User Interface
Keyboard Shortcuts
The BricsCAD Application Window
Overview
To Display the Ribbon
To Hide the Ribbon
Document Tabs
Open/Close the Command Bar
To Set the Command Line Properties
Open/Close the Status bar
Working with the Status Bar
Customizing the Status Bar
Display/Hide Scroll Bars
Toolbars
Main Toolbars
Toolbar Flyouts
Opening a Toolbar
To set the Icon Size
To Set the Position and Visible Property
To Tear off a Flyout Toolbar
Closing a Toolbar
Properties Bar
Overview
Open the Properties Bar
Adjust the Size of the Properties Bar
Set the Current Properties
Edit a Single Entity
Edit a Selection Set
Edit Endpoints and Nodes
Prompt Menus
Customizing BricsCAD
Startup Options
What are BricsCAD User Files
Using the BricsCAD User File Manager
What are the CUI Files
Opening the Customize Dialog
Working with CUI files
Commands
To Load a Main CUI File
To Load a Partial CUI File
To Unload a Partial CUI File
Creating Custom Tools
Overview
Create a Partial CUI File
Add a Toolbox to a Menu Group
Add Tools to a Toolbox
Add a Main Menu
Add a Submenu to a Menu
Add a Context Menu
Add a Toolbar
Add a Flyout to a Toolbar
Add a Control to a Toolbar
Add a Keyboard Shortcut
Add an Existing Tool
Change the Tool Order
Create a New Tool
Ribbon
What is the Ribbon
Ribbon Panels
Ribbon Buttons
Creating a Ribbon Tab
Editing a Ribbon Tab
Creating a Ribbon Panel
Editing a Ribbon Panel
Editing a Ribbon Row
Tool Palettes
To Open the Tool Palettes Bar
To Set the View Options
Adding a New Tool Palette
Importing a Tool Palette
To Rename a Tool Palette
To Delete a Tool Palette
Adding a Hatch Pattern
Adding a Block
Adding a Command
Editing a Tool
To Specify a Tool Image
To Move a Tool
To Copy a Tool
Command Aliases
What Are Command Aliases
To Edit the Alias File in a Text Editor
Using the Customize Dialog to Edit the Alias File
User Profile Manager
Content of a User Profile
Launch the User Profile Manager
Creating User Profiles
Loading a User Profile
Restarting Bricscad Using a Different User Profile
Managing User Profiles
Copy a User Profile
Rename a User Profile
Delete a User Profile
Export a User Profile
Edit the User Profile Description
Import a User Profile
Import a Profile from Another User
Projects
Definition
Opening the Projects Settings
Creating Projects
Adding Search Paths to a Project
Changing the Order of the Search Paths
Assigning a Project to the Current Drawing
Workspaces
Definition
Managing Workspaces
Setting the Current Workspace
Creating a Workspace
Editing a Workspace
Deleting a Workspace
Drawing Accurately
Drawing Accurately Overview
Orthogonal Mode
Direct Distance Entry
Unit Settings
Coordinate Reference System
The Quad Cursor Menu
Definition
To Activate the Quad
Editing the Quad Settings
The Quad Layout
Using the Quad
Selecting Multiple Entities
Selecting Edges of Faces or Solids
Customizing the Quad
Overview
To Edit the Workspace Command Groups
To Edit the Custom Command Group
Parametric Constraints
Overview
Using Dimensional Constraints
Overview
To Edit Dimensional Constraints
To Control the Visibility of Dimensional Constraints
Using Expressions
Creating a New Parameter
Using Operators in Expressions
Using Functions in Expressions
Using Geometric Constraints
Overview
To Control the Display of Constraints Bars
To Control the Position of a Constraints Bars
Working with the Constraints Bar
Deleting Constraints
Using Fix Constraints
Using Coincident Constraints
Using Horizontal and Vertical Constraints
To Constrain a Line to a Fixed Angle
Dynamic Dimensions
Definition
Defining Dynamic Dimensions
Create Entities
Grip-edit Entities
Measure Entities
Using Dynamic Dimensions with Tracking Points
Coordinate Input
Overview
Relative Coordinates
