What was new in DataCAD 9?
DataCAD 9 New Feature Highlights

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Backward Compatibility

DataCAD 9 uses the same drawing files, DCAL macros, templates, symbols, fonts, line types, hatch patterns, and layer files as DataCAD 8. DataCAD 9 also reads DataCAD 4, through 8 drawing files.

Global, Unlimited Undo/Redo

A new unlimited Undo/Redo feature allows you to draw and explore design ideas without hesitation. You can undo the last step you took or undo the last several steps go back as far as you want to. Undo one too many steps? Just choose Redo to repeat the step. All DataCAD functions are supported, including the deletion of layers.

Undo / Redo
Undo/Redo

External File Referencing (XREFs)

DataCADs new File Referencing feature displays the geometry of referenced files in your current drawing without actually inserting that geometry into your drawing. Graphically refer to the information you need, without increasing your drawings file size beyond manageable limits. Now multiple designers in your office can work on floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, and enlarged details in a project -- all at the same time. A Reference File Manager not only lets you refresh, reload, delete, or bind reference files, it also lets you toggle reference file layers on and off and highlight reference file geometry with colors and line types to differentiate between multiple disciplines.

Reference File Manager
Reference File Manager Dialog

Cut/Copy and Paste

You can cut or copy both entities from a DataCAD file and text or metafile graphics from word processing, spreadsheet, and illustration programs, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Corel Draw into DataCAD. Then the data can easily be pasted into another DataCAD drawing or into other Windows applications. DataCAD entities will even retain their layer formatting when pasted into other DataCAD drawings.

(MDI) Opening Multiple Documents

DataCAD 9 can display an unlimited number of DataCAD drawings and bitmap images simultaneously for design coordination and to facilitate the exchange of drawing data between multiple documents.

Multiple Document Interface
Multiple Document Interface

Batch Plotting

The new Batch Plotting feature in DataCAD 9 saves valuable office time by letting you plot multiple sets of drawings instead of setting up and plotting each sheet one at a time. Using the Batch Plotting Setup dialog box, you can define sets of drawings for multiple projects and print them overnight. In addition to direct printing, batched sets may also be sent to plot files for use by plotting service bureaus. After plotting is complete, a summary report is displayed for quality control, and plotting information is saved to a .LOG file for later reference.

Batch Plotting Setup Dialog
Batch Plotting Setup Dialog

OpenGL Shader

DataCAD 9 features an all-new, OpenGL-based shader that is faster and produces a higher quality image than the previous shader. The new shader supports all 256 colors in the user-defined DataCAD palette rendered in up to 16.8 million colors. There are seven custom lights as well as display settings so you can get the results you want. The new shader supports output resolutions of up to 8 million pixels for high quality printed output. An edge-only feature creates bitmap-based hidden line images in a fraction of the time it takes to create a standard vector-based HLR image.

OpenGL Shader
Shader Settings Dialog

HyperView Linking

The new HyperView feature links drawing entities to DataCADs GoTo Views. Now you can click on drawing notations to automatically display the corresponding view.

Print Preview

Use DataCADs new Plot Previewer to view an onscreen representation of your print, exactly as it will appear on paper. You can plot directly from the Previewer or save as either an Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) file or a Windows Metafile (.WMF) for distribution over the Internet.

Print Preview Dialog
Print Preview Dialog

Enhanced Previous View Function

The previous view function has been enhanced to store up to 25 previous views, including those using FreeZoom.

Integrated GoTo Views

2D and 3D GoTo View menus have been integrated into one GoTo View menu, which is based on the 3D GoTo View menu.

View-Sensitive Toolbars

View-sensitive toolbars have been added for quick access to frequently used viewing commands for orthographic (plan), parallel, and perspective views. Simply toggle the Viewer Toolbar on, and it changes automatically, depending on current view projection.

