AutoDRAFT User Guide

AutoDRAFT
User Guide
AVEVA Solutions Ltd
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First published September 2007
AVEVA Solutions Ltd, and its subsidiaries
AVEVA Solutions Ltd, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0HB, United Kingdom
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AutoDRAFT User Guide
Contents
Page
AutoDRAFT
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:1
About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:1
Manual Audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:2
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:2
AutoDRAFT Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1

AutoDRAFT Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1
DRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1
AutoDRAFT Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:2
ISODRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:2
Drawing Editor - Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1

Drawing Editor Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1
DRAFT/ISODRAFT to Drawing Editor Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1
Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:2
Paper Space/Model Space Viewports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drawing Editor Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drawing Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drawing Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3:2
3:2
3:3
3:3
Drawing Editor - Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1

Starting the Drawing Editor Directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1
Creating the DXF-Format Transfer File from DRAFT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1
12.0
Creating the DXF-Format Transfer File from ISODRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:2

Transferring the DXF Plotfile to the Host AutoCAD Platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:2
Starting the Drawing Editor on the Host AutoCAD Platform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:2
Starting the Drawing Editor from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3

Starting the Drawing Editor from ISODRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3
Notes on the Transfer File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3
Drawing Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3
Limitations of DXF File Transfer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3
FECs Support in DXF Output (PDMS/J users only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:4
Drawing Editor - Autoblanking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1

Creating a Blanking Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1
Blanking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:4
Editing Blanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:5
Drawing Editor - Miscellaneous Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:1

Layer Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:1
Controlling Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:2
Applying AVEVA Colours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:3
Loading Text from a File onto a Drawing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:4
Copying and Resizing Part of a Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:5
Creating a Paper Space Viewport on a Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:7
Selecting a Paper Space Viewport on a Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:8
Leaving AutoCAD, Without Saving Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:8
Leaving AutoCAD, Saving Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:9
Symbol Editor - Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1

Symbol Editor Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1
AutoCAD Working Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1
Symbol Library Annotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:2
Symbol Editor - Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:1

Starting the Symbol Editor Directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:1
Starting the Symbol Editor on the Host AutoCAD Platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:1
Starting the Symbol Editor from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:2

Setting the Drawing Size in AutoCAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:2
ii
12.0
Symbol Editor - Creating Symbol Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1

Creating the Symbol Name Attribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1
Creating a Block and an Insert of the Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1
Redefining a Symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:2
Symbol Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:1

Direct Entry to Symbol Editor (using adraftse command) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:1
Entry to Symbol Editor from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:2
Leaving AutoCAD, Without Saving Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:2
Leaving AutoCAD, Saving Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:2
Symbol Template Naming Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:3
TrueType Texts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:3
Frame Editor - Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:1

Frame Editor Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:1
AutoCAD Working Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:1
Frame Editor - Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:1

Starting the Frame Editor Directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:1
Starting the Frame Editor on the Host AutoCAD Platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:1
Starting the Frame Editor from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:2

Setting the Drawing Size in AutoCAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:2
Frame Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:1

Direct Entry to Frame Editor (using adraftbe command) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:1
Entry to Frame Editor from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:2
Leaving AutoCAD, Without Saving Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:2
Leaving AutoCAD, Saving Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3
Sheet Naming Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3
Backing Sheet Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3
Overlay Sheet Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3
TrueType Texts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3
AutoDRAFT Working Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A:1

Using DRAFT with AutoDRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A:1
Suggested Working Practice 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A:1
iii
12.0
Suggested Working Practice 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A:1
Using ISODRAFT with AutoDRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A:2

Suggested Working Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A:2
AutoCAD to DRAFT Entity and Attribute Mapping. . . . . . . . . . . . . .B:1

AutoCAD Entities into DRAFT Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:1
AutoCAD Attributes into DRAFT Attributes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:1
Line Widths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:3
Linestyles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:3
Text Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:4
Support for AutoCAD Bigfont Text (PDMS/J users only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:6
AutoDRAFT Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:1

Drawing Editor Pull-Down Menus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:1
Blank Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:1
PDMS Draw Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:1
Frame Editor Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:2

PDMS Frame Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:2
Symbol Editor Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:2

PDMS Symbol Pull-Down Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:3
iv
12.0

Introduction
Introduction
AutoDRAFT is an AutoCAD application which gives you an easy way of using AutoCAD to
perform 2D drafting on engineering drawings imported from DRAFT, and on isometric
drawings imported from ISODRAFT. It can also create 2D entities for export to DRAFT.
As well as providing access to the full range of AutoCADs 2D drafting facilities, AutoDRAFT
allows you to transfer drawings from DRAFT and ISODRAFT to enhance them. You can
also use it to create symbols and drawing frames, and then generate macros for their
subsequent recreation in DRAFT.
You can activate AutoDRAFT directly from a DRAFT or ISODRAFT menu. Alternatively, if
AutoCAD and AVEVA Plant/Marine are running on different machines, you can generate a
DXF format file for transfer to AutoDRAFT and AutoCAD by DRAFT and ISODRAFT.
This release of AutoDRAFT has been developed to support AutoCAD Releases 2006 and
2007.
AutoDRAFT consists of three sub-systems:
The Drawing Editor, which allows you to add further details to drawings from within
AutoCAD.
The Symbol Editor, which generates DRAFT macros from AutoCAD inserts to create
equivalent symbol template elements in DRAFT.
The Frame Editor, which generates DRAFT macros from drawing frames in AutoCAD
to create equivalent DRAFT backing or overlay sheet elements.
A range of new AutoCAD fonts, developed at AVEVA, is also provided for your use. These
fonts are supplied in both binary and source formats. These fonts are compatible with all
new and existing AVEVA supplied drafting fonts, and can be transferred to PC-based
systems. Additionally, AutoDRAFT supports the TrueType fonts registered in the particular
PDMS project.
1.1
About this Manual

This manual describes:
The AutoDRAFT facilities.
How to use the DRAFT and ISODRAFT forms-and-menus user interface to activate
AutoDRAFT directly.
Alternatively, how to create a DXF-format file of a DRAFT or ISODRAFT drawing for

separate transfer to the AutoDRAFT Drawing Editor.
How to create a DRAFT command macro in AutoDRAFT in order to transfer AutoCAD

drawing entities (forming drawing frames and symbol templates) back to DRAFT.
How to use the AutoDRAFT facilities within AutoCAD, using typed-in commands or
menu selections.
1:1
12.0

Introduction
This manual does not describe how to use the main AutoCAD facilities. Refer to your
AutoCAD user documentation for this.
1.2
Manual Audience
It is assumed that those users who are involved with creating drawings in DRAFT and
transferring them to AutoCAD have attended the appropriate DRAFT and/or ISODRAFT
training courses.
It is further assumed that users who are working on a drawing transferred from DRAFT are
(at least) familiar with AutoCAD.
Best use of this manual will be made by those trained in the use both of DRAFT/ISODRAFT
and of AutoCAD.
1.3
References
Useful sources of reference are: The DRAFT User Guide.
AutoDesks AutoCAD 2006/2007 Reference Manuals.
The ISODRAFT Reference Manual.
1:2
12.0

AutoDRAFT Facilities
2.1
AutoDRAFT Functions
AutoDRAFT has three sub-systems:
The Drawing Editor. This enables a drawing created in DRAFT or ISODRAFT to be

transferred to AutoCAD, which can then be used to finish the drawing. The Drawing
Editor also adds new functions to those normally available in AutoCAD.
The Symbol Editor. This enables symbols created in AutoCAD to be converted into a
DRAFT command macro which can then be used to create the equivalent symbols as
DRAFT database Symbol Template elements.
The Frame Editor. This enables drawing frames created in AutoCAD to be converted
into a DRAFT command macro which can then be used to create the equivalent frames
as DRAFT database Backing Sheet or Overlay Sheet elements.
Each of the above sub-systems is described in detail in the following chapters of this
manual.
2.2
DRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface
With the Drawing Editor, a DRAFT drawing Sheet is transferred from DRAFT to AutoDRAFT
via a DXF-format file.
With the Symbol Editor and Frame Editor, the DRAFT command macros are created as
ASCII files. If AutoCAD and the AVEVA software are on the same hardware platform the
macro files will be transferred back to DRAFT automatically. See Figure 2:1.: DRAFT/
AutoDRAFT Interface for an illustration of the DRAFT/AutoDRAFT interface.
2:1
12.0

2.2.1
Figure 2:1.
2.3
DRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface
ISODRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface
With the Drawing Editor, you can transfer an ISODRAFT isometric to AutoDRAFT via a DXF
format file.
You cannot transfer an ISODRAFT isometric with the Symbol or Frame Editor.
Figure 2:2.
ISODRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface
2:2
12.0

Drawing Editor - Introduction
3.1
Drawing Editor Functions

All AutoCAD facilities are available to Drawing Editor users. AutoDRAFT adds the following
facilities to the standard AutoCAD system:
3.2
Blank out part of the drawing behind specified drawing items. For example, blank out
the graphics behind a label.
Create magnified copies of part of a drawing.
Apply AVEVA standard colours to the DRAFT elements within an AutoDRAFT

drawing.
Layer control of layers allocated to DRAFT.
Load text from a file onto the drawing.
Create and select viewports containing views of the drawing sheet.
DRAFT/ISODRAFT to Drawing Editor Interface

