LaPowerTools v2  

User manual English

 

Document contents

 

1-     Objectives, short History and Overview

1.1 - What’s new in laPowerTools V2

2-     Installation

2.1- R14

2.2- R2000

2.3- Layers setup

2.4- Registration

2.5- Updates

3-     How to use it

3.1- Command “lm”

3.2- Command “laPTcfg”

3.3- Command “Register”

3.4- Bonus Tools

3.4.1- Command “Areas”

3.4.1.1- Command “areasCfg”

3.4.1.2- Tips on “Areas”

3.4.2 – Graphical Calculator

4-     Notes

5-     Contacts

 

Document Version: 2.1.1

Document date: MAR3101

Author: Henrique Saias

 

 

 

1 Objectives, short History and Overview

 

- laPowerTools was built to simplify some drawing tasks assuring some essential requisites in the AutoCAD draftsman work.:

- Maintain all drawing entities in the expected layer, avoiding “forgotten” properties editing.

 - Supporting and implementing an open Standards definition between co-workers and companies.

- Simplify Layer management.

Version 1.x was a first step, inspired by an application we built five years ago for the Portuguese Cable TV. This application, TopoLogic, was built to force standards in the process of digitizing the Cable TV network countrywide.

These standards had to do not only with layers but several more topological constraints.

But, the fact is standards in the CAD industry are still in their first steps.

At this point there are many standards. Like someone said “the good thing about standards is that each one can chose it’s one”.

The AIA and ISO approaches are taking years, are confusing in many ways, filled with drafts and recommendations but the market doesn’t have a powerful light house to guide it. Maybe one day.

So, maybe the first assumption in preparing this application was that it had to be open. Open for customizing. Open for sharing sources inside work groups or companies. Open for many already settled standards around the world.

Following this guidelines laPowerTools was built.

Along the initial phase, after cooling from the huge effort to take this ship to shore, the reality that laPowerTools wasn’t that tool, yet, became clear.

Two options left: quit, witch I never did or build up more steam.

laPowerTools v1.x became a free tool to raise interest in the potential market and create a base of free users in the Industry getting in touch with the concept.

This, I hope, opened the doors to laPowerTools v2.

The same concept refined with several improvements, more AIA friendly and at the same time more flexible for the user to notice it much less.

 

 

 

 

 

1 What’s new

-The first thing you’ll notice is the installation process. More “wizard”, more automated. It’s simpler to get it running.

-The new toolbars will allow users to call functions in a more Windows fashion.

-The second thing you notice is the configuration command (laPTcfg). Thru one dialog you can set all parameters in a clear graphical way.

-A new thing is the absence of “lme” (lm edit) command. If you want to edit just select the entities to change and call “lm”. These two commands merged into one single AutoCAD like command.

-When you run laPowerTools you’ll notice the lighter dialogues. Smaller, more multi-functional and very logical.

-Two new dialog modes were added to give choices in how to operate even depending on the tasks being performed. Switch dialog modes is one click away with a toggle in the toolbar.

-More layer properties can be managed in laPowerTools v2. You can turn layers on or off, plottable or not, etc…

-New features like the AutoEdit simplify enormously the drafting tasks. If you offset or copy a auxiliary line to create a wall, the child line will be created in the parent’s layer. laPowerTools detects these forgettable details and prompts you for the correct definitions on the child entity (ies). This saves you operation time and frees your mind for the really important things.

-You have, of course, full control over witch commands will trigger AutoEdit, if it will asked for the destination layer or simply move entities to your current standard layer automatically.

-The Areas Bonus Tool was improved to resist better to poorly regenerated contours and has a lot less problems then the v1.x had. This Bonus Tool is a must.

-The Graphical Calculator v1 is one of those things everyone thought that would be great to have at hand. Well, here it is! Call it transparently from within AutoCAD commands and calculate using entities as data source. Memory, log for easy access to previous values, geometric functions plus all the numeric variables you can get from arcs lines and “areas” command entities, text, points with or without object snap and much more. The OK button will send your calculation result straight back to the AutoCAD running command.

These are the main new features that make laPowerTools a strong bet in this industry.

We hope you take advantage of our efforts. If you are pleased we are pleased.

 

 

 

 

 

2 Installation

 

2.1 Installing under R14:

 

    1-     Set up the folders “c:\Program Files\laPTools” “c:\Program Files\laPTools\toolbars” in AutoCAD support search path.

How to -Command “config” inside AutoCAD; Files tab; Add button; Browse-

2-     Exit AutoCAD.

3-     Unzip the distribution laPowerTools .zip file. Preferably accept the default path.

