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Symmetric Draw

No matter it is AEC or MFG industry, there are many symmetric drawing shapes. The usual way to make a symmetric shape is to draw the first half of the shape and then get another symmetric half by copy or mirror. Â Â Â Â Â Â It is possible to...

Transparency

The new Transparency feature in GstarCAD 2017 allows you specify a transparency value not only for hatch and gradient objects but also for an entire layer. Transparency effects can enhance drawings by reducing the visibility of objects that are...

Ribbon Command

Â Command name: RIBBON/RIBBONCLOSE Now you can use the RIBBONCLOSE and RIBBON command to hide and display the ribbon respectively. Â Â Related tutorial video: Â Â Ribbon 00:33 Toolbars 00:47 Menus and Shortcut Menus 00:47 View 01:43...

REFEDIT Command

(Enhancement) Reference edition (REFEDIT) has been enhanced in GstarCAD 2017. Now you can edit an xref or a block definition directly within the current drawing. The objects that you select from the selected xref or block are temporarily extracted...

Dynamic Input

Â (Upgated 2016 ) The traditional dynamic input has been improved, so now the dynamic input achieves the command line integration which means a great benefit by gaining more workspace and less eyes concentration.Â Now the dynamic input in GstarCAD...

Display Plot Styles

The Page Setup manager for layout supports the Display Plot Styles option. You can assign different plot style tables to each layout in your drawing. Using plot styles gives you great flexibility because you can set them to override other object...

Changebase command

Function Description : This command is used to allow changing the base point position of a block. You can move the base point and keep objects staying in original position, or move objects and keep base point staying in original position. Command...

Tablestyle command

Function Description: This command is used to create, modify, or specify table styles. The Table Style dialog box is displayed.You can specify the current table style to determine the appearance of all new tables. A table style includes settings for...

Plot Transparency

Plot Transparency option in plot dialog box, specifies whether object transparency is plotted. This option should only be used when plotting drawings with transparent objects.For performance reasons, plotting transparency is disabled by default. This...

Command Line Suggestion List

Now when you enter a command at the command line, a list of related commands and variables are displayed. There is no need to enter the whole name of a command or system variable.

Draw Rectangles and Polygons

Use RECTANGÂ to create rectangular shape polylines. You can specify the length, width, area, dimensions and rotations. Use POLYGONÂ to create closed polylines with 3-1,024 equal-length sides, you can create equilateral triangles, squares, pentagons...

ATTSYNC Command

Â Command name: ATTSYNC The ATTSYNC command applies attribute changes in block definitions to all block references of the same name. You can use this command to update instances of blocks containing attributes that were redefined using the BLOCK...

Dimregen command

Function Description: This command is used to update the positions of all associative dimensions in Model space or Layouts. The command not only allows moving associative dimensions to correct positions, but also regenerating dimensions display...

ADCCLOSE command

The ADCCLOSE command is used to close DesignCenter Window. Command ADCCLOSE

Change the Color of an Object

If you want to change the color of objects, you can either identify a color for objects, move objects to another layer or change the layer color. There are three options available:. you can move the object to another layer with a different color....

SHEETSET command

The SHEETSET command is used to managing large sets of drawings manually can be complicated and time consuming. In GstarCAD the Sheet Set Manager allows you to manage the entire project drawing sheet sets. It can manage all the work flow from sheets...

PDF Import

GstaCAD allows you to import the objects from a PDF file as editable objects.You can access the Import PDF from File-Import-PDF, you can input PDFIMPORTÂ command or click Insert Tab- Import Panel-PDF Import. Â Select a PDF file, After clicking open...

Snap to geometric center

A new snap option (Geometric Center) has been added to improve the snap center of any kind of polygonal object.

Scale Text

This command can be used for single line text and multiline text, you can specify scale center and text height with this command. Menu : Text >Others>Scale Text Command Entry : SCALETEXT Operation steps: 1.Start the command. 2.Select objects...

