User Guide PDF

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hot door
for Adobe® Illustrator® CS, CS2, CS3 and CS4
Precision drawing, labeling and

dimensioning for professional design
within Adobe® Illustrator®
USER GUIDE

Table of Contents
This user guide is designed for use as a product tutorial or
reference guide, with topics organized to follow the process
of a typical project.
About CADtoolsTable of contents

6.............................................................5
Core features of CADtools 6.............................................. 6
About CADtools 6................................................... 5
About Hot Door...............................................................7
Core features of CADtools 6.................................... 6
Updating or installing.....................................................8
About Hot Door..................................................... 7
Personalizing..................................................................9
Updating or installing........................................... 8
Registration & tech support.............................................9
Personaliz-
Converting older CADtools files...................................... 10
Overview of the interface......................................... 11-12
Setting up the document
CADdocument panel with scale.......................... 13-16
CADguides panel.................................................... 17
Numeric input....................................................... 18
2D CAD drawing tools............................................... 19-27
Dimensioning control
CADtext panel................................................... 28-30
CADstyle panel....................................................... 31
Automation: CADshortcuts
Presets............................................................. 32-33
Global interface control.......................................... 33
Automatic dimensioning........................................ 33
2D dimensioning tools.............................................. 34-44
Labeling
CADlabels panel..................................................... 45
Tools................................................................ 46-52
2D CAD editing
Precision measuring with CADtracker
Geometry...................................................... 53
Transform..................................................... 54
Move............................................................. 55
Repeat.......................................................... 56
Tools................................................................ 57-61
Isometric drawing
CADisometric panel........................................... 62-64
Tools................................................................ 65-68
Isometric dimensioning tools.................................. 69-75
Quick reference....................................................... 76-78
Advanced topics...................................................... 79-81
Index ..................................................................... 82-83

About CADtools 6
Welcome to Hot Door CADtools, a full-featured CAD
hot door plug-in for Adobe Illustrator CS, CS2, CS3 and CS4.
CADtools offers an easy and elegant solution for
http://www.hotdoor.com/ designers who need the precision of CAD within the
phone: 949-464-0300
fax: 949-464-0301
flexible, creative environment of Adobe Illustrator.
email: knock@hotdoor.com
© 2009 Hot Door, Inc. What’s new in CADtools 6

PO Box 5220
Laguna Beach, CA 92652 • CS4 compatibility
• Scale calculator - use a selected object's dimensions
to create a custom or 'best fit' scale and resize artwork
HOT DOOR LICENSE AGREEMENT • Proportion tool - resize an object to another object's
©2009 Hot Door, Inc. This manual, as well dimensions
as the software described in it, is provided
under license and may not be copied by
• Measure distance tool - automatically determine
any means without written consent of distance by clicking and dragging between any
Hot Door except in accordance with the two points
terms of the license. The existing artwork
may be protected under copyright law and
unauthorized use of this artwork could
violate the rights of the original author.
Hot Door, the Hot Door logo, CADtools,
the CADtools logo are trademarks of Hot
Door, Inc. Adobe and Adobe Illustrator are
registered trademarks of Adobe Systems,
Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation. Apple, Macintosh,
and Power Macintosh are registered
trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. All
other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
HOT DOOR DOES NOT AND CANNOT

WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE IS FREE
FROM ALL BUGS, ERRORS AND OMISSIONS.
HOT DOOR MAKES NO WARRANTIES,
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS
AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE
IS ASSUMED BY YOU. HOT DOOR OR ITS
SUPPLIERS WILL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE TO
YOU FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT
DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS
OR LOST SAVINGS, ARISING OUT OF THE
USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE,
EVEN IF HOT DOOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR
FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY THIRD PARTY.
Because some jurisdictions do not allow
the exclusion or limitation of liability for
consequential or incidental damages, the
above limitations may not apply to you.

Core features of CADtools 6 Behind the concept
CADtools includes 62 drawing, dimensioning, labeling and
editing tools organized in 6 groups inside the Illustrator tool Hot Door, Inc. was formed in 1996 around a product concept
box. Nine panels (formerly called 'palettes') are available from that bridged CAD and Adobe Illustrator. Lead developer
the Window > CADtools menu. CADtools panels allow live Brendon Cheves conceived the idea while teaching students
editing of scale, objects, dimension styles, and other how to use Adobe Illustrator to present their CAD files in a
document attributes. university classroom. After much research in the technical
design field, CADtools 1 was developed and released in 1997.
With the support of Adobe Solutions Network and thousands
Drawing of happy customers, CADtools 2 was carefully crafted and
• Precision drawing tools for 2D and isometric or released in 1999 with live drawing and dimensioning features
axonometric objects and a palette-based interface. Hot Door subsequently released
• Standard or custom scale defined per document or other Illustrator plugin products including the popular
per Illustrator layer - now including a scale calculator Transparency, MultiPage, and Perspective plugins for Illustrator.
• Scaled snapping CADgrids and CADrulers CADtools 3 shipped in 2003, marking a new phase of product
• On-screen info while dragging objects in scale with evolution with innovative isometric drawing and dimensioning
optional full screen cursors features and refined dimension control. Other complementary
• Wall creation tool with sliding editability products were added including CADpatterns and Code Zebra
Symbols libraries to simplify projects within Illustrator.
Dimensioning In 2005, CADtools 4 fine-tuned the toolset with editable
• Complete linear, curvilinear, angular and radial dimension dimensions, new wall and path divide tools, and greater
tools to measure points, lines, or datums control of dimension and label appearances. CADtools 5
• Live dimensions and labels link to objects and respond emphasized workflow solutions in 2007 with CADshortcuts and
to artwork changes other automatic dimension features. New offset, fillet radius
• Dimensions show measurement or custom text dimension, and tangent tools bolstered precision drawing.
• Automatic dimensioning of document or objects
• International number format support CADtools 6 simplifies work with scale, proportion, and measure-
• Dual dimensioning and tolerancing ment with a new scale calculator, proportion tool and measure
• Chain and datum dimension tools distance tool. Adobe Illustrator CS4 introduces enhanced Smart
Guides that better complement CADtools and technical drawing.
Labeling
• Auto-labeling with text, numbers, alphabet, or live We continue to refine our plug-ins for professional application,
object geometry and promise complete satisfaction with a 90-day money-back
• Custom dimension and label styles guarantee. Please call us anytime with questions or comments
on our products. We love to hear from you and discover how you
Editing and measurement are enjoying the world of vector-based illustration!
• Scaled move, transform and repeat
• Instant calculation of area, perimeter, length of any path
or set of paths
• Path division for cutting or marking any path
• Measure Scale tool - similar to a map's scale
• Measure Distance tool Shari Cheves, President
• Proportion tool - resize an object to another's dimensions
• Smart Trim and Extend tools Brendon Cheves & Jeff Winters
Lead Software Engineers
Shortcuts and presets
• Optional shortcuts to globally control all CADtools units
• Globally save and load CADtools panel settings as presets

Updating or installing CADtools Personalizing, registration and support
On Macintosh
1. If you are currently running Adobe Illustrator, quit the
application.
2. If you have downloaded CADtools online, the file will be zipped.

Double-click CADtools6.dmg.zip to unzip it.
3. Double-click CADtools6.dmg. Follow the on-screen instructions

to install the file for your version of Adobe Illustrator. Drag the
icon named CADtools.aip into the Adobe Illustrator > Plug-ins > Personalization:
Tools folder. This will replace any older files with the same name. If you have purchased a full version of CADtools 6, enter your
CADtools serial number (with a format XXXX-X-X-XXX-XXX-
Then proceed to step 4 below. XXXXX) and click OK. Illustrator will open and you will see some
of the tools belonging to CADtools in the toolbox. The CADtools
icons have red point markings.
On Windows
1. If you are currently running Adobe Illustrator, quit the If you wish to use the demo version of CADtools, click the Demo
application. button. CADtools will function for an unlimited time period but
limits your drawing and dimensioning to 1:3 scale with access
2. If you have downloaded CADtools online, the file will be to only the top tool in each of the six tool groups. The labels
zipped. Double-click CADtools6.zip to unzip it. are limited to a curved leader and a circular border, and all label
values will read "Demo."
3. Double-click Install Hot Door CADtools6.exe. Follow the
on-screen instructions to install the file named CADtools into If you wish to purchase the full version of CADtools, click the
the Adobe Illustrator > Plug-ins > Tools folder. Purchase button to automatically launch the Hot Door Web site
and online store.
4. When you launch the Adobe Illustrator application again,
a CADtools Personalization dialog will appear. If you have Registration:
purchased an upgrade, enter the new CADtools 6 upgrade To be eligible for free technical support, information on
serial number, and then enter the CADtools 3, 4 or 5 serial upgrades, and other special offers, please register your copy
number when prompted. If you have a full version, enter the of CADtools online at:
new CADtools 6 full version serial number. http://www.hotdoor.com
(if you purchased CADtools directly from Hot Door, you are
5. If you plan to use Illustrator with older CADtools files, please already registered)
follow instructions on page 10, "Converting CADtools files
with Legacy Text." Technical support online:
As a registered user, you are entitled to free email or
After you have installed CADtools, you can always check to phone technical support. Choose Window > CADtools > Technical
see if you have the latest version by selecting Window > Support to link directly to the tech support web page.
CADtools > Check for Updates...
Online tutorial:
Choose Window > CADtools > Getting Started... to link directly
Hot Tip! to the online CADtools tutorial.
If you ever need to reinstall CADtools, just download the demo
version from the CADtools > Demos section of the Hot Door Web Technical support by phone: 949-464-0300
site at www.hotdoor.com. Phone inquiries are always welcome and service is prompt and
professional.

Converting older CADtools files Overview of the CADtools interface
Converting CADtools files created with Legacy Text Finding the tools
After you have properly installed CADtools and
For Adobe Illustrator CS3 only with CADtools 6: launched Adobe Illustrator, you will notice new
When converting an Illustrator file containing CADtools CADtools drawing and dimensioning tools in the
dimensions to Illustrator CS3, follow these steps for best results: toolbox of Adobe Illustrator. In addition to the six
new tools you see in the toolbox, there are many pop-
1) Open the file with Illustrator CS3. You will see a dialog: out tools. Select the small arrows on the right of the
tool icons and drag to highlight other tools. The six
different tool groups can be separated by dragging the
tearoff icon at the end of each set of hidden tools.
Color icons and tool behavior

CADtools icons are distinguished by their red point
markings. The red points indicate the position of
mouse-click(s) in relationship to the artwork
created. Tool icons which have only one red point
require only one mouse-click-and-drag – except for
2) Click Update when prompted the object center tool, which requires only one mouse-
3) Open the CADstyle panel click on an object. Tool icons which have two red
4) Immediately select all artwork points require two mouse-clicks positioned on artwork
5) Click Update links in the CADstyle panel as shown in the icon. For most of these tools, you
Artwork should update and retain live dimensions. Make any necessary must drag the mouse after the second click. The fillet,
changes with CADtools artwork after you have updated links. chamfer, trim, and extend tools do not require
dragging after the second click.
For Adobe Illustrator CS or CS2 with CADtools 6:
For files created with CADtools and Illustrator 10 or earlier, convert to
Window > CADtools panels
Illustrator CS or CS2 as follows:
Nine CADtools panels are accessible from the Window
1) Open the file. You will see a dialog:
menu. You can also directly access useful CADtools
web pages for tutorials, tech support, and updates.
2) Do NOT click Update when prompted. Click OK.

