Top Level Category

Table of Contents

1. Contents of Top Level Category
   1. 2D Tools
   2. 3D Modeling
   3. Crashing
   4. Lighting Tips
   5. Production
   6. Rendering
   7. Tech Tips
   8. Tutorials
   9. Visualization

Top Level Category

2D Tools

Scaling

The next time you have to use Metric blocks try this.

Perform a right mouse click on the drawing area. This will bring up a menu. At the bottom of the list click on options, then click on the User Preferences tab.

Looking at the picture to the left, you will see Highlighted in red information about the Block Navigator/design center.

By clicking on the drop down arrow, the incoming blocks units can be changed to Millimeters. Now, when you drag a Metric block into the drawing, LD Assistant/AutoCAD will scale the blocks from metric to English for you.

Remember to change this setting back to INCHES after you have finished working with the Metric blocks.

Rotation using reference

From the Modify tool bar ....click on the rotate button.

The cursor turns into a square .. now, click on the outline of the (B) box and right mouse click for enter, .. it highlights with a dotted line.

Place the cursor at location (1) of the (B) box and click the left mouse button .... next type the letter R and push the enter key.

Once again, move the mouse to location (1) and click the left mouse button.

Move the cursor to location (2) on box (B) and click the mouse.

Now, move the mouse to the new location and click the left mouse button.

For more on rotation, check out the LDA help (F1).

Aligning objects using ALIGN tool

	Aligning objects using ALIGN tool From the Modify drop-down menu, and down to .. 3D Operation, then the fly-out .. Click on Align. The cursor turns into a square. Now, click on the truss block (B) and then right mouse click for enter..   Move the cursor to location (1) on truss (B) and click the mouse.   Next, place the cursor to location (2) truss (A) and click the mouse.     Right mouse click for enter......   From the Modify drop-down menu, and down to .. 3D Operation, then the fly-out .. Click on Align. The cursor turns to square. Now, click on the truss block (B) and then right mouse click for enter.. Now, click the mouse at location (1) on truss (B) ... Next, click the mouse at location (2) on truss (A)
	Now, click the mouse at location (3) on truss (B) and click the mouse at location (4) on truss (A)Right mouse click for enter ....

Aligning objects part 2

 From the Modify drop-down menu, and down to .. 3D Operation, then the fly-out .. Click on Align. The cursor turns to square. From the Modify drop-down menu, and down to .. 3D Operation, then the fly-out .. Click on Align. The cursor turns to square.

 Now, click on the truss block (B) and then right mouse click for enter.. Now, click the mouse at location (1) on truss (B) ... Next, click the mouse at location (2) on truss (A)

Now, click the mouse at location (3) on truss (B) and click the mouse at location (4) on truss (A)Right mouse click for enter ....

Creating a Magic Sheet

Issue
You want to create a Magic Sheet

Solution
Under the drop-down menu, click on LD Options. That will bring up the dialog below. Then click on Edit ldschedlist.txt button.

This opens the ld schedule list for editing.
At the end of the line... place your cursor and type the line that is highlighted below.

If you copy the first line of data at the top (lights Schedule), and paste it at the bottom this might make it easier if you are not acquainted with comma delimited files. Then all you have to do is to delete the data field you do not want to see in the Schedule .

Once you have added the data, close and save the file... This will bring you back to the LD Options... click OK Next, under the Lighting drop-down click on Schedule.. At the bottom of the list you will see your Magic Sheet... Click on it and click the OK button.

As the Magic Sheet opens you see the Target listed under Purpose.

NOTE: We are using the Purpose data field to retrieve the necessary information !

Working with a wheel Mouse

Working with AutoCAD or LD Assistant wheel mouse buttons

In this news letter we will look at increasing productivity with the use of a wheel mouse.You can choose options from menus and toolbars by clicking them with your mouse. You also can use the mouse to draw or to select objects on the screen. With a two-button mouse, the left button is the pick button used to specify points on the screen.

The right button either displays a shortcut menu or is equivalent to pressing ENTER, depending on your pointer location and the right-click settings.

Pressing SHIFT and right-clicking, displays the Object Snap shortcut menu. With a three-button mouse, the middle button either activates real-time panning or if you rotate the wheel the drawing will ZOOM in or out at the point the cursor is placed on the drawing.

The wheel on the mouse is used to ZOOM the drawing in and out. This feature alone can increase productivity by tenfold. By pushing down on the wheel the cursor will turn into a pan hand.

	A time delay mouse button! The one feature that I like best is the time delay in the right mouse button. When you have one or more objects selected, you can deselect the objects by holding down the right mouse button for little over a second. If you hold down the right mouse button for less than a second the menu below will appear.	When you are using 3D Orbit tool a right mouse click will bring up the menu to the right. To exit 3D Orbit perform a right mouse click and click on EXIT. If you are using a drawing tool like polyline, a right mouse click will bring up a menu that allows you to change the tools functionality while drawing.
	By selecting a lighting fixture and performing right mouse click. You have access to the key features without having to go up to the pulldown menus.	Placing your cursor over an icon and performing a right mouse click will display a menu where you can select which tool palette you want displayed on the screen.

Modifying Blocks (Fixtures) using

Place a block on the drawing.

NOTE: To open any palette, place your cursor over any icon along the top and click the right mouse button ... this will open a fly-out menu to select palettes from.

From the LD view palette

click on the Front view button .

From the Refedit palette click on the Edit Block button then click on the block in the drawing..

When this dialog box opens, click on the OK button. Now, place the cursor in the drawing. Holding down on the left mouse button draw a square around the block. (This select all the parts for editing.) Next, right mouse click for enter .. or push the enter key.

 From the tool palette, click on the rotate button.

Holding down on the left mouse button draw a square around the block (This select all the parts for rotating.) and rotate the fixture 180 deg..

Now click on the Save back changes to reference.

At this dialog box click OK ..... and the job is done.

Understanding Group

Understanding Group

To start the group LD Assistant and AutoCAD are not like group in other CAD progrm, with the LD group if you turn it off you can remove an object in the group and when you trun the group back on... they are all grouped togather. Moerover you can move an object in a group without haveing to ungroup. With that said lets start.

The Group command does not appear in the toolbars or menus, nor does it have a keyboard shortcut. While group as many more fontions, we will only go ove the baices.

Start the command, by typing group and hit the enter key.

You are now presented with the dialog box shown in figure 1.

Figure 1.
Object Grouping dialog box.

Type a name in the Group Name box. If you want, you can click on the Description box and enter an explanatory note. (Tables, Truss, Fixtures ... ect;)

Now pick the New button. The dialog box collapses and now click on all the objects that you want in that group. After you have selected all the objects, hit the enter button and the dialog box reappears, now the the upper portion displays your group name.

Figure 2.
Click an object to grip-edit the entire group.

Now when you click and drag a blue grip, that one object moves independently within the group. When you press Esc to clear the grips, the entire group becomes selectable again.

The Group dialog box offers several other useful functions. For example, have you lost track of a group's name? No problem. Pick Find Name. The dialog box collapses and you're invited to select an object. If you select one that belongs to a group, a box pops up listing the group name or names. An object can belong to more than one group.

If you pick a group name from the upper window of the Group dialog box, another inquiry function becomes available, as do several Change Group functions at the bottom of the dialog box. Figure 3 shows an example of this.

Figure 3.
By select a group name you activate the Change Group buttons.

The function of most buttons is obvious from their labels, but one or two have a bit of a twist.

Now that you have seen the basic mechanism for creating, using, and editing groups, here are a few other significant points: A group can contain any type of AutoCAD object, including lines, circles, arcs, polylines, text, dimensions, block insertions, and other groups.

