2D Module Design

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8.1 2D Design Module

Version 2.3

Metal Studio V.4.9.0


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- 4 - Table of contents

Local and global setting ............................................................... .................................. 30

Pen ...................................................................................................................... 31

Pens colors .............................................................. ............................................ 31

Hatching ................................................................. ............................................. 32

Selection 33

Introduction ................................................................................................................... 33

Command Mode and Selection Mode ................................................................ . 33

Direct selection and preselection ........................................................................ 33

Direct selection ................................................................. .................................. 34

Preselection ............................................................. ............................................ 34

Selection panel .............................................................................................................. 35

Confirm ........................................................ ....................................................... 35

Selection mode: single selection ......................................................................... 35

Selection mode: add to the selection ................................................................ ... 35

Selection mode: remove from the selection ........................................................ 35

Total containment ............................................................. .................................. 36

Partial containment ........................................................... .................................. 36

Selection on the type of element by key ............................................................. . 36 Highlight selection ............................................................ .................................. 36

Select all ............................................................................................................. 36

Cancel all the selections ............................................................... ....................... 36

Selection of points .............................................................................................. 37

Selection of lines ............................................................... .................................. 37

Selection of arcs and circles ......................................................... ....................... 37

Selection of closed outlines ................................................................................ 37

Selection of solids ............................................................. .................................. 37

Selection of flat faces (sheet metal) ................................................................ .... 37

Selection of bends (sheet metal) ......................................................................... 38

Selection of models ........................................................... .................................. 38

Selection of faces .............................................................. .................................. 38

Selection of texts ............................................................... .................................. 38

Selections of dimensions .............................................................. ....................... 38

Selection by layer .............................................................. .................................. 39

Selection by colour ............................................................................................. 39

Selection by hatching ........................................................ .................................. 39

Insertion of points 40

Introduction ................................................................................................................... 40

Systems of coordinates ................................................................ .................................. 40

Indication of a point using the mouse ................................................................. 40

Indication of a point from the keyboard ............................................................. . 40

Current point .......................................................... ............................................. 42

Point insertion panel ......................................................... ............................................. 42

Confirm ........................................................ ....................................................... 42

Interruption ......................................................................................................... 43

Undo ................................................................................................................... 43

Horizontal ........................................................................................................... 43

Vertical ............................................................................................................... 43

Current point movement ..................................................................................... 44

Parallel ......................................................... ....................................................... 44

Perpendicular ......................................................... ............................................. 44

Tangent ............................................................................................................... 45

Intersection ......................................................................................................... 45

Middle point ....................................................................................................... 45

Center.................................................................................................................. 46 Bisector ........................................................ ....................................................... 46

Text .............................................................. ....................................................... 46


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Table of contents - 5 -

Symbol ......................................................... ....................................................... 46

Reference system 47

Setting the reference system ........................................................ .................................. 47

Reference system setting panel ............................................................... ....................... 48

Auxiliary functions 51

Deletion of an element ................................................................. .................................. 51

Cancelling operations that have been performed (Undo/Redo) ..................................... 51

Restoring operations that have been performed (Redo) ................................................ 52

Flipping the last operation (Flip) ................................................................................... 52

Work session 53

Start ............................................................................................................................... 53

Setting the work parameters .......................................................................................... 53

Units of measurement and scale of the drawing .................................................. 54

Completion ............................................................. ....................................................... 55

Display 56

Windows ................................................................ ........................................................ 56

Introduction ........................................................................................................ 56

Views ........................................................... ................................................................. . 59

Introduction ........................................................................................................ 59

Graphics ........................................................................................................................ 62

Creation of 2D entities 71

Entities ......................................................... ................................................................. . 71

Lines and polylines ............................................................................................. 71

Point ............................................................. ....................................................... 71

Horizontal line .................................................................................................... 72

Vertical line ........................................................................................................ 72

Tangent line to arc/circle (in a point) ................................................................ .. 72

Tangent line to 2 arcs/circles .............................................................................. 73

Perpendicular ......................................................... ............................................. 73

Bisector ........................................................ ....................................................... 73

Multiple parallel.................................................................................................. 74

Rectangle ............................................................................................................ 74

Polygon ........................................................ ....................................................... 75

Sequence ................................................................ ............................................. 75

Offset .................................................................................................................. 76

End search – no rounding ................................................................................... 76

End search – partial rounding ............................................................................. 76

End search – total rounding ................................................................................ 76

Intersection search – no rounding ....................................................................... 76

Intersection search – partial rounding ................................................................ . 77

Intersection search – total rounding ........................................................ ............ 77

Circle .................................................................................................................. 77

Management of parametric figures ..................................................................... 77

Circle from three points ...................................................................................... 78

Circle tangent to an element ......................................................... ....................... 79

Circle tangent to two elements ................................................................ ............ 79

Circle tangent to three elements .............................................................. ............ 79

Arc ...................................................................................................................... 80

Arc for three points ............................................................................................. 81 Arc for two points and given centre ........................................................ ............ 81


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Fillet arc between two external arcs/circles given the radius .............................. 81

Fillet arc between two internal arcs/circles given the radius ............................... 82

Inverting an arc (Flip) ......................................................................................... 82

Circular fillet .......................................................... ............................................. 82

Circular fillet arc between two elements ............................................................ . 82

Inverse chamfer ................................................................. .................................. 83

Trunk chamfer (given the vertex and the length) ................................................ 83 Parametric trunk chamfer ............................................................. ....................... 83

Stepped notch ..................................................................................................... 84

Mitred notch ....................................................................................................... 84

U-shaped notch ................................................................. .................................. 85

V-shaped notch ................................................................. .................................. 85

Modification of 2D entities 86

Move and copy commands .......................................................... .................................. 86

Translation .............................................................. ............................................ 86

Copy.................................................................................................................... 86

Multiple copy ......................................................... ............................................. 86

Copy on linear grid ............................................................................................. 87 Rotation .............................................................................................................. 87

Rotate and copy .................................................................................................. 88

Copy on circular grid .......................................................................................... 88

Mirror image .......................................................... ............................................. 88