A DRAFT drawing Sheet, or an ISODRAFT isometric, is transferred to AutoDRAFT via a
DXF-format file. Where AutoDRAFT/AutoCAD and the AVEVA software are running on
separate hardware you must create the DXF file and manually transfer it from the AVEVA
platform to the AutoDRAFT platform. Where AVEVA and AutoDRAFT share the same
platform, entering the Drawing Editor will cause the translation from AVEVA format to DXF
format, and the transfer of the file to AutoDRAFT, to take place automatically.
The Drawing Editor drawing file is an AutoCAD drawing file with a set of AutoCAD layers
dedicated to drawing information transferred from DRAFT/ISODRAFT (its style table will
contain linestyle definitions generated by DRAFT/ISODRAFT).
AutoCAD entities should be added to a drawing on layers other than those allocated to
DRAFT. If the DRAFT part of the drawing is updated by overwriting it with a new drawing file
imported from DRAFT, none of the entities on the user-allocated (i.e. AutoCAD) layers will
be lost.
The Drawing Editor can be used to change DRAFT entities displayed in AutoCAD (the
Drawing Editor, of course, does not know about the DRAFT database hierarchy), but these
changes will be lost when the DRAFT part of the AutoCAD drawing is next updated from the
DRAFT picture.
AutoDRAFT can only be used to create new drawings, or open existing ones, with
ISODRAFT.
Note: DRAFT Layers referred to in this manual should not be confused with LAYE (layer)
database elements in DRAFT. DRAFT layers are AutoCAD layers that have been
allocated to drawing data generated by DRAFT. AutoCAD layers are described in the
AutoCAD Reference Manual.
3:1
12.0

See Figure 3:1.: Layers in AutoDRAFT/AutoCAD for an illustration of the use of AutoDRAFT
layers.
Figure 3:1.
Layers in AutoDRAFT/AutoCAD
Note: It is possible, within the Drawing Editor, to map the DRAFT layers onto user-defined
AutoCAD layers. See Layer Mapping.
3.3
Concepts
Before using the Drawing Editor, you should be familiar with the following concepts and
terminology.
3.3.1
Paper Space/Model Space Viewports

A drawing sheet transferred from DRAFT or ISODRAFT can be either drawn in model
space or in paper space in AutoCAD.
3.3.2
Drawing Editor Database

A Drawing Editor database is an AutoCAD drawing file containing layers that are allocated
to DRAFT or ISODRAFT drawing elements. You add to this your own AutoCAD layers and
drawing entities.
AutoDRAFT uses special text fonts and linestyles in addition to the standard AutoCAD
supplied fonts and linestyles. The fonts and linestyles supplied with AutoDRAFT match
those used in DRAFT and ISODRAFT.
Important: All DRAFT drawing elements are on layers named GT_ followed by a number.
You should not create layers whose names beginning with GT_, otherwise any
items on those layers will be deleted by a DRAFT drawing update operation.
3:2
12.0

3.3.3
Drawing Scale
A drawing in AutoDRAFT is a model of a drawing sheet from DRAFT/ISODRAFT. All entities
are created in AutoCAD model space.
Hidden line views of a design model are drawn as scaled views in DRAFT. The drawing
displayed in AutoCAD is a model of the drawing sheet defined in DRAFT, so the scaled
views drawn in DRAFT are effectively drawn at the same scale in AutoCAD. Thus, if an
AutoCAD linear dimension were placed on a line in a DRAFT view it would show the length
of the line on the paper, not the length of the line on the model. It is recommended that all
dimensions are created in DRAFT where the true size of dimensioned items is shown.
3.3.4
Drawing Units
DRAFT always stores its measurements in millimetres, regardless of the units used for
drawing definition. Consequently, drawings created in DRAFT using INCH or FINCH units
are transferred from DRAFT to the Drawing Editor with measurements in millimetres.
A special code in the transfer file will specify whether the original DRAFT drawing sheet was
specified in MM, INCH or FINCH units. INCH/FINCH drawings are scaled from one drawing
unit = 1 millimetre to one drawing unit = 1 inch when loaded into the Drawing Editor.
A similar system is employed for ISODRAFT drawings.
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3:4
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Drawing Editor - Getting Started

There are two methods of starting the Drawing Editor:
Directly. This method is used when AutoCAD and the AVEVA software are on separate
hardware platforms. The (DXF-format) drawing file to be used must be created in
PDMS DRAFT/ISODRAFT and manually transferred to the AutoCAD platform.
From within DRAFT/ISODRAFT. This method is used when AutoCAD and the AVEVA
software are on the same hardware platform.
The (DXF-format) drawing file to be used is automatically created and transferred to
the Drawing Editor when AutoDRAFT/Drawing Editor is activated from DRAFT/
ISODRAFT.
4.1
Starting the Drawing Editor Directly
4.1.1
Creating the DXF-Format Transfer File from DRAFT

This can be done in two ways:
by typing in a command (PLOT)
by using the DRAFT forms-and-menus user interface
Using the PLOT Command

The PLOT command has a variety of options. A common operation would be to create a
plotfile from the current Sheet element, in which case the PLOT command takes the form
PLOT SHEE DXF filename
where filename must always end in .dxf. For example,
PLOT SHEE DXF /SHEET1.dxf

Note: For best results when plotting from AutoCAD, the DXF file should be generated using
the CUTMARKS OFF option. For example:
PLOT SHEE DXF /SHEET1.dxf CUTMARKS OFF
This is done automatically when the Drawing Editor is activated from the DRAFT
forms-and-menus interface.
Note: See Drawing Units for details of an important restriction regarding drawing units
when using the PLOT command.
See the DRAFT User Guide for full details of the PLOT command. This section describes
the optional keywords that can be added to the command.
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Using DRAFTs Graphical User Interface

See the DRAFT User Guide.
4.1.2
Creating the DXF-Format Transfer File from ISODRAFT

See the ISODRAFT on-line help.
4.1.3
Transferring the DXF Plotfile to the Host AutoCAD Platform

This would normally be achieved via File Transfer Protocol (FTP), the exact method of
transfer being dependent on your network installation.
4.1.4
Starting the Drawing Editor on the Host AutoCAD Platform

Note: In the following, where an AutoCAD drawing database file name needs to be
specified, the .dwg extension is added automatically by the script, and so this must
not be included in the specified dwg_filename.
Similarly, the transfer files .dxf extension must not be included in the specified
transfer_filename.
Starting the Drawing Editor is done by running the adraftde script which is supplied as part
of the AutoDRAFT package. The script can be used in three ways:
Creating a New Drawing Editor Drawing

adraftde -new dwg_filename -trfile transfer_filename [-model | -paper]
where dwg_filename is the required AutoCAD drawing database name, and
transfer_filename is the name of the file transferred from DRAFT or ISODRAFT. model sets up the drawing in model space, -paper in paper space. If the argument is
omitted, -paper is assumed.
The steps carried out by this form of the script are:
1. Starts AutoCAD.
2. Creates a drawing file (.dwg) (unless you quit from the AutoDRAFT session).
3. Loads the AutoDRAFT Drawing Editor program.
4. Loads the picture from the transfer file into the drawing layers.
5. Leaves you in a Drawing Editor session. The DRAFT or ISODRAFT drawing is
displayed. The current drawing layer is Layer 0.
Updating an Existing Drawing Editor Drawing with a New Picture

adraftde -update dwg_filename -trfile transfer_filename [-model | -paper]
where dwg_filename is the name of the required (existing) AutoCAD drawing database,
and transfer_filename is the name of the updated version of the drawing file transferred
from DRAFT.
1. Starts AutoCAD.
2. Opens the specified AutoCAD drawing file.
4. Empties all picture layers, without altering any items on user-defined (AutoCAD)
layers.
5. Loads the picture from the transfer file into the drawing layers, including any extra
fonts and linestyles required.
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6. Leaves you in a Drawing Editor session. The DRAFT drawing is displayed. The
current layer and the status of user-defined layers are left as they were when you
last saved the drawing.
Displaying an Existing Drawing Editor Drawing (without updating it)

adraftde -open dwg_filename [-model | -paper]
where dwg_filename is the name of the required (existing) AutoCAD drawing file.
1. Starts AutoCAD.
4. Leaves you in a Drawing Editor session. The current layer and the status of userdefined layers are left as they were when you last saved the drawing.
4.2
Starting the Drawing Editor from DRAFT

Select Draft>AutoDRAFT from the DRAFT main menu; this loads the AutoDRAFT main
menu bar. Then select Edit>Drawing from the main menu bar to load the AutoDRAFT
Drawing Editor form.
4.3
Starting the Drawing Editor from ISODRAFT

See the ISODRAFT on-line help.
4.4
Notes on the Transfer File
4.4.1
Drawing Units
Entities in transfer files are always measured in millimetres. The units active in DRAFT or
ISODRAFT when the drawing is sent to AutoDRAFT are added to the transfer file as a DXF
comment. The AutoDRAFT start-up mechanism automatically queries the units and scales
the DRAFT/ISODRAFT drawing data if INCH units are specified.
Note: If you create a DXF transfer file in DRAFT using the PLOT command (see Creating
the DXF-Format Transfer File from DRAFT) then the comment inserted into the DXF
transfer file to automate the setting up of AutoCAD units will not be added.
If you then want to read such a DXF transfer file into AutoDRAFT, using INCHES as units
type, then the transfer file needs to be altered manually by appending the following to the
end of the file:
999 P
DMS_UNITS INCH
These should be the last two lines of the transfer file. There should be no white space to the
left of this text.
4.4.2
Limitations of DXF File Transfer

There is no AutoCAD equivalent to the DRAFT text attribute CSPA (character spacing). This
attribute will be ignored when generating the DXF file. This results in text strings being a
different length in DRAFT and AutoCAD.
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4.4.3
FECs Support in DXF Output (PDMS/J users only)

Drawings which contain Kanji characters may be output as DXF files from DRAFT and
ISODRAFT. Both EUC and SHIFT-JIS format font files may be used. Suitable font files are
supplied with the Drawing Editor. The default is EUC. In DRAFT, to obtain output in SHIFTJIS format, use
PLOT SHEE DXF /sheet1.dxf CUTMARKS OFF SHIFTJS

(CUTMARKS OFF is optional, but recommended.)
It is recommended that EUC format be used for creating DXF files for use with AutoDRAFT.
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Drawing Editor - Autoblanking