3) Once the file is opened, click Update links in the CADstyle panel.
You can also select artwork and choose Type > Legacy Text > Update
Selected Legacy Text. Then save the file in CS or CS2 format to retain
changes.
10 11
Overview of the CADtools interface (cont.) Setting up the document: CADdocument
Finding the panels Before working with CADtools, it's important to use the
CADdocument panel to define specific settings which affect
The nine panels in CADtools are essential for controlling the the entire document – including scale by document or layer.
appearance and creation of CAD artwork. To view and select one The CADdocument panel also controls the units and precision
of these panels, choose Window > CADtools. Refer to the list below for for numeric input default values.
the names of the panels and their functions. Dockable panel icons on
the left are available in Illustrator CS3 and CS4.
• Set custom scales with this
popout menu (see info on scale)
CADdocument Defines document-wide settings such as
• Comma or decimal number format
numeric input and scale applies to all dimension text
CADguides Provides control of CADgrid and CADruler • The thousands separator shows the
comma in dimension numbers
settings as well as full screen cursors
• A dimension layer keeps your
dimensions separate from other artwork
CADisometric Controls isometric/axonometric angles and
allows one-click projection and flattening of • Live dimensions will auto-update
with changes in scale or appearance
artwork between 2D and isometric views
• Set default units and precision for
numeric input when using tools in CAD-
CADlabels Sets the appearance of labels and tools. (You can always input your own
options for automatic labeling units and override the default settings.)
including custom text, alpha or numeric • Set precision for numeric input.
increments, and object geometry data
• Choose Document-based scale for
one scale on the entire document.
CADshortcuts Loads and saves CADtools panel settings as Choose Layer-based scale to set
presets, globally sets CAD units and precision unique scales per layer. When using
settings, and applies automatic dimensioning scale, you can draw objects larger or
with options smaller than actual size using a ratio
of measurement. For example, if your
scale is set to 1” = 1’, then an object
CADstyles Sets the appearance of dimensions, including 1” in length would dimension as 12”
size of arrowheads and witness lines or 1’ in length using CADtools.
• For Document-based scale, use the
CADtext Controls the text options for all CADtools Scale calculator to create a custom
dimensions and labels or 'best fit' scale based on a selected
object. Artwork may resize.
CADtracker Displays geometric data for CADtools artwork
(including location, length, perimeter, and Note about live dimensions: Dimensions that have been
area), transforms objects in scale, moves objects created with 'Create live dimensions' checked will automatically
in scale, and repeats objects in scale update with changes in scale and appearance. Dimensions that
have been created with this option unchecked cannot ever be
CADwalls Sets the thickness of walls and how they are live. To automatically unlink the dimensions from their objects,
measured (from inside, center or outside) ungroup the dimensions. Always ungroup dimensions prior to
copying them into new documents. If you need to duplicate
an object with live dimensions, copy and paste the object with
You can dock or stack CADtools panels just as you would handle its dimensions rather than option-dragging them.
other Illustrator panels. To add a CADtools panel to the icon dock
in Illustrator CS3 or CS4, click and drag the title to the dock.
12 13
Setting up the document: Scale Setting up the document: Scale (cont.)
Using CADdocument and scale Using the Scale calculator
To change a layer or document scale, use the Scale popup When using Document-based scale, you can use the Scale
menu in the CADdocument panel. Choose a scale from the calculator to create a custom or 'best fit' scale and resize
three sections of presets: custom, engineering, and artwork based on a selected object's dimensions.
architectural scales.
Before using the Scale calculator, make sure you have
To set a custom scale, choose Add Custom Scale... from the Document-based scale selected in the CADdocument palette.
popout menu in the CADdocument panel. Enter values on Select the object that you are using as a reference for your scale
each side of the “scale equation” in Absolute or Ratio format. calculation. Click the Scale calculator button.
Architectural scales are typically expressed in Absolute format
and engineering scales are typically expressed in Ratio format.
Choose independent CADtools units from the popup menus for
each side of the Absolute equation. Use any number of digits
in the fields. Add a space between digits representing feet and
inches (ex: 1' 2 1/2”) You can add up to 10 custom scales to the
custom scale menu.
In Step 1 of the Scale Calculator dialog, the selected object's real
dimensions are displayed in terms of width and height. Choose
the object width or height as the reference value, then enter
a desired actual value on the right.
To delete a custom scale, first select the scale in the Scale

popout menu and then choose Remove Custom Scale from the
popout menu in the CADdocument panel.
Note about drawing with scale: Since scale affects only

CADtools drawing, editing, labeling and dimensioning tools,
remember to use the CADrulers, CADgrids, and CADtracker to
monitor your values in scale. Object artwork is not affected by
changes in scale - only dimensions and measurements are
affected by scale. Changing scale does not resize artwork.
14 15
Setting up the document: Scale (cont.) Setting up the document: CADguides
CADguides establishes special grid and ruler settings for use
Using the Scale calculator
with CADtools. The origin for CADrulers is defined by the
In Step 2 of the Scale calculator, choose how the new scale will
Illustrator's ruler origin. If you plan to use isometric drawing
affect your art and CADdocument scale.
and dimensioning tools, choose Isometric grid lines to preview
the grid according to the settings in the CADisometric panel.
If you want to let the Scale calculator determine a preset scale
that best fits your scale equation, choose Apply preset. Select
• Show grid and Show rulers display
Architectural scale or Engineering scale based on your type of special scaled grids and rulers for use
project. Then select an option to resize your artwork to best with CADtools
fit the artboard, a specified width, or a specified height. If you
choose width or height, enter a value in the field that appears. • Choose flat or isometric grid lines
• Change the grid color with the pop-
If you want to select your own preset scale, choose Apply preset up menu, and choose Other... to open
scale. Your artwork will be resized. the system level color picker for
additional choices
If you do not want your artwork resized, choose Create and ap- • Snap to grid to snap the cursor to
grid lines and intersections while
ply a custom scale from the scale equation. A new custom scale using CADtools drawing tools; enter a
will appear in the CADdocument palette, and artwork will not be value for snapping tolerance
resized. • Units and precision settings are
unique for CADrulers; append will add
the unit label in the CADrulers
• Change the CADrulers font with the
popup menu
• Show full screen cursors and snap
cursors to objects on the document
for precision drawing with CADtools
Hot Tip! Use both CADtools full screen cursors and Adobe
Illustrator Smart Guides to create, edit, and transform objects
with precision. Choose Illustrator > View > Smart Guides. CADtools
full screen cursors are helpful in creating CADtools objects only.
Adobe Illustrator's Smart Guides help you create objects outside
of CADtools and move any artwork on the document with snap-
ping alignment. For optimal precision and control when creating
or manipulating artwork, try CADtools full screen cursors,
Illustrator Smart Guides, CADtracker, CADgrids and
CADrulers.
16 17
Setting up the document: numeric input 2D CAD drawing tools
Once you've defined your document settings, you can use CAD
2D drawing tools to create flat objects in scale by drawing or
clicking for numeric input with these units:
Points: pt
Picas: p
Millimeters: mm
Orthographic drawing tool group:
Centimeters: cm Click once on the document to input values numerically
Meters: m
Kilometers: km CAD Rectangle - Click and drag to create the shape.
Decimal inches with symbol: X.X“ CAD Centered Rectangle - Click and drag.
Fractional inches with symbol: X X/X“ CAD Ellipse - Click and drag to create the shape.
Decimal inches with units: X.X in CAD Centered Ellipse - Click and drag.
Fractional inches with units: X X/X in CAD Arc by Radius - Click origin point, then click and drag
Decimal feet and inches with symbol: X' X.X“ another point to define the endpoint and radius of the arc. Click
Fractional feet and inches with symbol: X' X/X“ the second point without dragging to input values numerically.
Decimal feet and inches with units: X ft X.X in CAD Arc by Points - Click origin point, then click and drag
Fractional feet and inches with units: X ft X/X in another point to define the endpoints and curvature of the
Miles: mi arc. Click the second point without dragging to input values
Pixels: px numerically.
CAD Line - Click and drag to create the line. Click and drag
from the endpoint of a line path to continue the line. Shift-alt/
option drag to create isometric lines. Shift-drag to constrain
to 45° angles. Click once to enter values numerically, including
rise and run.
Add Wall - Click and drag on the side or end of a wall to create
a new wall.
Remove Wall - Click a wall that is free of dependent walls to
remove it.
Before using the CAD drawing
Move Wall - Click and drag a wall to adjust its location. View all
tools, set up numeric input relative wall sizes in the red change boxes.
units and precision in the Tangent & Perpendicular Line - Click a curved path or ellipse
CADdocument panel. and drag out to create a constrained line that is tangent or
perpendicular to the path.
Offset - Click and drag to create a scaled offset at the distance
displayed while dragging. Scale is defined in the CADdocument
panel and displayed units are defined the CADtracker panel.
Hot Tip! CADtools snapping, full screen cursors are helpful in

creating CADtools objects. Select Show full screen and Snap to
objects at the bottom of the CADguides panel.
18 19
2D CAD drawing tools (cont.) 2D CAD drawing tools (cont.)
CAD Rectangle CAD Arc (by Radius)
Select the CAD Rectangle tool and position the cur- Select the CAD Arc (by Radius) tool and position
sor where you want a corner of the rectangle to ap- the cursor where you want the center of the arc.
pear. Click and drag from one edge of the rectangle Click the mouse button once and release the mouse
to the opposite edge. Hold down the shift key while button. Then position the cursor where you want
dragging to create a square. the arc to begin, which will be the length of the arc
radius. Click and drag counterclockwise to create the
Note: To quickly toggle between the Rectangle and first then sec- arc. Hold down the control key while you are drag-
Centered Rectangle, use the alt/option key. To click ond click ging to subtract an arc from the implied circle.
numerically create a rectangle in scale, click once once and drag
with the CAD Rectangle or Centered Rectangle tool. counter- Note: To quickly toggle between Arc (by Radius) and
clockwise
Arc (by Points), use the alt/option key. To numeri-
CAD Centered rectangle cally create an arc (by radius) to scale:
Select the CAD Centered Rectangle tool and po- 1) Click once where you want the arc to begin
sition the cursor where you want the center of the 2) Click once anywhere on the document
rectangle to appear. Click and drag from the center 3) Enter the values and units for the arc
of the rectangle to the edge. Hold down the shift
key while dragging to create a square. CAD Arc (by Points)
Select the CAD Arc (by Points) tool and position the
cursor where you want the arc to begin. If this is an
anchor point, the cursor will change to ( ). Click
CAD Ellipse the mouse button once and release the mouse but-
Select the CAD Ellipse tool and position the cursor ton. Position the cursor where you want the arc to
where you want the edge of the ellipse to appear. end. Click and drag back and forth to create the arc.
Click and drag from one edge of the ellipse to the first second Hold down the control key while you are dragging to
opposite edge. Hold down the shift key while click click then create the opposite arc.
drag back
dragging to create a circle. and forth
To numerically create an arc (by points) to scale:
Note: To quickly toggle between Ellipse and 1) Click once where you want the arc to begin
Centered ellipse, use the alt/option key. To 2) Click once where you want the arc to end
numerically create an ellipse in scale, click once 3) Enter the values and units for the arc radius
with the CAD Ellipse or Centered Ellipse tool.
CAD Centered Ellipse

