CAM Placement & Editing Techniques in Altium Designer

Using Cut/Copy and Paste

The CAM editor supports standard cut/copy and paste techniques using the following commands:

• Edit » Cut (shortcut: Ctrl+X) – clear the selected object(s) from the current document and copy them to the CAMtastic Editor's clipboard.

  After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter cut mode. You will be prompted to select objects to include in the cut. Simply position the cursor over an object you wish to include in the selection and click. Clicking away from an object allows you to drag a selection area, for including multiple objects in the selection. Selection is cumulative.

  Continue adding objects to the selection and then right-click to effect the cut and exit cut mode. The selected objects will be cleared from the workspace and copied to the CAMtastic Editor's clipboard.

  The command can be canceled at any stage before the right-click by pressing Esc.

• Edit » Copy (shortcut: Ctrl+C (or Ctrl+Insert)) – copy the selected object(s) from the current document to the CAMtastic Editor's clipboard.

  After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter copy mode. You will be prompted to select objects to include in the copy. Simply position the cursor over an object you wish to include in the selection and click. Clicking away from an object allows you to drag a selection area, for including multiple objects in the selection. Selection is cumulative.

  Continue adding objects to the selection and then right-click to effect the copy and exit copy mode. The selected objects will be copied to the CAMtastic Editor's clipboard.

  The command can be canceled at any stage before the right-click by pressing Esc.

• Edit » Paste (shortcut: Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert)) – paste the contents of the CAMtastic Editor's internal clipboard into a CAM document.

  First, ensure that the document you are pasting into is not the original document from which the clipboard contents were copied, or cut from.

  After launching the command, the contents of the clipboard will appear floating, ready for placement. Simply move the cursor until the object(s) are in the required position, and click to effect placement.

  The object(s) to be pasted will not be floating directly on the cursor. The reference point for the original copy, or cut, is taken as the origin point of the originating document. Therefore, the actual contents of the clipboard may appear at some distance from the cursor, and you will need to zoom out in order to see them.

Multiple Copy

To copy one or more selected objects and then paste multiple instances of the selection wherever required in the current document, choose the Edit » Copy on Field command from the main menus. 

After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter copy mode. The procedure involves the following sequence of actions:

1. Select the objects to include in the copy. Simply position the cursor over an object you wish to include in the selection and click. Alternatively, clicking away from an object allows you to drag a selection area, for including multiple objects in the selection. Selection is cumulative.
2. Once all required objects are selected, right-click.
3. A bounding box will appear around the selection and you will be prompted to select a reference point. This is a coordinate relative to the selected object(s) and is used to accurately position the copies of the selection in the workspace. Position the cursor where you wish the reference point to be and click.
4. A copy of the bounding box will appear floating on the cursor - held by the reference point. Move the copy to the required location in the design space and click to place.
5. Continue placing further copies of the selection (rather like using a rubber stamp), or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Clear Selected Objects

To delete selected objects from the current document, choose the Edit » Clear command from the main menus (shortcut: Ctrl+Delete (or Ctrl+E)). After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter deletion mode. The procedure involves the following sequence of actions:

1. Select the objects to include in the deletion. Simply position the cursor over an object you wish to include in the selection and click. Alternatively, clicking away from an object allows you to drag a selection area, for including multiple objects in the selection. Selection is cumulative.
2. Once all required objects are selected, right-click - the selected objects will be removed from the document.
3. Continue deleting further objects, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Mirror Selected Objects

To mirror selected objects about a defined mirror line on the current document, choose the Edit » Mirror command from the main menus (shortcut: Ctrl+M). After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter mirroring mode. The procedure involves the following sequence of actions:

1. Select objects to include in the mirror operation. Simply position the cursor over an existing object that you wish to include in the selection and click. Clicking away from an object allows you to drag a selection area, for including multiple objects in the selection. Selection is cumulative.
2. Once all required objects have been selected, right-click.
3. You will now be prompted to select the first point for the mirror line. Position the cursor at the required location and click.
4. You will then be prompted to select the second point for the mirror line. As you move the cursor, a guide line will appear. Movement is restricted to vertical or horizontal planes only. When you have sized the mirror line as required, click again. A dialog will appear asking whether you wish to delete old objects. Clicking Yes will place the mirrored copy of the selected objects and remove the original selection. Clicking No will place the mirrored copy and leave the original objects.
5. Continue to mirror further selected objects, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit mirroring mode.

