Advanced draft module, overview

Introduction

The Advanced Draft module contains a series of tools that supplement those in the Draft module. You can draw polylines, splines that take connecting elements into account, slopes or arithmetic function graphs.

This module also features tools for creating point symbols with different attributes or for reading/writing point survey files.

You can also define general offset coordinates in the project's properties. You can always work in close proximity to the CAD origin, thus avoiding potential imprecisions that can arise with Gauss-Krüger or UTM coordinates and large distances from the origin.

Icon	Function	Use
	Element Group	You can use this tool to group any 2D elements or specific architectural elements. You can then address this group as a single entity. As opposed to smart symbols, you can still modify the individual elements in the group using the shortcut menu, for example. The following architectural elements can be included in element groups: Wall Upstand Column Slab Beam Foundation Chimney User-defined archit. element
	Polyline	You can use this tool to draw a polyline. You can draw a new polyline or use existing elements. The original elements are retained in the process.
	Terrain Point	You can use this tool to create points with point symbols (2D oder 3D), primary and secondary point numbers, stations and point coding.
	Composite Element	You can use this tool to create composite elements based on one or more elements. Composite elements may not have gaps and they cannot branch. If these criteria are met, you can combine individual composite elements to produce a new, discrete one, or you can enhance a composite element by adding new elements. All associated element labels, stationing and parallel lines are deleted in the process.
	Draw, Modify Mitered Polygons	You can use this tool to miter elements.
	Function()	You can use this tool to display functional equations as sequences of curves.
	Axis Grid	You can use this tool to create mutually perpendicular axis lines spaced at a value you specify. The x-axis and y-axis can have different labels. An axis grid can also be subdivided into regions, each of which has different display settings - for example, color, line type and spacing between axis lines.
	Polar Axis Grid	You can use this tool to create a polar axis grid spaced at a value you specify. The circles and spokes of the grid can have different labels. An axis grid can also be sub-divided into regions, each of which has different display settings - for example, color, line type and spacing between axis lines.
	Import, Export Point File	You can use this tool to import point files and location line files in a variety of formats or export points and coordinates to a file. The files are exported to and imported from the user's data exchange folder.
	Parallel Line Segments	You can use this tool to create elements or partial elements parallel to an existing element.
	Create Pattern Line	You can use this tool to create a pattern line between elements.
	Add, Change Pattern Line	You can use this tool to apply a pattern line to elements. In the case of composite elements, the pattern line can be applied to just individual elements.
	Convert Polyline, Spline	You can use this tool to convert splines to polylines – and vice versa. The spline’s control points serve as the vertices of the subsequent polyline and vice versa. The original elements remain unaltered.

Icon	Function	Use
	Ungroup Elements	You can use this tool to ungroup elements you have grouped using Element Group.
	Expand Element Group	You can use this tool to add elements to an existing element group without ungrouping it.
	Modify Terrain Point	You can use this tool to modify the parameters of terrain points.
	Explode Composite Element	You can use this tool to explode a composite element into discrete elements. Parallel lines, labels and stationing are deleted in the process.
	Modify Composite Element	You can use this tool to define and modify composite element labels. You can set a different label type, symbol and offset for stationing points and main curve points.
	Chamfer	You can use this tool to chamfer the angle between lines, polylines and segments of polylines in 2D and 3D. Note: You can edit only 3D elements (lines, arcs, splines) that are in the same plane. They must not be parallel or warped. In the case of continuous polyline segments, a new polyline segment is inserted. In the case of non-consecutive polyline segments, the polyline segments in between are deleted.
	Update, Modify Blanking	You can use this tool to update or modify the blanking of point symbols. The lines, pattern lines, splines and clothoids connecting the point symbols assume the setting set in Blanking on/off.
	Model Spline	This tool is basically a more advanced version of the Stretch Entities tool and is used with spline curves. A preview supports planning and scenario analyses. For example, you might modify contours and any boundaries, i.e., model them in plan.
	Modify Axis Grid	You can use this tool to modify an existing axis grid. The system automatically detects whether the grid in question is an orthogonal one or a polar one and displays the appropriate dialog box.
	Explode Axis System	You can use this tool to explode an orthogonal or polar axis grid into its constituent primitives (lines and circles).
	Slope to Pattern Line	You can use this tool to convert a slope to a pattern line.