• An object can belong to more than one group. To select an object within an existing group so that it's part of a new group, the existing group must be nonselectable. If it's selectable, the entire group that it's within becomes part of the new group.
• If you're building a selection set for an editing command and pick an object that belongs to more than one group, all objects in all groups of which it's a member will be selected.
• If you copy, mirror, or array a group, all the new objects you create belong to a new unnamed group. The original group is unchanged.
• If you insert another drawing from disk into the current drawing, any groups it may have contained won't carry forward into the current drawing. The same holds true for xrefs.
• You aren't limited to using groups to add to a current selection set you're building for an editing command. You can also Remove objects in a group from a current selection set.
• If you're building a block definition and include an object that's a member of a selectable group, all objects in the group become part of the block definition and the group disappears.
• If you're building a block definition and include an object that's a member of a nonselectable group, the object transfers to the block definition. It's no longer a member of the group, but the rest of the group remains unscathed.

Creating a LD Assistant Block

1) Create the 2D part of the fixture.

It is important that you move the 2D part of the fixture at 0,0,0.

If you do not when you go to insert the block into your drawing the block WILL NOT show up at the end of your cursor.

2) Next you will need to make the 3D part of the fixture.

NOTE: The barrel of the fixture is pointed toward the top of the screen.

Once you have created the 2D and 3D part of the fixture you will need to create two (2) layers.

1) Create a layer called      2d_FIXTURE

2) Create a layer called      3d_FIXTURE

Now move the 2d fixture part to the 2d_FIXTURE layer.

Next move the 3d fixture part to the 3d_FIXTURE layer.

The reason we do this so when you are in the top view you see the 2d and when you are in a ed view you only see the 3d part of the fixture.

NOTE:
Be sure to have both the 2d_FIXTURE and the 3d_FIXTURE layers ON.

Make sure the 2d Yoke part is at 0,0,

Now move the 3d part over the 2d part.

Looking on the Draw pallet click on make block or... (left) under the menu Draw and click on Make.

When the dialog above opens:
1) Type in the name of the block

2) Click on Pick Point (2)... the dialog will close now click where the C-Clamp bolt would be.
    Once you click the Block Definition dialog opens again.

3) Now click on Select objects (3), the dialog will closes, now Select all the object by drawing a rectangle around the 2d and 3d parts. Once all parts are select do a right mouse click. The Block Definition dialog will open again... now click the OK button and the dialog closes.

You have created a block but for to show up and be tracked in the schedules you will need to turn the block into an LD Assistant object.

To turn the block you just made into a block that LD Assistant will recognize.

Under the menu Lighting look for Utilities and at the fly-out click on Define new LD object...

At the prompt click Next.

If you created your fixture with barrel pointing toward the top of the screen you can click NEXT at this prompt.

At this prompt, click on the name of the block (Test Fixture) and click on Add attributes button.

After the attributes are added click the Next button.

NOTE:
The drop down at the top right is user to add attributes to Truss, sound, point light etc:

This prompt, is asking where does the light come out of the fixture.

Click on the front of the fixture and a little green circle appears.

Click the Next button.

At this prompt click on the Update block references button then click on the Close button.

Now that you have delete the block from the drawing you will want to re-insert it.

Look for the menu Insert and click on Block...

When the dialog open, select the Test Fixture and click the OK button.

When the dialog closes click when you would like to insert the Test Fixture.

Now use the LD Assistant Views to see the fixture in 2d and 3d.

2D view

3D View

3D isometric View

Change Block Text, Size and Placement

We start by turning on all the attributes.

Next we select the block and perform a right mouse click, click on Edit Block In-Place

When this dialog open click the OK button.

The Refedit menu that opened.

Once you see the block you can move, resize, change the color and placement of the text.

Once you have made your modifications CLICK on Save Reference Edits.

Look for the menu Insert and click on block.

At this dialog select the name of the block and click OK.

When the dialog closes click where you want the block to be inserted.

This modification is only good for the file you have open and does NOT modify the source block.

If you would like to customize a set of blocks to use all the time, you will need to modified each block one at it's source file. Contact tech support at LD Assistant and we will be glad to help.

3D Modeling

Creating objects using extrude and extrude along path

From the LD view palette click on the RIGHT view button.

Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool.
Placing the cursor at the top of the drawing (1), click the left mouse button and drawn down to (2) and click the left mouse button. This will tack the line... now click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. select the Arc tool and draw to the right. Click the left mouse button at (3) .. again this will tack the line... now click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select the line tool. Draw to the right and click the left mouse button at (4)....

Repeat the above untill you reach (8)... at this point, once you have clicked the left button ... click the right mouse button and this time selcet ENTER from the small fly-out menu.

Extrude along path, Edge surface & Revolved

From the LD view palette click on the Front view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool.
Placing the cursor at the top of the drawing (1), click the left mouse button and draw down to (2) click the left mouse button at location (2). This will tack the line... now, click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. select the Arc tool and draw to (3) . Click the left mouse button at (3) .. again this will tack the line... now, click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select the line tool.

Draw to the right and click the left mouse button at (4)....Repeat the above untill you reach (5)... at this point, once you have clicked the left button ... click the right mouse button and this time selcet (Close) from the small fly-out menu. This will close the polyline, so we can use the Revolved Surface tool later to make the pot.

	From the LD view palette click on the Right view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Placing the cursor at the top of the drawing (1), click the left mouse button and drawn to (2) and click the left mouse button. This will tack the line... now click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. select the Arc tool and draw to (3), and Click the left mouse button .. again this will tack the line... now, draw to (4) and Click the left mouse button .. again this will tack the line...click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select the line tool. Draw to (5 and click the left button....now, click the right mouse button and click on ENTER....Repeat the above to make the small end of the spout (Green)
	From the LD view palette click on the Front view button . Rotate the ends of the spout into place (1 & 2) Use the polyline tool and draw line ( 3). Use the OSNAP, so it selects the the end points of (1 & 2).
	I have zoomed in on the spout so as to show, there are two lines connecting the large and small ends of the spout. You will need to copy and paste in place the second line.Be sure to use the OSNAP and snap to the end points. The Edge Surface tool that we will use next requires that all lines touch so as to create a path for the tool to work. Endpoints of all the lines MUST touch... or the tool will not work......
	From the LD view palette, click on the Front view button . Click on the Edge Surface tool next, click on the large end of the spout (1) then, click on the lines connecting the two ends (2 & 3) and finally, click on the small end of the spout (4).
	Now,we have the spout. Next, we will use the Revolved tool to create the pot.
	From the LD view palette click on the Front view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Draw in the line (1)From the Surfaces palette click on the Revolved Surface button. The cursor turns to a square .. click on the pot (2) .. then click ont the line (1) right mouse click for enter .. at the command line type 360 and hit enter.
	Now, we will need a handle.
	From the LD view palette click on the Front view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Draw the outline of the handle (1)...
	From the LD view palette click on the ISO SE view button . Open the UCS II palette and select RIGHT. To open the palette, place your cursor over any icon along the top and click the right mouse button...this will open a fly-out menu to select palettes from. Turn on OSNAP and set it to snap to the end points. Select the circle tool and draw a circle (1). Open the SOLIDS palette by placing your cursor over any icon along the top and click the right mouse button...this will open a fly-out menu to select palettes from. Click on the EXTRUDE button. The cursor turns into a square.... Next, click on the circle (1) .. then right mouse click for enter..look at the command line... type the letter P then push the enter key.... now, click on the line (2)From the LD view palette click on the Front view button . Now, move the handle into place.
	To make the top. From the front view... draw 1/2 of the top. (1)
	Next, draw in the Revolved axis(2)
	From the Surfaces palette click on the Revolved Surface button. The cursor turns to a square .. click on the top (1) .. then click ont the line (2) right mouse click for enter .. at the command line type 360 and hit enter.
	Move the top of the pot into place. To render, open the SHADE palette and click on the FLAT SHADED button.
	The pot is now ready to have a texture applied The color comes from adding blue plastic texture to the pot.

