CAD Tools (In a Model View)

When working in a model, some items, such as tables and thread contours, are placed in the CAD backcloth that forms part of that model.  The CAD option from the DTM Tools Menu allows some simple CAD tools to help in annotating the model and editing the CAD backcloth.  When selected, the pop-up menu below will be displayed.

CAD Text Tools

The Text options allow you to place text labels into the CAD backcloth of the current model.  In the first three options, the positioning and angle of the text label is defined by the number of points that must be indicated.  The Text 1 Point option allows you to place a piece of text using a single position and the text will be placed horizontally.  The Text 2 Point option allows you to define an angle for a piece of text using two positions, with the first indicated position being the text justification point.  The Text 3 Point allows you to define, angle and scale a piece of text using three positions.  The first point is the bottom left of the text, the second point is the bottom right and the third is along the top of the text.

After indicating the required points, a dialog is displayed asking you to define various text parameters.

The Text Label field defines the text string that is to be displayed.  The Attributes group defines the text display parameters.  Note that for the 3-point text, the justification combo boxes are disabled as the text is fitted into the rectangle defined by the indicated points.

The Text Label options allows you to place an item of text together with a leader line pointing at a position of interest.  You will first be asked to indicate the position of interest followed by the position of the text.  An arrow will be added to the leader line at the position of interest and the size will be the same as that of the text label.  After the leader line has been defined, you will be asked to define the text and its parameters as above.  Only the vertical justification is used as the horizontal justification depends on the position of the label relative to the position of interest.

The Text Words option from the Tools Menu allows you to change the text string that is displayed for any item of text.

CAD Editing Tools

The three Edit options allow you to edit CAD elements in the dedicated CAD backcloth.  The Edit Delete option allows you to delete elements, the Edit Move option allows you to move elements and the Edit Copy option allows you to copy elements.  These options do not obey the current pick mode and they only work with single elements.