Symbol Insertion

When starting the tool, this dialog will appear.

This tool inserts illustration symbols (AutoCAD drawing blocks).

• • Multiple symbols can be inserted along a selected line (termed as main line in this routine).

  • Single Symbol can also be inserted with or without selecting main line.

  • Symbols can be inserted at a side offset (left side or right side of selected main line).

  • Symbols can be inserted at a height (elevation) offset (offset measured along Z-axis) with reference to main line.

  • Symbol(s) can be erased at once using this tool.

    • All symbols along selected main line can be erased at once.

    • All symbols of selected type along the main line can be erased at once

    • Symbols can be picked manually to erase.

  • Global changes such as the following to Symbol(s) can be made easily using this tool with three different edit modes.

    • Side offset

    • Height offset

    • Rotation

    • Insertion point in case of single symbol selection

    • Edit Modes:

      1. Edit all objects along selected main line.

      2. Edit all objects of selected type along main line.

      3. Edit selected object.

  • Symbols can be updated.

Inserting Symbols

Symbols are inserted in two steps.

• 1. Select the symbol from the dialog box 'Symbol Insertion'.

     • External symbols can be selected using the button 'Browse'.

       • Use the button 'Insert from file' to define the insertion parameters.

     • Existing symbols (local blocks or symbols which were inserted previously) can be selected from the upper right list. Single Click to select existing blocks.

       • Use the button 'Insert block' to define the insertion parameters.

  2. Define the insertion parameters and click the button 'Insert' of the dialog box 'Insert Objects'.

Browse and Chosen file

User can select external symbols (AutoCAD drawing files/WBLOCK) or existing block (all the block available in the active drawing file).

Selecting AutoCAD drawing file/WBLOCK

• • Using the button 'Browse', select the AutoCAD drawing file/WBLOCK, which is to be inserted.

  • The selected drawing file and its path will be displayed at the field 'Chosen file'.

  • All the files present in the active folder (folder of selected file) will be displayed in the upper left list area.

  • If desired user can switch to other files also (double click) on the file at the upper left list.

  • To select files from other locations use the button 'Browse'.

When the button 'Browse' is activated the dialog box 'Browse' will pop up where user can select the AutoCAD drawing file/WBLOCK and have a preview of the symbol.

Selecting exiting blocks

• • All the exiting blocks will be listed in the upper right corner.

  • Select the symbol (single click), which is to be inserted.

Insert from File or Block

Use this button to insert external symbols (AutoCAD drawing files/WBLOCK). The dialog box 'Insert Objects' will pop up.

Parameters such as

• • Main line along which symbols are to be inserted,

  • Multiple objects parameters,

  • Insertion options, etc., 

can be defined in this dialog box.

Main Line

Click the button to select the main line (Novapoint entity or AutoCAD entity). The selected lines 'Object ID', 'From Station' and 'To Station' values will be displayed at this field.

• • Single objects can be inserted without selecting main line.

  • Defining main line is must for inserting multiple objects.

Offset: Elevation offset (also termed as offset from main line in the direction of Z-axis) from main line.

File Name

The select AutoCAD drawing file, which is being inserted, will be mapped at this field.

Insert Objects

• • By default the function insert single object.

  • Main line is to be selected to enable this option.

  • Clear this check box to insert multiple objects.

  • The field 'Insert Multiple Objects' of the dialog box 'Insert Objects' will be hidden when the option 'Insert Object' (single object) is opted.

Insert Multiple Objects - Multiple objects can be defined in four (4) different ways:

• • 1. From/To Station: Define the 'From Station' and 'To Station' values between which symbols are to be inserted. Define the 'Number of Objects' or 'Distance between the Objects' at the field 'Num. Objects'. 'From Station' and 'To Station' values can be picked from the drawing using the button 'Get From/To Stations'.

    2. From Station and Length: Define the 'From Station' and 'Length' (from 'From Station') between which symbols are to be inserted. Define the 'Number of Objects' or 'Distance between the Objects' at the field 'Num. Objects'. 'From Station' and 'Length' values can be picked from the drawing using the button 'Get From Station/Length'.

    3. From/To Points: Define the 'From Point' (X and Y coordinates) and 'To Point' (X and Y coordinates) between which symbols are to be inserted. Define the 'Number of Objects' or 'Distance between the Objects' at the field 'Num. Objects'. 'From Point' and 'To Point' values can be picked from the drawing using the button 'Get From/To Points'.

    4. From Point and Length: Define the 'From Point' (X and Y coordinates) and 'Length' (from 'From Point') between which symbols are to be inserted. Define the 'Number of Objects' or 'Distance between the Objects' at the field 'Num. Objects'. 'From Point' and 'Length' values can be picked from the drawing using the button 'Get From Point/Length'.

  • Num. Objects: Number of objects can be defined in two ways. Number of Objects or Distance between Objects. Mark the desired radio button and define the value.

Related to Main Line

This option is available when single object is being inserted and not for multiple objects.

• • Mark the option if main line is to be treated as reference line.

  • Clear the option if UCS (user coordinate system) of AutoCAD is to be treated as reference.

Lock Mode: Mark the desired radio button.

• • These options are available only for single object insertion and when the option 'Related to Main Line' is opted.

  • Lock Coordinates:

  • Lock Station Numbers:

Specify Parameters on Screen

Mark the check box to define the parameters on command prompts while inserting the symbols.

• • The field 'Options' of the dialog box 'Options' will be hidden when the option 'Specify Parameters on Screen' is opted.