Edge surface & Revolved

From the LD view palette click on the Top view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Placie the cursor at the bottom of the drawing (1), and click the left mouse button . This will tack the line... now, click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. Select the Arc tool and draw to (2) . Click the left mouse again. This will tack the line... now, draw to (3) and click the left mouse button, now click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select ENTER. Do not close the arc.... Repeat the above for center part of the hat (4)... remember not to close the arc. Note: Don't worry about the Arc being perfect, you can go back after it's drawn and modify it using the grips. On your first hat, leave a larger opening between (1) and (3).. on your next hat, you will need to close this gap.

From the LD view palette click on the Right view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Be sure the OSNAP is turned on and Endpoint is selected. To check this, place your cursor over the word OSNAP at the bottom of the screen, and do a right mouse click.. select settings. Place the cursor at location (1), and click the left mouse button . This will tack the line... now, click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. Select the Arc tool and draw to (2) . Click the left mouse again. This will tack the line... next, click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select ENTER. From the LD view palette click on the Left view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Place the cursor at location (1), and click the left mouse button . This will tack the line... now, click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. Select the Arc tool and draw to (2) . Click the left mouse again. This will tack the line... now, click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select ENTER.

From the LD view palette click on the Right view button . From the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Place the cursor at location (1), and click the left mouse button . This will tack the line... draw to location number (2) and click the left mouse button... next, click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. Select the Arc tool and draw to (3). Click the left mouse again. This will tack the line... click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select Line and draw to (4) and click the left mouse button to tack the line. Now, do a right mouse click and select Enter.. While we are here, we can draw in the vertical line (5) with the polyline tool. We will be using this line to revolve/sweep around later.   To see what it looks like in an isometric view..From the LD view palette click on the SW view button .     The Edge Surface tool that we will be using requires that all lines touch so as to create a path for the tool to work. Endpoints of all the lines MUST touch... or the tool will not work...... From the LD view palette, click on the SE view button . From the Surfaces tool palette, click on the Edge Surface tool . The cursor turns into a square... click on the line number (1, 2, 3 and 4).   From the LD view palette click on the Front view button . Next, we will use the Revolved tool to create the top of the hat. From the Surfaces tool bar, click on the Revolved button. The cursor turns into a square .. click on the line (1) .. then click on line (2) next, right mouse click for enter .. at the command line type 360 and hit enter.   This is what the hat will look like after the Revolved tools is used.     To see what it looks like in an isometric view..From the LD view palette click on the SW view button .   To render, open the SHADE palette and click on the FLAT SHADED button.   By using the Orbit tool you can get a better look at the bottom of the hat.

Working with a wheel Mouse

Working with AutoCAD or LD Assistant wheel mouse buttons

In this news letter we will look at increasing productivity with the use of a wheel mouse.You can choose options from menus and toolbars by clicking them with your mouse. You also can use the mouse to draw or to select objects on the screen. With a two-button mouse, the left button is the pick button used to specify points on the screen.

The right button either displays a shortcut menu or is equivalent to pressing ENTER, depending on your pointer location and the right-click settings.

Pressing SHIFT and right-clicking, displays the Object Snap shortcut menu. With a three-button mouse, the middle button either activates real-time panning or if you rotate the wheel the drawing will ZOOM in or out at the point the cursor is placed on the drawing.

The wheel on the mouse is used to ZOOM the drawing in and out. This feature alone can increase productivity by tenfold. By pushing down on the wheel the cursor will turn into a pan hand.

	A time delay mouse button! The one feature that I like best is the time delay in the right mouse button. When you have one or more objects selected, you can deselect the objects by holding down the right mouse button for little over a second. If you hold down the right mouse button for less than a second the menu below will appear.	When you are using 3D Orbit tool a right mouse click will bring up the menu to the right. To exit 3D Orbit perform a right mouse click and click on EXIT. If you are using a drawing tool like polyline, a right mouse click will bring up a menu that allows you to change the tools functionality while drawing.
	By selecting a lighting fixture and performing right mouse click. You have access to the key features without having to go up to the pulldown menus.	Placing your cursor over an icon and performing a right mouse click will display a menu where you can select which tool palette you want displayed on the screen.

Crashing

LD Assistant Ac 10 Crashes when opening some files

LDA Ac 10 crashes: AcadETransmitUI was not found.....

LDA Ac 10 crashes when opening some files. The command line reads No entry for AcadETransmitUI was found. 

The fix is to download the Ac2010-RegFix.

Login to this Help Desk and download the zip file called Ac2010-RegFix.zip.

Quit LD Assistant, unzip the file and run the exe.

Lighting Tips

Adding a new schedule

Issue

      You want to have your own schedule.

Solution

      You can add a new schedule following the steps:

• open ldschedlist.txt file from LD Assistant folder.
• at the end of file add a line in this format:
  Schedule Name: LD object names (with "+" between them), data types (with "," between them)

You can add new data type for LD objects (ex: material, zoom, etc).
Example:
Test Symbols:LDLIGHT+LDPLIGHT+LDTRUSS+LDSOUND+LDCAMERA+LDPROJECTOR,Name,
Position,Height,Material,Quantity

• save and close file.

      When you select Schedules command in schedules list it will be your append schedule. Select it and click OK button.

Creating a Magic Sheet

Issue
You want to create a Magic Sheet

Solution
Under the drop-down menu, click on LD Options. That will bring up the dialog below. Then click on Edit ldschedlist.txt button.

This opens the ld schedule list for editing.
At the end of the line... place your cursor and type the line that is highlighted below.

If you copy the first line of data at the top (lights Schedule), and paste it at the bottom this might make it easier if you are not acquainted with comma delimited files. Then all you have to do is to delete the data field you do not want to see in the Schedule .

Once you have added the data, close and save the file... This will bring you back to the LD Options... click OK Next, under the Lighting drop-down click on Schedule.. At the bottom of the list you will see your Magic Sheet... Click on it and click the OK button.

As the Magic Sheet opens you see the Target listed under Purpose.

NOTE: We are using the Purpose data field to retrieve the necessary information !

Working with a wheel Mouse

Working with AutoCAD or LD Assistant wheel mouse buttons

In this news letter we will look at increasing productivity with the use of a wheel mouse.You can choose options from menus and toolbars by clicking them with your mouse. You also can use the mouse to draw or to select objects on the screen. With a two-button mouse, the left button is the pick button used to specify points on the screen.

The right button either displays a shortcut menu or is equivalent to pressing ENTER, depending on your pointer location and the right-click settings.

Pressing SHIFT and right-clicking, displays the Object Snap shortcut menu. With a three-button mouse, the middle button either activates real-time panning or if you rotate the wheel the drawing will ZOOM in or out at the point the cursor is placed on the drawing.

The wheel on the mouse is used to ZOOM the drawing in and out. This feature alone can increase productivity by tenfold. By pushing down on the wheel the cursor will turn into a pan hand.

	A time delay mouse button! The one feature that I like best is the time delay in the right mouse button. When you have one or more objects selected, you can deselect the objects by holding down the right mouse button for little over a second. If you hold down the right mouse button for less than a second the menu below will appear.	When you are using 3D Orbit tool a right mouse click will bring up the menu to the right. To exit 3D Orbit perform a right mouse click and click on EXIT. If you are using a drawing tool like polyline, a right mouse click will bring up a menu that allows you to change the tools functionality while drawing.
	By selecting a lighting fixture and performing right mouse click. You have access to the key features without having to go up to the pulldown menus.	Placing your cursor over an icon and performing a right mouse click will display a menu where you can select which tool palette you want displayed on the screen.

Modifying Blocks (Fixtures) using

Place a block on the drawing.

NOTE: To open any palette, place your cursor over any icon along the top and click the right mouse button ... this will open a fly-out menu to select palettes from.

From the LD view palette

click on the Front view button .

From the Refedit palette click on the Edit Block button then click on the block in the drawing..

When this dialog box opens, click on the OK button. Now, place the cursor in the drawing. Holding down on the left mouse button draw a square around the block. (This select all the parts for editing.) Next, right mouse click for enter .. or push the enter key.

