2D Drawing

Displaying the 2D Drawing Area

To change the view, you can use the zoom functions or use the corresponding combinations of mouse buttons and keys.


Changing the View Using the Mouse and Keyboard

The following keyboard and mouse combinations can be used to manipulate the view:

  • Zoom – using mouse wheel
  • Zoom - Shift + left mouse button, or right then center mouse buttons. Moving the cursor up enlarges the objects; moving down shrinks them.
  • Pan – press mouse wheel or middle mouse button, if it is separate. Then move the cursor.
  • Pan - Ctrl + left mouse button or center then left mouse buttons. Moving the cursor shifts the view.

Display Functions

All functions controlling the display are available in the View menu or in corresponding icons.


Rebuilding Functions

Redraw - F6

Quickly refreshes the 2D area.

Regenerate - REG

Regenerates and redraws all 2D objects.


Zoom Functions

You can change the size of the view by using the following zoom functions:

  • Window - the view is defined by the two opposite corners of the desired view window.
  • Zoom All - the view is sized so that all visible 2D objects will fit inside.
  • Zoom Format - the view size is set according to current drawing format.
  • Previous View - the display returns to the previous view.

By default, view change is animated. In command “CFG”, you can set animation properties or turn the animation off.


Saving Views

The Save View function enables you to save the current view for future use. To display a saved view, use the Restore View functions. You can save up to eight views. The Predefined Views toolbar makes it easy to switch between saved views. See also Saving Views.


2D Display Settings

2D Circle Display Settings

Settings of 2D objects displaying are available in command “CFG”, in 2D section. It enables you to increase the number of segments used for drawing of 2D circles. When the number of segments is higher, circles will always appear smooth even when zoomed closely. A high number of segments may slow down drawing speed, especially on slow computers and extremely large 2D drawings.


Cursor Settings and Coordinate Listing

Sets the aperture size of 2D cursor.

Displayed Cursor Coordinates - DCC

Coordinates can be measured relative to a user-defined origin, or as DX, DY from the last point. Angle and radius from the last point are displayed automatically in most cases.


Types of 2D Objects

In 2D drawing you work with basic objects. These objects behave like individual entities when selected, and they can later be combined into blocks. The basic 2D objects are as follows:

  • Line - includes single lines defined by two points or multiple (chain) lines
  • Spline – 2D interpolated NURBS, used for curves, includes ellipsis
  • Arc - includes arcs and circles
  • Point - used mostly as construction aid
  • Arrow - similar to lines, with arrowheads at endpoints
  • Hatch - for filling closed areas
  • Text - single-text lines or a note containing up to ten text lines
  • Symbol - can contain lines, arcs, arrows and/or texts
  • Dimension - can contain lines, arcs, texts or arrows
  • Axes – created as axes of a circle, or by 2 points, or as axes of rotation surface exported from 3D

For more information about creating blocks, see 2D Blocks.


2D Drawing Attributes - Units, Formats, Scale

File attributes can be defined when creating a new file (see Creating and Opening VariCAD 2D/3D Files ). This section describes the functions used to change 2D drawing parameters such as drawing units, format and scale. Attribute functions can be found in the Tools menu.


Units

Change Units - CHU

Change units in the current file by toggling between inches and millimeters. For example, an object defined to be 1” long will convert to 25.4 mm. Dimension text values do not change, nor do attributes of inserted mechanical parts. For example, Screw M10 will always have the same attributes, even if units are changed.


Format and Sheet Border

Drawing Format - FMT

Changes the current drawing format. The format controls the view area, sheet border, and print attributes.

Sheet Borders Definitions - SBD

You can define custom sheet border formats, modify existing formats, and define the method of drawing sheet borders.


Formats window



Sheet Border window


Sheet Border - BOR

Creates a sheet border around the 2D drawing area. The lower left corner of border corresponds to the origin in global coordinates. Border width and length are determined by the drawing format. Border drawing method setting is defined in Units and Sheet Border.


Sheet Border in 2D Background

System draws a rectangle around the current sheet border, regarding the current drawing scale. The rectangle is drawn in the same style as an auxiliary grid. This format border is not printed and cannot be detected, it is only displayed. Contrary to the format border in the drawing background, you can insert a border created in a configured style from detectable and printable 2D lines. Such a border is a part of the current 2D drawing.


You can turn on/off drawing of the background sheet border in the command “CFG” (system settings). If turned on, the background sheet border is always drawn - it is not a part of a 2D drawing.