Ortho View Toolbar
Ortho View Toolbar
Parallel View Toolbar
Parallel View Toolbar
Perspective View Toolbar
Perspective View Toolbar

Export to DC Render (.RAY) File

DataCAD 9 can export a drawing directly to a DC Render (.RAY) file. DC Render Plus is an advanced rendering program for creating photorealistic still images and animations. (NOTE: DataCAD 9 includes Renderize Live, a full-featured rendering program.)

New DCAL Routines

More than a dozen new procedures and functions requested by DataCAD macro authors have been added to the DCAL API. See our DataCAD Developers Network (DDN) web site for more information.

Wall Style Dialog Box

A new Wall Style Manager has been added to the Architect menu, so you can change wall options from a single dialog box as well as create and load wall styles.

Wall Style Manager
Wall Style Manager Dialog

DXF/DWG Translator Support for AutoCAD 2000

An enhanced DXF/DWG translator now imports and exports AutoCAD R12 through R2000 file formats.

Expanded Pull-down Menus

An expanded set of pull-down menus provides quick access to more than 200 DataCAD functions. And new user-definable menu gives the user direct access to their most frequently used macros.

Enhanced Object Snapping

You can now use all of the standard snapping functions with unexploded symbols.

Enhanced Dialog Boxes

File I/O dialog boxes in DataCAD 9, such as Open and Save dialogs, can be resized to display a greater number of files. The File/New dialog box has been enhanced with a drawing file preview and direct access to Default drawing selection.

File I/O Dialog
Create Drawing File Dialog

Preview Windows

A 2D/3D preview window in the Insert Symbol dialog box lets you see the symbol before inserting it into your drawing. You can even choose whether to preview symbols in orthographic (plan) or isometric view. Vector-based preview windows are also available for hatch patterns, line types, and fonts.

Insert Symbol Dialog
Insert Symbol Dialog

New Extended Character Codes

Using extended characters, you can gain access to specific DataCAD functions through custom keyboard macros and custom toolbars. When creating custom keyboard or toolbar shortcuts, simply use the extended character codes in the keyboard and toolbar character strings. See the DataCAD 9 online help for a list of these extended character codes.

New Directory Dialog Box

A new Directory dialog has been added to streamline the input and display of drawing project data. The drawing session clock is now suspended when a drawing window is inactive, and the drawing session time is reset to zero when a new drawing is created, regardless of the time set in the default drawing.

Drawing Information Dialog
Drawing Information Dialog

Enhanced Multi-View Windows

Multi-view windows have new controls for greater ease-of-use.

Multi View Window
Multi-view Window Controls

o2c Import / Export

o2c is an acronym for Objects to See. o2c is a highly compressed 3D format that is optimized for internet-based communication. You and your clients can use the free o2c Player to view o2c objects either stand-alone or on a web page. With DataCAD 9.06 and later versions, you can save 3D models to the o2c format and distribute them to clients as e-mail attachments or embedded into web page documents.

Command Line Alias

The new Command Line Alias feature allows you to assign a keyboard macro to a multi-letter shortcut. The "Alias" is the name you give for the command(s) you are calling. It's now possible to have an unlimited number of shortcuts for multi key-stroke commands. AutoCAD users, former Generic CADD users, and users of other CADD programs can create familiar shortcuts they are used to.

Command Line Alias
Command Line Alias Dialog

Spell Checker

A new spelling checker featuring international language dictionaries is integrated into DataCAD 9. Users can create their own custom dictionaries or use existing user dictionaries from Microsoft Word.

Check Spelling Dialog
Check Spelling Dialog

Direction / Distance Input

A new input mode allows the user to gesture the drawing or editing direction with the mouse and then use [Spacebar] to input the desired distance.

GetSnap (a.k.a. SuperSnap)

GetSnap provides the benefits of a "smart cursor" without cluttering the drawing area with temporary lines. GetSnap is an enhanced object snapping method that allows the user to draw and edit relative to existing geometry without having to draw temporary construction lines. The advanced snapping options are accessed on-the-fly by pressing [SHIFT] + the middle mouse button.

GetSnap Options
GetSnap Context Menu

Revision History



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