Task Comparison with AutoCAD - SmartSketch - Help

SmartSketch Help

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English
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SmartSketch
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Smart Engineering Manager Version
11
SmartSketch Version
11.1

This task and term comparison lists AutoCAD tasks and terms and the equivalent functionality in the software.

AutoCAD

Equivalent Command

A

Angular Dimension

The SmartDimension Command measures the angles or sweep angles of arcs. The Angle Between Command measures the angle between two elements.

Absolute Coordinates

The PinPoint Command allows you to specify coordinates.

Annotations

The annotation commands allow you to add text, balloons, and leaders to drawings.

Anonymous Block

Although anonymous blocks are not necessary for crosshatching, you can use the Fill Command and select from several fill patterns.

Approximation Points

The FreeForm Command allows you to easily sketch curves. The software converts the approximation into a precision drawing.

Array

The software provides the Rectangular Pattern Command and the Circular Pattern Command for drawing patterns of elements.

Arrowhead

The terminator, such as an arrow or dot at the end of a dimension line shows which element a dimension measures.

Associative Dimension

The dimensions in the software are associative.

AutoCAD Development System (ADS)

The software uses macros to create programs to run with the software. You can create programs that automate many software tasks.

AutoDesk Device Interface (ADI)

The system architecture of The software uses GDI or Open GL for developing device drivers needed for peripherals.

Axes Tripod

The PinPoint Command displays the xy axis as you draw.

AutoLISP

Programming with the software is easy. You can write macros for graphics or use 3rd Party LISPS that support the software architecture.

B

B-spline Curve

The FreeForm Command allows you to draw curves.

Bezier Curve

Bind

OLE servers can be used to join files.

Blip Marks

Blip marks, temporary screen markers displayed when you designate a point, are not applicable to the software. The software automatically refreshes geometry as you draw.

Block

Symbols in the software are similar to AutoCAD blocks. You can also use OLE servers to embed or link an AutoCAD block in a software document.

removed symbols and OLE server links

Block Definition

Symbols can be created with the software by allowing you to use OLE servers to embed or link an AutoCAD file.

Block Reference

Symbols can be created with the software by allowing you to use OLE servers to embed or link an AutoCAD file.

BYBLOCK

The Style Command allows you to define the color or line type of symbols within a drawing.

BYLAYER

The Display Manager Command allows you to define colors, line types and other properties associated with a layer.

C

Cartesian Coordinate System

The PinPoint Command allows you to define precision points in space using a Cartesian coordinate system.

Centerline

The AutoCenter Line option in the Dimension Command allows you to place a center line at the center of a curved element.

Center Mark

Chamfer

The Chamfer Command allows you to draw a line between existing lines. The existing lines are trimmed to the chamfer's end points.

Circular External Reference

OLE servers allow you to link or embed a file as a reference file.

Color Map

The Style Command allows you to define the colors of elements.

Cubic Curve

The FreeForm Command allows you to draw curves.

Cursor

The mouse cursor allows you to place graphics and annotations. It is a screen display device.

Cursor Menu

The Shortcut menu automatically appears when you right-click. The commands displayed on the Shortcut menu depend upon the type of element or object you select.

Curve

The FreeForm Command allows you to draw curves.

Curve Fitting

D

Default

The Style Command allows you to predefine the default settings of elements.

Definition Points

The software does not need definition points for placing an associative dimension because all dimensions are associated with the geometry.

DIESEL (Direct Interpretively Evaluated String Expression Language)

Programming in the software allows you to program and customize menu items.

Diameter Dimension

The SmartDimension Command allows you to place a diameter dimension.

Dimension Line

A dimension line shows where a measurement starts and stops. All dimensions in the software have dimension lines.

Dimension Line Arc

The arc spanning the angle formed by the extension lines of an angular dimension. An angular dimension can be placed with the SmartDimension Command.

Dimension Style

The settings that determine the appearance of the dimension. You can set the dimension style formats in the software by using the Dimension Command.

Dimension Text

The value and text display of dimensioned elements is defined by using the Dimension Command.

Dimension Variables

The dimensioning variables can be defined with the Dimension Command.