 From the tool palette, click on the rotate button.

Holding down on the left mouse button draw a square around the block (This select all the parts for rotating.) and rotate the fixture 180 deg..

Now click on the Save back changes to reference.

At this dialog box click OK ..... and the job is done.

Understanding Group

Understanding Group

To start the group LD Assistant and AutoCAD are not like group in other CAD progrm, with the LD group if you turn it off you can remove an object in the group and when you trun the group back on... they are all grouped togather. Moerover you can move an object in a group without haveing to ungroup. With that said lets start.

The Group command does not appear in the toolbars or menus, nor does it have a keyboard shortcut. While group as many more fontions, we will only go ove the baices.

Start the command, by typing group and hit the enter key.

You are now presented with the dialog box shown in figure 1.

Figure 1.
Object Grouping dialog box.

Type a name in the Group Name box. If you want, you can click on the Description box and enter an explanatory note. (Tables, Truss, Fixtures ... ect;)

Now pick the New button. The dialog box collapses and now click on all the objects that you want in that group. After you have selected all the objects, hit the enter button and the dialog box reappears, now the the upper portion displays your group name.

Figure 2.
Click an object to grip-edit the entire group.

Now when you click and drag a blue grip, that one object moves independently within the group. When you press Esc to clear the grips, the entire group becomes selectable again.

The Group dialog box offers several other useful functions. For example, have you lost track of a group's name? No problem. Pick Find Name. The dialog box collapses and you're invited to select an object. If you select one that belongs to a group, a box pops up listing the group name or names. An object can belong to more than one group.

If you pick a group name from the upper window of the Group dialog box, another inquiry function becomes available, as do several Change Group functions at the bottom of the dialog box. Figure 3 shows an example of this.

Figure 3.
By select a group name you activate the Change Group buttons.

The function of most buttons is obvious from their labels, but one or two have a bit of a twist.

Now that you have seen the basic mechanism for creating, using, and editing groups, here are a few other significant points: A group can contain any type of AutoCAD object, including lines, circles, arcs, polylines, text, dimensions, block insertions, and other groups.

• An object can belong to more than one group. To select an object within an existing group so that it's part of a new group, the existing group must be nonselectable. If it's selectable, the entire group that it's within becomes part of the new group.
• If you're building a selection set for an editing command and pick an object that belongs to more than one group, all objects in all groups of which it's a member will be selected.
• If you copy, mirror, or array a group, all the new objects you create belong to a new unnamed group. The original group is unchanged.
• If you insert another drawing from disk into the current drawing, any groups it may have contained won't carry forward into the current drawing. The same holds true for xrefs.
• You aren't limited to using groups to add to a current selection set you're building for an editing command. You can also Remove objects in a group from a current selection set.
• If you're building a block definition and include an object that's a member of a selectable group, all objects in the group become part of the block definition and the group disappears.
• If you're building a block definition and include an object that's a member of a nonselectable group, the object transfers to the block definition. It's no longer a member of the group, but the rest of the group remains unscathed.

Creating a LD Assistant Block

1) Create the 2D part of the fixture.

It is important that you move the 2D part of the fixture at 0,0,0.

If you do not when you go to insert the block into your drawing the block WILL NOT show up at the end of your cursor.

2) Next you will need to make the 3D part of the fixture.

NOTE: The barrel of the fixture is pointed toward the top of the screen.

Once you have created the 2D and 3D part of the fixture you will need to create two (2) layers.

1) Create a layer called      2d_FIXTURE

2) Create a layer called      3d_FIXTURE

Now move the 2d fixture part to the 2d_FIXTURE layer.

Next move the 3d fixture part to the 3d_FIXTURE layer.

The reason we do this so when you are in the top view you see the 2d and when you are in a ed view you only see the 3d part of the fixture.

NOTE:
Be sure to have both the 2d_FIXTURE and the 3d_FIXTURE layers ON.

Make sure the 2d Yoke part is at 0,0,

Now move the 3d part over the 2d part.

Looking on the Draw pallet click on make block or... (left) under the menu Draw and click on Make.

When the dialog above opens:
1) Type in the name of the block

2) Click on Pick Point (2)... the dialog will close now click where the C-Clamp bolt would be.
    Once you click the Block Definition dialog opens again.

3) Now click on Select objects (3), the dialog will closes, now Select all the object by drawing a rectangle around the 2d and 3d parts. Once all parts are select do a right mouse click. The Block Definition dialog will open again... now click the OK button and the dialog closes.

You have created a block but for to show up and be tracked in the schedules you will need to turn the block into an LD Assistant object.

To turn the block you just made into a block that LD Assistant will recognize.

Under the menu Lighting look for Utilities and at the fly-out click on Define new LD object...

At the prompt click Next.

If you created your fixture with barrel pointing toward the top of the screen you can click NEXT at this prompt.

At this prompt, click on the name of the block (Test Fixture) and click on Add attributes button.

After the attributes are added click the Next button.

NOTE:
The drop down at the top right is user to add attributes to Truss, sound, point light etc:

This prompt, is asking where does the light come out of the fixture.

Click on the front of the fixture and a little green circle appears.

Click the Next button.

At this prompt click on the Update block references button then click on the Close button.

Now that you have delete the block from the drawing you will want to re-insert it.

Look for the menu Insert and click on Block...

When the dialog open, select the Test Fixture and click the OK button.

When the dialog closes click when you would like to insert the Test Fixture.

Now use the LD Assistant Views to see the fixture in 2d and 3d.

2D view

3D View

3D isometric View

Change Block Text, Size and Placement

We start by turning on all the attributes.

Next we select the block and perform a right mouse click, click on Edit Block In-Place

When this dialog open click the OK button.

The Refedit menu that opened.

Once you see the block you can move, resize, change the color and placement of the text.

Once you have made your modifications CLICK on Save Reference Edits.

Look for the menu Insert and click on block.

At this dialog select the name of the block and click OK.

When the dialog closes click where you want the block to be inserted.

This modification is only good for the file you have open and does NOT modify the source block.

If you would like to customize a set of blocks to use all the time, you will need to modified each block one at it's source file. Contact tech support at LD Assistant and we will be glad to help.

Production

Working with a wheel Mouse

Working with AutoCAD or LD Assistant wheel mouse buttons

In this news letter we will look at increasing productivity with the use of a wheel mouse.You can choose options from menus and toolbars by clicking them with your mouse. You also can use the mouse to draw or to select objects on the screen. With a two-button mouse, the left button is the pick button used to specify points on the screen.

The right button either displays a shortcut menu or is equivalent to pressing ENTER, depending on your pointer location and the right-click settings.

Pressing SHIFT and right-clicking, displays the Object Snap shortcut menu. With a three-button mouse, the middle button either activates real-time panning or if you rotate the wheel the drawing will ZOOM in or out at the point the cursor is placed on the drawing.

The wheel on the mouse is used to ZOOM the drawing in and out. This feature alone can increase productivity by tenfold. By pushing down on the wheel the cursor will turn into a pan hand.

	A time delay mouse button! The one feature that I like best is the time delay in the right mouse button. When you have one or more objects selected, you can deselect the objects by holding down the right mouse button for little over a second. If you hold down the right mouse button for less than a second the menu below will appear.	When you are using 3D Orbit tool a right mouse click will bring up the menu to the right. To exit 3D Orbit perform a right mouse click and click on EXIT. If you are using a drawing tool like polyline, a right mouse click will bring up a menu that allows you to change the tools functionality while drawing.
	By selecting a lighting fixture and performing right mouse click. You have access to the key features without having to go up to the pulldown menus.	Placing your cursor over an icon and performing a right mouse click will display a menu where you can select which tool palette you want displayed on the screen.

Rendering

Working with a wheel Mouse

Working with AutoCAD or LD Assistant wheel mouse buttons

In this news letter we will look at increasing productivity with the use of a wheel mouse.You can choose options from menus and toolbars by clicking them with your mouse. You also can use the mouse to draw or to select objects on the screen. With a two-button mouse, the left button is the pick button used to specify points on the screen.