Move Selected Objects

To move selected objects in the current document, choose the Edit » Move command from the main menus. After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter movement mode. The procedure involves the following sequence of actions:

1. Click on the objects that are to be moved, making them selected. Clicking away from an object allows you to drag a selection area, for including multiple objects in the selection. Selection is cumulative.
2. When all required objects have been selected, right-click. A bounding box will appear around the selection and you will be prompted to select a reference point. This is a coordinate relative to the selected object(s) and is used to accurately position the selection in the workspace.
3. Position the cursor where you wish the reference point to be, and click.
4. The bounding box will appear floating on the cursor - held by the reference point. Move the box to the required location in the workspace and click to place. The selected objects will be moved to their new position, relative to this point.
5. Continue selecting further objects to move, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit movement mode.

Rotate Selected Objects

To rotate selected objects about a specified rotation 'base' point, in the current document, choose the Edit » Rotate command from the main menus (shortcut: Ctrl+R). After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter rotation mode. The procedure involves the following sequence of actions:

1. Click on the objects that are to be rotated, making them selected. Clicking away from an object allows you to drag a selection area, for including multiple objects in the selection. Selection is cumulative.
2. When all required objects have been selected, right-click.
3. You will then be prompted to select a base point. This is the point about which rotation will occur. Move the cursor to the required location and click to define this base point.
4. The Enter Value dialog will now appear, from where you can enter a value for the rotation, in degrees. Enter a positive value for anti-clockwise rotation, or a negative value for clockwise rotation. After clicking OK, the selection will be rotated about the base point, and by the rotation angle specified.
5. Continue selecting further objects to rotate, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit rotation mode.

Object Selection Tools

When in editing mode (carrying out an editing operation), you can use a number of techniques to select objects to act upon.

Objects will only be selected if the Add selection mode is enabled (Edit » Selection » Add). Conversely, objects will only be deselected from an existing selection, if the Remove selection mode is enabled (Edit » Selection » Remove). When in respective mode, you are free to add further or remove objects to/from your current selection, simply by positioning the cursor over individual objects and clicking, or by dragging a selection box around a group of objects.

The objects that can be added will depend on the selection modes enabled - Flash/Point and/or Draws.

• To toggle the Flash/Point selection mode ON or OFF, use the Edit » Selection » Flash command from the main menus (shortcut: Ctrl+F). With this mode turned on, you can include flash/drill point objects in your selection.
• To toggle the Draws selection mode ON or OFF, the Edit » Selection » Trace command from the main menus (shortcut: Ctrl+T). With this mode turned on, you can include non-flashed objects in your selection.

Use the following command from the Edit » Selection menu for object selection:

• Edit » Selection » All – select all objects in the current document, on all enabled layers.
• Edit » Selection » Display – select all objects that are displayed within the bounds of the design space.
• Edit » Selection » Window – select design objects within a user-defined area. After launching the command, the cursor will change to a crosshair and you will be prompted to select the first corner of the selection area. Position the cursor and click to anchor this corner. You will then be prompted to select the second corner. Move the cursor to size the selection area and click to anchor this corner. All objects that fall completely within this defined area will become selected.
• Edit » Selection » Crossing Window (shortcut: Alt+C) – select design objects within a user-defined area. The objects do not have to be wholly inside the defined boundaries of the area. After launching the command, the cursor will change to a crosshair and you will be prompted to select the first corner of the selection area. Position the cursor and click to anchor this corner. You will then be prompted to select the second corner. Move the cursor to size the selection area and click to anchor this corner. All objects that fall completely, or partially inside this defined area, will become selected.
• Edit » Selection » Previous (shortcut: Alt+P) – reselect the objects that were part of the previous selection, if you have previously carried out an action that involved making a selection of objects. Using this command during a current selection, where one or more objects have already been selected, will add the objects in the previous selection to the total selection.
• Edit » Selection » Object (shortcut: Alt+O) – select objects in the design space, one at a time. After launching the command, the cursor will change to a small square and you will enter single object selection mode. Simply position the cursor over an object to be selected, and click. Continue adding further objects to the selection as required.

Using the Selection Filter dialog accessed by choosing the Edit » Selection » Filter command from the main menus, you can define a filter to select particular objects associated with particular Dcodes, and located on specified layers. 