Cartesian Coordinates
Cylindrical Coordinates
Spherical Coordinates
Snap and Grid
Overview
Snap and Grid Settings
To Synchronize Snap and Grid Spacing
Set the Drawing Limits
Toggle the Drawing Limits
Using Isometric Snap
Setting the Snap Angle
Entity Snaps
Overview
To Define the Entity Snap Settings
To Set the Entity Snaps
Working with Multiple Entity Snap Modes
To Snap to the Extension of Two Entities
Using Temporary Tracking Points
Using 'Middle of 2 Points' Snap
Using Parallel Entity Snap
Polar Tracking
Overview
To Define the Polar Tracking Settings
Using Polar Tracking to Draw a Line
Using Snap Track Lock
Using Temporary Tracking Points
Snap Tracking
User Coordinate Systems
Overview
Dynamic UCS
To Define a User Coordinate System
To Restore the WCS
To Restore a UCS
To Set a Relative UCS
Measuring
Commands
Measuring Distances
Measuring Lengths
Measuring Areas
Viewing your Drawing
View Commands Overview
Layer Utilities
Hide and Show Entities
Redrawing and Regenerating a Drawing
Commands
Redraw All
Regenerate All
Regenerate
Redraw
Panning
Commands
Real Time Pan Command
Pan Command
Zooming
Commands
Zoom Command
Real Time Zooming
View Manipulation Using the Mouse and Keyboard
Overview
Walk Through Navigation
Zoom Factor Variable
Middle Button Pan Variable
View Rotation
Commands
Restoring Orthographic and Isometric Views
Real Time Sphere
Real Time X
Real Time Y
Real Time Z
Preset Viewpoints
Plan View
Layer States
Definition
Opening the Layer States Explorer
Save the Current Layer State
Edit a Layer State
Restore a Layer State
Copy Layer States to Another Drawing
Export a Layer State
Import a Layer State
Named Views
Exploring Views
Saving a View
Restoring a View
Defining the View Background
To Edit the View Background
Perspective Views
Commands
Defining a Camera View
Toggle the Perspective Property of a View
Model Space and Paper Space
Understanding Paper Space and Model Space
Switching between Model Space and Paper Space
Using the Model and Layout Tabs
Toggle between Model Space and Paper Space
Model Space Viewports
Definition
Creating Viewports in Model Space
Drawing in Multiple Viewports
Joining Viewports
Paper Space Viewports
Commands
Displaying Paper Sheet and Printable Area
Creating Viewports in a Layout
Creating an Array of Layout Viewports
To Clip a Viewport
To Remove the Clipping Boundary of a Viewport
Defining Viewport Properties
Navigating in a Paper Space Layout
Setting the Layer Visibility in a Viewport
Setting the Scale of a Viewport
Setting the Scale of a Selection of Viewports
Rotating the Display in a Viewport
To Align Viewports
To Align Model Space and Paper Space Points
Layouts
Overview
Creating a new Layout
Copying Layouts
Importing Layouts
Renaming Layouts
Arranging Layout Tabs
Deleting a Layout
Deleting Multiple Layouts
Generated Drawing Views
Commands
Commands and Toolbars
Standard Drawing Views
Generating Cross Section Views
Updating Drawing Views
Exporting Views to Model Space
Customizing drawing Views
Creating Entities
Drawing Entities Overview
Entity Creation Settings
Fill Mode
Entity Color
Commands
Index color
True Colors
To Set the Current Entity Color
Lineweight
Overview
Setting Current Lineweight
Defining the Lineweight Settings
Linetype
Overview
Current Linetype
Add a New Linetype
Entity Linetype Scale
Global Linetype Scale
Current Layer
Drawing 2D Entities
Lines
Rays
Infinite Lines
Polylines
Commands
Drawing Polylines
Boundary Polylines
Splines
Sketch
Circles
Commands
General Procedure to Draw a Circle
Drawing a Circle Tangent to Three Entities
Editing a Circle
Arcs
Command
General Procedure to Draw an Arc
Editing an Arc
Ellipses
Command
Setting the Polyline Ellipse Variable
General Procedure to Draw an Ellipse
Editing an Ellipse