MULTIPLE Command

Â Command name: MULTIPLE This command executes a command repetitively, avoiding press enter or space bar key. Because this command only repeats command names, all parameters must be specified each time.

Command Preview

The command preview provides you a quick feedback of the active command. It shows you exactly how the objects will look when the âTRIMâ, âEXTENDâ and âHATCHâ command is executed. As you make changes within the command, you can instantly...

Control Linetype Scale

The same LINETYPEÂ can be changed to different scales by changing the linetype scale factor globally or individually for each object. By default, global scale factor and current object scales are set to 1.0. You will see the Global Scale Factor and...

SETBYLAYER Command

Â Command name: SETBYLAYERÂ Changes the property overrides of the selected objects to ByLayer. You can specify which properties are changed to ByLayer, including color, linetype, lineweight, and materials. Â

Object Snap

Without having to know the exact coordinates, object snaps enable you to quickly locate points relative to existing objects such as center points of circles or midpoints of lines. Use Running Object Snaps Press F3 or click the OSNAPÂ button on the...

Overview of Hatch Patterns and Fills

You canÂ hatchÂ an area using a predefined hatch pattern, define a simple line pattern using the current linetype (LINETYPE), or create more complex hatch patterns. You can also create a gradient fill that can be used to enhance presentation drawings...

ADDSELECTED Command

Â Command name: ADDSELECTED This new command creates a new object of the same type and properties as selected object but with different geometric values. Â

Pan and Zoom

You can panÂ a view to reposition it in the drawing area or zoomÂ it to change its magnification. Using the Realtime option of the PANÂ function, you move your pointing device to pan dynamically. PAN does not change the scale or location of objects...

Windows System Printer

Now âDefault Windows System Printerâ is supported into plot dialog box, so the drawings opened or copied to any machine will automatically use the current machine's default system plot driver. Â

Layout Settings

If you want to simulate the display of paper, you can use the Layout. Select a Paper Size for a Layout You can select a paper size form a standard list or add custom paper size using the Plotter Configuration Editor. The custom paper sizes can be...

Set the Current Color

You can visually distinguish objects by using colors, either by assigning a color to an object by layer or independently of layer. If you assign a color by layer, it will help you to distinguish the layers with your drawing. You can also use...

Change Layer Settings and Layer Properties

The name of a layer and any properties like COLORÂ and LINETYPEÂ can be changed, and objects can be moved from one layer to another. By clicking the icons in the Layer Properties Manager (LAYERÂ ) and in the Layer control on the Layers toolbar, you...

Display and Change The Properties of Objects

The current PROPERTIESÂ for any object in your drawing can be displayed and changed Use the GstarCAD Properties Panel The most commonly used properties for each object type or a set of objects are listed in the GstarCAD properties panel. The...

Batch Print

Batch print drawings with the same drawing frame attribute. Menu : Express tools>Plot Tool>Batch Print Command Entry : BP Operation steps: 1. Start the command. 2. Specify the type of frame, you can select Layer/ Block/ Polyline so that the...

Edit Groups

Create Groups A GROUPÂ is a saved set of objects. You can name the groups that you build and add a description for it. Copies of the group will be given the default name as is *Ax and is considered unnamed. .Nested groups can also be ungrouped to...

Draw Lines

You can use the LINEÂ command to generate one or a series of continuous line segments. Each segment is a separate line object, you can assign properties such as COLORÂ , LINETYPEÂ and lineweight (LWEIGHT) to each line. If you want to connect the...

Break Objects

In some industrial application design, sometimes we need to break pipes or cable lines in our schematic drawing to indicate their spatial relationship. Sometimes we also need to break lines at crossing point to make it convenient for the later edit....

Text Outline

Text Outline function will split more thoroughly, after processing, texts are no longer words, but lines. When editing single line fonts, precision can be set to 1, set to higher numerical will make text warp, using true type font from operating...

Line to Pline

This function can convert one or multiple connected straight lineÂ (s), arcÂ (s) to one polylineÂ . You can access it from: Menu : Express tools>Draw>Line to Polyline Command Entry : Line2pl After starting the command, a prompt message will be...

