3.3 Graphics and CAD

Outlines, drawings and execution details are important elements of technical documents.

VCmaster offers various options for transferring and editing graphics and integrating CAD programs:

t2W technology: t2W is installed as a printer driver. Similarly to PDF, t2W directs the print output to VCmaster. With CAD programs, it has the advantage of being able to transfer data in print mode. Unlike using the clipboard, line weights and colors are specified. See also Chapter 3.5.
VCcopy-Technology: The extended clipboard is the perfect tool for efficiently copying images or graphics. More information: Chapter 3.6.1.
OLE technology: CAD programs are integrated via OLE technology. This technology offers the option of integrating CAD into VCmaster without buffering. In order to edit, a double-click starts the CAD application. See also Chapter 3.7.4
Import interfaces are available in various standard windows formats (wmf, emf, bmp, jpg, png, pcx, gif, tif, and tga).
Clipboard: This is a Windows standard and is mentioned for conciseness.

Note: VCmaster is not equipped with an import filter for file formats like: DXF, HPGL, PRN, PLT, DGN, DWG etc.
Those files can be imported using t2W-interface. Call up the respective application or viewer. Select Print Option and then select t2W-interface.

General Functions

Undo/Redo function: A maximum of five steps can be undone. The last two steps of the Undo function can be redone.
Enter blank spaces: Inserts a blank space at the current cursor position.
Delete character: In Overwrite mode the selected character is deleted; in Insert mode the character to the right of the cursor is deleted.
To Start of Line/End of Line: Positions the cursor at the beginning of the current line (Position 1) or at the end of the current line, i.e. after the last drawing element of this line.
To Start of Image/End of Image: Positions the cursor at the beginning of the first image line or at the beginning of the last image line.
X-Position/Y-Position: Position of the cursor. The associated controller can be used to move the cursor horizontally or vertically.
Delete/Insert column: Allows columns to be deleted or inserted. In Overwrite mode Insert copies a column to the left of the cursor; in Insert mode, blank spaces are inserted.
Delete/Insert line: Allows lines to be deleted or inserted.
Insert: Toggles between Overwrite and Insert mode. If the check box is ticked, Insert mode is active, i.e. the drawing element is inserted at the current cursor position. The cursor image is shown as an arrow to the right. In Overwrite mode, contrarily, the current cursor position is indicated by a selected character. In this mode, a new drawing element overwrites parts of the existing image.

"Systems" tab

Beams: After inserting the first field, the cursor is at the location where the next field can be joined.

Frames: After insertion, the cursor is always at the upper right corner. The next frame element can be joined at this location. For multi-story frames, draw the lower floor first, then place the cursor into the top left corner and draw the next floor. Cantilevers can be connected at any point of the frame. For doing so, the cursor must be at the connection point. The left cantilever is marked to the left of the cursor and the right one is marked to the right.

Supports: The supports must only be defined above the system height. Hinged columns are connected to the frame if the cursor is on the ledger and the downwards drawing direction is selected.

"System 2" tab

Dimensioning: The horizontal dimension can be marked to the left or right. The vertical dimension can be marked upwards or downwards. The cursor is then at the next possible connection point to continue the dimension chain. The length of the dimension mark must be specified for the height indication. The angle dimensioning writes a symbol to specify the angle.
Bearings and joints: The selected symbol is written at the current position. The fixed and loose bearings replace the symbol above accordingly.

"Roofs" tab

Rafters: Executed in the same way as with beams, the procedure goes from left to right. The left cantilever can also be inserted to the left if there is sufficient space. The roof pitch can be 30°, 45° and 60°.

Roofs: There are three roof systems available. These roof systems are always symmetrical but can however be supplemented by individual rafter sections. The roof width and the distance from the inferior purlin to the collar beam or to the center purlin must be specified. The roof width must be a multiple of two and the distance to the interior purlin must be less than half the roof width.

Joints: There are joints on the right side as individual characters for the corresponding roof pitches. They are inserted at the cursor position.

Notes: The angle of these sections must be identical in order to connect rafters and roof members together. Please check the character direction. Not all dimensions are possible, especially at an angle of 30° due to the geometric conditions. The choice of dimension should be made via the controller or the mouse wheel. Only drawable values are recommended here.

"Loads" tab

Triangular and area loads: The loads with vertical direction are always intelligently interconnected so that you are able to draw almost any load images. The loads in the horizontal direction are not interlinked.

Load arrows: The load arrows are defined by their direction and their length. The appropriate arrow must be selected. The character direction is then inquired, which is not related to the direction of the arrowhead.

Moments: Moments are inserted as individual characters. Their size cannot be influenced.

"Draw" tab

Elements for individual drawings are contained on this tab. It is possible to draw simple cross-sections or details with this collection.
Code button: You can select and draw individual characters from the three VCmaster fonts with this button. The character sets can be viewed by opening and, if necessary, printing the ZeichenXVCmaster.pdf file in the VCmaster directory. Select the font and then the ASCII number accordingly.

Bold button: When the Bold button is active, the characters are written in a heavier font. This mode is activated either by pressing the Bold button or on the display of the individual characters.

Notes: In Bold mode, the characters have the same thickness as the beam, frame, support and roof elements. While drawing, the cursor can be positioned so that drawing can be continued. It is therefore possible to draw horizontal and vertical lines by repeatedly clicking on the relevant character.

Individual buttons:

Earth level can be indicated with this button.

Reinforcing bars can be shown with these buttons.

Predefinition tab

Start size: The start size is the font size that is preset if a new diagram is inserted.
Modify size: The font size of the current diagram can be changed here. The actual impact of every modification is reflected directly in the current VCmaster document. An approximate specification for enlarging the drawing can be found immediately below.
Standard indentation: Here you can define at which indent the graphic should be started.
Indentation: You can shift the current diagram in the document by indenting.

copy, cut, delete:

copy	Copy to clipboard
cut	Copies and deletes
delete	Deletes the current drawing

3.3 Sketches, Graphics and CAD

3.3.1 Available interfaces

BUTTON:

MENÜ:

3.3.2 Simple System Sketches