6.5. Page scale

Before you start drawing, you can set the scale in the page setup window . This scale compares the size of the drawn object to the actual size of the object the drawing represents. Each unit on the screen represents whatever you want it to be: an inch, a millimeter etc. If you are drawing a map, one unit might equal one kilometer. The default scale is 1:1.


Figure 6.5.1


6.6. Displaying dual dimensions

Dimension Tool can display dimension in two different units simultaneously, for example, inches and millimeters:


Figure 6.6.1

Page setup is used to determine second dimension units.

Figure 6.6.2


6.7. Dimension accuracy

This option sets the number of decimal places you want to display for the units of measure.


Figure 6.7.1


6.8. Rotating Objects and Symbols

You can rotate any object or symbol from its current orientation around the base point by fixed angle.
For rotating objects, click on the icon of main toolbar, then select objects and move a mouse around this objects. Also you can use "Space bar" shortcut for rotating selected objects clockwise or "Space bar + Shift" shortcut for rotating objects counterclockwise

Selected objects can be rotated by pressing "Space bar" shortcut. Inital object is shown on Figure 6.8.1



Figure 6.8.1
 

Object is rotated 30 degrees clockwise. Notice that object is rotated long geometrical center of the grouped objects.

Figure 6.8.2

Origin can be used to rotate object around specific point. Origin symbol can be placed by using "Ctrl Space Bar" shortcut. This shortcut places origin in the same location where mouse point is.

Figure 6.8.3

Once origin is placed, select all objects and pointer at the same time and press "Ctrl Space Bar" shortcut to rotate object around the origin.

Figure 6.8.4


6.9. Fast Draw options to increase speed

Fast draw mode is used to improve speed of the drawing. It is only needs to be used on the slower computers with CPU speed less than 1GHz. In some cases fast draw allows easier dragging of objects.

Figure 6.9.1
 


6.9.1. Object selection (filled, by lines)

If this option is checked you can select an object by clicking its lines only (except objects with fill color). The default setting is to Select by lines. This applies to objects only. Symbols from library are always treated as filled and can be selected by clicking anywhere on a symbol.


Figure 6.9.1.1


6.9.2. Fast draw mode and Fast draw bitmap fill

Check this option to improve drawing speed of the program. For example, in fast draw mode the program will not draw objects when they are moving. The fast draw bitmap fill will on display object fill if zoomed more than 200%


Figure 6.9.2.1


6.9.3. Fast update to limit number of pixels

This option allows you to set minimal size of objects (in pixels) that will be displayed. When you zoom out a page all objects and symbols are decreasing, when they become less than minimal size they will disappear.


Figure 6.9.3.1


6.10. Rotate angle/interval

Rotate angle must have value from 1 to 180 degrees. This angle is used for rotating objects or symbols around the base point.


Figure 6.10.1


6.11. Grid setting

A grid restricts cursor and objects movement to specified intervals. "Grid size" option adjust the cells size of this grid. Shortcut "1" can be used to cycle through different typical grid settings.


Figure 6.11.1


6.12. Lines settings

The visible lines help you to align objects and visualize the distances between them. "Lines size" option is adjusting the size of the visible cells of this grid.


Figure 6.12.1


6.13. Set page as hidden

In the page setup window you can mark page as "Hidden". Hidden pages are not shown in Presentation mode or when project is opened in Read Only mode. Also hidden pages are not printed.


Figure 6.13.1