Control Dimension Values

You can control how the numeric values and numeric distances in dimensions are presented. Set Dimension Unit Unit format, numeric precision and decimal separator style are settings for primary units, which influence the display of dimension values....

Draw Circles

You can choose one of the following methods to draw a CIRCLEÂ : Center, Radius (Default) Center, Diameter 2 points 3 points Tangent, Tangent, Radius(TTR) Tangent, Tangent, Tangent(TTT) Arc (Convert arc to circle) Depends on the conditions and...

Load Linetypes

You can load LINETYPEÂ at the start of a project or when you need them. Linetypes are stored in an LIN (linetype definition) file, you can load linetypes in a LIN file whenever you want use it. Depending on what measurements you are using, you can...

Text Match

TextMatch is a specific tool to match both text and Mtext attributes in the current drawing, avoiding to select and edit text attributes one by one. You can access it from: Menu: Text>Text Match Command Entry: Textmatch After starting the command,...

Text Mask

Place a mask object behind selected text or mtext. The rectangular mask is offset from the text by a specified value. Menu: Express tools>Text Tools>Text Mask Command Entry: TEXTMASK Command line prompts as follows: Current settings : Offset...

Explode Block Definitions

The block reference can be exploded into its component objects, if you need to modify one or more objects within the block separately. By selecting the Explode option in the INSERTÂ dialog box, you can automatically explode block references as you...

Dimreassociate command

Function Description: This command is used to associate or reassociate selected dimensions to objects or points on objects. Command Access: Icon: Menu: Dimension > Reassociate DimensionsRibbon: Annotation > Dimension > Reassociate...

Choose Hatch Patterns and Solid Fills

You can use a predefined hatch pattern or solid fill, or you can create your own hatch patterns. Use Predefined Hatch Patterns More than 100 industry-standard hatch patterns are supplied with this program and many more additional hatch patterns are...

Save and Restore Views

If you have saved specific views by name, you can restore them for layout and plotting or when you need to refer to specific details. Save a view The following settings are saved when you name and save a view : View scale, view position and view...

Automatic Text Numbering

Adds sequential numbering to text objects. The numbering can appear as a prefix, suffix or replacement text. After selecting one or multiple texts, you can set the text sorting method, the starting number and increment of text sorting and generated...

Use Grips to Edit Objects

When you select objects with a pointing device, grips will be displayed at strategic points on objects as small filled squares or arrow. Grips can be dragged to edit objects directly and quickly. Stretch with Grips When you drag selected grips to...

Polar

Polar tracking is used to display temporary alignment paths defined by the polar angles you specify, while you are creating or modifying objects. You can set the angle base (ANGBASE)direction in the Drawing Units dialog box. Alignment paths and...

Overview of Layers

As the main organizational tool for drawings, LAYERÂ can be used to group information by function and to enforce LINETYPEÂ , COLORÂ and other standards. The following settings can be controlled: the default color, default linetype and lineweight ...

Select Multiple Objects

You can select many objects at the at the same time at the Select Objects prompt. Specify a Rectangular Selection Area You can select many object by specifying opposite corners to establish a rectangular area. which objects are selected, depending on...

Spline to Pline

With this tool the SPlineÂ created can be converted to a polylineÂ according to the accuracy (number of segments of the arc) that the user assigns. The more specified the segment number is, the higher is the matching degree between the converted...

Print PLT

Users can send PLT files to printer for printing. Menu: Express tools>Plot Tool>Print PLT Command Entry : PrintPlt Operation Steps: 1. Start the command. 2. Select PrintPlt.exe in the dialog box. 3. Double-click the PrintPlt.exe file, then the...

Count Blocks

This function is used to count the number of the blocks by list. Menu : Express>Blocks>Count Blocks Command Entry: BCOUNTÂ Operation steps: 1.Start the command, the command line prompts "Enter to select all blocks or ...". 2.You can press...

