Bricscad V12

Table Of Contents
Bricscad ......................................................................................... 1
Welcome to Bricscad ........................................................................................................1 What's New in Bricscad V12 ..............................................................................................3 Understanding Bricscad ....................................................................................................9 Installation, platforms and levels ..................................................................................... 10 Silent Installation (MS-Windows only) .............................................................................. 12 Licensing ...................................................................................................................... 13 Bricscad and Windows Vista and Windows 7 ........................................................... 16

Index ........................................................................................... 19

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Welcome to Bricscad
Congratulations on your purchase of Bricscad. Whether you're a novice user or an experienced CAD professional, you'll soon be creating drawings using the numerous productivity-enhancing features in the software. These features include:

A familiar Windows or Linux environment . The ability to work with multiple open documents. Unparalleled DWG compatibility.

These are just a few of the many features that we have included in the program to make the transition into CAD-based drawing a smooth one for new users. We have also incorporated many features that experienced CAD users have been requesting for years in a drawing package. You have chosen an affordable, high-quality software program to produce your drawings. We are convinced you will be pleased with the results!

We encourage you to take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the information in this Help system. We have organized the following quick-reference topics to give you an overview of some of the program's features and to assist you in using the Bricscad Help system. Because Bricscad can read, write, and display DWG files without conversion, it is an obvious choice for Autodesk AutoCAD users. But the program provides other compatibility and productivity features that you will find indispensable. Bricscad is a powerful drawing program that gives you the ability to create professional twodimensional drawings and three-dimensional designs. But don't take our word for it, see a few samples for yourself!

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Bricscad is designed for anyone who wants a fast and efficient CAD program with the power and versatility of standard programs such as Autodesk AutoCAD or MicroStation by Bentley Systems Inc., at an affordable price. Using today's advanced technology, Bricscad integrates the Microsoft Windows and Linux interface with a powerful CAD engine. 1999- Menhirs NV. All rights reserved.

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What's New in Bricscad V12

Below is a brief description of the enhancements and new features. Click on the hyperlink keywords for a detailed description. Some features or commands might not be available yet on the Linux platform. Please check the Command Reference guide. MENUS and TOOLBARS have been extended and reorganized.

New items
LAYOUT TABS: Implemented drag and drop for rearranging layout tabs. The sort order of the layout names in the Status bar has been fixed. FILE DIALOG: All 5 icons in the Places bar at the left of the dialog are now customizable in the SETTINGS dialog (Program Options > Files > File Dialogs > Places bar), 4 of them can be chosen from a combo with predefined options, the fifth is still initialized from DRAWINGPATH setting as before. DRAWING EXPLORER > LAYERS: Merge To ... option in the Edit menu to merge the content of two layers. 2D-CONSTRAINED drawing: Geometric Constraints: Applies geometric relationships between entities or points on entities. Dimensional Constraints: Applies dimensional constraints to entities or points on entities. 3D Modeling option in the New Drawing Wizard procedure and related 3D template drawings. 3D-CONSTRAINED drawing DIRECT MODELING Enhanced 3D modeling features in Bricscad V12, are enabled or disabled by a set of preferences and system variables, both existing and new ones. All these settings are editable in the Settings dialog, either by browsing to them, or typing a part of their name in the search field on top of the dialog. Below are recommended values for these settings. These are the default values, but if you experience problems when working in 3D, you might want to check their value. PREVIEWSUBENTS: set to 3 (check faces and edges on) to have highlighting of faces and edges when the mouse hovers over solids. You can toggle between highlighting edges and faces, or the full solids, by clicking the 'SUB' button in the status bar or by pressing CTRL+F12. The QUAD cursor menu, aka the Quad is an alternative to grip-editing of entities, offering a (much) richer set of editing operations while requiring less clicks, without cluttering the screen with loads of grip-glyphs. QUADDISPLAY: when the mouse hovers over a closed planar 2D entity or a solid, the Quad cursor menu will display. You can toggle the display of the Quad (and its usage) On and Off by clicking the 'QUAD' button in the Status bar or by pressing F12. Direct modeling commands are: dmChamfer, dmDelete, dmExtrude, dmFillet, dmMove, dmPushPull, dmRevolve and dmRotate. 3DCONTEXT and 2DCONTEXT commands switch the modeling environment On and Off. Toolbuttons to launch the commands are added on the View toolbar.