How to –If you don’t have winzip go to laPowerTools links page and download this popular shareware file compressor for free. Then after installing it simply double click on any .zip file to open it. To uncompress push the Extract button and order the download to c:\ The distribution already has the full path built so don’t worry about it.-

4-     Rename file “...\AcadR14\Support\acadr14.lsp” to “...\AcadR14\Support\acadr14lsp.old”

5-     Copy file “acadr14.lsp” we supply to “...\AcadR14\Support\” or add the line (autoarxload “C:/Program Files/LAPTools/laPowerTools.arx” ‘(“lm” “laPTcfg” “register”)) to file  “...\AcadR14\Support\acadr14.lsp” in section “AutoArxLoad Arx Applications”.

6-     Now return to AutoCAD.

7-     In AutoCAD run command “appload” and load application file “c:\Program Files\LaPTools\laPowerTools.ARX”.

8-     Answer the few questions laPowerTools will pose in order to self configure, and in minutes you are able to take full advantage of this powerful tool.

9-     By now laPowerTools is installed and you can run it using the following command: “lm” (layer manager), “laPTcfg” (configure laPowerTools), “areas” to measure and annotate enclosed areas such as rooms, “’laPTcalc” to use powerful Graphic Calculator and “register” to register your license. You can also register from the config dialog.

10- When running laPowerTools for the first time you will be asked to select your layer definition file (laPToolsE.txt or laPToolsAIAE.txt). You will be asked to do it in a dialogue box. In installation process (step #2) this files were copied to folder “c:\Program Files\LaPTools”.

You can now run laPowerTools v2 in trial mode for 20 days.

 

See "Registration", ahead in this document, for details on registering your copy.

 

 

 

2.2 Installing under R2000:

 

1-  Make the folder “c:\Program Files\LaPTools”.

2-  Set up the folders “c:\Program Files\laPTools” “c:\Program Files\laPTools\toolbars” in AutoCAD support search path.

How to -Command “config” inside AutoCAD; Files tab; Add button; Browse-

3-  Exit AutoCAD. Unzip the distribution laPowerTools .zip file. Preferably accept the default path.

How to –If you don’t have winzip go to laPowerTools links page and download this popular shareware file compressor for free. Then after installing it simply double click on any .zip file to open it. To uncompress push the Extract button and order the download to c:\ The distribution already has the full path built so don’t worry about it.-

4-  Rename file “...\Acad2000\Support\acad2000doc.lsp” to “...\Acad2000\Support\acad2000doclsp.old”.

5-  Copy file “acad2000doc.lsp” we supply to “...\Acad2000\Support\” or add line (autoarxload “C:/Program Files/LAPTools/laPowerTools.vlx” ‘(“lm” “laPTcfg” “register”)) to file “...\Acad2000\Support\acad2000doc.lsp” in section “AutoLoad LISP Applications”.

6-   Now return to AutoCAD.

7-  In AutoCAD run command “appload” and load application file “c:\Program Files\LaPTools\laPowerTools.VLX”.

8-  Answer the few questions laPowerTools will pose in order to self configure, and in minutes you are able to take full advantage of this powerful tool.

9-  By now laPowerTools is installed and you can run it using the following command: “lm” (layer manager), “laPTcfg” (configure laPowerTools), “areas” to measure and annotate enclosed areas such as rooms, “’laPTcalc” to use powerful Graphic Calculator and “register” to register your license. You can also register from the config dialog.

10-  When running laPowerTools for the first time you will be asked to select your layer definition file (laPToolsE.txt or laPToolsAIAE.txt). You will be asked to do it in a dialogue box. In installation process (step #2) this files were copied to folder “c:\Program Files\LaPTools”.

You can now run laPowerTools v2 in trial mode for 20 days.

 

See "Registration", ahead in this document, for details on registering your copy.

 

 

 

2.3 Layers setup

(both R14 and R20000)

 

1-     Edit file "c:\Program Files\LaPTools\laPTools.txt".

2-     File formatting rules are shown in file header.

3-     Known limitations:

- When two categories share the same name (ex: plan-wall and view-wall) one name must vary a little (ex: plan-wall_b and view-wall_c use _b to _x as modifier. Note: laPowerTools automatically removes modifiers.).

- “Default" definition is not yet supported so it isn’t mandatory to fill that parameter, but, setting two “defaults” in the same category should be avoided to prevent conflicts when this parameter is implemented in the future.

-   The separator character defined in "separator" is limited to allowed characters in  R14 layer names (0 a 9, A a Z e $_-) to assure compatibility with this very popular version.

-   AutoCAD R14 only supports layer names up to 32 characters.

4- This definition file is loaded each time the application is run, so, to reload it after changes restart laPowerTools by closing the drawing file and opening it again.