2D Drawing Scale

Drawing scale only affects 2D annotation objects such as text, dimensions, symbols and arrows. The scale affects the proportions of these objects. For example, with a 1:2 scale, a 100-mm line will print as 50 mm long. Text 3 mm high will print as 3 mm high. Changing the scale does not affect dimensions.


Change Drawing Scale - SCH

Changes the 2D drawing scale. The scale is defined when the file is created, and this function can be used to change the scale. All objects in the file remain unchanged. New annotation objects such as dimensions and text are created in different proportions. We recommend finalizing the drawing scale before starting to assign dimensions.


Attributes of 2D Objects

2D objects have the following attributes:

  • Layer
  • Color
  • Line Type
  • Visibility (blanked or unblanked)

Working with 2D Layers

You can define up to 250 layers in each file. Each file contains one predefined layer named “0.” In 2D assembly, layers can be used to distinguish between separate details. For detail views or 3D view exports, layers should be used for distinguishing outlines, axes, dimensions, hatches etc.

Each layer is defined by name, color and line type. New objects are always created in the active layer. The active layer can be changed at any time, even during object creation. You can also change the current color or line type without changing the layer. For each object, its layer, color or line type can be changed at any time.

If objects from another file are inserted into the current file, objects from unknown layers are inserted into Layer 0.



Setting the active layer


Layers - LAY

Creates new layers, and edits or deletes existing layers. You cannot delete the active layer, a layer containing objects, or Layer 0. The command allows you to manage automatic layer switching.



Layers window


Automatic Switching of Layers

Automatic layer switching can be set from the command CFG or LAY (see above). Automatic layer switching is useful for drawing 2D details. Layers are switched according to the executed function. Drawing functions like Line or Arc tools create objects automatically placed in Layer “outline.” Hatches are placed in “hatches;” dimensions are placed in “dimension.”


By default, automatic layer changing works with following layer order:

  • The second layer is named “outline,” and is active during drawing functions
  • The third layer is named “axis,” and is active while creating axes
  • The fourth layer is named “dimension,” and is active while creating dimensions
  • The fifth layer is named “hatches,” and is active while creating hatches

You can redefine the automatic layer switching. It is possible to select a single 2D drawing command or a group of 2D drawing commands and to assign a new layer automatically activated whenever the command is used.


Change Layer - MLA

Changes the layer of selected objects to that of another object, or to a layer selected from the list of layers.


Highlight Layer - CHL

Shows all objects on a specified layer, enabling you to check that the layer contains the correct objects.


2D Object Colors

For 2D objects, there are nine colors you can use. For 3D objects, there are 32 colors. Following dialog window contains list of colors available for 2D objects. The displayed color set is used for light background.



Line colors used in 2D drawing, for light background


For printing, line thickness is set according to color number. For color printers, you can map colors to other colors.


Change Color - MPE

Changes the color of selected objects.


Line Types

For 2D objects there are 7 line-types available. Following dialog window contains list of line styles available for line style selection.



Line styles used in 2D drawing


Change Line Type - MLT

Changes the line type of selected objects.


Visibility of 2D Objects

Blank 2D Objects - BLA, Ctrl + B

Makes selected objects invisible. You can blank temporarily redundant objects, or objects that cannot be selected. Blanked objects are not printed, nor are they selected in selection windows.

Unblank 2D Objects - UBL, Ctrl + U

Unblanks objects that were blanked, either in the entire drawing or in a specified area. You can also unblank individual objects, or all objects on a specified layer.


Work Sets

Work sets can be used to hold 2D objects. Work sets are useful when you want to delete or translate an entire set of objects. When inserting 2D objects from another file, you can place all new inserted objects into their own work set.


The following functions are used to manage work sets:

Add to Work Set - ATW
Delete from Work Set - RFW
Clear Work Set - CLW

Deletes all objects from a work set

Highlight Work Set - CHW

Helps you verify objects in the work set


2D Coordinate System

VariCAD uses two types of coordinate systems. The absolute coordinate system has its origin at the lower left corner of the drawing area. The user-defined coordinate system is, by default, identical to the absolute system until a new origin is defined. The user-defined coordinate system is unique for each file. When 2D coordinates are used, they are always relative to user-defined origin.

User Origin - UCO

Locates the user-defined origin or resets to the absolute origin.


More convenient method to change or reset the user-defined origin is to use Increment Cursor Mode and select the change from dialog panel.


