****ISOTOOLS [Version 4.0] FOR ACAD 2000 APR/99 *****
30 DAY TRIAL VERSION
*** HOW TO INSTALL ISOTOOLS ***
-Create a folder or directory to copy the Isotools files
- Start AutoCAD 2000 and open the "Tools" menu.
and select "Options.." Then select "Files" and add the Isotools
directory to the Support File Search Path
- Start Isotools by typing the following at the AutoCAD command
prompt line:
(load "ISOTOOLS")
Then type "ISOTOOLS" to start the main menu.
You can also use the APPLOAD AutoCAD command to load Isotools.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In order for this program to properly work all files
must be in a directory that Autocad recognizes in its search path.
If you have any problems installing or running Isotools, please
contact the author at arqcom@telnor.net or 102717.510@compuserve.com
****OVERVIEW****
ISOTOOLS is a set of useful routines to assist in the creation
of isometric drawings. Its graphical interface through icons inside
dialog boxes and extensive help makes this program fast and easy
to use, greatly reducing the time needed to complete isometric details.
This shareware version contains the same routines as in the registered
version, but it can only be used by a period of 30 days from the
day Isotools is initially loaded.
The complete set consist of the following routines:
****ISOM2D (Isometric 2D conversion).-
Objects are projected in the current XY plane whenever possible,
creating planar entities that can be edited. This way solid and thick
polylines remain filled and standard Autocad commands (such as pedit
and fillet) can be used on them.
Objects that can be projected in isometric 2D are:
LINE, POINT, CIRCLE, ARC, TRACE, SOLID, TEXT, INSERT, ATTRIBUTE
DEFINITION, POLYLINE, DIMENSION, 3DFACE, MLINE, MTEXT, XLINE,
RAY, REGION.
Block inserts must be uniformly and positively scaled. All other
objects are projected in 3D.
The original objects are left intact, and the entities in the
block retain the original properties (linetype, color, layer,
thickness).
If you want to edit individual objects you must first explode
the resulting block. There are four available viewpoints (one
for each quadrant)
****ISOM3D (Isometric 3D conversion).-
Blocks are created from selected entities and then scaled and
inserted rotated in space to view them in isometric. Some Autocad
editing commands are not allowed on non planar entities (such as
fillet and pedit), and solids, traces and polylines do not remain
filled (they are represented as wireframes). The blocks created
are named with the prefix "ISOBLK" and the next available number
(ISOBLK1, ISOBLK2,...)
Prompts:
Insertion base point:
Select objects:
****ISODRAW (Isometric drawing).-
Routine to assist in the creation of isometrics by displaying
a short line that snaps at every 30 degrees or at user specified
angular increments. Instead of typing something like "@3.5<120",
you just type "3.5" and then move your mouse until the indicator
line snaps to the desired angle. The command sequence is as
follows:
Prompts:
Angular increment<30>:
/Ref:
/Undo/Ref:
If you choose the "Ref" option you
will get the following prompts:
Reference point:
Distance:
Use the "Ref" option if you want to get a point at
a certain distance and angle from another known point.
***ISOFITT (Isometric fittings).-
Routine to globally place tranversal lines ("ties") at the
beginning and ending points of line and straight polyline
segments to indicate fittings. It optionally rounds corners
to indicate elbow fittings, and also detects intersections with
another lines to indicate "T" and "Y" fittings.
Prompts:
Select objects:
Tie length:
Round corners?:
****ISOTEXT (Isometric Text).-
Routine to generate dynamic isometric text. All text fonts
can be used (*.SHX, *.PFB, and *.TTF on AcadR13). A text style
is generated for each font select in the following progression:
ISOTEX-L1,ISOTEX-L2,... ISOTEX-R1, ISOTEX-R2, ....
After you choose the isometric text style from the dialogue
box, all prompts are the same as in DTEXT command.
****ISODIM (Isometric Dimension).-
Routine to generate isometric dimensions, optionally
choosing a text font. After you choose the dimension style,
all prompts are the same as in the DIM HORIZONTAL command.
The dimensions generated retain their associativity and
use the default Dim values (Dimscale, Dimasz,Dimtxt,..)
except for the default block (Dimblk). If you stretch a
dimension to modify it the text value and style will be changed,
resulting in a loss of isometric text appearence. To avoid this,
you can set the isometric style to ISOTEX-L1 or ISOTEX-R1 and
update the dimension after the change is made.
****ISOPASTE (Isometric Paste).-
Routine to project orthometric objects in the right or
left isoplane. You can quickly create an isometric drawing
from existing plan views of an object using this and the other
isometric projection routines (ISOM2D and ISOM3D). You can also
draw a detail in plan view and then convert or paste it into
an existing isometric object. The original objects are left
intact, and the entities in the block retain the original
properties (linetype, color, layer, thickness).
Limitations:
-Text and blocks will always be projected in isometric 3D
-The isometric 2D projection does not recognize objects with
thickness, but you can use the isometric 3D method instead
****ISOSHAPE (Isometric Shape).-
Routine to draw up to 25 parametric iso shapes. The basic
types included are: cube, cylinder, cone, pyramid, wedge and
arc. Within the dialog box you can select the shape from the
listbox, icon image or by pressing the next and previous
buttons. You then type in the required values in the edit boxes
provided (zero, null and negative values are not allowed).
The isometric shape will be created after pressing the ok
button or double-clicking on the icon image.
***************************************
**** Author: Hector Martinez ****
**** ****
**** Artcad Software ****
**** 2498 Roll Dr #124 ****
**** San Diego CA 92173 ****
**** CompuServe ID: 102717,510 ****
**** Internet: arqcom@telnor.net ****
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