CADprocess E

CADpro 12.01.
2005 14:19 Uhr Seite 1
CADprocess
technical_illustration_redefined
About this Manual
IsoDraw, IsoCompose, CADprocess and IsoView are registered trademarks

of D. Weidenbrück. This manual along with all other manuals and the
program itself are protected by copyright. Reproduction or copying of any
kind is prohibited without the prior consent of the manufacturer. This also
applies to the program and library.
© 1990-2005 D. Weidenbrück
Warranty and liability aspects are regulated in accordance with the

“General Terms and Conditions” of the manufacturer and the conditions
for use of software products accompanying the program.
All brand and product names are either trademarks or registered

trademarks owned by their respective proprietors.
We have made every endeavor to make the documentation as

comprehensive as possible so as to exclude errors. Should you nevertheless
discover any errors, we would be grateful if you would notify us of such.
Contents
Notes for Users ............................................................................................................... 1
General Information .............................................................................................................. 1

Additional sources of information ................................................................................... 2
IsoDraw CADprocess - The Technology ........................................................... 3
Import .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Editing in the 3D window ............................................................................................... 4
Optimization ........................................................................................................................ 4
Exporting from the 3D window ................................................................................... 4
Place ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Using IsoDraw functions and more… ............................................................................. 6
Prepare 3D data for IsoDraw CADprocess..................................................... 7
Before you start... ......................................................................................................... 9
System requirements for IsoDraw CADprocess .......................................................... 9

IsoDraw CADprocess for Windows ............................................................................. 9
IsoDraw CADprocess for Macintosh ......................................................................... 10
Installation and initial start of IsoDraw CADprocess ............................................. 10
Importing 3D data......................................................................................................11
Open... ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Read file .................................................................................................................................... 11
Working in the 3D window...................................................................................19
Tools and menu commands in the 3D window ........................................................ 20

Notes on the description .............................................................................................. 20
Tools in the toolbar .............................................................................................................. 21
Centering tool ................................................................................................................... 21
Explosion tool .................................................................................................................... 22
3D Perspective Distance ................................................................................................ 24
Display tool ......................................................................................................................... 25
3D axis selector ................................................................................................................. 25
3D cutting tools ................................................................................................................ 27
3D transparency tools .................................................................................................... 28
3D hand tool ...................................................................................................................... 30
Display Options ................................................................................................................. 30
Camera button for 2D projection ............................................................................. 30
Menu commands when working in the 3D window .............................................. 31
“Magnifier” menu command in the “Window” menu ....................................... 31
Contents
“Projection” menu command in the “Window” menu ..................................... 32
“Display” menu command in the “Window” menu ........................................... 35
“Show object window” menu command in the “Window” menu ............... 37
Structure of the Object window ............................................................................... 39
Selecting an object ......................................................................................................... 40
Copying an object into another file ........................................................................ 40
Object Settings ................................................................................................................. 40
Objects and Object info ................................................................................................ 41
Showing objects in the Object window ................................................................. 41
Commands in the pop-up menu .............................................................................. 42
“Fill” menu command in the “Window” menu .................................................... 49
“Undo” menu command in the “Edit” menu ........................................................ 50
“Copy - Paste” menu commands in the “Edit” menu ....................................... 50
“Duplicate” menu command in the “Edit” menu and
other commands ............................................................................................................. 52
“Preferences” menu command in the “Edit” menu ........................................... 53
“Export” menu command in the “File” menu ....................................................... 60
Tools from the palette ........................................................................................................ 62
Arrow cursor ...................................................................................................................... 62
Direct selection arrow cursor ..................................................................................... 65
Rotation tool ..................................................................................................................... 66
Reflection tool .................................................................................................................. 67
Scaling tool ........................................................................................................................ 67
Projection for Technical Illustration in 2D mode .................................................... 69
Projection for illustration...................................................................................... 71
3D projection .......................................................................................................................... 71
Options ................................................................................................................................ 76
Placing 3D data............................................................................................................ 81
Placing instead of importing ........................................................................................... 81

Opening a file in which data is to be placed ............................................................. 83
Placing using same method as importing .................................................................. 83
Placing an IGES file .............................................................................................................. 84
Object window .................................................................................................................. 86
3D transformation ............................................................................................................... 87
Working in the 3D window ......................................................................................... 87
Terminating editing in the 3D window .................................................................. 87
Element info ........................................................................................................................... 91
What do you need to note for the update process? .............................................. 96
Further processing in IsoDraw............................................................................ 97

Some hints......................................................................................................................99
Import cancelled with error .............................................................................................. 99

IsoDraw cancels the import and shows an error message. ............................ 99
File has been imported, nothing visible .................................................................. 99
Not all elements are displayed ................................................................................ 100
Hidden lines have not been removed ................................................................... 100
Structures of assemblies in IGES, VRML or Wavefront formats are not rec-
ognized. ............................................................................................................................. 100
Index................................................................................................................................. 101
Contents
Notes for Users
This Manual introduces IsoDraw CADprocess and its functions. It also
explains the most important settings. It also provides tips on how external
(“foreign”) formats need to be prepared and how you can identify errors
occurring during conversion.
General Information
The following styles are used to emphasize special sections of the text in
the documentation:
projection Terms shown in bold type in the body of the text

are key words in the sections they are found in.
Some of the terms are included in the index.
structure display Italicized terms are also listed in the index.
Special notes on using the program or tips that can make your work
easier are shown indented and in italics.
The title at the start of each section and a footer on each page tell you
what topic is being dealt with in this particular section.
Notes for Users 1

Additional sources of information
You will already have read about the key features of IsoDraw CADprocess
in the “Introduction” manual.
This manual is also accompanied by a Tutorial on the installation CD that

is intended to help you get started with IsoDraw CADprocess through the
help of examples.
Also provided is the "Data Exchange" manual, which contains information

about all the data, formats supported by IsoDraw CADprocess.
If you want to learn more about IsoDraw functions, refer to the Reference
Manual. This describes all functions in detail.
If you want to create macros, the "Macro Language Manual" provides you
with information on this subject. Like the other manuals, this manual is
also available in an electronic version on the CD.
Last but not least, we would like to draw your attention to the Reference
Card, which summarizes all the keyboard codes. You are certain to find a
number of “short cuts” which will help speed up your work.
2 Notes for Users

IsoDraw CADprocess - The Technology
IsoDraw CADprocess automatically creates technical illustrations from
existing 3D CAD data. The newly developed CADprocess technology
creates a link between 3D CAD systems and Technical Illustration. IsoDraw
CADprocess is not just a simple data conversion process. The 3D data is
processed specifically for use in Technical Illustration. This includes the
addition of different line thicknesses and optimization of the elements
into easily processed polylines or Bézier curves. The illustrations can then
be used immediately in operating instructions or spare parts catalogs.
Instead of importing the 3D data, you can also place it and then – using
the "3D transformation" command – "convert" to an illustration, as when
importing. When placing 3D CAD data, the Link2Source™ technology
supported by IsoDraw CADprocess allows you to constantly update
illustrations when CAD data is modified.
In addition to the specified CADprocess technology, you can also use the
entire range of functions supported by IsoDraw.
Import
IsoDraw CADprocess loads surface models from IGES, VRML, Wavefront,

AutoCAD DWG or DXF files and displays them in a 3D window. The
surfaces can be displayed rendered in color shading. This display mode
makes drawings easier to understand and helps in identifying
components. In the 3D window you can select the perspective and
transform the objects in space. You can then project the generated view
onto a 2D illustration. Hidden lines are removed and the data optimized
using the settings you have selected for your Technical Illustration.
Assemblies and elements from the generating CAD system are detected
when importing IGES, VRML, and Wavefront files. Even nested
assemblies can be detected using this structured import. You can select
which assemblies you wish to import using a dialog window. For example,
you can choose to import only those parts of a large assembly unit, which
are required for the illustration. For each assembly, you can create an
optional object info whose name matches the designation from the CAD
system. Assemblies can also be used as hotspots.
IsoDraw CADprocess - The Technology 3

IsoDraw CADprocess can generally convert 3D data of all leading CAD
systems in the specified standard formats.
Editing in the 3D window
When a file has been loaded, it appears in the 3D window. Here you have
a whole range of options for editing the content of the file. You can select
and edit surfaces or objects individually. You can use the tools to
transform, cut and explode the whole drawing and individual surfaces or
objects. The viewing direction can be defined by selecting a projection. You
also have at your disposal a whole array of IsoDraw menu commands.
Optimization
IsoDraw CADprocess not only performs straightforward Hidden Line

Removal. Experience with CAD systems has shown that this does not
deliver the quality required for Technical Illustration from either a
graphical standpoint or in terms of file size.
In a specially developed procedure, additional information is collected in

an early stage of the conversion process, which will be used, later for
creating the line thicknesses. These different line thicknesses are a key
stylistic method in Technical Illustration.
Equally important is the quality of the graphical elements created.

IsoDraw CADprocess can join individual line segments into connected
polylines, which are then more compact and easier to edit. These polylines
can also be smoothed if required. The line segments can also be converted
into Bézier paths or, if the form corresponds, ellipses. This further reduces
the file size.
Exporting from the 3D window
You can export from the 3D window into VRML, Wavefront and various
raster formats. This is especially interesting if surfaces or solids created in
color have been imported. Since you can also modify the colors, the
Export function offers a wide variety of possibilities for reusing the 3D
data.
4 IsoDraw CADprocess - The Technology

Place
Prototype data is often created in design work, which is then used, in

subsequent revisions for the final version. If this data is to be used
immediately for illustration purposes, the illustration data must be
updated as soon as a new revision of the CAD data is available. The new
Link2Source™ technology supported by IsoDraw CADprocess creates a link
between the CAD data and the illustration at the placement stage.
Changes to the CAD file are automatically reflected in the illustration, with
all attribute settings taken into account. When using the same part in
several different documentations, e.g. operating instructions or spare
parts illustrations, you will be able to benefit from the advantages of
placing with Link2Source™. If the design drawing for the part has been
changed, all illustrations of the part will be updated.
The Link2Source™ technology provides you with many possibilities for

processing 3D data. Imported 3D data can be placed in the illustration
and then – as when importing – transformed using the "3D
transformation" command. Once you have changed the drawing to the
required perspective, you can convert the data to a 2D illustration. All
settings and parameters and other attributes such as line colors and
thicknesses from the results of the first creation process are automatically
applied when updating the illustration. Some editing steps in the 3D
window are not taken into account when the illustration is updated.
Even after conversion to a 2D illustration, the 3D function is retained, i.e.

you can transform the illustration to a different perspective at any time.
If you no longer wish to use the automatic update feature, you can break
the link between the CAD data and the illustration. You naturally still
retain the option of re-importing the 3D data into the illustration as and
when you want.
IsoDraw CADprocess - The Technology 5

Using IsoDraw functions and more…
After you have automatically generated the illustrations from the 3D CAD
data, you have a whole host of options available for processing and using
the data in other ways.
IsoDraw CADprocess supports the full functionality of IsoDraw 6. For

example, you can make additions to the illustration using IsoDraw 6 tools.
A detailed description of the tools and functions of IsoDraw 6 can be
found in the ”Reference Manual”. The illustrations, which are generated,
can be used for a whole range of purposes. For example, for print media
and CD-ROMs as well as for intranets and the Internet. Optimization
makes the illustrations very compact. They are particularly suitable for use
on the Internet, e.g. with interactive electronic spare parts catalogs.
IsoCompose enables you to easily create an interactive electronic spare

parts catalog from the finished illustrations and the parts lists.
The IsoView product from ITEDO allows you to represent illustrations on

the Internet and other application environments.
If you would like to learn more about IsoCompose and IsoView, or would
like a customized Technical Illustration solution, simply contact ITEDO.
6 IsoDraw CADprocess - The Technology

Prepare 3D data for IsoDraw CADprocess
The 3D data for importing or placing in IsoDraw CADprocess can be
generated in all popular CAD systems such as CATIA, Unigraphics,
ProEngineer, etc.
You will then need to export the files from the CAD system in IGES, VRML,
Wavefront, AutoCAD DWG or DXF format.
From our experience, you will get the best results using IGES data
when processing in IsoDraw CADprocess.
IsoDraw CADprocess imports surface elements and, from IGES files, also
solids. The illustration is created using this information.
Further information on preparing 3D data for export can be found in the

"Data Exchange" manual on the program CD.
Prepare 3D data for IsoDraw CADprocess 7

8
Before you start...
System requirements for IsoDraw CADprocess
The system requirements for IsoDraw 6 and IsoDraw CADprocess are

described in the "Introduction" manual.
We would like to point out at this point that stricter requirements apply
for the hardware when processing 3D data.
We therefore recommend the following minimum hardware requirement:
IsoDraw CADprocess for Windows
IBM-compatible PC with Min. clock speed 2 GHz

powerful processor
RAM: 1 GB or more
Free hard disk memory: 200 MB
Graphics card: Supports 16-bit color resolution
(High Color):
screen resolution of 800x600 pixels
or more.
Required operating Windows NT® Version 4.0 or
system: Windows® 95, 98, 2000, XP
Before you start... 9

IsoDraw CADprocess for Macintosh
Apple Power Macintosh with Min. clock speed 1,4 GHz

powerful Power PC processor
RAM: 1 GB or more
Free hard disk memory: 200 MB
Graphics card: At least 816-bit color depth;
screen resolution of 800x600 pixels
or more.
Required operating Mac OS Version 8.6 to 9.x and
system: Mac OS X version 10.1.3 and later in
the Classic environment
Adobe Type Manager® Required for working with
Version 4.0 or later PostScript fonts
The details for the processor and working memory are intended for
small volumes of data. If you often want to process large quantities
of 3D data (in excess of 30 MB per file), you should select more
powerful equipment.
Installation and initial start of IsoDraw CADprocess
When purchasing IsoDraw CADprocess, you will have received an

installation CD. The "ReadMe" file on this CD contains the very latest
information.
The "Introduction" manual explains how to install the program on your

computer.
To get you started more easily, we recommend that you also read
the other chapters in the "Introduction" before you start work. If you
also want to use IsoDraw tools, the "Reference Manual" provides
you with an overview of the various functions.
10 Before you start...

