Project: HiCAD Basics

Insert Existing Objects into Drawing

Objects from particular files as well as main parts and sub-parts from other drawings can also be inserted into the active drawing. These can be 3-D or 2-D parts saved as files, parts derived from variants, files imported via the interfaces or parts of another HiCAD drawing.

• Insert objects via function, as main parts
• Insert objects via function, as sub-parts
• Insert objects via Drag & Drop

Insert objects via function, as main parts

Drawing > Insert Part

The Insert Part function group on the Drawing tab provides the following options for the insertion of existing objects as main parts:

• Inserting saved 3-D or 2-D parts (KRA, FGA),
• Inserting 3-D parameter variants (KVR), 3-D feature variants (VAA, FEV), 2-D HCM variants (DCF), 2-D design variants (VAR) and 2-D parameter variants (FIV),
• Inserting DXF or STL files as well as files in the valid 3-D interface formats,
• Inserting parts from factory standard catalogues,
• Inserting pixel graphics in BMP, GIF, PCX, TIF and JPG formats as well as EMF files,
• Inserting HASCO, Strack or web2CAD standard products,
• Taking over (copying) of parts from other HiCAD drawings.
• Insertion of drawing frames - in various DIN formats, with or without title blocks.

Furthermore, you can insert drawing frames - in various DIN formats and with title blocks - into the drawing.

To insert objects as main parts, proceed as follows:

1. Select Drawing > Insert Part, then select the required function.
2. Select the file that you want to be inserted.
   If you want to take parts from another drawing, select the drawing. In this case, HiCAD displays a preview of the drawing and asks you to identify the part - in the drawing or in the ICN - that you want to take over.
3. HiCAD displays a preview of the selected part. Specify a fitting point on the part.
4. Define the position of the fitting point in your current drawing.

Please note:

• Alternatively, you can also access this function via the context menu of the drawing. You activate this menu by right-clicking an empty space in the HiCAD drawing area or the name of the drawing in the ICN.
• When deriving parts from variants, you may be required to make further entries, e.g. for the various parameters, before itemising the part.
• When inserting 2-D parts, you can directly transform, e.g. rotate, the part.

• You will find another option for transferring parts from one drawing to another in the context menu of the Information + Communication Navigator. You can copy parts to and insert parts from the HiCAD clipboard.
• You can also use drag and drop to insert 2-D or 3-D parts saved as files directly into your HiCAD drawing from Windows Explorer.

Insert objects via function, as sub-parts

To insert existing objects as sub-parts, activate the context menu for parts: Right-click the part (in the drawing or in the ICN) to which you want to assign the sub-part . Select Insert sub-part. In the displayed menu you will find the same functions as for main parts.

Insert objects via Drag & Drop

You can also use drag and drop to insert 2-D or 3-D parts saved as files directly into your HiCAD drawing from Windows Explorer. You can do this, for example, for

• 2-D parts with the file name extension .FGA
• 3-D parts with the file name extension .KRA
• 2-D DXF files with the file name extension .DXF.

To insert a file of this kind into the active drawing, perform the following steps:

1. In Windows Explorer, left-click the file you want.
2. Hold down the left mouse button and drag the file to the HiCAD drawing surface.
3. Release the mouse button.
4. Choose whether you want the file to be inserted as a main part or a sub-part. HiCAD displays a preview of the part.
5. Now define a point on the part and then the position of this point in the drawing.

Please note:

• The name of the selected file is used as the part name.
• If the part is inserted as a sub-part, it will be assigned to the currently active part.
• Additional insertion options are available for FGA and DXF files:
• Insert part into 2-D beam group
  The contents of the selected file are inserted into the active 2-D beam group (Metal Engineering). In this case, a beam group needs to have been loaded.
• Insert part as 3-D series beam
  The contents of the selected file are inserted as a 3-D series beam (Steel Engineering).
• Insert as 3-D series beam, along c-edge
  The contents of the selected file are inserted as a 3-D series beam (Steel Engineering) along a composite edge.

Function Group: Insert Part • Interface Overview