The top half of the dialog is used to define Dcode(s) and Layer(s) to be used in the filter. You can specify individual Dcodes and layers, or ranges, separated by commas. For example, to apply the filter to layers 2, 6 and layers 9 through 15, you would enter:

2,6,9-15

You can also specify Dcodes and layers that you don't want to be included, using the exclamation mark as a prefix. Using the above example, if you did not really want to apply the filter to layers 11 and 12, you would enter:

2,6,9-15,!11-12

Leave a field blank if you want to apply the filter to all Dcodes or layers.

Use the bottom half of the dialog to determine the type of objects you wish the selection filter to be applied to - either flashes, traces (draws), or both.

After defining the filter as required, clicking OK will take you back into the main design workspace, where you will be prompted to select objects. Simply drag a selection box around the entire design. Only those objects that fall under the scope of the selection filter will become selected.

Object Placement

Flash

A flash is a single placement of any aperture. To place flash objects on the current document, choose the Place » Flash command from the main menus. After launching the command, you will enter flash placement mode. Simply place the cursor at the required position in the workspace and click to effect placement.

Continue placing further flashes or right-click, or press Esc, to exit flash placement mode.

Text

To place text objects on the current document, choose the Place » Text command from the main menus. After launching the command, you will enter text placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

1. Position the cursor at the required location in the workspace and click to determine the insertion point for the text.
2. The Draw Text dialog appears. Use this dialog to define the font to be used - either Standard or TrueType - the appearance of the text, and the actual content of the text. After clicking OK, the text will be placed on the document, in accordance with the options you have defined.
3. Continue placing further text objects or right-click, or press Esc, to exit text placement mode.

Explode Text to Base Objects

To convert a text object into its constituent base objects, choose the Edit » Explode » Text command from the main menus. After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter text explode mode. You will be prompted to select text objects to include in the explode. Simply position the cursor over a text object you wish to include in the selection and click. Clicking away from an object allows you to drag a selection area, for including multiple objects in the selection. Selection is cumulative.

Continue adding text objects to the selection and then right-click. The selected text objects will be converted to their constituent base objects.

Line

To place line objects on the current document, choose the Place » Line command from the main menus. After launching the command, you will enter line placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

1. Position the cursor at the required location in the workspace and click to anchor the starting point for the line.
2. Move the cursor and click to place a second point for the line.
3. Continue placing further vertices for the line, clicking to define each new vertex, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit line placement mode.

Polyline

Polylines are useful if you need to close the line or insert arcs as part of the line, both of which cannot be achieved using standard lines. To place polyline objects onto the current document, choose the Place » Polyline command from the main menus. After launching the command, you will enter polyline placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

1. Position the cursor at the required location in the workspace and click to anchor the start of the polyline.
2. Move the cursor and click again to place the next vertex point in the polyline.
3. Continue placing further vertices, clicking each time, until the desired shape for the polyline has been achieved.

4. Right-click to pop-up a menu offering a variety of commands that can be applied while in polyline placement mode. The following commands are available from the menu:

   • End - ends placement of this specific polyline at the last placed vertex point, without closing it.

   • Close - closes the line by drawing a line from the last point placed to the starting point and ends placement of this specific polyline.

     A polyline must have a least three defined vertices before it can be closed.
   • Change to Line - changes placement mode from drawing arcs to drawing straight lines.

   • Change to Arc - changes placement mode from drawing lines to drawing arcs.

     At least the first two vertices must have been placed in line mode when defining the polyline, before you can change to arc mode.
   • Draw Arc Clockwise - draws arc from previous vertex in clockwise direction.
   • Draw Arc C-Clockwise - draws arc from previous vertex in counter-clockwise direction.
   • Undo Polyline Changes - deletes the current polyline, remaining in polyline placement mode, effectively allowing you to start placement afresh.
   • Snap Change - enables/disables the snap mode during polyline placement.
   • Cancel Action - deletes the current polyline and exits polyline placement mode.

5. If ending or closing the polyline, or if undoing changes, you will remain in placement mode. Continue placing further polyline objects, or press Esc to exit polyline placement mode. Alternatively, right-click and select Cancel Action from the pop-up menu.