Elliptical Arcs
Command
General Procedure to Draw an Elliptical Arc
Editing an Elliptical Arc
Rectangles
Polygons
Traces
Donuts
Solids
Revision Clouds
Points
Command
Defining the Point Display Settings
Drawing Points
Wipeouts
Command
To Create a Wipeout Using Points
To Create a Wipeout from a Polyline
To Control the Display of the Edges of Wipeouts
Mechanical
BricsCAD Communicator
Components and Inserts
Definitions
Parametric Components
Edit Parameters
Commands and Toolbars
Organizing Geometry
Mechanical Browser
Bill of Materials
Assembly Mass Properties
Command
To Specify the Density
To Compute the Mass Properties
MCAD Tutorial
Assembly Design and Kinematic Analysis Tutorial
Step 1: Preparing for the Exercise
Step 2: Creating the Assembly Drawing
Step 3: Adding the Components
Step 4: Positioning the Components
Step 5: Preparing for the Kinematic Analysis
Step 6: Kinematic Analysis
Sheet Metal
Commands
Sheet Metal Features
K-Factor
Bend Table
The Mechanical Browser for Sheet Metal
Commands and Toolbars
Creating the Base Flange
Creating Edge Flanges
Corner Reliefs and Junctions
To Rotate a Flange
To Connect Flanges
To Convert Geometry to a Valid Sheet Metal part
Creating Missing Reliefs
To Convert Hard Edges
To Split a Flange
To Re-thicken a Sheet Metal Body
Changing the Thickness
Changing the Bend Radius
Changing the Junctionn Gap
Changing the Junction Type
To Unfold the Sheet Metal Body
To Export a SheetMetal Body
Direct Modeling
Direct Modeling Overview
3D Constraints
Design Intent
Direct Modeling Operations
Overview
Selecting Geometry
To Control Dimensions
Making Holes
Deleting Holes
BIM
Creating Walls
Command
Creating a Single Wall
Creating a Chain of L-Connected Walls
Working with Walls
Commands
Creating L-Connections
Creating T-Connections
Modifying the Thickness
Modifying the Height
Setting the Distance between Parallel Walls
Windows and Doors
Commands
Inserting Windows and Doors
Editing Parameters
Moving Windows and Doors
Copying Windows and Doors
Editing Solids
Splitting Solids
BIM Database
Structure
Project Database and Library Database
Materials and Compositions
Project Info
To Open the BIM Project Info Dialog
To Set the Library Database
To Set the Project Database
To Set the Project Filter
Materials
Overview
To Open the Building Materials Editor
Adding Building Materials
Editing Building Materials
Copying Building Materials between Databases
Deleting Building Materials
Compositions
To Open the Composition Panel
To Open the Composition Editor
The Composition Thickness
Adding Compositions
Editing a Composition
Copying Compositions between Databases
Deleting Compositions
Attaching a Composition to Solids
Working with Sections
Commands
SectionPlane command
Align Section Plane to a Face
To Create a Vertical Section Plane
To Create a Vertical Jogged Section Plane
To Create a Horizontal Section Plane
To Create a Horizontal Jogged Section Plane
To Create a Orthographic Section Plane
To Edit Section Planes
To Edit the Properties of a Section Plane
To Modify the Size and Position of a Section Plane
Using Live Section
To Save a Section
The SectionPlaneToBlock command
To Insert a Section as a 2D Block
To Insert a Section as a 3D Block
To Replace an Existing block
To Export a Section to a File
Hatches and Gradient Fills
Overview
Commands
General Procedure
To Define Hatch Properties
To Define Gradient Fill Properties
To Define the Boundary
Editing Hatches and Gradient Fills
Commands
Editing Hatches and Gradients in the Properties Bar
Editing a Hatch in a Dialog
Editing a Gradient in a Dialog
Editing Hatches and Gradients using the Quad
Dimensions
Dimensioning Tools Overview
Dimension Styles Explorer
Associative Dimensions
Dimension Settings
