Starting the Drawing Editor on the Host AutoCAD Platform

Note:
In the following, where an AutoCAD drawing database file name needs to be specified, the .dwg extension is added automatically by the script, and so this must not be included in the specified dwg_filename. Similarly, the transfer file’s .dxf extension must not be included in the specified transfer_filename.

Starting the Drawing Editor is done by running the adraftde script which is supplied as part of the AutoDRAFT package. The script can be used in three ways:

Creating a New Drawing Editor Drawing

adraftde -new dwg_filename -trfile transfer_filename [-model | -paper]

where dwg_filename is the required AutoCAD drawing database name, and transfer_filename is the name of the file transferred from Draft or Isodraft. -model sets up the drawing in model space, -paper in paper space. If the argument is omitted, -paper is assumed.

The steps carried out by this form of the script are:

1. Starts AutoCAD.

2. Creates a drawing file (.dwg) (unless you quit from the AutoDRAFT session).

3. Loads the AutoDRAFT Drawing Editor program.

4. Loads the picture from the transfer file into the drawing layers.

5. Leaves you in a Drawing Editor session. The Draft or Isodraft drawing is displayed. The current drawing layer is Layer 0.

Updating an Existing Drawing Editor Drawing with a New Picture

adraftde -update dwg_filename -trfile transfer_filename [-model | -paper]

where dwg_filename is the name of the required (existing) AutoCAD drawing database, and transfer_filename is the name of the updated version of the drawing file transferred from Draft.

The steps carried out by this form of the script are:

6. Starts AutoCAD.

7. Opens the specified AutoCAD drawing file.

8. Loads the AutoDRAFT Drawing Editor program.

9. Empties all picture layers, without altering any items on user-defined (AutoCAD) layers.

10. Loads the picture from the transfer file into the drawing layers, including any extra fonts and linestyles required.

11. Leaves you in a Drawing Editor session. The Draft drawing is displayed. The current layer and the status of user-defined layers are left as they were when you last saved the drawing.

Displaying an Existing Drawing Editor Drawing (without updating it)

adraftde -open dwg_filename [-model | -paper]

where dwg_filename is the name of the required (existing) AutoCAD drawing file.

The steps carried out by this form of the script are:

12. Starts AutoCAD.

13. Opens the specified AutoCAD drawing file.

14. Loads the AutoDRAFT Drawing Editor program.

15. Leaves you in a Drawing Editor session. The current layer and the status of user-defined layers are left as they were when you last saved the drawing.