Select the CAD Centered Ellipse tool and position
the cursor where you want a center of the ellipse
to appear. Click and drag from the center of the
ellipse to the edge. Hold down the shift key while
dragging to create a circle.
20 21
CAD Line Add Wall
The CAD Line tool allows you to see the line The Add Wall tool works like the CAD Line tool,
while you are dragging to create it and join it to creating rectangles (representing walls) with a
other lines. Using the CADgrids, CADrulers, and thickness defined in the CADwalls panel numeric
CADtracker panel, you can precisely control the first click input dialog box. Before drawing walls, open the
line size and placement. and drag CADwalls panel and set the wall thickness and mea-
surement reference. You can set your own units, and
Select the line tool and position the cursor the default units are defined in the CADdocument
where you want the beginning of the line numeric input panel.
to appear. Click and drag to position the line,
then release the mouse button to create the
line. Hold down the shift key while dragging to
constrain the tool to multiples of 45°.
release mouse
For isometric lines, hold down the shift+alt/ button, click
option keys while dragging to constrain the tool endpoint, then
to the current isometric angle. Isometric lines will drag - continue
and close the path
not automatically update with changes to the iso- by clicking on the
metric view. Be sure to set up your isometric view first point
angles with the CADisometric panel before creating first click
isometric artwork with the CAD Line tool. and drag
To create polygons with the line tool, create a

line, then position your mouse over an endpoint
of the line. When the ( ) cursor appears, begin
dragging to create a new line joined at that end-
point. Release the mouse button when you have
positioned the line and continue the process as
needed. If you want to close the path, click and
drag the final line until the cursor is over the first to add a new section,
anchor point of the polygon. When the ( ) click the side of the wall
cursor appears, release the mouse button and the and drag out, or click
polygon will close itself. release mouse button, once to create the wall
click endpoint, then drag section numerically
For numeric input and rise/run: To numerically
create a line in scale, click once on the document
with the CAD Line tool.
You can also enter values
in Rise or Run fields
to automatically calculate
the angle for the line.
CADwalls cannot create complete to create a corner on a
enclosures, so be sure to leave wall, click on the end of
openings while drawing spaces the wall (not the corner
points) and drag to
either side
22 23
Add Wall (cont.)
To draw a wall, select the Add Wall tool and position
the cursor where you want the end of the wall to appear.
Click and drag to position the wall. Release the mouse
button to create it. Hold down the shift key while drag-
ging to constrain the wall to 45° increments. Hold down
the alt/option key while dragging to snap the wall to
the nearest unit increment.
If you have selected measure to the inside, To view wall measurements while dragging, make sure you
additional wall segments will be joined like this: have checked Show info while dragging in the CADtracker
panel.
To create an additional wall joined to the end or side of

an existing wall, position the cursor over the wall path at
the desired location until the ( ) cursor appears. Then
click on the path of the wall and begin dragging. Release
the mouse button to complete the new wall addition.
Walls can only be added when this cursor appears to
If you have selected measure to the middle, show that you are over a wall line.
additional wall segments will be joined like this:
The Add Wall tool does not create curved walls, but you
can use the CADtools Offset tool to simulate curved walls.
Remove Wall
To remove a wall, select the Remove Wall tools and
position the cursor over the path of the wall that you
want to remove. When the ( ) cursor appears, click
If you have selected measure to the outside, to remove the wall extension. Note: Walls can only be
additional wall segments will be joined like this: removed if they are not joined to any dependent wall sec-
tions.
Hot Tip!
To obtain the area of a space inside walls, use the CAD
Rectangle or Line tool to create a closed shape over the
area. View the area in the CADtracker panel.
Click and drag on the document to create a wall, or

click once to access the numeric input dialog box to
numerically create a wall.
24 25
Move Wall Tangent & Perpendicular Line
To move a dependent wall along a primary wall, To create a line tangent or perpendicular to a path,
select the Move Wall tool and position the cursor select the Tangent & Perpendicular Line tool and
over the wall to adjust. Click and drag to slide position the cursor over the path where you want the line
the wall along the primary wall to the desired to start. When the ( ) cursor appears, click and drag
location. in the direction you want the line to appear. The line will
constrain to tangent or perpendicular angles to the path.
To view distances between walls while dragging,
make sure you have checked Show info while To view tangent and perpendicular measurements while
moving in the CADwalls panel. Then, while dragging, make sure you have checked Show info while
moving the wall, dimensions will appear in red dragging in the CADtracker panel. Click once on a path
boxes that indicate measurements between the without dragging to access the numeric input dialog box
selected wall and other walls along the primary to numerically create tangent or perpendicular lines.
wall. The units for these measurements are defined
at the bottom of the CADtracker panel. tangent line
perpendicular line
Offset
To offset a path, select the Offset tool and position the
cursor over the path. When the ( ) cursor appears,
primary wall
click and drag in the direction you want the offset to
appear. The offset distance will appear as you drag the
offset. The distance will be a scaled value using the scale
dependent wall set in the CADdocument panel, and the units set in the
CADtracker panel. Click once on a path without dragging
to access the numeric input dialog box to numerically
create the offset in scale.
offset curved line
offset curved object
The Offset tool is designed

to work only with closed or
unclosed curved paths and
objects - not linear paths.
To duplicate linear paths or
objects, use CADtracker or Object > Path > Offset Path.
26 27
Dimensioning control: CADtext Dimensioning control: CADtext (cont.)
Before dimensioning your objects, open the CADtext panel to
define text attributes for CADtools dimensions and labels. To
change the text attributes of live dimensions after they are
created, select them and make changes in the CADtext panel.
You can edit the value of any dimension with the

Illustrator Type tool and it will retain the edited value
as custom text. Under the Dimension text
placement section, adjust location of
text, and spacing for the dimension
Under the General section, choose value.
font and font size for dimensions
and label text. Choose Format for • Use the icons to set the location
dimension values: of dimension text inline or above line
for horizontal, vertical, and inclined
• Measurement is the most common dimensions
dimension format and determines
numeric value of object lines and dis- • Enter a value for text distance
tances between points. With Measure- above the dimension line
ment selected, you can choose units (see sample on next page)
and precision in the panel below.
• Adjust the spacing between the
•ABC Incremental creates text dimension line and text with the
dimensions that automatically Inline spacing slider
increment alphabetically. To force
the next letter, enter the desired • Check Free sliding text to
value in the Next field. adjust the placement of the
dimension inside the dimension
•123 Incremental creates text line while dragging (use the control
dimensions that automatically key while dragging to snap the
increment numerically. To force dimension to center)
the next number, enter the desired
value in the Next field. • Diameter or radius symbols can
appear before or after dimension text
•Custom text creates dimensions that
can be edited with your own text or • Choose to show Isometric text as
number values. flat or projected with artwork
28 29
Dimensioning control: CADtext (cont.) Dimensioning control: CADstyle
CADstyle helps you customize the appearance of dimensions.
An Update links button adjusts your dimensions and
reapplies these settings if artwork has been resized or moved.
To change the style of live dimensions after they are created,
select them and make changes in the CADstyle panel.
• Change the dimension color with

the popup menu, selecting from presets,
the current fill color, or other color using
the system level picker - for custom
colors, use Fill color
• Update links to apply changes

to live dimensions and labels
• Select from several terminator types

and adjust weight, length, and angle of
arrowhead with field values
• Choose if the terminators will point

Under the Primary dimension value inside, outside, or the best interpreted
section, set the units, precision and side of witness lines
tolerance for dimensions.
• Dimension line weight and snap
• Set units, precision, and tolerance tolerance are set with field values
for dimension measurement values.
• Use field values to set witness line
• Check Append to show the units weight, extension beyond dimension
after the dimension value. line, and gap from object
• If Dual dimensions is checked, di- • Choose to span diameter dimensions

mensions will have an upper and lower across the circle or from the circle center
value, useful in displaying measure-
ment in two different forms. An • Define a leader line length for
additional section will appear called diameter and radius dimensions
Lower dimension value. Set units,
precision, and tolerance for the • Select chain datum for dimensioning
lower dual dimension value. segments cumulatively from a reference
point (datum); JIS terminator complies
with Japanese Industrial Standards
2.71 cm
• Choose to double the weight or add
the prime symbol to Section lines
Leader length (found in the Labeling tool group)
Appended unit
3.53 cm Witness line extension
Text distance above line (CADtext)
Dimension line
Dimension lines snap
distance
Witness lines
Witness line gap
30 31
Automation: CADshortcuts Automation: CADshortcuts (cont.)
The CADshortcuts panel easily controls CADtools panel settings To load an existing preset, click the Load button in the
(except scale) and applies CADtools dimensions automatically. CADshortcuts panel.
CADtools panel settings can be changed with either Presets or
Global interface control. Presets are saved invisibly into a file
called 'CADpresets.' This file is located on Mac inside ~/Library
/Application Support/Adobe. On Windows CADpresets is
located in C:\Documents and Settings/yourusername/
Application Data/Adobe/CADpresets
• Define presets for all CADtools

panel settings. Load or edit them
into new documents. Presets are Choose from the radio buttons to change artwork to reflect the
saved invisibly into a CADpresets file. preset settings. You can experiment by loading Basic Architecture
and Basic Engineering presets that come with CADtools. Notice
• Apply units and precision to all
CADtools panels with the Apply
how settings such as terminator appearance, units, and precision
buttons will change inside the CADtools panels.
To rename or delete a preset, click the Edit button and select

an existing preset. Click Rename or Delete to rename or delete
• Apply dimensions to all objects
on the document or selected artwork the preset.
by clicking the Document or
Selection buttons. Choose types
of dimensions from the linear and
radial dimension checkboxes.
Loading, defining, or editing presets Global interface control