Draw Donuts

Donuts (DONUT) are solid-filled circles (CIRCLE) or filled rings. It is a closed polyline (PLINE)with width. Â Â Related tutorial video: Â Â Status bar related setting 00:23 Line command 00:33 Polar 00:39 Edit objects + grips 00:56 Grips...

Define Attributes

An attribute (ATTDEF) is a flag or label that attaches data to a BLOCKÂ . Attribute (ATTDEF) stores the characteristics include the tag, the prompt, value information, text formatting, location and optional modes (Invisible, Constant, Verify, Preset,...

Set Model Space Viewports

You can split the drawing area into one or more adjacent rectangular views, which are also called model space viewports on the Model tab. For example, If you choose 2 or 3 viewports, you can set the arrangement of viewports: Three viewports: ...

Add Geometric Tolerances

Overview of Geometric Tolerances Geometric tolerances indicate acceptable deviations of form, profile, location , orientation and runout of a feature. You can create geometric tolerances with TOLERANCEÂ or LEADERÂ , resulting in them being created...

Update and Bind Referenced Drawings

All DWG references (XREF) are updated automatically, when you open a drawing. You can also use the Reload option from the External References palette (EXTERNALREFERENCES) or dialog box. Notification of Changed Xrefs When you attach xrefs to a drawing...

Delete Duplicate Objects

This function can not only manage overlapped lines, circles, Plines linear objects etc, but can also manage entire coincident blocks, texts, dimensions and regions .Moreover, remove does not simply mean delete, it judges by layer, color, line type...

Multiple Copy

Copy multiple objects with Repeat, Array, Divide and Measure options. Menu : Express tools>Modify>Multiple Copy Command Entry : COPYM Start the command and the command line prompts as follows: Select objects: Select the objects to be copied...

Dimtoffset command

Function Description: The DIMTOFFSET system variable is used to control the gap between the dimension line and the dimension text, if the space above the arrows is not enough for the dimension text when you place the dimension below or right the...

Drawing Compare

Drawing compare is an exclusive function in GstarCAD which is added according to the user's requirement. It enhances collaboration by using color-coded displays to show items on a drawing that have been changed, added, or deleted by other...

Rotation

In this section, we are going to use a rotation parameter and rotate action to add a dynamic rotate function to view index symbols (English system) which are frequently used in architectural drawings. 1. Draw a drawing Draw a view index symbol and...

Create Layers

For each conceptual grouping (like doors or windows), a new LAYERÂ can be established, named and be given common properties. To control the visibility and object properties of a lot of objects simultaneously, you can organize objects into layers. ...

Delete Annotation

Sometimes we need to add annotations to our drawings, it is more convenient to edit and manage annotations that are in one special layer. This function is based on this kind of circumstance, you can select one text annotation to be deleted , our...

Draw Splines

A SPLINEÂ is a smooth curve, which passes through or near a given set of points, . You can draw a spline by specifying series of points , start tangents and end tangents. You can use two methods for creating splines: Create spline curves with the...

Modify a Block Definition and Attribute

Modify a Block Definition You can edit a block definition or a block reference already inserted in the drawing. If you redefine block definitions in your current drawing, all the block references will be affected simultaneously. you have two options...

Edit OLE Objects in Drawings

You can double-click the OLE object to open the source application in a drawing. OLE objects can be selected with any selection method and edited with most editing commands, the Properties palette or grips to make changes. If the aspect ratio is...

Import OLE Objects

Information from other OLE supporting applications can be imported into a drawing. Link OLE Objects in Drawings You can link information from a document created by another application to a drawing. When information in linked documents are changed,...

Explode Attribute to Text

Explode blocks, converting value of attributes to text objects. Menu : Express>Blocks>Explode Attributes to Text Command EntryÂ : BURSTÂ Command line prompts as follows: Select entities : Use an object selection method For example : Explode...

Create Multiline Text

A multiline text (MTEXT) object includes one or more paragraphs of text that is manipulated as a single object. You can create mtext in the In-Place Text Editor or an alternative text editor, you can also insert text from a file. The In-Place Text...