Bricscad DRAWORDER commands: HATCHTOBACK: Sets the draw order of all hatch entities in the drawing to display behind all other entities. TEXTTOFRONT : Sets the draw order of all texts and dimensions in the drawing to display in front of all other entities. HATCH Support for user defined hatch patterns. Support TRIM operation for hatches and gradient fills. Associativity is maintained whenever possible. PAGE SETUP Create, edit and manage Page Setup objects in the Drawing Explorer and applying named page setups when printing. Page Setup explorer allows to copy page setups between drawings. PSETUPIN and -PSETUPIN commands offer additional ways to import page setups from other drawings. PDF UNDERLAY Replaced Adobe PDF lib with FLYSDK lib from Visual Integrity.RENDERED MODE: working in rendered mode has been improved with highlighting of faces and edges, grips, dynamics. Strongly improved snap performance. Improved redraw speed. SHORTCUTS Ctrl-R keyboard shortcut switches between viewports in Model Space and Paper Space layouts. Ctrl + LeftMouseButton no longer triggers Real Time Orbit, instead it is used for selection/deselection of entities. This was done to enhance selection of sub-entities (e.g. edges of solids). Please use Shift + MiddleMouseButton for Real Time Orbit. VISUAL STYLES: Display settings are saved in a named style in the Drawing Explorer. Visual styles features that are not supported yet are indicated in the Drawing Explorer - Visual Styles dialog. Rendered modes now have enhanced highlighting of faces and edges, grips, dynamics. Command NEWWIZ: new 3D option creates a visual style MODELING and a view HOME which uses this visual style. The new 2DCONTEXT and 3DCONTEXT commands let you switch between the 2D drafting and 3D modeling visual style. These commands are available in the View menu and the View toolbar. Command SHADEMODE has been adapted to use visual styles, and has been extended with visual style Modeling, recommended for 3D modeling, and High Quality, for rendering. SECTIONS SECTIONPLANE: Creates persistent section definitions. Jogged (multi-segment) section planes are not yet supported, but will be added soon. SECTIONPLANESETTINGS: Section objects have 2D settings, 3D settings and Live section settings, which are managed in the Drawing Explorer. SECTIONPLANETOBLOCK allows to generate 2D or 3D cutaway section geometry, according to the sectionplane settings. The result can be stored in a block or in a new drawing.

Bricscad LIVESECTION: when a section object is set 'live', intersected objects, intersection fill and cutaway geometry are displayed in the drawing according to the live section settings. When the section object is moved or modified, section results are updated on the fly. New Sections toolbar. RASTER ENGINE: New Imagine multi-resolution raster engine, designed to swiftly handle large images. Improved redraw speed for images that use non-default settings for Contrast, Brightness or Fade. Image display is anti-aliased now. Improved quality of bitonal image display. Caching and compression will be added in the coming months to further improve the user-experience. MODELERPROPERTIES and -MODELERPROPERTIES commands to control various settings of the Acis modeler. FACETRES is now used for display by default. QTEXT: toggles between normal text display and simplified text display (as rectangles). SCALELISTEDIT command allows to extend the scale lists used in Print dialog and Viewport properties. TEIGHA 3.5 UPDATE: invisible at the surface, important code modifications took place: we upgraded the underlying ODA DwgDirect V2.06 libraries to ODA Teigha V3.05, bringing along hundreds of fixes. ADT: object enabler for Autocad Architectural Desktop. SYSTEM VARIABLES: ODA-specific: AcisSaveAsMode, DxfTextAdjustAlignment, PLINECACHE, R12SaveAccuracy, R12SaveDeviation, SAVEROUNDTRIP. Acad-compatible: CAMERADISPLAY, CAMERAHEIGHT, CMATERIAL, DGNFRAME, DGNOSNAP, DIMTXTDIRECTION, DWFFRAME, DWFOSNAP, DXEVAL, EXPORTMODELSPACE, EXPORTPAPERSPACE, EXPORTPAGESETUP, FIELDDISPLAY, FRAME, GEOLATLONGFORMAT, GEOMARKERVISIBILITY, GRIPDYNCOLOR, GRIPTIPS, IMAGEFRAME, INTERFERECOLOR, INTERFEREOBJVS, INTERFEREVPVS, LIGHTGLYPHDISPLAY, MESHTYPE, PREVIEWTYPE, PSOLHEIGHT, PSOLWIDTH, REALWORLDSCALE, SAVEFIDELITY, SKYSTATUS, STEPSIZE, STEPSPERSEC, TILEMODELIGHTSYNCH, UCSVIEW. Updated: DIMTAD (range 0-4 instead of 0-3). OSNAPZ: The OSNAPZ system variable is supported. If this variable is on, Entity Snap markers are transformed correspondingly the current ELEVATION value, except for extension and polar snapping. All user preferences now can be modified from the command line (like system variables).