Importing 3D data
Open...
Files are always imported in the same way. Use the “Open…” command in
the “File” menu to open a dialog window showing the folders or files on
your data medium.
Select “All files” from the pop-up menu. This setting displays all files in the
selected folder irrespective of their format. This allows you to select all
files generated by other programs. If you know the file format, you can
select this under “File format”. All the files of this format type in the
selected folder are then displayed. Click the mouse to select the required
file. Open the file by clicking “Open”.
Read file
While the file is being opened, IsoDraw automatically examines the

content and begins converting it to its own file format.
Importing 3D data 11
Further information on the “Open…” command can be found in the
”Reference Manual”.
If IsoDraw CADprocess aborts the file import, this is because either

the data format is unknown or the file is faulty. In the latter case, a
log file may be generated which has the same name as the import
file and the extension “.log”. This file contains information in text
form as to why the file could not be loaded. Further information on
error messages can be found in the “Import tips” section and in the
"Data Exchange" manual.
When loading the file format, additional dialog windows will appear
(depending on the particular format) which allow you to control the data
import process. The dialog windows are always opened with the settings
made under “Preferences…” in the “Edit” menu. With the IGES, VRML and
Wavefront formats, a structured import process is used for the 3D data.
Because of this additional functionality, the dialog windows for the
structured import are described below using the example of format IGES.
All dialog windows for IGES, VRML and Wavefront and the dialog
windows for the other two formats AutoCAD DWG and DXF are described
in the "Formats" sections of the "Data Exchange" manual.
When a file is selected in IGES format, the following dialog window opens
for importing IGES files:
Select assemblies:
If you select this option, the "Selection of Structures" dialog window
appears when the file is opened. You can use this to select, which
assemblies are to be imported. If you do not select this option, all
assemblies in the file will be imported.
12 Importing 3D data
Create object information for assemblies:
The pop-up menu allows you to select one of the two setting options.
If you select "No hotspot", an object info is created for each assembly. The
name in each case corresponds to the designation assigned in the CAD
system for the particular assembly. If you select "Lines of object", a
hotspot will be generated in addition to the object info. This allows you
to trigger an action later by simply clicking the object.
If you do not select the option, the name "Group" will appear in the Object
window for each assembly once import has been completed.
Since only surface elements are required for automatic conversion of 3D

data to a technical illustration, it is possible with data in IGES format to
ignore a large number of other elements during conversion.
To make the appropriate setting, click “Options”. A further dialog window

appears:
If you click “Surface elements”, only the elements actually required for
conversion will be selected. All elements preceded by a tick have been
selected. Click “OK” to confirm your setting. You are returned to the initial
dialog window for importing the format (here IGES).
If you want to import multiple 3D files of the same format with the
same specifications for processing assemblies, you can select the
settings as a general default. Select the “Preferences…” command
in the “Edit” menu. Click the import symbol for the format. The
dialog page for the format then appears. Select the required setting
and deselect “Show dialog”. Click “OK”. The settings are then applied
automatically when importing files.
Clicking "Cancel" in the opening dialog window cancels the import

process. Clicking "OK" confirms that you are happy with your entries. Even
without selecting the "Select assemblies" option, the file is converted and
is available for further processing in the 3D window.
If you have chosen "Select assemblies", a further window opens.
Find structures in data

If you select this option, all specified assemblies or elements will be
recorded together with their names and structures. Clicking "OK" in the
dialog window opens a further dialog window entitled "Selection of
Structures". This displays the recorded assemblies and elements of the file
in structured form. If the file appears in the 3D window after import is
complete, you will find the same structures in the Object window.
Read structures from ……igs.xml

If the file already has a structure file, the name of the file will be displayed
here. Selecting this option results in the IsoDraw 5 CADprocess accessing
a file already saved in XML format for selection of the structures. This cuts
import time quite considerably, particularly when files are very large. In
situations where the option cannot be selected despite there being a
structure file (grayed out), the latter will no longer be located at the
original storage location. You can search the file by clicking "File…".
The following dialog window appears.
Click the file you require. Clicking "Open" returns you to the "Read
Structures" dialog window. The file name is displayed. The file is used for
the structure display.
If the file name has been changed, the wrong file selected or the contents
do not agree with the current file, the structure file will be rejected. The
option can then no longer be selected (grayed out). Repeat the search or
recreate the structure via "Find structures in data".
Clicking "Cancel" returns you to the opening dialog window for the import
process. Clicking "OK" confirms that you are happy with your entries.
A further dialog window opens:
"Selection of Structures" shows the assemblies and elements together

with their names in a tree structure. Clicking the symbol in front of the file
name opens the top level of the structure. Clicking the symbol with the
CTRL key (Windows) or the Command key (Macintosh) depressed
displays the complete tree structure of the assemblies. Clicking the symbol
in front of the file name again closes the structure display. You can use the
structure display to specify which assemblies are to be imported. Clicking
the name selects an assembly. If you click the name with the Control key
(Windows) or Command key (Macintosh) depressed, you can select
several assemblies in succession. If you hold the Shift key depressed, all
the assemblies between the one, which is already selected, and the one
you are currently clicking will be selected. Clicking on the far right, behind
the name of the assembly, tells you whether an assembly will be imported
or not. A tick indicates that the assembly will be imported.
The functions of the five keys below the structure display will help you to
specify which assemblies or elements are to be imported.
Select all
Click this button if you wish to select all assemblies. This function is useful
if you only want to import individual assemblies. Once you have made
your selection, click the "Ignore" button. Then choose your assemblies one
after the other while holding the Control key (Windows) or Command
key (Macintosh) depressed. Select the assemblies by clicking "Select".
Remove Selection
Clicking this button removes the selection. Whether an assembly in the
selection has been selected or ignored remains unaffected by the removal.
Invert Selection
Clicking this button cancels selection of the selected assemblies and, at
the same time, selects all other assemblies in the structure. Like "Select
All", this function is useful if you only want to import individual
assemblies. Select the assemblies you want to import. Then click the
"Invert Selection" button. All assemblies in the structure that you do not
want to import are now selected. Then click the "Ignore" button.
Ignore
All assemblies, which are displayed without a tick, are not imported. You
can cancel selection of assemblies. Select the assemblies you do not want
to import. Click the "Ignore" button. The tick behind the name disappears.
If an assembly that contains subassemblies is not ticked, all the
subassemblies will also be ignored.
Selecting
If you have selected "Find structures in data" a tick indicates all assemblies
and/or elements in the file. The tick indicates that the assembly will be
imported.
If you use the saved structure file (XML format), for example, you can also
select assemblies or elements without ticks. Select all the assemblies you
require. Click the "Select" button. A tick appears after all the names. If an
assembly has been selected which contains "subassemblies", these are also
selected automatically.
Export
Selecting "Export" lets you save the file structures.
If you want to import a file for the first time, you should save the file
structures first, which is particularly important with large files. You can
use this structure file for recent imports of the file (see "Read Structures"
dialog window). This not only saves time, but is also useful if you want to
always ignore specific assemblies or elements. Clicking "Export" opens the
following dialog window:
The file name is already defaulted. Clicking "Save" saves the file in XML
format. Clicking "Cancel" exits the dialog window without saving the file.
Once you have completed your settings in the "Selection of Structures"

dialog window, click "OK". The file is converted and appears in the 3D
window for further processing. Clicking "Cancel" returns you to the "Read
Structures" dialog window.
Working in the 3D window
The following description relates to the structured import of IGES, VRML
and Wavefront formats. For AutoCAD DWG and DXF formats, the
imported file consists of surfaces instead of objects or groups.
The drawing converted from 3D data still contains all 3D information. In

order to process this information, this data must be converted into a 2-
dimensional illustration. To allow you to utilize all the possibilities which
3D data offers, you can use various tools and menu commands to change
the data in the 3D window. Each edit function can be applied to both the
entire drawing and/or selected assemblies. Once you have edited the
drawing, the optimization process represents the last step from the CAD
drawing to the technical illustration.
Saving as a 3D drawing
If you select "Save" or "Save as…" in the "File" menu, you will save the 3D
window together with all the three-dimensional information it contains
in the form of an IsoDraw file. If you reopen this file later, you will be able
to create additional 2D illustrations. This provides you with repeated
access to the 3D data once a CAD file has been converted without having
to repeat the conversion process.
Working in the 3D window 19

In this way, you can still have IsoDraw convert CAD files automatically
without having to dispense with the manipulation options offered by the
3D window. The files are converted and saved as 3D files. Use the Batch
Tool available separately for this purpose. You can also perform the
conversion process on the Apple Macintosh using an AppleScript.
Tools and menu commands in the 3D window
At first glance, the 3D window differs from a normal IsoDraw window in

that it has a coordinate cross in the middle of the drawing area. The axes
are labeled X, Y and Z and represent the coordinate system for the loaded
assemblies/elements.
You also see a special toolbar with tools for editing 3D data. If you look
closely at the palette, you can see that one row of tools is “grayed out”.
These tools cannot be selected as long as you are working in the 3D
window. IsoDraw CADprocess also has additional menu commands in the
“Window” menu.
Notes on the description
“3D window” toolbar

This toolbar is used to select tools for editing 3D data. By default, the
toolbar contains all the tools that can only be activated via the toolbar and
the display options.
The tools of the standard toolbar are described in the following section,
“Tools in the toolbar”.
20 Working in the 3D window

You can edit the toolbar at any time using the “Toolbar” menu command
in the “Window” menu. You can delete 3D tools or add menu commands.
You can also create additional toolbars to fulfill your requirements.
You can find information on how to create and edit toolbars in the
Reference Manual under “Toolbar” in the “Window” menu.
Menu commands
In principle, all menu commands that are not “grayed out” can be applied
to 3D data. Special commands for working in the 3D window can be found
in the “Window” menu (“Magnifier”, “Projection” and “Display”) and in the
“Edit” menu, where the “Preferences…” command can be used to access
the “3D Options” dialog window.
These menu commands, their settings and selection options are described
in the section “Menu commands for working in the 3D window”. This
section also contains information on using other menu commands when
working in the 3D window.
Tools from the palette

As you can see, most of the tools are “grayed out” and cannot be selected
in the 3D window. The arrow cursor and the three transformation tools are
available for editing 3D data.
You can find information on how to use these tools in the 3D window in
the section “Tools from the palette”.
Tools in the toolbar
Centering tool
The information contained in the original file also defines the origin of the
coordinate system. Clicking the Centering tool allows you to align all the
assemblies of the drawing so that the coordinate origin is at the center
point of all assemblies.

You can also use this centering function for selecting individual
assemblies. Select the required assemblies using the Object window or the
arrow cursor.
The Centering tool takes into account all assemblies in a drawing.

However, it is sometimes the case that the drawing from the CAD
program is too large in a scale of 1:1 or that the distance to the
coordinate cross is too large. In this case, some of the drawing may
disappear off the screen. To prevent this, you can scale the drawing
using the import dialog box.
Explosion tool
This Explosion tool gives you the means to automatically explode the
components of a larger assembly unit along a specific axis. Individual parts
are spatially separated. Explosion always goes as far as necessary till the
parts no longer overlap. If all the components of an assembly unit lie on a
single axis (e.g. a shaft with bearing, flange and fastening units), you can
select the tool for the entire drawing directly. In the case of assembly units
where components are added on in a different direction to the main axis
(e.g. gear housing with angled threaded plug), you must first select all
components in one direction (axis). If components (e.g. a threaded plug)
lie outside the main axes, you can create a suitable axis before exploding
using the 3D axis selector. Provided no coordinate system axis is selected
afterwards, the selected parts on the "free" axis will be exploded.
You have used the Object window or the arrow cursor to select all
assemblies on a given axis and/or all assemblies (drawing with one axis).
Click the explosion tool.

The following dialog box appears:
Axes
Here you can select the axis along which you wish to explode the
assemblies. The choice of axis must therefore agree with the axis in the
drawing on which the components are located. If there is no "free" axis,
the "Free axis" option remains grayed out and without function.
Direction
You can use this setting to specify the direction on the free axis that is to
be used to pull the assemblies apart. If you select individual assemblies,
you can explode them straightaway in the direction in which they were
assembled.
If you select "Positive", the assemblies will be exploded in the direction

with axis designation ("X", "Y", "Z"). If "Negative" is set, they will be
exploded in the opposite direction. If you select "Both", the parts will be
pulled apart in both axial directions. The direction in this case depends on
the extent and the orientation of the assemblies.
If the explosion tool is used on a "free" axis, the arrow on the blue axis
defines the positive direction.
You can also move each assembly along the axis subsequently.
Once you have completed your settings, click "OK". The selected assemblies
are then exploded in accordance with this setting. Clicking "Cancel" closes
the dialog window without changing the orientation of the assemblies.