Mirror copy ............................................................. ............................................ 89

Modification commands .............................................................. .................................. 89

Trimming intersections ................................................................ ....................... 89

Trimming between two lines ........................................................ ....................... 89

Deletion outside two intersections ...................................................................... 90

Deletion between two intersections..................................................................... 90

Piercing an element ........................................................... .................................. 90

Subdivision of an element ............................................................ ....................... 91

Modify pen/hatching between intersections ........................................................ 91

Modification of elements ............................................................. ....................... 91

Redefine the end of a line ................................................................................... 92

Radius modification .......................................................... .................................. 92

Closing an arc ..................................................................................................... 92

Deformation ........................................................... ............................................. 92

Scale change (the same factor in X and Y) ........................................................ . 93

Scale change (different factors in X and Y) ........................................................ 93

Guidelines 94

Introduction ................................................................................................................... 94

Draw mode .............................................................. ............................................ 94

Deleting guidelines ........................................................... .................................. 94

Conversion of guidelines .................................................................................... 95

Reference axes ....................................................... ............................................. 95

Arcs of insertion.................................................................................................. 95

Line inclined through a point ....................................................... ....................... 95

Axes of a circle or arc ....................................................... .................................. 96

Lines passing through remarkable points ........................................................... . 96

Management of layers 97

Introduction ................................................................................................................... 97

Status of a layer................................................................................................... 97

Layer management panel .................................................. .................................. 99

Dimensions 101


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Table of contents - 7 -

Introduction ................................................................................................................. 101

Types of dimensions ......................................................................................... 101

Positioning dimensions ................................................................ ..................... 102

Parts of a drawing ............................................................................................. 102

Attributes of a dimension ............................................................. ..................... 102

Multiple dimensions.......................................................................................... 102

Entering dimensions ......................................................... ........................................... 103 Generic point-point dimension ................................................................ .......... 103

Line dimension ................................................................................................. 104

Angular dimension ............................................................ ................................ 104

Dimension between two parallel lines............................... ................................ 105

Diameter dimension .......................................................... ................................ 105

Half diameter dimension .............................................................. ..................... 105

Radius dimension .............................................................. ................................ 106

Chamfer dimension ........................................................... ................................ 106

Dimension in series ........................................................... ................................ 106

Dimension in parallel ........................................................ ................................ 107

Progressive dimension ...................................................................................... 108

Measurement line .............................................................. ................................ 109

Indicators .......................................................................................................... 109

Tolerance positioning ....................................................................................... 109

Modification of the dimensions .............................................................. ..................... 110

Modify text parameters ..................................................................................... 111

Modify arrow parameters ............................................................. ..................... 111

Dimension modification commands ........................................................ .......... 111

Drop line modification commands .......................................................... .......... 112

Configuration of the dimensions ............................................................. ..................... 113

Text parameters ................................................................................................ 113

Arrow parameters ............................................................................................. 114

General parameters ........................................................... ................................ 115

Predefined attributes ......................................................................................... 115

Texts 116

Introduction ................................................................................................................. 116

Entering texts .......................................................... ..................................................... 116

List and text box ............................................................................................... 117

Text file............................................................................................................. 117

Inserting the text in the drawing .............................................................. .......... 118

Modification of texts ................................................................................................... 120

Modification of text parameters .............................................................. .......... 121

Configuration of the texts ............................................................ ................................ 121

File management 122

Introduction ................................................................................................................. 122

Operations on files ............................................................. .......................................... 123

Creation of a new drawing ........................................................... ..................... 123

Reading a drawing ............................................................................................ 123

Writing a drawing ............................................................................................. 124

Automatic save ................................................................................................. 125

Types of file ................................................................................................................ 126

Files in standard formats .............................................................. ..................... 126

Files in proprietary format ................................................................................ 126

Print ............................................................................................................................. 127

Import and export ........................................................................................................ 128

DXF .................................................................................................................. 128

DWG ............................................................ ..................................................... 129 DXF/DWG entity filter ..................................................................................... 130

SAT .............................................................. ..................................................... 132


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S4 ................................................................ ...................................................... 132

VRML .......................................................... ..................................................... 132

Symbols 133

Introduction ................................................................................................................. 133

Operations on symbols ................................................................................................ 134

Creation of a symbol ......................................................... ................................ 134

Inserting a symbol in a drawing ........................................................................ 135

Expansion of a symbol ................................................................. ..................... 136

Replacing a symbol ........................................................... ................................ 136

Update symbol ....................................................... ........................................... 136

Symbols display modes ................................................................ ..................... 137

Management of parametric symbol ......................................................... .......... 138

Define libraries ................................................................................................. 138

Calculations 139

Introduction ................................................................................................................. 139

Point ............................................................. ..................................................... 139 Interrogate element ........................................................... ................................ 140

Point-point distance .......................................................................................... 142

Point-straight line distance ........................................................... ..................... 142

Point-plane distance .......................................................... ................................ 143

Distance/angle between two elements ............................................................... 143

Distance/angle between two planes ......................................................... .......... 144

Tangent/normal to an arc .................................................................................. 144

Perimeter ................................................................ ........................................... 145

Calculating the size of areas.............................................................................. 145

Appendix 146

Accelerators ............................................................ ..................................................... 146


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METAL STUDIO

8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3 Structure of the manual - 9 -

Structure of the manual

This document describes all the functions of Metal Studio . As it is not an

introductory manual to design, it is presupposed that the user has a certain

familiarity with the typical concepts of the world of CAD, both two-

dimensional and three-dimensional, though we have attempted to treat every

topic in a simple and complete manner.