 

2.4 Registration

(both R14 and R20000)

 

1-     After installing laPowerTools run command “register” from AutoCAD command prompt or click "register" button in the laPTcfg dialog.

2-      Copy the unique code number and serial presented to you in the dialog box (image 5).

3-     Send this numbers to your supplier (see contacts ahead in this document 5-).

4-     After receiving your registration return code call “register” function again from AutoCAD command prompt and click the “Register” button. Fill the dialog (image 6) with the code you received. After clicking “OK” you will be informed of the operation success.

(also see 3.3 ahead)

  

2.5 Updates

        NA yet 

  

3 How to use it

 

LaPowerTools is used with one command only:

3.1 Command “lm” (Layer Manager) suited for defining name and settings of the current Layer. This command’s interface is a comprehensive and very easy to use dialog.

 

Layer names creation is automatic and interactively based on the selection made in the pull-downs definition section. This pull-down menus reflect the definitions set in the laPTools.txt  file (see section 2.3).

The interface is very simple but has everything needed for 99% of the operations. It generates the layer name and automatically retrieves the color and linetype definition, allowing it’s change if wanted. In the description section of this dialog, the current layer name set, its description and the information on it existing or being new is displayed.

Switch – To simplify use laPowerTools stores the previous definition in the Previous section allowing an easy switch by hitting the switch button. (only available in Full menu mode)

Edit – Sets the Layer defined in the box current making it if needed and applies these definitions to entities that will be selected as prompted.

Stngs. - Reaches the other layer properties like "on" or "freeze".

Create - Same as OK but doesn´t leave the dialog. One could also call it Set.

OK – Sets the Layer defined in the box current making it if needed and leaves the dialog back to AutoCAD

Cancel – Leaves laPowerTools without making anything

3.1 laPTcfg will display the configuration dialog. 

 

3.3 Command “register” (images 1 and 2) is used to license the running copy of laPowerTools setting off the trial version timer. This application is distributed in demo mode as Shareware and is fully operational for 20 days after first run. After this period expires laPowerTools will run as a improved v1. See 2.4 to learn how to register your copy of laPowerTools.

 

Image 1 - Unique code and serial number in “Register” box

 

Image 2 – Licensing operation with supplied return code

 

 

3.4 Areas Bonus Tool

As a bonus to laPowerTools users, a area measurement tool was added.

This function automates the measuring of areas in AutoCAD drawings, and is as useful as easy to use.

This command behaves as the “bpoly” or "boundary" AutoCAD command. The rule is the same, use in closed areas only.

 In v2 a Graphical Calculator was also included.

     

3.4.1 Command “Areas”

This command will prompt for an interior point of the area to measure.

It will then place a text entity in that same point, where the value will be the area measured plus a suffix, typically “m2” or “sqm” for square meters. (see 3.5.2 areasCfg for details on options)

The measurement will reflect the total area, reading the outer boundary or the total area minus the islands enclosed in the outer boundary. (see 3.5.2 areasCfg for details on options)

 

 

3.4.1.1 Command “areasCfg”

This command allows the configuration of:

the suffix value, a string to be added to the end of the area value

Ex: area 153.22  +  suffix m2  =  153.22m2

the definition of Total / Less islands mode is a 0 1 switch.

Ex: outer boundary  153.22 - Internal island 3.22 - Internal island 10.00

 resulting area text 140.00m2

 3.4.1.1 Tips

The trick to make “areas” work perfectly is building your door block, for instance, using a closing line that will be placed in a hidden layer along with the other door entities (image 3).

 

Image 3

 

  This line is used only for measuring purposes (images 4 and 5) switching the frozen status between the door layer and the closing line layer.

Images 4 and 5

 

  

 

Image 6

  

3.4.2 Graphical Calculator

    NA yet

4 Notes

 

In case any error occurs please let us know immediately for quick correction (usually no more then 24 to 36 hours).

Important notice: In order to help solving bugs please include a description of the operation being executed along with the “laPTools.txt” definition file and all error data the application provides typically in a error alert box.

Suggestions on new operating ways and functionalities are very welcome.

Also, if you’d like to see your layer standards shipped as default with laPowerTools submit them by sending us your “laPTools.txt” file. Don't forget to properly fill the header section for copyright purposes. Also send written statement allowing the use of that information for this purpose.

The criterion of using or not submitted definitions is the sole responsibility of the authors of this software or their representatives. There is no implied obligation of using submitted layer standards definitions.

  

5 Contacts

For Technical Support, Bug Report and Suggestion Submission:

 Email: support@laPowerTools.com

 Web: http://www.laPowerTools.com

 

For Registration and Commercial purposes in USA and Canada:

         NA yet

 

 

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