The Macros file contains macros, or commands, created with MiniCad+'s programming language, MiniPascal.
The macros included in the file are an example of some of the capabilities of the MiniPascal language. To run these macros, simply double-click on the desired macro in the palette. A description of each macro follows.
Individual macros, or commands, or the whole command palette, can be imported from this file. To import the entire palette, start by opening the file you want the command palette brought into. Choose Command from the Data menu, which open the Commands dialog box. Click on the Import button, locate the "Macros" file in the directory dialog box and double-click on its name.
To import individual macros, open the file you want the command imported into and choose the Command command on the Data menu. Individual commands must be imported into an existing command palette, so choose a command palette you want the macros imported into. If there is no palette, click on the New button to create one. You will be asked to name the new palette; when you click OK, the palette's name appears in the Command dialog box. With the desired palette selected, click on the Edit button. A list of commands, if any, in the palette appears. Now click on the Import button, locate the file with the commands you want to import and double-click on the file's name. A scrolling list of the available commands in the file will open, from which you can select the commands you want to import. The Shift key can be depressed to make multiple selections.
Arc Length returns the length of an arc object in MiniCad+. The user is prompted to select an object, and the length is returned via a message palette.
-Arc Start/End Points-
Arc Start/End Points returns the coordinate locations of the starting and ending points of the selected arc segment, which are displayed via message palette. Arcs will always be determined to be turning in a counter-clockwise direction.
-Center Point-
Center Point will return the center point coordinates of a selected arc or circle. The circle or arc is selected via screen pick after executing the routine, and the coordinates are displayed via message palette.
-Date Stamp-
Date Stamp allows the user to place a date/time stamp that can be automatically updated by executing the routine. To setup to use the routine, create a text string and assign it the object name 'Date Stamp'. The string may be located anywhere in the drawing file. Make sure the string is sufficiently long to display the date and time. To update this string, simply execute the routine.
-Distance Components-
Distance Components will return the X and Y components of a vector(line) defined by the user. These components will be displayed via the message palette.
-Get Distance-
Get Distance will return the distance between two user selected points. This distance will be displayed via the message palette.
-Get Radius-
Get Radius will return the radius of a user selected arc or circle. The arc/circle is chosen by a screen selection after executing the routine and the result is displayed by the message palette.
-Object On Layer-
Object On Layer will return the layer on which the selected object resides. The file must be in Show/Snap Others or Show/Snap/Modify Others for this routine to operate correctly.
-Objects In Group-
Objects In Group will return the number of component objects within a selected group object. This routine will NOT recognize nested groups.
-Point Location-
Point Location will return the X-Y coordinate location of the selected point.
-Object Identify-
Object Identify will return the type of object selected by the user. It will not return types for spreadsheets.
-Reset Origin-
Reset Origin allows the user to reset the origin to it's default location in the center of the page.
Palette II - Draw/Edit
-3D Center-
3D Center will draw a marker at the centroid, or 3D center, of a user selected 3D object. The object should be selected prior to execution of the routine.
-3D View Rotate-
3D View Rotate will adjust the view orientation about the center of the selected object according to user specified X,Y, and Z angles. The adjustment of view orientation is controlled by the '+' and '-' keys, and the <Escape> key will terminate the routine.
-3D Object Rotate-
3D Object Rotate will rotate a selected 3D object in X,Y and Z angle increments as specified by the user. Once the increments have been entered and accepted by the user, the '+' and '-' keys are used to control the rotation of the object. The <Escape> key terminates the routine.
-AutoNumber 1.01-
AutoNumber allows the user to automate sequential numbering in MiniCad+. Start value, increment, prefix, and suffix information all may be specified by the user. Once executed, the AutoNumber routine will present a dialog for entry of the desired parameters. On accepting these parameters, the user should select text strings in the sequence they are to be numbered. To terminate the selection process, simply click on an empty area of the screen. The text strings will then be updated with the appropriate numbering information.
-ImpText-
ImpText allows the user to select an ASCII text file for import into a drawing file. The user may specify the point size of text, as well as line spacing( text will be imported as individual lines of text). The user may also specify justification of the imported text. On execution of the routine, the user will be prompted to select a file for import. After selecting a file, the user will be prompted to enter font size, spacing, and justification. The user will then be prompted to select an insertion point for the text. Text will then be imported.
Note: Due to an anomaly in the MiniCad+ application, the text file must reside in the same folder as MiniCad+. This will be resolved in future releases of MiniCad+.
