Snap Point Options

Lets you select a point at the end point of an existing line, arc, conic, spline, end
End points of all edge types, and all centerlines except full and partial circular
Point centerlines.

Lets you select the mid points of lines, open arcs, and the mid points of all edge
Mid types,
Point

Lets you select a control point of a geometric object. Control points include
Contro existing points, end points of conics, center points of circles, end points and knot
l Point points of splines, and end points and mid points of lines and open arcs. Supports
the following drafting object types: linear centerline, full and partial bolt circle,
offset centerpoint, cylindrical centerline, block centerline, and target point.

Lets you select a point at the intersection of two curves with one pick. Supports
Intersec the following drafting object types: linear centerline, cylindrical centerline,
tion Point symmetrical centerline, and block centerline.

Lets you select an arc center point, circular centerline, and bolt circle centerline.
Arc
Center

Lets you select the quadrant points of a circle.

Quadra
nt Point

Lets you select an existing point. Supports the following drafting object types:
Existing offset centerpoint, intersection point, target point, tolerance feature instance, and
Point linear centerline.

Lets you select a tangent point on circles, conics, solid edges, section edges,
Tangen solid silhouettes, full and partial bolt circles, full and partial centerlines.
t Point

Lets you select the intersection point of two objects that do not fit within the
Two selection ball by making two separate picks. Supports the following objects: line,
Pick circle, conic, spline, solid edge, section edge, solid silhouette, section segment,
Intersection linear centerline, diameter centerline, and block centerline.
When you select this option, the rest of the snap point options are unavailable.

Lets you select a point on a curve.

Point
on Curve

Lets you select a point on a surface.

Point
on Surface

Starts the Point Constructor dialog.

Point
Constructor

Drawing Options
Drawing MB3 Options

Grid Toggles the grid on or off.

Monochrome Toggles monochrome on or off.

Update Updates all views on all drawing sheets.

Add Sheet Starts the New Drawing Sheet dialog.

Collapse Collapses the nodes tree.

Expand Expands the nodes tree

Sheet Options
Sheet MB3 Options

Add View Starts the Add View dialog.

Update Updates only out-of-date views.

View Dependent Edit Starts the View Dependent Edit dialog.

Autoballoon Starts the Parts List Autoballoon dialog.

Edit Sheet Starts the Edit Drawing Sheet dialog.

Copy Lets you copy a sheet

Paste Lets you paste a sheet

Delete Removes a drawing sheet.

Information Displays information about a drawing sheet in the Information window.

Properties Starts the Drawing Properties dialog.

View Options
View MB3 Options

Style Starts the View Style dialog.

Update Updates a view.

Boundary Starts the Define View Boundary dialog.

Breakout Section Starts the Breakout Section dialog.

View Dependent Edit Starts the View Dependent Edit dialog.

Autoballoon Starts the Parts List Autoballoon dialog.

Cut Stores a view in a buffer so you can paste it onto a drawing sheet.

Copy Lets you copy a view.

Paste Lets you paste a view.

Delete Removes a drawing sheet.

Rename Lets you rename a view.

Information Displays information about a drawing sheet in the Information window.

Navigate to Parent Finds and zooms in on a section view's parent.

Expand Member View Toggles between expanded view and regular view.

Properties Starts the Properties dialog.

Section Line Options

Section Line MB3 Options

Blank/Unblank Blanks or unblanks the section line.

Navigate to Section View Finds and zooms in on the section view.

Parts List Options

Parts List MB3 Options

Style Starts the Annotation Style dialog and provides the following property pages:
 Parts List
 Sections

Edit Levels Lets you select or deselect a component's solids, curves, or views to add or
remove from the parts list using toggle options.
Export Exports a table to an external file or browser.

Update Parts Forces the parts list to update.

List

Autoballoon Automatically creates ID symbol callouts for view(s) associated to a parts list.

Blank Blanks the parts list.

Delete Removes the parts list.

Rename Modifies the parts list name.

Parts List Section Options

Parts List Section MB3 Options

Style Starts the Annotation Style dialog and provides the following property pages:
 Parts List
 Sections

Origin Lets you establish an associative relationship between views, geometry, tables
and other annotations to define the location of an annotation on the drawing.

Edit Levels Lets you select or deselect a component's solids, curves, or views to add or
remove from the parts list using toggle options.

