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#75877 by Lars
Tue Mar 05, 2019 11:24 am
Does DC 20 set the following drawing settings to be controlled by USER instead of by FILE instance?

Grids/Grid Snap
/Snap Angle
/Disp. Grid 1
/Disp. Grid 2
Settings/Angle Type
/Scale Type
/Big Cursor
Object Snap/(all settings)
Input Mode

(to name a few...)

I'd really appreciate not having to reset my interface every time I open a different drawing. I'm working with multiple people who have different settings than I do so these get constantly switched around and becomes a time waster/annoyance for everyone. In my opinion, anything that deals with user interface should not be controlled on a file by file basis.

Is there something I can set up that would do set all of these options for me with a quick key for every drawing I open?
#75880 by joshhuggins
Tue Mar 05, 2019 11:43 am
I use a toolbar button macro to set most of my user preferences. Below is the code I currently am using. We have a toolbar with each unique settings for there own preferences so they can just click the button when they load a drawing so they can draw they way they want. And then if someone needs to use a different station for some reason, a new user can set there settings there as well so a station is not locked to a users prefs. We also have buttons for tasks that need special settings like inputting site bearings, etc. If you need a little primer on toolbar macros you can find one on my website here. Feel free to ask questions if you need some help. :D These can also be done via a Keyboard Alias using the same code structure.
Code: Select all[Configs]
DropDownCount=60
Hint=Configuration Tools
Icon=Gears-32

Hint01=Josh's Preferences
Icon01=User Josh-32
A01=^´^º^¿^Ä^Í^Ï^Ö^×^Þ^à^ñ^1054#^1056#^1059#^1072#^1074#^1076#^1078#^1066#^:^F9^F3^:^F0^F2^F1^S6^:^F0^F3^F1^:^F0^F6^999$^:^F0^F7^20$^:^F0^F9^10$^:^S1^F5^F1^S9^0.0.1/16$^0.0.1/16$^F2^S9^0$^0$^F3^S9^0$^0$^:^S1^F0^8$^:^S1^S1^0$^:^S2^S2^0$^S4^0$^S5^8$^S6^F2^:^S3^S2^F2^F3^F5^F6^F7^S4^10$^;^S6^S2^F9^0.3$^F0^F1^S0^S1^6$^S2^1$^S3^F5^S6^;^S9^Grid Lock$^F3^S0^;^S7^S6^1$^S0^:^F0^F4^F3^F7^Joshs Distances.dis$^;^F1^F1^F0^100$^;^´^

