Layout Creation Assistant

Layout Creation Assistant

Win32 and 64, English

GChaves Apps
Ultimate solution for creating Layouts and Viewports.

General Usage Instructions

Layout Creation:

For creating layouts, there are two different approaches, using the Ribbon or the Dialog.

In order to create Layouts using the Dialog follow the instructions:

  • Type in command line the command “LCrAss” and hit Return key;
  • In the opened Dialog choose the “Layout Creation” Tab;
  • Fill all the options as desired (choose a Paper Layout, Plot Style, change the sequential naming options and specify the quantity of layouts to be created);
  • Click on Create Button.

To use the Ribbon:

  • Click on the Layout Creation Assistant Ribbon tab. If the tab is not visible you can type the command “GoToLCrAssRibbonTab” on command line;
  • Fill all the options on the Layout Creation Ribbon Form as necessary and click on Create.

 

Viewport Creation:

For creating viewports, there are two different approaches, using the Ribbon or the Dialog.

In order to create Viewports using the Dialog follow the instructions:

  • Type in command line the command “LCrAss” and hit Return key;
  • In the opened Dialog choose the “Viewports Creation” Tab;
  • Fill all the options as desired (choose the size and position of the viewports and in which Layout it will be created);
  • Click on one of the Create Buttons: (“Rotated UCS” will give you the option to choose exactly how will be the viewport view projection on Modelspace; “Catch Model View” will create the viewport as the user last left the Model view).

To use the Ribbon:

  • Click on the Layout Creation Assistant Ribbon tab. If the tab is not visible you can type the command “GoToLCrAssRibbonTab” on command line;
  • Fill all the options on the Viewports Creation Ribbon Form as necessary and click on Create Viewport (this option is equal to the option “Rotated UCS” described above).

 

TitleBlock Filling:

For Filling TitleBlocks, there are two different approaches, using the Ribbon or the Dialog.

In order to create Viewports using the Dialog follow the instructions:

  • Type in command line the command “LCrAss” and hit Return key;
  • In the opened Dialog choose the “Drawing Titles (Stamps)” Tab;
  • Select your Title Block using the “Select Title Block” button. Alternatively, you can create your Title Block from exploded entities using the “Select Title Separate Entities” button;
  • Click on the “Edit Attributes” button to open a SpreadSheet with all the attributes;
  • TIP: You can Copy/Paste the spreadsheet to Microsoft Excel or similar.

To use the Ribbon:

  • Click on the Layout Creation Assistant Ribbon tab. If the tab is not visible, you can type the command “GoToLCrAssRibbonTab” on command line;
  • Select your Title Block using the “Select Title Block” button. Alternatively, you can create your Title Block from exploded entities using the “Select Title Separate Entities” button;
  • Click on the “Edit Attributes” button to open a SpreadSheet with all the attributes;
  • TIP: You can Copy/Paste the spreadsheet to Microsoft Excel or similar.

 

Other Options:

Layout Creation Assistant has several other options for customization and dynamic entities:

  • Each created Viewport, Polyline and Grid will trigger a Ribbon Tab when selected to make easier to apply changes, navigate, see properties and more.
  • You have a dedicated Tab in Autodesk® AutoCAD® Default options dialog with several settings for customizing Layout Creation Assistant;
  • The App will store your settings so you can keep using them on different drawings.

Commands

Ribbon/Toolbar Icon Command Command Description

EditViewportFrozenLayers

This command will open a Dialog on which the user will be asked to choose the layers to be frozen inside a Viewport view.

LCrAssOptions

Opens AutoCAD default Options dialog on a dedicated tab for Layout Creation Assistant

LCrAssHelp

Opens the Layout Creation Assistant help file.

GoToLCrAssRibbonTab

This command makes Layout Creation Assistant Ribbon Tab Active for user interaction.

OpenOfficialPageSetupManager

Opens AutoCAD default PageSetup manager

RebuildLCrAssCUIX

Recreates Layout Creation Assistant menu files. AutoCAD restart will be necessary. This command is to be used only if the user is experiencing problems on the Ribbon.

CreateLinkedViewport

This command Creates a Viewport from ModelSpace. The new Viewport will have its view dynamically linked to a Polyline.

CreateLinkedGrid

This command will create a Grid (Polylines and Texts representing the Coordinates Axis and its values) linked to a closed Polyline. The Grid will react to any changes to the Polyline.

AddLinkedPolylineToViewport

This command will create a Polyline on ModelSpace representing the projected ViewPort view. The Polyline will be linked to the Layout so any changes made to it will update the Viewport view.

LCrAss

This command will open the main Layout Creation Assistant dialog with all the options to create layouts, help, and licence.

Installation/Uninstallation

The installer that ran when you downloaded this app/plug-in from Autodesk App Store will start installing the app/plug-in. OR, simply double-click the downloaded installer to install the app/plugin. You may need to restart the Autodesk product to activate the app/plug-in. To uninstall this plug-in, exit the Autodesk product if you are currently running it, simply rerun the installer, and select the "Uninstall" button. OR, click Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features (Windows 7/8/8.1/10) and uninstall as you would any other application from your system.

Additional Information

Known Issues

Sometimes, created viewports may not be showing the ModelSpace, in this cases just swap to ModelSpace tab and then return to the previous Layout Tab.

There are no other major issues known, but if you experience any performance problem you can disable the dynamic links anytime. Just type LCrAssOptions on the command line and after the dialog is opened turn the setting "Link_On" to Off.

While the links are disabled you can continue creating Layouts, Viewports and editing Title Block Attributes but the dynamic functions - such as contextual ribbons, link between entities and persistency over different sections (open and close) - won't work anymore.

Contact

Company Name: GChaves Apps
Support Contact: chavesgalinari@gmail.com

Author/Company Information

GChaves Apps

Support Information

Please contact the developer for support:

- E-mail: chavesgalinari@gmail.com

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GChavesEngAPP/

- Phone: +55 011 9 7407 3871

Version History

Version Number Version Description

2.0.1

Added 2020 support

2.0.0

Update with several new tools for creating Layouts, Renaimng Layouts, creating Viewports and filling Drawing Title Block Attributes.

1.0.0

Initial release.
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