Cell Style Starts the Annotation Style dialog and provides the following property pages:
 Lettering
 Cells
 Fit Methods

Sort Lets you sort a table by column value.

Export Exports a table to an external file or browser.

Update Parts Forces the parts list to update.

List

Autoballoon Automatically creates ID symbol callouts for view(s) associated to a parts list.

Blank Blanks the parts list.

Delete Removes the parts list.

Save As Saves a customized parts list or tabular note template file in the tables palette.
Template
Edit Display Lets you edit the display properties of a parts list with the Edit Object Display
dialog. See Gateway Help for a description of this dialog.

Properties Lets you set attributes for the parts list with the properties dialog.

Vector Construction Options

Inferred Constructs a vector based on the system's intelligent guess.

Vector

Between Two Constructs a vector between two selected points.

Points

At Angle Constructs a vector at the angle you specify in the Base Angle text box. The
vertex of the angle is at the base point specified and counterclockwise from the
direction of the X-axis.

Edge/Curve Constructs a vector along a selected edge or curve

Face Normal Constructs a vector that is normal to an existing face.

Datum Plane Constructs a vector that is normal to an existing datum plane.

Normal

Datum Axis Constructs a vector along an existing datum axis.

XC Axis Constructs a vector along the XC axis of the drawing.

YC Axis Constructs a vector along the YC axis of the drawing.

ZC Axis Constructs a vector along the ZC axis of the drawing

-XC Axis Constructs a vector along the - XC axis of the drawing.

-YC Axis Constructs a vector along the - YC axis of the drawing.

-ZC Axis Constructs a vector along the - ZC axis of the drawing.

Vector Constructs vectors which are associative to existing model geometry. When the
Constructor model geometry changes, the associated vectors (smart vectors) automatically
update in accordance with the change. When the Vector Constructor option is
chosen, a Vector Constructor dialog displays (see the following figure). The Vector
Constructor dialog is similar to the Vector Subfunction dialog and behaves in a
similar manner (for more information on the vector constructor dialog, see the
Gateway Help documentation).

Crosshatch Boundary

Edit->Crosshatch Boundary allows you to replace, add, or remove crosshatch boundaries. This
option may also be used to re-associate retained crosshatching.

You may not edit a crosshatch boundary that has been created using Drawing-
>Add Section View.
Selecting a Crosshatch
You may use rectangular selection for selecting a crosshatch. You may only edit one crosshatch
at a time. If you use rectangular selection and more than one crosshatch lies within the selection
rectangle, the system selects only the first crosshatch encountered.

Crosshatch Boundary Options

Replace Replaces any boundary of an existing crosshatch with a new boundary

Add Adds boundaries to an existing crosshatch.

Remove Removes any number of existing boundaries from a crosshatch.

New If you wish to add more than one hole in your part that you do not wish to
Boundary crosshatch, you must click the New Boundary button for the second through the
nth hole, then select the objects defining the boundaries for the hole (or island).
Once the boundaries are completely defined, choose the Apply or Update
Crosshatch button. The system creates the crosshatch with the pattern and
parameters you defined.

Chain Easily and quickly select a sequence of curves which are joined end-to-end. You
can chain by choosing the Chain action button then select the object at the
beginning of the chain. You can then select the ending curve or the Chain to End
button.

Chain to End Causes the system to chain until no more joined curves are found.

Remove Last Deselects any number of previously selected curves in the current boundary
definition, or previously selected boundaries by choosing the Remove Last button.
This option deselects one curve or boundary at a time.

Reset Deselects all selected curves, boundaries, and the crosshatch at once.

Update Updates the selected crosshatch with the previously performed edits. It then allows
Crosshatch you to continue editing the same crosshatch, if desired.

Replace
This option allows you to replace any boundary of an existing crosshatch with
a new boundary.

When you choose this option, the system first prompts you to select an existing crosshatch. The
system then highlights the current boundary and prompts you to select the boundary to be
replaced.
Next, you are prompted to select the object(s) for the new boundary. You can select the new
boundary with single selection or the Chain option.
After you have specified the new boundary, choose Apply or Update Crosshatch. The system
then updates the crosshatch with the new boundary.
 Replacing the Boundary of an Existing Crosshatch

Utility Symbols Overview

This option allows you to create various utility symbols such as centerlines, offset center points,
target points, and intersection symbols. When you choose Insert-> Utility Symbol, the Utility
Symbols dialog displays. This dialog allows you to control the display of each symbol.