The structure of the manual is as follows:

The chapter “Introduction to ” presents the concepts of graphic element and of

attribute, used in all the rest of the document;

The chapter “Organisation of the user interface” describes the structure of the

main window of the application and explains the role of the different areas

within it. It also introduces the use of the mouse;

The chapter “Management of the graphics area” explains how to move, rotate,

enlarge or reduce the drawing and introduces the concepts of gravitation, grid,

and positioning lattice;

The chapter “Graphic attributes” illustrates the concepts of pen and thehatching of graphic elements in the drawing;

The chapter “Selection” explains the concept of selection and describes all the

ways you can select elements of the drawing so as to be able to manipulate

them;

The chapter “Insertion of points” explains the system of coordinates which can

be used by the application, introduces the concepts of local axes and current

point and describes all the ways you can indicate points on the plane or in

space, from the keyboard or using the mouse;

The chapter “Reference system” explores the theme of the definition of the

local axes and describes all the controls which allow you to set them, display

them and modify them. An understanding of the concepts explained isespecially important for working in 3D.

The chapter “Auxiliary functions” describes some functions in general use in

the system. These are the commands for deleting elements, and for undoing

and flipping the last operation;

The chapter “Work session” briefly summarises the way you start and

terminate the use of the system and recalls the parameters which control the

behaviour of the system when designing;

The chapter “Display” describes the functions which regulate the display of

the drawings and models. In particular, it illustrates the possibility of using

multiple windows, how to change the type of view (that is, the point of

observation of the model in space), and the graphics (that is, the way graphical

objects, especially 3D ones, are represented in the different windows on the

screen;

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- 10 - Structure of the manual 8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3

The chapter “Creation of 2D entities” gives a detailed description of the

primary and secondary commands which allow you to create 2-dimensional

graphical objects on the current layer. To understand the concepts explained

here easily, it is necessary to have read the previous chapters, in particular

with regard to the selection of graphic elements and the definition of points in

space;

The chapter “Modification of 2D entities” describes all the operations which

allow you to modify the geometry of the graphic elements, in particular the

commands which allow you to move and rotate elements, make single and

multiple copies and copies on a grid, change the scale and deformation, as well

as the specific commands for shortening, lengthening or modifying elements in

the drawing;

The chapter “Guidelines” introduces the use of these important graphical

elements which facilitate the designer‟s work;

The chapter “Management of layers” describes what layers are and how to

create, modify and use them best to simplify the management of the drawing

and associate non-geometrical information to their elements so as to guide the

process of elaboration of the CAM modules;The chapter “Dimensions” explains how to add measurements to a drawing. In

particular the concept of dimension is introduced. The various types of

dimension are described with the way they are represented as well as all the

controls which allow you to create them, modify them and configure them;

The chapter “Texts” describes how to create, modif y and configure text

elements in the drawing;

The chapter “File management” explains how to save, recover and print

drawings and models; it also describes the types and the names of the files

manipulated by the system and how to import and export drawings and models

in standard formats (DXF, DWG, SAT) from and to other design systems;

The chapter “Symbols” introduces the concept of submodel and describes thecommands which allow you to create and modify these elements of the

drawing;

The chapter “Calculations” describes the commands which allow you to

measure positions, distances, angles, perimeters and areas.

Conventions

Various typographical conventions, given below, have been used throughout

the document to facilitate reading.

Access by menu and buttons

The commands made available by the system can be accessed from the menus

or buttons of the graphic interface. The way you can access each command is

indicated beside its description, immediately below the title of the relative

paragraph.

For example, the paragraph which describes how to save a drawing in a file is

headed as follows:

Icon of the button or buttons to press in sequence to

activate the command

File/Save Item in the menu and submenu to select to activate the

command

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METAL STUDIO

8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3 Structure of the manual - 11 -

Shortcut

Some commands can be activated directly by a fast access key ( shortcut ): in

this case the key to press will be indicated alongside the title of the paragraph

which describes the operation of the command, as follows:

i (zoom in)

Acronyms, abbreviations

The acronyms, abbreviations and technical words used in this document are

listed below to facilitate their understanding.

ACISSolid modeller used by the Metal Studio a pplication for objects on solid, three-

dimensional objects

Local axesCartesian reference system with respect to which you are drawing, translated and/or

rotated with respect to the absolute reference

CAD Acronym of “Computer Aided Design”

CAM Acronym of “Computer Aided Manufacturing”

DirectoryThis indicates the areas of the system where the files (programs, documents, drawings

and other directories) are collected. A synonym of folder or archive

Drag’n’Drop

This indicates the action carried out with the mouse to drag a graphical element on the

interface from one window to another.

Dragging and dropping a file on the main graphics window of Metal Studio causes the

immediate importation of the file itself if it is written in one of the formats recognised

by the system

DWG Proprietary file format of the AutoCAD1

system

DXF File format for the exchange of geometries between design systems

Eagle Programmable graphics system used as a base by Metal Studio Metal Studio

File system Indicates the entirety of the system directories and their contents (files)

GravitationA property of Metal Studio to “attract” the cursor, changing its form in the vicinity of a

remarkable point of the design

Layer Indicates the layer on which an element of the drawing is located

Metal Studio Name of this design system

Pathname Name of a file in a file system, complete with the directory it belongs to

Current layerIndicates the layer you are working on: initially it is the XY plane but it can be

redefined by setting local axes

Current point

Indicates the point where the graphical cursor is positioned. It is generally the final

point of the last command carried out and the relative coordinates are indicated with

respect to it

SAT File format for the exchange of solid models, specific to the ACIS modeller

SymbolIndicates a submodel: that is, a group of graphical elements stored in a separate file

from the drawing

1 © Autodesk Inc.


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METAL STUDIO

- 12 - Introduction to Metal Studio 8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3

Introduction to Metal Studio

Graphic elements

Metal Studio allows you to draw in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional space. The graphic elements which the system allows you to

create fall into two categories: those than can exist in both two and three

dimensions and those in three only.

A special solid three-dimensional object of the sheet metal type is also

managed. This faithfully reproduces the deformation of this material.

2D elements

The category of the two-dimensional elements is made up of all the elements

which can exist in 2D space, that is, those which are contained entirely on one plane.

When you draw in 2D mode, the layer is generally the XY Cartesian plane

characterised by the fact that the Z component of all its points is always Z=0.

However, Metal Studio allows you to draw on any plane oriented in space.