Explode Polylines

To convert a polyline object into its constituent single line objects, choose the Edit » Explode » Polylines command from the main menus. After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter polyline explode mode. The procedure involves the following sequence of actions:

1. Select polyline objects to include in the explode. Simply position the cursor over a polyline object you wish to include in the selection and click. Clicking away from an object allows you to drag a selection area, for including multiple objects in the selection. Selection is cumulative.
2. Once all polyline objects are selected, right-click. The selected polyline objects will be converted to their constituent single line objects.
3. Continue selecting further polyline objects to explode, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit polyline explode mode.

Rectangle

To place rectangle objects on the current document, choose the Place » Rectangle command from the main menus. After launching the command, you will enter rectangle placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

1. Position the cursor at the required location in the workspace and click to anchor the first corner of the rectangle.
2. Move the cursor - the rectangle will size accordingly - to the required location for the opposite corner of the rectangle, and click again to complete placement of the rectangle.
3. Continue placing further rectangles or right-click, or press Esc, to exit rectangle placement mode.

Ellipse

To place elliptical-shaped objects on the current document, choose the Place » Ellipse command from the main menus. After launching the command, you will enter ellipse placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

1. Position the cursor at the required location in the workspace and click to anchor the first corner of the ellipse.
2. Move the cursor - the ellipse will size accordingly - to the required location for the opposite corner of the ellipse, and click again to complete placement of the ellipse.
3. Continue placing further ellipses or right-click, or press Esc, to exit ellipse placement mode.

Polygon

A polygon is a raster filled boundary that requires an outline to be made of straight lines. To place polygon objects onto the current document, choose the Place » Polygon command from the main menus. After launching the command, you will enter polygon placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

1. Position the cursor at the required location in the workspace and click to anchor the start point for the polygon.
2. Move the cursor and click again to place the next vertex point in the polygon boundary.
3. Continue placing further vertices, clicking each time, until the desired shape for the polygon has been achieved.
4. Right-click to complete placement and fill the polygon. There is no need to "close" the polygon as the software will automatically complete the shape by adding a line from the start point to the final point placed.
5. Continue placing further polygons, or press Esc to exit polygon placement mode.

Polygon Void

A polygon void is a polygon that contains no flashes or draws and requires an outline to be made of straight lines. To place polygon void objects on the current document, choose the Place » Polygon Void command from the main menus. After launching the command, you will enter polygon placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

1. Position the cursor at the required location in the workspace and click to anchor the start point for the polygon.
2. Move the cursor and click again to place the next vertex point in the polygon boundary.
3. Continue placing further vertices, clicking each time, until the desired shape for the polygon void has been achieved.
4. Right-click to complete placement. There is no need to "close" the polygon as the software will automatically complete the shape by adding a line from the start point to the final point placed. All flashes and draws that fall inside the boundary of the polygon will be cleared.
5. Continue placing further polygon voids, or press Esc to exit polygon placement mode.

Arc

The CAM editor includes commands that allow placing arc objects onto the current document in different ways:

• Place » Arc » Center, Start, Sweep Angle – the arc is drawn using two points - center and start - and a sweep angle. After launching the command, you will enter arc placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

  1. Position the cursor at the required position and click to anchor the center point for the arc.
  2. Move the cursor and click again to define the required start point location.
  3. The Enter Value dialog will appear, prompting you to enter a value for the sweep angle of the arc. Enter the value required and click OK. The arc will be drawn about the center point, beginning at the defined start point and swept in accordance with the angle specified.
  4. Continue placing further arcs or right-click, or press Esc, to exit arc placement mode.

  Enter a positive value for the sweep angle to draw the arc anti-clockwise from the start point. Enter a negative value to draw the arc clockwise.

• Place » Arc » Center, Start, End – the arc is drawn using three points - center, start and end. After launching the command, you will enter arc placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

  1. Position the cursor at the required position and click to anchor the center point for the arc.
  2. Move the cursor and click again to define the required start point location. As you now move the cursor, the arc will appear, drawn from the start point.
  3. Continue moving the cursor until the required arc end point is reached and click to complete placement of the arc.
  4. Continue placing further arcs or right-click, or press Esc, to exit arc placement mode.
  • The direction in which the arc is drawn - clockwise or anti-clockwise - is defined by the Arc Direction option, on the CAM Editor - Drawing Modes page of the Preferences dialog.
  • You do not need to position the cursor at the location you wish to define for the end point, simply move the cursor in a clockwise (or anti-clockwise) fashion until the arc reaches the required position.
  • The command can be canceled at any stage before clicking to define the end point, by right-clicking, or pressing Esc.