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Menus and toolbars

In V12 menu items and toolbar buttons are reorganized, a few menus and toolbars are added. See the User Guide / User Interface / Toolbars for a list of all Bricscad V12 toolbars.

The following menus are new:

Model menu: All 3D related commands are grouped in this new menu: Meshes: commands to create 3D mesh surfaces. 3D Solids: commands to create Acis Solids (Pro and Platinum only). 3D Solid Editing: commands to edit Acis Solids (Pro and Platinum only). Direct Modeling: new direct modeling commands (Pro and Platinum only). X-Solids (History Based): X-solids commands (Platinum only - X-Solids menu in V11) Sections: new SECTIONPLANE, SECTIONPLANETOBLOCK and LIVESECTION commands (Pro and Platinum only).

Parametric menu: this new menu contains all 2D and 3D constraints commands.

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The following menus are modified:

File menu: Recent Files is a flyout in the top section of the menu Audit, Recover, Purge and Security Options are grouped the Drawing Utilities flyout.

View menu: new 2D Context and 3D Context items are added. Insert menu: the items are reorganized and the Layout flyout is removed. The Hyperlink item is added. Settings menu: the Drawing Explorer categories have been moved and grouped as a flyout of the Tools menu. Tools menu: Drawing Explorer categories are grouped as a flyout Attribute tools are grouped in a flyout. Draw Order and External Reference Editing flyouts are added. Draw menu: Items are reorganized. Text and Mtext items are added. Meshes and Solids have been moved to the new Model menu. Dimensions menu: the order and grouping of the items has changed.

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Modify menu: Items are reorganized. Image editing tools are added in the Raster Image flyout. FLATSHOT and SOLPROF commands have been moved to the new Model menu. Edit Text has been removed. The DDEDIT command is launched when double clicking a text entity.

The following menus have been removed:

Images menu: Insert Image sits in the Insert menu, image editing tools are moved to the Raster Image flyout of the Modify menu. Image management can be found in the Tools / Drawing Explorer menu. X-Solids menu: X-Solids items are moved to the X-Solids (History Based) item in the new Model menu.

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Understanding Bricscad
Bricscad is designed for anyone who wants a fast and efficient CAD program with all the power and versatility of standard programs such as Autodesk AutoCAD , or MicroStation by Bentley Systems, at an affordable price. Using today's advanced technology, Bricscad integrates the Microsoft Windows interface with a powerful CAD engine. Bricscad provides unparalleled compatibility with AutoCAD, using most of the same file formats including those for drawings (.dwg files), linetypes, hatch patterns, and text styles. You can also use AutoCAD menu files and run Autodesk AutoLISP programs. If you have written your own ADS (AutoCAD Development System by Autodesk) programs, simply recompile them to link with the Bricscad libraries. Many third-party ADS programs already support Bricscad. If you have a program that is not already supported, ask your software vendor to provide a Bricscad-compatible version of their program. Bricscad is more compatible with the AutoCAD program than any other CAD product, delivers additional tools with advanced CAD features, and has a seamless Microsoft Windows and Linux integration. This powerful program provides a superb combination of features for CAD users like architects, engineers, and designers. Bricscad incorporates all the standard features found in other CAD programs, along with features and capabilities you won't find anywhere else. Its multiple-document interface (MDI) lets you open and work with several drawings at the same time. You can easily copy drawing entities between drawings. In addition, the powerful Bricscad Explorer lets you manage information and settings and quickly copy layers, linetypes, and other information between drawings. The brand new Settings Dialog lets you manage all settings variables in a single window. With the powerful search tool you can find any setting within seconds.