Once you have made adjustments to all of your CADtools panels, To define units for all CADtools panels, set the Units menu and
you can Define your CADtools settings by clicking the Define... click Apply. To define a precision for all CADtools panels, set the
button inside CADshortcuts. Precision menu and click Apply.
Automatic dimensions
To apply dimensions to your document or selected artwork, first
use the checkboxes at the bottom of the CADshortcuts palette to
select the type of linear or radial dimensions. Select Crosshairs to
show circle center marks. To apply the settings to all objects in
the document, select the Document button. To apply settings to
all selected objects, select the Selection button.
32 33
2D dimensioning tools 2D dimensioning tools (cont.)
Horizontal Dimension (by Line)
The Horizontal Dimension (by Line) tool will
dimension horizontal line segments. A line
Horizontal Dimension (by Line) - Click and drag out any horizontal
click once segment is a path between two anchor points
segment to dimension the horizontal distance between two anchor on a line segment
points. in Illustrator.
and drag
Horizontal Dimension (by Points) - Click multiple points anywhere
on the document and drag to dimension their horizontal distances. Select the Horizontal Dimension (by Line) tool
Horizontal Datum Dimension - Click a point of origin, then click and position the cursor over the line you want to
multiple points and drag to dimension the horizontal distances from dimension. When the ( ) cursor appears, click the
the origin. horizontal line and drag to position the dimension
Vertical Dimension (by Line) - Click and drag any vertical segment to line. Hold down the shift key while dragging to offset
dimension the vertical distance between two anchor points. the horizontal dimension line in increments. The
Vertical Dimension (by Points) - Click multiple points anywhere on offset increment value is set in the Snap field in the
the document and drag to dimension their vertical distances.
Dimension Lines panel of the CADstyle panel.
Vertical Datum Dimension - Click a point of origin, then click mul-
tiple points and drag to dimension their vertical distances from the
origin. Note: To quickly toggle between Horizontal Dimension
Inclined Dimension (by Line) - Click and drag any inclined segment (by Line) and Vertical Dimension (by Line), use the
to dimension the inclined distance between two anchor points. alt/option key.
Inclined Dimension (by Points) - Click multiple points anywhere on
the document and drag to dimension their inclined distances.
Inclined Datum Dimension - Click a point of origin, then click mul- Horizontal Dimension (by Points)
tiple points and drag to dimension their inclined distances from the The Horizontal Dimension (by Points) tool will dimen-
origin. sion the horizontal distance between multiple points.
Angle Dimension - Click a line of origin, then click and drag a click on multiple You can define the location of these points anywhere
nonparallel line to dimension the angle between the lines. points and drag
on your document.
Arc Length Dimension - Click a point of origin on a circular arc, then
click and drag another point on the same arc to dimension the length
along the arc between the points. Select the Horizontal Dimension (by Points) tool
Diameter Dimension - Click and drag a point on a circle to dimension and position the cursor at one end of the horizontal
its diameter. distance you want to dimension. If this is an anchor
Radius Dimension - Click and drag a point on a circle to dimension its point, the cursor will change to ( ) . Then click
radius. the mouse button once and release the mouse but-
Fillet Radius Dimension - Click and drag directly over an arc or fillet ton. Position the cursor at the next point along the
to display the radius of the arc or fillet at the cursor location. click on corner horizontal distance you want to dimension. Continue
Bézier Curvature Dimension - Click and drag directly over a curved points, not lines, clicking on points along the horizontal distance until
line to display the radius of the curve at the cursor location. when dimension-
ing by points
you have reached the last point to dimension. Then
Tangent Dimension - Click and drag directly over a curved line
to display the tangent of the curve at the cursor location. Use alt/op- click the last point and drag to position the dimen-
tion key to display the normal line. Use shift to diplay the normal and sion line. Use the shift key while dragging to place
tangent lines. Use control to toggle normal placement. the dimension line at a set distance from the object.
Center line - Click and drag to create the line. The offset increment value is set in the Snap field in
Object center - Click within an object to mark the center of its the Dimension lines panel of the CADstyle panel.
bounding box.
Note about changing tools: To quickly toggle between
Horizontal Dimension (by Points) and Vertical Dimen-
sion (by Points), use the alt/option key.
34 35
2D dimensioning tools (cont.) 2D dimensioning tools (cont.)
Horizontal Datum Dimension Vertical Dimension (by Line)
The Horizontal Datum Dimension tool will The Vertical Dimension (by Line) tool will dimen-
dimension the horizontal distances between sion vertical line segments. A line segment is a path
a point of origin and other points. You can between two anchor points in Illustrator.
click once
define the location of these points anywhere on a line segment
on your document. click on a and drag Select the Vertical Dimension (by Line) tool and
point of origin position the cursor over the line you want to
Select the Horizontal Datum Dimension tool dimension. When the ( ) cursor appears, click
and position the cursor at the origin on one click the vertical line and drag to position the dimension
multiple line. Hold down the shift key while dragging to
end of the horizontal distance you want to points and
dimension. If this is an anchor point, the cursor drag
offset the vertical dimension line in increments. The
will change to ( ) . Then click the mouse offset increment value is set in the Snap field in the
button once and release the mouse button. Dimension lines panel of the CADstyle panel.
Position the cursor at the next point along the
horizontal distance you want to dimension. Note about changing tools: To quickly toggle
Continue clicking on points along the horizontal between Vertical Dimension (by Line) and Horizontal
distance until you have reached the last point to Dimension (by Line), use the alt/option key.
dimension. Then click the last point and drag to
position the dimension line. Use the shift key
while dragging to place the dimension line at a Vertical Dimension (by Points)
set distance from the object. The offset increment The Vertical Dimension (by Points) tool will
value is set in the Snap field in the Dimension dimension the vertical distance between multiple
lines section of the CADstyle panel. points. You can define the location of these
points anywhere on your document.
To make a datum dimension line appear as a linear click on multiple
points and drag
chain of dimensions rather than stacked dimensions, Select the Vertical Dimension (by Points) tool and
check Chain datum in the CADstyle panel. position the cursor at one end of the vertical dis-
tance you want to dimension. If this is an anchor
point, the cursor will change to ( ) . Then click
the mouse button once and release the mouse but-
ton. Position the cursor at the next point along the
vertical distance you want to dimension. Continue
clicking on points along the vertical distance until
you have reached the last point to dimension. Then
click the last point and drag to position the dimen-
sion line. Use the shift key while dragging to place
the dimension line at a set distance from the object.
To change the datum dimension terminator to a JIS The offset increment value is set in the Snap field in
terminator, check Chain datum and JIS terminator in the Dimension lines panel of the CADstyle panel.
the CADstyle panel.
Note about changing tools: To quickly toggle be-
Note about changing tools: To quickly toggle between tween Vertical Dimension (by Points) and Horizontal
Horizontal Datum Dimension and Vertical Datum Dimen- Dimension (by Points), use the alt/option key.
sion tools, use the alt/option key.
36 37
Vertical Datum Dimension Inclined Dimension (by Line)
The Vertical Datum Dimension tool will The Inclined Dimension (by Line) tool will
dimension the vertical distances between a dimension angled or “inclined” line segments.
point of origin and other points. You can click on a click once A line segment is a path between two anchor
define the location of these points anywhere point of origin on a line segment points in Illustrator.
and drag
on your document.
Select the Inclined Dimension (by Line) tool
Select the Vertical Datum Dimension tool and and position the cursor over the inclined line
position the cursor at the origin on one end of you want to dimension. When the ( ) cursor
the vertical distance you want to dimension. appears, click the line and drag to position the
If this is an anchor point, the cursor will change dimension line. Use the shift key while dragging
to ( ). Then click the mouse button once and click to place the dimension line at a set distance
release the mouse button. Position the cursor at the multiple from the object. The offset increment value is set
next point along the vertical distance you want to points and in the Snap field in the Dimension lines panel of
dimension. Continue clicking on points along the drag the CADstyle panel.
vertical distance until you have reached the last
point to dimension. Then click the last point and
drag to position the dimension line. Use the shift Inclined Dimension (by Points)
key while dragging to place the dimension line at a The Inclined Dimension (by Points) tool will
set distance from the object. The offset increment dimension the inclined, absolute distance be-
value is set in the Snap field in the Dimension lines tween multiple points along any axis. You can
panel of the CADstyle panel. click on multiple
points and drag define the location of these points anywhere on
your document.
To make a datum dimension line appear as a linear
chain of dimensions rather than stacked dimen- Select the Inclined Dimension (by Points) tool
sions, check Chain datum in the CADstyle panel. and position the cursor at one end of the in-
clined distance you want to dimension. If this is
To change the datum dimension terminator to an anchor point, the cursor will change to
a JIS terminator, check Chain datum and JIS ( ). Then click the mouse button once and
terminator in the CADstyle panel. release the mouse button. Position the cursor at
the opposite end of the inclined distance you
Note about changing tools: To quickly toggle want to dimension. If this is an anchor point,
between Vertical Datum Dimension and Horizontal the cursor will change to ( ). Then click and
Datum Dimension tools, use the alt/option key. drag to position the dimension line. Use the
shift key while dragging to place the dimension
line at a set distance from the object. The offset
increment value is set in the Snap field in the
Dimension lines panel of the CADstyle panel.
Note about dimensioning on inclines:

To prevent errors in measuring nonlinear inclined
segments, the inclined chain dimension tool will
only measure multiple segments contained within
a reasonable angle.
38 39
Inclined Datum Dimension Angle Dimension
The Inclined Datum Dimension tool will The Angle Dimension tool will dimension the angle
dimension the inclined distances between between any two nonparallel lines. Position the
a point of origin and other points. You can click on a cursor over the first line. When the ( ) cursor
define the location of these points anywhere on point of origin appears, click anywhere on the line and release
click on
your document. second line
the mouse button. Then position the cursor over
and drag the second line. When the ( ) cursor appears,
Select the Inclined Datum Dimension tool and click anywhere on the line and drag to position
position the cursor at the origin on one end of click on
the angle dimension line. Hold down the control
the inclined distance you want to dimension. first line key while dragging to dimension the opposite
If this is an anchor point, the cursor will change angle. Hold down the alt/option key while you are
to ( ). Then click the mouse button once and click dragging to remove witness lines.
release the mouse button. Position the cursor at the multiple
next point along the inclined distance you want to points and
drag Arc Length Dimension
dimension. Continue clicking on points along the The Arc Length Dimension tool will dimension the
inclined distance until you have reached the last length of a circular arc or circle defined by any
point to dimension. Then click the last point and two points on the circular arc or circle. Position
drag to position the dimension line. Use the shift click on the cursor over the arc or circle where the arc
key while dragging to place the dimension line at a second point
length dimension will begin. When the ( ) or
set distance from the object. The offset increment and drag
( ) cursor appears, click once on the arc or
value is set in the Snap field in the Dimension lines circle. Then position the cursor over the arc or
section of the CADstyle panel. circle where the arc length dimension will end.
When the ( ) or ( ) cursor appears, click
To make a datum dimension line appear as a linear on the arc and drag to position the arc length di-
chain of dimensions rather than stacked dimen- mension line. Hold down the control key while you
sions, check Chain datum in the CADstyle panel. click on first
point along are dragging to dimension the opposite arc length.
a circle
To change the datum dimension terminator to Note about dimensioning lengths along curves:
a JIS terminator, check Chain datum and JIS The Arc Length Dimension tool works only on
terminator in the CADstyle panel. circular arcs or circles. To retrieve the length
between two points along a Bezier curve, copy the
Note about dimensioning on inclines: segment with the direct selection tool, paste, and
To prevent errors in measuring nonlinear inclined use the CADtracker panel to view the length of the
segments, the inclined datum dimension tool will Bezier segment in scale. If necessary, use the
only measure multiple segments contained within a Illustrator Add Anchor Point tool to add points
reasonable angle. along the Bezier curve for measuring.
40 41
Diameter Dimension Bézier Curvature Dimension
Select the Diameter Dimension tool and position The Bézier Curvature Dimension tool will auto-
the cursor over the path of a circle. When the matically display the radius at any point on a
click on the
( ) cursor appears, click and drag to position circle path Bézier curve. Select the Bézier Curvature Dimen-
the diameter dimension. Hold down the shift key and drag click and drag sion tool and position the cursor directly over
while dragging to constrain the tool to multiples directly over the a Bézier curve. When the ( ) cursor appears,
of 45°. Hold down the control key while you are curved path click and drag along the Bézier curve. While you
dragging to toggle the placement of the diameter are dragging along the curved path, you will see
dimension text. a radius and its arc at every point. To create the
Bézier curvature dimension at any point, release
the mouse button at that point. To hide the arc,
hold down the control key while dragging.
Radius Dimension
Note about the tool limitations: Circles and arcs
Select the Radius Dimension tool and position the
created within Illustrator are constructed with
cursor over the path of a circle. When the ( )
Bézier curves. The approximation of their radius
cursor appears, click and drag to position the radius click on the
circle path may reveal up to 5% difference in value using the
dimension. Hold down the shift key while dragging
and drag Bézier Curvature Dimension tool.
to constrain the tool to multiples of 45°. Hold down
the control key while you are dragging to toggle
the placement of the radius dimension text.
Tangent Dimension
The Tangent Dimension tool will automatically
Note about changing tools: To quickly toggle display the tangent line at any point along on a
between radius dimension and diameter dimension, Bézier curve. Select the Tangent Dimension tool
use the alt/option key. click and drag and position the cursor directly over a Bézier
directly over the
curved path
curve. When the ( ) cursor appears, click
and drag along the Bézier curve. While you
are dragging along the curved path, you will
see a tangent line at every point. To create
Fillet Radius Dimension the tangent line, release the mouse button at
Click and drag directly over an arc or fillet to that point. Use alt/option key to display the
display the radius of the arc or fillet at the cursor tangent's normal. Use control to toggle normal
location. When the ( ) cursor appears, click placement.
and drag to position the fillet radius dimension.
Hold down the alt/option key while dragging to
constrain the tool to the center of the radius.
Hold down the control key while you are dragging
to toggle the placement of the fillet radius Hot Tip!
dimension text. To dimension type, convert type to outlines with the
1.00 cm Create Outlines command in Adobe Illustrator. Or use
the dimension by points tools to measure between
any points on the document.
1.00 cm
42 43
2D dimensioning tools (cont.) Labeling: CADlabels panel
CADlabels offers many options for setting the appearance of
Center Line
labels. The CADlabels panel primarily affects the CADtools label
The Center Line tool will allow you to create a
tool, though the custom text format also applies to the Datum
center line on your document. Select the Center
feature, Datum target, Datum flag, and Section line tools.
Line tool and position the cursor where you want
the beginning of the line to appear. Click and drag
Icons show the label line and border style, with leader length
to position the line, then release the mouse button
and border options. Shape borders can also stretch to fit
to create the line. Hold down the shift key while
custom text. Remember to check "Create live dimensions" in
dragging to constrain the tool to multiples of 45°.
the CADdocument panel if you want to create CADtools artwork
that can later be modified in appearance.
click and
drag
• Control label line appearance
by choosing a label style icon
• Change label leader length
• Set label border shapes

Hot Tip!
To place a center line over a shape, first click the ob- • Adjust tightness of the label
border
ject with the circle center tool. Then select the center
line tool and drag over one of the circle center lines. • Stretch shapes to fit to
automatically resize label borders to
fit around custom text or numbers
• Set format to ABC or 123

