  Vcad Toolset(R) v2.0 for AutoCad R12-Dos, R13c4 Dos/Windows.
  D.V. Development 1997
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SUMMARY
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Vcad Toolset is a valuable set of new or enhanced commands for
Autocad.  It is not intended as a comprehensive add-on program,
but rather, as a supplement to systems including those running
such a program.  (In particular, the commands provided were
chosen to augment the Softdesk-7 product).  Commands range from
simple shortcuts, to complex new functions.

Commands are issued with shortcut keyboard command names that may
be set by the user; specific program code is loaded automatically
only when needed.  Setup files are provided to store user-specific 
settings for layers, styles, sizes, etc.  In addition, on a 
system with Softdesk-7 (not required), the commands will 
optionally monitor the current Softdesk layer-group name settings, 
and set layer name modifiers appropriately.

A full, but limited time, version of the Toolset is included in 
the file, Vcad20.zip.  It should be unziped with PKUNZIP v2.04 (or 
compatible) in an empty directory preferrably using the -d parameter 
  (e.g.  path-if-req\pkunzip.exe  -d  path-if-req\vcad20.zip)  

Complete documentation is provided in two formats: Wordperfect-5, and
Rich Text Format. View the v_readme.txt file first for 
installation notes.

Permission for unregistered use is limited to 30 days.  If you
find the programs useful, registration is available at this time
for $66. Thank you for your interest.

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COMMANDS INDUCLED IN THE TOOLSET:
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DIMENSIONS
 Dim Style Mgr ...... save/retore dim styles to/from def files
 Dim Center Mark .... changes arrow to dot, ext line to broken
 Dim Block Restore .. undoes Dim Center
 Dim Move Text ...... moves text, optional leader draw
DISPLAY/UCS
 Sheet View ......... create/restore preset plan view
 View-Step .......... interactive 3D view change
 UCS-Set ............ easier options for setting UCS
DRAW OBJECTS
 Break Line ......... single/dbl break line with trimming
 Crossing X ......... draw X in closed boundary
 Custom Object ...... draws user defined objects
 Frames & Panels .... draw utility with area divisions and trims
 Framing Plan Objs .. structural symbols with labels, callouts
 Leader ............. w/ arch style arrow or dot and note
 Line Draw .......... manage/draw "generic" lines, 12 commands
 Rectangle .......... rectangle draw with options
 Pface Mesh ......... draw or use reference objects to make mesh
EDIT
 Edit Every text .... text/attrib/attr-def/dim-text/nested/mtext
 Copy ............... w/ osnap toggle & multi-copy
 Erase .............. w/ osnap toggle
 Extend ............. w/ osnap toggle & select all
 Fillet ............. w/ osnap toggle
 Fillet multiple .... repeating fillet
 Move ............... w/ osnap topple
 Offset ............. w/ osnap toggle
 Trim ............... w/ osnap toggle & select all
HATCH
 Plywd Cross Sec .... fill pattern (not a hatch)
 Wall Fill .......... facilitates hatching pre-defined objects
LAYERS 
 Layer-Grp Move/Copy  to new group, for selected objects
 Layer-Grp Status ... Softdessk only
 Layer Freeze ....... pick object
 Layer Off .......... pick object
 Layer Set .......... pick object
 Layer What? ........ pick object
 Layer Xport ........ quick layer settings save
 Layer Toggle ....... quick layer setting restore
MULTISCALE
 Detail Draw ........ draw at multiple scales/edit blocks
 Detail Title Blk ... title block insertion
REFERENCE SYMBOLS
 Detail Mark ........ interactive symbol drawing
 Section Mark ....... interactive symbol drawing
 Ref Bubble Leader .. 4 symbol types and 3 modes available
TEXT
 Note Text .......... quick text, 2 commands
 General Text ....... manage/draw general text, 4 commands
 Title Text ......... special text, font family option, 4-cmds
 Drawing Title ...... Interactive drawing title construction
 Match/Continue Txt   pick example, options for property match
 Map Fonts .......... toggle slow/fast fonts for all styles
 Text Form Fill* .... Type text in colum/row grid "cells"
TEXT UTILITIES
 Text Utility  ...... word wrap/columns/spacings/save format/etc
 Import Text ........ insert text, or restore with formatting
UTILITY
 Help ............... command listing
 Purge-All ........., purge; deletes blank text; (DOS)batch purge
 Time Clock ......... toggles editing time clock/display
 Modemacro .......... custom status line display
XREFS/BLOCKS
 Auto-Xwrite ........ writes predefined wblock files 
 Xwrite  ............ predefine/manage wblocks, internal blocks