 

 


VariCAD HELP

Introduction to VariCAD
VariCAD Installation Installing Upgrades Hardware and Software Requirements
Files and Directories Used by VariCAD Default VariCAD Files Converting 2D/3D Objects to and from Other Formats How 3D Objects Are Converted to STEP or IGES Creation of STL format Directories
Getting Started VariCAD User Interface Working with Multiple Monitors 2D/3D Area Status Bar Toolbar Icons Dialog Windows - Cancel and Back Buttons Mouse Buttons 3D Mouse Invoking and Running VariCAD Functions Finishing VariCAD Functions Stepping Back within a Function Selecting Objects between Functions Additional Options within Functions Creating, Opening and Saving VariCAD 2D/3D Files File or Folder Preview Definition Backing up Your Files Working with Multiple Files Copy and Paste Switching between 2D and 3D Undo and Redo Dragging Objects Dragging Increments Turning off Detection Temporarily
System Settings (Preferences) Backing up Your Configuration Colors
2D Drawing Displaying the 2D Drawing Area Changing the View Using the Mouse and Keyboard Display Functions Rebuilding Functions Zoom Functions Saving Views 2D Display Settings 2D Circle Display Settings Cursor Settings and Coordinate Listing Types of 2D Objects 2D Drawing Attributes - Units, Formats, Scale Units Format and Sheet Border 2D Drawing Scale Attributes of 2D Objects Working with 2D Layers 2D Object Colors Line Types Visibility of 2D Objects Work Sets 2D Coordinate System
2D Drawing Aids Grid Construction Lines Creating Construction Lines Deleting Construction Lines Creating Multiple Construction Lines Temporary Construction Lines Transient Construction Lines Increment Cursor Mode Ortho Mode
Selecting 2D Objects Using Selection Windows Limited 2D Selections Deselecting Objects Finishing the Selection Selecting 2D Locations Defining Angles and Directions Writing Special Characters Mathematic Expressions Checking Objects, Distance, Angle and Coordinates
Drawing 2D Objects Drawing Lines Arrows Drawing Curves Creating Points Creating Circles and Arcs Creating Text Objects Editing and Deleting 2D Objects Deleting Objects Changing Objects Geometry Creating Corners, Chamfers and Fillets Breaking and Dividing 2D Objects Editing Text Transforming and Copying 2D Objects Translating, Rotating and Scaling Mirroring Objects Offsetting Objects Stretching Objects
Dimensioning Single Dimensions - Horizontal, Vertical and Diagonal Predefined Horizontal, Vertical and Diagonal Dimensions Serial, Parallel and Datum Dimensions Angular Dimensions Diameter and Radius Dimensions, Thread Dimensions Dimension Attributes Finish Symbols Weld and Tolerance Symbols Creating Leaders, Item Numbers Editing Dimensions
Axes
Hatching Solid Fill Hatching 2D Objects Editing Hatches Creating a Hatch Pattern
Symbols 2D Blocks Creating and Inserting Blocks Editing Blocks 2D Polylines Creating Polylines Editing Polylines
Automatic Updates of Dimensions, Axes and Hatches after Changes in 3D. Automatic updates of dimensions Automatic Updates of Axes Automatic Updates of Hatches Checking of Updatable 2D Objects and Dimensions
Libraries of Mechanical Parts Selecting Mechanical Parts Configuring Mechanical Parts Selection Dialog Inserting Mechanical Parts into 2D Inserting Mechanical Parts into 3D Pre-selecting Dimensions Options Available for Mechanical Parts in 3D Modifying Mechanical Parts in 3D Modifying Counter-parts, Drilling Holes for Screws Mechanical Part Calculations
Printing and Plotting Printing Methods Selecting a Printer Batch Print Exporting Images as Bitmaps
VariCAD on the Internet Trial Versions, Online Purchasing
3D Display Dynamic View Manipulation Animated View Changes Predefined View Rotating View Using the Arrow Keys 3D View Tools Saving Views Shaded and Wireframe Display 3D Display Settings View Rotation Center Enhanced Rendering Surface Shading Setting 3D Display Performance Hardware accelerated OpenGL Test of Hardware Performance 3D Objects Shape Representation Types of Shape Representation Converting Shape Representations into Different Types Highlighting Objects with Open Surfaces Solving Problems in 3D Tools Rebuilding 3D Data Structures Tools Repairing Erroneous Solids Loaded from STEP Tools Repairing Erroneous File Sketching - 2D Drawing in 3D Planes, Drawing Methods Displaying Objects 2D Drawing Features Construction Lines, Temporary Construction Lines Working with 3D Objects