Object Center incremental, Geometry or Custom
Select the Object Center tool and position the cursor text format, with options for these
formats appearing at the bottom of
over the path of an object. When the ( ) cursor the CADlabels panel. Custom text can
appears, click once and release the mouse button. be set to be automatically selected
Hold down the alt/option key while clicking to after creating the label, making
create a smaller object center mark. text input easier. The value for the
custom text can be a fixed value in
the Text field.
Use the object center tool to find the center of any
shape or path. The center is determined by the click on an
invisible bounding box enclosing the artwork.
object path
leader length
Text
stretched shape to fit multiple line labels
To apply object centers to text, create outlines
before applying the Object Center tool. A
with the
border
tightness Text
alt/option key
not stretched to fit
Note about multiple line labels: To create multiple line labels,

click two or more points, then drag to make the label.
44 45
Labeling: Tools Labeling: Tools
Label tool
The CADlabels tool draws labels according to settings in
the CADlabels panel. Four different formats create labels
which can increment alphabetically or numerically,
Label tool - Click and drag to create a label using the format
generate object geometry information, and display
settings in the CADlabels panel - ABC incremental, 123
custom text. To change the value of incremental labels,
incremental, Geometry or Custom text. If Custom text is
change the format to Custom text or edit the label text
selected, labels will be created with your own definable default
with Illustrator's Type tool. Text changes will be saved
text, selectable for easy editing.
Datum feature - Click and drag to create the label.
with the label.
Datum target - Click and drag to create the label.
Datum flag - Click and drag to create the label. Format: ABC Incremental - If ABC Incremental is
Revision bubble - Click an object line, or click and drag to selected as the CADlabel format, the Label tool will
create the label. create character labels which automatically increment
Section line - Click and drag to create the line. Use the according to the text settings in the CADlabels panel.
CADstyle panel to make the section line double weight and To create an incremental label, first use the CADlabels
appear with the prime symbol. panel to set the appearance of the label line, label
shape, border tightness, and the letter of the next
Live labels: If you have created 'live' labels (by checking Create incremental label you plan to draw. Then select the
live dimensions in the CADdocument panel), you can adjust the Label tool and position the cursor where you want
length and angle of the label while maintaining the link to its the label terminator to end. Click and drag to position
artwork. Each CADtools label is automatically linked to a point the incremental label. Hold down the shift key while
created at the base of each label. To adjust the angle or extension dragging to constrain the tool to multiples of 45°.
of each label while retaining the link to its location point, use Hold down the control key while you are dragging to
the CADtools Dimension Resize tool. If you want to move the toggle the placement of the label text.
entire label, be sure to select the linked point at the tip of
the arrowhead before moving. If you do not include the linked A click and drag and the letter
point, the live label will relocate to the original location point or number will increment according
to the CADlabels panel
when updated. Click Update Links in the CADstyle panel to
update live labels after changing their settings, locations or
their linked object location. To prevent labels from linking
to points or objects, uncheck Create live dimensions in the
CADdocument panel, or ungroup the labels.
If you edit text of custom text labels or any other labels, you
must select a new tool or Update links to preserve changes.
A
A
A • Use the After Z
menu to change
a live Label or how alphabet labels
Revision bubble will change in value
an invisible linking placed over after Z
point at the base an object will
of each live label be linked to • Set the value of the
determines the that object and next alphabet label in
label location when update when the Next field
updated moved
46 47
Labeling: Tools (cont.) Labeling: Tools (cont.)
Format: 123 Incremental - If 123 Incremental is selected as Format: Geometry - If Geometry is selected as the CADlabel
the CADlabel format, the Label tool will create numeric labels format, you can display the geometric attributes of an underlying
which automatically increment according to the text settings path or object. To create a geometry label, first use the CADlabels
in the CADlabels panel. To create an incremental label, first panel to set the appearance of the label line, label shape, border
use the CADlabels panel to set the appearance of the label line, tightness, and geometry attributes. X and Y show location rela-
label shape, border tightness, and the number value for the next tive to the document ruler, width and height refer to the size of
incremental label you plan to draw. Then select the Label tool the object, length/perimeter shows distance along path or around
and position the cursor where you want the label terminator to object, and area is total enclosed area. Then select the Label tool
end. Click and drag to position the incremental label. Hold down and position the cursor directly over the object or path line. When
the shift key while dragging to constrain the tool to multiples of the ( ) cursor appears, click and drag to position the geometry
45°. Hold down the control key while you are dragging to toggle label. Hold down the shift key while dragging to constrain the tool
the placement of the label text. to multiples of 45°. Hold down the control key while you are drag-
ging to toggle the placement of the label text.
Width: 0.500"
Perimeter: 2.000"
Area: 0.250" sq
Using CADtracker Geometry values

and units as defined in the CADtext
• Use the Numbers menu panel under Primary dimension
to determine if incremental value
number labels will show all,
even, or odd values X: Horizontal distance of top left
corner of object from ruler origin
• Set the value of the next
number label in the Next Y: Vertical distance of top left corner
of object from ruler origin
field
Width: Horizontal width of artwork
Height: Vertical height of artwork
Length: Total distance along path(s)
Perimeter: Total distance around
closed path(s)
Area: Total area inside closed path(s)
or inside compound path(s).
Area calculations will not be accurate

for compound paths which overlap or
compound paths which are projected
in axonometric view
48 49
Labeling: Tools (cont.) Labeling: Tools (cont.)
Format: Custom text - If Custom text is selected as the CADlabel Datum Feature
format, the Label tool will create a text label with your own To create a datum feature, first use the CADlabels
definable default value. To create a custom text label, first use panel to set the letter of the next datum feature
the CADlabels panel to set the appearance of the label line, you plan to draw. Then select the Datum Feature
1
label shape, and border tightness. Select Stretch shapes to fit to tool and position the cursor where you want the
automatically resize label borders around custom text. Choosing terminator to end. Click and drag to position the
Select text will allow quick editing, and the current tool datum feature. Hold down the shift key while drag-
will switch to the Type tool. If you want to create multiple ging to constrain the tool to multiples of 45°. Hold
click and
labels with the same custom text value, enter a text value in drag and down the control key while you are dragging to
the Text field. the letter or toggle the placement of the label text.
number will
Then select the Label tool and position the cursor where you increment
according to Use the CADtools Dimension Resize tool to select
want the label terminator to end. Click and drag to position the the CADlabels and adjust the label.
custom text label. Hold down the shift key while dragging to panel
constrain the tool to multiples of 45°. Hold down the control key
while you are dragging to toggle the placement of the label text.
Datum Target
Note for editing text in labels: If you manually edit text of To create a datum target, select the Datum Target
custom text labels or any other labels, you must deselect the tool and position the cursor where you want the
label to save the text changes. terminator to end. Click and drag to position the
1 datum target. Hold down the shift key while drag-
A ging to constrain the tool to multiples of 45°. Hold
down the control key while you are dragging to
toggle the placement of the label text. The datum
target will always be created with “1” and “A” text.
To adjust the angle of the label while maintaining
the link to its artwork, use the CADtools Dimension
Resize tool to select and adjust the label. To change
the text, use the Illustrator text tool to select and
edit the type.
• Use the Select menu to

determine if the default Datum Flag
text will be selected or not To create a datum flag, first use the CADlabels panel
selected after the label is to set the letter or number of the next datum flag
created you plan to draw. Then select the Datum Flag tool
• Enter text in the Text field -A-
if you want to create labels
and position the cursor where you want the termi-
with the same custom text nator to end. Click and drag to position the datum
value feature. Hold down the shift key while dragging to
click and constrain the tool to multiples of 45°. Hold down
drag and the control key while you are dragging to toggle the
Use the CADtools Dimension Resize tool to select and adjust the letter or placement of the label text.
number will
the angle of the label without moving its hidden linking point. increment
according to
the CADlabels
panel
50 51
Labeling: Tools (cont.) Precision control with CADtracker
CADtracker helps you monitor and edit object information
Revision Bubble with four sections. The units and precision of the values
The Revision Bubble tool allows you to automatically
displayed in the CADtracker panel can be changed with the
encircle artwork or drag to make revision bubbles.
Units and Precision fields at the bottom of the panel.
• To automatically encircle objects with a revision Units and Precision
for CADtracker display
bubble, select the revision bubble tool and position are located at the bottom
the cursor over artwork or text path. Click once to of the CADtracker panel
create the bubble.
Geometry
Note: Revision bubbles created in this manner will be The Geometry section displays width, height, circumference,
click on an perimeter, area, angle, and line length of objects - including
linked to the encircled object. If the object is moved object to
and Update Links is clicked, the bubble will redraw encircle it points and placed images.
around the object in its new location.
• To create your own revision bubble, position the

cursor where you want a corner of the bubble to
appear. Click and drag from one edge of the bubble
to the opposite edge. Hold down the shift key while
dragging to create a circular revision bubble. Hold
down the control or alt/option keys to adjust the click and
bubble appearance. drag
Using CADtracker Geometry Using CADtracker Geometry

Section Line while you are drawing... with artwork selected...
To create a section line, first use the CADlabels
panel to set the letter or number of the next section X: Horizontal distance of cursor from X: Horizontal distance of top left
the ruler origin corner of object from the ruler origin
line you plan to draw. To automatically double the
stroke weight of the section line, check the Double A Y: Vertical distance of cursor from Y: Vertical distance of top left corner
the ruler origin of object from the ruler origin
section weight option in the CADstyle panel. To
automatically add a prime symbol to the section line W: Horizontal width of the artwork W: Horizontal width of artwork
text, check the Prime section option in the CADstyle H: Vertical height of the artwork H: Vertical height of artwork
panel. Select the Section Line tool and position the Angle between the first click Length: Total distance along path(s)
cursor where you want the beginning of the line to point and the curent mouse location
Perimeter: Total distance around
appear. Click and drag to position the line, then re- Length: Distance between the first closed path(s)
A
lease the mouse button to create the line. Hold down click point and current mouse location
Area: Total area inside closed path(s)
click and
the shift key while dragging to constrain the tool drag Radius: Radius of circle or arc or inside compound path(s).
to multiples of 45°. To toggle the direction of the Diameter: Diameter of circle
section line label, hold down the control key while Area calculations will not be accurate
Perimeter: Distance around a path for compound paths which overlap or
dragging. compound paths which are projected
Circumference: Distance around a in axonometric view:
circular path
Arc Length: Distance around the accurate area inaccurate area
circular arc between two endpoints you
have defined
Area: Area of rectangles, ellipses and
arc (show area in acres using CADtracker
52 popout menu) 53
Precision control with CADtracker (cont.) Precision control with CADtracker (cont.)
Transform Move
CADtracker's Transform section allows you to CADtracker's Move section allows you to numerically
numerically resize a selected object in scale. move a selected object in scale.
Select points or objects and enter options in the Move panel

(you can enter digits with up to five decimal places in text
Select an object or set of objects and enter values in the boxes).
Transform panel (you can enter digits with up to five
decimal places in text boxes). • To move an object along the horizontal axis, enter a value
in the X text box.
• To change an object’s horizontal location, enter a
value in the X text box. • To move an object along the vertical axis, enter a value in
the Y text box.
• To change an object’s vertical location, enter a value
in the Y text box. • To move an object a distance along a rotated axis, first
enter a value in the Distance text box. Enter a value for the
• To change the width of a selection’s rotation of axis in the angle text box, or choose a value from
bounding box, enter a value in the W text box. the popup menu. Click the Move button to move the selected
points or objects.
• To change the height of a selection’s bounding box,
enter a value in the H text box. Click the Move button again to continue moving the objects as
needed. Click the Copy button to make a copy of the artwork
• To rotate a selection, enter a new angle between 0 and move it.
and 360 degrees in the Angle text box, or choose a
value from the popup menu.
• To Constrain proportions of the transformed object,

check Constrain. Hot Tip!
Moving objects is easy with Adobe Illustrator's Smart guides.
• To select the reference point from which you are Choose View > Smart Guides while working with CADtracker,
modifying the selection, click a handle on the square CADgrids and CADrulers for optimal precision and control when
representing the object’s bounding box. manipulating artwork.
Click the Transform button to transform the selected

objects. Click the Copy button to make a transformed
copy of the artwork.
54 55
Precision control with CADtracker (cont.) 2D CAD editing tools
Repeat CAD editing tools modify existing artwork with a high
The Repeat panel allows you to numerically duplicate selected level of control and precision. Only the Dimension Resize
objects in rows and columns with scaled values. tool is limited to CADtools artwork. The Measure Scale tool
is very useful for calculating a scale for imported artwork
or objects that have a known actual size without scale.
Dimension Resize - Click and drag a dimension to change the

