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A symbol is a collection of CAD objects that are grouped together to form one complex object. When a symbol is moved, scaled or rotated, the component objects have the same transformation applied to them. Symbols are commonly used in the production of survey plans to give a graphical representation of such objects as trees and the symbols that n4ce uses can come from two sources. The CAD engine allows users to create symbols manually, alternatively, symbols can be sourced from external files that can be read by n4ce such as AutoCAD DWG or DXF files.

The Symbols tab opens up numerous functions you can use to view and modify your CAD drawing as explained below: 

Create

Rectangle: Creates a symbol from elements within a user-defined rectangle.

When creating a symbol using this function, users are required to select the chosen area by rectangle followed by the symbol's origin and handles if necessary. Added handles will allow users to scale and stretch the symbol. Only the elements totally surrounded by the rectangle will be used to create the symbol. Please see the illustrations below on each stage of using the Rectangle creation function:

Select the function and surround elements for the symbol 

Note: Users will need to indicate where the handles should be located during the creation process.

The 'Name' box requires the new symbol to be given a name for it to appear in the library for future use:

The new symbol is now available to plot in the project

List: This function will create a symbol from elements within a user-defined list.

To create a symbol with the List function, users must select the List menu in the taskbar and select one of the options in the 'Add' section as necessary to select the elements needed to create the symbol.

Once the elements have been listed, return to the 'Symbols' menu in the taskbar and select the List function which subsequently opens a dialog box. The user will then be asked if they want to create a symbol from the elements in the list. Users will then need to indicate the origin and handles required for the symbol. In the next dialog box, users are required to give the symbol a name for future identification.

1 Point

Place: Creates a symbol from the 'In Project' Library selected by the user.

The 'Show * Symbols' option will itemise the unreferenced symbols in the list when importing data from AutoCAD.

The 'Use Symbol Name as Layer' option allows users to plot a symbol and it will create and belong to a layer with its name. 

Show * Symbols on (Unreferenced AutoCad symbols)	Show * Symbols off

Aligned: This function creates a symbol and allows users to align it as required.

2 Point

Aligned: This function will create a symbol at a user-defined angle between two points.

Stretched: Creates a stretched symbol between a user-defined start and end point.

Scaled: Will produce a scaled symbol between two points as drawn by the user.

3 Point

Place: This function produces a symbol by selecting three points at separate locations to create the required sizing.

Handles

Select: Allows the user to highlight a symbol's handle.

All: This function will highlight all symbol handles.

Move: This option allows the user to relocate a symbol's handle. 

Explode

Indicate: Allows the user to explode a chosen symbol, thus returning it to its raw elements. 

Current Layer: This function will explode all symbols on the current layer, returning all symbols to their raw elements.

Modify

Scale: This function allows you to change the scale of a symbol.

Angle: Allows the user to change the angle of the selected symbol.

Align: This option allows the user to modify the alignment of a symbol to a user-defined location or to align to a chosen element.

Replace: Users can replace a symbol with another from the Symbols Library.

Reverse: This function allows users to reverse the direction of a symbol's handles.

Shuffle: Allows users to toggle the origin and handles of a symbol, typically resulting in the symbol appearing differently.

Library

On Disk: Enables loading and deleting of symbols from the n4ce folder on the user's PC. 'On Disk' Symbols can be found here: C:\ProgramData\Applications in CADD\n4ce\Symbols (Copy and paste into File Explorer)

Symbols deleted from the library will be removed from the n4ce folder on the user's PC.

When this option is selected, n4ce will automatically load a user-defined list of symbols whenever a new project is created.

In Project: This function allows users to; Load, Save, Delete, Rename and Invert Symbols that have already been added to the project's database. In addition, there are three options for the type of symbol; Normal, North Point and Scale Bar.

	Allows new symbols to be added from the 'On Disk' library
	Will save current library on symbols and load automatically in new projects
	Deletes the selected symbol(s) from the library (Can be re-added from 'On Disk')
	Users can change the name of all symbols in the library
	This function highlights all the unselected symbols excluding the current selection
	When selected, anonymous symbols imported from AutoCAD will show in the list box

To Project: Users can select an unreferenced symbol (no name allocated upon initial creation) and save it to the project library with a user-defined name. When creating a symbol, a dialog box will open prompting the user to insert a name for the symbol. If a name is not given, the symbol will remain unreferenced and subsequently will not appear in the Library. 

The image below shows a symbol being created without a name. This creates an unreferenced symbol.

The image of the dialog box that appears when you use 'To Project' and select an unreferenced symbol.

Purge: This function will remove all unused symbols from the project library allowing the user to streamline the choice of relevant symbols available.

    List box before the purge function has been used   > 'Don't Purge' function used to retain '1st tree' symbol 

Purge function used leaving only 'NorthStarA3' symbol

Missing: Creates a report itemising the missing symbols from the project library so the user can add them if required.

The function finds missing symbols from the project library and prompts users to add 

Missing function used and now showing missing symbol in project library

Edit

• Backcloth Copy: Allows the user to copy points from the CAD Backcloth.
• Edit: Users can Modify, Mirror, and Rotate points. For more information, click on the individual links.
• Attributes: Allows the user to Set, Get, and view Properties of the selected points. For more information, click on the individual links.
• List: Will allow the user to Add and Remove points from a list. For more information, click on the individual links.