program settings

When you run the "File"  - "Settings..." menu commands, a dialog box will be displayed, where you can set the program parameters.

You can make the following settings in this dialog box:

System - Paths

Symbols library

Set the main path (root directory), where all symbols are stored (PPD and PICD files).

Open in Windows Explorer

This button opens Windows Explorer in the directory where your ProfiCAD library is located. Useful when you need to manipulate the contents of the library (rename, move or delete files and directories).

System - Control

Enable UNDO/REDO

The UNDO/REDO function allows you to cancel the last action. In this dialog box you can disable the undo/redo function (for instance if your computer is not fast enough and has problems running with this functionality on).

Enable active wiring

Allows you to activate/deactivate the active wiring functionality. When you move a symbol, all wires attached to the symbol stay attached.

Number of steps on zoom change

The scale is being changed steplessly to prevent eye fatigue. This tab allows you to set the number of redrawing steps when the scale is changed. If your computer is fast enough, you can set up higher values (such as 20-30) so that the scale change is more smooth. If your computer is not so fast, set up lower values. If you set number 1, scale changes will be performed immediately without any intermediary steps.

Enable auto scrolling

When you move the mouse pointer to the edge of your working area, the drawing scrolls in the appropriate direction.

Confirmation when deleting

Activates/deactivates the message "Delete selected objects?" when deleting objects.

Auto-Save

Enables save documents automatically. Auto-Save saves only documents that have been saved manually before.

Option "Create backup copy" creates a backup copy of the document on every save. The backup copy replaces the previous backup copy. The backup copies have extension BAK and they are saved to the same folder as the document.

System - Copying

Renumbering symbols on copying

Here you can set what will happen with the "type" value (e.g. index - for example for the R10 type the index is number 10) when copying one or more parts.

The first option "Do not renumber" does not change the index value when copying (duplicate index will be created).

The second option "Assign the nearest value" the copied symbol will be assigned the nearest possible index value.

The third option "Add this value" means that the index of the copied symbol will be increased by the value you specified. In this last case, there is no duplicity check.

System - Others

Working area in Symbol Editor

If you draw larger symbols you can set up a higher value.

Character map

You can set up the characters you would like to add in the character map, which is displayed when entering texts in a document. The characters may be entered using Alt+numeric code (if you know the code) or via the standard Windows character map.

Use initial values of lines and wires

If you change color or thickness of a line or a wire, the next line or wire will be drawn with the same color and thickness. Not everybody may like this feature and that is why you need to switch it on in Program settings - Others - Use initial values of lines and wires.

Language

This setting allows to change the language of the program.

Check for updates at program start

At program start ProfiCAD checks whether a newer version is avalable. If yes, it is downloaded and installed. In such case, you will be prompted to save your work, because the program will need to restart.

It is recommended to leave this setting on, so you always have the latest version. If you do not have permanent internet connection, please check for updates occasionaly using Windows menu Start - Program Files - ProfiCAD - Check for updates.

System - Service

Log levels

Logging allows recording software failures that occured during running the program. This information is useful for correcting possible program errors and for improving the program. The information level stored in the log file can be set up to one of the following values:

Info - the highest level. All information, warnings and errors is saved.

Warnings and errors - warnings and errors are saved.

Errors - only errors are stored. Recommended setting.

Deactivate - select if you do not want the logs to be generated.

The "Log size" field specifies the log size. If no information is stored in the log, it shows 0 B.

If the log file takes up too much space you can delete it by "Delete log" command.

Use the "Test log" button to check whether the log generating works.

Crashtest

If the program crashes due to a software error, an error log, containing information necessary for error fixing is generated. The "Crashtest" buttons is used to check whether this functionality works on the computer the program is installed on.

Document - Size

Dialog box Document - Size offers two options to enter the drawing area:

a) specify the size of the drawing directly in mm

b) derive the size of the drawing from the size and number of the sheets of paper.

Because the printable area of the paper depends on the printer, you must select the printer (using the button Setup). You can specify the number of sheets of paper the width and height. The program calculates the total size of the drawing.

This dialog box is used only to specify the size of the drawing, not to determine on what format of paper it will be printed. This is so because sometimes the same document printed on one sheet of example A2, sometimes on 4 sheets A4 paper size, etc. The selection is therefore carried out just before printing in the Print dialog box.

We recall that the printable area of paper for each printer is slightly different. Therefore it is appropriate to calculate with a reserve, and leave some space at the borders of the drawing.

Framing

Activates/Deactivates the frame around the diagram and the title block.

Zoom

This is the print scale. It was used to adjust the printed drawing if it was not printed correctly by the printer. This setting was needed with some of the older printers that did not print correctly.

Number of pages

Sets up the number of pages of the drawing.

Page orientation

Set the landscape or portrait orientation.

Page size correction

The same as for scale, this setting was only needed with old printers, which printed out of the defined area. With some printers the drawing may not be printed completely -  a small part is missing. In such cases set up the correction for example 1mm right and 1 mm bottom.

Document - Fonts

The font settings you make here are only initial settings, which can freely be modified any time. It is possible to select a font and color for each lettering and text. Fonts for types and values of symbols can also be set here. In this case, your setting will apply for the whole document.

Document - Contents

Show types and values

You can activate/deactivate displaying of all types and values (so you do not need to activate/deactivate every individual value and type).

Document - Description

Place for description of the construction.

Summary info

Here enter the data fields for the title block.

Title block

Use this dialog to insert a TB into your drawing. More info here.

 

 

Reference grid

The reference grid is used for better orientation in large drawings.