In the example, the X axis and direction "Negative" have been selected.
The following examples show the sequence of operations:
The "Bracket" assembly unit in assembled form, the bracket with

fastenings exploded in the X axis' negative direction, and the bracket with
fastenings and cover exploded in the Y axis' positive direction.
Y Y Y
X X X
Z Z Z
3D Perspective Distance
If you have selected “Perspective” with the “Projection” menu command,

the otherwise grayed out “3D Perspective Distance” tool is activated.
Clicking the icon button opens the following dialog window:
Enter the desired distance. Click "OK" to confirm your entry or "Cancel" to
close the dialog window without making any changes. When the dialog
window is closed, the elements are displayed in the new perspective.

Note that the value for the perspective distance can also be selected
so that the observer is located "inside" the object. This can result in
unwanted projections of elements located behind the observer.
Display tool
Imported drawings are frequently very large. To obtain an overview of all

the assemblies, the entire drawing needs to be brought into the field of
vision. Clicking the Display tool displays the entire drawing on the screen.
If you first align the drawing to the coordinate system using the Centering
tool, you will easily be able to obtain an overview while work is ongoing
(e.g. when selecting an assembly from the Object window).
3D axis selector
You can use the 3D axis selector to create a "free" axis in the coordinate
system in addition to the X, Y and Z axes. This is useful if you want to
prepare objects for a spare parts catalog, for example. For objects outside
the major axes, you can create an axis and then move or explode the parts
on this axis.
Select the 3D axis selector. Now click on an element in the drawing.

When you have hit the element, a blue line appears briefly on the element
and a blue additional axis appears in the coordinate system. The direction
of this axis corresponds to that of the selected element. The arrow
indicates the positive direction of the axis.

If you now use the arrow cursor or the direct selection arrow cursor to
select objects or surfaces, you can then move these selected elements
along the "free" axis that has been created.
Alternatively, you can also explode the selected elements using the
explosion tool.
A "free" axis remains enabled and visible until an axis in the coordinate
system has been selected and this has been followed by an action.

3D cutting tools
The 3D cutting tools can be used to cut freely selected areas from selected
objects or surfaces. They can be used to make areas (objects or surfaces)
that lie behind other areas visible. You can use the tools several times in
succession. This can provide a "deeper" view into a complex assembly.
Two cutting tools are available. The tool with the selection rectangle icon
and the tool with the lasso icon.
Select the object(s)/surface(s) from which you want to cut a piece. Once
you have activated a 3D cutting tool, you can switch to the arrow cursor
temporarily by pressing the Control key (Windows) or the Command
key (Macintosh).
If you do not hit any selected objects, all objects/surfaces will be selected.
The whole area of the drawing that has been selected with one of the
cutting tools will then be cut.
3D cutting tool with selection rectangle

When you use the cutting tool with selection rectangle you drag a
rectangle. All selected areas of objects or surfaces inside the selection
rectangle are cut away. The resulting transparent section is rectangular. As
soon as you release the mouse button after dragging the selection
rectangle, all elements of the selected objects or surfaces within this area
are cut.
3D cutting tool with lasso

If you instead select the cutting tool with lasso, the cursor changes into
a lasso. In principle, the lasso functions exactly like the selection rectangle.
With the lasso, however, you can freely define the boundary within which
the objects or surfaces are to be cut. The lasso is particularly useful when
a broken-out section is to be shown. As soon as you release the mouse
button, all elements of the selected objects or surfaces within the lassoed
area are cut.

In the following example, you can see an excerpt from a drawing where
the 3D cutting tool (with lasso) has not been used (left) and one where it
has been used (right).
For both tools, if you want to cancel the result after the cut has been
performed, select the "Undo" command in the "Edit" menu. The objects or
surfaces are then shown in their original form again.
3D transparency tools
The 3D transparency tools can be used to make freely selectable areas of

selected objects or surfaces transparent. They can be used to make areas
(objects or surfaces) that lie behind other areas visible. For example, you
can use this tool to represent covered parts or parts that are functionally
important.
Two transparency tools are available. The tool with the selection rectangle
icon and the tool with the lasso icon.
Select the object(s)/surface(s) to be made transparent. Once you have

activated a 3D transparency tool, you can switch to the arrow cursor
temporarily by pressing the Control key (Windows) or the Command
key (Macintosh).
If you do not hit any selected objects, all objects/surfaces will be selected.
The whole area of the drawing that has been selected with one of the
transparency tools will then be made transparent. In principle, this
produces a wire frame of the drawing.

3D transparency tool with selection rectangle
When you use the transparency tool with selection rectangle you
drag a rectangle. All selected areas of objects or surfaces inside the
selection rectangle are made transparent. The resulting transparent
section is rectangular. As soon as you release the mouse button after
dragging the selection rectangle, all elements that lie behind the selected
objects or surfaces within this area become visible.
3D transparency tool with lasso

If you instead select the transparency tool with lasso, the cursor
changes into a lasso. In principle, the lasso functions exactly like the
selection rectangle. With the lasso however, you can freely define the
boundary within which the objects or surfaces are to be made transparent.
The lasso is particularly useful when a broken-out section is to be shown.
As soon as you release the mouse button, all elements that lie behind the
selected objects or surfaces within the broken-out area become visible.
In the following example, you can see an excerpt from a drawing where
the 3D transparency tool (with lasso) has not been used (left) and one
where it has been used (right).
If you want to cancel the result after the transparency has been
performed, select the "Remove 3D transparency" command in the "Edit"
menu.
The objects or surfaces are then shown in their original form again.

3D hand tool
This tool enables you to freely rotate the drawing “by hand”. After
selecting the hand tool, click the drawing area. If you now move the
mouse with the mouse button pressed down, you can rotate the drawing
around all coordinate system axes at the same time. Imagine your hand is
lying on a ball that you are rolling over a table. If you move the mouse in
the same way, the elements will be rotated in the same way as the ball.
You do not have to select a specific axis if you want to rotate freely in
space in this way.
You can freely rotate a selection of assemblies in the same way. You can
select the required assemblies using the Object window or the arrow
cursor. Once you have activated the hand tool, you can switch to the
arrow cursor temporarily by pressing the Control key (Windows) or the
Command key (Macintosh).
In the case of individual assemblies, free rotation is around the center of

the selection.
Display Options
You can use the four icons to select the various display modes from the
toolbar instead of using the menu command “Display” in the “Window”
menu. The icons stand for the following, in this order: “Wireframe”, “HLR”,
“Rendering” and “Smooth rendering”. The differences between these
modes of display are described under the menu command “Display” in the
“Window” menu.
Camera button for 2D projection
Once you have finished you work in the 3D window, you can copy the
entire drawing into a "normal" two-dimensional IsoDraw window. Do this
by clicking the Camera button. Refer to section "Projection for
illustration" to find out how to proceed next.

Menu commands when working in the 3D window
As has already been mentioned, all available menu commands can be

applied to 3D data as in IsoDraw. The following description therefore only
deals in detail with the menu commands that can only be used when
working in the 3D window. This section contains information on some
IsoDraw menu commands that relates specifically to their use in the 3D
window. A detailed description of all the menu commands available in
IsoDraw can be found in the Reference Manual.
“Magnifier” menu command in the “Window” menu
If you select this command, an additional window appears. This window,

known as the Magnifier window, displays all the selected elements of
the drawing. You can freely rotate the parts displayed in the window. To
do this, click anywhere in the window. If you now move the mouse keeping
the mouse button pressed down, the content of the window is rotated
around its center point. This function is very useful if you want to display
the form of components that are hidden by other components.
Modifications you undertake in the Magnifier window do not affect the
drawing in the 3D window. The drawing remains unchanged.
The display mode corresponds to the setting for the drawing in the 3D
window. Any edits made to the drawing in the meantime are reflected
accordingly in the Magnifier window.

“Projection” menu command in the “Window” menu
If you select the “Projection” menu command, a pop-up menu with

projection options is displayed. Each of these options allows you to
change the orientation of the elements in space. Selecting a projection
allows you to define the direction and distance from which you wish to
view the elements. The different types of projection are described below.
The figures show a simple object in the described orientation. For the sake
of clarity, the hidden lines are displayed as they are in the “HLR” display.
View X, view Y, view Z

If one of these views is selected in the pop-up menu, the elements will be
displayed from the precise perspective of the axis in question. If the
elements have not been rotated, this will give you the front view, side view
and top view.
Isometric projection top, isometric projection bottom

All elements are displayed in isometric projection. All the dimensions are
shown with perspective reduction. The difference between the two
variants lies in the fact that you are looking onto the elements from above
in the first case and from below in the second.

Dimetric projections 1 to 4
The dimetric projections display the elements so that the major axes are
imaged at angles of 7° and 42°. In the case of variants 1 and 2, you are
looking onto the elements from above and in the case of variants 3 and 4
you are looking from below. The perspective reduction on the axis shown
at an angle of 42° is 50%.
Trimetric projection
Trimetric projection is the most general of all parallel projections. It shows
the elements from the perspective of the Z-axis. Rotating the elements
allows you to generate the orientation you want. All dimensions are
subject to perspective reduction.

Perspective
Select the "Perspectives" projection to display all elements in a central
perspective from the perspective of the Z-axis. Rotating around one of
the axes creates a 2-point perspective, while rotating around two or
more axes creates a 3-point perspective.
The distance from the observer to the object plays an important role with
regard to perspective. Distance has a considerable influence on the
perspective distortion of the elements. If it is small, the distortion is very
large, if it is large, the distortion is small, i.e. parallel lines remain more or
less parallel.
The figure on the left shows the object at a distance of 150 mm from the
coordinate system origin, the one on the right shows the same object at a
distance of 500 mm.
Select a distance that is somewhat larger, since strong perspective

distortions look unnatural.
When the “Perspectives” projection is selected, the “3D Perspective

Distance” tool is activated in the toolbar. After selecting the tool, enter a
distance in the dialog box.
Delete transformation
This command in the pop-up menu allows you to undo various
transformation operations. All elements are returned to the way they were
when they were imported.

“Display” menu command in the “Window” menu
If you select the “Display” menu command, a pop-up menu with display
options is displayed. Each of these options can be used to display the
drawing in a different mode. Since you can change the display at any time,
you should set the best mode for the work you are currently performing.
You can select the desired display using the standard toolbar.
Wireframe
The Wireframe option is used to show all the elements contained in the
3D file. This display is sufficient for working with drawings that contain
only a few objects.
HLR
If you select the HLR option, all the elements which are invisible to the
observer because of the particular perspective and orientation will be
removed. This function is very useful in order to obtain an overview of how
the illustration will look later. The display is simpler than that of the
subsequent 2D illustration in order to save time.
Rendering
If the imported 3D data contains surface elements or solids, all the areas
created are rendered in color if the Rendering option is selected. The light
source is fixed.
If the colors are defined in the 3D data, these colors are adopted. If no
colors have been assigned, a standard color is used for the contour. You
can assign a new color to selected areas of the drawing using the “Fill”
window.
Setting this display mode gives you a good overview of the individual
components which is especially useful when working with complex
assembly units. Since editing drawings in this display mode is virtually as
fast as in “Wireframe” mode, drawings should preferably be displayed in
color.

Smoothed display
If you change your drawing to the Smooth rendering display option, it
is also rendered in color. In contrast to “Rendering” display, the display is
smoother. The rendering is more smoothly graded, with softer transitions
between pixels. This difference is particularly marked on curved surfaces.
This Smoothing is achieved through interpolation. In the “3D Options”
preferences dialog window you can set the degree of smoothing using the
value for the smoothing angle.
The “Rendering” display mode is normally sufficient for working in the 3D

window. Smoothed display is particularly recommended if the drawing is
to be exported from the 3D window to a raster format. When exporting,
the information of the drawing’s current display setting is used.
The “Rendering” and “Smooth rendering” display options can only

be used with imported 3D data. These displays in the 3D window are
not possible with placed files or with the “Rotational surfaces” and
“Advanced tools” tools in IsoDraw.

“Show object window” menu command in the “Window”
menu
The "Window" menu, as in IsoDraw, contains the "Show object window"

menu command.
By selecting "Show object window", you can show or deactivate the

Object window. After starting IsoDraw CADprocess, the Object window
will initially be hidden. You can open the window using the "Show object
window" command. It is closed again by launching the command again or
by clicking the close box in the window.
The Object window shows all the groups and elements together with the
object information for the current file. This applies for both 2D and 3D
files. Object information can be created using command "Object Info"
from the "Objects" menu. It can also originate when importing specific
formats, e.g. assemblies from an IGES file.
You can also use the functions in the Object window to check and modify
data in the 3D window once the import procedure is complete. The data is
converted to the 2D window complete with all changes. The object
information is carried over.
To ensure that the assemblies and elements appear with "ID" and "Name"
in the Object window, you will need to select "Create object information
for assemblies" in the first import dialog window.