• Place » Arc » 2-Points – the arc is drawn using two points - start and end. After launching the command, you will enter arc placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

  1. Position the cursor at the required position and click to anchor the start point for the arc.
  2. Move the cursor to the required end point position. As you move the cursor, the arc will appear, anchored by the start point. When the arc size and orientation are as required, click to define the end point and complete placement of the arc.
  3. Continue placing further arcs or right-click, or press Esc, to exit arc placement mode.
  • The direction in which the arc is drawn - clockwise or anti-clockwise - is defined by the Arc Direction option, on the CAM Editor - Drawing Modes page of the Preferences dialog.
  • The command can be canceled at any stage before clicking to define the end point, by right-clicking, or pressing Esc.

• Place » Arc » 3-Points (Start, End, Tangent) – the arc is drawn using three points - start, end and tangent. After launching the command, you will enter arc placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

  1. Position the cursor at the required position and click to anchor the start point for the arc.
  2. Move the cursor to the required end point position and click to anchor this point.
  3. The arc will now appear, anchored by these two points and ready to be sized. Move the cursor in order to obtain the arc size you require and click to define the tangent point and complete placement of the arc.
  4. Continue placing further arcs or right-click, or press Esc, to exit arc placement mode.

  The command can be canceled at any stage before clicking to define the tangent point, by right-clicking, or pressing Esc.

• Place » Arc » Tangent, Tangent, Radius – the arc is drawn using two points - tangent points that lie on two distinct reference lines - and a radius. After launching the command, you will enter arc placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

  1. Position the cursor over the first reference line and click.
  2. Position the cursor over the second reference line and click again.
  3. The Enter Value dialog will now appear, prompting you to enter a value for the radius of the arc. After entering the radius required and clicking OK, the arc will be drawn between the two reference lines at a position that obeys the radius definition and results in the lines both remaining tangential to the arc.
  4. Continue placing further arcs or right-click, or press Esc, to exit arc placement mode.
  • An arc can only be drawn between two reference lines if those lines, when extrapolated, would intersect at a common point in the workspace (i.e. possess a common vertex).
  • The radius entered will use the current units for the workspace - either inches or millimeters. Units can be changed either from the CAMtastic panel, or from the CAM Editor - Drawing Modes page of the Preferences dialog.
  • Care should be taken when specifying the value for the radius. Remember that the arc will be drawn to satisfy the radius, whilst maintaining tangent points in both reference lines. If the radius specified is too small, the arc may not be visible as the common vertex for the lines might be located at some distance away. If the radius is too large, the arc may appear floating, unconnected to the reference lines, because the tangent points lie at an extrapolated distance along the path of the lines.
  • If polylines are to be used for drawing an arc, only adjacent straight lines from the same polyline are eligible tangents, otherwise you must explode the polyline before using this command.

Circle

The CAM editor includes commands that allow placing circle objects onto the current document in different ways:

• Place » Circle » Center, Tangent Point – the circle is drawn using a center point and a graphically defined radius. After launching the command, you will enter circle placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

  1. Position the cursor at the required position and click to define the center point for the circle.
  2. Move the cursor to define the radius of the circle. As you move the cursor, a line appears to visually define the radius. When the radius is the required size, click again to complete placement of the circle.
  3. Continue placing further circles or right-click, or press Esc, to exit circle placement mode.

• Place » Circle » Center, Radius – the circle is drawn using a center point and a numerically defined radius. After launching the command, you will enter circle placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

  1. Position the cursor at the required position and click to define the center point for the circle.
  2. The Enter Value dialog will appear, prompting you to enter a value for the radius. After specifying the radius required, click OK to complete placement of the circle.
  3. Continue placing further circles or right-click, or press Esc, to exit circle placement mode.

  The radius entered will use the current units for the workspace - either inches or millimeters. Units can be changed either from the CAMtastic panel, or from the CAM Editor - Drawing Modes page of the Preferences dialog.