Utility Symbol Options

Creates any of the available utility symbols such as bolt

circles, centerlines, target and center points, etc.

Symbol Types

Determines the placement of a utility symbol based on the

available point positions.

Point Position Options

Controls the display of a utility symbol by changing it's

parameters. Symbol parameter diagrams vary depending on
the choice of utility symbol you choose to create.

Symbol Parameters

Multiple Centerlines Is available for Linear and Cylindrical Centerlines (face point
option).

Action Buttons Inherits drafting preferences from an existing drafting object,

reset drafting preferences to customer default settings, or
apply edits or creation of utility symbols.
Basic Procedure for Creating Utility Symbols
The following is a general procedure for creating Utility Symbols. Details are discussed at length
on the pages that follow.
To create a utility symbol:
1. Select the type of utility symbol you want to create.
2. Set the parameters that control the display and placement of the utility symbol.
3. Select the object(s) from which the utility symbol is to be created.
GBstyle Centerlines (China National Standard)
You can create GBstyle centerlines that conform to the China National Standard for the following
centerline types: Linear Centerline, Full Bolt Circle, Partial Bolt Circle, Offset Center Point,
Cylindrical Centerline, Block Centerline, Partial Circular Centerline, and Full Circular Centerline.
To change to the GBstyle centerlines you must first set the customer default variable
Drafting_centerLineDisplay in the customer default file (ug_english.def or ug_metric.def) before
running the system. Set this variable as follows:
Drafting_centerLineDisplay: GBstyle
Note that the two options for this variable are none and GBstyle. To update an existing centerline
select it and click the Apply button. Its display then changes to match the current setting of the
variable. You may also wish to set the Drafting_datumFeatureDisplay variable to GBstyle. This
enables the display of GBstyle datum symbols from the GD&T Dialog.
Common Concepts
The following is a list of terms and concepts that are important to understand when working with
Utility Symbols:
Symbol Types
You create a Utility Symbol by choosing the graphical representation of a utility symbol type from
the Utility Symbols dialog. The symbol type remains active even after you create or edit a symbol.
However, once you leave the dialog, and you bring it up again, the symbol type reverts to the
default option, which is Linear Centerline. The prompt in the Cue area is updated whenever you
select a new symbol type. The following Utility Symbol types are available:
 Linear Centerline,
 Full Bolt Circle,
 Partial Bolt Circle,
 Offset Center Point,
 Cylindrical Centerline,
 Block Centerline
 Partial Circular Centerline,
 Full Circular Centerline,
 Symmetrical Centerline,
 Target Point,
 Intersection and
 Automatic Centerline.
The Utility Symbols options are modal. This means that the utility symbol option you choose
continues to remain active after you have created or edited a symbol.
There are times when you have selected an object which you would like to deselect. This can be
accomplished by clicking the symbol type option again.
When creating utility symbols, you may reselect the first object selected. For example, if you are
creating a linear centerline and have selected the wrong object for your first selection, then just
start over by reselecting linear centerline. You are now ready to make your first selection.
Associativity
The system automatically sizes symbol components to the geometry used to create it. When the
geometry changes, the symbol is regenerated to reflect the changes (see the following two
figures).

This only works when an arc center is selected.

Updated Centerline Symbol as Geometry is Edited

A centerline maintains its specified extension and position at the arc's center when the arc is
edited.

Updated Symbol as Fillet Radius is Edited

A symbol is deleted only if all the objects used to create it are deleted (see the
following figure).
 Deletion of All Objects

If you select a point that does not lie on the line when you are defining a centerline, the following
message appears:
Position is not on centerline.
For example, if you define a linear centerline and then select a point that is not collinear with the
first two points selected, this error displays. If you define a bolt circle and then select an arc that
does not lie on the circumference described by the defined radius, you also get this error. Select
another point to continue your task.
The direction of the centerline is determined by the first two points you select. All selected points
that lie on the line are associated to the centerline. Take note that circular/bolt circle centerlines
are created in a counterclockwise direction.
The centerline is displayed with a small dash at the beginning and at the end. The angle of the
centerline is calculated relative to the work coordinate system. (If you are in a drawing, XC is
always horizontal, or parallel to the bottom of the drawing; and YC is always vertical, or parallel to
the left or right side of the drawing.)
All Centerline Geometry Can be Used for Dimensioning