The Drawing Editor enables you to blank out selected parts of a drawing. This could be
used, for example, to blank out the graphics behind a label. There are three principal
options:
Create a blank (in the form of a shape (usually a rectangle) defining the outline of a
blank).
Hide items covered by a blank (and make the blank itself invisible).
Edit a blank (various options).
These operations, and the different ways of performing them, are described below.
Note: Blanks are automatically placed on a special layer called PDMS_BLANKS, even if
this is not your current layer.
When a drawing is updated, any drawing items other than text which were not covered by
blanks return to the default state, which is covered. Editing Blanks describes how to uncover
selected drawing items.
Note: DRAFT can perform the blanking as well, and the blanked out parts would be then
transferred to AutoDRAFT unchanged. This chapter discusses the blanking, that can
be done in AutoDRAFT on parts that have not been blanked out by DRAFT.
5.1
Creating a Blanking Shape

This operation allows you to create a three- or four-sided shape which can be used to blank
out parts of the drawing. This would commonly be used to blank out graphics behind a label,
as shown in Figure 5:1.: Use of Blanking (entities blank) to hide graphics behind a Label.
Figure 5:1.
Use of Blanking (entities blank) to hide graphics behind a Label
Command:
pdms_blank_create
Menu Selection:
Blank>Create
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Initial Prompt:
Entities/Irregular/<First corner>:
Use:
<First corner>
This is the default option, which creates a rectangular blanking area.
1. Move the mouse pointer and click (left-hand button) on the first
corner of the rectangle. The prompt changes to:
Angle/<Other corner>
2. Move the mouse pointer and drag the dotted rectangle that
appears out to the desired size/position. Click again. The prompt
changes to:
Select objects not to blank:
Select objects:
At this point you can select objects which you do not wish to be
covered by the blank. For example, if blanking a label by using a
blanking rectangle, you would usually still wish to see the label
border, the label text and the leader line. Because text cannot be
hidden by a blank, it will remain shown when the blanking
operation is carried out.
3. Move the small square over an object you do not wish to blank
and click. Repeat as necessary, finally pressing Enter at the
Select objects prompt.(If you do not wish to select any objects
not to be blanked then simply press Enter straight away.)
The Angle option above enables you to create a rectangular blank at
an angle to the principal axes. A possible use of this option could be
to blank out graphics behind angular dimension text.
Selecting this option (by pressing A after the > character) gives
another prompt which allows you to specify the angle either by typing
in a value or by pointer hit. When specifying the second corner of the
rectangle, a line will follow the pointer which represents a diagonal of
the blanking rectangle.
At this point the blanking rectangle will appear, but the objects within
it will not be blanked. See Blanking for how to carry out the blanking
operation.
An example of rectangle blanking is shown in Figure 5:2.: Use of
Blanking (rectangular blank) to hide graphics behind a Label. Note
the gaps in the entities behind the blank. Entity blanking can be
used to give a blank which does not leave such gaps. See Figure
5:1.: Use of Blanking (entities blank) to hide graphics behind a Label.
This method of blank creation also works if you are using the
AutoCAD UCS (User Coordinate System) facility.
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Figure 5:2.
Use of Blanking (rectangular blank) to hide graphics behind a

Label
Irregular
This option (selected by pressing I after the > character) creates an
irregular three- or four-sided shape.
1. Move the mouse pointer and click (left-hand button) on the first
corner of the shape. The prompt changes to:
First point:
2. Move the mouse pointer and drag the small square that appears
out to the desired position. Click again.
3. Repeat step 2 twice more. At the prompt:
Last Point:
define the last point as before, or press Enter to produce a
triangle.
At this point the blanking shape will appear, but the objects within it
will not be blanked. See Blanking for how to carry out the blanking
operation.
Entities
This option (selected by pressing E after the > character) allows you
to define a blanking rectangle which surrounds the selected entities.
Selecting this option changes the prompt to:
Select objects:
Click on the required entities. When the last entity has been selected
press Enter.
You will then be given the option to enter a value for the Angle of the
rectangular blank. If you press Enter at this prompt, the rectangular
blank calculated will be unrotated.
At this point the blanking rectangle will appear, but the objects within
it will not be blanked. See Blanking for how to carry out the blanking
operation.
Note: When the blanking operation is carried out, all entities except
those selected will be hidden.
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The entities option is useful for blanking out graphics behind labels.
The picture on the right-hand side of Figure 5:1.: Use of Blanking
(entities blank) to hide graphics behind a Label has been produced
by defining the label border as the (sole) blanking entity.
Note: When using the Entities option, the extent of a blank is
calculated from the entities chosen. The entities that may be
selected are Points, Lines, Traces, Solids, Circles, Arcs,
Polylines, Inserts, Text, Attribute Definitions, Inserts with
Attributes (invisible attributes are ignored) and combinations
of the above. User coordinate systems are taken into account
when these blanks are created.
.
The following entities will not blank correctly:
Outsized Text
Text, such as some of the mathematical symbols

where it is wider than the specified text width, will
extend over the blank boundary.
Oblique Text
The oblique element of this text is ignored.
Vertical Text
Vertical text is ignored.
Other Thick
Entities
Donuts and wide polylines are treated as if they

have zero width.
Complex Inserts
Non-uniformly scaled blocks are treated as if they

are uniformly scaled. Externally referenced blocks
(xrefs) are ignored.
Shapes
Ignored.
Dimensions
Ignored.
Viewports
Ignored.
3D Entities
3D Faces, 3D Meshes and 3D polylines are

ignored.
Other 3D entities, such as a cylinder made from a
circle with thickness will be blanked around, but
will probably not finish up being covered.
5.2
Blanking
The blank creation operations described in the previous section produce outlines of blanks
which can be used to preview the blanks that you have defined. Hiding the graphics behind
the blanks is carried out as described below.
Command:
pdms_blank
Menu Selection:
Blank>Blank
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Use:
There are no command arguments or prompts. The picture is

redrawn with objects behind blanks being hidden. Any visible blank
boundaries will become invisible.
Note: pdms_blank temporarily removes all lines on the drawing that
are hidden by blanks. The hidden lines will reappear the next
time the drawing is regenerated.
Normally the drawing will be displayed with hidden lines
showing. Blanking can be a time-consuming process, so it is
recommended that it is only done just before producing a plot.
The recommendations given in the AutoCAD Reference
Manual for the hide command also apply to pdms_blank.
Text cannot be hidden by a blank. Items above the world axes
XY plane will not be hidden by a blank. Blanking will only work
on entities drawn on the Z=0 plane. In AutoDRAFT, Z=0 is the
location of the drawing sheet.
Plotting a blanked drawing
AutoCAD plotting should be configured so that hidden lines are
removed.
In order to plot a drawing in AutoCAD where blanks hide the entities
behind them, but where their outlines are invisible, the plot must be
activated from the main AutoCAD menu. If a plot is sent from inside
the AutoCAD drawing editor, any invisible blanks will be ignored,
showing the entities behind them.
5.3
Editing Blanks
The blank editing operations allow you to:
hide and show the boundaries of blanks
erase blanks
cover and uncover entities hidden by blanks.
Command:
pdms_blank_edit
Note: Only blanks created by AutoDRAFT can be edited using this facility. You cannot
edit blanks applied automatically by DRAFT.
Menu Selection:
Blank>Visible, Blank>Invisible, Blank>Cover, Blank>Uncover,

Blank>Erase
Initial Prompt:
Visible/Invisible/Cover/Uncover/Erase:
Use:
Visible Invisible
Blank>Invisible (or I at the command prompt) will make all visible
blank boundaries invisible.
Blank>Visible (or V at the command prompt) will make all invisible
blank boundaries visible.
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Note: Blank boundaries are drawn as purple (AutoCAD colour 194)

solid lines.
If you wish to create a new blank, all invisible blanks must first
be made visible.
pdms_blank makes blanks invisible. In order to see them after
a pdms_blank command use pdms_blank_edit Visible.
pdms_blank_edit Invisible will fail if PDMS_BLANKS is the
current layer, returning an error message. To recover from this
condition, make a layer other than PDMS_BLANKS the
current one.
Cover Uncover
Blank>Uncover (or U at the command prompt).
(Use following a Blank>Create operation but before a Blank>Blank
operation.) The prompt changes to:
Select objects to uncover:
Select objects:
Click on the entities that you require not to be hidden by the covering
blank. The hit entity will be highlighted. When the last entity has been
selected press Enter.
When the next Blank>Blank operation is carried out, the hit entities
will not be hidden by the blank.
Blank>Cover (or C at the command prompt) can be used to mark as
covered entities which had previously been marked as uncovered.
The prompt changes to:
Select objects to cover:
Select objects:
Click on the entities that you require to change from being marked as
uncovered to covered. The hit entity will be highlighted. When the
last entity has been selected press Enter.
When the next Blank>Blank operation is carried out, the hit entities
will be hidden by the blank.
Note: If an object is uncovered it will be seen on top of all blanks, if
it is covered it will be covered by all blanks. It is not possible
to have a single object covered by one blank, but uncovered
by another.
Erase
The prompt changes to
Select blanks to erase:
Select objects:
Click on the boundaries of the blanks you wish to erase. The hit blank
will be highlighted. When the last blank has been selected press
Enter.
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The picture will be redrawn with the outlines of the hit blanks no
longer shown.
Items hidden by erased blanks will still be hidden. Use the AutoCAD
regen command to redisplay the unblanked items.
Note: If blanks are not visible they will be made visible by this option
so they can be selected at the Select objects: prompt. If any
objects other than blanks are selected they will not be erased.
Blanks can also be deleted with the AutoCAD erase
command.
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5:8
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Drawing Editor - Miscellaneous Facilities