The two-dimensional elements are:

Points

Segments of straight line

Arcs and circles

Flat faces and profiles

3D elements

The category of three-dimensional elements consists of all the graphical

elements which cannot be entirely contained on one plane. These are:

Elementary solids (prisms, cylinders)

Solids obtained by extruding or rotating profiles

Solids obtained by the joining, intersection or Boolean difference of

solids.

Objects in sheet metal


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METAL STUDIO

8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3 Introduction to Metal Studio - 13 -

Attributes

Every graphical elements is individually distinguished by attributes which

determine its form and appearance. These are:

Geometrical attributes (position, dimensions,…)

Graphical attributes (colour, thickness, hatching,…)

Layer

The geometrical attributes are specific for each type of element. For example,

a segment is characterised by its initial and final point while a circle is

characterised by its centre, its radius and the plane it lies on in space. The

value of these attributes is determined explicitly or implicitly when the relative

element is drawn.

The graphical attributes are used to represent the elements on the screen and

have no relationship with the geometrical properties. However, their use is to

be recommended because appropriate assignment of colour and hatching can

help the designer to distinguish more easily between the elements in the

drawing and make it easier to understand.

They are ignored by the CAM modules.

Finally, the layer is another important attribute. Its scope is to permit the

homogeneous grouping of interrelated elements of the drawing, independently

from their graphical or geometrical characteristics.

You can define your own layers and arrange the various elements as you like

by creating a drawing in layers. Each layer contains elements with a common

characteristic (for example, you can use the same layer for elements which

identify the same type of machining operation).

Unlike the graphical attributes, the layers are used by the CAM modules to

identify the type of technological operation which must be applied to thevarious components of the drawing itself.


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METAL STUDIO

- 14 - Organisation of the user interface 8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3

Organisation of the userinterface

Functional areas

When it is activated, the application displays a window organised as shown in

the following figure:

The role of each of the areas indicated is described below.

Title

As in every Windows application, the title bar bears wording which makes it

easy for the user to identify the characteristics of the application (name,

version).

Menu

The menu bar is the strip of commands at the top of the screen.

When you select one of its options with the cursor, the corresponding pull-down menu is opened; this, in turn, may contain submenus.

(1) Title

(2) Main menu

(3) Main toolbar

(4) Secondary toolbar (5) User messages – Help Window

(6) Area of the drawing – Graphics Window

(7) Input Window

(8) Status Window


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METAL STUDIO

8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3 Organisation of the user interface - 15 -

If some of the items in the pull-down menu are not available, because they are

not licensed or because the item has no sense in a given context, these will

appear “grey” and non-selectable.

Many of the item menus can also be accessed directly by means of special

buttons on the primary or secondary toolbars.

The functions which can be accessed from the various menus are described briefly below.

File

This allows you to create, save and recover drawings, import and export them

in different formats, and print them. It also allows you to close the current

work session.

This topic is dealt with completely in the “File management” chapter.

Models

This allows you to manage symbols (submenus).

This topic is dealt with completely in the “Symbols” chapter.

Modi fy

This allows you to modify the elements of the drawing and set the Metal

Studio general configuration parameters.

This topic is dealt with completely in the Modification of 2D entities chapter.

Windows

This allows you to create, move, update and close multiple windows in the

graphics area.

This topic is dealt with completely in the “Windows” chapter.

Views

This allows you to specify the view for the current window.

This topic is dealt with completely in the “Views” chapter.

Graphics

This allows you to modify the modality of graphical representation of the

drawing in the current window.

This topic is dealt with completely in the “Graphics” chapter.

Calculat ions

This allows you to carry out different types of calculations and measurements

on the graphical elements of the drawing.

This topic is dealt with completely in the “Calculations” chapter.

Sol ids

This allows you to create and modify the solid objects in the drawing in

various ways.

See the relative document for a complete treatment of this topic.

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METAL STUDIO


Sheet metal

This allows you to create and modify the sheet metal type objects in the

drawing in various ways.


CamS4

This allows you to access the CAM processing module for Salvagnini

punching machines which permits the automatic generation of a punching

program starting from the two-dimensional drawing of a panel and from the

technological data of the configured machine.


CamP4

This allows you to access the CAM processing module for Salvagnini panel

benders which permits the automatic generation of a panel bending program

starting from an object in sheet metal and from the technological data of the

configured machine.


?

This allows you to access this manual on-line.

Main toolbar

The most frequently used commands can be accessed by the user by means of

buttons on the main toolbar.

Some buttons are of general use while others allow you to draw or modifyelements in the drawing. The latter also open secondary toolbars with other

commands which extend the functions of the button which activated them.

The main toolbar is composed of the following buttons and commands:

Fi le management commandsCreation of a new drawing

Read a drawing on file

Save a drawing on file

Print: this corresponds to the menu item “File/Print”

For more information, see the chapter: For more information, see the chapter:

“File management”.

Serv ice commands

Operations cancelled

Operations reset

Flip the last operation

Delete elements

For more information, see the chapter: “Auxiliary functions”.

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METAL STUDIO


Graphica l management commandsZoom in (enlarge a detail)

Drawing on full screen

Refresh the current window

For more information, see the chapter: “Management of the graphics area”.

Commands for sett ing the work opt ionsSet the Cartesian reference system

Normal drawing mode – guidelines

Display guidelines

Normal drawing mode – variational

See the relative chapters for more information.

Selection commandsPassage from command mode to selection mode

For more information, see the chapter: “Selection”.

Commands for the creat ion of 2D elementsDraw (poly) lines

Draw rectangles

Draw circles

Draw arcs

Draw circular chamfers

Draw trunk chamfers

Draw guidelines

For more information, see the chapter: “Creation of 2D entities”.

Commands for set ting the g raph ica l at t r ibu tesSet the current pen/change pen

Set current hatching/change hatching

For more information, see the chapter: “Graphic attributes”.

Modi f icat ion commandsMove and linear copy

Rotate and angular copy

Mirror and symmetrical copy

Adjustment of lines

Modify lines

For more information, see the chapter: “Modification of 2D entities”.

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Furthermore the graphics area is the window in which you must release the

mouse button when using Drag‟n‟Drop to import files in different formats.

See the relative chapters for more detailed information.