Selecting Centerlines for Dimensioning

Action Buttons
There are three action buttons (Inherit, Defaults, Apply) available at the bottom of the Utility
Symbols dialog.
The OK and Cancel buttons are permanently grayed out since these buttons are used to dismiss
the dialog box. The Dimensions dialog is a top level dialog and cannot be dismissed by an action
button. It is only dismissed when another top level dialog (such as Utility Symbols or
Crosshatching dialog) is opened.

Inherit Inherit allows you to set the drafting preferences to those of an existing drafting object.
When you click this button, the system prompts you to select a drafting object. When you
select the drafting object, the system reads the appropriate settings from that object and
creates the new utility symbol with the same settings.
The following is an example of a procedure for creating a linear centerline by inheriting the
drafting preferences of an existing one (see the following figure):
1. Choose the Linear Centerline symbol option.
2. Set the Point Position option to Arc Center, and select an arc.
3. Click Inherit.
4. Select an existing linear centerline from which to inherit preferences.
5. Click Apply.

Example of a Linear Centerline Created Using Inherit

Defaullts Defaults allows you to reset the drafting preferences to Customer Default settings. For
details on Customer Defaults, see the discussion of File-> Utilities-> Customer
Defaults in File topic of the Gateway Help.

Apply The Apply button allows you to execute the creation or editing of utility symbols.
When you create a utility symbol, you must click Apply after you have finished indicating all
positions needed to define that symbol. You must also click Apply when editing utility symbols.
Editing a Utility Symbol
The following is an example procedure for editing an existing Utility Symbol:
1. Select an existing symbol to edit.
2. Change the symbol parameter settings in the dialog.
3. Click Apply. The symbol is updated accordingly.
Symbol Parameters
You control the display of the utility symbol parameters by entering values for the gap size, the X
size (cross size), the extension distance, the centerline angle, etc. according to the diagram in the
dialog box. This diagram varies depending on the choice of utility symbol you wish to create. This
diagram defines the different parameters you have control over. For a description of the various
symbol parameters, see the respective discussions for each utility symbol type.
Point Position Options
You determine a symbol's placement by selecting an object (or objects) from which to create the
utility symbol. When you select an object, the system evaluates the desired location relative to
that object based upon the point position option setting. Details and examples of how these base
points are defined by the system are discussed in the Overview section of this chapter.
The position options available for Utility Symbols are as follows:

For example, if you are creating a linear centerline, and you choose Arc Center for Point Position,
the system expects you to only select arc centers to define this linear centerline.

There are no Point Position options for Offset Center Point, Target Point, and
Intersection.
You can select up to 100 points to define a linear centerline, circular centerline, or bolt circle.
Symbols and Text Control Characters
In the Drafting Application, you can use control characters and blockfont characters to generate
symbols that are not available using a standard keyboard. These symbols can be used in notes,
labels, dimensions, ID symbols etc.
A control character is a sequence of alphanumeric and special characters in the format <string>.
In addition to creating symbols, you can also use control characters to format text in a note or
label.
Blockfont is a character font supplied with the system that contains special characters you can
use to create various drafting symbols. Blockfont characters consist of a dollar sign ($) and an
alphanumeric character.
Control and Blockfont characters can be entered into several areas in the Drafting application
including:
 The Append Text field in the Dimensions and Ordinate Dimensions dialog.
 The Annotation Editor
 The upper and lower text fields in the ID Symbols dialog
The following table shows the symbols that can be created and their corresponding keystrokes.

