TAD Docs

From Version 6.9.1.30 you can create Autocad scripts for placing dimenisions and sections in your DWG/DXF file. They can be used in both Autocad and Intellicad compatible CAD programs.

This is how you can make TAD create them automatically.

Dimensions
1. Create a rectangle and call it _DIM01 Then drag the rectangle in such a way that the current edge of that rectangle intersects the objects you want to dimension. You can create any number of such objects; as long as they start with underscore followed by D. It is preferred that you name them as _DIM01, _DIM02, etc. Each of these rectangles are placed in such a way that the current edge of the respective object intersects objects the way you want. And the opposite edge of that rectangle (i.e. opposite to the current edge of that rectangle) is where you want the dimensions to be seen.

3. It is good practice to set the “isKindOf” property of these _DIM objects as pseudo (It is not required but highly recommended)

4. For sanity, it is best that you keep all the _DIM objects you create below in its own class – so that you can hide/view all the objects in that class as you work. In a fully mature TAD model, it is quite likely you may pepper it with lots of such _DIM rectangles - and that can get you quite confused.

5. When you ask TAD to generate the script files; it will go through each of those _DIM objects and then does all the hard work to write the script files. Multiple script files will be written in the same folder where it determines the current TAD model is located. The name of the script files will be same as that of the _DIM objects except that it will not use the first underscore and it will add .scr as the extension.

Sections
For creating sections, do the same procedure as that for Dimensions, but this time; the pseudo-objects that cuts across other objects should start with underscore followed by “S” For example; _SEC1, _SEC2 etc. Such pseudo objects need not be rectangular; but at least their current edge would be placed in such a manner that it cuts across the objects. Internally, the generated section script file makes a bunch of rectangles; based on the height and level of the objects it is cutting across.

Important note about sections: Sections can only be taken from one side of the intersecting edge. To get the section from the other side, please mirror it once you load it in your CAD program. The section would be created parallel to the section line – so if the section line is vertical you will find that the section thus created would be oriented 90 degrees. I am sure you can correct that too inside the CAD program.

Important notes
The _DIM /_SEC object must be visible for it to be used by the auto-dimensioning command. Autodimensioning ignores intersections with pseudo objects and objects whose name starts with an underscore.

Using TAD generated SCR files
These script files can be loaded using Autocad or compatible software such as CAD software based on Intellicad.

Important: It is critical that you switch off all object snaps, and other UI tricks in your CAD software that may interfere with the interpreting of the script instructions!

Use the “SCRIPT” command in such a CAD program and select each of the .scr file that it generated. It will create aligned dimensions (_DIMALIGN) in the same world space as the TAD model or incase of sections, it will create PLINEs required to make the said sections.

BOTH dimensions as well as sections are created from the same “Dimensions & Sections” command available in the File menu and the File ribbon bar.