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SELECTED COMMAND DESCRIPTIONS
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X-WRITE
A dialog box interface for defining and writing Wblock files
(typically used for Xref files).  Facilitates use of Xrefs or
internal blocks for reference only or for drawing components
through definition options.  Definitions may consist of drawing
object subsets (by layer, crossing polygon area with optional
trimming, and block include/exclude), and also of making
modifications to these objects for the write.  All changes made
to the drawing for the file writes are temporary.  Once defined,
the Auto-X command can be issued at any time, while in the source
drawing, to automatically update all write files.

Additionally, Wblock files may be automatically inserted into the
source drawing as blocks, to create updateable, transformed
"pieces" of a drawing within itself.  By using the "Projection"
option, X-Write files and such blocks can represent differing
views or cross-sections of a 3D model.

MULTI-SCALE
Manages the drawing of differing scale elements (or detail
blocks) in the same drawing using model space (preferable to
paper space methods for most cases).  New or existing alternate
scale detail blocks may be created or edited.   Functionality is
similar to the command provided with the Softdesk package, but
with enhancements for speed and convienience, e.g. editing may be
initiated with a single click on a detail block, while re-blocking may require only two confirmation clicks.

TEXT UTILITY
Provides for formatting and editing of "columns" of Autocad text
(not Mtext).  Functions provided include:  word wrap;  removal of
leading "tabs" and misbehaved numbering typically from imported
text; paragraph/line numbering; text line insertion and deletion;
simple or complex line spacing and horizontal placement; column
joining/splitting/aligning; saving to ASCII with formatting
codes.  Style/height changes and edits are also provided while in
the command.

VIEW-STEP
Allows allows changing the 3D (orthographic) view of the drawing
in an interactive manner by sequentially stepping through xy-plane angles, z-axis rotations, and zooms.  In addition, preset
orientations may be selected, or exact angles specified.  After a
change of view angle, the display is zoomed to the previous scale
to maintain the approximate view point "distance".  A description
of the current view point is updated and displayed on a prompt
line for help in orientation.

FRAMING PLAN OBJECTS
Draws and labels typical objects of a Type-V structural plan
including framing members, extents symbols, beams, headers at
openings (with auto-placement), anchor bolt symbols, call-outs.

FRAMES & PANELS
Utility to construct door/window elevations, similar frame and
grid objects, or to subdivide boundary areas.  Tools include:
frame draw, "frame" offsets, single or double division "bars" and
grids with automatic trimming, swing symbols, and hatching.

CUSTOM OBJECTS
This command is used to draw user-defined objects, which are
selected from a dialog box listing.  Object types may be arc,
circle, donut, ellipse, line, rectangle, polyline, solid, trace,
and 3dFace.  Definitions include layer, color, linetype, and 
optional parameters (e.g. extrusion, width, etc.) for most object
types.  For types, such as lines, the actual geometry for each
object is drawn by the user during the command.

REFERENCE BUBBLES
This command draws dot leaders and reference bubbles.  Four types
of attribute bubble are available: circle, square, hexagon, and
triangle.  Three command modes are available:  1)Leader drawing
from origin to bubble w/ bubble insert.  2)Bubble insert only. 
3)Leader drawing from existing bubble, or arbitrary point to
origin.  Attribute editing-at-insert may toggled on or off,
independent to this command.  Symbol properties may be preset.

TEXT FORM FILL
This command facilitates making or filling in a "form" or
schedule with Autocad text.  After arbitrary "column" and "row"
locations are specified, on-screen text entry location
automatically moves through succeeding "cells" from left to
right, and then to the next row.  Additional "rows" are created
until exit is chosen. Options include setting a text start point
offset, independant justification for each column, and text entry
suspension for transparent zooms.

PFACE MESH
An alternate method for construction of pface meshes by
"drawing", or by selection of reference boundaries on screen.
(Meshes are useful in producing correct hidden line views). 
Options include creation of extruded shapes from planar sources, 
and construction of complex arbitrary 3D meshes by tracing of
existing wireframe ojects.