Miscellaneous facilities available in the Drawing Editor enable you to:
map the DRAFT layers onto user-defined AutoCAD layers;
control layer visibility and the susceptibility of layers to regenerate operations;
apply AVEVA standard colours to DRAFT layers;
load text from a file onto a drawing;
copy/resize part of a drawing;
create/select paper space viewports;
leave AutoCAD avoiding the AutoCAD main menu.
These operations, and the different ways of performing them, are described below.
The available options allow you to turn DRAFT and user-defined layers on and off, and to
freeze and thaw them, enabling you to distinguish easily the DRAFT and non-DRAFT
parts of the AutoCAD drawing.
6.1
Layer Mapping
This facility allows you to automatically move entities from DRAFT layers to AutoCAD layers
by mapping the DRAFT layers onto user-defined AutoCAD layers. (These user-defined
layers will be created automatically if they do not already exist.)
The operation of this facility depends upon the contents of a user-defined text file named
pdmslaymap.txt, which must exist in the users local directory and which must have read
access. Each line of the file may contain the following four fields:
1. The name of the DRAFT layer.
2. The name of the corresponding user-defined AutoCAD layer.
3. The colour number for the AutoCAD layer (in the range 1-255).
4. The linestyle for the AutoCAD layer (in the range 1-255).
Note: Not all of the above need be included. Fields 1. and 2. are compulsory. The allowable
optional fields are 3. or 3. and 4. (i.e. having fields 1., 2., and 4. only would be
illegal).
Each field should be separated by a single space or a <tab> character only. Comment text
may be inserted, denoted by having $* as the first two characters of the line.
If the AutoCAD layer does not exist it will be created with the supplied colour and linestyle. If
it does exist then the supplied colour and linestyle will be ignored. If the colour number is not
supplied, and if the AutoCAD layer is to be created, then it will be created using colour 7
(white). Similarly, if the linestyle is not supplied, and if the AutoCAD layer is to be created,
then it will be created with linestyle GTSOLID.
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Command:
pdms_layer_mapping
Menu Selection:
PDMS Draw>PDMS Layer Mapping
Initial Prompt:
Do you want to apply layer mapping ? <NO>:
Use:
Press Enter to abort, or enter yes (or YES) and press Enter to
proceed.
Assuming the pdmslaymap.txt file exists and is correctly structured,
the appropriate actions (see above) will be carried out.
Example:
Suppose pdmslaymap.txt contains the following text, and that layer

LAY1 does not currently exist on the drawing, but that LAY2 does:
$*First layer
GT_1 LAY1 5 GTSOLID
$*Second layer
GT_2 LAY2 6 GTDASH
On applying the layer mapping utility, AutoDRAFT will move all
entities from DRAFT layer GT_1 to AutoCAD layer LAY1. Layer LAY1
will be created in colour 5 (blue), and linetype GTSOLID. All entities
on DRAFT layer GT_2 will be moved to AutoCAD layer LAY2. Since
layer LAY2 already exists the supplied colour number (6, magenta)
and linestyle (GTDASH) will be ignored. Note that empty DRAFT
layers will not be deleted. (It is suggested that these empty layers are
removed by using the AutoCAD PURGE command.)
An entity whose linestyle is set to BYLAYER on its DRAFT layer will
also have its linestyle set to BYLAYER when it is moved to the
AutoCAD layer. However, if the linestyle setting for an entity differs
from that of the owning DRAFT layer, then the entity-level setting will
be preserved when it is moved to the AutoCAD layer. This rule also
applies to the colour attribute.
If an update operation is applied (i.e. if the Update existing
Drawing button is pressed on the AutoDRAFT Drawing Editor
form; see the DRAFT User Guide) to a drawing which has already
had the pdms_layer_mapping command applied to it, then it is likely
that multiple copies of some or all of the DRAFT entities will appear
on the drawing. It is therefore not advisable to apply the
pdms_layer_mapping command to a drawing which requires further
DRAFT updates.
6.2
Controlling Layers
Command:
pdms_layers
Menu Selection:
PDMS Draw>PDMS Layers, PDMS Draw>User Layers
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Initial Prompt:
User/<Pdms>:
Use:
(Whether User or DRAFT is selected, the resulting options are the

same.)
ON
(Type ON or make On selection from pull-down menu.)
Appropriate layers are turned on.
OFF
(Type OFF or make Off selection from pull-down menu.)
Appropriate layers are turned off.
Freeze
(Press F or make Freeze selection from pull-down menu.)
Appropriate layers are frozen, i.e. they will not be regenerated by an
AutoCAD regen command.
Thaw
(Press T or make Thaw selection from pull-down menu.)
Unfreezes the appropriate frozen layers.
Note: pdms_layers controls all PDMS (DRAFT) (GT_) layers or all
other (user) layers with a single command. The layer controls
ON, OFF, Freeze and That are described in the AutoCAD
Reference Manual.
6.3
Applying AVEVA Colours

This option allows you to apply AVEVA standard colours to DRAFT layers on a Drawing
Editor drawing.
Command:
pdms_colour (or pdms_color)
Menu Selection:
PDMS Draw>PDMS Colours
Initial Prompt:
User/<Pdms>:
Use:
(Simply type the command or make the menu selection; there are no
arguments or options)
Note: Each DRAFT (GT_) layer on a Drawing Editor drawing
corresponds to a colour used in the drawing, so all entities in
a given colour appear on the same AutoDRAFT layer. Each
entity on the DRAFT layers has the default AutoCAD colour
attribute BYLAYER. The DXF output does not specify layer
colours, so all entities appear in the default AutoCAD colour 7
(white).
This facility gives you the ability to colour entities to match the
colours used by DRAFT. If you want to see the DRAFT
colours reproduced in AutoCAD the pdms_colour function will
apply colours close to the full range of standard PDMS
colours (1 - 272) to layers GT_1 through GT_272.
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General points:
6.4
If colours have already been set for the DRAFT layers they will
be changed by pdms_colour.
If individual entities have been assigned specific colours they

will be unaffected by the pdms_colour command.
If entities have been coloured individually, and you want them to

appear in the layer colour, then you should use the AutoCAD
chprop command to change their colours to BYLAYER.
Loading Text from a File onto a Drawing

This option allows you to load lines of text from an ASCII file onto a drawing.
Command:
pdms_textfile
Menu Selection:
PDMS Draw>Load Text
Initial Prompt:
Filename of text file:
Use:
Enter the name of the text file, with extension (if present).
Left/Centre/Right/<start point>:
Click where you wish the text to start, or select one of the justification
options (by pressing L, C or R as appropriate). The justification
options will give:
Start point:
Centre point:
or End point:
prompts. Click at the required justification point. The default is left
justified.
The remaining prompts are:
Height <default>:
where default is the AutoCAD default text height. This will be the last
text height used, or the starting default (0.2). A height of at least 10
times the AutoCAD starting default (for metric drawings) is
recommended.
Press Enter to accept the default value, input a new value, or define
the text height by clicking on a point above the text start point.
Rotation angle <default>:
where default is the AutoCAD default rotation angle. This will be the
last angle used, or the starting default (0).
Press Enter to accept the default value, input a new value, or define
the angle by clicking on a suitable point.
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Line Spacing (range -0.5 to 3.0) <default>:

where default is the AutoCAD default line spacing. This will be the
last spacing used, or the starting default (0).
Press Enter to accept the default value, or input a new value.
See Note: below for further details.
Block Name/<None>:
If you wish the text to be placed in a block then input the block name,
otherwise just press Enter.
Note: Text is loaded from a file onto the current layer on the
drawing. The start point is always located at the top of the
input text. Text height and rotation are specified in the same
way as the AutoCAD text command.
Line spacing factor (LSF) specifies the gap between lines of
text. It is measured as a proportion of the text height. If LSF=0
(the default) the lines are positioned one below the other with
no gap. If LSF=1, one blank line is left between each line of
text.
If LSF=-0.2 then the lines of text will overlap. Note that text
fonts allow for spacing above and below characters in the
font. This means that the text body itself may not overlap with
adjacent lines of text for small negative LSF (e.g. -0.1).
If a block name is specified the text loaded onto the drawing is
put into a block of that name and an INSERT created on the
drawing. If no block name is specified then the text is loaded
onto the drawing as individual text entities.
If a block name is used more than once, then previous
examples of blocks with that name will be redefined (to
conform to the new settings) should you respond positively to
the Redefine it? prompt.
The MONOTXT font (or any other fixed-spaced font) is
recommended when loading in column style reports.
6.5
Copying and Resizing Part of a Drawing

This option allows you to copy a specified group of objects, with the option to give the copy
a different size to the original.
Command:
pdms_copy
Menu Selection:
PDMS Draw>Copy Magnify
Initial Prompt:
Select objects:
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Use:
Click on the objects you wish to copy/magnify. Press Enter to finish

selecting.
Base point or displacement:
Click on the base point, i.e. the from point for the copy operation.
This would usually be on or within one of the selected objects, but it
may be displaced. See Figure 6:1.: Definition of Base Point for Copy
Operation (point 1).
Figure 6:1.
Definition of Base Point for Copy Operation
Second point of displacement:

This is the to point of the copy operation. See Figure 6:1.: Definition
of Base Point for Copy Operation (point 2).
Magnify base point/<None>:
Pressing Enter at this point will give a same-size copy of the selected
group of objects.
To produce a resized copy, click on the point that you wish to be the
base point for the resize operation. Again, this would usually be on or
within one of the selected objects, but it may be displaced. See
Figure 6:2.: Definition of Base Point for Magnify Operation (Resulting
magnified object shown dashed).
Figure 6:2.
Definition of Base Point for Magnify Operation
<Magnification factor>/Reference:
The default input for this prompt is simply a value, for example 2 will
give a copy twice as large as the original. (If you wish to produce a
copy smaller than the original, input a value less than 1.)
6:6
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Pressing R (for Reference) gives two further prompts:

Reference length:
New length:
This option enables the copy to be magnified in an absolute sense
rather than a relative sense. It works in exactly the same way as the
Reference option of the AutoCAD scale command; see the AutoCAD
Reference Manual.
The final prompt of the copy/magnify operation is
Copy to current layer No<Yes>:
The magnified copy will be created on the current layer unless you
reply No (press N). Note that any objects put onto PDMS GT_ layers
will be lost when the picture is updated with the latest version of the
drawing from DRAFT.
6.6
Creating a Paper Space Viewport on a Drawing

