Define Textures (3-D)

Textures are managed via the Catalogue Editor. This external tool enables you to use the Standard Part and Beam/Profile catalogues supplied with HiCAD, and define your own factory standard catalogues or textures.

You start the Catalogue Editor by

• executing the CATEDITOR.EXE file in the HiCAD EXE directory, or

• selecting Start (Windows start bar) > All Programs > ISD Software und Systeme > Administration > Catalogue Editor, or
• clicking the icon on the Desktop.

The textures supplied with HiCAD are stored in different tables (e.g. Glass, Wood, Civil Engineering etc.) in the TEXTURES catalogue. If desired, you can add your own, self-defined textures to these tables.

For the creation of new textures you need an appropriate texture pattern, i.e. an appropriate graphics file. Supported are the image formats: jpg, GIF,png, tif, Tiff, bmp and emf. You can use the textures supplied by the ISD (size 512 x 512 pixels, 96 DPI) as a point of reference for the creation of new texture patterns.

To create new textures, proceed as follows:

• First create a graphic containing the desired texture pattern.

• Copy the graphics file to the HiCAD folder CATALOGUES > TEXTURES > IMAGE.
• Start the Catalogue Editor and open the TEXTURES catalogue.
• Expand one of the supplied texture tables.
• Save the table and exit the Catalogue Editor. When you re-start HiCAD, the new texture patterns will be available in the Visual effects docking window.

To expand a texture table, proceed as follows:

• Start the Catalogue Editor.
• Open the required texture table.
• Right-click a table row and select New record.

• Enter the required data.
• If desired, create further data records for texture patterns.
• Save the table.

One example:

Let us assume that you want to add the below JPG files Stones and Gloss_yellow to the table VARIOUS.

To expand a texture table, proceed as follows:

1. Start the Catalogue Editor and open the TEXTURES catalogue.
2. Open the required texture table.
3. Create two new data records. Proceed as described above.

4. Save the table.

When you restart HiCAD, the new textures will be available in the Visual effects docking window.

Visual effects docking window and example of a model

 

Please note:

• For a proper operation of the Catalogue Editor, administrator rights are required.
• Changes applied to catalogues and tables via the Catalogue Editor can also affect the work of other HiCAD/HELiOS users, e.g. if the catalogues are located on a server providing access to different users within a company. You should therefore make regular data backups, especially before applying changes or expansions to any data.
• Extensive information on the Catalogue Editor can be found in the corresponding Online Help. Please note in particular the information on import and export of textures.

Material and Lighting (3-D) • Catalogue Editor