When you move the mouse pointer over the drawing, an object tip for the
assembly appears. The tip shows the "ID" and the name of the assembly.
If you do not select the "Create object information for assemblies" option,
the assemblies and elements will only appear with the name "Group" in
the Object window. The "ID" then appears only in the dialog window of
menu command "Object Info".

Structure of the Object window
Once you have opened the window, you will see the name of the imported
file together with a symbol in front of the name.
Clicking the symbol calls up the "Standard layer" and the "Background
layer". Other layers may also be displayed. Clicking the symbol for a
particular layer displays the IDs of the assemblies and elements. All
objects, which are preceded by a symbol, contain further nested
subassemblies or elements.
All the objects contained within these will be immediately visible if you
hold the Control key (Windows) or Command key (Macintosh)
depressed when clicking the symbol in front of the name of the imported
file. Clicking the symbol again closes the assembly, layer or entire object
structure.
Objects can be either assemblies or elements. If an assembly is identified

by a solid-color cube, it has an Object info.
If the cube is not solid, the assembly does not have an Object info. It is
"unnamed".
An element is always preceded by a solid ellipse symbol. This means that

only elements with an Object info appear in the Object window.
If you select "ID", you will see the "IDs" of the objects as you did when
opening for the first time. If you click "Name", the names of the objects
specified in the generating program appear.

Clicking the arrow at the top right opens a pop-up menu which contains
further commands for editing objects in the Object window.
Selecting an object
As well as the arrow cursor in the drawing, you can also select an object
in the Object window. This is particularly useful with large assembly units
since you can use the object name to uniquely select the correct object. To
select the object, click its name or ID. The object is selected in the drawing.
Keeping the Control key (Windows) or Command key (Macintosh)
depressed allows you to click and select several objects one after the other.
If you want to select several objects which are positioned one on top of
the other, you must first select the top or bottom object. With the Shift
key depressed, you can then select all objects between the object already
selected and the object that you click. If an object is already selected,
clicking it will cancel the selection.
Copying an object into another file
You can copy an object into another file using the "Copy" and "Paste"
menu commands or, using the Drag & Drop function, by moving it directly
out of the Object window into the file. To do so, click the name of the
object, hold the mouse button depressed and drag the object to the
drawing sheet of the other document. Now release the mouse button. The
object will be copied to the other document. The 3D window opens at the
same time. All 3D and object information is also copied, so that you can
continue editing the objects in the same way as in the original file.
In order to copy assemblies to a new IsoDraw document, the

document must first be saved under a new name.
Object Settings
Each object has two setting options that you can select at will.
Clicking the arrow symbol zooms in on the associated object, which then
appears large on the screen. If the object has been selected, the
highlighting color will ensure it stands out from its immediate
surroundings. This offers an easy means of obtaining an overview of the
orientation and extent of the object. Clicking the display tool returns you
to the complete drawing.

An object can be either visible or invisible. If an object is visible, it is
converted to the 2D window. Clicking the eye symbol makes the object
invisible on the drawing. The eye closes. Invisible objects (components) are
not converted.
This can be very useful if you want to show the "insides" of an assembly
unit, for example. If you make a lid or cover invisible, for example, the
contour of the components beneath can be seen clearly in the illustration.
Y Y
X X
Z Z
Objects and Object info
For each object, you can call up the "Object info" command in the
"Objects" menu. Do this by selecting the object you want to call up the
Object info for. You can also call up the Object info directly by double-
clicking the ID or the name of the object.
You can also change the entries in the boxes of the Object info dialog
window. Once you have confirmed the change, the entries for "Name" and
"ID" will appear in the Object window.
Showing objects in the Object window
With this menu command, an object selected in the drawing is highlighted

in the Object window. This makes it easy to find the name of an object (see
menu "Objects, Show in Object window")

Commands in the pop-up menu
The commands in this pop-up menu can be used to edit objects in a

number of ways.
Select all
The "Select all" command can be used to select all the objects in a
particular drawing.
Remove selection
If you click "Remove selection", selection of all selected objects is
cancelled.
Invert selection
Assume that one or more objects have been selected. If you now select the
"Invert selection" command, all unselected objects will now be selected
and all selected objects will be unselected. This command is useful if you
want to select the majority of the objects in the window. Select the objects
that you do not want to include in your selection and then use the "Invert
selection" command.
Objects visible, Objects invisible

The "Objects visible" and "Objects invisible" commands have the same
functions as the eye symbol to the right of the object name. The only
difference lies in the fact that these commands allow you to render a
whole selection visible or invisible. The "Objects visible" command can be
used to display all selected objects and to convert them to the 2D window.
The "Objects Invisible" command renders all selected objects invisible on
the drawing, these will then not being converted to the 2D window.
Find objects
This command enables you to find a part quickly in a long object list.
Depending on the setting, you can also select objects whose name
contains a particular part of a name.

When you select the command, the following dialog window appears:
Under Find name, enter the whole name or part of the name you want
to find.
If you click the Exact match option, only names that exactly match the
name entered are found.
If the Match case option is selected, the name search differentiates

between upper case and lower case letters. If the data was entered in
upper case letters, as in the dialog box above, only those names that
contain the entry in upper case letters will be found.
Use this option if you want to find several names that have part of the
same name in common. The Select all option finds all names that share
a part of their name with the name entered under "Find name".
Clicking on "Cancel" exits the dialog window. The command is not

executed.
After confirming with "OK", the names are shown selected in the Object
window. The objects are also selected in the drawing.
The "Generate callouts for objects…" command described below

cannot be selected when you are working in the 3D window. After
the projection you can select the command in the Object window
and create callouts for the generated 2D illustration.
Generate callouts for objects

You can use this command to generate callouts automatically. The setting
options allow you to control which objects or groups should receive a
callout. The callout style and arrangement of the callouts on the drawing
can be set as required.

If you select this command, the following dialog window will appear:
Object or group selection

With Create callouts, you can define whether objects and/or groups
should receive a callout. Make this selection in the pop-up menu.
If your drawing contains only objects, select "only for objects". If

unnamed groups also appear in the Object window with the name "Group"
and you also want to assign callouts to these groups, select option "for
objects and groups". If your drawing consists only of groups, select
option "only for groups". This applies to older IsoDraw drawings, for
example, or imported drawings without Object infos. Please ensure that all
components and/or units that are to receive a callout are grouped.
If "for list" is set, the IsoDraw file must contain objects. Information about
which objects are to receive a callout is obtained from a previously
exported object list of the current file. The list can be edited before use.

An object list of this type is exported as a tab-delimited file. It must
contain the IDs or names of the objects. If you want to add a customized
positioning to the list, you should export attribute "Name" so that the
objects can be easily identified. The description of how to create an object
list can be found in the "Edit" menu under "Preferences".
To define a positioning for the objects, or to remove objects from the list,
open the list in a suitable program e.g. Microsoft Excel. The selected
attributes for the list appear in columns in the file.
When particular objects are to receive no callout, delete the whole line of
entries for the object from the list.
If you want a customized positioning, enter the numbering in a free

column. You can select any entries for the numbering. The only important
thing is to ensure that the pattern matches the callout style that has been
set. If the pattern "Numerical" is set, your entries must not contain any
letters (see window "Callouts, Edit style").
Saving the list after editing.
When you select "for list", the "File" button is enabled. Click on this button
and search for the appropriate object list in the following dialog window.
Confirm your selection by clicking "Open".

The following dialog window appears:
Here you can select the columns in the object list in which the IDs/names
or the callout numbering are entered. Click "OK" to confirm your selection.
IsoDraw will now create the callouts in accordance with the preferences
from the object file.
You can also use the following "Object or group level" option to ensure
that only certain objects or groups are assigned a callout. As with
"Structure of the Object window" described in this section, objects and
groups can contain nested subgroups. The first level contains all objects
and groups located on the same level as the first object or the first group
underneath the standard layer.
In the example, these are the objects "G4" and "G3". The object "G2" is
located on the second level and the object "G1" on the third.

Enter the required level in the entry field, in accordance with the entry
made previously.
The pop-up menu allows you to select one of three settings.
When you select "all levels", all objects and groups will receive a callout
in accordance with the setting made under "Create callout". The "up to
this level" setting records all objects and groups located on the level
entered and the levels above this. If you only want callouts for objects and
groups on one level on the drawing, select "only this level". You can use
this setting to create callouts successively on different levels.
If you select "Only visible objects", a callout is only created for those
objects or groups that are currently visible. Visible objects or groups are
designated by the presence of the eye symbol in the Object window. If
objects or groups are invisible, you will see a closed eye symbol next to
them.
Callouts
For "Callout style", select one of the styles offered. All the same styles are
displayed as those in the list in the Callout window.
You can also create the callout entry from the associated ID or name by
selecting "Text created from" for objects. This selection is only available
if the required callout style does not use a scheme.
The entry under "Gap between extent and callouts" defines at what
distance from the extent of the drawing each of the callouts (text entries)
is located. The extent of the drawing is a theoretical rectangle into which
the drawing fits snugly. If you are creating callouts successively for
different levels, you should enter different distances here because the
callouts may lie on top of each other if the same distance is entered.
"Min. gap between callouts" allows you to specify the uniform distance
between the text entries for the callouts. This ensures that even entries of
different lengths are far enough apart.

"Sort callouts" allows you to set the order in which the callouts are to be
assigned for the objects. If you select "no sorting", the callouts are
assigned in accordance with the list in the Object window. With the
settings "clockwise" and "counter-clockwise", the callout is numbered
continuously in the direction of the free axis. If the callouts are generated
from a list, the sort setting cannot be selected.
If you have assigned a direction, you can still define the position of the
first callout via the Start angle. The starting position for the angle is the
3 o'clock position.
Objects on illustration
Objects with a callout are defined uniquely. Sometimes, you have even
used the name from the Object infos for the callout entry. If you use a
spare part drawing with callouts for an Electronic Spare Parts Catalog, the
callout entry is usually used as a link to the spare parts list. If object
information is no longer needed for this or any other reasons, you can use
the "On object with callout" option to remove hotspots and delete
Object infos.
For objects for which no callouts have been assigned, you can also select
"Remove hotspot" and "Delete Object info" under "On other objects".

“Fill” menu command in the “Window” menu
The “Window” menu, as in IsoDraw, contains the “Fill” menu command.
If you have selected the “Rendering” or “Smooth rendering” display mode

for your drawing, the objects and/or surfaces are rendered in color
shading. You can change the assigned colors using the “Fill” window. The
entire IsoDraw color range can be used for this purpose.
To assign a new color, use the arrow cursor or the Object window to select
the surface, object or area of the drawing to which the new color will be
assigned. Now click the button with the color icon in the “Fill” window.
Then, choose the desired color from the color list, or create your own
CMYK or RGB color mix. The chosen color is applied directly to the selected
area. You can find further information on the topic of color/fills under
“Fill” in the “Attributes” menu.
This option to modify colors can be used in many ways. One way is to use
the same color to denote associated components in complex assemblies.
If you rotate your drawing to another orientation, it is then easy to
recognize the components that have the same color.
The option to export data from the 3D window to various formats allows
you to create drawings colored as you wish, then export them in the
desired format. Colored drawings exported in VRML or Wavefront can
then be edited further using special rendering software. If you export the
drawing as a raster file, you then have a colored graphic that can be used,
for example, in product brochures.

“Undo” menu command in the “Edit” menu
This tool allows you to undo recently executed operations, exactly as in

IsoDraw. When working in the 3D window of CADprocess, these are
essentially the 3D tools, all transformation commands and the selectable
commands from IsoDraw.
We would now like to show you two examples of how you can use the
selectable commands in the "Edit" menu to work in 3D windows.
“Copy - Paste” menu commands in the “Edit” menu
You have imported an assembly unit with numerous assemblies in order

to create a spare parts catalog. Parallel to this, you want to use certain
assemblies for e.g. operating instructions.
Take this example:
Open a new IsoDraw document and save the file under a new name.
Select the assemblies you wish to continue using. Do this either in the
drawing or in the Object window using the arrow cursor. Select the "Copy"
command from the "Edit" menu.
Now change to the new IsoDraw document. Select the "Paste" command.
You will see that the window becomes a 3D window. All information
including the object information for the copied assemblies remains
available. Click the centering tool. All assemblies can now be seen clearly
on the coordinate system. You can now use all the tools and menu
commands to edit the assemblies before you convert them to a 2D
illustration.

The left-hand illustration shows the assemblies that have been copied and
pasted into a new IsoDraw document. The right-hand illustration shows
the assemblies in a different projection.
Y Y
X Z
Z X
In order to copy assemblies to a new IsoDraw document, the

document must first be saved under a new name.

“Duplicate” menu command in the “Edit” menu and
other commands
For an assembly unit consisting of numerous assemblies, you have

selected a projection that enables most components to be identified with
ease. However, you are unable to see either all or part of a number of
important assembles when displaying these without hidden lines. To show
these components, they would need to be viewed from a different
direction.
Take this example:
The contour of the assembly (in this case, the front contour of the guide
piece at the top of the lever) cannot be identified easily in the projection.
However, the illustration needs to be able to show this contour in order to
describe how the unit works.
Select the assemblies (in this case, the lever with add-on parts) using the
arrow cursor in the drawing or in the Object window. Select the
"Duplicate" command from the "Edit" menu. The duplicated assemblies
remain selected.
Y Y
X X
Z Z
They must now be moved into an empty part of the drawing. Launch the
"Move" command and select the direction of movement. Once the
command has been completed, the components are located next to the
original drawing. Click the Rotation tool in the toolbox. Select the axis in
order to rotate the components in the required direction (in this case, the
Y axis). Enter the rotation angle in the dialog window (in this case, 90).
After you have confirmed your entry, the components will be displayed so
that the contours (in this case, the contour of the guide piece) are clearly
visible.

