WaterCAD Main Window
2.1 Main Window Components
WaterCAD Main Window
If you are already familiar with standard Microsoft Windows interfaces, you will find WaterCAD to be intuitive and comfortable. Even if you are not accustomed to Windows, just a few minutes of exploring WaterCAD should be enough to acquaint you with the flexibility and power that this program offers.
This section describes the program’s main window, menus, and toolbars, letting you interact with this software in a quick and efficient manner. For more information about tools for layout, annotating, and editing, see “Layout and Editing Tools” on page 5-255.
For more information, see:
• “WaterCAD Menus” on page 2-57
• “WaterCAD Toolbars” on page 2-78
• “Status Bar” on page 2-83
2.1 Main Window Components
Main window components include:
• “Stand-Alone and AutoCAD Mode” on page 2-48
• “WaterCAD Main Window” on page 2-49
• “Drawing Pane” on page 2-50
• “Layer Controls” on page 2-51
• “DXF Properties Dialog Box” on page 2-53
• “Shapefile Properties Dialog Box” on page 2-53
• “Status Bar” on page 2-55
• “Menus, Toolbars, and Shortcut Keys” on page 2-55
2.1.1 Stand-Alone and AutoCAD Mode
Note: AutoCAD mode is an available feature level. Contact us to upgrade your WaterCAD Stand-Alone version to include the AutoCAD integration feature level (for more information, see
“Contacting Haestad Methods” on page 1-43).
Both the Stand-Alone graphical editor and the AutoCAD interface perform actions through the WaterCAD model server.
This use of a common central model enables both modes to perform the same func-tions with the same behaviors. For example, graphical layout and model management are virtually identical between the two modes.
Note: Because of the common WaterCAD model server, model data is easily shared between AutoCAD and Stand-Alone modes.
One advantage of Stand-Alone mode is that your interaction is more streamlined and dynamic by virtue of the fact that the editing environment is a dedicated network editor. Also, since AutoCAD is not needed to run in Stand-Alone mode, less system resources and memory are required.
A significant advantage of the AutoCAD mode is that you can create and model your network directly within your primary drafting environment. This gives you access to all of AutoCAD’s powerful drafting and presentation tools, while still enabling you to perform WaterCAD modeling tasks like editing, solving, and data management. This relationship between WaterCAD and AutoCAD enables extremely detailed and accu-rate mapping of model features, and provides the full array of output and presentation features available in AutoCAD. This facility provides the most flexibility and the highest degree of compatibility with other CAD-based applications and drawing data maintained at your organization.
2.1.2 WaterCAD Main Window
Both the WaterCAD Stand-Alone interface and the AutoCAD interface have many components common to Windows-based programs. The following figures illustrate some of the important areas that make up the WaterCAD Stand-Alone and AutoCAD 2002 interfaces (the WaterCAD main window looks fairly similar in AutoCAD 2000 and AutoCAD 2002).
Notice that many of the window components (such as the menus and toolbars) are very similar for the Stand-Alone editor and AutoCAD. Other features (such as the command line) are only available in AutoCAD.
Menus
Toolbars
Drawing pane
Status bar
Scroll bars Background
Layer Control Project Layer Controls
For more information regarding the various functions and behaviors of AutoCAD, please refer to Autodesk’s AutoCAD documentation.
2.1.3 Drawing Pane
The drawing pane, the center of WaterCAD graphical activity, is where the water network elements are displayed. It is the main interactive area for creating elements, editing data, and even displaying results.
In Stand-Alone mode, the drawing pane can also display a background .DXF image.
This background can be helpful for aligning and positioning elements, as well as adding additional drafting elements for printing plan views.
Menus
Drawing pane
Status bar
Scroll bars AutoCAD
command line AutoCAD toolbars
WaterCAD toolbars
In AutoCAD mode, the drawing pane is where all graphical elements, not just WaterCAD entities, are displayed and manipulated. Lines, arcs, text, and many other drafting elements can be created and modified within the drawing pane.
