$# Working With Files

Importing/reading a file is the first step in working with files. Review the pages Importing A Sample DXF File and Importing A Sample Gerber File in the QuickStart section of the CAMCAD Help Reference. As a general rule, importing a file is a four step process:

1.Select File > Import and choose the desired format from the dialog. The available formats will appear in the left side of the window, and the unavailable formats will appear in the right side of the window.

The Import File Format Dialog

2.The Open dialog box appears. Navigate to the desired file and select it.

The Open File Dialog

3.Import format options display. Each type of file format has different import options. Generally, the default selections will be fine to start with, but occasionally they must be modified in order to import the file correctly.

4.After the import format options are set, you are asked for the desired placement of the file. Selections include:

•Place at Origin and Fit Page to Image

•Place with Moues

•Place at Origin

•Fit Image to Page.

For ease of use within the CAMCAD environment, it is recommended that you choose Place at Origin and Fit Page to Image.

Before your file is displayed on the screen, you may see a log file open up in Notepad. The log file details specific information regarding the import process. It is important to note that the log file is not a listing of import errors. Rather, sometimes CAMCAD will skip or alter unnecessary or bad information in order to successfully import a file. The log file is simply a listing what CAMCAD had to do in order to import the file as it did.

Your file will then be displayed on the screen. Multiple files can be displayed within the CAMCAD project window, such as multiple Gerber files. Simply repeat the import process for each file you wish to import into CAMCAD.

Multiple project windows can be opened within CAMCAD. Open a new project window with the File > New command. Each project window can have an unlimited number of files in any combination of file formats. Individual project windows may be selected under Window > [desired window name]. Toggle various displays of the project windows with the Windows > Tile Vertically, Windows > Tile Horizontally, and Windows > Cascade commands.

Some file-specific and view-specific functions are detailed below:

The File List Dialog

Explore the File List dialog, found under Tools > File List. The File List will show each file that is currently opened in the project window. Immediately to the left of the file name you will see either ON or OFF, depending on whether the file is turned on or off. You can toggle the display of any file by single-clicking this word.

The File List dialog also allows you to edit the X,Y insertion point, the rotation, the scale, and the mirroring status of the file. Select a file and choose MODIFY. A small window will appear with fields that may be modified. Make any necessary changes and choose DONE. When the File List dialog is closed, you will see the changes take effect.

The manipulation of settings in the File List may alter the way the file is shown on the screen (i.e. mirroring). It may be necessary to reset the page dimensions in order to display the file properly. Select Settings > Modify Settings from the menu commands. On the Page tab, you will see the current max/min X and Y coordinates for the page. Click on the button called Fit Page To Image.

The Settings > Modify Settings Dialog

Zoom in/out/window/extents commands are offered, with buttons on the Main Toolbar. Use these to alter your view of your file. To navigate about your file, you may also find the commands Pan to Center, Pan to Coordinate, Pan to Text, and Pan to Reference Designator helpful. They all are found under the Zoom commands from the menu commands.

Explore the View commands from the menu commands. View > Toolbars shows all available toolbars; toggle the display of a toolbar by selecting it. Toolbars, once visible, may be repositioned on the screen by grabbing them with the mouse cursor and dragging to a new location. Other View commands toggle the display of graphic classes and insert types, show fill styles, and copy images to the clipboard.