• Moving Elements
The primary AutoCAD-based Bentley HAMMER element entities—pipes, junctions, pumps, etc.—are all implemented using ObjectARX custom objects. Thus, they are vested with a specialized model awareness that ensures that any editing actions you perform will result in an appropriate update of the model database.
This means that you can perform standard AutoCAD commands (see Working with Elements Using AutoCAD Commands) as you normally would, and the model data-base will be updated automatically to reflect these changes.
It also means that the model will enforce the integrity of the network topological state.
Therefore, if you delete a nodal element such as a junction, its connecting pipes will also be deleted since their connecting nodes topologically define model pipes.
Using ObjectARX technology ensures the database will be adjusted and maintained during Undo and Redo transactions.
When running in the AutoCAD environment, Bentley Systems’ products make use of all the advantages that AutoCAD has, such as plotting capabilities and snap features.
Additionally, AutoCAD commands can be used as you would with any design project.
For example, our products’ elements and annotation can be manipulated using common AutoCAD commands.
Explode Elements
In the AutoCAD environment, running the AutoCAD Explode command will trans-form all custom entities into equivalent AutoCAD native entities. When a custom entity is exploded, all associated database information is lost. Be certain to save the exploded drawing under a separate filename.
Use Explode to render a drawing for finalizing exhibits and publishing maps of the model network. You can also deliver exploded drawings to clients or other individuals who do not own a Bentley Systems Product license, since a fully exploded drawing will not be comprised of any ObjectARX proxy objects.
Moving Elements
When using the AutoCAD environment, the AutoCAD commands Move, Scale, Rotate, Mirror, and Array can be used to move elements.
To move a node, execute the AutoCAD command by either typing it at the command prompt or selecting it. Follow the AutoCAD prompts, and the node and its associated label will move together. The connecting pipes will shrink or stretch depending on the new location of the node.
Moving Element Labels
When using the AutoCAD environment, the AutoCAD commands Move, Scale, Rotate, Mirror, and Array can be used to move element text labels.
To move an element text label separately from the element, click the element label you wish to move. The grips will appear for the label. Execute the AutoCAD command either by typing it at the command prompt, by selecting it from the tool palette, or by selecting it from the right-click menu. Follow the AutoCAD prompt, and the label will be moved without the element.
Snap Menu
When using the AutoCAD environment, the Snap menu is a standard AutoCAD menu that provides options for picking an exact location of an object. See the Autodesk AutoCAD documentation for more information.
Polygon Element Visibility
By default, polygon elements are sent to the back of the draw order when they are drawn. If the draw order is modified, polygon elements can interfere with the visibility of other elements. This can be remedied using the AutoCAD Draw Order toolbar.
To access the AutoCAD Draw Order toolbar, right-click on the AutoCAD toolbar and click the Draw Order entry in the list of available menus.
By default, polygon elements are filled. You can make them unfilled (just borders visible) using the AutoCAD FILL command. After turning fill environment OFF, you must REGEN to redraw the polygons.
Undo/Redo
Whenever you use a native AutoCAD undo, the server model will be notified when any Bentley HAMMER V8i entities are affected by the operation. Bentley HAMMER V8i will then synchronize the model to the drawing state. Wherever possible, the model will seek to map the undo/redo onto the model server’s managed command history. If the drawing’s state is not consistent with any pending undo or redo transac-tions held by the server, Bentley HAMMER V8i will delete the command history. In this case, the model will synchronize the drawing and server models.
Note: If you use the native AutoCAD undo, you are limited to a single redo level. The Bentley HAMMER V8i undo/redo is faster than the native AutoCAD undo/redo. If you are rolling back Bentley HAMMER V8i model edits, it is recommended that you use the menu-based Bentley HAMMER V8i undo/redo.
If you undo using the AutoCAD undo/redo and you restore Bentley HAMMER V8i elements that have been previously deleted, morphed, or split, some model state attributes such as diameters or elevations may be lost, even though the locational and topological state is fully consistent. This will only happen in situations where the Bentley HAMMER V8i command history has been deleted. In such cases, you will be warned to check your data carefully.
Contour Labeling
You can apply contour labels after the contour plot has been exported to the AutoCAD drawing. The labeling commands are accessed from the Tools menu. The following options are available:
• End—Allows you to apply labels to one end, both ends, or any number of selected insertion points. After selecting this labeling option, AutoCAD will prompt you to Select Contour to label. After selecting the contour to label, AutoCAD prompts for an Insertion point. Click in the drawing view to place labels at specified points along the contour. When prompted for an Insertion point, clicking the Enter key once will prompt you to select point nearest the contour endpoint. Doing so will apply a label to the end of the contour closest to the area where you clicked. Clicking the Enter key twice when prompted for an Insertion point will apply labels to both ends of the contour.
• Interior—This option applies labels to the interior of a contour line. You will be prompted to select the contour to be labeled, then to select the points along the contour line where you want the label to be placed. Any number of labels can be placed inside the contour in this way. Clicking the label grip and dragging will move the label along the contour line.
• Group End—Choosing this option opens the Elevation Increment dialog box.
The value entered in this dialog box determines which of the contours selected will be labeled. If you enter 2, only contours representing a value that is a multiple of 2 will be labeled, and so on. After clicking OK in this dialog box, you will be prompted to select the Start point for a line. Contours intersected by the line drawn thusly will have a label applied to both ends, as modified by the Elevation Incre-ment that was selected.
• Group Interior—Choosing this option opens the Elevation Increment dialog box.
The value entered in this dialog box determines which of the contours selected will be labeled. If you enter 2, only contours representing a value that is a multiple of 2 will be labeled, and so on. After clicking OK in this dialog box, you will be prompted to select the Start point for a line.
• Change Settings—Allows you to change the Style, Display Precision, and Font Height of the contour labels.
• Delete Label—Prompts to select the contour from which labels will be deleted, then prompts to select the labels to be removed.
• Delete All Labels—Prompts to select which contours the labels will be removed from, then removes all labels for the specified contours.
Note: Contours are only views unless they are exported to to native format, and only native format contours can be edited.