Display Extents

Windows are used as display devices. The window coordinates are defined as view coordinates.

Documentation Drawing

Documentation drawings are two-dimensional drawings that describe a real world object. Documentation drawings are composed of drawing sheets.

Drag

Geometry or documents can be moved by dragging them with the mouse cursor.

Drawing

Drawing sheets are used to draw your elements on.

Drawing Extents

The Fill Command displays the entire drawing in a window.

Drawing File

Documents are drawing files that can be saved on the disk. You can save files in the software format or in AutoCAD format.

Drawing Unit

The units of measure for a drawing sheet can be English or metric.

dxf (Drawing Interchange Format)

The files you create can be saved in the ASCII file format used by AutoCAD through OLE servers.

E

Entity

Entities are elements within documents.

Extension Lines

Extension lines, also called witness lines or projection lines, are parts of dimensions.

External Program

The software allows you to write and run external programs.

External Reference (xref)

OLE servers allow you to attach files to one another.

F

Fill

The Fill Command allows you to fill enclosed shapes with various colors or styles.

Fillet

The Fillet Command creates a constant radius blend between two elements. The elements are trimmed to the end points of the fillet.

Fit Points

The FreeForm Command allows you to place curves with interpolation and approximation points.

Freeze

The Display Manager Command allows you to define how you want the information on specific layers to display.

G

Graphics Area

Drawing sheets provide an area for creating and editing a drawing.

Graphics Cursor

The mouse cursor is a screen display device that allows you to place graphics and annotations.

Graphics Screen / Graphics Window

The windows of the software allow you to create graphics and select commands. Drawing sheets are displayed in the window.

Grips

Handles and selection sets are highlighted when geometry is selected for an element modification or edit.

Grips Modes

Handles and selection sets are highlighted when geometry is selected for an element modification or edit.

H

Handle

Handles in the software are similar to grips in AutoCAD.

Hatching

The Fill Command allows you to fill enclosed shapes with various colors or styles.

Horizontal Dimension

Horizontal or vertical dimensions can be placed with the Distance Between Command.

I

Icon Menu

Toolbars contain icons, and menus and shortcut menus contain Command names.

Include Angle

The SmartDimension Command allows you to describe the sweep angle of a dimension.

Initial Environment

Templates allow you to define variables and settings for a new drawing.

Instance

Symbols can be created with the software by allowing you to use OLE servers to embed or link an AutoCAD block or convert the graphics of an AutoCAD block.

Interpolation Points

The FreeForm Command allows you to create curves. The points that the curve passes through are created when you draw the curve.

Island

Islands are closed boundaries that have not been filled within an area that has been filled with the Fill Command.

J

K

Key

The software provides user properties, OLE servers, and Open Database Connection (ODBC) from Microsoft.

L

Layer

Layers allow you to group elements according to type or for manipulation purposes.

Leader

A leader line with a terminator allows you to place annotations on drawings.

Linetype

The Style Command allows you to define dash definitions for lines.

Link

In AutoCAD, a link is a database connection between an SQL element and a database record. In the software, links allow you to reference information between documents.

M

Macro

The software allows you to write programs in the form of macros. A macro is a sequence of actions or commands that are named and saved.

Method

When you program with the software, you use methods. A method is a named operation or instance.

Mirror

The Mirror Command allows you to move elements or sets of elements about a mirror point.

Mnemonic

The mnemonics on menus and dialog boxes allow you to select commands quickly.

Model Space

In the software, you can create 2-D models, which represent real world objects, by drawing the real world object on a drawing sheet.

N

Node

The Curve Command in the software draws a curve that has nodes. The nodes describe the various key points along the curve.

Normal

A perpendicular vector.

Noun/Verb Selection

In the software you can select either the command or the object first.

NURBS (Non- Uniform Rational B- spline) Curve

A non-uniform rational B-spline curve. The software curves are mathematically defined as NURBS.

O

Object

The software provides elements for drawing creation.

Object Snap (Osnap)

The SmartSketch Settings Command and PinPoint Command allow you to create precise elements on drawings. The software recognizes key points of elements and describes the relationship between the element and the mouse pointer.