Input areaThis area allows the operator to interact by means of the keyboard and is

composed as follows:

non-editable text containing the secondary message for the operator

associated with the current command;

text field in which the operator can type commands and/or data;

button for confirming the data entered (this is the equivalent of the

Enter key).delete button for the editable area: allows you to remove the contents

from the input area;

In general, when the system is waiting for data, they can specified in two ways:

using the mouse, by clicking on one point or element of the drawing;

using the keyboard, by typing in the requested data (measurements,

coordinates, etc.).

The information requested from the keyboard does not always coincide with

that indicated by the mouse. For example, during a rotation the system asks the

user for the size of the angle of rotation which can be entered directly from the

keyboard; this same information can also be indicated interactively byspecifying three points in space to identify the angle of rotation.

In this case, the main message displayed in the “user messages” area generally

indicates the action the user must take, while the secondary message in the

input area indicates the information which the user can specify from the

keyboard .

To be able to write in the input area (for example, to enter the coordinates of a

point) it is not necessary to move the cursor to the text box: it is also possible

to type when it is positioned in the graphics area.

Editable area

Secondary message buttonDelete button

Confirm button


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Status bar

The status bar, located at the very bottom of the main window, contains

information of a general nature on the current status of the system, written in a

non-editable box:

The information displayed (in order) is:

Absolute coordinates of the cursor;

Number and name of the current layer;

Draw mode:

DRW: draw (draw)

GDL: construction drawing ( guidelines)

Variational state:

NOR: normal draw (normal )

VAR: draw in variational mode (variational )

Units of measurement:

MM: millimetres (millimetres)

IN: inches (inches)

Scale: the scale factor is displayed in the form “n/m”

Gravitation: the gravitation state is shown (on/off)

Complete pathname of the drawing being modified

Use of the mouse

Cursor

All the interactive inputs are given using the mouse which moves a cursor on

the screen. The cursor can have different forms, depending on the action you

are carrying out at any given moment.

On request, the system can show a small or big cross in correspondence with

the cursor position to help to identify it on the screen. This option can be set

by means of a menu item

Modify/General settings/General


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The general settings panel is displayed:

The Cursor Type can be:

Default the typical pointer of all Windows graphics applications is

shown;

Small cross a small cross is shown in correspondence with the cursor

position;

Large cross a large cross the size of the entire graphics window is

displayed.

The form of the cursor has no influence on the system.

Keys

The mouse must have three buttons: no action is carried out until one of the

three is pressed.

The three buttons have three different meanings:

First bu tton (MB1)

This means: “carry out the action described or defined by the position of the

cursor on the screen at this precise moment”.

After positioning the mouse pointer on the button on the screen you want to

activate, or after defining the position to reach (to draw a line, for example),

the appropriate command is executed when you press MB1.

This is the button you use to activate the menu items and the buttons in the

applications graphic interface, as in all Windows NT applications.


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Middle bu tton (MB2)

This interrupts the current command. It is especially used to terminate the

execution of a cyclical command.

In the particular case of tracing polylines, the first click closes the current

polyline while maintaining the tracing command active; the second click

terminates the command itself.

Third bu tton (MB3)

This activates the pop-up menu which allows you to get the action currently

being executed “into focus” by means of special commands which depend on

the context.

Drag’n’Drop

This indicates the action of the mouse when it drags a graphical element on the

interface from one window to another.

Dragging and dropping a file from the Windows NT resources management

application (Explorer) to the main graphics window of Metal Studio causes the

immediate importation of the file itself if it is in one of the formats recognised

by the system.

To carry out a drag‟n‟dro p operation, position the mouse on the name or icon

of the file, press MB1 and, while keeping it pressed, move it to the graphicswindow of Metal Studio and then release it.

See the “File management” chapter for further information.

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8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3 Management of the graphics area - 23 -

Management of the graphicsarea

Zoom and refresh the graphics window

This group of commands comprises options which allows you to effectuate

enlargements, reductions and movements on the drawing or on parts of it. The

operations described do not alter the geometry of the models; they are simply

enlargements or reductions at display level.

The display commands can be activated directly, as commands on their own,

or recalled during the execution of other commands.

NOTE: all the commands indicated below always act on the current window

(see the chapter “Windows”).

Zoom in

i (zoom in)

This command allows you to enlarge or reduce areas on the drawing defined

by the user.

The user must indicate the opposite vertices of the rectangle which frames the

desired image, which will be displayed on the full screen.

When zooming, the cursor changes its form into a magnifying glass with the

symbol „+‟:

Zoom out

o (zoom out)

This allows you to reduce the image currently displayed on the screen in

constant steps, by zooming back.


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Zoom on selection

This allows you to zoom on the elements selected. The zoom is performed on

an active selection (if there is one), otherwise the function waits for the user to

select some elements in the drawing.

Full screen

f (f it)

This command displays the current drawing on the full screen. Even if the

drawing is completely visible, the image can change: this is because the image

obtained is always the one which best covers the available screen space.

Refresh

This allows you to refresh the contents of the current window. Its contents are

deleted and redesigned.

This command should be used when the graphics window is “dirty” for some

reason (for example, if another window of the system superimposed on it has

been closed or if some other operation has caused the apparent disappearance

of some part of the drawing which, in reality, is still there).

NOTE: this command only refreshes the current window. To refresh the entire

screen when several windows are active, use the “redraw everything”command in the “windows” menu.

Dynamic movements

Metal Studio allows you to enlarge, reduce, move or rotate the drawing in

space at any time, and in a continuous and gradual manner by moving the

mouse.

You have to make changes in viewpoint very frequently when you are

designing. This is why an attempt was made to ensure that this is possible in asimple and immediate manner, without having to continually interrupt the

current operation.

Zoom changes, movements and spinning can be activated using the mouse

directly, or by combining the movement of the mouse with pressure on the

Shift and Ctrl keys on the keyboard.

Dynamic zoom

This allows you to enlarge or reduce the current view of the drawing.

To obtain an enlargement or reduction of the image, you must keep the first

and second mouse buttons (MB1 + MB2) pressed, or else keep Shift on thekeyboard pressed, and move the mouse itself towards the top or bottom of the

screen inside the graphics area.