• Place » Circle » Tangent, Tangent, Radius – the circle is drawn using two points - tangent points that lie on two distinct reference lines - and a radius. After launching the command, you will enter circle placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

  1. Position the cursor over the first reference line and click.
  2. Position the cursor over the second reference line and click again.
  3. The Enter Value dialog will now appear, prompting you to enter a value for the radius of the circle. After entering the radius required and clicking OK, the circle will be drawn between the two reference lines at a position that obeys the radius definition and results in the lines both remaining tangential to the circle.
  4. Continue placing further circles or right-click, or press Esc, to exit circle placement mode.
  • A circle can only be drawn between two reference lines if those lines, when extrapolated, would intersect at a common point in the workspace (i.e. possess a common vertex).
  • The radius entered will use the current units for the workspace - either inches or millimeters. Units can be changed either from the CAMtastic panel, or from the CAM Editor - Drawing Modes page of the Preferences dialog.
  • Care should be taken when specifying the value for the radius. Remember that the circle will be drawn to satisfy the radius, whilst maintaining tangent points in both reference lines. If the radius specified is too small, the circle may not be visible, as the common vertex for the lines might be located at some distance away. If the radius is too large, the circle may appear floating, unconnected to the reference lines, because the tangent points lie at an extrapolated distance along the path of the lines.
  • If polylines are to be used for drawing an circle, only adjacent straight lines from the same polyline are eligible tangents, otherwise you must explode the polyline before using this command.

• Place » Circle » 2-Points – the circle is drawn using two opposite points on the circumference, whose distance defines the diameter of the circle. After launching the command, you will enter circle placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

  1. Position the cursor at the required position and click to define the first point on the circumference.
  2. Move the cursor to define the second point on the circumference. As you move the cursor, a line appears to visually define the diameter of the circle, the midpoint of which will be the circle's center. When the diameter is as required, click to define the second circumference point and complete placement of the circle.
  3. Continue placing further circles or right-click, or press Esc, to exit circle placement mode.

• Place » Circle » 3-Points – the circle is drawn using three points on the circumference. After launching the command, you will enter circle placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

  1. Position the cursor at the required position and click to define the first point on the circumference.
  2. Position the cursor at the required position and click to define the second point on the circumference.
  3. Position the cursor at the required position and click to define the third point on the circumference. The circle will be drawn after defining this third point.
  4. Continue placing further circles or right-click, or press Esc, to exit circle placement mode.

  In order for a circle to be drawn, the three points must not be placed in a line.

Placing a Dimension

Ordinate Dimension

An ordinate dimension reflects the X or Y coordinate of a position in the workspace, depending on whether the dimension is drawn vertically or horizontally. To place ordinate dimension objects on the current document, choose the Place » Dimension » Ordinate command from the main menus. After launching the command, you will enter dimension placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

1. Position the cursor at the required point on, or near to, the object you wish to apply the dimension to, and click.
2. Move the cursor - the dimension extension line will size accordingly - to the position at which you wish to place the dimension text, and click to complete dimension placement.
3. Continue placing further ordinate dimensions or right-click, or press Esc, to exit dimension placement mode.

Horizontal Dimension

A horizontal dimension reflects the horizontal distance between two specified points. To place horizontal dimension objects on the current document, choose the Place » Dimension » Horizontal command from the main menus. After launching the command, you will enter dimension placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

1. Position the cursor at the required point that you wish the first extension line to extend from, and click.
2. Position the cursor at the required point that you wish the second extension line to extend from, and click.
3. Move the cursor to the position at which you wish to place the dimension text - preferably somewhere between the two defined extension lines - and click to complete dimension placement.
4. Continue placing further horizontal dimensions or right-click, or press Esc, to exit dimension placement mode.

Vertical Dimension

A vertical dimension reflects the vertical distance between two specified points. To place vertical dimension objects on the current document, choose the Place » Dimension » Vertical command from the main menus. After launching the command, you will enter dimension placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

1. Position the cursor at the required point that you wish the first extension line to extend from, and click.
2. Position the cursor at the required point that you wish the second extension line to extend from, and click.
3. Move the cursor to the position at which you wish to place the dimension text - preferably somewhere between the two defined extension lines - and click to complete dimension placement.
4. Continue placing further vertical dimensions or right-click, or press Esc, to exit dimension placement mode.