You can use the Duplicate function and the tools in the 3D window to
generate as many additional views you require.
“Preferences” menu command in the “Edit” menu
The basic settings that control the program’s behavior are grouped under
the “Preferences” menu command.
The “3D Options” dialog page contains the settings for the “Smoothed
rendering” display option and all the setting options for the projection of
3D data to a 2D illustration. After invoking the “Preferences” command,
click the 3D icon in the toolbar. The dialog box for the 3D Options is
displayed as follows:
Smoothed rendering
Here you can set how strong smoothing should be in the “Smoothed
rendering” display option. The value entered for the smoothing angle
influences the color gradient between the color pixels. You can enter any
value from 0 to 120. If you use the default setting you will generally
achieve a good color display result for your drawing. The higher the value
set, the “softer” the display of the transitions between the triangles of the
surfaces. If a drawing contains a lot of curved surfaces (cylindrical or
spherical), a higher angle value has more impact on the display. If too high

a value is chosen, undesirable effects can arise on straight surfaces. In
addition, edges that should be displayed as edges (e.g. a chamfer on a
component) may be inadvertently smoothed out. If you deviate from the
default setting, change the value a little at a time, and monitor how the
change affects the display.
The examples show the difference between “Rendering” and “Smooth

rendering”. The left-hand illustration in rendering display mode exhibits a
stepped gradient on the curved surfaces. The smooth display in the right-
hand illustration features transitions which are barely visible.
Tessellation Accuracy
When importing IGES files, IsoDraw CADprocess breaks up the imported
surfaces into triangles. This process is known as tessellation. The number
of triangles generated depends on the setting. The setting therefore
allows you to specify how accurately the surfaces in the 2D illustration are
to correspond to those of the 3D data. This setting also influences the
rendering gradient when displaying drawings in color in the 3D window.
The value in the entry field has no unit. It ranges from 1 to 100 and tells
you how coarse or fine the deviation of a surface will be after the 3D data
has been converted to a 2D illustration. The lower (finer) you set the value,
the more accurately the surface will be adapted. You can enter the value
directly or set it using a slider.
The setting is particularly useful in the case of free-form contours and in

the case of surface elements which touch at acute angles if no outer
edges are involved. If the setting is very coarse, the lines for the inner
edges may not be found if two surfaces contact at too large an angle or
if surfaces are curved. Since the generation of inner edges always depends
on the setting of the “Thin line threshold” function in such cases, the
interplay between the two settings is important.

If you choose a finer setting, IsoDraw CADprocess will generate more
triangles. This also means that more inner edges can be set. Since the
setting is used for the entire drawing, a very fine setting and a fine setting
for “Thin line threshold” can result in unwanted inner edges.
The default setting, “50” usually produces a good result. If you want
to try out another setting, you must change the value before you
import the 3D data.
The following three examples provide a good illustration of the effects of

the tessellation setting. In order to make the impact clear, the “Thin line
threshold” was set to “0” in each case. This means that all possible inner
edges are displayed according to the projection. The example on the left
shows the result for a very fine setting (value 1). The triangles generated
are very small, the contour is very precise. The example in the middle uses
the default value “50”. The example on the right is set to use the coarsest
value, “100”. The number of triangles generated is low, and the contour
deviates more strongly from the input of the 3D data.
Note:
The finer the setting you choose, the more precisely contours are
displayed. At the same time, however, the amount of data increases
due to the large number of elements. This has an impact on the
calculation time when working in the 3D window and in projection.
In addition, the files require more storage space.
Setting the accuracy for tessellation (dividing up the surfaces into

triangles) is only used when importing IGES files. If, in the case of
e.g. VRML or Wavefront, 3D data is already tessellated, it cannot be
changed using this setting.

3D Options…
When you click the “3D Options” button, the input dialog box is displayed
with the settings for the projection of the 3D data to the 2D illustration.
You can preset these settings for all projections in the preferences. If the
box next to “Show options dialog before converting to 2D” is not
activated, the settings will be used for the projections.
All the settings for the 3D options are described in detail with
example drawings in the section “Projection for illustration”. The
following description therefore only contains the basic information.
The 3D projection dialog box looks like this:
as wire frame
If you select “as wire frame”, all the elements in the 3D file will be
transferred to the 2D illustration. The pens with their attributes from the
3D file are retained. The result of your 3D projection therefore corresponds
to the original drawing from the CAD system.
HLR
If you select “HLR”, the illustration will be displayed in your chosen
perspective and orientation without hidden lines. This means that all
elements are removed, which are invisible to the observer.
create thick/thin lines

If you click the “create thick/thin lines” box, the illustration will show the
distribution of thick and thin lines for outer and inner edges, which is
typical for Technical Illustration. The pens for thick and thin lines can be
assigned in the “Options…” dialog window.

Create surface borders
When importing 3D data, a large number of individual surface elements
are loaded, particularly with the IGES format. If a file appears in the 3D
window, you can easily recognize the surfaces with their delimiting lines
as created in the CAD file.
If you select the “Create surface borders” box, the missing inner edges are
also converted from the delimiting lines. These lines are assigned a pen of
their own in the 2D illustration.
Clicking “Cancel” allows you to exit the “3D Projection” dialog window. All
changes are rejected. Clicking “OK” applies the current setting status to
the projection. The settings are applied until the next change is made.
Options
In the “Options…” dialog window, in addition to specifying how inner
edges are set, you can also select the pen for the lines. For “Optimize” you
specify the type of elements with which the illustration is saved in
IsoDraw format. Click “Options…” in the “3D projection” dialog window.
The following dialog window appears:

Thin line threshold
Here you can specify at which transitions between the triangular surfaces
IsoDraw CADprocess should set thin lines, i.e. inner edges.
If you are importing IGES files, the number of inner edges possible
is also affected by the tessellation accuracy setting.
The value in the display field does not have a unit and is only used as a
specification for internal calculation. You can enter any value from 1 to
100. The higher (coarser) the value entered, the fewer inner edges will be
set. You can enter the value directly or set it using a slider.
Pens
This allows you to select the pens to be used for outer and inner edges.
Select the pen for the outer edges in the "for thick lines" pop-up menu.
Select the pen for the inner edges in the "for thin lines" pop-up menu.
Optimize
There are three ways for selecting how elements from the 3D data are to
be defined as elements in IsoDraw.
If you select “as lines”, the 2D illustration will only contain lines in the
form of unconnected elements. If you select “as polylines”, several lines
which follow on from each other are grouped together into polylines.
Selecting “as Bézier paths“ converts those elements of the 3D data, which
follow on from each other into a Bézier path. Conversion to Bézier paths
gives you the best results in terms of contour accuracy for the illustration.
What is more, the number of elements is far lower than for line elements,
what facilitates subsequent operation and also reduces storage
requirements.
If you click the "Generate ellipses" box, the elements that together make
up an ellipse form are converted into an ellipse. The ellipses generated in
this way optimize the 2D illustration and are easier to use subsequently.

Advanced Settings
If you click the “Optimize for speed” button, simplified calculations are
carried out in some cases during conversion. This accelerates the
conversion process.
Factory settings
If you click the “Factory settings” button in the “Options” dialog window,
the settings in this window will be set to the selections recommended by
the manufacturer. Experience has shown that these factory settings will
deliver excellent technical illustrations for most 3D data.
Clicking “Cancel” exits the “Options” dialog window. All changes are
rejected. Clicking “OK” applies the current setting status to the projection.
The settings are applied until the next change is made.
Show options dialog before converting to 2D

If you click this box, the “3D Projection” dialog window is displayed for the
projection to 2D illustration when you click the camera button in the
toolbar. Here you can change the settings defined in the “3D Options”
preference dialog for the current projection.
If you want to import unknown 3D data or have to convert very

extensive data into 2D, you should select to display the dialog. This
enables you to modify the setting preferences before the projection.

“Export” menu command in the “File” menu
You can export from the 3D window into a range of formats. Alongside the
VRML and Wavefront formats, various raster formats are available as
export options.
Exporting from the 3D window is particularly useful if you want to reuse

colored drawings.
VRML and Wavefront

Colored drawings exported in VRML or Wavefront can then be further
edited using specialist rendering software.
There are no special preferences for exporting to VRML and Wavefront.

There is therefore no dialog window for setting options for these formats.
The surface elements are exported.
General information about exporting from IsoDraw can be found in the

Reference Manual under “Exporting”.
Wherever possible you are recommended to export into VRML

format. When using this format, the object names and object
structure are also exported. This object information is therefore
available for further editing.

Raster formats
You have prepared for export an imported 3D file with color-rendered
surfaces that you want to use e.g. for a product brochure. You may have
changed the colors and optimized them using “Smooth rendering” display
mode.
Which raster format you choose depends primarily on how you want to
use, or further edit, the file.
Before selecting the “Export” menu command, you must check that the
display mode in which you want to export the drawing is currently set. A
drawing optimized in “Smooth rendering” mode must be visible on the
screen in this display mode when it is exported.
After selecting the desired raster format, the Export dialog window
includes various editing and settings options. You can find information on
these in the Reference Manual under “Exporting”. Details about setting
options for the different raster formats can be found under the individual
formats in the Data Exchange Manual.

Tools from the palette
Arrow cursor
Selecting
After selecting the arrow cursor tool in the tool bar, the cursor changes
into an arrow cursor.
You can switch a number of the other tools to an arrow cursor temporarily
by pressing the Control key (Windows) or the Command key
(Macintosh). The previous tool is restored when you release the key.
You can use the arrow cursor to select individual assemblies or all
assemblies. Do this by clicking the arrow cursor on the part you want to
select.
You can also select several parts by holding the Shift key depressed and
clicking the various parts one after the other.
If your imported data contains assemblies with subassemblies (assembly

unit consists of several components), you have a further selection option.
If you hold the Control key (Windows) or the Command key (Macintosh)
depressed when clicking a subassembly that has already been selected, the
superordinate assembly will be selected.
If you want to select several elements simultaneously, you can also use the
Selection rectangle. Position the arrow cursor outside the assemblies in
the 3D window. Holding the mouse button depressed, you can now drag
a dashed rectangle. All assemblies located completely inside the rectangle
will be selected as soon as you release the mouse button.
A further way to select elements is to use the Lasso. Position the arrow
cursor where you want to select assemblies. Now press the Alt key
(Windows) or the Option key (Macintosh) and then the mouse button.
The cursor changes to a lasso. You can now "lasso" the assemblies you
want to select. The lasso is useful for selecting a number of parts that lie
close to other assemblies, which are not to be selected.

You can cut, copy, duplicate and delete selected objects using the
commands from the "Edit" menu (see also section "The IsoDraw menu
commands").
If you have imported a file using option "Create object information

for assemblies", assemblies can be selected more easily in the Object
window (see description on "Object window").
Assemblies can be deselected if you click the arrow cursor on an empty

part of the 3D window or if you select another element by clicking it.
Surface elements from files without structured import cannot be

selected using the arrow cursor.
Move
All assemblies in the drawing can be moved with the arrow cursor. First
select the direction you wish to move them in. You can either move them
on the X-Z plane or along the Y-axis. Either click on the Y-axis or on the X
or Z-axis for the plane. The free axis is highlighted. If you have selected
the X-Z plane, you can move all the assemblies in either X or Z-direction.
Holding the Alt key (Windows) or the Option key (Macintosh) depressed
allows you to move the selection around freely on the plane.
If you have previously created a "free" axis with the "3D Select axis" tool,
the blue "free" axis appears in the coordinate system. Provided no other
axis is selected, your selected assemblies or elements will be moved along
this axis.
Use the selection rectangle to select all the assemblies in the drawing.
Click the contour of an assembly. Hold the mouse button depressed and
move the mouse. During this process the drawing moves along the axis.
The distance is displayed in the bar at the bottom of the 3D window. The
drawing will appear in its new position when you release the mouse
button.

In the same way, you can also move assemblies you have selected. You can
cursor.
Select the assemblies you require. Then click a contour of the selection
with the arrow cursor. Move the selected assemblies to the required
position while holding the mouse button depressed.
Holding the Shift key depressed when you click on the selection will
result in the following dialog window appearing:
Enter the required values for the relevant axes. If you enter a positive
value, the assemblies will be moved in the direction bearing the axis
designation ("X", "Y", "Z"). If you enter a negative value, they will move in
the opposite direction. If you have previously created a "free" axis (blue)
with the "3D Select axis" tool, you can enter a value under "Move in
direction of free axis". The arrow of the "free" axis defines the positive
direction. If there is no additional axis, no value can be entered here.
Confirm your entry in the dialog window by clicking "OK". The selection
now appears in the new position on the axes. Clicking "Cancel" closes the
dialog window without moving the selection.