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When moving the mouse, the cursor appears as a magnifying glass:

Dynamic movement

This allows you to move the current view of the drawing.

To move the image, you must keep the second and third mouse buttons (MB2

+ MB3) pressed, or else, keep Ctrl on the keyboard pressed, and move the

mouse itself in the direction of the desired movement inside the graphics area.

When moving the mouse, the cursor appears as a hand:

Dynamic spin

This allows you to rotate the point of observation of the drawing in space

when you have an axonometric or perspective 3D view. This command has no

effect in other views.

To move the image, you must keep the first and third mouse buttons (MB1 +

MB3) pressed, or else, keep Shift + Ctrl on the keyboard pressed, and move

the mouse itself in the desired rotation direction inside the graphics area.

When moving the mouse, the cursor appears as a double arrow:

Gravitation of the cursor

An important feature of Metal Studio is its ability to be aware that the position

of the cursor is close to a remarkable point in the drawing during the

interactive insertion of a point.

This behaviour is called “gravitation” because the cursor “gravitates” to the

point of attraction of a remarkable point and allows great precision to be

achieved when positioning points traced by freehand, thereby enormously

simplifying the designer‟s work.

If you confirm the current point while the mouse is in the gravitation area of a

remarkable point, the assigned point is the gravitated one.

The cursor changes its appearance at the moment in which it is gravitating on a

remarkable point and assumes an appearance which suggests the type of the

gravitation point.


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Types of points subject to gravitation

Different types of point can be identified:

End

The cursor positions itself on the end (or vertex) of an element.

Contact

The cursor positions itself on the point of intersection between the nearest

element and the projection of the cursor itself on it.

Intersect ion

The cursor positions itself on the point of intersection between two elements.

Normal

The cursor positions itself on the point of the nearest element obtained by

projecting the current positioning point of the cursor itself onto it.

Grid

The cursor positions itself on the points of intersection of the grid, even if the

grid is hidden.

Dimension

The cursor positions itself on the nearest dimension.

Tangent

The cursor positions itself on the nearest point at which a tangent point with an

arc or circumference is identified in the proximity of the cursor itself.

Symbo l

The cursor positions itself on the closest point of attachment of the nearest

symbol.


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Free space

The cursor does not tend to position itself in any particular way but remains

wherever it is, without taking any account of any elements in the vicinity.

If you remove the possibility of gravitating in free space, every point will beattracted by one of the remarkable points in the drawing. Except in particular

circumstances, this behaviour appears as incorrect operation of the system

most of the time because it stops new elements from being drawn: gravitation

in free space should therefore always be possible.

Gravitation and its parameters are set from the relative panel which is accessed

from the “Modify/General settings/General” menu.


The Enable item in the Gravitation check box acts as a general switch which

completely enables or disables this function. The same effect can be obtained

using the function key F6 (even when the panel is closed).

f6The various options allow you to select the types of gravitation you want to

activate.

The cursor‟s sensitivity in identifying the presence of remarkable points is set

by means of the Tolerance parameter; it can be:

Absolute that is, independent of the current representation of the drawing, or

Percentage that is, calculated taking account of the zoom factor the

drawing is currently displayed with.

The Apply button confirms the current settings of the panel and leaves it open.

The OK button confirms the current settings and closes the panel.

The Cancel button closes the panel without confirming any settings previously

entered.


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Grid

Metal Studio allows you to manage a reference grid in the background of the

drawing. Like graph paper, this helps the user to position points and obtain an

immediate perception of the dimensions of the objects shown in the graphicswindows.

It is possible to display or hide the grid at any moment, change its appearance

(to display the whole grid or just the intersection points) and the pitch in X or

Y (which can be different to construct rectangular grids).

NOTE: if the multifunction system is active, the display of the grid is

activated in the current window. As a consequence, different types of grid can

be displayed in different windows at the same time.

The grid is only shown in 2-dimensional views.

The remarkable points in the grid can be subject to cursor gravitation (see the

paragraph “Cursor gravitation”).

Positioning lattice

It is also possible to set automatic positioning on a Cartesian lattice. When you

set a valid value for the position pitch on the lattice, any point indicated by the

user with the mouse in the free space will move automatically to the nearest

point lying on the lattice. In other words, the space is no longer continuous but

becomes discrete.

Vice versa, if the positioning pitch value is zero, the cursor stays in the exact

position in which the mouse is clicked. In this case the space is continuous.

The correlation of the point indicated by the user for moving on the

positioning lattice occurs only for points indicated using the mouse. If the

coordinates of a point are entered from the keyboard, the point will not be

repositioned on the lattice.

It is possible to set a different positioning pitch for the three axes, X, Y and Z.

Furthermore, the pitch can be identical to or different from that of the grid.

The settings of the grid and of its parameters and of the positioning lattice are

made from the relative panel which can be accessed from the “Modify/General

settings/General” menu.


The Enable item in the Grid box (please see figure on page 27) acts as a

general switch to display or hide the grid. The same effect can be obtained

using the function key F5 (even when the panel is closed).

f5

The Show scale item lets you display or hide the scale of the grid in the

graphics area.

The Model item allows the grid to take up dimensions of the objects

displayed in the main window. If new elements are added to the model and

you want the grid to take up their dimensions, it is sufficient to first disable

and then enable it again using the F5 button.


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The appearance of the grid is controlled by the Type item which can be:

Crosses the crossing points of the grid axes are shown

Lines the entire grid is shown

The X step and Y step parameters indicate the pitch of the grid along the X

and Y axes. Different values can be assigned to each to obtain a grid with arectangular mesh.

The X, Y and Z parameters of Absolute positioning tolerance set the

pitch of the positioning lattice.

The Apply button confirms the current settings of the panel and leaves it

open.


The Cancel button closes the panel without confirming any settings

previously entered.


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- 30 - Graphic attributes 8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3

Graphic attributes

Introduction

Every graphics element is individually characterised by attributes whichdetermine its appearance. These are:

colour

thickness

hatching

filling colour (only for full objects)

filling hatching (only for full objects)2

The thickness is not shown on the screen but is only used for printing.