distance from the object it measures.
Fillet - Click on a line segment near a corner, then click any-
Select an object and enter options in the Repeat panel. where on the adjacent segment and enter the fillet radius in
the dialog box. Use the alt/option key while clicking to create
• To duplicate objects on a vertical path, enter the number of additional fillets with the same radius.
Rows in the Rows text box. Use the directional arrows to repeat Chamfer - Click on a line segment near a corner, then click on
up or down and left or right. the adjacent segment and enter the chamfer offsets from the
corner in the dialog box. Use the alt/option key while clicking
• To create space between the rows of duplicated objects, enter to create additional chamfers with the same offsets.
the actual value in the Space text box on the right of the Rows Trim - Click the excess portion of one of two intersecting lines
text box. The artwork will be created according to the scale set to remove it, or click on a line to remove the distance to its
in your CADdocument panel. closest endpoint.
Extend - Click on a line, then click on any line or object which
• To duplicate objects on a horizontal path, enter the number can be intersected by an extension of the line to extend it.
of Columns in the Cols text box. Path Divider - Click on a path, then choose from options in the
Path Divider dialog box to divide and/or mark the path into
• To create space between the columns of duplicated objects, measured segments with points or crosshairs.
enter the actual value in the Space text box on the right of the Measure Scale - Click the first point from which to measure and
Columns text box. The artwork will be created according to the drag to define the scaled distance. In the custom scale dialog
scale set in your CADdocument panel. box that appears, enter a scaled distance that represents the
actual distance you dragged. The document scale will change
• Use the Between menu to set the spacing between edges or based on this new equation, and the new scale will be added to
centers of the selected objects. the CADdocument Scale popup menu.
Measure Distance - Click any point and drag to another point.
Click the Repeat button to repeat the selected objects. The distance between the two points will appear on the screen
in the units defined in the CADtracker panel.
Proportion - Click on any object, then click on a second object.
Select resize to width or height or constrain proportions. The
first object will resize to match the proportions of the second.
56 57
2D CAD editing tools (cont.) 2D CAD editing tools (cont.)
Dimension Resize Chamfer
The Dimension Resize tool allows you to change The Chamfer tool allows you to create a chamfer
the distance between a dimension and the object between two intersecting lines or a corner. The
it measures while maintaining the link. chamfer length becomes the distance between
chamfer the chamfer endpoints and the corner or intersection.
Note: Dimension changes made with any other 2.90 cm offset
tool will not be retained when dimensions are Select the Chamfer tool and position the cursor over
updated with the Update links button. first one of two intersecting lines which you intend to
click chamfer. When the ( ) cursor appears, click once
Select the Dimension Resize tool and position the second on the line, then position the cursor over the second
cursor over the label or dimension line which you click intersecting line. When the ( ) cursor appears, click
plan to resize. When the ( ) cursor appears, click once on the second line to open the numeric input
and drag to adjust the dimension. Use the shift key dialog box. Enter the chamfer offset values to create
while dragging to place dimension lines at a consis- the chamfer.
tent distance from the object. This offset distance is
defined in the Snap text box in the Dimension lines Note for creating multiple chamfers: To automatically
panel of the CADstyle panel. To unlink a dimension create additional chamfers with the same values, use the
from the object it measures, select and ungroup the alt/option key while clicking on the adjacent line.
dimension.
Trim
Fillet The Trim tool will automatically delete the excess por-
The Fillet tool allows you to create a fillet between tion of an intersecting path or the distance between
two intersecting lines or a corner. The fillet radius is the click point and the closest endpoint. For intersect-
defined by the last value used in the numeric input first ing paths, select the Trim tool and position the cursor
dialog box. click over the excess portion of the line. When the ( )
cursor appears, click once on the line to remove the
Select the Fillet tool and position the cursor over one distance to the intersection. For nonintersecting paths,
of two intersecting lines which you plan to fillet. select the Trim tool and click the path where you want
When the ( ) cursor appears, click once on the to trim it.
line, then position the cursor over the second inter-
secting line. When the ( ) cursor appears, click second
click To trim multiple lines at once, select the Trim tool and
once on the second line to open the numeric input click-drag over the excess portions of lines to trim.
dialog box. Enter the fillet radius value to create the They will trim to the nearest intersecting line or at the
radius. click-drag point if there is no intersection.
Note for creating multiple fillets:
To automatically create additional Note about trimming: To create trim points along the
fillets with the same radii, use the path without deleting the artwork, double-click the Trim
alt/option key while clicking on the tool and set the tool preferences.
adjacent line.
Note for dimensioning: drag over a

Dimensions will not update set of lines
to trim their
properly if an object is filleted click once to excess or
click once
after dimensions are applied. trim the line to trim the portions to
Be sure to fillet objects before to the nearest excess of the nearest
adding dimensions. intersection a single line intersection
58 59
2D CAD editing tools (cont.) 2D CAD editing tools (cont.)
Extend Measure Distance
The Extend tool will automatically extend a path to The Measure Distance tool will display the distance
meet another path. Select the Extend tool and between any two points. Select the Measure Distance tool
position the cursor over the path you want to click once on the click and drag and click-drag from one point to another. To select a point
line and then on between any
extend. When the ( ) cursor appears, click once the path to extend two points
on an object, make sure that the ( ) or ( ) cursor
on the path, then click the path to which you want to appears when clicking or releasing. The absolute scaled
extend. Note: The two paths must be able to intersect. distance and scale (based on the first clicked object)
will appear when you release.
Path Divider
The Path Divider tool allows you to precisely divide
a path in sections or in specified increments from
beginning, middle or end. Divisions can be marked
with anchor points and crosshairs and cut into paths.
Select the Path Divider tool and click on the path you
want to divide. Use the dialog box to set the options
for division.
Proportion
The Proportion tool allows you to resize an object to
another object's width, height, or all aspects with
click any optional constrained proportions. Select the Proportion
two points
of separate
tool and click a point on one of the objects. This point
objects will be the anchor point from which it will resize. Click any
point on the second object. In the Proportion dialog box,
select Resize to width or height. If you select both, you
do not need to constrain proportions. The first object will
resize to match the proportions of the second.
Measure Scale
The Measure Scale tool allows you to set a
custom scale based on a representative actual
click and drag
distance. Measure Scale works much like a legend the distance
on a map. Select the Measure Scale tool and click from which to
the first point from which to measure. Drag to measure
define the scaled distance. In the custom scale
dialog box that appears, enter a scaled distance
that represents the actual distance you dragged.
The current scale will change based on this new
equation, and the new custom scale will be added
to the CADdocument Scale popup menu.
60 61
Isometric drawing: CADisometric panel Isometric drawing: CADisometric panel (cont.)
There are multiple ways to create and edit isometric artwork Select the pieces of artwork that comprise one plane -
with CADtools. You can project flat artwork to top, front, or side choose Object > Group. Select each set of grouped
planes, or you can draw isometric artwork with the CADisometric artwork and click the corresponding plane on the
drawing tools. Both of these methods produce artwork that can icon in the CADisometric panel. If you create 2 or 3
be dimensioned with CADisometric dimensioning tools. views to project, arrange the artwork prior to
projection as shown below:
click the face on
Note: You may want to copy your artwork or save a copy the cube icon in
of your document before you start projecting artwork – For bottom views: the CADisometric
especially if you need to preserve your 2D artwork. panel to project
artwork on that
front side projected
plane
The CADisometric panel helps you project flat artwork in
isometric view and control the appearance of isometric artwork.
Use the preset menu to choose from existing views, or create bottom bottom
your own custom view by rotating the cube icon. To create a view
numerically, use the 2D and 3D angle field values. To prevent
affecting existing isometric artwork, ungroup the artwork. For top views:
Before rotating the cube icon, unlock it by clicking on the locked top
icon. Lock the view into place to prevent changes to the view. top projected
front side
If you want the artwork to project on the same plane, remember

to group the artwork before projecting.
select the lock to unlock the
view and rotate the cube icon to Ungrouped artwork
change how isometric art appears projected
on the document
Grouped artwork
Isometric projection - To project 2D artwork on to isometric projected
planes, first draw artwork flat inside Adobe Illustrator. Use
CADtools drawing tools if you need to create the artwork in
scale. Dimensions can also be projected with the artwork. Note: If you ungroup artwork that was projected as a group, the
For creating 3-sided object views, draw top, front, and side artwork will not be live or able to flatten.
in this arrangement.
Once you've projected artwork with the CADisometric panel, you
TOP can adjust the view angles to change the artwork's appearance.
First, unlock the cube icon by clicking on the lock icon. Then
click and drag to rotate the cube icon to freely change the
appearance of projected shapes on your document. Or you can
FRONT SIDE numerically adjust the angles of projection with the 2D and 3D
fields in the CADisometric panel.
62 63
Isometric drawing: CADisometric panel (cont.) Isometric drawing: Tools
Important to prevent exploded artwork: Do not rotate,
shear, reflect, or modify projected isometric artwork unless
it is first expanded. Hold the alt/option key down when
projecting artwork with the cube icon to automatically
expand it. Isometric (axonometric) drawing tool group:
Use the following keys to create front, side or horizontal faces
Flatten to edit projections in 2D - If you need to edit the with the CADisometric drawing tools:
projected isometric artwork, select the artwork and click the
Flatten button in the CADisometric panel. After you have Front (or left side) vertical faces: No modifier key
made changes, click on the faces of the cube icon to reproject Side (right) vertical faces: Hold down the
the artwork as top, front, and side planes. command key (Mac) or control key (Windows)
after you begin dragging
Expand to edit projections in 3D - If you want to edit the Top/bottom faces: Hold down the alt/option key
artwork directly in isometric view, you should select and Expand after you begin dragging with the tool.
the artwork to avoid unexpected reshaping or 'exploding.' Use the
Expand button located in the CADisometric panel to remove all Isometric Rectangle - Click and drag to create the shape ac-
internal links between the selected artwork and CADisometric cording to settings in the CADisometric panel.
settings. Some filters and tools such as Illustrator's gradient Isometric Centered Rectangle - Click and drag to create the
mesh will automatically expand the artwork and disable its 'live' shape from its center.
attributes. Dimensions cannot be made on expanded artwork - be Isometric Ellipse - Click and drag to create the shape.
sure to finish all tasks related to measurement and adjustment Isometric Centered Ellipse - Click and drag to create the shape
before artwork is expanded. from its center.
Isometric Grid - Click and drag to create a grid based on the
Hot Tip! settings in the CADguides panel.
To save time, start with a simple isometric cube and use it to set your Isometric Cube - Click and drag to create the front, side or top
desired view angles before creating isometric artwork. Then lock the face (with control/command key for side or alt/option for top
view in the CADisometric panel to prevent changes. or bottom). After releasing the mouse, drag perpendicular to
Isometric drawing - You can easily create isometric vector art- the side to create depth. (You do not need to hold down any
work with CADtools isometric drawing tools. The cube icon in the modifier keys while dragging the depth of the cube.) When the
CADisometric panel indicates the face you are drawing. The default desired depth is reached, click the mouse to finish creating the
face is the front/left side. Drag with cmd/cntrl to create side/right cube.
side. Drag with alt/option to create top/bottom sides. You will also Isometric Cylinder - Click and drag to create the front, side or
see helpful cursor hints for snapping and alignment. For example, top face (with control/command key for side or alt/option for
when the top corner of the side face aligns with the top of the front top or bottom). After releasing the mouse, drag perpendicular
face, the cursor hint will appear - 'aligns with front.' to the side to create depth. (You do not need to hold down any
modifier keys while dragging the depth of the cylinder.) When
aligns with side the desired depth is reached, click the mouse to finish creating
aligns with front the cylinder.
Likewise, when you start dragging a top face from the corner point
of a front or side, you will be able to see helpful cursor hints for
aligning the top. When the cursor changes to ( ), you are over
a corner point. The tolerance for face snapping is the same as the
snap to grid tolerance in the CADguides panel.
64 65
Isometric drawing: Tools (cont.) Isometric drawing: Tools (cont.)
Isometric Rectangle Isometric Ellipse
Select the Isometric Rectangle tool and position Select the Isometric Ellipse tool and click and drag
the cursor where you want a corner of the from one edge of the ellipse to the opposite edge.
rectangle to appear. Click and drag from one edge The cursor is located at the corner of the bounding
of the rectangle to the opposite edge. To draw a box of the ellipse - not actually on the ellipse path.
front face rectangle, click and drag to the opposite To draw a front face ellipse, click and drag to the
edge. To create a side face, hold down the opposite edge. To create a side face, hold down the
command/control key after you begin dragging. command/control key after you begin dragging.
To create a top or bottom face, hold down the To create a top or bottom face, hold down the alt/
alt/option key after you begin dragging. (Bottom option key after you begin dragging. (Bottom faces
faces can only be created if your isometric view is can only be created if your isometric view is rotated
rotated so that the bottom view is showing.) Hold so that the bottom view is showing.) Hold down the
down the shift key to create a square in isometric shift key to create a circle in isometric view. The
view. The cube icon in the CADisometric panel cube icon in the CADisometric panel indicates
indicates which face you are drawing. which face you are drawing.
To numerically create the rectangle, click once on Isometric Centered Ellipse

the document. The click point will become the top This tools works just like the Isometric Ellipse tool,
right corner of a front face, the top left corner of a except that the initial click point becomes the
side face, and the bottom corner of a top face. center of the isometric ellipse.
Isometric Centered Rectangle

