Edit Graphics (Symbols)

The Edit Graphics (Symbols) component tab contains the most basic and most frequently used tools for editing entire components. The Properties dialog lets you make some basic settings in terms of visibility, for example deciding if components should be transparent or not.

The tools are divided into two fields: Set/Revert, and Tools. All operations are fully visible in both 2D view and 3D view.

The Edit Graphics (Symbols) component tab.

Set/Revert

The Set/Revert field contains three basic tools: Make editable, Revert and Graphics only.

The Set/Revert field.

Make editable

To be able to use some of the features on the Edit Graphics (Symbols) component tab, you first need to click the Make editable button and then click the component. This places the component in edit mode.

Make editable button

Revert

Clicking the Revert button resets a component to how it was before it was made editable. This discards all changes made to the component and takes it out of the editable mode.

Revert button

Graphics only

This tool removes all information, such as price, description and snapping and only leaves the graphics.

Graphics only button

Tools

The following tools are available when you are working with whole components: Replace graphics, Stretch, Insert Cutplane and Insert workplane. The Replace graphics tool and the Stretch tool can both be used without first making the component editable, but to perform other operations you must first make the component editable.

The Tools field on the Edit Graphics (Symbols) component tab.

Replace graphics

Replace graphics is a feature that lets you replace the appearance of a component with the graphics of a different component. This feature could prove useful if you are provided the special symbol from the manufacturer or you have already drawn it using AutoCAD or Google SketchUp. You can then perform this operation in a few simple steps.

Replace graphics button

A CET Designer component (white door) and a Google SketchUp object (brown door).	The white door has been replaced by the graphics of the brown door. The Replace options dialog box opens.	Clicking the three Scale buttons adjusts the width, depth and length of the graphics. Use the different rotation steps to find the right angle for your graphics.	The final result is the brown door replacing the white door, correct dimensions and all.

To replace the graphics of a component, follow these steps:

1. Insert the AutoCAD or SketchUp symbol to your drawing.

2. Click the Replace graphics button.

3. Move the mouse pointer to the drawing area and click to select the reference object. The reference object is highlighted by a green frame.

4. Click the target object. This component is highlighted by a blue frame and the graphics are replaced by the graphics of the reference object. The Replace options dialog box opens.

5. Adjust the alignment, size and rotation to suit the drawing. You can adjust the alignment and size to either use the properties from the reference object, or to keep the properties of the target object.

6. Click the OK button when you are finished. The graphics of the target object are replaced with the graphics of the reference object.

7. When you are done, press the Esc key on your keyboard or move the mouse pointer outside the drawing area to release the Replace graphics tool.

Stretch

One of the tools that you will use the most is the Stretch tool. You can stretch an entire component to make it larger or smaller, or perhaps increase the spacing between the shelves in a bookcase using this tool. Automatic cutplanes are inserted to maintain symmetry during stretch, but you can manually add your own cutplanes.

Stretch button

You can stretch an object in many different ways. Red color indicates where you can click and stretch.	CET Designer automatically adjusts the number of cutplanes -visible in both 2D and 3D.	The final result: a pedestal with altered width.

To stretch a component, follow these steps:

1. Click the Stretch button.

2. Move the mouse pointer to the drawing area in either the 2D view or the 3D view. The mouse pointer snaps to different parts of the component, and CET Designer uses a red indication to show where you can stretch. An input box with the following fields appears in the upper right corner:
   
   - L, H, W - The overall length, height or width.
   - Dl, Dh, Dw - The amount the length, height or width is changing.
   - How many Auto planes are activated.
   - Centered - If the items stretches in one way or both.
   
   If you do not turn on any auto planes or insert any cutplanes (explained below), the component will scale evenly.

3. Click once where you want to make the stretch.

4. Move the mouse pointer, without pressing down the mouse button, to stretch the component to the desired size.

5. Click once to confirm the stretch operation.

6. A new red indication is now attached to the mouse pointer letting you repeat steps 3-5.

7. When you are done, press the Esc key on your keyboard or move the mouse pointer outside the drawing area to release the Stretch tool.

Cutplanes

A cutplane works as a divider between different planes. This can be useful if you, for example, wish to alter a bookcase by adding some space between the shelves while keeping the shelf thickness. Or, as in the example below, when you want to stretch a pedestal while keeping the pull handles in the center.

Cutplanes button

Yellow components indicate that they are in edit mode.	You click to insert cutplanes where you want them; at the X, Y, or Z planes.	Thanks to the cutplanes, the pull handles on this pedestal remain centered on each drawer.

To insert a cutplane, follow these steps:

1. Click the Make editable button and then click the component that you wish to modify. The component turns yellow and is now editable

2. Click the Cutplanes button.

3. Move the mouse pointer to the drawing area in either the 2D view or the 3D view. The mouse pointer snaps to the component, and a blue cutplane is visible.

4. Move the mouse pointer over the component to get the cutplane in the right position. An input box where you can click to select X, Y or Z direction appears in the upper right corner. You can also use the space key on your keyboard to change the direction. You can also use the Remove button in the input box to remove an existing cutplane.

5. Click once to add the cutplane. A new cutplane is attached to the mouse pointer. Keep adding cutplanes until you are satisfied.

6. When you are done, press the Esc key on your keyboard or move the mouse pointer outside the drawing area to release the Cutplanes tool.

7. Stretch the component as needed.

Workplane

By inserting a Workplane you can define a new workplane for a certain component. You can, for example, insert a diagonal plane as a complement to the horizontal and vertical planes.

Workplane buttons

Yellow components indicate that they are in edit mode.	For the 3D workplane tool, pick three points on the component that you want to match your workplane to.	New workplane location.

To insert a workplane, follow these steps:

1. Click the Make editable button and the click the component that you wish to modify. The component is now editable.

2. Click the appropriate Workplane button; there is a 2D tool that operates on the X and Y planes, and a 3D tool that operates on the X, Y and Z planes.

3. Move the mouse pointer to the drawing area. The mouse pointer snaps to the different places on the component, and a blue workplane is visible.

4. For the 2D tool, pick two points on the component that you want to match your workplane to. Click once for each point.
   
   OR
   
   For the 3D tool, pick three points on the component that you want to match your workplane to. Click once for each point.