The right button either displays a shortcut menu or is equivalent to pressing ENTER, depending on your pointer location and the right-click settings.

Pressing SHIFT and right-clicking, displays the Object Snap shortcut menu. With a three-button mouse, the middle button either activates real-time panning or if you rotate the wheel the drawing will ZOOM in or out at the point the cursor is placed on the drawing.

The wheel on the mouse is used to ZOOM the drawing in and out. This feature alone can increase productivity by tenfold. By pushing down on the wheel the cursor will turn into a pan hand.

	A time delay mouse button! The one feature that I like best is the time delay in the right mouse button. When you have one or more objects selected, you can deselect the objects by holding down the right mouse button for little over a second. If you hold down the right mouse button for less than a second the menu below will appear.	When you are using 3D Orbit tool a right mouse click will bring up the menu to the right. To exit 3D Orbit perform a right mouse click and click on EXIT. If you are using a drawing tool like polyline, a right mouse click will bring up a menu that allows you to change the tools functionality while drawing.
	By selecting a lighting fixture and performing right mouse click. You have access to the key features without having to go up to the pulldown menus.	Placing your cursor over an icon and performing a right mouse click will display a menu where you can select which tool palette you want displayed on the screen.

Tech Tips

Using schedules to attach/edit data to/for LD objects

Issue

      After you create or insert LD objects in your drawing, for using them properly, you want to attach data to them or edit objects data.

Solution

      For quick attaching or editing data to/for LD objects you can use LD schedules. 

      Select Schedules command from Lighting menu or type _LDSCH in command line. It apear Schedules dialog where you select adequate schedule for your objects type. 
       In schedule that apear in bottom of screen add/edit each object data value. The type fields are entered automatically with the name of the instruments. The color and iris/gobo fields can be completed using colors and gobos lists: select a field and use "From list" option from right click menu. 

      

      Editing data in the schedules will update your drawing.  Editing data on your drawing will update your schedules. If the data not update automatically use Refresh option from right click menu.

Creating new user defined LD objects

Issue

      You want to create your own LD objects.

Solution

      To create a new LD object:

1. Create a block in the current drawing or insert it from another drawing.
2. Create two layers named "2D_xxxx" and "3D_xxxx" and placed 2D/3D part of the object on corresponding layer  (xxxx = LD type - FIXTURE, SOUND, TRUSS, VIDEO, etc).
3. Create region or faces from 2D entities so you can add solid fill to objects (with LDOBJECTUTIL).
4. Create always the object with insertion point in WCS origin. For instruments, create the object with the front to the WCS Y axis and for truss, create the object parralel to the WCS X axis.
   
5. Define the new created object as LD object using LD Object Definiton Wizard:
   • use Rotate button to change the object orientation, if necessary.
   • change object entities color to BYLAYER or BYBLOCK, corresponding your work style.
   • select object from block list, select the LD type you've want and add attributes to object.
   • for instruments (object that you can focus) specify disbursement point.
     
   • update your settings.
6. Erase original block and use Insert command to insert the new LD object.

       Add new objects in separate files, store these files in LD Blocks folder, and use Block Navigator and DesignCenter to insert new objects in the drawings.

       Note: The Wizard will not add new attributes to the references.

Using schedules to attach/edit data to/for LD objects

Issue

      After you create or insert LD objects in your drawing, for using them properly, you want to attach data to them or edit objects data.

Solution

      For quick attaching or editing data to/for LD objects you can use LD schedules. 

      Select Schedules command from Lighting menu or type _LDSCH in command line. It apear Schedules dialog where you select adequate schedule for your objects type. 
       In schedule that apear in bottom of screen add/edit each object data value. The type fields are entered automatically with the name of the instruments. The color and iris/gobo fields can be completed using colors and gobos lists: select a field and use "From list" option from right click menu. 

      

      Editing data in the schedules will update your drawing.  Editing data on your drawing will update your schedules. If the data not update automatically use Refresh option from right click menu.

How to add a new Drawing Border

Issue

      You want to use for your drawings your own layouts.

Solution

      LD Assistant comes with some drawing borders. You can use one of them selecting LD Drawing Border from Lighting Menu or typing _LDDBR in command line and choose one from list in LD Drawing Border window.

     But if you have your own border and you want to use as layout in your drawings:

1. Open ldborders.dwg file form LD Assistans folder.

2. In layouts tab, right click and select New Layout.

3. Rename the layout by selecting Rename from right click menu.

4. Draw your layout model.

5. Make a block with all entities from your layout model.

6. Save and close the file.

7. Open a new drawing.

8. Select LD Drawing Border from Lighting Menu or type _LDDBR in command line.

9. From available borders list in LD Drawing Border dialog select your own and insert it as layout from your drawings.
   
   

How to create a MultiLight object

Solution

      There are 2 methods for defining a multilight object and a group of light objects attached of it.

      Method #1

1. Create or insert a block (ex: a truss).

2. Select Define new LD object from Lighting>Utilities menu or type _LDWNL in command line.

3. In Append Object Specific Data page select the block you've want to define MultiLight object, select Multiple Light type from combo box and click on Add Attributes button.

4. In Update Block References from Current Drawing page select Block References button.

5. Erase block reference from drawing and insert it with insert command.

6. Select Attach data to Light from Lighting>Attach Data menu or type _LDADL in command line. Select new insert object.

7. Specify all data you've want.

8. Select MLT Group button.

9. Select light fixtures to define multi light group.

10. Select OK button.

      Method #2

1. The easiest mode to create a multi light object is Define MultiLight command. Select it from Lighting>Utilities menu or type _LDUML in command line.

2. If you have create before a block that you want to use as multilight object select it.

   3. If you don't have a block that can be use as multi light object in your drawing, type N to create it.

   4. Pick insertion point of the new block.

   5. Select entities to define the new block. Right click or enter after selecting all.

6. Select light instruments to define multi light group. Right click or enter when you finish the selecting.

Plotting with different fill color for LD objects

Issue

      When producing presentation drawings you can use different fill color for LD objects.

Solution

      Two methods to add different color fill to objects.

        Method #1

1. Select desirable color from color list.
2. Call HATCH command, select SOLID pattern and hatch 2D part of object.
3. Select Bring to Front command from Tools>Display Order menu and select object to bring it above the hatch.

     In following example you can see how to use second method for adding different color fill to objects:

        Method #2

1. Use layers and LDOBJECTUTIL/Add solid fill command. The fill color is layer color not entity.
2. Fill Altaman fixtures with color 9 (default color). The command add "2d_FIXTURE-ldhide" layer with color 9.
3. Call Layer command. Change layer name from "2d_FIXTURE-ldhide" to "2d_FIXTURE-ldhide-Altman". Change layer color with yellow.
4. Fill ETC fixtures with color 9 (default color). The command add "2d_FIXTURE-ldhide" layer with color 9.
5. Call Layer command. Change "2d_FIXTURE-ldhide" layer name to "2d_FIXTURE-ldhide-ETC". Change layer color to blue.
6. Fill Pars fixtures with color 9 (default color). The command add "2d_FIXTURE-ldhide" layer with color 9.
7. Call Layer command. Change "2d_FIXTURE-ldhide" layer name to "2d_FIXTURE-ldhide-Pars". Change layer color to red.

        Note: For hiding lines when plotting or for adding solid fill to objects it must that 2d objects part contain region or faces.

Assigning a plot style to LD objects using LDOBJECTUTIL

Issue

       You want to make your drawings look more professionally drawn, but you also want to save time in doing so.

Solution

      You can save time and make a drawing look more professionally drawn by using LDOBJECTUTIL to set up the visualisation mode of blocks and their attribute. This command contains two parts: one to edit block references and one for attributes.