Symbol For: Symbol Control Character Blockfont Character

Straightness <&1> $b

Flatness <&2> $a

Circularity <&3> $c

Cylindricity <&4> $d

Profile Line <&5> $e

Profile Surface <&6> $f

Angularity <&7> $j

Perpendicularity <&8> $i

Parallelism <&9> $h

Position <&10> $g

Concentricity <&11> $l

Symmetry <&12> $m

Circular Runout <&13> $k

Total Runout <&15> None

Maximum Material Condition <M> $o

Least Material Condition <E> None

Regardless of Feature Size <S> $q

Projected Tolerance Zone <P> $p

Statistical Tolerance <&S> None

Tangent Plane <&T> None

Free State <&F> None

Start of Composite GD&T Symbol <&60> None

Start of Non-Composite GD&T <&70> None

Symbol

Vertical Line in GD&T Symbol <+> None

Return (for 2 lines in a GD&T symbol) <&80> None

End of GD&T Symbol <&90> None

Micro Symbol None $1

Ohm Symbol None $2

Farad Symbol None $3

Dollar Sign None $$

Less Than None $<

Greater Than None $>

Diameter <O> $r

Centerline None $u

Reference Dimension <(>.500<)> None

Conical Taper <#e> or <#E> None

Slope <#g> or <#G> None

Counterbore/Spotface <#b> or <#B> None

Countersink <#c> or <#C> None

Depth/Deep <#d> or <#D> None

Square (shape) <#f> or <#F> None

Number of Times/Places <#a8> or <#A8> None

Spherical Diameter S<O> S$r

Radius None R

Spherical Radius None SR

Plus and Minus <$t> $t

Degree ° <$s> $s

User-Defined Symbol <%symbol> None

Copy Right Symbol None $y

Registered Trademark Symbol None $z

The following control characters are used to format text.

Blank Space
<Br>
You can insert a blank space in the text string. The value assigned to the variable "r" makes one
blank space "r" times the blank character of the current font.

Line Spacing
<Zr>
You can vary the spacing between lines of text by assigning a value to the variable "r". The
distance from one line of text to the next is "r" times the line spacing defined for the current font.
To reset spacing to the default values, enter <Z> .

Gap
<Gr>
You can assign a value to the variable "r" to make the spacing between text characters "r" times
the character spacing of the current font. To reset, enter G .

Character Size
<Cr>
You can change the character size by assigning a value to the "r" variable. The new character
size is "r" times the character size of the current font. To reset the size to the original font, enter
<C>.

Always perform a reset when using Character Size control character along with
other control characters (e.g. Underline, Font, etc) within a text string. Failure to do so
may produce unsatisfactory results.

Font
<Fn>
You can assign a value to the "n" variable to change the current font. "n" is a number between 1
and 14 corresponding to the font list for the part. Enter an <F> to reset to the original font.

Character Line Width

<Dn>
Use the "Dn" control character to change the line width of the text. "n" can be a 1, 2, or 3 and
corresponds to normal, thick, or thin, respectively.

Above Line, Over Line

<A>
You can draw a straight line above the usual text line. Enter <A> at the beginning of the text to
start the over line and <A> at the end of the text to terminate the over line.

Underline
<U>
You can draw a straight line below the usual text line. Enter <U> at the beginning of the text to
start the underline and <U> at the end of the text to terminate the underline.

Subscript
<L>
You can use a subscript to place a half-size character below the bottom line of the text. Use <L>
at the start and at the end of the characters to be subscripted.

Inclination (italics)
<In>
Enter the text control <In> immediately before a word(s) you wish to incline (or italicize), with "n"
as the number of degrees for the angle of inclination. 20 is a common value to enter with values
greater than 70 rendering the characters unreadable. To turn the inclination off, follow the inclined
word(s) with <I>.

Superscript
<H>
You can use a superscript to place a half-size character above the top line of the text. Use <H> at
the start and at the end of the characters to be superscripted.

Text Continuation
<N>
Placing an <N> at the end of a line indicates that the next line is a continuation of the current line.
The carriage return at the end of the first line is ignored and the second line is displayed after the
first one. This can be used to overcome the 132 characters per line limit.

Common Fraction
<Rn!d>
A common fraction is displayed by assigning values to "n" and "d". "n" is the numerator and "d"
the denominator. "!" is the separation character. No control characters can be nested inside the
brackets.

Three-Quarter Size Fraction

<Qn!d>
A three-quarter size fraction is displayed when you use these control characters. Values assigned
to "n" and "d" defines the numerator and denominator respectively. "!" is the separation character.
No control characters can be nested inside the brackets.

Full-Size Fraction
<Vn!d>
A full-size fraction is displayed when you use these control characters. Values assigned to "n" and
"d" defines the numerator and denominator respectively. "!" is the separation character. No control
characters can be nested inside the brackets.