Overview
Lines and Arrows
Text
Vertical Position of the Dimension Text
Fit
Primary Units
Alternate Units
Tolerances
Dimension Styles
Overview
To Create a New Dimension Style
To Edit a Dimension Style
To Define Dimension Style Overrides
To Rename a Dimension Style
To Set a Dimension Style Current
Using the Status Bar to Set a Dimension Style Current
To Copy Dimension Styles Between Drawings
To Move a Dimension Style Between Drawings
To Delete a Dimension Style
Dimension Style Tools
To Apply the Current Dimension Style
To Save a Dimension Style
To Restore a Dimension Style
To List the Settings in the Current Dimension Style
Creating Linear Dimensions
Commands
To Create a Horizontal or Vertical Linear Dimension
To Create an Aligned Linear Dimension
To Create a Rotated Linear Dimension
To Create Baseline Dimensions
To Create Continued Dimensions
To Create an Arc Length Dimension
Creating Angular Dimensions
Command
To Dimension an Angle Between Two Lines
To Dimension an Angle Encompassed by an Arc
Creating an angular dimension defined by a vertex and two endpoints
Creating Diametrical and Radial Dimensions
Commands
To Create a Diametrical Dimension
To Create a Radial Dimension
Creating Center Marks and Center Lines
Creating Ordinate Dimensions
Creating Leaders and Annotations
Commands
To Create a Leader and an Annotation
To Create a Leader only
Working with Multileaders
To Create a Multileader
Adding Vertices to a Leader Line of a Multileader
Removing Vertices from a Leader Line of a Multileader
Adding Leader Lines to a Multileader
Removing Leader Lines from a Multileader
Editing dimensions
Overview
Using Grips to Edit a Linear Dimension
Editing the Dimension Text
To Rotate the Dimension Text
To Reposition the Dimension Text
To Restore the Text Position
To Make the Extension Lines Oblique
Geometric Tolerances
Definitions
Geometric Tolerance Symbols
Geometric Tolerance Dialog
To Create a Geometrical Tolerance Frame
Working with Text
Text Variables
Working With Text Styles
Overview
Open the Text Style Explorer Dialog
Create a Text Style
Edit a Text Style
Make a Text Style Current
Delete a Text Style
Creating text
Commands
To Create Single Line Text
Single Line Text Justification
To Create Multiline Text
Multiline Text Justification
Special Characters and Symbols
To Add a Background Mask
Editing text
Exploding text
Finding and Replacing Text
Command
To Open the Find and Replace Dialog
To Set the Find and Replace Options
To Find Text
To Replace Text
Checking Spelling
Command
Dictionary Settings
To Open the Spell Checking Dialog
To Check the Spelling
To Change Dictionaries
To Add a New Main Dictionary
To Add a New Custom Dictionary
Working with Fields
Commands
General Procedure to Create Fields
To Display an Entity Property in a Field
To Edit a Field
To Update a Field
Convert Field To Text
Working with Tables
Commands
Table Styles
Command
To Create a Table Style
To Edit a Table Style
To Apply a Table Style
To Delete a Table Style
To Create an Empty Table
To Create a Table from Data
To Create a Table from an Excel Spreadsheet
Editing a Table Using Grips
Editing a Table Using the Table Toolbar
Editing a Table in the Properties Bar
Editing a Cell in the Properties Bar
To Edit the Table Content
To Export a Table
Annotative Entities
Overview
Commands
System Variables and User Preferences
Setting the Current Annotation Scale
Making an Annotation Entity Annotative
Annotation Scales
Adding or Removing Annotation Scales to Annotative Entities
Annotative Texts
Annotative Hatches
Annotative Blocks
Annotative Dimensions
Annotative Leaders
Modifying Entities
Entity Modification Commands
Entity Modification Settings
Match Properties
Grips editing
Overview
Selecting Multiple Grips