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Installation, platforms and levels

Bricscad works on: Microsoft Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000 on both 32 and 64 bits. You have the choice between 3 different levels : Platinum, Pro or Classic. Linux: Ubuntu, Fedora, OpenSUSE - 32bit, 64bit - gnome, kde Ubuntu 9.04 or later, Fedora 11 or later, OpenSUSE 11.0 or later You have the choice between 2 different levels : Pro or Classic.

This help file describes all features. Some features do not apply to the Classic version; some commands are not supported on the Linux platform. Please see the Command Reference to check the availability of a command on the various platforms (Windows or Linux) and installation levels (Platinum, Pro or Classic). Differences between platforms and levels
WINDOWS Platinum Pro 2D Constraints ACIS Editing Direct Modeling X-Solids X-Hardware 3D Constraints Design Intent Recognition Rendering ActiveX, Including in-place-editing Component Object Model (COM) Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) BRX .NET LINUX Classic Pro Classic

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NOTE

Bricscad can be installed in trial mode for a 30 day trial period. During this period Bricscad is fully functional (no restrictions), however VBA (included in Bricscad Pro and Bricscad Platinum) is not installed in trial mode. Each major upgrade (V11, V12, ...) can be installed in trial mode. VBA is installed only if you enter a Platinum or Pro license key during the first installation. See: To install VBA, when upgrading Bricscad Classic or after running Bricscad in trial mode.

To install VBA
If you have bought a Platinum or Pro license key, do the following to install VBA after running Bricscad in trial mode or when upgrading Bricscad Classic: 1. 2. Launch the Bricscad installer (e.g. Bricscad-Vxx.xx-en_US.exe). Choose the Modify option, then click the Next button.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Accept the terms of the license agreement, then click the Next button. On the License Information dialog click the Modify... button. Enter your Platinum or Pro license key in the Key field on the Enter License Key for Bricscad dialog. Click the OK button to confirm the license key. On the next dialog, check the VBA checkbox in the features list, then click the Next button.

8.

Follow the next instructions of the installer software.

Related Topics: Silent Installation

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Silent Installation (MS-Windows only)

Silent installations are installations that run without a user interface. A normal (non-silent) installation receives the necessary input from the user in the form of responses to dialog boxes. However, a silent installation does not prompt the end user for input. Instead, a silent installation must get its user input from a response file (.iss file). A response file contains information that an end user would ordinarily enter as responses to dialog boxes when running a normal installation. During a silent installation (when the user runs Setup.exe with the /s switch), Setup.exe reads the necessary input from the response file at run time. The format of response files resembles that of an .ini file, but response files have the .iss extension. A response file is a plain text file consisting of sections containing data entries.

Creating a response file

To create a response file, run Setup.exe with the /r switch, which runs the installation normally, and additionally creates the response file used by a silent installation. By default, the response file is called Setup.iss, and is created in the Windows or WinNT folder. To specify a different name or location for the response file, use the /f1"ISS file path" switch to Setup.exe.

Running a silent installation

To run an installation silently based on the contents of a response file, the end user runs Setup.exe with the /s switch in combination with the /f1"ISS file path" switch to specify the location of the response file. A silent installation program does not display a dialog if an error occurs. Instead, status information for the silent installation is recorded (by default) in a file called Setup.log, created in the same folder as the response file being used. The end user can specify a different name and location for the log file using the /f2"LOG file path" switch to Setup.exe. Related Topics: Installation platforms and levels

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Licensing
In Bricscad two license key types are available:

A regular license key, user type: Single User or Volume License. A license key with user type Network License, which only works when retrieved from a network license file. It can not be entered as a regular license key. In Evaluation mode (30 days trial period) Bricscad uses a trial license key. After the trial period you need to enter a valid end user license key.