This tool works just like the Isometric Rectangle
tool, except that the initial click point becomes
the center of the isometric rectangle.
66 67
Isometric drawing: Tools (cont.) Isometric dimensioning: Tools
Isometric Grid
Select the Isometric Grid tool and position the
cursor where you want a corner of the grid to
appear. Click and drag from one edge of the
Isometric dimension tool group:
grid to the opposite edge. Hold down the shift
Horizontal Isometric Dimension (By Line) Click
key while dragging to create a square grid.
and drag out any horizontal segment projected in
isometric view to dimension the distance between
two anchor points.
Isometric Cube Horizontal Isometric Dimension (By Points) Click
Select the Isometric Cube tool and click and multiple horizontal points in isometric view and
drag a front, side, or top face just as you would drag to dimension the distance between two anchor
draw an isometric rectangle. After releasing points.
the mouse, immediately drag along the Horizontal Isometric Datum Dimension Click a
isometric angle without clicking to point of origin, then click multiple horizontal points
preview the cube depth. When the in isometric view and drag to dimension the distanc-
desired depth is reached, click the es from the origin.
mouse to create the cube according to home point Vertical Isometric Dimension (By Line) Click and
the current isometric view angle. Cubes drag out any vertical segment projected in isometric
are automatically grouped when created. view to dimension the distance between two anchor
points.
Single-click on the document to create a cube Vertical Isometric Dimension (By Points) Click
numerically. The cube’s central 'home point' multiple vertical points in isometric view and drag to
will be placed at your click point. dimension the distance between two anchor points.
Vertical Isometric Datum Dimension Click a point
Note: Do not delete, undo, or choose another of origin, then click multiple vertical points in
tool without finishing the cube or cylinder. isometric view and drag to dimension the distances
Using undo before clicking to finish the tool from the origin.
may produce unexpected results. Isometric Diameter Dimension - Click and drag a
point on an isometric circle to dimension its
Isometric Cylinder diameter.
Select the Isometric Cylinder tool and click and Isometric Radius Dimension - Click and drag a
drag a front, side, or top face just as you would point on an isometric circle to dimension its radius.
draw an isometric ellipse. After releasing the Isometric Center line - Shift-click and drag to
mouse, immediately drag along the isometric create the line in isometric view.
angle without clicking to preview the cylinder’s Isometric Object center - Click on an object
depth. When the desired depth is reached, click line to mark the center of its bounding box
the mouse to create it. The exact drag point in isometric view.
(top or bottom) differs based upon how the
cylinder was created. Cylinders are automati-
cally grouped when created.
Single-click on the document to create a

cylinder numerically. The cylinder face’s center
point will be placed at your click point.
68 69
Isometric dimensioning: Tools (cont.) Isometric dimensioning: Tools (cont.)
Horizontal Isometric Dimension (by Line) Horizontal Isometric Datum Dimension
The Horizontal Isometric Dimension (by Line) tool will The Horizontal Isometric Datum Dimension tool
dimension horizontal line segments in isometric view. will dimension the horizontal distances between
click once A line segment is a straight path between two anchor a point of origin and other points in isometric view. click on multiple
on a line points and drag
points in Illustrator.
segment
and drag Select the Horizontal Isometric Datum Dimension tool
Select the Horizontal Isometric Dimension (by Line) and position the cursor at the origin on one end of
tool and position the cursor over the line you want to the horizontal distance you want to dimension.
dimension. When the ( ) cursor appears, click the If this is an anchor point, the cursor will change
horizontal line and drag to position the dimension to ( ) . Then click the mouse button once and
line. Hold down the shift key while dragging to offset release the mouse button. Position the cursor at the
the dimension line in increments. The offset increment drag with
next point along the horizontal distance you want the control key
value is set in the Snap field in the Dimension lines to dimension. Continue clicking on points along the to create
section of the CADstyle panel. horizontal distance until you have reached the last perpendicular
drag with the dimensions
control key point to dimension. Then click the last point and drag
to create
Hot Tip! Hold down the cmd/control key to create to position the dimension line. Use the shift key while
perpendicular dimensions perpendicular to the isometric object. dragging to place the dimension line at a set distance
dimensions from the object. The offset increment value is set in
the Snap field in the Dimension lines section of the
Horizontal Isometric Dimension (by Points) CADstyle panel. Hold down the control key to create
The Horizontal Isometric Dimension (by Points) tool dimensions perpendicular to the isometric object.
will dimension the horizontal distance between
click on multiple multiple points in isometric view. You can define the To make a datum dimension line appear as a linear
points and drag location of these points anywhere on your document. chain of dimensions rather than stacked dimensions,
Select the Horizontal Isometric Dimension (by Points) check Chain datum in the CADstyle panel.
tool and position the cursor at one end of the
horizontal distance you want to dimension. If this To change the datum dimension terminator to
is an anchor point, the cursor will change to ( ). a JIS terminator, check Chain datum and JIS
Then click the mouse button once and release the terminator in the CADstyle panel.
mouse button. Position the cursor at the next point
drag with the along the horizontal distance you want to dimension. Note: For accurate measurements, make sure the
control key
Continue clicking on points along the horizontal dis- artwork is arranged properly on one plane - to check
to create this, flatten the artwork, adjust as needed, then group
perpendicular tance until you have reached the last point to dimen-
dimensions sion. Then click the last point and drag to position before reprojecting it. If the artwork is properly
the dimension line. Use the shift key while dragging constructed, isometric dimension values should not
to place the dimension line at a set distance from the change when the artwork and dimensions are flattened.
object. The offset increment value is set in the Snap
field in the Dimension lines section of the CADstyle
panel. Hold down the control key to create dimensions
perpendicular to the isometric object.
70 71
Vertical Isometric Dimension (by Line) Vertical Isometric Datum Dimension
The Vertical Isometric Dimension (by Line) tool will The Vertical Isometric Datum Dimension tool
dimension vertical line segments in isometric view. will dimension the vertical distances between
click once
on a line
A line segment is a path between two anchor points a point of origin and other points in isometric click on multiple
segment in Illustrator. view. points and drag
and drag
Select the Vertical Isometric Dimension (by Line) tool Select the Vertical Isometric Datum Dimension tool
and position the cursor over the line you want to and position the cursor at the origin on one end of
dimension. When the ( ) cursor appears, click the vertical distance you want to dimension.
the vertical line and drag to position the dimension If this is an anchor point, the cursor will change
line. Hold down the shift key while dragging to to ( ) . Then click the mouse button once and
offset the dimension line in increments. The offset release the mouse button. Position the cursor at the
increment value is set in the Snap field in the next point along the vertical distance you want to
drag with Dimension lines panel of the CADstyle panel.
the control dimension. Continue clicking on points along the drag with the
key to Hold down the control key to create dimensions vertical distance until you have reached the last control key to
create perpendicular to the isometric object. point to dimension. Then click the last point and create perpendicular
perpendicular dimensions
dimensions
drag to position the dimension line. Use the shift
key while dragging to place the dimension line at
a set distance from the object. The offset increment
value is set in the Snap field in the Dimension
Vertical Isometric Dimension (by Points) lines section of the CADstyle panel. Hold down the
The Vertical Isometric Dimension (by Points) tool will control key to create dimensions perpendicular to
dimension the vertical distance between multiple the isometric object.
click on points in isometric view. You can define the location
multiple of these points anywhere on your document. To make a datum dimension line appear as a linear
points and
chain of dimensions rather than stacked dimen-
drag Select the Vertical Isometric Dimension (by Points)
sions, check Chain datum in the CADstyle panel.
tool and position the cursor at one end of the vertical
distance you want to dimension. If this is an anchor
To change the datum dimension terminator to
point, the cursor will change to ( ) . Then click
a JIS terminator, check Chain datum and JIS
the mouse button once and release the mouse
terminator in the CADstyle panel.
button. Position the cursor at the next point along
the vertical distance you want to dimension. Continue
Note: For accurate measurements, make sure the
clicking on points along the vertical distance until
drag with artwork is arranged properly on one plane - to check
the control you have reached the last point to dimension. Then
this, flatten the artwork, adjust as needed, then
key to click the last point and drag to position the dimen-
group before reprojecting it. If the artwork is
create sion line. Use the shift key while dragging to place
perpendicular properly constructed, isometric dimension values
the dimension line at a set distance from the object.
dimensions should not change when the artwork and dimensions
The offset increment value is set in the Snap field
are flattened.
in the Dimension lines section of the CADstyle panel.
Hold down the control key to create dimensions
perpendicular to the isometric object.
72 73
Isometric Diameter Dimension Isometric Center Line
Select the Isometric Diameter Dimension tool and The Isometric Center Line tool will allow you to
position the cursor over the path of an isometric create a center line that constrains to the current
click on the circle. When the ( ) cursor appears, click and isometric angles. Select the Isometric Center Line
circle path drag to position the diameter dimension. Hold down tool and position the cursor where you want the
and drag the shift key while dragging to constrain the tool to beginning of the line to appear. Click and drag to
isometric multiples of 45°. Hold down the control position the line, then release the mouse button
key while you are dragging to toggle the placement to create the line. Hold down the shift key while
of the diameter dimension text. dragging to constrain the tool to the current click and
isometric view angles (set in the CADisometric drag
panel).
Isometric Radius Dimension

Select the Isometric Radius Dimension tool and
position the cursor over the path of an isometric Isometric Object Center
click on the circle. When the ( ) cursor appears, click and
circle path
Select the Isometric Object Center tool and position
and drag drag to position the radius dimension. Hold down the cursor over the path of a circle or object. When
the shift key while dragging to constrain the tool to the ( ) cursor appears, click once and release
isometric multiples of 45°. Hold down the control the mouse button to create the object center in
key while you are dragging to toggle the placement isometric view.
of the radius dimension text.
Note: To quickly toggle between radius dimension and

diameter dimension, use the alt/option key.
click on an
object path
74 75
Quick Reference: Numeric input Quick Reference: Keyboard shortcuts
Using numeric input Keyboarding for precision and shortcuts
You can create artwork to scale by numerically specifying CADtools utilizes the shift, alt/option, and control
dimensions for CADtools drawing tools. Select the tool and keys to give you more control and flexibility while
click once where you want to begin creating the shape. If you drawing and dimensioning. Note: these keys only
are using a centered tool, your click location will define the function if you hold them down after you select and
center of the object; otherwise, the click location will define begin drafting or dimensioning with one of the tools.
a corner of the object. A numeric input dialog box will appear,
displaying the dimensions you last specified for that tool. Use the shift key to constrain most CADtools 2D
drafting and dimensioning tools to multiples of 45°.
You can use the following unit abbreviations:
1) Points: pt To quickly switch between certain tools in CADtools,
2) Picas: p use the alt/option key (alt for Windows and option
3) Millimeters: mm on Mac) while dragging to toggle between the
4) Centimeters: cm following 2D and isometric tools:
5) Meters: m 1) Rectangle and Centered Rectangle
6) Kilometers: km 2) Ellipse and Centered Ellipse
7) Decimal inches with symbol: X.X“ 3) Arc (by radius) and Arc (by endpoints)
8) Fractional inches with symbol: X X/X“ 4) Horizontal Dimension by Point and Vertical
9) Decimal inches with units: X.X in Dimension by Point
10) Fractional inches with units: X X/X in 5) Horizontal Dimension by Line and Vertical
11) Decimal feet and inches with symbol: X' X.X“ Dimension by Line
12) Fractional feet and inches with symbol: X' X/X“ 6) Horizontal and Vertical Datum Dimension
13) Decimal feet and inches with units: X ft X.X in 7) Radius and Diameter Dimension
14) Fractional feet and inches with units: X ft X/X in 8) Tangent Dimension: Shows normal line
15) Miles: mi
16) Pixels: px Use the control key for variations in dimensioning
artwork. The control key provides the following tool 45°
variations:
Note: If you do not specify a unit, the artwork will be drawn in 1) Arc: complementary arc
the units specified in the CADdocument panel. 2) Section Line: adjacent placement of label angle dimensioning
3) Angle Dimension: complementary angle without the control key
4) Arc Length Dimension: complementary arc length
5) Diameter Dimension: adjacent placement of label 315°
6) Radius Dimension: adjacent placement of label
7) Bézier Curvature Dimension: arc visibility
8) Tangent Dimension: placement of normal line
9) All label tools: adjacent placement of label
To remove witness lines while drawing angle