Two Lines Of Text

<Tr!s>
"r" and "s" are two lines of text displayed one line over the other, usually positive, real numbers
that cannot contain any control characters except <Rn!d> or <Qn!d> to insert fractions.

Expression Value
<Xm.n@exp_name>
Where "X" indicates a reference to an expression.
Where "m" indicates the minimum field width. If required, the expression value is padded with
blank spaces on the left to fill the field width. If m=0 the leading zero is suppressed.
Where "n" indicates the maximum number of digits after the decimal point of the expression
value. If n=0 the value displays as a whole number. The m and n can be separated by a comma
or a period depending on the decimal point separator desired.

If the text is part of a dimension, "m.n" can be omitted. If it is omitted, the number
of decimal places used for the dimension is also used for the expression value.
Where "exp_name" indicates the expression name. The expression name is case sensitive. An
expression from a part that is not the current work part can also be referenced by specifying the
following provided that the interpart expressions customer default is turned ON.
<part name>::<exp_name>

Expression Assignment
<XA@exp_name>
Where "A" indicates that the expression assignment statement is displayed rather than the
expression value.
Where "exp_name" indicates the expression name. The expression name is case sensitive.
Example:
For the expression "p1=if(p0<2)3 else 2*p0", the <XA@p1> control character text displays as
follows:
p1=if(p0<2)3 else 2*p0

Part Attribute
<W&@attr_title>
Where "W" indicates a reference to a part attribute.
Where "&" is an optional control character that specifies that the part attribute value is to be
interpreted such that control character sequences display as their corresponding symbols. If the &
is not present, the part attribute value displays exactly as entered.
For example, a reference to an attribute titled ANGLE can be displayed in either of two ways as
follows:

Attribute Reference Annotation Display

<W&@ANGLE> 45°

<W@ANGLE> 45<$s>

<W&COMPONENT1@ANGLE> 45° (attribute from component)

<WCOMPONENT1@ANGLE> 45<$s> (attribute from component)

The Annotation Editor does not currently provide any automatic means of inserting the
ampersand character (&). Therefore, you must manually insert the & after the W. Nested attribute
references are not supported.
Where "attr_title" indicates the referenced attribute title.

Object Attribute Identifier

<W!obj_id@attr_title>
Where "obj_id" indicates the unique identifier of the object the attribute is associated to. This
"obj_id" is not the ID number found when doing Information -> Object.

Object Attribute
<W&obj_name@attr_title>
Where "obj_name" indicates the object which the object attribute has been assigned to. It is
important to note that if multiple objects have the same name, the first object found is selected.
Therefore, it is recommended that unique object names be used when object attributes are
assigned.
For an explanation of the & see the Part Attribute section above.

Inherit The Inherit button only operates on the current property page as selected by the tabs
at the top of the dialog. This option allows you to set the drafting preferences to those
of an existing object. When you select this button, the system prompts you to select
the object. After you select the object, the system reads the appropriate settings from
that object and updates the corresponding preferences.
If you are editing (and have drafting objects selected) and you click this button, the
system prompts you to select a drafting object from which to inherit settings. When you
select the drafting object, the system updates the settings.

Inherit All The Inherit All button on the Annotation Preferences dialog applies to all preferences
on all tabs (Dimensions, Line/Arrow, etc.) and not just the preferences that display for
the currently selected tab. Otherwise, it is the same as the Inherit option.

Reset The Reset button only operates on the current property page as selected by the tabs
at the top of the dialog. Resets the preferences to the values most recently set for the
part file.

Reset All The Reset All button on the Annotation Preferences dialog applies to all preferences
on all tabs (Dimensions, Line/Arrow, etc.) and not just the preferences that display for
the currently selected tab. Otherwise, it is the same as the Reset option.

Load The Load Defaults button only operates on the current property page as selected by
Defaults the tabs at the top of the dialog. The Default button allows you to reset the object
preferences to your Customer Default settings (customer defaults file).

Load All The Load All Defaults button on the Annotation Preferences dialog applies to all
Defaults preferences on all tabs (Dimensions, Line/Arrow, etc.) and not just the preferences
that display for the currently selected tab. Otherwise, it is the same as the Load
Defaults option.