Create New Drawing
The dialogue for creating new HiCAD drawing files depends on whether you are working with or without HELiOS (PDM), i.e. whether or not you manage your drawings in the database.
Each drawing has a 3-D
assembly ID. This ID specifies the 3-D assembly structure
for different automatic procedures like connections and links in steel
engineering or for adding front plates to beams etc.
Procedure without HELiOS
- On the Drawing tab, select the New
function. A new drawing is then created with the preset options or you can select the Start Centre 
in the ribbon. You can also press CTRL + N on the keyboard.
- When the Start Centre is activated, proceed as follows:
- Activate the Create new drawing without database function.
- Make the required settings in Options for new drawing as required.
- Exit the Start Centre with OK.
The drawing name is initially assigned automatically by HiCAD. New drawings are assigned the name "drawing", followed by a consecutive number, e.g. drawing1, drawing2 ...
The file name extension is .SZA. The directory specified for the ID C: under Extras/Settings/Directory is used as the path. This is usually the SCENES subfolder of your HiCAD directory ("scenes" is another term for "drawings").
When saving the drawing, HiCAD then asks you to confirm the path and name for storage or, if required, to enter a different path and name.
Please note:
- File names may contain spaces and points. Names the ending of which matches a file name extension (e.g. name.sza.sza) are not allowed.
- The total length of the HiCAD path name (path + file name) must not exceed 255 characters.
- The scale is taken from the current settings of the HiCAD Start Centre. The Main scale function in the Properties menu enables you to make subsequent changes to the scale.
- In 3-D assembly drawings, the attribute mask for the main assembly is displayed once the drawing has been created.
Procedure with HELiOS
- Select the Start Centre function in the ribbon or with CTRL+N on the keyboard. You can also select the desired function directly in the ribbon.
- In the activated Start Centre, you will find the desired functions for creating a drawing with a database under New drawing.
New drawing with DB, without article master
if you want the drawing to be created without specification of article master.
New drawing with DB, with new article master,
if you want to create the drawing with new article master.
New drawing with DB, assign article master,
if you want
to assign an existing article master to the drawing.
Make the remaining settings as required. Exit the Start Centre by clicking OK.
- Enter the document attributes and then, depending on the function you have chosen, the article attributes.
Predefining Directories • Save Drawing • Start Centre • HELiOS PDM Functions