In the example shown, the drawing has been moved in positive direction
along the X-axis.
Y Y
X X
Z Z
Direct selection arrow cursor
You use the direct selection arrow cursor in the same way as the arrow
cursor. However, unlike with the arrow cursor, you can use the direction
selection arrow cursor to select objects or surfaces within an object. When
you are working with a file without structured import you can select
surfaces using this cursor.
Selecting
The direct selection arrow cursor has the same selection functions as the
arrow cursor.
You can select several parts by clicking them one after the other with the
Shift key depressed.
If you hold down the Control key (Windows) or Command key

(Macintosh), you can select – instead of the surface of an object – the next
highest unit, i.e. the object.
If you want to select several surfaces you can also use the selection
rectangle or the lasso, as with the arrow cursor.
Move
The direct selection arrow cursor also has the same move functions as the
arrow cursor.
Select the axis on which you want to perform the movement. Select
surfaces/objects using the direct selection arrow cursor.

Click on a contour of the selected element(s). Move the selected
element(s) to the required position on the axis while holding the mouse
button depressed.
If you hold down the Shift key while clicking on the selected element(s),
the "3D Move" dialog window appears, as with the arrow cursor. Enter the
values for the movement and confirm your entry with "OK".
Rotation tool
Click the Rotation tool if you want to rotate the assemblies of the
drawing around one of the three displayed axes. Click the required axis.
The axis will be selected. Now click the drawing area. Move the mouse in
a circle around the coordinate system origin. While moving the mouse,
you have a good view of how the drawing’s orientation changes. During
the rotation, the angle of rotation will be displayed in the bar at the
bottom of the 3D window.
You can also rotate a selection of assemblies in the same way. You can
cursor. Once you have activated the rotation tool, you can switch to the
If you now want to rotate the selection around another axis, click the axis
in question or define an axis using the 3D axis selector and repeat the
rotation procedure described above.
Holding the Shift key depressed when you click on the drawing area or
click the selection will result in the following dialog window appearing:
The entry field shows which axis (X, Y, Z or "free" axis) is currently selected
(Y axis in the dialog box shown). Enter the required number of degrees and
confirm by clicking "OK". Clicking "Cancel" closes the dialog window
without rotation occurring.

Reflection tool
The Reflection tool can be used to reflect all assemblies along a free axis.
With the arrow cursor or the direct selection arrow cursor, click on one of
the coordinate system axes. The axis will be selected. If a "free" axis is
present and visible, this axis will automatically be used as the reference
axis. The "free" axis must not be clicked on.
Click on the reflection tool, then click with the cursor on the required axis.
All assemblies are reflected along the free axis.
You can also reflect a selection of assemblies in the same way. You can
cursor. Once you have activated the reflection tool, you can switch to the
If you now want to reflect the assemblies along another axis, click the axis
in question or define an axis using the 3D axis selector and repeat the
reflection procedure described above.
Scaling tool
It is sometimes the case that CAD drawings drawn in a 1:1 scale are much
too large to be used. In this case, click the Scaling tool. You can now
enlarge or reduce all the elements in the drawing by clicking the drawing
area and moving the mouse. Move the mouse to the center point of the
coordinate cross to reduce the scale. Dragging it towards the edge of the
sheet enlarges the scale. While moving the mouse, you have a good view
of how the size changes. The scaling percentage is displayed in the bar at
the bottom of the 3D window.

If you only want to scale individual assemblies (e.g. duplicated assemblies
for an additional view), you can use the scaling tool in the same way.
Select the required entries. You can select the required assemblies using
the Object window or the arrow cursor.
Once you have activated the scaling tool, you can switch to the arrow
cursor temporarily by pressing the Control key (Windows) or the
Individual modules are scaled around the center of the selection.
Holding the Shift key depressed when you click on the drawing area or
click the selection will result in the following dialog window appearing:
When performing scaling operations, it is not important which axis is

selected. Simply enter the required percentage and confirm by clicking
"OK". Clicking "Cancel" closes the dialog box without scaling the elements.

Projection for Technical Illustration in 2D mode
If you have "preprocessed" the drawing using the tools and commands
described, you can copy all the objects (assemblies and elements) into a
"normal" two-dimensional IsoDraw window. Do this by clicking the
Camera button in the toolbar. The drawing will then be displayed in an
IsoDraw window in accordance with the preferences set. If you have
selected the “Show options dialog before converting to 2D” option in the
“3D Options” preferences dialog, the “3D projection” starting dialog box is
displayed. This gives you the opportunity to choose the optimal settings
for converting the current drawing to a Technical Illustration.
These setting options are described in detail in the following section,

“Projection for illustration”.

70
Projection for illustration
You have clicked the camera button in the standard “3D window” toolbar.
Depending on what settings you have chosen for “3D Options” in the
preference dialog window, either the conversion into a 2D illustration
begins, or the “3D Projection” dialog window is displayed.
The following contains a description of all the setting options from this
dialog window. In order to make it easier for you to start using this
function, you will find examples of various settings that demonstrate the
different functions.
3D projection
The “3D Projection” dialog window gives you various ways for selecting
how the illustration is to be displayed in the “normal” IsoDraw window.
Clicking “Options…” results in another dialog window being displayed.
Here, in addition to specifying how inner edges are set, you can also select
the pen for the lines and perform various optimization settings.
as wire frame
If you select “as wire frame”, all the elements in the 3D file will be
transferred to the 2D illustration. “create thick/thin lines” is disabled. The
pens with their attributes from the 3D file are retained. The settings for
optimizing the data in the “Options…” dialog window cannot be selected.
Projection for illustration 71

The result of your 3D projection therefore corresponds to the original
drawing from the CAD system.
HLR
If you select “HLR”, the illustration will be displayed in your chosen
perspective and orientation without hidden lines. This means that all
elements are removed, which are invisible to the observer.
create thick/thin lines

If you click the “create thick/thin lines” box, the illustration will show the
distribution of thick and thin lines for outer and inner edges, which is
typical for Technical Illustration. The pens for thick and thin lines can be
assigned in the “Options…” dialog window.
72 Projection for illustration

The two settings “remove hidden lines” and “create thick/thin lines” allow
you to create the key attributes of a technical illustration.
Create surface borders

When importing 3D data, a large number of individual surface elements
are loaded, particularly with the IGES format. If a file appears in the 3D
window, you can easily recognize the surfaces with their delimiting lines
as created in the CAD file.
The delimiting lines are recognized via Hidden Line Removal and are
converted as inner or outer edges into the 2D illustration. Situations can
occur where it is not clear whether inner edges are to be converted from
delimiting lines. This can be the case, for example, with difficult free-form
surfaces or with two surfaces that meet at an obtuse angle. For this
reason, inner edges may be missing from the illustration.

If you select the “Create surface borders” box, the missing inner edges are
also converted from the delimiting lines. These lines are assigned a pen of
their own in the 2D illustration. All lines that have been converted using
the “Create surface borders” function can be recognized easily since they
are drawn with the “Border” pen. The “Border” pen has the same attributes
as the “Thin” pen.
When enlarged, you can clearly see the lines created with the “Create
surface borders” function. All lines that appear over and above those when
converting without the “Create surface borders” function are surface
borders.
If you want to delete individual surface borders, you are best working in
drawing mode. The “Border” pen has a different color on the screen. The
lines can thus be easily recognized in drawing mode. Change the surface
borders that you wish to keep in the illustration to the required pen. You

can delete the remaining borders like this: Select the “Select...” command
from the “Edit” menu. Select all the elements that use the “Border” pen.
Confirm the selection. You can then delete the elements.
When you import files in which all the individual surfaces have been
defined as a single surface, you will not find any additional lines in the 2D
illustration using the “Create surface borders” function. In these cases, you
can use the detailed settings “Smooth surfaces” and “Accuracy”.
If you make the appropriate setting, additional inner edges are set by
CADprocess. These inner edges are not surface borders.
The following section on the “Options” dialog window contains important

information of the detailed settings.
Clicking “Cancel” allows you to exit the “3D Projection” dialog window.
Clicking “OK” copies the 3D data into a normal IsoDraw window in the
form of a 2D illustration. All the 3D elements are converted to 2D elements
in the background using the selected settings.
While the data is copied to the IsoDraw window, the “Optimize” window
appears on the screen and shows you how the conversion is progressing.
The IsoDraw window containing the illustration then appears as file
“Untitled…”. If is located behind the 3D window. Select “Save” or “Save
as…” from the “File” menu and save the illustration as an IsoDraw file. The
3D window is still open. This allows you to create further views of the
drawing in the 3D window. Each time you click “OK” in the “3D projection”
window, a new file window will be created containing a “snapshot” of the
required situation.

If you only want to create a 2D drawing, hold the Alt key
(Windows) or Option key (Macintosh) depressed while you click the
camera button in the toolbar. The 3D window is converted to a
normal 2D window when you click “OK” in the “3D projection”
dialog window and appears with the name of the initial file. This
option is particularly useful if you have little memory available.
Options
The “Options…” dialog window allows you to influence how inner edges
are set, specify the pens for the lines and select the types of elements with
which the illustration is saved in the IsoDraw format. Click “Options…” in
the “3D Projection” dialog window. The following dialog window appears:

Thin line threshold
Here you can specify at which transitions between the triangular surfaces
IsoDraw CADprocess should set thin lines, i.e. inner edges.
If you are importing IGES files, the number of inner edges possible
is also affected by the tessellation accuracy setting.
Inner edges can be set wherever two adjacent triangles have a common
edge. The calculation whether or not to set an inner edge is based on the
orientation angle (w) between the two triangular surfaces (D1, D2).
In other words, the more obtusely the triangles meet, the smaller the
orientation angle between the triangular surfaces. By setting the
threshold for this angle, you decide whether or not an inner edge is
displayed. The finer the setting, the smaller the angles between the
triangular surfaces used for setting inner edges.
The following three examples provide a good illustration of the effects of

different threshold settings.

The left-hand example shows the result with the finest possible setting.
Inner edges are set on all possible triangular edges. In the middle example,
a good result is achieved with the value set at “20”. The undesired inner
edges are not displayed. Inner edges are only set on the chamfer. Using a
very coarse setting, as in the right-hand example, too few or no inner
edges are displayed.
The value in the entry field does not have a unit and is only used as a
specification for internal matching with the angle (w). You can enter any
value from 1 to 100. You can enter the value directly or set it using a slider.
In the case of IGES files, the triangles are generated by IsoDraw

CADprocess. Setting the tessellation accuracy enables you to
specify how many triangles are generated. This also has an impact
on the results of the inner edges set. If you want to convert a 3D
drawing with a complicated surface, use the default setting (50) for
both the “Tessellation Accuracy” and “Thin line threshold” settings.
Look at the result of the projection. If the result is not accurate
enough or if there are excessive numbers of inner edges on the
surfaces, optimize the setting for the thin lines. If you wish to
modify the tessellation accuracy, you must re-import the 3D data
after changing the settings. If you have only changed the threshold
settings for thin lines, generate a new version of the 2D projection.
To accelerate this procedure, select “as lines” under “Optimize”. To
ensure a compact file, select “as Bézier paths” for the elements for
the final version.

Pens
This allows you to select the pens to be used for outer and inner edges.
Select the pen for the outer edges in the "for thick lines" pop-up menu.
Select the pen for the outer edges in the "for thin lines" pop-up menu. All
pens for the current file are displayed. Before the conversion, you can also
create additional pens. These pens will also be displayed in the pop-up
menus. The process for creating a new pen and the points you need to
remember when doing so are described in menu “Windows”/ “Attributes”.
Optimize
There are three ways for selecting how elements from the 3D data are to
be defined as elements in IsoDraw.
If you select “as lines”, the 2D illustration will only contain lines in the
form of unconnected elements. If you select “as polylines”, several lines
which follow on from each other are grouped together into polylines.
Selecting “as Bézier paths“ converts those elements of the 3D data, which
follow on from each other into a Bézier path. Conversion to Bézier paths
gives you the best results in terms of contour accuracy for the illustration.
What is more, the number of elements is far lower than for line elements,
what facilitates subsequent operation and also reduces storage
requirements.
If you click the Generate ellipses box, the elements that together make up
an ellipse form are converted into an ellipse. The ellipses generated in this
way optimize the 2D illustration and are easier to use subsequently. For
example, you can use the center point of an ellipse to easily change the
orientation of a centerline.
You should only use the “as lines” setting if you want to try out different
settings for surface smoothness and accuracy. You should then return to
the “as polylines” or “as Bézier paths” setting. You should only select the
“Generate ellipses” option if the drawing contains numerous convertible
elements.

Advanced Settings
If you click the “Optimize for speed” button, simplified calculations are
carried out in some cases during conversion. This accelerates the
conversion process. There is no generally valid rule for calculating the time
this saves. This depends on the imported data format and the file content.
Experience shows that the time saved increases in line with number of
elements that change to inner edges in the 2D illustration.
“Optimize for speed” generally involves no loss of quality in the 2D

illustration. If errors occur during the conversion process, you will be able
to see this in the illustration. If this happens, switch off the function and
repeat the conversion.
If you want to process a large number of files in the same format, select
„Optimize for speed“ for the first set of files. Examine the 2D illustrations.
If the conversion is successful, leave the function switched on.
Factory settings
If you click the “Factory settings” button in the “Options” dialog window,
the settings in this window will be set to the selections recommended by
the manufacturer. Experience has shown that these factory settings will
deliver excellent technical illustrations for most 3D data.
Clicking “Cancel” exits the “Options” dialog window. All changes are
rejected. Clicking “OK” applies the current setting status to the projection.
The settings are applied until the next change is made.