// Preference Codes
// ¶ = Relative Polar
// µ = Absolute Polar
// ´ = Relitive Cart.
// ³ = Absolute Cart.
// ð = Direct Dist.
// º = Walls off / ¹ = Walls On
// ¿ = Symbol Insert Explode Off / ¾ = Symbol Insert Explode On
// Ä = Offset Dynamic Off / Ã = Offset Dynamic On
// Í = And Copy Off / Ì = And Copy On
// Ï = Snap Aperture Off / Î = Snap Aperture On
// Ö = Clip Cube Display Off
// × = Layer Search On
// Þ = Associative Hatch On
// à = Associative Dimension On
// ñ = AllCaps On / ò = AllCaps Off
// 1054# = Smart Arrows On
// 1057# = Turn Off Text knockouts / 1056# On
// 1059# = Turn Off Text knockouts borders / 1058# On
// 1072# = Turn Off Curve knockouts / 1071# On
// 1074# = Turn Off Curve knockouts borders / 1073# On
// 1076# = Turn Off Polygon knockouts / 1075# On
// 1078# = Turn Off Polygon knockouts borders / 1077# On
// 1066# = Pen Sort On
// ^:^F9^F3^ = Freehand to Polylines
// ^:^F0^F2^F1^S6^ = Scale Type Architectural 32nds
// ^:^F0^F3^F1^S1^$^Ò^$^Ñ^ = Angle Type Normal, Start Angle To Right
// ^:^F0^F6^999$^ = Small Grid Display Size 999
// ^:^F0^F7^25$^ = Scroll Distance 20
// ^:^F0^F9^5$^ = Save Delay 5 Mins
// ^S1^F5^F1^S9^0.0.1/16$^0.0.1/16$^F2^S9^0$^0$^F3^S9^0$^0$^ = Snap Grid 1/4”x 1/4” / Grid1 0"x0" / Grid2 0"x0"
// ^:^S1^F0^8$^ = Snap Angle 8
// ^:^S1^S1^0$^ = Grid Angle 0
// ***All Under Display Menu With Auto Returns***
// ^:^S2^S2^0$^ = Smallest Text to Display 0
// ^S4^0$^ = Smallest Symbol to Display 0
// ^S5^8$^ = Arc Factor 8
// ^S6^F2^S0^ = Active Layer Drawn Last
// *** Return to Normal Input***
// ^:^S3^S2^F2^F3^F5^F6^F7^S4^10$^= Object Snap Settings: None, End, Mid, Center, Quad, Intersect,Perp Snap Miss Distance 10,
// ^;^S6^S2^F1^0.3$^F2^F1^S0^F3^6$^F4^1$^F5^F5^ = Arrows; Size=0.3, Style=Open, Aspect=6, Weight=1, Color=Cyan, At Tail
// ^;^S9^Grid Lock$^F3^S0^ = Apply grid lock to all layers
// ^;^S7^S6^1$^ = Set Line weight to 1
// ^:^F0^F4^F1^F7^ADE Scales.scl$^ = Loads Scale File (Removed)
// ^S0^F3^F7^ADE Distances.dis$^ = Loads Distances File
// ^;^F1^F1^F0^100^ = Set Symbol Max Lines
// ^;^´^ Resets Input Mode

Code: Select allHint20=Input Site Bearings
Icon20=Site
A20=^:^F0^F2^F3^S0^F3^F7^F0^F2^;^¶^
#75881 by Mark F. Madura
Tue Mar 05, 2019 12:18 pm
DataCAD does not have any user-specific settings. There are Program Preferences that apply to the program and there are Drawing Preferences that apply to the drawing. With few exceptions, the options you can set in Program Preferences apply to the program and the options you set in the left-hand menus apply to the drawing. Some drawing settings like Grids and Grid Snap apply on a per-Layer basis. Some drawing settings like Tangents can be saved/restored with GoTo Views.

You can create default drawings that are set up with your desired drawing settings. Of course, this will only apply to new drawings you create. It is possible to import the settings from one drawing into another. To do so, go to File, Import and set the Files of type to AEC. Select the (preferably empty) drawing that contains the settings you want to import. Click Open to display the Import Drawing File... dialog. For Layers, GoTo Views, MSP Sheets, and Multi-View Windows, make sure you 'Deselect All'. At the bottom of the dialog you will see an option, Update Drawing Defaults. Check this option to import the drawing's settings which will overwrite the current drawing's settings.

Depending on your specific needs, you can create custom toolbar icons and command-line aliases to set certain drawing options the way you want. All of DataCAD's Program Preferences are stored in DCADWIN.ini which is located in DataCAD's program folder (i.e. C:\DataCAD 20).
#75888 by Lars
Tue Mar 05, 2019 1:59 pm
Yes. Program Preferences = User Preferences. Many of the Drawing Preferences (listed previously) should actually be Program Preferences.

I think what I'm going for would be best achieved by the Custom Macro as described by Josh.

Josh, I know this is an elementary question but: Do you use notepad to make a macro or are they done directly in DC?
Your link should be very helpful in developing the command set. Looks like I can string multiple setting changes together with the ^$^ ?

Thanks!
#75889 by joshhuggins
Tue Mar 05, 2019 2:25 pm
Lars wrote:Josh, I know this is an elementary question but: Do you use notepad to make a macro or are they done directly in DC?
Your link should be very helpful in developing the command set. Looks like I can string multiple setting changes together with the ^$^ ?
Any plain text should work including notepad.