The use of appropriate colours and hatching is recommended because it helps

the designer to distinguish more easily between the elements in the drawingand make it easier to understand.

The graphic attributes have no effect on the behaviour of the CAM modules.

In other words, these modules process the drawings while ignoring the value

of the attributes of their elements.

Local and global setting

All the elements created in the drawing assume the currently set graphic

attributes. It is possible to modify the setting of the attributes both in global

mode (that is, by changing the current attributes) and local mode (by changingonly the attributes of specific elements of the drawing) without changing the

current setting.

If you modify the attributes after selecting some elements (preselection) the

modification will be considered local and will only have an effect on these

elements; the current value will not be changed.

On the other hand, if you change the value of the attributes without selecting

anything, the modification will be considered global and will change the

currently set value without modifying the elements already designed. All the

new elements created will assume the new setting.

2 Colour and hatching are not normally used in the current version of Metal Studio .


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8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3 Graphic attributes - 31 -

Pen

The colour and the thickness of an element are designed together and identify

a pen. As the thickness is not shown on the screen, for reasons of visual

clarity, every pen is associated with a colour.

When you change the characteristics of a pen, all the elements drawn with this

pen are modified and redrawn as a result.

The current pen is set by means of a special graphic control on the toolbar of

the main window:

The box shows the colour of the current pen. To change the pen, press on the

button and select one of the pens available.

NOTE: the dimensions are drawn using different pens for the text, the

dimension specification line and the drop line.

The definition of the pens for the dimensions is fixed and is indicated in the

configuration files.

Pens colors

To change the colour of the specific pen, it is necessary to change the

configuration of the colours from the relative panel which can be accessed

from the “Modify/General settings/Pens/Colors” menu.

Modify/General settings/Pens/Colors

There is a Set of colours for each module present in the system: different sets

are used by the relative modules during their own work phases. Each set

contains various colours and each colour is in a line that indicates the number

of the pen and colour and a short description.

If you want to modify the colour, select the relative line with the mouse. Thefollowing window containing the new colour will appear:


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- 32 - Graphic attributes 8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3

Some colours cannot be modified by the user: if so, “cannot be modified” will

appear next to the description.

The Apply button confirms the current settings of the panel and leaves it open.


The Cancel button closes the panel without confirming any settings previously

entered.

Hatching

Like the pen, the current hatching is set by means of a special graphic control

on the toolbar of the main window:

The box shows the number which indicates the type of current hatching: to

change the hatching, simply press the button and select one of the numbers

available.

The definition of the type of hatching is indicated in a configuration file andcan only be modified by changing the file.

NOTE: both hatching 0 and hatching 10 are associated with a continuous line.

The difference between the two is that hatching 0 is displayed using the

original graphics of the video card and is therefore very fast and draws arcs

and circles with the maximum precision. Hatching 10, on the other hand, is

drawn by polygonalising the curved lines and drawing them as segments; it is

therefore slower but guarantees greater quality in the drawing of very small

details.


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8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3 Selection - 33 -

Selection

Introduction

Before starting to describe the behaviour of the various commands, it isnecessary to understand the general operating logic in Metal Studio .

Command Mode and Selection Mode

The system is in one of two very precise states at every time:

Command mode: a command is being executed

Selection mode: no command is active. The user can select and deselect

graphic elements on which he can then request the execution of a

command.

To enter Command mode, simply activate any command by means of the

relative button or menu. From this moment, the user is guided through thesteps required to complete the execution of the activated command.

The relative button appears depressed as long as the command is active, to

recall the current command.

To enter Selection mode simply press the selection button. If a command is

active, it is interrupted and the current selection is reset: that is, all the

elements are deselected. At this point, the user is able to select the elements

which he wants to modify with the next command.

Nothing happens if you press the selection button when you are already in

selection mode: all the selected elements stay selected.

Direct selection and preselection

Most Metal Studio commands allow you to modify graphic elements acting

only on those selected. The selection can be made during execution of the

command (direct mode) or before activation of the command ( preselection

mode).

The sequence of the operations is as follows:

Direct selection:

Command Selection Execution (cyclical)

Preselection:

Command Selection Execution (the elements stay selected)


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- 34 - Selection 8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3

Direct selection

Direct selection occurs every time you activate a command which requires the

identification of one or mor e elements of the drawing (e.g.: the “copy”

command): the system asks you to indicate the element or elements you want

to modify. At this point you can:

Select a particular element in the drawing: the command will act on this

element;

Select an area of the drawing: the command will act on all the elements

contained completely in the area indicated.

To access the selection panel for carrying out complex selections, press the

button MB3 (see the paragraph “Selection panel”).

When carried out in direct mode, the commands are mostly cyclical , that is,

when their effect is terminated, they are reactivated automatically without

having to be explicitly recalled by the user.

In this way, it is possible to repeat an operation several times without having to

activate the relative command every time.

Direct selection is simple but does not cover all the possible cases which can

occur in the design of a complex drawing; in general, therefore, it is

recommended that you work using preselection.

Preselection

Preselection involves the advance selection of all the elements you want to

execute a command on. It is necessary when there are a lot of elements to

modify, when they are of different types or when they are distributed over thedrawing irregularly.

To implement preselection, you must interrupt the current command and pass

to Selection Mode. At this point, it is possible to freely select and deselect the

various elements in the drawing in the same way as indicated for direct

selection. That is:

selection of a specific element, or

selection by area

Furthermore, you can press the button MB3 to access the selection panel on

which you can select and deselect the elements in the drawing in a much more

flexible manner.If a command is activated in preselection, it is not cyclical: when the command

has been executed, the elements selected initially (if they still exist) stay

selected to permit another command to be executed in preselection.

For example, it is possible to request move first and then rotate for a set of

elements without having to select them again after the first operation.



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Selection panel

When the system is in Selection Mode, you can press MB3 to activate the

selection panel. This allows you to pinpoint the selection operation, acting as a

filter on the elements of the drawing.

The meanings of the various buttons are given below.