To Stretch Entities Using Grips
To Move Entities Using Grips
To Mirror Entities Using Grips
To Rotate Entities Using Grips
To Scale Entities Using Grips
Selecting Entities
Settings
Selection Settings
Grips Settings
Selection Methods
Overview
Composing a Selection Set Before (pre- pick)
Composing a Selection Set Afterwards (post-pick)
Selecting Overlapping Entities
Selection Preview and Overlapping Entities
Using Quick Select
Rearranging Entities
Adjusting the Draw Order
Moving Entities
Commands
Using the Move Command
Moving Entities Using Grips
Move Entities Between Drawings
Move a Selection as a Block
Rotating Entities
Commands
Rotating a Selection Set
Rotating a Selection Set in Reference to a Base Angle
Rotating in 3D
Mirroring Entities
Commands
Mirroring Entities about a Line
Mirroring Entities about a Plane
Aligning Entities
Command
Aligning an Entity in 2D
Aligning an Entity in 3D
Changing Entities
Command
To Change Text Entities
To Relocate Blocks
Copying Entities
Copying Entities in a Drawing
Commands
To Copy a Selection Set
To Make Multiple Copies
To Paste a Selection Set as a Block
Copying Entities Between Drawings
Commands
Using Copy and Paste
Using Copy and Pasteorig
Using Copybase and Paste
Paste as a Block
Making Parallel Copies
Arraying Entities
Commands
Creating a Rectangular Array
Creating a Polar Array
Arraying Entities in 3D
Command
Creating a 3D Rectangular Array
Creating a 3D Polar Array
Resizing Entities
Extending Entities
Trimming Entities
Changing the Length of an Entity
Command
Changing the length of an Entity Dynamically
To Modify the Included Angle of an Arc
Stretching Entities
Command
To Stretch Entities
Stretching Entities using Grips
Scaling Entities
Command
Scaling an Entity Using a Base Scale
To Scale a Selection Set
Breaking Entities
Joining Entities
Chamfering and Filleting
Chamfering Entities
Command
Chamfering Using the Distance Distance Method
Chamfering Using the Length Angle Method
Chamfering All Vertices of a Polyline
Filleting Entities
Command
Filleting Two Entities or Polyline Segments
Filleting all Vertices of a Polyline
Filleting two Parallel Lines
Editing Polylines
Converting an Entity Into a Polyline
Opening and Closing Polylines
Joining Polylines
Changing the Polyline Width
To Apply a Uniform Width to Polyline
To Taper a Polyline Uniformly along its Length
Editing Polyline Vertices
Commands
Editing a Polyline Using the Quad
Starting the Polyline Vertex Editing Mode
Converting a Straight Polyline Segment into a Curve
Breaking a Polyline into two Separate Polylines
Inserting a New Vertex
Moving a Vertex
Deleting Vertices
Changing the Width of a Polyline Segment
Curving and Decurving Polylines
Setting the Linetype Mode
Editing Polylines in the Properties Bar
Converting Entities
Exploding Entities
Creating Regions
Measuring and Dividing Entities
Measuring Entities
Dividing Entities
Blocks, Attributes and External References
Working with Blocks
Creating Blocks
Commands
To Create a Block in a Drawing
To Create a Block Using the Blocks Explorer
To Save a Block to a Separate File
Inserting Blocks
Commands
To Insert a Block
To Insert a Block Using the Blocks Explorer
To Insert a Block Aligned with an Entity
To Insert Multiple Instances of a Block in a Rectangular Array
Redefining Blocks
Commands
To Redefine an Internal Block Definition
To Reload an External Drawing as a Block
Exploring Blocks
Overview
Open the Blocks Explorer
Open the Detail View of the Blocks Explorer
Open the Icon View of the Blocks Explorer
Exploding Blocks
Dynamic Blocks
Overview
Edit a Dynamic Block
Grip Editing Dynamic Blocks
Working with Attributes
Defining Attributes
Commands
General Procedure
To Define an Attribute
