as outlined above for wall A.
* Refer to the DISTO manual for more information on measuring and the 2nd Function Layer.
on the DISTO. The line is black to denote that the line has been placed and input
Enter
X = Run
Editing Lines
Lines may be edited by using either the DISTO or the PlusDraw KeyPad. Note:
of PlusDraw, closed areas can not be reopened.
Editing with the DISTO
The DISTO may be used to directly edit drawn lines in PlusDraw. To do so, the PPC must be
connected to the DISTO device and the 2nd Function Layer must be active.
In this version
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Image 23
Tap a line to select it.
Help Status bar displays
keyboard measurement
If the area has been completed and closed, the line may be edited by tapping the specific line
with a stylus. The line will be highlighted in red (
). This indicates that the line length
Image 24
may be edited.
Image 24
Next, to properly edit the selected line, re-measure the correct distance using the DISTO. Input
the appropriate direction* and press ENTER on the DISTO.
Editing with the PlusDraw KeyPad
Alternatively, the selected line (
After selecting a line, access the KeyPad by tapping the keyboard selection icon (
Select PlusDraw KeyPad from the available choices. The KeyPad will appear and the sketch will
automatically adjust to the largest viewable size in the drawing area (
) may be edited using the PlusDraw KeyPad.
Image 24
Tap here to
access the
menu.
Image 26
Image 25
).
inputs as they are
entered.
Use the Backspace
button (Image 27) to
correct a mis-type.
).
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Image 25 Image 26
Number Pad (used to enter
line lengths)
Image 24 Image 27
Tap the desired length using the number pad, and input the appropriate direction* using the
directional arrow keys. Tap the Enter button.
*Note: When editing a line length, the original direction should be used.
Deleting Lines
Open Area
While in the process of capturing measurements (the area is still open), press DELETE on the 2nd
Function Layer of the DISTO device. The
been deleted, re-measure the correct length and continue drawing the area until it is closed.
Additionally, pressing DELETE successively will delete every line back to the point of beginning.
Note: Although not as efficient, you can accomplish the same task by tapping the Del button on
the PlusDraw Keypad.
Closed Area
Deleting the lines of a closed area is not recommended because an area can not be reopened in
this version of PlusDraw. However, you may delete any line by first selecting the line (
and then by pressing DELETE on the DISTO or by pressing Del on the PlusDraw KeyPad (
27). The area will adjust to a newly formed shape. For example, deleting a single line of a
rectangle will result in a triangle. See example below:
Delete Button
Directional Arrow Keys
will be deleted. Once the appropriate line has
last line
Backspace Button
Enter Button
Image 24
Image
),
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Select a line
Tap Del
Image 28
Saving and Exporting Files
PlusDraw saves sketches by naming the sketch files automatically and sequentially (Sketch
1.ax2, Sketch 2.ax2, etc.) when exiting the program. However, using the save icon on the
PlusDraw toolbar, files can be saved with a custom name.
Below is a list of file formats that PlusDraw saves/exports:
- PlusDraw’s proprietary file format. This format can only be viewed with PlusDraw,
n .ax2
Pocket Apex™, and Apex Software’s desktop version (Apex IV™).
n .bmp - bitmap image file of the sketch (Tab A – Image 13) that is created when using the
export feature . A separate image file is created for each page (Image 17 ) of the sketch file.
Use this image file to print the sketch from the desktop PC or insert it into text documents.
Multiple bitmap images for a single sketch file are named with the file name followed by the
letter ‘A’ and the page number in parentheses (e.g. Sketch 1A(1).bmp, Sketch 1A(2).bmp,
etc.).
- Pocket Excel® file that is created when using the export feature . The Excel file
n .pxl
contains the data found on the Comments View (Tab B Image 15) for each page. If the sketch file contains multiple pages, the information exported
from tabs B and C will be on separate sheets within a single Pocket Excel file. Pocket Excel
files are named with the sketch file name, and numbered sequentially (e.g. Sketch 1.pxl,
Sketch 2.pxl, etc.).
All files are saved on the PPC in the following location:
\My Documents\Apex
and exported files for use on the desktop PC, follow the procedure outlined below:
1) Using Microsoft ActiveSync, synchronize the PPC to the desktop PC.
2) On the desktop PC, access the ActiveSync dialog.
3) From the
menu, select
File
Explore
.
4) Access the Apex folder.
5) Select and copy desired files to the desktop PC.
) and Results view (Tab C -
Image 14
. To access saved
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