• For blocks:

       Replace..." button replace one or more block references with another. To do that perform the following steps:

1. Choose Object Utilities command.

2. Select Replace button, from Block Reference Utilities tab.

3. Select the source block reference in the current drawing.

4. Select block references that you want to be replaced. 

        Before the replacement finish you must decide if you want that the new blocks keep their old data or they will be update with data from source block.
       

        Set angle..." button rotate all selected objects/blocks with an angle introduced by user. First specify the rotation angle. The angle axis of rotation passes through the insertion point and is parallel to the Z axis of the current UCS. The object rotation (counterclockwise or clockwise) depends on the Direction Control setting in the Drawing Units dialog box.
       For rotation angle you can specify a real value or you can specify two points (the angle is relative to X axis). After specify the rotation angle, select the blocks that you want to rotate.
       

       Copy values..." button will copy attribute values from a block to others blocks. First, select the block from which it will be copy the attribute values and then select the block references to modify their attribute values.
       
       

       Copy data..." button will copy xdata (like Type, Price, Misc1, Misc2 ) and custom data from a block to others blocks. First you must select the source block and then select block references to change their xdata.

       Tip: Use this options (Copy data and Copy values) to quick attach data to LD objects. Then modify data with LD schedules.

Append..." button append a predefined symbol (a circle or a hexagon) to one or more attributes. For adding symbol follow the steps:

1. Select Append button from Block Reference Utilities tab.
2. Specify C for circle or H for hexagon.
3. Select attribute you've want to add this symbol.

      Tip: Use this option to difference fixtures with dimmer and circuit.
       

       Add solid fill..." add a solid fill to selected blocks, for solving hidden lines during plot.
       Tip: If object does not hide the lines behind it, select Bring to Front command from Tools>Display Order menu and aply to object.

       Default solid fill color is 9. You can change it by changing solid fill layer color. Also for a good result during plot, change fill color screening to 0 in current plot style table (.ctb or .stb) in PLOT command.
       

      Note: For hiding lines when plotting or for adding solid fill to objects it must that 2d objects part contain region or faces.

• For attributes:

        "Set height..." button sets text height for one or more attributes.
         
         Tip: Text Styles Height setting does not change the attribute text height. The properties of the attributes are separate from text properties and must be edited separately.
         There are more metods to adjust the Attribute Text Height.
         
           Note: You have the opportunity to make the text height whatever you need when you create the attributes. In the Attribute Definition dialog box under Text Options, you can change the Justification/Text Style/Height and Rotation.

        Method #1
        You can set attribute height using LDOBJECTUTIL command performing the following steps:

1. Select Set height button from Attribute Utilities tab.
2. Select an attribute as attribute source or specify the text height (entering H for "enter Height" or select "enter Height" from right click menu and then specifying desirable height).
3. Select attributes that you want to modify.

        Method #2
        In products based on AutoCAD 2002 software, use the following procedure:

1. Double-click the block.
2. In the Enhanced Attribute Editor or the Block Attribute Manager, change the attributes as desired. 

       Method #3
        Change the attribute text height by using the Global Attribute Editor (-attedit) via the command line.
        Note: This method can be time-consuming.
       

        "Set angle..." button rotate all selected attributes with an angle introduced by user. 
         Note: In the Attribute Definition dialog box under Text Options, you can change the Justification/Text Style/Height and Rotation.
         If you want to change the attribute orientation for your final output use one of folowing methods:

         Method #1

1. Choose Set angle button from Attribute Utilities tab.
2. Specify the rotation angle: a real value (enter A for "enter Angle" or select "enter Angle" from right click menu and then specify desirable attribute angle) or select an attribute to use its angle as model. 
3. Select the attributes that you want to rotate.

         Method #2
        In products based on AutoCAD 2002 software, use the following procedure:

1. Double-click the block.
2. In the Enhanced Attribute Editor or the Block Attribute Manager, change the attributes as desired. 

       Method #3
        Change the attribute text angle by using the Global Attribute Editor (-attedit) via the command line.
        Note: This method can be time-consuming.

       Tip: The attribute rotation (counterclockwise or clockwise) depends on the Direction Control setting in the Drawing Units dialog box.
        

        "Copy color..." button will change the attributes color. 
         Note: In the Edit Attribute dialog in Attribute Proprieties tag, you can change the Color, Layer and Linetype.
        For changing the color af attributes use one of following methods:

         Method #1

1. Choose Copy color button from Attribute Utilities tab.
2. Specify a color: enter C for "enter Color" or select "enter Color" from right click menu and then enter an AutoCAD Color Index (ACI) number, an integer from 1 through 255 or select another attribute to use its color as model. 
3. Select the attributes that you want to modify color.

         Method #2
        In products based on AutoCAD 2002 software, use the following procedure:

1. Double-click the block.
2. In the Enhanced Attribute Editor or the Block Attribute Manager, change the attributes as desired. 

       Method #3
        Change the attribute text color by using the Global Attribute Editor (-attedit) via the command line.
        Note: This method can be time-consuming.

        "Copy style..." button will set the text style to all selected attributes. 
         Note: In the Attribute Definition dialog box under Text Options, you can change the Justification/Text Style/Height and Rotation.
         To modify the attribute style use one of methods:

         Method #1
         You can set attribute height using LDOBJECTUTIL command performing the following steps:

1. Select Copy style button from Attribute Utilities tab.
2. Select an attribute as attribute source for style or specify a text style (entering S for "enter Style" or select "enter Style" from right click menu and then specify the name of an existing text style).
   
      To create a new text style in a drawing:
   1. Type ddstyle on the command line, or from the Format menu choose Text Style.
   2. Choose New.
   3. Enter a new and unique name for your style. Autodesk Product Support recommends that you enter a descriptive name.
   4. Choose OK.
   5. Select the font you want to use from the Font Name drop-down list.
      Note: Look at the Preview section in the lower right of the dialog to see the font appearance.
   6. Keep the text height setting as 0. If you set a text height in the Text Style dialog box, you will not be prompted to enter a new height when you place text. Enter a text height only if you want this text style all text to be created with the same height.
   7. If desired, select any of the following effects for the text.
      • Upside down flips the text 180 degrees.
      • Backwards mirrors the text.
      • Vertical aligns the text characters vertically instead of horizontally.
      • Obliquing angle sets a slant to the text characters.
      • Big Font - Allows you to use a Kanji or double-byte font. Select the Big Font from the Big Font drop-down list.
   8. Choose the Apply button to make the changes to your new text style.
   9. Choose the Close button to exit the dialog box.
      
   
   
3. Select attributes that you want to modify.

       Method #2
        In products based on AutoCAD 2002 software, use the following procedure:

1. Double-click the block.
2. In the Enhanced Attribute Editor or the Block Attribute Manager, change the attributes as desired. 

       Method #3
        Change the attribute text height by using the Global Attribute Editor (-attedit) via the command line.
        Note: This method can be time-consuming.

        

        "Append..." button append a new attribute to one or more blocks. When choose to add a new attribute you must enter the attribute name/tag, the the attribute text/value and then select a block reference to add attribute and specify an attribute insertion point. You can add an attribute to one or more block reference. For the new attribute text style and text height are use the current text style and height.
       

        "Add mask..." button add mask to selected atributes. Mask is added to solve hidden lines during plot. 
         Tip: If mask does not hide the lines behind it, select Bring to Front command from Tools>Display Order menu and aply to mask. 
         Default mask color is 9. You can change it by changing mask layer color. Also for a good result during plot, change mask color screening to 0 in current plot style table (.ctb or .stb) in PLOT command.
       

Working with LD Assistant template text file

Issue

      LD Assistant comes with 5 template text file. You want to edit them for creating your own working style.

Solution

      You can modify files:

• opening them with Notepad from LD Assistant folder (ldcustomdata.txt, ldiedatalist.txt, ldlookuplist.txt, ldschedlist.txt) or LD Assistant\LD Report (ldreport.htm);

• in LD Assistant Options there are one button for each file for editing it;

      Edit all template files very carefully. Any introduced error may result in leak working performance of specific feature.

