T-FLEX Parametric CAD. Fundamentals. 2D Design

Creating Custom Lines and Hatches
When creating a pattern, one can use graphic elements of different color and different width. However, the
color and width of a graphic line created from a custom type can be modified only if the whole pattern uses
the same color and line width.
The line elements may be of a quite complex shape. When a hatch is created based on graphic lines of a
custom type, the hatch contour will not follow the line shape by default; instead, it will be composed of line
segments passing through the characteristic points of the line elements. To make the hatch contour exactly
follow the line or assume other arbitrary shape, you would need to specify additional 2D paths with special
names in the line pattern drawing defining the hatch contour route.
The paths are created separately for each line element. Each path must lie on the same page as the respective
line element. The path must start and end at characteristic nodes of its element and be named as one of the
following: “Polyline” – the path of the periodical part, “TailPolyline” – the start path, “HeadPolyline” – the
end path, and “CenterPolyline” – the path of the center part.
Working with Custom-type Line
To start using a created line type, simply place the line pattern file in the folder
…\Program\LinePatterns. Upon restarting T-FLEX CAD, the line types found in this folder will be
automatically added to the lists of line types in 2D commands. To delete a custom line type, simply delete
the pattern drawing file from …\Program\LinePatterns and restart T-FLEX CAD.
When using a custom line type in a document, the line pattern is saved with that document. Relation with the
source file is lost at this point. Therefore, when porting a document file to a computer without the given line
type, the image does not get lost.
When porting a document containing custom line types to a computer with existing line type pattern under
the same name, the line image stays unchanged in the form of the image saved in the document. To update a
line image, you would need to redefine its type over again. To make an update, all you need is to bring up the
parameters dialog box for one of the lines and confirm the existing value. New graphic lines of the same type
that will be created in this document will take on the current pattern.
Example of Creating Custom Line
Let’s review custom line creation on a simple example. We will create the line pattern shown on the figure.
First of all, let’s decide on the elements to be included in this line. The figure features: the periodical part –
interlaced crosses and segments; center part entered just once – the text “Test”; start and end as special
symbols.
Periodic part
Start Center part
End
To create the pattern, let’s open a new 2D drawing (the command “FN: Create New Model”).
Description of each line element shall be placed on a separate page of the document. We will create four
pages in the pattern document. For working convenience, each page can be renamed according to its purpose.
To create or rename document pages, use the command “PG: Pages”.
When creating descriptor drawings of line types, one can use either use simple sketched lines, or graphic
lines snapped to construction lines. For simplicity, we will use free-hand sketching.
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