[Editor Mode] Beginner's Tutorial & Feature Overview

The Editor feature is a powerful tool for creating and modifying drawings.

I. Preparation

1. Version Requirement: Ensure your CAD Reader is updated to latest version.
2. How to Open:

• Method 1: Click the "Editor" feature in the top toolbar of CAD Reader.
• Method 2: Double-click the "CADReader Editor" shortcut icon on your desktop.

II. Key Feature Categories

1. Drawing Tools (Create new elements)

• Line: Draw basic straight lines.
• Polyline: Create connected sequences of line segments.
• Circle: Draw circles by defining a center point and radius.
• Arc: Create curves by selecting center, start, and end points.
• Rectangle: Define two corner points to draw a box.

2. Modification Tools (Edit existing geometry)

• Move: Relocate objects by selecting a base point.
• Rotate: Turn objects to any specified angle.
• Mirror: Create a symmetrical copy across a selected line.
• Scale: Resize objects by a specific ratio.
• Break: Split a line or object between two points.
• Explode (Decompose): Break complex blocks into individual lines/elements.
• Delete: Remove specific elements or selections.
• Copy/Paste: Duplicate elements within the same drawing or across different files.

3. Text & Annotations

• Add Text: Insert single-line text or numbered annotations.
• Edit Text: Modify the content, size, color, and font of existing text.
• Search/Find: Quickly locate specific text strings within a complex drawing.

4. Layer Management

• Visibility Control: Turn layers On/Off or "Freeze/Thaw" to control what is visible.
• Locking: Prevent accidental edits to specific layers.
• Properties: View and change the color or line type of the current layer via the "Properties" panel.

5. Advanced & Auxiliary Functions

• Recover: Fix errors in corrupted or problematic drawing files.
• Export to PDF: Generate clear vector-based PDF files.
• PDF to CAD: Convert vector PDFs back into editable CAD formats.
• Regenerate (RE): Refresh the screen to smooth out curves or clear up blurry images.
• Line Weight: Toggle the visibility of line thicknesses.

III. Important Considerations

• Save Manually: Always click "Save" or "Save As" to keep your changes; the app does not always auto-save edits.
• Layout vs. Model: Drawings in "Layout" mode cannot be edited directly. Use the "Layout to Model" VIP tool or edit the drawing only in ‘Model’ mode.