Display Lineweights

You can turn on and off Lineweights in a drawing use the LWT on the status bar . The plotting of lineweights is not affected by this setting. In model space, a 0-value LWEIGHTÂ is displayed as one pixel. Regeneration time increases with lineweights...

3D Orbit

By using the mouse or another pointing device, you can move a drawing to view the drawing object from different angles. When you activate 3D navigationÂ you can PANÂ and ZOOMÂ at the same time. During a 3D navigation operation, it is not allowed to...

Fillet, Chamfer, Break, or Join Objects

Create Fillets With a FILLETÂ , you can join two objects with a tangent arc of a specified radius. Set the Fillet Radius When the radius of the filleted is changed, it will affects subsequent fillets. If the fillet radius is set to 0, no arc is...

Modify Dimension Text

The location and orientation of dimension text can be changed or replaced it with new text when you create it or after created. You can rotate the existing text, after you have created a dimension or replace it with new text. The text can be moved to...

Create Leader Text

With this function you can create a line that connects annotation to a feature Create leader You can create a leader with the LEADERÂ or QLEADERÂ command in any place of the drawing and you can set the format and control the appearance at the same...

Copy Nested Objects

Copy objects in a xref or a block. Menu : Express>Blocks>Copy Nested Objects Command Entry : NCOPYÂ Command line prompts as follows: Select nested objects to copy : Use an object selection method Base point : Specify a point, or enter M for...

Create Blocks

You can create blocks by selecting objects, specifying a name and base point. You can also create TEXTÂ information as attributes of blocks. You can define a blocks by BLOCKÂ , insert a DWG/DXF file, COPYCLIPÂ and paste as BLOCKÂ , or binding an XREF...

CAD Table to Excel

This command will convert sheets, composed by line/Spline and text/Mtext in CAD, to EXCEL. Menu : Express>Table Tools> CAD Table to Excel Command Entry : GC_CTE It will pop up a dialog box and you can specify the conversion ratio. Operation...

Graphic Compare

As we know the drawing compare function in GstarCAD can be used to compare similar drawings containing nearly number of drawn objects to each other, especially to compare different versions of revision drawings. Drawing compare can make comparisons...

Modify Text

All text objects can be moved (MOVE) , rotated (ROTATE), deleted and copied (COPY) just like any other objects. You can also edit the contents of the created text objects. Modify single line text There are two ways for the singe line text...

Block Break

Working with block references that represent symbols are essential in some industrial application drawings like electrical schematics, piping, etc. But a headache comes when try to place these blocks accurately overlapping or even breaking other...

Convert BLOCK to XREF

Replace all instances of a standard block with an xref. Unbind xrefs that are bound. Menu: Express>Blocks>Convert Block to Xref Command Entry: BLOCKTOXREF BLOCKTOXREF searches the entire drawing for references to a specified block name and...

Change Block Color

The Change Block Color function Modify the block color quickly. Menu: Express>Blocks>Change Block Color Command Entry: bchgcol Operation steps: 1.Start the command. 2.Input new color number, here we input 30 for example. 3.Select block objects...

Change Raster Image Brightness, Contrast and Fade

For easier viewing or special effects, you can change several display properties of raster images in a drawing. You can adjust brightness, contrast and fade for the display of an image as well as for the plotted output. To darken or lighten an image,...

Create Table

Menu : Express tools>AutoXlsTable>Create Table Command Entry :_CAOT_AUTOXLSTABLE_CREATE Operation steps: 1. In the AutoXLSTable pull-down menu, click Create Table. 2.Create an Excel spreadsheet or open an existing Excel spreadsheet in Excel. 3...

Copy, Offset or Mirror Objects

There are many methods to generate duplicates of objects in your drawing, such as COPYÂ , OFFSETÂ , MIRRORÂ and ARRAYÂ . Copy Objects Duplicates of objects can be generated at a specified distance and direction from the originals. Use coordinates,...