2.1.4 Layer Controls
To the left of the main drawing pane are the background and project layer controls.
These controls determine the visibility of element labels, annotation, background drawings, and various symbols in the main drawing pane. Layer controls include:
• “Project Layers” on page 2-51
• “Background Layers” on page 2-52 Project Layers
The Project Layers pane lists the various display components divided into layers, and allows you to control the visibility of each of these symbology layers. Selecting the check box next to a symbology layer causes that layer to become visible in the main drawing pane; clearing it causes it to become invisible. The project symbology layers are as follows:
• Element Labels—The layer that contains the element labels for all elements.
• Annotation—This layer contains all dynamic annotation, as applied in the Element Annotation Wizard.
• Flow Arrows—This layer contains the flow arrows that indicate the direction of flow after a calculation has been successfully completed.
• Control Symbols—This layer contains the symbols that are applied to pumps, valves, and pipes that are associated with simple and logical controls.
• Source Symbols—This layer contains the symbols that are applied to nodes that are designated as constituent sources during water quality analysis.
• Graphical Annotation—This layer contains the lines, borders, and text that is applied using the Graphical Annotation tool.
• Spot Elevations—This layer contains all spot elevations, including imported and manually placed spot elevations.
Background Layers
The Background Layers pane lists all background drawings that are associated with the current project, and provides controls that can be used to add, edit, and remove background layers.
When a background layer is added, it appears in the Background Layers list pane, along with an associated check box that is used to control that layer’s visibility.
Selecting the check box next to a layer causes that layer to become visible in the main drawing pane; clearing it causes it to become invisible.
The following controls can be found directly above the Background Layers pane:
• Check box—Select the check box next to a background layer to make that layer visible.
• Insert—Opens a browse dialog box that allows you to choose the file to use as a background layer.
• Edit—Opens the Properties dialog box to allow various settings of the currently highlighted background layer to be modified.
• Delete—Removes the currently highlighted background layer.
Background layers
Note: When multiple background layers are overlaid, priority is given to the one that appears highest in the list. In other words, a layer in the first list position will be drawn “on top of” all other layers, since they are all below it on the list.
• Shift Up—Moves the currently highlighted background layer up one place in the background layers list pane.
• Shift Down—Moves the currently highlighted background layer down one place in the background layers list pane.
2.1.5 DXF Properties Dialog Box
This dialog box appears after the Insert Background Layer button is selected and after a DXF drawing file has been chosen. The following controls can be used to define the properties of the background layer:
• File Name—This field lists the path and filename of the .DXF to use as a back-ground layer. The path and filename can be typed here manually to choose a drawing file, or the file can be specified using the Browse button.
• Browse—Opens a browse dialog box, letting you select the file to be used as a background layer.
• Label—An identifying label for the background layer.
• Background Color—This field allows you to specify the color in which the back-ground layer elements will be displayed. Click the Ellipsis (…) button to open a palette containing more color choices.
• 1 DXF Unit = 1—Choose a unit from the drop-down list. This is the unit associ-ated with the spatial data within the .DXF. For example, if the X and Y coordi-nates of the .DXF represent feet, choose ft. from the list.
• Build Display List—Select this check box (checked) to generate a display list that will cause the file to load more slowly, but display more quickly.
2.1.6 Shapefile Properties Dialog Box
This dialog box opens after you click the Insert Background Layer button and after a shapefile drawing file has been chosen. The following controls can be used to define the properties of the background layer:
• File Name—This field lists the path and filename of the shapefile to use as a background layer. The path and filename can be typed here manually to choose a drawing file, or the file can be specified using the Browse button.
• Browse—Opens a browse dialog box, letting you select the file to be used as a
• Label—An identifying label for the background layer.