$ = Is the same as hitting the ENTER key, usually to enter a value from a prompt in the Information Bar or in a popup dialog.
#75897 by Lars
Wed Mar 06, 2019 12:38 pm
Another question... Is it possible to have DC "remember" the previous setting for each drawing preference that is changed to my liking? That way, I could "reverse" the settings back to whomever's preferences I'm altering as a tack on to the end of a Save/Close command?
#75898 by joshhuggins
Wed Mar 06, 2019 1:09 pm
Lars wrote:Another question... Is it possible to have DC "remember" the previous setting for each drawing preference that is changed to my liking? That way, I could "reverse" the settings back to whomever's preferences I'm altering as a tack on to the end of a Save/Close command?
Not for what was used in the drawing before hand. Your best bet I think would be to create a user prefs macro for each user and run that when done or everyone just gets used to running theirs when they open a drawing they know someone else has edited last.

When I was first setting this up, I just made a little form that I had everyone fill out with their prefs so once I had my base code to the macro setup, I just changed the values for each user and made it into their own button in a drop down toolbar button. This form is a bit out dated but you get the idea.
Datacad User Preferences: Circle selections, ____ fill in number values

Input Mode: Relative Polar / Absolute Polar / Relative Cartesian / Absolute Cartesian / Direct Distance
Symbol Insert Explode: Off / On
Dynamic Offset: Off / On
And Copy: Off / On
Snap Aperture: Off / On
Scroll Distance (Default is 25): ______
Save Delay (Default 10 Mins): ______
Snap Grid (Default 1/4”x 1/4”): ______
Display Grid1 (Default 0"x0"): _______
Display Grid2 (Default 0"x0"): _______
Object Snaps: Nearest, End, Mid Point, No. Divisions: _____, Center, Quad, Intersect, Perpendicular, Tangent, Virtual

DCADWIN.INI User Settings
AndCopyRemembersStatus=
And Copy Remembers It’s Last State: True / False
Reverse Scroll Wheel Zoom=
If True, Scrolling Forward Moves the Screen In: True / False
Automatic Crossing Selection=
If True, area selection from right to left will imply crossing: True / False


Code: Select all[User Preference]
DropDownCount=12
Hint=User Prefs
Icon=Users

Hint01=Josh's Preferences
Icon01=User Josh-24
A01=^´^º^¿^Ä^Í^Ï^Ö^×^Þ^à^ñ^1054#^1056#^1059#^1072#^1074#^1076#^1078#^1066#^:^F9^F3^:^F0^F2^F1^S6^:^F0^F3^F1^:^F0^F6^999$^:^F0^F7^20$^:^F0^F9^10$^:^S1^F5^F1^S9^0.0.1/16$^0.0.1/16$^F2^S9^0$^0$^F3^S9^0$^0$^:^S1^F0^8$^:^S1^S1^0$^:^S2^S2^0$^S4^0$^S5^5$^S6^F2^:^S3^S2^F2^F3^F5^F6^F7^S4^10$^;^S6^S2^F9^0.3$^F0^F1^S0^S1^6$^S2^1$^S3^F5^S6^;^S9^Grid Lock$^F3^S0^;^S7^S6^1$^S0^:^F0^F4^F3^F7^Joshs Distances.dis$^;^F1^F1^F0^100$^;^´^