NOTE

To enter or modify a regular license key

1. Do one of the following: Choose License in the Help menu. Type licproperties in the command bar, then press Enter. The License Information dialog opens.

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Bricscad 2. Click the Modify button on the Lincense Information dialog.

3. 4. 5.

Click the Key radio button on the Enter License Key for Bricscad dialog. Type or Copy/Paste your license key in the Key field. Click the OK button.

Enter or modify a network license key

1. Do one of the following: Choose License in the Help menu. Type licproperties in the command bar, then press Enter. The License Information dialog opens.

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Bricscad 2. Click the Modify button on the Lincense Information dialog.

3. 4.

Click the Network radio button on the Enter License Key for Bricscad dialog. Click the browse button next to the Network field.

5. 6.

Select the Network License File on the network server, then click the Open button. Click the OK button.

NOTES

It is not possible to lock a key in a Network License File and migrate it to a machine to run Bricscad when not connected to the network. (e.g. it is not possible to use it on a laptop when this laptop is not connected to the network). The user on the client machine where Bricscad is running, has to have write access to the shared network drive where the network license file is placed. A license key with user type 'Network License', does only work when used in a network license file. It can not be entered as a regular license key. If Bricscad crashes or is shut down without access to the network, then the license key remains locked, until Bricscad is shut down once on that same machine, with access to the network.

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Bricscad and Windows Vista and Windows 7

In general Bricscad runs flawlessly on Windows Vista and Windows 7 . On Windows Vista and Windows 7, access rights are more restricted. Even if you are logged in as administrator, it might appear as if the application has not enough rights to execute some procedures. Therefore, if you experience problems when running VBA scripts, turn off the User Account Control.

To turn of the User account control in Windows Vista and Windows 7

1. 2. Choose Control panel in the Start menu. On the Control Panel dialog, click User Accounts and Family Safety.

3. 4. 5.

Choose User Accounts. Choose Turn User Account Control on or off. Click the Continue button on the Use Account Control alert box. Turn the Use User Account Control (UAC) ... option off.

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Bricscad 6. 7. Click the OK button. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Increase the memory limit

Until V10 the limit of the amount of memory that could be used by Bricscad was around 1.6 GB. In V11 or higher this limit has been increased to 4 GB on 64 bit systems and 3 GB on 32 bit systems. On 32 bit systems additional manual changes to the boot process are required. On a 32 bit Windows Vista or Windows 7 system do the following: 1. 2. Click the Start button ( )on the left hand side of the Windows task bar.

Type command in the Windows Start Search field, then press Enter.

The Administrator Command Prompt window opens. 3. Type bcdedit /set increasuserva 3072 in the Administrator Command Prompt window, then press Enter.

The memory limit is increased to 3GB. 4. Close the Administrator Command Prompt window.

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Index
A Autodesk AutoCAD ............................. 1 B Bricscad ................................................. 1 Bricscad Help.......................................... 1 H Help ...................................................... 1 L License Information dialog ....................... 12 License Key ........................................... 12 linetypes ................................................ 8 LISP ...................................................... 9 M MDI ...................................................... 8 Memory Limit ........................................ 16 Microsoft Vista ................................. 15 MS-Windows .......................................... 9 N Network License ..................................... 12 Network License File ............................... 12 P pdf-version ............................................ 1 Q Quick Render ...........................................9 R Raster Image ..........................................9 REGEDIT............................................... 15 S Silent Installation ................................... 11 Single User ........................................... 12 Snap Track..............................................9 T True Color ...............................................9 U User Account Control .............................. 15 V VBA .......................................................9 Vista .................................................... 15 Visual Basic .............................................9 Volume License ...................................... 12 W Windows .................................................9

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