Ortho Mode

If you open the ORTHOMODEÂ Â , cursor movement is restricted to horizontal and vertical, then you can create and modify drawings more accurately and conveniently. You can turn the Ortho mode on or off by Ortho button on the status bar or press F8 key...

Show and Hide Raster Image Boundaries

If you hide an image boundary, the boundary can not be plotted or displayed and cannot be selected with the pointing device, which prevents that the image is accidentally moved or modified. Clipped images are still displayed to their specified...

Create Linear Dimensions

Linear dimensions can be created with horizontal, vertical and aligned dimension lines. They can also be stacked or created end to end. Create Horizontal and Vertical Dimensions A horizontal or vertical dimension can be created according to the...

Polar Stretch

We use the Polar Stretch function of Dynamic Blocks to draw the section symbol in this section. 1.Draw Graphics Drawing includes the attribute text which can be modified as you need as below: Â 2.Mirror graphics Â 3. Define blocks Define all the...

Parameters

Define custom properties for the dynamic block by specifying positions, distances, and angles for geometry in the block. You add parameters (BPARAMETER) to a dynamic block definition in the Block Editor. In the Block Editor (BEDIT), parameters have...

Overview of Lineweights

Lineweights are width values of graphical objects and some types of text. You can use lineweights to draw heavy and thin lines. For example, heavy lines for walls in architecture drawing but thin lines for them in electrical drawing. Lineweights are...

The general steps of creating Dynamic Block

In order to get a high quality Dynamic Block, improve block editing efficiency and avoid repeating modification, we can finish creating Block by the following steps. Step 1: PlanningBefore creating Dynamic Block, it is essential to plan Dynamic...

System Variable Editor

Allows you to view, save, load and compare system variable settings. Menu: Express tools>Tools>System Variable Editor Command Entry : SYSVDLG System Variables Dialog Box Options: List Box : Displays a list of system variables. The edit field...

Rotate Cursors

The cursor can rotate anti-clockwise by 0 degree or 45 degree. Menu : Express>GstarCAD Tools>Rotate Cursor>0 or 45 Command Entry : RTCUR0/RTCUR45 0 degree/45 degree Side Line Menu : Express>GstarCAD Tools>Rotate Cursor>Side Line...

Replace Block

In the current drawing, you can use one block to replace another one, moreover, you can purge the unreferenced block when the operation is finished. Menu : Express tools>Blocks>Replace Block Command Entry : BLOCKREPLACEÂ Select a block to...

ACIS SAT Files

With the ASCISIN command, you can import geometry objects stored in SAT (ASCII) files. Using ACISIN you can convert the model to a body object or to 3D solids and regions if the body is a true solid or a true region. Â

List Object Xdata

Lists the xdata associated with an object. Menu : Express tools>Tools>List Object Xdata Command Entry : XDLIST Select objects: Use an object selection method. Input application name <*>: Specify an application name or press ENTER for all...

Filter and Sort the List of Layers

Layer names listed in the Layer Properties Manager (LAYER) can be sorted by name or by property, such as color or visibility. To show only the layers you want to work with in a large drawing, you can use the layer filter and select any of the...

Set the Current Linetype

The current LINETYPEÂ is shown in the Linetype control on the Properties toolbar and all objects you draw will use the current linetype. You can also set the current linetype with the Linetype control. If you set current linetype to BYLAYER, all...

Attach and Detach External Reference

If you attach a drawing as a XREFÂ , the referenced drawing is linked to the current drawing. Any changes to the xref drawing are displayed in the current drawing when it is opened or reloaded. You can also insert an entire drawing as block in...

Statistics Summation

This function sums up selected text or mtext. The selected text can not contain any other characters behind the number and the selected mtext can only contain a row of numerical values without blank spaces. Figures with prefix can also make...

Trim to Nested Objects

Trims objects with a block as a cutting boundary. Menu : Express>Blocks>Trim to Nested Objects Command Entry : BTRIM Command line prompts as follow: Select objects or