Tutorials for CATIA , Python Software

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Tutorial 1 - Introduction

    This tutorial is designed to show you how to use some of the basic operations of IntelliCAD. This tutorial will cover some of the basic Draw commands fundamental to using all CAD packages as well as explain to you how to use the interface and basic menu functions. For a basic progeCAD 3D tutorial click here. The rest will be covered in future tutorials.

Basic File Operation

In this section we'll run through the basic file operations within IntelliCAD. These include creating a new drawing, opening a previously saved drawing, saving your current drawing and printing your drawing. There are a few ways that these operations can be done. A very easy way is by using the File drop down menu. Another approach is to use the Standard toolbar and finally certain commands can be activated by using the keyboard.

Creating A New Drawing

To start a new drawing all you have to do is click on the New icon on the standard toolbar, alternatively you can select "New.." from the File drop down menu or use <Ctrl> + 'N'. The window that you see below will appear. Simply select the template you would like to use and click OK.

Opening A Saved Drawing

To open a previously saved drawing all you have to do is click on the Open icon on the standard toolbar, alternatively you can select "Open.." from the File drop down menu or use <Ctrl> + 'O'. Then simply select find the drawing that you want to open and click Open.

Saving your Drawing

                                                                                                                            
To save the drawing you are working on all you have to do is click on the Save icon on the standard toolbar, alternatively you can select "Save" from the File drop down menu or use <Ctrl> + 'S'.  Please note that if you are working on a previously opened file that this will simply save the changes that you have made. To save to a new drawing file you will need to select "Save As" from the "File" drop down menu. You should then see the window displayed below, then simply select the location you would like to save the drawing to and give it a name, when you are happy that you have it in the right place with the right name then click "Save".

Printing your Drawing

                                                                                                                            
To print the drawing you are working on all you have to do is click on the Print icon on the standard toolbar, alternatively you can select "Print.." from the File drop down menu or use <Ctrl> + 'P'. The window below will appear. Select the printer that you would like to output the drawing to and verify that your settings are correct. When you are happy with these then just click print, otherwise make the appropriate adjustments. Please note that it is always recommended that you check all your output settings before you hit "Print".

Draw Commands and Properties

    The Draw commands can be used to create new objects such as lines and circles. Most IntelliCad drawings are composed purely and simply from these basic components or entities.The sections below cover the most frequently used Draw commands such as Line, Polyline and Circle as well as the more advanced commands like Multiline and Multiline Style. In common with most IntelliCad commands, the Draw commands can be started in a number of ways. Command names or short-cuts can be entered at the keyboard, see below. Commands can be started from the Insert pull-down menu, shown on the left or from the Draw toolbar, seen above. The method that you choose to use is entirely up to you and what you are comfortable with. In time you will find that each method has its pros and cons and that one method may be faster for certain tasks than others.

The picture you see to your right is the Properties box. This box allows you to edit attributes to a specific entity or multiple entities depending on the situation. These include: Color · Elevation · Layer · LType · ltScale · Thickness.
 

BASIC DRAWING & GEOMETRY - PART 1

Lines

Lines are the most simple of IntelliCAD objects. With the Line command you can draw a simple line from one point to another.

When you select the first point and move the cross-hairs to the location of the second point you will see a rubber band line which shows you where the line will be drawn when the second point is picked. Line objects have two ends (the first point and the last point). You can continue picking points and IntelliCAD will draw a straight line between each picked point and the previous point. Each line segment drawn is a separate object and can be moved or erased as required. To end this command, just hit the 8key on the keyboard or right click

Command Sequence Example

Command : _LINE

ENTER to use last point/Follow/<Start of line>:

Angle/Length/<End point>:

Angle/Length/Follow/Undo/<End point>:

Here is an example of a line being drawn.

Infinite Lines

The Infinite Line command creates a line of infinite length which passes through two picked points. Infinite lines are very useful for creating construction frameworks or grids within which to design.

Polyline

Polylines are different than lines in that they are more complex objects. A single polyline can be composed of a number of straight-line or arc segments. Polylines can also be given line widths to make them appear solid.

The Polyline or Pline command is similar to the line command except that the resulting object may be composed of a number of segments which form a single object. In addition to the two ends a polyline is said to have vertices (singular vertex) where intermediate line segments join. In practice the Polyline command works in the same way as the Line command allowing you to pick as many points as you like. Again, just hit Enter to end. As with the Line command, you also have the option to automatically close a polyline end to end. To do this, type C to use the close option instead of hitting 8. Follow the command sequence below to see how this works.

Command Sequence Example

Command : PLINE

Start of polyline:

Arc/Distance/Halfwidth/Width/<Next point>:

Arc/Distance/Follow/Halfwidth/Width/Undo/<Next point>:

Arc/Close/Distance/Follow/Halfwidth/Width/Undo/<Next point>:

Arc/Close/Distance/Follow/Halfwidth/Width/Undo/<Next point>:

Splines

The Spline command creates a type of spline known as a nonuniform rational B-spline, or NURBS for short. A spline is a smooth curve that is fitted along a number of control points. The Fit Tolerance option can be used to control how closely the spline conforms to control points. A low tolerance value causes the spline to form close to the control points. A tolerance of 0 forces the spline to pass through the control points.

Splines can be edited after they have been created using the SPLINEDIT command. Using this command, you can change the tolerance, add more control points move control points and add splines, amongst other things.

Command Sequence Example

Command : SPLINE

First point for spline:

Second point:

Close/Fit Tolerance/ <Next point>:

Close/Fit tolerance/<Next point>:
Close/Fit tolerance/<Next point>:
Close/Fit tolerance/<Next point>:
Select starting tangent point:
Enter tangent for ending point:

Circle

The Circle command is used to draw circles. There are a number of ways you can define the circle. The default method is to pick the centre point and then to either pick a second point on the circumference of the circle or enter the circle radius at the keyboard.

Command Sequence Example

Command : _CIRCLE

2Point/3Point/RadTanTan/Arc/Multiple/<Center of circle>: _2P

First point on diameter:

Second point on diameter: