CYPE Connect

• From the "Sheets" tab in the joint editor
  You can arrange the sheets for the connection you are currently editing. To access the connection editor, you can:
  • Use the "Edit" option (1) in the main interface, within the "Edit" section in the top toolbar on the "Model" tab, on a visible connection in the work area.
  • "Edit" (2) a joint from the joint management panel, located on the right-hand side.

• From the options in the "Sheets" section of the "Documents" tab in the main interface
  These let you edit all the sheets that can be created in the program:
  • The "Parts", "Assemblies", "Joints" or "Model views" options (3) allow you to access, respectively, the sheets for each part and each assembly (in "Fabrication" mode), the sheets for each joint, and the model view sheets.
  • The "Composition" option (4) allows you to view all the sheets created in the project and includes the option to create a sheet composed of other sheets.
  • The "List" option (5) provides access to each of the previously created drawings of parts, assemblies, joints and model views.

The user interface of the "Edit sheets" window is similar to that of other CYPE modelling tools and features a system of dockable windows that can be customised to adapt the workspace to the project’s requirements.

The interface is divided into three main parts: the top toolbar, the sidebar and the workspace.

• The toolbar contains various features. From here, you can create and manage templates, edit styles, and insert, edit or reorder drawing elements, as well as other options.

• The work area is located on the right-hand side of the screen and lets you view the layout of each sheet.

• On the left-hand side are the main tools for managing the project’s sheets, layers and categories. Furthermore, in the "On-screen display" section, you can select how you wish to display the thickness and colour of the elements.

There are various ways to load a template onto a sheet:

• Upload a template directly whilst creating the sheet by selecting it when using the "New sheet" option in the "Sheets" panel.
• Load a template onto an existing sheet using the "Insert" option in the "Templates" group, as described below.

Template library

From the "Library" option, you can view and manage the templates stored in the project. These include templates created directly using the "Create" option in the same group.

On the left is a list of available "Templates", whilst on the right is a "Preview" of the selected template.

The options at the top of the list let you "Delete" and reorder templates, as well as export them to files on your hard drive and import them into other projects using the following options:

• Import the elements saved in the drive to the project
  Import the templates contained in the selected .obltemplate file into the project library.
• Update the elements used in the project
  Update the information for the selected templates based on the information contained in the associated .obltemplate files.
• Export the element to a file
  Export the selected templates to an .obltemplate file on the hard drive.
• File selection with initial values for the creation of a new job
  Select an .obltemplate file from your hard drive. The information contained in this file will be used to automatically create the template library when creating a new project.

Create

The "Create" option allows you to create templates based on the information from an existing layer in the "Layers" panel of the sidebar, as follows:

1. Firstly, you need to draw the template by adding all its components (text, images, lines, etc.) one by one within the same layer. You can create this layer beforehand using the "Layers" panel on the left-hand side.
2. Next, click on "Create" within the "Templates" group. Here, you must enter the "Reference" name for the template and select the "Layer" on which the template was drawn.
3. When you click "Accept", the template will be saved in the template library.

Insert

The "Insert" option allows you to load previously created templates, stored in the project’s template library, onto the sheets:

1. When you click on "Insert", you must first select one of the templates from the library.
2. Once you have accepted, you must specify the "Target layer" where the inserted template will be placed, and the "Import mode" (you can either "Add the template elements to the target layer" or "Empty the target layer and import the template").
   By ticking the relevant box, you can "Add the styles defined in the template entities to the style libraries".
3. After clicking "Accept" again, the selected template will be loaded onto the specified target layer.

The pop-up window that appears when you click on each of these options displays a list of the styles available in the project, with their parameters organised into columns.

Furthermore, using the options on the top toolbar of each style list, you can add new styles, edit them if necessary, duplicate them, delete them or reorder them in the list.

You can also export a style or a group of styles to files on the hard drive in various formats for use in other projects, as well as import them from other projects.

The styles created will be available for selection when inserting graphic elements.

Sheets

You can configure the list of available sheet styles.

For each of the "Sheets" in the list, you can set parameters such as the format, orientation and margins:

• Reference
• Dimensions
  • Format type
  • Format
  • Orientation
• Margin
  • Top
  • Left
  • Bottom
  • Right

Page layout styles can be saved in an .oblpage file.

Linetype

This is used to configure the list of available line styles.

For each "Line" style, you can configure the following settings:

• Reference
• Linetype
• Scale factor
• Pen thickness
• Printing colour
• Identification colour

Line styles can be saved in an .obllinpt file.

Fill styles

This is used to configure the list of available fill styles.

For each line style type under "Fill style", the following is specified:

• Reference
• Type (Solid/Line hatch/Inverted line hatch/Cross hatch)
• Pen thickness
• Hatch spacing
• Printing colour
• Identification colour
• Fill background

Fill styles can be saved to an .oblfillpt file.

Text

This is used to configure the list of available text styles.

Each "Text" style specifies:

• Reference
• Font (including the font size and its "Style")
• Colour

Text styles can be saved in an .obltxtpt file.

Dimension

This is used to configure the list of available dimensions.

When editing each "Dimension" style, the program displays four tabs: "Text", "Linear dimensions", "Areas" and "Angles". In each of these, you can adjust parameters such as the lines and symbols to be used, or the thickness of each part of the dimensions:

• "Text" tab
  Configure the text for dimensions:
  • Select the "Units" to be used (specifying their representative "Label" and the number of decimal places to be used) for "Length" and "Angle" measurements. When this "Text with units" option is enabled, the dimension text displays the units.
  • You can also set the "Font", its size, "Style" and colour.

• "Linear dimensions" tab
  Configure the lines and symbols used to create the dimension representation:
  • Specify the "Position of the text with respect to the elevation line", whether it is outside, centred or inside.
  • Enter the values for "Origin offset" and "Extend end".
  • Select the symbols for the "Initial" and "Final" "Ends", as well as their size
  • Finally, define the "Styles" (including "Linetype", "Pen thickness", "Printing colour" and "Identification colour") of the:
    • Elevation line
    • Auxiliary line
    • Symbol

• "Areas" tab
  Configure the display of area dimensions:
  • First, you are asked whether you want to "Draw the polygon that defines the area"
  • Next, define the styles (including "Stroke", "Pen thickness", "Print colour" and "Identification colour") for:
    • The "Polygon" representing the defined area, including the "Line" and its "Fill"
    • The "Text box" for the area dimension, also including the "Line" and an optional "Fill".

• "Angles" tab:
  Configure angle dimension elements:
  • Enter the "Ratio between symbol size and text height".
  • Select the symbols for the "Initial" and "Final" "Ends", as well as their size.
  • Finally, define the "Styles" (including "Linetype", "Pen thickness", "Printing colour" and "Identification colour") of the:
    • Elevation line
    • Symbol

Dimension styles can be saved in an .obllinemeasurept file.

The process for generating views of the model (or part of the model) and inserting them into a previously created drawing is as follows:

1. Firstly, the 3D scene "Library" is used, which makes it easier to create scenes to be incorporated into the sheets. Each scene can contain several views, and you can select which elements are displayed in each one.
2. The scenes are then inserted onto the drawing using the "Insert" or "Insert predefined views" options described below.

Insert predefined views

The "Insert predefined views" option, within the "3D Scene" menu, can be used to automatically generate and insert predefined views of the model or part of the model into the drawings.

In the pop-up window that appears when you click on this option, you can configure the generation and insertion of views:

• On the left, you can "Select the views to generate" by ticking the "Generate" box for the desired views, which are identified by their "Reference", and where you can also adjust the "Scale factor".
• The configuration options on the right allow you to do the following:
  • Configure "Tag generation" by selecting the "Layer in which to insert the scenes", the "Layer in which to insert the tags", the "Text style", the "Line style" and the "Dimension style", as well as selecting the symbols for the "Initial" and "Final" "Ends".
  • Under "Appearance", select the "Colour mode of the views" (normal, hybrid, monochrome or vector).
  • Optionally, you can add the "View title" by selecting its "Text style" and, if desired, "Include scale divider".
  • In "Sheets", select the "Format for new sheets" if you need to create new drawings to insert the views, and, if desired, you can "Insert the generated views into a new sheet" rather than into the one currently visible by selecting the last option.

When you confirm, the program will generate the specified views and automatically place them on the project sheet(s).

The 3D scene library can prepare, create and configure views of the model or parts of it for later insertion into drawings, such as plans, elevations, sections and perspectives.

Drawing attributes

The “Drawing attributes” option lets you configure aspects such as "Line", "Fill" and "Text" styles for all scenes in the library, using the various tabs available in the window that opens when you click on this option. You can apply common default styles to all elements or apply specific styles by element category, selecting them from those available in the style libraries.

Furthermore, on the "Print by category" tab, you can select the categories of elements to be included in the final printout. Elements belonging to unchecked categories will still be displayed on the on-screen sheets, but will not be printed.

These drawing attributes will apply to all scenes. If you wish to configure the drawing attributes for a specific selected scene, you can do so by ticking the "Redefine the drawing attributes" box, available under the "Outline" section at the bottom of the central panel.

Text box

Using the "Text box" option, you can insert a box containing the text of your choice.

Clicking on this option will open a pop-up window ("Properties") containing the configuration options.

In this window, you can choose:

• In the "Appearance" section
  The "Alignment" or positioning of the text ("Left", "Centre" or "Right"), whether you wish to display a border (by ticking the "With frame" box), with or without "Rounded corners", and the "Margin" relative to it.
• In the "Styles" section
  Select the style for the text you want and, where applicable, those for the line and the fill.

Next, left-click on a point on the work area and click again on a second point to set the dimensions of the box in which the text will be placed.

A new window will then open, in which you can type the text you require. Here, you can enter text linked to any of the "Available variables". Once you have finished entering the text, click the green confirmation button to complete the process.

Text

This allows you to insert text. Clicking on this option will open a pop-up window ("Properties") containing the configuration options.

In this window, you can choose:

• From the "Positioning and frame" section:
  The "Alignment" or positioning of the text ("Left", "Centre" or "Right"), whether you wish to include a frame (by ticking the "Frame" box), and the "Margin" relative to it.
• From the "Styles" section:
  The desired text style and, where applicable, the line and fill styles.

Next, left-click anywhere on the work area to specify the text position.

A new window will then open, where you can type the text you want. Here, you can enter text linked to any of the "Available variables". Once you have finished entering the text, click the green confirmation button to complete the process.

• Bring to front
  Set the selected element to the highest z-index, ensuring it is always visible.
• Send to back
  Set the selected element to the lowest z-index, so that it is hidden by any other element overlapping it.
• Move forward
  Each time you click this option, the program moves the selected item up one level in the stacking order.
• Move back
  Each time this option is pressed, the program moves the selected item down one level in the stacking order.
• Compact
  Compact the stacking order of the elements, maintaining the relative spacing between the levels occupied by elements and removing empty levels that are not in use, which may have been created by repeatedly selecting the previous options. We recommend using this option if you reach a point where you are repeatedly using the "Move forward" or "Move back" options without seeing any changes.

Reorganising two overlapping scenes

Sheet composition

This option allows you to automatically generate a set of links to other sheets.

To do this, once you have clicked on the option, the "Sheet layout" window will appear, where you should do the following:

• Firstly, configure the "Generation options". To do this, you specify whether to "Generate links" "In the currently selected sheet" or "In a group of sheets". Next, specify the "Format for new sheets" and the "Initial reference for new sheets".
• The table below then shows a list of the "Available sheets" in the project, including the name of the "Model" displayed on each sheet, the "Name" of the sheet and the "Group" to which it belongs. Here, tick the boxes on the left to indicate which sheets you wish to "Insert" into the new layout.
• A "Preview" of each selected sheet is shown on the right.

Once you click "Accept", the program will generate links to the selected sheets and automatically arrange them on the drawing in a mosaic layout.

The use of variables allows keywords to be replaced with specific project data. For example, if the character string %%shname%% – corresponding to one of the predefined variables – is entered into a text field or text box, the program will replace this text at the time of printing with the value assigned to that variable; in this case, the "Reference" of the sheet.

In this way, the use of variables can be useful for centralising the editing of project data (for example, by using them in the text boxes on the sheets), thereby avoiding duplication of work or the need for additional editing on each text.

There are two types of text substitution variables: "User variables" and "Predefined variables". Both can be managed or viewed in the two tabs with the same names in the "Replace texts" pop-up window, which appears when you click on this option.

User variables

User variables let you freely create customised variable text that you can reuse in other drawings or projects. These variables may include the project name, the address, the architect and engineer in charge, and so on.

To do this, in the list displayed in the "User variables" tab of the "Replace text" window, you must "Add" each variable as a separate entry, entering:

• The identifier for the "Variable"
• Its "Value", or the text you wish to display in print
• In the "Use" column, the program displays the string that must be entered into any text field to call each variable

User variables can be exported to files in .oblvartxt format, which can be saved locally so that they can be loaded later into other projects. This is done using the export and import options at the top of the screen.

Predefined variables

Predefined variables are a set of variable text fields available by default in the program, which read various project data such as the sheet reference, the sheet number, the scale factor, etc.

The program allows you to view the list of "Predefined variables" in the relevant tab of the "Replace text" window, including:

• The identifier for the "Variable"
• Its "Value", or the information to be displayed in print
• In the "Use" column, the program displays the string that must be entered into any text field to call each variable

In addition, there are other predefined variables that the program uses in tags and dimensions to extract information from the model associated with scenes and views. This allows the program to dynamically link the information displayed in the text of these tags or dimensions to specific model parameters, which can be modified whilst editing. These variables can be accessed via the "Available variables" option, which appears next to each text field.

Once the sheets for the project have been set up, you can print them. To do this, click the "Print" button on the top toolbar of the "Sheets" panel, located on the left-hand side of the sheet editor interface.

This opens the "Print" pop-up window, in which the following settings are configured:

• Firstly, the list of available sheets is displayed, showing their "Reference", the "Group" to which they belong and their "Format". Select the sheets you wish to "Print" by ticking the box in the left-hand column. In the "Status" column, the program indicates whether there is an issue with the sheet (for example, if any of the elements entered are outside the sheet’s print area).
• In the lower drop-down menus, you can select the "Printing device". Here, the program lets you export the generated drawings to PDF, DWG or DXF files, or print them directly by selecting one of the printers available on the system.
• Furthermore, under "Export mode", you can choose between exporting "All the sheets on the same file" (in which case you enter the "File name" and specify the folder where it will be saved), or "Each sheet on a file" (in which case, you select the "Folder" where the files will be stored).
• In "Export scene views", the program also lets you export scene views "As a raster image" or "As a vector image (when possible)".
• The last box lets you "Show with associated program" for the files generated.

When you click "Accept", the program will print the sheets or save the files in the selected formats to the specified location.