Confirm

This closes the selection window and confirms the currently selected items: if

a command was in course, it continues acting on the elements.

Selection mode: single selection

This defines single mode for the subsequent operations. This means that every

selection made from this point on will replace those made in the previous

selection. Any elements which were already selected will be deselected.

This button remains depressed until one of the selection methods is activated.

In fact, these three selection methods (single, inclusive, exclusive) are

mutually exclusive.

Selection mode: add to the selection

This defines inclusive mode for the subsequent selections. This means that

every selection made from this point on will add the selected elements to those

in the previous selection.

This button remains depressed until one of the selection methods is activated.This is because these three selection methods (single, inclusive, exclusive) are

mutually exclusive.

Selection mode: remove from the selection

This defines exclusive mode for the subsequent selections. This means that

every selection made from this point on will remove the selected elements

from those in the previous selection.

This button remains depressed until one of the selection methods is activated.

This is because these three selection methods (single, inclusive, exclusive) are

mutually exclusive.


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Total containment

This command allows you to completely select, include or exclude all the

elements contained in an area defined by the operator.

Partial containment

This command allows you to partially select, include or exclude all the

elements contained in an area defined by the operator.

Selection on the type of element by key

This command selects, includes or excludes objects of a given type (for

example, all the lines or all the circles).

The operative procedure is: first select the key button and then the button on

the panel indicating the type of element (e.g.: lines or circles).

The difference between this option and the simple use of one of the previous

commands is that in the first case you select all the objects of the type

indicated while, in the second case, an interactive selection is made.

Highlight selection

This command highlights the selected objects, making them blink once.

Select all

Modify/Select/All

This command allows you to select the entire drawing.

NOTE: The selections always operate in accordance with the state of visibility

of the layers. Refer to the chapter “Management of layers” for the details.

Cancel all the selections

Modify/Deselect/All

All the selected objects are deselected.



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Selection of points

Modify/(De)Select/Points (all)

This command allows you to select, include or exclude points.

Selection of lines

Modify/(De)Select/Lines (all)

This command allows you to select, include or exclude the lines only.

Selection of arcs and circles

Modify/(De)Select/Arcs/Circles (all)

This command allows you to select, include or exclude the arcs and circles only.

Selection of closed outlines

This command allows you to select, include or exclude a closed outlines. To

use the control, press the relative button and selection the closed outlines. The

command will not select the single element but will follow the whole perimeter

of the figure.

Selection of solids

Modify/(De)Select/Solids (all)

This command allows you to select, include or exclude solid objects.

Selection of flat faces (sheet metal)

Modify/(De)Select/Flat faces (all)

This command allows you to select, include or exclude the flat faces of an

object in sheet metal.


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Selection of bends (sheet metal)

Modify/(De)Select/Bends (all)

This command allows you to select, include or exclude the bends of an object

in sheet metal.

Selection of models

Modify/(De)Select/Models (all)

This command allows you to select, include or exclude 2D and 3D submodels.

A symbol must be selected, indicating one of its graphic elements (especially

in the case of superimposed symbols).

Selection of faces

Modify/(De)Select/Faces (all)

This command allows you to select, include or exclude faces (for example, the

coloured areas highlighted during the CAMS4 processing procedure).

Selection of texts

Modify/(De)Select/Texts (all)

This command allows you to select, include or exclude texts.

Selections of dimensions

Modify/(De)Select/Dimensions (all)

This command allows you to select, include or exclude dimensions only.

NOTE: dimensions are selected by indicating one of the arrows rather than the

head of the dimension.


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Selection by layer

Modify/(De)Select/By layer (all)

This command selects, includes or excludes objects whose common

characteristic is that they belong to the same layer: the user must indicate the

layer in the input area.

NOTE: it is possible to select elements by layer in a more complete manner

from the layer management panel (see chapter “Management of layers”)

Selection by colour

Modify/(De)Select/By colour/thickness (all)


characteristic is that they have the same graphic pen (same colour and

thickness). The user must indicate the pen number in the input area.

Selection by hatching

Modify/(De)Select/By hatching (all)


characteristic is that they have the same kind of hatching.

The user must indicate the style number (hatching) in the input area.



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- 40 - Insertion of points 8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3

Insertion of points

Introduction

Given that most Metal Studio commands ask you to indicate points in space, itis necessary for you to know all the reference systems used and all the ways it

is possible to indicate a point.

Systems of coordinates

Every point in the three-dimensional space is identified by a triad of Cartesian

coordinates (x,y,z).

When the value of z is zero or if it is omitted, the points lie on the XY

Cartesian plane.

Every time a command requires the indication of a point, it can be indicated in

two ways:graphically, using the mouse;

from the keyboard, by entering the coordinates of the point in the input

area.

Indication of a point using the mouse

The point can be indicated interactively by using the mouse to reach the

desired position and then clicking MB1.

The interactive indication of a point is facilitated by the change in form which

the cursor assumes depending on the context (gravitation).

Indication of a point from the keyboard

The operator can type in the point directly from the keyboard, entering it in the

input area.

The point can be specified using different types of notation:

Absolute Cartesian coordinates: the point is identified with respect

to the current reference (represented by the three Cartesian axes, XYZ)

and is indicated by entering its coordinates, separated by commas and

between round brackets.

E.g.: (10,20,30)


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8.1 2D Design Module - EN 2.3 Insertion of points - 41 -

Asse X

Asse ZPunto (x,y,z)

xO

Asse Y

z

A point in space identified by 3 Cartesian coordinates

If the z coordinate is not indicated, it assumes the value z=0

(the point lies on the XY plane).

E.g.: (10,20)

Asse X

Asse Y

Punto (X,Y)

XO

A point on the plane identified by 2 Cartesian coordinates

Relative Cartesian coordinates: the point is identified with respect to

the current position of the cursor (know as the current point ) and is

indicated by entering its coordinates separated by commas).

E.g.: 10,20,30

If the z coordinate is not indicated, it assumes the value z=0 (the point lies

on the XY plane).

E.g.: 10,20

Relative polar coordinates: the point is indicated with respect to the

curre

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2D Module Design