This option creates a paper space viewport and makes it the current viewport.
Command:
pdms_view_create
Menu Selection:
PDMS Draw>Create Viewport
Initial Prompt:
Select region to view First point:
Use:
Click on one corner of the part of the drawing that you wish to be
contained within the viewport.
Other corner:
Drag out the rectangle which appears, and click on the other corner.
Position new viewport:
A rectangle representing the new viewport moves with the
crosshairs. Click on the required position.
Magnify - base point/<None>:
Pressing Enter at this point will give a same-size copy of the
windowed group of objects, and the viewport creation operation will
be complete.
To produce a resized copy, click on the point that you wish to be the
base point for the resize operation. (Should this point be outside the
viewport, the viewport will be displaced as illustrated in Figure 6:2.:
Definition of Base Point for Magnify Operation.)
<Magnification factor>/Reference:
The default input for this prompt is simply a value, for example 2 will
give a copy twice as large as the original. (If you wish to produce a
copy smaller than the original, input a value less than 1.)Pressing R
(for Reference) gives two further prompts:
6:7
12.0

Reference length:
New length:
This option enables the copy to be magnified in an absolute sense
rather than a relative sense. It works in exactly the same way as the
Reference option of the AutoCAD scale command; see the AutoCAD
Reference Manual.
Note: The drawing should be zoomed out to the edge of the drawing
sheet in order that the new views are seen in their correct
position with respect to the sheet. (See also Paper Space/
Model Space Viewports.)
6.7
Selecting a Paper Space Viewport on a Drawing

This option selects a paper space viewport and makes it the current viewport, thus enabling
all of the AutoCAD facilities to be used within it.
Command:
pdms_view_sel
Menu Selection:
PDMS Draw>Select Viewport
Initial Prompt:
Select a viewport
Use:
Click on the boundary of the viewport you wish to make current.

Note: When a DRAFT drawing is loaded into AutoDRAFT it is
placed in a paper space viewport which is the same size as
the sheet.
pdms_view_sel must be used to select a viewport; it is not
possible to make a viewport current simply by pressing the
pick button inside its boundary.
6.8
Leaving AutoCAD, Without Saving Changes

This option allows you to leave AutoCAD without saving changes, avoiding the AutoCAD
main menu.
Command:
pdms_quitacad
Menu Selection:
PDMS Draw>PDMS QuitAcad
Initial Prompt:
Quit AutoCAD - Are you sure? Yes/No:
Use:
Press Y (or type YES or YE) to quit; anything else will not quit.
6:8
12.0

6.9
Leaving AutoCAD, Saving Changes

This option allows you to leave AutoCAD while saving changes, avoiding the AutoCAD main
menu.
Command:
pdms_endacad
Menu Selection:
PDMS Draw>PDMS EndAcad
Use:
(No prompt; simply type in the command or make the menu

selection.)
Note: The drawing will be saved over any existing drawing of the
same name.
6:9
12.0

6:10
12.0

Symbol Editor - Introduction
7.1
Symbol Editor Functions

The Symbol Editor allows you to create symbol templates in AutoCAD and transfer the
template graphics into a DRAFT Symbol Library (SYLB element). The symbol templates
must be constructed from a subset of AutoCAD entities and attributes which can be
reproduced in DRAFT. You can create those entities using any AutoCAD geometry
definition facilities, including hatching, spline curve fitting and offsetting.
The Symbol Editor reads AutoCAD drawing entities and creates a DRAFT command macro
that reproduces AutoCAD block inserts as Symbol Templates (SYTM elements) in DRAFT,
each owning 2D primitives.
If any of the SYTMs thus defined already exist in the current DRAFT Symbol Library then
the old 2D primitives are deleted and replaced by the new definition.
See Symbol Editor - Getting Started, Symbol Editor - Creating Symbol Templates and
Symbol Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files for details of how to use the Symbol
Editor.
7.2
AutoCAD Working Practices

Symbol templates can be created using standard AutoCAD functions. The special
requirements for drawing organisation are as follows:
Each symbol template is represented by a Block insert which is constructed from

AutoCAD entities that can be translated into DRAFT entities by the pdms_symbols
command (see Symbol Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files).
Each symbol block must have an AutoCAD attribute (ATTRIB) called PDMS_NAME.
The DRAFT symbol name is given in response to the PDMS_NAME attdef command
prompt when the symbol Block is inserted on a drawing. (See Creating a Block and an
Insert of the Block.)
Symbol template inserts should be on a separate layer from any annotation for the
symbol templates. Annotation may be sent to DRAFT by using the AutoDRAFT Frame
Editor - see Chapters 11-13.
The drawing limits must match the size of the Symbol Library sheet in DRAFT (see
Symbol Library Annotation).
Note that 3D AutoCAD entities in symbol inserts cannot be sent back to DRAFT. Attributes
entities on the top-level Insert are ignored (other than the PDMS_NAME attribute). Entities
smaller than 0.01mm may be ignored or simplified. Symbol inserts can contain the following
AutoCAD entities:
Line
Point
7:1
12.0

7.3
Circle
Arc
Text (with Generation Normal)
Inserts which contain 2D primitives as specified above, including any Attributes.
Symbol Library Annotation

In DRAFT, symbol templates are stored in Symbol Library (SYLB) elements. Each SYLB is
like a drawing sheet containing pictures of all the symbol templates in the library.
In order to add annotation to the symbol templates it is necessary to create a Backing Sheet
(BACK) element in DRAFT which is used as a backdrop on the symbol library sheet.
The annotation should be on layers separate from the symbol template graphics in the
symbol blocks. This enables you to freeze the layer(s) containing the symbol template
graphics and create a backing sheet from the remaining annotation layer(s) using the
AutoDRAFT Frame Editor.
In DRAFT, you must add a reference to the backing sheet from the SYLB element (BSRF
attribute) to see the symbol templates and annotation together.
7:2
12.0

Symbol Editor - Getting Started

There are two methods of starting the Symbol Editor:
Directly. This method is used when AutoCAD and the AVEVA software are on separate
hardware platforms.
From within DRAFT. This method is used when AutoCAD and the AVEVA software are
on the same hardware platform.
8.1
Starting the Symbol Editor Directly
8.1.1
Starting the Symbol Editor on the Host AutoCAD Platform

Starting the Symbol Editor is done by running the adraftse script which is supplied as part of
the AutoDRAFT package. The script can be used in two ways:
Creating a New Symbol Editor Drawing

adraftse -new dwg_filename
where dwg_filename is the required AutoCAD drawing database name.
1. Starts AutoCAD.
3. Loads the AutoDRAFT Symbol Editor program.
4. Leaves you in an AutoDRAFT Symbol Editor session with an empty drawing.
Opening an Existing Symbol Editor Drawing

adraftse -open dwg_filename
where dwg_filename is the name of the required (existing) AutoCAD drawing database.
1. Starts AutoCAD.
3. Loads the AutoDRAFT Symbol Editor program.
4. Leaves you in a Symbol Editor session with an existing drawing displayed.
8:1
12.0

8.2
Starting the Symbol Editor from DRAFT

See the DRAFT Administrator Application User Guide.
8.3
Setting the Drawing Size in AutoCAD

The size of the AutoCAD drawing should match the size of the symbol library (SYLB) sheet.
When setting up a symbol templates drawing in AutoCAD the limits should be set such that
the lower left corner is at 0,0 and the upper right corner is at the upper right corner of the
sheet. The AutoCAD command limits is used to specify drawing limits. For example an A0
metric sheet would be specified by:
Command:
limits
ON/OFF/<Lower left corner><current value>: 0,0 Upper
right corner<current value>: 1189,841
An E size sheet (44x34) would be specified by:
ON/OFF/<Lower left corner><current value>: 0,0 Upper
right corner<current value>: 44,34
8:2
12.0

Symbol Editor - Creating Symbol Templates

The Symbol Editor allows you to create symbol templates in AutoCAD as AutoCAD blocks.
A block, and an insert of the block, are created. (Blocks may, of course, be created using
standard AutoCAD commands, but the AutoDRAFT Symbol Editor provides a method which
is optimised for the creation of blocks to be used as symbol templates in DRAFT.)
The procedure for creating a symbol template is:
1. Create the symbol graphics using lines, points, circles, arcs and text.
2. Create an AutoCAD attribute called PDMS_NAME for the symbol name.
3. Create a block and an insert of the block.
9.1
Creating the Symbol Name Attribute

A typical attdef command sequence would be:
9.2
Command:
attdef
Initial Prompt:
Attribute modes - Invisible:N Constant:N Verify:N Preset:N Enter

(ICVP) to change, RETURN when done:
Use:
set modes as required in response to the initial prompt. The

remaining prompts and required responses are:
Attribute tag:
enter PDMS_NAME
Attribute Prompt:
enter Enter DRAFT symbol name

(for example)
Default attribute value:
press Enter (or Return)
Justify/Style/<Start point>:
as for text command
Height<default>:
as for text command
Rotation angle<default>:
as for text command
Creating a Block and an Insert of the Block

Command:
pdms_make_symbol
Menu Selection:
PDMS Symbol>Make Symbol
9:1
12.0

Initial Prompt:
Enter Symbol Block Name:
Use:
enter the desired block name in response to the initial prompt. The
remaining prompts and required responses are:
Insert base point:
select point (=origin of DRAFT symbol

template)
Select Objects:
select symbol graphics and attribute
Scale factor<1>:
enter required factor or press Enter
Rotation angle<0>:
enter required angle or press Enter
Finally, enter the required DRAFT symbol name. The prompt

displayed will be that defined when the ATTDEF command was used,
for example:
Enter DRAFT symbol name:
Note: If desired, the AutoCAD block and insert commands may be
used instead of the above sequence. If this option is taken up,
do not use differential scale when defining the insertion
scale factor.
9.3
Redefining a Symbol
1. Create the new symbol graphics and DRAFT attribute.
2. Create a block containing the new symbol definition. If the specified block name
already exists the following prompt is given:
Block name already exists
Redefine it? <N>
If the reply is N or if Enter is pressed, the block command exits without changing anything.
If the reply is Y, any inserts of that block are redefined.
select point (= origin of DRAFT symbol template) select symbol graphics and attribute enter
required factor or press Enter enter required angle or press Enter
9:2
12.0

