Disk
Exchange Network
Cheap Tricks Ware FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How come your Cheap Tricks Ware CD doesn't work?! (i.e.
macros don't function, templates are blank, yahda, yahda, yahda . . .)
A: Well, it does work, but there are a couple of "issues" that
may make life difficult for you. Please see our CD FAQs below:
For
issues related to use with DataCAD 11
For
issues related to use with DataCAD 8 to DataCAD 10
Q: I heard that you have a macro that will automatically put the
drawing name, along with right date and time on all your plots. What is
it?
A: That would be B20 Stamp Plot Macro (SPLOT 5.2) by Ted
Blockley. This macro will automatically update your drawing with any
combination of Plot Date, Time, Drawing Path & Name, plus optional
features of Plot Scale, and other hidden seed phrases, International
formats, and totally custom formats. Includes 2nd macro SPLOTCFG to allow
interactive custom configs. $15.00
Q: Is there a macro that will help you make sure DXF transfers and
DWG exports go smoothly?
A: Yes, B26 DXF-PREP 2.5 by Bruce Kaplan, ARCHSoft will
prepare your DataCAD drawing for correct export to DXF or DWG file. It
CAPS all layer names, checks for invalid layer name characters, converts
all entities to color of layer color, converts text fonts to DXF compatible
fonts, squashes all 2D entities so that Z ht=Z base and explodes all symbols,
including nested symbols. All the settings customizable. $15.00
Q: I would like a utility that will let me print out a list of all
my dwg. layers.
A: B31 Drawing Documentation Macro by Bill D'Amico is
a great aid in documenting your drawing layer information for transfer
to consultants or even in-house management of drawings. This macro will
load up your existing layer names with on/off & color noted. You can
add or edit remark information to explain use of each layer. $15.00
. . . Or if all you want is a straight ASCII export of your layer names,
P187 Layer Lister by John Lindsay will do the trick for you.
$10.00
Q: Is there a version of Squiggle for DataCAD (i.e. plots look like
freehand?)
A: Yes, before he went on to fame and glory as President of
DataCAD LLC, Mark Madura created R3 Wiggle Linetype, based
on the "Minnesota Wiggle" for Cheap Tricks Ware. $5.00. Brent
R. Gentry followed with a companion disk that gives you additional
wiggle types (dash, centerline, dot-dash, section) R57 Wiggle Line Plus.
$5.00.
Q. I need a wood hatch linetype for my wood stud walls.
A: Try either R149 Wood Wall Linetype by Dale Weiss,
$5.00 or P165 Infill Linetypes by Rick Morse, Madura Studios
has 3 more (+ 9 other types) $10.00.
also the new ARCHITEXT Fonts, B102 are excellent for
architectural work. $15.00
Q: I heard there was a utility that will convert plot files back
into DXF files?
A: Yes, you heard correctly. S62 HPGL2DXF Utility will reverse
engineer the file to create a DXF file which you can then import back into
your CAD program. Free w/5 disk order or $5 Cheap Tricks Ware
dollars. (Registration $5 to $50.)
(R41)
Q:
Do you have any landscaping templates?
(P121)
A: Yup, a whole bunch. For 2D plans, there's R20 Tree Stamp Template
($5.00) for elevations, there is R41 Tree Elevations ($5.00)
as well as P11 Landscape Disk ($10.00) for more of both. For 3D
Quickshading, we'd recommend P8 Schematic Tree/Bush Template ($10.00)
and P153 3D Landscape Sampler ($10.00) for starters, then fill in
the gaps with numerous other CTW disks along those lines.
Q: How about general entourage?
A: There's the ever-popular P178 People Template ($10.00) or
P12 Car & Truck Elevations ($10.00) & various 3D cars &
trucks at P87 ($10.00) and P137 thru P141 ($10.00 each.)
Q: I heard about being able to use different custom colors in DataCAD?
A: Check out B25 CUSTOM COLORS by Charles Sawyer. These
drawing files show all possible 256 colors which can be displayed together
in one file for easy reference using color bars and color wheels, which
also indicate the "plotting pens". This treatise is a must for doing custom
screen shots where you can simply pick the color you want & change
your drawing entity to the came custom color and is likely to be very useful
with DC Viewer. It works w/video cards which can configure DataCAD for
256 colors. $15.00.
Q: You have some great macro that is supposed to explode symbols
with having them flip from their correct orientations?
A: That would be one of the many things done by B21 GLOBAL EDIT
MACRO (GEDIT) by Ted Blockley. This macro will supplement your
regular DataCAD Change and Change Text menus to allow reassignment of multiple
colors/linetypes, explode entities, text search and replace, and manipulation
of layers (e.g. change to all caps) and much more all from one location.
Your setting preferences can also be saved out. $15.00
Q: Do you really have a spell check macro?
A: Yes, we do, B82 Speller Macro by Ted Blockley has
a 50,000 word architectural dictionary! $15.00
Q: I don't see on your list, the macro (fill in the blank with
one: DCSprint, Touchup, 3D Power Tools, TPL Librarian, Blocker);
A: All the above are sold directly by DataCAD LLC at (800)394-2231.
For other 3rd Party Products, please check DataCAD
Links.
Q: With so many different disks, how do I know if it will work with
my version of DataCAD? A: In general, most of our items are compatible
with almost all versions of DataCAD with a few exceptions here and there,
which are noted with the item description. See here also for other Compatibility
Issues for DataCAD.
"Tell
them it's on its way!" (From P87)