Placing 3D data
Instead of importing the 3D data, IsoDraw CADprocess also allows you to
place it directly on the drawing sheet in the IsoDraw window. The data is
loaded during import and converted to IsoDraw elements. You can then
use the "3D transformation" menu command to transfer the placed
drawing to the 3D window where you can then edit it with the tools. The
advantage over importing lies in the fact that the Link2Source™
technology used for placing retains the link to the 3D file. If the 3D file is
replaced by an updated version, the placed drawing will also be updated,
irrespective of the perspective or orientation you have selected in the 3D
window. When you edit a placed file with the tools in the 3D window, the
update may be subject to restrictions. All settings you have selected for
the projection will be applied for the update.
Placing instead of importing
Even if the settings for "Place" and "Import" in the dialog windows are
the same, there are still considerable differences in arriving at an optimum
Technical Illustration and the way in which you use this.
Importing
You can use structured import with assemblies and object information to
influence and change the data at both the import stage and in the 3D
window. For example, you can prepare the data in the 3D window in the
form of a spare parts diagram or can generate additional views from a
selection of assemblies. All these "manipulations" to the original data are
adopted into the 2D illustration.
You create a new projection of the converted 3D data every time you click
"OK" in the "3D projection" dialog window. The projection appears as a 2D
illustration in an untitled IsoDraw window. This means that the link to the
3D data is broken. You can select all the elements in the illustration
individually and can edit them with the IsoDraw tools.
Placing 3D data 81
Place
The file can also be loaded in structured form when it is being placed, in
the same way as when it is being imported. This means that, when
switching to the 3D window, you have the same opportunities to edit the
data as during import. In the case of a placed drawing/illustration
however, clicking "OK" in the "3D projection" dialog window displays the
projection again "in its entirety" in the IsoDraw window. Given the same
projection and the same setting in the 3D window, the result looks the
same. The difference to the import process lies in the fact that the link to
the converted 3D data is still intact. The representation is therefore based
solely on this data. Editing in the IsoDraw window is therefore only
possible with a few functions.
These are: Delete, Move, the three transformations (Scale, Rotate and
Reflect) and changes to existing attributes such as "Pens".
Unlike Import, you can edit a placed CAD model repeatedly in the 3D
window. This capability is possible until you finally convert the 3D
information to 2D information in the dialog window of the "Element Info"
command.
To sum up:
If a CAD file is extensively edited both in the IsoDraw 3D window and then
in the 2D window, you should import the file. This is particularly
important when an update is unlikely.
If, for example, you are using CAD data to create a spare parts catalog,
where the data does not require much further editing apart from being
exploded, then you should place the data. The fact that you can
continuously update files saves you a great deal of time without the
quality of the illustrations suffering in relation to the import option.
82 Placing 3D data
Opening a file in which data is to be placed
Open the IsoDraw file where you want to place the drawing using the
"Open…" command from the "File" menu. If you want to create a new
document for the drawing, use the "New…" command from the "File"
menu. Save the new file in IsoDraw format. You can now place the
selected file.
Further information on the "Open…", "New" and "Save" commands

can be found in the "File" section of the "Reference Manual".
Placing using same method as importing
While the file is being loaded, IsoDraw CADprocess automatically

examines the content as during import and begins converting it to its own
data format.
When converting the file format, additional dialog windows will appear
(depending on the particular format) which allow you to control the data
loading process. The dialog windows are always opened with the settings
made under "Preferences…" in the "Edit" menu. With the IGES, VRML and
Wavefront formats, a structured conversion process is used for the 3D
data as during import. Because of this additional functionality, the
placement of IGES format data is described below by way of example.
All dialog windows for IGES, VRML and Wavefront and the dialog
windows for the other two formats AutoCAD DWG and DXF are described
in the "Formats" sections of the "Data Exchange" manual.
Placing 3D data 83
Placing an IGES file
The Placing of files is always started in the same way. The "Place"
command in the "File" menu opens a dialog window showing the folders
or files on your data medium.
Select "All files" from the "Files of type" pop-up menu. This setting displays
all files in the selected folder irrespective of their format. This allows you
to select all files generated by other programs. If you know the file format,
you can select this under "Files of type". Only the files of this file type in
the selected folder are then displayed.
Click the mouse to select the required file. Start placing the file by clicking
"Open".
While the file is being placed, IsoDraw automatically examines the content
and begins converting it to its own file format.
If IsoDraw CADprocess aborts the file import, this is because either

the data format is unknown or the file is faulty. In the latter case, a
log file may be generated which has the same name as the import
file and the extension ".log". This file contains information in text
form as to why the file could not be loaded. Further information on
error messages can be found in the "Import tips" section and in the
"Data Exchange" manual.
84 Placing 3D data
When a file is selected in IGES format, the same dialog window opens
during placement as the window for importing IGES files:
Here you can select whether the "Selection of Structures" dialog window
is to be displayed or not and what object information is to be created. As
during import, you can use the "Selection of Structures" window to define
what objects (assemblies) are to be placed.
When you click on "Options", the dialog window for the IGES format
appears. Here you can change the settings for the import.
When you exit the dialog window with "OK", the other dialog windows
appear for loading the structures and for selecting the structures in the
same way as during import. A detailed description of all import dialog
boxes can be found in section "Importing 3D data".
Once the file has been completely loaded, the drawing appears in a flat
view in the IsoDraw window. IsoDraw CADprocess has adopted all 3D
information from the converted 3D file. What is more, the link to the 3D
file is maintained via the Link2Source™ technology.
The drawing may be placed outside the drawing sheet if additional

"scattered" elements from the CAD system have also been saved in the 3D
data and have been loaded into IsoDraw CADprocess. In these instances,
select the drawing by clicking it, hold the mouse button depressed and
move the drawing to the center of the drawing sheet.
Placing 3D data 85
If you select the drawing, you will see that the marking consists of four
red dots. You will not be able to select individual elements of the drawing
and will therefore be unable to edit them with the IsoDraw 6 tools. This is
also not necessary, since you can use the technology of CADprocess to
generate a Technical Illustration for your spare parts catalog or operating
instructions.
Object window
Open the Object window in the "Window" menu using command "Show
object window". The name of the placed file appears underneath the file
name of the IsoDraw file and the standard layer. You can edit the placed
file "in its entirety" using the commands in the Object window. All objects
or groups appear underneath the standard layer of the placed file.
However, the objects or groups cannot be changed in the 2D window.
When you switch to the 3D window, only the placed file with its name and
all objects or groups is shown, in the same way as for the import process.
You can edit the placed drawing in the 3D window in just the same way
as if you had imported the drawing (see section "Working in the 3D
window").
86 Placing 3D data
3D transformation
Working in the 3D window
To generate a Technical Illustration from the placed view, select "3D

transformation" in the "Element" menu. The placed view then appears – as
when importing 3D data – in the 3D window. You can use this window to
determine the perspective and orientation of the drawing and can change
the drawing using the tools provided. A description of the tools can be
found in the chapter “Working in the 3D window”. The options for editing
using menu commands and the Object window when importing
structured data can also be used when placing data, provided you have
object information (as is usually the case).
Note the following functional limitations in the 3D window when

placing files:
The "direct selection arrow cursor" tool cannot be used for
individual surface elements in placed files.
The “Rendering” and “Smooth rendering” display options cannot be
selected.
It is not possible to export from the 3D window.
Elements within objects cannot be identified during an update.
Terminating editing in the 3D window
When you have finished editing the drawing in the 3D window, click the
Camera button in the toolbar to return to the 2D window.
Placing 3D data 87
If the option is selected in the preferences, as when importing 3D data, the
“3D Projection” dialog window appears with the options for setting the
style attributes for a Technical Illustration.
The setting options in this dialog window and in the dialog window when
selecting "Options…" are the same as for importing. All the settings are
described in detail in section "Projection for illustration".
Please note that, unlike during the import process, you cannot
delete the lines generated by selecting option "Create surface
borders" in the 2D window of IsoDraw. If there are too many
additional elements visible on the placed file, switch back to the 3D
window and disable the option while terminating the 3D
transformation.
88 Placing 3D data
Optimizing with placed illustrations
Once you have finished editing in the 3D window, click the Camera
button in the toolbar. Click "Options…" in the "3D projection" dialog
window. The following dialog window appears as when importing:
The individual setting options are described in section "Projection for

illustration".
Thin line threshold

Since you are unable to edit individual elements in placed illustrations in
the 2D window of IsoDraw, it is particularly important to find the
optimum setting for the "Thin line threshold function. The inner edges
(thin lines) set in the projection cannot be removed.
Select "Factory settings" (50) for the threshold and take a close look at the
result in the IsoDraw window. If the result is not accurate enough, change
back to the 3D window and adjust the “Thin line threshold” setting. You
can change to the 3D window and change the setting as often as
necessary.
Placing 3D data 89
In the case of IGES files, you can specify the number of triangles
that are generated using the tessellation accuracy setting. This also
has an impact on the results of the inner edges set. If you wish to
modify the tessellation accuracy setting, you must re-place the 3D
data after changing the settings.
Pens
If you subsequently want to change the attributes of the pens, change to
the 3D window. All the pens for the placed file will be available there.
Optimize
Under "Optimize" set "as Bézier paths". This gives the best result.
90 Placing 3D data
Element info
You can use Element Info to specify whether you wish to retain the link to
the CAD data and how the illustration is to be updated if the original
data changes. Select the placed illustration and choose the "Element
info…" command in the "Element" menu. The following dialog box
appears:
After opening the dialog window, only the "Cancel" button can be
selected. Clicking "Cancel" exits the dialog window without any changes
being made. If you have changed any settings, you can only confirm these
with "OK". The "Cancel" button is no longer active.
Entries and changes in Element info for placed files often cause the
original file to be reloaded. Since this changes the data
considerably, these entries cannot be undone. Instead, re-open
Element info and restore the settings to their old values.
File
The name of the original file will be displayed. If the file cannot be
accessed at the current time, you will see a message in the “Status” field.
Clicking the "File…" button opens a dialog window where you can search
for the file. You can also select another file, which is to replace the existing
one.
Format
The format of the original file is displayed.
Placing 3D data 91
Status
Shows whether the placed file has the same status as the original file and
whether the original file has been found. If the storage location of the
original file has been changed, it cannot be found. Updates are then only
possible if you click the "File…" button and search for the file yourself.
Update
There are three ways in which you can update the file. If you select
"Automatic", the representation of the placed file will be updated as soon
as the original file changes. If "Notify when changed" is selected, you will
be informed when the original file is changed. You can then decide
whether you wish to perform an update. If you select "No update", any
changes, which are made to the original file, will be ignored. You can
change this setting at any time.
Update now
If you click this button, the file will immediately be updated.
Data
IsoDraw saves the content of a placed file in an internal format. If the
original file contains 3D data, 3D data will also be available in IsoDraw. If
the placed file only contains 2D data, however, then the data in IsoDraw
will also only be 2D. As long as IsoDraw has access to 3D data, this data
can be edited in the 3D window. In all other cases, the data is displayed,
but cannot be edited in 3D.
After placing, the status of the data is displayed here - i.e. 3D for original
files containing 3D data, and 2D for other files. In the latter case, it is not
possible to change the selection, since a 2D file cannot be converted into
a 3D file. If the original file was a 3D file, however, you can change the
selection.
3D data requires a lot of memory space and processing it is very time-

intensive. On the other hand, 3D data offers the advantage that it can be
edited spatially. Once you have defined the perspective, however, it rarely
needs to be changed. This does away with the need for using 3D windows,
and with it the need for working with 3D data. In this case, you can
change your selection to 2D. IsoDraw then deletes the 3D data and retains
only the 2D elements required for displaying the placed file in the selected
perspective. The memory requirement is therefore cut significantly.
92 Placing 3D data
If, at some later point, you wish to revert to using the 3D window, simply
restore the selection to 3D.
Include file
Here, you can select what data is to be stored in the IsoDraw file. Selecting
"No" simply causes a reference to the original file and various options to
be stored in the IsoDraw file. If you instead select "Yes", the converted data
is included in compact form in the IsoDraw file. Depending on the setting
described above, the data will be stored as 2D or 3D.
There are up to four different combinations of settings for "Data"

and "Include file":
Data: 3D Include file: Yes

Advantages:
You can switch to the 3D window at any time to change the perspective. The
IsoDraw file can be opened quickly, since no original data needs to be read. If
the original file no longer exists, the IsoDraw file can still be printed out or
exported.
Disadvantages:
The IsoDraw file is larger, and the memory requirement is therefore higher.
Recommendation:
Only use this setting if you know that you will have to change back to the 3D
window later.
Placing 3D data 93
Data: 3D Include file: No
Advantages:
You can switch to the 3D window at any time to change the perspective. The
IsoDraw file is small.
Disadvantages:
It takes significantly longer to load the IsoDraw file, since the original data first
has to be loaded and processed. The memory requirement is higher. If the
original file no longer exists, the IsoDraw file cannot be printed out completely
or exported.
Recommendation:
Only use this setting if you have a specific reason for doing so. It is the least
practicable of the available combinations.
Data: 2D Include file: Yes