Symbol Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files
10
Symbol Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command

Files
The procedure for this depends on whether:
10.1
you have entered the Symbol Editor directly (AutoCAD and DRAFT not linked together
on same hardware platform);
you have entered the Symbol Editor from DRAFT (AutoCAD and DRAFT on same
hardware platform).
Direct Entry to Symbol Editor (using adraftse

command)
Command:
pdms_symbols
Menu Selection:
PDMS Symbol>Write Symbol
Initial Prompt:
Select Objects:
Use:
select the required block inserts. The remaining prompts and required
responses are:
Inch/<MM>:
enter
required
millimetres)
units
(default
DRAFT Symbol Library

Name <CE>:
enter name of destination DRAFT

SYLB element (default current
element)
DRAFT Command Filename: enter a filename for the command

macro (note: the .mac suffix,
conventional in AVEVA applications, is
not automatically added)
The above procedure will create the macro file and save it in the
current directory. This can then be run from the command line using
the $M/ command (having first navigated to the correct database
position if the CE option was selected), or the relevant DRAFT menu
option may be used - see the DRAFT Administrator Application User
Guide.
Note: The ways in which AutoCAD entities and attributes are mapped
to DRAFT elements and attributes are described in Appendix B.
10:1
12.0

10.2
Entry to Symbol Editor from DRAFT
Command:
pdms_symbols
Menu Selection:
PDMS Symbol>Write Symbol
Initial Prompt:
Select Objects:
Use:
select the required block inserts

In this case the units, DRAFT Symbol Library name and command
file name have already been specified on entry to AutoDRAFT, and
so need not be reinput.
Having selected the required block inserts, AutoCAD will output
messages indicating the number of inserts read and the number of
symbols output. Having exited AutoCAD, the SYTM elements will be
automatically created as members of the destination Symbol
Library.
10.3

main menu.
10.4
Command:
pdms_quitacad
Menu Selection:
Initial Prompt:
Use:
Press Y (or type YES ) to quit; anything else will not quit.

menu.
Command:
pdms_endacad
Menu Selection:
Use:

selection.)
Note: DRAFT will read in the macro created to produce the required
Symbol Templates (SYTM elements) in the current Symbol
Library.
10:2
12.0

10.5
Symbol Template Naming Conventions

The Symbol Template name must be a valid database name.
If the name has already been defined in the current DRAFT Symbol Library, the old 2D
primitives are deleted and replaced by the new definition.
If the name has already been used for any other database element, the process will be
aborted.
10.6
TrueType Texts
The TEXT entities rendered using TrueType fonts must be follow certain rules:
only the TrueType fonts that have been registered in the given PDMS project may be
used;
in AutoCAD the user must create first the appropriate Text Style, referring the given
TrueType font. The name of the style must start with 'TTFN' followed by the font ID
assigned to the given font in the PDMS project.
Unicode texts are not supported
MTEXT entities are not supported - use the TEXT entities instead
Example: If the PDMS project assigns the font Arial to the font ID 6 and the font Times New
Roman to the font ID 18, then:
only the above fonts may be used
the style name for the Arial font should be 'TTFN6', and for Times New Roman 'TTFN18'.
10:3
12.0

10:4
12.0

Frame Editor - Introduction
11
11.1
Frame Editor Functions

The Frame Editor allows you to create DRAFT Backing Sheets from AutoCAD drawings.
The most common use of Backing Sheets in DRAFT is to store standard drawing frames.
These can be used by DRAFT as a backdrop to its drawing sheets.
The Frame Editor reads AutoCAD drawing entities and creates a DRAFT command macro
that reproduces the picture in DRAFT. The mapping from AutoCAD entities to DRAFT
entities is described in AutoCAD to DRAFT Entity and Attribute Mapping.
The Sheet command file can be read into a DRAFT Sheet Library (SHLB) element in the
database. A BACK database element will be created, which owns one or more NOTE
elements containing the 2D primitives.
It is also possible to create DRAFT Overlay Sheets with the Frame Editor. An Overlay Sheet
in DRAFT has similar properties to a Backing Sheet. The Frame Editor can create Overlay
Sheet (OVER) database elements containing one or more Sheet Note (NOTE) elements.
The Sheet Note contains all the 2D primitives on the sheet.
Overlay Sheets could be used to combine a DRAFT drawing sheet with detail graphics
drawn in AutoCAD. The graphics imported from AutoCAD can then be stored, drawn and
plotted within DRAFT.
If the specified Backing Sheet or Overlay Sheet already exists in the specified DRAFT Sheet
Library then the old 2D primitives are deleted and replaced by the new definition.
See Frame Editor - Getting Started and Frame Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files for
details of how to use the Frame Editor.
11.2
AutoCAD Working Practices

A Backing/Overlay Sheet can be created using standard AutoCAD functions. The only
special requirement for a Sheet is that it is constructed from AutoCAD entities that can be
translated into DRAFT entities (see AutoCAD to DRAFT Entity and Attribute Mapping). Note
that 3D AutoCAD entities cannot be sent back to DRAFT. AutoCAD entities smaller than
0.01mm will not be transferred. The AutoCAD entities that can be reproduced in DRAFT
are:
Line
Point
Circle
Arc
Text (with Generation Normal)
Attribute (Visible, with Generation Normal)
11:1
12.0

Inserts which contain 2D primitives as specified above
11:2
12.0

Frame Editor - Getting Started
12

There are two methods of starting the Frame Editor:
Directly. This method is used when AutoCAD and PDMS are on separate hardware
platforms.
From within DRAFT. This method is used when AutoCAD and PDMS are on the same
hardware platform.
12.1
Starting the Frame Editor Directly
12.1.1
Starting the Frame Editor on the Host AutoCAD Platform

Starting the Frame Editor is done by running the adraftbe script which is supplied as part of
the AutoDRAFT package. The script can be used in two ways:
Creating a New Frame Editor Drawing

adraftbe -new dwg_filename
where dwg_filename is the required AutoCAD drawing database name.
1. Starts AutoCAD.
3. Loads the AutoDRAFT Frame Editor program.
4. Leaves you in an AutoDRAFT Frame Editor session with an empty drawing.
Opening an Existing Frame Editor Drawing

adraftbe -open dwg_filename
where dwg_filename is the name of the required (existing) AutoCAD drawing database.
1. Starts AutoCAD.
3. Loads the AutoDRAFT Frame Editor program.
4. Leaves you in a Frame Editor session with an existing drawing displayed.
12:1
12.0

12.2
Starting the Frame Editor from DRAFT

See the DRAFT Administrator Guide, Chapter 14.
12.3
Setting the Drawing Size in AutoCAD

The size of the AutoCAD drawing should match the size of the Sheet Library (SHLB) sheet.
When setting up a Frame Editor drawing in AutoCAD the limits should be set such that the
lower left corner is at 0,0 and the upper right corner is at the upper right corner of the sheet.
The AutoCAD limits command is used to specify drawing limits. For example an A0 metric
sheet would be specified by:
Command:
limits
ON/OFF/<Lower left corner><current value>: 0,0 Upper right
corner<current value>: 1189,841
An E size sheet (44x34) would be specified by:
ON/OFF/<Lower left corner><current value>: 0,0 Upper right
corner<current value>: 44,34
12:2
12.0

Frame Editor - Deriving DRAFT Command Files
13

Having drawn the required Sheet graphics in AutoCAD, the procedure for creating the
command macro for import into DRAFT depends on whether:
13.1
you have entered the Frame Editor directly (AutoCAD and DRAFT not linked together
on same hardware platform).
you have entered the Frame Editor from DRAFT (AutoCAD and DRAFT on same
hardware platform).
Direct Entry to Frame Editor (using adraftbe

command)
Command:
pdms_sheet
Menu Selection:
PDMS Frame>Write Sheet
Initial Prompt:
Select Objects:
Use:
select the required entities. The remaining prompts and required

responses are:
Inch/<MM>:
enter
required
millimetres)
Over/<Back>:
choose to create
Backing Sheet
DRAFT Sheet Library Name

<CE>:
enter name of destination DRAFT

SHLB element (default current
element)
BACK Sheet name:*
enter a valid database name for the

backing sheet
DRAFT Command Filename:
enter a filename for the command

macro (note: the .mac suffix,
conventional in AVEVA applications,
is not automatically added)
13:1
units
(default
Overlay
or
12.0

OVER Sheet Name:
if Over has been chosen earlier
The above procedure will create the macro file and save it in the current
directory. This can then be run from the command line using the $M/
command (having first navigated to the correct database position if the
CE option was selected), or the relevant DRAFT menu option may be
used - see the DRAFT Administrator Guide.
Note: The ways in which AutoCAD entities and attributes are mapped
to DRAFT elements and attributes are described in AutoCAD to
DRAFT Entity and Attribute Mapping.
13.2
Entry to Frame Editor from DRAFT

Command:
pdms_sheet
Menu Selection:
PDMS Frame>Write sheet
Initial Prompt:
Select Objects:
Use:
select the required entities.