Object Snap Override

The SmartSketch Settings Command and PinPoint Command allow you to create precise elements on drawings. The software recognizes key points of elements and describes the relationship between the element and the mouse pointer.

Origin

The PinPoint Command allows you to specify the coordinates of a point. The Measure Distance command (Tools menu) allows you to locate positions and points on elements including elements on symbols.

Ortho Mode

The SmartSketch Settings Command and PinPoint Command allow you to create precise elements on drawings. The software recognizes key points of elements and describes the relationship between the element and the mouse pointer.

Orthogonal

The SmartSketch Settings Command allows you to define horizontal or vertical element positions on drawings. The software recognizes key points of elements and describes the relationship between the element and the position of the mouse pointer.

P

Pan

The Pan Command allows you to shift the view of a drawing.

Paper Space

Drawing sheets are 2-D areas that you can use to draw.

Parallel Dimension

Parallel dimensions can be placed with the SmartDimension Command. A linear dimension can be parallel to the line it measures.

Personalization

You can personalize when you install the software.

Pick

Handles and selection sets allow you to select geometry and objects. The mouse cursor is a screen display device that allows you to place graphics and annotations.

Point

An x and y position in space.

Pline

The FreeSketch Command allows you to create an element that is composed of one or more connected line or arc segments.

Polar Coordinate System

The PinPoint Command allows you to specify the coordinates of a point.

Polygon Window

Handles and selection sets highlight when geometry is selected for an element modification or edit.

Polyline

The FreeSketch Command allows you to create an element that is composed of one or more connected line or arc segments.

Q

R

Radial Dimension

Radial dimensions can be placed with the SmartDimension Command.

Real World Units

The PinPoint Command allows you to specify the coordinates of a point. You can draw on drawing sheets and then scale to real-world units.

Redraw

Windows are automatically refreshed as you draw.

Regenerate

Windows are automatically refreshed as you draw.

Region

Regions are automatically closed as you draw with the SmartSketch Settings Command.

Relative Coordinates

The PinPoint Command allows you to specify the coordinates of a point.

Rubber- Band Line

The software displays geometry as it is constructed. As you use a command, one end of a dynamic line is attached to a point in your drawing and the other end of the line is attached to the mouse cursor.

Running Object Snap

The SmartSketch Settings Command allows you to connect end points by moving the pointer over the end points.

S

Screen Menu

Toolbars contain icons, and menus and shortcut menus contain Command names.

Script File

Scripts are written and run as macros. Programming with SmartSketch allows you to write macros for the software. A macro is a sequence of actions or commands that are named and saved.

Selection Set

The software provides group selection and manipulation using Select Tool and edit commands.

Snap Mode

The SmartSketch Settings Command allows you to define how you want to locate elements.

Snap Resolution

The SmartSketch Settings Command allows you to define locate zones that define how close the pointer must be to an element you want to recognize or select.

Space

Drawing Sheets allow you to draw in a 2-D work space.

T

Text Style

The Text Box Command lets you define the text characteristics you want to use.

Thickness

The z value, or elevation, of a 3-D element is maintained as an attribute through OLE servers when an AutoCAD file is embedded in a software file.

Toolbar

Toolbars contain icons, and menus and shortcut menus contain Command names.

Transparent Command

The view commands allow you to start a Command while another is processing.

U

UCS (User Coordinate System) Icon

The PinPoint Command allows you to specify the coordinates of a point.

Unit

V

Vector

The PinPoint Command allows you to specify the coordinates of a point.

Vertical Dimension

The length of a line can be measured with the SmartDimension Command. The Distance Between Command can also be used to place a horizontal or vertical dimension.

View

Windows are used to display drawings from a particular viewpoint.

Viewport

Drawing sheets allow you to define a bounded area.

W

WPolygo

The software provides group selection and manipulation using the Select Tool.

X

XYZ Point Filters

The PinPoint Command allows you to specify the coordinates of a point.

Y

Z

Zoom Extents

The Zoom Out Command and Zoom Area Command allow you to increase or decrease the display of the graphics in a drawing. The Fill Command changes the display of a window so that all the elements are displayed.