Hint02=Bryan's Preferences
Icon02=User Bryan-24
A02=^´^º^¿^Ä^Í^Ï^Ö^×^Þ^à^ñ^1054#^1056#^1059#^1072#^1074#^1076#^1078#^1066#^:^F9^F3^:^F0^F2^F1^S6^:^F0^F3^F1^:^F0^F6^999$^:^F0^F7^30$^:^F0^F9^10$^:^S1^F5^F1^S9^0$^0$^F2^S9^0$^0$^F3^S9^0$^0$^:^S1^F0^8$^:^S1^S1^0$^:^S2^S2^0$^S4^0$^S5^5$^S6^F2^:^S3^S2^F2^F3^F6^F7^F8^S4^10$^;^S6^S2^F9^0.3$^F0^F1^S0^S1^6$^S2^1$^S3^F5^S6^;^S9^Grid Lock$^F3^S0^;^S7^S6^1$^S0^:^F0^F4^F3^F7^Bryans Distances.dis$^;^F1^F1^F0^100$^;^¶^

Hint03=Jim's Preferences
Icon03=User Jim-24
A03=^´^º^¿^Ä^Í^Ï^Ö^×^Þ^à^ñ^1054#^1056#^1059#^1072#^1074#^1076#^1078#^1066#^:^F9^F3^:^F0^F2^F1^S6^:^F0^F3^F1^:^F0^F6^999$^:^F0^F7^30$^:^F0^F9^10$^:^S1^F5^F1^S9^0.1$^0.1$^F2^S9^0$^0$^F3^S9^0$^0$^:^S1^F0^8$^:^S1^S1^0$^:^S2^S2^0$^S4^0$^S5^5$^S6^F2^:^S3^S2^F2^F3^F6^F7^F8^S4^10$^;^S6^S2^F9^0.3$^F0^F1^S0^S1^6$^S2^1$^S3^F5^S6^;^S9^Grid Lock$^F3^S0^;^S7^S6^1$^S0^:^F0^F4^F3^F7^Jims Distances.dis$^;^F1^F1^F0^100$^;^´^
#75904 by Lars
Wed Mar 06, 2019 2:25 pm
Is there a reason that "Input mode" was set at the beginning of the code and again at the end? Is once good enough?
#75905 by Lars
Wed Mar 06, 2019 2:53 pm
I'm having trouble with resetting the scale type. I want to change how I input measurements... not how dimensions are displayed. If the Scale Type was originally set to F1-"Arch." and the following code is entered:

^:^F0^F2^F5^

, then my input is changed, but dimensions will now display as decimal inches. Can I change only the input method while keeping dimensions displaying normally? (I really dont like DC's Architectural input method. to me its "wonky")

Thanks!
#75906 by joshhuggins
Wed Mar 06, 2019 3:18 pm
Lars wrote:Is there a reason that "Input mode" was set at the beginning of the code and again at the end? Is once good enough?
Once should should be fine. I think I have it in there for users who use direction/ distance normally, I set it to Rel Cart in the beginning so I can reference angles as needed, and then at the end I set their input method back to dir/dist. Doesn't hurt having it in there twice so I think I left it in there so I don't forget to add it back in there for them.
#75907 by joshhuggins
Wed Mar 06, 2019 3:33 pm
Lars wrote:I'm having trouble with resetting the scale type. I want to change how I input measurements... not how dimensions are displayed. If the Scale Type was originally set to F1-"Arch." and the following code is entered:

^:^F0^F2^F5^

, then my input is changed, but dimensions will now display as decimal inches. Can I change only the input method while keeping dimensions displaying normally? (I really dont like DC's Architectural input method. to me its "wonky")

I think you are going to want to turn on F8 Lock Scale in the dimension menus for your dimensions and set it to Architectural so they will always display in Architectural no matter what your drawing's scale type is set to. With Lock Scale turned OFF, dimensions will change their display based on what is currently set globally for the drawing. You can use F0 Change, S9 Dimensions, S1 Lock Scale or Ctrl+Right click, Assoc.Dim Properties to change existing dimensions to your preferred scale type.
#79138 by Lars
Thu Dec 03, 2020 3:38 pm
there really needs to be an interface window within Dcad actual to change these settings... ridiculous that i cant change scroll wheel zoom wihtout going into the .ini file... seriously... its not 1980. noone uses DOS to run programs anymore.

so archaic...

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