Radial Dimension

A radial dimension reflects the radius of an arc or circle object. To place radial dimension objects on the current document, choose the Place » Dimension » Radius command from the main menus. After launching the command, you will enter dimension placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

1. Position the cursor over the edge of the required arc or circle and click.
2. Move the cursor and click to position vertices that define the dimension's leader shape.
3. When the leader shape is as required, right-click to place the dimension text.
4. Continue placing further radial dimensions or right-click, or press Esc, to exit dimension placement mode.

Object Editing Tools

Place Array

To copy selected objects and place them in a defined array within the current document, choose the Edit » Objects » Array command from the main menus (shortcut: Ctrl+A). After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter array placement mode. An array is placed by performing the following sequence of actions:

1. Click on the objects that are to be included in the array, making them selected. Clicking away from an object allows you to drag a selection area, for including multiple objects in the selection. Selection is cumulative.
2. When all required objects have been selected, right-click. The Edit Array dialog appears. The dialog allows you to define the number of rows and columns in the array and also to precisely define the spacing for the array, using one of two methods:
   • Distance - this method allows you to specify the spacing between rows and columns, in relation to the size of the image (i.e. the selection of objects). When you specify a value in a Distance field, you need to add the required spacing to the value in the Image Size field and enter this combined value as the distance. For example, if the image size is 0.5inches and you require a 200mil spacing, you would need to enter 0.7 in the corresponding Distance field.
   • Gap - this method allows you to specify the direct spacing between rows and columns and therefore not dependent on the image size. For example, if you require a 200mil spacing, you would need to enter 0.2 in the corresponding Gap field.
   Click the Show Preview button to expand the dialog to display the array preview window, where you can view how the array will look when placed. The preview will update as you make changes to the array settings.
3. After defining the array as required, click OK to effect its placement. The array starts with the original selected objects and is placed upwards and to the left.
4. Continue selecting further objects to include in further arrays, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Break Trace

To break a straight trace into two segments, choose the Edit » Objects » Break command from the main menus. After launching the command, you will enter break mode and will be prompted to select the location for the break. Simply position the cursor over the point along a straight trace - in which you wish to create the break - and click. The trace will be segmented at this point.

Continue breaking traces into further segments, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit break mode.

Chamfer Trace Edges

To bevel two adjoining trace edges in the current document, choose the Edit » Objects » Chamfer command from the main menus. After launching the command, the Enter Value dialog will appear. Use the dialog to enter the X and Y distances from the intersection of the two lines, at which the new connecting line should be drawn. After clicking OK, the cursor will change to a square and you will be prompted to select the first line. Simply position the cursor over the line and click. You will then be prompted to select the second line. Move the cursor over the line and click again. The new connecting line will be inserted, providing the bevelled edge that connects the two original lines.

Continue to chamfer further adjacent lines, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Extend Line

To extend one line in order to meet another, in the current document, choose the Edit » Objects » Extend command from the main menus. After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter line extend mode. The procedure involves the following sequence of actions:

1. Select a target line. This is the line to which the chosen line will be extended to meet. Simply position the cursor over the required line and click.
2. Select the line that is to be extended. Again, position the cursor over the required line and click. If the line to be extended, when extrapolated, would intersect with the target line, it will be extended to connect with the target line at this intersection point. If no intersection would occur, a warning dialog appears, alerting you to this fact, and the line will not be extended.
3. Continue extending further lines, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Fillet

To fillet the connecting edge of adjacent lines, choose the Edit » Objects » Fillet command from the main menus. After launching the command, the Enter Value dialog will appear. Enter a value for the fillet radius and click OK. The cursor will change to a square and you will be prompted to select the first line. Simply position the cursor over the required line and click. You will then be prompted to select the second line. Again, position the cursor over the required line and click. The connecting edge of the lines will be rounded according to the fillet radius specified.

Continue filleting other pairs of lines, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Join Objects

To join together individual line, arc and polyline objects, choose the Edit » Objects » Join command from the main menus. After launching the command, the cursor will change to a small square and you will be prompted to select a single trace (draw) object. Simply position the cursor over a line, arc, or polyline that is part of the chain of segmented objects that you wish to join, and click. The entire chain will become highlighted, indicating that the previous individual line/arc/polyline objects have now been joined, and will be considered as a single object for editing purposes.

