System Settings

> Settings

One of the main advantages of HiCAD resides in the fact that it allows you to use parameters to individually design graphic and alphanumeric system files, e.g. for displaying lines and edges, for texts, for dimensioning and much else. Default values are defined for most of these parameters in the corresponding system files (*.DAT in the SYS directory).

You can change the most important of these parameters via the Settings function, by selecting the appropriate Settings entry:

• Line types,
• Directories,

• 2-D Settings for lines, text and beams/profiles
• 3-D Settings for edges/surfaces
• 3-D Settings for processing planes
• 3-D Settings for views
• General - Operation/Display
• General - Referenced parts
• General - Visualisation and Hidden Lines
• General - Parametric dimensions
• General - Dimensioning

To change the settings, proceed as follows:

1. Click the relevant folder name.
2. If applicable, select the appropriate sub-folder.
3. Change the settings in the corresponding input window. The system files in question are adjusted accordingly when you exit the menu, i.e. the changed value is the default value when you next start HiCAD.

If you want to revert to the original HiCAD settings, then you proceed as follows:

1. Activate the Settings function.
2. Choose the desired window, e.g. Special colours.
3. In this window, choose Settings and then, under Colours, the Default function.

Please note:

• Use the HiCAD Colour Editor to define system colours and drawing colours.
• The HiCAD system files (.DAT) are ASCII files that can also be edited using an editor. Only experienced users should, however, avail themselves of this possibility of making changes. Incorrect settings can impair the executability of the system and cause errors.

• In particular, no guarantee can be given that all changes you have made will be preserved when HiCAD updates are installed, even though the installation program will attempt to do so.
• Always create a backup copy of the file to be changed before making manual changes and also save the file you have customised.
• You can also preset and change line and edge parameters using the processing functions for 2-D and 3-D parts. Furthermore, you can also use the settings for Surface, line and edge parameters at the bottom of the screen menu.
• Manual changes to the system files do not take effect until you next start HiCAD. ALGPAR.DAT is an exception. Select Drawing > Extras > Temporary settings > Reload general parameters to directly apply changes you have made during the current HiCAD session.
• The Sheet Metal and Steel Engineering folders provide further parameter settings for the Sheet Metal and Steel Engineering modules.

Please also note:

• HiCAD can be individually adjusted to customer-specific needs via a multitude of parameters. Most of these adjustments can be saved in the form of so-called "configuration templates". You can then use your own, company-specific configurations instead of the predefined ISD configurations.
• HiCAD's central configuration management allows the definition of customer-specific configurations for a wide variety of use cases, such as dimensioning, annotations, workshop drawing generation or fitting of vertical ladders. Once adjusted to company-specific requirements, these configurations can directly be used in the end user's HiCAD applications without having to define any further settings. The configurations should only be created or modified by experienced users.

 Related Topics

Temporary Settings • Colour Settings