Advantages:
The IsoDraw file is somewhat larger than the second option, but is significantly
smaller than the first. The IsoDraw file can be opened quickly, since no original
data needs to be read. The memory requirement is small. If the original file no
longer exists, the IsoDraw file can still be printed out or exported.
Disadvantages:
has to be loaded and processed. You can then only switch to the 3D window if
you restore the setting to 3D. If the original file no longer exists, the IsoDraw file
cannot be printed out completely or exported.
Recommendation:
This combination is the most practicable for 3D data.
94 Placing 3D data
Data: 2D Include file: No
Advantages:
The memory requirement is small. The IsoDraw file is small.
Disadvantages:
has to be loaded and processed. The memory requirement is higher. If the
original file no longer exists, the IsoDraw file cannot be printed out completely
or exported.
Recommendation:
This combination is the most practicable for placed 2D files. It is not
recommended for 3D data.
Break link
Clicking this button breaks the link to the original file. The data is imported
into the current illustration. The link cannot be restored.
Options
Clicking "Options" displays the first dialog window for the format options
of the placed 3D file. This is illustrated below by the dialog window for
format IGES:
If you have changed options, the new options will be used for the next
update of the placed file. To start this process immediately, click "Update
now".
Information on the setting options can be found in section "Working in

the 3D window" and the "Data Exchange" manual.
If you click "OK" in the Element info dialog window, the new settings for
the placed file will be confirmed.
Placing 3D data 95
What do you need to note for the update process?
As long as a link exists to the 3D file, IsoDraw CADprocess notes the

name of the file and the path together with the storage location on the
data medium. You therefore must not change the file name or save the file
elsewhere on your data medium. The path must also remain unchanged.
You must not add folders or change folder names. A new version of the 3D
file must have the same name and replace the old file. If you follow these
rules, IsoDraw CADprocess will always be able to locate the file. You should
preferably always save the 3D file in the same folder as the IsoDraw file,
and you will then not need to concern yourself with the path.
96 Placing 3D data
Further processing in IsoDraw
You have performed a transformation for the imported or placed drawing
in the 3D window. The resulting projection has been saved as an IsoDraw
file.
You can now process the illustration in a number of ways using IsoDraw
tools. You can draw new elements, insert texts, create callouts and change
the elements of imported data. The ”Reference Manual” tells you how to
use IsoDraw’s various functions. You can naturally also export the finished
IsoDraw file. Further information is available in the ”Reference Manual”
under “Export…” and “Preferences…” as well as in the "Data Exchange"
manual.
Further processing in IsoDraw 97

98
Some hints...
Here are some hints that will help you to recognize potential reasons for
errors if a CAD file cannot be converted.
Import cancelled with error
IsoDraw cancels the import and shows an error message.
Most likely one of the following errors has occurred:
The file has been written in an unsupported format.

The file contained unsupported elements. These included
impermissible solids in IGES files.
A generic error has occurred, e.g. lack of memory or a read error.
In these cases first check for the file format; IGES, VRML, Wavefront, DXF
or AutoCad-DWG are allowed. Then check whether IsoDraw has written a
log file with error messages. This file would then exist in the same
directory where the CAD file resides. It can be opened using any text editor.
File has been imported, nothing visible
In most cases the reason for this behavior is that the objects have been
imported using the CAD system’s coordinate system. This may lead to a
situation where the objects are located far outside the drawing surface, or
they are very large in size. Try the following steps:
Click on the Display tool. The entire drawing then appears on the screen.
Switch to preview mode and back in the "Window" menu. Thus it becomes
easier to detect white lines.
Some hints... 99
If still nothing is visible there might have been an error at import time.
Look for the log file and check for errors in there.
Try to convert the 3D data to 2D and look again. Not all elements are
displayed in the 3D window; some will become visible after the projection.
Not all elements are displayed
For speed and time reasons the 3D objects are displayed roughly in the 3D
window. Text elements will not be displayed. Once the conversion to 2D
has happened all elements will become visible.
Hidden lines have not been removed
You have imported a CAD file that id not contain any surface information,
or you have selected the option “wire frame” in the dialog window.
Structures of assemblies in IGES, VRML or Wavefront

formats are not recognized.
No corresponding entries are made in the generating system.
When exporting the file to the format, details of the assembly structure
are not adopted.
100 Some hints...

Index
2D data............................................................................................................................... 92
2D illustration.................................................................................................................. 54
2-point perspective....................................................................................................... 34
3D axis selector ............................................................................................................... 25
3D data..................................................................................................... 5, 54, 81, 92
3D information...................................................................................................... 19, 85
3D projection ................................................................................................................... 88
3D toolbar ......................................................................................................................... 21
3D transformation ........................................................................................................... 5
3D window......................................................................... 19, 87, 89, 92, 93, 97
3-point perspective....................................................................................................... 34
A
Arrow cursor..................................................................................................................... 62
Assemblies........................................................................................................................... 3
Attributes........................................................................................................................... 90
AutoCAD DWG files......................................................................................................... 3
B
Bézier path.............................................................................................................. 58, 79
C
Camera button .................................................................................... 30, 69, 87, 89
Centering tool.................................................................................................................. 21
Central perspective........................................................................................................ 34
Color, new ......................................................................................................................... 49
Conversion .................................................................................. 11, 19, 59, 80, 83
Coordinate system......................................................................................................... 20
Create thick/thin lines.................................................................................................. 73
Cutting tool with lasso ................................................................................................ 27
Cutting tool with selection rectangle.................................................................... 27
Index 101
D
Delimiting lines............................................................................................................... 73
Direction............................................................................................................................ 22
Display tool....................................................................................................................... 25
Distance ............................................................................................................................. 34
Distance, for 3D perspective ..................................................................................... 24
DXF files ................................................................................................................................ 3
E
Error messages................................................................................................................ 99
Examples............................................................................................................................ 50
Exploding assemblies.................................................................................................... 22
Explosion tool.................................................................................................................. 22
Export .......................................................................................................................... 4, 97
F
File format ........................................................................................................................ 11
Free-form contours.............................................................................................. 54, 73
G
generate ellipses.................................................................................................... 58, 79
H
Hand tool .......................................................................................................................... 30
Hardware.............................................................................................................................. 9
Hidden Line Removal ...................................................................................................... 4
Hidden lines ..................................................................................................................... 32
HLR....................................................................................................................................... 35
Hotspot ....................................................................................................................... 3, 13
102 Index
I
IGES................................................................................................................... 12, 19, 83
IGES files ..................................................................................................................... 3, 54
Import ................................................................................................................. 7, 11, 81
Inner edges .................................................................................................... 54, 73, 80
Installation CD................................................................................................................. 10
Invert selection................................................................................................................ 42
IsoDraw............................................................................................................................... 97
IsoDraw 6............................................................................................................................. 6
IsoDraw CADprocess ....................................................................... 1, 3, 6, 85, 96
IsoDraw file............................................................................................................. 95, 97
IsoDraw window.......................................................................................... 81, 82, 85
L
Lasso .................................................................................................................................... 62
Lines........................................................................................................................... 58, 79
Link2Source™................................................................................................... 3, 81, 85
M
Magnifier window.......................................................................................................... 31
Menu commands, 3D window.................................................................................. 31
O
Object info......................................................................................................... 3, 13, 39
Object window ...................................................................................................... 14, 37
Objects invisible .............................................................................................................. 42
Objects visible .................................................................................................................. 42
Optimize............................................................................................................................. 75
Original data..................................................................................................................... 91
Original file ....................................................................................................................... 91
Outer edges............................................................................................................. 54, 73
Overview ............................................................................................................................ 35
Index 103
P
Path ..................................................................................................................................... 96
Pen, border ....................................................................................................................... 74
Pens .................................................................................................................. 58, 79, 90
Place.................................................................................................................... 7, 81, 84
Placed drawing ............................................................................................................... 81
Placed illustration.......................................................................................................... 89
Placed view....................................................................................................................... 87
Polylines.................................................................................................................... 58, 79
Processing............................................................................................................................ 6
Projection.......................................................................................................................... 32
Projection, dimetric....................................................................................................... 33
Projection, isometric..................................................................................................... 32
Projection, trimetric...................................................................................................... 33
R
Raster formats, export................................................................................................. 61
Reference Manual ......................................................................................................... 31
Reflection tool ................................................................................................................ 67
Remove selection........................................................................................................... 42
Rendering.......................................................................................................................... 35
Rotation tool ................................................................................................................... 66
104 Index
S
Scaling tool....................................................................................................................... 67
Select all............................................................................................................................. 42
Selection rectangle........................................................................................................ 62
Smoothed display........................................................................................................... 36
Smoothing ........................................................................................................................ 36
Smoothing angle............................................................................................................ 36
Solids ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Standard toolbar ............................................................................................................ 20
Storage location ............................................................................................................. 96
Structure............................................................................................................................ 14
Structure display .................................................................................................. 15, 16
Structured import ............................................................................................................ 3
Structures.......................................................................................................................... 18
Surface borders............................................................................................................... 74
Surface elements............................................................................................ 7, 13, 54
System requirements...................................................................................................... 9
T
Technical illustration .................................................................................... 3, 59, 80
Tessellation Accuracy.................................................................................................... 90
Thin line threshold......................................................................................................... 89
Tips ................................................................................................................................ 1, 99
Toolbar ................................................................................................................................ 20
Tools..................................................................................................................................... 97
Transparency tool with lasso..................................................................................... 29
Transparency tool with selection rectangle........................................................ 29
Tree structure................................................................................................................... 16
U
Update ................................................................................................................................ 92
Update of the illustration............................................................................................. 5
Updated version.............................................................................................................. 81
Updating of illustration data ...................................................................................... 5
Up-to-date illustrations ................................................................................................ 3
Index 105
V
Viewports .......................................................................................................................... 32
VRML................................................................................................................ 12, 19, 83
VRML files ............................................................................................................................ 3
VRML, export ................................................................................................................... 60
W
Wavefront...................................................................................................... 12, 19, 83
Wavefront files .................................................................................................................. 3
Wavefront, export ......................................................................................................... 60
Wireframe......................................................................................................................... 35
X
XML format ............................................................................................................. 14, 18
106 Index

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CADpro 12.01.

2005 14:19 Uhr Seite 1

IsoDraw, IsoCompose, CADprocess and IsoView are registered trademarks

Warranty and liability aspects are regulated in accordance with the

All brand and product names are either trademarks or registered

We have made every endeavor to make the documentation as

General Information .............................................................................................................. 1

IsoDraw CADprocess - The Technology ........................................................... 3

Prepare 3D data for IsoDraw CADprocess..................................................... 7

Before you start... ......................................................................................................... 9

System requirements for IsoDraw CADprocess .......................................................... 9

Working in the 3D window...................................................................................19

Tools and menu commands in the 3D window ........................................................ 20

Projection for illustration...................................................................................... 71

Placing instead of importing ........................................................................................... 81

Further processing in IsoDraw............................................................................ 97

Import cancelled with error .............................................................................................. 99

projection Terms shown in bold type in the body of the text

structure display Italicized terms are also listed in the index.

Notes for Users 1

This manual is also accompanied by a Tutorial on the installation CD that

Also provided is the "Data Exchange" manual, which contains information

2 Notes for Users

IsoDraw CADprocess loads surface models from IGES, VRML, Wavefront,

IsoDraw CADprocess - The Technology 3

Editing in the 3D window

IsoDraw CADprocess not only performs straightforward Hidden Line

In a specially developed procedure, additional information is collected in

Equally important is the quality of the graphical elements created.

Exporting from the 3D window

4 IsoDraw CADprocess - The Technology

Prototype data is often created in design work, which is then used, in

The Link2Source™ technology provides you with many possibilities for

Even after conversion to a 2D illustration, the 3D function is retained, i.e.

IsoDraw CADprocess - The Technology 5

IsoDraw CADprocess supports the full functionality of IsoDraw 6. For

IsoCompose enables you to easily create an interactive electronic spare

The IsoView product from ITEDO allows you to represent illustrations on

6 IsoDraw CADprocess - The Technology

Further information on preparing 3D data for export can be found in the

Prepare 3D data for IsoDraw CADprocess 7

The system requirements for IsoDraw 6 and IsoDraw CADprocess are

We therefore recommend the following minimum hardware requirement:

IsoDraw CADprocess for Windows

IBM-compatible PC with Min. clock speed 2 GHz

Before you start... 9

Apple Power Macintosh with Min. clock speed 1,4 GHz

Installation and initial start of IsoDraw CADprocess

When purchasing IsoDraw CADprocess, you will have received an

The "Introduction" manual explains how to install the program on your

10 Before you start...

While the file is being opened, IsoDraw automatically examines the

If IsoDraw CADprocess aborts the file import, this is because either

Since only surface elements are required for automatic conversion of 3D

To make the appropriate setting, click “Options”. A further dialog window

Clicking "Cancel" in the opening dialog window cancels the import

If you have chosen "Select assemblies", a further window opens.

Find structures in data

Read structures from ……igs.xml

"Selection of Structures" shows the assemblies and elements together

Once you have completed your settings in the "Selection of Structures"

The drawing converted from 3D data still contains all 3D information. In

Working in the 3D window 19

Tools and menu commands in the 3D window