Output a CAD File

(This functionality is available with the Input / Output module)

Allows the creation of a CAD file according to the specifications set in the CAD Output/Settings commands and the settings made via this dialog.

If the CAD Output parameter file (.CPF) is "Read Only", changes to the settings cannot be saved. However, changes made in this dialog and dialogs opened via this dialog will be held in memory and used in the CAD file creation until this dialog is closed, whereupon all settings revert to those stored in the .CPF file.

The CAD file can be saved in either a LISCAD CAD *.LCD, AutoCAD *.DXF or MicroStation *.DGN format.

Output CAD File dialog box

Item	Used to
Save in	Select the folder in which the CAD file is to be saved to.
File Name	Key in the name of the CAD file to be saved or select a CAD file from the list of displayed files to overwrite an existing CAD file.
Save as type	This is set automatically by selecting either LISCAD CAD, AutoCAD or MicroStation as the target CAD system.
Format
Sheet	Select the sheet size that you wish to use when plotting the drawing from the CAD system.
Landscape	Select landscape format for the sheet size.
Portrait	Select portrait format for the sheet size.
Scale 1:	Key in the scale that you wish to use when plotting the drawing from the CAD system. The CAD file is created at full size according to the co-ordinates in the data base; the scale entered here is used only to calculate the text and symbol sizes in ground units, such that when plotted at the entered scale, they will be at the required size on the plan. Further Explanation: When a size is defined in plan units, it means that the item will be drawn at that size on the plan, at the selected scale. For example a size of 2mm means 2 millimetres on the plan at the selected scale. As the CAD systems work in ground units, regardless of the scale selected, the scale is used only to work out the size of the annotation (text, symbols etc.) at ground scale. For example a description may be set for 2mm in CAD Output. If you specify a scale of 1:500 then the text size in CAD to achieve 2mm at 1:500 will be 1 metre (i.e. .002 x 500 = 1). The size of the item will therefore be different depending on the scale selected. If on the other hand, a symbol size is defined in plan units, it will always be that size regardless of the scale selected.
Rotation	Key in a rotation angle by which the data will be rotated when the CAD file is created. The rotation is entered in the angle units currently set, mathematical convention anti clockwise from the east. This feature is useful if for example you wish to create a CAD file rotated by a certain amount to enable it to fit on the specified sheet size.
Fit Size	Key in the fit size into which the drawing is to fit. This may be smaller than the sheet size if the drawing is to fit in a smaller region of the sheet.
Fit	Calculate and display a scale in the "Scale 1:" field that will enable the drawing to fit onto the size entered in the "Fit Size" field.
Open CAD File	Checking this box will attempt to open the CAD file you are about to create, using the application the file extension is associated with. For LISCAD .lcd files it will attempt to run LISCAD CAD and open the file as part of the creation process. If the associated application runs but the CAD file does not open, this may be because your associated application does not accept a file name parameter being passed to it.
OK	Close the dialog box and create the CAD file.
Cancel	Close the dialog box without saving the changes to the settings.
Options	Open the Options dialog for outputting either a LISCAD CAD, AutoCAD or MicroStation CAD file.

The objects and items selected for output to the CAD file will be drawn according to the specifications set in the CAD Output/Settings commands.

Only objects which are on a currently displayed group may be output to the CAD file. Refer to the Display/Groups command.

If there is a block currently active, then only those objects which are defined by that block may be output to the CAD file.