In this case the units, DRAFT Sheet Library name, sheet element
name and command file name have already been specified on entry
to AutoDRAFT, and so need not be reinput.
Having selected the required entities, AutoCAD will output messages
indicating the number of entities read and the number output. Having
exited AutoCAD, the BACK (or OVER) element will be automatically
created as the first member of the destination Sheet Library, with a
member NOTE element having 2D Primitives as its own members.
13.3

main menu.
Command:
pdms_quitacad
Menu Selection:
Initial Prompt:
Use:
Press Y (or type YES ) to quit; anything else will not quit.
13:2
12.0

13.4

menu.
Command:
pdms_endacad
Menu Selection:
Use:

selection.)
Note: DRAFT will read in the macro created to produce the required
BACK/OVER elements in the current Sheet Library.
13.5
Sheet Naming Conventions

The names assigned to Backing Sheets and Overlay Sheets which are to be created by an
imported command macro will be treated as described below.
13.5.1
Backing Sheet Name

The Backing Sheet name must be a valid AVEVA database name.
If the name has already been used for a Backing Sheet in the specified Sheet Library when
the command macro is read into DRAFT, it will be assumed that this is a replacement
drawing. All graphics on the old Backing Sheet will be deleted and the new graphics read in
to replace it.
If the name has already been used for any other database element in the PDMS database
then the command file will be aborted.
13.5.2
Overlay Sheet Name

The rules for Overlay Sheets are the same as those for Backing Sheets with one exception if an Overlay Sheet already exists in the Sheet Library, and it contains a VIEW element, it
will not be overwritten.
13.6
TrueType Texts
When using the TrueType fonts in the TEXT entities, the same rules apply, as in the Symbol
Editor (see TrueType Texts for details).
13:3
12.0

13:4
12.0

AutoDRAFT Working Practices
A.1
Using DRAFT with AutoDRAFT

It is difficult to describe a simple sequence of steps for using DRAFT with AutoDRAFT
because they can be combined in a number of different ways depending on users
requirements. The examples below describe two different ways of using DRAFT with
AutoDRAFT
A.1.1
Suggested Working Practice 1

Most of the drawing annotation is done in AutoCAD. The final drawing is an AutoCAD
drawing, not a DRAFT drawing. Plots are output using AutoCAD. DRAFT is used to create
views of design geometry with labels and dimensions.
The Frame Editor may not be required if all drawing borders are to be added in AutoCAD.
The Symbol Editor may be used at the beginning of a project to create a DRAFT symbol
template library for intelligent symbolic labels.
For each drawing sheet:
Create hidden-line views of the design in DRAFT.
Dimension the drawing in DRAFT
Add intelligent labels in DRAFT (i.e. those containing information extracted from the
database using the intelligent text system).
Send the drawing Sheet to the Drawing Editor.
Add drawing frame, symbols, text notes, detail views etc. using AutoCAD functions.
Plot the drawing using AutoCAD plotting
To update a drawing:
A.1.2
Update hidden-line views in DRAFT, including dimensions and labels.
Send the drawing to the Drawing Editor.
The Drawing Editor removes the original DRAFT layers from the AutoCAD drawing
file and replaces them with the updated DRAFT picture. Original AutoCAD additions
(on AutoCAD layers) remain unchanged, but AutoCAD additions on DRAFT layers will
be lost.
Suggested Working Practice 2

Most of the drawing is created in DRAFT. Symbols and backing/overlay sheet libraries are
created in AutoCAD. The final drawing is a DRAFT drawing. Plots are output using the
AVEVA plotting facility. The Drawing Editor is used to add hatching and other details.
The Symbol Editor and Frame Editor are used at the beginning of a project to create
Symbol Template and Backing/Overlay Sheet libraries in DRAFT.
A:1
12.0

For each drawing sheet:
Create a sheet, specifying a border from a backing sheet library.
Create hidden-line views of the design in DRAFT.
Dimension and label the drawing in DRAFT.
Add symbols from the symbol template library, along with other annotation.
If necessary, send the Sheet to the Drawing Editor.
Add graphics using AutoCAD functions
Use the Frame Editor to send drawing items added in AutoCAD back to an Overlay/
Backing Sheet in the DRAFT database
Delete the AutoCAD drawing
In DRAFT, reference the Overlay/Backing Sheet from the Drawing Sheet
Plot the drawing in using the AVEVA plotting facility.
To update a drawing:
A.2
Update hidden-line views in DRAFT, including dimensions and labels.
If it is necessary to send the drawing to the Drawing Editor, delete from the AutoCADgenerated Backing/Overlay Sheet any drawing items to be replaced in AutoCAD.
Send the Sheet to the Drawing Editor, creating a new (temporary) AutoCAD drawing.
Add new drawing items and send to a new Overlay/Backing Sheet in DRAFT.
Using ISODRAFT with AutoDRAFT

It is difficult to describe a simple sequence of steps for using ISODRAFT with AutoDRAFT
because they can be combined in a number of different ways depending on users
requirements. The example below describes one way of using ISODRAFT with AutoDRAFT
A.2.1
Suggested Working Practice

Most of the drawing annotation is done in AutoCAD. The final drawing is an AutoCAD
drawing, not a DRAFT drawing. Plots are output using AutoCAD. ISODRAFT is used to
create isometric views of the design.
For each drawing:
Send the drawing to the Drawing Editor.
Add drawing frame, symbols, text notes, detail views etc using AutoCAD functions.
Plot the drawing using AutoCAD plotting
Note: With ISODRAFT, AutoDRAFT can only be used to create new drawings or open
existing ones.
A:2
12.0

AutoCAD to DRAFT Entity and Attribute Mapping
AutoCAD to DRAFT Entity and Attribute

Mapping
B.1
AutoCAD Entities into DRAFT Elements

The table below shows the mapping from AutoCAD entities into DRAFT elements. Any
AutoCAD entities not mentioned in the table are ignored, and will not be represented in the
DRAFT database.
All AutoCAD entities must be in model space. They can be drawn in the world coordinate
system, or they can be drawn in a User Coordinate System (UCS) providing that the Z-axis
of the UCS is in the same direction as the World Z-axis.
B.2
AutoCAD Entity
DRAFT Element
Line
Line (STRA)
Point
Point (MRKP)
Circle
Circle (CIRC)
Arc
Arc (ARC)
Text
Text (TEXP)
Attribute
Text (TEXP)
Insert
Expanded into 2D primitives as specified above. Insert must

not be differentially scaled.
AutoCAD Attributes into DRAFT Attributes

The table below shows the mapping from AutoCAD attributes into DRAFT attributes. Any
AutoCAD attributes not mentioned in the table are ignored, and will not be represented in
the DRAFT database.
AutoCAD Attribute
DRAFT Attribute
Linetype
DRAFT preconfigured GT
linestyles
GTSOLID
NLSTYLE SOLID
GTDASH
NLSTYLE DASHED
B:1
12.0

AutoCAD Attribute
DRAFT Attribute
GTDOT
NLSTYLE DOTTED
GTCHAIN
NLSTYLE CHAINED
GTLDASH
NLSTYLE LDASHED
AutoCAD standard linestyles

Centre, Dashdot
NLSTYLE CHAINED
Dashed, Hidden
NLSTYLE DASHED
Dashedx2, Hiddenx2
NLSTYLE LDASHED
Dot
NLSTYLE DOTTED
Border
NLSTYLE DDASHED
(colour 1 only)
Divide
NLSTYLE DDOTTED
(colour 1 only)
Phantom
NLSTYLE DCHAINED
(colour 1 only)
others
NLSTYLE SOLID
DRAFT new linestyles (loaded as

part of forms-and-menu interface)
GTDDASH
NLSTYLE DDASHED
GTDDOT
NLSTYLE DDOTTED
GTFDOT
NLSTYLE FDOTTED
GTDCHAIN
NLSTYLE DCHAINED
GTTCHAIN
NLSTYLE TCHAINED
Width
=0
No change to the line style
Make the style THICK
Line Colour
1 - 255
the closest match in the PDMS colour table
Text
Height
CHEI
Width (for fitted text)
No mapping
Angle
ADEG
Width (for fitted text)
Font
PDMS HORTXT font
FONT 1
PDMS HTXnn font
DRAFT Equivalent - Font nn
PDMS HTX-nn font
DRAFT Equivalent extension character - Font nn
HTX63 font
DRAFT Symbolic character
B:2
12.0

AutoCAD Attribute
DRAFT Attribute
Roman
FONT 3
Italic
FONT 4
TrueType font (style TTFNnn)
FONT nn
other
FONT 1
Vertical alignment
Top
ALIG TB
Middle
ALIG HB
Bottom
ALIG BB
Baseline
ALIG BASE
Horizontal alignment
Left, fit and aligned
JUST L
Centre
JUST C
Right
JUST R
Oblique forwards
Forward slope font variant
Oblique backwards
Backward slope font variant

(not supported for TrueType texts)
Generation flags
Always normal
Text Colour
1 - 272
B.3
the closest match in the PDMS colour table
Line Widths
There are eleven line widths in DRAFT, 0mm to 2mm. Please note that the original DRAFT
settings for linewidths (thin and thick) are still supported. These are equivalent to linewidths
of 0mm and 0.4mm.
In AutoCAD all lines, circles and arcs are thin.
The mapping from AutoCAD to DRAFT is:
all entities with zero width are DRAFT thin lines
The mapping from DRAFT and ISODRAFT to AutoCAD is:
B.4
all eleven line widths are mapped correctly
Linestyles
Linestyles are scaled differently in DRAFT and AutoCAD. The AutoCAD linetype scale is
ignored, so dash and gap lengths may not match between the two systems. However, the
linestyles listed in the table will have a similar pattern of gaps and dashes.
B:3
12.0