-Nudge-
Nudge allows the user to move a selected object using the arrow keys. After selecting the object and executing the routine, the user will be prompted to enter a distance increment for each movement keystroke. After accepting the increment, the object may be moved using the arrow keys for control. <Escape> will terminate the routine.
WARNING : The MiniPascal procedure used to sense keystrokes currently does not handle a mouse event(mouse click). If a mouse event is accidentally invoked, the routine will be disrupted. DO NOT REBOOT! Simply depress the <Escape> key several times, then wait for the application to sense the escape key code in the keyboard buffer; the routine will then terminate normally. This will be resolved in a future release of MiniCad+.
-ShiftIt-
ShiftIt allows the user to shift and unshift drawing information. User options further enhance control over which information is shifted. On executing the routine, the user is prompted to choose options controlling info selection. Default mode will shift selected objects on the active layer. The options are as follows :
• Shift All Objects - if selected, all objects on active layer will be shifted.
• Shift All Layers - if selected, all selected objects on all layers will be shifted.
• Shift All Objects/All Layers - if both options are selected, all drawing information will be shifted.
• Save Shift Values - saves shift distance and direction to file; required to unshift drawing.
After selecting and accepting shift options, the user will be prompted to define a line whose direction and length will define the shifting of the drawing information.
To unshift information, re-execute the macro and select Unshift Drawing.
-WallMaker 1.0-
WallMaker 1.0 allows the user to create complex wall systems via dialog entry of parameters. On execution, you will be asked to select two points to define the wall axis. After defining this axis, you will be asked to enter wall and symbol parameters. The first dialog in WallMaker allows the user to input parameters to define the wall. Enter parameters for width, peak height and location, and cap status. Note: Caps and peak information is optional. When satisfied, select OK. The next dialogs will allow input of symbol parameters. When in the dialog, select the symbol name, location, elevation, and cap status. The elevation parameter can be set to the default height of the symbol, which is useful if symbols have been created with a built-in elevation. If the 'User Height' option is selected, the creation height of the symbol must be factored in,as the symbol will be elevated to the specified height above the layer's ground plane. Selecting OK will continue to cycle the dialog up again for further entry of parameters for additional symbols; when symbol selection is completed, select 'Done'. The wall object will then be created.
Technical tip : It is usually a good idea to have a listing of symbol names, locations, and elevations prepared in advance of using WallMaker. This will allow the user to make sure that symbols are correctly placed on creation, saving editing time later.
Palette III - Views/Render
The Views/Render palette contains MiniPascal commands which replicate commands found in the 3D menu, Standard Views option and Render option. This palette provides a handy method for switching between views, or invoking a particular rendering option. One command takes the Views options one step further - View Object Views.
-View Object Views-
View Object Views allows the user to automatically move through several different views of 3D objects, using a key stroke to indicate that the next view should be shown. On execution, the view orientation will switch to front view. The user will then be prompted to press a key to switch to a right view. After switching the user will again be prompted, this time to switch to a right isometric view. Once in right isometric view, the user can then press any key to return to top/plan view. The routine then terminates.
Palette IV - Object Filters
Object Filters commands allow the user to select objects of a particular type from a group of selected objects. This works differently from custom selection in that the user selects a group of objects then filters out unwanted objects; custom selections perform globally.
To use object filters, select individually or by marquee the objects you wish to filter from. After selection, choose the appropriate filter command. All objects not meeting the criteria will be deselected.
Palette V - Color Filters
Color Filters allow the user to filter objects based upon pen or fill foreground/ background colors. These filters work similarly to object filters in that the user selects objects, then invokes the filter command. Color filters, however, will then prompt the user to select an object whose color corresponds to the selection criteria. Objects not matching the chosen color criteria will be deselected.
Palette VI - Other Filters
Filters in this palette allow the user to select objects based on class, symbol name, linestyle, etc. They function similarly to the filters described previously; objects should be selected prior to execution of the filter routine.
-Class Filter-
Class Filter allows filtering of objects assigned to a specific class. On execution, the user will be prompted to enter the name of a class as filter criteria.
-LineWeight Filter-
LineWeight Filter will filter objects based on their line weight. Operation of this filter is similar to the color filters; on execution, the user will be prompted to select an object with the desired line weight.
-Line Style Filter-
Line Style Filter will filter objects based on their line style. Operation of this filter is similar to the color filters; on execution, the user will be prompted to select an object with the desired line style.
-Record Filter-
Record Filter allows filtering of objects assigned a specific record. On execution, the user will be prompted to enter the name of a record as filter criteria.
-Symbol Filter-
Symbol Filter will filter objects based on the currently active symbol. This symbol should be selected prior to execution of the routine. Objects should then be selected, and the routine executed.
