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Block with predefined layers behaves unexpectedly

Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 10:09 pm
by LeoP
In Qcad2, I used a single block with a border, title block and logo block and a bunch of layer definitions to standardize my drawings appearance.
Loading that very same block in Qcad 3 gives me the border, title block and logo but none of the other (not yet used) layers.
Starting a new drawing while using that same block as a template gives me everything, but exploded: no blocks (which is not so handy).

What do I have to do to get the 'old' behaviour back (i.e. load border, title block and logo in one go as blocks, plus all predefined layers) without a multitude of extra mouse clicks that are error-prone?

Re: Block with predefined layers behaves unexpectedly

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 8:41 am
by andrew
If I understand you correctly, you are starting with an empty drawing and then insert a block from the part library browser to get started with a template with predefined layers, etc.
QCAD 3 does not insert unused layers into your drawing which presents a problem for your use case.

The recommended way to start a drawing from a template in QCAD 3 is through the menu File > New from Template. The templates that can be used for this tool are stored in libraries/templates/imperial or libraries/templates/metric.

I'd recommend to create a drawing that contains everything you usually need to work with (border block, layers, blocks, correct drawing settings, etc). Save that drawing into libraries/templates/imperial or libraries/templates/metric. Then use File > New from Template to start a new drawing.

Re: Block with predefined layers behaves unexpectedly

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:34 am
by Clive
andrew wrote:QCAD 3 does not insert unused layers into your drawing which presents a problem for your use case.
Maybe this could be made configurable ? - just an idea and could prove useful at times.

@LeoP, if you have spent considerable time creating your custom template in QCAD 2, what you could do is add a small point or line or something in QCAD 2 to these layers and then open it up in QCAD 3 then select all and delete these temporary entities, this will at least preserve the layers and then do as Andrew recommends - i.e. set up the template and save it to the template library!

Not ideal but may help you out.

Re: Block with predefined layers behaves unexpectedly

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 1:28 pm
by J-J
I made a start drawing with all the typical layers that I need to start a new project, it resides in the template directory. Every time I start QCAD this drawing is inserted automatically via a little script that Andrew made. The script is invoked within the start link of the program, quite handy and fully customizable.