Creating Solids Sketching of a 2D Solid Profile Sketching Plane Definition Sketching Environment, Finish Sketching Sketching of Profile of New Solid Displaying of Created or Edited Solids Multiple Sketching Planes Common Sketching Features Additional Sketching Features Closed Rotation of Multiple Profiles Convergence of Lofted Profiles into One Point Tangent Direction of Lofting Features Related to Solid Creation Method Manual Selection of Profile’s 2D Objects Solid Insertion Point Solid Insertion Point for Profiles Selected in 2D Mode Rotating, Extruding, and Lofting Profiles Rotated Solids Extruded Solids Lofted Solids Helical Surfaces Basic Solid Volumes Cylinders, Cones, Boxes, Pyramids, Pipes, Spheres Editing of Spatial Dimensions of Basic Solids
Editing Solids Selecting Solids Visibility of 3D Objects Shading and Colors of Individual Solids Boolean Operations - Adding and Cutting Solids Boolean Operations Boolean Tree Structure Editing Common Boolean Operations Holes, Grooves, Cutting by Planes Resolving (Exploding) Solids 3D Filleting and Chamfering Deleting Solids Editing Shape of Solids Edit Solid Element Shape Transforming and Copying Solids Solid Object Coordinate System 3D Space Coordinate System Inserting and Transforming Solids Defining Vectors and Rotation Axes Transforming Objects Using their Axes Translating by Distance Dynamic Translation Rotating by Angle Dynamic Rotation Dragging in Increments Additional Rotation around an Axis Setting the Direction of Solids Axes Positioning and Location at Surface Positioning by Plane Zoom in on Transformed Solids Additional Options for Right-Click Objects during Transformation Additional Boolean Operation, Constraints Definition Changing Insertion Point, Displaying Axes Inserting and Copying Identical Copies of Solids Permanent Change of Axes of Solids Imported from Step Defining 3D Locations Selecting Planes 3D Locations Settings Mirroring and Rescaling Solids Exploded View of Assemblies Groups of Solids
Parameters Definition of Parameters Parameters in File Parameters in Scaled Solids Type of Parameters Working with Parameters Geometric Constraints Constraints as Additional Transformations Constraints as Removed Degrees of Freedom Definition of Constraints Constrained Objects Types of Geometric Constraints Chain of Constraints Fixed Object within Constraints Constraining Angles Constraints in Solid Creation 2D Profiles Constraining Objects in 2D Profile Selecting Vertexes Display Options Filleting, Chamfering and Radii of Circles or Arcs Constraining Circular Arcs Constraining NURBS Curves Editing Constraints Deleting Constraints Coordinate Systems
Exporting Views and Sections from 3D to 2D Creating 2D from 3D List of 3D View Exports, Updating Views 3D Sections 3D Comprehensive Shapes Creating and Editing 3D Texts Pipes and Wires Sweeping of 2D Profiles Offset Patches – Thick Shells Threads in 3D
Checking Functions and Calculations Units of Calculation Results Volume, Mass, Surface and Moment of Inertia Calculations Checking and Measuring Geometry Interferences among Solids
3D Assemblies Creating Part Files, Assembly Files and Assembly Links Saving and Loading the Assembly Files Sub-assemblies Relative Paths in Assembly Links Simultaneously Open Assembly and Part Files Definition of Assembly-Part links Definition of Sub-assembly - Part links Breaking Links between Part or Sub-assembly and Assembly Editing Sub-assemblies or Parts in Assembly Environment Selecting Parts or Sub-assemblies for Editing Editing Parts or Sub-assemblies 3D Assembly Tree Scheme 3D Assembly Tree Scheme Window Objects Select Mode Part Editing or Attributes Definition Mode Managing All Assembly Tree Files Surface Development (Unbending)
Bill of Material, Object Attributes and Title Blocks Object Attributes BOM, Attributes and Title Blocks Mask Sharing BOM, Attributes and Title Blocks Settings (Mask) Attribute Definition Groups of Attributes Output to Formatted Text (List of Parts) Title Blocks Export to Other Systems Compatibility of Defined Attributes and Attribute Groups Working with BOM BOM at Basic Level BOM Containing structure of Assembly BOM from 3D Group BOM Objects Displaying, Filtering and Sorting BOM Objects Creating Files from BOM Copying Data from Assembly into Parts and Vice Versa Defining Item Numbers in BOM Single Click Attributes Copy Attributes from 2D Area Supplementary Objects Solid and Assembly Attributes Solid Attributes List of Materials Material as a Solid Attribute Assembly Attributes, Title Block Filling
Tips and Tricks List of All VariCAD Functions Hotkeys Embedded Functions