Options

• • • Insertion Point:

      • In case of 'Single Object' define the insertion point (X, Y and Z coordinates). User can also pick the insert point from drawing using the button .

      • In case of 'Multiple Objects' the insertion point is the same as the 'From Station/Point' define at the field 'Insert Multiple Objects'.

    • Scale Factor: Define the X, Y and Z scale faction values.

    • Rotation: Define the angle of rotation.

      • If the option 'Related to main line' is opted, the rotation will be with reference to main line.

      • Else with reference to UCS (User Coordinate System).

    • Offset:

      • This option is available when main line is selected.

      • Offset of symbols from main line (left/right)

      • Use negative values to place the symbols on left of main line in the direction of stationing.

    • The same parameter will be prompted at command line if the option 'Specify Parameters on Screen' is not opted.

Insert

Defining the necessary parameters, click the button 'Insert' to execute the command.

Close

Click this button to switch back to be dialog box 'Symbol Insertion'.

Delete Objects

Deletes selected Symbol/Multiple symbols of same type/All symbols along selected main line from the drawing that were inserted using the tool 'Symbol Insertion'. 

Three different methods for deleting objects are available.

• 1. Delete all Objects along line: Deletes all objects along selected main line.

  2. Delete all Objects of same type along line: Deletes all objects of selected type along the main line.

  3. Delete Objects: Deletes the selected object.

For methods 1 and 2 the symbols must have been inserted using a main line.

For method 3:

• • Click the button 'Delete Objects' or the dialog box 'Symbol Insertion'. The dialog box 'Delete Objects' (shown below) will pop up.

  • Click the desired option.

    • Delete all Objects along line: Deletes all the objects referred to selected line.

      1. Mark the radio button.

      2. Click the button 'Delete' and follow command prompt.

      3. Select the main line.

      4. All the symbols referred to the selected main line will be erased.

    • Delete all Objects of same type along line: Deletes all the objects of selected type.

      1. Mark the radio button.

      2. Click the button 'Delete' and follow command prompt.

      3. Select the type of symbol, which is to be erased from the drawing.

      4. All the symbols of selected type will be erased from the drawing.

    • Delete Objects: Deletes selected object.

      1. Mark the radio button.

      2. Click the button 'Delete' and the follow command prompt.

      3. Select the object, which is to be erased and finish with the key 'Return'.

      4. Click 'Close' to return back to the dialog box 'Symbol Insertion'.

Update Objects

Updates the selected object with the changes made to the original symbol.

Edit Objects

Global changes such as changing the horizontal offset (left side or right side) of main line, elevation offset (offset in the direction of Z-axis), Rotation with reference to main line, etc., can be made easily using this option.

Note: Symbols, which are inserted with reference to a main line using 'Symbol Insertion', can only be edited with this option.

Edit Objects

This dialog box can be activated from the button 'Edit Objects' of the dialog box 'Symbol Insertion'.

• • Three types of edit modes are available, user has to select the suitable edit mode and define the edit parameters.

  • Symbols, which are inserted with reference to a main line using 'Symbol Insertion', can only be edited with this dialog box.

  • Global changes to Symbol(s) such as the following can be made using this dialog box.

  • Elevation offset (offset in the direction of Z-axis from main line)

  • Side offset (left side or right side of main line)

  • Rotation with reference to main line

  • Moving selected symbol.

Edit Mode

Three different edit modes are available: Select the desired type from the pull down menu.

• 1. Edit all objects along main line: Global changes such as the following can be made for all the symbols along the selected main line that were inserted by the tool 'Symbol Insertion'.

     • Height Offset: Elevation offset from main line for all the objects referred to selected main and inserted using the tool 'Symbol Insertion'.

     • Main line selection can be made using the button at the field 'Main Line'.

     • The option 'Block Name' will be deactivated when this edit mode is opted.

     • Side Offset: Side offset from main line (left side or right side). Use negative value for left side offset.

     • Rotation: Changes the orientation of objects (with reference to main line).

     • Lock Mode: Mark the desired radio button.

     • All the other options will be disabled for this edit mode.

  2. Edit all objects of same type along main line: Global changes such as the following can be made for all the symbols of selected type that were inserted by the tool 'Symbol Insertion'.

     • Height Offset: Same as explained in above.

     • Main Line: Do not use this option for this edit mode. Directly select the symbol type using the button at the field 'Block Name'.

     • Side Offset: Same as explained above.

     • Rotation: Same as explained above.

     • Lock Mode: Same as explained above.

     • All the other options will be disabled this edit mode.

  3. Edit object: Changes such as the following can be made for the selected symbol that was inserted by the tool 'Symbol Insertion'.

     • Symbol selection can be made using the button at the field 'Block Name'.

     • Height Offset: Same as explained in above.

     • Side Offset: Same as explained above.

     • Rotation: Same as explained above.

     • Lock Mode: Same as explained above.

     • Insertion Point: Symbol can be moved to other location by changing the 'Insertion Point'.

       • New insertion point can be picked using the button at the field 'Insertion Point'.

     • Lock Side Offset: Mark the check box to lock the side offset value.

     • Lock Station Number: Mark the check box to lock the side offset value.

     • Station: Symbol can be moved to other station location using this option.

       • New station number can be picked using the button at the field 'Station'.

       • Alternatively, enter the new station number at the field 'Station'.

Having defined all the parameter, click the button 'Edit' to execute the command.

Click the button 'Close' to switch back the dialog box 'Symbol Insertion'.