      In ldlookuplist file there are saved data extension (xdata) for fixtures and truss objects. In first two lines of file are the descriptions of objects data format:

      ;TRUSS Type Price Weight Misc1 Misc2
       ;FIXTURE Type GelSize CndlPow Beam Field Wattage Price Lamp Weight Misc1 Misc2

      You can complete the file with missing data value of fixtures or truss objects or you can add new objects with them data. To add data value for existing instruments in file replace "-" with your data in concordant object line. Any line you add must contain as first word the object type (FIXTURES or TRUSS) succeeded by ":" and then:

• for truss: truss type, price, weight, misc1 and misc2. Between data value there are tabs. If you don't want (don't have) to complete all data for an object, type - for each missing data value.

• for fixtures type, gelsize, candle power, beam, field, wattage, price, lamp, weight, misc1 and misc2. Between data value there are tabs. If you don't want (don't have) to complete all data for an object, type - for each missing data value.

      In ldschedlist file you can edit what data/attribute will apear in LD schedules or you can create your own schedule following the steps:     

Using worksheets to easy attaching/editing data to LD objects

Issue

      You have a predefined set of data and you want to use it for attaching data to objects in more drawings.

Solution

      For quick attaching or editing data to/for LD objects from your data list you can use LD worksheets:

1. Create a new drawing - for presentation.

2. Insert all LD objects that you need.

3. Attach to them position and unit data as you've need.

4. Save a txt file with one of methods:

          Method #1

   1. In a new drawing insert all LD objects that you have and attach data to them using LD Attach data menu or LD schedules.

   2. Create your own schedules that contain all data types you've want. The position and unit data must correspond with the position and data from your presentation drawing.

   3. Save the schedules with Save worksheet as text file command (from top of Schedules bar).

   
           Method #2

   1. Open a new txt file.

   2. In first line of file add all data types you've want with tabs between them.

   3. For each instrument add a line with all data value from first line (with tabs between them).

   4. Save the file.

   
   

5. Use the txt file to create a new worksheet with Open txt file as worksheet command (from top of Schedules bar).

6. Select Update drawing from right click menu.

       All object with position and unit data will be update with the concordant data from txt file .

       Tip: You can use an Excel file (with each column corresponding to a data type) as source file for data of objects.

    

        Copy from this file and paste to your own worksheet.

User Defined Content Saving blocks

By Quick Tip by Mike Evans

I found a quick way to save a block in User Defined Content
if I build a block while working in another drawing. I use WBLOCK. It will write a block to wherever you’d like. You can specify any block or group of items to be a block and you don’t have to get out of your current drawing to do so.

Tutorials

Creating objects using extrude and extrude along path

From the LD view palette click on the RIGHT view button.

Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool.
Placing the cursor at the top of the drawing (1), click the left mouse button and drawn down to (2) and click the left mouse button. This will tack the line... now click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. select the Arc tool and draw to the right. Click the left mouse button at (3) .. again this will tack the line... now click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select the line tool. Draw to the right and click the left mouse button at (4)....

Repeat the above untill you reach (8)... at this point, once you have clicked the left button ... click the right mouse button and this time selcet ENTER from the small fly-out menu.

Extrude along path, Edge surface & Revolved

From the LD view palette click on the Front view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool.
Placing the cursor at the top of the drawing (1), click the left mouse button and draw down to (2) click the left mouse button at location (2). This will tack the line... now, click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. select the Arc tool and draw to (3) . Click the left mouse button at (3) .. again this will tack the line... now, click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select the line tool.

Draw to the right and click the left mouse button at (4)....Repeat the above untill you reach (5)... at this point, once you have clicked the left button ... click the right mouse button and this time selcet (Close) from the small fly-out menu. This will close the polyline, so we can use the Revolved Surface tool later to make the pot.

	From the LD view palette click on the Right view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Placing the cursor at the top of the drawing (1), click the left mouse button and drawn to (2) and click the left mouse button. This will tack the line... now click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. select the Arc tool and draw to (3), and Click the left mouse button .. again this will tack the line... now, draw to (4) and Click the left mouse button .. again this will tack the line...click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select the line tool. Draw to (5 and click the left button....now, click the right mouse button and click on ENTER....Repeat the above to make the small end of the spout (Green)
	From the LD view palette click on the Front view button . Rotate the ends of the spout into place (1 & 2) Use the polyline tool and draw line ( 3). Use the OSNAP, so it selects the the end points of (1 & 2).
	I have zoomed in on the spout so as to show, there are two lines connecting the large and small ends of the spout. You will need to copy and paste in place the second line.Be sure to use the OSNAP and snap to the end points. The Edge Surface tool that we will use next requires that all lines touch so as to create a path for the tool to work. Endpoints of all the lines MUST touch... or the tool will not work......
	From the LD view palette, click on the Front view button . Click on the Edge Surface tool next, click on the large end of the spout (1) then, click on the lines connecting the two ends (2 & 3) and finally, click on the small end of the spout (4).
	Now,we have the spout. Next, we will use the Revolved tool to create the pot.
	From the LD view palette click on the Front view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Draw in the line (1)From the Surfaces palette click on the Revolved Surface button. The cursor turns to a square .. click on the pot (2) .. then click ont the line (1) right mouse click for enter .. at the command line type 360 and hit enter.
	Now, we will need a handle.
	From the LD view palette click on the Front view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Draw the outline of the handle (1)...
	From the LD view palette click on the ISO SE view button . Open the UCS II palette and select RIGHT. To open the palette, place your cursor over any icon along the top and click the right mouse button...this will open a fly-out menu to select palettes from. Turn on OSNAP and set it to snap to the end points. Select the circle tool and draw a circle (1). Open the SOLIDS palette by placing your cursor over any icon along the top and click the right mouse button...this will open a fly-out menu to select palettes from. Click on the EXTRUDE button. The cursor turns into a square.... Next, click on the circle (1) .. then right mouse click for enter..look at the command line... type the letter P then push the enter key.... now, click on the line (2)From the LD view palette click on the Front view button . Now, move the handle into place.
	To make the top. From the front view... draw 1/2 of the top. (1)
	Next, draw in the Revolved axis(2)
	From the Surfaces palette click on the Revolved Surface button. The cursor turns to a square .. click on the top (1) .. then click ont the line (2) right mouse click for enter .. at the command line type 360 and hit enter.
	Move the top of the pot into place. To render, open the SHADE palette and click on the FLAT SHADED button.
	The pot is now ready to have a texture applied The color comes from adding blue plastic texture to the pot.

Edge surface & Revolved

From the LD view palette click on the Top view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Placie the cursor at the bottom of the drawing (1), and click the left mouse button . This will tack the line... now, click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. Select the Arc tool and draw to (2) . Click the left mouse again. This will tack the line... now, draw to (3) and click the left mouse button, now click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select ENTER. Do not close the arc.... Repeat the above for center part of the hat (4)... remember not to close the arc. Note: Don't worry about the Arc being perfect, you can go back after it's drawn and modify it using the grips. On your first hat, leave a larger opening between (1) and (3).. on your next hat, you will need to close this gap.

From the LD view palette click on the Right view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Be sure the OSNAP is turned on and Endpoint is selected. To check this, place your cursor over the word OSNAP at the bottom of the screen, and do a right mouse click.. select settings. Place the cursor at location (1), and click the left mouse button . This will tack the line... now, click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. Select the Arc tool and draw to (2) . Click the left mouse again. This will tack the line... next, click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select ENTER. From the LD view palette click on the Left view button . Next, from the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Place the cursor at location (1), and click the left mouse button . This will tack the line... now, click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. Select the Arc tool and draw to (2) . Click the left mouse again. This will tack the line... now, click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select ENTER.