QUICK DEMO

Tips and Tricks
Basics Of Control

Interface, examples of various input steps, like mouse button clicks, hot-keys and their combinations. Examples of detection, objects selection and view changes.

Tools for 2D location, Tool combinations

Tools for location of 2D objects.

2D object selection, Filter combinations

Tools for selection of 2D objects.

Line

Drawing line from a point to another point, Using leading lines, According to values entered from a keyboard (xy, dx dy, angle radius, called by pressing K, D, R keys), Using fixed (locked) values (called by pressing TAB key), Combining multiple tools (TAB, dxdy...), Tangent lines.

Rectangle

Drawing rectangle by two opposite locations, Using fixed (locked) values (called by pressing TAB key), Diagonal distance.

Multi-line

Offset at one side from the central polyline, Offset at both sides from the central polyline.

Circle

Drawing circle by center and point at the circle, Center and radius, Two points, Three points, As a tangent to 2 objects, As a tangent to 3 objects.

Rotated parts

Shaft – a front view, Shaft – create a contour.

Polygon: hexagon

Leading circle is inside, the polygon orientation is at the edge, Leading circle is outside, the polygon orientation is at the vertex.

Dragging a circle to the rectangle center

Dragging, start by Ctrl+Shift+move cursor over an object, Dragging – right click. Two methods, different location at a center, Dragging, clicking an icon, Using Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V, Translate by a defined vector, Translate to a shifted center, Locate, using incremental cursor movement.

Stretching of objects

Dragging, start by Ctrl+Shift+move cursor over an object, Dragging – right click. Two methods, different location at a center, Dragging, clicking an icon, Using Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V, Translate by a defined vector, Translate to a shifted center, Locate, using incremental cursor movement.

Blending

Filleting of 2D corners, instant access (using Shift key), Filleting of 2D corners, Chamfering of 2D corners, instant access (using Shift key).

Divide or extend a 2D object

Extend to a boundary, Create a full circle from a circular arc, Remove a segment, Trim, Divide an object by a boundary, Divide an object by a point.

Changing 2D object attributes

Changing color, Changing line type, Changing layers, Blank/unblank objects (invisible/visible), Changing displayed thickness - 1 or 2 pixels.

Dimensioning

Smart dimensioning – easy dimensioning done within a single command. Horizontal and vertical dimensioning. Dimensioning of threads, chamfers, fillets and diameters. Aligning dimensions according to each other.

Settings

Drawing format, sheet border, Drawing scale, Using 2D layers, automatic changes of 2D layers, Default settings of a new file.

Creating a 2D drawing data

Drawing 2D objects and filling title blocks manually in the 2D area, 2D objects and title blocks created automatically from 3D space, Printing to PDF.

Selection of solids

Working with 3D solids. Examples of solid insertion, selection or transformation.

Solid transformation

Examples of solid insertion, detection and transformation. Examples of solid copying.

Single solid shapes

Creating predefined solid shapes (Box, cylinder, cone, pipe...). All solids can be created by rotation, extrusion or lofting of contours.

Solid creation by defined contour

Solid creation by extrusion, full or partial rotation of contour.

Lofting rectangle to circle

Creating a solid by lofting rectangle to circle.

Lofting a rectangle to single point

Creating a solid by lofting a rectangle to single point.

Lofting among multiple contours

Creating a solid by lofting among multiple various planar profiles.

Lofting among profiles rotated symmetrically around an axis

Creating a solid by lofting among multiple various planar profiles.

Sweeping of a 2D contour in 3D space

Sweeping of a 2D contour - creation of a banister, pipe...

Creating pipes or wires

Creating of pipes, wires (banister, cables, ropes...).

Rotation and lofting of contours

Rotation and lofting between two different contours, like between a circle and rectangle or between circles with different radii. Profile change is linear or allowing tangential direction from both ends.

Helical surface

Creating a helical surface by simultaneous rotation and extrusion of 2D contour.

Creating holes and grooves

Creating holes and threaded holes, cutting by an extruded contour, creating groove, cutting by a box. X axis of a tool is always perpendicular to selected surface.

Shells, sheet metal parts

Creating a sheet metal part using shell tools.

Editing of solid elements

Editing of solid elements by changing dimensions. Values can be defined in tables or by 3D dimensions. Editing of dimensions together with change of location of solid elements.

Editing of solid elements by changing creation contours

Editing of basic shapes by changing their creation contours.

Editing of solid elements, selection by cursor or from scheme

Solid element can be selected by cursor (press and hold Ctrl key, move cursor over it), or from Boolean tree scheme.

Editing of 3D pipes and wires

Example of creation of 3D wire, thread and geometrical constraint. Next step shows editing of it.

Assembly, Parts, 2D Drawings

An example of alternative creation of an assembly, sub-assembly, parts and corresponding 2D drawings.



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