Note: User defined linestyles are now available in DRAFT. AutoDRAFT will export (and
maintain) these linestyles correctly in AutoCAD.
In order to export any user defined linestyles, AutoDRAFT creates a file called
pdmsuser.lin in the local directory. This file is only used by AutoDRAFT during the
current session, after which it is deleted. You should note that AutoDRAFT will not
work if a file called pdmsuser.lin already exists in the local directory.
If you are pre-loading any user defined linestyles into AutoCAD (for example, via the
acad.lsp file) which use the same names as any of your DRAFT user-defined
linestyles exported via AutoDRAFT, the pre-loaded linestyles will be used in
preference to DRAFT ones.
B.5
Text Fonts
If a non-AVEVA text font is used in AutoCAD the height of the text will be the same in both
systems, but the length of the text will differ. The mapping of non-AVEVA fonts on to font
numbers in DRAFT assumes that the default Font family definition is in use for the project.
AutoCAD width factor and vertical text path are ignored. AutoCAD underlining will be
interpreted as DRAFT underlining. AutoCAD overscore codes are ignored. Positive oblique
angle is interpreted as forward shear. Negative oblique angle is interpreted as backward
shear. Non-standard text-generation flags are ignored.
AutoCAD special symbols degree, plus/minus and diameter symbol will be converted to the
appropriate DRAFT special symbol.
AutoCAD special character numbers are ignored. AutoCAD Bigfont text cannot be generally
transferred - but see below. However special characters in the AutoCAD fonts, that have
been defined to work with AVEVA, will be reinterpreted back into the equivalent special
characters in DRAFT.
Text in styles HTX-nn will be assumed to be AVEVA extension font characters (e.g. Latin-1
or Latin-2) and will be sent back to the AVEVA application as ESC-X sequences.
To simplify the transfer of files between systems which have restrictions on filename
lengths, a convention for file naming has been adopted that never produces filenames with
a prefix greater than eight characters long. The system does this by:
The first five digits of the old font file names have been condensed to two alphanumeric
characters.
The prefixes f, ef, of and sf have been shortened to their first letter.
As DOS is case-insensitive, UPPER CASE is used for prefixes (TESTFILE etc.) with
lower case letters for the suffix (.txt for example).
The condensation method mentioned in point one above is designed to be reasonably

memorable. The initial two digits of the old file name are re-encoded as follows:
Initial code
New Code
Meaning
01
Latin
02
Greek
03
Cyrillic
04
Arabic
B:4
12.0

Initial code
New Code
Meaning
05
Hebrew
11
Chinese
12
Japanese
13
Korean
09
Oddments (1 byte)
The next three digits of the old file name (which represent the character set) become:
Initial Code
New Code
Meaning
004
British
006
American
100
right-hand half of Latin-1
101
109
110
148
018
Greek
537
Russian
521
German (Deutsch)
998
Russian mixture (Latin-Cyrillic)
999
PDMS symbols
058
Chinese basic
087
Japanese basic
126
right-hand half of Latin-Greek
144
right-hand half of Latin-Cyrillic
127
right-hand half of Latin-Arabic
138
right-hand half of Latin-Hebrew
Note: The re-use of character set L is not important, as the fonts concerned are made
distinct by the alphabet letter.
The current range of alphabets and character-sets supported is represented as:
Old Code
New Code
Meaning
01004
LB
Latin, British
01006
LA
Latin, American
01100
L1
B:5
12.0

Old Code
New Code
Meaning
01101
L2
01109
L3
01110
L4
01148
L5
01521
LD
Latin, German
02018
GG
Greek
02126
GL
right-hand half of Latin-Greek
03537
CR
Cyrillic, Russian
03144
CL
right-hand half of Latin-Cyrillic
04127
AL
right-hand half of Latin-Arabic
05138
HL
right-hand half of Latin-Hebrew
09998
OR
Latin-Cyrillic (obsolete)
11058
XX
Chinese (basic set)
12087
JJ
Japanese (basic set)
The prefix of one to three initial letters becomes a single letter, as described above:
Letter Meaning
F
Filled Font
Outline Font
} 1-byte fonts
Uniform Width Font
EUC Encoding
} 2-byte fonts
Shift-JIS Encoding
TrueType fonts can be used in addition to the native PDMS ones. See TrueType Texts for
details.
B.6
Support for AutoCAD Bigfont Text (PDMS/J users

only)
Kanji text in EUC-format AVEVA fonts may be transferred back to DRAFT using the Frame
and Symbol Editors. This is sent back to DRAFT as byte pairs in &~. . . . . . & sequences.
Transfer of text in SHIFT-JIS PDMS fonts is not supported, nor is FECs text in non-AVEVA
fonts.
B:6
12.0

AutoDRAFT Menus
AutoDRAFT Menus
The AutoCAD Reference Manual describes command input to AutoCAD from the command
line and from standard screen menus.
The functions described in this document are defined as commands entered via the
keyboard at the AutoCAD Command: prompt.
AutoDRAFT customises the standard AutoCAD menus by the addition of the AutoDRAFT
options.
Note that the appropriate Autodesk, Inc. copyright notices apply to the AutoDRAFT menu
files which are derived from an original AutoCAD menu file.
C.1
Drawing Editor Pull-Down Menus

. . . Blank PDMS Draw
C.1.1
C.1.2
Blank Pull-Down Menu
Visible
Make blank boundaries visible (pdms_blank_edit Visible)
Invisible
Make blank boundaries invisible (pdms_blank_edit Invisible)
Blank
Hide covered items (pdms_blank)
Create
Create a new blank (pdms_blank_create)
Erase
Erase blanks (pdms_blank_edit Erase)
Cover
Choose items to be covered by blanks (pdms_blank_edit Cover)
Uncover
Choose items to be uncovered so they are not hidden by blanks

(pdms_blank_edit Uncover)
PDMS Draw Pull-Down Menu

The PDMS Draw menu contains all of the AutoDRAFT Drawing Editor functions except for
blanking.
PDMS Layers >
Display Layers submenu (pdms_layers PDMS command)
User Layers >
Display Layers submenu (pdms_layers USER command)
PDMS Colours
Sets PDMS layers to PDMS colours (pdms_colour)
C:1
12.0

AutoDRAFT Menus
Load Text
Load text from a text file onto the drawing (pdms_textfile)
Copy Magnify
Copy and scale part of the drawing (pdms_copy)
Select Viewport
Select viewport by picking viewport boundary (pdms_view_sel)
Create Viewport
Create viewport containing a magnified view of a region of the

drawing sheet (pdms_view_create)
PDMS EndAcad
Ends an AutoCAD session, saving the current drawing and

automatically exiting from the main menu screen.
PDMS QuitAcad
Quits an AutoCAD session without saving the current drawing, also

Layers Submenu
The layers submenu is used to control both the PDMS layers and the non-PDMS layers
through the pdms_layers command
C.2
On
Switch layers on
Off
Switch layers off
Freeze
Freeze layers
Thaw
Thaw layers
Frame Editor Pull-Down Menu

. . . PDMS Frame
C.2.1
C.3
PDMS Frame Pull-Down Menu
Write sheet
Write PDMS
(pdms_sheet)
Backing
or
Overlay
sheet
command
file
PDMS EndAcad

PDMS QuitAcad

Symbol Editor Pull-Down Menu

. . . PDMS Symbol
C:2
12.0

AutoDRAFT Menus
C.3.1
PDMS Symbol Pull-Down Menu
Make symbol
Make symbol template block & insert (pdms_make_symbol)
Write symbol
Write PDMS symbol template command file (pdms_symbols)
PDMS EndAcad

PDMS QuitAcad

C:3
12.0

AutoDRAFT Menus
C:4
12.0
Index
AutoCAD
leaving saving changes . 6:9, 10:2, 13:3
leaving without saving changes 10:2, 13:2
working practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1
AutoCAD Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:1
AutoCAD Bigfont Text Support . . . . . . . . B:6
AutoCAD Entities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:1
AutoCAD to DRAFT Entity Mapping . . . . B:1
AutoDRAFT
facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1
functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1
working practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A:1
AutoDRAFT Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:1
AVEVA Colours
applying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:3
DRAFT
using with AutoDRAFT . . . . . . . . . . A:1
DRAFT Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:1
DRAFT Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:1
DRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface . . . . . . . . 2:1
DRAFT/ISODRAFT to Drawing Editor Interface
3:1
Drawing
copying part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:5
resizing part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:5
Drawing Editor
autoblanking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1
facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:1
functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1
introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1
pull-down menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:1
starting directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1
starting from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3
starting from ISODRAFT . . . . . . . . . 4:3
starting on the Host AutoCAD Platform 4:2
Drawing Editor Database . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:2
Drawing Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:3
Drawing Size
setting in AutoCAD . . . . . . . . . 8:2, 12:2
Drawing Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:3, 4:3
DXF File Transfer
limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3
DXF Plotfile
transferring to the Host AutoCAD Platform
4:2
DXF-Format Transfer File
creating from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1
creating from ISODRAFT . . . . . . . . . 4:2
B
Backing Sheet Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3
Blank Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:1
Blanked Drawing
plotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:5
Blanking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:4
Blanking Shape
creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1
Blanks
editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:5
Block
creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1
Block Insert
creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1
Index page 1
12.0
F
FECs Support in DXF Output . . . . . . . . . 4:4
Frame Editor
deriving DRAFT command files . . . 13:1
direct entry using adraftbe command 13:1
entry from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:2
functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:1
introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:1
pull-down menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:2
starting directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:1
starting from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . 12:2
starting on the Host AutoCAD Platform 12:1
starting from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:2

starting on the host AutoCAD Platform 8:1
Symbol Library Annotation . . . . . . . . . . . 7:2
Symbol Name Attribute
creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:1
Symbol Template Naming Conventions 10:3
T
Text
loading from a file onto a drawing . . 6:4
Text Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:4
Transfer File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:3
True Type Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:3
I
ISODRAFT
using with AutoDRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . A:2
ISODRAFT/AutoDRAFT Interface . . . . . 2:2
L
Layer Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:1
Layers
controlling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:2
Line Widths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:3
Linestyles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:3
O
Overlay Sheet Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:3
P
Paper Space Viewport
creating on a drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:7
Paper Space/Model Space Viewports . . 3:2
PDMS Frame Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . .C:2
PDMS Symbol Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . .C:3
S
Sheet Naming Conventions . . . . . . . . . 13:3
Symbol
redefining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:2
Symbol Editor
creating symbol templates . . . . . . . . 9:1
deriving DRAFT command files . . . 10:1
direct entry using adraftse command 10:1
entry from DRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:2
functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1
introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1
pull-down menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:2
starting directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:1
Index page 2
12.0

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