dimensions, use the alt/option key while angle dimensioning
with the control key
dragging with the angle dimension tool.
Hold the alt/option key down when projecting artwork

with the cube icon to automatically expand it.
76 77
Quick Reference: Cursor feedback Advanced topics
Cursor feedback Saving artwork
While you are drawing and dimensioning with CADtools, you will You must save artwork in Illustrator CS or higher format or
receive additional precision cursor feedback to help you select the dimension information may not display properly.
lines and anchor points in the correct order.
Importing or exporting artwork
Cursor description Activity status Adobe Illustrator CS3 and CS4 include DXF and DWG import and
export in R13, R14, 2000, and 2004/2005/2006 formats. Once
Precision cursor CADtools drawing, editing, dimensioning a file is imported as vector artwork inside Adobe Illustrator,
or labeling tool is selected CADtools can be used to dimension or edit the artwork. In some
cases, an imported file may contain artwork comprised of small
Precision cursor Tool is selected and cursor is directly over a path line segments. Dimensioning tools by line, as well as radius,
over path diameter, arc length, and Bézier curvature dimensioning
tools will not work for such segmented artwork. To connect
Precision cursor Tool is selected and cursor is directly over an anchor these DXF line segments, use the Concatenate filter available
over anchor point point at (http://rj-graffix.com/) For more information on opening
or placing files within Illustrator, please refer to the DXF/DWG
Precision cursor Tool is selected, you have already clicked once, and conversion link on the Hot Door Web site as well as the Adobe
waiting for second click you need to click or click-drag to create artwork Illustrator User Guide, technical notes, and Adobe web site
at (www.adobe.com).
Cursor dragging Tool is selected, you have clicked once or twice, and
to create artwork you are dragging
Symbol and pattern libraries
Cursor over You are directly over a dimension line. You will not Hot Door CADpatterns offers 134 patterns for technical drawing.
dimension line be able to create a dimension when this cursor Code Zebra makes a comprehensive set of symbols in seven
appears. categories: Architecture, Building Services, Landscaping,
Electrical, Mechanical, Fasteners and General. Purchase the
entire set or separate libraries at (www.hotdoor.com). Check
Dimensioning objects the Hot Door Web site for updates on new products as they
When dimensioning by points, be sure to use the precision
become available.
cursor over the anchor points to properly dimension the object.
Inaccurate measurements will result if the dimensions are pulled
from the lines rather than the anchor points. Keyboard shortcuts
Adobe Illustrator includes Keyboard Shortcuts for making your
own sets of shortcuts. The tools in CADtools can be accessed
with keyboard shortcuts that you define. Choose Edit > Keyboard
Shortcuts to edit or create Illustrator keyboard shortcuts. You
can also create separate sets for different workspaces chosen
When Free sliding text is checked in the CADtext panel, you can from the Window > Workspace menu.
slide the dimension text. To lock it into center position with this
option checked, use the control key while dragging. Conflicts with MultiPage
When using CADtools with MultiPage, uncheck Create and
3.53 cm 3.53 cm use dimension layer and Create live dimensions in the
CADdocument panel. Use of MultiPage layers will conflict with
the CADtools Dimension layer.
with Free sliding text checked with Free sliding text checked
holding the option key
78 79
Advanced topics (cont.) Advanced topics (cont.)
Serial number saving problems Using CADgrids
Your serial number may not save properly if your CADgrids and CADrulers are created as artwork in separate
Illustrator Preferences file has been corrupted. To delete your locked layers. CADgrids increments are logical divisions of the
Preferences with Illustrator CS/CS2/CS3/CS4, relaunch Illustra- units defined in the CADguides panel. Only CADtools drawing
tor and immediately press the following key combination: tools can snap to CADgrids if Snap to grid is checked in the
command + option + shift (Mac), or control + alt + shift CADguides panel. You cannot use CADtools to snap to Illustrator
(Windows). Then click Yes to delete your settings. On Mac OS X grids and guides, and you cannot use Illustrator tools to snap
platforms, the Preferences file is found in the Home > Library to CADgrids.
> Preferences folder. To find the Preferences file on Windows,
perform a file search for the 'AI Prefs' file.
Drawing isometric objects
For best results, create a simple isometric cube before creating
Using CADtools full screen cursors and Smart Guides artwork and adjust the view angles. Then lock the cube icon in
Adobe Illustrator includes Smart Guides that help you create, the CADisometric panel to prevent accidental view changes.
align, edit, and transform objects. Smart Guides For separate isometric shapes that share the same plane, first
works with CADtracker, CADgrids and create them as flat artwork and group them. Then project
CADrulers for optimal precision and control them to the front, side, or top plane with the cube in the
when manipulating artwork. The CADguides CADisometric panel.
panel offers Full screen cursors for
precision when creating lines or objects
Area values for intersecting paths
with CADtools.
The area of a path that intersects itself cannot be calculated
correctly by the CADtracker panel. Area can be calculated for
Duplicating objects with dimensions single or multiple shapes as long as they are closed and do not
Any dimensions linked to objects which have been duplicated include overlapping compound paths.
with the alt/option-drag keys may not update correctly. To
duplicate objects with dimensions, copy and paste the objects
Using patterns in isometric view
with their dimensions. To avoid unpredictable results, ungroup
Patterns are not automatically transformed with CADtools
dimensions prior to copying and pasting them into new
objects, but you can force a transformation of pattern artwork
documents.
by expanding and projecting it with your flat artwork using the
CADisometric panel.
Drawing in the dimension layer
Your dimensions will automatically draw into a separate layer
named “Dimension Layer” if 'Create and use dimension layer' Smoothing sharp isometric artwork
is checked in the CADdocument panel. This Dimension layer The geometry of isometric objects may naturally show many
can be hidden, locked, displayed, and printed like other layers sharp angles in the artwork. If you plan to stroke the artwork,
created within Illustrator. All objects drawn in the dimension use Round Join for a cleaner appearance. You can choose Round
layer will be 1:1 scale. Avoid using the Dimension Layer for Join in the Options panel of the Illustrator Stroke panel.
creating other artwork and make sure that you are working in
the appropriate layer while you are drawing.
Bézier curvature dimensioning for circles and arcs

Circles and circular arcs created within Illustrator are
constructed with Bézier curves. Therefore, the radius at any
point of a circle or circular arc may reveal a variance of up
to 5% of the original specified radius.
80 81
Index I Patterns 81
Perpendicular 27
Icons 11 Personalization 9
A Diameter dimension 42 Importing older files 10, 79 Polygons 22
Dimensioning tool group 34 Inclined datum dimension 40
Activation 9 Presets 32-33
Dimension Resize 58 Inclined dimension (by line) 39
Add wall 23-25 Projection 62-64
DXF/DWG 79 Inclined dimension (points) 39
Advanced topics 79-81 Proportion 62
Incremental labeling 47-48
Alt/option key 77
Angle dimension 32, 41 E Interface 11-12 R
Isometric center line 74
Arc (by points) 21 Editing tool group 57 Radius dimension 42
Isometric cube 68
Arc (by radius) 21 Ellipse 20 Rectangle 20
Isometric cylinder 68
Arc length dimension 41 Expand 64 Repeat 56
Isometric diameter dimension 74
Area 25, 49 Extend 58 Revision bubble 52
Isometric ellipse 67
Automatic dimensioning 33 Rise, run 22
Isometric grid 68
F Isometric object center 75
B Isometric radius dimension 74 S
Fillet 58 Isometric rectangle 66
Bézier curvature dimension 43, 80 Fillet radius dimension 42 Scale 13-16
Flatten 64, 71, 73
K Section line 52
C Full screen cursors 80 Serial number 8-9, 79
Keyboard shortcuts 77, 79 Shift key 77
CADdocument panel 13 - 18
CADguides panel 17, 80-81 G Shortcut keys 79
Sliding text 78
CADisometric panel 22, 62-64 Geometry in CADtracker 53
L Sliding walls 26
CADlabels panel 45-52 Geometry label 49 Span circle 31
Labeling tools 46-52
CADpresets file 32-33 Global interface control 32-33 Layer scales 13
CADstyle panel 10, 31
CADtext panel 28-30
Legacy text 10 T
CADtracker panel 53-56 H License Agreement 4
Table of Contents 3
Line 22
CADwalls panel 23-24 Tangent 27
Horizontal datum
Centered ellipse 20 Transform 54
Centered rectangle 20
dimension 36
Horizontal dimension
M Trim 59
Chamfer 57, 59
(by line) 35 Measure Distance 61
Circle 20
Circle center 44
Horizontal dimension Measure Scale 60 U
(points) 35 Move 55
Control key 77
Horizontal isometric Move wall 26 Unit abbreviations 18, 75
Converting older files 10
datum dimension 71 MultiPage 79
Cursor feedback 78
Custom label 47, 50
Horizontal isometric
dimension (by line) 70
V
Custom scale 14, 60
Horizontal isometric O Vertical datum dimension 38
dimension (by points) 70 Offset 27 Vertical dimension (by line) 37
D Vertical dimension (points) 37
P
Datum feature 51
Datum flag 51
Path Divider 60
W
Datum target 51
Demo version 9 Wall 23-26
82 83

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for Adobe® Illustrator® CS, CS2, CS3 and CS4

Precision drawing, labeling and

About CADtoolsTable of contents

© 2009 Hot Door, Inc. What’s new in CADtools 6

HOT DOOR DOES NOT AND CANNOT

2. If you have downloaded CADtools online, the file will be zipped.

3. Double-click CADtools6.dmg. Follow the on-screen instructions

Color icons and tool behavior

2) Do NOT click Update when prompted. Click OK.

To delete a custom scale, first select the scale in the Scale

Note about drawing with scale: Since scale affects only

Hot Tip! CADtools snapping, full screen cursors are helpful in

CAD Centered Ellipse

To create polygons with the line tool, create a

To create an additional wall joined to the end or side of

Click and drag on the document to create a wall, or

offset curved line

offset curved object

The Offset tool is designed

You can edit the value of any dimension with the

• Change the dimension color with

• Update links to apply changes

• Select from several terminator types

• Choose if the terminators will point

• If Dual dimensions is checked, di- • Choose to span diameter dimensions

• Define presets for all CADtools

To rename or delete a preset, click the Edit button and select

Loading, defining, or editing presets Global interface control

Note about dimensioning on inclines:

• Change label leader length

• Set label border shapes

• Set format to ABC or 123

Note about multiple line labels: To create multiple line labels,

Using CADtracker Geometry values

Area calculations will not be accurate

• Use the Select menu to

• To create your own revision bubble, position the

Using CADtracker Geometry Using CADtracker Geometry

Select points or objects and enter options in the Move panel

• To Constrain proportions of the transformed object,

Click the Transform button to transform the selected

Dimension Resize - Click and drag a dimension to change the

Note for dimensioning: drag over a

If you want the artwork to project on the same plane, remember

To numerically create the rectangle, click once on Isometric Centered Ellipse

Isometric Centered Rectangle

Single-click on the document to create a

Isometric Radius Dimension

Note: To quickly toggle between radius dimension and

To remove witness lines while drawing angle

Hold the alt/option key down when projecting artwork

Bézier curvature dimensioning for circles and arcs

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