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Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 6:37 pm
by BEMArchitect
I've posted a few times in past and was slooooooooooolllllllyyyyyy (like 2 years) transitioning from DC10 to DC18, but now I have been forced to make the switch overnight. Old computer with DC10 and Windows 7 died on me in the middle of 4 new projects this morning.

So, how do you turn off the "id markers" on the cursor that identifies "endpoint", "intersection", etc.? These are very annoying.

Also, can you set a certain color pallet and pen table to be the default, instead of the standard datacad color pallet and pen table?

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 8:06 pm
by joshhuggins
In v20 it's found in the Program Prefs, on the Drawing tab under Dynamic Snapping. In v18 it should be in a similar location.

Easiest method for your second question would be to setup your default drawings to use a specific color palette and pen table.

Other option is you can set the default color palette file used by Datacad with new drawings by editing the dcadwin.ini file setting shown below.

[PaletteFile]
RGBFile=Default.rgb

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 9:31 am
by BEMArchitect
Thanks Josh.....got those "id markers" turned off!

I'm somewhat illiterate when it comes to tweaking actual datacad files.....where is the dacadwin.ini file located?

When I set that default color palette, would the [Palette File] read similar to this if I changed it:

RGBFile=MyPalette.rgb?

MyPalette.rgb being my personal palette that I want to default to. Thanks in advance for all the help.

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 10:33 am
by joshhuggins
In your Datacad folder (default would be C:\DataCAD 18\) there is a file called dcadwin.ini that can be opened with a simple text editor like notepad where you would change the value just as you correctly did in your reply above.

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 11:28 am
by BEMArchitect
Thanks again Josh...got it!

Another question. Is there a way to lock the datacad menu in place when your in a drawing file?

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 12:25 pm
by joshhuggins
BEMArchitect wrote:Another question. Is there a way to lock the datacad menu in place when your in a drawing file?
In order to have it locked into place, the menu needs to be docked into the main Datacad window somewhere, meaning it can't be free floating on it's own. Check to verify that View, Lock toolbars is NOT checked. If it is, uncheck it. Then snap the menu and any other toolbars into your desired locations and then go up to View, Lock Toolbars to lock things into place.

You can use View, Toolbars to toggle on/off other toolbars and interface components to customize the interface for your needs and workflow.

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 7:23 pm
by BEMArchitect
Awesome Josh....got my toolbars locked into place. But, that doesn't lock the actual DataCAD Menu that defaults to the left side of a drawing. I like it on the right side, and would like it to lock into place unless I unlocked it. Any solution for that?

Really appreciate all the help, I actually was able to do some production work today because of your help.

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 10:53 pm
by joshhuggins
Double check that toolbars are unlocked and then you should be able to drag it to "dock" on the right side of the screen. Make sure your actual cursor hits the right side of the screen to dock it not just the menu you're moving. It should work.

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 1:56 pm
by BEMArchitect
Josh...….you are THE MAN! That did it.....I wasn't dragging my cursor over to the right all the way. Thank you SO MUCH. I can't promise I wont be asking more dumb questions, but this gets me going now!

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 2:34 pm
by David A. Giesselman
BEMArchitect wrote:Josh...….you are THE MAN! That did it.....I wasn't dragging my cursor over to the right all the way. Thank you SO MUCH. I can't promise I wont be asking more dumb questions, but this gets me going now!

Brady,

The only "dumb" questions are those that are not asked. And yes, Josh is "The Man!" ;)

Dave

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 3:47 pm
by joshhuggins
Glad to help! :D Keep em' coming!

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 4:19 pm
by BEMArchitect
Well you said to keep them coming so here is another one.

Doing a site plan for the first time in DC18, and drawing a cul-de-sac with a radius of 45'. The "90' diameter cul-de-sac displays as a square, and I've changed the aspect ratio to numerous values....nothing works. This may have to do with my lines and text looking "fuzzy" and fatter than they really are when I zoom in.

Suggestions?

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 5:50 pm
by MtnArch
If you're using any linetype outside of the first four they will likely "block-up". I have this happen with property lines (I like using the Propline linetype) and curves don't work with it - I have to change them to the Dot Dash linetype.

You might also check your Arc factor setting (Display/Arc Factor) - if it's 1 or smaller the arcs get blocky. I normally change mine to 10 to see the smoothest curves.

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 7:35 am
by Roger D
You could also use a Pen Style for Property Line.

Re: Finally Forced To DataCAD 18

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 3:07 pm
by BEMArchitect
Thanks for the replies, but changing the arc factor to 10 didn't work for me, and yes, the dot-dash line works fine but I like a property line to look like a property line. However, I don't need to be that darn picky, though it seems to me if all this great drawing technology can do what it does, then a property line should display in a radius as a property line.

Roger, I tried using a "pen style" for the property (have no idea what that is) but it didn't change the line at all. I propably did something wrong, and need to find it in the manual.

Thanks again!