Sheet Set Properties in a Title Block
Editing Attribute Definitions
Using the Attribute Editor
Editing Attributes in the Properties Bar
Placing Blocks with Attributes
Extracting Attribute Information
Working with Xrefs
Attaching an External Reference
Managing Xrefs
Editing Blocks and External References
Working with Groups
To Create a Group
To Modify a Group
To Ungroup Entities
To Change the Order of Entities
Working with Underlays
Attaching a PDF Underlay
Inserting a PDF Underlay
Controlling the Display of a PDF Underlay
Setting the Layer Display in a PDF Underlay
Clipping a PDF Underlay
To Toggle the Display of the Clipped Part
Deleting a Clipping Boundary
Managing Images
Open the Images Explorer
Images Explorer Display Options
Placing Images in a Drawing
Load/Unload Images
Detach Images
Image Transparency
Image Frame Setting
To Clip an Image
To Toggle the Clipping Boundary of an Image
Printing and Plotting
Commands
To Open the Print Dialog
To Choose the Paper Size
To Choose the Paper Units
To Choose the Paper Orientation
To Define the Plot Offset
To Specify the Area to Plot
To Define the Plot Scale
To Set the Plot Options
To Set the Shade Plot Mode
To Define the Plot Stamp
To Specify the Number of Copies
To See a Preview of the Plot Output
Plotter Configurations
Overview
To Create a Plotter Configuration File
To Edit a Plotter Configuration
To Assign a Plotter Configuration
Plot Style Tables
The Plot Style Table Editor
Assigning Plot Style Tables
Overview
To Assign a Plot Style Table
To Toggle the Plot Style Table on/off
The Plot Styles Manager
Overview
To Open the Plot Styles Manager
To Create a New Plot Style Table
To Create a New Plot Style Table in the Print Dialog
To Edit a Plot Style Table
To Edit a Plot Style Table in the Print Dialog
Batch Plotting
Managing Drawings
Opening and Saving Drawings
Standard Procedures
Using the Drag-and-Drop Option Menu
Getting Drawing Information
General Drawing Information
Information about Entities
Creating a Drawing
Commands
Get Started Dialog
Creating a Drawing Using a Default Template Drawing
Setting the Default Template Drawing
Creating a Drawing from Scratch
Setting the Plot Style Policy
Creating a Drawing Using a Template Drawing
Creating a Drawing Using the New Command
Setting the Template Path Variable
Creating a Drawing Using a Wizard
Drawing Explorer
Commands
To Open the Drawing Explorer
To Control the Drawing Explorer Layout
Opening a Drawing
Adding a Drawing Folder
To Insert a Block from an Unopened Drawing
Copy Definitions Between Drawings
Merging Layers
Repairing a Drawing
Commands
To Analyze the Integrity of the Current Drawing
To Repair a Drawing
Drawing Properties
Command
To Open the Drawing Properties Dialog
Defining Default Properties
Adding Custom Properties
Drawing Security Options
Command
To Set a Password
To Remove a Password
Exporting Drawings
Export to PDF
Command
Export to PDF Settings
Export a Drawing To PDF
eTransmit
Digitizing Tablet
Command
Using a digitizing tablet in BricsCAD
To download the tablet overlay and CUI files
To load the overlay CUI file
To switch the tablet ON / OFF
To configure the tablet
To calibrate the tablet
Rendering
Commands
Setting the Render Preferences
Render Tools
To Render a Viewport
To Save a Rendering to a File
Materials
Command
Glossary
Defining Materials
Assigning Materials
Lights
Commands
Glossary
General Properties
Spotlight Properties
Photometric Properties
Geometry Properties
Attenuation Properties
Open the Light List
To Define a Light
To Edit a Light
To Define the Sun Properties
To Define the Geographic Location
BricsCAD V15
Command Reference
System Variables
Developer Reference
BricsCAD V15 Command Reference System Variables Developer Reference