• 1 Shapefile Unit = 1—Choose a unit from the drop-down list. This is the unit associated with the spatial data within the shapefile. For example, if the X and Y coordinates of the shapefile represent feet, choose ft. from the list.
• Background Color—This field allows you to specify the color in which the back-ground layer elements will be displayed. Click the Ellipsis (…) button to open a palette containing more color choices.
• Symbol—This drop-down menu allows you to select the symbol that will be used to represent points in a point-shapefile-derived background layer. This control is only available when a point shapefile has been selected.
• Size—This field allows you to specify the relative size of the symbols that will be used to represent points in a point-shapefile-derived background layer. This control is only available when a point shapefile has been selected.
• Build Display List—Select this check box (checked) to generate a display list that will cause the file to load more slowly, but display more quickly. This check box is only available when a polygon or polyline shapefile has been selected.
Tip: It is possible to display multiple layers in such a way that filled polygons are outlined in another color.
To produce this effect, add the same shapefile to the
background layers list twice. For one of these shapefile layers, leave the Fill Figures check box cleared and choose the desired color. In the other layer, select the Fill Figures check box and choose a different color. The unfilled layer must be above the other in the list to produce the effect.
• Fill Figures?—Select this check box (checked) to cause the polygons to be filled with the background color. When the box is unchecked, only an outline is
displayed. This check box is only available when a polygon shapefile has been selected.
2.1.7 Status Bar
Note: When you position the mouse pointer over a toolbar button or menu item, the status pane will display a descriptive message.
Leave the mouse over a section of the status pane to display an informative tip.
The status bar is located along the bottom of the main application window and provides useful information about application settings, the current user activity, file save status, etc.
2.1.8 Menus, Toolbars, and Shortcut Keys
Anyone who has ever watched someone else use a computer should realize that not all people use computers in the same way. Some prefer to primarily use the mouse, some the keyboard, and others use a combination of both.
For this reason, Haestad Methods’ programs provide access to the most common features through several means, including:
• “Menus” on page 2-55
• “Toolbars” on page 2-56
• “Shortcut Keys” on page 2-56
• “Quick Attribute Selector” on page 2-56
• “Command Line” on page 2-57 Menus
As with any Windows-based program, the menu system provides easy access to many features. Items can be accessed by clicking the desired menu text, or by pressing the Alt key to activate the menus and then pressing the key for the underlined letter of the menu item you wish to access.
For example, to open an existing file you can use the mouse to select File > Open, or you can press the Alt and F keys (Alt + F), then O on the keyboard.
Toolbars
Toolbar buttons offer one-click access to some of the most commonly used features, giving you a quicker way to perform the most frequent operations.
For example, to open an existing file (the equivalent of selecting File >
Open), simply click the File Open button.
Shortcut Keys
Shortcut keys are Ctrl-key (Control) combination sequences that provide quick access to common application functions. If a shortcut is available for a menu item, it will be indicated in the menu itself.
For example, to open an existing file (the equivalent of selecting File > Open) you can press the Ctrl and O keys (Ctrl + O) at the same time.
Quick Attribute Selector
Whenever attributes are selected, such as when setting up annotations or database connections, you can select them from organized categories using the Quick Attribute Selector tool.
Click the attribute field to open the menu. From this menu you can select attributes from the list of available categories.
Command Line
The command line is a special area that is not available in Stand-Alone mode. In AutoCAD mode, this area enables you to type commands directly, rather than using the menus, toolbars, or shortcut keys.
For example, to open an existing AutoCAD file (the equivalent of selecting File >
Open) you can simply type the command OPEN at the AutoCAD command line.
Many of AutoCAD’s commands are easy to enter at the command line, including accessing drafting tools (like LINE and CIRCLE) and editing tools (like MOVE and ERASE). Modeling elements can also be manipulated through the AutoCAD command line, just as they can be manipulated via the menus or toolbars.
For more information on the AutoCAD command line, please see the AutoCAD docu-mentation.