From the LD view palette click on the Right view button . From the drawing tools palette click on the polyline tool. Place the cursor at location (1), and click the left mouse button . This will tack the line... draw to location number (2) and click the left mouse button... next, click the right mouse button, a fly-out menu appears.. Select the Arc tool and draw to (3). Click the left mouse again. This will tack the line... click the right mouse button again, a fly-out menu appears... select Line and draw to (4) and click the left mouse button to tack the line. Now, do a right mouse click and select Enter.. While we are here, we can draw in the vertical line (5) with the polyline tool. We will be using this line to revolve/sweep around later.   To see what it looks like in an isometric view..From the LD view palette click on the SW view button .     The Edge Surface tool that we will be using requires that all lines touch so as to create a path for the tool to work. Endpoints of all the lines MUST touch... or the tool will not work...... From the LD view palette, click on the SE view button . From the Surfaces tool palette, click on the Edge Surface tool . The cursor turns into a square... click on the line number (1, 2, 3 and 4).   From the LD view palette click on the Front view button . Next, we will use the Revolved tool to create the top of the hat. From the Surfaces tool bar, click on the Revolved button. The cursor turns into a square .. click on the line (1) .. then click on line (2) next, right mouse click for enter .. at the command line type 360 and hit enter.   This is what the hat will look like after the Revolved tools is used.     To see what it looks like in an isometric view..From the LD view palette click on the SW view button .   To render, open the SHADE palette and click on the FLAT SHADED button.   By using the Orbit tool you can get a better look at the bottom of the hat.

Working with a wheel Mouse

Working with AutoCAD or LD Assistant wheel mouse buttons

In this news letter we will look at increasing productivity with the use of a wheel mouse.You can choose options from menus and toolbars by clicking them with your mouse. You also can use the mouse to draw or to select objects on the screen. With a two-button mouse, the left button is the pick button used to specify points on the screen.

The right button either displays a shortcut menu or is equivalent to pressing ENTER, depending on your pointer location and the right-click settings.

Pressing SHIFT and right-clicking, displays the Object Snap shortcut menu. With a three-button mouse, the middle button either activates real-time panning or if you rotate the wheel the drawing will ZOOM in or out at the point the cursor is placed on the drawing.

The wheel on the mouse is used to ZOOM the drawing in and out. This feature alone can increase productivity by tenfold. By pushing down on the wheel the cursor will turn into a pan hand.

	A time delay mouse button! The one feature that I like best is the time delay in the right mouse button. When you have one or more objects selected, you can deselect the objects by holding down the right mouse button for little over a second. If you hold down the right mouse button for less than a second the menu below will appear.	When you are using 3D Orbit tool a right mouse click will bring up the menu to the right. To exit 3D Orbit perform a right mouse click and click on EXIT. If you are using a drawing tool like polyline, a right mouse click will bring up a menu that allows you to change the tools functionality while drawing.
	By selecting a lighting fixture and performing right mouse click. You have access to the key features without having to go up to the pulldown menus.	Placing your cursor over an icon and performing a right mouse click will display a menu where you can select which tool palette you want displayed on the screen.

Understanding Group

Understanding Group

To start the group LD Assistant and AutoCAD are not like group in other CAD progrm, with the LD group if you turn it off you can remove an object in the group and when you trun the group back on... they are all grouped togather. Moerover you can move an object in a group without haveing to ungroup. With that said lets start.

The Group command does not appear in the toolbars or menus, nor does it have a keyboard shortcut. While group as many more fontions, we will only go ove the baices.

Start the command, by typing group and hit the enter key.

You are now presented with the dialog box shown in figure 1.

Figure 1.
Object Grouping dialog box.

Type a name in the Group Name box. If you want, you can click on the Description box and enter an explanatory note. (Tables, Truss, Fixtures ... ect;)

Now pick the New button. The dialog box collapses and now click on all the objects that you want in that group. After you have selected all the objects, hit the enter button and the dialog box reappears, now the the upper portion displays your group name.

Figure 2.
Click an object to grip-edit the entire group.

Now when you click and drag a blue grip, that one object moves independently within the group. When you press Esc to clear the grips, the entire group becomes selectable again.

The Group dialog box offers several other useful functions. For example, have you lost track of a group's name? No problem. Pick Find Name. The dialog box collapses and you're invited to select an object. If you select one that belongs to a group, a box pops up listing the group name or names. An object can belong to more than one group.

If you pick a group name from the upper window of the Group dialog box, another inquiry function becomes available, as do several Change Group functions at the bottom of the dialog box. Figure 3 shows an example of this.

Figure 3.
By select a group name you activate the Change Group buttons.

The function of most buttons is obvious from their labels, but one or two have a bit of a twist.

Now that you have seen the basic mechanism for creating, using, and editing groups, here are a few other significant points: A group can contain any type of AutoCAD object, including lines, circles, arcs, polylines, text, dimensions, block insertions, and other groups.

• An object can belong to more than one group. To select an object within an existing group so that it's part of a new group, the existing group must be nonselectable. If it's selectable, the entire group that it's within becomes part of the new group.
• If you're building a selection set for an editing command and pick an object that belongs to more than one group, all objects in all groups of which it's a member will be selected.
• If you copy, mirror, or array a group, all the new objects you create belong to a new unnamed group. The original group is unchanged.
• If you insert another drawing from disk into the current drawing, any groups it may have contained won't carry forward into the current drawing. The same holds true for xrefs.
• You aren't limited to using groups to add to a current selection set you're building for an editing command. You can also Remove objects in a group from a current selection set.
• If you're building a block definition and include an object that's a member of a selectable group, all objects in the group become part of the block definition and the group disappears.
• If you're building a block definition and include an object that's a member of a nonselectable group, the object transfers to the block definition. It's no longer a member of the group, but the rest of the group remains unscathed.

Change Block Text, Size and Placement

We start by turning on all the attributes.

Next we select the block and perform a right mouse click, click on Edit Block In-Place

When this dialog open click the OK button.

The Refedit menu that opened.

Once you see the block you can move, resize, change the color and placement of the text.

Once you have made your modifications CLICK on Save Reference Edits.

Look for the menu Insert and click on block.

At this dialog select the name of the block and click OK.

When the dialog closes click where you want the block to be inserted.

This modification is only good for the file you have open and does NOT modify the source block.

If you would like to customize a set of blocks to use all the time, you will need to modified each block one at it's source file. Contact tech support at LD Assistant and we will be glad to help.

Visualization

Working with a wheel Mouse

Working with AutoCAD or LD Assistant wheel mouse buttons

In this news letter we will look at increasing productivity with the use of a wheel mouse.You can choose options from menus and toolbars by clicking them with your mouse. You also can use the mouse to draw or to select objects on the screen. With a two-button mouse, the left button is the pick button used to specify points on the screen.

The right button either displays a shortcut menu or is equivalent to pressing ENTER, depending on your pointer location and the right-click settings.

Pressing SHIFT and right-clicking, displays the Object Snap shortcut menu. With a three-button mouse, the middle button either activates real-time panning or if you rotate the wheel the drawing will ZOOM in or out at the point the cursor is placed on the drawing.

The wheel on the mouse is used to ZOOM the drawing in and out. This feature alone can increase productivity by tenfold. By pushing down on the wheel the cursor will turn into a pan hand.

	A time delay mouse button! The one feature that I like best is the time delay in the right mouse button. When you have one or more objects selected, you can deselect the objects by holding down the right mouse button for little over a second. If you hold down the right mouse button for less than a second the menu below will appear.	When you are using 3D Orbit tool a right mouse click will bring up the menu to the right. To exit 3D Orbit perform a right mouse click and click on EXIT. If you are using a drawing tool like polyline, a right mouse click will bring up a menu that allows you to change the tools functionality while drawing.
	By selecting a lighting fixture and performing right mouse click. You have access to the key features without having to go up to the pulldown menus.	Placing your cursor over an icon and performing a right mouse click will display a menu where you can select which tool palette you want displayed on the screen.