Continue joining together further individual trace segments, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Modify Objects

To change the shape and/or layer for selected objects in the current document, choose the Edit » Objects » Modify/Change command from the main menus (shortcut: Ctrl+D). After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter modification mode. The procedure involves the following sequence of actions:

1. Click on the objects that are to be modified, making them selected. Clicking away from an object allows you to drag a selection area, for including multiple objects in the selection. Selection is cumulative.
2. When all required objects have been selected, right-click. The Modify/Change dialog appears. Use the dialog to change the shape (aperture) used for the objects, and/or the layer that they are drawn on. Leave a field blank in order for no change to take place.
3. After setting the options for the change as required click OK - the selected objects will be updated according to the defined modifications.
4. Continue selecting further objects to modify, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit modification mode.

Add Offset to Objects

An offset is a 'shadow' of the selected line or arc, drawn at a specified distance from the original. To place offset lines/arcs on the current document, choose the Edit » Objects » Offset command from the main menus. After launching the command, the Enter Value dialog will appear. Use this dialog to specify a value for the offset distance. After clicking OK, the cursor will change to a square and you will be prompted to select a single line or arc object. Simply position the cursor over the required object and click. You will then be prompted to select the side to offset. Position the cursor to one side of the line or arc and click - the offset line/arc will be drawn at the specified offset distance from the original.

Continue selecting further lines/arcs to offset (using the same distance), or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Scale Selected Objects

To scale selected objects in the current document, based on a specified base point and scale factor, choose the Edit » Objects » Scale command from the main menus (shortcut: Ctrl+U). After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter scaling mode. The procedure involves the following sequence of actions:

1. Click on the objects that are to be scaled, making them selected. Clicking away from an object allows you to drag a selection area, for including multiple objects in the selection. Selection is cumulative.
2. When all required objects have been selected, right-click.
3. You will then be prompted to select a base point. This is the point of origin for the scaling. Move the cursor to the required location and click to define this base point.
4. The Enter Value dialog will now appear, from where you can enter a value for the scale factor, in terms of a percentage. After clicking OK, a dialog will appear asking whether you wish to scale apertures. Make your decision as required - the selected objects will be scaled from the base point and in accordance with the scale factor.
5. Continue selecting further objects to scale, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit scaling mode.

Edit Text

To edit text objects in the current document, choose the Edit » Objects » Text command from the main menus. After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will be prompted to select the text you wish to modify. Simply position the cursor over the text string and click. The Edit Text dialog appears.

Use this dialog to modify text attributes such as font type (either Standard or TrueType), appearance of the text, and the actual content of the text. After clicking OK, the text will be changed on the document, in accordance with the options you have defined.

Continue selecting and modifying further text objects, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Add, Delete, or Move a Vertex

Use the following commands to add additional vertices or to remove or move an existing vertex to line and polyline objects, in the current document:

• Edit » Vertex » Add – after launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will be prompted to select the line, or polyline, that you wish to add a vertex to. Simply position the cursor over the line segment, or polyline edge, that you wish to add the vertex to, and click.

  You will now be prompted to select the location for the new vertex. Move the cursor - a guiding line will appear as you do so - to the required location and click to anchor the new vertex. The ends of the original line will remain anchored, but the two segments either side of the new vertex will be redrawn to join at the new vertex position.

  Continue adding vertices, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

  • A single line segment will become a polyline object after adding a vertex to it.
  • Any polyline objects that contain more than two vertices may have a vertex deleted, or removed.

• Edit » Vertex » Delete – after launching the command, you will be prompted to select the vertex you wish to delete. Simply position the cursor over the vertex you wish to remove, and click. The vertex will be removed and the polyline will be redrawn accordingly.

  Continue deleting further vertices, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

  • A line, by definition, must have at least two vertices (i.e. its end points) and therefore you cannot delete a vertex from a line that has only two vertices.
  • If you click on a segment of the polyline, the oldest-placed vertex for that segment will be the one deleted.

• Edit » Vertex » Move – after launching the command, you will be prompted to select a vertex to move. Simply position the cursor over the required vertex and click. You will now be prompted to select a new location for the vertex. Move the cursor - a guiding line will appear as you do so - to the required location and click. The polyline shape will be modified accordingly.

  Continue moving further vertices, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

  • If you click on a segment of the polyline, the nearest vertex along that segment will be selected for moving and, although the whole polyline appears selected, the vertex to be moved will have a guideline attached to it.
  • The vertices of arcs may not be moved.